South Africa: Sugar imports leave a bitter taste in local industry There is a need for the local sugar industry to consider diversifying its product offering if it is to remain a viable industry that is able to create jobs, says the Department of Trade and Industry (dti). There is a need for the SA sugar industry to consider diversifying its product offerings and to look at bio based niche product markets in order to increase sustainability, grow the revenue source and contribute as a transformed, competitive and profitable job creating industry, said the department. The local sugar value chain has been impacted by imported sugar products. On Friday, the South African Cane Growers Association (SACGA) met with dti Minister Rob Davies to discuss the impact of imported sugar on the sugar value chain in South Africa in general and on sugar cane growers in particular. Cane growers indicated that the increases in sugar imports have an unavoidable impact on the competitiveness of the South African sugar industry. In addition, the industry has suffered a reduction in sales to the beverage sector, which is moving away from sugar. Exploratory discussions about finding solutions led to the recommendation that the industry as a whole needs to propose a long-term vision and industrial plan that takes into account the impact of global developments and the shifting landscape in the sugar industry. Both the department and the SACGA agreed that there is a need to urgently address the potential threats associated with an increasing replacement of local sugar with imports, particularly with unemployment. The meeting agreed to seek rapid solutions to the challenges facing the sugar industry focusing on short, medium to long-term plans. Meanwhile, it was agreed that the tariff support provided to the industry should be complemented by improving competitiveness of the domestic industry to ensure its long-term continued viability. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-04-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Evgen_Prozhyrko/iStock(NEW YORK) -- In a little over a month, there have been at least five attacks on houses of worship of three different faiths across the U.S., capped off with the deadly shooting at a California synagogue this weekend. On March 24, a little over a week after the deadly shooting at two mosques in New Zealand, there was a fire at a mosque in Escondido, California. Two days later, the first of three historically black churches was burned in Louisiana. Two more fires tied to the same suspect happened the following week. On April 17, two days after a fire burned the historic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the cause of which is still being determined, a man was arrested after entering St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City with two gasoline canisters, two bottles of lighter fluid and butane lighters. Deadly bombings at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter prompted a visible increase in police presence in front of churches in major American cities like New York. Finally, on April 27, there was a deadly shooting at a synagogue in a suburb of San Diego. "The reality is we are in a period of heightened threat," said John Cohen, a former acting undersecretary at the Department of Homeland Security and current ABC News contributor. "We are experiencing an increase in targeted attacks against people and places associated with religious worship and beliefs. That said, the FBI and state and local law enforcement are very aware of the threat and are working aggressively to address it," Cohen said. The latest attack, where one woman was fatally shot and others were injured inside a Poway synagogue near San Diego, has led to increased security efforts across the country. In Chicago and Los Angeles, police spokespeople have confirmed that officers are doing more patrols and increasing their visibility around synagogues and other religious institutions in the wake of Saturday's shooting. The same is true in the New York City area, which has more Jewish residents than in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv combined, according to multiple population reports. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Sunday that he was directing state police to "increase their security presence at synagogues and houses of worship." "We must come together during this troubling time to root out hate in all its forms and show the nation we will never be divided by these despicable acts of violence," Cuomo said in a statement. Cohen said there are three ways that law enforcement can help secure houses of worship: outreach to local religious leaders, increased physical security and visible deterrents and covert surveillance like undercover officers. "This is a concern that has been elevated for some time. They have been tracking the increase in targeted acts of violence and hate crimes directed at both faith-based facilities as well as individuals because of their faith," Cohen said. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Today, the United Bank is the country's third largest bank, with a capital of about EGP 3.5 billion; the acquisition, if finalized, would contribute to strengthening the country's foreign reserves and banking system The sale of United Bank to an unnamed US investment fund is expected to be finalised within three months, Tarek Amer, the governor of the Central Bank of Egypt, told MENA state agency on Monday. "The US fund is one of the largest investment funds in the world, with a capital of about $104 billion," Tarek Amer said. The CBE governor did not disclose the fund's name, since the potential US buyer is conducting an annonymous vetting process to assess the capital, financial deals and investments of United Bank. The CBE owns about 99.9 percent of United Banks capital. United Bank was created in 2006 when the CBE merged three banks facing bankruptcy at the time - the Islamic Bank for Development and Investment, the Nile Bank and the United Egyptian - in order to protect depositors. The decision to create the United Bank was part of implementing the CBE's policy of reforming the banking system, which started in 2003, experts told Al-Ahram Arabic news website. The banking reform policy succeeded in reducing of the number of banks operating in Egypt from 69 to 39, consolidating the sector. Today, the United Bank is the country's third largest bank, with a capital of about EGP 3.5 billion, and 54 branches nationwide. Rashad Abdo, a banking sector expert, explained that the potential acquisition of United Bank by a US find would both contribute to strengthening the country's foreign reserves, since the potential buyer is a US fund that deals in dollars, and also inject developed banking mangement expertise into Egypt's banking system. Last week, Banque du Caire announced it will offer a portion of its shares for sale on the stock market before the end of the year. Banque du Caire, owned by Banque Misr, the second-largest state-owned bank in Egypt, will offer 20 or 30 percent of its shares for private placement and public offering, but has yet to decide on the percentage of each. The offering is expected to garner between $300 and $400 million. However, the central bank has opted not to offer shares for the United Bank on the stock market per the CBE's policy of preventing individuals from owning banks and according to its preference of trusting the management of banks to experienced banking institutions. Similarly, the CBE plans to keep the management of a privatised Banque du Caire to institutions not individuals based on its above-mentioned policy. Search Keywords: Short link: Hundreds of protesters this morning besieged the presidential villa gate to demand the immediate removal of a Central Bank of Nigeria f... Hundreds of protesters this morning besieged the presidential villa gate to demand the immediate removal of a Central Bank of Nigeria former deputy governor, Dr. Joseph Nnana over corrupt activities. Nnana who is presently a Board Chairman at the Nigeria Export Import Bank,NEXIM is being fingered to be behind some corrupt and fraudulent activities going on in the bank. The protesters under the aegis of the Awareness For Good Governance Group (AGGG) said It is disheartening to note the absolute misgivings and unethical conduct of some cursed breeds occupying sensitive position of offices most especially in the financial sector which is supposed to operate on a clean slate. The Convener of the group, Princess Ajibola said, we observed with stark dismay the recent dubious engagements of one Dr Joseph Nnana, a former Deputy Governor (Economic Policies) at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) who was appointed barely one year ago to serve as the board chairman of NEXIM. We regret to publicly announce the fraudulent and nepotistic crave of Dr Nnana who has soiled his already filthy hands with cans of worms without traces of professional approach and have proven to the world that he is not fit to occupy any public office; not even a treasurer of any hamlet developmental Union talk less of a reputed public treasury like NEXIM Bank. She said as a group, the Awareness For Good Governance platform is a formidable front vested with the sole interest of encouraging good leadership style in the public and financial sector of the economy. We all know our beloved country is rated among the third world country. However, our developmental stride is not limited because Nigeria under the pragmatic leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari accord zero tolerance to corruption. As an unrepentant Apostle of corruption, the said Nnana who is unqualified to occupy the position of the organizations Chairmanship is personalizing the affairs of the Bank by allowing his emotions to take the lead while he steers activities of the bank to the murky waters of frustration, looting and scandals. She said recently, Nnana authorized the payment of over 100 million naira as severance package for his girlfriend, one Saratu Umar who was once a staff of the bank but was sacked due to her widely attested negligence and incompetence. Furthermore, our group noted the latest scheming of Dr Nnana and his cabals by illegitimately recommending and approving mass sack of staff of the bank perceived to opposed his corrupt minded posture, abuse of public office and lack of due process in his self-seeking and serving interest as an dictator without focus. The ongoing mass sack through threats and intimidation by Nnana is to allow him his cronies and allies, mostly from his State of Origin amass illegitimate public fund at the expense of the formerly standard but now crippling organization under the watch of corrupt stenched filled Nnanna. AGGG further gathered that Dr Nnanas latest hobby is the comic act of threatening to use the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to witch hunt many of his staff who are contributing their best quota towards the organizational development of the establishment. We want to equally caution the EFCC and the entirety of its hierarchy to desist from allowing the fake helmsman of a revered organization to use them for shaming purposes without proper investigation. In effect, we are tasking the EFCC to investigate Dr Nnanas role when he served a Board Member in Nigerias apex bank before his appointment as Chairman, NEXIM bank. It is also worthy of note, NEXIM bank is not just a financial sector but a trade policy financial institution aimed at diversifying the Nigerian economy into a non oil dependent economy. To this end, allowing a renowned rogue to pilot the affairs of this noble institution is a clog in the wheels of Nigerias developmental goals and in effect painting our beloved nation on a negative timeline. We are calling on Mr President and the relevant authorities to invoke punitive measures against the newly identified advocate of corruption Dr Nnana before he totally infect the few good personnel remaining in the hierarchy of NEXIM bank. Sunday marked a new chapter of cooperation within the All Progressives Congress, APC, family as two frontline leaders of APC from the ... Sunday marked a new chapter of cooperation within the All Progressives Congress, APC, family as two frontline leaders of APC from the South-South region, Rotimi Amaechi and the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and former minority leader of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio met each other to iron out their perceived political differences. The meeting, which was at the instance of Akpabio, was brokered by two chieftains of the Party, Alhaji Nasiru Danu, (the Dan Amarna of Dutse) and Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN. Alhaji Danu, was one of the Directors of Logistics of the APC Presidential Campaign Council and a long-time ally of President Muhammadu Buhari while Mr. Keyamo was the Director of Strategic Communications of the APC Presidential Campaign Council. He is also a Chieftain of the party from the South-South region. The meeting which took place at the private residence of Danu in the Asokoro region of Abuja lasted several hours where the leaders frankly and honestly talked about their various disagreements from their days as Governors in PDP and in the then Nigerian Governors Forum. They also discussed and analysed the performance of the party in the South-South region in the just-concluded election and identified areas where things went wrong and how to improve those areas in future. At the end, both leaders agreed to close ranks and work in unison for the overall interest of the party in the country. They promised to put behind them all previous perceived misgivings between them and to give a positive direction to the teeming supporters of the party across the country. Nolywood actor, Prince Dammy Eke, has died. According to reports, Prince Eke who was one of the sons of the Late Eze Gbaka Gbaka of ... Nolywood actor, Prince Dammy Eke, has died. According to reports, Prince Eke who was one of the sons of the Late Eze Gbaka Gbaka of Woji, died yesterday April 28th. He was said to have slumped while having drinks with his friends in a sit out bar. He was rushed to the hospital where died. The cause of death is yet to be ascertained. May his soul rest in peace, Amen. Following the death of about two hundred and fifty, (250), people in the Easter attack on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, President M... Following the death of about two hundred and fifty, (250), people in the Easter attack on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, President Maithripala Sirisena, Monday banned the covering of faces for easy identification. He said he was using an emergency law to impose the restriction from Monday. According to him, Any face garment which hinders identification will be banned to ensure security. His orders were criticized by Muslim leaders. However, days after the attack, Sri Lankan government mounted enough security to secure the nooks and crannies of the country. Over the weekend thousands of Sri Lankan troops stood guard on the streets, protecting churches and mosques. Nigerian, African churches boom in London Sunday church services were canceled across the country as a precaution, but worshippers in the capital gathered to pray outside St Anthonys Shrine, which was badly damaged in the attacks. The number of people arrested in connection with the killings rose to 150. Security personnels are also hunting for around 140 followers of the jihadist group Islamic State. Nasiru Abubakar-Milo, on Monday, prayed the Court of Appeal Sokoto Division to declare him bona fide chairman of the Peoples Democratic... Nasiru Abubakar-Milo, on Monday, prayed the Court of Appeal Sokoto Division to declare him bona fide chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Zamfara. He also prayed the court to recognise those on the list he submitted as the authentic candidates for the 2019 elections. The PDP factional leadership of Abubakar-Milo had filed a suit challenging the nomination of the partys flag bearer, Bello Matawalle. Other defendants in the suit are Senator Hassan Nasiha and INEC. Adopting his final written address, Abubakar-Milo, through his counsel, Mr. Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume, SAN, argued that the main contention on the matter was the right nomination and submission of candidates preparatory to the 2019 elections. Umeh averred that the judgment of the Federal High Court in Gusau, which recognised the respondent, Nasiha, as Zamfara state PDP chairman, should be set aside. He prayed the court to exercise its power and enter judgment in favour of the appellant and recognise his clients governorship candidate, Ibrahim Shehu, and the reliefs sought. The Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division on Monday adjourned the Peoples Democratic Party, Zamfara State executive members tussle for judgment after the two parties had adopted their addresses. Responding to the objections raised by Mr. Junaidu Aminu, counsel to Nasiha and Mattawalle urged the court to discountenance the submission. Counsel to INEC urged the court to dismiss the entire suit for lack of merit. According to the originating documents filed, the suit emanated from a parallel primary election held by two acclaimed party executives and both submitted nominations to INEC before the 2019 elections. The Presiding Judge, Justice Ahmed Belgore, adjourned the case for ruling on the objections argued by parties Justice Belgore said the court will deliver judgment in the entire suit on a date to be announced later. The governor-elect of Bauchi state, Senator Bala Mohammed has accused the governor of the state, Mohammed Abubakar of employing the ser... The governor-elect of Bauchi state, Senator Bala Mohammed has accused the governor of the state, Mohammed Abubakar of employing the services of anti-graft agents to smear his reputation ahead of the swearing-in billed for May 29. Bala Mohammed is due to appear in court today at Court 26 FCT High Court Maitama in Abuja to face charges bordering on false declaration of assets. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC claimed that Mohammed failed to declare all his assets in his previous trials. The EFCC, in turn, has filed a six-count charge according to available information. Ibrahim Danlami, a media aide of the governor-elect said that Governor Abubakar who had initially accepted defeat and congratulated Bala Mohammed following the conclusion of the elections, turned around and withdrew his congratulatory message and headed to the election tribunal after the governor-elect pledged to probe the activities of the Abubakar administration. And if the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara has discovered some documents which shows that over 2,000 ghost workers have been inputted into the salaries and arrears of Bauchi State in the last four years and over N400bn has come to Bauchi and we cannot see anything that has been done for N5bn, if I dont do it (probe him), then I have abdicated my responsibility, Bala Mohammed said in a recent interview. Some forces within the ruling party have perfected plots to smear the reputation of the Bauchi State Governor-Elect, Senator Bala Mohammed using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC] and a section of the media as pliable tools. Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has raised the alarm over the detention of 15 Nigerian citizens by the Nigerian navy for seven month... Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has raised the alarm over the detention of 15 Nigerian citizens by the Nigerian navy for seven months without trial. The senior advocate said Dada Labinjo, a navy captain, Sherifat Ibe Lambert (also known as Mrs Bola Labinjo), a lt. commander, and 13 others have been in detention since September 2018 for an undisclosed offence and without trial. been violated by the navy while the detainees have also been denied access to their lawyers and family members since they were detained, Falana said in a statement he issued on Sunday afternoon. A magistrates order that Lambert should be released hasbeen violated by the navy while the detainees have also been denied access to their lawyers and family members since they were detained, Falana said in a statement he issued on Sunday afternoon. He called on Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation, to charge the naval personnel responsible for the violations of the fundamental rights of the detainees with contempt of court and acts of torture under the Criminal Code Act and the Anti Torture Act. He wrote: Sometime in September 2018, the Nigerian Navy arrested 15 Nigerian citizens including Navy Captain Dada Labinjo, Lt. Commander Sherifat Ibe Lambert (also known as Mrs Bola Labinjo) and Benjamin Gold for an undisclosed offence. The detainees were immediately dumped in a military detention facility at Apapa in Lagos. In order to legalise the arrest and detention of the detainees the Naval Authorities obtained a remand warrant from a Magistrate Court sitting at Apapa. But as the detainees who were incarcerated for over 3 months were not charged with any criminal offence the Magistrate Court reviewed their case on January 7, 2019 and ordered the Naval Authorities to release them from illegal custody forthwith. But in utter contempt of the valid order of the Magistrate Court the Authorities of the Nigerian Navy transferred the detainees to another military detention facility in Abuja. Following the application by Lt. Commander Bola Labinjo filed for the enforcement of her fundamental right to personal liberty the Federal High Court directed the Naval Authorities to release her from illegal custody. But the valid order of the Federal High Court has equally been ignored by the Naval Authorities without any legal justification. Even though the civilians among the detainees are not subject to service law the Naval Authorities have continued to detain them in military detentuon facilities. s if that is not enough, the detainees have been denied access to their family members, medical doctors and lawyers. Furthermore, the fundamental right of the detainess to dignity has been violated as they are being held incommunicado in solitary confinement while they are subjected to physical, mental and psychological torture in total contravention of section 3(2) of the Anti Torture Act, 2017 which provides that secret detention places, solitary confinement, incommunicado or other similar forms of detention where torture is carried out are prohibited. Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has told speakership hopeful, Femi Gbajabiamila that he does not have to sell his soul to... Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has told speakership hopeful, Femi Gbajabiamila that he does not have to sell his soul to the Fulanis because he wants to become a speaker. Fani-Kayode was reacting to a photo in which Gbajabiamila was pictured sitting at the feet and clinging to the thighs of a Fulani Islamic a scholar by the name of Sheik Dahiru Bauchi. The former minister, who was displeased with the what he saw said: Has it really come to this? Do we have to sink to this level? Must we bow before them? Is it not better to die a free man than live a slave? Some have argued that Femi did this because he is a Muslim and that he was merely displaying his deep respect for a northern Muslim cleric. I find this contention, at best, intellectually dishonest and, at worst, specious and disingenuous. It is also a pernicious lie that seeks to mask the bitter truth. The question is whether any leading Fulani politician would ever crawl before, kneel at the feet of and grab the thighs of any Yoruba Muslim cleric or Sheik simply to win his support for any position? According to Fani-Kayode, I doubt it very much given the fact that Fulani Muslims do not even allow Yoruba clerics to lead prayers in mosques in the north. The Yoruba Muslims in the north are compelled to open their own Yoruba Mosques where they can lead in prayer but they cannot lead in any mosque that the Hausa Fulani attend. This is the case despite the fact that Islam came to the Yorubaland, through the Turkish traders, a good 400 years before it arrived in the northern region of what later became Nigeria through Usman Dan Fodio. I have known Femi for over 40 years and I have always loved and respected him. I still do. And as far as I am concerned politics can never come between us. But the Femi in this picture is not the Femi I knew, loved and grew up within old Lagos. That Femi would never bow or kneel before any man for any reason. That Femi was a man of honour, self-respect, and dignity who put his family and tribe before anything or anyone else. That Femi was one of the most brilliant minds of the new generation of young political leaders that emerged in the late 90s and that went on to do great things and achieve so much for their people and country. There was a fire outbreak at Apo transmission substation in the federal capital territory (FCT) on Sunday. The substation is being... There was a fire outbreak at Apo transmission substation in the federal capital territory (FCT) on Sunday. The substation is being operated by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). In a statement, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) which feeds directly from the substation said a 45MVA transformer was lost in the inferno. TCN said the fire resulted from a direct fault from one of Abuja Discos 33kV feeders which has a history of incessant tripping. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) fire service assisted in putting off the fire. It said the Apo Transmission Substation has other transformers and so, power supply to all the areas that take supply from the substation through AEDC will not be affected by the incident. Our technical team is right now working with the TCN engineers to see how to absorb the load on the 45MVA transformer that was affected by the fire, the statement read. Babatunde Fashola, minister of power, works and housing, was quoted as saying the damages were being assessed. I am aware of the Apo Fire incident which occurred today affecting the transmission transformer and our staff are at site and on ground. Fire has been put out. Damages are being assessed and plans underway to redistribute power to communities served by the burnt/damaged transformer at Apo transmission substation, he reportedly said. At least five Nigerian soldiers were killed and some 30 are missing three days after Boko Haram jihadist overran an army base, security... At least five Nigerian soldiers were killed and some 30 are missing three days after Boko Haram jihadist overran an army base, security sources said on Monday. Gunmen from the Islamic State West Africa Province, the IS-linked faction of Boko Haram, attacked the base in Nigerias northeastern Borno state on Friday. We have recovered five bodies of soldiers who paid the supreme price fighting the terrorists, a military officer told AFP, giving the first reports of casualty numbers. Search and rescue teams are still looking for around 30 more soldiers who have gone missing since the attack, the officer added. ISWAP fighters on Friday launched an assault on the base at Mararrabar Kimba, 135 kilometres (85 miles) from the state capital Maiduguri. The fighters, reportedly driving over a dozen pickup trucks with heavy machine guns welded onto the back, were accompanied by three armoured personnel carriers and flanked by a fleet of gunmen firing from motorbikes. Some soldiers scattered into the bush to escape. A second officer confirmed the toll of five dead. There are high hopes the missing soldiers will be found or will find their way back, he added. We are not thinking of the worst scenario. There was no immediate official response from the army. The decade-long jihadist conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and forced millions from their homes. The violence has spread to neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, prompting a regional military coalition against the jihadists. In recent weeks, coalition forces involving Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon have been pounding insurgent hideouts in the Lake Chad areas with airstrikes, as well as launching ground assaults. The ISWAP faction split from the main Boko Haram group in 2016, but there are reports the two groups might be merging back together. Nigerian army chief Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai last week warned of an ISWAP-Boko Haram alliance to carve out a jihadist enclave stretching from Nigerias northeast into the wider Lake Chad region. Abdul Rahman Ado Ibrahim, ohinoyi of Ebiraland, says Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, is being misled by money and extremely wrong peo... Abdul Rahman Ado Ibrahim, ohinoyi of Ebiraland, says Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, is being misled by money and extremely wrong people around him. Ibrahim said Bello has lost the goodwill of the people and it would be difficult to convince them to vote him for a second term in office. Speaking in an interview with Daily Trust, the traditional ruler said he supported Bello in 2015 because his assessment of the governor was positive, but he is a different thing today. According to him, Bello does not listen to the counsel of traditional leaders but he gave more time to those who idolize him. So there is this issue of the boy not knowing what he should do because he has extremely wrong people around him. Bello is a nice young man and highly intelligent; that is why I recommended him at that time, Ibrahim said. People said I was supporting Bello because he is my cousin. Well, partly, that could be one reason. Two, he had money to do it, and that money is what has misled him so far. A good person should always put money aside and put reality in the front. Money should just be a palliative anytime you need it. The governor did not allow traditional rulers to advise him. I havent sat with him to advise him on issues that are required to stabilise the peace of the people. I think I should advise him on policy issues, but he gave more time to those who idolize him. He is enjoying that. Asked to comment on the non-payment of workers salaries in the state, the ohinoyi said he cannot say much. For the assessment, I cant say much, I can only talk about what people are saying and what I read in the papers, he said. I dont know how he does it. If people say he didnt pay salaries, I cannot say why he didnt do that. As far as I am concerned, he is paying salaries. I cannot comment on whatever they say he is doing. Ibrahim said despite the not so good comments about Bello, he does not want the relationship between them smeared. He said he prays for, and is working to see the governors re-election, even though the people of Ebira dont want to hear me say that. Whatever I want to say is that my human relation with him should not be put to shame. I introduced him and favoured him in place of others. I did my own assessment of him at that time. He is a different thing today, as far as Im concerned, he said. His relationship with Ebira people is a bit dented because he has more relationship with the Igala people, who are leading him in government. And they are the people I am now talking to so that they will have a change of mind and vote him back. Honestly, they have the votes. All I am trying to do is to get them to give him another term, after that if they dont need to see his face anymore they can seal his fate. Whatever term they want to give, Im prepared to go to any length. Im really trying to get my people to support his second term, but I know that they dont want to hear me say that. The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has rekindled hopes that he will reclaim his m... The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has rekindled hopes that he will reclaim his mandate at the tribunal. The former Vice President said this in a statement on Sunday signed by his Special Assistant on Youth and Support Groups Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas. Atiku assured millions of his supportersin the last elections, that victory was sure. He titled the statement, A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO THE OVER 18 MILLION ATIKULATED FAMILY MEMBERS. Like never before in the history of presidential election petition in Nigeria, the plethora, overwhelming, watertight and barefaced evidences at the disposal of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the PDP has put us on a track to glory, he said. He appreciated the efforts, doggedness and determination of his supporters to bring about a new Nigeria where businesses and investment will thrive, when Wazirin Adamawa reclaims his mandate at the tribunals. He added, It is just the believe and confidence you had that made many of you to travel far and wide, even twice for some, risking everything to cast your votes for his Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar/Peter Obi. Some of you may have never voted before, but because you believed in #TheAtikuPlan and you wanted a new Nigeria to be birth by Wazirin Adamawa and Peter Obi, you chose to endure all the stress, including those of collecting PVC and joining the queue to cast your vote under the scorching sun. It is a public knowledge that some of you had to even paid money to collect your PVCs in some places like Lagos among others, a very sad and embarrassing situation, he said. He told them not to despair, but remain resolute. Right now, our dream of a #BetterNigeria may seem to have been dashed by the cowardice behavior of the chairman of INEC, caving in to the desperation of the APC to cling to power at all costs. But I want to tell everyone of us that the good news is theres light at the end of tunnel. The vision to Atikulate a new Nigeria is alive. Be optimistic as you have always been because the JOURNEY to reclaiming the stolen mandate to create #BetterJobs for the millions of unemployed youth of this country, provide #BetterLife and #GetNigeriaWorkingAgain WILL SURELY BE FRUITFUL because TRUTH is on our side. Whatever is the case, we insist and call on the judiciary, the last hope of the common man to remain resolute and dispense justice to the Nigerian people without fear or favor. Nigeria is bigger than anybody and will outlived all of us. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari did not write to the National Assembly, to inform them ... The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari did not write to the National Assembly, to inform them of his trip to the United Kingdom. Appearing on Channels Televisions Politics Today on Sunday, the PDPs Deputy National Chairman, Yemi Akinwunmi, said the President ought to have notified the lawmakers, indicating his mission abroad and transferring power to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. I know by the standard convention all over the world, it is conventional that when the President is travelling out of a domain, whether privately or publicly after about six or seven days, he has to have a course to the National Assembly to disclose his mission and then transfer power to the Vice President. These guys are talking as if Nigeria is a private enterprise, it is not. The President derives his power from the citizens. And he is responsible not to the presidency but to Nigerians. The money he is going to spend in the course of the journey is derived from the federation account, Akinwunmi said. The lawmaker representing Kaduna Central at the National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani, has revealed the reason behind the fight betwee... The lawmaker representing Kaduna Central at the National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani, has revealed the reason behind the fight between a national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu; Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara. According to Sani, the brickbat was all about the leadership of the ninth National Assembly. He also noted that it was a continuation of what transpired at the eight Assembly. Tinubu had accused Saraki and Dogara of having padded the national budget for four years. In their separate reactions, both Saraki and Dogara fired back, accusing the former Lagos State Governor of attempting to hijack the National Assembly to aide his dream of becoming President in 2023. 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. Hotel Business News and Analytics Important! This article is written by orangesmile.com editors and is protected by copyright law. The article can only be re-used with a direct link to www.orangesmile.com NEWS BLOCKS: The Best Value City Breaks in Europe As shorter vacations have become increasingly popular in recent years, many travelers prefer to make city breaks in various destinations across Europe. Of course, expenses play the central role here as no one wants to run out of budget for a three- or four-day vacation. ECA International did the math for us and now offers its list of the most popular European city break locations. The report uses the average four-star hotel price in different European cities. According to this data, hotels in Riga are the best choice for all tourists who want to spend a short city break. Latvias capital city has the cheapest four-star hotels that cost only US$127 a night on average. Tourists who are ready to spend a lot on their city break can head to the most expensive city in Europe the capital of Switzerland. Hotels in Geneva are really expensive one night in a four-star hotel costs US$377 on average. Of course, Europe has many charming and more affordable cities that are worth visiting. For example, a night in a hotel in Zagreb (Croatia) costs roughly US$136. The capital of Portugal, Lisbon, is also one of the most affordable European capitals, and that makes it a perfect destination for a city break. One night in a four-star hotel in Lisbon costs US$153 on average. Malta hotels ask US$142 per night. It would also be a mistake not to mention such popular destinations as Budapest and Prague. These European capitals are a very popular choice for short city breaks, and relatively cheap hotels (USD$172) are one of the reasons for that. If you are planning to visit Scandinavian cities, prepare to higher prices as they are among the most expensive in Europe. Reykjavik hotels, Iceland, posted some of the biggest increases in Europe, rising from US$40 a night to fantastic US$307. This makes hotels in the capital of Iceland even more expensive than hotels in Copenhagen and Stockholm (US$266 and US$230 respectively). Four-star hotels in Oslo, the capital of Norway, cost US$266 on average. Reykjavik hotels have the biggest increase in price in Europe due to the skyrocketing popularity of Iceland with both leisure and business tourists and, therefore, lack of hotel supply to meet this growing demand. Meanwhile, hotels in such traditional destinations in Europe as Paris and London remain expensive. Travelers have to pay US$362 and US$324 per night respectively to stay in these getaway capitals. Dublin is a much more affordable destination with 4-star Dublin hotels asking US$195 per night. 29.04.2019Stay in touch with the latest news of a worldwide hotel industry. All up-to-date analytics, reports , and news about hotel business trends on OrangeSmile.com. Motortion/iStock(CINCINNATI) -- The horrific discovery of four adult members of a family shot dead inside an apartment in a suburb of Cincinnati prompted police on Monday to warn the public that the killer remains on the loose and has not been identified. The bodies of the four family members, three women and a man, were discovered Sunday night by a relative, who called 911, West Chester Township Police Chief Joel Herzog said at a news conference on Monday. He said all of the victims were shot to death and that it appeared the killer struck as the family were cooking a meal. "At this time we are actively working this case, looking to identify a suspect," Herzog said. "The safety of the community is paramount for us. So we're diligently working to ensure that everybody is safe in the community." The identities of the victims were pending autopsies, but Herzog said they were members of the same family and all shared a residence at the Lakefront at West Chester apartment complex. He said a relative found the bodies about 10 p.m. on Sunday and called 911. "There was also some reports that there was a fire inside. There was unattended food that was being prepped at the time and that's where the call from the smoke and fire came," said Herzog, explaining that the fire was not intentionally set. Herzog said there was no evidence found indicating the victims were armed. "It does not appear that there was any return fire," Herzog said. He said that after the bodies were discovered, a K-9 unit and an Ohio State Highway Patrol helicopter combed the area in search for the suspect. Herzog said police had previously responded to the family's apartment for routine calls, including a theft. "No unusual calls there," he said. "Just your normal runs for service." Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. UPM Reports Strong First Quarter 2019 Results on Healthy Pricing ""The first quarter of the year lived up to our expectations, and we are thus able to report the 24th consecutive quarter of increased earnings. In five of our six business areas, prices increased more than offsetting the higher costs and keeping overall margins healthy." Jussi Pesonen, President and CEO, UPM. April 29, 2019 - UPM's president and CEO, Jussi Pesonen, on April 26 made the following comments about the company's first quarter 2019 results: "The first quarter of the year lived up to our expectations, and we are thus able to report the 24th consecutive quarter of increased earnings. In five of our six business areas, prices increased more than offsetting the higher costs and keeping overall margins healthy. Our sales grew by 7% and comparable EBIT increased by 5% to EUR 374 million. Operating cash flow was strong, and our balance sheet remained debt-free even after all leases (EUR 495 million) were recognised on the balance sheet in accordance with the new IFRS16 accounting standard. UPM Biorefining reported another excellent quarter. As expected, pulp prices were somewhat lower than the historically high prices seen in the latter half of the previous year. Pulp, Biofuels and Timber all enjoyed good customer demand and consequently deliveries developed favourably in an operationally successful quarter. UPM Communication Papers had a strong quarter with improved earnings due to year-end increases in sales prices. To ensure our long-term success in declining markets, we continue to implement measures to improve cost competitiveness and adapt capacity to the profitable customer demand. The conversion of PM2 at UPM Nordland, Germany, to release liner is proceeding well and in April we announced plans to close PM10 at UPM Plattling, Germany. Good demand continued in the label paper and release liner businesses of UPM Specialty Papers. Destocking in the Asian fine paper market appears to be over and margins are turning. We aim to restore profitability with various cost, growth and product development initiatives. UPM Raflatac regained upward momentum in sales and profitability after last year's challenge with rapid increases in raw material costs. In January, the new product line for specialty labels was completed in Tampere, Finland, and in March we began a fixed-cost reduction programme to further improve earnings. Margins remained good in UPM Plywood and market demand in Europe was solid. The expansion project at the UPM Chudovo plywood mill in Russia proceeded to the production trial run phase. UPM Energy is back on track as electricity prices have improved. Hydropower generation is still hindered by the dry hydrological situation. Furthermore, we look forward to our transformative prospects that are set to provide us with unique opportunities for significant long-term earnings growth. In Uruguay, preparations for the potential new world-class pulp mill are proceeding. While encouraging progress has been made in many areas, several important conditions stated in the Investment Agreement are still pending. These include e.g. the execution of the Railway Contract in relation to the Central Railway Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) project. Labour protocols, conflict mitigation regulation and certain material outstanding items as specified in the Investment Agreement are all critical for UPM. If the ongoing second preparation phase is concluded successfully, UPM will initiate the company's regular process of analysing and preparing an investment decision on the potential pulp mill project. Preparations are also ongoing in our attractive biomolecular businesses. In UPM Biochemicals, we have completed the basic engineering of the potential biorefinery. We are currently assessing two alternative industrial parks in Germany, in Frankfurt and in Leuna, to select the optimal set-up for our facility. Also, the commercial studies need to be concluded before starting UPM's regular process of analysing and preparing an investment decision. UPM Biofuels is evaluating the growth opportunity in Kotka, Finland, and new sustainable feedstocks in order to scale up the business. The development work is expected to continue into next year, as we aim to create a competitive next generation biorefinery in terms of production, products and feedstocks. UPM is in great shape and ready to grasp the opportunities for value creation and business growth offered by bioeconomy. We firmly believe in growing sustainable businesses that offer solutions to global challenges such as climate change and resource scarcity. Our innovations create value and business opportunities for an era where the world is no longer dependent on fossils." Outlook 2019 The global economic growth is estimated to continue in 2019, albeit at a slower pace than in 2018. There are, however, significant uncertainties related to this, including trade negotiations between China and the US, growth in China, the undefined nature of Brexit and political uncertainties in several countries. These issues may have an impact on the global economic growth and on UPM's product and raw material markets during 2019. UPM reached record earnings in 2018. UPM's business performance is expected to continue at a good level in 2019. In 2019, favourable demand is expected to continue for most UPM businesses. Demand decline is expected to continue for UPM Communication Papers. In the early part of the year 2019, pulp prices are expected to be lower and graphic paper prices in Europe higher than in Q4 2018. Input costs are expected to stabilise after the significant increases seen in 2018. UPM will continue measures to reduce both variable and fixed costs. Fair value increases of forest assets are not expected to contribute materially to comparable EBIT in 2019. Through the renewing of the bio and forest industries, UPM is building a sustainable future across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Paper ENA and UPM Plywood. To learn more, please visit: www.upm.com SOURCE: UPM Husband Of Imprisoned Lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh Rejects Iran's Judiciary's Accusation of "Exaggerating" Her Heavy Sentence 04/29/19 Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran "The authorities...refuse to accept the fact that they have condemned a woman lawyer to suffer the inhuman act of flogging and a long prison sentence because of activities that were entirely peaceful." -Reza Khandan, husband of Nasrin Sotoudeh Nasrin Sotoudeh Imprisoned human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh's husband, Reza Khandan, has rejected Iranian Judiciary Spokesman Gholam-Hossein Esmaili's claim that the magnitude of the sentence against her has been exaggerated. "They are playing games," Esmaili said at a press conference in Tehran on April 23, referring to the outcry over the harsh punishment against Sotoudeh for her defense of peaceful activists and her opposition to the mandatory hijab. The Judiciary Spokesman added: "The so-called legal experts are being misleading rather than transparent and honest. The Islamic Penal Code (Article 134) states that in case of multiple sentences only the most severe punishment will be enforced." On March 11, 2019, Sotoudeh, 55, was sentenced to 33 years in prison and 148 lashes on seven charges: "assembly and collusion against national security," "propaganda against the state," "membership in the Defenders of Human Rights Center, the Legam group [against the death penalty] and the National Peace Council," "encouraging people to corruption and prostitution," "appearing at the judiciary without Islamic hijab," "disturbing public peace and order" and "publishing falsehoods with the intent to disturb public opinion." She would be eligible for release after serving 12 years for the heaviest sentence, which was "encouraging people to "corruption and prostitution." "Mr. Esmaili says we should have only talked about the 12-year prison sentence," said Reza Khandan in response to the Judiciary Spokesman. "But we weren't the ones who issued the verdict. The judge sentenced her to 33 years in prison based on seven charges. That's what the verdict exactly says." Speaking to the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) on April 24, Sotoudeh's husband added: "This shows the authorities can't even defend their own court verdict and refuse to accept the fact that they have condemned a woman lawyer to suffer the inhuman act of flogging and a long prison sentence because of activities that were entirely peaceful." Meanwhile the Judiciary Spokesman also told reporters that there was still a possibility that Sotoudeh's punishment may be reduced on appeal. However, in protest against the sentence, Sotoudeh has refused to lodge an appeal. Foreign Minister Javad Zarif: US Trying to 'Bring Iran to Its Knees' 04/29/19 By Ken Bredemeier, VOA WASHINGTON - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is accusing the United States of trying to "bring Iran to its knees" and overthrow its government by seeking to thwart its international oil trade. Javad Zarif's interview with Chris Wallace of Fox News Zarif, in an interview broadcast on the U.S. cable show Fox News Sunday, said a "B team" of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. national security adviser John Bolton, and leaders in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates is trying to push U.S. President Donald Trump "into a confrontation he doesn't want." "They have tried to bring the U.S. into a war," Zarif said, with the goal, "at least," of Iranian regime change. Bolton, appearing on the same Fox News program, said the U.S. goal is not regime change, but a change in behavior, specifically an end to Iran's nuclear weapons program and ballistic missile testing. "The Iranian people deserve a better government," Bolton said. He called Zarif's accusations "completely ridiculous, an effort to sow disinformation." The United States recently declared Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps a terrorist organization and says on Thursday it will end waivers of sanctions for all countries buying Iranian crude oil, including China, India, Japan, Turkey and South Korea, which had continued to buy from Tehran since last year when new U.S. sanctions against Iran were imposed. The United States says it wants to deprive Iran of $50 billion in annual oil revenues to pressure it to end its nuclear and missile programs. The White House says it is working with top oil exporters Saudi Arabia and the UAE to ensure an adequate world oil supply. But it is uncertain how effective the U.S. end of waivers to the sanctions on countries trading with Iran will prove to be. Turkey and China have attacked the U.S. action, but it is not clear whether they will continue to buy Iranian oil. Zarif said the goal of the sanctions is to "put as much pressure on the Iranian people as possible so they will take action" against the Iranian government. Zarif said U.S. officials are "wrong, their hope and delusion." He said the fact that Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 international agreement to curtail Iran's nuclear program "would not put the U.S. in the good list of law-abiding nations." Iran state media reported that Zarif told Iranian reporters in New York that Tehran's withdrawal from the pact is one of "many options" it is considering in the wake of the U.S. end to the waivers on sanctions for countries buying oil from Iran. Source: Iranian daily Financial Tribune Zarif said the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear pact shows the Iranian people that "engagement does not have dividends. They should not trust the signature of the president of the United States," referring to former President Barack Obama, whose push for the international pact was overturned by Trump. Iran's Quds Force chief: Negotiations with U.S. at current situation is equal to surrender 04/29/19 Source: Tehran Times Qassem Soleimani, commander of the IRGC Qods Force, told a police gathering in Tehran on Monday that negotiations with the Trump administration at the current situation is equal to total surrender. Qassem Soleimani (artwork by Hadi Heidari) "Through economic pressure the enemy wants to bring us to the negotiating table but such a negotiation would be an example of surrender; however, our people are vigilant and clever and believe that negotiation in the current conditions is pure surrender and we will not give in to such an indignity," the major general remarked. On April 22 the United States ended sanctions waivers to importers of Iran's oil, threatening that any company that imports oil from Iran will be subject to sanctions. The sanctions will go into force in early May. Soleimani said that the way out of the current conditions is "resistance economy". The Trump administration withdrew from the multilateral nuclear deal in May 2018 and ordered banking and oil sanctions against Iran. This happened despite the fact that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is tasked to police Iran's compliance to the 2015 nuclear agreement, has issued 14 reports each time confirming Iran's full compliance to the terms of the agreement. Under the nuclear agreement, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran agreed to put limits on its nuclear activities in exchange for termination of economic and financial sanctions. By withdrawing the international deal, the United States actually breached international law as the JCPOA was endorsed by the UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Carlos Ahenkorah, has inspected the progress of work on B5 Plus Limited's $80 one district one factory (1D1F) steel and manufacturing plant project. His visit to the site at Ningo-Prampram on Friday, April 26, 2019, comes eight months after he cut the sod for work to commence on the project. It would be recalled that Mr Ahenkorah was at the site in September 2018 to cut sod for the commencement of work on the project. Eight months, Mr Ahenkorah arrived at the site so surprised about the rapid rate at which progress has been made on the project. "In entering here, I must say that I am so surprised. I have been overwhelmed with what have been achieved within this short space of eight months," he says. His visit to the site was also to ascertain in what ways the President Nana Akufo-Addo's administration could help investors undertaking various 1D1F projects. Management of B5 Plus assured the Deputy Minister and Government that the project would be completed by September 2019. President Akufo-Addo is expected to commission the steel factory which is to provide about 10,000 direct and indirect jobs. Already, about 800 persons have been employed for its construction works, with 2,000 others said to be associated with the project. Mr Ahenkorah says the project was a massive one and would be a major game changer for Ghana. The project in its first phase is expected to save Ghana some $100 million annually in foreign exchange. Chairman of B5 Plus Company Limited, Mukesh Thakwani, says the aim was to support the realization of Government's 'Made In Ghana' dream. He, however, pleaded with the government to speed up efforts in providing water, electricity and security for the project as promised. The Chairman lamented that the company has had to rely on hiring the services of water tankers daily for construction works, something he says was quite expensive. Deputy Minister Inspects 1D1F Steel Project Deputy Minister Inspects 1D1F Steel Project Deputy Minister Inspects 1D1F Steel Project Deputy Minister Inspects 1D1F Steel Project Deputy Minister Inspects 1D1F Steel Project Deputy Minister Inspects 1D1F Steel Project Deputy Minister Inspects 1D1F Steel Project Deputy Minister Inspects 1D1F Steel Project Deputy Minister Inspects 1D1F Steel Project Deputy Minister Inspects 1D1F Steel Project Deputy Minister Inspects 1D1F Steel Project Deputy Minister Inspects 1D1F Steel Project Deputy Minister Inspects 1D1F Steel Project Deputy Minister Inspects 1D1F Steel Project Deputy Minister Inspects 1D1F Steel Project 0 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 ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has appeared in a new video for the first time in nearly five years and has vowed to get revenge for his dead militants. The leader of the Islamist group gave his last sermon at the Great Mosque in Mosul, Iraq, in July 2014. He has not appeared in a video since announcing the creation of the so-called caliphate from the pulpit of the mosque nearly five years ago in a clip played around the world. The elusive chief appeared for the first time in the propaganda video released today by the jihadist organisation. It showed the haggard militant, looking gaunt with a greying beard, compared to his black facial hair in 2014. Read Full Story .... dailymail.co.uk >>> : 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 Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., has likened the narration by the Ghana Police Service on how the Consular General and Head of Mission of Estonia to Ghana, Nabil Makram was rescued from kidnappers as one of the infamous Kweku Ananse folklores. The Consular General and Head of Mission of Estonia to Ghana, Nabil Makram Basbous, was rescued by the Special Weapons and Ammunition Tactics (SWAT) Unit of the Accra Regional Police Command a few days ago. The 61-year-old diplomat was kidnapped by Nigerians while embarking on a health walk within his neighbourhood at Wangara in Labone, Accra; and was kept hostage in a house at Lashibi, a suburb of Tema. The kidnappers were reportedly awaiting a ransom when police stormed the house. A search conducted in the house revealed Hyundai Elantra No. GE 8922 17; believing to be the car used in the kidnapping and was parked in the compound and also a Honda motorbike with registration number M-19-GR 507, and one pistol were found in the house. The Police on April 18, 2019 around 8:00pm followed up on the intelligence they had picked about some Nigerians with suspicious characters as they reportedly stay at home all day but go out only at night from a house located at Vivian Farm, Lashibi in Tema. Efforts to enter the house were met with resistance from the occupants but police insisted and in the process three occupants scaled over a fence wall at the back and escaped. While police were conducting a search at the scene, the Consular General and Head of Mission of Estonia to Ghana came out from one of the rooms in the house. Taking into account the narration given by the police, Kwesi Pratt, a panel member on Radio Golds Alhaji and Alhaji weekend talk show said the Police account is absolutely shocking. If the Police was minded to have approached this site which could be a criminal site to effect arrest or to do a search, it would appear that the most sensible thing they could have done was to surround the building before penetration, he chided. He however demanded to know how come that the criminals managed to scale the back wall and run away. It simply doesnt make sense at all and it must worry all of us who want to see security services doing their work diligently. The Police went to the site of the crime and the kidnappers allegedly scaled the back wall and run away and they found the Diplomat who had been kidnapped in the house; this sounds like Kwaku Ananse story, he mocked. He stressed that Ghana cannot develop in this atmosphere of insecurity; adding that the country has witnessed new forms of heinous crime over the last couple of years as "in recent times, kidnapping for ransom which is not normal and regular in Ghana has become the order of the day". The intensity with which these crimes are growing must be exceedingly worrying for anybody who wants to see Ghana developed, he decried. Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Patrons who graced grand Akwasidae occasion to commemorate the 20th Anniversary celebration of the enstoolment of the Asantehene, His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu ii, were treated to a sumptuous snack pack made of a branded plantain chips spotting the logo of one of Government's most successful flagship policy Planting for Food and Jobs. A nice paper bag labeled with a beautiful portrait of His Royal Majesty and a logo of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) were distributed to some revelers at the Palace. The crispy crunchy snack, according to the manufacturers, was to celebrate the successes of both the King and the Government's flagship policy. "For us we think food is everything and so the successes of the programme which was rolled out two years ago must be showcased everywhere and to everyone" Kwame Owusu, the manufacturer of the product asserted. The PFJ branded chips were not the only item associated with the programme but also all bottled water which were served at the grounds had the embossment of the Asantehene and the PFJ logo. "There is no better place to display such achievements than at such an important occasion as Akwasidae. This is a non political platform and we believe it's an occasion to communicate to all Ghanaians about the need to ensure food security and create jobs for our youth" Kwame Owusu. He explained the cost of the items was solely borne by him though he sought the approval and permission of the Ministry which is under the supervision of Hon. Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto. The PFJ has been touted both locally and internationally as one of the most successful flagship policies introduced by the President Akufo-Addo-led administration of the NPP. The roll out of the programme has seen the fortunes of Ghana's agriculture changed completely from being net importer of food items such as maize, plantain, yam and others to a net exporter to some neighbouring countries such as Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast. 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 contribution made by the Attorney-General and the Minister of Justice, Madam Gloria Akuffo in the three kidnapped girls and the announcement by the CID that they had actually located where the girls are has been described by the Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. as exceedingly interesting. Reading from page 2 of the Daily Guide report on Saturday, Kwesi Pratt quoted that the Attorney-General took exception to the disclosure by COP Ms. Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo Danquah, the Director-General of Criminal Investigations Department of Ghana Police Service close to a month that her outfit knows the where-about of the kidnapped girls. In the Daily Guide report, the Attorney-General told Joy FM that the disclosure could further endanger the lives of the girls. She said it was wrong for the investigating authorities to make that announcement, noting that when those keeping the girls know their where-abouts are known, they would change the location. That signals those who have them and they could change their locations. It could even endanger their lives and I find it even regrettable that the information went out that they have been found, the report stated further. Commenting on Daily Guide report as a discussant on Radio Golds Alhaji and Alhaji talk show, Kwesi Pratt buttressed the point made by the Attorney-General that it would have been wrong for the CID Boss to announce the whereabouts of the kidnapped girls in the press conference if indeed the police had established their location. But I think that the situation is worse than what the Attorney-General is describing because as we sit here, it does appear that the police simply lied. Thus, the police dont know the whereabout of the kidnapped girls, he jabbed. The Managing Editor of the Insight Newspaper maintained the comment made by the Attorney-General is exceedingly interesting. Only the A-G has the power to initiate and abort criminal prosecution; she has enormous powers and indeed, under normal circumstances, no prosecution can take place without her fiat. He added that even the office of the Special Prosecutor, initiates prosecutions on behalf of the Attorney-General; thats why what she is saying is important and relevant. Source: Daniel Adu Darko/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President Akufo-Addo dined with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II during a state banquet held in Kumasi in his honour as part of the 20th anniversary of his ascension to the Golden Stool. Held at the instance of the President Akufo-Addo at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), the event attracted scores of dignitaries to Kumasi last Friday. It was characterised by strict adherence to the appropriate dress code by the dignitaries. A highlight of the event was when the Otumfuo danced with First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo, which attracted applause. President Akufo-Addo danced with the wife of the Asantehene, Lady Julia Osei Tutu, a few metres from them. President Akufo Addo With Lady Julia, Wife of the Asantehene Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, who was also at the event, lived up to expectation, as her footwork on the floor was brilliant. King of highlife Abrante Amakye Dede was at his best when he performed to the admiration of his audience. President Akufo-Addo proposed a toast for long life and sound health for Otumfuo. In his brief speech, President Akufo-Addo eulogized the Otumfuo, recounting his contributions to the political and socio-economic growth of the country. He described him as a good friend, saying, We have been friends for the past 40 years and I can boldly state that the Otumfuo is a good friend. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II with President Akufo-Addo President Akufo-Addo hailed the Asantehene for finding lasting solution to the protracted chieftaincy dispute in Dagbon, indicating that for me, the achievement that ranks up there amongst his very best is when as chairperson of the committee of Eminent Chiefs together with the Nayiri, the Overlord of Mamprugu, Naa Bohugu Abdulai Mahama Sheriga, and the Yogbonwura, the Overlord of the Gonja state, Tuntumba Boresa Sulemana Jakpa, he worked assiduously for many years to find an acceptable and lasting solution to the Dagbon impasse. The president said, By all accounts he has lived and continues to live up to this noble undertaking, helping to ensure access to education for thousands and thousands of young Ghanaian children through the Otumfuo Education Fund, joining the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS and re-energizing the institution of chieftaincy, these are but a few of his many achievements. The Otumfuo, on his part, said he had worked closely for many years with President Akufo-Addo, who was his personal lawyer. He expressed satisfaction with the state banquet held in his honour, saying that Asanteman would continue to play roles to transform the country. He pledged to continuously collaborate with the president to enhance development of the country, particularly in his kingdom. You walk alone on this path and you are struck by the picture of an old lady in the twilight of her years in decline of seeming neglect and a picture of despair. Sadly this picture is not exclusive but a reflection of the challenges confronting the people in the Ashanti Region. Mr. President this is a challenge we must face together. A challenge we must overcome. We cannot build a new Jerusalem in the time we have under your mandate, but we can certainly make a difference, a huge difference and we cannot fail. The Otumfuo charged Ghanaians to dream big, stressing that with determination and focus the country can attain every target. 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 Some Angry residents of Chinese a community at Kasoa have threatened to sack all Nigerian nationals from the community if government does not relocate them. They issued the threat following the recent murder of a two-year-old boy named Junior in the community. According to the residents, they would take the law into their hands if their call on government fails to yield any immediate response. They have hinted that they will move from one house to another in the community to evict Nigerian nationals living at Chinese. Speaking to Accra-based Citi FM, an angry resident emphasised: We will embark on a house to house tour and sack all Nigerians in the area. This is the only way to prevent our women and children from falling prey to these Nigerians. Reports indicated that the body of the two-year-old boy, who went missing on April 24, was found under rubble. Sources said the boy was sighted in a black saloon car with Nigerian registration number which sped off. The angry residents attributed the high incidence of criminal activities in the area to the presence of Nigerian nationals in the area. A concerned resident also indicated that their presence here is putting the lives of women and children in danger. The residents also blamed cash-hungry landlords who rented their rooms to Nigerian nationals without finding out their source of living. They added that when the Nigerians allegedly committed crime in the places they resided, they would quickly relocate to another house or area. The landlords dont make any good background checks before giving their rooms out to them, another resident noted adding that only one Nigerian national would approach a landlord to rent a room but later, they would rent the room or apartment to other Nigerians without the knowledge of the landlord. 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 Ghana Chamber of Commerce has commended steel and iron manufacturing giant, B5 Plus for the immense socio-economic contributions it has made to Ghana over the years. President of the Chamber, Nana Dr. Appiagyei Dankawoso, was speaking when he toured B5 Plus factory at Kpone on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. The visit was to help the Chamber familiarize itself with the operations of B5 Plus, Ghanas leading steel company. According to him, we are here to say a big thank you for his support to the Chamber and private sector. He praised the company also for the security measures it has put in place and its rapid adoption of technology, adding that so we commend B5 Plus for such innovation and initiatives. B5 Plus is a member of the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and according to Dr. Appiagyei Dankawoso, has been supporting the growth of the Chamber. The President also praised the company for paying its taxes and PAYE to Government, pays social security He described the Chairman of B5 Plus, Mukesh Thakwani, as so down to earth and selfless. He also amazed about B5 Pluss subsidiary, the Delhi Public School International which he believes is giving quality education. Mr Thakwani seized the opportunity to appeal to the Chamber and Government of Ghana on some challenges facing players within the steel industry. 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 Mortuary Workers Association of Ghana says it would be embarking on a nationwide strike from May 2, 2019, following an unsuccessful resolution of their grievances. According to the association, the strike is to register their displeasure over what they describe as governments reluctance to meet their demands. Earlier this year, the workers embarked on a similar strike to protest poor working conditions and salaries. In a radio interview with Accra based Citi FM on Monday, the General Secretary of the Mortuary Workers Association, Richard Jordan said they are meeting the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) today but that would not change their position on the strike. Like we said, the strike is coming off 2nd May. Nothing so far has come to our attention that it may not come on." He said they would be present at the May Day celebration and would embark on their strike the following day. Source: Daily Graphic Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Second Lady of Ghana, Hajia Mrs Samira Bawumia has called for the inclusion of women in pivotal roles in society's development. She made this call, as Keynote Speaker, at the "Faces of Africa" Summit, at John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, in Maryland, USA. The summit, an annual, week-long program organised by the African Public Health Network (APHN), of the university, seeks to promote conversations around Public Health and Gender Equality on the African Continent. This year, the theme, "Achieving Gender Equality and Empowerment of Females: African Women on the frontline", is in line with the vision of the Second Lady's not-for-profit organisation, Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Projects (SEHP). The summit is also designed to showcase African culture and society, while bringing to the fore, women who are making strides in the socio-economic and political spheres of the continent. Mrs Bawumia stressed the need for governments and decision making bodies to prioritise women in critical areas of our national lives. "Providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care, decent work, and representation in political and economic decision-making processes as well as eliminating sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices will fuel economic growth and benefit societies and humanity at large", she noted. Women in leadership She commended efforts being made by most African governments to encourage the participation of women, at the governance level. According to her, "there have been significant achievements in the advancement of women in Africa, as a result of deliberate efforts to remove barriers that inhibit the participation of women in politics and governance". Women's Health In the area of health, Mrs Bawumia who also doubles as a champion of maternal health, made a case that gender inequality was linked to poor women health, in Africa. She cited lack of access to health facilities, as a result of low economic power. Education On education, the Second Lady, noted that, "education and skills are essential for the realization of individual potential, national economic growth, social development and the fostering of global citizenship. However, the gender gap in educational attainment at all levels in many African countries remains very high". It can be recalled that, not too long ago, Mrs Bawumia, a global amabassador for the UN's Clean Cooking Alliance, delivered a similar lecture, at the prestigious Warwick University, in the United Kingdom. Women Empowerment is at the heart of her work with her not-for-profit organisation, SEHP. Other Initiatives Through SEHP, Mrs Bawumia has initiated a number of critical interventions in the areas of health, education and empowerment, with special emphasis on women. Notable amongst them is the Safe Delivery Project, an initiative that seeks to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in deprived communities. SEHP has also equipped and retooled selected health facilities in deprived communities in Ghana. SEHPs Library-In-A-Box project has distributed over forty thousand (40,000) books to about sixty (60) schools in ten (10) regions across Ghana. A total of about 40,000 pupils are expected to benefit from these books. This is in fulfillment of a quest to improve literacy and instill a culture of reading among students in Ghana, especially the girl child. SEHP with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has launched a Coalition of People against Sexual and Gender Based Violence and Harmful Practices (CoPASH) to spearhead a national response to the issues of SGBV/HPs including case management and increasing prevention efforts in Ghana. Mrs Bawumia was, recently, named the "Queen of Humanitarian Projects" by the Human Achievers Foundation in India. She was also crowned the "African Woman of Excellence 2018" by the Africa Union and the Diasporan African Forum. 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 Most Reverend Charles Palmer-Buckle, the Archbishop of Cape Coast Diocese has commended Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharabutu, the National Chief Imam for his selfless role in ensuring peaceful existence between Muslims and Christians in the country. The Archbishop said the Chief Imams visit to the Christ the King Catholic Church in Accra prior to his 100th birthday celebration was an indication of the religious tolerance, which must be embraced by all. Speaking in a sermon in Accra at a send-off mass for Archbishop Palmer-Buckle, he said there was the need for the country to sustain the peaceful existence the country enjoyed over the years irrespective of religious difference. The Mass held at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka, brought together a large number of the Catholic faithful to witness the celebration. He urged the Church to invest in the development of the youth for the accelerated growth of the country because they were the seed for future leadership. Archbishop Palmer-Buckle commended all for their love, support and prayers that helped him to succeed in his 13 years reign in Accra and asked for forgiveness for anyone he had offended. He urged the congregation to build their faith in the evidence of the apostles, adding that without the direction of God, nothing would be successful in our endevours. The Archbishop appealed to his successor not to forget the completion of the Holy Cathedral, stressing that the Cathedral was not only a Church but a monument that has served in the development of the country. He urged the Church to inculcate the Ga language in the celebration of the mass to make the people in Ga feel welcomed and comfortable in the Church. One thing I failed to do in my term is that I didnt give much attention to the Ga language and I will urge my successor to encourage the Ga language to make the people in Ga feel welcomed and comfortable in the Church, he added. He, therefore, appealed to the Church to support him in prayers as he proceeds to continue his work in Cape Coast and also pay more attention to the youth, children, and women because they were the future of the Church. 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 Nasasi Belinda, a Ugandan businesswoman, has won the east African countrys first-ever Miss Curvy beauty pageant, vowing to act as a role model for other women with plus-size figures. I am going to be an inspiration, an overjoyed Belinda said after winning the title in Kampala late Friday, beating 24 other finalists for the grand prize. Being plus-size is not a problem, she continued. So be happy about yourself and make sure you dont quit. Just keep going. The pageant was part of a government campaign to attract tourists to the east African nation. But the campaign caused controversy in February when tourism minister Godfrey Kiwanda suggested Ugandan womens curvaceous beauty was a product to be marketed along with what we already have as a country ranging from Nature, the language and food, to make it a tourist attraction. Womens rights activists were outraged by the comments and called for the minister to resign. This is a perversion. To think women can be used as sex objects in this age and time is an absurdity and we condemn it, Rita Aciro, executive director of the Uganda Womens Network, told AFP at the time. 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 Henceforth, it will be illegal for people to wear items of clothings that cover their faces in Sri Lanka Following the multiple terror attacks on Easter Sunday and the explosions and shootouts that broke out on Friday, Sri Lanka government has issued an emergency law making it unacceptable to wear clothings that hides the face. The new rule came into effect on Monday, eight days after the Easter bombings of churches and hotels that claimed the lives of more than 250 people at several locations. The law banning face veils was brought in at the orders of President Maithripala Sirisena who has been warned that more militants remain at large despite multiple arrests made. Asidea the banning of face veils, a number of other measures have been taken to avoid another terror attack. Catholic Masses have been banned for the moment. Sri Lankas Catholics yesterday celebrated Mass in their homes by a televised broadcast as churches across the island nation shut over fears of militant attacks. 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 Days after The Chronicle reported a deadly knife attack on a Korean citizen at the Golden Tulip Hotel, a five star hotel in Accra, the Korean Embassy has written to the paper affirming the report, but said the named diplomat was not the victim. The paper reported on April 16, 2019, that the Commissioner of Korea Customs, Mr Yung-Moon Kim, was robbed at knife point in his hotel room, but the embassy has corrected that it was rather a different person who travelled with the Commissioner. By this rejoinder, the Embassy would like to correct the information in the article, which stated that the victim of the robbery was Mr. Yung-Moon Kim, Commissioner of Korea Customs. The victim of the robbery was rather a staff of a non-profit organisation travelling with the Commissioner of Korea Customs, the Embassy said. The three paragraphed riposte, signed by one Betty Borketey, who introduced herself as Secretary to the Counselor/Deputy Head, Embassy of Republic of Korea, failed to mention the actual victims name, or any other information on the steps the embassy had taken, and the status of events, since the victim was travelling with the diplomat from Korea. Read the rejoinder below; REJOINDER: DIPLOMAT ROBBED AT KNIFE POINT AT GOLDEN TULIP The attention of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea was drawn to an online news article on the website of The Chronicle on April 16, 2019, with the headline -Diplomat robbed at knife point at Golden Tulip. By this rejoinder, the Embassy would like to correct the information in the article, which stated that the victim of the robbery was Mr. Yung-Moon Kim, Commissioner of Korea Customs. The victim of the robbery was rather a staff of a Non-Profit Organisation travelling with the Commissioner of Korea Customs. In this regard, the Embassy would kindly like to request The Chronicle to correct this mis-information and issue a publication to this effect, and also ensure that other online newspapers that picked up the story will also do same. The Chronicles investigations revealed Mr Yung-Moon Kim had arrived in Ghana to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Korea and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). It is worth mentioning that the paper visited the Korean Embassy, stationed at Cantonments, a suburb of Accra, on two occasions before the publication. On the first day, the reporter arrived at the embassy after half past midday, but was told to go and come later, as the office was on break. Four days later, the paper went to the Embassy again, this time, well within time. At the reception, which is on the left immediately one enters through the main gate, the personnel (a lady) who attended to the reporter over a glassed counter said a letter should be written to the Embassy before it could grant an interview. She made the suggestion after the subject had been introduced, without confirming or denying the fact, and insisted, when the reporter tried to explain things further, that since it had to do with an interview, the Embassy should be written to, an advice which sent the reporter out of the place. Source: The Chronicle 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 GHANA Police Service has been urged to empower Ghanaians and the general public to own the process of putting an end to the kidnapping phenomenon. The Africa Center for Security and Counter Terrorism made the call in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Emmanuel M. Kotin. Suggesting measures to curb the rising kidnapping menace, it says the police must embark on robust public education aimed at improving public knowledge regarding some of the tactics that kidnappers tend to deploy lately. The Center also urged the Police Service to work with the immigration service, rent control authorities and local councils to periodically engage the public on how to validate identification documents of nationals and immigration permits of foreign nationals prior to renting properties out. Kidnapping is currently on the rise in Ghana and has turned to a national security issue. 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 Stick-in-the-mud New Patriotic Party [NPP] member, Madam Hajia Fati has vowed to curse all National Executives of the party if they fail to win power in the next election. According to her, their conduct is likely to cause President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to be just a one-term president. Speaking to NEAT FMs morning show Ghana Montie, Hajia Fati repeatedly accused the partys National Chairman, Mr Freddie Blay and General Secretary, John Boadu of neglecting the party office over the years. They have taken the positions and sleeping in their houses. If they make Nana Addo a one-term President, I swear, I will curse them all, she said. Adding that, Freddie Blay says he always have stomach upset when he comes to the party office and John Boadu is so arrogant that he doesnt want to see anyone, so he rented a new office in Osu. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/ Twitter: @Washman5/ Instagram: Ambrose_wash 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 leadership of the two leading political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), are expected to meet today, Monday, 29 April 2019 to dialogue on disbanding their militia groups. Todays meeting will be the second after an initial meeting was held three weeks ago. The meeting is expected to be facilitated by the National Peace Council. After their first meeting on Tuesday, 9 April 2019 following a call on them by President Nana Akufo-Addo to do so, the Peace Council, which mediated the preliminary talks, and the two parties signed a communique that read thus: The National Peace Council met with key members of the two main political parties in Ghana, namely the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in response to a call by the President of the Republic of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in his state of the nation address to eradicate political vigilantism. After an open and exhaustive deliberation, the parties agreed that vigilantism is inimical to Ghanas democratic system and must be eradicated. With respect to the immediate focus of the mediation or dialogue, the NDC is of the view that it should be the eradication of political vigilantism in all its ramifications while the NPP is of the opinion that the focus should be political party vigilantism in all its ramifications. Significantly though, both parties agree to engage in deliberations aimed at: 1. disbanding vigilante groups operating within political parties or for political purposes 2. prohibiting the ownership, hiring, or utilisation of such groups by the political parties or members thereof 3. cooperating with state agencies and stakeholders in the total eradication of such groups or incidents of vigilantism in the country It should be noted that the two parties are also committed to exploring other processes in relation to the elimination of vigilantism. The two Chairmen of the NDC and NPP, respectively, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo and Mr Freddie Blay, signed on behalf of their parties. The government has subsequently tabled before Parliament a bill to disband such groups. Source: 3news.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Deputy Chief of Staff Francis Asenso Boakye has offered a little insight into his undertakings at the Presidency, saying he is motivated to continue serving the President to enable the current administration address societys needs equitably, because of the "constant reminders" of the "persistent struggles and needs of my fellow compatriots", and further strives to practice what Rotary taught him: "that we receive, often in excess of our own immediate needs, so that we, too, may give to those in need." Expressing his fullest appreciation to the Rotary Foundation for an opportunity given him to become a better citizen, he disclosed that his "entire life" was virtually changed by the timely intervention of the foundation when he was awarded a full scholarship to study abroad. The former rotary ambassadorial scholar was delivering a keynote address at the Rotary International District 9102 Foundation Lunch in Accra over the weekend. It was made up of Rotarians from Ghana, Togo, Benin, Niger and Kenya. The Conference assessed and shared experiences on how to improve upon the humanitarian services of Rotarians in their various communities. I remain thankful to the Rotary Foundation for putting me on a path that has made me into a better citizen and an asset to my community and society at large, he said. Whiles also paying tribute to his host family, the Deputy Chief of Staff disclosed that his interest in public service was cemented by his rotary opportunity and experience. "I would like to use this occasion to pay a special tribute to Bob Gallagher and his lovely wife, Mary Jean, my host family. It was during Bob Gallaghers time as Rotary District 6400 Governor that his district provided a scholarship to a young man they hadn't seen before, somewhere in Africa. God bless them... ....My Rotary opportunity and experience also helped cement my interest in public service as a way of giving back to my society and helping to make it a better place for all. While still at Michigan State, I had the opportunity to work as a legislative intern at the Michigan House of Representatives, thus getting my first taste of the inner workings of the policy-making and legislative process of government," portions of his address read. Read below his full speech KEYNOTE SPEECH BY FRANCIS ASENSO-BOAKYE, FORMER ROTARY AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLAR, AND CURRENTLY THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC AT THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 9102 CONFERENCE - FOUNDATION LUNCH, ACCRA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, FRIDAY 26TH APRIL, 2019 Distinguished Rotarians, Ladies and Gentlemen. I feel greatly honoured to have been invited to this Conference and be asked to address this very distinguished gathering as Keynote Speaker. I owe the Rotary Foundation far more than a speech. I owe you eternal gratitude above all, for I am one of the millions of people the world over whose lives have been bettered or transformed because of the vision and generosity of the Rotary Foundation. As a young boy growing up in Bantama, in the heart of Kumasi, I was spared the misfortune of many of my childhood friends who dropped out at the basic school level. As I made my way, step by step, up the educational ladder, my close-knit community kept encouraging and urging me on. When, upon completing university, I answered an ad in the papers and was selected, out of over 300 applicants, and awarded a scholarship to study in North America, my entire neighborhood was thrown into celebration. That ad in the national dailies had been placed by the Rotary Foundation and the scholarship Rotary awarded me enabled me to pursue graduate studies at Michigan State University, in the United States, where I graduated with a master of public policy and administration. During my time at Michigan State, I had the opportunity and pleasure, as a Rotary scholar, to speak at many clubs in Rotary District 6400, compromising part of Michigan, USA and Ontario, Canada. These were extraordinary times in my life, and they provided me a unique opportunity to appreciate and experience the enduring Rotary values of service above self and dedicating one's life to a cause. I was blessed and privileged to stay in the homes of incredibly kind-hearted and genuinely affectionate families. I treasure the moments shared with them, learnt new things and new ways of doing things and experienced and appreciated the beauty and value in peoples of diverse cultures and worldviews. I would like to use this occasion to pay special tribute to Bob Gallagher and his lovely wife, Mary Jean, my host family. It was during Bob Gallaghers time as Rotary District 6400 Governor that his district provided a scholarship to a young man they hadn't seen before, somewhere in Africa. God bless them. I'm gratified that on a trip to North America last winter, I was able to visit them in Windsor, Canada; though I can never quite repay their generosity. My Rotary opportunity and experience also helped cement my interest in public service as a way of giving back to my society and helping to make it a better place for all. While still at Michigan State, I had the opportunity to work as a legislative intern at the Michigan House of Representatives, thus getting my first taste of the inner workings of the policy-making and legislative process of government. Upon my return home, I pursued interests in both the public and private sectors, before answering the call to return to the interest in politics I had begun to nurture as an undergraduate student at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. This path soon led me to a position as political assistant to the then Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2008 - a position I am humbled and privileged to say, I still hold, but this time, with my boss as President of the Republic. I think you would agree with me, and it would be no exaggeration to say, that the Rotary investment and experience have paid off quite well. Thank you, again, from the bottom of my heart. The timeless virtues and values my Rotary experience instilled in me - integrity, service, compassion, and dedication continue to serve me well in my current role. In my position as deputy Chief of Staff at the presidency, I am often called upon to assist people with all manner of needs, both mundane and exceptional. While it is often not possible to answer these requests in a personal way, they are constant reminders to me of the persistent struggles and needs of my fellow compatriots and thus motivate me to continue to serve the President to enable him and our government address societys needs equitably. Within my own community of Bantama, I have stayed engaged with the youth, providing them mentorship and counsel. I have also tried, within the limits of my resources, to support my community in other diverse ways. In all this, I strive to practice what I have learned from Rotary: that we receive, often in excess of our own immediate needs, so that we, too, may give to those in need. I remain thankful to the Rotary Foundation for putting me on a path that has made me into a better citizen and an asset to my community and society at large. Thank you and God bless us all! Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/ Twitter: @Washman5/ Instagram: Ambrose_wash 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 opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Women Organiser for UK-Ireland Louisa Nelson is dead. Details about the cause of death remain sketchy but according to family sources, she died on the morning of Sunday April 28, 2019 after a short ailment. Tributes have since been pouring in for the late NDC executive who played a key role in the re-election of former President John Dramani Mahama as flagbearer of the party ahead of the 2020 polls. Below are some of the tributes and fond memories shared by close friends and relations on her Facebook page sighted by MyNewsGh.com. Abdul Hameed: Dear Louisa Nelson, your death breaks our hearts to shreds. Travel safe comrade. Till we meet again Mayah Brogya: Rest in peace Louisa Nelson.may our Good Lord be pleased with her soul. Abraham Ferguson: May the Almighty keep your lovely soul till we meet again. Louisa Nelson Yayra Koku: I sent her a message that Im in town so when is she preparing banku and okro for me to come and eat. She asked me to come home. I couldnt go. She called me three days later and was not happy with me cos I couldnt visit her. I promised to go and see her just last week but still couldnt make it. Just yesterday evening I was thinking about how to call her and explain myself. Only for me to hear the bad news that Louisa Nelson is no more. I still cant believe Louisa is no more. Such a loving and hardworking woman. UK/Ireland branch of the NDC has lost a great person. May your gentle soul rest in peace, my senior sister. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Vikramaditya is a modified Kiev class aircraft carrier set to enter service with the Indian Navy in 2013. The ship has been renamed in honour of Vikramaditya, a legendary 1st century BC emperor of Ujjain, India, famed for his wisdom, valour and magnanimity.It is projected to replace India's only currently serving aircraft carrier, INS Viraat.(Source: huanqiu.com) Chinese military experts on Sunday said that India's military culture cannot keep up with its ambitious weapon and equipment development, which might be the reason behind its aircraft carrier's fatal fire on Friday. A fire broke out at the engine room of India's aircraft carrier Vikramaditya while it was entering harbor in Karnataka's Karwar on Friday. The fire killed a naval officer who led the firefighting efforts in the affected compartment, according to a Saturday report by the Times of India. The cause of the fire is yet to be announced by Indian authorities. Li Jie, a Beijing-based naval expert, told the Global Times on Sunday that the fire was more likely to be out of human error rather than mechanical problems. The fire and the extinguishing process suggested that they are unprofessional and unprepared to address such an emergency, he said. India has been actively developing its military in recent years, but "its military culture is lax and it has loose regulations," which cannot effectively train soldiers to operate advanced military equipment, Li said. India's nuclear submarine, $2.9 billion worth Arihant was left out of commission after water rushed in as a hatch on the rear side was left open by mistake while it was at harbor in early 2017, the Hindu reported on January 2018. Blasts of submarine Sindhurakshak that killed 18 personnel in 2013 was induced by mistakes made during the arming of the torpedoes. Extensive checks on weapon related safety systems and audit of Standard Operating Procedures on all operational naval units were made as corrective steps, the Economic Times quoted defense ministry official as saying in July 2018. But Li noted that the Indian Navy's lax regulations mean sailors may neglect or fail to obey the rules on handling advanced equipment. "Meanwhile, the cutting-edge weapons and equipment have higher requirement for the soldiers, who need to learn the knowledge of operation and maintenance," Li said. The carrier's fire also sparked heated discussions among Chinese netizens as the fire was "accurately predicted" by Zhang Zhaozhong, a retired Chinese rear admiral and prominent military commentator. I had said "Not catching fire would be great" years ago when people asked me to comment on the Vikramaditya's sea trial, Zhang posted on China's Twitter-like Sina Weibo on Saturday morning, listing several other navel accidents as evidence that the Indian military "did not learn a lesson." The carrier Vikramaditya was built by the former Soviet Union as Baku and was commissioned in 1987. It continued to serve in the Russian Navy as Admiral Gorshkov and was decommissioned in 1996. India made a deal with Russia on purchasing the retired warship and a $976 billion upgrade package in early 2004. The ship was commissioned in 2013, according to National Interest. Purchases from other countries also increase the management challenge for the Indian military as weapons and equipment are made with different standards of different manufacturers, Li said. 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: NEW DELHI, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Indian navy ships Kolkata and Shakti arrived at Busan, South Korea, for a three-day visit to participate in the ADMM-Plus Maritime Security Field Training Exercise (FTX), said official sources in New Delhi on Sunday. The ADMM-Plus (ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting) is a platform for Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its eight dialogue partners to strengthen security and defense cooperation for peace, stability and development in the region. The ADMM-Plus countries include 10 ASEAN member states and eight plus countries, namely Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the Russian Federation and the United States. The two Indian navy ships have recently completed the international fleet review in Qingdao, China, as part of the celebrations of the 70th founding anniversary of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. During the visit in Busan, the Indian navy ships will have professional interaction with ADMM-Plus navies, among other activities and events. On departing Busan on May 1, the Indian Navy ships are scheduled to undertake maritime security exercise with participating navies. The ships will thereafter sail to Singapore, where the closing ceremony of ADMM-Plus Exercise is scheduled. Father of former anti-corruption official Zakharchenko found guilty of embezzlement RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 10:48 29/04/2019 MOSCOW, April 29 (RAPSI) Moscows Meshchansky District Court found Viktor Zakharchenko, the father of an infamous former Russian anti-corruption official charged with corruption, guilty of embezzlement on Monday, RAPSI reports from the courtroom. Ex-board chairman of the Moscow Hypothec Agency bank Vladimir Koryevkin charged with large scale embezzlement, was also convicted in the case. Prosecutors earlier demanded 5 years behind bars and a 500,000-ruble (about $8,000) fine for Zakharchenko. The court was also asked to give Koryevkin 6 years in prison with the same fine. According to investigators, the father of Dmitry Zakharchenko was fraudulently employed at the Moscow Hypothec Agency bank but did not do any actual work. Damage caused to the bank reached as high as 5 million rubles ($80,000). Investigators believe that Koryevkins actions caused damage estimated at 1.5 million rubles (over $23,000). The bank recognized as injured party in the case filed a 12.3-million claim against the defendants. Russian teen gets 7 years for knife rampage in school RIA Novosti, Yevgeniya Novozhenina 11:09 29/04/2019 MOSCOW, April 29 (RAPSI) A teenager, who had initiated a stabbing rampage in his school in the Russian city of Perm, was found guilty of attempted murder and received 7 years behind bars, the Investigative Committees press service reports Monday. His accomplice earlier was sentenced to 9 years and 8 months in prison. On January 15, 2018, a student in the 10th grade and a former pupil of the same school in Perm intentionally caused multiple stab wounds to nine 4th graders and their teacher. The victims were hospitalized. The alleged attackers have been charged with attempted murder of more than two children collusively committed by a group of persons. About 30 persons were recognized as victims in the case. Father of former anti-corruption official sentenced to 4 years for embezzlement RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 12:40 29/04/2019 MOSCOW, April 29 (RAPSI) Viktor Zakharchenko, the father of an infamous former Russian anti-corruption official involved in a bribery case, on Monday received 4 years in prison for embezzlement, RAPSI reports from Moscows Meshchansky District Court. Additionally, he was fined 800,000 rubles ($12,500). Ex-board chairman of the Moscow Hypothec Agency bank Vladimir Koryevkin was sentenced to 4.5 years behind bars and a 900,000-ruble fine ($14,000). Prosecutors earlier demanded 5 years behind bars and a 500,000-ruble (about $8,000) fine for Zakharchenko. The court was also asked to give Koryevkin 6 years in prison with the same fine. According to investigators, the father of Dmitry Zakharchenko was fraudulently employed at the Moscow Hypothec Agency bank but did not do any actual work. Damage caused to the bank reached as high as 5 million rubles ($80,000). Investigators believe that Koryevkins actions caused damage estimated at 1.5 million rubles (over $23,000). The bank recognized as injured party in the case filed a 12.3-million claim against the defendants. The case against Viktor Zakharchenko was separated from the case of his son Dmitry Zakharchenko. Ex-Russian anti-corruption official Dmitry Zakharchenko was arrested on September 8, 2016. During searches at the apartment belonging to Zakharchenkos sister law enforcement officers found around 9 billion rubles (about $140 million). He denied any relation to seized funds. Zakharchenko was charged with receiving a 7-million-ruble ($110,000) bribe from an unknown source, abuse of office and hindering the conduct of preliminary investigation. Later, it was revealed that he is charged with two more instances of corruption crimes. Defendant in 2010 terrorist attack case gets 15 years in prison flickr.com/ Mitchell Haindfield 18:03 29/04/2019 MOSCOW, April 29 (RAPSI) The North Caucasus District Military Court has sentenced Russian citizen Rustam Ismailov to 15 years in prison for involvement in a terrorist attack in southern Russias Pyatigorsk in August 2010, the Investigative Committees press service has reported. According to investigators, on August 15, 2010, members of a gang led by the defendants brother Raphael Ismailov killed a taxi driver, and two days later they exploded a car near multi-unit dwellings in Pyatigorsk. As a result, 46 people were injured. On September 30, the gang members killed one more taxi driver in Stavropol and attempted to commit another terrorist attack but failed. In 2012 and 2013, four members of the gang were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 16 to 24 years. Investigation into 2 other persons is underway. A criminal case against two more gang members including Raphael Ismailov was closed because of their death. Bill on fines for violations during psychoactive effect medication sales reaches Duma flickr.com/ Debs 15:50 29/04/2019 MOSCOW, April 29 (RAPSI) - The Federation Council member Irina Rukavishnikova has submitted a bill on fines for violations in selling certain medical products having psychoactive effect to the State Duma. The document has been published in the database of the parliaments lower house. Amendments are proposed to the Code on Administrative Offenses. Medical products containing pregabalin, tropicamide and cyclopentolate are popular with drug addicts, an explanatory note to the bill reads. The use of such medication combined with other substances or alcohol leads to drug intoxication and dependence. According to the Health Ministry of Russia, the number of drug addicts using such medical products and regularly applying to detoxication centers is 3-5% of all registered drug-addicted persons. Under the bill, violations during the sale of medical products having psychoactive effect would result in fines ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles for individuals, from 20,000 to 30,000 for officials and from 100,000 to 150,000 rubles ($2,300) for companies. Prosecutor demands 3-year imprisonment for Repin painting damage case defendant RIA Novosti, Yevgeny Odinokov 16:11 29/04/2019 MOSCOW, April 29 (RAPSI) A prosecutor on Monday asked the Zamoskvoretsky District Court of Moscow to imprison Igor Podporin, who had allegedly damaged Ilya Repins painting Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan 16 November 1581 at the Tretyakov Gallery, for 3 years, RAPSI reports from the courtroom. Podporin's sentencing is scheduled for April 30. On Monday, the court also dismissed a motion for a repeated complex psychological and psychiatric examination of the defendant. The defense insisted that Podporin was mentally infirm when committing the crime. However, the court held that the results of an initial exam are enough to have understanding of the defendant's mental condition. Podporin is charged with damaging or destructing most valuable objects of cultural heritage. In February, his detention was extended until August 14. The incident took place on the evening of May 25, 2018, just five minutes before the museums closing, the Tretyakov Gallerys press service said. The man ran into the empty hall of works by Repin and bashed the painting using a metal stanchion. Podporin broke through the glass encasing the well-known work of art depicting the horrified tsar and his dying son and ripped the canvas in multiple places, the statement read. According to case papers, damage caused by Podporin is estimated at around 500,000 rubles (about $8,000); the restoration cost will range from 5 to 10 million rubles ($80,000 155,000). The defendant pleaded guilty in court. If convicted, he could face up to 6 years in prison. British Prime Minister Theresa May is being urged by members of her own party and senior intelligence officials to reverse a provisional decision to allow the Chinese technology giant Huawei a role in building parts of Britain's 5G mobile network. They fear giving Huawei even a limited role in developing the country's fifth-generation wireless network risks imperiling Britain's participation in the "Five Eyes" intelligence-sharing arrangement, the U.S.-led Anglophone intelligence pact linking Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Britain. The lobbying for a reversal of the decision is likely to intensify following the publication this week of a report co-authored by a Conservative lawmaker and a former British security adviser that argues, despite Beijing denials, that Huawei is ultimately owned by an entity answerable to the "Chinese party-state apparatus." The report by the London-based Henry Jackson Society says allowing the company access to Britain's next-generation mobile-phone network would compromise security. According to the report, Huawei is 99 percent owned by the Huawei Investment and Holding Trade Union Committee, part of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, a state body. Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have urged all Western allies to shun Huawei on security grounds, fearing the Chinese telecoms giant will act as a Trojan horse for China's espionage agencies, allowing them to sweep up data and gather intelligence. In February, Pompeo warned, "If a country adopts this [Huawei] and puts it in some of their critical information systems, we won't be able to share information with them, we won't be able to work alongside them." A U.S. State Department has been sent from Washington to brief British ministers Monday in more detail about American security concerns. Last week, it emerged from leaks that Prime Minister May had decided during a meeting of the country's National Security Council to allow Huawei to build some so-called "non-core" parts of Britain's 5G data network. Her decision came despite the disapproval of some intelligence chiefs and the country's defense and foreign secretaries, Gavin Williamson and Jeremy Hunt, who both fear serious impact on Anglo-American relations. Topeka, KS -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/29/2019 --AI Janosik Insurance Agency is a highly reliable and well known locally owned insurance agency. 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AI Janosik Insurance Agency tends to have an excellent and thorough understanding of the various types of unique exposures that are faced by dealers, and subsequently provides them with clear insurance plans. This agency boasts of having both the resources and the experience required to ensure that their clients get the chance of availing risk management solutions for every type of uncertainties that they might have to face in the modern corporate world. Businesses today are quite often faced with numerous risks which can ultimately minimize their revenue opportunities to a great extent. From AI Janosik Insurance Agency, entrepreneurs can even get plans for workers compensation in St Joseph and Columbia Missouri. Give AI Janosik Insurance Agency a call at 785-235-5554 for a free and no obligation quote. People can also visit their website for detailed information about the extensive range of risk management solutions offered by them. About AI Janosik Insurance Agency AI Janosik Insurance Agency is an extremely well known company that offers its services to the people of Wichita, Lawrence, Emporia, Salina and its neighboring areas. Topeka, KS -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/29/2019 --AI Janosik Insurance Agency was established in the year of 1995. Over the last two decades or so, this insurance agency has developed as an incredibly renowned and reliable organization. They primarily serve the people residing or operating their businesses in the various regions of Missouri and Kansas. From them, people can ideally invest in automobile, homeowner's, life and business insurance in Kansas City and Jefferson City Missouri, as well as other types of risk management plans. For every type of a business organization, opting to take a certain amount of calculating risks is extremely important to achieve a high level of success in the contemporary corporate landscape. However, taking risks can many a time backfire on the entrepreneurs as well. These risks can cause a financial catastrophe, and ultimately be detrimental to the well-being of a business enterprise. As a result, it is essential that people choose to invest in comprehensive business insurance to minimize risks relating to the commercial sphere. AI Janosik Insurance Agency is renowned for being one of the leading names in the domain of business insurance as they try to provide their corporate clients with extensive coverage that deals with multiple vital aspects, such as commercial liability and employee protection. They are especially renowned for offering the best possible plans for workers compensation in St Joseph and Columbia Missouri. AI Janosik Insurance Agency also strives to make sure that their commercial clients are well protected against various types of liability claims and equipment loss, and hence the coverage options in their policies tend to involve errors and omissions, equipment sales/rental, mobile exposures and other similar aspects. Being an independent insurance agency, this company prioritizes the benefits and the conveniences of their clients above all. To contact AI Janosik Insurance Agency give them a call at 785-235-5554. About AI Janosik Insurance Agency AI Janosik Insurance Agency offers services to the people of Missouri and Kansas, and its neighboring areas. Webster, TX -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/29/2019 --Memorial Plastic Surgery - Clear Lake has officially moved to a new office, located at 450 W. Medical Center Blvd, Suite 202, in Webster, Texas. Led by board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Kendall Roehl, Memorial Plastic Surgery's first branch in Clear Lake has significantly grown since its opening in March of 2016 and has become one of the leading plastic surgery practices in Texas. "Memorial Plastic Surgery Clear Lake has continuously provided expert care to both men and women, with a great focus to make breast cancer patients feel whole again," shares Dr. Kendall Roehl. "Our new space allows us to offer unparalleled service in the privacy of our own environment and accommodate more patients in need of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery." Dr. Roehl specializes in advanced breast reconstruction surgeries, such as DIEP flaps, and cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the breast, face, and body. Memorial Plastic Surgery's Clear Lake office welcomes patients from the greater Clear Lake and Houston area to a newly customized, state-of-the-art clinic, with 4 spacious exam rooms and a beautiful elegant lobby. Additionally, Memorial Plastic Surgery Clear Lake offers non-invasive medical spa procedures that can be performed inside the privacy of their own office. Schedule a consultation today at https://www.memorialplasticsurgery.com/plastic-surgery-consultation-houston-tx/ About Memorial Plastic Surgery Founded by Dr. Patrick W. Hsu in 2013, and accompanied by Dr. Kendall Roehl and Dr. Kriti Mohan, Memorial Plastic Surgery specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the breast, face, and body, with a commitment to help breast cancer survivors feel whole again. Memorial Plastic Surgery is among the leading plastic surgery practices in Texas, offering both surgical and non-surgical treatments to patients from all around the world, with natural and beautiful results. Memorial Plastic Surgery's dedicated team of plastic surgeons are committed to providing patients with a balance of quality care and results, with locations in Houston and Clear Lake. Houston | 929 Gessner Rd., Suite 2250, Houston, TX 77024 +1 (713) 663-4411 Clear Lake | 450 W. Medical Center Blvd., Suite 202, Webster, TX 77598 +1 (713) 609-9335 Iran has threatened in the past to leave the NPT, as U.S. President Donald Trump moved to scrap the 2015 deal with world powers -- the United States, Russia, China, Germany, Britain and France. "The Islamic Republic's choices are numerous, and the country's authorities are considering them... and leaving NPT [nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty] is one of them," state broadcaster IRIB's website quoted Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying. Tensions between Tehran and Washington have risen since the Trump administration withdrew last year from a 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran and began ratcheting up sanctions. Earlier this month, the United States blacklisted Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and demanded buyers of Iranian oil stop purchases by May or face sanctions. Iran said on Sunday it could quit a treaty against the spread of nuclear weapons after the United States tightens sanctions, while an Iranian general said the U.S. Navy was interacting as before with an elite military unit blacklisted by Washington. Separately, Iran's armed forces chief of staff said the IRGC -- which ensures security in Gulf waters and the Strait of Hormuz for Iran -- had not observed any change in the U.S. military's behavior towards the elite force after the blacklisting. "U.S. warships are obliged to respond to the IRGC on the passage of the Strait of Hormuz... and until yesterday they have been answering IRGC questions, and we have not seen change in their procedures," Major General Mohammad Baqeri was quoted as saying on Sunday by the semi-official Fars news agency. Lieutenant Chloe Morgan, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command spokeswoman, said on Sunday, "The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway. Threats to close the strait impact the international community and undermine the free flow of commerce." "The U.S., along with our allies and partners, is committed to freedom of navigation and remains well positioned and postured to preserve the free flow of commerce, and we are prepared to respond to any acts of aggression," Morgan said in an emailed statement, without referring to interaction with IRGC forces. On Wednesday, Zarif called the IRGC blacklisting "absurd," but suggested Iran did not plan to respond militarily unless the United States changed the rules of engagement guiding how it interacts with Iran's forces. The U.S. military has not suggested it would alter its behavior after the blacklisting. "We don't intend to close the Strait of Hormuz, unless hostilities reach a level where this cannot be avoided," Fars quoted Baqeri as saying. "If our oil does not pass, the oil of others shall not pass the Strait of Hormuz either." President Hassan Rouhani and some senior military commanders have threatened to disrupt oil shipments from Gulf countries if Washington tries to strangle Tehran's oil exports. Carrying one third of the world's seaborne oil every day, the Strait of Hormuz links Middle East crude producers to markets in Asia Pacific, Europe, North America and beyond. Iran has also threatened to pull out of the 2015 deal unless European powers enable it to receive economic benefits. The Europeans have said they would help companies do business with Iran as long as it abides by the deal, but Tehran has criticized what it sees as the slow pace of progress on a promised payment mechanism for Iran-Europe trade. "The Europeans have had a year but unfortunately they have not taken any practical measures," Zarif told IRIB. GNS strongly condemn rape of woman by Sudanese mercenary in Hodeidah [29/April/2019] SANAA, April 29 (Saba) - The Spokesman for the Government of National Salvation (GNS), Minister of Information, Dhaifallah Al-Shami, on Sunday strongly condemned the rape of a 50-year-old Yemeni woman from the Katabah area in Tuhayta district of Hodeidah province. The government spokesman said in a statement to the Yemeni news agency (Saba) that a Sudanese mercenary raped the woman Saadah Omar Ahmed Akish and stabbed her several times when trying to defend herself and take it to hospital in an attempt to cover the brutal crime crime, which is in contrary to all religions, traditions and humanitarian charters, affirming that the crime can not go unnoticed. He reiterated his call to the brotherly Sudanese people to take a clear stance on the involvement of the Sudanese army in the aggression against Yemen and to commit these unprecedented crimes. The government spokesman pointed out that this heinous crime requires the free and honorable Sudan to continue their Revolution and uprising against the continued remnants of the former regime continuing to participate in the aggression against Yemen. He pointed out that silence on these crimes is a disgrace to mercenaries who conspire with coalition against their homeland and their people's honor and dignity. The government spokesman blamed the Arab and international human rights organizations for the continuation of mercenaries in committing crimes and violations against women in Yemen. He also stressed that the Yemeni people will respond to this crime and other crimes that targeted their honor and dignity. AA Saba Human rights Ministry condemns rape of Sudanese mercenary of woman in Hodeidah [29/April/2019] SANAA, 29 April (Saba) The Ministry of Human Rights on Monday condemned the crime committed by one of the mercenaries of the US-saudi aggression coalition, where a Sudanese soldier of " Janjaweed" raping and stabbing a 50-year-old woman from the district of Tuhayta , in the province of Hodeidah. The ministry said in a statement obtained by the Yemeni news agency (Saba) that this crime is a war crime stipulated in the Statute of the International Criminal Court and contravenes the United Nations Charter and Security Council Resolution 1325 calling for ensuring the safety of women and the promotion of security and peace in its public environment as well as agreements Geneva Convention, which states that women must be protected against any attack on their honor. The statement also blamed the Security and Human Rights Councils, holding them responsible for all crimes committed against the women and girls in Yemen, especially in Hodeidah, in violation of all values, principles, humanitarian norms and international laws. The statement called on the United Nations and its various organs and international organizations to pressure the Security Council to carry out its duty and responsibility to stop the aggression immediately and to left the all-out blockade imposed on country. The ministry renewed the call for the formation of an independent and impartial international commission to investigate all crimes and violations committed by the coalition of aggression in Yemen, including crimes of rape, kidnapping and systematic torture. AA Saba National Commission for Women condemns woman's rape by Sudanese mercenary in Hodeidah [29/April/2019] SANAA, April 29 (Saba) - The National Commission for Women on Monday condemned the heinous crime committed by one of the mercenaries of the aggression, who is a Sudanese soldier of Janjaweed, where he raped a 50-year-old woman in Tuhayta district, Hodeidah province. The National Commission for Women said in a statement obtained the Saba news agency that this crime is not the first and has been repeated in the shadow of an international silence toward these horrific violations that exceeded all international laws and traditions. The statement stressed that these flagrant violations of human rights in Yemen committed by the countries of US-saudi aggression coalition indicatean international complicity toward the crimes committed against the Yemeni women and children. The Commission called on all international and local organizations working in the field of human rights, women's and children's issues to take a serious stand against these crimes, which are considered war crimes and should be accountable by international law. It also called on the Yemeni people to take part in marches to denounce the violation of dignity of Yemeni women in the areas under occupation. AA Saba Hodeidah local authority denounces woman's rape in Tuhayta district by coalition [29/April/2019] HODEIDAH, April 29 (Saba) - The local authority of Hodeidah province on Monday condemned the crime of Sunday's rape of a woman in Tuhayta area. The local authority stated in a statement obtained by the Saba news agency that a Sudanese mercenary raped Saada Omar Ahmed Akish after physically assaulting and wounding her with several stabs in a brutal crime that is incompatible with international religions and conventions. The statement pointed out that the crimes of harassment and rape against women confirm the fact of aggression of the coalition and their mercenaries raping the land, honor, the rights and dignity of Yemenis. The statement renewed the call for the peoples of the world to take a clear position on these crimes, which are repeated against women in the occupied areas by the forces of the aggression and mercenaries. The statement pointed out that the silence on these crimes is a disgrace to humanity. He pointed out that this silence has encouraged the coalition of aggression and its mercenaries to continue to commit their crimes in an attempt to practice various kinds of humiliation for the people of Yemen. The statement blamed Arab and international human rights organizations, especially organizations concerned with the protection of human rights for continued committing to crimes and violations against women by coalition. The statement demanded an official and popular position to respond to this crime and other crimes that violated the the sanctity of women's honor. AA Saba Protest rally in Ibb condemns Saudi-led aggression war crimes [29/April/2019] IBB, April 28 (Saba) Sheikhs and residues in Hobaish district of Ibb province on Monday staged a protest rally to condemn the war crimes and violations committed by Saudi-led aggression coalition on the Yemeni people. At the rally, the tribes denounced the international silence towards the coalition crimes, stressing doing each other to confront the aggression. The participants affirmed continuing support to fronts to back the army in foiling the aggression and plots that target Yemen. The rally praised triumphs made by the army and tribes in all fronts, especially, in Dhalea, Lahj and Taiz province. Saudi-led coalition has been launching a military action on #Yemen since March, 26, 2015, killing thousands of Yemenis, mostly, women and children, in flagrant intervention against Yemen's sovereignty and the international law. Ali Ahsan saba Two Saudi aggression military vehicles destroyed in Asir [29/April/2019] ASIR, April 29 (Saba) The Yemeni army on Monday fired two guided missiles at two military vehicles of the Saudi-led coalition's mercenaries in Asi border province, a military official told Saba. The operation hit the vehicles in Majaza area, destroying them and killing all board, the official added. Saudi-led coalition has been launching a military action on #Yemen since March, 26, 2015, killing thousands of Yemenis, mostly, women and children, in flagrant intervention against Yemen's sovereignty and the international law. Ali Ahsan saba Korea's largest cruise terminal opened in Incheon on Friday. The two-story terminal can accommodate cruise ships that can carry up to 9,000 passengers. Korea already has cruise terminals in the port cities of Busan and Sokcho and two others on Jeju Island. Edison , NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/29/2019 -- According to AMA, the Automatic Teller Machine market will register a CAGR of above 8.45% by 2024. The study covers a detailed analysis segmented by key business segments i.e. by type (Conventional/Bank ATMs, Brown label ATMs, White label ATMs, Smart ATMs and Cash dispensers), by application (Banking and Retail) and major geographies. Research Analyst at AMA predicts that United States Manufacturers will contribute to the maximum growth of Global Automatic Teller Machine market throughout the predicted period. This market research report looks into and analyzes the Global Automatic Teller Machine Market and illustrates a comprehensive evaluation of its evolution and its specifications. Another aspect that was considered is the cost analysis of the main products dominant in the Global Market considering the profit margin of the manufacturers. Get Free PDF Sample Pages Of Automatic Teller Machine Market Report: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/48393-global-automatic-teller-machine-market Major Key Players in This Report Include, Diebold, Inc. (United States), NCR Corporation (United States), Triton Systems of Delaware, LLC (United States), Tranax (United States), Euronet Worldwide, Inc. (United States), Itautec (Brazil), Wincor Nixdorf AG (Germany), HESS Cash Systems GmbH & Co KG (Germany), SPL Group (Germany), GRG Banking Equipment Co. Ltd. (China), Nautilus Hyosung Corporation (South Korea), Fujitsu Ltd. (Japan) This research is categorized differently considering the various aspects of this market. It also evaluates the current situation and the future of the market by using the forecast horizon. The forecast is analyzed based on the volume and revenue of this market. The tools used for analyzing the Global Automatic Teller Machine Market research report include SWOT analysis. The regional analysis of Global Automatic Teller Machine Market is considered for the key regions such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America and Rest of the World. North America is the leading region across the world. Whereas, owing to rising no. of research activities in countries such as China, India, and Japan, Asia Pacific region is also expected to exhibit higher growth rate the forecast period 2019-2025. The Global Automatic Teller Machine Market in terms of investment potential in various segments of the market and illustrate the feasibility of explaining the feasibility of a new project to be successful in the near future. The core segmentation of the global market is based on product types, SMEs and large corporations. The report also collects data for each major player in the market based on current company profiles, gross margins, sales prices, sales revenue, sales volume, photos, product specifications and up-to-date contact information. For Early Buyers | Get Up to 20% Discount on This Premium Report: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/request-discount/48393-global-automatic-teller-machine-market Table of Content Global Automatic Teller Machine Market Research Report Chapter 1 Global Automatic Teller Machine Market Overview Chapter 2 Global Economic Impact on Industry Chapter 3 Global Market Competition by Manufacturers Chapter 4 Global Productions, Revenue (Value) by Region Chapter 5 Global Supplies (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions Chapter 6 Global Productions, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type Chapter 7 Global Market Analysis by Application Chapter 8 Manufacturing Cost Analysis Chapter 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers Chapter 10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders Chapter 11 Market Effect Factors Analysis Chapter 12 Global Automatic Teller Machine Market Forecast Get More Information: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/enquiry-before-buy/48393-global-automatic-teller-machine-market Contact US: Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager) AMA Research & Media LLP Unit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJ New Jersey USA 08837 Phone: +1 (206) 317 1218 sales@advancemarketanalytics.com Connect with us at https://www.linkedin.com/company/advance-market-analytics https://www.facebook.com/AMA-Research-Media-LLP-344722399585916 https://twitter.com/amareport Edison , NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/29/2019 -- Baby Bedding Market explores effective study on varied sections of Industry like opportunities, size, growth, technology, demand and trend of high leading players. It also provides market key statistics on the status of manufacturers, a valuable source of guidance, direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry. Baby bedding include all the materials used to cover children in order to create comfort and safe sleeping environment for them. The bedding solution includes crib bumbers, baby comforters, blankets, quilts and other materials. Rising bargaining power of consumers and changing preferences put the onus on manufacturers to come up with innovative and organic solution. Get Free PDF Sample Pages Of Baby Bedding Market Report: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/33464-global-baby-bedding-market Major Key Players in This Report Include, Jinan Kami Kama children Ltd. [China], Kano (Xiamen) baby Ltd. [China], Toysrus [United States], Goodbaby Group [China], Little Dinosaur Group [China], All Friends Furniture Co., Ltd. [China], Shanghai children excellent baby sleep Technology Co., Ltd. [China], Yeehoo [China], LOVO [], Ikea [Sweden], Jiangxi Blue Sky Yu Home Textiles Ltd. [China], Heng Yuan Xiang textile [China], UYA100 [China] and Fu Anna Houseware Co., Ltd. [China] This research is categorized differently considering the various aspects of this market. It also evaluates the current situation and the future of the market by using the forecast horizon. The forecast is analyzed based on the volume and revenue of this market. The tools used for analyzing the Global Baby Bedding Market research report include SWOT analysis. The regional analysis of Global Baby Bedding Market is considered for the key regions such as Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America and Rest of the World. North America is the leading region across the world. Whereas, owing to rising no. of research activities in countries such as China, India, and Japan, Asia Pacific region is also expected to exhibit higher growth rate the forecast period 2019-2025. The Global Baby Bedding Market in terms of investment potential in various segments of the market and illustrate the feasibility of explaining the feasibility of a new project to be successful in the near future. The core segmentation of the global market is based on product types, SMEs and large corporations. The report also collects data for each major player in the market based on current company profiles, gross margins, sales prices, sales revenue, sales volume, photos, product specifications and up-to-date contact information. For Early Buyers | Get Up to 20% Discount on This Premium Report: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/request-discount/33464-global-baby-bedding-market Table of Content Global Baby Bedding Market Research Report Chapter 1 Global Baby Bedding Market Overview Chapter 2 Global Economic Impact on Industry Chapter 3 Global Market Competition by Manufacturers Chapter 4 Global Productions, Revenue (Value) by Region Chapter 5 Global Supplies (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions Chapter 6 Global Productions, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type Chapter 7 Global Market Analysis by Application Chapter 8 Manufacturing Cost Analysis Chapter 9 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers Chapter 10 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders Chapter 11 Market Effect Factors Analysis Chapter 12 Global Baby Bedding Market Forecast Get More Information: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/enquiry-before-buy/33464-global-baby-bedding-market Contact US: Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager) AMA Research & Media LLP Unit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJ New Jersey USA 08837 Phone: +1 (206) 317 1218 sales@advancemarketanalytics.com Connect with us at https://www.linkedin.com/company/advance-market-analytics https://www.facebook.com/AMA-Research-Media-LLP-344722399585916 https://twitter.com/amareport Guadalupe, Mexico -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/29/2019 -- Radiators in the automotive industry often need to be created and designed with precision and expertise and not every manufacturer is able to provide such an experience. This is why it is quite simple to distinguish a professional provider of such radiators from someone who is unable to produce the same results. This is exactly why Bufalo Radiadores has garnered so much reputation and popularity recently. Quickly rising up the ladder, and becoming one of Mexico's most notable providers of automotive radiators or radiadores automotrices, they're now more than ecstatic to advance their brand by opening a factory store. Their newly opened factory store launched near the end of 2018, and offers uniquely low factory prices, even for the general public. As a result, it is amassing an incredible amount of attention. Customers are quite satisfied to receive such high-quality radiators at stunningly low prices. From automotive radiators to big truck radiators and air coolers Bufalo Radiadores' factory shop has it all. While the Mexico based radiators factory store or tienda de fabrica, as most locals refer to it, hasn't been open for long, it is already managing to make rounds as customers flock to get their hands on Bufalo Radiadores' expertly designed and intricately built radiators. They believe this new store will allow them to propel their business even further and take a new step forward in their venta de radiadores or sales. The usage of automotive radiators is becoming increasingly common nowadays and it is incumbent to take the assistance of a professional firm who knows the ins and outs of proper production, that is, if one hopes to receive the best results. As such anyone wishing to get their hands on a professional manufacturer then Bufalo Radiadores' new factory store can be the best option to go. About Bufalo Radiadores Bufalo Radiadores has become a well renowned name in all of Mexico for the high quality of the radiators that they provide. Their radiators are known to work for a multitude of different purposes, including both heavy activity and industrial and agricultural. It is for this reason that a massive line of customers have already gotten in and used it for products and industries. The manners in which they are provide to their customers, there is no doubt in the fact that Bufalo Radiadores is definitely one of the finest providers of radiators out there. For more information: https://www.bufaloradiadores.com">https://www.bufaloradiadores.com Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/embed/kU2b-6OGoi0 Google Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bufalo+Radiadores+%7C+Tienda+de+Fabrica,+Av.+Miguel+Aleman+100,+La+Victoria,+67110+Guadalupe,+N.L./@25.707355,-100.222956,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8662eaf305bd7a89:0xf62616f43c75eb4b Santa Maria, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/29/2019 -- Fountain Mountain is a customer-oriented enterprise dedicated to selling different types and varieties of fountains, pumps, and fountain lights. The company was established as an online business in the year 1999 selling tabletop fountains on eBay. Soon came a change in its focus to fountain and pond pumps, followed by a major move to a warehouse location in the year 2003. Fountain Mountain today calls Santa Maria, on the central coast of California, home. It offers a wide range of indoor and outdoor pumps, pumps with switches, pumps with long cords (as many customers need long cords), lights, and pond treatments. While answering a query related to Fountain Mountain, the company spokesperson in an interview stated, "Happiness and complete satisfaction of our customers is our top priority. Therefore, we leave no stones unturned to ensure the same. Thinking in terms of customer needs, we manage to fulfill the diverse and changing customer requirements every time. To make people aware and enable them to keep their electrical costs down, we have included an energy-usage calculator on our website. Additionally, we incorporate many videos on our site and upload informative content to help educate people about pond and fountain products and their maintenance." Fountain Mountain cares a lot about its customers and its two product lines Kasco Marine (high-end) and FTech Floating Fountain line (budget) are a testimony to the same. Kasco Marine is a state-of-the-art floating pond fountain and aerator manufacturer. The company focuses a great deal of attention on this particular pond fountain brand, as its engineers know how to produce both quality-backed and energy-efficient products. Kasco has several engineers and marine biologists on staff and they consistently work on aesthetics, reliability, aquatic life, and energy efficiency. As Kasco products are a bit pricey, Fountain Mountain has developed the competitively priced FTech Floating Fountain line for customers who are on a tight budget. The spokesperson added, "Be it people putting forward a question related to pond fountains, floating fountains, pond lights, or their installation, we feel more than happy to answer the same. They can contact us anytime or can visit our website to find answers to their queries. We are open 9am-2pm Monday through Friday and 24/7 through our shopping cart. We can ship to virtually any address in the world and generally ship the order the same day. Kasco orders, on the other hand, usually take 1-2 days to be shipped. If not satisfied with the product received, customers can return most new, unopened items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund." Those seeking the best aerator fountains for ponds can count on Fountain Mountain, for it offers a broad range of Kasco Aerating Pond Fountains. They are energy-efficient, are available in beautiful displays, and balance aeration with fountain display. Fountain Mountain can also be a great choice for those on a lookout for the best fountain lights. About Fountain Mountain Fountain Mountain is a leading provider of quality, aesthetically pleasing, and energy-efficient pond fountains, fountain lights, and the best pond fountain pumps . Customers can contact its courteous customer care executives or can visit the website for gaining insights into the products offered. Contact Information: Company : Fountain Mountain, Inc. Address: 2351 Thompson Way, C-2, Santa Maria, CA 93455 Telephone - (800)-319-3854 Web - www.fountainmountain.com Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/29/2019 -- The growing demand of gift wrapping products and strengthening of the packaging industry are the key drivers of the global adhesive transfer tapes market. However, a large number of pressure-sensitive adhesive transfer tape manufacturers are facing the brunt of the regulatory restrictions imposed on the use of harmful chemicals and the emissions created during manufacture. Acrylics have so far been the leading type of adhesive transfer tape used, followed by rubber and silicone. A massive chunk of the market's revenue in 2015 was generated from the use of polypropylene as a backing material. Demand for adhesive transfer tape market is expected to be driven by swelling FMCG sector, clothing products and pharmaceuticals industry across the globe. Adhesive Transfer Tape Market- Market Segmentation: Global adhesive transfer tape market is segmented by adhesive type, material type, form of tape, application tape, and by region. On the basis of product type, the global adhesive transfer tape market can be segmented into single-lined adhesive transfer tapes, double-lined adhesive transfer tapes, extended-liner adhesive transfer tapes, and fiber or scrim reinforced adhesive transfer tapes. On the basis of material type, the global adhesive transfer tape market can be segmented into acrylics, rubber, silicone and others. On the basis of form of tape, the global adhesive transfer tape market can be segmented into waterproof, heat-resistant, antistatic, holographic, anti-counterfeit and others. On the basis of application, the global adhesive transfer tape market can be segmented into home textile, bag sealing, box & carton sealing, masking, pharmaceutical packaging, and others. On the basis of region, we have segmented adhesive transfer tape market into, North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East & Africa. Adhesive Transfer Tape Market - Market Dynamics: Growth in demand for adhesive transfer tape market is expected to grow strongly for several reasons. Important factors contributing towards the growth of adhesive transfer tape market are allowing joint substrates with different geometries, sizes and composition. On the other hand, variations in raw material availability and energy prices could make a negative effect on the adhesive transfer tapes market growth. However, alternative methods for adhesive transfer tapes packaging such as heat tape might hamper the growth of global adhesive transfer tape market globally. Request Report for Table of Contents @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2614 Adhesive Transfer Tape Market - Regional Outlook: Adhesive transfer tape market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (MEA), and Latin America. Among these region, North America and Europe are expected to collectively dominate the market throughout the forecast period due to huge retail industry. However, many multinational packaging companies are ramping up their investments in Asia Pacific to tap the growing needs of supermarkets and hypermarkets in the region and government support towards boosting manufacturing ecosystem. Furthermore, Asia Pacific rise in prominence has resulted in organizational changes, many new packaging entrants has emerged over the last few years and many leading companies has set up their retail outlet in the region. Asia Pacific is expected to be primarily driven by China, Japan and India. Latin America and Middle East & Africa are expected to witness slow and steady growth over the forecast period. In Latin America, Brazil and Mexico are expected to create market opportunities for companies involved in adhesive transfer tape. Adhesive Transfer Tape Market - Major Players: Some of the major players identified across the globe in the heat sealing tape market are 3M, Kruse Adhesive Tape, Nitto Denko Corporation, Saint-Gobain, CCT Tapes, Surface Shields, Scapa Group PLC, tesa SE, Vibac Group S.p.a., Advance Tapes International, CMS Group of Companies, H.B.Fuller, K.L. & Ling, Lohmann GmbH & Co.KG., NICHIBAN CO., LTD., T-GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., Shangrao City Dayu Tape Co., Ltd., Foshan Manzawa Adhesive Products Limited, Xiamen Naikos Industrial Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Minrui Adhesive Products Co., Ltd. The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to market segments such as geography type, adhesive type, tape type, usage type, and application. The report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators and governing factors along with market attractiveness as per segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies. Report Highlights : Detailed overview of parent market,Changing market dynamics in the industry,In-depth market segmentation,Historical, current and projected market size in terms of volume and value,Recent industry trends and developments,Competitive landscape,Strategies of key players and products offered,Potential and niche segments, geographical regions exhibiting promising growth,A neutral perspective on market performance,Must-have information for market players to sustain and enhance their market footprint. Request to Sample of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2614 For scores of wild bee species, females and males visit very different flowers for food, according to a new study published in the journal PLoS ONE. As we get a better sense of what makes flowers attractive to different kinds of bees, maybe we can get smarter about bee conservation, said lead author Michael Roswell, a doctoral student at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. In the study, Roswell and colleagues assessed differences between floral preferences of male and female bees in the field. They collected bees foraging on flowers in semi-natural meadows in New Jersey, the United States. New Jersey is home to about 400 species of wild bees not including Apis mellifera, the domesticated western honeybee whose males do not forage for food, Roswell noted. In total, the scientists collected 18,698 bee specimens belonging to 152 bee species from a total of 109 flower species. Although the ratio of male to female bees was highly variable across bee species, roughly 18% of specimens were male. The overall ratio of male to female bees the team collected was 0.22, although this ratio varied markedly between flower species. Female bees build, maintain, collect food for and defend nests, while male bees primarily seek mates, Roswell and colleagues said. Both sexes drink floral nectar for food, but only females collect pollen that serves as food for young bees, so they forage at greater rates than males. From the flowers standpoint, both female and male bees are important pollinators though female bees are more prolific because they spend more time foraging at flowers. Before mating, the males of some species travel from the area where they were born. Targeting their preferences for flowers may help maintain genetically diverse bee populations. We see some intriguing patterns, where certain plant families seem relatively preferred or avoided by male bees, or where males have relatively less appetite for visiting flowers that only produce pollen and not nectar, he added. That could help pinpoint the right mix of flowers to improve bee conservation down the road. _____ M. Roswell et al. 2019. Male and female bees show large differences in floral preference. PLoS ONE 14 (4): e0214909; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214909 U.S. investigators are chasing the leader of the shadowy North Korean dissident group Free Joseon who led a daredevil raid on the North Korean Embassy in Madrid on Feb. 22, Reuters reported Saturday. Investigators are searching for Adrian Hong Chang in central California, where he is believed to be hiding, with a federal arrest warrant. Spanish authorities issued an international arrest warrant for the raiders and asked the U.S. to extradite them under a mutual treaty. Warships from 12 countries including South Korea, the U.S., Japan and China will hold naval drills in Busan and Singapore aimed at thwarting North Korea's illicit activities on the high seas. But Japan is staying away from the part of the drills in Busan over chilled relations with South Korea and an aversion here to having the rising-sun flag flown in local waters. The Navy said Sunday that the joint ASEAN Defense Minister's Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) exercises will begin on Tuesday and last until May 13. It will involve 16 warships and six aircraft from 12 out of the 18 member nations. Australia, Brunei, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam are taking part. The first part will take place in waters of Busan until May 2 and focus on joint responses to crime on the high seas and rescue missions, while the second portion will be held off Singapore from May 9-13 aims to thwart maritime smuggling. South Korea risks being left out of the regional power play as its excessive focus on North Korea diverts its diplomacy from what the big powers all around are up to. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday flew straight to Beijing after his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Vladivostok and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, in only one example of several where South Korea is being left out of the picture. People walk along a hiking trail that leads up to the demilitarized zone in the border town of Goseong, Gangwon Province on Saturday. It opened to civilians for the first time since the armistice in 1953 to coincide with the first anniversary of the inter-Korean summit. Two more trails in Paju and Cheorwon will open soon. /Yonhap Putin said Russia and China share a "common plan" when it comes to North Korean denuclearization and added that a declaration of an end to the Korean War must precede any demands made to North Korea. Earlier he said it is vital to give the North Korean regime a multilateral security guarantee if it is to denuclearize. Russia is eying a revival of something like the six-party negotiating format to tackle North Korean denuclearization, while the participating countries guarantee the continuity of the Kim regime. Putin and Xi described each other as "core partners." Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing on Friday. /AFP-Yonhap Russia and China have also been growing closer to Japan recently. In October last year, China and Japan signed a 200-billion yuan currency swap agreement, and last week Japanese warships brandished the rising sun flag as they participated in a fleet review in Qingdao. Russia and Japan are planning a summit in June to forge a peace treaty. Their leaders met in January too. But South Korea is floundering in efforts to embrace North Korea. The North refuses to respond to South Korea's proposals for a summit, while during their last summit, President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump merely confirmed their differences about North Korea. Shin Beom-chul from the Asan Institute for Policy Studies said, "Our diplomatic approach focused solely on North Korea, and the North and the four superpowers now feel no need to meet our leader. If we continue to neglect our regional neighbors, we could end up weakening our role in the denuclearization process and being snubbed by North Korea." Read this article in Korean The Shanghai- and Hong Kong-listed group recorded a net profit attributable to shareholders of the company of RMB687.36m ($104m) in the first quarter, a stellar jump of 280% from RMB180.87m in the same period of last year. First quarter revenue came up to RMB35.1bn, an increase of 60% from RMB 21.92bn in the previous corresponding period. The revenue for the container shipping business alone reached RMB33.45bn, up 62.4% year-on-year. Cosco Shipping Holdings noted that between January to March this year, freight rates of transpacific and Asia-Europe routes were higher than the same period of last year. The average China Containerised Freight Index (CCFI) reached 852 points, representing a year-on-year increase of 4.5%. In the first three months, Cosco Shipping Holdings handled a shipping volume of 5.88m teu, a hike of 42.6% year-on-year. Amongst the total, Cosco Shipping Lines handled volumes of 4.28m teu and OOCL handled volumes of 1.61m teu. The groups container terminal business segment registered a total throughput of 30.63m teu, a rise of 12.6% year-on-year. After the acquisition of Orient Overseas (International) Limited, the company adopted dual-brand strategy and has gradually achieved synergies. In addition, the company puts more efforts on the end-to-end product development, and continues to promote the construction of sea-rail intermodal network to further enhance the capacity of end-to-end logistics solution, Cosco Shipping Holdings stated. Cosco Shipping Holdings added that it is promoting the application of digital technology and artificial intelligence which could improve its level of marketing services and its operational efficiency to enhance customer experience. In the future, Cosco Shipping Holdings will continue to consolidate and develop its container shipping, terminal operation and related businesses, and improve the shipping value chain, it said. As at end-March, the groups fleet stood at 478 containerships with a total capacity of 2.77m teu. It has nine ships on order with a combined capacity of 159,421 teu. The suspension came about after a MPA enforcement check on the 4,710-dwt bunker tanker Southernpec 7 operated by Southernpec. During the period of licence suspension, Southernpec is not allowed to operate as a bunker craft operator in Singapore port. Following feedback from our regular industry engagements, MPA has stepped up enforcement checks since April 2019. Arising from these checks, MPA is investigating the bunker craft operator and supplier, Southernpec (Singapore) Pte Ltd, for using a magnet to tamper with the MFM of its bunker tanker, Southernpec 7, during a bunkering operation. Based on our current findings, MPA has suspended the bunker craft operator licence of Southernpec. MPA has also suspended the bunker tanker, Southernpec 7, from conducting bunkering operations in port, MPA stated. MPA is working with the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) to raise awareness of MPAs hotline for bunker malpractice. We are working with various industry stakeholders to curb the use of magnets on MFM, the port authority added. Southernpec, meanwhile, maintains the use of its bunker supplier licence in Singapore. Read more: MPA to extend use of MFM systems to distillate bunker tankers from July 2019 Recently, reports on use of magnets have surfaced in the Singapore bunkering market. This malpractice involves the use of powerful magnets to disrupt MFM meter readings, thereby potentially influencing the volume of supplied bunkers in favour of the supplier. In addition to potentially influencing the delivered stem volume, the MFM exposed to the magnetic field could lead to permanent errors on the meters readings such that the sensor could read flow when no flow is present or vice versa. Singapore port is the first in the world to mandatorily enforce the use of MFM during all bunkering operations within port limits. The compulsory use of MFM is implemented to stem out malpractices of short delivery of fuels as well as to offer greater operational transparency and efficiency. Singapore is the worlds largest bunkering port selling close to 50m metric tonnes of bunker fuel in 2018. Sen. Nancy: Govt needs to prioritize Pinoy workers in additional "Build Build Build" projects Reelectionist Senator Nancy Binay today reiterated her call for Filipino construction workers to be prioritized for jobs in the administration's "Build, Build, Build" projects. She made the call after the announcement of more than $12 billion worth of new investments and trade deals during the President's visit to China this week. "Sana bago magpirmahan ng kontrata, maging malinaw sa usapan na 100% priority ang Filipino construction workers sa mga 'Build, Build, Build' projects," Binay said. She added that contracts should specify that Filipinos would be preferred for the jobs, a suggestion the senator first broached during a Senate hearing. In the supplemental guidelines for the issuance of Special Working Permits (SWP) to those applying for jobs in the Philippines, foreigners are not allowed to work as construction workers, cashiers, waiters, janitors, household workers, carpenters, garbage collectord, security guards, warehouse caretakers, to mention a few. The legislator said that under the supplemental guidelines for the issuance of SWPs, foreign workers are forbidden to work as blue collar workers, including construction workers. The investments China committed during the Belt and Road Forum include infrastructure, energy, petrochemical, and industrial park projects, which are expected to create more than 21,000 jobs for Filipinos. "Ako nga during that hearing, ang suggestion ko na dapat specific na ilagay dun sa kontrata na yung mga manggagawa na kukunin nila eh Filipino," Binay said. The senator has denounced moves by government agencies allowing employment of foreign workers as part of loan agreements with China. "The agreement to accommodate Chinese construction workers in the Philippines is unfair and disadvantageous to local workers. Baka makahanap sila ng way to circumvent the law, na baka gawin nilang requirement na dapat Chinese speaking construction workers eh (pag ganun), talagang wala nang Filipinong manggagawa na pwedeng kunin dun sa proyekto na yun," Binay added. Since 2016, a total of more than $34 billion worth of investments, loans, and commitments have been made by the Chinese government and private companies to the Philippines. Press Release April 28, 2019 De Lima alarmed over unabated killings in Negros Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has expressed alarm over the unprecedented rise of killings in Negros Province which highlights the government's inability to protect its own people and hold offenders accountable for their crimes. De Lima, a social justice and human rights champion, said the unabated spate of killings involving human rights workers, farmers and public officials in the province only proved that Mr. Duterte's supposed anti-criminality campaign is a failure, if not a sham. "Talagang nakakabahala na ang nagpapatuloy na insidente ng karahasan at patayan sa Negros, na imbes na mabigyan ng gobyerno ng hustisya ang karumal-dumal na sinapit ng mga biktima, ay nadadagdagan pa ang bilang ng mga pinapaslang," she said. "Nasaan ang ipinagmamalaki ni Ginoong Duterte na peace and order? Magta-tatlong taon na siya sa pwesto, pero lalo lang dumadami at lumulubha ang mga krimen, kung saan madalas na biktima ang mahihirap nating kababayan, pati na ang mga nagtatanggol sa kanilang karapatan," she added. In April alone, four individuals were killed in Negros Province, including Barangay San Pedro Village chief Samuel Ragay, human rights worker Bernardino Patigas on April 22 and former Association of Barangay Captains President Mark Garcia and village councilor Michael Garcia on April 25. Ragay was reportedly shot dead in a broad daylight by unidentified armed men who barged into the barangay hall of San Pedro on April 11, while Patigas was gunned down by one of two men on a motorbike while he was driving his motorcycle on his way home to Barangay Washington on April 22. Michael and Mark Garcia - whose deaths marked the 49th and 50th killings recorded in the Negros Province since Duterte assumed presidency - were killed in an ambush while on a campaign trail in the area. "Amid all these deplorable incidents, what's extremely appalling is how the Duterte administration is doing too little, if no action at all, to address the issues in the province that led to all these murders," said the former justice secretary. "The killings in Negros, as with different places in the Philippines, have become rampant in the country because of the reigning culture of impunity and violence encouraged by the madman in Malacanang," she added. De Lima reiterated her call for a Senate inquiry into the alarming spate of killings of farmers in the country, including the 14 farmers who were killed in a joint military and police operations in Negros Oriental last March 30. "There is an urgent need to investigate this escalating trend and spate of killings victimizing our farmers, making it imperative for the government and law authorities and institutions to develop mechanisms which can hold these perpetrators accountable in order for justice and the rule of law to be restored and upheld throughout our lands," she said. De Lima, a vocal critic of the Duterte administration's human rights abuses, has filed Senate Resolution No. 1034 urging the appropriate Senate committee to investigate the escalating trend and spate of killings in Negros province. Press Release April 29, 2019 De Lima urges Filipino voters to reject Duterte's candidates Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has dared Filipino voters to save what is left of the country's democracy and sovereignty by voting in this upcoming May 13 elections for the patriotic and independent-minded candidates who will never kowtow to Mr. Duterte. De Lima, a human rights and social justice champion, said the public should not allow the Senate to be dominated by Duterte's lackeys because it would mean "a future mortgaged to a foreign power" and "a ghost of the democracy that we know of." "If the President manages to stack the Senate with his loyal followers, the Senate's power to check the President would be decimated. As a collegial body, the Senate is only as strong and as independent as its members. A weakened opposition would make the Senate a rubberstamp with little value to our country," she said. "It is therefore the greatest challenge to our electorate to elect candidates who are patriotic, capable, and independent-minded. In order to protect our Constitution and sovereignty, we need to keep the strength and independence of our Senate; and the Senate is only as strong and independent as its opposition bloc," she added. In her commentary entitled "Last Chance" published in social news network Rappler last April 1, De Lima noted that the 2019 mid-term elections might be the "last chance" for Philippine democracy and sovereignty. A looming authoritarian who has always shown fondness to China, De Lima said Duterte is now using his resources and influence to ensure that his loyal supporters grab the majority of Senate seats to guarantee the necessary votes in Congress that will support his evil and selfish agendas. "Right now, the Senate is the only institution left standing in the way of this reality," she said. Among Duterte's key agendas, De Lima noted, include, among others, a shift to a federal form of government or Charter Change (Cha-cha) and the "Build, Build, Build" program premised on China's dominant role in the Philippine economy. De Lima maintained that any changes to the 1987 Constitution is an obvious attempt by Mr. Duterte at granting additional and unchecked powers to the Office of the President and removing the protectionist provisions that would allow Chinese ownership and control of the country's key industries and resources. "A shift in the form of government will weaken our country in the foreseeable future. It will create confusion as to who dictates the policies and as to which institutions will be held accountable for any problem that may arise," she said. "If we remove the present Constitution's protectionist provisions, it would be easy for a country like China to take over local industries and properties just by sheer volume of their investments. [A]nd if China gains control of facets of our economy, they can place themselves in a position to hold our country hostage when we start to claim what is legally ours," she added. On Duterte's ambitious infrastructure projects which will be heavily reliant on multi-billion dollar loans offered by China, De Lima said she believes that some of the projects under the "Build, Build, Build" Program do not really translate to any economic gains. "Infrastructure and loan agreements with China feature extremely onerous provisions such as waiver of immunity provisions, placing patrimonial assets as collateral, hiring Chinese companies as contractors, and settling the disputes under Chinese laws," she pointed out. De Lima earlier filed Senate Resolution No. 377 urging the Senate to look into the possible long-term financial and economic repercussions of the loans and investments package offered by China to the Philippines under its belt and road initiative. With the 2019 midterm elections happening two weeks from now, De Lima reiterated that the public should help protect the independence of the Senate - which holds sufficient influence to affect the policies proposed and implemented by the President - by valuing their right to suffrage and choosing worthy candidates. Press Release April 29, 2019 Dispatch from Crame No. 511: Sen. Leila M. de Lima's Statement on the Resignation of Felipe Salvosa, Manila Times editor Felipe "Ipe" Salvosa's resignation from the Manila Times is proof that even in the darkest of times, when evil and malice reign, there will always be individuals who will stand up for truth and honesty. His tough decision is a strong statement against Duterte's drive to absolute power through fake news and political persecution. Patunay lamang si Ginoong Salvosa na meron pa ring mga mamamahayag na kayang manindigan at ipagtatanggol ang integridad ng kanilang propesyon sa gitna ng mga pananakot o di kaya'y alok na yaman at kapangyarihan. But Ipe's resignation does not end there. The bigger issue is the Duterte regime's clamp down on media institutions to coerce them into becoming its mouthpiece. This sinister plan destroys the wall between fake news or propaganda and legitimate news outfits, for the public to be fed with news filtered and generated by the ilk of the President. Any resistance to be part of this propaganda machine has severe repercussions. We have seen how Maria Ressa and Rappler have been harassed until now. The "Oust Duterte Matrix" was also a serious warning against those who dare investigate the President and his family. Critical media institutions whose franchises are up for renewal should also expect the worst. Media has been dubbed as the Fourth Estate because of its integral role as the purveyor of truth and critical thinking which are crucial in the exercise of freedom and participatory governance. They say journalism is literature in a hurry; others say it is history on the run. On both things, ethical journalism serves a fundamental purpose in the life of our nation. That's why a demagogue like Duterte is at strife with brave journalists who speak truth to power. We simply cannot stand down and watch while Duterte and his troll army sabotage and repress press freedom and the right of every citizen to information. As Maria Ressa and Rappler aptly put it, "we must hold the line." Tulad po ni Ipe, manindigan po tayo para sa katotohanan sapagkat susi po ito sa pamamayani ng hustisya, kalayaan at kaunlaran sa ating bayan. Press Release April 29, 2019 Be wary of candidates pushing for death penalty as solution for crimes - De Lima Amid the continued campaign for the revival of death penalty for heinous crimes in the country, Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has urged Congress to address the worsening problem of criminality under the Duterte administration by pushing for bills on prosecution and judicial reforms that make for more effective justice system. De Lima, a known human rights defender here and abroad, maintained that the oft-repeated proposal to reinstate the death penalty law - and to equate death with justice - is "a patently fallacious and iniquitous way" of confronting the issue. "Criminality is a more complex and nuanced matter than politicians will care to admit. The problem requires a multi-dimensional and multi-level approach considering how aggravating and aggravated the situation is," she said. "Politicians will try to pander with tough talks and promises of harsh punishment against criminals. However, they are all cheap and meaningless if they do not translate to actual arrests, prosecutions and convictions," she added. De Lima's commentary expressing her strong opposition to the restoration of death penalty law, entitled "In Search for True Justice: Death Penalty is a False Solution" was published in online news website Rappler last April 19. Note that a bill reinstating the death penalty for heinous crimes, including drug-related offenses, has been approved on the third and final reading at the House of Representatives but has yet to be tackled at the committee level at the Senate. Mr. Duterte and his allies in Congress are pushing for the reinstatement of death penalty - which was brought back under then president Fidel Ramos' administration and abolished anew under former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo - because they consider it as deterrent to crimes without considering the flawless justice system in the country. Counting the possibility of judicial error, De Lima said she opposed the imposition of death penalty because "all too often we have seen convictions reversed years later after pieces of evidence have surfaced that would exonerate the accused," which cannot bring back the life taken away from anyone. It may be recalled that the Supreme Court in the case of People vs. Mateo in 2004 admitted that a considerable majority of the trial courts had wrongfully imposed the death penalty during the time it was sanctioned as a sentencing option from 1993 to 2004. Quoting Equal Justice Initiative Founder and Executive Director Bryan Stevenson's argument that "our justice system treats you better if you are rich and guilty than if you are poor and innocent," De Lima maintained that the imposition of death penalty only targets people from the poor families and often save the rich and powerful. "From historical experience and in-depth studies, we realize how imperfect and inadequate our justice system is. Socio-economic realities have skewed the implementation of the law against the poor and the marginalized," she said. The former justice secretary said she believes that it would be a taxpayer-funded machinery for political assassination if the death penalty were reinstated considering the Mr. Duterte is known for putting justice and law in his hands. "We have seen how the law is used to silence witnesses against criminal wrongdoings of the administration allies without making any sincere effort to investigate the allegations," said she. Sharing the disparity between how the Duterte administration treats innocent critics against how it treats allies, De Lima cited, among other cases, how the government easily detained her on trumped-up drug charges while going easy against Imelda Marcos and Nur Misuari for graft and rebellion cases, respectively. In solidifying the country's commitment against death penalty, the Philippines has previously ratified the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in November 2007, which prescribes an obligation among state parties to abolish the death penalty and prevent its reimposition. Among De Lima's efforts to push for judicial reform include her filing of Senate Bill No. 1677 seeking to provide clear guidelines on plea bargaining agreement in criminal cases to avoid abuse of the process by the accused and ensure that it is done in the interest of' justice and of the public. Press Release April 29, 2019 Sen. JV on PRRD's 'no touch' of HFEP funds: Wise decision REELECTIONIST Senator JV Ejercito has thanked President Duterte for approving the funds for the improvement of health facilities under the 2019 national budget, while thumbing down some items worth billions of pesos. "In the first, I was confident that programs to upgrade health services in the country would be supported by the President. I was certain all along that the funds which I had proposed to be included in the budget for the improvement and expansion of health facilities, and also for the provision of medical equipment, wouldn't be vetoed by the President," he said in a statement. The President recently signed the P3.7 trillion 2019 national appropriations, but vetoed some P95.3 billion worth of programs and projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways. Ejercito, who earned the nickname "Mr. Healthcare" for spearheading the Universal Health Care law, said the President did not reject the more than P15 billion allocations for Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) "because, probably, he saw the wisdom behind this direction." Ejercito, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, managed to restore the P15-billion HFEP funds in the budget bill, which had been removed earlier by the budget department. He said the HFEP funds would be used to modernize and expand health facilities being operated by the Department of Health and local government units, and provide these health infrastructures with the necessary equipment to better serve the people, especially those who live in far-flung areas that rely only on community health centers or barangay health units for their health needs. Currently, there are 900 completely constructed health facilities, 93 facilities are 90 percent completed, 235 are 80 percent completed, and 88 are 70 percent completed. "With the HFEP funds, I am optimistic that all these will be finished, complete with equipment. I am happy that after the impasse, we now have a budget that ensures that our people will get better health services from the government," Ejercito said. The entire ranks of North Korea's political elite converged to greet him, but Kim Yo-jong was nowhere to be seen. Kim returned Pyongyang on Saturday morning after wrapping up a three-day visit to the Russian port city, North Korean state media said Sunday. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister Yo-jong was not among his entourage when he visited Russia last week, although she arrived in Vladivostok ahead of her brother's arrival in preparation of their bilateral summit. The Rodong Sinmun reported that representatives from North Hamgyong Province came to a train station to greet Kim, suggesting that the ceremony was held in the northern province instead of Pyongyang. Kim Yo-jong had served as her brother's de facto secretary during previous overseas trips. One researcher at a state-run think tank said, "Kim Yo-jong seems to have been in the public eye too much, and there seem to have been concerns that her frequent appearances could overshadow Kim Jong-un's glory." She could still be assisting him behind the scenes. Meanwhile, the Rodong Sinmun said Kim's Russia trip "boosted bilateral ties and further developed traditional amicable relations according to the demands of the new political climate of the new era." That suggests Kim came home empty-handed. Cho Han-bum at the Korea Institute for National Unification said, "The trip was fraught with difficulties. The fact that there was no joint press conference and that [Kim] returned early shows that he did not bring back anything palpable." Kim had hoped to win Russia's support in easing international sanctions. The government is committing an extra $10.36 million to fund Statistics New Zealand's preparations for the 2023 national census after lower than anticipated participation and completion marred the results of the 2018 census. Statistics Minister James Shaw announced the Budget 2019 funding decisions at Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's weekly post-Cabinet press conference. While saying he had confidence in the Government Statistician, Liz MacPherson, and praised her efforts to shore up the 2018 data in a series of steps that were announced earlier today, he stopped short of backing her long term tenure in the role, saying he would "reserve judgement on the execution" of the 2018 census until after receiving an independent review of the national count led by former Deloitte NZ chairman, Murray Jack. On top of the funding for 2023, Shaw also announced $5.76 million of funding to allow Stats NZ to complete work that had to be set aside while the statistics agency concentrated on improving the quality of the 2018 census data by accelerating a seven year-old programme to use other administrative data collected by government agency to help plug gaps created by the under-reporting by parts of the population during the census, held on March 6, 2018. At a media conference, MacPherson declined to answer questions about her future in the role, saying she was focusing on ensuring the 2023 census was a success. Last year's census in fact achieved a better result than the census held in 2013, which was delayed two years because of the disruption caused by the Canterbury earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. However, aspects of the census's findings on household and family make-up were not sufficiently robust to be released as official statistics, MacPherson said. The census also revealed inadequate collection of iwi affiliation data from the Maori population, an issue that appears to exist across government agencies. MacPherson suggested the five-yearly national census could become an annual affair as the official statistics agency uses more of the data constantly collected by government agencies rather than rely on declining response rates from individual citizens. The problems with the 2018 census forced MacPherson to twice delay the usual pattern of data releases. She outlined today how Stats NZ had plugged those gaps by fast-tracking plans to make far greater use of government-collected 'administrative data' to complete population-wide counts in the future. The agency had been testing and refining models for use of administrative data for seven years already. It had intended to use an increasing amount of such data from the 2023 census onwards and instead accelerated its modelling processes to create a statistically robust 2018 census result, MacPherson said. Some 1.2 percent fewer people participated in the census than anticipated. Data gaps left by people not completely filling in their forms meant partial information equivalent to around 500,000 citizens was drawn from administrative data sources rather than census forms filled in on census night, March 6 last year. The team at Stats NZ has risen to the challenge and delivered a new way of confidently combining the strengths of census and administrative records to create the 2018 census dataset. There are now records for approximately 4.7 million people in the census dataset. The number of records is 1.2 percent, or 58,000 people, less than our best estimate of the population on Census Day 6 March 2018. In 2013, the official census undercount was 2.4 percent, or 103,800 people. "Eighty-nine percent of the total number of records comes from 2018 census forms and 11 percent comes from other government data." We are confident that we are including genuine information about people we are sure were in New Zealand on Census Day, to help us provide as complete a picture as we can. For example, data on Maori ethnicity and Maori descent is likely to be more comprehensive than what was released from the 2013 Census, MacPherson said. MacPherson said the lack of robust data on iwi affiliation was "a significant loss", but that Stats NZ was taking the failure across government agencies to collect data on individual Maori peoples' iwi affiliations as "an opportunity for a completely different way forward" in collection of Maori iwi statistics. MacPherson said the 2018 data was robust enough to allow the re-setting of electoral boundaries for the 2020 election and the population funding models used by public hospitals to determine their budgets, contrary to speculation from critics of the census process. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. 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Related News: Goodman Property Trust (NZX: GMT) GMT to develop North Shore facility for NZ Post 23rd December 2021 Morning Report SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (NZX: SKC) EXPANDS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH GIG Spark New Zealand Limited (NZX: SPK) Spark to take full ownership of Connect 8 22nd December 2021 Morning Report Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited (NZX: PCT) Wynyard Quarter Stage 3 Commenced AMP Limited (NZX: AMP) Announces Delisting from the NZX Main Board 21st December 2021 Morning Report Greenfern Industries Limited (NZX: GFI) Updates on NTA Seeka Limited (NZX: SEK) CLEARS FIRST HURDLE IN NZ FRUITS AMALGAMATION Increasing pressure on firms globally to reduce emissions throughout their supply chain is a genuine opportunity for New Zealand, Contact Energy says. Chief generation and development officer James Kilty says there has always been a level of interest from firms overseas keen on seeing whether they could establish businesses here to take advantage of the countrys geothermal energy and its high and growing share of renewable electricity. But he says there is also a growing focus among international firms to reduce emissions from within their suppliers products and services so-called scope 3 emissions. That broader pressure across global supply chains could present opportunities here, both for existing firms and potentially from new businesses coming here. Weve got people genuinely interested in establishing industry here, Kilty told BusinessDesk. We are pursuing that. Successive governments have talked up the potential for increased international investment here by firms keen to capture the benefits of the countrys ample renewable energy resources. But while existing firms, including paper giant Oji Group, Red Stag Timber and Sequal Lumber have expanded their operations in recent years and promote their environmental credentials, newcomers have been less obvious. Chinas Fenglin Group spent two years investigating a potential processing plant near Taupo before last year being approved for a $180 million particle-board plant development at Kawerau on land leased from the Putauaki Trust. Contact, as part of its own emissions reduction targets, is aiming to remove about 60,000 tonnes of CO2 by 2022 by helping its industrial customers displace about one petajoule of fossil fuels with electricity. It is also aiming to reduce its own emissions from generation by 30 percent by 2030 from a 2018 base year and is seeking a 37 percent reduction in emissions per megawatt-hour of generation over the same period. It is targeting a 15 percent reduction in scope 3 emissions from sold products. The targets which are separate from Contacts carbon sequestration initiatives - have just been endorsed by the Science-Based Targets initiative as consistent with achieving the 2015 Paris agreement goal to limit global warming to less than 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels. Contact shut its gas-fired 400 MW Otahuhu plant in 2015 and has signalled it may not extend the life of the 377 MW Taranaki Combined Cycle plant beyond 2022. Kilty says the firms reduced reliance on gas, and development of more renewables, will go a long way to meeting that target. But he said the firm is also looking at other options, such as using biofuel at its diesel-fired Whirinaki plant. The company is also trialling at reasonable scale software the firm developed in-house to help its bigger industrial customers shift load to avoid peak period demand and reduce the call on and emissions from - the countrys gas- and coal-fired generation. Kilty says there is no single answer to emissions reduction and firms need to be prepared to take some risks and experiment with new technologies and ways of working. He says the country has huge potential to benefit from the electrification of transport and industry, but only if it can keep its low-carbon power system affordable and reliable as well. The countrys share of renewable power generation - almost 84 percent last year - is likely to reach the low to mid 90 percent mark relatively easily, he said. But maintaining affordable supplies is going to be a challenge if the government persists with a 100 percent renewables target. Those last few percent could get very expensive. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. 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Related News: Goodman Property Trust (NZX: GMT) GMT to develop North Shore facility for NZ Post 23rd December 2021 Morning Report SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited (NZX: SKC) EXPANDS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH GIG Spark New Zealand Limited (NZX: SPK) Spark to take full ownership of Connect 8 22nd December 2021 Morning Report Precinct Properties New Zealand Limited (NZX: PCT) Wynyard Quarter Stage 3 Commenced AMP Limited (NZX: AMP) Announces Delisting from the NZX Main Board 21st December 2021 Morning Report Greenfern Industries Limited (NZX: GFI) Updates on NTA Seeka Limited (NZX: SEK) CLEARS FIRST HURDLE IN NZ FRUITS AMALGAMATION Gasoline prices have soared to the highest level in around four months, and are expected to further go up as the government reduces tax cut and braces for the end of U.S. waivers to import Iranian oil. Gasoline prices across the nation stood at W1,452.3 per liter on average on Saturday, according to the Korea National Oil Corporation (US$1=W1,161). That was the highest since Dec. 10 last year and marks a continued increase since Feb. 16. Diesel prices soared to W1,336.99 per liter nationwide, the highest since early December last year. Prices will continue to rise as the government cuts reductions in fuel taxes from May 7, resulting in an increase of W65 per liter in gasoline and W46 in diesel. If these are reflected, gas prices will rise to over W1,500 per liter. The U.S. recently ended exemptions for Korea and some other countries on the import Iranian crude oil, with the ban going into effect on Thursday. Sino-French cultural festival opens with art exhibit in Beijing From:chinadaily | 2019-04-27 15:28 To present contemporary French art and further promote Sino-French cultural ties, the works of 14 winners and nominated artists of the Marcel Duchamp Prize greeted art lovers in Beijing on Friday. The exhibit also kicked off this year's Croisements Festival, a series of events celebrating cultural exchange between China and France, on the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. The Marcel Duchamp Prize has become one of the most famous and influential national awards in the world since its establishment by the Association for the International Diffusion of French Art in 2000. Last laugh by victims as Disney fraudster sentenced From:Shanghai Daily | 2019-04-29 07:29 A woman who claimed to be a Disney executive and swindled five people out of 7 million yuan (US$1.04 million) was sentenced to 13 years in prison at Jingan District Peoples Court yesterday. She was also fined 300,000 yuan and ordered to return everything she took. Between January and May last year, Yuan Xiaoting, 27, unemployed, pretended to be an assistant general manager at Shanghai Disney Resort and claimed to have access to half-price tickets and merchandise. She gained the trust of five people by providing them with cheap tickets which she had bought at market price, then succeeded in convincing them to give her the money. Part of the money was used to buy full-price products for the victims, but the majority went into Yuans pocket. By early June, most of the tickets and merchandise the victims had ordered had not shown up, causing them to lose more than 7 million yuan. Yuan surrendered to police. Page Content PHILIPSBURG - The Sint Maarten delegation returned over the weekend after what was deemed a successful meeting of the Steering Committee of the Sint Maarten Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience Trust Fund. The meetings which concluded on April 26th in Washington D.C. is one of the scheduled biannual meetings to report on progress, accelerate implementation and agree to prepare new projects from the Dutch financed trust fund managed by the World Bank. Among the mission from Sint Maarten were Prime Minister Leona Romeo Marlin, Sint Maarten Steering Committee representative Marcel Gumbs, National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) Director Claret Connor and Senior Policy Advisor Abel Knottnerus. This meeting precedes the next ad hoc meeting of the Steering Committee which is scheduled to take place in Sint Maarten on May 16, 2017. The steering committee members are committed to ensuring that the agreed acceleration implementation modalities of the home repair program and other key activities of the Trust Fund are progressing well. Prime Minister Romeo Marlin expressed her satisfaction with decisions taken at the meeting, especially as it pertained to the quickening of the pace of the home repair program. During the meeting I made it clear to all stakeholders that there is a need for more tangible results for the people of St Maarten. Thus, moving forward I expect to see more activity surrounding the execution of the planned projects. At the Committee meeting updates on the current four approved projects totaling US$128 million were shared. Highlighted were the achievements of the Emergency Income Support program where 900 people have already received income support, while the training and certifications program to improve their skills, are continuing; repairs to the St Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) roof and the installation of the new alarm and fire detection systems; repairs to the Philipsburg and Simpson Bay police stations and progression in the repairs of 109 social homes in the Belvedere Housing Community. The procurement of equipment and material to aid in the management and safety of the landfill and preparation for the commencement of the works of the 13 shelters to be repaired before the peak of the hurricane season was also shared. A report on advance preparations of four additional projects totaling an amount of US$150 million was also reviewed. The projects: airport reconstruction of the terminal building; support to small businesses; waste and sewage management; and a budget support operation to strengthen public financial management, improve social insurance sustainability, and support fiscal resilience were all projects approved at the last steering committee meeting in December 2018. Approved new initiatives include the preparation of new projects that will deal with road connectivity on the island, including the key emergency road from the South Reward area to Dutch Quarter (known as Link 6), a Digital Government project to enhance the efficiency of public services for citizens and businesses, and an assessment on the financial situation and the possible credit access of large hotels We are moving forward, NRPB Director Connor concludes. At the end of this period in our islands history we will boast of a newer, more resilient, sustainable and better paradise. These projects are not only about the rebuilding of the visible damages but also about how we can ensure that when the next disaster comes, we will not be in the same vulnerable position that we were left in after the passing of hurricanes Irma and Maria. In attached photo: Stakeholders pose for a picture at the conclusion of the meeting. The fact is that the opposition parties in India are largely responsible for this situation and Modi is only responding to the scenario by N.S.Venkataraman Several observers, journalists and critics of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been pointing out that the ongoing Indian parliament election looks like Presidential election, focusing on one man and not really the election of peoples representatives as intended in the Indian parliamentary system. They have been blaming Mr. Narendra Modi for this scenario. In support of their view point, they point out that while Modis political party BJP has formed alliance with a few other parties under the banner National Democratic Alliance (NDA), campaign is being done amongst the people by the ruling party not in the name of BJP or NDA but in the name of Mr. Narendra Modi. People are being brain washed to vote for Mr. Modi rather than being appealed to vote for BJP government or NDA government. The critics further say that this has been deliberately done by Prime Minister Modi , bringing the focus on himself. According to them, this is Mr. Modis disservice to Indian system of parliamentary democracy. While it is true that the parliamentary election is taking place like the Presidential form of election focusing entirely on Mr. Narendra Modi, the question is whether Mr. Modi is responsible for this. The fact is that the opposition parties in India are largely responsible for this situation and Mr. Modi is only responding to the scenario. The ground reality is that there is no leader in the opposition political parties (most of whom are really leaders in the state level with their influence restricted to one or two states ) to match Mr. Modi in charisma, oratory skill , personal integrity and leadership qualities. When Jawharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi were the Prime Ministers and parliamentary election took place at their time too, there were several stalwarts in the opposition parties like Rajaji,. Jayprakash Narain, Lohia,Acharya Kripalani and others . People had a definite choice . It appears that such a situation is not the case now. Aware of their limitations, leaders of several political parties, most of whom are regional leaders, have joined together to oppose one man Mr. Modi. In the process, they all seem to have concluded that Mr. Modis fair image amongst people has to be effectively demolished and that is the only way that BJP or NDA can be defeated in the election. Therefore, in all their speeches ,the opposition leaders of various parties started personally targeting Mr. Modi and abusive language were liberally used calling Mr. Modi a thief and even going to the extent of stating that even Mr. Modis claim of belonging to a backward community is false. Mr. Modi was personally blamed for every development that took place in the last five years of his governance and no other leader of BJP and NDA was criticized with such vehemence. The net result of this situation is that Mr. Modi became the single and sole target for the opposition parties and obviously Mr. Modi has to fight back and explain his stand and view point. The fact remains that Modi government has initiated many proactive and imaginative schemes in multiple directions in the last five years, keeping the complex requirements of India in view. Of course, some of such measures have not yet yielded the expected results in a way that people could feel and benefit. However, most of his actions are work in progress stage as of now. Opposition parties know this and they cannot take him on such issues like clean India campaign, opening millions of bank accounts for poor people, skill development programmes, digitalization etc. Therefore, to paint Mr. Modi in black, an attempt has been made to call him corrupt and using words such as thief. Now, voters in India are left with no alternative other than viewing parliamentary election as decision to vote for Mr. Modi or not to vote for Mr. Modi. As the process of elections are going on, nobody else is being discussed and the merits and demerits of individual candidates are not being analysed and evaluated. Every candidate representing Modis party are being evaluated as Mr. Modi himself and merits and demerits of Mr. Modi as seen by the voters is the only factor in exercising the franchise by the people in favour of one candidate of other. Candidates belonging to opposition parties are being evaluated as representing anti Modi force. The opposition parties with no coordinated principles or policy programmes and with considerable mistrust between themselves have no alternate leadership to highlight against Mr. Modi. At this state, while the media projects that Mr. Modi is well ahead in the election contest, 2019 parliamentary election in India will go down in history as a contest regarding the acceptance or otherwise of one man Mr. Narendra Modi. This has never been so in the history of parliamentary election in India so far. Given the rocky relations between the two ambitious politicians, such a lack of communication is understandable. by Irfan Husain Whenever theres a terrorist attack anywhere, I pray that Muslims werent involved. And if they are, I cross my fingers and wish none of them were Pakistanis. In the horror stories emerging from Sri Lanka, I seem to have got my second wish. However, this is scant consolation for the mayhem unleashed by a little-known Islamist group, the National Towheed Jamaath (NTJ), backed by the militant Islamic State (IS) group. On Sunday morning in the UK, I received a string of text and WhatsApp messages enquiring about my safety. Friends knew that as I do every year, I had spent the winter at our beach house in Sri Lanka, but were unsure about my whereabouts. I immediately went on Twitter to discover the bloodbath that had occurred in Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa. The rest of the morning was spent in trying to find out if our Sri Lankan friends and their families were safe. As the magnitude of the atrocity emerged, I knew that only an experienced and highly trained group could have pulled it off. In their long, brutal civil war, the Tamil Tigers had never deliberately targeted Christians and foreigners. In any case, the defeated remnants of the ethnic Tamil group are too demoralised to attempt such a complex operation. That left Al Qaeda and IS as possible backers of the NTJ. The former has given up launching indiscriminate attacks, so that left IS. So I was not surprised when it claimed responsibility for the multiple attacks. What did surprise me, however, was the revelation that information about the impending suicide bombings had been passed on to Sri Lankan security officials by Indian intelligence a fortnight earlier. Both the prime minister and president claimed they had not been informed. Given the rocky relations between the two ambitious politicians, such a lack of communication is understandable. Under the 19th amendment to the constitution (drafted by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe), President Sirisena has the defence portfolio, and thus responsibility for security. There are reports he did not invite the prime minister to meetings of the National Security Council. Last October, he attempted to remove Mr Wickremesinghe but was thwarted by the supreme court. Since then, their power-sharing arrangement has become dysfunctional. Mahinda Rajapaksa, ex-president and the other claimant to power, has cashed in on this criminal intelligence failure and called on the prime minister to resign. As the next presidential election looms, expect him to ramp up the rhetoric. And as his track record shows, he is not above playing the extreme Buddhist/nationalist card to further his agenda. Perhaps more serious than this squabbling is the backlash against Muslims that I had feared. Although the government has tried to cover up the ongoing attacks against Muslim families and businesses, there have been multiple reports of anti-Muslim actions, especially from Negombo, a largely Christian area. Sri Lankan civil society has been appalled by this mindless (though understandable) backlash. One friend has announced her intention to stand guard outside Colombos Jumaa Masjid at Friday prayers. People remember how monks of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) led mobs who killed several Muslims following a petty altercation near Kandy a couple of years ago. There is a deep undercurrent of nationalism among elements of the majority Sinhalese who basically say that Sri Lanka is for Buddhists, and the minorities live there on sufferance. This is despite the fact that Muslims constitute only nine per cent of the population; many of them have descended from Arab traders who came to the island centuries ago. There has never been a history of discord between Muslims and Christians in Sri Lanka. So if the aim of the NTJ and IS was to create conflict between the two minority communities, they have succeeded beyond their wildest expectations. In the small town in the south a few kilometres from our beach house, there are a couple of mosques, three churches and several temples. While the Muslims largely keep to themselves, I have never heard of any attacks on their peaceful community. But now, there is palpable fear of a backlash. One warning sign I have observed with increasing (and depressing) frequency is the way younger Muslims now dress: women often wear the full burqa, while even teenage boys sport long, Saudi-style dishdashas and straggling beards. Sinhalese also complain about the lack of cleanliness in Muslim neighbourhoods and the consumption of beef in a country that largely avoids cow slaughter. All this is grist to the BBS mill. After Sundays slaughter, these memes are likely to be magnified. Another aim of the attacks was probably to cripple the economy. Tourism, after the setback of last Octobers constitutional crisis, was just recovering when the bombers struck. It will be a long time before the country can calculate the full cost of a colossal intelligence failure. by S.Chandrasekharan When Suu Kyi came to power with an overwhelming majority in the elections of 2015, Peoples expectations were rather high. Barring the Rakhine State, where the NLD had a poor showing, her party had performed very well even in areas dominated by Ethnic Armed Organizations. The belief was that she would bring back the Panglong Spirit of her late Father which in essence involved reconciliation between the majority Bamar and the non Bamar ethnic organisations who were 40 percent of the population but holding approximately 60 percent of the land. Suu Kyis second priority was to reform the Army centred- Army controlled 2008 Constitution and her approach had been to go gradually as she was aware that the Army is not going to let go its power in the near future. A repetition of a coup cannot be ruled out either. Her efforts to go out of the way not to say or go against the Army has not also paid any dividend. In the aftermath of the Armys cleansing programme of Rohingyas, her reputation abroad had also dipped. In the third priority in economic development, Suu Kyis performance has been mixed. Both the IMF and the Asian Development Bank have recently projected a growth of over 6 percent and significantly both have warned as expected, that she is running a risk of withdrawal of trade privileges due to her record in dealing with the Rohingya crisis. Suu Kyi who had opposed the construction of the controversial Myitsone dam before she took over has suddenly become reticent in talking about the dam and there are many indications that Suu Kyi may finally give in. The people in the region ( Kachins) do not seem to have faith in her and just on the eve of her visit to Beijing to attend the second BRI Conference, over 4000 local people in the town of Kanpiketi demonstrated against the construction of the dam. The local people said- Ayeyarwaddy river is their inheritance from their ancestors and that they cannot lose it. Some of the Chinese officials have introduced a new element in pushing for the dam and they have said that Xi Jinpeng is a strong supporter of the Myitsone Dam project. I am sure that this what they may have told Suu Kyi too to bring her round! It was interesting to note that the Arakan Army Chief Tun Myat Naing told the Press in Pangshong that so far as the Rakhine crisis is concerned, Suu Kyi has become not part of the solution but part of the problem. Two issues trouble the people of the Arakan State. One was the imposition of an NLD supporter as Chief minister, when the State had overwhelmingly voted in favour of AWP. Second was the direction given at the cabinet level to the Tatmadaw to go after the Arakan Army and destroy it. This has only enhanced the popularity of the Arakan Army amongst the people of Rakhine State. It is now learnt that the amidst the activities celebrating thirty years of cease fire, the Vice chairman of the UWSA strongly criticized the NLD of Suu Kyi for pushing them to sign the National Cease Fire Agreement. He claimed that the Wa Group had nothing to do with the National Cease fire Agreement as they had signed the cease fire and subsequent two agreements on the condition that they will not sign the NCA! He then posed a question that while they had signed the agreement at both the levels ( Union and State) why does the Government want them to sign the NCA? He made an ominous statement that he is doubtful whether the truce will remain in place after the 2020 elections. The point he made was that the status quo was working well for both sides and so why disturb it with additional demands like signing the NCA etc. What made him make this statement? Surely, he is talking from a position of strength and would also be having clearance from the Chinese before the Press Conference for making such a statement. We had earlier in our paper of South Asia Analysis Group in 5612 dated 27th November, 2013 by C.S. Kuppuswamy discussed about Wa group in great detail. We had said even then that China was playing a double game by arming the UWSA as more of a deterrent while professing to respect the sovereignty of Myanmar in encouraging the peace efforts of the Government. China continues to play the double game even now- while continuing to arm the Wa group to withstand a conventional war! If China wants a status quo why does it not press the Myanmar to continue with a ceasefire? It is said that even prior to ending of the four-month cease fire, the KIA and the Myanmar have been clashing for several days in the Shan State. It is alleged by the KIA that the Myanmar Army wants to control more of KIA territory- to what purpose- One does not know. The two sides are supposed to meet for fresh talks towards the end of this month in Muisse on the border. Both the Government and the Army on the one side and the ethnic armed organisations on the other are yet to come to terms on a fundamental contradiction. While the ethnic armed organizations want to address the security sector reforms first, the Army wants the groups to disarm, demobilize and reintegrate first. There is one other point that needs to be cleared. Where does China stand on the question of the National Cease fire agreement? While professing support on the surface, it appears to be encouraging its proxy (UWSA) not only to oppose it , but get other non signatories to form an umbrella organisaton the FPNCC to suggest a totally different narrative! It has also come to notice that China is in touch with the Arakan Army to keep its investments in Kyaukphyu port coming under the BRI safe and secure! The Arakan Army Chief, while interacting with the Press at Pangshang said We are trying to get along with the powerful countries as much as we can. If we go against their projects, it will make us suffer. We have no reason to go against the Chinese Projects. We have already dealt with the initial steps taken by the Suu Kyi government on reforms to the charter and the vigorous opposition from the Army Representatives both within and outside. The issue came out into the open on the Army Forces day March 27th. Gen. Soe Win, the deputy to the Chief (the Chief was not able to come due to an accident) justified the taking over of the country by Gen Ne Win earlier. He called the 1988 nation-wide uprising where thousands of unarmed protesters were killed as a riot. He also accused the NLD of trying to amend the Constitution as a breach of the procedure laid down in Chapter 12 of the Constitution. Like the devil quoting the scriptures, he said that in a democracy the opinion of the minority should be respected. (after ensuring that nothing can be done to amend the Constitution without the endorsement of the minority!). On the other hand, many senior members of the NLD openly criticized the Army, something that has not happened before. One of them said that when even the President cannot appoint a single Parliamentarian, the Army Chief has the powers to appoint one fourth of the members of the Parliament! Suu Kyis approach should be inclusive. She should be able to regain the confidence of the ethnic minorities. She should insist on a cease fire for all (not NCA) as a first step towards reconciliation. She should continue to take a strong position with regard to the amendments to the charter. Otherwise the Army and its proxy the USDP may gain the upper hand in the next elections of 2020. To my dear brothers and sisters in the Police and the Armed Forces, you have demonstrated your bravery and courage by Mass L Usuf The one who has succumbed and the one who is living are not the same. The one who has been injured and the one who is healthy are not the same. The one who has suffered and the one who has not are not the same. Though the intensity of the feelings may differ, an incomprehensible sadness has enveloped me. Let me begin by expressing my sincere and deeply hurt feelings towards my dear mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters who had been unreasonably, unjustifiably, irrationally and most cruelly targeted. This tragedy did not happen only to you. It has happened to me too, mentally. I cannot look and I do not want to look at my children and grandchildren with affection because deep inside me an inexplicable something keeps reminding me that there are many who have been deprived of such affection. My mind was numbed and my fingers frozen up till today. I was walking inside my house up and down thinking of my helplessness. Helplessness as I am incapable and unable to do something that can help, support and give strength to you and the many like you. The innocent, the loving, the young and the old. You Are Not Alone Without doubt, all peace-loving citizens of this country too, in one way or the other, experience the same deep shock and anguish. May be more. Dear All, I embrace you close to my heart and wish to say, please do not think that you are alone. We may literally not be close to you but our thoughts are very much close to you. As close as your shadows. In short we are you. To those of you who have suffered injuries, you have found a permanent place in my daily prayers. I am certain, there are many out there, in whose prayers also you would be kindly remembered. I beseech God to relieve you from all the pains, aches and discomforts that you have been subjected to. I supplicate to God that He relieves both you and your loved ones from the trauma, shock and anxiety that they must certainly be experiencing now. May God relieve all of you from all physical and mental agony that has befallen you innocent and peace-loving people. It would give me a feeling of immense relief if I could visit you in the hospital. I wish I could stand by your bedside. I wish I could help you to get back your strength. I wish I could caress your hair with filial or brotherly affection. I wish I was able to attend the funeral of our loved ones. It will ease the weight that my soul is burdened with to sit and console those who have lost their dear and the beloved. As you and I know very well, reality will not permit me to be by your side. This is a time of heightened emotions and I understand that. Therefore, I chose to write to help me unburden my sorrow. Public Hanging I have deliberately avoided mentioning anything about the ANIMALS who perpetrated this gruesome carnage. They may have done this by themselves or they may have had links to ISIS or they may be pawns of an unseen force manipulating them. We still do not know, as investigations are on-going. Whatever be the circumstances for me they are not human beings. They are lower than animals. They do not deserve any further mention. All those who are responsible should be brought to justice and the severest of punishment given to them even if it means the death sentence. I would suggest, Public hanging so that it will be a lesson for everyone. To my brothers and sisters in the hospitals and the medical services. You rose up to the occasion when your services were most wanted by your country. You displayed humanity sometimes though under constrained circumstances. Police And The Armed Forces To my dear brothers and sisters in the Police and the Armed Forces, you have demonstrated your bravery and courage. You have handled the situation in the best possible manner given the conditions that you were in. You have thus far maintained peace in the country and ensured the safety and protection of the other innocent citizens including the Muslims. We are thankful to you for that. The Muslims naturally, felt a fear in them of a possible backlash. The Muslims as a community cannot be held responsible for this. This is well known and is an accepted fact. No Muslim can or will condone this under whatever circumstances. Even if there was a riot against the Muslims and Muslims were killed, this animalistic act cannot be justified. This is absolutely unacceptable in Islam. Punishing one person for the fault of another is not part of the Islamic teachings. Some claim that this was in retaliation to the Christchurch incident. In this case, not only in Sri Lanka even in New Zealand, not a single New Zealander can be subjected to any hurt leave alone killing because of the act of another person. This is the teaching of Peace in Islam. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith This teaching of love and peace of the monotheistic religions of Christianity and Islam was echoed by His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith. A true religious leader who after assessing the volatile situation spoke words of guidance, love and peace to those affected. By your wise counselling you were able to subdue the emotions of the Sinhalese and Tamil Catholics. Christians are anyway peace-loving people. A brave man you are, Sir. I bow in respect to you for your leadership at this hour of crisis. I thank my Christian brothers and sisters for your patience on the face of this turmoil. Media And The Politicians Do I have a word for my other fellow brothers and sisters, the media and the politicians? Yes, I do. My dear fellow brothers and sisters, please know that if you are shocked, the Muslims too are shocked. If you condemn such dastardly act, the Muslims too condemn it unequivocally. The majority of the people appreciate the predicament that the Muslims have been pushed into by these Animals. Unfortunately, a handful of you through the social media are trying to sow discord and disunity. Instigate and provoke violence. Please do not fish in troubled waters. This is morally and ethically unacceptable. Do not be opportunistic in spreading hate. Do not spread false news and rumours that will aggravate the feelings of the people. Act like decent and respectable human beings. If there is violence, you are acting exactly how these Animals wanted you to react. Then there will be no difference between your act and those of theirs. As it will result in death and destruction. I am sure you all would not wish to belong to that category. To the Media: I have seen some responsible reporting while at times prejudice slips in. It will be like taking coal to Newcastle for me to sermonise on what media ethics is to the media. You all know better. You have done good but you need to be better to up your standards. Saying so in words alone is insufficient. Demonstrate it and win the hearts and minds of the people. You have a huge responsibility. To all the politicians the blame game, the irresponsibility and the callousness continues except for some right-thinking folks who are acting with responsibility. Most of them gaining cheap capital from the woes of a community. It may interest for some of you to know that the country is not applauding at your antics in the Parliament. Please act responsibly. Put the nation first in your thoughts with sincerity. This is my country. This is your country. This is our country. Come, we shall hold our hands together - as Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims; As Buddhists, Hindus, Christians and those of the Islamic faith - at this moment of trial and tribulation, the way we do at times of peace. Lets unite and defeat this scourge. It is through unity that these Animals can be vanquished. If we are divided, victory will belong to these Animals. Vive la Sri Lanka, Long Live Sri Lanka! The End. System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28: 29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fecdcee88)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fecde6750)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fecdcee88)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fecde6750)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fecd4e768)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fecde6750)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fecde6750)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fec4325f0)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fecd7c8f0)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fecd7c8f0)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fec905880)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fec9b2fe0)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fec905880)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fec9b2fe0)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fec914e60)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fec9b2fe0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fec9b2fe0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fec432e30)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fec99b940)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fec99b940)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28:
29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fece12320)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fecd5dcf8)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fece12320)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fecd5dcf8)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7f3fed00edf0)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fecd5dcf8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fecd5dcf8)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7f3fecd50280)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fecd5f0b8)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7f3fecd5f0b8)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 Facebook joins research on social media impact on elections Washington, April 29 (AFP) Apr 29, 2019 Facebook announced Monday it would make its data available to academics studying the impact of social media on elections, part of an effort to prevent manipulation of social platforms. The leading social network said some 60 researchers from 30 academic institutions across 11 countries were selected under a review process by the Social Science Research Council and the independent group Social Science One. Facebook began the research initiative last year after revelations of foreign influence campaigns on the 2016 US election and the Brexit vote in Britain. It began soliciting proposals last year, and on Monday unveiled its first research grants. "To assure the independence of the research and the researchers, Facebook did not play any role in the selection of the individuals or their projects and will have no role in directing the findings or conclusions of the research," said a blog post by Facebook executives Elliot Schrage and Chaya Nayak. "We hope this initiative will deepen public understanding of the role social media has on elections and democracy and help Facebook and other companies improve their products and practices." The researchers will be granted access to Facebook's internal data through a "first-of-its-kind data sharing infrastructure to provide researchers access to Facebook data in a secure manner that protects people's privacy," Schrage and Nayak wrote. "Some of these steps include building a process to remove personally identifiable information from the data set and only allowing researcher access to the data set through a secure portal." Gary King and Nathaniel Persily of Social Science One said in a statement the researchers will seek to move swiftly to help social networks improve their security and integrity. "The urgency of this research cannot be overstated," they wrote. "Elections in India are already underway, the European Parliamentary elections will take place in short order, and the US presidential primary campaigns have begun in earnest. Concerns about disinformation, polarization, political advertising, and the role of platforms in the information ecosystem have not diminished. If anything, they have heightened." Some of the research groups cited are based at Northeastern University, Ohio State University and New York University and Virginia Tech University in the United States; France's Institute of Political Studies; National Chengchi University in Taiwan; Italy's Universita di Urbino Carlo Bo; University of Sao Paulo in Brazil; Germany's Technical University of Munich; the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands; and Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. Funding for the research will come from several organizations including the Democracy Fund, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Charles Koch Foundation and the Omidyar Network. Iran drone video of American carrier appears 'years old': US Navy Washington, April 29 (AFP) Apr 29, 2019 Footage of an American aircraft carrier in the Gulf which Iran claimed it shot with a drone in the Gulf appears to be "several years old", the US Navy has said. The video was shot by a military drone, Iran's Tasnim news agency claimed on Sunday in a report on its website, and published some of the imagery from the surveillance flight. "The footage the Iranians recently released... appears to be several years old, and of the last deployment to the Arabian Gulf by the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)," Lt. Chloe Morgan, US Naval Forces Central Command spokesperson, told AFP in an email. The video, which could not be independently verified, showed a light blue drone of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards taking off from a desert base near the sea, followed by imagery purportedly from its cameras of an escort ship and then an aircraft carrier with planes parked on the deck. Tasnim did not identify the vessels or say when the drone footage was shot, but in the video, the number "69" is seen clearly on the aircraft carrier. The report comes during nearly three weeks after Washington formally declared the Guards a "foreign terrorist organization" and added it to a blacklist. Iran retaliated swiftly by branding US troops "terrorists". The Guards are an ideological military force, operating in parallel to Iran's regular army. Its naval arm is tasked with Gulf security, including the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a global shipping route routinely crossed by US forces. Islamic State's 'caliphate' in Syria, Iraq Baghdad, April 29 (AFP) Apr 29, 2019 Ousted in March from the final scrap of territory under their control, Islamic State group jihadists remain scattered in the Syrian desert and still carry out attacks. Here is a recap of the key events since the jihadists declared their "caliphate" in June 2014 to the purported appearance Monday of the group's elusive leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. - Caliphate - On June 29, 2014 jihadists of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) proclaim a "caliphate" led by Baghdadi across territory seized in Syria and Iraq, re-branding itself the Islamic State (IS). In Syria, ISIL had in January seized the northern city of Raqa from rebels. It also seizes a large part of the eastern province of Deir Ezzor, on the border with Iraq, as well as positions in the northern province of Aleppo. In Iraq, ISIL in June seizes Mosul and Sunni Arab areas bordering the autonomous Kurdistan region in the north. A badly prepared Iraqi army is routed without a fight. Raqa and Mosul become the IS's two de-facto capitals. In July, Baghdadi appears in a video posted on jihadist websites and calls on all Muslims everywhere to "obey" him. - Atrocities - In Raqa, the IS carries out beheadings, mass executions, rapes, abductions and ethnic cleansing. It stones to death women suspected of adultery and slaughters homosexuals. Some of the atrocities are broadcast on video, which the jihadists use as a propaganda tool. In Iraq, the group seizes the historic home of the Yazidi minority in Sinjar region, turning children into soldiers and using thousands of women as sex slaves. - Anti-jihadist coalition - In August 2014, US warplanes strike IS positions in northern Iraq. Washington then forms a coalition of more than 70 countries to fight the group in both Iraq and Syria. Washington deploys 5,000 soldiers. - Defeats in Iraq - In March 2015, Iraq announces the "liberation" of Saddam's hometown of Tikrit, north of Baghdad. In November, coalition-backed Kurdish forces retake Sinjar. In 2016, Anbar provincial capital Ramadi is recaptured and Iraqi forces retake Fallujah. In July 2017, then Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi declares victory in Mosul after a nearly nine-month offensive led by a federal force backed by coalition air strikes. In August, the last major IS urban stronghold in northern Iraq, Tal Afar, is declared "liberated", as is the whole of Nineveh province. On December 9, Abadi declares victory in Iraq's three-year war against IS. - Defeats in Syria - Backed by US-led air strikes, Kurdish forces in January 2015 drive the jihadists out of the city of Kobane, on the Turkish border. In August 2016, the US-backed Kurdish-Arab alliance known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) recaptures Manbij in Aleppo province. Backed by Turkish tanks and air force, rebels retake Jarabulus, and then, in February 2017, Al-Bab, the last IS bastion in Aleppo province. In March 2017, Syrian troops backed by Russian jets recapture the ancient desert town of Palmyra. The oasis city had traded hands several times during the war and become a symbol of the jihadists' destruction of priceless cultural heritage in areas under their control. In October 2017, the SDF announces the full recapture of Raqa city, capital of the eponymous province. In September 2018, the coalition launches an offensive against IS pockets in Deir Ezzor province. On March 23, 2019, the SDF announces the defeat of the "caliphate" after seizing control of Baghouz, IS's final bastion in eastern Syria along the border with Iraq. - Elusive leader - For the first time in five years, Baghdadi purportedly appears in a propaganda video released Monday by the jihadist organisation. The date the footage was filmed is unclear but in the video Baghdadi refers in the past tense to the fight for Baghouz. IS chief refers to Baghouz defeat in first video in five years Baghdad, April 29 (AFP) Apr 29, 2019 The Islamic State group's elusive supremo Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made his first purported appearance in five years in a propaganda video released Monday, acknowledging IS's defeat at Baghouz while threatening "revenge" attacks. The world's most wanted man was last seen in Mosul in 2014, announcing the birth of IS's much-feared "caliphate" across swathes of Iraq and Syria, and appears to have outlived the Islamic proto-state. In the video released Monday by IS's Al-Furqan media outlet, the man said to be Baghdadi referred to the months-long fight for IS's final redoubt Baghouz, which ended in March. "The battle for Baghouz is over," he said, sitting cross-legged on a cushion and addressing three men whose faces have been blurred. He referred to a string of IS defeats, including its onetime Iraqi capital Mosul and Sirte in Libya, but insisted the jihadists had not "surrendered" territory. "God ordered us to wage 'jihad.' He did not order us to win," he said. In a segment in which the man is not on camera, his voice described the April 21 Easter attacks in Sri Lanka, which killed 253 people and wounded nearly 500, as "vengeance for their brothers in Baghouz". The man insisted IS's operations against the West were part of a "long battle," and that IS would continue to "take revenge" for members who had been killed. "There will be more to come after this battle," he said. - 'It's survivable' - The speaker also referred encouragingly to popular protests in Sudan and Algeria, apparently to demonstrate the video was recent. "The mention of places like Sri Lanka and Sudan are largely to timestamp the video, to show that it wasn't created a long time ago," said Amarnath Amarasingam, senior research fellow at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. He said the references to lost territory were also an effort to reshape IS's narrative. "Part of the importance of someone like him is to contextualise the defeat... to show that this was either an expected turn of events, or that it might be unfortunate but that it's survivable," Amarasingam told AFP. The speaker appeared in a white-walled room lined with cushions, but it was unclear exactly where or when the footage was shot. He had a long grey beard that appeared dyed with henna and spoke slowly, often pausing for several seconds in the middle of his sentences. An older-model Kalashnikov assault rifle, similar to those seen in videos of Al-Qaeda former chief Osama bin Laden, leans against the wall behind him. At the end of the video, he appeared to examine monthly reports of IS's global activities, including in areas that have not been officially declared IS "provinces" yet. The man in the 18-minute video was identified as Baghdadi by both the SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks IS, and Hisham al-Hashemi, an Iraqi expert on the group. But the US-led coalition, which has backed operations in both Iraq and Syria to defeat IS, said it was still trying to "independently corroborate the validity of the video". The United States has a $25-million bounty on Baghdadi's head. - 'The Ghost' - Born Ibrahim Awad al-Badri in 1971, Baghdadi came from modest beginnings in Samarra, north of Baghdad, and chose to study religion. After US-led forces invaded Iraq in 2003, he was detained in the American-run Camp Bucca, where he is believed to have come of age as a jihadist. He later rose through the ranks of Iraq's Al-Qaeda franchise and eventually took the helm in 2010, expanding into Syria in the midst of that country's war in 2013. The following year, Baghdadi declared himself "caliph" of IS's sprawling territory in an infamous sermon from Mosul's famed Al-Nuri mosque. He then lay low for years, earning him the nickname "The Ghost" amid repeated reports he had been killed or injured as IS's territory shrunk. His last voice recording to his supporters was released in August, eight months after Iraq announced it had defeated IS and as the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces closed in next door in Syria. Some of those who fled Baghouz in the dying days of the "caliphate" claimed they had been ordered to leave by Baghdadi, but the SDF at the time said it did not believe the jihadist figurehead was in Syria. IS chief refers to Syria defeat in first video in five years Baghdad, April 29 (AFP) Apr 29, 2019 The Islamic State group's elusive supremo Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made his first purported appearance in five years in a propaganda video released Monday, acknowledging IS's defeat in the Syrian town of Baghouz while threatening "revenge" attacks. The world's most wanted man was last seen in Mosul in 2014, announcing the birth of IS's much-feared "caliphate" across swathes of Iraq and Syria, and appears to have outlived the proto-state. In the video released by IS's Al-Furqan media arm, the man said to be Baghdadi referred to the monthslong fight for IS's final redoubt Baghouz, which ended in March. "The battle for Baghouz is over," he said, sitting cross-legged on a cushion and addressing three men whose faces have been blurred. He referred to a string of IS defeats, including its onetime Iraqi capital Mosul and Sirte in Libya, but insisted the jihadists had not "surrendered" territory. "God ordered us to wage 'jihad.' He did not order us to win," he said. In a segment in which the man is not on camera, his voice described the April 21 Easter attacks in Sri Lanka, which killed 253 people and wounded nearly 500, as "vengeance for their brothers in Baghouz." The man insisted IS's operations against the West were part of a "long battle," and that IS would continue to "take revenge" for members who had been killed. "There will be more to come after this battle," he said. - 'It's survivable' - The United States, which has a $25 million bounty on Baghdadi's head, said it was assessing the authenticity of the video but vowed to keep up the battle against the extremist group. The US-led coalition will "ensure an enduring defeat of these terrorists and that any leaders who remain are delivered the justice that they deserve," a State Department spokesman said. Even if Baghdadi is alive and well, the spokesman said that the militants, frequently called ISIS, had been battered. "ISIS's territorial defeat in Iraq and Syria was a crushing strategic and psychological blow as ISIS saw its so-called caliphate crumble, its leaders killed or flee the battlefield, and its savagery exposed," he said. The speaker identified as Baghdadi referred encouragingly to popular protests in Sudan and Algeria, apparently to demonstrate the video was recent. "The mention of places like Sri Lanka and Sudan are largely to timestamp the video, to show that it wasn't created a long time ago," said Amarnath Amarasingam, senior research fellow at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. He said the references to lost territory were also an effort to reshape IS's narrative. "Part of the importance of someone like him is to contextualise the defeat... to show that this was either an expected turn of events, or that it might be unfortunate but that it's survivable," Amarasingam told AFP. The speaker appeared in a white-walled room lined with cushions, but it was unclear exactly where or when the footage was shot. He had a long grey beard that appeared dyed with henna and spoke slowly, often pausing for several seconds in the middle of his sentences. An older-model Kalashnikov assault rifle, similar to those seen in videos of Al-Qaeda's former chief Osama bin Laden, leaned against the wall behind him. At the end of the video, he appeared to examine monthly reports of IS's global activities, including in areas that have not been officially declared IS "provinces" yet. The man in the 18-minute video was identified as Baghdadi by both the SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks IS, and Hisham al-Hashemi, an Iraqi expert on the group. - 'The Ghost' - Born Ibrahim Awad al-Badri in 1971, Baghdadi came from modest beginnings in Samarra, north of Baghdad, and chose to study religion. After US-led forces invaded Iraq in 2003, he was detained in the American-run Camp Bucca, where he is believed to have come of age as a jihadist. He later rose through the ranks of Iraq's Al-Qaeda franchise and eventually took the helm in 2010, expanding into Syria in the midst of that country's war in 2013. The following year, Baghdadi declared himself "caliph" of IS's sprawling territory in an infamous sermon from Mosul's famed Al-Nuri mosque. He then lay low for years, earning him the nickname "The Ghost" amid repeated reports he had been killed or injured as IS's territory shrunk. His last voice recording to his supporters was released in August, eight months after Iraq announced it had defeated IS and as the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces closed in next door in Syria. Some of those who fled Baghouz in the dying days of the "caliphate" claimed they had been ordered to leave by Baghdadi, but the SDF at the time said it did not believe the jihadist figurehead was in Syria. Optimization Are you frustrated with a slow pc or a hard disk not performing as it should? Try SLOW-PCfighter to speed up boot time on a slow PC, or try a free scan of FULL-DISKfighter to recover space on a full disk. The latest offering is DRIVERfighter to update your driver updater. Get complete PC optimization and extend the life of your PC with these must-have software tools. New York, April 28, 2019 (SPS) -The Security Council has postponed the vote on the resolution extending MINURSO mandate to be able to review the reservations made by some members on the text presented by the United States. The adoption of this resolution extending, by six months, the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara was initially scheduled for Monday. Some members of the Security Council said that the first draft was written in a confusing making the text unbalanced, the source told APS. The amendments suggested by theses members are being reviewed by the American delegation who wants to reach a resolution adopted by consensus. The draft resolution does not consider the observations included on the Secretary Generals report, particularly those referring to human rights and violations of the ceasefire by Morocco. Contrary to the Secretary Generals report, the text does not mention Morocco as the party that committed the violations and imposed restrictions on the freedom of movement of MINURSO and Envoy Horst Kohler. The draft resolution expressed concern over the violations of the ceasefire agreements, calling on the parties in conflict to implement their commitment towards the UN Special Envoy and to refrain from any action that could compromise the negotiations facilitated by the United Nations. (SPS) 062/SPS/APS by Eric S. Margolis The world is still reeling in horror from the deadly Sri Lanka bombings that may have been the work of Islamic State madmen. Poor Sri Lanka has suffered so much after three decades of civil war and communal strife. We weep for this beautiful and once gentle nation. But behind the horror in Sri Lanka, a huge crisis was building up of which the world has so far taken insufficient notice: renewed tensions in the oil-producing Gulf. This is the latest attempt by the United States to crush Irans independent-minded government and return it to American tutelage. The Trump administration has demanded that the principal importers of 1.2 billion barrels of Iranian oil halt purchases almost immediately. This imperial diktat includes China, South Korea, Turkey, India and Japan. The comprehensive embargo is very close to an all-out act of war. In 1941, Americas cut-off of oil to Japan provoked the attack on Pearl Harbor. The oil embargo not only violates international law, it sets the US on a collision course with some of its most important allies and vassal states. Brazen threats against Iran by Trumps two main enforcers, National Security advisor John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, have reinforced Americas unfortunate image as an imperial power that threatens war against disobedient satraps and independent-minded nations. Iran, a proud, ancient nation of 80 million, has become, with Turkey, the most effective opposition to Americas imperial domination of the Mideast and a key supporter of Palestinian rights and statehood. This has put Iran on a collision course with Israel and its influential American supporters, notably the Evangelical hard right which somehow believes that Jesus will only return to earth after Israel expands its border and mankind is destroyed. Meanwhile, the Trump Administration, which has now become indistinguishable from Israels hard-line far right ruling coalition, has declared virtual war against Iran. To benefit Israel, the White House cancelled a $20 billion order from Iran for Boeing aircraft, embargoed trade with Iran, reneged on the internationally backed nuclear deal with Tehran, cut off all aid to Palestinians, and keeps sustaining the savage Saudi/Emirati war againstYemen that has caused mass starvation and epidemics. Trump has just unilaterally approved Israels illegal seizure of Syrias Golan Heights, an act worthy of the 1916 Sykes-Picot treaty dividing up the Ottoman Mideast between Britain and France. US threats against Venezuela and Cuba grow louder. Washington plans to use its naval forces massed around Iran to interdict Tehrans oil exports. Two US aircraft carriers are now on station within striking range of Iran. I went to sea on one, the Abraham Lincoln. China faces dire trade punishments for dealing with Iran. Welcome back to 19th century gunboat diplomacy. Even Washingtons European allies may be scourged for buying Iranian oil. Iran, which has faced similar threats in the past, is digging in and threatens to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz if its oil exports are interdicted. Twenty percent of the worlds oil passes through the Strait. At its narrowest point, this strategic passage is only 21 miles (34 km) wide. Iran could seriously interfere with oil tankers in the Strait, using armed speedboats, mines and land-based, Chinese-made missiles. Equally important, insurance rates for tankers would skyrocket. Add all this together, and Trump & Co.s warlike actions will cause the price of gasoline to surge, just as Americas busy summer driving season is getting underway. Americas satraps Saudi Arabia (which just cut off the heads of 37 of its subjects) and sidekick the Emirates have promised to make up oil shortfalls, but neighbour Irans special forces may have very different ideas. Look for missiles and commando attacks on Saudi oil installations. Adding to this dangerous mess, Beijing may slow down or even abort its trade talks with Washington, which are of vital importance to the US economy. US markets have already factored in a deal being made. Trumps irrational quest to crush Iran could very well turn the rest of the world against Washington. But Trump & Co. dont seem to care. Someone must tell Trumps out of control administration to stop trying to overthrow governments it does not like around the globe and promoting itself as the Second Coming of Christ. "Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad." Verily. by Syed Badrul Ahsan Terrorism is not dead. The purveyors of terror are yet around. That is the lesson coming out of the eight explosions which rocked Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. With close to 300 people dead and hundreds of others wounded, one is quite certain that the struggle against global terror is yet to succeed. The rank and file of terrorists, along with their godfathers, may have slunk into their caves through the seeming defeat of ISIS. Governments in individual countries may quite properly claim that terrorists in the territories within their jurisdiction have been beaten back into their lairs, never to reappear. Yet after Christchurch, our doubts began to rise again. Here was a country at peace, with its multi-faith based society comfortable in its everyday living. No one could imagine that mosques would come under the assault of a fanaticism-driven man journeying all the way from Australia to wreak havoc in a country where peace was in abundance. Terror has not died since the time when the Taliban went into the odious task of blowing the Bamiyan statues to splinters in Afghanistan. Terrorists demonstrated their macabre visage when they destroyed the twin towers in New York. In London, in Paris, in Istanbul, in Mumbai, in Peshawar, in spots around Europe, in Africa, terror has struck again and again. In the name of a god that is not God, these practitioners of hate have killed and maimed and left societies wounded beyond measure. The faithful have died at Friday prayers in Pakistan, where the long reach of terrorism remains a potent threat, with Hazaras in Quetta losing their lives at the hands of so-called purists upholding the faith. Organised terror continues to pervade regions and countries, injecting into the lives of people quantities of fear that can only leave nations in various states of despair. The attacks in Pulwama reflect the terror that organized government can often resort to in its sinister objective of fulfilling bad ambitions. Likewise, when a bunch of young men driven by evil march into a cafe in Dhaka and bludgeon good men and women at dinner to death, mutilating their features in the process, it is the idea of hate which comes alive again. No religion, no prophet, no sufi, no political saint is influential enough to deter these merchants of death in their mission to murder in the name of their gods. And yet it is crucial that these self-professed agents of faith be tackled, held down firmly and neutralized. Governments need to do more, a whole lot more, individually as also collectively, in hunting down these criminals --- relentlessly, purposefully and decisively --- in order for basic order to return to lives everywhere. That must come in tandem with a utilisation of mosques, churches, temples and synagogues around the world in the dissemination of the message that terrorism anywhere is terrorism everywhere. And one must not lose sight of the fact that security, for every individual country and collectively around the world, is of the essence. But security must not be a reductionist affair. Civil liberties and democratic freedoms must not be sacrificed at the altar of the anti-terrorism struggle. Citizens must be drawn into the anti-terror struggle, for states are composed of people. The word must go forth, after the murder and mayhem in Sri Lanka, that terrorists are enemies of civilized living. It is not enough to push them back into their lairs. It is only reasonable that they be traced, tracked down and dealt the justice their malignancy calls for. All of us are Sri Lankans today. All of us have seen our blood flow. All of us owe it to ourselves, to the faiths we swear by, to spear the satanic elements strutting around us into silence. While the revival of the LTTE in the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka has been ruled out, is a religious conflict in the offing? Or are multiple bombers the warning strikes? by Ashok K Mehta Sadly, Sri Lanka earning the sobriquet of being the only country to comprehensively eradicate terrorism could survive for just 10 years. After battling several decades of guerrilla insurgency by a minority Tamil militant group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), and vanquishing it in 2009, Sri Lanka was just returning to normalcy when the Easter Sunday attack on churches and high-end hotels across the island brought back its bloody and violent past. Racial tensions between the minority Tamils and the majority Sinhalese Buddhists leading to violence was common till 2009. But even at the height of that insurgency, no places of worship were attacked, only symbols of the Sri Lankan state. This is the first case of religious violence on an island that is worryingly close to a hub of fundamentalist Islamic activity, the Maldives. By the Governments own admission of an intelligence failure, at least seven to eight suicide bombers struck as far apart as Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa, killing nearly 310 and wounding another 500 people. This is, perhaps, the most sophisticated and well-coordinated terrorist attack by well-trained and motivated, probably local Muslims, with elaborate support from an international organisation like the Islamic State (IS). So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the heinous attacks. The Government has blamed the recently formed Sri Lanka Tauheed Jamaat (SLTJ), which has been linked to the vandalisation of Buddhist statues, and declared a national emergency. The modus operandi was like this: Terrorists checked into three hotels the night before according to one report, with the same name with sophisticated explosive jackets and triggered the devices at or around breakfast time the next day. Similarly, terrorists sneaked into churches and blew themselves up on Eastern Sunday mass, again, all timed at 8.45 am. This is clearly a case of thinking global, acting local. The potential bombers were motivated in Colombo and probably trained in the Maldives. Sri Lanka has not witnessed a single terrorist attack since the eradication of the LTTE a decade ago. The Khalistani terrorism in Punjab and Tamil Tiger terrorism in Sri Lanka are two unique instances in recent history of a state subduing terrorism. The politically dysfunctional cohabitation of what was once a national unity Government of two national parties Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and United National Party (UNP) led by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is extracting its toll. Last year, the unity Government was rent apart in a Constitutional crisis when Sirisena dismissed Wickremesinghe and appointed the man he had defeated in the presidential election, Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister. While the Supreme Court restored Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister, the divide between the two leaders is unbridgeable. Sirisena has kept the Defence Ministry, intelligence and law and order (internal security) under his charge and kept Wickremesinghe out of the loop. The senior-most military officer, the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, under the CDS Act of Parliament 2009, reports to the President through the Secretary Defence, which is an administrative appointment. In the past, the CDS used to brief the Prime Minister, too, and he used to attend NSC briefings, which evidently stopped after the Constitutional row. The intelligence failure was avoidable and has led to two parallel enquiries by the Prime Ministers Office and the presidential secretariat. On April 11, based on an international and Indian intelligence tip-off of April 4, the DIG, Police, warned that a Muslim organisation was planning to carry out terrorist attacks using suicide bombers. This was not shared with the Prime Ministers Office. At a media briefing on Monday, the Government blamed the President (who was abroad on a private visit to India and Singapore) for not sharing the intelligence report and not appointing a care-taker in his absence. The second round of feuding between the President and Prime Minister may have begun when the two should be seen to be acting in unison in this grave crisis. The guard was also let down: Ten years of not a single act of terrorism had induced complacency. As someone who travels frequently to Sri Lanka, visits Colombo at least twice a year and as a former commander of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), I have detected laxity in security norms at hotels and public places all this when Colombo and its airport were in complete lockdown till 2009. After the war was won, the heart of Colombo, Galle Face Green, was freed and decked with a victory flag aflutter, courtesy the winds of the Indian Ocean. The aggrieved minorities in Sri Lanka are the Tamils in the North and East; and the Muslims, mainly in East and South, including Colombo. The Muslims were at the receiving end at the hands of the Tamil Tigers in the East, having been expelled from the North. During IPKFs time, relatively prosperous Muslim groups had begun to raise clandestinely armed militias. But the birth of radicalised Muslims is a new post-2013 phenomenon. The immediate triggers for the suicide attacks most likely are the unbridled attacks by Sinhalese extremists, the Bodu Bala Sena, starting sporadically in 2013 and peaking in 2018 against Muslim religious and economic interests, thus forcing the declaration of emergency. In one of my conversations with a senior serving military officer in 2017, I asked what he considered the main security threat to the country. He said, We have no external threatour main concern is internal security. He named the IS as the chief worry, adding: We identified 32 Sri Lankans, who joined IS, one of whom was killed. But in next door Maldives, there are at least 300 hardcore IS activists and there are 30,000 Maldivians living in Sri Lanka. Visa-free movement is permitted between both countries. So it would seem that BBS depredations could have instigated the local radical groups belonging to SLTJ to avenge their alleged state/politically supported attacks. The current spate of suicide attacks will hurt the state. Tourism makes up about five per cent of the islands $87 billion economy, supporting about one million jobs. It is also the third largest source of foreign currencies with India contributing a sizeable chunk: In 2018, 397,985 Indian tourists visited Sri Lanka as against 384,628 in 2017. But after the attacks, there has been a 41 per cent increase in cancellation of departure bookings for Sri Lanka from April 21 to 27 from India, with a 17 per cent drop in enquiring customers. Let me stick my neck out. The revival of the LTTE has been ruled out. But is a religious conflict in the offing? Or are multiple bombers the warning strikes? (The writer is a retired Major General of the Indian Army and founder member of the Defence Planning Staff, currently the revamped Integrated Defence Staff) We cannot blame the entire Muslim community for the wrongdoing of a few radicals among Muslim community. It would be wrong to make any generalisation out of this crime. by Dr SLM Rifai What went wrong with Sri Lankan Muslim community? Why this brutal massacre took place in Sri Lanka? Who brainwashed these radicals? Why Sri Lankan government has been complicit on this issue of Muslim radicalism? What made these radicals to commit this brutal crime? Are there any external and internal forces that supported these radicals to commit this crime? I can not imagine that any Sri Lankan will go to this extent to attack follow Sri Lankans like this. Today, in this modern digital world of technology and social network, people could be easily radicalised. Many studies about Brenton Tarrant who killed over 50 people New Zealand tells us he was extremely radicalised with the ideologies of far rights. Internet networks indoctrinate youths all over the world. In fact, it looks that these men have been radicalised locally and internationally with their connection with radical groups. It would be wrong to blame the entire Muslim community for the actions of a few radical groups. In fact, many religious and political leaders have been telling the The Sri Lankan Muslim community must do some self-reflection about their role and duty in this country. Sri Lankan Muslim community must do something to de-radicalise Muslim youths. We all know well that many different ideological groups intrude into our community. Many of them are moderate groups and yet, some radical groups too influence our youths. So, it is a duty of each Muslim family to protect their children from this menace of Muslim extremism. Islam does not allow any kind of extremism. Islam is a religion of moderation and yet, some radical youths interpret Islamic dogmas and theological principles wrongly. Something went wrong in religious learning in the Muslim community all over the world. There is no point in denying this fact. Do not deny this historical truth. Quran and Hadith do not create radicals and yet, human minds create radicals. Human minds wrongly get radical ideas from the primary sources of Islam. Unfortunately. there is no any condition or qualifications to read the primary sources of Islam. Anyone with or without knowledge could read the primary sources of Islam. Anyone could become experts in Islam without training and without learning. To speak for Islam, you do not need to have any qualifications. This has been a trend in Islamic history. People with different level of intelligence, skills and experiences approached the Quran and traditions. As a result of this today we See Muslim youths become radicals. I do not say they should not read the Quran and traditions, but they must be taught by moderate Islamic scholars. Today, Muslim world is full of radical clerics. They read the literal meanings of the text without any contextual understanding of the text. That is a big challenge that the Muslim community faces all over the world. Sometimes, these radicals came to some erroneous conclusions. These groups are radicalised with their wrong reading or wrong training. Until we sort out this issue, we will see more and more radicals in the Muslim world. Saudi clerics played a big role on this issue. so, this is a fight between literal and rational schools of Islamic thought. We will not be able to wipe out radicalism overnights. It needs some solid planning in long terms. This is not merely a Sri Lankan problem. Sri Lankan government could do little to deradicalize youths in Sri Lanka. It is a global problem. Wrong foreign policies of some western countries made this matter worst by encouraging more radicalism in Muslim youths. In the name of war on terror, some western countries created more radicals in the world. So many factors contributed from growth of radicalism in the Muslim world. Deradicalization of Muslim youths need support and cooperation of many sectors. Governments alone cannot tackle this issue. All sections of the community must cooperate with governments to wipe out radicalism. Muslim community must take some steps to de-radicalise Muslim youths. Muslim youths must be educated on the arts of living in a non-Muslim polity and they must be educated to respect other peoples culture, religions and traditions. Sri Lankan Muslims are second minority community in Sri Lanka so, they must know how to respect and appreciate different culture and traditions. Generally speaking, 99% Muslims are getting on well and yet, these radicals got some odd concepts about different cultures, religions and cultures. We cannot blame the entire Muslim community for the wrongdoing of a few radicals among Muslim community. It would be wrong to make any generalisation out of this crime. 99.99% of Sri Lankan Muslim public condemn this crime and they deplore this massacre. This is a crime that no person will accept it. We did not see these kinds of fanatics among Muslim community in the past and yet, today, modern information technology and social networks have been used to spread this viral of radical ideas in this world. So, I think that these Muslim youths who committed this brutal crime, have been radicalised. They have been radicalised either by local groups or international groups. Otherwise, by social networks. To do this kind of crime, they must be deeply radicalised.It is through education we could change it not through reactionary steps. Islam has been hijacked by these radicals. It could damage the goodwill of Muslims and Islam across the globe. These radicals have damaged the good image of Islam First, Sri Lankan Muslims should know how to live in this country. They must understand that they live in a country that shares 4 main religious groups. So, they ought to know how to respect people of different cultures, religions and faiths. They must know Sri Lanka is not Saudi Arabia or Pakistan to apply all aspects of Islamic law in this country. Muslims must know their limits and limitation in application of Islamic concepts in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan constitution has given us a full religious freedom and right to practice our religion freely. For centuries, Sri Lankan kings protected Muslim community in Sri Lanka. During the Portuguese onslaught on Sri Lankan Muslim communities during the colonial period, it was Sinhalese kings who protected Muslim communities in Sri Lanka. Portuguese colonisers chased them out from Colombo and costal areas. It was kind Sinhalese kings who sheltered the Muslim community in many parts of Sri Lanka. That is why we still see Sri Lankan Muslim community is scattered across the Island. We, the Muslim community owe a lot to Sinhalese community for their kindness and for kings protection of Muslim community. I think that our political leaders understood this well in the past. That is why they always stood with Sinhalese political leaders. We, Muslim community must be thankful to Sinhalese community for this historical generosity. These attacks are barbaric attacks in Sri Lankan history. I condemn these brutal attacks from the bottom of my heart. Innocent devotees are brutally killed in this manner in some of holiest places in Sri Lanka. These fanatics have brought shame upon the entire Muslim community in the world. No true Muslim will accept this kind of barbarism at all. It is against basic Islamic teaching to kill any human soul. No Muslim cleric with a sound mind will approve this brutality. No divine text supports this action. These fanatics should be punished in this world and the next life as well. They do not have any moral value to do this barbaric act. They do not have any licence to kill people like this in this brutal manner. Islam totally prohibits these kinds of suicide attack on the sacred places of any other religious faiths. It is a duty of Sri Lankan government to find out these people who have committed this atrocity and punish them in accordance with the law of land. The perpetrators of these attacks must be punished at any cost. We have been living peacefully over 1000 years in Sri Lanka yet, no Muslim dared to do this kind of crime in the past. No Muslim dared to damage a good name of Sri Lanka in this way. No Muslim dared to harm Sri Lankan economy in this way. Yet, these fanatics have done something unpresented inhistoryof Muslims in this country. They have indeed, tarnished a good name of our community. 99% of Sri Lankan Muslim community are innocent. They love to live in peace with other communities. We, any generalisation would be wrong on this issue. These fanatics got some wrong understanding of their religion. These fanatics have been brain washed by some alien ideologies. It is true that these fanatics have been indoctrinated by some Safali, ISIS, and Al-Qaida type ideologies. Yet, for a long time, Sri Lankan authorities have been complicit on this issue. I do not know if it is some thing to do with intelligence failure or Sri Lankan government has belittled these groups. Many Muslim politicians and moderate religious leaders called upon government to take actions against these fanatics and yet, Sri Lankan government did not know anything about them. some of these fanatic groups get a huge amount money from some Gulf countries. That is why Sri Lankan government has failed to act against these fanatics. Moreover, Sri Lankan military officials, intelligence officials and politicians do not know how to distinguish radical groups from moderate Islamic groups, the mystical Muslim groups from violent groups, the ordinary Muslims from extremist Muslims groups. Moreover, these radical groups have been breeding in Sri Lanka for some time and yet, no action was taken by the authorities. Now, Sri Lanka has paid a big price. Government needs some experts advice to make a distinction between moderate and radical groups. It must hire some good academics to do this. Otherwise, radicalism will breed in Sri Lanka like many other parts of Middle East. So, it is a duty of Sri Lankan government to act swiftly on this issue. So many conspiracy theories are coming up around these attacks. whatever has been assumed about these attacks, these are well coordinated attacks. It is a common sense that these fanatics can not do these attacks without the support of some external or internal people. Who supported them? why did they support them? why did they target Churches?Why did they target the hotels? Why did not government act if CID knew about it. Are there any political motives behind it? These are some of the basic questions about these attacks. Extremism has no race, no religion, no ethnicity and no language. So, we as human beings must condemn these attacks and we hope Sri Lankan government will do all what it could to find the culprits and bring them into book. I trust Sri Lankan government has had enough experience and skills to handle this issue. So, we hope that government will take some concrete measures to prevent any further attack like this. It will take some time to get the truth about this incident. All religious leaders are united that no innocent people should be punished for the action of a few radicals. Yet, Muslim community is adamant that this group must be wiped out from Sri Lanka. These radicals should not have any place in Sri Lanka. Muslim community has a duty too in this respect. They must act swiftly to stop radical teaching in Muslim community. No point in hiding the truth about it. There are some radical elements among us. They fight for many trivial issues. Who are fighting for some minor jurisprudential issues in Sri Lanka? Who divided Muslim villages in Sri Lanka? It is a duty of Muslim community to decide who speak for Muslims and who speak for Islam? It is a duty of Muslim community to encourage a moderate Islam in Sri Lanka. When youths go away from a moderate path, they end up in this extremism. So, we should think how to guide next generation. We should monitor all Arabic colleges and we should monitor the religious education in Sri Lanka. It is a duty of parent to guide their children on this matter. We must learn a lesson from Roman catholic community of Sri Lanka. Their religious leaders acted with patience and kindness even in this difficult situation. They did not generalise this issue. They did not blame the entire Muslim community for this brutal action of some radical Muslim youths. They set a good example in this time of carnage. They have demonstrated their ethical and moral conduct in the best possible way. Of course, all are emotionally charged in this difficult situation and yet, they used their wisdom in this issue. They did not incite violence or any attacks on Muslim community for the action of some radical Muslim youths. We must learn from them too.Ipersonally feel that the religious competitiveness among Islamic groups has indeed, paved the way for this carnage. It is a duty of all Islamic groups to think and consider about their religious activities. I may be wrong, but I do not like this unwanted competition among Muslim religious groups, be honest, do not we fight in the name of different groups. All this resentment among different Islamic groups may have created these kinds of radical youths. Each group claims that they are in a right path as if Allah has given them the keys of paradise in their hands. This internal fight among Muslim communities may have misguided these groups. Until we wipe out radicalism among us, we do not have any hope in Sri Lanka. We must create a moderate Muslim community in Sri Lanka. It needs a good planning and good teaching methods. Arabic colleges are not good enough to do this yet, all Arabic colleges must update their teaching and learning methods in Sri Lanka to meet the needs of Sri Lankan communities. The Sri Lankan Muslim community must put its house in order. No point in blaming Sri Lankan government or Sinhalese community. Yes, we have seen some radical elements among Sinhalese community for the last 8 years and yet, we have failed to represent some Islamic rituals in Sri Lankan contexts in a right way. So far, Sri Lankan government has been maintaining law and order without any riot. The government has taken some extra care and some swift action to keep law and order in this critical condition. It imposed curfew for the last three days and given holidays for schools and universities to avoid any backlashes. Sri Lankan government has experience and skills to control riots, and it has learned a lot from 30 years of war. We, Muslim be thankful to Sri Lankan government and the forces of Sri Lanka for protecting Muslim community in this volatile situation. In return, Sri Lankan Muslim community must do something to wipe out radicalism from Sri Lankan Muslim community. This needs some long-term strategies. Sri Lankan government has so far handled with problem with wisdom. It has showed the world that Sri Lankan government has skills and capability to deal with this problem. In fact, Sri Lankan people are educated enough to know all regional and international geopolitics of modern world. So, Sri Lankan authorities have handled this local problem locally without asking any external support to resolve this local issue. Sri Lankan authorities about these radical groups and yet, wittingly or unwittingly Sri Lankan authorities have been complicit on this matter. Reading the minds of Islamic radicals is not an easy take for any non-Muslims. That may be one of the reasons that Sri Lankan authorities could identify these people. For them, all Muslims look like same. They cannot differentiate radicals from ordinary Muslim folks. Any ordinary Muslim will grow beards and wear Islamic dress. Only experts in Islamic studies could differentiate the radicals from ordinary Muslims. It needs some subtle knowledge and experience. Sri Lanka must learn some lessons from this massacre. Sri Lankan authorities must learn some lessons from these incidents. Muslim community too must learn some lessons from these incidents. The pilot walked away (after being helped to the ground) but left authorities in western Idaho to figure out how to retrieve his airplane from the top of a 60-foot fir tree. John Gregory took off last week from McCall, Idaho, and lost power in his Super Cub. He headed for a clearing but a treetop snagged a strut and held tight. Fortunately for Gregory, who was not hurt in the abbreviated landing, the McCall Fire Department has a member uniquely qualified to handle such a call. Firefighter Randy Acker owns a tree removal company and went to work. According to local media he first secured the airplane to the tree and then cut Gregory out of the cockpit and clipped him to a safety line for his climb down the tree. Although a wheel and a piece of prop detached from the Cub, the rest of it remained intact but was heavily damaged. DGAP-News: American Battery Metals Corp. / Key word(s): Miscellaneous American Battery Metals Announces LOI to Acquire the Development-Stage Viken Project in Sweden and Financing 29.04.2019 / 14:02 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 29, 2019) - American Battery Metals Corp. (CSE: ABC) (OTCQB: FDVXF) (the "Company" of "American Battery Metals") is pleased to announce it has entered into a non-binding letter of intent (the "LOI") dated April 25, 2019 to acquire a 90% interest in E.U. Energy Corp. ("E.U. Energy"), an Ontario company, and its 100%-owned Viken Project in Sweden (the "Proposed Transaction"). The Viken Project located in Jamtland County, Sweden (570 km north-northwest of Stockholm), accessible by paved highway with ample access to infrastructure (power, water, labour, and transportation) readily accessible. The Project is host to a significant National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") polymetallic Mineral Resource, representing an in-situ vanadium (V 2 O 5 ) Mineral Resource of 163 million pounds in the Indicated classification and 16.7 billion pounds in the Inferred classification. The Project has seen a significant amount of work with a 2010 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) outlining an open pit mine for vanadium, molybdenum and nickel; followed by a 2014 Updated PEA to evaluate the use of bio heap leaching. More recently, E.U. Energy has engaged P&E Mining Consultants Inc. to evaluate a more efficient footprint, lower CAPEX, vanadium-focused operation with the potential for significant by-product metal production. Michael Mulberry, President & CEO of American Battery Metals, commented "This transaction represents a significant milestone for ABM as the Viken is one of the largest, development-stage, vanadium projects globally with the potential for substantial by-product metal production. Sweden is a very attractive jurisdiction from a mining and investment perspective as the country and its Government have a long-standing history of mining. We look to move swiftly to enter into a formal definitive agreement and anticipate closing the transaction in short order." Under the terms of the LOI, American Battery Metals would issue 20 million shares in exchange for 90% of the issued and outstanding shares of E.U. Energy, in addition to the right for E.U. Energy to nominate one member to the Board. The Proposed Transaction is subject to, but not limited to, a concurrent non-brokered private placement for CDN$1.5 million, a bridge loan to E.U. Energy, due diligence, finalization by both parties to enter into a definitive agreement, in addition to regulatory approvals. As a result of the financing condition in the LOI, the Company intends to complete a non-brokered private placement financing (the "Financing") of units (each, a "Unit") for gross proceeds of CDN$1,500,000 and up to CDN$2,000,000, with a price per Unit of CDN$0.35. Each Unit will consist of one common share (each a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"), with each Warrant exercisable to acquire one additional Share (each a "Warrant Share") for a period of 12 months following the closing date of the Financing ("Closing Date"), at an exercise price of CDN$0.50 per Warrant Share. American Battery Metals intends to pay finder's fees of up to 6% in cash and 6% in finder's warrants in connection with the Financing. Proceeds from the Financing are expected to be used for ongoing working capital requirements and exploration and development activities in regard to the Company's mineral property interests. Completion of the Financing is anticipated to occur concurrently with the closing of the Proposed Transaction and will be subject to acceptance by the Canadian Securities Exchange. All securities issued pursuant to the Financing will be subject to a hold period of four months as required under applicable securities legislation. At this time, the Company is in the process of carrying out its due diligence review and negotiating a definitive agreement (the "Transaction Agreement") which will include terms and conditions customary for transactions of this nature including a condition for receipt of all required approvals of the Proposed Transaction. The Company will provide further details in respect of the Proposed Transaction, in due course, by way of news releases. John Walther, P.Geo., who is a Director of the Company and is a Qualified Person within the context of National Instrument 43-101, has approved the contents of this news release. About the Viken Project, Sweden The Viken project located in Jamtland County, Sweden (570 km north-northwest of Stockholm). The property has excellent infrastructure with all-weather roads throughout the tenements. A railroad connection and airport are located 42 kilometres by road from the project. High-power (300 kV) transmission lines located within 40 kilometres with low-power transmission lines within one kilometre. The region is fully-equipped to provide services and supplies. Sweden is a top 10 mining friendly jurisdiction, as ranked by the Fraser Institute (c.f. 2017 Fraser Institute Study), which ranked the country as the 3rd highest for Investment Attractiveness in Europe. The country also has a long-standing history of mining with a number of large operations currently in production. A 2010 Preliminary Economic Assessment (c.f. Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment dated October 19, 2010) outlined a NI 43-101 polymetallic Indicated Mineral Resource of 23.6 million tonnes grading 0.313% vanadium (V 2 O 5 ), 0.019% uranium (U 3 O 8 ), 0.028% molybdenum (Mo), and 0.032% nickel (Ni); plus an Inferred Mineral Resource of 2.8 billion tonnes grading 0.268% vanadium, 0.017% uranium, 0.024% molybdenum (Mo), and 0.032% nickel (Ni). Figure 1: NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6188/44374_americanbatt_enhanced.jpg About the Company American Battery Metals Corp. is a junior mineral exploration company engaged in the business of acquiring, exploring and evaluating natural resource properties. The Company has an option to acquire a 50% interest in the Fish Lake property located in Esmeralda County in the state of Nevada, USA and an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Temple Mountain Vanadium Property located in Emery County, Utah, USA. Michael Mulberry Chief Executive Officer, President and Director Telephone: (778) 855-5001 Email: michael@americanbatterymetals.com Neither the CSE nor its regulations service providers accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur and in this news release include but are not limited to the expected timing for the Proposed Transaction and Financing completion. Information inferred from the interpretation of drilling and other sampling results may also be deemed to be forward-looking statements, as it constitutes a prediction of what might be found to be present when and if a project is actually developed. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to fluctuations in metal prices; uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing to fund the planned work in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; changes in planned work resulting from weather, logistical, technical or other factors; the possibility that results of work will not fulfill expectations and realize the perceived potential of the Company's properties; risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in the work program; the risk of environmental contamination or damage resulting from the Company's operations and other risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Not for dissemination in the United States or for distribution to U.S. newswire services To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44374 Click on, or paste the following link into your web browser,to viewthe associated documentshttp://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44374 Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money. Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists. Tasmin Little Clive Peacock previews the festival which starts on Friday - and is based at Leamington's Royal Pump Rooms Thank goodness we are on the eve of the 30 Leamington Music Festival, the first of this years Midland Festivals. We can now be sure this years international line-up of soloists and ensembles will be free from perfidiousAlbion accusations and flextension issues! The Festival is full of brilliant young musicians working alongside some of the finest musicians Britain is proud to call its own. Tasmin Little is recognised throughout the world as one of the countrys finest violinists. As part of her farewell tour she joins the Festival with 32 year old Russian-based Andrey Gugnin in a near sell-out opening night. Together they will tackle works by several of Europes finest composers, joined by our own Delius. The Delius story will be seen on film on Sunday 5 May during a screening of Nick Grays documentary of the composers struggle with parental opposition, illness and rejection by his adopted France. Returning favourites include the Leonore Piano Trio, Fitzwilliam String Quartet and the Martinu String Quartet. The Aronowitz Ensemble makes its debut with the Johnston family introducing brother Guy, cellist winner of the 2000 Young Musician of the Year competition. Leamington Musics Schubert trail continues, thanks to Schubert scholar, Brian Newbolds, talk with Fitzwilliam String Quartet contributing illustrated excerpts. Raphael Wallfisch and John York join the Schubert trail as do the Martinu, Jonathon Cunliffe at the organ at All Saints Church on Monday 6 May and, finally, the emerging Southbank Sinfonia four tackle Schuberts String Trio in B flat D581, a work in which we hear Schuberts unmistakeable voice most clearly. The wonderful baritone voice of Roderick Williams will be heard on Sunday 5 May, joining Ensemble 360 to sing Howard Skemptons Man and Bat and Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Two bonus concerts with the renowned Takacs String Quartet on 9th and 10th May. AirVenture is amplifying its fighter theme for the 2019 show by including a call for all flyable P-51s to pay tribute to one of the types most honored pilots. AirVenture will host a tribute to legendary Mustang pilot Clarence Bud Anderson in a mass flyover on July 25. Bud Anderson is well known and lauded for his courage and abilities as a flying ace from World War II, so EAA wants to bring together as many P-51 Mustangs as possible to salute him, said AirVenture coordinator Rick Larsen. His entire aviation career is also one for the record books, deserving of recognition at the Worlds Greatest Aviation Celebration and another Only at Oshkosh moment. Anderson was a triple ace in the Second World War and flew for the Air Force until 1972. He was most famous for his Mustang Old Crow that he used to down 16.25 victories while serving with the 357th Fighter Group based in England. Mustang owners can preregister to take part in the tribute here. The Stratford Literary Festival celebrates its glorious 12th year with a superb line-up of speakers and events. The eight day spring festival commenced yesterday (Sunday) includes speakers debating science and ideas, mental health and womens issues, medicine and the news, as well as welcoming some of the most celebrated literary fiction authors writing today. Leading the way will be names including former ballet dancer and Strictly judge, Dame Darcey Bussell (Saturday), Bake Off judge Prue Leith (Thursday), actress Juliet Stevenson (Monday) and screenwriter Andrew Davies (Saturday), whose latest hit Les Miserables has been on our screens recently. Theres music with Classic FMs John Suchet (Tuesday), pianist Lucy Parham and leading female conductor, Jane Glover (Monday). Real Marigold Hotels Rosemary Shrager (Monday) will be sharing her thoughts on food and globetrotting, and leading medics Henry March, Richard Shepherd and Angela Gallop will be sharing their expertise. The festival will also be showcasing award-winning writers including Ali Smith, John Lanchester, Tessa Hadley and Booker-prize winner Ben Okri, and welcoming back classicist Natalie Haynes and best-selling novelist, Patrick Gale. Speakers on mental health include crime writer Nicci French discussing the impact of dementia, and writers Ella Risbridger and Laura Freeman share the moments and meals that saved them. Historians headlining the Festival will be Alison Weir, Damien Lewis and Tracy Borman, and best-selling crime writers include Mark Billingham and Elly Griffiths. Children can enjoy the multi-million bestselling writers Jacqueline Wilson and Francesca Simon and illustrators Lydia Monks and Nick Sharratt, plus stage shows of the much loved books The Rainbow Fish and Aliens Love Underpants. Childrens Day this year rounds off the Festival on 5th May. For full programme events and to book tickets visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/stratford-literary-festival Like peanut butter and jelly, Southwest Airlines and Boeing have been inextricably linked but maybe not so much anymore. Southwest officials have reportedly been asking questions about the Airbus A220, the highly regarded former Bombardier CSeries single-aisle program acquired by Airbus last year and now being operated by Delta, Korean Air and Swiss, among others. Last week Southwest CEO Gary Kelly told CNBC his airline may no longer be exclusive with its only aircraft supplier thus far. Well, yeah, were an all-Boeing carrier. Were an all-Boeing 737 carrier. So, thats who we are, thats where we are, he told interviewer Jim Kramer. That doesnt mean that well be an all-737 carrier into perpetuity. But thats certainly where we are right now. That shot across the bow came as Boeings leadership girded for its annual shareholders meeting Monday, in which former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley was expected to join the board of directors. The ongoing grounding of the 737 MAX will dominate discussion and the companys biggest customers boss had some other words of encouragement for Boeing. We have a great, historic partnership with that company, and I would expect that would continue going forward, Kelly said. But, yeahweve got to work through this MAX issue. When we launched the MAX airplane, we felt like it was the best single-aisle airplane in the world, and we still feel that way. He also said Southwest plans to go ahead with its order for 200 Maxes. He also said sending a delegation of Southwest executives to Europe to view firsthand an airlines operation of the A220 earlier this month was coincidental. . , . . 24.00 12.00 5 2022 . ... A 43-year-old Brazilian man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for murdering an old friend in June 2017. The man and his daughter called in to see an old friend. Once in the house, he ordered his daughter to search for money in his friend's kitchen. She found 1,300 euros and gave it to her father. He later returned to the house, got the victim drunk and hit him over the head with a bottle, then stabbed him seven times before searching for more money. Bisila Bokoko is one of the most influential Spanish women in the United States. She visited Marbella last week to give a presentation to a group of entrepreneurs on how to overcome barriers and turn them into opportunities. What image of Spain do you have as a CEO of a business development agency in the USA? Since 2005 Spanish companies have spread to the United States and the image is very positive. Spain has a great reputation because it is a very friendly country, that has a fluid and good relationship with the US. There have been slower years, because of the economic crisis, but now things are improving again. There is, of course, still a lot of work to do. Spain as a brand is not established, and Spanish products still need promoting. As the regions are working autonomously, there's sometimes some confusion. There should be better cohesion in the international market, to work together to create a single brand. "There should be some cohesion in the international market, to work together to create a single Spanish brand" Do you think Donald Trump has positively or negatively influenced these relationships? Spain doesn't interest the USA from an economic point of view. The relationship is very neutral and very friendly. I do not think that Trump's arrival has affected relations. It remains one of the most popular countries for Americans to visit. I've seen four presidents in the US and I haven't noticed a big difference in that area. Trump doesn't have that power. Are there many women CEOs in your sector? We are still few and far between. Numbers of women in positions of responsibility in companies remain lower than they should be. We can improve this when women in senior management positions help other women achieve these same goals. The responsibility of every woman climbing the career ladder is to let others climb it too. Sometimes we are worried that, after all the hard work it took, another woman may take our place. That can sometimes be the reason why women aren't opening the door for others. The more women there are at the negotiating tables, the more advantages there will be for all of us. Are women more competitive with each other than men? No, I think that's a stereotype. Men also compete with each other but I think copying their way of doing things causes us harm because we lose our empathy and our intuition. We mustn't change or force ourselves to appear more masculine. At times, women try to adopt these mannerisms to be respected. Work environments are more positive when we value empathy and collaboration. Do you consider yourself an inspiration for other women? Any woman who has climbed the ladder is an inspiration for other women. Many women have inspired me and if I can do that for others, that's great. That's why I think I have a certain degree of responsibility to help others. Your father told you that there will be two problems in your career: "being a woman and being black". Has that been the case? I think it has benefited me. It could have, but that was my choice. If you already have it in your head that they won't hire you because you're black, or think that they will make it hard for you because you are a woman, then that's the way it will be. It depends on our way of thinking. We all have faults, insecurities and bad experiences that we have to overcome. But you can use these obstacles to your advantage. In my case, I decided that these two facts would not determine my life. I wrote another story. Are you a feminist? I am a woman who believes in women. I don't like labels and I believe in equality. Do you think that the feminist movement has achieved its goals? We've come a long way. 2018 was a great year in reducing wage gaps. There has been a lot of debate. But it's something that both men and women must do together. When we see the advantages of diversity, a lot will change. You're involved in both economics and philanthropy. Are they incompatible with one another? I think that they are complementary. We expect governments to take care of social issues but employers must also be socially responsible and we can all contribute our bit. Philanthropy must be an attitude of life. It is sometimes understood that you have to be a millionaire to be philanthropic. You have to learn to share what you have. The employer has to look out for the social welfare of its workers, so that they can contribute to society. You're part of many different cultures (born in Africa, raised in Spain, working in the USA), but what do you think about people who see immigrants as the enemy? It's human nature to be afraid of differences. In such a global world you have to lose that fear. The important thing is to know how to integrate them. Immigration is positive when done well. It must be done in a regulated manner. It always enriches a country to have people from other places. As a society we have to think about how these movements can help us and if we take the time to invest in these countries, immigrants won't be seen as the enemy anymore. Do you see Africa as an opportunity, instead of the common Western conception that it is a problem? Totally. Africa is still the great unknown and there are people who still relate it to starving children. That Africa has changed, and there is a lot of talent there. Spain is not that far away and has never looked to Africa. If that were to happen, there would be many benefits for both countries. I don't believe in aid; I believe in investment and return, because in all commercial relations both parties must win. Local police in Malaga have identified two 13-year-olds accused of stealing from a car. The robbery happened a few weeks ago in La Princesa neighbourhood of Malaga. According to sources they stole several bags of food from inside a BMW X5, after breaking a window. A witness managed to stop one of the four involved, and called the police. The minor was returned to his grandmother and informed that the Juvenile Courts would be informed. The mother of the other minor identified was also notified of the police's intention to advise the public prosecuter. Today, HP unveiled a new study underscoring the importance of sustainable business practices in recruiting, hiring and retaining top talent. It also finds that employees are more productive, motivated and engaged when working for an employer who is leading the charge in social responsibility. The global 20,000 participant survey found that 61 percent believe Sustainability is mandatory for businesses. Of those interviewed, 56 percent believe that ignoring environmental impact in the workplace is as bad as ignoring diversity and inclusion. For many businesses, the first wave of sustainable changes was addressed through big ticket items like LEED building certification and energy efficient lighting. Now they are focusing on the next layer of easily overlooked sustainable improvements like composting and the direct purchase of renewable energy. The study released today proves what HP has suspected for many years businesses, and their workforce, are demanding higher levels of sustainability and quality from their suppliers, said Dave McQuarrie, Global Head of Print Business Management, HP Imaging and Printing. HP has been committed to sustainable impact for decades. By reducing reliance on single-use plastics and delivering more sustainable supplies we are fulfilling a critical part of our reinvention journey and commitment to the environment. Office Eco-Friendly Practices One of the most overlooked opportunities for eco-friendly practices in the workplace is in the purchase and disposal of printer ink and toner cartridges, a global market estimated to be around $45B. The influx of imitation cartridges as an alternative to quality print cartridges has created a host of new challenges for purchasers, including the fact that many do not realize imitation cartridges are often not recycled. As a result, 97 percent of imitation cartridges may end up in landfills. HP has been a pioneer in engineering ink and toner cartridges with recycled content. Working with Planet Partners over the last 27 years, the company has enabled customers in over 60 countries to recycle HP ink and toner cartridges for free. Since 2000, HP has utilized more than 199 million pounds of recycled plastic into 3.9B HP Original ink and toner cartridges. Even diverting 716,000 pounds of plastic from reaching the ocean the equivalent of more than 25 million plastic bottles and repurposing it into HP cartridges. Last month the company pledged to make every page printed forest positive, carbon neutral and part of a circular economy with innovation that helps protect the worlds forests, reduces carbon emissions and uses more recycled materials. In 2016, HP achieved 100% zero deforestation associated with HP-branded paper, nearly two years ahead of schedule marking a milestone towards the companys vision for a forest positive future. Plus, the companys paper-based product packaging zero deforestation goal is on track for 2020. HP Commits $2M to Sustainable Supplies To further advance its commitment to a circular economy and more sustainable supplies, HP also announced today a $2 million investment to expand its ocean-bound plastic supply chain. The company will build a new plastic bottle washing line in Haiti that will allow it to convert locally collected waste into recycled material for use in HP products. This investment continues HPs longstanding commitment to diverting ocean-bound plastic and contributing to a lower-carbon, circular economy. Floods in Indonesia kill 29, dozen missing Bengkulu, Indonesia, April 29 (AFP) Apr 29, 2019 Floods sparked by torrential rains have killed 29 people in Indonesia with a dozen more still missing, officials said Monday, marking the latest calamity for a disaster-prone nation. Landslides and floods are common, especially during the monsoon season between October and April, when rains lash the vast Southeast Asian archipelago. On Monday, Indonesia's disaster agency confirmed 29 deaths and said at least 13 more people were missing after days of pounding storms on the island of Sumatra. Some 12,000 others have been evacuated from water-logged Bengkulu province with hundreds of buildings, bridges and roads damaged. Hardest hit was Bengkulu Tengah district, just outside of the provincial capital, where 22 people were killed along with hundreds of livestock. Authorities have set up temporary shelters and public kitchens for the evacuees. Meanwhile, a landslide triggered by heavy rain in Sumatra's Lampung province on Saturday killed a family of six and disrupted transportation links to neighbouring regions. Flooding in parts of the capital Jakarta during the week killed at least two people and forced more than 2,000 to evacuate their homes. Residents of Bogor, a satellite city of Jakarta, also had to contend with 14 pythons that were set loose from a private property due to the high waters. Six of the snakes -- which were as long as four metres (13 feet) -- have been found, but the remaining eight remain on the loose, officials said at the weekend. In Sumatra, authorities said that illegal coal mining was partly to blame for deadly landslides as the practice makes loose soil susceptible to slides when heavy rains hit. "Apart from natural factors like the heavy rain,(the flooding) was also caused by human activity that destroys the environment," disaster agency head Doni Monardo told reporters in Bengkulu on Monday. Activists have long warned deforestation from rampant mining in the province could trigger a catastrophe. At least four major rivers in Bengkulu overflow every time it rains due to environmental damage near their banks, activists said. "The flooding in Bengkulu was made worse by the severe damage...caused by coal mining," Ali Akbar from local environmental group Kanopi Bengkulu said in a statement. Illegal mining was blamed for killing dozens on the island of Sulawesi in March when a makeshift mine collapsed. Last month, some 112 people died and more than 90 remain missing after torrential rains pounded Indonesia's Papua region, triggering landslides and flash floods. 10,000 evacuated in Canada floods as rescuers search for pets Montreal, April 29 (AFP) Apr 29, 2019 More than 10,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in eastern Canada in recent days as spring floods broke record levels set in 2017, officials said Monday, warning that it could take weeks for the waters to recede. Meanwhile an operation is underway to rescue pets from homes in the area that had to be abandoned during evacuations. Hardest hit was the town of Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, west of Montreal, where more than 6,000 people were forced to flee rising waters over the weekend after a natural dike was breached. Flooding in the town "is stabilizing," Quebec Public Safety Minister Genevieve Guilbault told a press conference. "Water levels are falling and we hope that we can protect the area," she said, noting that construction of new gravel barriers was underway to keep waters at bay. About 9,000 people have been displaced in Quebec province, or twice the number in 2017, which had seen the region's worst flooding in a half-century. In the rush to flee the rising water scores of pets were abandoned. Eric Dussault, whose Animal Rescue Network is spearheading the effort to find the marooned pets, said an emergency shelter has been set up and people with training in animal rescues and expertise in cat and dog behaviors have been sent door to door. "We have a huge number of animals we need to evacuate. We're working with a list of hundreds of animals supplied by their owners," he said. About 40 animals were rescued since late Sunday, but the group was too late to save a dog, a guinea pig and another unspecified animal believed to have drowned or died of hypothermia. "Flooding is incredibly stressful on animals," Dussault told AFP. In New Brunswick, more than 1,000 people have been forced from their homes. A handful also were evacuated in the capital Ottawa. Several thousand soldiers have been deployed throughout Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick to help with evacuations and fill sandbags. Guilbault said she expects there will be a break in rainfall, but added that waters are likely take a long time to recede. Antarctica's Effect on Sea Level Rise in Coming Centuries Pasadena CA (JPL) Apr 26, 2019 There are two primary causes of global mean sea level rise - added water from melting ice sheets and glaciers, and the expansion of sea water as it warms. The melting of Antarctica's ice sheet is currently responsible for 20-25% of global sea level rise. But how much of a role will it play hundreds of years in the future? Scientists rely on precise numerical models to answer questions like this one. As the models used in predicting long-term sea level rise improve, so too do the projections ... read more Stay on the top of all the latest markets movements! Subscribe to The Bull free weekly newsletter to receive our best tips, offers and promotion... SUBSCRIBE label Empress Nagako (Kojun) of Japan wears the Meiji Tiara with its diamond star toppers for a state banquet at the Imperial Palace in honor of President Lubke of the Federal Republic of Germany, November 1963; more on the important imperial tiara here! The British Library looks at changing communication, John Westbrooke reports The British Library has long been receiving a copy of every book and magazine published in the UK and Ireland, about 400 miles of them so far. But since 2013 this has extended to digital publishing as well. And with that huge technological change in mind, theyve opened a new exhibition on the history and the future of writing. The history starts more than 5000 years ago in Mesopotamia, now Iraq. Its represented here by a tablet with a cuneiform inscription, made by the point of a reed on wet clay. Its small Mesopotamians must have had sharp eyes and it lists offerings made at a temple. As you might have guessed, writing was created by bureaucrats to create lists and keep count of things, much as they do today. The Egyptians seem to have come up with hieroglyphs not much later, and the exhibition includes the oldest object in the librarys collection, a 3,600-year-old limestone slab. In fact, the curators point to six different regions that appear to have developed writing independently: China 3000 years ago (for purposes of divination), Mesoamerica (2500 years ago, recording dates), the Indus Valley, and Rapa Nui Easter Island. Little Easter Island invented its own writing? It could be: theres a wooden tablet here with an inscription nobody can understand. Still, though theres no proof either way, some scholars do wonder if there were links between any of these regions, Mesopotamia and Egypt for instance. Its not unknown for travellers and merchants to bring back news from other lands of the latest novelties, and for locals to come up with their own versions. Learning to write isnt easy. One of the prize exhibits is an Egyptian childs homework. The teacher has written two lines of Greek on a wax tablet to be copied. The pupil has missed the first letter altogether, and still overrun the end of the line. He (or maybe she) has tried again and made the same mistakes again. Weve all been there, but our mistakes havent been handed down two millennia for everyone to giggle at. The child must have been glad to get back to hieroglyphics. Writing can record speech in various ways. Chinese, Japanese and Korean all developed slightly differently, representing sounds, things or (in the case of Korean vowels) heaven, Earth and humanity. Arabic writing omits vowels, which is probably no more confusing than English having 10 ways of pronouncing ough. Hieroglyphs are a mixture of sounds, syllables and whole words. The exhibition traces the development of A: an Egyptian oxs head, then a Phoenician version in which the horns have become the main lines and the head streamlined into a triangle, then Greek and Etruscan letters stood upright, and eventually the Roman capital A we use today. (Lower-case letters, not necessarily looking like their big brothers, came along later.) Letters have come and gone. The most recent arrival in English was J, which used to be an I with a tail; they were split in two in the 1600s, one a vowel, the other a consonant. Among those that have vanished are thorn, which looked like a Y but was pronounced th it still lingers on in Ye Olde Shoppe-style names, which our ancestors would have simply pronounced the. The exhibition ponders all the tools of writing. A stylus, once for wax, is now for tapping on your Ipad. Quill pens were used into the 19th century: one that belonged to poet laureate Lord Tennyson is on display (as movie producer Sam Goldwyn is alleged to have said about Shakespeare, And to think he wrote it all with a feather!) Theres a pencil from 1400, a fountain pen from as early as 1720, a dip pen from 1831, a Biro (kickstarted by the RAF, which bought 30,000 of them for writing at altitude because they didnt leak) and some Bics so cheap and ubiquitous that the writer Umberto Eco called them true socialist objects: you didnt have to own one, you just picked one up off the nearest desk at the office and nobody minded. The big upheaval, the biggest until now, came with the invention of printing, when writing became mass production. Theres a Diamond Sutra from China dated 11 May 868 and printed with woodblocks, a technology already 200 years old. Theres also a Korean document from 1442, printed with movable type, and a first edition of the earliest English movable-type book William Caxtons publication of The Canterbury Tales, from 1476; its typeface was modelled on the writing of the finest Flemish scribes. Sometimes gothic scripts with heavy black letters were used, but they survive now mainly in the mastheads of the Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail; most modern printing is done in the sort of simpler lettering pioneered by Italians. More new technology came in the 19th century with the invention of the typewriter. Having the alphabet in alphabetical order didnt work, the most used keys got tangled up, so the qwerty keyboard was invented. Computer keys dont tangle, but qwerty is still with us. Thats nothing, however, compared to the problems faced by Chinese typewriters. Theres an impressive and complicated Double Pigeon machine here, which deals with almost 2450 characters, but it took them a century to get it right. The telegraph brought news for 150 years before dwindling away. Its specialty was terseness (humourist Robert Benchley from Venice: Streets full of water, please advise) but heres a four-page one from playwright John Osborne to a critic who panned his latest work, ending ALRIGHT STOP FROM NOW ON ITS OPEN WAR ALL THE WAY. All telegrams were sent in capitals, but this one really meant it. Each advance has left pundits fearful that handwriting will die out. It hasnt yet although I wont be the only person to admit that mine has gone downhill since I began writing on computers. A selection of formal and informal work is on display, from James Joyces colour-coded notes for Ulysses, to notes of a different sort by Mozart, Florence Nightingales diary, and an ornate record of an East India Company meeting in 1662. Theres also a section on calligraphy, about those who consciously strive to make their writing beautiful. And what of the future? Will anyone still be writing at all, or will we just be skyping or sending texts and the occasional emoji? The exhibition wasnt much help with this when I visited, because of a mechanical malfunction. Alas, that sounds all too plausible: a computer crashes somewhere, and communications are down until help desk staff are located. Perhaps reliance on technology isnt the best thing for writing after all, and well be using thought transference or going back to the future by picking up our fountain pens again. Writing: Making Your Mark is at the British Library until 27 August 2019. Tickets 14, 12 for seniors. https://www.bl.uk/events/writing-making-your-mark Heres a look at some of the issues Community Board 3 will be taking up in May. On Thursday, May 16 at a meeting of the parks committee, officials from the citys Economic Development Corp. will update progress at Pier 42, which is very slowly becoming a new recreational area. Theyll also detail the latest plans for the Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency Project, which covers the area along the East River below Montgomery Street. And the EDC will present a conceptual design for the Brooklyn Bridge Esplanade. Finally, the East River Alliance, a group opposed to the mayors plan to bury East River Park, will present some of its top concerns. On Wednesday 8, the Lower East Side Partnership will go before the economic development committee to discuss its latest proposal to expand the LES Business Improvement District. There will also be an update on plans to create a special zoning district in the East Village to protect independent businesses. On Thursday, May 9, there will be an update from the State Attorney Generals Office on the Rivington House Settlement agreement. As you probably recall, the Allure Group is required to hand over $1.25 millions to several local nonprofit organizations. On Monday, May 13, the liquor licensing committee will hear several proposals, including one to extend the hours of the resurrected Epsteins Bar on Stanton Street. The committee will also meet on May 20, taking up the issue of a full liquor license for Hwa Yuan on East Broadway, among other applications. On Tuesday, May 14, the citys Department of Transportation will update ongoing efforts to address the traffic bottleneck in the area around Clinton and Grand streets. At the monthly meeting of CB3s transportation committee, DOT will also discuss its unpopular plan to institute SBS service, eliminating numerous stops on the 14 A and D bus lines. Also the citys Office of Nightlife and the LES Partnership will update their plans to change traffic regulations to improve quality of life in the Lower East Sides nightlife cesspool. For full agendas, meeting locations and times, visit CB3s website. The dense forests of Sumatra are the only place in the world where tigers, elephants, rhino and orangutans coexist. The culprit? Toilet paper. Image Credit: Robert- Owen- Wahl on Pixabay palm oil deforestation in Sumatra Iceland Many of us know all about howhas led to, with multiple campaigns calling for consumers to boycott it, and high-profile adverts from the likes ofdrawing attention to this issue. Whilst palm oil production is responsible for a large percentage of deforestation , the single largest deforesters in Sumatra are not palm oil companies: they are the toilet paper brands, Paseo and Livi. report from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) These are American companies, usually sold as away from home brands to restaurants, hotels, and other public restroom facilities. These brands Paseo and Livi are made with paper from Asia and Pulp Paper (APP). Both of these brands are sold mostly in America, and asheds light on the unexpected environmental effects of toilet paper something which we all use and cannot avoid using. But what are the effects of toilet paper on the environment? Image Credit: Free-Photos on Pixabay More Deforestation What are the effects of this? Well, with the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( released last year, we know that we have 12 years to get to carbon neutrality or better before the effects of global warming become devastating. These forests we are depleting so willingly are massive carbon sinks, with the peat in the Sumatran forest estimated to hold 19 gigatons of carbon To put that in perspective, that is just over half of the global emissions of carbon by fossil fuels in 2014, which was 35.9 gigatons . One forest in Sumatra holds the equivalent of half of the carbon emissions due to fossil fuels, worldwide. This is not a resource we can afford to lose. Conservation tigers rhinos , elephants orangutans The Sumatran forest is the only place on the planet where, andco-exist. All of these species are now critically endangered. And, on WWFs reasons for the population decline of these animals, there is one common thread: deforestation. Image Credit: Andrew Pescod on Flickr With increasing deforestation, these animals' habitats are in critical danger. This means that these animals often have to travel through human settlements. This has seen an increased human-animal conflict when the animals pass through farmland and towns. Chemical Pollution The process used to make soft toilet paper Chemo-Thermo-Chemical pumping runs sulphur-based chemicals through the hard wood, before steaming it to create the soft toilet paper so many of us use. However, the chemicals from the wood and from the sulphur compounds are often dumped into oceans. To make matters worse, toilet paper bleaching causes 235,000 tonnes of chlorine to run off into water supplies which can result in multiple health problems for the surrounding populations. What can we do? Its extremely easy to feel powerless when presented with these facts: toilet paper is something we use every day, without exception. So, how can we possibly reduce our environmental impact when something so unavoidable is at the root of a plethora of environmental problems? Who Gives a Crap Recycled toilet paper is one option: this decreases deforestation and, by extension, reduces the threat posed to critically endangered animals. However, many recycled toilet papers are high in BPA , a dangerous compound found in many plastics. As such, they may be harmful for your body. However, if this is an option you want to consider,is an excellent recycled toilet paper brand, which use its profits to build toilets for those who need them. the bidet here Many chooseas the answer to our toilet paper-related woes theyre a far more environmentally friendly option than toilet paper. However, upgrading to a bidet is something that many cannot afford. If you can afford this option, or want to be aware of it as a future option, clickfor more information about the bidet. WWF states For the majority of us, toilet paper is something that we cannot stop using, for the time being. In their report, thethat we should begin asking retailers and restaurants if they know the forest-source of the toilet paper they stock. Consider switching to environmentally friendly, recycled, alternatives yourself. Speak to your university: find out if they know where their toilet paper is sourced from, and if that source is sustainable. Image Credit: shankar. s on Flickr This issue is complex, and the solutions to it are not easy or completely clear. As consumers, its very easy to simply say that you do not have a choice in these matters. However, we cannot change this issue if we simply ignore it: it is imperative to continue to promote the discourse around unsustainable practices in toilet paper production, if we are ever to see the change that this planet so desperately needs. Lead Image: Youve heard of goat yoga? While an upcoming class at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital doesnt offer any goats, there will be other four-legged friends that can help enhance the yoga experience. The hospital is putting a new spin on yoga by offering its first Doga dog yoga class. Friendly pooches from the hospitals Pet Therapy program will be on hand to mix and mingle with yoga practitioners during the hour-long class. Grab a yoga mat, water and maybe a treat or two and head to the hospital, 2333 Biddle Ave., for the class at 6:30 p.m. May 10 in the multipurpose rooms. Participants are advised to wear comfortable clothing. Barbara Gulay, who leads the hospitals Wellness Wednesday yoga classes, also will serve as Doga instructor to lead participants through a gentle yoga routine suitable for beginners or experienced yogi. Register for the class online at henryford.com/classes or by calling 734-246-6057. The class is free to attend. Participants cannot bring their own dogs, but they can learn more about the hospitals Pet Therapy program at the event, including how to determine if their dog is a good fit for the program, how to certify their dog as a pet therapy dog and what the program involves. You cant help but notice the cheer these dogs bring as they walk down the hallway or into a patients room, said Tina Strait, HFWH volunteer services coordinator. They can uplift someones spirit and bring optimism to those who are experiencing difficult times. Its not only cheerfulness that these animals provide. Evidence suggests therapy dogs aid both physical and mental health. For more information about the hospitals Pet Therapy Program, contact Strait in Volunteer Services at 734-246-6053 or Karen Bell, case management and pet therapy volunteer, at 734-246-8975. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- As former Vice President Joe Biden prepares for his first rally as a 2020 candidate, the Deleware native is locked in a war of words with President Donald Trump. On Monday, Biden received a key endorsement from the International Association of Fire Fighters an organization comprised of over 300,000 members. Biden is a familiar face to the IAFF, he addressed the group last month, and in the video touting the announcement, Biden was showcased at several IAFF events over the years. In 2016, the organization choose not to endorse a candidate for president, however, the group endorsed former President Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012. IAFF president Harold Schaitberger said, "Biden through civility and decency will enhance the political discourse that our country needs right now." In a series of tweets Monday morning, the president railed against the Biden and the union describing the organization's leaders as "Dues Crazy." Trump went on to say despite the snub, "the members love Trump. They look at our record economy, tax & reg cuts, military etc. WIN!" Biden responded to Trump's attack tweeting "I'm sick of this President badmouthing unions. Labor built the middle class in this country. Minimum wage, overtime pay, the 40-hour week: they exist for all of us because unions fought for those rights." He added, "We need a President who honors them and their work." For Trump, unions are a critical voting constituency that helped him win critical swing states such as Michigan and Ohio and Pennsylvania in 2016. Biden announced his plans to run for president, is a familiar face among labor groups having protested with labor organizations for decades. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. 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. PIGGS PEAK When a man separated from his wife, little did he know that she would return to fetch the house literally. Phephile Mhlanga obtained an order from Hhohho Umphakatsi to allow her to collect roofing and some of her items from her former marital homestead. This happened at a place known as Enjakeni under Nftonjeni Inkhundla. Mhlanga, who is a well-known herbalist, alleged that she had been married to her husband, Zizi Dlamini, for about 20 years through Eswatini Law and custom. She alleged that they divorced 2017 after which she requested that she be compensated for the house. Zizi now lives with another woman who was at the homestead when Mhlanga arrived to fetch the roofing. The dispute between Mhlanga and Zizi was initially heard at Hhohho Umphakatsi under Ntfonjeni after which an order was issued allowing her to be assisted to collect her roofing as well as doors, windows and a vehicle. Arrived On Saturday, Mhlanga arrived with a contingent of about 10 men, including two community police members and the secretary of the chiefs council, who was identified as Maphosa. They arrived at around 6am and according to Zizi, he decided to take a walk outside the house when he saw several people at the homestead. The secretary of the chiefs council, Maphosa, was armed with a written and stamped order which he said was from the local indvuna. It was dated April 24, 2019 and signed by Sikhakhane Dlamini. Mhlanga had returned to her once marital home but this time to fetch the roofing. However, her ex-husband was not willing to let the roofing be removed easily. Zizi then asked Mhlanga to enter the house while his new partner was inside and noises could be heard, with unpalatable statements being made between the two women. He tried to ask Mhlanga not to remove the roofing but she did not accept the request, complaining that she had been patient for a long time. While the three were inside the house, a community police member, who was outside then forced his way inside the house to stop the fracas. At this point, Zizi was then seen calling the police for help but they did not arrive on time. ZONDWAKO A 10-year-old child died tragically after she was hacked with an axe at the back of her neck, allegedly by her mothers ex-boyfriend. Silindelwa Zwane became a lamb of sacrifice, following her mothers refusal to make up with her ex-lover, Musa Dlamini. Her body was discovered by police and community members after Dlamini allegedly disclosed to a relative that he had killed Silindelwa and dumped her body along the Lusutfu River in Bhunya, about two kilometres from her mothers parental homestead. Narrating the events as they unfolded, Philile Msibi, who is the mother of the child, alleged that her former lover attacked them at around 8pm on Saturday. Msibi alleged that she was in the presence of her elder sister and children when the incident happened. She said they were getting ready to lock the main door, when Dlamini threw himself inside the house and allegedly started threatening her. She said while they were still exchanging heated words, she tried warning the children to keep safe and Dlamini allegedly charged towards her, carrying a pistol and an axe. Overpowered According to Msibi, her screams woke up her elder sister who was already in bed in another bedroom. My sister woke up and wrestled with him. She overpowered him and I got a chance to escape through another bedroom window, where I had locked the children, including Silindelwa, Msibi said. However, she said when she jumped off through the window, in a bid to escape, her child followed her. My daughter was unlucky as she was grabbed by Dlamini the moment she was screaming outside, trying to follow me, she narrated. Msibi said she went straight to the road where she tried to stop an oncoming car which nearly hit her. She said when she was by the roadside, she saw her former lover holding her daughters hand, going with her down the fields. However, Msibi said the car did not stop and she tried going to her ex-boyfriends homestead where there was a traditional wedding (bayeni) taking place, to report the matter. I went to the Dlamini homestead as most residents were celebrating there and thought they could help me get my child back, related Msibi. She said the residents assisted her by calling Bhunya police who arrived at around 11pm. Msibi said a search for her missing daughter began but lasted for a short while after they failed to locate Dlamini and the child. We slept but early in the morning, I called the police and they did not arrive, she said. Fighting Her elder sister, Londiwe, also reiterated Msibis recollection of events. She said she tried hard fighting with Dlamini but he managed to run off from the house. She said this was the moment he got the chance to catch the little girl. It was already dark and he had disturbed the switch lights in the sitting room, said Londiwe. An 18-year-old relative of Dlamini is reported to have come across him on a pathway along the mountains not far from the homestead yesterday. The relative narrated that Dlamini was carrying a rope and an axe and reportedly told him that he was going to commit suicide by ingesting a weevil tablet. He also reportedly told him that he had killed Silindelwa and had dumped her body in the bushes along the bushes at Lusutfu River. The relative then informed relatives who called Bhunya police. Indeed, the body of Silindelwa was found facing down with a gaping wound on the back of the neck. Worth noting is that Silindelwa was to turn 10 years yesterday and died a few hours shy of her birthday. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the matter. She said Dlamini was still on the run and police would continue searching for him today. MBABANE He was a loved person. This could possibly sum up the reactions following the news of the demise of Phumelela Shongwe. Crowds of people have flooded the Shongwe homestead to mourn his death. Following the sudden death of the Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC) general manager on Saturday, multitudes of mourners were already assembled at his home at Checkers to convey their condolences yesterday. A large number of cars were found already parked at the Shongwe homestead yesterday afternoon. Most of the mourners were ushered into the house where they expressed their sympathy to Shongwes wife and other family members. When this reporter arrived at the homestead, she was warmly welcomed by a family member, who referred her to the family patriarch, Senzo Maphanga, who is one of the elders in the family. According to Maphanga the mourners had started arriving since the day they received the sad news of Shongwes passing. Support He mentioned that they had been receiving immeasurable support from family members and friends through the influx of phone calls and visits since the day of his passing. Shongwe was involved in a tragic accident on Saturday in the neighbouring South Africa (SA). Reports were that he was involved in an accident while travelling with two other colleagues who survived the accident. They had landed at Oliver Tambo International Airport from Mauritius where they then boarded a car and were headed back home. Maphanga said the death of his son had shocked the family. We are saddened by his death because it was unexpected. He had gone on a work meeting and naturally we expected him to be back safe and sound, so we are still shocked, said Maphanga. He further narrated that he got a message from the late general managers wife (daughter-in-law), who informed him about the tragic accident. He mentioned that Shongwe would be remembered for his humble spirit and his enthusiasm towards life. MBABANE Two senior officers, together with three juniors from His Majestys Correctional Services have been charged for allegedly attempting to steal potatoes at Bhalekane Farm. The duo of Sergeant/Instructor Clifford Magongo and Sergeant Cedric Mndzebele were charged together with three junior officers, Zanokuhle Dlamini, Wandile Mamba and Sikelela Maseko. All the officers are based at Bhalekane Correctional facility in northern Hhohho. Initially, seven officers had been charged but charges were later withdrawn against two of them. It is alleged that on November 30, 2018, the officers were found in the process of stealing potatoes weighing 563 kilogrames belonging to the institution at Bhalekane Farm. Intercepted According to the charge sheet, the officers hid the potatoes for their own benefit and they were intercepted while trying to collect them. Through this act, the law enforcers are alleged to have contravened Section 44 of the Correctional Services Act No.13 of 2018. Section 44 of the Act provides as follows: A Correctional Services officer commits a disciplinary offence if that Correctional officer acts in a manner prejudicial to good order and discipline or likely to bring discredit to the service. On Wednesday, the officers filed an urgent application at the High Court where they were seeking an order directing that their disciplinary hearing should proceed before a new Board duly appointed by the commissioner general. By consent of both parties, it was agreed that the disciplinary hearing against the officers should not proceed before the Board that comprised Assistant Commissioner Thokozani Mhlanga, Senior Superintendent Bongani Dlamini and Superintendent Robert Nhlengetfwa. Narrating the events leading to the disciplinary hearing, Sergeant Magongo stated that on November 30, 2018 he was charged with the other applicants, where it was alleged that they attempted to steal potatoes while at Bhalekane Correctional facility. He informed the court that when the hearing commenced, they were represented by lawyer Sipho Gumedze. According to Magongo, the prosecution led witnesses in proof of commission of the offence. He asserted that after the prosecution had closed its case, they instructed their attorney to move an application for their discharge in terms of Section 174(4) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act. He claimed that this was so because they were of the informed opinion that no case had been made against them. Prosecution Section 174(4) provides that: If at the close of the case for the prosecution the court considers that there is no evidence that the accused committed the offence charged or any offence of which he might be convicted thereon, it may acquit and discharge him. Magongo highlighted that when moving the application for the discharge, their lawyer further applied that the Board when handing down its judgment should furnish them with reasons. Magongo stated that the Board handed down its decision but the chairperson did not give written reasons. The chairperson, however, managed to address our attorney advising him that he was giving him emantongomane. The said emantongomane he said were to guide us on how we handle our evidence as according to the Board we had made an admission, submitted Magongo. He contended that the implication of what the chairperson said to their lawyer was that, he expected them to admit to having committed the offence despite that they had pleaded not guilty and that there was no evidence that showed that it was them who attempted to steal the potatoes. Weight The chairperson, according to Magongo, further instructed their lawyer to forget about the weight of the potatoes forming part of the hearing. Our attorney had raised the question of the weight of the potatoes. The charge that we are facing states that; we attempted to steal potatoes that weighed 563kg. The evidence that was tendered was to the effect that, the weight of the potatoes was 140kg, he argued. He told the court that the difference was over 120kg which according to them was a huge difference. Magongo said they raised the issue of the weight because; it appeared that no one knew what the weight of the potatoes was. In another matter, a warder from the same Correctional facility (Bhalekane) recently approached the High Court after he was suspended for allegedly stealing pipes. More than 5,000 people were told to quickly leave their homes near Montreal late Saturday and early Sunday after floodwaters breached a dike in rain-soaked eastern Canada. The barrier protecting Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, just west of Canada\s second largest city, gave way Saturday night, causing a surge of water up to 1.5 meters (five feet) to crash through the area. "We didn\t have time to do anything, the water rose while were chatting, I just had time to take my medication," one resident told public broadcaster Radio-Canada. Hundreds of policemen, firefighters and soldiers helped evacuate nearly 2,600 homes in the area, a provincial police spokesman said. "It\s going very well. Thankfully no one was injured, no one is missing," Sergeant Daniel Thibodeau said. According to the latest government data, nearly 8,000 people have been forced by rising waters from their homes in Quebec, and about 6,000 homes have been flooded topping the 2017 toll during what was then the area\s worst flooding in a half-century. Some 1,700 soldiers have been deployed to help with evacuations and fill sandbags in the hardest-hit regions of Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. Last week, both Montreal and the capital Ottawa declared states of emergency. In Fredericton, New Brunswick, crews have been busy hauling away driftwood and debris as waters start to recede. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in the Ottawa area on Saturday for a briefing from emergency management officials and, with his young son, helped to fill sandbags. SOURCE: AFP Dharendra Wardhana, Jakarta / RI The World Bank analytically divides the worlds economies into four income groups: high, upper-middle, lower-middle and low. Countries that are categorized as upper-middle income are the ones with income per capita ranging from US$3,896 to $12,055. With income per capita at $3,846 as of 2017, Indonesia is moving closer to attain upper-middle income country (UMIC) status and is expected to join the group in less than five years. This new status would convey a discerning signal that Indonesia manages to gradually develop. Indonesia has been in the lower-middle income country (LMIC) group since 2003. Previously, between 1998 to 2002, Indonesia had been relegated to the low income country (LIC) group after joining the LMIC group for the first time since 1993. In total, Indonesia has had LMIC status for 21 years. The forecast seems to convey positive prospects. With the current growth rate, Indonesias economy would double in size in the next 20 years. However, the conjecture needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. Recent literature highlights the progress and quality of development beyond calculation of income or economic size. Countries labeled as upper-middle income undeniably reflect an improvement in governance and economic development and it is indeed considered a stepping stone to upgrade into high income status. Meanwhile, economic characteristics among the UMIC is fairly diverse. The deviation of national income per capita is large. The average gross national product (GNP) per capita for UMIC is about $6,510, but the jarring gap between the highest (Costa Rica at $11,120) and the lowest (Algeria at $3,940) is distinct. Reaching UMIC status does not really guarantee a countrys economic robustness and stability; some countries had at least once fallen into lower-middle income or low income status. For instance, Angola had lost UMIC status in 2016; Brazil had UMIC status for 27 years but it somehow fell to LMIC between 2002 and 2005. Belarus was relegated from UMIC to LMIC in 1994 before regaining UMIC status in 2007. Russia seems to be trapped in UMIC status after losing high income country (HIC) status in 2015. A similar fate also awaits Venezuela, which could only retain HIC status for a year (in 2014). With the benefit of hindsight, it seems that being in the UMIC group clearly does not translate into a clear development path. However, there are several important lessons learned in this regard. For example, we might refer to success stories like Bahrains, which managed to upgrade its economy from UMIC to high income country (HIC) status in 2001. Chile upgraded into the HIC group in 2012. South Korea in the 1950s was in a similar economic state as Indonesia, but it could finally join the HIC group in 2001. For the last five years, we only see Argentina, Hungary, Palau, Panama and the Seychelles. In contrast to the experience of the Four Asian Tigers (Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan) in the early 1990s, many developing countries currently are stuck in middle income status, indicated by a growth slowdown after a period of rapid sustained economic growth, as according to the World Bank in 2016. In the early 1990s, it was widely believed that Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand would make successful transitions to high income status with different trajectories. Between the 1950s and early 1990s, the three countries had growth rates that were among the highest in the world, driven in large part by the rapid growth of an export-oriented manufacturing sector. This growth acceleration phase was accompanied by significant structural transformation, as measured by value-added manufacturing as a share of gross domestic product (GDP) and the product complexity of exports. Outside the Asian miracle economies, there were few other countries in this period that had such impressive rates of structural transformation. Research by Kunal Sen and Matthew Tyce in 2019 explains why only a few developing countries have made the transition from middle income to high income status. They argue that the nature of the political settlement determined a growth strategy. Meanwhile, researchers on middle income status such as Homi Kharas and Harinder Kohli in 2011 almost invariably point toward deindustrialization and inappropriate growth strategies as the main factors. The above cross-country comparison is mainly purposed to put Indonesia into a global context. Arguably, the prospect is clear and substantiated by many studies. E.g. prof. Anis H. Bajrektarevic says as much as Asia today is an economic promisland so is also the brewing social vulcano and the politico-military windward side. A report from the Asian Development Bank even considered Indonesia would become one of seven Asian powerhouses of growth within next few decades. However, more importantly, there are more problems to solve within Indonesia itself. In fact, variations between regions are more persistent. For instance, regional GDP per capita in Jakarta ($13,000) currently equals Poland, but North Kalimantan ($6,700) has a similar income per capita as China, while East Nusa Tenggara ($950) is only on par with Cambodia. Within the scope of development status, the diversity among provinces is equally evident. Poverty rates in Papua and West Papua provinces are manyfold of those on Java. Trends of inter-island disparity have been widening during the last decade. Therefore, heterogeneity and complexity at the local level are pivotal to unpack development problems before embarking into a higher economic status. _________ The writer, who recently completed his PhD on development studies with reference to emerging economies at the Department of International Development, Kings College London, is an official of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) of the Republic of Indonesia. This article reflects his personal opinion. Tens of thousands of people in the far north of Mozambique are bracing for violent flooding as torrential rain pushes up water levels, after the death and devastation wrought by Cyclone Kenneth. The first floods have already been seen in some parts of Pemba, the capital of Cabo Delgado province, as well as in surrounding areas, lashed by heavy rain since daybreak, AFP journalists reported. Fields on the outskirts of the city that had been lush green just a day earlier were now brown with floodwater. "It\s been raining hard since Sunday morning," said Deborah Nguyen, spokeswoman for the UN World Food Programme. "Violent flooding is expected in and around Pemba. "We are very worried because, according to the forecasts, heavy rain is expected for the next four days," she added. "We expect the rainfall to be twice as much as that which accompanied Cyclone Idai that hit the city of Beira last month." Idai hit central Mozambique six weeks ago and communities in that region are still reeling from floods that swept away homes, roads and bridges, leaving around 1,000 people dead and hundreds of thousands without shelter. This time, around 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) further north, the city of Pemba and its 400,000 inhabitants face similar dangers. \We are scared \ "Houses started to collapse in Natite neighbourhood, according to the rescue team operating there," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a tweet on Sunday. "We are unfortunately expecting devastating floods as consequence of #CycloneKenneth\." According to figures provided by the Mozambique authorities to NGOs, around 200,000 people in Pemba are in danger. In the small village of Mieze, around 20 kilometres to the south west, dozens of people gathered hoping to be rescued by boat. "We are worried about the floods worsening because we don\t know where they will go," Filomeno Sira, 45, whose home is one kilometre from the growing Mieze floodplain, told AFP. "The government said we have to go to the top of the hill if the water continues to rise - and we\ll go. We are scared because we don\t know." According to a preliminary toll published Sunday by the National Institute of Disaster Management (INGC), five people have died, more than 23,000 people are without shelter and nearly 35,000 homes have been either partly or completely destroyed. A number of UN agencies have deployed response teams in Pemba. To the north of the provincial capital, the town of Macomia was counting the cost of the damage on Sunday, with homes and businesses destroyed, roofs torn off, trees and electric pylons uprooted. The World Food Programme has started distributing food rations to stranded people, but has been forced to suspend operations to the most isolated areas where roads have been cut off. A helicopter was expected to arrive in Pemba to resume operations as quickly as possible. Recovery efforts "We have grave fears for the thousands of families currently taking shelter under the wreckage of their homes. They urgently need food, water and shelter to survive the coming days," said Nicholas Finney, head of Save the Children\s response team in Mozambique. "We had information of the storm from the weather service but we didn\t realise the scale of the cyclone until it hit," Macomia\s mayor, Fernando Neves, told AFP. "As you can see we are now trying to rebuild our lives after this storm and return to normality It\s very hard." In the town centre, medical staff were having to make do with what they had, with no electricity and no medicine. "This patient has not eaten and we don\t have anti-malarials," said Joaquim Benedito, a nurse at the Macomia Health Center, gesturing to Nordine Joao, a frail-looking 15-year-old malaria patient being treated in a supply cupboard. "He was sleeping outside when the cyclone came." The region hit by Cyclone Kenneth is a lot more sparsely populated than Beira, which was hit by Cyclone Idai in mid-March. But the region has also been hard hit by deadly raids by a jihadist group over the past 18 months that the army has been unable to control. Before smashing into Mozambique, Kenneth passed by the Comoros islands. SOURCE: AFP Sudanese protesters Sunday welcomed a breakthrough in talks with army rulers who agreed to form a joint civilian-military council, paving the way for the civilian administration demanded by demonstrators. Saturday\s agreement would replace the existing 10-member military council that took power after the army ousted veteran leader Omar al-Bashir on April 11 amid massive protests. "What happened yesterday is a step to have a civilian authority," said Mohamed Amin, one of thousands of demonstrators who have been camped for weeks outside the army headquarters. "We are happy about the progress in the talks, but we are still waiting for the composition of the council and the civilian government." The joint civilian-military council would be the overall ruling body, the protest leaders say, while a new transitional civilian government was expected to be formed to run the country\s day-to-day affairs, a key demand of protesters. That civilian government would work towards having the first post-Bashir elections. The demonstrators said they would pursue their sit-in until a civilian administration is set up. "Last night\s agreement is a step forward in the stability of our country. But I don\t think we will leave the sit-in until we achieve our demand of a civilian government," said protester Sawsan Bashir. Protest leader Ahmed al-Rabia confirmed to AFP the decision to form a joint council. "We are now in consultation about what percentage of the council should be represented by civilians and how much by the military," said Rabia, who is involved in talks. On Sunday, protest leaders from the Alliance for Freedom and Change met to discuss the progress of talks with the military council. But the joint committee talks that were expected on Sunday were cancelled, activists said. Lengthy talks Activists say the new council could be a 15-member body, with eight civilians and seven army generals. The decision to have a joint council came after hours of talks on Saturday, the first by a joint committee representing the current ruling military leadership and protesters. Bashir was ousted by the army after months of protests against his three-decade rule. Thousands of demonstrators, braving volleys of tear gas fired by security forces, reached the sprawling military headquarters on April 6, demanding the army support those opposing Bashir. Five days later, the army toppled Bashir and took power through a transitional military council. The military council has so far insisted it has assumed power for a two-year transitional period. Western governments have expressed support for protesters\ demands, but Sudan\s key Gulf Arab lenders have backed the military council, while African states have called for more time for the army to hand over to civilians. Last week, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates announced $3 billion (2.7 billion euros) in financial aid for Sudan following Bashir\s overthrow. Of the $3 billion, the oil-rich countries pledged to inject $500 million in Sudan\s central bank to support its weakening currency. The remaining $2.5 billion was to help provide food, medicine and petroleum products, according the official Saudi Press Agency. On Sunday, the UAE-owned Abu Dhabi Fund for Development said it would deposit $250 million in the central bank as part of the aid package. Sudan\s economy has worsened over the years, hit by multiple armed conflicts and secession by oil rich South Sudan in 2011. Call to join ICC As the joint committee met on Saturday, top opposition leader and former premier Sadiq al-Mahdi told reporters Sudan should "immediately" join the International Criminal Court. Bashir is wanted by The Hague-based tribunal for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity for his alleged role in the conflict in Darfur, charges the 75-year-old has repeatedly denied. The Darfur war erupted in 2003 when ethnic minority rebels took up arms against Khartoum\s Arab-dominated government, accusing it of social and political marginalisation. The UN says about 300,000 people have died in the conflict, with another 2.5 million displaced, many of them still living in camps across the western region. Protest group spokesman Amjad Farid said Bashir and other regime figures could be tried in Sudan. "We are not seeking retaliatory measures against them, but we want to rebuild our justice system to hold them accountable for their crimes," he said. Mahdi, who was forced from office by Bashir in a 1989 coup, said the army\s ouster of the veteran leader was "not a military coup". But "the toppled regime might still try to do a coup," he said, without elaborating. An Islamist rally called on Monday has been cancelled, while the military council dissolved the country\s labour association, a statement said. SOURCE: AFP Spain\s socialist prime minister was on course to win snap elections on Sunday but without the necessary majority to govern as far-right party Vox prepares to enter parliament for the first time, partial results showed. The results raise the spectre of another period of instability for Spain since the end of two-party politics, with Pedro Sanchez having to forge alliances with hostile rivals in an environment that has soured since Catalonia\s failed secession bid in 2017. The most significant new development is the emergence of far-right party Vox in a country that has had no far-right party to speak of since the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975. With over 60 percent of votes counted, Sanchez\s Socialist Party had gained 124 lawmakers out of 350, or more than 29 percent of votes, still far from an absolute majority. That means Sanchez will have to forge agreements with far-left Podemos and possibly smaller groupings like Catalan separatist parties, as he did over the past 10 months. The partial results, meanwhile, show the conservative Popular Party (PP) getting a drubbing and the three right-wing parties competing in the elections failing to gain enough votes to form a majority. Far-right emergence The emergence of Vox at a national level comes after it burst onto the scene in December regional polls in southern Andalusia, gaining nearly 11 percent of votes. Founded by a disgruntled former member of the PP, partial results give it 23 seats in the national parliament. After a tense campaign, voter turnout was high more than 75 percent up from 66.48 percent at the same time in 2016, election authorities said. Retired construction worker Carlos Gonzalez said he had cast his ballot for the Socialists because they were the "moderate option". Vox "is going backwards, to the past. It\s not the future because the future is a united Europe," he told AFP at a Madrid polling station. Catalonia shadow Founded by Santiago Abascal, a former member of the PP, with a strong stance against feminism and illegal immigration, Vox has stood out with ultra-nationalist rhetoric that advocates the "defence of the Spanish nation to the end" and a hard line against separatists in Catalonia. The region in northeastern Spain was the scene of a secession attempt in 2017 that sparked the country\s biggest crisis in decades and caused major concern in Europe. Since then, the crisis has continued to cast a pall over Spanish politics. Sanchez was forced to call early elections after Catalan pro-independence lawmakers in the national parliament, angered at the trial of their leaders in Madrid, refused to give him the support he needed for his 2019 budget. Right-wing parties have for their part lambasted Sanchez, at the head of a minority government, for his attempts to negotiate with Catalan separatists who still govern the region, accusing him of being a traitor. Dolores Palomo, a 48-year-old domestic worker, said she had always voted for the Socialists but cast her ballot for centre-right Ciudadanos this time at a polling station in Hospitalet de Llobregat, near Barcelona, because Sanchez "is a puppet of the separatists". Chronic instability? Sanchez would rather not have to rely once again on Catalan separatist lawmakers in the national parliament, given right-wing parties\ accusations that he cosied up with the "enemies of Spain" during his time in government. But he may have no choice. A possible alliance with Ciudadanos has not been ruled out, even if the party\s leader Albert Rivera has made "chasing" the socialists from power a "national urgency". SOURCE: AFP Kanoo Travel, a fully owned business of Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo Group (YBA Kanoo), has signed an agreement with US-based Cvent to utilise its complete suite of event management solutions, at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) being held in Dubai, UAE. One of the largest travel management companies in the Mena region, Kanoo Travel specialises in corporate, marine, and leisure travel, as well as airline representation and Meetings Incentives Conferences and Events (Mice). It also offers a wide range of compliance-driven, cost-effective travel management services and solutions. The partnership is a first-of-its-kind collaboration for Kanoo Travel as it becomes one of the first corporate travel management companies in the region to benefit from Cvent's integrated technology solutions which include online registration, onsite badging and check-in, mobile event apps, and feedback and reporting solutions. Cvent is a market leader in meetings, events, and hospitality technology. Its event technology solutions will offer ATM attendees enhanced engagement and networking opportunities and will allow Kanoo Travel to manage and deliver a more impactful and memorable overall event experience, said a statement from the company. In addition to using Cvents onsite event technology, the company will also utilise Cvents venue sourcing platform the Cvent Supplier Network (CSN) which will help to simplify and automate the event venue selection process. Featuring more than 260,000 hotels, resorts and special event venues, the CSN is one of the world's largest databases of detailed venue information. Nabeel Kanoo, president of Kanoo Travel, said: We are embracing the digital transformation in the travel and hospitality industry and its serious about adapting the latest technology solutions which add value to its customers. By partnering with Cvent we will be providing our customers with a comprehensive event management platform which will handle the entire event lifecycle and we will be able to offer them venues and hotels with competitive prices, he added. Gokul Bajaj, head of sales and partnerships and general manager at Cvent Dubai, said: We are excited to be working with Kanoo Travel, a market-leading organisation that recognises the importance of digital transformation and automation and were proud to partner with them to further support the growing UAE event technology industry. With Dubais expanding Mice market, the Arabian Travel Market offers a unique opportunity to showcase the power of technology in transforming meetings and events. With more than 20 years in the industry, our company is well positioned to lead this digital effort by offering solutions that make live events more engaging, strategic and impactful, he added. Kanoo Travel operates a network of more than 70 Iata locations and has longstanding affiliations with some of the largest institutions in the world. Last year, Cvent opened its first office in the Middle East. Located in the heart of Dubai, the location now serves as a regional hub enabling the company to service regional clients more quickly and address the growing demand for its event and hospitality cloud platforms in the Middle East and Africa. With more than 100 customers in the region, Cvent has established a strong client base including top brands and leading luxury hotels such as Qatar Foundation, Arabian Exhibition Management, Marriott Hotels, Shangri-La Hotel, and Atlantis-The Palm. TradeArabia News Service More than 100 experts from global hospitality sector will hold three more days of interactive discussions, keynotes and industry briefings at the ongoing Arabian Travel Markets Global Stage in Dubai, UAE. Saudi Arabias growing tourism sector will be one of over 40 key travel and tourism trends under the spotlight at the discussions. The Kingdom will see a vast expansion of its hotel and resort inventory during 2019, with approximately 9,000 keys of three- to five-star international supply projected to enter the market despite major cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah experiencing an overall drop in ADR during 2018. While this new supply will place additional competitive pressure on hotels performance across the country, the predicted growth in airport passenger numbers across Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah and Al Khobar is expected to boost occupancy levels throughout 2019. Discussing Saudi Arabias tourism potential, a seminar titled Why Tourism is Saudis New White Oil will take place on ATM 2019s Global Stage from 14:50 to 16:00 tomorrow (April 29). With the overall number of annual tourist trips expected to increase to 93.8 million by 2023, according to Colliers International, panellists will discuss the opportunities related to these unprecedented growth projections, as well as the tourism sectors potential to support Saudi Arabias economic diversification efforts. Danielle Curtis, exhibition director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: All available metrics point to incredible potential within Saudi Arabias tourism sector. Increases in air passenger numbers are predicted across the board in 2019, and the kingdoms hospitality sector is investing in its future with significant boosts to capacity. New revenue channels such as travel and tourism have a crucial role to play in achieving the goals set out in Saudi Arabias Vision 2030, which is why it is so important for our industry to explore how we can work together to catalyse further development. Kicking off day two will be a session titled The Big Picture Who will sell travel best in the future?. With the global travel landscape rapidly evolving and the lines between traditional and non-traditional travel retailers blurring, this session will discuss what the future holds for an industry where every major tech firm, social media channel and online retailer is fighting to sell travel and what it means for traditional providers as we look ahead to the next decade. Debuting on the Global Stage this year will be the ATM Hotel Industry Summit which takes place from 14:40 to 17:00 on Tuesday 30th April. Consisting of four separate panel discussions, the summit will shed light on infrastructure developments, technologies and innovative concepts with the potential to increase efficiency and improve guest experience within the hotel segment. As a younger generation of clientele with different preferences and budgetary requirements comes to the fore, panellists will explore up-and-coming hospitality hotspots in the Middle East, emerging trends such as mid-market resorts and lifestyle hotels, and an anticipated return to direct bookings. Meanwhile, the Global Halal Tourism Summit will return for its third edition on Tuesday 30th April from 11:00 to 13:00. The summit will explore the top trends within the Halal tourism sector as well as the growing role of technology in the Muslim space, including the digitalisation of the Umrah. Curtis said: This years edition of Arabian Travel Market will include a comprehensive programme of in-depth industry discussions, with topics ranging from emerging market segments to efficiency-boosting innovations. Not only will we be discussing new subjects such as Saudi Arabias burgeoning tourism sector, but we will also be revisiting previous focuses such as halal tourism. The inaugural ATM Hotel Industry Summit, meanwhile, will address everything from hotel infrastructure developments and investment opportunities to the digital innovations that are helping to transform guest accommodation in the Middle East. This year, the ATM Global stage will also host several high-profile speakers from the regions aviation industry. From 12:10 to 13:10 on April 29, Sir Tim Clark, president of Emirates, will offer insights into the Dubai-headquartered carriers growth strategy. Meanwhile, from 13:20 to 14:20 on Tuesday, 30 April, Adel Ali, Group CEO of Air Arabia, will reflect on 15 years of success within the Gulfs low-cost carrier segment. In the Travel Tech Theatre, which is sponsored by Sabre Corporation this year seminar sessions will explore how to positively change the perception of destinations using the power of social media as well as discussing how immersive technology will transform the visitor experience at mega events such as the upcoming Expo 2020. And, in the Inspiration Theatres, expert panels will discuss how the travel and tourism industry can best reduce carbon emissions as well as the evolution of bespoke luxury travel and the opportunities that both medical and wellness tourism present today. Other popular features still to come include the Digital Influencers Speed Networking, Best Stand Awards, Career in Travel and the Travel Agents Academy. TradeArabia News Service Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) and The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said that the partnership with Ryanair, Europes No.1 airline, is expanding its operations with the addition of four new routes. Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) and The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said that the partnership with Ryanair, Europes No.1 airline, is expanding its operations with the addition of four new routes to Jordan to and from Malta, Memmingen, Thessaloniki and Milan Bergamo, as part of its Jordan Winter 2019 schedule. With a total of 18 routes connecting between 12 countries, the new routes will serve over 500,000 customers annually at Amman and Aqaba airports. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Majd Shweikeh said: Jordan has witnessed a tremendous positive shift in the tourism sector in 2018, and in 2019, the momentum is still as steadfast as it was last year. Launching the world-renowned low-cost Ryanair operations has had a cascading positive effect on the sectors dynamics, which resulted in an increase in numbers as a new segment of tourists -from Eastern Europe in particular- who have never been to Jordan before, are now exploring Jordan and its unique and diverse natural, cultural and archaeological heritage in a comprehensive touristic experience. Not only does this experience accompany them a lifetime, but also drives them to come back for more. Managing director of the Jordan Tourism Board, Dr Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, said: We are very happy to see tangible results in Jordan from our partnership with Ryanair. Less than a year into its operation, this collaboration has proved its power in making Jordan an accessible and affordable destination for many with its ever-growing number of routes. Jordan Pass, the number one indicator of the Jordanian markets success in the international tourism scene, has witnessed an unprecedented increase in sales in comparison with same period from last year. Moreover, the most direct indicator, number of visitors, has also witnessed an increase just as impressive; Madabas visitors increased by 75.3%, Mount Nebos by 67.2% and Wadi Rums by 55.9% in the first quarter of 2019 in comparison in the first quarter of 2018. These are a few numeric examples of the success we are witnessing at the moment, and in light of this increase, Jordan Tourism Board and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities are working hand in hand to showcase the full potential of the touristic experience in Jordan, he added. Ryanairs CEO Michael OLeary said: Ryanair is pleased to launch its Jordan Winter 2019 schedule, with 4 new routes (18 routes in total), delivering over 500,000 customers through our two Jordanian airports. We are pleased to strengthen our cooperation with the Jordanian Tourist Board with these 18 winter routes that will further promote Jordanian tourism and will deliver visitors from 12 European countries to one of the worlds most attractive winter tourism destinations. To celebrate, Ryanair is releasing seats on sale from just 14.99 for travel between April and June, which are available for booking until midnight Saturday (27 April). Since these amazing low fares will be snapped up quickly, customers should log onto www.ryanair.com and avoid missing out. The new routes will operate with two weekly flights between Amman and Malta, Memmingen and Thessaloniki, and two weekly flights between Aqaba and Milan Bergamo. This summer, this active partnership will witness yet another milestone with the introduction of Ryanairs new Jordanian website in June, making it even easier for consumers in Jordan to book Ryanairs lowest fares. TradeArabia News Service The GCC must deliver unique and tech-enabled experiences designed for free independent travellers (FITs) if it is to grow its market share among Chinas outbound tourists, said experts at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, UAE. The overall number of outbound tourists from China is projected to hit 224 million by 2022, according to research conducted by Colliers. United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) figures show that the GCC is on course to attract 2.9 million of these visitors. Panellists speaking at the Arabia China Tourism Forum, which took place on the Global Stage at ATM 2019, explored how Gulf states can boost Chinese visitation further and cater to younger travellers arriving from the Far East. Moderator Dr Adam Wu, CEO of CBN Travel & MICE and World Travel Online, said: The trend is moving away from group travel to FITs. Approximately 51 per cent of Chinese travellers [come from this segment]. They are travelling in smaller groups but its also the age groups that are changing. Unique experiences represent a key component when it comes to convincing younger Chinese travellers to visit the GCC. In addition to comfortable accommodation and accessible amenities, panellists noted that Chinas FITs are looking for attractions that are not available in other markets. Terry von Bibra, GM Europe, Alibaba Group, said: Smaller groups [of Chinese travellers] are going to new places to discover and have unique experiences special experiences that they can share with friends on social media, which is very important. You cannot underestimate the importance of the ideas of discovery and uniqueness. In my job, I see this across all aspects of trade with China. [Customers] want to understand why things are unique and special. The more you can help them understand this, the better job you are doing. In addition to unique experiences, Xiuhuan Gao, head of Asian Market Overseas Promotions Department, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), said that small, personal touches are also helping the GCCs hospitality sector to boost arrivals from China, such as Chinese condiments and in-room snacks. Gulf countries are already taking steps to strengthen ties with China and appeal to the countrys international tourist base. Chinese passport holders can obtain 30-day visas on arrival in Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait, and the launch of Saudi Arabias tourist visa is expected to lead to further increases. Dubais Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), meanwhile, has partnered with Chinas Tencent to promote the emirate as a preferred destination, and to bring the companys WeChat and WeChat Pay platforms to the UAE. Panellists agreed that GCC hotels must also do more to facilitate a seamless visitor experience. Rami Moukarzel, vice president of Development and Acquisitions Mena, Louvre Hotels Group, said: We are seeing an influx of Chinese travellers across all segments. As a hotel industry, we need to be ready for the influx that is coming. Moukarzel told attendees that in addition to establishing market-specific booking platforms and social media channels, China-owned Louvre Hotels Group has also partnered with relevant mobile payment systems to ensure that Chinese travellers enjoy a seamless experience when visiting its Middle East properties. According to figures released by the UNWTO, Chinese visitors are the highest spending overseas travellers on the planet, shelling out $258 billion in 2017. Attracting more of these individuals would benefit national economies across the GCC. As Gulf destinations account for approximately one per cent of Chinas outbound tourist market at present, the panel agreed that there remains significant room for growth as long as the hospitality professionals create China-specific offerings and content that appeal to the countrys shifting market demographics. Designed to enable travel, tourism and hospitality professionals to explore potential opportunities, the Arabia China Tourism Forum is one of several events that will be hosted on ATM 2019s Global Stage this week. Other topics to be placed under the microscope include the Saudi Arabian market, halal tourism and industry innovations. Running until May 1, ATM 2019 will see more than 2,500 exhibitors showcase their products and services to visitors at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Viewed by industry professionals as a barometer for the Mena tourism sector; last years edition of ATM welcomed 39,000 people, representing the largest exhibition in the history of the show. TradeArabia News Service Airport Show, the worlds largest airport exhibition, opened today (April 29) in Dubai, with a record 375 exhibitors from 60 countries showcasing more than 50 new technologies and innovative products over the next three days. The 19th edition of Dubai Airport Show was officially opened by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The show has consolidated its market standing with participating companies set to sign multi-million dirham deals across almost the entire spectrum of airport operations and management, said the organisers Reed Exhibitions Middle East. The Airport Show, with all the co-located events, is offering an ideal platform the Middle East, Africa and South Asias aviation authorities, companies and individuals to come together and collaborate with international experts and leaders to improve global aviation. The co-located events are Air Traffic Control (ATC) Forum, Airport Security Middle East, Global Airport Leaders Forum (GALF), Women in Aviation (WIA) General Assembly and CAPA Middle East & Africa Aviation Summit. Earlier addressing the media, Sheikh Ahmed said: "With passenger numbers expected to continue their growth trajectory and drive airport expansion projects to accommodate the demand, the UAEs aviation sector remains a key driver of our economic growth." The Airport Show has 211 hosted buyers from 30 countries. Besides Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and the host UAE, this year there are hosted buyers from Algeria, Armenia, Angola, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, India, Jordan, Lebanon, Maldives, Mauritius, Moldova, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Turkey and Uganda, said the organisers. The Hosted Buyer Programme has been a highly-acclaimed feature since 2009. The participating companies include 60 top industry bellwethers. More than 75 per cent of the exhibitors are repeat participants. Over 50 new technologies and innovations are unveiled during the Show which occupies over 15,000 square metres of exhibition space in three DICEC halls, they added. Daniyal Qureshi, group exhibition director at Reed Exhibitions Middle East, organiser of the Airport Show, said the show has been a clear sell-out, indicating the industrys continuing vibrancy and investment potential for expanding facilities and new technologies at airports and the aviation industry in general. Delivering the airport keynote address at CAPA Aviation Summit, Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports Corporation, said DWC is set to handle 240 million passengers with personalised experience in the future. The hub model is the right and sustainable model, which is benefiting Dubai, he stated. Thani Abdulla AlZaffin, director general and board member, emaratech, delivered the keynote address on enhancing the seamless passenger experience at the Global Airport Leaders Forum.-TradeArabia News Service Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, said it has signed a number of agreements with leading French companies - Thales, Michelin, CFM, Safran Landing System and Epcor (Air France Industries KLM) during the recent visit of HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to France. The ceremonies took place during a business lunch organised by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Mouvement des entreprises de France (Medef), Frances main organisation of business owners. Gulf Air proudly continues to work with companies based in the Republic of France, contributing to the strong ties between the two countries, remarked Zayed bin Rashed Alzayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and the chairman to the board of directors at Gulf Air, at the event. We have had a long and close relationship with French firms and these agreements solidify the confidence the aviation industry in Bahrain has with France, he added. The airline has signed with Airbus during the Bahrain International Airshow 2016 for an order of 12 A320neo (out of which two has been delivered already) and 17 A321neo with a total investment with French companies exceeding $3.5 billion. On the Thales deal, Gulf Air said it had selected the French group's Ka-band connectivity solution for its B787-9 and A321Neo-E (LR) fleet. As per the deal, Thales will provide a robust, modular and full-featured connectivity platform for a best in class experience onboard leveraging Global Xpress Ka-band satellite network. It will also deliver the highest performing connectivity service on the market, providing a complete end-to-end connectivity solution. Through the connectivity portal and onboard Wi-Fi network, passengers can browse the internet, check social media, shop onboard and much more during their flights, said the statement from Gulf Air. Thales Ka-band connectivity solution leverages the Inmarsat Global Xpress satellite network. It is designed as a robust, modular and full-featured platform for a best-in-class onboard experience with reliable, seamless high-speed global coverage, it stated. On the Michelin deal, The Bahrain national carrier said the leading French tyre company was chosen to equip every aircraft type within its fleet with tyres including its brand new fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, Airbus 320neos and Airbus 321neos. On the CFM pact, Gulf Air said it had finalised an agreement with the French group for the purchase of 65 LEAP-1A engines to power 17 Airbus A320 neo and 12 A321neo aircraft. The engine order is valued at $1 billion at list price. Gulf Air has been a CFM customer since 1992 and currently operates a fleet of 16 Airbus A320ceo aircraft powered by CFM56-5B engines. With its new LEAP-1A-powered A320neo family aircraft, Gulf Air is going to strengthen its footprint in the Middle-East with new routes, while enhancing its services for customers. On the Safran Landing System deal, Gulf Air said it is aimed at equipping the airlines new fleet of 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 12 Airbus A320neo with Safran Landing Systems wheels and brakes. On the agreement with Epcor (Air France Industries KLM), the flag carrier said it had entrusted maintenance of the APS5000 auxiliary power units (APU) equipping the airlines 10 new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft to AFI KLM E&M. The long-term contract includes a guarantee covering APU replacement. The repair services will be provided by AFI KLM E&M subsidiary Epcor, global market leader for MRO support for APUs, he added.-TradeArabia News Service What allows violent extremist movements to take root, recruit, and spread? Why is it on the rise, andwhile no country is immune what makes fragile states especially vulnerable? The United States Institute of Peace last week convened discussions on this subject following publication in February of its seminal Task Force report, A New Approach to Preventing Extremism in Fragile Statesto which UNDP experts have contributed. This new approach rests on the notion that counterterrorism is necessary but insufficient for preventing violent extremism (PVE)especially among fragile states, so often beset by crises, conflicts, and poverty. It proposes a comprehensive effort, owned and driven at national and community levels, that leverages not just security and development sectors but faith-based, youth, and womens organizations. UNDP's research, as well as our experience in numerous fragile settings, supports this approach. We know, for example, that violent extremism is fueled in large part by exclusion, lack of opportunity, human rights abuses, grievances, and lack of confidence in state authorities, including security forces. Our Journey to Extremism in Africa report, based on two years of interviews with recruits to the continent's deadliest extremist groups, found an overwhelming 71 percent cited a state actionsuch as the killing or arrest of a friend or relative by local law enforcement or security forcesas the tipping point that pushed them to join a violent extremist movement. Here, recruits believed, was hope for a new life and opportunity to address their roiling grievances against the status quo. Why does prevention matter? Around the world, poverty, discrimination, and inequalities exacerbate perceptions of exclusion and injustice. They create a perfect storm for radicalization, recruitment, and extremism. Hatred, incitement, and regional and global politics do the same. For all these reasons, UNDPs PVE interventions are linked to the broader, system-wide Prevention and Sustaining Peace agenda, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Preventing violent extremism means addressing root causes with the aim of finding peaceful, inclusive, sustainable solutions. It requires strengthening state authority and good governance at local levelsbecause in the absence of a state presence, violence, insecurity, and organized crime flourish. Engaging young people, women and religious groups is critical Those without income or education join extremist groups at a much higher rate than others, and recruitment happens swiftly. UNDPs research found that 80 percent of young people from poor communities who joined extremist groups did so within a few months of first contact with a recruiter. A recent report by UNDP and ICAN, the International Civil Society Action Group, Invisible Women, documented the complex and diverse ways in which women and girls engage with with violent extremism. Counter-terrorism and PVE efforts must adapt accordingly. As a leading multilateral development entity working to prevent violent extremism in fragile states, UNDP works closely with governments to strengthen institutions, establish rule of law, advance respect for human rights, and provide essential public services. Putting people first, we believe, enhances dignity, confidence, and stability. We are implementing more than 40 projects and interventions at global, regional and country levels in more than 30 countries: In the Lake Chad Basin we are helping communities reintegrate returnees from Boko Haram so they are no longer at risk of recruitment into violent militias. we are helping communities reintegrate returnees from Boko Haram so they are no longer at risk of recruitment into violent militias. In Tunisia, UNDP is strengthening the National Counter-Terrorism Commission and PVE interventions at the local level. UNDP is strengthening the National Counter-Terrorism Commission and PVE interventions at the local level. In Somalia , we are helping provide training to police and judicial officer training; establishing law clinics; and providing training of religious and traditional leaders in the justice system. , we are helping provide training to police and judicial officer training; establishing law clinics; and providing training of religious and traditional leaders in the justice system. In Asia , UNDP partnered with Facebook to develop the #ExtremeLives series, a five-episode documentary showing the human face of extremism in Asia. , UNDP partnered with Facebook to develop the a five-episode documentary showing the human face of extremism in Asia. In Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan , we support improvement of linkages and cooperation between security providers, local authorities, and communities to reduce violent incidents. , we support improvement of linkages and cooperation between security providers, local authorities, and communities to reduce violent incidents. UNDP supports formulation or implementation of PVE National and Regional Action Plans in 19 countries, in collaboration with regional consortia such as ASEAN. Prevention and peacebuilding Burden-sharing to advance this agenda is vital. Its efficient in ways that taxpayers demand and more likely to entice government partnership on a global standard, in ways bilateral assistance cannot achieve. Multilateral mechanisms provide much-needed platforms to align the prevention aims of multiple donors with the aspirations of citizens, including those of political leaders, regional authorities, and civil society and youth groups. USIPs Task Force recognizes this in its third and final recommendation: Establish a new partnership development fund. Several such funds that support prevention and peace-building already exist. The UNDP-implemented Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS) in Iraq launched in 2015 to facilitate the return of displaced Iraqis, lay the groundwork for reconstruction and recovery, and prevent the resurgence of violence and extremism. By October 2018, 26 donors had contributed more than US$900 millionwhich is helping to restore security and essential services and bring millions of displaced Iraqis home. The UNDP Funding Windows address governance, peacebuilding, crisis, and resilience. UN-wide Multi-Partner Trust Funds also support peace-building and prevention. Our Global Programme for Strengthening Rule of Law and Human Rights for Sustaining Peace and Development provides seed funding for joined-up support to justice, security, and human rights systems in fragile states. Along with the World Banks State- and Peace-Building Fund and UN Peace-Building Fund and Support Office, these are among the best examples of burden-sharing, helping align goals and programming around a common aim. We know prevention saves lives The recent terror attacks in Sri Lanka and New Zealand remind us brutally once again that we need new, coordinated approaches to this truly global threat. Governments around the world have paid dearly in blood and money to counter extremist violenceeven as the annual number of terror attacks has quintupled in the last two decades, causing untold suffering and reversing decades of development gains. Isnt it time to invest in prevention, together? Thimphu, Apr 21 (UNI) The recent Influenza A- H1N1 outbreak in Bumthang of Bhutan is under control with the number of infected people visiting hospital declining from 30 to 35 a day to about a dozen these days. Since the first case was reported on April 8, about 227 people were reported to have been infected by influenza A H1N1 pandemic 2009 causing seasonal flu. Of the total infected, around 90 percent were students of Wangdicholing lower secondary school (WLSS), Bumthang. The first incident was reported on April 8 when 45 students did not come to school. Some were sent home and some referred to hospital, said a report in the Kuensel Online. Raudel Guerra is the first UTSA Pathway to Health Professions Program student to be accepted to medical school. (April 29, 2019) Raudel Guerra worked as an Army Judge Advocate (lawyer) and federal prosecutor for 11 years, but a traumatic event overseas led him to change careers to help veterans and underserved populations as a physician. This fall, Guerra begins his journey to becoming a doctor as one of the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) School of Osteopathic Medicines newest student. Guerra is the first UTSA Pathway to Health Professions Program student to be accepted to medical school. A native of McAllen, Texas, Guerra is a proud veteran of the United States Army. Over the course of five combat deployments as a Judge Advocate, he was awarded two Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart. While serving in Iraq, a rocket hit his base and wounded several people, including himself. Raudel felt helpless not being able to provide medical care to his fellow comrades. Wanting to help the wounded, but not knowing how to do it hurt me to my core, Guerra lamented. He vowed to study medicine one day. Determined to become a physician, Guerra left his career as an attorney and became a full-time pre-medical student at UTSA. In the middle of his post-baccalaureate studies, he learned that the UTSA Pathway to Health Professions Program (PHP) was recruiting veterans. PHP aims to eliminate health disparities and prepare graduate students who will provide care to economically disadvantaged populations. The program is housed under the Policy Studies Center within the UTSA College of Public Policy. Dr. Miguel Bedolla, the Director of the PHP Program, was a big proponent of veteran participation and went out of his way to help us, said Guerra. As a PHP student, Guerra took advantage of every study resource available to him at UTSA to prepare for medical school. He says, In the Army, there is a saying, If you need to kill flies, do it with a sledgehammer! Basically, that means to do everything you can to accomplish your task. Dont hold back! His hard work paid off in February when he received his acceptance letter to the School of Osteopathic Medicine. Guerra credits his parents and family for his work ethic. My dad is an immigrant from Mexico. He and my uncle grew up in poverty but still managed to became pharmacists. They had to make a lot of sacrifices and work hard, but they did it. Im following their example, said Guerra. Guerra plans on specializing in Family medicine in the hopes of providing much needed primary care services to underrepresented communities in South Texas. In his spare time, Guerra likes to scuba dive and bowl. He is also a competitive skydiver. UW Graduate Students, Mentor Receive Annual Awards The University of Wyomings Office of Academic Affairs and the Graduate Council have selected the 2019 winners of graduate student and mentor awards for outstanding teaching and research. The Distinguished Graduate Faculty Mentor Award recognizes outstanding faculty commitment to graduate student mentoring. The John P. Ellbogen Outstanding Graduate Assistant Teaching Awards go to graduate teaching assistants to honor their excellence in teaching. The Outstanding Masters Thesis Award recognizes a graduate student for an exemplary masters thesis. And the Outstanding Dissertation Award is granted to a graduate student for an exemplary doctoral dissertation. Each award carries a stipend. Here are the 2019 award winners: Distinguished Graduate Faculty Mentor: Professor Matt Gray, Department of Psychology During his career, Matt has recruited bright students, but I would argue that his mentoring and training are what helped a bright group of students become amazing, wrote Professor Narina Nunez, chair of the Department of Psychology. His current and former students attribute their many successes to Matt. Though I think we could argue that they all would have done well in any endeavor, I truly believe (and so do they) that their mentorship by Matt was and will continue to be a key ingredient in their ongoing and future success. John P. Ellbogen Outstanding Graduate Assistant Teaching: Jordan Eischen, Department of Communication and Journalism Jordans skills as an instructor are evident by observing her in the classroom, wrote Beau Bingham, senior lecturer in the Department of Communication and Journalism, and director of the Oral Communication Center. Jordan guides students toward answers and solving problems. She accomplishes this by asking students a series of questions (to help students recall information). As a result, students leave her classroom with increased confidence and feeling as if they accomplished the task themselves. This method of instruction is available to Jordan because of her in-depth knowledge of the subject matter she teaches. Adrianne Griebel, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences Adrianne has put in countless hours and taken on a lot of extra responsibility to refine her teaching, work with students and ensure she has the most up-to-date information, wrote Associate Professor Christine Wade, interim head of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. She has sought out external experiences to enhance the examples she brings to class and is dedicated to enriching student learning. I am impressed with Adriannes abilities, commitment and enthusiasm, and feel she could rival many of our strongest faculty instructors. Mary Hill, Department of English Marys teaching methods are a model of effectiveness, wrote Associate Professor Kelly Kinney, Department of English chair, and Assistant Professor Nancy Small, director of writing programs. Across her evaluations, Mary is consistently referred to as a good listener, student-centered, skilled at communicating and helpful with feedback. She doesnt just care about her students; she discovers their individual learning needs and provides smart, targeted strategies to support their growth as communicators. Mary outpaces departmental and college scores in almost every evaluation category. Mary demonstrates excellence through innovative teaching as a way to deepen student learning and enrich their experiences. Ashton Hooker, Department of Communication and Journalism Frankly, Ashtons teaching is some of the strongest I have seen in my tenure of supervising graduate students, wrote Lecturer Margaret Stewart, course director for media writing in the Department of Communication and Journalism. Not only is she well-versed in the content and comes with professional experience, but shes also approachable and willing to help all students succeed. Outstanding Masters Thesis: Hillary Yoder, Division of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, for Cross-shift Body Mass Change and Associated Health Outcomes Related to Chronic Kidney Disease in Sugarcane Workers in Guatemala Hillary has displayed exceptional passion and commitment to research, which has translated into acquiring remarkable capabilities that are evidenced in her thesis research, wrote Associate Professor Derek Smith, director of the Division of Kinesiology and Health Promotion. Hillary is articulate and able to convey scientific information in an understandable manner. Further, her masters thesis project accomplished much more than providing an assessment of her learning as a component of her program of study; it also made an important and impactful contribution to scientific knowledge and discovery. Outstanding Dissertation: Brett Jesmer, Department of Zoology and Physiology, for Behavior, Physiological and Demographic Consequences of Resource Limitation for Large Herbivores Brett did everything we hope that our best doctoral candidates will do in their studies at UW. He collected great data; built a strong collaborative network; pushed the edges of our knowledge as only the brightest scholars can do; and published a landmark UW study in the most prestigious journal in our fields, wrote Associate Professor Matt Kauffman, who co-advised Jesmer along with Associate Professor Jake Goheen, of the Department of Zoology and Physiology. And, he is clearly poised to conduct his own independent research. In fact, I have no doubt he will obtain a permanent position as a wildlife researcher or university faculty in the next year or two. Of the many Ph.D. students I had the pleasure of mentoring, including ones that previously won the best dissertation award, I would rank Brett as top, added Professor Merav Ben-David, chair of the Department of Zoology and Physiology. Tourism Commissioner nominee Joseph Boschulte, center, with American Airlines Alex McIntyre, left, and Kyle Holden at the companys headquarters in Dallas last week. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close 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. Researchers at the University of Western Australia have found that although the Indian Ocean is the worlds biggest dumping ground for plastic waste, nobody seems to know where it goes. Professor Chari Pattiaratchi, from UWAs Oceans Graduate School and the Oceans Institute, said compared to other ocean basins, little research had been done to measure and track plastic waste in the Indian Ocean. Professor Pattiaratchi said: As technology to remotely track plastics doesnt yet exist, we need to use indirect ways to determine the fate of plastic in the Indian Ocean. In a research paper published in Journal Geophysical Research (Oceans), researchers used information gathered from more than 22,000 satellite-tracked surface drifting buoys that had been released around all the worlds oceans since 1979, to simulate pathways of plastic waste globally with an emphasis on the Indian Ocean. Professor Pattiaratchi said every year, up to 15 million tons of plastic waste was estimated to make its way into the ocean through coastlines and rivers, adding: This amount is expected to double by 2025. Some of this waste sinks in the ocean, some is washed up on beaches, and some floats on the ocean surface, transported by the ocean currents. As plastic materials are extremely durable, floating plastic waste can travel great distances in the ocean. Professor Pattiaratchi said some floating plastics were known to collect in the center of subtropical gyres (large systems of circulating ocean currents) in garbage patches, explaining: Here, the ocean currents converge at the centre of the gyre and sink. However, the floating plastic material remains at the ocean surface, allowing it to concentrate in these regions. The best known of these garbage patches is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which contains about 80,000 tons of plastic waste. Similar but smaller patches exist in the North and South Atlantic Oceans and the South Pacific Ocean. In total, it is estimated that only 1 percent of all plastic waste that enters the ocean is trapped in the garbage patches. It is still a mystery what happens to the remaining 99 percent of plastic waste that has entered the ocean, according to Professor Pattiaratchi. Lead author, Mirjam van der Mheen, who is undertaking the research as part of her UWA Ph.D., said the research team found that unique characteristics of the southern Indian Ocean transport floating plastics toward the western side of the ocean, where it leaks past South Africa into the South Atlantic Ocean, explaining: Because of the Asian monsoon system, the southeast trade winds in the southern Indian Ocean are stronger than the trade winds in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. These strong winds push floating plastic material further to the west in the southern Indian Ocean than they do in the other oceans. In the northern Indian Ocean, our simulations showed that there may be an accumulation in the Bay of Bengal. It is also most likely that floating plastics will ultimately end up on beaches, transported by the reversing monsoon winds and currents. Our study shows that the atmospheric and oceanic attributes of the Indian Ocean are different to other ocean basins and that there may not be a concentrated garbage patch. Therefore, the mystery of the missing plastic is even greater in the Indian Ocean. Provided by: University of Western Australia [Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.] Like this article? Subscribe to our weekly email for more! The WCO Security Programme conducted a national Strategic Trade Control Enforcement (STCE) training workshop in Kingston, Jamaica from 1-4 April 2019. The standard 4-days national STCE training events enhance customs capacities to enforce non-proliferation measures set forth by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004). At the event in Kingston, approximately 20 frontline customs staff from the Jamaican Customs Agency (JCA) were introduced to the concept of STCE. In addition, there was active participation from the Jamaican Ministry of National Security and the Jamaican Hazardous Substances and Regulation Authority. The course assisted Customs officials to identify weapons of mass destruction, their constituent parts, means of delivery and dual-use materials and items needed to manufacture these products. The event also included a meeting with JCA senior management to brief them on the importance of STCE and incorporating STCE into Custom business as usual activities. After the briefing, JCA officials took WCO trainers for a marine port tour which highlighted source countries of incoming containers, and demonstrated the contraband detection technology in use in Jamaica. The WCO is currently liaising with members about future STCE National trainings, should your administration be interested in hosting a national STCE workshop, please contact Adam Vas, STCE Programme Coordinator at WCO (Adam.Vas@wcoomd.org ). The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the European Union (EU) are partners in a new project called COLIBRI, which aims to step up international coordination and efforts with the main aim of combating organized crime and the challenges raised by cocaine trafficking in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as in West and Central Africa. This project is being implemented as part of Goal 3 of the WCO Strategic Plan (2016/2019): Protect society, public health and safety, and contribute to combating crime and terrorism (Compliance and Enforcement Package), and in line with the role of Customs in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015. According to the WCOs 2017 Illicit Trade Report, the cocaine trade grew by some 16.2% in 2017. The Customs authorities of 105 countries reported that, of all seizures of smuggled drugs, 13.8% involved cocaine. In this campaign conducted by Customs administrations in the fight against trafficking and organized crime, the WCO aspires to be at the forefront of innovation and to expand its capacity building mission to cover emerging threats. The purpose of the COLIBRI Project, which aims to monitor and control general aviation along the entire length of the cocaine route, is to rally Customs and its partners around the risks of fraud in this little-monitored channel and to step up the regional, international and interdepartmental cooperation that is so essential in the fight against drug trafficking. But what do we actually know about general aviation? General aviation is a generic term denoting all the operations of civil aviation for purposes other than commercial transport. Although most civil airports are open to general aviation, many secondary aerodromes are not subject to administration fees, landing or parking charges, operating restrictions or controls. Moreover, general aviation is not subject to the same police or Customs inspection mechanisms, and flight security measures are substantially relaxed, even in highly regulated areas. This means that general aviation represents an opportunity for organized crime and offers a number of advantages to traffickers. This is a discreet, fast mode of transport, which can use smaller airports where the law enforcement agencies are often absent. The COLIBRI Project is helping to meet the challenge of improving security in this channel, which is sensitive in both trafficking and security terms, as well as for tax reasons. There are three main components to COLIBRI: 1. Capacity building for Customs officials and the staff of the administrations concerned to provide them with the tools they need to meet this challenge; 2. The creation of a new specialist database to share all relevant information among the partner countries on the control and monitoring of general aviation, which will supplement the functionalities of the WCOs communication tool, CENcomm; 3. The promotion and strengthening of international operational and intelligence cooperation through joint operations in the field. The COLIBRI Project reinforces the Cocaine Route Programme (CRP), financed by the European Union Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO), under Article 5 of the Regulation establishing the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace. The CRP is designed to promote the interception of drugs, support anti-money laundering activities and improve the exchange of information, analysis and intelligence, as well as criminal investigations and criminal justice cooperation. According to the United Nations 2018 World Drug Report, both the range of drugs and drug markets are expanding and diversifying as never before. An increasing number of observers confirm the suggestion that trafficking constitutes a major source of finance for terrorist groups. The situation calls for heightened international cooperation to help the countries concerned to face up to the challenges posed by drug trafficking, to improve security worldwide and to promote the rule of law. Vets, first responders can get free tickets to Open Season Expo A leading Chinese commercial company, China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA) successfully holds Inaugural Ceremony of the Reconstruction of the Building of Yuba Sahabaghita Secondary School in Kathmandu, Nepal, April 24, 2016. [official website of CFPA] The China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, a major charity in Beijing focused on poverty issues, has stepped up collaborations with humanitarian groups in countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative in a bid to promote emotional ties with people in these countries. The foundation, which has a presence in more than 20 countries and regions worldwide, has launched such projects in countries including Myanmar, Nepal, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda. Bureaus were also set up in Myanmar and Nepal to facilitate the initiative. In one program, free meals are provided to students attending public schools in Ethiopia and Sudan, which quickly proved useful to boost attendance numbers of impoverished students. Another successful project initiated by the foundation can be found in Ethiopia's vast arid regions. By funding the construction of 81 water cellars, the project has benefited more than 8,000 locals grappling with dire water shortages. Moreover, a scholarship program has received much praise in Myanmar for aiding some 1,300 financially strapped students with their college fees, as well as improving their quality of life. The foundation said more than 60 million yuan ($9 million) has been injected into such endeavors since May 2017, when China held the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing and hosted top leaders from about 29 countries. According to the foundation, the number of beneficiaries is expected to exceed 200,000 as the foundation has been expanding its overseas presence in the last 14 years. The foundation made its global debut in 2005, in the aftermath of the deadly tsunami that struck the Indian Ocean and killed more than 200,000. A total of $5.3 million was donated to aid the relief work. In the years that followed, it opened overseas bureaus, spearheaded international rescue efforts, advocated health checkups in less-developed countries and sponsored vocational training for African women. By the end of last year, its contribution to overseas projects exceeded 160 million yuan, with its donations reaching 450,000 needy people worldwide. The foundation said these represent efforts to supplement the insufficient role that Chinese companies have in solving local issues, as well as the wish to extend the reaches of Chinese people's philanthropic deeds. As China charges ahead with the multibillion dollar BRI, which is one of its many ambitions such as boosting infrastructural ties and trades, it also values forging emotional ties among participating countries, and the foundation felt that efforts were on point, according to Chen Hongtao, the foundation's deputy secretary-general who oversees its international strategy. Chen said the group will continue to tailor sustainable programs that fit local conditions in a bid to enhance emotional connections with the countries. "We'll stick to efforts that target international poverty issues," he said. According to Chen's office, 12 million yuan will be raised in the next two years to provide free meals on school campuses in Ethiopia and Sudan. This initiative is expected to cover up to 9,000 students. In addition, the Ethiopian water cellar project will receive a fund of 4 million yuan and the Myanmar scholarship project will have a fund of 6 million yuan over the same period. More than 1 million Panda Packs, containing stationery and daily necessities, will also be distributed to students by the end of 2022. It is hoped that the pandas on such packs will represent the goodwill of Chinese people, Chen added. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 Beijing in Yanqing District of Beijing, capital of China, April 28, 2019. [Xinhua/Ju Peng] Declaring the opening of the world's largest international horticultural exhibition in Beijing Sunday, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his hope that the green development concept embodied by the expo park would be spread to "every corner of the world." The International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 Beijing is the highest-level and largest international fair held in China after the International Horticultural Exhibition held in the southwestern city of Kunming in 1999, the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and the first China International Import Expo in 2018. The 2019 Beijing expo indicates that China has changed from a participant in global green development to a contributor and leader, said Wu Shunze, an expert with the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. "The development model of 'killing the hens for eggs' and 'draining the lake for fish' is at a dead end," Xi said in his speech at the opening ceremony of the expo. "The future will be illuminated by eco-friendly development that is in accordance with the rules of nature." The State Council approved Beijing's bid to host the 2019 expo in 2012, the same year when the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China first raised the vision of building a "Beautiful China." Since that congress, ecological civilization has been placed in the country's "five-sphere" integrated plan and "four-pronged" comprehensive strategy, with pollution control carried out with unprecedented scale, institutions introduced with unprecedented intensity, environment laws enforced with unprecedented severity and the environment improved at unprecedented speed. "China's ecological civilization development is on fast track. People will live in a better environment with blue sky, green mountains and clear water," Xi said. "We should protect the ecological environment like protecting our eyes and value it in the same way we value our lives." "Only with concerted efforts can we effectively deal with global environmental issues such as climate change, marine pollution and biological protection and achieve the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals," he said. He put forward a five-point initiative: pursuing harmony between human and nature, prosperity based on green development, a passion for nature-caring lifestyles, a scientific spirit in ecological governance and joint efforts to tackle environmental challenges. The Beijing expo brings together more countries than any past expo in the horticultural industry, said Bernard Oosterom, president of the International Association of Horticultural Producers, at the opening ceremony. "China has led the way in promoting green development. It is clear that the Chinese government supports ecologically sensitive development in order to create a 'Beautiful China,'" he said. A study published in February using data from NASA satellites showed that of all the newly-added green leaf areas between 2000 and 2017, about 25 percent was in China, the largest contribution. China also contributed the biggest share to the global reduction of the use of ozone-depleting substances, accounting for more than half of the total reduction by developing countries. The Beijing horticultural expo, themed "Live Green, Live Better," is one of the major international events hosted by China in 2019, which marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. A total of 110 countries and international organizations will attend the 162-day event. (Source: Xinhua) President Xi Jinping will attend the conference commemorating the 100th anniversary of the May Fourth Movement to be held in Beijing on Tuesday. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will make the keynote speech at the conference. (Source: chinadaily.com) A nationwide campaign against pirated works was launched on Friday to intensify copyright protection and improve innovation in the internet era. During the six-month crackdown, authorities pledged, companies that damage other's copyrights on images, as well as infringements in the country's film industry would be strictly punished. The campaign will be conducted by the National Copyright Administration, the Ministry of Public Security, China's Cyberspace Administration and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. "We will increase supervision in the copyright market and maintain order to better face challenges brought by new technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, as well as to respond to major copyright infringements from the public and copyright owners," said Duan Yuping, deputy director of the NCA's copyright management division. She made the remarks at the National Conference on Copyright Protection and Development in Digital Environment on Friday, about two weeks after Visual China Group, a leading media provider of stock pictures and footage, came under fire over false copyright claims. On April 10, netizens discovered that the first image of the black hole had been added to Visual China Group's stock with a copyright claim, which means anyone using it without paying the company would be infringing the copyright. The company said it had been authorized to use the black hole image from its owner, but the European Southern Observatory, an intergovernmental organization for ground-based astronomy, denied the authorization. Later, the company was found to have put copyright marks on images of China's national flag and emblem that it had for sale, which heightened public outrage. The company was fined 300,000 yuan ($44,750) for publishing harmful images on April 19, and its website is still closed. Wan Jie, vice-president of the Copyright Society of China, said during the conference that the Visual China Group incident shows the significance and necessity of regulating copyrighted images. He said the protection of copyrights for images needs to be highlighted, but cannot influence industry developments. Also on Friday, a report on copyright protection said copyright administrative departments nationwide solved 544 cases involving infringement last year. The report also suggested the country revise the Chinese Copyright Law as quickly as possible and improve copyright-related information sharing to ensure the transparency of copyrights. (Source: China Daily) The ministry warned the public against major traffic risks during the holiday. [Xinhua] China's Ministry of Public Security has called for enhanced road safety precautions during the May Day holiday, which is expected to see traffic spikes. The past three May Day holidays have marked the first two nights of the holiday as accident-prone, the ministry said. The ministry warned the public against major traffic risks during the holiday, including traffic surge in expressways, tourist cities and destinations, possible increase of traffic violations and rainfall in some regions. Drivers and travelers were advised to closely follow road and weather conditions, and to abide by traffic regulations. This year's May Day holiday will last from May 1 to 4. An estimated 160 million trips will be made during the period, according to Ctrip, China's biggest online travel agency. Actor Fu Dalong plays the leading role of Yue Jiu, an opera performer, in Enter the Forbidden City. [China Daily] A new film shows how Peking Opera grew from a mix of styles to become the cultural force it is today. To celebrate the 80th birthday of emperor Qianlong (1711-99) during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), some Anhui Opera troupes traveled to perform in Beijing, where they became popular. They remained in the capital, absorbing the acting styles of other types of opera performed in the city, before developing the genre of Peking Opera as we know it today. This historical story has been adapted by Chinese playwright Zou Jingzhi into the film, Enter the Forbidden City, which will be released in Chinese cinemas on May 10. The film was selected as the opening movie for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Film Festival in Qingdao, Shandong province, in May last year. It also earned Hu Mei the best director award at the 21st Shanghai International Film Festival in June. Hu, 61, who is famous for shooting historical stories, received the script four years ago, and the story of the opera performers touched her. She visited many places in Anhui province to research the original stories behind the formation of the Peking Opera. Nie Yingju (L) exchanges experience in goat raising with farmer Yang Wanrong in Yanshan County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 26, 2019. Nie Yingju is not only a farmer who has rich experience in goat-raising, but also a village cadre at Changlingjie Village of Weimo Township in Yanshan County. With the help of local government and enterprises, Nie started a goat-raising cooperative in February 2015 to help registered impoverished households get rid of poverty. More than 100 households joined the cooperative, and by now all of these households have lifted themselves out of poverty. [Xinhua/Yang Zongyou] Environment Minister Lesley Griffiths declares climate emergency in Wales This article is old - Published: Monday, Apr 29th, 2019 Wrexhams Assembly Member, in her role as Environment Minister has today declared a climate emergency in Wales. The declaration comes ahead of a meeting with UK and Scottish Ministers in Cardiff. Welsh Government say the declaration sends a clear signal that the government will not allow the process of leaving the EU to detract from the challenge of climate change, which threatens our health, economy, infrastructure and our natural environment. The announcement draws attention to the magnitude and significance of the latest evidence from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and highlights the recent climate protests across the UK. Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths, said: I believe we have the determination and ingenuity in Wales to deliver a low carbon economy at the same time as making our society fairer and healthier. We hope that the declaration by Welsh Government today can help to trigger a wave of action at home and internationally. From our own communities, businesses and organisations to parliaments and governments around the world. Tackling climate change is not an issue which can be left to individuals or to the free market. It requires collective action and the government has a central role to making that collective action possible. No nation in the world has yet fully grasped this challenge but just as Wales played a leading role in the first industrial revolution, I believe Wales can provide an example to others of what it means to achieve environmental growth. Our sustainable development and environmental legislation is already recognised as world leading and now we must use that legislation to set a new pace of change. The latest advice on from the Welsh Governments statutory advisory body the UK Committee on Climate Change on how meeting the goals in the Paris Agreement might affect Wales long-term climate change legislative targets is due at the end of the week. (Click for large) Nuclear medicine department at Wrexham Maelor Hospital given clean bill of health This article is old - Published: Monday, Apr 29th, 2019 The nuclear medicine department at Wrexham Maelor Hospital has been given a clean bill of health by a team of inspectors. It comes after representatives from Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) paid a visit to the hospital on Croesnewydd Road to check whether patients were being protected from excessive or incorrect exposure to medical radiation. The department is located within the x-ray ward and provides a number of services, including radiation therapy to treat conditions such as thyroid diseases and cancer. The spot check, the findings of which were published last week, showed patients receive a safe and effective service and that staff comply well with radiation regulations. Inspectors also identified some areas for improvement following their visit in January, including giving patients better access to information, but did not discover any areas of non-compliance In their report, officials from HIW said: We found staff treated patients with dignity, respect and kindness. Overall, we found that patients were provided with enough information about their procedure. However, we recommended that written information is made more accessible for patients so that key messages stand out. It was positive to find that the radiology department encouraged patient feedback. However, we recommended the health board clarify the ways in which patients can provide feedback or raise concerns. Inspectors said arrangements were in place to provide patients visiting the nuclear medicine department with safe and effective care. They also held out praise for the leadership provided by managers, adding that staff showed they had the correct knowledge and skills. Other suggested improvements for the department include the need to specify all referral guidelines for procedures and ensure consistency in its approach to carers. The hospital has now been asked to draw up a plan to address the small number of issues raised. By Liam Randall BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme). (Click for large) Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-28 21:45:46|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close XI'AN, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Over 40 geologists from China and other countries are conducting a joint scientific investigation on a Danxia landform in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, the Shaanxi Institute of Geological Survey said Sunday. With geologists mainly from China, Poland, India, and the Republic of Korea, the survey to last from Friday to Monday marks the first international joint scientific investigation on the landform since it was discovered in 2017. The investigation will focus on the formation environment, genetic mechanism, protection and utilization of the landform. With a total area of 30,773 square kilometers, the Danxia landform in Shaanxi is thought to be the largest such site in the country. The S-shaped site, which features a rugged red landscape that emerged from river silt deposits dating back more than 99 million years, runs from Yulin City in the north to the center of the province. Hong Zenglin, head of the Shaanxi Institute of Geological Survey, said the investigation will further ascertain the range and features of the landform, which will facilitate more studies of the formation of China's landscape pattern and the evolution of northern Shaanxi's ecosystem. The investigation will also provide reliable technical support for the desertification control and the establishment of geological disaster prevention system in the region, according to Hong. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-28 23:47:48|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close KABUL, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Afghan experts have commended China's progress in environmental protection and urged their government to learn from Chinese experiences in keeping cities clean and preserving the ecosystem. "... China is the largest country in terms of population but its cities in compare with past years are clean, green and ecologically healthy," Hamidullah Arefi, editor-in-chief of the state-run English newspaper the Kabul Times, told Xinhua on Sunday. Arefi, who has visited China several times in recent years, said "to keep the cities clean in China and to promote the idea of protection of environment, the government of China has brought change in transport system and has replaced the old-fashioned smoke emitting vehicles to electric ones." "In addition to promoting greenery, protecting forests, seas and mountains, China has also produced electric cars, electric motorbikes and many more related devices to reduce pollution and keep environment clean from all kinds of pollutions including noises," said Arefi. The International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 in Beijing, open from April to October, will exhibit flower, fruit and vegetable farming at the foot of the Great Wall in Beijing. Local observer Dad Mohammad Anabi described China as a leading country in protecting the environment and the ecosystem, saying China can play an effective role in protecting the environment at global level. "Protection of environment is vital for everyone and China has done a lot in this field," Anabi told Xinhua. The Afghan expert said promoting agriculture and green development not only benefits the mankind but also animals. "I have visited several countries including Afghanistan's neighbors but found China the cleanest one in our region in terms of ecology and environment," Anabi said. Paying attention to the climate change and global warming, Anabi said overlooking the warning would prove destructive in many parts of the world if the icebergs get melted and drought hits some countries. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 01:48:46|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close DOHA, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Sunday met with the visiting president of the Italian Senate Maria Elisabetta Casellati over the Gulf crisis and the means to boost bilateral cooperation, official Qatar News Agency reported. During the meeting, Sheikh Tamim and Casellati highlighted the friendly ties binding Qatar and Italy and reviewed a host of regional and international issues of mutual interest. They also discussed the repercussions of the ongoing Gulf crisis on the security in the Middle East region. Casellati voiced Italy's support for settling the crisis via political dialogue and diplomatic means, urging an end to the regional blockade imposed on Qatar. Since mid-2017, an embargo against Qatar has been imposed by an Arab quartet of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, which accuses Qatar of supporting terrorism, a charge Doha has repeatedly denied. Casellati's visit to Qatar comes fewer than a month after a visit by Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to Doha, where he discussed with Sheikh Tamim the means to cement bilateral ties in the fields of defense, economy and investment as well as developments in Libya. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 02:39:01|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BEIRUT, April 28 (Xinhua) -- The Beirut Alive Association successfully broke on Sunday Guinness World Record for the number of national flags raised in a city for 24 hours. Beirut raised a total of 26,852 Lebanese flags breaking New York's Waterloo record of 25,599 flags. "I came here to adjudicate the record title for the most national flags displayed in one city in 24 hours. I am here to make sure that all guidelines of Guinness World Record have been achieved and and we have a new record title here which is the 26,852 flags achieved by Beirut Alive Association," Guinness World Records' Arbitrator Ahmed Jabr told Xinhua. The event was organized under the patronage of Prime Minister Saad Hariri, represented by MP Rola Tabsh, at the Nejmeh Square in downtown Beirut, in the presence of Economic and Social Council Member Mohammed Al-Jouzou and independent witnesses from "Al-Ittihad Law firms" and various prominent figures. After raising the flag that broke the world record, MP Tabsh congratulated the Beirut Alive Association for this remarkable individual and national initiative by excellence, adorning Beirut with thousands of Lebanese flags and entering the Book of Guinness. "Today they were capable of raising thousands of Lebanese flags to enter the Guinness book. This is a national initiative which reflects Beirut's role and which implicates no flag other than the Lebanese will be raised in Beirut," Tabsh said. Chinese Consul General in Chicago Zhao Jian delivers certificate to a Chinese student. CHICAGO, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-nine Chinese students studying in the U.S. Midwest have received "2018 national awards for outstanding self-financed students abroad," which were delivered on Sunday by Chinese Consul General in Chicago Zhao Jian. Han Jingjing, currently a doctoral candidate at the Media School of Indiana University Bloomington with a minor in Cognitive Science, received the highest award of 10,000 U.S. dollars. "I feel excited and grateful to receive this award," Han said at the award-granting ceremony. "I am proud of my country for its increased support on social science." "I hope I could push the development of communication science forward and contribute my own effort in leading Chinese communication scholars to international stages," she added. Addressing the awardees, Zhao said the government award program has been held for many years, showing the country's great support for the overseas Chinese students. "I hope all of you can play an active role in the exchanges between China and the United States, and make great contribution for the prosperity of our country." Wang Xun, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and also the chairman of the evaluation committee for the scholarship, also congratulated the winning students. "We hold the award-granting ceremony to celebrate your academic achievements and also remind you of keeping in mind the expectations of our country," Wang said. "We hope you can make bigger progress in scientific research to better serve our society and the whole world." Lin Wenbin, a professor in the chemistry department at the University of Chicago and also the doctoral supervisor of one of the awardees, called on the overseas Chinese students to always bear in mind their social responsibilities. The Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-Financed Students Abroad is a scholarship set up by the China Scholarship Council in 2003 to honor overseas Chinese students with outstanding academic accomplishments. According to official statistics, 500 Chinese students studying abroad received the scholarship in 2018. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 09:11:21|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close OTTAWA, April 28 (Xinhua)-- Canada and Japan vowed to seek even closer ties between them, according to a news release from the Canadian Prime Minister's Office on Sunday. During the meeting between Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who arrived here Saturday, the two leaders re-affirmed their commitment to strengthen the strategic dialogue and partnership between the two countries. They also signed the Memorandum of Cooperation between Invest in Canada and the Japan External Trade Organization, which will make it easier for Canadian and Japanese companies to work in partnership, and drive investment in both countries, and The Memorandum of Understanding between the National Research Council of Canada and the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International of Japan, which will support joint research and development in fields like robotics and telecommunications. Japan is Canada's fourth-largest partner in trade and Canada's largest source of bilateral foreign direct investment in Asia. In 2017, the Japanese direct investment in Canada stood at 29.6 billion Canadian dollars (about 22 billion U.S. dollars). There are more than 120,000 people of Japanese origin residing in Canada and approximately 300,000 Japanese and Canadians travel to each other's country annually. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 09:26:24|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close MEXICO CITY, April 28 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 people, including three minors, were killed after a passenger bus overturned in the north-central Mexican state of Zacatecas, local authorities said on Sunday. Another 26 people were injured and taken to hospital following the predawn accident along federal highway 49 in the town of Rio Grande. The bus was traveling from Mexico City to Torreon, in the northern border state of Coahuila, when it flipped over at 4:52 a.m. local time (0952 GMT), Moises Villagran, head of the local civil protection agency and fire department, told reporters. Images published on news websites showed the bus lying on its side with the front windshield smashed. "We suspect it was fatigue. The driver probably fell asleep, that's the preliminary information we have," Villagran told the Foro TV news network, adding an investigation was underway to determine the cause. Among the injured, "many had severed limbs ... so the situation was pretty serious," he said. The vehicle, which had been rented for the trip, mainly carried a group of merchants stocking up on wares in the nation's capital, said Villagran. Among the approximately 40 passengers were five Central Americans with humanitarian visas, according to Villagran. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 10:06:49|Editor: ZX Video Player Close SYDNEY, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Victoria and China's Jiangsu Province will participate in an artist-in-residency program to mark the 40th anniversary of their "sister-state" relationship, the Premier of Victoria Daniels Andrews announced on Sunday. As part of the initiative, a chosen artist from each region will be hosted by their sister-state and tasked with creating an artwork that will be gifted as a show of friendship. In China to attend the second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, Andrews also made a visit to Nanjing where he met with Jiangsu Governor Wu Zhenglong at a ceremony to celebrate the milestone. Established in 1979, since then the partnership has helped boost cooperation in a number of sectors including technology, innovation, science, creative arts and education. "We're proud of our sister-state relationship with Jiangsu Province, which is about jobs, trade and strengthening our cultural ties," Andrews said. "Over the past forty years, this international partnership has been the cornerstone of Victoria's engagement with China -- and we look forward to it strengthening even more over the next forty years." With engagement at an all-time high, almost 52,000 tourists from Jiangsu visited Victoria in 2018, an increase of over 40 percent in the last five years. According to Andrews, 138 Victorian students have also taken part in intensive language study in Jiangsu Province thanks to the Victorian Government's Hamer Scholarships Program which is focused on boosting cultural ties and knowledge. In other fields, the Victoria-Jiangsu Health Collaboration Agreement has seen more than 900 medical professionals continuing to participate in reciprocal visits for training and clinical exchanges, with a further 50 workers involved in workforce training and development. "Victoria is the gateway for Chinese investment and trade in Australia and we are proud of the strong and lasting relationship we have built with our largest trading partner," Andrews said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 10:27:01|Editor: ZX Video Player Close KATHMANDU, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Nepal's foreign policy experts and political party leaders have hailed the outcomes of the Second Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation held in Beijing on April 26-27. Former Nepali Prime Minister Jhalanath Khanal, who is also one of the senior leaders of the ruling Nepal Communist Party, told Xinhua on Sunday that the BRF witnessed the participation of heads of state and government from so many countries while showing their commitment to the initiative. "This forum has been extremely fruitful to chart out the future path of the Belt and Road Initiative. Participating countries like Nepal who are still least developed want to reap benefit from the BRI in coming days," Khanal said. Khanal said that Nepal is hoping to have enhanced connectivity through trans-Himalayan railway with China and the rest of the world under the BRI framework. Former Foreign Secretary of Nepal, Madhuraman Acharya, said that the inclusion of Nepal-China Trans-Himalayan Multi Dimensional Connectivity and Nepal-China cross border railway in the Belt and Road Forum Joint Communique is a good progress in terms of implementing BRI projects in Nepal. "Now, the two countries should work together for executing projects including Nepal-China cross border railway under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative in an expeditious manner," he said. Rajendra Bahadur Shrestha, former chairman of Nepal Council of World Affairs, told Xinhua that the second Belt and Road Forum was able to create a convincing environment for partner countries in the BRI. "At a time when the Westerners have been raising the concern of debt traps, the BRF was able to create an environment of trust by addressing the major BRI concerns like transparency, quality control, accountability and its dominance," he observed. Shrestha said that the BRI has opened up new space for global economic growth. "Instead of merely focusing on conventional economy based on production and supplies, China has diversified the concept of economy lately," he viewed. China has been creating a win-win situation through the Belt and Road Initiative for all its participating countries in connectivity or trade and investment, he said. "I feel people-to-people connection is another beauty of BRI, which could improve the living of people. BRI is a participatory approach which doesn't just benefit China, but all the member countries," he added. The joint communique issued by the Leaders' Roundtable of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation on Saturday included the Nepal-China Trans-Himalayan Multidimensional Connectivity Network on the list of economic corridors. Leading a high-powered delegation, Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari attended the Leaders' Roundtable of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation on Saturday. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 10:37:07|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close CANBERRA, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has made up ground on the Opposition with only three weeks to go until the general election, a poll has found. According to the latest Newspoll released on Monday, the incumbent Liberal-National Party coalition (LNP) now trails the Australian Labor Party (ALP) 49-51 on a two-party preferred basis -- a significant improvement from the 46-54 recorded in mid-March. It represents the best Newspoll result for the LNP since Scott Morrison was sworn in as Australia's 30th prime minister in August 2018. However, if the 49-51 result was replicated in the general election on May 18 the ALP would take power, wining at least 77 out of 151 seats in the lower house of Australia's Parliament, the House of Representatives. The results of the poll were released as Morrison and ALP leader Bill Shorten prepare to face-off in the first leaders' debate of the election campaign in Perth on Monday night. Shorten has closed the gap on Morrison as Australia's preferred PM according to Newspoll, with 37 percent of voters choosing the ALP leader compared to 45 percent for Morrison compared to 35 and 46 percent respectively in mid-April. Simon Birmingham, the Minister for Trade and the LNP's Campaign Spokesman, welcomed the results of the poll, pointing out that it coincided with early voting centers opening on Monday. "What we're seeing is that as the campaign goes on, Australians are asking more questions and are understanding the very stark choices at play in this election campaign," he told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) television. "And you know, many Australians start to vote today, and they'll go to the polls in a situation where Bill Shorten continues to refuse to detail the cost of his tax policies." Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 10:42:11|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close WASHINGTON, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Swiss-based cancer-drug giant Roche Holding AG is expected to lose its almost two-decade lead in the industry worldwide in a few years as competitors are catching up, U.S. media reported Sunday. Roche, which has dominated the cancer-drug market since 2002, faces the challenge posed by a pending merger later this year between U.S. pharmaceutical companies Celgene Corp. and Bristol-Myers Squibb Co, The Wall Street Journal reported. The combination "is set to create a rival that will soon knock Roche off its top spot," the report said. Roche's domination in the market was largely thanks to its acquisition in 2009 of California-based biotech company Genentech, which developed Roche's top-selling trio: Herceptin, Avastin and Rituxan. These drugs have generated sales of more than 235 billion U.S. dollars over the past 15 years. The Swiss company, whose more than 60 percent of pharmaceutical revenue comes from cancer drugs, is expected to lose some 9.8 billion dollars of annual revenue from Herceptin, Avastin and Rituxan by 2022, it said. The report cited projections from market-research company EvaluatePharma, which predicts that Roche's cancer-drug sales will fall in six consecutive years starting from 2019. Roche's 2019 sales are expected to be 27.53 billion dollars, compared with the projection of 24.52 billion dollars for 2024. In 2024, oncology sales of Celgene and Bristol-Myers Squibb are set to reach 27.07 billion dollars, according to EvaluatePharma. The report said Roche, in order to put a brake on its sales decline, is trying to exploit non-oncology drugs and now focusing on Ocrevus, a drug for multiple sclerosis, as well as drugs for hemophilia. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 10:47:17|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close WASHINGTON, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Five men trapped in a cave in eastern U.S. state Virginia were taken back to safety by emergency crews on Sunday afternoon, CBS affiliate WJHL-TV reported. Six men aged 34-59 on Saturday entered Cyclops Cave in southwestern Virginia with an intention of camping. One man was able to escape and alert authorities to the situation, Russell County Emergency Management Coordinator Jess Powers told WJHL-TV. Heavy rainfalls hit the cave once they became trapped, making it more difficult for them to escape on their own. When rescuers arrived, they found that the men were suffering from fatigue and hypothermia, said the report. The men did not come equipped with proper climbing gear. According to the report, the cave, which is two miles (about 3.2 km) long, is a private property. The owner Frankie Smith said this is the first time someone has gotten stuck in the cave and the men did not have permission to enter. The rescue began at 10:30 a.m. local time (1430 GMT) and ended at around 6:00 p.m. (2200 GMT) on Sunday. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 10:52:22|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close WASHINGTON, April 28 (Xinhua) -- At least one person was killed and seven others injured in a shooting in Baltimore in the U.S. state of Maryland on Sunday afternoon, the authorities confirmed. A gunman approached two cookouts in West Baltimore and began firing indiscriminately into the crowd, striking several men and women, Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison told the Baltimore Sun newspaper. While the shooting was near two churches in the area, Harrison said it did not have any connection to planned events at the two locations. According to Harrison, one man ran toward the Perkins Square Baptist Church and was later found dead. Six of the injured were taken to hospitals. A police spokeswoman said that an eighth victim, an adult man, walked into a hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg. There was evidence to suggest someone shot back, but officers were still piecing together the events, Harrison added. Baltimore Police spokeswoman Chakia Fennoy said the authorities received a call shortly after 5 p.m. (2100 GMT) Sunday reporting that multiple people had been shot. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 11:12:34|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close CANBERRA, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Australians were scammed out of 489 million Australian dollars (344.6 million U.S. dollars) in 2018, according to the "Targeting Scams" report released by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on Monday. According to The Australian, Prime Minister Scott Morrison pledged to spend 156 million Australian dollars (109.9 million U.S. dollars) to protect Australians from cyber-criminals if he wins the general election on May 18. "As the risk of cyber-attack increases we need to ensure Australians are protected and our defense forces and capabilities continue to get the backing they need," Morrison told reporters in Western Australia (WA). According to the ACCC report, scammers used phone calls to contact their victims, which accounts for about 47 percent of cases in 2018. Email accounted for 23 percent of initial contact with text message taking up 14 percent and social media about four percent. Delia Rickard, deputy chair of the ACCC, told News Corp Australia on Monday that scammers used phones to target victims because "emotional manipulation is much easier with phone calls." "You don't have a chance to stop and think and chop somebody off, so scammers are finding this an effective way of getting money out of people," she said. "Scammers are much more efficient, they can use automated dialing where it's a machine that calls you first up and delivers a message." Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 11:32:37|Editor: ZX Video Player Close Nie Yingju (L) exchanges experience in goat raising with farmer Yang Wanrong in Yanshan County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 26, 2019. Nie Yingju is not only a farmer who has rich experience in goat-raising, but also a village cadre at Changlingjie Village of Weimo Township in Yanshan County. With the help of local government and enterprises, Nie started a goat-raising cooperative in February 2015 to help registered impoverished households get rid of poverty. More than 100 households joined the cooperative, and by now all of these households have lifted themselves out of poverty. (Xinhua/Yang Zongyou) Carl Court/Getty Images(COLOMBO, Sri Lanka) -- Sri Lanka has barred face veils in the wake of the Easter bombings that killed hundreds of people at churches and high-end hotels. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena said that all kinds of face coverings, which are worn by some Muslim women, would be prohibited starting Monday -- eight days after the island nation was hit by a wave of coordinated attacks. Sirisena, who used an emergency law to impose the ban, issued the directive "to ensure national security" and "public safety," according to a press release from the president's office on Sunday. At least 253 people were killed and scores more were injured on April 21 when near-simultaneous explosions took place at various locations across Sri Lanka, a largely Buddhist country off the southern tip of India. Dozens of people have been arrested in connection with the bombings, but authorities have warned that more suspects remain at large and are possibly armed with explosives. Explosions erupted at three churches holding Easter services in Colombo, the capital, as well as Batticaloa and Negombo. Blasts also tore through three upscale hotels in Colombo, including some popular among Western tourists, according to Sri Lankan police. Hours after the initial bombings, another explosion rang out at a housing complex in Dematagoda, a suburb on the outskirts of Colombo, police said. Later that night, the Sri Lankan Air Force initiated a controlled explosion of a 6-foot-long pipe bomb detected on a road near Colombo International Airport, according to Sri Lanka Air Force spokesman Gihan Seneviratne. A fourth hotel was targeted in a failed attack that day, according to Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Most of the explosions were detonated by suicide bombers, according to Sri Lanka's junior defense minister Ruwan Wijewardene. Thirty-nine foreigners were among the dead, Wijewardene said. That includes at least four Americans, according to a U.S. official briefed on the investigation. At least 46 children were among those killed, with the youngest just 18 months old, according to the United Nations Children's Fund, which cited the Sri Lankan government. According to Wijewardene, most of the suicide bombers were well-educated and financially independent, coming from middle- and upper-middle-class families. They had splintered away from a little-known local extremist Muslim group, National Towheed Jamaar, and another group that Wijewardene identified only as "JMI." The former was earlier blamed for the deadly blasts by Sri Lanka's health minister. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters Friday the assailants in Sri Lanka had support from the Islamic State group, which has claimed responsibility for the deadly attacks. The United States sent a team of FBI agents and military officials to help Sri Lankan authorities with the ongoing investigation. Intelligence units from Australia, India, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the International Criminal Police Organization are also assisting. Last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the FBI issued a joint intelligence bulletin expressing concern that the scope and scale of the Easter bombings could lead other would-be attackers to carry out plans of their own. The U.S. Department of State has since raised the travel advisory for Sri Lanka to level three, the second-highest, and is urging Americans to reconsider traveling there. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 11:47:53|Editor: ZX Video Player Close Staff members load a transport cage containing Ding Ding, the female panda born in 2017, into a lorry at the Bifengxia base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Ya'an, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 29, 2019. Chinese researchers held a send-off ceremony for a pair of giant pandas who are to depart for Moscow on Monday for a 15-year collaborative research. Ru Yi, the male panda born in 2016, and Ding Ding, the female panda born in 2017, are scheduled to board a flight at 1:45 p.m. in Chengdu and arrive in Moscow at 10:00 p.m. Beijing Time the same day, the panda research base in southwest China's Sichuan Province said. (Xinhua/Xue Yubin) CHENGDU, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers held a send-off ceremony for a pair of giant pandas who are to depart for Moscow on Monday for a 15-year collaborative research. Ru Yi, the male panda born in 2016, and Ding Ding, the female panda born in 2017, are scheduled to board a flight at 1:45 p.m. in Chengdu and arrive in Moscow at 10:00 p.m. Beijing Time the same day, the panda research base in southwest China's Sichuan Province said. Li Shuming, deputy director of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, presided over the ceremony at the Bifengxia base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP). Svetlana Akulova, head of the Moscow Zoo, also attended the ceremony. Staff at the center prepared buns, bamboo sprouts and baby formulas for the pandas in the journey. Caretaker Wang Pingfeng and veterinarian He Ming will travel with the pandas to Russia. "My job is to keep them calm in case of any stress symptoms. We will make sure they are accustomed to their new life in Moscow," said Wang. "Ru Yi is outgoing and vivacious, but Ding Ding is quiet. We have carried out quarantine and health checks for them. They are in good shape," said He Ming. The pair of giant pandas will live in the Moscow Zoo for 15 years, according to the research project. On February 28, the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the Moscow Zoo signed an agreement on the protection and research cooperation of giant pandas. The Moscow Zoo sent full-time keepers and veterinarians to China in advance to learn about the breeding and medical care of giant pandas. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 12:17:59|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close SEOUL, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The issuance of mortgage-backed securities (MBS) in South Korea posted a double-digit fall in the first quarter on the government's efforts to control speculative investment in the property market, financial watchdog data showed Monday. The sale of MBS, issued by the state-run Korea Housing Finance Corp. (KHFC) to securitize the home-backed debts owed by households to lenders, amounted to 4.8 trillion won (4.1 billion U.S. dollars) in the January-March quarter, down 12.7 percent from a year earlier, according to the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS). The double-digit reduction came as the mortgage loan reduced on the government's measures to curb speculative investment in the real estate market. Including the MBS, the sale of asset-backed securities (ABS) dipped 5.8 percent over the year to 9.8 trillion won (8.5 billion U.S. dollars) in the March quarter. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 12:33:02|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 29, 2019. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz in Beijing on Monday. Xi said that the two sides should adhere to equal treatment and mutual respect and constantly promote bilateral relations to a new height. China welcomes the Austrian side to actively participate in the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative and "16+1 Cooperation", Xi said, adding that China appreciates Austria's open attitude towards China's investment. Xi said China hopes Austria can continue to play its role and actively support and advance the development of China-Europe ties. Kurz said Austria regards China as a strategic partner and is committed to strengthening strategic relations with China. Austria firmly supports multilateralism and free trade and is willing to contribute to deepening Europe-China relations, Kurz added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 13:13:15|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close SYDNEY, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Australia's New South Wales (NSW) State Police confirmed on Monday that the chief sniper involved in the 2014 Lindt Cafe siege has filed a civil lawsuit against the force. According to News Corp, the sharpshooter who can only be identified Sierra 3-1 for legal reasons said in a 30-page affidavit that he had suffered "psychological trauma due to decisions taken by his superiors during the siege." The officer alleges, he, along with other colleagues, were "prevented from doing their jobs" and that the lives of the hostages that were killed could have been saved. Occurring in the heart of Sydney at a busy coffee shop, 17 hostages were taken by a crazed gunman in a terrifying 16-hour siege that saw three people killed including the gunman. Criticized in a 2017 NSW Coroner's report, the findings concluded that the police waited "too long" before entering the building and attempting to rescue hostages. While the force has confirmed the civil case, a spokesman for the NSW Police said "as it is before the court it is inappropriate to comment at this time." The case is expected to be heard in a one-day hearing on April 12 next year. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 13:28:27|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close LONDON, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The world's second largest emperor penguin colony is disappearing in Antarctic, a recent study showed. The emperor penguin colony at Halley Bay has suffered three years of almost total breeding failure, according to a study published in the journal Antarctic Science. In 2016 and 2017, low sea ice extent and early breakout of sea ice in spring resulted in complete breeding failure. In 2018, the colony reformed, but with only a few hundred adults present at the breeding site, the study said. Meanwhile, during the same three-year period, the nearby Dawson-Lambton colony, 55 km to the south, has seen a more than ten-fold increase in penguin numbers. The study said many of the birds from Halley Bay have relocated to Dawson-Lambton, with the rest remaining at Halley Bay, but not breeding successfully. The breeding failure and reasons for relocation are almost certainly linked to the early breakup of sea ice at the Halley Bay site, but the reasons for the breakup remains unknown, the study said. However, scientists blame the sharp decline on climate and weather conditions for breaking apart the sea ice that's connected to the land where the emperor penguins stay to breed. The emperor penguin colony at Halley Bay was one of the worlds largest, supporting between 14,000 to 25,000 breeding pairs. Since 2016, satellite images have shown that the colony has suffered a complete breeding failure, something thats never been recorded before. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 13:33:29|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close WASHINGTON, April 28 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. commander of the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Navy Rear Admiral John C. Ring, has been relieved of duty for "a loss of confidence in his ability to command," said a press release by the U.S. Department of Defense on Sunday. Adm. Ring's deputy, Brig. Gen. John F. Hussey, is now the acting commander, the press release said. "This change in leadership will not interrupt the safe, human, legal care and custody provided to the detainee population," the press release said. Col. Amanda Azubuike, spokeswoman for U.S. Southern Command which oversees the prison, told CNN that Ring was relieved of command after a month-long investigation that began in March. "The vast majority of commanders complete their assigned tours with distinction," Azubuike told CNN in a statement. "When they fall short, we hold our leaders accountable, which reflects the importance we place on the public's trust and confidence in our military leaders." Adm. Ring "will be temporarily assigned duties elsewhere" in the Southern Command, Colonel Azubuike said. Adm. Ring, a former commander of the aircraft carrier Nimitz, was the 18th leader of the prison operations that started in January 2002. He began his Guantanamo assignment in April 2018, responsible for 40 detainees and a staff of 1,800 U.S. troops and civilian employees there. Soon after taking charge, the commander publicly called for building a new prison for 15 men who had been held by the CIA before their 2006 transfer to American military custody, arguing that the current top-secret prison Camp 7 where the U.S. military segregates high-value detainees, would become inadequate as the prisoners aged, according to a New York Times report. Camp 7 houses Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and other men the CIA previously held as leaders, deputies or foot soldiers of Al-Qaeda or other extremist groups, said the report. If not fired, Adm. Ring was due to be replaced in a routine rotation in June. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 14:13:47|Editor: Liu Video Player Close SYDNEY, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Australia's east coast is set to receive a 250 million Australian (175 million U.S.) dollar Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in the city of Port Kembla, 93 km south of Sydney. With planning approval granted to the consortium Australian Industrial Energy on Monday by the New South Wales State Government, the terminal will include a new berth to accommodate LNG carriers, a floating gas-handling facility, an array of wharf infrastructure and a pipeline that connects to existing Aussie gas networks. "Cost of living is a huge burden on households across this state, and today's announcement is another step towards easing that burden by potentially lowering household gas bills in the future," Deputy Premier of NSW John Barilaro said. "This terminal will make the state of NSW more self-sufficient when it comes to energy, and will create greater access to the global gas market." At the moment, the State of NSW relies on the rest of Australia for around 95 percent of gas supply. But according to Matt Kean, the State's minister for Energy and Environment, the new Port Kembla Gas Terminal will help NSW ensure a much greater level of energy security. "This terminal could supply 70 percent of our state's annual gas demand and help ease the cost of energy bills for NSW families and small business owners," he explained. "The approval for the Port Kembla gas terminal is great news for more than 33,000 NSW businesses and a million households that already depend on natural gas," Kean said. "It could also support gas-fired electricity generation in NSW and help make sure we have reliable electricity even when the sun isn't shining and the wind isn't blowing." Set to provide around 150 jobs during construction and up to 50 positions for ongoing plant operations, the project is expected to be completed before the end of 2020. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 14:28:54|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close VIENTIANE, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Laos backs the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) trade infrastructure expansion, Vientiane Times, the Lao state-run daily, reported on Monday. Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit has "voiced the Lao government's support for the China-led Belt and Road Initiative, saying the global project will help to transform Laos from being landlocked into a land link," the daily noticed. A total of 37 heads of state and government, the UN Secretary-General and representatives from international organizations attended the conference, where they reviewed the implementation of the initiative. The Lao daily quoted President Bounnhang as speaking at a session of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing at weekend, that the Belt and Road Initiative was in line with the Lao government's policy to transform itself from being a landlocked country into a land link within the region. One of the notable ways in which Laos is benefiting from this initiative is China's support for the under-construction Laos-China railway, which runs from Lao-Chinese border to Lao capital Vientiane, said the report. Bounnhang said the Belt and Road Initiative was compatible with the Lao government's policy because the country was ploughing ahead with its renovation policy after opening its doors to the outside world in 1986. He also said the Lao government viewed the initiative as being based on mutual benefit and cooperation, adding that in light of this development concept Laos believes the initiative will bring peace, stability and prosperity to the region. After attending the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, Bounnhang is leading a high-level Lao delegation on a state visit to China. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 14:28:55|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close VIENTIANE, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry plans to produce at least five million tons of paddy rice every year, as the country's latest five-year agricultural strategy by 2025 states. The report, a five-year development plan until 2025, states that the Lao ministry's expectation is for the Gross Domestic Product of the agriculture and forestry sector to grow at an average rate of 3.4 percent. This would mean the sector would contribute 19 percent to the national economy, local daily Vientiane Times reported on Monday. By 2025, using good agricultural planning and in cooperation with industry partners, the Lao ministry says all Lao citizens will have a daily minimum intake of 2,600 kilocalories. Each year, the Lao ministry plans for a national yield of at least five million tons of paddy rice, of which 30 percent is non-glutinous. Commercial production of paddy rice for both domestic consumption and export should reach at least 1.5 million tons. Maize production, for use in animal feed, will be more than 1.4 million tons while coffee will reach 280,000 tons, sugarcane 2.4 million tons, cassava 1.6 million tons and various beans 52,000 tons. Production of meat and eggs is to rise to 414,000 tons while fish and aquatic animal production will rise to 297,000 tons a year. Export of meat products is expected to rise to 15,000 tons as production and processing operations are modernized. Economists have urged the government to implement policies that will assist the agriculture sector and rice growers in particular. Productive agriculture is key to the eradication of poverty and improved livelihoods, the daily report said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 14:43:59|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close by Pankaj Yadav, Zhao Xu UDAIPUR, India, April 29 (Xinhua) -- India is witnessing its fourth phase of general elections on Monday. India's western state Rajasthan's 13 parliamentary constituencies (out of the total 25) are among the 72 constituencies across nine states where polling process is going on Monday. Over 130 million voters will decide the fate of 961 candidates in Monday's polling. Over 140,000 polling booths are in place for smooth conduct of polls. A maximum of 17 parliamentary constituencies are seeing polling in southwestern state of Maharashtra, 13 each in Rajasthan and northern state of Uttar Pradesh, eight in eastern state West Bengal, six in central Madhya Pradesh, five in eastern Bihar, three in eastern Jharkhand, and one in Indian-controled Kashmir. Udaipur, known as the City of Lakes, is situated in southern parts of the state bordering another western state Gujarat and is famous for various royal battles, valor in recent history, besides the rich art, culture and folk dances forms which makes it a perfect tourist destination. Mainly dominated by various tribal communities, the parliamentary constituency is reserved for the Scheduled Tribes (STs), which means candidates belonging to an ST community can contest election to represent this area in the parliament. The STs have been provided a special provision in the Indian constitution which guarantees them reservation in higher educational institutions and government jobs. To understand the nuances of Rajasthan politics, Xinhua spoke to Prof. Sanjay Lodha, the head of the Political Department at the Mohanlal Sukhadia University in Udaipur. Prof. Lodha is also the state's coordinator of the Delhi-based Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, a research institute which also conducts pre-poll surveys to know the pulse of voters ahead of elections. According to him, the ongoing 17th parliamentary elections in India are very different from the last one held in 2014. He said the "Modi Wave" which had completely swept several states including Rajasthan, in the last elections, has naturally lost its steam this time, and Modi's BJP is not going to win all the 25 parliamentary constituencies as it did in the last elections. Last general elections were held when Modi emerged as a very tall figure in Indian politics and the BJP positioned him as an alternative to the then Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. Then he was the chief minister of Gujarat state, and the Gujarat Model of governance and development was much talked about. "Modi's emergence as a tall leader in Indian politics led to people attaching their big expectations from him, particularly in terms of employment generation, poverty eradication and overall growth in living standard. But, during the past five years, there has been no major change on these fronts, and people should be voting reflecting their reaction to Modi's success, or failure, in delivering on all these counts," he told Xinhua. However, he added, the latest trend in Indian politics has witnessed people voting on the basis of "emotive issues" and not on real issues like health, education, employment and economic development. "Modi is such a figure who has tremendous oratory skills combined with a perfect body language which infuses nationalism and patriotism in the audience which, subsequently, gets converted into votes. So, people vote on emotive issues like nationalism and patriotism, rather than rating the successes or failures of the Modi government," added the political expert. Over the past five years, main opposition party Indian National Congress (INC) has been able to resurrect itself in Rajasthan and is the current ruling party in the state. "Hence, the question of BJP repeating its last performance (as in 2014) doesn't arise. In our pre-poll survey, we found that the INC should be able to win eight to 10 constituencies and the rest 15 to 17 will go to BJP," said Prof. Lodha. However, he added, one should not forget that the BJP continues to be a strong-cadre based party, unlike the INC, and its votes-share in Rajasthan has been continuously increasing in every election since 1993. He also pointed out that unlike last general elections, the BJP seems to be losing around 80 to 100 parliamentary constituencies this time, and doesn't seem to have the backing of strong alliance partners as it had in 2014. "The state of Uttar Pradesh where the BJP won 71 constituencies in 2014, seems to be giving the BJP its biggest loss, and the party seemingly would not be able to make up this loss from other states, particularly in north India where the BJP already touched the peak in 2014." Prof. Sitaram Chaudhary, who retired from the Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology in Udaipur, also said that the BJP would not be able to repeat its last parliamentary performance (as in 2014) in Rajasthan state. According to him, the BJP might perform well in south Rajasthan's 13 constituencies which are witnessing polls on Monday, but the rest of 12 constituencies are dominated by the farming communities which felt the brunt of agrarian-crisis over the past five years. "Hence, the INC seems to be gaining hugely in north Rajasthan which will witness polling on May 6," he added. Bhupendra Paliwal, a cab driver in Udaipur, however, said that the BJP still continues to be on a strong footing and would win handsomely in Rajasthan, "though not all the constituencies as it won in 2014." Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 14:44:00|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Richard Brabec (C), Czech deputy prime minister and minister of environment, receives an interview with Xinhua at the venue of the International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 Beijing, in Yanqing District of Beijing, capital of China, April 28, 2019. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- As both the Czech Republic and China are making efforts to promote sustainable development, the two nations enjoy great prospect for cooperation of green development in many aspects, visiting Czech Deputy Prime Minister Richard Brabec said here on Sunday. Hours before the opening ceremony of the Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition (Beijing Expo), Brabec, accompanying Czech President Milos Zeman to attend the ceremony, inspected the Czech booth on the second floor of the International Pavilion. "This is the first time I visit China, and I have been expecting for the Beijing Expo," said Brabec, who is also the Czech minister of environment. Brabec said that during the visit, he was impressed by the green coverage ratio in China, voicing his admiration for the national afforestation campaign and greening cause China is undertaking. Official data shows that the forest coverage rate in China has increased by nearly 10 percentage points since the late 1970s. In 2018, China planted 7.07 million hectares of trees, and is now home to the world's largest man-made forest in scale. "We are facing a common challenge of climate change. The afforestation efforts China is making is very important to control climate change," Brabec said. When asked about his view on the relationship between humans and nature, Brabec said, "We human have offered a wrong answer to that question for the last 200 years." "China and Czech have been promoting sustainable development but so far a lot of developing actions around the world are not sustainable. We are consuming the natural resources too fast for the nature to restore. That's why now we have to face serious environmental problems," he said. Warning against the deteriorating outcomes from the old developing mode, Brabec said he has been fortunate to see that an increasing number of common people as well as governments are changing the mindset and willing to take a new start. "Therefore we need to seize the time in promoting green development," he said. As to the bilateral green development cooperation, Brabec said the Czech Republic experienced such environmental crisis as air pollution in history, so Prague and Beijing can jointly work on many things. According to Brabec, the two nations can cooperate more on water reservation and utility, drought fighting, air pollution control and waste management. Speaking of air pollution control, the Czech minister of environment said that it is necessary to reduce the use of fossil fuels such as hard coals and let renewable resources -- solar, wind power and hydropower -- take the role. Standing in front of a half-Skoda-car model covered with green leaves, Brabec said the green plants symbolize the significance and urgency that people need to do to restrict the auto emission, adding that the Czech Republic has a long tradition of green industry and innovation. "Our future should be green as well," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 14:49:04|Editor: ZX Video Player Close CHUBUT, Argentina, April 28 (Xinhua) -- The construction of four new wind farms in southern Argentina's Patagonian region is one of the most thrilling fruits of the country's joint development of clean and renewable energy with China. In southeast Patagonia's Chubut province, between the towns of Rawson and Trelew, Chinese companies Power China and Goldwind aim to harness the power of the region's buffeting winds to generate energy at the Loma Blanca I, II, III and VI wind farms. Argentina passed a law calling for 8 percent of the nation's energy output to come from renewable and clean resources, a goal companies like Power China can get behind. In addition, the project to transform Argentina's energy sector is in keeping with China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a scheme to spur global growth by helping countries like Argentina upgrade infrastructure, boost energy output, and strengthen trade cooperation. The two countries' strategic cooperation is helping Argentina meet its energy targets, said Gabriel Hernandez, field manager of Power China. "I think it's viable to reach the country's (alternative) energy goals, because today a large number of wind farms are in operation and many solar parks are under construction, often with Chinese input," Hernandez told Xinhua on a recent tour to the sites. "I believe that of the percentage of new energy sources that Argentina needs, China is contributing a great deal and a large portion," added Hernandez. Loma Blanca is set to inject 256 megawatts (MW) of electricity into the national grid via 80 wind turbines. "At Loma Blanca I and III, they have laid the concrete for three turbine bases, and we estimate that the first six wind turbines will arrive soon to begin their installation. At Loma Blanca VI, we are opening up the roads," said Hernandez. Considered one of the world's largest energy development companies, Power China is taking part in other projects around the country, including five solar parks being built in the northwest provinces of Jujuy and Salta with a total investment of 1 billion U.S. dollars, and a wind farm in Miramar, a city located 470 km away from the capital Buenos Aires. The Loma Blanca project is scheduled to be completed by December after a year and a half of nonstop construction, from the topographic surveys to clearing and leveling the land and installing the turbines. Loma Blanca I will have 16 turbines, farms II and III will feature 32 and Loma Blanca VI, the largest of the wind farms and the one closest to the tourism resort of Puerto Madryn, will have 32. The high-powered wind turbines were designed and built by Goldwind, a Chinese company with more than 20 years of experience in its field. Hernandez described the performance of turbines already in operation as "excellent." "The technology seems to me to be top-notch. Goldwind's turbines are China's best and they have nothing to envy from other types of turbines," he added. The BRI is "an excellent initiative" that is proving essential to bilateral cooperation, allowing technical personnel from China and Argentina to exchange experiences and work as a team, he noted. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 14:49:06|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close by Peerzada Arshad Hamid NEW DELHI, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Voting for the fourth phase of India's general elections began on Monday amid tight security, officials said. The highlights of this round is Mumbai, India's financial capital which is home to billionaires and celebrities, besides Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the large swathe of Hindi-speaking India. "Elections are underway and today nearly 70 percent of the country will finish voting by the 5:00 p.m. local time," a political analyst said. "Among the big states that are going for polls is Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the basic and the very core Hindi heartland states. Both states have gone in the favor of Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) in the last general elections but today the local governments there are headed by Congress party." Monday marks the last round of voting in Maharashtra state. Right from the morning top Bollywood actors were seen going to election booths to cast their votes and then pose for cameras showing the indelible marks on their fingers, a sign of casting the votes. Actor Aamir Khan and his wife Kiran Rao were photographed by media after casting their votes in Mumbai. Actor Priyanka Chopra, Congress candidate from Mumbai North and actor-turned politician Urmila Matondkar, BJP lawmaker and actor Paresh Rawal, and seasoned actors Rekha and Madhuri Dixit were among the celebrities who reached election booths in Mumbai early Monday morning. "Every vote is a voice that counts," Chopra wrote on Twitter after casting her vote and shared a picture of her inked finger. Another actor Madhuri Dixit who voted also took to Twitter to share her thoughts. "Voting is our right, let's use it wisely! The future of our country is in our hands. Let's do our duty and vote for India," she tweeted. According to the election commission, polling is also underway in West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand states. Anantnag parliamentary constituency considered to be highly volatile is spread over four districts, Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama. "In the last phase district Anantnag went to polls and in today's phase voting is going on in district Kulgam," an election commission official said. "On May 6, the remaining parts, Pulwama and Shopian district is scheduled to go for polls." A senior police official said thousands of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed across Kulgam district to maintain law and order. "Adequate security measures are in place to ensure voting takes place peacefully in the district," the police official said. "The pace of voting is slow but we expect it to pick up later in the day." According to election commission officials the polling began at 7:00 a.m. local time and will end at 4:00 p.m. local time. Reports from the district said most of the polling stations especially in townships wore a deserted look. A government spokesman said they were trying to collect figures of the polling. Meanwhile, clashes broke out early in West Bengal's Asansol. The car of junior federal minister Babul Supriyo, a BJP candidate, was vandalized outside a polling station after clashes erupted between BJP and Trinamool Congress workers. In ongoing elections the ruling Hindu nationalist BJP is seeking to regain power under leadership of Prime Minister Narandra Modi. He is facing tough competition from Rahul Gandhi, the fourth generation scion of India's powerful Nehru-Gandhi clan and regional parties that have forged coalition in several states. By Monday evening, four phases of the seven-phase polling will be completed and the final phase will conclude on May 19. Counting of votes is scheduled on May 23. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 14:59:14|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close MANILA, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced on Monday that the first drawdown of funds under a private sector financing package totaling more than 305 million U.S. dollars invested in Jawa-1, Indonesia's largest combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant. "ADB is a partner of choice in Indonesia's strategy to finance low-carbon power generation through private sector participation," said Michael Barrow, director general for ADB's Private Sector Operations Department. He said the project will support Indonesia's efforts "to strengthen the liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply chain and increase energy security while helping to reduce power generation costs." The project comprises a 1,760-megawatt CCGT power plant and ancillary infrastructure in Cilamaya, Karawang, West Java, according to ADB in a statement. ADB's financing package includes a direct loan of 185 million U.S. dollars, and a parallel loan of 120 million U.S. dollars provided by Leading Asia's Private Infrastructure Fund (LEAP), which is administered by ADB. The Manila-based bank lender said Jawa-1 will be one of the first and largest projects in Indonesia using LNG, demonstrating the government's commitment to reduce dependency on coal and diesel fuel in favor of cleaner domestic energy sources such as natural gas. ADB said the project is expected to help Indonesia avoid 1.77 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Jawa-1 is expected to power 11 million Indonesian households from 2021, supporting the country's 100 percent electrification target by 2024, according to ADB. "The project will create about 4,800 jobs during construction and 125 jobs when the plant is operational," the statement read, adding it will also offer opportunities to improve women's livelihoods through targets for women's employment and training on livelihood and skills development to be monitored by ADB. LEAP is one of ADB's co-financing vehicles dedicated to private sector infrastructure in Asia-Pacific. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 15:29:22|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ISTANBUL, April 29 (Xinhua) -- One of two men apprehended in Istanbul recently over suspected spying for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has committed suicide in prison, local media reported Monday. The two suspects were ordered to be arrested by a Turkish court earlier this month on charges of "political and military espionage" and "international espionage." The NTV broadcaster said the duo were held at the Silivri prison in Istanbul, where one committed suicide. According to press reports, Turkish authorities were investigating whether they had links to the murder of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Saudi Arabia earlier admitted that Khashoggi was killed inside the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 last year. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 15:34:28|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The lander and the rover of the Chang'e-4 probe have resumed work for the fifth lunar day on the far side of the moon after "sleeping" during the extreme cold night. The lander woke up at 7:40 a.m. Monday, and the rover, Yutu-2 (Jade Rabbit-2), awoke at 1:45 p.m. Sunday. Both are in normal working condition, according to the Lunar Exploration and Space Program Center of the China National Space Administration. The rover has traveled an accumulated 178.9 meters on the moon and worked about one month longer than its designed life. China's Chang'e-4 probe, launched on Dec. 8, 2018, made the first-ever soft landing on the Von Karman Crater in the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the far side of the moon on Jan. 3. A lunar day equals 14 days on Earth, and a lunar night is the same length. The Chang'e-4 probe switched to a dormant mode during the lunar night due to the lack of solar power. As a result of the tidal locking effect, the moon's revolution cycle is the same as its rotation cycle, and the same side always faces Earth. The far side of the moon has unique features, and scientists expect Chang'e-4 could bring breakthrough findings. The scientific tasks of the Chang'e-4 mission include low-frequency radio astronomical observation, surveying the terrain and landforms, detecting the mineral composition and shallow lunar surface structure and measuring neutron radiation and neutral atoms. The Chang'e-4 mission embodies China's hope to combine human wisdom in space exploration with four payloads developed by the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Saudi Arabia. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 16:04:40|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close CHENGDU, April 29 (Xinhua) -- A pair of giant pandas took off in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, in a plane bound for Moscow on Monday. Chinese researchers held a send-off ceremony for a pair of giant pandas, Ru Yi and Ding Ding, who will stay in Moscow for a 15-year collaborative research. This is the second time a pair of giant pandas from Sichuan have been sent to Moscow. In 1957, a pair of giant pandas from Baoxing County arrived at the Moscow Zoo. Ru Yi, a three-year-old male, and Ding Ding, a two-year-old female, will arrive in Moscow at 10:00 p.m. Beijing Time the same day, the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) in southwest China's Sichuan Province said. Li Shuming, deputy head of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, presided over the send-off ceremony at CCRCGP's Bifengxia base in Ya'an of Sichuan. Svetlana Akulova, head of the Moscow Zoo, also attended the ceremony. Staff at the center prepared buns, bamboo sprouts, carrots and baby formula for the pandas in the journey. Caretaker Wang Pingfeng and veterinarian He Ming are on board with the pandas to Russia. "My job is to keep them calm in case of any stress symptoms. We will make sure they are accustomed to their new life in Moscow," said Wang. "Ru Yi is outgoing and vivacious, but Ding Ding is quiet. We have carried out quarantine and health checks for them. They are in good shape," said He Ming. Ru Yi weighs 90 kg and Ding Ding weighs 55 kg. On February 28, the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the Moscow Zoo signed an agreement on the protection and research cooperation of giant pandas. Six zoologists and two veterinarians from the Moscow Zoo spent a month at the center to get acquainted with the pandas and learn how to work with and take care of the animals. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 16:19:57|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- China has launched a smart mini-program of stem cells research to facilitate data and information services, according to Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The WeChat mini-program, called stem cell research assistant, was jointly developed by the Chengdu Library and Information Center and Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health of the CAS. The assistant has three modules of stem cell research information browsing, intelligent searching, and personalized service. Users can access papers and journals in the field of stem cells, as well as check the laws and regulations of conducting the research in different countries and regions. The mini-program will also provide methods and solutions of doing experiments, and information of diseases, gene, immunotherapy and scientific instruments. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 16:25:01|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Education has issued a plan to train more competent teachers with a focus on ideological and political education at universities. More training symposiums, weekend classrooms and online courses will be put in place for university teachers of ideological and political education to hone their basic skills of Marxist theories, according to the plan. Doctoral and graduate programs of Marxist theories will be strengthened to enroll more graduate students. In the next five years, at least two teachers in each university will be selected to attend training programs. Trained teachers will mentor their peers to extend the coverage of the training. A number of top-notch teachers will have the chance to attend overseas training, according to the plan. Financial aid will be granted to selected research teams, programs and teachers of ideological and political education. Media publicity of competent teachers and schools will be promoted. The measures are expected to breed dozens of teachers of "national prestige," hundreds of leading teaching talents and tens of thousands of "backbone" teachers, according to the ministry. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 16:30:05|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close KATHMANDU, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from an unidentified disease in Nepal's far-western Humla District jumped to 10, local authorities said on Monday. Chief District Officer of Humlam Dholakhraj Dhakal told Xinhua via phone that the death toll climbed to 10 while over 200 people fell ill due to the unidentified disease that spread in the remote villages for the past one week. "Most of the deceased are elderly and children," he said, adding that the remote villages are affected by the outbreak of unidentified disease almost every year. Several villages of Tanjakot Rural Municipality of Humla District were affected due to the unidentified disease, according to him. The local administration has deployed several medical teams from the district headquarters to control the disease. "Doctors have started the treatment to sick people and we expect the disease will come under control soon," he said. The doctors have been collecting samples from the affected areas to identify the disease, according to him. Humla is located some 450 km west of the Nepalese capital city Kathmandu. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 16:35:07|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close KUNMING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Police in southwest China's Yunnan Province said Monday they had confiscated 32 tonnes of frozen chicken feet smuggled into China from Vietnam. The public security bureau of Maguan County said the frozen meat with Vietnamese packaging was discovered from two unguarded roadside storage sites in local villages last Friday. Police said they destroyed the chicken feet and are investigating the case. Cooked chicken feet are a popular snack in China, and the huge domestic demands have fueled illegal imports in recent years. In January, police in the same county seized over 30 tonnes of frozen chicken feet smuggled from Vietnam. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 16:35:09|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 29, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen in Beijing on Monday. Xi called on the two countries to implement an action plan for building a community with a shared future for China and Cambodia, and constantly enhance the strategic significance of the bilateral relations. The two sides should deepen cooperation on jointly building the Belt and Road, and construct key projects such as special economic zones, airports and highways, Xi said, adding that China welcomes Cambodia to actively participate in the building of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. Hun Sen said the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has set an example for international development cooperation and Cambodia has benefited greatly from the initiative. Cambodia is ready to work with China to implement the action plan for building a community with a shared future and promote practical cooperation in trade, investment and other areas under the framework of the BRI, said Hun Sen. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 16:45:27|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 29, 2019. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in Beijing on Monday. Li said China is willing to strengthen aligning the Belt and Road Initiative with Portugal's development strategies, expand all-round cooperation, increase personnel exchanges, and continue to consolidate the positive momentum of the bilateral relations. China and Portugal are both supporters and beneficiaries of open and free trade, Li said, noting that China is willing to work with European Union countries including Portugal to safeguard multilateralism and free trade. Portugal supports and actively participates in jointly building the Belt and Road, and is willing to deepen communication and cooperation with China in areas including economy, trade, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, Rebelo de Sousa said, adding that Portugal will work with China to safeguard free trade and push the bilateral relations to a new height. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 16:50:29|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani inspects an honor guard during the first day of the Loya Jirga in Kabul, Afghanistan, April 29, 2019. Ghani stressed achieving viable peace in his militancy-battered country through dialogue in the much-awaited consultative Loya Jirga or traditional grand assembly of elders and chieftains inaugurated here on Monday. (Xinhua/Pool/Rahmat Gul) KABUL, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani stressed achieving viable peace in his militancy-battered country through dialogue in the much-awaited consultative Loya Jirga or traditional grand assembly of elders and chieftains inaugurated here on Monday. "I want to have lasting peace in Afghanistan and not the loose and shaky one. I am calling upon you people to define the peace talks and guide on how to talks with the Taliban and achieve viable peace," Ghani said at the gathering. About 3,200 delegates across the country have gathered at the four-day traditional assembly to discuss the measures on how to initiate dialogue with the major armed opposition group, the Taliban outfit, to find a negotiated settlement to Afghanistan's prolonged conflict. The Taliban militants who have been fighting over the past more than a decade to restore Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (the name of Taliban regime) ousted by the U.S.-led military coalition invasion in late 2001, have repeatedly refused to talk with Afghan government, saying there will be no dialogue with the Kabul administration in the presence of foreign forces in the country. However, the U.S. special envoy for peace in Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has held series of talks with the Taliban representatives in Qatar's capital Doha since November 2018, but the last round of talks slated for April 19 had been canceled on the ground of introducing a 250-member negotiating team by the Afghan government. Ghani in his address categorically stated that all Afghans earnestly want to end the war and restore lasting peace in their country, calling upon the participants of the Jirga to debate freely and prepare a comprehensive guideline for the government to initiate negotiation with the Taliban that could yield the desired results. The consultative Loya Jirga was opened amid tight security as the government put all security measures in place and declared one-week public holiday for the capital city Kabul in efforts to check any untoward incident. However, the critics including opposition politicians, above all the government Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and former President Hamid Karzai, have boycotted the Jirga, arguing the consultative jirga has not been held in unity environment. Slamming the ongoing insurgency and conflict in Afghanistan as against Islamic teaching and illegitimate, Ghani noted that both sides had been paying a huge price in the war and "it is the time to give up fighting" and join hands for achieving peace in the country. Earlier in his opening remarks, head of the jirga Mohammad Omar Daudzai, called upon all the oppositions including the Taliban group to attend the Jirga and play their due role in ending the war and finding the way to achieve peace in Afghanistan. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 16:55:31|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 29, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Beijing on Monday. Next year will mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, which presents a new opportunity for developing bilateral relations, Xi said. By actively supporting and participating in jointly building the Belt and Road, Singapore has injected new momentum into the development of bilateral relations in the new era, and played an exemplary role in the high-quality and high-level joint building of the Belt and Road by participating countries, Xi added. He called on both countries to maintain firm support for economic globalization and multilateralism, create greater synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025, and promote economic integration in East Asia. Lee said Singapore is willing to continue to be a partner of China's reform and development, and expects to see greater prosperity in China. Proposing joint building of the Belt and Road Initiative reflects China's fulfillment of its due role in international affairs, he said. Lee said Singapore is willing to continue deepening cooperation with China in areas including connectivity, investment, and finance under the Belt and Road framework, and jointly push forward regional economic integration and the development of ASEAN-China relations. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 17:05:40|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close HOHHOT, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Ten people, who were injured in an explosion in a chemical plant in north China last week, have been discharged from hospitals after treatment, local authorities said Monday. The blast which left four dead and 35 injured occurred at 2:55 a.m. on April 24 in a workshop of the Dongxing Chemical Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of the Inner Mongolia Yidong Group Corp. Ltd. in Zhuozi County of Ulanqab city, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Another 25 people who were injured in the accident are still hospitalized and in stable condition, according to the leading work group in charge of handling the accident. The work group said tests have shown that air, soil and water quality near the site of the blast remain normal. All the local residents who were evacuated have returned to their homes. The families of the four victims have been comforted. Compensation is also under discussion. The cause of the blast is being investigated. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 17:15:49|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close HARARE, April 29 (Xinhua) -- An Air Zimbabwe plane caught a "brief tail pipe fire" mid-air on Sunday after suffering a malfunction on one of its engines, the airline said in a statement Monday. "However, the malfunction did not threaten the continuation of the flight and safety of the crew and passengers on board and it landed safely in Harare at 2030hrs. Our engineers have commenced the requisite investigations and a report will be issued in due course," the airline said. The Boeing 767-200ER servicing flight UM462 was flying from Johannesburg to Harare. The airline said the incident may result in a disruption of its normal schedule. The troubled airline is operating with a reduced fleet of not more than seven aircraft, and most of the planes are old and costly to operate. The airline is currently plying domestic and regional routes, and has seen its route network shrink to less than 10 from around 20 in the 1990s. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 17:31:10|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 29, 2019. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Beijing on Monday. Li said an upgraded free trade agreement between China and Singapore has exerted positive effects, and bilateral cooperation in various fields has been progressing steadily. China is willing to work with Singapore to speed up negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, conclude consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea in accordance with set goals, and deepen cooperation within China-ASEAN mechanism, so as to promote stability, development and prosperity in the region, he said. Lee said Singapore stands ready to actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and expand cooperation with China in third-party market, noting that the initiative has made contributions to promoting regional and international cooperation. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 17:51:21|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (R) chairs a session of the weekly cabinet meeting with Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye in the West Bank city of Ramallah, April 29, 2019. Abbas said on Monday that the Palestinian Authority will not accept partial payment of its tax transfers owed by Israel. (Xinhua/Pool/Majdi Mohammed) RAMALLAH, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Monday that the Palestinian Authority will not accept partial payment of its tax transfers owed by Israel. Abbas made the remark while chairing a meeting of the newly formed Palestinian cabinet, warning that Israel is seeking to legalize its deduction of the taxes collected on behalf of the Palestinian Authority. He confirmed that the Palestinian Authority will uphold its financial support to families of those killed or jailed by Israel despite the move. Hussein Al-Shaikh, a member of the Central Committee of Abbas' Fatah party, affirmed on Monday morning that he had met with Israeli Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon on Saturday and returned all tax transfers because of the deduction. According to Israeli media, Israel had secretly transferred nearly 182 million U.S. dollars of tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority to "prevent its collapse because of its financial crisis." According to agreements signed between Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel in 1994, Israel collects taxes from the Palestinian trade and commercial movement and pays it back to the Palestinian Authority. Israel decided in February to deduct these tax revenues, saying the deducted money was paid to families of Palestinians who carried out "terrorist acts" against Israel. The Palestinian Authority is facing the risk of an increasing budget deficit because of Israeli pressures and U.S. aid cuts. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 17:51:22|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Swiss Confederation President Ueli Maurer at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 29, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Swiss Confederation President Ueli Maurer at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. Since establishing diplomatic ties nearly 70 years ago, China and Switzerland have always kept bilateral relations at the forefront of China-European relations, Xi said. He stressed that the innovative strategic partnership between the two countries is the first of its kind between China and a foreign country, and that the China-Switzerland free trade agreement also took the lead among European countries. "We shall make the joint building of the Belt and Road a new highlight for China-Switzerland cooperation," Xi added. China will continue to create an open and fair business environment for foreign-funded enterprises including Swiss companies, Xi said. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) will vigorously promote the growth and prosperity of the global economy, Maurer said, adding that Switzerland supports the BRI and is dedicated to pushing the joint construction of the Belt and Road in Europe. Switzerland hopes to deepen cooperation with China in trade, investment and innovation under the BRI framework, and welcomes the investment of Chinese enterprises, he said, stressing that no restrictions will be imposed on Chinese firms. Xi and Maurer attended a ceremony for the signing of cooperation documents after their talks. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 18:16:40|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close HAIKOU, April 29 (Xinhua) -- PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), one of the "Big Four" auditors in the world, will establish the PwC University in Sanya, a coastal city in south China's Hainan Province. The university will focus on nurturing leadership and innovation, according to PwC, which on Sunday signed a strategic cooperation agreement on the project with the municipal government of Sanya. The company said the project will see the building of an international innovation test and demonstration base to boost innovation in Sanya and empower the construction of Hainan's pilot free trade zone (FTZ). Amy Cai, board director of the PwC China Hainan office, said the university is also expected to attract more high-quality industries from home and abroad to settle in Sanya. PwC China established its Hainan office in May 2018 to become the first leading international professional service firm in the island province. Hainan was approved in April 2018 to build a pilot FTZ and explore the establishment of a free trade port with Chinese characteristics. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 18:26:44|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close QALAT, Afghanistan, April 29 (Xinhua) -- At least six militants have been killed and 11 others sustained injuries as a clash erupted between security forces and the Taliban fighters in Shamulzayi district of the southern Zabul province, said an army statement released here Monday. A total of 12 explosive devices including anti-vehicle mines have also been discovered and defused during the operations, the statement said. Without providing more details, the statement said that the security forces would continue to chase militants elsewhere in Zabul province. Taliban militants haven't commented. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 18:26:46|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MANILA, April 29 (Xinhua) -- At least one woman died in a huge fire that engulfed a condominium building in the Philippine capital Manila around noon on Monday, fire officials said. The Bureau of Fire Protection in Metro Manila said the woman's torched body was found on the 21st floor of the residential building named Pacific Coast Plaza after the fire. Initial investigation showed the blaze broke out at 11:52 a.m. local time at the 18th floor and spread to the 21st floor of the condominium in the Manila suburban city of Paranaque. Black smoke billowed from the upper floors of the building and more than 100 fire trucks were deployed to battle the fire. The fire was put out more than two hours after it broke out. Firefighters were still combing the gutted floors for possible victims. The cause of the fire was not known yet. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 18:31:49|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close GHAZNI, Afghanistan, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Up to 15 militants have been killed and a group commander captured after the government forces targeted Taliban hideouts in Gilan and Muqar districts of eastern Afghanistan's Ghazni province, an army statement released here said on Monday. Five more militants have been injured and a group commander Abdul Wahab arrested during the operations launched Sunday. The statement, however, didn't say if there were casualties on security personnel. Taliban outfit has not made comment. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 18:46:58|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close CANBERRA, April 29 (Xinhua) -- International cooperation is necessary in combating terrorism, said some experts in Australia in the wake of terrorist attacks in New Zealand and Sri Lanka. "Terrorist groups will always find soft places that don't have a high degree of security as targets," said Dr. Rodger Shanahan, research fellow from the Lowy Institute. "One of the key elements of the counter-terrorism fight is that you have to have excellent intelligence cooperation between countries, because it's a global problem," he told Xinhua in an interview. His view was shared by Prof. Amin Saikal of political science at the Australian National University. Prof. Saikal said that governments have to be vigilant so as to ensure that no space was left for extremist groups to take advantage of. "I think that is something that requires not just cooperation at national level, but also that of international level," he said. "The lesson for us is that we really have to work together." Noting that modern terrorism is always transnational which rarely involves merely one nation, Prof. Greg Barton, a counter-terrorism expert at Deakin University, especially emphasized the challenge of social media in the interview. "The dissemination of information, fake news and conspiracy theory, the formation of identity groups are some main challenges for security agencies to deal with," he said. However, he admitted that evidence showed it was hard for nations and even domestic agencies to share intelligence timely and completely. "To cooperate and to trust each other are important," said Prof. Barton. Terrorist attack in Christchurch of New Zealand on March 15 killed 50 people and injured many more. A month later, multiple explosions in Sri Lankan churches and hotels resulted in more than 250 deaths. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 18:52:04|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Job-seeking students talk with a representative of COSCO Shipping at a job fair of leading Chinese companies at University of Malaya in Malaysia, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 29, 2019. A job fair of leading Chinese companies in Malaysia has attracted graduates of the country's elite university, as increasing bilateral cooperation between China and Malaysia offers new opportunities for local talents. (Xinhua/Chong Voon Chung) KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Xinhua) -- A job fair of leading Chinese companies in Malaysia has attracted graduates of the country's elite university, as increasing bilateral cooperation between China and Malaysia offers new opportunities for local talents. Among those who come to visit the Chinese companies job fair was 23-year-old economics student Nur Atiqah Nabihah. She said she found the possibility of working for a Chinese company to be very attractive. She is also interested in learning Chinese. "I am willing to learn whether or not the company will support me as this is my interest. Also things are not like before and there is less interest in going to seek opportunities in the West. If I have to study or work abroad, China is much closer than Europe. It feels more possible in my mind," she explained. The Career Fair 2019, kicking start on Monday, was jointly organized by the Kong Zi Institute (the Confucius Institute) of University of Malaya and the China Enterprises Association in Malaysia (CENAM). University of Malaya, where the two-day job fair is held, is one of the top universities in Malaysia. Civil engineering student Fredo Lingijulius, 26, from Malaysia's eastern state of Sarawak, expressed interest in one of the Chinese companies in construction sector. "Of course it will be interesting to work with a Chinese company. It will be interesting to see how they approach problem solving but I feel held back because of the language," he said, but adding that he was willing to learn the language if the company provide support. Speaking at the launching ceremony of the job fair, Malaysian Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Chi urged students to take advantage of the opportunity to get to know potential employers and to approach the companies with an open mind. "With 24 companies participating in the Career Fair today, with more than 400 vacancies and internship placements, I am assured that this is a great opportunity for students to explore and secure a future placement, be it internship or a job after graduation," she said. "You should be willing to discuss your talents, skills, experience and education. Have a good sense of what position suits you, and what you can bring to the role. This could be a life-changing day for you." The collaborative efforts between Malaysian universities and Chinese companies will make Malaysian students more competitive while enabling universities to prepare their graduates to be relevant in a fast-changing environment, she added. As pointed out by Chen Chen, Charge d'Affaires at the Chinese embassy in Malaysia, China has been the largest source of foreign investment in Malaysia's manufacturing industry for three consecutive years. Chinese companies have created a total of some 73,500 jobs for Malaysia while vast majority of the Chinese enterprises have a local staff ratio of more then 80 percent, he said. The job fair is the first time for the CENAM to hold such event for prominent Malaysian graduates, said its vice president Tian Hua, adding that job opportunities are provided in engineering, business and finance, law and many other fields. "This platform is served as a convenient, efficient way for Chinese enterprises and Malaysian job seekers to connect with each other," he said. The event will also help the involvement of Chinese enterprises in such areas as participating in Malaysia's economic diversification, adapting to local cultures and implementing localization strategy, he added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 19:02:13|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close HONG KONG, April 29 (Xinhua) -- "I didn't think of studying in the Chinese mainland until I went on a trip to Beijing last November," Mejorada Nicole Katelyn Remeticado, a Filipino student in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), told Xinhua her latest plan for the future. Remeticado is a student from Caritas Tuen Mun Marden Foundation Secondary School in the New Territories of Hong Kong, a local high school with a total of some 300 students from over 15 countries and regions. Unlike those famous local schools in Hong Kong, Marden Foundation Secondary School has not gained much attention from the society until recent years when the Belt and Road has become one of the buzzwords following its announcement in 2013. The Belt and Road Initiative refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, aiming at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe, Africa and beyond through the ancient trade routes of the Silk Road. Promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road cooperation is one of the five areas of connectivity proposed in the initiative. The school capitalizes on their "Belt and Road population" to enhance students' knowledge about the initiative and present young people with education opportunities in the mainland. According to Chu Yuen Yee, the assistant principal of the school, a large number of their students came from Belt and Road countries and regions, including Nepal, Pakistan, India, Yemen, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. During a trip to Beijing organized by her school in November last year, Remeticado visited the Beijing Foreign Studies University, where she met with a couple of alumni from Marden Foundation. "They shared with me their college life in Beijing which I found impressive," the teenager said. "I would like to do my tertiary education outside Hong Kong, and the mainland is definitely one of my choices." Like many of her fellow schoolmates, Remeticado learnt about the Belt and Road Initiative during Liberal Studies class, a core subject in Hong Kong high-school education. "It's initiated by China with the aim to connect different countries together," she said. Lai Man Fat, Remeticado's Liberal Studies teacher, said that by talking about culture, they help students to build the concept of what the initiative is all about. "We encouraged our students to start from their own culture in particular," which, Lai said, is an easier and more interesting way for young people to understand a national-level policy. The school has set up a Belt and Road exhibition room on the campus, showcasing national costumes, currencies and utensils from various countries and regions. They even extended the education about Belt and Road outside classroom, by organizing visits to the mainland, for instance. Besides, they have built collaborations with a number of universities on the mainland, all for creating a better path for students' future. "Hong Kong is not a market big enough for students from Belt and Road countries and regions to develop their career," Yuen Kwok Ming, principal of the school, said. "The mainland is a huge market and has close ties with different countries in business and economics, allowing young people to make the best of their talent." Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 19:07:15|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close LANZHOU, April 29 (Xinhua) -- A batch of apples, construction materials and garments were loaded onto an international train in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, bound for its final destination in Nepal. The train departed from Lanzhou and will arrive in Golmud of Qinghai Province, where cargoes will be loaded onto trucks and arrive in Nepal via highway. The rail-highway service is part of the expanding logistical link between western China and south Asia, said Luo Zhe, deputy director with the management committee of the International Land Port of Gansu (Lanzhou). Nepal, Pakistan and other south Asia countries are a huge market, and they have great demand for commodities made in western China, said Luo. "It takes 40 days for cargoes from west China regions to reach south Asia by sea, while the land route takes 10 days with similar costs. It is becoming a popular choice," he said. Lanzhou launched the first rail and road cargo service with Kathmandu, Nepal in 2016. The route was the first trade link between Gansu and south Asia. In October last year, a second route was launched from Lanzhou via Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang to Islamabad, Pakistan. Gansu Province also joined the extended land-sea freight routes between China's Chongqing, Guizhou and Guangxi, and southeast Asia countries. In 2018, the Lanzhou land port handled a total of 185 trains bound for Europe, central and south Asia. Aluminum materials and farm produce such as onions from Gansu are transported south, while tropical fruits and aquatic products from southeast Asia reach the tables of people in the hinterland of northwest China. Lanzhou Customs figures show that from January to March, trade between Gansu Province and Belt and Road countries reached 4.78 billion yuan (713 million U.S. dollars), up 6 percent year on year. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 19:27:27|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close PUL-E-ALAM, Afghanistan, April 29 (Xinhua) -- At least five militants have been confirmed dead and three weapon caches destroyed after military aircraft pounded Taliban main bastion in Azra district of eastern Afghanistan's Logar province on Monday, an army statement said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 19:32:32|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close NEW DELHI, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday directed officials to take preventive measures to deal with Cyclone Fani which is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday, a government spokesman said. The prime minister has asked the officials to remain prepared to provide all possible assistance to deal with the situation. "Prime minister himself is closely monitoring the situation and has directed cabinet secretary to convene meeting of National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to take stock of the situation with state governments and central ministries, agencies concerned and ensure that all preparations to deal with any situation are in place," a statement issued by home ministry said. Cyclonic storm Fani on Monday morning was located at 870 km southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu), officials said. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) it is expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday. The storm will continue to move northwest and change its path to northeast from Wednesday. "Yesterday's cyclonic storm FANI over southeast Bay of Bengal and neighborhood moved north-northwestwards during past 24 hours and lay centered at 08:30 a.m. (local time) today over the same region about 620 km east of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), 870 km east-southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and 1,040 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh)," the IMD said. "It is very likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during next six hours and into a very severe cyclonic storm during subsequent 24 hours. It is very likely to move northwestwards till Wednesday evening and thereafter recurve north-northeastwards gradually." Home ministry officials said landfall over Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh was ruled out. However, the possibility of landfall in Odisha was under continuous watch. Authorities say the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Indian Coast Guard teams have been put on high alert and placed at the disposal of local government authorities in the areas that are likely to get hit due to cyclone. "Regular warnings have been issued since Thursday to fishermen not to venture into the sea and asking those at sea to return to coast," home ministry officials said. "IMD has been issuing three hourly bulletins with latest forecast to all the concerned states." Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 20:07:51|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close DAR ES SALAAM, April 29 (Xinhua) -- A group of hyenas have attacked five villagers and killed five goats in Tanzania's northwest region of Shinyanga, an official said on Monday. Peter Emmanuel, a councilor for Kilago ward in Shinyanga region, said the hyenas attacked the villagers on Sunday night. "The wild animals are wreaking havoc in villages in the ward," he said. He said the five villagers were attacked and injured when they tried to chase them away from the villages, adding the conditions of three of the five attacked villagers were still unstable. "The villagers are being treated at Kahama district hospital. The attack by the hyenas has caused panic among villagers," said the official. Thomas Manumbu, a natural resources officer in Kahama district, said the hyenas had strayed from nearby Maswa Game Reserve. "We are doing all we can to control the hyenas from straying into the villages," said Manumbu. In March 2017, villagers in the northwest region of Simiyu raised alarm over marauding hyenas that had killed their livestock for the past three months. The wild animals also from the nearby Maswa Game Reserve located near Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area were targeting cattle and goats. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 20:07:54|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close RAMALLAH, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye is expected to fly to Brussels on Monday for a meeting of donor countries over the worsening financial situation in Palestine. The meeting is organized by the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), a 15-member group that serves as a coordination mechanism for assistance to the Palestinian people. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki told the official radio station Voice of Palestine that Ishtaye will urge the donor countries to take measures to force Israel to all Palestinian tax revenues. According to Abdul Rahim Farra, Palestinian ambassador to Brussels, a preliminary meeting will be held later on Monday while the official AHLC meeting headed by Norway will start on Tuesday in the presence of Federica Mogherini, EU foreign policy chief. Earlier in the day, the Palestinian Authority said it had returned all tax transfers to Israel as it refuses partial payment of the taxes Israel collects on behalf of the authority. According to Israeli media, Israel had secretly transferred nearly 182 million U.S. dollars of tax revenues to the Palestinian Authority to "prevent its collapse because of its financial crisis." Israel decided in February to deduct these tax revenues, saying the deducted money was paid to families of Palestinians who carried out "terrorist acts" against Israel. The Palestinian Authority is facing the risk of an increasing budget deficit because of Israeli pressures and U.S. aid cuts. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 20:12:57|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close DAR ES SALAAM, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian authorities said on Monday they will not impose a ban on the use of artificial nails and eye lashes after the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) assessment revealed that they caused no human health problems. Hussein Mwinyi, Minister of Defence and National Service and a professional medical doctor, told parliament in the capital Dodoma that the government will not ban artificial nails and eye ashes after an assessment had found out that the fake nails were safe and suitable for human use. Mwinyi, who was responding to a question on behalf of the Minister for Health Ummy Mwalimu, said: "An assessment done by TFDA has shown that fake nails and eye ashes have no side effects to mankind." In her question, the Member of Parliament on Special Seats, Rukia Kassim Ahmed, had wanted to know measures being taken by the government to enforce legal steps against the use of fake nails and eye lashes among women. The decision by the government not to ban artificial nails and eye lashes came six months after lawmakers in Tanzania were banned by Speaker of the National Assembly Job Ndugai from entering parliament with fake nails and eye lashes. Ndugai had imposed the ban after Deputy Minister for Health Faustine Ndungulile had raised concerns about the health risks posed by fake nails and eye lashes. The Speaker said the ban would also apply to visitors to parliament. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 20:13:00|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close TEHRAN, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, on Monday warned against any negotiations with the United States under sanction pressures. "The enemy seeks to force us to the negotiating table under economic pressures," Soleimani was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency. Iran knows that entering talks with the "enemy" in the current circumstances would be tantamount to "sheer surrender," he added. "Definitely, we will not accept this disgrace" of talks with the United States under sanctions, the Iranian commander concluded. Last week, Washington ended six months of waivers for Iran's major oil buyers and demanded they stop purchases by May. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 20:13:02|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Qiu Yanpeng (C), chief director of "Joint Sea-2019" exercise from the Chinese side and deputy commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, delivers a speech at the welcome ceremony for Russian navy vessels in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, April 29, 2019. Russian naval vessels arrived in Qingdao on Monday to participate in the Sino-Russian "Joint Sea-2019" exercise. The exercise will focus on joint sea defense, which aims to consolidate and develop the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, deepen pragmatic naval cooperation, and improve their capabilities to jointly respond to security threats at sea. Two submarines, 13 surface ships, as well as fixed-wing airplanes, helicopters and marines, will participate in the exercise. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) QINGDAO, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Russian naval vessels arrived in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, on Monday to participate in the Sino-Russian "Joint Sea-2019" exercise. After the Russian cruiser Varyag arrived, the military band of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy played the Russian and Chinese national anthems. Qiu Yanpeng, chief director of the exercise from the Chinese side and deputy commander of the Chinese PLA Navy, said in his speech that the Chinese and Russian navies aim to achieve greater breakthroughs in the content, command and organization of the exercise to further deepen friendly cooperation between the two countries and the two armed forces. Alexander Vitko, chief director of the exercise from the Russian side and deputy commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy, said he believed that with the exercise, officers and soldiers of both navies would improve their coordination with each other. Set for April 29 to May 4 in nearby sea and airspace of Qingdao, the joint exercise will focus on joint sea defense, Ren Guoqiang, a spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, said earlier. The exercise aims to consolidate and develop the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, deepen pragmatic naval cooperation, and improve their capabilities to jointly respond to security threats at sea. The exercise does not target any third party, he said. Two submarines, 13 surface ships, as well as fixed-wing airplanes, helicopters and marines, will participate in the exercise. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 20:28:17|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday urged the United States to respect China's sovereignty and stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks in response to a recent statement by a U.S. Department of State spokesperson, reportedly expressing "disappointment" over the decision by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government to indict and imprison several organizers of the 2014 illegal "Occupy Central" movement and said the U.S. will follow closely the proposed amendments to the HKSAR's Fugitive Offenders Ordinance. "China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes relevant remarks of the U.S. Department of State spokesperson, which disregard the facts and laws," Geng told a press briefing. Geng said that the illegal "Occupy Central" movement inflicted severe damage on Hong Kong's rule of law, social order, economy and people's livelihood. "Bringing criminal behavior to justice according to law, as a due component of maintaining the rule of law, is widely supported by Hong Kong society." "The amendments to laws including the Ordinance are necessary measures taken by Hong Kong to cooperate with other regions and countries in fugitives handover," he said, adding that the moves were also aimed at jointly cracking down on crimes and maintaining the rule of law, to prevent Hong Kong from becoming a "crime haven." Geng said U.S. arbitrary comments and blame on Hong Kong's affairs were a "brutal interference" in the internal affairs of China and the HKSAR. "We urge the U.S. to respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, as well as the 'judicial independence' repeatedly professed by the U.S. side, and stop meddling in Hong Kong's affairs in any form," the spokesperson stressed. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 20:28:22|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BAGHDAD, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces freed 44 Bangladeshi citizens who were held captive in Baghdad for two months, and arrested six of their abductors, the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) said Monday. According to an SJC statement, the Bangladeshi Embassy in Iraq informed the authorities of a suspected house in Karrada district where the Bangladeshi citizens were being held and the abductors were blackmailing their families in Bangladesh for ransoms. The security forces later raided the house and rescued 44 Bangladeshi citizens who originally came to Baghdad for job opportunities. The six arrested abductors are four Bangladeshis and two Iraqis, as the authorities are still looking for three others including two Bangladeshis. "The abductors were caught red-handed in the house, where the captives were physically tortured and detained for two months," the SJC statement said. The abductors were running a labor office for foreign workers in Iraq, it said, adding the freed Bangladeshi citizens had been handed over to the Bangladeshi embassy. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 20:38:32|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ULAN BATOR, April 29 (Xinhua) -- As of April 29, around 16 million dams (female animals) in Mongolia have given birth, an official of the country's Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Light Industry said Monday. "The dams that have given birth account for more than 50 percent of 29.9 million dams nationwide which were counted by the end of 2018," Yadamsuren Altangerel, head of the department of Livestock Policy Implementation and Coordination at the ministry, told a press conference. "Generally, spring conditions are normal across the country. Of the newborn animals, 98.6 percent survived," he said. The Asian country is one of the last nomadic countries in the world. The country has more than 66.46 million livestock animals as of the end of 2018, according to the country's National Statistics Office. Animal husbandry is the backbone of the landlocked country's economy as nearly 40 percent of the country's nomad population depends on animal husbandry for their livelihood. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 20:38:34|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close KUNMING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Two people died after they were attacked by wild elephants Monday in southwest China's Yunnan Province, local authorities said. A 46-year-old banana farmer surnamed Cai was attacked and killed by a group of wild Asian elephants near his shed at around 2 a.m. Monday in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, said the prefectural government information office. On the same day, Kuang, a 46-year-old farm worker from Mengla County, was found dead at the rubber plantation, with injuries caused by wild elephants trampling on his body. Further investigation is underway. The local government has tightened surveillance of wild Asian elephants and warned local villagers to stay alert. Wild Asian elephants are under Class A protection in China, with a population of about 300 mainly scattered in Yunnan. With strengthened protection efforts for environment and wildlife, the number of wild Asian elephants has been growing in recent years. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 20:43:38|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close GUIYANG, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Kweichow Moutai, China's leading liquor brand, opened a research institute Monday. According to Moutai Group, the institute is a non-profit business think tank that offers R&D, consultancy and a range of services. The institute includes an advisory committee for policy decision, a development strategy research center, an enterprise management research center, a marketing research center, a liquor-making technique research center, and a big data analysis center. A total of 45 experts, including academicians and university professors as well as Nielsen China have been appointed as its members. Moutai University, also sponsored by the group, opened to students in Renhuai city in southwest China's Guizhou Province in 2017, offering five majors including distilling, wine-making, food quality and safety, and marketing. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 20:58:47|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JUBA, April 29 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan's main rebel group Sudan People's Liberation Army-in Opposition (SPLA-IO) said Monday that they have no intention to return to war amid fears that a fragile 2018 peace deal could unravel. Lam Paul Gabriel, SPLA-IO deputy military spokesman, said the group is committed to the peace agreement and is open for talks with the government to address issues of security arrangements before formation of a unity government next month. "We are continuing with implementation process peacefully. So, we are calling for calm from everyone. The SPLA-IO has got no intention of fighting with anybody," Gabriel told reporters in Juba. 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 UN estimates that about 4 million South Sudanese have been displaced internally and externally. A peace deal signed in August 2015 collapsed following renewed violence in the capital, Juba in July 2016. Under the 2018 peace deal, opposition leader Riek Machar, will once again be reinstated as President Salva Kiir's deputy. But there are concerns that the shaky peace deal may fail again over delays in implementing key provisions of the accord that includes integration of fighters, determination of the number of states, adoption of new constitution. Machar's group have demanded six months extension of the pre-transition period, but president Kiir's administration have so far refused to grant the request, instead calling on Machar to come to Juba to form the unity government by May 12. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development, an east African regional bloc, last week invited Kiir and Machar to Ethiopia in an effort to address the stalemate. Gabirel said regardless of the outcome of the Ethiopian talks scheduled for May 2 and 3, the SPLA-IO would seek peaceful means to resolve the pending dispute. "For us it is very clear, we are not going back to fight because this country need peace," Gabriel said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 21:08:52|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JAKARTA, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo has affirmed relocation of the capital city from Jakarta to a place outside Java in a bid to fairly distribute population, which is now mainly concentrated on the key economic island of Java, a minister said here on Monday. The president's decision was made in a cabinet meeting, picked from three options comprised of forming a special district in Jakarta, opening a city in a neighboring province of Banten and establishing a new capital city outside Java. "The president opted the third option," Indonesian Development Planning Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said on the sidelines of the meeting. There has been no definite area for the new capital city discussed in the meeting, the minister said, adding that cabinet ministers would intensify discussions to finalize the capital relocation plan. Prior to the meeting, Widodo stressed the importance to fairly distribute the population to islands outside Java, which already hosted 57 percent of the nation's population. "Kalimantan hosts six percent of population, while Sulawesi only seven percent. Maluku and Papua are only inhabited by three percent of the nation's population. Do you want to add more people in Java which is already packed by 57 percent of the total population?" the president asked. Conveying part of the requirements for area nominated as the new capital city, Bambang said that the new capital should sit in the middle of the nation's territory, has minimum risk to disasters and be close to the coast line to represent the nation's character as a maritime country. The planned new capital city would be built at an area of up to 40,000 hectares, capable of accommodating at least 1.5 million people. The presidential office, legislative buildings, police and military headquarters will be built there. The current capital of Jakarta is assessed to be barely able to accommodate all the political and economic activities in the future, the minister said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 21:24:05|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) holds talks with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in Beijing, capital of China, April 29, 2019. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in Beijing on Monday. China and Portugal should deepen all-round cooperation and develop a comprehensive strategic partnership featuring higher level, broader vision and greater vitality, Xi said. He called on both sides to strengthen high-level exchanges, and accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns based on mutual respect and mutual trust. China regards Portugal as an important partner in the joint building of the Belt and Road, Xi said, adding that the two countries should deepen cooperation in fields including trade, investment, energy, infrastructure and electric vehicles. He called for firm support for the multilateral trading system and advancing the building of an open world economy. China is willing to work with Portugal in achieving more outcomes in the cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries including Portugal, Xi said. Noting that Portugal firmly supports the joint building of the Belt and Road Initiative, Rebelo de Sousa said that his country is willing to deepen ties with China in economy, trade, investment, technology and culture, and expand third-party market cooperation. Portugal supports deepening Europe-China cooperation, and stands ready to jointly uphold multilateralism and advance free trade, he said. The two leaders attended a signing ceremony of bilateral cooperation documents after their talks. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 21:34:14|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close GARISSA, Kenya, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan officials on Monday pledged stern action against members of the public lending support to terrorists along the volatile border with Somalia. Mohamed Birik, northeastern regional commissioner, said that individuals or groups providing material or logistical support to Somalia-based al-Shabab militants will face the full force of the law. Birik revealed that security officers who were on a recent patrol mission in the expansive Boni forest stumbled upon 20 jerrycans stuffed with food that were buried underground. The government official said enhanced patrols inside the al-Shabab hideout of Boni forest that straddles Kenya and Somalia, revealed that members of the local community were accomplishes in terror attacks. "Our officers upon thorough inspection found that the jerrycans that were buried more than five feat underground were neatly packed with rice, sugar, beans and cooking oil," Birik told reporters in Garissa. "This latest incident has confirmed our fears that we have in our midst local people who are aiding terror activities. I would like to issue a stern warning to the collaborators that they will be severely punished once they are identified," said Birik. He urged members of the public to be on the high alert and report any suspicious characters in their midst. "I want to urge the public to be wary of the militants who want to gain entry into the country through the border during this rain season," said Birik. The official challenged local administrator like chiefs and their assistants to intensify vigilance and ensure that suspected terrorists and their sympathizers are apprehended. "The chiefs and their assistants are the eyes of the government on the ground. They are expected to know what is happening especially matters to do with security," said Birik. Heavily armed militants who can walk long distance on foot during rainy season always take advantage of the poor infrastructure that undermine patrols along the Kenya-Somalia border. The government has since last year been recruiting police reservists to boost patrols in the terror hotspots. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 21:34:16|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Zhao Leji (R), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, meets with Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari in Beijing, capital of China, April 29, 2019. (Xinhua/Ding Lin) BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Zhao Leji, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met with Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari in Beijing on Monday. Zhao, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said the bilateral relations have witnessed rapid development, and the cooperation in various fields has seen steady progress in recent years. China is willing to work with Nepal to take the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as an opportunity to push forward the China-Nepal comprehensive cooperative partnership with ever-lasting friendship to a new level, said Zhao, who is also secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Bhandari said that Nepal is willing to participate more actively in BRI cooperation, learn from China's experience in state governance, and deepen bilateral cooperation in fields including infrastructure, culture and poverty relief. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 21:44:19|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ADEN, Yemen, April 29 (Xinhua) -- An officer of the Yemeni government forces was killed on Monday in an explosion that targeted his military vehicle in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah on Monday, a military official told Xinhua. An explosive device targeted the military vehicle carrying Fadi Hindaj who worked previously as a commander of the 9th pro-government Giants Brigades in Hodeidah, as his vehicle was passing through an area linking Khokha and Mocha district on Yemen's western coast, the official based in Hodeidah Province said on condition of anonymity. The remotely controlled explosion also destroyed Hindaj's military vehicle at the scene, he added. The forces of the pro-government Giants Brigades are still stationed in various parts of Hodeidah's southern outskirts, and occasionally engage in fierce armed confrontations with the Houthi fighters. Earlier in the day, a statement of the pro-government forces said the Houthi fighters targeted their positions in Hays district south of Hodeidah, accusing the Houthi group of "preparing for a new military escalation." Hodeidah is the key lifeline entry point for Yemen's most food imports and humanitarian aid. The four-year grinding war has pushed more than 20 million people to the verge of starvation. Yemeni warring parties reached a peace deal on Hodeidah in December last year as a first step toward a comprehensive political solution. But sporadic breaches are daily recorded in Hodeidah as the two sides failed to withdraw their forces in accordance with the agreement reached in the Swedish capital of Stockholm. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 21:54:24|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government on Monday revealed preparations to honor the late former president Negasso Gidada, who passed away on Saturday while he was receiving medical treatments in Germany. Gidada, who was Ethiopia's president from 1995 to 2001, died at the age of 76. The East African country, which also lost its long-serving former president Girma Wolde-Giorgis in December last year, has revealed preparations to honor the former president's legacy. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in his message of condolence on the death of the veteran Ethiopian politician with decades of service in higher government posts, revealed the Ethiopian government's plan to honor the late president. Ahmed, who expressed his "deep regrets" on the passing of Gidada, noted that a national committee has been formed to organize the funeral proceedings of the former president, who was also a member of the Ethiopian House of Peoples' Representatives (HoPR), the Ethiopian parliament's lower house. "A national committee to oversee the funeral arrangements is being established and will communicate the details accordingly," a statement from the Office of the Ethiopian Prime Minister quoted Ahmed as saying. Gidada, who studied PhD in history in Germany and regarded as one of Ethiopia's veteran politicians, was a member of the Oromo Democratic Party (ODP), which makes up one of the four coalitions parties of Ethiopia's ruling party, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Front (EPRDF). The late president, who is a highly-regarded veteran politician in Ethiopia's modern political history, is mainly known for his contribution as chairman of the Ethiopian Constitutional Assembly, which adopted the current Ethiopian constitution back in 1995. Gidada had also served as Ethiopia's Minister of Information during the country's Transitional Government in the 1990s. Following his death, the HoPR and the House of Federation, the lower and higher houses of the Ethiopian parliament, as well as various Ethiopian government ministries and regional governments have been also expressing their condolences. Gidada, who stepped down from the presidency, was succeeded by Girma Wolde-Giorgis, who died in December last year at the age of 94. Wolde-Giorgis, who was the East African country's president for more than a decade, had served his country in various senior positions since the imperial period of Haile Selassie I, the last emperor of Ethiopia. Wolde-Giorgis, after serving two consecutive terms as president of Ethiopia since 2001, stepped down in 2013 and was succeeded by former President Mulatu Teshome, who resigned in October 2018. The east African nation on Oct. 25, 2018 had elected its first female President Sahle-Work Zewde following the resignation of Teshome. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 21:54:26|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BAKU, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Eight people were killed Monday in a car crash in the western Azerbaijani region of Goygol, according to the country's Ministry of Emergencies. The accident involved two VAZ cars, emergency authorities said. Rescue teams found eight bodies, including three men, three women and two children. Another critically injured woman was admitted to the regional hospital for emergency medical treatment. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 21:54:27|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The General Office of China's Central Military Commission has issued a trial regulation on the logistics work of the military, aiming to build a logistic service system that puts priority on helping win battles. The regulation, the first of its kind since major reforms were introduced to the military's logistics system, takes in experience and achievements from prior trial reforms and practices, according to the office. The regulation stresses coordinated use of joint logistic resources to the largest extent and clear definition of job assignments of general logistic services and specialized services. The trial regulation will take effect on July 1, 2019. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 21:54:29|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MOSCOW, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Russia and Turkey are jointly developing advanced aircraft and helicopter systems and armored vehicle components, Russian state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport, part of Rostec Conglomerate, said in a statement Monday. "In addition, Turkey is interested in Russia's latest remote weapon stations, air defense assets of varying ranges, as well as anti-tank guided missile systems," the statement quotes Rosoboronexport's CEO Alexander Mikheyev as saying. Rosoboronexport will be showcasing the best-selling and promising new products from the Russian defense industry at the 2019 International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF), which will be held on April 30-May 3 in Istanbul, Turkey. Rosoboronexport is the organizer of a joint Russian display at IDEF 2019, which includes over 450 pieces of weaponry and military equipment from more than 10 domestic defense manufacturers, the statement said. CEO of Rostec, Sergei Chemezov, said in the statement that Turkey is among the key partners of Rostec and Russia. Rostec has discussed with Turkey the implementation of a number of critical projects in both military technical cooperation and civil industry fields and is ready for various formats of technology cooperation, including in such high-tech areas as the aerospace, helicopter and power industries, he said. Turkey, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), has signed a 3.5-billion-U.S.-dollar deal to purchase Russian advanced S-400 air defense systems. Earlier this month, the Pentagon threatened to block the transfer of the F-35 fighter jets to Turkey and remove it from the F-35 joint production program unless Ankara dropped the S-400 deal. Washington also threatened to reject sales of Patriot missiles to Turkey in case of the latter's purchase of Russian systems. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said that the S-400 purchase was irreversible and his country could buy a second batch of S-400 and look for military aircraft elsewhere if Washington refuses to supply its Patriot. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 21:59:33|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close Two returned archaeological pieces are seen at the revealing ceremony held at the National Museum in Damascus, capital of Syria, on April 29, 2019. Two archaeological pieces were returned to Syria from Italy on Monday to be showcased at the National Museum in Damascus. The two pieces, which are small gates of ancient tombs that date back to the 5th century, had disappeared from Syria since 1960 until Radwan Khawatmi, a Syrian expatriate in Italy, found them in an auction. (Xinhua/Wang Jian) DAMASCUS, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Two archaeological pieces were returned to Syria from Italy on Monday to be showcased in the National Museum in Damascus. The two pieces, which are small gates of ancient tombs that date back to the 5th century, had disappeared from Syria since 1960 until Radwan Khawatmi, a Syrian expatriate in Italy, found them in an auction. Khawatmi bought the pieces and brought them back to the national museum in Syria's capital Damascus. Mahmoud Hammoud, head of the Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums in Syria, told reporters that the returned pieces are part of the plundered Syrian heritage. "The Syrian heritage has been subjected to looting and sabotage and destruction as hundreds of thousands of pieces were looted from our museums and many important archeological buildings destroyed," Hammoud said. For his part, Khawatmi said the prices are priceless, without revealing how much he had paid for them. "Those pieces are a gift I am giving back to Syria and they are priceless so even if their prices are millions of dollars their real value is that they are back to this land," he noted. During the ongoing civil war, the Syrian authorities shut down many museums and stored away more than 300,000 pieces, but some historical sites such as those in Palmyra were still destroyed, damaged or looted by the Islamic State militant group. Antiquities officials said more than 9,000 artifacts were restored and reclaimed during the war, noting that thousands more were smuggled out of the country. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 22:55:25|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close DAR ES SALAAM, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa on Monday urged Southern African Development Community (SADC) member countries to harmonize guidelines for nuclear material safety and security to safeguard human health, environment and ecosystem. "Transportation of nuclear or other radioactive materials is a global concern and not a one country issue," said Majaliwa at the opening session of the 2nd Joint Meeting of the SADC Nuclear Regulator Network and the Steering Committee of Project Support to Southern African States in Nuclear Safety and Safeguards in Arusha. He said there was need to strengthen the nuclear safety and security regulatory frameworks with a view to ensure that the people, the environment and the ecosystem in general, were protected from any harm which may result from mining, milling, processing or transportation of uranium. Majaliwa said it was on these grounds that Tanzania was fully participating in a project titled "Support to Southern African States in Nuclear Safety and Safeguards." It is estimated that Tanzania has huge uranium deposits across the country. The objective of the meeting is to discuss progress made on the implementation of the Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguard Project in the SADC region. In the absence of effective and sustainable regulatory infrastructure to support nuclear safety and security, the benefits associated with the use of nuclear technology and atomic energy were likely to be jeopardized, said Majaliwa. He said although most of the nuclear regulatory bodies in Africa have established systems for authorization, inspection and enforcement for the control of nuclear and other radioactive materials, there was still a lot to be done to strengthen the national regulatory infrastructures for the transportation of uranium ore concentrate and other radioactive materials. "These issues range from technology, gaps in the legislations, regulations, guidance and procedures on implementation of regulatory activities in cooperation with other national designated authorities as well as insufficient number of well-trained personnel," he said. "The government of Tanzania attaches great importance to ensuring that nuclear technology is promoted and safely utilized for human development," Majaliwa said. He said this was done by instituting strict control measures on transportation, storage and utilization of all nuclear materials. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 22:55:28|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close NAIROBI, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Kenya is receiving twice as many tourists from China as it used to some years ago as bilateral ties between the two nations soar. At least 230,500 Chinese nationals visited Kenya and spend night in various hotels in different parts of the country in 2018, latest economic data released on Monday reveals. The number is a significant surge from 192,300 in 2017 and 131,900 in 2016, the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) data indicates. In 2014, Kenya received some 92,100 Chinese nationals who spend the night in the country, while in 2015, the number declined to 82,600. China contributed the largest number of visitors coming to Kenya from Asia in 2018, with India producing 167,200, Japan 48,200 and Middle East 54,700. One of the things that made the east African nation attract more Chinese nationals, besides the growing bilateral ties, include aggressive campaigns to woo more tourists from the Asian nation and other parts of the world. The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) last year unveiled in Beijing a video campaign targeting the Chinese outbound tourists. The video sought to create awareness on Kenya's tourism products and was hosted on Chinese popular social media sites WeChat, Weibo and Youku. According to KTB chief executive Betty Radier, a majority of Chinese tourists have been visiting Kenya between July and September to see the wildebeest migration. But Kenya is working to position the country as an all-year-round tourist destination, marketing its beaches and safari sites, among other products. "A Chinese tourist has an adventurous spirit and is willing to pay for value for adventurous experiences. They want 'wow, exclusive' experiences in Kenya. These are the experiences Kenya is working to offer," Magical Kenya, a tourism marketing organization, says on its website in an analysis on Chinese tourists. It adds that Kenya tour firms should consider providing marketing tools like brochures and catalogues written in Chinese to reach more audiences. A number of Chinese restaurants and hotels have come up in Kenya over the years, providing tourists with 'home away from home' experiences. "Initially, Kenyan firms were missing business because they could not comprehend how to tap the Chinese market. But currently we have seen Kenyans who have studied or lived in China return home and start restaurants that serve the Chinese, creating not only business for themselves but also for the country," said Ernest Manuyo, a lecturer at Pioneer Institute in Nairobi. He noted that colleges and universities are teaching students Chinese language enabling companies like banks and hotels to have a workforce that can serve the growing Chinese clientele. However, even as the number of Chinese tourists surge, there is need to invest in local guides who can speak Chinese language and understand the culture of the travellers, Sandra Rwese, a tourism marketing consultant, who have lived in China, said in a recent interview. She noted that while traditional marketing strategies like holding exhibitions are paying off for Kenya, the country needs to adopt marketing methods that reach as many potential tourists as possible, which include use of social media. Europe is the biggest source of tourists for Kenya, with 2.3 million nationals from the region spending the night in Kenya in 2018, followed by Africa at 505,500 and Americas at 460,000. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 23:00:32|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close TEHRAN, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the European signatories to the Iranian international nuclear deal should go beyond mere political supports to the accord, Tasnim news agency reported Monday. "The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iranian nuclear deal, is an international agreement and the United States has violated the UN Security Council Resolution 2231 by withdrawing from it, but unfortunately this illegal action has not been addressed appropriately by the Security Council or European countries," Araqchi was quoted as saying. "We welcome political positions of the European Union, but just political support does not help save the JCPOA," he explained. "The JCPOA is not an economic agreement. It is of security nature. If it matters to Europe, then they should pay the costs to maintain it," the Iranian deputy minister noted. "The patience of the Islamic republic is not unlimited ... We will soon adopt an appropriate response to the illegal U.S. actions," he concluded. The European Union on Thursday reiterated their support for the JCPOA despite mounting pressure from the United States on the Islamic republic. U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in May 2018 and re-imposed sanctions on Iran, despite sanction waivers for some major oil buyers. On Jan. 31, the EU announced the setting up of the Instrument In Support of Trade Exchange (INSTEX) to secure trade with Iran and skirt U.S. anti-Iran sanctions. On April 22, Washington announced that it decided not to re-issue sanction waivers for major importers to continue buying oil from Iran when they expire in early May. The decision, according to the White House, is intended to bring Iran's oil exports to zero. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 23:20:43|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close TALLINN, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas on Monday stressed the importance of close cooperation between Estonia and the international organizations as well as other countries. At an oath-taking ceremony at the Estonian parliament Riigikogu, Ratas read out the text of the oath on behalf of himself and 14 other ministers of the new coalition government comprising of the Center Party, the Conservative People's Party and Isamaa, with five ministerial posts for each party. Ratas pledged "solemnly to remain faithful to the constitutional order of the Republic of Estonia, and to dedicate my efforts to safeguarding the well-being and future of the Estonian people." For Estonia, a member of both EU and NATO, it is important to develop strong transatlantic relationships and international cooperation in general, according to Ratas. Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid was present at the ceremony presided over by the parliament president Henn Polluaas. The new coalition has five priorities including a family-friendly Estonia, a coherent society, knowledge-based economy, efficient governance, and a secure state, said the government. Five political parties won seats in the 14th Estonian parliamentary elections held on March 3 for a four-year term. Out of the 101 parliamentary seats in total, the Reform Party has 34 seats, the Center Party 26 (currently 25 with another one converted to independent), the Conservative People's Party 19, the Isamaa Party 12 and the Social Democratic Party 10. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 23:20:45|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close MOSCOW, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that he hoped to reach consensus with Ukraine's President-elect Volodymir Zelensky on the issue of common citizenship for nationals of the two countries. "We will come to terms, probably, because we have a lot in common," he told reporters when asked to comment on Zelensky's statement addressed to Putin. Zelensky said in a statement on Facebook on Saturday that Ukraine will be granting its citizenship to "suffering" Russians. His statement followed the signing by Putin on Wednesday of a decree which will simplify the process of obtaining Russian citizenship by residents of Ukraine's insurgent Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Ukrainian officials have qualified Russia's move as interference in the country's internal affairs. On Saturday, Putin told a press conference that Russia was also thinking of granting its citizenship to residents of other parts of Ukraine. Putin said that he considered Ukrainians and Russians to be one people although "with own cultural, linguistic and historical characteristics." According to him, Russians and Ukrainians could benefit from shared citizenship, which would make them "stronger and more successful." "If Ukraine issues passports to Russians, and we in Russia issue passports and citizenship to Ukrainians, then sooner or later we will inevitably come to the expected result: both of us will have common citizenship. This is welcome," Putin said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 23:25:47|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close by Fatima Aruri RAMALLAH, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Despite the severed Palestinian-U.S. ties, Washington is trying to push ahead with its "Deal of the Century," Nabil Shaath, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' foreign relations advisor, said on Monday. But U.S. President Donald Trump's support has encouraged the Israeli government to take more steps against the Palestinians, including a possible annexation of part of the West Bank to keep only Jewish settlements there, he added. In response, the Palestinian Authority announced a new diplomatic campaign against the U.S. peace deal, after Trump recognized Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights and Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Shaath told Xinhua in a special interview that the Palestinian campaign will target Arab countries and the European Union, as no European leaders have endorsed the "Deal of the Century." "Our request for the Arab states is loud and clear, that is to stop normalization of ties with Israel and support us financially to show objection to the U.S. peace deal," he said. The Palestinians are now preparing for joint moves with the Arab states at the United Nations, Shaath added. Abbas is scheduled to meet French President Emmanuel Macron soon to address the role of France in rejecting Israel's violation of the Paris Protocol, he revealed. The 1994 Paris Protocol is the agreement stipulating the economic relations between the Palestinian Authority and Israel during the interim period designated under the Oslo Accords. The Palestinian Authority announced the boycott of the U.S. government since it recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December 2017 and moved its embassy to Jerusalem last May. Since then, the Trump administration has taken several steps that enraged the Palestinians, including shutting down the office of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in Washington, and cutting aid to the UN Palestine refugee agency. The Palestinian campaign against the U.S. "Deal of the Century" will be launched on all levels, including politically, diplomatically and legally, said Omar Awadallah, head of UN and Specialized Agencies at Palestinian Foreign Ministry. Diplomatic efforts will be made at the United Nations, including the Arria-Formula meetings, the UN Security Council meetings, with reports to be made on the illegality of the Israeli annexation of the Palestinian territory, he added. In addition, efforts to lobby the Europeans will be made through the foreign ministers, and through special presidential envoys to the European countries at the same time, he said. The main message that the Palestinians want to convey to the European states is "to put an end to the support for Israel at the expense of Palestinian rights," said the senior diplomat, urging the EU to take practical steps to protect the two-state solution instead of mere condemnation. However, experts argued that the Palestinian campaign may not go so well as the Palestinian Authority expected. Mohammad Younis, a Ramallah-based political observer, downplayed the role of Arabs in the campaign, saying the Arab states may not support the Palestinian Authority financially under the U.S. pressure. "The only thing that is holding them together now is Abbas' stubborn rejection to the U.S. deal. This is the main factor that prevents any Arab states from normalizing ties with Israel," he said. The EU, on the other hand, may not recognize Trump's moves in the region, but "they are far from recognizing Palestine as a state," he added. Even if the U.S. peace deal does not succeed in the end, the Palestinian Authority remains "in a tough situation," and Israel may declare that the failure of the deal was because of Abbas' rejection and use that as an excuse to annex parts of the West Bank, he said. Many Palestinians believe the worsening financial situation is a direct result of the Palestinian Authority's rejection to the U.S. sponsorship of the peace process, but more than half of the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip support the Authority's boycott of the U.S. government because of its bias in favor of Israel, according to a recent poll. The poll, published earlier in April by the Jerusalem Media and Commination Center (JMCC), showed 59.3 percent of people supported the boycott of the U.S. government, while 30.3 percent preferred the Palestinian leadership to be involved in diplomatic relations. The poll further indicated that 65.3 percent of people think the Palestinian leadership should reject the U.S. "Deal of the Century," 6.1 percent believe they should accept it, and 21.3 percent prefer to negotiate over it. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 23:25:49|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- China has required pig slaughterhouses to conduct self-checks under the monitoring of veterinarians to curb the spread of African swine fever, according to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Monday. The ministry expects that compulsory checks can help it find out the situation in slaughterhouses, track their epidemic control and the whereabouts of their pigs and swine products, the statement said. Taking slaughterhouses as "an important link" of the pork production chain, the ministry said it was much easier to collect samples at slaughterhouses, which could help maximize the coverage of African swine fever inspection and facilitate epidemic assessment based on clinical results and pig autopsy. Currently, most slaughterhouses are capable of conducting self-checks of the virus, the statement noted. And 98.49 percent of slaughterhouses with an annual capacity of more than 100,000 pigs had conducted self-checks as of April 22, with the remaining ones having suspended production. The slaughterhouses with an annual capacity below 100,000 pigs were told to start self-checks no later than July 1. The ministry also emphasized the need to have official veterinarians supervise the quarantine, stressing that it was a significantly systematic arrangement to cut off the spread of animal epidemic diseases and to ensure the safety of animal products and public health security. Slaughterhouses which fail to conduct self-checks of their swine products will not be granted veterinary inspection certificates, the ministry warned. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 23:46:02|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close PARIS, April 29 (Xinhua) -- France took note of Spain's legislative election's result, and pledged to work with the new government in a way to defend Europe's sovereignty and unity, the country's Foreign Ministry said on Monday. "Spain is France's major partner, to which we associate a cooperation based on great confidence and strong convergence of views on main European issues," the ministry said. "We want to work with the next Spanish government in favor of a sovereign, united, democratic Europe," it added. On Sunday, the incumbent Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialist Party (PSOE) won a national election, but failed to gain a parliamentary majority, forcing him to seek partners to form a new government. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-29 23:46:05|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close MINSK, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The global rating agency Moody's has reaffirmed Belarus' sovereign ratings at B3 with a "stable" outlook, but worsened its macroeconomic outlook for 2019-2020, the agency said in a report. Experts connected the worsening of its macroeconomic forecast for Belarus with the country's potential losses after the implementation of tax maneuver in the oil sector in Russia and the lack of adequate compensation. The report said the Belarusian authorities estimate the cost of the implementation of the tax maneuver in Russia at the level of 10 billion U.S. dollars during 2019-2024. Belarus' GDP growth will decline to 1.8 percent in 2019 and to 1.6 percent in 2020 after its 3 percent growth in 2018, the agency said. At the same time, the agency maintained positive forecasts about Belarusian banks for the next year and a half. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-30 00:06:27|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close NAIROBI, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Tony Ndivo's tiny frame has not deterred the 12-year-old son of a fruit vendor from soldiering on in his academic journey with full knowledge that dividends were beckoning in the horizon. Born and raised in a farming village located about 60 kilometers south east of the Kenyan capital Nairobi, Ndivo was exposed to penury at a tender age but never gave up on his quest to succeed in school. The student was among top performers in last year's primary school final examinations and managed to secure a slot at a national high school near his ancestral home. Ndivo's impressive score and humble background caught the attention of the operator of Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which had pledged to bankroll his secondary school education. It feels great to be among the beneficiaries of the scholarship from the operator, Ndivo told Xinhua during the award ceremony for the scholarship for bright but needy Kenyan high school students held on April 27. "I promise to work hard and realize my dream of becoming a neurosurgeon," he said. He was the youngest among the three beneficiaries of the inaugural scholarship from the Chinese operator of the SGR that aims to help Kenyan youth pursue high school education amid financial constraints at home. Li Jiuping, general manager of the Chinese company operating the SGR, said the company is committed to helping Kenyan youth with a passion to excel in school despite their financial conditions. "The excellent academic performance of Ndivo and his two colleagues was brought to our attention and we are confident of their potential and bright future amid difficulties," said Li. "We decided to do whatever we could to sustain their study and hope our assistance will help them realize their dreams and life's goals," he added. The company has set aside 1.2 million shillings (about 12,000 U.S. dollars) to cater for the tuition fees, textbooks, uniforms and personal care for Ndivo and his two colleagues throughout their four year's secondary education. Li said the scholarship is in line with the company's corporate social responsibility that emphasizes on timely response to the needs of local communities. Ndivo's ancestral home is located along the Mombasa-Nairobi SGR corridor where the operator has supported projects to lift the living standards of vulnerable groups like youth, women and children. Catherine Mbithe, a 15-year-old daughter of a single parent and small-scale farmer, was elated after learning that she was among scholarship beneficiaries, having demonstrated remarkable dedication to her studies despite financial hardships in her family. This kind gesture by the company will pave way for eventual realization of her dream of becoming a mechanical engineer, said Mbithe. She was among top performers in last year's final primary school examinations and is already enrolled at a local high school where her amiable personality, hard work and drive has won her accolades from tutors. Josephine Kitili, Mbithe's biological mother, said she was confident her daughter will become an accomplished engineer thanks to financial support from the company. "I have so much faith in my daughter who has never lost hope despite financial stress in my family that at some point disrupted her studies," said Kitili. Leon Wasike, a 14-year-old high school student who is being raised by a guardian, is determined to become a civil engineer now that tuition fees and other incidentals will not be an issue for the next four years. He scored 412 out of 500 marks at last year's Kenya Certificate for Primary Education and is currently enrolled at a public secondary school in western Kenya. Juliana Wafula, who is Wasike's guardian, said the teenage boy, who is well adjusted, has passion for studies and community service, is the pride and hope of the larger clan. "It is very uplifting to witness my son receive a scholarship covering his entire high school education and I promise to offer him moral support as he embarks on a journey to success," said Wafula. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-30 00:46:54|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen's attendance at the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing has further enhanced Cambodia-China ties and international cooperation, said a Cambodian official and academics on Monday. Hun Sen returned home on Monday afternoon after taking part in the second BRF from April 25 to 27 and in the opening ceremony of the International Horticultural Exhibition on April 28 in Beijing. "It was a successful trip that has brought a lot of benefits to Cambodia," Kao Kim Hourn, a minister attached to the Cambodian prime minister, said in a press conference at the Phnom Penh International Airport. "The prime minister's participation in the second BRF has strengthened and expanded cooperation between Cambodia and China in particular, and between Cambodia and other BRI participating countries in general," he said. Kim Hourn said the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has provided tremendous opportunities for Cambodia to develop infrastructure, to promote international cooperation, to attract investments, and to seek new markets for its products. In Beijing, Hun Sen also met with Chinese leaders, he said, adding that a number of cooperation documents were signed by officials of the two countries. "These cooperation agreements have opened a new chapter for Cambodia-China cooperation," Kim Hourn said. Mey Kalyan, chairman of the Cambodia Development Resource Institute, said it was an excellent gesture that Cambodia was invited to this important BRF along with many other countries. He said the BRF discussed many issues relevant to Cambodia including quality infrastructure, environment, inclusiveness, anti-corruption, people-to-people bonds, involvement of local people in BRI projects, and assistance to elevate technical skills for the Cambodian people. "All these elements, which have been weak in the past, are very beneficial to the real development in Cambodia," he told Xinhua. "We are looking forwards to seeing good implementation of these good concepts that will create win-win situation for both countries." Joseph Matthews, a senior professor at the Beltei International University in Phnom Penh, said China's development assistance and investment projects in Cambodia have so far concentrated on hard infrastructure and labor-intensive industry. He said digital economy is the future economic sector of Cambodia, and key challenges facing Cambodia to realize a full-fledged digital economy are the lack of human resources, digital infrastructure, and public and private investment in innovation and entrepreneurship. "Mega Chinese private companies like Huawei and Alibaba could help Cambodia to build the necessary infrastructure and human capital to help the kingdom fully harness digital economy and the Fourth Industrial Revolution," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-30 00:56:58|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Israel's permanent representative to the United Nations, Danny Danon, on Monday seemed to be backtracking on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's pledge to annex West Bank settlements. Netanyahu told an Israeli TV channel during his electoral campaign earlier this month that he would start extending Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank settlements if re-elected. Asked on Monday whether Netanyahu's statement is now Israeli policy since he has won re-election, or it was just a last-minute ploy for votes, Danon said Israel is waiting for the Middle East peace plan of the U.S. administration to be revealed in a few weeks. "We are waiting for the plan, and we will go from there," Danon told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York. "We respect the work of the U.S. administration. We are waiting for the plan to be revealed, and we are here to negotiate, to speak. Unlike the Palestinians who say already that they are not accepting the U.S. as mediators, they are not accepting us as partners, on the contrary, we will wait, and we will engage. But let's wait for a few weeks and see the plan." Israel seized the West Bank in the 1967 war and there have been about 435,000 Israeli settlers there by 2017, according to official Israeli figures. The Palestinians are seeking to establish an independent state on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip with East Jerusalem as the capital, though East Jerusalem is under Israeli occupation as well. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-30 00:57:00|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ATHENS, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras welcomed the results of Sunday's Spanish general elections as a message of hope against the far-Right. "The electoral percentages of the Socialists and the Podemos party muddle the disturbing rise of the far-Right and pave the way for the continuation of a progressive government in Spain," Tsipras tweeted on Monday. The socialists of PSOE won the most seats, with 123 of the 350 seats, and are expected to enter negotiations with the left wing Unidos-Podemos party, which won 42 seats, and other regional parties to form a leftwing coalition government with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez as leader. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-30 01:07:05|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ATHENS, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The death of a cameraman and the serious injuries of three minors in various parts of Greece on Sunday have refueled the debate about the abolishment of the Easter fireworks tradition. Seven people were arrested on Monday as suspects for the fatal injury of Kostas Theodorakakis, 53, on Sunday afternoon, while filming dancers with handmade flares in their hands in Kalamata city in southern Greece. Among the arrested are the vice mayor of the municipality who is in charge of organizing the event and six dancers aged 22-62, according to police. Despite the tragedy, the city's mayor Panagiotis Nikas told local news website "newsit" that the fireworks event will not be banned "because it is a 150-year old tradition that attracts thousands of visitors each year and there will be reactions". The official pledged that stricter safety measures will be implemented. "There were no security measures, no ambulance, no doctor," Makis Vassilatos, a friend of the victim, who was also an eye witness, told local "Thema FM" (Topic FM) on Monday, calling for the abolishment of the tradition. A flare hit Theodorakakis, a father of two minors, in the head and another one lightly injured a girl in the crowd, Vassilatos said. Greek media and social media on Monday reflected the division of Greek society between proponents and critics of the Easter Sunday fireworks tradition which each year leaves behind casualties and injuries. "Arrests and confiscations of fireworks are not enough. Traditions which cause deaths should be killed," read a characteristic opinion article on news website "in.gr". The Easter Sunday fireworks dance in Kalamata refers to a historic battle in the region in the early 19th century. While Greece was still under Ottoman rule, locals used handmade flares to scare off the horses of the Ottoman Empire's cavalry. Such stories are behind similar fireworks traditions in many parts of the country. An 8 year old girl was still hospitalized in critical condition in an Athens hospital on Monday, after being hit in the head by a stray bullet in Thiva city, an hour drive northwest from the Greek capital, Greek national news agency AMNA reported. The girl was playing with friends outdoors when the incident happened. No arrest has been made yet. In some occasions, like during wedding parties in the countryside, some Greeks celebrate by firing in the air. Two 14 year old boys were also seriously injured facing the risk of losing their fingers due to fireworks accidents on Saturday night on the islands of Kos and Aegina. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-30 01:22:10|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- A total of 1,539 Chinese model workers visited procuratorates across the country as they were holding open days ahead of May Day at the request of the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP). It marked the first time that the country's role models, advanced workers and other representatives who have made outstanding contributions to the country were invited to the procuratorates on open days. Nineteen visited the SPP in Beijing on its open days, which fell on Sunday and Monday, to learn about the work of the SPP. "We got to see the SPP's efforts and achievements in intelligence and high technology courtesy of the visit to its big data center," said Zhang Xuesong, a national model worker, who expected that the country's procuratorial work will better serve the people and contribute to the country. "I hope that through the open days, all procurators can learn from the model worker spirit of working hard for the country and the people, and show their loyalty in their specific work," said an official with the SPP. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-30 01:27:17|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, April 29 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday warned against "a disturbing groundswell" of intolerance and hate-based violence targeting worshippers of many faiths. He issued a statement in the wake of a shooting in a synagogue in San Diego, California, and an attack on a Protestant church in Burkina Faso, both of which led to multiple casualties. "Such incidents have become all-too-familiar: Muslims gunned down in mosques, their religious sites vandalized; Jews murdered in synagogues, their gravestones defaced with swastikas; Christians killed at prayer, their churches often torched. Houses of worship, instead of the safe havens they should be, have become targets," said Guterres. Beyond the murders, there is loathsome rhetoric: xenophobia aimed not only at religious groups but also at migrants, minorities and refugees; assertions of white supremacy; a resurgence of neo-Nazi ideology; venom directed at anyone considered the "other," he warned. Parts of the Internet are becoming hothouses of hate, as like-minded bigots find each other online, and platforms serve to inflame and enable hate to go viral, noted the UN chief. "As crime feeds on crime, and as vile views move from the fringes to the mainstream, I am profoundly concerned that we are nearing a pivotal moment in battling hatred and extremism." The world must step up to stamp out anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim hatred, persecution of Christians and all other forms of racism, xenophobia, discrimination and incitement, he said. Hatred is a threat to everyone -- and so this is a job for everyone. Political and religious leaders have a special responsibility to promote peaceful coexistence, said Guterres. "I will count on the strong support of governments, civil society and other partners in working together to uphold the values that bind us a single human family." Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-30 01:52:30|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close UNTIED NATIONS, April 29 (Xinhua) -- UN General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces said on Monday that inadequate and inequitable health care is "economically unsustainable" given their enormous negative impact on economy. At least half of the world's population lacks access to essential health services, and health expenses push over hundred million people into extreme poverty every year, Espinosa said at a preparatory hearing for a high-level meeting of the General Assembly on Universal Health Coverage in September. She pointed out that so often women and girls suffer disproportionately when it comes to sexual and reproductive health as well as accessing other basic services, adding persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, minorities and those living in rural areas are also more likely to have poor health outcomes. "This is totally unacceptable and profoundly sad," she deplored, stressing it runs counter to our commitment to leave no one behind and is also "economically unsustainable" as the macro level impact of poor health services is enormous, estimated at trillions of dollars every year in lost productivity, long-term impairment and short-term expenditure. While noting universal health coverage is crucial for delivering on the entire UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, she said the goal is "one of the most challenging to achieve." However, "if we look at the full impact and cost of poor health services, the case for prioritizing universal health coverage is clear," she said. The General Assembly president encouraged participants of the September meeting to accelerate progress on health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to essential services and access to safe, effective and affordable medicines and vaccines. Monday's hearing, the interactive multi-stakeholder hearing themed "Universal health coverage: moving together to build a healthier world," is part of the preparatory process for the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on Universal Health Coverage. Over 600 representatives from public health organizations, civil society, foundations, academia and the private sector are present at the hearing. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-30 02:17:38|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close SHENZHEN, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The People First Party (PFP) opposes "Taiwan independence," and the two sides across the Taiwan Strait have the common aspiration to realize the national rejuvenation, said PFP Chairman James Soong Chu-yu from Taiwan. Soong made the remarks during his recent visit to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. "In Dongguan and Shenzhen, I found that the Chinese mainland not only offers funds and jobs for young people from Taiwan to start their businesses, but helps them adapt to the (mainland) society as well, from which I felt the sincerity from the mainland," Soong said. Soong stressed that the mainland and Taiwan were a family, and people from both sides of the Strait should know about the sincerity and goodwill of each other. Soong endorsed the idea that representatives from political parties and all walks of life across the Taiwan Strait should have extensive and thorough democratic consultation on the political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence." "The position of PFP is clear that we insist both sides across the Strait belong to one China, and the pursuit for a reunified China is the shared responsibility of all Chinese," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-30 03:33:08|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close MADRID, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) led by current Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez took lead in Sunday's general election in Spain with 28.7 percent of the votes. The party secured 123 seats in the 350-seat Spanish Congress of Deputies. Experts believed that the loss of People's Party and the split in the ring wing helped the Socialists gain the victory in the general election. LOSS OF PEOPLE'S PARTY The PP lost around 3.5 million voters, 71 seats and 16 percent of the votes from the 33.01 percent they gained in June 2016. Continued corruption scandals which have surrounded the party in recent years and their management of Catalan crisis was one of the factors leading to the result, experts said. In May 2018 the PP was found guilty of having benefitted financially from the "Gurtel" corruption scandal. This led directly to Sanchez presenting the no-confidence motion which saw the PSOE oust the PP government of Mariano Rajoy at the start of June last year. In addition, the PP also lost votes for their management of the Catalan crisis. "Rajoy's government lacked the political will to resolve the situation and when they did act, it was too late," explained Jaime Ferri, professor of political sciences at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, to Xinhua. The solution of 38-year-old Pablo Casado, who succeeded Rajoy as PP leader, was to shift the party further to the right. According to Rafael Barbera, an expert in political communication at the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, this tactic made the PP become "trapped between the more moderate Ciudadanos" and the extreme right wing Vox party. THE LEFT UNIFIED WHILE THE RIGHT SPLIT While the POSE is able to position itself as the main party on the left, with Unidos-Podemos losing ground, the situation was very different on the right where the votes were spilt between three parties. Rather than centering support on the PP as in previous elections, this time the right wing votes were split between the PP, Ciudadanos and the extreme right wing Vox. The three parties won almost as many votes between them (11,169,796) as the PSOE and Unidos Podemos, (11,213,684). The arrival of the extreme right wing party Vox in the Spanish political landscape with 24 seats and over 2.5 million votes was another factor in the election. Barbera told Xinhua that Vox had gained support as a reaction to the Catalan crisis. "They say they will protect the unity of Spain. The Catalan independence movement upset a lot of people in the rest of Spain and Vox has positioned itself at the head of those people," he said. It is clear that Vox took a lot of votes from the PP, but fear for the extreme right also had the effect of mobilizing the votes for the left wing. WHAT HAPPENS NOW? Prime Minster Sanchez said his PSOE has "won the future and left the past behind" after the party took lead in Sunday's general election. Sanchez now has the task of forming a government. He will need to support of 176 deputies in the Congress of Deputies to have a majority and need to possibly support with more than one party. Unidos-Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias has already said he is willing to negotiate a coalition but the 165 seats of the PSOE and Podemos combined still leaves Sanchez needing other political partners. The alternative is to form a coalition with Ciudadanos, although that appears complicated as Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera ruled out sharing a government with Sanchez on numerous occasions during the election campaign. A pact with Ciudadanos would also be unpopular with PSOE grass roots and members in the street chanting "with Rivera no!" as Sanchez addressed them on Sunday night. Whoever Sanchez finally pacts with, a long process of negotiations is expected. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-30 04:38:41|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close LISBON, April 29 (Xinhua) -- A Portuguese senior official said here on Monday that the February unemployment rate of 6.5 percent "is the lowest in the last 17 years." According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), in February this year, the unemployment rate stood at 6.5 percent, 0.1 percentage point lower than the previous month, and a decrease of 1.1 percentage points compared to the same period of last year. "This is another manifestation of the sustained positive evolution that the labour market has been going," Secretary of State for Employment Miguel Cabrita told reporters on the sidelines of a conference in Lisbon. "There are still positive prospects for the evolution of the labour market," he said, highlighting the "good signs" of the economic climate index and consumer confidence indicators. Portugal has turned the page on its 2010-2013 crisis and is now enjoying a job-rich economic recovery, driven by investment and exports, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in its report last September. Portugal's real GDP growth reached 2.7 percent in 2017, the highest rate since 2000, IMF said, noting that with reenergized investment, robust exports, and stable consumption, this recovery has supported a rebalancing of the economy. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-30 04:43:46|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close NEW YORK, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices posted mixed results on Monday, as the global markets continued to be jolted by geopolitical tensions, due to tightening U.S. sanctions on Iran's oil, which put global supply in check. Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, on Monday warned against any negotiations with the United States under sanction pressures. "The enemy seeks to force us to the negotiating table under economic pressures," Soleimani was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency. Last week, Washington ended six months of waivers for Iran's major oil buyers and demanded they stop purchases by May. The decision came following its earlier ban on Venezuela's oil, which continued to play its role in tightening the global supplies and keeping the prices up. The West Texas Intermediate for June delivery was up 0.20 dollar to settle at 63.50 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for June delivery fell 0.11 dollar to close at 72.04 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange. Photo taken on Jan. 11, 2018 shows the headquarters of Marriott International in Bethesda, Maryland, the United States. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) WASHINGTON, April 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. hotel chain giant Marriott International plans to create a home-rental platform, aiming to take a bite of the booming market, in which Airbnb is considered the current global leader, U.S. media reported Monday. Marriott could soon unveil details for the plan's first phase as early as next month, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) quoted people familiar with the matter as saying. The Maryland-based hotel giant is set to be the first major hotel company to create a home-rental platform in the United States, the report said, citing data from STR Inc. showing that it boasts about 1.3 million guest rooms globally. Marriott already operates a home-sharing business in a number of European cities, including London, Paris and Rome. Airbnb now has an accommodation marketplace offering access to millions of places to stay in more than 190 countries and regions. The WSJ report said it has nearly 5 million accommodations worldwide, according to data tracker AirDNA. The San Francisco-based startup has turned the idea of "renting out your spare bedroom" into a business with a reported revenue of 2.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2017, becoming a "disruptive factor" for the global hotel industry, according to a recent study by researchers in the School of Hospitality Administration at Boston University. Makarand Mody, an assistant professor of hospitality marketing at the Boston University, and his colleagues found that annual occupancy rates, revenue per available room, and average daily rates for hotels in 10 U.S. cities were all down by an average 2 to 2.5 percent since Airbnb was founded in 2008. The researchers concluded that travelers just have more fun traveling if they stay at an Airbnb rather than a hotel, and now hotels are beginning to borrow some of the individual touches and local flavor that make the Airbnb experience unique. Marriott, which owns the Sheraton and Ritz-Carlton brands, announced in March that it would open more than 1,700 hotels around the world over the next three years, adding 275,000 to 295,000 rooms by 2021. The three-year plan could lead to a compound growth rate of 11 to 15 percent based on the financial results of 2018, Marriott said in its projections. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-30 05:44:12|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BEIRUT, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil said on Monday that Lebanon must draw maritime borders with Israel considering joint oil fields. "Signing a peace agreement with Israel is not an issue related solely to the presence of joint oil fields between the two countries. The oil and gas that exist in the Lebanese territories belong to Lebanon," Bassil was quoted as saying by the National News Agency. Bassil said that there are a lot of joint oil fields between countries in the world and if these countries agree to divide the revenues of this wealth fairly, peace will prevail. He emphasized the need to draw the maritime borders with Israel under the supervision of the United Nations or with the U.S. intervention which will restore the right of the Lebanese to their territories. Lebanon has an unresolved maritime border with Israel that involves a triangular sea area of about 860 square km extending along the edge of three of its 10 offshore energy blocks. The United States mediated between Lebanon and Israel to end the dispute over maritime borders but failed to reach any positive results. Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-30 05:49:16|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close DOHA, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Isse Awad said on Monday that his country will never join any alliance or coalition that is against Qatar. "Somalia is committed to neutrality as far as the Gulf crisis is concerned," Awad said during a symposium at the Qatari foreign ministry's diplomatic institute in the capital Doha. Awad had met earlier with Qatari Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The two officials discussed means to strengthen bilateral relations between Somalia and Qatar as well as regional issues of mutual interest. Qatar is among the few countries that provide support to Somalia and has launched development and infrastructure projects in the country. Turta dulce, reteta perfecta pentru parinti si copii Turta dulce poate fi un prilej de a petrece timp impreuna cu copiii. Parintii se ocupa de coptul prajiturelelor, iar copiii se pot juca in voie si se pot distra prin decorarea biscuitilor. Turta dulce (Lebkuchen) are avantajul ca rezista chiar si o saptamana de la coacere. Cea mai buna [citeste mai departe] Stiri pe aceeasi tema - President Klaus Iohannis signed on Thursday the decree appointing Luminita-Teodora Odobescu as presidential advisor, starting with November 30. On November 10, the head of state signed the decrees recalling five Romanian ambassadors, including Luminita Odobescu, head of the Permanent Representation - President Klaus Iohannis on Thursday sent a message on the Day of Veterans from Theatres of Operations, stating that veterans are "true examples of courage, dignity, patriotism and loyalty to the country and national values." "Today we celebrate the Day of Veterans from Theatres of Operations, an - Andreea Beatrice Ana will bring the first medal of the Romanian delegation to the Under-23 World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade, after qualifying, on Wednesday, for the final of the 55 kg category, agerpres reports. Ana defeated in the quarterfinals Kazakh Ainur Ahimova, in the semifinals she - Romanias ruling Liberal Party will propose retired four-star General Nicolae Ciuca as prime minister during talks with President Klaus Iohannis in a move that may help end a political crisis, according to Bloomberg. After a proposed minority government led by Dacian Ciolos, leader of the anti-corruption - President Klaus Iohannis talks, on Monday, at the Cotroceni Palace with the PSD delegation, during consultations with parliamentary parties and formations in order to nominate the candidate for the position of prime minister. The PSD delegation consists of the party's chairman, Marcel Ciolacu, - PSD Secretary General Paul Stanescu says early elections can be held, noting that President Klaus Iohannis is obliged to contribute to triggering them, otherwise he will become "with proper documents the Romanian gravedigger." "President Iohannis hypocritically claims that early elections are impossible - President Klaus Iohannis on Friday sent a message of condolences to the families of the victims of the fire that broke out at the Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Constanta and asked the PM and the Minister of Health to take all the necessary measures and "do everything in their power" to prevent - Nu mai putin de patru convocari a primit clubul Phoenix Suceava pentru actiunea de selectie organizata recent de Federatia Romana de Baschet, care a vizat categoria de varsta Under 14 ani.Asadar, dintre cei 96 de sportivi prezenti la trialul de la Ploiesti, patru au provenit de la Suceava, este ... According to the surveillance data, three occupants were killed and one more injured The Russian occupants violated the ceasefire regime three times, using the Minsk-banned weaponry twice in the Donbas combat zone. The Joint Forces Operation (JFO) HQ reported this on Facebook. On April 28, the Russia-backed militants violated the ceasefire regime three times, twice they used the Minsk-banned weaponry 82 mm mortar, the report said. The enemy shelled the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with grenade launchers of various systems and small arms. In Donetsk region, the occupants fired twice near Shyrokyne and Pisky settlements. In Luhansk region, the enemy opened fire with the grenade launcher of various systems near Krymske village. The enemys casualties occurred not during combat actions. According to the surveillance data, three occupants were killed and one more injured. Earlier, on April 28, the Russian occupants violated the ceasefire regime 13 times, using the Minsk-banned weaponry in the Donbas combat zone. As a result, one Ukrainians soldier was wounded. It should be noted that the enemy shelled the Ukrainian Armed Forces with anti-aircraft installations, grenade launchers of various system heavy machine guns and small arms. Open source Russian President Vladimir Putin said that former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili should again receive Ukrainian citizenship. He stated this today, April 29, Interfax reports. Putin said that Saakashvili was deprived of citizenship and expelled from the country illegally. "He should have been returned and restored to his violated rights, as well as some other citizens of Ukraine who were forced to leave the country and go to the promised lands, fleeing from the persecution of the current Ukrainian regime," he said. Saakashvili himself has already commented on this proposal on his Facebook page. Who advises the future President of Ukraine to return my citizenship? Putin? Is it that Putin who in December 2017 at a press conference loudly demanded that Poroshenko expel me from Ukraine (which Poroshenko did in a month)?, he wrote. In the same way, Saakashvili reminded, Putin demanded not to allow him to Georgia, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan. The newly elected president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky should improve the relations with the Russian Federation. The head of the political council of "The Opposition Platform - For Life" party Viktor Medvedchuk stated this in the big interview with 112.Ukraine. Ukraine needs this, Zelensky needs this. Zelensky should improve the relationship from many reasons, and I can name many arguments to prove this. However, not Moscow should think of the way how to do this. I dont think that there are some criteria for the future in Moscow, and how difficult this future will be with the new leader of our country. Moreover, the authorities commented on this issue immediately after the elections, including Mr. Medvedev, I remember he assessed the economic relations absolutely correctly. He was talking about the very part of the economic relations he was working on in Russia, and according to Medvedev, the situation is rather awful. Naturally, he compared the situation to the one it used to be, the relations between the Russian Federation and Ukraine in the economic field, the politician said. Besides, Medvedchuk pointed out that he agrees with the very assessment, that the situation is rather awful. However, Russia remains for Ukraine the main trade and economic partner and concerning the import and export as well, according to the results even of the last year. Despite this fact, those relations are awful indeed, because their potential is much bigger than we have. He said that in order to reinforce the economic relations, it is necessary to take into account the following notions: calculation, pragmatism, and sobriety. If it happens, the economic relations between Ukraine and Russia have a chance to recover. Putins press office commented on this issue as well, they respect the choice of the Ukrainian people, but it is premature to talk about mutual co-operation. This means that Moscow will look at the president's first actions, not at the things he would say, but at the things he would do. And depending on this, we will build the relationship. But I do not think that Russia has such a criterion that they only think about this question - it will be difficult for them or simply anyway. I do not believe that this is their task. This task is the Ukrainian one the relations with Russia, Medvedchik added. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia Open source Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Ukraine would remain without gas if it does not prolong the contract on the transit of Russian gas. At the same time, he noted that Ukraine receives gas twice expansive as it could receive. Vladimir Putin stated this at the press conference after the visit to Beijing. The Russian president reminded that representatives of the Ukrainian opposition Viktor Medvedchuk and Yuriy Boyko held talks on the transition to direct gas supplies from the Russian Federation to Ukraine. When Mr. Medvedchuk and Yuriy Boyko arrived in Moscow, they met with Miller and the head of the Russian government, Medvedev. Well, the Russian side said: the gas prices will be cut at least 25% if they directly receive gas from Russia. 25%! You understand that over the years tariffs for heat and electricity in the country have been rising in my opinion, up to 1000%. The real standard of living is falling, and falling catastrophically, but how can you ignore this anyway?" Putin said. According to the Russian President, if there is no transit of gas, then there will be no reverse supplies. "The reverse is a virtual one, and how has our gas, which goes to Western Europe, been constructed from a Soviet-era gas pipeline? There is a branch from the transit gas pipe to the whole of Ukraine. The professionals know it perfectly well, the Russian leader outlined. Imagine that there is no transit, and then there will be no gas supply to Ukraine. This is such a serious issue, and they are fooling around, and engaging themselves in some kind of political quarrel, instead of thinking about an ordinary citizen of Ukraine, who lives by current concerns and is forced to pay a bigger price for these political tricks", the President of the Russian Federation added. Earlier, Russias Gazprom is ready to hold direct negotiations on the concluding of a new contract for the Russian gas supply to the Ukrainian market. Alexey Miller, the Head of the company made such statement during the meeting with the Delegation of Political Party Opposition platform For life headed by Viktor Medvedchuk, the chairman of political council and Yuriy Boyko, the founder of the party and presidential candidate and Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Medvedev. Open source 26 people died in fires in Ukraine over last week from April 22 to April 28. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported this on its website. So, since the beginning of the week, the members of the State Emergency Service registered 3,148 emergency cases, on which the firefighters arrived at the spot. 41 people were rescued as a result of the undertaken measures. 2,728 fire cases were eliminated, 33 people were rescued and 830 buildings and 61 units of technology were saved from fires as well. The fires killed 26 people, and the estimated caused damage is $175, 000, according to the operational data," the report said. It should be noted that the pyrotechnics had 201 departures to the spots, where they found, seized and destroyed 2,531 explosive objects from the past wars. As it was reported earlier, the spire and the roof of the Notre Dame cathedral fell in a fire. The firefighters managed to rescue the main structure of Notre-Dame. One firefighter got injured. He added that he believes the time will come when "all Orthodoxy recognizes the Ukrainian church not as a metropolis, but as a patriarchate" Patriarch Filaret: no new church exists. Open source Patriarch of Kyiv and All Russia-Ukraine Filaret said that he was not satisfied with the status of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Metropolis, reports Radio Liberty. "The Local Orthodox Church of Ukraine is officially recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarch. But in Ukraine the Kyiv Patriarchate exists. We are not satisfied with the status of the metropolis. We have existed as patriarchs for more than 25 years. And the people elected patriarchs. I am the third patriarch. Before me there was Patriarch Volodymyr, patriarch Mstyslav. And so for Ukraine we are the patriarchy. And for the outside world, that is, for the Orthodox world, we are the Kyiv metropolis, "said Filaret. Patriarch Filaret explained under what conditions the newly created church could receive the status of the Patriarchy, as Hlavkom news agency reports. Filaret stated that he was not invited to Istanbul on the ceremony of granting Tomos because he has the Patriarch rank, and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine has the status of the Metropolitanate. 'Im the patriarch, if I visit the ceremony as patriarch, it will mean that the Ecumenical Patriarchate recognizes the Orthodox Church of Ukraine as the patriarchy', Filaret pointed out. According to the Patriarch, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has not ruled out the possibility that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church can receive the status of patriarchy. If we unite all the orthodoxy in one church, the reason for granting the status of patriarchy will appear. We are the patriarchy, but only in Ukraine, in other words, we have not been recognized yet. But we have been recognized as the Kyiv Metropolitanate. Thats why our aim is continuing the uniting process with the parishes and clergy of the Moscow Patriarchate. When we are united, we will ask the Ecumenical Patriarch to grant us the status of patriarchy, - Filaret added. Check concentrate feeder accuracy WITH the cost of dairy cow concentrates rising farmers have been urged to check the accuracy of their feeders to ensure they are not overfeeding, or indeed underfeeding, their livestock. The world leaders are the USA, China, and Saudi Arabia Ukraine rose in four positions and got the 39 places in the rating on global military expenditure over a year. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported this. According to researchers who made the rating, Ukraine's military spending in 2018 reached a mark of $4.8 billion. It is 21% more than in 2017 and 53% more than in 2013, before the conflict in the eastern part of the country. Ukraine ranked the 43rd place in the rating in 2017. The five biggest spenders in 2018 were the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, India, and France, which together accounted for 60 percent of global military spending, the report said. According to the report, the world military expenditure is estimated to have been $1822 billion in 2018. It was 2.6 percent higher in real terms than in 2017. US military spending rose for the first time in seven years, to $649 billion in 2018. China increased its military expenditure by 5.0 percent and India by 3.1 percent, the report added. Russia was the sixth-largest spender with the expenditure of $61.4 billion in 2018 for the first time since 2006. French politician Thierry Mariani stated that if Russia and Ukraine would manage to make an agreement on all the disputed issues, including Donbas, the sanctions against Russia would be lifted After the elections to the European Parliament, the parliament of France will discuss lifting of sanctions against Russia at the European level. Thierry Mariani, the member of the French National Assembly for Eleventh Overseas Constituency and the co-chairman of the association Franco-Russian Dialogue, stated this in the interview to the publication Izvestia. If Ukraine and Russia manage to make an agreement on all the disputed issues, including Donbas, the sanctions against Russia will be lifted, Mariani stated. The politician stated that the Minsk agreements, one of the conditions of the agreement were signed by the ex-president of France Francois Hollande, were the really good ones, as they touched upon the local government, status of the political prisoners and POWs exchange. According to Mariani, if the Administration of President Petro Poroshenko had abided by those agreements, the situation would not have gone that far. He recollected his trip to Donetsk four months ago when he saw the conditions of people suffered from the hostilities. It is hard to believe that those events are happening in the Center of Europe today, according to Mariani. Thierry Mariani expressed hope that the new president Volodymyr Zelensky will carry out another policy. The relatives of Edem Bekirov stated the possibility of the sugar coma is increasing every day Edem Bekirov, the political prisoner Eleonora Bekirova Facebook Acting Healthcare Minister Ulyana Suprun stated that Crimean Tatar sand political prisoner Edem Bekirov, who is illegally kept in Simferopol prison, has not received the medicine for a week. The Minister wrote this on Twitter. Very sick Ukrainian political prisoner Edem Bekirov has not been receiving the medicine for more than a week. He is being illegally kept by Russia in Simferopol prison, Suprun wrote. According to the Acting Healthcare Minister, the relatives of Edem Bekirov stated the possibility of the sugar coma is increasing every day. As we reported earlier, the health situation of Crimean Tatar political prisoner Bekirov is critical. Russian law enforcers detained Crimean Tatar Edem Bekirov at the entrance to occupied Crimea on December 12, 2018. Edem was heading from mainland Ukraine to Crimea to visit his 78-year-old mother and relatives. According to Ukrainian MP Refat Chubarov, Bekirov was arrested during passport control on the territory controlled by the Russian law enforcers. Later, Chubarov noted that the detainee was taken to Russias Security Service office in annexed Simferopol. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia Open source Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed to introduce general citizenship for residents of Russia and Ukraine. He stated this, commenting on the words of Volodymyr Zelensky about the readiness to provide Ukrainian citizenship to Russians, reports Gazeta.ru. I have said many times that Ukrainians and Russians are fraternal peoples and even more. I generally think that they are one nation ... and if we have general citizenship, both Russians and Ukrainians will benefit from this, he said. This suggests that we will agree, probably because we have a lot in common, Putin stressed, assessing Zelenskys statement. He also expressed confidence that common citizenship would make both countries "stronger and more successful." On April 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree that simplifies the procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship for residents of the occupied Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Applications for entry into citizenship of the Russian Federation, which are received from residents of ORDLO, should be considered no more than three months from the date of submission. Later, Putin said that he was thinking of issuing passports of the Russian Federation under a simplified procedure to all residents of Ukraine. Zelensky, in response, said that Ukraine would grant citizenship to representatives of all peoples suffering from authoritarian and corrupt regimes, and first of all to Russians. Zelensky also said that Russia should not waste time trying to seduce Ukrainian citizens with Russian passports. The current president of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, said that the issuance of Russian passports in Donbas is an attempt to justify and legitimize Russia's military presence in the occupied part of Ukraine. Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said that Ukraine is preparing a new package of sanctions. Ukraine appealed to the UN Security Council after Russia simplified the procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship. The representative of Ukraine at the UN called it a bold step, contrary to the Minsk agreements. Putins decree was condemned by Poland, Canada, France and the United States. Volodymyr Zelensky at a press conference after results of the exit polls were revealed, April 21, 2019 Zoya Shu/112.ua The Russian TV Channel NTV announced the show Magic show, in which one of the anchormen was the newly elected President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, as Radio Svoboda reported. Tatiana Lazareva is doing the show with Zelensky Volodymyr. The announcement says that this is the new show, although in fact it was filmed in 2011. As we reported earlier, the newly elected president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he was ready to negotiate with Russia in the Normandy format. Zelensky also expressed hope that Russia wants to negotiate more than to shoot. Zelensky believes that the Ukrainian party is ready to discuss the new conditions for the coexistence of Ukraine and Russia, with the understanding that true normalization will only take place after the complete de-occupation of Donbas and Crimea. Russian President Vladimir Putin does not rule out the possibility to meet the newly elected president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in person. According to the report, Putin claimed he would speak about the ways of solving the Donbas crisis during the meeting if it takes place. 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. Big Business is a band. They play heavy rock. On that, we can all agree. Things get tricky when you try to classify exactly where on the musical spectrum the dynamic duo's racket falls. "I guess psychedelic heavy metal punk rock? I don't know. People always say 'sludge rock,' which I always found to be lazy and kind of inaccurate," says drummer Coady Willis. "A lot of our songs are fast, and it's not like we're playing a half-assed Black Sabbath riff over and over again. That's been the struggle of the band. We're a band that doesn't really fit into what everyone else is doing." Willis comes from punk rockers The Murder City Devils. His co-conspirator, bassist/vocalist Jared Warren, spent time in noise rock weirdos Karp. Together, they formed Big Business in 2004. The LA-based outfit's first three albums didn't quite mesh with Hydra Head's post-metal aesthetic, but their idiosyncrasies caught the attention of another iconoclastic outfit: The Melvins. They recorded three albums, an EP, and various songs between 2006 and 2016 with that iconic grunge/doom/experimental act, all while maintaining their own identity as Big Business. Along the way, they picked up guitarists Toshi Kasai and Scott Martin, but on 2016's Command Your Weather, they returned to their core duo format. They remain in that lineup on their sixth full-length, The Beast You Are. "It's just better. We work faster, and we know what we're both going for. It gives us more room to be weirder in certain aspects and try different things. It makes sense because that's how we established ourselves in the beginning and how we learned to write songs together, it was just the two of us. Coming back to that lineup felt natural," continues Willis. The two performed everything on the album, which was recorded between the early November and early December of 2018 at El Studio in San Francisco by Phil Becker (Pins of Light, Terry Gross). Willis, Warren, and Becker handled the mixing, with Carl Saff lending his mastering expertise to the final product. Once more, Warren has hacked up some construction paper for one of his unique cover art pieces. With a new, dynamic demoing process leading to the creation of the most songs they've ever written for an album, The Beast You Are delivers 13 doses of uncategorizably heavy rock music. From the ominous death march of "The Moor You Know" to the soaring "Let Them Grind" to the delicate, ethereal "Under Everest," Big Business continues to defy listener's expectations. No matter the context of their music, however, one thing remains true: they are definitely still a band. A play about a self-involved actress, known for her portrayals of tragic heroines, disguises herself as a man in order to play Orlando opposite her girlfriend. SHE STOOPS TO COMEDY By David Greenspan Directed by Gregory S. Moss In She Stoops to Comedy, Alexandra Page, a self-involved actress, known for her portrayals of tragic heroines, disguises herself as a man in order to play Orlando opposite her girlfriend, Alison Rose, who has been cast as Rosalind in an out of-town production of As You Like It. Because the role of Alexandra is played by a man, her transformation does not require the use of drag. And because the other actors in the As You Like It cast are friends of Alexandra and Alison and the disguise is so effective Alexandra has an opportunity to not only hear what people really think of her, but to be made privy to the inner lives of her friends and colleagues. The play examines the friendships and love relationships of its seven characters and plays with the nature of authenticity both on and off the stage. April 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27 at 7:30pm and April 28 at 2:00pm Experimental Theatre Ticket Prices $15 General, $12 Seniors, $10 Students at UNM Ticket Offices, Call 925-5858 or 1-877-664-8661, or online at www.unmtickets.com Info at 277-4332 or theatre.unm.edu After going through something as life-altering as a car accident, the best thing you can get out of it is... From a grueling start on Friday night to a cooling ambivalence on Saturday, the L train slowdown seemed to lock into rhythm on Sunday, with 20-minute headways mostly behaving themselves and customers generally over the initial shock. Sundays smooth sailing could be attributed to lower ridership, typical of the last day of the weekend. But the MTA has made one goal clear: theyre hoping to deflate L ridership to lower than usual for this 15-18 month period of tunnel repair work by encouraging riders to use alternative routes. In Manhattan, the M14 bus is the current cross-town alternative to the L train. On Sunday afternoon, buses were spaced about three minutes apart at the 8th Avenue/14th Street stop. One bus rider, Matt FX, told Gothamist his wallet was thanking him for taking the $2.75 bus. He admitted, somewhat begrudgingly, hes spent somewhere between $100 and $200 this weekend taking Ubers, just to avoid the L train. Twenty minutes is the threshold for me, said Matt FX, who lives in Bushwick but grew up in the West Village. He recalled having to take the F train to Brooklyn sometimes and realizing that train normally runs every 20 or 30 minutes. There are plenty of trains that take forever, he said, as the bus approached 1st Avenue. It just sucks the L is about to join them. The M14 made it across 14th Street from 8th Avenue to 1st Avenue in about 16 minutes, with the light Sunday afternoon traffic offering a possible glimpse into what bus commuting will be like when 14th officially becomes a bus-way in June. MTA workers were standing at the entrances to the L train station, steering commuters to their fastest possible route. West-bound commuters were urged to save time by taking the M14 bus. At 1st Ave & 14th St, @MTA workers are telling west-bound riders it makes more sense to take the M14 than the L. One worker was out yesterday, when she says riders were more stressed out. Today they recognize her, smile, wave. It helps that Sunday = less traffic. #WeTheCommuters pic.twitter.com/w9Kj709tqR Shumita Basu (@shubasu) April 28, 2019 Down on the platform of the 1st Avenue station, some riders said even though they were caught off-guard by how badly things initially went on Friday night, they were mostly adapting to the changes. Zachary Sherry, who lives in Bed-Stuy and takes the L every day, said he was late to his retail job this morning. Today was my try it once [day], said Sherry, explaining that being late means losing wages. I'll find my way around, I'll figure it out. I'm thinking I'll probably just go to the M train, because I've heard that it's a better route. Getting off at the Bedford Avenue stop in Brooklyn looks a bit like a warzone these days, due to ongoing station renovation. A dozen or so MTA workers patrolled the platform there, some of them droning helpful directions into a megaphone to keep people moving. One transit staff member, wearing a fluorescent orange vest, helped a woman carry her stroller up the stairs at Bedford. The staffer was Sarah Meyer, the Chief Customer Officer of New York City Transit. Just getting the word out and making sure that we all know where there is alternate service is our primary goal and challenge, Meyer told Gothamist, estimating shed spent about 18 hours in the subway system since Friday. On the right is @SarahMeyerNYC, Chief Customer Officer of NYC Transit. Left is Kaitlin McCready, director of special projects. Shes the one who came up with the hot pink signs! said Meyer of McCready with a laugh.#WeTheCommuters pic.twitter.com/YiO3Fe9uA0 Shumita Basu (@shubasu) April 28, 2019 When asked what led to the inaccurate countdown clocks in stations and on the MTA app on Saturday, Meyer explained that this was the first time NYCT was dealing with a schedule where trains were being intentionally held, meaning arrival and departure times arent the same. At Union Square and at Bedford and Lorimer, there are holds built in to maintain the one track operation, she said, now that trains in both directions are sharing a single track. So we had to alter some of our automated software and automated announcements to account for these holds in a way that had never been done before. Meyer said there are still some hold times at Union Square and at Lorimer that might be off by a couple of minutes, but the agency will be evaluating their accuracy over the course of the next week and will make modifications if necessary. As for Sunday, Meyer said service seemed to be going smoothly. To her, it indicated that people are adjusting away from the L train and are flocking to alternative train lines and routes. She estimated that the M line has seen a 50% increase in service this weekend alone; MTA spokesperson Max Young later confirmed that Meyers estimate was accurate. One service change thats meant to encourage L riders to peel off and take nearby G-J-M trains is the introduction of two Williamsburg Link bus lines. Theyre free, more like shuttle buses, and are scheduled to run every 3 minutes during the day on weekends. They were mostly empty on Sunday afternoon, with one bus operator telling Gothamist hed taken 4 loops around his route and had very few riders. The MTA is providing 2 new Williamsburg Link shuttle routes. Theyre free, and meant to shuttle riders between alternatives (L-G-J-M). I rode a few & saw mostly tourists whod been directed by MTA staff. One driver told me hed done 4 loops, barely any riders. #WeTheCommuters pic.twitter.com/eH8V1y58nZ Shumita Basu (@shubasu) April 28, 2019 Overall, Sundays L train riders seemed to give it a fairly even score. Many commuters mentioned how helpful MTA staff members at each station have been. (The MTA says 200 workers have been distributing information this weekend.) Most said they found the station countdown clocks to be mostly accurate, and no one reported having to wait more than 20 minutes. Robert Barnes, who manages a music studio in Williamsburg, called this the least harmful solution. Riders who were used to waiting up to 10 minutes for an L train will now need to build in double that time, just to be safe. Which didn't faze Barnes. They extended [wait times] by ten minutes. Ten minutes! Barnes exclaimed. I mean, how could anybody be mad at that in New York City? Update: This post has been updated to reflect the MTAs confirmation that the M line saw a 50% increase in ridership and that 200 workers have been distributing information about the slowdown this weekend. Shumita Basu is a host, producer and reporter in the newsroom. You can follow her on Twitter @shubasu. New York mainstay Cha-An Teahouse is opening a second outpost this Wednesday, May 1st, on East 9th Street, just a few storefronts away from its 15-year-old parent location. Cha-An BONBON will be an exclusively grab-and-go Japanese sweets shop for people who are curious about Cha-Ans traditional offerings without the formal atmosphere. Because of Cha-Ans reputation as the definitive teahouse for all things matcha and wagashi (traditional Japanese confections) since it first opened in 2004, owner Bon Yagi and his daughter/business partner Sakura Yagi have now devised a way to satisfy all of the people looking to get in on some of the action. We think that Cha-An is a bit too busy, and we cant service all the customers who come to our store so we want to give people who want to try our things the opportunity to try them, Sakura Yagi, COO of TIC Restaurant Group, told Gothamist. BONBON will feature a pared down menu of Cha-Ans famous desserts, alongside the various teas that are customarily sipped with them, including matcha, one of Cha-Ans most popular items. Cha has been serving matcha and Japanese sweets since 2004 so we are actually the trendsetters, but in the sense of having more people who understand what matcha is, it definitely helped to push us to open a to-go spot, Yagi says. New York matcha-makers like Cha Cha Matcha have helped usher the (circa 12th century) caffeinated tea in to the limelight for some, but nothing about Cha-Ans relationship to the tea is novel. Were sticking to what we know best, which is very traditional stuff, Yagi says. At BONBON, customers will have the option to embellish Cha-Ans traditional matcha latte with additions like red bean, mochi, and soft-serve ice cream. Sakura Cookies. (Courtesy of Cha-An BONBON) The 100-square-foot take-out shop will offer an assortment of dessertsfrom matcha tiramisu to Earl Grey chocolatealong with our signature mochi as well as Japanese cream puffs, Yagi adds. There will also be seasonal wagashi on the menu, exclusive to BONBONs miniature storefront. We are definitely going to have new items that arent available at Cha-An, like different flavors of the [mitarashi] dango, which is like mochi on a stick, Yagi says. (For reference, Yagi instructs me to turn to my emoji keyboard, which features dango... the three multi-colored mochi balls on a diagonal skewer). BONBON will also have anmitsu, a Japanese dessert made from jelly cubes (and a Cha-An classic), and sakura nerikiri, a cherry blossom cake. Though these are classic examples of wagashi, many of BONBONs seasonal dessert recipes were developed by Yagis mother with the help of Cha-An staff. Confectionery is certainly their sweet spot, but they flourish in the realm of the savory too. However, to taste their much-beloved toasts, featuring ingredients like raspberry butter and smoked salmon, youre going to have to wait for a table at the Teahouse down the block. BONBON is very similar to a traditional Japanese sweets shop, Yagi says. "Hopefully when you walk in youll feel like its just an outpost of Cha-An and enjoy the desserts that were known for, [plus] new ones specific to BONBON. (Courtesy of Cha-An BONBON) BONBON (located at 238 East 9th Street) will be closed on Tuesdays, but open every other weekday from noon to 8 p.m., and on Friday through Sunday until 9 p.m. A flight from the Dominican Republic that landed at JFK Airport on Sunday night was held on the tarmac while Port Authority officials tried to determine whether a passenger had the measles. The flight, JetBlue 410 from Santo Domingo, landed at 9 p.m., but its passengers were kept on the plane for about an hour. Yeshiva World News reports, "[C]rew members feared passengers having the highly contagious measles virus. Sources tell YWN that JetBlue Flight 410 from Santo Domingo Republic was carrying dozens of Orthodox Jewish passengers who were returning from a Pesach program." There is currently an outbreak of measles across the country, with 626 reported cases this year so far, which is the second-highest number of incidents since 2000 (all of 2014 had 667 cases). Most of the cases have been concentrated in New York City and Rockland County, which have recorded nearly 600 cases between them, and those cases have been concentrated in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community. The plane's passengers were allowed off the plane only after, according to Yeshiva World News, "Jewish community activists immediately contacted the familys pediatricians and doctors, and produced records showing that the entire family had been immunized. It appears that the suspicious rash on the children was instead some type of bites from bugs." Measles is a highly contagious, air-borne virus that causes a fever and rash. Babies, pregnant women, the elderly, and the immunocompromised are the most vulnerable to extremely severe reactions to the measles. A passenger told NBC New York, "Some sort of medic type guy came on with a mask and a police man, probably Port Authority, with a mask looked at the kid and decided that it was probably mosquito bites." "After reports of a potential medical concern onboard, flight 410 from Santo Domingo to JFK, was requested to hold for medical services out of an abundance of caution so a customer could be examined," JetBlue said in a statement. All customers were cleared and the flight deplaned normally." Mayor Bill de Blasio believes the NYPD's crackdown on illegal e-bikes should be targeting businesses, not the delivery cyclists themselves. The NYPD believes this too, according to a memo they sent to every uniformed officer last fall. Yet police officers continue to fine the cyclists $500 and confiscate their e-bikes, and when judges toss those penalties out, the NYPD's Legal Bureau appeals them anyway. Now, a Legal Aid attorney is filing a lawsuit to ask a judge to direct the NYPD and the de Blasio administration to follow the law and stop penalizing workers who use e-bikes. City law states that "a business using a bicycle for commercial purposes shall be liable" for e-bike fines incurred by their workers, a fact the NYPD pointed out in their patrol guide memo from November 20th, 2018. If an officer stops a worker using an illegal, throttle-based e-bike, that officer is supposed to find the address of the cyclist's employer and "respond to business location if within a reasonable distance." Failing that, the memo allows the officer to mail the business a citation. (Cyclists are still personally responsible for other citations they receive for riding illegally.) "I thought that this issue was pretty much resolved when the NYPD had changed their regulations, but then there were a couple of precincts where they continued to serve the bicyclists," said Steven Wasserman, the Legal Aid attorney who frequently represents delivery cyclists. "We just want them to stop torturing the food delivery workers," Wasserman added. In at least four cases, when judges have tossed out e-bike citations against riders, on the basis that the NYPD should have ticketed their employers, the NYPD has appealed and won. Three of those cases occurred in the 10th Precinct in Chelsea. The NYPD did not immediately respond to a request for comment, or for the most recent data concerning e-bike citations and seizures. In late January, the NYPD's Chief of Transportation, Thomas Chan testified that the department confiscated 1,215 e-bikes in 2018, and issued 1,154 e-bike summonses to individuals, and 167 e-bike summonses to commercial businesses. A recent Streetsblog report featuring data collected by the Biking Public Project showed that just 31 of the reported 45,775 motor vehicle collisions in 2018 involved e-bikes. Theres plenty of evidence of them being used in a manner thats reckless, that doesnt conform to the way all the other types of transportation work, de Blasio said when confronted with the stats. This has been, to me, the mode of transportation where weve seen a lot of recklessness, a lot of going the wrong way down the street, a lot of speed at levels they shouldnt be for very closely packed areasits a problem. Im just not going to stop saying I think its a safety problem, and a lot of my constituents think its a safety problem. The City has not yet been served with Wasserman's lawsuit. Asked if he is still seeing cases where the NYPD is ticketing individual delivery cyclists, Wasserman replied, "I have one coming in next Monday." Investigators are looking for a man accused of raping a masseuse at a Flushing business on Saturday. The man apparently posed as a customer before attacking the woman. The incident took place around 2:30 p.m. on April 27th, in a commercial building near 37th Avenue and Main Street. According to the NYPD, a man "requested a foot massage" and once he was inside a massage room with a 56-year-old female employee, "he pinned the victim against the bed and raped her." The suspect also "took the victim's cell phone but he dropped it on the floor as he fled the location," police say. The victim was taken to a hospital in stable condition. Police released footage of the suspect, who is described as being 20-30 years old and 6 fee tall who was last seen wearing a light blue long sleeved shirt, blue jeans, black/white sneakers, and he had on a light colored backpack. Anyone with information in regard to the identity of this male is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or on Twitter @NYPDTips. Update: A 21-year-old Bronx resident has been arrested for the rape. Terrell Green was charged with rape, robbery, burglary and grand larceny. The police reportedly received "several" tips leading to Green's arrest. The fight over measles is moving from the streets of Williamsburg to the gilded halls of the State Capitol in Albany. There, lawmakers, local politicians and anti-vaccination activists are girding for a fight over the states rules that allow parents to keep their children unvaccinated for religious reasons. State senators are proposing to eliminate the religious exemption, citing it as a key reason for the spread of measles. You have a First Amendment right to practice your own religion, but you do not have the right to endanger your children or worse other peoples children, state Sen. Brad Hoylman, a Democrat from Manhattan, said at a press conference in Albany Monday. Hoylman, the sponsor of S2994, and fellow supporters argue that the sizable number of unvaccinated children in Rockland County and Brooklynmany of whom have religious exemptionshas made fighting the current measles outbreak more difficult. An estimated 28 percent in kids in Rockland County werent vaccinated for measles, while an estimated 14 percent of pre-school aged children in Williamsburg werent, according to recent estimates from local health departments. Listen to Gwynne Hogans report on WNYC: Joining the press conference was county executive for Rockland, Ed Day, who has been engaged in legal and logistical challenges to slow the spread of measles in his jurisdiction. This needs to be done, not tomorrow, not in a week, not in a month, and not in a year. It must be done immediately, the numbers are gaining strength, Day said. Also Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that there have been 704 measles cases across 22 states so far this year. The religious exemption law has been on the books in New York since 1968, according to the State Health Department. Hoylmans bill was introduced in January and is in the Health Committee; its unclear if they have enough votes to pass the bill. Meanwhile anti-vaccination activists are lining up to oppose the bill under the umbrella group New York Alliance for Vaccine Rights. They have planned a rally in Albany on May 14th, where anti-vaccination activists from the national circuit are expected to speak. The group is aiming to raise $20,000 and has received more than $14,000 from 211 people as of Monday. Organizers didnt return a request for comment right away. These opponents of mandatory vaccination have been galvanized in recent months by the measures taken by local governments intended to slow the spread of measles, including Rockland Countys ban on unvaccinated children in public places (temporarily struck down in court) and New York Citys vaccination rule in certain Brooklyn zip codes (which a court upheld). Activist Stephanie Mahairas, who said her son was injured by a vaccine, has been to rallies in both locations. At a recent court hearing in Brooklyn, she told reporters she would fight the removal of the states religious exemption. It goes against the constitutional rights; the Civil Rights Act of United States of America, gave children the right to go to school based on their religion, race, sex and nation of origin, she said So this is against the Civil Rights Act. After New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the emergency order in Brooklyn, Governor Andrew Cuomo appeared sympathetic to opponents of mandatory vaccination. It's a serious public health concern; but it's also a serious First Amendment issue and it is going to be a constitutional legal question, Cuomo said on WAMC radio. Do we have the right to society, government have the right to say; you must vaccinate your child because I'm afraid your child can affect my child? But on Monday, Cuomo clarified his opinion and said he supported mandatory vaccination under the current circumstances. Were in a world now, where if I sneeze, you catch a cold. Your health is not just your health. Your health is my health, Cuomo said at a press gaggle. I dont think, in this case, the religious exemption is appropriate. Most states allow religious exemptions. Only three don't: Mississippi, West Virginia and California. California eliminated its religious exemption in 2015 in response to a measles outbreak that was tracked back to Disneyland. That law did raise the state's vaccination rates, but the number of medical exemptions has more than tripled in the subsequent years, suggesting some parents were trading religious exemptions for medical ones. Now lawmakers are are trying to craft new legislation, giving the state more oversight to vet medical exemptions, but it's facing pushback from parents there who oppose mandatory vaccination. As of Monday, New York City has seen 423 measles cases since the outbreak began in October. Under the emergency vaccination rule, the city has now fined 57 people for failing to get vaccinated; they each face $1,000 fines if a judge upholds the charges. Twenty-nine people have been hospitalized, including six in the intensive care unit. Seventeen people caught pneumonia as a complication. Children account for 85 percent of those sickened, and 92 percent of those kids were completely unvaccinated, according to the citys health department. A total of 60 cases have occurred among adults, of whom 72 percent were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. There are no deaths associated with the outbreak. Another 236 measles cases have been reported in other parts of New York, mostly in Rockland County. Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo didnt return request for comment on the bill. Gwynne Hogan is an associate producer at WNYC. You can follow her on Twitter at @GwynneFitz. Reflecting a longstanding failure to account for changing demographics, New York City is not building enough public play spaces for its youngest residents, forcing thousands of children to live in playground deserts, according to a new report from Comptroller Scott Stringer. The report, which was released this past weekend and used a range of publicly available data sources, examined a total of 2,067 public playgrounds, including 1,028 managed by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, 796 maintained by the New York City Housing Authority, and 243 Department of Education playgrounds that are open to the public after school hours. Adrian Benepe, the former city parks commissioner who served under Mayor Michael Bloomberg from 2002 to 2012, called the report the best comprehensive analysis he had ever seen of playground need on a neighborhood basis. In the past, people have looked at playgrounds in silos, said Benepe, who is currently a senior vice president and director of city park development for The Trust for Public Land, a nonprofit dedicated to creating and preserving parks. But in applying a wholesale approach, Stringer came up with a bleak assessment: New York City's ranks 48th in playgrounds per capita among the 100 largest cities in the country. Of the five boroughs, Brooklyn is the most underserved, with eight NYC Parks playgrounds for every 10,000 children under 10, the report said. Queens came in second to last, with 9 playgrounds per 10,000 children. By comparison, Manhattan had the most, with 15 playgrounds per 10,000 children under 10. Total number of NYC Parks playgrounds, by Community District (Source: Comptroller's report) Brooklyn also had the worst record when it came to playground maintenance, with 24 percent of its playgrounds deemed to be unacceptable under a NYC Parks Inspection Program, which evaluates playgrounds for structural, landscape and sanitary conditions. Despite more families electing to stay put in New York City, public playgrounds appear to be a blind-spot in the citys planning efforts. Although the city has added thousands of acres in parkland over the last decade, including Brooklyn Bridge Park, Domino Park and Hunters Point South Park, the same focus has not been given to new playground construction. New York City has not done a good job over its history [with playgrounds], Benepe said What the comptroller has found is not the fault of the de Blasio administration, its a historic failure to plan for measured growth. For example, the report found that 15 neighborhoods with the lowest ratio of playgrounds showed a 14 percent growth in the number of neighborhood children aged 9 and under from 2010 to 2017. Although land is a premium, in some instances, the city has failed to take advantage of proven models that dont require buying or redeveloping property. In 2007, the city pledged to convert 290 schoolyards into publicly accessible playgrounds during non-school hours by 2010. Despite the program being viewed as a success, the city is currently dozens of playgrounds short of its goal, the report said. The share of unacceptable playgrounds, by Community District (Source: Comptroller's report) In the report, Stringer has called for the creation of 200 new playgrounds in the next five years. In addition to expanding the "Schoolyards to Playgrounds" program and making a greater investment in playground maintenance and operations, he recommends creating playgrounds on blocks that have little through-traffic, such as dead-end streets. Dubbed the Pavement to Playground program and inspired by a playground in Crown Heights, such playgrounds would be located mid-block and parking would be rearranged as angled spaces on both sides of the playground. Our plan would bring playgrounds and plazas to lightly used residential streets. Angled street parking would be introduced so that the total number of parking spots remains constant. This model is proven to work and can create vibrant public spaces. pic.twitter.com/10MhlnvEdt Scott M. Stringer (@NYCComptroller) April 27, 2019 In a jab at the de Blasio administration, the report warns against ceding control of Jointly Operated Playgrounds, 269 properties adjacent to city schools that were created with the citys Department of Education and which have been treated but not formally designated as public parks. The de Blasio administration is currently supporting a plan in East Harlem to allow a developer to demolish the playground for housing as well as two new schools. Given that the City is already deficient in its playground and park facilities, surrendering these properties to private development is severely misguided," the report says. A spokesperson for the mayors office issued the following statement, "By investing in playgrounds, we are investing in the future of our children. This administration is reconstructing 67 playgrounds that havent seen repairs in decades, has converted 14 school yards into playgrounds and has over 20 more new playgrounds in the pipeline. We are investing millions of dollars to ensure our kids have space to be kids. Benepe said that under de Blasio, the city has done a good job renovating playgrounds. But he says the city should adopt all of Stringers proposals, which he said should not really strain the citys budget. Its a question of priorities and municipal will," he said. UPDATE: This post has been updated with a statement from the Mayor's office. A Philadelphia police officer allegedly burst into his girlfriend's brother's Brooklyn apartment early Thursday morning and put him in a chokehold, demanding the brother hand over a very charming 11-month-old Maltese puppyor else. The pet-owner, 25-year-old Rafael Santos, says 30-year-old Angel Lopez attacked him while he slept, threatening false arrest if he refused to surrender the pooch. "He came in full uniform, full gear, right after work," Santos told the NY Daily News. "He slammed open my door. Right away, you could see he was in a hostile state ... He was like, 'I'll arrest you for hitting a cop.' I was like, 'Bro you're putting your hands on me, you came into my home, you're the one looking for an altercation.'" Santos explained that he adopted his surprisingly contentious pup, Mia, as a companion for his other Maltese puppy of the same age (Adina). His sisterwho goes back and forth between Bushwick, where Santos lives, and Philadelphiawas reportedly so jazzed about the new addition that she offered to pay Santos $200 for the privilege of looking after his dog. He told the Daily News that she and Lopez liked the idea of buying a puppy together because they found it "romantic," but didn't want to take on the full responsibility. According to Santos, though, his sister grew attached about a week and a half into her chaperone duties, and wanted to take Mia back to Philadelphia. "All of a sudden everybody wanted the puppy," Santos told the Daily News. He reminded his sister that Mia was supposed to keep Adina company, he continued, and that he hadn't agreed to sell her his dog, only to let her watch it. That "no" does not seem to have sat well with Santos's sister: According to Santos, the pair came barreling into his Bushwick apartment at 5:30 a.m. on April 25th, Lopez shouting, "Where is the dog? I want the dog!" He allegedly came fully outfitted with handcuffs, his gun, the full array of his law enforcement affects. Santos says he tried to diffuse the situation, but Lopez aggressively restrained him, while his sister wrenched the dog from his grip and ran off with it. "My whole shirt was ripped up. He was grabbing me. They treated me like an animal," Santos told the News. "I had a bruise above my right eye where I got hit in the face." According to the NYPD, Lopez was arrested in Bushwick on Friday, around 8:45 p.m. He faces robbery charges. 24-year-old Kenya Santos was also arrested on robbery charges in connection with the incident, the spokesperson said. Todd Spodek, Lopez's New York-based attorney, put a different spin on the alleged dog-napping. Spodek said in a statement that Rafael Santos "a history of fabricating stories against Mr. Lopez and his family." Two people who witnessed the alleged assault, which Santos claimed happened before dawn and in the privacy of his own home, confirmed that Lopez "acted appropriately at all times," Spodek said, adding that he "anticipate[s] Mr. Lopez being permitted to return to the force shortly." Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross told the Philadelphia Inquirer that Lopez has been placed on 30-day leave with intent to dismiss, adding: "It's so very unfortunate that someone will give up a good job for something that's so ridiculous." Meanwhile, Santos told the Daily News that Mia is still missing: "I want my puppy backthat's my biggest concern." The legendary White Horse Tavern, one of the oldest bars in New York City and a venerable literary haunt, closed on Sunday night for renovations, a tipster informed Gothamist. The Greenwich Village Historic Society for Historic Preservation confirmed the news on Twitter, and the bar's windows have since been papered over. The White Horse Tavern will be shut for weeks as it undergoes repairs. (Paula Mejia/Gothamist) The White Horse recently changed hands when the building it occupies was sold to the infamous lardlord Steve Croman, who recently did time in prison for tax and mortgage fraud. The bar's new proprietor, Eytan Sugarman, is a restaurateur whose ventures include Midtown's Hunt and Fish Club, which has ties to Anthony Scaramucci. In a community board meeting last month, Sugarman reassured worried West Village residents that besides tweaking a few things (and having "a little bit of a better burger") he would keep the beloved bar as is. "I have every intention of keeping this amazing institution the way it is, I have no intention of making any dramatic changes," Sugarman said in front of Community Board 2. "I want to fix what needs to be fixed, I essentially took this to maintain the integrity, to preserve the White Horse Tavern." Update: A sign posted to the bar's door said it would be shutting down to make "some much needed repairs and upgrades" over the next few weeks. "Have no fear, we have no intention of changing any of the historical elements that make the White Horse Tavern the landmark that it is," it reads. The historic bar has been a city landmark since the late 1960s, which means that Sugarman and his team can't make changes to the exterior. The White Horse's interior, though, is another storythough there's been a recent movement to landmark the inside of the bar, too. It's unclear what changes might take shape, or when exactly the White Horse will re-open. But wary barflies worry that the bar's spirit is in danger, as well. Last month, a handful of regulars held a "wake" for the longtime drinking spot of legends like Dylan Thomas, the Welsh poet who infamously dropped dead after drinking at the White Horse. Online, people reminisced and paid their respects to the old watering hole over the weekend. On the last day the White Horse Tavern operates under the old owners, they have 26 bottles of Fire Ball, and they're VERY serious about getting rid of all if it! Come on down! pic.twitter.com/jUUjq95cd4 Literary Manhattan (@LitManhattan) April 28, 2019 Yesterday #NYC lost a legendary place. The White Horse Tavern closed after 139 years of beer stand glory. I have spent my fair share of time and there but not as much as Jack Kerouac who spent so many hours there someone wrote Jack go home on the bathroom wall... pic.twitter.com/tNtEqlFeGl Richard Crouse (@RichardCrouse) April 29, 2019 Oops, Im too late photographing my watercolor painting of the White Horse Tavern! Its closed as of today for renovations, well see what it looks like when it reopens and hope the calls to landmark the interior were heard. Dylan Thomas drank here in the 1960s! pic.twitter.com/auP8Kq6TRU Nick Golebiewski (@nickdesign) April 29, 2019 Attempts to contact Eytan Sugarman and the White Horse Tavern on Monday morning were unsuccessful. We'll update as we find out more. "Foro del @AcuerdoNacPeru nos ofrece un espacio de encuentro para escuchar diversidad de voces y opiniones, y construir un consenso que suele pasar desapercibido en nuestro pais", titular de la PCM @saldelsol. pic.twitter.com/j2jMzU1nwW "We never disregarded it (his health)," the prosecutor expressed. According to Vela, this change of measure does not mean there are not enough elements of conviction for a preventive detention, but priority has been given to the ex-President's health status, since he underwent surgery last Saturday. The 80-year-old is currently hospitalized at a Lima-based clinic. "In terms of the case, the Public Ministry has not backed down from any of its arguments for the preventive detention request against Mr. Kuczynski," he added. Finally, Prosecutor Vela indicated the medical reports establishing the ex-Head of State's health risks have been respected. The court also imposed on him rules of conduct, including the payment of an economic bond worth S/100,000 (about US$30,303). Preliminary detention El Peru y Estados Unidos suscriben acuerdo historico para fortalecer la cooperacion en materia de operaciones de busqueda y salvamento en areas maritimas bajo su responsabilidad. ?https://t.co/eTK71ACsvT pic.twitter.com/NxDZ7dRQ8A Garcia family's attorney Pedro Panta informed it was a reconstruction of the events that had occurred on that date. As is known, police agents and Prosecutor Henry Amenabar had arrived at Garcia's home to enforce a preliminary detention order against him and a raid in his residence. "Among the multiple initiatives carried out during our pro-tempore presidency, along with Chile, Colombia, and Mexico, special mention should be made of the dynamism of cooperation with observer States, following the first Pacific Alliance Technical Forum held April 23-24 in Lima," Popolizio said in a video posted on Twitter. #8AnosAP| En ocasion del 8. aniversario de la #AlianzaDelPacifico, compartimos un video informativo con el saludo del canciller @NestorPopolizio.#ElPoderDeLaIntegracionhttps://t.co/QcD068mQ31 Nuestro pais tiene una gran variedad de areas naturales protegidas. ???? Conoce cual fue la mas visitada en el 2018 aqui: https://t.co/Sngyr9Pvpf, y cuentanos cual te gustaria visitar en tu proximo viaje. #TurismoIn pic.twitter.com/ikSY8oCpYm He also noted Peru's willingness to improve the capacity for dialogue and action around a growing common agenda including topics like trade and investment, cultural exchange and global concerns such as sustainable development, climate change, democracy, as well as promotion and protection of human rights. In addition, he stressed the two countries' participation in the promotion of instruments and mechanisms such as APEC , the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) , and the Pacific Alliance, with the aim of injecting a new momentum into free trade activities in the Pacific region. Presidente @MartinVizcarraC: Forjar instituciones solidas, eficientes y confiables es tarea de todos. No solo del Ejecutivo, sino tambien del Congreso, el Poder Judicial y las demas entidades del Estado. Debemos actuar con sentido de urgencia y sin poner trabas ni obstaculos. pic.twitter.com/CxcvKf8TDK " " A new study debunks the idea that the Spinosaurus dinosaur was an avid swimmer. Mariomassone, Used Under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 License You may remember Spinosaurus aegyptiacus as the villain of "Jurassic Park III." In that 2001 movie, the sail-backed carnivore swims up to a barge and attacks the human passengers. It's a cool action scene, but did Spinosaurus really hunt that way? Since the 1980s, experts have been wondering if the strange creature was amphibious. The debate thickened in 2014. Spinosaurus has always been an elusive dinosaur; its fossils are rare and those that are found tend to be fragmented or incomplete. So when a load of fresh information was announced in 2014, natural history fans got pretty excited. Paleontologist Nizar Ibrahim and his colleagues wrote a now-famous paper describing the partial skeletons of at least two individual Spinosaurus that were found in Morocco. Using these bones, Ibrahim's team reinterpreted the way Spinosaurus might've looked and behaved. Scientists used to assume that, like most meat-eating dinosaurs, the animal's rear legs were significantly longer than its arms. But upon reviewing the new specimens, Ibrahim and his team concluded that Spinosaurus was a short-legged giant a weird-looking beast with an estimated length of 50 feet (15.5 meters) and disproportionately small hindlimbs. Such a creature seemed ill-suited for walking around on two legs over dry land. Pointing to its weird body shape (along with some other features), Ibrahim and his co-authors said Spinosaurus was a semiaquatic predator who swam after fish in its marshy African habitat 97 million years ago. A new paper calls this into question. Our friend Spinosaurus may have had an affinity for waterways, but according to a series of recent computer simulations, it was a mediocre swimmer. Advertisement Model Citizens The results of these digital trial runs were published in the Aug. 16, 2018 edition of PeerJ, an open-access scientific journal. Donald M. Henderson, who serves as the curator of dinosaurs at the Royal Tyrrell Museum, in Drumheller, Alberta, Canada, led the study. Henderson's goal was to assess Ibrahim's earlier claims that Spinosaurus was semiaquatic. To do this, Henderson built a 3D virtual model of the dinosaur based on illustrations and photographs from the 2014 paper. He used the same software to create digital recreations of five other theropod (meat-eating) dinosaurs: Tyrannosaurus rex, Allosaurus fragilis, Coelophysis bauri, Struthiomimus altus and Baryonyx tenerensis. Note that the latter is a close relative of Spinosaurus belonging to the same family. Since all experiments need a control group, Henderson also made digital replicas of the American alligator and the emperor penguin, two living animals with well-documented semiaquatic lifestyles. In his simulations, both of these models floated exactly as their real-life counterparts do, validating Henderson's methods. Advertisement The Tipping Point Once he'd assembled his digital dinos, Henderson was ready to toss them into a virtual freshwater lake. The results indicated that Spinosaurus was not an especially gifted swimmer. While floating in tranquil water, the model Spinosaurus was able to keep its nostrils safely above the surface. But so did the other five dinosaur replicas. In other words, there was nothing unique about the fin-backed carnivore's performance here. And by the way, the fin itself turned out to be a serious handicap. The sail on Spinosaurus' back likely stood more than 6 feet (2 meters) tall at its apex and according to Ibrahim's crewit would have weighed about 738 pounds (335 kilograms) when covered in muscles, tissues and skin. Trying to swim with such a large piece of flair on its back may have been challenging for the dinosaur. Alligators can keep their bodies upright even as they move through choppy water, but Henderson's floating Spinosaurus model tipped over to one side whenever it was nudged. He surmised that the animal would need to be constantly pumping its arms and legs in order to stay on an even keel and avoid rolling over. Not exactly an energy-efficient solution. Advertisement Diving with Dinosaurs If you're an aquatic predator, sinking on command is just as important as staying afloat. After all, you've got to be able to pursue victims underwater when necessary. Try as he might though, Henderson couldn't sink his Spinosaurus. Birds have a complicated respiratory system: In addition to their lungs, they've got a network of air sacs that are connected to hollow, air-filled bones. There is ample evidence to suggest that non-avian theropod dinosaurs had this same apparatus and Henderson took that into account while building his computer models. The digital Spinosaurus was just too buoyant to sink because its calculated density was lower than that of fresh water. This remained true even when Henderson deflated its lungs by 75 percent, got rid of the air sacs and increased the density of its skeleton. None of those alterations did the trick; his Spinosaurus remained afloat. (For the record, the virtual alligator sank when a mere 40 to 50 percent of the air left its lungs.) Advertisement On the Waterfront Ibrahim told National Geographic that he "welcomed" Henderson's study. However, he notes that the Royal Tyrell scientist did not personally inspect the Spinosaurus fossils mentioned in the 2014 paper before carrying out his computer tests. Had Henderson done so, Ibrahim thinks the digital run-throughs may have gone differently. Regardless of whether Spinosaurus was a good swimmer or not, it's clear that the dinosaur spent a lot of time around waterways. The creature's cone-shaped teeth were ideal for skewering fish, and half-digested piscine remains have been found in the belly cavity of a Baryonyx (whom, you'll recall, was akin to Spinosaurus). Henderson's computer experiments suggest that Spinosaurus' center of mass was located just in front of the rear legs. If this is true, then the beast would've had an easier time walking around bipedally than Ibrahim's team previously thought. Rather than swim after fishes, Spinosaurus might have caught them by wading in shallow water, as grizzly bears do. Or perhaps it made like a heron and snatched fishy prey from the shoreline. Advertisement Advertisement NOW THAT'S INTERESTING Spinosaurus was named by German paleontologist Ernst Freiherr Stromer von Reichenbach in 1915. He kept a collection of its fossils at a museum in Munich. Unfortunately, Stromer who openly criticized Adolf Hitler wasn't permitted to remove the bones from the facility when World War II broke out. During a 1944 Royal Air Force bombing, the museum was hit and those dinosaur remains were destroyed. " " Sea spiders occupy marine habitats the world over, in both deep and shallow waters. But until now, scientists were not able to pinpoint the mechanism that allows them to breathe underwater in the absence of lungs or gills. Bret Tobalske/University of Montana Unsurprisingly, a human doesn't have much in common with a sea spider. Actually, no other organism on Earth has much in common with one of these spindly-legged arthropods, either. The top five weird things about them: Their genitals and most of their digestive system are encased in their delicate legs. Their hearts are so weak that they require the digestive system to move blood around the body. The males carry the young. They eat by sticking their proboscis into a mushy sea creature and sucking out its juices. Until recently, nobody could figure out how they breathed. Strange as they may be, sea spiders occupy marine habitats the world over, in deep and shallow waters. They can be miniscule, with a leg span of only a millimeter, but the sea spiders in Antarctica grow to be unusually large about the size of a Frisbee. This is not to say that their bodies are very big their trunks are improbably small in contrast to the sheer area their legs take up. There's not a lot of surface area on a sea spider's abdomen and thorax to trick it out with unnecessary amenities; a lot of jobs have to be farmed out to their long, skinny legs. Scientists have pretty much identified how they pack most of the necessary physiological processes into such a teensy body and such delicate appendages, but they haven't been able to figure out how they breathe until now. Advertisement A study, published in the March 28, 2018 issue of the Journal of Experimental Biology, has gotten to the bottom of how sea spiders move oxygen through their bodies by studying several species of giant Antarctic sea spiders. Most sea creatures have gills like fish and lobsters or lungs like whales, and some can even take oxygen in through their skin. But sea spiders have a tough exoskeleton and no gills or lungs, so what gives? The research team found sea spiders take oxygen into their bodies through hundreds of tiny pores in their cuticle, the tough outer skin that gives them structure and protection. They put giant Antarctic sea spiders in respiration chambers to see exactly how much oxygen they were absorbing, and found they were taking in enough through tiny holes all over their legs to run their entire bodies. Which, of course, is great for the sea spider, but as polar seas warm as a result of global climate change, their ability to absorb oxygen in this novel way might be compromised. Good luck, sea spiders! Advertisement Advertisement Now That's Interesting "Polar gigantism" is a term that describes the way animals at our planet's poles tend to grow much larger than in other parts of the world. The Rebirth of 841 Broadway David Di Rita aims to turn one of Ann Arbor's most polluted sites into a riverfront neighborhood. by Jan Schlain From the April, 2019 issue Somewhere, John Dingell is smiling. The veteran congressman, who died in February, told the Observer in 2011 that "nothing in politics gives me greater pleasure" than cleaning up polluted rivers. He'd spearheaded the creation of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge on the Detroit River--then challenged a group of community and business leaders to do something like it on the Huron River. DTE Energy CEO Gerry Anderson knew just the place. When DTE bought the Michigan Consolidated Gas Co. in 2001, it also acquired one of the city's most polluted properties: 841 Broadway. Once the site of the city's artificial-gas manufacturing plant, it was contaminated with, among other things, carcinogenic coal tar--which was why, almost eighty years after the plant closed, fourteen prime acres between the Broadway Bridge, the railroad tracks, and the river stood vacant. Anderson lives in Ann Arbor. "I can walk through a woods in my back yard to the Dow Field entrance of the UM Arboretum," he emails. "As it turns out, Dow Field is named for one of my predecessors--Alex Dow, former President of Detroit Edison (the land was donated in his honor after his death)." On Broadway, Anderson saw "an opportunity for DTE to play a role in shaping what I hope will be a similarly iconic space that future generations will enjoy in the way that I enjoy Dow Field." That moment may finally be at hand. This month, the city planning commission is scheduled to review a concept plan and zoning request to redevelop 841 Broadway. From there, the proposal will go to city council. Plans call for more than 100 condos and a parking deck near the railroad tracks and a hotel and retail space near Broadway. Yet most of the site would remain open, including a public amphitheater, paddle-craft launch, and picnic area. Making all this happen--and finding the $100 million or so needed to pay for it--will fall to Detroit's Roxbury Group. --- "When we're showing people our vision ...continued below... for the project," Roxbury co-founder David Di Rita says, "we always start with a picture of what this site looked like before the turn of the century. The street grid of Ann Arbor used to extend right across it. ... As the industrial use started to form on that side of the tracks, it kind of pushed the city out."Di Rita knows Ann Arbor well--he has both a BBA (1986) and a law degree (1989) from the U-M. But he's speaking by phone from the David Whitney Building in Detroit. He says it exemplifies the way Roxbury can turn a downtrodden and abandoned property into something magnificent (and pricey).When they acquired the David Whitney Building in 2011, he says, "it was an abandoned, heavily contaminated former medical office building." Now it's home to a 100-plus-room Aloft Hotel, 100 or so residential apartments, 11,000 square feet of meeting and ballroom space, and first-floor retail. The $92 million project, Di Rita says, "is probably one of the most visited buildings in downtown Detroit."In an email, Di Rita explains that he "got into development first as a practicing lawyer," representing companies like Johnson Controls and Visteon Corporation on projects. He launched Roxbury in 2005 with Stacy Fox--who also has undergrad and law degrees from the U-MIn 2013, they partnered with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to develop the Outdoor Adventure Center on the Detroit riverfront. "That was a building that was in the middle of a very industrial part of the city," Di Rita says. They turned the old Globe Trading Company building--"a former shipbuilding and warehousing facility and also very contaminated"--into a "wonderful hands-on museum for kids and adults and a fantastic educational facility. "The common denominator in their projects, Di Rita says, is "seeing what the site's current constraints are and figuring out how to overcome those constraints to unlock the potential."---The biggest constraint on the Broadway site is pollution. "The main thing that has held this property up from redevelopment is that it is so contaminated," says Laura Rubin, executive director of the Huron River Watershed Council.DTE "spent millions," Di Rita says, "long before we were ever involved, on a DEQ-approved remediation plan that essentially created a barrier that would preclude any off-site migration" of the contaminants that remain."There are some materials in what we envision as the open public space," Di Rita says. "They will be removed from the site to a specification that the DEQ established, which leaves the site with at least two feet of clean soil across the entire area where the public can interact with the land."As a "brownfield," the site is eligible for tax increment financing (TIF), which let developers recoup cleanup and infrastructure costs through reduced property taxes. But when DTE bought MichCon, it also inherited responsibility for the pollution, and so isn't eligible for a TIF. Another company would have to acquire the site and be responsible for the final cleanup.Roxbury got involved after DTE issued a request for proposals. Di Rita says they have a purchase agreement and a development agreement that "envisions us acquiring the property at the tail end of all approvals ... We would only acquire the site if the state of Michigan approved our plan to clean it up, and the city of Ann Arbor approves our plan to develop it."---Roxbury is requesting zoning as a "planned unit development," which requires that the project provide a public benefit. For Di Rita, the benefit couldn't be clearer: "This is an opportunity for the first time really to give Ann Arbor and the community a kind of ongoing access to the riverfront in the heart of the city."Two developers with property nearby agree. "It's a huge plus for the city, and long overdue," says Kerrytown owner Joe O'Neal. Bill Martin, whose office is across the railroad track from the site, calls Di Rita and Fox "very conscientious, good people." (Fox was Detroit's deputy emergency manager, and Martin served with her on the board that oversaw its finances after the 2013 bankruptcy.)SmithGroup is designing the overall site plan and the public spaces. Hamilton Anderson architects, Di Rita says, have "a great background in mixed-use projects," particularly those combining residential and hotels. And the New York-based nonprofit Project for Public Spaces "specializes in helping create and manage public spaces like the one we're envisioning."This is not, by the way, envisioned as just a patch of grass we hand over to the city, and say, 'Now this is your problem--you mow it, you pay to keep it clean; you pay to police it,'" Di Rita adds. "We are envisioning this as a public space that is managed by a nonprofit conservancy."That addresses one concern raised by mayor Christopher Taylor. "Over 11 percent of land in Ann Arbor is already Ann Arbor parks," Taylor says, "and we have substantial challenges in maintaining and improving the parks we have. So I'm not looking to just sign up for another substantial cost to the city. "That said, the mayor, too, is enthusiastic. "This project offers the opportunity to bring the community back onto the site, to connect Kerrytown and Lower Town and really knit the town back together."It helps that 841 Broadway has no immediate neighbors--and that Roxbury's plan would use it relatively lightly. In fact, Di Rita says, other developers have asked him, "Why are you not building more buildings?"He says he tells them, "'If you want to come and say that in front of the planning commission or city council, you're welcome to.'"The reality is, we're preserving over half of the site as essentially open public space, and while it's a big development in terms of dollars, it's not an overwhelming physical presence."---Di Rita says the project will cost about $100 million. The hotel, residential, and retail will be financed with investor equity and debt." For the public space, they'll be looking for "grants and foundation sponsorships and the like."And then there's the brownfield TIF. Roxbury is requesting $25 million to be repaid from its future taxes--$9 million for environmental remediation and most of the rest for infrastructure. What they'll get remains to be determined. Nathan Voght, the county's brownfield redevelopment coordinator, stresses that developers often get less than they ask for.The planning commission will consider Roxbury's zoning request and area plan on April 2. If the commission approves, planner Matt Kowalski says, they'll go before city council about a month later--"and their decision is binding. They will either approve or deny the zoning and area plan."If council approves, Roxbury will submit a more detailed site plan, which will also pass before planning commission and council."Traffic is a huge concern," Kowalski says. "There is one way in and one way out. And it's a large project."Ward Four councilmember Jack Eaton agrees. "When our consultant did a traffic study just for traffic for an improved train station parking lot there, they recommended that we add a lane of traffic to the Broadway Bridge, going in each direction --at enormous cost. The developers' traffic study indicates otherwise. So I would really be interested in reconciling what our train station consultant and this developer did to come to their differing conclusions on traffic.""Traffic is on a lot of people's minds," says Di Rita. "I think the final analysis suggested that this project really wasn't materially adding to that problem, but there were some sensible things we could do to mitigate any negative impacts, so we're looking at some things, like a turn lane and a light."Eaton also has concerns about the brownfield. "It would be interesting to know what cleanup they intend to do and how aggressively they will clean it up.""The good news is the state of Michigan has already approved our plan to clean it up," Di Rita responds. "The Department of Environmental Quality issued its final approval of what's called our response activity plan, which is the remaining cleanup of the site."Eaton also notes that the site is "just immediately after the Argo Dam, and some river advocates would like to remove all the dams in our river and return the river to its natural state. But if we permit all this development, it would basically require that we maintain that Argo Dam henceforth, because if the river were to go where it wants to, it would go right through the middle of this proposed development."It's not that I would vote against [the development] on this basis, but it's a concern that if we approve this development, then that forever ties us to having the dam there. I really want to clarify what our long-term vision is for the river."Rubin, too, has concerns. "If we're just talking about the development in general, I am thrilled that this site is getting redeveloped," she says. "This is something that has been a priority for the Huron River Watershed Council and for our RiverUp campaign; we have been wanting to see this property developed for a long time."But "it is a contaminated property, and it is in a floodway," Rubin stresses. "It's a very complicated site for redevelopment ... You want to balance that you're providing an economic model that allows you to develop the property, but you also want to make sure you have good access to the river, that you would be adding to improved water quality, you would want a buffer along the river, you want to capture the stormwater on the site, you want to have recreational amenities on the property. You're probably not going to please everybody."---If Roxbury gets the needed approvals, Kowalski thinks a new riverfront neighborhood could be coming out of the ground in about a year."I'm a developer, so I'm naturally an optimist," Di Rita says. He hopes to "start the environmental cleanup this year."At public meetings, he says, even when "someone comes in and says 'I want to understand how this is going to work,' it almost always starts with, 'I want to start by saying we really think this is a great plan for the site.'"We feel honored by that. I think it is a function of the fact that we've been very open to criticism and questions that might arise, and we've been trying to incorporate comments" into the plans.So he hasn't seen any opposition to the project? "I would say no," Di Rita says.Then he laughs. "This is Ann Arbor," he says. "It's spirited input, and we welcome that." [Originally published in April, 2019.] YEREVAN, APRIL 28, ARMENPRESS. Armenia urges the international community to strongly condemn the insult and injury to the memory and dignity of the victims of Genocide and their survivors, and to take further resolute actions in order to reinforce the responsibility of States to comply with their obligations to protect populations from genocide, to fight impunity and to prevent such a crime, including the incitement to it, the foreign ministry of Armenia said in a statement released on the commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. On April 24 Armenians all over the world together with the friends of the Armenian people and humanity commemorated the 104th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Many nations, communities and societies joined this commemoration all over the world. We are grateful to all of them, to world leaders, parliamentarians, philanthropists, scholars, journalists and human rights activists for standing by the Armenian people in commemoration of the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide. However, Turkey continues to hold to odious policies of denialism, offence to the dignity and memory of the victims of the Genocide and incapacity to face its past, manifested once again in the address by the President of Turkey on 24 April this year. The reference to the victims of the Genocide as Armenian gangs and their supporters is most insulting and deplorable. The justification of the Armenian Genocide, planned and perpetrated by the Ottoman government as relocation and further qualifying it as the most reasonable act is particularly shocking, yet attesting to the intent to destroy in whole or in part the Armenian population of the Ottoman Turkey, a national, ethnical and religious group as defined by the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Furthermore, Turkey has been consistently trying to introduce a religious dimension to its denialist narrative, which is beyond contempt. No religion in the world can harbour genocide perpetrators and their supporters. The history of the Armenian Genocide with many rescuers from Muslim communities, including religious leaders, as well as its wide international recognition and condemnation is a case in point. As in 1915, more than a century later, the leadership of Turkey continues to blatantly defy the international public opinion and historical reality. Turkeys policies and actions of denial and justification manifest flagrant subversion of the fight against impunity for atrocity crimes, promoting accountability, reconciliation and prevention of genocide. They undermine the important efforts of the international community to prevent situations in which the crime of genocide could be committed. These actions and policies are conspicuous acts of incitement to hatred and perpetration of atrocity crimes, they demonstrate the incapacity and failure of responsibility of the government of Turkey to protect populations from genocide and constitute a threat to international and regional peace, security and stability. Armenia urges the international community to strongly condemn the insult and injury to the memory and dignity of the victims of Genocide and their survivors, and to take further resolute actions in order to reinforce the responsibility of States to comply with their obligations to protect populations from genocide, to fight impunity and to prevent such a crime, including the incitement to it. Commemoration and respect of dignity of the victims of genocide are amongst the most important actions in prevention of genocide, the statement said. YEREVAN, APRIL 29, ARMENPRESS. Anna Hakobyan, spouse of Armenias prime minister, chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of My Step and City of Smile charity foundations, on April 28 hosted American-Armenian doctor, philanthropist Caroline Najarian, Mrs. Hakobyans Office told Armenpress. The meeting was also attended by Executive Director of the My Step foundation Hovhannes Ghazaryan. At the meeting Caroline Najarian shared her impressions from the visit to Armenia and Artsakh. I visited Armenia and Artsakh 12 years ago, and I wouldnt return to Armenia if the velvet revolution didnt take place. During these two weeks I see surprising changes in Armenia, people smile, there is hope in their eyes, they are happy. This revolution taught them a lot and gave hope that they can change many things, Caroline Najarian said, introducing her and her husbands activity carried out in Armenia. In her turn Anna Hakobyan stated that the Diaspora plays a major role in the development of Armenia. Diaspora has always stood with the homeland both during the Spitak earthquake, the Artsakh war, the subsequent years, and its assistance has been great and invaluable. Unfortunately, our Diaspora friends didnt always receive the attitude they deserve. Today we stand on the threshold of historic changes, and the Diaspora can help the homeland not to overcome the difficulties, but to assist to develop the homeland. This is really a unique moment which we should not miss, the PMs spouse said. At the meeting Hovhannes Ghazaryan introduced the activity of the My Step foundation. The sides discussed the future cooperation directions with the foundation. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, APRIL 29, ARMENPRESS. The number of convicts declaring hunger strikes has decreased in Armenias correctional facilities compared to the previous years, justice minister Artak Zeynalyan told reporters today. As of now there are 5 convicts who are on hunger strike. This is a low figure compared to the previous years, he said. The minister added that all cases of hunger strike are directed against the criminal case. There is no complaint over the detention conditions of the correctional facilities. During my tenure I dont remember a case that a convict has declared a hunger strike against the conditions of the prison, all cases relate to the criminal case, minister Zeynalyan said. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, APRIL 29, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan on April 29 received the delegation led by Marek Benda, the Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, the Armenian Parliament told Armenpress. Welcoming the guests in parliament, Speaker Mirzoyan has expressed conviction that the full program of the visit will give an opportunity to the Czech colleagues to get acquainted with the realities and developments which exist in new Armenia. He highly assessed the ties between the two parliaments, noting that this visit and the Parliamentary Friendship Group formed recently would be a new impetus for further cooperation. The President of the National Assembly has thanked the guest for the ratification of Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, underlining that Armenia highlights it very much and expects active cooperation in its complete implementation. The Speaker of Parliament has considered symbolic that the Czech deputies' authoritative delegation visited Armenia in the days when the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated in the Ottoman Empire in 1915 is commemorated. He expressed his gratitude to the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament, which recognized the Armenian Genocide, mentioning it among the crimes against humankind. The Armenian side is faithful for the principle of regulating the Nagorno Karabakh conflict through exclusively peaceful negotiations, Ararat Mirzoyan has noted that the Armenian authorities expect from the international community balanced position and support to the efforts of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs. We have come to see the steps and get acquainted with the programs, which are implemented in new Armenia after the velvet revolution, Marek Benda, who is also the Head of the Czech Republic-Armenia of the Czech Republic, has noted. He presented the events that were held in the Czech Republic on the occasion of the 104th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, where the Czech MPs also took part and delivered speeches. All the conflicts, including the NK conflict should be solved exclusively through peaceful means. The Czech Republic backs the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs' efforts, Marek Benda assured. The Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs has presented the reforms which were implemented in the country in the post-revolutionary period, underlining that every state has its peculiarities of passing that path. He expressed hope that Armenia-EU Agreement would give new opportunities not in the united, but also in the bilateral cooperation format. At the guests' request the Speaker of Parliament has touched upon the priorities, which are directed at the reforms being implemented in different spheres, strengthening of democracy, coordinated and consistent fight against corruption, steps taken for the development of economy and recovery and independence of the judicial system. The sides also referred to the potential existing for the development of bilateral relations, particularly the trade-economic cooperation. Ararat Mirzoyan has reaffirmed the invitation of the President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Radek Vondracek for visiting Armenia, underscoring that the development of the parliamentary relations has a special role in further deepening and expanding the ties between the two countries. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, APRIL 29, ARMENPRESS. On April 29, the Deputy Chair of the Armenian Parliamentary Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs Anna Karapetyan and the Committee members met with the delegation led by Marek Benda, the Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, the Armenian Parliament told Armenpress. Welcoming the Czech parliamentarians in the Armenian Parliament, Anna Karapetyan highlighted the development of the bilateral friendly relations. The deputy noted that in recent years, as a result of cooperation, the Armenian-Czech ties reached to a high level. The Committee Deputy Chair underlined Marek Bendas role in the adoption of the resolution on the Armenian Genocide recognition in the Czech Parliament. The mutual visits of the Friendship Groups have also been considered important, which promote the development of the inter-parliamentary ties and the exchange of experience. Anna Karapetyan touched upon the legislative activity of the Committee. Marek Benda was interested in the procedure of the reforms being implemented in the electoral system after the velvet revolution, as well as in the economic, political and legal spheres and the steps being taken. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, APRIL 29, ARMENPRESS. The session of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) was held today in Yerevan chaired by deputy prime minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan, the deputy PMs Office told Armenpress. The session was attended by the deputy PMs of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakh and Russian finance ministers and Chairman of the EEC Board Tigran Sargsyan. The session agenda included over two dozens of issues. The results on signing international agreements between the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the third parties, the process of talks on signing free trade deals with Singapore and Serbia were discussed at the meeting. The session participants also touched upon the digital agenda, the results of implementing the main directions of the EAEU international activity in 2018. The participants exchanged views on improving the cooperation in trade and economic sector. The agenda of the upcoming session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council has been approved. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, 29 APRIL, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 29 April, USD exchange rate down by 0.07 drams to 481.26 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 1.12 drams to 537.18 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.01 drams to 7.44 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 1.45 drams to 622.51 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price up by 49.73 drams to 19870.26 drams. Silver price up by 2.05 drams to 232.09 drams. Platinum price up by 168.23 drams to 13755.38 drams. Most read of the week YEREVAN, APRIL 29, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani armed forces fired in the direction of the military positions near Baghanis community of Tavush Province of Armenia on April 29, spokesperson of the Defense Ministry of Armenia Artsrun Hovhannisayan told ARMENPRESS. There are no casualties or losses, he said. Head of Baghanis community Narek Sahakyan told that there were shootings in the directions of the pastures of the community during the period of 13:00-14:00. There were no shootings in the direction of the village, Sahakyan said. He also noted that there are no casualties, assuring that there is no panic among the community residents. Narek Sahakyan recalled that last time shootings occurred on September 12, 2018. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan Insulated as we are from others by the perceived vastness of our land expanse, Papua New Guinean exceptionalism can restrict a more holistic, and wholesome, knowledge of our Pacific neighbourhood. Kabutaulaka concedes however, that Hauofa challenges us to think in ways that empower us, rather than marginalise and weaken us. Kabutaulaka states: We need to recognise that focusing on the ocean as the element that connects us immediately marginalises the millions of people who live inland, in places like the highlands of Papua New Guinea, for whom the ocean has little significance. PORT MORESBY - The commentary in PNG Attitude by Martyn Namorong, PNG is not Pasifika we are not so much of the ocean , needs rebuttal. I teach PNG students who initially struggle to name the countries and territories on the unlabelled map of the Pacific region. This is not surprising. To their own peril, even citizens of the United States are terrible with geography, given their own misconception of their place in the world. Why learn and immerse yourself in the knowledge of other places and cultures, when you are the most powerful state in the world, a continent unto yourself? The first point in Namorongs commentary states why I think PNG is not a Pasifika nation is that of how we perceive our physical environment. Sure, the ocean is not a common identity marker for thousands of Papua New Guineans. The Bainings of East New Britain or Lelet plateau inhabitants of New Ireland dont identify much with the ocean, even though they live in island provinces. But is the Blue Pacific or Pasifika simply about the physical environment? Pacific Islanders use metaphors to communicate universal values and ideas. The Blue Pacific is a metaphor, just like Hauofas our sea of islands. The Blue Pacific must be read together with the Boe Declaration of 2018 to understand the context in which it is used. The Boe Declaration emphasises environmental and resource security, among other things. Surely, these are concerns Papua New Guineans share. The Blue Pacific represents values that PNG acknowledges in its national development blueprints. Contrary to how we think of ourselves, PNG is a small state. In international diplomacy, PNG depends on multilateralism. PNG aligns with other small states to be effective. Together, small states are numerically formidable in forums such as the United Nations. The Blue Pacific celebrates the idea of collective diplomacy. Collective diplomacy has been effective for small island developing states lobbying with other like-minded states. Small states in the Pacific have success stories in their lobbying initiatives. PNG has been a partner and a beneficiary in these initiatives. The high-water mark of collective diplomacy in the Pacific was from 1979-1990. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982, the 1985 South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty, and the banning of driftnet fishing of 1989, attest to the power in numbers in international diplomacy. Islets in the Solomons Blue Pacific is a renewed effort in collective diplomacy, especially in light of the current geopolitical rivalry in the Pacific Islands and threats of environmental and resources insecurity. PNG needs the Pasifika because in collective diplomacy, it is the numbers game that matters. PNG does not have any hard power capabilities to compel big states to bend to its will. Hence, it must rely on collective action and the soft power effects of collective diplomacy. Moreover, in the global community, Pasifika is a flexible term that is used in relation to non-Pacific Islanders. It is contextual and denotes certain levels of affinity, much like wantok. Fijians dont speak Tok Pisin. But I run into a Fijian outside of the Pacific and he or she is a wantok, simply by virtue of being a Melanesian. A Papua New Guinea may not physically identify with the ocean, but the benefit of Pasifika is its expansiveness and inclusivity, just like the physical ocean. That is the whole logic of Hauofas world enlargement thesis. Namorong also raises a question, Is PNG's economic future on land or in the ocean like other Pasifika nations? The simple answer is yes. Look at the evidence. PNG is the third largest country in the Pacific Islands in terms of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) - behind Kiribati and the Federated States of Micronesia. If we are comparing PNG's land mass (462,840 km) with it is total EEZ (2,402,288 km), PNG is a maritime state because it has more ocean space, then landmass. Indeed, our participation in multilateral initiatives like the Parties to the Nauru Agreement is testament to the resources of the ocean. Our national security, commerce, and potentially, economic resources are dependent on the ocean. The Goroka resident, living thousands of kilometres away from the nearest coastline may not identify with the sea. But it is through unrestricted access to important trade routes on the sea that merchandise produced in Asia or Europe reach the Goroka resident. The ocean is the lifeblood of PNGs commercial relations with the outside world and a free and open sea is in PNGs national interest. In terms of resources, the finite land-based resources that are recklessly being extracted will all be exhausted. Where do we think people will start looking to extract resources? Nautilus insists on mining the seafloor of the Bismarck because of the intellectual property rights from its extractive technology and scientific knowledge of the seabed. These will be highly demanded in the foreseeable future when resource scarcity on the land becomes apparent. For all we know, the resource wars of the future may be over tracts of ocean floor rich in rare earth metals and other lucrative resources. In the areas of bio-prospecting, David Kenneth Leary identifies the untapped potential of genetic resources of the deep sea. He concludes, Increasingly the race to the bottom of the deep sea for new developments in biotechnology is also becoming a race to be the first to the patent office. Finally, Namorong asserts whilst we will feel negative consequences of climate change, these may not erase our nation from the surface of the earth like they might other Pasifika states. Sure, PNG may not be erased off the surface of the earth. But parts of PNGs sovereign space are already facing the prospects of going under water. This will generate its own social and cultural upheavals. PNG has recorded some of worlds first cases of climate refugees (in the Bougainville atolls). Islands such as the Duke of Yorks are also densely populated and the easy way out is emigration. The dynamics of land ownership and resettlement, as seen in the case of the Manam and Carteret resettlement programs, will come under increasing scrutiny as more low-lying islands of PNG are erased. Social tensions relating to land resources and cultural assimilation will be the challenge for PNG. PNG may not be erased off the face of the earth, but thats no sure comfort at all. Some of its cultures, languages and peoples face extinction as a result of climate change and sea level rise. Surely the Pasifika can teach us to be modest and frugal. Patrick Kaiku teaches in the Political Science Department at the University of Papua New Guinea After multiple failed attempts, Greenbrier Cos. (NYSE: GBX) finally has secured a deal to acquire rival American Railcar Industries. Given the troubles Greenbrier has had of late, the acquisition could not have come at a better time. Greenbrier said on April 18 that it had a deal to acquire the manufacturing segment of American Railcar, or ARI, for $400 million from private equity firm ITE Management. The company, a manufacturer of hoppers, tank cars, gondolas, and other railcars in the U.S., Europe, and Brazil, has high hopes for the acquisition. Greenbrier expects the deal to contribute to earnings and free cash flow in the first 12 months after closing, and to give it a larger, more diversified operation. A line of American Railcar-made hopper cars. American Railcar hopper cars. Image source: American Railcar. The deal comes at a difficult time for Greenbrier in particular and the railcar industry in general, as the stocks have been under pressure due to investor concerns over a weakening economy and the potential impact on the suppliers from shifts in the railroad industry. Greenbrier in particular has been plagued by weak results and concerns about its reputation in certain segments of the market. If Greenbrier can integrate ARI successfully, the transaction would be a boon to it and its remaining independent rivals. Third time's a charm These two companies have a long history of interactions, so much so that Greenbrier CEO William A. Furman said management's code name for this deal was "Lazarus" because the idea has been brought back from the dead so many times. Billionaire investor Carl Icahn, a major shareholder of ARI and its predecessor dating back to the 1980s, attempted to acquire Greenbrier in 2008 and then again in 2012. The two companies actually made competing offers for each other in 2012. They were rejected because neither company believed it was getting a large enough premium from the other. There are good reasons why so many people have tried to bring these two businesses together. Merging Greenbrier and ARI combines the second- and third-largest North American railcar producers, vaulting the combination to within range of leader Trinity Industries (NYSE: TRN). Story continues Greenbrier has historically specialized in mass production of standardized container cars, while ARI has a reputation for being able to efficiently handle small production runs of specialty cars. Greenbrier historically has focused on sales to railroads and lessors, while ARI's strength is selling to large shippers who own their car fleets. An investor slide showing the complementary nature of the Greenbrier/ARI deal. Image source: Greenbrier April 18 investor presentation. Greenbrier manufactures from its headquarters in Portland, Ore., and from three sites in Mexico. ARI has two car manufacturing facilities in the U.S. Midwest, closer to a number of key customers, as well as three facilities making components that will allow Greenbrier to become more vertically integrated. The companies expect to generate about $30 million in synergies from the deal, in part from more cost-effective component sourcing and from a reduction in transportation costs thanks to adding ARI's central U.S. manufacturing footprint. Post-deal Greenbrier would have greater exposure to the market for covered hopper cars -- made to transport dry bulk, plastic, and other materials that need protection from the elements -- and would be the dominant player in the manufacture of tank cars. A much-needed boost Greenbrier shares have been rolling downhill in recent years, declining 21% in the past 12 months, and its fiscal second-quarter projections offered little reason for investors to hop on board. The company listed three broad factors for weak performance: a difficult environment in Europe, high labor costs, and weather-related closures at its repair facilities. Investors have also expressed concern that Greenbrier has been bleeding market share to Trinity, ARI, and others including FreightCar America. Market share is important because there are trends in the rail industry that would suggest flat demand for new rail cars into the foreseeable future. The major North American railroads are at various stages of implementing precision scheduled railroading (PSR), an operating philosophy designed to improve efficiency in part by doing more with fewer resources. Buying ARI should ease any concerns about market share and ensure Greenbrier has an ample order book regardless of how PSR might impact demand. The 'buy' case is improving In addition to scale, what ARI brings to Greenbrier is credibility. The company had a strained relationship with shippers that previously made it hard for Greenbrier to gain share in that market. ARI's inroads will help, and with gross margins trending downward in recent years, consolidating two of the three largest manufacturers should benefit the entire industry. GBX Gross Profit Margin (Quarterly) Chart Publicly traded railcar manufacturer Gross Profit Margin (Quarterly) data by YCharts There are always risks in consolidation, and although Greenbrier and ARI know each other well, investors should watch carefully in the quarters to come to make sure there are no unexpected stumbles and that ARI is able to hold onto its customer base. But on paper this deal makes a lot of sense for the industry, and should help stabilize Greenbrier shares and help the company close the gap between itself and Trinity. For investors with the risk tolerance to ride out a merger, it looks like a great time to jump aboard Greenbrier. More From The Motley Fool Lou Whiteman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Australia falls to 62nd in global broadband rankings, but is doing much better in mobile data at 5th place. Expert says issue is not a question of size as nations of similar sizes do better. The 2013 decision to change technologies used in the National Broadband Network is key to understanding how it all went wrong. Australia is now ranked in the 62nd spot in the global broadband speed rankings, falling down three spots from last year and well behind similar advanced economies. According to the Ookla Speedtest Global Index, Australia ranks behind Kazakhstan and Cape Verde, but above Jordan, Brazil and Saudi Arabia, with an average download speed of 35.11 Mbps. This is well below the global average download speed of 57.91 Mbps. The top spot is held by Singapore on 199.62 Mbps, followed by Hong Kong at 168.69 Mbps and Monaco at 137.86 Mbps. However, Australia does rank much better in mobile broadband, at 5th place - with a speed of 58.87 Mbs. Norway took out the top spot with a speed of 67.54 Mbps. The National Broadband Network (NBN) in Australia has been touted as a game-changer to Australian internet speeds, offering speeds of up to 100 Mbps but the ACCC in 2018 found only 69 per cent of all speed tests achieved download speeds of above 90 per cent of maximum plan speeds, while seven per cent of tests recorded less than 50 per cent of the maximum. Recent figures from the NBN show there are now more than 4.6 million premises with the NBN, up 38 per cent from 2018. Despite this, speeds across the country have not increased. NBN said in a statement that 57 per cent of activated premises were connected to the 50 Mbps wholesale download speed tier plans or above compared to 16 per cent for the same time last year. Image: Source: NBN RMIT University Associate Professor of Engineering Mark Gregory told Business Insider Australia anyone looking at the Ookla rankings needs to temper their consideration given the NBN is a national rollout and that some countries with access to high speeds compared to Australia had a much smaller user base. Story continues Theres a big difference between an outcome thats national and an outcome that might only cover 10% of a population in a country, Gregory said. While Kazakhstan ranks above Australia, 86 per cent of the population lacks access to fixed broadband, according to stats cited by a spokesman for Communications Minister Mitch Fifield in the Sydney Morning Herald. Gregory added that despite the comparison being a difficult one, Australia is still not kicking any goals in the speed department. Its a bit of comparing apples with oranges, but I would say that if you look at it in terms of the trend and the numbers of connections and what those connections are providing then you would have to say Australia is doing very poorly," he said. Gregory said nations of similar size, or significantly greater numbers of connections, outperformed Australia. In March, the Labor party ruled out overhauling the NBN, with Labor communications spokeswoman Michelle Rowland telling the Sydney Institute the Liberal-National Coalition had driven up costs and done serious damage to the project. She said that the Labor party, if elected, would spend $185 million on improving the network, with a review of the $50 billion project to follow. The Sydney Morning Herald reports Labor plans to spend $125 million on fixing in-home wiring problems for up to 750,000 people, with the leftover $60 million used on adding 20,000 people to the high-speed fibre network. Gregory said he supports Labors proposal and believes that the Ookla figures demonstrate that the decision taken in 2013 to change technologies used in building the NBN was wrong. Ex-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull was the communications minister responsible for the NBN when the government, under the leadership of Tony Abbott, reworked the network with different technologies. In 2014, the majority of the network design switched from fibre to the premises (FTTP) to fibre to the node (FTTN), creating a mix of technologies. In 2016, the government announced another change to fibre to the curb (FTTC). Alex Choros, Managing Editor at WhistleOut, told Business Insider the mix of technologies created issues around cost and maintenance as copper wiring degrading faster than fibre optic. "Over a long period of time there may be some savings from using fibre to the premises," he said. He said that because NBN did not mix technologies within areas it made maintenance in some places easier, as the mix of technologies did not compete. However, he said the problem was more for consumers who were locked into technology types and connection speeds based on where they live and when they got the NBN. "From a consumer perspective, it makes it more complicated in some ways and not in others," he said. "There are seven technologies in the multi-technology mix but as a consumer, you can only get one." The Coalition's multi-technology NBN model was marketed as delivering a cheaper network sooner but ultimately faced huge cost blowouts. The one that is going to have the most impact in the medium to longer term is if Labor is able to identify how to move us back toward an all-fibre network whilst maintaining competition, Gregory said. NBN told Business Insider Australia they were unable to make a comment at this time due to caretaker provisions from the government during this election period. Boeing Inc.s (BA) costs to defend lawsuits tied to the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes of its 737 Max 8 aircraft that resulted in the deaths of 346 people remain uncertain as the company issued its quarterly earnings report Wednesday. The company reported a steep drop in first-quarter earnings, its first financial filing since the second fatal crash, in part due to at least $1 billion in setbacks anticipated from the global grounding of its most profitable jetliner. The report referenced undetermined potential litigation costs based on the two crashes, saying We cannot reasonably estimate a range of loss, if any, that may result given the ongoing status of these lawsuits, investigations, and inquiries. Shortly after takeoff from Jakarta, Indonesia on October 29, Lion Air Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea. Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 similarly crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on March 10. Boeing did not respond to an email from Yahoo Finance asking how many crash-related lawsuits have been filed. However, a search of court documents and news reports shows the company is facing at least 34 claims from victims families and one claim seeking class certification on behalf of shareholders. The claims allege Boeing is responsible for losses after installing an unsafe anti-stall system, called MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System), on its 737 Max 8 planes, suspected to have played a role in both crashes. Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg said it was apparent the system had been activated in both crashes. Boeing 737 Max 8 lawsuits Liability will not truly be in dispute here. Boeing is at fault. Their equipment failed. Their planes crashed twice, Mark Lindquist, an attorney with the Herrmann Law Firm who is representing the families of 26 victims of the Lion Air crash, told Yahoo Finance. Other foreseeable complaints could come from airlines that have been not only forced to ground all 737 Max 8 aircraft, but also must calculate whether consumers will be willing to fly on the troubled jets, if regulators re-certify the model as airworthy. That calculation could impact whether airlines seek to cancel or modify purchase contracts. Story continues According to the Capa Fleet Database, Boeing had delivered 378 MAX 8 aircraft, globally as of March 11, the day after the Ethiopian crash, at which time another 5,526 were on order. List price for the MAX 8 was $117.1 million in 2018. Added to the uncertainty of potential expenses for Boeing are pending regulator probes. The U.S. Justice Department initiated a criminal investigation into Boeings Federal Aviation Administration certification, as well as how it marketed its 737 Max 8 planes. The U.S. Department of Transportations Office of Inspector General is also conducting an inquiry. Shareholders say Boeing misled investors On April 9, the lawsuit seeking class certification was brought on behalf of shareholders who purchased Boeing stock between January 8, 2019 and March 21, 2019. The proposed class period covers a time frame beginning after the Lion Air crash, and extending beyond the Ethiopian Airlines crash, when Boeings stock experienced a steep decline. According to the complaint, Boeings share price dropped as the truth began to emerge that its new automated anti-stall system may not have been fully disclosed to pilots. A man offers lays a flower at portraits of victims of the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX crash. (Photo by EDUARDO SOTERAS / AFP) (Photo credit should read EDUARDO SOTERAS/AFP/Getty Images) A preliminary report issued by Ethiopian regulators said an investigation clearly showed that the Ethiopian Airlines Pilots who were commanding [the Ethiopian Airlines flight] followed Boeing's recommended and FAA's approved emergency procedures, yet could not prevent the planes nosedive. Investigations to determine definitive causes for the crashes have not been completed. The shareholder suit, filed in federal district court for the Northern District of Illinois, claims Boeing violated securities laws by failing to disclose the MCAS issue following the Lion Air crash. Defendants misled investors about the sustainability of Boeings core operation its Commercial Airplanes segment by touting its growth prospects and profitability, raising guidance, and maintaining that the Boeing 737 Max was the safest airplane to fly in the skies, the lawsuit claims. In an email to Yahoo Finance, Boeing said it would not comment on the class action litigation. More victims lawsuits to come At least 29 wrongful death claims have been filed in U.S. courts against Boeing on behalf of victims of the Lion Air crash that killed all 189 people on board. At least five U.S. lawsuits have been initiated over the Ethiopian Airlines crash that resulted in the deaths of all 157 passengers and crew. Very few have been filed thus far, Thomas Demetrio, a plaintiffs attorney who has represented the families of multiple air crash victims, including those of Lion Air crash victims, told Yahoo Finance. Im sure there will be more to come. Lindquist said Lion Air has illegally sought consent from victims families to settle legal claims, including those they may have against Boeing and other potential defendants, by coupling a proposed liability release with a unique Indonesian law that requires airline carriers to pay roughly $94,000 U.S. dollars to crash victims families without needing to show fault. The lawyers for Lion Air offered different families slightly more than [the required amount] and in exchange asked these victims families to sign away all their legal rights, not only against Lion Air, but against Boeing, and literally hundreds of other corporate entities, Lindquist said. At some point, Boeings going to try to move the cases out of the United States to Indonesia, Lindquist added, though he says he is confident the litigation will remain in the U.S. because evidence concerning the allegedly defective equipment is located in the U.S. and because the U.S. has a significant interest in the safety of planes manufactured within its jurisdiction. The second crash could prove more costly for Boeing to settle wrongful death claims if the company is found to have known about, and failed to address, a safety issue that became apparent after the first crash. Demetrio said he is waiting to hear the outcome of the FAA and international investigations before filing a complaint on behalf of victims of the Ethiopian Airlines crash. Lion Air victims The Herrmann Law Group filed a claim on behalf of 17 Lion Air crash victims in King County, Washington, where Boeing is headquartered and where its 737 Max 8 is manufactured. The case, since moved to the federal district court for the Northern District of Illinois, now includes 24 families. The Herrmann firm expects to add two more victims to the litigation. Soerjanto Tjahjono (R), the head of Indonesia's national transportation safety committee (KNKT) and Nurcahyo (L), head of the flight accident sub-committee of KNKT, brief journalists during a press conference about the Lion Air Boeing 737 Max 8 crash in 2018, in Jakarta on March 21, 2019. (Photo by BAY ISMOYO / AFP) (Photo credit should read BAY ISMOYO/AFP/Getty Images) The estate of one victim, Rohmanir Pandi Sagala, who died in the Lion Air crash filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The father of Indonesian man, Dr. Rio Nanda Putrama, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County. Deceased Lion Air passengers Rudi Roni Lumbantoruan and Remand Ramadhan are represented by their families who also filed wrongful death actions on behalf of their estates in federal district court in the Northern District of Illinois. Lion Air co-pilot, Harvino, who died in the Java Sea crash, is represented in a lawsuit filed by his family in December. Ethiopian Airlines victims The first wrongful death action filed in the U.S. based on the Ethopian Airlines crash was brought in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, where Boeing is headquartered, by the family of 24-year-old, Samya Stumo, the grandniece of former presidential candidate, Ralph Nader. The family of 31-year-old victim, Jackson Musoni, a Rwandan man who died in the Ethopian crash, filed a wrongful death lawsuit claiming Boeings MCAS system was defectively designed. American victim Mucaad Hussein Abdalla is also among victims whose family has sued Boeing, alleging the company actively concealed the nature of the automated system defects. A similar action was filed by siblings of a 29-year-old engineer, George Kabau. Kabaus family hopes that by filing an action Boeing will be forced to release documents, including communications, concerning its 737 Max aircraft model. Minnesota resident Mucaad Siraaj Hussein Abdalla, 31, was among the victims of Ethiopian Airlines whose family filed a complaint in federal court. Among cases filed on behalf of crash victims, Boeing faces claims of wrongful death, product liability, negligence, failure to warn, and civil conspiracy. Some litigants who have also filed claims against Lion Air or Ethiopian Airlines, as well as the FAA, and Rosemount Aerospace which manufactured the MCAS sensor. Boeing had an opportunity to tell the world We care about you by grounding these planes. Instead theyre still trying to cast guilt or fault on these pilots of both aircraft, Demetrio said. Its very clear to me that the PR and legal teams are not working together at Boeing. In its quarterly filing Wednesday, Boeing scrapped its prior estimates saying, previously issued 2019 guidance does not reflect 737 MAX impacts. The company said it would issue new guidance on a future date. Boeing has not said when its 737 Max 8 model will be permitted to fly. See also: Boeing faces a very, very serious criminal probe Heres what to expect Alexis Keenan is a New York-based reporter for Yahoo Finance. She previously worked for CNN and is a former litigation attorney. Follow on Twitter @alexiskweed. * Flooding in some areas of northern Mozambique after cyclone * Authorities urge population to move to higher ground * As rains continue, aid agencies fear floods could worsen * Death toll rises to five (Recasts with floods, adds UNICEF statement, details, bullets) JOHANNESBURG, April 27 (Reuters) - Mozambican officials on Saturday urged those living near two rivers in the country's north to move to higher ground, as Cyclone Kenneth dumped heavy rains and caused some flooding. The cyclone killed five people and flattened homes around Mozambique's northern coast before moving inland and pounding the province of Cabo Delgado with rain, fuelling fears rivers could burst their banks and leave huge areas under water. The National Directorate of Water Resources Management said the Megaruma river had registered a marked increase in volume, causing some flooding in river-side and low-lying areas in the districts of Mecufi and Chiure, south of the provincial capital of Pemba. The Messalo river was also expected to cause flooding in the districts of Muidumbe and Macomia, north of Pemba, it said in a statement. "Faced with this scenario, [the directorate] recommends the population living in areas referred to above withdraw immediately to high and safe areas." Kenneth slammed into Mozambique just six weeks after Cyclone Idai, which levelled the port city of Beira before bringing deadly floods that submerged villages and vast stretches of land. Idai killed over 1,000 people across Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. The World Food Programme warned that Kenneth could in the coming days dump twice as much rain on northern Mozambique, raising concerns of a repeat of the flooding in a region prone to floods and landslides. "Worryingly, it is still raining heavily," said Daw Mohammed, CARE's director of humanitarian operations, who is in the port city of Pemba, the provincial capital. DEATH TOLL RISES The death toll from Kenneth - marking the most powerful storm to ever strike Mozambique's northern coast - rose to five on Saturday, a spokesman for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said, citing the government. Story continues It had already killed three people in the Comoros when it made landfall in Mozambique on Thursday night, packing storm surges and winds of up to 280 km per hour (174 mph). UNICEF said an additional 368,000 children were now at risk in Mozambique, one of the world's poorest countries and already struggling to cope with the impact of Idai, which left an estimated 1.85 million people in the country in need. Michel Le Pechoux, UNICEF deputy representative in Mozambique, said the organisation was "deeply worried" that communities in Cabo Delgado - which has no history of cyclones -would not have been prepared for the scale of the storm. "The soil is saturated with rain and the rivers are already swollen, so the emergency is likely to get worse from flooding in the next few days," he said in a statement. With power and communications knocked out in many areas, aid agencies were struggling to assess the extent of the devastation. Mozambican officials said almost all of the homes on the island of Ibo had been destroyed, while the neighbouring mainland district of Macomia had suffered heavy damage. Trees were ripped from their roots and banks, petrol stations and hotels were also damaged. Aid workers said some areas, such as Mocimboa de Praia in the north, were also a concern as there had been little communication with them. The government and aid agencies said 30,000 people had been moved to safety before the storm struck, however it was estimated a total of almost 700,000 were at risk. (Reporting by Emma Rumney Editing by Andrew Heavens and Alexandra Hudson) Married At First Sight's Heidi has reportedly moved on with Dr. Chris Brown. Photo: Instagram/Getty Images She had a rocky time on Married At First Sight but Heidi Latcham has reportedly moved on from the drama with TV star vet, Dr. Chris Brown. Heidi split with husband Mike Gunner just two days after filming their final vows on the Channel Nine reality show, with sources claiming the pressure was too much for the couple. And despite the star going quiet on social media in the last few days, sources claim shes been spending time with I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! host, Dr. Chris Brown. "It's still early days, but word is they've been on a few sneaky dates while she's been down in Sydney visiting Cam and Jules," an insider told NW magazine. "Heidi is so done with all the Mike drama. She's ready to put that chapter of her life behind her and move on." The pair apparently were set up by a mutual friend and hit it off straight away. Heidi, split with husband Mike Gunner just two days after filming their final vows on the Channel Nine reality show. Photo: Channel Nine Dr. Chris, who was recently linked to The Loop host, Liv Phyland, confirmed last year that he was single again, after dating Kendall Bora for two years. Yahoo Lifestyle has contacted both Heidi and Dr. Chris for comment. Heidi famously chose to stay with Mike Gunner during the vow renewal ceremony in the last episode of Married At First Sight. However, it was later confirmed that the pair split just two days later. It just didnt work for them outside of the show, an insider told New Idea magazine. Heidi found out Mike had felt pressured to say he loved her and couldnt deal with it. Whats more, it seems 43-year-old Mike managed to move on pretty quickly. Last week, Mike was spotted getting up close and personal with truck driver and bikini model Jessica Williamson on Gold Coasts Main Beach Dr. Chris, who was recently linked to The Loop host, Liv Phyland, confirmed last year tat he was single again, after dating Kendall Bora for two years. Photo: Getty Images "They were all over each other!" a passerby told Womans Day about the pair. "He was really affectionate with her and she was loving it. You could tell they had genuine chemistry." Mike was previously thought to be dating Casey Stewart, the daughter of world hottest grandma Gina Stewart. Mike and Casey have been spending a lot of time together and she stays at his place on the Gold Coast a lot, a source told Womans Day at the time. Story continues Got a story tip? Send it to lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com Want more lifestyle and celebrity news? Follow Yahoo Lifestyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Or sign up to our daily newsletter here. Undecided voters have given the first leaders' debate to Bill Shorten as a record number of early votes were cast three weeks from the federal election. Prime Minister Scott Morrison targeted Labor's tax and climate policies with questions about how much they would cost, which resonated with some voters at the debate. But overall the majority of the 48 undecided voters in the debate, run by the Seven Network and The West Australian newspaper in Perth, gave the night to Mr Shorten. A record 110,000 people cast early votes on Monday before the debate and Mr Morrison used that to demand answers from Labor on the cost of tax and climate policies. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten shake hands before the first leaders forum on Monday night. Source: AAP Image/ The West Australian, Nic Ellis "He's not telling you what the cost of change is," Mr Morrison said on Monday night. "Voting has started, people deserve to know what the cost of change is." But Mr Shorten said people were voting early because they wanted change, and that included action on the climate and healthcare. "The cost of not changing is this: longer waiting lists," Mr Shorten said. "I can categorically say that if we don't take real action on climate change that will be a disaster for our economy. "This issue of give us one number, I don't think that's possible to do. If we want to stop polluting the environment, you have to spend some money." Mr Morrison was asked why voters should trust the coalition after it tore down two sitting prime ministers in five years. Here are the facts on who has taxed us the most as a proportion of GDP #leadersdebate #AusVotes19 pic.twitter.com/csdDhDteQn RMIT ABC Fact Check (@ABCFactCheck) April 29, 2019 He said both parties had changed their rules to prevent more spills, but he pivoted to talking about the economy. Story continues "The question of trust is the right one. Who do you trust to manage a $2 trillion economy?" he said. Mr Shorten said Labor had been stable for six years and had put out policies well in advance of the election so voters could have faith in them. Voter says Morrison not on his game He also attacked the coalition for doing a preferences deal with Clive Palmer, who he said still owes taxpayers $70 million after he didn't pay workers their entitlements. Of the 48 voters, 25 said Mr Shorten won, 12 picked Mr Morrison, and 11 remained undecided. Voter John Hoolahan said he was still tossing up which way he was going to vote, but he said he thought Mr Morrison "was not on his game" in the debate. "I still want to know where all this money is coming from that (Mr Shorten's) going to get from somewhere," he told AAP. But he said Mr Morrison was not helping low-income earners. Lisa Fieldhouse said she remained undecided and she plans to do more research, but Mr Morrison impressed her more. "Bill Shorten didn't put dollar figures to things, even though he did push a lot of policy," she told AAP. Another debate has been scheduled to be broadcast on Sky News from Brisbane on Friday, but the prime minister has already called for a third in prime time. 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. Hundreds of passengers aboard a ferry travelling from Britain to Spain were brought to France unharmed on Monday after a fire broke out on the ship before dawn, French maritime authorities said. The Pont-Aven, operated by France's Brittany Ferries, raised the alarm around 4.00 am (0200 GMT) when a fire was detected in one of the two engine rooms as it was off the coast of northwest France. "The fire was quickly brought under control and there were no injured among the 766 passengers and 142 crew," the regional maritime authorities said. A French navy helicopter carrying firefighters and experts was dispatched to the vessel, travelling from the southern English port of Plymouth to Santander in northern Spain. The ship was diverted under its own power to the city of Brest, where passengers disembarked on foot or in their vehicles. "Nobody panicked," said passenger Andrew Haydon from southwest England, adding he had heard a "horrible noise" before the fire alarm was sounded. "It was a bit scary when we had to put on the life jackets," he said. Brittany Ferries said it was bringing passengers to another ship in nearby Roscoff to return to Plymouth, saying technicians were on their way to investigate the causes of the blaze. On board were travellers from Britain, France, Spain, the United States, China and Poland. The MV Pont-Aven, which can carry up to 2,400 passengers and 650 cars, is the largest vessel in the company's fleet, measuring 184 metres (600 feet) in length. Some 766 passengers from Britain, France, Spain, the United States, China and Poland were on board the Brittany Ferries vessel 'Pont-Aven' when a fire broke out off northwest France A teacher has reportedly been fired after she was caught on camera kicking and grabbing a five-year-old girl during a library lesson when the child wouldn't get up from her hiding spot. CCTV footage shows a group of kindergarten students leaving the library while one child sneakily hides in a bookshelf. After a group of kindergarten students left the library one child sneakily hid in a bookshelf. Source: Source: KMOV4 The teacher can be seen approaching the young girl and grabbing her arm to try and pull her out. Then while the little girl is lying on the ground, the teacher kicks her. The girls mother told KCTV5 her child received a large red mark on her arm as a result of the incident. She said her daughter told a teacher at Bluejacket Flint Elementary school in Shawnee, Kansas, but they did nothing. The mother then demanded to see the CCTV footage. When I saw the video it was heartbreaking, the unnamed mother told KCTV5 News. While the little girl is lying on the ground, the teacher kicks her. Source: Source: KMOV4 I cant really even put it into words. I hurt for my child, and I was just angry that someone could do that. The mother says the school told her Crystal Smith, the teacher in the video, was put on leave pending the end of the investigation and was officially terminated on March 25. The Shawnee Mission School District issued the following statement to the local news outlet: The Shawnee Mission School District was deeply distressed by the actions shown in the video. We take our responsibility to keep our children safe extremely seriously, and as parents and educators, we are heartbroken whenever a child is not treated with love and respect. As soon as we discovered what happened, we acted to remove the teacher from contact with students, and proceeded immediately to terminate that teacher. 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. Serbia and Kosovo have agreed at a summit in Berlin to resume talks, after the leaders of France and Germany warned the bitter foes that resolving their dispute was crucial to future ties with the European Union. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron hosted the working dinner for the neighbours whose relationship has taken a turn for the worse in recent months. Late Monday Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said they had agreed to meet again in Paris in early July. Merkel earlier said the recent breakthrough in a long-running conflict between Greece and Macedonia over the smaller country's name could serve as a model for resolving Serbia and Kosovo's thorny dispute. "We agreed to this joint initiative because we are committed to the European perspective of the Western Balkans countries," said Merkel, flanked by Macron, referring to the prospect of closer relations with the EU bloc. "It is in Europe's interest that there is positive development in this region." Also present at the summit were the leaders of EU members Croatia and Slovenia, and other Western Balkans leaders. Macron and Merkel stressed that EU membership prospects were not on the agenda in Berlin but remained in the hands of the European Commission. "Rather, this is about a policy of stability that we want for the region," the French leader said. - Risky business - The Macron-Merkel meeting, also attended by EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini, comes after EU-brokered talks between Serbia and Kosovo ground to a halt last year. The nub of the dispute is Belgrade's denial of the independence of Kosovo, a former province of deep historical and cultural significance to Serbians that broke away in a bloody 1998-1999 war. The Brussels-led dialogue collapsed several months after talk of possible border changes between the neighbours triggered a stinging backlash last summer. Critics warned that redrawing the map would be risky business in the fragile Balkans, a region still recovering from its brutal 1990s wars. Then came a series of diplomatic clashes between Pristina and Belgrade that deepened the hostility, in particular Kosovo's decision in November to levy a 100-percent tariff on Serbian goods. A stalemate ensued. Kosovo's Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj says he will keep the tax until Belgrade shows openness to recognising independence. Meanwhile Vucic maintained that lifting the tariff was a condition for any dialogue. "The conclusion is to continue the discussion, I suppose in a smaller format, with the intermediation of the EU, Germany and France (...) to try to find the solution that would allow us to resume the dialogue," he told Serbian and Balkan media. "Serbia had no other conditions than the repeal of taxes." Normalising ties with Kosovo and harmonising its foreign policy with that of the EU, are among key criteria Serbia has to meet to join the bloc. While the exact details of any border plan have never been laid out, local media and analysts assume the land swap would see Kosovo's Serb-dominated north traded for a southern valley in Serbia that is mainly ethnic-Albanian, as is the rest of Kosovo. - 'Import instability' - The United States and some EU officials appeared open to discussing such a deal. But Germany has been one of the clearest critics of any border changes, which many worry would further segregate the region along ethnic lines. European Union enlargement commissioner Johannes Hahn, who oversees bids to join the bloc, said binding Balkan countries closer to the EU was key to keeping the peace. "Either we export stability or we import instability," he told German business daily Handelsblatt. Thaci earlier insisted on his Facebook page that he was committed to resolving the long-running conflict. "For us, our neighbors and the EU, an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia is vital for moving forward," he said. "We have the support of the EU, the United States and the whole world to reach a peaceful, final and comprehensive agreement with Serbia. We are ready to resume the dialogue in Brussels." But while Thaci is in favour of revoking the tariff, his prime minister Haradinaj has been intransigent despite heavy EU and US pressure. "No tax will be revoked either at this summit or at any other summit," Haradinaj reiterated last week. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a Balkans summit in Berlin Timeline of the Balkans war Members of the Kosovo Security Force parade in Pristina on February 17, 2019, to mark the 11th anniversary of Kosovo's declaration of independence A man is due to face court in London charged with the murder of his Melbourne fiancee. The body of Amy Parsons, 35, was found in a flat at Whitechapel in central London on Friday about 1.30pm (local time). Roderick Deakin-White, 37, was arrested on suspicion of murder the same day and has since been charged. The body of Amy Parsons, 35, was found in a flat at Whitechapel in central London on Friday about 1.30pm (local time). Source: Facebook He was due at Thames Magistrates Court on Monday. It is believed Ms Parsons and Deakin-White were engaged and Ms Parsons, a former Koonung Secondary College student, had visited Melbourne as recently as January. Investigators are not looking for anyone else in connection with the killing, Met Police said. It is believed Ms Parsons and Deakin-White were engaged and Ms Parsons had visited Melbourne as recently as January. Source: Facebook The cause of death has not been confirmed. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said consular officials were providing assistance to Ms Parsons' family. 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. Russia is holding 236 political prisoners, a significant increase over the past few years as President Vladimir Putin goes on the offensive against perceived threats, a study backed by human rights advocates said Monday. The number compares with 46 political prisoners on a February 2015 list by Memorial, the veteran Russian civil society movement that supported the latest study. The report, led by Perseus Strategies, a Washington-based law firm focused on human rights, listed 236 people it identified as political prisoners, although it said the number was likely "much higher" when including cases that could not be rigorously researched. The study said Russia has been able to jail opponents through its "notoriously vague" prohibitions, such as bans on hooliganism and insulting religious feeling. Canada's former justice minister Irwin Cotler -- now chair of the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, one of the groups that commissioned the study -- said Russia has seen a "criminalization of everyday life" and has also targeted leaders through a law that blacklists "undesirable organizations." "What is happening is that all those who are deemed to be, in a generic sense, opponents of the regime are liable to trumped-up charges," he said. Along with the political opposition, Russian authorities have set their sights on leaders of religious and ethnic minorities, gay rights supporters, journalists and especially Ukrainian activists in the wake of Russia's 2014 takeover of the Crimea peninsula, the study said. Cotler blamed the curbs on dissent by Russia, as well as by other increasingly authoritarian states, on a sense of "impunity" they have largely enjoyed on the international stage. "This pattern has been able to take place in part because of a concomitant retreat by the community of democracies," he said. - Fears for long-serving prisoner - The jailing of opponents had ended with the fall of the Soviet Union, with former president Boris Yeltsin freeing the last political prisoners. The report considers Russia's longest-serving political prisoner to be Alexei Pichugin, a security manager at now defunct oil giant Yukos who was arrested in 2003. Pichugin is serving a life sentence on multiple convictions including murder, in what his supporters say were false charges aimed at then Yukos chief Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who in exile has become Putin's most high-profile critic. Pichugin's 80-year-old mother, Alla Nikolaevna Pichugina, said that her son was suffering problems in his shoulders and joints and vein engorgement in his legs. "One of the reasons is that he has been in a tiny cell for 16 years without seeing the sun," she told AFP by telephone. "They keep him because they want him to bear false witness against Khodorkovsky. Alexei refuses to do so and that's why they're keeping him," she said. Pichugina -- who said she was only allowed to see her son twice a year, for four hours at a time through glass -- regretted that Putin has declined to pardon him. "I think only international pressure can help. I don't know what else can," she said. The study recommended a further international expansion of the Magnitsky Act, which was started in the United States in 2012. Named after Sergei Magnitsky, an anti-corruption accountant who died in Russian custody, the law imposes travel bans and freezes assets of foreign officials deemed responsible for extrajudicial killings or torture. The report said that Putin's "strong and emotional reaction" to the act showed its impact on the Kremlin. The study also called for world leaders to be more vocal in drawing attention to human rights in Russia. Moscow has in the past defended its record on human rights, saying it has differing conceptions than the West, and has hit back by accusing the United States of holding political prisoners. A new report backed by rights group Memorial accuses Russian President Vladimir Putin of increasingly trying to curb dissent Oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, seen here in November 2018, has emerged in exile as the leading critic of President Vladimir Putin Police officers detain a protester holding a poster in support of late accountant Sergei Magnitsky outside the Russian parliament in 2012 Sudan's army rulers and protest leaders on Monday offered differing visions for a joint council, but a military spokesman said he hoped a final structure for the body could be agreed soon. The talks came after the two sides on Saturday agreed to form a joint civilian-military body to rule the northeast African country. "The military council has presented its vision for a 10-member joint council, with seven military representatives and three civilians," a spokesman for the existing ruling military council Lieutenant General Shamseddine Kabbashi told reporters after a joint panel met on Monday. "The Alliance for Freedom and Change presented its vision of a 15-member joint council, with eight civilians and seven military representatives," he said, referring to the group that is leading the protest movement that has rocked Sudan for more than four months. Kabbashi said Monday's talks ended with both sides agreeing to consider each other's views. Kabbashi defended the military's demand for a majority in the joint council. "The necessities that made us take the people's side are still present and that's why it merits for us to be in the sovereign council," he said, without clarifying why the army generals were insisting on having a majority in the joint council. He said that talks will continue on Tuesday. In a statement, the protest leaders' alliance confirmed that no agreement was reached over the composition of the sovereign council. It also said that both sides will present proposals on transitional structures, including a future civilian government and legislative body, and their respective powers, within 24 hours "Our sit-ins and marches shall continue until all the revolution's goals are achieved," the alliance added. - Transport links to open - A joint council, if agreed, would replace the existing 10-member military council that took power after the army ousted veteran leader Omar al-Bashir on April 11 amid massive protests against his rule. The creation of a joint council would pave the way for a civilian administration as demanded by protesters, as they continue to rally outside the army headquarters in central Khartoum. Kabbashi said that during Monday's talks it was agreed with protest leaders to open some roads, a railway line and two bridges that lead to -- or pass near -- the military headquarters. When asked whether by doing this the army was planning to disperse the sit-in, he said: "That's not what we are saying". The joint civilian-military council would be the overall ruling body, the protest leaders say, while they want a separate transitional civilian administration to run the country's day-to-day affairs. That civilian government would work towards the first post-Bashir elections, protest leaders say. The military council has so far insisted it has assumed power for a two-year transitional period. Thousands of protesters first massed outside the army headquarters on April 6, demanding that the armed forces back them in ousting Bashir. Five days later, the army took power through a transitional military council, having deposed Bashir, after months of protests that began with unrest over a tripling of bread prices. Since then the 10-member council of generals has continued to resist calls to step down. Western governments have expressed support for protesters' demands, but Sudan's key Gulf Arab donors have backed the military council, while African states have called for more time for the army to hand power to civilians. Sudanese protesters paint a mural during a sit-in outside the army headquarters in the capital Khartoum on April 28, 2019 A Sudanese protester during a sit-in outside the army headquarters in the capital Khartoum on Monday, as demonstrators kept up the pressure on the ruling military council A citizen walks past recently painted murals at the protest site in Khartoum AUBURN You may have heard of Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Stanton, the famous women's rights activists and founders of the National Woman Suffrage Association. But have you heard of Florence Cross Kitchelt, a 1914 candidate for secretary of state in New York? At the Cayuga Museum Carriage House Theater Sunday, Susan Goodier and Karen Pastorello talked about Kitchelt and others as they broke down the ins and outs of the American women's suffrage movement and the role New Yorkers played. At the talk organized by the Seward House Museum, Goodier and Pastorello highlighted their book, "Women Will Vote: Winning Suffrage in New York State." Kitchelt, who campaigned to become New York's secretary of state, did so without having the right to vote in 1914. It would be three years before she could have voted in New York. Before "Women Will Vote: Winning Suffrage in New York State" dropped, there was "nothing" on the New York suffrage movement besides a single dissertation, Goodier and Pastorello said. The two spent three years writing their book before it was published in 2017, when the 100-year anniversary of women's suffrage in New York was celebrated. Sometimes the duo would stay up until 3 or 4 a.m. working on the book. Barbara Foster of Forestrville and Jackie Komanecky of Cayuga, both self-described women's rights activists, were among the attendees at Sunday's presentation. Although the two are familiar with suffrage history, an anti-suffrage movement that Goodier and Pastorello touched upon was something they hadn't heard about. The movement, created in 1895, was led by both men and women. "I just assumed that all women would be in favor of (suffrage)," Komanecky said. Foster and Komanecky were also surprised when they learned Sunday of how suffragettes were "absolutely brilliant at marketing," as Goodier described them. Embedded in the presentation were photos depicting suffrage outreach strategies including a picture of an elephant walking the streets of Chicago as it held a sign with "suffrage plank" written on it. Another photo featured suffragettes in an early automobile a prop they utilized to attract the support of rural people who weren't as exposed to cars as their urban counterparts. Foster added that she was pleased by the number of attendees at Sunday's talk. Some were young, some were older. She said it was "very good to see a mix of men and women" that made it out. Staff writer Dan Orzechowski can be reached at (315) 282-2239 or dan.orzechowski@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @OrzechowskiDan. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Just days after an India high court had lifted a ban on the popular video sharing app TikTok, which had earlier been blocked on the grounds that it encouraged porn, as AVN.com reported, reports from around the worlds second most populous country now say that the online forum Reddit has been blocked by the countrys largest internet service providers. Reddit is ranked as the 21st most heavily trafficked site in the world, according to SimilarWeb data, with 1.6 billion visits in March of 2019 alone. The self-described front page of the internet, Reddit has 330 million users spread across 217 countries, according to the business statistics site DMR. Users of Vodafone, Jio, Hathway, as well as a number of local ISPs around the country are reporting that Reddit is inaccessible, India Times reported on Monday, naming three of the countrys largest online access providers. The r/India subreddit on the site is already full of confused and angry users demanding how this is allowed. A number of ISPs are banning #Reddit across India, because somewhere on that site, someone found something objectionable. Idiots, wrote one Twitter user who had spotted the apparent Reddit ban. Reddit, of course, is one of the few remaining major social media platforms that does not ban porn, and according to the India Times report, that is likely the reason why the Indian ISPs would block the discussion forum site. A nationwide ban on porn sites took effect late last year, with Reliance Jiothe low-cost ISP and wireless company that is often credited with igniting Indias online porn boomleading the way. In fact, after Jio blocked its more than 200 million subscribers from accessing 827 online porn sites, the carriers overall traffic dropped from an average of 11 gigabytes per month to 10.8 per customer, as AVN.com reported, likely indicating that a large number of Jios customers used the service to access porn on the internet. But the ban did not cover social media platforms that allow porn uploads by users. The vast majority of Reddits 150,000 subreddits have nothing to do with porn. Its far too tough for the government to block only the NSFW subreddits, so they've instead opted for a site-wide ban, India Times reported. Mind you, that's again with absolutely no announcement, clarification, or justification given to the public. It's a violation of Internet freedom at its finest. Photo By Alexo88 / Wikimedia Commons PENNSAUKEN, N.J.Williams Trading has added two e-learning courses in support of the Satisfyer brand to its e-learning program Williams Trading University. The new courses are for the Satisfyer luxury line and strengthening your orgasm with the new Satisfyer balls. Visit WTULearn.com to view the complete Satisfyer range of seven retail education e-learning courses. The timing of the free e-learning courses for retailers coincides with the new product available for retailers shelves. We urge our retail partners to visit and certify on the luxury series and new Kegel balls, said Scott D, sales and marketing director for Williams Trading Co. WTU offers online courses available 24 hours/7 days per week accessed with a simple login account. Each course offers product benefits and features as well as a seminar that explains its importance to a customer, their needs, and well-being. To date, more than 98,000-course certifications have been completed across the domestic US, Canada, and Puerto Rico.Upon completing a course, the user takes a quiz certifying their new found knowledge and is rewarded with a downloadable certificate. Free premiums, samples, and special offers are being offered by select participating vendors. This feature is an added benefit to the retailer as their employees can try a product, become a consumer and ultimately recommend it to their customers.Recently Williams Trading, in partnership with selected vendors, has added custom channels of specific training material from Satsifyer, System Jo and Pipedream Products. Additionally, Williams Trading University expanded content with the Green Road brand with the introduction of CBD products into the adult channel. Every month new e-learning content is added to this expanding curriculum of content available for all Williams Trading accounts. For ordering and product information, call a Williams Trading sales representative at (800) 423-8587 or visit WTULearn.com to view the learning program. In order to maintain this blog I have to pay for its upkeep including a hosting company, support services, virus and other malicious hackers. If you appreciate what I write please make a donation. Depoe Bay and Newport in May: Spring Preview Central Oregon Coast Published 04/28/2019 at 3:53 PM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Newport, Oregon) May picks up speed as spring tumbles towards summer and the big Memorial Day Weekend, and the two central Oregon coast towns of Newport and Depoe Bay know how to whoop it up. The arts scene is at the center of much of the fun as classical music and theater productions abound, which includes a special tribute to M*A*S*H star David Ogden Stiers. So much to do on the central Oregon coast this month and into June. May 2 - 5. Newport Loyalty Days & Sea Fair. A variety of events throughout the central Oregon coast town, including a parade on Saturday. Newport, Oregon. (541) 574-7802. May 5. Oregon Book Award Winners Reading. Literary Arts is pleased to present three of this year's Oregon Book Awards winners in Newport in May, as part of the Oregon Book Awards Author Tour. Featuring Oregon Book Award winners Apricot Irving, Beth Wood, Leni Zumas. 2 p.m. Newport Public Library. 35 NW Nye St. Newport, Oregon. Website May 8. Science on Tap: The International Gulf of Alaska Expedition: Using a Russian research ship to study salmon on the high seas. International Gulf of Alaska Expedition spent a month this winter in the Gulf of Alaska studying salmon on board the Russian research ship Professor Kaganovskiy. This expedition is the signature event for the International Year of the Salmon. 5:15 p.m. Rogue Brewery: South Beach. 2320 SE Marine Science Dr. Newport, Oregon. May 10 - 12. Kidstuff. TJ Hoofers Inc. / Dance! And All That Jazz! Annual Mother's Day celebration and fundraiser for TJ Hoofers, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the dance education of Lincoln County students. Over 150 dance students from Dance! And All That Jazz! fill the Silverman stage with a variety of styles, including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Hip Hop, creative for 3-5 year olds, and musical comedy. Adults: $12 & Students: $10. 7 p.m. (2 p.m. on May 12). Newport Performing Arts Center. 777 W. Olive Street. Newport, Oregon. 541-265-ARTS (2787). coastarts.org May 11. Met Opera: Dialogues Des Carmelites. The Mets Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer Music Director Yannick Nezet-Seguin leads an accomplished ensemble in Poulencs devastating modern masterpiece of faith and martyrdom, "Dialogues des Carmelites," at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 11, hosted by W. W. Clyde Reid. 9 a.m. Single ticket prices are $21 general, $18 senior, and $10 student; general admission seating. Newport Performing Arts Center. 777 W. Olive Street. Newport, Oregon. 541-265-ARTS (2787). coastarts.org May 15. One Night Delights: True West, presented by: Red Octopus Theatre Company. Drunken Caramel Bread Pudding and a staged reading of Sam Shepard's classic American Play "True West", directed Ron Miller and presented by Red Octopus Theatre Company as part of the OCCA's "One Night Delights" play reading series. Dueling Bread Pudding with Whipped Creme Fraiche and Drunken Caramel provided by Zach's Bistro. 7 p.m. $15 plus fees. Newport Performing Arts Center. 777 W. Olive Street. Newport, Oregon. 541-265-ARTS (2787). coastarts.org May 18. Alexander Tutunov piano recital. Widely recognized as one of the most outstanding virtuosos of the former Soviet Union. $30. 3 p.m. The Youngs Home in Little Whale Cove. Depoe Bay, Oregon. SiletzBayMusic.org. May 18 - 19. The Newport Symphony Orchestra at the Ocean conducted by Adam Flatt performs Coplands Fanfare for the Common Man, Tchaikovskys suite from Swan Lake, and the world premiere of a new work commissioned by the NSO in tribute to David Ogden Stiers. Stiers, veteran actor and star of M*A*S*H in the 70s, lived in Newport until his passing a few years ago. He was very active in Newports music and art scene. There will be a pre-concert talk with Maestro Flatt and Mark Fish at 6:45pm, Saturday night only. Join the NSO musicians, and conductor after the concert for a reception hosted by Flying Dutchman Winery. $25 & $39 plus ticket fees; students $10. 7:30 p.m. (2 p.m. on May 19). Newport Performing Arts Center. 777 W. Olive Street. Newport, Oregon. 541-265-ARTS (2787). coastarts.org May 24 June 2. Pinocchia, presented by Pacific Dance Ensemble / Newport School of Artistic Movement. Adults - $15 (Plus Fees Online). Students/Seniors - $10 (Plus Fees Online). 7 p.m. (2 p.m. Sundays). Newport Performing Arts Center. 777 W. Olive Street. Newport, Oregon. 541-265-ARTS (2787). coastarts.org. May 27. 74th Fleet of Flowers Memorial Day Ceremony. Pay tribute to those lost at sea while watching the flower bedecked fishing fleet sail to sea. Reception immediately following. 11 a.m. Depoe Bay, Oregon. DepoeBayChamber.com. June 15. Tryst with Grieg and Scriabin. Seattle pianist James E. Thompson will bring his artistry to the Performing Arts Center his his concert, "Tryst with Grieg & Scriabin" in a celebration of Edvard Grieg's birthday. Mr. Thompson will entrance you with the subtleties and shadings of Grieg's "Lyric Pieces" and touch your heart with the mystical creativity of Alexander Scriabin.Newport Performing Arts Center. 777 W. Olive Street. Newport, Oregon. 541-265-ARTS (2787). coastarts.org. Lodgings in Newport - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted A Pinnacle Bank employee is retiring after more than 25 years in the business. Ronald Sutter is the past president and current senior vice president of Pinnacle Trust Services. He began his career at the bank in 1994. It was Beatrice National Bank at that time, he recalled. Pinnacle bought us in 2002 and so my years at Beatrice National Bank were added on to that length. Im 78 years old and its time for some of the younger people to step in and take over, and for me to move on. Sutter said hell likely travel with his wife, but added that even though hes retiring from the bank he may still do some legal work. Before joining the bank, Sutter practiced law in Nebraska for 30 years, handing a wide variety of case types. He also served as the Gage County attorney for three years in the 1970s. He represented people in divorce cases as well as criminal cases, and was also involved in the establishment of Burchard Lake, having represented the watershed district. In his banking position, Sutter took care of business for people who couldnt handle their own affairs, managing their investments, paying bills and handling taxes, among other items. John Wells, president of Pinnacle Trust Services, said Sutter was an asset to the company and will be missed. He was a professional who never failed to do things the right way, for the right reasons, he said. We all learned a lot from him and will take that forward, but were very much going to miss his wit, wisdom and all the experience. Sutter recalled his 25-year banking career, and how the job changed over the years. Weve had a good run at the bank with the trust department, he said. When I first came to Beatrice National Bank, it was about $14 million in managed assets. When Pinnacle bought us we had grown that to $60 million and then that gave us exposure to the rest of the state, so now its over $550 million. A retirement reception will be held in recognition of Sutter on Tuesday, April 30 at the Pinnacle Bank Trust Services Department, 523 Court St. Cake and coffee will be served at the event, which is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Rep. Greg Murphy, R-Pitt, discusses House Bill 655 at an April 9 news conference. (CJ photo by Dan Way) A group of House Republicans is taking another whack at what they call an alternative to Medicaid expansion so uninsured North Carolina residents can obtain health coverage.State Reps. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth; Josh Dobson, R-McDowell; Greg Murphy, R-Pitt; and Donna McDowell White, R-Johnston, held a news conference Tuesday, April 9, before they introduced House Bill 655 , the N.C. Health Insurance for Working Families Act. It mirrors Carolina Cares legislation they proposed in the 2017-18 legislative session. The updated program would cost $4.7 billion and cover 543,000 people. It would launch in July 2020.Lambeth said, noting Republicans typically have opposed Medicaid growth.Not everyone is buying it.said Bill D'Elia, a spokesman for Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham.Lambeth said Congress would have pass a law changing the funding formula. Under H.B. 655, coverage would terminate if the federal funding share dipped below 90 percent.Bill drafters expect the program would cover 300,000 currently uninsured people; people with certain disabilities; and 200,000 workers who would shift from private insurance or State Health Plan coverage because the premiums, deductibles, and co-payments in H.B. 655 would cost less.The 10 percent state match would come from several sources: hospital fees; $364 million in premium taxes from insurers; premiums from enrollees equaling 2 percent of household income; and unspecified transfers among state agencies.The N.C. Healthcare Association representing hospitals said H.B. 655 is a common-sense proposal.said Steve Lawler, NCHA president.Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina was more circumspect.said BCBSNC spokesman Austin Vevurka.Lambeth said the state would save $60 million a year because the 90 percent federal match would offset uncompensated hospital charity care the state now subsidizes.Even if H.B. 655 became law, the state would need a waiver of the state's Medicaid plan from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The program would be administered under the Medicaid managed care organizations that are part of statewide Medicaid transformation launching Nov. 1.said Jordan Roberts, the John Locke Foundation's health care policy analyst.The state Department of Insurance backed away from the contention H.B. 655 is insurance.Spokesman Barry Smith said Insurance Department officials were aware the bill was going to be filed. But the department doesn't oversee Medicaid programs, he said, and wouldn't administer this plan because the state Department of Health and Human Services would implement it. DHHS is responsible for state Medicaid services.On another front, Roberts disputed Lambeth's contention that North Carolina tax dollars have helped pay for other states to expand Medicaid. Lambeth said a 0.9 percent Social Security tax includes a medical component partially funding Medicaid expansion.That tax helps pay for Medicare, not Medicaid.Roberts said.This year's legislation includes an $80 million rural health grant program paid with the 1.9 percent premium tax levied on insurers.Communities could use the grants to help hospitals recruit and retain physicians, expand telehealth services, or provide startup funding for new clinical services.North Carolina hospitals and providers have been hit with more than $600 million in federal funding cuts, and about $300 million more in cuts are pending, Lambeth said. He's been warned this session that three hospitals are fighting for survival.Lambeth said.The bill also includes a work requirement for participants - with some hardship exceptions. The work requirement may pose a legal challenge. In late March, a federal judge threw out Medicaid work requirements in Arkansas and Kentucky. He ruled a work mandate violated the spirit of Medicaid's mission to provide insurance to the poor. Two years ago a woman I didnt know contacted me about an abandoned chapel dedicated to a saint I had never heard of in a Tuscan town I had never visited. Now her story is in LA PASSIONE: How Italy Seduced the World, and she and I are going on a Passion for Joy book tour. The woman is Rita Morgan Richardson, a French teacher in Nashville. The saint is Philip Neri, patron saint of joy, whose followers built places for the faithful to worship and sing together. The chapel in Castiglion Fiorentino, a hilltop village of about 13,000 people near Cortona, had been falling into ruin for decades. Then Rita Richardson came to town. Her ties to Italy run deep. While serving in the military in Italy, her American father met and married a lovely local woman and brought her to the United States. Although Rita grew up in Georgia, her staunchly Italian mother imparted a strong sense of her Italian heritage. In 2010, during a visit to their son while he was studying in Cortona, Rita and her husband Tim ventured to nearby Castiglion Fiorentino. Taken by its picturesque charm, they bought a small home and returned several times a year. Every day they would walk by a boarded-up church on their pedestrian-only lane. Curious, they discovered that it once housed a group of friars belonging to the Congregation of the Oratory, a religious order founded by Saint Philip Neri. Im Catholic, but I had never heard of him, says Rita. Neither have many others. Born in Florence in 1515, Philip began studying and then preaching in Rome. His friendly nature and ebullient sense of humor won so many converts that he became known as Romes third Apostle, after Saints Peter and Paul. According to legend, his heart grew so big with Gods love that people could see it pounding in his chest. To attract more converts, Philip devised a form of religious theater, with performers reproducing biblical scenes set to music. Soon people were flocking to the entertaining shows that took the name of the hospital prayer hall used for the first performancesoratorio. The oratorio built by his followers in Castiglion Fiorentino became a bustling community center, a place where ordinary people experienced extraordinary things, says Rita. Tim and I wondered why someone wasnt doing something to save a building so rich in history. When we asked, we always heard the same thing: Crisi. Niente soldi. Economic crisis. No money. Then an unexpected passion seized Rita. One day I just knew that the someone to save San Filippino was meeven though I had never attempted anything like this. With the permission of the local archbishop, she and Tim got their first glimpse of the chapels interior. Inside they found beautifully sculpted cherubs, a hand-painted balcony for the choir, and a wooden coffered ceiling of cobalt blue and gold. We were blown away, Rita recalls. Launching a one-woman campaign, she formed the Friends of San Filippino, an official American nonprofit, and reached out to Italian American organizations and Italophiles. Their generosity, along with Ritas passion and perseverance, so impressed the townspeople that they have wholeheartedly embraced the project. Sometimes we need foreigners to wake us from our torpor and make us look at things with the eyes of another, says a local teacher. Community members have donated their artworks and auctioned off dinners and stays at local bed-and-breakfasts to raise funds. School children, like Nicole Chirila of Dante Alighieri Middle School in Castiglion Fiorentino (above), are creating and selling art works inspired by the chapel. The ongoing campaign has rekindled a pride in the past and a passion to keep the spirit of San Filippino alive. You can feel the love of San Filippino in Castiglion Fiorentino, says Rita. The world may be full of special places that deserve to be saved, but its also full of people with an inexplicable passion to do good works that they never knew they had. Rita and I are carrying this joyful message to Houston, New Orleans and Atlanta in our Spring Passion of Joy book tour. If you can come to any of these events, wed love to meet you! Tuesday, May 7, 7:00 p.m. Italian Cultural & Community Center 1101 Milford Street Houston, TX Wednesday, May 8, 6:00 p.m. American Italian Cultural Center 537 S Peters Street New Orleans, LA Thursday, May 9, 7:00 p.m. Eagle Eye Book Shop 2076 N Decatur Rd Atlanta, GA Dianne Hales is the author of LA BELLA LINGUA: My Love Affair with Italian, the Worlds Most Enchanting Language, MONA LISA: A Life Discovered, and LA PASSIONE: How Italy Seduced the World. For more information on her and her Spring book tour, visit her website: diannehales.com. It's expensive and labor-intensive to dispose of coal ash at the landfill, and so part of the discussions with Talen has been the possibility of lowering or eliminating the fees Talen would have to pay, Cole said. The landfill has taken this type of coal ash before, known as fly ash, said David Mumford, director of public works. "It can be placed in the general cells," he said, referring to lined depositories at the landfill. "It's not considered hazardous." Fly ash is the more innocuous part of coal ash, known for being ultralight and easily picked up by the wind. Bottom ash carries many of the metals and pollutants associated with coal ash. If it were bottom ash that the landfill were looking to take, a number of steps would be involved and specialized storage would be require, Mumford said. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality classifies coal ash as a group 2 waste that requires storage in a class 2 facility, like the Billings Landfill. As such the city wouldn't be required to notify DEQ if it took in a load of coal ash; however the city is required to log it for DEQ inspection. "If somebody wanted to bring in fly ash and that was the decision," Mumford said, "we can handle it." A body found Sunday afternoon below the Rimrocks behind a Billings neighborhood was recovered by responders from multiple local agencies. The investigation into the body's discovery is ongoing, but police do not believe there is any threat to the public related to the incident, said Billings Police Department Sgt. Ben Milam. Responders were dispatched to an area below the Rims just east of the intersection of Illinois Street and Henry Road shortly before 5:20 p.m. Milam said a citizen in the area found the body. The Billings Fire Department assisted in the recovery effort, according to Battalion Chief Kevin Johnson. Firefighters and police began making their way down the Rims with the body at about 6 p.m. The Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office and American Medical Response also responded to the area. The body appeared to have been discovered among large rocks in a rugged area more than 50 yards up from Henry Road. Milam said BPD would be able to provide more information after the family of the deceased person had been notified. Multiple police and fire department vehicles were parked along Henry Road during the response. BPD was still in the area as of about 6:20 p.m. Love 5 Funny 9 Wow 5 Sad 77 Angry 7 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. From December 19th through December 26th we will be granting free access as a gift to our readers presented by TDS Fiber CASPER, Wyo. Wyomings prison population was the third-fastest growing in the country at the end of 2017, according to a government report released last week. The report, which was authored by two U.S. Department of Justice statisticians and released Thursday, states that Wyomings prison population grew by 4.2 percent between the year-ends of 2016 and 2017. The Cowboy State was outpaced only by Utah, where the incarceration rate grew by 4.3 percent, and Idaho, where the rate grew by 5.1 percent. The three states topping the list were also the only Mountain West states with notable increases. The report indicates the continuation of a trend a 2018 Star-Tribune analysis noted began more than a decade ago Wyoming prison population rates as a percentage of the states total population grow while national numbers drop. Nationwide, 390 per 100,000 people were locked in state prisons by the end of 2017 across the country. That number was down 7 from the year prior. In Wyoming, however, 429 people per 100,000 were in corrections department custody at years end, up more than 20 per 100,000 compared to the prior year. With the change in pressure on the coal industry, environmental groups have pivoted their advocacy as well, focusing in more recent years on the economics of coal-fired power, which is rapidly being outpaced by other options. Rocky Mountain Power has been pressured by environmental groups to say publicly that its coal fleet was often more expensive than wind or purchasing power on the open market. The company did admit that in part through an economics of coal study in December, but noted that the reliability of the companys energy system also had to be considered given that coal plants provide large amounts of baseline power for the companys customers from Wyoming to Washington. The presentation that shook Gordon and encouraged environmental groups confirmed that reliability would not be greatly affected and money would be saved. PacifiCorps calculations are not unique in the power sector, as many plants have announced retirements in recent years due to the price savings of pivoting to other energy sources. Those closures have wreaked havoc on Wyomings coal sector and clouded the outlook for the industry -- which provides a tremendous amount of the states funding every year. * "Most Popular Intellectual Property Law Blawg" of all time according to Justia rankings , December 2021. * "Most Popular Copyright Blawg" of all time according to Justia rankings , December 2021. * PermaKat Eleonora Rosati listed as one of the World Intellectual Property Review's "Influential Women in IP" of 2020. * PermaKat Eleonora Rosati listed as one of the Managing Intellectual Property magazine's "Fifty Most Influential People" of 2018. * IPKat founder and Blogmeister Emeritus Jeremy Phillips listed as one of the Managing Intellectual Property magazine's "Fifty Most Influential People" of 2005, 2011, 2013, and 2014. * Recommended by the European Patent Office as reading material for candidates for the European Qualifying Examinations, 2013. * Listed as "Top Legal Blog" in The Times Online, March 2011. 2010 ABA Journal 100. * One of the only two non-US blogs listed in the Blawg100. * Court Reporter Top Copyright Blog award winner, November 2010. * Number 1 in the 2010 Top Copyright Blog list compiled by the Copyright Litigation Blog, July 2010. * Selected by the United States Library of Congress for inclusion in its historic collections of Internet materials related to Legal Blawgs as of 2010. * Top Patent Blog poll 2009: 3rd out of 50 in the "Favourite Patent Blog" poll and 2nd out of 50 in the "Most-read" poll. Blog of the Year, 20 August 2008. * ComputerWeekly IT Law and Governance, 20 August 2008. One of the Career Center culinary students who studied at the Northern kitchen last school year is an employee now, Nelson said. Another is studying at a professional chef school. David Trost, CEO for St. John's United, also serves on the CTE Advisory Board. Like other Billings health care organizations, St. John's is always hiring and recruiting staff. Trost expects that some of the Career Center students who trained as CNAs will be looking for jobs right out of high school; they can get jobs that pay better than minimum wage immediately. Other students will use their CNA training as a step toward careers in nursing, medicine and therapy by acquiring crucial experience in the health care field before applying to highly competitive university programs. Both Trost, who has two children attending Billings Public Schools, and Nelson see great value in boosting career counseling. Each Billings high school guidance counselor is responsible for about 400 students. With all the testing and scheduling they are required to do along with addressing student/family crises there's little time for individualized career counseling. The levy on the May 7 ballot will fund career counselors at each of the high schools. Their job will be to help students find their own career paths. I was having lunch at the 212 Club Casino/Restaurant recently and read a Voice of the Reader letter by Art Foeste published on April 23, where he voiced his displeasure about the 45th POTUS. I'd like to answer his displeasure with facts I'm sure he won't agree with. The Obama administration had zero value for the loss of human life whether it occurred in Mexico, men, women, children and a beauty queen with the illegal gun walk fast and furious, one of Eric (I don't read) Holder's U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. Followed by the terrorist massacre of unarmed U.S. army and government civilian employees Barack Hussein (I don't always wear my wedding ring) Obama calling it a simple matter of workplace violence. Followed by Obama drone strike order on three U.S. citizens in Yemen that were killed without being afforded their rights to due process under U.S. Constitution, one of which was the mastermind of the Ft. Hood terrorist attack. He often targets chinook in the lower Columbia River and said going to barbless in 2013 made it more difficult for anglers to land spring chinook there. Our hook-to-land ratio went from 80 percent to 30 percent, he said. Im excited to go back to that 80 percent hook-to-land ratio. On steelhead fisheries, Hocking said being able to use barbed hooks probably wouldnt make much of a difference in angler landing rates, and he may not switch out his steelhead hooks because he has so many already tied up. He added that he hasnt noticed it being any more difficult to release fish when using barbed hooks and noted that Alaska allows the use of large barbed hooks even on catch-and-release salmon seasons on the Kenai River. Its not a big deal to pull those hooks out of fishes mouths quickly and easily, and we are ruining seven-ought hooks. Those fish release really well, and they swim off strong. He believes that barbless treble hooks are more damaging that barbed single hooks. Ive seen more fish get messed up on treble hooks than anything else. North Dakotas congressional delegation is urging the governor of Washington state to veto legislation they say would result in a de facto ban of crude-by-rail traffic from the Bakken. Rep. Kelly Armstrong and Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, all Republicans, wrote a letter to Gov. Jay Inslee about a bill approved by Washington legislators that would reduce the volatility of crude oil shipped by rail. The bill prohibits refineries and other facilities from unloading oil from a rail car unless the oil has a vapor pressure of less than 9 pounds per square inch, a lower limit than what North Dakota requires. Members of the delegation argue the legislation would do little to make rail transportation to Washington refineries safer. (The bill) relies on an unscientific understanding of crude-by-rail transportation and, according to current science, would not improve safety of workers or those along rail lines, they wrote in a letter dated Friday. Inslee, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for president, received the bill Thursday. He has 20 days to take action, said governor spokeswoman Tara Lee, adding she does not know how he intends to act. Inslee has made climate change a focus of his campaign for president, including pledging to not take campaign contributions from fossil fuel companies. Washington legislators who sponsored the bill say its aimed at protecting communities from fiery train derailments by reducing the risk of shipping Bakken crude. Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, D-Spokane, the primary sponsor of the bill, has criticized the federal government for not adopting a nationwide vapor pressure standard for crude oil shipped by rail. If the federal government wont act to protect public safety and adopt a safer nationwide standard, we will adopt our own, Billig said in a statement in March. There is just too much to lose for people and our environment. North Dakota regulations that took effect in 2015 require companies to remove the most volatile gases from Bakken crude oil and keep the vapor pressure at no more than 13.7 pounds per square inch. Lynn Helms, North Dakotas top oil regulator, testified to Washington legislators that there is no scientific basis to support a vapor pressure limit of 9 psi. Helms encouraged lawmakers to wait for the results of an ongoing Sandia National Laboratories study. North Dakota ships about 150,000 barrels of crude oil a day by rail to refineries in Washington. The final bill as amended would prohibit any new facility from loading or unloading crude oil from a rail car unless the oil has a vapor pressure of less than 9 psi. Existing facilities that expand crude oil volumes would have to adhere to the new limit within two years of the expansion. Failing to meet the standard could lead to fines of up to $2,500 per day per rail car. Kari Cutting, vice president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council, said the industry continues to oppose the bill as amended. Ultimately, this bill is not in line with interstate commerce law, and its going to be litigated, Cutting said. We believe that litigation will prevail against the state of Washington. The North Dakota Industrial Commission, a three-member board led by Gov. Doug Burgum, is scheduled to meet in a closed executive session on Tuesday to discuss a potential lawsuit against Washington. North Dakotas delegation also emphasized in the letter to Inslee that the legislation oversteps its legal boundaries, writing that the federal government has authority to regulate the shipment of hazardous materials by rail. While the state of Washington does have certain authority to legislate on health and safety issues, this bill does not offer a sound basis for doing so, they wrote. (Reach Amy Dalrymple at 701-250-8267 or Amy.Dalrymple@bismarcktribune.com) Love 3 Funny 3 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 1 ORISKA Partners in the Centrol Drainage water management installation company have purchased Centrol Crop Consultings share of the company and will operate it under a new name Aim Ag Drainage LLC. Devin Weber, of Oriska, is a partner with Andrew Fraase, of Buffalo, in the new field drainage installation company. The new entity will still have a close working relationship with Centrol Crop Consulting of Twin Valley, Minn., one of biggest crop consulting companies in the region. Centrol formed the tiling company in 2014 as an extension of its crop consulting work working with field scouting, consulting, water management and adding the tile design and installation. The new Aim Ag Drainage will continue with the same management and installation team, Weber says. It will remain in close alignment with Centrol Crop Consulting. Water management is a big problem that everyone in this area faces, Weber says. We thought it would be a good time to split so we can focus on our tiling and they can focus on their scouting. Plowing forward, Weber expects Aim Ag Drainage will be the busiest in a 150- to 200-mile radius from Cass County in North Dakota, while the previous business was more often far-afield in the tri-state footprint of the crop consulting company. The new company will continue to service past clients. Weber, who grew up in the Sheyenne area and attended North Dakota State University, also is a partner in a family farming operation at Oriska. He carries the title of president of Aim Ag Drainage and leads installation logistics. The company has one self-propelled Bron 550 plow, which is undergoing regular servicing at General Equipment in Fargo in anticipation of getting into the field in the coming week. The A Squad We have one crew, and the reason we focus on one crew is that you get our A Squad every time, Weber says. We want to take care of our growers the best we possibly can, and put all that focus into one crew. Same faces every day, in and out. The company is a full-service company, handling everything from initial permit consultation to installation. Fraase heads sales and does the design work. Weber says the company can handle large projects, but especially with more difficult profit outlooks for farmers the company will welcome smaller projects, too. Theres always a need for water management now, more than ever, Weber says. Everybody knows theres a need for tiling its just soil health in general. But it doesnt always fit everybodys pocketbook to tile an entire section, Weber says. These little spots, these little problem areas: we do a lot of that. Its time-consuming because you have as much time in planning into a 40-acre low area as you do a whole quarter. But we like to target those areas, too, and give people another option so they dont have to go out and bite off a very expensive (larger) project. Land prices have not come down, despite declining commodity prices. Really, our only option as farmers is to farm the ground that we (already) have as efficiently as we possibly can, Weber says. Tiling is a big part of that. The cost of tiling varies significantly, ranging from $500 to $1,500 an acre. Fraases expertise in soil health helps dissect issues such as salts, and allows him to recommend practices, including tillage and soil amendments, that dont involve tiling. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Fifty-three bills from North Dakota's 2019 legislative session remain to be signed by Gov. Doug Burgum as of Monday, according to his office. Most are due to be signed by May 17, according to governor's spokesman Mike Nowatzki, who said Burgum may act on most or all remaining bills this week. Burgum has signed 475 bills and issued two vetoes, one of which the Legislature overrode. He began signing bills in early March. The House and Senate adjourned sine die Friday night, ending their session at 76 days of an 80-day limit. Lawmakers introduced more than 900 bills this session. More than 520 passed. Reach Jack Dura at 701-250-8225 or jack.dura@bismarcktribune.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The number of people with sexually transmitted diseases has increased in North Dakota, and the state Department of Health has launched a new tool to help people assess their risk. Last year, there were 3,258 cases of chlamydia in North Dakota, an 8 percent increase compared to 2017, according to a news release from the Department of Health. Also, last year, there were 1,371 cases of gonorrhea, a 42 percent increase, and 83 cases of syphilis, a 6 percent increase. The Department of Health has launched a new website where people can take an online survey consisting of 10 questions and receive STD screening recommendations. The survey is anonymous and does not collect any personal identifying information. "The first step in STD prevention is understanding your risk and being tested when its recommended," Shari Renton, a surveillance coordinator for the HIV and STD program, said in the release. Renton said recommendations from the survey should be used as a conversation starter with health care providers. The survey can be found at www.ndhealth.gov/hiv/knowyourrisk. (Reach Blair Emerson at 701-250-8251 or Blair.Emerson@bismarcktribune.com) Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. GRAND FORKS When Phyllis Johnson visited the small congregation at Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church in Walcott for a recent Wednesday night Lenten service, she shared a message that some may not have been expecting. The top lay leader who serves as vice president of the 100,000-member Eastern North Dakota Synod pulled no punches when she said climate change is real and that, as Christians, "we all have a calling to pay attention to it as we are supposed to take care of our Earth, feed the hungry and watch out for our neighbors." She has shared that message to more than a half dozen of the 196 congregations that make up the synod across the eastern third of the state. The North Dakota native who lives in Grand Forks has the resume to justify her climate change message, as she proudly claims to be one of the "97% of scientists worldwide that agree climate change is real and is caused by human activity." For 33 years, Johnson worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, starting as human nutrition researcher and advancing to senior executive positions at the agency and at the department's largest agricultural research center near Washington, D.C. She also spent several years overseeing 22 USDA labs in eight states on the west coast. She's traveled through developing countries and worked with international scientists who all believe climate change is here and because it's caused by humans, they believe "we as people can also help to slow down or put the brakes on climate change." The other option, she said is "we can allow it to continue to get worse." After retiring from USDA in 2008, she was hired as vice president for research and economic development at the University of North Dakota, a position she held for about six years. Next for Johnson came the chance to help the Lutheran church she has belonged to her entire life, without forgetting her past work and life experiences. When Johnson started her more intense work for the church with her continued interest in agriculture, science and climate change, she said it was an obvious connection. One of those connections came to her about a year ago, she said during a Holy Week telephone interview, when she thought about the effects of atmospheric emissions in the food chain that start with tractors moving across the fields to people driving to supermarkets. When food is wasted, that entire process seems like "it was all for nothing," she said. To tackle the issue, she issued a challenge to people everywhere. It's something "everyone of us can do to help" and that's slowing or stopping the alarming wasting of food estimated at about 40% in America. On top of that, she noted that by the year 2050, there will be 2 billion more mouths to feed on Earth. Not only can cutting food waste help with emissions, but she said it can also save a family of four about $1,500 a year. "And it's a very easy thing to do," Johnson said. Those easy suggestions are: Planning a menu before you go to the store. Using leftovers. Johnson said her father used to have a phrase called "lolo," which was leftover leftovers or using the food a third time. Ignoring some of the "use by" or "best by" dates on products because the item is still likely good for several days or longer after the date stamped on the product. Buying some of the fruits and vegetables that look kind of "beat up" at the store but are still good. "We don't always need the perfect-looking product," she said. Bruised apples, for example, can make a good applesauce. Using websites such as for the Save the Food group, which can offer tips on how to make changes to conserve food. Eat food in take-home containers. Johnson said about half of the containers are left at restaurants and another large number of them are left to dry up in the refrigerator at home. Johnson said with the population growth expected by 2050 which is "really closer than we think" the call for Christians to feed the hungry, preserve God's creation and take care of neighbors is also a matter of intergenerational justice. "What kind of planet are we going to leave for our grandchildren?" she asked. "We have to do something." Synod Bishop Rev. Terry Brandt couldn't agree more. Brandt, who works out of his Fargo office, said it's a national priority of the church to address climate change. "We have concerns about food security and water shortages and it's only going to get worse if we don't do something about it," he said. "We also believe that it's part of our faith to take care of God's beautiful creation," he said. Johnson pointed out in her talk to the Walcott congregation that her message was not meant to be political. Brandt agrees that it's not a political issue. Realizing there are the naysayers about climate change, Johnson simply said, "there are always people who are contrarian." However, she said the "evidence of climate change has been carefully evaluated by thousands of scientists" and documented in peer-reviewed journals. She said the United Nations' international panel of scientists also has left no doubts and that the lines of evidence are great. As she continues her pilgrimage to the churches, Johnson said she also talks to professional organizations. "I'll really talk to anyone who'll listen," she said. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WILLISTON -- The parents of a 1-month-old baby who died in Williston Friday have been ordered held on $1 million bond after being accused of child abuse. Tank McMillin, 27, and Hannah McMillin, 18, were each charged Monday with one class A felony count of child abuse. The pair were arrested after police were called to the Four Points by Sheraton shortly after 11:30 a.m. Friday for a report of a baby who was not breathing. The boy, who was born March 20, was pronounced dead at CHI St. Alexius Health in Williston a short time later. The baby had bruising to his abdomen, back, sides, upper buttocks and feet, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in Northwest District Court. A nurse who was at the hotel told police that she went to the room to help, but initially couldn't find the baby because he was under a pile of pillows. Tank McMillin, the baby's father, told investigators that he would put blankets or pillows over the infant's face when the child was fussy, charging documents indicate. Hannah McMillin, the child's mother, told police that she put pillows around the baby on the bed and either a blanket or a pillow on the boy's face, court records state. She said she went to the hotel's hot tub area, where Tank McMillin joined her briefly, then left, then came back and told her the child was dead. Sgt. Detective Danielle Hendricks with the Williston police said the investigation was ongoing. The Williams County State's Attorney's Office is reviewing the case and additional charges could be pending. At a bond hearing Monday afternoon, Nathan Madden, assistant state's attorney for Williams County, asked Northwest District Judge Benjamen Johnson to set bond at $1 million for the couple. He said the pair have few ties to the area and were living in a hotel room. "I have concerns about flight risk," Madden said. Tank McMillin told Johnson that his parents were in North Dakota and if he were released, he'd be staying with them. "I don't think I'd be a flight risk," he said. A preliminary hearing on the child abuse charges is set for May 29. Love 1 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 14 Angry 22 During the proceedings, Inditex had submitted that the evidence provided proved that the earlier marks have a high reputation, and so the Court agreed with the Board of Appeals findings that the earlier marks had a high reputation for clothing, footwear and headgear in Class 25 and the store services in Class 35. Inditex argued that the Board of Appeal should have acknowledged that the earlier marks have an exceptionally strong reputation. However, the EUIPO maintained that the applicant had not requested that the exceptionally strong reputation of the earlier marks be acknowledged. Since the EUIPOs examination is to be restricted to the facts, evidence and arguments provided by the parties, and the and the reputation of a mark is a purely conjectural matter, it follows that it is for the parties to provide the facts and evidence in support of the relief sought. The objective of Article 8(5) of Regulation No 207/2009 is to enable the proprietor of an earlier national or EU trade mark with a reputation to oppose the registration of marks which are likely either to be detrimental to the repute or the distinctive character of the earlier mark or to take unfair advantage of that repute or distinctive character. It is not required to demonstrate actual and present harm, but prima facie evidence of a future risk, which is not hypothetical, of unfair advantage or detriment. The stronger the earlier marks distinctive character and reputation, the easier it will be to accept that harm has been caused to it. Merging into new markets image: Nomad YC In the contested decision, the Board of Appeal found that Inditex confined itself to making general allegations and did not put forward any information which made it possible to understand satisfactorily how the risk of an unfair advantage could have arisen, and that Inditex failed to take into consideration the huge differences between the goods and services concerned. Inditex argued that it provided evidence demonstrating that the current trend in relation to fashion marks is that they are evolving outside of the fashion market towards adjacent markets, such as food, restaurant services, hotels and temporary accommodation. Furthermore, fashion magazines tend to combine fashion and travel articles, and on social media bloggers and influencers are travelling worldwide to comment both on the clothing and accessories that they wear during their trips and on the trip itself, including destinations, hotels and restaurants. In light of such trends, even though the contested services in Classes 39 and 43 may not be considered to be strictly similar to the goods and services, they are still linked to the relevant commercial sector. As such, Inditex maintained that, on this basis and on the strength of their mark's reputation and the high degree of distinctiveness, there is a risk that the proprietors of the mark applied for might, without incurring significant costs, introduce and popularise their mark on the market. The Court agreed and held that according to the established case-law, the Board of Appeal erred in finding that the applicant confined itself to making general allegations regarding the existence of a risk of unfair advantage being taken of the distinctive character and the repute of the earlier trade marks. Since there is currently a trend for trade marks present in the fashion market to evolve towards other markets, risk of unfair advantage cannot be ruled out in spite of the differences between those goods and services. It is necessary to take into account all factors relevant to the circumstances of the case in order to ascertain whether there is a risk of a type of injury referred to in Article 8(5) of Regulation No 207/2009. In particular, there is interdependence between the reputation and distinctive character of the earlier marks, and the existence of a risk of injury; the stronger that distinctive character and reputation, the easier it is to accept that those risks exist, which also means that it will be easier for the applicant to meet his obligation of proving that there is a risk of injury. In this case, the Board of Appeal did not consider the impact of the strength of the earlier marks reputation on the existence of a risk of unfair advantage being taken of the distinctive character or the repute of the earlier marks and did not carry out an overall assessment of the risk of injury linked to unfair advantage. As such, the contested decision was partially annulled in so far as the Board of Appeal partially upheld the appeal brought by Mrs Ansell and Mr Ansell (Case R 2369/2011-2) which had allowed the mark applied for to proceed to registration in respect of the services in Classes 39 and 43. This is Up and Down, where we give a brief thumbs up and thumbs down on the issues from the past week. Up The U.S. Geological Survey has started the process of evaluating the oil and gas that can be recovered in the Williston Basin. The last assessment was done in 2013 and had an impact on the oil patch. Last week, the states oil industry leaders urged the geologists to consider new technologys role in production when doing the assessment. Theres no doubt the industry continues to find new ways to recover oil and gas. The assessment should be helpful for future development. Down State Board of Higher Education members shouldnt be limited on what they say to the public. They should always be clear if they are stating a personal opinion and not speaking for the board. Board member Dan Traynor questioned a board policy that limits members' ability to speak publicly. The board discussed the policy last week, but didnt make any changes. Board members shouldnt have to worry about what they say in public. Up Heidi Heitkamp has been pitched as a possible successor to University of North Dakota President Mark Kennedy. Hes hasnt resigned yet, but whether he gets the job in Colorado or not, its apparent he wont stay long. Heitkamp hasnt ruled out taking the job if it were offered. Former Gov. Ed Schafer got good reviews when he served as interim UND president. Heitkamp could bring some of the same strengths to the position: a North Dakota native with a strong understanding of the states issues and people. She shouldnt be ruled out. Down Bis-Man Transit continues to struggle with its finances. An updated transit development plan recommends that more funds be pursued from the cities that transit serves. The plan also says potential reductions in service should be considered. The Tribune Editorial Board feels the focus should be on getting more money. Cutting service defeats the purpose of transit, which is needed by people who for various reasons dont have another form of transportation. Finding a solution will require a community effort. Up The University of Mary is taking another step in the development of its engineering program. The school will break ground today on a new multimillion-dollar School of Engineering in the old university dining hall. Over the weekend, U-Mary had its first engineering graduate, Michael Gorder. Engineering graduates are in demand and the university is filling a void. Gorder has a job with Moore Engineering in Bismarck. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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). A year ago, Facebook wracked by the Cambridge Analytica scandal (and many, many others) promised a "Clear History" feature that would allow its users to wipe clean the nonconsensual dossiers that the company had compiled on them, a promise uttered by Mark Zuckerberg himself during the F8 developer conference. A year has gone by, F8 is here again, and Clear History is nowhere to be found. The company says it will roll it out in 2019. But who knows? Remember, Facebook has also promised a suite of privacy-oriented services without providing any schedule for their delivery. Philip Michael from Tom's Guide points out that there's really only one way for Facebook to demonstrate that it is taking privacy seriously, and that would be for Mark Zuckerberg to step down. After all, Zuck has spent literally his entire tenure at the helm of Facebook making and then egregiously breaking privacy policies, then mouthing hollow apologies, making new promises, and then breaking them. I don't think that Zuck's departure would be enough. Mark Zuckerberg didn't personally design and implement all of the invasive tools that have produced scandal after scandal (though he may have signed off on all or at least most of them). He had a literal army of managers, product designers and engineers who built those systems in full knowledge of what they were doing. Changing the guy in the CEO's office without changing out the rest of those complicit people will have no meaningful effect on the company. Facebook should, at the bare minimum, be broken up. It should be forced to divest itself of Instagram and Whatsapp, so that when millions of users leave Facebook out of disgust for its privacy policies, the services they migrate to are owned by different people with different priorities. Facebook's privacy problems are mostly monopoly problems in disguise. There is no "Private Facebook" in the future, until and unless the company is cut down to size. If Facebook Wants Our Trust, Mark Zuckerberg Must Resign [Philip Michaels/Tom's Guide] (via /.) News / National by Bishop Lazarus Despite their supposed genius and intellectual heft, Western scientists are still grappling with establishing the causal link between lunar cycles and madness.While there is innumerable anecdotal evidence to suggest the moon could have an effect unfailingly adverse on the mental state of human beings, or even animals and insects, including irrefutable evidence that shows that some amongst us have routine and cyclical bouts of lunacy, conclusively establishing that link has been incredibly difficult.In fact, words such as "lunatic", "lunacy" and "loon" were etymologically hewn from the Roman moon god called "Luna".US psychologists such as James Rotton and Ivan Kelly even subjected this theory to rigorous scientific inquiry.Well, Bishop Lazi, as a man given to spirituality and was known during his school days for an incurable numerophobia (fear of numbers) and arithmophobia (fear of arithmetic), doesn't lose sleep over all this scientific gobbledygook.The Bishop will not trouble himself with such senseless inquisition.In any case, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.Our ancestors once quipped: why do we have to measure the length of a snake with the buck of a tree when the reptile is actually there for the eyes to see?And the snake walked, still walks, on two legs in the form of my aunt.Depending on phases of the moon, especially when it is either shaped in the form of a waxing crescent or a waning crescent (mwedzi mutete), she is routinely transformed from sanity to rank madness.Argh! That woman!When she is in her zone of lunacy, she often scampers to the nearest anthill or molehill from whence she would launch into unending tirades that usually leave everyone emotionally bruised.However, we have become inured to it: we often take a cue from the moon to get a sense of when the next public village bashing would begin, or, conversely, we would hear from the verbal thrashing to know which phase of the moon cycle it was.But life, as it always does, also goes on in the village.It still does.So, if those two US psychologists are still interested in pursuing this subject matter further, kindly tell them to give the Bishop a buzz, he will happily provide them with a viable guinea pig.Looney Young ManWe will also point them in the direction of that boy leading the rag tag opposition formation that is hurtling towards its congress next month.Yes, that boy who has wet dreams of one day becoming the man in Zimbabwean politics.Well, in Acts 2:17, the Lord says "In the last days I will pour out My Spirit on all people; your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams", but Nelson Chamisa sees different kind of visions, if we could call them that.One would need a Richter magnitude scale to record his mood swings, including the way his mind seems to constantly zoom from being stable to being looney.The Bishop has already begun marking his calendar for the dates the young man is given to making bizarre statements with a view of extrapolating them to the various lunar cycles.At his rally on July 28 last year before the elections, the excitable and impressionable Chamisa told his starry-eyed supporters that Robert Mugabe was a welcome ally for the MDC-Alliance.In his own words, he said: "Robert Mugabe is a citizen of Zimbabwe, former president, the president of the First Republic who is going to hand over to the second president of the Republic myself here, present." Kikikiki.We all know how it panned out.But you would swear by your mother that this is not the same guy who was bashing the same old man on Wednesday last week."Mr Mugabe is one of the people who violated the rules of secrecy of the vote by indicating that he will vote for us. We are not in the business, as I have always indicated, of choosing supporters or voters."The relationship (between him and Mugabe) is that of a former president and an incoming president. That is the relationship. Beyond that, there is no relationship." Kikikiki.By the way, this is the same guy who organised "the guys from Mbare" on August 1 last year to unleash Armageddon in Harare, but when it all came unstuck, he called the same "guys from Mbare" stupid.Well, you might think this is an isolated case.Then boom! just after the independence celebrations, on April 19, his goons must have thought his Twitter account had been hacked.Their commander, who they affectionately refer to as Wamba Dia Wamba, was mellowing, they should have thought."Where we are going now requires us to think and act together as Zimbabweans. Our dire situation is no longer about MDC or Zanu-PF but about Zimbabwe. We have a nation to build and a generation to defend. We have the power!" he tweeted away.Barely a week later, the tone had changed.He was now talking about how they cannot be a 2023 without a 2018 and a whole litany of other political mumbo jumbo.The next time you get confused about what he would be saying, just mark your calendar, dear reader, it would be useful in future.But as one writer once said, Chamisa is like that village urchin who is tolerated by the community as long as they stay away from the fireplace, for they risk burning down the whole village.The Bishop heard whispers last week that the young man is contemplating to again mobilise the muscle power from the "guys from Mbare" under the guise of protesting against rising prices.And his retinue of media apologists are beginning to sound the war drums that will become the sound track of their envisaged offensive.Unfortunately, there are no tutorials on Statecraft the Bishop would have recommended one to the power-hungry political toddler. So, unfortunately, we will just watch him politically wither like Kizza Besigye of Uganda and Mmusi Maimane of South Africa, who have built unenviable reputations for perennially losing elections.Psychiatrists will actually have a field day with this chap on their couch.If I were patient enough, I would volunteer a therapy session with him, but Bishop Lazi doesn't suffer fools.Nor does the Holy Book.Proverbs 26 is particularly uncharitable."Just as snow should not fall in summer, nor rain at harvest time, so people should not honour a fool."Don't worry when someone curses you for no reason. Nothing bad will happen. Such words are like birds that fly past and never stop."You have to whip a horse, you have to put a bridle on a mule, and you have to beat a fool."There is no good way to answer fools when they say something stupid. If you answer them, then you, too, will look like a fool. If you don't answer them, they will think they are smart." (verse 1-5)It adds: "Never let a fool carry your message. If you do, it will be like cutting off your own feet. You are only asking for trouble."A fool trying to say something wise is like a crippled person trying to walk."Showing honour to a fool is as bad as tying a rock in a sling."A fool trying to say something wise is like a drunk trying to pick a thorn out of his hand."Argh!I guess we have no option but to accept that there is no village that doesn't have its fair share of looneys.But they must never never ever be allowed near the fireplace.Bishop out! News / National by Staff reporter Government will, in the next few weeks, announce at least two more investors that are expected to deploy huge foreign capital in the country's platinum sector as scores of local and foreign investors fall in love with the Government's "Zimbabwe is Open for Business" mantra.The platinum sector is one of the few sectors in the economy that is expected to create thousands of jobs directly and indirectly through the provision of additional technical expertise from the local market and other key services.The move is part of Government efforts to fully utilise the country's mineral deposits as one of the key strategies to feed into President Mnangagwa's Vision 2030, by which time Zimbabwe should attain upper middle income earning status with a per capita of US$3 500.The mining sector is largely expected to drive this vision and the President has set a US$12 billion annual export target for the sector, up from US$3, 2 billion achieved in 2018. It is against this background that a lot of investment luring strategies are being undertaken premised on the President's "Zimbabwe is open for business" mantra.The impending announcement comes hard on the heels of an historic US$4,2 billion investment by Cyprus based Karo Resources into the country's PGM sector that is expected to make Karo the country's biggest PGM producer.Government envisages that Karo could even produce more platinum than the already existing miners, Zimplats, Mimosa and Unki, combined, a development likely to trigger competition in the production of the mineral in the country.Said Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando; "We do have four geological platinum ore bodies in the country, the snake's head right at the top, the Muchingwe area where Mimosa is mining, in between we have two other platinum geological complexes which are the Shurugwi ore body and the Ngezi Geological complex."He added; "In simple terms one can look at the Ngezi geological complex and it can be subdivided into four, the area which is held by Zimplats, the area which has been granted to Karo Resources and two others which I won't mention."The whole idea of the development, which is to ensure that all the ore bodies in the Shurugwi geological complex and the Ngezi geological complexes are made operational and that certainly will be achieved, which means the two others in the Ngezi geological complex and the one other in the Shurugwi geological complex in a few weeks will be concluded and made public."Other minerals expected to feed into the US$12 billion export target include gold, lithium, diamonds, and chrome among others.In the gold sector, production is being primed to jump from a record breaking 33,2 tonnes to a projected 40 tonnes this year and ultimately 100 tonnes by 2023, according to the Government strategy.In diamonds, state miner, the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) is expected to haul 4,1 million carats this year up from 2,8 million last year and has been working on a deliberate capitalisation programme to boost conglomerate diamond mining.In the chrome sector, international interest has already started and the decision by the International Chrome Development Association (ICDA) to hold their 35th annual meeting in Victoria Falls early next month is a sign of global chrome players' interest in the Zimbabwean market.Platinum is used in catalytic converters, laboratory equipment, electrical contacts and electrodes, platinum resistance thermometers, dentistry equipment and jewelry. News / National by Staff reporter MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has hinted on various strategies that his party will use to deal with the Zanu-PF menace and one of them might be an election boycott.The party's elective Congress set for May this year will be used to examine possible strategies available for the "alternative government".Said Chamisa: "Do we participate in elections? Is an election the best form to achieve reforms? Calling for reforms, is it a good strategy? Dialogue, is it a good strategy? We will examine all our strategies going forward and what will be effective."We can't be engaging externally before we deal with internal hygiene. At the moment, we are focused on Congress, but that does not mean we have removed our eyes from the ball."When we finish our congress and our members have endorsed a strategy road map, then we will come out stronger and geared to offer a new proposition as an alternative government because we are not an opposition."The MDC has in the past been using demonstrations as well as engaging other regional countries to push the ruling Zanu PF party to the negotiating table. News / National by Staff reporter Trade unions from across the divide have threatened to roll fresh protests if President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government does not address the deepening economic problems facing the country.The Zanu-PF-aligned Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU) alongside the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) issued the threats ahead of May Day celebrations this week,ZFTU secretary-general Kennias Shamuyarira said Mnangagwa must act before schools reopen next week or face protests"It is time the president took a position and say enough is enough," he said."The workers are suffering; in fact, the civil servants who are toiling for his administration are going home empty-handed."If these businesspeople are his friends, since we have seen him meet them several times, he must tell them that they should stop this nonsense or the people will react."He said the ZFTU would take its May Day celebrations to Beitbridge where they hope to address mostly workers drawn from ranches, conservancies and commercial farms."Our theme this year is very simple, we are saying cartels and proxies of international monopoly capital, your time is up'. We are saying these cartels should just stop this nonsense," he said.ZCTU president Peter Mutasa (pictured below), who is facing treason charges after calling for a stayaway in January to protest against a steep increase in fuel prices, said workers were being pushed against the wall."They may arrest union leaders, even kill them as we know that they have the capacity to do so, as long as the situation remains as it is, the people will act and they will act according to the dictates of the law," he said."They shall demonstrate, they shall petition and this they will do in a bid to force the government to act."Mutasa said they were giving Mnangagwa up to next month when schools reopen to address the economic crisis."Our theme is that we are at a crossroads! Unite! Fight neoliberalism and austerity'," he said. "We are saying the capitalists who have taken over this government should not be allowed to play around with our rights as workers."The January ZCTU stayaway saw Mnangagwa unleashing the army leading to the death of 17 people and the arrest of more more than 1 000 people for looting. News / National by Staff reporter A Harare man appeared in court for allegedly teaming up with his seven accomplices clad in Zanu-PF T-shirts to chase and invade the premises of an Indian businesswoman, identified only as Rashan, in Belvedere, before uprooting her fencing poles, claiming the land belonged to him.Richard Samunda (41) was facing charges of malicious damage to property when he appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Edwin Marecha. It is alleged that the woman applied for land at the Harare City Council on an open space and was given stand number 40720 in Belvedere.The court heard that Rashan went on to erect poles around the place intending to fence it. It is alleged that Samunda, in the company of seven accomplices who were dressed in Zanu-PF regalia, uprooted the fence poles.Prosecutor Mr Tapiwanashe Zvidzai told the court that Samunda was seen by one man identified as Mpofu whom he told that the land belonged to him.The court heard that after the incident, Rashan cross-checked with Harare City Council and was told that Samunda was not known to them and that he was not the rightful owner of the stand. News / National by Staff reporter The just-ended MDC-Alliance provincial congress continues to widen fissures in the beleaguered party, with rival factions escalating attacks on each other amid allegations of rigging that threaten to further weaken the opposition party in Masvingo ahead of next month's national elective congress.Mr James Gumbi weathered the storm to retain his position as MDC-Alliance provincial chair for Masvingo after shrugging off the challenge of lawyer Mr Simon Mupindu in a closely fought contest.Mr Gumbi polled 1 004 votes against Mr Mupindu's 956.The battle between the two was part of a covert warfare for the control of the party in Masvingo between Mr Gumbi's faction and a rival camp led by ex-deputy Youth Minister Mr Tongai Matutu.Mr Matutu was barred from contesting Mr Gumbi on a technicality, having dumped the party soon after the 2013 harmonised elections only to make a political somersault prior to the 2018 polls. His backers yesterday flashed red lights over Mr Gumbi's victory saying it spells disaster for the MDC-Alliance in Masvingo.In a text message circulated on WhatsApp, Mr Matutu's backers equated Mr Gumbi's re-election as party provincial chair to a political tinderbox that will soon explode with serious implications on the MDC-Alliance's future in Masvingo."Masvingo Congress (MDC-Alliance) created a very unpopular leadership," read the message."The process produced a paper tiger leadership. A paper tiger will not send fears in its foes (sic). Zanu-PF is smiling and prepared to take on the paper tiger (leadership) to ECD (Early Childhood Development) for children to enjoy playing with the toy."Masvingo (MDC-Alliance) has a toy leadership and if the situation is not redressed, Zanu-PF will have a field day in 2020, they better start celebrating before the elections." Mr Matutu could not be reached for comment.Mr Gumbi dismissed the allegations of rigging and dim electoral prospects for his party in Masvingo accusing his rivals as "political prostitutes". He charged that Mr Matutu and his backers were destructive elements bent on destabilising the MDC-A, citing their nomadic tendencies in politics."Look here, we cannot be talking about political prostitutes like (Mr) Matutu who have never won any election in their lives outside the MDC which they dumped when Tsvangirai was still alive," he said."They abandoned the MDC and joined PDP after which some in that group again joined NPP, what did they achieve? Nothing. So we cannot be losing sleep over such people who wanted to hijack the party and destroy it like what they have been doing everywhere they went."The MDC-Alliance has failed to close ranks in Masvingo, with serious divisions rocking the party which has up to now failed to set up structures in Zanu-PF strongholds such as Mwenezi and Zaka.In the just-ended harmonised polls, the opposition won only one seat (Masvingo Urban) in the National Assembly, with Zanu-PF sweeping the remaining 25 in the province. News / National by Staff reporter A fresh wave of arrests has hit Zimbabwe after a group of teachers was rounded up by plain clothes police officers over the weekend.The arrested teachers namely Robson Chere, Jess Drury, Precious Ndhlovu and Munyaradzi Ndawana, are members of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union.The fourt Amalgamated Rural Teachers' Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) leaders who were on Saturday allegedly abducted in Harare by unidentified individuals suspected to be State security agents and later dumped at Harare Central Police Station seven hours later.ARTUZ president Obert Masaraure confirmed the development. "ARTUZ condemns the barbaric abduction of our secretary-general Robson Chere and Mashonaland West chairperson Munyaradzi Ndawana and two others. The abductions signify the worsening political crisis in Zimbabwe. The incumbent government is displaying paranoid authoritarianism," he said."The government should focus on addressing bread and butter issues and desist from this shameful culture of persecuting innocent citizens."We are shocked that seven hours after being abducted and later handed over to the police the four are still to be charged."ARTUZ urges citizens to unite and rescue our country before we sink into the abyss."The ARTUZ leaders were rounded up in Greystone Park where they were having a workshop on facilitation techniques for adult education.National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi was not immediately available for comment last night. News / National by Mandla Ndlovu President Emmerson Mnangagwa has come to the rescue of 20 000 Domboshava villagers who were ordered with an eviction notice by a Chinese company on Friday.Deputy Government Spokesperson Energy Mutodi said, "President Emmerson Mnangagwa has come to the rescue of Domboshava villagers who were facing eviction by a Chinese quarry mining firm Aihua Jianye. The President has ordered that the firm stops mining activities in the area known for its rock art and as a tourist attraction."The Chinese company was planning to evict 20 000 individuals from their land after it was granted mining rights to extract quarry stones from a hill in their area.Mutodi further said that at a meeting that was held at Zimbiru Primary School with Domboshava residents on Saturday it was revealed that MDC Councillor Tapiwa Murima and the District Administrator Prisca Dube were behind the sale of Garimo hill to Chinese quarry miners."US$ 600K, 4 cattle and goats were paid. The MP and villagers were not consulted."Mutodi said.Addressing the meeting Mutodi said, "We all know that the Chinese will never leave any meaningful development in our community except a trail of destruction. So we do not want them here. The law says no one will be displaced without being offered an alternative place to stay." News / National by Staff reporter A NDEBELE chief in the heart of Buhera is pleading with government to provide a local primary school with a Ndebele teacher to preserve their language.The community, populated by Ndebeles in the heart of Buhera, fled from Esigodini during incessant disruptions of their lives by white settlers in 1927.Chief Gwebu-Fish told the Daily News that some families are being forced to send their children to relatives in Matabeleland to ensure that they learn their language at primary level.The Ndebele community here has eight villages.The chief said Ndebele was briefly taught at the school before the school head retired with his replacement showing no interest in using Ndebele as a language of instruction at school."Ndebele was taught briefly but it has since been suspended. There are many challenges. We are trying to engage the local school leadership but we feel they are just not interested."The one who had embraced our concerns retired and everything went up in smoke with his replacement. We continue to engage the ministry of Education and we can't say there is progress because there is nothing to show for the years of lobbying."At some point, parents were now recalling their children from Matabeleland where they were learning. It affected a lot of children who were adapting to Ndebele and were forced to return to Shona," Chief Gwebu-Fish said.He said he is concerned that very soon his subjects will only be carrying Ndebele names but unable to speak their language well."It is our plea for our children to learn their language. Their language is dying. Very soon they will only be carrying Ndebele names but unable to speak their language well," the distressed chief said.The chief said he taught himself to read and write Ndebele - a feat he said will not be easy for many to follow.The existence of a thriving Ndebele community deep among the Shona has been vexing observers for decades, with many theories about how they came to be being peddled for decades.Unlike the often-repeated claims that they were a regiment that chose to stay as a result of tribal conquests during the Ndebeles' infamous raids of the Shona, Chief Gwebu-Fish say they came in peace."We came here from near Isigodini town where we were constantly being disturbed by white settler activities and we decided to move as far away as possible from them ending up here in Manicaland."We were welcomed by Chief Makumbe who gave us the land we currently have," he said.He, however, said some groups of his people went on to settle under other chiefs across Buhera, with a significant community under Chief Chimombe in Mlandeni.Settled in swampy soils, Chief Gwebu-Fish said they chose these as they were similar to the land they had back in Isigodini and this perhaps limited conflict with locals who had no use for the watery plains."We chose swampy areas which locals didn't want. We knew the soils were rich because of our experience working them back in Isigodini," he said adding that they were equipped with specialised ploughs and cultivators and would have up to 12 cattle drawing the plough - a monstrosity among locals even to date. News / National by Staff reporter Air Zimbabwe has assured the nation and the international community of its commitment to the safety of passengers despite its only aircraft, the Boeing 767 200 ER had a fire spark mid air on FridayPassengers aboard a Air Zimbabwe's Boeing 767 200 ER aircraft could only hold their breath during a mid air scare on their way from Bulawayo to Harare.It is said the pilot resorted to operate on one engine and the plane landed safely at the Robert Mugabe International Airport.Surprisingly, the same aircraft took to the skies the following day and its tailpipe caught fire mid air on its way from Johannesburg, the Airliner's Group Corporate Affairs Manager Mr Tafadzwa Mazonde confirmed to ZBC News."We can assure all our passengers that we take their safety seriously and what happened on Friday night is a normal incident which can happen but our pilots were up to the task. Our engineers are working to fix the problem and we expect it to resume flights within 48 hours," he said.The Aircraft has since been grounded at the Robert Mugabe International Airport, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded this Monday.Air-Zim operates just one plane and this has put on the spotlight the worrisome state of affairs at the national airliner.The parastatal is currently under reconstruction to clear a huge pile of debt and old aircraft which is choking its operations.As part of the ongoing parastatal reforms, the government has acquired three aeroplanes which are expected to arrive any time in order to boost the fleet of the ailing company. News / National by Staff reporter The production of passports has resumed following a system malfunction which was rectified on Friday.The Registrar General's office is now producing 8 000 passports a day as it struggles to clear the 280 000 backlog.This was said by the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Ambassador Cain Mathema who also has dismissed social media reports that the passport fees are set to be rising soon.More to follow.... Why You Should Be Drinking Irish Whiskey A Deep Dive Into the Rich History of Irish Whiskey 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. When you think of a great whiskey neat, what comes to mind? For most, it would be a carefully aged Scotch drop the e whisky. But that hasnt always been the case. Before prohibition, Irish whiskey reigned supreme, known in North America and Western Europe as the best distilled spirit available. People loved it because it was good. Its as simple as that, Michael Carr, Global Brand Ambassador for Powers Whiskey, tells AskMen, We had the best production, we used the most expensive ingredients and Im talking about from the cheapest Irish whiskeys to the top. We refused to cut corners. RELATED: 5 Whiskies That You Should Just Drink Straight Irish whiskey came directly from distilleries. All the biggest whiskey families from Jameson and Powers to Cork Distillery took great pride in crafting their own whiskey directly on location. The big brands from Scotland? They were all blends. According to Carr, the famous Scottish brands would get loads of different whiskies from all the distilleries in Scotland and mix them into their own blend. It wasnt until column stills which were invented in Ireland came into the picture in the late 1800s that Scottish whisky brands realized they could make something a lot cheaper and improve the whisky while they were at it. A lot of the whisky coming from The Highlands wouldnt have been aged and would have been very, very peaty and the column stills would have calmed it down, Carr says. So suddenly you have Irish whiskey on the shelf in the British Empire, which would have cost an arm and a leg, and then youd have something mass produced from Scotland thats ten times cheaper. GettyImages By the turn of the century, as cheap Scotch becomes more accessible, Irish whiskey had stopped being one hundred percent of the world market to about fifty percent and then, World War I happened. You have to remember that the main market for Irish whiskey was the British Empire, Ireland, and America. The Germans had U-boats surrounding Ireland and they couldnt get anything off the island, Carr says, Scotland didn't have that issue. They had ships going to London, and so they started to grow in London. By the end of the war, Ireland was itching to kick up whiskey production and re-enter the market, but because Europe was devastated in the aftermath of the war, they set their sights on America until Prohibition happened a few short years later. Prohibition was an absolute disaster on two fronts for Irish whiskey. First of all, the Irish Pot Still Association, which was the umbrella group for all Irish whiskey, decided they would not break the embargo. That decision was not made in Scotland they didnt have an organization, and they didn't care to play by the rules. Scotland started exporting Scotch whisky into Canada and Mexico, and then it made its way across the US border but they stamped it as Irish whiskey because they could get more money if it was from Ireland. Unfortunately for Ireland, the quality of the knock-off booze was absolute garbage and that poor reputation stuck. By the time the prohibition ended, Irish whiskeys reputation had also ended it was in absolute tatters. Carr admits. The only way you could sell Irish whiskey [real Irish whiskey] by the end of prohibition was thanks to the Irish coffee boom of the 1950s. When prohibition ended in 1933, the Irish couldnt even get a look into the US market. It didnt get any better from there, either. Throughout World War II, Ireland had civil unrest of its own. Between the turmoil surrounding Europe and the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin, distilleries were nearly inoperable and Irish whiskey was really on its knees. By the 1950s we were left with a handful of semi-operational distilleries, Carr says. By the 1960s, Tullamore was gone, Kilbeggan was gone, Cork was doing alright because it had a good market in Munster, Jameson was in awful trouble, Powers had downsized an awful lot, Bushmill was opened and closed, opened and closed. RELATED: World's Best Whisky Heres where the tides started to turn. In a hugely visionary turn of events, the three leading distillers Powers, Jameson and Paddy sat down in secret and decided to come together to save Irish whiskey as a whole. They founded Irish Distillers in 1966 and vowed to put aside their differences and do whatever it takes to get the industry back on its feet. GettyImages What many people dont realize is that Powers actually bought Jameson and Paddy because they were the only ones in good financial standing at the time. They proceeded to do a survey in the US in the 1970s to decide which brand they would move forward with promoting. Paddy was seen as too quiet man, Jameson had good resonance, and the word Power turned out to be one of the most hated words in America. It was just seen as a relation to communism or the American government, so the distillers decided to move forward with promoting Jameson. Irish whiskey would not be where it is today if all those guys didnt come together. They were so brave. It was going south, and by coming together and becoming Irish Distillers, they could then grow, slowly but surely, Denis OReilly, a Powers family descendant, tells AskMen, My uncle Frank actually gave up his offices to Jameson and then made another decision a few years later, to build a new distillery for Jameson. They totally took second fiddle to help Irish whiskey, as a whole, grow. These days, Irish whiskey, especially Jameson, has a distinctly positive association to Ireland, but its still largely overlooked in favor of Scotch whisky because of its rocky reputation of yesteryear. We happen to think that a carefully aged Irish whiskey deserves top spot on your bar cart, not only because of its rich history and inspiring perseverance, but because of its wonderfully smooth taste (Irish whiskey has to be distilled in wooden casks for a minimum of three years, making it much less tumultuous than its Scottish counterpart). Here, a few of our favorite Irish whiskeys from top shelf sipping material to the stuff shots are made of. Powers Johns Lane Reserve Powers Johns Lane Reserve is meant to be sipped and enjoyed. The savory whiskey is the perfect representation of a traditional Irish pot still spirit. Its robust flavors are largely due to the fact that its aged in ex-bourbon and sherry casks. The soft, velvety mouthfeel will come as a welcome surprise for anyone used to drinking Scotch whisky of the same age. From $59.77 at Drizly.com Powers Three Swallow Reserve Powers Three Swallows Reserve is made in a Single Pot Still from malted and unmalted barley, and then triple distilled. A revival of a similar whiskey from the old distillery in Dublin, Three Swallows is easy-going and relaxed, with notes of oak and sweet spices. From $41.99 at Drizly.com Jameson Irish Whiskey Probably one of the most recognizable whiskies out there, Jameson is a great option for mixed drinks, celebratory shots, or sipping all on its own. With hints of vanilla and fresh herbs, this blended Irish whiskey is a great introduction to the Irish spirit. From $16.99 at Drizly.com 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. Teamwork and team spirit Theres so much to like about the small but major procurement, licensing and strategic partnership deal that Aurora Cannabis (TSX:ACB)(NYSE:ACB) announced with a growing patented technology player EnWave Corp (TSXV:ENW) on Friday, April 26. The latest deal could significantly improve operating efficiency, reduce working capital requirements, and allow bulk drying of cannabis materials at a fraction of the time while offering the marijuana firm a partnership and a chance to share in royalty payments from other licensees within large territories, yet on a small investment of just $10 million. The deal Aurora has acquired a sub-license to use EnWaves patented Radiant Energy Vacuum (REV ) drying technology on two sites in Canada, and has entered into a royalty bearing licensing agreement granting it exclusive rights to the technology in Europe (excluding Portugal). The company has secured options to exclusively license the ground-breaking technology in Australia and in South America (excluding Peru), giving it rights to sub-license the tech in the exclusive territories and share in the royalty payments, and will partner the technology vendor in tweaking the technology for the marijuana industry. Why does the technology tick? EnWaves patented microwave based drying technology is claimed to shorten drying time from between five to seven days to just under an hour! Time is money. Not only are the drying time savings impressive, but the technology also frees up a significant amount of working capital, frees up a lot of space in existing production facilities, accelerates the time to market from harvest and most importantly, allows for large scale, bulk drying of cannabis and CBD rich hemp biomass while reducing the risk of mould growth and contamination. Why are Canada, Peru and Portugal territories non-exclusive? Another industry giant Tilray has already secured exclusive licensing rights to the drying technology, first in 2017 for Canada, and in 2018 for Portugal as the company procured two sets of 60kW REV Story continues drying machines for its Canada and Portugal facilities. Although not mentioned in the media release, Tilray will most likely get a portion of the royalties paid to the tech vendor on material dried within Canada, just like in an earlier sub-licensing deal with The Green Organic Dutchman (TGOD), which acquired a 60kW REV machine in January this year. Interestingly, Aurora is acquiring two 120 kW machines, each of which is double the size for both that of Tilray and TGOD orders in Canada. The company was evidently beaten to the technology by Tilray, otherwise it could have obtained exclusive rights to the local territory too. Exclusive rights to the REV technology in Peru are held by a privately run, Spain headquartered Fresh Business Consulting S.L. which acquired the technology recently in April 2019 for its Peru fresh fruits and vegetables operations. Strategic partnership and equity investment The deal also includes a strategic intellectual property agreement and partnership to jointly develop some new innovations relating to the REV technology for the marijuana industry where the economic benefits will be shared between the two. The firm will also have a share in royalties due to the sublicensing of the technology vendors patent portfolio to corporations in territories where it holds exclusive licenses. The company has acquired a 4.91% equity stake in EnWave, on a non-diluted basis, for $10 million paid entirely in stock. The marijuana firms one billion plus share count increases by a little over 840 million more units, but the dilution is not that significant yet the economic benefits over time may be material. EnWave doesnt expect to hold the shares and plans to liquidate the position as soon as possible. Should onvestors expect more of similar deals? The latest technology partnership deal is substantially similar to an earlier Radient Technologies deal where the firm stands to significantly beat the competition to extraction timelines and productive efficiency while granting the company rights to participate in potential royalties thorough licensing the technologies to other industry players. The licensed technologies significantly reduce production timelines, improve output quality, and reduces manufacturing overheads per unit of production allowing the company to become a competitive low cost producer of marijuana and CBD products in a nascent mass market where margins may be suppressed as supply ramps up globally. I would look forward to more of such efficiency boosting moves and some new product and market alliances as the company gets transformed. More reading Fool contributor Brian Paradza 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 These roads remain closed even as flood waters drop along St. John River Many roads are still closed across the province Sunday, meaning some drivers will likely have to take detours during Monday's commute. The Trans-Canada Highway is closed at Jemseg from Exit 306 EB to Exit 423. Crews are carrying out inspections on the highway, according to Ahmed Dassouki, director of operations with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. Travellers are encouraged to check New Brunswick 511 for road closures. Geoffrey Downey, New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization spokesperson, asked for continued patience with road closures and for drivers to respect barricades. Some of the province's ferry services have been suspended due to weather and flooding as well. Ferries suspended Belleisle Bay Evandale Westfield Summerville-Millidgeville Peninsula Princess Closures in Fredericton Cityview Avenue Lincoln Road, from Vanier Industrial Drive to just past Bourque Lane Riverside Drive, from Watters Drive to Sumac Street and Ross Terrace to Hazelwood Drive Alderwood Drive Timber Lane Hazelwood Drive McMinniman Court Bourque Lane Alexandra Street Brunswick Street, from Church Street to Waterloo Row Officers' Square parking lot York Street Carpark Upper Queen Street lot McFadzen Lane Regan Street Hachey Avenue Corbett Avenue Watters Drive Winslow Street, from Grey Street to Alexandra Street Grey Street, from Winslow Street to Waterloo Row Alderwood Drive Hossack Street Jarvis Street Glasier Road Legere Street District 1: Bathurst Wyers Brook Road District 2: Miramichi South Barnaby River Road Mullin Stream Road, gravel section District 3: Moncton Range Road Caledonia Mountain Road District 4: Saint John Sunset Valley Road Robinson Road Norton Shore Road from the Ketchum Road to the Perry Point Road, Kingston Corner McKenzie Road Milkish Creek Road Carters Point Road Elms Road Darlings Island Road Browns Cove Road West Tenants Cove Road Ganong Road Beulah Camp Road Route 850 from Upper Midland road to Bellisle Ferry landing, and from Rogers Road to Whiting Lane Route 860 from the intersection of Route 860 at Lakeside Road to Stock Farm Road Route 725, from the end of chipseal to the end of gravel Loon Bay Road Porter Road Route 745, from Loon Bay Road to the end of gravel Harding's Point Landing Road, from the ferry landing to Route 845 Basswood Ridge Road, from McMahon Road to Route 745 gravel section Woodmans Point Road Bloomfield Station Road, between Route 121 and Centennial Drive Passekeag Road, from Centennial Drive to River Road District 5: Fredericton area That [US-Israel] relationship, if it is to be successful, must transcend partisanship in the United States, and it must be able to transcend a prime minister who is racist, as he warns about Arabs coming to the polls, who wants to defy any prospect for peace as he threatens to annex the West Bank, and who has sided with a far-right, racist party in order to maintain his hold on power. Beto ORourke I just believe that the United States should deal with the Middle East on a level playing field basis. In other words, the goal must be to try to bring people together and not just support one country, which is now run by a right-wing dare I say racist government. Bernie Sanders Updates throughout the day at http://calevbenyefuneh. blogspot.com. If you enjoy "Love of the Land", please be a subscriber. Just put your email address in the "Subscribe" box on the upper right-hand corner of the page.Twitter updates at LoveoftheLand as well as our Love of the Land page at Facebook which has additional pieces of interest besides that which is posted on the blog. Also check-out This Ongoing War by Frimet and Arnold Roth. An excellent blog, very important work. . ..Abu Yehuda..28 April '19..Americans need to take a vacation from using the word racist, at least in connection with Israel, because they dont have the slightest idea of what they are talking about, and its insulting as hell. Especially from presidential hopefuls:I know that Americans are obsessed with race. Its understandable, given the historical facts that half of the country had a slavery-based economy until 1865, that vicious legally-sanctioned discrimination against the descendants of those slaves persisted until the 1960s, and that racial hatreds on the part of both whites and blacks are still prevalent in American society.This is an American problem. It is not Israels problem, although Israels problem is based in history, too. It is the history of violent Arab/Muslim rejection of Jewish sovereignty anywhere in the region, which is championed today by the Palestinian Arab leadership represented by the PLO and Hamas.Israels problem is not race-related. Jews and Arabs are closer genetically than Jews even Ashkenazi Jews and Europeans. It is not color-related. Jews and Arabs both come in all colors. It is not even an ethnic conflict, since Jews and Arabs can and do get along despite many cultural differences in Israel, in environments where the influence of the PLO and Hamas is weak.Our conflict is a violent political conflict. But unlike similar conflicts all over the world, ours is not allowed to end. The Jewish people has spiritual, historical, legal, aboriginal, and moral rights to what we call the Land of Israel, and weve defended those rights through several wars. But for two main reasons, the conflict cannot be ended.One reason is that the Western world is not happy with the idea of a sovereign Jewish state. It doesnt like the idea of an ethnic nation-state in general, and it doesnt like the idea of a Jewish one in particular. It has internalized the KGB-developed narrative of a Palestinian people whose human rights are denied by the very existence of a Jewish state. So the West keeps pushing various solutions, and the Arabs keep rejecting the ones that allow the Jewish state to continue to exist.Wars cause population shifts. Three million Germans were expelled from Czechoslovakia after WWII. They do not have a right of return, and the world understands. Some 800,000 Jews were forced to leave Arab countries after 1948. Most went to Israel. Nobody dreamed that they might have a right of return to Baghdad or Algiers. Nobody established a special UN agency to take care of them and their descendants until this claimed right could be exercised. But the West coddled the Arab refugees from the 1948 war and the UN encouraged them in their fantasy of return.The meddling of the West is problematic, but the second reason is more serious. The Jews are stupid. Yes, you heard that right. The much-vaunted Jewish mind, which has produced so many Nobel Prizes, has not been able to figure out that when someone is trying to kill you, the most moral thing to do is to fight back.I know, its in the Talmud: When someone is coming to kill you, rise up and kill him first. (Sanhedrin 72a). But we dont do that. The Arabs ethnically cleansed every last Jew from the areas they occupied in 1948, but we didnt do the same (contrary to Arab propaganda, very few of the Arabs who fled Israel at that time were driven out by force). The Jordanians violated the cease-fire agreement and refused to allow Jews or Christians to visit their holy sites in Jerusalem and Hevron. They turned synagogues into stables and tore up Jewish gravestones to build urinals. The Jews, on the other hand, ultimately granted the Arabs in Israel full citizenship, so they could elect Knesset members who support terrorism against Jews.In 1967 they came to kill us again, and this time we conquered Jerusalem, and all of Judea and Samaria and Gaza. But we still didnt kick them out, and we even gave them control of the Temple Mount, Judaisms holiest place. And what a surprise we are not allowed to pray there, and they have ripped out tons of earth from underneath the mount, destroying Jewish history, maybe even artifacts of the first Temple! And we knew about it and didnt stop them.The Jews are stupid because they think they should be better than their enemies, according to some Western/Christian standard that even the hypocritical West doesnt live up to. The ones who wrote the Talmud were right after all.There is no shortage of hatred here in our region, but it is not racism. And it is mostly Jew-hatred on the Arab side. There are some Jews that hate Arabs, usually because of a bad experience, such as losing a mother or a child to terrorism, but the government, media, and cultural establishment have sent a message of peace and tolerance since the beginning of the state and especially since the Oslo period of the 1990s. The PLO and Hamas have done precisely the opposite, from the time of the father of Palestinian nationalism, Haj Amin el-Husseini, who incited pogroms in the 1920s and then spent WWII in Berlin, where he encouraged Hitler to kill as many Jews as possible, raised an SS division from Bosnian Muslims, and broadcast anti-Jewish propaganda to the Middle East in Arabic.Husseinis disciple Yasser Arafat initially set up the Palestinian Authority educational system, geared to teach irredentism and Jew-hatred; he initiated the policy of venerating and paying terrorists who murder Jews. His successor Mahmoud Abbas continued and expanded it. Now there is a whole generation of potential murderers among the Palestinian Arabs, who see Jews not as people, but only as objects of hate, the filthy offspring of apes and pigs. Today, a Palestinian teenager who is chastised by his parents might take a knife and slaughter a Jew in the street to redeem himself.The Jew-hatred that burns so hot among the Palestinian Arabs, nurtured over the years by the Palestinian leadership and tolerated and even subsidized by the West, is the single most important factor that prevents a peaceful end to the conflict here.But that doesnt fit Bernie and Betos worldview. They worry about the human rights of the Palestinian Arabs, but dont notice that the right to life of the Jews in Israel is threatened by an array of dozens of countries, including some that are armed to the teeth with rockets aimed at Israel. They think that Israel has not offered enough to the Palestinians, despite the fact that she offered far more than she could afford several times, and the offers were rejected because no offer that allows the continued existence of a Jewish state will be acceptable to them.The Jews have behaved stupidly, but the growth of the very right-wing politics in Israel that Beto and Bernie decry shows that they are finally smartening up.American Democratic politicians should do the same. Any true cultural change has to transcend the generation that leads it in order to last. For over 50 years African Enterprise has been set on transforming Africa with the message of Jesus, which means locals pastors need to be continually trained to carry that vision forward. Since the inception of African Enterprise, our Pastor Training Course (PTC) and effective evangelistic outreach have been core functions of the African Enterprise ministry. With the support of Australian churches and individuals in Australia and NZ, we collectively share the vision that good training leads to effective evangelistic outreach, discipleship of new believers and raising new generations of godly leaders. Our PTC is uniquely adapted to African culture, and include pathways to accreditation through partnerships with evangelical theological colleges in Australia and South Africa. In 2018 71 pastors were trained through PTCs last year in Rwanda, Kenya and Ghana, with powerful results. New trainer Daniel Kiwanuka, pastor of the Word of Grace church in Uganda, felt that the course not only assisted him in training others, but also that it has significantly boosted his spiritual life. Daniel says, Through training and discipleship, people will come to a full knowledge of Christ, not a half knowledge The harvest is plentiful, and more bible training is required. So many people are ready to receive Jesus. Pastor Kwizera in Rwanda said, The way I preach changed radically and Ive noticed changes in different areas of my ministry. For instance, the Bible studies that we have are now clearer and [more] productive, and church members are growing in their understanding of the Word of God. Contrary to some traditional stereotypes, women are also encouraged to participate in the training, which has had a profound impact. Josephine, who is a pastor of Nateete Miracle Centre church together with her husband, feels that the course has opened her eyes on how to better learn from the bible, and has strengthened her in her pastoral work. As well as enriching the church, this new knowledge has also really prepared us for mission evangelism, and to have better knowledge to explain the good news of Jesus to unbelievers, said Josephine. It actually only takes a small amount of well placed, well-structured information for people to make a decision to follow the Lord, Josephine said. As the government has also started to crack down on people calling themselves pastors, Josephine sees an urgent need to continue to expand this training. We really need more people to be trained, as Uganda could possibly start to follow the same process as Rwanda and close down churches that do not have formally qualified pastors, she said. This course is practical, and it is not expensive. As the government is now asking for qualifications, many people are excited about the certificate that is being offered so that they can keep on working. For more information and to support the PTC visit www.afircanenterprise.com.au Ben Campbell is the CEO Africa Enterprise and Laura Bennett is a contributor for African Enterprise and radio host at Hope 103.2 based in Sydney. It isn't uncommon to hear people mocking Christians these days. In baseless confidence they strut about claiming the Bible to be unreliable and irrelevant; at best a meaningless collection of ideas and at worst, a dangerous thing to believe. The need for a determined effort among modern day believers to be equipped to defend the faith has never been more urgent. In the face of evangelical atheists and post-modernists, their message cleverly packaged in main stream media, their positions "well" researched and "substantiated", the unprepared believer has many times found himself on shaky ground to put it lightly. Unfortunately, the global church has been slow to teach the depths of what it means to love the Lord with all our minds. There are three things that every believer needs to be able to defend to even some degree: 1. The accuracy of the Bible 2. The historicity of Jesus, his death, burial and resurrection 3. The divinity of the Bible. Now, entire books have been written on each of these topics. Josh McDowell's "The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict" is an excellent resource I bought in my mid to early teens. Josh McDowell, previously an unbelieving attorney at law was challenged by Christians to disprove Christianity. He accepted the challenge and using his legal skills unearthed a mountain of solid and irrefutable evidence, much of which has informed my summarized thoughts below. The accuracy of the Bible They will say The Bible is just a bunch of fairy tales that has no basis in reality. Actually, that statement has no basis in reality. By secular standards the Bible is the most accurate ancient document ever written! State this boldly, you have studied the basic arguments and are confident in your secure position. Accuracy has to do with whether or not what was actually written is what we have now; and determines the degree to which fantasy may have invaded the material. Archaeologists use three tests to determine the accuracy of ancient literature: the bibliographical test, the internal evidence test and the external evidence test. The Bibliographical Test The bibliographical test looks at the manuscript evidence to determine the reliability of the document, seeing that the original documents arent in our possession. This test examines the number of manuscripts and time interval between original and currently existing manuscripts in our possession. The principle is simple; more manuscripts, and a shorter time interval means more reliability. The Iliad comes in second place in terms of numbers, with approximately 3000 copies. The New Testament has a whopping (approximately) 20,000 manuscripts! As if that werent impressive enough these manuscripts are also very close in time to the originals in the context of ancient literature. John Warwick Montgomery emphatically states To be sceptical of the New Testament books is to allow all of classicalantiquity to slip into obscurity, for no documents of the ancient period are as attested bibliographically as the New Testament. The Internal Evidence Test The internal evidence test deals with reliability from the perspective of contradictions. It asks the question Does the author disqualify himself by contradiction or known factual inaccuracies?. The fact that the New Testament writers were eye witnesses to what they describe boosts the internal evidence rating of the Bible significantly! The disciples site continually This we have seen with our very eyes and also as you yourselves know. They understood the powerful nature of first hand witness accountsand held out their accounts for public scrutiny. Professor Gleason Archer, a well respected scholar in ancient literature stated concerning the internal evidence of the Bible. As I have dealt with one apparent discrepancy after another and have studied the alleged contradictions between the biblical record and the evidence of linguistics, archeology or science, my confidence in the trustworthiness of Scripture has been repeatedly verified and strengthened, by the discovery that almost every problem in Scripture that has ever been discovered by man, from the ancient times till now, has been dealt with in a completely satisfactory manner by the biblical text itself or else by objective archaeological information. The External Evidence Test The external evidence test compares the writings of a document to other documents written around the same time period and asks the question Do other historical materials confirm or deny the internal testimony provided by the document itself? Again the evidence is on our side; the most powerful evidence in this category being what I call hostile confirmation. Persons perpetually claim that there is no confirmation of Jesus or of New Testament events in non-biblical sources; this of course is categorically false. Please state this boldly and respectfully, you are about to drop some knowledge! Tacitus, Suetonius and Josephus are three historians that should be explored, and so many more accounts exist. Tacitus is a first century Roman, and is one of the more accurate historians of the ancient world. He writes to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for a moment, again from out not only in Judea, the first source of the evil but also in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their center and become popular. (Tacitus Annals, 15.44). Tacitus describes as the mischievous superstition what we celebrated on Resurrection Sunday, the mind blowing resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! It is no surprise that the Lord has painstakingly grounded his Holy Word in so much factual evidence! We have a logical basis for faith! Every believer needs to know these basic arguments to bring a defense in a deceptive and dark age, in which we shine like stars. Dr. Daniel Thomas is a medical doctor and Christian Advocate who loves the Lord deeply. He currently leads a youth organization called the Love March Movement which is committed to empowering the youth to fight for sexual purity and the family in Jamaica. I have been greatly blessed by the pastors at our church, I didnt intentionally choose such a good church but by Gods grace I found myself in a church community that has made a deep and profound difference to my Christian life. I felt inspired the other day to write about the marks of a godly preacher in the hopes that it would be a benefit to others and enable them to choose a good church that they too will flourish in. The mark of a godly preacher is...humility Being a pastor is a little like being a celebrity and thus it would be easy to become proud but the pastors we have at our church are constantly showing humility. They apply the Bible passages to themselves, mentioning times they have failed, and shining the light not on themselves and what great orators they are but on the bible and on how amazing God is. When they give a sermon they give it to us not to you and they mention how we need to improve in a particular area not how you need to.The apostle Paul talks about how our humility should emulate that of Jesus in Philippians Chapter 2 verses 5-8. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death even death on a cross! The mark of a godly preacher is...not shying away from the hard passages We have three pastors at our church and sometimes when were going through a series on a particular book of the Bible and a tricky passage is coming up they may joke that theyre pleased they can leave it for one of the others. However, they never skip a passage because it is difficult because it mentions Hell, or suffering, or a controversial issue. These are all parts of Gods inspired and living word and to skip over them does a disservice to God. Gods word sits over us all and the world in general and so it is sinful to try and smooth down the rough edges of Gods word to appease society. Jesus himself did not aspire to win popularity contests by only saying things that people would like. This is not to say that you should be purposely offensive or insensitive but some people will refuse to speak the truth just becauseof the mere fact that it is not what they like or agree with or itoffends them. A godly preacher cares more about what God thinks and the spiritual well-being of his congregation than whether or not society agrees with or likes him. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians chapter 1, verse 18, For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. The mark of a godly preacher is...living it out day to day The godly preacher does not have a public church life and a private family life.The godly preacher opens his home and his family to his congregation. This is not to say preachers are not allowed privacy but agodly preacher is not a stranger to his congregation.His life at church should mirror his life at home, he should act the same regardless of where or who he is with. He should be prepared to host people in his home and to hold bible studies or other church groups in his home. He should get to know the families in his congregation personally and they should get to know him and his family. Our pastors do an excellent job of this.They are forever hosting groups and inviting people round or joining in with other events in peoples lives. They truly care about everyone at church, it is not just a 9-5 job for them where they discharge their duty and collect their pay-check. Peter spurs on preachers to live like this in 1 Peter chapter 5, verses 1-4, To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christs sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of Gods flock that is under your care, watching over themnot because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. Humility, courage, and authenticity these are the marks of a godly preacher. I have been extremely blessed to have experienced this, week in and week out, and I pray you will too. Jessica McPherson lives with her best friend and husband, Eoin and their family of rescue animals in Christchurch. She loves reading, writing, photography and scrapbooking but most of all sharing Gods love and truth with a hurting world. Jessica is particularly passionate about encouraging children and building them up in gospel truth. Photo: Waverley Christian College staff and students with Tim Costello. What is the opposite of faith? At a recent Casey Prayer Breakfast in Melbournes south-east, World Visions Tim Costello explored this question through the lens of the recent NZ shooting. Doubt, according to Costello, is not an opposite but a Siamese twin of faith. Doubt wrestles with the same substance of faith exploring ways to grow through this journey. The Psalms, Costello pointed out, are full of doubt about how God is working in difficult situations. In contrast, fear, he explains is the opposite of faith. A strong faith in God and belief in His goodness drives out fear. But when opposition towards Christianity increases or the world seems out of control some people respond with fear. They see it as a threat: a fight or flight response. Costello explained that fear builds up walls to protect it from the perceived chaos. By contrast, faith builds on the certain promise that Gods purpose will prevail. Terrorism, or any isms, will not stop His plan. The speech was part of the inaugural prayer breakfast held in the city of Casey. A full-house gathered from among the communitys politicians, emergency services personnel, churches and schools. Costello pointed to Psalm 133, Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity as evidence of the importance of faith in building communities. Jeremy Dover is a former sports scientist and Pastor Jeremy Dover's previous articles may be viewed at https://www.pressserviceinternational.org/jeremy-dover1.html And https://www.pressserviceinternational.org/jeremy-dover.html 2018 marked the 50th anniversary of the Tobacconists Association of America (TAA). Over the years, the organization has put together a series of limited edition and ongoing release cigars that would be sold exclusively through its retail members and it has become known as the TAA Exclusive Series. The past few years has seen that series grow, and with 2018 the 50th anniversary there were no less than 14 new additions added to the series. Perhaps the most intriguing addition to the series was one from Gurkha known as the Gurkha Heritage Rosado Toro. The interest in that cigar is more about the company itself. For years Gurkha has been a giant in the internet-catalog sector, but the past eight years the company has made a strong turn to have a footprint in brick and mortar. In a way, this the latest step in Gurkhas journey to do just that. The Gurkha Heritage Rosado Toro is an offshoot of Gurkhas popular Heritage series and is the first of that series to feature a box-pressed offering. Today we take a closer look at that cigar. The TAA Exclusive Series consists of cigars made by leading manufacturers that are exclusively sold at TAA member retailers. The TAA is a small group of retailers. At press time the number of retailers is approximately 80. The TAA has defined itself as: The Tobacconists Association of America, Ltd. is a trade organization established in 1968 by visionary retail tobacconists. By providing education, communication, research, advocacy, and member discount programs, The TAA works with our members and the industry they support to offer the tools and relationship building opportunities needed to maximize professionalism and success. Since 2018 was the 50th anniversary of the Tobacconist Association of America, there were a large number of releases as a part of the 2018 TAA Exclusive Series: Without further ado, lets break down the EIROA First 20 Years Diadema and see what this cigar brings to the table: SPECIFICATIONS Blend and Origin The Gurkha Heritage Rosado Toro is a multinational blend highlighted by an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. The cigar is produced at Gurkhas long-time manufacturing partner American Caribbean Cigars in Esteli, Nicaragua. Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Binder: Ecuadorian Filler: Nicaraguan, Peruvian Country of Origin: Nicaragua Factory: American Caribbean Cigars S.A. Vitolas Offered The Gurkha Heritage Rosado Toro comes in one size a 6 x 52 box-pressed Toro. The cigars are presented in 10-count boxes and at the time the cigar was announced, a total allocation of 1,000 boxes was made. Appearance The Ecuadorian Habano wrapper of the Gurkha Heritage Rosada Toro had a roasted coffee bean color. There wasnt much in the way of oil on the surface. The darker wrapper color did a good job at minimizing any visible wrapper seams. There were some thin visible veins present. While it wasnt a wrapper with a bumpy surface, the wrapper still had a slightly sandy feel when touched. As for the box press, it has more of a classic trunk press format. There are two bands on the Gurkha Heritage Rosado Toro. The primary band is a parchment styled band similar to the one found on the regular production Gurkha Heritage releases. Prominently displayed on the upper portion of the band is the text GURKHA in the companys signature font. Above that text is a gold coat of arms. To the left of the coat of arms is the text LIMITED RELEASE with gold trim further left. To the right is the text PRIVATE COLLECTION with gold trim further right. To the left and right of the GURKHA text is the text ESTABLISHED (in a small curved font) and 1887 just below it in red font. Below the GURKHA text is HERITAGE in a classic gold font. The lower part of the band has the text (in small green cursive italic font): In 1887, at the height of the British rule, colonial soldiers began to make their own cigars from the local tobacco. The fondness of the British for these legendary Nepalese fighters inspired them to name their cigars Gurkhas. Just below that is the text K. HANSOTIA & COMPANY in red font with the text A CENTURY OF TRADITION just below it in small gold font. There is also gold trim at the bottom of the bend. The secondary band rests just below the primary band. It is black with gold font. The center of the band has the TAA logo. The left and right side of this band have the TAA and EXCLUSIVE respectively. The cigar is finished with a cedar sleeve that goes just below the bottom of the secondary band to the foot of the cigar. There is a black ribbon around the sleeve by the footer. PERFORMANCE Pre-Light Draw After removing the cedar sleeve and ribbon from the Gurkha Heritage Rosado Toro, a straight cut was placed into the cigar to remove the cap. From that point, it was on to the pre-light draw phase. The cold draw delivered a mix of sweet chocolate and cedar notes. While it was a simple flavor profile, this pre-light draw was still excellent. At this point, it was time to light up the Gurkha Heritage Rosado Toro and see what the smoking experience would deliver. Tasting Notes The start of the Gurkha Heritage Rosado Toro delivered a mix of cedar, chocolate, and earth notes. During the early stages of the smoking experience the cedar notes became primary with the chocolate and earth secondary. It didnt take long for some black pepper notes to also emerge in the background. The black pepper along with the cedar was also prominent on the retro-hale. Later in the first third, the chocolate notes built up and intensity and going into the second third became the primary flavor. Meanwhile, the pepper notes were probably the most noticeable of the secondary notes. The cedar notes slowly diminished during this phase right up until the midway point. In the more distant background, there were also some earth notes still present. Later in the second third, the cedar picked back up again and by the last third, it rejoined the chocolate notes in the forefront. The pepper notes remained secondary and the earth notes remained in the more distant background. This is the way the Gurkha Heritage Rosado Toro came to a close. The resulting nub was soft to the touch, but cool in temperature. Burn In terms of the burn of the Gurkha Heritage Rosado Toro, I found things to be low maintenance during the first third. While there was a little jaggedness on the burn line, this was easily remedied with a touch-up. However on each sample, the burn seemed to require some more attention once it entered the second third. While the burn was never in danger of getting completely off-track, it did require more frequent touch-ups by this point. The resulting ash had several shades of gray. While it wasnt an overly firm ash, it was not a loose nor flaky one either. Meanwhile, the burn rate and burn temperature were both ideal. Draw The Gurkha Heritage Rosado Toro is another example of a box-press draw done right. It had the ideal balance of resistance and openness that made for an enjoyable experience. Concurrently, this was also a low maintenance cigar to derive flavor from. Strength and Body In terms of strength, the Gurkha Heritage Rosado Toro started more dialed back as it fell into the mild to medium range of the spectrum. There is a slow, linear progression of the intensity level of the strength and by the second half, the cigar was in medium territory. While there still was some increase in strength in the second half, the Gurkha Heritage Rosado Toro remained medium until the end. The body took a similar path. The Gurkha Heritage Rosado Toro delivered medium-bodied notes at the beginning. Like the strength, the body took a slow, linear increase in intensity and it was just past the 3/5 point where the flavors progressed into medium to full range. While the body continued to increase, the Gurkha Heritage Rosado Toro remained medium to full until the end. When looking at the strength versus both with the Gurkha Heritage Rosado Toro, the body had the edge throughout the smoking experience. OVERALL ASSESSMENT Final Thoughts Overall, the Gurkha Heritage Rosado Toro is a cigar that delivered nice flavor. However there were points (particularly early and late) in the cigar experience where it was a little more cedar-heavy than I prefer. I also was looking for a little more complexity. In the end, I still felt there were more positives than negatives. Its a cigar I could still recommend to the novice or experienced cigar enthusiast. While this cigar is still one Id purchase and smoke, its another example of a TAA cigar that falls short in terms of knocking it out of the park and being part of an elite cigar collection. Summary Key Flavors: Chocolate, Cedar, Pepper, Earth Burn: Very Good Draw: Excellent Complexity: Medium Minus Strength: Mild to Medium (1st Half), Medium (2nd Half) Body: Medium (1st 3/5), Medium to Full (Remainder) Finish: Very Good Rating Value: Buy One Score: 89 References News: Gurkha Announces First TAA Cigar Price: $10.00 Source: Purchased Brand Reference: Gurkha TAA Exclusive Series 2018 Reference: 2018 TAA Exclusive Series Photo Credit: Cigar Coop WASHINGTON (AP) Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein submitted his resignation Monday, ending a two-year run defined by his appointment of a special counsel to investigate connections between Donald Trump's presidential campaign and Russia. His last day will be May 11. Rosenstein's departure had been expected following the confirmation of William Barr as attorney general. The White House nominated a replacement for the department's No. 2 slot weeks ago. In his resignation letter to Trump, Rosenstein paid tribute to Trump, even praising the president's sense of humor, despite being the subject of some of Trump's most biting jabs. Trump once retweeted an image that showed Rosenstein and other officials jailed for treason. Rosenstein intended to leave around mid-March but stayed on for the completion of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. Mueller last month submitted his report to the Justice Department, and Rosenstein was part of a small group of department officials who reviewed the document and helped shape its public release. After Mueller didn't reach a conclusion on whether Trump had obstructed the investigation, Barr and Rosenstein stepped in and determined the evidence wasn't enough to support such an allegation. Rosenstein appointed Mueller in May 2017 following the recusal of then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions and oversaw much of his work. His exit leaves the department without the official most closely aligned with the probe as officials grapple with public and congressional scrutiny of the special counsel's findings and the department's handling of the report. He not only supervised Mueller's work for much of the last two years but also defended the investigation against attacks from congressional Republicans and Trump, who has blasted the probe as a "witch hunt." In so doing, Rosenstein sometimes found himself at odds with Trump. He was nonetheless spared the brunt of anger directed at Sessions, whose recusal from the Russia investigation infuriated the president, leading to his forced resignation last November. As deputy, Rosenstein was a central character in some of the most consequential, even chaotic, moments of the Trump administration. He wrote a memo criticizing James Comey that the White House used as justification for the firing of the FBI director, then a week later appointed Mueller to investigate the Trump campaign's ties to Russia. That investigation swiftly grew to include whether the firing of Comey constituted obstruction of justice. Integral to the start of the investigation, Rosenstein was also present for the very end, standing silently on stage behind Barr two weeks ago when the attorney general cleared the president of obstruction, praised the president's cooperation with the investigation and maintained several times that there had been no collusion between the campaign and Russia. In his resignation letter, Rosenstein said most deputies stay in their post for about 16 months; Rosenstein will have served about two years. "I am grateful to you for the opportunity to serve; for the courtesy and humor you often display in our personal conversations; and for the goals you set in your inaugural address: patriotism, unity, safety, education, and prosperity, because 'a nation exists to serve its citizens,'" Rosenstein wrote. The deputy attorney general position is a hugely significant job, responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Justice Department and the work of United States attorneys across the country. Trump has nominated Deputy Transportation Secretary Jeffrey Rosen as Rosenstein's replacement. Though Rosenstein's exit was orderly, his relationship with the president had waffled over time. His job status appeared perilous last September following news reports that he had discussed secretly recording Trump and invoking a constitutional amendment to remove him from office. He hung on for several more months and appeared to turn the page, at least publicly, after a private meeting with Trump aboard Air Force One. Rosenstein appointed Mueller after Sessions, who ordinarily would have overseen the investigation, recused himself in March 2017 because of his close involvement in the Trump campaign. The appointment came one week after Trump fired Comey, an action Rosenstein laid the groundwork for by writing a memo that sharply criticized Comey's handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation. The White House initially cited the memo as justification for the firing, but Trump has said he was thinking of "this Russia thing" when he fired Comey. Over the next two years, with Sessions recused from the Russia investigation, Rosenstein set the boundaries of Mueller's investigation, approved investigative steps and, in place of the rarely seen special counsel, twice announced criminal indictments from the Justice Department podium against Russians accused of election interference. The investigation overshadowed the rest of Rosenstein's work even as he joined Sessions in talking up the president's agenda, including announcements on combating violent crime and opioid addiction. Rosenstein endured in the job beyond Sessions, but there were moments when his position appeared in the balance. Trump lamented to The New York Times in July 2017 that "there are very few Republicans in Baltimore," a reference to Rosenstein's prior job as the U.S. attorney in Maryland. Rosenstein was appointed to that position by Republican President George W. Bush and remained for the entire Obama administration. That same summer, Trump tweeted: "I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director! Witch Hunt" Trump lashed out the following April after the FBI raided the office of his former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, and months later retweeted the image that showed Rosenstein, Comey and other investigators behind bars. In September, The New York Times reported that after Comey's firing, Rosenstein and other top law enforcement officials had discussed secretly recording the president to expose chaos inside the White House and invoking the 25th Amendment, which allows the Cabinet to seek the removal of a president deemed unfit for office. The Justice Department issued statements challenging the reporting, but former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe who was in the room has said he got the sense that Rosenstein was "counting votes" about which Cabinet members he could enlist in the effort. Rosenstein arrived at the White House days after the reporting expecting to be fired, but he was instead allowed to stay on after private conversations with Trump's then-chief of staff, John Kelly, and the president himself. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram Bogota, Colombia, April 29, 2019 A Peruvian court has ordered assets belonging to the independent news website Ojo Publico, its executive director Oscar Castilla, and La Republica investigative reporter Edmundo Cruz, to be frozen while a criminal defamation complaint against them is heard, according to news reports. The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Peruvian authorities to refrain from enforcing the court order and to repeal the countrys outdated criminal defamation laws. Castilla told CPJ that details of the court decision were made public on April 9. It is the latest case filed against Ojo Publico in response to a series of stories published in 2016 on allegations that Miguel Arevalo Ramirez, a Peruvian-American with ties to one of the countrys main political parties, was being investigated by U.S. and Peruvian authorities for money laundering. Neither U.S. nor Peruvian authorities have publicly confirmed whether Arevalo is under investigation. Arevalos lawyer, Juan Gabriel Castro, did not respond to CPJs request for comment. These criminal suits against Ojo Publico, Oscar Castilla and Edmundo Cruz are an alarming attempt by a powerful individual in Peru to distort the judicial system and intimidate investigative journalists, said CPJ Central and South America Program Coordinator Natalie Southwick in New York. Authorities must ensure that the journalists can work freely, and take immediate steps to bring Perus defamation laws in line with regional and international standards. The judges order, reviewed by CPJ, did not list specific assets. Castilla told CPJ that the order could include furniture, computers, and other equipment at Ojo Publicas rented office in Lima, as well the bank accounts of the news organization and those of Castilla and Cruz. Castilla said on April 26 that the bank accounts were still operating normally. Since 2016, Arevalo has filed 10 criminal defamation lawsuits seeking more than $500 million in damages from Ojo Publico, La Republica, and other Peruvian news organizations that reported on the allegations, according to news reports. Four of those cases name Castilla and three name Cruz. In December, a court rejected a right to be forgotten appeal that Arevalo filed, calling for photographs and all mention of his name to be scrubbed from the internet in connection with the allegations, according to reports. The other cases are still pending. In an interview with La Republica, Carlos Rivera, the defense lawyer for Castilla and Cruz, said he thinks there are numerous irregularities in the handling of the defamation lawsuits. He said that Castilla and Cruz were not informed that Arevalo had filed another lawsuit against them until this month and have yet to be told of the specific allegations. He said the cases were being handled by separate courts, contrary to Peruvian law stating that multiple cases against the same defendants must be handled by a single jurisdiction. Rivera described the barrage of lawsuits as an attempt to intimidate investigative journalists. We are going to appeal, he told La Republica. We are not going to allow the repression of the work of journalists. Calls by CPJ to Perus Ministry of Justice and Human Rights were not returned. Castilla told CPJ that if the outlets assets were frozen it would leave us totally paralyzed. He added, We would be unable to pay salaries, utility bills and reporting expenses. Founded in 2014, Ojo Publico employs 17 journalists and administrative personnel, Castilla said. It receives donations from local and international foundations but, he said, such funding could dry up if the bank account was frozen. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram During a trip to Addis Ababa in January, it was impossible to miss the signs that Ethiopian media are enjoying unprecedented freedom. A flurry of new publications were on the streets. At a public forum that CPJ attended, journalists spoke about positive reforms, but also openly criticized their lack of access to the government. At a press conference, journalists from state media and the Oromia Media Network, an outlet previously banned and accused of terrorism, sat side by side. Mesud Gebeyehu, a lawyer who heads the Consortium of Ethiopian Rights Organizations, an alliance of human rights groups, told CPJ he had been on television many times in the past year to speak about human rights, an issue that was previously taboo for the media. Ethiopia, which was one of the most-censored countries in the world and one of the worst jailers of journalists in sub-Saharan Africa, has gone through dramatic reforms under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who took office last April. In 2018for the first time in 14 yearsCPJ recorded no journalists behind bars in its annual census. And the country ended its block of over 260 websites and ban on media outlets forced to work in exile. I was fighting for [press freedom], but I did not expect it to happen in such a short time, said Abel Wabella, a journalist who was detained and charged with terrorism under the previous government. In May, Ethiopia will host UNESCOs annual World Press Freedom Day: a reflection, UNESCO said, of the countrys commitment to democratic and media reforms. Though the Ethiopian press is much freer today than before Abiy took power, CPJ spoke to over a dozen journalists and rights defenders who said that challenges remain, including the risk of attack and arrest, especially in restive regions; attracting advertisers in a market where businesses are wary of being seen to support critical publications; accusations of sowing divisiveness; and a proposed law that could curtail their newly found freedoms. CPJ also attempted to reach the government for comment on conditions for the press. The Prime Ministers press secretary, Billene Seyoum, acknowledged receipt but did not respond to CPJs emailed questions sent on April 24. Perhaps most fundamentally, journalists told CPJ they are anxious for the freedoms they are enjoying to be rooted in law, rather than guaranteed only by the good will of the Abiy government. The reforms are not legally nor institutionally guaranteed until now. They are so because the leaders on top are willing, but neither their willingness nor their hold on power is permanent, Befekadu Hailu, a journalist and social activist who edits the Addis Maleda weekly, told CPJ. A council established under the attorney generals office is reviewing a raft of laws including those previously used to restrict the press, such as the anti-terror proclamation and the mass media law, according to media reports. Most of the journalists with whom CPJ spoke with said they were happy with the reform process, which included public consultations. Befekadu said he believes those involved are independent. Jawar Mohammed, executive director of the Oromia Media Network, said that those involved could move faster and communicate more frequently and clearly with the public. However, a proposed law on hate speech is splitting opinion. The government last year said it would draft the law in response to concern about toxic rhetoric online that some say amounts to incitement to violence or has the potential to exacerbate divisions, largely along ethnic lines, according to reports. The government has previously responded to tension by cutting off access to the internet. CPJ documented two such shutdowns under Abiys government, during unrest in Addis Ababa in September and in the Somali region during a crisis in August. Yared Hailemariam, the executive director of the Swiss-based Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia, told CPJ said that the media stand accused of aggravating tension. It is a reflection of the political situation in the country, tension is high, he said. Most of those who spoke with CPJ said they felt there was a need for Ethiopian media to grow into professionalism and to act more ethically and responsibly within the newly opened space. But even so, some, like Befekadu, said they feared the hate speech law could have a chilling effect on freedom of expression. They want to give the government more power to regulate speech. Given the divisiveness in the country, it is understandable. But we need to be careful we should not allow government to pass legislation which gives them reason to take down content they dont like, said Endalk Chala, assistant professor at Hamline University in Minnesota, who has studied Ethiopian media. A copy of the draft law, viewed by CPJ, includes criminal penalties for hate speech and publishing false news. The privately owned Addis Fortune warned in an April 13 article that the draft law would not be a golden bullet to contain hate speech and raised concerns that it harks back to laws Ethiopia previously used to suppress critical speech. Eskinder Nega, who launched the weekly Ethiopis last year, months after he was freed from almost seven years in prison, said that ideas ought to be allowed to flourish, hate will be filtered out. Jawar said it was dangerous to invite government regulation of speech, suggesting instead a peer regulatory mechanism for the media. Jawar and Eskinder are among the prominent media personalities whose work has been criticized for inflaming tensions, according to media reports. Both strongly refuted these views. Jawar said that a strong political and advocacy position was being conflated with divisive speech. Eskinder said that while he has strong opinions, he has never advocated for violence. In a follow up email exchange on April 26, Eskinder told CPJ that the allegations of divisiveness were part of a manufactured debate and based on a misinterpretation of his work. For the new papers that have mushroomed in Addis Ababa, financial concerns are urgent. Abel can attest to that he established the weekly Addis Zeybe in October, only for the paper to go out of print after four editions following financial pressures and distribution challenges. Abel told CPJ that publications have a hard time attracting advertisers, whom he said can be shy of being associated with critical publications. This was a sentiment echoed by Jawar, who recently established a magazine, Gulale Post. Businesses are cautious. This is a popular government so they dont want to be seen as being anti-government, said Eskinder. The government has also not been very open to the media, with Abiy hosting only a couple of press conferences with local journalists since he came to power, according to media reports and two of the journalists with whom CPJ spoke. Journalists in Ethiopia also still face the risk of attack. CPJ has documented how mobs attacked a crew from the state-run Dire Dawa Mass Media Agency, in Meiso, in the Oromia region in July, in an incident that killed their driver, and how two journalists with the privately owned Mereja TV were briefly detained by police in Legetafo, in the same region, and assaulted by a mob upon their release in March . The regional government made initial promises to investigate, but Mereja TV chief executive Elias Kifle told CPJ in April that authorities had not investigated the crime. Oromia government spokesperson Admasu Damtew did not answer CPJs phone calls or text messages on April 24 and April 27. They [have fulfilled] their obligation of respecting human rights, but the Abiy administration also has to protect people, to protect journalists, to protect human rights organizations from being attacked, Yared, from the Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia, told CPJ. The Economist reported last month that reform under Abiy is not the first blossoming of free media, pointing to how liberalization in the 1990s was followed by crackdowns in the 2000s. When CPJ asked Befekadu if he thought this current era of freedom would last he said, I cannot say yes or no. But there is equal chance for the change to regress as it can progress. It needs collective effort of the media, civil society, and government to save it from falling into the vicious cycle. [Reporting from Addis Ababa and Nairobi.] 6 injured in crash on KY 91 North Updated Tuesday, Dec. 21, 9:23am UPDATE : Curtis R. Smith, the driver of the Toyota Corolla involved in the crash, has died. Investigators n... Governor provides storm recovery update Gov. Andy Beshear provided his weekly Team Kentucky update, focusing on his administrations latest response efforts to last weekends quad-... Safe rooms offer protection from violent storms Click Image to Enlarge Easley Construction can ease fears over severe storms with the installation of safe rooms. Construction of indoor or ... Tips help prevent over-eating during holidays Click Image to Enlarge It is important to remain steadfast when it comes to healthy eating habits at the holidays. The Pennyrile District He... Police are investigating whether a Franklin County attempted burglary Sunday morning was related to a missing child incident that took place in the same neighborhood last week. State police at Chambersburg responded at 3:45 a.m. Sunday to the 14000 block of Lower Edgemont Road in Washington Township after an attempted burglary was reported. Someone entered the home through an unlocked ground-level window, but fled after hearing a dog and the homeowner awaken on the upper floor. Police said they are "looking for any possible connection" to Thursday's missing child case "due to the proximity of the residences." On Thursday, state police reported that a 4-year-old girl had disappeared. Police had responded to a home in the 12000 block of Pen Mar Road for that incident. Police later reported that the girl was found in good health at 10 a.m. Thursday. According to ABC27, police said the girl had been "taken" but they did not have any suspects. Pennsylvania State Police Barracks Pennsylvania State Police Barracks is in South Middleton Township. "We are still investigating and attempting to determine whether or not the victim was targeted or indeed the public is in danger," state trooper and public information officer Megan Frazer said Friday in an email to the media. On Sunday, police said people living in the neighborhood should lock doors and windows at night and "remain vigilant" for suspicious people or vehicles. Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to contact state police at Chambersburg at 717-264-5161 and reference incident number PA2019-540838. Daniel Walmer covers public safety for The Sentinel. You can reach him by email at dwalmer@cumberlink.com or by phone at 717-218-0021. The Mortel High Hopes for Haiti Foundation is sponsoring a Central Pennsylvania Art Contest for students in grades 3-12. Based in Harrisburg, the foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides education, support and hope to children in Haiti who are economically, socially and intellectually deprived. The purpose of the art contest is to allow local students to make meaningful connections between culture, art and education. Entries must be received by May 20. Contest details can be found at www.highhopesforhaiti.org/contest. Prizes will be given in three categories: Third to fifth grade, sixth to eighth grade and ninth to 12th grade. Winners will receive a $50 Visa gift card while runners-up will receive a $25 Visa gift card. Each winners school will receive $150 for its art program. The artwork of all winners will be framed and placed in a Haitian school and displayed on the foundations website. Each student artist will receive a certificate of participation. Email Joseph Cress at jcress@cumberlink.com. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly 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. Olis spokesperson unaware of Parajuli-led probe commissions status The government had formed a high-level commission on January 3 to probe the controversial procurement of two wide-body Airbus planes by the Nepal Airlines Corporation, claiming that the probe report of the parliamentary subcommittee was not the ultimate truth. Acting Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar presented Governors Civic Engagement Awards Monday to 10 high schools including Carlisle and Boiling Springs, in central and northeast Pennsylvania for registering to vote at least 65 percent of their eligible students. This is an incredible achievement. You should be proud of yourselves, Boockvar told the students at a regional recognition event at the Pennsylvania State Museum. Thank you for engaging in the electoral process and educating your peers about it. The GCEA program, now in its second year, encourages high school students to participate in elections as voter registration drive organizers, voters and poll workers. Students are eligible to register if they are 18 years old or will turn 18 on or before the date of the next primary, special, municipal or general election. The award is presented by the Pennsylvania Departments of State and Education and the Governors Office, in collaboration with Inspire U.S., a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that trains and assists students working to increase voter participation. Eight schools received Gold Level awards Monday for registering 85 percent or more of their eligible students. The schools are Boiling Springs, Building 21 Allentown, Carlisle, Conrad Weiser, Middletown Area, Northwest Area, South Williamsport and Wyoming Valley West high schools. Four of these schools Carlisle, Middletown Area, Northwest Area and Wyoming Valley West high schools also earned Gold Level awards last school year. Two schools Montrose Area Junior/Senior and Red Lion Area Senior high schools earned Silver Level awards for registering at least 65 percent of their eligible students. This year 23 high schools around the state earned GCEA awards out of 63 schools that participated. A total of 3,109 eligible students were registered through the program. Eight students won individual awards, new this year, for registering their peers and also serving as poll workers for the November 2018 election. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Tammie Gitt Carlisle Reporter Carlisle Reporter for The Sentinel. Follow Tammie Gitt 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 Theres a school in a city in India whose students know their way around a computer thanks to Cumberland Valley senior Mehul Gupta. Gupta, the son of Mamta and Anshul Gupta, taught the classes via video through a charity in his fathers hometown. That charity adopted a low-income public school, and worked with them to create a program to teach kids how to bring computers into their homes and even to teach their parents how to use them. Indian homes do not have internet like homes in the United States with routers and DSL lines, Gupta said. Because of the difficulty in creating infrastructure, everyone there uses their cellphones, which results in incredibly cheap data. The class helps expand what people can do with that data. Heres how you can use your cellphone to do more than send each other jokes on WhatsApp. Heres a way to become better, Gupta said. The children had likely never seen a physical keyboard in their lives. Gupta said he had to teach them how to use a mouse The entire class was taught by way of a video call through the program WhatsApp that was projected onto a wall. Gupta learned from the class as well. In the United States, instruction is more individualized and students are expected to take notes. In India, teachers work on a call and response basis, having students repeat concepts out loud. It may seem a little silly to us because I know it seemed a little silly to me but for them it works perfectly, Gupta said. That process actually helps the teachers. Video calls could only happen once a month because of the rigor of the school, time differences, technological capabilities and the length of time it took to develop plans and get the resources to the classroom, which had one computer. Gupta advised the teachers on how to teach and worked with them to bolster their lessons. Being able to teach these students things like what a laptop looks like and how to maintain it things Americans dont think twice about can bring worlds of impact, Gupta said. A child who learns about technology can find ways to bring that technology into the small street shops and farms run by their families. The reason, at least in my opinion, that so many people in India face poverty isnt because they lack the brains or the work ethic or anything like that. Its because they just need the resources and the training to be part of a global system, Gupta said. The volunteering experience wasnt the only activity that pushed Gupta to be more inventive. Throughout high school, he has been a member of the speech and debate team, specializing in extemporaneous speaking in which the participants are given 30 minutes to write a seven minute speech. He doesnt know the topic until he gets to the competition, but it is usually about current affairs, global events and politics. Its a really interesting thing because it keeps me really involved in whats going on in the world, and helps keep me informed. More than just the competition part, the team itself is really a family so that team has helped shape me into the person I am, Gupta said. They all helped me not only form my opinions and ideas about the world, but also my opinions and ideas about who I am and what I want to see in the person I become. Speech and debate has given Gupta a way to think about the world by structuring ways to think and communicating to other people. He also said it helps him to see patterns and find solutions to those patterns. Those skills will be important in his planned career in engineering. Gupta isnt sure what field of engineering he will pursue, but he does have an interest in electrical engineering and materials science, which seeks to create materials to solve problems. The thing that I want to do most out of high school is to be someone who can give a unique perspective to solving whatever the challenges are that lie ahead, whether thats in my home or my community or the world as a whole, Gupta said. Email Tammie at tgitt@cumberlink.com. Follow her on Twitter @TammieGitt. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena used his emergency powers to issue an order to ban burqa, veil or covering of face in public places in any manner which prevents anyone from being identified. Key Highlights The order which came into immediate effect explicitly defines that any garment or item which obstructs identification of an individuals face is barred. It is placed to ensure national security, establish peaceful and cohesive society and not aimed at inconvenience to any community people. Reason: The decision was taken in aftermath of Easter Sunday blasts which took place across eight locations, including three prominent churches and three hotels in island nation, in which more than 250 people were killed. In a bid to help stabilize security situation, some Muslim organisations came forward and suggested a ban on burqa. Even local Muslim clerics urged their women not to cover their faces in escalating fears of backlash after the attacks. Most Sri Lankan Muslims practice liberal form of religion, with only very small percentage of women wearing niqab (a full face veil). Religious Demography in Sri Lanka: With only 21 million population Sri Lanka is a multi-religious nation with mix ethnicities, and is dominated by Sinhalese Buddhist majority. As per 2012 census 70.1% of population is Buddhists, 12.6% Hindus, 9.7% Muslims and 7.6% Christians. With most Sinhalese being Buddhist, most Tamils are Hindu and Moors and Malays are mostly Muslim. Question: Regarding my posts about the terrible perversion of Torah and halacha that Rav Shmuel Kaminetsky has engineered with his prod... Absolute proof that the Vaccines are an intentional Bio weapon foward this to your Doctor Inbox PATTERNS IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF TOXIC COVID ... Important!! email - yadmoshe@gmail.com NEW YORK (AP) Director John Singleton, who made one of Hollywood's most memorable debuts with the Oscar-nominated "Boyz N the Hood" and continued over the following decades to probe the lives of black communities in his native Los Angeles and beyond, has died. He was 51. Singleton's family said Monday that he died after being taken off life support, about two weeks after the director suffered a major stroke. Singleton was in his early 20s, just out of the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, when he wrote, directed and produced "Boyz N the Hood." Based on Singleton's upbringing and shot in his old neighborhood, the low-budget production starred Cuba Gooding Jr. and Ice Cube and centered on three friends in South Central Los Angeles, where college aspirations competed with the pressures of gang life. "Boyz N the Hood" was a critical and commercial hit, given a 20-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival and praised as a groundbreaking extension of rap to the big screen, a realistic and compassionate take on race, class, peer pressure and family. Singleton would later call it a "rap album on film." For many, the 1991 release captured the explosive mood in Los Angeles in the months following the videotaped police beating of Rodney King. "Boyz N the Hood" also came out at a time when, thanks to the efforts to Spike Lee and others, black films were starting to get made by Hollywood after a long absence. Singleton became the first black director to receive an Academy Award nomination, an honor he would say was compensation for the academy's snubbing Lee and "Do the Right Thing" two years earlier, and was nominated for best screenplay. ("The Silence of the Lambs" won in both categories). At 24, he was also the youngest director nominee in Oscar history. "I think I was living this film before I ever thought about making it," Singleton told Vice in 2016. "As I started to think about what I wanted to do with my life, and cinema became an option, it was just natural that this was probably gonna be my first film. In fact, when I applied to USC Film School they had a thing that asked you to write three ideas for films. And one of them was called Summer of '84, which was about growing up in South Central LA." In 2002, "Boyz N the Hood' was added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, which called it "an innovative look at life and the tough choices present for kids growing up in South Central Los Angeles." None of Singleton's subsequent movies received the acclaim of "Boyz N the Hood" and he was criticized at times for turning characters into mouthpieces for political and social messages. But he attracted talent ranging from Tupac Shakur to Don Cheadle and explored themes of creative expression ("Poetic Justice"), identity ("Higher Learning") and the country's racist past, notably in "Rosewood," based on a murderous white rampage against a black community in Florida in 1923. He also made the coming-of-age story "Baby Boy," a remake of the action film "Shaft" and an installment in the "Fast and Furious" franchise, "2 Fast 2 Furious." More recent projects included the FX crime drama "Snowfall," which he helped create. Starring Damson Idris, "Snowfall" returned Singleton to the Los Angeles of his youth and the destructive effects of the rise of crack cocaine. "Drugs devastated a generation. It gave me something to write about, but I had to survive it first," Singleton told the Guardian in 2017. "It made me a very angry young man. I didn't understand why I was so angry, but I wasn't someone who took my anger and applied it inward. I turned it into being a storyteller. I was on a kamikaze mission to really tell stories from my perspective an authentic black perspective." Singleton was married twice, and had five children. Besides his career in movies, Singleton also directed the video for Michael Jackson's "Remember the Time," which included Eddie Murphy and Magic Johnson. He cast hip-hop artists and other musicians in many of his films, including Ice Cube in "Boyz N the Hood," Janet Jackson and Shakur in "Poetic Justice" and Tyrese Gibson in "Baby Boy." Singleton's early success didn't shield him from creative conflicts or frustration with Hollywood studios. He blamed the commercial failure of "Rosewood" on lack of support from Warner Bros. He fought with producer Scott Rudin during the making of "Shaft" and was furious when Rudin brought in Richard Price to revise the script. He had planned to direct a biopic about Shakur, but quit after clashing with Morgan Creek Productions. In 2014, he chastised the industry for "refusing to let African-Americans direct black-themed films," but Singleton was pleased in recent years by the emergence of Ava DuVernay, Barry Jenkins, Jordan Peele and others. "There are these stacks of (films by non-black filmmakers) where black people have had to say, 'OK, at least they tried,'" he told The Hollywood Reporter in 2018, adding that now blacks were making the films themselves. "What's interesting when you see 'Black Panther' is you realize it couldn't have been directed by anybody else but Ryan Coogler. It's a great adventure movie and it works on all those different levels as entertainment, but it has this kind of cultural through-line that is so specific that it makes it universal." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Danniel Weshenfelder, 24, of Bismarck, had been scheduled to appear before Judge Wendy Wexler-Horn on April 19 for a trial on possession of child pornography charges stemming from October of 2016. Weshenfelder did not appear before the court on April 19, and in fact, will not appear before the court at all on these charges. On April 8, St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Gilliam filed a petition with the court for nolle prosequi (Latin for do not prosecute or be unwilling to pursue) in this case ... or in layman terms the charges for possession of child pornography were dismissed. Since the case was disposed of in this manner, facts surrounding the evidence and the decision to not prosecute are a sealed record and not attainable from this point forward. Weshenfelder had been charged with a class C felony of possession of child pornography. According to a probable cause statement by the Bismarck Police Department, on Sept. 27, 2016 at 10:45 a.m. Weshenfelders girlfriend showed up at the police station and stated she had come into possession of Weshenfelders cell phone when he had been arrested for an unrelated incident. The woman told the officer she believed there was child porn located on the phone. The woman showed the officer a picture on the phone of a minor child dressed in provocative clothing while posed in a sexual position. The phone was seized and a search warrant was sought. Weshenfelder denied having any knowledge of the child pornography, but admitted to having knowledge of the other pornographic material. He also admitted to giving the phone to a minor, knowing it had porn on it. He stated the juvenile he gave the phone to may have possibly downloaded the child porn. Weshenfelder's mother, Montana Blue, said that the last two years have been a nightmare for her family. People have attacked me (verbally and through property damage), they have attacked my grandchildren, and also attacked other family members, said Blue. We are glad that Danniel has finally received justice and want people to know that he did not have child pornography in his possession and is not a pedophile, as people have called him. Matt McFarland is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at 573-518-3616, or at mmcfarland@dailyjournalonline.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 1 Angry 3 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Update: Park Hills Chief of Police Richard McFarland confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the stolen Pontiac G6 that Downs had believed to be driving was found abandoned in Washington County. McFarland also said they are following several leads on the location of Downs, however, he has not yet been located. Park Hills Police Department has issued a "stop and hold" for a person of interest in connection with the weekend assault of a woman at her Park Hills residence. On Saturday afternoon, Park Hills Sgt. Summer Bess confirmed that a 45-year-old female had been found beaten outside her home in Park Hills early Saturday. The victim was taken at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Her condition is hard to determine as of yet because she has not been responsive to medical staff or police, Bess said Saturday. A source told the Daily Journal that the womans condition had not yet improved as of Monday afternoon. Just before 4 p.m. Monday, Central Dispatch broadcast that police were looking for Brandon Downs, 36, of Potosi. Downs is believed to be driving a white Pontiac G6. He is possibly armed and could be in the area of Strange Road in Washington County. The dispatch indicated that the woman been beaten and sexually assaulted. It is believed she knew the person who assaulted her. At this time, no charges have been filed in connection with the assault, according to Case.net. Case.net shows Downs has a history of domestic assault. Downs was charged and pleaded guilty to a charge of felony C domestic assault in St. Francois County and received probation with a seven-year suspended sentence in 2015. Downs violated probation and served a 120-day shock incarceration in the Missouri Department of Corrections in 2017. Downs also pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance except 35 grams or less or marijuana in Washington County in 2012 for which he also received probation. In addition, Downs also entered an Alford plea to a misdemeanor domestic assault charge in Washington County in February of 2018 for which he received two years of probation. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Downs is urged to contact St Francois County Central Dispatch at 573-431-3131 or Washington County Dispatch at 573-438-1079. This is an ongoing investigation and more information will be provided as information is made available. Matt McFarland is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at 573-518-3616, or at mmcfarland@dailyjournalonline.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 3 Angry 14 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Sanjeeb Phuyal is the online editor for The Kathmandu Post. He oversees breaking news reports on the web and produces content for The Post's digital platforms. ** Editor's note - This is the latest installment in an ongoing series highlighting how systems, programs and public entities which we rely on every day operate. The tap water in local municipalities goes through a relatively simple process on its journey from the underground water table to faucets and yard hydrants throughout the city. Municipal water treatment often begins with the water being pumped from sizable wells. For instance, in the case of Farmington the city relies on 14 well houses throughout the city. The pump systems, as well as the buildings that contain them, vary in size based on the amount of water that well produces. A mid-sized well and treatment facility is capable of treating around 175 gallons of water per minute. While some municipalities rely on lakes or rivers for the starting point of their potable water system, all communities in the immediate area rely on wells for drinking water. According to Casey Barnhouse of Farmigntons water and sewer department, the city began treating their water with a Water Remediation Technology (WRT) system in 2011. The WRT system removes harmful contaminants, such as radium, from the groundwater sourced by the wells. Radium is a type of radionuclide in the alkaline earth metal class of elements. Its picked up by the water as it seeps through rock and soil on its way down to the water table. After being pumped up from underground, the water enters the city's system and goes through the first phase of treatment. The water passes through inlet bags that filter out larger debris and sediment into cylindrical containers. The water then flows through the second stage filtration tanks which contain WRTs proprietary treatment media. The tanks work much like small filters that connect to a household faucet. But these large filters require special crews to come in about twice a year to clean out all of the captured material and install new media. After going through the large filtration tanks, the water passes through the last filters know as outlet bags. This filter out anything remaining including media from the large tanks that may have washed through. The water is then chlorinated with 12.5 percent sodium hypochlorite before being directed into the citys potable water network. Each well house will either pump its treated water directly into the water system or to a nearby water tower to be stored and used as city consumption increases during peak usage times. The system is electronically monitored and alerts utility workers when high levels of contaminants or low levels or treatment chemicals are detected that fall outside parameters set by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In the past, before DNR put in place the filtration standards they have today, water was often pumped directly from the many wells around town directly into the potable water network. However, DNR studies have shown that portions of the areas water table contain miniscule radioactive particles, referred to as radionuclides, and heavy minerals that are unsafe for consumption in large quantities. Consumption of heavy minerals, such as lead, can pose long-term health risks and must be filtered out of public drinking water systems. Farmington Public Works Director Larry Lacy explained that since the current system was installed eight years ago, some area residents have complained about the change in the taste of the water. Lacy said in most cases, any undesirable taste can be eliminated from the water simply by attaching a charcoal filter to your water faucet. Treating the water on site is not only efficient but cost-effective as it eliminates the need for large amounts of energy to pump water to and from designated treatment facilities. Although the treatment systems have electronic safeguards and monitoring devices built into the lines, the system still requires utility workers to check the processes daily as mechanical failures can occur. Every now and then something will come apart in the system," explained Lacy. "One of our well houses had a break in the line underneath the foundation ... it broke through the foundation and sprayed water up, ruining the ceiling. The pumps require ongoing maintenance and monitoring. Lacy stressed the importance of constant monitoring, saying, Public health is just so important that you just cant leave it alone. If something were to happen to cause the entire system to fail or shut down, the city has enough water reserves to last for two days. The amount of reserve water required by regulations is one day. "As far as water systems go, [Farmingtons] is pretty straight forward," Lacy explained. Bobby Radford is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at 573-518-3628, or at bradford@dailyjournalonline.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Everyone eligible should be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of long-distance travel or employment. Vaccination should be voluntary but those who don't get vaccinated should be frequently tested for COVID-19 as a condition of long-distance travel and employment. Both vaccination and testing should be voluntary and not required as a condition of long-distance travel or employment. I defer to the judgment of lawmakers as long as they base their decisions on a consensus of medical professionals. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Sri Lanka: Security strengthened at fishery harbors, all incoming and outgoing fishing vessels inspected April 29,2019 | Source: Colombo Page The state Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development, Dilip Wedaarachchi has given strict advice to the Ceylon Fishery Harbors Corporation and all the responsible officials to take immediate action to ensure the safety of all fisheries harbors with the assistance of the security forces, considering the situation at hand. State Minister Wedaarachchi has ordered to take all necessary measures to fulfill this task with responsibility to assist the security forces with the operations following the Easter Sunday attacks as well as to strengthen the country's security. The Minister has given instructions to formulate and implement relevant security operation in coordination with the Sri Lanka Navy and the Coast Guard. In order to prevent any person or group suspected of nefarious activities and wanted by the security forces from leaving the country, the security units at all fisheries harbors have been instructed to pay close attention to the people coming to the harbors and establish their identity. Minister Wedaarachchi has also instructed to take steps to establish committees at all security units of the fishery harbors to monitor the incoming and outgoing vessels focusing close attention to items brought into the country using fishing vessels. Similarly, the fisheries harbors have also been instructed to carry out a security program that will prevent unapproved persons outside fishery harbors from using fishing vessels. 2000, 2016 by LankaPage.com (LLC) The Iranian authorities have flogged and secretly executed two boys under the age of 18, Amnesty International has learned, displaying an utter disdain for international law and the rights of children. Mehdi Sohrabifar and Amin Sedaghat, two cousins, were executed on 25 April in Adelabad prison in Shiraz, Fars province, southern Iran. Both were arrested aged 15 and convicted on multiple rape charges following an unfair trial. According to information received by Amnesty International, the teenagers were unaware that they had been sentenced to death until shortly before their executions and bore lash marks on their bodies, indicating that they had been flogged before their deaths. Their families and lawyers were not informed about the executions in advance and were shocked to learn of the news. The Iranian authorities have once again proved that they are sickeningly prepared to put children to death, in flagrant disregard of international law. It seems they cruelly kept these two boys in the dark about their death sentences for two years, flogged them in the final moments of their lives and then carried out their executions in secret, said Philip Luther, Middle East and North Africa Director at Amnesty International. The use of the death penalty against people who were under 18 at the time of the crime is strictly prohibited under international human rights law and is a flagrant assault on childrens rights. It is long overdue for Iranian parliamentarians to put an end to this harrowing situation by amending the penal code to ban the use of the death penalty against anyone who was under 18 at the time of the offence. Iran remains the top executioner of children in the world. As a state party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Iran is legally obliged to treat anyone under the age of 18 as a child and ensure that they are never subjected to the death penalty or life imprisonment. Mehdi Sohrabifar and Amin Sedaghat had been held in a juvenile correction centre in Shiraz since 2017. On 24 April, they were transferred to Adelabad prison, apparently without knowing the reason. The same day, their families were granted a visit with them, but they were not told that it was in preparation for their execution. The next day, on 25 April, the families suddenly received a call from Irans Legal Medicine Organization, a state forensic institute, informing them of the executions and asking them to collect the bodies. The legal proceedings leading to the two boys conviction and sentence were unfair and flagrantly violated the principles of juvenile justice. Following their arrest, they were held for two months in a police detention centre, where they said they were beaten. They also had no access to a lawyer during the investigation stage. The practice of subjecting children to police questioning in the absence of a guardian or lawyer violates the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which provides that children in conflict with the law must be guaranteed prompt legal assistance. Amnesty International has recorded the execution of 97 individuals in Iran who were under the age of 18 at the time of the crime between 1990 and 2018. More than 90 others remain at risk of execution. The fact that Mehdi Sohrabifar and Amin Sedaghats executions were not made public before their cases were made to known to Amnesty International reinforces the organizations concern that the real number of executions of juvenile offenders in the country is actually higher than the figure it has recorded. Juvenile offenders currently on death row are also at risk of being executed in secret if their cases are not brought to the attention of human rights organizations for public campaigning and advocacy. We have identified a trend in which Irans authorities are carrying out executions of juvenile offenders in secret and without giving advance notice to the families, seemingly in a deliberate attempt to avoid global outrage. This makes it all the more important for influential international actors such as the EU to increase their diplomatic and public interventions to pressure Iran to end the use of the death penalty against juvenile offenders, said Philip Luther. Many have spent prolonged periods on death row in some cases more than a decade. Some have had their executions scheduled and postponed repeatedly, adding to their torment. Such conditions of uncertainty causing severe anguish and mental distress amount to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. The use of the death penalty for rape is not permitted under international law, which states that its use must be restricted to the most serious crimes involving intentional killings. Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception regardless of the nature of the crime, the characteristics of the offender, or the method used by the state to kill the prisoner. The death penalty is a violation of the right to life and the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. | 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 LEXINGTON, S.C. A father who police said killed his five young children in their South Carolina home and then drove their bodies around for more than a week is about to stand trial for his life. Jury selection is set to begin Monday in Lexington County in the death penalty case of Timothy Jones Jr. Jones is charged with five counts of murder for killing his children, ages 8, 7, 6, 2 and 1, in their Lexington home in August 2014. Indictments said he strangled four of them and beat the other. Jones then wrapped the bodies in plastic bags, put them in the back of his SUV and drove around the Southeast for a week, logging more than 700 miles (1,125 kilometers) through North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and finally Mississippi where he was arrested, authorities said Well into the trip, Jones buried his children on a rural hillside near Camden, Alabama, police said. When he was arrested at a drunken driving checkpoint in Smith County, Mississippi, an officer smelled a terrible odor and found blood, maggots and children's clothes in the SUV, authorities said. Jones' lawyers have filed court papers saying he plans an insanity defense. Jury selection will likely take most, if not all this week. Jones, 37, was a software engineer and was given custody of his children after his marriage started to fall apart. The computer engineer struggled as a single father, according to records from the Department of Social Services, whose employees visited the home a dozen times in three years. But Jones also worked to correct the problems as social workers found them. There were trips to Disney World and the beach and a birthday party with cupcakes detailed in those records along with a mark on one of the children and a report they were made to exercise excessively as punishment. "Dad appears to be overwhelmed as he is unable to maintain the home, but the children appear to be clean, groomed and appropriately dressed," wrote the case worker, who name was blacked out, in a report filed two weeks before police said the children were killed. The trial could take most of May. If jurors find Jones guilty of murder, the same jury will then hear testimony about whether he should be sentenced to life in prison or the death penalty. | 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 The Associated Press, Staff, April 29, 2019 TENNESSEE -- Donnie Edward Johnson is scheduled to be executed at 7:10 pm EDT, on Thursday, May 16, 2019, at the Riverbed Maximum Security Institute in Nashville, Tennessee. 68-year-old Donnie is convicted of the murder of his wife, 30-year-old Connie Johnson, on December 8, 1984, in Memphis, Tennessee. Donnie has spent the last 34 years on Tennessees death row. According to Donnie, he grew up in an abusive family and began his criminal career at the age of six or seven, stealing whatever he wanted. By the time he was a teenager, he had resorted to armed robbery. He was also involved in street drag racing. Donnie was married with two children. Donnie continued his criminal life, hiding it from his family, while maintaining a steady job as a salesman at a camping store. On December 8, 1984, Donnie Johnson was working at Force Camping Sales in Memphis, Tennessee, along with Ronnie McCoy, who was signed out of a Penal Farm, where he was serving a four month sentence for false reporting. Johnsons wife, Connie arrived at the store at the end of the work day. According to McCoys testimony, he left Johnson and Connie alone in the sales office. When he returned, Johnson showed him Connies body. Johnson had killed Connie by suffocating her. McCoy then helped dispose of her body. RELATED | Tennessee Is Set to Execute Another Man Who Suffered Abuse as a Child The following day, Johnson recruited his boss to help search for his missing wife. Connies body was found inside of her vehicle, with a plastic bag stuffed in her mouth. They only set of keys to the vehicle were discovered in Johnsons truck, along with several other personal belongings of Connie. Johnson has denied killing his wife, saying he left McCoy and Connie alone in the office and McCoy killed her for the $450 in shopping money he had given her. Initially, Johnson denied any involvement in his wifes murder, nor did he initially implicate McCoy. Johnson was sentenced to death on November 25, 1985. | 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 The Forgiveness Foundation of Christian Ministries, Staff, April 28, 2019 FOCUS ON DEFENSE CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AND OCEANIA Bankers willing to follow mega merger plan but want incentives Recently, the government has considered facilitating mega merger among commercial banks to reduce the number of A class financial institutions. So far, commercial banks doing good business have shown little to no interest in merging. If it seems like we write this editorial earlier and earlier every year well, that's because we do. But it also seems as if the mid-valley enters wildfire season earlier and earlier every year and that each fire season lasts longer, with the fires burning hotter and in more unpredictable ways. Last week in Linn County, firefighters responded to at least two wildfires that we're aware of, including one on Friday afternoon near Cascadia that presented access challenges and a grass fire on Tuesday outside Lebanon. It's only a matter of time no more than weeks, certainly, and possibly just a few days until Benton County firefighters as well start getting routinely summoned to wildfires. The deluge of early April that triggered flooding throughout the mid-valley also gave a big boost to area grasses, and it doesn't take many days of sunshine (even with relatively cool daytime temperatures) to start drying them out, making convenient fuel for wildfires, regardless of how they start. In fact, the Oregon Department of Forestry already is reporting 31 fires thus far this year on lands protected by the state, and that number certainly will start to explode in the coming months. (By the time fire season started dying out late in 2018, firefighters had reported more than 1,000 blazes on department-protected land.) Overall, national experts predict relatively average wildfire potential during the remainder of the spring, aided in considerable measure by Oregon's surprisingly deep snowpack. It's worth noting that the rate at which that snowpack melts will have a lot to say about when large fires begin breaking out in the region. But the fact is that significant fires can break out at almost any time and just about year-round: The mid-valley had an early reminder of that in March, when a fire sparked into life at the North Santiam State Recreation Area, prompting the evacuation of dozens of homes. It used to be that early May, when we mark national Community Wildfire Preparedness Day, came with plenty of time before fire season really kicked into gear. Not so much anymore and that should lend an air of added urgency to the event, especially in Oregon, where estimates are that some 342,000 homes are located in forested areas. Many of those homes are located in the so-called wildland-urban interface, and for an understandable reason: It's appealing to live alongside trees. Increasingly, though, homeowners and communities are coming to understand the inherent risks that come along with those locations; it's not unlike choosing to build a home on the oceanfront in an area prone to hurricanes. But there are things that homeowners and communities in the widland-urban interface can do to reduce wildfire risks, and Wildfire Preparedness Day (which arrives this year on Saturday, May 4) offers an opportunity to chip in with neighbors on projects designed to prevent wildfires or to limit their severity. Across the United States on Saturday, some 144 communities across the United States, including a number in Oregon, will tackle those fire-prevention projects. Some will involve clearing out the underbrush that can fuel fast and fierce fires. Others will focus on creating the so-called "defensible space" between homes and flammable objects. Regardless of the details, all these projects will, in some way, help to craft communities that are becoming more resilient in the face of wildfire risks. As fire season in the West inexorably moves toward year-round status, that resiliency will become vital. In the meantime, remember that May also is Wildfire Awareness Month. And so here's something be aware of as you head into our forests for recreation: Of those 31 fires thus far this year on land protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry, 30 of them were caused by humans. Be sure that you don't add to those statistics. (mm) Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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 ... But I dont want to go among mad people," Alice remarked. "Oh, you cant help that," said the Cat: "were all mad here. Im mad. Youre mad." "How do you know Im mad?" said Alice. "You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldnt have come here. Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland With freedom comes responsibility. Eleanor Roosevelt The Democratic tent-too-big Party didn't have anything much to offer voters in 2016 and millions of voters flocked to Trump. Two years later, many of those voters-- as well as some non-voters-- understand the scope of the catastrophe that Trump is. And they flocked to vote for Democrats running for Congress. Over 40 red seats flipped. I spent much of 2018 expelling why the coming wave was not a blue wave at all, but an anti-Trump wave, at best an anti-red wave. But "blue wave" is far too positive to a description. As a party, the Democrats still weren't offering anything to voters-- except "we're better than Trump." It was enough to flip those 40-some-odd seats. Could they have flipped more seats with the kind of positive message that actually would have inspired a blue wave? Absolutely. They could have picked up 60 seats instead of 40, or 70 seats... maybe 80. Not random seats, seats with enough independent voters to swing elections-- like GA-07, where Republican incumbent Rob Woodall was reelected with just 50.1% of the vote, or MI-06, where GOP incumbent Fred Upton won with just 50.2% or TX-23, where Republican incumbent Will Hurd was elected with a paltry 49.2%. Republicans like Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03), Ann Wagner (MO-02), John Carter (TX-31), Michael McCaul (TX-10), Chris Collins (NY-27), Devin Nunes (CA-22), Rodney Davis (IL-13), Don Bacon (NE-02), John Katko (NY-24), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Vern Buchanan (FL-16), Brain Fitzpatrick (PA-01), George Holding (NC-02), Kenny Marchant (TX-24), Lee Zeldin (NY-01) wouldn't have stood a chance in a blue wave. All of them had stomach-churning close calls. any big-money private fundraisers where you can only talk to her if you write a big check first. Without taking a dime from federally registered lobbyists or PACs of any kind. Its the right thing to do." The Democrats may offer the same next year: nothing. Or, as Matt Yglesias, put it last week: Joe Biden is the Hillary Clinton of 2020 . He's another Iraq War hawk, another Wall Street shill (the senator from MBNA), and another flip-flopper with terrible instincts who has wrong on every big issue. (Yesterday, in an e-mail from her campaign with the subject line "Joe Biden," Team Warren wrote "Elizabeth doesnt host private fundraisers or take money from federally registered lobbyists or PACs. Instead, were building a broad grassroots movement where a lot of people chip in a little at a time to build something big... How did Joe Biden raise so much money in one day? Well, it helps that he hosted a swanky private fundraiser for wealthy donors at the home of the guy who runs Comcast's lobbying shop. Elizabeth is building a grassroots movement without holdingbig-money private fundraisers where you can only talk to her if you write a big check first. Without taking a dime from federally registered lobbyists or PACs of any kind. Its the right thing to do." Elizabeth Warren, like Bernie, actually offers, reasons for a blue-wave. In fact, yesterday, reporting for BuzzFeed News, Ruby Cramer wrote that in hosting something like 4,700 simultaneous organizing events on Saturday, Faiz Shakir, Bernie's campaign manager "boldly predicted that their candidate would help bring 'a wave up and down the Democratic ballot' on Nov. 3, 2020... You're not only going to have Sen. Sanders winning the White House, you are going to see a wave-- a wave up and down the Democratic ballot. That is what we are fighting for." On Friday, just as Spain was preparing to vote, Bob Dylan played at the Bizkaia Arena in Bilbao. His set list as been unchanged for the whole European tour-- until the Friday night gig when he added a rare song he doesn't play much, "Dignity." An old friend married a donostiarra and settled in her hometown, San Sebastian, about an hour and a half from Bilbao. They drove there for the concert with their 3 kids, all of whom took the song as an anti-fascist message in the middle of an election where the fascists were making a comeback attempt through the Vox party. Voter turn out was way up-- basically because of support for and opposition to the fascists... 76%. As it turns out, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialist Party (PSOE) won 123 seats, while their anti-austerity allies, Podemos. has taken 42-- so 165 seats, 11 fewer than they would need without forming a coalition with some smaller regional parties. The big loser Sunday was the center-right Popular Party (PP), whose seats were halved to just 65-- winning no seats at all in the area Dylan played-- none in Bilbao, none in San Sebastian, none anywhere in the Basque region. (And just one in Catalonia.) Another center-right party, Ciudadanos, picked up 57 seats. The fascist Vox party, founded in 2013, will make its debut in Parliament with 24 deputies (the lower end of what pollsters had predicted). That makes 146 seats for the right and 165 for the left. Winner Vox, as you might guess, is Spain's Trumpist party-- xenophobic, misogynist, racist, Islamophobic and 100% in thrall to the wealthy. Steve Bannon has been supporting Vox through his fascist "think tank," The Movement. Vox's Rafael Bardaji is the link between Spanish fascism and the Trump regime. He advocates building a wall around the last two Spanish colonies in Morocco, Ceuta and Melilla, and forcing Morocco to pay for it. It would be more likely that Morocco would just kick Spain out of the two enclaves entirely. Santiago Abascal, the head of Vox, is also advocating for an end of gun control in Spain. Russia has been secretly assisting Vox's efforts in the hopes of destabilizing and ultimately destroying the European Union. Vox did best in Madrid (3.64%), Castile y Leon (2.50%), Aragon (2.33%) and Murcia (2.32%). It was below 2% everywhere else, doing worst in Catalonia, Basque Country, Galicia and the Canary Islands, less than 1% in each. Click to enlarge (source) According to Spencer Kimball, the Mural by Banksy Imperial storm troopers guarding a bank in Portland On April 15, just prior to Joe Biden's entry into the race, Emerson College Polling released their Democratic primary contest report. Two things to note before we go further.First, the poll of the Democratic primary shows four clear tiers of candidates (see graphic above): Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden, far above the rest Buttigieg, O'Rourke, Harris and Warren, two-thirds below the leaders Castro and Yang, polling at 3% Everyone elseTier 4, everyone else, is polling at or below the choice named "Someone Else."Second, the Emerson site write-up of this poll highlights everything but the striking, who rose from 17% in February to 29% in April. Mayor Pete's rise over the same period from 0% to 9% is their first touted takeaway.organization's director, "[I]t looks like Mayor Pete is the candidate capturing voters imagination".The site's second takeaway highlights Biden's 3-point drop over that same period. Kimball again: Biden has seen his support drop. In February, he led Sanders 27% to 17%, and in March the two were tied at 26%. Now, Sanders has a 5 point lead, 29% to 24%.Kimball is wrong twice. Mayor Pete is not the "candidate capturing voter's imagination." His rise from February to April is considerably less than Bernie Sanders increase over the same period.Also, Biden's decline below Sanders isn't because "Biden has seen his support drop." That drop was just three points. Sanders is surging; his 12-point surge is four times Biden's fall. Sanders simply leapfrogged him.From all this we learned several things:. That tells you something about the organization, if not the poll itself. The polling itself is may be sound, but the organization has an Establishment dog in the race.From the underlying polling data itself, 31% of Biden voters have Sanders as their second choice, while O'Rourke and Buttigieg together would capture another 30% of the Biden vote if Biden were out. That seems a good rough proxy for a nascent 50-50 split among Biden supporters for Radical Change vs. Return to Obama Status Quo, "nascent" because I don't think anyone who could support Sanders would begin to tolerate Biden after she learns what Biden actually stands for. Stay tuned for Biden to shed that support.Further, from the crosstabs Sanders and Biden are as good as tied among millennials (ages 18-29). I'd be shocked if almost all of this group didn't turn against Biden by the time the primary is over.It's early yet, but if we give Sanders a conservative half of Biden's support across the whole primary, Sanders would lead the field with over 40% popular support a clear plurality, but not a majority. Of course, as the issues become sharpened, that could change further.I'll expand on this point later, but just as the popular vote in the general election is not the vote that matters, the popular vote in the primary is also not the vote that matters. Thewill control what happens at the convention in the first round of voting. After the first round,enter the battle, mostly on the side of re-establishing an Obama status quo.This means that if Joe Biden, say, picks up 25% of pledged delegates in the very early California primary, then fades to almost nothing but doesn't drop out, his California delegates will still vote for him at the convention in round one, denying those votes to anyone else. It will go like that state by state.So if you're a Sanders supporter, the data to watch is not his popular support, which could surge even greater by April 28, when the last of the big states votes, but his cumulative delegate count. Watch especially the delegate counts in the early races, when the sheer mass of candidates will tend to dilute any candidate's share of the total available. A brief expansion of the last point: Delegate counts for Tier 4 candidates can be ignored (Klobuchar, for example, will not pull many Minnesota delegates from the other candidates), and of Tier 3 candidates only Castro, who will vie with O'Rourke for "favorite son" delegates in Texas, is likely to affect the final delegate count., since most Warren delegates are likely Sanders delegates if Warren releases them. Can Biden, Buttigieg, O'Rourke and Harris together capture more than 50% of the pledged delegate total entering the convention? On that point the entire drama of the convention and with it, the nomination will turn.After all, Sanders can "win" with a plurality on the first round and still be denied the nomination.The sooner Sanders captures and keeps first place in popular support in a world with Biden as a candidate, the stronger his argument to voters in the early primaries that he should get the most delegates.Also, the sooner Sanders captures and keeps(50% or more) in these polls, the stronger his argument at the convention will be that superdelegates should support him on the second round or risk a rebellion among his supporters. Such a revolt against the Democratic Party could put Trump in charge of the nation for another four years regardless of the goodness of the Democratic Party's "compromise" or "unity" candidate.Put simply, superdelegates need to be put on the hottest hot seat Sanders supporters can create if his candidacy is to survive a second round of voting.From the Department of Just Saying, here's an expansion of that last point. The nation is already in revolt, just as it was in the 1850s before the first shot was fired at Fort Sumter. We're sitting on a powder keg, just not a lit one.So far the rebellion is mainly electoral. People surged for Obama in 2008 thanks to the (false, as it turns out) " Times They Are A-Changin' " paint job his campaign received from Will.I.Am and " Yes We Can ."They surged for Sanders in 2016, then shockingly to many (but not to all ) surged again for Trump, who lying through his teeth, ran on a "Sanders platform" and marched to a 304227 Electoral College win over the quintessential status quo candidate Hillary Clinton.In some congressional districts they surged again in 2018, supporting true-progressive candidates like Marie Newman, who narrowly lost to corrupt status-quo Democrat Dan Lipinski, and successful rebel-progressives like Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez.The rebellion is surging again this year, once more electorally. Unless the odd or unexpected happens, unless he stumbles or is brought down, expect Sanders' support to reach near or above 50% among potential primary voters and expect his 2020 polling against Donald Trump to equal his dominant 2016 polling . During that primary, Sanders beat Trump in almost every head-to-head poll by a far greater margin than Clinton did.But if the grinding machine that is the bipartisan, militarized Establishment denies again the people's choice for president, look for the rebellion against it to seekrevenge once more only by not voting or voting for Donald Trump.After that, the rebellion will not be so restricted.Nor will the forces that already counter it.I'm not sure many of us will want to live here after that. Democratic Party leaders, this could be your very last chance to get things right electorally. If you don't, the matter may be taken from your hands for good.Just saying. Labels: 2020 presidential election, 2020 presidential nomination, Bernie Sanders, Bernie Sanders revolution, Gaius Publius, polling, Thomas Neuburger Churchill Bar & Terrace in London has announced the launch of a new Cuban theme for its terrace called Casa de Cuba from Wednesday 15 May. The new seasonal spring/summer terrace has been inspired by Sir Winston Churchills travels to Cuba which first took place in 1895 to observe the Cuban Independence War. The Cuban terrace will have a new cocktail menu led by head bartender Daniele Bresciani and his team, as well as Cuban food specialties including a classic Cubanito sandwich, fried plantain and huevo habanero. Bar manager, Eve Vasileiadou said: Our new menu brings classic favourites with our own twist and promises a summer of tropical fun. We invite guests to escape the city at Churchills Casa de Cuba and feel transported to this Caribbean gem. One of the new drinks, Baptism of Fire, uses Zacapa 23, banana and chilli shrub, guava and lime juice, port, cedar essence and angostura bitters. The New Cuban is an interpretation of the Old Cuban cocktail from New York, which is a twist on the Mojito with added Pol Roger - Churchills favourite champagne and a member of Drinks Internationals Worlds Most Admired Champagne Brands. The Churchill Bar & Terrace at Hyatt Regency London sits just off Oxford Street and has featured in several shortlists at Class Bar Awards. Bamboo Airways proposed to increase its fleet from maximum 10 to over 30. Photo by Shutterstock/Phuong D. Nguyen Bamboo Airways request to expand its fleet has hit a roadblock with Vietnams aviation authorities unsure of its management capabilities. The private airline had in March proposed to increase its fleet from maximum 10 to over 30 in order to meet rising travel demand in the country. But the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has said that permission for this proposal should be considered carefully, based on market demand, Bamboo Airways capability to operate that many aircraft, as also the CAAVs own ability to manage them. As Bamboo Airways has announced plans to expand its fleet, the CAAV has asked the airline to explain where it gets the budget for purchasing them, and its plans to employ enough personnel for the expansion. The CAAV also said that with its current resources, it can only manage 256 aircraft belonging to Vietnamese carriers. If Bamboo Airways begins operating 40 aircraft this year, the CAAV will have to manage a total of 277 aircraft, exceeding its capability by 21 units. The CAAV is waiting for Bamboo Airways explanation before reporting to the Ministry of Transport its final conclusion on the airlines expansion proposal. A representative of Bamboo Airways said that the airline has made careful and strategic preparations for its expansion plan, including meeting all requirements to increase the number of aircraft. Bamboo Airways was established last July as Vietnams fifth airline with a charter capital of VND700 billion ($30.4 million), which was increased by VND600 billion ($25.8 million) last month to VND1.3 trillion. It has ordered 50 narrow-body Airbus aircraft, and in February inked a deal with Boeing for 10 wide-body 787-9 Dreamliners worth almost $3 billion. The airline has operated 1,000 flights by the end of February after beginning operations last December. Bamboo Airways now flies on 17 local routes. It is set to be the first airline in Vietnam to operate direct flights to Prague, capital of the Czech Republic. It plans to start flying to Japan, South Korea and Taiwan this month. Cars entering airports for a short time to pick up or drop off passengers will not be charged a fee from next year. Vu The Phiet, general director of the joint stock Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the countrys monopoly airports operator, said the number of minutes allowed for cars to enter free would depend on the airport and be decided by the government. The ACV plans to upgrade its car monitoring systems at all of its 21 airports by 2019, and introduce the new model by 2020 at the latest. Phiet said his company is proposing a plan to collect toll on roads it maintains immediately around airports. But Nguyen Thien Tong, a former head of the aviation engineering faculty at the Hanoi University of Science and Technology, said the ACVs practice of charging all cars entering its airports is unlawful and should be stopped immediately. He pointed to the conclusions of the Government Inspectorate at the end of 2017 which said the ACVs fee collection practices were not in accordance with the Law on Land and therefore unlawful. It found the ACVs airports had collected over VND550 billion ($23.7 million) in such unlawful fees, he said. This amount should be appropriated by the government, he said. "Passengers are already paying airport fees if they fly, so they should not pay more for simply driving to the airport. Roads leading up to the terminals are transport infrastructure, not an aviation service." Besides, getting rid of the tollbooths would prevent congestion during peak times, he pointed out. Traffic expert Nguyen Van Thanh said while the ACV has indeed invested in these roads, it does not have to pay land-use fees. Thus, enterprises need to determine how long it will take to return the investment, then return these roads to the state once they have recuperated their investment capital. "The ACV should be encouraged to find its own financial resources, which means no fee collection from cars." Construction of suspension bridge completed before deadline Umakhani JV Construction Company had set January 2020 as the deadline for the completion of a suspension bridge over Chaura River in the districts eastern Bagmati Rural Municipality. This blog may be a labor of love for me, but it takes a lot of effort, time and money. For over 14 years and 30,000 articles I have been providing accurate, original news that would have remained unnoticed. I've written hundreds of scoops and sometimes my reporting ends up making a real difference. I appreciate any donations you can give to keep this blog going. Ocean Energy Europe (OEE) has elected Dr. Jochen Weilepp, representing Sustainable Marine Energy, as co-President of the association. Dr. Weilepp will join Simon De Pietro of DP Energy, who has been OEE co-President since 2016. Dr. Weilepp has been a valuable member of the OEE board for almost a decade and has been active in the ocean energy sector for 15 years. He currently represents tidal turbine technology developers Sustainable Marine Energy (SME) and Schottel Hydro, and advises wave developer Nemos. Dr Weilepp is also Professor for Energy Management at the University of Applied Sciences Biberach, Germany, and has extensive experience with a range of ocean energy technologies. From 2005 until 2012, as CEO of Voith Hydro Ocean Current Technologies, he oversaw projects in wave, tidal and salinity gradient. Dr. Weilepp commented: "It is a great honour to be elected OEE co-President at this crucial stage for the sector. Over the past 15 years, I have seen ocean energy technologies go from strength to strength, with numerous projects now producing clean, predictable electricity across Europe. I am looking forward to working with the OEE team as they engage with both national governments and the incoming European Parliament and Commission. I believe that with Simon's experience as a project developer and my own background working with device manufacturers, we are in a strong position to lead the sector forward to commercialisation." Simon de Pietro, Managing Director of DP Energy and OEE co-President added: "I am delighted to share the OEE Presidency with Jochen, who has a wealth of experience in ocean energy. These are exciting times for the sector, and I am confident that together with the OEE board, we can steer the industry through this period where energy production is going up and costs are coming down." Contact: Amy Parsons Communications and Events Director, Ocean Energy Europe a.parsons@oceanenergy.eu +32 2 400 1043 About Ocean Energy Europe Ocean Energy Europe is the largest network of ocean energy professionals in the world. Over 120 organisations, including Europe's leading utilities, industrialists and research institutes, trust Ocean Energy Europe to represent the interests of Europe's ocean energy sector. Ocean Energy Europe's objective is to create a strong environment for the development of ocean energy, improve access to funding and enhance business opportunities for its members. To achieve this, it engages with the European Commission, Council, Parliament, European Investment Bank, and national ministries on all dossiers affecting the sector, such energy, climate, finance, grid and consenting. Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), an operating unit of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), has awarded a grant for $500 to help support the robotics team at Locust Grove High School. The grant is one of 26, totaling more than $21,000, being awarded across PSO's statewide service area for 2019. The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics grants program is a nationwide initiative to support pre-kindergarten through grade 12 student education with an emphasis on STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. AEP funds FIRST grants on behalf of its operating companies. "PSO is aware of the critical need for strong STEM education and is proud to have our parent company's support in providing funding for our schools and robotics teams," said Michael Gordon, PSO community affairs manager for the Locust Grove area. "We are glad to help students as they pursue firsthand experiences in science and technology, and are hopeful they will continue their post-secondary studies in these fields and consider career options which require this knowledge." More information on FIRST robotics programs can be found at www.firstinspires.org. Information on how to apply for an AEP FIRST robotics grant can be found at www.aep.com/go/aepfirstgrant. Public Service Company of Oklahoma, a unit of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), is an electric utility company serving more than 550,000 customer accounts in eastern and southwestern Oklahoma. Based in Tulsa, PSO has more than 3,800 megawatts of generating capacity and is one of the largest distributors of wind energy in the state. News releases, community & educational activities and other information can be found at www.PSOklahoma.com. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @PSOklahoma. Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), an operating unit of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), has awarded a grant for $1,500 to help support the robotics team at Chouteau High School. The grant is one of 26, totaling more than $21,000, being awarded across PSO's statewide service area for 2019. The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics grants program is a nationwide initiative to support pre-kindergarten through grade 12 student education with an emphasis on STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. AEP funds FIRST grants on behalf of its operating companies. "PSO is aware of the critical need for strong STEM education and is proud to have our parent company's support in providing funding for our schools and robotics teams," said Michael Gordon, PSO community affairs manager for the Chouteau area. "We are glad to help students as they pursue firsthand experiences in science and technology, and are hopeful they will continue their post-secondary studies in these fields and consider career options which require this knowledge." More information on FIRST robotics programs can be found at www.firstinspires.org. Information on how to apply for an AEP FIRST robotics grant can be found at www.aep.com/go/aepfirstgrant. Public Service Company of Oklahoma, a unit of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), is an electric utility company serving more than 550,000 customer accounts in eastern and southwestern Oklahoma. Based in Tulsa, PSO has more than 3,800 megawatts of generating capacity and is one of the largest distributors of wind energy in the state. News releases, community & educational activities and other information can be found at www.PSOklahoma.com. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @PSOklahoma. The new Interreg NWE project Ocean DEMO has been officially launched today (1/21). It provides funding to developers of marine renewable technologies to test their products or services in real sea environments. Ocean DEMO specifically targets multi-machine ocean energy installations. This will allow developers to move closer to market by demonstrating their technologies at full commercial scale. Ocean DEMO will release a first call for applications this year and devices will be installed from 2020 to 2022. The transition from single machine to pilot farm scale is critical for the future of the ocean energy sector. Scaling up to multi-device farms will improve the competitiveness of the technology by bringing down costs across the supply chain. This transition comes with higher capital requirements and investors require a proven business case before they get further involved. Ocean DEMO will ease the transition towards pilot farms by providing free access to Europe's world leading network of open sea test centres: EMEC - European Marine Energy Centre, UK - Project leader DMEC - Dutch Marine Energy Centre, Netherlands Centrale Nantes/SEM-REV, France SmartBay - Marine and Renewable Energy Test Site, Ireland Ocean DEMO follows on from the highly successful FORESEA project, which provides free access to open sea test centres for single machine testing. FORESEA has helped prove the tremendous potential of ocean energy, with 19 technologies deployed and more to come this year. Examples like Orbital Marine Power, who generated over 3 GWh of electricity in a year, proved that the technology works and can be part of a renewable energy mix in Europe. Industry group Ocean Energy Europe will channel the project's achievements and learnings to its international network of ocean energy professionals, ensuring broad dissemination across the sector. Oliver Wragg, Commercial Director at EMEC, said: "We're delighted to be able to continue the work we started with FORESEA. We were able to demonstrate a wide range of technologies throughout the ocean energy supply chain thanks to Interreg's support and the efforts of all the project partners. "With Ocean DEMO, we will be able to scale up technologies to pilot farm scale. This will reduce technical risks, minimise environmental impacts and improve the economic competitiveness of ocean energy production. We're looking forward to collaborating with ocean energy innovators across Europe and help them get machines in the water." Remi Gruet, CEO of Ocean Energy Europe, said: "We are very happy about Interreg's steady support for ocean energy development in Europe. The ocean energy industry can provide jobs to 400.000 Europeans as well as 10% of Europe's electricity by 2050. Ocean DEMO will be another significant step towards those objectives. Multi-device demonstration will strengthen the technology's business case and attract investors, which will in turn allow the industry to scale up and bring down costs. "A revenue support system, feed-in tariff, Contract for Difference or similar, is the only thing we're missing to unlock the full potential of ocean energy in Europe. It is now up to Member States to create the right conditions for this industry to thrive." Contact Victor Kempf, FORESEA Communications Manager Ocean Energy Europe v.kempf@oceanenergy.eu +32 2400 1042 ENGIE announces today (4/26) the signing of an agreement with Riverstone Holdings LLC, a global energy-focused investment firm, for the sale of its shares in coal-fired power plants in the Netherlands and in Germany. The assets sold are the coal-fired power plants of Rotterdam1 in the Netherlands, Farge1, Zolling3 and Wilhelmshaven4 in Germany. These assets represent a total installed capacity of 2,345 MW. The proposed transaction will reduce ENGIE's net consolidated debt by approximately 200 million euros. This sale is subject to customary conditions, with closing expected during the second semester 2019. After this sale, coal will represent 4% of ENGIE's global power generation capacities, down from 13% at the end of 2015 when the Group announced that it would gradually close or dispose of its coal assets and no longer build any new coal plants. In the past 3 years, ENGIE has reduced its coal-based electricity generation capacity by approximately 75%. Isabelle Kocher, ENGIE CEO, said: "This transaction is fully in line with the Group's strategy to be the world leader in the zero-carbon transition. We are focusing investments on solutions for corporates and local authorities, large-scale development of renewable energy and the necessary adaptation of power and gas networks to the energy transition. We will allocate 12 billion euros to these activities from 2019 to 2021, as previously announced during our Capital Market Day held this past February 28th" As a leading actor in the energy sector in Germany and the Netherlands with 11,000 employees, ENGIE will pursue investments in these two countries with the ambition to lead and speed up the zero carbon transition for all its clients. 1731 MW - 100% ENGIE shareholding 2350 MW - 100% ENGIE shareholding 3472 MW - 100% ENGIE shareholding, in addition a biomass power plant (21 MW, a 50% ENGIE owned unit) and gas turbines (46 MW, 100% ENGIE shareholding) 4726 MW, 52% owned by ENGIE Read the full press release. Fake VAT bill scam, which is under probe, estimated to be worth over Rs7 billion The modus operandi of a recently busted racket was: making fake VAT bills and selling them to the interested firms, without selling any goods. For this, the firms issuing such bills would get commission up to five percent of the bill amount, according to officials at the department. It brings BBOXX's mission to life by transforming lives and unlocking the economic potential of entire communities in developing countries through access to energy. Tomorrow's Connected Community is being rolled out in the rural village of Sikpe Afidegnon in Togo, following its inauguration by the H.E. President Faure Gnassingbe, President of the Republic of Togo. The entire village comprised of 300 houses and 4,000 people in the south of the country is to be powered by solar electricity including, streetlights, households, schools and small shops. The community can also access other utility products and services, such as clean cooking solutions, internet services and water pumps. BBOXX has implemented the concept in Togo alongside EDF, which holds a 50% stake in BBOXX Togo, under the brand "BBOXX avec EDF". BBOXX and EDF are also engaged with additional innovative international and local partners to make this Togo project a reality. It is run on a micro-grid developed by General Electric to meet higher energy consumption needs, as well as BBOXX's solar home systems to power households and SMEs. It showcases BBOXX's complete solution to meet the developing world's energy challenges. All of the services operate through BBOXX Pulse, the company's comprehensive digital management platform, which manages customer service and product maintenance using data and predictive analytics. Mansoor Hamayun, CEO and Co-Founder of BBOXX commented: "Tomorrow's Connected Community demonstrates our ability to supply electricity and other essential utilities to not only individual households, but to entire communities and businesses. By working with partners, we can truly deliver a decentralised and digitalised future in the developing world at scale. We have shown what can be possible and we look forward to rolling this "community of the future" out across other locations globally. "This launch equally demonstrates our commitment to managing rapid urbanisation and meeting United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 to create sustainable cities and communities - in addition to the other 10 out of 17 SDGs to which BBOXX is also contributing. This marks an important stride towards our vision of achieving 100% electrification for the first time on the continent and beyond." The launch builds on the success of Tomorrow's Rural Home, which BBOXX unveiled in Kigali, Rwanda, in November 2018. Tomorrow's Connected Community now takes BBOXX's vision several steps further - scaling from the Home to this Community, leapfrogging the need for traditional large grid infrastructure. Cina Lawson, Togo Minister of Postal Affairs and Digital Economy commented: "The vision of His Excellency the President of Togo is to make technological innovation the cornerstone of development. In Sikpe, we are powering a mobile tower with clean and low-cost energy. As a result, inhabitants now have access to electricity to improve their everyday lives and to boost economic activity. By harnessing the Internet of Things, this project will be managed automatically and remotely, offering an excellent quality of service to the community. This demonstrates the crucial role played by technological innovation in economic development." Marc Ably-Bidamon, Togo Minister of Mines and Energy commented: "The concept of "Tomorrow's Connected Community" demonstrates further collaboration between the digital economy, technology and energy sectors. Thanks to the energy supply provided by the telecom towers, the inhabitants of the village now have access not only to electricity, but also to internet and additional value-added services. Our vision and top priority is to provide access to electricity for all by 2030, while using environmentally friendly means. This is why we put a particular emphasis on solar energy. Thanks to the combination of different technology that include solar kits and mini-grids and the extension of the current network, our ambition is to increase the electrification rate of Togo to 50% in 2020, 75% in 2025 and 100% by 2030." This launch coincides with BBOXX providing energy to a milestone 12,000 households and positively impacting 60,000 customers in Togo. BBOXX has operated in Togo since December 2017, after being awarded a Togo Government tender to install solar home systems across the country. In 2018, an investment from BEAM, the investment platform created by Bamboo Capital Partners to deliver energy services that will transform lives in emerging markets, further accelerated the growth of BBOXX Togo. BBOXX Togo has scaled rapidly: from 1,000 households in April 2018 to 12,000 today and has created 260 local jobs and opened 20 shops in five regions. In addition, in March 2019, the Government of Togo launched the first government subsidy for customers to spend on solar energy, as part of the Togo Government's national electrification strategy, which will help to overcome energy poverty. The EDF Group supports BBOXX development by contributing commercial resources, technological know-how in battery performances, as well as its on-the-ground experience in developing off-grid solutions in several African countries. Valerie Levkov, EDF Senior Vice-President in charge of Africa, commented: "We are proud to be actively involved with BBOXX Togo to deliver innovative, CO2-free and life-changing electricity solutions. Mini-grids such as the one we inaugurated today represent a major achievement in accelerating access to electricity in Africa. We do believe it is replicable not only in Togo but more broadly across Africa and we are looking forward to further developing similar solutions elsewhere." About BBOXX BBOXX is a next generation utility, transforming lives and unlocking potential through the provision of affordable, reliable and clean energy and other modern utilities. BBOXX is enabling economic development in off-grid communities by creating new markets through the entry point of electricity. Energy provision brings people into the digital economy and creates demand in other areas including - gas, water, internet and finance - a demand which the company also seeks to meet. BBOXX's products and appliances all operate on BBOXX Pulse - a comprehensive management platform which harnesses data, pioneering technology and machine-learning, enhancing the customer experience. BBOXX is scaling rapidly by forging strategic partnerships with investors, governments, telecommunications firms and energy majors. So far, BBOXX has deployed more than 150,000 solar systems, positively impacting the lives of nearly one million people. BBOXX has over 700 staff across nine offices including in Rwanda, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Togo, with its head office in the UK and its manufacturing operations based in China. In January 2019, BBOXX was announced as the winner of the Zayed Sustainability Prize in the Energy category - testament to the way the company is making a meaningful difference to people's lives around the world. You can find further information about BBOXX on its website at - http://www.bboxx.co.uk For the 13th consecutive year, the Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Duke Energy Florida as a Tree Line USA utility, highlighting its efforts in tree care. The Tree Line USA Program demonstrates how trees and utilities can co-exist for the benefit of communities and citizens by highlighting best management practices in public and private utility arboriculture. Trees and vegetation are part of Florida's natural landscape, but they are also one of the leading causes of power outages for utilities. In order to keep electricity reliable, Duke Energy has a responsibility to protect the lines that deliver power to homes and businesses across the region. "Receiving this award for the 13th straight year is a testament to the work our employees do to protect the environment and serve our customers," said Catherine Stempien, Duke Energy Florida president. "Trees are beautiful additions to yards, providing benefits of shade and helping conserve energy, which is why we work to educate customers about planting the right tree in the right place so we can continue to provide safe and reliable energy." Tree Line USA evaluates applicants based on several criteria including adherence to industry best practices for tree care, training of employees and contractors, implementation of public education and tree planting projects, and participation in annual Arbor Day events. For the last two years, Duke Energy Florida, in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation's Energy-Saving Trees program, provided nearly 6,000 trees in 1-gallon pots to customers - for free - in honor of Florida Arbor Day in January. Important points to remember when planting or caring for trees: Customers, property owners and untrained contractors should not prune or cut trees and plants near power lines. When planting trees near power lines, be sure to select a low-growing variety in order to minimize impact to the lines. Contact Florida 811 prior to digging to locate any underground utilities which are often located in utility easements. For information about planning and planting vegetation around electrical facilities, please visit: https://www.duke-energy.com/community/trees-and-rights-of-way/how-we-manage-trees/plan-before-you-plant. Duke Energy Florida Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns a diverse generation mix of natural gas, coal and renewables, providing about 10,200 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 1.8 million customers in a 13,000-square-mile service area. Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 125 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S. It employs 30,000 people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts through its regulated utilities, and 3,000 megawatts through its nonregulated Duke Energy Renewables unit. Duke Energy is transforming its customers' experience, modernizing the energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves. The Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit's regulated utilities serve approximately 7.7 million retail electric customers in six states - North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. The Gas Utilities and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to more than 1.6 million customers in five states - North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The Duke Energy Renewables unit operates wind and solar generation facilities across the U.S., as well as energy storage and microgrid projects. Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2019 "World's Most Admired Companies" list, and Forbes' 2019 "America's Best Employers" list. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. Contact: Peveeta Persaud Office: 727.820.5592 | 24-Hour: 800.559.3853 Like many systems of systems, the electric grid is facing challenges as devices and applications originally intended to be either standalone or locally networked are now being connected to the Internet. Additionally, the electric grid faces challenges as the need to reduce carbon output is resulting in rapidly increasing numbers of non-centralized renewable energy systems. Many renewable energy systems such as solar Photovoltaic (solar PV) are owned not by electric utilities but by customers, thus requiring new cyber controls to protect information flowing to and from the electric utility on utility-owned, private, and public communication networks. Other unique electric grid cyber challenges include the need to meet the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) requirements and a business model being contested by non-profits such as the San Diego Community Choice Alliance. In the state of Illinois, more than two-thirds of residents energy is supplied by community choice aggregators (CCAs). Electric grid cyber challenges can be met using systems engineering techniques including: Cyber Enterprise Architecture. Effective implementation of NERC CIP requirements. Consistent cybersecurity requirements for system procurement Requests for Proposals (RFPs). Cyber assessment for OT systems defining risks based on impacts to safety, reliability, key functions, processes and compliance. Motivation for cyberattacks specifically targeting the electric grid ranges from individual hacktivists with an ax to grind to powerful nation-states that use attacks against their enemies. Threat motivations include theft of intellectual property, economic gain from stealing and then selling information, and the desire to create a high impact event such as the loss of electric power over an extended area an event that is virtually guaranteed to generate wide-spread media attention which is the goal of many terrorist attacks. Its important to note that although the goal of most typical industrial and personal cyberattacks is economic gain the goal of the most serious attacks is to cause widespread outages. The threat by nation-states against American utilities is not merely theoretical. As reported by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Russia has successfully attacked and gained access to power plant control rooms. Specifically, DHS stated that Russia has attempted to attack targets in the energy sector since 2016. In 2017 and 2018, the U.S. formally sanctioned Russia for their attempted cybersecurity attacks, including attacks against nuclear power plants. Further, Russia has demonstrated that they are more than willing to use cyberattacks against their enemies to cause grid outages as they have repeatedly done against Ukraine from 2015 onward. Why do nation-states seek to use cyberattacks against their military and political enemies? The short answer is because cyberattacks are less costly than using more traditional military options. In the second half of the twentieth century, the U.S. and Soviet Union reached numerous nuclear disarmament treaties, followed by the breakup of the USSR and the subsequent creation of the Russian Federation. As Russia and other countries realized they could not successfully compete militarily, nations began what is known as asymmetrical warfare programs including cyberattacks. Asymmetrical warfare allows nations to devote fewer resources against their targets than required by traditional military efforts. The advantages of being able to launch low-cost attacks against targets anywhere in the world through the Internet has proven to be a strategy used by many nations including Russia, North Korea, Iran and China. Further, in the case of cyberattacks against the electric grid, attacks are launched from the safety and convenience of offices in attackers home countries. To be fair, the U.S. also has what is euphemistically called offensive cyber operations in its arsenal. Electric grids are a particularly attractive target for nation-states, terrorists and hackers, as electric power is critical for all aspects of modern life. Businesses, residences and government facilities all require power to operate; usually protecting only the most critical devices and systems with back-up power. For example, very few homes have backup generators, and many businesses have backup power only for safety-related equipment such as lights guiding people to emergency exits. Without power, most businesses and government offices are forced to close, resulting in outages causing significant economic losses. All industries are at risk for cyberattacks, and the electric grid has many potential targets with more than 3,300 electric utility companies in the U.S., alone. Risks for electric grid organizations include both general and specific threats such as: Under-staffed security and operational departments. Inadequate policies, procedures and culture governing security. Inadequately designed systems and communication networks lacking defense-in-depth Large numbers of older communicating SCADA devices lacking cyber protection. Inadequately secured wireless communications. Non-dedicated communication channels. Remote access without appropriate access control, including remote vendor and subcontractor access. System administration mechanisms and software not adequately scrutinized, monitored or maintained. Insufficient use of tools to detect and report suspicious activities. Unauthorized or inappropriate applications/devices on networks. Control systems data typically not authenticated. Inadequately managed, designed or implemented critical support infrastructure. Maintenance procedures requiring manual installation of software/firmware updates that are installed with potentially compromised portable media, e.g., USB sticks. Many cyberattacks on electric utilities have an end game. Cyberattacks typically begin with intentional, prolonged system probing and data gathering activities against specific targets with specified intent. Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) include unauthorized stealth reconnaissance, data gathering and vulnerability analysis of infrastructure, assets, networks, SCADA systems, data, and personal information. The intelligence data gathered is then used to develop more pervasive methods and to map out the infrastructure; i.e., dig deeper and harvest greater amounts of intelligence. At some point, the intelligence is leveraged to understand better how the target utility operates, thus enabling the attacker to launch clear, specific and focused attacks, usually with malicious intent. Most attacks are to gain information and data; not to shut down the grid. However, as noted previously, the most serious attacks do intend to cause power outages and if possible, extend these outages by causing physical damage to power grid devices which are not easily repaired or replaced such as generators or transformers. A further complication for electric utilities is that their business systems and grid management operations require different cyber protection solutions. Utility IT and OT cyber protection needs are vastly different. Typically, cybersecurity protections for a utilitys business applications are similar to other businesses cyber protection methods. For example, business systems must provide protection for vast numbers of emails. Some emails contain malware for customer-facing web pages, linking to harmful content. Online payment systems must protect against theft of personal and credit card information. OT systems must protect against specialized SCADA attacks, such as the infamous Stuxnet attack, which targeted Siemens software and Programable Logic Controllers (PLCs). Further, utility systems, such as Outage Management Systems (OMSs), must protect against both IT and OT threats. Depending on specific features, OMSs may be subject to multiple types of attacks. For example, utilities offering web pages for customers to report outages are subject to malicious content and malware from compromised web sites. Utilities customer service applications processing outages via phone are subject to business application attacks, and AMI-reported outages are subject to attacks on widespread mesh communications networks. Field crews and operational control centers, attempting to correct outages, face attacks against their SCADA and hand-held devices. Utilities need cybersecurity experts familiar with business and operational threats, vulnerabilities and protection, but instead, they often lack the funding and staff to hire and train the necessary IT and OT cyber experts. Another substantial risk for utilities and their electric grids is attacks against subcontractors and vendors rather than against the utility itself. As the Wall Street Journal reported in January of this year, Russia successfully installed attacks on computers in small companies that provide services to utilities. Using techniques such as installing malware in utility industry online publications and by sending fake resumes with infected attachments, the attackers were able to penetrate control systems. Perhaps most troubling was the WSJ's report that the attacks appeared to be targeting companies that provide backup power systems, thus raising the possibility that attackers are confident in their ability to cause outages on the main grid and are now attempting to disrupt backup power systems as well. A recent increasingly worrisome issue is exposure of OT systems including Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS) to the Internet. Utilities want more data from customer-owned systems such as smart inverters, smart thermostats and electric vehicles to become inputs to the ADMS. Access to customer device data is typically provided over the Internet. Therefore, many operational control systems which were previously protected via air-gapping are now, or soon will be, exposed to cyber threats. Similar to personal computers in the 1980s, that were not designed with the Internet in mind, many SCADA control systems were not designed to prevent attacks from the Internet. As with earlier PCs, injection of malware onto SCADA systems is not difficult, as the systems simply were not designed to prevent Internet attacks. Just as two-way power flow caused by DERs requires different protection schemes, two-way communications to DERs and field devices require different cyber protection methods. Another concern for utilities is that the effect of a successful attack can be worse than an outage. If an attack can render many devices unusable and insufficient spares exist, then the effect of the attack can persist longer and can be more serious than an actual outage. For example, if an attack can be delivered to 10 percent of solar PV inverters than a successful attack may force all solar PV systems to be powered down. The complication for a utility is that determining which inverters are infected requires a time-consuming check of each inverter. Note, that in order to protect against a re-occurrence of the attack, an effective method of preventing further occurrences of installation of malware is also required perhaps requiring a costly and time-consuming update of the inverters firmware and coordination with the inverter owners to implement any needed patches. Although this example describes an attack on solar inverters, a successful attack could be launched on devices ranging from substation transformers, down to the power electronics inside modern smart meters. To prevent cyberattacks from disabling the grid, and to stop economic attacks, it is necessary to understand the steps of an attack. An attack typically involves many separate actions and usually uses many pieces of malware. The steps of an attack, often referred to as an anatomy of an attack, include several iterations of the following activities: Observation: Research and analysis of potential sites to attack. Attack Identification: Selecting malware to use in the attack. Delivery: Physically sending cyberattacks to the targets. Installation: For successful attacks, the placing of malware on the targets computers. Exploitation: Using information or access gained to the benefit of the attacker. Control: Using installed malware to interfere with a utilitys operations or business functions. Successful control actions include gaining access to T&D operator consoles. In terms of addressing cybersecurity threats, System engineering offers several methods to help address the very real cyber threats to utility operations. Systems engineering activities most applicable to major cyber assessments are highlighted in blue in the Cyber SE Activities Table. Cyber SE Activities Table Systems engineering solutions for requirements reviews, architecture reviews and active testing include Document and map cyber requirements to solutions. Map implementation of NERC CIP cybersecurity requirements to the specific plans, procedures, systems, people and location of artifacts demonstrating compliance known as measures in NERC CIP terminology. Use hyperlinks in a single document to each item to enable easy access to all implementation details for each requirement. Use a consistent set of cybersecurity requirements in all RFPs. Attackers will identify the weakest link during their Observation phase. Its important to ensure all systems, especially vendor, subcontractor and field crew systems, are protected. Develop cybersecurity use cases describing how attackers will operate in each step of an attack. In each use case, be sure to include the specific requirements that will be used to attempt to block the attackers from progressing to the next attack step. Develop Cybersecurity Enterprise Architecture. Document an architecture cyber view dividing the utility systems into security zones and showing which cyber solutions are needed in each security zone. Include a security zone and cyber solutions for customer systems such as smart inverters, customer DERs, electric vehicles, smart meters and smart thermostats. Recognize IT and OT cyber systems face different threats and need different cybersecurity solutions starting with different cyber strategies and cyber architectures. Use industrial control system architectures as a starting point for utility OT cyber architecture. Coordinate IT and OT cyber architectures into an integrated enterprise architecture while ensuring both IT and OT cybersecurity experts have inputs to prevent unintended gaps in cyber protection. Review cyber architecture to verify establishment of security perimeters, placement of access points, information flows, dependencies and resiliency. Conduct integrated vulnerability/threat/failure analyses. Leverage requirements, enterprise architecture and testing artifacts in cyber assessments and analyses. For example, use the cyber architecture to identify potential injection sites for attacks and include requirements to prevent such attacks in the cyber use cases and procurement RFPs. Actively test cybersecurity with penetration tests. Do not stop testing after just a few cyber vulnerabilities are detected, but instead, attempt to locate each cyber vulnerability during each penetration testing cycle. Apply applicable techniques to IT and OT analyses. Techniques applicable to both IT and OT include vulnerability assessments, risk assessments, threat assessments, white/grey/black-box testing, penetration testing and auditing. Assessment most applicable to IT systems include HIPAA for healthcare and HR systems, Sarbanes Oxley (SoX) for financial systems and Payment Card Industry (PCI) for credit/debit card processing systems. NERC CIP is, of course, specifically targeted for energy sector OT and SCADA systems. The primary objective of a cyber assessment is to identify risks. Traditional IT assessment methodologies typically utilize a concept of calculating risk (Risk=Impact x Probability/Cost). The traditional approach, however, is problematic when applied to the power grid or other OT domains as probability and costs are subjective numbers, and the resulting calculated risk is not universally understood. An alternative systems engineering technique for OT systems is to define risk in terms of the impact to areas such as safety, reliability, key functions, processes and compliance. The Risk Assessment Table combines safety, operational and NERC CIP compliance impacts into a sample risk assessment ranking methodology, using impact levels of critical, high, medium and low. Risk Assessment Table NREL has developed a 10-step Systems Engineering Approach, which can be accessed from their website at https://www.nrel.gov/esif/cybersecurity-resilience-10-step.html. Different Systems engineering methodologies use slightly different lists of cyber protection activities, but most are similar to NRELs set of five which are Identify. Protect. Monitor. Respond. Recover. One effective systems engineering technique is to verify that protection methods are in place for each activity; e.g., to verify that there are methods to identify, protect, monitor, respond to and recover from each identified threat. Additional protection methods can and should be added for identified gaps. In summary, systems engineering techniques can help protect the electric grid from many cybersecurity challenges, including exposure of OT systems to Internet attacks, the growing numbers of customer-owned systems, and threats from nation-states, hackers and terrorists. We have just concluded the IEEE PES Grand Transmission & Distribution Conference and Exposition in Bangkok, Thailand. The event took place at the BITEC Convention Center from March 20 to 23. PES organizes the Transmission & Distribution Conference and Exposition in the U.S. every two years; the next one will take place in Chicago in 2020. This was the first time PES has organized the flagship T&D Conference outside the United States. Our Thai volunteers accepted this challenge with a great deal of enthusiasm and energy. They received ample support from the Electricity Generation Authority of Thailand and the two major electric utilities in the country the Provincial Electricity Authority and the Metropolitan Electricity Authority. The end result was a grand success. With this broad support, they were able to attract executives, engineers and managers from electric utilities in the Asia-Pacific region to attend and exchange ideas. Attendees enjoyed a wide array of hardware on display at this conference. They also had the opportunity to view many exciting new technologies which will be made available for deployment in the near future. The large gathering of vendors, manufacturers and academic experts from around the world provided a rich venue to discuss best practices, opportunities and challenges facing the electric power industry today. The GT&D Conference attracted more than 7200 attendees who came from 38 countries. The top five countries were Thailand, China, Singapore, South Korea and Japan. The conference also had many high-profile keynote speakers, industry panels, supersessions and academic and industry papers. The plenary and paper sessions were well-attended. In addition to a large number of attendees, there were 230 companies from 24 countries which demonstrated their hardware on the show floor. The top five vendor countries were Thailand, China, South Korea, Singapore and Japan. Several vendors, who attended a PES Transmission and Distribution Conference for the first time, were pleased with the arrangements on the show floor, the traffic and the levels of high-level attendees. To quote the senior manager of business development (ASEAN-II) with Larsen & Toubro India Ltd., It was a pleasure meeting you at the IEEE- PES GTD Expo in Bangkok last month, which was a very well-organized event. Thank you, once again, for making us part of such a great event. We look forward to participating in future events. PES has announced it is working on the next GT&D Conference in Asia, which will take place in 2021. We will announce the hosting country soon. We are pleased with the outcome of the 2019 event and look forward to your attendance at the GT&D Conference in 2021. April 28 Pete R. Carroll, 43, of Tuba City, Arizona was arrested at 12th and Court streets for driving under the influence. Bail: $1,140 ------ Rick Foster, 31, of Elko was arrested at Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital for disturbing the peace. Bail: $1,140 ------ Keshia R. Fowler, 24, of Tonalea, Arizona was arrested in the 500 block of Idaho Street for driving under the influence, duty to stop at accident with attended vehicle or property damage. Bail: $2,280 ------ Gloria C. Guerra, 26, of Dutch John, Utah was arrested at 1200 W. Wendover Blvd. for driving under the influence. Bail: $1,050 ------ Carlos A. Lara-Espitia, 38, of West Wendover was arrested at Elko County Jail on a felony warrant for battery by a prisoner and two counts of failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime. Bail: $20,250 ------ Dustin J. Nelson, 31, of Ogden, Utah was arrested at Elko County Jail on a felony warrant for possessing or receiving forged instruments or bills. BailL $10,000 ------ Robert L. Newman, 37, of Elko was arrested at Elko County Jail on a warrant for failure to appear after bail on a felony crime and two counts of failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime. Bail: $2,135 ------ Alejandro Torres, 20, of Elko was arrested at 1150 Colt Drive for minor purchasing or consuming alcoholic beverage in a premises where sold. Bail: $355 The charges above do not imply guilt. Under the law, everyone is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 National Small Business Week celebrates Americas 30 million small businesses and the entrepreneurs who drive their success. And with the economy thriving, this is an especially good time for entrepreneurship. In the first quarter of the year, the U.S. economy experienced its best start to a year since 2015. The first-quarter gross domestic product expanded by 3.2%, beating economists expectations. Disposable income increased by 3%. Bold changes to tax policies are helping American small businesses and communities prosper. With confidence in the economy and more money in their pockets, consumers are spending money and small businesses are able to grow. Small businesses make up 99% of Nevada businesses, and they are creating jobs at higher rates than the national average. According to Nevadas March 2019 statewide economic report, jobs increased by 3.4%, the fastest pace in the nation for the sixth consecutive month. Unemployment is down in every county and metropolitan area in Nevada. Its clear that businesses are investing in their businesses and employees. During National Small Business Week, May 5-11, the U.S. Small Business Administration recognizes small businesses for their contribution to local communities. Superb Maids, a Las Vegas-based small business owned by childhood friends Elena Ledoux and Nargiza Mukhutdinovam, is being recognized as Nevadas 2019 Small Business of the Year. They employ more than 30 workers and offer flexible schedules, health insurance, retirement benefits and home-buying assistance for all employees as well as supporting their professional and personal goals. Last year, finding themselves in need of a larger building to accommodate their rapidly growing business, they received an SBA 504 Loan, a loan guaranteed by the federal government for small businesses acquiring fixed assets. During National Small Business Week, we spotlight local job creators and their contribution to local economies. Theres never been a better time to start a business. A key goal of the SBA is to ensure every entrepreneur has the resources to start and grow a business. The SBA Nevada District Office and local resource partners such as Small Business Development Centers, Womens Business Development Centers, SCORE chapters and Veterans Business Outreach Centers can be found at sba.gov. Michael Vallante is the regional administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administrations Region IX. He oversees the agencys programs and services in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii and Guam. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 PSOE supporters outside the party headquarters in Madrid. Jaime Villanueva Just two years after being ousted from the helm of the Socialist Party (PSOE) and returning to the post after winning party primaries, Pedro Sanchez has won Spains general election more decisively than expected. Sanchez has even come close to winning a large enough majority to be reinstated without help from Catalan separatist parties. Instead, he fell one seat short of the absolute majority (176 seats) that would result from an alliance of the PSOE with Unidas Podemos (an alliance of United Left and Podemos), the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) and another small group. But with 123 seats in Congress, up from 84, the acting prime minister is now in a very comfortable position thanks to a weakened opposition: the Popular Party (PP) has suffered a crushing defeat, managing only 66 deputies compared with 137 at the 2016 elections. And the Socialists will enjoy an absolute majority in the Senate, which had been dominated by the PP until now. PP leaders making statements following a disastrous outcome for the conservative party. Jesus Hellin (Europa Press) The ultra-nationalist Vox is also in a celebratory mood: it has become a new congressional presence with 24 deputies, representing 10.26% of the vote. Despite this victory, Vox will not play a decisive role in the formation of a new government, as it has fallen well short of the figures predicted by some pollsters. Spain now joins the list of European countries with a far-right party in parliament, although unlike in Italy, it will not wield power. Ciudadanos (Citizens) was one of the other big winners of the night, but theirs could be a useless success if the PSOE teams up with other parties in a leftist coalition. The center-right group expanded its presence from 32 representatives in 2016 to 57, making it the third-largest force in Congress, but its leader Albert Rivera ruled out a coalition with the PSOE during the campaign. Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera celebrating a considerable increase in seats. Eduardo Parra (Europa Press) Unidas Podemos retreated from 71 seats to 42, putting it in fourth place. Despite the loss of 30 deputies, the anti-austerity group has managed to do less badly than the polls were predicting, and its leader, Pablo Iglesias, will seek a governing coalition with the Socialists. For the first time since the return of democracy, Spain could have ministers ideologically to the left of the PSOE. The leftist bloc represented by the PSOE and Unidas Podemos ended up with 20 more seats than the combination of PP, Ciudadanos and Vox. Regional representation Meanwhile, the separatist Catalan Republican Left (ERC) has increased its presence in the national parliament from nine deputies in 2016 to 15, a significant rise. Another Catalan separatist group, Junts per Catalunya the party of former regional premier Carles Puigdemont earned seven seats. Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias preparing to address supporters on Sunday night. Alvaro Garcia Two other regional parties improved on their 2016 results: the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) earned one extra seat and now has seven deputies in Congress, while the radical leftist Basque party EH Bildu doubled its presence from two seats to four. The Canaries Coalition has two deputies, Navarra Suma earned two seats, the Valencia-based Compromis secured one, and the Regionalist Party of Cantabria (PRC) became the other new member of Congress after Vox with one representative. The Coalition for Melilla, from the Spanish exclave city on the northern coast of Africa, came very close to earning a seat as the vote count progressed. Dealmaking In this scenario, the PSOE is the only party able to build a governing majority. Ciudadanos has come close to overtaking the PP, and the sum of its deputies with the Socialist representatives would be enough for an absolute majority. But Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera has ruled out that possibility, and PSOE supporters standing outside party headquarters on Sunday night chanted: Not with Rivera! Vox supporters listen to party leader Santiago Abascal outside the Fenix Hotel in Madrid. Borja B Hojas (GTRES) It was a disastrous night for the right. The new leader of the PP, Pablo Casado, has led the party to the worst result in its entire history, well below even the most pessimistic forecasts. Nine months after taking over from Mariano Rajoy as party president, it is evident that Casados shift to the right has proven to be a terrible mistake: it has lost center voters to Ciudadanos, and ultra-conservative voters to Vox. Casado who, rarely for him, did not take any questions said that it was a very bad outcome but blamed fragmentation of the vote and appeared willing to remain at the helm of the party. The PP will now try to contain the losses at upcoming local and regional elections on May 26. The situation signals a complete change from just one year ago, when the PPs Mariano Rajoy was in power and the PSOE was doing dismally in the polls. Things began to change with the no-confidence vote led by Sanchez in June 2018, which triggered a power struggle in the right and brought the PSOE and Podemos in sync with each other. English version by Susana Urra. PSOE leader Pedro Sanchez. EFE With 99.9% of the vote counted, the Socialist Party (PSOE) has won 123 seats and Unidas Podemos (UP) the left-wing alliance between Podemos and United Left (IU) has taken 42 at the general election on Sunday. Together, these two parties account for 165 seats, which is below the 176 needed for an absolute majority. This means Sanchez will need the support of other parties if he is to be sworn in as prime minister. The right-wing bloc has also fallen short of an absolute majority. The conservative Popular Party (PP) won just 66, the center-right party Ciudadanos (Citizens) took 57 and the far-right party Vox won 24 seats in its debut national election. Together, the three parties account for 147 seats. Given that neither bloc has an absolute majority, what deals could be done to form a government? 1. PSOE and Ciudadanos. If the PSOE and Ciudadanos joined forces, they would account for 179 seats, three more than the 176 needed for an absolute majority. However, this option is not yet on the table. During the campaign, Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera insisted that he would never make deals with the Socialist government of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, a position that would keep them out of government. Within PSOE there is also opposition to a pact with Ciudadanos. After the election results were announced, supporters of the party yelled: Not with Rivera! Not with Rivera! outside PSOE headquarters in Madrid. A smiling Sanchez replied: I think thats pretty clear. 2. Without pro-independence parties. Another option is for Sanchez to reach an agreement with Unidas Podemos, the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) which has six seats, the Canaries Coalition (CC-PNC) which has two, the Compromis party from Valencia and the Cantabria Regional Party (PRC), which have one each. In this case, Sanchez would have the support of 175 deputies but would still need at least one abstention to be reinstated on the second vote, where only a simple majority is required. 3. With pro-independence parties. The sum of PSOE (123), Unidas Podemos (42), PNV (6), CCA-PMC (2), Compromis (1), the pro-Catalan independence parties Catalan Republic Left (ERC) with 15 seats and Junts Per Catalunya (Together for Catalonia) with seven seats, as well as the Basque far-left party EH Bildu, which won four seats, comes to 199 seats. This option for a government coalition is very unlikely, given that Sanchez has enough votes to lead a minority government. However, this agreement could be made to swear Sanchez in as prime minister in the first investiture vote where an absolute majority is required. It is the same combination that supported the no-confidence motion to oust former prime minister Mariano Rajoy (PP) from office. 4. PSOE and Unidas Podemos. A pact between PSOE and Unidas Podemos is 11 seats short of an absolute majority, meaning they would still need the support of other parties to get Sanchez voted back into office. 5. PP, Ciudadanos, Vox and Navarra Suma. The combination of PP (66), Ciudadanos (57), Vox (24) and Navarra Suma (UPN), which is a coalition of the PP, Ciudadanos and Navarrese Peoples Union, adds up to 149 seats, 27 seats short of an absolute majority. 6. PP, Ciudadanos and Navarra Suma. An alliance between the PP and Ciudadanos has no possibility of forming a government without the far-right party Vox. Without Vox, they have 123 votes, the same number won by PSOE. Even with the support of Navarra Suma, the parties would only have 125 seats. English version by Melissa Kitson. Santiago Abascal, en un colegio electoral de Pinar del Rey (Madrid). Luis Sevillano The Spanish far-right party Vox was expected to make historic gains at the general election on Sunday but ended up walking away with a more moderate result: 10.3% of the vote and 24 seats in Congress. During the election campaign, images of Voxs mass rallies fueled fears that the emerging group would make a deal with the conservative Popular Party (PP) and the center-right Ciudadanos (Citizens) to form a government. Instead Vox will have to resign itself to being in opposition as the fifth-strongest political force in Spain. Vox leaders blamed this failure on its rivals, the PP and Ciudadanos, for dividing the right Vox leaders blamed this failure on its rivals, the PP and Ciudadanos, for dividing the right. Javier Ortega Smith, the secretary general of Vox, said the two parties were incapable of throwing out the sectarian left from the Spanish government. Meanwhile, Vox leader Santiago Abascal said that the sole responsibility for the poor result lay with the inability, disloyalty, betrayal and fear of the cowardly right, in reference to the PP, for not opposing the left when it had 186 deputies under former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and handing over television, media and education to the dictatorship of progressives. Abascal admitted the election result was a source of joy but also concern because the right-wing bloc did not win enough votes to get rid of the Popular Front, a term he used to allude to the Socialist Party (PSOE), Unidas Podemos (UP) and the pro-independence parties, who are likely to reach a deal to form government. Spain is worse today than yesterday, he said. Vox is more needed than ever. Support for Vox at this years election was more than 50 times greater than that seen at the 2016 polls. From having no congressional representation, the far-right party now has 24 deputies in Congress. While the result should be cause for internal celebration, Vox leaders had raised expectations so high that it came as a disappointment. Abascal argued that the polls had underestimated support for Vox, as in Decembers Andalusian regional election, and bragged that many pollsters would have to shut down for failing to accurately predict the rise of the far-right party. Instead, Vox received fewer seats than the 29 to 37 predicted by the Centre for Sociological Research (CIS) voter intention survey. Support for Vox at this years election was more than 50 times greater than that seen at the 2016 polls Vox chose to celebrate the election results at the Fenix Hotel, an establishment on the corner of Colon square in Madrid, a stones throw from the headquarters of the PP. More than 280 journalists many from the foreign press asked for accreditation for the event, but only 84 were able to fit in the small press room. Once the polls closed, Rocio Monasterio, the head of Vox in Madrid, appeared before the press to say that there would be many Vox deputies in the new Congress. At that time, Voxs number one candidate for Barcelona, Ignacio Garriga, predicted that the party would win 70 seats the same number the anti-austerity party Podemos won at the 2016 election. As the vote was counted, the room where Vox leaders were following the results was firmly shut, and the few who left did so with long faces. Within Vox, many supporters had expressed concern that the show of right-wing force could mobilize the left on election day. At 10.30pm with almost 80% of the vote counted, Ortega left the hotel to encourage the hundreds of Vox supporters many of them young who had gathered near the hotel at Madrids Margaret Thatcher square, to watch the results on a large television screen. Ortega told the dejected supporters they should be very pleased and proud of what they had achieved despite being left out of the televised election debates and lacking the public funds of their rivals. Vox is here to stay Vox leader Santiago Abascal stated on Sunday that Vox is here to stay. The next challenge is the European, regional and municipal elections on May 26. With 24 deputies, Vox also aims to become the leading opposition force against the Socialist Party government that is now likely to emerge after Sundays result. As he cast his vote on Sunday in Madrid, Abascal maintained that the election would be historic, claiming millions of Spaniards are going to vote with hope and without fear of anybody or anything. Once the polls had opened, Vox shared an image on their official Twitter account of a warrior going into battle with a Spanish flag on his back. In the picture, the warrior wields a large sword as he faces feminist, communist, Republican symbols, as well as the mastheads and logos of EL PAIS, the radio station Cadena SER and the television channel La Sexta. The message read: The battle begins. In the regional elections in Andalusia last December, Vox obtained 395,978 votes, 10.97% of the total, and entered the regional parliament for the first time with 12 seats. At the last general election in 2016, the party received just 46,781 votes, 0.2% of the total. English version by Melissa Kitson. Thomas Handrick being led out of his home in Adeje, Tenerife. Rafa Avero Jonas has been saving candy for his brother for several days. He has been temporarily placed in a home at an undisclosed location, waiting for relatives to pick him up, playing with other children who speak in a language he does not understand. Jonas, who will turn eight in two weeks, was found among some bushes in La Quinta, a clutch of houses sitting in the high part of town in Adeje, on the island of Tenerife, a spot with spectacular views of the sea and the Teide volcano. When somebody kills without premeditation, they typically confess Investigators familiar with the case Rosi Perez, a local resident who found him looking scared and sunburnt, first thought he was a German child who had gotten lost walking in the hills. In fact, the little boy had just run away from his father, Thomas Handrick, 43, who had tried to kill his entire family. Jonas managed to escape from the cave where his mother and older brother were beaten to death with stones. Handricks residence is located in downtown Adeje, nine kilometers downhill from where Jonas was found. Investigators believe that it was inside this apartment, into which he moved two months ago, that Handrick planned how to kill his wife Sylvia Handrick, 39, and his two children Jakob, 10, and Jonas. He wasnt planning on leaving any of them alive, said judicial sources. The cave where the bodies were located. The mother and children were living in Halle, a city in northeast Germany, but they flew to Tenerife on Monday of last week to spend some time with Thomas. The couple was separated and the father had been living in the town of Adeje, with a registered population of 47,280, for the last two years. He himself had never registered on the local census, and had no known job despite early reports that he worked as a cook. His neighbors, who hardly ever spoke with him, describe him as a reserved man who spoke just a little bit of Spanish and spent his days reading on the balcony. Handrick rented a dark-blue van for the day trip he had planned for the family on Tuesday. All four of them got into the vehicle and he drove to a secluded area known as Ifonche, where he claimed to have hidden chocolate Easter eggs inside a cave. The cave was a three-hour walk away, and its particularly remote location has led investigators to presume that Handrick had probably been there earlier, and perhaps even picked out the stones with which he would attack his wife and children, said sources familiar with the case. Their main theory is that he first killed Sylvia while the children attempted to defend her by throwing stones at their father, who had injuries on his right cheek when he was arrested. Afterwards, Jonas ran off and walked aimlessly all by himself, covering four kilometers until he showed up in La Quinta, dirty and sunburnt. The first person who spoke in German with him was Annelies B., a Dutch woman who lives in the area. Jonas told her he had avoided the road so as not to run into his father. The bodies of the mother and older brother were found at different spots inside the cave. They were very disfigured, and DNA tests were required to confirm their identities, said Civil Guard sources familiar with the investigation. The woman had sustained most of the blows, to her head and larynx. The child had many blows to the head and one on his back, and both showed signs of having defended themselves. Their main theory is that he first killed Sylvia while the children attempted to defend her by throwing stones at their father Preliminary autopsy results confirmed a violent death from multiple cranial fractures, said judicial sources. Investigators have requested information from German authorities to find out whether Thomas Handrick has a criminal record, and to ask for his medical records. Until now, his only words have been to ask for medication for his leg, which he says hurts. He has refused to make any statements, and has not asked about his surviving child. The judge at a courthouse in Arona specializing in violence against women placed the suspect in provisional detention on Friday after he refused to give a statement at his hearing, and he was sent to Tenerife II penitentiary in the northern part of the island. Prosecutors will seek a life sentence with a possibility of review. Prosecutors in the German city of Halle have also initiated criminal proceedings. The victims came from this city and had German citizenship, so we have opened a case, said a spokesperson for the prosecution service in Halle. The same source said she did not know whether Sylvia Handrick had any family members in the city. Premeditated On Friday, the Civil Guard took Handrick back to his apartment to look for the medication. Neighbors received him with cries of Murderer! He still has marks on his right cheek from the struggle inside the cave. The fact that he has not broken down at any point since his arrest is a sign that the crime was premeditated, not an impulsive act, say investigators. When somebody kills without premeditation, they typically confess, note experts on this matter. It is unclear when Jonas will be able to leave the center where he has been temporarily placed. His aunt in Germany has talked to him on the phone, but his relatives are reportedly not coming to pick him up. They are said to be very intensely affected by the crime and have been told it is best not to travel. A German priest who is a friend of the family will likely be in charge of taking Jonas back to Germany, said sources at the Canary Islands social policy department. Annelies B, the Dutch woman who first spoke to Jonas in German after he was found by local residents. EL PAIS Before that, the little boy will have to give one single statement, aided by psychologists and interpreters, which will be recorded. He will be asked what he saw before running from the cave. He has not yet been told that his mother and brother are dead. When Jonas was younger he was interviewed for a corporate magazine published by his mothers employer, a tech company named GISA. The article showcased Sylvia Handricks efforts to combine a career with family life. A smiling Jonas is seen posing for the camera with a ball, and he says that his mother works on the computer and makes money so we can go on vacation. Jonas Handrick was initially the only clue the investigators had to finding the suspect. When he told them that the family had rented a car at an airport, investigators began showing him photographs of vehicles until he pointed at a model: a dark blue Volkswagen Caddy. It soon emerged that the rental company Hertz, which has an office at the southern airport of Reina Sofia, had rented such a vehicle to a German citizen on April 22. This led the police straight to Handricks home. They found him in his pajamas, about to go to bed. He had injuries on his knuckles that suggested he had punched someone, and scratches on his face. This prompted the police decide to take him into custody. I fell down a ravine and hurt myself when I grabbed some stones, he told them. English version by Susana Urra. ICYMI: Here are our top stories from Monday, April 29 Here are some of the top stories from The Kathmandu Post (April 29, 2019). Individual public body with extended powers could be created instead of Ukroboronprom Deputy NSDC secretary Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine Serhiy Kryvonos has said that instead of the Ukroboronprom state concern an individual public body with extended powers will be created, the press service of the NSDC has reported. "Instead of the state concern, a separate public body with expanded powers will be created, to which the enterprises participating in the concern will be subordinated," Kryvonos said on Channel 5 TV. According to him, the restructuring of the Ukroboronprom will contribute to the reduction of corruption risks in the defense sector. "According to the new bill [regarding the liquidation of the Ukroboronprom], a very large number of existing intermediary firms will be eliminated," the NSDC deputy secretary said. He also said that the bill provides for an increase in the level of transparency of the public defense procurement. Ukraine and Poland boosted military spending in 2018 by 21% and 8.9% respectively, while Russia cut it by 3.5%, according to a fact sheet on military expenditure in the world published on April 29 by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). According to the report, several countries in Central and Eastern Europe made large increases in their military expenditure in 2018. Spending by Poland rose by 8.9% in 2018 to $11.6 billion, while Ukraine's spending was up by 21% to $4.8 billion. At $61.4 billion, Russian military spending was the sixth highest in the world in 2018. Its spending decreased by 3.5% compared with 2017. In general, military spending in Eastern Europe decreased. "The increases in Central and Eastern Europe are largely due to growing perceptions of a threat from Russia. This is despite the fact that Russian military spending has fallen for the past two years," Pieter Wezeman, a senior researcher with the SIPRI's Arms and Military Expenditure Programme (AMEX), said. Total world military expenditure in 2018 rose to $1.82 trillion, which a marginal increase of 2.6% in real terms from 2017. Volodymyr Zelensky, who has won the presidential election in Ukraine, has said he is ready for talks to settle the situation in Donbas, but suggests that the language of threats should not be used. He expressed hope that the Russian Federation would show its readiness for de-escalation during talks in the "Normady format." "Mutual exchange of our citizens in the 'all for all' forma should become a specific confirmation of this readiness. Without any exceptions. We, for our part, are ready to discuss new conditions of co-existence of Ukraine and Russia. With the understanding that real normalization will only take place after full de-occupation. Both of Donbas and Crimea. Ukraine doesn't give up! In all senses of this word," Zelensky said in response to the statements made by Russian President Vladimir Putin at a press conference in Beijing on Saturday. Ukraine and Ukrainians should not be talked to using a language of threats, military or economic pressure, Zelensky said. "It's not the best way to a ceasefire and unblocking the Minsk process. However, I hope that people in Russia still want to talk more than shoot," he said. "Indeed, I am not God for my wishes to come true. But I also remember that time will come when all officials will have to answer honestly for their actions in front of Him. No one will get into the Paradise straight away. There will be the Judgement first," Zelensky said. Volodymyr Zelensky, who has won the presidential election in Ukraine, has said Ukrainians are free people and they know the price of Russian passports well. "Firstly, I would not advise the Russian authorities to waste their time trying to lure citizens of Ukraine with Russian passports. Probably there are some people who are still under the influence of propaganda. Maybe someone will do it for the sake of earnings or in an attempt to escape from criminal investigations. We can even provide Vladimir Putin with a list of citizens of Ukraine who will start feeling very uncomfortable in the country, which they cynically robbed, abusing their high posts, in the near future. Let Russia decide again where it needs such 'professionals' more, in Rostov or in Magadan," Zelensky said in his statement released by his press service following the statement made by Russian President Vladimir Putin about the idea of giving Russian citizenship to all citizens of Ukraine who want it, using simplified procedures. Zelensky said that Ukraine has freedom of speech, free media and the Internet. "Therefore, we know perfectly well what a Russian passport actually means. This is the right to be arrested for a peaceful protest. This is the right not to have free and competitive elections. This is the right to forget about the existence of natural rights and freedoms. One should not count on Ukrainians as they will not want to become 'new oil,' into which the Russian authorities are trying to transform their own people," he said. "The people of Ukraine are free people in a free country, independent, sovereign and indivisible, and Ukrainian citizenship is freedom, dignity and honor," Zelensky said. "It's what we have defended and will defend. Ukraine will not give up its mission to serve as an example of democracy for the post-Soviet countries. And this mission will include the provision of protection, shelter and Ukrainian citizen ship to everyone who is ready to fight for freedom. We will provide shelter and assistance to everyone, everyone who is ready to fight side by side with us for our and your freedom," he said. Zelensky also declared his readiness to grant citizenship of Ukraine to Russians who suffer from an authoritarian regime. "We will provide Ukrainian citizenship to representatives of all peoples who suffer from authoritarian and corrupt regimes. First of all, to Russians, who today suffer almost more than everyone," he said. Russia-led forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, no casualties were reported, the press center of the Joint Forces Operation's (JFO) headquarters has said. "On April 28, Russia-led forces violated the cease fire three times, twice of them using 82 mm mortars forbidden by the Minsk agreements. The enemy also shelled our defenders with grenade launchers of various systems and small arms.... No casualties among the servicemen are reported," JFO HQ said in the message, on its official page in the Facebook social network on Monday morning. Militants used weapons banned by the Minsk agreements. "In the area of responsibility of the Vostok (East) operational-tactical grouping , the enemy twice fired upon the JFO positions: using 82 mm mortars, hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers and small arms - near the settlement of Shyrokyne; using 82 mm mortars near the settlement of Pisky," JFO HQ said. In addition, the settlement of Krymske was subjected to shelling. "From the beginning of the current day, the enemy using grenade launchers of various systems, large-caliber machine guns and small arms fired at the JFO positions near the village of Shyrokyne in the area of responsibility of the Vostok operational tactical group," JFO HQ reported. According to the Ukrainian intelligence, casualties among militants of the illegal armed groups were recorded in non-combat conditions: two militants died, one was injured. Ukraine is drafting plans to expand its military and technical cooperation with NATO members and is in talks with Boeing to develop partnership on aircraft repairs, Serhiy Kryvonos, the National Defense and Security Council's (NDSC) First Deputy Secretary and Head of the inter-agency commission for military-technical cooperation and export control, said on April 26. Kryvonos told Channel 5 TV that Ukraine had already held the first round of talks over cooperation with the U.S. corporation, the NDSC press service said on Friday. Promising areas of partnership include setting up large-sized unit assembly and aircraft repair facilities in Ukraine for the United States and developing Ukraine's manufacturing infrastructure to ensure maintenance of Boeing aircraft in Ukraine, Kryvonos said. The talks "set the general direction for mutually beneficial partnership with Boeing," details will be discussed during next rounds in May and June, Kryvonos said. Kyiv hopes to set up industrial cooperation with Boeing, which should enable Ukraine to step up military and technical cooperation with NATO members and might send signals to potential Western investors in Ukraine's defense industry, he said. "For us this means thousands of jobs, an opportunity to make our army stronger, strengthening positions on international markets," Kryvonos said. For Boeing, strategic military and technical cooperation with Ukraine would be "quite a successful project allowing it to become stronger on its own market as well," Kryvonos said. It was reported that the Kyiv-based Civil Aviation Plant 410, member of the Ukroboronprom state defense concern, in the wake of geopolitical changes had begun making plans with Western partners to set up in Ukraine repair and maintenance facilities for Airbus and Boeing aircraft and U.S. Robinson helicopters. According to earlier Ukrainian assessments, by 2024, such facilities would service up to 40 western aircraft per year. The Plant 410 was also reportedly planning to set up a certified maintenance center for Robinson helicopters. In 2017, the Plant 410 signed a memorandum of cooperation and upgrade with the U.S. company Rockwell Collins. According to Ukrainian data, alone with upgrading aircraft with modern onboard avionics, the Kyiv aircraft repair plant was planning to become the regional dealer for Rockwell Collins and perform warranty repairs on its own. Civil Aviation Plant 410 is the only Ukrainian enterprise which repairs Antonov aircraft and D-36 engines. In June 2015 the plant became a member of Ukroboronprom. The next month the plant received a NATO certificate of compliance of its services with NATO standards. At last year's Farnborough airshow Ukroboronprom's Antonov and Boeing's Aviall Services, Inc. signed a General Terms Agreement on the joint production of upgraded An-148, An-158 and An-178 aircraft. In April, talks over Boeing's potential involvement in a program to upgrade Ukrainian combat (fighter, attack) aircraft were held in Kyiv. Currently Ukraine and the United States are contemplating the possibility of developing bilateral military and technical cooperation, including boosting Ukraine's air defense system and renewing its Navy. The de facto "Supreme Court" in Crimea has decided not to take into account the term spent by Ukrainian political prisoner Volodymyr Balukh in the remand center as day for a day and a half, thus extending the term of keeping him in the penal colony in Russia, the Crimean Human Rights Group has reported. According to human rights activists, the "deputy prosecutor" asked to annul the judgement under an appeal of the "Supreme Court" in Crimea regarding Balukh in relation to taking into account the term of staying under house arrest as the term imprisonment. The "prosecutor's office" asked to recalculate the term and transfer the criminal case for a new appeal hearing by a new panel of "judges." However, the "judge" decided that the term spent by Balukh in the remand center as day for a day and a half is not taken into account. The decision taken by this "judge" does not comply with Part 3 of Article 72 of the Russian Criminal Code, according to which, the time of detention is counted in the term of imprisonment with the calculation of the day for a day and a half, the Crimean Human Rights Group reported. The "judge" even did not sent the case for the repeated appeal hearing as "the prosecutor's office" asked to do. Head of the Crimean Human Rights Group Olha Skrypnik expressed hope that the "judge" will understand the mistake she had made, and the term of Balukh in the remand center will be calculated as a day and a half. Otherwise, defending lawyers will challenge this decision of the "court." Ukrainian political activist Balukh, who placed the Ukrainian flag over his house in the occupied Crimea and refused to take it down on the local authorities' demands, was detained in December 2016. Crimea's Rozdolne district court originally sentenced him to three years and seven months of imprisonment in a low-security penal colony and to a fine of 10,000 Russian rubles. Balukh's defense team said then the case was fabricated, and his verdict would be appealed in courts of higher instances. Then the Russia-controlled Rozdolne district court changed his sentence to five years in prison in a combination of two criminal cases. The Crimean farmer was accused of illegal possession of weapons and explosives (Part 1 of Article 222 and Part 1 of Article 222.1) and Part 2 of Article 321 (disorganization of the activities of institutions providing isolation from society) of Russia's Criminal Code. On October 3, 2018, the so-called Supreme Court of Crimea commuted Balukh's sentence by one month. In October 2018, Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Liudmyla Denisova said after the decision of the so-called Supreme Court to commute Balukh's sentence he would be able to apply for parole. However, on January 25, 2019, the Russia-controlled Kerch city court refused to release Balukh on parole. Since March 29, 2019 Balukh has been staying in the penal colony in the town of Torzhok, Tver region (the Russian Federation). Putin hopes can find common language with Zelensky, after latter says some Russians may be granted Ukrainian citizenship Russian President Vladimir Putin said he believes that Ukrainian President-elect Volodymyr Zelensky's statement on granting Ukrainian citizenship to some Russians he made in reply to Putin's decision to facilitate the issuance of Russian passports to Donbas residents shows that Zelensky and he could find a common language on some matters. "Really? Did he said exactly that? Well, that's very good. This shows that perhaps we could reach some agreement," Putin said in commenting on Zelensky's statement regarding the issuance of Ukrainian passports to Russian citizens. "We have a lot in common. If we have common citizenship, this would only benefit both Russians and Ukrainians," Putin said. This would bring the two nations closer together and make them more successful, he said. Putin reiterated his conviction that Russians and Ukrainians essentially belong to the same ethnic group, even though they have their specifics, culture, and languages. Putin also considers it necessary to return Ukrainian citizenship to former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili and other Ukrainians who left the country fleeing from the regime. "It would be fair to return a Ukrainian passport to someone who in the past was a Georgian but now considers himself a Ukrainian. I'm referring to Mikheil Nikolozovich Saakashvili," Putin told journalists. Saakashvili was "illegally deprived of citizenship, illegally expelled from the country," he said. "It [citizenship] should be returned, and his infringed rights should be reinstated, just as those of certain other Ukrainian citizens who were forced to leave the country's territory and depart for the promised lands, fleeing from prosecution by the current Ukrainian regime," Putin said. Earlier on April 29, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that the Kremlin is thinking about making all citizens of Ukraine eligible for acquiring Russian citizenship, but no decisions have yet been made on this account. While Peskov was speaking to journalists on Monday, he was reminded of President Vladimir Putin's earlier remark that the issuance of Russian passports to residents of all of Ukraine had been under consideration. Peskov was asked in this context whether Russian passports would be issued to all applicants and whether those Ukrainian citizens who acquire Russian citizenship would be required to move to Russia. "It's too early to talk about such modalities. The president has said the matter is on the agenda in general and is being thought about. However, no general decisions have yet been made with regard to all citizens of Ukraine. So far, the president has only signed a decree on easing the procedures of acquiring passports for Donbas residents, which is exclusively humanitarian in nature. There are no other details yet," Peskov said. As concerns residents of Donbas, they would not stop being such on acquiring Russian passports, Peskov said. At present, Donbas residents "are absolutely rejected by their country in terms of social support, in terms of banking services, and in terms of housing and utilities," he said. "Yes, we've heard the statement by the president-elect [Ukrainian President-elect Volodymyr Zelensky] that Ukraine would, so to speak, encourage and urge these people to return to Ukraine. But how this happens and when is unclear. These people feel absolutely abandoned now, they are experiencing difficulties without certain documents, and possession of Russian passports is something that could make their lives easier," Peskov said. utin had said on April 27 that Russia might facilitate the issuance of its passports not only to residents of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine but also to all Ukrainian citizens. Zelensky said in reply the same day that "firstly, I would not advise the Russian authorities to waste their time trying to lure citizens of Ukraine with Russian passports." "And part of this mission will be the granting of protection, asylum, and Ukrainian citizenship to all those prepared to fight for freedom. We will provide asylum and assistance to all those who stand ready to fight side by side with us for our and your freedom," Zelensky said. "Probably there are some people who are still under the influence of propaganda. Maybe someone will do it for the sake of earnings or in an attempt to escape from criminal investigations. We can even provide Vladimir Putin with a list of citizens of Ukraine who will start feeling very uncomfortable in the country, which they cynically robbed, abusing their high posts, in the near future. Let Russia decide again where it needs such 'professionals' more, in Rostov or in Magadan," Zelensky said in a statement spread by his team. Zelensky also declared his readiness to grant citizenship of Ukraine to Russians who suffer from an authoritarian regime. "We will provide Ukrainian citizenship to representatives of all peoples who suffer from authoritarian and corrupt regimes. First of all, to Russians, who today suffer almost more than everyone," he said. The entourage of incumbent President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, who lost the run-off of the presidential election to Volodymyr Zelensky, is spreading fake news being actively spread, including by Russian media, which could be evidence of tight cooperation of the cronies of Poroshenko with Russian media, the team of Zelensky has said in a statement. "Despite the crushing defeat of Petro Poroshenko in the presidential election, the "fake library" of his name continues its dirty deed. For example, over the past few days, people from Petro Poroshenko's entourage have fabricated several frankly false news that, nevertheless, went to mass media, including, the Russian ones. This pushes on the conclusion of close cooperation between Poroshenko's inner circle and the Russian media in order to discredit the newly elected president of Ukraine," Zelensky's press service said on Monday. Zelensky said that People's Deputy from the Bloc of Petro Poroshenko parliamentary faction Volodymyr Ariev, who "previously called Zelensky a drug addict in his social media pages, and who, by the way, personally encountered European law enforcement agencies smuggling drugs," said the fact that on holiday in Turkey during a barbecue lunch, German politician Gregor Gysi, who lobbies for the interests of Russia in PACE in matters of sanctions against the Russian Federation, was seen next to Zelensky. "Then it turned out that this was an employee of a Turkish restaurant, the cook Firat was next to Zelensky. Fake newsmaker Ariev updated his Facebook post and even apologized, but his false message was spread in the media," the press service said. South Africa: Former Mangaung manager starts 10-year sentence Governments fight against corruption will see a former manager in Mangaung Local Municipality (MLM) start his 10-year prison sentence this morning. Lehlohonolo Percival Nakedi, 54, who was the general manager responsible for mechanical services, is expected to hand himself over to a correctional facility in Bloemfontein. He was given a 10-year sentence for corruption, eight years for fraud, eight for money laundering and seven years for contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Second Amendment Act, suspended for three years in 2014 by the Bloemfontein Regional Court. The sentences will run concurrently. The case relates to Nakedis manipulation of the procurement processes in the municipality, where two companies were awarded a vehicle tracking system contract in exchange for gratification. In 2003, Sitech Systems (Pty) Ltd entered into a contract with the municipality to install the tracking devices. A year later, a tender was issued to formalise the service and three companies were shortlisted. Sitech Systems was not among the companies. However, through Nakedi, they were offered the contract even when they were not shortlisted. A local company, Sinako Property Solutions, was sub-contracted since Sitech Sytems were Gauteng-based. For his efforts, Nakedi was rewarded with at least R230 000 between April and October 2004. It also transpired that Mzwandile Silwana, the Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation at MLM and his wife Mrs Brigette Silwana, through their company Sinani Management Solutions, also benefited from the tender. The two and nine other defendants were charged and convicted to 10 and seven years respectively in 2012 by the Bloemfontein High Court for corruption, money laundering and fraud. Nakedi was charged and tried separately in the Bloemfontein Regional Court and subsequently convicted in 2013. He was sentenced in 2014. However, he appealed the sentence at the Bloemfontein High Court. Nakedi went on to approach the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) and was not successful. His last hope, the Constitutional Court, also ruled that his application had no reasonable prospects of success. South Africans are encouraged to report any suspected fraud and corruption. Governments anti-corruption and fraud hotline number is 0800 701 701. Other anti-corruption hotlines in government include: Human Settlements: 0800 204401 Government Employees Pension Fund: 0800 43 43 73 Traffic: 0861 400 800 (not toll free) South African Revenue Service: 0800 00 28 70 South African Social Security Agency (SASSA): 0800601011. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-04-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Inclusion of railway in Chinas Belt and Road renews optimism in Nepal While the inclusion of the cross-border railway in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a significant step since Nepal signed up to Chinese President Xi Jinpings flagship foreign policy initiative in May 2017, opinions are still divided. A war of words has erupted again between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. But it would be in no countrys interest to see trade disrupted in this vital international waterway. Furthermore, unilateral military action on Irans part would be a grave mistake. On Monday, April 22 the United States announced it would end sanctions waivers for countries importing oil from Iran, with the object of ending all Iranian oil exports. In apparent response, Alireza Tangsiri, the head of Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps navy force said that if we are prevented from using [the Hormuz Strait], we will close it. In the event of any threats, we will not have the slightest hesitation to protect and defend Irans waterway. This is not the first time Iran has used a threat to close the Strait as leverage. Last year President Hassan Rouhani said that if the United States persisted in its efforts to cut Irans oil exports, Tehran would see to it that no country in the region would be able to export oil. Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Rouhanis threat reflected the regimes official policy. President Trump responded angrily, cautioning Iran to never ever threaten the United States again or you will suffer consequences the like of which few throughout history have ever suffered before. The Hormuz Strait is a critical international waterway through which passes almost a fifth of the worlds crude oil supply. The prospect of reduced oil exports from Iran and instabilities in the region have caused a recent spike in oil prices, and the actual closure of Hormuz would be even more disruptive to energy markets. Tehran seems to think it has nothing to lose by threatening to close the Strait. After all, if the United States can pressure other countries not to import oil from Iran, then the Islamic Republic would not lose more by closing Hormuz than leaving it open. The strategy seems to be, if Iran suffers, then the region will suffer. However, this would be a grave error on Irans part. The Hormuz Strait is a protected international channel and attempting to close it by force would be illegal. Iran claims rights over the entire Strait, but most of the deep shipping lanes are in the territorial waters of Oman. More importantly, Article 37 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) guarantees transit passage to waterways used for international navigation between one part of the high seas or an exclusive economic zone and another part of the high seas or an exclusive economic zone. This would clearly apply to the Strait of Hormuz. And while the United States is not a party to the treaty it has recognized provisions of the agreement as operative parts of customary international law. If Iran took unilateral action to prevent transit through the Strait it would constitute a casus belli for countries that utilize Hormuz for shipping, or indeed for any country seeking to enforce international rights, to do so. Perhaps Tehran believes that sympathetic countries on the United Nations Security Council like Russia would veto any attempt to authorize the use of force to reopen the Strait, but the disruption caused by the closure could be so profound that it would test even Moscows willingness to stand by its strategic partner. As well, the United States and countries in the Gulf region would undoubtedly be prepared to take military action regardless of whether the United Nations authorized the use of force or not. President Trump in particular would not think that the United States was legally constrained in its response to Irans provocations simply because the UN chose not to act. Reopening the Strait would not be an easy task. Both the U.S. and Iran have prepared for this conflict scenario for decades. The 2002 Millennium Challenge wargame showed just how costly such a confrontation could be, with the U.S. Navy losing a simulated aircraft carrier and ten cruisers to Iranian unconventional attacks. Coalition naval forces would not simply rush into the Strait to be set upon by swarms of drones, small fast-attack boats, and shore-launched anti-ship missiles. There would be thorough preparation of the battlespace by air assets and special operations forces before any capital ships were placed in harms way. And there is no reason to believe that the U.S. military response to a Strait closure would be limited to the Hormuz area. All Iranian military surface vessels and submarines, whether deployed or in port, would be considered legitimate targets, as well as any Iranian military aircraft. Irans communications infrastructure would be targeted, as well as its supply centers, command and control nodes, and high-level military leadership. An open military confrontation of this type would also support the argument for launching strategic strikes against Irans known or suspected nuclear facilities. It would be a mistake for Iran to respond to economic pressure with open warfare. The renewed economic sanctions are not intended to bring about conflict but to encourage Tehran to agree to negotiations over a wide-ranging agreement to replace the flawed 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. As the president stated last year, this proposed approach would seek to eliminate the threat of Irans ballistic missile program; to stop its terrorist activities worldwide; and to block its menacing activity across the Middle East, as well as end Irans nuclear ambitions. Closing the Strait of Hormuz would only further isolate Iran in the international community, hinder negotiations, and create conditions for conflict for which Tehran would pay a terrible price. The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of Radio Farda A member of Irans Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) was killed in a shootout on April 24 in the Kurdistan province, Mehr news agency reported. Irans military often clashes with dissident Kurds in the west and northwest of the country. Several Kurdish armed groups, opposed to the Islamic Republic or advocating outright secession for Kurdish-populated areas, have sanctuaries in neighboring Iraq. In the latest incident, Mehr said anti-revolutionary troublemakers opened fire in a place close to the town of Kamiaran in Kurdistan. Irans officials and government-controlled media label all opponents of the Islamic Republic anti-revolutionaries and accuse them of collaboration with enemies. In February, Irans intelligence ministry announced the arrest of 13 elements in Kurdistan and claimed they were linked to the Islamic State group. Some in Iranian Kurdistan claim that close to 100 Kurdish dissidents are on death row. In September 2018 Iran executed three young Kurds accused of armed rebellion against the Islamic Republic. Controlling social networks at the time of crises is a "must" that should "seriously be considered," says the head of the Islamic Republic's Passive Defense Organization (PDO), Brigadier General Gholamreza Jalali. Jalali, who is a Revolutionary Guard general, made the remarks April 28 while visiting Bushehr, the home of Iran's sole nuclear power reactor, to supervise a drill labeled as "Radiation maneuver", without providing more details. Iran has witnessed scores of radiation drills in recent years. Echoing repeated calls of the Islamic Republic's conservative authorities for more restrictions on using the internet in Iran, Jalali asserted, "During crises, social networks provoke people against the government and pressure the executive administration; therefore, it should be controlled." On the same day, Irans Supreme Leader used the murder of a clergyman by a gun owner active on social media, to call for more monitoring and possible restrictions on cyberspace to safeguard the public. As economic conditions worsen in Iran, people in the ruling establishment voice more concern about possible unrest. Experience of the last ten years show that social media can be used effectively to mobilize protesters in Iran. International organizations have always blamed the Islamic Republic for strict censorship and filtering of the internet, as well as blocking social media sites, monitoring users and even arresting those who exhibit dissent. Based on the latest report by Reporters Without Borders on media freedom around the globe, out of 180 countries of the world, Iran ranks 170th, dropping six points in ranking since the last survey. The restriction is so damaging that even the Islamic Republic's President, Hassan Rouhani lamented last February that there are "no free media in Iran," adding, "We made a mistake by filtering (social media and other internet outlets)." Nevertheless, it was reported nearly three months ago that the Rouhani Administration had decided to hold an "internet disconnection drill." Attacking free access to the internet and social media is wildly spreading among the conservatives dominating Iran, as fear of unrest grows and their inability to enforce social restrictions becomes more evident. "If cyberspace is not managed properly, the Islamic Republic's situation will deteriorate further," warned the Islamic Republic Prosecutor-General, mid-ranking cleric Mohammad Jafar Montazeri. Meanwhile, an ultraconservative clergyman, officially recognized as Grand Ayatollah," Nasser Makarem Shirazi has labeled the internet and social media as "swamps" and an environment made for corruption. "The reason behind most divorce cases and teaching misappropriate behavior is cyberspace and the temptations hidden in social media," Makarem Shirazi has insisted. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Tehran may pull out of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NRT) as part of retaliatory measures as the United States tightens sanctions. "The Islamic Republic's choices are numerous, and the country's authorities are considering them.. and leaving NPT is one of them," Iranian state media quoted Zarif as saying on April 28. Zarifs comments come as Irans top general warned on April 28 that Tehran could close the strategic Strait of Hormuz shipping route if it faces more "hostility. "We are not after closing the Strait of Hormuz but if the hostility of enemies increase, we will be able to do so," armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri told the ISNA news agency. Washington has been stepping up the political and economic pressure on Tehran since President Donald Trump took office in January 2017. Trump in May 2018 announced Washington's withdrawal from the landmark 2015 nuclear pact and reimposed sanctions on Tehran that had been eased as terms of the accord. Earlier this month, the White House announced it has decided not to reissue waivers in May allowing importers to buy Iranian oil without facing U.S. sanctions. "This decision is intended to bring Iran's oil exports to zero, denying the regime its principal source of revenue," the White House said in a statement on April 21. Iran has threatened in the past to leave the NPT and repeatedly warned it could shut down the strait, a vital shipping lane for international oil supplies, should it find its national interests or security threatened. "We believe Iran will continue to sell its oil...[and] use the Strait of Hormuz. But if the United States takes the crazy measure of trying to prevent us from doing that, then it should be prepared for the consequences," Zarif said on April 24. The 2015 Iran nuclear deal with six world powers -- Britain, China, France, Russia, the United States, and Germany -- had given Tehran sanctions relief in exchange for curbing its nuclear program and ensuring it is not trying to produce nuclear weapons. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, mehr.com The labor union for the Haft Tappeh Sugar Mill workers says workers' representative Esmail Bakhshi and labor movement activist Sepideh Qolian have been transferred from a prison in Ahvaz, Khouzestan Province, to Tehran's Evin Prison. The union's page on the social networking platform Telegram reported on Sunday April 28 that the inmates' dossiers have also been sent to Tehran for hearing at bench 7 of the court that is based in Evin Prison. Bakhshi, Qolian and another inmate Amir Qoli, were arrested and jailed in January along with several others following protests at the Sugar Mill and the town where it is based. Amir Qoli and two others, Sanaz Allahyari and Amir Hossein Mohammadi Fard were arrested for publishing an online journal covering the protests. Bakhshi and Qolian were arrested again after being released from jail in February as they disclosed that they were tortured in jail. No trial has been held for the five inmates so far. Activists hope that they will stand trial in Tehran. The commander of Irans extra-territorial military Qods force, Qassem Soleimani told a gathering in Tehran on Monday that people believe negotiations in the current conditions is pure surrender and we will not bow so low. The 62-year-old general also said that the way out of the current conditions is resistance economy, a term coined by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to show defiance in the face of international and U.S. sanctions. Soleimanis remarks come at a time when Irans foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed willingness to negotiate over prisoners held by Iran and Iranians convicted of crimes in the United States and possibly in other Western countries. The reference to current conditions most probably points to Irans near total economic isolation as a result of tough sanctions imposed by president Donald Trumps administration, which have drastically reduced Irans oil exports, cutting off billions of dollars of badly needed revenues. There have been no clear indications from Washington if the U.S. is willing to negotiate over prisoners. Officials have called on Iran to show seriousness by releasing people charged on vague and dubious grounds. Soleimani who has led the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps Qods force for more than two decades, was speaking in an event, which brought together commanders and managers of Irans police forces. Some two months after massive swarms of locusts attacked southern Iran, the government allocated a 10 billion tuman budget for fighting the pest, Mehr news agency reported on Monday April 29. Mehr added that the Iranian Pest Control Authority had called for a 12 billion tuman [roughly $1,200,000 at the market rate and $3 million at the government rate] budget in February, at least two months before the locusts attacked, not knowing the possible extent of the attack. In Mid-April, the authority warned the government that confronting the threat of locusts might be impossible if they do not get the pest prevention budget within two weeks. The authority added that coupled with the impact of recent floods in Iran, the locust attack could dramatically damage the region's economy causing a major crisis if urgent measures are not taken by the government. In the meantime, migrating locusts covered farmlands in southwestern, southern and southeastern Iran from the West, reaching areas as far as Sistan and Baluchestan province neighboring Pakistan. The latest widespread locust attack on Iran's farmlands took place in 1961 causing damages to 2,500,000 hectares of lands. Tehran Prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi will leave his post next week, reported Fars news agency on Monday April 29. The Fars report said that Dolatabadi had asked to be removed from his post as prosecutor and that Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Raeesi has approved his request. The report said, based on indications, Dolatabadi will be replaced by Fars Province Justice Administration Chief Alqasi Mehr. The handover is likely to take place next week, Fars reported. Iranian activists reacted with comments on social media and websites that Mehr is known to be a hardliner judge who has endorsed harsh Islamic punishments in the past, such as amputation of limbs. Dolatabadi has been one of Iran's most hardliner Judiciary officials during the past ten years and is known for passing judgements before trials even took place. He is also known for interventions in the affairs of the legislative and executive branches, while the three bodies of the government in Iran are supposed to be independent of each other, based on the country's Constitution. Iran's Judiciary head is appointed by the Supreme Leader and during Ali Khamenei's 30-year tenure, they have increasingly followed a tough policy against ordinary crimes such as petty theft and political dissidents, while many cases of corruption have not been followed up. Baku, Azerbaijan, April 29 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops 22 times, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said April 29, Trend reports. 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 29 Trend: A lot of problems exist in the region of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and no one should turn a blind eye to them, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly George Tsereteli on April 29, Trend reports citing BelTA. Lets agree that there are a lot of problems in our common home, and we must address them, Lukashenko said. Among those problem he mentioned the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The president remarked that he probably criticizes the Organization for weak reaction too often, but resolution of the existing problems is a priority for the OSCE. First and above all, the Organization is responsible for security on the European continent, and it is absolutely unacceptable to ignore those problems, the head of state said. Aleksandr Lukashenko added that there were not any meetings for the heads of states under the auspices of the OSCE for a long time. During those meetings the leaders could discuss current issues and try to find a way out from the situation, he said. The last event of this kind took place in Astana in 2010, and an even bigger conference took place in Istanbul in 1999, he noted. It was a strong conference, he said. Unfortunately, the leaders have not gathered together since then. In the meantime, there are a lot of issues, and they cannot be ignored. It is necessary to gather together and address them. If the participants of the meeting do not manage to solve those problems, they will at least make plans and determine prospects. If not, what is the purpose of the organization? The president continued by adding, You can always rely on our support and our honesty and sincerity in all fields. George Tsereteli, in turn, thanked the Belarusian head of state for the organization of the 26th annual session of the Parliamentary Assembly in Minsk in July 2017. He also pointed out a special nature of friendly and business relations with the chairmen of the chambers of Belarusian parliament. I met with Mr Andreichenko [chairman of the House of Representatives] for the third time, he said. It symbolizes Belarus proactivity in our organization, and we also want to work with the country. He agreed with Aleksandr Lukashenko that there are pending issues in the OSCE region. When your neighbors have problems, these are your problems, Tsereteli said. I agree with you that the OSCE is a very serious organization, and many countries including Belarus are doing a lot to strengthen it. We are grateful for that. 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. Khula means open Kathmandu Metropolitan Citys mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya accused his deputy, Hari Prabha Khadgi, of deferring action against the traders who allegedly encroached on Khula Manch. Baku, Azerbaijan, April 29 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Trends exclusive interview with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia Marija Pejcinovic Buric on the occasion of her visit to Azerbaijan Question: How do you assess the current status of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Croatia? Answer: Let me reiterate that Croatia considers Azerbaijan an important strategic partner. Our partnership and friendly bilateral relations were further confirmed on the highest level during the official visit of Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev to Zagreb last year on the 6th of September. Therefore, we would like to further encourage more intensive exchanges between our state bodies, businesses, and citizens. Q.: Does the existing level of trade turnover between the two countries satisfactory? What are the ways of boosting the mutual trade turnover? A.: We will continue to hold annual or biennial meetings of our bilateral cooperation enhancement engines, such as the Joint Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation between Croatia and Azerbaijan, which will organize its next meeting in late 2019 or early 2020. It is our strong belief that this Commission can serve as a foundation to increase our bilateral trade in many areas of mutual interest and we seek to include more companies in its work. A working group to better prepare for the next Commission session has been formed and also comprises a number of companies that are planning to do business with Azerbaijan. The formation of specialized working groups (i.e. for energy issues, tourism, etc.) operating within the Commission will likely take place before its next meeting. Q.: How do you see the prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and Croatia in ports industry? A.: In Croatia we have a number of sea ports as well as a number of ports in inland waterways. Possibilities of cooperation between Croatian and Azerbaijani ports could include signing of cooperation agreements (as well as concession possibilities for passenger and freight operators). I would like to mention that the Port of Vukovar has through the Danube River the possibility to connect Central Europe and the Black sea (the Heart of Eurasia). Q.: Which spheres seem to be more promising in Croatia and Azerbaijan in terms of attracting mutual investments? A.: The Croatian business community and companies are especially interested in investments in energy, transport, shipbuilding, pharmaceutical and the IT sectors. Possibilities also exist in construction and engineering, the textile, agriculture and food industries, rolling stock vehicles and, of course, tourism. When it comes to Croatian investments, usually it is about investing knowledge and know-how and this is the model we expect most future joint ventures to be structured upon, especially in the area of IT. Q.: Croatia is expected to receive Azerbaijani gas via the Ionian Adriatic Pipeline (IAP). How much gas per year do you expect to get via IAP? Which percent of Croatias gas demand will be covered thanks to IAP gas? A.: There is a belief that major leaps forward can be made in forthcoming years in the field of energy due to the significance of the Ionian-Adriatic Pipeline for Europe. The planned capacity of IAP is 5 bcm/y of which 2.5 bcm/y is expected for Croatia and transport towards other developed markets in CE & CEE (the rest is intended for markets in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro). The Ionic-Adriatic pipeline Project Management Unit (PMU) meeting was held on the sidelines of the 5th Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council ministerial meeting on 20 February 2019 in Baku. The PMU concluded that the legal framework for the establishment of the Project Company is almost completed, so we are confident that the IAP Project Company will be established soon. Q.: Are any visits expected between the two countries in coming months? If yes, what is the purpose of those visits? A.: I assume that the meetings which I will have in Baku will yield ideas and proposals for the next high level meetings since I will have meetings with several high officials. Q.: Currently, there is no direct flight between Baku and Zagreb. How do you assess the necessity of opening this flight? How should the two countries improve the tourism relations? A.: We expect a continuous rise in the number of Azerbaijani tourists and business people visiting Croatia, and vice versa. Therefore I believe that next year seasonal direct flights from Baku to Zagreb and other destinations such as Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar or Pula are feasible. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, April 29 Trend: The Air Defense military units and subunits of the Air Force of Azerbaijan conducted tactical-special exercises, Trend reports referring to the country's Defense Ministry. The exercises were conducted according to the combat training plan for 2019 approved by the country's defense minister. In the course of the exercise, the units that have been put on alert were taken to the areas of destination and worked out actions to repel the air strikes of the imaginary enemy, as well as the activities of the staffs based on the decision-making process in accordance with the assigned task. Baku, Azerbaijan, April 29 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: The opening of the Croatian embassy in Baku will contribute to the further development of cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia Marija Pejcinovic Buric said. Buric made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the embassy in Baku, Trend reports. "The opening of the embassy is an important milestone in bilateral relations, she said. This will open the way for further cooperation and will allow further strengthening of friendly relations between the countries." She said that the establishment of the Economic Cooperation Commission is a new driving force. Buric also stressed Azerbaijans growing role in ensuring Europes energy security. In turn, Azerbaijani Minister of Taxes Mikayil Jabbarov stressed that Croatias decision to open an embassy in Baku corresponds to the atmosphere of friendship and trust between the two countries. He also stressed the importance of high-level visits in strengthening bilateral relations. Baku, Azerbaijan, April 29 Trend: Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov met with Emilio Monzo, Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies of the Argentine National Congress, Trend reports on April 29 with reference to Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry. Emilio Monzo expressing his gratitude for sincere reception, referred to the meetings held with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the chair of the Azerbaijani Parliament and emphasized the fruitful exchanges from the point of developing cooperation between the two countries. During the meeting, the sides expressed their satisfaction with the current state of relations between Azerbaijan and Argentina. The sides underlined the importance of mutual visits of high-level officials between the two countries in terms of development of relations. Minister Elmar Mammadyarov noted his recent visit to Argentina in March 2019 and pointed out the useful meetings held during the visit and also the developing bilateral relations in various areas. Noting an important role that the parliamentary diplomacy plays in the development of relations, Minister Elmar Mammadyarov expressed his hope that the current visit would contribute to the development of relations between the two countries. Emilio Monzo commended Minister Elmar Mammadyarov's recent visit to Argentina and his meeting with him, and noted that his current visit provided a good opportunity to get to know Azerbaijan more closely. At the meeting the sides also exchanged views over issues of mutual interest. Baku, Azerbaijan, April 29 Trend: Representatives of Azerbaijans Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) took part in the 11th International Economic Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries in Kazan city (Russias Tatarstan Republic) on April 24-26, Trend reports with reference to Azerbaijans Economy Ministry. During the event, discussions were held on the expansion of trade, economic, scientific, technical, social and cultural ties between the OIC member countries and Tatarstan. As part of the summit, a meeting was held between Chairman of the Agencys Board Orkhan Mammadov and Minister of Entrepreneur Development of Malaysia Mohd Redzuan Yusof. During the meeting, the parties exchanged experience and views on the implementation of joint projects. Within his visit to Kazan, Mammadov got acquainted with working processes at the enterprise on the model of entrepreneurship development in Tatarstan. Baku, Azerbaijan, April 29 By Matanat Nasibova Trend: Sharg Ulduzu OJSC, Azerbaijans wine-making plant located in Shamkir district, plans to increase exports to Russia by the end of the year, a source in the company told Trend. Export supplies are planned to increase by 15-20 percent, according to the source. Our products are mostly demanded by the Russian market, so we plan to increase exports to this country, the source noted. There are also proposals from other CIS countries. We are in talks for now and discuss issues regarding exports. The companys products have an international certificate ISO:22000, a certificate of conformity issued by the State Committee for Standardization, Metrology and Patents, and a hygiene certificate issued by the Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology of Azerbaijans Ministry of Healthcare. The company uses the latest technology and modern German and Italian equipment installed at the plant. The company owns vineyards of 110 hectares in Shamkir district, where seedlings brought from France, Iran and Georgia are planted alongside local grape varieties. Such varieties as Chardonnay, Bayan Shirey, Merlot and Shiraz are grown in the vineyards. Tehran, Iran, April 29 Trend: Director General of Metal Products and Home Appliances Department of the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade announced that Samsung and LG will not leave Iran's market. The production lines of Samsung and LG in Iran are currently active and the two companies have no plan to leave Iran, Abbas Hashemi said, Trend reports citing ISNA. The production of Samsung and LG in Iran continued and, as usual, new parts and materials are on the way to import to Iran. he said. Pointing out that Samsung and LG have production lines in Iran, he said that they were created by the Iranian investors. The raw materials are imported and the products of these companies are produced locally in line with international standards. At the meetings with senior executives of Samsung and LG, the two sides achieved positive results in terms of engagement with Iranian suppliers and component makers, that are very useful for the growth of the country's industry, he noted. On April 24, Wall Street Journal quoting western diplomats claimed that Asian companies that provided new opportunities to Iran after the U.S. reimposed sanctions last year are pulling back. According the news report, this affects Iranian economy and makes the Islamic Republic less incentive to remain committed to a multination nuclear deal. Baku, Azerbaijan, April 29 By Matanat Nasibova - Trend: In May 2019, a slight decrease in prices is expected on the automobile market of Baku, general director of the consulting company MBA Group, real estate expert Nusrat Ibrahimov told Trend. He noted that the decrease in May will range between 1 - 2 percent. "In the early 2019, more precisely from January to February, there was an increase in prices in the Azerbaijani car market. At that time, this figure ranged from 10 to 12 percent. In the next two months (March-April) prices remained the same. However, starting in April, a slight downward trend has been observed on the car market," the expert said. Ibrahimov noted that this trend will continue for at least the next two months, including June. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @MatanatNasibova Baku, Azerbaijan, April 29 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged municipalities to refrain from implementing new projects, Trend reports with reference to Turkish media on April 29. The projects that have been implemented by 40 percent will be suspended, and those implemented by 70 percent will be completed, he said. Two megaprojects including the construction of the Istanbul shipping channel with the length of 43 kilometers are being implemented in Turkey. The intention to implement the project of construction of the Istanbul shipping channel was announced for the first time in 2011 by current President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In the framework of the construction project, a special authority shall be set up to control the operations of the channel after its commissioning. The project aims to reduce the burden of shipping on the Bosphorus Strait and prevent the threat of environmental and man-made disasters on one of the most intense sea routes in the world. According to the plans, the channel, which will 400 meters wide and 25 meters deep, will be able to let pass 150-160 vessels per day. The Bosphorus is used by an average of 150 vessels per day, of which about 30 are oil tankers. Annually about 150 million tons of oil and oil products are transported through the Black Sea Straits, while the throughput capacity of the Bosphorus is estimated at 200 million tons. The Istanbul channel, which will run parallel to the Bosphorus, will actually transform the European part of Istanbul into an island and finally separate it from Europe. The channel will pass from the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea through the Kucukcekmece Lake. On the banks of the artificial channel, it is planned to build new residential complexes, which will be connected with other areas of the 15 million metropolis via modern transport infrastructure including metro, high-speed trains and the third airport in Istanbul. As part of this project, the construction of a new port is also expected. It will be possible to use tankers with a length of 275 meters, a width of 48 meters and a capacity of 14,500 DWT on the Istanbul shipping channel, which is being built as part of the governments Vision 2023 plan. The construction of the navigable channel will continue for five years and the minimum service life of the canal will be 100 years. Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, April 29 By Sara Israfilbayova Trend: Azerbaijan and the EU may complete negotiations on a new agreement on strategic partnership in May, Head of the EU delegation in Azerbaijan Kestutis Jankauskas said, Trend reports. Speaking at a conference on "Strengthening the institutional and administrative capacity of the Chamber of Accounts of the Republic of Azerbaijan" on April 29, he said that last week negotiations on trade issues were held . He added that a meeting dedicated to the tenth anniversary of the Eastern Partnership program will be held in Brussels in May. The European Council adopted a mandate for the European Commission and the high representative for foreign affairs and security policy to negotiate, on behalf of the EU and its member states, a comprehensive agreement with Azerbaijan in November 2016. The new agreement should replace the 1996 partnership and cooperation agreement and should better take account of the shared objectives and challenges the EU and Azerbaijan face today. The agreement will follow the principles endorsed in the 2015 review of the European Neighborhood Policy and offer a renewed basis for political dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan. Currently, bilateral relations between the EU and Azerbaijan are regulated on the basis of an agreement on partnership and cooperation that was signed in 1996 and entered into force in 1999. The new agreement envisages the compliance of Azerbaijans legislation and procedures with the EUs most important international trade norms and standards, which should lead to the improvement of Azerbaijani goods access to the EU markets. Creation of a common aviation area is an initiative of the European Commission and aims to open and integrate aviation markets. This will lead to new opportunities for consumers and operators, and, most importantly, to high standards in terms of flight safety as well as air traffic management. Locals dream of lighting up their homes remains a distant dream The electricity poles that should be supplying electricity have been built with little to no care, and the support wires have been tied around trees. The electricity poles stand uselessly for lack of proper connectivity and the locals pleas to fix the problem has fallen on deaf ears so far. Baku, Azerbaijan, April 29 Trend: Azerbaijan and Croatia have great potential for diversification and increase in trade turnover, Azerbaijans Deputy Economy Minister Rufat Mammadov said, Trend reports. He was speaking at the Azerbaijani-Croatian business forum in Baku. He said that last year, the trade turnover between the countries grew by 16 percent, reaching $250 million. Mammadov noted that this pace can be considered satisfactory, but there is potential for growth in trade. He added that a broad legal and contractual basis has been formed between the countries, noting that there are significant agreements in many areas, especially in the field of trade and the economy. These documents include agreements on the mutual protection of investments and the elimination of double taxation, he said. Noting that all this creates an important platform for expanding trade and investments, Mammadov added that Azerbaijan is interested in expanding business cooperation with Croatia. Baku, Azerbaijan, Apr. 29 By Fakhri Vakilov Trend: Monolith Group of Companies (Germany) plans to set up import of agricultural products from Uzbekistan, Trend reports via Uzbek media. The volumes and range of supplies will be expanded as the demand for goods will be revealed, the company said. The companys management plans to establish direct contacts with producers and suppliers of melons and gourds, as well as to organize trial combined deliveries of Uzbek melons, pomegranates, onions, persimmons, spices and wine products to the German market. The Monolith group of companies has 160 stores in Germany and 10 stores in the Netherlands. With round about 2,000 customers the Monolith group ranks among the leading wholesalers for the import and distribution of selected East European specialties. Since the foundation in 1997 the company has entered constant growth. At six locations the Monolith group engages 300 employees who earned up to 260 million euro in recent years. The expert in wholesale, consisting of Monolith International, North, South, Middle plus Monolith West and East, provides its customers with foods as well as non-foods all over Europe. The exclusive assortment covers about 2.000 items and offers a choice from original Russian sweets and drinks to meat, sausage and fish. In this manner the Monolith group meets the requirements of the consumers who consist of Russian Germans as well as emigrants from the Eastern Europe states. --- Follow author on Twitter:@vakilovfaxri Baku, Azerbaijan, April 29 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Azerbaijan and Croatia must strengthen cooperation in the transport sector, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said. Mammadyarov made the remarks during the press-conference with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia Marija Pejcinovic Buric in Baku on April 29, Trend reports. "Azerbaijan and Croatia signed an agreement on strategic cooperation in 2013, he added. We have discussed this issue today. The volume of bilateral trade turnover is not very big. We considered the ways to increase these volumes. Croatia will receive gas through the Southern Gas Corridor. We also exchanged the views on this issue." Mammadyarov also stressed that Croatia has repeatedly expressed its opinion on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of four resolutions of the UN Security Council. Details added (first version posted on 14:10) Baku, Azerbaijan, April 29 By Leman Zeynalova - Trend: Azerbaijan and Croatia have the potential to increase mutual trade turnover, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia Marija Pejcinovic Buric said. Buric made the remarks during a joint press-conference with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov in Baku on April 29, Trend reports. "Azerbaijan and Croatia intend to hold a business forum in Zagreb in the near future, she said. We have also created the joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. Its meeting will be held within the forum till the end of 2019 or in early 2020 ." Buric also expressed support for the EU-Azerbaijan negotiations on a new agreement. Croatia as the EU member-state supports this agreement, she said. The negotiations are at the final stage. Buric stressed that Azerbaijan is a very important participant of the Eastern Partnership program. Baku, Azerbaijan, April 29 By Matanat Nasibova - Trend: The number of bus trips from Baku to Turkey operated by Metro Turizm company has significantly decreased, a source in the company told Trend. According to the source, this figure has decreased by 20-30 percent. "The decline in demand for this type of transportation in Azerbaijan has been observed last year, and the situation has worsened since the beginning of this year," the source added. "Given this trend, the company has revised its pricing policy to reduce the ticket prices. For example, the cost of the ticket from Baku to Antalya is 100 manats now, while last year this figure was 130-140 manats," the source said It is suggested that the customer base reduced because the passengers prefer traveling by air. Follow the author on Twitter: @MatanatNasibova Baku, Azerbaijan, April 29 By Matanat Nasibova - Trend: The Azerbaijani company Fostanpak, engaged in the production of plastic and aluminum containers, paper and plastic glasses, plans to increase exports of its products by 10-15 percent, a source in the company told Trend. The company is considering the option of exporting to the Turkish market, according to the source. We intend to expand the list of countries where our products are exported, therefore we conduct intensive negotiations with potential partners in Europe, the source noted. Most likely, by the end of the year we will decide on the European country where our products will be exported. We are actively looking for a sales market in this direction. Fostanpak is also engaged in the production of medical and cleaning products, foils and other disposable products under the brand name Monopak. The company is also an Azerbaijani distributor of many foreign manufacturing companies from Germany, Turkey, Denmark, Poland, Ukraine, Russia and China. Baku, Azerbaijan, April 29 By Sara Israfilbayova - Trend: The SOCAR Carbamide Plant will begin exporting carbamide fertilizers in May-June 2019, a source at Azerbaijan's State Oil Company SOCAR told Trend. Most of the products will be supplied to Turkey, and it is also planned to enter the markets of the Black Sea countries and the Mediterranean. The SOCAR Carbamide Plant, built on the territory of the Sumgait chemical industrial park, was commissioned on January 16. While using 435 million cubic meters of natural gas as raw materials, the plant is capable of producing 650,000-660,000 tons of carbamide products. Presently, the SOCAR Carbamide Plant is the biggest project in the country, implemented in the non-oil sector, its total cost is about 800 million euros. The project was initially financed through the funds allocated from the state budget. During the construction of the plant, a number of international banks allocated funds in the amount of 500 million euros through the state guarantees. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @IsrafilbekovaS Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, April 29 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Head of Turkmenistans Turkmengas state concern Myrat Archayev during his working visit to Saudi Arabia met with Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources of this country Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, Trend reports with reference to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry. Energy diplomacy is one of Turkmenistans foreign policy directions. The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project will become the next step in the implementation of the energy strategy of Turkmenistan, the report said. It was earlier reported that Turkmenistan is of investment interest for oil companies of Saudi Arabia, such as Saudi Aramco. The company considered investing in oil and gas production, including countries with access to the Caspian Sea. In November 2017, the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of Turkmenistan concluded an agreement with the Saudi Fund for Development on financing the purchase of gas pipes intended for the construction of the Turkmen section of the TAPI pipeline. The construction of the pipeline began in December 2015. The consortium, with the participation of the Asian development Bank (ADB), continues active negotiations with all interested parties. Various options of participation in the project, such as participation in the company's share, project financing, financing through international development banks and with the help of export credit agencies from around the world are being examined. As the leader of TAPI Pipeline company Limited, Turkmengas State Concern, which has a controlling stake, acts as the main financier and project manager. The consortium also includes the Afghanistan Gas Corporation, Inter State Gas Systems (Private) Limited and Indian GAIL. The total length of the pipeline, with a capacity of 33 billion cubic meters of gas per year will be 1,840 kilometers. The fuel will be supplied from the Galkynysh gas field in Turkmenistan, the second largest in the world. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, April 29 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Testing of the main technological units is underway at the gas chemical complex under construction in the Owadandepe village near Ashgabat city, Trend reports referring to the "Neutral Turkmenistan" newspaper. "New car fuel, the production of which is mastered in the country, will meet environmental standards," the report said. Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister Myratgeldy Meredov spoke on the construction of this facility at a meeting of the Turkmen government. It was noted that the complex will annually process 1.785 billion cubic meters of natural gas and produce 600,000 tons of gasoline, as well as 12,000 tons of refined diesel fuel and 115,000 tons of liquefied gas. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov ordered to pay special attention to the training of highly qualified personnel to work in modern enterprises of the industry. It was earlier reported that commissioning of this plant is planned in the summer. The plant has been built since 2015 by the Japanese Kawasaki in consortium with the Turkish Ronesans Holding. The total cost of the project is $1.7 billion, and it is carried out at the expense of investments by the Japanese side and the funds of the Turkmengaz state concern. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, April 29 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: The visit of Prime Minister of Belarus Syarhey Rumas to Turkmenistan is scheduled for May 2019, Trend reports with reference to the export portal of Belarus at the National Center for Marketing and Price Study on April 29. As was earlier reported, Belarus and Turkmenistan plan to hold a meeting of the Intergovernmental Belarusian-Turkmen Committee on Economic Cooperation and a joint business forum in the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat in May this year. The trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $65 million in 2017 and to $32.2 million in 2018. Belarus supplies to Turkmenistan mainly include high value-added goods, such as trucks, special purpose vehicles, tractors, road-building equipment, medicines, woodworking products, and agricultural products. Medical colleges charging high fees may soon face government action The decision to form the sub-committee came after the students from Gandaki Medical College led an outcry and after questions were raised by the lawmakers in Parliament in regards to the extra fees being charged by medical colleges. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, April 29 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Discussions on further development of economic cooperation between Russias Tatarstan Republic and Turkmenistan were held at a high level in Ashgabat, Trend reports with reference to Tatarstans presidential press service. President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov visited the Turkmen capital on April 28 and met with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. According to the report, branches of leading companies of Tatarstan such as KAMAZ, Tatneft, IED-Holding and others operate in Turkmenistan, while the value of trade between Tatarstan and Turkmenistan is rather small ($24 million in 2018 and $25 million in 2017), the report says. Our countries have a great potential for increasing the value and range of goods, Minnikhanov said. It is planned to hold a meeting of Tatarstan-Turkmenistan working group in Kazan next month. This meeting is intended to give new impetus to our trade and economic cooperation. During the negotiations, transport, fuel and energy complex, trade and economic sphere, agriculture and industrial complex, as well as the interaction of business structures, were identified among the priority vectors, the report says. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, April 29 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: A delegation of Turkmenistan took part in a meeting of delegations of Defense Ministries of the Caspian littoral states held recently in Russias Astrakhan city, Trend reports with reference to Neytralni Turkmenistan newspaper. The event participants discussed issues related to the implementation of the Agreement on the Prevention of Incidents in the Caspian Sea signed in Aktau city in Kazakhstan in August last year following the Fifth Summit of the Heads of the Caspian littoral states. At the meeting, the parties confirmed the high level of trust between the fleets of the Caspian littoral states and expressed their readiness to discuss draft Agreement on Confidence Building Measures in the Caspian Sea in the future, the news report noted. The document is aimed at ensuring safety of navigation of military ships and flights of aircraft of the armed forces of the states of the Caspian region. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, April 29 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received Saudi Arabias Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, Trend reports with reference to the Turkmenistan State News Agency. At the meeting, the Turkmen President emphasized that Turkmenistan pays great attention to intergovernmental dialogue built on the principles of mutual respect and trust. Having expressed satisfaction with the high level of Turkmen-Saudi relations, Berdimuhamedov noted the presence of solid potential for the development of interaction, the news report says. During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on the prospects for dialogue. Riyadh studies Turkmenistans investment projects in agribusiness, trade and construction. As was reported earlier, a meeting with Ayed Noueihed, Head of Saudi Arabian Hajjan Trading & Industrial Services Company Ltd, was held at the Ashgabat headquarters of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan (UIET). At present, UIET exports to Saudi Arabia confectionery products and it is ready to supply other food products including meat, vegetables and melons. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif plan to visit Russia and North Korea soon, the Mehr news agency quoted him as saying, Trend reports citing TASS. "The visit [to North Korea] is on my agenda, and the date will be announced soon," the minister said, adding that he had no information on whether a visit by President Hassan Rouhani should be expected soon. Zarif added that he planned to visit two neighboring countries within the next ten days and then pay a visit to Russia to discuss bilateral ties. He did not elaborate on what countries he planned to visit. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif does not believe U.S. President Donald Trump wants war with Iran, but he told Reuters on Wednesday that Trump could be lured into a conflict, Trend reports citing Reuters. I dont think he wants war, Zarif said in an interview at the Iranian mission to the United Nations in New York. But that doesnt exclude him being basically lured into one. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Zarifs remarks. Zarif said a so-called B-team, including Trumps national security adviser John Bolton, an ardent Iran hawk, and conservative Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could goad Trump into a conflict with Tehran. Those who have designed the policies that are being pursued do not simply want a negotiated solution. But let me make it clear that Iran is not seeking confrontation, but will not escape defending itself, he said. Tensions between Tehran and Washington have risen since the Trump administration withdrew last year from an international nuclear deal with Iran and began ratcheting up sanctions. Earlier this month, the United States blacklisted Irans elite Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and demanded buyers of Iranian oil stop purchases by May or face sanctions. The U.S. blacklisting of the IRGC, Irans most powerful security organization with huge stakes in the economy, was the first time any nation has labeled another countrys military a terrorist organization Baku, Azerbaijan, April 29 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: If export of Iranian oil drops to zero, the government's currency revenues will decline, Alirza Shakibai, dean of the faculty of economics of the Shahid Bahonar University in Irans Kerman province, said. Therefore, the government should have an alternative to oil revenues, Shakibai added, Trend reports referring to ISNA. As for the change in the price of energy carriers as an alternative to oil revenues, Shakibai said that of course, an increase in the cost of energy carriers is not a good sign. However, if the government's revenues in the national and foreign currencies decline due to the decline in oil export, there is no other way to manage the country, he said. The government should control the currency market and avoid currency shock, Shakibai said. If the government can do this, citizens will be pleased because the currency shock is higher than the changed price of energy carriers, he said. "There is a non-oil export infrastructure. Taking into account the US sanctions, Iran may focus on non-oil export. The country may increase export and address the key problems in the Iranian economy," Shakibai said. He went on to say that unfortunately, the structure of the Iranian economy depends on oil. "This has always been a weak point in the Iranian economy," Shakibai added. "Presently, the only limitation for Iran is oil export. There are no restrictions on export of other products and there is the trade turnover with many countries." A joint military maneuver by Iran and Oman wrapped up on Monday after holding a successful exercise, Trend reported citing IRNA. Iran's Army navy and the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC)'s navy as well as some units from the Royal Army of Oman were present in the drill. Iran and Oman's joint military exercise was held in the context of the 15th meeting of the joint military commission of two countries held on April 18. Iran and Oman have always experienced good and sustainable ties. Iran and Oman's trade stood at 700-million-dollar in the past Iranian calendar year ended on March 21, 2019. The two countries are well capable of boosting trade to one billion dollar in the near future, Iranian Ambassador to Muscat Mohammad-Reza Nouri-Shahroudi said recently. Poland is unlikely to leave the European Union, even if the ruling eurosceptic Law and Justice (PiS) party wins re-election this year, EU executive head Jean-Claude Juncker said in an interview published on Monday, reports Trend citing to Reuters In response to a question by the Polish daily, Rzeczpospolitaon on whether there will be a Polexit after parliamentary elections in Poland in the autumn, Juncker said: No. Poland is with us (the European Union) because we have common values, Juncker said. His statement came as Polands biggest opposition front has repeatedly warned that Law and Justice could eventually lead the country out of the EU. PiS has been in conflict with the European Commission over its handling of Polish courts since the start of 2016. Most EU countries back the commission. Worried about the government flouting basic democratic standards in the country of 38 million people, the commission has launched an unprecedented procedure to see whether Poland is observing the rule of law. The party has also clashed with Brussels on environmental protection and migration. Police broke up clashes between rival groups of voters in a key eastern state on Monday as some of Indias richest families and Bollywood stars also cast their ballots in Mumbai during the fourth phase of a massive, staggered general election, reports Trend citing to Reuters In West Bengal, a populous eastern state crucial for Prime Minister Narendra Modis re-election bid, supporters of his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clashed with others from the regional Trinamool Congress, police said. TV footage showed armed security forces chasing away people wielding sticks, although it was initially difficult to determine the scale of the clashes. There were no immediate reports of any poll-related injuries in West Bengal, where at least one person was killed and three injured during the third phase of voting last week. The BJP is in a direct, and sometimes bloody, fight in West Bengal with Trinamool, whose chief Mamata Banerjee is one of Modis biggest critics and a potential prime ministerial candidate. More than 127 million people are eligible to vote in this round of the seven-phase election held across 71 seats in nine states. Modis coalition won more than 75 percent of the seats in the previous election in 2014. Many of the constituencies are in Uttar Pradesh state in the north and western Indias Maharashtra, where the financial capital Mumbai is located. Uttar Pradesh elects the most lawmakers, with Maharashtra next. Both states are ruled by the BJP and its allies. However, political analysts say the BJP may struggle to repeat its strong showing this time due mainly to a jobs shortage and weak farm prices, issues upon which the main opposition Congress party has seized. SOME PROGRESS First-time voter Ankita Bhavke, a college student in Mumbai, said she voted for economic development. I want the country to be at par with the best in the world, she said. Theres been some progress in the last five years. Indias financial markets were closed on Monday for the election. Mumbai is home to the massive Hindi film industry, as well as Asias wealthiest man, Mukesh Ambani, and Indias richest banker, Uday Kotak. Ambani, who heads Reliance Industries, and Kotak, managing director of Kotak Mahindra Bank, created a stir this month by publicly endorsing an opposition Congress party candidate from their upscale South Mumbai constituency. Mumbai, which has six seats, is Indias wealthiest city but aging and insufficient infrastructure is a major concern. Six people were killed last month when part of a pedestrian bridge collapsed, recalling memories of a 2017 rush-hour stampede that killed at least 22 people on a narrow pedestrian bridge. The election, the worlds biggest democratic exercise with about 900 million voters, started on April 11 with Modi in the lead amid heightened tension with long-time enemy Pakistan. The last phase of voting is on May 19, with results released four days later. There are a total of 545 seats in parliaments lower house. Modi sent warplanes into Pakistan in late February in response to a suicide attack by an Islamist militant group based there that killed 40 Indian police in the disputed Kashmir region. Modi has sought votes on his tough response toward militancy and in recent days has evoked the deadly Easter Sunday bombings in nearby Sri Lanka. Maidul Islam, a professor of political science at Kolkatas Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, said long queues outside polling stations would indicate whether Modis national security pitch was working. Whenever there is a BJP kind of a wave, you see a higher voter turnout, he said. Sri Lankan security officials have warned that Islamist militants behind Easter Sundays suicide bombings are planning imminent attacks and could be dressed in military uniforms, reports Trend citing to Reuters The militants were targeting five locations for attacks on Sunday or Monday, security sources said. There could be another wave of attacks, the head of ministerial security division (MSD), a unit of the police, said in a letter to lawmakers and other officials, seen by Reuters on Monday. The relevant information further notes that persons dressed in military uniforms and using a van could be involved in the attacks. There were no attacks on Sunday, and security across Sri Lanka has been ramped up, with scores of suspected Islamists arrested since the April 21 attacks on hotels and churches that killed more than 250 people, including 40 foreign nationals. Two cabinet ministers and two opposition lawmakers confirmed to Reuters that they were aware of the latest security alert. We have been informed about this by the MSD, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said. Authorities suspect members of two little known groups - National Thawheedh Jamaath (NTJ) and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim - of carrying out the Easter attacks, though Islamic State has claimed responsibility. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said a tight-knit group of people were involved, mostly close friends and families. They mostly spoke face-to-face, possibly to evade electronic surveillance. They (the group) were small enough that they were not using normal communications, instead meeting each other, Wickremesinghe told Reuters. He added the coordinated bombings, the type of explosives used and the tightly guarded plot suggested the bombers had guidance. ISIS (Islamic State) has claimed, we also felt there has to be some international links, he said. President Maithripala Sirisena said on Monday he had appointed Chandana Wickramaratne, the second in command at the police, as acting police chief. Over the weekend, two sources at the presidents office told Reuters that Pujith Jayasundara, the police chief during the attacks, was refusing the presidents request to step down. It was not immediately possible to contact Jayasundara on Monday. In India, police said they had raided the homes of three people in the southern state of Kerala, close to Sri Lanka, in connection with their links to Islamic State. They did not say if there was any connection to the attacks in Sri Lanka. Reconstructed school building handed over to administration The earthquake-ravaged building was reconstructed with the support of Rs 16 million from the Indian government and Rs 2 million from the Nepal government. The U.S. military said it sent two Navy warships through the Taiwan Strait on Sunday as the Pentagon increases the frequency of movement through the strategic waterway despite opposition from China, reports Trend with reference to Reuters The voyage risks further raising tensions with China but will likely be viewed by self-ruled Taiwan as a sign of support from the Trump administration amid growing friction between Taipei and Beijing. Taiwan is one of a growing number of flashpoints in the U.S.-China relationship, which also include a trade war, U.S. sanctions and Chinas increasingly muscular military posture in the South China Sea, where the United States also conducts freedom-of-navigation patrols. The two destroyers were identified as the William P. Lawrence and Stethem. The 112-mile-wide (180-km) Taiwan Strait separates Taiwan from China. The ships transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, Commander Clay Doss, a spokesman for the U.S. Navys Seventh Fleet, said in a statement. Doss said there were no unsafe or unprofessional interactions with other countries vessels during the transit. Taiwans Ministry of Defense said the U.S. ships had sailed north through the strait. U.S. ships freely passing through the Taiwan Strait is part of the mission of carrying out the Indo-Pacific strategy, it said in a statement. Taiwans armed forces monitored the transit and nothing out of the ordinary happened, the ministry said. In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China had paid close attention to the sailing and had expressed concern to the United States. The Taiwan issue is the most important and sensitive issue in Sino-U.S. relations, he told a daily news briefing. The United States has no formal ties with Taiwan but is bound by law to help provide the island with the means to defend itself and is its main source of arms. The Pentagon says Washington has sold Taipei more than $15 billion in weaponry since 2010. China has been ramping up pressure to assert its sovereignty over the island, which it considers a wayward province of one China and sacred Chinese territory. It said a recent Taiwan Strait passage by a French warship, first reported by Reuters on Wednesday, was illegal. Chinas Geng told the same briefing in Beijing that China hoped that France could ensure such an incident did not happen again. Beijings concerns about Taiwan are likely to factor into Chinese defense spending this year, following a stern New Years speech from President Xi Jinping, threatening to attack Taiwan should it not accept Chinese rule. Last month, Beijing unveiled a target of 7.5 percent rise in defense spending for 2019, a slower rate than last year but still outpacing its economic growth target. China has repeatedly sent military aircraft and ships to circle Taiwan on exercises in the past few years and worked to isolate it internationally, whittling down its few remaining diplomatic allies. Tesla Inc said on Monday it could seek alternative sources of financing although it expects cash generated from its business to be enough to fund its investments and pay down debt for at least the next 12 months, reports Trend citing to Reuters Wall Street has been looking for more details after Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk suggested last week that a capital raise could be imminent as the electric vehicle maker posted a $700 million loss for the first quarter. There is some merit to raising capital, Musk said on an earnings conference call on Wednesday, after being asked why he had not done so yet. Its probably about the right time. Shares of the company, which were initially up 2 percent after Musk reached a deal with the U.S. regulators to settle a dispute over his use of Twitter, pared most of their gains to trade up 0.2 percent at $235.60 before the bell. Many analysts had predicted the company would need to raise funds for its expansion, including the Shanghai factory, the upcoming Model Y SUV and other projects. "We continually evaluate our capital expenditure needs and may decide it is best to raise additional capital to fund the rapid growth of our business," the electric car maker said in a regulatory filing here. Tesla has $2.2 billion in cash and expects capital expenditures of about $2.5 billion to $3 billion annually for the next two fiscal years. The companys total debt stood at $10.33 billion as of March 31. However, tapping the debt market for raising capital might become more expensive for the electric car maker. Teslas $1.8 billion junk bond sank half a cent to yield 8.42 percent on Friday, more than 3 percentage points above the bonds coupon rate of 5.3 percent. Its spread, or the premium investors demand for the added risk of holding Tesla debt rather than a safer U.S. Treasury security, widened by about 15 basis points to a near-record 611 basis points. We may need or want to raise additional funds in the future, and these funds may not be available to us when we need or want them, or at all, Tesla said in the filing. Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz in Beijing on Monday, Trend reports citing Reuters. Xi said that the two sides should adhere to equal treatment and mutual respect and constantly promote bilateral relations to a new height. China welcomes the Austrian side to actively participate in the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative and "16+1 Cooperation", Xi said, adding that China appreciates Austria's open attitude towards China's investment. Xi said China hopes Austria can continue to play its role and actively support and advance the development of China-Europe ties. Kurz said Austria regards China as a strategic partner and is committed to strengthening strategic relations with China. Austria firmly supports multilateralism and free trade and is willing to contribute to deepening Europe-China relations, Kurz added. Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas on Monday stressed the importance of close cooperation between Estonia and the international organizations as well as other countries, Trend reported citing Xinhua. At an oath-taking ceremony at the Estonian parliament Riigikogu, Ratas read out the text of the oath on behalf of himself and 14 other ministers of the new coalition government comprising of the Center Party, the Conservative People's Party and Isamaa, with five ministerial posts for each party. Ratas pledged "solemnly to remain faithful to the constitutional order of the Republic of Estonia, and to dedicate my efforts to safeguarding the well-being and future of the Estonian people." For Estonia, a member of both EU and NATO, it is important to develop strong transatlantic relationships and international cooperation in general, according to Ratas. Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid was present at the ceremony presided over by the parliament president Henn Polluaas. The new coalition has five priorities including a family-friendly Estonia, a coherent society, knowledge-based economy, efficient governance, and a secure state, said the government. Five political parties won seats in the 14th Estonian parliamentary elections held on March 3 for a four-year term. Out of the 101 parliamentary seats in total, the Reform Party has 34 seats, the Center Party 26 (currently 25 with another one converted to independent), the Conservative People's Party 19, the Isamaa Party 12 and the Social Democratic Party 10. Sri Lankan officials revised the death toll from Easter Sunday bombings down by about 100 on Thursday, blaming the difficulty in identifying body parts at bomb scenes for the earlier inaccurate number, Trend reports citing Reuters. The new official figure was 253, down from an earlier 359, Deputy Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene said. He blamed inaccurate data provided by morgues for the discrepancy. Anil Jasinghe, the director general of Sri Lankas health services, told Reuters any figure was an estimate: It could be 250 or 260. I cant exactly say. There are so many body parts and it is difficult to give a precise figure. The suicide bomb attacks on three churches and four hotels have exposed an intelligence failure, with accusations that warnings had not been acted on and feuds at the top levels of government had undermined security cooperation. Several media outlets reported that the notorious leader of Daesh, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, has made his first appearance after five years of absence in a video where he acknowledges the defeat of the terrorist group's fighters in the battle for Baghouz last month, Trend reported citing Sputnik. In the 18 minute video, Baghdadi vowed to avenge the group's killed and imprisoned militants, claiming that Daesh* had already carried out 92 operations in eight countries for this purpose. He namely discussed the recent Sri Lanka bombings that claimed the lives of over 250 people. The video reportedly indicates that it was filmed earlier in April, but currently there is no way of verifying this information or the authenticity of the video itself. At the same time, US Army spokesman Col. James Rawlinson told Sputnik that the US-led coalition is working on corroborating the authenticity of the video. The last time that Baghdadi showed himself to the public was in 2014, when he declared the creation of the so-called "Islamic caliphate" in Iraq and Syria in the al-Nuri mosque in the Iraqi city of Mosul. Since then, he has been proclaimed dead on several occasions, but audio recordings that appeared after these reports cast doubt on the news. According to the latest reports, Baghdadi was hiding in the Iraqi desert while the remaining Daesh militants were defending their last sliver land in the eastern Syrian town of Baghouz. They lost the battle last month. Prior to this, The Guardian reported, citing intelligence sources, that Baghdadi had barely survived an assassination attempt in a village near Hajin, Syria on 10 January 2019 organised by some of his closest foreign fighters. The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said that at least 327,000 children from Venezuela are living as migrants and refugees in Colombia, warning that their health, education, protection and well-being will be in jeopardy without increased support, Trend reported citing Xinhua. According to UNICEF's press release, the economic and political situation in Venezuela has caused an estimated 3.7 million Venezuelans to leave their homes for Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and other countries in the region. Some 1.2 million of them are in Colombia, often living in vulnerable host communities with already overstretched resources, UNICEF added. UNICEF Director of Communication Paloma Escudero called on the international community to "step up its support and help meet their basic needs" as "more families make the painful decision to leave their homes in Venezuela every day." Colombia also offered free education to migrant children from Venezuela. More than 130,000 Venezuelan children are enrolled in schools across Colombia today, up from 30,000 in November last year. Nearly 10,000 of these students are in the border town of Cucuta and close to 3,000 of them commute from Venezuela every day to go to school, said UNICEF. Baku, Azerbaijan, April 29 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems will be delivered to Turkey in two cargoes, Trend reports on April 29 referring to Turkish media. The first cargo of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems will be delivered in June this year, and the second one in July, according to the report. It is expected that in November 2019, the first F-35 fighters will be delivered to Turkey. As was announced earlier, Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems may be installed in the south and west of Turkey. According to preliminary reports, they may be installed in western Turkey and the provinces bordering the Aegean Sea as well as in the province of Hatay on the border with Syria. On April 11, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that specialists from the US and NATO could come to Turkey to make sure that Russian S-400 air defense systems do not pose a threat to NATO. He noted that Turkey is in dire need of the S-400 air defense system. "Although the US urges Turkey to abandon the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense missile systems, it does not guarantee that it will sell us Patriot air defense systems," Mevlut Cavusoglu said. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo stated that the US believes that Turkey would not be able to have both US F-35 fighter-bombers and Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems at the same time, as this is technically impossible. According to Pentagon sources, it is not possible to launch the F-35 in the space where the S-400 is operated, he said. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey may receive the S-400 missile systems earlier than scheduled. According to him, it was expected that Turkey would receive the first supplies of S-400 missile systems in July 2019. He noted that despite appeals from the US, Turkey will not abandon the purchase of the S-400. "This issue has been already resolved by Turkey," said Erdogan. Initial reports of negotiations between Russia and Turkey on the supply of S-400 surfaced in November 2016. The signing of a contract was confirmed by the Russian side on September 12, 2017. Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that the S-400 air defense systems would be deployed from October 2019. The supply of the S-400 air defense systems to Ankara cost $2.5 billion, head of the Rostec state corporation Sergey Chemezov said in December 2017. Turkey is the first country, a NATO member to receive the S-400 air defense systems from Russia. Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, April 29 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems, which are purchased by Turkey, pose no threat to NATO, said Ibrahim Kalin, the Turkish presidential spokesperson, Trend reports with reference to the Turkish media. Kalin noted that the S-400 systems wont be integrated into the NATO defense system. He added that the US and NATO shouldnt doubt that the S-400 systems dont pose a threat to them. Regarding Turkeys membership in NATO, Kalin noted that Ankara is a member of NATO and its most important ally. Earlier today, it was reported that Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems will be delivered to Turkey in two cargoes. The first cargo of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems will be delivered in June this year, and the second one in July. It is expected that in November 2019, the first F-35 fighters will be delivered to Turkey. The anti-aircraft missile systems may be installed in the south and west of Turkey. According to preliminary reports, they may be installed in western Turkey and the provinces bordering the Aegean Sea as well as in the province of Hatay on the border with Syria. On April 11, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that specialists from the US and NATO could come to Turkey to make sure that Russian S-400 air defense systems do not pose a threat to NATO. He noted that Turkey is in dire need of the S-400 air defense system. "Although the US urges Turkey to abandon the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense missile systems, it does not guarantee that it will sell us Patriot air defense systems," Mevlut Cavusoglu said. Initial reports of negotiations between Russia and Turkey on the supply of S-400 surfaced in November 2016. The signing of a contract was confirmed by the Russian side on September 12, 2017. Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that the S-400 air defense systems would be deployed from October 2019. The supply of the S-400 air defense systems to Ankara cost $2.5 billion, head of the Rostec state corporation Sergey Chemezov said in December 2017. Turkey is the first country, a NATO member to receive the S-400 air defense systems from Russia. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, April 29 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Most Armenians left for Russia in 1915, Ismail Safi, member of the Turkish presidential committee on security and foreign policy, said. The Armenians claim that during the 1915 events, 1.5 million Armenians died in the Ottoman Empire, while during that time no more than 1.2 million Armenians lived in the Ottoman Empire, Safi added, Trend reports referring to the Turkish media. He stressed that the claims of the Armenians that allegedly all Armenians were exterminated are nothing but stupidity. If genocide took place in 1915, there wouldnt be any Armenians in the West and in neighbouring countries, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said earlier. Previously, a source of the Turkish government told Trend that Armenia is afraid to open its archives from 1915. According to the source, opening the archives will show the world that the events of 1915 were not "Armenian genocide"; on the contrary, an extermination and genocide of the Muslim population of the Ottoman Empire by Armenian gangs occurred during the events in 1915. The Turkish government noted that Ankara appealed to Yerevan back in 2005 to open the archives from 1915 and create a joint independent committee for investigating the events of that period. "If the events of 1915 were indeed the 'Armenian genocide' , Yerevan would be ready to open these archives," the governmental representative said. Armenia and the Armenian lobby claim that Turkey's predecessor, the Ottoman Empire, allegedly carried out "genocide" against the Armenians living in Anatolia in 1915. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Windstorm destroys 148 houses in Janakpur According to Satrughna Shah, ward chairman of Janakpur Sub-metropolitan City-1, the disaster mostly affected Musahari Tole, Wakil Tole, Mills area and Pulchowk. Most of the houses damaged or destroyed by the windstorm were made of mud with zinc sheet roofs. U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a phone call on Monday discussed a Turkish proposal to create a joint working group on its planned purchase of a Russian S-400 missile defense system, the Turkish Presidency said, Trend reported citing Reuters. Our Honourable President brought up the proposal to establish a working group regarding the procurement of the S-400 defense system from the Russian Federation, it said. The two countries have argued for months over Turkeys order for the missile defense system, which the United States says is incompatible with NATOs defense network and could compromise its F-35 fighter jets. The White House confirmed on Monday that Trump and Erdogan had discussed Turkeys planned purchase of the S-400 missile defense system. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and several U.S. senators have warned Turkey it will face penalties for buying S-400s under a law that calls for sanctions against countries procuring military equipment from Russia. Turkey has said that as a NATO member, it poses no threat to the United States and the sanctions should not apply. Trump and Erdogan also discussed trade and the ongoing crisis in Syria, the White House said. After Nagarjuna posted a video of him and Rakul Preet working out during their shoot for Manmadhudu 2 in Portugal, few more pictures have been surfaced now. In the pictures we can see the lead actors practising their stunts with a harness put against a tree. Rahul Ravindran can also be seen in one of the pictures with Rakul Preet, possibly directing her while Nagarjuna looks on. also read: Pic Talk: Revisiting Sam Chay Love story The pictures have been making rounds on social media with a press note that states, King @iamnagarjunas balancing stunts on the sets of #Manmadhudu2 in Portugal schedule @Rakulpreet @rahulr_23 @vennelakishore @AnnapurnaStdios @AnandiArtsOffl @Viacom18movies #ManamEnterprises #Manmadhudu2diaries. (sic) The 2002 film Manmadhudu was a thorough rom-com that explored the life of a misogynist and why he came to be that way. Looks like the Manmadhudu 2 will have more depth added to the story if the lead actors are practicing stunts. Earlier, working stills of the film too surfaced online, with one of them seeing Vennela Kishore playing pool with Nagarjuna. Further details of the film are awaited. also read: Pic Talk: Prabhas First On Location Picture Sets The Internet On Fire If you're looking for a new place for your checking and savings accounts, don't limit your search to banks. You may discover credit unions have more to offer than you think. Credit unions are not-for-profit organizations that operate on a philosophy of people helping people, says Christopher Roe, corporate and legislative affairs officer for CUNA Mutual Group, a provider of insurance, investment and financial technology solutions for credit unions. Unlike banks which are publicly owned by stockholders, credit unions are cooperatives and member-owned. "I think a lot of people feel that credit unions are smaller because they are more member-focused, but credit unions can be just as powerful as banks," says Jay Ferrans, president of JM Financial & Accounting Services in Southfield, Michigan. It's a common misconception about credit unions. "(People) don't think of us as full-service," says Jacqui Kearns, chief brand officer at Affinity Federal Credit Union. However, many credit unions offer the same consumer products and loans as banks. [Read: 6 Predictions for Banking in 2019.] Here are other lesser-known facts about credit unions: -- Credit unions aren't FDIC insured. -- Most deposits are insured through the NCUA. -- You have to be eligible to join a credit union. -- Once a member, always a member. -- Every member has a vote. -- Credit unions may use different terminology. -- You must have a share account. -- Free ATMs are generally available. -- Credit unions may share branches. -- Not all credit unions offer the same features. Credit Unions Aren't FDIC Insured The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation was created in 1933 in response to a string of bank failures. As an independent agency of the federal government, the FDIC monitors banks for financial soundness as well as compliance with consumer protection laws. However, the FDIC doesn't oversee credit unions. Credit unions are subject to other government agencies. "We are governed by the National Credit Union Association, which is a federal agency," says Beth Long, senior vice president of marketing and communications for Chartway Federal Credit Union. Federally chartered credit unions are subject to NCUA regulations, while state-chartered institutions are overseen by state regulatory boards. Story continues Most Deposits Are Insured Through the NCUA From a consumer perspective, the major benefit of the FDIC is its insurance coverage of up to $250,000 per depositor. This insurance provides peace of mind that money won't be lost should a bank fail. While credit unions aren't covered by the FDIC, their deposits are insured as well. All federal credit unions and many state-chartered credit unions are federally insured by the NCUA. Some state-chartered credit unions might be covered by private deposit insurance instead. You Must Be Eligible to Join a Credit Union All credit unions have a field of membership in their charters that defines who is eligible to join. "The premise is that there is a common bond among credit union members," Roe says. While membership is limited, joining a credit union is likely easier than you imagine. "Generally, you are required to live, work, worship or study within an area that a credit union is chartered to serve," Long says. Even if you are outside the geographic area of a credit union, you may be able to join if you have a family member who already belongs to the institution or if you meet other criteria. For instance, Chartway Federal Credit Union will grant membership to anyone making a $10 donation to the We Promise Foundation. Once a Member, Always a Member Once you are a member of a credit union, you can remain a member regardless of what happens to your original qualifications. "The great part is you are a member for life," Kearns says. That means that even if you move to a new city or if you change employers, you can keep your credit union membership. Credit Unions May Use Different Terminology The deposit account terminology at a credit union is a little different than at a bank. "From a product standpoint, credit unions have share accounts and share certificates versus savings accounts and certificates of deposit," Long explains. Despite the different names, these accounts function similarly. "The biggest difference in terminology would be members instead of customers," Ferrans says. Credit union members are owners of the institution, unlike banking customers. [Read: How to Choose a Bank] Every Member Has a Vote As an owner of the credit union, members are entitled to vote for who sits on the board of directors. "Each credit union member gets one vote regardless of how much they have in their account," Roe says. You Must Have a Share Account All credit unions require you to maintain a share account with a minimum balance even if you just want a loan. A share account is the equivalent of a savings account at a bank, though it pays dividends instead of interest. It indicates that a person has a share of ownership of the account. The required minimum balance may range from $1 to $50, though minimums on the lower end are most common. Free ATMs Are Generally Available Many credit unions belong to nationwide ATM networks. This gives you surcharge-free access to thousands of ATMs around the country. As a result, free ATM access for credit union members can be as widespread as that available through big banks. Credit Unions May Share Branches Even the smallest of credit unions may offer their members access to multiple branch locations thanks to the shared branch network which allows members to perform many banking transactions at an office of another credit union within the network. This means credit union members may be able to access thousands of branches across the nation. Not All Credit Unions Offer the Same Features Before opening an account at a credit union, confirm what products and features it offers. While large federal credit unions, such as Navy Federal Credit Union and Affinity Federal Credit Union, offer services on par with most banks, smaller credit unions could be more limited. For instance, some may not offer mortgages or mobile banking apps. Even larger credit unions may be restricted in what they can provide business customers. "We cannot lend on the commercial side as much," Kearns says. [Read: 5 Banking Blunders You Don't Want to Make.] "Almost all credit unions in relation to the largest banks are small," Roe says. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing if you're looking for a financial institution that offers attentive service and a personalized touch. More From US News & World Report John Schultz, Hewlett Packard general counsel. Photo: Jason Doiy/The Recorder More than 250 general counsel are asking Congress to increase federal funding for Legal Services Corp. as the Trump administration seeks to completely cut funding for the group, which offers legal aid to low-income Americans. In a letter sent Monday, the general counsel of Twitter, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Amazon, Ford Motor Co. and 258 other major companies request Congress "expand access to justice by increasing federal funding for the Legal Services Corporation." Last month, LSC submitted a budget request for $593 million in 2020. The White House's 2020 budget proposal plans to defund the group, the Trump administration's third attempt to do so. "Corporate legal departments, law firms and solo practitioners have been increasing their donation of time and money to close the justice gap for many years now," said John Schultz, the chief legal officer of Hewlett Packard Enterprise and the immediate past chair of the National Legal Aid & Defender Association corporate advisory committee, in a statement. "However, it simply is not enough. We need increased government support to make certain the system is truly providing justice for all." Schultz added that "companies recognize that 'justice' is a key ingredient to having a successful society" and defunding LSC would create an "even wider" justice gap in the U.S. LSC provides legal aid for veterans, small businesses, families impacted by opioids, domestic abuse victims, natural disaster victims and other groups. In parts of the rural South and Mountain West, Monday's letter notes, LSC provides the "only source of legal help for those that cannot afford private counsel." "Corporate America understands that the success of companies in America depends on stability in our communities and the ability of individuals and families to move up economically. And that in turn is directly related to an ability to have access to the courts where needed," said LSC general counsel Ron Flagg in an interview. LSC did not generate Monday's letter, he noted. Don Saunders, the vice president of civil legal services at National Legal Aid & Defender Association, said he's seen more general counsel promoting civil legal aid in recent years. General counsel have asked Congress to increase LSC funding for the past three years, following each Trump administration attempt to slash the group's budget. The numbers of signees have increased with each letter, Saunders said. Signees include general counsel based in Colorado, Texas, Minnesota, California, New York and other states across the country. There's also a diversity of represented industries, from mining to retail to tech. Saunders said that's a signal to Congress that LSC funding is a national, bipartisan issue. "On both sides of the aisle, the business community is hugely respected, and when they speak with such a clear voice it gets the attention of a lot of Congress members," Saunders said. Read More: Legal Services Corp., Under Trump, Faces New Threat to Existence Charlotte, N.C., April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Akoustis Technologies, Inc. (AKTS) (Akoustis or the Company), a manufacturer of patented bulk acoustic wave (BAW) high-band RF filters for mobile and other wireless applications, will host an investor call to provide a business update and outlook on May 13, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Management will host a question and answer session at the end of the call. To listen to the call by telephone, please dial (877) 407-9208 (domestic) or (201) 493-6784 (international). The conference call will be webcast live on the Companys website and will be available for playback at the following URL: https://ir.akoustis.com/ir-calendar . About Akoustis Technologies, Inc. Akoustis ( www.akoustis.com ) is a high-tech BAW RF filter solutions company that is pioneering next-generation materials science and MEMS wafer manufacturing to address the market requirements for improved RF filters - targeting higher bandwidth, higher operating frequencies and higher output power compared to incumbent polycrystalline BAW technology deployed today. The Company utilizes its proprietary XBAW manufacturing process to produce bulk acoustic wave RF filters for mobile and other wireless markets, which facilitate signal acquisition and accelerate band performance between the antenna and digital back end. Superior performance is driven by the significant advances of high-purity, single-crystal and associated piezoelectric materials and the resonator-filter process technology which drives electro-mechanical coupling and translates to wide filter bandwidth. The Company owns and operates a 120,000 sq. ft. ISO-9001:2015 certified commercial wafer-manufacturing facility located in Canandaigua, NY , which includes a class 100 / class 1000 cleanroom facility - tooled for 150-mm diameter wafers - for the design, development, fabrication and packaging of RF filters, MEMS and other semiconductor devices. Akoustis Technologies, Inc. is headquartered in the Piedmont technology corridor near Charlotte, North Carolina. Contact: COMPANY: Tom Sepenzis Akoustis Technologies VP of Corporate Development & IR (980) 689-4961 tsepenzis@akoustis.com The Del Mar Consulting Group, Inc. Robert B. Prag, President 858-794-9500 bprag@delmarconsulting.com (Bloomberg) -- Alphabet Inc. tumbled the most in almost seven years after first-quarter revenue missed analysts estimates and sparked fears that advertisers are shifting some spending to digital rivals away from Google. A lack of answers on Alphabets earnings call led to frustration for investors, Jefferies analysts wrote in a note. The stock fell as much as 8.6 percent Tuesday, the most intraday since October 2012, and traded down 7.6 percent to $1,197.85 at 9:37 a.m. in New York. Sales came in at $29.5 billion, excluding payments to distribution partners, Alphabet said in a statement on Monday. Wall Street was looking for $30.04 billion, according to the average of analysts estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Revenue from Google advertising rose 15 percent, the slowest pace since 2015. That was a stark contrast to scandal-plagued Facebook Inc., which last week reported a 26 percent jump in ad sales. Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat attributed the slowdown to currency fluctuations and the timing of product changes, though she didnt explain which products and why that would hurt growth. On a conference call after the results, analysts repeatedly asked for more details, to the point where Ross Sandler from Barclays said he was beating a dead horse by asking again. Alphabet Results Stir More Questions Than Answers: Street Wrap Ad revenue growth was solid on mobile, but barely present on desktop and tablets, according to data gathered by digital marketing agency Merkle. That contributed to the overall slowdown, Merkles associate director of research Andy Taylor said. "Its unclear how Google might be able to ramp growth back up on these device types," he said. "A lot of the low-hanging fruit has long since been plucked." Another concern is whether competition is starting to limit growth. Googles search engine is usually the first place consumers go when looking for products, letting the internet giant charge premium prices to retailers and other advertisers looking to reach customers online. But people have been increasingly going straight to Amazon.com Inc. to hunt for products and the e-commerce giant has been grabbing a larger share of the digital ad market, chipping away at Googles lead. Story continues In an interview with Bloomberg TV, Porat shrugged off Amazons foray into advertising and said theres still lots of room for growth for all digital ad companies because so much marketing money is still spent offline. "Nearly half of ad budgets in the U.S. are still spent offline," Porat said. "Ninety percent of commerce in the U.S. is offline and we are focused on digital playing a big role in that." The number of clicks on Google ads rose just 39 percent, the lowest year-over-year growth since 2016. The price, or cost per click, fell 19 percent. Porat blamed that on YouTube, where clicks on ads didnt grow as quickly in the first quarter, especially compared to a strong showing during the same period last year. The slowdown was caused by changes YouTube made last year to improve the experience for users and advertisers, she said on the conference call. Porat did not detail what those changes were. Operating margin, a closely watched profit metric, was 23 percent, excluding the antitrust fine. Google capital expenditures dropped sharply in the quarter, in part because of a jump in real-estate spending in the year-earlier period. But Google is still spending heavily to moderate videos on YouTube and to build an enterprise sales team for its cloud business. The company doesnt break out YouTube and cloud revenue, but the two are important sources of future growth. Amazon and Microsoft Corp. are well ahead of Google in the cloud market. Googles other revenue, which includes the cloud business, rose 25 percent to $5.45 billion. Net income was $6.66 billion, or $9.50 a share, versus $9.4 billion, or $13.33 a share, a year earlier, the Mountain View, California-based company said. The latest results were dented by a $1.7 billion European Commission fine for antitrust violations. Excluding that, profit was $11.90 a share. Amazons digital advertising franchise has grown into the third largest in the U.S., trailing only Google and Facebook, EMarketer estimates. First-quarter sales in Amazons other segment, which is mostly advertising, increased 34 percent to $2.72 billion, the online retailer said last week. --With assistance from Kit Rees. To contact the reporter on this story: Gerrit De Vynck in New York at gdevynck@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Jillian Ward at jward56@bloomberg.net, Alistair Barr For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. For Immediate Release Chicago, IL April 29, 2019 Zacks.com releases the list of companies likely to issue earnings surprises. This weeks list includes Apple AAPL, Alphabet GOOGL, General Electric GE, General Motors GM and DowDuPont DWDP Positive EPS Beats 2nd Highest in 5 Years We cross the halfway mark in the Q1 earnings season this week, with almost 1000 companies reporting quarterly numbers, including 158 S&P 500 members. But we have seen results from 230 S&P 500 members or 46% of the indexs total membership already, which gives us a good sense of how this reporting cycle has unfolded. Here are the three trends that are clearly visible already. First , results have turned out to be better than many in the market had started fearing following the very notable cuts that estimates suffered over the last four months. Of the 230 S&P members that reported Q1 results through Friday, April 26th, 79.1% have beaten EPS estimates and 58.7% have beaten revenue estimates. As you can see here, positive EPS surprises are tracking above what we had seen for this group of companies in the past, but positive revenue surprises are modestly on the low side relative to other recent periods. The proportion of positive EPS beats in Q1 at this stage is the second highest for this group of 230 S&P 500 members in the last 5 years. It is reasonable to interpret this performance that estimates for the period had likely been on the lower side. Second , the growth challenge is very real. This is no surprise and has been well known by now. Regular readers know our views about the so-called earnings recession narrative this year. For reference, check out >>>> Earnings Recession Fears Are Exaggerated For the 230 S&P 500 members that reported results through Friday, April 26th, total earnings growth is barely in positive territory at +0.5% on +3.7% higher revenues. Total earnings and revenues were up +17% and +7% for the same group of 230 companies in the preceding quarter, respectively. Story continues This tough comparison on the growth front is due to the tax-cut boost to corporate profitability in 2018. The growth picture is expected to start improving in the second half of the year and accelerating into next year, with full-year 2020 earnings growth for the index reaching double digits after a less than +2% growth in 2019. The moderation in this years growth also reflects the deceleration in global economic growth. The global GDP growth picture appears to have stabilized and even started improving in China and some other parts, but the pace is nevertheless expected to be below what we experienced in the last two years. The bearish narrative is that we have reached the end of the economic cycle when growth inevitably turns south. Macroeconomic data doesnt support this narrative currently, but these things are hard to decipher in real time anyway. My reading of the economic tea leaves is a lot more favorable. While I acknowledge the weakness in Europe, the outlook for the U.S. economy continues to be positive, with growth modestly below the preceding years level, but still very stable. The stronger than expected Q1 GDP growth rate reconfirms this view, even though the elevated GDP growth reading benefited from a couple of lower quality drivers. And other key regions of the world, particularly China, are showing signs of green shoots. We will know either way as we move through the rest of this year, but my money is on continued growth. Third , and most importantly, estimates for the current period (2019 Q2) have been coming down as companies have been reporting Q1 results and sharing their outlook for business trends. Total Q2 earnings for the S&P 500 index are expected to be down -0.5% from the same period last year on +4.8% higher revenues, with the growth pace steadily coming down in recent days. That said, the pace and magnitude of negative revisions to Q2 estimates is lower than what we had been seeing at the comparable period in the preceding quarters. We will get a good sense of the revisions trend this week, as literally a whos who of corporate America report Q1 results and discuss trends in their respective businesses. As mentioned earlier, we have 158 S&P 500 members on the docket reporting results this week, ranging from Tech heavy weights like Apple and Alphabet to economically and trade sensitive operators like General Electric, General Motors , DowDuPont and many others. By the end of this week, we will have seen Q1 results from 77% of the S&P 500 members. We should expect the Q2 earnings estimates to come down in the coming days, but the key thing to watch will be how much do those estimates get cut. We will have a better sense on that count by the end of this week. Expectations for 2019 Q1 As a Whole Looking at Q1 as a whole, combining the actual results that have come out from the 230 S&P 500 members with estimates for the still-to-come companies, total earnings are expected to be down -1.6% from the same period last year on +4.5% higher revenues. If actual 2019 Q1 earnings growth turns out to be negative, it will be the first earnings decline since the second quarter of 2016. Driving the expected Q1 earnings decline is broad-based margin pressures across all major sectors, with net margins for the index of 11.3% down from 12% in the year-earlier and 11.8% in the preceding quarter. Net margins are expected to be below the year-earlier period for 11 of the 16 sectors, including the Technology and Finance sectors. Q1 earnings growth is expected to be negative for 8 of the 16 Zacks sectors, with double-digit earnings declines for 3 sectors, including Energy and Basic Materials sectors. For the Technology sector, Q1 earnings are expected to be down -9.3% from the same period last year on +3% higher revenues and 250 basis points compression in net margins. The sectors growth picture will become clearer following Apples report after the markets close on Tuesday (April 30th). Apple, which is expected to bring in roughly 16% of the sectors total March-quarter earnings, is expected to come out with -15.7% lower earnings on a -5.9% decline in revenues. Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacksresearch Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates. Media Contact Zacks Investment Research 800-767-3771 ext. 9339 support@zacks.com https://www.zacks.com Zacks.com provides investment resources and informs you of these resources, which you may choose to use in making your own investment decisions. Zacks is providing information on this resource to you subject to the Zacks "Terms and Conditions of Service" disclaimer. www.zacks.com/disclaimer. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss.This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) : Free Stock Analysis Report General Motors Company (GM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Apple Inc. (AAPL) : Free Stock Analysis Report General Electric Company (GE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Dow Chemical Company (The) (DWDP) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research COVINGTON, Kentucky, April 29, 2019 - Ashland (ASH) today announced it has appointed Guillermo Novo, a long-time specialty materials industry executive, to its board of directors effective May 22, 2019. Guillermo Novo has served as the president and chief executive officer of Versum Materials, one of the most highly regarded Semiconductor Materials suppliers since 2016. Prior to that, he was executive vice president, Materials Technologies of Air Products and Chemicals Inc., a position he held from 2012-2016. Mr. Novo served as group vice president, Dow Coating Materials from 2010-2012. Earlier in his career, Mr. Novo progressed through a variety of commercial, marketing and management positions over the course of 24 years with Dow (Rohm and Hass prior to a 2009 merger). He is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and earned an MBA from the University of Michigan. Michael J. Ward, having served on the Ashland board for 18 years, will retire from the board in connection with the appointment of Mr. Novo on May 22, 2019. "On behalf of the board and management team, I want to thank Michael for his contributions over the years. He was invaluable in designing and implementing the transformation of Ashland into a leading specialty chemicals company, and we wish him well in his retirement," said Bill Wulfsohn, Ashland chairman and chief executive officer. "We look forward to welcoming Guillermo to our board to complement the skills and expertise of our existing board members. His extensive leadership and proven track record in the specialty materials industry make him a valuable addition to the Ashland board." These actions were taken by the Ashland board in consultation with Neuberger Berman, one of the company`s largest shareholders and a long-term Ashland shareholder, along with input from other shareholders. "We appreciate the tireless effort of Neuberger Berman in helping us to identify an outstanding addition to the Board," said Wulfsohn. About Ashland Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (ASH) is a premier global specialty chemicals company serving customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including adhesives, architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, nutraceuticals, personal care and pharmaceutical. At Ashland, we are approximately 6,000 passionate, tenacious solvers - from renowned scientists and research chemists to talented engineers and plant operators - who thrive on developing practical, innovative and elegant solutions to complex problems for customers in more than 100 countries. Visit ashland.com to learn more. Story continues C-ASH FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Investor Relations: Media Relations: Seth A. Mrozek Joy Brock +1 (302) 594-5010 +1 (859) 815-3793 samrozek@ashland.com jlbrock@ashland.com This announcement is distributed by West Corporation on behalf of West Corporation clients. The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: Ashland Inc. via GlobeNewswire HUG#2242805 Ball Corporation BLL is scheduled to report first-quarter 2019 results on May 2, before the opening bell. In the last reported quarter, Ball Corporation reported adjusted earnings of 55 cents per share. Total revenues were up 2% year over year to $2,803 million in the quarter. While earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, revenues beat the same. The company surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in one of the trailing four quarters, generating an average positive surprise of 0.66%. Lets see how things are shaping up for this announcement. Factors at Play Ball Corporation focuses on pursuing cost-out programs, completing growth capital projects and commercializing on the inherent sustainability attributes of metal packaging. These efforts will benefit the company in the to-be-reported quarter. Further, it is initiating additional products to expand its aerospace infrastructure and testing capabilities. Ball Corporation is focused on developing innovative aluminum packaging products and expanding its business on strong cash flow and EVA returns. The company expects to benefit from outstanding requests for bids and proposals, and contract wins. It has approximately $5.3 billion as contracts already won, but not yet booked into the current backlog which will drive growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for net sales for Beverage packaging, South America segment is pegged at $426 million, reflecting a decline of around 7.2% year over year. The segments operating income indicates a decline of 20.4% year over year to $78 million. The South American industry trends remain impressive, with cans being the favored package in the beer, tea, energy and hard alcohol categories. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for sales in the Beverage packaging, Europe segment is pegged at $596 million for the first quarter, reflecting year-over-year decline of 2.1%. Segment operating income is projected at $62 million, indicating an improvement of 3.3% year over year. Ball Corporations European business will benefit from the addition of two new line facilities in Switzerland and Serbia, along with several other specialty line conversions, scheduled to be online early this year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the Aerospace segment's revenues is pinned at $301 million in the to-be-reported quarter, reflecting year-over-year increase of about 14%. The segments operating income is projected at $31 million, reflecting year-over-year growth of 24%. The company expects aerospace business will witness operating earnings improvement in the first quarter due to new contracts. The Beverage packaging North and Central America segment will likely report sales of $1,089 million, up 5.2% year over year. Segment operating income is projected at $129 million, indicating year-over-year improvement of 14%. The companys North American segment is anticipated to benefit from fixed cost savings and reduce start-up costs in 2019 and beyond. The segment is experiencing some short-term supply dislocation from certain metal suppliers which will likely be managed through during the first quarter. Nonetheless, headwinds related to currency, higher freight rates and tight metal supply in the United States will likely affect Ball Corporations performance. Moreover, the company's performance will be marred by volatile volumes in the EMEA beverage can business due to governmental regulation. Additionally, Saudi Arabia continues to be a challenge for Ball Corporation. The Zacks Consensus Estimates for Ball Corporations earnings per share is pegged at 50 cents for the March-end quarter, flat year over year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for total sales of $2.65 billion for the quarter indicates a decline of 4.7% from the prior-year quarter. Story continues Ball Corporation Price and EPS Surprise Ball Corporation Price and EPS Surprise | Ball Corporation Quote Earnings Whispers Our proven model does not conclusively show that Ball Corporation is likely to beat on earnings this quarter as it does not possess the key components. A stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or at least 3 (Hold) for this to happen. This is not the case here as you will see below: Earnings ESP: Earnings ESP for Ball Corporation is 0.00%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the first-quarter earnings is pegged at 50 cents. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Zacks Rank: Ball Corporation currently carries a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell). It should be noted that we caution against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 or 5 (Sell rated) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing a negative estimate revisions momentum. Price Performance Ball Corporations shares have gained 49% over the past year, outperforming the industrys growth of 30%. Stocks to Consider Here are a few companies that you may want to consider, as our model shows these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter: TPI Composites, Inc. TPIC has an Earnings ESP of +203.03% and holds a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Colfax Corporation CFX has an Earnings ESP of +2.27% and carries a Zacks Rank #3. Regal Beloit Corporation RBC has an Earnings ESP of +2.13% and carries a Zacks Rank #3. Today's Best Stocks from Zacks Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2018, while the S&P 500 gained +15.8%, five of our screens returned +38.0%, +61.3%, +61.6%, +68.1%, and +98.3%. This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 2018, while the S&P averaged +4.8% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +56.2% per year. See their latest picks free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Ball Corporation (BLL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Colfax Corporation (CFX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Regal Beloit Corporation (RBC) : Free Stock Analysis Report TPI Composites, Inc. (TPIC) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. (Adds details of Magazine Luiza's strategy) By Gabriela Mello SAO PAULO, April 29 (Reuters) - Brazilian retailer Magazine Luiza SA said in a filing on Monday it agreed to buy online shoe retailer Netshoes Ltd for approximately $62 million. Magazine Luiza offered to pay $2 a share. Rival Brazilian retailer B2W had said earlier in April it was considering the acquisition of Netshoes. Netshoes stocks ended 3.9 percent down on Monday at $2.65. Shares have fallen by 85.3 percent since its initial public offering two years ago, as the company has struggled to turn a profit. Last August, Reuters reported that Netshoes had hired Goldman Sachs to seek an investor to inject cash in the company and restructure its debt. Shareholders will be paid in cash, Magazine Luiza said. The acquisition is aligned to the retailer's efforts to increase its footprint in the increasingly competitive Brazilian ecommerce, as Amazon.com Inc revs up operations in Latin America's largest economy seven years after entering the market. "Magazine Luiza could use the Netshoes opportunity to start selling clothes and shoes to compete with Amazon.com in Brazil," analysts at Banco Brasil Plural said in a note to clients earlier in April, when the retailer mentioned its interest in Netshoes. Netshoes also announced on Monday the sale of its subsidiary in Argentina to BT8 for an undisclosed amount. (Reporting by Gabriela Mello in Sao Paulo Editing by Matthew Lewis and Lisa Shumaker) A crystal meth drug trafficking operation in the UK relied on bitcoin. The public blockchain told on them. | Source: Shutterstock; Edited by CCN By CCN.com: A recent report from news and media platform The Examiner Live has confirmed that four members of an organized crime ring that dealt in crystal meth in Yorkshire have been slapped with a 31-year jail term. Crystal meth is one of the most addictive drugs in the world, and according to the source, the gangs leader- whose name was given a Hassan Jalilian- imported the substance through childrens toys from Canada. Ring-and-bring The gang was reported to have sold over 1 kilo of various drugs- including ecstasy, MDMA, cocaine, and crystal meth- worth tens of thousands of dollars over four months back in 2017. According to prosecutor Patrick Palmer, Jalilian purchased the drugs through his contacts on the Dark Web, imported them, and sent out anonymous text messages to his potential clients informing them of the drugs availability. From there, the drugs were moved by his henchmen and all payments were made through Bitcoin (BTC), as the organization preferred to use the cryptocurrencys anonymous and untraceable nature to keep its operations devoid of a paper trail. Ongoing plans for expansion In a raid of their base of operations, police found 45,037 ($58,287) in cash, illegal drugs worth an estimated value of 61,000 ($78,940), as well as CS spray and two hunting knives. Police also searched Jalilians mobile phone and found a photo of him posing with a bottle of what he called napalm and pictures of guns and ammunition. Jalilian was reported to have run the operation from the flat of his then-girlfriend Cheryl Scott. Then, he went on to recruit Michael Bendo and Gohar Manzoor, both of whom were already addicts at the time, to help with moving drugs for sale. bitcoin drugs dark web cryptocurrency crypto Bitcoin critics often attack its perceived role in global money laundering operations and the drug trade. Its a fraction compared to the use of cash. | Source: Shutterstock The report claimed that he had turned a building into his factory, and he was in the process of converting the building into a gym to serve as a front for his business. The sentencing included 11-and-a-half years behind bars for Jalilian and a seven-and-a-half-year disqualification from driving. Scott, whose house was used as their base, received a 5-year sentence. Bendo and Manzoor got 8 years and 88 months respectively. In addition to the main culprits, Manzoors wife Razna Begun was hit with a year-long community order sentence, as well as a 10-day rehabilitation order. Read the full story on CCN.com. Press Preview: Tuesday, April 30, 2019 10am-12pm New York, NY, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- City of Workers, City of Struggle: How Labor Movements Changed New York, opening at the Museum of the City of New York on May 1, will trace how New York became the most unionized large city in the United States. For more than two centuries, New York City has been an incubator and battleground of movements by and for working people and today, 24 percent of New York City workers are unionized, compared to the national average of 11 percent. This exhibition will examine the social, political, and economic story of the diverse workers and movements in New York through rare documents, artifacts, photographs, archival film footage, and interactive features. You cannot understand the history of New York City without understanding the history of labor movements here, said Whitney Donhauser, Ronay Menschel Director and President of the Museum of the City of New York. Through this exhibition, visitors will learn how labor movements evolved over two centuries in New York, the current state of affairs for workers, and what the future may hold. "Labor movements have been central to the rise of the city that we know today. It's exciting that City of Workers, City of Struggle explores New Yorks rich labor history, and also gives voice to contemporary labor activists and working people as they face the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly changing urban economy," said Steven H. Jaffe, curator of the exhibition. City of Workers, City of Struggle will follow the progression of the labor movement by breaking the history into four segments and then looking toward the future. The exhibition begins with the section In Union There is Strength, which documents the 19th century when there was a shift from the artisan to wage worker through the development of new patterns of work and employment, as well as new technology. This will be exemplified in the exhibition by an enormous wrench used to build the Brooklyn Bridge. It will also include an illustration of the day in 1882 when New Yorks Central Labor Union launched the nations first Labor Day to underscore Labors efforts to secure better pay, hours, and working conditions. The exhibition moves on to the period of 19001965 with the section Labor Will Rule, looking at an era when New Yorks unions gained monumental power. By 1950, New York City had about one million union members representing at least a quarter of the entire workforce. However, this power was not equally shared as female, African American, Latino, and Asian American New Yorkers still fought obstacles to their presence in union ranks and leadership. Sea Change, the third section, focuses on the years between 1965 and 2001. Over the preceding decades, hundreds of thousands of new immigrants had joined African Americans from the South and Puerto Ricans in coming to New York to seek opportunity. The citys fiscal crisis in 1975, and a growing anti-union mood in local and national politics, led to challenges for the movement to organize labor. These developments coincided with court and federal agency decisions that scaled back legal protections earlier won by organized labor. Together, they began a long weakening of unions economic and political power, as many New Yorkers worried about the costs of union contracts to the city and as the number of unionized workers declined nationwide. Between 1960 and 2000, New York City lost more than 650,000 manufacturing and port jobs as businesses automated or moved away in pursuit of lower wages and taxes, and fewer regulations. By the 1970s, a new militancy fueled the activism of previously marginalized workers: women, African Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Asian Americans were challenging union establishments. As union membership declined in private industry, organizations of government employees and service workers (hospital, maintenance, security, clerical, and others) increasingly became engines of upward mobility for thousands of New Yorkers. The last section, New Challenges, looks at how New York activists after 2001 continued to reshape the future of labor by broadening the agenda to confront issues ranging from racial profiling to sexual violence, LGBTQ equality, environmental safety, and citizenship status. Worker Centers and other new community organizations used foundation grants, legal action, and public pressure to help non-unionized and undocumented workers. In a changing economy, this Alt Labor or New Labor movement also mobilized people who worked as freelancers or in a succession of jobs. Although New York remains the most unionized city in the United States today, current realities are challenging. Conflicting visions for the citys future have sometimes pitted different groups of organized workers against each other. Yet local labor activists have also achieved important recent victories, including paid family leave, guaranteed sick leave, and a $15 minimum wage. The exhibition is organized by curator Steven H. Jaffe with the help of a distinguished panel of scholars. A companion publication takes a deeper dive into some of the topics touched in the exhibition. City Workers, City of Struggle features essays by leading historians of New York along with vivid depictions of work, daily life, and political struggle. Edited by Joshua B. Freeman, Distinguished Professor of History at Queens College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, it is published by Columbia University Press and is available for $40 in the Museum shop. City of Workers, City of Struggle is presented in collaboration with the Kheel Center at the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University and the Tamiment Library & Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives at NYU. City of Workers, City of Struggle, its associated programs, and its companion publication are made possible through the generous support of The Puffin Foundation, Ltd. Additional support for the exhibitions companion publication is provided by Atran Foundation, Inc., and Furthermore: a program of the J. M. Kaplan Fund, and other generous donors. Made Possible in part by The New Network Fund, supported by JL Greene. Exhibition Committee Governor David A. Paterson, Co-Chair Patricia Smith, Co-Chair, Senior Counsel, National Employment Law Project Law Project; former New York State Commissioner of Labor Vincent Alvarez, President, New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO Esta R. Bigler, Director, Labor and Employment Law Program, Cornell University ILR School Marco Carrion, Commissioner, Mayors Office of Community Affairs Janella T. Hinds, UFT Vice President, Academic High schools, United Federation of Teachers Ed Ott, Active in the Labor Movement for more than 50 years Roberta Reardon, Commissioner, New York State Department of Labor Lorelei Salas, Commissioner, New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Maritza Silva-Farrell, Executive Director, ALIGN: The Alliance for a Greater New York Lara Skinner, Executive Director, The Worker Institute, Cornell University ILR School Kathryn Wylde, President and CEO, Partnership for New York City Scholarly Advisory Committee Joshua B. Freeman, chair, Rachel Bernstein, Michelle Chen, Margaret Chin, Richard Greenwald, Louis Hyman, Alice Kessler-Harris, Richard Lieberman, Stephen McFarland, Premilla Nadasen, Kimberly Phillips-Fein, Christopher Rhomberg, Aldo Lauria Santiago, Robert W. Snyder, Michael Spear and Clarence Taylor. Public Programs Story continues Uncovering the Lost Lives of Workers: The Archaeology of Labor May 8, 6:30pm 8:00pm $15 Admission | $10 Members The New York City we know today was profoundly shaped by workers. Not only did workers build and maintain the physical city, but their struggles over pay, power, and inclusion have made and remade the city many times over. Join archaeologists Dr. Meta Janowitz, Dr. Jean Howson, and Alanna Warner-Smith as they share their latest findings about New York Citys working and living conditions. Moderated by Sharon Wilkins, Deputy Borough Historian of Manhattan. Meet the Curators: Steven H. Jaffe May 14, 4:00pm 5:00pm $40 Admission | $35 Members Join Curator Steven H. Jaffe as he guides you through City of Workers, City of Struggle: How Labor Movements Changed New York. Did you know that some of the nations foremost labor leaders have been New Yorkers? Ask questions, give feedback, and learn something new with your fellow New Yorkers (or New Yorkers at heart) during this truly behind-the-scenes experience. New Labor in New York and the Fight for Workers' Rights May 22, 7:00pm 8:30pm $20 Admission | $10 Members Join three of New York's most dynamic new labor activists, Bhairavi Desai of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, Allison Julien of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, and Michelle Miller of Coworker.org, for a conversation about recent gains (and setbacks) in their movements to protect the workers who make this city run. Moderated by Ed Ott, former Executive Director of the New York City Central Labor Council. Moonlight & Movies Series $15 General Admission 9 to 5 June 20, 8:00pm 10:30pm This classic 1980 feminist satire 9 to 5 still remains all too relevant in today's #MeToo America. Prior to the screening, Jessica Bennett will share her perspective as the first-ever gender editor for The New York Times, working to expand the newsroom's coverage of social issues and culture through the lens of gender. En el Septimo Dia July 16, 8:00pm 10:15pm En el Septimo Dia follows Jose, an undocumented bike delivery worker, over the course of seven days. Prior the screening, director Jim McKay and Make the Road New York's Mel Gonzalez sit down for a conversation about the contemporary immigration and labor issues that inspired the film. Modern Times August 21, 7:30pm 9:30pm Charlie Chaplins timeless 1936 masterpiece, Modern Times, was the last outing for his iconic Little Tramp character, who stars as an inept factory worker caught up in the cogs and sprockets of modern industrialization. As one of the last great films of the silent era, Modern Times represents Chaplin's rejection of the forward march of modernization. On the Waterfront September 10, 7:00pm 9:30pm Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jennifer Egan introduces this outdoor screening of Elia Kazans 1954 classic On the Waterfront. Egans latest novel, historical noir thriller Manhattan Beach, navigates the crime-ridden underworld of New York Citys shipyards in the 1940s. Labor Day week union member discount The Museum is offering a 50% discount on admission for union members who show any union card from Sunday, September 1st through Saturday, September 7th in honor of Labor Day week. #CityofWorkers About the Museum of the City of New York The Museum of the City of New York fosters understanding of the distinctive nature of urban life in the worlds most influential metropolis. It engages visitors by celebrating, documenting, and interpreting the citys past, present, and future. To connect with the Museum on social media, follow us on Instagram and Twitter at @MuseumofCityNY and visit our Facebook page at Facebook.com/MuseumofCityNY. For more information please visit www.mcny.org. Press Contacts: Mary Flanagan | 917-492-3480 | mflanagan@mcny.org Sarah Jackson | 917-492-3483 | sjackson@mcny.org Attachments Sarah Jackson Museum of the City of New York (917) 492-3483 sjackson@mcny.org Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 29, 2019) - Ely Gold Royalties Inc. (TSXV: ELY) (OTCQB: ELYGF) ("Ely Gold") announces a clarification to its April 23, 2019 press release regarding the acquisition of a 1.00% (one percent) NSR royalty (the "Lincoln Hill Royalty") on the Lincoln Hill Property, operated by Coeur Mining Inc. ("Coeur"). The initial press release announced that the purchase consideration would be a (i) cash component of $750,000 and (ii) the issuance of 500,000 common stock purchase warrants, each full warrant will allow the Seller to purchase one share of Ely Gold common stock at CAN$0.17 for 2 years from the closing date. To comply with TSXV filing regulations, the terms have been changed to reflect a cash component of $755,000 and a warrant exercise price of CAN$0.18. The additional cash component will be paid at closing. All other terms in the initial press release remain the same. About Ely Gold Royalties Inc. Ely Gold Royalties Inc. is a Vancouver-based, emerging royalty company with development assets focused in Nevada and Quebec. Its current portfolio includes 32 Deeded Royalties and 19 properties optioned to third parties. Ely Gold's royalty portfolio includes producing royalties, fully-permitted mines and development projects that are at or near producing mines. The Company is actively seeking opportunities to purchase existing third-party royalties for its portfolio, and all the Company's Option Properties are expected to produce royalties, if exercised. The royalty and option portfolios are currently generating significant revenue. Ely Gold is well positioned with its current portfolio of over 20 available properties to generate additional operating revenue through option and sale transactions. The Company has a proven track record of maximizing the value of its properties through claim consolidation and advancement using its extensive, proprietary data base. All portfolio properties are sold or optioned on a 100% basis, while the Company retains net smelter royalty interests. Management believes that due to the Company's ability to generate royalty transactions, its successful strategy of organically creating royalties, its equity portfolio and its current low valuation, Ely Gold offers shareholders a low-risk leverage to the current price of gold and low-cost access to long-term mineral royalties. Story continues On Behalf of the Board of Directors Signed "Trey Wasser" Trey Wasser, President & CEO For further information, please contact: Trey Wasser, President & CEO trey@elygoldinc.com 972-803-3087 Joanne Jobin, Investor Relations Officer jjobin@elygoldinc.com 604-488-1104 Forward-looking Statement Caution This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the Company's acquisition of the Lincoln Hill 1% Royalty relating to Coeur's Lincoln Hill Mine Property, Coeur's stated plans for further near-term exploration and development of the Lincoln Hill Property, and the Company's outlook for the expected performance of its royalty and option portfolios. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the risk of accidents and other risks associated with Coeur's mineral exploration, development and extraction operations, the risk that Coeur will encounter unanticipated geological factors, or the possibility that Coeur may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances, necessary to carry out its stated plans for the Lincoln Hill Property, the risk of unknown title defects that could impair the Company's inability to enforce the Lincoln Hill 1% Royalty, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal disputes or changes in the jurisdictions where the Company carries on its business that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. THIS PRESS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH JURISDICTION. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44373 This press release, required by applicable Canadian laws, is not for distribution to U.S. newswire services or for dissemination in the United States FILE PHOTO: The unstaffed lobby of the North Dakota regional headquarters of oil producer Occidental Petroleum Corp is seen in Dickinson, North Dakota in this October 14, 2015. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder By David French and Carl O'Donnell (Reuters) - Anadarko Petroleum Corp, the U.S. oil and gas exploration and production company that agreed this month to sell itself to Chevron Corp for $33 billion, decided on Sunday to begin negotiations to sell itself to Occidental Petroleum Corp instead, according to people familiar with the matter. The bidding war for Anadarko underscores the value of its assets in the lucrative Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico. The vast shale field holds oil and gas deposits that can produce supplies for decades using low-cost drilling techniques. Anadarko's board of directors has decided that Occidental's $38 billion cash-and-stock bid could lead to a deal that would be superior to the one it has with Chevron, the sources said. Without such a formal determination, Anadarko's contract with Chevron prevented it from engaging with Occidental. Anadarko will now kick off negotiations with Occidental to see if it can finalize a deal, the sources said. There is no certainty that Occidental, which was vying for Anadarko before Chevron clinched its deal, will be able to secure its own deal, the sources said. If it does, Chevron will be given a chance to match the new deal. If Chevron finally loses out to Occidental, Anadarko would have to pay Chevron a $1 billion break-up fee, according to the terms of their agreement. The sources asked not to be identified because the matter is confidential. Anadarko and Occidental did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Chevron spokesman Kent Robertson declined any immediate comment. The acquisition of Anadarko would add nearly a quarter million acres to Occidental's holdings in the Permian shale basin, and double its global oil and gas production to 1.4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day. Occidental unveiled its bid for Anadarko last Wednesday, offering to pay for it half in cash and half with its own shares. Chevron's deal with Anadarko was structured as 25 percent cash and 75 percent stock. Story continues Chevron declined to say on Friday during its earnings call how it would respond if Anadarkos board determined Occidental's proposal the better of the two deals. Chevron's finance chief Pierre Breber, however, said the company had the ability to put more cash into its deal. A key hurdle that Occidental has to overcome in its negotiations with Anadarko is that its proposed deal is contingent on Occidental shareholders voting to approve it. A deal with Chevron offers more certainty to Anadarko in that regard, because Chevron shareholders will not be given a vote. Anadarko shareholders will be given a vote on the sale of the company, be it with Occidental or Chevron. (Reporting by David French and Carl O'Donnell in New York; Additional reporting by Gary McWilliams in Houston; Editing by Richard Pullin and Tom Hogue) - Biotech and healthcare stocks are loved by traders for their big price moves, which can happen when a company makes progress (or faces problems) with their developmental products like drugs and devices. Results from Phase I, II and III clinical studies, and FDA or European approvals (and rejections), can send stocks into the headlines. - Everyone is familiar with these headline-making moves. Recent examples include Mustang Bio (MBIO) and Akari Therapeutics (AKTX) with their respective human study results. Now, a new entrant in the large neurological device market, NeuroOne Medical Technologies (NMTC), could be on the eve of their first FDA cleared device, and few investors are paying attention to this small company because it's so new and quiet about what they're doing. - Nevertheless, NeuroOne is 10% owned by the Mayo Clinic and has a stable of veteran physicians and researchers on their board and advisory board. With the possibility of two FDA clearances in 2019 for their first planned medical devices, the company could have a breakout year if they execute and move from unknown to mainstream. NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 29, 2019 / Small healthcare stocks are known for making headline-grabbing moves, often when their development-phase drugs or devices move closer to going commercial. Completion of Phase I, II, and III trials can all send stocks moving, as can approvals from European and U.S. regulators. Case in point, Mustang Bio Inc.'s (MBIO) recent move when they unexpectedly announced positive results from a Phase II clinical trial, or Akari Therapeutics (AKTX) when they released their own positive trial results in April. They were both some of the most traded securities when they emerged. These tend to happen when most investors aren't paying much attention, and that could be the setup for a newer neuro company that recently made their way to the public markets. NeuroOne Medical Technologies (NMTC) is a small developer of electrode technology that just quietly submitted their first product to the U.S. FDA for a possible clearance early in 2019. NeuroOne's technologies - sometimes known as "neurostimulation" devices - have been tested at the Mayo Clinic, which is also a 10% owner of the company's public stock. Now that the company is headed towards their first possible FDA clearance, and with a second possible clearance for another device right on its heels, NeuroOne is a healthcare company to be aware of before it gets discovered. Story continues NeuroOne Operates In A Growing Device Market The emerging field of neurostimulation refers to technologies that electrically stimulate or monitor the nervous system to treat and diagnose disorders. Though humans have learned much about the nervous system in the last twenty years, it remains a mysterious organ and technology has only recently begun to unlock some new treatment options. These devices are now helping in a variety of difficult neurological disorders, like Parkinson's Disease, Dystonia, Epilepsy and even in the treatment of pain and some nerve damage. It's an exciting time as this industry takes off. By 2024 the research firm Global Markets Insights expect this to be a $16 billion industry across the globe. One of the earliest successes for neurostimulation devices was in Epilepsy and Parkinson's using Deep Brain Stimulation, or DBS and ablation. After identifying brain tissue that may be causing Epileptic seizures or movement problems as in severe Parkinson's, neurologists can selectively modulate or destroy this tissue with a DBS or ablation device, reducing or sometimes eliminating symptoms of the disorder. In fact, ablation can cure about 50% of Epileptic patients. The hang-up for many Parkinson's, Dystonia, or Epilepsy patients who are eligible for DBS or ablation is the traumatic surgical requirements, not only for treatment but also to diagnose and pinpoint the affecting brain tissue. It can take weeks in the hospital, sometimes with wires protruding from a patient's skull! Here's where NeuroOne hopes to make its mark on the industry. The company's initial devices are high-fidelity electrodes designed to enhance and possibly shorten this diagnostic/treatment process. These thin-film electrodes, used in a procedure called an EEG (electroencephalogram), may provide more accurate detection of irregular brain activity over currently available technology. In limited clinical testing so far, doctors at the Mayo Clinic have been able to document pre-seizure activity (called micro-seizures) during clinical research with their patients using NeuroOne's technology. The electrodes are being developed as strips and depth electrodes, and they've already demonstrated an improvement in inflammatory response compared to existing products when used on some brain tissue. With better diagnostic process, NeuroOne hopes that their products can shorten the diagnostic time and improve safety for Epileptics and patients suffering from movement disorders. Combined, this first technology addresses a demand for improved diagnostic options among neurologists, and NeuroOne is now racing to market with their first medical devices for approval. NeuroOne Quietly Made Their First FDA Clearance Application NeuroOne has been mostly quiet on the investor front, but in a recent SEC filing they revealed that they recently filed their first Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k)application. The application covers their cortical and strip electrodes for temporary (less than 30 day) use with recording, monitoring, and acute stimulation equipment for the recording, monitoring and stimulation of electrical signals on the surface of the brain. In the case of this 510(k) process, which is used when the device holds a low risk to the patient, the FDA aims to complete its review within 90 days of receiving the notification. This is the biggest gating event for NeuroOne since the company went public, and it could take them from a development stage company to commercial and their first revenue. An FDA clearance could launch the into the mainstream of healthcare companies, and investors will undoubtedly take notice of this tiny company. The company also plans to file a FDA 510(k) marketing clearance for their first depth electrode during the second quarter. Following that, they're working on a unique diagnostic/ablation device that could further shorten and simplify the treatment time for patients. NMTC could have two value-driving events in the next 5-6 months, and the markets are barely paying attention. Strong Advisory Board Backs NeuroOne, And Mayo Owns 10% Of The Company The breadth of expertise involved in NeuroOne is impressive. The company has strong advisors and executives, and their technology has been tested over the years by both the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and the Mayo Clinic, the latter of which is also a 10% holder of NeuroOne's public stock. Since going public, NeuroOne has been building a team of experienced medical tech and neurology advisory members: Mayo Clinic's Greg Worrell MD, PhD and Gregory J. Esper, MD, MBA of Emory University both sit on the company's scientific advisory board. More recently, Dr. Kip Ludwig, former Program Director for Neural Engineering at the NIH, became chair of the company's new "artificial intelligence" advisory board, which will focus on deploying NeuroOne's electrode technology in artificial intelligence and bioelectronics applications. Dr. Cristin Welle of the Univ. of Colorado joined, a founder of the Neural Interfaces Program at the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health Office of Science and Engineering Labs; plus Dr. Doug Weber, a Program Manager in the Biological Technologies Office (BTO) at DARPA. Evaluating AI opens up some unique possible opportunities as more researchers have considered the potential for electrode/brain interfaces. The possibility for translational work in this space is intriguing. 2019 Could Bring First Clearances For NeuroOne NeuroOne has been operating in stealth mode for the last year, but 2019 could be when investors start to pay attention. The company could have 2 FDA clearances in the next 6 months if the FDA signs off on their cortical and depth electrode 510(k) filings. As this company has been mostly undiscovered since going public, these events may be the first time that investors stand up and take notice. About One Equity Stocks One Equity Stocks is a provider of paid-for research on publicly traded emerging growth companies. This is an advertisement. We are not a licensed broker-dealer and do not publish investment advice and remind readers that investing, especially in penny stocks, involves considerable risk. One Equity Stocks encourages all readers to carefully review the SEC filings of any issuers we cover and consult with an investment professional before making any investment decisions. One Equity Stocks is a for-profit business and is usually compensated for coverage of issuers we cover as well as other advisory work we perform. Although we always strive to be objective, you should assume we are biased because of the financial relationship we have with companies we write about. We have an advisory relationship with Neuro One Medical and have received 250,000 shares of restricted stock from NMTC for advisory services including this advertisement. We are also reimbursed for actual expenses we incur related to the provision of advisory services. We may receive additional compensation in the future and if so we are unable to update this disclosure. Please contact us at info@investorclick.net for additional information or to subscribe to our intelligence service. Small Cap Risk Disclosure Don't buy a penny stock if you aren't prepared to lose your entire investment. Penny stocks may trade infrequently, which means that it may be difficult to sell penny stock shares once you own them. Moreover, because it may be difficult to find quotations for certain penny stocks, they may be difficult, or even impossible, to accurately price. For these, and other reasons, penny stocks are generally considered speculative investments. Consequently, investors in penny stocks should be prepared for the possibility that they may lose their whole investment (or an amount in excess of their investment if they purchased penny stocks on margin). SOURCE: One Equity Stocks View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/543281/FDA-Events-Put-Healthcare-Stocks-In-The-Headlines-Heres-One-That-No-Ones-Talking-About-Yet NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE /April 29, 2019 / First Mining Gold Corp. ("First Mining" or the "Company") (FF.TO) (FFMGF) (FMG.F) is pleased to announce that it intends to complete an equity financing by way of a non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $6,012,000 (the "Offering"). Certain insiders of the Company, including Keith Neumeyer, the Chairman of the Board, and Dan Wilton, First Mining's CEO, will be participating in the Offering. The Offering will consist of up to 15,600,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.27 per Unit (the "Unit Offering Price") for gross proceeds of up to $4,212,000, and up to 5,000,000 flow-through units of the Company (the "FT Units") at a price of $0.36 per FT Unit for gross proceeds of up to $1,800,000. Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (a "Unit Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole common share purchase warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of $0.40 at any time prior to the date which is three years following the closing date of the Offering. Each FT Unit will consist of one flow-through common share of the Company that qualifies as a "flow-through share" for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (a "FT Unit Share") and one-half of one Warrant on the same terms as the Warrants forming part of the Units. The net proceeds from the sale of the Units issued under the Offering will be used by the Company for development and permitting activities at its Canadian gold projects, as well as for general working capital purposes. The gross proceeds raised from the sale of the FT Units under the Offering will be used by the Company to fund exploration programs that qualify as "Canadian Exploration Expenses" ("CEE") and "flow-through mining expenditures", as those terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada), and as "eligible Ontario exploration expenditures" for the purposes of the Taxation Act, 2007 (Ontario). Story continues It is expected that the Offering will close on or about May 16, 2019 (the "Closing Date"). The Offering is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals including the acceptance of the offering by the Toronto Stock Exchange. All securities to be issued under the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the Closing Date. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About First Mining Gold Corp. First Mining Gold Corp. is an emerging development company with a diversified portfolio of gold projects in North America. Having assembled a large resource base of 7.3 million ounces of gold in the Measured and Indicated categories and 3.6 million ounces of gold in the Inferred category in mining friendly jurisdictions of eastern Canada, First Mining is now focused on advancing its material assets towards a construction decision and, ultimately, to production. The Company currently holds a portfolio of 24 mineral assets in Canada, Mexico and the United States, and we may acquire additional mineral assets in the future. ON BEHALF OF FIRST MINING GOLD CORP. Daniel W. Wilton Chief Executive Officer and Director For further information, please contact: Mal Karwowska | Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations Direct: 604.639.8824 | Toll Free: 1.844.306.8827 | Email: info@firstmininggold.com www.firstmininggold.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: (i) the completion of the Offering and the timing thereof; (ii) the use of the net proceeds from the Offering; (iii) the use of the gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Units issued under the Offering to fund exploration programs that qualify as CEE; (iv) the Company's focus on advancing its assets towards production; and (v) realizing the value of the Company's gold projects for the Company's shareholders. All forward-looking statements are based on First Mining's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: failure to obtain regulatory approval; demand for the Units and FT Units; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar); changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities, indigenous populations and other stakeholders; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; title to properties.; and the additional risks described in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com, and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the SEC on EDGAR. First Mining cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to First Mining, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. First Mining does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on our behalf, except as required by law. Cautionary Note to United States Investors This news release has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Unless otherwise indicated, all resource and reserve estimates included in this news release have been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum 2014 Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Canadian standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the requirements of the SEC, and mineral resource and reserve information contained herein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies. In particular, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term "resource" does not equate to the term "reserves". Under U.S. standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. The SEC's disclosure standards normally do not permit the inclusion of information concerning "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" or "inferred mineral resources" or other descriptions of the amount of mineralization in mineral deposits that do not constitute "reserves" by U.S. standards in documents filed with the SEC. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. U.S. investors should also understand that "inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an "inferred mineral resource" will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimated "inferred mineral resources" may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an "inferred mineral resource" exists or is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. The requirements of NI 43-101 for identification of "reserves" are also not the same as those of the SEC, and reserves reported by the Company in compliance with NI 43-101 may not qualify as "reserves" under SEC standards. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth herein may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards. SOURCE: First Mining Gold Corp. View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/543284/First-Mining-Announces-60-Million-Non-Brokered-Private-Placement-Financing By Andrea Shalal BERLIN Reuters) - Facing tough competition from China, the United States and even tiny Luxembourg, Germany is racing to draft new laws and attract private investment to secure a slice of an emerging space market that could be worth $1 trillion (774 billion pounds) a year by the 2040s. The drive to give Germany a bigger role in space comes as European, Asian and U.S. companies stake out ground in an evolving segment that promises contracts for everything from exploration to mining of outer-space resources. Firms likely to benefit from any future spending rise in Germany include Airbus, which co-owns the maker of Europe's Ariane space rockets, and Bremen-based OHB. The new legislation would limit financial and legal liabilities of private companies should accidents happen in orbit, set standards for space operations and offer incentives for new projects, the German economy ministry told Reuters. The ministry's aerospace and space commissioner, Thomas Jarzombek, could submit the laws to parliament later this year. The move comes as companies and trade groups press for German authorities to establish a regulatory framework for the lucrative new market to encourage private investment. "We are sounding the alarm that Germany and Europe are falling behind in space vis-a-vis China and the United States," Dirk Hoke, defence and space chief at Franco-German-led aerospace group Airbus, told Reuters. "We're at a critical juncture to ensure we stay in the top league." Germany is Europe's economic powerhouse and the world's fourth-largest economy. However it had just the world's seventh-largest national space budget in 2018, an estimated $1.1 billion, just over half the amount generated by fifth-placed France, according to preliminary data from Paris-based research firm Euroconsult. The figure, which excludes contributions to pan-European programmes, is dwarfed by the United States - by far the largest spender on space at almost $40 billion. Story continues Ironically, American space ambitions could offer a lifeline. Hoke said a new lunar Gateway programme backed by U.S. space agency NASA offered a chance for Germany and others in Europe to stake a claim to a key role in the market. "In my view, it is hugely important that we participate as equal partners so that we are primed to develop and build technologies for such a gateway," he said. The programme involves designing and developing a small spaceship that will orbit the Moon and serve as a temporary home for astronauts and as a base for work on the moon's surface and, later, missions to Mars. NASA had aimed to finish the Gateway by 2026, but Washington is now aiming to put humans back on the Moon by 2024, which could lead to an accelerated schedule. Even before then, Germany is facing a brain-drain as companies worldwide ponder how to extract minerals from asteroids and water from the moon within a decade. Some companies are already considering moving to Luxembourg, which has taken a lead in Europe by enacting laws to limit liabilities and ease restrictions on mining operations. It has also set up a 100-million-euro ($112 million)investment fund for projects. "It's a global market. We have our customers and we will keep them, even if we have to run the company from somewhere else," said Walter Ballheimer, CEO of German Orbital Systems, a Berlin-based start-up that builds small satellites. "Germany was overtaken a long time ago," he said. "But it's not too late. If they are courageous enough and adopt a clear space policy ... then we can still have a piece of the cake that we should have as a leading export nation." Two other heads of small German space companies told Reuters they were considering leaving the country. For an interactive version of this story, click https://tmsnrt.rs/2XE1K47 'LEAN' SPACE LAW But Germany is not standing still. Space commissioner Jarzombek is working with trade groups, companies and other experts to draft the space laws, and plans to submit it them parliament sometime after September. "We are aiming for a lean basic law that is open to the future," said a spokeswoman for Jarzombek and the economy ministry. "A national space law should focus above all on incentives and make it possible for the German space industry to play a bigger role in global developments." Berlin is also pressing the United Nations to set standards for mining of the Moon, asteroids and other objects in space. The United States passed a law in 2015 that encouraged private companies to undertake mining work beyond Earth, and gives its firms the right to claim resources they may one day be able to extract from celestial bodies. Jarzombek helped secure a 269-million-euro increase in planned funding for the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2020-2023. But Germany's total space funding, which includes ESA and national programmes, is not expected to rise in that period. It edged slightly lower to 1.57 billion euros in 2019. The 18-member ESA oversees cooperation on space exploration and launches, but individual countries have their own research and interests, funded outside the ESA budget. Matthias Wachter, aerospace expert at the BDI German Federation of Industry, said advances in space were crucial for future technologies such as autonomous driving. "Germany is limping behind," he said. Any spending plans would have to contend with rising budget pressures and an economic slowdown. Germany is in its 10th year of expansion, but only narrowly avoided recession last year. Senior executives from Deutsche Bank and Munich Re and others met in Berlin this month to brainstorm ways to fund and insure new space projects. One problem is Germany's conservative approach to investment and financing as entrepreneurs seek capital, said Sebastian Straube, CEO of investment firm Interstellar Ventures. Straube is building a 100-million-euro investment fund that will fund projects. He is also working with companies like rail operator Deutsche Bahn to encourage them to support new ventures that build applications taking advantage of increased access to space through satellites in low-earth orbit. SPACEX BATTLE Marco Fuchs, CEO of satellite builder OHB, said Germany needed bigger increases in national space funding to pay for pioneering developments, citing growing competition worldwide. The company carried out a privately funded commercial mission with China to orbit the moon in 2014, and teamed up this year with Israel Aerospace Industries to offer the commercial delivery of payloads to the lunar surface for ESA. OHB is a key player in the battle between Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket and the Falcon 9 built by Elon Musk's SpaceX to launch the first of two new OHB spy satellites, called Georg, for Germany's foreign intelligence agency in 2022. The contract, worth tens of millions of dollars, is drawing political attention after SpaceX and Ariane traded barbs about access to each other's markets, which could presage a transatlantic trade dispute in coming years. OHB and the German government are expected to select the winner by late 2020, and Fuchs said the decision would be based on many factors, including launch dates and available budgets. "In the end, it's always a question of the price - or a political decision," he said. (Additional reporting by Andreas Rinke and Tim Hepher; Editing by Pravin Char) 1. Yes. If a department head is doing a bad job and the city manager wont act, its needed. 2. Yes. Its a crucial safeguard against poor hiring decisions and conflicts of interest. 3. No. It would only muddle the leadership structure and damage employee morale. 4. No. It would make it harder to recruit and retain qualified city leaders at all levels. 5. Unsure. Council oversight may be good, but perhaps not to such a significant extent. Vote View Results FSD Pharma (CSE: HUGE) (OTCQB: FSDDF) (FRA: 0K9) said that its FV Pharma subsidiary received its Sale For Medical Purposes license for the sale of cannabis products. The license, which went into effect on April 18, allows the current FSD facility to supply and sell cannabis products under the Cannabis Act Canada. The company anticipates receiving the amended sales license that will include the sale of dried and fresh cannabis flower in the near future. Our sales license is a key development for FSD Pharma and a huge success and step forward for our Cobourg Facility, Dr. Raza Bokhari, executive co-chairman and CEO, said in a statement. Selling Cannabis in Canada FV Pharma President Dr. Sara May stated that the granting of our sales license allows FSD to serve the growing medicinal use markets in Canada. We intend to quickly scale up production at our current facility, while continuing to build out the plant to add additional grow capacity. In addition, our sales license opens the door for our partner Canntab Therapeutics to commence sales of its suite of novel cannabis oral dose delivery platforms, including CBD and THC capsules, in Canada and global markets. We expect that this will provide an immediate benefit to both parties, since FSD is entitled to a share of Canntabs revenue from sales as a result of the collaboration and profit sharing agreement that we entered into this past fall, May added. FSD Business FSD Pharma is engaged in the development of indoor grown, pharmaceutical grade cannabis and on the research and development of novel cannabinoid-based treatments for several central nervous system disorders, including chronic pain, fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome. The company has 25,000 sq. ft. available for production at its Ontario facility. FSD facilities sit on 70 acres of land with 40 acres primed for development and an expansion capability of up to 3,896,000 sq. ft. Story continues The companys subsidiary FV Pharma is a licensed producer under the Cannabis Act and Regulations, having received its cultivation license on Oct. 13, 2017. The companys goal is to transform its current headquarters in a Kraft plant in Cobourg, Ontario into the largest hydroponic indoor grow facility in the world. FV Pharma plans to cover all aspects of the exciting new industry, including cultivation, legal, processing, manufacturing, extracts and research and development. The post FSD Pharma Gets Approval to Get Cannabis Products appeared first on Market Exclusive. COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE Gold Resource Corporation (NYSE American: GORO) (the Company) reports first gold production from Isabella Pearl in its Nevada Mining Unit ahead of schedule. Gold Resource Corporation is a gold and silver producer, developer and explorer with operations in Oaxaca, Mexico and Nevada, USA. The Company has returned $111 million to its shareholders in consecutive monthly dividends since July 2010 and offers its shareholders the option to convert their cash dividends into physical gold and silver and take delivery. GORO Photo:Isabella Pearl Project: First Gold Dore Bar The Company broke ground on the Isabella Pearl project in June 2018 with the goal of first gold production by twelve months in June 2019. After ten months of construction progress, the Company announced on March 25, 2019 that it had begun the initial stages of gold processing by applying and circulating leach solution to ore loaded on the heap leach pad. With the focus on reaching cash flow at the earliest possible time, two panels under leach, and final construction of the projects ADR processing facility ongoing, management decided to utilize a third-party to process gold loaded carbon accumulating in the ADR plant and pour gold dore ahead of schedule. The dore will be shipped and sold to a refinery in the coming days. The spent carbon was regenerated and will be returned to the process cycle at the Isabella Pearl project. Additional gold loaded carbon shipments are planned in the next few days. It is a tremendous milestone to have produced our first gold dore from Isabella Pearl in just over ten months from breaking ground on the project, stated Gold Resource Corporations CEO and President, Mr. Jason Reid. Building a project like this is so exciting. An incredible amount of planning, work and problem solving goes into bringing a project like this online. Our team is still working hard to complete the final portions of the ADR process facility, from which we expect to pour dore bars on site in the future; however, after evaluating the ease of delivery and reasonable cost to utilize a third-party to process our gold infused carbon, it was an easy decision to achieve cash flow sooner than anticipated. These initial first several hundred ounces of gold are the beginning of what we believe will be a great gold project for Gold Resource Corporation shareholders. We remain focused on ADR construction completion over the next several months and now look towards the project production ramp up phase at Isabella Pearl. We are placing more ore on the pad, more panels under leach and increasing leach circulation flows. Story continues About GRC: Gold Resource Corporation is a gold and silver producer, developer and explorer with operations in Oaxaca, Mexico and Nevada, USA. The Company targets low capital expenditure projects with potential for generating high returns on capital. The Company has returned $111 million back to its shareholders in consecutive monthly dividends since July 2010 and offers its shareholders the option to convert their cash dividends into physical gold and silver and take delivery. For more information, please visit GRCs website, located at www.goldresourcecorp.com and read the Companys 10-K for an understanding of the risk factors involved. Cautionary Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. When used in this press release, the words plan, target, "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding Gold Resource Corporations strategy, future plans for production, future expenses and costs, future liquidity and capital resources, and estimates of mineralized material. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to Gold Resource Corporation on the date of this press release, and the company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this press release. In particular, there can be no assurance that production will continue at any specific rate. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the Companys 10-K filed with the SEC. Attachment Contacts: Corporate Development Greg Patterson 303-320-7708 www.goldresourcecorp.com Goodwin Procter Courtesy photo Goodwin Procter continues its West Coast expansion with a pair of new California partners. Steptoe & Johnson LLP partner Sanjeet Dutta joined the firms technology practice as a partner in the Silicon Valley office. In San Francisco, Fox Rothschild counsel Nathan Schultz has joined as a partner in the firm's financial restructuring practice. Dutta handles intellectual property matters in state and federal courts, as well as before the U.S. International Trade Commission and the Patent Trials and Appeals Board. He has worked with companies on patent prosecution involving blockchain, big data analytics, finance, cybersecurity, software security and other issues. He also advises companies on intellectual property issues in connection with technology transfers and licensing and mergers and acquisitions. He began his career two decades ago at California-based Blakely Sokoloff Taylor Zafman, which merged with Womble Bond Dickinson in January 2018. In 2004 he made the move to Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, where he remained for nearly seven years as of counsel before jumping to King & Spalding as a partner in its Palo Alto office. He joined Steptoe in 2014. Dutta said that his former Orrick colleague Neel Chatterjee enticed him to join the growing IP and technology practice in Silicon Valley. Chatterjee made the move to Goodwin as a partner in its intellectual property practice in February 2017 after nearly 20 years at Orrick. "He knew that it would be a good fit," Dutta said. "Im a geek and the clients that the team here has are companies that I have followed and am really excited to have the opportunity to work with as well." We have seen an increase in demand for advisory and representation on strategic patent matters, including prosecution and portfolio development, counseling and due diligenceall areas in which Sanj has an outstanding track record, Goodwin IP transactions and strategies practice co-leader James Riley said in a statement. In San Francisco, the firm called Schultz "a true 'renaissance restructuring lawyer" who will add "top tier, comprehensive bankruptcy experience and exceptional transactional and litigation skills to our practice, according to a statement from Michael Goldstein, co-chairman of Goodwin's financial restructuring group. Schultz works with investors, creditors, debtors and other parties across all aspects of the restructuring process for financially distressed businesses across a wide range of industries such as real estate, hospitality, health care, gaming and manufacturing. I am thrilled to bring a dedicated California presence to Goodwins accomplished financial restructuring group, Schultz said in a statement. The duos addition marks the latest growth in Northern California for the Boston-founded firm. In February Goodwin added Fenwick & West intellectual property partners Michael Shuster and Kevin Kabler in San Francisco and Sidley Austin corporate attorneys Deepa Rich and Sam Zucker in Silicon Valley. The firm is also set to open up a fourth outpost in the Golden State with a new office opening in Santa Monica this summer. (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. Supreme Court asked the Trump administration for its views on Oracle Corp.s bid to force Alphabet Inc.s Google to pay at least $8 billion in royalties over programming code in the Android operating system. Google is challenging an appeals court ruling that it violated Oracle copyrights when it included some Oracle-owned Java programming code in Android, the dominant operating system in mobile devices. The dispute between the two tech giants has split Silicon Valley for almost a decade, pitting developers of software code against companies that use the code to create programs in what they contend is a "fair use" exception to copyright law. A federal jury ruled that Googles copying of the code was excused by fair use, but an appeals court reversed that finding. The justices asked U.S. Solicitor General Noel Franciscos advice on whether they should hear Googles appeal. At issue are pre-written directions known as application program interfaces, or APIs, which can work across different types of devices and provide the instructions for functions such as connecting to the internet or accessing certain types of files. By using those shortcuts, programmers dont have to write new code from scratch for every function in their software or change it for every type of device. The Java programming language, developed by Sun Microsystems before Oracle bought the company in 2010, lets developers write programs under what it called write once, run anywhere. Originally Applauded Google said Sun originally applauded Google for using the Java language, but that Oracle filed the court challenge after buying Sun. Google is asking the Supreme Court to decide whether the pre-written code is eligible for copyright protection and, if so, whether it can nonetheless be used without a license when creating a new computer program. This is the second time the case has reached the high court. In 2015, the Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of a ruling that the software could be copyrighted. Story continues In the latest appeal, Googles lawyers told the Supreme Court that while some forms of computer code are entitled to copyright protection, the decisions in Oracles favor by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit were a devastating one-two punch at the software industry. If allowed to stand, the Federal Circuits approach will upend the longstanding expectation of software developers that they are free to use existing software interfaces to build new computer programs, Google said. Developers wont be able to use free languages like Java to create programs, it said, a result that will undermine both competition and innovation. Oracle said its APIs are freely available to those who want to build applications that run on computers and mobile devices, but that the company demands a license for use of the shortcuts for a competing platform or to embed them in an electronic device. Existential Threat According to Oracle, Google was facing an existential threat because its search engine -- the source of the advertising revenue that underpins the company -- wasnt being used on smartphones. Google bought the Android mobile operating system in 2005 and copied Java code to attract developers but refused to take a license, Oracle contends. Android generated $42 billion for Google between 2007 and 2016, according to Oracle court filings. Google also undermined write once, run anywhere by deliberately making Android incompatible with the Java platform, meaning Android apps run only on Android devices and Java apps do not run on Android devices, Oracle said. In short, Android replaced Java and prevented Oracle from licensing and competing in the developing smartphone market. Microsoft Corp., Mozilla Corp. and Red Hat Inc. supported Googles petition. Red Hat said that, while some software should be copyrighted, the broad ruling by the Federal Circuit had created uncertainty and fear in the software development community. The appeals court decision on fair use grants functional code the same level of copyright protection as creative expression in a novel, Microsoft said in a filing with the court. The case is Google LLC v. Oracle America Inc., 18-956. To contact the reporter on this story: Susan Decker in Washington at sdecker1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Jon Morgan at jmorgan97@bloomberg.net, Laurie Asseo, Anna Edgerton For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Most people wouldnt dream of leaving Bali right before the eve of Nyepi, the March new years carnival of firecrackers and giant monster puppets, but Tony Fadell had a different party in mind. Last month, he left his family on the Indonesian island and flew to Singapore, where he beamed as he high-fived the team running one of his investments, Impossible Foods Inc. The executives were there to commemorate their plant-based meat substitute making its way into dumplings and skewers in a handful of Singaporean restaurants, the latest step in Impossibles expansion into Asia. Fadell, who oversaw the design of the iPod and iPhone and went on to co-found smart-thermostat maker Nest, had pride of place among the hubbub of investors and celebrity chefs. He became an early convert and consigliere to Impossible five years ago, long before the Silicon Valley companys products could be found throughout Hong Kong and before Burger King announced the Impossible Whopper in the U.S. When he first invested, early attempts at the plantburger cost several hundred dollars to make. Since then, the 50-year-old hardware pioneer has offered Impossible a steady stream of strategic advice and helped connect the company with potential investors and recruits, says Nick Halla, Impossibles senior vice president of international. This is what its all about, Fadell says in an interview, the first about his 10 months (and counting) in Asia. Truly important things take a long time to create. After three decades in Silicon Valley, Fadell moved his family to Paris in 2016, where he developed a European network for his investment portfolio, Future Shape. The company has funded more than 200 startups, and Fadell is looking to up that number in Asia, visiting a startup incubator in Hyderabad and biotech labs in Singapore. A firsthand look at how Indonesians get by without bank accounts or credit cards led him to invest in financial technology startups he declined to name. Hes excited about an unnamed battery company, and evaluating startups that are trying to deal with Asias sea of plastic garbage. But in China, the biggest venture market after the U.S., he finds it difficult to process the sheer number of startups and is avoiding direct investments. Story continues China is completely different from the rest of the world, and my pattern-matching mechanism just doesnt work there, he says. So I just left that to experts over there. Fadell discovered his wanderlust as a young employee of Apple spinoff General Magic in the early 1990s, when business trips to Sonys Tokyo headquarters took him outside North America for the first time. I was like, Whoa! he recalls. A few years later, he spent 16 weeks backpacking across Latin America, then traveled the Middle East in similar fashion. If you are a designer or entrepreneur, you have to see different ways of living, he says. Its the sights, sounds and smells that inspire you. The engineer went on to fortune and glory at Apple, leaving in 2010 to start Nest, the maker of internet-connected thermostats and other devices. He formed Future Shape around the time he sold Nest to Google for $3.2 billion in 2014. Unlike typical venture capital firms, Future Shape runs entirely on Fadells moneya very healthy nine figures is as much as hell say. That means he can both act faster and be more patient than most comparably sized investors. Eric Gilmore, the founder of logistics-software startup Turvo Inc., says Fadell cut off his pitch with a characteristically loud Lets go! and got him a check within days. But thats not to say Fadell is careless. Founders hes backed describe him as extremely hands-on, with sometimes maniacal attention to detail. One says Fadell rewrites almost all of his startups press releases. Fadell doesnt lead financing rounds or take board seats, but when hes in, hes all in. He pushes founders at all hours via email, phone, WhatsApp, and Skype. Heres a typically wide-ranging and rapid-fire email, sent to CashShield Chief Executive Officer Justin Lie in December: What a great set of customer logos!How are your staffing plans coming along? Got some recruiter(s) yet?Product marketing and UI/UX any progress?Customer journey?Sales plans/strategy for 2019?Patent strategy?How was your team trip to Bali? Lie and other founders in the Future Shape portfolio say they appreciate Fadells brotherly strictness, and that one of his most frequent questions is, How can I help? Often, that means working his Apple connections. Eric Almgren says Fadells contacts were key to getting Foxconn Technology Group and Samsung to partner with and invest in his data-transfer company, Keyssa. Fadell, whose home base remains Paris for now, says hes trying to pass on the lessons he learned from Bill Campbell, a longtime Apple board member who died in 2016. Bill always knew the right questions to ask at the right moment, he says. He had an infectious energy that enabled him to dig deep and have the tough conversations, but also helped you see the bigger picture. Which is another way of saying, dont worry if the burger costs a few hundred bucks to make todaythink about what it might be worth in a few years. To contact the reporter on this story: Yoolim Lee in Singapore at yoolim@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Edwin Chan at echan273@bloomberg.net, Jeff Muskus, Peter Elstrom For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. COVINGTON, La. and THE WOODLANDS, Texas, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LLOG Exploration Offshore, L.L.C. (LLOG or the Company) and Repsol E&P USA Inc. (Repsol) today announced the signing of an Asset Exchange and Joint Participation Agreement in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The agreement provides for the drilling of a delineation well at Repsols Leon discovery and covers Keathley Canyon blocks 642, 643, 686 and 687. In addition, Repsol will acquire an interest in the LLOG-operated discovery Moccasin in Keathley Canyon 736. Leon is a discovery drilled by Repsol in late 2014 on Keathley Canyon block 642 and is located about 200 miles offshore Louisiana in approximately 6,000 feet of water. The discovery well was drilled to a total depth of about 32,000 feet and encountered nearly 500 feet of high quality net oil pay in multiple sands in the Lower Tertiary formation but has not yet been fully delineated. The new agreement with LLOG provides for the drilling of a delineation well this coming summer which will be operated by LLOG. LLOG will have a 33% working interest in the well while Repsol will have a 50% working interest. Following the scheduled delineation drilling, potential development options will be evaluated for this field. Moccasin is a discovery made on Keathley Canyon 736 in 2011 in over 6,500 feet of water. The discovery well was drilled to a total depth of over 31,000 feet finding nearly 400 feet of net oil in the Lower Tertiary. LLOG subsequently licensed the block in a 2017 Lease Sale. Moccasin and Leon are less than 20 miles apart which provides the opportunity for co-development. LLOG will retain a 31.35% working interest in the field and Repsol will acquire a 30% interest in Moccasin. Currently, LLOG and Repsol are joint owners in the ongoing development of the Buckskin discovery which is located on Keathley Canyon blocks 785, 828, 829, 830, 871 and 872 in approximately 6,800 feet of water. The initial phase of this large-scale, deepwater project consists of two development wells which were drilled to approximately 29,000 feet, also targeting the Lower Tertiary formation. First production from Buckskin is expected in mid 2019. LLOG is the operator of Buckskin. Story continues Philip LeJeune, President and CEO of LLOG, commented, We are extremely pleased to sign a significant agreement with Repsol, a highly respected international multi-energy company. We have worked well together at Buckskin and the delineation of the potentially significant discoveries at Leon and Moccasin is another perfect match for the deepwater technical knowledge and development expertise that both our companies possess. These highly prospective deepwater discoveries are in close proximity and are targeting the same Lower Tertiary formation that we are exploiting at Buckskin. We look forward to working together with Repsol on other future deepwater developments in the Gulf of Mexico and greatly value our strong working relationship. 2019 is a truly exciting year for LLOG as we pursue a number of significant deepwater Gulf of Mexico development projects. Tomas Garcia Blanco, Repsols Upstream Executive Managing Director, commented, We have established a solid relationship with LLOG in the projects we have undertaken together so far, finding efficient and smart solutions to address hydrocarbons exploration and development projects in the Gulf of Mexico. This new project takes our collaboration to a new level. We believe we have the perfect alliance to develop assets with an efficient mindset, turning challenges into opportunities that create value for our stakeholders. About the Company LLOG Exploration Company, L.L.C. is one of the largest privately-owned exploration and production companies in the United States. LLOGs corporate headquarters is in Covington, Louisiana, and the Company has an office in Houston, Texas. For additional information, please contact Rick Fowler at rickf@llog.com or visit the Companys website at www.llog.com . About Repsol Repsol is a global multi-energy company with activity throughout the energy value chain, including exploration, production, refining, chemicals, trading, retail sales and new energy. Repsol has upstream activity in 25 countries and produces 700,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. Repsol has one of Europes most efficient refining systems, capable of processing over one million barrels of crude oil daily. It distributes and sells fuels and lubricants through its more than 4,700 service stations in Spain, Portugal, Peru, Italy and Mexico. In addition, it is the largest player in Spains liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market. Marriott Is Officially Getting Into the Homesharing Business Marriott, the worlds largest hotel company with more than 7,000 hotels around the world, is officially getting into the homesharing business with the launch of Homes & Villas by Marriott International in 100 destinations. A year after it began conducting a homesharing pilot, the 91-year-old hotel group appears convinced it can compete with travel disruptors Airbnb, HomeAway, and others in the space. As Marriott did with its pilot, its enabling its loyalty members to earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points when they book and stay in these 2,000-plus homes. What started in 2018 as a small pilot with just a little over 200 homes in London in partnership with UK-based property management company Hostmaker has now evolved into a global business operating in more than 100 different markets, from the U.S. and Europe to the Caribbean and Latin America. Of these markets, 40 are markets in which Marriott has never had a presence, including the Amalfi Coast in Italy, North Lake Tahoe in California, Saint-Tropez, France, and St. Barts among them. While Marriotts nearly year-long pilot yielded great results for Marriott, according to Marriott Global Chief Commercial Officer Stephanie Linnartz, the company ultimately decided not to continue its partnership with Hostmaker for the official launch of this separate offering that Marriott isnt quite ready to label its 31st brand. They were good partners to us in the pilot in London, Linnartz said. But they are not part of the launch of this. Instead, Marriott is continuing with the same business model it more or less used with Hostmaker for the pilot, but is now working with a variety of different property management company partners whose respective inventories run the gamut from castles and beach houses to urban apartments and country homes. Initial partners include TurnKey Vacation Rentals, LaCure, Loyd & Townsend Rose, Veeve, London Residents Club, Mainsail Lodging, CPG, and Reserva Conchal. Story continues What Marriott Learned From Its Pilot With Hostmaker Although Hostmaker isnt continuing on as partner with Marriott for Homes & Villas, Linnartz said that the information Marriott gathered from its pilot with Hostmaker was invaluable. It gave Marriott the data it needed to pursue homesharing officially: It showed there is consumer demand for this type of product. The pilot, she said, was a real opportunity to learn from Marriotts customers and especially its loyalty members. Nearly 90 percent of guests who booked a Tribute Portfolio Home as part of the Hostmaker pilot were loyalty members, and more than 75 percent were traveling for leisure with family and friends. The average length of stay for Tribute Portfolio Homes guests was more than triple the normal hotel stay, at 5.1 nights, and the average size of home booked was more than two bedrooms. Hostmakers pilot with Marriott eventually expanded from 200 to more than 340 listings in four European markets. And while Marriott is retiring the Tribute Portfolio Homes brand, the partnership model that Marriott piloted with Hostmaker will continue to live on with Homes & Villas. How Marriott Intends to Run Homes & Villas In running this new business unit, Marriott will act more like an online travel agency or distribution platform, like Airbnb or Booking or HomeAway, for the selected property management companies it has chosen to work with. The company would not disclose the commission structure it has put into place. The property management companies will pay us a platform fee, Linnartz explained. And its those companies that are tasked with managing the properties themselves, handling everything from pre-arrival, check-in, cleaning, support, and so on. The best way I can think about it is to compare it to how Marriott manages hotels, Linnartz added. Thats what these property management companies will do for these homes. The homes, as well, will all be in what Marriott defines as the premium or luxury category. Marriott said in its statement they will include: A four-bedroom cottage on six private acres of California wine country. A six bedroom villa in Sorrento, Italy with an infinity pool overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and a wood-fire pizza oven. An oceanfront villa in Anguilla with private beach and a personal butler and house staff. A 18th century Irish Castle that sleeps 17 and features a private lake for boating and fishing. A six-bedroom townhouse in London with a childrens playroom and climbing wall. For Marriott, the standards are very similar to what the company expects of its hotels: 24/7 support, high-speed Wi-Fi, premium linens and amenities, and family-friendly amenities when requested. Linnartz said she does not see the company pursuing economy or lower-tier private accommodations in the future. And unlike some of its other hotel peers, who have opted to buy homesharing businesses (such as Accor and Onefinestay) or build their own (such as Room Mate Hotels and Be Mate), Marriott wants to continue using the partnership model. This model makes a lot of sense, Linnartz said. The inventory consumers will find via Homes & Villas is not exclusive, however, meaning that partners can continue to advertise and distribute these homes on other platforms including Airbnb, HomeAway, and Booking. But if consumers want to earn and redeem their Marriott Bonvoy points with these Homes and Villas, they can do that when they book with Marriott via the website, HomesandVillasbyMarriott.com, as well as on Marriott.com. When a guest searches for a place to stay for three or more nights in markets where there are Homes and Villas, they will also see existing home inventory advertised alongside hotels. Marriott said its also exploring the ability to book Homes & Villas via the Marriott Bonvoy app and other channels, including travel advisors. From day one, you can earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points on our homes, Linnartz said. Were meeting our customers needs and expectations. The inventory is not exclusive, but what is exclusive to us is earning and redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points. The earn rate for Homes & Villas is the same as what Marriott offers for its long-stay hotel brands five points for each $1 spent, and eligible members can earn bonus points based on their elite status, as well as elite welcome gifts or special amenities. Theres also an opportunity for guests staying in a Homes & Villas by Marriott product to use their Bonvoy points toward special tours and activities or experiences, including exclusive Bonvoy Moments that Marriott has developed with partners. What Happened with Hostmaker and the Challenges Ahead While its not clear exactly why Marriott and Hostmaker parted ways after their pilot, Skift spoke to former Hostmaker Chief Operating Officer James Lemon, who served as COO from April to December 2018, for some insights. Lemon has also previously worked for InterContinental Hotels Group and Travelport. Linnartz would not comment on the split with Hostmaker. In a statement on Monday, a Hostmaker spokesperson said: Our partnership has been incredibly successful in demonstrating the opportunities within the homesharing category, and weve learned a great deal from collaborating with the Marriott International team. Now that the one-year pilot has ended, we are exploring new partnership opportunities and hope to be able to say more soon. Now an independent startup consultant and partner with AJL Consulting, specializing in short-stay and vacation rental management, Lemon said that while the pilot with Marriott whetted their appetite for this business, he also wasnt surprised that they are taking a multi-player approach as they launch Homes & Villas. The challenges that Marriott faced with Hostmaker during the pilot, as well, will continue to be difficult as they navigate the world of private accommodations, he noted. Both Marriott and Hostmaker plus the broader industry are wrestling with foundational challenges in this space, Lemon said. Quality: How do you manage a home over time? Expectations: Its not a hotel stay. For some customers and segments this creates a slight challenge. Regulations: There is obviously a very big need for Marriott. Compliance in this space is critical, with guest ID regulation, home safety, and of course time-restrictions like Londons 90 day rule. This is all part of the much-needed professionalization of the sector Those three roadblocks have plagued any and every organization that has attempted to enter into this space, from Airbnb and HomeAway to Oasis and Onefinestay. He continued, My view is that when Marriott launched the pilot with Hostmaker, those three core challenges remained. I think that Hostmaker probably didnt deliver to what Marriott needed in those three areas, so my warning sign to the new partners with Marriott and to Marriott itself, is that they need to have a laser focus on those three areas. TurnKey Vacation Rentals CEO T.J. Clark, whose company is an inaugural partner of Homes & Villas, said that what struck him most during the process of working with Marriott on this new business was the fact that there was a very extensive diligence process and that they have visited many, many, many of our properties in person. About 1,000 of TurnKeys total inventory, which includes more than 4,000 homes in 55 U.S. markets, will be distributed via Marriott Homes & Villas at launch, and Clark hopes to see that percentage rise over time to at least half. Linnartz also said that making sure all homes are compliant with local regulations was a critical part of the due diligence that we did with these property management companies. She also said Marriott will continue to monitor and audit its partners and their inventory to make sure all laws are complied with and that the homes meet Marriotts standards for quality. As for critics who might feel that Marriotts entry into homesharing seems hypocritical for a hotel company and industry that often lobbies against the rise of this particular business, Linnartz said: I think the key point is making sure that we comply with local laws and regulations. Renting homes has been around for a very, very long time, and this is why we did a pilot. Were interested in experimenting and learning. How Do Marriott Owners Feel? While professional property management companies like TurnKey may be excited about this latest experiment from Marriott, thats not necessarily what Marriotts hotel owners may be feeling. Skift spoke to a Marriott hotel owner who expressed his concerns about this latest endeavor. He said, A lot of owners are upset about Marriotts growth because, in pursuit of that scale, theyve been cannibalizing a number of markets or many markets by opening more and more hotels. Theyre eating their young. This year, the company opened its 7,000th property and in March, CEO Arne Sorenson said the company intends to add 1,700 more hotel properties within the next three years. The hotel owner said that the more often Marriott adds new properties in markets where there are already a number of Marriott hotels, it makes it that much harder for existing owners to profit, and many are now wondering if we should continue to invest in Marriott products of markets. What keeps many of those hotel owners in the Marriott system, however, is the strength of its own distribution platform and its loyalty program considered the largest in the industry with more than 125 million members. But if Marriott adds homes to its distribution channels, that could be at a detriment to its hotel owners. If its something like a vacation home in a market where there arent many homes, thats one thing, the owner said. If its more Airbnb-ish, more like apartments in an urban or metropolitan area, thats another nail in the coffin. They will be attracting Bonvoy members and they will book a Marriott Home & Villa where they might otherwise book a Marriott hotel. The tenuous relationship between Marriott and its hotel owners is not unlike the one that other platforms like Airbnb, HomeAway, and Booking also have with their respective homeowners/hosts/property managers: How do you continue to grow and please guests, all the while making sure that your owners are profiting alongside you? What This Means for the Overall Accommodations Space Marriotts homesharing launch, while much larger than its initial pilot by far, is still relatively smaller than the homesharing platforms run by the likes of Airbnb and Booking, at least in terms of inventory. Both Airbnb and Booking.com claim to have home listings that range near or above six million in total. However, it doesnt seem like Marriott is looking to necessarily go toe-to-toe with those behemoths in this particular space anytime soon, said Lemon. I dont think theyre trying to [give Airbnb a run for its money], Lemon said. They cant be the leaders in size and scale in homes, but I dont think thats what they need to achieve. They are trying to offer an alternative for a certain customer segment and certain types of lengths of stays and to offer a credible supply choice. As Skift has noted before, travel brands like Marriott are striving to be more like end-to-end experience platforms and, well, everything in hospitality seems to be converging: Its increasingly difficult to distinguish whats a traditional form of lodging or an alternative one anymore, and accommodations providers now realize that travelers want variety and flexibility. Homes & Villas by Marriott International is particularly representative of these two overarching trends in travel. Our goal is to be the worlds favorite travel company, offering a comprehensive travel platform through Marriott Bonvoy, said Marriotts Linnartz. The more we have to offer customers and to make things seamless and easy, the more they will love us, and thats our goal. Whether Marriott manages to reach this goal with Homes & Villas remains to be seen, but itll certainly be interesting nonetheless. Skift Editors Note: This article was updated to include Marriotts announcement of the launch, and some of James Lemons quotes were modified for clarity. It was also updated to include a statement from Hostmaker. Subscribe to Skift newsletters covering the business of travel, restaurants, and wellness. * Saudi British Bank hits 4-year high on Q1 results * Islamic Arab Insurance, Dubai Islamic weigh on Dubai * Egypt market closed due to public holiday By Karina Dsouza and Abinaya Vijayaraghavan April 29 (Reuters) - Abu Dhabi's stock market slid on Monday, affected by profit-taking and a sell-off in its financial shares, while Saudi Arabia was the only major Gulf market to rise. The Abu Dhabi index lost 0.9 percent in its fourth straight day of declines, with energy firm Dana Gas dropping 4.1 percent and the largest bank in the United Arab Emirates, First Abu Dhabi Bank, losing 1.2 percent. Dana's stock traded ex-dividend on Thursday and has been sliding since. First Abu Dhabi Bank posted a 3.6 percent rise in first-quarter 2019 profit. "UAE markets have done well year to date and the recent weakness can be attributed to investors taking profits after the stocks go ex-dividend," Vrajesh Bhandari, senior portfolio manager at Al Mal Capital said. "Banks have been the driver of this performance both FAB (First Abu Dhabi) and Emirates have delivered total returns of 40 percent so far in 2019. No surprise that they are consolidating here," Bhandari added. Dubai's index slipped 0.6 percent, partly due to a 7.2 percent decline in Islamic Arab Insurance Co and a 4.3 percent slide in Dubai Islamic Insurance And Reinsurance . Shareholders of both companies elected against a dividend distribution for 2018. Dubai Financial Market fell 2.7 percent after its first-quarter net profit nearly halved. The weakness in major Gulf markets comes amid a slump in oil prices after U.S. President Donald Trump demanded that producer club OPEC raise output to soften the impact of U.S. sanctions against Iran. "The concerns of the implications of the embargo of U.S. against Iran oil exports is weighing on the UAE market," Tariq Qaqish, MD, Asset Management Division, Mena Corp Financial Services said. Saudi Arabia's index inched up 0.1 percent, with Saudi British Bank adding 1.6 percent to touch its highest level in four years after reporting strong first-quarter results. Al Moammar Information Systems jumped 8.6 percent to lead the index's gainers. Last week, the company was the first information technology solutions provider to list on Tadawul. Story continues Qatar's blue-chip index declined 0.5 percent. Banking firms Qatar First Bank and Qatar Islamic Bank lost 2.3 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively. Egypt's stock market was closed due to a public holiday. SAUDI The index rose 0.1 pct to 9,277 points ARABIA ABU DHABI The index fell 0.9 pct at 5,332 points DUBAI The index slid 0.6 pct to 2,760 points QATAR The index dropped 0.5 pct to 10,360 points BAHRAIN The index fell 0.3 pct to 1,436 points OMAN The index was up 0.1 pct to 3,935 points KUWAIT The index fell 0.2 pct to 6,042 points (Reporting by Karina Dsouza and Abinaya Vijayaraghavan in Bengaluru; Editing by Mark Potter) FILE PHOTO: Airbus Chief Executive Tom Enders poses with a A220-300 Airbus replica during the company's annual news conference on 2018 full-year results in Blagnac, near Toulouse, France, February 14, 2019. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau/File Photo By Tim Hepher PARIS (Reuters) - Airbus dismissed more than 100 people and issued more than 300 warnings for ethics or compliance reasons in 2018, two people familiar with the company data said, as it conducts a wide-ranging internal crackdown and deals with outside fraud probes. The aerospace group is being investigated by UK and French authorities over suspected corruption dating back over a decade and is in the fifth year of a sweeping internal probe designed to improve its chances of winning favourable settlements. An Airbus spokesman declined to comment on the figures or give annual comparisons. The dismissals coincided with a sharp increase in the use of an internal whistleblower system, providing a guide to the trend on compliance issues. Complaints handled by the system almost doubled last year and mostly involved matters covered by ordinary employment law. The service also handled close to 40 allegations of fraud and half a dozen accusations of bribery. More than 10 of the reported cases involved suspected breaches of export controls, the two people said. Airbus declined to comment. The company, which employs around 130,000 people worldwide, is under investigation in the United States over suspected violations of export controls and U.S. officials have also kept a close watch on the European bribery probes. The figures emerged on the eve of a shareholder meeting as some investors worry about Airbus's exposure to potential fines, which analysts say could run to several billion dollars. "Airbus shareholders are still waiting for a full disclosure on the allegations of bribery and corruption cases of the past. For the future, Airbus (has) enhanced compliance standards to prevent further incidents and the company seems to be on the right track," Frankfurt-based fund manager DWS said. Chief Executive Tom Enders has said Airbus has had to handle management turnover at the same time as a wave of scheduled retirements and acknowledged 2018 had been tough. "I am today much more optimistic about the company managing these difficult issues than frankly I would have been a year ago," he told a Feb. 14 news conference. Story continues LAWYER FEES Airbus is spending more than 100 million euros (86.5 million pounds) a year on lawyers to investigate staff to help win a prosecution settlement in Britain and France over the fraud allegations resulting from a system of middlemen it says it abandoned in 2014. It was not clear how many of the dismissals resulted from this drive. A British judge said in 2017 that companies must present a radically new face and significant co-operation in rooting out their own violations to win a settlement and avoid charges. The internal probe has led to growing complaints among staff of a witch hunt, people who deal with the company say. Help lines handled around 80 cases of alleged moral harassment, the company data shows. Industry sources say the internal probe has had a dampening effect on Airbus sales, which slumped last year. Several executives are expected to join a wave of senior departures despite not facing specific accusations, the people said. Airbus declined to comment. Staff malaise turned to anger when it was reported last week that Enders retires on Wednesday with a total retirement package of almost 40 million euros over 20 years. Enders and other individuals are under investigation over the sale of fighters to Austria and has denied wrongdoing. The Airbus spokesman defended the pension package, which is expected to be raised at an annual meeting on Wednesday. "There is no golden, silver or bronze parachute. These are contractual obligations that were agreed many years ago." Enders is credited with unifying a once fragmented company and improving governance but leaves amid disagreement over his strategy for handling the compliance campaign. (Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by Mark Potter) Investing.com - Oil prices started the week lower on Monday, following declines late last week triggered by a demand from President Donald Trump that OPEC step up output in order to offset the impact of U.S. sanctions against Iran. London traded Brent crude futures were down 0.2% to $71.55 by 08:13 AM ET (12:13 GMT) after earlier hitting an intra-day low of $70.64, the weakest level since April 11. U.S. crude prices were down 0.3% to trade at $63.14, holding above Fridays three-week low of $62.28. Prices closed off the worst levels of the day Friday after OPEC's Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo denied having spoken with Trump. The president later tweeted that he had spoken to Saudi Arabia. ANZ bank said on Monday oil prices "took a hit after President Trump indicated he had spoken with Saudi Arabia about reducing the impact of lower Iranian oil exports by increasing flows elsewhere." "Gasoline prices are coming down. I called up OPEC, I said you've got to bring them down. You've got to bring them down," Trump told reporters. While off from its near six-month high of $65 per barrel from last week, crude is still up 39% on the year. Brent shows an annual gain of 33% despite sliding from last weeks peak of $75a high last matched in October. Prices had rallied after Trump tightened sanctions against Iran by ending all exemptions that major buyers especially in Asia previously had. Iran is OPECs third largest producer. Traders said the market was shifting its focus on the voluntary supply cuts led by OPEC since the start of the year. The cuts have been supported by some non-OPEC producers, most notably Russia, but analysts said this cooperation may not last beyond a meeting between OPEC and its other allies, a group known as OPEC+, scheduled for June. Russia has said it would be able to meet China's oil demand needs as Beijing tries to replace the imports it usually gets from Iran. "Russia appears to have every reason to resume ramping up production levels and the base case should start to become we will not see OPEC+ agree upon extending production cuts, with tweaks to cover the shortfall from Iran," said Edward Moya, senior analyst at futures brokerage OANDA. Story continues In other energy trading, gasoline futures were down 0.37% to $2.0388 per gallon, while heating oil ticked up 0.11% to $2.0551 a gallon. --Reuters contributed to this report Related Articles Iran says U.S. sanctions on its oil industry will damage market stability U.S. oil-storage industry fines soar on air, water violations Saudi Aramco Sees Shale Gas as Kingdom's Next Energy Bonanza Stephen Silvestro Brings more than 20 Years Experience in Direct Operations, Sales, and Partner Network Growth, to Lead Revenue Activities and Strengthen the Go-to-Market ROCHESTER, Mich., April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OptimizeRx Corp. (OPRX), a leading platform for digital health messaging in the pharmaceutical industry, has appointed Stephen Silvestro to the new position of chief commercial officer. Silvestro will be responsible for driving OptimizeRxs platform revenue growth, including enterprise level direct-to-patient and direct-to-provider product adoption to improve patient outcomes. We are thrilled to welcome Steve to the team, as he brings important experience, depth of knowledge and a shared determination to provide affordability and adherence solutions that link the health care and life sciences industries, said Will Febbo, CEO at OptimizeRx. During his tenure at Decision Resources Group, he was an instrumental leader in the growth of the company from $30 million to $180 million in revenue. His customer-first philosophy is greatly aligned to our values at OptimizeRx. We are confident in the market appetite for our solutions. We believe Steve will drive incredible growth with our core clients and take the company to the next level in terms of reach, revenue and earnings. OptimizeRx is the largest point-of-care network in the U.S., reaching over half the ambulatory market. Through their digital health platform, pharma companies have critical access to doctors and their patients to provide medication information and savings. The acquisition of CareSpeak and announcement of expansion into health and hospital systems reflect technology capabilities to deliver savings and adherence messages throughout the entire care continuum. Silvestro commented: Its an exciting time to join the OptimizeRx team. We see a sustained growth opportunity for the business driven by strong industry momentum to improve connections between pharma, healthcare providers and patients. There is ample room to grow with more than $1 billion of total addressable market. This opportunity is amplified by the more than $528 billion non-adherence impact which simply isnt acceptable. Story continues Im passionate about improving outcomes for patients, and OptimizeRx provides a unique vehicle to help. Im excited to help lead the organization through its next phase of growth and to bring some of the best practices and strong commercial discipline from my years of building and leading best in class commercial organizations. Silvestro previously served as vice president and general manager at CCH Tagetik, a division of Wolters Kluwer. Prior pharma leadership experience includes executive positions with Prognos, Decision Resources Group and D.M.S. Silvestro has extensive channel expertise in biopharma commercialization, global market access, market research, analytics, enterprise SaaS solutions and strategy. Silvestro received a masters degree in Business Management from Harvard University. He also holds undergraduate degrees from Brigham Young University in both Business and Italian. He is fluent in English, Italian, Spanish and conversational in French. He will be based in Boston, Massachusetts. For more information on OptimizeRx, visit OptimizeRx.com . About OptimizeRx OptimizeRx (OPRX), a digital health company, connects pharmaceutical companies to patients and providers, offering greater affordability, adherence and brand awareness at the point-of-care. As the nations largest point-of-prescribe promotional platform for the pharmaceutical industry, OptimizeRx provides a direct channel for pharma companies to communicate with healthcare providers right within their workflow and also directly to patients. The cloud-based solution supports patient adherence to medications and better healthcare outcomes with real-time access to financial assistance, prior authorization, education and critical clinical information. OptimizeRx provides more than half of the ambulatory patient market with access to these benefits through leading EHR platforms like Allscripts, Amazing Charts and Quest, and directly via its mobile communications platform. For more information, follow the company on Twitter , LinkedIn or visit www.optimizerx.com . Important Cautions Regarding Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the definition of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such as in section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements should not be used to make an investment decision. The words 'estimate,' 'possible' and 'seeking,' and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as to the date the statement was made. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted, or quantified. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties to which forward-looking statements are subject include, but are not limited to, the effect of government regulation, competition and other material risks. OptimizeRx Contact Doug Baker, CFO Tel (248) 651-6568 x807 dbaker@optimizerx.com Media Relations Contact Nicole Brooks, Innsena Communications (Tel) 860-800-2344 nicolebrooks@innsena.com Apache Corporation APA is set to release first-quarter 2019 results after the closing bell on May 1. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter to be reported is a profit of eight cents per share on revenues of $1.65 billion. The Houston, TX-based oil and gas finder recorded better-than-expected results in the last reported quarter on the back of strong production growth from the key Permian Basin region. As far as earnings surprises are concerned, Apache is on an excellent footing, having surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the last four quarters, with average of 34.11%. This is depicted in the graph below: Apache Corporation Price and EPS Surprise Apache Corporation Price and EPS Surprise | Apache Corporation Quote Investors are keeping their fingers crossed and hoping that the company can continue winning ways by topping earnings estimates this time around too. Encouragingly, our model too indicates that Apache might beat on earnings in the to-be-reported quarter. Why a Likely Positive Surprise? Our proprietary model shows that Apache is likely to beat earnings estimates in the to-be-reported quarter, as it has the right combination of two key ingredients. A stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) to be able to beat estimates. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Earnings ESP: Earnings ESP, which represents the difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate, is +12.55%. This is because the Most Accurate Estimate for earnings is pegged a penny above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of eight cents a share. A favorable Earnings ESP serves as a meaningful and leading indicator of a likely positive surprise. Zacks Rank: Apache currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. A Zacks Rank #2, when combined with a positive ESP, makes us confident of an earnings beat. Story continues Conversely, we caution against Sell-rated stocks (Zacks Ranks #4 and 5) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions. Factors Setting the Tone Following the oil crash toward the end of 2018, WTI crude popped up to $60.55 a barrel in the March quarter of 2019, recording the fastest rate of oil price increase since a decade. Crude prices rebounded 30% in the first quarter, underpinned mainly by OPEC+ supply cuts and U.S. sanctions against Venezuela and Iran, which bode well for upstream players like Apache. In addition to the favorable prices of crude (which constitutes majority of the companys output), Apache is also expected to realize benefits from production growth, especially in the Permian Basin, which now constitutes more than half of the total output. While ramped-up operations in the Alpine High region of the Permian Basin are certainly going to aid Apaches upcoming results, the companys considerable acreage in Egypt and North Sea are also expected to step up the production rate in the to-be-reported quarter. Notably, late last year, the firm commenced production from Garten development in the North Sea, which is likely to boost first-quarter output levels. Hence, we expect favorable crude prices and rising production volumes to buoy Apaches upcoming results. Other Stocks to Consider Apache is not the only energy firm looking up this earnings season. Here are some other companies from the same space, which according to our model also have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat in the to-be-reported quarter. Abraxas Petroleum Corporation AXAS has an Earnings ESP of +133.33% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is anticipated to release quarterly earnings on May 6. C&J Energy Services, Inc. CJ has an Earnings ESP of +14.87% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is expected to release quarterly earnings on May 7. Comstock Resources Inc. CRK has an Earnings ESP of +11.95% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company is set to release first-quarter earnings on May 9. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Today's Best Stocks from Zacks Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2018, while the S&P 500 gained +15.8%, five of our screens returned +38.0%, +61.3%, +61.6%, +68.1%, and +98.3%. This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 2018, while the S&P averaged +4.8% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +56.2% per year. See their latest picks free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Abraxas Petroleum Corporation (AXAS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Apache Corporation (APA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Comstock Resources, Inc. (CRK) : Free Stock Analysis Report C&J Energy Services, Inc. (CJ) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research The United Arab Emirates (UAE) projects account for more than a quarter of all funds raised in 2019 in token sales, according to blockchain intelligence platform CoinSchedule. Even though the country didnt even rank amongst the top 10 in 2018, it managed to surpass last years leaderthe U.S.and has raised more than $210.5 million. Two large projects based in the UAE were the reason why the country raised the highest sum - an investment bank GCBIB (amounting to $142.6 million) and luxurious markets-oriented Bolton Coin ($67.8 million). Meanwhile, perhaps because of the regulatory environment, the U.S. has fallen to the sixth place, ranking behind Cayman Island, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 29, 2019) - PlantEXT Ltd. ("PlantEXT") and BB1 Acquisition Corp. (TSXV: BBA.P) ("BB1") are pleased to announce that PlantEXT, a leader in the development and commercialization of medical cannabis formulations for the treatment of inflammation related medical conditions, has entered into a joint venture agreement (the "JV") with Family Secret Ltd. ("Family Secret") an established, Israeli formulation developer and manufacturer of all-natural medical skin care products. Doug Sommerville, CEO of PlantEXT stated, "PlantEXT and Family Secret are working together to develop our first-generation line of topical medical cannabis treatments that target inflammation. PlantEXT is leveraging its proprietary methodologies and world class research and development team to identify and test active anti-inflammatory formulations for compounding into Family Secrets' all-natural skin care formulations. Our new JV has the experience and expertise to rapidly develop and commercialize topical medical cannabis treatments to help improve the quality of life for patients suffering from medical conditions caused by inflammation''. Mr. Yaniv Lambaz, CEO of Family Secret commented, "I see the partnership with PlantEXT as a strategic step that will enable our new JV to use Family Secret's all-natural formulas of para-medical treatments and combine them with PlantEXT's clinically supported medical cannabis formulations. Our goal is to enhance our all-natural treatments, that are the result of over a century of organic-chemistry experience, with the demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity of PlantEXT's cannabinoid and terpene formulations to develop effective products for the treatment of medical conditions including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, migraine, pain and more". Under the terms of the JV, PlantEXT and Family Secret will work together to develop and commercialize a new line of topical medical cannabis skin care products, internationally. Story continues About PlantEXT PlantEXT is an Israeli company focused on developing and commercializing the world's most effective medical cannabis formulations for the treatment of inflammation related medical conditions. PlantEXT has entered into a strategic partnership with the State of Israel's Agricultural Research Organization to develop and commercialize a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease. PlantEXT also operates independent research and development facilities near Tel Aviv, where it is developing a pipeline of anti-inflammatory products supported by pre-clinical and clinical research. PlantExt has entered into an agreement with BB1 Acquisition Corp. (TSXV: BBA.P) that is intended to result in a reverse take-over of BB1 by the shareholders of PlantExt. About Family Secret The "Family Secrets" have been passed down from generation to generation, since 1890. Starting from a small laboratory in Bulgaria, the secrets of medicinal herbs and pharmaceuticals were passed down through generations of pharmacists, doctors and chemists, each of which improved the family recipes by incorporating new scientific knowledge and high-tech materials. Dr Michael Bernstein the CTO of Family Secret follows in his father's and grandfather's footsteps and continues their research through his studies at the Weizmann Institute in Israel and towards the idea to empower Family Secret's proven formulas with medical cannabis extracts. About BB1 BB1 is a capital pool company whose sole business is the identification and evaluation of assets for businesses with a view to completing a Qualifying Transaction. For more information about PlantEXT and the JV, please contact Doug Sommerville, PlantEXT's CEO at +1 416 640 5353. For more information about BB1 please contact Stephen Shefsky, BB1's CEO at +1 416 366 4200. Forward Looking Information, Disclaimer and Reader Advisory The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward looking statements. The foregoing statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Company to complete the Transaction. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. No assurance can be given as to the timing, approval or ultimate terms of any export license granted to PlantEXT by the government of Israel. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. As of the date of this press release, BB1 has not entered into a definitive agreement with PlantEXT and there can be no assurances that such an agreement will be executed or the Proposed Transaction completed. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44372 NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN. The 2019 Annual General Meeting ("AGM") of Polarcus Limited ("Polarcus" or the "Company") (PLCS.OL) held on 29 April 2019 elected Mr. Monish Sahni as a new board member with a term of office expiring at the Company`s 2020 AGM. Mr. Sahni is a senior financial professional with 30 years` experience in banking and hedge funds across Europe, Asia and the US. He has diverse sector experience including the shipping and logistics industries, offshore drilling, oil services and industrials. Mr. Sahni holds an MBA and a BA from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. He is a British citizen. With effect from the 2019 AGM, the board of directors of Polarcus comprises: Mr. Mike Mannering (Chairman), Mrs. Karen El-Tawil, Mr. Nicholas Smith, Mr. Erik Mathiesen, Mr. Tom Henning Slethei, Mr. Peter Zickerman and Mr. Monish Sahni. Contacts Hans-Peter Burlid, CFO +971 50 559 8175 hp.burlid@polarcus.com About Polarcus Polarcus (PLCS.OL) is an innovative marine geophysical company with a pioneering environmental agenda, delivering high-end towed streamer data acquisition and imaging services from Pole to Pole. Polarcus operates a fleet of high performance seismic vessels with 3D and 4D imaging capabilities, which incorporate leading-edge maritime technologies for improved safety and efficiency. Polarcus offers contract seismic surveys and multi-client projects with advanced onboard processing solutions. The Company services its clients globally from its head office in Dubai and regional offices located in Houston, London and Singapore. For more information, visit www.polarcus.com This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5 -12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This announcement is distributed by West Corporation on behalf of West Corporation clients. The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: Polarcus Limited via GlobeNewswire HUG#2242820 construction workers on scaffold Held each year on April 28, Workers Memorial Day provides an opportunity to pay tribute to the thousands of Americans who lose their lives on the job each year. But beyond honoring the working men and women who tragically lost their lives, this day of remembrance serves as a reminder of the critical need to prioritize occupational safety and protect the individuals who keep our economy moving. There is a particularly crucial need to reinforce safety protections for individuals working within industries that present heightened occupational risks. Here in New York, construction workers across the state experience on-the-job deaths and serious injuries at an astonishingly high rate, exemplified by a string of fatal incidents earlier this month. And yet, despite the clear need for stronger regulatory enforcement and controls, business interests are spending millions of dollars on misinformation campaigns to weaken and derail legislative safeguards for construction workers. Labor protections are effective when backed by adequate resources and meaningful regulatory enforcement. The most recent available data indicates that construction safety guidelines have delivered results when they are properly prioritized by public officials. In New York City, policymakers have raised funding for the Department of Buildings from $107 million in 2015 to $183 million in 2019, allowing the agency to increase its staff by more than 700 employees and conduct a greater number of worksite inspections. Officials have also implemented measures designed to improve safety knowledge with required worksite training and safety certifications. The citys efforts to improve construction safety were bolstered by the Manhattan District Attorney offices enforcement of criminal penalties through the Construction Fraud Task Force. These protections are already making a difference. A report published earlier this year found that fatal constructions incidents in New York City have declined 23% over the last five years while increasing by 39% across the rest of the state in the same timeframe. Thats not to say that weve reached Mission Accomplished for construction safety in New York City-the heartbreaking deaths of three individuals at separate NYC worksites demonstrate that we need to be doing more to protect our workers. However, the overall drop in fatal and injurious incidents show that proactive policymaking and enforcement will be central to fostering a safer environment for workers. Story continues State policymakers must similarly devote greater resources to safety inspections and agency staffing. It is also critical that lawmakers uphold the Scaffold Safety Law, and resist attempts by business interests to weaken it on the basis of false characterizations and unsubstantiated claims. When you cut through the political noise, the Scaffold Safety Law is quite straightforward in practice. The statute merely requires contractors to provide the necessary safety equipment to workers. In the event that proper safety equipment isnt provided and injury results, workers and their families are able to hold the negligent parties accountable for medical expenses and lost wages. Weve seen that stronger regulations can significantly improve worksite safety. The Scaffold Safety Law is one of the few ways that New York construction workers and their families can hold negligent contractors accountable. Repealing or weakening the law would further incentivize contractors to grow their profits by cutting corners on safety, placing workers in even greater danger than they are already in. Elected officials must refrain from taking business groups misleading claims at face value, and prioritize worker safety ahead of construction profits. Policymakers across New York should also further emphasize transparency by establishing mechanisms to expand the enforcement of existing labor rules. Public databases that identify bad actors and labor transgressions would provide an additional layer of scrutiny that would encourage a stronger commitment to worker safety. The state should also pass Carlos Law, a bill that would raise the maximum fines for safety violations and implement safety training requirements that have proven successful in New York City. On Worker Memorial Day, we will grieve with the friends and families of those who have lost their lives while simply trying to make a living. We can help honor their memories by doing everything we can to make New York a safer place and put our workers well-being first. David Oddo is the president of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. Mario Cilento is the president of the New York State AFL-CIO. (Corrects percentage rise and unit of measurement for sales volumes to hectolitres in paragraph two) By Clement Uwiringiyimana KIGALI, April 26 (Reuters) - Rwanda's biggest brewer, Bralirwa Ltd, said on Friday pretax profit rose 33 percent to 10.3 billion Rwandan francs ($11.39 million) in 2018, boosted by sales of its premium brand Mutzig. The rise in sales of premium beer at the beverage company, a subsidiary of Heineken N.V., came as overall sales volumes rose by 14.6 percent to 1.790 million hectolitres in 2018, it said. Bralirwa is Rwanda's oldest brewery and has the right to produce beer brands such as Amstel. It also produces branded soft drinks such as Coca-Cola. Last year it launched local production of Heineken with a plan also to export it to neighboring countries. But Bralirwa said the strained relations between Rwanda and its neighbours Burundi and Uganda were affecting exports. "This is something we hope will not last long. It being a landlocked country, it needs other countries for us to have access to the sea," said Merid Demissie, its managing director. "This is extremely important for us. The impact is not big but we definitely need those markets." The company exports around 5 percent of its total volume to the region but did not give specific details on exports to Burundi and Uganda. Bralirwa said its earnings per share have risen to 5.5 Rwandan francs ($0.0061), up from 3.75 Rwandan francs ($0.0041)in 2017. ($1 = 904.6947 Rwandan francs) (Reporting by Hereward Holland, editing by Louise Heavens) Pratteln, Switzerland, April 29, 2019 - Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SANN.SW) announces the Group`s audited financial results for 2018. The Company reports a 38% increase in net revenues year-on-year to CHF 31.7 million (2017: CHF 22.9 million) from continued growth in sales of its lead product Raxone for the treatment of Leber`s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). The operating result of CHF -51.4 million predominantly reflects investments in several ongoing clinical development programs and preparations for regulatory submissions as well as commercial activities. The net result amounted to CHF -54.2 million (2017: CHF -51.5 million), in line with the Company`s guidance. Santhera successfully achieved a key objective of broadening its pipeline with clinical stage products for rare diseases with the in-licensing of POL6014 and the option to sub-license vamorolone. In the first quarter of 2019, the Company raised new liquid funds of up to CHF 22.1 million and grew sales of Raxone for LHON by 19% year-on-year, reaching CHF 9.2 million (Q1-2018: CHF 7.7 million). "I am pleased with the progress Santhera has made during the past year. We have achieved excellent sales performance and robust revenue growth with Raxone for the treatment of LHON in 2018 and the continued expansion of our rare disease pipeline with clinical-stage drug candidates," said Thomas Meier, PhD, CEO of Santhera. "We have delivered on a strategic objective to broaden our development pipeline by acquiring rights to two highly promising drug candidates in areas with high unmet medical need, proving our ability to in-license high-quality, clinical-stage rare disease assets." "In addition, we have focused our work on substantially strengthening our data package for idebenone in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) demonstrating clinically relevant patient benefits and sustained, long-term therapeutic efficacy. These new clinical data which collectively supports the potential for idebenone to modify the course of respiratory function decline in DMD and thereby delay the time to clinically relevant milestones will be included in our application for Conditional Marketing Authorization (CMA) in Europe. Our strategic priorities for 2019 are the submission of the CMA for Puldysa (idebenone) to treat DMD in Europe, advancing our clinical stage pipeline, in particular vamorolone and POL6014, and securing the necessary financial resources to achieve these objectives." Story continues Strong double-digit sales growth from Raxone for LHON In 2018, net revenues from product sales of Raxone for LHON reached CHF 31.7 million which corresponds to a high double-digit growth of 38% year-on-year (2017: CHF 22.9 million). Growth was primarily driven by higher market penetration and additional reimbursement schemes coming into effect. The roll-out of Raxone in the approved indication is progressing as planned with reimbursement and launches in additional countries expected in 2019. Operating and net results reflect higher investment in clinical development and for regulatory submissions The increase in development expenses to CHF 38.2 million (2017: CHF 26.6 million) reflects the additional efforts for the preparation of the regulatory filing for Puldysa for DMD in Europe, the ongoing late stage clinical studies such as the Phase III SIDEROS trial in DMD, ongoing post-authorization studies for LHON and clinical work with POL6014, which was acquired early in 2018. The Company reports combined marketing and sales expenses of CHF 24.9 million (2017: CHF 28.5 million) and general and administrative expenses of CHF 15.4 million (2017: CHF 14.4 million), generally in line with previous year. In summary, total operating expenses reached CHF 78.7 million (2017: CHF 69.6 million) whereas the operating result remained almost unchanged at CHF -51.4 million (2017: CHF -50.5 million). For the full-year 2018, Santhera reported a net result of CHF -54.2 million (2017: CHF -51.5 million), similar to the previous year`s level. Cash and cash flows primarily impacted by business development success in expanding the product pipeline Santhera expanded its development pipeline in two transactions, acquiring licenses to POL6014 for the treatment of cystic fibrosis and other lung diseases from Polyphor and vamorolone with the primary indication DMD from Idorsia, which the Company paid for with a mix of shares and cash. In December 2018, the Company completed an ordinary capital increase with the placement of 3,133,334 new shares and raised gross proceeds of CHF 23.5 million. The proceeds were used in part for the cash payment of the latter transaction, namely to complete the acquisition of the option for the exclusive sub-license to vamorolone. As a consequence of these acquisitions, as of December 31, 2018, freely available liquid funds (cash and cash equivalents and short-term financial assets) amounted to CHF 22.0 million (December 31, 2017: CHF 58.2 million). In addition, the Company reported CHF 4.5 million (December 31, 2017: CHF 7.5 million) of restricted cash designated for the interest payments related to the convertible bonds during the first three years. Near-term corporate financing initiatives completed In April 2019, after the reporting period, Santhera took out a syndicated credit line, which, subject to certain conditions, will provide up to CHF 15.0 million over a time period of nine months. Alongside this, Santhera placed all of the remaining 500,000 registered shares from its existing authorized share capital in a private placement, resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of CHF 7.1 million. Taken together, the proceeds of these near-term financing initiatives provided new liquid funds of up to CHF 22.1 million. In addition, and to fund operations up to the achievement of key milestones expected in 2020, Santhera is considering various options including a capital increase and/or the monetization of certain assets. Strong sales growth continues into 2019 The Company reports sales of Raxone in LHON of CHF 9.2 million in the first three months of 2019. This makes it the strongest quarter so far with a year-on-year sales growth of 19% (Jan-Mar 2018: CHF 7.7 million). The sales increase was driven by higher number of packs sold, new market launches and negotiated reimbursement schemes. Outlook and Guidance Based on the performance in the first quarter of 2019 the Company expects continued strong growth and projects net sales of Raxone in the currently approved indication LHON to reach CHF 35-37 million in 2019. The priorities for 2019 are the submission of the Conditional Marketing Authorization (CMA) application for Puldysa to treat DMD in Europe, advancing the other clinical stage candidates in our pipeline, particularly vamorolone and POL6014, and securing the necessary financial resources to achieve these objectives. Annual Report The Santhera Annual Report 2018 is available for download on the Company`s website at www.santhera.com/investors-and-media/investor-toolbox/financial-reports. Upcoming Events The Annual General Meeting of Santhera will be held on May 28, 2019, in Basel, Switzerland (shareholders will receive a separate invitation). The invitation can be downloaded from www.santhera.com/investors-and-media/investor-toolbox/shareholder-meetings. 2018 Full-year Financial Information Santhera`s 2018 Annual Report see www.santhera.com/investors-and-media/investor-toolbox/financial-reports. Condensed consolidated income statement (IFRS, in CHF thousands) 2018 2017 Net sales 31,657 22,943 Cost of goods sold (of which amortization intangible assets: 2018 -3,039 / 2017 -3,039) -4,702 -4,104 Development -38,240 -26,561 Marketing and sales -24,884 -28,522 General and administrative -15,365 -14,416 Operating expenses -78,687 -69,563 Operating result -51,420 -50,454 Financial result -2,444 -821 Income taxes -322 -257 Net result -54,186 -51,532 Basic and diluted loss per share (in CHF) -7.86 -8.22 Condensed consolidated balance sheet (IFRS, in CHF thousands) 2018 2017 Cash and cash equivalents 21,971 45,195 Financial assets short-term 0 13,011 Other current assets 21,112 19,402 Noncurrent assets 67,211 32,172 Total assets 110,294 109,780 Equity 27,829 32,256 Noncurrent liabilities 62,756 64,278 Current liabilities 19,709 13,246 Total equity and liabilities 110,294 109,780 Condensed consolidated cash flow statement (IFRS, in CHF thousands) 2018 2017 Operating cash flow -37,865 -39,633 Investing cash flow -5,909 -22,239 Financing cash flow 20,644 57,108 Cash and cash equivalents at January 1 45,195 49,815 Cash and cash equivalents at December 31 21,971 45,195 Net change in cash and cash equivalents -23,224 -4,620 Share capital (number of shares with par value of CHF 1) 2018 2017 Shares issued 10,664,563 6,288,555 Conditional capital for equity rights 687,552 691,302 Conditional capital for convertible rights 930,000 930,000 Authorized capital 500,000 1,500,000 About Santhera Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN) is a Swiss specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative medicines for rare and other diseases with high unmet medical needs. The portfolio comprises clinical stage and marketed treatments for neuro-ophthalmologic, neuromuscular and pulmonary diseases. Santhera`s Raxone (idebenone) is authorized in the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Israel and Serbia for the treatment of Leber`s hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) and is currently commercialized in more than 20 countries. For further information, please visit www.santhera.com. Raxone and Puldysa are trademarks of Santhera Pharmaceuticals. For further information please contact: public-relations@santhera.com or Eva Kalias, Head External Communications Phone: +41 79 875 27 80 eva.kalias@santhera.com For Investors: investor-relations@santhera.com or Christoph Rentsch, Chief Financial Officer Hans Vitzthum, LifeSci Advisors Europe: +41 61 906 89 65 US: +1 212 915 2568 christoph.rentsch@santhera.com hans@lifesciadvisors.com Disclaimer / Forward-looking statements This communication does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities of Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AG. This publication may contain certain forward-looking statements concerning the Company and its business. Such statements involve certain risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Readers should therefore not place undue reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any contract or investment decision. The Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. # # # News Release FY2018 This announcement is distributed by West Corporation on behalf of West Corporation clients. The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AG via GlobeNewswire HUG#2242802 A number of small Texas firms have closed since the start of 2019, with the lawyers scattering to other firms in the Lone Star state's massive legal market. The Texas legal market has been changing at a rapid pace over the last 18 months, as out-of-state firms open Texas offices, big Texas firms merge with even larger firms, and lawyers shuffle among firms because opportunity calls. Smaller firms aren't immune to losing talent in the hot lateral hiring market, and their lawyers are just as susceptible as those in BigLaw to getting calls from recruiters. "If they can get somebody who has got a book of business, they'll go after them. They don't just rob from big firms, they go after anybody," said Bill Cobb, a recruiter in Houston at Cobb Consulting. Still, some law firm consultants and legal recruiters suggest it's likely that recent small firm closings simply reflect the ebb and flow within the legal market and not a structural change. "It goes on," Cobb said. "Firms start up, then split up, and start up." Lee Albritton, a founding partner at Amicus Search Group in Austin, said that he's seen some small, established firms close recently but also suspects that other small boutiques are opening. "Some of it is generational. The ones folding back into larger firms tend to be a little bit older, a little more established. The ones being created are by the Young Turks in practices either rate-restrained in a large firm or youthfully entrepreneurial," Albritton said. In that sense, Albritton said, the difference between the small firms that have closed and the fresh ones in the market is more about the enthusiasm of the firm founders than anything structural. "Young Turks are Young Turks. If it's 1991 or 2019, it really doesn't matter," he said. Lisa Smith, a firm consultant at Fairfax Associates in Washington, D.C., said small firms are not being phased out in the Texas market, noting that big-firm spinoffs often slip into the void created when small firms close. "It's not the end of small firms," she said. Story continues Big-Firm Offers Lead to Small Firm Closings Firms close for a number of reasons. Often, a pending lease renewal forces the lawyers to think about the future of the firm. The retirement of firm founders or big rainmakers can cause a similar consideration. So can the loss of a major client or the end of some big litigation. Competition within the practice niche can lead to other small firms close. A pending lease renewal prompted the lawyers in 18-year-old Watt Thompson Frank & Carver of Houston to close the firm on January 31 and take their practices to other firms. Joe Thompson, who was the firm's managing partner, said in an interview in January that the firm had a good run, but the partners decided it was time to "change things up." Lawyers from Watt Thompson landed at several firms in Houston including Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, Porter Hedges and Pierce & O'Neill. Dick Watt, who joined Pierce & O'Neill, said in February that nothing negative broke up the firm. It was simply the fact that the partners didn't want to sign another lease in the Pennzoil building and decided to part as good friends. Cobb said leases are a huge factor in the closing of small firms because the decision to renew forces lawyers to think about their future, like the lawyers at Watt Thompson did. "When you come within two years of a lease, the question always come up: 'Do I want to be on a joint- and-several liability lease for the next five to 10 years?'" he said. Cobb said small firms are also subject to breakup when foundersoften the only equity partners"get crosswise" over strategy, such as whether a firm should grow. He said a split under those circumstances isn't necessarily a bad thing, because it may be best for all lawyers involved to find firms where they support the long-term strategy. Smith, the consultant, said some small firms can't survive the retirement of a founder because the firm isn't structured for the long haul. "The founders may hold all of the ownership. They may not be willing to bring people along," she said. The niche practice of a boutique can even lead to small firm closingswhen too many are trying to capitalize on that niche. Mark Werbner, whose firm Sayles Werbner closed earlier this year, said he hears from lawyer friends in Texas that some litigation boutiques are under pressure not only from general counsel who may have reservations about hiring a small firm for big litigation, but from a glut of litigation boutiques in the market. "It's much more competitive than it used to be," he said. The temptation to join a larger firm led to the February closing of Dallas-based Rose Walker after 20 years. A group of five lawyers from Rose Walker, including trial lawyer Martin Rose, moved to Frost Brown Todd's Dallas office. Rose said in February that it made sense to move to a large full-service firm to meet the needs of firm clients. He said some large businesses prefer to be represented by a full-service firm. With the move, he said, they avoid the troublesome aspects of practicing at a small trial boutiquethe need to refer out important work such as appeals, and the inability to provide advice to clients in areas in which the small firm didn't have expertise. Likewise, litigator Richard Sayles decided earlier this year that it was time to move to a larger firm with a network of offices. The demise of 25-year-old litigation boutique Sayles Werbner came after nine of the firm's lawyers, led by Sayles, decided to open a Dallas office for Bradley Arant Boult Cummings. Bradley also acquired a small health care boutique, Rogaliner Law Firm, at the same time. Sayles now heads Bradley's new Dallas office. Sayles' fellow name partner, Werbner, said he was impressed with Bradley and seriously considered the firm's offer but decided to weigh a number of other offers, mostly at large firms. "I wanted to make this next phase an exclamation mark on my career. I'm being very deliberate," Werbner said in March. On April 8, Werbner joined Winston & Strawn as a complex commercial litigation partner in Dallas. He said he would have joined Winston & Strawn earlier, but had to resolve a client conflict first. Small firms can also close because they need to expand and don't. Scott Fiddler said in a February interview that he decided to move his employment practice to Jackson Walker to solve a couple problems that popped up at once. Fiddler said he had so much work last fall at Fiddler & Associates that he needed to hire two more lawyers. Then, unexpectedly, he learned that the firm would lose its office space. But the end of a lease isn't necessarily a signal to close a firm. It can also be a reason to recommit. The 34-lawyer Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody moved in March to new offices on the 27th floor in Austin's Frost Tower. It's a smaller space in the same building where the firm has been based since 2004, five floors up. The firm lost some 10 lawyers in 2018 to Austin's McGinnis Lochridge. So the partners were considering some alternatives, Graves Dougherty President John McFarland said. As it turned out, building management wanted the firm's two-floor space for another tenant, so it provided money for the firm to build out modern, efficient space. McFarland said the opportunity to move into the new offices at a good lease rate that fits the size of the firmwith some room for growthtakes pressure off the firm and strengthens the partners' resolve to stay independent. Graves Dougherty gets calls about potential mergers all the time, but no one within the firm is interested, he said. "We like the place in the market where we are. We like the clients we have and have some really good young lawyers," he said. Read More Bradley Arant Opens Dallas Office with Dick Sayles, Eight Others from Sayles Werbner Houston's Watt Thompson Closes, Lawyers Land at Several Firms 5-Lawyer Rose Walker Group Joins Frost Brown Todd as Small Firm Closes Houston Employment Litigator Closes Small Firm, Joins Jackson Walker By Jesus Aguado MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's Bankia, majority owned by the state, posted a drop in first-quarter net profit on Monday due to lower trading income as attention turned to privatisation prospects after an election made a left-wing coalition likely. The Socialists, who won the most votes in Sunday's election but will need at least one partner to govern, are expected to turn to far left-wing party Podemos, which has floated the idea that Bankia could become a permanent national bank. Podemos has also lobbied for Bankia to offer services based on social, as well as market, considerations and had advocated a supplementary tax on banks' earnings. Spain aims to sell its 61.4 percent stake after pumping 22.4 billion euros (19.3 billion) into a rescue package for Bankia in 2012 at the height of the financial crisis. The state has until 2021 to offload the stake. "The most reasonable is to think that the privatisation process that we've been taking part in the last few years will be allowed to be completed," CEO Jose Sevilla said during a news conference on the earnings. "It will however depend on market conditions, we hope there will be market opportunities so that by 2021 the privatisation gets done," Sevilla said. The bank has not held talks with Podemos, he said, after adding that Spain needed to learn to live with a fragmented parliament. Shares in Bankia outperformed the market on Monday with a 1.7 percent gain after falling 36 percent in 2018 and almost six percent so far this year. M&A TALK As with other European banks, Spanish lenders are struggling to lift earnings from loans as rates hold at ultra-low levels which some analysts and bankers believe could prompt Spanish lenders to continue a trend of consolidation in the sector. On Monday, however Sevilla ruled out any merger plans with Banco Sabadell or BBVA. In March, the Sabadell chairman did not rule out a deal with Bankia. Net profit for the quarter was 205 million euros, above an average in a Reuters poll of 196 million euros thanks to lower provisions and costs, while trading income fell 73 percent. Net interest income (NII), a measure of earnings on loans minus deposit costs, was 502 million euros, down 4.7 percent from a year earlier and 1 percent lower against the previous quarter, when it was also hit by competition for lending at home. Analysts had expected NII to be 501 million euros. Story continues At the end of March, Bankia's core Tier-1 fully loaded capital ratio, the strictest measure of solvency, was 12.61 percent compared to 12.39 percent at the end of December. At a time when the European Central Bank is pushing lenders to remove toxic real estate assets from their balance sheets, Spanish banks have been moving faster than peers in Italy thanks to an economic recovery and a rebound in real estate prices. Bankia reduced its non-performing assets in the quarter by 450 million euros to 10.4 billion euros, while non-performing loans fell to 6.2 percent from 6.5 percent. (Reporting By Jesus Aguado; Editing by Edmund Blair and Keith Weir) (Adds CEO and analyst comments) By Akanksha Rana and Kenneth Li April 29 (Reuters) - Spotify Technology SA, the world's leading streaming platform, said on Monday it had hit 100 million paid subscribers as it reported a better-than-expected rise in first-quarter revenue. The global leader in the sector, with double the number of subscribers of nearest rival Apple Music, Spotify has launched in places like India, the Middle East and North Africa in recent months, seeking to fuel the next stage of its development as it continues to price aggressively in the developed world. The results helped ease concerns Spotify was under significant pressure from rivals such as Apple Inc, whose 28 million U.S. paid subscribers of its music service surpassed Spotify's 26 million in earlier April. Amazon.com Inc has also launched an advertising-supported free music tier to its service. "Competition is just not a big factor for us, it's really all about growth," Spotify Chief Executive Officer Daniel Ek said on a conference call after the release of the quarterly results. Ek reiterated the company planned to "keep on growing at more than 30 percent per year," referring to revenue and users. Shares of Spotify were largely flat at $138.30. Growth in the quarter also had less of an impact than some analysts had anticipated on average revenue per user - 4.71 euros, or roughly flat with the same period last year - as the company expanded into markets where prices are lower and relied on promotions to find new subscribers. "There had been a concern that Spotifys forecast for strong subscriber net adds in (2019) would come at a cost to ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) as it relied more heavily on promotions and pushed into lower-ARPU regions such as India, but these results should go some way to easing those concerns, Atlantic Equities analyst James Cordwell said. Spotify said it had 217 million monthly active users (MAUs) in March, up from 173 million in the same quarter a year earlier. Analysts on average were expecting the company to have 218.6 million subscribers, according to research firm FactSet. Story continues Premium or paying subscribers at the end of the quarter were 100 million, up from 75 million a year earlier. Analysts were expecting the company to have 99 million paid subscribers. Revenue rose 33 percent to 1.51 billion euros ($1.69 billion), beating analysts' estimates of 1.47 billion euros, according to IBES data from Refinitiv. Gross margins for the quarter were 24.7 percent, above Spotify's guidance of 22.5 percent to 24.5 percent, as it added more paying customers and gave away fewer promotional Google Home Mini smart speaker devices. Europe contributed 40 percent of the total paid subscribers, followed by North America with 30 percent. Spotify said it expects to have about 107 million to 110 million premium subscribers by the end of the current quarter and 117 million to 127 million subscribers by the end of the year. Spotify also said it expects total revenue of 1.51 billion euros to 1.71 billion euros for the second quarter and 6.35 billion to 6.8 billion euros for 2019. Analysts were expecting it to forecast total revenue of 1.62 billion euros in the quarter and 6.67 billion for the year. The company reported a loss attributable to shareholders of 0.79 euros per share. Analysts were expecting a loss of 0.35 euros per share. Spotify said it has spent 308 million euros buying podcast companies Gimlet Media and Anchor FM and another 50 million buying Cutler Media LLC, the parent company of Parcast. ($1 = 0.8961 euros) (Reporting by Akanksha Rana in Bengaluru and Kenneth Li in New York; Editing by Shailesh Kuber, Anil D'Silva and Paul Simao) FILE PHOTO: The Tata steelworks are seen in Port Talbot, Wales, June 30, 2018. REUTERS/Rebecca Naden BENGALURU (Reuters) - Tata Steel Ltd's Europe unit said on Friday a fire broke out at its Port Talbot site in South Wales but there were no major injuries and fire was now under control. The Port Talbot site, which dates back to the early 1900s, was acquired by Tata Steel as part of its acquisition of Corus in 2007. Port Talbot is home to one of the two integrated steelmaking sites that the company operates in Europe. The plant produces hot rolled, cold rolled and galvanized coil, among other types of steel. "There was an incident at the Port Talbot site and there are no major injuries and all persons have been accounted for. All fires at the site are now under control," said Damien Brook, a spokesman for Tata Steel Europe. Early this morning, a series of blasts were heard from Tata's steel plant at the Port Talbot site in South Wales, The Sun reported. Only two casualties with minor injuries were reported from the site, South Wales Police tweeted. (Reporting by Krishna V Kurup in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich) Texas Supreme Court Texas Supreme Court building. Photo: WhisperToMe via Wikimedia Commons In a detailed 56-page opinion Friday, the Texas Supreme Court has clarified state law regarding evidence required to prove up attorney billing under a fee-shifting agreement. General, conclusory testimony devoid of any real substance will not support a fee award, said the April 26 opinion in Rohrmoos Venture v. UTSA DVA Healthcare. Billing records are strongly encouraged to prove the reasonableness and necessity of requested fees. The underlying case involved a landlord-tenant dispute between UT Southwestern DVA Healthcare LLP, which ran a dialysis clinic in a Dallas building, where the landlord was Rohrmoos Venture. UTSA had won a jury verdict in the trial court that found both parties failed to comply with the lease, but Rohrmoos failed first, and it breached the implied warranty of suitability. The jury found that Rohrmoos should take nothing, while UTSA won a $1,025,000 attorney fee award. The Texas Supreme Court dismissed Rohrmooss arguments about the lease breaches and upheld the trial courts ruling. But it found that UTSA lawyer Wade Howards testimony was too general and he would need details about the work he did, how much time he spent on the tasks, and how he figured the fee amount. The court sent the case back to the trial court to redetermine the fees. Scheef & Stone partner James Pikl of Frisco, who represented Rohrmoos, said the ruling lays out a blueprint for how to prove up attorney fees in Texas. Its going to be the case everyone cites from now on, he said. it does encapsulate and bring together all the law over the last 40 years into one place. Liskow & Lewis shareholder Wade Thomas of Houston, who represented UTSA, said the opinion might require a new billing procedure for many plaintiffs lawyers who work on a contingency basis and dont currently keep track of every minute of work. It could put a significantly greater burden on them to prove up their attorney fees, he said. For any complex litigation, I think you are going to need billing records. On page 17 of the opinion, Justice Paul Green begins a detailed explanation of each side's arguments over attorney fees and lists exactly what evidence parties must show in court to prove up their attorney fees under a fee-shifting agreement. The court noted that fees must be reasonable and necessary, and theyre meant to compensate the prevailing party from the losses from the litigation process. Courts have used two methods: the lodestar method and the Arthur Andersen method. These two seemingly different methods for evaluating claims for attorneys fees have created confusion for practitioners and courts alike, Green wrote. Generalities in testimony are not enough to support fees in fee-shifting situations, he wrote. The fact finders starting point for calculating an attorneys fee award is determining the reasonable hours worked multiplied by a reasonable hourly rate, and the fee claimant bears the burden of providing sufficient evidence on both counts, Green wrote. We clarify today that there is a presumption that the base lodestar calculation, when supported by sufficient evidence, reflects the reasonable and necessary attorneys fees that can be shifted to the non-prevailing party. Sufficient evidence must include details of particular services performed, who performed them, when they performed the services, the reasonable amount of time it took, and the reasonable hourly charge for each person who performed services, the opinion said. If a fee claimant seeks an enhancement, or a fee opponent seeks a reduction, it must have specific evidence of Arthur Andersen considerations to show why a higher or lower amount is necessary. General, conclusory testimony devoid of any real substance will not support a fee award, said the opinion. Billing records are strongly encouraged to prove the reasonableness and necessity of requested fees. Read the full opinion here. FILE PHOTO: Gas flares from an oil production platform at the Soroush oil fields in the Persian Gulf, south of the capital Tehran, July 25, 2005. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/File Photo By Noah Browning and Julia Payne LONDON (Reuters) - Tighter U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil planned for May are adding to a wealth of factors curbing global supply of heavy-medium crude, driving up prices for scarcer barrels and setting up a stand-off between buyers and sellers. The new curbs on Iranian exports come on top of Washington's earlier ban on Venezuelan crude and output snags in Angola, another big producer of the dense crude grades that best yield lucrative refined products like jet fuel. U.S. officials say overall global oil supply will remain plentiful despite its sanctions, not least from the boom in U.S. shale. But much of the profusion in supply, led by the United States, Saudi Arabia and Russia, is in lighter grades. The price for heavier crudes like Norway's Grane and Heidrun has been firming over the last few months, a North Sea trader said. Over April, the price of Grane rose from around dated Brent plus 10 cents to close to dated Brent plus $1.00 a barrel. This month Iraq's SOMO sold 2 million barrels of Basra Heavy crude to China's Unipec at a premium of over $2 a barrel to its official selling price (OSP), the highest in months, sources said. Refiners are also seeking more heavy sweet crude to produce low-sulphur fuel oil ahead of new shipping emissions rules due next year. "Over the past week we have seen heavy, sweet crude differentials rising markedly, as the long-awaited IMO impact has started to leave its mark on the crude market," JBC Energy said in a note on Monday. JBC cited price assessments from Argus that premiums for Australian heavy, sweet grades Pyrenees and Van Gogh versus North Sea dated rose by $2 per barrel to a record $9 per barrel. Furious over the Washington's sanctions, Iran warned on Monday that other oil grades could not displace its supply. "This idea that some countries can fill the empty place of Iran's oil in the market is incorrect from different aspects, including a technical and political view," Amir Hossein Zamaninia, a deputy Iranian oil minister, was quoted as saying. Story continues EYES ON ANGOLA, CHINA Price offerings for several Angolan streams, an approximate alternative to Iranian and Venezuelan crude, were at their highest ever, traders said. State oil company Sonangol was said to have sold a cargo of one of its heaviest grades, Dalia, over the last week for $2 a barrel above dated Brent, a $7 increase from two years ago. Typically, the grade trades at a discount of $1 or more. (Graphic - Scarcer barrels for heavier crudes png, https://tmsnrt.rs/2W3MBsy) While some clients are prepared to buy at elevated prices, others are holding back. "We're resisting it as much as possible," one potential buyer said. Some of Sonangol's regular customers balked at the mark-ups, prompting the company to offer the crude to other buyers instead as spot cargoes. These have sold quickly, trading sources said. The current stand-off between buyers and sellers comes down partly to uncertainty over just how much Iranian crude may still flow, crucially to top consumer China, after the May 1 deadline the U.S. has imposed for importers to halt purchases. China's foreign ministry this week said Beijing had formally complained to the United States about the move. Analysts expect China may flout the restrictions, especially since Washington may be loath to sanction Chinese companies importing Iranian crude which are at the same time key buyers of U.S. oil and liquid natural gas. Sweden's SEB says Beijing could lift its imports of Iranian crude in the coming months from some 600,000 barrels per day in March to around 1 million bpd, bucking U.S. pressure, while exports elsewhere under the sanctions radar could reach another 500,000 bpd. That would make it harder for sellers to get away with higher prices. "Decisions on buying will be easier to make when it's clearer how much Iranian (crude) will still be flowing," a trading source said. (Writing by Noah Browning; additional reporting by Dmitry Zhdannikov; editing by Jan Harvey) FILE PHOTO: A worker collects a crude oil sample at an oil well operated by Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA in Morichal, Venezuela, July 28, 2011. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Photo By Noah Browning and Julia Payne LONDON (Reuters) - Tighter U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil planned for May are adding to a wealth of factors curbing global supply of heavy-medium crude, driving up prices for scarcer barrels and setting up a stand-off between buyers and sellers. The new curbs on Iranian exports come on top of Washington's earlier ban on Venezuelan crude and output snags in Angola, another big producer of the dense crude grades that best yield lucrative refined products like jet fuel. U.S. officials say overall global oil supply will remain plentiful despite its sanctions, not least from the boom in U.S. shale. But much of the profusion in supply, led by the United States, Saudi Arabia and Russia, is in lighter grades. The price for heavier crudes like Norway's Grane and Heidrun has been firming over the last few months, a North Sea trader said. Over April, the price of Grane rose from around dated Brent plus 10 cents to close to dated Brent plus $1.00 a barrel. This month Iraq's SOMO sold 2 million barrels of Basra Heavy crude to China's Unipec at a premium of over $2 a barrel to its official selling price (OSP), the highest in months, sources said. Refiners are also seeking more of the heavy sweet crude Iran and Venezuela once provided in abundance to produce low-sulfur fuel oil ahead of new shipping emissions rules due next year. "Over the past week we have seen heavy, sweet crude differentials rising markedly, as the long-awaited IMO impact has started to leave its mark on the crude market," JBC Energy said in a note on Monday. JBC cited price assessments from Argus that premiums for Australian heavy, sweet grades Pyrenees and Van Gogh versus North Sea dated rose by $2 per barrel to a record $9 per barrel. EYES ON ANGOLA, CHINA Price offerings for several Angolan streams, an approximate alternative to Iranian and Venezuelan crude, were at their highest ever, traders said. State oil company Sonangol was said to have sold a cargo of one of its heaviest grades, Dalia, over the last week for $2 a barrel above dated Brent, a $7 increase from two years ago. Typically, the grade trades at a discount of $1 or more. Story continues (GRAPHIC: Scarcer barrels for heavier crudes - https://tmsnrt.rs/2W3MBsy) While some clients are prepared to buy at elevated prices, others are holding back. "We're resisting it as much as possible," one potential buyer said. Some of Sonangol's regular customers balked at the mark-ups, prompting the company to offer the crude to other buyers instead as spot cargoes. These have sold quickly, trading sources said. The current stand-off between buyers and sellers comes down partly to uncertainty over just how much Iranian crude may still flow, crucially to top consumer China, after the May 1 deadline the U.S. has imposed for importers to halt purchases. China's foreign ministry this week said Beijing had formally complained to the United States about the move. Analysts expect China may flout the restrictions, especially since Washington may be loath to sanction Chinese companies importing Iranian crude which are at the same time key buyers of U.S. oil and liquid natural gas. Sweden's SEB says Beijing could lift its imports of Iranian crude in the coming months from some 600,000 barrels per day in March to around 1 million bpd, bucking U.S. pressure, while exports elsewhere under the sanctions radar could reach another 500,000 bpd. That would make it harder for sellers to get away with higher prices. "Decisions on buying will be easier to make when it's clearer how much Iranian (crude) will still be flowing," a trading source said. (Writing by Noah Browning; additional reporting by Dmitry Zhdannikov; editing by Jan Harvey) HOLLYWOOD, Calif., April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VERB Technology Company, Inc. (VERB) (VERB), a leader in business-focused interactive video sales and marketing applications and the pioneer of Augmented Sales Intelligence software, today announced a strategic partnership with Waymark , an art and technology company that builds smart marketing tools, offering business-focused video templates that allow users to create video content through the use of still images and photographs, reducing friction during the video creation process. Waymark will offer VERBs proprietary interactive video technology within its video creation platform, allowing users to more effectively track engagement and interact with customers. VERBs technology will give our users the ability to make their Waymark videos more engaging by adding clickable taggs, in addition to providing access to detailed video analytics and actionable insights, said Nathan Labenz, CEO at Waymark. The combination of VERB and Waymarks technologies will offer users an outlet to produce and distribute content that can truly drive substantial conversion while adding value broadscale. Waymark is a leading-edge, forward-thinking company with amazing video creation tools, stated Rory J. Cutaia, CEO of VERB. Combining our interactive video tagg capabilities with Waymarks platform should produce enormous value for our respective clients, customers and stockholders. About Waymark Waymark is an art and technology company that empowers anyone to make exceptional video ads in seconds. The company is working to bridge the gap between local advertisers and the future of video with their propriety video technology, which makes high quality video at scale a real possibility for advertisers. With Waymarks premium video templates, advertisers are able to create agency-quality content quickly and affordably. The companys collection of templates are professionally produced, full commercials that anyone from a global brand to a small business can personalize in minutes. Waymark is headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, and is online at Waymark.com . Story continues About VERB Technology Company, Inc. VERB Technology Company, Inc. is rapidly emerging as the market leader in sales and marketing applications utilizing its proprietary interactive video data collection and analysis technology. Following its successful acquisition of Utah-based Sound Concepts, the leading provider of digital tech-based marketing and customer relationship management applications for the direct sales, network marketing and affiliate marketing industries, the newly combined company provides next-generation customer relationship management (CRM), lead generation, and video marketing software applications under the brand name TAGG. The Companys proprietary and patent-pending technology produces real-time, measurable results with customers reporting greater than 600% increases in conversion rates. The Companys software-as-a-service (SaaS) products are cloud-based, accessible on all mobile and desktop devices, and are available by subscription for individual and enterprise users. The Companys technology is integrated into popular ERP, CRM, and marketing platforms, including Oracle NetSuite, Adobe Marketo, and integrations into Salesforce.com, Odoo, and Microsoft, among others are underway. To create and tagg your own videos that you can share and post to social, try taggLITE, available for FREE on our website. For more information, please visit: www.myverb.com. Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In accordance with the safe harbor provisions of this Act, statements contained herein that look forward in time that include everything other than historical information, involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the Companys actual results. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and there are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by the Company, including, but not limited to, plans and objectives of management for future operations or products, the market acceptance or future success of our products, and our future financial performance. The Company cautions that these forward-looking statements are further qualified by other factors including, but not limited to, those set forth in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (available at www.sec.gov). The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Contact Please address media inquiries to: info@myverb.com 855.250.2300, extension 7 EOG Resources, Inc. EOG is expected to release first-quarter 2019 results on May 3. The upstream energy player beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in three of the last four quarters, recording a positive surprise of 8%. Lets see how things are shaping up for this announcement. EOG Resources, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise EOG Resources, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | EOG Resources, Inc. Quote Which Way are Estimates Trending? Lets take a look at estimate revisions to get a clear picture of what analysts are thinking about the company before the earnings release. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $4.1 billion for the to-be-reported quarter, indicating an increase of 11.3% from the year-ago reported figure. The consensus estimate for earnings of $1.03 per share for the first quarter has seen six upward and six downward revisions in the past 30 days. This estimated figure suggests a year-over-year decline of about 13.5%. Factors Likely to Influence Upcoming Quarterly Results EOG Resources, which is a leading upstream energy player with an attractive growth profile, has significant acreage in Eagle Ford, Permian, Bakken and Powder River Basin, enabling the company to maintain an oil-heavy portfolio. Its presence in these areas also boosts output from domestic resources and the to-be-reported quarters results are expected to reflect the same. In the first quarter, the company is anticipated to produce crude oil equivalent volumes in the range of 746.1-779.2 thousand barrels per day (Mboe/d). The expected figure is much higher than year-ago periods 659.9 Mboe/d. Crude production in first-quarter 2019 is expected in the range of 427- 435 thousand barrels per day (MBD), higher than the year-ago reported figure of 363.3 MBD. This can play a significantly positive role in first-quarter earnings. However, the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude price in first-quarter 2019 was lower than the year-ago period. In January, February and March, WTI averaged $51.38, $54.95 and $58.15 per barrel, respectively, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In comparison, WTI averaged $63.70, $62.23 and $62.73 per barrel, respectively, in the first three months of 2018. This can offset the positives derived from the year-over-year increase in volumes. Story continues Capital expenditure in the to-be-reported quarter is expected in the range of $1,750-$1,950 million. Lease and Well cost in the quarter is anticipated in the range of $4.90-$5.30 per barrel. To conclude, higher production volumes are expected to boost EOG Resources first-quarter 2019 earnings, which will be offset by lower crude price realization that is likely to result in a 13.5% year-over-year decline in earnings per share. What Our Model Unveils Our proven model does not conclusively show that EOG Resources is likely to beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the quarter to be reported. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) for this to happen. Unfortunately, this is not the case here as elaborated below. Earnings ESP: Earnings ESP represents the difference between the Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate. EOG Resources has an Earnings ESP of -1.46% as the Most Accurate Estimate of $1.02 is below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.03. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Zacks Rank: EOG Resources currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. Though a Zacks Rank of 3 increases the predictive power of ESP, a negative ESP makes surprise prediction difficult. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. We caution against Sell-rated stocks (Zacks Ranks #4 and 5) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions. Energy Stocks WithFavorable Combination Here are some companies from the energy space which, according to our model, have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat in the upcoming quarterly reports. Houston, TX-based Apache Corporation APA has a Zacks Rank #2 and an Earnings ESP of +12.55%. The company is scheduled to report first-quarter earnings on May 1. San Antonio, TX-based Abraxas Petroleum Corporation AXAS has a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of +133.33%. The company is slated to report first-quarter 2019 earnings on May 6. Oklahoma City, OK-based Chaparral Energy, Inc. CHAP has a Zacks Rank #2 and an Earnings ESP of +110.00%. The company is set to report first-quarter 2019 earnings on May 9. Today's Best Stocks from Zacks Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2018, while the S&P 500 gained +15.8%, five of our screens returned +38.0%, +61.3%, +61.6%, +68.1%, and +98.3%. This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 2018, while the S&P averaged +4.8% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +56.2% per year. See their latest picks free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report EOG Resources, Inc. (EOG) : Free Stock Analysis Report Apache Corporation (APA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Abraxas Petroleum Corporation (AXAS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Chaparral Energy, Inc. (CHAP) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. MONTREAL, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xebec Adsorption Inc. (XBC.V) (XEBEF) (Xebec), a global provider of renewable natural gas (RNG) solutions, is pleased to note that the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced a new initiative on March 1st 2019, to use biogas to partially replace coal in rural areas. China plans to produce 30 billion cubic meters of biogas from agricultural waste and manure by 2030, part of a wider measure to reduce the domestic coal consumption in rural regions by 50 megatonnes. In order to achieve this target, China will need to build approximately 3,000 to 4,000 upgrading facilities over the next 10 years, requiring investments of CDN$7 to 10 billion. Xebec has been active in this developing market for over 10 years and is now adding several new facilities to its existing installations, which also serve as excellent reference sites for future customers. One example is a facility located in Malaysia that upgrades biogas from Palm Oil Mill Effluents (POME) into RNG using Xebecs biogas upgrading system. The plant is in Sabah, a State of Malaysia located in the north eastern part of Borneo. In China, Xebec is commissioning another upgrading system, specifically a Waste Water Treatment Plant in the City of Suzhou (Jiangsu Province). It processes 1250 NCMH of biogas from a mix of kitchen, landscaping and leachate waste into RNG which is injected as pure biomethane into the local town gas grid. With plants operating in Korea, China, Malaysia, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Canada and the United States, Xebec is proud to play an ever bigger part in helping to decarbonize our future through renewable gases while providing a revenue source for end users such as gas utilities and the public sector. Quotes: "The market conditions for renewable natural gas and hydrogen purification equipment remain strong across all our operating geographies, but China offers unique opportunities given the governments aggressive renewable energy targets. Xebec China is well established and is becoming a key contributor in both the hydrogen and RNG space." Kurt Sorschak, President and CEO, Xebec Adsorption Inc. Story continues Related links: https://www.xebecinc.com https://asian-power.com/environment/news/china-eyes-biogas-coal-alternative-in-rural-areas For more information: Xebec Adsorption Inc. Sandi Murphy, Director, Investor Relations and Marketing +1 450.979.8718 smurphy@xebecinc.com About Xebec Adsorption Inc. Xebec Adsorption Inc. is a global provider of gas generation, purification and filtration solutions for the industrial, energy and renewables marketplace. Its customers range from small to multi-national corporations and governments looking to reduce their carbon footprints. Headquartered in Montreal (QC), Xebec designs, engineers and manufactures innovative and transformative products, and has more than 1,500 customers worldwide. With two manufacturing facilities in Montreal and Shanghai, as well as a sales and distribution network in North America, Europe, and Asia, Xebec trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol XBC. For additional information on the company, its products and services, visit Xebec at xebecinc.com . Cautionary Statement Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements, and subject to risks and uncertainties. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as plans, seeks, expects, estimates, intends, anticipates, believes, could, might, likely or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results may, will, could, would, might, will be taken, occur, be achieved or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements, including statements concerning future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses and future prospects as well as the expectations of management of Xebec with respect to information regarding the business and the expansion and growth of Xebec operations, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic factors and uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements, including the relevant assumptions and risks factors set out in Xebec's public documents, including in the most recent annual management discussion and analysis and annual information form, filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, the uncertain and unpredictable condition of global economy, Xebecs capacity to generate revenue growth, limited number of customers, and other factors. Although Xebec believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, Xebec disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/35e39044-57e8-4408-a6c6-74c9b182da19 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7b7cc90c-c2f3-4977-b3b1-3afec3036105 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7f9d1c93-d704-4804-8083-2d3a7c33cbcb http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1b75b9aa-9475-4ada-ae25-b0db1a3d021e http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2e75b8c3-492b-4fee-99c6-0644b3c132f5 The Washington Post is out with an updated count of President Trump's false and misleading statements since Inauguration Day. And it shows that Trump has surpassed the 10,000 mark. "The president continues to say false or misleading statements at an unbelievable pace," The Post's fact-checker-in-chief, Glenn Kessler, said on CNN's "New Day" Monday morning. "He hit 5,000 in September. Now here it is, seven months later, and he's now hit 10,000," Kessler said. "That's an average of about 23 false or misleading claims a day in the last seven months." Kessler's new story, co-written with Salvador Rizzo and Meg Kelly, says "the tsunami of untruths just keeps looming larger and larger." Many of the misstatements are about immigration issues with distortions and utter falsehoods about migrants, border walls, and Democrats. Other common bogus claims relate to Robert Mueller's probe, trade talks with other countries, and Trump's accomplishments in office. The Post's database includes everything from exaggerations to outright lies. As of Saturday night, after the president held a rally in Wisconsin, the Post's official count was 10,111 false or misleading statements in 828 days. The Post has observed that Trump has become looser and looser with the facts over time. On Sunday, when his team was still crunching the numbers, Kessler told me "we counted 45 misstatements or falsehoods in his interview with Sean Hannity" the other day. The Hannity chat was barely 45 minutes long, so that means Trump said something deceptive on average every minute of the television program. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, says the Taliban must change its ways and agree to a cease-fire if peace is to come to the country that has been locked in a civil war for 17 years. Khalizad, the head of U.S. efforts to force a peace deal with the Taliban, made his comments during a visit to Kabul on April 28. "If the Taliban insist on going back to the system they used to have, in my personal opinion it means the continuation of war not peace," Khalilzad, who was born in Afghanistan, told the private television station Tolo News. He added: "Our focus is on terrorism. No agreement will be done if we don't see a permanent cease-fire and a commitment to end the war. We are seeking peace and [a] political settlement.... We want peace to give [U.S.-led forces] the possibility to withdraw." The United States has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan as part of Resolute Support, a NATO-led mission that provides training and assistance to security forces in Afghanistan as they battle Taliban fighters and other extremist groups, including Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda. "Intra-Afghan Talks" Khalilzad's comments came one day before the holding of a nationwide Loya Jirga, a traditional gathering of elders, religious scholars, and prominent Afghans -- with more than 2,000 people from across the country having been invited to discuss U.S.-led peace efforts. President Ashraf Ghanis Special Envoy Omar Daudzai said on April 28 that the Loya Jirga will provide the ground for "intra-Afghan talks" with the Taliban. Several high-ranking officials, including Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, have refused to participate in the four-day gathering. Abdullah boycotted the Loya Jirga on the grounds that his team had not been consulted prior to the decision to hold the assembly. Daudzai said negotiations are under way to convince Abdullah and others to attend the Loya Jirga, which would lay out the government's negotiating position for future talks with the Taliban. On April 27, Ghani held a meeting with Khalilzad, who is trying to find a peaceful resolution to the 17-year war. "Both sides once again emphasized an intra-Afghan dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban, led by the Afghan government," Ghanis office said in a statement. 'Inclusive' Peace Process The comments came a day after the United States, Russia, and China said in a joint statement that they have agreed on the goal of withdrawing foreign forces from Afghanistan and to seek an "inclusive Afghan-led" peace process. Khalilzad has been engaged in a series of talks with the Taliban in Qatar as he looks to bring the extremist group into peace negotiations with the government in Kabul. Taliban negotiators have so far refused to negotiate with the government, calling it a puppet of the West, and have insisted on the withdrawal of foreign forces before talks with Kabul can begin. Khalilzad is on a multination tour of the region and is scheduled to visit Qatar -- the usual site for negotiations with representatives of the Taliban militants. The U.S. envoy said Washington wants "to put an end to their expenses in Afghanistan and the dangers the forces face but also Washington has a responsibility and wants to end this war responsibly and leave a good legacy," Khalilzad said. With reporting by tolonews.com, AFP, AP, and Reuters Pikes Peak Aviation is remodeling FedEx Corp.s hangar complex at the Colorado Springs Airport to handle more and larger aircraft as the shipping giant prepares to serve new facilities for online retailer Amazon. The Colorado Springs-based company will spend $4.5 million over six months to remove and replace more than 220,000 square feet of concrete ramp with pavement twice as thick that can support Boeing 757s and ground equipment to load and unload the jets, said Richard Janitell, chairman of Janitell Enterprises, which owns the aviation firm. These upgrades are due to increased demand from FedEx shipping, Janitell said Monday. This facility can accommodate up to three (Boeing) 757 and 767 aircraft at a time. This project has been in the planning stages for nearly two years, and we need to complete it by Oct. 1 to be ready for the busy holiday shipping season. FedEx had operated one flight a day to Colorado Springs, added a second aircraft last year and plans to add a third this fall, Janitell said. The company has expanded quickly as Amazon opened a temporary delivery station in November in a tent-like structure near the airports passenger terminal. Amazon also began construction last week on a much larger permanent facility in the airports Peak Innovation Park. Pikes Peak Aviation also is remodeling a 13,000-square-foot office and 30,000-square-foot hangar that are part of the ramp complex. It will replace windows, install energy-efficient lighting and new floor coverings, upgrade the employee locker room and improve the hangar space used to sort packages. FedEx began leasing the complex in 1991 after using a temporary facility for several years and considering a move to the Pueblo airport. Pikes Peak Aviation is discussing doubling or tripling the hangar size for FedEx, a project that could take up to five years. The 5.5-acre ramp site also can be expanded to accommodate two more aircraft, Janitell said. Janitell Enterprises also owns a complex of 61 hangars at the airport as well as shopping centers and ranches elsewhere in Colorado. Contact Wayne Heilman 636-0234 Facebook www.facebook.com/wayne.heilman Twitter twitter.com/wayneheilman The suicide of a best friend in 2016 and subsequent suicides of other teens she knew left 18-year-old Hannah Mitchell feeling empty, broken and wondering if she could have done anything to save their lives. It was such a hard time, Hannah said. We were experiencing a suicide rate unimaginable in our school district and El Paso County. Suicides among El Paso County youths aged 10 to 18 doubled from 24 in 2012-14 to 48 in 2015-17 in El Paso County, the Colorado Attorney Generals Office reported. But while its too late to save those teens, its not too late for others, Hannah said, noticing a large disconnect between some of her peers and their parents. She connected with other students to form a nonprofit and then branch out on her own, producing a successful student art show themed Reasons to Stay Alive. For her efforts to improve teen mental health and help prevent youth suicide, Hannah has been named one of two Colorado winners of the 2019 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program that honors youth for outstanding acts of volunteerism. The graduating senior from Pine Creek High School in Academy School District 20 will be in Washington, D.C., Saturday through Wednesday to not only pick up her $1,000 prize and engraved silver medallion, but also to chat up her project with lawmakers. This year has been the first year I feel Ive touched individual lives and made a difference, Hannah said. Im excited to go to Washington, D.C., and meet people who share the same goals. The award, in its 24th year, is sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals. As part of the honor, Hannah received a congratulatory letter from President Donald Trump. She and five other students first formed Project Reasons, a nonprofit to remind suicidal people and people dealing with mental disorders of the things and people that are worth staying alive for. The organization also reached out to adults to better explain suicide from a teen perspective. Relying on her personal way to ease the pain turning to art as an outlet for her tumultuous emotions Hannah then spun off to create the student art show at her school in the fall of 2017. I wanted to create an event to encourage students to create art and educate adults and students who came to see the gallery, she said. I knew how art had impacted me. In the first year, 300 people came to see 60 pieces of student art. The show, focused on the joy of life and raising awareness of the crisis, had a bigger and better performance last October 2018. Hannah reached out to other high schools and middle schools in the Pikes Peak region and featured 162 pieces of art this school year. More than 500 people viewed the work. The two shows raised nearly $3,200 to help Project Reasons create a mobile app and a video series, expand regionally and buy art supplies for AspenPointe, a local nonprofit mental health provider that offers a Creative Expressions art therapy group. Ive seen a big change in our community and school district of everyone coming together and supporting our youth, Hannah said. After going through suicide after suicide, its inspiring to see everyone go from sad and confused to focused on building up each other and showing strength and camaraderie. So the art fundraiser can continue after she graduates in May, Hannah wrote a manual detailing the organizational process to produce the show. Hannahs best friend was supposed to graduate with her. Her suicide was definitely the hardest thing Ive ever had to go through, she said. The biggest thing involving people who are suicidal and going through mental health issues is theres so much ahead. Its about reminding people of hope. Contact the writer: 719-476-1656. 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 Mark Udall, a former U.S. senator and congressman, called Monday for the University of Colorado to reopen its search for its next president, days before an expected Thursday vote on sole finalist Mark Kennedy. Udalls call comes amid mounting controversy over Kennedy, now the University of North Dakotas president, with many CU faculty members and students protesting the pick, largely over Kennedys views on LGBTQ rights, abortion and other issues when he was a Minnesota congressman. Supporters have called Kennedy a highly qualified man who is being attacked for being a Republican, much as Bruce Benson was when he became CU president in 2008. Regent Chance Hill broke his silence Monday, posting a statement that he will support Kennedy in the Thursday vote and criticizing the opponents. Obviously, the Leftist hypocrisy is staggering and underscores all the more the need for leaders like Mark Kennedy, who may not conform to the liberal mold regarding every nuance of every issue, wrote Hill, a Republican representing the 5th Congressional District, consisting of El Paso, Teller, Fremont and Chaffee counties. Regent Irene Griego, a Democrat representing the 7th Congressional District, announced Friday that she will oppose Kennedys appointment. In a recent interview with CPR News and in a series of appearances last week at CUs four campuses, Kennedy defended his record in academia, saying his views have evolved over the years, and he would be an inclusive leader. In a statement to the Boulder Daily Camera, Udall called Kennedy an honorable, decent man who has done nothing wrong or untoward. But, the Democrat added, Too many questions remain unanswered, and a new president who doesnt have a broad cross section of support from all of Colorados stakeholders will be hamstrung from the very beginning of his or her tenure. That wouldnt serve any of us starting with the new president and the university community. The former lawmaker said regents should consider other candidates in addition to Kennedy. Udalls comments came after Gov. Jared Polis tweeted April 19: As the University of Colorado moves forward in its selection process for a new President, its very important that they find a candidate that unites the board. Its never good for a candidate or the institution if the board is split on a decision of this magnitude. Kennedy was the unanimous choice by Republican and Democratic CU regents. But signs of hesitancy have surfaced among some regents recently. Udall, a former executive of the Outward Bound outdoor-education program, served one term as U.S. senator from 2009 to 2015. He was a congressman from 1999 to 2009 and a state representative from 1997 to 1999. Green Mountain Falls soon might choose a town manager after more than a year without one. Former Manitou Springs City Administrator Jason Wells has served as Green Mountain Falls interim town manager since February 2018. Now two finalists are to be interviewed and introduced to the town Tuesday. Kyle Coleman is an assistant town manager in Estero, Fla. Emily Katsimpalis was assistant town manager in Buena Vista. Residents can meet both candidates from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Green Mountain Falls Town Hall, 10615 Green Mountain Falls Road. The town of about 700 people long has operated without a town manager, but trustees decided to hire one after John Pick spent six months working for the town in 2016 and 2017. Pick, whos managed towns in several states, was asked to lay the groundwork for the future administration, update obsolete ordinances and streamline the budget. Verla Bruner originally was hired as town manager, but trustees fired her in November 2017. Mayor Jane Newberry said she wasnt the best fit for the position. Bruner is now Palmer Lakes town clerk. The town got a grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to help pay the town managers salary, but that money will be spent by mid-2020, said a town news release this month. Trustees have tried to offset the cost of hiring a town manager by eliminating a public works manager position and assigning all of those administrative duties to the town manager, the news release said. Laura Kotewa was appointed the towns clerk and treasurer in December. A controversial state bill, which would require parents to submit a state form to exempt their children from vaccinations, might not have time to get through the Senate, as the legislative session had only about 108 hours left as of midday Monday. The bill, as approved by the House on Saturday, is intended to discourage Coloradans from opting their children out of inoculations. It still allows children to be opted out for medical, religious or personal reasons, for those who believe government shouldnt have any say in parents decisions involving their children. Gov. Jared Polis has voiced concerns about the bill, chiefly because parents would have to visit a local health department or the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to get the form to exempt their children. Senate Minority Leader Chris Holbert of Parker said he suggested the Senate Democratic leadership postpone the bill in its first committee hearing to ward off potentially hundreds of opponents showing up to testify on it. The Senate, which on Monday still had 128 bills pending action, doesnt have 20 hours or more to spend on one bill in a hearing, plus floor debate, Holbert said. Thats what happened April 15, when a hearing by the House Health & Insurance Committee drew about 575 people, most with the anti-vaccine Colorado Health Choice Alliance, for 14 hours of testimony. The group reportedly hopes even more people show up for the Senate committee hearing. Thats time the Senate doesnt have. Its 128 remaining bills would get about 15 minutes each, said Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village. But the bills Senate sponsor, Kevin Priola, R-Henderson, said he hadnt heard that argument. Said Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg of Boulder: We dont make decisions based on threats. Only four of 10 committees State, Veterans and Military Affairs; Judiciary; Finance; and Appropriations still are scheduled to meet this week. If theres a bill coming over from the House, itll get its due time, Fenberg said. Would the Senate spend 20 hours on one bill? If thats what it takes, he said. The Senate received the bill Saturday and must introduce it in the next chamber within three business days. When the Senate convened Monday, Republicans began making their point about time, debating for 20 minutes a bill reauthorizing professional review committees within the Department of Regulatory Agencies. Seven Republicans spoke on the bill, every one in favor of it. Then Fenberg asked that it be laid over until later that morning. The Senate spent 45 minutes on its first two bills Monday; the House passed six bills in that time. Everythings fair in love and April, a Colorado lobbyist posted on Facebook. The summation referred to the Colorado General Assembly, which will adjourn its four-month romp May 3. Through this years session, policies and billions of dollars have been on the legislative table for sweeping programs such as all-day free kindergarten, equal pay for women, restrictions on oil and gas operations, and an invitation for voters to kill conservatives sacred cow, the Taxpayers Bill of Rights. At the Colorado Capitol as in every statehouse across the country, an army of lobbyists is trying to make sure their clients get their share or their point of view heard. The Capitol is populated as well with lawyers, advisers, citizen activists, community organizers and public relations pros. They all are in the ear of (or at least at the bar with) your favorite lawmaker, the ones who make up their minds about how you live your life, from traffic jams and school choice to vaccinations and jail time. The place runs on information and influence. Lawmakers vote with their head and their heart, so the information going in matters. Some of the most influential pros in the Capitol tell Colorado Politics that the caricature of influence, dripping with money and power, doesnt tell the whole story. Empty spin doctors, brazen manipulators and other bad actors flame out quickly here, said Doug Friednash, a kingpin in city, state, national and international government. Thats why the powerhouse Denver-based law and lobbying firm of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schrek last year snatched up Friednash, former Gov. John Hickenloopers chief of staff. He now chairs the firms national political strategies practice group. Friednash, also a former Denver city attorney under Mayor Michael Hancock, said what makes an operative valuable is whether he or she has two things: time and integrity. Because of term limits and fickle voters, things change fast in the halls of power. I think its really all about relationships, and being able to maintain good relationships by providing good, honest information to people, Friednash said. Understanding how the process works is crucial, he said. Legislative watch Lawmakers this session showed they were uncomfortable with the states lax oversight of lobbyists by passing a bill to improve transparency. They cited the millions of dollars lobbyists are paid. To be sure, big money changes hands in attempts to sway the General Assembly during the 120-day legislative session. Its difficult, if not impossible, to put a dollar figure on how much gets spent on hearts, minds and cocktails, however. The Denver Post in February compiled a painstaking database from state records on lobbyists and clients and estimated $33 million was spent last year. But The Posts Nic Garcia, who reported on the expensive lobbying, acknowledged that the states records left gaps, such as one lobbying firm listing another as a client, making if difficult to detect subcontracting that might result in double billing. Lobbyists also pointed out to Colorado Politics that money also gets billed as public relations, legal work or community outreach, meaning the actual figure is much higher. The Posts report caught the eye of Reps. Lisa Cutter, D-Jefferson County, and Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, who along with Sen. Mike Foote, D-Lafayette, sponsored the Lobbyist Transparency Act, House Bill 1248, that would raise the reporting requirements for lobbyists. The danger of this is that it gives lobbyists access and influence that the general public doesnt have, Cutter said. So if money equals speech, it is important that we know where that money is coming from. The legislation still making its way through the Legislature at press time would require more frequent reports from professional lobbyists about who theyre representing. It also keeps lawyers from acting as lobbyists to invoke attorney-client confidentiality about shaping public policy. As elected officials, I believe that we should be guardians and protectors of the public trust, Weissman stated. There is not a tremendous amount of public trust in political processes right now. I do believe we must do what we can to shore that up. There are few better ways to do that than bring transparency to lobbying practices around this Legislature and thats what this bill does. Existing guardrails Amendment 41 is the 2006 constitutional amendment enacted by voters to limit gifts, donations and corruption. Friednash co-authored The Practitioners Guide to Amendment 41 and the Colorado Ethics Commission for the Colorado Bar Association. Hes watched the House and Senate change leadership every two years after elections, which he thinks reflects the transient nature of power at the Capitol. In many other states, leaders of chambers and committees hang around sometimes for decades. Political hierarchies are predictable. Not in Colorado. By the time you finally understand how this building works, youre gone, Friednash said of term limits and tenuous incumbents. So here you dont have any of that institutional knowledge or legacy, so the people who have been around this building for a long time which Ive done as state legislator, a chief of staff, the AGs office, city attorney can help inform policy and can help understand how things work together and why things were done a certain way, and I think that provides good insight. He understands that lobbyists, lawyers and operatives have a public reputation roughly on par with journalists. Do they deserve it or not deserve it? Both, Friednash said. Theyre just like everybody else. There are good lobbyists and bad lobbyists. I think a lot of people see the system as broken and people having an unusual amount of power, and they want somebody to point at. But I dont think thats accurate. I think legislators are pretty independent, and I think most of them truly try to do the right thing for their districts all the time, even though they might have a different philosophy or approach than some of their voters. But one thing I think they all share is a need for good information to make difficult decisions. If somebody burns them once, theyre not going to listen to them again, so I think the ones who succeed here are the ones who work on their reputation. Reminders and donations Influencers usually remind lawmakers that their clients are sources of campaign donations. Most legislative races are small-ball money, measured in tens of thousands, not millions. Still, 20 of the 100 House candidates raised more than $100,000 to win a seat last November. Sixteen candidates in 17 races for Senate last year raised at least $100,000, six topped $200,000 and four got more than $300,000. Tammy Story raised $529,378 to beat incumbent Tim Neville by 12 percentage points in Senate District 16. You dont run races that expensive on bake sales and home-equity loans. Special interests pay the freight to get lawmakers attention. House Majority Leader Alec Garnett, D-Denver, raised $43,995 in campaign donations last year, even though he didnt have an opponent. The majority leader has broad authority over how bills get assigned to committees and handled on the floor. Garnetts campaign coffers included $200 and $400 donations from such diverse political action committees as the Associated Collection Agencies, the Colorado Optometrists Association, Stand for Children and the drugmaker Pfizer Inc. Not coincidentally, Pfizer spent $60,000 on Colorado lobbyists last year. The Associated Collection Agencies spent almost $31,000, while Stand for Children ponied up only about $4,500 for lobbying services, according to the Secretary of States Office. Seat at the table Jenny Davies co-founder and principal of Denver-based Progressive Promotions has taken on clients who probably couldnt hire a high-priced lobbying firm or a lawyer. Her firm aggressively pitches stories to the media and mobilizes activists to protest at the Capitol for their causes, such as pay equity, paid family leave and a higher minimum wage. Davies has been involved in the Colorado process for nearly 30 years. Im not very interested in the political game, Davies said in her office across the street from the Capitol. What Im interested in is advancing policies that actually improve the lives of everyday Coloradans. She said she likes giving underdogs and long-advocated issues a fighting chance against big-money, high-powered interests. In our case we work with so many nonprofits, their power comes from the grassroots, she said. They have lots of members, whether its just in the Denver area or statewide. We work with our clients to help them connect their grassroots everyday working people, lower-wage workers with the decisions that affect them every day. Davies said Progressive Promotions understands its clients are often Davids fighting Goliaths, in terms of money and paid influence. We are the underdog firm, she said. We believe that low-income people deserve a voice every much as the CEO of a big company. Lobbyist Becky Long got a taste for that fight as a statehouse advocate for Conservation Colorado, the states largest environmental organization. In 2016, she joined Siegel Public Affairs to lobby for the organization and others whose interest is a clean healthy environment. Our firms focus is on representing nonprofit organizations with a lens for how we can bring fairness to the legislative process, Long said. Our clients often have limited resources and rely on us to be their voice inside the building. I see my role as being a conduit for the people they represent to ensure our laws arent just made by those that have the most resources. Our state constitution vests a great deal of power in our citizens, yet they dont always have equal footing in the political process. Standing in Garin Vorthmann of Colorado Legislative Services was raised on a ranch in southwest Colorado, and her husband, Chad, is the executive vice president of the Colorado Farm Bureau. Shes a Colorado State University graduate with a degree in agricultural business. She knows her way around a bull. From her view, she stands in at the Capitol for others who would rather remain among their livestock and farms. She represents a resume of high-profile clients, but she is the go-to representative of farm and rural interests in Denver. I think my role and what I try to do is make sure the voices of people who dont have time to come to the Capitol are still heard, Vorthmann said. A farmer on the eastern plains, a rancher over on the Western Slope, a massage therapist thats just trying to start a small business, they have a job they have to do, a family to take care of, and their lives to live. I take their message to the Capitol and watch for issues that affect their livelihood. Cinamon Watson, co-founder of BluePrint Strategies, once stood in for a future president. She was on the campaign trail doing PR for George W. Bush when she stepped to a debate podium because she was about the same height as her candidate. She met her husband at the 1996 Republican National Committee when she was working for Bob Dole. In Colorado, over the last two decades, her name has been synonymous with winning campaigns for conservative candidates and corporate causes. Ive been blessed to work for some great causes and candidates. I believe in their stories and their causes and most of all in their passion to do whats right and make a positive difference for Colorado, Watson said. That ultimately makes the job much easier. The issues and people I work with have great stories to tell. Simply put, my job is to make sure their story and all of the facts reach voters, policy leaders and lawmakers. Something extra Peggi OKeefe with Clear Strategies is on the lobbyist shortlist when big business is serious about legislation, whether its casinos, liquor, Amazon or AT&T. Influence, to this heavy hitter, means to provide information to legislators and the executive on legislation, on policy, provide perspective from businesses when legislators may not be familiar with the industry. Business hire lobbyists to help educate legislators on policy and the impacts of policy, how it affects business, how it affects the industry, OKeefe said. Unintended consequences are always a concern. Legislators come in oftentimes with a specific breadth of knowledge, and yet theyre supposed to make policy on all kinds of issues, so we provide insight on some of those issues they might not be familiar with. Does it help to be a lawyer? I think it does. I think it provides a background on how to read legislation, the impacts of legislation, how the process works, so I think it definitely adds a extra level of expertise. Though, of course, not everyone down here is, but its a helpful tool. Eric Bergman says hes just the friendly face of a much larger effort. Bergman is the policy adviser to Colorado Counties Inc., the coalition of most of the states county governments. Its about them, not him, when hes glad-handing in the statehouse hallways. Any success I have in this building is largely due to the amazing people that I work with at CCI. Bergman said. Our staff works tirelessly and are the absolute best. I am also bolstered by over 200 county commissioners and council members who are our best advocates. I dont think of myself as a lobbyist at all. Im a policy geek and problem solver and collaborator that is the true hallmark of all local government policy work. Were a small nonprofit organization no expense accounts, no $1,000 suits. He joked, I get by on my boyish impetuosity, my roguish good looks and moxie. Manufacturing students at North Iowa Area Community College will have the opportunity to learn how to work with robotics, thanks to a National Science Foundation grant. The $300,000 Advanced Technological Education grant will be spread out over three years and allow NIACC to test a new national credential in Robotics Fundamentals, among other things. The "NextGen Technicians: Addressing Industry Demand for Robotics" project will begin on June 1. The goal of the project is to increase the number of industrial technicians in the workforce skilled in robotics. The plan will embed credentialing into a new robotics course to enhance students' industrial technician education. Manufacturing is the largest workforce sector in North Iowa, and has exhibited significant growth over the last five years. A spring 2018 survey of regional manufacturers conducted by NIACC, confirmed the need for more industrial technicians in general, and because interest and investment in robotics is also increasing (a broad array of robotics is already in use in North Iowa), respondents also indicated a strong need for technicians with basic robotics education. An important goal of this project is to provide regional employers with the well-trained industrial technician graduates they require, said NIACC President Steve Schulz. The NSF grant will allow NIACC to double the number of graduates in two industrial systems programs, and introduce new robotics training to all students. NIACC will also add state-of-the-art robotics equipment and train faculty in the new technology. A new "Introduction to Robotics" course will include hands-on robotics labs and newly created "Level 1: Fundamentals of Robotics" coursework and credentialing product. The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. Each year, it receives more than 50,000 competitive proposals for funding and makes about 12,000 new funding awards. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. CORRECTION: Several sentences in this story have been changed to correct inaccuracies. Charles Thompson did not file for Chapter 11, McQuillen Place Co. LLC did. First Security Bank of Charles City claims McQuillen Place Co. LLC owes it $3.25 million. McQuillen Place, like Mason Citys Downtown Renaissance project, was the great hope of Charles City for the continued rebirth of the citys center. Though that may still happen, McQuillen Place, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week. Thomson, the developer behind the $8.6 million project on the corner of Main and Clark streets, lists 20 debtors to whom the project owes money. At the top of the list is First Security Bank of Charles City, which claims McQuillen Place Co. LLC owes it $3.25 million, as the primary financier of the project. Bankruptcy documents note the bank's claim is in dispute. Floyd County is also listed as having a claim against McQuillen Place Co. for $212,530 in real estate taxes dating back to September 2018. Thomson declined to comment on Monday afternoon, but said he plans to issue a statement soon. Developers purchased four city-owned lots for $58,478 to build the complex. The land had been vacant since the Union House burned down in 1987. Retail stores were going to anchor the building on the first floor, with 33 apartments built on the second and third levels of the 50,000-square-foot complex. McQuillen Place in Charles City nearing completion CHARLES CITY Construction of McQuillen Place, a three-story complex with retail stores and Thomson said from the beginning that business interest in leasing space was significant, but declined to name specific companies. A January 2017 Globe Gazette story indicated Simply Essentials, a poultry processing plant in town, would rent space for its corporate office in the building. But in November 2017, the company was bought by Pitman Family Farms in Fresno, California. The developer also received incentives for the project, including a $3 million forgivable loan from the Iowa Economic Development Authority, he said. The property was the subject of a $2.9 million Community Development Block Grant for disaster relief as part of the HUD money received by the state following the 2008 floods, with the idea of creating low- to moderate-income housing, according to Jacque Matsen, Iowa EDA's marketing and communications director. The award was distributed as a loan with the property secured by a lien, which includes an agreement requiring more than half of the completed units to be leased to income-qualified tenants. Once these conditions have been met, the loan is forgivable. "As the states investment is tied to the property, we continue to work closely with the primary lender and remain hopeful that the building can be finished and benefit the community as intended," Matsen wrote in an email. Charles City granted the developers a 90 percent rebate for 15 years on the taxes due based on the improved property valuation after the project was complete. Half of that rebate was to go to First Security Bank so it could then make a construction loan to McQuillen Place. The other half would allow the city itself to make a $900,000 loan. Charles City Administrator Steven Diers said its deal with McQuillen's Place developers depended on the project being completed. That deal expired in the summer of 2016 without the city giving Thomson any money. Chapter 11 bankruptcy involves a reorganization of a debtor's business affairs, debts and assets. Corporations file Chapter 11 if they require time to restructure debt. The McQuillen Place project has been plagued by litigation throughout its history and there is no indication from any of the documents on file in North Iowa District's bankruptcy court whether it will continue in some form. "It's a big project the city believes in, but what our participation is going to be, it's hard to say," Diers said. "We'll do what we can, but we want to see it get done sooner rather than later." Reporter Mary Pieper contributed to this report. Jaci Smith is the editor of the Globe Gazette. Follow her on Twitter @IowaJaci. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 7 Three Iowa men were injured after their cars collided in rural Mason City on Friday afternoon. According to a press release issued Monday morning by the Cerro Gordo Sheriff's Department: Sheriff's deputies were called to the intersection of 285th Street and Mallard Avenue at 5:20 p.m. for a report of a two-car collision. There they found two cars in the east ditch. Joshua Sprague, 42, of Mason City, was heading south on Mallard in a GMC Sierra when, according to witnesses, he crossed over the centerline and collided with a Lincoln MKZ being driven by David Perkins, 59, of West Des Moines. Perkins' passenger was ID'd as Darrin Kofron, 53, of Mason City. All three men were taken to MercyOne emergency room with unknown injuries. A representative of MercyOne has not immediately returned a call with an updated status report. Keep checking back to GlobeGazette.com as additional information become available. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 2 Sad 1 Angry 4 Stanford MBA vs MIT Sloan MBA This comparison is done as part of the project wSTAT . For more Business school comparisons, check wSTAT Learnings 1. Stanford admitted 419 students out of 7797 applicants with an acceptance rate of 5.37%. MIT admitted 409 out of 5798 applicants with an acceptance rate of 11.6% MITs acceptance is considerably higher than Stanfords acceptance rate or Stanford is more selective than MIT. 2. The application process is almost the same for both Stanford and MIT except that Stanford requires 2 essays and MIT requires a cover letter and 1-minute video statement. So, we expect the average number of days to work on the application should be approximately the same. 3. Stanford requires TOEFL/IELTS/PTE for international applicants. MIT doesnt require any English assessment exam. 4. The average indebtedness of full-time students at MIT Sloan($109,891) is considerably higher than Stanford($86,929). 5. We observed that while the fellowships at Stanford are need-based, the fellowships at MIT are merit-based. 6. We observed that there are considerably a lot of Fellowship options available at MIT Sloan and to different nationalities. Refer http://mitsloan.mit.edu/mba/admissions/ ... resources/ 7. Regarding undergrad majors of entering class, Stanfords class comprises 48% of Humanities and social sciences while that of MIT is 14% 8. Regarding undergrad majors of entering class, Stanfords class comprises 18% of Economics and Business while that of MIT is 41% 9. Considerably less number of nationalities represented at MIT with 49 nationalities compared to Stanford with 63 nationalities. 10. Stanford's class comprises of 6% of students whose pre-MBA industry is Financial Services while MIT's class consists of 19% of students whose pre-MBA industry is Financial Services 11. 62% of Stanfords class locates to Western United states post MBA while only 27% of MITs class moves to the Western United States. 12. 29% of MITs class locates to Northeast United states post-MBA while only 16% of Stanfords class moves to the Northeast United States. So if location post-MBA is your priority, you have a clear choice to make 13. U.S. News ranking in Accounting for Stanford is #7 while that of MIT is #27 14. U.S. News ranking in Management for Stanford is #2 while that of MIT is #16 15. U.S. News ranking in International for Stanford is #9 while that of MIT is #17 16. U.S. News ranking in production/operations for Stanford is #5 while that of MIT is #1 17. U.S. News ranking in the Information systems for Stanford is #7 while that of MIT is #1 18. We observed that MIT graduates locate across united states fairly equally while Stanford graduates are most likely to locate to the Western United States. Note Please reply on this topic if you find any new learnings that we might have missed from the following comparisons Comparison 1) Application process Application process Stanford MIT Sloan Round 1 Deadline - Notification Sep 18th 2018 - Dec 13th 2018 Sep 25th 2018 - Dec 19th 2018 Round 2 Deadline - Notification Jan 10th 2019 - Mar 28th 2019 Jan 22nd 2019 - Apr 2nd 2019 Round 3 Deadline - Notification Apr 3rd, 2019 - May 16th, 2019 Apr 8th 2019 - May 8th 2019 A 4-year undergraduate degree or its equivalent Required. Only under rare circumstances, Stanford will consider exceptions to this policy Required. GPA No minimum GPA No minimum GPA Number of Letters of reference 2 2 Number of Essays 2 0 (If invited, an applicant need to submit an essay) Cover letter and a video statement Not Required Required Resume Required Required Application fee $275 $250 Exam Stanford MIT Sloan GMAT Accepted. No minimum requirement Accepted. No minimum requirement GMAT Range 600-790 Average 732 700-760 (middle 80%) Average 728 GRE Accepted. No minimum requirement Accepted. No minimum requirement GRE Verbal Range 155-170 154-169 (middle 80%) GRE Quant Range 152-170 158-169 (middle 80%) GRE or GMAT no preference for one test over the other 16% of the class reported GRE no preference for one test over the other 18% of the class reported GRE scores TOEFL or IELTS or PTE Required for students who did not attend an undergraduate institution where the sole language of instruction is English Not required TOEFL iBT minimum score requirement 100 for the internet-based test (iBT*) TOEFL is not required TOEFL iBT Range and Average Range 101-120 Average 113 TOEFL is not required IELTS minimum score 7.0 overall band score IELTS is not required PTE minimum score 68 overall score PTE is not required 2) Financials Financials Stanford MIT Sloan Tuition(1 year) $70,590 $74,200 Cost of Attendance single(on campus) $115,797 single(off campus) $118,146 Married(on campus) $133,650 Married(off campus) $136,014 Information not available 3) Financial Aid Financial Aid Stanford MIT Sloan Summer Stipends Yes. Stanford GSB provides resources for those who wish to pursue a summer internship in nonprofit, social impact, government, or entrepreneurial organizations. Yes. MIT provides funding to a limited number of MBA students taking on important societal challenges during their summer internship period. Tuition assistance. Stanford GSB fellowships will be awarded based solely on your demonstrated financial need. The average Stanford GSB fellowship is approximately $35,000 per year or $70,000 in total awards. MIT Sloan matriculates the most promising MBA candidates regardless of financial circumstances. After acceptance, each incoming student begins the three-tiered financial aid process Tuition assistance. Approximately half of Stanford MBA students receive fellowship funds. No such info available Full-Tuition Fellowships Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship Charles P. Bonini Partnership for Diversity Fellowship Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship Stanford USA MBA Fellowship FUNDACION GONDRA BARANDIARAN(Awarded to 2 spanish nationals) MIT-CHINA SCHOLARSHIP COUNCIL FELLOWSHIP (CSC) PROGRAM EDUARDA JUSTO FOUNDATION FULBRIGHT NEW ZEALAND GRADUATE AWARDS MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM FELLOWSHIPS(Awarded to nationals of the 22-member countries of the League of Arab States) External scholarship limit so that Fellowship amount will not be reduced $20,000 Information is not available Average student loan at the time of graduation $86,929 $109,891 Africa Fellowship The Stanford Africa MBA Fellowship Program pays for tuition and associated fees (approximately US $170,000) for citizens of African countries with financial need. Information not available 4) Class profile class profile Stanford MIT Sloan Total applicants 7797 5798 Class size 419 409 Acceptance rate 5.37% 11.6% Women 41% 42% International 42% 38% U.S. Minority 27% 22.8% Average GPA 3.72 3.48 Undergrad Majors Humanities and social sciences 48% 14% Undergrad Majors STEM 34% 40% Undergrad Majors Economics and Business 18% 41% From U.S. Institutions 81 NA From Non U.S. Institutions 91 NA Countries represented 63 49 Average age NA 28 Average years of work experience 4.3 4.9 5) Pre MBA Industry Pre MBA Industry Stanford MIT Sloan Consulting 19% 21% Governement/Education/Non-profit 10% 14% Venture capital/Private equity 21% NA High Tech / communications 17% 18% Financial services 6% 19% Clean Tech/Energy 6% 7% Industrial/Heavy manufacturing 3% 8% Consumer products and services 7% 5% Health care 4% 6% 6) Post MBA career(Class of 2017) Post MBA career Stanford MIT Sloan Size 392 416 Median base salary $140,000 $128,301(average) Median signing bonus $25,000 $27,872(average) Median other guaranteed compensation $50,000 $28,116(average) Job offers 88% of students received a job offer by 90 days post-graduation 84.2% of students received a job offer at graduation. 93.9% received job offer in 3 months after graduation. 6.1) Post MBA career(Industry destination) Industry destination Stanford MIT Sloan Technology 25% NA Finance 32% NA Consulting 20% 24.7% 6.2) Post MBA location Post MBA location Stanford MIT Sloan Western United States 62% 27% Northeast United States 16% 29% International 11% 10% 7) Ranking Ranking Stanford MIT Sloan GMAT Club user rating 4.7 out of 5 (15 reviews) 4.7 out of 5 (26 reviews) U.S.News ranking in Best business school #4 #5 U.S.News ranking in Accounting #7 #27 U.S.News ranking in Management #2 #16 U.S.News ranking in International #9 #17 U.S.News ranking in production/operations #5 #1 U.S.News ranking in Information systems #7 #1 Source: The above data has been collected from websites of Stanford Business school and MIT Sloan business school, U.S.News * U.S.News ranking in the remaining sub categories is approximately the same._________________ Skywalker18 wrote: The government predicts that, for consumers and businesses that make a large number of long-distance calls, the Federal communication's recent telephone rate cuts will greatly reduce costs, though some consumer groups disagree with the government's estimates, suggesting they are too optimistic. A. The government predicts that, for consumers and businesses that make a large number of long-distance calls, the Federal communication's recent telephone rate cuts will greatly reduce costs, - Correct B. The government predicts that costs will be greatly reduced for consumers and businesses that make a large number of long-distance calls by the Federal Communication Commission's telephone rate cuts, -- the passive voice is indeed a problem, because it's unnecessary. (remember that the passive voice should only be employed when there's a fairly compelling reason to use it.) in choice b especially, there's also an unacceptably long distance between the passive-voice action (will be greatly reduced) and the agent of that action (by the ...). C. The government's prediction is, for consumers and businesses making a large number of long-distance calls, costs will be greatly reduced by the recent telephone rate cuts made by the Federal Communications Commission, -- one thing you should definitely notice in choice c is the wordiness of 'the government's prediction is'. constructions like that, which can easily be replaced by more compact forms ('the government predicts') with no change in meaning, are ALWAYS wrong. (also, you need the word 'that' after 'is'.) D. For consumers and businesses that make large number of long-distance calls, the government prediction that the Federal Communication's recent telephone rate cuts will greatly reduce costs, -- no verb for the main clause E. For consumers and businesses making a large number of long-distance calls, the government predicts that the recent telephone rate cuts that the Federal Communications Commission has made will greatly reduce costs, -- The problem with choice E is in the placement of the modifier ("For consumers and businesses making a large number of..."). Since this comes before the main clause, "the government predicts...", the implication is that the government is making a prediction for the sake of those consumers and businesses: the prediction is "for" them - and may not even mean that their rates will fall! Answer A can you please help with an explanation for the given question? that the government predicts that the recent telephone rate cuts that the Federal Communications Commission Magoosh Test Prep Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. William Butler Yeats (1865 1939) Mike McGarryEducation is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. William Butler Yeats (1865 1939) Signature Read More Though this intervention is designed to be temporary, according to an anonymous Turkish official who spoke to Bloomberg, its long-term ramifications might not be. Turkey, as weve discussed, has accumulated substantial external debt to fund its economic growth. That puts the country on shaky ground; if the lira declines, it becomes more difficult to repay debt denominated in foreign currencies. Turkey, therefore, needs more foreign capital inflows to fill its foreign reserves, which serve as a buffer against external debt. Yet after interventions like this, investors will likely feel that their Turkish positions are particularly insecure and poorly insulated from near-term political pressure, which in turn is likely to restrict the flow of foreign investment into the country. Erdogan is making a dangerous tradeoff: short-term political gain for a long-term economic cost. A similar tradeoff exists with food price controls. While providing cheap food might give the AKP a boost in ratings before the election, doing so for too long risks driving grocers out of business. If this travels up the supply chain, then food producers may also be in danger. The government will end up footing the bill one way or another either by paying for imports or subsidizing farmers and grocers. These sorts of palliative measures are not sustainable in the long run, as Venezuela so clearly shows. How, then, should we interpret Erdogans decision to intervene in a way that further weakens the bedrock of Turkeys economy? Its possible that Erdogan is simply ignorant of basic economic theory and is pursuing politics that will benefit himself and his party. Yet, given that Erdogan is arguably the most powerful Turkish leader since Mustafa Kemal Ataturk and that this level of power could only be achieved by a shrewd operator, this explanation doesnt make sense. Erdogan must know that these moves will damage the Turkish economy. His willingness to undertake these sorts of interventions to improve his partys position in the arguably less important local elections is a sign that the AKPs grip on power in Turkey is wavering. Its also an indication that Turkeys economic vulnerabilities will constrain its leaders ability to exercise political power in the years to come. Cheap food and near-term measures to keep the lira from plunging may well work in the AKPs favor this Sunday. If the AKP prevails, expect a greater push by Erdogan in the next four years to significantly weaken the opposition, either by persecuting opposition leaders (and Erdogan is already going after the pro-Kurdish opposition party) or by undermining institutional checks and extending term limits on the presidency. " " It's fun to rest them on tabletops, less fun to scratch them. Jack Hollingsworth/Corbis Itches are always annoying, but the most frustrating ones are those in difficult-to-scratch areas. Take the elbows, for instance: They're bony, without a lot of flesh to dig into. So it seems particularly cruel that they're a prime location for certain itchy conditions, like psoriasis. This chronic autoimmune disease causes rapid turnover of skin cells. As a result, dry patches and itchy scales show up on the skin. The type of psoriasis most likely to affect the elbows is plaque psoriasis. It can also appear on the knees, lower back and scalp. Advertisement There are a variety of methods to treat psoriasis, including medication and light therapy. What's not recommended, however, is scratching the areas where you experience an outbreak. This will cause the patches and scales to thicken, causing more itchiness in a never-ending cycle. But if your elbows itch, that doesn't necessarily mean you have psoriasis. If you don't see raised red patches (called plaques) or silvery scales, chances are your elbows are irritated for a different reason. Another possible cause of itchiness is atopic dermatitis (AD). This bothersome condition, which causes very dry skin around the elbows, knees, neck and face, can lead to incessant scratching. Henry Wager Halleck, a Union general during the Civil War, is believed by modern scholars to have had AD because he was constantly scratching his elbows [source: Cropley]. In fact, the habit was so excessive that the Secretary of Navy who served with the general complained about it in his published diary. Of course, you don't have to end up like Gen. Halleck. To avoid having your scratchy elbows scrutinized by historians, be sure to contact a doctor about any itching that's severe, ongoing or accompanied by other symptoms. Click the next page to learn more about psoriasis, AD and all things itchy. One person died and five were injured as two boats capsized in the Upper Holter Lake area Sunday, according to Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office Capt. Alan Hughes. "One boat capsized and then the other boat came back to help them and then also capsized," Hughes said. It is unclear why the boats capsized, but Hughes said he doesn't believe they collided with each other. Five people were taken to St. Peter's Health and a male died at the scene. Hughes said the coroner's office will determine the exact cause of death, and an investigation will be carried out by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Hughes couldn't say for certain but suspected the wreck may have been weather-related. The area was under a National Weather Service advisory, and temperatures hovered around 32 degrees in Helena. While it was initially reported that a third boat was involved, Hughes said, officials learned that only two of the boats had capsized. The third boat was in the same party as the two boats that capsized, but left earlier than the rest of the group and became stranded. Hughes said it was his impression that the occupants of the boats were on the lake to fish. Officials are waiting for calmer weather to attempt to retrieve the capsized boats, he said. Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office, its wet team, Montana Highway Patrol, West Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Lewis and Clark Search and Rescue, emergency medical technicians and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks all responded to the Gates of the Mountains boat launch to assist. Editor's Note: This story has been updated to correct some details that were provided in initial reports. Love 10 Funny 5 Wow 9 Sad 154 Angry 15 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. WASHINGTON Stephen Moore, one of President Trump's many exotic picks to staff the federal government, declared this week that his opponents are "pulling a Kavanaugh against me." Moore, Trump's pick for the Federal Reserve Board, is so convinced he is being treated like Brett Kavanaugh, whose Supreme Court confirmation was marred by sexual-misconduct allegations, that he reportedly hired a PR firm that helped Kavanaugh. Any day now, Moore will appear before the Senate Banking Committee, sniff prominently, turn pages furiously and testify thunderously: "I LIKE QUANTITATIVE EASING!" But there is a key difference. In Moore's case, the enemy is Moore specifically, what he wrote 15 to 20 years ago for conservative outlets such as National Review. Now CNN, The New York Times and others are reprinting Moore's greatest hits, including his joke about how he potty-trained his son by "pasting a photo of Hillary Clinton with a bullseye target on the bottom of the potty." And his hilarious tale about showing his children pictures of the "mangled and bloody" corpses of Saddam Hussein's sons with the message "THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO KIDS THAT GROW UP TO BE DEMOCRATS!" And the riotous bit about him "hitting on" a "gorgeous 20-something blond," then telling his concerned son "how nice it would be if you had a much younger mommy." He's in town all week, folks! In other writings, Moore defended misbehavior on college campuses: "If [women] were so oppressed and offended by drunken, lustful frat boys, why is it that on Friday nights they showed up in droves in tight skirts to the keg parties?" He reserved particular derision for his wife. After she voted Democratic, he wrote: "Women are sooo malleable! No wonder there's a gender gap." Moore is now divorced from her and was held in contempt of court in 2013 for failing to pay more than $300,000 in child support. There's a tax lien against his home because he owes the Internal Revenue Service $75,000. In other words, Moore should fit in perfectly with his fellow Trump appointees. I'm fascinated by the je ne sais quoi that mutually attracts Trump and an endless parade of oddballs. Just before Moore's writings resurfaced, another Trump pick for the Fed, Herman Cain, withdrew from consideration after the revival of sexual harassment allegations dogging the pizza magnate and "9-9-9 Plan" originator. Trump's 2016 campaign chief is doing time in federal prison for international criminality. Former Trump fixer Michael Cohen, of Stormy Daniels and taxi-medallion fame, is headed to prison, too. Numerous aides have come to grief Scott Pruitt, Ryan Zinke, Tom Price, Ronny Jackson after discovering they couldn't get away with stuff the boss does. For important jobs, Trump has seen fit to tap the unfit a cabana boy, a party planner, a bartender, a muffler-shop guy, a judicial nominee who didn't know the law. (Trump's previous attorney general had recently pitched hot tubs.) Even the qualified tend to depart in disgrace: John Kelly, Gary Cohn, Jeff Sessions, Rex Tillerson, Kirstjen Nielsen. Now comes Attorney General William Barr, already trashing his reputation with his dishonest unveiling of the Mueller report. I have some sympathy for Moore and what The New York Times called his "attempts at humor." My entire career might be so labeled. But now he's sacrificing his integrity like many others, serving a president whose immigration policies he once called "extreme nativist," "crazy" and "dangerous." Among Moore's writings were parodies of year-end letters to friends in which he referred to himself in the third person. One shudders to imagine this year's version: Steve had a rough year. First came news that he didn't pay child support or his taxes. And for some reason, people didn't think his jokes about mangled corpses and urinating on Hillary Clinton were funny. Wet blankets! Anyway, the really bad news came when the Senate had to confirm Steve, and of all the rotten luck 24 senators, including seven Republicans, turned out to be women. Ewww! The senators didn't like Steve's claim that female tennis pros "want equal pay for inferior work" or him calling it an "obscenity" for women to referee men's games. ("Is there no area in life where men can take vacation from women?" Steve asked.) They didn't join his cry for "no more women refs, no women announcers, no women beer vendors, no women anything" unless they "look like Bonnie Bernstein," a sportscaster who, Steve wrote, should wear halter tops. Now Steve is enjoying the private sector. He didn't get the Fed job, but the publicity earned him a consolation prize: a vacation from women. Dana Milbank is a columnist for The Washington Post. Love 1 Funny 3 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion. So begins the much-anticipated report of Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Muellers report repeatedly warns us that though the investigation may have been unable to establish particular facts sufficient to bring criminal charges, that does not mean there was no evidence of those facts. As former national security officials and now lawyers, we well understand the evidentiary limits on which the special counsel based his conclusions. While the potential co-conspirators on the American side were not particularly sophisticated, their efforts were aided by Russias intelligence services, which have a long history of successfully conducting such operations while obscuring their direct involvement. As Sen. Mitt Romney has described, the Mueller Report details an appall(ing) situation where 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 law enforcement; and that the campaign chairman was actively promoting Russian interests in Ukraine. In the end, through hacking and misinformation campaigns, Russia successfully managed to sow conflict and discourage voting among people who were unlikely to vote for Moscows preferred candidate. While Russia worked with other foreign entities to depress voter turnout in 2016, anti-democracy politicians and dark money groups in the U.S. were fighting for the same goal. In Wisconsin, for example, a recently passed voter ID law was found to drastically suppress voter turnout in 2016, specifically in African American neighborhoods of Milwaukee. A nonpartisan study after the election concluded as many as 45,000 eligible voters were kept from voting as a result of the law. Elsewhere, in swing states like Florida and North Carolina, investigations found large-scale illegal purges of eligible voters. Montanans have also been targeted. Only a few years ago, several counties fought tooth and nail to block early voting offices from opening in places with significant Native populations like Lame Deer, Fort Belknap and Crow Agency. This attack on voting failed only because everyday citizens recognized their fundamental right to participate in democracy was threatened. They took the counties to court and ultimately prevailed. Montanans have long recognized the corrupting effect of money in democracy. This dark money corruption is insidious, thwarting policies that could otherwise benefit a large majority of Americans. The new normal of politicians backed by anonymous and opaque fundraising means we cant know the real motivations of those who pass laws while claiming to represent us. Without transparency, voters dont even know how our best interests are being undermined. Without stringent limits on money in politics, we ultimately lose control of the system that was originally meant to be by and for the people. We as Americans may disagree on issues. We may support opposing parties. But we can agree that, in 2019, our democracy has been weakened by forces that oppose an informed and engaged citizenry. What we need from our political representatives is a renewed commitment to protecting our democracy from both the foreign and domestic actors seeking to undermine it. Securing our voting infrastructure, eradicating dark money from politics and eliminating obstacles that stand between Americans and the ballot box are all improvements that could be made to strengthen our democracy. While we cant undo the attacks from past elections, we can act now to ensure it wont happen again. This piece has been signed by Montanans for National Security members Julie Sirrs, Andrew Person and Danny Tenenbaum. Love 3 Funny 5 Wow 0 Sad 11 Angry 2 DECATUR Police said two windows shot out with a BB gun have left a Decatur business with a repair bill of more than $1,000. Decatur Police Sgt. Timothy Maxwell said a glass door and a large glass window belonging to Macon Dentures at 1275 S. Jasper St. were damaged sometime between 3 p.m. Thursday and 7:20 a.m. on Friday. No entry was made to the premises, it looks like someone just wanted to break the windows, Maxwell added. Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Among Democratic presidential candidates, student loan debt offers sweet opportunities to pander. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts has the boldest plan, promising to help 95 percent of those with such obligations. Sen. Kamala Harris of California favors a commitment to debt-free college. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont says action is needed because we dont punish people for the crime of getting a higher education. Of course debt is not a crime, and the reason so many young people have borrowed to finance college is because they think a degree is more than worth it. For some students, thats a bad decision. But thats no reason to wipe out these debts for people who benefited from them and can well afford to repay them. Today, 45 million Americans owe some $1.5 trillion, more than double the total in 2009. The average monthly payment is around $400. For young people earning entry-level salaries, thats significant. Warrens solution is to forgive as much as $50,000 owed by anyone in a household whose income is less than $100,000 a year. Those making more than that, up to $250,000, would get partial relief. She also wants to head off future student debt by making public colleges and universities tuition-free. Whats wrong with this approach? Plenty. By Warrens account, the loan forgiveness would cost $640 billion. But Urban Institute analysts Matthew M. Chingos and Kristin Blagg say the sum would be $955 billion. Neither figure includes the cost of eliminating tuition, which Warren figures will require $610 billion over a decade. There is also the matter of fairness. A lot of people have sacrificed for years to pay back the money they borrowed from their fellow citizens for their education. Theyd be justified in asking: If I had to pay it back, why dont others? Most of the benefits of this huge expense would go to the least needy. On average, someone with a bachelors degree will earn $1 million more than someone with only a high school diploma. Someone with a professional degree can expect to earn $2.3 million more than someone who only finished high school. Brookings Institution economist Adam Looney estimates that under Warrens program, the bottom 20 percent of borrowers by income get only 4 percent of the savings. Borrowers with advanced degrees represent 27 percent of borrowers but would claim 37 percent of the annual benefits. Free tuition would have similarly skewed effects. The biggest benefit would go to families that can easily afford to pay the full sticker price of public universities. Low-income students, by the way, already have access to Pell Grants that can cover up to $6,095 per year which is more than enough to cover the average in-state tuition at a community college. And that money normally doesnt have to be repaid. The federal government already offers major help to people who really need it the income-based repayment plan. It keeps payments to 10 percent of income and allows cancellation of the debt after 20 years. Right now, the worst hardship falls on students who take out loans for college and then fail to graduate. They are saddled with the burden of repayment, but are less likely than degree-holders to earn the salaries they need to finance it. But forgiving loans en masse would have a perverse effect, as Hoover Institution scholar Paul Peterson notes. You dont want to reward people for not getting a degree, he says. If college were free or loans didnt have to be repaid, its safe to bet that more people would embark on studies that they would fail to complete. Who would gain from that? Warrens plan would cost more than advertised, and it would shower federal largesse on millions of Americans who dont need it. You dont need a college education to understand why thats a bad idea. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The countdown is on. Over the course of the next 60 days, dairy farmers must determine if they will sign up for the 2018 Farm Bills signature dairy program Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC). By the end of this week, USDA will deliver two more tools to help dairy producers reach a final decision on participating in the DMC Program: 1. Premium reimbursements: By May 1, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) will begin offering reimbursements to eligible producers for MPP-Dairy premiums paid between 2014 to 2017. 2. Decision tool: By May 1, the Office of the Chief Economist has entered into an agreement with the University of Wisconsin to develop a Dairy Margin Coverage decision tool that will be available to producers. Next on the calendar Beginning June 17, dairy farmers should be able to sign up for the DMC program at local FSA offices. At that time, dairy farmers can select coverage retroactive to January 1, 2019. Its anticipated that USDA will issue retroactive DMC payments for the first half of the year beginning the week of July 8. Learn about all your options The Hoards Dairyman team assembled a number of articles to help everyone get up to speed on the program. All the articles can be found on our website under Dairy Margin Coverage Program. For your convenience, here are links to the seven articles: Dairy provisions stronger in the new farm bill Dairy farmers receive a stronger safety net Dairy farmers help is on the way Ailing dairy economy has become a priority We are working to stabilize milk prices An important decision just got easier to make The latest milk price forecasts and DMC margins To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com. (c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2019 April 29, 2019 The first day of school. Getting your drivers license. Graduation day. Each is new beginning that comes with responsibility and new experiences. This weekend I attended the Lakeshore Technical Colleges annual graduation banquet. I have had the opportunity to attend the dinner and present the Hoards Dairyman Award at their event for the last nine years. Each year that I attend their awards banquet, its a new set of students, but the sentiment is the same. They were a cohesive group who had such a connection to their classmates. Their joy was evident. Young people full of knowledge and excitement; ready to see what the world holds. The nine graduating students each spoke about their background and their future plans. Each thanked their parents and the dairy farm families that served as their mentors during their education. Each story was a bit different. A few had no agricultural background and worked in other industries. Others had a different course of study in mind until they realized the dairy industry is where they wanted to be. There were a few that were from farms and wanted to continue the tradition. Their lives intersected with dairy farmers and the more they learned about cows, the more they wanted to work with them. While the industry is challenging at this time, it is uplifting to know that there is still enthusiasm for what we do. And before you go raining on their parade with any negativity, let them enjoy their newly found love for learning and life. There will be challenges they face as they move forward and not all will be positive, but for now, welcome them. Support them. Encourage them. We need them. The author is the online media manager and is responsible for the website, webinars, and social media. A graduate of Modesto Junior College and Fresno State, she was raised on a California dairy and frequently blogs on youth programs and consumer issues. Hope College junior Alicia Bostwick of Zionsville, Indiana, has received a highly competitive scholarship from the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. A total of 496 scholarships were awarded by the Board of Trustees of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, in partnership with the Department of Defense National Defense Education Programs, to undergraduate sophomores and juniors. The Goldwater Scholars were selected on the basis of academic merit from among 1,223 natural-science, engineering and mathematics students who were nominated by the institutional representatives of 443 colleges and universities nationwide. The scholarships are for one or two years, depending on the recipients year in school, and cover the cost of tuition, mandatory fees, books, and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year. Numerous Hope students have received scholarships through the years, including 10 across the past decade. Bostwick is majoring in biology. Her career goal is to pursue a doctorate in biochemistry and conduct biomedical research focusing on causes of and treatments for human diseases such as asthma, allergies or cancer. She has been participating in collaborative faculty-student research since the beginning of her freshman year, when she was a participant in the year-long Day1: Phage course. Since May 2017, she has been conducting research during both the school year and summer with Dr. Kristin Dittenhafer-Reed, assistant professor of chemistry. In May 2018, Bostwick received a summer undergraduate research award from the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. That same spring, Hope named her a Beckman Scholar through the colleges Beckman Scholars Program award from the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, providing support for her to conduct research during the summers of 2018 and 2019 as well as the school year in between. This spring, she received the colleges Undergraduate Award for Achievement in Biochemistry. Her activities at Hope also include womens cross country and track and field. She is a 2016 graduate of Zionsville Community High School. The Goldwater Foundation is a federally endowed agency established by Public Law 99-661 on November 14, 1986. The Scholarship Program honoring Senator Barry Goldwater was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences, and engineering. The Goldwater Scholarship is the premier undergraduate award of its type in these fields. Since its first award in 1989, the foundation has bestowed 8.628 scholarships totaling more than $68 million. The Hope College Knickerbocker Theatre in downtown Holland will continue to bring independent and international films to the West Michigan community through its 2019 Spring Film Series opening on Monday, May 13. The series will feature Ramen Shop on May 13-18, 3 Faces on May 28-June 1, Yomeddine on June 3-8 and All is True on June 10-15. All films begin at 7:30 p.m. Ramen Shop, showing Monday-Saturday, May 13-18, is a Singaporean-Japanese drama that tells the story of Masato, a ramen chef who lives in the city of Takasaki in Japan. After the sudden death of his distant father and the finding of a notebook that belonged to his mother, who died when he was 10, Masato decides to travel to Singapore to piece together the story of his life and the past of his family. The Hollywood Reporter has described Ramen Shop as mouth-watering. The film is not rated and is in Japanese, English and Mandarin with English subtitles. The series will continue with the Iranian drama 3 Faces on Tuesday-Saturday, May 28-June 1. After she comes across a young girls video plea for help after her family prevents her from taking up her studies at the Tehran drama conservatory, actress Behnaz Jafari abandons her shoot and, with filmmaker Jafar Panahi, decides to help the girl. The two friends travel to the rural Northwest, where they have amusing encounters with the charming and generous people of the girl's mountain village, but Behnaz and Jafar also discover that old traditions die hard. An immersive, pleasurably intelligent movie, said The New York Times. The film is not rated and is in Persian, Azerbaijani and Turkish with English subtitles. Yomeddine will be showing on Monday-Saturday, June 3-8. The Egyptian comedy-adventure film follows Beshay, a leper who recently lost his wife, and an orphaned boy, Obama, as they leave their leper colony for the first time. The two embark on a journey across Egypt, in search of what remains of their families. Variety Magazine has called Yomeddine a lovingly-made, character-driven road movie. The film is not rated and is in Arabic with English subtitles. Ending the Spring Film Series, All is True will be showing on Monday-Saturday, June 10-15. The film takes place in 1613 and imagines the later life of William Shakespeare. After his renowned Globe Theatre burns to the ground, Shakespeare returns to Stratford, where he must face a troubled past and a neglected family. Haunted by the death of his only son, Hamnet, he struggles to mend the broken relationship with his wife and daughters. The film stars Kenneth Branagh, Judith Dench and Ian McKellen. The Guardian has called All is True a convincing and elegant imagining of Shakespeares final years. The film is rated PG-13. Tickets for the individual films are $7 for regular admission and $6 for senior citizens, Hope College faculty and children. Tickets will be sold at the door. The Knickerbocker Theatre is located in downtown Holland at 86 E. Eighth St. Q&A: Future pandemics are inevitable, but we can reduce the risk Professor Maire Connolly says the most likely scenario for the next pandemic is a new strain of influenza. IceViking strongly condemns physical attacks and harassment directed towards them. They are also often victims of the Islamic idea. This is true when it comes to the cruel and tragic treatment of Muslim women and children when it is in accord with the Koran, the example of Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia, which may be applied regardless of where a Muslim male may find himself in the world, whether in a Muslim or non-Muslim country. However, in no way, shape or form should one judge all Muslim men because of what is in Islamic scripture and what constitutes the Islamic law, Sharia. "Race", ethnicity or basically anything that you are "merely" born with should never be a basis for bigotry and discrimination. Apostates from Islam have been executed for 1400 years in accord with the Koran and the words and actions of the Islamic prophet Mohammed and Islamic law, Sharia. They should be lovingly helped. Furthermore, approximately as many as 11,000,000 Muslims may have been killed by other Muslims since 1948. To quote the website The Religion of Peace (TROP), edited by Glen Roberts: While it may be safe to say that a true Muslim would not intentionally kill another true Muslim ( 4:92-93 ), the Quran places no such value on the life of a Muslim who is not true. Consider verse 9:73 : Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them, their abode is Hell. The Arabic for strive hard uses the same root as Jihad - and the context in this sura is holy war (see v. 86 and 91). Thus, there are two distinct classes of people that a true Muslim is to target with harshness: disbelievers and hypocrites. A disbeliever obviously refers to a non-Muslim, so a "hypocrite" must be a Muslim of some sort. In fact, hypocrites are those who say they believe, but do not act as they should. In other words, they are "Muslims", but not true Muslims. They will go to hell just as unbelievers do, and so, according to the verse, their lives matter for naught. The same sura says that a hypocrite can be recognized not just by lack of piety (reluctance to follow Sharia), but by fear of death ( 9:56 ), reluctance to fight ( 9:44-45 ) and even friendliness toward non-believers ( 9:67 ). A true Muslim would thus be a pious person who relishes martyrdom, is eager to fight, and shuns non-believers. Even the Quranic passage that warns against killing "believers" ( 4:88-94 ) is more complicated than it first appears. It never says that a true Muslim is incapable of killing another Muslim, just that it should not be done. In fact, it makes exceptions for the unintentional killing of "believers" in war and mandates the killing of "hypocrites." Verse 17:33 says, "Do not kill anyone which Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause" . The greatest cause of all is that Islam be superior ( 9:33 ), which is exactly what Islamic terrorists say is their goal. Thus believing Muslims are allowed to be collateral damage in the war on unbelievers. There is sadly a phenomena that I`ve noticed in Sweden and elsewhere of people using true facts about Islamic doctrine and history as a cover for all sorts of irrational targeting of Muslims, ranging from xenophobia and racism to verbal abuse and physical attacks. This is strongly condemned by this website and does not in any way serve serious criticism of orthodox Islam and other important work. It`s also important that one tries to express oneself in a civilized way. Words matter. In this bloggers humble opinion the root cause of the problem is the ancient doctrine of orthodox Islam. In simple terms a non-Muslim is a Kafir. " The Koran defines the kafir and kafir is not a neutral word. A kafir is not merely someone who does not agree with Islam, but a kafir is evil, disgusting, the lowest form of life." An exact quote, as stated in the writings of Dr. Bill Warner in the article "Kafir" at http://www.politicalislam.com/kafir . In the perfect Koran (Allah`s direct and literal word as revealed to Mohammed through the angel Jibril), Muslims are told 89 times to emulate Mohammed in all ways (see Koran 33:21 for instance). Mohammed`s example, the Sunna, is found in the Hadith (stories of what Mohammed said and did) and the Sira (biographies of Mohammed). Islamic law, Sharia , is directly derived from these unchanging scriptures. It is based on the Koran`s numerous commands to obey Allah and obey the Messenger, that is Mohammed (see Koran 4:59 for instance). Islam is Sharia. Sharia is Islam. It is a capital crime for Muslims to deny Sharia in any way. A Muslim is someone who submits to Islam and submitting to Islam means obeying the Sharia of Allah. Sharia law includes pronouncements for both Muslims and non-Muslims (Kafirs). Islam is a "complete way of life", a "complete code of life", a "complete system of life". Islam is not just a religion but also a comprehensive ideology. Islam is a supremacist ideology. Islam is a totalitarian and imperialistic ideology akin to Communism and Nazism. Islam is a civilization. Islamic law, Sharia, is a manual for a civilization. Islamic law, Sharia, governs every aspect of life. It has a say about every conceivable human act . Non-Muslims are morally and legally inferior in Islam. Women are morally and legally inferior in Islam. The History of Jihad: From Muhammad to ISIS by Robert Spencer is the first one-volume history of jihad in the English language and a great book on the topic. Allah guarantees Paradise to those who "kill and are killed" for him (Koran 9:111). A hadith depicts a Muslim asking Muhammad: "Instruct me as to such a deed as equals Jihad (in reward)." Muhammad replied, "I do not find such a deed." (Bukhari 4.52.44) Muhammad himself said: I have been commanded to fight against people so long as they do not declare that there is no god but Allah, and he who professed it was guaranteed the protection of his property and life on my behalf except for the right affairs rest with Allah. (Sahih Muslim 30) Freedom of speech, human rights, democracy, science and human lives are all at stake in the fight against the Islamic Jihad. As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ Samir Geagea said that he expected Irans funding of Hezbollah to decline given the recent US sanctions on Iran and said that as this happens Hezbollahs overall influence will suffer, noting that this would mean tens of thousands of Hezbollah fighters losing their money. He said: The tougher the sanctions the more it will be reflected in the funding of Hezbollah as it appears on the Lebanese arena Even though a huge part of Hezbollah is driven by ideology, doctrine and religious sentiment, we are talking about tens of thousands of people who are receiving salaries, social institutions, and a lot of aid, consequently, it will have its effect. Geagea said that he sees the sanctions as clamping down on the Iranian economy, which is good but warned that Iran may well make an unexpected move because it feels backed into a corner. He said: At any given time, Iran can make an uncalculated reaction somewhere. The Iranians are generally careful, but no one knows. In my estimation and I take the case of the Strait of Hormuz, if any Iranian reaction is misplaced, it will go down easily because the general atmosphere is that of escalation on all levels. Geagea also spoke about the Iranian regimes push to export their malign revolution, which has caused unrest in many Arab countries, and how it is affecting Lebanon. He said that Lebanon would be able to overcome the challenge of Iranian interference, but dismissed the idea that that whole of Lebanon is controlled by Iran through its Hezbollah proxy, even though Hezbollah recently stopped the Lebanese government from forming until it got its own way. He said: There are many times where there is a kind of intersection of interests between Hezbollah, its allies and other Lebanese parties which can give the impression that Hezbollah alone is leading the disruption, but in any position where there are no shared interests we can see that Hezbollah and its immediate allies are a minority and not a majority. Syria Geagea also noted that, if Iran and Russia withdraw from the conflict in Syria, then the Bashar al-Assad dictatorship would collapse, saying that Iran and Russia recaptured the rebel-held areas, not Assad. He said: The equation is well known, the power in Syria is in the hands of the Iranians, the Russians, the Americans and the Turks consequently we cannot talk about the presence of a state in Syria. 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. CHARLESTON A Springfield man was sentenced to prison on Monday when he admitted firing a gun during the robbery of a Mattoon home almost three years ago. Willie A. Simpson, 25, pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated discharge of a firearm accusing him of firing the shots that injured the home's resident and his dog during the Aug. 28, 2016, incident. Simpson, who faced the possibility of as much 55 years in prison, received a 10-year term with the agreement reached in his case. It included dismissal of armed robbery and home invasion charges. His conviction and sentence came two years after that of Audrey L. Ross, 24, also of Springfield, who pleaded guilty to armed robbery and home invasion charges and is serving a 12-year sentence. Simpson and Ross apparently targeted the North 12th Street residence after becoming familiar with it from a relative of the man who lived there, authorities said at the time of Ross' guilty plea. The man and his dog both recovered from their gunshot injuries. Man gets prison for chase with police in rural Coles County CHARLESTON A man was sentenced to prison when he admitted leading police on a high-speed chase in rural Coles County last year. Ross was arrested in Springfield two days after the robbery. Simpson remained at large for more than two years and first appeared in court on the charges in November. In his case, he pleaded guilty to a charge that requires a prison sentence of six to 30 years with a conviction. The armed robbery and home invasion charges in his case were dismissed. Had Simpson been convicted of the armed robbery charge, he would have faced the requirement of a 31- to 55-year sentence. The extended sentence was in place because he fired the gun during the robbery. When she pleaded guilty, Ross' sentence included payment of about $55,000 in restitution to cover the injured man's medical expenses. In Simpson's case, Coles County Circuit Judge James Glenn imposed the sentence based on the terms of a plea agreement that case's attorneys recommended. Jennifer Mudge of the Illinois Appellate Prosecutor's Office prosecuted the case. She was appointed to the case to avoid a conflict of interest because State's Attorney Jesse Danley represented Ross when he as an assistant public defender. County Public Defender Anthony Ortega represented Simpson. Contact Dave Fopay at (217) 238-6858. Follow him on Twitter: @FopayDave Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 UPDATE: Victim of weekend Charleston shooting hit in abdomen; no arrests made yet CHARLESTON Police officers are searching for a suspect who reportedly shot and wounded a man Sunday afternoon in Charleston. Chief Chad Reed of the Charleston Police Department said early Sunday evening that the shooting occurred at approximately 3:05 p.m in the hallway of an apartment building near A Street and Buchanan Avenue. This location is adjacent to Pizza Hut, about three blocks north of Eastern Illinois University's O'Brien Field. Reed said the victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment of injuries. Coles County emergency response scanner communications indicated that the man was airlifted from the Coles County Memorial Airport to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. No suspects have been taken into custody yet in connection with the shooting, Reed said early Sunday evening. Scanner communications indicated that police officers from multiple agencies were called in to secure the crime scene and conduct searches. Contact Rob Stroud at (217) 238-6861. Follow him on Twitter: @TheRobStroud Love 6 Funny 3 Wow 3 Sad 15 Angry 18 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. "The majority of communities are going pet-friendly now because there's a demand for it," Nash said. "Pets are like children to many people." But having pets, especially dogs, can create problems, especially when owners don't clean up their pets' waste. Desiree Hiatt, property manager of Lakeview Park Apartments in the Capitol Beach area, said a previous management company she worked for was a "hot mess express" when it came to residents not cleaning up after their dogs. When the company, which she declined to name, announced it was going to start using PooPrints, "The green space immediately cleaned up." Lakeview Park also uses PooPrints, and Hiatt said she couldn't imagine working at a complex that doesn't. "I cannot sing its praises enough," she said. Hiatt said it is expensive to get started with the PooPrints program, but it's an investment that's worthwhile. In the long term, it saves a tremendous amount of staff time and resources, she said. Through a monthlong campaign, Hy-Vee helped raise $207,733 to benefit the American Red Cross of Nebraska and Southwest Iowa in aiding flood victims. Customers at 28 Hy-Vee stores in Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa, donated $157,733, with Hy-Vee chipping in an additional $50,000, according to a news release from the grocery chain. Flooding in March devastated communities in Nebraska and Iowa. Through the generosity of our customers, we are able to provide support to our communities in this time of crisis, said Frank Woodward, senior regional vice president of Hy-Vees western region. We will continue working with emergency management teams, local officials and the American Red Cross to identify what additional needs Hy-Vee may be able to assist with. A check was presented to the American Red Cross of Nebraska and Southern Iowa last week. Photos and videos from early flood-relief efforts Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Judiciary Committee amended the bill before sending it for debate in order not to force doctors to give information to women that is not scientifically proven. Chairman Steve Lathrop said there was a constitutional problem with the language, since the state cannot force someone to say something they don't believe to be true. Senators also amended the bill to have the Department of Health and Human Services require a reporting form on every attempt at continuing a pregnancy after taking mifepristone. The form would require the age of the woman, facility where the procedure was performed, type of service given, any complications, name of the medical professional and other information. Opponents of the bill, including Lincoln Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks, said women are not free until they can make all decisions about their futures and not have the heavy hand of government weighing in, having doctors tell their female patients "what's what." "Why aren't we telling the men what's what? What about vasectomies?" she said. "I think we'd better have informed consent on vasectomies pursuant to our laws, and require each man to fully understand that vasectomies are reversible." Lead pilot Mick Sager said it's the prep work that's done before the call even comes in that can make or break the team's success. "You come in in the morning, you do your pre-flight, you check the weather, so you get kind of an idea of what its going to be like all day," he said. "Once the call comes in, it's pretty much, where do they want us to go and where we're taking the patient." Sager has worked at StarCare since 2006, having previously flown for the Army and Coast Guard for 14 years and the Nebraska Army National Guard for two years. He and the other pilots work 12-hour shifts. Despite their efforts to have everything prepared and to know the conditions ahead of time, Sager said weather predictions aren't always reliable, and often it's hard to tell until after takeoff. "So those are kind of the harder ones, where you get in the air and you're expecting to get the patient and you have to turn around and divert or abort because the weather isn't as forecasted or as predicted," Sager said. When making the decision to go to the scene or not, the team considers the weather conditions prior to receiving any patient information. A Nebraska City judge has ordered the suspect in the slaying of a Douglas couple in March to be held without bond on murder and gun charges. Brindar Jangir, 36, is accused of two counts each of first-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony for the March 23 shooting deaths of Annette and Randal Grimes. Jangir made his first court appearance on the allegations at a hearing Monday, where he was advised of the charges, and Otoe County Judge Robert C. Wester appointed a public defender to represent him. The Nebraska Attorney General's office, which is prosecuting the case, isn't seeking the death penalty at this point but could once the case reaches district court. Thursday, Jangir was in Lancaster County Court on allegations he stole a shotgun and a sword from a friend's home in Lincoln while his friend slept. According to court documents, Randal Grimes, 56, and Annette Grimes, 51, were the parents of a woman Jangir was living with in Sioux City, Iowa, until she moved out March 12. Court records also indicate that Jangir lived in Lincoln for several years before moving to Sioux City in 2017. Wednesday, Jangir was brought back to Nebraska from San Diego, where he had been held since U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents arrested him March 30 at a border crossing. He had been in Mexico and was attempting to regain entry into the U.S. on foot. Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSpilger. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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You can't 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. The bottom line is this: A good candidate for the Fed should have at least some practical managerial experience. You don't have to be the next Bill Gates or Steve Jobs, but you should be just competent enough to forestall internal crises of bad management and to avoid losing face. For a lot of potential candidates, that is actually a pretty tall order, especially if they come from academia or have unorthodox backgrounds unrelated to finance. Second, a Fed governor will have to meet regularly with peers from central banks of other nations. Even if you feel those meetings are bureaucratic and largely ceremonial, you need to appreciate that people who rise to positions of high status in any bureaucracy are usually those who can serve basic practical functions with at least a modicum of competence. In this case, that means a good Fed pick should be a reasonable diplomat and have some measure of gravitas. In addition, the candidate should have high credibility with other Fed board members, most of all the chair. Otherwise, it is hard to have much influence over monetary or regulatory policy. CALEDONIA A Dover man is facing charges after reportedly leading police on a high-speed chase and striking multiple vehicles, all while allegedly under the influence. David J. Vargas, 28, of the 1500 block of Grandview Court, is charged with felony charges of attempting to flee or elude an officer and possession of marijuana, second and subsequent offense, and a misdemeanor count of operating while intoxicated, his third offense. According to the criminal complaint and a release from the Caledonia Police Department: At about 6:11 p.m. Sunday, a Caledonia officer observed and clocked a vehicle driving 90 mph in a 35-mph zone on Dunkelow Road in the Franksville area. The officer tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver, later identified as Vargas, pulled away. Police pursued the vehicle, with Vargas continuing to drive at extremely high speeds, police said. For safety reasons, the pursuing officer ended the pursuit at Northwestern Avenue and Newman Road. Vargas then allegedly fled south on Newman Road into Mount Pleasant. Shortly after the pursuit was terminated, a Mount Pleasant officer came upon a four-vehicle crash on Newman Road at Spring Street. Police said the crash was a result of the fleeing vehicle striking a parked vehicle and several occupied ones. Only minor injuries were reported. Vargas was arrested and taken to the hospital for treatment. He was medically cleared and then taken to the Racine County Jail, where he was being held on a $500 cash bond as of Monday afternoon, online records show. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 9 at the Law Enforcement Center, 717 Wisconsin Ave. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 3 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Paper or plastic? Theres a growing dispute over that issue. But, no, were not talking about the one at the grocery store and other shops where plastic bags have become a national environmental issue because of plastic pollution and the drive to get shoppers to use reusable cloth bags. This dispute is over whats in your wallet. Its an assault on using the greenback, regular old money issued by the U.S. government. More merchants are rejecting those dollar bills as cash-less stores that rely on credit cards or phone apps to pay for a purchase are on the rise. It seems like only yesterday that some merchants rejected credit card payments and demanded cash only or added a surcharge or a minimum purchase amount (and some still do) to cover the costs of processing. How times change. We havent heard of a dispute around here yet, but the growing dispute was chronicled last week in an Associated Press story that told of a New York city man who went to Dos Tacos Taqueria in Manhattan to buy a taco. He had cash, but the taqueria was cash-free. The man, an ironworker named Hember Figueroa, had to stand aside, taco in hand, until a sympathetic clerk helped him find a fellow customer who was willing to take Figueroas cash in exchange for making the purchase on his credit card. That seems like just a bizarre and laughable inconvenience, but the cashless purchase practice has raised the ire of activists and liberal-leaning policymakers in some states and cities who are demanding a ban on cashless stores because, they say, it discriminates against people without bank accounts or credit cards. According to the AP story, 6.5 percent of American households 8.4 million do not have a bank account. The incidence of being unbanked is disproportionately greater among minorities: 17 percent of African-American households and 14 percent of Hispanic households have no bank accounts, compared to just 3 percent of white households without. Business owners contend they are just acceding to the demands of customers who want fast and seamless service without waiting for cashiers to make change. Plus, cashless systems cut down on the risk of robbery (yes, the taqueria noted above had two robberies before going cashless) and the threat of pilferage by employees. But opponents of cashless stores who see the trend as being discriminatory have had some success. Philadelphia banned cashless stores this year, followed by the state of New Jersey and a similar proposal is under consideration in New York City. Amazon, which has 30 cashless stores, including its Amazon Go convenience stores, this month backed down and agreed to accept cash at those stores. But the wholesaler Sams Club opened its first cashier-less store in Dallas last year with technology allowing patrons to pay with smartphones; the Kroger grocery chain has similar technology. Stadiums in Tampa and Atlanta have started to go cashless or nearly cashless. It would be the height of irony if the Fiserv Forum, home of the Milwaukee Bucks, was to go buck-less. We dont know where this fight will go, but sooner or later it will undoubtedly come to Wisconsin. Hold on to your wallet and your smartphone. It used be we welcomed hearing the words your moneys no good here, because it meant the owner or manager was taking care of the bill. Now it means you cant buy anything. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 - Junjun Binay and Abigail Binay got into a heated exchange during an election forum held at the San Ildefonso Parish, organized by Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting. - It was after they have stated their speeches that they soon found themselves arguing, which didn't sit well with many attendees - Now, their father, former VP Binay, had to step in, and has finally released a statement concerning the controversy which involved his children PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed! Former Vice President Jejomar Binay has finally spoken about the controversy which involved two of his children. KAMI learned that Junjun Binay and Abigail Binay were both running for Mayor in Makati City. Abigail didn't miss the opportunity in saying that lies were spread against her. This clearly irked Junjun, such that when Abby talked to him, it set off a heated exchange. Former VP Binay had to step in, and even the chief of police had to help. After the raucous, the senior Binay was able to give a statement and likewise expressed his dismay. 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! ABS-CBN reported that Binay said, "Nagpupuntahan sila doon kaya nagpunta na rin ako . . . Cool lang. Di maganda yun, said former VP. He also promised that he would be the one to handle the situation, "Ako na bahala doon." Junjun Binay was the former mayor of Makati, while his sister, Abigail Binay, is the incumbent mayor. Their father, Jejomar Binay, was a former Vice President of the Philippines. Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! Bea Alonzo recounts her most embarrassing moment on set and it's utterly hilarious! Watch it on Human Meter Source: Kami.com.ph - President Rodrigo Duterte attended the opening of the Palarong Pambansa 2019 - During his speech, he warned the foreigners that would destroy the Philippines - He also said that he does not aspire to go to heaven and the would be going to hell PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed! President Rodrigo Duterte delivered a speech during the opening ceremonies of the Palarong Pambansa 2019 in Davao City on Sunday. KAMI learned that the President said that he is not aspiring to go to heaven and that he would go to hell if ever. I do not want oppression. I do not want corruption. Pag nahuli kita nang ganun, mauuna ka sa impiyerno talaga. You will go ahead. But I will follow because I know that I will be going to hell, the President said, as reported by the GMA News (author Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas). "Its all right. Hindi naman tayo mag-ambisyon ng langit lahat eh at mapuno tayo doon. Tapos pagdating mo doon baka hindi ka pa papasukin," he continued. PAY ATTENTION: Using free basics app to access internet for free? Now you can read KAMI news there too. Use the search option to find us. Read KAMI news while saving your data! In the same speech, the President threatened the foreign countries that would destroy the Philippines. He also encouraged the youth to assert and exercise their rights. The only thing that this country needs is for you, the young people, to assert your rights. Yan lang, he said. As previously reported by KAMI, President Duterte recently visited China and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their bilateral meeting. The Palace announced that the President raised the concerns of Filipinos about the West Philippine Sea. POPULAR: Read more news about President Rodrigo Duterte! Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! In this video, we played a public prank on other people as one of our team member dances to Blackpink's Kill This Love! Check out more of our videos - on KAMI HumanMeter Youtube channel! Source: Kami.com.ph - Fumiya Sankai guested in Gandang Gabi Vice together with the other housemates - Vice Ganda told him that he is gay and the Japanese hilariously reacted - A lot of netizens, meanwhile, aired their thoughts upon watching the video PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Fumiya Sankai made a lot of people laugh because of how he reacted after Vice Ganda clarified to him that he is not a woman. KAMI learned that this hilarious incident happened when the said adult housemate became the guest in Gandang Gabi Vice. Fumiya was with Yamyam Gucong, Lou Yanong, and Andre Brouillette during the trending episode but his reaction became one of the highlights of the show. The conversation started when Vice asked the Japanese heartthrob about how long he has been staying in the Philippines. The funny gesture of the foreigner housemate while answering the question prompted the Unkabogable Star to jokingly say that he is also a gay. The shows host then asked Fumiya if he knows what the term bakla means and he set himself as an example for the foreigner to understand. Fumiya was shocked after knowing that Vice is gay and he also hilariously admitted that he thought the comedian is a woman. Talaga? Akala ko Akala ko babae. Diba? he expressed. 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! Because of this, a lot of netizens stated that they could not resist laughing because of how the Japanese reacted. Some even requested for a comedy movie featuring Vice, Fumiya, and Yamyam. Here are the reactions of netizens: Movie with Meme Vice Ganda and Fumiya Sankai please. Kayang-kayang sumabay ni Fumiya sa trip ni Vice! Nakakaloka! Grabeeehhh. I really like Fumiya. He's so funny and intelligent and can get along with Filipino. Masayang kabarkada siguro to. Fumiya is very witty. Nakakasabay siya sa jokes ni Vice. Maganda flow nung interview. Sana makasama ni Vice sa pelikula ang FumiYam! Nakakatuwa silang tatlo! Kahit di pa gaano magaling magtagalog si Fumiya, kayang-kaya niya humirit para magpatawa ng natural. Lakas talaga ng sense of humor niya. Here is the funny video: In a previous article by , Yamyam shared to public how an earthquake led him to dating an underage girl named Elaine. Fumiya Sankai is a famous Pinoy Big Brother housemate who is also a vlogger. He already has 1.4 million subscribers in Youtube and his videos are focused on promoting Filipino culture. POPULAR: Read more news about PBB Otso! Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! Sick OFW gets unexpected help from employer. Marissa Tanael, a woman who found out that she has a cancer while working in Saudi, tells her story: how she learned about the disease and how she received help from her employer. on HumanMeter! Source: Kami.com.ph - Halik once again became trending on social media - This is after it finally ended its eight-month stint in the primetime slot - Many netizens admitted to being emotional after watching the finale PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed The Kapamilya teleserye Halik, which had numerous trending moments on social media, finally aired its final episode on Friday, April 26, 2019. KAMI learned that the finale of the said drama series became one of the much-talked-about topics in the online world. In the last episode of the teleserye, the characters of Yam Concepcion and Sam Milby both landed in jail for committing adultery. As time passed by, their former spouses Lino (Jericho Rosales) and Jacky (Yen Santos) decided to rekindle their past love affair and start a new life together. The episode on April 26 marked the eight-month stint of Halik in the ABS-CBN primetime slot. Because of its finale, a lot of netizens aired their reactions and thoughts regarding how the teleserye ended. Some social media users also expressed their sadness because of the end of a consistent top-rating series in the Kapamilya network. 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! Here are their comments: I like the ending. There's forgiveness, repentance and reconciliation! Ang ganda ng finale ng Halik, nakakaiyak. Pero sa totoo lang, nangyayari rin ang ganitong istorya sa tunay na buhay. Magagaling ang mga gumanap sa Halik! Mamimiss ko itong teleserye na ito. Naiyak ako dito sa Halik finale. Ang ganda ng ending super. Ubos na luha ko. Thank you so much sa last episode na pinakaabang-abangan ko talaga. Mula US hanggang Pinas, Halik lang ang pinapanood ko. Ang galing ng mga karakter. Hays, sad to see this story end. Ang galing ng lahat ng nag take part and I'll truly miss the cast even si Jade. Here is the video of the finale: In a previous article by , an emotional court scene in Halik drew various reactions from its avid viewers. Halik is a drama series in the Philippines that revolved around the story of failed marriages and destructive temptations. It premiered on August 13, 2018 and it will be replaced by Sino ang May Sala? POPULAR: Read more news about Halik! Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! Sick OFW gets unexpected help from employer. Marissa Tanael, a woman who found out that she has a cancer while working in Saudi, tells her story: how she learned about the disease and how she received help from her employer. on HumanMeter! Source: Kami.com.ph by James Scott Bell @jamesscottbell Heres a first page. You know the drill. Well talk on the other side. The Reapers Scythe The jungle had already started to darken around them when Lucas spoke up. We need to head back, he urged, even as they continued down the barely-there dirt trail. Even if the pigs really are there, I doubt theyre safe to eat. Imro let out a grunt. He shifted the grip on his 12-gauge as he pushed through a tangle of vines. The mans knuckles were as dark and worn as the fiddleback myrtle that made up his shotguns stock. My brother says he saw them, Imro finally said. His Sranan accent smoothed brother into brudda. That damn good enough for me. Sides, say we come back to camp empty-handed, you tink anyone going to be happy about their empty bellies? Thats right, Maikel called back from up ahead. Maybe if they hungry enough, they gobble you up instead! Maikel made a wet smacking sound with his lips and laughed at his own joke. Lucas rolled his eyes but said nothing. Hed arrived in Suriname as a volunteer with the Peace Corps. Over time, hed picked up the countrys English-based creole language. Hed also picked up a bad case of gold fever. The rumors spoke of a place downriver that glittered with bright golden flakes. The location was achingly remote. But Lucas and a dozen others had gone in and reached the place, panning the sandbars from sunrise to sunset. Eventually the stores of beans and tinned meat ran low. Lots were drawn, so the three least lucky were sent off to forage for bush meat. Pickings had been sparse. Then Maikel had climbed a tree and spotted them with his binoculars. A group of dead peccaries lying like tusked gray stones in the clearing up ahead. Lucas didnt like it. The jungles skunk pig was good eating. Up to sixty pounds of meat lay under a peccarys collar of bristly hair. But something must have killed those animals. Worse, the rain forest made sure that every free scrap of flesh, skin or bone got recycled by a thousand tiny mouths. That nothing had yet come to touch these pigs did not make sense to Lucas. That sense turned into an uneasy feeling that settled into an ache at his temples. Maikel froze. He pointed up ahead, his index finger quivering in disbelief. What you doing? Imro hissed. Stop playin at sticks, or Ill The pigs Maikel gasped. They gone. *** JSB: Theres a lot to like about the content. Its actioncharacters in motion toward a goalin a fraught-with-danger location (the jungle). And theres a disturbance: all those dead pigs suddenly gone! Plus, its a unique setting (Suriname). So what I have to say here has to do with making the writing tighter. In a thriller, thats always the better way to go. Heck, in any kind of writing its better. Note: Im not talking about pace. Thats an entirely different subject. Im not talking about scenes or scene length. Im talking about the sentence level, so the words you use (your stock-in-trade, after all) can be most effective. Lets start with the opening line. The jungle had already started to darken around them when Lucas spoke up. This is a bit too sloggy, because of: had already started to darken. Whenever you write the word had, train yourself to pause and see if there is a crisper way of putting it. (Ill have more on this in a moment.) Here, a tighter line would grab faster and better: The jungle was starting to darken when Lucas spoke up. Boom. Were there without superfluous verbiage. The them isnt needed because the scene reveals the trio as we go along. We need to head back, he urged As most of you know, Im of the said school of attribution, unless another word is absolutely necessary for clarity. Here, urged is superfluous. The line itself is urging. And we dont need he, because you just told us it was Lucas. Try something like this: The jungle was starting to darken when Lucas spoke up. We need to head back. Boom again. Imro let out a grunt. He shifted the grip on his 12-gauge as he pushed through a tangle of vines. The mans knuckles were as dark and worn as the fiddleback myrtle that made up his shotguns stock. I have no idea what fiddleback myrtle is, or why its important here. I believe a majority of readers would get tripped up by this. Since the point is to describe Imros skin, the shotguns stock would do on its own. My brother says he saw them, Imro finally said. His Sranan accent smoothed brother into brudda. This is fine. You dont want to overload dialect-dialogue with odd spellings. The occasional use of a phonetic spelling is fine, too. This is a judgment call. You could also do it this way: My brudda say he saw them, Imro said in his Sranan accent. I like this better, since (again) fewer words. The only rule is to get the sound of the dialect into a readers head as quickly and efficiently as possible. Maikel made a wet smacking sound with his lips and laughed at his own joke. This is close to the line of POV violation. While Lucas (the POV character in this scene) might surmise Maikel is laughing at his own joke, it feels like weve slipped into Maikels head. So why leave in this possible speed bump? Since Maikel just made a joke, we dont need to be told why he laughed. Just end the sentence at and laughed. Lucas rolled his eyes but said nothing. Hed arrived in Suriname as a volunteer with the Peace Corps. Over time, hed picked up the countrys English-based creole language. Hed also picked up a bad case of gold fever. Okay, lets talk about that pesky little word had again. When you are dipping into the past, one had is enough to get you there. You dont need it after that. Take a look at my rewrite: Lucas rolled his eyes but said nothing. Hed arrived in Suriname as a volunteer with the Peace Corps. Over time, he picked up the countrys English-based creole language. He also picked up a bad case of gold fever. See how much more immediate that reads? (Note also that Creole should be capitalized.) The rumors spoke of a place downriver that glittered with bright golden flakes. The location was achingly remote. But Lucas and a dozen others had gone in and reached the place, panning the sandbars from sunrise to sunset. Note the strikethrough, getting rid of had again. I touched up the following: Eventually the stores of beans and tinned meat ran low. Lots were drawn, so the three least lucky were sent off to forage for bush meat. Pickings had been [were] sparse. Then Maikel had climbed a tree and spotted them with his binocularsa group of dead peccaries lying like tusked gray stones in the clearing up ahead. We have a POV issue again. Who would describe these pigs as tusked gray stones? Certainly not Lucas, because he hasnt seen them. And would Maikel describe them this way? I think not. This is one of those instances where kill your darlings applies. Please note that I like the description. It just doesnt fit here. Maikel froze. He pointed up ahead, his index finger quivering in disbelief. A POV bump again. Only Maikel would know why his finger is quivering. But the main thing is we dont need the modifier to prop up his index finger quivering. That is great images, so tighter writing keeps it from being diluted with unnecessary verbiage. What you doing? Imro hissed. Stop playin at sticks, or Ill I find hissed to be another speed bump. Outside of Kaa in The Jungle Book, who ever hisses anything? The pigs Maikel gasped. They gone. Its always the better choice, in my view, to let the dialogue itself and the surrounding action do the work, making the extraordinary attribution unnecessary: The pigsThey gone. We know from the exchange that Maikel is the one speaking, and the ellipses indicate the gasp. Tight! Just one more thing. Im not wild about the title. Its hard to pronounce. How many people know what a scythe is anymore? Or that it is associated with The Grim Reaper? The author says this a pandemic medical thriller. Maybe theres a one-word title somewhere out there, like Outbreak (the Dustin Hoffman movie based on The Hot Zone). But do some more thinking on this. Come up with several titles and test them on your friends. Again, I like the potential here. With a bit of trimming, this is one where Id definitely turn to page two! We now turn matters over to the comments. Good luck, author! Poets Facing the Wall by Hector Luis Alamo "Good fences make good neighbours," goes the line by our national poet. But the Enlightenment thinker Jean-Jacques Rousseau, probing the source of social inequality, blamed the first person to invent walls and other boundaries as the true creator of society . "From how many crimes, wars and murders," he writes in 1754, "from how many horrors and misfortunes might not any one have saved mankind, by pulling up the stakes, or filling up the ditch, and crying to his fellows, 'Beware of listening to this impostor; you are undone if you once forget that the fruits of the earth belong to us all, and the earth itself to nobody.' " Before the United States drew its line in the sand between it and Mexico and said "This is mine," what United Statesians obsessively refer to as the border was mostly desert, sectioned off by mountains, and carved across by two untamed rivers surging toward separate seas. The land was far from lifeless, however. When the conquistador Francisco Vazquez de Coronado set out across the future states of Arizona and New Mexico in 1540, rather than the cities of gold he had hoped to find, he met a chain of villages populated by indigenous peoples--the Zuni, the Hopi, the Apache, and, most likely, the Navajo--who had learned to adapt to this unforgiving yet bountiful terrain. A decade earlier, a Spanish hidalgo by the name of A lvar N unez Cabeza de Vaca, having survived a shipwreck off the western coast of La Florida, stumbled across the Karankawa and Coahuiltecan peoples of East Texas, immediately becoming their slave, and later their supposed healer. In 1680, in the New Spain province of Santa Fe de Nuevo Mexico, Pueblo Indians launched a rebellion against the Spanish colonizers, managing to regain control of their native lands (for a little while). History is clear: The people were there before the border. Napoleon's sale of Louisiana to the United States in 1803 marked the young empire's first border with what would soon become a newly independent Mexico. Both nations considered the land on either side of the Sabine River a backcountry, largely unexplored, still dominated by a few militant Indian tribes fiercely protecting their lands against any intrusion. Only the most freewheeling, intrepid Mexicans and United Statesians attempted to make their lives here, risking what little they had for a chance at bigger fortunes, or at least greater freedoms, than those available in the bustling commercial centers of Mexico City, Veracruz, New York City, and Charleston. Many were rancheros: retired soldiers and moneyed men granted plots of land by the Mexican government in its effort to settle the territory and finally bring the native peoples under control. But the frontiersmen living along the banks of the Rio Grande--still known then as the Rio Bravo--felt themselves as separate from Mexico City as the people of New Spain had been from Madrid. So they adopted a new identity, calling themselves tejanos. The border on the Sabine was replaced by one further southwest in 1836, when the state of Tejas seceded from Mexico and declared itself an independent, Anglo-dominated republic. A fiery debate ensued between Mexico City and Austin over the question of where Mexico ended and Texas began, with Texians and Tejanos arguing their new republic stretched all the way to the Rio Bravo, while Mexicans insisted the Nueces River had always marked the boundary between old Tejas and the rest of Mexico. At the time, much of the area, including what would become eastern New Mexico and West Texas, was home to the Comanche, an unruly tribe of horsemen who displayed their hostility to Texian and Tejano colonizers alike by raiding settlements in and around a vast territory decidedly named the Comancheria. Farther west, Mexico continued Spains effort to keep the Russian Empire from venturing any further south than the Russian colonial settlement at Fort Ross, in present-day Sonoma County. (Russia eventually abandoned its claims south of Alaska to the British and United States, with the two empires arguing over the territory north of Mexicos Alta California for decades afterward.) Meanwhile, the age of the Spanish missions in Alta California was coming to a close. Beginning in the 1830s, the Mexican government instituted a program of secularization, hoping to rein in the power of the Catholic Church. Presidios and missions were gradually eclipsed by the pueblos that had formed around them, places like Monterrey, San Diego, and El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los A ngeles , whose name would eventually be shortened. As in Texas, the area outside these burgeoning towns was still effectively controlled by native tribes--the Pomo north of San Francisco, the Chumash around San Luis Obispo, the Tvonga near Pasadena, and many others--who had been enslaved and nearly Hispanicized under the regime of the Spanish missionaries; now they were forced to contend with increasing colonization from settlers who didnt consider themselves Mexicans either, but Californios. And, in what would become the southern parts of Arizona and New Mexico, the Mexican army waged a hundred years of war against various Apache tribes well into the twentieth century. The border dispute between the Mexicans and the Anglos was settled, in a way, when the United States annexed the Republic of Texas in 1845 and declared war on Mexico only a few months later, looking to fulfill the empires self-imposed destiny to extend its western border to the Pacific Ocean and beyond, or, as President Polk promised in his inaugural address, "to extend the dominions of peace over additional territories and increasing millions." The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the war in 1848, saw Mexico lose the northern half of its pre-1836 territory, and set the Rio Grande as the natural boundary between the state of Texas and Mexico; the Gadsden Purchase in 1854, which settled the southern borders of Arizona and New Mexico, saw Mexico give up even more land. Yet for all intents and purposes, the newly acquired Southwest was still greatly uncharted, with Apaches lurking up in the Chiricahua Mountains, Navajos sheltering in Canyon de Chelly, and Comanches dominating the Texas plains. Only after a series of onslaughts--against the Navajo in the 1860s, against the Comanche in the 1870s, and against the Apache in the 1880s--did the U.S. and Mexican governments feel secure enough to form a commission charged with defining the boundary between their two countries once and for all. If the first half of the borders history was dominated by disputes over land, then the second half has centered on conflicts over people. The Mexican Revolution marked the beginning of United Statesians long-held preoccupation with who or what might be traveling across their southern border. At the time, Pancho Villa and other banditos were the enemy border-crossers; in the 1930s, and then again in the 1950s, migrant workers were said to be streaming over the border and stealing jobs away from actual Americans (though the people of Mexico, along with the rest of Latin America, are actually Americans too). Since President Nixon declared a War on Drugs in 1971, it has been the Mexican drug smuggler whom we must keep out; the attacks on September, 2001, added terrorists to the growing number of foreign threatens; and now, following the economic collapse of 2008, job-stealing Mexicans once again top the list of reasons to secure the border with Mexico. This story--the story of the border and its people--is the subject of the present anthology. As its title suggests, Poets Facing the Wall comes as a direct response to the latest attack on borderlands society: President Trumps proposed border wall. (I would build a great wall, Trump said when he announced his bid for the White House in June 2015. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and Ill have Mexico pay for that wall.) The purpose of the wall, according to him, would be to keep people living south of the border from crossing north and bringing drugs [and] crime (and rapists), but this, of course, is pure rhetoric--immigrants are no more dangerous than the rest of the general public, and statistically even less so. The walls true raison d'etre is as a sop to the nativists and xenophobes in the Republican base, who voted for Trump in 2016 hoping he would help preserve the United States as a Anglo-Christian domain and, so long as millions of Anglo-Christians are out of work or otherwise struggling to make ends meet, keep decent-paying jobs out of the hands of non-whites--which, for this rabble, includes Latinos of any color. And, as it did in China and in Britain, and as it continues to in Palestine and Northern Ireland, the wall, even the mere talk of building one, is meant as an affront to those living on the other side, and as a warning: Keep out!... No vacancy... No soliciting... Trespassers will be shot! T he wall itself would be a five-billion-dollar boondoggle. Because a river that cuts between countries is not enough, Kristin Barendsen writes ironically in Poets Facing the Wall. Anyone who has traveled along the border, and gazed over its seemingly monolithic landscape, may echo Teri Garcia-Ruiz, who asks in her single-sentence poem, Wide Open, Where is the checkpoint/ For the breeze blowing over/ The river today? Clouds, notes Robbi Nester, easily evade barbed wire. For her part, the poet and educator Xanath Caraza wonders, What is a border? before offering her own sense: Created limits/ cultures forced/ to turn their back. Sandra Anfang uses every letter in the alphabet to describe the wall--fence/ garrison/ hoosegow/ impediment/ jacket/ kennel--none of her terms suggesting safety. A great deal of the poems dwell on the human toll wrought by the United Statess increasing militarization of its southern border. The Wall is not Safety, Miranda Rocha insists, its a blow to the heart/ I must ask, why cant we just come together?/ Lets eat good food and make art. (Hear, hear!) Catherine Lee compares two kinds of being held: Held in your parents arms, with love/ secured by a same-blood bond against fear, on the one hand, and on the other, Held against your will, by force of arms/ ripped from your parents arms sobbing. The very first line of a blues song by Laurie Jurs puts it plainly: "There's bloodstains at the border." Other poems speak to the cost that U.S. border policies have had on the once heralded American Dream--the dream being that a free and diverse country could actually exist and succeed. In Song for America XXV, Flores describes the United States as a land where freedom rings/ From a fenced in lot/ Promoting a plastic posterity. America, Richard Nester assures us, has always existed/ better in the minds of its immigrants than anywhere else; and in Lament for Emma Lazarus, he writes frankly, I miss/ America, or/ what I thought/ it was. Sharon Lundy contrasts the bittersweet goodbye[s] portrayed in Tinseltown to the family separations carried out by Border Patrol--Children are ripped/ From their mothers arms/ To be put in cages/ Screaming--while Rocha's "Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" ends with a sad realization: "They told us America is the land of the Free/ But The Wall clearly states, you must buy Liberty." Sunayna Pal sums it all up in "Myopia of belonging" by saying, "there are many lies that we learn/ but nothing beats patriotism." The rest of the poems in this anthology are mixture of wrath and grief, heartache and contempt--much of it aimed at President Trump and his cohort. C. R. Resetarits labels Trump s wall a monument to furtive demagoguery," while Flores, in "Song for America XXVIII," renames the White House "the outhouse" and says of our national motto, "E pluribus unum united in one hate." "Look at my hands," cries Vanessa Caraveo, embodying a bracera speaking her mind to the anti-immigrant crowd; "Do you really think I crossed the border for this?" Roger Sippl wishes we could "Go back ... to what we now know was safe, even though it was scary enough./ The people were the people/ we knew, and trusted, or knew/ not to trust." ("But," he realizes a couple lines later, "they're the same/ as they always were.") Anfang, prefacing another poem with a quote from Mussolini, wants to "build a ten-foot wall around him [Trump]/ to procure his safety/ from the sweat of labor/ the bane of blackness and Latin fever/ shield him from the blood/ that feeds the onion field/ and greases the wheels of commerce." Jill Evans regrets how our "stubborn grudges/ cling to us like fumes," and "this speechless rage/ that floats upon us/ in such easy reach/ that it eclipses reason." But then again, Evans affirms, "it is our time": "Here, hold tight to the bravery of/ the word, the song, even the sob, as if it were a helping hand." Evans' words, along with the others in this anthology, remind me of the real power that poetry wields. Poets can compel the oppressed to "rise like lions," or, as Auden put, and as these poets have done, "make a vineyard of the curse." Auden, in the same poem, eulogizing the recently deceased Yeats in 1939, infamously stated that "poetry makes nothing happen," and while I, as a boy coming up in an illiterate milieu, once thought the same, I don't for a moment believe it now (and judging by his polemical poems, neither did Auden--not really.) I'm much more inclined to side with Shelley, who, in his "Defence of Poetry," calls poets "the mirrors of the gigantic shadows which futurity casts upon the present; the words which express what they understand not; the trumpets which sing to battle, and feel not what they inspire; the influence which is moved not, but moves. Poets," he declares, "are the unacknowledged legislators of the world." This is true--but if only it were more true. After reading the beautiful verses published here, we are still left with a border and, possibly, a wall. What to do? What can we do? We can rally, we can march, we can call our senators and congresspeople, we can donate our time and money to worthy organizations, we can call for the demilitarization of the border, we can study the border, its history, and its people--we can and should do all of those things. But what we cannot do, what must not do, is turn our backs on the issues. We must exercise what Orwell called the "power of facing unpleasant facts," and the U.S.-designed humanitarian crisis at the border--plus Trump's promised wall--are unpleasant facts, very and truly. Kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart is awed and impressed with Jayme Closs and her courageous escape from captivity after 88 days of being held hostage in rural Gordon. When I got home, my parents were waiting for me. That didnt happen for Jayme, Smart said in the opening of Smart Justice: The Jayme Closs case, which debuted Saturday night. The 90-minute TV program aired on the Lifetime Network. Jake T. Patterson, 21, of Gordon killed James and Denise Closs on Oct. 15 at their rural Barron home and he kidnapped Jayme. Patterson took her to a cabin in rural Gordon. She escaped Jan. 10. Patterson was arrested hours later. Patterson has since pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and kidnapping; he will be sentenced May 24. He was following the same sick and twisted pattern weve seen in so many other predators, Smart said. People came in and out of the house and never knew she was here. Smart served as interviewer, talking about the case with Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald and with people who found Jayme and called authorities. The show hinted early on that we would hear from Jayme directly, but that didnt exactly happen. I was in contact with the Closs family before I ever arrived in Barron, Wis., she said. Smart was looking forward to meeting them in person. However, an on-camera interview wasnt permitted because prosecutors didnt want an interview to somehow affect the ongoing court case, Smart explained. Instead, Smart met with Jayme privately. I could see straightaway that she was a very shy girl. I could sense she didnt know who I was, but why would she? Smart said. She wasnt even born when I was kidnapped. Smart talked with the family about how they move forward, including when Jayme should resume going to school. Smart showed viewers more extensive footage of Pattersons cabin, including a view from above the property. There also was footage from inside the cabin, including the bed where Jayme was forced to spend hours at a time under a bed. Fitzgerald drove Elizabeth Smart through Barron city limits, telling her about the town. We didnt focus on any one person, Fitzgerald said during their drive. Fitzgerald said he knew the community was rallying behind law enforcement and Jayme when he organized a search for her, and thousands showed up to walk through the fields to try and find clues to her whereabouts. People were coming from all over, from Minnesota and Iowa. It was pretty powerful, Fitzgerald said. Beth McDonough, a TV reporter from a Twin Cities station, also was interviewed, recalling the excitement and emotion of hearing Jayme had been found alive, and being able to share this great news with Jaymes aunt. Among the new facts revealed during the show, McDonough said Patterson had written a letter to a friend, saying that he was in a relationship with Jayme, and that she liked to cook for him. If that had been detailed before, I missed it. The final 20 minutes of the show included a roundtable discussion with Smart and six other women who had been kidnapped; some were held for just a few days, others for weeks and months. Their stories were sprinkled throughout the show, before they gathered at the conclusion of the show. I was super-excited because there was another survivor, one of the women said. They talked about the difficulty of trying to transition back into normal life, figuring out how to go back to school, and overcoming their fears. They wanted to share these stories to help Jayme cope and move forward. Only a few of us know what its like, and we need to stick together, for Jayme, Smart said. Smart spoke before a crowd topping 1,000 people on March 15 in the Barron High School gym. Clips of her 30-minute speech were shown, with the cameras focusing on emotional reactions from the crowd. The town has been through so much together, Smart told the cameras minutes after wrapping up her speech. The entire show was extremely well done; it wasnt too sensational or over-the-top. The interviews were well done, and all the locals involved in this story were treated well. Smart, 31, was abducted from her Utah home at age 14 in 2002. Smart was held hostage for about nine months. She was tied up, raped frequently, and threatened that she would be killed if she attempted to escape. Her story has been the subject of a handful of TV movies. One of her kidnappers was sentenced to two life terms in federal prison. There were strict rules in place for videotaping the event. Fitzgerald told the assembled media they could only film the first five minutes of her speech. At that point, not only were cameras required to be turned off, but Fitzgerald asked they be removed from their stands and face the wall, away from where Smart was speaking in the middle of the gym. Also, media were not allowed to interview her before or after the event. It was obvious at the time that Lifetime network was filming the event for their own purposes, although the extent of this special never crossed my mind. Smart had told the crowd she had been in Barron for a few days, hinting that her appearance was one more than just the short speech at the school. Smart has become an activist and advocate for missing persons. She spoke before congress in 2006 in support of the AMBER Alert system. She wrote a book, My Story, in 2013, detailing both her kidnapping but also the work in creating the Elizabeth Smart Foundation that promotes awareness of abductions. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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 We hope your tummies are ready for the coming week. Chefs collaborate at pop-ups at Otium, Rustic Canyon and Puesto; the L.A. Times' Food Bowl begins and the Night Market at Yamashiro returns. The Silver Lake Chorus holds a music release show, the Asian Pacific American Film Festival opens, Hot Chip is a hot ticket and Le Creuset holds a factory sale. MONDAY, APRIL 29 - TUESDAY, APRIL 30 Foreign Cinema Now Serving -- 727 North Broadway, downtown L.A. Rustic Canyon -- 1119 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica Longtime San Francisco restaurant owners Gayle Pirie and John Clark celebrate their cookbook, The Foreign Cinema Cookbook, at two events in L.A. On Monday at 7:30 p.m., the duo join writer and educator Julie Wolfson (who's also an LAist contributor) for a conversation. On Tuesday, from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., they collaborate with Rustic Canyon's chef de cuisine, Andy Doubrava, on a five-course, family-style meal featuring dishes and drinks from the book. COST: Monday's event is FREE with RSVP, $105 for the dinner; MORE INFO MONDAY, APRIL 29; 5:30 - 9 p.m. Chefs Collab Dinner Otium -- 222 S. Hope St., downtown L.A. Chef Timothy Hollingsworth of Otium teams with chef Amninder Sandhu of Mumbai's Arth restaurant and chefs Arjun and Nakul Mahendro of Badmaash in DTLA to create an inventive four-course menu. Expect Indian flavors and influences blending with each chef's style. Ellen Marie Bennett, founder of Hedley & Bennett, co-hosts the event. Choose from one of five seating times. Ticket prices do not include taxes, tip or drinks. COST: $75 per person; MORE INFO MONDAY, APRIL 29; 5 - 10 p.m. Bayside Graduation Dinner Saved By The Max -- 7100 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood The Saved By The Bell Pop-Up closes on April 30, and there's a graduation dinner hosted by Tori Scott (Zack Morris's girlfriend who's not Kelly Kapowski). Other cast members may drop by as well. The graduation dinner includes an appetizer and entree. COST: $40; MORE INFO TUESDAY, APRIL 30; 1 p.m. Pink Flamingos Bing Theater at LACMA -- 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire Make Tuesday a ditch day and catch the classic John Waters 1972 film about a large woman (Divine) and her misfit family, who compete with a Baltimore couple for the crown of filthiest people around. COST: $2 - $4; MORE INFO TUESDAY, APRIL 30; 4 - 9:30 p.m. The Collective Foodie Angel City Brewery -- 216 S. Alameda St., downtown L.A. This mini-conference for food-lovers, food-preneurs and influencers focuses on "Navigating The Business Of Food." There are panel discussions, keynotes, networking opportunities and, of course, snacks, bites and beverages. COST: $59 - $129; MORE INFO TUESDAY, APRIL 30; 6 p.m. Mesamerica L.A. & DFiesta Various locations in downtown L.A. The Los Angeles Times Food Bowl kicks off a month-long series of food events with a three-part party. It opens with Mesamerica L.A. at the Million Dollar Theater, which marks the first time chef Enrique Olvera's celebrated symposium will be held outside of Mexico. The program examines the culinary and cultural connections between Mexico City and L.A. to celebrate the sister cities' 50-year anniversary. The multimedia discussion, which includes videos and songs, covers art, architecture, identity and tacos. The symposium is followed by festivities at Grand Central Market and La Cita Bar. COST: $35 - $85; MORE INFO TUESDAY, APRIL 30; 8:30 p.m. So, You Do Comedy...? UCBT Sunset -- 5419 W. Sunset Blvd., East Hollywood Each month, host Chris Witaske sits down with well-known comedians to chat about how they got started in the biz. In the hot seat this week is actor, director and writer Matt Walsh who's best known for his role as Mike McLintock in Veep. COST: $7; MORE INFO WEDNESDAY, MAY 1; 9 p.m. Hot Chip El Rey Theatre -- 5515 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-Wilshire The U.K. electronic-pop band plays The Shrine in the fall but brings its highly danceable tunes to the El Rey in advance of its upcoming release, A Bath Full of Ecstasy (out June 21). Black Peaches opens. COST: Tickets: $45; MORE INFO WEDNESDAY, MAY 1; 6 p.m. (reception), 7 p.m. talk Shoshana Zuboff: The Age of Surveillance Capitalism Orange County Museum of Art -- 1661 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana Zuboff, professor emerita of the Harvard Business School and author of The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power, discusses the form of power called "surveillance capitalism" and the ways corporations try to predict and control our behavior. (We're talking about you, Facebook.) COST: FREE; MORE INFO WEDNESDAY, MAY 1; 6 - 7 p.m. Body Percussion with Dorrance Dance Julianne and George Argyros Plaza at the Segerstrom Center -- 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa The center offers a series of free, all-ages outdoor events throughout the month. They kick off with a workshop led by Nicholas Van Young, who teaches participants on how to use the entire body to create a wide variety of rhythmic sounds. Using the body as instrument, the workshop focuses on the relationship between music and movement. COST: FREE; MORE INFO The Silver Lake Chorus returns with new music at a release show at the Hi-Hat. (Photo: Courtesy of the Silver Lake Chorus) WEDNESDAY, MAY 1; 8 p.m. Silver Lake Chorus Release Show The Hi-Hat -- 5043 York Blvd., Highland Park The group, which recreates indie music for chorale, releases two new tracks written exclusively for the chorus by Van Dyke Parks and Lucius. They're joined by Di? and Tim Carr for the show. COST: $10; MORE INFO WEDNESDAY, MAY 1; Beginning at 5 p.m. Mole & Mezcal Dinner Puesto Park Place -- 3311 Michelson Dr, Irvine The restaurant group, best known for its Mexico City-style tacos, holds a special pop-up dinner with acclaimed Oaxacan chefs at their Irvine location. Chefs Olga Cabrera from Casa del Sol and Aurora Toledo from Restaurante Zandunga work with the Puesto team to create a special four-course, prix-fixe dinner menu. COST: $30, $20 drink pairing (optional); MORE INFO THURSDAYS - SUNDAYS; 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Samskara Wisdome -- 1147 Palmetto St., downtown L.A. In this exhibition, the VR and 360 immersive art park presents more than 70 works from Android Jones in nine different formats, including digital canvases, "Microdose VR," dynamic sculptures, shows, live performances and films in a spherical movie theater. COST: $9 - $29; MORE INFO Straight from Dublin is Roddy Doyle's play about two men, sitting in a pub, waxing poetic about life and little things. (Photo: Courtesy of Abbey Theatre) THURSDAY, MAY 2 - SUNDAY, MAY 5 Abbey Theatre's Two Pints The Red Room, Chapter One -- 227 N. Broadway, Santa Ana Santa Ana Sites, which develops community engagement programs, presents Roddy Doyle's play about two Irish gents, talking about their Da's, death, Nigella, North Korea and the afterlife. The work started out as a Facebook conversation, and now it's a play set in a pub. COST: $12 - $25; MORE INFO THURSDAY, MAY 2 - THURSDAY, SEPT. 29; 5 - 10 p.m. Hollywood Night Market Yamashiro Restaurant -- 1999 N. Sycamore Ave., Hollywood The popular, weekly open-air market returns for its 10th summer. It hosts 30 of L.A.'s finest food vendors with local live music while the Pagoda bar serves up cocktails for those 21+ until 10 p.m. With incredible views, it makes a great date night. COST: FREE admission; MORE INFO A still from "Yellow Rose," starring Eva Noblezada, which opens the Los Angeles Asian Pacific American Film Festival. (Photo: August Thurmer) THURSDAY, MAY 2 - FRIDAY, MAY 10 LA Asian Pacific Film Festival Several venues in Downtown L.A. The film festival presents more than 100 screenings for its 35th edition. It opens with the world premiere of Yellow Rose, written and directed by first time feature filmmaker Diane Paragas. The film, about a headstrong Filipino girl from a small Texas town who's chasing her country music dreams while facing the threat of deportation. It stars Eva Noblezada and Lea Salonga. COST: Individual tickets start at $15, $135 - $400 (passes); MORE INFO THURSDAY, MAY 2; 10 p.m. Subsuelo The Virgil -- 4519 Santa Monica Blvd., Virgil Village The global bass crew presents a night of cumbia, salsa, reggaeton, hip-hop, flamenco, Afro-house, dancehall, merengue, tropical funk, moombahton and Latin trap in both rooms. COST: FREE; MORE INFO THURSDAY, MAY 2 - SUNDAY, MAY 5 Factory to Table Sale Barker Hangar -- 3021 Airport Ave., Santa Monica Le Creuset cookware teams with top L.A. chefs for a sale that features food, music, drinks and live cooking demos by chefs including Sarah Hendrix of Lady & Larder, Nguyen Tran of Starry Kitchen and Button Mash and Dave Woodall of Red Herring. A portion of ticket proceeds go toward local nonprofit After School All Stars, an organization that serves low-income middle school youth, as well as Meals on Wheels. The VIP sessions start Thursday, followed by three additional sessions. You must reserve a ticket for a specified shopping session. COST: $15 - $40; MORE INFO How are you spending your week? Let us know on Twitter @christineziemba and @LeoHasACat. 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 UPDATE, 12 p.m. Move over, Mueller Report, there's another hefty, highly-anticipated document in town. OK, this one isn't quite as highly-anticipated, but it could have a big implications for the lives of the roughly three million California kids, ages five and under, in addition to their families, caregivers and educators. It took two years, eight public hearings, over 70 meetings and four focus groups, but California finally has a new plan to improve care and education for its kids. The Assembly Blue Ribbon Commission on Early Childhood Education released its final report today -- a 108-page document with recommendations for making care and education in the first five years more accessible, affordable, and financially viable for educators working in the field. "The single program that's closest to my heart and what I believe is the best tool for lifting families out of poverty is early childhood education," Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, who formed the commission, said at a press conference Monday. Policymakers see investments in early childhood education as way to reduce school readiness gaps and child poverty -- and they see these investments as the key to building a stronger society down the line. The need for these changes is great, especially here in Los Angeles. While 71% of 4-year-olds are enrolled in a licensed center or school setting for a least half of the day, access to those programs varies widely and many parents are paying high prices out-of-pocket for preschool. While 51% of babies and toddlers in L.A. County are eligible for state-subsidized child care programs, only 6% of these children receive such care, according to a 2018 analysis by Advancement Project California. Across the state, preschool funding and enrollment are up, but a new report finds the state below the national average when it comes to quality. The early childhood system is often called complicated and chaotic because of the maze of funding streams programs receive, inconsistencies in expectations for teachers, waitlists, etc. The commissioners behind this report came from school districts, parent groups, home daycares, research groups, even the business and philanthropy sectors. All of them had a goal of producing a document that could serve as blueprint for the legislature, as they develop policies to make the system more coherent. "We have created urgency to strengthen our early care and education system and we want to make sure that children don't just grow, but children have an opportunity to thrive," Tonia McMillian, a commissioner who runs a home daycare in Bellflower said at the press conference. "We have shown what a difference it makes when family child care providers have a seat at the table." There are more than a dozen early childhood-related bills making their way through the senate and assembly this term. Consequently, this is a really long report (novella-length to be exact). But fear not, we read it so you don't have to. Here are some highlights: ACCESS BIRTH TO FIVE The end goal laid out in the accessibility section is to dramatically increase access to education and care, so that no family is paying more than the federal guidelines for child care affordability, which is 7% of their total income. As of 2017, the state median income for a family is around $72,000. Here are some of the commissioner's recommendations for making sure babies, toddlers and preschoolers in the state can get enrolled. PARENT OUTREACH One of the guiding principles of the commission was to keep parents at the center of policy decisions. "It was so powerful -- someone finally asking us how we think the system should change," said Yenni Rivera, a parent from South L.A., said at the press conference. Here are some of the recommendations that came out of four focus groups held with parents up and down the state. WORKFORCE In order to increase the accessibility of programs, policymakers have to consider wages and benefits for the people doing the work. The Blue Ribbon Commission was focused on the principle that the early childhood workforce should be celebrated as brain builders, and not viewed as babysitters. This means wrestling with the conundrum of increasing both qualifications and wages for educators and child care providers. FINANCING Now...how to pay for all of this? Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed $1.8 billion in early childhood funding, and the commission has some thoughts on how funds should be applied. Here are some highlights: So what happens to all of these recommendations now that they're written in stone (by that, we mean digitally archived via PDF)? California's early childhood system has been labeled chaotic for decades. A previous task force released a similar document 30 years ago, and very little came of it. But with a governor who is passionate about early childhood, a strong economy, and advocates planted throughout the administration and legislature, there's hope that these recommendations could actually spur change. "When and if a recession hits and the budget is not in good a place as it is now, early childhood education will certainly have a seat at the table," Rendon told LAist. Explore the full report (and/or the 18-page summary because who's counting?) here: A version of this story also ran on Take Two. Listen here. UPDATES: April 29, 2019: This article was updated to include additional information from the report and quotes from a Monday morning press conference. 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 "This is about transparency, basic decency, and the belief that developers should be accountable to, and not just extract value from, the communities they build in." That's part of the wording in a recent petition launched to save Good Luck Bar, a staple Los Feliz watering hole that is expected to shutter on May 4, 2019 after 25 years in business. Posted at 11 p.m. on Saturday night, the petition had garnered more than 1,000 signatures in 36 hours. Now, the Los Feliz Neighborhood Council is getting involved. They're holding a special meeting on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Elysian Masonic Lodge where they will be voting on a resolution "expressing concern over the eviction of Good Luck Bar and calling on the city to invalidate any permits or approvals previously given to the proposed project on the site." Since news broke a couple of weeks ago that the bar was closing... A farewell letter from the owners of Good Luck Bar in Los Feliz. ...fans have expressed their dismay on social media. So many great memories at this bar, I cant believe its going away. All the places I remember growing up in this city are disappearing. MASTER (@albert_gonz72) April 10, 2019 No!!! So many things that make LA unique are being bulldozed. pic.twitter.com/bXsTZXJvhV Julianne Reiser (@RogueMomLA) April 10, 2019 So what will replace the Good Luck Bar? A hotel and a restaurant developed by Conroy Commercial Real Estate, which bought the 87-year-old building in 2012. In March 2014, after Conroy announced plans to build a 17-room boutique hotel on the site, the Los Feliz Neighborhood Council brought up several concerns, the Los Feliz Ledger reports, but, "The neighborhood council ultimately voted to support the project." In all of those proposals, Conroy assured both the bar's owners and the neighborhood council that Good Luck Bar would be part of the development. But things got weird around 2016, when Good Luck renegotiated their lease with Conroy, according to David Granger, the bar's general manager. "They never signed [the lease] or sent it back to us," he says. "We reached out to them periodically and almost every time, we were met with radio silence or they would email us back and say, 'We'll get back to you.'" In late 2018, Granger says Action Vacuums and another tenant of the building received eviction notices. Around that time, Conroy asked Good Luck to turn over its liquor license. The bar's management refused. On April 8, they received a 30-day eviction notice. "I don't want to have any negative feelings toward whatever project is going to be there, whether we're there or not," Granger says. "But if you are using the equity of a business to build your own equity, then you should really reconsider reneging on that because that's bad faith. Or at least communicate to those businesses, 'We're taking the project in a different direction.'" Located at the intersection where Sunset and Hollywood boulevards crisscross Virgil and Hillhurst avenues, Good Luck Bar has been a popular neighborhood bar for a quarter century. While residents decry the development that's pushing out Good Luck, it's easy to forget that when the joint opened, it was part of a new wave of hip bars and restaurants changing the face of Silver Lake and Los Feliz. (Side note: The Good Luck Bar is NOT a dive bar. If you think it is, you haven't been to a real dive bar.) As Pat Saperstein says in the Los Feliz Ledger: "Dive bars were just starting to give way to a new wave of hipper options, and the neighborhood's young residents made it a favorite hangout that hosted thousands of first dates, birthday parties and memorable evenings." And so the gentrifiers become the gentrified and the circle of life continues. As Twitter @KyleVail pointed out, "Nothing lasts forever. I struggle to understand why people dramatize the close of a private business." The owner is clearly successful, owning multiple hotels, bars, and restaurants, but it's a bit rich to decry foul play in the form of development given his own business dealings. Invoking a Joni Mitchel song about environmental concerns over undeveloped land makes no sense Kyle Vail (@KyleVail) April 10, 2019 Good Luck owner Sean MacPherson has plenty of pots on the fire. He currently owns, has owned or has been involved with Jones, Swingers, El Carmen and Bar Lubitsch in Los Angeles as well as the Waverly Inn, the Maritime Hotel and the Bowery Hotel, among other ventures in New York. "New York is a different city every 10 years, and many resist that change, but it doesn't matter -- it reinvents every decade," MacPherson told Haute Living in 2015. The same is true of Los Angeles, maybe of every big city. On this coast, MacPherson owns kitschy, Asian-themed Good Luck Bar, a venue that many locals want to stay open and unchanged. On the East Coast, he's overseeing the revamp of the legendary Chelsea Hotel, once a gloriously louche refuge for broke artists that's being transformed into a luxury simulacram of bohemian life. We're not crying in our beers for MacPherson, but we sympathize with the sadness many Angelenos feel over the Good Luck's bad ending. The past few years have seen the closure of a bunch of beloved L.A. neighborhood bars including the Smog Cutter in Virgil Village, Power House in Hollywood, Dimples in Burbank and Del's in West L.A. "Honestly, I'm not sure what can be done at this stage," writes Ev Boyle, who started the Change.org petition to save Good Luck Bar. "At the very least, I'm hoping we can gather enough signatures that Conway will have to answer to the community and to all the Angelenos who love Good Luck." But developers in Los Angeles -- and everywhere else -- have a history of committing to "improvement" projects that residents don't want. "Los Feliz has really blown up lately, and people just see it as an area to make money. Los Feliz has a very small town feel, and I don't think outside developers are connected to the community the way that the people who live there are. They're invested from a dollar sign standpoint and not from a 'This is where I want to raise my kids' or 'This is where I have my house,'" Granger said. Will Conroy pay attention to the Los Feliz Neighborhood Council or to this petition? Will that alter their plans to close Good Luck Bar? Probably not. Granger says he told Boyle, "I don't think [the petition] is going to help, but thank you for the support. When you don't have a lease, there's really nothing you can do." But as the petition states: "This fight is bigger than Good Luck - it's about resisting a culture among luxury developers of pushing through exploitative projects that cater only to the wealthy without so much as asking the community for input." We reached out to Conroy Real Estate for comment but haven't heard back. We will update this story if we do. 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 As a measles outbreak continues to grow in Los Angeles County - as of April 24, the most recent date for which we have data, six people had contracted the disease locally - it's a good time to back to basics: How does measles spread, what are the symptoms and what can we do as individuals to protect ourselves? We took a look at some of these questions in 2015, when measles was making a comeback after being considered eradicated in the U.S. as of 2000. Let's revisit, shall we? HOW DOES MEASLES SPREAD? One of measles' most frightening features is how contagious it is. People who are exposed to the disease and are not immune have a 90% chance of contracting it. The virus lives for up to two hours on a surface or in the air where an infected person has coughed or sneezed. SYMPTOMS People who contract the disease will likely first experience a fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes and a sore throat. After about two or three days, they may develop tiny white spots in the mouth. From there, a rash of flat red spots - measles' signature symptom - will typically appear, beginning at the hairline then spreading down across the body. Those spots might additionally develop small raised bumps. At the same time as the rash, the patient's fever can spike to over 104 degrees. More serious symptoms of measles can include pneumonia, ear infections or diarrhea, which occur in about three out of every 10 infected people. About one child out of every 1,000 who gets measles will develop encephalitis (swelling of the brain), which can lead to convulsions and leave the child deaf or mentally disabled. For every 1,000 children who get measles, one or two will die from it. THE VACCINE There's some confusion around who is vaccinated and who isn't, thanks in part to changes made to the vaccination in the 1960s and changes made to the protocol around the vaccination in the 1980s. The first measles vaccine was introduced in 1963. There were two types of vaccines at the time - one that was inactivated, or "killed," and another that was activated, or "live." The inactivated vaccine was taken off the market in 1967 when it was found to be ineffective, meaning that adults who were born in the 1960s and either don't have immunization records or know that they received the inactivated vaccine aren't considered immune. In 1989, health officials began recommending two doses of the vaccine. That means that adults born before then may have only received one shot. DO I NEED TO GET A SECOND SHOT? Fortunately, one shot still renders you 95% immune. But two shots - the initial shot and the booster - renders you 99% immune. For that reason, most experts agree that it's a good idea to get a second shot if you know you only received one as a child. In 2015, The California Department of Public Health told KPCC that it "recommends anyone who hasn't already received two doses of the MMR vaccine to do so." That said, it's not cause for panic if you are unable to do so. Greg Wallace of the CDC told us in 2015 that the organization's greatest concern is getting unvaccinated people vaccinated, because that's the primary way a disease like measles is going to spread. For those who do want to get the vaccine or the booster, L.A. County's public health clinics are offering them for free to the uninsured or underinsured. Editor's note: A version of this story was originally published on KPCC.org Correction: A previous version of this story stated that there were 38 cases of measles in L.A. County. That is the number for the state of California. In L.A. County, there have been six confirmed cases as of April 24. LAist regrets the error. 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 A Reseda man is facing federal charges in an alleged terrorist plot that the FBI says it was able to prevent on Friday. Mark Steven Domingo, 26, a former U.S. Army infantryman who served in combat in Afghanistan, was planning to detonate a bomb at a political rally in Long Beach on Saturday and possibly another rally in Huntington Beach in order to avenge the New Zealand mosque shootings last month, according to a criminal complaint filed Saturday. Domingo was arrested Friday night, while looking for a place to put the bomb. The device was actually a "dummy" given to him by an undercover officer as part of an FBI terrorism investigation, according to a press release. The investigation was run by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force. The Long Beach event that Domingo allegedly sought to target was a white nationalist free speech rally at Bluff Park with counter protestors also in attendance. Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia said that authorities knew for a while that Domingo was planning his attack locally. "The suspect was interested in the rally and clearly had some plan to cause mass casualties," he told KPCC. "It was very serious. ... We are just very grateful to all of the law enforcement agencies for the arrest and for ensuring that we had a safe event." LAPD Chief Michael Moore said in a Monday news conference that Domingo also had plans to shoot into a police car and kill officers. "I can tell you, unequivocally, that this partnership, coupled with our ability to be nimble, ultimately resulted in dozens of innocent lives being saved in Southern California," Moore said. Domingo came onto the FBI's radar because of violent online posts he put up just days before 50 people were killed during mass shootings at two mosques in New Zealand, said Ryan Young, the special agent in charge of the FBI task force. In the posts, Domingo threatened violence and retribution for the New Zealand shooting. He specifically talked about "killing people," expressing support for violent jihad and a willingness to become a martyr, according to the affidavit. On March 1, he posted a video professing his Muslim faith. A day later, he made another video in which he said, "America needs another Vegas event that would give them a taste of the terror they gladly spread all over the world," referring to the October 2017 mass shooting there. After the attack in New Zealand on March 13, Domingo posted, "There must be retribution." That was enough of a red flag to alert the FBI, which spent the next two months monitoring him intensely, Moore said. The FBI conducted around-the-clock surveillance of Domingo after they determined that he was a credible threat. "We covered him 24/7," Young said. "At no time were we in the dark." According to the affidavit, a confidential FBI source began speaking to Domingo directly, both online and in-person. During the first meeting, Domingo discussed the different targets he was considering for the attack, including Jews, churches and police officers, as well as support for ISIS. During an April 19 meeting, Domingo arrived armed with an AK-47 to show the undercover operative that he was serious. That's when the FBI uncovered Domingo's ultimate plan, to detonate a bomb at the Long Beach rally. As part of the plot, he asked the undercover source -- who was cooperating with the FBI -- to find a bomb-maker who could create a weapon that would cause at least 50 casualties. Last week, the FBI followed Domingo as he purchased several hundred nails to be used as shrapnel inside the explosive. The affidavit states that Domingo specifically bought three-inch nails, "because they would be long enough to penetrate the human body and puncture internal organs." Domingo then provided the nails to the undercover operative for use in construction of the bomb. Last Thursday, he indicated that he planned to move forward with the attack, according to the affidavit. The FBI then delivered multiple "dummy" weapons via an undercover operative to Domingo, which he believed were real weapons of mass destruction. Domingo then drove to Long Beach with the fake weapons to scout the area and decide where to put the explosives in order to inflict the most harm. That's when officials made the arrest, Young said. Investigators then conducted a search of Domingo's vehicle and home, where they found multiple weapons, including high-capacity magazines and at least one assault rifle. This news comes in the wake of the shooting at a synagogue in San Diego County, which killed one woman and wounded several others. "Sometimes, we get asked what keeps us up at night," Young said. "This is a case that keeps us up at night." He added that his team did not find any co-conspirators and has no information that would suggest that there is still a known or credible threat to Southern California. "This is a good day for law enforcement," he said. LAPD Chief Moore praised the FBI and LAPD for their work on this case, but he also urged the community to stay vigilant. "If you see something, say something," he advised. Domingo has been in federal custody since his arrest and is expected to make an appearance Monday afternoon in U.S. District Court. The Army confirmed that Domingo served as an infantryman from November 2011 to February 2013, attaining the rank of private. He was deployed to Afghanistan from September 2012 to February 2013. Officials are asking anyone with knowledge of the attack or information about Domingo to call the FBI task force hotline at (310) 477-6565. The ongoing investigation is being lead by the FBI's terrorism task force, which includes officers from LAPD, members of NCIS, the L.A. County Sheriff's Department and the Long Beach PD. If convicted of the charge of attempted terrorism, Domingo would face a statutory maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. Libby Denkmann, Lita Martinez, and Megan Erwin contributed reporting to this story. UPDATES: 4:23 p.m. : This article was updated with additional details about the attack, as well as a statement from the Long Beach Mayor. This article was originally published at 1:42 p.m. 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 Legendary martini-maker, red jacket-wearer and witness to countless celebrity benders Ruben Rueda, who worked as a bartender at Musso & Frank Grill for 52 years, has passed away at age 67. He died of natural causes on Friday, April 26, at Whittier Hospital Medical Center. "It didn't matter who you were or where you came from, you were a customer who needed something and he was going to provide that. It truly was about who you were as a person," said Mark Echeverria, the great grandson of John Mosso, one of the restaurant's first owners. He was four years old when he met Rueda. "I was having dinner with my grandmother, who was running the restaurant at the time, and with my cousins and aunts," he said. "We were having Shirley Temples. Ruben would make them and serve them in martini glasses, just like he would regular martinis. It was that sort of special touch and feeling he could get anyone in the restaurant to feel." Rueda also had a remarkable ability to recall customers' drink orders. He once remembered the order of an Argentinian woman who hadn't stepped inside Musso's for nearly three decades. "I can't explain it. I don't think anybody could ever explain it. We'd have people who for whatever reason wouldn't come to the restaurant for 10 years. Then they would come back in, and he would remember their drink. He would admit he might not remember their name, but he'd remember their drink," Echeverria said. When LAist interviewed Rueda in 2017, on the occasion of his 50th year of employment at Musso & Frank, and asked how he did it, he simply said: "You look at the eyes." Actor Christoph Waltz with staff of Musso & Frank attend the Hollywood Walk of Fame dedication for actor Christoph Waltz on December 1, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images) A native of Durango, Mexico, Rueda was walking past the restaurant one day in 1967, back when an Old Fashioned cost 50 cents, and he decided to go inside and apply for a job. After a short stint as a busboy or several years as a server assistant (it depends which account you believe), Rueda became a bartender -- a job he held for the rest of his tenure at the restaurant. Over the decades, Rueda served tons of celebrities including Old Hollywood luminaries Orson Welles, Rock Hudson, Raymond Burr and Steve McQueen; writers Charles Bukowski and Gore Vidal; and rock stars Keith Richards and John Lennon. Johnny Depp was also one of Rueda's regulars. He was the best known bartender at Musso & Frank, maybe the best known bartender in Los Angeles. How did he accomplish it? Not just by making a killer martini, his signature drink. "By listening and talking," Echeverria said. "Some people wanted to be listened to. Some wanted to be entertained. He always knew, without them saying." A martini at Musso & Frank in Hollywood, 20016. (IK's World Trip/Flickr Creative Commons) Echeverria praised the level of professionalism that Rueda brought to the job. "The loyalty he had to the restaurant, to his customers, to our family, it can't be replicated. How he spoke of his customers and everybody around him was always of the highest level. He never spoke badly about anybody. He saw the restaurant go through ups and downs, and he was always optimistic." He also says Rueda was incredibly humble: "Some of his closest family, like his son and his daughter, didn't know the stories about who sat at his bar." In the second half of 2009, Echeverria came in to help run the restaurant, which had taken a major hit after the financial collapse of 2008. The days were long and he had tons of work to do, but Echeverria said that he would always go down and greet Rueda when he came in for his shift at 5 p.m. "I would always feel better. I think that was the feeling he gave to everyone who came into the bar, whether it was someone who had been coming in for 40 years or someone who just walked in off the street," Echeverria said. The restaurant and bar celebrated Rueda in 2017 on the 50th anniversary of his employment. Although Rueda had faced some health challenges in the past couple of years, he was working until a few months ago, according to Echeverria. "He wasn't necessarily a man of a lot of words, but the words he spoke were very powerful," Echeverria said. "He had a very deep, powerful, commanding voice. You could always count on him to tell you a story or a joke. He didn't ramble on. He said exactly what you needed to hear and bam." Opened in 1919, Musso & Frank is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Rueda was able to enjoy some of those festivities. Rueda is survived by his wife, Maria Olga Rueda, a son, Leonard, who also works at Musso & Frank Grill as both a server and a bookkeeper, and a daughter, Cynthia. He also has two grandchildren Brooke, a UCLA student, and Sebastian, a student currently attending a university in Spain. Echeverria promised that Musso & Frank will do everything they can to honor his memory. Plans were underway for a celebration of Rueda's life to be held at Musso & Frank in the near future. Your tax-deductible gift today powers our reporters and keeps us independent. We rely on you, our reader, not paywalls to stay funded because we believe important news and information should be freely accessible to all. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti released ambitious new environmental goals for the city Monday, something he and others are calling L.A.'s own Green New Deal. There are a lot of zeros in the plan: a zero-emission bus and train network with plenty of new community car charging stations. And zero-carbon buildings, that is, new buildings would all be powered and cooled without using fossil fuels like gas. Even zero waste sent to landfills by 2050. The plan calls for a carbon free power grid as well. The city now uses a combination of energy sources, including coal and natural gas. Those sources would be narrowed down to zero emission and 100 percent renewable sources of energy by 2045, primarily solar, wind and hydro-electric. The proposal also calls for the creation of as many as 300,000 new jobs to build and support these cleaner forms of energy. WHAT'S IN GARCETTI'S PLAN? Zero carbon - A mandate for all new buildings to be zero-carbon buildings. Garcetti said that would ensure that every skyscraper, commercial development, home and municipal office will be emissions-free by 2050. Zero emissions - A zero emissions transportation network. That means adding charging stations to neighborhoods where people might not have access to charge electric vehicles from their homes. Garcetti said that would give Angelenos more options to use public transit, bikes, scooters, car shares and buses, and even avoid owning a car altogether. Carbon-free electricity - L.A. will build a zero-carbon electricity grid. The new goals are to reach 80% clean energy by 2036 and 100% renewable energy by 2045. Zero waste - The city would ban plastic straws, styrofoam and single-use takeout containers by 2028 -- when the world comes to L.A. for the Olympic Games. By 2050 Garcetti said Angelenos would send no trash at all to landfills. Recycled wastewater - L.A. will recycle 100% of our wastewater by 2035. That water could make up 70% of the city's overall water supply. WHAT ABOUT THE MAYOR'S 2015 SUSTAINABLE CITY PLAN? The city adopted Garcetti's Sustainable City plan in 2015 with goals targeting "the most aggressive reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in our history." But now, the mayor says those 2015 targets appear too timid, so he's calling for this ambitious update. On top of the new environmental goals, Garcetti wants to pair them with extensive new employment targets - as many as 300,000 new jobs, which he said is nearly 10 times the number of jobs the 2015 plan produced. One way Garcetti's plan would combat climate change: Increase the shade canopy in residential areas by 50 percent by planting some 90,000 trees. Trees help fight #ClimateChange. That's why we are planting 90,000 trees in the next three years around every corner of our city creating 2,000 jobs. These will clean our air, shade our sidewalks and buildings, and beautify our city. #ArborDay | #GreenNewDealLA pic.twitter.com/0EbfL7qq9m MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) April 26, 2019 Low-income communities most affected by political decisions that placed them in the midst of more pollution will be first in line for that effort, as well as for solar panels and cooler pavements, the mayor said. WAIT, DIDN'T THE CITY COUNCIL ALREADY CALL FOR A GREEN NEW DEAL? Inspired by the push for a federal Green New Deal in Congress that would reduce emissions while stimulating the economy, the City Council in February called for the creation of a similar initiative for L.A. But the council's plan is a general outline of goals. Garcetti's 50-page plan goes into more detail. Just as the construction of Hoover Dam created both an important hydroelectric power plant and provided thousands of jobs during the Great Depression, both the council's and the mayor's Green New Deal plans are designed to improve the environment while contributing to the area's economic well-being. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING NOW? When the Trump Administration announced it was leaving the Paris Climate Agreement, Garcetti and many other mayors around the country said they would continue to pursue its goals. "There's no greater threat to our national security, our economic growth ... our cities, our world and future generations" than climate change, Garcetti said. "Obviously we don't need more studies that show us the reality about climate change. We just have to look out the window." Sea level rise, increasing temperatures and extreme weather causing more violent storms, droughts and wildfires need urgent solutions to preserve the livability of the city, he said. "Who cares about potholes if Venice is under water," Garcetti said. "If Los Angeles is overwhelmed with hundreds of thousands of climate refugees I don't think we'll be too worried about planning the 2028 Olympics." WHAT'S GARCETTI'S ROAD MAP TO BECOME CARBON NEUTRAL BY 2050? The mayor wants to set up a "jobs cabinet" to guide the creation of hundreds of thousands of new jobs related to achieving climate goals. He said he also wants to form a Climate Emergency Commission "to harness the expertise of scientists and communities to guide our policymaking." Under Garcetti's plan, by 2021 the city would need to adopt a decarbonization plan, starting with requiring all new buildings owned by the city to be all-electric. The city would commit to buying all electric buses by 2025. The Port of Los Angeles, which is one of the largest sources of air pollution in the L.A. basin, would have 100% zero emissions cargo handling equipment by 2030, Garcetti said. The city has already made significant progress in shrinking its carbon footprint. L.A. reduced the carbon emissions from its city operations by 40% over the decade ending in 2017, according to a report from the city Sanitation Bureau. A full 95% of the emissions savings was from power generation after the city reduced the amount of coal it uses to generate power, and turned to more solar and wind energy. The city had set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 35% from a 2008 baseline by 2025, but it beat that goal, hitting a 40% reduction in 2017, according to the Sanitation Bureau's report. Garcetti is setting a more ambitious goal of getting to 55% under the 2008 baseline by 2025. TWENTY YEARS TOO LATE? The mayor's office cited support for his Green New Deal from several local environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, the L.A. Clean Energy Coalition, GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles and Communities for a Better Environment. It also quoted Mary Leslie, president of the Los Angeles Business Council, applauding Garcetti for "taking bold action to accelerate the city's goal, attracting new investment and doubling the clean energy jobs over the next 15 years." The mayor's plan is too timid for at least two environmental groups. The L.A. chapter of the Sunrise Movement, a self-described coalition of young people dedicated to promoting the Green New Deal proposed in Congress, issued a statement saying Garcetti's plan is not ambitious enough. "With Mayor Garcetti's current plan for net-zero emissions by 2050, Los Angeles is on track to be twenty years too late," it said. "By the year 2030, we will have reached a point of no return -- where feedback loops driven by carbon emissions will have propelled beyond our control." Food & Water Watch Senior Organizer Alexandra Nagy agreed. "Climate science [shows] we need to transition by 2030," she said in a statement. In a related development, a coalition of environmental and other groups issued a call for other California cities and counties "to take robust action to accelerate the transition to zero-emissions homes and buildings." The Building Decarbonization Coalition said local action will help the state government achieve its goal of having California's entire conomy be carbon neutral by 2045. EXPLORE THE FULL PLAN BELOW: UPDATES: 11:15 a.m.: This article was updated with more information from the mayor's plan and background on previous sustainability plan. 3:15 p.m.: This article was updated with information about other groups' supporting the mayor's plan and with information from the Building Decarbonization Coalition. 5:15 p.m.: This article was updated with the reaction from Food & Water Watch. This article was originally published at 9:35 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. 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(2) Jul 07 (4) Jul 06 (4) Jul 05 (6) Jul 04 (4) Jul 03 (10) Jul 02 (4) Jul 01 (2) Jun 30 (3) Jun 29 (3) Jun 28 (4) Jun 27 (3) Jun 26 (6) Jun 25 (3) Jun 24 (3) Jun 23 (3) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (4) Jun 19 (3) Jun 18 (3) Jun 17 (3) Jun 16 (4) Jun 15 (3) Jun 14 (4) Jun 13 (3) Jun 12 (4) Jun 11 (2) Jun 10 (2) Jun 09 (2) Jun 08 (3) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (3) Jun 05 (1) Jun 04 (3) Jun 03 (2) Jun 02 (2) Jun 01 (2) May 31 (2) May 30 (3) May 29 (3) May 28 (5) May 27 (1) May 26 (1) May 25 (2) May 24 (2) May 23 (1) May 22 (2) May 21 (2) May 20 (3) May 19 (3) May 18 (2) May 17 (2) May 16 (2) May 15 (3) May 14 (2) May 13 (2) May 12 (2) May 11 (3) May 10 (3) May 09 (2) May 08 (3) May 07 (2) May 06 (2) May 05 (2) May 04 (2) May 03 (3) May 02 (2) May 01 (2) Apr 30 (1) Apr 29 (2) Apr 28 (3) Apr 27 (2) Apr 26 (2) Apr 25 (2) Apr 24 (2) Apr 23 (3) Apr 22 (4) Apr 21 (4) Apr 20 (3) Apr 19 (3) Apr 18 (2) Apr 17 (2) Apr 16 (2) Apr 15 (2) Apr 14 (2) Apr 13 (2) Apr 12 (2) Apr 11 (3) Apr 10 (3) Apr 09 (2) Apr 08 (2) Apr 07 (2) Apr 06 (2) Apr 05 (3) Apr 04 (2) Apr 03 (2) Apr 02 (2) Apr 01 (2) Mar 31 (1) Mar 30 (1) Mar 29 (2) Mar 28 (2) Mar 27 (2) Mar 26 (3) Mar 25 (3) Mar 24 (2) Mar 23 (2) Mar 22 (1) Mar 21 (1) Mar 20 (2) Mar 19 (2) Mar 18 (2) Mar 17 (2) Mar 16 (4) Mar 15 (2) Mar 14 (2) Mar 13 (2) Mar 12 (2) Mar 11 (3) Mar 10 (3) Mar 09 (3) Mar 08 (2) Mar 07 (1) Mar 06 (2) Mar 05 (3) Mar 04 (3) Mar 03 (8) Mar 02 (2) Mar 01 (1) Feb 28 (2) Feb 27 (4) Feb 26 (1) Feb 25 (1) Feb 24 (2) Feb 23 (2) Feb 22 (4) Feb 21 (2) Feb 20 (2) Feb 19 (2) Feb 18 (2) Feb 17 (2) Feb 16 (2) Feb 15 (1) Feb 14 (1) Feb 13 (1) Feb 12 (2) Feb 11 (1) Feb 10 (2) Feb 09 (1) Feb 08 (1) Feb 07 (1) Feb 06 (1) Feb 05 (5) Feb 03 (1) Feb 02 (1) Feb 01 (1) Jan 31 (4) Jan 30 (4) Jan 29 (4) Jan 28 (2) Jan 27 (5) Jan 26 (5) Jan 25 (5) Jan 24 (3) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (4) Jan 21 (3) Jan 20 (3) Jan 19 (4) Jan 18 (3) Jan 17 (2) Jan 16 (4) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (5) Jan 13 (5) Jan 12 (5) Jan 11 (4) Jan 10 (3) Jan 09 (5) Jan 08 (5) Jan 07 (4) Jan 06 (3) Jan 05 (4) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (6) Jan 02 (3) Jan 01 (4) Dec 31 (4) Dec 30 (4) Dec 29 (5) Dec 28 (5) Dec 27 (4) Dec 26 (4) Dec 25 (4) Dec 24 (1) Dec 23 (4) Dec 22 (3) Dec 21 (5) Dec 20 (5) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (4) Dec 17 (5) Dec 16 (4) Dec 15 (6) Dec 14 (4) Dec 13 (4) Dec 12 (5) Dec 11 (5) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (5) Dec 08 (4) Dec 07 (4) Dec 06 (5) Dec 05 (4) Dec 04 (4) Dec 03 (4) Dec 02 (3) Dec 01 (3) Nov 30 (4) Nov 29 (4) Nov 28 (5) Nov 27 (4) Nov 26 (4) Nov 25 (3) Nov 24 (5) Nov 23 (4) Nov 22 (4) Nov 21 (4) Nov 20 (4) Nov 19 (5) Nov 18 (4) Nov 17 (4) Nov 16 (3) Nov 15 (5) Nov 14 (3) Nov 13 (4) Nov 12 (4) Nov 11 (4) Nov 10 (3) Nov 09 (3) Nov 08 (3) Nov 07 (4) Nov 06 (4) Nov 05 (4) Nov 04 (3) Nov 03 (2) Nov 02 (3) Nov 01 (4) Oct 31 (3) Oct 30 (4) Oct 29 (3) Oct 28 (4) Oct 27 (3) Oct 26 (3) Oct 25 (3) Oct 24 (3) Oct 23 (3) Oct 22 (3) Oct 21 (3) Oct 20 (3) Oct 19 (3) Oct 18 (3) Oct 17 (3) Oct 16 (4) Oct 15 (5) Oct 14 (3) Oct 13 (6) Oct 12 (4) Oct 11 (4) Oct 10 (3) Oct 09 (3) Oct 08 (3) Oct 07 (3) Oct 06 (3) Oct 05 (4) Oct 04 (3) Oct 03 (3) Oct 02 (3) Oct 01 (3) Sep 30 (3) Sep 29 (3) Sep 28 (3) Sep 27 (3) Sep 26 (5) Sep 25 (5) Sep 24 (4) Sep 23 (5) Sep 22 (4) Sep 21 (4) Sep 20 (5) Sep 19 (4) Sep 18 (5) Sep 17 (5) Sep 16 (4) Sep 15 (5) Sep 14 (4) Sep 13 (3) Sep 12 (6) Sep 11 (6) Sep 10 (4) Sep 09 (4) Sep 08 (3) Sep 07 (3) Sep 06 (3) Sep 05 (4) Sep 04 (4) Sep 03 (3) Sep 02 (3) Sep 01 (4) Aug 31 (3) Aug 30 (3) Aug 29 (4) Aug 28 (3) Aug 27 (4) Aug 26 (3) Aug 25 (4) Aug 24 (4) Aug 23 (3) Aug 22 (3) Aug 21 (3) Aug 20 (5) Aug 19 (4) Aug 18 (3) Aug 17 (3) Aug 16 (3) Aug 15 (5) Aug 14 (3) Aug 13 (3) Aug 12 (4) Aug 11 (3) Aug 10 (3) Aug 09 (4) Aug 08 (2) Aug 07 (2) Aug 06 (2) Aug 05 (2) Aug 04 (2) Aug 03 (3) Aug 02 (4) Aug 01 (3) Jul 31 (2) Jul 30 (5) Jul 29 (3) Jul 28 (3) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (3) Jul 25 (6) Jul 24 (3) Jul 23 (4) Jul 22 (4) Jul 21 (4) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (4) Jul 18 (4) Jul 17 (4) Jul 16 (4) Jul 15 (5) Jul 14 (3) Jul 13 (4) Jul 12 (4) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (5) Jul 09 (2) Jul 08 (2) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (2) Jul 05 (2) Jul 04 (3) Jul 03 (4) Jul 02 (5) Jul 01 (3) Jun 30 (2) Jun 29 (3) Jun 28 (4) Jun 27 (4) Jun 26 (5) Jun 25 (4) Jun 24 (5) Jun 23 (3) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (2) Jun 20 (4) Jun 19 (3) Jun 18 (3) Jun 17 (1) Jun 16 (5) Jun 15 (5) Jun 14 (2) Jun 13 (5) Jun 12 (4) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (2) Jun 09 (2) Jun 08 (2) Jun 07 (2) Jun 06 (2) Jun 05 (2) Jun 04 (2) Jun 03 (2) Jun 02 (4) Jun 01 (3) May 31 (4) May 30 (5) May 29 (3) May 28 (3) May 27 (3) May 26 (4) May 25 (4) May 24 (2) May 23 (4) May 22 (4) May 21 (5) May 20 (6) May 19 (4) May 18 (3) May 17 (4) May 16 (5) May 15 (6) May 14 (4) May 13 (9) May 12 (4) May 11 (5) May 10 (5) May 09 (4) May 08 (3) May 07 (5) May 06 (3) May 05 (4) May 04 (5) May 03 (1) May 02 (5) May 01 (7) Apr 30 (4) Apr 29 (5) Apr 28 (4) Apr 27 (1) Apr 26 (4) Apr 25 (4) Apr 24 (4) Apr 23 (4) Apr 22 (3) Apr 21 (4) Apr 20 (4) Apr 19 (3) Apr 18 (4) Apr 17 (3) Apr 16 (4) Apr 15 (3) Apr 14 (4) Apr 13 (3) Apr 12 (5) Apr 11 (6) Apr 10 (1) Apr 09 (4) Apr 08 (3) Apr 07 (3) Apr 06 (4) Apr 05 (5) Apr 04 (1) Apr 03 (3) Apr 02 (4) Apr 01 (3) Mar 31 (1) Mar 30 (3) Mar 29 (4) Mar 28 (3) Mar 27 (4) Mar 26 (2) Mar 25 (4) Mar 24 (6) Mar 23 (5) Mar 22 (5) Mar 21 (4) Mar 20 (6) Mar 19 (5) Mar 18 (4) Mar 17 (4) Mar 16 (4) Mar 15 (4) Mar 14 (3) Mar 13 (4) Mar 12 (4) Mar 11 (5) Mar 10 (4) Mar 09 (5) Mar 08 (5) Mar 07 (5) Mar 06 (3) Mar 05 (4) Mar 04 (3) Mar 03 (3) Mar 02 (5) Mar 01 (4) Feb 28 (2) Feb 27 (3) Feb 26 (3) Feb 25 (3) Feb 24 (4) Feb 23 (4) Feb 22 (3) Feb 21 (4) Feb 20 (4) Feb 19 (3) Feb 18 (3) Feb 17 (3) Feb 16 (5) Feb 15 (4) Feb 14 (3) Feb 13 (4) Feb 12 (3) Feb 11 (3) Feb 10 (4) Feb 09 (4) Feb 08 (3) Feb 07 (4) Feb 06 (3) Feb 05 (3) Feb 04 (3) Feb 03 (5) Feb 02 (4) Feb 01 (3) Jan 31 (3) Jan 30 (3) Jan 29 (4) Jan 28 (3) Jan 27 (2) Jan 26 (4) Jan 25 (3) Jan 24 (5) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (4) Jan 21 (3) Jan 20 (3) Jan 19 (6) Jan 18 (4) Jan 17 (3) Jan 16 (4) Jan 15 (3) Jan 14 (4) Jan 13 (3) Jan 12 (6) Jan 11 (4) Jan 10 (4) Jan 09 (3) Jan 08 (4) Jan 07 (3) Jan 06 (4) Jan 05 (3) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (5) Jan 02 (4) Jan 01 (3) Dec 31 (2) Dec 30 (2) Dec 29 (2) Dec 28 (3) Dec 27 (3) Dec 26 (2) Dec 25 (2) Dec 24 (3) Dec 23 (3) Dec 22 (3) Dec 21 (3) Dec 20 (4) Dec 19 (4) Dec 18 (5) Dec 17 (3) Dec 16 (3) Dec 15 (3) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (2) Dec 11 (6) Dec 10 (4) Dec 09 (4) Dec 08 (6) Dec 07 (5) Dec 06 (3) Dec 05 (3) Dec 04 (4) Dec 03 (3) Dec 02 (3) Dec 01 (4) Nov 30 (2) Nov 29 (3) Nov 28 (3) Nov 27 (2) Nov 26 (3) Nov 25 (5) Nov 24 (4) Nov 23 (6) Nov 22 (5) Nov 21 (4) Nov 20 (2) Nov 19 (5) Nov 18 (7) Nov 17 (5) Nov 16 (4) Nov 15 (6) Nov 14 (3) Nov 13 (3) Nov 12 (4) Nov 11 (3) Nov 10 (3) Nov 09 (4) Nov 08 (3) Nov 07 (2) Nov 06 (2) Nov 05 (2) Nov 04 (4) Nov 03 (4) Nov 02 (4) Nov 01 (2) Oct 31 (3) Oct 30 (4) Oct 29 (3) Oct 28 (2) Oct 27 (3) Oct 26 (3) Oct 25 (2) Oct 24 (2) Oct 23 (2) Oct 22 (3) Oct 21 (2) Oct 20 (3) Oct 19 (3) Oct 18 (2) Oct 17 (2) Oct 16 (2) Oct 15 (2) Oct 14 (4) Oct 13 (2) Oct 12 (3) Oct 11 (2) Oct 10 (2) Oct 09 (4) Oct 08 (4) Oct 07 (4) Oct 06 (3) Oct 05 (4) Oct 04 (5) Oct 03 (3) Oct 02 (6) Oct 01 (6) Sep 30 (5) Sep 29 (3) Sep 28 (3) Sep 27 (7) Sep 26 (4) Sep 25 (3) Sep 24 (5) Sep 23 (8) Sep 22 (3) Sep 21 (3) Sep 20 (6) Sep 19 (3) Sep 18 (3) Sep 17 (5) Sep 16 (7) Sep 15 (3) Sep 14 (4) Sep 13 (3) Sep 12 (5) Sep 11 (5) Sep 10 (5) Sep 09 (7) Sep 08 (5) Sep 07 (2) Sep 06 (7) Sep 05 (4) Sep 04 (4) Sep 03 (2) Sep 02 (2) Sep 01 (2) Aug 31 (3) Aug 30 (3) Aug 29 (3) Aug 28 (3) Aug 27 (3) Aug 26 (4) Aug 25 (3) Aug 24 (3) Aug 23 (3) Aug 22 (4) Aug 21 (4) Aug 20 (4) Aug 19 (4) Aug 18 (3) Aug 17 (2) Aug 16 (2) Aug 15 (5) Aug 14 (3) Aug 13 (5) Aug 12 (10) Aug 11 (5) Aug 10 (4) Aug 09 (5) Aug 08 (3) Aug 07 (4) Aug 06 (6) Aug 05 (5) Aug 04 (5) Aug 03 (3) Aug 02 (5) Aug 01 (7) Jul 31 (5) Jul 30 (5) Jul 29 (4) Jul 28 (3) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (5) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (5) Jul 23 (5) Jul 22 (7) Jul 21 (5) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (5) Jul 18 (6) Jul 17 (5) Jul 16 (5) Jul 15 (6) Jul 14 (4) Jul 13 (3) Jul 12 (2) Jul 11 (2) Jul 10 (2) Jul 09 (2) Jul 08 (2) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (2) Jul 05 (2) Jul 04 (4) Jul 03 (3) Jul 02 (2) Jul 01 (8) Jun 30 (6) Jun 29 (4) Jun 28 (6) Jun 27 (6) Jun 26 (6) Jun 25 (6) Jun 24 (6) Jun 23 (4) Jun 22 (4) Jun 21 (5) Jun 20 (4) Jun 19 (5) Jun 18 (8) Jun 17 (6) Jun 16 (5) Jun 15 (5) Jun 14 (5) Jun 13 (4) Jun 12 (4) Jun 11 (6) Jun 10 (4) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (5) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (3) Jun 05 (3) Jun 04 (3) Jun 03 (3) Jun 02 (3) Jun 01 (4) May 31 (2) May 30 (2) May 29 (2) May 28 (2) May 27 (4) May 26 (4) May 25 (3) May 24 (2) May 23 (2) May 22 (3) May 21 (5) May 20 (4) May 19 (2) May 18 (3) May 17 (3) May 16 (3) May 15 (4) May 14 (5) May 13 (3) May 12 (4) May 11 (3) May 10 (4) May 09 (4) May 08 (4) May 07 (3) May 06 (2) May 05 (3) May 04 (4) May 03 (2) May 02 (3) May 01 (3) Apr 30 (3) Apr 29 (4) Apr 28 (2) Apr 27 (3) Apr 26 (4) Apr 25 (2) Apr 24 (3) Apr 23 (2) Apr 22 (2) Apr 21 (4) Apr 20 (4) Apr 19 (5) Apr 18 (7) Apr 17 (6) Apr 16 (10) Apr 15 (5) Apr 14 (3) Apr 13 (4) Apr 12 (5) Apr 11 (4) Apr 10 (4) Apr 09 (7) Apr 08 (4) Apr 07 (7) Apr 06 (4) Apr 05 (7) Apr 04 (5) Apr 03 (4) Apr 02 (5) Apr 01 (5) Mar 31 (5) Mar 30 (5) Mar 29 (7) Mar 28 (6) Mar 27 (5) Mar 26 (5) Mar 25 (6) Mar 24 (5) Mar 23 (5) Mar 22 (5) Mar 21 (4) Mar 20 (3) Mar 19 (6) Mar 18 (6) Mar 17 (2) Mar 16 (4) Mar 15 (5) Mar 14 (4) Mar 13 (5) Mar 12 (5) Mar 11 (4) Mar 10 (4) Mar 09 (2) Mar 08 (5) Mar 07 (4) Mar 06 (3) Mar 05 (4) Mar 04 (6) Mar 03 (4) Mar 02 (4) Mar 01 (5) Feb 28 (6) Feb 27 (4) Feb 26 (4) Feb 25 (6) Feb 24 (2) Feb 23 (3) Feb 22 (4) Feb 21 (6) Feb 20 (2) Feb 19 (6) Feb 18 (4) Feb 17 (2) Feb 16 (3) Feb 15 (6) Feb 14 (6) Feb 13 (6) Feb 12 (9) Feb 11 (5) Feb 10 (3) Feb 09 (4) Feb 08 (4) Feb 07 (7) Feb 06 (3) Feb 05 (4) Feb 04 (5) Feb 03 (4) Feb 02 (3) Feb 01 (3) Jan 31 (4) Jan 30 (4) Jan 29 (3) Jan 28 (2) Jan 27 (2) Jan 26 (3) Jan 25 (4) Jan 24 (4) Jan 23 (2) Jan 22 (2) Jan 21 (5) Jan 20 (4) Jan 19 (5) Jan 18 (4) Jan 17 (4) Jan 16 (3) Jan 15 (4) Jan 14 (3) Jan 13 (3) Jan 12 (3) Jan 11 (2) Jan 10 (8) Jan 09 (6) Jan 08 (2) Jan 07 (2) Jan 06 (3) Jan 05 (2) Jan 04 (2) Jan 03 (2) Jan 02 (2) Jan 01 (2) Dec 31 (2) Dec 30 (3) Dec 29 (3) Dec 28 (3) Dec 27 (2) Dec 26 (2) Dec 25 (2) Dec 24 (2) Dec 23 (2) Dec 22 (2) Dec 21 (2) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (2) Dec 18 (3) Dec 17 (2) Dec 16 (2) Dec 15 (3) Dec 14 (2) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (3) Dec 11 (3) Dec 10 (5) Dec 09 (3) Dec 08 (3) Dec 07 (2) Dec 06 (3) Dec 05 (3) Dec 04 (5) Dec 03 (4) Dec 02 (3) Dec 01 (3) Nov 30 (4) Nov 29 (4) Nov 28 (2) Nov 27 (2) Nov 26 (2) Nov 25 (3) Nov 24 (2) Nov 23 (2) Nov 22 (2) Nov 21 (2) Nov 20 (3) Nov 19 (3) Nov 18 (2) Nov 17 (2) Nov 16 (5) Nov 15 (5) Nov 14 (4) Nov 13 (2) Nov 12 (2) Nov 11 (2) Nov 10 (2) Nov 09 (2) Nov 08 (2) Nov 07 (3) Nov 06 (6) Nov 05 (4) Nov 04 (5) Nov 03 (5) Nov 02 (3) Nov 01 (5) Oct 31 (7) Oct 30 (5) Oct 29 (4) Oct 28 (3) Oct 27 (2) Oct 26 (4) Oct 25 (4) Oct 24 (4) Oct 23 (4) Oct 22 (3) Oct 21 (2) Oct 20 (3) Oct 19 (2) Oct 18 (2) Oct 17 (3) Oct 16 (5) Oct 15 (4) Oct 14 (2) Oct 13 (2) Oct 12 (4) Oct 11 (5) Oct 10 (4) Oct 09 (3) Oct 08 (3) Oct 07 (3) Oct 06 (2) Oct 05 (5) Oct 04 (5) Oct 03 (4) Oct 02 (4) Oct 01 (5) Sep 30 (2) Sep 29 (2) Sep 28 (3) Sep 27 (6) Sep 26 (2) Sep 25 (3) Sep 24 (3) Sep 23 (2) Sep 22 (2) Sep 21 (2) Sep 20 (2) Sep 19 (3) Sep 18 (3) Sep 17 (3) Sep 16 (2) Sep 15 (4) Sep 14 (3) Sep 13 (5) Sep 12 (4) Sep 11 (6) Sep 10 (2) Sep 09 (5) Sep 08 (5) Sep 07 (5) Sep 06 (4) Sep 05 (4) Sep 04 (3) Sep 03 (2) Sep 02 (3) Sep 01 (3) Aug 31 (2) Aug 30 (2) Aug 29 (3) Aug 28 (6) Aug 27 (3) Aug 26 (2) Aug 25 (2) Aug 24 (3) Aug 23 (2) Aug 22 (3) Aug 21 (5) Aug 20 (4) Aug 19 (3) Aug 18 (2) Aug 17 (5) Aug 16 (3) Aug 15 (4) Aug 14 (5) Aug 13 (2) Aug 12 (2) Aug 11 (2) Aug 10 (2) Aug 09 (2) Aug 08 (5) Aug 07 (5) Aug 06 (6) Aug 05 (2) Aug 04 (5) Aug 03 (2) Aug 02 (3) Aug 01 (2) Jul 31 (4) Jul 30 (2) Jul 29 (2) Jul 28 (2) Jul 27 (2) Jul 26 (3) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (2) Jul 23 (3) Jul 22 (2) Jul 21 (3) Jul 20 (4) Jul 19 (2) Jul 18 (3) Jul 17 (4) Jul 16 (5) Jul 15 (2) Jul 14 (3) Jul 13 (2) Jul 12 (3) Jul 11 (2) Jul 10 (2) Jul 09 (2) Jul 08 (2) Jul 07 (2) Jul 06 (2) Jul 05 (2) Jul 04 (2) Jul 03 (2) Jul 02 (2) Jul 01 (3) Jun 30 (3) Jun 29 (7) Jun 28 (3) Jun 27 (2) Jun 26 (3) Jun 25 (1) Jun 24 (2) Jun 23 (3) Jun 22 (5) Jun 21 (3) Jun 20 (2) Jun 19 (2) Jun 18 (2) Jun 17 (2) Jun 16 (2) Jun 15 (2) Jun 14 (2) Jun 13 (3) Jun 12 (3) Jun 11 (3) Jun 10 (2) Jun 09 (4) Jun 08 (2) Jun 07 (4) Jun 06 (5) Jun 05 (3) Jun 04 (3) Jun 03 (2) Jun 02 (2) Jun 01 (4) May 31 (2) May 30 (3) May 29 (3) May 28 (3) May 27 (2) May 26 (2) May 25 (2) May 24 (2) May 23 (2) May 22 (3) May 21 (3) May 20 (2) May 19 (2) May 18 (4) May 17 (7) May 16 (2) May 15 (3) May 14 (4) May 13 (3) May 12 (4) May 11 (4) May 10 (4) May 09 (3) May 08 (2) May 07 (2) May 06 (2) May 05 (1) May 04 (2) May 03 (4) May 02 (3) May 01 (4) Apr 30 (1) Apr 29 (3) Apr 28 (2) Apr 27 (3) Apr 26 (2) Apr 25 (2) Apr 24 (4) Apr 23 (2) Apr 22 (2) Apr 21 (2) Apr 20 (3) Apr 19 (3) Apr 18 (4) Apr 17 (5) Apr 16 (4) Apr 15 (4) Apr 14 (3) Apr 13 (3) Apr 12 (3) Apr 11 (3) Apr 10 (4) Apr 09 (4) Apr 08 (3) Apr 07 (2) Apr 06 (3) Apr 05 (3) Apr 04 (1) Apr 03 (1) Apr 02 (1) Apr 01 (2) Mar 31 (2) Mar 30 (3) Mar 29 (2) Mar 28 (3) Mar 27 (3) Mar 26 (3) Mar 25 (3) Mar 24 (2) Mar 23 (3) Mar 22 (3) Mar 21 (4) Mar 20 (2) Mar 19 (3) Mar 18 (1) Mar 17 (2) Mar 16 (2) Mar 15 (1) Mar 14 (3) Mar 13 (1) Mar 12 (2) Mar 11 (1) Mar 10 (3) Mar 09 (2) Mar 08 (1) Mar 07 (1) Mar 04 (2) Mar 02 (2) Feb 28 (1) Feb 24 (1) Dec 31 (4) Dec 30 (4) Dec 29 (4) Dec 28 (5) Dec 27 (3) Dec 26 (3) Dec 25 (4) Dec 24 (3) Dec 23 (3) Dec 22 (4) Dec 21 (3) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (3) Dec 18 (3) Dec 17 (3) Dec 16 (3) Dec 15 (3) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (3) Dec 11 (3) Dec 10 (3) Dec 09 (3) Dec 08 (3) Dec 07 (3) Dec 06 (3) Dec 05 (3) Dec 04 (3) Dec 03 (4) Dec 02 (3) Dec 01 (3) Nov 30 (3) Nov 29 (3) Nov 28 (3) Nov 27 (3) Nov 26 (3) Nov 25 (3) Nov 24 (3) Nov 23 (3) Nov 22 (3) Nov 21 (3) Nov 20 (3) Nov 19 (3) Nov 18 (3) Nov 17 (3) Nov 16 (2) Nov 15 (3) Nov 14 (3) Nov 13 (3) Nov 12 (4) Nov 11 (3) Nov 10 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(3) Feb 09 (3) Feb 08 (3) Feb 07 (4) Feb 06 (3) Feb 05 (3) Feb 04 (4) Feb 03 (4) Feb 02 (4) Feb 01 (4) Jan 31 (3) Jan 30 (3) Jan 29 (3) Jan 28 (5) Jan 27 (4) Jan 26 (5) Jan 25 (5) Jan 24 (5) Jan 23 (4) Jan 22 (3) Jan 21 (4) Jan 20 (3) Jan 19 (5) Jan 18 (5) Jan 17 (4) Jan 16 (3) Jan 15 (4) Jan 14 (3) Jan 13 (5) Jan 12 (5) Jan 11 (4) Jan 10 (4) Jan 09 (3) Jan 08 (3) Jan 07 (3) Jan 06 (3) Jan 05 (3) Jan 04 (4) Jan 03 (3) Jan 02 (3) Jan 01 (4) Dec 31 (3) Dec 30 (3) Dec 29 (3) Dec 28 (3) Dec 27 (3) Dec 26 (3) Dec 25 (3) Dec 24 (3) Dec 23 (4) Dec 22 (3) Dec 21 (3) Dec 20 (3) Dec 19 (3) Dec 18 (3) Dec 17 (3) Dec 16 (4) Dec 15 (3) Dec 14 (3) Dec 13 (3) Dec 12 (3) Dec 11 (4) Dec 10 (3) Dec 09 (3) Dec 08 (3) Dec 07 (3) Dec 06 (4) Dec 05 (3) Dec 04 (3) Dec 03 (3) Dec 02 (3) Dec 01 (3) Nov 30 (3) Nov 29 (3) Nov 28 (3) Nov 27 (3) Nov 26 (3) Nov 25 (3) Nov 24 (4) Nov 23 (6) Nov 22 (4) Nov 21 (5) Nov 20 (4) Nov 19 (4) Nov 18 (4) Nov 17 (4) Nov 16 (3) Nov 15 (2) Nov 14 (3) Nov 13 (3) Nov 12 (2) Nov 11 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(1) Aug 03 (2) Aug 01 (1) Jul 31 (2) Jul 30 (1) Jul 29 (4) Jul 28 (2) Jul 27 (3) Jul 26 (1) Jul 25 (4) Jul 24 (2) Jul 23 (2) Jul 22 (3) Jul 21 (1) Jul 20 (3) Jul 19 (2) Jul 18 (2) Jul 16 (3) Jul 15 (1) Jul 13 (2) Jul 12 (1) Jul 11 (2) Jul 09 (5) Jul 08 (1) Jul 07 (1) Jul 05 (2) Jul 04 (1) Jul 03 (2) Jul 01 (1) Jun 30 (1) Jun 29 (2) Jun 28 (2) Jun 27 (2) Jun 25 (2) Jun 24 (1) Jun 23 (2) Jun 22 (2) Jun 20 (1) Jun 17 (4) Jun 16 (1) Jun 15 (1) Jun 14 (3) Jun 12 (1) Jun 11 (1) Jun 08 (1) Jun 07 (1) Jun 05 (1) Jun 04 (1) Jun 03 (1) Jun 01 (1) May 31 (1) May 27 (2) May 25 (2) May 24 (1) May 23 (2) May 22 (1) May 21 (1) May 20 (2) May 19 (1) May 18 (1) May 17 (2) May 14 (1) May 13 (1) May 11 (2) May 10 (2) May 09 (1) May 07 (2) May 06 (1) May 05 (1) May 04 (1) May 03 (3) May 02 (1) May 01 (1) Apr 29 (1) Apr 28 (1) Apr 27 (1) Apr 25 (2) Apr 24 (3) Apr 23 (1) Apr 22 (2) Apr 21 (2) Apr 20 (1) Apr 19 (2) Apr 17 (1) Apr 15 (1) Apr 13 (1) Apr 10 (2) Apr 08 (1) Apr 07 (1) Apr 06 (3) Apr 05 (3) Apr 03 (1) Apr 02 (1) Apr 01 (2) Mar 31 (2) Mar 30 (1) Mar 29 (1) Mar 28 (1) Mar 25 (1) Mar 24 (1) Mar 22 (2) Mar 21 (1) Mar 20 (1) Mar 18 (1) Mar 17 (2) Mar 16 (1) Mar 14 (2) Mar 13 (4) Mar 12 (1) Mar 11 (1) Mar 10 (1) Mar 06 (4) Mar 05 (1) Mar 04 (1) Mar 03 (2) Mar 02 (2) Mar 01 (2) Feb 28 (2) Feb 27 (1) Feb 26 (1) Feb 25 (1) Feb 23 (2) Feb 19 (2) Feb 13 (1) Feb 12 (1) Feb 02 (1) Jan 31 (1) Jan 22 (1) Jan 18 (1) Jan 16 (1) Jan 09 (1) Jan 01 (1) Dec 20 (2) Dec 15 (1) Dec 13 (1) Dec 11 (1) Nov 30 (1) Nov 27 (1) Nov 20 (1) Nov 11 (1) Nov 10 (1) Oct 23 (1) Oct 20 (1) Oct 01 (1) Sep 30 (1) Sep 29 (1) Sep 24 (2) Sep 15 (1) Sep 13 (1) Sep 12 (1) Sep 08 (1) Sep 02 (2) Aug 31 (1) Aug 28 (1) Aug 27 (2) Aug 24 (1) Aug 21 (1) Aug 20 (1) Aug 18 (3) Aug 16 (1) Aug 15 (1) Aug 14 (1) Aug 11 (1) Aug 08 (1) Aug 07 (1) Aug 03 (1) Jul 27 (1) Jul 26 (1) Jul 24 (1) Jul 22 (1) Jul 21 (1) Jul 19 (1) Jul 15 (1) Jul 14 (1) Jul 13 (3) Jul 10 (1) Jul 08 (2) Jul 07 (1) Jul 06 (1) Jul 03 (1) Jul 01 (1) Jun 28 (1) Jun 24 (2) Jun 20 (1) Jun 19 (1) Jun 18 (1) Jun 15 (1) Jun 14 (2) Jun 11 (1) Jun 09 (3) Jun 08 (1) Jun 07 (1) Jun 06 (1) Jun 04 (2) Jun 03 (1) Jun 02 (2) Jun 01 (1) May 31 (3) May 30 (1) May 29 (1) May 28 (2) May 26 (1) May 25 (1) May 18 (1) May 17 (1) May 15 (1) May 09 (1) May 07 (2) May 02 (1) May 01 (1) Apr 30 (1) Apr 27 (1) Apr 26 (2) Apr 23 (1) Apr 22 (1) Apr 19 (1) Apr 18 (1) Apr 12 (1) Apr 11 (1) Apr 09 (1) Apr 07 (1) Apr 05 (1) Apr 01 (1) Mar 30 (1) Mar 27 (1) Mar 25 (1) Mar 22 (2) Mar 19 (1) Mar 18 (1) Mar 16 (1) Mar 15 (2) Mar 13 (1) Mar 12 (1) Mar 11 (1) Mar 10 (1) Sunday, April 28, 2019 Guest blogger: Marina Garcia, Masters in Migration Studies, graduate student, University of San Francisco During my visit to Tijuana, as a volunteer for the Border Rights Project, I found myself saying al otro lado several times a day. From asking migrants if they had been to the organizational hub that provides support for asylum seekers, to looking into a four-year-olds eyes as she hung onto me while her mother loaded their belongings onto a truck that would transport them to the other side. Alli voy a estar, I assured her, as I pointed to the iron gate where I would soon be waving goodbye through the white columns. These conversations and experiences are from my time accompanying migrants at El Chaparral, the border crossing in Tijuana named after the ecosystem of entangled and impenetrable shrubs found in the arid desert Mexico shares with the U.S. At El Chaparral, I witnessed our governments immigration policies at work with the cooperation of the Mexican government. Policies that dehumanize those fleeing persecution and deplorable conditions in their countries. Asylum seekers are corralled through a caution-tape lined aisle in order to be placed on La Lista a list maintained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Grupos Beta the humanitarian arm of the National Migration Institute (INM) in Mexico. Through this system, asylum seekers are handed a tiny piece of paper with a hand-written four-digit number that they must retain as they wait several weeks and even months before they are able to cross the border and exercise their right to seek asylum in the U.S. Asylum seekers have virtually no information about their assigned number. They do not know where they are in the process, when their number might be called, or how many numbers are called each day. When asked questions about the process by migrants, I observed Grupos Beta officials say sternly, De la lista no les vamos a dar informacion./We will not give you information about the list. Each morning at the site was extremely cold and migrants would arrive with their entire families, including infants and young children, at dawn and with all of their belongings in case their number might be called that day. Lists like the one in use at El Chaparral exist across the U.S.-MX border and subject migrants to a system that is entangled in rumor and speculation that circulate every minute. This system opaque and discouraging by design is as impenetrable as the desert chaparrals that thousands of migrants attempt to cross on their arduous journey to this country. We too, should feel challenged by the entanglement of illegality and cruelty, also meant to discourage us from looking too closely. As advocates, we must examine and expose the twisted injustices at the core of these policies. Al Otro Lado is doing just that, through fearless advocacy and innovative organizing. Staff and volunteers work on the ground through collaborative, binational efforts that challenge inhumane policies like metering at the border, the remain in Mexico law, and the arbitrary rejection of unaccompanied asylum seeking children at U.S. ports of entry. The Border Rights Project works with a network of more than 1000 volunteers (a number that grows each day) to provide medical attention and legal orientation to asylum seekers stuck in this illogical system. Volunteers document and respond to human rights violations in Tijuana, and prepare asylum seekers for what to expect al otro lado. Al otro lado - on the other side. Back home now, I find myself on the other side of this experience, reflecting on my time at a border reinforced to divide families like my own. Watching waves churn the earth on the coast, I consider my own fluidity - the privilege I have to move from one side to the other, and to thrive on both. In Tijuana, I gazed through giant metal pillars and saw my life al otro lado - absorbed by the columns that divide and obstruct until the clear ocean takes over. Juxtaposed with the beauty of the open sea, I saw the ugliness of a barricaded border militarized to suppress human agency and mobility. I witnessed the hostility of enforcement measures used to deny human beings the right to seek protection. Asylum seekers are arriving at the border of our country the most powerful nation in the world. A country that is largely responsible for the conditions they are fleeing - seeking dignity, survival, and dreaming of a better life on the other side. Instead, they are forced to remain inside holding cells that are cold as ice - hieleras that are meant to discourage them from seeking asylum. No va funcionar/It wont work, a group of Nicaraguan migrants told me as I explained this function. When you look into the eyes and speak to asylum seekers on cualquier lado, you face resilience. Seguimos adelante./We continue forward, they repeated. Despite their taxing journey and the orientation to what lies ahead, people I met held on to their faith in destiny. Asylum seekers I encounter are keenly aware of their rights as human beings to do all they can to survive and seek a dignified life for themselves and their families. Even children recognize that the barriers they confront can and should be overcome through movement - moving across borders and transcending structures meant to repress their growth. Creciendo sin duda - growing in ways that are unimaginable to those who have not experienced such repression. As I stood with a radiant teenager from Chiapas, we spoke about music and struggle. She told me about the reasons she was fleeing with her father, what they had encountered in transit, and when this all weighed too heavily, we quickly shifted topics and bonded over our love for music. I felt as if I was speaking to another adult but she was fifteen-years-old - a quinceanera traveling with her papa, shy about changing into the warm clothes I handed her in preparation for the hielera. I stood with her for some time; our eyes locked when I began to explain why the thickest layer needs to touch her skin and why we need to write her fathers information on her arm with sharpie in case they are forced apart. No lo entiendo, she said, staring into my eyes awaiting an explanation for the cruelty. Yo tampoco lo entiendo, I said, shaking my head with shame and disappointment for not being able to explain these methods of enforcement - designed to keep her and her father out. It reminded me of the confusion Im met with on the other side porque nos tratan asi, como criminales?/Why do they treat us like that, like criminals? Tampoco lo entiendo - I dont understand these policies my own countrys policies and I find that I can only do my small part to shine light on the injustice of it all. bh https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2019/04/on-the-other-side.html Sunday, April 28, 2019 Guest blogger: Pamela Baez, Masters in Migration Studies, graduate student, University of San Francisco: The way I have been treated makes me feel like trash said an 11 year old boy to NBCnews for his experience after being separated from his mother at the Southern Border. A 7 year old girl from Guatemala named Jakelin Caal died after being apprehended by the border patrol. Felipe Gomez Alonso died at the age of 8 due to a fever and vomiting. After 2014, the number of Unaccompanied Children crossing the Southern border began to increase rapidly. The United States believed the best solution was to fund or create more detention centers. From the apprehension of children and adults at the border to their experience in a detention center it continues to shape and affect the lives of undocumented people physically and emotionally by creating a CRISIS. Throughout the years many states, non-profits, families, lawyers, activists and more continue to unite to help the immigrants arriving to the U.S. One of the states that continues to support undocumented immigrants is California. In 2017, the state of California approved The Dignity Not Detention Act. Kemi Bello explains, The bill also prohibits cities or counties from entering into new, or modifying existing, contracts with private prison companies for the purposes of expanding immigration detention. This act and the harsh conditions immigrants are undergoing has contributed to the closure of some detention centers in California. Even though detention centers are being used as a profit for the government of the United States, California wants to continue protecting and helping immigrants. I believe this is not just a HUMANITARIAN act but also a RIGHT. Two of the counties that have ended contracts with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement in California have been Contra Costa and now Sacramento. For instant, Adelanto is one of the largest immigration detention facility in San Bernardino, California. With the support of many different activists speaking up about the conditions inside the center now they have ended its contract with ICE. Although some have shut down there are still many that remain open and have renewed their contracts with ICE such as Mesa Verde in Bakersfield. Currently the main concern with centers being closed is how this will affect the immigrants. When a facility closes the detainees can be transferred to another center, but not always. Many undocumented people get deported as well. I believe the closure of these centers are necessary because it is a human right VIOLATION. There are other measures that can be taken when a facility closes. For example, they should have the right of being reunited with their sponsor. Undocumented people are not criminals. They are humans running away from natural disasters, persecution, family reunification and more. A misdemeanor should not define a person as a whole. One detention center is traumatizing enough. Lauren-Brooke Eisen demonstrates in her book titled Inside Private Prisons: An American Dilemma in the Age of Mass Incarceration how the business of detention centers might not end anytime soon. Many different media outlets have reported that ICE has estimately provided $800 million dollars to private detention facilities around the United States. This is why I want to highlight California and how this act has helped contribute to the closure of some facilities. I believe through the power of UNITY as a community great movements can occur. bh https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/immigration/2019/04/the-closure-of-detention-centers-in-california.html Anecdotal reports suggest that both the United States and China are increasing restrictions on travel by educators between the countries. Some experts worry about the effect those actions could have on understanding between the world's two largest economies. In recent weeks, news media have reported on how some professors and researchers learned they would no longer be able to travel freely between the two countries. These academics have been making such trips for many years, but are no longer permitted to do so. One Chinese scholar was stopped by U.S. federal agents at Los Angeles International Airport in January as he prepared to return to Beijing. The New York Times reported that the agents took his passport. Then the officials cancelled the 10-year visa that he had used to travel freely between the countries. Michael Pillsbury works for the Hudson Institute and has advised the Trump administration on China policy. He completed a visa request so he could attend a conference in Beijing. Last week, he told the Axios website that the Chinese embassy in Washington delayed action on his visa for so long that he was unable to attend. There are no available records that show exactly how many Chinese and U.S. academics have been denied visas in the recent past. But people who study relations between the countries claim the rate of denials has risen sharply. David Shambaugh is director of the China Policy Programme at George Washington University. He wrote in The South China Morning Post that limiting academic exchanges can only hurt both countries. Understanding each other "This kind of tit-for-tat action is a race to the bottom, only hurts both sides and adds to mutual suspicions," he said. "Both governments should depoliticize scholarly visas and allow unfettered academic exchanges between the two countries so as to contribute to scholarly research and enhance mutual understanding." Visa denials are not a new thing for either country, but in the past, most of the denials have been one-way. China has long barred scholars from visiting the country when they have written books critical of the Chinese Communist Party. This time, however, the push for more visa denials appears to be coming from the U.S. government. U.S. officials worry about the Chinese government's power to force non-government officials into gathering information for its own state intelligence services. Telecommunications worries Other U.S. officials have raised similar national security concerns about the use of telecommunications equipment made by Chinese companies. Chinese law requires companies operating in China to help when government intelligence services asked them to do so. That leads U.S. officials to be concerned that Chinese equipment could be made to create hidden ways to control computers in the United States. If those computers were at power or water treatment stations, the results could be disastrous. There have already been cases of industrial spying and intellectual property theft by Chinese companies. There appears to be concern among U.S. officials that the attacks could expand into other areas. Recently, the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center confirmed that it had dismissed two Chinese researchers and were planning to dismiss a third person. The move followed an investigation that suggested they had been involved in efforts to steal records related to government-supported research. The dismissals come several months after the National Institutes of Health (NIH) gave a warning to U.S. biomedical researchers. It warned about Chinese nationals stealing information and sometimes going so far as to set up "shadow laboratories" in their home country to copy protected research methods. The NIH has said there are many ongoing investigations around the country into activities like those that ended in the dismissals at the University of Texas. Some experts worry that the number of people and organizations that are prevented from traveling between the U.S. and China will keep increasing. Stuart Anderson is the executive director of the National Foundation for American Policy. He told VOA he worries that the visa denials are only the latest step down a dangerous path -- one that could have a bad effect on the U.S. economy. If the U.S. government prevents more and more individuals and industries from entering the country, he said, fewer foreign companies will try to do business here. He said that would be a result the government did not plan or want. But not everyone feels the situation is hopeless. Pillsbury, the Trump administration China advisor, told VOA that he thinks things will improve. "I'm optimistic [the] Chinese government will eventually give me another visa," he said. "I visited China five times in the last two years. I have many friends in China. There are more conferences to attend this year, so I think there should be a ceasefire in the visa war." Each country needs its scholars to be able to travel. Im Jill Robbins. Rob Garver reported on this story for VOA News. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. __________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story anecdotal adj. based on unscientific reports or observations tit-for-tat n. a situation in which you do something to harm someone who has done something harmful to you depoliticize - v. to change (something) so that it is no longer influenced or controlled by politics unfettered adj. to loosen up; to free or release enhance v. to build up or improve intellectual property - n. something (such as an idea, invention, or process) that comes from a person's mind implement - v. to begin to do or use something, such as a plan What do you think of the idea of limiting academic exchanges? Write to us in the Comments Section. It was after Mohib Ullah scored his first political victories that the death threats began for real. On a recent morning, the Rohingya refugee spoke with Reuters in the Bangladesh camp where he lives. He read the latest warning, sent over the WhatsApp messaging app. Mohib Ullah is a virus of the community, he read. Kill him wherever he is found. The 44-year-old leads the largest of several community groups that have formed since more than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims sought refuge in Bangladesh. They fled to escape a campaign of severe attacks by Myanmars military beginning in August 2017. Myanmars government has ordered increasingly severe restrictions against the minority ethnic group for many years, including denying them citizenship. A new civil society is growing among the Rohingya in the refugee camps in Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar area. Some refugee campaigners are seeking justice for reported violence in Myanmar. A small group of women are working for increased rights for females. Others are simply working to improve life in the settlement that is now home to more than 900,000 people. But several refugees told Reuters reporters that, along with the political awakening, violence has increased at the camps. They say militants and religious conservatives are competing for power. The refugees describe increasing fear in the camps, where armed men have raided shelters at night, kidnapped critics and warned women against violating conservative Islamic traditions. The Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, or ARSA, is active in the camps, refugees say. So are several other armed groups. ARSA is also known as Harakah al-Yaqin -- the movement of faith. In the daytime, the al-Yaqin guys become normal people, said one young woman, who, like other refugees, requested not to be identified for her safety. But at night," she said, "its like they have a kind of magical power. Talks and threats Reuters spoke with UN employees, diplomats, Bangladeshi officials and researchers about the forces competing for influence in the worlds largest refugee settlement. Some are hopeful that the stateless Rohingya are beginning to find political expression. However, there are also fears. Officials worry that a turn to violence could make solving the refugee crisis through talks impossible. Refugee camps in many parts of the world are becoming recruitment grounds for terrorists, said Mozammel Haque, the head of Bangladeshs cabinet committee on law and order. He said if this happens, it would affect Bangladesh and nearby countries. Myanmar government spokesman Zaw Htay did not answer calls seeking comment. Zaw Htay said during a press conference in January that Myanmar had protested to Bangladesh over what he said were ARSA bases inside Bangladesh. The front line in the struggle for the Rohingyas future are the bamboo structures where refugees take shelter from the heat and dust. In the office of his group, the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights (ARSPH), Mohib Ullah holds an open meeting each morning. ARSPH has documented reported atrocities the Rohingya suffered in Myanmar. Mohib Ullah went from home to home to try to get a count of the killings, rapes and fires. He shared the information he gathered with international investigators. ARSPH says its main goal is to get Rohingya involved in international talks on their future. But not everyone agrees with the group's methods. Some refugees argue for a stronger position in talks about how the refugees might return to Myanmar. We are flexible, we want to negotiate, said a senior leader of ARSPH, who asked not be identified. But we fear we may be harmed because of this. ARSA is among ARSPHs opponents, that leader said. Night terrors Bangladeshi security forces guard the outside of the camps to stop refugees from leaving. But violent men run the crowded camps inside, especially at night, refugees told Reuters. In some parts of the camps, those men claim ties to ARSA, said more than six refugees. United Nations officials and other workers watching the groups activities say it is unclear how many of those men are under orders from the groups leadership. But some of them reportedly have asked wealthier refugees and shopkeepers to pay taxes. They say the money will be used to fight back in Myanmar, refugees said. One refugee who volunteers as an aid worker in the camps told Reuters he witnessed a kidnapping in January by men he believed belong to ARSA. Men with wooden sticks moved quickly into one area of the camp and took away a man who had refused to attend one of ARSA's meetings, he said. They just carried him off like a goat to the slaughter. Reuters was unable to confirm the reported incident or find out what happened to the man. Reuters was unable to reach ARSA for comment. Police have recorded a rise in violence in the camps in recent months, said Iqbal Hossain, a police official in Coxs Bazar. So far we have not found any link to any militant groups, said Hossain. He added that there were only 992 officers deployed to the camps. Reuters also asked the UN refugee agency about reports of ARSA involvement in the violence. The agency noted police reports that found most violence and threats in the camps were carried out by what they called criminal elements or related to personal vendettas. You didnt listen Myanmar government media said ARSA launched three attacks across the border in Myanmar early this year. In February, ARSA promised to continue its armed campaign. ARSA propaganda shows the group as ethnic freedom fighters and does not suggest a position on religious tradition. But some refugees -- and a report by an international non-governmental organization -- say ARSA members and Islamic leaders push for extremely conservative religious behavior. Four women told Reuters they had received threats for going out to work for aid groups in the camps. Many women with jobs in the camps are experiencing paid employment for the first time in their lives. Mohammed Kamruzzaman is an education specialist with the aid group BRAC. He told Reuters that 150 of its female teachers had stopped coming to work in January after receiving or hearing about violent threats. I'm Caty Weaver. And I'm Ashley Thompson. Reuters News Agency reported this story. Caty Weaver adapted it for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story magical - adj. related to having a special power, influence, or skill flexible - adj. able to change or to do different things slaughter - n. the act of killing animals for their meat vendetta - n. a very long and violent fight between two families or groups recruitment - n. the act of finding suitable people and getting them to join a company, an organization, the armed forces, etc. front line - n. the most important and active position in a job or field of activity bamboo - n. a tall plant with hard hollow stems that are used for building and to make furniture, tools, etc. atrocity - n. a very cruel or terrible act or action Wherever Japans ruling family goes, you will find Fumiko Shirataki -- in summer heat and winter cold, to the ocean and to the mountains. The only times Shirataki does not go are when it snows or rains too hard. You cant get good pictures then - and if the camera lens gets wet, it might get damaged. I really worry about that, she says. For the past 26 years, Shirataki has followed and taken pictures of Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko and especially Crown Princess Masako. As soon as I know their plans, Ill be there - though its hard if I only find out the night before, she told the Reuters news agency. Shirataki loves following the royal family. This custom is called okkake in Japan. She began in 1993, when she followed then-Masako Owada, before her marriage to Crown Prince Naruhito. Shirataki, now age 78, remembers that, in the beginning, she had trouble taking good pictures. I wasnt used to carrying such a heavy camera, so Id shoot the tires, or the back seat, or the driver, she said at her home in Kawasaki, near Tokyo. On the wall hangs a photo of Masako and an Imperial Family calendar. But now she has gotten better at photography, and her house is filled with a huge number of photos. She cannot count them. After all, its been 26 years, she said. Shirataki will not say how she and others learn about where royal family members will be. But once she has the details, she loads her things, takes a folding chair and a rice ball to eat, and leaves the house. They know our faces by now, so when we raise the cameras I guess they think here they are and they face towards us and wave, said Shirataki. Most Japanese who chase after the royals are female. They say their main interest is the royal women and their clothes. Shirataki has a part-time job at a car dealership and does have free time to take photos. Up until recently, her husband was still working, but he died two years ago. Now she cannot spend as much time on photography. Id spend five or six days a week at this, but now I have to work, she said. Shirataki does not want to talk about how much she spends on following the royals and taking pictures. But she will say that she spends over $400 every year just on photos. Shirataki says Masako is her favorite royal and has even appeared in her dreams. But Shirataki worries about Masakos health. The crown princess has had health problems in recent years. There could be a lot of times where Masako wont go with the emperor, she said. If its just him, we wont go. Her alone? Yes. Shirataki may already have reached the height of her success as a royal chaser. This year, she shook hands with the Empress. Ive talked with them briefly before but thats the only time Id ever been able to put out my hand ... I didnt realize I would do it, Shirataki said. When I asked, she just said, in a small voice, If my hand is okay, and she added. And then I did. On April 30, the Japanese emperor will turn over his official duties to his son, Naruhito. There will be a new Empress Masako. Im Jill Robbins. Elaine Lies and Kwiyeon Ha reported on this story for the Reuters news agency. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Are you interested in royal families? Which countrys royal family do you follow? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story lens n. a clear curved piece of glass or plastic that is used in eyeglasses, cameras, telescopes, and the like to make things look clearer, smaller, or bigger emperor n. a man who rules a group of countries that are controlled by one ruler or one government empress n. a woman who rules an empire crown princess n. a princess who is expected to become queen when the current king or queen dies royal n. of or relating to a king or queen tire n. the rubber covering of a wheel imperial n. of or relating to a kingdom or an emperor Carrie Lynn Rosenbaum (Golden Gate University - School of Law) has posted Crimmigration Structural Tools of Settler Colonialism (Ohio State Journal of Criminal Law, Forthcoming) on SSRN. Here is the abstract: The systems of immigration and criminal law come together in many important ways, one of which being their role in instilling difference and undermining inclusion and integration. In this article, I will begin a discussion examining the concept of integration, simplistically described as inclusion into American life, not in the more traversed realm of citizenship, but in the context of crimmigration. I posit that when considering the relationship between those who are formally considered integrated versus other, or outsider, which may or may not overlap with immigration status, the accepted concept of integration is misguided at best. Instead, if the concept of integration is framed as an epistemological tool of settler colonialism, the construction of race provides a more fruitful line of inquiry. There remains a divide in United States civil society, where people racialized as nonwhite do not have the same lived experience as people racialized as white. Similarly, identity, or the perception of race, play a role in the criminal justice system, wherein people racialized as nonwhite are disproportionately incarcerated. These two problems are mutually reinforcing being poor increases the chances of being incarcerated, while being a person racialized as nonwhite is part of the equation in socio-economic standing and the likelihood of experiencing incarceration. Achieving socio-economic parity with people racialized as white has generally been considered a hallmark of what over-simplistically, and even dangerously, is characterized as integration. These problems are replicated in and by the crimmigration system. Just as people racialized as nonwhite are more likely to be relatively socio-economically poor and more likely to have contact with the criminal justice system, immigrants racialized as nonwhite face these same challenges. The effects of racialization are significant, and the mechanisms purportedly designed to reverse, erase, or change these dynamics have failed immigrants and citizens racialized as nonwhite. There is a longstanding myth that in a democratic society, such as the United States, everyone has the opportunity, the path, and maybe even a right to strive to and achieve integration. Becoming a naturalized United States citizen is a symbol or marker of such achievement, although it is superficial and still limited with respect to full membership and integration. Citizenship does not elevate one above the caste system of racialized hierarchy. The failure of integration is evidenced by the reality that immigrants and citizens racialized as nonwhite do not obtain the socio-economic successes of the dominant class. This article will propose that the promise of integration is a myth. Even more than a false promise, the concept of integration itself erases the historical racialized institutional infrastructure that is responsible for the falseness of this promise. Crimmigration is a piece of this larger puzzle. Derek Bells consideration of racial realism and theories of settler colonialism will be explored here to propose a theory of why the offer of integration is disingenuous and a promise never intended to be fulfilled. Settler colonialism is a continuing form of nation building, whereby settlers fortify the dominant culture, removing and replacing communities with constructed ones. (While racism predates colonialism, it plays a leading role in settler colonialism.) These methodologies also help explain why and how crimmigration is an extension of settler colonialism and is responsible for reinforcing racialized differences and the impossibility (and perhaps undesirability) of integration. While the theoretical tool of integration provides some insight into the relationship between racialization and the roles of the criminal justice and crimmigration systems, broadening the lens to examine crimmigration via the methodologies of racial realism and settler colonialism exposes the flaws in the integrationist paradigm. Excerpts of conversations at different locations recorded by federal investigators strongly point to the possibility that someone in Stengers inner circle had been wearing a wire. Miller on Tuesday told the Post-Dispatch, I dont have anything to say. And Wagener, asked if he knew how his conversations were recorded, said he had no comment. On Nov. 19, 2018, Stenger was recorded as saying, Why dont the three of you [Miller, Wagener and Curran] go over there and talk to her [Sweeney]. Have, not a pressure, twist your arm shit, but talk to her and say, look at, Sheila, there are some real reasons why we cant see this go the wrong way. Because this will f--- everything in the world up. And he said that if Sweeney wanted to go with a competing company, the Boards going to reverse her. Weve got too many people on the Board. Stenger had claimed in interviews that he did not try to influence Partnership decisions. At Sweeneys direction, the Partnership in December awarded a three-year contract to John Bardgett & Associates worth $149,000 in 2019, $151,000 in 2020 and $153,000 in 2021. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen this weekend reaffirmed her opposition to nuclear power before marching with anti-nuclear protesters, reviving an issue that has proven politically divisive in the past. Tsai said at a news conference that her administration was taking efforts to promote renewable energy and reduce the need for nuclear power. In the past, people often said we wont have electricity without nuclear power, or that Taiwan does not have the conditions to develop renewable energy, or even that renewable and green energy are too expensive, Tsai said. But after the efforts we have made since taking office, such talk has dissipated. She also vowed to reach her targets in reducing emissions from thermal power plants and to retire current nuclear power plants, though without giving any timeline. We will carry on with the targets to eliminate nuclear power and reduce carbon, Tsai said. We will reach the targets and Taiwan will not be short of electricity for the islands 23 million people. She then joined hundreds of people who marched through the streets of Taipei, the capital, beginning at the Presidential Office Building in the citys center, in a show of opposition to nuclear power. Tsais Democratic Progressive Party has long opposed the nuclear industry, particularly construction of the high-tech islands fourth nuclear plant on the tip of the island, north of Taipei. Nuclear power now accounts for about 15% of Taiwans electricity generation, according to the World Nuclear Association. The main opposition Nationalist Party has promoted nuclear power as one of the best ways to provide reliable energy to the island. The issue has in the past sparked occasionally violent clashes between proponents and supporters. AP President Xi Jinping called for more countries to join Chinas sprawling infrastructure-building initiative as other leaders expressed support this weekend for a project Washington worries is increasing Beijings strategic influence. Xi spoke at a gathering of leaders to celebrate the multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, his signature foreign project. The upbeat tone of the two-day forum, at which Russian President Vladimir Putin and other leaders praised the initiative, is a setback for the Trump administration, which is trying to discourage other countries from participating. Xi promised Friday to promote high financial, environmental and other standards in response to complaints about debt and other problems. That has the potential to heighten tensions with Washington by making the initiative more attractive to additional participants. We need to encourage the full participation of more countries and companies, the Chinese president said at the event at a government conference center outside Beijing. Xi tried to dispel complaints Belt and Road does little for developing countries that have borrowed from Beijing to build ports, railways and other facilities. Xi said his government wants to deliver benefits to all. Additional agreements worth a total of USD64 billion were signed during the forum, Xi said. He gave no details of what those agreements covered or who signed them. A joint statement issued by leaders at the meeting expressed appreciation for the important opportunities created by Belt and Road and said it offers potential for economic and social development. Participants included the presidents of the Philippines, Kenya and Egypt, prime ministers of Italy, Greece and Pakistan and other officials from Indonesia, Germany and other countries. Other governments welcomed the initiative launched in 2013 to increase trade by building ports, railways and other infrastructure across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. But some are struggling to repay Chinese loans, which has fueled complaints about a possible debt trap. Critics also complain too much of the work goes to Chinese state-owned companies and the initiative might lead to corruption and environmental damage. The United States, Russia, Japan and India worry Beijing is eroding their influence. American officials have warned other governments about potential debt problems and Chinas possible political motives. Xis government is trying to revive momentum for Belt and Road after the number of new projects slumped last year. That followed official announcements that Chinese lenders would examine borrowers more closely and concerns by some governments about Beijings rising influence. On Friday, Xi promised to embrace international financial, environmental and other standards. He pledged to work more closely with multinational entities and to open projects dominated by Chinese state-owned companies wider to private and foreign contractors. Despite U.S. opposition, the Chinese government says the number of countries that have signed agreements to support the initiative has risen to 115 from 65. Beijing scored a diplomatic coup in March when Italy, a member of the Group of Seven major economies, signed an agreement to support Belt and Road. On Friday, Putin said Belt and Road fits with Moscows initiative to develop a common market with four of its neighbors. Their joint statement emphasized the importance of promoting green development and addressing the challenges of environmental protection and climate change. The Chinese leader repeated his promise to adopt widely accepted rules and standards and encourage Belt and Road countries to follow global standards for project development, purchasing and operations. Joe McDonald, Beijing, AP Reported by the Times last week, the Chief Executive has decided to set up a new Development and Investment Fund, which may constitute a sovereign wealth fund (SWF). As its name suggests, such funds are usually made and held by respective governments. However, investments may be operated by entities separate from the government. In Macau, the government will establish the fund in a bid to improve the returns of Macaus financial reserves. The fund will run with market-led and commercial principles and will be managed by an entity outside of the existing government branches. As of the end of January, there were a total of 732.79 billion patacas of financial reserves. According to the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute, a global corporation analyzing public asset owners such as sovereign wealth funds, there are a number of reasons that make the fund an SWF. One of them is due to the fact that profits from the fund are to be used for social improvement and the promotion of education and scientific advancement. The Institute also claimed that the mainland government is increasing its surveillance of gambling activities, [and this] may also explain some of the local governments interest in diversifying revenues. SWFs focus on long-term profits more than exploiting short-term market fluctuations. Initial capital usually comes from a governments foreign currency reserves. Several large SWF holders in the world include the United Arab Emirates, Norway, Saudi Arabia, the Peoples Republic of China, Kuwait, Russia, and Singapore. Staff reporter Liu Zixing craned his neck forward for help with fastening the goggles for his first ever taste of virtual reality. He took a break from the mining ore business to travel to a VR theme park in this Chinese provincial capital not known for high technology. It feels like reality, Liu said after shooting down robots in a virtual fighter jet, strapped to a spinning gyroscope lit in purple. Its just like youre riding in a plane. Enthusiasm for VR has cooled somewhat after years of hype, but Chinas leaders are trying to drum up excitement, hoping to take the lead in a technology they expect will eventually gain wide use. Hoping to coax homegrown entrepreneurs to take the plunge, the government is educating students, subsidizing office spaces, and sponsoring conferences and competitions. Nanchangs VR Star park offers 42 rides and exhibits, including VR bumper cars and VR shoot-em-ups. Its the highlight of Nanchangs VR base, a sprawling complex of mostly still empty, futuristic glass-and-steel offices. The city of 5.5 million is the capital of Jiangxi province, a relatively impoverished region nestled in the mountains of south-central China, where the regional industries are copper mining and rice. Officials hope that one day it will be a world-class hub for virtual reality. Frankly, VR isnt 100% necessary in the Chinese market at the moment, said Xiong Zongming, CEO of IN-UP Technology, one of dozens of firms being incubated by the VR base. But with the governments push, many other companies, departments and agencies are more willing to try it out. Xiong was born in Nanchang but studied and worked in Japan for nearly a decade before returning to China, where he settled in Shanghai. Nanchang officials enticed him back home with offers of free rent and 150,000 RMB (USD22,340) in startup funds, part of an effort to lure back local talent from richer coastal cities to help lift the local economy. Beijing began its VR drive a few years ago, when slick headsets from Samsung, Oculus, HTC and Sony were making a big splash at electronics shows in the U.S. Chinese leaders were worried they might miss out on a boom. VR is included in Beijings Made in China 2025, an ambitious plan to develop global competitors in cutting edge technologies including electric cars, solar and wind power, and robotics. Nanchang is one of several VR hubs across the country. So far, VR is mostly a niche product used in gaming and business training, held back by expensive, clunky headsets, a lack of appealing software and other shortcomings. Analysts say it could be many years, perhaps decades, before the technology goes mainstream. Last year, just 5.8 million VR headsets were sold globally, according to market research firm Ovum. That compares with sales of more than 1.5 billion smartphones and is far fewer than expected when VR fever was at its peak a few years back. My experience wasnt good, said Xu Xiao, a PC gamer who bought VR goggles over a year ago after graduating from college. When I wore them, my eyes got dry and uncomfortable, and I got dizzy. I barely use them anymore. Stopping by the Nanchang VR park, he was still unimpressed. The image quality isnt refined, and its hard to operate, he said after a virtual flume ride. Even if its a gamble, analysts say Chinas state-led push into VR could pay off in the future. Nanchangs VR developers are marching on despite a wave of layoffs across the industry in the past few years. Thousands attended Nanchangs first VR conference last October. Its kind of a good move to be there now, says George Jijiashvili, a senior analyst at Ovum. Its a long game, and I dont think its going away anytime soon. Beijing still lags behind: Most VR headsets are designed by companies based outside mainland China like Samsung, HTC, and Oculus and the major VR content platforms are run by giants like Facebook and Google. Chinas Ministry of Industry and Information Technology aims to change that by encouraging banks to finance VR startups and directing local governments to invest in VR products for public projects such as schools and tourist sites. The government has provided subsidies and purchases of VR software, mostly focused on education, training, and health care software. Nanchang has a 1 billion RMB ($149 million) VR startup investment fund, and is setting up another fund to attract established VR companies. Entrepreneurs and experts believe VR will get a boost from next generation, or 5G, technologies where Chinese companies like Huawei Technologies are industry leaders. 5G promises blazing-fast connection speeds that could smooth lags and optimize multiplayer games and livestreaming so VR users might not end up with the headaches some get with todays technology. VR e-sports, broadcasting concerts in VR format, remote surgery all of this is only realistic in the 5G era, said Chenyu Cui, a senior analyst at IHS Markit. Itll make VR better for a mass audience. Dake Kang, Nanchang, AP Portuguese president Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has said that China and Portugal have seen a qualitative leap in bilateral relations to the level that the Peoples Republic currently enjoys with global economic powers such as the United States, the United Kingdom and France. It is a qualitative leap in bilateral terms at the level of world powers or countries of great European affirmation, and this is very significant, said de Sousa at the start of his six-day visit to China, according to Portuguese news agency Lusa. According to de Sousa, relations between Portugal and China are in an excellent moment and the relationship between his country and China has been elevated to a political relationship at the level of countries such as France, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, implying annual meetings between the Prime Ministers of the two states. He further characterized the nature of the relationship as two-way cooperation, not only one and, according to Lusa, challenged the analogy of a Chinese invasion. de Sousas statements will resonate with the architects behind the Belt and Road Initiative, a global infrastructure investment drive that seeks to reshape global trade flows with China at the center. Bilateral relations between the Portuguese Republic and the Peoples Republic of China were established just over 40 years ago, on February 8, 1979. However, the two nations can recall a history with roots stemming from the early 16th century. Marking the 40th anniversary of formal relations, the Portuguese head of state is on an official visit to China that concludes this Tuesday and Wednesday with a two-day stop in the Macau SAR. While in the Chinese capital, de Sousa participated as a speaker in the Belt and Road Forum on Saturday. Tomorrow, de Sousa will be welcomed by Chinas president, Xi Jinping, who will bestow military honors on the Portuguese head of state at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. He will also meet with Chinas Prime Minister Li Keqiang. During his visit to Macau starting on Tuesday, de Sousa will meet with the SARs Chief Executive Chui Sai On. DB As reported last week by newspaper Hoje Macau, the chairman of the Legislative Assembly (AL) and candidate for next Chief Executive (CE), Ho Iat Seng, is currently processing his renunciation of Portuguese nationality. The nationality was acquired by birth, but in order to become CE, he must comply with rules that state the holder of the position should not possess a right to residence in any foreign country. The report generated interest in society, provoking the input of those such as longtime local political activist and overseas observer, Jason Chao, who argued that Hos renunciation of his Portuguese nationality is not such a big issue and that there is technically no hurry to do so. In comments accessed by the Times, Chao admitted that the report had generated some discussion on the issue of nationality, but he also said that that particular issue had been clarified for a long time. First, the Chinese government implied in the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration that it had no problem with Macau residents enjoying the benefits of de facto dual nationality while traveling abroad, Chao remarked. Second, in Hos case, there is no need for him to renounce his Portuguese nationality so early. Procedurally speaking, he may renounce it after he is surely elected. In the view of the overseas observer, who has connections to Macau democratic movements, the issue should not have even been brought up in the first place as, the lax nationality rules in Macau should stay as they are, as it is in the best interest of Macau residents. EARLY RENUNCIATION A SIGN OF CONFIDENCE According to Chao, in accordance with the Basic Law, Ho had to be a Chinese national to serve as the President of the AL. Regarding the position of Chief Executive, there is an additional rule concerning nationality for CE elections when in Article 35 (2) of the Chief Executive Election Law, it is required that CE candidates must not have the right of residence in a foreign country. Although it is clear that Ho, in order to be a candidate, must renounce any possibility of acquiring foreigner residency, Chao notes that technically the residency is on the line here and not the nationality. Portuguese nationals, of course, have the right to reside in Portugal as well as the right not to be removed from Portugal. Under the European Union (EU) law, Portuguese nationals [also] enjoy the right to freedom of movement in EU member states. Hos renunciation of Portuguese nationality is not to satisfy the nationality requirement but the no right to residence in a foreign country requirement under the CE election law. The aforementioned article allows Ho to be a CE candidate by making a pledge that he will renounce the right to residency in a foreign country before he officially takes office. So, in the case of a competitive election which is very unlikely Ho can wait to see if he is eventually elected before he formally applies for renunciation. In Chaos opinion, the early pledge from Ho on the renunciation of the Portuguese nationality is revealing of his high [degree] of confidence in his election. LOYALTY TO CHINA STILL A QUESTION Is there really no problem with Hos non-renunciation? The questions that arise from the more legal-based explanations about Hos Portuguese nationality are totally understandable, according to Chao. Ho was a member of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress of China and in the context of Chinese politics, Ho could be seen as one of the leaders of the Chinese Central Government, Chao said, adding, the possibility of Hos entitlement to the consular protection of Portugal if he travels abroad on a Portuguese passport may call his allegiance to China into question. Developing more on the matter of what he called the myth of the no dual nationality for Chinese nationals, Chao noted, according to the Chinese memorandum in the Sino-Portuguese Joint Declaration 1987, the Chinese government allows Macau residents who are Chinese nationals to travel to foreign countries on Portuguese travel documents. However, these Chinese nationals do not enjoy the consular protection of Portugal on Chinese soil. Under international law, the nationality of a country is a requirement for the eligibility for consular protection of that country. So, China had no problem with Macau residents who are considered Chinese nationals to be treated as a Portuguese national as long as they are not in Chinese territory. Such facts imply that the Chinese government does not oppose the de facto dual nationality of Macau residents while they are outside the country. However, this exception only applies to the Chinese nationals who have been granted Portuguese travel documents before the handover, a situation that in his opinion generates a potential legal limbo for the Chinese nationality of the younger generation who obtained Portuguese nationality through inheritance from their parents [after the handover]. Chao noted, so far, I have not heard of any cases of the Macau government denying Macau SAR passports to Chinese nationals who acquired Portuguese nationality after 1999. Such an opinion is backed by the legal expert Antonio Katchi, cited in the Hoje Macau report, who noted that the fact that Ho had a Portuguese Civil Identification Number implies he has Portuguese nationality, and not just a passport that can exceptionally be attributed to foreigners. A citizens card is only for national citizens, Katchi noted, remarking that this type of situation is not uncommon in Macau. There are people who, in practical terms, continue to have dual nationality, because they omit that they have a foreign nationality from Chinese [authorities] leading to the retaining [at the same time] of the Chinese nationality, he noted. THOSE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES Chao also issued a warning to the Macau public about the risks involved with raising the topic at this moment. I must warn against the risk that the rules might be tightened in the future at the whim of the Chinese government, he said. For the political observer, in the best interest of residents, lax rules on nationality are preferred to strict rules. Unlike in Hong Kong where candidates for both the Legislative Council and Chief Executive must renounce the right of abode in foreign countries in order to be eligible to stand for election, in Macau, the renunciation of the right to abode abroad applies only for the top executive post. Extending such requirement to AL elections is a matter of adding such provisions to the election law [but] beyond elections, I am concerned about the possibility that this no-foreign-country-residence-right rule may one day be introduced in other aspects of the life of the residents, warned Chao. I believe that this rule would be very effective in testing Macau residents allegiance to China through their willingness to renounce [or not] their Portuguese nationality. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Serious flooding raged on Sunday in parts of northern Mozambique hit by Cyclone Kenneth three days ago, with water waist-high in places, after the government urged people to immediately seek higher ground. Hundreds of thousands of people were at risk with more rain forecast for days ahead. Help us, we are losing everything! residents in the regions main city, Pemba, shouted at passing cars as the rushing waters flooded their homes and heavy rain fell. Women and girls with buckets and pots tried to scoop away the torrent, in vain. The water poured into doorways. Houses began to collapse and a rescue team was mobilized, United Nations staffers said. We are unfortunately expecting devastating floods, the U.N. humanitarian agency said in a tweet. Kenneth arrived just six weeks after Cyclone Idai ripped into central Mozambique and killed more than 600 people with flooding. The new storms remnants could dump twice as much rain as Idai, the U.N. World Program has said. As much as 250 millimeters (9 inches), or about a quarter of the average annual rainfall for the region, had been forecast over the next few days. I have never seen such rains in my life, said one Pemba resident, 35-year-old Michael Fernando. This was the first time in recorded history that the southern African nation has been hit by two cyclones in one season, again raising concerns about climate change. Some Pemba residents tried to pile up tires and sand-filled sacks as barricades. Children took refuge in a bus that appeared to be stuck as vehicles struggled on the streets. One woman stood, seemingly stunned, as the rain pounded down. Cars began to slip under the waters. We will keep moving until we get somewhere safe, one man said, as people fled carrying belongings in plastic bags. There was no immediate word of deaths yesterday. Authorities have said at least five people died after Kenneth roared in Thursday evening with the force of a Category 4 hurricane, stunning residents of a region where such a storm had not been recorded in the modern era. Nearly 700,000 people could be at risk in the largely rural region, many already exposed and hungry. More than 35,000 homes in parts of Mozambiques northernmost Cabo Delgado were partially or fully destroyed by the storm. Aid groups wanted for news yesterday from districts beyond Pemba that had been hit much harder by the cyclone. Some of the swelling rivers in the region have burst their banks in the past, notably in 2000. On Saturday, aerial photos showed several coastal communities flattened by the storm. Not a single house is standing anymore, Saviano Abreu, a spokesman with the U.N. humanitarian agency, told reporters. Livelihoods have been lost and people are wondering how they will cope in a country struggling with one of the worlds highest poverty rates. With unemployment rife and many in coastal areas surviving with fishing and related activities, not going to sea could mean going hungry for days. Men, women and children foraged in the waters off the littered shore, looking for seashells to sell. Farai Mutsaka, Pemba, AP Apparently, the slow boat that will take Ho Iat Seng to replace CE Chui Sai On at the end of the year has set sail smoothly and will go on quietly indifferent to the certainties of local politics: a reverse analogy to the moody meteorological summer. The paradox is that the easier Hos run to the top job is, the harder it will be to call the process an election. Even the pro-democracy liberal representative sectors came to shy away from universal suffrage as an immediate target to accommodate the more gradualist approach of the Basic Law. Legislator Sulu Sou set a softer strategy to progressively add democratic elements to the electoral systemwithin the system and its red lines. In the name of dialogue and reciprocity Sou tried to put on the table for public consideration (via the Legislative Assembly) some democratic boundary lines of sorts: it is unacceptable to have uncontested elections for the top job. The discomfort with the solo runner option is growing and spreading despite the efforts from conservative spinners who have been dressing the confirmation procedure with a mantra: it has historic, not to say scientific, roots. Or worse, as a deflating slogan: it is not unusual for CE candidates to run unopposed! But discomfort is growing, indeed. Legislator Pereira Coutinho himself an assumed whistle-blower against the go-alone Chief Executive fait accompli is claiming that at least at the level of the small-circle college of the 400 representatives there will be what Coutinho wisely calls an opportunity to discuss the political program before the actual voting. Coutinho points inclusively to the opportunity as an instance to provide input, albeit increasing the political legitimacy of the small-circle procedure. If not, the already limited election would not be more than a farce. The weakening paradox we mention above becomes even more perverse when we consider the overwhelming benefits solo-runners get from small-circle events. Not only is the small-circle seen to avoid disagreement let alone dissent, the candidate is seen to be approved by an overwhelming suffrage of voters that all resemble each other. Understandably, candidate Ho Iat Seng is yet to elaborate upon a political program or offer a comprehensive platform other than a two-pointer objective to improve the populations livelihood and to promote the integration of Macau into the Greater Bay Area. Again, candidate Ho is wise to restrict himself to general issues while crafting what platform he has in mind, although the absence of an allusion to the core casino business could be mistaken for dislocated modesty. Albeit any administrative or government inexperience the political heavyweight Ho Iat Seng might have could be reason enough to look for a more experienced alternative, all are set to support him. The Mak Soi Kun quiz runs like this: who is he referring to when he says that the population does not want Macau to have rulers who apologize? Perhaps the time is not right for MSAR to have its own Carrie Lam. Finally, I highlight the heavy sentencing of the Occupy Movements front trio and the second drive Belt and Road Initiative is taking to face new realities of debt. The rabbi who led a service on the last day of Passover suffered a gunshot wound to his hands and two others endured shrapnel wounds as political, civic and religious leaders across the country struggled to make sense of another fatal attack on a house of worship six months after a mass shooting in a Pittsburgh synagogue. John T. Earnest, 19, surrendered to a police after bursting into Chabad of Poway, north of San Diego yesterday [Macau time] and opening fire with about 100 people inside, killing Lori Kayne, 60, and injuring Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, Noya Dahan, 8, and Almog Peretz, 34, authorities said. Earnest, who had no previous contact with law enforcement, may be charged with a hate crime in addition to homicide, San Diego County Sheriff William Gore said. Earnest is also being investigated in connection with an arson attack on a mosque in nearby Escondido, California, on March 24. Any time somebody goes into a house of worship and shoots the congregants, in my book, thats a hate crime, Poway Mayor Steve Vaus said. There were indications an AR-type assault weapon might have malfunctioned after the gunman fired numerous rounds inside, Gore said. An off-duty Border Patrol agent working as a security guard fired at the shooter as he fled, missing him but striking his getaway vehicle, Gore said. Shortly after fleeing, Earnest called 911 to report the shooting, San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit said. When an officer reached him on a roadway, the suspect pulled over, jumped out of his car with his hands up and was immediately taken into custody, Nisleit said. Audrey Jacobs, a friend of the slain woman, said on Facebook that Kane was taking bullets for the rabbi to save his life and the rabbi continued to give his sermon after being shot. Gore said authorities were reviewing copies of Earnests social media posts, including what he described as a manifesto. A person identifying themselves as John Earnest posted an anti-Jewish screed online about an hour before the attack. The poster described himself as a nursing school student and praised the suspects accused of carrying out deadly attacks on mosques in New Zealand last month and at Pittsburghs Tree of Life synagogue Oct. 27. California State University, San Marcos, confirmed Earnest was a student on the deans list and said the school was dismayed and disheartened that he was suspected in this despicable act. There was no known threat after Earnest was arrested, but authorities boosted patrols at places of worship as a precaution, police said. Minoo Anvari, a member of the synagogue, said her husband was inside during the shooting. She said he called to tell her the shooter was shouting and cursing. She called the shooting unbelievable in a peaceful and tight-knit community. We are strong; you cant break us, Anvari said. Rabbi Yonah Fradkin, executive director of Chabad of San Diego County, said that in the face of senseless hate we commit to live proudly as Jews in this glorious country. We strongly believe that love is exponentially more powerful than hate. We are deeply shaken by the loss of a true woman of valor, Lori Kaye, who lost her life solely for living as a Jew. Donny Phonea, who lives across the street from the synagogue, turned off his power drill and heard someone shout, Police! Then he heard three or four shots. Elliot Spagat & Daisy Nguyen, Poway, AP Thousands of protesters have marched through downtown Hong Kong in opposition to changes to an extradition law that many see as eroding the territorys independent legal system. Many of those taking part yesterday carried yellow umbrellas, recalling Hong Kongs massive 2014 pro-democracy protests, the leaders of whom have been sentenced to up to 16 months in prison. Hong Kong police said around 22,800 people took part in the protest at its peak period, while organizers claimed 130,000 participated. Artists Anthony Wong and Denise Ho were among the protest. Also marching was Catholic Eminence Cardinal Joseph Zen. Participants carried placards accusing Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam of selling out Hong Kong, and called on her to resign. Revisions to the law would make it easier to send criminal suspects to mainland China, where they could face vague national security charges and unfair trials. In response to the protest, the territorys Acting Chief Executive Matthew Cheung expressed his respect for citizens right to protest, but noted that the number of participants was not the main point. He reiterated the necessity for a law amendment. MDT/AP New Hampshire Democrats are looking for help from their partys presidential candidates in overturning a law they claim will make it harder for some college students to vote. At campaign events across the state, White House hopefuls are being pressed to speak out against the 2018 law. It subjects college students who come from other states to residency requirements such as getting a New Hampshire drivers license if they study and vote in the state. The law doesnt take effect until July. But Democratic activists and voters are arguing this is a moment for presidential candidates to take a stand against GOP moves to weaken access to the ballot box in New Hampshire and elsewhere. President Donald Trump has popularized false claims about widespread voter fraud. The issue needs to be talked about more, including on the 2020 debate stage, said Garrett Muscatel, a Dartmouth College student who won a state House seat in New Hampshire last fall. People often dont think of New Hampshire as a place where voter suppression is occurring, but it is very real, Muscatel said. Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen recently sent the declared 2020 presidential candidates a letter urging them to sign a petition publicly denouncing this voter suppression law. So far, 16 of the 2020 contenders, including all six senators running for president, have signed on. Republicans have strongly defended the law. GOP state Sen. Regina Birdsell said in a statement that she is disappointed that Jeanne Shaheen is using her time to push the false narrative that voter suppression is taking place in New Hampshire. She defended the legislation as an attempt to make our elections cleaner and fairer. Efforts to tighten voting laws have become a hyper-partisan issue sweeping through statehouses in recent years and Democrats bidding for the White House seem eager to push back. The 2020 candidates have offered a range of solutions that span from the difficult, and unlikely, path of amending the Constitution to reviving voting rights measures filed and left for dead in Congress. During a rally in Exeter in March, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts noted her support for a constitutional amendment to protect the right to vote for every American citizen and make sure their votes get counted. She pledged to roll back every damn one of these voter suppression laws. Even the easiest path for changing the Constitution is strenuous, with any measure needing two-thirds support in both the House and Senate before it can make it to states for another hurdle where it would need to be approved by 38 of the 50 states. Other Democrats in the presidential race have offered ideas such as same-day voter registration, restoring the voting rights of people who have been incarcerated and making Election Day a holiday. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota proposes universal registration for eligible voters when they turn 18. AP TAIWAN President Tsai Ing-wen reaffirmed her opposition to nuclear power before marching with anti-nuclear protesters, reviving an issue that has proven politically divisive in the past. CAMBODIA A court yesterday charged three Chinese nationals with money laundering after the men were allegedly caught carrying more than USD3.5 million without proper provenance for the money. The three men were arrested at Phnom Penh airport after they arrived from Hong Kong. They were allegedly carrying $3.52 million in $100 bank notes in their bags. If convicted, the men could face 10 to 20 years in prison. US A New Hampshire man who smuggled rare lizards from the Philippines to the U.S. by hiding them in socks and placing them inside electronic equipment has pleaded guilty to trafficking in protected wildlife in violation of international treaties. SRI LANKA Suicide bombings at a militants safe house have shaken the simple homes of Kalmunai town as well as the rest of this idyllic coast, as the investigation into the Islamic State-claimed Easter bombings has spread here. Police and military checkpoints dot the coastal roads. AFGHANISTAN The suffering of young women is why rights activists say they are demanding a seat at the table in negotiations between the government and the Taliban over peace and Afghanistans future. CYPRUS Investigators hunting for victims of a suspected serial killer retrieved a suitcase containing the decomposing remains of a woman from the bottom of a man-made lake yesterday. The body is believed to be that of one of the victims of a Cypriot military officer who has confessed to killing seven foreign women and girls. The suitcase was weighed down by a concrete block. SPAIN A divided country voted yesterday in its third general election in four years, with all eyes on whether a far-right party will enter Parliament for the first time in decades and potentially help unseat the Socialist government. MOZAMBIQUE A second disaster unfolded yesterday in northern Mozambique in the wake of Cyclone Kenneth as raging flood waters killed one person and began to cut off the regions main city from the outside world. Some 160,000 people were at risk, with more torrential rain forecast for the days ahead. Non-emergency medicine is less scarce than hospital emergency rooms, but rural patients often still must travel long distances to receive basic care. The same is true for many health care professionals, who often commute between clinics in multiple communities. For instance, Aeron Adams, the mental health nurse practitioner, commutes 80 minutes two days a week between her office in Dodgeville and a clinic in Lancaster. "I've had patients routinely drive a half hour, 45 minutes to get to an appointment with me," Adams said. "We're seeing [new students] come from the parts of the state that don't have psychiatric providers within a two-to-three hour drive," Bryan said. Long drives are the reality for patients in need of other kinds of specialty care too: 20 of Wisconsin's counties do not have a single practicing OB-GYN, meaning expecting mothers in many rural communities also have to drive long distances for care. Rural residents in Wisconsin face additional health challenges, including limited access to dental care and treatment for addiction to opioids and other substances, and difficulties in recruiting volunteers to provide emergency services. And while many of the health problems common in the countryside also plague the state's cities, the sheer breadth of distance between provider and patient adds to rural areas' health care burden. Relles, though, is holding out hope that this will change under Gov. Tony Evers. Evers has indeed said he would consider pardons during his governorship like all his predecessors, except Walker, did throughout Wisconsin history. He indicated that his office is in the process of creating such procedures. Relles hopes that Evers will take a humanitarian approach and create a pardon board for Wisconsin, that the pardon board will be nonpartisan, that only those who are worthy of receiving a pardon will be recommended for a pardon, that the pardon board will not be swayed by "connections" and that anyone seeking a pardon will be able to apply without needing an attorney to advocate on his or her behalf. The last time I talked with Eric Pizer, which was about two years ago, he wasn't sure he would apply for a pardon should Walker be voted out of office. He had landed a good job and, besides, he was now 35 and probably too old to seek a law enforcement job. That's too bad, because deserving people need a second chance. Unfortunately Walker, a self-proclaimed devout Christian, didn't believe in that. Because we cant afford to lower the bar any further. The counter to candidate who brags about sexual assault is not candidate who generally fights sexual misconduct but cant directly apologize to a woman he acknowledges was wronged by a process he led. Many of Bidens apology-adjacent comments have focused on his intentions. And to be sure, its not unreasonable to assume, based on his policy stances, that his intentions have more often than not been good. Intentions matter, but apologies do, too. And its not a huge leap to get from one to the other. Democrats have, for the last four years, presented themselves as a strong moral contrast to Trump especially to his treatment of women. The 2020 election gives them a chance to prove it. Now is not the time to point fingers and say, The other side is worse. Now is the time to offer a clear argument as to why their side is better. Its not enough to say you believe women. Its not enough to say you support women. Its time to prove it. Two people were pronounced dead at the scene and one person was injured Monday morning after a car fleeing police at a high rate of speed crashed into the back of a semi-trailer on Interstate 39 in Columbia County, authorities reported. The state Department of Justice said in a press release that authorities believed a person inside the vehicle was suspected of a kidnapping attempt in central Wisconsin. The DOJ is investigating the crash as an officer-involved death. The Sauk County Sheriffs Office is separately handling the crash reconstruction. Columbia County Sheriff Roger Brandner said at 7:29 a.m. Monday, the Wisconsin State Patrol, Marquette County Sheriffs Office and state Division of Criminal Investigation advised other area authorities of a car traveling south on I-39. Numerous Portage police officers, State Patrol troopers and deputies responded to the advisory and scrambled to pursue the Nissan Altima, Portage Police Chief Ken Manthey said. By 7:43 a.m., Brandner said one of his deputies saw the car near mile marker 94 on I-39 just north of Portage. Brandner said the suspect vehicle may have been headed to the Chicago area. JUNEAU A criminal case that began with a criminal complaint filed Dec. 22, 2010, may come to a close with a plea and sentencing hearing May 13 for former Fox Lake Police Chief Patrick Lynch. Lynch, 63, still resides in Fox Lake. He resigned from the Fox Lake Police Department in February 2009 after serving for 14 years as the chief of police. He is charged with three counts of first-degree sexual assault of a child and three counts of stalking. The sexual assault claim is from 1989. According to the criminal complaint, a woman who is now 38 said when she was 7 Lynch sexually assaulted her in the bathroom of her family's home. She reported Lynch was a friend of her father and was wearing his Randolph police uniform when the assault occurred. Lynch also is accused of three counts of stalking. The woman who accused him of sexual assault also told police that when she was in high school, Lynch would wait in his marked Fox Lake Police squad car in the parking lot of her workplace in Beaver Dam when she left for the night. Lynch claimed he was waiting to give a relative a ride. She also said Lynch showed up at bank where she worked and drove past her home in Beaver Dam multiple times over the course of several years. In addition to the phase three trial, StrataGraft is in a phase two clinical trial in which 20 patients with more severe, third-degree burns are being treated to see if it will heal their wounds and if it can be applied more than once on the same area. That study is expected to run through February 2020. A second Stratatech skin product, ExpressGraft, also is in clinical trials. The antimicrobial tissue is being tested on five patients with diabetic foot ulcers. At least two other types of ExpressGraft are in the works, as well, according to the pipeline listed on Mallinckrodts website. One skin substitute in development would prevent infection and promote the growth of blood vessels. The other is aimed at averting a recurrence of skin cancer. The company also has said it is conducting a test of StrataGraft on children who have suffered serious burns, but no information has been released on that yet. Feds eye StrataGraft Tyanna Buie got her MFA at UW-Madison, and on Gallery Night happening across the city this Friday shell be back in Madison to talk about her latest project. A reception for Tyanna Buie: After Image at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, 227 State St., takes place that evening with a talk by the artist at 6:30 p.m. Buies mixed-media show, based on the few family photos remaining from her youth, explores the idea of memory and perception. A Chicago and Milwaukee native, she is currently assistant professor of fine arts and printmaking at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan. MMOCAs Gallery Night spreads well beyond the walls of the museum, of course to 75 venues overall from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday. Visitors to the free evening of art can watch artist demonstrations, enjoy receptions, watch performances and hear live music. An interactive map of venues is online at mmoca.org/gallery-night. Free printed guides are available in the MMOCA lobby and at participating venues. Young Blood Beer Co., which opened at 112 King St. on May 15, is actually doing pretty well. Co-founder and head brewer Kyle Gregorash has cranked out just about as much beer as Young Bloods pre-pandemic plan called for. Madison police said multiple gunshots were fired early Sunday near a Far East Side restaurant, causing no apparent injuries. Police were dispatched about 2 a.m. to the area of the Perkins restaurant, 4863 Hayes Road. Officers arrived to find several vehicles leaving the area and evidence that gunshots had been fired, including damage to two of the restaurant's windows. Diners were in the restaurant at the time of the shooting. A note on Police Chief Mike Koval's daily blog said that officers recovered more than 30 spent bullet casings. Police said shots could have also been fired from the area of the Comfort Inn and Suites, 4822 E. Washington Ave. Police provided no description of the people believe to have fired the gunshots and said their investigation is continuing. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Madison and Dane County are neglecting to use readily available tools for tracking down significant sources of toxic pollutants in the fish and waters of the Yahara chain of lakes, a conservation group says. A two-year study by the Madison-based Midwest Environmental Justice Organization found that local governments arent fully using their powers to find sources of industrial contaminants, including PCBs and metals that have impaired the use of the lakes and made eating too many fish a health hazard. MEJO executive director Maria Powell said that if the city and county traced the paths contaminants take through storm drains, they would document the sources of the pollution and trigger costly cleanups for businesses and for the local governments themselves. They dont really want to go up to the source, Powell said. If you dont find it you dont have to clean it up. Contaminants that pose serious health risks including chlorinated and fluorinated chemicals, petroleum compounds and metals have been found since at least the 1980s on sites the city and county have owned and used. Two Wisconsin Republican senators budget committee co-chair Alberta Darling and health committee chair Patrick Testin say both approaches are worth a look. Darling even quizzed the head of Evers health agency why they didnt model their approach after what Arkansas did. Im open to talk about it, Darling said in an interview. Im not saying were going to go there because theres been such a strong No. But I think Utah was a bit of a game changer and that, on top of Arkansas, I think we need to look at it. Testin said he was also investigating ways to spend more on health care without taking the Medicaid expansion because doing that was such a tough sell. The fact that Republicans are at least looking at what other states have done shows a willingness to seek a compromise, said Democratic state Sen. Jon Erpenbach. If theres a way for the Republicans to take it under the guise of something else, theyll do it, said Erpenbach, a member of the Legislatures budget committee. Even if its been floated or died or been talked about, it sounds like theyre trying to figure out a way to take the expansion. As the Republican Olsen said: You never say never. A man is facing a series of tentative charges after Madison police said he bit, kicked and spit at several officers at a Downtown bar over the weekend. Franklin Kerr, 43, who has no permanent address, was tentatively charged with battery to an emergency rescue worker, discharging bodily fluids at a public safety worker, battery or threat to law enforcement, resisting and/or obstructing an officer and substantial bodily harm with a soft tissue injury. Kerr was also placed on a probation hold, Madison police said. According to a report by police, Kerr was arrested after police were called at 10:39 p.m. to a bar in the 500 block of State Street. Police said Kerr bit one officer, kicked another and spit at several as police tried to take him into custody. While being checked at a local hospital, he also threatened to kill nurses and others, including the arresting officers, police said. Kerr was eventually taken to the Dane County Jail. Officers were treated for significant exposures due to the spitting and biting. Earlier in the night, police allege that Kerr was panhandling and had grabbed a passerby and began yelling after the person had declined to give him money. Kerr has multiple felony convictions on his record, according to an online court database. In 2016, he was convicted of throwing or discharging bodily fluid at corrections officers at Racine Correctional Institution in Sturtevant. He was convicted of similar charges in 2012 while at Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun. 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. Take a trip back through past Halloweens on State Street from the relatively tame costume parades of the 1970s, '80s and '90s, through the riots and mayhem of the mid-2000s, to the officially sanctioned Freakfest event. This year's Halloween is overshadowed by coronavirus fears. The county had long been trapping the methane and other gases emitted from the heaps of garbage at the landfill to be used for electricity, but the county is now using that resource to create and sell compressed natural gas (CNG), a more eco-friendly vehicle fuel than gasoline and diesel. I am vehemently opposed to wildlife killing contests in Wisconsin. Such cruel means of killing important animals in our ecosystem needs to be outlawed. Horrifying tactics of attracting the targeted animals and killing them, such as blinding them and running them over repeatedly with a snowmobile or ATV, are unethical. Furthermore, the carcasses are often carelessly dumped without intent of use. The devastation of so many species negatively impacts the environment. State Sen. Fred Risser, D-Madison, brought forth a bill proposing these hunting contests be banned in Wisconsin. I urge our state to follow the lead of California, Maryland and Vermont who have passed similar bills. If you want to raise further awareness of this meaningful issue, please contact your state representatives immediately. Their votes will ultimately impact the future of Wisconsins wildlife. I deeply hope our state will appreciate the crucial importance of these beautiful animals on the environment. Lets show that we can honor Wisconsins long hunting tradition, while respecting humane ethical treatment of the animals and our ecosystem. Isabelle Jaeckle, 7th grader, Madison Lindsey Johnson is paying for her baby daughters birth, and death, on an installment plan. At $75 a month, she will be free of the hospital bills sometime in early 2021. She would love to whip out a checkbook and cancel her debt to the Las Vegas hospital where she gave birth prematurely last April, but she doesnt have the money. She has just one income now she and her husband are divorcing. Im going to pay it, and one day it will be gone, said Johnson, who is 25 and lives in Boise. The sooner its gone, the better. ... I just want it to go away. One of the facts about American health care is that you can have the worst tragedy of your life, then get billed for it. Sometimes, you also get a daily reminder from debt collectors. Baby Stella, a micro preemie Stella was the tiniest baby in the NICU, an intensive care unit for newborns. She weighed just over 1 pound and could fit in her mothers hand. She arrived four months too early, but Johnson saw Stellas personality already emerging behind the plastic walls of her incubator. Stella would move her arms and kick. She would tug at the tubes and wires that helped keep her alive. Her eyelids were still fused shut, but her eyes moved around beneath them. Johnson had gone into labor last year on April 22, a Sunday. At the time, Johnson and her husband lived in Las Vegas. He was in California on a work trip, and she was at home when the cramps started then the bleeding. She drove herself to the ER at Centennial Hills Hospital in Las Vegas. They immediately wanted to see my insurance and wouldnt get me into a bed or a room or anything until I had filled out the correct insurance, Johnson said. I had to call my husband on the phone and ask him for the information while I was having contractions. She thinks the hospital staff may have thought she was in false labor. She was only 23 weeks along. By the time Johnson was examined, she was dilated 3 centimeters. They rushed me to be examined by a doctor, and they were telling me, Youre in labor, and youre going to have this baby most likely, and the outlook is not good. The likelihood of her making it is very low, Johnson said she was told. The nurses leaned her backward in bed to work against gravity while they monitored the baby, hoping to keep Stella inside as long as possible. Stella was born at 11 a.m. the next morning, by emergency cesarean section. Johnson saw her for the first time at midnight. I just completely lost it and broke down, she said. I just looked at her, and I was like, Theres no way that she can be this small and live. NICU bill and a funeral Tens of thousands of preemies are born each year and admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit. The average hospital charges for a baby born at least two months early were about $280,000 for an average NICU stay of 46 days, according to a 2011 March of Dimes study. Its safe to assume that now, 10 years after the births included in that study, those charges are much higher. Some premature babies, like Stella, are born on the cusp of being able to survive at all. Their hospital bills can be astronomical. Stella was in the NICU for two days, while Johnson and her husband spent as much time as they could next to her. They werent thinking about how much it cost. They were trying to cherish every moment with Stella. Whenever they were in their hospital room, they worried theyd get an urgent call to go to the NICU. Eventually that call did come, Johnson said. Early in the morning on the 24th. The couple rushed to the NICU, and Stellas incubator was just surrounded with NICU nurses and doctors, Johnson said. They were trying to revive the baby. Stellas lungs were underdeveloped, and she couldnt get enough oxygen. All the machines were beeping. The doctor eventually asked, Is it OK for us to stop trying to resuscitate her? Johnson said yes. The couple was ushered into another room, and the medical staff brought in Stellas body. It was the first time Johnson got to hold her. I vaguely remember someone coming in and talking about finances with me. I dont remember if that was when she was in there, or before they brought her in to me, Johnson said. Somebody briefly mentioned financial counseling and advising, but at that time a medical bill was not even close to being on my mind at all. And it wouldnt manifest itself fully until months later, with the debt of just those few days. The hospital bill for the NICU was about $80,000. Labor and delivery were billed separately. Johnson doesnt remember how much they amounted to, but the national average charge for just a C-section in 2015 was $25,107, according to the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. After insurance, the total out-of-pocket costs for Stellas birth and death were about $7,000. We had a funeral to plan, Johnson said. So we went home that day. And leaving the hospital without her was just the worst thing imaginable. A friend put together a GoFundMe for the family. It raised enough to help pay for Stellas funeral, other bills and the cost of moving away from Las Vegas and the painful memories it held. (The GoFundMe campaign is still active as Johnson continues to pay off the debt.) Johnson and her husband came to Boise, where Johnson started a job as communications director for the Idaho Democratic Party. The move was so soon after Stellas death that Johnson couldnt help lift boxes; she was still recovering from the C-section. But the medical bills were just getting started. Debt collectors call, but she cant pay Johnson says she gets calls from Ohio, Missouri and other parts of the country, all day every day. One afternoon earlier this month, she looked at her missed calls from medical debt collectors: 8 a.m. 9:08 a.m. 9:32 a.m. 10:22 a.m. 10:56 a.m. 11:13 a.m. Theyd called four times the day before. The federal law governing debt collectors sets some limits on their phone calls. For example, they cant call someone over and over again in an attempt to harass them into paying debts. They cant call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. And they have to provide information about the debt up front, then prove its validity if a person disputes it. Johnson said she isnt sure what bills are in collections. She lost track. She cant afford to pay anything else, she said, so she doesnt answer the calls. She knows she still owes the hospital about $1,600 for her labor and delivery. Thats what shes paying off at $75 a month. Patients like Johnson dont get one bill for going to the hospital to deliver a baby who lives for two days in the NICU. There are separate bills from the hospital, the anesthesiologist, laboratories, ER doctors and others. There are separate bills for each patient, too. Some of the bills Johnson and her husband got were addressed to Stella. How St. Lukes handles sensitive cases The Nevada health system that owns the hospital where Stella was born said the bills may have been coming from other providers, too. Our deepest sympathy is with the family on the loss of their baby, Valley Health System Director of PR and Media Relations Gretchen Papez said in an email. Losing a loved one, especially a child, is heartbreaking, and we do our best to help families navigate through this difficult time. While a financial conversation may begin in the hospital, we encourage patients to contact the billing department to discuss private financial matters and determine what options are available. St. Lukes Health System, based in Boise, delivers more than 7,000 babies a year about a third of all the babies born in Idaho. Its staff is trained to handle situations like Johnsons with extreme sensitivity to the families, spokeswoman Anita Kissee told the Statesman. St. Lukes first looks to the insurance company to pay the bill. Then, if a balance is left for the patient or family, St. Lukes can offer financial assistance, she said. In the case of children, our accounts are all registered with the mother as the guarantor to ensure any bill is not sent directly to the baby, Kissee said. In the case of an adult, any correspondence would be directed to the estate of the patient. After one month, the name would be changed to that of the spouse. One particularly compassionate person has the specific job of handling sensitive cases like a child loss, Kissee said. She shared that she finds real fulfillment in helping these families through a difficult time by providing them with solutions to any balance that may be due, Kissee said. She handles these situations by always placing herself in the familys shoes and supporting them in the way she personally would want to be supported. That employees boss is Dana Thomas, revenue cycle supervisor for the St. Lukes patient financial services office. Thomas told the Statesman that its rare but does happen that a parent is faced with hospital bills for a baby or child who died. (State vital statistics say 162 babies in Idaho were stillborn or died in their first week of life in 2017, the most recent year available.) Her team tries to guide the parent through the process, so theyre not left trying to figure it out on their own, she said. I really do find it fulfilling to help a family resolve that part, because that can be confusing and difficult, she said. Theyre not always in that frame of mind to make that easy. Hospital billing and the illusion of a set price For the past year, Johnson had been paying $162 a month toward her hospital bill. After she and her husband filed for divorce, she called the hospitals billing department to ask for a lower monthly payment. The man on the phone offered to make it all go away if she paid $1,100 right then, Johnson said. Well, I dont have $1,100, so I cant do that, she told him. I just want to reduce my payment to $50. He gave her a counteroffer: $75 a month. Johnson said OK. Just so you know, he told her then, according to Johnson, you qualify for $850 if you pay it all at once. As a patient, Johnson said the doctors and nurses were kind. One nurse even walked her out after she was discharged, hugged her and cried with her. But the business side? That phone call? Totally different story, she said. The thing that frustrates me is thinking about the families that go into debt over medical bills, and that theres people who just, with the snap of a finger, could reduce it just because, she said. And theres people who suffer so immensely from these bills that are just the (dollar amount) they are for no reason, she said. Johnson said she knows that people working in health care need to get paid, and it costs money to run a hospital. But the experience left her feeling like the payment plans, the settlement offers, the debt collection calls that theyre part of a game to get as much money as possible from people who recently experienced injury, illness or trauma. The reality of it is, even though it is technically doable to pay all of this, I was not in a position mentally or emotionally to sit down and look at all the bills, and make calls to the hospital (and doctors) and all the billing departments, Johnson said. The thought of doing that was impossible to me. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 4 Angry 0 RATHDRUM Tired of seeing trash on the side of the road, Tonee Trzcinski decided to clean it up herself. She felt increasingly horrified as she went along with her work. Within 30 minutes, I started stumbling across needles, she told the Coeur dAlene Press. As I continued on picking up more trash, I continued on picking up more of them. Theyre literally right off the road. Theyre not way out in the swale, theyre just a couple feet off the road. Theyre everywhere. I cant even believe it. Trzcinski, who has lived in North Idaho since 1984, is talking about a roughly 4-mile stretch of Atlas Road to the north and south of Highway 53. Its a route she frequently travels, as many Rathdrum residents do. She first began her Atlas garbage crusade three Mondays ago. In that short time, shes found 31 hypodermic needles, identical to ones used to inject insulin. This is not the first time Ive picked up litter, its just the first time Ive ever stumbled upon this, she said. Ive never seen it this bad. Trzcinski said she was going to try to make roadside trash collection a fun family project, as she also has plans to help clean up Ramsey Road in that area, but the volume of needles has changed her mind. Ive been a nurse for 19 years and Ive never been afraid of needles, but I am now, she said. Now I have to go out and worry about needles in an uncontrolled environment. According to Coeur dAlene Police Det. Mario Rios, this is a major problem in North Idaho. It is an epidemic. Unfortunately, hypodermic needles are used so much more than they used to be, he said. Our parks department and streets department are carrying around sharps containers. Its just kind of a commonality. In parks. In parking lots. Any time somebody pulls over in a parking lot they can shoot up real quick and throw their needles out and off they go, Rios said. On hiking trails. On Tubbs Hill. You find hypodermic needles really anywhere, he said. Rios encourages anyone who finds a needle to report it to law enforcement and stay at the location until the police have arrived to dispose of it. Definitely stay on scene so we can locate it, so we dont have a scavenger hunt for needles, he said. Needles are dangerous, he said. Pets and other animals are at risk when needles arent disposed of properly. But its children Trzcinski is most concerned about. On Saturday, she said she found three needles tossed onto a property where it was obvious kids reside. Trzcinski knocked on the door to alert the homeowner. She allowed me to go out there, Trzcinski said. There were three of them. They werent in the play area, but they were not far. Panhandle Health District public information officer Katherine Hoyer said PHD would not advise anyone to pick up needles that are not theirs, but if they do so to do it safely. The Food and Drug Administration has guidelines on how to properly dispose of sharps. Needles are used for various medical needs. However, we are seeing an increasing rate of IV drug use, Hoyer said. Another health concern with needles is that Hepatitis C and HIV can be transferred when needles are shared, which is also one of the reasons why we would not advise anyone to pick up a needle that is not theirs. She said a needle exchange program is available in Spokane, where a person can dispose of used needles and receive clean ones. Syringes are commonly found along I-90, according to Nick Primmer, Idaho Transportation Department transportation technician in operations. Although crews dont remove trash every day, he said their operations crews could probably find them every day if they wanted to. The crews also commonly find them behind the guardrail and on Potlatch Hill east of the Sherman Avenue exit. The stretch of road where Trzcinski has been finding them is patrolled by the Kootenai County Sheriffs Office. KCSO spokesman Det. Dennis Stinebaugh said its a frustrating situation. As our population increases, we are seeing more and more increased usage of drugs, he said. But, he said, Not all needles are from drug users. We need to remember that. Most insulin-dependent people are responsible with their equipment, he said. Who knows whos dumping the needles unless you have the needles tested for the content. Testing takes a lot of time and resources, and it gets even more complex to try to arrest someone for a crime unless there are witnesses. We can assume that its illegal drugs thats mostly what we find, he said. Nobody wants to use the needles and still have it with the residue when they get caught, so they just chuck it out the door... Just like beer cans, you can find them everywhere. Ive been a nurse for 19 years and Ive never been afraid of needles, but I am now. Now I have to go out and worry about needles in an uncontrolled environment. Tonee Trzcinski Ive been a nurse for 19 years and Ive never been afraid of needles, but I am now. Now I have to go out and worry about needles in an uncontrolled environment. Tonee Trzcinski Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Mary met and married the love of her life, Herb A. Walters in Detroit in 1950. They welcomed the twins Kathy and Chris in 1951 and Bonnie in 1956. The family returned to Idaho in 1961 and bought their home in Jerome in 1962. In 1964, the family welcomed Becky, giving Mary four daughters. Mary had many various jobs from waitress to seasonal agricultural and manufacturing. Her favorite was her time at Tupperware. She made many friends there and at the local square dances. Herb and Mary were members of Buttons and Bows. They loved to go camping whenever they could. Mary was known to camp in the trailer in the driveway just to change the view. Mary leaves behind her daughters Kathy (Dick) Magee, Bonnie Walters (Doug Etter) Becky Walters (Kenny Lindley), eight grandchildren Bill, Debbie, Chris, Tim, Cindy, Samantha, Gene and Levi, 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband Herb, her daughter Chris and granddaughter Beth as well as her parents and sisters Barbara, Bernadine, and Elsie. Weight loss support TOPS Club (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a nonprofit weight-loss support group, will meet weekly at several locations. The Twin Falls chapter will meet at 4:45 p.m. Monday at the Twin Falls Senior Center, 530 Shoshone St. W., 208-734-2641 or 208-734-5300. Other local chapters will meet at 9:15 a.m. Thursday at the Jerome Public Library, 100 First Ave. E., 208-324-6693; 9:30 a.m. Thursday at 410 E. Third St. in Rupert, 208-260-0011 or 208-650-3842; and 5:30 p.m. Friday at Total Life Clinic, 2311 Parke Ave. Unit 4, Burley, 208-678-2622 or 208-312-0555. Seniors wellness Twin Falls Senior Centers wellness presentations, 12:15 p.m. at 530 Shoshone St. W. Tuesday: Healthy Eyes presented by Bridgeview Estates. Thursday: Fraud and Identity Threats discussion with a Wells Fargo Bank representative. Free; 208-734-5084. Baby care Baby Care Basics class, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center, 801 Pole Line Road W., Twin Falls. Learn the basics of caring for your newborn, including comforting, diapering, bathing, feeding, sleeping and immunizations. Cost is $10; pre-registration is required: 208-381-9000. CPR, infant safety Infant safety and cardiopulmonary resuscitation class, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in Oak Rooms 2-4 on the lower level of St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center, 801 Pole Line Road W., Twin Falls. New parents, grandparents and caregivers learn CPR and what to do if an infant chokes. Free; registration is required. 208-814-0425. Grandparents support Gran-Group, 1 p.m. every Thursday at the Twin Falls Senior Center, 530 Shoshone St. W. The open group offers information and support for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. Information, senior center, 208-734-5084. Grief support Grief Share classes, 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, through June 6, at Lighthouse Church, 960 Eastland Drive, Twin Falls. Anyone who has lost a loved one or a friend is welcome to attend any session. Enter through the east doors at the rear of the main building. For information, contact the church at 208-737-4667. Blood drives The American Red Cross is in need of eligible donors to give blood and platelets during Trauma Awareness Month. Blood donation opportunities are available from noon to 6 p.m. Friday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 847 Eastland Drive N., Twin Falls; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 7 at Silver Creek High School, 1050 Fox Acres Road, Hailey. Other blood drives are scheduled in Twin Falls: 1 to 6 p.m. May 15 at Twin Falls Reformed Church, 1631 Grandview Drive N.; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 17 at St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center, 801 Pole Line Road W.; noon to 6 p.m. May 20 at Primary Therapy Source, 254 River Vista Place; and 2 to 6:15 p.m. May 21 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2055 Filer Ave E. In Shoshone, a blood drive is planned from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 23 at Golden Years Senior Center, 218 North Rail W. Eligible donors of all blood types are needed. A blood donor card or drivers license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free blood donor app, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767. Donors can use RapidPass online to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire. Grief recovery Grief Recovery Life Group, 5:45 to 7 p.m. Sundays, May 5, May 19 and May 26, in room 113 at the Twin Falls Church of the Nazarene, 1231 Washington St. N. Revis and Emmy Turner, trained facilitators, will lead the class. The group will not meet May 12. The cost is $15 for a book and workbook. Information: 208-733-6610. Childbirth St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Centers prepared childbirth classes, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays, May 7 through June 4, in Oak Rooms 2-4 on the lower level of St. Lukes, 801 Pole Line Road W., Twin Falls. Topics: Wellness during pregnancy; labor and delivery process with relaxation and breathing techniques; cesarean birth; postpartum care for mother and newborn; infant CPR; car seat and home safety; and a tour of the maternal and child units. Cost is $25 for a five-week session. Pre-registration is required: 208-814-0425. Diabetes class North Canyon Medical Center in Gooding offers a free community diabetes class for people with Type 2 diabetes, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 9 at the Hagerman Public Library, 441 S. State St. The class is only offered in English. Topics: Learn about diabetes, dining out with diabetes, keeping physically active, diabetes medications, glucose meters, dealing with sick and stress, foot care and avoiding diabetes complications. Instructors are certified educators through the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators. Free glucose meters and learners guides are available. Lunch and snacks will be served. Participants are welcome to bring a guest. Reserve a seat: 208-934-9886. Childbirth St. Lukes Magic Valley prepared childbirth bootcamp, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 11 in the Oak Room at St. Lukes, 801 Pole Line Road W., Twin Falls. This session is for those unable to attend the five-week prepared childbirth classes. Topics: wellness during pregnancy, labor process with relaxation and breathing techniques, videos of deliveries and labor positions, and care of the postpartum mother and newborn. Cost is $25 and pre-registration is required, 208-814-0425. To do for you is a listing of health-related activities, events and education. Submit information by noon Thursday for publication in the following Mondays edition to ramona@magicvalley.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Elvina Moulton, the first documented African-American woman in Boise, was honored Saturday with a plaque at the Idaho Black History Museum by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Moultons marker, located just outside the entrance to the museum in Julia Davis Park, is the first new marker for the Boise chapter of DAR in 87 years. The Daughters of the American Revolution is a womens service organization that dedicates much of its efforts to preserving American history, per its website. It was founded in 1890 and has 185,000 members. Among the speakers celebrating Moultons legacy on Saturday was Idaho state Sen. Cherie Buckner-Webb, D-Boise. Though he was not in attendance, Boise Mayor Dave Bieter issued a proclamation that April 27, 2019, would be known as Elvina Moulton Day. We in Idaho dont have to live by what things were, Buckner-Webb said. We play an integral part in making Idaho what it is. According to the Notable Kentucky African Americans Database, Moulton is believed to have been the first African-American woman in Boise. She was a former slave from Kentucky who came to Boise around 1867, per the database. She helped found Boises First Presbyterian Church in 1878. Moultons first home was located on 10th Street and Idaho Street; her second was on South 4th Street, Daughters of the American Revolution spokeswoman Erin Taylor told the Statesman in an email. Moulton, who died in 1917 at the age of 79, is buried at the Morris Hill Cemetery. According to Taylor, Moulton walked the Oregon Trail all the way from Missouri to reach Boise. Moulton was never married but the community knew her as a kind and independent woman who worked hard. The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution works to preserve our history and bring recognition to people like Elvina Moulton. This marker celebrates a Boise pioneer and the diverse group of people who came together to make Boise into the beautiful city it is today, Taylor wrote. Although it has been over a century since Miss Moulton lived in Boise, its never too late to recognize her for her contributions to our city. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Enough already The longest-serving Republican state legislator in, of all places, Iowa announced Tuesday that hed had it with the behavior of President Donald Trump. Next year, hes running as a Democrat. Rep. Andy McKean told The Washington Post that Trump sets a poor example for the nation and particularly for our children by personally insulting, often in a crude and juvenile fashion, those who disagree with him, being a bully at a time when were attempting to discourage bullying. McKean, whose district is in the Cedar Rapids area, also chided the president for reckless spending and shortsighted financial policies, and his destabilizing foreign policies. I believe his actions have coarsened political discourse, have resulted in unprecedented divisiveness and have created an atmosphere that is a breeding ground for hateful rhetoric and actions, said McKean. Some would excuse this behavior as telling it like it is and the new normal. If this is the new normal, I want no part of it. Other Republicans who have defected since the midterms include four female state lawmakers in Kansas. But given how closely watched Iowa is ahead of any major election, McKeans departure from the GOP ranks carries more weight than normal. Hanging Up the robocallers Missouri spoofing legislators are moving to crack down on telemarketers who mask their identities by displaying fake numbers on the recipients caller-ID that are similar to their own numbers. Confronting this annoyance cant come fast enough. These telemarketing robocallers call cell phone users while making it appear the calls are coming in from the same area code and prefix as the recipient has. Known as spoofing, the idea is to fool the recipient into thinking the call is coming from a friend or relative, thus increasing the chances the person will answer and give the telemarketer a chance to make a sales pitch. Since the numbers the marketers use arent their regular numbers and change all the time, the ploy has allowed them to sidestep no-call lists. I was getting about five a day, said the sponsor of the measure, Sen. Eric Burlison, R-Springfield. His legislation, Senate Bill 144, would automatically add use of fake numbers to the states no-call list, making violations easier to prosecute. Bye to the bots When President Donald Trump hosted Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in the Oval Office Tuesday, Dorsey was hoping to fill Trump in on Twitters efforts to fight the opioid epidemic. As the president of a nation facing a public health crisis on that topic, youd think Trump would have been interested in hearing Dorseys insights. But, no. What the leader of the free world wanted to talk about, according to sources in the closed-door meeting, was why he, Trump, was losing Twitter followers. Earlier that morning, Trump complained (yes, on Twitter) that the media platform was playing political games, a reference to the conservative myth that social media platforms discriminate against conservatives. In fact, the major platforms are under increasing pressure to weed out spam, fake accounts and bots which, as Dorsey reportedly explained to Trump, is why Trump has been losing followers. Trump reportedly is furious that former President Barack Obama has more Twitter followers (almost 106 million as of mid-week) than Trump (about 60 million). Right, wrong and Rudy To the long list of head-spinning utterances that have come from the mouth of former New York mayor turned presidential lawyer Rudy Giuliani, add this gem: Theres nothing wrong with taking information from Russians. Giuliani who for some reason is still allowed by President Donald Trump to speak for him in public had yet another bizarre television interview, this time with CNNs Jake Tapper. Referring to that infamous 2016 meeting in Trump Tower between Trump campaign officials and a Kremlin-connected source who had promised dirt on Hillary Clinton, Giuliani said it wouldve been just fine even if said dirt had materialized. (It apparently didnt.) Legal scholars debate whether Donald Trump Jr.s enthusiastic arrangement of a meeting with a representative of an adversarial foreign government peddling campaign help was, in itself, collusion. Or whether such information, had it exchanged hands, would have constituted an illegal campaign contribution. Or whether Trumps personal role in concocting a public lie to explain the meeting constituted obstruction. But the notion that there was nothing wrong with the whole sordid episode in the basic wrong-versus-right sense is new territory. Which is where Mayor Rudy always seems to take us. REPRINTED FROM THE ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A recent guest editorial by two Democrat Boise legislators offered a highly distorted, reckless, incendiary partisan take on Idahos new Medicaid Expansion bill. I know and have worked with both of these Democrat legislators, so Im baffled by their toxic language and deliberately misleading rhetoric. Im also not sure they even wrote the column. It reads like a nationally produced hit piece from one of the well-funded outside groups allied with the Democrat party. We dont need extreme drama and exaggeration here in Idaho. I think our job as legislators is to listen, represent our districts, and then give accurate information to our constituents. With that in mind, here are the facts about the Medicaid Expansion bill we approved this legislative session. Senate bill 1204: 1. Offers help to those in the expansion who may need substance abuse treatment. 2. Asks for a Federal waiver to help fund treatment for those with mental disabilities. 3. Requests a Federal waiver so those who qualify for the expansion, but are currently on the private health insurance exchange, have the option to stay where they are or go onto Medicaid. 4. Asks for a patient-centered managed care medical system for those in the expansion, to offer continuity and help with all their needs. 5. Contains several safety clauses. One is to make sure that nothing slows down the implementation of Medicaid expansion in Idaho. The expansion became law as soon as then-Gov. Otter signed it last November. The Feds need time to get everything set up, and it has always been scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2020. Nothing has blocked that, and it is progressing right on time. 6. Includes a work requirement for some able-bodied people. This is being used as a political hammer by Democrats. They told everyone, during the signature drive and campaign for Prop 2, that Medicaid expansion was for hard-working Idahoans and to help the working poor in Idaho. I honestly think most people who voted for the expansion did so to help their neighbors, friends and family who work but still cannot afford the high price of healthcare. Senate Bill 1204 asks for a Federal waiver, which may or may not be granted, to offer some very soft work requirements for the small percentage of folks in the expansion who are able to work but arent currently working. The work requirement waiver exempts anyone who is pregnant or caring for children or ill or disabled family members, or who is physically or mentally unable to work. Theres a long list of exemptions from the work requirement. For those able-bodied people who do fall under the work rule, they are only required to work an average of 20 hours a week, or they can volunteer,or be going to job training, or looking for work, or any combination of those options. The rules are so soft they are easier than Food Stamp work requirements! And the reporting is only every six months, just like Food Stamps. If an able-bodied, non-exempt person does not fulfill the work requirement, they may be removed from Medicaid, but they can get right back on, anytime, if they volunteer, look for a job, get a job, or go to job training. 7. Cost. We worked with our state budget analysts to get the most accurate estimate possible at this time. After about $300,000 in start-up costs for personnel and technology, the annual ongoing cost of the requirements in Senate Bill 1204 are figured to be less than $500,000. There are also predicted savings to offset those costs. The managed care program, and people opting to stay on the private insurance exchange, could result in significant savings. So why would the Democrats, in their recent Guest Editorial, make the following outrageously untrue claims about Senate Bill 1204: a bill that spends millions of dollars to hire a squadron of bureaucrats to hunt down the most vulnerable people in the state and strip them of Medicaid coveragejust to torment Idahos poorest citizens. Notice the Democrats extreme rhetoric, clearly designed to make readers think their political opponents Republicans arent just wrong, but bad people? Coupled with the falsehoods and distortions, as well their portrayal of Democrats as some kind of saviors of the people, this type of language only adds to our toxic political climate. Its a disservice to Idahoans, who deserve better from their elected representatives. I dont want to get down in the mud with Democrats who seem intent on misleading you about Medicaid expansion. I just want you to have the facts so you can draw your own conclusions. Sen. Mary Souza is Vice Chair of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee and represents District 4, Coeur dAlene. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 And the tests of Idahos elected officials go on. The next one might involve medical marijuana. A measure proposed for Idaho ballot status in 2020, already in the early stages of its process, would set up a regulated but legal regime for medical marijuana and industrial hemp in the state. Many of the people who sought to restrict (or nearly eliminate) initiative ballot access seemingly to judge from what a number of people around the Idaho Legislature said during the session made that effort partly out of concern that voter approval of medical marijuana might be the next thing voters could adopt after getting no traction at the legislature. After a session in which legislators were beaten up week after week for loudly telling voters what they couldnt do and the choices they couldnt make they might be stuck with more of the same after the 2020 election. Maybe. For now at least, the cannabis ballot issue is going forward. Answers to at least one and maybe both of the key immediate questions may be apparent by the time the legislature next meets: Can the marijuana advocates climb the massive hurdles that the Medicaid expansion forces did, and manage to get their proposal on the ballot? And, if they do, would the voters of Idaho pass it? The answers to each question are highly uncertain in the spring of this year. But for now, positive answers to both questions do seem plausible. Although the ballot restrictions the legislature proposed this year failed (remember, they may be back in the 2020 session), the difficulties already on the books for getting a citizen initiative on the ballot are large. A big, well-organized and reasonably well-funded grass roots effort would be needed to accomplish it. The Medicaid expansion forces had that, and by pushing exceptionally hard managed to reach their goal. Whether the Idaho Cannabis Coalition and its allies will be able to put together as strong an effort is far from clear; a marijuana ballot issue failed to reach the ballot in 2018. But the Medicaid forces did set out a template: They showed issue advocates exactly what was needed and how such a campaign could succeed. With enough resources and energy, the ICC and others might be able to follow in its tracks. If they do, could the measure pass? Idaho voters cannot be mistaken for those in Washington or Oregon or California, or most other legalization states, no doubt. But voters in places like Utah and other deep red states have approved medical marijuana. And there is this: The tough bar for getting on the ballot could help the advocates win an election, because of the immense amount of organizing and persuasion they would need to do to get in front of the voters at all. By the time voters saw the measure on the ballot, a lot more of them might be persuaded than would be the case if ballot access were a slam dunk. Of course, we dont yet know how capable the cannabis organizers will turn out to be (we cant assess that until we see them in action), and we dont know how persuadable Idaho voters may be. But if it does pass, two more questions will quickly emerge. One is whether the Idaho Legislature once again wants to put itself through a repudiation of the voters of the sort it did this year. (A good bet would be yes.) The second test would go to Governor Brad Little, who last year said he would respect the will of the voters when they acted on Medicaid expansion. Last week, at his first Capital for a Day event, Little declared clearly his opposition to marijuana legalization. So, if the voters were to pass the planned initiative in 2020, what would Little do? Would he respect the will of the voters even when he happens to disagree with it? Randy Stapilus is a former Idaho newspaper reporter and editor and blogs at www.ridenbaugh.com. He can be reached at stapilus@ridenbaugh.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Here are the estimates from Penn World Tables, only selected countries are presented: Sri Lanka 2.48 China 2.40 Poland 1.70 Uruguay 1.61 Romania 1.61 United States 0.89 Brazil -0.12 South Africa -0.53 Mexico -0.82 Ukraine -1.20 A few points. First, I still believe Sri Lanka is an undervalued development story, in spite of recent developments. Second, the economy of Poland is not discussed enough. Third, other sources confirm similar numbers for Mexico, arguably because misallocations of capital and labor have increased due to the growing size of the informal sector. Fourth, there are far too many other nations in the negative column. Those numbers are reproduced in Productivity in Emerging-Market Economies: Slowdown or Stagnation?, by Jose de Gregorio, in the new and interesting volume Facing Up To Low Productivity Growth, edited by Adam S. Posen and Jeromin Zettelmeyer. El 2 de diciembre de 1970, Oscar Arnoldo Rios Maldonado, estudiante de Periodismo de la Universidad de Concepcion y militante del MIR, fue asesinado por un disparo de un integrante la Brigada Ramona Parra del Partido Comunista. Salvador Allende, quien habia asumido la presidencia de Chile el 4 de noviembre, solicita a las direcciones de ambos partidos que logren un acuerdo que impida conflictos que empanen el desarrollo del naciente gobierno. En la foto de izquierda a derecha aparecen Andres Pascal Allende, Luciano Cruz y Miguel Enriquez, quienes aun clandestinos por el caso Osses Santa Maria se presentan en el velorio de Rios que se realizaba en esos momentos en la pinacoteca de la universidad. Al fondo de la foto se puede apreciar el conocido campanil de la Universidad de Concepcion. Foto y texto tomado del muro de Facebook de MARCO BRAVO, 29 de sept 2018 4 Comments 2 Shares 23 Rolando Briones, Matias Salvador Villa Juica and 21 others 11 hours ago Russian pipeline faces big hurdles amid Ukraine tensions FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) The pipeline is built and being filled with natural gas. But Russias Nord Stream 2 faces a rocky road before any gas flows to Germany, with its new leaders adopting a more skeptical tone toward the project and tensions ratcheting up over Russias troop buildup at the Ukrainian border. Read Article Credit: CC0 Public Domain Diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by trained professionals in children as young as 14 months are remarkably stable, suggesting that accurate screening and earlier treatment is feasible, report scientists at University of California San Diego School of Medicine in a study publishing online April 29, 2019 in JAMA Pediatrics. Growing evidence suggests ASD has its origins in prenatal lifemost likely during the first or second trimester of pregnancyand children begin to display symptoms of the condition by their first birthdays, such as failing to respond to their names or positively interact with others. Early diagnosis of ASD means earlier intervention and improved therapeutic benefit. "The sooner you can address issues of ASD, the better the outcome for the child," said the study's first author, Karen Pierce, Ph.D., professor of neurosciences and co-director of the UC San Diego Autism Center of Excellence. She led the study with senior author Eric Courchesne, Ph.D., also a professor of neurosciences. Multiple studies, including research conducted by Pierce, have found that simple parent checklists performed at the child's first birthday can identify symptoms of ASD. And yet the mean age of ASD diagnoses in the United States, write the researchers, is "often years later, generally between ages three and four." Pierce said the lag between the first signs of ASD and diagnosis represents a missed opportunity, particularly given the accelerated pace of brain development in the first years of life. "Synaptic density or connections between neurons in the prefrontal and temporal cortex, brain regions centrally involved in higher order social behavior, doubles between birth and one to two years in age," said Pierce. "It's conceivable that outcomes for children with autism could be improved if treatment occurred during this period of rapid brain growth, rather than after, which is more commonly the case." To conduct their study, Pierce and colleagues assessed 1,269 toddlers from the general population (441 ASD, 828 non-ASD) who received their first diagnostic evaluation between 12 and 36 months and at least one subsequent evaluation, all by licensed psychologists. Diagnoses ranged from ASD and features of ASD to language and developmental delay or other developmental issues. The overall diagnostic stability for ASD was 0.84, higher than for any other diagnostic group. Only 2 percent of toddlers initially considered to have ASD transitioned to later diagnoses of typical development. Within the group diagnosed with ASD, the most common transition was from ASD to ASD features at 9 percent. Diagnostic stability of ASD was weakest at 12 to 13 months, just 0.50, but increased to 0.79 by 14 months and 0.83 by 16 months. Twenty-four percent of toddlers were not designated as ASD at their first evaluations, but later identified. The most common transition in this group was an initial designation of developmental delay (25 percent) or language delay (16 percent), transitioning to later-onset ASD. "Our findings suggest that an ASD diagnosis becomes stable starting at 14 months, and overall is more stable than other diagnoses, such as language or developmental delay," said Pierce. "Once a toddler is identified as ASD, there is an extremely low chance that he or she will test within typical levels at age three or four, so it's imperative that we use every effective tool as early as we can to begin treating diagnosed children to the benefit of them and their families over the long-term." Explore further Reduction in autism diagnoses observed with DSM-5 A diagnostic device for ME/CFS. Credit: R. Esfandyarpour People suffering from a debilitating and often discounted disease known as chronic fatigue syndrome may soon have something they've been seeking for decades: scientific proof of their ailment. Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have created a blood test that can flag the disease, which currently lacks a standard, reliable diagnostic test. "Too often, this disease is categorized as imaginary," said Ron Davis, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry and of genetics. When individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome seek help from a doctor, they may undergo a series of tests that check liver, kidney and heart function, as well as blood and immune cell counts, Davis said. "All these different tests would normally guide the doctor toward one illness or another, but for chronic fatigue syndrome patients, the results all come back normal," he said. The problem, he said, is that they're not looking deep enough. Now, Davis; Rahim Esfandyarpour, Ph.D., a former Stanford research associate; and their colleagues have devised a blood-based test that successfully identified participants in a study with chronic fatigue syndrome. The test, which is still in a pilot phase, is based on how a person's immune cells respond to stress. With blood samples from 40 people20 with chronic fatigue syndrome and 20 withoutthe test yielded precise results, accurately flagging all chronic fatigue syndrome patients and none of the healthy individuals. The diagnostic platform could even help identify possible drugs to treat chronic fatigue syndrome. By exposing the participants' blood samples to drug candidates and rerunning the diagnostic test, the scientists could potentially see whether the drug improved the immune cells' response. Already, the team is using the platform to screen for potential drugs they hope can help people with chronic fatigue syndrome down the line. A paper describing the research findings will be published online April 29 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Davis is the senior author. Esfandyarpour, who is now on the faculty of the University of California-Irvine, is the lead author. Providing the proof The diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome, when it actually is diagnosed, is based on symptomsexhaustion, sensitivity to light and unexplained pain, among other thingsand it comes only after other disease possibilities have been eliminated. It's estimated that 2 million people in the United States have chronic fatigue syndrome, but that's a rough guess, Davis said, and it's likely much higher. For Davis, the quest to find scientific evidence of the malady is personal. It comes from a desire to help his son, who has suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome for about a decade. In fact, it was a biological clue that Davis first spotted in his son that led him and Esfandyarpour to develop the new diagnostic tool. The approach, of which Esfandyarpour led the development, employs a "nanoelectronic assay," which is a test that measures changes in miniscule amounts of energy as a proxy for the health of immune cells and blood plasma. The diagnostic technology contains thousands of electrodes that create an electrical current, as well as chambers to hold simplified blood samples composed of immune cells and plasma. Inside the chambers, the immune cells and plasma interfere with the current, changing its flow from one end to another. The change in electrical activity is directly correlated with the health of the sample. The idea is to stress the samples from both healthy and ill patients using salt, and then compare how each sample affects the flow of the electrical current. Changes in the current indicate changes in the cell: the bigger the change in current, the bigger the change on a cellular level. A big change is not a good thing; it's a sign that the cells and plasma are flailing under stress and incapable of processing it properly. All of the blood samples from chronic fatigue syndrome patients created a clear spike in the test, whereas those from healthy controls returned data that was on a relatively even keel. "We don't know exactly why the cells and plasma are acting this way, or even what they're doing," Davis said. "But there is scientific evidence that this disease is not a fabrication of a patient's mind. We clearly see a difference in the way healthy and chronic fatigue syndrome immune cells process stress." Now, Esfandyarpour and Davis are expanding their work to confirm the findings in a larger cohort of participants. Doubling up In addition to diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome, the researchers are also harnessing the platform to screen for drug-based treatments, since currently the options are slim. "Using the nanoelectronics assay, we can add controlled doses of many different potentially therapeutic drugs to the patient's blood samples and run the diagnostic test again," Esfandyarpour said. If the blood samples taken from those with chronic fatigue syndrome still respond poorly to stress and generate a spike in electrical current, then the drug likely didn't work. If, however, a drug seems to mitigate the jump in electrical activity, that could mean it is helping the immune cells and plasma better process stress. So far, the team has already found a candidate drug that seems to restore healthy function to immune cells and plasma when tested in the assay. The drug, while successful in the assay, is not currently being used in people with chronic fatigue syndrome, but Davis and Esfandyarpour are hopeful that they can test their finding in a clinical trial in the future. All of the drugs being tested are either already approved by the Food and Drug Administration or will soon be broadly accessible to the public, which is key to fast access and dissemination should any of these compounds pan out. Explore further Assessment tool predicts chronic fatigue syndrome six months after mono (HealthDay)The first confirmed identification of the bloodsucking "kissing bug" in Delaware involves one that bit a girl on the face last summer, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. The insect (Triatoma sanguisuga) can transmit a parasite (Trypanosoma cruzi) that causes Chagas disease, which can lead to serious heart and gastrointestinal complications. "The girl who was bitten had no ill effects," according to the CDC report released Thursday. Despite the confirmed presence of the kissing bug, the agency said there is no current evidence of the Chagas-causing parasite in Delaware. Chagas is endemic to Latin America, but transmission of the parasite that causes it could increase in the United States because of climate change, experts have warned. More information: More Information Health News Copyright 2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Credit: CC0 Public Domain More than a third of young adults report using both cannabis and tobacco or nicotine products, providing a unique challenge to public health officials as cannabis is legalized in more jurisdictions, according to a new RAND Corporation study. Studying a group of young adults from California, researchers examined the many different ways that cannabis and tobacco or nicotine products are used togethera byproduct of the introduction of new vaping devices and other delivery methods. Among those surveyed, young adults who used cannabis and tobacco or nicotine together in some way (either using one right after the other or by mixing the products together) tended to consume more marijuana and tobacco or nicotine products, and report poorer functioning and more problematic behaviors compared to those who used did not use both products together. The study is published online by the journal Psychology of Addictive Behaviors. "There is growing concern that as more states legalize marijuana, there also will be an increase in tobacco use because the two substances may be used together," said Joan Tucker, lead author of the study and a senior behavioral scientist at RAND, a nonprofit research organization. "Co-use of cannabis and tobacco could reverse some of the progress made on reducing rates of tobacco use." Mixing cannabis and tobacco is more common in some other countries compared to the U.S. But in recent years, cannabis and tobacco or nicotine co-use in the U.S. has risen among adults, coinciding with greater availability and diversity of cannabis, tobacco and vaping products. In the U.S., national data show that young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 are more likely to use cannabis, tobacco or nicotine products than any other age group. Studies on the issue thus far have have been limited in scope. They typically have not accounted for the use of newer vaping products nor examined whether certain ways of co-using these substances is associated with greater problems. RAND researchers surveyed more than 2,400 young adults during 2017 and 2018. Participants have taken part in an ongoing study of substance use patterns from adolescence to young adulthood. While they originally were recruited in 2008 from 16 middle schools across Southern California, they now live in more than 400 neighborhoods throughout the state. Among the young adults in the RAND survey, about half reported using cannabis during the past year, and 43% reported using some type of tobacco or nicotine product during the same period. About 37% reported co-use of the substances at some point during the past year. More than 80% of the young adults who reported past-year marijuana use also reported past-year tobacco use. Using both substances sequentially (one right after the other) on the same occasion was reported by 17% of the young adults, and 14% reported using the substances together by mixing them in the same device. The study found that co-use of cannabis and tobacco or nicotine is associated with worse functioning, including poorer mental and physical health, as well as greater problematic behaviors such as fighting, skipping school, being fired and getting in trouble with the police. Young adults who used both products in the past year, but did not use them on the same occasion, did not show greater risk compared to those who used only one of these products. "How these products are used together matters in terms of potential health consequences and functioning among people in their late teens and early 20s," Tucker said. "Our findings suggest that we can no longer just think about the consequences of tobacco use or marijuana use alonewe have to think about them together." For example, programs designed to educate people about the health risks of tobacco or cannabis probably need to address both substances at the same time, Tucker said. Support for the study was provided by the California Tobacco-Related Disease Research Grants Program Office of the University of California and the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Other authors of the study are Eric Pedersen, Rachana Seelam, Michael Dunbar, Regina Shih and Elizabeth D'Amico. The RAND Social and Economic Well-Being division seeks to actively improve the health, social and economic well-being of populations and communities throughout the world. Explore further Many teens don't know they are vaping nicotine In this March 27, 2019 file photo, signs about measles and the measles vaccine are displayed at the Rockland County Health Department in Pomona, N.Y. Measles continues to spread in the United States, with more 704 cases reported so far this year spread among 22 states. U.S. health officials on Monday, April 29 updated the national tally, which already has eclipsed the total for any full year since 1994, when 963 cases were reported. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) A measles outbreak that sickened more than 70 people, mostly children, in the Pacific Northwest is finally over even as the total number of cases nationwide continues to spike to near-record levels , officials said Monday. Six weeks have passed without a new infection in southwest Washington state, where the outbreak began on Jan. 3, said Dr. Alan Melnick, head of the Clark County public health department. A total of 71 people were infecteda tally that does not include a handful of cases in Portland, Oregon, and Seattle that were linked to the outbreak's epicenter. The good news from the Pacific Northwest comes as authorities elsewhere struggled with the most measles cases in the U.S. since 1994. Across the country, 704 cases have been reported in 22 states as of Monday, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A large outbreak in the New York City area has stymied public health officials and more than 350 students at two major California universities remained quarantined after possible exposure, down from 800 students last week. "We're grateful to see this outbreak come to an end without any deaths or serious complications," Melnick said. "But as long as measles exists elsewhere in the world and people continue travel, we're at risk of seeing another outbreak. We must improve our immunization rates to prevent future outbreaks and keep our children and other vulnerable people safe." In Washington state, the outbreak began four months ago when measles was confirmed in a child who had traveled from the Ukraine to the U.S. Authorities could not determine, however, that the child was the source of the outbreak. It spread quickly among unvaccinated children: Ninety-three percent of the cases were in those under age 18 and 86 percent of patients were unvaccinated, while 14 percent had had just one dose of a two-dose series of shots or didn't know their vaccination status. One person was hospitalized. The outbreak cost nearly $1 million and 19,000 hours of staffing time to contain and affected 53 public places, including schools, hospitals, airports, stores and restaurants in both Washington and Oregon, officials said. Melnick said during the outbreak, public health authorities struggling to contain its spread identified and contacted more than 4,100 people who were exposed to the viral illness and made daily monitoring phone calls to more than 800 people considered susceptible to contracting measles. The outbreak prompted a public conversation in both Washington and Oregon about routine childhood vaccines. The two liberal-leaning states have some of the nation's highest statewide vaccine exemption rates, driven in part by low vaccination levels in scattered communities and at some private and alternative schools. Four percent of Washington secondary school students have non-medical vaccine exemptions. In Oregon, which has a similar law, 7.5 percent of kindergarteners in 2018 were missing shots for non-medical reasons. Numerous studies have shown vaccines do not cause autisma common reason cited by those who don't want their kids immunized. In Washington, lawmakers sent a bill to Gov. Jay Inslee's desk that would tighten up exemption rules for the mumps, measles and rubella shots. In Oregon, lawmakers will vote to remove a families' ability to opt-out of required school vaccinations for personal, philosophical or religious reasons. Before mass vaccination, 400 to 500 people in the U.S. died of the measles every year. Serious complications include brain swelling that can cause blindness or deafness and pneumonia. Early symptoms include a fever, runny nose and malaise, followed by a rash that starts around the head and moves down the body. Patients are contagious four days before and four days after getting the rash. Nine out of 10 unvaccinated people who are exposed will get the disease. Someone who has no immunity can get sick up to three weeks after they have been exposed to the virus. Explore further Patients in Northwest measles outbreak traveled to Hawaii 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Credit: CC0 Public Domain Indian women are younger and leaner than Swedish women when they develop gestational diabetes, a new study from Lund University shows. The researchers also found a gene that increases the risk of gestational diabetes in Swedish women, but which, on the contrary, turned out to have a protective effect in Indian women. Gestational diabetes is characterized by impaired insulin production and insulin secretion during pregnancy. The prevalence differs between different populations and can partly be explained by lifestyle and genes. The purpose of the study was therefore to investigate the differences between pregnant women in India and Scandinavia. "Individuals with Asian origin have two to seven times greater risk of developing the disease compared to Europeans," says Geeti Aurora, a physician in the Indian state of Punjab, and researcher at the Lund University Diabetes Centre who conducted the study in India. The study includes 507 Swedish women from Malmo and 4,018 Indian women from the state of Punjab. The results have subsequently been replicated in cohorts with 398 women from Finland and 780 from Norway. The diagnosis criteria in Sweden is 10 mmol/l after a two hours glucose tolerance test. To be consistent across all studies, they used the same criteria in all the studies and therefore ended up with a total of 5703 study participants from all studies of whom 274 had gestational diabetes. It is the largest study to date comparing gestational diabetes in Europeans and non-Europeans and the first study to compare the incidence of gestational diabetes in India with Sweden. The result shows that the incidence of gestational diabetes was higher in Indian women than in Swedish women. Indian women are on average ten years younger when they develop the disease, they are also leaner and more insulin sensitive. "That Indian women seem to develop gestational diabetes already at a lower BMI even though they are insulin sensitive could indicate a more serious defect in insulin secretion," says Rashmi Prasad, researcher at Lund University's Diabetes Center, who led the study. The researchers examined 85 previously known risk genes for gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes. One of them could be linked to gestational diabetes in Indian women but not in Swedish. On the contrary, another gene, CRY2, which is of importance to the circadian rhythm, was found to have a protective effect in Indian women but is associated with increased risk in Swedish women. "It is interesting that the same gene has the opposite effect in the Indian and Swedish population and the question is whether it can be related to the shifting seasons in Scandinavia which don't occur in India", says Rashmi Prasad. India with its 1.3 billion inhabitants has great genetic differences. People from northern India share similar genetics with individuals from the Middle East, Central Asia, and to some extent Europe, while India's southern population belongs to a more proprietary genetically defined group. The country has the highest number of people with type 2 diabetes in the world and the number is increasing dramatically. Explore further Maternal gestational diabetes linked to diabetes in children More information: Geeti P. Arora et al, Phenotypic and genotypic differences between Indian and Scandinavian women with gestational diabetes mellitus, Journal of Internal Medicine (2019). Journal information: Journal of Internal Medicine Geeti P. Arora et al, Phenotypic and genotypic differences between Indian and Scandinavian women with gestational diabetes mellitus,(2019). DOI: 10.1111/joim.12903 Spartan 2017 Picton NSW. Credit: Ben Hockley Current psychological studies suggest that the personality trait of "grit," or strength of character, is a better predictor of academic success among college students than more commonly used measures such as standardized test scores and demographic indicators. "But a more important question has yet to be answered," says Dr. Susan Murray, chair and professor of psychological science at Missouri S&T"is it possible to increase grit?" Through one of the first studies in the world to explore methods of increasing grit, Murray's research team set out to discover if first-year STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) college students could improve their grit score through a targeted intervention. "Grit is viable construct for exploration," says Murray. "Grit is egalitarian and encourages people to work at growing and learning. It reminds us that although we might not be able to achieve something yet, with work we can." Murray is the lead investigator of the study titled "Improving First-Year STEM Students' Performance and Retention: Is Grit the Answer?" published by the American Society for Quality's journal Quality Approaches in Education with co-authors Dr. Nathan Weidner, assistant professor of psychological science and Stephanie Dukes, a sophomore in psychological science, both at Missouri S&T. According to a 2016 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report, about half of students who enter college seeking a bachelor's degree in a STEM field fail to reach that goal within four to six years. Many students leave STEM fields altogether, which in addition to the students' personal disappointment, makes it difficult for high-tech employers to find qualified workers. "If we could provide students with a means to increase grit and improve their ability to persevere, we could affect the outcomes of higher education," says Murray. "Retention rates would improve and the return-on-investment for college education expenses would be greater." To discover if the "grittiness" of first-year college students could be increased through academic intervention, Murray's research team used an intensive, three-week summer education program, "Hit the Ground Running" or HGR. The participants were 76 incoming first-year college students enrolling in STEM majors at Missouri S&T for the fall 2018 semester. The program allows students to get acquainted with fellow classmates, become comfortable navigating the campus and learn valuable tools to help them find success in their college career. Grit consists of two facets: perseverance of effort and consistency of interest, according to a 2007 Journal of Personality and Social Psychology article by Angela L. Duckworth, Christopher Peterson, Michael D. Matthews, and Dennis R. Kelly. Perseverance is the ability to continue through and overcome difficulty or failure. It allows a person to excel in an area where others would have given up when faced with obstacles. Consistency of interest is maintaining the same goals and interests through the course of months or years. It helps a person keep going through the many hours needed to become proficient in a task. Together these two sub-traits likely influence struggling college students who feel a strong desire to quit during their college education, Murray's research notes. Missouri S&T researchers measured students' grit scores before and after they completed the HGR program. At the end of the program, the students showed a modest overall increase in their grit score driven by an increase in the perseverance-of-effort dimension. Their consistency-of-interest dimension showed a small, non-significant change. "These results highlight the need for more grit studies, especially in higher education," says Murray. "Because the relationship between grit and various academic outcomes is already established, having the ability to enhance grit in college students may become an effective method for improving their outcomes." Murray further notes that with initial results showing change only in the persistence of effort (and not in consistency of interest), more research is needed to determine if overall interest can be improved, or if the driving force changing the total grit score is solely due to an increase in effort. If interest cannot be increased, that means interventions should be focused on increasing a person's effort. To follow up on the study, researchers will re-evaluate the participants after completion of their first academic year to check the relationship among their grit scores, GPA and continuation in their major. "There's more work to do," says Murray. "At Missouri S&T, we're encouraged by our results and the potential to increase student success through interventions aimed at increasing grit." One of the Kids II Rocking Sleeper models under recall. Photo: CPSC (HealthDay)The Kids II company is recalling nearly 700,000 of its Rocking Sleepers for infants, after reports of babies dying have been linked to the products' use. In an announcement posted Friday on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) website, the agency says the recall follows deaths occurring "after the infants rolled from their back to their stomach while unrestrained, or under other circumstances." The recall comes just two weeks after the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) urged a recall of another brand of sleeper, Fisher Price's popular Rock n' Play sleeper. That inclined sleeper has been associated with 32 sleep-related infant deaths, according to a new Consumer Reports analysis. The CPSC and Fisher-Price issued a warning about the Rock 'n Play Sleeper on April 5, but that's not enough to protect infants, according to the AAP. "This product is deadly and should be recalled immediately," AAP President Dr. Kyle Yasuda said in a news release from the group. The new recall involves 694,000 Kids II sleepers, which the CPSC says have been linked to five infant deaths since the products began being sold in 2012. The Kids II sleepers were sold at "major retailers nationwide, including Walmart, Target and Toys "R" Us and online from March 2012 through April 26, 2019 for approximately $40-$80," the CPSC said. "Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact Kids II for a refund or voucher," the agency said. More information: For a complete list of the recalled Kids II sleepers, head to the For a complete list of the recalled Kids II sleepers, head to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Copyright 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Kindness, from the perspective of young children, is an act of emotional or physical support that helps build or maintain relationships with others. Credit: Shutterstock After asking more than 3,000 students about kindness, I've learned a lot about just how children and adolescents understand and enact kindness, especially at school. The results might surprise parents and educators. One trend in kindness research is to assess the effects of being kind on the well-being of participants. Researchers have found, across studies, that completing kind acts such as spending money on a stranger, counting the number of kind acts you've done each week and doing kind acts for people with whom you have varying social connections all boost well-being. When I began studying kindness as an education researcher at the University of British Columbia, I noticed that, firstly, there was no measure to assess perceptions of kindness in school. Secondly, we knew very little about how kids understood and demonstrated kindness. Measuring and defining kindness My foray into understanding kindness began with seeking to measure it. I teamed up with two colleagues, Anne M. Gadermann, a specialist in the social determinants of health, and Kimberly A. Schonert-Reichl, an applied developmental psychologist. With them, I developed the School Kindness Scale. Using a five-point scale, I surveyed 1,753 students in Grades 4 through 8 about their thoughts on how often kindness occurred in their school and whether kindness was encouraged and modelled by adults in their school. I talked with Wendy because shes an older lady that lives along my paper route. She waits twice a week to say hi to Daisy and I. Credit: John-Tyler Binfet, Author provided Findings from this study revealed gender differences in perceptions of school kindness with girls reporting higher perceptions of kindness in school than did boys. We also noted an unfortunate pattern students perceive their school as less kind from Grades 4 to 8. This pattern is consistent with findings by Canadian and Italian researchers who identified a decrease in pro-social behaviour from childhood to adolescence and findings that students become less connected to school as they transition from childhood to adolescence. Along with graduate student researcher Holli-Annie Passmore, I also sought to explore children's understandings of kindness. The children who gauged kindness on the scale as described above also wrote responses to a series of open-ended questions on kindness such as "What does it mean to be kind?" and "What is an example of kindness you have done at school?" We found three themes accounted for about 68 per cent of all responses: helping (about 33 per cent), showing respect (about 24 per cent) and encouraging or advocating (about 11 per cent). What kindness looks like There was also very little research on young children so I set out to ask hundreds of five- to eight-year-olds what kindness looked like and to draw a picture of them doing something kind at school. Im helping him up because he fell off a slide. Credit: John-Tyler Binfet This "drawing-telling" methodology revealed rich examples of how young students are kind. I found that the prevalent themes of young children's kindness included helping physically, helping emotionally and sharing. Based on a study of 112 children's drawings, I proposed that kindness, from the perspective of young children, is an "act of emotional or physical support that helps build or maintain relationships with others." I also asked young children about their perceptions of teacher kindness. This forged new ground in kindness research and provided a window into student-teacher relations. Surprisingly, when over 650 children between kindergarten and Grade 3 were asked to illustrate a teacher being kind, almost three-quarters identified a teacher teaching. What was additionally curious was that students drew teachers helping a fellow student a peer in the class. Noticing this reinforced that students are highly observant. Instruction to classmates is perceived as teachers' kindness. This finding should bolster educators' understanding of how to build positive rapport with students. It's not so much field trips, guest speakers and special events that encourage students to describe their teacher as kindfrom the perspective of young children, teachers are kind when they are teaching. Quiet kindness Based on this study and others mentioned above, it became clear that children and adolescents enacted kindness in varied ways, falling into at least three distinct categories. Helping my brother get to school on time. Credit: John-Tyler Binfet Familiar to most readers is "random" kindness or what I think is more aptly called "responsive" kindness kindness where we react to a perceived need for physical or emotional support. The second category is what I call "intentional kindness" kindness that is planned, thought out and delivered to support someone's physical, social or emotional needs. The last way that children and adolescents enact kindness is through what I call "quiet kindness" a socially and emotionally sophisticated kindness that only the initiator knows about. I argue this category of kindness requires a well-honed ability to see from a variety of perspectives and a low need for recognition or reinforcement. More research is needed to uncover to what extent the kind acts of children and adolescents fall into these categories and whether there are benefits to well-being arising from practising different types of kindness. Encouraging intentional kindness Defining and providing examples of kind acts did not come easily to all students, and some students needed support in being kind. So I developed a model for encouraging intentional kindness in the classroom. It includes having students first identify who needs kindness around them, followed by a step-by-step guide to planning a kind act for others. This includes deciding if the act will be driven by time and effort (like shovelling someone's driveway) or if it will require materials (for example, making someone a gift basket). Educators and parents are well-positioned to create conditions that encourage children and adolescents to be kind. Doing so helps create learning communities that promote optimal peer relations, student-teacher rapport and caring school environments. Explore further Kindness key to happiness and acceptance for children This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Caregivers of veterans who engaged in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy found it relieved stress, anxiety and worry, according to a new study led by University of Illinois kinesiology and community health professor Sandraluz Lara-Cinisomo. Credit: L. Brian Stauffer Mindfulness therapy may be an effective way of mitigating the stress experienced by spouses and other informal caregivers for military veterans, a new study by researchers at the University of Illinois suggests. Kinesiology and community health professor Sandraluz Lara-Cinisomo led a pilot study that taught caregivers of veterans in central Illinois mindfulness-based cognitive therapy skills. The caregivers in the treatment groupmostly women caring for their spousesreported significant decreases in their perceived levels of stress, anxiety and worry. By contrast, the researchers found no significant changes in any of these symptoms among the participants assigned to the waitlist control group. "This not only shows the feasibility but also the promise that mindfulness has for improving mental health outcomes in this vulnerable, hard-to-reach population," Lara-Cinisomo said. "Although the study population was small, it shows that there's interest in this type of programming." The researchers reported their findings in a paper published in the journal Mindfulness and examined the feasibility of the intervention in another paper published in the Journal of Holistic Nursing. About 5.5 million informal caregivers, usually family members, provide daily care and support for U.S. military veterans. While recent federal legislation sought to bolster the financial support and assistance provided to these caregivers by offering programs such as mentoring, support groups, respite care and sometimes stipends, these services may be limited to those caring for veterans with specific diagnoses or types of injuries. Moreover, some programs are designed primarily to serve the care needs of the veterans and only incidentally address the caregivers' needs, the researchers wrote. "While the Veterans Administration, the Dole Foundation and other organizations are providing services, there's research to suggest that some services often don't match caregivers' needs," Lara-Cinisomo said. "Furthermore, there's been little research that has evaluated the effectiveness of current caregiver services." Lara-Cinisomo said that compared with caregivers in the general population, those caring for veterans experience higher levels of psychological distress, poorer overall health and increased "caregiver burdenwhich refers to the overall emotional, physical and financial strain associated with providing multiple forms of care. Additionally, caregivers of veterans engage in twice as much highly stressful or physically demanding care, compared with other caregivers, according to the study. The majority of caregivers in the study had been providing care for more than nine years and spent 21-30 hours solely attending to the veterans' needs, in addition to other family obligations, Lara-Cinisomo said. A large proportion of the veterans they were caring for had combat-related injuries along with a wide variety of other health issues, including mental illness and post-traumatic stress disorder, diabetes, cancer, traumatic brain injury and Parkinson's disease, Lara-Cinisomo said. To be eligible to participate in the eight-week intervention, caregivers had to be providing informal/unpaid care to a veteran, be at least 18 years old, able to walk or sit to perform the mindfulness activities and not have any mental health problems other than anxiety or depression. Of the caregivers who met the screening criteria and enrolled in the study, 11 were randomly assigned to the mindfulness intervention and 12 to the waitlist control group. All of the participants completed the study, and those on the waitlist were offered the opportunity to go through the mindfulness training after the wait period. Participants in the mindfulness intervention met weekly for two hours of instruction on the skills and how to apply them in stressful situations. These skills include focusing on body sensations to eliminate and reduce emotional activity, and concentrating on the present, as opposed to ruminating about their worries. They were encouraged to practice these exercises at home for 30-40 minutes daily with the help of an audio CD. Participants reported that they spent an average of 19 minutes weekly engaging in the activities at home. "Despite our small numbers, we were able to show that mindfulness helps and that it should be pursued not only by researchers, but by practitioners and those providing services to this population," said Lara-Cinisomo, who is currently working with colleagues at the RAND Corporation and Loyola University to build on these findings. "There also might be some additional benefits for the caregiver and the veteran, as well, that we should explore in future studies, such as improved sleep." Explore further Caring for an older adult with cancer comes with emotional challenges for caregivers, too More information: Sandraluz Lara-Cinisomo et al, A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Caregivers of Veterans, Mindfulness (2019). Journal information: Mindfulness Sandraluz Lara-Cinisomo et al, A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Caregivers of Veterans,(2019). DOI: 10.1007/s12671-019-01131-9 Dr. Magalhaes in his lab with Dr. Eymael. Credit: Jeff Comber, University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry After examining data gathered over an 11-year period in a first-of-its-kind provincial study, University of Toronto clinician-scientist Marco Magalhaes has one vital message: dentists in Ontario are detecting more cases of oral cancer and pre-cancer than ever beforeand it's saving lives. Magalhaes, lead author of the study that appears in the Journal of the American Dental Association, is an assistant professor at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Dentistry, and one of the oral pathologists at the Toronto Oral Pathology Service (TOPS). Operated by the Faculty of Dentistry, TOPS is one of the largest oral pathology services in Canada, which provides comprehensive evaluation of biopsy specimensthe overwhelming majority of which are submitted by dentists. For the study, Magalhaes looked at 63,483 biopsies submitted to the service between 2005 and 2015. "We wanted to look at the scope of oral biopsies performed by dentists, what they're seeing in practice," says Magalhaes of the study's design. The biopsy data from TOPS were then compared to numbers collected by the Ontario Cancer registry, Cancer Care Ontario, which tracks all reported cancers in the province. Surprisingly, the data showed a steep rise in the overall numbers of carcinomas (oral cancers) and dysplasia (pre-cancerous lesions) detected by dentists. Overall, 828 cases of oral cancer were diagnosed by the U of T oral pathology service between 2005 to 2015, along with 2,679 premalignant lesions. But over time, the percentage of oral cancer detection by oral health professionals rose significantly. In 2005, only 56 cases of oral cancer and 99 cases of oral epithelial dysplasia were detected through biopsy. By 2015, though, the number of cancers detected through the biopsy service had nearly doubled, rising to 103 cases of oral cancer. Dysplasia cases more than tripled from 2005, rising to 374 cases. "These numbers are important, because the number of diagnosed cases outpaced both the rise in population in Ontario and the increased number of dentists licensed in Ontario," says Magalhaes. In fact, the number of cases detected at TOPS was significantly higher than the overall increase of oral cancers recorded in the province over that same periodjust 30 per centcompared to the 180 per cent rise at TOPS. Cancer Care Ontario identified a total of 9,045 cases of oral cancer between 2005 and 2015. So what does it all mean? For one, argues Magalhaes, dentists in Ontario are playing an important role in detecting the deadly disease. And more comprehensive training and continuing education programs for oral health professionals may be behind the dramatic rise in detection rates. While advanced oral cancers are fairly easy to detect, says Magalhaes, premalignant lesions and early cancer can be easy to miss without specialized training. Early detection of oral cancers, meanwhile, is "critical" to survival rates, he explains. Calling the Toronto Oral Pathology service "extraordinary," Michael Glogauer, acting chief dentist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and professor at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Dentistry, agrees that strong training is likely playing a role in the higher detection rates. "The focus on oral cancer education thought the universities and continuing education in the area of cancer has led to the increased surveillance by dentists, and validates the focus that the dentists in this province are placing on this important health initiative," says Glogauer. Tracking precancerous links An added dimension of the data collected in this study is that researchers may learn to pinpoint whichand how manyprecancerous lesions will, over time, turn cancerous. While the data of the study provide evidence that TOPS was involved in the diagnosis of approximately 10 per cent of all oral cancers in the province, it also demonstrates a dramatic increase in the number of precancerous lesions identified by these health care providers. Importantly, the provincial cancer agency does not keep statistical data on precancerous lesions, making the TOPS biopsy data especially relevant in the hunt to discover which premalignant lesions will become cancers. "This is the first time that we have assessed dysplasia detected by dentists over such a long period of time," says Magalhaes. Early detection is key Oral cancer survival rates have remained steady over the past several decades. What that means, says Magalhaes, is that "advancements in treatment have minimally improved survival rates." Yet, treated in its early stages, patients with oral cancer have the highest survival rates: around 80 per cent over five years. That statistic drops to approximately 30 per cent over five years when the cancer is detected at an advanced stage. "This supports the fact that early detection really is the most important step here," Magalhaes adds. And, as the study suggests, regular check-ups at the dentist's office may be our best line of defense. Explore further Neutrophil and cancer cell 'crosstalk' underlies oral cancer metastasis More information: Aryan Abadeh et al, Increase in detection of oral cancer and precursor lesions by dentists, The Journal of the American Dental Association (2019). Journal information: Journal of the American Dental Association Aryan Abadeh et al, Increase in detection of oral cancer and precursor lesions by dentists,(2019). DOI: 10.1016/j.adaj.2019.01.026 Missoulas fire department has earned almost $395,000 during the past 10 months for renting its wildland firefighting equipment to communities outside Montana during their fire seasons. Its a national program the fire department started dipping into in the mid-1990s, Fire Chief Jeff Brandt said. During those early years, however, they limited their equipment to within 50 miles of Missoula, because protecting the city is always their priority. As natural disasters like floods, wildfires, hurricanes have ramped up in recent years, so has the program. In fiscal year 2016, the rentals brought in $180,000; in FY 2017, between $70,000 and $80,000; and last year, saw about $260,000, all of which is deposited into the citys general fund. The equipment only is sent to other communities when its not fire season in Montana. With a total of 95 city firefighters, Brandt said theyre also sending up to 12 firefighters with the equipment, and this year those folks have earned about $1 million in wages and benefits that are paid by either the community, the state or the federal governments where they are dispatched to work. Much of that includes overtime hours, and Brandt added his department also is reimbursed if they need people to cover those shifts at the Missoula Fire Department. Theres a certain level of folks we need here; we dont have too many folks and could use more locally, but whats great for the wildland or all hazards deployment is the funding that trails behind them, Brandt said. When we send them out, whether its a Forest Service fire incident in Florida or California, those dollars from those states make our department whole back here. But its not just about the money. Missoula city firefighters train year-round for water rescues, avalanches and floods. But while deployed, theyre learning valuable hands-on skills on everything from various incident command systems to different ways to load vehicles with equipment. We do a lot of classes and training here, but we actually get put to work in the field, said Capt. Garrett Venters. They need the resources and we have them and theres a whole gamut of skills for example, flanking fires on our right and left, how to attack a fire on a mountainside, and also how to work with other crews and use your resources with other agencies. The hands-on wildland fire training is of particular use in Missoula due to the many residences on the outskirts of the city, in places like the Rattlesnake, Pattee and Miller Creek canyons, Brandt said, adding that the training was priceless when they deployed to the Lolo Peak fire in 2017. Missoula city firefighters have reported to emergencies everywhere from hurricanes in Florida to earthquakes in California to wildfires in New Mexico, typically for 14- to 21-day deployments. Brandt said they have between 16 and 18 people who are trained in different functions like information officers, finances, logistics, and safety who join hazard response teams that include 30 to 35 people from a variety of organizations. Our highest priority is the Missoula community and citizens, but were lucky when its low fire danger here and we can go to other states and bail them out, said Senior Firefighter Casey Scott. And we have a system where we can call other states when we need the resources. Beyond the money and training, however, is the experience. Scott recalled how two years ago, he and his crew were protecting two homes from wildfires in California. They extinguished the flames on the outside, but broke into one of the houses whose deck caught fire to make sure no embers had entered. The crew left a note apologizing for any damage, and the homeowner called then-Chief Jason Diehl. His mother had passed away and the guy saved everything of hers in the house, Scott said. He called and said he couldnt believe firefighters from Missoula, Montana, came out to help him. It was the middle of winter for us, so there was no fire danger here, but it was a great experience. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Missoula police are investigating a fatal shooting incident Friday night near Wyoming Street that left a Missoula U.S. Marine dead. Eric J. Hansen, 22, died after he was transported to the hospital with a gunshot wound, MPD Sgt. and Public Information Officer Travis Welsh said Monday. Hansen leaves behind a 15-month-old daughter, according to a GoFundMe page set up over the weekend by Hansen's parents. The page, which identified Hansen as a Marine, had raised nearly $1,900 of its $12,500 goal by late Monday. Hansen's family did not respond to messages Monday seeking information about their son. Welsh said all relevant parties have been identified as police continue to conduct interviews, process evidence and work with the coroner to determine what happened. At this time, authorities are not looking for anyone and Welsh does not believe there is a threat to public safety. Around 11:58 p.m. Friday, someone called 9-1-1 to report a man with gunshot wounds. At nearly the same moment, an officer stopped a car being driven erratically near Wyoming and Russell streets. The driver of the car was a man who was transporting the gunshot victim to the hospital. An ambulance arrived at the traffic stop and took Hansen to the hospital. He was from Missoula, the sheriff's office said in a Facebook statement. Detectives were dispatched to the site of the traffic stop, as well as the site where the gun was discharged: a parking lot on the 1600 block of Wyoming Street. No one is currently in custody on charges related to the shooting. Welsh said police are considering the possibility that the shooting was accidental. We are examining all the possibilities, he said Monday. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Bryce Christiaens waxes philosophical about weeds for a good reason hes a self-described weed nerd with a degree in philosophy. His job as the Missoula County Weed District Manager goes back to his roots on the ranch where he grew up near Valier and learned first-hand the values of managing vegetation on the landscape level. But it also incorporates his college course work that focused on land ethics and a sense of space. "Are we morally obligated to be stewards of our natural resources and work to conserve, protect and restore damage that we cause to our natural environment? I believe we are," Christiaens said. "My passion for invasive species comes from my passion for conserving native plant communities. Invasive species are a human-caused issue, either introduced on purpose or by accident, and as such, we are obligated to do something about it. "I see a philosophy background as a natural fit for my work and myself as putting my degree in practice." Just like invasive weeds, his work worms its way into many aspects of Christiaens life. On a recent warm spring morning, he stood in the Orange Street parking lot for the North Hills trails, already in his element. Christiaens held a Dalmatian toadflax twig in his right hand, from which a mecinus weevil crawled out and perched on his left hand. The adults drill holes in the stem and lay eggs. The larvae feed on it, overwinter, and when it warms up they emerge and start feeding on the toadflax, Christiaens said, explaining the bio-control measures that are part of the anti-weed world. He also literally wears his heart on his sleeve, with a mix of native wildflowers tattooed on his right arm. I couldnt decide which one was my favorite, so I got 13 wildflowers, Christiaens said with a broad smile, noting that the most prominent is a balsamroot flower, which are just starting to bloom in the North Hills. As much as he loves the wildflowers, he respects the invasive species with their characteristics that make them successful invaders. Yet even with that admiration, Christiaens is on a mission to help wipe them off the mountains and valleys in Missoula County and across Montana. My friends say its no fun to hike or float a river with me because I see it all and its not pretty stuff, Christiaens said. But its not too depressing because theres so much cool stuff happening, with the city, the Five Valleys Land Trust, the Forest Service and DNRC (Department of Natural Resources and Conservation). Theres awesome partnerships to address invasive species, so its easy to engage. Jerry Marks, who heads the Missoula County Weed District and Extension Office, was on the team that hired Christiaens in 2011, who after graduating worked as the weed district coordinator in Ravalli County. He said Christiaens showed a talent for connecting with people, and his grassroots knowledge paired with his philosophical view from 30,000 feet more than made up for a lack of a biology degree. We build bridges between the land managers and the scientific community, and offer multiple tools based on the situation, Marks said. Somebody with Bryces capabilities really fit well. I see him looking at the big picture and thinking about ways of trying to put everything together, to get us better organized not just countywide. One of Christiaens roles is going on field trips to walk the land with property owners to learn their management goals and offer a variety of tools to obtain them. Its a free service available with just a telephone call. We try to focus on desirable species rather than just eradicating weeds, Christiaens said. On our site visits, we identify plants, potential diseases and do assessments. We talk about weed management for plants, rather than just making an herbicide recommendation. We try to focus on the plant community rather than the tool; depending on what the landowner is seeking, they might include bio control (like the weevils) or hand-pulling or herbicides. It depends on what theyre trying to accomplish. The Missoula County Weed District has its own share of accomplishments for 2018, according to the annual report. Theyve partnered with the Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium for a new facility at the fairgrounds, where theyll hold community education and outreach programs and expand the plant clinic. The district also is working with multiple agencies and watershed organizations to help protect Montana from the threat of aquatic invasive species. Gov. (Steve) Bullock and his staff recognized what we are doing and asked us to use those talents on a statewide basis, Marks said. Aquatic invasive species is a new turf for us. For the past four years, Bullock has appointed Christiaens to chair the Montana Invasive Species Council, which is a statewide partnership working to protect Montana's economy, natural resources and public health through a coordinated approach to combat a variety of invasive species. The council conducted Montana's first comprehensive invasive species assessment and created a strategic framework, which led to the increased funding to battle not just quagga and zebra mussels, but also the potential of feral hogs coming into Montana from Canada on the Hi-Line; feral horses on the Crow Reservation; and eastern heath snails in central Montana. "It has also led to our efforts here in transitioning the weed district into a more comprehensive invasive species prevention district," Christiaens said. In 2018, the district also certified 10 local producers that grew 289 tons of weed-free forage for local sportsmen, stock growers and federal agencies, with the highest total acreage in 13 years. Their Youth in Restoration program, with its state and local land management partners, pulled 40 bags of houndstongue in two days and, maintained and improved 25 miles of trail in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. And Christiaens favorite program, which focuses on educating students about weeds and taking the students into the field, has been so successful that theyve removed a vast majority of invasives off Mount Jumbo. We do native plant identification and hand-pull spotted knapweed, after an hour in the classroom where we focus on habitat, Christiaens said, adding that they hold a contest with prizes to help motivate the students. Weve been doing it for 13 years so you can see the impact. Its been really impressive. New this year in the Weed District is a poster with artistic drawings of native and non-native grasses. Not only does the poster show whats above ground, it also shows the deep root systems to better inform the public how deep they need to go if theyre pulling out the grasses. I think we have turned a leaf in invasive species management, by focusing on early invasions and where we can potentially eradicate them, Christiaens said. Thats the focus for aquatic invasive species; if you dont get on it, the tools are really limited. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 BALTIMORE (AP) A gunman fired indiscriminately into a crowd where people were gathered for cookouts on a street in Baltimore, wounding seven people including one of them fatally, the city's police commissioner said. Authorities said the shooting happened around 5 p.m. on a block in the city's western district. Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said a black male approached a crowd on foot and began firing in what he called "a very tragic, very cowardly shooting." Harrison said the shooting appeared to be "extremely targeted" but he did not immediately elaborate on a possible motive. The commissioner said there were two cookouts occurring on opposite sides of the street at the time, and that shell casings were found in two different locations, indicating that there may have been a second gunman, or someone firing back at the first shooter, who fled on foot. It was unclear whether the cookouts were related, Harrison said. One man who was shot collapsed behind a nearby church and was pronounced dead at the scene. "It wasn't anything dealing with the church. I want to make that very clear," acting mayor Jack Young said. Harrison and Young urged members of the public to help investigators. "Someone knows something," Young said. "These things ... they don't happen by happenstance. People know who's doing these shootings." You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Whether youre a farmer in Pablo, nurse in Kalispell or automotive technician in Hamilton, the one thing you need to be successful in the modern economy is a high-speed internet connection. Yet, despite the crucial role the internet plays in our daily lives, only about half of Montanans today have access to adequate high-speed internet. The lack of reliable broadband in Montana remains a major obstacle to unleashing the full economic potential of our state and its citizens, which is why I was pleased to sponsor a bill at the 2019 Montana Legislature aimed at driving investment in new broadband infrastructure. Senate Bill 239 encourages faster deployment of broadband internet by offering a five-year property tax moratorium on new fiber optic or other high-speed broadband infrastructure. This moratorium removes what amounts to an investment penalty on each mile of new broadband infrastructure, reducing the cost of deployment by between three to six percent. However, unlike tax holidays in other industries, SB 239 requires every dollar of tax savings to be reinvested in broadband networks to serve customers, not salaries or corporate bonuses. Expanding broadband access in unserved and underserved areas is critical to maintaining the viability of small-town Montana. Not only do businesses in rural communities increasingly rely on the internet to access global markets, but local residents depend on a high-speed connection for everything from precision agriculture and healthcare to online shopping and legal advice. Most importantly, bringing broadband to our rural communities opens up new possibilities for growth whether thats a local manufacturing shop expanding and hiring more people or someones son or daughter bringing their telecommuting job back home. Rural communities arent the only area where the lack of high-speed broadband availability is an issue. As entrepreneurs and policymakers work to position Montana as an economic driver in technology, sluggish speeds and poor connectivity are the Achilles heel holding us back. Montana offers a lot to potential new employers, including an unparalleled quality of life, well-educated work force, and robust businesses support network, but without the broadband infrastructure every business needs to succeed, we simply cant attract the high-growth industries necessary to create good-paying, family wage jobs. Gov. Steve Bullock acknowledged the magnitude of this problem in 2015 when he convened a Key Industry Network (KIN) composed of technology leaders and economic development officials to investigate the challenges of broadband access. That group, which served as part of the governors Mainstreet Montana Project, found that given the high cost of deployment, particularly in rural areas, public-private partnerships need to be incented to encourage continued investment. In particular, the Kin report recommended encouraging tax incentives for the extension of broadband in both rural and urban areas. SB 239 is the exact kind of private-public partnership we need to build a dynamic broadband network capable of meeting our needs both now, and in the future. The bill recently passed the House and Senate by wide bipartisan margins and is headed to the governors desk. Governor Bullock now has a unique opportunity to follow through on the good work he stared in the Broadband KIN Report by signing SB 239 into law. Lets hope he takes it. Sen. Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, represents Senate District 43 in the Montana Legislature. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A few weeks ago I met a preacher. So I asked him why preachers never send letters to the Missoulian when Easter is the most important date in the history of the world and the holiest day to us Christians, and he said the Missoulian would not print such letters. This, of course, is not true. Im writing about the April 21-23 Acadia facility articles. It appeared to me that the news articles swerved recklessly between opinion and fact in the use of the term chemical restraint. The most authoritative definition of chemical restraint is the 2014 federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services definition that states a chemical restraint is defined as any drug that is used for discipline or convenience and not required to treat medical symptoms. Also, the articles failed to address the real fact that the suicide rate for children in Montana is double the national average. Parents are scared, and I believe the Acadia articles feed that fear and add to mental health stigma. We want to encourage parents to get help for their children. Any parent who has a child with depression or suicidal thoughts should immediately contact their pediatrician or other primary care provider for assistance or referral to a trusted mental health provider. There are many excellent therapists, psychologists, psychiatric physicians and psychiatric nurse practitioners and physician assistants who provide quality mental health treatment in Montana. If you are worried about a loved one, there is hope and there is help. Leonard Lantz, MD, Helena You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 " " Losing the companionship of your spouse is very hard; the financial loss can also be difficult, but Social Security can help. cwa-studios/iStock/Thinkstock You and your spouse worked hard for your entire lives, paying into the Social Security system. Social Security was designed by the United States government to provide economic assistance for the retired, disabled, and elderly. Social Security benefits replace or supplement your income and hopefully allow you and your spouse to enjoy your retirement in comfort together. But what if the unthinkable happens and he or she passes away? In addition to the emotional loss, how will you cope with the financial loss? You may not have to stress about your finances. Social Security allows a surviving spouse to collect survivor benefits. The amount you can collect varies according to your personal circumstances (and the Social Security website is packed with detailed information), but we'll break it down for you. Advertisement In 2014, about 5 million widows and widowers receive Social Security benefits from a deceased spouse's earnings [source: Social Security]. When a Social Security participant dies, his or her spouse gets a small one-time death benefit, usually around $255. Then, survivor benefits become available. The survivor benefit amount hinges on the answers to three important questions: Was the deceased spouse already collecting Social Security benefits at the time of his or her death? When did the deceased spouse begin collecting Social Security benefits? How old is the surviving spouse? If the deceased spouse was already collecting benefits at time of death, then the surviving spouse collects the same amount, plus any cost of living adjustments. If the deceased spouse wasn't already collecting benefits, then the surviving spouse collects the amount the deceased spouse would collect if he or she were still alive. If the deceased spouse had started collected Social Security benefits before full retirement age (65 to 67, depending on when he or she was born), then benefits are reduced. However, if the spouse died before ever filing for Social Security benefits, when the surviving spouse reaches retirement age, he or she is eligible for 100 percent of survivor benefits. Note that survivors can begin to claim as early as age 60, rather than 62, which is normally the earliest age for taking Social Security. If the surviving spouse is also of retirement age and also collecting Social Security, she or he cannot collect double benefits. The surviving spouse may collect whichever benefit is greater. Here are a few other wrinkles. If the surviving spouse is disabled, the benefits can kick in at age 50, although with the same reductions for a non-disabled spouse who activated them at age 60 (around 28.5 percent) [source: Blankenship]. If the surviving spouse remarries before age 60, survivor benefits are no longer available. But if he or she either divorces or is widowed a second time, the survivor benefits are available again. If there's more than one deceased spouse, the survivor is entitled to the higher-paying survivor benefits -- as long as they were married more than 10 years. If the surviving spouse remarries after age 60, survivor benefits aren't affected. The survivor benefit is also available even if the spouses were divorced at time of death, as long as they were married for at least 10 years and the surviving spouse did not remarry. As you can see, even though Social Security death benefits are a confusing process, they can be a great help for those who are left behind. Rain falls like tears on Qing Ming, Mourners in the street feel lifeless. Where can we find a bar for a drink? The shepherd boy points to the village. This is the translated version of a famous Chinese poem Buttes Mai Wah Society President Pat Munday read to about 10 people gathered on Sunday afternoon for the Qingming Festival, or Tomb Sweeping Day, in the small Chinese section of Mount Moriah Cemetery. Munday explained that the poem is often recited during this annual spring festival in China, which takes place in early April and is a way for Chinese people to both honor their ancestors by tidying up their graves and offering them food, incense, and spirit money and to celebrate spring and the renewal of life. In Butte, the Mai Wah Society has revived and hosted a local Qingming Festival for over five years, Munday said, gathering in April as soon as the snow clears to care for many of the families who had great historical influence on the Mining City. Chinese people played an important role in Butte and western history, Munday said. This celebration is another way to honor Buttes historical diversity, outside of just St. Patricks Day. To kick off this years festival, Munday started with a historical explanation of the families buried in the small, most southwestern corner of Mount Moriah Cemetery. He told the group that many of the Chinese people who came to Butte before 1882 were sojourners, meaning they intended to stay on the Richest Hill until they made their fortune then planned to return to China. Munday said these sojourners, who were often single men, wore a small pouch filled with coins around their neck to pay for their burial. When the sojourners died and had laid for six to eight years underground, they were exhumed and laid on a large, flat rock in the Mount Moriah Cemetery. Their clothes and remaining flesh were removed and burned in a stone stove-like structure nearby, their bones placed in lye, and they were shipped back to their hometown in China, where their souls could finally rest, Munday explained. The people who were still buried in the Butte cemetery section today were mainly part of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean families that moved to, lived in, and died in Butte together, Munday said. Many of these families assimilated into the American life and owned a variety of local businesses. At 2 p.m. on Sunday, crackers, oranges, willow boughs, flowers, and bottles of alcohol were laid out on the flat rock where Munday said bodies were prepared for their journey to China decades ago. After pouring alcohol on the ground around the rock, Munday handed out plants and brooms. The group split up and swept each headstone area as the wind blew in light flurries of snow. Travis McAdam and his family were a few of the locals who braved the cold to honor Buttes Chinese on Sunday. McAdam has served on the Mai Wah Society board for about eight years and sees Buttes Tomb Sweeping Day as just another way the society is working to preserve local Asian history. Its so important to carry on these traditions, McAdam said. We want to preserve the past and remember the Chinese and Asian people that helped make Butte what it is today. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Reduce printing by providing electronic PDFs where possible Set duplex (two-sided) printing as default for all printers Set draft as the default print quality for all printers Turner says that by taking steps such as these, the auditors office as able to save an estimated $11,000 per year by no longer printing, binding, and mailing reports to clients, instead sending PDFs via email. Kelcey Brackett, Muscatine City Council At-Large, attended the meeting with Sand. Brackett says the information provided by Sand and the steps being taken could potentially be used locally, Many of the items listed are ones that are already being implemented by the City of Muscatine, but something like this would be an effective way to identify where more improvement is needed. Brackett continues, We have to remember that money saved is money that we dont need to collect. Karen Cooney, candidate for Muscatine Community School District said, It is always good to see where we can look to save, especially considering the changes coming to the district. Efficiency and thinking long term go hand in hand. 5G holds tremendous potential for South Africa as a fixed broadband solution and a fibre-to-the-home replacement. The technology promises real-world speeds of over 100Mbps and very low latency, which makes it suitable for services like video streaming, cloud gaming, and augmented reality. Speaking at the 2019 MyBroadband Mobile Network Conference, Vodacom innovation head Jannie van Zyl highlighted the value of 5G in the country. Of the 17.4 million households in South Africa, only 11% (1.8 million) have fixed broadband connections. Fixed 5G connections can therefore play a big role in providing more households especially those relying on expensive mobile data with fast and affordable Internet access. Vodacoms 5G plans Vodacom launched Africas first standards-based, commercial 5G service in Lesotho in August 2018 using 3.5 GHz spectrum. Vodacom has also demonstrated the same network capabilities at an event in South Africa, using a temporary test spectrum license in the 3.5 GHz band. Vodacom said its network is 5G-ready and it will launch 5G services in South Africa as soon it gains access to the required spectrum. MTNs 5G trial MTN South Africa has trialled various cases of 5G in cooperation with Ericsson and Huawei, which the company said showed great promise for mobile and fixed solutions. During these trials, MTN demonstrated downlink speeds of up to 1.6Gbps and uplink speeds of up to 520Mbps. MTN South Africa has also successfully launched a live 5G indoor solution at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit and International Convention Centre. The mobile operator has already rolled out 5G sites on existing spectrum where they dont interfere with other deployed systems. MTN spokesperson Jacqui OSullivan told MyBroadband that they plan to launch 5G in 2019, but that it is dependent on the availability of 5G spectrum. Rain 5G Rain launched its 5G network in Johannesburg in February using its 3.6GHz spectrum. The network is based on Huaweis 5G product solutions, including core network, bearer network, and base station systems. Rain CEO Willem Roos said it will cover major cities in South Africa with its 5G network, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. Roos said Rain will launch its first commercial 5G services in September 2019 and plans to further promote 5G-enabled applications. Comsol 5G network Comsol partnered with Samsung to launch a live 5G pilot network on Vilakazi Street in Soweto in September 2018. The telecoms company leveraged its access to 28GHz spectrum in South Africa to deploy a fixed-wireless access network in the area. Samsung South Africa provided the hardware solutions to deliver 5G connectivity to consumers, although many other telecoms providers partnered with Comsol to implement the network. Initial tests performed on the live 5G network saw download speeds peak at 1.75Gbps, said the company. Comsol was asked for further comment about its 5G plans, but the company did not respond by the time of publication. Cell C and 5G Cell C said it continuously tests and evaluates new technologies, but at this stage it does not have any live 5G trial sites. Cell C explained that its core elements are non-standalone 5G complaint, so it would support the adoption of 5G when required. The company said the implementation of 5G is reliant on the availability of sufficient spectrum in the sub 1GHz, 1 to 6GHz (like 3.5GHz) or above 6GHz (like 28GHz) bands, none of which are currently available to the Cell C. A complete commercial 5G deployment will be subject to the business case presented at the time, Cell C said. Telkom Telkom was asked about its 5G plans, but the company did not respond by the time of publication. 5G in South Africa The table below provides an overview of the state of 5G in South Africa. 5G in South Africa Operator Vodacom MTN Rain Comsol Cell C Telkom Trialled 5G Yes Yes Yes Yes No Prepare network for 5G launch Yes Yes Yes Partly Rolled out 5G sites Yes Yes Yes Yes No Plan 5G launch in 2019 Yes Yes Yes No Now read: MTN launches live indoor 5G network at Kyalami I'm with the NPP to help ... California is often considered the birthplace of many of the country's most progressive policies. Plastic straws? California made it harder to get them. Workers rights? The state passed a plan to increase the minimum wage to $15 by 2023. Tech regulations? The California Consumer Privacy Act that passed last year will restrict how much tech companies can use personal data by 2020. Immigration? Undocumented immigrants are protected in this "sanctuary state," and the budget allocates millions for immigration-related services. The list goes on, and it could get even longer. As Democrats maintain a stronghold majority in the Legislature, and with Gov. Gavin Newsom signaling he's prepared to sign envelope-pushing legislation that former Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed, liberal lawmakers are championing a progressive agenda that could make California even bluer. Here's what's on deck: Raising corporate tax rates California accumulated an "unprecedented" budget surplus at the end of Gov. Jerry Brown's tenure, in part because of voters' willingness to adopt new taxes on wealthy households and at the gas pump. State lawmakers have a few more tax proposals on the table this spring.. One tax proposal comes from state Sen. Nancy Skinner's office. The Berkeley Democrat's measure targets the top 0.2 percent of companies, and raises their corporate income taxes from 8.84 percent to 10.84 percent. Skinner said the proposal would increase state revenue by an estimated $2 billion and would help fund education. The bill also increases the tax rate on corporations that have large pay disparities between top executives and average workers. Skinner estimated those taxes could generate up to $3 billion annually. "Increasing taxes on big corporations and incentivizing those corporations to pay their employees higher wages is a progressive way to capture new funding for our schools and other programs, while reducing the income inequality of regular Californians," Skinner said. Protecting undocumented immigrants' data Although California limits how much state and local law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration authorities -- per a 2017 "sanctuary state" law -- Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Alameda, said more needs to be done to protect undocumented Californians from detention and deportation. Bonta proposed Assembly Bill 1332, which prohibits any state, city, or county agency from creating or renewing a contract with vendors that provide certain services like "extreme vetting," selling data to federal immigration agencies and providing detention facility support. The bill targets approximately 50 businesses providing these services to immigration enforcement agencies, part of what Bonta calls "Trump's mass deportation machine." "Every one of these companies can make a decision," Bonta said. "If they want to have a contract with the state of California or with one of our cities or one of our counties within California, they can simply decide not to be involved in the data brokering business or in the extreme vetting business or detention facility business And then those contracts can continue." Creating the nation's strictest use-of-force policy One of the most contentious bills up for legislative debate this session is Assembly Bill 392. The legislation would restrict when officers can employ deadly force, swapping out the "reasonable" standard to a tougher "necessary" qualification. Officers who use lethal force could face criminal charges if it's determined other enforcement options were available. The bill passed its first committee hearing after hours of testimony from family members affected by police shootings. The bill's principal author, Assemblywoman Shirley Weber of San Diego, said she will continue speaking with law enforcement groups and other opposition members who argue the crack down could lead officers to second-guess their decisions and compromise public safety. Restricting gun sales to one firearm a month Under state Sen. Anthony Portantino's Senate Bill 61, Californians could only buy one long-gun a month. Current law prohibits anyone from purchasing more than one handgun in a 30-day period. Portantino is the lawmaker behind the 2018 law that raised the age of who can buy a long-gun in California, from 18 to 21. He also carried a 2012 bill that restricted the open carry law, making it a misdemeanor to carry an unloaded long-gun. Excluding condoms as evidence of sex work More than 60 percent of sex workers have experienced sexual assault on the job, according to the St. James Infirmary, a nonprofit in San Francisco. Add that to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's warnings of a particular HIV and STI risk in the sex work community, and you come out with state Sen. Scott Wiener's Senate Bill 233. The legislation immunizes sex workers from arrest when they report violent crimes and prohibits arresting individuals who carry condoms, in any amount, as evidence of sex work. "There are many sex workers who are victimized who are assaulted, or raped or kidnapped who are scared to report the crimes to police because they are worried they will be arrested for prostitution," Wiener previously told The Bee. "This is a profession that has existed since the beginning of time and we want to make sure that these men and women are safe and healthy." The San Francisco Democrat is also pushing two trailblazing LGBTQ measures. Senate Bill 145 aims to dismantle what Wiener calls "blatant discrimination" against the gay community in the registration of sex offenders. Judges can use their discretion in certain cases when an adult has vaginal intercourse with a minor, but have to place that same person in the registry if oral or anal sex is involved. Wiener also introduced legislation to require correctional facilities to house transgender inmates according to their preferred identity. "When we have the opportunity to push the progressive envelope, we should absolutely do that," Wiener said. "Our transgender prisoner bill, housing people according to their gender identity, is pushing the envelope." Mandating that UC and CSU campuses provide abortion services Under state Sen. Connie Leyva's controversial proposal, Senate Bill 24, the University of California and California State University systems would have to provide abortion by medication services to students as part of its health care offerings on campus by 2023. Most student health clinics provide pregnancy testing and counseling, contraceptives, sexually transmitted infection services and routine women's health tests, according to the bill analysis. But extending care to include abortions "ensures that students do not have to travel away from their school and work commitments to receive care." Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Wanted: one local non-profit in need of a great fundraiser. The Home Winemakers Classic, which for 36 years has raised funds for the Dry Creek-Lokoya Volunteer Fire Department, has reached a turn in its benevolent road. Fire Chief Gary Green is retiring after 41 years, and with no one else available to organize the annual event, the 2019 Home Winemakers Class on July 27 at the CIA at Copia will be the last one produced in association with his station. The Home Winemakers association, however, wants to continue its popular event and members are looking for a new local non-profit to work with them in 2020. Green said the event raised funds for the volunteer fire fighters to maintain the remote station on Dry Creek Road. (As part of the county fire department, they are also supported by the county budget.) After expenses, they generally netted $10,000-$20,000, he said. Beyond this, however, he said, Its a fun community event. Id hate to see it go away. Home winemakers Greg and Kasandra Weinerth agree. Its a conference for home winemakers, Kasandra Weinerth said. Its a chance to get together and see what everyone is doing, Greg added. Twenty-nine home winemakers brought their creations to the 2018 event. Guests at the Classic can taste the wines, although by law they cant be sold. The event also includes, however, an auction of wines donated by local wineries, and this impressive list is one reason the Home Winemakers Classic is often called the Poor Mans Wine Auction. Last year, Bill Harlan sent over three bottles of his hard-to-come-by Harlan wines, and this year he is donating again. He lives on the hill, Green said. The donation was to support the firefighters who helped save his property during the 2017 wildfires. Another neighboring vintner supporting the event is Jean-Noel Formeaux, owner of VSP Chateau Potelle in St. Helena. Benessere, Black Stallion and Cain are also among those who donate wines for the auction. Throughout the years, the Home Winemakers Classic has been held at different locations throughout the valley, but the move in 2018 to the Culinary Institute of America at Copia in Napa was a good one, Green said. Held from 4 to 6:30 p.m., it attracted visitors from the nearby Oxbow Public Market, curious to know what was going on, in addition to the locals who traditionally gather for it. Holding it inside proved to be a positive move, given the unpredictable nature of weather on a July afternoon. Everyone was comfortable, Greg Weinerth said. Pulling together the event takes a dedicated crew, Green said, but over the years of doing it, the team of firefighters and winemakers have refined their program to where its a plug and play system. A non-profit interested in taking it over could begin working now with the committee as it puts together the 2019 event, Greg Weinerth said. They could come to the planning meetings and attend the event, Green said. Theyd see how we do it. Wed be able to say, Here is what you need. Items they would need include chairs and tables, but the Dry Creek-Lokoya Fire Department Department has purchased these and stores them at the fire station. Im sure my board would hold a fire sale, Green said with a grin. Non-profits interested in taking over the Home Winemakers Classic should contact Chief Green at chief16@me.com. 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. Collectively, Napa Valley law enforcement agencies reported one case of serious misconduct in the past decade. The county, and cities of Napa and Calistoga all said they did not determine any officers employed by their law enforcement agencies committed a serious act of misconduct in that time frame. The St. Helena Police Department was the only agency to report that it found an officer lied on the job. This was uncovered thanks to a new law, Senate Bill 1421, that went into effect in January. It grants the public access to records related to investigations in which an officer is found to have sexually assaulted a member of the public, or engaged in serious misconduct such as committing perjury, filing false reports, or destroying, falsifying or hiding evidence. The Register requested records from the Napa Police Department, St. Helena Police Department, Calistoga Police Department, Napa County Probation Department, Napa County Corrections Department and Napa County Sheriffs Office, which staffs the American Canyon Police Department and patrols Yountville. In the case of the St. Helena officer, Melissa Brown cited a driver for driving without proof of insurance, even though he had shown her his valid proof of insurance, the St. Helena Star reported last month. She was placed on paid leave during an investigation into the matter and later admitted she made a mistake in issuing the wrong kind of ticket. Brown was allowed to return to work after taking a month off without pay. Brown said she had warned the motorist about speeding many times and tried to do him a favor by issuing him a so-called fix-it ticket, instead of citing him for speeding. The driver, who is black, also accused Brown, who is white, of racial profiling, but an investigation did not find any evidence to support that. The Northern California chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, which has submitted many requests under the new law, said via a spokesperson that it did not have any sense of how the number of misconduct cases in other places compared to Napa County because many local law enforcement agencies have not yet responded to ACLUs records requests. Napa County Sheriff John Robertson said his departments clean record reflects its thorough and selective background process. Out of 300 or 400 applicants, the office may only select one or two people, he said. The Sheriffs Office also has an internal policy that would oust officers found to have lied or have been convicted of a crime, Robertson said. This is reflective of our high ethical standards, he said. We have a great group of people working for us. Napa Police Department Chief Robert Plummer said in a February interview that the lack of findings demonstrates that the department has strong policies, high standards and well-trained officers with integrity. If your hiring process doesnt scrutinize the applicants as well as it should be, often times you may get that bad apple, he said. SB 1421 was one of two significant pieces of police record transparency legislation signed into law last year. Assembly Bill 748 will grant public access to body camera footage or audio clips of an incident in which an officer discharged their weapon, or caused death or serious injury. The public may start requesting those records in July, though the Napa Police Department and Napa County Sheriffs Office proactively released to the public partial clips of recent officer-involved shootings. The law allows agencies to wait 45 days before releasing audio or video clips, if doing so would interfere with an active investigation. This story has been modified since first posting to include further information on how St. Helena Police handled the Melissa Brown case. 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. RENO, Nevada During her career as a flight attendant, Laura?Haneveld?had a checklist to remind her what to do in the event of a fire.? "The most important thing on an airplane is fire, whether you are on the ground or whether you are up in the air,"?Haneveld?said.?"I'm very attuned to how quickly fire can take over and how you don't think clearly."? Now retired and living in California's Olympic Valley near Lake Tahoe,?Haneveld?still keeps a fire checklist.? Only this time it's to remind?her and her husband, emergency room physician Ed?Haneveld, what to take if they're escaping a forest fire.? "Forty years ago,?we had a much healthier forest, now we are dealing with an unhealthy forest,"?Haneveld?said. "I see the potential for a real disaster."? That's among the?reasons?Haneveld?and?many?other Sierra Nevada residents oppose a proposed redevelopment plan for Squaw Valley Resort that would add about 1,500 bedrooms and additional retail and resort amenities to the valley over the next 25 years. The proposed redevelopment, along with another controversial plan for hundreds of homes near a two-lane highway near Truckee, comes as Californians are already reckoning with the dangers posed by development in fire-prone areas.? Although even the developers acknowledge there are scenarios in which wildfire could burn through faster than people could evacuate, local officials have approved development plans over the objections of environmental groups and hundreds of residents who spoke out against the plans. Both are being challenged in court, and in one case a judge called the evacuation plan insufficient. "We are adding people, buildings, we are not adding any more ability to get out of here,"?Haneveld?said.? The geographic features that make the scenic valley attractive to?residents and tourists contribute to her evacuation worries. The main redevelopment area is approximately two miles west of California Highway 89 via the curvy, two-lane?Squaw Valley Road. Most homes in the valley are on the north side of the road and the northern, southern and eastern ends are forested. In the center, Squaw Valley Creek runs through a meadow, which rises toward the resort and ski area. Exposed-rock terrain towers?up to 3,000 feet above the valley floor.?? From the ridges, skiers and snowboarders can enjoy views of Lake Tahoe to the east. In 2014 those same ridges would have provided a panoramic view of the King Fire, which started about 35 miles to the southwest near Pollock Pines and burned to within about eight miles.? Haneveld's greatest fear is there will be thousands of residents and visitors crammed into the valley when the next fire arrives and their attempts at evacuation will result in gridlock.? "I think it is more the feeling of being trapped that is frightening," said?Haneveld, who recalled the stories of people fleeing the Camp Fire in Paradise, California, seeking refuge in a stream in November 2018.? "I've certainly thought of that as a last-ditch effort, getting to the Truckee River," she said.? And it's not the only controversial development?that would put more traffic on roads in the forested, mountain terrain?between Lake Tahoe and Interstate 80.? Another would add several hundred homes and commercial properties near?Northstar?California Resort.? The proposal, called Martis Valley West, generated similar complaints from people who worry that additional development in hilly terrain with narrow roads and heavy traffic would compromise residents' ability to evacuate during a fire.? "The biggest issue around here is there just simply is not room to safely build these monster developments," said Robert Heinz, who lives on Dollar Point near Tahoe City.? Heinz said he and his wife keep a packed bag at the ready in the event of a fire. But they worry their readiness would do them no good if traffic?were?at a standstill.? "Depending on which way the fire is coming we would probably go in the opposite direction, but so would everybody else," Heinz said.? Critics say the projects show state and local governments need to pay closer attention to how developments will affect the ability of people to evacuate in the event of a disaster before approving new building.? "We need to have a better way to capture suitable areas to develop in or non-suitable areas that can be taken off the table," said Alexis Ollar of Mountain Area Preservation, a Truckee, Calif., based group that's suing to block the Martis Valley development.? Backers?of the developments accuse critics of weaponizing deadly California fire disasters to stoke anti-development fears even as developers take steps to ensure their projects are suitable for fire-prone areas.? "We have to learn to adapt and not live in fear," said Ron Cohen, president and CEO of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. "I don't believe in withdrawing from the mountains because of fire."? Ed Morgan, chief operating officer of Mountainside Builders, the developer behind Martis Valley West, said the project is?already scaled down from the original?proposal by about 1,300 units and shifted entirely to the west side of Highway 267 near Northstar, leaving more open space to the east.? "I understand there are some groups that want nothing, but this is private property that has certain rights to develop with county plans," Morgan said. "You don't just walk away from that."? Both projects are in areas scientists and land managers call?the wildland urban interface, or WUI.? And while WUI areas don't always correlate with greater risk of fire destruction, they do in California. That's because the state, which is the most populous in the U.S., has vast amounts of mountainside land with overgrown vegetation that dries in the summer close to densely populated communities.? In California, 75 percent of buildings destroyed by wildfire are in WUI zones, according to recent research. In states such as Washington, which is wetter, and Montana, which is sparsely populated, that figure is less than 25 percent.? "There are a lot of buildings and there is a lot of woodland vegetation and they are close to each other, and there is a lot of fire," said Anu Kramer, a wildfire scientist at the Silvis Lab at the University of Wisconsin?who conducted the research. "When those things come together that is when you are going to see a lot of destruction."? Jennifer Montgomery, director of the California Governor's Forest Management Task Force and a former Placer County supervisor, said the confluence of development, fire-prone terrain and congested infrastructure is a statewide problem. "It is not a question that is unique to Tahoe, it is a question that is broadly applied to the state of California," Montgomery said.? Montgomery was the lone vote on the Placer County Board of Supervisors?against the Squaw Valley plan, although she said her concerns were more about congestion in general than fire evacuation?specifically. "We need to have a significantly more robust public system that moves people in and out and stops the insane reliance we have on single-family passenger vehicles," Montgomery said.?? NEW HOMES, BUSINESSES AND A WATERPARK Although the two proposals are from unrelated developers, their development timelines and proximities to?busy?highways between North Lake Tahoe and Interstate 80 raise similar concerns among critics, particularly when it comes to fire safety.? Combined, they would add about 1,500 housing units and more than 330,000 square feet of commercial space.? The Squaw Valley proposal calls for the redevelopment of about 93 acres at the base of Squaw Valley Resort.? Located at the western end of Olympic Valley, the resort was the home of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games and, more recently, is known for attracting elite skiers and snowboarders.? The resort's 25-year redevelopment plan calls for an additional 850 units supporting nearly 1,500 bedrooms, nearly 300,000 square feet of commercial space that would include restaurants, retail and a 90,000-square-foot Mountain Adventure Camp with a waterpark and other year-round amenities capable of hosting 1,200 guests.? If development plans come to fruition, additions to the resort plus growth in the surrounding community could increase the number of people in the valley from about 5,800 to nearly 9,500, at full capacity. That's in addition to day visitation, which peaks in the winter during ski season when fire danger is low. Although amenities in the proposed development are designed to attract visitors throughout the year.? According to the plan, both new and existing visitors and residents would access homes and the resort via Squaw Valley Road, which connects to California Highway 89 at the east end of the valley.? The proposed Martis Valley West development is located along Highway 267 about seven miles?northeast of Olympic Valley as the crow flies and about 20 miles by road.? Currently undeveloped, the proposal calls for up to 760 homes and 34,500 square feet of commercial space.? Once built, people driving out of the development could choose to take 267 north to Truckee or south over Brockway Summit to King's Beach. Although the Placer County Board of Supervisors approved the plans, both development proposals remain tangled in litigation from environmental groups.? In the case of Squaw Valley, Placer County Superior Court Judge Michael Jones rejected arguments by the environmental group Sierra Watch that the county performed inadequate analysis of the project and violated California's Brown Act, which covers the public's right to participate in government decisions.?? Sierra Watch is appealing the rulings.? In the case of Martis Valley, Jones ruled in favor of environmental groups on the issue of fire evacuation, while rejecting their other arguments against the plan.?? "The (environmental impact report) identifies the area as a very high fire hazard severity zone but then fails to present a sufficient analysis to address the impacts of the Project on emergency procedures," Jones wrote.? Both the environmental groups and the developer are appealing aspects of Jones' Martis Valley ruling. 'RECIPE FOR CATASTROPHIC DISASTER'? Environmental groups, and some residents, accuse both projects' developers and the county of overlooking or downplaying the impact new development could have on people's ability to evacuate during a wildfire.? In Squaw Valley, developers and officials acknowledge it's possible a fire could approach faster than thousands of people could drive out on Squaw Valley Road. Or, depending on the direction, a fire could block access to the road.? In those scenarios, officials and the developer say residents and visitors would need to take refuge at the resort.? Allen Riley, chief of the Squaw Valley Fire Department, said the acres of bare pavement and village area would be?sufficient?harbor for people to survive a quick-moving fire, although evacuation would be the first choice. Under the redevelopment plan, much of the surface parking is slated to be used for structures, including parking garages, that could be used for shelter after construction is completed. Riley cited communities in Australia as well as Rancho Santa Fe and Pepperdine University in California as places where shelter-in-place strategies have worked.? "Certainly, our first option is to have enough time, enough heads-up, to evacuate the valley," Riley told the audience at a public meeting about fire safety. "We're comfortable in saying that we have an area (at the resort) that can work as a really good safety zone if needed."? Critics say that's not good enough.? Isaac Silverman, an attorney for Sierra Watch, rejects the idea that shelter-in-place is right for Squaw Valley just because it has worked in parts of Southern California and Australia.? "Those are scrub chaparral environments, they're not conifer forest environments," Silverman said. "There's a particular kind of firestorm that's created in a forest."? With Martis Valley the concern centers on the capacity for 267 to handle traffic during an emergency.? Although the project plan calls for emergency and seasonal secondary access roads to the development, those roads would also connect to 267, a highway that's already crowded with traffic between Lake Tahoe and Truckee.? According to project documents, it would take an estimated 1.3 to 1.5 hours to evacuate the development, enough time for a fast-moving fire to burn through.? "In other words, the Project's location and design are a recipe for catastrophic disaster," environmental groups argued in court papers.? A potential increase in traffic also worries residents near the lake who would might also need to evacuate.? "You've got a narrow, tree-lined canyon from Kings Beach over 267," Heinz said. "It would be an absolute death trap."? DEVELOPERS: DON'T BLAME US FOR BIGGER PROBLEMS? Developers behind the projects acknowledge they're looking to build in high fire hazard areas with traffic problems.? But they argue the problems will exist with or without the new development, as will solutions.? Cohen said he's planning to coordinate drills in Squaw Valley that will test the community and the resort's readiness to shelter-in-place during a disaster.? He said the resort already has access to ample amounts of water and personnel who could help direct people during an emergency.? "The correct approach for this place, development or not, is shelter-in-place," Cohen said. "I think there are people in Paradise who will tell you they should have had that. If there had been shelter-in-place ... fewer people would have died in their cars."? The city of Paradise did have two designated gathering points for residents, and some rode out the firestorm in the Paradise Alliance Church. The second spot was a parking lot?beside a senior center, which burned. At one point, with the road out of town blocked, firefighters also began directing residents to a grocery store parking lot, where they survived. Eight?of the Camp Fire's 85?fatalities occurred in vehicles and?two other bodies were found near vehicles,?while the majority of human remains were discovered inside homes,?according to Butte County's final count. Wildfire and public safety experts generally agree that early evacuation is always the first and best strategy in the path of wildfire. At Martis Valley, Morgan said developers are satisfied with their evacuation plan?despite the court ruling it was inadequate.? On appeal in court and during an interview the developers pushed back against the notion they don't have an adequate plan.? "Of course, in the wake of the Camp Fire and other recent disasters, no one disputes the seriousness of the wildland fire threat, or the need for serious planning to prepare for such disasters," Martis Valley West attorney Whit Manley wrote. "The (environmental impact report) served its function by ensuring the debate was fully informed."? R. Lopez moved to the United States from Mexico when she was 3. By the time she was in high school, the aspiring Spanish teacher from Oxnard needed glasses to drive and to see the whiteboard in her classes. Although her family's low income qualified her for government-funded health coverage, she wasn't eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal for much of her childhood because she lacks legal status. But that changed in 2016. Lopez became eligible for California's version of Medicaid, the state- federal health insurance program for the poor, under a new law that expanded coverage to more than 250,000 California children and teens who could newly qualify regardless of their immigration status. The program helped Lopez to get glasses and visit the dentist regularly. It was a weight off her shoulders knowing she could afford treatment if she ever got sick, said Lopez, who asked that her full name not be used because of her immigration status. Although state officials know how many children have enrolled, California doesn't track how often young people in the program visit the doctor or dentist or whether it saves the state money by keeping children out of emergency rooms. That makes it difficult to definitively assess its impact. But those working with the program see it as a success for families who use it, and Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed expanding Medi-Cal to undocumented adults younger than 26. That would help young people like Lopez, who lost her eligibility this year when she turned 19 and aged out of the children's program. Covering children and teens who are undocumented costs the state more than $360 million a year. Newsom's proposal would add $260 million to the bill. But advocates argue it would be a cost-effective investment in preventive and primary care services that can identify problems such as diabetes early and reduce costly services as people get older. Some state lawmakers want to go further and spend an estimated $2.3 billion a year to extend Medi-Cal eligibility to Californians of all ages regardless of their immigration status, provided they meet the income requirements. California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, who supports that idea, led the effort to expand health coverage for children when he was a state senator. He calls the resulting program a "major accomplishment." Lara grew up without health insurance in East Los Angeles. He dreaded holidays as a kid because in his family "vacation" meant traveling to Mexico to see doctors and dentists, he told a conference of health care researchers in February. "It's something that's very personal to me," the child of two former undocumented immigrants told The Sacramento Bee. "I knew this was an important issue because I lived it." Eligible kids aren't getting care California offers emergency Medi-Cal services to undocumented immigrants, which covers some emergency procedures and care for pregnant women. Before 2016, some undocumented children and teens could access additional health services through a patchwork of programs run by counties, local clinics and hospitals, depending on where they lived. After the new law took effect, all undocumented children in California could sign up for what is known as full-scale Medi-Cal, including medical, dental, mental and vision care benefits. The state estimates that the vast majority of eligible undocumented children in the state are enrolled in the program. The more than 250,0000 children who are covered as a result of the law exceed initial estimates of how many would qualify, according to the Department of Health Care Services. However, getting insurance doesn't always mean getting needed care. A recent state audit found that roughly 2.4 million California children eligible for Medi-Cal aren't getting the preventive care they're entitled to by law. The report doesn't look at undocumented children specifically, but overall it found fewer than half of children enrolled in Medi-Cal receive preventive services, including lead testing and vision screening. Many pediatricians won't accept Medi-Cal patients because of the program's relatively low payment rates for doctors, according to the audit. But the audit also faulted the Department of Health Care Services for doing too little to inform families about the services for which they qualify. "You can enroll someone in a plan, but if you don't provide the service to them, then it's an empty promise," said Assemblyman Jim Wood of Healdsburg, a Democrat who requested the audit. "It's great that we've signed all these people up regardless of immigration status, but we're simply not doing the outreach, we're not being proactive, and we're not getting people the services they need." It's hard to determine how many undocumented people don't know about the program or are afraid of using it, said Dr. Ilan Shapiro, a pediatrician in East Los Angeles. But Shapiro says the law has allowed many of his patients to get vaccines and treatment for diseases such as diabetes. "The system is working and bringing health to the kids in an efficient way," Shapiro said. "Even though we're not perfect and there's a lot of things we can improve, it's an important step." Cost is main constraint The children who now qualify for Medi-Cal aren't the only ones who benefit from the program. So do the other kids they interact with at school on the playground, their families and the general community, Shapiro said. "When you actually vaccinate the kids that are already here with us and you give preventative services to everyone who needs it, you're preventing the spread of diseases," he said. In Democrat-controlled California, the primary barrier to expanding the Medi-Cal program is cost. Because the state generally can't use federal funds to provide health care to immigrants living in the country illegally, all the funding must come from state coffers. Sally Pipes, president of the conservative San Francisco-based Pacific Research Institute, opposes plans to expand state-funded coverage to more undocumented immigrants, both because of the cost and because she worries it will incentivize illegal immigration. "Why should we be providing medical coverage to people who are here illegally?" she said. "Supporting the whole idea of people who are here illegally and paying for their health care is a tax on people who are here legally." Newsom's chief strategist, Daniel Zingale, said the governor wants universal health care but needs to implement it in steps because of budget constraints. "The money isn't there to do it all in one fell swoop, so I'm actually very pleased with the progress we're making," Zingale said. "I think putting undocumented kids on Medi-Cal was a revolutionary step and adding young adults is another huge step, and then we're halfway there." Lopez is among those who would benefit from an expansion. She rushed to get new glasses several months ago before she turned 19 and aged out of the Medi-Cal children's program. Now, the community college student says she can't afford to go to the doctor. "If I get sick, if I get a harmful disease, I won't have the money to cover the check-ups," Lopez said. "That's one of my biggest fears, that that's going to happen to me." Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Destined to Burn is a collaborative story package by journalists from USA TODAY Network-California, McClatchy, Media News and The Associated Press. The goal is to put a spotlight on policy issues that can reduce the loss of life, destruction of homes and businesses, and devastation to Californias natural beauty inflicted by wildfires. REDDING Concerned for your own and your familys safety in a wildfire evacuation? Here are 10 things you can do to prepare now: Sign up for your communitys warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts. Cal Fires emergency app is at www.readyforwildfire.org/Ready-for-Wildfire-App Napa County uses Nixle for emergency alerts. Go to http://www.nixle.com to sign up. Identify several routes to take to safety. Know your communitys evacuation plans (if there are any, and if theyre public). Practice driving the evacuation routes listed in number two. If you know ahead of time what places would be designated shelter locations, practice driving there from your home. Have a plan for pets and livestock. Keep important documents in a fireproof safe or in a safety deposit box. Create password-protected digital copies to put in a second secure location. Keep a pair of sturdy shoes and a flashlight near your bed in case of a sudden evacuation at night. Have an easily-accessible list of emergency contact numbers for family, friends, doctors, insurance, veterinarians if you are a pet owner, etc. Keep a copy in your emergency supply kit. Keep assembled pet carriers and leashes ready, and put your name and cell phone number and your vets name and office number on carriers. Have a practice drill with your family to make sure everyone knows what to do in the event of a real evacuation. Gather emergency supplies, including N95 respirator masks. Keep in mind each persons specific needs, including an updated asthma plan and medication if needed. Read more at Ready.gov at https://www.ready.gov/wildfires and Cal Fires wildfire action plan at http://www.readyforwildfire.org/Wildfire-Action-Plan/. For more on preparing pets, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at https://www.cdc.gov/features/petsanddisasters/index.html. Prepare an easily accessible emergency supply kit that includes: For each person in your household, an N95 respirator mask, a three-day supply of non-perishable food and three gallons of water. A map of the area with at least two evacuation routes planned. Prescriptions or special medications and your doctors contact information. At least one change of clothes for each person in your household. Extra pairs of glasses and/or contact lenses. An extra set of car keys. Credit cards, cash or travelers checks. First aid kit. At least one flashlight. An emergency battery-powered radio and extra batteries. Cleaning supplies and toiletries. Copies of important documents including birth certificates, drivers licenses, passports and insurance information related to cars, renters, homeowners and health. Dont forget important medical records and pet microchip and license information. List of emergency numbers (see above). Pet carriers, leashes and collars, towels for sleeping, bowls, poop bags, kitty litter and a pan, water and pet food with a can opener if needed. If an evacuation is called and youre sure time allows, pack these items into the kit: Easily carried valuables. Family photos and other irreplaceable items. Computer files on hard drives and stick drives. Chargers for cell phones, laptops and other electronics. Go to the Cal Fire website for links to more resources and information on preparing babies, children and people with special needs: http://www.readyforwildfire.org/Prepare-Your-Family/. Source: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys emergency readiness campaign. Editors note: This commentary is a response to Homeless mothers and their children need special accommodations, April 6. Housing is a basic human right. Its right there in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was created by the United Nations in 1948 and has been signed by every U.N. member nation. This is not controversial, although we can see on our streets every day that thousands of Californians do not have access to this fundamental human right. Recognizing this as a fact, I authored Senate Bill 1380 which made California a housing first state, and Gov. Jerry Brown signed it into law in September 2016. Housing first is an evidence-based model that sees housing as a tool to help people recover, not a reward for recovery. This model connects homeless people to permanent housing as quickly as possible by removing barriers that arise when housing is made contingent on participation in programs such as drug and alcohol treatment. Multiple studies show that between 75 percent and 91 percent of people who are rapidly re-housed are still in their homes a year later. This stands to reason. Sudden homelessness, whether caused by illness, spousal abuse or some other misfortune, frequently triggers a catastrophic cascade of troubles. The first thing we must do for Californians who have lost their homes, for whatever reason is simple, if not easy: Find them shelter. While the housing first model does not require sobriety, it clearly encourages sobriety. It has been shown that people who voluntarily sign up for supportive services are more likely to discontinue substance use, participate in job training programs, and attend school. In advocating for the housing first bill, I pointed out that the model was ripe for adoption in California because we have foundations, charitable groups, churches and organizations that provide supportive housing and other services. These include programs that require individuals to undergo screenings to assist them in battling addictions. Under the housing first model, such programs can work hand-in-glove with state-funded programs. Housing first simply says housing, the most fundamental human need, cannot be made contingent on a clean drug test. Such programs have helped many men, women and children, and we should all commend them for that. And we also now know that leaving people homeless as a way of trying to help them is not ultimately effective. Thats why, when it comes to public dollars, California will continue to invest in the housing first model. To advance this end, SB 1380 established two more entities: the Homeless Trust Funda repository for state, federal and foundation money; and the California Homeless Coordinating Councilto foster collaboration among state agencies and local governments. In his State of the State address in January, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the formation of the Commission on Homelessness & Supportive Housing. Noting that many victims of homelessness are self-medicating with drugs or alcohol, the governor appointed Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg to head the Commission. This was an obviously appropriate choice. During his tenure in the Legislature, Mayor Steinbergs most enduring work focused on the intersection of homelessness, mental health and addiction. Mayor Steinberg and Gov. Newsom are deeply committed to the housing first model. All Californians who care about our 130,000-plus neighbors forced to live in the streets can be glad our state is committed to getting them housed right away. And after weve ensured that they have a safe place to sleep and eat, then we will help them with the other challenges they face. Holly Mitchell represents Senate District 30 in Culver City and Los Angeles and is chair of the Senate Budget Committee, senator. She wrote this commentary for CALmatters, a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how Californias Capitol works and why it matters. The Mueller report has finally brought us face-to-face with the need to address the delicate and important circumstance of personal responsibility in the nations chief executive, as Alexander Hamilton put it in Federalist 69. To quote the Mueller report: The President has no more right than other citizens to impede official proceedings by corruptly influencing witness testimony. In addition, the president bears a second burden of personal responsibility not merely to execute the powers of his office (for instance, hiring and firing) but also to execute those powers faithfully. That question of faithfulness is what Hamilton had in mind when he referred to the delicate and important circumstance of personal responsibility. The constitutional apparatus gave to Congress the power and responsibility of addressing that delicate matter. The most important question now before us is whether Congress will use its power and indeed, rebuild it after a period of decline to reinforce two core principles of the Constitution: that the president is not above the law and that he or she should be held to a standard of faithfulness. Hamilton was one of the leading architects of an energetic presidency and was also the person who was therefore most obliged to explain to the public how the country could be assured that such energy would not be misused. A key difference between the British crown and the new American president, he twice insisted in the Federalist Papers, was that the person of the king of Great Britain is sacred and inviolable; there is no constitutional tribunal to which he is amenable. In contrast, the president was at all times liable to impeachment, trial, dismission from office, incapacity to serve in any other, and to forfeiture of life and estate by subsequent prosecution in the common course of law. The result of this was that, In the only instances in which the abuse of the executive authority was materially to be feared, the Chief Magistrate of the United States would, by that plan, be subjected to the control of a branch of the legislative body. What more could be desired by an enlightened and reasonable people? Above all, what was materially to be feared was that the president would exercise the powers of his office not faithfully but corruptly. He would use lawful powers again, say, hiring and firing not for public good, but personal gain. To explain the expectation that the president will act faithfully, the Mueller report reaches to the 18th century, arguing, A general ban on corrupt action does not unduly intrude on the Presidents responsibility to take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed. . . . The concept of faithful execution connotes the use of power in the interest of the public, not in the office holders personal interests. To understand the original meaning of faithfully, Muellers team cites a 1755 dictionary written by Samuel Johnson, which defines the term as strict adherence to duty and allegiance. The constitutional action of impeachment addresses treason, bribery, or other high crimes or misdemeanors, a broad remit that covers both violation of obstruction of justice laws and a failure to meet the constitutional requirement to exercise the powers of office faithfully. Importantly, the obstruction of justice laws comprehensively cover attempts to obstruct. Impeachment was designed, according to Hamilton, to ensure that, In this delicate and important circumstance of personal responsibility, the President . . . would stand upon no better ground than a governor of New York, and upon worse ground than the governors of Maryland and Delaware. In other words, think of the case of Rod Blagojevich, the former governor of Illinois who was impeached under corruption charges in 2009. Where does this leave us? Congress has the power and responsibility to act. Congress should consider as one of its highest priorities reclaiming its powers, after decades of its decline in the wake of executive overreach. And it should come to a judgment about the legality and faithfulness of President Donald Trumps behavior. Political considerations should not outweigh constitutional responsibilities. In that regard, we face the delicate and important circumstance of personal responsibility not only as it pertains to our chief executive but also as it applies to all our representatives. At the end of the day, the health of our democracy stands or falls on whether we can maintain our personal responsibilities to the Constitution. Danielle Allen is a political theorist at Harvard University and a contributing columnist for The Washington Post. China has not pushed Myanmar to revive the controversial $ 3.6 billion Myitsone hydro-electric project during the just-concluded Belt and Roads Initiative (BRI) conference in Beijing. Protests erupted in Kachin state, venue of the hydel project, ahead of state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyis visit to Beijing to participate in the BRI conference attended by nearly 40 heads of state. There were fears that China may push Myanmar to allow resumption of the project, initiated in 2009 by the countrys former military junta but mothballed two years later by the quasi-democratic regime of President Thein Sein amidst widespread protests in Kachin state. During the recent BRI conference, Beijing decided that in Myanmar, Chinas Ministry of Commerce will help formulate a five-year development plan for economic and trade cooperation. The China Railway Group Limited also handed over a feasibility report for the Muse-Mandalay Railway, a Myanmar-China high speed rail project, to Myanmars Ministry of Transport. Also Read: Myanmar: Huge protests against Chinas Myitsone Dam project If the 6,000 MW dam were built on the countrys famed Ayeyarwaddy River, it would flood an area the size of Singapore, displacing tens of thousands. Belatedly, China has been increasing pressure on its southern neighbour to revive the controversial project. Around 10,000 Kachins last week staged a protest march in Kachin states Myitkyina calling for termination of dam projects both upstream and downstream on the Irrawaddy River. While Myanmar is bound to suffer serious environmental impacts if the Myitsone Dam project goes ahead, China will take 90 per cent of the electricity produced, lead protester Steven Naw Awng said, explaining the reason behind the rally. The mega dam is not for us. But we will lose our lives and property because of it. So, we are all gathering to express our opposition, Steven Name Seng said. Myanmar Pesident Office spokesman Zaw Htay said that the ruling National League for Democracy-led government would not make any secret government-to-government deal on Myitsone dam by leaving people in the dark. He added that the government seriously considered the public opinion on this issue and also the government would focus on the agreement and commitment made with the Chinese government. So, the government will profoundly and seriously mull over this issue and will negotiate with them. The government will never make government-to-government secret deal without letting know the people. We will present the people how the government will do and how we will settle this issue in full transparency, he said. The spokesman was talking to the media after meeting with the Kachin Humanitarian Concern Committee (KHCC) at National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) in Naypyitaw on April 26. He added that the government was liaising with China based on five principles, of which public opinion was most important, but commitments to China also counted. A public opinion poll by Yangon Institute of Political Science indicated 85 per cent of the respondents opposed the Myitsone project. 129 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia legislature opposition on proposal to meet with PM Pashinyan: Closed-meeting format unacceptable Russia peacekeepers congratulate, give presents to Karabakh children on upcoming holidays Azerbaijan which destroys monuments is attempting to conceal its vandalism Newspaper: Armenia PM proposes parliament opposition to meet, discuss Artsakh negotiation topic Situation tense in Armenias Parakar Newspaper: Next step is to launch criminal case against now ex-mayor of Yerevan Armenia opposition MP on Security Council chief statement: He has lied Armen Grigoryan clarifies why Ruben Rubinyan was appointed Armenia's envoy for negotiations with Turkey Armenia Security Council Secretary on '3+3' format: If there is opportunity, we will go to Baku and Ankara Armenian Security Council Secretary: There is still no Armenia-Turkey agenda, we need to sit at table and talk Security Council Secretary: Document signed by Armenian, Russian MODs was not about pullout of Armenian troops in Syunik Yerevan Council of Elders member Lilit Pipoyan also drops mandate IRGC uses suicide drones during drills in southern Iran U.S. diplomat arrested on suspicion of selling fake passport to Syrian citizen for $10,000 in Turkey Iran FM: '3+3' format may contribute to strengthening of peace and stability in the region Robert Kocharyan expresses condolences over the death of National Hero Karen Demirtchyan's wife Baku admits that it is blocking opening of communications in region by setting forth different conditions Member of 'My Step' faction of Yerevan Council of Elders applies to leave, but says he won't drop mandate Armenia President: Azerbaijan has been using its position of victory to impose that game 17-year-old boy commits suicide in Armenia's Ararat Province Russian companies have pretension to participate in development of Karabakh's sector occupied by Azerbaijan Iranian FM reminds Aliyev about Iran President's invitation to visit Tehran Body of 34-year-old citizen of Russia found at parking lot of Dvin Hotel in Yerevan Russia MOD: Russian Armed Forces are guarantor of peace in Syria and Nagorno-Karabakh Yerevan mayor's spokesperson Hakob Karapetyan quits NEWS.am daily digest: 22.12.21 Lavrov, Mirzoyan agree on steps to launch practical activities for demarcation of Armenian-Azerbaijani border Turkey hopes construction of Igdir-Nakhchivan natural gas pipeline is launched as soon as possible Inter-agency task force holds first session at Armenia Emergency Situations Ministry Armenian and Russian FMs hold phone talks Georgian and Azerbaijani MODs sign 2022 Bilateral Cooperation Plan Deputy PM: Armenia seeks to diversify its energy system Analyst: At this rate, Armenia's authorities might refuse to visit Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex soon Papikyan, Zas discuss CSTO priorities during Armenia chairmanship Iran-Armenia Friendship Group member: Tehran won't tolerate any territorial change in the region Armenia opposition party leader is arrested One dollar falls below AMD 480 in Armenia Erdogan rejects possibility of snap elections in Turkey Iranian FM: Iran welcomes further economic and trade cooperation with Azerbaijan Peskov says Putin-Biden video call might be held before end of the year Lavrov urges NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to resign Saakashvili to not attend trial in Tbilisi court today Azerbaijan extends special lockdown regime Peskov: Russia has informed Turkey that it doesn't approve of naming of a park after Dudayev Yerevan has new mayor Yerevan hosts meeting of Armenia-Russia intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation Armenia Deputy PM: Most realistic projects are being considered in this stage Armenia PM expresses condolences over death of wife of statesman and National Hero Karen Demirtchyan Russia presidential spokesman informs about CIS leaders summit on December 29 Armenia Security Council Secretary meets with Stanislav Zas Armenias Sarkissian, Kuwait diplomat confer on regional issues President, PM discuss challenges facing Armenia Member of ruling faction is chairing session of Yerevan Council of Elders after recess, not mayor Azerbaijan defense minister tells details of their operation to seize Karabakhs Shushi International Studies expert: For first time Armenia enters process with Turkey, meeting Ankaras main preconditions Yerevan Mayor on Armenias ruling political force: These people are trying to privatize the revolution Artsakh official: Why international leaders praise Baku for releasing Armenian captives if its international law duty? Armenia President signs law on 2022 state budget 1 more person dies of coronavirus in Artsakh Iran FM heading for Azerbaijan 152 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Armenia premier, Russia deputy PM discuss prospects for restoration of communications in South Caucasus World oil prices going up City council majority faction: Current situation will not enable to work, serve Yerevan effectively for next 2 years Newspaper: Another bonus pay distributed in Armenia parliament Yerevan city council convenes special session, no-confidence motion against Mayor Marutyan on agenda Newspaper: Heated discussion occurs during meeting with Armenia PM Armenian judges address justice minister, say draft laws will put their independence at risk 26 Italian MPs express satisfaction with release of 10 Armenian POWs Mayor of Armenia's Kajaran Manvel Paramazyan greeted pompously after release from custody Aliyev meets with Georgian defense minister Iran's Ambassador to Yemen Hassan Irloo passes away after contracting COVID-19 Japan hangs three suicide bomber convicts It's snowing for the first time this year in Yerevan (PHOTOS) Opposition and police clash in Sukhumi Russian servicemen get stuck under an avalanche in South Ossetia Turkey's TRT covers normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul railway project launched Armenia FM receives Ile-de-France's Regional Council president, humanitarian issues discussed Armenian cross-stone placed and consecrated in Ukraine's Severodonetsk Armenia Parliament ex-Speaker Karen Demirtchyan's widow dies at 88 EU Special Representative welcomes handover of 2 Azerbaijani servicemen by Armenia Putin, Macron discuss settlement of Karabakh conflict Georgians holding demonstration demanding Saakashvili's release in Tbilisi Armenia Parliament Speaker receives head of France's Ile-de-France region Armenia customs attache: There are nearly 400-500 Armenian truck drivers at Upper Lars checkpoint Armenia Ombudsman, UNICEF release teacher's guide about children's rights Armenia health minister receives leaders of several Russian companies Armenia President, Japan Ambassador discuss current agenda of Armenian-Japanese relations Sarkissian to Pecresse: During war we were convinced once again that France is our real friend Putin assigns to enhance military-technical cooperation with Shanghai Cooperation Organization and CSTO Armen Sarkissian receives India Ambassador Armenia ex-Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan files report to incumbent Attorney General Members of Armenia ruling party boycott first session of Council of Elders in Aparan Deputies of Iranian Majles visit Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex Yerevan main Christmas tree to be lighted Thursday Dollar gains value in Armenia Ruling power lawmaker: Azerbaijan servicemens capture by Armenia soldiers is deterrent for Baku Ruling force MP: Armenia envoy for dialogue with Turkey will have quite representative apparatus Wife of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, chairperson of the boards of trustees of the My Step and City of Smile charitable foundations Anna Hakobyan hosted yesterday Armenian American philanthropist, Dr. Carolann Najarian. Executive Director of the My Step Foundation Hovhannes Ghazaryan was also attending the meeting. During the meeting, Carolann Najarian shared her impressions of her visits to Armenia and Artsakh. I visited Armenia and Artsakh 12 years ago, and if it wasnt for the Velvet Revolution, I wouldnt return to Armenia. I have been seeing amazing changes in Armenia for the past two weeks. People are smiling, happy and hopeful. This revolution taught them a lot and made them believe that they can make a lot of changes, Carolann Najarian said and talked about the activities that she and her husband have carried out in Armenia. Anna Hakobyan stressed that the Diaspora plays a major role in Armenias development. The Diaspora has always provided great support to the homeland during the Spitak Earthquake, the Artsakh war and in the years following the war. Unfortunately, its not always that our friends in the Diaspora have been treated the way they should have been treated. Today we are on the threshold of historical changes, and the Diaspora can help the country grow instead of helping it overcome hardships. This is a unique moment, Anna Hakobyan said. During the meeting, Hovhannes Ghazaryan presented the activities and directions of the My Step Foundation, and the parties discussed the paths for future cooperation. At the end, Carolann Najarian donated her books Call from Home and Avedis Story to Mrs. Hakobyan. I met with Davit Sanasaryan right after a charge was brought against him. This is what Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan told journalists at the National Assembly today, adding that the meeting was held at his initiative. I talked to Davit Sanasaryan and his attorney and know that they are preparing to file an appeal. If they do, well look into it and then talk. When asked if Director of the National Security Service Artur Vanetsyan was entitled to express certainty that the case regarding Sanasaryan will be forwarded to court, Tatoyan didnt give a clear answer, but he did state the following: I stated that I will be launching a process anyway, but we reached an agreement, that Is, if an appeal is filed and the attorney is able to state the demand more clearly, I will know what to do later. People suffering from a debilitating and often discounted disease known as chronic fatigue syndrome may soon have something theyve been seeking for decades: scientific proof of their ailment. Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have created a blood test that can flag the disease, which currently lacks a standard, reliable diagnostic test. Too often, this disease is categorized as imaginary, said Ron Davis, PhD, professor of biochemistry and of genetics. When individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome seek help from a doctor, they may undergo a series of tests that check liver, kidney and heart function, as well as blood and immune cell counts, Davis said. All these different tests would normally guide the doctor toward one illness or another, but for chronic fatigue syndrome patients, the results all come back normal, he said. The problem, he said, is that theyre not looking deep enough. Now, Davis; Rahim Esfandyarpour, PhD, a former Stanford research associate; and their colleagues have devised a blood-based test that successfully identified participants in a study with chronic fatigue syndrome. The test, which is still in a pilot phase, is based on how a persons immune cells respond to stress. With blood samples from 40 people 20 with chronic fatigue syndrome and 20 without the test yielded precise results, accurately flagging all chronic fatigue syndrome patients and none of the healthy individuals. The diagnostic platform could even help identify possible drugs to treat chronic fatigue syndrome. By exposing the participants blood samples to drug candidates and rerunning the diagnostic test, the scientists could potentially see whether the drug improved the immune cells response. Already, the team is using the platform to screen for potential drugs they hope can help people with chronic fatigue syndrome down the line. A paper describing the research findings was published online April 29 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Davis is the senior author. Esfandyarpour, who is now on the faculty of the University of California-Irvine, is the lead author. Providing the proof The diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome, when it actually is diagnosed, is based on symptoms exhaustion, sensitivity to light and unexplained pain, among other things and it comes only after other disease possibilities have been eliminated. It is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis and designated by the acronym ME/CFS. Its estimated that 2 million people in the United States have chronic fatigue syndrome, but thats a rough guess, Davis said, and its likely much higher. For Davis, the quest to find scientific evidence of the malady is personal. It comes from a desire to help his son, who has suffered from ME/CFS for about a decade. In fact, it was a biological clue that Davis first spotted in his son that led him and Esfandyarpour to develop the new diagnostic tool. We clearly see a difference in the way healthy and chronic fatigue syndrome immune cells process stress. The approach, of which Esfandyarpour led the development, employs a nanoelectronic assay, which is a test that measures changes in miniscule amounts of energy as a proxy for the health of immune cells and blood plasma. The diagnostic technology contains thousands of electrodes that create an electrical current, as well as chambers to hold simplified blood samples composed of immune cells and plasma. Inside the chambers, the immune cells and plasma interfere with the current, changing its flow from one end to another. The change in electrical activity is directly correlated with the health of the sample. The idea is to stress the samples from both healthy and ill patients using salt, and then compare how each sample affects the flow of the electrical current. Changes in the current indicate changes in the cell: the bigger the change in current, the bigger the change on a cellular level. A big change is not a good thing; its a sign that the cells and plasma are flailing under stress and incapable of processing it properly. All of the blood samples from ME/CFS patients created a clear spike in the test, whereas those from healthy controls returned data that was on a relatively even keel. We dont know exactly why the cells and plasma are acting this way, or even what theyre doing, Davis said. But there is scientific evidence that this disease is not a fabrication of a patients mind. We clearly see a difference in the way healthy and chronic fatigue syndrome immune cells process stress. Now, Esfandyarpour and Davis are expanding their work to confirm the findings in a larger cohort of participants. Recruitment for the larger project, which aims to further confirm the success of the diagnostic test, is being done on a rolling basis. Those who are interested in participating should contact clinical research coordinator Anna Okumu. Doubling up In addition to diagnosing ME/CFS, the researchers are also harnessing the platform to screen for drug-based treatments, since currently the options are slim. Using the nanoelectronics assay, we can add controlled doses of many different potentially therapeutic drugs to the patients blood samples and run the diagnostic test again, Esfandyarpour said. If the blood samples taken from those with ME/CFS still respond poorly to stress and generate a spike in electrical current, then the drug likely didnt work. If, however, a drug seems to mitigate the jump in electrical activity, that could mean it is helping the immune cells and plasma better process stress. So far, the team has already found a candidate drug that seems to restore healthy function to immune cells and plasma when tested in the assay. The drug, while successful in the assay, is not currently being used in people with ME/CFS, but Davis and Esfandyarpour are hopeful that they can test their finding in a clinical trial in the future. All of the drugs being tested are either already approved by the Food and Drug Administration or will soon be broadly accessible to the public, which is key to fast access and dissemination should any of these compounds pan out. Davis is a member of Stanford Bio-X, the Stanford Cancer Institute and the Stanford Maternal & Child Health Research Institute. Other Stanford authors of the study are research scientists Mohsen Nemat-Gorgani and Julie Wilhelmy and research assistant, Alex Kashi. The study was funded by the Open Medicine Foundation. Davis is the director of the foundations scientific advisory board. Stanfords departments of Genetics and of Biochemistry also supported the work. The Russian RBK has released an article devoted to the legal work styles of different countries when it comes to insulting the primary figure of a particular state. The title reads Words and Actions: How Authorities are Insulted in Europe. The 1926 Turkish Criminal Code envisages various bans in case of expressions that may insult the President, the republic, the Grand National Assembly, the armed forces and even Turkishness, for that matter. The earthquake of the 17th of August 1999 took the lives of tens of thousands of Turks. Journalists of Milliyet newspaper came to the conclusion that President Suleyman Demirel had not only failed to undertake the necessary measures to eliminate the consequences of the tragedy, but also didnt bear any liability for that. The saddest of the several cases of insulting Turkishness was the case of Firat Dink, who wrote his name as Hrant. The journalist, who was of Armenian descent, had published an article devoted to the Armenian minority in Turkey in the Agos newspaper. The releases were followed by protests and a process for insult to Turkishness. The indictment was approved by the Cassation Court of Turkey in spite of the attorney generals conclusion on insulting Turkishness. On January 19, 2007, Hrant Dink was assassinated by a representative of an ultranationalist organization, and police knew about the representatives plans. The European Court stated that the police didnt take any action to prevent the assassination and saw not only a violation of freedom of speech, but a violation of the right to life. After almost a decade of delay caused by budget constraints, the biggest mosque in Algeria is nearing completion thanks to China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), whose contractors are finalizing all aspects of the building. The new billion-dollar mega-mosque with the worlds tallest minaret covers an area of 400,000 square meters, which makes it the third-largest mosque in the world, after the Imam Reza Shrine (600,000 square meters) in Mashhad, Iran and Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (416,000 square meters) in Muscat, Oman. The Djama El Djazair can hold up to 120,000 worshippers. The grand mosque will include a one-million book library, a Koranic school and a museum of Islamic art and history. The Algerian government allocated approximately 1 billion for the project of the Great Mosque, said the Chinese broadcaster CGTN. Algerias longtime leader who resigned amid massive protests last month, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, said he wanted to leave his mark by building the magnificent place of worship. The Algiers mosque constitutes a new feat for the CSCEC that is involved in building heavy industry and infrastructure projects in Africa and across the world. Isabel Russell (nee Ross) has been awarded the highly competitive James Madison Graduate Fellowship that funds graduate school for individuals who desire to become outstanding teachers of the American Constitution at the secondary school level. Russell, a senior history major with minors in education and political science, will earn a masters degree in early American studies at the University of West Florida, a program she chose in part because of its proximity to where her husband Tyler is stationed for his continued training in the Marine Corps. Russell, a graduate of Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Collins, Colorado, seeks to emulate her high school and Mount instructors by teaching students how to think critically. It is vital for the future of American democracy that the public know how to think critically about government and politics, Russell said. My primary goal is to impart these skills on my future students. Assistant Professor of History Jamie A. Gianoutsos, Ph.D., director of the Mounts Office of Competitive Fellowships, assisted Russell with the application process and also taught her in two upper-level history classes. She noticed Russells keen intellect, interest in the American Constitution and service orientation. Russell went beyond her university courses this year, taking online seminars through the Teaching American History organization on the political thought of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson and on strategies for teaching significant documents in American history. Within my classes, Isabel has shown a deep interest in studying politics and political thought while also concentrating on how political culture and events impact the lives of marginalized populations, wrote Gianoutsos in her letter of recommendation. Isabels own service work and student activities demonstrate that her concern for the marginalized extends far beyond the classroom. She served for four years as a sexual assault victim advocacy volunteer, completed mission work in Togo, Africa, and has volunteered for the past four years with the Special Olympics. Her passion for service will aid her work as an educator. In addition to Gianoutsos, Drs. Michelle M.Z. Ohanian, assistant professor in the Division of Education, and Timothy Fritz, associate professor of history, wrote letters of recommendation for Russell. Ohanian praised Russell for promoting critical thinking among her classmates to explore difficult issues such as the persistence of racial segregation in schools today. I owe a lot to the fellowships programs and the professors who helped me, said Russell, noting that her Mount experience has exceeded her expectations. Russell is more than prepared to handle the demands of graduate school. A captain on the Mounts Division I track & field team, Russell last year not only competed in long jump and high jump in the winter and spring seasons but also planned her wedding, completed student teaching and excelled in her classes. She has passed the PRAXIS tests and hopes to begin teaching once she is certified, likely while she is in graduate school. (Adds details on Virginia headquarters, financial incentives, real estate deals) By Nandita Bose and Jeffrey Dastin April 29 (Reuters) - Amazon.com Inc on Monday said it had leased office space and posted several jobs for its second headquarters outside Washington, D.C., the start of more than a decade of investment and hiring that cities across North America had sought. In a blog post, the world's largest online retailer said it was on track to create 400 jobs at the future Arlington, Virginia, campus this year. It said the new hires will work out of a temporary space on Crystal Drive in June, as the company aims to open its first building in the fall. The drive is in Crystal City, part of Arlington. The move comes after Amazon cleared a key funding vote in Arlington in March, when local officials approved a financial package worth an estimated $51 million amid a small but vocal opposition. The $51 million is a small fraction of the $481 million promised by the county and a $750 million package offered by the state. Detailing Amazon's plans in the region in March, Holly Sullivan, the company's worldwide head of economic development said the internet retailer will invest approximately $2.5 billion, create more than 25,000 jobs with an average wage of over $150,000, which will generate more than $3.2 billion in tax revenue. The company has said it will lease 45,500 square feet (4,227 square meters) of space from real estate company JBG Smith , which has finalized three leases and two sale agreements for buildings in the region with Amazon. Amazon's jobs had been coveted by hundreds of communities from Canada to Mexico since 2017, when the Seattle-based company announced it would spend more than $5 billion and create up to 50,000 positions at a second campus dubbed "HQ2." The company ultimately split the prize between greater Washington and New York, the U.S. political and financial capitals, after more than a year of contestants' publicity stunts and promises of tax breaks to win over Amazon. Story continues In February, Amazon scrapped its plans for New York after local opposition to its proposed campus. So far, the jobs posted include four focused on procurement and one in human resources. Ardine Williams, who authored Amazon's blog post, said she had recently moved to Arlington from Seattle and is in charge of workforce development at the company. (Reporting by Nandita Bose in Washington and Jeffrey Dastin in San Francisco; editing by Tom Brown, Phil Berlowitz and Sandra Maler) (Adds death toll, background) By Ulf Laessing and Ayman al-Warfalli TRIPOLI/BENGHAZI, April 29 (Reuters) - An armed group tried to attack Libya's El Sharara oilfield, the country's biggest, but there was no impact on production from the incident, a field engineer said on Monday. Gunmen were stopped overnight outside the field in Libya's desert southwest while trying to steal several vehicles, the engineer said, speaking on condition he was not further identified. No more details were immediately available. Oil output in OPEC member Libya has been repeatedly disrupted by factional conflict and blockades since the 2011 uprising that toppled veteran dictator Muammar Gaddafi. El Sharara, which produces around 300,000 barrels day, was seized by state guards and tribesmen in December to press financial demands before reopening in March. El Sharara, operated by the National Oil Corporation (NOC) and foreign partners, has been pumping oil only intermittently due to blockades mostly by armed groups and other incidents. It is in a region held by forces loyal to eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar, allied to a parallel government based in the eastern city of Benghazi. Haftar's forces are now concentrated in the northwest to try take the capital Tripoli held by the internationally recognized government. The offensive by Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) has intensified a factional power struggle that has fractured Libya since Gaddafi's demise. Haftar's assault on Tripoli has stalled on Tripoli's stoutly defended southern outskirts. The LNA carried out an air raid overnight on at least one target south of Tripoli, residents said, though it was less intense than one on Saturday night. The three-week battle has killed 345 people, 22 of them civilians, a World Health Organization official said on Monday. A Tripoli hospital was evacuated after shelling shattered some windows, he added in a tweet. Haftar enjoys backing and arms supplies from the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, U.N. officials say, to build him up as bastion for stability and fight Islamist militants. His opponents see him as a budding new autocrat in Gaddafi's mould. Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj of the U.N.-backed government in Tripoli is backed by Italy, the former colonial power which has oil assets in Libya, and Turkey, two among the few countries that have kept their embassies open in Tripoli. (Reporting by Ayman al-Warfalli and Ulf Laessing Editing by Mark Heinrich) * Australian political leaders trade blows in TV debate * Poll shows election race is tightening (Recasts to add comment from first debate) By Colin Packham SYDNEY, April 29 (Reuters) - Australia's prime minister clashed with the leader of the opposition on Monday over tax, climate change and national security as the rivals squared-off in a televised debate hours after a poll showed the race narrowing. Just weeks out from the May 18 election, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said a government led by the opposition Labor party would risk setting back the economy amid looming problems. "We are facing stiff headwinds into the future for our economy," Morrison told an audience of undecided voters in Western Australia state. Labor party leader Bill Shorten said the economy was stoking inequality as he defended his plan to abolish generous tax concessions for some Australians to fund more spending on health and education. Shorten's debate performance will be scrutinized as Australia's preeminent political poll showed his party's lead was fast diminishing. The Newspoll for the Australian newspaper showed Labor's lead fell by a point to 51 percent to 49 percent for Morrison's party, from the previous poll two weeks, ago on a two-party preferred basis, where votes are distributed until a winner is declared. Morrison's government had trailed Labor by 54 percent to 46 percent in March, before calling the election. While the race has tightened, Labor is still expected to gain between six and 10 seats to give it the government, the poll showed. But deals with minor parties could improve the ruling coalition's prospects in preference-vote distributions. Mining magnate Clive Palmer's United Australian Party, campaigning Donald Trump-style to "Make Australia Great," has overtaken One Nation to be the second-largest minor party, with 5 percent of the primary vote, the poll showed. Labor has focused on its plans to boost spending on education, health and welfare, promising on Sunday A$4 billion ($2.8 billion) in childcare subsidies to a million low-income families and free dental care, worth A$2.4 billion, for the aged. Morrison campaigned in Sydney on Sunday on the issue of immigration, promising to cut annual migrant numbers and freeze the refugee intake. ($1 = 1.4203 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Sonali Paul; Editing by Peter Cooney) (Recasts with bail denied, adds comment from judge, Hopkins' attorney, wife) By Andrew Hay ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., April 29 (Reuters) - The leader of a paramilitary group that has detained undocumented migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border pleaded not guilty to federal weapons charges on Monday and was denied bail. Larry Hopkins, 69, commander of the United Constitutional Patriots, has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm after the FBI said it found guns during a 2017 visit to his home. Moments before Hopkins was first scheduled to stand and face U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Molzen, a U.S. Marshal told the courtroom to evacuate the building for a bomb threat. Nothing was found, and authorities did not elaborate on the threat. When the court reconvened, Assistant U.S. Attorney George Kraehe testified that Hopkins had 11 prior felony convictions and was seen in possession of a holstered firearm as recently as February, when he met with the police chief of Sunland Park, New Mexico, where his group is camped on the border. Kraehe said Hopkins failed to appear at seven court hearings and escaped from a penal institution during a criminal history, dating back to 1968. "I believe the government has met its burden of showing he is a flight risk and a danger to the community," said Molzen, ordering Hopkins to be held in custody until trial. NINE FIREARMS Hopkins was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on April 20, days after the American Civil Liberties Union accused his group of illegally detaining migrants, and New Mexico's Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said its activities had to stop. The charges relate to weapons the FBI found at Hopkins home in 2017, while investigating reports he was running a militia. They do not relate to any of his group's conduct at the border. When agents entered the home they collected nine firearms, ranging from pistols to rifles, which Hopkins, also known as Johnny Horton Jr., illegally possessed as he had at least one prior felony conviction, according to the complaint. Story continues Hopkins' lawyer, Kelly O'Connell, said the pistol Hopkins wore in February was a compressed-air pellet gun and the weapons found in 2017 were legally purchased for the group by its vice commander Mark Cheney at flea markets. He acknowledged Hopkins had a criminal record but believed he had only two felony convictions. "He has no history of being a threat to the community," O'Connell said. Hopkins was assaulted in jail last week and O'Connell argued that, as well as being infirm and not a flight risk, his client's safety was at risk if incarcerated due to his high-profile activities at the border. "It's all made up," said Hopkins' common-law wife Fay Murphy, 60, of the government's allegations. (Reporting by Andrew Hay, Editing by James Dalgleish and Tom Brown) Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore is set to step down this August at the end of his contract. Collymore has been head at Safaricom since 2010, when he took over from Michael Joseph. Health reasons are believed to have guided his decision, coming less than a year after he returned from a 9-month medical leave. He has been battling cancer. He wants to concentrate on his health so he did not wish to renew his contract, one unidentified source told Reuters. It is reported that Kenyas government insistent that he should be succeed by a Kenyan has delayed the announcement. Speaking to Reuters, Collymore said that he is still in discussions with the board, and that the announcement would be made at an appropriate time. I have every confidence that whether Im here or not, that this company will run This is an institution. It is not a company which is just ran by a single person, he said. The Guyana-born CEO has guided Safaricom to become the most profitable company in East and Central Africa. Despite losing market share to rivals Airtel and Telkom in recent years, Safaricom still holds 62% of the market, with about 30 million subscribers. During his time at the helm, Safaricoms share price has quadrupled. According to Reuters, the board had interviewed a senior Kenyan banking executive, before settling on an unidentified foreign national from within Vodafone, the same organization that seconded Collymore. Vodafone through South Africas Vodacom, owns 35% of Safaricom. The government has however objected to that decision, citing a 2017 shareholder meeting that supported the appointment of a Kenyan. The state has said no. They might have to negotiate, the confidential source continued. ICT secretary Joe Mucheru also supported this thinking. I would be very surprised if they cant find a Kenyan. It will be hard for them to justify, what is so special about telecoms? Mucheru told Reuters. The outgoing CEO however revealed that he is actually Kenyan, having acquired a Kenyan citizenship to have dual-nationality. He also married a Kenyan woman in 2016. Read: PHOTOS Bob Collymore Weds Sweetheart in Private Ceremony (Adds details from funeral, paragraphs 5-8, 15) By Joseph Ax April 29 (Reuters) - The FBI said on Monday it received multiple tips about a security threat minutes before a gunman opened fire in a California synagogue, killing a woman and wounding three others, but lacked sufficient details or time to prevent the attack. Police are investigating what motivated a 19-year-old suspect to open fire on the Chabad of Poway synagogue in suburban San Diego on Saturday, including whether to bring hate crime charges against the man who surrendered to police shortly after the attack. The FBI said it received tips about an online post referring to a potential attack that did not include "specific" information about the post's author or location. Investigators immediately began working on identifying the author but the shooting began only five minutes after the tips arrived. "The FBI thanks the alert citizens who saw and reported the post," the bureau said in a statement. Members of the synagogue returned to the temple on Monday for the funeral of Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, the congregant who was killed in the attack. Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, one of three people who were wounded, losing his right index finger in the shooting, presided over the memorial service. He clutched a single yellow flower in his bandaged hand from a bouquet Gilbert-Kaye had sent him at the weekend before her death. "There's a big garden out there. God took the rose of the garden, and he brought her up to heaven," Goldstein said. "We saw the darkest of humanity. I saw it face to face. I wish to never see that ever again." Mourners also applauded the heroism of another of their congregants, Oscar Stewart, 51, a U.S. Army and Navy veteran who served in Iraq and who confronted the gunman in the lobby of the synagogue on Saturday and chased the assailant outside. The shooting occurred six months to the day after 11 worshippers were shot to death at a Pittsburgh synagogue, the deadliest attack ever on American Jewry. Story continues 'TERRIFYING MYSTERY' The accused gunman in Saturday's bloodshed, identified by authorities as John Earnest, fled the scene but called police a short time later in order to surrender. Earnest, who is being held without bail, appears to have written an online manifesto in which he also claimed responsibility for a pre-dawn arson attack at a nearby mosque last month and professed inspiration from the mass shooting at two mosques in New Zealand that killed 50 people in March. His parents expressed shock and sadness in a statement on Monday, saying their son had become "part of the history of evil" perpetrated on Jewish people. "How our son was attracted to such darkness is a terrifying mystery to us," the statement said. "Our heavy hearts will forever go out to the victims and survivors." They said they were cooperating with investigators. Stewart said in an interview on Monday he was sitting in the temple sanctuary during Sabbath services when he recognized the sound of gunshots. For a moment he began running toward the exit with other congregants, then turned around and headed toward the gunfire. "I was an instrument of God," he said. "I had no conscious effort in what I was doing." He charged the gunman, screaming, "I'm going to kill you!" He said he pursued the gunman, who looked frightened and had stopped firing, when he fled the synagogue. Another worshipper, an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent named Jonathan Morales who was armed, also ran outside and fired several shots at the gunman's car as he drove away. Almog Peretz, an Israeli citizen visiting his family, was hit but still managed to help shepherd children to safety, witnesses said. His 9-year-old niece, Noya Dahan, was also wounded. Her family moved to the United States from Israel in search of a safer life after their home was repeatedly shelled by Palestinian rockets. Gilbert-Kaye, one of the synagogue's founding members, was a deeply caring member of the community, her friends remembered. She drove one congregant who had developed breast cancer to every appointment and helped take care of her children, Goldstein said. "She is a person of unconditional love," Goldstein told reporters, adding that he felt Gilbert-Kaye "took the bullet for all of us." A friend, Audrey Jacobs, described her in a Facebook post as a "woman of valor" whose final act was to protect others. (Reporting by Joseph Ax in New York Additional reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis and Rollo Ross in Los Angeles Editing by Scott Malone, Bill Trott and Bill Berkrot) (Adds Prime Minister's comment) By Rod Nickel and Hallie Gu WINNIPEG, Manitoba/BEIJING, April 29 (Reuters) - An expanding list of Canadian farm exports is hitting obstacles at Chinese ports, leaving sellers of soybeans, peas and pork scrambling amid a bitter diplomatic dispute. China has already blocked Canadian canola from Richardson International and Viterra, two of Canada's biggest farm exporters, saying that shipments had pests. Other China-bound canola cargoes have been canceled, forcing exporters to re-sell elsewhere at discount. Canadian politicians have said the concerns are baseless, and noted that China detained two Canadians after Canada arrested an executive of Chinese telecom company Huawei Technologies Co Ltd in December at the United States' request. China has used nontariff barriers before during diplomatic tensions, most recently against Australian coal. Now traders say Canadian soybeans and peas face unusual obstacles. Ottawa also warned last week that China was holding up pork shipments over paperwork issues. Increasing tensions with China, a top buyer for most Canadian farm commodities, have forced farmers to plant other crops, such as wheat, that they hope will not face barriers. China bought C$2.7 billion ($2.01 billion) worth of Canada's canola and C$514 million worth of its pork last year. To be sure, the spread of African swine fever through China's pig herd has reduced China's need for canola and soybeans to process into feed ingredients. 'YOU BUY FROM CANADA, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE LIFE DIFFICULT' But since January, port soybean inspections that routinely take a few days now require three weeks, causing Chinese buyers to avoid Canadian products, said Dwight Gerling, president of Canadian exporter DG Global. "They're basically sending out the signal, 'You buy from Canada, we're going to make your life difficult,'" Gerling said. Earlier this year, a Chinese buyer told Gerling that a government inspector had found ants in 34 containers (roughly 680 tonnes) of the Canadian soybeans he shipped there. Such a finding would be rare, since the soybeans were stored in concrete silos in Canada and shipped in sealed containers in late autumn, said Gerling, who concluded the buyer was trying to avoid the new hassles of buying from Canada. Story continues "It's just them playing games. (Beijing) is just going to keep putting the screws to us." China's General Administration of Customs did not reply to a fax seeking comment. Government officials have said their canola ban is a regular inspection and quarantine measure to protect China's farm production and ecological safety. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking in Cambridge, Ontario, promised action, although he gave no details. "We are absolutely going to be doing more on the canola file. We'll have an announcement in the coming days," Trudeau said. "We're in the process of solving this. It is not an easy situation. It is one we've taken very seriously." In a statement, the Canadian agriculture department said it could not confirm that China had imposed stricter measures against farm goods other than canola. Ottawa said this month it hoped to send a delegation to China to discuss the issue. Gerling's company has halted soybean sales to China and found other buyers in Southeast Asia. An official at a state-owned crusher in Southern China confirmed that port inspections have tightened on Canadian soybean cargoes. "We don't have Canadian cargoes coming in as we can't blatantly commit such wrongdoing when the atmosphere is so intense," the official said on condition of anonymity. Another official in Northern China said his crushing plant scrapped plans to buy Canadian soybeans when the trade dispute flared. Canada shipped C$1.7 billion worth of soybeans to China in 2018, up sharply year over year, according to the Soy Canada industry group, as China and the United States fought a trade war. But sales have now slowed to a trickle. Canola has taken the brunt of China's measures. Chinese buyers have canceled at least 10 cargoes of Canadian canola in the last few weeks, said a Singapore-based trader at a company that runs crushing facilities in China. Some cargoes, around 60,000 tonnes each, have been resold to buyers in Pakistan and Bangladesh at deep discounts, the trader said. "It is devastating for exporters," the trader said. ICE canola futures fell to a more than four-year low on Tuesday as supplies piled up. Growers intend to sow the smallest crop in three years. On Monday of last week, Ottawa said some Canadian pork exporters used an outdated form to certify shipments to China, causing delays. Such issues arise regularly in commodity trading, but rarely with damaging consequences, said Canadian Pork Council spokesman Gary Stordy. 'VERY STRICT' WITH PEAS Canadian pea exporters fear they could be next. China imported C$718 million worth of Canadian peas in 2018, according to industry group Pulse Canada, but the pace has slowed. Chinese authorities have begun scrutinizing import documents and product samples more closely, said Taimy Cruz, director of logistics at Toronto-based BroadGrain Commodities. China Inspection and Quarantine Authorities now tests samples of each pea shipment before authorizing it for import. They also restrict in some cases the number of soybean shipments allowed under one license, slowing the flow, Cruz said. Similarly, import authorities now require soybean shipments that change vessels in Singapore and Shanghai - a routine practice called trans-shipping - to reach their destination on a single ship, she said. While BroadGrain has not seen its cargoes turned back, it has reduced sales to China to avoid risk, concentrating on the Indian subcontinent and South America, she said. "We have to be extra careful," Cruz said. "They are very strict now." ($1 = 1.3453 Canadian dollars) (Reporting by Rod Nickel in Winnipeg and Hallie Gu in Beijing Additional reporting by Naveen Thukral in Singapore and Steve Scherer in Ottawa Editing by Denny Thomas and Matthew Lewis) (Adds detail from WH Group statement) BEIJING, April 29 (Reuters) - Chinese pork producer WH Group on Monday report a 21 percent fall in first-quarter attributable profit, dragged down by weak fresh pork prices in all markets and lower sales volumes in the United States. Higher raw material and other costs in China and oversupply in the U.S. hog market hurt overall profits, said the company, the world's largest pork producer. The average hog price in the United States decreased 17 percent in the quarter versus the same period last year. WH Group said attributable profit, before biological fair value adjustments, decreased by 21.3 percent to $196 million while operating profit fell by 10 percent to $341 million. The group, which owns U.S.-based Smithfield Foods Inc, said a later Easter holiday compared with last year undermined sales of packaged meats in the U.S., and exchange rates in China also hit revenue that came in at $5.28 billion, a 6 percent fall. Oversupply and weak prices in the U.S. and Europe pushed operating losses in hog production to $168 million from $13 million in the quarter, it said. The group's Chinese unit, Henan Shuanghui Investment and Development Co Ltd, however, said in a separate announcement on Monday its net profit in the first quarter rose 20.3 percent to 1.28 billion yuan ($190.16 million). Shuanghui slaughtered 4.7 million pigs in the reported period, about a fifth more compared to a year earlier, as the firm took advantage of relatively low hog prices before China's Lunar New Year holiday in February and the impact of African swine fever, a deadly disease that has swept across the country. Hog prices were under pressure earlier this year as measures to tackle an outbreak of African swine fever, a deadly disease that swept across China, led to a build-up in inventory in many parts of the country. But WH Group also said that external sales volumes of fresh pork in the quarter were stable at about 1.1 million tonnes. Story continues The company did not comment on the potential impact of rising raw material prices. African swine fever, which is fatal to pigs but does not harm people, has caused huge losses in the world's largest hog herd, pushing up the price of live hogs since March. Prices in China could jump by 70 percent in the second half of the year, said an agriculture ministry official earlier this month. Rising pork prices are also expected to pressure major overseas processors such as Hormel Foods Corp, as surging imports from China drive up global prices. ($1 = 6.7313 yuan) (Reporting by Dominique Patton; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta and Emelia Sithole-Matarise) (Adds administration official comments, quotes from letter, PIX available) By David Shepardson and Jeff Mason WASHINGTON, April 29 (Reuters) - A day before heading to the White House to meet with President Donald Trump, top Democrats in Congress on Monday said a bill to boost U.S. infrastructure must be funded with "substantial, new and real revenue" to meet massive needs across the country. In a letter to the president released ahead of their meeting on Tuesday morning, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer outlined their priorities for draft legislation, which they said included renewable energy, broadband, water, school, and housing infrastructure. They also called for investments in risk mitigation efforts for current infrastructure to handle the effects of climate change. "We look forward to hearing your ideas on how to pay for this package to ensure that it is big and bold enough to meet our country's needs," they wrote. Both Republicans and Democrats have supported taking measures to strengthen U.S. infrastructure, but the price tag and measures to pay for it may be a stumbling block to cooperation. Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow told reporters on Monday that the president had not made up his mind on whether to support raising a federal tax on gasoline to help fund an infrastructure package. NO BLUEPRINT Both sides are keeping expectations low for the meeting and no formal proposals are expected to be exchanged. "We want to hear what they have to say about it, and we'll react to that. But no, we're not ... coming into it with a blueprint," Kudlow said. In a February 2018 meeting with lawmakers, Trump had endorsed hiking the federal gasoline tax by 25 cents per gallon to fund infrastructure improvements, Democratic Senator Tom Carper said. The current tax of 18.4 cents a gallon on gasoline has been in place since 1993. The federal diesel tax is 24.4 cents a gallon. Story continues Schumer said on Monday that the federal government could finance $1 trillion in infrastructure improvements by reversing some of Trump's 2017 tax cuts and modestly boosting corporate tax rates. The tax bill is one of Trump's signature legislative accomplishments. "It would be extraordinarily unfair to ask the middle class to shoulder the cost of an infrastructure bill," Schumer said. The president, who vowed in 2016 to back $1 trillion of infrastructure spending over 10 years, has been vague about his plans in recent months. In February last year, Trump asked Congress to authorize $200 billion in federal money over 10 years to spur road, bridge and other projects mostly funded by states, cities and the private sector. That plan was roundly criticized and never voted on in Congress, which was then controlled by Republicans. An administration official confirmed that Trump was not a fan of that plan, which featured public-private partnerships, which he said Trump did not believe would work at the federal level. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters on April 11 that a big infrastructure boost is popular but "nobody on either side has stepped up with a credible proposal to pay for it. "I'm all for taking it up once the president and Democrats, everybody says OK, here's how we're going to pay for it. As soon as that magically appears I think we have a way forward," McConnell said. Pelosi requested the meeting on infrastructure with Trump. Other Democrats expected to attend include Representatives Peter DeFazio, who chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Richard Neal, who chairs the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee. Senators Dick Durbin, Patty Murray, Debbie Stabenow, Ron Wyden and Carper will also attend, along with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, No. 3 House Democrat James Clyburn and Representative Ben Ray Lujan. (Reporting by David Shepardson and Jeff Mason; additional reporting by Richard Cowan; editing by G Crosse, Richard Chang and Bill Berkrot) (Fixes typographical error in paragraph 10) * Airline has held talks with Airbus * Airline will seek compensation from Boeing * Chairman says Boeing could improve communication over grounding By Alexander Cornwell DUBAI, April 29 (Reuters) - Flydubai's chairman warned on Monday the airline could order Airbus A320neos as replacements for Boeing 737 MAX jets, telling the U.S. planemaker to improve communication with customers. The 737 MAX has been grounded after an Ethiopian Airlines jet crashed in March and a LionAir jet crashed last October, killing a total of 346 people. The Middle East carrier operates a fleet of only 737 aircraft and is one of the largest MAX operators having ordered 250 of the new model narrow-body jets. Flydubai has had to ground its 14 MAX jets, accounting for roughly 10 percent of its fleet, and cancel up to 15 flights a day. "That gave me an option to talk to Airbus," Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum told reporters at the Arabian Travel Market exhibition in Dubai. "You have to understand that we do not have a definite date on when this (MAX) aircraft will be flying." Flydubai said in March the MAX was integral to its future. Other airlines have weighed their options since the grounding. A decision from Saudi Arabian budget carrier flyadeal on whether to proceed with an existing order for 30 MAX jets is imminent, its chief executive said on Sunday. Flydubai potentially swapping any or part of its order comes as the world's largest planemaker faces one of the biggest crises in its 103-year history. Boeing, which was holding its annual meeting in Chicago on Monday, said flydubai was a valued customer and that it was sorry for the disruption to its operations. "We are focused on earning their trust and supporting all of our customers around the world in every way possible to ensure complete confidence in the 737 MAX and a safe return to commercial flight," a company spokeswoman said. Story continues Flydubai is the second biggest MAX customer and last committed to Boeing's best selling jet in 2017 with an order worth $27 billion including purchasing options. Sheik Ahmed, who is also the Emirates Chairman, said flydubai would act within its contract terms with Boeing but would not would not allow anything to stop the airline's growth. He did not say when flydubai would decide on whether it pursues a replacement order with Airbus. Sheik Ahmed also said that Boeing's communication with customer over the grounding and how it plans to recertify the plane "could be better." Boeing has said it is developing a software fix and new pilot training for regulatory approval in order to get the company's best-selling plane recertified. Sheik Ahmed said more needed to be known about those fixes and the how long the plane grounding will last. He said flydubai would seek compensation from Boeing. "I have to ask it. It is my right. I didn't ground those 14 aircraft," he said. (Reporting by Alexander Cornwell Editing by Jason Neely/Keith Weir) (Adds S.Korea plan to reopen JSA tour in paragraphs 10-11) By Hyonhee Shin GOSEONG, South Korea, April 27 (Reuters) - Along forest trails below a bare mountain peak that until last year was a vantage point for a North Korean guard post, a group of around 20 ordinary South Koreans took a rare hike on Saturday near the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas. The hikers were chosen by lottery to explore a "peace trail" near the heavily fortified frontier, launched to mark the first anniversary of a landmark summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Hours later at the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the border village of Panmunjom, where Moon and Kim met, a series of music performances and other events were held to highlight cross-border rapprochement fostered since the summit. But conspicuously absent from the peace-themed celebrations was North Korea, which failed to send any official or message in response to the South's invite. North Korea has effectively pulled back from engagement since a second meeting in Hanoi in February between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump fell apart without any agreement on dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear program. In the South, Moon's administration is forging ahead with its peace drive without it. The trail hiked on Saturday, dubbed the DMZ Pathway to Peace although it does not enter any part of the zone, was introduced after the North refused to implement an agreed plan to provide tourists from both sides with greater access to the JSA. Public access to the area was strictly limited as the two Koreas remain technically a war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. "I wish I could freely go down this road into the North," said Song Hae-sook, a 71-year-old hiker. "It's too bad that they're not keeping their promise, which is what always worries us." Seoul's Unification Ministry in charge of intra-Korea affairs said on Monday it will restart tours in the southern part of the JSA on Wednesday, while continuing talks with Pyongyang to expand access to the North. Story continues The JSA has long been a popular tourist site in South Korea with its bright blue buildings and soldiers from both sides standing face to face, but tours have been suspended since October due to rows over a code of conduct, military sources told Reuters. STALEMATE The failed Hanoi summit was a blow for Moon, who has offered to mediate between Kim and Trump for a deal that he hoped would help ease U.S. sanctions in return for the North taking steps toward denuclearisation, leading to a restart of inter-Korean economic cooperation. Moon's efforts to meet Kim again and send an envoy to Pyongyang to discuss a possible compromise after the breakdown have made little headway. Planned weekly talks at an inter-Korean liaison office in the North's border city of Kaesong have not taken place since the Hanoi summit, and the North briefly pulled out of it without giving a reason. "It may look like a bride walking down the aisle when there's no groom waiting from the other side to greet her," a South Korean official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue. "But many in the Blue House would just be happy as long as the soldiers keep finding some remains from the DMZ." Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul expressed regret over the North's absence, but requested understanding citing the "change of the situation." "But it isn't less meaningful for us to once again reaffirm our resolve to implement the agreement made in Panmunjom through these events," he told reporters during a rehearsal for the celebration on Friday. DIGGING ALONE The DMZ tourism plan was part of a military pact, sealed during a September summit in Pyongyang, which calls for a set of tension-defusing measures. Both Koreas implemented some steps last year, halting major military drills, setting a no-fly zone around the border and removing landmines and guard posts within the DMZ, including the mountaintop watchtower above the "peace trail." But the North snubbed the South's proposal last month for talks to discuss follow-up action. This month, the South began excavating the remains of soldiers missing from the war from the DMZ on its own. Moon's unfazed push for peace has triggered worries that Seoul may be moving faster than anyone else is prepared to. U.S. officials have openly said since last year that inter-Korean relations should keep pace with progress on the North's denuclearisation. . Marking the anniversary of the Panmunjom summit, the North's state media released a series of articles on Saturday blasting the South's "submissive" alliance with the United States, which it said tries to "interfere" in inter-Korean ties, and urging Seoul to "take a proper stand." "North Korea is expressing discontent and disappointment after the South raised hopes for a deal but then failed to deliver as a 'mediator' eventually," said Hong Min, a senior fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul. Saturday's ceremony was titled "Long journey," which Moon's office referred to a "path that is long but must be taken" until lasting peace is established on the Korean peninsula. "This is a new path, and as we all must take it together, we need, sometimes, to wait for those moving slower to catch up," Moon said in a video message, conveying his greetings to Kim. (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Additional reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Alex Richardson and Darren Schuettler) (Adds government response) DUBAI, April 29 (Reuters) - Major opposition and activist figures who were stripped of Bahraini citizenship are not among hundreds of people whose nationality will be restored under an amnesty announced last week, a Reuters review of the list shows. Bahrain, which hosts the U.S. Navy's fleet in the region, was the only Gulf Arab state to have experienced major unrest during the 2011 "Arab Spring" of regional protests, which it quashed with the help of Saudi Arabia. The country has a majority Shi'ite Muslim population and a Sunni ruling family. It has seen periodic clashes between protesters and security forces, who have been targeted by several bomb attacks. The government denies repressing the opposition and says it is protecting national security from groups it calls terrorists backed by Iran. Since the protests it has prosecuted hundreds of activists in mass trials, banned the main opposition groups and revoked citizenship from around 1,000 nationals. Bahrain's Interior Ministry on Saturday issued a list of 551 people regaining citizenship under a decree from King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, which a government spokesperson said aimed to give them "an opportunity to rehabilitate themselves." The spokesperson said the government has begun the process of reinstatement for those on the list, adding that "court decisions to revoke citizenship are taken to ensure safety and security throughout Bahrain." Those identified were mainly from Shi'ite Muslim families, activists told Reuters. But prominent figures such as Isa Qassim, the spiritual leader of the kingdom's Shi'ite Muslim majority, were not on the list. Qassim's citizenship was revoked in 2016. The government subsequently allowed him to travel to Britain for medical care, and he moved from there to Iran. Most of the country's leading opposition figures and rights activists are imprisoned or have fled abroad. Story continues The Britain-based activist group the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) said Bahrain has stripped at least 990 people of their citizenship since 2012. "Since amendments to the anti-terror law were passed in 2014, the use of revocation of citizenship has increased dramatically, in many cases targeting journalists, human rights defenders and critics of the government," BIRD's director Sayed Ahmed al-Wadaei told Reuters on Sunday. A prominent activist, he was stripped of his citizenship in 2015. Reuters spoke to one person on the list who had previously been jailed for membership of a terrorist group and possession of weapons, and who for safety reasons asked not to be identified. The person's family was called on Tuesday and told to collect the person's passport, which had been confiscated by authorities. The passport had, however, expired and the individual is awaiting government approval to renew it. Some of those to whom citizenship was returned remain in jail. (Reporting by Lisa Barrington, Editing by Peter Graff and Ed Osmond) (Adds Intercontinental Terminals Co attorney's statement on environmental criminal charges) April 29 (Reuters) - Mitsui & Co Ltd's Intercontinental Terminals Co (ITC) faces five environmental criminal charges for the release last month of toxic chemicals from its Houston area petrochemical facility into waters that flow into the Gulf of Mexico, local officials said on Monday. Following a three-day blaze that consumed 11 storage tanks at ITC's facility, a containment wall breach spilled toxic chemicals xylene and benzene into the waterway that connects Houston to the Gulf of Mexico, halting traffic in the nation's busiest oil port. Evidence reviewed by the environmental crimes division of Harris County's district attorney's office showed water pollution rose to "criminal levels" for five days, establishing "probable cause to believe the company should be criminally charged for each day it violated the law," according to a statement by the Harris County district attorney. ITC could face penalties of up to $100,000 for each of the five charges, Harris County said. "Although we have not seen the charges, there is no question that there was a large fire and an enormous effort to extinguish it which resulted in a discharge into Tucker Bayou," said Michael Goldberg, an attorney for ITC, in a statement late on Monday. After a fire caused a dike at the facility to break, "large (and still unknown) quantities" of toxic chemicals, xylene and benzene, spilled into a nearby waterway for five days, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said in a statement. "The discharge from the ITC fire into Tucker Bayou is a clear water pollution case," Alex Forrest, an environmental crimes division chief prosecutor with the district attorney's office, said in a statement. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the state's environmental regulatory authority, and Harris County filed a lawsuit late last month against ITC seeking civil penalties and the recovery of Harris County's costs of responding to the March fires. Story continues Harris County's response cost at least $1.9 million, after county employees devoted tens of thousands of work hours to firefighting, pollution control, public health and law enforcement departments, said Shain Carrizal, Harris County director of finance. Inspectors from U.S. Chemical Safety Board, Environmental Protection Agency, TCEQ and Harris County have begun investigations into the cause of the fire, which destroyed 11 tanks. Harris County will determine if other charges will follow after other local and federal agencies have completed their investigations, Forrest said. (Reporting by Collin Eaton in Houston; Editing by Tom Brown, Marguerita Choy and Lisa Shumaker) (Adds background,) WASHINGTON, April 29 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, in an television interview that aired on Monday, said he hopes that the United States and China can finalize a trade deal with two more rounds of talks between the global economic powerhouses. Speaking to Fox Business Network as the latest round of trade negotiations commence in Beijing, Mnuchin also said the part of the negotiations aimed at enforcement is close to finished. Another round of talks is planned for next month Washington. "We still have more work to do," Mnuchin said. "I think there is a strong desire from both sides to see if we can wrap this up or move on." "We hope within the next two rounds, in China and in DC, to get to the point where we can either recommend to the president that we have a deal or recommend that we don't," he told the television network. Mnuchin and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer are scheduled to travel to Beijing on Monday for the latest negotiations in what could be the talks' end game. Chinese Vice Premier Liu He will visit Washington for discussions starting on May 8. (Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Steve Orlofsky) * Police break up election clashes in West Bengal state * Security forces use teargas to disperse protesters in Kashmir * Financial capital Mumbai included in latest round of voting * More than 127 million go to polls in fourth phase of election * Last round of voting May 19, results four days later (Updates voter turnout) By Rajendra Jadhav and Subrata Nag Choudhury MUMBAI/KOLKATA, April 29 (Reuters) - West Bengal state, crucial for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's hopes of retaining power, took center stage in India's staggered general election on Monday after clashes broke out between supporters of his party and a regional bloc. Security forces chased away people wielding sticks after workers from Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took on those from regional Trinamool Congress in the city of Asansol, police said. Modi is hoping to gain seats in West Bengal, a populous state in eastern India, to offset likely losses in the north of the country. An Election Commission of India official said paramilitary forces fired a blank round inside a polling station in another constituency in the state after a scuffle between voters and troops, who were demanding that mobile phones be kept aside while voting, as rules state. There were no immediate reports of any poll-related injuries in West Bengal, where at least one person was killed and three injured during the third phase of voting last week. Monday's was the fourth round in the country's phased election, which involves some 900 million voters and which started on April 11 with Modi in the lead amid heightened tension with long-time rival Pakistan. The last phase is on May 19 and results are expected four days later. There are a total of 545 seats in parliament's lower house. The BJP is in a direct, and sometimes bloody, fight in West Bengal with Trinamool, whose chief, Mamata Banerjee, is one of Modi's biggest critics and who is a possible candidate for prime minister. Story continues The BJP currently holds only two of West Bengal's 42 parliamentary seats. "We have asked for central forces at all polling booths so that free and fair elections can be held in the state," said Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, a minister in Modi's cabinet, referring to federal paramilitary police. Modi told a rally in West Bengal that at least 40 Trinamool state lawmakers were in touch with him and would leave the party after votes are counted on May 23. Trinamool accused Modi of attempting to horse-trade, telling him: "Nobody will go with you." The party also alleged that federal security forces were trying to influence voters to back the BJP wherever they were deployed. Maidul Islam, a professor of political science at Kolkata's Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, said the stakes were high for both parties, with Trinamool hoping to be part of a federal government coalition. JAMMU AND KASHMIR UNREST In disputed Jammu and Kashmir state's Anantnag constituency, which is voting in three phases due to security concerns, paramilitary forces fired teargas and pellets to disperse youth throwing stones at them, a police officer said. Four persons suffered pellet injuries, of which two had been hospitalized in Srinagar, the summer capital of Kashmir, the officer said, declining to be identified since he was not authorized to speak to the media. More than 128 million people were eligible to vote in this round of the seven-phase election, held across 72 seats in nine states. About 62.56 percent of those eligible had voted by 8 p.m. (1430 GMT), according to interim figures from the election commission. Modi's coalition won more than 75 percent of the seats in the nine states in the previous election, in 2014. Many of the constituencies are in Uttar Pradesh state in the north and Maharashtra - where the financial capital Mumbai is located - in the west, both of which are ruled by the BJP and its allies. Uttar Pradesh elects the most lawmakers, with Maharashtra next and West Bengal third. Political analysts say the BJP may struggle to repeat its strong showing this time due mainly to a jobs shortage and weak farm prices, issues that the main opposition Congress party has seized on. First-time voter Ankita Bhavke, a college student in Mumbai, said she voted for economic development. "I want the country to be at par with the best in the world," she said. "There's been some progress in the last five years." India's financial markets were closed on Monday for the election. Modi has played up his record on national security after he sent warplanes into Pakistan in late February in response to a suicide bomb attack by an Islamist militant group based there that killed 40 Indian police in the disputed Kashmir region. In recent days, he has evoked the deadly Easter Sunday bombings in neighboring Sri Lanka to remind voters of the dangers India faces. (Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav in MUMBAI and Subrata Nag Choudhury in KOLKATA; Additional reporting by Jatindra Dash in BHUBANESWAR; Subrata Nag Choudhury in KOLKATA; Shilpa Jamakhandikar, Sai Sachin Ravikumar and Swati Bhat in MUMBAI; Fayaz Bukhari in SRINAGAR; Writing by Krishna N. Das and Devjyot Ghoshal; Editing by Paul Tait, Robert Birsel and Frances Kerry) 30-year-old Angela Odiaga is the epitome of rising above HIV. Ms Odiaga tested positive for the virus at the tender age of 17. She hadnt been intimate with any man and neither had she contracted HIV through contact between infectious fluids and bleeding cuts or open sores in the skin. It was not until her mother suggested she gets tested when Odiaga learnt that she contracted the virus as a toddler. She shared her story with Saturday Magazine; ************************************************ At the age of 17, I fell seriously ill after completing my secondary school education. The same year (2006), my mother suggested that I should take an HIV test. At first, I found it absurd that she should make such a suggestion because I had not pierced any part of my body or got intimate with any man. I flatly refused. However, her words kept seeking audience with me and I wondered why she would make such a recommendation. Is there something that I did not know? A few weeks after recuperating, I decided to go to the hospital and get tested. I was HIV positive! My mother explained that I had contracted the virus when I was two years old through a blood transfusion. STIGMA The doctors advised that I immediately start taking ARVs but to be honest, it was not easy accepting my condition. Although my immediate family members were very supportive, I couldnt get myself into accepting the life-changing news. I was in denial, and for several months I was on and off medication. At one point, I decided to find strength by opening up about my condition. I started with my closest friends, before testifying in church. The news spread fast and it was heartbreaking. While in college, some of my female schoolmates did not want to see me engage or close to their boyfriends because of the condition. They openly claimed that I would end up infecting them with the virus. When I disclosed my status, there are those who cut themselves off, and there are those who stuck closer. Such was a young man who had accepted the situation and wanted me as his wife. We started dating and planning for our wedding. WEDDING In 2016, the worst and most hurting experience happened. I was set to get married but that didnt materialise. I recall on a particular day in May 2016, my parents and I met with my then-fiance and his parents. A counsellor and the would-be officiating minister were present. We had met to pick a convenient day for the wedding in the month of September. But even before we could get into the agenda of the day, my ex-fiances parents expressed their disinterest and worry. They said that I was out to ruin their sons life by infecting him with the virus. The meeting did not go well so he suggested that we shelf the wedding plans until he was able to convince his parents. He was a medical doctor. BETRAYED I am very open about my status and I was hoping to get into a family that openly accepted me and saw beyond the HIV status. Their blessings were also necessary to me, so I agreed with the idea of postponement. Sadly, the man would later get married to my colleague and a woman I attended the same church with. During this time, while I thought he was in talks with his parents about our situation, he was in constant communication with the woman. He mentioned that he was sponsoring her choir for an event, but little did I know that marriage plans were happening right there under my nose. I felt alone, rejected and lost several people of whom I had considered to be my friends. However, looking back, this chapter of my life has shaped me to the person I have evolved into. I have had to walk a tough journey of self-acceptance and I think I am at a happy place and open to love again. FAMILY In as much as I have lost many friends along the way, I have also gained others who have helped and embraced me with much love. I have also found strength in my adopted daughter, whom I had been living with since 2015 and took sole responsibility for when her mother passed on in 2017. She has given me a reason to stay healthy and ensures that I take my medicine and eat healthy food. Presently, I belong to an organization, Ambitious Girls 254, where I am the ambassador for HIV de-stigmatisation, a role I play even in my capacity as health records and Information officer at a local private hospital. (Adds name of Border Patrol agent, paragraph 3) April 28 (Reuters) - The rabbi wounded in Saturday's deadly shooting at his Southern California synagogue praised an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent who fired at the fleeing suspect. "I had spoken to him in the past about coming to the synagogue armed because he's trained, and I want trained security as much as possible," Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein told CNN, speaking from a local hospital. "Unfortunately, we couldn't afford to have an armed security officer at every service, so whenever we had extra help, we were grateful for it." The agent, named by the rabbi as Jonathan Morales, had recently discovered his Jewish heritage and traveled more than 100 miles (160 km) each way to visit the synagogue from his home in El Centro, a city on the border with Mexico, the rabbi said. The sheriff of San Diego County, Bill Gore, told reporters on Saturday the officer fired as the gunman was fleeing, missing the suspect but hitting his car. Police said on Sunday that Oscar Stewart, a 51-year-old worshipper from nearby Rancho Bernardo, saved lives by rushing at the gunman and chasing him to his car outside. "While Mr. Stewart was near the vehicle, (the) off-duty Border Patrol Agent caught up to the vehicle and yelled for Mr. Stewart to get out of the way," Gore said in a statement. "Stewart risked his life to stop the shooter and saved lives in the process." One woman was killed and three others wounded, including the rabbi, who lost a finger and had surgery to try to save more of his hand. Shortly after the shooting, the suspected gunman, 19-year-old John Earnest, called police to say he was involved and then surrendered on a highway in nearby Rancho Bernardo. Earnest appears to be the author of a "manifesto" posted online who claimed to have set fire to a mosque last month and drew inspiration from last month's mass shooting at two mosques in New Zealand that killed 50 people. Story continues U.S. President Donald Trump praised Morales, writing on Twitter: "He may have been off duty but his talents for Law Enforcement weren't!" "Hate and violence against anyone because of their race, ethnicity or religion has no place in our society," senior Customs and Border Protection official John Sanders said in a statement. (Reporting by Joseph Ax and Keith Coffman; Editing by Daniel Wallis, Lisa Shumaker and Sonya Hepinstall) (Adds context and detail) By Sofia Christensen DAKAR, April 29 (Reuters) - Unidentified gunmen killed a pastor and five congregants at a Protestant church in northern Burkina Faso on Sunday, authorities said, the first attack on a church in a country that has seen an upsurge of Islamist violence this year. Burkina Faso, which boasts of a history of religious tolerance, has been beset by a rise in attacks as groups based in neighboring Mali seek to extend their influence over the Sahel, the arid scrubland south of the Sahara. The government declared a state of emergency in several northern provinces bordering Mali in December because of deadly Islamist attacks, including in Soum, the region where Sunday's attack took place. Spokesman Remy Fulgance Dandjinou said on Monday that the latest attack was the first to target a church in the majority Muslim country where religious groups have historically lived together peacefully and frequently intermarried. "Armed groups...have every interest in troubling or going against the good understanding between religions. We have observed this strategy in other countries in the region and in the world," said Rinaldo Depagne, West Africa Project Director at International Crisis Group. Government spokesman Dandjinou told Reuters the attack took place in the commune of Silgadji. He said he was unable to provide more detail on the attack or the perpetrators. Around 55 to 60 percent of Burkina Faso's population is Muslim, roughly 20-25 percent are Christian and the rest follow indigenous regions, according to the U.S. State Department. (Reporting by Sofia Christensen Writing by Sofia Christensen Editing by Edward McAllister and Peter Graff) (Adds raids in southern India, prime minister's comments) By Shihar Aneez and Shri Navaratnam COLOMBO, April 29 (Reuters) - Sri Lankan security officials have warned that Islamist militants behind Easter Sunday's suicide bombings are planning imminent attacks and could be dressed in military uniforms. The militants were targeting five locations for attacks on Sunday or Monday, security sources said. "There could be another wave of attacks," the head of ministerial security division (MSD), a unit of the police, said in a letter to lawmakers and other officials, seen by Reuters on Monday. "The relevant information further notes that persons dressed in military uniforms and using a van could be involved in the attacks." There were no attacks on Sunday, and security across Sri Lanka has been ramped up, with scores of suspected Islamists arrested since the April 21 attacks on hotels and churches that killed more than 250 people, including 40 foreign nationals. Two cabinet ministers and two opposition lawmakers confirmed to Reuters that they were aware of the latest security alert. "We have been informed about this by the MSD," Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said. Authorities suspect members of two little known groups - National Thawheedh Jamaath (NTJ) and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim - of carrying out the Easter attacks, though Islamic State has claimed responsibility. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said a tight-knit group of people were involved, mostly close friends and families. They mostly spoke face-to-face, possibly to evade electronic surveillance. "They (the group) were small enough that they were not using normal communications, instead meeting each other," Wickremesinghe told Reuters. He added the coordinated bombings, the type of explosives used and the tightly guarded plot suggested the bombers had guidance. "ISIS (Islamic State) has claimed, we also felt there has to be some international links," he said. Story continues President Maithripala Sirisena said on Monday he had appointed Chandana Wickramaratne, the second in command at the police, as acting police chief. Over the weekend, two sources at the president's office told Reuters that Pujith Jayasundara, the police chief during the attacks, was refusing the president's request to step down. It was not immediately possible to contact Jayasundara on Monday. In India, police said they had raided the homes of three people in the southern state of Kerala, close to Sri Lanka, in connection with their links to Islamic State. They did not say if there was any connection to the attacks in Sri Lanka. (Reporting by Shihar Aneez and Shri Navaratnam; Additional reporting by Sanjeev Miglani in Colombo and Sudarshan Varadhan in New Delhi; writing by Alexandra Ulmer; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Nick Macfie) (Adds comment from U.S. official) ANKARA, April 29 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in a phone call on Monday discussed a Turkish proposal to create a joint working group on its planned purchase of a Russian S-400 missile defense system, the Turkish Presidency said. "Our Honourable President brought up the proposal to establish a working group regarding the procurement of the S-400 defense system from the Russian Federation," it said. The two countries have argued for months over Turkey's order for the missile defense system, which the United States says is incompatible with NATO's defense network and could compromise its F-35 fighter jets. Ankara has said a working group could assess the impact of the S-400 on the fighter jets, but on Friday said that it has not heard back from the Americans. The White House confirmed on Monday that Trump and Erdogan had discussed Turkey's planned purchase of the S-400 missile defense system. Asked if Trump raised with Erdogan the U.S. concerns about Turkey buying the S-400 system, a senior administration official said: "We have been clear and consistent in emphasizing our grave concerns on the S-400 acquisition with representatives of the Turkish government on numerous occasions and at the highest levels." U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and several U.S. senators have warned Turkey it will face penalties for buying S-400s under a law that calls for sanctions against countries procuring military equipment from Russia. Turkey has said that as a NATO member, it poses no threat to the United States and the sanctions should not apply. Trump and Erdogan also discussed trade and the ongoing crisis in Syria, the White House said. (Reporting by Tulay Karadeniz in Ankara; Additional reporting by Steve Holland in Washington; writing by Ali Kucukgocmen and Makini Brice; editing by Jonathan Spicer and James Dalgleish) (Adds details from FBI officials, criminal complaint) By Dan Whitcomb and Steve Gorman LOS ANGELES, April 29 (Reuters) - A U.S. combat veteran of the war in Afghanistan who prosecutors say plotted to detonate multiple nail bombs at a Los Angeles-area white nationalist rally, seeking to cause mass casualties, was arrested in an FBI sting operation, federal prosecutors said on Monday. Mark Steven Domingo, 26, a U.S. Army infantryman who recently converted to Islam, was taken into custody on Friday after undercover FBI operatives furnished him with what he thought were live bombs to be used in the attack, law enforcement officials said. Authorities said Domingo, who had no prior criminal record, came to their attention because of a series of violent extremist messages he posted in online chat rooms, one of which called for "retribution" for the massacre of 50 people at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, by a gunman in March. "Often we are asked what keeps us up at night. This is a case that keeps us up at night," Ryan Young, special agent in charge of the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, told a news conference in Los Angeles. Domingo, who had purchased several hundred long nails to serve as shrapnel in the homemade pressure-cooker bombs, had also suggested attacks on Jews, police officers, churches, a military facility, Southern California freeways and the Santa Monica Pier during internet conversations with the FBI operatives, Young said. He was charged in a federal criminal complaint with providing material support to terrorists and was ordered held without bond during a brief initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Monday. This investigation successfully disrupted a very real threat posed by a trained combat soldier who repeatedly stated he wanted to cause the maximum number of casualties, U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna said in a statement. According to the criminal complaint, an FBI operative established contact with Domingo in a private online chat room in March, leading to discussions in which Domingo expressed support for Islamic militants and the desire to seek revenge for attacks on Muslims. Story continues 'VIOLENT JIHAD' In one of his earliest posts, he suggested that "America needs another Vegas event," an apparent reference to the 2017 mass shooting at a country music concert in Las Vegas where a lone gunman perched in a nearby hotel killed 58 people and wounded hundreds, the complaint alleged. Domingo, who said he wanted to become a martyr, also made reference to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, according to the complaint. During one meeting in person with an FBI operative, he arrived carrying an AK 47-style assault rifle, telling the informant: "I just wanted to show you that I'm serious." According to a law enforcement database, Domingo is the registered owner of three semi-automatic rifles. An FBI spokeswoman said received a less-than-honorable discharge from the Army. Prosecutors say Domingo contemplated drive-by shootings and detonating a bomb at the Santa Monica pier before deciding to bomb a rally scheduled for Sunday, April 28, in the Los Angeles suburb of Long Beach that he believed was organized by white nationalists. Domingo and two FBI informants visited the planned site of the rally to scout the best location to place explosives to cause the greatest casualties, authorities said, agreeing that they would leave the scene separately to throw off suspicion. He as arrested shortly after placing one of the mock bombs into the vehicle of an informant. The white nationalist rally ended up not happening, although a number of counterdemonstrators assembled at the site, the Los Angeles City News Service said. The announcement of Domingo's arrest came two days after a gunman opened fire in a San Diego-area synagogue, killing one woman and wounding three others, including the rabbi. John Earnest, 19, was arrested. There was no indication the two incidents were connected. (Reporting by Dan Whitcomb and Steve Gorman; editing by Tom Brown, Lisa Shumaker and Sonya Hepinstall) (Updates with further background) By Sarah N. Lynch and Andy Sullivan WASHINGTON, April 29 (Reuters) - U.S. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Special Counsel Robert Mueller in May 2017 to investigate links between the Russian government and President Donald Trump's campaign, said on Monday he was resigning from his post. Rosenstein's departure, effective May 11, was not a surprise. He had been expected to step down in March. The White House had no immediate comment, but noted that Trump had already nominated Deputy Transportation Secretary Jeffrey Rosen to replace him. Rosenstein ended up staying on the job longer to help Attorney General William Barr manage the public release of Mueller's findings from his 22-month investigation, which was completed on March 22. In a letter to Trump, Rosenstein echoed two of Trumps signature phrases, writing that he helped staff the department with officials devoted to the values that make America great and adding that we always put America first. Mueller's investigation did not establish evidence that Trump's campaign illegally conspired with Moscow. Mueller, in his final report, did not make a determination on whether Trump obstructed justice, but instead presented evidence on both sides. After receiving the final report, Rosenstein and Barr made their own determination, finding there was insufficient evidence to charge the president. "We enforce the law without fear or favor because credible evidence is not partisan," Rosenstein wrote in his resignation letter. Rosenstein, a Republican, was often criticized by Trump and his allies for appointing Mueller. He has also been involved in decision-making at the Justice Department that has been criticized by Democrats. Democrats have directed most of their anger at Barr for how he chose to selectively release certain details of the Mueller report before making it public and for his decision to declare Trump had not obstructed justice. Story continues But Rosenstein played a prominent role in weighing the evidence Mueller had gathered on obstruction and deciding that Trump should not be charged. Last autumn, questions swirled about whether Trump might fire him, after the New York Times reported that Rosenstein had suggested in 2017 secretly recording Trump with a wire and recruiting Cabinet members to remove the president from office under the U.S. Constitution's 25th Amendment. Rosenstein has said the story was "inaccurate." Despite stoking Trump's ire, he remained on the job. In a speech last week, he blasted mercenary critics and defended how the Mueller investigation was handled. If lawyers cannot prove our case in court, then what we believe is irrelevant," he said. (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch and Andy Sullivan; Editing by Peter Cooney) (Adds background to case, paragraphs 3-8) By Andrew Chung WASHINGTON, April 29 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday asked the Trump administration to offer its views on whether it should hear Google's bid to end Oracle Corp's copyright infringement lawsuit involving the Android operating system that runs most of the world's smartphones. The justices are considering whether to take up Google's appeal of a lower court ruling reviving the lawsuit. Oracle has sought about $9 billion in damages. A jury cleared Google in 2016, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, which specializes in intellectual property disputes, overturned that decision in 2018, finding Google impermissibly used Oracle's software code in Android under U.S. copyright law. The case, which could help define the level of copyright protection for software, dates back to 2010 when Oracle sued in San Francisco federal court, accusing Google of harming its business by copying thousands of lines of computer code from its popular Java programming language without a license in order to make Android. Google, part of Alphabet Inc, said an Oracle victory would chill software innovation. The case has whipsawed since the start with Google twice losing at the Federal Circuit. In 2014, that court reversed a federal judge's ruling that Oracle's interfaces could not be copyrighted. The Federal Circuit last year rejected Google's argument that its use of Oracle's "application programming interfaces" was permitted under the so-called fair use doctrine of the 1976 Copyright Act because by adapting them to a mobile platform it transformed them into something new. The Supreme Court occasionally asks a president's administration for advice on whether to take up a particular case. The court in 2015 rebuffed a previous Google appeal in the case after the Justice Department under President Barack Obama recommended against hearing it. The justices did not give President Donald Trump's Justice Department a deadline for its response in the case. (Reporting by Andrew Chung; Editing by Will Dunham) Montreal (AFP) - More than 10,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in eastern Canada in recent days as spring floods broke record levels set in 2017, officials said Monday, warning that it could take weeks for the waters to recede. Meanwhile an operation is underway to rescue pets from homes in the area that had to be abandoned during evacuations. Hardest hit was the town of Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, west of Montreal, where more than 6,000 people were forced to flee rising waters over the weekend after a natural dike was breached. Flooding in the town "is stabilizing," Quebec Public Safety Minister Genevieve Guilbault told a press conference. "Water levels are falling and we hope that we can protect the area," she said, noting that construction of new gravel barriers was underway to keep waters at bay. About 9,000 people have been displaced in Quebec province, or twice the number in 2017, which had seen the region's worst flooding in a half-century. In the rush to flee the rising water scores of pets were abandoned. Eric Dussault, whose Animal Rescue Network is spearheading the effort to find the marooned pets, said an emergency shelter has been set up and people with training in animal rescues and expertise in cat and dog behaviors have been sent door to door. "We have a huge number of animals we need to evacuate. We're working with a list of hundreds of animals supplied by their owners," he said. About 40 animals were rescued since late Sunday, but the group was too late to save a dog, a guinea pig and another unspecified animal believed to have drowned or died of hypothermia. "Flooding is incredibly stressful on animals," Dussault told AFP. In New Brunswick, more than 1,000 people have been forced from their homes. A handful also were evacuated in the capital Ottawa. Several thousand soldiers have been deployed throughout Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick to help with evacuations and fill sandbags. Guilbault said she expects there will be a break in rainfall, but added that waters are likely take a long time to recede. Your daily look at late breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. 'I WAS SCARED, REALLY, REALLY SCARED' Noya Dahan, 8, had finished praying and gone to play with other children at her Southern California synagogue when she was wounded by a gunman. 2. SOCIALISTS SET TO REIGN IN SPAIN The center-left Socialist party wins re-election and will try to form a government, but it will need to negotiate the support of smaller rival parties to pass legislation. 3. EASTERN SRI LANKA TENSE AFTER EASTER BOMBINGS The scale of the explosives seized following last week's eruption of violence, as well as the continued warning of authorities that more militants remain on the loose, only add to the dread. 4. GOP'S WARNING OF SOCIALISM ISN'T RESONATING The AP interviewed some voters in southern stretches of Colorado and most say they are more concerned with health care and living costs. 5. WHERE BIDEN PICKED FOR 1ST STUMP SPEECH The former vice president is signaling he hopes to own what may be the 2020 election's toughest battleground. 6. AFGHAN LEADER SETTING AGENDA FOR TALIBAN TALKS Ashraf Ghani says a council will set the framework for peace talks with the militant group, but several leading Afghans are boycotting in a sign of discord in the government ranks. 7. LAWMAKERS DEBATE FUTURE OF STUDENT LOAN RELIEF Legislators are debating whether to fix, expand or end a program that promised public service workers that any remaining debt on federal student loans would be erased after 10 years of payments. 8. CORRUPTION CLAIMS SEND HAWAII POWER COUPLE TO TRIAL Honolulu's former police chief and his prosecutor wife face charges that they funded a lavish lifestyle by defrauding banks, relatives and children, AP learns. 9. UNIVERSE BELONGS TO MARVEL "Avengers: Endgame" shatters records for the biggest opening weekend ever selling an estimated $350 million in tickets in the U.S. and Canada, and $1.2 billion globally. 10. PRODIGY HOOPSTER FEATURED AT TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL The new film "The Dominican Dream" helps super-hyped prep star Felipe Lopez tell his story. (Adds background) By Steve Scherer and Allison Lampert OTTAWA/MONTREAL, April 29 (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp will build its Lexus NX luxury crossover vehicle at a Canadian plant starting in 2022, the company said on Monday, a decision that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said demonstrated the value of the country's international trade agreements. The plant will invest hundreds of millions of dollars to produce the Lexus NX and its hybrid version at the factory in Cambridge, Ontario, "supplying the entire North American market," Trudeau said in a presentation with Fred Volf, president of Toyota's Canadian unit. Citing Canada's trade agreements with Mexico, the United States, Europe and Asia, Trudeau said: "We have preferential trade access to two-thirds of the global economy. In fact, we're the only G7 country that has free trade deals with every other G7 country." Trudeau, who faces a tough re-election contest in October, said the plans by Toyota, one of the world's largest carmakers, will help guarantee 8,000 jobs and the factory. This is the first time that the Lexus NX and NX hybrid sport utility vehicles will be produced outside of Japan. The automotive sector is Canada's largest export industry, supporting over 525,000 jobs, the prime minister's office said, and Toyota is the country's largest automotive manufacturer. The announcement is a "counter narrative" for Canada's automaking industry following recent bad news from other automakers, said Flavio Volpe, president of the Toronto-based Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association, especially in the province of Ontario. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV said in March it would cut a shift at its Windsor assembly plant, leading to 1,500 job losses, and General Motors Co said last year it would shut its Oshawa factory by the end of 2019. Plans to assemble the NX in Canada "means that Toyota's Canadian manufacturing operations are here to stay," Volf said, adding that the cars are "the most technologically advanced and the most in-demand cars in Toyota-Lexus global lineup." Story continues On Sunday, Trudeau hosted Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Ottawa. Both touted the benefits of a Pacific trade deal that U.S. President Donald Trump walked away from. Trudeau said he had discussed the project to build the Lexus NX in Canada with Chief Executive Akio Toyoda on April 1. "When we last chatted just a few weeks ago, we discussed the potential of this new Lexus mandate," Trudeau said. ($1 = 1.3451 Canadian dollars) (Reporting by Allison Lampert in Montreal and Steve Scherer in Ottawa; editing by Richard, Sonya Hepinstall and Sandra Maler) In true Kenyan style, an illegally constructed building associated with a politician has been completed. In August last year, Nairobi governor Mike Sonko leaked a phone conversation between him and his Kiambu counterpart Ferdinand Waititu. The dramatic conversation involved Waititu urging Sonko to release his wife. Waititus wife had been arrested by Nairobi county enforcement team, for constructing an 9 storey building in the CBD without necessary approvals. Sonko promised to release his colleagues wife, but refused to release the others arrested alongside her. His word however didnt amount to much, as she was eventually arraigned in court. That was the last we heard of the issue, but it has now emerged that the building in question continued to be constructed, and is now complete. Pictures have been making rounds on Twitter, with Kenyans doubting the sincerity of the war on graft. * Two suspects were arrested 10 days ago in Istanbul * Detainee was found hanged in prison cell, prosecutor says * Turkey-UAE ties strained over Qatar dispute (Adds family comments) By Ali Kucukgocmen and Sarah Dadouch ISTANBUL, April 29 (Reuters) - A man held by Turkey on suspicion of spying for the United Arab Emirates has committed suicide by hanging himself in prison, the Istanbul prosecutor's office said on Monday. The suspect, named as Zaki Y. M. Hasan, was found hanging from the bathroom door in his one-person cell in Silivri prison, west of Istanbul, when guards arrived to give him food on Sunday morning, the prosecutor's office statement said. It said the man had been registered in a roll-call that morning. An investigation has been launched and the Istanbul forensics institute has carried out an autopsy, the statement added. The dead man was one of two suspects charged with international, political and military espionage. The pair were arrested on April 19 and had confessed to spying on Arab nationals, a senior Turkish official said at the time. UAE officials were not immediately available for comment on the death and there has been no official statement following Turkey's announcement of the arrests. Investigators are examining whether the arrival in Turkey of one of the detainees was related to the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi six months ago. The United Arab Emirates is a close ally of Saudi Arabia. Relations with Turkey have been strained since the two Arab states launched a blockade of their Gulf neighbor, Qatar, in 2017, while Ankara supported Doha. Saudi Arabia and the UAE also view Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's Islamist-rooted ruling AK Party as a supporter of groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, which they oppose. Turkey has not identified the nationality of either detainee but Turkish state broadcaster TRT's Arabic service said both were Palestinians and carried Palestinian passports. Hasan was a 55-year-old retired major general and a senior intelligence official, TRT said on its website. Story continues In an interview with Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV, a man who identified himself as Hasan's son said his father had gone to Turkey to search for a job and the family had lost contact with him on April 7. "We were surprised that he was suddenly arrested after the false accusations against him," the son Youssef said. He said he wanted Hasan's body sent home and urged Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and world powers to investigate his father's death. "I want the creation of a specialized medical committee, including a trusted Palestinian doctor who can go there and do the autopsy on my fathers corpse in order to find the truth himself," he said. A woman who identified herself as Hasan's sister in the same interview said she was certain her brother would not have committed suicide. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 by a team of Saudi operatives, provoking an international outcry. According to the senior Turkish official, one of the two men arrived in Turkey in October, days after Khashoggi was killed, while the other arrived later to help his colleague. 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 on charges of ordering and committing the crime, including five who could face the death penalty. Erdogan has urged the United States to put its weight behind the investigation into the Khashoggi killing and not to set the matter aside because of its ties with Riyadh. (Additional reporting by Ghaida Ghantous in Dubai; Writing by Daren Butler and Ezgi Erkoyun; Editing by Dominic Evans and Jon Boyle) The Hill Rep. Madison Cawthorn and his wife are divorcing after less than a year of marriage, with the North Carolina Republican citing his job in Congress as part of the reason for the split."When my wife Cristina and I were engaged, I was not a member of Congress," Cawthorn, 26, said in a statement posted by his spokesman on Wednesday. "I felt called to serve and we both agreed that I should run. Our victory was unprecedented. But overnight, our lives... WASHINGTON (AP) Elizabeth Warren has a habit that she doesn't talk about a lot on the campaign trail: working with the GOP. The Massachusetts Democrat is running for the White House on an unapologetically liberal platform that includes a tax on the ultra-wealthy and universal child care. But in Washington, she's partnered with at least one Republican on 39% of the bills she's introduced as chief sponsor since becoming a senator in 2013. That's according to an Associated Press analysis of legislation using GovTrack, an independent clearinghouse for congressional data. Warren's record suggests that beyond her calls for a reshaping of the nation's political and economic systems, she's been able to work across the aisle on less headline-grabbing policies. Her share of bills with Republican support ranks her closer to Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the Minnesota Democrat who's made bipartisan appeals a central theme of her 2020 campaign, than to Bernie Sanders, whose liberal persona more closely aligns with Warren. In a recent interview, Warren touted her semi-regular practice of working with GOP senators. "I will find places where I can work with Republicans to serve the American people," she said. "But there are times when I have to fight," she added. "When Republicans want to take away health care for 20 million people, I'm not there to compromise and say, 'How about if you only take it away from 10 million?'" Liberal policy prescriptions such as "Medicare for All" and the Green New Deal have dominated the early days of the Democratic primary, reflecting the rising influence of a party base fed up with incremental change. But in a closely divided nation where presidential elections are often narrowly won, a record of partnership with Republicans could prove to be an asset for any Democrat who wins the nomination and seeks to gain support from moderate voters. Story continues And if a Democrat wins the White House, some history of working across the aisle could prove useful. Even under the best-case scenario for Democrats, the party won't have the 60 votes necessary to steer most ambitious legislation past a GOP filibuster. "It's not out of the realm (of possibility) that a Democratic president could find some common ground or space in which to reach agreement with a Republican Senate, let's say, but the hurdles are pretty high," said Sarah Binder, a George Washington University political science professor who specializes in studying Congress. Of course, examining the legislation that Democratic presidential candidates have introduced with GOP support offers only a snapshot of successful legislating. The nonpartisan Center for Effective Lawmaking ranked Klobuchar fifth among all senators during the last session of Congress, using its own synthesis of fifteen factors that include the number of bills each lawmaker got passed. Klobuchar's high rating on that scale is a rare feat for a member of the minority party, and her share of legislation introduced with GOP support underscores her good relationships with the opposition. The Minnesotan has drawn Republican backing for 50% of the bills she's introduced since becoming a senator in 2007. "No matter what happens in terms of the Senate, and I very much hope we take it over" next year, Klobuchar said in a recent interview, "you're going to have to have a president that's able to work with both sides of the aisle to get things done. And I can do that." Sanders has drawn GOP backing for 19% of legislation he introduced as chief sponsor since entering Congress in 1991 a share that drops to 8% when solely considering his 12 years in the Senate. California Sen. Kamala Harris has counted Republican co-sponsors on 16% of her legislation since her election, while New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's share comes in at 22% and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker's share of such bipartisan bills is 27%, according to AP's analysis. For the purposes of this story, AP did not count legislation that had a largely ceremonial effect, such as bills designating commemorative days or outlining Congress' nonbinding views on certain issues. In the House, the stronger hold on power by the majority party can produce fewer incentives to work across the aisle. But presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke, a former Texas congressman, counted GOP support on 68% of the bills he introduced during three terms in office. Other sitting or former House Democrats running for president in 2020 fall below O'Rourke in terms of their share of bills introduced with GOP support. California Rep. Eric Swalwell has counted Republican support for 39% of his legislation over the course of his career, while Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan has a 39% career-long share of bills with bipartisan backing. Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has counted GOP supporters on 43% of her bills, former Washington Rep. turned Gov. Jay Inslee netted bipartisan backing for 50% of his total career legislation and former Maryland Rep. John Delaney netted GOP backing for 60% of such bills he introduced while in office. While Warren doesn't talk as much as Booker or Klobuchar about common ground with Republicans, her career-long share of bipartisan legislation is higher than the 37% tallied by former Vice President Joe Biden, a far more centrist Democrat known to partner across the aisle during his decades in the Senate. And when asked for an example of work with the GOP, Warren readily offered one that she's cited on the campaign trail: legislation she authored with Iowa GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley to facilitate sales of over-the-counter hearing aids, bringing down their cost for millions of Americans with impaired hearing. "That's what government should be about," Warren said. "I love this." Princeton University history professor Julian Zelizer predicted that Warren's interest in working with her political opponents at times could benefit her even with a Democratic base itching for a fight with the GOP. "She can use this as an asset without going too far say, 'you know my principles, you know my issues, but I actually can put together some record with Republicans,'" he said. Pemba (Mozambique) (AFP) - Heavy rain battered northern Mozambique on Monday as residents and relief workers confronted devastation wrought by Cyclone Kenneth, the strongest cyclone to ever hit Africa, which killed 38 people and destroyed thousands of homes. Roads have been washed away, fields submerged and many buildings wrecked by the storm, which came weeks after Cyclone Idai struck the Mozambican city of Beira, 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) to the south. Cyclone Kenneth made landfall late on Thursday in Cabo Delgado province, packing wind gusts of up to 220 kilometres per hour. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) described it as the strongest cyclone to ever lash the continent, and predicted further heavy rain over the coming days. "Cyclone Kenneth made landfall at the end of the rainy season, when river levels were already high, increasing the risk of river flooding," the UN agency said in its latest update. "Humanitarian needs in Mozambique have sky-rocketed, and the humanitarian response will need to rapidly scale-up." According to figures provided by the Mozambique authorities to NGOs, around 200,000 people in Pemba city, the capital of Cabo Delgado, are in danger. The National Institute of Disaster Management (INGC) said 38 people have died, 39 have been injured, more than 23,000 people are without shelter and nearly 35,000 homes have been either partly or completely destroyed. Before smashing into Mozambique, the cyclone hit the Comoros islands, killing at least three people and damaging 75,000 homes. - 'We don't know what we'll do' - "The water came inside the house and all the way to the backyard," said Sumala Cabila, 23, standing in his family home in Pemba's working-class Paquite suburb which flooded on Sunday morning. As rain poured down and roads in the district became unpassable except for 4-wheel-drive vehicles, Cabila's sister struggled to look after her one-month-old child. Story continues "If it continues to rain. we don't know what we'll do," he said as water streamed of his slanted roof. Fellow resident Tina Machude, whose home was largely flattened, said she had watched houses fall one by one in the storm and floods. "Everything was falling... properly built houses too," she told AFP. "We went outside running, so that things wouldn't fall on us, especially the children. "To rebuild this home, we will have to demolish it and start again." In Pemba, a tourist destination, staff mopped up pools of water at a hotel and collected tree branches out of the lobby fountain, while labourers struggled to clear out the city's drainage system blocked by flood debris. "(We) planned to mobilise as much aid as possible to Ibo and also from there to Quissanga," said UN OCHA official Saviano Abreu, naming two areas outside Pemba worst hit by storm damage and flooding. "It was the priority for government and humanitarian organisations, as these two areas are in urgent need. "We managed to send one flight with World Food Programme (WFP) supplies of rice and biscuits, and some non-food items. But unfortunately the weather conditions are changing too fast and threatening the operation. It's raining again and the second flight couldn't go." To the north of Pemba, the town of Macomia was also badly hit, with homes and businesses destroyed, roofs torn off, trees and electric pylons uprooted. "We have grave fears for the thousands of families currently taking shelter under the wreckage of their homes. They urgently need food, water and shelter to survive the coming days," said Nicholas Finney, head of Save the Children's response team in Mozambique. The northern region hit by Cyclone Kenneth is more sparsely populated than Beira, which was hit by Cyclone Idai in mid-March when about 1,000 people were killed in Mozambique and Zimbabwe. But the area has also been hard hit by deadly raids by a jihadist group over the past 18 months that the army has been unable to control. Photo: Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash There's a little something for everyone coming up on the events calendar this week. From a community meeting revolving around Bandera Road to dinner for social workers, here's a lineup of options to help you get social around town. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Bandera Road Community Meeting From the event description: Last year, Councilwoman Sandoval brought together the Texas Department of Transportation, the City and our neighbors to develop a comprehensive solution to congestion on Bandera Road and a revitalization of the corridor that connects one end of the District to the other. Because this issue is important to you, the City of San Antonio is working jointly with TxDOT to engage the public, identify congestion relief solutions and bring more desirable businesses to Bandera Road. Join the City of San Antonios Planning Department staff from the districts 6, 7 and 8 council offices and councilwoman Sandoval to kick off the Bandera Road Corridor Plan on April 29 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at City Church on 9431 Bandera Road. When: Monday, April 29, 6:30-8 p.m. Where: City Church Bandera Road, 9431 Bandera Road Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets CEU Dinner for Nurses and Social Workers From the event description: Please join us for a free CEU Presentation titled "Working with Difficult People" presented by Russell Gainer, Co-Founder of GainWel. The event will be hosted by The Inn at Los Patios. Dinner and refreshments will be provided. When: Tuesday, April 30, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Where: The Inn at Los Patios, 8700 Post Oak Lane Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Essential Oils and Emotions From the event description: Chances are at some point, you may have heard that essential oils can help support healthy hormones, respiratory tracts, immune system or even assist with emotional stability. The truth is, essential oils can do a lot of those things and more for most people and of all ages. They can help motivate you to get ready for work in the morning and help give you that push out the door to go workout. They can help you cope with stressful days at work or home. Story continues When: Thursday, May 2, 7-8:30 p.m. Where: Oky Doky Restaurant & Bar, 5616 Bandera Road Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Eye on Sight! San Antonio, TX From the event description: The Macular Degeneration Association will be hosting a free awareness program titled "Eyes on Sight!" at the DoubleTree San Antonio on Saturday, May 4th. This program will cover the following subjects: age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME) and low vison aides. The Macular Degeneration Association provides a supportive learning environment for people living with macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease. This half-day program offers a forum to hear from a prominent doctors about the latest research, and new treatments, therapies, clinical trials and low vision devises. When: Saturday, May 4, 8:30 a.m.-noon Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Antonio Airport, 37 N.E. Interstate 410 Loop Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Iroquois Ampitheater. | Photo: Kristie T./Yelp From a bourbon tasting to a dance party, there's plenty to enjoy in Louisville this week. Read on for a rundown of ideas for how to fill your calendar. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Bourbon & Beef Tasting Volare is hosting this culinary event. It will feature Maker's Mark bourbon and beef. This is a kickoff event for the Kentucky Derby. When: Wednesday, May 1, 6-9:30 p.m. Where: Volare, 2300 Frankfort Ave. Admission: $100 (General Admission); $125 (VIP Ticket). Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Thurby with Mark Farina This dance event on Thurby night (Thursday of Kentucky Derby week) will take place at Play Louisville. Mark Farina will be the featured performer. It will be his first visit to Louisville in more than two decades. When: Thursday, May 2, 9 p.m.- Friday, May 3, 4 a.m. Where: Play Louisville, 1101 E. Washington St. Admission: $15 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Rainbow Kitten Surprise Rainbow Kitten Surprise will be the featured band at this concert event. The indie group specializes in alternative music. The Iroquois Amphitheater is hosting the show. When: Friday, May 3, 8-11:30 p.m. Where: Iroquois Amphitheater, 1080 Amphitheater Road Admission: $33.50 (General Admission Advance). Click here for more details, and to get your tickets 2019 McClanahan Spring Recital The McClanahan Spring Recital will take place at the Ursuline Art Center. This show will feature live music, Irish dancing and more. It will also mark the debut of the 2018-2019 beginner class. When: Sunday, May 5, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Where: Ursuline Arts Center, 3113 Lexington Road Admission: $12 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Mezze. | Photo: Kavita B./Yelp Looking to satisfy your appetite for Greek fare? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable Greek restaurants around Columbus, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to fulfill your urges. 1. Mezze Photo: mirabelle l./Yelp Topping the list is Mezze. Located at 5326 N. Hamilton Road in Preserve North, the Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Greek spot is the highest rated low-priced Greek restaurant in Columbus, boasting 4.5 stars out of 358 reviews on Yelp. This fast-casual Mediterranean spot offers build-your-own gyros, kebabs and shawarma sandwiches. There's also stuffed grape leaves and fire-roasted eggplant with tahini, garlic and lemon. 2. Sababa Mediterranean Grill Photo: ashley m./Yelp Next up is East Broad's Sababa Mediterranean Grill, situated at 6280 E. Broad St. With 4.5 stars out of 300 reviews on Yelp, the Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Greek spot has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for a low-priced option. This eatery crafts its menu around the "flavors of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries such as Greece, Israel and Lebanon," according to its website. This spot offers build-your-own meals with your choice of base like pita, rice or hummus, along with selections of protein, toppings, sauce and more. 3. Yanni's Greek Grill Photo: garrett y./Yelp Northern Woods's Yanni's Greek Grill, located at 6196 Cleveland Ave., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the inexpensive Greek and Mediterranean spot 4.5 stars out of 254 reviews. On the menu, look for a selection of gyro and pita sandwiches, along with specialty dishes like moussaka with eggplant, potato and ground beef layered with cream sauce and cheese. There's also classic American fare like burgers and subs. 4. Greek Express Photo: alina a./Yelp Over in Tri-Village, check out Greek Express, which has earned four stars out of 86 reviews on Yelp. Dig in at the Greek spot by heading over to 1100 W. Fifth Ave. With four other outposts across Ohio, this Mediterranean spot offers casual fare like pita sandwiches, greens and eight-inch subs like the gyro topped with feta. For a main dish, look for lamb chops or beef on a bed of rice. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Photo: Zoes Kitchen/Yelp Craving Mediterranean food? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable Mediterranean restaurants around Denver, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to fulfill your urges. 1. Pete's Kitchen Photo: Jackie H./Yelp Topping the list is Pete's Kitchen. Located at 1962 E. Colfax Ave. in Cheesman Park, the diner and Greek spot is the highest rated inexpensive Mediterranean restaurant in Denver, boasting four stars out of 638 reviews on Yelp. Westword named it one of the best old-school diners to score a budget-friendly breakfast in 2018. For a morning meal, look for a breakfast sandwich stuffed in a pita or gyro. There's also a wide selection of classic American fare like cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches and root beer floats. 2. Shondiz Photo: Sara W./Yelp Next up is Central Business District's Shondiz, situated at 480 16th St. With 4.5 stars out of 142 reviews on Yelp, the food stand, Mediterranean and Persian/Iranian spot has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for a cheap option. With another outpost on East Quincy Avenue, this spot offers meat-focused kebabs, falafel sandwiches, chicken shawarma and greens. 3. Melita's Greek Cafe & Market Photo: alex l./Yelp Capitol Hill's Melita's Greek Cafe & Market, located at 1035 Lincoln St., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the cheap grocery store and Greek spot, which offers falafel and more, four stars out of 277 reviews. In 2016, this spot's Italian pasticcio was named as one of 11 comfort foods to try in Denver by Zagat. On the menu, look for classic dishes like mousaka, spanakopita and chicken souvlaki kebabs. There's also a selection of burgers, sandwiches, greens and more. 6. Zoes Kitchen Photo: zoes kitchen/Yelp Last but not least, there's Zoes Kitchen, a University Park favorite with four stars out of 37 reviews. Stop by 2023 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 101, to hit up the Mediterranean and Greek spot, which offers sandwiches and more, next time you're looking to satisfy your cravings on a budget. With more than 200 locations across the country, this health spot offers dishes like kebabs, bowls, pita and piadina sandiwches. Look for the harissa-marinated salmon pita. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Photo: DaPuglet Pugs/Flickr Looking for something to do this week? From a presentation on Austin's monuments to a doggy fashion show, here's a roundup of options to help you get out and about in the days ahead. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 11th Annual Shower Strike Happy Hour Today: Celebrate Well Aware's Shower Strike for clean water. Mingle with other do gooders at this happy hour and enjoy complimentary drinks and appetizers. To date, Well Aware's campaign has raised funds to provide clean water for 26,351 East Africans, notes its website. When: Monday, April 29, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Where: Thirsty Planet Brewing Company, 8201 S. Congress Ave. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Austin Monuments: Past, Present, Future Presentation This Thursday, join a conversation presented by the Waller Creek Conservancy about 'New Monuments for New Cities,' which will discuss how a community's past, present and future is often represented in its monuments. You'll hear from three local panelists including Rocio Villalobos, program manager for the Children in Nature Collaborative of Austin. When: Thursday, May 2, 6-8 p.m. Where: Symphony Square, 1111 Red River St. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets 5K Beer Run - 2019 TX Brewery Running Series Saturday brings the Beer Run at Oddwood Ales. Join this 5k fun run part of the Texas Brewery Running Series and enjoy a cold beer at the finish line. You'll receive a collector's pint glass to take home and have an opportunity to enjoy live music, food, giveaways and more. When: Saturday, May 4, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Oddwood Ales, 5703, 3108 Manor Road Admission: $30. More ticket options available. Click here for more details, and to get your tickets BarkHappy Austin Spring Doggy Fashion Show Story continues Finally, on Sunday head to Nordstrom for a spring doggy fashion show. Enjoy free bites and drinks from Bazille and Tito's Handmade Vodka, a photo booth and raffle prizes while shopping with your own pooch in tow. Fido will even have free treats and a special gift bag. A portion of the event's proceeds will benefit Emancipet. When: Sunday, May 5, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: Nordstrom Domain Northside, 3111 Palm Way Admission: $15 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Photo: Bruno Nascimento/Unsplash From a listener appreciation event to a beer run, there's plenty to enjoy in Milwaukee this week. Read on for a rundown of ideas for how to fill your calendar. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Cyber Risks, Trends, Predictions From the event description: To inform the community and the university about current cyber risks and defenses, we are hosting the second annual Cyber Risk, Trends, Predictions. This event, created at the suggestion of our advisory council, will present insights from cybersecurity experts who are leading the efforts inside several premier cybersecurity organizations. When: Tuesday, April 30, 8 a.m.-noon Where: Marquette University Raynor Memorial Libraries, 1355 W. Wisconsin Ave., Beaumier Suite Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Podcasting the Past: An Evening with Ben Franklins World From the event description: Join WUWM and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukees Center for 21st Century Studies for an evening of audio history with Liz Covart, the host of the widely-popular podcast on the American Revolution, Ben Franklins World. Along with WUWM Lake Effect host Mitch Teich, Covart will discuss how podcasting is helping a new generation of history buffs learn about the Founding Fathers. When: Tuesday, April 30, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Where: UWM Golda Meir Library, 2311 E. Hartford Ave., Floor 4 Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Diane Guerrero From the event description: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee welcomes Diane Guerrero, an outspoken advocate for commonsense, comprehensive immigration reform. Guerrero will speak about her memoir, In the Country We Love, where she details her life as the citizen-daughter of undocumented parents and her long struggle dealing with the consequences of the broken immigration system. Story continues When: Wednesday, May 1, 7-9 p.m. Where: Wisconsin Room, UWM Student Union, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd. Admission: $10 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets WPR Listener Appreciation Event From the event description: Join us for an open house at Havenwoods State Forest in Milwaukee! You can chat with Larry Meiller and other WPR staff over coffee and pastries while exploring all the nature center has to offer. There will also be live music from PK Harmony, guided nature hikes with the Havenwoods naturalists, arts and crafts, yard games and more! When: Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Where: Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N. Hopkins St. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Beer Run From the event description: May the force be with you at MobCraft for a 5k-ish course that starts and ends at this awesome brewery! Weave through the surrounding area at whatever pace you like no matter what, theres a beer waiting for you at the finish line. When: Saturday, May 4, noon-2 p.m. Where: MobCraft Beer Brewery and Taproom, 505 S. Fifth St. Admission: $30-$40 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Supreme Court judge Njoki Ndungu has opposed a proposal by the Court of Appeal to lower the age of sexual consent from 18 to 16. According to Ndungu, it is ill-advised and unacceptable for a 16-year-old to be allowed to decide whether to engage in sex. Speaking at a womens function in Mombasa over the weekend, Njoki Ndungu said the proposal is outrageous and should not be given an ear by any sober and sane Kenyan. When such a proposal comes to Parliament, please make sure it does not succeed. Let us protect our children. 16-year-olds are not old enough to have sex. And, anyone who has sex with a child is a criminal, treat such people as criminals, said Justice Ndungu. She added; I cannot agree or support that position. The law says a child is any person aged below 18. You cannot say one is a child when it comes to not voting, not driving, not footing hospital bills, but when it comes to sex, one is treated as an adult. Hiyo akina mama msikubali. Justice Njoki Ndungu called for collaborative engagement between the public and the police to stem rising cases of crimes against women. Last month, Court of Appeal judges Roselyn Nambuye, Daniel Musinga and Patrick Kiage triggered a national debate when they proposed the lowering of legal sex age to 16, arguing that many men are rotting in prisons for having sex with minors who were willing to engage in the act. Photo: Scott Warman/Unsplash Looking to mix things up this week? From Spring Fling fundraiser to a food truck festival, here are the best options to help you get out and about in the days ahead. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 2019 K-9 Angels Rescue Spring Fling From the event description: Attend the party of the year at Karbach Brewery in support of K-9 Angels Rescue! One-of-a-kind beer glass, Karbach beer, silent auction, raffles and food trucks we'll have it all! This event is family and pet friendly. You won't want to miss it! Buy advance tickets here and save. When: Wednesday, May 1, 6-9 p.m. Where: Karbach Brewing Co., 2032 Karbach St. Admission: $15 (T-Shirt); $25 (Early Bird - Event Beer Glass and 3 beer tokens). More ticket options available. Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Come Wine With Us: An Italian Affair From the event description: The Italian Cultural & Community Center will host a wine tasting on Friday as part of its wine tasting series, Come Wine with Us. This guided wine tasting will offer Tre and Due Bicchieri Gambero Rosso-awarded wines paired with bites from Mia Bella Trattoria. When: Friday, May 3, 7-10 p.m. Where: Italian Cultural & Community Center, 1101 Milford St. Admission: $60 (ICCC Member); $65 (Non-member) Click here for more details, and to get your tickets 19th Street Kentucky Derby Block Party From the event description: Join us and the rest of the Shop Heights 19th Street merchants Saturday afternoon for a Kentucky Derby Block Party. We'll be featuring live music, drink specials and complimentary light bites. Guests dressed in Kentucky Derby attire get 10 percent off retail purchases before the Run for the Roses. When: Saturday, May 4, 2-6 p.m. Where: We Olive & Wine Bar, 249 W. 19th St., #B Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Story continues Conception Art Show From the event description: You are invited to attend the Conception Art Show, a "pop-up" event presenting the work of 35 local artists. The event features live music, complimentary appetizer hour and a cash bar. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase something original for their home or workplace without incurring a gallery commission. When: Saturday, May 4, 6-9 p.m. Where: Spindletap Brewery, 10622 Hirsch Road Admission: $20 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Cinco de Mayo Food Truck Festival From the event description: Cinco de Mayo is recognized worldwide as an occasion to pay tribute to the Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Come celebrate at this food truck festival, featuring live Mariachi music, a DJ, kids activities and, of course, authentic Mexican food. When: Sunday, May 5, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Where: 5 De Mayo, 10715 Gulf Freeway Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Photo: Jens Thekkeveettil/Unsplash From a potluck to a 5K fun run, there's plenty to enjoy in New Orleans this week. Read on for a rundown of ideas for how to fill your calendar. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Potluck at St. Anna's From the event description: Join us for our monthly potluck as we return to St. Anna's. We are starting a little later than usual (7:30 p.m.), but we'll be back to the normal 6:30 p.m. time next month. Come to eat, network and make new friends! If you are able, please bring a dish (main dishes, meats, sides, soups, salads or vegan/vegetarian dishes, desserts and beverages). Please also consider bringing non-perishable food items for St. Anna's Food Pantry. When: Tuesday, April 30, 7:30-9 p.m. Where: St Anna's Episcopal Church, 1313 Esplanade Ave. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets "The Funk Sessions" From the event description: Live For Live Music is bringing "The Funk Sessions" to New Orleans! The monthly residency, typically based in Denver, features a rotating cast of musicians coming together for a night filled with funk music. The show usually features a number of special guests and surprises, and this Jazz Fest edition of "The Funk Sessions" will be no different. Guests include members of Turkuaz, Dumpstaphunk, The Motet, Thievery Corporation and Electric Beethoven. When: Tuesday, April 30, 9:30 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Where: The Maison, 508 Frenchmen St. Admission: $22 (Advance GA); $35 (Advance VIP) Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Cosmic Crawfish Ball From the event description: Join NOLA Brewing and Heartbeat Productions on Wednesday for an epic celebration of music, crawfish and culture in New Orleans! The music lineup includes DMD, The Lil Baby Jesus Peasant Party, Rumplesteelskin, NOLA Get Down and more. Not only will there be a two-stage line-up but you will also celebrate the day with NOLA Brewing beer, McClure's Barbecue and crawfish, crawfish races, fire dancers and local arts and crafts vendors. Story continues When: Wednesday, May 1, 1-11 p.m. Where: NOLA Brewing, 3001 Tchoupitoulas St. Admission: $35 (General Admission) Click here for more details, and to get your tickets The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra honors Whitney Houston From the event description: The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra will close out its spring season paying tribute to the incomparable Whitney Houston. Doors open at 8 p.m. When: Friday, May 3, 9-10:30 p.m. Where: New Orleans Jazz Market, 1436 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. Admission: $30 (General Admission); $57 (Premium); $85 (VIP) Click here for more details, and to get your tickets DAIQUIRI DASH From the event description: Come join us for a 5K fun run and reward yourself with daiquiris, music, food and fun. This trail run is not about finish times, it's about having a great time with your friends and family! No timing... feel free to track your time yourself. Walkers welcome! When: Saturday, May 4, 8 a.m.-noon Where: City Park, Festival Grounds Admission: $49.99 (5K Late Registration) Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. 328 N. Elder Ave. | Photos: Zumper Curious just how far your dollar goes in Near Westside? According to Walk Score, this Indianapolis neighborhood is moderately walkable, is quite bikeable and has some transit options. Data from rental site Zumper shows that the median rent for a one bedroom in Near Westside is currently hovering around $500. So, what might you expect to find if your budget matches the neighborhood median? Read on for a roundup of the latest rental offerings, via Zumper. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 328 N. Elder Ave. Listed at $500/month, this 1,372-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit is located at 328 N. Elder Ave. Animals are not allowed. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. (Take a look at the complete listing here.) 1316 Medford Ave. Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit located at 1316 Medford Ave. It's listed for $499/month for its 630 square feet of space. In the unit, look for central heating, hardwood flooring and in-unit laundry. Pet owners, take heed: cats and dogs are welcome. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (Take a gander at the complete listing here.) 3302 W. Michigan St., #B Here's a 624-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit at 3302 W. Michigan St., #B, that's going for $495/month. In the unit, you'll get air conditioning. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: this spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. (Take a look at the full listing here.) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Photo credit: ARNE DEDERT - Getty Images From Popular Mechanics 5G networks are already here, and more are coming. This advanced form off wireless connection could possibly reaching speeds 100 times faster, support 100 times more devices, and feature five times lower latency than today's 4G networks. Early versions of 5G are rolling out at a small scale with parts of Chicago and Minneapolis playing guinea pigs with mixed results, but there's been an unexpected hitch: some scientists are worried that 5G networks could interfere with weather satellites used for crucial Earth observations. The closeness of a natural frequency to that of the 5G network could spell massive difficulties for Earth-orbiting satellites. For example, satellites like the European MetOp probes monitor energy radiating off the Earth with the goal of assessing humidity in the atmosphere. Using the 23.8-gigahertz frequency, where water vapor in the atmosphere gives off a feeble signal, these probes give researchers access to data 24/7 and the ability to look through clouds. While the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA have entered into negotiations with the FCC to help protect these satellites, the commission did attract $702 million through the first auction sales of the 5G network, with one frequency between 24.25 and 24.45 gigahertz and another between 24.75 and 25.25 gigahertz. "This is the first time weve seen a threat to what Id call the crown jewels of our frequencies - the ones that we absolutely must defend come what may, says Stephen English, a meteorologist at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts in Reading, UK, speaking to the scientific journal Nature. With 5G frequencies close to the 23.8 GHz mark, wireless equipment working on the lower side of that spectrum could become like a high school party on a Tuesday night: All that noise isn't going to stay contained in a single spot. There are multiple ideas on how to control 5G from influencing weather satellites. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is recommending -55 decibel watts. In measuring controlled interference, the lower a number the stricter the controls. The U.S. is proposing a weaker -20 decibel watts. Story continues The numbers are even starker than they seem. Because of the scale's structure, according to Nature, the U.S. plan would allow over 3,000 times more noise than the WMO plan. There haven't been any formal studies looking at how precisely this interference could interfere with 23.8 GHz weather satellites. But the more we lose, the greater the impact will be, says Jordan Gerth, a meteorologist at the University of WisconsinMadison. The Department of Commerce also plays a role in the center of the debate. The Department has "some very exciting developments on 5G and wireless issues" coming soon, according to an interview last year with David Redl, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information. But the DoC also controls NOAA, whose satellites could be affected. In a statement, the Department says that it "strongly supports the administration's policy to promote U.S. leadership in secure 5G networks, while at the same time sustaining and improving critical government and scientific missions." We'll see if the Department actually follows through on that promise. Source: Nature ('You Might Also Like',) Here's another way to invest in real estate. Adding real estate exposure to your portfolio can be a way to get a little more diversity in there. But what if you don't have a lot of capital to buy property. While some investors choose to use publicly traded real estate investment trusts, or REITs, to add real estate, it's also possible to get started with the help of real estate crowdfunding. You don't have to have a lot of money to invest in real estate when you use crowdfunding. Here are eight real estate crowdfunding platforms designed for investors with smaller resources. Fundrise With Fundrise, you only need $500 to get started. You get access to a basket of residential and commercial properties in the U.S., including apartments, home construction and commercial developments. You don't get a lot of freedom in your portfolio until your account balance reaches $1,000. At that point, you can look at different plans that allow you to consider specific geographic areas and customize your portfolio a little more. Fund That Flip Wish you could make money flipping houses but don't have the capital to make it happen? Fund That Flip can help you out if you have at least $5,000 to invest. Much like peer-to-peer lending, you look through projects and decide which ones you want to help fund. You invest the money, and you receive returns based on repayment. You do need to be an accredited investor to participate, though. So you need to make at least $200,000 for the last two years, or have a net worth of $1 million excluding your primary residence. RealtyMogul If you're an accredited investor, you get access to individual residential and commercial projects. You can choose direct investment, with a smaller amount of money than it would take to use a real estate investing club to accomplish the same thing. However, if you're a nonaccredited investor, you only have access to RealtyMogul's REITs. You do get a higher dividend yield with these REITs than you might get with publicly-traded versions, mainly because you have less liquidity. You have to lock in your funds for a set period of time. You need to invest at least $1,000 in one of these REITs. Story continues Senior Living Fund Looking ahead as baby boomers retire at an increasingly accelerated pace? If you're an accredited investor, you can invest in senior living community building projects. The Senior Living Fund vets each project and you can get involved. Just be prepared to leave your money in the project for a lifecycle of up to five years or more. Sharestates You can start investing with as little as $1,000 with Sharestates, although many projects require you to commit $5,000. Basically, with this real estate crowdfunding platform, you can choose different projects that are funded by loans sourced and underwritten by leaders in the industry. Browse the listings in the funding round and decide where you want your money to go. It's somewhat similar to peer-to-peer lending -- but for real estate. Rich Uncles No matter your accreditation status, you can invest using Rich Uncles, primarily through their REIT options. You can start with as little as $500. Their latest effort is a student housing REIT, although most of the offerings are related to commercial projects. However, there are some restrictions if you want to invest in their commercial property REIT, including being a resident of one of the states where there are permits. Part of the issue is the fact that Rich Uncles holds actual properties that house retail and commercial ventures. DiversyFund Nonaccredited investors have access to the real estate exposure that DiversyFund offers through its private REITs. If you have $2,500, you can choose from growth and income REITs. Private REITs can potentially offer higher returns, but you sacrifice liquidity. It's not always easy to sell your shares. However, a crowdfunding platform like DiversyFund allows you access to REITs that you might not be able to buy into with such a small investment. For accredited investors with more money to invest, though, there are opportunities for direct investment in California and Texas properties, as well as properties in other parts of the country. stREITwise Again, this is another real estate crowdfunding platform that focuses on REITs. You basically have to invest for at least five years if you want the full redemption value, though. For investors looking for better yield than what they'd see on a five-year CD from a bank, this might not be a bad choice. You only need $1,000 to invest and you can be nonaccredited. Plus, stREITwise sets itself apart by offering its investments for generally lower fees than competitors. Smart choices for real estate crowdfunding -- Fundrise -- Fund That Flip -- RealtyMogul -- Senior Living Fund -- Sharestates -- Rich Uncles -- DiversyFund -- stREITwise Miranda Marquit has more than a decade of experience covering financial markets, investing, business, and personal finance topics. She has made contributions to a wide variety of media outlets, including Forbes, NPR, FOX Business, Entrepreneur, Yahoo! Finance, USA Today, Investopedia, The Balance, and MSN Money, in addition to U.S. News & World Report. Miranda has a master's degree in journalism from Syracuse University and is working on her MBA. She also writes about personal finance and investing for her blog "Planting Money Seeds" and contributes to the successful Money Tree Investing Podcast. When not writing about money, Miranda enjoys spending time with her son, traveling, reading, and the outdoors. Rome (AFP) - A teenaged actor who appeared in an award-winning film about child criminals in Naples has been stabbed in the Italian organised crime stronghold, media reported Monday. Ukranian 18-year old Artem Tkachuk played one of the gun-wielding, drug-peddling teens in "Piranhas", based on a novel by renowned investigative journalist and mafia expert Roberto Saviano. Tkachuk was attacked by a so-called "baby gang" in the early hours after a night out last week with a friend, national dailies said. The actor was stabbed twice while his friend was beaten. Neither suffered life-threatening injuries. Police believe the youngster may have been set upon because of his role in the film, which won the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay at the 69th Berlin film festival in February and is coming to European cinemas this summer. Italy's far-right League party is backing a bill to tackle the baby-gang phenomenon, which would lower the age of criminal responsibility in the country from 14 to 12. According to the National Observatory on Childhood and Adolescence, 6.5 percent of youngsters in Naples -- home to the feared Camorra crime group -- belong to baby gangs. Anti-mafia author Saviano has lived under armed guard since publishing his international bestseller "Gomorrah" in 2006. By Abdul Qadir Sediqi and Rupam Jain KABUL, April 29 (Reuters) - Thousands of Afghans congregated in Kabul on Monday for a rare consultative meeting aimed at finding ways to negotiate a peace deal with the Taliban and end Afghanistan's war. The four-day consultative grand assembly, known as a Loya Jirga, is an attempt by President Ashraf Ghani to influence peace talks between the United States and the Taliban, which the Taliban have excluded his government from. "It is a proud moment for me to have representatives from all over the country here and today we are gathered to speak about the peace talks," Ghani said in an opening ceremony in huge tent set up for such assemblies in central Kabul. A Loya Jirga is aimed at building consensus among various ethnic groups and tribal factions and is traditionally convened under extraordinary circumstances. This week's meeting, being attended by 3,200 trial elders, and community and religious leaders from all 34 provinces, aims to set out Kabul's conditions for any peace deal. But opposition political leaders and government critics, including former president Hamid Karzai, are boycotting the assembly accusing Ghani of using it as a platform to boost his status as leader in an election year. The U.S. talks with the Taliban in Qatar are part of President Donald Trump's efforts to end America's longest war, which began when U.S.-backed forces ousted the Taliban weeks after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. Since October, U.S. and Taliban officials have held several rounds of talks aimed at ensuring a safe exit for U.S. forces in return for a Taliban guarantee that Afghanistan will not be used by militants to threaten the rest of the world. But the Taliban have refused to talk to Ghani's government, denouncing it as foreign "puppet," and intense fighting is going on in various parts of the country, with the Taliban controlling and influencing more territory than at any point since 2001. Story continues Ghani invited the Taliban to the Loya Jirga but they have urged people to boycott it, denouncing it as an attempt by the Western-backed government to deceive the country and extend what the Taliban see as its illegitimate rule. "Do not participate in the enemy's conspiracy under the name of Jirga, instead find ways to further sideline the shaky administration of Kabul," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement. In the past, the Taliban have fired rockets at the Loya Jirga tent, and much of Kabul was under virtual lock down on Monday, amid a massive security operation for the meeting. Ghani, who hopes to secure a second term in presidential election set for September, is feeling isolated from the peace process and the Loya Jirga was a bid to broaden his support, Western diplomats in Kabul said. "He wants to prove that he has the ability to secure a peace deal and also enjoys the support of Afghans," said one diplomat. "Ghani fears the opposition is using the Taliban refusal to engage with him to undermine him politically," the diplomat said. (Additional reporting by Orooj Hakimi Editing by Robert Birsel) By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK, April 29 (Reuters) - Alibaba Group Holding Ltd said on Monday it will pay $250 million to settle a U.S. lawsuit faulting the Chinese e-commerce company for concealing a regulatory warning about its ability to stop counterfeiting before it went public in 2014. The lawsuit accused Alibaba of securities fraud for failing to disclose it had met with China's State Administration for Industry and Commerce on July 16, 2014, two months before the company's $25 billion initial public offering. Alibaba's American Depositary Shares fell 12.8 percent on Jan. 28 and 29, 2015 after the SAIC issued a white paper based on concerns raised at the meeting, saying many products sold on Alibaba websites were fake or infringed trademarks. The white paper also said the SAIC delayed releasing its findings so the IPO would not be affected. While the white paper was later withdrawn, seven proposed U.S. class-action lawsuits were filed on behalf of ADS investors over the share price decline, before being consolidated. Alibaba said it did not admit wrongdoing in agreeing to the settlement, which requires court approval. Settlement papers were not immediately available. The investors' lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Alibaba has long faced accusations that its online platforms are a haven for counterfeiters, including in lawsuits by luxury brands such as Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. Companies including Alibaba, Amazon.com Inc and eBay Inc have policies banning counterfeiting, and highlighted their investments to thwart the practice. On April 3, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a crackdown on online counterfeiting, saying global transactions in fake and pirated goods could reach $500 billion annually. The settlement covers investors in Alibaba ADS and ADS stock options from Sept. 19, 2014 through Jan. 29, 2015. The lead plaintiffs are Christine Asia Co and William Tai. The case is In re Alibaba Group Holding Limited Securities Litigation, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 15-md-02631. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York, Editing by Franklin Paul) Berlin (AFP) - Amazon worker representatives from 15 countries met in Berlin on Monday to coordinate their strategy against one of the world's most powerful companies, after years of individually battling against its often-criticised employment practices. Alfred Bujara of Amazon Poland proudly showed off images from his latest campaign to a German colleague, urging their employer to "stop the rat race". "Conditions are bad around the world, but in Poland they're worse," said Bujara, a member of the Solidarnosc union. Workers' movements are tracked "down to the second" and "if they can't cope, then they're fired," he complained. More than 50 representatives from as far afield as Egypt, Brazil and Pakistan, as well as neighbouring Italy, Poland and France, gathered in the German capital in a closed-door summit set to last into Tuesday. The aim: to compare notes on working conditions in Amazon's logistics centres around the world, the engine rooms that speed wares from the so-called "everything store" to customers' homes. Seattle-based Amazon boasts around 800 such depots worldwide and regularly opens new ones. - Sharing information - "We're sharing information about the different rules and regulations, then we can use those in the negotiations," Bujara said ahead of a "family photo" in the Berlin rain, fist raised alongside his colleagues from abroad. "We learn that we're not alone, that we're facing some of the same challenges everywhere in the world," said Christy Hoffman, secretary-general of the international UNI Global Union. As well as Amazon Logistics' machine-like demands and fine-grained surveillance of employees, workers complain of low salaries and are demanding collective bargaining agreements, or at least a more orderly form of dialogue with management. "We reject the allegations raised by the trade union (UNI)," Amazon Germany responded in a statement. Story continues "Amazon proves every day that you can be a fair and responsible employer without a collective bargaining agreement." European unions have struggled since 2013 to secure recognition from Amazon bosses, picking key days for online shopping like "Prime Day" or "Black Friday" to throttle package deliveries and draw public attention to their working conditions. In 2018, industrial action reached a new height as around 50 strikes were organised around Europe and, in a rare show of cross-border solidarity, some were coordinated to hit simultaneously in several countries. "If we coordinate amongst ourselves, France, Italy, Spain, then Amazon reacts. If there's a struggle, Amazon agrees to talks," said Stefanie Nutzenberger of German service workers' union Verdi. - First steps - But the cross-border movement is still in its infancy outside of Europe. "In South America, we're in totally unknown territory. They've just opened an operations centre in Brazil and the employees there are not at all prepared," said Henry Oliveira, a union representative from Uruguay. Many Amazon workers used the social media hashtag #wearenotrobots in November as a rallying cry for their campaign against the giant. More in-depth exchanges are going on informally and under the company's radar in private messages, British UNI member Matthew Painter told AFP. It could be some time before a global strike along the same lines as the Europe-wide actions seen last year. "That would be hard given how different legislation is across countries," Painter acknowledged. Nevertheless, "we're preparing for other conflicts and they will extend beyond our borders," German rep Nutzenberger said. Zari Hassan is the real OG. The South Africa based Ugandan businesswoman has taken a savage dig at her former flame Diamond Platnumz by flirting with P Squares Okoye. This comes after the Tanzanian Bongo star went on radio to allege that Zari and Okoye were doing the nasty behind his back. While both Zari and Okoye have since denied Diamonds claims, the mother of five is not yet done rubbing salt in her baby daddys wounds. In a post on Instagram that she has since deleted, Zari gushed about how Peter Okoye Mr P is every womans dream. This she did as she promoted the Nigerian musicians latest release One More Night featuring Niniola. According to Zari, the former member of the now-defunct P Square boy band is handsome, sexy and a real husband material. I finally got a chance to watch my hommies new video for the song One More Night. Damn! hot, tall, dark, handsome, sexy and loaded. He is a husband and daddy too. He is every womans dream; a real husband material. Sexy daddy Oko Lola. Ah ah! Only you? @peterpsquare You finish work for this video no be small. Guys, go check it out! Link on his bio, posted Zari. And Okoye was gracious with his reply, and even called Zari sweetie. Thanks so much sweetie. I really appreciate. Give my love to your lovely kids, said Peter Okoye. While denying Diamonds cheating claims last week, Okoye termed them as stupid. To be honest with you, I do not know what they are talking about. I can never, and would never say anything. Please, I have a new single, and I do not want to get distracted. I do not want to comment on Diamonds allegations. In fact, it is stupid, Okoye said on Cool FM. By Julie Carriat AMBOISE, Loire Valley, France, April 28 (Reuters) - C ommemorations for Leonardo da Vinci's 500th anniversary begin this week in Amboise, in the Loire Valley, with France and Italy setting aside recent tensions to honor the memory of the Renaissance genius in the town where he spent his final years. In 1516, aged 64, Leonardo da Vinci left Italy to enter the service of King Francis I of France. Many of his masterpieces - St. John the Baptist, the Mona Lisa - followed him and were sold to the French monarch, forming a legacy now exhibited at the Louvre museum in Paris. Amid diplomatic tensions between Rome and Paris, his legacy has become contentious, with Italy's Culture undersecretary Lucia Borgonzoni in November telling Italian media she wanted to renegotiate the planned lending of his works to the Louvre for an anniversary exhibition, because "the French cannot have it all." It is unclear, for example, whether the iconic drawing of the "Vitruvian Man" will eventually leave Venice to join the Louvre for the display. But on Thursday, in Amboise, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella will seek to ease strains between the two normally close allies that have grown more acute since mid-2018, mostly over migration policy. They will gather at Leonardo's tomb, a modest grave in a chapel of Amboise castle containing his presumed remains, and will pay a visit to his house nearby, the Clos Luce, where he died on May 2nd, 1519. "It's an extremely solemn gesture, showing that the two countries have this shared memory, this figure, a culture that binds our two countries," the director of Amboise castle Jean-Louis Sureau told Reuters in an interview. Da Vinci 's arrival in France was no accident, because King Francis I wanted him to join the Court to participate in its international influence and refinement, Sureau said. "Leonardo da Vinci was unquestionably born in Italy, he's Florentine, but beyond that, he led a career at the service of several powerful men. This career, and his life, end here, in France," Sureau added. During his three years in France, da Vinci focused on perfecting unfinished masterpieces, drawing and scientific writing, but also took part in organizing lavish parties for the King of France. "This universal man, who, to be clear, was first and foremost Italian, can also be seen as the symbol of a European culture, built beyond traditional divisions," Catherine Simon Marion, delegate general of the Clos Luce, said. (Additional reporting by Antony Paone, Editing by John Irish and William Maclean) By Julie Carriat AMBOISE, Loire Valley, France (Reuters) - Commemorations for Leonardo da Vinci's 500th anniversary begin this week in Amboise, in the Loire Valley, with France and Italy setting aside recent tensions to honor the memory of the Renaissance genius in the town where he spent his final years. In 1516, aged 64, Leonardo da Vinci left Italy to enter the service of King Francis I of France. Many of his masterpieces - St. John the Baptist, the Mona Lisa - followed him and were sold to the French monarch, forming a legacy now exhibited at the Louvre museum in Paris. Amid diplomatic tensions between Rome and Paris, his legacy has become contentious, with Italy's Culture undersecretary Lucia Borgonzoni in November telling Italian media she wanted to renegotiate the planned lending of his works to the Louvre for an anniversary exhibition, because "the French cannot have it all". It is unclear, for example, whether the iconic drawing of the "Vitruvian Man" will eventually leave Venice to join the Louvre for the display. But on Thursday, in Amboise, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella will seek to ease strains between the two normally close allies that have grown more acute since mid-2018, mostly over migration policy. They will gather at Leonardo's tomb, a modest grave in a chapel of Amboise castle containing his presumed remains, and will pay a visit to his house nearby, the Clos Luce, where he died on May 2nd, 1519. "It's an extremely solemn gesture, showing that the two countries have this shared memory, this figure, a culture that binds our two countries," the director of Amboise castle Jean-Louis Sureau told Reuters in an interview. Da Vinci 's arrival in France was no accident, because King Francis I wanted him to join the Court to participate in its international influence and refinement, Sureau said. "Leonardo da Vinci was unquestionably born in Italy, he's Florentine, but beyond that, he led a career at the service of several powerful men. This career, and his life, end here, in France," Sureau added. Story continues During his three years in France, da Vinci focused on perfecting unfinished masterpieces, drawing and scientific writing, but also took part in organizing lavish parties for the King of France. "This universal man, who, to be clear, was first and foremost Italian, can also be seen as the symbol of a European culture, built beyond traditional divisions," Catherine Simon Marion, delegate general of the Clos Luce, said. (Additional reporting by Antony Paone, Editing by John Irish and William Maclean) Spain's far-right VOX party leader Santiago Abascal and regional candidate Francisco Serrano celebrate results after the Andalusian regional elections in Seville - REUTERS According to Vox, Spains new hard-Right force, todays general elections are about the survival of Spain as a national entity. Most European observers, however, will be looking to see how strongly Spains forces of moderation can survive the first real assault of Right-wing, anti-immigration and slightly Eurosceptical populism the country has experienced. With no elections due this year in any of Europes biggest nations, all eyes are today on Spain as a bellwether for next months European Parliament poll, in which populist movements are expected to make a bigger impact than ever. Spain, despite its political fragmentation that has brought about this, its third election in less than four years, has been making solid economic progress in the past half-decade, while also putting order in its public finances. With unemployment still close to 15 per cent, the economy might have been expected to feature prominently in the campaign. But instead Spaniards have been beaten around the head with the strategic importance of the countrys first general election since the Catalan regional governments unconstitutional referendum and declaration of independence in 2017. Despite the fact that his Socialist party (PSOE) minority government fell because Catalan pro-independence parties withdrew their confidence and supply support, the incumbent Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has been accused of betraying Spain for trying to launch a negotiation process with Catalonias leaders. The main opposition conservative Popular Party (PP) and liberal Ciudadanos have been joined in rage at Mr Sanchezs search for a Catalan compromise by Vox, which polled just 0.2 per cent in 2016, but is expected to surge into Congress today with around a tenth of the seats. Spanish politics has been split into two blocs by the Catalan issue, with Mr Sanchez and his PSOEs only hope of a stable coalition partner lying in the hard-Left Podemos. Ciudadanos and PSOE have previously sought coalition deals together, but the polarisation over Catalonia is such that the liberal partys leader, Albert Rivera, prefers to look to Vox for support. Story continues According to polling, it is very possible that neither bloc will make it over the line. The PSOE-Podemos alliance could seek to woo pragmatic Basque nationalists, but Mr Sanchez will hope not to have to rely on Catalan parties again. While a Left-wing government could serve to take the sting out of the Catalan independence movement, the PP, Ciudadanos and Vox have competed to take the strongest line against separatism. All three back a prolonged suspension of Catalonias autonomy, plus measures to either ban or limit the political freedom of pro-independence parties. A third scenario is political stasis from an impossible hung parliament. This may not be the last general election in Spain this year. By Tarek Amara TUNIS (Reuters) - About 5,000 Tunisians protested on Monday in central Sidi Bouzid city against marginalization and deteriorating conditions, two days after the deaths of 12 female rural workers in a traffic accident. Traffic stopped and schools, hospitals and public offices were closed under a regional strike called by unions in Sidi Bouzid, the birthplace of Tunisian revolution. The deaths of 12 women traveling to work in an inappropriate vehicle in the village of Sabbela on Saturday provoked a wave of anger among Tunisians. Similar incidents have occurred in recent months, fuelling Tunisians anger at the high cost of living, unemployment and decline of state services since the overthrow of Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011. Protesters including women and youths in Sidi Bouzid repeated the slogans of the 2011 revolution - "People want to overthrow the regime. We want justice and dignity. Streets and clashes until the regime falls. In December, 2010, a young Tunisian vendor named Mohamed Bouazizi set himself alight in a suicide protest over unemployment and marginalization, spreading revolt across the Arab world. "This strike is a support for the victims of this tragedy..we suffer in Sidi Bouzid from marginalization and very bad conditions," said Mohamed Azhar Gamoudi, an official in the UGTT union. Tunisia largely escaped the violent after-shocks seen in other Arab Spring countries struggling to find stability which toppled long-standing leaders. But political progress has not been matched by economic advances. Unemployment stands at about 15 percent, up from 12 percent in 2010, due to weak growth and low investment. (Reporting by Tarek Amara, editing by Ed Osmond) Some will look at this weekends Poway synagogue shooting and argue that it reflects an anti-Semitism problem. (They arent wrong, either: Judging by a manifesto he posted online shortly before the attack, the alleged shooter appears to be a hardcore anti-Semite.) Some will react by arguing that we have a gun-control problem. But its just as easy to compare the Poway suspects case to those of other mass shooters and see a young men who find normal life unfulfilling or too difficult and choose to risk or end their lives in violent rampage problem. Unlike other young men who committed mass shootings, the Poway shooter had an intact family. His father is a high-school physics teacher and an elder in his church. He had a high GPA in high school, took Advanced Placement classes, and was an accomplished pianist. He reportedly had Jewish friends earlier in his life. Yet apparently none of that was enough to keep him from erupting in a spasm of horrific violence, motivated by a belief that he had no worthwhile future because of some sort of nefarious Jewish conspiracy hed concocted in his head. It is common to refer to such young men as troubled, and with good reason: One study found that almost 60 percent of mass shooters had either been diagnosed with a mental disorder or exhibited signs of serious mental illness before their attack. But that still leaves about 40 percent whose actions cannot be attributed, in full or in part, to mental illness. (Advocates for the mentally ill would want me to also point out that the vast majority of those with mental illness are not violent and should not be seen as ticking time bombs.) Another point about the troubled young men is that their troubles are usually quite mundane. Mass shootings have occurred in rich communities and poor communities, but overall, the communities that have experienced mass shootings are more or less middle-class, with a mean household income of $65,900, according to a study by Patrick Adler of the Martin Prosperity Institute. Few mass shooters come from impoverished circumstances; one study contended that many communities that suffered a mass shooting have both high income and high inequality. The persistent inability of members of a community to achieve a culturally defined level of economic success creates an environment of anger, frustration, hostility, and violence, its authors wrote. Oftentimes the mass shooter is living a relatively comfortable life, but he cant see it for what it is because he perceives others to have so much more. The problems in his life are manageable and can be overcome, but he doesnt believe that they are because he sees other people who seem to have no problems. Story continues A recent Wall Street Journal study of 39 school shooters found that half felt bullied and sought revenge, about half had expressed thoughts of suicide, and about two-thirds had easy access to guns meaning they used guns owned by family members. Bullying, thoughts of suicide, and firearms have all existed for a long time, but something in the two decades since the Columbine shooting has spurred troubled young men to believe that the best way to deal with their problems is to attempt to murder as many strangers as possible. For some reason, hate-filled online message boards like 8chan and the Columbiners online subculture speak to these young men in a way that their parents, peers, and the rest of society cant. What is feeding their deep dissatisfaction with life? Is it the need to keep up a stoic appearance when theres some deep turmoil, rage, or pain inside? Or is the phenomenon self-perpetuating, as angry young men see massacres committed by other angry young men and think, Thats what he did, I guess thats what I ought to do? A 2018 FBI report noted the legacy tokens that often appear in such cases manifestos, videos, social media postings, or other communications deliberately created by the shooter and delivered or staged for discovery by others, usually near in time to the shooting. The Internet is full of personal screeds about grievances and perceived injustices, and the vast majority of the time, no one cares whats written in them. But as soon as a person commits a terrible act of violence, theres an intense public interest, a desire to understand that persons motivations. Suddenly everyone cares about what problems existed in the life of the shooter before the act. Who bullied him? Who rejected him? What made him so angry? A person who feels that he does not matter will take a twisted form of solace in the fact that after he has committed his terrible act of violence, everyone wanted to know what was going on inside his head. No proposal to address mass shootings can be foolproof. Obviously, parents should keep guns locked away if they have concerns about the mental health or emotional state of their children. Obviously, we need better and more extensive public mental-health services to identify, diagnose, and treat people before they become a threat to themselves and others. The heroism of Jonathan Morales and Oscar Stewart, an off-duty Border Patrol agent and an Iraq War veteran who confronted the synagogue gunman and forced him to flee, demonstrates that armed citizens can play a role in mitigating the harm that aspiring mass shooters inflict. And it may be worthwhile for law enforcement to monitor the chat rooms of Columbiners and see if they can identify potential school shooters before they bring a gun to the classroom. But were still haunted by the capacity of the human heart to embrace evil. We face a persistent struggle to get young men to resist the sirens call of a spectacular, violent, infamous end. More from National Review The weapon used in Saturday's fatal shooting at a California synagogue may have been legal depending on how it was configured and whether it was registered. San Diego County Sheriff William Gore said the shooter at Chabad of Poway used an AR-type assault weapon that killed Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60. Three others were injured in the shooting. That type of weapon, also used in the 2015 shooting that killed 14 people in San Bernardino, California, and the 2018 high school shooting that killed 17 in Parkland, Florida, among other mass shootings, can be altered in ways that make it legal in California. Authorities on Sunday did not release additional information about the weapon used in Poway, about 25 miles northeast of San Diego. The rifle was found in the front passenger seat of the car when the 19-year-old suspect surrendered to police along Interstate 15 shortly after the shooting. At the Poway Weapons & Gear Range, about eight miles from the synagogue, parts are sold to make AR-type rifles compliant with state law. 'Her final good deed': Woman hailed as hero after taking bullets to protect rabbi during synagogue shooting Danielle Rudolph, director of sales operations at Poway Weapons, said if an AR-type firearm is featureless or features a fixed magazine, it is legal. The way law enforcement uses it, every-day citizens cannot, Rudolph said, adding that she considers AR-type firearms to be modern sporting rifles and not assault weapons. Its heavily configured. A rifle without a pistol grip, a thumbhole stock or other features can be compliant with the law in California, which tightened gun restrictions in 2017. Those who owned a semi-automatic firearm with features such as a pistol grip before the law changed were required to register the gun as an assault weapon. The AR-15 is a version of the M16 that used by service members in the Vietnam War. These are weapons for soldiers to use to fight an enemy in the jungle more effectively, said Kyleanne Hunter, vice president of programs for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Story continues More: AR-15 advertising speaks to macho hyper-masculinity,' gun control advocates say. They want it to stop Hunter, a Marine Corps veteran who was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, said while the civilian semi-automatic version of the rifle doesnt have the automatic function of those used in combat, there are few differences between the two. Hunter said soldiers in combat tend to use the semi-automatic function more because the fully automatic function has a tendency to jam and is less accurate. The rifles, whether the civilian or military models, have the same velocity and range, Hunter said. Functionally, these are guns designed to kill as many people as possible and as quickly as possible, she said, adding that she doesn't believe AR-type rifles are appropriate for hunting or home defense. While certain configurations of AR-15 weapons are illegal in California, thats not so in neighboring states. They are legal in Nevada and Arizona and its very easy to drive across state lines without anyone knowing, Hunter said. In Poway, witnesses said the gunmans rifle appeared to be jam at the time he fled from the synagogue, and Rudolph said configurations to the weapon required by state law make it difficult to fix malfunctions. They can jam easily, especially when you cant fix a malfunction, she said. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: An 'AR-type assault weapon' was used in Poway synagogue shooting, police say. Was it legal in California? Friends and family are paying tribute to Lori Kaye, who was killed Saturday after a gunman opened fire at the Chabad of Poway synagogue north of San Diego, also injuring three others. Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who was injured in the attack, described Kaye, 60, as the example of kindness to the fullest extent. Heres what to know about Kaye: Who was Lori Kaye? Kaye, a San Diego native, is survived by her husband, a doctor, and a 22-year-old daughter, her friend and fellow congregation member Roneet Lev told CNN. Another friend, Audrey Jacobs, posted a tribute to Kaye on Facebook: You were always running to do a mitzvah (good deed) and gave tzedaka (charity) to everyone. Your final good deed was taking the bullets for Rabbi Mendel Goldstein to save his life. CNN reports that at a Sunday night vigil for Kaye, Rabbi Goldstein a longtime friend said Kaye had been a kind and generous member of the congregation, giving the example of how she had accompanied a woman with breast cancer to her doctor appointments. She went out of her way until the moment that that woman passed away, the rabbi said. Why was Kaye in the synagogue? Kaye was at the service on Saturday the last day of Passover to honor her mother, who had recently died, Lev said. Kayes husband and daughter were also at the service. Rabbi Goldstein told reporters the gunman shot Kaye in the lobby of the synagogue, before turning the gun on him and opening fire. The Rabbi lost a finger, but the shooters gun miraculously jammed, he said. The gunman fled the scene and later surrendered to police. In the moments after the shooting, Kayes husband was called to help a wounded congregant and fainted when he realized it was his wife, Rabbi Goldstein added. Lori Kaye was taken to a local hospital, but died shortly thereafter. Who are the rest of the wounded? Authorities said 8-year-old Noya Dahan and her 34-year-old uncle, Almog Peretz, sustained shrapnel injuries. Both have been released from the hospital. Dahan was wounded in the face and leg. Her father Israel Dahan told ABC news that his family moved to California after facing rocket attacks in their former home near the Gaza Strip. Peretz, who was visiting California from Israel, was hit in the leg and helped children escape through a side door, ABC reports. SAN FRANCISCO Though the line of people snaking outside the Irish Cultural Center late Sunday morning kept growing, few Beto 2020 shirts could be spotted in the crowd. Democratic presidential candidate Beto ORourke was making his first appearance in famously liberal San Francisco since launching his campaign last month, but the folks coming out to hear him speak were not yet ready for a lovefest. They needed to be convinced he was the best choice to take on President Donald Trump among the 20 or so contenders from ORourkes own political party. Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper stopped by the City by the Bay on Friday, and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is scheduled to deliver a speech Thursday. Theres so many right now, Im just trying to find out as much as I can about each one. My top 3 list changes every day, said Christian Marquez, 35, a compliance officer for a startup who listed ORourke third behind Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana. An interactive guide: Who is running for president in 2020? More: Donald Trump on 2020 Democrats: 'Rooting' for Pete Buttigieg, Beto O'Rourke is 'fading' and more By the time ORourke was done delivering his 25-minute talk and answering questions for another 25 minutes, he may have moved up on Marquezs rankings. Probably also sold a few more T-shirts. The energetic former congressman from El Paso, Texas, revved up the crowd of several hundred with his positions on climate change, gender and racial inequality, health care, gun violence, reproductive rights and other topics close to liberals hearts. The chants of Beto! Beto! that started resonating half an hour before his speech picked up considerable intensity after he was done. I dont care to whom you pray or who you love, how many generations youve been in this country or whether you just got here this morning, ORourke said. All that matters to me is were Americans first. We have these challenges before us and we will overcome them. Story continues ORourke, 46, is high on name recognition after his spirited though ultimately unsuccessful U.S. Senate run last year against Ted Cruz, but hes lagging in the polls at this early stage of the race for the Democratic nomination. A Washington Post-ABC News poll released Sunday shows him trailing former Vice President Joe Biden, Sens. Bernie Sanders, Warren and Kamala Harris, and Buttigieg. The survey also indicates the majority of likely Democratic voters, 54%, havent yet settled on a candidate. That description applies to Cynthia Pelini and Jaime Pellicer, a married couple who lived for 23 years in his native Mexico and have spent the last 10 years in San Francisco. Theyre desperate for a change from Trumps policies, especially regarding immigration, and wanted to find out more about ORourke. As bilingual speakers with bicultural sensibilities, they appreciate that ORourke who sprinkled his address with several comments in Spanish shares those traits. Fast start: Biden quickly raises $6.3 million, marking the largest 24-hour haul from 2020 candidates More: Beto O'Rourke releases 10 years of tax returns, reveals he and wife made $370K in 2017 Especially with the problematic relationship right now between the two countries, said Pellicer, who teaches international law. Added Pelini, who grew up in New York: Hes got to be much more in tune and much more sensitive and understanding of the border issues, immigration issues. Indeed, as part of a California tour that began Saturday in Los Angeles, ORourke is highlighting the plight of immigrants who escaped poverty and violence in their native countries and are now facing a hardline stance from the Trump administration. In December, ORourke led a delegation of lawmakers to Tornillo, Texas, to draw attention to the fast-growing number of undocumented minors at the detention facility in the small farming town less than 40 miles south of El Paso. He has called the family-separation tactics employed by the current administration inhumane and un-American, and advocates citizenship for so-called Dreamers, people brought into the U.S. as children without proper documentation who have remained in the country. Trump wants to do away with the program that protects them from deportation. This is our moment to decide how we will all be defined, ORourke said Sunday. Are we going to define ourselves by kids in cages? By withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement? By calling Nazis and Klansmen very fine people? The crowd responded with a resounding, No! This part of the democratic process is what San Francisco resident Larry Olson had in mind when he convinced two of his three young children daughter Brennan, 11, and son Trey, 6 to join him on a venture to listen to ORourke. Opinion: Why you should be skeptical of 2020 candidates: 'Astroturfing' can distort public opinion Olson did have to dangle some incentives, like possible stops at the ice cream shop and the beach, for the kids to agree to come along to what for them figured to be a boring speech. But then I explained to them the process of politics and how this might be the person who becomes the president, Olson said. And we talked about El Paso and the border and the issues that are going on, so that piqued the little peoples interest. Plus, Brennan had a question she wanted to pose to the candidate: Why should it be you and not a female president? She didnt get to ask it, but over the next several months, that will be one of the topics ORourke has to address as he contends with a diverse field for the nomination. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'My top 3 changes every day': San Francisco voters turn out to hear Beto O'Rourke's 2020 pitch Is Apple banning rival apps? (Getty) Apple has denied removing rival parental control apps from the App Store in the wake of the launch of its own Screen Time functions. A report by the New York Times found that 11 of the 17 most popular apps in this category had been taken down or restricted in the past year. Last year, Apple introduced its own Screen Time functionality, which is built in to iPhones and iPads and enables users to monitor their mobile device use as well as that of their children, and set time limits on app usage. The report said many app makers believe they had been targeted because their apps rival Apples own features and could harm the tech giants business. Apple claims that the apps were removed over security concerns. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Inspiration for Winnie the Poohs 100 Acre Wood on fire Nigel Farage tells US audience Oldham has streets split by race Met Office says no bank holiday heatwave The company says, In response, Apple said it had removed a number of apps because of security concerns. Apple has always supported third-party apps on the App Store that help parents manage their kids devices. Contrary to what the New York Times reported over the weekend, this isnt a matter of competition, its a matter of security, a company statement said. In this app category, and in every category, we are committed to providing a competitive, innovative app ecosystem. There are many tremendously successful apps that offer functions and services similar to Apples in categories like messaging, maps, email, music, web browsers, photos, note-taking apps, contact managers and payment systems, just to name a few. We are committed to offering a place for these apps to thrive as they improve the user experience for everyone. The firm said it had concerns over a technology known as Mobile Device Management (MDM), which gives control of a device to a third party. Apple said it acknowledged that this technology did have legitimate uses in some business settings, but said its use in consumer apps was a clear violation of its App Store policies. Beyond the control that the app itself can exert over the users device, research has shown that MDM profiles could be used by hackers to gain access for malicious purposes, the company said. Arcus Biosciences Inc. RCUS is expected to provide an update on its pipeline, when it releases first-quarter 2019 results. The company has surpassed expectations in two of the previous four quarters and missed in one, the average negative earnings surprise being 49.66%. Arcus share price has increased 1% compared with the industrys growth of 5%.year to date. Let's see how things are shaping up for this announcement. Factors to Consider We expect the company to throw more light on pipeline updates. Arcus, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on creating innovative cancer immunotherapies, is developing four pipeline candidates. The company gets collaboration revenues from the Japanese company, Taiho Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd. The companys most advanced small molecule pipeline candidate, AB928, is in a phase I/Ib program, being evaluated in combination with chemotherapy. AB928 is being evaluated in three combination studies with Doxil in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and ovarian cancer. The drug is in combination with mFolfox in colorectal cancer and gastroesophageal cancer. It is also being studied in combination with Arcuss own AB122 in advanced solid tumors. The company expects to report initial data from the dose-escalation portion of the AB928 combination studiesand initiate dose-expansion cohorts in the studies in 2019. The companys CD73 inhibitor, AB680, is a highly potent, reversible and selective inhibitor of the CD73 enzyme. The company initiated its first study on AB680 (intravenous infusion) in healthy volunteers in the second half of 2018. As CD73 plays a critical role in the extracellular generation of adenosine, AB680 may provide a highly effective approach to prevent adenosine-mediated immune suppression. The company expects to report safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data from the phase I study of AB680 in mid-2019. Story continues Arcus has also initiated phase I studies for its two antibody product candidates AB122 and AB154 (anti-IGIT antibody). What Our Model Indicates Our proven model does not conclusively show that Arcus is likely to beat on earnings in the to-be-reported quarter. This is because the stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) to be able to beat estimates. But that is not the case here, as you will see below. Earnings ESP: Arcus has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Arcus Biosciences, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise Arcus Biosciences, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | Arcus Biosciences, Inc. Quote Zacks Rank: The company carries a Zacks Rank #1, which increases the predictive power of ESP. However, we need to have a positive Earnings ESP to be confident of an earnings beat. Note that Sell-rated stocks (Zacks Rank #4 or 5) going into an earnings announcement are best avoided. Stocks That Warrant a Look Here are some stocks you may want to consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter. Ultragenyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. RARE has an Earnings ESP of +6.36% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Glaxo SmithKline plc. GSK has an Earnings ESP of +3.55% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is scheduled to release first-quarter 2019 results on May 1. Novo Nordisk A/S NVO has an Earnings ESP of +0.80% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company is scheduled to release its first-quarter 2019 results on May 3. Today's Best Stocks from Zacks Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2018, while the S&P 500 gained +15.8%, five of our screens returned +38.0%, +61.3%, +61.6%, +68.1% and +98.3%. This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 2018, while the S&P averaged +4.8% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +56.2% per year. See their latest picks free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) : Free Stock Analysis Report GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (RARE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Arcus Biosciences, Inc. (RCUS) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research The two men vying to lead Australia for the next three years faced off over the economy and plummeting trust in politicians in a testy first televised election debate Monday. As polls showed the race to the May 18 vote tightening, embattled conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison and frontrunner Bill Shorten of the centre-left opposition Labor party traded sometimes personal barbs as they debated the country's future. Morrison -- who faces electoral defeat less than a year after coming to office in a party coup -- painted the opposition leader as a poor custodian of this G20 economy. "Who do you trust to manage a $2 trillion economy?" asked Morrison, framing the debate as a choice between the Liberal party's continued stewardship and costly policy changes. While Australia's economy has grown solidly for more than two decades, storm clouds are gathering and there is unease at the rising cost of living and vast income disparities. Tapping into that sense of growing malaise, Shorten accused the Liberal government of looking after "the top end of town". "There is a mood for change in Australia," he said, promising to improve incomes and put "middle and working class people back on top". "Everything is going up in Australia except people's wages," he said. Morrison accused the Labor leader of not being honest with voters about the cost of new emissions reduction targets and other policy changes. For months the polls have shown the opposition headed for a sizeable victory, but ahead of the debate a Newspoll survey showed Labor's lead narrowing to two percentage points, well within the margin of error. The campaign so far has been dominated by shrill attacks and hyperbolic accusations of impending doom if one side or the other wins. That tension was on full display, with cries of "rubbish" and frequent interruptions from the candidates as moderators in Perth tried to keep the debate on track. Story continues When asked to say what they admired about the other man, the pair could offer only tepid endorsements about public service in parliament and on a few specific issues. - Controversial tycoon - Monday's poll showed the election will be closely fought, but also underscored the complexities of Australia's election system -- which asks voters to rank parties by preferences and encourages voting pacts between major and minor parties. The poll for the first time counted support for controversial mining mogul Clive Palmer, who has bought his way to five percent of the vote with months of ad spending worth tens of millions of dollars. His populist "Make Australia Great" message can be seen on billboards and TV screens across the country, echoing the campaign waged successfully by Donald Trump in his 2016 run for the White House. The Newspoll predicted that 60 percent of Palmer's supporters would preference Morrison's Liberal party, boosting its showing relative to Labor. Morrison tried to distance himself from Palmer, but insisted Labor and the Greens were a bigger risk to the Australian economy than the controversial millionaire. DHAKA, April 29 (Reuters) - Bangladesh security forces on Monday killed at least two people suspected of belonging to an Islamist militant group behind a deadly cafe attack in Dhaka in 2016, police said after a raid at a tin-shed hideout in the capital. Police cordoned off the area after receiving information about the presence of suspected members of Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh, a home-grown militant group that killed 22 people in the cafe attack. "When our forces knocked on the door, the residents of the house fired at our people instead of opening it," Mufti Mahmud Khan, director of the legal and media wing of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), told reporters. "Then members of the RAB responded. There is still huge amount of explosives and our special force are trying to remove it." Khan said three people, including the owner of the house, had been detained for questioning. Bangladesh launched a crackdown on militancy after the cafe attack as part of what Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina calls a "zero tolerance" policy. Militants attacked the cafe in July 2016, taking 22 hostages, mostly foreigners, who were killed over 12 hours. (Reporting by Serajul Quadir; Editing by Nick Macfie) Good morning. If you are wondering why the scam at Theranos went on for a decade without any of the departed employees who were aware of the fraud blowing the whistle, there is an easy answer: NDAs. These agreements have become de-rigueur in Silicon Valley, and ever more expansive. They make it hard for ex-employees to finger miscreants engaging in fraud, sexual misconduct, etc. Legal experts say many judges would likely find these broad agreements unenforceable. But the cost of a court fight is enough to cow most ex-employees into silence. The agreements have the effect of terrorizing people, says Widener University law professor Alan Garfield, a longtime critic of NDAs. Maybe you do have a good public policy claim, but who wants to risk having high-powered lawyers threatening to sue you? You can read Jeff John Roberts analysis of the spread of these agreements here. Theres little likelihood companies will reform this runaway practice on their own. Instead, this is one where political leaders should get involved. Numerous laws protect government whistleblowers; perhaps private sector whistleblowers need the same. More news below. Alan Murray @alansmurray alan.murray@fortune.com Incyte Corporation INCY is scheduled to report first-quarter 2019 results on Apr 30, before the market opens. In the last reported quarter, the company missed earnings estimates by 7%. Incytes earnings track record has been disappointing so far. The company missed earnings expectations thrice, over the last four quarters, delivering average negative earnings surprise of 34.45%. Why a Likely Positive Surprise? Our proven model indicates that Incyte is likely to beat on earnings this quarter, as it has the right combination of two key ingredients a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) to be able to beat estimates. Earnings ESP: Earnings ESP for Incyte is +28.6%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at 40 cents, while the Most Accurate Estimate is pegged at 51 cents. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Zacks Rank: Incyte currently carries a Zacks Rank #3, which when combined with a positive ESP makes us confident of an earnings beat. Note, we caution against Sell-rated stocks (Zacks Rank #4 or 5) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions. Factors Driving Growth Incytes lead drug, Jakafi (ruxolitinib), is a first-in-class JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor, approved for the treatment of patients with polycythemia vera (PV), and those with intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis (MF), including primary MF, post-PV MF and post-essential thrombocythemia MF. While the company markets the drug in the United States, it is marketed by Novartis NVS as Jakavi outside the country. Incyte continues to gain traction from Jakafis performance. The drugs revenues totaled $1.4 billion in 2018, up 22% from 2017, driven by strong patient demand. We expect the trend to continue in the first quarter. The company expects Jakafi revenues of $1,580-$1,650 million. Story continues In order to expand patient population and increase commercial potential of the drug, the company is working toward expanding Jakafis label, further. We expect investors to also focus on pipeline development, given the recent setbacks. We remind investors that while Jakafi sales and royalties are key components of Incytes revenue growth, Iclusig sales and Olumiant royalties are also contributing to the top line. Iclusig revenues are expected to be $90-$100 million in 2019. This will also boost the companys performance in the to-be-reported quarter. Key Anticipated Updates Earlier in the year, Incyte and partner Eli Lilly and Company announced that the two phase III studies, BREEZE-AD1 and BREEZE-AD2, evaluating the efficacy and safety of Olumiant monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) met the primary endpoint. The drug is already approved for the treatment of moderately-to-severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients with inadequate response or intolerant to TNF inhibitor therapies. Incyte suffered a setback when the FDA extended the review period of the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Jakafi to treat patients with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), who have had an inadequate response to corticosteroids. However, the FDA extended the action date by three months to review additional data submitted by the company in response to the FDAs information requests. The additional data have been determined by the FDA to constitute a major amendment to the sNDA. Hence, the new Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date is May 24, 2019. Share Price Performance Incytes stock has gained 16.8% in the year so far, outperforming the industrys growth of 4.8%. Other Stocks to Consider Here are two health care stocks worth considering with the right combination of elements to beat on earnings: Gilead Sciences, Inc. GILD has an Earnings ESP of +1.54% and a Zacks Rank #2. It is scheduled to release financial figures on May 2. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Aduro Biotech, Inc. ADRO has an Earnings ESP of +82% and a Zacks Rank #2. Today's Best Stocks from Zacks Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2018, while the S&P 500 gained +15.8%, five of our screens returned +38.0%, +61.3%, +61.6%, +68.1% and +98.3%. This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 2018, while the S&P averaged +4.8% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +56.2% per year. See their latest picks free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Novartis AG (NVS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Incyte Corporation (INCY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD) : Free Stock Analysis Report Aduro Biotech, Inc. (ADRO) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research It was back in April when the news broke that Rush's original drummer and co-founding member John Rutsey would be excluded from the band's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Most fans found the news incredulous, citing that without John, there may very well never have been a band to induct. However some fans assumed Rutsey would be mentioned during the band's acceptance speech. Unfortunately, at least explicitly, that wasn't the case. Now, during an Alex Lifeson conversation with Chad Smith , the reasoning behind Rutsey's exclusion is somewhat explained: Lifeson: Yeah, I think if John was still around, I think an invitation would have gone to him, for sure. He's not, and it's nothing really to do with his family or anything. We did have another guitar player in the band. Smith: When? Lifeson: '71? Smith: What?! Lifeson: Yeah, Mitch Bossi. Smith: Mitch Bossi? Lifeson: Yeah, he was in the band for Smith: The Mitch Bossi While some investors are already well versed in financial metrics (hat tip), this article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE) and why it is important. We'll use ROE to examine Beijing Chunlizhengda Medical Instruments Co., Ltd. (HKG:1858), by way of a worked example. Beijing Chunlizhengda Medical Instruments has a ROE of 17%, based on the last twelve months. That means that for every HK$1 worth of shareholders' equity, it generated HK$0.17 in profit. View our latest analysis for Beijing Chunlizhengda Medical Instruments How Do I Calculate Return On Equity? The formula for return on equity is: Return on Equity = Net Profit Shareholders' Equity Or for Beijing Chunlizhengda Medical Instruments: 17% = CN106m CN628m (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2018.) Most readers would understand what net profit is, but its worth explaining the concept of shareholders equity. It is all earnings retained by the company, plus any capital paid in by shareholders. Shareholders' equity can be calculated by subtracting the total liabilities of the company from the total assets of the company. What Does Return On Equity Mean? ROE measures a company's profitability against the profit it retains, and any outside investments. The 'return' is the amount earned after tax over the last twelve months. A higher profit will lead to a higher ROE. So, as a general rule, a high ROE is a good thing. That means it can be interesting to compare the ROE of different companies. Does Beijing Chunlizhengda Medical Instruments Have A Good Return On Equity? One simple way to determine if a company has a good return on equity is to compare it to the average for its industry. Importantly, this is far from a perfect measure, because companies differ significantly within the same industry classification. As is clear from the image below, Beijing Chunlizhengda Medical Instruments has a better ROE than the average (8.8%) in the Medical Equipment industry. Story continues SEHK:1858 Past Revenue and Net Income, April 29th 2019 That's clearly a positive. We think a high ROE, alone, is usually enough to justify further research into a company. For example, I often check if insiders have been buying shares . How Does Debt Impact Return On Equity? Most companies need money -- from somewhere -- to grow their profits. That cash can come from retained earnings, issuing new shares (equity), or debt. In the case of the first and second options, the ROE will reflect this use of cash, for growth. In the latter case, the use of debt will improve the returns, but will not change the equity. Thus the use of debt can improve ROE, albeit along with extra risk in the case of stormy weather, metaphorically speaking. Combining Beijing Chunlizhengda Medical Instruments's Debt And Its 17% Return On Equity Beijing Chunlizhengda Medical Instruments is free of net debt, which is a positive for shareholders. Its ROE already suggests it is a good business, but the fact it has achieved this -- and doesn't borrowings -- makes it worthy of further consideration, in my view. At the end of the day, when a company has zero debt, it is in a better position to take future growth opportunities. The Bottom Line On ROE Return on equity is one way we can compare the business quality of different companies. In my book the highest quality companies have high return on equity, despite low debt. If two companies have the same ROE, then I would generally prefer the one with less debt. Having said that, while ROE is a useful indicator of business quality, you'll have to look at a whole range of factors to determine the right price to buy a stock. The rate at which profits are likely to grow, relative to the expectations of profit growth reflected in the current price, must be considered, too. So you might want to take a peek at this data-rich interactive graph of forecasts for the company. Of course Beijing Chunlizhengda Medical Instruments may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of other companies that have high ROE and low debt. 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. As workers rights have become a focus for the 2020 presidential campaigns, Senator Bernie Sanders has called on President Donald Trump to protect those rights in the deal to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), but whether that can happen and if it will be a boon for agricultural and auto workers in the U.S. remains to be seen. Sanders was speaking at Macomb Community College in Warren, Mich., at a campaign rally on April 13 when he said the NAFTA treaty that Trump re-negotiated with Mexico will still allow companies like General Motors to send our jobs to Mexico. Sanders issued a challenge to the president: For once in your life, keep your campaign promisesgo back to the drawing board. He implored the president not to send the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to Congress without ensuring there are strong and swift measures to keep jobs from leaving the country. In October 2018, Trump announced the new agreement after a year of several rounds of talks between the parties to replace the estimated $24.8 trillion NAFTA. The talks were not without their problems as Trump was publicly tweeting statements like: Trade Wars are good and easy to win. CBC News had even reported at the time that the negotiations were tense, to the point of making the Americans uncomfortable with the demands they were being asked to put forward by the administration. Those tense talks may have played a role in leading to an agreement which would only have a small increase.35%to U.S. economy and an even smaller one to the labor market, per a report by the independent International Trade Commission. Though the report said the new USMCA would have a positive impact for manufacturing and services industries and there would be some extra production in the auto industry, U.S. production is set to be more expensive and wages are set to drop. The real opportunity for growth in the agreement would lie in removing uncertainty in cross-border e-commerce, services and investments, according to the Washington Post. Story continues Part of that involves job security and protections for American workers, particularly those in the agriculture and auto sectors, like those in Michigan which Sanders actually won against Hillary Clinton in the 2016 primary. However, Trump ultimately won Michigan later that year, partly due to the fervor over the presidents repeated comments labeling the free trade agreement as unfair to Americans. He later repeatedly called NAFTA the worst trade deal ever made. Sanders comments and his previous statements on the matter appear to be more about holding the president accountable on his many campaign trail promises to bring hundreds of thousands of jobs to American workers. Josh Orton, senior adviser and policy director for the Sanders campaign, told Fortune, Washington has tried to sell corporate-written trade deals like NAFTA to American workers, making false promises of jobs and economic growth for all for decades and the candidate wants to end that with the USMCA. He said Trump has only pretended to be a fighter for workersand his attempts to renegotiate NAFTA, which contains giveaways to pharmaceutical corporations and still lacks real enforcement of worker protections, shows that hes rolled over to corporate outsourcers and pharmaceutical corporations. But there may be procedural limitations to take into account. Eric Farnsworth, vice president of the Washington, D.C.-based think tank Council of the Americas and Americas Society, told Fortune Sanders call may not even matter. Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) have said publicly and repeatedly that the negotiated text is closed. Farnsworth noted there may be some room to change the way the legislation is implemented or to amend with certain side understandingsbut efforts to re-open the text itself would be strongly resisted and likely end in frustration. Karen Hansen-Kuhn, director of trade and global governance at the Institute for Agricultural and Trade Policy, told Fortune it is actually possible to re-open the USMCA negotiations and that Sanders call out of the president echoes that of labor unions, environmentalists, and members of Congress. She contended the changes these groups and lawmakers have asked for would not just protect American workers but also those in Mexico and would raise environmental standards and ensure that the new agreement doesnt lock in high prices for biologic medicines. Coupled with changes lobbied for by consumer protection activists on labeling meat products falling within the agreement, Hansen-Kuhn said these changes would reduce incentives for companies to outsource jobs. However, she also noted none of the push for changes in labor protection language mean anything if strong enforcement of the terms are built in as well. Both she and Dr. Shannon K. ONeil, vice president and senior fellow for Latin America Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, agreed: Mexico has been setting a good example for that. The best way forward is the labor reform Mexico is in the process of passing through their legislature, ONeil told Fortune. It will do much of what Democrats have been demanding. And it has a high chance of happening as it fits with President [Andres Manuel] Lopez Obradors own domestic plans and priorities. She said the most effective way for Sanders and others to really protect American jobs and the worker is to make U.S. companies more competitive through investments in infrastructure, education, and research and development, citing the independent report showed the real advantages in the new USMCA only occur when there is confidence and certainty in American companies competitiveness around the world. But Hansen-Kuhn said there need to be more significant changes to the new USMCA if Americans do not want to see transnational businesses continue to pit workers in each country against each otheras they have during the 25 years since the original NAFTA was passed. She argued changes to sections on patents of medications, giveaways to the fossil fuel sector, and increasing consumer protections across the board are continuing to be called for as well. Alyshia Galvez, Ph.D, a Latin American studies professor at City University of New York, said she is not very optimistic about having these changes taken into account for a more human-scaled trade deal that takes into consideration the needs of families and communities, particularly for farmers in all three countries. But she said there is some hope, since Democrats, who control the U.S. House of Representatives, seem unwilling to put the agreement up for a vote without these changes. It may just be a question of timing. Should the USMCA negotiations be re-opened for better job protections and other matters, Farnsworth said it could push ratification of the agreement well into 2020 and possibly too close to the November electionsnever an optimal time to pass any trade legislation much less any as politically complicated as USMCA. Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico's defeat of France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. In Mexico, it's primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla, where it has the most historical significance. In the United States, it's celebrated practically everywhere with parties, eating Mexican or Tex-Mex food and drinking. Restaurants join in on the fiesta by offering specials on food and drinks and, in some cases, by throwing parties and events with live music. Check out the best restaurant deals and events for Cinco de Mayo 2019: -- Bahama Breeze -- Bar Louie -- Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. -- California Pizza Kitchen -- Chevys Fresh Mex -- El Torito -- Joe's Crab Shack -- Margaritas Mexican Restaurant -- On The Border -- Patron Tequila -- TGI Fridays -- Tijuana Flats -- Yard House Because May 5 falls on a Sunday this year, get ready to party all weekend long. Participation may vary by franchise and location. Be sure to call your restaurant of choice ahead of time to confirm the details. [See: 10 Expenses Destroying Your Budget.] Bahama Breeze The tropical-themed chain is offering a weeklong "Fiesta Like There's No Manana" celebration at most locations. Classic margaritas will be $5, and create-your-own premium tequila and rum flights will be $10 April 28 to May 5. Most locations will continue the party until closing time, but these drink specials will end at 9 p.m. at Ohio and Virginia locations. Bar Louie In honor of Cinco de Mayo, select locations are throwing "Cabo de Mayo" parties that feature specials on Sammy Hagar's Santo Mezquila, a combination of mezcal and tequila. The party lasts all weekend long, and drink and food specials will vary by location. Check your nearest Bar Louie's Facebook page for details. Some locations are offering $5 Cinco Ritas and two-for-$5 taco specials. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Head to the bar and lounge area for $1 tacos and $4 bottles of Corona Extra. These specials run all day on May 5. Story continues [See: 10 Big Ways to Boost Your Budget -- Without Skimping on Your Daily Latte.] California Pizza Kitchen The Fresh Agave Lime margarita will be priced at $5 all day on May 5 at locations that serve it. Chevys Fresh Mex From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Cinco de Mayo, enjoy brunch, complete with bottomless mimosas. The rest of the day, get special pricing on margaritas, beer and shots. Drink specials vary by location. El Torito From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., enjoy a bottomless champagne brunch, plus $5 margaritas, bloody marys and micheladas. From 2 p.m. to close, get various drink specials, which vary by location, and $2.50 tacos. Joe's Crab Shack Joe's will be throwing an all-day Cinco de Mayo celebration, complete with $20 buckets of Modelo Especial. Margaritas Mexican Restaurant Details vary by location, but the chain is celebrating Friday, Saturday and Sunday with daily all-you-can-eat specials, drink specials, raffles, tent parties and music. Check your nearest location for its official event schedule. On The Border On May 5, the Tex-Mex chain will celebrate with drink specials and live music. Drink specials include $5 Cinco 'Ritas, $5 1800 Reposado tequila shots, $4 1800 Silver tequila shots and $3 Jose Cuervo Gold tequila shots. [Read: 13 Restaurant Apps That Get You Free Food] Patron Tequila The tequila brand has partnered with food and travel rewards app Hooch in honor of Cinco de Mayo. On May 5, order a margarita at a bar that carries Patron tequila. Upload a photo of your receipt via the app. You'll receive enough reward dollars via the app to order a future drink with Patron tequila. TGI Fridays Get these drink specials on May 5: $5 Fridays 'Ritas, $5 Patron shots and $5 23-ounce Dos Equis beers. Tijuana Flats Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Cinco de Mayo weekend, get a taco and a beer for $5 total. Or get two tacos or two beers for that same price. Plus, locations will offer music, games and prizes for those who dine in. Yard House All day, get house, salted watermelon and pomegranate margaritas for $5 each. The times these specials are offered may vary by location. Locations in Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and the Atlantic Station location in Atlanta are not participating. Companies and products mentioned in this article may be promoted on www.offers.com. AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) and AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) have a lot in common -- they're just several years out of sync. While AbbVie is headed toward a patent cliff, AstraZeneca has been languishing somewhere near the bottom of the cliff it fell off years ago. Which of these big pharma stocks has the best chance of outperforming for your portfolio over the long run? Let's stack them up against each other to see which has stronger prospects right now. Guy in a suit scratching his head while deciding which way to go. Image source: Getty Images. The case for AbbVie Sales of AbbVie's top-selling drug, Humira hit a high water mark in 2018 at just shy of $20 billion. Late last year, less expensive biosimilar versions of the anti-inflammatory injection began eating into its market share among sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and a handful of other chronic autoimmune disorders. Biosimilars have had a such a hard time gaining traction in the U.S. that investors were caught off guard when AbbVie reported that its international Humira sales in Q1 were 27.9% lower than in the prior-year period. Humira still accounts for 56.8% of AbbVie's total revenue, so investors should be concerned. Luckily for the company and its shareholders, a thicket of ancillary patents has effectively blocked the drug's biosimilars from the U.S. market until 2023, which explains how domestic sales rose 7.1% to $3.2 billion during the first three months of 2019. Total worldwide sales fell 1.3% compared to a year earlier, and operating profits rose 3% to $3 billion. While AbbVie has been managing Humira's decline, it has also been plowing the profits the biologic drug generates into a pipeline of new treatments that should offset most of those lost sales. In 2015, the company made a lot of investors nervous by spending $21 billion in cash and stock to acquire a piece of Imbruvica, but that investment is performing even better than expected. Imbruvica tablets became the first chemotherapy-free treatment option for new patients diagnosed with the most common form of leukemia in 2016, and the drug's sales have been climbing ever since. During Q1, AbbVie's share of Imbruvica sales rose 34% to an annualized $4.1 billion and could reach $7 billion by 2023. Story continues AbbVie also hopes to transition psoriasis patients currently using Humira to its recently approved treatment, Skyrizi , which shouldn't be too difficult. Skyrizi wiped the floor with Humira in a head-to-head study, which led to its Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. AbbVie is now waiting for the FDA to hand down a decision about upadacitinib, a tablet for rheumatoid arthritis patients that outperformed Humira as well. If upadacitinib earns approvals for rheumatoid arthritis later this year and the ulcerative colitis indication in 2022, its annual sales could reach $2.2 billion by 2024. Investors nervous about AbbVie's ability to offset Humira's upcoming sales declines have pushed the stock price down to just 9.0 times forward earnings expectations. The company generated $12.8 billion in free cash flow last year, and used just 44% of profits to make payments on a dividend that has been yielding around 5.4% recently. Tiny shopping cart full of different pills and capsules. Image source: Getty Images. The case for AstraZeneca It has been almost five years since AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot convinced shareholders to reject a $118 billion buyout offer from Pfizer. Soriot promised to return annual top-line revenue to the previous year's level of $25.8 billion by 2017, but he didn't even get close. In 2018, product sales were just $21.0 billion, due to clinical trial setbacks and competition that proved tougher than expected. AstraZeneca's market cap is still 16% below Pfizer's final bid, and a rising debt load has lowered the company's book value by 52% in the years since it rejected the offer. If you're surprised Soriot still has a job at AstraZeneca, you're not alone. If there's an explanation, it probably involves recent sales growth from the company's newer oncology products. Imfinzi might not become the $6.5 billion per year lung cancer treatment that management forecast in 2014, but its sales did reach an annualized $1.2 billion during Q1 2019. Tagrisso became standard care for newly diagnosed lung cancer patients with EGFR-mutated tumors in 2018, and the market for that indication has turned out to be a bit larger than the company anticipated. Tagrisso exceeded all expectations and become AstraZeneca's top-selling drug after first-quarter sales jumped 86% year over year to an annualized $2.5 billion. Sales of AstraZeneca's PARP inhibitor, Lynparza, soared 99% in Q1 thanks to label expansions for its use in ovarian and breast cancer granted in 2018. Lynparza's sales will surpass the $1 billion mark in 2019, and its growth story isn't finished. Recently, the company reported a statistically and clinically meaningful benefit for patients with pancreatic cancer following first-line chemotherapy. However, the company hasn't released any details yet; we'll need to wait for an upcoming scientific conference to find out exactly what AbbVie means by clinically meaningful. AstraZeneca describes its dividend policy as progressive even though its biannual payouts haven't progressed since 2012, and the payments have exceeded available profits in recent years. Based on recent prices, this pharma stock is yielding about 3.5%, but it's struggling to cover that dividend at the moment. With Astra's former top products, Nexium and Crestor, contributing just 13% of total sales, the path is clear for revenue gains ahead. Unfortunately, investors who expect more fireworks from its oncology lineup have driven the stock price up to 21.2 times forward earnings expectations. Guy in a labcoat with a clipboard. Image source: Getty Images. The better buy Based on AstraZeneca's performance over the past five years, and its balance sheet today, buying the stock at its current high multiple is just too dangerous. That said, it has so many new drugs moving quickly in the right direction that it will be an interesting stock to watch from the sidelines. AbbVie is headed for a patent cliff, but because of its low valuation and strong cash flows, the company and the stock shouldn't suffer much even if things don't work out quite as well as expected with Skyrizi or upadacitinib. That makes AbbVie the better big pharma stock to buy now. More From The Motley Fool Cory Renauer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Google's Chrome browser. In the fight against phishing attacks, there's a new web-hosted hoax you have to look out for fake address bars. Discovered by developer James Fisher, a potential flaw with Google Chrome could mean Android users unknowingly land on a fake site that exploits Chrome's disappearing address bar. How does it work? Typically when you use Chrome for mobile on Android, as you scroll down a webpage the URL bar vanishes. Attackers can use this vulnerability to display a fake URL address bar called an "inception bar" that won't disappear until you visit another website. The fake bar displays a real website's address, fooling you into thinking that you're on a different site than you actually are. What's even worse is that the attack can block you from seeing the real address bar once you scroll back up. This method could theoretically allow malicious sites to illegally capture your passwords and credit-card numbers. Fisher showed this hack using hsbc.com, the website belonging to one of the world's largest banks, and first reported by tech news site 9to5Google.com. If you visit Fisher's website using the Chrome browser on an Android smartphone, you'll notice the address bar suddenly reads hsbc.com once you start scrolling down. Is your car hackable? Is your car hackable? Cybersecurity experts say it might be Digital eyes: Where are the cameras in your car and what are they looking for? How do I spot a fake web address bar? You have to pay attention to the website's starting address before you start scrolling. USA TODAY reached out to Google for more information on the Chrome security flaw. If you lock your phone and unlock it while on the webpage, the real address bar will show back up on top of the fake one, exposing the scam. This is what the double address bars looks like on Chrome for Android. While Fisher's proof of concept method focuses just on Chrome for mobile, this type of attack could theoretically be leveraged by spoofers using other browsers as well to display more than fake address bars. Follow Dalvin Brown on Twitter: @Dalvin_Brown. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Beware! Google Chrome address bar can reportedly be used to launch a phishing attack There is perhaps no one more fascinating in history than Leonardo da Vincior more elusive. Leonardo left us no real diary of his personal experiences. Sure, there are thousands of pages from his legendary notebooks, but between those covers were no accounts of his upbringing, or the life he led in his later years. Instead, we see a mind at work in the moment, unconcerned with the ways in which history would remember him. In the more than 7,000 remaining pages of his notebooks, there are casual doodles next to precise anatomical drawings, models for new weapons alongside a sketch of how a fetus is positioned within a womb, portraits or geometric patterns coupled with proposals for city redesigns. And it's because of this restless search for knowledge that Leonardo has become known as the quintessential genius, a man who likely made the most significant link between science and the humanities. Society's fascination with Leonardo seems to have grown with each passing generation. Every year there seems to be a new revelation about his life as biographers have pursued the clues Leonardo left us: He was a vegetarian, ambidextrous, bisexual, unfazed by deadlines, etcetera. Which is why so many rushed to read the most recent biography about Leonardo, courtesy of master biographer Walter Isaacson, who has previously written about other luminaries: Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, Steve Jobs (who handpicked Isaacson to write his biography). What Isaacson offers us is a peek into the life of a man who cared more about knowledge for its own sake than the fame that would come later. In so many ways Leonardo was unlike anyone before him, yet he had very human impulses and desires. He adored his painting, the Mona Lisa (La Gioconda), a work that took him 16 years to complete. Today, it's one of the most famous paintings in history. When he died on May 2, 1519, in Amboise, France, that very painting was in his bedroom, with him to the very end. Story continues Below, 500 years after da Vinci's death, AD interviews Walter Isaacson on the innovators best creations, what he would be designing today, and more. Photo: Leonard de Serres Architectural Digest: A little-known fact is that Leonardo da Vinci's last work before his death was to design a party for the King of France. Can you tell us some other party designs he may have done and what his inspirations were for these events? Walter Isaacson: Leonardo da Vinci, as a young man in Verrocchios workshop in Florence, spent much of his time designing pageants and plays and grand public performances for the Medici family. Some of his earliest drawings are of costumes and stage designs. He also created many ingenious mechanical devices to serve as effects for theatrical productions. These included an egg-shaped globe that opened up to reveal actors and a revolving display of the planets. He continued putting on these plays and pageants when he moved to Milan when he was 30 and then late in his life when he moved to France. This work helped him enjoy blurring the lines between fantasy and reality. For example, he designed a helicopter-like prop with a spiral sail as a prop for a play, then spent many years trying to design real flying machines. The Last Supper, Milan, Italy Photo: Getty Images/Mark Edward Harris AD: What, in your view, was Leonardo's greatest design? And how did this design forever change the world? WI: His greatest contribution to design was figuring out ways to make a scene painted on a flat panel look three-dimensional. He did it by figuring out the math of size and perspective, and how the sharpness of objects and their color saturation change as they get more distant. Finally, he added tricks from the theater, such as having walls angled inward to give the illusion of greater depth in his paintings, most notably The Last Supper. This idea of creating dimensionality in art was one of the great advances of the Renaissance. AD: What kind of structure or device might Leonardo invent today if he were alive? WI: He was always interested in urban design, and he tried to persuade his patrons to allow him to design a new city. I think today he would come up with great ways to design cities to be both efficient and human-friendly. Studies of a Old Man Seated and of Swirling Water', c1480 Photo: Getty Images/Print Collector AD: Leonardo would fill his notebook with seemingly endless questions: Why is the sky blue? How does the heart function? What are the differences in air pressure above and beneath a birds wing, and how might this knowledge enable man to make a flying machine? Music, military engineering, astronomyof all the questions Leonardo wrote himself in a journal, did you have a particular favorite? WI: My favorite notebook entry is, Describe the tongue of the woodpecker. Wow! Who wakes up one morning and decides to figure out what a woodpecker tongue looks like? How would you even do it? Catch a woodpecker and pry its mouth open? Yet Leonardo refers to the question a few times in his notebook, and to me its emblematic of his obsessive curiosity. Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci Photo: Getty Images/Stuart Dee AD: When I read your biography, one of the parts that shocked me was Leonardos studies of lip muscles, which he dissected, and drew, alternately, with skin on and skin off, and the effect this most likely had on his creations of Mona Lisa's smile. What most surprised you in researching the book? WI: What surprised me most was how closely his science was connected to his art. The dissection of lips at the same time he was painting the Mona Lisa is an example. In fact, I dont think he made much of a distinction between art and science. For him, they were both ways to appreciate and describe the beauty of nature. AD: You have written biographies on Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, and Leonardo da Vinci, which is to say you know these men better than almost anyone else ever will. Would the four of them seated at a dinner table feed off of each others revolutionary thoughts? Or would they be competing with one another? What would a dinner among them be like? Who do you think would pick up the tab at the end of the meal? WI: The two most lively guests would be Leonardo da Vinci and Benjamin Franklin. They shared a trait: They were both curious to know everything they possibly could about every subject that was knowable. They loved all fields from math to medicine to music to art to zoology. That helped them see patterns across nature. Both loved whirlwinds of air and water, for example, and how that spiral pattern appears across nature. They were also gregarious and friendly, more so than Steve Jobs and Albert Einstein. So Leonardo and Franklin would dominate the conversation. And since they both loved giving dinner parties, they would have split the tab after Einstein and Jobs showed no inclination to pick up the check. This little-known Bitcoin stock was slapped with a trading freeze while the SEC probes the Oklahoma company's finances. | Source: Shutterstock By CCN: Shares of Bitcoin Generation (BTGN), a little-known Bitcoin stock, last traded at 9 cents. They will remain there until at least May 10 while the Securities and Exchange Commission launches a probe into the Oklahoma-based companys finances. US Regulators Investigate Public Crypto Exchange sec crypto bitcoin stock The SEC has some questions about an Oklahoma-based cryptocurrency exchange. | Source: Shutterstock The Bartlesville, Oklahoma-headquartered company offers a regulated cryptocurrency exchange that supports Bitcoin, Bitcoin SV, Ethereum, Litecoin, XRP, and Monero. It bills itself as the first publicly traded cryptocurrency exchange. This is debatable, of course, based on what one considers public trading. Binance, for instance, is a privately-held company. However, Binance Coin which does not represent company equity but provides holders with exposure to the exchanges profits has been in circulation for a couple of years now and relates heavily to demand and usage of the Binance exchange. Other initial exchange offerings have come and gone in the meantime, with far less success. The SEC posted a note to its website, alleging that certain information about the company was being twisted in promotional materials, along with other concerns. Specifically, the one-page document says: Last Thursday, the NAACP suspended its Saint Louis County chapter president, a man by the name of John Gaskin. He was accused of two offenses. The second was a conflict-of-interest allegation that doesnt concern us, but the first offense should. The NAACP actually suspended a chapter president in part for supporting greater due process for black men accused of sexual misconduct on campus. They suspended him for supporting civil liberties. The background is relatively simple. The Missouri state legislature has been debating a campus-due-process bill that, among other things, would allow students accused of sexual assault to retain an attorney, learn of the charges against them, and cross-examine the accusers. Interestingly, it would deal with the persistent campus problem of amateur adjudicators by borrow[ing] judges from the existing administrative court system to hear appeals. The Kansas City Star claimed that the proposed law would give the accused more power than any other state. If true, thats a sad commentary on other states. And local activists opposed the law not only on the grounds that cross-examination (one of the essential elements of due process in American jurisprudence) re-victimizes survivors but also because the other elements (again, mainly representing basic elements of due process found in all civil and criminal courts) are in the words of Wendy Davis, director of the Women and Childrens Advocacy Project in Boston designed to message females that, especially in the context of education, youre supposed to be raped and be quiet. Why? Because due process means theres no upside to reporting. Its all burdens, hurdles, punishment, stigma, suffering. This of course assumes that the person reporting is actually a survivor, something we need due process to fairly demonstrate. Gaskin stepped in to note that the the denial of due process at Missouris colleges disproportionately impacts African-American men. And the best available evidence indicates that hes correct. As Emily Yoffe noted in an indispensable 2017 essay in The Atlantic, there is rising alarm that the Obama-administration-mandated changes in Title IX adjudication meant that increasing numbers of black men are facing false accusations, with a decreasing number of legal tools available to defend against them. Story continues The federal government has been inexcusably lax in gathering statistics measuring the real-world effect of its legal mandates, but the anecdotal evidence is alarming. Yoffe points to the example of Colgate University. In the 201314 academic year, black students were 4.2 percent of the population, but black male students were accused of 50 percent of the sexual violations reported to the university, and they made up 40 percent of the students formally adjudicated. Across three academic years, black students were accused of 25 percent of the sexual misconduct reported to the university, and made up 21 percent of the students referred for formal hearings. Harvard Law professor Jeannie Suk Gerson, one of the nations foremost experts on Title IX adjudications, has reported that the administrators and faculty members who work on campus sexual-assault cases say that most of the complaints are against minorities. Moreover, the modern attack on campus due process means that black men are facing an old problem. Yoffe quotes another Harvard professor, Janet Halley, who accurately notes that American racial history is laced with vendetta-like scandals in which black men are accused of sexually assaulting white women, followed eventually by the revelation that the accused men were not wrongdoers at all. But dont tell that to the NAACPs national leadership. Gaskins position conflicts with the NAACPs January 2019 opposition to proposed rule changes at the federal level that would have largely the same effects as the proposed Missouri legislation, as NAACP national president Derrick Johnson wrote in the suspension letter he sent to Gaskin on Thursday. The NAACP is opposed to the Trump administrations efforts to enhance campus due process, so it is opposed to state-level efforts to accomplish the same goal. While the NAACP is free to adopt the positions that it wants to adopt and to force its chapter leaders to toe the company line its position is absurd and self-defeating. The NAACPs Saint Louis County chapter president is right. Its national leadership is wrong. Who has suffered more from rigged tribunals and kangaroo courts than African Americans? As Scott Greenfield writes in his Simple Justice criminal-defense blog, there is a price to be paid for creating and maintaining alliances. The NAACP is in lockstep with much of the Left in opposing due-process reform. Its being a good ally, and its framing its support as a simple defense of Title IX, a key civil-rights statute. But nothing about Title IX mandates depriving young men of their civil liberties. And when there are acute dangers for black men especially when those dangers bring up the ghosts of past injustices the NAACP should think twice before it elevates the ideological imperatives of modern feminism over the immediate and direct consequences to a core constituency. Of course the NAACP should be just as concerned about the plight of black women on campus as it is the plight of black men, but theres an ancient method of squaring that circle. Due process gives an accuser the ability to state her case and the accused the right to effectively defend himself. And if any American organization should stand for due process, its the NAACP. The NAACP should change its position. Without civil liberties on campus, all too many black men will lose their civil rights. More from National Review Truffle Suite, a popular ethereum development framework with over 1 million downloads, has recently been spun-out of ConsenSys; receiving $3 million in funding as it plans to expand into solutions dedicated to enterprise clients, Forbes writes. The funding it received comes from ConsenSys, with its founder Joe Lubin joining Truffle as a board member. Truffle will use the funds to develop enterprise-grade suite of blockchain development tools as well as hire new talent. According to the announcement, Truffle is now joining forces with Axoni, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan-backed company. Theyll be working together on AxCore which is going to be adopted by the DTCCs Trade Information Warehouse to process transactions amounting to $10 trillion a year. Prior to formalising the partnership, Axoni had been using Truffles open-source software. Enterprise adoption is finally happening because the maturity of our space is finally advancing to a level where enterprises can capitalize, said vice president of partnerships at Truffle, Wes McVay. Not only that, but they have the funds to invest into making this the experience that it should be, the technology that it should be. Truffle may soon be announcing its first enterprise clients as well. It plans to integrate with solutions such as JPMorgans Quorum blockchain and Intels Hyperledger Sawtooth, among others. Chicago (AFP) - Boeing executives successfully beat back shareholder challenges to their authority on Monday as the company signaled it expects regulators to take a key step next week in the effort to get the 737 MAX back in the air following two deadly crashes. The aerospace giant, under scrutiny following the crashes that killed 346 passengers and crew and grounded the MAX worldwide, won a vote of confidence from its investors, even as company management faced tough questions over plane design and the possible missteps in getting the aircraft to market. Boeing expects the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a test flight by the end of next week of the software fix the company developed for the flight system on the 737 MAX, a company spokesman said Monday. That would be a critical step in certifying the aircraft as flight-worthy. However, an FAA spokesman said the agency had not released a date or time for the flight yet. Amid reports of missteps in developing the newest version of its most popular aircraft, concerned shareholders used the annual meeting to seek greater transparency by proposing to make the chairman an independent director and to disclose lobbying activities and trade association memberships. But those proposals garnered just 34 and 32 percent of the votes, respectively, somewhat better than similar measures last year, but still well below 50 percent. The defeat of those motions no doubt was relief for Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg and other company brass but there was little sense of triumph at an annual meeting that included a moment of silence for the lives lost. The company faces an uncertain timetable for bringing the grounded fleet back into service and tough questions over a new plane design that crashed twice, as well as potential costs from the crisis. Muilenburg was asked during a press conference if he considered resigning. "We're focused on safety and I can tell you these accidents weigh heavily on us as a company," he responded. "My clear intent is to continue to lead on the front of safety and quality and integrity." Story continues The company reported last week that the crisis had added $1 billion to costs in the year's first quarter. The 737 MAX has been grounded since mid-March following the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines flight and an earlier Lion Air crash, a crisis that has raised questions about whether the US giant sacrificed safety in its zeal to market a new narrow-body plane and compete with Airbus. At the shareholders meeting, Muilenburg faced some pointed questions from shareholders but defended the design of the 737 MAX as "thorough" and "disciplined." Boeing has said both crashes involved erroneous information that came to the airplane through its anti-stall system, the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, which the software update is meant to address. "We know that in both accidents there was a chain of events that occurred. One of the links was the activation of the MCAS system because of the data," Muilenburg said at the media briefing. "We know we can break that link in the chain. The software update does that." - 'Chain of Events' - But Muilenburg repeatedly declined to characterize the MCAS system as a design flaw, saying there is more than one factor in such catastrophic accidents and that an investigation is continuing. "It's a chain of events. There is no singular item," he said. "I think it's really important that we all focus on letting the investigation process run its due course." US carriers such as American Airlines and Southwest Airlines are targeting August to resume flights on the 737 MAX in the expectation that Boeing will receive approval for its fix by that time. Boeing has submitted some of the documentation to the FAA for the fix to the MCAS system, said a person familiar with the matter, adding that the application will be considered complete following a test flight in the coming days. Boeing expects certification of the software fix some time after an FAA meeting with international regulators on May 23, the company spokesman said. Fresh questions were raised over the weekend following revelations that prior to the Lion Air crash in October, Boeing deactivated a malfunction signal on 737 MAX planes owned by Southwest without telling the carrier, a feature that would detect a sensor error of the kind thought to have been a factor in both crashes. The FAA considered recommending grounding the planes at the time as they explored whether pilots flying the aircraft needed additional training about the alerts, according to a source familiar with the matter. They decided against that -- but never passed details of the discussions to higher-ranking officials in the FAA, the source said. Shares of Boeing finished down 0.5 percent at $379.05. Director John Singleton, at the 2018 DGA Awards (Photo: ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images) John Singleton is hanging on to his life after reports he had died aged 51. The acclaimed director suffered a stroke 12 days ago, after reportedly checking himself into Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in LA with pains in his legs, but hispublicist has made it clear that he is still alive. Singleton is reportedly in a medically-induced coma and on life support but sadly is not showing signs of recovery, reports TMZ. The gossip site claims that his mother, Shelia Ward, described his stroke as major and they report that his condition is dire. Reports that director John Singleton has died are inaccurate, his rep tells me. "John is still on life support. Ryan Parker (@TheRyanParker) April 29, 2019 I just got an email from John Singleton's publicist about that one report saying he died early Monday morning. She said: "John is still in life support. That reporting is inaccurate." Michael Blackmon (@blackmon) April 29, 2019 Other journalists are also reporting that the director is still alive including Buzzfeed News Michael Blackmon and The Hollywood Reporters Ryan Parker. Singleton earned critical acclaim for directing 1991 film Boyz N The Hood, starring Ice Cube and Cuba Gooding Jr, which he earned an Oscar nomination for. Just 24 at the time, the director became the youngest nominee in the Best Director category and first black filmmaker to be nominated too. John Singleton in a coma following a major stroke(Credit: Tim Goodwin/STAR MAX/IPx 2003) Singletons directing credits also include Poetic Justice (1993), 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003) and Shaft (2000). While Singletons life hangs in the balance, TMZ also reports that there is a battle over the control of his estate between his mother and four children. The website claims Ward has asked a judge to be appointed the temporary conservator of his business affairs but his daughter Cleopatra is allegedly trying to block it so that she and her siblings arent freezed out. London (AFP) - British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has urged caution over the role of China's Huawei in the UK, saying the government should think carefully before opening its doors to the technology giant to develop next-generation 5G mobile networks. His comments come after Prime Minister Theresa May conditionally allowed China's Huawei to build the UK 5G network, according to media reports last week. The company faces pushback in some Western markets over fears Beijing could spy on communications and gain access to critical infrastructure. "We are right to have a degree of caution about the role of large Chinese companies because of the degree of control the Chinese state is able to exercise over them in the way that would not be possible if they were large Western companies," Hunt told Monday's Daily Telegraph newspaper. "That doesn't mean to say that their role is automatically malign, but there are things like the 2017 law which requires all Chinese companies, whatever their ownership, to co-operate with Chinese intelligence services on any occasion. "Obviously, as we come to our decision, we have to weigh those considerations very carefully." Huawei is the leading manufacturer of equipment for 5G mobile networks with almost instantaneous data transfer that will become the nervous system of Europe's economy, in strategic sectors like energy, transport, banking and health care. The United States is adamantly opposed to Huawei's involvement because of the firm's obligation under Chinese law to help its home government gather intelligence or provide other security services when required. China's ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, told the Sunday Telegraph that security concerns were "understandable" but he urged the UK to make "the right decision independently based on its national interests". He said "5G, as a representative of an entirely new generation of communications technology, is not perfect and does still need improvements". Story continues "The risks should be taken seriously but risks must not be allowed to incite fear. They can be managed, provided countries and companies work together," he added. The Daily Telegraph newspaper broke the news on Tuesday that May approved granting Huawei permission to build up "non-core" elements of Britain's next-generation telecommunications network. The highly controversial decision was reportedly made at a meeting of Britain's National Security Council. The final decision will be announced in June, a government spokesman said. Investors looking for stocks in the Computer - Services sector might want to consider either CACI International (CACI) or PDF Solutions (PDFS). But which of these two companies is the best option for those looking for undervalued stocks? Let's take a closer look. There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The proven Zacks Rank puts an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, while our Style Scores work to identify stocks with specific traits. Currently, CACI International has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy), while PDF Solutions has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). The Zacks Rank favors stocks that have recently seen positive revisions to their earnings estimates, so investors should rest assured that CACI has an improving earnings outlook. But this is just one factor that value investors are interested in. Value investors analyze a variety of traditional, tried-and-true metrics to help find companies that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels. Our Value category grades stocks based on a number of key metrics, including the tried-and-true P/E ratio, the P/S ratio, earnings yield, and cash flow per share, as well as a variety of other fundamentals that value investors frequently use. CACI currently has a forward P/E ratio of 18.22, while PDFS has a forward P/E of 50.58. We also note that CACI has a PEG ratio of 1.82. This figure is similar to the commonly-used P/E ratio, with the PEG ratio also factoring in a company's expected earnings growth rate. PDFS currently has a PEG ratio of 4.21. Another notable valuation metric for CACI is its P/B ratio of 2.09. The P/B ratio pits a stock's market value against its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, PDFS has a P/B of 2.12. Story continues Based on these metrics and many more, CACI holds a Value grade of B, while PDFS has a Value grade of F. CACI stands above PDFS thanks to its solid earnings outlook, and based on these valuation figures, we also feel that CACI is the superior value option right now. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report CACI International, Inc. (CACI) : Free Stock Analysis Report PDF Solutions, Inc. (PDFS) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. SAN DIEGO Before Saturday, John T. Earnest was known only as a quiet, successful student and an accomplished pianist. On Sunday, his church reeled, calling a special session to address the news: Earnest had been detained in connection with Saturdays deadly synagogue shooting near San Diego. His name had also been linked to a racist online posting that praised mass shooters, spoke of a plan to "kill Jews," and extensively cited scripture. Police had apprehended him along Interstate 15. A rifle was found in the front passenger seat, police said. Earlier, one woman was killed and three others wounded when a gunman wielding a AR-style assault weapon entered a synagogue during Passover services at the Chabad of Poway temple and opened fire. 'God didn't want me to die': Rabbi protected children in synagogue shooting despite losing index finger Photos: 1 dead, 3 wounded in shooting at synagogue near San Diego The suspect, a 19-year-old student at Cal State University San Marcos, is a part of a family known as regulars at the Escondido Orthodox Presbyterian Church. The suspects father, John Earnest, is listed as an elder. Pastor Zach Keele said Sunday the younger John always came with his family but was very quiet. Officials have said they found a "manifesto" posted online around the time of the attack and are working to verify its authenticity. "I did not want to have to kill Jews," an online text reads in part. It is attributed to a poster by Earnest's name. "But they have given us no other option. Im just a normal dude who wanted to have a family, help and heal people, and play piano." It goes on to use repeated slurs and lists Adolf Hitler as an inspiration. It mockingly requests that its author be called a "white supremacist" and "anti-Semite." On Sunday in Escondido, the suspect's pastor held a session to specifically talk about the shooting and to offer sympathy for the victims. Keele rebuked the manifesto, saying "there is no superior race. We are all created equal." He said also "we are committed to loving all people." Story continues He called the crime unspeakable in so many ways and said we are surprised and we are shocked. The attack in Poway, about 25 miles northeast of San Diego, has been called a hate crime by the city's mayor, President Donald Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Keele said he took heart that the manifesto said that the suspect's family did not radicalize him. The suspect was charged Sunday with one count of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted first-degree murder, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department announced in a news release. He had no previous contact with law enforcement. "We believe he acted alone and without outside support in carrying out the attack," the release reads. Security boosted at mosques: 'Face to face with this murderer': rabbi recalls terror More: What we know about the California synagogue shooting He is also being investigated in connection with an arson attack on a mosque in nearby Escondido, California, in March. The online posting claims responsibility for that crime. Classmates and published accolades suggest that the suspect lived a generally shy but accomplished academic life. Palini Ramnarayan, who was in Earnests class at Mt. Carmel High School and now studies at Cornell University, recalled him as very quiet. I think we all just perceived him as very shy. He played piano at the talent show every year and was absolutely amazing. He kept to himself most of the time and honestly it was hard to know what he was thinking, she said. He was very clear about his political ideologies in our AP government class. He's a staunch hard-right conservative who's driven by Christian values. Owen Cruise, 20, was a classmate of the suspected shooter and a student of his father, John A. Earnest, a longtime teacher at MCHS. Cruise said he was in disbelief when he saw the name of the suspected shooter because the suspect was "a friend to everybody, including many Jewish students" at their high school. It doesnt sound like the John that I know, or knew, he said of a letter posted online that supposedly describes the shooter's hateful motives. It sounds like someone whos been brainwashed by associating with the wrong crowds. The year he graduated, the suspect was honored for his academic achievements along with about 30 other Mt. Carmel classmates in a program called F.A.C.E., or Fraternity of Academic and Civic Excellence. In a short bio posted by the program, he was pictured in a dark suit and red tie. He had "an excellent work ethic," the biography said. He was an accomplished pianist and a member of the varsity swim team. He had a GPA of 4.31. In a 2017 interview ahead of a Mt. Carmel High School talent show, a dark-haired student wearing a grey swim team hoodie blankly identified himself as Earnest. "Hey, I'm John Earnest," he said, staring into the camera. His act would be a piano arrangement of Pirates of the Caribbean, he said. What would he do with the prize money, if he won? "Save it 'till I need it," he said with a shrug. He went on to be recognized for his performance in that talent show, as he was for three straight years, his F.A.C.E. profile said. In the wake of the shooting, the suspect's pastor said he wants to "reach out and express my condolences to the synagogue" and is searching for the best way to do it. Gerrit Groenewold, an elder at the suspect's church, said he remembers attempting to reach out to the suspect. "I tried to talk to John several times, but he just never said anything," said Groenewold, who has been attending the church for 15 years. "I think its not good if someone is as quiet as that." Contributing: Tom Kisken, Ventura County Star; The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California synagogue shooting: Suspect known as quiet, smart while authorities question if he was hateful PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) China has agreed to provide assistance to Cambodia if the European Union implements trade sanctions against the Southeast Asian nation over human rights violations and rule of law issues, Cambodia's prime minister said Monday Hun Sen announced the assurance on his Facebook page as he was returning from Beijing, where he attended a forum about China's multibillion-dollar "Belt and Road" infrastructure initiative. He said China made the pledge during his talks with President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Prime Minister Li Keqiang, but he did not say what form the assistance would take. The EU in February announced it was launching action that could suspend Cambodia's preferential access to its market because of "severe deficiencies when it comes to human rights and labor rights." The EU grants duty-free and quota-free access for items other than weapons to Cambodia and other developing countries. Cambodia's Foreign Affairs Ministry at that time called the decision an "extreme injustice" that ignored steps the government has taken to improve civil and political rights. It said it "is committed to continue enhancing the democratic space, human rights (and) labor rights" and that the European move "takes the risk of negating 20 years' worth of development efforts" that had helped pull millions of Cambodians out of poverty. Hun Sen also said Monday that China Cambodia's closest ally pledged a 600 million yuan ($89 million) military assistance grant. Hun Sen described current ties between the two countries "as firm as steel" and amounting to a strategic partnership in all sectors. He said during his stay in Beijing since last Thursday he met several Chinese businessmen, and many more Chinese investors agreed to invest in Cambodia soon. In January, Hun Sen made a four-day official visit to China and announced that Beijing had agreed to provide nearly $600 million in grant aid as part of a three-year assistance fund, and that the two countries also agreed to increase their bilateral trade to $10 billion by 2023. When Camila Alves McConaughey launched her business, an online platform called Women of Today, five years ago, she could only dream that it would blossom into the community it is now. As the company grew, the need for space did, too, so Alves McConaughey recently enlisted RH Interior Design to help her conceptualize a new, modern, global-inspired office. The personalized work space reflects her worldly aesthetic and mission of empowerment and inclusion. Influenced by a range of periods and places, the space features select collections from RH Interiors and RH Modern, defined by rich texture, earthen hues, and natural materials layered with clean, contemporary forms. Here, the entrepreneur opens up to Architectural Digest about the design process and how she evoked a warm and relaxed, loungelike atmosphere. Architectural Digest: Before we talk about the inspiration for the office space, tell us about the inspiration for Women of Today. Camila Alves: I would travel all over the world, and the one thing I noticed is that anytime I was in different countries, the community between women and the conversation was more open. It was all about learning from each other instead of a closed state of mind. When I would come back to the United States, it always felt very closed. So, I decided to start the community where we have bigger conversations. AD: So, the business started five years ago. But your office space is new. CA: Yes. I started with a computer on my kitchen island, and now we have grown to where we needed an office and an area where we can just focus on everything that we're doing for Women of Today. camila alves mcconaughey 2 Photo: Casey Dunn AD: Can you tell me a little bit about the design of the space? CA: I love textures, and I have to incorporate little bits of the world, so it has that around-the-world feel. And I wanted it to be inspiring. Even though it is my office, I have a lot of the meetings with our staff in there, and it needed to be comfortable and inspiring for them, too. And I wanted to use more natural and wood materials to calm everything down and give it a nice warm, cozy feel. Story continues AD: Typical offices arent typically cozy. Why was that so important to you? CA: We have a lot of late nights, and we are sharing the voices of other people. So, you need to feel comfortable enough to be able to get into their state of mind. In a stiff office, that wasnt going to happen. Most of the time I'm barefoot, and when we have meetings, we grab the pillows, and we'll sit on the floor. It's a community, and I wanted it to have that feel. AD: And why work with Restoration Hardware to design the space? CA: My business is about being accessible to people, and I believe Restoration Hardware does that for people. They have expensive stuff, but you can also find affordable things as well. People can feel like they can get special pieces without breaking the bank. And they have something that suits pretty much every style. That really fits within the mission of what we're doing: Its about including, not excluding. So, it was a really natural partnership. They were very hands-on and able to bring it to life. AD: What are some of your favorite pieces? CA: I love the rug. I think that was the first thing I picked. AD: Why did you like it so much? CA: The texture and style. Its got style, but it's not over and done. It enriches the space with just one item. And, as I said, I'm always barefoot. I also love the chair and bench. Again, I love all of those cozy nooks. AD: Do you have any personal pieces in the space? CA: Yes! I have a lot of them. If you look in the front of the desk, I have these three little gold heads from Africa. I have some pieces from Thailand and a piece from Israel, and these shells from Mauritius. And Im from Brazil, so I have stones from there and pieces of the countryside and in Texas. It's a really a combination of a little bit of everything. AD: Can you tell me about the artwork behind your desk? CA: Yes, it comes from the General Public for RH Collection, the art publishing company founded by [Portia de Rossi]. I love what theyre doing because theyre making art accessible to people. This piece makes you stop and think, which is what we have to do a lot with the business when we read these womens stories that are sometimes heartbreaking. Then I have another painting of Bob Marley that I got on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere in Thailand thats bright and colorful. So, I switch up the paintings depending on if my team and I need to be in a creative mode or a more contemplative one. camila alves mcconaughey 2 Photo: Casey Dunn AD: How does the design of your office compare to the design style of your home? CA: There are some similarities. I have a lot of woods and windows in my home. Again, its the earth tones and the coziness. I think it kind of comes a little bit from that. Montreal (AFP) - Catalonia's former president Carles Puigdemont was denied entry into Canada in March, when he was invited by a Quebec separatist group, the Canadian lawyer challenging the decision said Monday. "We are challenging this decision, which is obviously unreasonable," his lawyer Stephane Handfield, who has appealed the decision in federal court, told AFP. He said Puigdemont had requested and obtained an electronic authorization (eTA) in February to travel to Canada, required for travelers from visa-exempt nations. Puigdemont was scheduled to land on April 2 in Montreal, but an immigration official sent him an email on March 31 "informing him that his eTA had been revoked, without explanation," Handfield said. A Canadian government official said politics played no part in the decision. The main figure behind Catalonia's secession attempt in 2017, Puigdemont subsequently fled prosecution in Spain. He currently lives in Belgium. The move to ban him from Canada was denounced as "shameful" by the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society, a group that promotes Quebec independence. It had invited him to tour the Canadian province. Ottawa declined to comment on the individual case, citing privacy laws. "A person can be found inadmissible for criminality, a serious health problem, lying in his application or during an interview," a government spokesman said, speaking in general terms. By Rod Nickel and Hallie Gu WINNIPEG, Manitoba/BEIJING (Reuters) - An expanding list of Canadian farm exports is hitting obstacles at Chinese ports, leaving sellers of soybeans, peas and pork scrambling amid a bitter diplomatic dispute. China has already blocked Canadian canola from Richardson International and Viterra, two of Canada's biggest farm exporters, saying that shipments had pests. Other China-bound canola cargoes have been cancelled, forcing exporters to re-sell elsewhere at discount. Canadian politicians have said the concerns are baseless, and noted that China detained two Canadians after Canada arrested an executive of Chinese telecom company Huawei Technologies Co Ltd in December at the United States' request. China has used non tariff barriers before during diplomatic tensions, most recently against Australian coal. Now traders say Canadian soybeans and peas face unusual obstacles. Ottawa also warned last week that China was holding up pork shipments over paperwork issues. Increasing tensions with China, a top buyer for most Canadian farm commodities, have forced farmers to plant other crops, such as wheat, that they hope will not face barriers. China bought C$2.7 billion ($2.01 billion) worth of Canada's canola and C$514 million worth of its pork last year. To be sure, the spread of African swine fever through China's pig herd has reduced China's need for canola and soybeans to process into feed ingredients. 'YOU BUY FROM CANADA, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE LIFE DIFFICULT' But since January, port soybean inspections that routinely take a few days now require three weeks, causing Chinese buyers to avoid Canadian products, said Dwight Gerling, president of Canadian exporter DG Global. "They're basically sending out the signal, 'You buy from Canada, we're going to make your life difficult,'" Gerling said. Earlier this year, a Chinese buyer told Gerling that a government inspector had found ants in 34 containers (roughly 680 tonnes) of the Canadian soybeans he shipped there. Such a finding would be rare, since the soybeans were stored in concrete silos in Canada and shipped in sealed containers in late autumn, said Gerling, who concluded the buyer was trying to avoid the new hassles of buying from Canada. Story continues "It's just them playing games. (Beijing) is just going to keep putting the screws to us." China's General Administration of Customs did not reply to a fax seeking comment. Government officials have said their canola ban is a regular inspection and quarantine measure to protect China's farm production and ecological safety. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking in Cambridge, Ontario, promised action, although he gave no details. "We are absolutely going to be doing more on the canola file. We'll have an announcement in the coming days," Trudeau said. "We're in the process of solving this. It is not an easy situation. It is one we've taken very seriously." In a statement, the Canadian agriculture department said it could not confirm that China had imposed stricter measures against farm goods other than canola. Ottawa said this month it hoped to send a delegation to China to discuss the issue. Gerling's company has halted soybean sales to China and found other buyers in Southeast Asia. An official at a state-owned crusher in Southern China confirmed that port inspections have tightened on Canadian soybean cargoes. "We don't have Canadian cargoes coming in as we can't blatantly commit such wrongdoing when the atmosphere is so intense," the official said on condition of anonymity. Another official in Northern China said his crushing plant scrapped plans to buy Canadian soybeans when the trade dispute flared. Canada shipped C$1.7 billion worth of soybeans to China in 2018, up sharply year over year, according to the Soy Canada industry group, as China and the United States fought a trade war. But sales have now slowed to a trickle. Canola has taken the brunt of China's measures. Chinese buyers have cancelled at least 10 cargoes of Canadian canola in the last few weeks, said a Singapore-based trader at a company that runs crushing facilities in China. Some cargoes, around 60,000 tonnes each, have been resold to buyers in Pakistan and Bangladesh at deep discounts, the trader said. "It is devastating for exporters," the trader said. ICE canola futures fell to a more than four-year low on Tuesday as supplies piled up. Growers intend to sow the smallest crop in three years. On Monday of last week, Ottawa said some Canadian pork exporters used an outdated form to certify shipments to China, causing delays. Such issues arise regularly in commodity trading, but rarely with damaging consequences, said Canadian Pork Council spokesman Gary Stordy. 'VERY STRICT' WITH PEAS Canadian pea exporters fear they could be next. China imported C$718 million worth of Canadian peas in 2018, according to industry group Pulse Canada, but the pace has slowed. Chinese authorities have begun scrutinizing import documents and product samples more closely, said Taimy Cruz, director of logistics at Toronto-based BroadGrain Commodities. China Inspection and Quarantine Authorities now tests samples of each pea shipment before authorizing it for import. They also restrict in some cases the number of soybean shipments allowed under one license, slowing the flow, Cruz said. Similarly, import authorities now require soybean shipments that change vessels in Singapore and Shanghai - a routine practice called trans-shipping - to reach their destination on a single ship, she said. While BroadGrain has not seen its cargoes turned back, it has reduced sales to China to avoid risk, concentrating on the Indian subcontinent and South America, she said. "We have to be extra careful," Cruz said. "They are very strict now." (Reporting by Rod Nickel in Winnipeg and Hallie Gu in Beijing; Additional reporting by Naveen Thukral in Singapore and Steve Scherer in Ottawa; Editing by Denny Thomas and Matthew Lewis) Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! While some investors are already well versed in financial metrics (hat tip), this article is for those who would like to learn about Return On Equity (ROE) and why it is important. To keep the lesson grounded in practicality, we'll use ROE to better understand Space Hellas S.A. (ATH:SPACE). Our data shows Space Hellas has a return on equity of 8.0% for the last year. One way to conceptualize this, is that for each 1 of shareholders' equity it has, the company made 0.080 in profit. See our latest analysis for Space Hellas How Do You Calculate ROE? The formula for ROE is: Return on Equity = Net Profit Shareholders' Equity Or for Space Hellas: 8.0% = 1.2m 15m (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2018.) Most readers would understand what net profit is, but its worth explaining the concept of shareholders equity. It is all earnings retained by the company, plus any capital paid in by shareholders. Shareholders' equity can be calculated by subtracting the total liabilities of the company from the total assets of the company. What Does Return On Equity Signify? ROE measures a company's profitability against the profit it retains, and any outside investments. The 'return' is the profit over the last twelve months. The higher the ROE, the more profit the company is making. So, all else being equal, a high ROE is better than a low one. That means it can be interesting to compare the ROE of different companies. Does Space Hellas Have A Good Return On Equity? Arguably the easiest way to assess company's ROE is to compare it with the average in its industry. The limitation of this approach is that some companies are quite different from others, even within the same industry classification. As shown in the graphic below, Space Hellas has a lower ROE than the average (15%) in the IT industry classification. Story continues ATSE:SPACE Past Revenue and Net Income, April 29th 2019 Unfortunately, that's sub-optimal. We'd prefer see an ROE above the industry average, but it might not matter if the company is undervalued. Nonetheless, it could be useful to double-check if insiders have sold shares recently. Why You Should Consider Debt When Looking At ROE Companies usually need to invest money to grow their profits. That cash can come from retained earnings, issuing new shares (equity), or debt. In the first and second cases, the ROE will reflect this use of cash for investment in the business. In the latter case, the use of debt will improve the returns, but will not change the equity. In this manner the use of debt will boost ROE, even though the core economics of the business stay the same. Space Hellas's Debt And Its 8.0% ROE It's worth noting the significant use of debt by Space Hellas, leading to its debt to equity ratio of 1.41. While the ROE isn't too bad, it would probably be a lot lower if the company was forced to reduce debt. Debt does bring extra risk, so it's only really worthwhile when a company generates some decent returns from it. But It's Just One Metric Return on equity is a useful indicator of the ability of a business to generate profits and return them to shareholders. In my book the highest quality companies have high return on equity, despite low debt. If two companies have the same ROE, then I would generally prefer the one with less debt. But when a business is high quality, the market often bids it up to a price that reflects this. It is important to consider other factors, such as future profit growth -- and how much investment is required going forward. Check the past profit growth by Space Hellas by looking at this visualization of past earnings, revenue and cash flow. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies. 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. Photo: Green Lemon. | Photo: Danielle U./Yelp It's the United States' favorite day to celebrate Mexican culture, but it's not, as many believe, Mexico's Independence Day that comes Sept. 16. Cinco de Mayo instead commemorates a significant military victory, in which the Mexican army defeated French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Want to celebrate the occasion and show off your newfound knowledge of Mexican history? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best Mexican restaurants in Tampa, using both Yelp data and our own methodology. Use our list to score a delicious Cinco de Mayo meal. 1. Besito Mexican Restaurant PHOTO: K C/YELP Topping the list is Besito Mexican Restaurant. Located at 205 Westshore Plaza in West Shore Palms, the Mexican spot and bar is the highest-rated Mexican restaurant in Tampa, boasting 4.5 stars out of 802 reviews on Yelp. 2. Green Lemon PHOTO: E P./YELP Next up is Parkland Estates' Green Lemon, situated at 915 S. Howard Ave. With four stars out of 871 reviews on Yelp, the Mexican spot and bar has proven to be a local favorite. 3. Miguel's Mexican Seafood & Grill PHOTO: ANAHITA Y./YELP Courier City's Miguel's Mexican Seafood & Grill, located at 3035 W. Kennedy Blvd., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the Mexican spot, which offers seafood and more, four stars out of 783 reviews. 4. Rubio's Coastal Grill Photo: RUBIO'S COASTAL GRILL/Yelp Rubio's Coastal Grill, a Mexican spot that offers seafood, salads and more in Carver City, is another go-to, with four stars out of 190 Yelp reviews. Head over to 1824 N. Westshore Blvd. to see for yourself. 5. Bartaco Photo: Christina G./Yelp Finally, over in North Hyde Park, check out Bartaco, which has earned four stars out of 1007 reviews on Yelp. You can find the Mexican spot at 1601 W. Snow Ave. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. DUBAI, April 29 (Reuters) - The influential chief commander of Iran's Quds force said on Monday that the country's clerical establishment would never negotiate with the United States under enforced economic pressure, the semi-official Fars news agency reported. "By putting economic pressure on Iran, America wants to force us to enter talks with this country ... any negotiation under the circumstances is surrendering to America and it will never happen,' Qasem Soleimani was quoted as saying by Fars. President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of a 2015 nuclear deal last May and reimposed sanctions on Tehran. (Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Alison Williams) By Dinuka Liyanawatte and Shihar Aneez SAINTHAMARUTHU/COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - As darkness fell in Sainthamaruthu village on Sri Lanka's east coast on Friday, troops and police prepared to storm a concrete shack that local residents had told them was a safe house for a band of Islamist militants. It was five days after suicide bomb blasts that killed more than 250 people and stunned a country that few expected to be a target of Islamist attacks. Many of the dead in Sunday's attacks were killed in Batticaloa, a town about 28 miles (46 km) north of Sainthamaruthu. On Friday evening, as the troops approached the house - a one-storey building on a narrow lane opposite an open drain - three explosions went off and they opened fire on the suspects holed up inside, according to the military. The wife and a daughter of the suspected mastermind of the suicide attacks, Mohamed Hashim Mohamed Zahran, were wounded in the ensuing gunbattle, police and his sister said on Saturday. Nearly 10,000 soldiers have been deployed across the island to carry out searches since the Easter Day attacks on three churches and four hotels, most of which were in the capital Colombo. Security forces have detained 100 people, including foreigners from Syria and Egypt. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the bombings on the Buddhist-majority country, which would be one of the worst attacks carried out by the group outside Iraq and Syria. The Friday night shootout in the Muslim-dominated district of Ampara followed warnings from authorities that there were still militants at large plotting further strikes. The militants hiding there were suspected members of a domestic Islamist group, National Thawheedh Jamaath, the military said. The gunbattle ended before dawn, and as troops moved in on the ruined house they found the bodies of 15 people, including six children and three suspected suicide bombers, a military spokesman said. A large cache of explosives were found at the house, he said. The road outside was strewn with shoes and debris, and spattered with blood, said a Reuters witness, who saw bodies wrapped in cloth and body parts being carried away in fertilizer bags. Villagers had noticed unusual activity at the house on Friday, a resident told Reuters, adding that the suspected militants spoke arrogantly and refused to reveal their identity. "One of the persons in that house came for prayer to the mosque and he looked so suspicious," the resident said, who declined to be named because he feared for his own safety. The villagers went back to the house a second time, this time with a government official, but the suspects opened fire. They then informed the police, he said. After the shooting was over, about 500 village families were evacuated as troops began a seven-hour search of the area. "We never experienced this kind of scare, even during the LTTE war," the resident told Reuters over the phone, referring to the 26-year conflict between government forces and ethnic Tamil separatists that ended a decade ago. As the door-to-door search of the village continued, a soldier emerged from one house carrying an injured child in his arms. As the child was laid in a military vehicle, she called through tears for her father. The military said that as the search widened to Sammanthurai village nearby, they found a haul of explosives, detonators, acid bottles, Islamic State flags, suicide kits and military uniforms. (Reporting by Dinuka Liyanawatte in Kalmunai and Shihar Aneez in Colombo; Writing by A. Ananthalakshmi; Editing by John Chalmers and Frances Kerry) Chimera Investment Corporation CIM is scheduled to report first-quarter 2019 results on May 1, before the opening bell. The companys quarterly earnings per share (EPS) and net interest income (NII) are expected to decline year over year. In the last reported quarter, this mortgage real estate investment trust (REIT) posted core earnings of 58 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 56 cents. Over the trailing four quarters, the company beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate on three occasions and missed in the other. It delivered an average positive surprise of 1.88% during this period. The graph below depicts this surprise history: Chimera Investment Corporation Price and EPS Surprise Chimera Investment Corporation Price and EPS Surprise | Chimera Investment Corporation Quote Lets see how things are shaping up prior to this announcement. Factors at Play Following a turbulent fourth-quarter 2018, the agency MBS sector benefited from the Feds dovish stance. In fact, per data, in the first quarter, agency MBS recovered nearly half of negative excess return incurred in 2018 by posting an excess return of 28 basis points (bps) compared to treasuries. In fact, given the favorable MBS environment, the company will likely reap benefits of higher exposure to agency MBS. In fact, the companys investment strategy is focused primarily on acquiring residential loans, non-agency residential mortgage backed securities (RMBS), agency commercial mortgage backed securities (CMBS) and agency residential mortgage backed securities (RMBS). Further, wider Agency MBS spreads during the March-end quarter will offer higher spread income and improved investment portfolio liquidity. Additionally, the company has a high-yielding credit portfolio and is expected to expand its agency CMBS portfolio banking on available buying opportunities. However, U.S. housing activity was dismal in the first quarter. In fact, the first quarter is seasonally slower for housing activity, as compared with the second and third quarters that are key home buying seasons. This is expected to impact the companys residential mortgage credit business. Story continues Further, the U.S. treasury yield curve inversion and weaker U.S. economic fundamentals might act as dampeners for the company in the to-be-reported quarter. Moreover, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the first-quarter NII of $142.3 million represents a decline of 3.8% year over year. Lastly, Chimeras activities during the quarter were inadequate to gain analyst confidence. Consequently, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the first-quarter EPS remained unchanged at 56 cents in a months time. In addition, it indicates a 3.5% year-over-year decline. Earnings Whispers Our proven model does not conclusively show that Chimerais likely to beat estimates this quarter. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or at least 3 (Hold) for this to happen. That is not the case here, as you will see below. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Earning ESP: Chimeras Earnings ESP is 0.00%. Zacks Rank: The company currently carries a Zacks Rank of 3, which increases the predictive power of ESP. However, we also need a positive ESP to be confident of an earnings beat. Stocks That Warrant a Look Several other players in REIT space are lined up to report their financial results. Below are three stocks, poised to beat on earnings per the proven Zacks model. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. ARE, scheduled to release earnings on Apr 29, has an Earnings ESP of +0.30% and currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. PK, slated to report first-quarter results on May 9, has an Earnings ESP of +0.24% and holds a Zacks Rank of 2, at present. Welltower, Inc. WELL, set to report quarterly numbers on Apr 30, has an Earnings ESP of +0.58% and carries a Zacks Rank of 3, currently. Today's Best Stocks from Zacks Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2018, while the S&P 500 gained +15.8%, five of our screens returned +38.0%, +61.3%, +61.6%, +68.1%, and +98.3%. This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 2018, while the S&P averaged +4.8% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +56.2% per year. See their latest picks free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Chimera Investment Corporation (CIM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. (PK) : Free Stock Analysis Report Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (ARE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Welltower Inc. (WELL) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research A new study highlights Chinas growing air power, and warns that China is looking to build out its Air Force to the point that the U.S. would not be willing to take it on in direct conflict. The Project Air Force team at Rand Corp. describes an emerging Chinese air force that aims to rival the United States' own, both technologically and strategically, often by mirroring U.S. military capabilities and doctrine. It is important to recognize that many of the PLA [Peoples Liberation Army] efforts in the military aerospace sector focus on fielding of specific capabilities in sufficient quantities to deter the United States from entering a conflict; the PLA would vastly prefer deterrence over actual combat operations, the report reads. In this sense, the capabilities competition can be regarded as aimed at defeating the United States without actually fighting. Copying or innovating their own capabilities are both valid pathways to this goal. However, the lower cost and higher speed of the copying and adapting approach appears to have made it a preferred approach whenever available," the report reads. Different services prefer different styles, however. The Peoples Liberation Army Air Force, or PLAAF, tends to copy, while Chinas missile and space programs are more frequent innovators. Unlike the U.S. military, Chinas strategic missile forces act as their own service. The Rand Corp. report was originally shared with Air Force leaders in September 2017, but was made publicly available this month. In it, researchers documented the restructuring of the PLAAF and the technological innovations the country is looking to develop as it cruises towards a possible confrontation with the United States. The PLAAF is one of five branches within the larger Peoples Liberation Army, the name given to Chinas armed services. Chinas power projection strategy appears to be built around the development of precision-strike ballistic and cruise missiles, supplemented by a dense web of surface-to-air missiles and advanced fighter jets. Story continues The main driver for Chinese military aerospace power development is the PLAs view that it needs to be prepared to deter and, if necessary, defeat the United States in a high-end clash, the Rand report reads. The report added that the PLA tends to copy foreign military technology, organizational designs and operational concepts where it suits them, but is not incapable of innovating its own solutions when needed. PLAAF writings often cite the U.S. Air Force as a model for their transformation into a strategic air force, which they define as one not bound to defending Chinas air sovereignty but capable of supporting Chinas national policy objectives. In 2014, then-Air Force Chief of Staff Mark Welsh argued that achieving his own services core missions required integrating air power capabilities within and across air, space, and cyberspace. The Chinese military appears to be mirroring that with their own developments in the arenas of strategic intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; tactical and strategic airlift; and strike assets, according to Rand Corp. The report recommended that the U.S. Air Force strive to understand the advances China is making in those domains, as well as in space and within space-based satellite architectures. In addition, the Air Force should monitor a range of other PLA investments and changes, including in the realms of doctrine, organization, training, manpower, logistics, procurement and facilities. Many U.S. observers have also seen similarities in PLA hardware and operating practices that, at least superficially, appear to be derived from the observation or theft of the United States or other countries technologies and practices," the report reads. A chart within the Rand report highlights areas in which the Chinese tend to copy the U.S. Air Force. The top of the chart notes large degrees of similarities between the PLAAFs J-20 and J-31 stealth fighter jets and the U.S. Air Forces F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters. In areas like bombers and precision strike, though, China exhibits much less similarity with U.S. counterparts. The PLAAFs close-air support capabilities are also much more limited, the chart notes, hinting at Chinas expectation for a conflict with the U.S. to be relegated to naval and air combat around the South China Sea. That could portend a weakness in Chinas doctrinal approach, as they may not anticipate the need to engage in air-to-ground combat on the Chinese mainland or elsewhere. In a similar vein, the U.S. militarys reliance on satellite-based targeting could be a weakness China seeks to exploit. China has not put significant money into space-based satellites for ballistic missile early warning like the U.S. has. Chinas most advanced stealth fighter may now be able to strike targets at greater distances Instead, Chinas space efforts have focused on signals intelligence-gathering and espionage satellites; the use of space to support its economic development and soft power; and the development of space-denial [i.e., anti-satellite] capabilities, an expert interviewed in the Rand report said. More recently, China has begun to copy the U.S. Air Force on its aerial lift and refueling. Until a few years ago, China did not have any political need to project power over great distances. That could be changing as the country shifts to protect investments in Africa and play a larger role abroad. However, much of what is known about Chinas air power is based on open-source information. Like their U.S. counterparts, Chinas leaders do not publicize all military developments. The Rand report points to the need for U.S. military planners to identify possible or probable vectors along which the PLA is likely to target U.S. interests in any armed clash. Such knowledge is also useful during times of peace to prevent military-to-military contact that might unwittingly help the PLA further advance its capabilities, the report concludes. BEIJING (Reuters) - China will ban imports of pigs, wild boars and related products from Cambodia, its customs said on Monday, after the Southeast nation reported its first case of the highly-contagious disease. That comes as China is already battling the virus after it spread to every province and region on its mainland since first being detected there in early August. Cambodia reported its first outbreak African swine fever in backyard pigs in early April. (Reporting by Hallie Gu and Dominique Patton) China Machinery Engineering Corporation (HKG:1829) is a stock with outstanding fundamental characteristics. When we build an investment case, we need to look at the stock with a holistic perspective. In the case of 1829, it is a financially-robust company with a a strong history superior dividend payments, trading at a discount. Below is a brief commentary on these key aspects. For those interested in digger a bit deeper into my commentary, read the full report on China Machinery Engineering here. Very undervalued with excellent balance sheet and pays a dividend 1829 is financially robust, with ample cash on hand and short-term investments to meet upcoming liabilities. This indicates that 1829 has sufficient cash flows and proper cash management in place, which is a key determinant of the companys health. 1829 seems to have put its debt to good use, generating operating cash levels of 1.15x total debt in the most recent year. This is also a good indication as to whether debt is properly covered by the companys cash flows. 1829's share price is trading at below its true value, meaning that the market sentiment for the stock is currently bearish. This mispricing gives investors the opportunity to buy into the stock at a cheap price compared to the value they will be receiving, should analysts' consensus forecast growth be correct. Also, relative to the rest of its peers with similar levels of earnings, 1829's share price is trading below the group's average. This bolsters the proposition that 1829's price is currently discounted. SEHK:1829 Price Estimation Relative to Market, April 29th 2019 1829's high dividend payments make it one of the best dividend stocks on the market, and its profitability ensures that dividends are well-covered by its net income. SEHK:1829 Historical Dividend Yield, April 29th 2019 Next Steps: For China Machinery Engineering, there are three fundamental factors you should further research: Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for 1829s future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for 1829s outlook. Historical Performance: What has 1829's returns been like over the past? Go into more detail in the past track record analysis and take a look at the free visual representations of our analysis for more clarity. Other Attractive Alternatives : Are there other well-rounded stocks you could be holding instead of 1829? Explore our interactive list of stocks with large potential to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. By Andrei Makhovsky, Vladimir Soldatkin and Olga Yagova MINSK/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Clean Russian oil had reached the border with Belarus by midday on Monday, a Russian official said, five days after European refineries suspended imports because of contamination in the Druzhba pipeline. Poland, Germany, Ukraine, Slovakia and other countries on the network suspended oil imports via the Druzhba pipeline after finding contaminants that can damage refinery equipment. "As planned, at 1200 (0900 GMT) on April 29 oil ... has reached ... the Druzhba pipeline's Unecha border station," Ilya Dzhus, spokesman for Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, said in a statement. Belarus had earlier said that clean Russian oil had yet to reach its borders via the pipeline -- a major source of oil supply across Europe -- after tainted crude prompted several importers to halt flows last week. State-run oil company Belneftekhim said that Belarusian refineries were still running at reduced capacity, though Moscow had said it would start pumping clean crude through the Druzhba network from Monday. Negotiations with Moscow over Belneftekhim's oil supply will continue, one of its deputy chairmen, Vladimir Sizov, told Reuters as he left talks at the Russian Energy Ministry on Monday. The Druzhba network supplies refineries as far west as Germany. Belneftekhim spokeswoman Marina Kostyuchenko said that clean Russian oil may reach the country later than Monday. "For now, I don't see that it (oil) will arrive today ... Even if oil has reached the Russian side (of the border), time is needed (for it) to arrive to us," she said. Moscow had also said on Friday that it would take two weeks to stabilise supplies across the Druzhba network, which has northern and southern pipeline spurs. A source with a buyer at the northern Druzhba leg on Monday said that supplies via Adamova Zastava to Poland and Germany remained halted and were not expected to resume in the short term. Story continues 'NO SOLUTION' The problems arose when an unidentified Russian producer contaminated oil with high levels of organic chloride, which is typically used to boost oil output but which must be separated before shipment to avoid damaging refiners' processing units. It remains unclear how contaminants got into the pipeline system near the Russian city of Samara on the Volga river. "Clean Urals is about to reach the Belarus border, but it doesnt solve anything. No solution. The situation is worse than it seems," an industry source familiar with the talks told Reuters. Russia has not offered specifics about how it planned to clean out contaminated oil from the whole network. Druzhba can ship up to 1 million barrels per day, amounting to 1 percent of global crude demand. Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin told reporters in Minsk after Friday's talks that one option was to mix clean oil with the contaminated crude. Another is to transport clean oil by rail tankers, Russian Railways said last week. Some Western buyers last week refused to take Urals cargoes loading from the Baltic port of Ust-Luga, which also received contaminated oil. A port official and traders on Friday said loadings had resumed. Traders working with the port told Reuters on Monday that loadings were continuing but the organic chlorides content in the crude was rising. "It has reached around 200 ppm (parts per million) in cargoes recently loaded from the port," one trader said. The regular ratio is about 10 ppm. Oil flows from nearby Primorsk as well as Novorossiisk and Kozmino in Russia's far east were not affected, traders said. In total Russia exports about 4 million barrels of oil per day. Some European refineries have turned to supplies through other pipelines, but analysts say those routes have limited capacity. Czech oil refiner Unipetrol has asked the government to lend it crude from state reserves, with amounts to be discussed at a meeting on Monday. Russian pipeline monopoly Transneft is investigating the matter, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday, adding that this could lead to a wider inquiry, possibly including law enforcement agencies. The pipeline issue has cut off a major supply route for Polish refineries owned by PKN Orlen and Grupa Lotos, as well as plants in Germany owned by Total, Shell, Eni and Rosneft. (Reporting by Andrey Makhovsky in MINSK, Robert Muleer in PRAGUE, Olga Yagova, Gleb Gorodyankin, Vladimir Soldatkin, Darya Korsunskaya and Maria Tsvetkova in MOSCOW; Writing by Katya Golubkova; Editing by Edmund Blair and David Goodman) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A Minneapolis police officer who shot and killed an unarmed woman who approached his squad car minutes after calling 911 was caught up in "a perfect storm" of events but "acted as he was trained," his attorney argued Monday. Prosecutors countered that Mohamed Noor was responsible for "a tragic event of his own making" in 2017 when he shot Justine Ruszczyk Damond, a dual U.S.-Australia citizen who had summoned police when she heard a possible rape in the alley behind her home. They urged jurors to find Noor guilty on all counts. The case went to the jury almost a month after jury selection began in a catastrophic shooting that prompted anger and disbelief in the U.S. and abroad. Noor, who was fired after he was charged , faces two counts of murder and one of manslaughter. The jury broke for the day Monday evening without a quick verdict and was to return Tuesday morning. Jurors are sequestered until reaching a verdict. Noor's attorney, Thomas Plunkett, launched his closing by banging on his lectern, shouting a profanity and yelling, "Pow!" Plunkett was recreating testimony by Noor that he heard a loud bang right before Damond approached his squad car, followed by his partner swearing and struggling to pull out his gun. Noor testified he saw Damond raise her right arm before he fired. "It's the perfect storm," Plunkett said. "That is the whole case." He urged jurors to look at the precise moment of the shooting, without the benefit of hindsight, and consider whether a reasonable officer would do the same thing when confronted by the same factors as Noor. "Mr. Noor acted as he was trained. He acted as a reasonable police officer," Plunkett said. Earlier, prosecutor Amy Sweasy attacked Noor's credibility and questioned his claim that he and partner Matthew Harrity heard a loud noise that startled them just before a woman appeared at Harrity's window. Noor testified that he saw a woman raise her arm and he fired to save Harrity's life. Story continues Sweasy reminded jurors of the chaotic aftermath of the shooting, with responding officers trying to figure out what had happened. She said that's when the notion of a loud bang emerged, calling it a theory that took on a life of its own. She noted that neither Noor nor Harrity mentioned the bang at the scene, with Harrity first talking about it three days later in an interview with a state investigator, and pointed out that Damond's fingerprints were not found on the squad car. "There is no conclusive proof she ever touched that car," Sweasy said. She also took issue with Noor's testimony that he saw fear in Harrity's eyes as Damond appeared at the window, that Harrity said "Oh Jesus!" and that Harrity was struggling to pull his gun when Noor fired. "Whatever Harrity said or did, it was not a command for the defendant to shoot and kill Ms. Ruszczyk," Sweasy said. Noor faces three counts, including second-degree intentional murder, which is the most serious, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. For the intentional murder count, Sweasy said, Noor knew he was shooting at a person, intended to shoot at her, and knew death would result. She said Noor put his finger on the trigger, aimed and shot Damond with the intent of stopping the threat. Both Plunkett and Sweasy explained that officers are authorized to use deadly force to protect themselves or someone else from apparent death or great bodily harm. The standard that must be applied is whether a reasonable police officer would use the same level of force in the same situation, without the benefit of hindsight. Plunkett said Noor made an objectively reasonable decision, and it ended up being a tragedy, not a crime. "Regardless of your decision, Mr. Noor is going to have to live with the fact that he took an innocent life," Plunkett told the jury. After closings, Judge Kathryn Quaintance dismissed alternate jurors, leaving a jury of 10 men and two women. Half the jurors, including both women, are people of color. The death of Damond, 40, a life coach who was engaged to be married a month after the shooting, sparked outrage in both the U.S. and Australia, cost Minneapolis' police chief her job and contributed to the electoral defeat of the city's mayor a few months later. Noor, 33, is a Somali American who became a police officer with a mid-career switch from jobs in the business world. He broke more than 1 years of silence about the shooting when he testified in his defense last week, saying he became a police officer because he "wanted to serve." His hiring two years before the shooting was celebrated by Minneapolis leaders as a sign of a diversifying police force in a city with a large population of Somali immigrants. Neither officer had a body camera running when Damond was shot, something Harrity blamed on what he called a vague policy that didn't require it. The department toughened the policy after Damond's death to require that the cameras be turned on when responding to a call. ___ Follow Amy Forliti on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/amyforliti ___ Check out the AP's complete coverage of Mohamed Noor's trial. WASHINGTON The Navy fired the commander of the Guantanamo Bay military prison in Cuba on Saturday for "loss of confidence in his ability to command." Navy Rear Adm. John Ring was relieved of his command following a Navy investigation. Adm. Craig Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command, fired Ring for loss of confidence in his ability to command, according to Army Col. Amanda Azubuike, a spokeswoman for Southern Command. The nature of the investigation was not disclosed. The facilitys deputy commander, Army Brig. Gen. John Hussey, was designated the acting commander. Ring took command in 2018 of the task force that oversees the prison facilities at Guantanamo, which opened after the 9/11 terror attacks. Enemy combatants swept up on battlefields in Afghanistan were the first to arrive and were detained in chain-link fence cells. Those have been replaced by modern prison facilities. A statement from the command said the change in leadership will not interrupt the safe, humane, legal care and custody provided to the detainee population at GTMO. Ring was commissioned in 1988 after going through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Arizona, according to a Joint Task Force Guantanamo biography. In 1990, he was designated a naval flight officer. About 40 prisoners are held at the facility. At its peak, in mid-2003, it held nearly 700. Most of the prisoners have been returned to their native countries. Among those who remain is Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who is accused of plotting the Sept. 11 terror attacks. The military tribunal set up to try Mohammed and others charged with terrorist acts has been stalled for years over issues such as evidence gathered during interrogations that included waterboarding. Contributing: The Associated Press In this Wednesday, April 17, 2019, file photo reviewed by U.S. military officials, U.S. Navy Rear Adm. John Ring, Joint Task Force Guantanamo Commander, pauses while speaking during a roundtable discussion with the media, at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. Military officials say that Ring has been fired for a loss of confidence in his ability to command. A statement from U.S. Southern Command says Ring was relieved of duty Saturday, April 27. Want news from USA TODAY on WhatsApp? Click this link on your mobile device to get started More: Ex-Gitmo detainee weighs in on Trump executive order to keep facility open More: Trump signs order to keep Guantanamo Bay detention center open This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Commander of Guantanamo Bay military prison fired for 'loss of confidence in his ability to command' Examining how China Financial Services Holdings Limited (HKG:605) is performing as a company requires looking at more than just a years' earnings. Below, I will run you through a simple sense check to build perspective on how China Financial Services Holdings is doing by comparing its most recent earnings with its historical trend, in addition to the performance of its consumer finance industry peers. See our latest analysis for China Financial Services Holdings How Well Did 605 Perform? 605's trailing twelve-month earnings (from 31 December 2018) of HK$270m has declined by -5.7% compared to the previous year. Furthermore, this one-year growth rate has been lower than its average earnings growth rate over the past 5 years of 1.1%, indicating the rate at which 605 is growing has slowed down. Why could this be happening? Well, let's look at what's transpiring with margins and if the whole industry is facing the same headwind. SEHK:605 Income Statement, April 29th 2019 In terms of returns from investment, China Financial Services Holdings has fallen short of achieving a 20% return on equity (ROE), recording 7.7% instead. However, its return on assets (ROA) of 7.0% exceeds the HK Consumer Finance industry of 5.9%, indicating China Financial Services Holdings has used its assets more efficiently. Though, its return on capital (ROC), which also accounts for China Financial Services Holdingss debt level, has declined over the past 3 years from 16% to 13%. This correlates with an increase in debt holding, with debt-to-equity ratio rising from 24% to 50% over the past 5 years. What does this mean? China Financial Services Holdings's track record can be a valuable insight into its earnings performance, but it certainly doesn't tell the whole story. Generally companies that face a prolonged period of reduction in earnings are going through some sort of reinvestment phase Although, if the whole industry is struggling to grow over time, it may be a signal of a structural change, which makes China Financial Services Holdings and its peers a higher risk investment. You should continue to research China Financial Services Holdings to get a more holistic view of the stock by looking at: Story continues Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for 605s future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for 605s outlook. Financial Health: Are 605s operations financially sustainable? Balance sheets can be hard to analyze, which is why weve done it for you. Check out our financial health checks here. Other High-Performing Stocks: Are there other stocks that provide better prospects with proven track records? Explore our free list of these great stocks here. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the trailing twelve months from 31 December 2018. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. 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. DETROIT The stories are scary: They tell of cops across the nation overdosing by accidentally touching fentanyl while searching cars in traffic stops or rendering first aid. Except toxicologists say the stories also are wrong and that they create unnecessary panic. Touching a small amount of fentanyl won't cause an overdose, experts say. "If you could absorb drugs by touching them, why would people bother to inject them?'' said Dr. Andrew Stolbach, a medical toxicologist and emergency physician at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. He's also an expert on the subject of fentanyl exposure. Drugs like fentanyl and analogs of fentanyl aren't absorbed through the skin very well at all," Stolbach said. "So brief, incidental contact isn't going to cause somebody to absorb a therapeutic dose, let alone a toxic dose." So what is fentanyl, anyway? Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that's 50 times stronger than heroin and up to 100 times more potent than morphine. It comes in many varieties or analogs. Carfentanil, intended for use as an elephant tranquilizer, is one of those analogs. It's 100 times stronger than fentanyl. Pharmaceutical fentanyl is used in hospitals, often in a patch, for patients with extreme pain. But even then, said Dr. Ryan Marino, an emergency medicine physician and toxicologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, it's not easily absorbed . "Fentanyl patches require putting fentanyl into special liquid vehicles so it can be absorbed through skin, and then sealing them against the skin for 72 hours at a time," Marino said. "The patches took decades and millions of dollars to develop and are still incredibly slow and inefficient." What's sold on the street, and what first responders come into contact with, is illicit fentanyl. It's mixed with heroin or other drugs often without the user's knowledge. Snorted, injected or sometimes swallowed in pills, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventinon says fentanyl is the deadliest drug in the nation, responsible for more deaths than any other drug. Story continues In 2017, more than 28,000 of the nation's overdose deaths involved synthetic opioids, according to the CDC. In most cases, the opioid involved was fentanyl or one of its analogs. Lemont Gore, who works with drug users as street outreach coordinator for Unified HIV Health and Beyond in Ypsilanti, Michigan, said he doesn't know of any overdoses from casually touching fentanyl. "The person that is selling fentanyl ... that person, for the most part, I would doubt is a chemist and they're handling it," Gore said. On top of that, experts said overdosing from unintentionally inhaling fentanyl is difficult because the opioid doesn't naturally become airborne. For that to happen, someone would have to scatter it into the air. Or, as Marino said, "You would have to be in some sort of wind tunnel with massive amounts of fentanyl. "That wouldn't exist in the real world," he said. The most likely route of unintended exposure would be this: Someone with fentanyl on their hands rubs it into their eyes or nose; mucous membranes absorb fentanyl. But being that careless would be at odds with universal precautions first responders are trained to take, Marino said. Police recall supposed fentanyl encounters Reports continue of law enforcement officers getting sick after touching fentanyl across the country, most recently in Iowa, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Arizona. In Michigan, there were two reports of accidental exposure last month. A Michigan State Police trooper became sick after getting a substance on his hands during a mid-March traffic stop in Lincoln Park, the agency said. "Were pretty confident it was fentanyl just by the way he reacted,'' said spokesman 1st Lt. Mike Shaw. Signs of a fentanyl overdose include slowed breathing, grogginess or loss of consciousness and pupils that look like pinpoints The trooper experienced difficulty breathing and pinpoint pupils, Shaw said. Fentanyl Project: Bundles of drugs found after Wayne County Sheriff narcotic officers performed street arrests after raiding a suspected drug house in a north Detroit neighborhood on Thursday, August 3rd, 2006. ROMAIN BLANQUART/Detroit Free Press When told toxicologists say it's impossible to overdose by touching fentanyl, Shaw said he wouldn't argue with scientists. "All I know is the trooper was searching the car, was exposed to something, got sick and got two doses of Narcan and recovered," the police spokesman said. Narcan is an opioid-reversal drug. Another officer became ill while searching a car during a March traffic stop in Saginaw. The contents of a package blew onto the trooper's uniform, according to Lt. Jim Lang, an assistant commander in the area. The trooper returned to his own car. After 10 or 15 minutes, he felt light-headed and dizzy, Lang said. He experienced double vision. He felt blood rushing to his head. After two doses of Narcan one he administered himself the trooper recovered. Lab results confirmed that the substance in question contained fentanyl, Lang said. So what's really happening to police? The American College of Medical Toxicology and the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology issued a paper in 2017 saying the odds of first responders overdosing from inadvertent on-the-job contact with fenanyl is "extremely low." So, what's happening to these first responders? "It is impossible to overdose from accidentally touching fentanyl. The odds are zero," said Marino. "The police are now getting sick actually sick because of bad information, though they are not overdosing. But bad information is ... taking a serious toll." He and other experts believe the reaction of police is being fueled by panic. "The vast majority of emergency responders that are around fentanyl and fentanyl analogs are experiencing no symptoms at all," said Stolbach. But for those who do have symptoms, he said, "anxiety associated with being concerned with being exposed probably accounts for many of these symptoms." Stories about inadvertent overdoses create hysteria, which creates the potential for delays in treatment of people who are sick from drugs. "I've heard stories where people will wait and they're putting on hazmat suits," Marino said. "And when people aren't breathing, time is kind of critical." This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Cops say touching fentanyl is making them sick. Impossible, doctors say. News about a good book often travels fast. Readers love to share what they are reading and talk about the last great character or plot-twist they encountered. At the library, all of that shared information turns into some books being checked out more often than others. As we look back at 202 Covanta Holding Corporation CVA delivered first-quarter 2019 earnings of 3 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of loss of 16 cents. However, the figure declined from $1.53 per share in the year-ago quarter. Revenues In the quarter under review, the company's revenues amounted to $453 million, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $455 million by 0.45%. Also, the top line declined 1% on a year-over-year basis. The figure was impacted by lower Commodity prices. Covanta Holding Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Covanta Holding Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Covanta Holding Corporation Quote Operational Update Covanta Holdings total adjusted operating expenses were $461 million, up 5.2% year over year. Interest expenses amounted to $36 million, down 5.2% year over year. In the first quarter, the company reached financial closure on Rookery project with the Green Investment Group. Financial Condition The company had cash and cash equivalents of $88 million as of Mar 31, 2019 compared with $58 million as of Dec 31, 2018. Long-term and project debt was $2,393 million as of Mar 31, 2019 compared with $2,327 million as of Dec 31, 2018. Net cash from operating activities in the first quarter was $37 million, up from $3 million in the year-ago quarter. Guidance Covanta Holding affirmed 2019 adjusted EBITDA in the range of $440-$465 million and cash available for distribution (CAFD) in the band of $120-$145 million. Zacks Rank Covanta Holding currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Other Oil & Energy Releases TOTAL S.A. TOT delivered first-quarter 2019 operating earnings of $1.02 per share (0.90), which lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.09 by 6.4%. Anadarko Petroleum Corporations APC first-quarter 2019 adjusted earnings of 53 cents per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 30 cents by 76.67%. Story continues Upcoming Release Occidental Petroleum Corporation OXY is expected to release first-quarter 2019 results on May 6. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at 72 cents. Today's Best Stocks from Zacks Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2018, while the S&P 500 gained +15.8%, five of our screens returned +38.0%, +61.3%, +61.6%, +68.1%, and +98.3%. This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 2018, while the S&P averaged +4.8% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +56.2% per year. See their latest picks free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report TOTAL S.A. (TOT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (APC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Occidental Petroleum Corporation (OXY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Covanta Holding Corporation (CVA) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Summer travel can be pricey. Credit card rewards and sign-up bonuses can help you save money when booking your trip. But don't overlook the potential for savings from cardholder benefits. Money-saving credit card perks that could help you this summer include: -- Free hotel night on your account anniversary -- Free hotel night with booking -- Travel credits -- Trip protections -- Companion airfare certificate -- Free checked bags -- Waived foreign transaction fees [Read: Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards.] Travel Credit Card Perks That Offer Summer Savings Credit card rewards usually get the lion's share of attention, but these benefits can provide a lot of value. Free hotel night on your account anniversary. Many hotel credit cards offer a free hotel stay every year, typically at the same time you pay your annual fee. The value of the free anniversary night can be worth far more than the yearly cost. "You can save hundreds of dollars, depending on the hotel you use them for," says Patti Geroulis, co-founder of The Travel Sisters, which offers advice on using credit card rewards. "I usually book a hotel in the highest category allowed. Another way to maximize the value is to book a hotel in an expensive destination, which would be pricey if I had to pay in cash." Just watch out for added costs, including resort and parking fees. Your free night certificate typically doesn't cover these expenses. Free hotel night with booking. Some credit cards grant you a free night if you book a specified number of consecutive nights, usually four or five. So on a six-night hotel stay, you'd only have to pay for five nights. Depending on where you're staying, this benefit could save you hundreds of dollars. But keep in mind some costs, such as taxes and fees, may not be included. Travel credits. Several credit cards provide various forms of travel credits to help cover the cost of your trip. You could get access to travel credits to pay for airfare, hotels or other travel expenses, or airline fee credits that cover checked bags, in-flight refreshments or other costs. Story continues Depending on the card, though, there may be some limitations. For example, you might only be able to use your fee credit on one airline. "Usually travel cards that have (travel) credits have high annual fees," says Geroulis, "so make sure you can use your credits when deciding if your travel card is worth keeping." Trip protections. Depending on which credit card you have, you could have access to travel insurance benefits. In addition to rental car insurance, you might get trip cancellation and interruption protection, lost or delayed baggage insurance, travel accident insurance, or even emergency evacuation and transportation insurance. Geroulis says many people leave money on the table by not taking advantage of their card's trip protections. "People apply for travel credit cards for the free points and don't pay attention to all the benefits," she says. "Also, reading the fine print can be boring, so many cardholders don't read through their credit card agreement." To maximize the value of these benefits, take the time to read through your card agreement and your benefits guide. Understand what's covered and how much benefit you can receive. Rental car insurance can be particularly valuable if it provides primary coverage. Primary coverage means you can file a claim with the card's insurance policy first, rather than starting with your personal auto insurance like you would with secondary coverage. Dan Miller, owner of travel blog Points With a Crew, says using credit card car rental insurance saved his mom nearly $1,000 during a trip to Scotland. Companion airfare certificate. A handful of airline credit cards provide a free companion airfare certificate, either as part of an introductory offer or on an annual basis. Depending on the card, the certificate can be good for an entire fare or a set amount, say $100, essentially giving you a discount. Before you plan your trip, make sure you understand the perk's conditions and whether you can use it. For example, you might not be able to use a certificate on a first-class ticket, or you might be restricted on where you can travel. [Read: Best Hotel Credit Cards.] Free checked bags. Many airline credit cards let you check your first bag for free when you fly, which can save you $30 each way with some airlines. Here's the real kicker, though: Some cards will even waive the fee for a certain number of people who are traveling with you. Most Delta credit cards extend the benefit to nine passengers on the same reservation, says Miller, who frequently travels with his family of eight. "That savings can really add up." To give you an idea of the savings potential, paying $30 each way for nine checked bags round trip would normally cost $540. If you often travel with family and friends, this feature could really pay off. Again, read the fine print if you have a card with this benefit. Some cards may require you to pay for the flight in full with your credit card, while others just require you to add your frequent flyer number to the reservation. Waived foreign transaction fees. Travel credit cards often have this perk, so it doesn't get a lot of fanfare. But if you're planning a long trip abroad, the savings can add up. The typical foreign transaction fee is 3% of all transactions you incur internationally. So if you spend $3,000 while on your international trip, you'll save $90. Note, however, that a foreign transaction fee is not the same as the currency conversion fee that a merchant might charge. If you're in another country and the cashier offers to charge you in U.S. dollars instead of the local currency, that person may add a fee for the service or use an unfavorable exchange rate. To avoid this extra charge, always opt to pay in the local currency. [Read: Best Airline Credit Cards.] How to Pick a Travel Credit Card Based on Perks Having the right travel credit card perks can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars over time. But no credit card offers all of them, so it's important to take the time to compare different options to find the best one for you. Start by thinking about your travel habits. Instead of focusing on just your upcoming summer trip, think about credit card perks that you can use on most, if not all, of your future vacations. For example, if you prefer road trips over flights, getting a card that offers airline-related savings likely won't provide much value. The same goes with hotel-related perks if you frequently travel but always stay with family or friends instead of at a hotel. Also, consider the card's annual fee. Some of the best travel perks come on cards that charge annual fees in the hundreds of dollars. But if you're not going to get that money back in value, it won't be worth it. On the flip side, some credit cards have benefits that easily make up for their annual fee -- plus some. With hotel credit cards that offer an annual free night stay, for instance, you may never have to use the card for anything else to ensure the benefits outweigh the costs. Finally, don't forget about the rewards. Travel benefits can provide savings while you're on your trip, but a credit card with a great rewards program can help you accumulate value during the rest of the year. Just keep in mind that there's usually a trade-off. A card might provide excellent rewards but lackluster travel perks. Or it could have both but charge a triple-digit annual fee. Find a balance that best suits your travel needs. Prague (AFP) - Thousands of Czechs marched Monday against the nomination of a new justice minister seen as an ally of billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babis who faces allegations of involvement in an EU aid scandal. Marie Benesova is a former member of the Social Democratic CSSD party which now supports Babis in parliament. She is expected to be named justice minister on Tuesday by President Milos Zeman, who is also seen as close to the premier. Protesters shouted slogans "Independent Justice," "We are not blind," "We want an honest government," as they carried Czech and EU flags in protests across the country organised by the Million Moments for Democracy NGO. "We fear that the prime minister might escape justice," said the NGO's Mikulas Minar, who has organised several demonstrations against Babis and the president. Organisers said similar protests were held in 100 towns across the country. Benesova, 71, who was justice minister in 2013-2014 and chief prosecutor in 1999-2005, will replace Jan Knezinek. Just before he resigned earlier this month, the police recommended that Babis be charged with fraud in connection with a two-million-euro EU subsidy scam. If found guilty, the prime minister could be jailed for up to 10 years. Babis is the Czech Republic's second wealthiest man, according to Forbes, having built his fortune in agro-chemicals. He has consistently rejected the accusations against him as a plot and politically inspired. His populist party ANO emerged as the biggest party in October 2017 legislative elections with 78 of 200 seats in the lower house where it joined forces with the CSSD social democrats to form a minority government supported by the communists. PRAGUE, April 29 (Reuters) - Thousands protested around the Czech Republic on Monday against a justice minister nominee they fear might meddle with a criminal case involving the prime minister. President Milos Zeman will appoint Marie Benesova on Tuesday after the resignation of her predecessor, bringing opposition accusations of pressure on courts as Andrej Babis faces a potential fraud trial over European Union subsidies more than a decade ago. Babis, a billionaire media and chemicals businessman before entering politics, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and has called the investigation a plot to force him out of politics. Czech police said on April 17 that Babis and others should stand trial for the alleged fraud involving the handling of a 2 million euro EU subsidy - charges that could see the prime minister jailed for up to 10 years. Justice Minister Jan Knezinek resigned the day after the police wrapped up their investigation. Babis said Knezinek's position had only been intended to be temporary. His departure came amid a wider cabinet shuffle. On Monday, protesters marched from the Prague Castle, the seat of the Czech president, through the capital's medieval center to the Old Town Square. Marchers chanted "We have had enough" and organizers carried banners saying "Justice." The website of daily Mlada Fronta Dnes reported 10,000 demonstrated in the capital. In the country's second largest city, Brno, around 3,000 marched, according to estimates of news website SeznamZpravy.cz. Czech Television reported protesters turned out in 105 spots in the country of 10.6 million. Benesova had previously served in a caretaker cabinet in 2013, appointed by President Zeman - who has backed Babis. She was the top state attorney, appointed by a Zeman-led government in 1999. She supported Babis in 2017 when she abstained in a lower house vote on lifting his parliamentary immunity. Despite the investigation, Babis's ANO party maintains a firm poll lead after sweeping to power in a 2017 election when it won three times the votes of its nearest competitor with pledges to end politics as usual and bring a businessman's touch to governance. Babis, the country's second richest person, has long fought accusations of conflicts of interest because of his vast business interests. He put his Agrofert business empire into trusts in 2017 to meet new Czech legislation. (Writing by Robert Muller; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) By Joseph White April 29 (Reuters) - The tiny, two-person Smart cars once pitched as the next big thing in urban mobility will be discontinued in the United States and Canada at the end of the current model year, German automaker Daimler AG said on Monday. Smart cars, with their unique styling and ability to fit in half a parking space, found an audience in densely populated U.S. and Canadian cities. But that audience was small and rapidly declining. Smart reported just 90 cars sold in the United States during March, down 18 percent from the year before. U.S. sales of a wide range of small cars have collapsed over the past several years as relatively cheap gasoline and a strong economy have encouraged consumers to buy larger trucks and sport utility vehicles. The Smart brand's electric cars offered just 58 miles (93 km) of driving range. Competing models such as the "mid-range" Tesla Model 3, with an estimated range of 264 miles, offered more range and more room for passengers and cargo. The range figures are from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Daimler's Mercedes-Benz brand, in a statement, cited "a number of factors" for the decision to end Smart's run in the United States and Canada, "including a declining micro-car market in the U.S. and Canada, combined with high homologation costs for a low volume model." Homologation refers to the changes required to bring the European-designed Smart in line with U.S. regulations. Daimler ended sales of gasoline-fueled Smart cars in 2017. Mercedes plans to bring new, larger electric vehicles to the United States, starting with the launch of the EQC sport utility next year. Those vehicles will help Mercedes meet zero emission vehicle quotas in California and other states. Mercedes dealers will still offer parts and repairs for Smart cars, the company said. (Reporting by Joseph White in Detroit Editing by Matthew Lewis) ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) The man accused of killing five people at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland, is pleading not guilty by reason of insanity. Lawyers for Jarrod Ramos said in a court filing Monday that the 39-year-old Ramos is not criminally responsible "because of a mental disorder." The filing also says he lacked the "capacity to appreciate the criminality of his conduct." Ramos previously pleaded not guilty. Five people were fatally shot in June 2018 in the Capital Gazette newsroom. Ramos was indicted on 23 charges in the attack, including first-degree murder. If Ramos were found not criminally responsible, he could be confined to a mental health prison facility. A November trial has been set. DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc. XRAY is scheduled to release first-quarter 2019 results on May 3, before the opening bell. In the last reported quarter, the company delivered a positive earnings surprise of 7.4%. Further, it has an average four-quarter positive surprise of 0.2%. Lets take a look at how things are shaping up prior to this announcement. Which Way are Q1 Estimates Treading? For the first quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $917.1 million, indicating a decline of 4.1% from the year-ago quarter. The consensus estimate for the bottom line is pegged at 38 cents, suggesting a fall of 15.6% from the year-ago reported figure. Factors to Influence Q1 DENTSPLY SIRONAs overall growth strategy depends on product innovation, and research and development (R&D) focus, which is likely to drive sales in the first quarter. This apart, solid track record of innovation and a dedicated, passionate workforce might contribute to the overall performance. The company might have experienced growth in Consumables revenues in the to-be-reported quarter, backed by recovery of the operational issues at the European Distribution Center in Venlo, Netherlands. Further, the company is likely to witness better performance at Technology & Equipment in the first quarter, which can partly be attributed to resolution of the 2018 inventory destocking and introduction of substantial innovations. The company is likely to have reported higher European revenues, primarily driven by solid consumable sales and recovery from the Venlo distribution center. This apart, the companys global platform helps it to benefit from faster growing international markets. This in turn, might have resulted in higher world revenues in the to-be-reported quarter. Per management, the company might record lower revenues in the first quarter, compared with the year-ago quarter owing to dentists putting a pause on purchases until the Biannual International Dental Show (held in March). For 2019, however, the company estimates revenues to range between $3.95 billion and $4.05 billion, representing an underlying growth of 4-5% over 2018. Further, a recovery from the 2018 dealer destocking is anticipated to positively impact 2019 revenues by 2.5%. According to the companys restructuring plan, one of the priorities is to expand margins. One of the ways is through portfolio shaping. The company is utilizing the opportunities to exit underperforming businesses, consequently reducing cost and complexity. The company estimates incurring lower operating expenses in 2019, reflecting restructuring expected recurrent savings of about $60 million and one-time restructuring expenditures of $120 million in cash. Moreover, in 2019, the company projects adjusted gross profit margin to improve from approximately 57%, backed by higher revenues, savings from restructuring initiatives, portfolio trimming, and favorable foreign exchange impact. Execution of cost saving opportunities is likely to bolster bottom-line growth in 2019. Story continues DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc. Price and EPS Surprise DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc. Quote However, in the first quarter company expects gross margin to be the lowest, primarily owing to the timing of the shipments and restructuring savings. Further, selling, general and administrative expenses are projected to be higher in the first quarter due to the timing of expenses related to the IDS and investments in new products. DENTSPLY SIRONAs significant international presence poses a threat to the companys to-be-reported. Foreign exchange is estimated to negatively impact 2019 revenues of 2.5% or $100 million, given the current rates for the remainder of the year. What Our Quantitative Model Suggests Per the proven Zacks model, a company with a favorable Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) has a good chance of beating estimates if it also has a positive Earnings ESP. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. DENTSPLY SIRONA has a Zacks Rank #2 and an Earnings ESP of -1.12%, a combination that makes surprise prediction difficult. Please note that we caution against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is witnessing negative estimate revisions. Stocks Worth a Look Here are some stocks worth considering from the broader medical space as these have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this time around. Teleflex Incorporated TFX has an Earnings ESP of +1.65% and a Zacks Rank #3. Cardinal Health, Inc. CAH has an Earnings ESP of +1.13% and a Zacks Rank #3. STERIS plc STE has an Earnings ESP of +0.35% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here . Today's Best Stocks from Zacks Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2018, while the S&P 500 gained +15.8%, five of our screens returned +38.0%, +61.3%, +61.6%, +68.1%, and +98.3%. This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 2018, while the S&P averaged +4.8% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +56.2% per year. See their latest picks free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Teleflex Incorporated (TFX) : Free Stock Analysis Report STERIS plc (STE) : Free Stock Analysis Report DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc. (XRAY) : Free Stock Analysis Report Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Crews demolished the old play structure in the Panhandle earlier this month. | Photo: Camden Avery/Hoodline On Thursday morning, the renovation of the Panhandle Playground officially broke ground, with a ceremony that included Mayor London Breed and District 5 Supervisor Vallie Brown. The Panhandle groundbreaking was also the ceremonial kickoff for work on four other city playgrounds Alice Chalmers, McLaren, Merced Heights, and Sgt. Macaulay that are part of the SF Recreation & Parks Department's Let'sPlaySF! program, which is aiming to conduct a sweeping overhaul of 13 public playgrounds citywide. The program is specifically targeted at "low-income neighborhoods dense with children," as part of an effort to improve neighborhood equity for underserved groups. Chalmers, in the Outer Mission, had previously been declared the city's worst-maintained park, while Sgt. Macaulay sits in the heart of the Tenderloin. With $22 million in voter-approved public funds already dedicated to the work, Let'sPlay is a collaboration between Rec & Park and the San Francisco Parks Alliance, which is contributing $14.5 million in private donations from its own coffers to help foot the bill. But the total budget for the project is still $5 million short of what's needed and the city is planning on private donors making up the entirety of that shortfall. Does this mean these under-renovation playgrounds could be left in the lurch? Rec & Park spokesperson Tamara Aparton said her agency isn't concerned about being able to see the upgrades through. "We are committed to the campaign," she said in an email, "and will continue until we have the funding for all 13 sites." She said groundbreaking ceremonies like Thursday's Panhandle event typically help build up excitement and draw donor funds. "We hope [they] will get more people excited to participate," she said. Panhandle playground-goers needn't worry about the shortfall; Aparton says the $3.2 million in funding for that project is secure. But the lack of funds could affect the next playgrounds on the Let'sPlay roster, whose renovations are scheduled to kick off later this year or early in 2020. Their ranks include the Buchanan Street Mall, Golden Gate Heights Park, Herz Playground, Juri Commons, Richmond Playground, Stern Grove, and West Portal. Those interested in supporting the project and helping to make up the $5 million budget shortfall can donate to Let'sPlay here. With the end of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty rapidly approaching, public discussion is shifting to the question of whether to extend New START, the 2010 treaty that will soon be the only remaining agreement limiting the size of the U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals. Under its terms, New START will expire in February 2021 unless both parties agree to an extension of up to five years. Advocates in the arms-control community, in Congress, and reportedly some in the administration argue that there is an urgent need to endorse extension now. Their principal argument is that if New START expires, the entire fabric of the Cold War arms-control structure crafted with the Soviet Union will unravel and ignite a nuclear-arms race. The question of extending New START, however, is far more complex and must be assessed in light of fundamental changes in the geostrategic environment since the treaty was negotiated a decade ago. A good beginning is to acknowledge the logic of the Trump administrations decision to withdraw from the INF Treaty. Here the facts are clear. Russian violations of the treaty followed by years of failed diplomatic efforts by both the Obama and the Trump administrations to bring Russia back into compliance left withdrawal as the only viable option. It makes no sense to maintain an agreement that bans two countries from a particular military capability if only one is abiding by the terms and the other is cheating, all while China, North Korea, and Iran are developing their own formidable arsenals of intermediate-range missiles. Failure to impose costs on Russia for its ongoing violations would undercut prospects for future, meaningful arms control by establishing that there are no consequences for breaching the central provisions of agreements. Moreover, the security situation in Europe and Asia has changed considerably with Russian deployments of modern INF capabilities and Chinas large-scale buildup of dual-capable mobile missiles (i.e., those that can carry either a nuclear or a conventional payload). As the National Defense Strategy suggests, the U.S. deterrent in both regions has deteriorated significantly over the past decade. In the absence of countervailing U.S. military capabilities, the prospects for deterrence failure and the likelihood that our adversaries will test U.S. resolve by using their capabilities to intimidate and coerce U.S. allies increase dramatically. While most, if not all, of the needed capabilities are likely to be conventional rather than nuclear, these deployments would have been precluded by remaining in the treaty. Story continues It is also important to revisit the fundamental flaws of New START. In 2010, both of us testified against ratification, highlighting the treatys shortcomings and providing our prediction, now proven accurate, that U.S. forces would go down and Russia would build up under the agreement. This was consistent with longstanding Soviet tactics that consistently used arms control to limit U.S. nuclear forces in a manner intended to gain unilateral advantages. We also emphasized the failure to limit theater nuclear forces, based on the fiction that nuclear attacks employing weapons with ranges less than 5,500 kilometers (3,400 miles) would not be strategic. For those who cared about whether agreements actually reduced the number of nuclear weapons on each side, we pointed out that the new bomber-counting rule contained in the fine print of New START allowed the deployment of more strategic warheads than the nominal 1,550 treaty limit, since it counted each bomber as one without regard to the actual weapons load. And we noted that Russia would likely deploy offensive strategic forces that were not explicitly restricted by the agreement, which it has now done. Finally, we warned that the treaty, in principle and practice, seemed to accept at least some limits on missile defenses and conventional, prompt global-strike capabilities. While these flaws were likely fully understood by the U.S. negotiators, the view of the Obama administration, reflected in its 2010 nuclear posture review, was that preventing nuclear proliferation was the overriding priority, which, the administration asserted, would be advanced by leading through example, taking steps toward a nuclear-free world, including measures that amounted to unilateral disarmament despite the fact that there has never been any empirical evidence to support this proposition, as a recent study by Georgetown professor Matthew Kroenig has persuasively demonstrated. And the administrations view of Russia was that, while it could be difficult to deal with, it was more of a partner than a threat that needed to be deterred. This benign view of Russia would change only with Moscows military intervention in Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea, followed by Putins support for Assad in Syria and his determination to challenge the U.S. at every opportunity. Looking forward, any new negotiations with Russia must consider the realities of todays security setting. These include the facts that: 1) With our loss of technical, policy, and operational competence in nuclear weapons, which is only now beginning to be recovered, Russia has likely succeeded in its determined drive to achieve superiority in nuclear forces at both the theater and the strategic level. Moscow has for years invested heavily in its nuclear-modernization program, developing and now deploying new mobile and heavy ICBMs, new submarine platforms and ballistic missiles, and an array of novel weapons, from longer-range underwater drones with megaton yields to air- and ground-launched cruise missiles based on new technologies to a family of hypersonic weapons. Russias position is that many of these weapons are not covered under New START, which demonstrates either another fundamental flaw of the treaty or the intention of Moscow to cheat on yet another arms-control agreement or both. 2) Russia has moved to a doctrine that emphasizes the centrality of nuclear weapons at all levels of conflict, including nuclear threats in peacetime to deter the U.S. and coerce our allies and the use of theater nuclear weapons to prevail in conventional conflicts; and 3) While Russia today has active production lines for a wide range of platforms and new warheads, the U.S. is only slowly moving forward to modernize its nuclear triad with uncertain funding and political impediments. Those who fear an arms race without New START ignore the race that started more than a decade ago, when Russia began aggressively enlarging and modernizing its nuclear forces, even with New START in place, while the U.S. largely stood still. Given that Russia today is a clear threat to the U.S. and our allies, and given the detrimental changes in the nuclear balance, any future arms-control negotiations clearly must include all nuclear-weapons types. The Senates 2010 ratification of New START made clear that any future agreement with Russia must take into account the huge disparity in theater capabilities. As Russia has expanded its nuclear forces at all ranges and in all theaters, making the distinction between strategic and non-strategic increasingly meaningless, this Senate-imposed condition has become even more important. This is especially the case for assuring U.S. allies and deterring Russia in Europe, where Russia reportedly holds a ten-to-one advantage in theater systems. Chinas nuclear forces must also be included in any future negotiations. Like Russia, with which it has greatly expanded its military relationship, China has been modernizing and expanding its nuclear arsenal for the past decade. It has developed and deployed new, mobile ICBMs and SLBMs and may be building a new heavy bomber. Beijing can no longer credibly make the case that its forces are so small and intended only for a secure, retaliatory deterrent that they need not be included in arms-control negotiations. China, as President Xi has made public, is embarked on becoming a world power. Beijing is challenging the U.S. throughout the Asia-Pacific, and nuclear weapons are a central component of its plans and increasingly pose a challenge for U.S. extended deterrence in Asia. It is imperative that, if U.S. nuclear forces are to be limited, Chinese forces must also be limited. Arms-control disciples have long treated arms-control agreements as ends in themselves and, once negotiated, as sacrosanct, as with the now defunct ABM treaty. Perhaps for this reason, too often negotiations have produced unsatisfactory treaties that have channeled strategic arms competition in ways that have proven inimical to U.S. security interests. We can no longer base our positions on disarmament ideology or misplaced nostalgia for the familiar ways of the Cold War. Arms control can contribute to our national security, but only if it reduces the dangers of the current security setting. Arms control must look forward, not backwards unlike New START, which, although negotiated 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, continued the traditional pattern of Cold War treaties. Todays disciples will reject the desiderata described above as nonnegotiable while frantically calling for the immediate extension of New START, warning, like Chicken Little, that the sky will fall if we dont act immediately. The U.S. needs a pragmatic approach that considers arms control as one of a number of tools that, in combination, support a broader strategy that includes developing the new nuclear and missile-defense capabilities prescribed by the recent DoD posture reviews. Only in this way can arms control serve our national interests. That we must move beyond the tired nostrums of Cold War arms control to address todays dangerous nuclear environment should surprise no one. Robert Joseph was under secretary of state for arms control and international security from 2005 to 2007. Eric S. Edelman was under secretary of defense for policy from 2005 to 2009. More from National Review Those looking for eye-catching antiques have been known to visit Dolly Python in East Dallas. Drawing famous clients like musical artist Leon Bridges and designer Jean Paul Gaultier, the vintage guru has a new shop, Dolly on Bishop, bringing her offerings to the Bishop Arts neighborhood with a new showroom. Owner Gretchen Hinkle Bell is looking forward to a summer opening for the space at 313 North Bishop Avenue, which will feature a curious collection of jewelry, vintage clothing, old records, and antique home and lifestyle decor. Designers can peruse furniture, collectibles, art, picture frames, signs, and more, but with only 1,300 square feet, Dolly on Bishop will be curated with smaller items that can be easily carried home. We plan on doing consignment with the vendors who are in our two shops, and maybe consigning a few exceptional pieces from friends and artists, says Bell. We want to encourage the Oak Cliff neighborhood to sell to us. We will definitely be buying from the public. While Bell may be the namesake for the stores, the business is a family affair. My husband has a wonderful eye and a talent for design and coordinating antiques with modern [decor]. There will probably be a lot of strange taxidermy, and a little weirdness. We are both pretty quirky and resourceful. So, it wont be boring, that is for sure! The decision to open Dolly on Bishop came after careful consideration by Bell and her husband, who want their family to be involved in the bustling neighborhood. It is definitely not the same Bishop Arts it was even three years ago. We have a two-year-old son whose school is two blocks away. We want him to have exposure to many different walks of life, Bell said. Bishop has that. Dolly on Bishop will have a soft opening in mid-May. US president Donald Trump speaks during a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Saturday (Picture: Getty) Donald Trump has sparked anger by making a false claim surrounding abortion that doctors execute newborn babies. The US president made the extraordinary claim that mothers and doctors are given the choice to end the babys life just after it is born. He made his astonishing comments at a Make America Great Again rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Saturday night. "The baby is born," Mr Trump told the crowd of 10,000 people at the Risch Center. "The mother meets with the doctor. They take care of the baby. They wrap the baby beautifully, and then the doctor and the mother determine whether or not they will execute the baby." Mr Trump made his comments after criticising Wisconsins Democrat governor Tony Evers for planning to veto a Republican-backed bill that would require doctors to fight to save the life of any baby born alive during an attempted abortion. Mr Trump made his controversial remarks about abortion during a rally in Wisconsin (Picture: Getty) The bill could see doctors face life imprisonment for failing to give medical care to children born alive after a failed abortion. Julia Pulver, a Michigan nurse at a newborn intensive care unit (NICU), took to Twitter to criticise the presidents sick accusation, and her remarks went viral. She wrote: No one ever, in any hospital, nor any mother who has just given birth, is conspiring with a doctor on whether or not to commit infanticide. Thread: As a NICU nurse, I served on the Bereavement Team. We were a special team of Nurses tough enough to help new parents go through the worst day of their lives. Parents of babies who had fought so hard for their tiny little lives and werent going to make it... 1/ https://t.co/2ZzDAEziyi Julia Pulver, RN (@VotePulver) April 28, 2019 The presidents comments came as the Washington Post revealed that he has now made more than 10,000 false and misleading statements since he was inaugurated. The newspaper said its Fact Checker database found that Mr Trump made an average of eight false claims per day. Story continues After his speech in Wisconsin, Mr Trump had made 10,111 false or misleading statements, the Post said, adding that the tsunami of untruths just keeps looming larger and larger. Mr Trump used his speech to boast of a strong economy and criticised his Democratic presidential opponents. Turning to presidential politics, the president had a suggestion for members of the Democratic Party. Read more Health Secretary adds prominent addiction warnings to opioid painkillers Nicola Sturgeon calls for second referendum vote - 'Scotland needs independent future Heathrow Airport introduces technology so you won't have to show your passport "They should change that to the Radical Left Democrat Party," he told the crowd. It's crazy what's going on with them. Oh, do I look forward to running against them." It was a signal that what the president and Republicans have been saying about Democrats for months could be a lasting part of his reelection campaign story. In contrast, he said, "The Republican Party is the party of all Americans. And common sense," he said, eliciting cheers and chants of "USA!" Mr Trump also referenced his nicknames for two of the leading Democratic presidential contenders - "Sleepy Joe" Biden and "Crazy Bernie" Sanders - and predicted that Elizabeth Warren's candidacy was already over. Mr Trump warned his supporters that Democrats would take away their guns, promised anew to build a wall along the US border with Mexico and pledged to come up with a plan for healthcare after the next election. WASHINGTON Donald Trump and Joe Biden spent Monday trolling each other on Twitter as the Democratic former vice president delivered the first major speech of his nascent presidential campaign. Biden accused the president of being anti-labor after Trump claimed that rank-and-file union members would back his re-election bid, especially in the key state of Pennsylvania. "Ill never get the support of Dues Crazy union leadership, those people who rip-off their membership with ridiculously high dues, medical and other expenses while being paid a fortune," the president tweeted. "But the members love Trump. They look at our record economy, tax & reg cuts, military etc. WIN!" Biden, who received the endorsement of the International Association of Fire Fighters before his speech in Pittsburgh, responded by saying he was "sick of this President badmouthing unions" and working people in general. Donald Trump and Joe Biden "Labor built the middle class in this country," Biden tweeted. "Minimum wage, overtime pay, the 40-hour week: they exist for all of us because unions fought for those rights. We need a President who honors them and their work." Trump has mocked Biden throughout the year, dubbing him "Sleepy Joe" last week after the Democrat's announcement video. More: President Donald Trump on Joe Biden's 2020 run: 'He's not the brightest lightbulb in the group' More: Mocking Biden, Trump tweets bizarre doctored video appearing to show former VP sniffing own hair Amid television coverage of Biden's speech on Monday, Trump used a series of tweets to bash the Democrat who some Republican allies believe could be the president's toughest general election candidate. Claiming that the media is pushing the candidacy of Barack Obama's former vice president, Trump tweeted: "Funny, Im only here because of Biden & Obama. They didnt do the job and now you have Trump, who is getting i/ t done - big time!" Story continues Trump also claimed that, while some labor unions back Biden, he will get the support of most union members. He also predicted he would again win Pennsylvania, Biden's native state and the place he picked for Monday's kick-off speech. Ill never get the support of Dues Crazy union leadership, those people who rip-off their membership with ridiculously high dues, medical and other expenses while being paid a fortune. But the members love Trump. They look at our record economy, tax & reg cuts, military etc. WIN! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 29, 2019 I'm sick of this President badmouthing unions. Labor built the middle class in this country. Minimum wage, overtime pay, the 40-hour week: they exist for all of us because unions fought for those rights. We need a President who honors them and their work. Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 29, 2019 Trump continued to attack after Bidens speech. In a tweet, he said Pittsburghs jobless rate is the lowest it has been in years, and Sleepy Joe just had his first rally there. During his speech, Biden said Trump is the only president who has decided not to represent the whole country. He has his base. We need a president who works for all Americans. Pennsylvania helped give Trump his margin of victory in his Electoral College win of 2016. He became the first Republican to carry the state since 1988. Citing the rush of tweets, Biden backers said Trump is rattled by their candidate. "Trump knows that he cant beat someone in 2020 who can pull together all elements of the Democratic party, and Joe Biden is the candidate with the vision to do that," said Ron Klain, a former Biden chief of staff who is supporting his 2020 candidacy. Some Trump allies indeed do say Biden's experience and appeal to moderate voters would make him the toughest candidate to beat in the fall. But they also predicted Trump would defeat any Democratic challenger. "Whoever it is will be beat up, broke, without a national operation, with a DNC thats in debt, and saddled with all of the socialist policies they will have adopted in order to win the nomination," said Tim Murtaugh, communications director for the Trump re-election campaign. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump, Joe Biden battle on Twitter over labor unions, support of union members WASHINGTON Three days after addressing the National Rifle Association convention, President Donald Trump told the NRA on Monday to straighten out in the wake of a leadership crisis and a high-profile investigation into its finances. "It must get its act together quickly, stop the internal fighting, & get back to GREATNESS - FAST!" Trump said in a morning tweet. Turmoil marked the NRA convention in Indianapolis as President Oliver North announced he would not seek a second term and expressed concern about how the organization spends its money. Longtime NRA executive Wayne LaPierre accused North of trying to force him out of the organization. Hours after Trump's tweet on Monday, the NRA Board of Directors re-elected LaPierre as the organization's executive vice president and CEO. The NRA is under siege by Cuomo and the New York State A.G., who are illegally using the States legal apparatus to take down and destroy this very important organization, & others. It must get its act together quickly, stop the internal fighting, & get back to GREATNESS - FAST! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 29, 2019 The New York Attorney General's Office announced Friday that it would open an investigation into the group's tax-exempt status. During his NRA speech, Trump praised LaPierre and North as "extraordinary champions for the Second Amendment" and gun rights in general. He singled out North as a "great guy" but did not mention the infighting between him and LaPierre. What's next for the NRA?What's next for the NRA? Subpoenas, investigations and leadership turmoil A look back at Oliver North:The NRA's outgoing president Trump visits Indiana: Trump's visits Buttigieg country for speech at NRA convention but singles out only Bernie Sanders Story continues Trump underscored his support for gun rights, an issue popular with many of his supporters. The president waited until Monday to address the group's problems. He also criticized New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state attorney general's office. "The NRA is under siege by Cuomo and the New York State A.G., who are illegally using the States legal apparatus to take down and destroy this very important organization, & others," Trump said. New York State Attorney General Letitia James said during her campaign last year that she would investigate the NRA's status as a not-for-profit civic organization that is exempt from taxes. "The NRA has an office here in New York state," she said, "and what we want to do is investigate to see whether or not they have in fact complied with the not-for-profit law in the state of New York." In a written statement after Trump's tweets Monday, James' office said the attorney general is "focused on enforcing the rule of law. In any case we pursue, we will follow the facts wherever they may lead." It added, "We wish the President would share our respect for the law. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump tells NRA to 'get its act together' after power struggle erupts at convention Motorists are being tricked by a fake speed camera - which is actually a well disguised bird box in Kilkhampton, Devon. (SWNS) Motorists are being tricked by a speed camera - which is actually a well disguised BIRD BOX. The grey and yellow box is located just behind a hedge and to the passing motorist it looks exactly like the genuine article. But on closer inspection it soon becomes obvious that there is no lens, but instead a series of holes and perches. Tara Coshall spotted the unusual bird box near Kilkhampton, Devon, and shared a photo online - but so far no one has fessed up to erecting the phony camera. Motorists are being tricked by a fake speed camera - which is actually a well disguised bird box in Kilkhampton, Devon. (SWNS) She said: "As I was driving through Kilkhampton on my to Bude I came across a new speed camera or so I thought. "On a closer look it's really a bird box." The fake camera has gathered a lot of support from locals who think it's a great way to combat speeding. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Inspiration for Winnie the Poohs 100 Acre Wood on fire Nigel Farage tells US audience Oldham has streets split by race Met Office says no bank holiday heatwave One person said: "This went up a couple of years ago by the side of the road. It looked really authentic and my god did it slow people down." Another said: "I think it was originally for an April fool a couple of years back and it certainly worked!" Another person said: "It's actually more effective than the speed sign further down the road that warns the car behind the one speeding through the village, obviously the sensor needs adjustment." Another said: "Great idea, and looking after our wild life." Nils Lonberg, a scientist at the center of a revolution in cancer therapy, has had a career full of fateful decisions. One of the most crucial: buying an entire bottle of whiskey at a hotel bar. It was 1998. Lonberg had just been part of a group dinner with Jim Allison, the charismatic, harmonica-playing scientist who would go on to win a Nobel Prize. After the meal, Lonberg took Allison aside and invited him to have a drink; they stayed up drinking, and talking, until the wee small hours of the morning. Allison had been trying to find a company to turn his discoveries into life-changing medicines. Lonberg, at the time an executive at a small company, wanted to be the one to make it happen. He felt like hed been, I dont know, toyed with by companies in the past, and they were just kind of moving slowly and not really serious about it, Lonberg recalled. I convinced him we would move quickly. So we did move quickly. When Lonberg retired to his room, his head still swimming from booze, he sat down and scribbled out several pages of notes documenting their conversation. He wanted to be able to remember exactly what mattered to his new partner. It would be 20 years before Allison was awarded the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for helping to show how the immune system could be harnessed to fight tumors. But whats often not appreciated is the degree to which Lonberg and his longtime colleague, Alan Korman, helped usher in this transformation in the way cancer is treated. Success required not just keen science, but a kind of management skill: navigating three companies, two mergers, at least six different chief executives, and angry investors. It was really Nils vision, said Dr. Drew Pardoll, an oncologist at the School of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University. Alans an extremely smart, really outstanding scientist. But Nils was really the person who interacted with the business side and brought it all together. Story continues Lonberg was not on the podium in Oslo that day; nor was Korman. But, without them, the class of medicines now known as checkpoint inhibitors which have changed the way doctors think about tumors and which now are used to treat skin, lung, kidney, and other cancers might not exist. Nor would the $16 billion in annual sales that these drugs already generate, including $8 billion for their current employer, Bristol-Myers Squibb. In a few years, the market is expected to double. Lonberg is announcing Monday that he is leaving Bristol to advise the venture capital firm Canaan Partners. This is the story of how Lonberg ended up working inside one of the worlds largest drug companies to prove that the right drugs could turn the bodys own immune system against tumors. Lonberg is 63 now and living in Northern California. But decades ago he started as a lab rat in a breeding ground for lab rats. He studied chemistry at Reed College in Portland, Ore., where he published several scientific papers but never graduated due to a missing physical education credit. In 1980, he joined the Harvard lab of Walter Gilbert to earn a Ph.D. That year, Gilbert won a Nobel for helping to invent DNA sequencing, and he was attracting hot talent. As Lonberg pulled all-nighters, his frequent labmate was George Church, later a pioneer of DNA sequencing and synthetic biology, who would work through the night with cardboard blinders affixed to his safety glasses to avoid becoming distracted. Lonberg went on to Memorial Sloan Kettering, where he began work creating mice with altered genes. He met his wife in the mouse house, where the lab animals were kept, and spent hours talking to Dr. Lloyd Old, a Memorial immunologist who believed, ahead of his time, that the immune system could be harnessed against cancer. But Lonberg wasnt so much interested in cancer as in mice. Scientists were just beginning to understand how antibodies, a key part of the immune system, could be created in the animals, grown in hamster cells, and used as drugs. But doing so required arduously genetically engineering the mice, so their antibodies would not be rejected by the human body. That was, Lonberg decided, what he wanted to do. He convinced a Netherlands company, Genpharm, that creating such mice would be a nice side business to its plan of creating genetically engineered livestock. He started work in Mountain View, Calif., in 1989. There he received a government grant that would allow Genpharm to start hiring scientists a moment that, to this day, he considers one of his proudest. It felt really good to be part of building something that was going to employ a bunch of people and help establish I dont want to say a community, but good jobs doing good science for a bunch of people, Lonberg said. That kind of prospect for growth was kind of really important. It made something abstract the way science can be abstract real. For nearly a decade, Lonberg would work on turning his mice into little drug factories. About a dozen marketed drugs would be created with its technology, including some that have only recently reached the market, like Darzalex for multiple myeloma (made by Johnson & Johnson and Genmab) and Cosentyx for psoriasis (made by Novartis). In 1997, however, Genpharm was purchased by Medarex, a New Jersey-based drug company. Medarex wanted to do more than create drugs for other companies. It wanted to create its own medicines, too. Jim Allison, who won the 2018 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine, delivers his Nobel lecture at Karolinska Institute in Stockholm in December 2018. (Christine Olsson/TT News Agency via AP) Enter Alan Korman and Jim Allison. Korman had known Lonberg since they had worked down the hall from one another at Harvard. Now Korman was working at a Colorado biotech called NexStar to try to turn Allisons insights into drugs. Just a few years before, Allison, then a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, had published a series of papers showing that tumor cells use a checkpoint protein to evade the white blood cells that would otherwise kill them. He was convinced that blocking this protein, known as CTLA4, for cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4, could allow the body to annihilate some cancers. But the technology at NeXstar was unsuited to the task. NeXstar was focused on creating drugs out of nucleic acids, the genetic material in RNA and DNA. That wasnt working to block CTLA4. But Korman and Allison were having better luck in animal models with prototype antibodies made in mice. They wanted to try that approach in people, but NeXstars executives were dragging their heels. They werent sure if they wanted to do it. It just sat, and sat. It was known that I was pretty angry about it, Allison recalled recently. Read more: New study points to best way to assess which cancer patients immunotherapy will help Korman wondered if Lonberg might be interested in using the technology at Medarex to create a CTLA4 drug. Lonberg was. And that bottle of whiskey in Boulder, Colo., showed his commitment. He would meet Allisons challenge to move quickly. Normally, researchers make a cell line that can be used to manufacture a new medicine in vats before they start clinical trials. Lonberg decided his team at Medarex would move forward with the original cells derived from mice, shaving a year off the process and leaving the cell line for later. By February 1999, they had created a molecule for a trial. When it was tested in 17 patients with melanoma the following year, it shrank tumors significantly in just three of them. The side effects were harsh, including inflamed lungs and intestines. But in one patient, the tumors seemed to melt away. It was more than enough to continue clinical trials. At the same time, NexStar bowed out. While the trials were starting, the company was sold to Gilead Sciences. The cancer project was sold to Medarex, and Korman went with it. As Medarex released more readouts of its trials, analysts released a steady beat of notes generating excitement for its stock. There was a sense of exuberance. Bristol-Myers Squibb, in 2004, had signed on to co-develop the anti-CTLA4 drug, paying Medarex $50 million with a promise of $480 million if it proved effective. Soon, however, there was trouble. Medarex had come to an agreement with the Food and Drug Administration whereby its drug could be approved if 10% of the patients taking it in its clinical trial saw their tumors shrink 30% or more. Except that didnt happen. In November 2007, Medarex announced that its drug had missed this key hurdle. It was a nightmare of a morning dealing with analysts, said Lonberg. Shares fell 18% to $11, then lost another 24% over the next two years as Pfizer announced that it was discontinuing its own CTLA4 program. In July 2009, Bristol-Myers Squibb announced plans to purchase Medarex for $2.5 billion, at a 90% premium over its stock price. One person was opposed to the deal: Nils Lonberg. Despite the setback, he saw potential in the drug he was developing; Medarex, he thought, was being undervalued. Lonberg had been looking at aggregate data for the ongoing study. He thought that, based on the expected life span of a late-stage melanoma patient, the study was likely to be successful. I presented it to the board, my model, and they were not persuaded, Lonberg said. So they placed a different value on the company than I did. Even before the deal was done, Bristols executive team asked him to stay on. He decided to do so, to protect his team and work and because he wanted to learn about large drug companies. He thought hed remain in the job for a year. He was wrong about his tenure but right about the drug. In 2010, a clinical trial showed it extended the lives of melanoma patients by about four months, to 10 months, the first increase in survival in decades. It was approved, and marketed as Yervoy. Last year, it had annual sales of $1.3 billion. When Allison won the Nobel, Korman went to Sweden as his guest. If Medarex had remained independent, it might have become one of the biggest biotechnology companies in the world. The reason? A second drug Lonberg was developing that would become an even bigger success than Yervoy. A Japanese scientist, Tasuku Honjo, had discovered a checkpoint protein called PD-1 that helped tumor cells evade white blood cells. That raised the possibility that blocking PD-1 would help the immune system to attack cancer. Korman and Lonberg noticed Honjos work, and started working on their own PD-1 antibodies in animal models. After prolonged negotiations and repeated trips to Japan by Lonberg, Medarex licensed the technology from a Japanese drug company, Ono Pharmaceutical. Medarex almost didnt move forward with the project. Lonberg remembers a rancorous, all-day meeting in which he fiercely debated another executive who opposed the notion of betting the house on a second cancer immunotherapy. Lonbergs counterargument: Medarex now had expertise, and the two drugs might prove effective together. Lonberg won. Clinical trials began in 2006, a few years before Medarex was bought by Bristol. Read more: Celgene, sold for $74 billion, leaves a legacy of chutzpah in science and drug pricing Then, in 2010, the first data about the PD-1 drug emerged. Six of 16 patients in an initial study of the drug, in various types of cancer, saw their tumors shrink significantly. The data were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the largest gathering of cancer researchers. More studies followed. In 2014, Opdivo was approved to treat metastatic melanoma. As Lonberg predicted, it was even more effective against that disease when combined with Yervoy. It has since been approved for two types of lung cancer, kidney cancer, lymphoma, liver cancer, and a particular type of colon cancer. Last year, the drug had annual sales of $6.7 billion. But Bristol wasnt alone. When it first presented its Opdivo data at ASCO, it was to a small, uncrowded room. Someone from Merck was there, Lonberg said. I dont think that data would have been shown if BMS was fully aware of the value, said Lonberg. Merck had its own PD-1 drug that it had acquired by accident through its $41 billion purchase of Schering-Plough in 2009, which had in turn gotten the medicine when it purchased the Dutch drug firm Organon for $14 billion in 2007. The drug had originally been developed at Organon by a team led by Andrea van Elsas, a former graduate student of Allisons. Early on, he considered working with Medarex, but he remembered the company was not in a position to do a deal because of its relationship with Ono. Lonberg remembers turning him down, though they collaborated on another project. Merck rushed into clinical trials, managing to procure results at a record pace. In October 2015, the company had its own approved checkpoint inhibitor: Keytruda. Read more: Merck: Theres more to us than Keytruda. Really Early on, Opdivo had the clear edge against Keytruda. But that changed in the summer of 2016, when a trial of Keytruda succeeded in previously untreated patients with non-small cell lung cancer, and a similar trial of Opdivo failed. One reason: Merck chose to make better use of a diagnostic test that would select which patients would benefit. Merck decided to put its full force into it, van Elsas, who had left the company before the drug was approved, said in an interview. He is now the chief scientific officer at Aduro Biotech, an immunotherapy drug developer. Some on Wall Street have argued that Keytruda may simply be the better drug. Van Elsas doubts there are meaningful differences. Still, Mercks strategy of combining Keytruda with chemotherapy has proved at least as effective, if not more effective, than combining Opdivo and Yervoy in lung cancer. Last year, Keytruda sales hit $7.1 billion, almost $400 million more than Opdivo. Lonberg said the combination is important and is not done yet. Richard Evans, an analyst at the consultancy SSR, has argued that, based on patent filings, Bristols pipeline likely holds hidden gems many of them probably developed under Lonberg. Now Lonberg himself is leaving. Hes decided he wanted to try something new this time at the venture capital firm. I want to see sort of what is out there, he said recently. And not whats out there in terms of an opportunity for me, but whats out there in terms of technology and new biology that might be applied. Members of the team at Bristols Redwood City, Calif., offices know life wont be the same without him. Theyll be naming the new cafeteria in their freshly built laboratories after him. And, as a result of one of Lonbergs offhand jokes, they plan to name the burger (or Lonburger) after him, too. Im not so delusional to think that just because I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time that its going to happen again, he said. But Id still like to have an impact. The progressive environmentalist group Sunrise Movement criticized Beto ORourkes climate-change-policy proposal on Monday as insufficiently ambitious relative to the Green New Deal proposal that has captivated many of his fellow Democratic presidential contenders. ORourke on Monday released an ambitious climate-change plan that requires $5 trillion in new government spending to transition the American economy to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The greatest threat we face which will test our country, our democracy, every single one of us is climate change. We have one last chance to unleash the ingenuity and political will of hundreds of millions of Americans to meet this moment before its too late, ORourke said in a statement accompanying the proposal. Hours after ORourke rolled out his plan, the Sunrise Movement issued a statement criticizing the former Texas lawmaker for diverging from the more ambitious timeline prescribed by the Green New Deal, and for refusing to swear off donations from the fossil-fuel industry. Unfortunately, Beto gets the science wrong and walks back his commitments from earlier this month in Iowa to move to net-zero emissions by 2030, the statement reads. Beto claims to support the Green New Deal, but his plan is out of line with the timeline it lays out and the scale of action that scientists say is necessary to take here in the United States to give our generation a livable future. Sunrise Movement Statement in Response to @BetoORourke's Climate Plan: Thread: pic.twitter.com/VzN9Uz6pz5 Sunrise Movement (@sunrisemvmt) April 29, 2019 ORourke, like the vast majority of his 2020 primary opponents, has endorsed Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs Green New Deal resolution, which calls for a government-led restructuring of the energy sector in order to completely eliminate carbon emissions by 2030. Story continues The Sunrise Movement, a self-described army of young people, has aggressively pressured lawmakers to line up behind Ocasio-Cortezs climate vision, and has resorted to recruiting school children to confront lawmakers on Capitol Hill in service of that mission. More from National Review BRUSSELS, April 29 (Reuters) - The European Union is hoping that Britain's ruling conservatives and the opposition Labour Party will reach a deal this week on the terms of the country's exit from the EU, possibly including membership in a customs union, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator said. Michel Barnier, speaking at Leuven university in Belgium, said it was up to Britain to break the deadlock. Prime Minister Theresa May agreed a withdrawal deal with the European Union last year but it was rejected three times by the deeply divided British parliament and the exit date was delayed. "The ball is in the UK court," Barnier told students in a lecture. "It has been six months since the deal was agreed between the EU and the UK. The EU agreed to give the UK more time because the UK has requested so. Talks are still ongoing in London. That is where the deadlock must be broken," he said. "We are hoping to see the results of the cross-party talks this week," he said. Chancellor Philip Hammond said last Friday that he was hopeful of clinching a Brexit compromise with Labour to allow the ratification of Mays deal. Mays government is trying to convince the Labour Party to back her deal but Labour wants to keep Britain in a customs union with the EU and has been discussing the idea of holding a confirmatory referendum on any deal they agree. "As we have always said, should the UK be prepared to change their red lines and wish for a more ambitious future relationship, we are ready to consider this," Barnier said. The United Kingdom was due to have left the EU on March 29. It is now unclear when, how and even if Brexit will happen but the current deadline for leaving is Oct. 31. (Reporting by Jan Strupczewski Editing by Frances Kerry) WARSAW, April 29 (Reuters) - Poland is unlikely to leave the European Union, even if the ruling eurosceptic Law and Justice (PiS) party wins re-election this year, EU executive head Jean-Claude Juncker said in an interview published on Monday. In response to a question by the Polish daily, Rzeczpospolitaon on whether there will be a "Polexit" after parliamentary elections in Poland in the autumn, Juncker said: "No." "Poland is with us (the European Union) because we have common values," Juncker said. His statement came as Poland's biggest opposition front has repeatedly warned that Law and Justice could eventually lead the country out of the EU. PiS has been in conflict with the European Commission over its handling of Polish courts since the start of 2016. Most EU countries back the commission. Worried about the government flouting basic democratic standards in the country of 38 million people, the commission has launched an unprecedented procedure to see whether Poland is observing the rule of law. The party has also clashed with Brussels on environmental protection and migration. (Reporting by Joanna Plucinska; Editing by Nick Macfie) Chosen by committee, the 114 artists appearing in Saatchi Art's The Other Art Fair will display their wares and works May 25, at the Brooklyn Expo Center in Greenpoint. Here, AD PRO maps out everything you need to know about the local edition. (TOAF also hosts fairs in Chicago and Los Angeles, and, further afoot, in Australia and the United Kingdom.) What, When, and Where It Is The Other Art Fair is an artist-to-consumer event that launched in London in 2011; it has since expanded with yearly and biannual iterations in London, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Sydney, and Melbourne. It last touched down in Brooklyn in 2018, and next will be heading to Chicago. Ryan Stanier, founder and general manager of the show, writes of Brooklyn's fifth edition, "The Other Art Fair was born from a realization of the disparity between an audience eager to discover the next big thing and talented artists struggling to gain recognition. Eight years on, the effects of the fair's growing reputation are not only demonstrated through the support of leading individuals in the art world but also the frequency of success stories from past exhibitors." Beyond the obvious art scene, TOAF has also been known to offer immersive features, such as live DJ sets, art installations, 3-D printing and virtual-reality experiences, restaurant and bar pop-ups, and more. The upcoming edition will be held at Brooklyn Expo Center (72 Noble Street) and opens with a preview on May 2 that runs 610 p.m.; followed by May 3, 310 pm.; May 4, 129 p.m.; and May 5, 11 a.m.6 p.m. What to Know About Buying Your Ticket Advanced ticket prices are $15 for adults and $13.50 for students and seniors. Children under 16 are admitted for free but must be accompanied by an adult. A private-viewing ticket, which offers access on opening night, is $30. Private-viewing tickets also offer reentry to the show during the general admission days (Friday through Sunday). You can find tickets for sale on Eventbrite. Story continues How to Get There Reach the Brooklyn Expo Center by public transit. Take the G train to the Greenpoint Ave stop; the B62 bus to Manhattan Avenue and Calyer Street; or the B32 bus to the Franklin Street and Noble Street stop. If you're hopping aboard the East River ferry, you can get off at the India Street stop. The venue is also easily accessible via the Williamsburg Bridge, Queens Midtown Tunnel, Long Island Expressway, and the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. What to Know About the Space Spanning some 60,000 square feet, the glass-fronted Brooklyn Expo Center hosts, in addition to TOAF, events as diverse as the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) annual gala, specialty shows focused on coffee, tea, chocolate, whiskey, and hot sauce, and a forthcoming health and wellness show. Where to Take a Breakand Get a Bite to Eat There are plenty of local dining options close to the venue: 21 Greenpoint, which is walking distance from the Brooklyn Expo Center and on the banks of the East River, serves oysters off the grill, an array of pizzas, and other new American favorites, while those with a sweet tooth will appreciate local bakery Ovenly, also fairly close. Some of the most exciting dining options are right on site; think Van Leeuwens ice cream truck and Di An Di, a local Vietnamese spot that will be serving its fare at the venue's central fair cafe. Where You Can Shop Everywhere! The works at The Other Art Fair Brooklyn are for sale and the prices are clearly marked. (As the organizers phrase it: "The Other Art Fair is about bringing artists and buyers together in an unintimidating environment. You are purchasing directly from artists rather than through a gallery.") Do your research before by reading up on the participating artists to get a feel for whose work you're most interested in pursuing on the show day. Poway (United States) (AFP) - Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein of the Chabad of Poway synagogue had been finalizing his sermon for the last day of Passover when he heard a loud bang and stopped in his tracks. The preacher had just passed his good friend Lori Kaye in the lobby. The pair exchanged smiles, and his immediate thought was that she "may have fell or a table tipped over." Instead, Goldstein found himself face to face with the teenage gunman responsible for killing Kaye and wounding three others. He recapped the dramatic moment for reporters on Sunday as he hailed the heroic acts of the worshippers who risked their lives to save others. "I turn around and I see a sight that I -- indescribable. Here is a young man standing with a rifle, pointing right at me," he said. "And I look at him. He had sunglasses on, I couldn't see his eyes, I couldn't see his soul. I froze." Goldstein's first concern was for Kaye, a 60-year-old long time congregation member, whom he described as a person of "unconditional love." But before he could get to her, "more shots came" and he raised his hands -- eventually losing his right index finger to a bullet despite a four-hour surgery to try to save it. The badly wounded rabbi saw children were still playing in the banquet hall and he rushed to gather them and get them out -- including his own four-year-old granddaughter. He was joined in this effort by Almog Peretz, who Goldstein said was an Israeli "war veteran." Peretz "ran into the banquet hall, gathered more children, he got a bullet in his leg, risking himself to save the children." - Gun jammed - It was then that the assault weapon wielded by the shooter -- named as 19-year-old John Earnest -- jammed, creating an opening for others to jump in, said Goldstein. Two others attempted to stop Earnest from fleeing, including Oscar Stewart, an ex-US soldier, who tried to tackle him -- and off-duty Border Patrol officer Jonathan Morales, who began coming to the synagogue after recently discovering his Jewish roots. Story continues "I've been told that I may have saved some lives -- I never thought about that I think... I just did what I did," Stewart told reporters earlier. "I'm not a hero or anything, I just did it." Morales meanwhile "was able to discharge his weapon and (hit) the car a few times," said Goldstein. After the shooter had left, Goldstein returned to the lobby to find Kaye unconscious. "And her dear husband, a brother to me, is trying to resuscitate her. And he faints and he's lying there on the floor next to his wife. And then the daughter Hannah comes out screaming, 'Daddy and Mommy, what's going on?' "It's the most heart-wrenching sight I could have seen." Earnest also wounded eight-year-old Noya Dahan in the leg, though she has since been discharged from hospital, as has Peretz. Goldstein, who said he was grateful for a fifteen-minute phone call he had received from President Donald Trump, vowed his community would remain unbowed. "No matter how dark the world is. We need to think of light, a little bit of light, pushes away a lot of darkness," he said. "A lot of light will push away much more." "We need to show them that terrorism, evil will never prevail, let's fill up the synagogues, let's stand tall, let's dance together." By Linda Sieg TOKYO, April 30 (Reuters) - Emperor Akihito, 85, will step down on Tuesday, almost three years after he first publicly hinted he wanted to retire and hand over to his heir, Crown Prince Naruhito. It is the first abdication by a Japanese monarch in two centuries. SHOCKING NEWS Public broadcaster NHK stunned the public in July 2016 when it reported that Akihito, then 82, intended to abdicate "in a few years," an unprecedented step in modern Japan. Akihito, who had heart surgery and was treated for prostate cancer, had earlier privately expressed a desire to retire and had been reducing his official duties. A month later, Akihito said in a rare video address to the nation that he worried age might make it difficult for him to carry out his duties fully. Akihito was Japan's first emperor to inherit the throne under a post-war constitution that defines the monarch as a symbol of the people without political power. He has carved out a role as an advocate of reconciliation, peace and democracy and associates say he believes only an active monarch can fulfill his true obligations. CONSERVATIVE OBJECTIONS Many ordinary Japanese sympathized with Akihito's desire to step down, but the idea met opposition from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's conservative base. Some opponents of the abdication have raised the possibility of disagreement between the old and new emperors, and they fear the next reform could allow a woman to ascend the throne. It is currently restricted by law to males. A shortage of male heirs has led to calls to change the succession rule but the reform is anathema to traditionalists. PRECEDENT SET After discussions among experts, parliament in June 2017 enacted a special law to allow Akihito to step down, the first abdication of an emperor in about 200 years. Although the law applies only to Akihito, it was seen by scholars and some officials as setting a precedent. The last Japanese monarch to abdicate was Emperor Kokaku, who ruled from 1780 until 1817, when he handed over to his son. After abdication, Akihito will be known as "joko," or emperor emeritus and Michiko will be known as "jokogo," or empress emerita. Akihito and Michiko will leave the Imperial Palace and stay in another imperial residence until they move into the Togu Palace, where they lived before he inherited the throne and which will be renovated for their use. (Reporting and writing by Linda Sieg; editing by Darren Schuettler) Tokyo (AFP) - For the Emperor's abdication on April 30, Japanese workers are enjoying an unprecedented 10-day holiday as a rash of special days off combine with the traditional "Golden Week" in May. But not everyone is popping the champagne corks in famously workaholic Japan. "To be honest, I don't know how to spend the time when we are suddenly given 10 days of holidays," said 31-year-old finance worker Seishu Sato. "If you want to go travelling, it's going to be crowded everywhere and tour costs have surged... I might end up staying at my parents' place," he said. A survey by the Asahi Shimbun daily showed 45 percent of Japanese "felt unhappy" about the long vacation, with only 35 percent saying they "felt happy". "I won't be able to take days off. On the contrary, we'll be super-busy," said Takeru Jo, a 46-year-old pizzeria worker. Others who have to work over the period complain about childcare. "For parents in the service sector, the 10 days of holiday is a headache. After-school care, nurseries -- everything is closed," tweeted one disgruntled parent. Many expect Tokyo and other large cities to empty as Japanese seize the rare opportunity for an overseas trip. "Most of our tours for the holiday period were sold out last year," said Hideki Wakamatsu, a spokesman for Nippon Travel Agency, adding that many others were on the waiting list. As the holiday kicked off on Saturday, airports were packed and there were long queues for Shinkansen bullet trains. Highways out of Tokyo were jammed with motorists aiming to make a getaway from the capital. - 'Love marriage' - Still, if people are curiously indifferent to the idea of extra holidays as a result of the emperor, the imperial family remains as popular as ever. A poll by public broadcaster NHK found almost no one would admit to a "feeling of antipathy" towards the emperor with the vast majority saying they had a "positive feeling" or "respect." Only 22 percent voiced indifference. Story continues This positive sentiment has risen every year since 2003, according to the NHK poll. Takeshi Hara, politics professor at the Open University of Japan, said much of this stemmed from the imperial couple's "welfare-related activities". "Their attention to the elderly, the disabled and the victims of natural disasters -- those ignored by politicians in the past three decades -- has earned public support," Hara told AFP. The fact that Emperor Akihito married his sweetheart Michiko "for love" -- the first love marriage in imperial history -- has also boosted his standing, said Hara. But Hideto Tsuboi, from the Kyoto-based International Research Center for Japanese Studies, said one of the main reasons for Akihito's popularity lay in the fact that he was "conscious of the responsibility of the post-war generation" to reflect on Japan's wartime atrocities. On the 73rd anniversary of the end of World War II last year, Akihito reiterated "deep remorse" over the war and his continued wishes for peace. Unlike in many constitutional monarchies, there is almost no republican movement to speak of and criticism of the emperor is anathema -- a phenomenon known as the Chrysanthemum taboo, after the throne. Hara said that while tabloids are beginning to dig deeper into the royals' private lives, memories of right-wing atrocities against imperial opponents "means there is pressure not to criticise the emperor in public". In 1961, a right-winger invaded the house of a publishing company's president and stabbed his housekeeper to death over a novel perceived to be critical of the imperial family. More recently, in 1990, the then-mayor of Nagasaki was shot and injured after he remarked that Akihito's father Hirohito was partially responsible for World War II. However, a reminder that security needs to be maintained was provided just days before the abdication ceremonies when two knives were found at the school desk of Japan's Prince Hisahito, Akihito's grandson. - 'Highly religious nature' - While criticism of the emperor is virtually non-existent, there has been some opposition to the financing of some of the ceremonies surrounding the abdication and enthronement. More than 200 Japanese citizens have filed a lawsuit against the government for planning to use taxpayer money to fund the ceremonies. They say the ceremonies are religious in nature and funding them from the public purse breaks the constitutional principle separating religion and state. They received unexpected backing from a member of the imperial household, Prince Akishino, the emperor's youngest son, who will become Crown Prince when his brother Naruhito ascends the throne. Noting that one of the rituals "has a highly religious nature", Akishino mused: "I wonder if it is appropriate to finance this highly religious thing with state funds." Click the photo to write a caption and have a chance to win a free subscription to the Norfolk Daily News. Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty BARCELONAIt was 10 a.m. and Antonia Huguet, 75, trundled home from a dilapidated school in the middle of Barcelonas Gothic neighborhood after voting in Spains general election. With her dyed blond hair done up in a bun, Huguet looked like a character out of a Pedro Almodovar moviewhich seems rather appropriate since Spanish democracy these days could easily be mistaken for something on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Like many of the characters in Almodovars films, Huguet lived through Francos dictatorship and cant abide the idea of fascism returning in her lifetime. After Spanish democracy began in the late 1970s there were two political parties (the right wing Partido Popular and the Socialist Workers Party on the left). Now there are five political parties including the newly emergent extreme right-wing Vox party. Mention Vox and Huguet begins to mutter under her breath in anger. Even 44 years after Francisco Francos death in 1975, There are a lot of fascists in Spain, even though they would never admit it in public, she says. I am worried. In other parts of Spain however, the idea of Voxa party that denies the Holocaust, wants to limit womens rights and Spains decentralized system of governance, and puts a brake on immigrationelicits a more giddy response. In the trendy area of Pla del Remei in Valencia there were very few Vox pamphlets left, a party representative told the daily El Pais. If you watch for five minutes, you see it. People who esthetically look like PP [Partido Popular] voters, such as well-dressed ladies, are mostly picking up Vox papers today. Spain went to the polls on Sunday and there was only one consensus: the two-party political system that once provided stability was effectively comatose. The PP had the worst results since it was founded and its leadership will likely be challenged. The modest rise of Vox has effectively left a polarized and potentially dangerous new political landscape in its wake. Story continues Practical issueslike whether the left-wing political coalition actually will ruleare still up in the air although by 11:15 p.m. local time on Sunday, a government spokeswoman said that PSOE won the election, allowing the group to govern in coalition with the leftist Podemos party and with Catalan separatists. Meanwhile Vox was expected to gain as many as 23 seats in parliament. The PP, meanwhile, was well on its way to having the lowest political representation in parliament since 1989. The result will likely lead to a major debates within the party as to where its future lies. Voters came to the polls in droves. Voter turnout had increased by nearly 9 percent over the elections in 2016. In Catalonia, where the Socialists need to do well in order to remain in power, turnout increased to nearly 18 percent. A strong turnout, especially in Catalonia, has meant that the question of Catalonias independence remains up for grabs. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will likely negotiate with the independentista party Esquerra Republicana, though he could come into office even if the independentista parties abstain during the confirmation process. The Sanchez government itself came to power nine months ago when the government of Mariano Rajoys Partido Popular was reduced to a shadow of itself after a resounding multi-party no-confidence vote in parliament, the consequence of a series of corruption scandals and a botched response to Catalonias 2017 independence bid. No one, however, could be blamed for mistaking the position of Spanish prime minister for a kind of revolving door. The current prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, called the elections in February after his minority Socialist government lost support from Catalonias independentistas. The prospect of an independent Catalonia slivered the PP into various factions, each of which attempted to outdo the others in punishing the Catalan independentistas. Vox, considered as something akin to a political joke until then, was the most aggressive. When leaders of the Catalan independence bid went on trial in Madrid for sedition, Vox took the astute step of joining in the proceedings against them, which is allowed under Spanish law. Then in December of last year Vox scored an unexpectedly strong result in regional elections in Andalusia where they polled 11 percent of the total vote and won 12 seats on a Trumpesque anti-immigration platform (wall included). It was enough for a coalition of right wing parties to oust the PSOE, which had held power in the region for generations. Whereas during Europes 2011 economic crisis the Socialists were threatened by an emerging left-wing Podemos party, now the conservative PP is threatened by Vox and its gun-toting leader, Santiago Abascal. In the conversations that I had with Mariano Rajoy when he was prime minister, one of the things that struck me most was that he was already talking to me about the far right in Spain, about Vox. Ive never said this before, Sanchez said recently. When Rajoy was prime minister, Vox was already on the radar of the right, in their opinion polls. If Vox threatens the PP, Abascals party is a welcome enemy for Sanchez and the PSOE, despite the loss in Andalusia. The socialist party has constantly mentioned Vox to mobilize their electorate, says Olivas Osuna . They know that if Vox grows it will undermine the chances of the PP to get a majority. Sundays result means that no single party will be able to garner a majority and several possible coalitions could take place allowing either the left of the right the opportunity to govern. An intense round of deal-making is in the works. If Vox garners more than 10 percent of the electorate, it will likely want to have members of its party represented in governmenta risky proposition not only for the PP, but also for other parties necessary for the right to return to power. At the same time, Sanchez and the PSOE may be forced to deal with Catalan independentista parties in order to form its own coalitionthe very same parties that plunged his government into crisis after rejecting the prime ministers budget in February. Sanchez himself has said that the independentista parties cannot be trusted. They know that independence is not possible, Sanchez said. Independence leaders are inside their own labyrinth. When they get out, we will be waiting to find a space for dialogue. For the Catalan separatists who until recently have been playing a game of Quien es mas independentista among themselves, negotiations with PSOE-led coalition may come sooner rather than later. The independentista parties, having been savaged by the suspension of regional government, the defunding of Catalan institutions and the sedition trial of several of their political leaders, desperately need friends in Madrid. Given the choice between PSOE and a right-wing coalition that includes avowed Franco admirers, Catalans separatists may just support the former. Read more at The Daily Beast. Washington (AFP) - Facebook announced Monday it would make its data available to academics studying the impact of social media on elections, part of an effort to prevent manipulation of social platforms. The leading social network said some 60 researchers from 30 academic institutions across 11 countries were selected under a review process by the Social Science Research Council and the independent group Social Science One. Facebook began the research initiative last year after revelations of foreign influence campaigns on the 2016 US election and the Brexit vote in Britain. It began soliciting proposals last year, and on Monday unveiled its first research grants. "To assure the independence of the research and the researchers, Facebook did not play any role in the selection of the individuals or their projects and will have no role in directing the findings or conclusions of the research," said a blog post by Facebook executives Elliot Schrage and Chaya Nayak. "We hope this initiative will deepen public understanding of the role social media has on elections and democracy and help Facebook and other companies improve their products and practices." The researchers will be granted access to Facebook's internal data through a "first-of-its-kind data sharing infrastructure to provide researchers access to Facebook data in a secure manner that protects people's privacy," Schrage and Nayak wrote. "Some of these steps include building a process to remove personally identifiable information from the data set and only allowing researcher access to the data set through a secure portal." Gary King and Nathaniel Persily of Social Science One said in a statement the researchers will seek to move swiftly to help social networks improve their security and integrity. "The urgency of this research cannot be overstated," they wrote. "Elections in India are already underway, the European Parliamentary elections will take place in short order, and the US presidential primary campaigns have begun in earnest. Concerns about disinformation, polarization, political advertising, and the role of platforms in the information ecosystem have not diminished. If anything, they have heightened." Some of the research groups cited are based at Northeastern University, Ohio State University and New York University and Virginia Tech University in the United States; France's Institute of Political Studies; National Chengchi University in Taiwan; Italy's Universita di Urbino Carlo Bo; University of Sao Paulo in Brazil; Germany's Technical University of Munich; the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands; and Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. Funding for the research will come from several organizations including the Democracy Fund, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Charles Koch Foundation and the Omidyar Network. LONDON (AP) It's quiet out there. Probably too quiet. Britain is due to leave the European Union in six months, but you wouldn't know it from the country's news headlines or the debates in Parliament. The issue that consumed the country for almost three years has been reduced to a murmur. The EU has agreed to delay the U.K.'s exit long scheduled to take place last month until Oct. 31 to give Britain's deadlocked politicians more time to approve a divorce deal. European Council President Donald Tusk warned the U.K. not to waste the extra time. But there has been little progress toward breaking the political impasse that has left Britain in limbo. ___ FALTERING TALKS Prime Minister Theresa May struck a deal with the EU on the terms of Britain's departure late last year, but Britain's Parliament has rejected it three times. May has failed to persuade many Brexit-backing lawmakers from her own Conservative Party to support an agreement that they think keeps Britain too tightly bound to the bloc's rules. So May changed course and pinned her hopes on a deal with the opposition Labour Party. Senior officials from the two sides have held several weeks of talks, which continued Monday. But the parties are divided over Britain's post-Brexit relationship with the EU. Labour insists the U.K. should remain in a customs union with the bloc to avoid barriers to trade. The government rejects the idea, arguing that accepting EU trade rules would prevent Britain striking new deals around the world. Both parties have accused the other of failing to compromise. "These talks are serious, but there are also some difficulties in finding a way forward," May's spokesman James Slack said. Despite the lack of visible progress, neither the Conservatives nor Labour is pulling the plug on talks yet. Many areas of the country are holding local elections on Thursday, and neither party wants to do anything to remind voters that Brexit is in a mess. Story continues ___ UNWANTED ELECTION Another election is also looming, one Britain was not supposed to be holding. Unless the Brexit agreement is approved by May 22, Britain must hold elections the next day for U.K. seats in the European Parliament. May has called the idea of participating, almost three years after the U.K. voted to leave the EU, "unthinkable." But Scottish Secretary David Mundell, a member of May's Cabinet, told the Herald newspaper: "It's inevitable now. We've run out of time." Both Britain's main parties worry that voters will use the European election to punish them over Brexit. The pro-EU party Change U.K. is hoping to win votes from Labour, which has an internal feud over Brexit. Many Labour members and lawmakers support a new referendum on Britain's EU membership, but party leaders fear that would lose Labour votes in pro-Brexit areas. The party's governing executive is due to decide Tuesday what stance to take in its EU election campaign. The Conservatives, meanwhile, face a threat from the newly formed Brexit Party, led by former UKIP chief Nigel Farage. It could take the largest share of votes in the May 23 election if early opinion polls are borne out. "I think the only person who will have any sense of enthusiasm for this will be Nigel Farage," said Victoria Honeyman, a politics lecturer at the University of Leeds. "He has a single-issue party, a blank slate he is essentially able to make hay while the sun shines." ___ THE END OF MAY? May's attempt at compromise with Labour has angered pro-Brexit Conservatives, who were already frustrated by her failure to take Britain out of the EU. (May argues that it's pro-Brexit Conservative lawmakers who have caused the delay, by voting against her deal). Some Conservatives want to oust May and replace her with a more strongly pro-Brexit leader, such as former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. But there is no easy way to do that. May survived a Conservative no-confidence vote in December, and under party rules can't be challenged again for 12 months. Last week the party's rules committee considered shortening the time frame, but decided against it. Conservative lawmaker Jacob Rees-Mogg, a prominent Brexiteer, said that decision "does not exclude the prime minister deciding of her own accord that the time is up." May has said she will step down once Parliament has approved a Brexit deal. That looks like a distant prospect. "The problem is, we haven't moved," said Honeyman. "We have a 31st of October deadline and nothing has changed, and there is no sense in which anything is changing. "There is no really good strategy to get out of this situation, and that's why the parties are not clamoring to get back into the mire." ___ Follow AP's full coverage of Brexit at: https://www.apnews.com/Brexit . SAN DIEGO Israel was not a place that Eden Dahan and her husband wanted to raise their children. It was fire every day. Every day, rockets. Every day, you need to run away, she told USA TODAY Monday. So, eight years ago, they moved to America. And, for the past three years, they've been at home in Poway, a quiet suburb of San Diego, where she said the family felt safe and comfortable. The Dahan family attends Chabad of Poway, nestled in a community that seemed open and accepting. The congregation has been something of a second family. But on Saturday, a gunman entered their beloved synagogue and opened fire. One woman was killed and three others were wounded. One of the injured was Dahan's daughter, Noya. Another was her brother. Eden Dahan, who was not at the synagogue at the time of the shooting, is now coping with the tragedy. Her daughter, 8, is doing better, she says. Noya is dealing with some pain, but she can walk. Eden's brother, Almog Peretz, however, sustained injuries that have proven to be more serious, Eden said. Peretz, 34, lives in Israel. He was visiting Southern California as a tourist. The family is reeling from the act of violence and the hate that motivated it. The suspect has been linked to a racist online posting that praised mass shooters, spoke of a plan to "kill Jews" and extensively cited scripture. In the past, when the Dahan family saw anti-Semitic acts of violence such as a Pittsburgh synagogue massacre last October they couldn't imagine such a tragedy in their hometown. We never thought it would be us never," Eden said. Now the family is struggling to process the tragedy. Noya cried one night as she remembered what had happened. Another of Eden's daughters locked herself in a bathroom during the shooting. The 5-year-old heard shots and curses and knew something was wrong. She saw the woman dead on the floor. And all the blood she saw everything. It was so bad, Eden said. Story continues When someone came to rescue her, she asked, Are you the bad guy or the good guy? her mother said. Contributing: Rebecca Plevin, Palm Springs Desert Sun This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Family of girl injured in Poway synagogue shooting: We fled violence in Israel. We thought it was safe here The chancellor previously called the coins obsolete. Photo: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images Britain will find out the fate of the 1p and 2p coins this week. Just a year after chancellor Philip Hammond called the copper coins obsolete, it will be officially announced if they will be pulled from circulation. Many signs already point towards 1ps and 2ps being scrapped. Hammond revealed a Treasury consultation in his spring statement last year, which appeared to be laying the path towards ending the use of the copper coins. After public uproar, prime minister Theresa May said that there were no plans to pull coppers out of circulation. A media report from the Mail on Sunday also claimed that a government source told it: We will confirm the penny coin wont be scrapped. The Treasury consultation document from March last year highlighted how more and more people are using digital payments instead of cash and that spurred by convenience, the rise of e-commerce, and mobile technology, digital payments have grown by around 85% since 2006, with a corresponding decline in the use of cash. READ MORE: UK sleepwalking towards cashless society that could exclude millions Crucially, it said: In the normal course of the cash cycle, many denominations fall out of circulation, for example, by being placed into savings jars. Surveys suggest that six in ten 1p and 2p coins are used in a transaction once before they leave the cash cycle. They are either saved, or in 8% of cases are thrown away. To meet demand created by such losses from circulation, in previous years the government and the Royal Mint have needed to produce and issue over 500 million 1p and 2p coins each year to replace those falling out of circulation. The Bank of England has also come out in support of scrapping 1p and 2p coins. It said that killing copper coins would not cause inflation. The overwhelming weight of literature and experience, suggests it would have no significant impact on prices, said BoE analysts, before adding that the inflationary argument is deeply flawed on a number of levels. Story continues READ MORE: Backlash grows against cashless stories in the US By Joseph Ax (Reuters) - The FBI on Monday said it received multiple tips about a security threat minutes before a gunman opened fire in a California synagogue, killing a woman and wounding three others, but did not have enough detail or time to prevent the attack. Police are investigating what motivated a 19-year-old suspect to open fire on the Chabad of Poway synagogue in suburban San Diego on Saturday, including whether to bring hate crime charges against the man who surrendered to police shortly after the attack. The FBI said it received tips about an online post referring to a potential attack that did not include "specific" information about the post's author or location. Investigators immediately began working on identifying the author, but the shooting began only five minutes after the tips arrived. "The FBI thanks the alert citizens who saw and reported the post," the bureau said in a statement. Members of the synagogue later on Monday were due to bury Lori Gilbert Kaye, 60, who died in the attack six months to the day after 11 worshippers were killed at a Pittsburgh synagogue in the deadliest attack on American Jewry. The alleged gunman, identified by police as John Earnest, fled the scene and eventually called police in order to surrender. Earnest, who is being held without bail, appears to have authored an online manifesto in which he claimed responsibility for a pre-dawn arson fire at a nearby mosque last month and drew inspiration from the mass shooting at two mosques in New Zealand that killed 50 people in March. His parents expressed shock and sadness in a statement on Monday, saying their son had become "part of the history of evil" perpetrated on Jewish people. "How our son was attracted to such darkness is a terrifying mystery to us," the statement read. "Our heavy hearts will forever go out to the victims and survivors." The parents added that they are cooperating with investigators. Story continues ARMY VET When the gunfire began, Oscar Stewart, 51, a veteran of both the U.S. Navy and Army who served a tour in Iraq, recognised the sound immediately. He said in a Monday interview that for a moment he began running towards the exit with other congregants before he turned around and headed towards the gunfire. "I was an instrument of God," he said. "I had no conscious effort in what I was doing." He charged the gunman, screaming, "I'm going to kill you!" The shooter, who had stopped firing, looked frightened and fled the synagogue, with Stewart in close pursuit, he said. Another worshipper, an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent named Jonathan Morales who was armed, also ran outside and fired several shots at the gunman's car as he drove away. Almog Peretz, an Israeli citizen visiting his family, was hit by shrapnel but still managed to help shepherd children to safety, witnesses said. His 9-year-old niece, Noya Dahan, also was wounded by shrapnel. Her family moved to the United States from Israel in search of a safer life after their home was repeatedly shelled by Palestinian rockets. Kaye, one of the synagogue's founding members, was a deeply caring member of the community, her friends said. When one congregant developed breast cancer, Kaye drove her to every appointment and helped take care of her children, said Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who was shot in both hands during the attack and lost a finger. "She is a person of unconditional love," Goldstein told reporters, adding that he felt Kaye "took the bullet for all of us." In a Facebook post, a friend, Audrey Jacobs, called her a "woman of valor" whose final act was to protect others. (Reporting by Joseph Ax in New York, additional reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles; Editing by Scott Malone, Bill Trott and Bill Berkrot) Before tragedy struck at the Chabad of Poway synagogue in Southern California, leaders of the congregation feared an attack was comingbut they had no money to increase security. By the time a gunman stormed the house of worship late Saturday morning, killing one person and injuring three others, it was too late. We never thought in America it would succumb to this, Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who was wounded in the rampage, told TIME on Monday. Goldstein, 57, lost his index finger after a 19-year-old alleged gunman, wearing sunglasses, shot him in the right hand in the synagogues lobby, moments after the suspect killed a 60-year-old worshipper, Lori Kaye. Authorities identified the suspected shooter as John Earnest, a student at California State University San Marcos. The attack came six months after 11 people were fatally shot and seven others were wounded at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. The massacre last October, which authorities called a hate crime, rocked religious institutions across the country, including Chabad of Poway. All houses of worship felt very vulnerable, Goldstein said, adding that he absolutely felt fearful of a similar attack. The rabbi wanted to hire armed security guards, but he said the synagogue did not have enough money to pay for them due to a dwindling congregation. Most of our elderly members are dying out. The younger members are not joining, so financially we dont have a budget to pay for security guards, he said. If funds were made available for houses of worship, that could have made a difference. Instead, the synagogue relied on armed volunteers to occasionally sit in the lobby, according to Goldstein. But as time went on, Goldstein said he felt an attack was less likely and it was less urgent to secure armed volunteers. Its been six months and nothing happened, he recalled himself thinking before Saturdays attack. You start getting complacent. Story continues There were no armed volunteers positioned in the lobby Saturday when a gunman barged in, as about 75 congregants waited for services to begin on the last day of Passover. I looked right at him and he looked right at me, Goldstein said. After the first shots rang, I turned around to see what is going on and thats when I saw the most frightening sight in my lifean active shooter in the lobby. Along with Goldstein, an 8-year-old girl and her 34-year-old uncle were wounded but survived. They were both released from the hospital on Sunday. Despite multiple media reports that said Kaye died jumping in front of Goldstein, the rabbi clarified in an interview with TIME on Monday that she did not. But while she may not have shielded him from bullets, Goldstein said she was heroic in her life and in her death. Lori took the bullet for all of us, Goldstein said at an earlier news conference. She didnt deserve to die. Lori Kaye, 60, is pictured here with her daughter and husband. | Photo courtesy of Yisroel Goldstein The rabbi told TIME he and his wife were best friends with Kaye and her husband, Howard Kayea doctor who was also at the synagogue Saturday and fainted when he reached his bleeding wife. Kaye was remembered Monday as one of the first volunteers at the synagogue who jumped up when anything needed to be done. When a young woman she knew was diagnosed with breast cancer, Kaye became her caretaker, drove her to all of her doctors appointments and made sure she had all of her medication, according to Goldstein. She has helped so many people though so many difficult times, Goldstein said. She always showed up at your doorsteps with a bouquet of flowers. She was a kind, giving, angelic soul. Goldstein also said Kaye may have saved her husbands life just by entering it. Lori was the highlight of his life and now its been sucked away from him, Goldstein said. As Kaye was set to be buried Monday, a GoFundMe page has raised more than $100,000 to help the victims and the synagogue. The suspected shooter is in custody and faces murder and attempted murder charges, according to police. Authorities said they believe he acted alone. He had no prior contact with law enforcement before Saturday. In a statement Monday, the suspects parents said their son is now part of the history of evil that has been perpetrated on Jewish people for centuries, according to the Associated Press. How our son was attracted to such darkness is a terrifying mystery to us, the statement said. Days after the shooting, Goldstein said its more important than ever to repel such hate with love and the acts of kindness that Kaye demonstrated her whole life. We need to push away the darkness thats out there with light, he said. It seems that the protest movement, which is rocking Algeria since February, has reached the southern region of the country, and particularly the Tindouf camps where the sequestered sahrawis are rising up against the Polisario militias, which are armed, funded and sheltered by the Algerian military. In a bid to intimidate Sahrawi protesters, fed up with deteriorating living conditions, oppression, deprivation, lack of freedom of expression and movement, the leaders of the separatist group used their heavy-handed scare tactics. They deployed over the weekend tanks and armored vehicles to terrorize and quell Sahrawi protesters. Several photos and videos posted on the media show the Polisario military deployment against protesters who are demanding lift of restrictions imposed on their free movement, while some demonstrators report violent clashes and the excessive use of force by the separatists. During their demonstrations in Rabouni camp, Sahrawi protesters shouted slogans such as Freedom of movement and Freedom, and denounced the Polisarios restrictions as forced detention. The demonstrators decried the violation of their right to movement, saying they are not allowed to step outside the besieged and heavily guarded Tindouf camps only once in every three weeks. According to some experts, the pressure is building up on the Polisario leaders currently facing their worst ever nightmare. They are challenged by defiant sequestered Sahrawis who can no longer stand their lamentable situation, blockade and status quo, while the Algerian Generals, who used to provide them with all kinds of support, are fighting their own demons, as the unprecedented hirak in Algeria has led to the fall of long-time ruler Abdelaziz Bouteflika and several of his associates. Instead of looking for solutions to the appalling situation in the Tindouf camps and finding answers to the grievances of a population that can no longer bear the Sahara conflict, the separatist front, accustomed to manipulation, misinformation, and corruption, plans to organize a counter-demonstration. The separatists have actually announced the organization of a rally on Tuesday, April 30 under the sign of unity. The move is seen by analysts as an absurd answer to the mounting anger of the sequestered population in the Tindouf camps and as an illustration of the Polisarios failure to meet the grievances of a population determined to take its destiny in its own hands. If you've been stuck searching for Non US - Equity funds, consider Fidelity International Growth (FIGFX) as a possibility. FIGFX carries a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), which is based on nine forecasting factors like size, cost, and past performance. Objective Zacks categorizes FIGFX as Non US - Equity, a segment stacked high with options. Non US - Equity mutual funds like to invest in companies outside of the United States, an important characteristic since global mutual funds are known to keep a good portion of their portfolio stateside. These kinds of funds can often extend across all cap levels, and will typically allocate their investments between emerging and developed markets. History of Fund/Manager FIGFX is a part of the Fidelity family of funds, a company based out of Boston, MA. Since Fidelity International Growth made its debut in November of 2007, FIGFX has garnered more than $943.78 million in assets. Jed Weiss is the fund's current manager and has held that role since November of 2007. Performance Investors naturally seek funds with strong performance. FIGFX has a 5-year annualized total return of 4.98% and is in the top third among its category peers. If you're interested in shorter time frames, do not dismiss looking at the fund's 3-year annualized total return of 8.56%, which places it in the middle third during this time-frame. When looking at a fund's performance, it is also important to note the standard deviation of the returns. The lower the standard deviation, the less volatility the fund experiences. The fund's standard deviation over the past 5 years is 11.03% compared to the category average of 1.21%. This makes the fund more volatile than its peers over the past half-decade. Risk Factors Investors should always remember the downsides to a potential investment, and this segment carries some risks one should be aware of. Even still, the fund has a 5-year beta of 0.83, so investors should note that it is hypothetically less volatile than the market at large. Because alpha represents a portfolio's performance on a risk-adjusted basis relative to a benchmark, which is the S&P 500 in this case, one should pay attention to this metric as well. Over the past 5 years, the fund has a negative alpha of -3.68. This means that managers in this portfolio find it difficult to pick securities that generate better-than-benchmark returns. Story continues Expenses For investors, taking a closer look at cost-related metrics is key, since costs are increasingly important for mutual fund investing. Competition is heating up in this space, and a lower cost product will likely outperform its otherwise identical counterpart, all things being equal. In terms of fees, FIGFX is a no load fund and it has an expense ratio of 0.94%. Investors should also note that the minimum initial investment for the product is $0 and that each subsequent investment has no minimum amount. Bottom Line This puts this fund from Fidelity in the top 20% of all mutual funds we have a rank on right now. As a result, this is likely an excellent choice for investors seeking an option in the Non US - Equity category. Want even more information about FIGFX? Then go over to Zacks.com and check out our mutual fund comparison tool, and all of the other great features that we have to help you with your mutual fund analysis for additional information. And don't forget, Zacks has all of your needs covered on the equity side too! Make sure to check out Zacks.com for more information on our screening capabilities, Rank, and all our articles as well. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Get Your Free (FIGFX): Fund Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Tripoli (AFP) - Fighting took place overnight at Libya's main oil field, the National Oil Company said on Monday without identifying the combatants. The NOC said on Twitter that it "forcefully condemns overnight clashes and an RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) attack on station 186 at the #Sharara oil field." Al-Sharara is located about 900 kilometres (560 miles) south of Tripoli is run by Akakus, a joint venture between the NOC, the Spanish group Repsol, Total of France, Austria's OMV and Norway's Statoil. It produces 315,000 barrels per day, or nearly one third of Libya's oil output, but has frequently been the target of attacks and blocked by militias. The NOC said "production remains unaffected" from the overnight fighting and staff were unharmed. It called for "the immediate cessation of hostilities, both across the country, and in and around key national energy infrastructure." Libya plunged into chaos after the ouster and killing of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, with a multitude of militias vying for control of the oil-rich country. It has two rival governments: the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli and a parallel administration in the east of the country. In February forces of strongman Khalifa Haftar, who backs the eastern administration, seized the Al-Sharara field without fighting as part of a military operation in the south of the country. Since April 4, Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army has been carrying out an offensive on Tripoli but has met stiff resistance from forces loyal to the GNA. The fighting has killed at least 278 people and wounded 1,332, according to the World Health Organization. More than 40,000 people have been displaced. The NOC on Saturday expressed concerns about the fighting. "NOC rejects all attempts to use corporation equipment and facilities for military objectives," said chairman Mustafa Sanalla. "NOC is the lifeline of the Libyan economy and must be protected from all forms of conflict," he said in a statement. Brest (France) (AFP) - Hundreds of passengers aboard a ferry travelling from Britain to Spain were brought to France unharmed on Monday after a fire broke out on the ship before dawn, French maritime authorities said. The Pont-Aven, operated by France's Brittany Ferries, raised the alarm around 4.00 am (0200 GMT) when a fire was detected in one of the two engine rooms as it was off the coast of northwest France. "The fire was quickly brought under control and there were no injured among the 766 passengers and 142 crew," the regional maritime authorities said. A French navy helicopter carrying firefighters and experts was dispatched to the vessel, travelling from the southern English port of Plymouth to Santander in northern Spain. The ship was diverted under its own power to the city of Brest, where passengers disembarked on foot or in their vehicles. "Nobody panicked," said passenger Andrew Haydon from southwest England, adding he had heard a "horrible noise" before the fire alarm was sounded. "It was a bit scary when we had to put on the life jackets," he said. Brittany Ferries said it was bringing passengers to another ship in nearby Roscoff to return to Plymouth, saying technicians were on their way to investigate the causes of the blaze. On board were travellers from Britain, France, Spain, the United States, China and Poland. The MV Pont-Aven, which can carry up to 2,400 passengers and 650 cars, is the largest vessel in the company's fleet, measuring 184 metres (600 feet) in length. By Yereth Rosen ANCHORAGE, Alaska, April 28 (Reuters) - A fire, apparently started by an inmate, engulfed a jail in an Alaska village on Sunday, killing two prisoners and badly injuring a guard, authorities said. The jail in the remote Yup'ik community of Napakiak went up in flames after a prisoner set fire to a mattress, according to a guard at the jail, the Alaska State Troopers said. The prisoner and his cellmate were killed, and a guard who tried to free them suffered "significant injuries," the state troopers said in a news release. The two bodies were found after the fire was extinguished and will be sent to the state medical examiner's office in Anchorage for autopsies and identifications, the release said. Napakiak is home to about 360 people, most of them engaging in a traditional Yup'ik lifestyle. The village is on the Kuskokwim River, about 400 miles (645 km) west of Anchorage. Like most rural Alaska villages, Napakiak lacks outside road access. The injured guard was flown out of the community for treatment, state troopers said. A state investigator and deputy fire marshals are traveling to Napakiak to investigate. (Reporting by Yereth Rosen in Anchorage; Editing by Peter Cooney) Col. John Howard, who was fired from command of the 375th Air Mobility Wing at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois in 2017 and was later punished for fraternization and conduct unbecoming an officer, will retire as a major. In a Friday email, Maj. Ryan DeCamp, a spokesman for the 18th Air Force at Scott, said the officer grade determination has concluded. His retirement at a lower rank will cost him about $20,000 per year in his retired pay. Howard was fired from wing command in December 2017, five months after assuming command. Last September, the 18th Air Force said he had accepted non-judicial punishments for conduct unbecoming and fraternization with a junior enlisted airman. Howard initially also faced charges of sexual assault and cruelty and maltreatment, but those charges were dropped. The Air Force said last September that the victim decided against testifying in a court-martial proceeding against Howard. Plea deal reached in case against fired mobility wing commander Howards attorney, Richard Stevens, said last year that the defense had uncovered evidence and witnesses that refuted the sexual assault allegation, and said it was false. In a statement he provided to Air Force Times Friday, Stevens said Howard intends to file a formal complaint and an appeal based on several issues in the case, including the officer grade determination. He also issued a blistering rebuke. The Air Force appears to be so starved for political and public relations validation that they issued this press release without explaining how they publicly charged, and sought a court-martial against, Col Howard based on a sexual assault allegation that was easily shown to be false and had to be dropped before the Article 32 hearing," Stevens wrote. "They have also failed to explain how the Air Force complainant, who, according to any reasonable interpretation of the evidence, made a blatantly false sexual assault allegation and engaged in other known misconduct, did not face appropriate consequences for her serious misbehavior. "As long as the Air Force panders for PR points, and shows little interest in holding all individuals in a given situation accountable for their misconduct, their public statements about a case should be seen as hollow attempts to pat themselves on their own back and nothing more. DeCamp said Howard is still on active duty, and his retirement is expected to take effect shortly. Five officers from Essex Police have been accused of gross misconduct after a man's fingers were severed by a toilet. Stock image. (PA) Five police officers have been accused of gross misconduct after a man lost the tips of three fingers when they were trapped under a toilet rim. The 33-year-old was being held at Colchester Police Station in Essex in the early hours of May 1 2015 when he was found with his foot in the toilet bowl. A number of officers tried to remove him from the toilet but he grabbed on to the rim, and as they attempted to restrain him the top of three of his fingers were chopped off. He was taken to hospital and the severed parts of the digits were retrieved but could not be reattached. No criminal investigation will take place. Stock image. (PA) On Monday, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) watchdog said that five Essex Police officers an inspector, three police constables and a temporary police sergeant will face gross misconduct proceedings over the case, beginning on May 7. IOPC regional director Sarah Green said: We concluded that five officers have a case to answer for gross misconduct and Essex agreed. It will now be for an independent panel to consider the evidence and make its judgment. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Inspiration for Winnie the Poohs 100 Acre Wood on fire Nigel Farage tells US audience Oldham has streets split by race Met Office says no bank holiday heatwave Essex Police replaced all toilets of the same design in the wake of the injury to the man, who was a foreign national with mental health issues. In addition to the five officers facing misconduct proceedings, one sergeant admitted misconduct over the case and received a written warning while another received management action. The Crown Prosecution Service decided in August that no criminal charges would be brought in the case. An alleged follower of Sri Lankan bombing mastermind Zahran Hashim was set to appear before an Indian court Tuesday after admitting he wanted to carry out an attack in India, investigators said. India has been concerned about Islamist extremists on its soil for some time and the April 21 Sri Lanka bombings that killed 253 people has left authorities alarmed that India might be at risk of a jihadist attack. The Indian national, identified as Riyas A, alias Riyas Aboobacker, 29, was arrested on Monday by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA), which handles counter-terrorism cases. During interrogation, he "disclosed that he has been following speeches/videos of Zahran Hashim of Sri Lanka for more than a year", an NIA statement said. "He admitted that he wanted to carry out a suicide attack in Kerala," a southern Indian state, it added. Hashim was a Sri Lankan Muslim preacher who led the coordinated Easter Sunday suicide attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, in one of the world's deadliest terrorist attacks. Military sources have said Hashim was not known to have visited Syria or Iraq, but travelled to India's Tamil Nadu state, which borders Kerala, and had been in contact with Islamists there. Hashim also appeared in a video released by the Islamic State group, showing him leading others in pledging allegiance to IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. IS has claimed responsibility for the Sri Lanka attacks. India had warned Sri Lanka that suicide attacks were possible weeks before. The NIA said that it arrested Riyas "for conspiring to commit a terrorist act" in connection with a 2016 case against an Indian man wanted, along with others, for leaving India to join IS abroad. Riyas had allegedly been in online contact with that suspect, Abdul Rashid Abdulla, alias Abu Isa, and followed his online audio posts including one "instigating others to carry out terror attacks in India", NIA said. Story continues - IS in India? - Aboobacker's arrest comes at a time when New Delhi is already anxious about the footprint of IS in the Hindu-majority country. Indian authorities have already arrested several people allegedly inspired by radical Islamist ideology in recent months. In 2016 the NIA launched an investigation into the disappearance of 15 young Indians thought to have left to join IS in Afghanistan and Syria. Pockets of southern India have since been on the radar of Indian investigators concerned over growing radicalism. Kabir Taneja, associate fellow with New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation, said that the danger of attacks may have increased since the collapse of IS's "caliphate" across swathes of Iraq and Syria. "I think some level of nervousness is expected, and it's good," Taneja told AFP. "Until now the attraction was to travel to the caliphate. What Sri Lanka might do is push for radicalised people to commit attacks at home," he added. The NIA recently announced that it had arrested an operative in an IS-inspired group that allegedly planned attacks in and around New Delhi. The arrest was soon followed by raids in three different parts of Kerala as part of a separate, ongoing investigation into three people suspected of links with the people who left India to join IS. The NIA said that its raids had recovered mobile phones, memory cards, diaries with handwritten notes and DVDs, and books of the banned Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. The South African foreign ministry has summoned Algerias ambassador after police in Pretoria launched a probe into sexual harassment allegations leveled by a woman against the diplomat. Pretoria has expressed its concern to Abd El Naceur Belaid, 64, suspected of unethical behaviors, involving sexual attacks, on a 42-year old single woman working at the Algerian mission. The woman reported Belaid to Brooklyn police in the South African capital for the behaviors she was victim of in March. According to the law enforcement establishment, which opened an investigation, the harassment was common between 2013 and 2016. The scandal involving Belaid has become the talk of town. One unnamed South African official argued on local radio station Jakaranda FM that diplomatic immunity does not grant diplomats a blank check to breach the law. By Will Dunham WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Centrist Republican Richard Lugar, a soft-spoken foreign policy powerhouse who championed nuclear nonproliferation during 36 years in the U.S. Senate, died on Sunday at age 87. The Lugar Center, a Washington-based nonprofit, said in a statement that he died peacefully at the Inova Fairfax Heart and Vascular Institute in Virginia due to complications from CIDP, a chronic neurological disorder. Lugar, a professorial Midwesterner known for his keen intellect and mild demeanor, served eight years as mayor of Indianapolis starting in 1968 before his long stint in the Senate from 1977 to 2013. He was the longest-serving senator ever from Indiana. Lugar was an influential Republican voice on foreign policy. A former Rhodes scholar and an avid runner into his 70s, Lugar served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and also headed the Agriculture Committee. He unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1996. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued a statement praising Lugar for his Senate work, including reducing nuclear weapons after the end of the Cold War. "He was a man of great decency who was widely respected on both sides of the aisle for his vast policy knowledge, especially on foreign affairs, and his commitment to bipartisan solutions," they said. Lugar's political career ended when he sought nomination for a seventh six-year Senate term in 2012 but was challenged by the Republican Party's right and beaten by a candidate backed by the conservative Tea Party movement, which did not like Lugar's willingness to make bipartisan compromises. As a senator, Lugar sought to curb the spread of nuclear weapons globally. His greatest achievement, forged alongside centrist Democratic Senator Sam Nunn, was a law under which the United States paid for the dismantling and elimination of the nuclear weapons in the former Soviet Union as well as chemical and biological arms. Story continues The 1991 measure was intended to keep nuclear weapons in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan from falling into the hands of hostile countries or extremist groups. Under the program, about 7,600 nuclear warheads were deactivated, 2,300 missiles destroyed and 24 nuclear weapons storage sites secured by the time Lugar's Senate career ended. He was 80 years old and the senior most Republican in the Senate when he left the Senate in January 2013. After leaving politics, he founded the Lugar Center, which is focused on global issues such as weapons proliferation, food supply, foreign aid and governance. "Governance requires adaptation to shifting circumstances," Lugar said in 2012 in his final speech on the Senate floor. "It often requires finding common ground with Americans who have a different vision than your own. It requires leaders who believe ... that their first responsibility to their constituents is to apply their best judgment." He said Republicans "must be willing to suspend reflexive opposition that serves no purpose but to limit their own role in strategic questions and render cooperation impossible." 'NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE' Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the top Senate Republican during Lugar's final years in Congress, praised him in 2012 as the "model of the public servant." "He's earned the respect and admiration of everyone who ever crossed his path," McConnell said on the Senate floor. "I assure you, in the world of politics, that's nothing short of a miracle." Lugar lost his first run for the Senate in 1974 against incumbent Democrat Birch Bayh, but two years later defeated another incumbent Democrat, Senator Vance Hartke. He was re-elected in 1982, 1988, 1994, 2000 and 2006. In seeking re-election in 2012, Lugar was beaten in the Republican primary by Richard Mourdock, Indiana's state treasurer. Mourdock lost in the general election to Democratic U.S. congressman Joe Donnelly after the Republican nominee said in a debate that if a woman became pregnant in a rape, it was "something that God intended to happen." In the Senate, Lugar amassed a largely conservative voting record but was willing to side with Democrats when his political convictions differed from the views of his party. He voted in 1986 to override Republican President Ronald Reagan's veto of a bill to impose economic sanctions on South Africa during its racist apartheid era. He played a key role in persuading Reagan in 1986 to end support for Philippines leader Ferdinand Marcos, leading to Marcos' peaceful ouster. In 2007, Lugar criticized Republican President George W. Bush's handling of the Iraq war, which began in 2003, particularly the stumbling U.S. efforts to stabilize and rebuild the country. Lugar's 1996 bid for the Republican presidential nomination focused on a president's role in leading the world toward a future secure from nuclear threats. But his stiff campaign style and refusal to conform to sound-bite themes doomed his chances and he dropped out early in the race. Born in Indianapolis on April 4, 1932, Lugar attended Pembroke College at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. He served in the Navy from 1957 to 1960, working as an intelligence officer. He married his wife, Charlene, in 1956. They had four sons. (Reporting by Will Dunham; Additional reporting by Vicki Allen; Editing by Bill Trott, Lisa Shumaker and Peter Cooney) BERLIN (Reuters) - France and Germany have asked the European Commission to approve state subsidies for a cross-border battery cell consortium including carmaker PSA with its German subsidiary Opel and French battery maker Saft, a German official said on Monday. The two countries have earmarked 1.7 billion euros ($1.9 billion) to support company alliances to help reduce European carmakers' dependence on Asian suppliers and protect jobs at risk from the shift away from combustion engines. The economy ministries of both countries sent a letter of intent to the European Union's executive body asking it to give a provisional go-ahead, a German economy ministry spokeswoman said, without giving a sum for the planned state funding. "We're now waiting for Brussels to give us the green light," the spokeswoman said, confirming an earlier report by FAZ newspaper. German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier will meet French counterpart Bruno Le Maire in Paris on Thursday to discuss the matter, aiming to make progress with forging further battery alliances. The FAZ report said that the PSA/Saft alliance was planning to convert an Opel factory in the western city of Kaiserslautern close to the French border into a battery cell production site. Among the more than 30 companies that applied for state funding at the German Economy Ministry are carmakers Volkswagen and BMW, as well as German battery maker Varta and Swedish battery manufacturing startup Northvolt. Saft, a 100-year old French company owned by energy company Total, produces a range of batteries for industrial applications. It has joined forces with German industrial group Siemens, electronic components specialist Manz, Belgian chemicals group Solvay and Belgian material group Umicore to develop a new generation of batteries for electric vehicles. (Reporting by Michael Nienaber; editing by Thomas Seythal and Kirsten Donovan) Paris (AFP) - The French government on Monday opened a suicide prevention unit for police officers after a sharp rise in the number taking their own lives since the start of this year. The move comes as prosecutors are investigating chants by some "yellow vest" anti-government protesters in recent weeks urging the police to "commit suicide," which have prompted widespread public outrage. Police unions say officers are under intense strain since the eruption of the protests last November, which have often degenerated into violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces. So far this year 28 officers have killed themselves, up from a total of 35 for all of last year, according to interior ministry figures. "We have to break the fear, break the shame, break the silence," Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said as he opened the prevention unit's offices in Paris. He said officials would also evaluate practices and procedures in the police forces of other countries as well as in private companies. Castaner acknowledged that police suicides were linked to the physical and emotional tolls of the work, which union officials say have increased significantly with the demands of securing the "yellow vest" protests. "I don't want to hear more about 'this has nothing to do with the service, it was a personal issue'," he said. But Castaner rejected claims that a move to let officers keep their service weapons at home when off duty, implemented after the deadly 2015 terror attacks in Paris, had contributed to the increase in suicides. "Over the past 10 years, the percentage of gun use in cases of suicides hasn't changed," he said. National police chief Eric Morvan had already raised the issue in a letter to France's 150,000 officers earlier this month, acknowledging there had been a "dramatic sequence" of suicides in the force. "The human responsibility that someone has in taking this terrible decision does not exonerate us from ours," he wrote. In two of the most recent cases, a policeman shot himself this month at home with his service weapon in Villejuif outside Paris, and a female captain shot herself in the heart in her office in the southern city of Montpellier. By Caroline Pailliez PARIS, April 29 (Reuters) - France is in a hurry to rebuild world famous Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Romain Legoube, an 18-year-old apprentice carpenter, hopes to be among those chosen for the prestigious task of restoring its centuries-old roof. "It would be an achievement to be able to say that we participated in the creation of Notre-Dame," Legoube told Reuters. Legoube is one of around 10,000 students trained every year by Les Compagnons du Devoir, a guild association created over 70 years ago, with a nod to medieval traditions, to train people in different crafts. Although saddened by the April 15 fire that destroyed the oak beam roof, Legoube hopes one day to walk on the vaults of the site and rebuild the frame of the roof, as previous builders of cathedrals did before him. But first, he must obtain his certification, and travel around workplaces in France and abroad to become a skilled craftsman. Jean-Claude Bellanger, who heads up the Compagnons du Devoir association, alerted the French government in the wake of the fire that there was a lack of manpower in the building trade, which could slow down Notre-Dame's reconstruction. Bellanger said the organization's partner companies are facing a shortage of about 100 stonecutters, 100 masons, 150 carpenters and 200 roofers. The government has yet to respond to Bellanger's comments, but President Emmanuel Macron has committed to rebuilding the cathedral, whose famed spire was destroyed in the fire, within five years. (Reporting by Caroline Pailliez Writing by Bate Felix, Editing by William Maclean) PARIS, April 29 (Reuters) - France has foiled a terrorist act and is holding four suspects in custody, said the French interior minister and a police source on Monday. The police source said the four suspects had been arrested on suspicion of acquiring weapons "with a view to committing a terrorist act." "We had sufficient evidence to lead us to believe that a major attack was being planned," Interior Minister Christophe Castaner also told reporters on Monday. (Reporting by Julie Carriat; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Alison Williams) A woman paid out hundreds of thousands after a con artist convinced her she was chatting with Fast and Furious star Jason Statham. A woman handed over hundreds of thousands to an online fraudster who pretended to be Hollywood star Jason Statham. The BBC reports the woman, from the north west of England, handed over an undisclosed amount after the con artist, believed to be operating overseas, convinced her he was the Snatch star and told her he loved her. The news comes as police warn such crimes are at "epidemic" levels, with Greater Manchester Police (GMP) receiving reports of about 1,000 victims a month. Detectives fear the true figure may be up to 10 times higher as many fraud victims never come forward. The con artist sent hundreds of messages to the woman via Whatsapp - making it harder to trace their location The woman, who asked not to be named, said she was targeted at a vulnerable time following the deaths of both her mother and fiance. "I'm quite a strong person but obviously certain things get to you and you let your guard down," she said. The woman said she was first contacted online by someone posing as Mr Statham while she was on a Facebook page dedicated to the Fast and Furious star. She was first contacted by an account claiming to be Mr Statham through a Facebook fan page. Ian West/PA Wire "I thought 'Oh, that's nice of him, talking to his fans'. I might have been star-struck then, I don't know," she said. The fraudster then encouraged her to use the encrypted WhatsApp service, sending her hundreds of messages over several months. The woman said it felt like she was building a relationship with the actor, although looking back "I don't feel like I was in the right place myself because of what I'd been through". The fraudster posing as Mr Statham told her he loved her and eventually asked her to help with some financial difficulties, claiming a film payment was delayed. She then made a series of payments to the fraudster, totalling hundreds of thousands of pounds. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Inspiration for Winnie the Poohs 100 Acre Wood on fire Nigel Farage tells US audience Oldham has streets split by race Met Office says no bank holiday heatwave While the woman declined to say the exact figure she transferred, "it was a substantial amount, which would have made a difference to my life and my family". Story continues Eventually, she contacted GMP, whose Economic Crime Unit investigated what had taken place. Det Con Craig Moylon said: "It's the volume crime of the 21st Century." A recent estimate put the total lost to fraud each year in the UK at about 110bn. "This lady has been subject to somebody who just tricked her at a very vulnerable time in her life," said Mr Moylon, who was involved in the investigation. "When you see the relentless messaging that this lady got from this person and you see the grooming and the exploitation... the impact is extraordinary," he said. GMP was unable to prosecute anyone over the fraud, with the person responsible believed to be operating from overseas. Lille (France) (AFP) - An ocean conservation group said Monday it had filed suit against a French aquarium over the premature deaths of 30 endangered hammerhead sharks. The move came after the Nausicaa aquarium in the northern French port city of Boulogne-sur-Mer said on Thursday that its last hammerhead, acquired in Australian waters eight years ago, had died from a fungus infection. It had stopped feeding three weeks earlier and been placed under observation. The shark died from the same fungus that caused the deaths of 29 other hammerheads at the aquarium since it acquired and began exhibiting them in 2011. Nausicaa, which bills itself as the largest public aquarium in Europe, said it was still investigating the causes for the early deaths of a shark that scientists say can live 20 to 30 years in the wild. But the international non-profit group Sea Shepherd on Monday called for an investigation into the techniques used to obtain the sharks and the conditions of their captivity. "Only greed, coupled with incompetence and flagrant irresponsibility, can explain this slaughter," it said. The distinctive shark, which can reach four metres in length, is on the Red List of endangered species at the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Nausicaa has defended its collection of the hammerheads, saying it is vital for protecting an animal at high risk of extinction. "100 million (sharks) are killed each year for their fins," which are a prized delicacy in much of Asia, aquarium director Philippe Vallette said last week. "If we want to increase our knowledge, we have to be able to observe them 24 hours a day. You can't do that in the ocean," he said. The claim was dismissed by Sea Shepherd, which called on the authorities to investigate a site that gets millions of euros in public funding. "If Nausicaa really wants to help protect the hammerhead... the three million euros of public funds spent on this project should have been invested in the fight against poaching," it said. POWAY, Calif. The family of a suspected synagogue gunman said in a powerful statement released Monday that they were "shocked" by the attack on the Chabad of Poway and their son "is now part of the history of evil that has been perpetrated on Jewish people for centuries." "Our sons actions were informed by people we do not know, and ideas we do not hold," read the statement from the family of John T. Earnest, the 19-year-old arrested in the Saturday attack that left one dead and three injured, including the synagogue's rabbi. "Like our other five children, he was raised in a family, a faith and a community that all rejected hate and taught that love must be the motive for everything we do. How our son was attracted to such darkness is a terrifying mystery to us, though we are confident that law enforcement will uncover many details of the path that he took to this evil and despicable act," the statement said. "Our heavy hearts will forever go out to the victims and survivors. Our thanks go to the first responders who prevented even greater loss of life and the well-wishers who have supported us. And we pray for peace," the statement said. Earnest has been charged with murder and three counts of attempted murder, and they carry special-circumstance allegations of a hate crime. San Diego County prosecutors also charged him Monday with a March 23 arson attack on a mosque in the city of Escondido. Also Monday, the FBI said it got tips about a threatening social media post about five minutes before Saturday's attack but did not have enough time to prevent it. The bureau told The Associated Press in a statement that its employees immediately took action to identify who wrote the post, but the shooting during a Passover service at Chabad of Poway took place before they could figure it out. The FBI said the information it received through its tip website and phone line included a link to the post but no specifics about its author or the location threatened. Story continues More: An 'AR-type assault weapon' was used in Poway synagogue shooting, police say. Was it legal in California? Also Monday, Lori Gilbert Kaye, who was hailed as a hero for her actions after Saturday's gunfire erupted, was to be remembered at a funeral and burial service. Kaye, 60, died while protecting Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who was evacuating children from the synagogue, Goldstein said. An emotional Goldstein, who suffered serious wounds to his hands and lost his right index finger, came before TV cameras Sunday night in a powerful press conference and talked about the "indescribable sight" he witnessed when confronting the gunman. He lauded the bravery of members of his congregation, particularly his beloved friend Kaye, who shielded Goldstein from the gunfire. "Lori took the bullet for all of us." A 'comforting' call: Injured California rabbi gets a call from President Donald Trump The other injured persons in the attack were identified as Noya Dahan, 8, and her uncle Almog Peretz, 34, who rushed her and other children outside when the shooting started. Witnesses said the gunman's AR-style rifle apparently jammed, and he fled while being shot at by an off-duty Border Patrol agent attending services. Goldstein said that his synagogue, like many others, can't afford a full-time armed guard and that he had welcomed the armed agent's presence during important services. San Diego Sheriff William Gore said Earnest posted an online manifesto in which he criticized Jews and also celebrated the slaying of 50 Muslims at shootings at two mosques last month in Christchurch, New Zealand. The manifesto echoes common white supremacist themes. Earnest and his family are members of the Escondido Orthodox Presbyterian Church, where Pastor Zach Keele spoke repeatedly during Sunday's service of the tragedy and the evil that had come to the congregation. The Earnest family is a prominent part of the congregation, and John Earnest, the suspect's father, is listed on the program. Saturday's attack came exactly six months after 11 people were killed at a Pittsburgh synagogue. "We will not be broken. This is not going to break us," said Fred Nasseri, who usually attends services at Chabad of Poway but was not there during the shooting. Nasseri said Kaye was "very giving, kind. She was an angel. ... Ive known her for 25 years, and I can say nothing but good things about her. ... The community lost a great soul. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Family of suspect in synagogue shooting: Son 'now a part of the history of evil' against Jews The Paris-based Pan-African weekly magazine Jeune Afrique has nominated head of Moroccos internal security among top 100 most influential Africans for the name the man made for himself in the fight against terrorism. Abdellatif Hammouchi, who also heads the kingdoms powerful FBI-style Central Bureau of judiciary investigation (BCIJ), features in the ranking for his outstanding achievements at home and internationally, the magazine says. Dubbed the nightmare of terrorists by Jeune Afrique, Hammouchi this month received accolades from as far as Asia as he helped Sri Lankan authorities identify the terrorists who slaughtered over 350 people in multiple attacks on hotels and churches on Easter Sunday. The magazine stresses that Abdellatif Hammouchi has also managed to reconcile the citizens with their police. Actually, since his appointment as head of the national and then territorial security (DGST & DGSN), he initiated a vast reform of the security system that did not consist only in a factual, material, logistical and human repositioning, but also sought to strengthen infrastructures and upgrade technological equipment worthy of a modern police. He also introduced a fundamental change of minds and new ethics to bring the police closer to citizens. The now-powerful man and his institution had also offered tip offs in the past that helped Spain, France and Belgium ward off terrorist attacks and arrest terrorists. ATLANTA (AP) A gym teacher named Teacher of the Year by his colleagues has been stripped of the title. WSB-TV reports that educators at Henderson Mill Elementary School in metro Atlanta voted physical education teacher James O'Donnell their teacher of the year. But DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Steve Green said O'Donnell doesn't meet the requirements, because he was suspended last November. O'Donnell returned to work in February under a legal agreement, even though the school's new principal didn't want him back, and his colleagues honored him in March. At issue was his discipline of a 10-year-old who was acting up; O'Donnell made him stand outside the door. Instead, the boy ran out in the rain, arriving to his next class wet and cold, and O'Donnell was accused of endangering the child. A 13-year-old girl in Germany is accused of kidnapping herself (Picture: PA) A teenager in Germany has been accused of faking her own kidnapping in an effort to extort a ransom from her father. Police in Berlin claim the 13-year-old girl staged her own abduction with the help of an 18-year-old male accomplice. They said the pair stages the kidnapping in a bid to blackmail her father for 35,000 in ransom money. Police initially launched a massive search to find the girl after she was reported kidnapped on Saturday. More than 280 officers and sniffer dogs were involved in the manhunt after she reportedly went missing. More than 280 German police officers were involved in the search (Picture: PA) However, police said they later found the girl and an 18-year-old man walking along the street in the district of Schoneberg in the south west of Berlin just after midnight. Read more Health Secretary adds prominent addiction warnings to opioid painkillers Nicola Sturgeon calls for second referendum vote - 'Scotland needs independent future Heathrow Airport introduces technology so you won't have to show your passport Her father had reported the kidnapping after receiving what he believed was a ransom demand from kidnappers. The girl, who is originally from Syria, was handed over to the youth welfare office because she refused to return home. Her alleged accomplice was taken into police custody. He is due to appear in court to face charges of extortion and faking a crime. Police claim the pair were well prepared for staging the kidnapping and that they had even recorded hostage videos. They said the two teenagers had demanded two cash drops from her father. Frankfurt am Main (AFP) - The world's biggest auto parts maker Bosch said Monday it would work with a Swedish firm to develop key components for hydrogen fuel cells designed to power cars, after backing off building electric batteries. Stuttgart-based Bosch and Powercell Sweden AB -- formerly a subsidiary of carmaker Volvo -- aim to bring the fuel cells to market "in 2022 at the latest". Hydrogen-powered electric vehicles could prove winners compared with their battery-driven cousins for some applications. They offer a longer range and can be refuelled about as quickly as a petrol- or diesel-powered vehicle. At the same time, hydrogen cars boast some of the advantages of battery-electric, including powerful acceleration, silent operation and no emissions at the point of use except water vapour. But a number of technological hurdles remain to be cleared before mass deployment. Large amounts of electricity are required to produce hydrogen, and there is a very limited network of fuelling stations. Just sixty refuelling points are available across Germany. Bosch did not reveal the financial terms of its deal with Powercell Sweden, but the two firms will work together to develop the so-called "stack" -- components at the heart of the cell where the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen takes place to produce electricity. The group last year decided not to compete with existing Asian industry leaders in producing electric batteries for cars, seeing the rivals' technological advantage as too great to catch up. By doing so, it turned away from supplying German carmakers like mammoth Volkswagen as they gear up to offer dozens of electric vehicles over the coming decade. Manufacturers have taken the plunge on electric power faced with looming tougher emissions rules in the European Union, loaded with hefty financial penalties if they are breached. European carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction targets "can only be reached by electrifying more and more of the powertrain. The fuel cell can play a decisive role here," Bosch said. At first, "the best opportunities for broad adoption of fuel-cell technology are in the commercial-vehicle market," the firm added, although it expects broader use in passenger cars should follow. By 2030, Bosch estimates that 20 percent of all electric vehicles worldwide will be powered by fuel cells. By Dan Whitcomb LOS ANGELES, April 29 (Reuters) - The last two giant pandas living at the San Diego Zoo in California will be sent to the People's Republic of China this spring, ending a more than two-decade conservation program that helped bring the black-and-white bears back from the brink of extinction. The two remaining pandas, Bai Yun and her 6-year-old cub Xiao Liwu, will be sent to China in the coming days after three weeks of goodbyes that culminated over the weekend, the last chance for Californians to see them. "We knew when we started the program that they were not our bears and that they wouldn't be staying so that was always in our minds," the pandas' keeper, Dallas Dumont, told Reuters. "But we're very proud of what we've accomplished. We set out to help the species and keep it from going extinct and with our Chinese colleagues we've accomplished that," she said. Giant pandas were threatened with extinction when they were originally loaned to the San Diego Zoo by the Chinese government in 1996, in what was initially intended to be a 10-year program to help re-establish the species. The initial loan was extended to last some 23 years. In 2016, the status of giant pandas was changed from endangered to vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, reflecting their comeback. As of 2019, there were 2,000 wild pandas in China, their native habitat, according to the zoo. MATRIARCH OF THE ZOO "China believes in having their animals retire back in their country, or be repatriated, so Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu are now going back home to China," Dumont said. Bai Yun was born in 1991 at the Wolong Giant Panda Research Center in China and was among the original cohort of bears loaned to the zoo in 1996. She has since given birth to six cubs and is considered the "matriarch" of the San Diego panda family. One of her cubs, Xiao Liwu, is considered essentially a teenager in bear years and zookeepers hope he will breed with a female bear in China. His father, Gao Gao, returned to China in October 2018. In the United States, giant pandas are also kept at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and at zoos in Memphis and Atlanta. San Diego Zoo officials said they were working with their counterparts in China to bring pandas back to California. (Reporting by Dan Whitcomb and Rollo Ross; editing by bill Tarrant and Sandra Maler) Detectives have released CCTV footage after a schoolgirl was snatched and bundled into woodland in Leeds. Police said the 12-year-old was walking along Old Run Road, Hunslet, at about 9.15am on April 23 as she made her way to school when she was approached by a man near to the M621 flyover. He grabbed her around the waist and picked her up and carried her across the road towards a secluded wooded area behind an electricity substation. He ran off after the girl fought back as the man was disturbed by a woman passer-by who contacted the police. Detectives investigating a kidnap attempt have released CCTV after a man picked up a 12-year-old and carried her into woodland in Leeds. (West Yorkshire Police) Detectives have released CCTV footage of. a man they would like to speak to after an attempt to abduct a schoolgirl in Leeds. (West Yorkshire Police) He was described as white, medium height and build, with short dark hair and a beard. Police say he was wearing a blue hoodie, black t-shirt and beige trousers with black stripes down each leg. Detective Inspector James Entwistle, of Leeds CID, said: The circumstances of this incident are clearly very disturbing and we urgently need to identify the man shown in these images. The woman who intervened was able to film him on her phone as he ran off across a nearby park off Moor Road and we also have CCTV footage of him in the area which we are releasing. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Inspiration for Winnie the Poohs 100 Acre Wood on fire Nigel Farage tells US audience Oldham has streets split by race Met Office says no bank holiday heatwave We believe the man is quite identifiable from these images and we would like to hear from anyone who recognises him or who has seen him in the area. The victim and her family have been left shocked and upset by what happened and we are continuing to support them as we progress the investigation. We recognise the understandable concern that an incident such as this will be causing in the community and we are continuing to work closely with our colleagues in the local neighbourhood policing team to reassure people. Anyone with information is asked to contact Leeds District CID via 101 quoting crime reference 13190207155 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has some seriously dedicated Marvel fans who aren't afraid to go big to show their love for the franchise. On Sunday, The Boston Globe reported that a group of "pranksters" transformed MIT's Great Dome into Captain America's iconic red, white, and blue shield on Saturday night in honor of Avengers: Endgame. Now, thanks to a video uploaded to YouTube by MIT sophomore Raymond Huffman, Avengers fans all around the world can see the display. SEE ALSO: Chris Pratt shares behind-the-scenes footage from 'Avengers: Endgame' set The dome redecoration was carried out by an ambitious group consisting of dozens of people, who call themselves the MIT "hackers." They reportedly started planning the Captain America tribute about a year ago, after learning when the final Avengers film would be released, and have been hard at work for the past few months making sure everything was set for the big reveal. One of the members anonymously explained to The Boston Globe that the current generation of MIT students grew up watching the franchise, so they wanted to show thanks for the role it played in their lives. And it looks like the display of gratitude was a real success, and even gained the attention and praise of Captain America himself, actor Chris Evans, who thinks the transformation is "very cool!" For those unfamiliar with MIT's Dome Hacks, this isn't the first time the building has been tampered with. In the past, the school's Great Dome has been transformed into R2D2, had a fake police car placed on top, a piano, and more. The Great Dome decorated to look like R2D2 Image: Frank O'Brien/The Boston Globe via Getty Images A fake MIT Police car atop the University's Great Dome. Image: David L Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images Story continues The hacker associated with the latest Captain America-themed dome redecoration told The Boston Globe that "putting things on the dome is a big challenge," and, "the priority is safety for people, and safety for MIT structures." "We hope people look at it and it gets their imagination going," the hacker told the publication. The Pastrami Project. | Photo: Tory P./Yelp Visiting College Park, or just looking to better appreciate what it has to offer? Get to know this Orlando neighborhood by browsing its most popular local businesses, from a food truck to an Italian spot. Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top places to visit in College Park, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of neighborhood businesses. Read on for the results. 1. The Pastrami Project Photo: ted a./Yelp Topping the list is food truck and deli The Pastrami Project, which offers sandwiches and more. Located at 175 E. Par Ave., it's the highest rated business in the neighborhood, boasting 4.5 stars out of 44 reviews on Yelp. 2. K Restaurant Photo: francesca a./Yelp Next up is cocktail bar and traditional American spot K Restaurant, serving salads and more, situated at 1710 Edgewater Drive. With 4.5 stars out of 411 reviews on Yelp, it's proven to be a local favorite. 3. Trevi Pasta Photo: katarina d./Yelp Italian restaurant Trevi Pasta is another top choice. Yelpers give the business, which offers gelato for dessert, 4.5 stars out of 309 reviews. It is located at 2120 Edgewater Drive. 4. Shakers American Cafe Photo: shannon g./Yelp Shakers American Cafe is another much-loved neighborhood go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 255 Yelp reviews. Head over to 1308 Edgewater Drive for traditional American fare. 5. Jade Sushi & New Asian Photo: jade sushi & new asian/Yelp Finally, there's Jade Sushi & New Asian, a local favorite with 4.5 stars out of 232 reviews. Stop by 2425 Edgewater Drive to hit up the sushi bar and Asian fusion spot, which offers ramen and more, next time you're in the neighborhood. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. The sea is beautiful and refreshing on a hot day, but its also extremely unpredictable, with potential rip currents and sneaker waves often keeping swimmers on edge. So its no surprise that people seeking recreation and relaxation in salty waters have been working to tame small sections of the ocean for centuries now, building sea baths that provide a protected place to float, swim, and sunbathe. The very first might have been built by the ancient Romans on a stretch of Italian coast with relatively few beaches, but the trend really took off during the 17th century, when sea bathing was thought to have a curative, therapeutic value. Modern sea baths build on these early ideas either by creating sea pools on beaches or building floating platforms, which themselves might offer diving boards, stadium seating, saunas, bathrooms, changing rooms, boat launches, and other amenities. A new example of the latter has popped up on the island of Bornholm in Denmark, and it looks like a gorgeous way to spend a sunny afternoon. The Hasle Harbour Bath by White Architects is a sculptural space thats bringing a little vitality back to a town hit hard by the decline of its fishing industry. Once a hub for shipping, fishing, and ferry service, the local port has grown quiet in recent years. But the things that are truly unique about Hasle Harbour are its numerous breakwaters, which protect it from the surge of the Baltic Sea but also make it feel distant and disconnected from life on land. The architects wanted to revitalize the area and make use of its isolated waters by creating a fun public area with views of the horizon. Made of two timber stair formations protruding from a floating concrete platform, the Harbour Bath design takes inspiration from flying carpets to create a viewing platform and outdoor lounge, offering swimming pools of various depths along its inner edge and diving boards for swimmers who want to interact with the open water. Story continues The intention was for people to walk, sit, and lie on the new structure, which gave rise to the design concept of outdoor carpeting that folded over the breakwaters, White Architects explain. The largest of these, the flygande mattan or flying carpet, forms the main structure. Welcoming all ages and abilities, the open design allows visitors to intuitively interact with the structure. The unusual name refers to the tip of the Z-shaped structure, [which] shoots seven meters above the waters surface, evoking the dynamism of the mythological carpet. At this westerly point, visitors are rewarded with views of the Hasle harbour, the sea, and the formidable sunsets. Hasle Harbour Bath adds to a collection of similar destinations throughout Denmark and elsewhere in Europe and the U.K. In addition to the old Ribersborgs Kallbadhus in Sweden, established in 1898, and Copenhagens Kastrup Sbad, built in 2004, bathers can also enjoy The Harbor Bath by world-renowned Danish architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in Aarhus. If the Hasle Harbour Baths piqued your interest, youll definitely want to check out a few more unusual swimming spots, including the Kastrup sea bath and Berlins Badeschiff. Photo: Jernej Graj/Unsplash Looking for something to do this week? From a Kentucky Derby party to house music, here's a lineup of options to help you get social around town. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Community Engagement Event This event is for kids in eighth grade through 10th grade. Generation Nation and the Young Black Leadership Alliance are partnering with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to host the session. The aim is to help build a positive future for kids. When: Tuesday, April 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Where: Johnston YMCA, 3025 N. Davidson St. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Hope and Healing Mothers Day Tea The Leading Ladies Womens Ministry of World Worship Church is hosting this Mothers Day tea party. This program will focus on dealing with the loss of a child. Melissa Harris and Saundra Adams will be the featured guest speakers. When: Saturday, May 4, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: World Worship Church, 3925 Rose Lake Drive Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Kappa Derby Day Party This party will celebrate the Kentucky Derby. The Charlotte Kappas and Vineyard Vines Southpark are presenting the event. Expect music, food, an open bar and more. When: Saturday, May 4, 2-7 p.m. Where: Charlotte Kappa House, 5409 Beatties Ford Road Admission: $30 (General). More ticket options are available. Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Barbara Tucker Barbara Tucker will be the featured performer at this music event. She specializes in house music. DJ Q is also slated to perform. When: Saturday, May 4, 10 p.m.-Sunday, May 5, 3 a.m. Where: NoDa@28st Creative Studios, 2424 N. Davidson St., Suite #110 Admission: $10 (Early Bird); $20 (General Admission). Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. The United Nations has announced that it will grant Cyclone-hit Mozambique and the Comoros Islands about $13 million in emergency funds. Cyclone Kenneth has left five dead in Mozambique as of Sunday as rescuers struggled through floods to reach stranded people. The flooding is worst in the northern port city of Pemba, where 4,500 people have left their homes for refugee shelters. It comes barely a month since Cyclone Idai hit the region, killing more than 900 people in three countries. The UN emergency funds will help provide food and water and repair damage to infrastructure. More than 160,000 people have been displaced by the cyclone, 30,000 houses have been destroyed, and 24,000 people are in need of shelter, according to the World Food Program. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs (OCHA) reported some Pemba residents also fear post-cyclone landslides. The landfall of Kenneth marks the first time in recorded history that two cyclones have hit Mozambique in one season, Al Jazeera reports. UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Sunday that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is appealing to the international community for additional resources, critically needed to fund the response to the twin tragedies in the immediate, medium- and longer-term. The Secretary-General is deeply saddened at reports of loss of lives and destruction in Mozambique and Comoros as a result of tropical cyclone Kenneth, six weeks after Cyclone Idai made landfall in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, the Spokesman said in a statement. The BBC quoting the UN said, 1.8 million people are in need of aid due to the devastation caused by Idai, while another 168,000 people will need aid due to Kenneth. The World Bank estimates Mozambique and other countries affected by the tropical storm will need over $2 billion to recover. Taft Theatre. | Photo: Magda C./Yelp Looking to mix things up this week? From a piano concert to a Kentucky Derby party, here are a few top options to help you get out and about in the days ahead. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 2019 JumpStart Theatre Showcase From the event description: Join the Educational Theatre Foundation and The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati in celebrating and recognizing the achievements of the JumpStart Theatre schools. The Showcase will feature performances from current JumpStart Theatre participants: Aiken New Tech High School, Clark Montessori High School, Dater High School, Felicity-Franklin Middle School, Oyler School and Roberts Academy, as well as three JumpStart Theatre 2018 graduates. When: Tuesday, April 30, 6-8 p.m. Where: Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Spotlight: Art of Piano Concert From the event description: This concert, which is a continuing partnership between Salon 21 and Art of Piano, features one of the 2018 winners of the Enlight Prize, an award given to an outstanding pianist who best represents the spirit of the annual Art of Piano music festival for aspiring pianists. Pianist Talon Smith is only 16-years-old but has already earned high acclaim for his poetic and musical artistry, engaging his listeners in an unforgettable and touching musical experience. When: Thursday, May 2, 7-8 p.m. Where: Aronoff Center for the Arts, Weston Art Gallery, 650 Walnut St. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets The Art Academy of Cincinnati's 150th Anniversary Block Party From the event description: To celebrate its 150th anniversary, the Art Academy of Cincinnati invites the public to its block party in the 1200 block of Jackson Street in Over-the-Rhine. This free event will feature musical performances, vendors and food. Attendees will also be able to view Cincinnatis first modular art pod exhibit. Story continues When: Friday, May 3, 6-11 p.m. Where: Art Academy of Cincinnati, 1212 Jackson St. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Strategies to Reduce Gun Violence Forum From the event description: This event will discuss strategies to reduce gun violence in Cincinnati and provide attendees with an opportunity to connect with other individuals and organizations who have the same goal. Dr. O'dell Owens will be the keynote speaker with representatives from local community and city offices also in attendance to help lead the conversation on creating a safer Cincinnati for everyone. When: Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: United Way of Greater Cincinnati, 2400 Reading Road Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Kentucky Derby Party From the event description: It's that time of the year to put on elegant hats, sip mint juleps and meet up with friends to celebrate the 145th Kentucky Derby. College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation invites guests to celebrate the Kentucky Derby at Historic Laurel Court on Saturday. You will be treated to a complimentary cocktail hour featuring mint juleps, beer and wine, Derby-themed catering and games and silent and live auctions. When: Saturday, May 4, 5-10 p.m. Where: Laurel Court, 5870 Belmont Ave. Admission: $85 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Photo: Erik Witsoe/Unsplash Looking for something to do this week? From a bridal show to the screening of a documentary, here are the best options to help you get social around town. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Beyond Columbine: Colorado Springs - A Community Conversation with RMPBS From the event description: The Rocky Mountain Public Broadcast System is hosting a facilitated conversation, where we seek to humanize and illuminate the ways in which our community and state have been impacted in the last 20 years. Utilizing video excerpts from the upcoming series Beyond Columbine, multiple locations in the state will partake in a conversation, sharing personal stories in the time since Columbine. When: Tuesday, April 30, 6-8:30 p.m. Where: Tim Gill Center for Public Media, 315 E. Costilla St. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets DNMO From the event description: The Social 719 is hosting Electronic Dance Music artist DNMO on Friday, along with two special guests. The 17-year-old British DJ released a new single, "Sick of You," in February. When: Friday, May 3, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Where: The Social 719, 3506 N. Academy Blvd. Admission: $27.50 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets B.E.N. Literacy Festival From the event description: The sixth Annual Black Educators Network Literacy Festival integrates literacy, leadership, science, technology, engineering, art, math, music and movement to provide interactive activities and sessions for the entire family. Secondary students may attend the college literacy tour of the campus and residential housing. Free books, raffles for door prizes and a continental breakfast are available. When: Saturday, May 4, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Where: UCCS Dwire Hall, 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Story continues Colorado Bridal Show From the event description: Plan your wedding in one day at the Boutique Bridal Show at the Hotel Elegante Conference and Event Center. Sample wedding cake and food from caterers, shop from wedding vendors, win great prizes and more. When: Sunday, May 5, noon-4 p.m. Where: Hotel Elegante Conference & Event Center, 2886 S. Circle Drive Admission: $2 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Screening of film 'Big Sonia" From the event description: The Richard F. Celeste Theatre In the Cornerstone Arts Center at Colorado College is hosting a free screening of the documentary "Big Sonia" on Sunday. The 2016 film is about the life of Sonia Warshawski, a 94-year old survivor of the concentration camps at Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen. This film is a poignant story of generational trauma and healing with moments of humor and humanity that demonstrate the power of love to triumph over bigotry and the power of truth telling to heal us all. When: Sunday, May 5, 4-7 p.m. Where: Richard F. Celeste Theatre, in the Cornerstone Arts Center at Colorado College, 825 N. Cascade Ave. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Photo: Markus Spiske/Unsplash Looking to mix things up this week? From a live show to a 1920s-themed fundraiser, here's a roundup of options to help you get out and about in the days ahead. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Allman Betts Band with Special Guest JD Simo From the event description: After a successful year touring as The Devon Allman Project with special guest Duane Betts, the sons of Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts are joining forces to form The Allman Betts Band. They will kick off 2019 with a new Allman Betts Band album and a worldwide tour that will feature new music, songs from their solo projects and classic Allman Brothers and Gregg Allman tunes in honor of the 50th anniversary of The Allman Brothers Band. When: Monday, April 29, 8-11 p.m. Where: Knuckleheads, 2715 Rochester Ave. Admission: $25 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets An International Jazz Day Celebration of Kansas City Jazz Past, Present and Future From the event description: Join members and associates of the Mutual Musicians Foundation as we pay homage to the traditional style of Kansas City jazz and explore its fusion with current and cutting edge musical trends. The event will feature sets led by Ernest Melton, Desmond Mason, Tyree Johnson, James De Noir and more. When: Tuesday, April 30, 6-9 p.m. Where: 1823 Highland Ave Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Compassion Without Fatigue From the event description: Does your work entail significant or ongoing stress? Have you ever found yourself feeling completely exhausted as a caregiver or traumatized by anothers pain? We invite you to join a practical and interactive training session to support your own resilience. Participants will learn the differences between secondary trauma, compassion fatigue and burnout. Guests will also learn mindfulness techniques, tools to reinforce intrapersonal boundaries, practicing empathy and more. Story continues When: Wednesday, May 1, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Where: Penn Valley Community College, Malcolm T Wilson Student Enrollment Center, 3201 S.W. Trafficway Admission: $89 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Kansas City Public Schools Bus Tour From the event description: Join Kansas City Public Schools as to take a tour of different schools in the area. Learn about the different options available for Kansas City students, from a Montessori curriculum to foreign language to the traditional school format. Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes. When: Thursday, May 2, 11 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Where: Kansas City Board of Education, 2901 Troost Ave. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets National Widow's Day Banquet 2019 From the event description: Check out the 4th annual National Widows Day Banquet and Fundraiser this Friday. Start the roaring 20s night out with a specialty cocktail while you bid at the silent auction and enjoy the live jazz band. Enjoy a dinner and open bar, followed with a dance. Guests are encouraged to wear 1920s-themed flapper dresses and men's attire. Widows and widowers are admitted for free. When: Friday, May 3, 6-9 p.m. Where: El Torreon, 3101 Gillham Plaza Admission: $50 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Photo by texaus1 from Flickr Keeping up with the institutions that keep New York City running can be a tall order. So Hoodline examined the city's past week on Twitter, especially those users that are devoted to civic life local government, media, nonprofits, unions, transit and utilities. Our goal? To uncover and write about the things that drove your social media conversations on those topics. Media The media keep you informed about the news you need. Here are some of the top tweets from the city's journalists of the past week. New York City's Twitter conversations regarding media held steady in volume last week compared to the week before. Despite that, some local tweets did get attention locally. Here's a case in point, by @NY1: The man seen in this video is wanted by police for allegedly destroying a total of 42 LinkNYC kiosks in Manhattan between April 16 and April 23. Anyone with information on the case should contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-8477 and or text CRIMES and then enter TIP577. https://t.co/LH7Pb5rAex Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) The tweet got some attention, with 12 local retweets, 26 local quotes and 124 total retweets, quotes and favorites. Another locally popular tweet was this, from @N12jamiestuart on Friday: Huge game tonight...but Barry Trotz is a man of the people #Isles @News12LI https://t.co/cP4QbMgsjV jamie stuart (@N12jamiestuart) The earned 32 local retweets, nine local quotes and 1,876 total retweets, quotes and favorites. There was also this Thursday tweet from @ABC7NY: HEARTBREAKING: A 13-year-old girl has died after slipping into a coma following a fight with two teens who jumped her as she walked home from school. Our hearts go out to her loved ones during this tragic time: https://t.co/0zzZXFI7ND https://t.co/1dvs2tedPS Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) In all, the tweet got 16 local retweets, 10 local quotes and 333 total retweets, quotes and favorites. Story continues Transit Hoodline has gathered top tweets from local public transit agencies on Twitter over the past week. New York City had a bump in Twitter conversations on the subject of transit last week 869, compared with 814 the previous week. One of them with good local popularity was this tweet from @NYCTSubway: This morning, we reported that a trains brakes were automatically activated along the F line, disrupting many of your commutes. Were often asked, what activated the brakes? Todays answer? This seltzer bottle, and which was found under a signal stop arm at York St. (1/3) https://t.co/12RGbQCav2 NYCT Subway (@NYCTSubway) As of this publication, the tweet racked up 148 local retweets, 142 local quotes and 1,148 total retweets, quotes and favorites. In addition, @NYC_DOT tweeted this Wednesday: NYC will pilot an experimental new transit improvement on 14th St - Transit/Truck Priority Lanes - and make permanent the #bikenyc lane improvements made in advance of the #LProject on Grand St in Brooklyn & 12th/13th Sts in Manhattan. @NYCMayorsOffice: https://t.co/oU7IHQw2Yb https://t.co/TqYE8Sw1kV NYC DOT (@NYC_DOT) All told, the tweet racked up 32 local retweets, 56 local quotes and 234 total retweets, quotes and favorites. @LIRR tweeted this on Friday: Good luck tonight to the @NYIslanders as they begin Round 2 of the #StanleyCup Playoffs! We'll have extra for all Islanders home games throughout the series. Let's go Islanders! #YesYesYes #CARvsNYI LIRR (@LIRR) The tweet racked up 22 local retweets, 16 local quotes and 726 total retweets, quotes and favorites. Unions Hoodline combed local Twitter and curated the latest news and announcements from and about the city's unions. New York City saw a slip in Twitter conversations about unions last week 78, compared to 107 the past week. Yet some tweets proved popular. For example, this tweet from @32BJSEIU: The @NYCCouncil is considering "just cause" legislation to enshrine fairness and dignity for fast food workers. It could become a model for other cities and industries. https://t.co/UvqkHUvOcC @nadrakareem @CivilEats #JustCause #MyFastFoodStory @bradlander @AdrienneEAdams 32BJ SEIU (@32BJSEIU) As of this publication, the tweet racked up nine local retweets and 50 total retweets, quotes and favorites. Another that got attention locally was this, from @PSC_CUNY on Friday: The most powerful engine of economic development for NYS is not Amazon and Google or any other corporation. It's @CUNY! https://t.co/mNhxqYRl2u PSC_CUNY (@PSC_CUNY) The tweet got some attention, with four local retweets, six local quotes and 45 total retweets, quotes and favorites. On Saturday, @DistCouncil37 tweeted: Today we are out canvassing in the 45th City Council District to inform our members we have officially endorsed Monique Chandler-Waterman. Special election is Tues, 5/14! If you live or work in Bklyn and would like to volunteer, and please call Political Action @ 212-815-1550 https://t.co/8W2qPNtYKg DC37, AFSCME (@DistCouncil37) In all, the tweet got three local retweets, three local quotes and 22 total retweets, quotes and favorites. Government Hoodline makes it easy to keep up with the latest news and announcements from local government on Twitter. New York City experienced little change in Twitter conversations on the subject of government last week compared with the week before. Some tweets got a lot of interest locally, like this from @NYCMayorsOffice: A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers and but borrowed from his children. John James Audubon Happy Earth Day! Today will be a high of 66 degrees with a chance of rain in the evening. https://t.co/uMFkd9W8MH NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) How popular was it? The tweet garnered 120 local retweets, two local quotes and 885 total retweets, quotes and favorites. @globalnyc tweeted this Monday: #OneNYC 2050 is New York City's roadmap for a more sustainable and fair future for all. We're committed to using the @UN #GlobalGoals as a framework to share challenges and solutions and and report on our progress to the UN every year. https://t.co/HMKq0ezMjh #GlobalGoalsNYC https://t.co/kjYMT7JDtu NYC International Affairs (@globalnyc) In all, the tweet got eight local retweets, 14 local quotes and 81 total retweets, quotes and favorites. Then there was this tweet from @NYCCouncil on Monday: Council Member @cmenchaca participates in #EarthDay clean up event in #SunsetPark. https://t.co/2bdzaT4J7E NYC Council (@NYCCouncil) All told, the tweet racked up four local retweets, four local quotes and 29 total retweets, quotes and favorites. This story was created automatically using data from Twitter, then reviewed by an editor before publication. Click here for more about how and why Hoodline is automating local news. Got thoughts about what we're doing? Go here to share your feedback. Photo: Miguel Henriques/Unsplash There's a little something for everyone coming up on the events calendar this week. From a discussion with musician Parker Millsap to a heart healthy breakfast, here's a rundown of options to help you get out and about in the days ahead. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Generation Citizen OK Civics Trivia Night From the event description: Head over to the Ponyboy on Tuesday for the Generation Citizen's Oklahoma Board for Trivia Night fundraiser to benefit student leaders citywide. Test your civic knowledge with three rounds of trivia plus a lightning round When: Tuesday, April 30, 5:30-8 p.m. Where: Ponyboy, 423 N.W. 23rd St. Admission: $25. More ticket options available. Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Parker Millsap Masterclass and Discussion From the event description: Attend a free masterclass and discussion, prior to his sold out concert, with Oklahoma native and musician Parker Millsap on Wednesday at The Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma. Millsap has appeared on Conan, performed with Elton John at the Apple Music Festival in London, tapped an Austin City Limits session and received a nomination for Album of the Year from the Americana Music Association. When: Wednesday, May 1, 2-3 p.m. Where: The Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma, 25 S. Oklahoma Ave., Songwriting Room Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets NRHS Healthy Heart Breakfast at the OKC Women's Lifestyle Expo From the event description: The Norman Regional Health System is kicking off the Women's Expo with a free Heart Healthy Breakfast on Saturday in the Expo Hall at the Oklahoma State Fair Park. In addition to the meal, hear from a panel of Norman Regional medical and wellness experts on advice and tips on self care to maximize your heart health, free health screenings, information and Healthy Food samples. Story continues When: Saturday, May 4, 8:30-10 a.m. Where: Oklahoma State Fair Park, Oklahoma Expo Hall, 3005 General Pershing Blvd. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets OKCMB Bloom Event From the event description: Stop by the Quail Springs United Methodist Church for Bloom 2019, open to families, to interact with vendors geared towards your stage of life. Enter to win prizes, enjoy delicious local food and have all of your questions answered by an expert panel. Bloom is geared towards moms of infants, expecting mamas and those looking to grow their family through pregnancy, fostering or adoption, but we welcome moms at any stage of motherhood. When: Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Where: Quail Springs United Methodist Church, 14617 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Admission: $8 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Baked khachapuri. | Photo: Marco Verch/Flickr Looking for something to do this week? From a Georgian feast to a free album release party, here are a few top options to help you get social around town. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Blame It On My Youth From the event description: Come enjoy an evening of drinks, food and dance, accompanied by a live jazz/funk band in the heart of the West Village. This event celebrates the mistakes of our past, and the moments we now cherish in hindsight. When: Monday, April 29, 7:30-11 p.m. Where: Casa le femme, 140 Charles St. Admission: $55$65 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Georgian Feast with author Darra Goldstein From the event description: Enlightenment Wines Meadery welcomes you for a taste of Georgia with Darra Goldstein, author of "The Georgian Feast." Chef Tara Norvell will be preparing a handful of Georgian dishes to welcome spring. There will be special mead and Georgian wine pairings available for purchase at the bar. When: Friday, May 3, 5-9 p.m. Where: 93 Scott Ave. Admission: $30 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets The Frederick Douglass Continuum 2019 From the event description: Back by popular demand, Tami Tyree-Echoes of Our Ancestors: African-American History and Song will produce another festive tribute in honor of abolitionist, statesman and journalist Frederick Douglass. Hosted by Harlem's historic Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the afternoon will include oratory, dance and music, spanning the Africana and African-American globe. When: Saturday, May 4, 2-5 p.m. Where: Mother A.M.E. Zion Church, 140 W. 137th St. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Ever Vernal Verdi: A Risorgimento in Song From the event description: Verdi is Italian for green; aptly named, Giuseppe Verdis music is ever inspirational and uplifting, the rallying cry of freedom and the voice of grand opera since its first performances nearly two centuries ago. Our concert celebrates the power of Verdis music to inspire and excite today. Story continues When: Saturday, May 4, 7-9 p.m. Where: Saint John's In the Village, 218 W. 11th St. Admission: $12 students, with ID; $20 seniors; $30. More ticket options available. Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Justin Stanton: 'Secret Place' album release party From the event description: Best known for his role in Snarky Puppy, two-time Grammy award-winning Justin Stanton has been building a reputation as a keyboardist, trumpeter and composer for the past 10 years. Justin's long-awaited solo debut album, "Secret Place," will be released in May. Join us for the free album release party and catch the album's first live performance. When: Saturday, May 4, 9-10:15 p.m. Where: Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen St. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. PARIS, France, April 29 (Reuters) - The United Nations envoy for Libya on Monday warned countries tempted to continue backing eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar that he was no democrat and his political agenda was not supported by most Libyans. Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA), which is allied to a rival administration in eastern Libya, mounted an offensive on the capital Tripoli, seat of the internationally recognized government, three weeks ago but has failed to breach defenses in the city's south despite heavy fighting. The battle for the capital has all but wrecked U.N.-backed efforts for a peace deal between the rival factions and threatened to further disrupt OPEC member Libya's oil industry. "He is no Abraham Lincoln, he is no big democrat, but he has qualities and wants to unify the country," Ghassan Salame told France Inter radio, referring in part to the revered 19th century U.S. president who led the nation through its Civil War, preserving the union, and abolished slavery. "But how is he going to do it? Seeing him act, we can be worried about his methods because where he is governing, he doesn't govern softly, but with an iron fist." Salame, whose tone on Haftar appeared tougher than previously, is touring European capitals to try to secure a consensus for a ceasefire and a return to peace talks as Western and Arab countries remain divided over how to tackle Libya. France has along with the United States been accused in Tripoli of playing both sides since Haftar launched his offensive. Paris has supported Haftar in his efforts to fight Islamist militants in Libya in the past, while at the same time officially backs the U.N.-recognized government. France was criticsed by analysts and diplomats earlier this month after blocking an European Union communique that it deemed was too one-sided against Haftar. The statement was eventually approved after additions and a rewording of the text, although it remained critical of Haftar's advance. Story continues "I'm suffering from a very deep division at the U.N. Security Council that prevented a British draft to pass a resolution to stop the firing," Salame said, referring to a resolution blocked last week by Russia and the United States. "The temptation of the strongman is widespread. The problem is that the strongman is perhaps not as strong as he seems and that's the dilemma for those who support him." Haftar's opponents in Libya see him as a budding new autocrat in the mould of Muammar Gaddafi, who was toppled by a NATO-backed uprising in 2011. Salame was in France after visiting Italy, Libya's former colonial ruler, and he said Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian had told him Paris was fully behind his efforts for a ceasefire. "We cannot ignore the General Haftar phenomenon, but one must not go so far as to adopt his political project entirely because his political project is a project which does not suit a good part of the Libyan population," Salame said. (Reporting by John Irish Editing by Mark Heinrich) Williams Companies (NYSE: WMB) has been busy this year. The pipeline giant has been actively reshuffling its portfolio. That's a continuation of its efforts to shore up its financial profile so that it can sustain and grow its 5.3%-yielding dividend. All this wheeling and dealing, however, could weigh on its near-term growth. That's one of a few things investors should keep an eye on when Williams Companies reports its first-quarter results Wednesday evening. See if Williams reduces its full-year forecast Williams Companies is in the midst of a major transformation to reduce its exposure to commodity price volatility and improve its leverage metrics. That led it to sell $4.6 billion of assets through the end of last year, which helped push its debt-to-EBITDA ratio down to a more comfortable 4.8. Despite those sales, the natural gas pipeline giant generated a record $4.64 billion of adjusted EBITDA in 2018, up 2.4% year over year, while distributable cash flow (DCF) increased 11.3% to $2.87 billion. A roll of cash next to a calculator and a sticky note with the word dividends. Image source: Getty Images. Williams used its increasing financial flexibility to invest in expansion projects that it initially anticipated would boost 2019 EBITDA up to a range of $4.85 billion to $5.15 billion, a 12% increase at the midpoint. Meanwhile, the company guided for DCF to be between $2.9 billion and $3.3 billion, up 8% year over year at the midpoint. That earnings growth would push leverage down a bit more to 4.75 times. However, the company sold additional assets this year. In mid-March, Williams formed a joint venture with a Canadian pension fund to consolidate two of its gathering and processing (G&P) systems in the Marcellus and Utica shale region. The company received $1.34 billion for a 35% stake in two G&P assets. It used about $750 million of that money to buy out a minority partner in one of the systems, leaving it with $600 million to use toward debt reduction. Williams followed that up by selling its 50% stake in a G&P joint venture in the Powder River Basin to partner Crestwood Equity Partners (NYSE: CEQP). Williams received $484.6 million in cash in that deal while also saving $90 million in planned expansion spending. Story continues While these asset sales brought in more than $1 billion in cash to help pay down Williams' debt, it's giving up the associated cash flow. Crestwood Equity Partners, for example, boosted its EBITDA guidance by $40 million at the midpoint as a result of taking full control of its joint venture with Williams. That's why investors should see if Williams makes a negative revision to its full-year guidance as a result of all this deal making. Look for additions to its expansion project backlog One reason Williams has been selling assets is to give it the financial flexibility to invest in higher-returning expansion projects. In February, for example, the company signed agreements with fellow midstream specialist Targa Resources (NYSE: TRGP) to build the Bluestem Pipeline, which will move natural gas liquids (NGLs). Williams will construct Bluestem to connect its NGL fractionator in Kansas -- which separates raw NGLs into higher-value products like ethane and propane -- to Targa's Grand Prix pipeline. Williams also has the option to buy a stake in one of Targa's NGL fractionators in Mont Belvieu, Texas. Williams expects to invest $350 million to $400 million into these NGL projects. Williams has several more expansion projects in development that it could sanction this year. Ideally, it will have approved more during the first quarter. That would give investors increased visibility into how fast the company can grow earnings -- and its dividend -- in the coming years. Anticipate a near-term speed bump in hopes of long-term reacceleration Williams could disappoint investors when it reports first-quarter results this week since its recent asset sales might cause it to reduce its full-year guidance. However, those sales will improve its financial profile so that the company can continue investing in high-return growth projects. That's why investors should pay close attention to whether Williams was able to secure more expansions, as they could give it the fuel to grow its already attractive dividend at a faster pace in the future. More From The Motley Fool Matthew DiLallo owns shares of Crestwood Equity Partners LP. The Motley Fool recommends Targa Resources. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Claire Boren remembers the two houses. One was a run-down farmhouse. The other looked considerably nicer, its occupants wealthier. Her mother had to knock on one of the doors. It was a life-and-death decision. This was in Mizocz, Poland, during World War II. Their Jewish village had been annihilated by the Nazis men, women and children executed en masse in a ravine. Claire and her mother, Anne, were on the run. Boren was four years old, but the moment is seared into her memory: A knock on the wrong door could get them turned in. She decided to take a chance on the poor place, Boren recalled. Her mothers intuition proved correct; the folks in the farmhouse took them in. They dug a hole in the barn, just long enough and wide enough for us to lie down next to each other, Boren said. They covered the hole and we were in there, totally in the dark. There they stayed, underneath a pigpen. They would come out only at night. The brutal arrangement lasted a few months, Boren said, before they moved to another hiding spot. Decades later, after she took up art, the Rumson resident painted a depiction of her time in the hole. Today it hangs in an exhibit at Chhange, the Center for Holocaust, Human Rights & Genocide Education in Middletown, New Jersey. Chhange marks its 40th anniversary in May, and its mission never has been more important. Claire Boren, now 80, would know. What made it possible for me to survive was I was always with my mother I never let go of her, she said. Now you read about the U.S. government separating mothers and children (at the Mexican border). Oh, how that hits home for me. I cant imagine a child ripped away from their mother. More: It may take 2 years to identify thousands of migrant children separated from families Its a point shell make to students who see her artwork. I dont want to just tell a terrible story, she said. I want them to take this and learn something from it. Something about justice. Story continues Escaping Nazis: Panic, artillery and jewels Boren and her mother fled the infamous Mizocz Ghetto just in time. Her father, who arranged for them to go into hiding, stayed behind. They never saw him again. Throughout 18 months evading the Nazis, Claire and Anne bounced from place to place. At one point they hid in the woods with other refugees and narrowly escaped another group execution there. Tired of wandering, Anne made a daring decision to sneak back into their former home to retrieve a stash of money and jewels. It was the only time she left Claires side. The panic of that brief separation, punctuated by the sound of artillery detonating in the area, remains fresh in Claires mind. I remember being terrified, she said. What would I do if she didnt come back? Anne did come back, and the cache she retrieved bankrolled their best and final refuge the attic of a family who hid them for the duration of the war. Eventually they migrated to a displaced persons camp in Germany. It had wire fencing around it and I loved it, Boren said. We were totally safe and I had (a) bicycle. I was eight years old and I had never had a toy for years. Eventually Claire and her mom relocated to New York. In a symbolic break from her traumatic past, Claire cut off her braids because American kids didnt have them. Boren attended college, got married and became a mother of two. The Holocaust remained buried in her mind. Just like I cut off the braids, I didnt want to talk about my past, she said. Art helped her deal 'with the horror' Two things ended Borens silence. The first was art. Once, several years ago, she created an image using paint and a couple household items. She didnt know what it was at first. Then it hit her: It depicted the execution of Jewish men she had witnessed in Mizocz. It opened up the floodgates for me, she said. This is how I sort of found my memory. Once I found it, I dealt with the horror by working with it. Ten years ago she connected with Chhange and began speaking at schools on the centers behalf. Now she serves as a member of its board and a docent at the genocide exhibit. When you connect with a survivor, then you really understand," Chhange director Dale Daniels said. "Thats the whole premise behind the educational work we do here. 'We have to speak' Boren is at her best with students, either during her visits to schools or their visits to Chhange. Meeting Claire is such a big deal for students, said Jennifer Brown, a teacher at Forrestdale School in Rumson, New Jersey. Its a way to cap the lesson (on the Holocaust) with a real person standing there in front of them. When Brown took her seventh graders to Chhange, one student saw Boren's painting of the hole in the barn and made an observation. He saw light, Brown said. Boren herself had never noticed, but sure enough, there are streaks of light colors amid the darkness. Exchanges like that keep this Holocaust survivor motivated to tell her story. We have to speak, she said. There arent too many of us left. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Holocaust survivor: Splitting families at US-Mexico border 'hits home for me' Kenyas goal of becoming an oil exporting country by 2022 may not be realized, London-based oil explorer, Tullow Oil said. According to the oil giant, delays from the government in making critical decisions have potentially stalled output. Tullow, which has already spent more than $1 billion in exploration activities over the past six years, last month, said it plans to invest additional amounts in the development of the oil fields and the building a pipeline linking Turkana to Lamu. The pipeline is estimated to cost $4 billion in total, including upstream operations. However, the company has downgraded its production output, as a result of the possible delay. The firm had expected that its joint investment partners and the Government would be able to make the Final Investment Decision (FID) by the end of this year but this is likely to spill to 2020. Tullow said it is still optimistic about having an FID for the Lokichar project in the course of 2019, but noted that the Government needed to fast track some of the processes. Delay in getting the FID could delay oil production, which is currently planned to start in 2022. The move to full commercial operations is expected to give a significant revenue boost to Kenyan State coffers, especially if the resurgent international oil prices hold or rise further. By Davide Barbuscia DUBAI, April 29 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) continues to provide Sudan with technical assistance and policy support, but it cannot offer additional financing because of the country's arrears, a senior IMF official said. Sudans Transitional Military Council is in talks with opposition groups on the formation of a joint body to lead a transition from 30 years of autocratic rule by Omar al-Bashir. It ousted and arrested al-Bashir after months of protests. The council has not approached the IMF about the countrys debt, Jihad Azour, director of the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia department, told Reuters, but the fund has continued its engagement with Sudan authorities after the political upheaval. "We have been engaged with Sudan, we provide them with technical assistance and policy support," Azour said. But he added: "We cannot provide them with financing because they are still incurring arrears, and until they address this arrear issue, in our bylaws, we cannot provide them with additional lending." The IMF in late 2017 estimated Sudan's arrears to the fund to be $1.3 billion this year, out of a total external debt estimated at $59 billion. The United States imposed a range of sanctions on Sudan, first over Khartoum's perceived support of militants, later its violent suppression of rebels in Darfur. An overhaul of Sudan's debt is "too premature," said Azour, "because this would require the removal of the sanctions. Technically it is not something that you can achieve now." (Reporting by Davide Barbuscia; Editing by Dale Hudson) Imperial Oil Limited IMO reported first-quarter 2019 earnings per share of 29 cents, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 38 cents. The underperformance can be attributed to weaker contribution from the downstream segment. The Canadian integrated oil and gas players bottom line also reflects a decline from the year-ago figure of 49 cents. Notably, another integrated Canadian firm, Cenovus Energy CVE missed first-quarter earnings estimates but swung to profit after reporting losses over the trailing five quarters. After earnings miss by both Imperial Oil and Cenovus, investors are keenly awaiting the results of Canadas premier integrated energy company, Suncor Energy SU, one of the largest owners of oil sands in the world. Per our model, the firm is powered by the perfect combination of the two key elements to deliver an earnings beat this quarter to be reported. Suncor Energy has an Earnings ESP of +2.56% and a Zacks Rank #3. The firm is expected to come out with quarterly numbers on May 1. Meanwhile, Imperial Oil generated first-quarter revenues of $6,004 million, surpassing the Zacks Estimate of $4,392 million. However, the top line plunged from the year-ago figure of $6,278 million. Bringing in pleasant news for investors, the company announced a 16% hike in the second-quarter dividend. The company declared a dividend of 22 Canadian cents a share, payable on July 1, 2019 to its shareholders of record as of Jun 3, 2019. Imperial Oil Limited Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Imperial Oil Limited Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Imperial Oil Limited Quote Segmental Information Upstream: Revenues from the segment came in at C$3,188 million, increasing from first-quarter 2018s C$2,647 on higher output levels. As such, the segment swung to profit of C$58 million against C$44 million loss in the year-ago period. Net production volumes during the quarter under review averaged 353,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (Boe/d) compared with 337,000 Boe/d in the year-ago period. Total oil and NGL output amounted to 329,000 barrels per day (BPD) versus 318,000 BPD in first-quarter 2018. Net output from Kearl and Cold Lake totaled 124,000 bpd and 123,000 bpd, respectively. Syncrude output averaged 78,000 BPD, rising 20% on stronger asset reliability. Net natural gas production came in at 143 million cubic feet per day. Story continues The company received average realized price of C$69.34 per barrel of synthetic oil compared with the year-ago quarters C$77.26. For conventional crude oil, it received C$52.11 per barrel compared with the year-ago figure of C$63.70. Prices of NGL and gas declined on a y/y basis to C$34.39 a barrel and C$2.88 per thousand cubic feet, respectively. Downstream: Revenues from the downstream segment totaled C$5,932 million, declining from $5,991 million in first-quarter 2018. The segmental net income totaled C$257 million, decreasing from C$521 million on lower margins. Refinery throughput in first-quarter 2019 averaged 383,000 BPD, depicting a decline from the prior-year level of 408,000 BPD. Capacity utilization came in at 91% versus 96% in the corresponding quarter of the last year. Petroleum product sales were 477,000 BPD compared with the prior-year level of 478,000 BPD. Chemical: The segment generated revenues of C$323 million versus C$377 million in first-quarter 2018. Net income from the segment was recorded at C$34 million compared with the year-ago figure of C$73 million. The decline came on the back of lower industry margins. Total Costs & Capex Total expenses during the quarter were C$7,584 million, higher than the year-ago level of C$7,237 million. In the quarter under review, the companys total capital and exploration expenditures were C$529 million, higher than the year-ago level of C$274 million. Of the total expenditure in first-quarter 2019, 70% was allotted to the upstream segment. Financial Performance Imperial Oil generated cash flow from operating activities of C$1,003 million in the quarter under review. The figure improved from the year-ago level of C$985 million. Importantly, in the quarter under review, it paid back C$510 million to its shareholders through dividends and share buyback. The company paid 19 Canadian cents as dividend per share in the reported quarter compared with 16 Canadian cents in the year-ago period. Imperial Oil bought back around 10 million shares in the quarter for C$361 million, including those bought from Exxon Mobil Corporation XOM. As of Mar 31, the company held C$1,011 million in cash and cash equivalents. Its long-term debt amounted to C$5,174 million, representing a debt-to-capital ratio of around 17.5%. Guidance For full-year 2019, the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) companys total capital expenditure is now expected in the range of C$1.8-C$1.9 billion versus prior guided range of C$2.3-C$2.4 billion, as it has decided to decelerate the development of Aspen in situ oil sands project amid pipeline crisis and market uncertainty in Canada.You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Today's Best Stocks from Zacks Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2018, while the S&P 500 gained +15.8%, five of our screens returned +38.0%, +61.3%, +61.6%, +68.1%, and +98.3%. This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 2018, while the S&P averaged +4.8% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +56.2% per year. See their latest picks free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Imperial Oil Limited (IMO) : Free Stock Analysis Report Suncor Energy Inc. (SU) : Free Stock Analysis Report Cenovus Energy Inc (CVE) : Free Stock Analysis Report Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Have you been keeping an eye on UOB-Kay Hian Holdings Limited's (SGX:U10) upcoming dividend of S$0.047 per share payable on the 21 June 2019? Then you only have 4 days left before the stock starts trading ex-dividend on the 03 May 2019. What does this mean for current shareholders and potential investors? Below, I will explain how holding UOB-Kay Hian Holdings can impact your portfolio income stream, by analysing the stock's most recent financial data and dividend attributes. Check out our latest analysis for UOB-Kay Hian Holdings Here's how I find good dividend stocks If you are a dividend investor, you should always assess these five key metrics: Does it pay an annual yield higher than 75% of dividend payers? Does it consistently pay out dividends without missing a payment of significantly cutting payout? Has dividend per share risen in the past couple of years? Can it afford to pay the current rate of dividends from its earnings? Will it be able to continue to payout at the current rate in the future? SGX:U10 Historical Dividend Yield, April 28th 2019 How does UOB-Kay Hian Holdings fare? The current trailing twelve-month payout ratio for the stock is 50%, which means that the dividend is covered by earnings. Furthermore, analysts have not forecasted a dividends per share for the future, which makes it hard to determine the yield shareholders should expect, and whether the current payout is sustainable, moving forward. When thinking about whether a dividend is sustainable, another factor to consider is the cash flow. A company with strong cash flow, relative to earnings, can sometimes sustain a high pay out ratio. If there is one thing that you want to be reliable in your life, it's dividend stocks and their constant income stream. The reality is that it is too early to consider UOB-Kay Hian Holdings as a dividend investment. It has only been consistently paying dividends for 9 years, however, standard practice for reliable payers is to look for a 10-year minimum track record. Story continues In terms of its peers, UOB-Kay Hian Holdings produces a yield of 3.8%, which is on the low-side for Capital Markets stocks. Next Steps: Now you know to keep in mind the reason why investors should be careful investing in UOB-Kay Hian Holdings for the dividend. But if you are not exclusively a dividend investor, the stock could still be an interesting investment opportunity. Given that this is purely a dividend analysis, you should always research extensively before deciding whether or not a stock is an appropriate investment for you. I always recommend analysing the company's fundamentals and underlying business before making an investment decision. I've put together three pertinent factors you should look at: Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for U10s future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for U10s outlook. Valuation: What is U10 worth today? Even if the stock is a cash cow, it's not worth an infinite price. The intrinsic value infographic in our free research report helps visualize whether U10 is currently mispriced by the market. Dividend Rockstars: Are there better dividend payers with stronger fundamentals out there? Check out our free list of these great stocks here. 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. Indonesia has accused the Vietnamese coastguard of ramming one of its vessels to block the interception of a boat fishing illegally, as a senior minister announced a return to sinking foreign trawlers. The clash in the South China Sea at the weekend saw Jakarta summon Vietnam's ambassador on Monday, after the navy detained a dozen Vietnamese fishermen. "The actions taken by the Vietnamese coast guard ship endangered the lives of officers from both countries and is not in accordance with international law or the spirit of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)," Indonesia's foreign ministry said. Jakarta claims the area in the southernmost reaches of the South China Sea as its exclusive economic zone -- waters where a state has the right to exploit resources. The navy said two Vietnamese coast guard ships tried to prevent the apprehension of an illegal fishing boat by ramming its vessel. The fishing boat sank possibly due to an accidental collision, Indonesian authorities said without elaborating. A dozen fishermen were detained and remain in Indonesian custody. Two others escaped detention by jumping into the water. They were picked by the Vietnamese coast guard, which then fled, the navy said. Video circulating on social media purported to show a Vietnamese patrol boat ramming the left side of the Indonesian vessel as the armed navy crew shouted expletives. Indonesia, the world's biggest archipelago nation, has been trying to stop foreign vessels fishing illegally in its territory, claiming it costs the economy billions of dollars annually. It turned to a campaign of blowing up captured foreign boats as a deterrent. Hundreds of detained foreign fishing vessels have been sunk, including many Vietnamese boats -- after the crews were removed -- since 2014, with some blown up in spectacular public displays. The practice was suspended for several months, but Indonesian fisheries minister Susi Pudjiastuti announced on Monday that it would resume this weekend. Story continues "On the 4th (of May) we will be sinking 51 boats, mostly from Vietnam!" She did not say if it was in retaliation for the latest diplomatic clash with Vietnam. Two years ago, Indonesia changed the name of the southern part of the South China Sea to the North Natuna Sea in a bid to show its sovereignty. More recently, it inaugurated a new military base in the chain of several hundred small islands to beef up its border defence. The moves have prompted criticism from Beijing whose claims in the sea overlap Indonesia's around the remote Natuna Islands. The World Bank Group has approved a $200m fund to implement the Regional Off-Grid Electrification Project (ROGEP) in West Africa and Sahel region. The fund includes $150 million in the form of credit and grant from the International Development Association (IDA) and $74.7 million contingent recovery grant from the Clean Technology Fund. ROGEP primarily seeks to promote a harmonized regional market that provides the incentive for the proliferation of stand-alone solar equipment to homes, businesses, and communities without access to electrical grid infrastructure. About 19 countries are expected to benefit from this financing, the main objective of which is to improve access to electricity. These are: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Central African Republic, Cote dIvoire, Ghana, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. Only 3% of households in West Africa and the Sahel are connected to an autonomous solar home system. In the same region, 208 million people are deprived of electricity. The World Bank estimates that the financing should provide electricity to about 1.7 million people as well as businesses and public institutions that will use modern stand-alone solar systems to improve their living standards and economic activities. (Corrects spelling of province in paragraph 2) JAKARTA, April 29 (Reuters) - Landslides and floods triggered by torrential rain have killed at least 29 people in Indonesia, the disaster agency said on Monday, with thousands taking shelter in evacuation centers amid fears of disease. More than a dozen people were missing after the rain hit the province of Bengkulu, on the southwest side of Sumatra, on Friday and Saturday, the agency said. Hundreds of buildings had been damaged, along with roads and bridges, with two districts cut off by landslides, adding that the floodwater had subsided in some places. Displaced villagers needed tents, boats, food and water, while heavy equipment was also needed to build temporary bridges. Authorities have warned of the risk of disease spreading due to the lack of clean water. (Reporting by Agustinus Beo Da Costa Writing by Gayatri Suroyo; Editing by Nick Macfie) By Agustinus Beo Da Costa JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's president has decided to move the capital of the world's fourth most populous country away from the crowded main island of Java, but has yet to finalise a new location, the planning minister said on Monday. President Joko Widodo's decision comes less than two weeks after private pollsters said he had won an April 17 presidential election, although official results are not due until May 22. His challenger, Prabowo Subianto, has also claimed victory. "The president chose to relocate the capital city to outside of Java, an important decision," Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro told a news conference after a cabinet meeting. Brodjonegoro said the administration had yet to pick a new location, but was looking at the eastern side of the sprawling archipelago. At the opening of his cabinet meeting, Widodo stressed the need for new thinking about the future. "We want to think in a visionary way for the progress of this country and moving the capital requires thorough and detailed preparation," he said. The current capital, Jakarta, is home to more than 10 million people, but around three times that many people live in the surrounding towns adding to the area's severe congestion. Brodjonegoro put the annual economic loss due to traffic congestion in Jakarta at 100 trillion rupiah (5.4 billion). The low-lying capital is also prone to flooding and is sinking due to over-extraction of ground water. In making his decision, Widodo had also taken into account the fact that nearly 60 percent of Indonesia's 260 million people live in Java and economic activities were concentrated there, Brodjonegoro said. During the recent election campaign, Widodo promised to spread economic development more evenly outside Java. The planning minister did not estimate the cost of moving the capital but said the president had ordered the finance ministry to come up with a financing scheme that allowed participation of private investors. Story continues He said moving the capital could take up to 10 years, citing examples such as Brazil and Kazakhstan. One of the contenders for the new capital city is Palangkaraya in Central Kalimantan province on the island of Borneo, state news agency Antara reported this year. Authorities there had prepared 300,000 hectares of land in case it is chosen as a new government hub, Antara said. (Writing by Gayatri Suroyo; Editing by Ed Davies and Robert Birsel) GENEVA (Reuters) - U.S. sanctions against Iran's oil industry will damage the stability of global oil markets, a senior Iranian official was quoted as saying on Monday. "These sanctions are an example of America's bullying reaction in trying to change the balance of power in the world," Amir Hossein Zamaninia, a deputy oil minister, said in a report carried by the oil ministry's news website SHANA. Oil prices hit their highest level since November last week after Washington announced all waivers on imports of sanctions-hit Iranian oil would end this week, pressuring importers to stop buying from Tehran and further tightening global supply. The United States demanded last Monday that buyers of Iranian oil stop purchases by May 1 or face sanctions, ending six months of waivers which allowed Irans eight biggest buyers, most of them in Asia, to continue importing limited volumes. The White House said after its Iran move it was working with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to ensure oil markets were adequately supplied but traders worried about tight supplies. Other countries can not fill Iran's place in the oil market, Zamaninia said, according to SHANA. "This idea that some countries can fill the empty place of Iran's oil in the market is incorrect from different aspects, including a technical and political view," Zamaninia said. Separately, Zamaninia said the Gulf can only remain an international route for transferring oil if all countries are able to use it. The commander of the Revolutionary Guards navy said last week that Iran would close the strategic Strait of Hormuz if Tehran is barred from using it. (Reporting by Babak Dehghanpisheh; editing by Dale Hudson and Jason Neely) The Islamic State terrorist group released a video Monday purportedly showing its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, for the first time in nearly five years. In the video, Baghdadi praised the Sri Lanka attackers and called those deadly bombings revenge for the Islamic State's defeat in Syria, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks extremist groups. Those attacks, carried out on Easter Sunday against Catholic churches and high-end hotels, killed more than 250 people, including at least four Americans. The Islamic State, also known as ISIS, claimed responsibility for the attack. Sri Lankan officials said members of a local radical Islamic group carried out the bombings with the help of an international network. The ISIS video was released by Al-Furqan, the terrorist group's media outlet. It shows Baghdadi whose whereabouts are unknown seated on a rug or cushion with a machine gun propped up next to him and a black robe draped around his legs. His hair is covered with a black hood, but his face and bushy beard are visible. This image made from video posted on a militant website on Monday, April 29, 2019, purports to show the leader of the Islamic State group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, being interviewed by his group's Al-Furqan media outlet. Al-Baghdadi acknowledged in his first video since June 2014 that IS lost the war in the eastern Syrian village of Baghouz that was captured last month by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. (Al-Furqan media via AP) Rita Katz, executive director and founder of SITE, said the video demonstrates that ISIS remains a "serious danger." It shows not only that Baghdadi "is still alive," she wrote in a tweet Monday, "but also that he is able to reemerge to his supporters and reaffirm the groups us-vs-the-world message after all the progress made against the group." Katz noted this is the first time Baghdadi has been seen in a video since 2014, when he gave a sermon at a mosque in Iraq. The Islamic State lost control of its last patch of territory in Syria in late March, when the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces freed the eastern Syrian village of Baghouz. Jihadists mounted a last stand there. That ended the self-declared "caliphate" ISIS established in 2014, when the terrorist group controlled a large swath of territory in Syria and Iraq. At its peak, ISIS controlled 40,000 square miles and had nearly 8 million people under its sway, according to Ambassador James Jeffrey, the State Department's special envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Story continues Most of its fighters, he said, are now dead or in prison. But during a March briefing for reporters, Jeffrey said there may be as many as 20,000 ISIS fighters remaining in Syria and Iraq. In the new video, Baghdadi talks about the end of the fighting in Syria, according to SITE. As the attacks April 21 in Sri Lanka demonstrated, that territorial defeat has not extinguished the Islamic State's capacity to unleash death and destruction. Charlie Winter, a senior research fellow at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalization, part of King's College in London, said ISIS probably released the video to prove Baghdadi is alive and portray him as a "hands-on" leader. It helps "reiterate that its jihad isn't over," Winter said in a series of tweets Monday. The bombings in Sri Lanka mirrored other Islamic State attacks. Terrorism specialists noted that ISIS has frequently used local extremists to carry out terrorist attacks, and they often aim at "soft targets" that are not well-secured. In a statement on its propaganda site, ISIS said the Sri Lanka attack specifically targeted Christians and foreigners from countries involved in fighting the terrorist group in Syria and Iraq. Experts said additional attacks would almost certainly follow. "That's because terrorism has long been a crucial promotional tactic for ISIS," Winter and Aymenn Al-Tamimi, founder of a website that collects ISIS documents, wrote in a recent analysis published by The Atlantic. "This wont change just because the organization, which tried to build a proto-state on territory it held in Iraq and Syria, was militarily defeated earlier this year," they wrote. For ISIS, "the strategic utility of terrorism has never been greater." In December, President Donald Trump seemed to declare victory over ISIS, saying the group had been defeated in Syria and calling for the withdrawal of all American troops from that country. In the face of withering criticism from Republicans in Congress and pressure from his own advisers, Trump eventually decided to leave some U.S. military personnel in Syria to ensure that ISIS does not mount a comeback. Contributing: Kim Hjelmgaard and Tom Vanden Brook This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi purportedly appears in video for first time in five years Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel's attorney general has given Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu until next week to confirm he wants a formal hearing to defend himself before corruption charges are filed against him. In a letter made public Sunday evening Avichai Mandelblit told Netanyahu's lawyers that if he wants to excercise his right to defend himself before possible indictment he must notify authorities by May 10. The hearing itself must then take place no later than July 10. Netanyahu's lawyers have been protesting non-payment of their fees to date and are refusing to collect the case files until they are paid, the letter said. The prime minister wants to raise a $2 million from two American businessmen -- his cousin Nathan Milikowsky and friend Spencer Partrich -- to pay his attorneys, Israeli media reported. However, the government committee that vets requests by government officials to accept money from outside sources has twice rejected his petition. In February, Mandelblit announced his intention to indict Netanyahu on charges of fraud, breach of trust and bribery, following up on police recommendations. At Netanyahus request evidentiary material was only made available to lawyers the day after the April 9 general election, for fear that files would leak and sway voters. Netanyahu, who won a fifth term in office and now faces the prospect of becoming the first sitting Israeli premier to be indicted, has called corruption allegations against him a "witch hunt". "The issue of the fees," Mandelblit said in the letter, "does not justify any delay in transfer of the most important material to the prime minister or his lawyers and in any event does not effect the date of the hearing". In what is considered the most serious of the cases, Netanyahu is accused of advocating regulatory benefits allegedly granted to telecommunications firm Bezeq in exchange for positive news coverage for himself from a media company owned by the then Bezeq CEO. Story continues Another involves Netanyahu allegedly seeking a secret deal with the publisher of Israel's top-selling newspaper Yediot Aharonot to ensure positive coverage in return for pushing forward a law that would have limited the circulation of a rival paper. The third case involves suspicions the premier and his family received luxury gifts such as cigars and champagne from wealthy individuals, including Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan, in exchange for financial or personal favours. Netanyahu denies the accusations and calls them an attempt by his political enemies to force him from office. Even if he is charged, Netanyahu, 69, would not legally be forced to withdraw until he had been convicted and exhausted the appeals process. Analysts believe he will fight the charges through every level of the courts, which could take years. His election rival Benny Gantz accused the premier and those around him of becoming "addicted to the pleasures of power, corruption and hedonism". (For a live blog on European stocks, type LIVE/ in an Eikon news window) April 29 (Reuters) - European shares edged marginally higher led by a push from Italian banks and upbeat industrial data from China while markets assessed the likely return of Socialist Pedro Sanchez as Spain's prime minister. The pan-European STOXX 600 index edged higher by 0730 GMT, with Italy's FTMIB inching higher after S&P affirmed the country's sovereign ratings but Spain's IBEX lagged on uncertainty related to a government formation at the center. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is set to regain power after his Socialists overcame a historic challenge by right-wing nationalists but will need the help of regional parties, or the center right, to form a government. In earnings, Spain's state-owned lender Bankia climbed 2 percent as after the company's net profit for first quarter came in slightly ahead of expectations. SMCP rose 5 percent after the French fashion group reported a rise in first-quarter revenues on Monday and kept its guidance for a higher annual sales growth and stable profit margins. SAS slipped 5 percent after the Scandinavian airline canceled more than 1,200 flights scheduled for Monday and Tuesday as a pilot strike entered its third day on Sunday. Oil stocks lagged after President Donald Trump demanded that producer club OPEC raise output to soften the impact of U.S. sanctions against Iran. Bayer dropped about 2 percent as shareholders rebuked the German drugmaker's top bosses amid anger over a stock price slump as litigation risks mount from the takeover of seed maker Monsanto. Bayer which has lost more than a third in market value since August was also trading ex-dividend on the day. Asian shares rebounded overnight after strong first quarter U.S. economic growth numbers and the data showing profits at Chinese industrial firms grew for the first time in four months. Market participants will watch out for a meeting of the U.S. Federal Reserve and Chinese factory data this week for further clues on policy direction in the world's largest economies. (Reporting by Agamoni Ghosh and Medha Singh in Bengaluru) Pratica di Mare (Italy) (AFP) - A group of 147 mainly African refugees, rescued from the Libyan city of Misrata, were flown to an Italian military airport near Rome on Monday for resettlement. Italy's interior ministry said the group included 68 minors. Babies and toddlers could be seen among those disembarking from the plane at the Pratica di Mare military airport in late afternoon. This evacuation is a vital lifeline for people who faced serious threats and dangers inside Libya, said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Italy's populist government in September adopted an anti-migrant decree aimed at streamlining the rules for processing asylum requests by tightening the rules for awarding humanitarian protection. The controversial bill also made it easier to expel migrants and strip them of Italian citizenship. Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, of the far-right League party, said the arriving refugees were fleeing war. "Italy's ports are largely open to the women and children, to young people who are really fleeing war." However he stressed that Italy is not open to "the human traffickers" and the kind of often unseaworthy boats which are used in attempts to smuggle people into the country. The interior ministry said that Monday's arrivals at the military airport included 69 Eritreans, 62 Somalians, six Sudanese, five Syrians and five Ethiopians. Libya has been mired in chaos since the NATO-backed uprising that deposed and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011. People smugglers have taken advantage of the lawlessness, ferrying mostly sub-Saharan Africans from Libyan shores to Europe. Libyan s Khalifa Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) launched an offensive against Tripoli, the seat of the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), on April 4. Italy is the first country to have stepped forward to receive evacuees from Libya since that recent violence began, the UN refugee agency said in its statement, adding that Monday's evacuation was carried out in collaboration with the Libyan interior ministry. Story continues Its now crucial that other States match this gesture and offer similar evacuation places for refugees caught up in the conflict. Turning a blind eye will have real and tragic consequences, said Grandi. Thousands of refugees and migrants continue to be held in detention centres, "where even prior to the recent clashes they faced dire and squalid conditions," the agency said. "More than 3,300 people are particularly at risk inside detention centres close to imminent or ongoing clashes," the refugee agency added. By Linda Sieg TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Emperor Akihito will abdicate on Tuesday in favor of his elder son, ending a three-decade reign during which he sought to ease the painful memories of World War Two and reach out to ordinary people, including the marginalized in society. The abdication, the first by a Japanese monarch in two centuries, will be marked by a brief and relatively simple ceremony in the Imperial Palace's prestigious Matsu no ma, or Hall of Pine. About 300 people will attend and it will be broadcast live on television. Akihito, 85, was the first Japanese monarch to take the throne under a post-war constitution that defines the emperor as a symbol of the people without political power. His father, Hirohito, in whose name Japanese troops fought World War Two, was considered a living deity until after Japan's 1945 defeat, when he renounced his divinity. Akihito, together with Empress Michiko, his wife of 60 years and the first commoner to marry an imperial heir, carved out an active role as a symbol of reconciliation, peace and democracy. Akihito, who has had treatment for prostate cancer and heart surgery, said in a televised address in 2016 that he feared his age would make it hard for him to carry out his duties fully. On Tuesday morning, Akihito will report his abdication at sanctuaries inside the Imperial Palace grounds, one honoring the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami, from whom mythology says the imperial line is descended, and two others honoring departed emperors and Shinto gods. In the afternoon, the abdication ceremony will take place with attendees including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako as well as the heads of both houses of parliament and Supreme Court justices. Imperial chamberlains will carry state and privy seals into the room along with two of Japan's "Three Sacred Treasures" - a sword and a jewel - which together with a mirror are symbols of the throne. They are said to originate in ancient mythology. Abe will announce the abdication and Akihito will make his final remarks as emperor. Naruhito, 59, will become emperor in separate ceremonies on May 1. Naruhito, who studied at Oxford, is likely to continue an active role and together with Harvard-educated Masako give the monarchy a cosmopolitan tinge. April 30 is the last day of the Heisei imperial era, which began on Jan. 8, 1989, after Akihito inherited the throne. The era saw the economic stagnation, natural disasters and rapid technological change. Akihito officially remains emperor until midnight when the new Reiwa era, meaning "beautiful harmony", begins. Traditionally, Japanese refer to the date by the era name, or "gengo", a system originally imported from China, on documents, calendars and coins but many people also use the Western calendar. (Reporting by Linda Sieg; Editing by Robert Birsel) Tunis is hosting this April 29-30 the eighth Joint Retreat of the African Union Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) and the African Union Commission (AUC) in preparation of the first Coordination Summit between the African Union and the eight Regional Economic Communities scheduled to take place in Niamey, Niger in July. The meeting is focusing on means to reinforce the African integration through joint actions and coordination between the AU and the eight Regional Economic Communities, including the Arab Maghreb Union-UMA; the Economic Community of West African States-ECOWAS; the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa-COMESA; the Southern African Development Community-SADC; and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development-IGAD. Opening the event Monday, Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui said This meeting is organized in Tunisia at a time our country is preparing to join the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member during the 2020-2021 period, thanks to the AUs support. It is a mandate that Tunisia intends to make the most of to make the voice of Africa heard, defend the causes and concerns of the African populations within the council and further boost cooperation and coordination between the UN and the AU, Jhinaoui was quoted by TAP as saying. The forthcoming Niamey Summit in July 2019 will actually be the first meeting to focus on means and solutions likely to boost cooperation between the AU and African Regional Economic Communities, he underlined. According to him, the Niamey Summit can be the adequate occasion to define the interaction modes between the AU and these communities and identify the mechanisms likely to promote integration within these communities. Taking the floor, AUC President Moussa Faki Mahamat stressed the need for a larger political unity, the urgency to deepen integration and reinforce the AU. Africa is not sufficiently integrated and has not a sufficient weight on the international scene, he admitted. The sovereignties of African States are threatened by the collective weakness of the continent and the weaknesses to contain foreign interferences and make the most of globalization for Africa, the AU official said. Salvation lies in integration, he insisted, laying emphasis on the importance of the commitment of all for a total mobilization to strengthen the African Union. African ambassadors to the AU in Addis-Ababa and AUC senior officials took part in the meeting, TAP said. Candida auris, an anti-fungal immune super-fungus, has been detected in eight patients who died in British hospitals. Eight people have died after becoming infected with a deadly Japanese super-fungus health watchdogs have revealed. According to a report in the Times the patients, in British hospitals, were infected by Candida auris a yeast renowned for its resistance to anti-fungal drugs and its ability to jump from person to person. It was not listed as cause of death in any of the cases as the victims were already gravely ill when they became infected. However, it is said to have been likely to have weakened them and made it harder to treat their conditions. An illustration depicting the cell structure of the yeast, which was first detected in 2009. The super-fungus, which emerged just 10 years ago in Japan equipped with a fearsome biological armoury that lets it flourish in hospitals and resist most drugs and disinfectants. Public Health England said 50 more Britons have been infected by Candida auris while in hospital but were successfully treated. Another 200 were found to have had their skin colonised by the yeast, meaning it was poised to enter their body via wounds, catheters or other medical treatments. To date, the microbe has been found in at least 25 British hospitals. A strain of Candida auris cultured in a petri dish at a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention laboratory. (Shawn Lockhart/CDC via AP) The PHE revelations follow the death in Chicago in February of Stephanie Spoor, 64, one of 600 Americans to be infected. She is thought to have been infected by a contaminated catheter or intravenous tube. What seems to make Candida auris somewhat unique is that it spreads so easily from person to person, said a PHE spokeswoman. Once in the bloodstream, it circulates and multiplies, causing sepsis [blood poisoning]. Yeast cells can also deposit in organs [liver, spleen, brain] causing abscesses, or forming vegetations on heart valves. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Inspiration for Winnie the Poohs 100 Acre Wood on fire Nigel Farage tells US audience Oldham has streets split by race Met Office says no bank holiday heatwave Dr David Eyre was among the team that tackled one of Britains biggest outbreaks of Candida auris, at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Story continues In 2017 the crisis hit 76 patients in the neurosciences intensive care unit, of whom 69 were colonised with the fungus, and seven infected. Doctors were baffled as to the source of the infection. We were all scratching our heads, said Eyre. It was only when a nurse suggested investigating underarm thermometers that they found it. There are about 30 other Candida species some of them also pathogenic that have collectively killed 119 Britons since 2013. The origins of Candida auris as a pathogen are a mystery. It was first detected in the ear of a Japanese women in 2009 but subsequent studies suggest it had existed for millennia in a harmless form before suddenly evolving the ability to attack humans, a change that appears to have happened in several Far Eastern countries simultaneously. Ouagadougou (AFP) - Gunmen killed four worshippers and a pastor in the first jihadist attack on a church in Burkina Faso, security and local sources said Monday. Sunday's attack took place in the small northern town of Silgadji near Djibo, the capital of Soum province, and two others were reported missing. "Unidentified armed individuals have attacked the Protestant church in Silgadji, killing four members of the congregation and the main pastor," a security source told AFP. "At least two other people are missing," the source added. It was the first attack on a church since jihadist violence erupted in the west African nation. Muslim clerics and imams have been targeted as well. "The attack happened around 1:00 pm, just as the faithful were leaving the church at the end of the service," a member of the church who did not want to be identified told AFP. "The attackers were on motorbikes. They fired in the air before aiming at the members of the congregation," the witness added. Burkina Faso has suffered from increasingly frequent and deadly attacks attributed to a number of jihadist groups, including the Ansarul Islam group, the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM) and Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. The attacks started in the north of the country before targetting the capital Ouagadougou and other regions, notably the east of the country. In February, a Spanish priest, Father Cesar Fernandez, was killed in a raid attributed to jihadists in Nohao in the centre of the country. Ouagadougou (AFP) - Gunmen killed four worshippers and a pastor in the first jihadist attack on a church in Burkina Faso, security and local sources said Monday, in the latest violence to rock the formerly peaceful west African nation. Sunday's raid took place in the small northern town of Silgadji near Djibo, the capital of Soum province. "Unidentified armed individuals have attacked the Protestant church in Silgadji, killing four members of the congregation and the main pastor," a security source told AFP. "At least two other people are missing," the source added. It was the first attack on a church since jihadist violence erupted in Burkina Faso in 2015. Former colonial ruler France has deployed some 4,500 troops in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad in a mission codenamed Barkhane to help local forces try to flush out jihadist groups. "The attack happened around 1:00 pm, just as the faithful were leaving the church at the end of the service," a member of the church who did not want to be identified told AFP. "The attackers were on motorbikes. They fired in the air before aiming at the members of the congregation," the witness added. Burkina Faso has suffered from increasingly frequent and deadly attacks attributed to a number of jihadist groups, including the Ansarul Islam group, the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM) and Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. The raids began in 2015 in the north before targetting the capital Ouagadougou and other regions, notably in the the east. A total of 350 people have been killed since 2015 -- mainly in hit-and-run raids -- according to an AFP tally. The jihadist groups regularly target both Muslim and Christian clerics, mainly in the north. In February, a Spanish Catholic priest, Father Cesar Fernandez, was killed in a raid attributed to jihadists in Nohao in the centre of the country. He was returning from the adjoining country of Togo when it happened. Story continues Fernandez, 72, had been working in Africa since 1982 for the Salesians of Don Bosco order. - 'Dramatic deterioration' - In March, gunmen abducted Catholic priest Father Joel Yougbare from Botogui, near Djibo, in the north. The Catholic Church has not yet confirmed reports that his body has since been found. Several imams have also been killed in the north. According to security sources, the jihadists do not consider these Muslim clerics sufficiently radical and sometimes accuse them of having collaborated with the authorities. But religious leaders are not the only people targeted by the extremists. On Friday, jihadists attacked a village school in Maitaougou, in the eastern province of Koulpelogo, killing five teachers and a municipal worker. Human Right Watch's Sahel director Corinne Dufka recently said that the surge in jihadist violence and a government crackdown had "forced tens of thousands of villagers to flee since early 2019. "Scores of people have been murdered in what amounts to a dramatic deterioration in the rights situation in northern Burkina Faso," she said last month. "Villagers are living in fear as both armed Islamists and government forces have demonstrated utter disregard for human life." Around 4.3 million people have been driven from their homes in the worsening violence that has engulfed the entire Sahel region, including one million over the past year, according to UN humanitarian officials. By Hyonhee Shin GOSEONG, South Korea (Reuters) - Along forest trails below a bare mountain peak that until last year was a vantage point for a North Korean guard post, a group of around 20 ordinary South Koreans took a rare hike on Saturday near the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas. The hikers were chosen by lottery to explore a "peace trail" near the heavily fortified frontier, launched to mark the first anniversary of a landmark summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Hours later at the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the border village of Panmunjom, where Moon and Kim met, a series of music performances and other events were held to highlight cross-border rapprochement fostered since the summit. But conspicuously absent from the peace-themed celebrations was North Korea, which failed to send any official or message in response to the South's invite. North Korea has effectively pulled back from engagement since a second meeting in Hanoi in February between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump fell apart without any agreement on dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear programme. In the South, Moon's administration is forging ahead with its peace drive without it. The trail hiked on Saturday, dubbed the DMZ Pathway to Peace although it does not enter any part of the zone, was introduced after the North refused to implement an agreed plan to provide tourists from both sides with greater access to the JSA. Public access to the area was strictly limited as the two Koreas remain technically a war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. "I wish I could freely go down this road into the North," said Song Hae-sook, a 71-year-old hiker. "It's too bad that they're not keeping their promise, which is what always worries us." Seoul's Unification Ministry in charge of intra-Korea affairs said on Monday it will restart tours in the southern part of the JSA on Wednesday, while continuing talks with Pyongyang to expand access to the North. Story continues The JSA has long been a popular tourist site in South Korea with its bright blue buildings and soldiers from both sides standing face to face, but tours have been suspended since October due to rows over a code of conduct, military sources told Reuters. STALEMATE The failed Hanoi summit was a blow for Moon, who has offered to mediate between Kim and Trump for a deal that he hoped would help ease U.S. sanctions in return for the North taking steps toward denuclearisation, leading to a restart of inter-Korean economic cooperation. Moon's efforts to meet Kim again and send an envoy to Pyongyang to discuss a possible compromise after the breakdown have made little headway. Planned weekly talks at an inter-Korean liaison office in the North's border city of Kaesong have not taken place since the Hanoi summit, and the North briefly pulled out of it without giving a reason. "It may look like a bride walking down the aisle when there's no groom waiting from the other side to greet her," a South Korean official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue. "But many in the Blue House would just be happy as long as the soldiers keep finding some remains from the DMZ." Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul expressed regret over the North's absence, but requested understanding citing the "change of the situation". "But it isn't less meaningful for us to once again reaffirm our resolve to implement the agreement made in Panmunjom through these events," he told reporters during a rehearsal for the celebration on Friday. DIGGING ALONE The DMZ tourism plan was part of a military pact, sealed during a September summit in Pyongyang, which calls for a set of tension-defusing measures. Both Koreas implemented some steps last year, halting major military drills, setting a no-fly zone around the border and removing landmines and guard posts within the DMZ, including the mountaintop watchtower above the "peace trail". But the North snubbed the South's proposal last month for talks to discuss follow-up action. This month, the South began excavating the remains of soldiers missing from the war from the DMZ on its own. Moon's unfazed push for peace has triggered worries that Seoul may be moving faster than anyone else is prepared to. U.S. officials have openly said since last year that inter-Korean relations should keep pace with progress on the North's denuclearisation.. Marking the anniversary of the Panmunjom summit, the North's state media released a series of articles on Saturday blasting the South's "submissive" alliance with the United States, which it said tries to "interfere" in inter-Korean ties, and urging Seoul to "take a proper stand". "North Korea is expressing discontent and disappointment after the South raised hopes for a deal but then failed to deliver as a 'mediator' eventually," said Hong Min, a senior fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification in Seoul. Saturday's ceremony was titled "Long journey", which Moon's office referred to a "path that is long but must be taken" until lasting peace is established on the Korean peninsula. "This is a new path, and as we all must take it together, we need, sometimes, to wait for those moving slower to catch up," Moon said in a video message, conveying his greetings to Kim. (Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Additional reporting by Joyce Lee; Editing by Alex Richardson and Darren Schuettler) Jordan Peterson will be speaking in the UK next month - Getty Images Europe The controversial professor Jordan Peterson has said Cambridge University is "unprofessional" after he found out the institution had stripped him of a fellowship via Twitter. Dr Peterson, who will be speaking at a sold-out show at the Hammersmith Apollo next month, said he felt "sorrow" and "shock" over the decision, which came as Cambridge academics lambasted the university for inviting him. Many have dismissed the views of the Canadian psychologist, who has hundreds of thousands of fans and styles himself as the "professor against political correctness". He has argued for enforced monogamy, pushed the view that men are victims of gender discrimination, and said that the idea of white privilege is a Marxist lie. The professor has also come under fire for posing in a photograph next to a man in a shirt with the slogan "proud Islamaphobe". However, he has said the university was wrong to strip him of his visiting fellowship, telling the Sunday Times magazine: "It was unprofessional in a way that is almost incomprehensible to me. I can't believe how it was handled." The professor added that the decision it reflects the general attitude of universities and their "continual, quasi-Marxist assault" on the "foundational ideas of our culture." He also defended sacked government advisor Roger Scruton, who was relieved of his position on the Building Better Building Beautiful Commission over remarks he made about Islamophobia and the Chinese government. Dr Peterson said Mr Scruton was "witch-hunted" out of his position, adding: "It's not surprising, this kind of thing happens all the time now. "People make mistakes, they're taken out of context. If the rule is going to be that if you have ever said anything that could be interpreted as offensive by the minority, no matter how small - I don't mean ethnic, I mean minority of people - you are no longer fit for public office or public discussion or anything of significance, then how the hell are you going to escape that?" A serious man. Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Before Monday, the boldest stand Beto ORourke had taken during the 2020 race was on a countertop. The former Texas congressman had been asking voters to judge him not on the thinness of his resume, but the pleasantness of his banalities, handsomeness of his face, and expressiveness of his hand gestures. Then the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, offered voters roughly the same and somehow, won a much warmer reception. For weeks now, ORourkes poll numbers have been slowly declining, while his campaign has bled core staffers. So, on Monday, in an apparent bid to revitalize his flagging candidacy, Beto did the unprecedented he unveiled an original policy proposal. And it was pretty all right! In a speech at Yosemite National Park Monday, ORourke announced that combating climate change would be his top priority as president, and that he had a comprehensive plan to get the United States to net-zero emissions by 2050. The greatest threat we face which will test our country, our democracy, every single one of us is climate change, ORourke told the assembled crowd. We have one last chance to unleash the ingenuity and political will of hundreds of millions of Americans to meet this moment before its too late. ORourkes plan consists of the following: $1.5 trillion in direct federal funding for emission-reducing infrastructure improvements, renewable-power desalination plants and community solar facilities. Using various incentives, ORourkes plan claims that it will generate $3.5 trillion in additional state, local, and private climate infrastructure investments. A series of forceful, executive orders on climate, including ones recommitting the U.S. to the Paris agreement, ending fossil fuel leases on federal lands, establishing stricter standards for methane emissions, and redoubling disaster preparedness in front line communities. A requirement compelling public companies to disclose the climate risks and greenhouse gas emissions inherent to their direct operations and their supply chains. A legally enforceable standard that would guarantee Americas greenhouse gas emissions are net-zero by 2050. Precisely what the enforcement mechanism on that last and most important provision would be is not clear. A carbon tax that ratchets up automatically when annual emissions reductions prove too meager would be one potential tool. But whatever that tool is, itll need to powerfully constrain many prevalent forms of commerce and consumption. Thus, if your top goal is to get elected president, it probably makes sense to be vague about the whole thing. But how President ORourke would get his plan through Congress once the rubber meets the road, and the details of his carbon-pricing mechanism hits Fox News is hard to see. Theres a lot to admire about Betos first policy. If youre only going to develop a detailed plan on one issue, climate is certainly the right one to pick. And for a candidate who doesnt feel comfortable calling himself a progressive and was once a stalwart ally of the fossil fuel industry ORourkes plan is respectably ambitious. A decade ago, calling for $1.5 trillion in green investments, financed by ensuring corporations and the wealthiest among us pay their fair share, would have marked ORourke as a left-wing gadfly. Nevertheless, a detailed enforcement mechanism isnt the only thing missing from Betos blueprint. Climate is a global problem, and emissions reductions in the U.S. will mean bupkes if India and China dont find a cleaner way to fully industrialize. Thus, no serious climate proposal is complete without a plan for helping the developing world rapidly adopt renewable technologies. Meanwhile, considering the exorbitant costs of inaction on climate, $1.5 trillion is too modest an opening ask; in the unlikely event that President ORourke inherits a Senate majority, hes going to have to drag moderate Senate Democrats kicking and screaming toward a climate policy thats even mildly ambitious. All of which is to say: It seems that ORourke has crafted a climate policy in his own image one thats likable, vague, and deeply inadequate to the task it has set for itself. Minneapolis (AFP) - Jurors began deliberating Monday in the murder trial of a US former police officer who gunned down an Australian woman in 2017 in the Midwestern city of Minneapolis. Mohamed Noor, 33, last week told the court he shot Justine Damond to protect his partner. He faces up to 40 years in prison if jurors reject his defense and decide the shooting was murder or manslaughter. The former policeman targeted Damond, 40, from the passenger seat of the police cruiser he was in with his partner, Matthew Harrity. The victim, a yoga instructor, had approached the cruiser after calling 911 twice to report a possible rape in the dark alley behind her home. No such assault was ever found to have occurred. In court, prosecutor Amy Sweasy said Noor violated Minneapolis police training policies -- and endangered the life of his partner and a teenage cyclist also present. She dismissed speculation that Damond contributed to her own death. "He pulled (the gun). He pointed, he aimed, and he killed her," Sweasy said. "This is no accident. This is intentional murder," she said. Noor previously testified that he believed there was an imminent threat after he saw a cyclist stop near the police cruiser, heard a loud bang and saw Harrity's "reaction to the person on the driver's side raising her right arm." Noor added that when he reached from the cruiser's passenger seat and shot Damond through the driver's side window, it was because he thought his partner "would have been killed." He said that after Damond approached the cruiser, his partner screamed "Oh, Jesus!" and began fumbling to unholster his gun. Then, Noor said he saw a blonde woman wearing a pink T-shirt raising her right arm at the driver's window, identified her as a threat and fired. Sweasy, however, suggested that the officers should not have been surprised by a woman walking to their car, given that the 911 caller reporting the possible sexual assault was a woman. William and Kate wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace following their wedding on April 29, 2011 [Photo: PA] The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have thanked royal watchers for their wishes on their eighth wedding anniversary. Kate, 37, and William, 36, posted several photos of their big day on April 29, 2011 on their @KensingtonRoyal social media accounts. Their message read: 8 years ago today thank you for your lovely messages on The Duke and Duchess of Cambridges wedding anniversary! The photos showed the newlyweds waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, the couple walking down the aisle of Westminster Abbey with Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton behind them, another of brothers William and Harry together and a fourth showing a crowd of well-wishers with flags. It is believed that the Cambridges are celebrating their anniversary privately. William has just returned from his trip to New Zealand, where he paid tribute to the victims of the Christchurch terror attacks. READ MORE: Best photos from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's big day in 2011 Kate has an engagement this week, where she will open the new Anna Freud Centre of Excellence in North London. The couple met at the University of St Andrews in Scotland in 2001 and began dating in around 2003. Their engagement was announced in November 2010 and William proposed with his mother Princess Dianas sapphire and diamond engagement ring. William and Kate emerge from Westminster Abbey after their wedding [Photo: PA] 23 million viewers tuned in to watch the couple tie the knot in a historic ceremony in Westminster Abbey. Kate wore a satin and lace wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen. She borrowed the Cartier halo tiara from the Queens jewellery collection, which was made in 1936 for the Queen Mother. William wore his red Irish Guards uniform, while best man and brother Harry wore the uniform of a captain of the Blues and Royals. FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) Kentucky's attorney general is trying to block subpoenas issued by Gov. Matt Bevin's administration as part of an investigation into teacher sickouts that shut down schools earlier this year. Attorney General Andy Beshear filed a lawsuit Monday trying to block subpoenas sent to 10 school districts. The subpoenas seek the names of teachers who might have used sick days to attend statehouse rallies earlier this year, forcing some districts to cancel classes. The protests were part of a wave of teacher activism that began last year in West Virginia and spread to other states, including Oklahoma and Arizona. The case is wrapped up in fierce election-year politics and marks the latest feud between the Republican governor and the Democratic attorney general. Their confrontation could ultimately be settled at the ballot box as Bevin is seeking re-election this year and Beshear hopes to prevail in a crowded Democratic primary next month to try to unseat him. By filing suit, Beshear followed through on his threat to take Bevin to court if his administration didn't rescind the subpoenas , which the state Labor Cabinet sent recently to several school districts. The state's labor secretary is named as the defendant in the lawsuit. The Labor Cabinet has the authority to investigate illegal work stoppages and impose individual fines. "This type of retaliation, intimidation and threats by a governor and his administration must not be allowed," Beshear said Monday. "The bully pulpit was never meant to bully, and I'm not going to let him use it." Bevin later called the lawsuit "an absolute stunt" and told reporters Beshear is "ginning up things to try to help his campaign." The governor added, "It's 100% to do with getting him elected." Bevin said the attorney general's office deliberately crafted the lawsuit so as to ensure it ended up in state court rather than federal court. The suit was assigned to a circuit court judge who last year struck down a public pension law that Bevin supported. The state Supreme Court upheld the lower court in the pension case. Story continues Beshear called the subpoenas unlawful, saying the absences had triggered no disputes between teachers and their school districts a condition for an illegal work stoppage under state law. He accused the Labor Cabinet of overreaching its authority in violation of state law. Teachers used sick days that closed some schools to rally against several education bills that were considered by state lawmakers this year. The measures included one that would have indirectly supported private schools with tax credits for scholarship funds. Beshear said he is seeking a temporary restraining order to block the subpoenas, and his legal team sought a May 6 hearing on the request. Beshear said the school districts face a May 10 deadline to respond to the subpoenas. The Jefferson County Teachers Association, which represents teachers in Kentucky's most populous county, joined Beshear in filing the lawsuit. The association's president, Brent McKim, said the subpoenas aim to create a chilling effect on teachers who disagree with the governor's education policies. "It is designed to make teachers fearful," he said. Teachers could face fines of up to $1,000 per day for using sick days to attend rallies, the attorney general said. In turn, Bevin's chief of staff, Blake Brickman, lashed out at Beshear and his claims on Twitter: "His fear-mongering rhetoric about fining teachers is false, and no such decision has been made or will be made until after the Office of the Inspector General completes its lawful investigation." Widespread absences in some school districts forced cancellation of classes for up to a few days while teachers converged on Kentucky's Capitol earlier this year, drawing Bevin's criticism. In a recent subpoena to the Jefferson County Public Schools, which cover Louisville as the state's largest district, the Labor Cabinet asked school officials for the names of employees who called in sick during sickouts in February and March. That subpoena sought any documentation teachers provided, including doctors' notes. The cabinet also wanted copies of the district's sick leave policies and records in which district officials discussed the decision to close schools due to sickouts. Kim Kardashian hosted a CBD themed baby shower ahead of the birth of her fourth child. [Photo: Instagram/Getty] Kim Kardashian threw a CBD-themed baby shower over the weekend. Ahead of the arrival of her fourth baby who she is having via surrogate the entrepreneur and reality television star treated guests to CBD-infused cosmetics, a sound bath session and even flower arranging with cannabis leaves. She shared footage of the lavish do via Instagram Stories to her 136 million followers. Each guest was given a pair of navy blue Yeezy slides as a party favour, Kim revealed on her Stories. Celebrity guests included Kims mum Kris Jenner, her sister Kourtney Kardashian, and socialite Paris Hilton. Kim shared footage of the event on her Instagram stories. [Photo: Instagram] In a video posted to a Kim Kardashian fan account, Kim explains her reasoning behind hosting a CBD themed shower. "So, because Im freaking out and the baby is coming in, like, two weeks, I thought what better way to celebrate than to have a little CBD," she says in the video. Itll only be 10 minutes, but I thought it would be, like, cool for us to do Lets zen out on a Saturday. I thought it was kind of ridiculous to have a fourth baby shower. But I thought, Im freaking the f**k out having a fourth kid." "So everyone have a puff and put on some oil," she finished. Model and author Chrissy Teigen was also in attendance. She posted a video of herself at the shower, together with Kourtney, hairdresser Jen Atkin, and Kims former assistant Stephanie Shepherd. What is CBD? Cannabidiol, popularly shortened to CBD, is a naturally occurring compound found in the cannabis plant. However, unlike tetrahydrocannabionol (THC) another component from the plant regularly found in marijuana CBD is non-intoxicating. It is legal both here in the UK and in California, where Kim hosted the party. A look at the shareholders of Thirumalai Chemicals Limited (NSE:TIRUMALCHM) can tell us which group is most powerful. Insiders often own a large chunk of younger, smaller, companies while huge companies tend to have institutions as shareholders. I quite like to see at least a little bit of insider ownership. As Charlie Munger said 'Show me the incentive and I will show you the outcome.' With a market capitalization of 9.2b, Thirumalai Chemicals is a small cap stock, so it might not be well known by many institutional investors. In the chart below below, we can see that institutional investors have bought into the company. Let's delve deeper into each type of owner, to discover more about TIRUMALCHM. View our latest analysis for Thirumalai Chemicals NSEI:TIRUMALCHM Ownership Summary, April 29th 2019 What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Thirumalai Chemicals? Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing. As you can see, institutional investors own 5.1% of Thirumalai Chemicals. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone, since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Thirumalai Chemicals's historic earnings and revenue, below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story. NSEI:TIRUMALCHM Income Statement, April 29th 2019 Hedge funds don't have many shares in Thirumalai Chemicals. While there is some analyst coverage, the company is probably not widely covered. So it could gain more attention, down the track. Story continues Insider Ownership Of Thirumalai Chemicals While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it. Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances. Our information suggests that insiders maintain a significant holding in Thirumalai Chemicals Limited. Insiders have a 1.7b stake in this 9.2b business. I would say this shows alignment with shareholders, but it is worth noting that the company is still quite small; some insiders may have founded the business. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling. General Public Ownership The general public, with a 48% stake in the company, will not easily be ignored. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies. Private Company Ownership We can see that Private Companies own 8.2%, of the shares on issue. It's hard to draw any conclusions from this fact alone, so its worth looking into who owns those private companies. Sometimes insiders or other related parties have an interest in shares in a public company through a separate private company. Public Company Ownership It appears to us that public companies own 20% of TIRUMALCHM. This may be a strategic interest and the two companies may have related business interests. It could be that they have de-merged. This holding is probably worth investigating further. Next Steps: I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. 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 . But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. 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. BERLIN, April 29 (Reuters) - The United States is key to settling the ongoing conflict between Kosovo and Serbia, Kosovo President Hashim Thaci said on Monday, pointing to the inability of major European countries to reach a unified position on the issue. The former Serb and predominantly ethnic Albanian republic of Kosovo declared its 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. "Without the U.S. we can never have any dialog, negotiations or any agreement," Thaci told Reuters TV in Berlin, adding: "The EU is not united in this process." Thaci was in Berlin to join a summit later on Monday on the Western Balkans, called by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron. Thaci played down the expectations for the Berlin meeting saying: "I will not expect any miracle." It is crucial for Serbia to recognize Kosovo as an independent state, Thaci said. "We will ask today Chancellor Merkel and President Macron to convince (Serb) President (Aleksandar) Vucic to recognize Kosovo," Thaci said, adding that if that does not happen, "I think the meeting in Berlin will not be useful." Thaci stressed that Serbia tended to orient itself towards Russia but Kosovo wanted to be part of NATO and the European Union as soon as possible. (Reporting by Alexander Ratz and Reuters TV Editing by Frances Kerry) SEATTLE (AP) The Latest on a deadly crane collapse in Seattle (all times local): 3:55 p.m. The fourth person killed in a construction crane accident in Seattle has been identified as a retired city employee. Mayor Jenny Durkan said Monday that 71-year-old Alan Justad worked for the city for decades and had served as deputy director of the Department of Planning and Development before he retired in 2014. She described Justad as "a true public servant." The King County Medical Examiner's Office on Monday afternoon confirmed the identities of those killed. They included two ironworkers who were on the crane when it fell, 31-year-old Andrew Yoder and 33-year-old Travis Corbet. Justad and 19-year-old Seattle Pacific University student Sarah Wong were in cars crushed by the falling crane. ___ 2:30 p.m. Experts say it appears human error may have caused a crane collapse that killed four people and injured four others in Seattle over the weekend. Based on videos of the collapse, they say it appears workers who were disassembling the construction crane had removed pins securing the sections of the crane's mast to each other, and that could explain why the crane toppled in relatively minor wind gusts. South Carolina crane accident investigator Tom Barth said the only safe way to disassemble a tower crane is to hook up the section being removed to another crane, and then remove the pins from that section only. In this case, he says, it appears the workers removed pins from all of the sections in advance. The same cause was blamed for a crane collapse that killed two workers in Dallas in 2012. ___ 12:50 p.m. An Oregon ironworker and former Marine has been identified by a labor union as one of the four people killed when a construction crane collapsed in Seattle over the weekend. Iron Workers Local Union 29 based in Portland, Oregon identified him as Travis Corbet. His wife Samantha Corbet told Seattle television stations that her husband had served in the U.S. Marine Corps for five years before becoming an ironworker. Story continues They married last year and planned to go on their honeymoon in June. Another ironworker killed in Saturday's accident was a member of Iron Workers Local 86, based in Seattle. Officials say the crane was being disassembled when it fell from a building on Google's new Seattle campus. It badly damaged the building and struck six cars below. The ironworkers were in the crane when it fell. The other two people killed were in cars. ___ 9:15 p.m. The identities of the four people killed when a construction crane fell from a Seattle building are expected to be released Monday. The King County Medical Examiner's office said it would release the names of the female and three males who died in the accident Saturday afternoon. Seattle Pacific University said Sunday a freshman student was among those killed when the crane fell from a building under construction on Google's new Seattle campus onto Mercer Street. The university said in a statement that Sarah Wong was a freshman who intended to major in nursing and lived on campus. The university says Wong was in a car when the crane fell. Joe Biden, then a U.S. senator, holds up a copy of the FBI report on Anita Hill during committee hearings. Photo: Bettmann Archive/Getty Images Hours after Joe Biden made his presidential run official last month, Anita Hills name was back in the news. Biden, the New York Times reported, called Hill earlier in April to express his regret for her treatment during the Clarence Thomas Supreme Court confirmation hearings. Hill who accused the judge of sexual harassment and was mocked, jeered, and dismissed by the Senate Judiciary Committee, which Biden chaired declined to characterize [Bidens] words to her as an apology, according to the Times. She also said she could not support his candidacy. Nearly three decades after Hills blockbuster testimony, its clear that Bidens role in it is still an issue. For those whose memory of the fall of 1991 is hazy (or who werent even born yet), heres a brief refresher on what happened. How did Anita Hill get involved in the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings? She almost didnt. Thomass confirmation hearings were largely unremarkable until NPRs Nina Totenberg reported that Hill, then a law professor at the University of Oklahoma, had told the FBI that Thomas sexually harassed her. An uproar followed, and Hill was called to testify. In front of the all-male, all-white Senate Judiciary Committee, Hill claimed that Thomas sexually harassed her in the early 80s when they worked together at the Education Department and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She said he repeatedly tried to get her to go on dates with him and made many inappropriate sexual remarks. He talked about pornographic materials depicting individuals with large penises or large breasts, involved in various sex acts, she said. On several occasions, Thomas told me graphically of his own sexual prowess. In another incident, Hill said Thomas cracked a joke to her about finding a pubic hair on my Coke. In his own testimony, Thomas would deny everything Hill said: From my standpoint, as a black American, as far as Im concerned, it is a high-tech lynching for uppity blacks who in any way deign to think for themselves, to do for themselves, to have different ideas. What did Biden do during the hearings? As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee at the time, it fell on Biden to preside over the hearings. Critics of his performance tend to hone in on three things. First, he did little to stop members of the committee from attacking Hill. The Republicans were the most relentless. Arlen Specter asked her why she didnt report the behavior to HR and said that discussing large breasts at work was common. Howell Heflin asked if she was a scorned woman and if she had militant attitude relative to the area of civil rights or a martyr complex. Charles Grassley accused her of lifting the pubic hair story from The Exorcist. Second, Biden failed to call additional witnesses who could have corroborated Hills testimony. One of those women, Angela Wright Shannon, told Roll Call in 2016 that it was probably a good thing that she didnt testify. I dont think I could have maintained the grace and dignity of Anita Hill, she said. Hill, in 2014, said Biden declining to put the other witnesses in front of the committee was a disservice to me and a disservice more importantly, to the public, as allowing those women to testify would have helped the public to understand sexual harassment. He failed to do that. Lastly, Bidens critics say that his own questioning of Hill was unfair, blaming him for setting an accusing, skeptical tone and losing control, the Washington Post reports. Charles Ogletree, a Harvard law professor and Hills attorney at the time, told Politico he still blames Biden for mishandling the hearing: I was shocked and dismayed that Joe Biden was asking questions that didnt seem appropriate and was not in her corner as a Democrat, Ogletree said. The point is that hes supposed to be neutral, but his questions to Anita Hill were as piercing as anyones. Ogletree said hes brought up the hearings with Biden in the years since, but hasnt been satisfied with the response. Hes said that this job was to control the hearing, that he was surprised by the result as well, Ogletree said. Has Biden apologized? Whether or not Biden had offered an adequate apology became a contentious issue as he launched his 2020 campaign. Over the years, Biden tiptoed up to an apology, but hadnt fully committed. Hills family even jokes about it, she told Elle last year. Its become sort of a running joke in the household when someone rings the doorbell and were not expecting company, she said. Oh, we say, is that Joe Biden coming to apologize? Even in recent months, Biden downplayed his role in what happened to her. To this day, I regret I couldnt give her the kind of hearing she deserved, Biden said earlier this year. I wish I could have done something. Though Biden reached out to Hill in recent weeks, she told the Times the call left her unsatisfied. I cannot be satisfied by simply saying, Im sorry for what happened to you, she said. I will be satisfied when I know there is real change and real accountability and real purpose. On The View last month, Joy Behar pushed Biden to personally apologize for his own role in the hearings. He pushed back. If you go back and look at what I said and didnt say, I dont think I treated her badly, he said. In an interview with Good Morning America, Biden said he takes responsibility for Hills treatment during the hearing, and suggested hes already apologized. I believed her from the very beginning, but I was chairman. She did not get a fair hearing. She did not get treated well. Thats my responsibility, Biden told GMA. As the committee chairman, I take responsibility that she did not get treated well. I take responsibility for that. I apologized for it, Biden continued. I apologize again because, look, heres the deal. She just did not get treated fair across the board. The system did not work. One possible reason why Biden was hesitant to say hes sorry? It seems the idea was that if he started, he wouldnt ever be able to stop. There is a sense among some within the Biden orbit that if he starts apologizing -- for Anita Hill, for the women who felt uncomfortable with how he touched them, for anything else -- that it will open up the floodgates and he'll never be able to stop apologizing Edward-Isaac Dovere (@IsaacDovere) April 26, 2019 The Biden camp seems eager to put this episode behind the candidate. That became most explicit on May 7, when Dr. Jill Biden told NPR, Its time to move on. He voted against Clarence Thomas, the former Second Lady said. And as he has said, hes called Anita Hill, theyve talked, theyve spoken, and he said, he feels badly. He apologized for the way the hearings were run. And so now its kind of its time to move on. What are other candidates saying? So far, the 2020 Democratic primary has been fairly positive. Bidens entrance into the race might change that. Shortly after he announced, two of Bidens many competitors commented on the Hill story. Senator Amy Klobuchar said on Meet the Press that Hills testimony and the subsequent controversy over how she was treated motivated me to get involved in politics. She didnt say much about Bidens role other than noting that he will have to continue to address this issue over the course of the campaign. Massachusetts congressman Seth Moulton, a new entrant into the race, was more direct in his criticism of Biden. I think she was treated terribly, he said of Hill Sunday, according to Politico. Joe Biden is a mentor and a friend of mine; hes a great American. Everybody makes mistakes I do think that was a mistake, though, and I do think he should apologize. This post was updated to include Bidens remarks to Good Morning America. Berlin (AFP) - Serbia and Kosovo have agreed at a summit in Berlin to resume talks, after the leaders of France and Germany warned the bitter foes that resolving their dispute was crucial to future ties with the European Union. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron hosted the working dinner for the neighbours whose relationship has taken a turn for the worse in recent months. Late Monday Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said they had agreed to meet again in Paris in early July. Merkel earlier said the recent breakthrough in a long-running conflict between Greece and Macedonia over the smaller country's name could serve as a model for resolving Serbia and Kosovo's thorny dispute. "We agreed to this joint initiative because we are committed to the European perspective of the Western Balkans countries," said Merkel, flanked by Macron, referring to the prospect of closer relations with the EU bloc. "It is in Europe's interest that there is positive development in this region." Also present at the summit were the leaders of EU members Croatia and Slovenia, and other Western Balkans leaders. Macron and Merkel stressed that EU membership prospects were not on the agenda in Berlin but remained in the hands of the European Commission. "Rather, this is about a policy of stability that we want for the region," the French leader said. - Risky business - The Macron-Merkel meeting, also attended by EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini, comes after EU-brokered talks between Serbia and Kosovo ground to a halt last year. The nub of the dispute is Belgrade's denial of the independence of Kosovo, a former province of deep historical and cultural significance to Serbians that broke away in a bloody 1998-1999 war. The Brussels-led dialogue collapsed several months after talk of possible border changes between the neighbours triggered a stinging backlash last summer. Story continues Critics warned that redrawing the map would be risky business in the fragile Balkans, a region still recovering from its brutal 1990s wars. Then came a series of diplomatic clashes between Pristina and Belgrade that deepened the hostility, in particular Kosovo's decision in November to levy a 100-percent tariff on Serbian goods. A stalemate ensued. Kosovo's Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj says he will keep the tax until Belgrade shows openness to recognising independence. Meanwhile Vucic maintained that lifting the tariff was a condition for any dialogue. "The conclusion is to continue the discussion, I suppose in a smaller format, with the intermediation of the EU, Germany and France (...) to try to find the solution that would allow us to resume the dialogue," he told Serbian and Balkan media. "Serbia had no other conditions than the repeal of taxes." Normalising ties with Kosovo and harmonising its foreign policy with that of the EU, are among key criteria Serbia has to meet to join the bloc. While the exact details of any border plan have never been laid out, local media and analysts assume the land swap would see Kosovo's Serb-dominated north traded for a southern valley in Serbia that is mainly ethnic-Albanian, as is the rest of Kosovo. - 'Import instability' - The United States and some EU officials appeared open to discussing such a deal. But Germany has been one of the clearest critics of any border changes, which many worry would further segregate the region along ethnic lines. European Union enlargement commissioner Johannes Hahn, who oversees bids to join the bloc, said binding Balkan countries closer to the EU was key to keeping the peace. "Either we export stability or we import instability," he told German business daily Handelsblatt. Thaci earlier insisted on his Facebook page that he was committed to resolving the long-running conflict. "For us, our neighbors and the EU, an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia is vital for moving forward," he said. "We have the support of the EU, the United States and the whole world to reach a peaceful, final and comprehensive agreement with Serbia. We are ready to resume the dialogue in Brussels." But while Thaci is in favour of revoking the tariff, his prime minister Haradinaj has been intransigent despite heavy EU and US pressure. "No tax will be revoked either at this summit or at any other summit," Haradinaj reiterated last week. A poll conducted by ABC suggests the majority of Americans are unwilling to support President Donald Trump in the 2020 election, with healthcare and immigration policy cited as major deciding factors. Released Monday, the poll found 55 percent of those polled refuse to vote for Mr. Trump in 2020, with 40 percent opposing his re-election based on his handling of healthcare. On immigration, 44 percent oppose a second term for the president, while 31 percent support it. A majority of Americans polled - 58 percent - also believe Mr. Trump lied to the public about the Mueller investigation. The poll shows that this thinking may have a considerable impact, with 36 percent of those polled citing the Mueller report, an edited version of which was released to the public on 18 April, making them likely to oppose Trump in 2020. Intended turnout meanwhile appeared "remarkably" high, with 75 percent of Americans, including 85 percent of registered voters, saying they are "certain" to vote in the election. The news agency noted that if that level is maintained, it could boost Democratic candidates, many of whose core support groups are "less reliable voters". Also notably, support among Mr. Trumps own party showed a slight decrease in the poll - 15 percent of Republicans said they would "definitely not" support the presidents re-election, with 30 percent of those identifying as conservative polling the same way. The numbers do not necessarily spell victory for Mr. Trumps eventual opponent, however, with only 29 percent of those polled say theyll definitely support the Democratic opponent in 2020. Japanese police on Monday arrested a 56-year-old man in connection with two paring knives found at the school desk of Prince Hisahito, grandson of Emperor Akihito, local media reported. The incident comes as authorities were beefing up security ahead of the popular emperor's abdication on Tuesday after a 30-year reign. The man, identified as Kaoru Hasegawa, was arrested on suspicion of illegally entering the premises of the junior high school the 12-year-old prince attends on Friday, public broadcaster NHK and other news reports said. His motive was not immediately clear. NHK said police officials were questioning him and suspected he placed the knives at the desk, while Nippon Television said he admitted the allegations. A police spokesman declined to comment. Hisahito, who began attending the school this month, was not in the classroom when the knives are believed to have been left. There were no reports of any injuries or damage at the school, while police did not find any threatening note related to the case. Security camera footage showed a man with a helmet trespassing on the school grounds at around noon, they said. Police had been searching for the middle-aged man who was dressed as a construction worker. Threats to the imperial family are relatively rare. In 1975, Akihito was almost hit by a Molotov cocktail in Okinawa, a major World War II battlefield where there was strong anti-emperor sentiment. The incident comes as Japan is preparing for the abdication of Akihito, the first monarch to relinquish the throne of the world's oldest imperial family for two centuries. Akihito's eldest son, 59-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito, will take the throne on Wednesday in a series of ceremonies. Hisahito is the son of Naruhito's younger brother and the last eligible male heir. Japan's centuries-old succession would be broken if Hisahito does not have a male child as the Imperial Household Law, in place since 1947, does not allow women to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne. RICHMOND, Va. (AP) A member of a white supremacist group pleaded guilty Monday to conspiring to riot at a white nationalist rally in Virginia and at other demonstrations in California. Thomas Walter Gillen, 25, of Redondo Beach, California, became the second member of the Rise Above Movement to plead guilty after four members of the group were indicted in Virginia last year. Members of the militant white supremacist group are known for meeting regularly to train in mixed martial arts street-fighting techniques. Cole Evan White, of Clayton, California, pleaded guilty to the same charge in November. All four men were accused of committing violent acts during a torch-lit march at the University of Virginia and the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville in August 2017. Defense lawyers for two of the men had argued that their actions were protected by the constitutional right to free speech and assembly. U.S. Attorney Thomas Cullen said in a statement Monday that the First Amendment "does not license insensate acts of violence committed under the guise of First Amendment expression." As part of Gillen's guilty plea, he admitted that he and other members of RAM attended the Unite the Right rally and other demonstrations in California "to incite and commit acts of violence, not to exercise their rights to free speech." Gillen's lawyer did not return a call seeking comment Monday. Prosecutors said Gillen and other RAM members joined hundreds of people at the march on the grounds of the University of Virginia on Aug. 11, 2017. The march ended near a statue of Thomas Jefferson, where a group of students had gathered to protest white supremacy. Violence erupted, with some people kicking, punching, spraying chemical irritants and swinging torches. Prosecutors said that during this riot, RAM members, including Gillen, struck multiple people with a torch. The next day, Gillen and other members of RAM were part of a group that clashed with people who had come to the Unite the Right rally to protest against discrimination. Prosecutors said the RAM members "collectively pushed, punched, kicked ... head-butted, and otherwise assaulted several people, resulting in a riot." Story continues Later that day, anti-racism protester Heather Heyer was killed when a self-avowed white supremacist drove his car into a crowd of counterprotesters. James Alex Fields Jr. was convicted of murder and other crimes in state court. Last month, Fields pleaded guilty to federal hate crime charges. Prosecutors said Gillen and other RAM members also committed violent acts at other 2017 demonstrations and rallies in Huntington Beach and Berkley, California. A third defendant, Michael Paul Miselis, has a change-of-plea hearing scheduled Friday in U.S. District Court in Charlottesville. Islamic State released a video Monday of a man the militant group identified as its chief, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in what would be his first appearance in five years, a month after the militants were driven out of their last stronghold in Syria. In the 18-minute video, the man resembling Baghdadi is seen sitting on the ground amid other men whose faces are blurred as he discusses the war against crusaders and the recent battle of Baghouz in Syria, Rita Katz, director of SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist social media, said in a series of tweets. The Islamic State leader hasnt been seen since his infamous appearance in a video from the Grand Mosque in Mosul, Iraq, where he announced the creation of the so-called Islamic State caliphate, which once held swaths of land in Iraq and Syria. Several reports had emerged in the past years that Baghdadi had been either injured or killed as his whereabouts remained unknown. Baghdadi praised the Sri Lanka attackers, calling the bombings revenge for Baghouz, the groups last pocket of territory, according to SITE. More than 200 people, including as many as 30 foreigners, were killed in a series of coordinated explosions on Easter Sunday at churches and luxury hotels across Sri Lanka. U.S.-backed Kurdish forces said last month that they had completely eradicated the Islamic State from its last pocket of control on the Euphrates River. In December, President Donald Trump announced that Islamic State had been defeated and that he was bringing U.S. troops home from Syria, a decision that prompted Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to resign. The president later acknowledged that Islamic State remained a threat, and his administration said as many as 400 troops would stay. The groups potential to inspire terrorist attacks even without holding territory has been underscored in recent attacks, such as that in Sri Lanka blamed on a local jihadist group and claimed by Islamic State and an armed assault claimed by the group in the Democratic Republic of Congo earlier this month. We've lost count of how many times insiders have accumulated shares in a company that goes on to improve markedly. Unfortunately, there are also plenty of examples of share prices declining precipitously after insiders have sold shares. So before you buy or sell Shriram City Union Finance Limited (NSE:SHRIRAMCIT), you may well want to know whether insiders have been buying or selling. Do Insider Transactions Matter? It's quite normal to see company insiders, such as board members, trading in company stock, from time to time. However, most countries require that the company discloses such transactions to the market. We would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing. But logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares. For example, a Harvard University study found that 'insider purchases earn abnormal returns of more than 6% per year.' See our latest analysis for Shriram City Union Finance Shriram City Union Finance Insider Transactions Over The Last Year There wasn't any very large single transaction over the last year, but we can still observe some trading. In the last twelve months insiders netted 3.3m for 1852 shares sold. In the last year Shriram City Union Finance insiders didn't buy any company stock. The chart below shows insider transactions (by individuals) over the last year. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction! NSEI:SHRIRAMCIT Recent Insider Trading, April 29th 2019 For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Are Shriram City Union Finance Insiders Buying Or Selling? The last three months saw some Shriram City Union Finance insider selling. Insiders only netted 627k selling shares, in that period. It's not great to see insider selling, nor the lack of recent buyers. But the volume sold is so low that it really doesn't bother us. Story continues Insider Ownership of Shriram City Union Finance Looking at the total insider shareholdings in a company can help to inform your view of whether they are well aligned with common shareholders. We usually like to see fairly high levels of insider ownership. From what we can see in our data, insiders own only about 20m worth of Shriram City Union Finance shares. But they may have an indirect interest through a corporate structure that we haven't picked up on. It's always possible we are missing something but from our data, it looks like insider ownership is minimal. So What Do The Shriram City Union Finance Insider Transactions Indicate? Insiders sold Shriram City Union Finance shares recently, but they didn't buy any. Looking to the last twelve months, our data doesn't show any insider buying. But since Shriram City Union Finance is profitable and growing, we're not too worried by this. Insiders own shares, but we're still pretty cautious, given the history of sales. We'd think twice before buying! Of course, the future is what matters most. So if you are interested in Shriram City Union Finance, you should check out this free report on analyst forecasts for the company. If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. 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. Photo: Screenshot via YouTube Over the weekend, YouTuber PewDiePie called on his fans to stop perpetuating the subscribe to PewDiePie meme, one that grew from YouTube infighting to international infamy after it was invoked by the Christchurch shooter on his livestream earlier this year. I think its time to end the subscribe to PewDiePie movement, or meme, he told his fans. The phrase rose in prominence as the YouTube account of Indian production company T-Series seemed primed to overtake PewDiePie as the most-subscribed channel. In response, fans sought to keep PewDiePie at the top of the list by doing things like holding up banners during the Super Bowl or hacking printers to display the message. T-Series, despite the countereffort, is now comfortably in the top spot. The YouTuber, whose real name is Felix Kjellberg, told fans that he expected the running gag to last a couple of days or maybe a week, and called the global response incredibly humbling. But, he added, When you have 90 million people riled up about something, youre bound to get a few degenerates. Prior to the Christchurch shooting, the message had also been written on a World War II memorial in New York. Following Christchurch, Kjellberg issued a short statement disavowing the shooter and his actions, but is just now expanding on his thoughts. I didnt want to make it about me, he told viewers. Its clear to me now the subscribe to PewDiePie movement shouldve ended then. What happens next remains to be seen. History has shown that memes co-opted by white supremacists and web Nazis cant exactly be killed just ask Matt Furie, creator of Pepe the Frog. Celebrities have similarly become unwilling fan objects of that crowd as well as Taylor Swift well knows. At the very least, Kjellbergs rejection of the meme preemptively shuts down anyone who would justify its continued use by claiming its about positivity or its in good fun. PewDiePie adherents cant believably claim to act in the name of a leader who has explicitly rejected their call to action. Subscribe to PewDiePie mightve been a simple joke at one point, but even as Kjellberg admits, its not anymore. Sometimes old memes must die so new memes can live. Sign Up for the Intelligencer Newsletter Daily news about the politics, business, and technology shaping our world. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Terms & Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. By all rights, Master Sgt. Christopher Raguso should have died in 2004 14 years before his helicopter went down in Iraq, killing everyone aboard, according to his dad. In the tough, early days of the Iraq Wars insurgency, Raguso, a New York Air National Guardsman, was serving his first tour in Baghdad, said his father, John, in a Nov. 15 interview. He was near the powder keg of Sadr City, when the Mahdi army, an insurgent group, invaded his base. Raguso engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat, his father said. Then a mortar round landed 10 feet away. It should have detonated and killed him, John said. But it didnt. The bad fuse on that mortar gave Chris 14 years of extra time, his dad said and he made the most of every bit of it. He had the chance to fall in love and get married. To become a father to two beautiful girls. To fulfill his dream of becoming a firefighter and lieutenant with the New York City Fire Department. To keep fighting for his nation. And to save hundreds of lives around the world both civilians and his fellow troops. Raguso and six other airmen died March 15 when their HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter crashed in western Iraq. It was the day after his 39th birthday. Months after his sons death, the hurt and anger John Raguso still feels is evident in his voice as he wrestles to understand why and how to help the family his son left behind get through the holidays without their father for the first time. I ask myself, why the f*** would God kill this man, when all he did was help people and save people? John Raguso, a charter boat captain who lives on Long Island, said. Why not take a drug dealer? Why not take a slimeball politician, and make the world a better place? This is the one thing in my life I cant fix, he continued. I feel like Atlas, with the weight of the world not only on my shoulders, but on my chest, all over my body. Every moment when I wake up, I feel this emptiness, this loss, this pressure, this insanity, this inconsolable grief. And Im trying to put it in perspective. Story continues Raguso, from the Long Island town of Commack, was an HH-60G special missions aviation flight engineer, assigned to the 101st Rescue Squadron of the New York Guards 106th Rescue Wing. Tens of thousands turned out to honor him at his wake and funeral, lining the streets, waving flags as his casket made its way to his final resting place. He was lauded as a hero by President Trump and the Air Force, and remembered by the troops he fought alongside and whose lives he saved. Early struggles But John doesnt romanticize his sons early days. He remembers Chris as the young man who struggled with attention deficit disorder, which went undiagnosed until he was a high school sophomore. Chris could be a drama queen in those days, his father said, laughing, and would pitch a fit when he didnt get his way. He drifted through high school like a leaf blowing in the wind, started and stopped college a few times, and at first had a hard time figuring out his lifes path. Things changed a year before 9/11. At the encouragement of John Ragusos older brother Joe, a veteran officer in the New York Police Department, Chris took the test to become a policeman and did very well. But Chris instead announced at Joes retirement party that he had instead decided to become a firefighter and had joined the Commack Volunteer Fire Department in New York. John was surprised, and wasnt sure how he would pull it off. But when Chris told him he realized he was meant to help other people and serve his community, John said he would support him as best as he could. Years later, when Chris told his father he was going to go to flight school, John was again surprised and doubtful, given the way he struggled to focus with his ADD. But Chris was incredibly driven, and would figure out how to overcome any challenge that presented itself, his father said. You couldnt set the bar too high, because he was going to find a way to beat it, John said. There was a three-year wait to get into the FDNY, so when a firefighting job opened up at the Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in New York, home of the 106th Rescue Wing, Chris jumped at the opportunity. He joined the Guard in June 2001, and John took pictures of him signing up. About three months later, the nation was at war. Chris knew that he could be called upon to fight, and his family was concerned when he was deployed to Iraq in 2004 as a fire protection specialist with the 106th Civil Engineering Squadron. When Chris narrowly avoided that mortar during the firefight, John said his son realized he had been given a gift. He said, Dad, a bunch of things happened out there, and Im going to change my life a little bit, John said. Im going to be the best first responder that I can be. Shortly after returning home, he got the call from the FDNY. Since he had been in combat, John said, the FDNY made him a squad leader and put him in charge of 25 people. He chose the roughest, toughest part of New York the most dangerous fire department assignment in Brooklyn, John said, where he responded to fire after fire. I cant tell you how many times I was called at 3 oclock in the morning to come pick him up at some hospital because a roof fell on him, or he fell down the stairs, or a wall fell on him, or he got burned, John said. He learned how to be an excellent fireman. He was the first guy to run into every fire, [and] the last guy to come out. The Air Force offered to send Chris to helicopter school if he re-enlisted, and he signed up for six more years. He went to flight school, excelled at gunnery school because he was an expert marksman, went to mechanic school, and went to SERE, or survival, evasion, resistance and escape, school. Finding a soul mate Chris had a lot of girlfriends in his youth he was a very handsome man, John said but all that changed in 2007, when he met his future wife, Carmela. Ragusos mother, Laura, worked at a special ed school where Carmela taught. Every few months, Chris would come in and teach a fire prevention class for the students there. When he showed up to Carmelas school in full firefighter gear, John said, it was love at first sight. When they met, they both knew that this was the soul mate they were waiting for all these years, John said. A year later, Chris was gearing up for his first deployment to Afghanistan at the end of 2008 and everyone knew the danger. Chris and Carmela were married by a justice of the peace in December 2008, and after he returned the following April, they had a big church wedding. The couple had two daughters Mila, now 7, and 6-year-old Eva and when asked what kind of a father Chris was, John said, Way better than me. (Although John thinks he himself was a pretty good dad to Chris.) He was like the iron fist in a velvet glove, John said. Doing the right thing Chris saw a lot of action serving as a flight engineer in Afghanistan on that deployment, and helped save a lot of Marines many of whom were severely wounded. There were also several who died in his arms, John said, which reinforced Chris belief that he was doing the right thing what he was meant to do. He again deployed to Afghanistan with the 101st Rescue Squadron, as well as to Somalia with Navy SEALs in 2015. He went to Houston to respond to Hurricane Harvey in 2017, where he and his team flew their helicopter, Rescue 1, for 14 hours a day, seven days straight, and saved 135 people. Two weeks later, after Hurricane Maria, he went to Puerto Rico and saved another 50 or 60 people. He continued to advance in the FDNY, and was on track to become a captain, when he returned to Iraq with the 106th Rescue Wing earlier this year. Thats when his Pave Hawk crashed in Anbar province, killing him and six other airmen: Capt. Mark Weber, Capt. Andreas OKeeffe, Capt. Christopher Zanetis, Staff Sgt. Dashan Briggs, Master Sgt. William Posch, and Staff Sgt. Carl Enis. Chris death shattered the Raguso family but they made sure to remember the example he set. In a news conference shortly after his death, his mother, Laura Raguso, tearfully said she begged him not to re-enlist. I said, Papi, please, why do you have to do this? she said. And he said Mami, because if I dont, whos going to do it? Scores of people whose lives he had touched came out to pay their respects. At the wake, John said a pararescueman came up to Laura and saluted her. The pararescueman said he had total confidence in Chris he could make sure his helicopter flew in 80-knot hurricane winds and could put his helicopter in places no other flight engineer could, he said. And then, the pararescueman gave Laura his maroon beret. He said, Your son deserves this more than I do, John said. Your son has rescued my ass so many times, I cant even count. When the mayor of Houston found out, John said, he sent an honor guard to New York to stand by Chris casket for three days. Vice President Mike Pence stood and talked with John Raguso for a long time on the tarmac at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on March 18, while waiting for Chris to be flown back for his dignified transfer. (I chewed his ear off, as an understatement, John said.) That conversation evidently made an impression: A few months later, Pence called and said President Trump wanted to meet him. John met with Trump Aug. 17, when the president traveled to the Hamptons for a fundraiser, and sat with him in a motorcade for five hours, which he said was a singular experience. He thanked Trump for the condolence letter he sent to Carmela and the girls, and gave Trump Chris firefighter mission patches, as well as a hat with a combination of the FDNY and 101st logos and his sons name. He said Trump put his arms around him, and said he was rooting and praying for him. He also talked with chief of staff John Kelly, who himself is a Gold Star father though Kelly didnt mention it to John Raguso. Kelly, a retired Marine general, eagerly listened to John talk about the Marines Chris saved in his helicopter. He also stood on the dais, next to New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, at the FDNYs annual Memorial Day event in early October. Making the world a better place But one memorial service or other remembrance event follows another. One hosted by the Air Force, the next by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Commack Fire Department, the FDNY events practically every weekend. John understands they all want to honor and remember Chris, and he appreciates it. But at the same time, he said, each one reopens the wound. And then theres the first Thanksgiving without his granddaughters father. And the first Christmas. And New Years. And birthdays, and wedding anniversaries. We need time to learn how to be able to deal with it, John said. You never want to forget, but you want to put it in perspective. Even before Chris death, his family faced challenges. Carmela is a breast cancer survivor, who had three operations last year, John said. When asked if he truly wanted another article about his son published, or if it would add to the pain he and his family felt, John said he did. The reason why is the same reason John believes God took his son: So more people can be inspired by Chris Ragusos example, serve in their own way and make the world a better place. By taking this kid, 20 people have already stepped up and taken his place, John said. Its already happening, John said. Inspired by Chris example, Carmelas brother joined the FDNY, as did at least three of Chris trainees at the Commack fire department. Sons of family friends have joined the military or their volunteer fire departments, he said. He even gets emails from strangers saying how touched they were to hear Chris story, and that their sons have been inspired to serve as well. He was the bravest young man Ive ever met in my life, John said. If he didnt die for that, then he died for nothing. But I dont believe he died for nothing. By Mica Rosenberg NEW YORK (Reuters) - Young migrants in New Jersey who are seeking legal status in the United States after allegedly suffering abuse or neglect in their home countries sued the Trump administration on Monday, saying it is unfairly denying their claims. It is the fourth such lawsuit of its kind around the country filed since last year over rejections of so-called Special Immigrant Juvenile Status petitions, which have increasingly been denied to migrants as President Donald Trump's administration tightens immigration policy. Monday's lawsuit was filed on behalf of four anonymous people from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador who say they were victims of family abuse and gang violence in their home countries but that their applications for immigration status were unfairly denied because they are between the ages of 18 to 21. A state court judge has to rule on whether young migrants are eligible to apply for the special immigration status, which can lead to a green card, but the government has argued that some state courts do not have jurisdiction over that age group. Pro-bono attorneys in New Jersey who filed the suit said more than 100 other migrants in the state are facing denials and should be covered by the class action. "The government has imposed a new requirement for eligibility, resulting in the delay and denial of scores of meritorious petitions and placing young people in jeopardy of deportation," Monday's lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in New Jersey said. The U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) declined to comment on the new suit. But in past court filings, the government has said there is no official change in policy and that USCIS is correctly applying the law in each case on an ad hoc basis. Two federal judges have rejected those arguments. FEWER APPROVED, MORE DENIED Approvals of special immigrant juvenile status petitions dropped by nearly 60 percent in the 2018 fiscal year compared to a year earlier - to 4,712 - while denials increased more than 88 percent to around 1,600, according to government data. During that time, the overall number of applications only rose around 4 percent. Reuters reported in March that immigration authorities have ramped up demands for additional documents that are tying up applications for the status. (For a graphic on the Special Immigrant Juvenile program click on: https://tmsnrt.rs/2EFeDV7) Last month, a judge in New York ruled against the Trump administration saying there is a new policy of denials that was not implemented through the proper channels and ordered the government to process the applications. A judge in California also ruled against the administration, granting a preliminary injunction last October to migrant plaintiffs. The plaintiffs in the New Jersey case migrated to the United States in 2014 and 2015 during a surge of unaccompanied children from Central America crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Like asylum, the special protection program has been used by immigration advocates and attorneys as a path to legal residency in the United States. The government received 1,646 applications for the status in fiscal year 2010. By 2018, the number of applications had jumped more than thirteenfold to over 21,000. Critics of the special status, including some officials in the Trump administration, have seen the ballooning number of petitions as a "loophole" that is being exploited. Trump, recently frustrated by the highest numbers of apprehensions along the U.S.-Mexico border in more than a decade - including many families with young children - has railed against asylum protections and other U.S. laws that he says are too permissive and are encouraging more immigration and illegal border crossings. (Reporting by Mica Rosenberg; Editing by Julia Marquis and Alistair Bell) April 29 (Reuters) - Mitsui & Co Ltd's Intercontinental Terminals Co faces five environmental criminal charges following a March chemical fire at its Deer Park, Texas, petrochemical storage facility, local officials said on Monday. ITC was charged with polluting waterways that flow into the Gulf of Mexico, according to charges filed by the Harris County district attorney. ITC could face penalties of up to $100,000 for each of the five charges. (Reporting By David Gaffen in New York and Collin Eaton in Houston; Editing by Tom Brown) WASHINGTON, April 29 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, in an television interview that aired on Monday, said he hopes that the United States and China can finalize a trade deal with two more rounds of talks. Speaking to Fox Business Network as the latest round of trade negotiations commence in Beijing, Mnuchin also said part of the negotiations aimed at enforcement is close to finished. Another round of talks is planned for next month Washington. (Reporting by Susan Heavey) Jet Airways' former chairman Naresh Goyal cast his vote in Mumbai on Monday in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2019. This was Naresh Goyal's first public appearance since the cash-strapped Jet Airways halted its operations temporarily after it failed to secure emergency funds. The 69-year-old aviation veteran, who recently stepped down as chairman of Jet Airways, was seen leaving the polling station in a hurry, refusing to comment on the recently collapsed domestic airline. On April 17, Jet Airways suspended both, domestic as well as international operations temporarily, as the lenders refused to accept its request for an urgent infusion of funds. Earlier on March 25, Goyal and wife Anita resigned from the board of the airline under a debt resolution plan proposed by SBI-led consortium of the domestic lenders. The cash-strapped airline is currently under the control of a consortium of lenders led by the State Bank of India, which is hoping to recover Rs 8,400 crore via a bidding process for selling stake in the airline. Jet Airways, which has over 16,000 employees, has delayed payment of salaries to the employees, including pilots, cabin crew, technicians and ground staff. Some of them had not been paid on time for over three months. Also Read: Lok Sabha Election 2019 Phase 4: RBI Gov Shaktikanta Das, Anil Ambani, HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh vote in Mumbai Earlier in the day, billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani and his younger brother Anil Ambani were spotted at the same polling station to cast their vote. Mumbai's six parliamentary constituencies voted today in Phase 4 of the Lok Sabha Elections 2019. The fate of as many as 323 candidates will be sealed by almost 3.11 crore voters in phase 4. Some of the key candidates contesting from Mumbai are Urmila Matondkar in Mumbai North, Poonam Mahajan and Priya Dutt, both daughters of political bigwigs in Mumbai North-Central, Milind Deora in Mumbai South, and Sanjay Nirupam in Mumbai North-West. Aamir Khan and wife Kiran Rao, Priyanka Chopra, Madhuri Dixit and Anupam Kher were also spotted stepping out to vote. Also, Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das reached polling booth number 40 and 41 at Peddar Road in South Mumbai. He was spotted waiting in queue to cast his vote. Edited by Chitranjan Kumar Also Read: Hapless Jet CEO says stakeholders not assuring salaries, 'highest authorities' haven't listened WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, in an television interview that aired on Monday, said he hopes that the United States and China can finalize a trade deal with two more rounds of talks between the global economic powerhouses. Speaking to Fox Business Network as the latest round of trade negotiations commence in Beijing, Mnuchin also said the part of the negotiations aimed at enforcement is close to finished. Another round of talks is planned for next month Washington. "We still have more work to do," Mnuchin said. "I think there is a strong desire from both sides to see if we can wrap this up or move on." "We hope within the next two rounds, in China and in DC, to get to the point where we can either recommend to the president that we have a deal or recommend that we don't," he told the television network. Mnuchin and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer are scheduled to travel to Beijing on Monday for the latest negotiations in what could be the talks' end game. Chinese Vice Premier Liu He will visit Washington for discussions starting on May 8. (Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Steve Orlofsky) Barcelona (AFP) - With 22 MPs, including four in jail, Catalan separatist parties boosted their standing in Spain's national parliament in general elections Sunday, even as voters opted for more moderation. Separatist parties saw their share of the vote in Catalonia increase to 39 percent from 32 percent in the last general election in 2016, giving them five more lawmakers nationally. But the less radical parties were the biggest winners, taking votes away from the more diehard proponents of self-rule. Among the separatists, the moderate pro-independence ERC party, whose jailed leader Oriol Junqueras was its list-topper, won 15 seats in Spain's 350-member parliament, up from nine -- overtaking the more hardline Together for Catalonia movement of former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont which lost one seat from 2016 to arrive at seven. On the other side of the Catalan political spectrum, the Socialists, which supports Spanish unity, came second with 12 seats in the national parliament, five fewer than in 2016, while the far-left Podemos, which supports Catalan self-determination though not full independence, took seven -- down from 12. The Socialists and Podemos want to appease the secession crisis in Catalonia which reached a climax in October 2017 when the region pressed ahead with a banned referendum and followed it with a short-lived declaration of independence. "This is the common factor: the predominance of moderation... there is clearly in Catalonia a desire to pacify the debate," Autonomous University of Barcelona politics professor Joan Botella said of the election outcome. The vote followed a tense campaign which saw right-wing parties repeatedly attack Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialist government for trying to negotiate with the separatists. The election campaign was held at the same time as the trial in Madrid of Junqueras and 11 others for their role in Catalonia's separatist push. Story continues Four of the accused were elected to the lower house of parliament, while a fifth won a seat in the Senate, the upper house. The courts will now have to decide if they can be sworn in. - Opposite direction - The Socialists presented themselves as the voice of moderation during the campaign, and appear to have succeeded by garnering most votes. The ERC, for its part, adopted a more long-term strategy to achieve independence but without defying Spanish law and in negotiation with the central government in Madrid. The strategy appears to have paid off as the party won over a million votes for the first time in its history. Puigdemont, who fled to Belgium after the independence declaration, did not do as well this time round. During the last regional elections in Catalonia in December 2017, his party scored a surprise win over the ERC. But that changed on Sunday. "The fight between Together for Catalonia and the ERC is being resolved in favour of the ERC, which is now the moderate party," said Botella. - 'Dialogue, dialogue, dialogue' - ERC senior lawmaker Gabriel Rufian on Monday urged Sanchez to join his side at the bargaining table without mentioning the party's long-standing demand for a legally binding independence referendum, which the Socialists oppose. "Now is time to talk, for dialogue, dialogue, dialogue," he said. Catalan separatist parties "are no longer as critical for Sanchez's government," said political analyst Berta Barbet. Sanchez would prefer not to have to count on their support. He was forced to call Sunday's snap polls after Catalan separatist parties refused to approve his minority government's draft 2019 budget. With a total of 123 seats in parliament, up from 85 previously, Sanchez could form an alliance with far-left party Podemos and a string of regional parties to form a minority government. No agreements are expected before regional, local and European parliament elections in Spain on May 26, however. Those polls will once again pit the two Catalan separatist camps against each other in "a second round," said Botella. If the ERC comes out on top again it could move to "force new elections" in Catalonia to try to govern the region for the first time since the 1930's, he added. Warning: This post contains spoilers for Game of Thrones. Melisandre may have just given us a huge clue about Cersei Lannisters potential fate. During season 8, episode 3 of Game of Thrones, Melisandre recited a cryptic phrase to Arya Stark about her past and future that led many fans to believe Arya is fated to kill Cersei. But first, lets rewind back to season 3 when Melisandre and Arya first met. Back then, Melisandre told Arya, I see a darkness in you. And in that darkness, eyes starring back at me. Brown eyes, blue eyes, green eyes. Eyes sealed shut forever. We will meet again. Even Arya notes that Melisandres prediction has proven true thus far: Arya killed several people, shutting their eyes forever, before the two met again. So when the two reunite at Winterfell, Arya puts a good deal of faith in what Melisandre has to say. Melisandre repeats the (rearranged) phrase to Arya about shutting brown eyes, green eyes, and blue eyes. Arya realizes in this exact moment that she is fated to kill the Night King, who has blue eyes. Arya runs off, stabs the Night King and saves all of humanity. Now, Arya can seemingly get back to her kill list, which she has revised. At the very top of that list is Cersei who you guessed it has green eyes. Arya has plenty of reasons to want to assassinate the Queen of Westeros: She conspired to kill Aryas direwolf, Nymeria; was complicit in Ned Starks beheading; and held Sansa Stark captive for several years. Plus, the Lannisters successfully killed Robb and Catelyn Stark. Arya may have forgiven the Hound for his misdeeds, but shes unlikely to let her grudge against Cesei go. Looking back at the corpses Arya has left in her wake, its unclear whether she has killed a green-eyed person yet. Walder Frey and Meryn Trant certainly had brown eyes, and the Waif looked to have blue eyes. Meryn Trant had brown eyes, the #NightKing had blue eyes, #Cersei has green eyes #GamefThrones pic.twitter.com/wGEpw28cVB Game of Thrones Facts (@thronesfacts) April 29, 2019 Arya has killed dozens of people, including every male member of House Frey in season 7, so its certainly possible she has already murdered someone with green eyes. But fans are still hopeful that Arya will complete her list. Story continues Some fans are even merging this prediction with the valonqar prophecy that Cersei will die at the hands of a little brother. While Tyrion or Jaime might be the more obvious choice for the valonqar, if one of them dies without Cersei knowing, Arya could borrow their face as a disguise to gain Cerseis trust before murdering her. The teaser for Season 8, Episode 4 also teased a possible connection between Arya and Cersei. During that trailer, Daenerys declares her plans for Cersei: Well rip her out, root and stem. If that phrasing sounds familiar, its because fans of the show have heard it before. When Arya wreaked havoc on House Frey, she scolded the men, But you didnt slaughter every one of the Starks. No, no, no. That was your mistake. You should have ripped them all out, root and stem. Leave one wolf alive, and the sheep are never safe. Every word on the show is intentional, so it is possible that Daenerys will recognize Aryas skills and send her into the Red Keep to stealthily kill Daenerys and all her followers. On the anniversary of Oliver Ellsworths birth, Constitution Daily looks back an important founder who helped forge a compromise that led to the Constitution and later played important roles in the early Senate and Supreme Court. Ellsworth was born on April 29, 1745, in Windsor, Connecticut. From a prominent New England family, Ellsworth began his education at Yale and finished at Princeton, where he started the American Whig-Cliosophic Society along with fellow students Luther Martin and William Paterson. (Other early members included James Madison, Aaron Burr, and Henry Lee.) He quickly became a successful lawyer and then became involved in the Revolutionary War, serving in the Continental Congress. Ellsworth was also a judge in Connecticut. Ellsworth played a very active role in the Constitutional Convention in 1787 in Philadelphia. According to Madisons records, Ellsworth frequently spoke at the Convention. And Ellsworth won a debate over dropping the term United States from the official name of the federal government. Ellsworth and Roger Sherman were involved in the Great (or Connecticut) Compromise that led to a House of Representatives with proportional representation and a Senate with fixed representation based on two Senators per state; he also supported the three-fifths compromise about slavery. Ellsworth then served on the five-person committee that wrote the Constitutions first draft, but he forced to leave Philadelphia for business reasons before signing the final document in September 1787. During the ratification battle over the Constitution, Ellsworth wrote Letters of a Landholder, a series of articles like the Federalist Papers that supported the proposed Constitution. Seven were written about Connecticuts ratification debate, and six were targeted at a national audience. In the first national government under the Constitution, Ellsworth was appointed to the U.S. Senate by Connecticut. He functioned as the de facto Senate Majority Leader until 1796. His biggest accomplishment was the drafting and passing of the Judiciary Act of 1789. Ellsworth personally wrote much of the Act along with William Patterson, which defined the structure and jurisdiction of the federal court system, and remains largely intact today. The Act also gave the federal Supreme Court the ability to hear appeals of cases decided by state supreme courts, which was an important step in the concept of judicial review. Story continues Ellsworth was also an important force in the Senate for promoting Alexander Hamilton's national debt funding and for starting the Bank of the United States. In 1796, Ellsworth left the Senate to become the third Chief Justice of the United States, and he also served as a commissioner to France while he sat on the Supreme Court between 1796 and 1800. During his short time on the Court, Ellsworth tried to initiate the modern format of Supreme Court decisions, with Justices issuing joint majority and dissenting opinions. While in France negotiating with Napoleon to end an undeclared trade war with the United States, Ellsworth resigned from the Supreme Court, citing health problems caused by his travel schedule. Ellsworths replacement was John Marshall. Returning to Windsor, Connecticut, Ellsworth remained active in state politics until his death in 1807. Despite Ellsworths considerable contributions in the Founding period, little has been written about him, with few biographies available. The official Encyclopedia Britannica entry on Ellsworth was written by future U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Janay Flowers of San Antonio, Tex., says a nurse and crew members of American Airlines saved the life of her baby, who experienced a seizure during a flight. (Photo: Facebook/Janay Flowers) Mother Janay Flowers says she is indebted to a rock star nurse for saving her babys life on an airplane. On Thursday, Flowers, a model from Tampa, Fla., was flying with her infant Nevaeh on American Airlines to San Antonio, Tex., where her husband, a member of the U.S. Air Force, will be stationed, reported The Dallas Morning News. Nevaeh, who had a slight fever, mostly slept on the three-hour flight. But 15 minutes before landing, the 11-month-old woke up crying. Suddenly, she started jolting in my arms, Flowers, 28, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. I stood up and pressed the call button and a woman ran over to my aid. Tiffany Lehman, 37, a registered nurse from Wichita, Kan., was traveling with her chiropractor fiance Alvin Dodson, after attending a medical convention in Tampa. They heard Nevaehs cries, and then, after calling for ice packets, stripped Nevaeh of her onesie and diaper and applied the cold packs to the back of her neck, groin and armpits. Nevaehs seizure lasted seven-and-a-half minutes. I laid her sideways on my lap because she was vomiting, Lehman tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Alvin ran to get oxygen and alert the pilots. Janay Flowers says a nurse traveling onboard an American Airlines flight treated her baby Nevaeh's seizure. (Photo: William Stambaugh) But when the couple administered the oxygen, Nevaehs heart rate dropped to 60 beats per-minute half the normal heart rate of a comparably-sized baby and she stopped breathing. Nevaehs tongue was rolled back and blocked her airway, so I reached inside her mouth and swept the area with my finger, Lehman tells Yahoo Lifestyle. I thought she was going to die in my arms. With the crew keeping passengers calm and Flowers standing by her daughter singing, You are my Sunshine, Nevaeh started breathing again. However, another seizure came on and Nevaeh clenched her fists, turning blue and foaming at the mouth. Lehman administered more oxygen and the plane landed in Dallas, where Nevaeh and Flowers were taken to Baylor Regional Medical Center in Grapevine. The doctor said Nevaehs seizure was isolated due to how fast her fever spiked, Flowers tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Her risk for future seizures has doubled, but its still low. Story continues Tiffany Lehman, a nurse, and Alvin Dodson, a chiropractor, saved the life of a seizing baby on an airplane. (Photo: Facebook/Tiffany Lehman) An American Airlines representative tells Yahoo Lifestyle, We are grateful that Nevaeh is doing better and wish her and her family the best. This medical emergency last week highlights the tremendous care and professionalism of Americans team members, and specifically, in this situation, our flight attendants and DFW team. We are proud of our colleagues and are grateful to them and our customers, who also stepped up to help a family in need, for their quick actions. Flowers and Lehman befriended each other on Facebook over the weekend and will FaceTime on Monday evening, so Flowers can meet Lehmans 13-year-old son and Dodsons 3-year-old daughter. The family and crew members from American Airlines are all invited to Nevaehs May 19th birthday party. Tiffany is a rock star, Flowers tells Yahoo Lifestyle. God put us together. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. April 29 (Reuters) - Citigroup Inc North America Private Bank chief Tracey Warson has been named to chair the unit effective June 3, according to a internal memo on Monday seen by Reuters. She will relocate to San Francisco and focus on the wealth management arm's clients, talent and strategy, the memo signed by Global Private Bank head Peter Charrington said. The wealth management team, which serves legal professionals, will become a standalone unit within the private bank unit, it said. (Reporting by Imani Moise; Editing by Richard Chang) PEMBA, Mozambique (AP) More rain is forecast for northern Mozambique, where the death toll from Cyclone Kenneth jumped to 38, as flooding and pounding rains hampered efforts to deliver aid to badly hit communities several days after the storm. More flooding is expected in the northeastern port city of Pemba and the surrounding areas. An estimated 160,000 people are at risk from the second powerful cyclone to hit the southern African nation in just six weeks, officials said. It was the first time in recorded history that two cyclones had targeted Mozambique in a single season. Just as most of the more than 600 deaths from last month's Cyclone Idai were caused by flooding in the days that followed, heavy rains in the wake of Kenneth have raised fears of a similar scenario. The storm made landfall on Thursday with the force of a Category 4 hurricane. Flooding was "critical" in parts of the country's northernmost province of Cabo Delgado including Ibo island and the districts of Macomia and Quissanga, where more than 35,000 buildings and homes had been partly or fully destroyed, the government said. Mozambique's national weather service on Monday afternoon forecast continued rain in the area. The national meteorological institute said the northeastern region will continue to receive moderate to strong rains, dropping more than 50 milliliters (3 inches) over the next 24 hours. Aid workers have described "total devastation" affecting a 60-kilometer (37-mile) stretch of coastline and nearby islands. The rising waters have made many roads impassable and hampered air efforts to reach communities outside the region's main city, Pemba. Authorities were preparing for a possible cholera outbreak as some wells were contaminated and safe drinking water became a growing concern. The heavy rains in Pemba caused deadly mudslides. Residents of one poor neighborhood dug for bodies on Monday after two houses were crushed by the collapse of a sprawling dumpsite overnight, resident Manuel Joachim said. Story continues A woman's body had been found, he said. Later, the searchers discovered two hands protruding from the mud and debris. They tied a rope to one of the hands to try and pull out the body, but the rain started pouring again. Five people in all were thought to be buried there, Joachim said. In other parts of Pemba, some tried to return to a semblance of daily life amid the destruction. At a school, children in blue uniforms trooped into classes. Traders put their wares on street pavements and wooden tables while others were busy removing rubble from homes and yards. ___ Follow Africa news at https://twitter.com/AP_Africa A Conservative MP has claimed Extinction Rebellion would like to see the British government impose a one child policy. Pictured are protesters blocking a road in central London. (Photo by Dinendra Haria / SOPA Images/Sipa USA) Extinction Rebellion want to see the British government implement a one child policy in a bid to slow climate change, a Conservative MP has claimed. Gillian Keegan, MP for Chichester, said she addressed the environmental activists when the visited parliament last week as they carried out a series of protests bringing parts of central London to a standstill. She said the group put forward six suggestions which she will pass to environment secretary Michael Gove, though she dismissed the single child policy and a bid to limit citizens to a single long-haul and short-haul flight per year as totalitarian. Speaking to Radio 4s Westminster Hour she said: They wanted to declare a climate change emergency and the date of 2025, we started talking about policies. Extinction Rebellion protesters In Hyde Park in London. To me the words are much less important than the actions - 2025 is six years away. They were talking about asking the government to implement a one-child policy for the UK, single we could only take one short haul and one long haul flight a year. I said Really? Thats not what governments do, thats what dictators do thats not going to cut it. In the end we got down to six things that we agreed - which Ill take to the minister. The claim came as Jeremy Corbyns Labour Party forced a Commons vote on whether to declare environmental and climate emergency following mass protests over political inaction in addressing the crisis. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn announced Labour will force a vote on whether a climate emergency should be declared in the UK following a week of demonstrations from Extinction Rebellion. (Joe Giddens/PA via AP) Mr Corbyn said he hoped other countries would follow if the UK Parliament became the first in the world to declare a climate emergency. He said: "For young people, the climate emergency is the cause of their generation. And we in older generations must face up to this seriously. "We have to have a much more focused and serious approach towards climate change and the damage we're doing to our planet. "We want a world for those in countries worst affected by and least to blame for climate change and our young people. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Inspiration for Winnie the Poohs 100 Acre Wood on fire Story continues Nigel Farage tells US audience Oldham has streets split by race Met Office says no bank holiday heatwave "On Wednesday, the UK Parliament will have the chance to be the first in the world to declare an environment and climate emergency, which we hope will trigger a wave of action from parliaments and governments around the world." Labour's policy is for the UK to achieve net zero emissions before 2050, an ambition which falls far short of Extinction Rebellion's call for a 2025 deadline. The Opposition pointed to official figures showing a 2% reduction in emissions last year, suggesting that a level compatible with net zero emissions would not be reached until 2100. An Extinction Rebellion spokeswoman said the group has not called for the introduction of a single child policy. She added: Extinction Rebellions key demands are Government must tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change. Government must act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025. Government must create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens Assembly on climate and ecological justice. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! It is not uncommon to see companies perform well in the years after insiders buy shares. 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 before you buy or sell Canadian Premium Sand Inc. (CVE:CPS), you may well want to know whether insiders have been buying or selling. What Is Insider Selling? 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 Canadian Premium Sand The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Canadian Premium Sand In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when David Wilson bought CA$1.7m worth of shares at a price of CA$1.50 per share. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, even at a higher price than the current share price (being CA$1.27). Their view may have changed since then, but at least it shows they felt optimistic at the time. 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. In the last twelve months insiders purchased 1.2m shares for CA$1.8m. On the other hand they divested 8000 shares, for CA$13k. In the last twelve months there was more buying than selling by Canadian Premium Sand insiders. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below! Story continues TSXV:CPS Recent Insider Trading, April 29th 2019 Canadian Premium Sand is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Insider Ownership For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. Usually, the higher the insider ownership, the more likely it is that insiders will be incentivised to build the company for the long term. Canadian Premium Sand insiders own about CA$4.9m worth of shares. That equates to 18% of the company. This level of insider ownership is good but just short of being particularly stand-out. It certainly does suggest a reasonable degree of alignment. So What Does This Data Suggest About Canadian Premium Sand Insiders? There haven't been any insider transactions in the last three months -- that doesn't mean much. On a brighter note, the transactions over the last year are encouraging. Overall we don't see anything to make us think Canadian Premium Sand insiders are doubting the company, and they do own shares. I like to dive deeper into how a company has performed in the past. You can access this interactive graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow for free . But note: Canadian Premium Sand may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt. 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. The Delhi High Court Monday refused to entertain a plea seeking to restrain the media from publishing allegations of sexual harassment against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi by a former Supreme Court employee. A bench headed by Chief Justice Rajendra Menon dismissed the plea filed by an NGO and said the top court is already seized of the matter and no interference was needed. "Go to the Supreme Court," said the bench to NGO Anti Corruption Council of India, which had said publication of allegations against the CJI directly hit the Indian judicial system. The petition had sought immediate restriction on the media from further telecasting or publishing the allegations till conclusion of the three-judge panel's inquiry. The allegations levelled by the former woman employee of the Supreme Court are being inquired into by a three-judge panel of the apex court which held its first proceeding on Friday last. Besides electronic and print media, the plea had also sought directions for social media platforms. The petition had arrayed as parties the Ministries of Law and Justice and Information and Broadcasting, the Delhi government, the Press Council of India and the Delhi Police Commissioner. Directions had been sought for WhatsApp, Google, YouTube and LinkedIn Corporation and news website Scroll.in. The plea had alleged that it suspects involvement of "anti-national elements" in this act and if publication of these allegations is not restricted, "people will lose faith in the Indian judicial system", and the "vast damage" caused to the nation and its people would be "irreparable". Also read: SC Judge Bobde to probe sexual harassment allegations against CJI Ranjan Gogoi Muslim women in Sri Lanka have been banned from wearing face veils (Picture: AFP/Getty) Sri Lanka has banned Muslim women from wearing face veils after the Easter suicide bomb attacks that claimed the lives of at least 250 people. President Maithripala Sirisena introduced an emergency law to impose the restriction on face coverings from Monday. Although the niqab and the burka, which are worn by Muslim women, were not specifically named in the ban, any face garment which hinders identification is no longer permitted to ensure national security, the presidents office said. The decision came after the government had proposed laws on face veils at a recent meeting. The country is still on high alert just over a week after the Islamic State-claimed attacks on churches and hotels which killed more than 250 people and left hundreds more injured. Dozens of suspects have been arrested but officials have warned that more militants remained on the loose with explosives. Sri Lankan Catholics pray standing on a road during a brief holly mass held outside the exploded St. Anthony's Church marking the seventh day of the Easter Sunday attacks (Picture: AP) Candles being lit for the victims of the bomb attacks in Sri Lanka (Picture: PA) On Sunday, Sri Lanka's Catholics celebrated Mass in their homes by a televised broadcast as churches across the island nation shut over fears of further attacks. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the archbishop of Colombo, delivered a homily before members of the clergy and the country's leaders in a small chapel at his Colombo residence - an extraordinary measure underlining the fear still gripping this nation of 21 million people. "This is a time our hearts are tested by the great destruction that took place last Sunday," Mr Ranjith said. "This is a time questions such as, does God truly love us, does He have compassion towards us, can arise in human hearts." Read more Health Secretary adds prominent addiction warnings to opioid painkillers Nicola Sturgeon calls for second referendum vote - 'Scotland needs independent future Heathrow Airport introduces technology so you won't have to show your passport In a rare show of unity, President Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa attended the Mass. Their political rivalry and government dysfunction are blamed for a failure act upon near-specific information received from foreign intelligence agencies that preceded the bombings that targeted three churches and three luxury hotels. Story continues All Sri Lankan churches were asked to ring bells on Sunday while the lamp lighting takes place. In the eastern district of Ampara on Sunday, where a gunfight and explosions left 15 people dead the previous day, soldiers guarded St Mary Magdalen's Church, where a sign on the gate said the church and the school would be closed until May 6. A nearby mosque also had soldiers stationed outside. The Islamic State group, meanwhile, claimed three of the militants who blew themselves up during a police raid in Ampara that was linked to the Easter bombings. Sri Lankan police officers secure the area of exploded St. Anthony's Church (Picture: AP) Soldiers stand guard in a church garden with a locked gate in Ampara, Sri Lanka (Picture: AP) In a statement carried by the extremists' Aamaq news agency, IS identified the bombers by their noms du guerre as Abu Hammad, Abu Sufyan and Abu al-Qa'qa. It said they opened fire with automatic weapons and "after exhausting their ammunition, detonated their explosive belts". Sri Lanka's military said the gunfight on Friday night near the town of Sammanthurai left 15 dead, including six children, when militants opened fire and set off explosives in suicide bombings as security forces closed in on their safe house. At the main police station in Ampara, an outdoor stage now holds what police recovered after the firefight. The IS-aligned militants had created a bombmaking factory at the home, complete with laboratory-style beakers and thick rubber gloves. Sri Lankans light candles during a function to express solidarity with the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks (Picture: AP) Bags of fertiliser, gunpowder and small ball bearings filled boxes. Police found gallons of acids, used to make the fire of the blast more lethal. Police also recovered religious tracts in Tamil glorifying suicide bombings, saying they granted the attacker direct entrance to heaven. The government, crippled from a long political crisis between the president and prime minister last year, promised swift action to capture militants still at large. Mr Sirisena said about 140 people had been identified as having links to IS. Police confirmed that the leader of the local militant group blamed for the attack, Mohamed Zahran, died in the suicide bombing at the Shangri-La Hotel. Zahran appeared in an IS video claiming responsibility for the coordinated assault, and authorities in both Sri Lanka and Australia confirmed links between IS and the attack. PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi arrived in Cambodia on Monday for an official visit to strengthen ties between the countries. The three-day visit is the first since Suu Kyi became her country's head of government in 2016. Cambodia's foreign ministry said she will meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen, King Norodom Sihamoni and other Cambodian officials before visiting the famous Angkor Wat archaeological complex. Suu Kyi arrived from Beijing, where both she and Hun Sen attended a forum about China's multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative. Representatives of 37 countries were at the meeting on the massive infrastructure-building plan. Myanmar and Cambodia have both grown closer to China in reaction to pressure from Western nations over human rights issues. Concerns about Myanmar focused on the military's abuses of the Muslim Rohingya minority, which drove more than 700,000 across the border to Bangladesh, while Cambodia was criticized mainly for choking off political dissent, especially by having the only credible opposition party dissolved before last year's election. Speaking last September at the regional World Economic Forum in Vietnam, Hun Sen strongly defended Myanmar against accusations that its security forces engaged in genocide against its Rohingya minority, and he hit back at criticism by outsiders of political issues in the Mekong region, saying that the countries should be allowed to solve their own problems. Hun Sen said other countries do not understand the problems that Myanmar and its neighbors face. "The situation in Myanmar is more serious because it has been accused of genocide, but do those who might accuse them know about Myanmar and do they know how to solve the situation up there?" he said, as he sat on the stage with Suu Kyi and the leaders of Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. Myanmar and Cambodia both have a history of standing apart from the major powers, especially in the 1950s and 1960s. They established diplomatic relations in 1955, the same year both participated in the 29-nation Afro-Asian Conference, a forerunner of the Non-Aligned Movement. Three years ago, a mysterious purplish glow arced across the Canadian skies. The light show was a completely unknown celestial phenomenon, so it was given a name befitting its beauty and grandeur: Steve. Now, scientists have finally pinpointed what causes the phenomenon's glowing ribbons of reddish purple and green: magnetic waves, winds of hot plasma and showers of electrons in regions they normally never appear. A brief history of STEVE On July 25, 2016, observers noticed an odd type of atmospheric light display illuminating the night sky in the Northern Hemisphere. They quickly realized that this was no ordinary aurora and gave it a new name inspired by the film "Over the Hedge" (DreamWorks Animation, 2006); a group of forest animals, confounded by a hedge for the first time, name the unfamiliar object "Steve." (Astronomers later changed that name to STEVE, an acronym for strong thermal emission velocity enhancement.) Preliminary analysis of STEVE found that its optical effects came about differently than an aurora's, but scientists couldn't say what exactly was taking place. [Northern Lights: 8 Dazzling Facts About Auroras] Auroras can trace their origins to the sun, when sunspots spit out clouds of protons and electrons that speed toward Earth on solar winds. Once these charged particles reach the planet, its magnetic field draws them toward the North and South poles. As the particles leave the magnetosphere and bombard the planet's upper atmosphere, they interact with elements such as oxygen and nitrogen to generate swirling ribbons of light. But STEVE's light shows are different from a typical aurora's. STEVE appears farther south, and over more-populated areas, than most auroras do. And unlike an aurora and its trademark greenish swirls that undulate horizontally, STEVE produces a towering vertical purplish or green band, sometimes accompanied by a column of short bars resembling a picket fence, according to the new study. Story continues "Completely unknown" In a prior study published in 2018, the same researchers found that STEVE originated in the ionosphere, the zone stretching from about 50 to 375 miles (80 to 600 kilometers) above the ground, where auroras form. But even though STEVE appeared during the same solar-powered magnetic storms that produced auroras, most of the newfound phenomenon's glowing appearance was not the result of charged particles slamming into Earth's upper atmosphere. That conclusion comes from evidence gathered by satellites that passed through a STEVE event in 2008. The new study used that 2008 data, along with satellite data and ground observations from two other STEVE events, to identify two different processes that shape STEVE's light ribbon and picket fence. STEVE's vertical ribbons are illuminated not by a rain of charged particles falling into the atmosphere, but by friction caused by hot plasma flows and powerful magnetic waves about 15,000 miles (25,000 km) above Earth, according to the study. Heat from these flows energizes particles so that they generate purple light, a mechanism similar to the illumination of incandescent lightbulbs. Artist's rendition of the magnetosphere during the STEVE occurrence, depicting the plasma region which falls into the auroral zone (green), the plasmasphere (blue) and the boundary between them, called the plasmapause (red). The THEMIS and Swarm satellites (left and top) observed waves (red squiggles) that power the STEVE atmospheric glow and picket fence (inset), while the DMSP satellite (bottom) detected electron precipitation and a conjugate glowing arc in the Southern Hemisphere. Emmanuel Masongsong, UCLA, and Yukitoshi Nishimura, BU/UCLA While aurora glows occur when electrons and protons fall into Earth's atmosphere, "the STEVE atmospheric glow comes from heating without particle precipitation," study co-author Bea Gallardo-Lacourt, a space physicist at the University of Calgary in Canada, said in a statement. STEVE's green picket fence, on the other hand, forms as auroras do: when electrons rain down on the upper atmosphere. However, this occurs far south of the latitudes where auroras usually form, "so it's indeed unique," Gallardo-Lacourt said. This distinctive picket fence also appeared in skies over the Northern and Southern hemispheres at the same time, the authors wrote. This demonstrates that the energy source fueling STEVE is abundant enough to create simultaneous light shows in both hemispheres, the study authors said. But scientists still dont know why the phenomenon appears so much farther south than auroras do, meaning that STEVE retains a little of its mystery. The findings were published online April 16 in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. Originally published on Live Science. The Directorate General of Anti-Profiteering (DGAP) is investigating over 50 property developers for not passing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) benefits to end consumers. These developers include some of India's top builders who are facing probe for profiteering under the GST regime. The DGAP is trying to ascertain if the real-estate developers made excessive profits by not passing on the benefits of input tax credit available to them to the end consumers, the Livemint reported. The anti-profiteering body has by far probed about 125 cases and discovered that 60% of them had indulged in profiteering. Also Read: ITC, Patanjali fall under lens for not passing on GST rate cuts to consumers Prior to the introduction of GST in July 2017, Central and State governments imposed various taxes on under-construction properties adding up to 5.5-6.5%. The real-estate sector was placed under the 12% tax slab under GST. A lot of builders raised prices accordingly, although they would now claim input tax credit against products and services for which they had already paid tax to the government. "In the pre-GST era, there was no input tax credit facility on construction materials like cement and steel, which was there in the GST regime (till March-end). This called for a price cut, not a price increase," a source told the news daily. Meanwhile, the tax credit facility was eventually withdrawn on April 1 for new projects, as the GST council realised that the end consumers were not benefitting from it. The firms facing probe by the DGAP comprise some of the big names in the real estate sector and spread across the country. The inquiry reports are expected over the next few months, the report said. Also Read: Consumers getting GST rate cut benefits more than before: Survey The National Real Estate Development Council President Niranjan Hiranandani told the daily that there has been a gradual increase in material and labour costs as well as taxes and levies on the real estate industry in recent years. This has affected the overall cost for a homebuyer. "While each project and location will have different calculations, there is no 'gain' as a result of the levies, which came to an end post GST, when one does a simple calculation," said Hiranandani. He further negated the reports that the developers did not pass on the gains on ceasing of levies post GST to buyers. According to the industry experts, the real estate sector was already coping with poor demand for under-construction properties at the time when the GST came into force. Buyers' preference for ready-to-move-in homes to evade construction delays and zero GST on completed houses further subdued demand for under-construction properties. Meanwhile, the builders were given the input tax credit benefit during that period; so that they could claim credit for taxes they paid on raw materials and services. However, this credit could be availed only on the flats sold until the completion certificate was issued. For the remaining apartments sold after getting the completion certificate, the builders were not permitted to recover those taxes. Many developers in the prevailing industry slump overlooked anti-profiteering provisions given the complicated nature of the business and the lack of sector-specific guidelines for the real estate sector. This led to them not being able to or finding it tricky to pass on the benefits to end consumers. Also Read: P&G, Samsung, J&J under the scanner for not passing on GST rate cut benefits to consumers Before the GST came into effect in July 2017, the Central Government used to impose a 12.5% excise duty on most construction materials. The State Government also used to levy an additional 12.5-14.5% value-added tax (VAT) on these materials. But, the amount paid towards these taxes could not be availed as credit for adjustment against the 4.5% service tax and the 1-2% VAT (depending on the state) imposed on an under-construction flat sold to the buyer. As the tax rates on the under-construction properties were lowered from 12% to 5% and on affordable housing projects from 8% to 1%, the input tax credits were also retracted by the GST Council. The federal indirect tax body withdrew the tax credit benefit as it observed that the buyers were not benefitting from it anyway. United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Israel's UN ambassador on Monday demanded that the New York Times hold accountable those responsible for publishing an anti-Semitic cartoon, despite an apology issued by the newspaper. The cartoon, which appeared in the international edition on Thursday, depicted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a guide dog wearing a Star of David collar and leading a blind Donald Trump -- who was wearing a kippah, or a Jewish skullcap. Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said the cartoon "could have been taken from the pages of Der Sturmer, the Nazi propaganda paper, and yet these actions have gone unpunished." The newspaper apologized for the cartoon on Saturday, saying: "The image was offensive, and it was an error of judgment to publish it." "I am not in a position of accepting or not accepting the apology, but if somebody make a mistake, I think somebody should be accountable," said Danon, who added that such images can incite violence against Jews. On Sunday, the NYT issued an additional statement saying it was "deeply sorry" and committed to "making sure nothing like this happens again." "We have investigated how this happened and learned that, because of a faulty process, a single editor working without adequate oversight, downloaded the syndicated cartoon and made the decision to include it on the Opinion Page," it said. The NYT said the matter was under internal review and that they "anticipate significant changes." "Those who engage in anti-Semitism must be punished, whether it's here at the UN, political leaders, editors, policy pundits or college professors," said Danon, who spoke to reporters ahead of a Security Council meeting on the Middle East. One person was killed and seven were injured Sunday after a gunman opened fire on an outdoor cookout in Baltimore. Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said at a public press conference there were cookouts happening on both sides of the street when the suspect began firing into the crowd indiscriminately in West Baltimore, near Perkins Square Baptist Church on Edmondson Avenue. Those injured included five men between the ages of 27 and 58 and a 30-year-old woman, according to a Baltimore Police Department news release. An additional victim, an adult male, later walked to a hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg, a police spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE. All injured victims are expected to survive, according to NBC Washington. Harrison said the very tragic, very cowardly shootings one fatality was an adult male who was pronounced dead at a local hospital, according to the release. The gunman fled the scene, though Harrison noted that police believe based on the presence of two sets of shell casings that there is a possibility a second shooter fired back, according to CNN. RELATED VIDEO: Nipsey Hussle Memorial Procession Struck By Violence: Drive-By Leaves 1 Dead, 3 Injured What were asking is anybody with any information about what happened here, because there were many people out here, please call us right away, Harrison told reporters. It is only with community help that we will be able to identify who did this and hold them accountable. A motive for the shooting remains unclear, and investigators do not yet have any information on a suspect, according to the release. RELATED: 1 Dead, At Least 3 Injured After Shooting at Synagogue Near San Diego on Last Day of Passover The citys acting mayor Jack Young also spoke to reporters, encouraging anyone with information to come forward. I just want to reach out to the public because someone knows something, he said. These things happen they dont happen by happenstance. People know whos doing these shootings and whos targeting different people. ESCONDIDO, Calif. Two religious congregations about 12 miles apart one Jewish and the other Christian were bound by tragedy over the weekend. One was a synagogue ripped apart by gunfire; the other was a church the suspected shooter's family regularly attended. What both shared Sunday: an overwhelming sense of grief as worshippers grappled to make sense of the senseless. Their leaders, a rabbi and a pastor, did their best to show how they are rising above hate. At the Chabad of Poway, Orthodox Jews had gathered for Passover when a gunman burst in with a semiautomatic rifle Saturday and started shooting, killing a worshipper and wounding the rabbi and two others. Heather Fay with her son Marshall came to add flowers and notes at the memorial site across from the Chabad of Poway synagogue on April 28, 2019. More: Her 'final good deed': Woman hailed as hero after taking bullets to protect rabbi during synagogue shooting The next morning at the Escondido Orthodox Presbyterian Church, also nestled in the picturesque rolling hills northeast of San Diego, the minister led the congregation in collective soul searching over how a 19-year-old, a member of one of their most respected families, could have allegedly carried out a crime so horrific, one that so flew in the face of the church's values and teachings. At both congregations, the sense of horror was palpable. Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein endured the "indescribable" experience of staring down the barrel of a military-style rifle during a service in his own synagogue. Here is a young man standing with a rifle, pointing right at me, and I look at him. He had sunglasses on. I couldnt see his eyes. I couldnt see his soul, Goldstein said. More: Security boosted at mosques, synagogues after shooting; emotional rabbi lauds congregation's bravery Police said that young man was John Earnest, who lived with his parents while attending nearby California State University San Marcos. He had graduated from Mt. Carmel High School, where his father was a teacher, and he was accomplished at the piano and participated on the swim team. Earnest struck many as being unusually reserved. Story continues I tried to talk to John several times, but he just never said anything. I think its not good if someone is as quiet as that, longtime parishioner Gerrit Groenewold said at the Escondido church. The pastor of the church, Zach Keele, was so disturbed by the shooting that he called a special session after the main service to talk about it with the congregation. Most worshippers stayed, and they allowed a USA TODAY reporter to witness the moment. Keele, in emotional tones, prayed for the victims, the police investigators and the Earnest family. He decried the evil that had landed on the church's doorstep. He prayed that the suspect's soul "will be softened." He reached for consolation, finding little except that the suspect, in a manifesto police said he published before the crime, didn't blame his family for his radicalization, saying it was based on writing he encountered online. More: 1 dead, 3 wounded in shooting at synagogue near San Diego There is no superior race. We are all created equal," Keele said. We are committed to loving all people." He said he plans to reach out and express my condolences to the synagogue." Keele is likely to find a receptive audience for the message in Goldstein. The rabbi emerged Sunday from a hospital where he lost a finger damaged in the attack determined that the community would heal. Wow, wow, wow, he said at a rally later Sunday attended by more than 1,000 people. Look at the love. Look at the warmth. What happened to us, happened to all of us." Contributing: Amy DiPierro, Rebecca Plevin, The Desert Sun This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: One Jewish, one Christian: How the California synagogue shooting tore apart two congregations Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! Important news for shareholders and potential investors in Swallowfield plc (LON:SWL): The dividend payment of UK0.021 per share will be distributed to shareholders on 24 May 2019, and the stock will begin trading ex-dividend at an earlier date, 02 May 2019. Is this future income a persuasive enough catalyst for investors to think about Swallowfield as an investment today? Below, I'm going to look at the latest data and analyze the stock and its dividend property in further detail. View our latest analysis for Swallowfield 5 checks you should do on a dividend stock When assessing a stock as a potential addition to my dividend Portfolio, I look at these five areas: Is it the top 25% annual dividend yield payer? Has it paid dividend every year without dramatically reducing payout in the past? Has dividend per share risen in the past couple of years? Is is able to pay the current rate of dividends from its earnings? Will the company be able to keep paying dividend based on the future earnings growth? AIM:SWL Historical Dividend Yield, April 29th 2019 How does Swallowfield fare? The company currently pays out 58% of its earnings as a dividend, according to its trailing twelve-month data, which means that the dividend is covered by earnings. In the near future, analysts are predicting lower payout ratio of 29% which, assuming the share price stays the same, leads to a dividend yield of around 3.9%. When assessing the forecast sustainability of a dividend it is also worth considering the cash flow of the business. A company with strong cash flow, relative to earnings, can sometimes sustain a high pay out ratio. Reliablity is an important factor for dividend stocks, particularly for income investors who want a strong track record of payment and a positive outlook for future payout. Whilst its per-share payments have increased during the past 10 years, there has been some hiccups. Investors have seen reductions in the dividend per share in the past, although, it has picked up again. Story continues In terms of its peers, Swallowfield produces a yield of 3.4%, which is high for Personal Products stocks but still below the market's top dividend payers. Next Steps: Keeping in mind the dividend characteristics above, Swallowfield is definitely worth considering for investors looking to build a dedicated income portfolio. Given that this is purely a dividend analysis, you should always research extensively before deciding whether or not a stock is an appropriate investment for you. I always recommend analysing the company's fundamentals and underlying business before making an investment decision. Below, I've compiled three essential factors you should further research: Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for SWLs future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for SWLs outlook. Valuation: What is SWL worth today? Even if the stock is a cash cow, it's not worth an infinite price. The intrinsic value infographic in our free research report helps visualize whether SWL is currently mispriced by the market. Other Dividend Rockstars: Are there better dividend payers with stronger fundamentals out there? Check out our free list of these great stocks here. We aim to bring you long-term focused research analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. If you spot an error that warrants correction, please contact the editor at editorial-team@simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Simply Wall St has no position in the stocks mentioned. Thank you for reading. Access to pricey prescription drugs has become a topic of focused attention for the World Health Organization, governments of middle- and lower-income countries, nongovernmental aid organizations, patient activists, and others. Many of these gathered at this months Fair Pricing Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa, which was sponsored by the WHO. The invitation-only meeting, which was closed to the media, provided a venue for representatives of governments and nongovernmental organizations, academics, experts, and leaders from the pharmaceutical industry to address concerns about fair pricing and access to pharmaceuticals, especially in middle- and low-income countries. I had the good fortune to serve as a panel member in one of the sessions and to participate in the discussions. Having attended the first Fair Pricing Forum two years ago in Amsterdam, where the discussions were constructive, I was surprised that positions at this meeting were polarized and often emotional. Organized patient protests outside the venue added to the urgency of coming to some resolutions for what is proving to be a complex socioeconomic issue. The affordability of medications by people who need them was the central theme of the discussions, with health as a fundamental human right being a strong underlying principle. Through that lens, high drug prices are seen as abusive, a belief fed by feelings that the industry is hiding behind high R&D costs and the need for innovation as excuses for high drug prices. Read more: World Health Organization tries moving closer to creating a fair pricing model Calls for transparency The complexity of the economics of drug development and lack of transparency about drug prices and R&D investments is infuriating many stakeholders. That sentiment is being fueled by the claims of some academics backed by calculations that the actual manufacturing costs for many drugs can be quite low. As a result, governments are calling for transparency while nongovernmental organizations are calling for delinking R&D from drug development, meaning governments commission R&D with grants, while payments are separated from manufacturing, which is paid on a cost basis. Patient organizations are taking a different tack and seeking to force compulsory licensing for oncology drugs, much as was done for HIV/AIDS drugs 20 years ago. A report commissioned by the WHO on these issues was discussed at a WHO Executive Council meeting earlier this year. Story continues Read more: The World Health Organization says cancer drug prices are impairing access to treatment The pharmaceutical industry has been hesitant to provide detailed information on R&D costs and has generally been ineffective in addressing the underlying concerns regarding transparency. It must do a better job showing that the typical calculations on profitability are flawed because they do not incorporate the risk of failure and related investments for unsuccessful drug candidates. In a sense, that can be compared to a return on investment calculation for a winning lottery ticket. Although the Twitter-based world does not have much patience for complex explanations that require more than 280 characters, ignoring this issue is merely adding to frustration and fueling activism toward solutions such as compulsory licensing. That would resolve little and, if it comes to pass, should be seen as a failure of all involved who are seeking to reach a workable solution for patients. Differential pricing as a collaborative solution The first two days of the forum felt divisive and polarized rather than collaborative. Monologue was more pervasive than dialogue. That fortunately changed on the third day as a substantial amount of time was devoted to giving the audience opportunities to comment. This shift suggested to me that the largest elements missing from the issue of drug pricing are a basis of trust between industry, governments, and patient organizations and a belief that a joint resolution of the challenges is feasible. Finding common ground among stakeholders is an essential ingredient toward reaching patient solutions for high cost drugs. I was surprised that differential pricing allowing prices to vary in different countries based on affordability levels had been omitted from the formal agenda for the meeting. During the WHO-World Trade Organization dialogue in Hosbjor, Norway, almost 20 years ago, differential pricing took center stage. It was ultimately a large contributor toward access to HIV/AIDS drugs in middle- and low-income countries. Pharmaceutical companies are generally in favor of differential pricing, but there is a risk that products from countries where a drug has a lower price could be diverted to those where it is priced higher. In addition, many governments take advantage of lower prices in other countries through price reference laws that limit local prices based on prices in other countries. The ability to reduce prices for lower-income countries without being punished through product diversion and price referencing by higher-income countries is instrumental in providing access to drugs at affordable prices. Nongovernmental organizations and patient advocacy groups tend to favor differential pricing, although some would prefer the more blunt compulsory licensing option. At the Fair Pricing Forum in Johannesburg, it was clear there is a basis for common ground in pursuing differential pricing options. But such solutions must be pursued in close collaboration between middle- and lower-income countries, higher-income countries, the pharmaceutical industry, and patient organizations. Although higher-income countries were poorly represented at the forum, their acceptance of lower prices in poorer countries, which is essential for the success of differential pricing, should not be opportunistically used to create local budget savings. Leaving any of these groups out of the equation might make for an easier conversation, but it will also result in total failure of the initiative. Ed Schoonveld is the managing principal and leader of the value and access practice at ZS Associates, a global professional services firm, and the author of The Price of Global Health (Routledge 2017). Investors in CARBO Ceramics Inc. CRR need to pay close attention to the stock based on moves in the options market lately. That is because the Sep 20, 2019 $9.00 Put had some of the highest implied volatility of all equity options today. What is Implied Volatility? Implied volatility shows how much movement the market is expecting in the future. Options with high levels of implied volatility suggest that investors in the underlying stocks are expecting a big move in one direction or the other. It could also mean there is an event coming up soon that may cause a big rally or a huge sell off. However, implied volatility is only one piece of the puzzle when putting together an options trading strategy. What do the Analysts Think? Clearly, options traders are pricing in a big move for CARBO Ceramics shares, but what is the fundamental picture for the company? Currently, CARBO Ceramics is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) in the Oil and Gas - Field Services that ranks in the Top 29% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Over the last 60 days, no analysts have increased their earnings estimates for the current quarter, while one has revised the estimates downward. The net effect has taken our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current quarter from a loss of 43 cents per share to a loss of 46 cents in that period. Given the way analysts feel about CARBO Ceramics right now, this huge implied volatility could mean theres a trade developing. Often times, options traders look for options with high levels of implied volatility to sell premium. This is a strategy many seasoned traders use because it captures decay. At expiration, the hope for these traders is that the underlying stock does not move as much as originally expected. Looking to Trade Options? Each week, our very own Dave Bartosiak gives his top options trades. Check out his recent live analysis and options trade for NFLX earnings report completely free. See it here: Bartosiak: Trading Netflix's (NFLX) Earnings with Options or check out the embedded video below for more details: Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Carbo Ceramics, Inc. (CRR) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research By Saad Sayeed ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan plans to take control of a network of over 30,000 madrasas as part of a drive to "mainstream" the Islamic schools by bringing them under state control, the military's spokesman said on Monday. Modernizing madrasa education is a thorny issue in Pakistan, a deeply conservative Muslim nation where religious schools are often blamed for radicalization of youngsters but are the only education available to millions of poor children. Pakistan's new government, facing pressure from global powers to act against militant groups carrying out attacks in India and Afghanistan, has vowed major reforms and Prime Minister Imran Khan has promised the South Asian nation will no longer tolerate such outfits operating on its territory. Critics of the madrasa education system say children who attend such schools, where they spend most of the day memorizing the holy Quran, are often ill-equipped for the modern world and some madrasas act as breeding grounds for militant outfits. "The government of Pakistan ... has decided that these madrasas will be mainstreamed," spokesman Gen. Asif Ghafoor told reporters at military headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. "An Islamic education will continue to be provided but there will be no hate speech," Ghafoor added, saying that religious schools will come under the purview of the ministry of educations and incorporate other subjects into their syllabus. Ghafoor said Pakistan would pay for the madrasas by diverting cash to education from the cost of anti-terrorism security operations, which are less necessary because militant attacks have sharply declined in recent years. Pakistan has been eager to show that it has severed links with militant groups that have in the past carried out attacks in neighboring Afghanistan and India. Last month, the government announced it had taken control of 182 religious schools and detained more than 100 people as part of its biggest push against banned groups. Security services have kept a close eye on madrasas associated with radicalizing youths and feeding recruits to Islamist militant outfits that have killed tens of thousands of people in the South Asian country since 2000. "The benefit will be that when children grow and leave these institutions they will have the same career opportunities that those coming from a private school have," Ghafoor said. "We want to end violent extremism in Pakistan and that will only happen when our children have the same education and opportunities." He added that madrasa legislation would be presented in parliament in another month and that would be followed by a finalised syllabus, appointment of teachers and allocation of finances. (Reporting by Saad Sayeed) Ramallah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) - The Palestinians on Monday restated their refusal to accept tax revenues collected on their behalf by Israel so long as the Jewish state deducts millions of dollars over a dispute about prisoners. "Our position is as it was: We will not receive any money from Israel if it is incomplete," Palestinian Authority (PA) president Mahmud Abbas told the weekly cabinet meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah. "This is something we will not accept at any cost." Israel collects around $190 million a month in customs duties levied on goods destined for Palestinian markets that transit through Israeli ports, and then it transfers the money to the PA. In February, the Jewish state decided to deduct around $10 million a month from those revenues, corresponding to the amount it said the PA paid families of prisoners or directly to inmates serving time in Israeli jails. The Palestinians responded by saying they would refuse any funds where unilateral deductions had been made. Israeli public radio reported Monday that a month's payment -- minus the $10 million deduction -- had recently been transferred to PA bank accounts, in the hope the authority would quietly accept payment. But after two weeks, the radio said, the money was returned to the Israeli finance ministry. Israel sees the payments to those who have carried out attacks against Israelis as encouraging further violence. The PA describes the payments as a form of welfare, while the Palestinian public regards prisoners jailed by Israel as national heroes. The Arab League pledged last week to provide the PA with $100 million monthly, potentially averting a financial crisis caused by the row. Abbas on Monday called on the body to honour that pledge. "We do not have high hopes, but perhaps the amount could be considered a debt that we return as soon as Israel returns" the money, he said. Abbas also renewed his opposition to a proposed US peace plan expected to be unveiled this summer. Story continues He has refused to negotiate with Donald Trump's administration since December 2017, when the US president controversially recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Abbas praised Europe's continued support for a two-state solution and opposition to the US embassy move, and said the continent had a responsibility to solve the conflict. "The European position -- I don't want to say it is 100-percent fair, but it has started to (show) understanding," he said. Abbas, 84, has previously faced accusations of anti-Semitism in comments about the history of Israel, Jews and Zionism, the ideological movement behind the creation of a Jewish state, accusations he denies. On Monday, he said: "Europe created -- this slightly annoys our neighbours -- Zionism and Israel." "Let's not fool ourselves -- this is what history says." By Nellie Peyton DAKAR, April 29 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Palm oil plantations in Liberia are billed as bringing jobs and development but actually leave locals poorer, said a Liberian lawyer who won the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize on Monday. The U.S.-based Goldman Environmental Foundation gives the prize - often known as the Green Nobel - to six grassroots activists each year for efforts to protect the environment, often at their own risk. Alfred Brownell was awarded for his successful campaign to protect more than 500,000 acres of tropical forest from palm oil development in the West African country, after which he was forced to flee Liberia in fear for his life. He now lives in the United States but hopes to return to continue his work, as palm oil development continues to displace farmers without giving them an alternative means to earn a living, he said. "These forests mean a lot to Liberia. The communities that we supported who live in these areas it is their home and their resources and their farms," said Brownell, 53. "Instead of trying to empower them, (palm oil) causes the impoverishment of those communities. So this is not development at all," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Sometimes palm oil companies offer jobs, but not enough for the number of people who lose their land, he said. Liberians have protested land grabs by foreign palm oil companies for over a decade, since the former government gave out nearly half the nation's territory in resource concessions. The World Bank has credited these policies with transforming Liberia into a promising place for investors after a long civil war, but activists say local communities rarely benefit. "We're talking about lots of communities seeing their customary lands go away, lands they depend upon on a daily basis for their livelihoods," said Patrick Kipalu, Africa Programme coordinator for Rights and Resources Initiative, a global network that advocates for indigenous peoples' land rights. Story continues "It's so negative compared to the economic opportunities that those companies can bring," Kipalu said. Liberian authorities could not immediately be reached for comment. Brownell helped community members file a complaint in 2012 alleging environmental damage and human rights violations by Golden Veroleum Liberia (GVL), a Southeast Asia-based agro-industrial company that had signed a deal with the state to lease 543,600 acres of land for palm oil production. An industry body responded by halting GVL's work on most of the land - a decision that was upheld last year after a legal battle. Protests by community members led to violent clashes in 2015, and Brownell said that his home was attacked and family members arrested - leading him to flee. GVL, still active in Liberia, said in an email that it acknowledged past mistakes and that it created a sustainability action plan in 2018 to resolve grievances with communities. (Reporting by Nellie Peyton; Editing by Jason Fields; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's and LGBT+ rights, human trafficking, property rights, and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org) PARIS (AP) The Paris prosecutor's office says several people, including a minor, have been arrested on suspicion they were preparing an attack possibly targeting French security forces in the near future. They were arrested Friday as part of an investigation opened on Feb. 1 for terrorist conspiracy, the office said Monday, without providing details about the number of people involved or where they were arrested. French broadcaster BFM TV said four men were being held by police. The prosecutor's office said the minor had previously been arrested in February 2017 at the age of 15 as he was trying to go to Syria to join the Islamic State group. He had been sentenced by a juvenile court to a three-year prison sentence, of which two years were suspended. The fourth phase of polling in 72 parliamentary constituencies spread across nine states has concluded successfully. The fourth phase polling, which had 12.79 crore electors, remained peaceful barring some places. Voting for the eight Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal ended with 76.47 per cent votes, despite reports of violence and EVM glitches in some areas. Complaints of technical glitches in EVMs and VVPAT machines were reported in some polling booths. The nine states where voters cast their ballots were Bihar (5), Maharashtra (17), Madhya Pradesh (6), Odisha (6), Rajasthan (13), Jharkhand (3), Uttar Pradesh (13), West Bengal (8), and Jammu and Kashmir (1). The fate of 961 candidates, including Union ministers Giriraj Singh, Kanhaiya Kumar, Urmila Matondkar, Dimple Yadav, Milind Deora, Babul Supriyo, Salman Khurshid and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, will be decided in this phase. Lok Sabha Election 2019: Poll dates, full schedule, voting FAQs, election results, constituencies' details Lok Sabha Election 2019: Phase 4 voting on April 29; FAQs, voting for 71 seats Here are all the live updates on phase 4 of the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections. 8:00pm: "Macchar ko kapde pehenana, haathi ko godh mein jhulana aur tumse sach bulwana asambhav hai Narendra Modi," Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu said in Bhopal. 7:45pm: "Just like the British rulers, Didi believes in Divide & Rule. Didi's suppression tactics have led to the closure of jute factories.Hooliganism of trade unions & extortion racket of the Syndicate have ruined the jute industries and the lives of farmers," PM Modi said at a rally. 7:30pm: TMC candidate Moon Moon Sen on violence in Asansol: I have not met my seniors yet and when we will sit together I will know where and why violence took place. Thoda toh hoga hi har jagah hota hai. Violence is much less now compared to before. Moon Moon Sen, TMC candidate from Asansol: I have not met my seniors yet and when we will sit together I will know where and why violence took place. Thoda toh hoga hi har jagah hota hai. Violence is much less now compared to before. #LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/yJMkdgqnVA ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 7:00pm: Jet Airways founder and former chairman Naresh Goyal casted his vote in Mumbai on Monday in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2019. This was Goyal's first public appearance since the Debt-laden Jet Airways halted its operations temporarily after it failed to secure emergency funds. 6:35pm: "Patriotism that was strengthened in this land is being abused in the country. The people of Bengal need to be careful from the people who start rejecting patriotism for vote bank and hesitate in raising slogans of Vande Mataram: PM Modi at a rally in West Bengal. 6:30pm: The BJP has lodged complaints with the Election Commission against AAP candidate Atishi for asking voters to 'vote for criminals rather than the BJP'. 6:25pm: Actor-turned-BJP leader Sunny Deol and his brother Bobby Deol cast their votes at a polling booth in Vile Parle in Mumbai. Mumbai: Actors Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol cast their votes at a polling booth in Vile Parle. #LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/IZI6jdNO3K ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 6:15pm: Estimated voter percentage till 5 PM for the 4th phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2019 6:10pm: EC has issued notice to Union Minister and Begusarai (Bihar) BJP candidate Giriraj Singh for a speech delivered on April 24 in GD College, Begusarai, ANI reported. He had reportedly said "Who don't say Vande Mataram, can't worship motherland. My father and grandfather died by banks of Ganga and did not need a grave. But you need three-arm's-length of land. If you don't do it, the country will never forgive you." 6:00PM: Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and his family members casted their votes at a polling booth in Villa Theresa High School on Peddar Road. Mumbai: Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and his family after casting their votes at a polling booth at Villa Theresa High School on Peddar Road. #LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/jAsCfSQ3cB ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 5:45PM: "We don't know the ABC of politics but patriotism is in our blood, we will serve the nation. What I did in Bikaner you can go and see, Sunny will also serve the nation," veteran actor Dharmendra said. #WATCH Mumbai: Veteran actor Dharmendra says "We don't know the ABC of politics but patriotism is in our blood, we will serve the nation. What I did in Bikaner you can go and see, Sunny will also serve the nation." #LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/DHUqymVxCc ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 5:40PM: Chief Electoral Officer, Rajasthan sought a report after some voters in Jodhpur leveled charges of bogus voting. Some voters alleged that their votes had already been cast and they were told that nothing can be done now. CEO Rajasthan has sought a report after some voters in Jodhpur had leveled charge of bogus voting alleging that their votes had already been cast and when inquired they were told that nothing can be done now. #LokSabhaElections2019 ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 5:27PM: Election Commission orders to register FIR against Union Minister and BJP candidate from Asansol LS seat Babul Supriyo for allegedly trespassing into booth number 199 and threatening a polling agent and an officer. Election Commission directs to register FIR against Babul Supriyo, Union Minister & BJP candidate from Asansol LS seat, for allegedly trespassing into booth number 199 and threatening a polling agent and an officer. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/fu20QRvq8d ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 5:18PM: Estimated voter turnout till 5 pm for the 4th phase of 2019 Lok Sabha election is 50.6 per cent. Estimated voter turnout till 5 pm for the 4th phase of #LokSabhaElections2019 is 50.6%. Voting is underway in 72 constituencies, across 9 states. pic.twitter.com/l1ckiEM6fa ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 5:15PM: Actor Vivek Oberoi and Suresh Oberoi outside a polling booth in Gandhigram in Juhu after casting their votes. Mumbai: Actors Vivek Oberoi and Suresh Oberoi after casting their vote at a polling booth at Gandhigram school in Juhu. #LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/Toq0sUE3Is ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 5.13 PM: A graphic representation of voter turnout till 3 PM and voting percentages of previous polls. 5.04 PM: PM Modi in Sreerampur: Didi said she wants to give me rasgulla made of soil & pebbles. Soil of Bengal has essence of greats like Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, JC Bose, Netaji, SP Mukherjee & if Modi gets rasgulla made of this holy soil then it will be a 'prasad' for Modi," says the PM. 5.03PM: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) writes to Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha over alleged "booth capturing by BJP". Letter states "BJP goons conducted booth capturing in 12 booths of Bari assembly constituency under Jajpur parliamentary constituency while the polling was going on today." -ANI 4:45PM: Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan and wife Gauri Khan cast their votes at a polling booth in Bandra. Mumbai: Shah Rukh Khan and his wife Gauri Khan leave after casting their votes at a polling booth in Bandra. #LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/h85W4vzCxL ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 4.37PM: Dear Election Commission, my ink vanished fairly easily. "And I am not the only one," says Congress leader Sanjay Jha. Dear @ECISVEEP : My ink vanished fairly easily. And I am not the only one. pic.twitter.com/OTl1PZEfMI - Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) April 29, 2019 4.20 PM: Derek O'Brien on PM's remarks: "Nobody will go with you. Not even one councillor. Are you election campaigning or horse trading! Your expiry date is near." Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his rally in West Bengal today, said around 40 of TMC MLAs were in contact with the BJP. Expiry Babu PM , let's get this straight. Nobody will go with you. Not even one councillor. Are you election campaigning or horse trading! Your expiry date is near. Today, we are complaining to the Election Commission. Charging you with horse trading #LokSabhaElection2019 - Derek O'Brien | ' (@derekobrienmp) April 29, 2019 4.19PM: "...Central forces had created a reign of terror in the minds of voters and they have also urged the voters to cast their vote in favour of the BJP," alleges TMC. 4.17PM: TMC complains to EC: "This is to bring to your notice that across several parliamentary constituencies having poll today, BJP and their agents are resorting to large-scale intimidation, violence, chaos, and unrest among the electors and thereby disturbing the poll process hugely." 4.03 PM: Estimated voter turnout till 4 PM: 49.54% Bihar: 44.23 J&K: 8.42% Madhya Pradesh: 55.31% Maharashtra: 41.17% Odisha: 51.54% Rajashtan: 54.19% Uttar Pradesh: 44.16% West Bengal: 66.01% Jharkhand: 56.37% 3.36 PM: Congress leader Shatrughan Sinha files nomination from Bihar's Patna Sahib. Bihar: Congress candidate for Patna Sahib constituency Shatrughan Sinha files nomination. #LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/DAiOk9yvfX - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 3.29 PM: "Voting this year has been so much more special," said Sachin Tendulkar. Voting this year has been so much more special with Sara and Arjun voting for the first time. I urge you all to go out and VOTE too!#LokSabhaElections#GotInked@ECISVEEPpic.twitter.com/stUpabsZsg - Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 29, 2019 3.20 PM: SP has changed its candidate from Varanasi LS Constituency. It has given ticket to Tej Bahadur Yadav, the BSF constable who was dismissed from service after he had released a video last year complaining about quality of food served to soldiers. SP changes candidate from Varanasi LS Constituency; gives ticket to Tej Bahadur Yadav (BSF constable who was dismissed from service after he had released video last year on quality of food served to soldiers). Earlier, SP's Shalini Yadav had filed her nomination from Varanasi. pic.twitter.com/OihDeRt6bh - ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 29, 2019 3.15 PM: Visuals from booth number 63 in Jammu and Kashmir's Bumthan, Qazigund. Jammu and Kashmir: Polling underway at polling booth number 63 in Bumthan, Qazigund. #LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/bkkjMD6N2S - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 3.10 PM: "Didi, on 23 May when the results will come, lotus will bloom everywhere and your MLAs will leave you. Even today, Didi, 40 of your MLAs are in contact with me," said PM Modi at a rally in Serampore. 2.56 PM: "Goons of TMC are trying their hardest to stop people from voting and attacking BJP workers, they are not letting BJP leaders campaign," said PM Modi at a rally in Serampore, West Bengal. 2.50 PM: TMC letter to EC states, "Central forces have created a reign of terror in minds of voters and have also urged the voters to cast their vote for BJP." 2.45 PM: AAP leader Atishi Marlena has written to the EC complaining of repeated violations of the Model Code of Conduct by Gautam Gambhir. 2.35 PM: In a letter to EC, TMC said that there were various instances where upon instructions from BJP leaders, central forces acted in a manner that is not conducive to free and fair elections in West Bengal. TMC in a letter to EC over alleged "Illegal action of central forces & violation of MCC by BJP candidates" in West Bengal: There were various instances where on instructions of BJP leaders, Central Forces acted in a manner which is not conducive to free & fair elections in WB. pic.twitter.com/aixme1SjJd - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 2.18 PM: Estimated voter turnout till 2 pm is 38.63%. Estimated voter turnout till 2 pm for the 4th phase of #LokSabhaElections2019 is 38.63%. Voting is underway in 72 constituencies, across 9 states. pic.twitter.com/rvpsO0t5ar - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 2.08 PM: "I have voted.... have u?" asks actor Salman Khan. 1.59 PM: Famous cricketer Sachin Tendulkar asks his fans to guess something; casts vote along with his family in Mumbai. As planned, I'm on my way. Any guesses where? #SecretMissionpic.twitter.com/8th5MmEGz0 - Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 29, 2019 Mumbai: Sachin Tendulkar, his wife Anjali Tendulkar, daughter Sara Tendulkar, and son Arjun Tendulkar after casting their vote at polling center number 203 in Bandra. Sara Tendulkar and Arjun Tendulkar are first time voters. #LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/0dNVhNR8mg - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 1.57 PM: The Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party led by Shivpal Singh Yadav has announced its support to Congress candidate Acharya Pramod Krishnan in Lucknow. (IANS) 1.55 PM: Former Union minister Jitin Prasada said his sister was unable to vote because her vote had already been cast by the time she reached the polling booth in the Dhaurhara Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh. Former Union Minister #JitinPrasada said that his sister was unable to #vote because her vote had already been cast by the time she reached the polling booth in the #Dhaurhara Lok Sabha seat in #UttarPradesh.#LokSabhaElections2019#Dangal2019 Photo: IANS pic.twitter.com/pake9pP6Ex - IANS Tweets (@ians_india) April 29, 2019 1.53 PM: BJP candidate from Amethi, Smriti Irani and her husband Zubin Irani cast their vote at a polling booth in Versova. Mumbai: BJP candidate from Amethi, Smriti Irani and her husband Zubin Irani cast their vote at a polling booth in Versova. #LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/rPmk33TXlT - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 1.50 PM: BJP meets the Election Commission: The BJP says the party raised displeasure over remarks made by Congress chief Rahul Gandhi against PM Modi and BJP President Amit Shah. MA Naqvi, BJP: BJP delegation met EC officials today, we raised displeasure over remarks made by Congress President Rahul Gandhi against PM Modi & party president Amit Shah. His statements are baseless and derogatory and in violation of electoral laws. pic.twitter.com/8yDgxXEOn0 - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 1.46 PM: MP Sushmita Dev says Congress has filed 8 complaints against PM Modi and Amit Shah: "EC can dismiss our complaints but not acting on them is against the law of the land." Congress MP, Sushmita Dev: We filed 8 complaints to the EC on behalf of the party against the PM and Amit Shah regarding their speeches on armed forces, why no action is being taken? EC can dismiss our complaints but not acting on them is against the law of the land. pic.twitter.com/Szj40hdaxv - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 1.43 PM: Union Minister Piyush Goyal says this election is a Tsunami election: "This election is now a Tsunami election. North South, East & West, Modi wave has overtaken the country. PM Modi is the tallest leader today in the country." Exercised my democratic responsibilities by casting my vote today. I would urge everyone to proactively participate in the democratic process and vote for a strong Government which can ensure safety and security of every citizen.#IndiaVotesForNaMopic.twitter.com/lbYhq8zZ5G - Chowkidar Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) April 29, 2019 1.38 PM: Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar casts vote in Bandra. 1.30PM: Pragya Singh Thakur, BJP's LS candidate from Bhopal, breaks down while meeting Union Minister Uma Bharti in Bhopal; watch video. #WATCH Madhya Pradesh: Pragya Singh Thakur, BJP's LS candidate from Bhopal breaks down while meeting Union Minister and senior BJP leader Uma Bharti in Bhopal. pic.twitter.com/SqcvJPCfnZ - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 1.15 PM: Actor Sanjay Dutt comes out in support of sister Priya Dutt: "I'm here to support my sister. There's no other issue that I voted on. I'm confident that my sister will win. I urge everyone to come out and vote." 1.00 AM: Trinamool Parliamentary delegation to meet the Election Commission at 1.15 PM in Delhi today. Firing by the Central Forces personnel inside a polling booth in Dubrajpur, Birbhum Parliamentary constituency, will be discussed during the meeting. 12.34 PM: An elderly assisted by his relative to cast vote in Begusarai, Bihar. Bihar: 95 year old voter assisted by his relative to excercise right of franchise at #Bachwara in #Begusarai. #LokSabhaElections2019#PollsWithAIR: K K Lal pic.twitter.com/rAkesWdezw - All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) April 29, 2019 12.32 PM: TMC women supporters protest in Nanoor of Birbhum district, after BJP opposed TMC supporters who insisted on polling despite absence of central forces. #WATCH TMC women supporters protest in Nanoor of Birbhum district, after BJP opposed TMC supporters who insisted on polling despite absence of central forces at the polling booth. Police is trying to mediate between the two groups. #WestBengal#LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/WhPWtwqeVG - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 12.29 PM: Voters felicitated at eco friendly booth in the Darbhanga constituency of Bihar. Voters felicitated at eco friendly booth in #Darbhanga constituency, Bihar. #LoksabhaElections2019#PollsWithAIR: K K Lal pic.twitter.com/0NVHvY5TR9 - All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) April 29, 2019 12.28 PM: Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra Group, after casting his vote in Malabar Hill, says: "We all have been infected by the virus of progress and growth." 12.22 pM: Here's the latest and updated data on voter turnout till 11AM. Take a look at the interim turnout data from the States in which polling is being held today in Phase IV of #LokSabhaElections2019#GotInked#IndiaElection2019 (Updated till 11am) Download Voter Turnout App and see real-time Turnout Report: https://t.co/wVA1uVlL7Bpic.twitter.com/4u4W9yPm65 - Election Commission #DeshKaMahatyohar (@ECISVEEP) April 29, 2019 12.09 PM: Actor Kangana Ranaut cast her vote in Khar, Mumbai. #Mumbai: Actor Kangana Ranaut after casting her vote at a polling booth in Khar. #LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/L4nXhMbyvj - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 12.08 PM: A lawyer based in Kolkata has moved the Delhi High Court to disqualify Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari from contesting polls. The petitioner says PM Modi didn't disclose in his affidavit the number of criminal cases pending against him. 12.04 PM: A complaint has filed against AAP MP Bhagwant Mann over alleged discrepancies in his nomination affidavit. 12.02 PM: EVM malfunctioning: Samajvadi Party has moved the Election Commission over delay in voting in UP's Kannauj. The voting process was delayed by over two hours due to EVM malfunctioning in the area. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple Yadav is contesting polls from Kannauj. 11.50 AM: Actor turned politician Sunny Deol files his nomination as the BJP candidate from the Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency. Punjab: Actor turned politician Sunny Deol files his nomination as the BJP candidate from the Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency. His brother and actor Bobby Deol also present. pic.twitter.com/aOnGloRjpy - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 11.40 AM: Trinamool Congress has hit back at PM Modi over his comments to India Today that he was disappointed with the role of Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. "We were also expecting a lot from Mr Modi, we were expecting Rs 15 lakh each and digital India and what not! But he has turned out to be a complete failure. He is only trying to divide the country on the basis of religion. As Gujarat CM he may have been effective but as PM he could not grasp the whole situation," stated Bengal minister Sadhan Pande. Earlier, speaking to india Today, PM Modi had expressed his disappointment over Mamata Banerjee's rise to power in Bengal. 11.33AM: Here's how you can check your name on the voter's list. Also, you can check information about your polling booth and booth level officer through SMS only. 11.30 AM: The Central government has sought time to file a fresh affidavit in the Rafale review petition case and has asked the court to defer the hearing, which was fixed for tomorrow to allow it to file the affidavit. 11.25 AM: Polling percentage in Jharkhand till 11AM: 29.21% 11.15 AM: Voter percentage in Bihar till 11AM: 17.07%. Polls are being held for five Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar. 10.53 AM: Actor Aamir Khan and his wife Kiran Rao after casting their votes in Bandra. #Mumbai: Actor Aamir Khan and his wife Kiran Rao after casting their votes at polling booth in St. Anne's High School in Bandra. #LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/jRYwkW8LzX - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 10.49AM: "Called the Indian Consulate's office here in New York to inquire if there was any facility for people like us to vote (away from home), there wasn't. Please do not forget to vote wherever and whenever you have to. Jai Hind! Vande Mataram!" says actor Rishi Kapoor. He has been undergoing medical treatment in New York. Called the Indian Consulate's office here in NY to inquire if there was any facility for people like us to vote(away from home)There wasn't. Please do not forget to vote wherever and whenever you have to. Jai Hind! Vande Mataram! (Sorry for earlier error) pic.twitter.com/A0heLdBhZv - Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) April 28, 2019 10:41 am: Congress MP Sushmita Dev moves Supreme Court seeking directions to the Election Commission to take a decision on the complaints filed against PM Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah over alleged violations of electoral laws. BJP to meet Election Commission over Bengal poll violence at 12:30 pm today. 10:32 am: EVMs snatched from booth in Birbhum, Bengal: Reports. 10:31 am:Forex, commodity including metal and bullion markets too will not see any trading activity today on account of Lok Sabha poll in Mumbai. 10.30AM: BSE, NSE closed today on account of polling for Lok Sabha election in Mumbai. 10.25AM: Congress President Rahul Gandhi will be in Rajasthan today for three public rallies. 10.17AM: UP CM Yogi Adityanath urges voters to come out in large numbers and exercise their franchise. , , , ! , , , - - Chowkidar Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) April 29, 2019 10.14AM: An estimated 10.94 per cent of the 45.26 lakh electorate cast their votes in the first two hours of polling on Monday in three Lok Sabha constituencies of Jharkhand, in the first phase of elections in the state. Voters queued up before booths in Lohardaga (ST), Palamu (SC) and Chatra constituencies since early morning, as polling began at 7 am, an election official said. A large number of the women electorate were seen in urban areas of Palamu and Mandar in Lohardaga constituency, they said. (PTI) 9.58AM: Polling percentage till 9 AM. Maharashtra (17): 6.82% Madhya Pradesh (6): 11.11% Odisha (6): 9% West Bengal (8): 16.90% 9.56AM: Actor Madhuri Dixit Nene says "let's do our duty and vote for India". Voting is our right, let's use it wisely! The future of our country is in our hands. Let's do our duty and #VoteForIndiapic.twitter.com/TrFUVEFWJS - Madhuri Dixit Nene (@MadhuriDixit) April 29, 2019 9.52AM: Several reports of EVM malfunctioning have been reported in Odisha too. The polling process has been delayed due to EVM glitches in Bhadrak constituency and Bhandaripokhari Assembly constituency. 9.45AM: "This is the moment that matters. Every vote is a voice that counts," says actor Priyanka Chopra. This is the moment that matters.... Every vote is a voice that counts. #LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/L0AHJLL4uY - PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) April 29, 2019 9.43AM: Several reports of clashes between TMC workers and QRF and security personnel in Asansol. Police lathicharge the protesters. #WATCH Clash between TMC workers and QRF and security personnel outside polling booth number 125-129 in Asansol, after disagreement erupted between BJP & CPI(M) workers after TMC workers insisted on polling despite absence of central forces. #WestBengalpic.twitter.com/wmTE97gY4i - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 9.37AM: Clash between TMC workers and security personnel at a polling booth in Asansol; watch video. #WATCH Clash between TMC workers and security personnel at polling booth number 199 in Asansol. A TMC polling agent said, 'no BJP polling agent was present at the booth.' BJP MP candidate from Asansol, Babul Supriyo's car was also vandalised outside the polling station. pic.twitter.com/goOmFRG96L - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 9.35AM: Union Minister and BJP candidate from Asansol Babul Supriyo says "Mamata Banerjee is scared". Babul Supriyo's car was vandalised in Asansol. A TMC polling agent says, there's no BJP polling agent here. Union Minister&BJP candidate from Asansol Babul Supriyo: I will myself take the central forces to that polling station. It is very good that people in West Bengal are aware&they want central forces so that they can cast their vote. This is why Mamata Banerjee is scared. pic.twitter.com/mYmeKRAWH1 - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 9.32AM: Villagers have boycotted polls at Jemua's polling booth number 222 and 226 in Asansol due to the absence of central forces at the polling station. 9.18AM: Checkout the number of constituencies in each state polling today. Over 1 lakh 40 thousand polling booths have been put in place to ensure smooth polling. 9.15AM: Polling for the first phase of the three Naxal affected constituencies in Jharkhand will be held today. 9.13AM: Police lathicharge protesters in Jemua, Asansol. 9.12AM: Certificates have been given to first PWD voters and first time voters. Certificates have been given to first PWD voters and first time voters. Voting is not just a duty it is a delight to vote. Go and cast your vote now#IndianElections2019pic.twitter.com/MZRuYdKgtL - CEO, Bihar #DeshKaMahaTyohar (@CEOBihar) April 29, 2019 9.07AM: Voting is yet to begin at booth number 189 & 196 of Chhibramau area in Kannauj after a glitch in EVM was detected. (ANI) Lok Sabha Election 2019 Phase 4: How to vote, check polling booth details, vote without voter ID 8.52AM: BJP accuses TMC workers of capturing booths in Krishnanagar, Chapra. "Booth numbers 197/198, 102, 19 to 35, 67-71 in Chapra, booth no. 62 (Bikrampur), 240 (Dogachi), booth no. 121/122 (Kanainagar) under Krishananagar LS Constituency has been captured by TMC goons," says Kalyan Chaubey, BJP MP candidate from Krishnanagar constituency, Nadia, West Bengal. Bengal police is threatening our polling agents and workers at Booth no. 172 of Bilkumari village in Palashipara assembly constituency under Krishananagar LS Constituency. @ECISVEEP@abpanandatv@ANI@PTI_News@smitaprakash@rahulkanwal - Chowkidar Kalyan Chaubey (@kalyanchaubey) April 29, 2019 8.45AM: Voting is yet to begin at booth number 162 of Malad West in Mumbai after a glitch in EVM was detected. (ANI) 8.43AM: BJP MP candidate from Unnao, Sakshi Maharaj casts his vote at a polling station in Unnao; Congress MP candidate from Farrukhabad, Salman Khurshid, was also among early morning voters. 8.36AM: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath casts his vote in Chhindwara. #LokSabhaElections2019 :Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath casts his vote at polling booth number 17 in Shikarpur, Chhindwara. pic.twitter.com/4liBH70BYb - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 8.33AM: BJP sitting MP Paresh Rawal and his wife Swaroop Sampat cast their vote in Vile Parle, Mumbai. #Mumbai : BJP sitting MP Paresh Rawal & his wife Swaroop Sampat cast their vote at polling booth number 250-256 at Jamna Bai School in Vile Parle. pic.twitter.com/V4iXvzhD9D - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 8.28AM: RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das casts his vote in Mumbai. #Mumbai: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das casts his vote at polling booth number 40 & 41 at Peddar Road. #LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/i2TFjtuJxP - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 8.26AM: Decide what kind of politics you want, says CPM candidate Kanhaiya Kumar. "Please vote and strengthen the democracy." - Kanhaiya Kumar (@kanhaiyakumar) April 29, 2019 8.23AM: Veteran actor Rekha casts her vote at polling booth number 283 in Bandra. #Mumbai: Veteran actor Rekha casts her vote at polling booth number 283 in Bandra. #LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/z14VraA06W - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 8.00AM: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das waits in queue before casting his vote in Mumbai. #Mumbai: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das waits in queue to cast his vote at polling booth number 40 & 41 at Peddar Road. #LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/OGJMvQUE6A - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 7.59AM: BJP MP Candidate from Mumbai North Central, Poonam Mahajan casts her vote at polling booth number 48 in Worli. #Mumbai: BJP MP Candidate from Mumbai North Central, Poonam Mahajan casts her vote at polling booth number 48 in Worli. pic.twitter.com/muecE30tIC - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 7.56AM: Former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje after casting her vote. "You must participate actively in this great festival of democracy. Vote this morning between 7 am and 6 pm, and motivate others to vote," she said. Come out in big numbers with your family and vote! #NewIndia ! #VoteKarpic.twitter.com/DFKjiYVmJj - Chowkidar Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) April 29, 2019 Rajasthan: Former Rajasthan CM and BJP leader Vasundhara Raje Scindia casts her vote at polling booth number 33 in Jhalawar. #LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/9iNp9geKtQ - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 7.53AM: Industrialist Anil Ambani after casting his vote at GD Somani School in Cuffe Parade, Mumbai. Mumbai: Anil Ambani casts his vote at voting centre number 216 at GD Somani School in Cuffe Parade. #LokSabhaElections2019pic.twitter.com/II9VZJvjmV - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 7.55AM: Actor-turned politician Ravi Kishan, who is contesting on the BJP ticket from UP's Gorakhpur, arrives to cast his vote in Goregaon. #Mumbai: BJP MP candidate from UP's Gorakhpur, Ravi Kishan waits in queue to cast his vote at a polling booth in Goregaon pic.twitter.com/Ji85dcyKNt - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 7.47AM: Lok Sabha Polls 2019 at a glance. Total voters 12.83 crore Polling stations: 1.40 lakh Total contestants: 961 Female voters: 6.08 crore Total states/UT going to poll: 9 Total Lok Sabha seats going to poll: 71 Here"s a look at #Phase4 of #LokSabhaElections2019#Election2019#GeneralElection2019pic.twitter.com/KlEDxzkgdq - PIB India (@PIB_India) April 29, 2019 7.38AM: Early morning voters in Bihar. Five Lok Sabha seats will go to polls in the state in phase 4 of 2019 Lok Sabha election. 7.32AM: Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, which is a part of Anantnag Parliamentary seat, will also go to polls today. A tight security arrangement have been put in place in the militancy-hit area. 7.26AM: Apart from phase 4 polling for the 2019 General Election, voting is also being held in some Assembly constituencies in Odisha and MP. 7.25AM: Phase 4 of voting will come to an end in Odisha and Maharashtra today. 7.23AM: The BJP and its allies had swept 56 of these 71 seats in 2014, leaving just two for the Congress and six each for TMC and BJD. 7.20AM: Here are the latest visuals from outside a polling booth in Kendrapara in Odisha. Six Lok Sabha seats are going to polls in the BJD-ruled state today. 7.19AM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi makes a "special appeal to young voters to head to the polling booth and exercise their franchise". Another phase of the General Elections begins today. I hope those voting today do so in large numbers and break the voting records of the previous three phases. A special appeal to young voters to head to the polling booth and exercise their franchise. Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 29, 2019 Edited by Manoj Sharma By Lisa Rapaport (Reuters Health) - Patients who have real-time video visits with their primary care providers instead of in-person exams are generally satisfied with the convenience and quality of their checkups, a new study suggests. There's a lot about these telemedicine visits that can sound appealing: no need to get stuck in traffic on the way to the doctor; no long stretches in the waiting room before the exam; no missing half a day of work for an appointment that's over in the blink of an eye. But research to date hasn't offered a clear picture of how the reality of virtual visits matches up with patients' expectations "Prior to the current study there was very little research evidence about primary-care video visits, especially when the visits are with a patient's own primary care providers (the ones they also visit in-person) as a part of their ongoing clinical care," said lead study author Dr. Mary Reed of Kaiser Permanente Northern California. Reed and colleagues surveyed 1,274 patients at Kaiser in Northern California who had a scheduled video visit with a primary care provider in autumn 2015 to see how well the technology and the medical care worked for them. Nearly all of the participants had some previous experience using video calling, although it might have been for personal or professional meetings and not for a medical checkup. Most of them also had undergraduate or advanced degrees and more than a third had household income of more than $100,000 a year. Patients who had to take time off from work or other responsibilities for an in-person visit reported more often that the video visit reduced their in-person visits. There were many reasons patients cited for having video visits: 87 percent found it more convenient; 82 percent liked that they could have the video visit with their regular primary care provider; and 70 percent were not sure they needed to go see a doctor in person. Story continues After the video exams, 93 percent of patients felt the checkup met their needs; 92 percent felt the provider was familiar with their medical history; and 90 percent were confident in the quality of their care. In addition, 84 percent of patients who had video visits thought the experience improved their relationship with their provider. However, 41 percent of participants said they preferred an in-person visit, 24 percent expressed concern about making their home or video visit space presentable for the checkup, and 21 percent of patients worried they might not get adequate treatment. Overall, however, nine in ten patients said they would consider a video visit in the future, even if they didn't go to their scheduled visit during the study. One drawback of the study is that it's old - the video visits happened several years ago and technology used in 2015 may look a lot different than what's possible today. Patients in the study were also fairly affluent and educated, and it's possible results would look different for people with lower income and education levels. There's also a limit to what types of medical conditions may be suitable for telemedicine checkups, said Dr. Jay Portnoy, medical director of telemedicine at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. "The most common issues dealt with include colds, rashes, behavior issues and common issues that are embarrassing such as hair loss, erectile dysfunction, birth control and so on," Portnoy, who wasn't involved in the study, said by email. Video visits still might one day replace many in-person checkups, said Dr. Michael Barnett of the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. "We are a long way from that because many people prefer in-person care and technology is still a barrier for many of the sickest patients who don't use the internet or smart phones," Barnett, who wasn't involved in the study, said by email. "Video visits might help health spending by avoiding unnecessary office visits, but even if they don't the convenience and time saved from them is very valuable." SOURCE: http://bit.ly/2vuUlbj Annals of Internal Medicine, online April 29, 2019. Paul Smith has created an entire off-the-peg clothing and accessories collection in the colors of "Men in Black: International," the spinoff of the famous Sony Picture franchise. The black suits, extraterrestials and fantasy motifs will cause a sensation among fans of the world's most famous secret agents. The capsule collection will highlight Paul Smith's involvement in the spinoff. Smith designed bespoke suits for the actors in the feature, working hand-in-hand with costume designer Penny Rose to create a black suit directly inspired by his iconic "A Suit to Travel In" suit. Smith himself also appears in the movie. The US release of "Men in Black: International," scheduled for June 14, will coincide with the launch of the Paul Smith Capsule collection for men, women and children, comprising pieces that combine skill, elegance and fantasy. Flagship pieces include black suits with printed linings featuring aliens, hooded sweatshirts aso sporting aliens, and white shirts decorated with buttons in a variety of fantastical shapes. A series of accessories completes this collection, including a black tie decorated with sunglasses, a silk scarf, cufflinks with the new "Men in Black" logo, socks, a briefcase and an iPhone cover. The collection will be available in Paul Smith stores and online from www.paulsmith.com from June 14. Directed by F. Gary Gray, "Men in Black: International" stars Chris Hemsworth in the role of Agent H, Tessa Thompson as Agent M, and Liam Neeson as the head of the Men in Black's British branch. Lima (AFP) - Peru banned motorized scooters from sidewalks and pedestrian areas from Monday after a woman in Lima broke both her arms in a collision with one. Scooters have become increasingly popular in Peru over the last year, particularly in the capital Lima, a city of 10 million people that suffers huge traffic problems. But a week ago a 63-year-old woman suffered a head injury and fractures in both her arms after she was hit by a 21-year-old on a scooter. The new law from the transport ministry limits such motorized scooters to "cycle paths and the right lane in roads" reserved for the slowest moving vehicles. Authorities also imposed a speed limit of 20 kilometers per hour (12.4 mph) for the scooters, which are capable of reaching 25 km/h. Philip Morris International (NYSE: PM) is going through an unprecedented period in its history. Having decided that traditional cigarettes don't really have a future in a world that has seen dramatic and consistent declines in smoking over the past several decades, the tobacco giant has instead looked to alternatives that it believes can drive growth in the years to come. One of the most promising such products has been its iQOS heated-tobacco system, which Philip Morris claims has health advantages over smoking combustible tobacco. Yet a tough period for iQOS created some doubt about whether Philip Morris had made a losing bet on the cigarette alternative. Coming into its first-quarter financial report in mid-April, Philip Morris investors had wanted to see signs that the company's long-term strategy could in fact produce growth. The results showed some signs of life in overcoming some strong headwinds, and some now see Philip Morris as having regained its momentum for 2019 and beyond. Two hands holding an IQOS heated tobacco unit. An iQOS device. Image source: Philip Morris International. How Philip Morris fared Philip Morris International's first-quarter results were encouraging. Revenue net of excise taxes was down 2% to $6.75 billion, but that was a bit better than the slightly larger drop that investors were generally expecting. Similarly, although net income attributable to Philip Morris was down 13% to $1.35 billion, adjusted earnings of $1.09 per share climbed 9% from year-ago levels and topped the consensus forecast for $1 per share among those following the stock. Foreign currency headwinds returned as a significant detractor from Philip Morris' performance during the period. The company said that the strong dollar took $0.06 per share off the bottom line and worked out to $369 million in downward pressure on revenue. On a currency-neutral basis, Philip Morris would've seen net revenue rise more than 3% versus year-earlier sales. Philip Morris got a nice boost from favorable volume trends. Total shipment volume of 175.8 billion units was up 1.1%. Cigarette shipments in particular were roughly flat from year-earlier numbers at 164.3 billion units, but iQOS heated-tobacco units shipped saw a 20% rise to 11.5 billion units. Yet that news wasn't entirely good, as Philip Morris got its iQOS success mostly from huge gains in European sales. In the East Asia and Australia segment, which includes the key Japanese market, iQOS volume was down 6.7%, and a big drop in cigarette volumes in that region made it the worst performer across Philip Morris' geographical reach. Some adverse distributor inventory movements of heated-tobacco units also weighed on reported volume gains. Story continues CEO Andre Calantzopoulos was happy to announce that iQOS had reached the 10 million user mark during the period. "Our first-quarter results represent a promising start to the year," Calantzopoulos said, "underpinned by a robust performance from our combustible portfolio and strong share growth from our smoke-free products, notably in Japan, Russia, and across the [European Union]." Can Philip Morris heat up from here? Philip Morris thinks that the first quarter was a good start to 2019. As the CEO put it, "This is an encouraging performance and puts us on track to deliver against our full-year adjusted diluted EPS currency-neutral growth forecast of at least 8% on a like-for-like basis." However, an accounting move forced it to make changes to its guidance for 2019. The company had to deconsolidate its Canadian Rothmans, Benson & Hedges subsidiary, removing its earnings from the parent company's overall results. That pulled Philip Morris' overall earnings projections down to $4.87 per share. Even after accounting for the deconsolidation and other factors, adjusted earnings of $5.23 per share would still be well below what the company was looking to see three months ago. iQOS has a lot of room left to grow, and Philip Morris will have to work hard to make a transition away from its conventional products. Even after the solid gains for the heated-tobacco system, iQOS sales make up just 2 percentage points of Philip Morris' international 28.4% market share excluding the U.S. and China. It's clear that despite its best intentions, Philip Morris will need a lot of time -- and plenty of further growth in promoting iQOS and similar alternatives -- to make cigarette sales an insignificant part of its overall business. More From The Motley Fool Dan Caplinger has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. By Emma Batha LONDON, April 30 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Most British parents think "pink for girls, blue for boys" marketing reinforces messages about what girls and boys can do, according to a survey released on Tuesday ahead of a major inquiry into the impact of early stereotyping. Education experts said toy marketing helped bolster messages about what was "appropriate" for each gender, which fed into later choices about which subjects to study and which careers to consider. The Fawcett Society, a campaign group that is launching a year-long commission to examine the issue, said it would challenge retailers and manufacturers "to drop the lazy stereotypes and use their power responsibly." Six in 10 parents agreed the way products were marketed for children reinforced stereotypes, according to the Fawcett study. "The messages we give to children, at home, at school and as a society, has a huge bearing on the choices they feel are open to them, the skills and interests they develop, and on their futures," said commission co-chairwoman Becky Francis. "We need to open up those choices for our children rather than narrowing them down," added Francis, director of University College London's Institute of Education. Most of those polled in the online survey of 1,018 people believed the issue also affected boys, with six in 10 agreeing it was more acceptable for a girl to be a "tomboy" than a boy to be "feminine." Nearly 70 percent of younger men said stereotypes had a damaging effect on perceptions of what it meant to be a man or a woman. The findings come at a time of heightened debate over "toxic masculinity" in the light of the #MeToo movement on sexual harassment. Commission co-chairman David Lammy, a lawmaker with the opposition Labour party who heads an all-party parliamentary group on fatherhood, said unjust stereotypes were "massively detrimental" to society. Story continues "As well as holding back women and girls, they send damaging messages to boys about what it means to be a man like whether it's okay to show emotion, or to have an equal role in parenting," he said in a statement. In 2011, London toy store Hamleys reorganized merchandise by category instead of gender after protests about stereotyping. In 2017, department store John Lewis removed gender labels from its children's clothing. Fawcett chief Sam Smethers said gender stereotypes were at the root of persistent inequalities, harmed children's self-esteem and conditioned their expectations. "Evidence shows that there is no such thing as a female or a male brain but retailers persist in creating and perpetuating gender differences just to sell products," she said. The Commission will seek practical changes to policy, the Fawcett Society said. Britain's Department for Education and the Government Equalities Office are on the Commission as members, and the results will be presented to government ministers as well as business and educators. (Reporting by Emma Batha @emmabatha; Editing by Claire Cozens. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's and LGBT+ rights, human trafficking, property rights, and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org) WARSAW, April 29 (Reuters) - Around 1,000 people, many eating bananas to make their point, protested in front of Warsaw's National Museum on Monday over a decision last week to remove artworks deemed "indecent" by the museum's director. One work, a 1973 video "Consumer Art" by Polish artist Natalia LL and stills from the video, show a woman eating a banana in sometimes lascivious poses. Only the video was removed on Friday according to the museum's officials. The museum also removed an installation by artist Katarzyna Kozyra depicting a woman walking two men dressed up as animals on a leash. The museum's director, Jerzy Miziolek, asked to have the artworks removed last Friday, saying that "certain topics related to gender shouldn't be explicitly shown," according to Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza. The museum has since promised to reinstate the artwork, but the protests went ahead anyway. "We are against censorship in our country, especially in arts," said 25-year-old lawyer Marta Syrewicz, walking towards the protest with a banana in hand. The controversy follows criticism of the Culture Ministry and of the ruling conservative Law and Justice (PiS) government for interfering in decisions on who heads cultural institutions like theaters and museums since taking power in 2015. For example, in 2017, the Culture Ministry refused to pay 300,000 zlotys that it had previously promised to a theater festival in the city of Poznan as it was critical of the festival's curator, Croatian artist Oliver Frljic. The Culture Ministry said in a statement published on its website that it plays no role in deciding cultural institutions' exhibition or repertoire policies, but it does follow up with the directors of these institutions regarding citizens' complaints. The ministry attached a copy of a letter from a concerned parent who said their child had been "traumatized" by the exhibition at the National Museum, which featured images of women undressing and children stabbed with knives. Story continues A number of Polish actors and politicians posted images of themselves eating bananas on social media, using hashtags like #jesuisbanan and #bananagate to protest what they called censorship by the museum and Culture Ministry. "The changes to the exhibition are in fact part of our commitment and new more dynamic vision for the functioning of the institution and not the depreciation of the museum's collection or its censorship," Miziolek said in a statement published on the museum's website on Monday. The PiS has sought to support more conservative, traditional values, embracing Catholicism and rejecting the promotion of LGBT rights ahead of parliamentary elections this year. (Reporting by Joanna Plucinska, Anna Koper, Alan Charlish, and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk Editing by Frances Kerry) WARSAW (Reuters) - Around 1,000 people, many eating bananas to make their point, protested in front of Warsaw's National Museum on Monday over a decision last week to remove artworks deemed "indecent" by the museum's director. One work, a 1973 video "Consumer Art" by Polish artist Natalia LL and stills from the video, show a woman eating a banana in sometimes lascivious poses. Only the video was removed on Friday according to the museum's officials. The museum also removed an installation by artist Katarzyna Kozyra depicting a woman walking two men dressed up as animals on a leash. The museum's director, Jerzy Miziolek, asked to have the artworks removed last Friday, saying that "certain topics related to gender shouldn't be explicitly shown", according to Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza. The museum has since promised to reinstate the artwork, but the protests went ahead anyway. "We are against censorship in our country, especially in arts," said 25-year-old lawyer Marta Syrewicz, walking towards the protest with a banana in hand. The controversy follows criticism of the Culture Ministry and of the ruling conservative Law and Justice (PiS) government for interfering in decisions on who heads cultural institutions like theaters and museums since taking power in 2015. For example, in 2017, the Culture Ministry refused to pay 300,000 zlotys that it had previously promised to a theater festival in the city of Poznan as it was critical of the festival's curator, Croatian artist Oliver Frljic. The Culture Ministry said in a statement published on its website that it plays no role in deciding cultural institutions' exhibition or repertoire policies, but it does follow up with the directors of these institutions regarding citizens' complaints. The ministry attached a copy of a letter from a concerned parent who said their child had been "traumatised" by the exhibition at the National Museum, which featured images of women undressing and children stabbed with knives. Story continues A number of Polish actors and politicians posted images of themselves eating bananas on social media, using hashtags like #jesuisbanan and #bananagate to protest what they called censorship by the museum and Culture Ministry. "The changes to the exhibition are in fact part of our commitment and new more dynamic vision for the functioning of the institution and not the depreciation of the museum's collection or its censorship," Miziolek said in a statement published on the museum's website on Monday. The PiS has sought to support more conservative, traditional values, embracing Catholicism and rejecting the promotion of LGBT rights ahead of parliamentary elections this year. (Reporting by Joanna Plucinska, Anna Koper, Alan Charlish, and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk; Editing by Frances Kerry) (Reuters) - Police investigating Saturday's fatal shooting rampage at a San Diego-area synagogue said on Sunday they believe the gunman acted alone and was not part of any organized group. The suspect, 19-year-old John Earnest, has been booked into custody on one count of murder in the first degree and three counts of attempted murder in the first degree, San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said in a statement. (Writing by Daniel Wallis; Editing by Peter Cooney) NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Seven people, including a 12-year-old girl, were killed in a string of Sumner County homicides investigators linked to a local man with a history of violence. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed the increased number of victims Sunday afternoon. Disturbing details of the crime and the suspect continued to emerge Sunday as the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation scoured two separate crime scenes in a densely wooded pocket of Sumner County near the Kentucky border. Law enforcement was still blocking two roads near where the victims were found Saturday in two homes about a mile from each other. Reports from the crime scene on Saturday night suggested five had been killed. The TBI said two other bodies were found later as agents continued their work. An eighth victim was critically injured but survived. Want news from USA TODAY on WhatsApp? Click this link on your mobile device to get started The TBI would not confirm the identity of any victims. District Attorney Ray Whitley confirmed a young girl was among the dead. Its terrible," Whitley said in a phone interview. "About as bad as it can get. Whitley would not say how any of the victims died. TBI spokesman Josh DeVine said the bodies had been sent for autopsies Sunday. Suspect arrested after manhunt, motive still in question The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation named Michael Cummins, 25, as a suspect and law enforcement took him into custody after a massive manhunt Saturday night. Cummins was shot by law enforcement while being captured, but he was in good condition Sunday. Whitley said criminal charges were being finalized. In addition to the homicides, he said, there was evidence that Cummins stole a car. TBI spokesman Josh DeVine said agents and forensic scientists were still working at both crime scenes. DeVine said the victims' bodies had been sent for autopsies to determine the cause of death. 'Massive' manhunt for suspect: Man in custody after 5 found dead in rural Tennessee Story continues Michael Cummins The crime scenes are in a wooded, rural part of northeastern Sumner County between Westmoreland and Oak Grove communities. Six of the homicide victims were found at a residence in the 1100 block of Charles Brown Road. The seventh was found in the 1500 block of Luby Brown Road. An eighth, injured victim was found at the home on Charles Brown Road. Margie Hatton, who lives near one of the crime scenes, said she had left her home and stayed elsewhere Saturday night, when officers were still looking for Cummins. "I didnt want to stay because they couldnt find him at that time," Hatton said in a phone interview. The TBI has not released information about the victims, but the agency said there was reason to believe the two crime scenes were related. The TBI is working to identify a motive. Suspect had violent criminal history Cummins had an extensive criminal record in Sumner County, according to court records confirmed by Sheriff Sonny Weatherford. He pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated arson and aggravated assault in Sumner County on July 19. A family friend said Cummins had tried to set a neighbor's home on fire. Other guilty pleas included domestic assault in August 2017, evading arrest in April 2017, theft in April 2017 and probation violations, Weatherford confirmed. Contributing: Nicole Young, The Nashville Tennessean This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Seven people killed in string of rural Tennessee homicides, authorities confirm Vijay Mallya reiterated his promise of "100 per cent payback" to state-owned Indian banks to cover the outstanding debt against his Kingfisher Airlines. The fugitive liquor baron took to Twitter on Monday to lament the downfall of Jet Airways, comparing it to the closure of Kingfisher Airlines. Mallya wrote on his Twitter feed: "Watched TV debate on the sad collapse of Jet which included unpaid employees and Industry veterans. Important issues on unemployment and suffering, security available to Banks, prospects of revival etc. Here I am offering 100% payback of KFA loans which Banks wont take. Why?" Watched TV debate on the sad collapse of Jet which included unpaid employees and Industry veterans. Important issues on unemployment and suffering, security available to Banks, prospects of revival etc. Here I am offering 100 % payback of KFA loans which Banks wont take. Why ? Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) April 28, 2019 Jet Airways had temporarily grounded its operartions earlier this month after lenders refused to infuse funds requested by the debt-laden carrier. In another tweet, he added: "Several Indian airlines collapsed sadly including KFA. Now the previously unthinkable has happened with the collapse of Jet. Genuine business failures. But I am criminally charged by CBI/ED despite offering 100% payback. Wonder why only me?" Several Indian airlines collapsed sadly including KFA. Now the previously unthinkable has happened with the collapse of Jet. Genuine business failures. But I am criminally charged by CBI/ED despite offering 100% payback. Wonder why only me ? Vijay Mallya (@TheVijayMallya) April 28, 2019 Last year in December, Mallya had offered to pay back the Indian banks in full, asking them to "Please take it". This was mere days before the Westminster Magistrates' Court in London upheld the extradition order to send him back to India to face legal action against charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to Rs 9,000 crore. ALSO READ:BT Buzz: Jet Airways - Hanging by a thread Mallya is undergoing a UK High Court appeals process against his extradition order signed off by UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid in February. Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot of the bench of Westminster Magistrates' Court had ruled last December in favour of his extradition to India. He is presently out on bail against an extradition warrant executed by Scotland Yard in April 2017. Earlier this month, Mallya had filed a renewal application before the UK High Court to avoid extradition to India. Mallya filed for an oral consideration after his first attempt at an application seeking "leave to appeal" was rejected by the court. The oral hearing will be held on July 2, where a judge will decide whether Mallya's plea against his extradition can proceed to a full-fledged hearing. ALSO READ:Vijay Mallya extradition: London court to hear fugitive tycoon's plea on July 2 By Sudarshan Varadhan NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Sunday it raided houses of three suspects in Kerala in connection with a case concerning 15 people who left India to join the militant Islamic State group, a week after bombings in Sri Lanka that killed more than 250. The coordinated suicide bombings by Islamist militants at hotels and churches in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday sent shockwaves through the Indian Ocean island state that had enjoyed relative peace since a civil war ended a decade ago. "These persons are suspected to have links with some of the accused persons in the said case who had exited India to join the proscribed terrorist organisation ISIS/Daish," the NIA said in a statement, using other names by which Islamic State is known. The investigators recovered mobile phones, SIM cards, digital storage devices including CDs and DVDs of radical Islamist preacher Zakir Naik and diaries with notes handwritten in Malayalam and Arabic, the NIA said. Current and former state police officials told Reuters Islamist extremism hardly posed a threat in the state, which they said had a history of peaceful co-existence between the majority Hindu community and religious minorities. "Compared to the large Islamic population, the percentage of people is a very small number, not at all a significant number," a senior state police official told Reuters. (Reporting by Sudarshan Varadhan; Editing by Martin Howell) Police have released CCTV footage of a suspected rapist (Picture: PA) Detectives probing the abduction and rape of two women in north London have released CCTV images of the suspect. The women, in their 20s, were snatched separately on Thursday, the first shortly after midnight from a street in Chingford, and the second around 12 hours later at 12.15pm from a street in Edgware, Metropolitan Police said. The suspect drove the women to a hotel and attempted to book a room at around 1pm, but left when this was unavailable. The women escaped after a struggle in Osborne Road, Watford, at about 2.30pm, police said. The suspect is described as a white man of muscular build, in his late 20s or early 30s, with a bald head or shaved blond hair and a light-coloured short beard. CCTV handout image issued by the Metropolitan Police of a suspect involved in the abduction and rape of two women in north London (Picture: PA) CCTV of the car that was driven by the suspect in the abduction and rape of two women in London last week (Picture: PA) He is described as having a distinctive tattoo of the name Bobbie on his stomach. The car he was driving is believed to be a silver or grey Ford S-Max people carrier, with false registration plates. Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin, leading the investigation, said the women were left traumatised by the random but linked attacks. Read more Health Secretary adds prominent addiction warnings to opioid painkillers Nicola Sturgeon calls for second referendum vote - 'Scotland needs independent future Heathrow Airport introduces technology so you won't have to show your passport She said: "Our investigation into these appalling crimes is making good process and my team continue to work extremely hard, but we urgently need the help of the public to identify and trace this man. "I would ask everyone to take a good look at his image - does this man look familiar? "We believe he travelled around north London and Hertfordshire in his car from the early hours of Thursday and he may have come into contact with other members of the public. Two women in their 20s were abducted and raped in London last week (Picture: PA) "Equally he may have abandoned his car somewhere - if an unfamiliar car of this description is now parked on your street, call police straight away. "We would ask anyone with any information to contact us immediately." Story continues A CCTV still of a car believed to be a silver or grey Ford S-Max people carrier has also been released. A 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to rape. The hunt for the rapist continues. Police officers have shot and arrested a man suspected of killing five people in two homes in rural Tennessee. Michael Cummins, 25, became the subject of a mass manhunt after four bodies were found at a property near the town of Westmoreland and a fifth discovered at a second home nearby. A sixth person, who is believed to have called police, was also found suffering unspecified injuries at the first scene. Cummins himself was shot by at least one SWAT officer after he emerged from a wood holding several weapons, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said. He was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Police spokesman Josh DeVine told a press conference: The community should hopefully be able to rest a little bit easier tonight, knowing that [Cummins] is in custody. Authorities have not released any details about the victims and have not said exactly how they were killed. It is not clear if Cummins knew them. Washington (AFP) - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday warned that Russia would seek to interfere in elections for decades ahead and vowed that Washington would try to thwart its efforts. Pompeo was asked if he expected Russia to meddle in next year's US election, after a long-awaited report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller found that Moscow tried to sway the 2016 presidential race to Donald Trump. The top US diplomat said to expect a similar Russian campaign next year but criticized the spotlight inside Washington on the Russian role, which has infuriated President Donald Trump. "It goes without saying, they were a threat to our elections in 1974, too, and they interfered in our elections in the '80s," Pompeo told a forum of The Hill newspaper. "The fact that this town seems shocked by the fact that the Russians don't care for us -- in that case the Soviet Union -- I find stunning," he said. "And we should expect in 2050, the Russians will be at it still." Pompeo, however, said that Trump "has directed us all to be incredibly focused" on countering meddling by Russia as well as other adversaries. The Mueller investigation, which had cast a shadow over Trump since he took office, documented widespread Russian attempts to influence the election but did not find that the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow. Trump has since voiced anger on the rival Democratic Party for challenging him on Russia, insisting that he won on his own merits. Russia denies election interference and accuses the United States of wrongful meddling of its own in the domestic affairs of countries such as Venezuela. Vatican City (AFP) - Pope Francis on Monday welcomed hairdressers, hairstylists and beauticians to the Vatican but warned them not to indulge in gossip while feathering locks or painting fingernails. "Practise your profession in a Christian style, treating customers with kindness and courtesy, and always offering them a good word and encouragement," he said. Snip split ends and wax limbs while "avoiding giving in to the temptation of chatter that easily creeps into your work environment," he urged them during an audience in the Vatican. He said the cosmetologists should be guided by their patron saint, Peruvian Martino de Porres, a 16th-century barber-surgeon whose miracles include levitation, being in two places at once, instant cures, and an ability to communicate with animals. De Porres, who is also the patron saint of mixed-race people, innkeepers and public health workers, was a barber-surgeon in Lima, an ancient trade which covered everything from haircuts to amputations and bloodletting. "Each of you, in your professional work, can always act with righteousness, thus making a positive contribution to the common good of society," Francis said. The Argentine pontiff opened a barber shop and washrooms for the homeless in Saint Peter's Square in 2015. Sandy Huffaker/AFP/Getty POWAY, CaliforniaNineteen-year-old nursing student John T. Earnest, who was charged with murder Sunday as the lone gunman in the deadly Poway Synagogue shooting, played piano for hours a day and earned a 4.31 grade point average. His father was a church elder whom neighbors called the sweetest man. But somewhere on his path, Earnest took a terrible turn, claiming Adolf Hitler as an idol and writing what appears to be his own rambling manifesto that Jews deserved nothing but hell. He wanted to be the one to, as he put it, Send. Them. There. Police say someone purporting to be him posted the anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, white supremacist manifestowhich eerily mirrored the Q&A style that Christchurch terrorist Brenton Tarrant used in his own pre-massacre diatribeabout 20 minutes before he walked into the Poway synagogue with an AR-15 style assault rifle and started shootingkilling one woman and injuring three othersbefore the gun malfunctioned and he was chased out by an armed security guard. Earnest was arrested by police a few minutes after the shooting as he fled, called 911, and told them where to find him off an exit on a California highway, authorities said. As an officer approached, he exited his vehicle, raised his hands, and surrendered. A rifle was recovered from the car. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday on one count of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted first-degree murder, according to the San Diego County Sheriffs Department. In his online posting, Earnest championed the likes of Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 people at the Tree of Life synagogue shootings in Pittsburgh six months ago, Tarrant, who killed 50 people in a New Zealand mosque in March; and Hitler. He used mainstream social media like Twitter and the fringe message boards 8Chan in what has become a proven way for terrorist groups and lone wolves alike to ensure that propaganda is disseminated to both those looking for it and those who are not. He posted the original screed on Pastebin.com and Mediafire.com, and linked to them on 8Chan. Like Tarrant, he promised to live-stream his killing spree, which he evidently failed to pull off. Facebook immediately removed the profile link he intended to use, but had somehow not seen the warning signs when he created the page. Story continues Sheriff William Gore of the San Diego County Sheriffs Department said during a press conference late Sunday that authorities were carrying out searches in the suspects home and looking into digital evidence and checking the authenticity of an online manifesto. If it is validated as authentic, the student, who was previously unknown to police, found footing in the usual tenets of hate and the now all-too-familiar desire for infamy. Zach Keele, pastor of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, where Earnests father was an elder, or officer of the church, confirmed that he was part of the parish. So John T. Earnest is a member here, he told The Daily Beast. We completely deplore what he did. That is not part of our practices, our teachings in any way. Our hearts, our prayers, our tears go out to the victims, to all those wonderful neighbors at the synagogue. Keele said Earnest had never appeared to be the sort of person who would carry out this sort of an attack. This is a complete surprise, he said. In a service at the church on Sunday, Keele delivered a sermon on betrayal and forgiveness, offering condolences to the victimsbut also to Earnests family. We pray, Lord, for those who are hurting, and we pray for the victims of that synagogue, Keele told the crowd of 50 or so parishioners. We deeply mourn that this evil came out from us. We do not understand it, oh Lord, and we pray that you would forgive us for any such shortcoming, for any good deeds we left undone. We pray, Lord, that you will be with the Earnest family. Speaking to his congregation after the service, Keele said he had spoken with Earnests parents the night before. They had spent the night huddled in their other sons apartment close to the beach while their own house was searched by SWAT teams, he said. Earnests father plans to release a statement Monday morning through an attorney. Its a good statement, Keele said. They have good family support. The minister added that Earnest must suffer the full punishment of the law. Still, he hopes he will recant his hatred. Keele plans to visit the young man in prison, if convicted, he said. After the service, Gerrit Groenewold, a board member at the Orthodox Presbyterian Church who happens to be the father of the girlfriend of one of Earnests brothers, told The Daily Beast that he had noticed Earnest had seemed quiet, and often tried to reach out to the young man, but with little luck. I have tried to talk to John several times, but he is very silent and very reclusive. I noticed that he was quiet and just wanted to have contact... The other [members of his family] are not nearly as quiet, he said. Its not good if someone is that quiet. He needs to be part of the community, to let them know what is going on. Earnest also claimed responsibility for an attempted arson attack last month on Dar-ul-Arqam Mosque in Escondido, about nine miles from Poway, Security cameras at the mosque caught a suspect breaking a lock and pouring liquid on a side door but had failed to identify the person. Gore said investigators are now looking his possible involvement in the arson and vandalism of mosque. In a comment that was left after the synagogue shooting, someone asks, How does a child of such privilege go so horribly wrong? Where does this hatred come from? Late Saturday afternoon, California State University San Marcos president Karen S. Haynes confirmed that Earnest had been enrolled at the its nursing school. We are dismayed and disheartened that the alleged shooternow in custodyis a CSUSM student. CSUSM is working collaboratively with the San Diego County Sheriffs Department to assist and gain more information, Haynes said in a statement. We are heartbroken by this tragedy, which was motivated by hate and anti-Semitism. A man who identified himself as Earnests grandfather expressed shock at his grandsons role in the deadly shooting on Saturday. He did what? the man told The Daily Beast when reached by phone. That is out of whack. My heart is sinking into my chest. Im going to hang up now. By Saturday evening, police had barricaded the streets leading to the cul-de-sac in Rancho Penasquitos, a hilly, middle-class suburb of San Diego about seven miles from the synagogue where Earnest lives with his family. More than three dozen law enforcement officers, including FBI agents, ATF agents, and cops, were at the scene. Eyewitnesses told The Daily Beast that the family left their home under police escort hours earlier. Around 9 p.m. local time, law enforcement had secured a search warrant to enter Earnests house, which may well confirm the authenticity of his hate-filled screed and could possibly uncover how far he was willing to act on his hate. Read more at The Daily Beast. Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here Out of the nine states voting in the Phase 4 of the Lok Sabha Election 2019, is Mamata Banerjee's home turf West Bengal. Eight constituencies in the state are going to the polls today. However, as voting started reports of clashes in West Bengal started pouring in. According to reports clashes erupted between TMC workers and security personnel at polling booth number 199 in Asansol. A TMC polling agent has said that no BJP polling agent was present at the booth. BJP MP Babul Supriyo's car was also vandalised outside the polling station. West Bengal: BJP MP candidate from Asansol, Babul Supriyo's car vandalised in Asansol. A TMC polling agent says, there is no BJP polling agent here. pic.twitter.com/kBNmpXCvPD - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 Visuals of clashes between TMC workers and QRF and security personnel outside polling booth number 125 and 129 in Assansol. According to reports, a disagreement erupted between BJP and CPI (M) workers after TMC workers insisted on polling despite the absence of central forces. #WATCH Clash between TMC workers and QRF and security personnel outside polling booth number 125-129 in Asansol, after disagreement erupted between BJP & CPI(M) workers after TMC workers insisted on polling despite absence of central forces. #WestBengalpic.twitter.com/wmTE97gY4i - ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 According to reports, villagers at Jemua's polling booth numbers 222 and 226 in Asansol said that they were boycotting the elections due to the absence of central forces. Polling has been suspended at the polling stations. Babul Supriyo, whose car was vandalised, said that he will himself take the central forces to the polling station. "I will myself take the central forces to that polling station. It is very good that people in West Bengal are aware and they want central forces so that they can cast their vote. This is why Mamata Banerjee is scared," he said. Elections are being held in nine states in 71 constituencies. More than 940 candidates are in the fray for this round. The states that will be voting in this phase are: Maharashtra (17 parliamentary constituencies), Rajasthan (13), Uttar Pradesh (13) and West Bengal (8), Madhya Pradesh (6), Odisha (6), Bihar (5), Jharkhand (3), and Jammu and Kashmir (1). Also read: Lok Sabha Election 2019 Phase 4 Live Updates: 10.3% voter turnout till 9AM; violence in West Bengal Also read: Lok Sabha Election 2019: Poll dates, full schedule, voting FAQs, election results, constituencies' details Moscow (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Ukrainians and Russians were "one people" and would benefit from common citizenship, after he angered Kiev by offering to fast-track Russian passports for Ukrainians. "I've said many times that Ukrainians and Russians are brotherly nations. More over, I believe that they are essentially one people with various cultural, linguistic and historic peculiarities," a smiling Putin told reporters. "If Ukraine gives passports to Russians and we in Russia give passports and citizenship to Ukrainians then sooner or later we will inevitably have a predictable outcome -- everyone will have common citizenship." "This should be welcomed," Putin said before saying "Goodbye" to reporters in Ukrainian. Observers are closely watching for signs of a thaw in ties between Russia and Ukraine after a comedian with no political experience, Volodymyr Zelensky, won a landslide victory in presidential elections in Ukraine this month. The Kremlin has not congratulated Zelensky, and in one of the first announcements after the vote Putin said Moscow was thinking of making it easier for all Ukrainians to obtain Russian citizenship. Last week, Putin signed a decree allowing people living in breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine to receive a Russian passport within three months of applying for one. Kiev and the West have condemned the decree, saying Putin is seeking to further destabilise Ukraine, while critics at home say the move would be a major burden for the already-struggling Russian economy. In 2014, Moscow annexed Crimea and moved to support Russian-speaking separatists in eastern Ukraine. Some in Kiev and the West worry that Moscow's offer of citizenship to Ukrainians would give the Kremlin a justification to move troops across the border under the pretext of protecting the interests of Russian nationals. Zelensky, in response, has pledged to grant Ukrainian citizenship to Russians who "suffer" under Kremlin rule. Story continues Zelensky said he doubted many Ukrainians would take Moscow up on its offer because a Russian passport means "the right to be arrested for a peaceful protest" and "the right not to have free and competitive elections." Putin on Monday appeared to go out of his way to show he was not offended. "We have a lot in common," he said, referring to Zelensky. "It means we'll find a common language." Zelensky's critics, led by outgoing president Petro Poroshenko, have said the 41-year-old political novice will not be able to stand up to Putin. He is due to take office by early June. (Reuters) - The rabbi wounded in Saturday's deadly shooting at his Southern California synagogue praised an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent who fired at the fleeing suspect. "I had spoken to him in the past about coming to the synagogue armed because he's trained, and I want trained security as much as possible," Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein told CNN, speaking from a local hospital. "Unfortunately, we couldn't afford to have an armed security officer at every service, so whenever we had extra help, we were grateful for it." The agent, named by the rabbi as Jonathan Morales, had recently discovered his Jewish heritage and traveled more than 100 miles (160 km) each way to visit the synagogue from his home in El Centro, a city on the border with Mexico, the rabbi said. The sheriff of San Diego County, Bill Gore, told reporters on Saturday the officer fired as the gunman was fleeing, missing the suspect but hitting his car. Police said on Sunday that Oscar Stewart, a 51-year-old worshipper from nearby Rancho Bernardo, saved lives by rushing at the gunman and chasing him to his car outside. "While Mr. Stewart was near the vehicle, (the) off-duty Border Patrol Agent caught up to the vehicle and yelled for Mr. Stewart to get out of the way," Gore said in a statement. "Stewart risked his life to stop the shooter and saved lives in the process." One woman was killed and three others wounded, including the rabbi, who lost a finger and had surgery to try to save more of his hand. Shortly after the shooting, the suspected gunman, 19-year-old John Earnest, called police to say he was involved and then surrendered on a highway in nearby Rancho Bernardo. Earnest appears to be the author of a "manifesto" posted online who claimed to have set fire to a mosque last month and drew inspiration from last month's mass shooting at two mosques in New Zealand that killed 50 people. U.S. President Donald Trump praised Morales, writing on Twitter: "He may have been off duty but his talents for Law Enforcement weren't!" "Hate and violence against anyone because of their race, ethnicity or religion has no place in our society," senior Customs and Border Protection official John Sanders said in a statement. (Reporting by Joseph Ax and Keith Coffman; Editing by Daniel Wallis, Lisa Shumaker and Sonya Hepinstall) Today's forecast: the end of the world. Well, not really, but if a big enough asteroid was on a collision course with Earth, we'd really have something more than scattered showers to worry about. NASA (not to mention the rest of us) would like to avoid such a catastrophe. The agency is conducting a drill this week to see how we'd prepare if a giant space rock was hurtling toward our home planet. "Although large impacts are rare, its important to be prepared," NASA said in a statement. "Thats why NASA, other U.S. agencies and international partners gather periodically to simulate impact scenarios and discuss the best course of action for disaster mitigation." The project will play out as a tabletop exercise Monday-Friday at the 2019 Planetary Defense Conference in College Park, Maryland, Space.com said. NASA asteroid experts prepared a fictional scenario in which an asteroid will apparently crash into Earth in 2027. Space.com said, "They'll talk through how to determine what regions face what risks and how to respond all in the hopes that if they ever face a similar situation in real life, they'll be ready for it." To avoid any unnecessary panic, the conference plainly states on its website that "although this scenario is realistic in many ways, it is completely fictional and does NOT describe an actual potential asteroid impact." Lindley Johnson, NASA's planetary defense officer, said in a statement that "these exercises have really helped us in the planetary defense community to understand what our colleagues on the disaster management side need to know. This exercise will help us develop more effective communications with each other and with our governments." The drill is part of the "National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Strategy and Action Plan" developed over two years and published by the White House in June 2018. More: 1,000 mph winds, shock waves deadliest effects of asteroid strike Story continues NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office, which leads the drill, is the federal entity in charge of coordinating efforts to protect Earth from hazardous asteroids. It's responsible for finding, tracking and characterizing potentially hazardous objects heading toward Earth and issuing warnings about possible impacts, should there be an actual threat. For more than 20 years, NASA and its international partners have scanned the skies for "near-Earth objects," or asteroids and comets that orbit the sun and come within 30 million miles of Earths orbit. NASA has participated in six of these impact exercises three at Planetary Defense Conferences (2013, 2015, 2017) and three jointly with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Deflecting an asteroid on a collision course with Earth would have to be done years before the predicted impact. The two most promising techniques NASA is investigating are the "kinetic impactor" (striking an asteroid with an object to slightly slow it down) and the "gravity tractor" (gravitationally tugging on an asteroid by placing a large mass near it). Fortunately, no known asteroid poses a significant risk of impact with Earth over the next 100 years, according to NASA. A study in 2017 found the deadliest effects of an asteroid impact would be ferocious winds of up to 1,000 mph and intense shock waves. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Are we ready for the end of the world? NASA conducts drill for potential asteroid strike BEIJING (AP) A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons in waters crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and potential oil and gas reserves: ___ EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a weekly look at developments in the South China Sea, the location of several territorial conflicts in the region. ___ US WARSHIPS SAIL THROUGH TAIWAN STRAIT Taiwan's defense ministry says a pair of U.S. warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait over the weekend, in a move likely to spark protest from Beijing. The ministry said the ships made the passage on Sunday, sailing from south to north through the waterway that divides the self-governing island from mainland China. Beijing frequently objects to the movement of foreign military vessels in the strait based on its claim to Taiwan as its own territory to be annexed by force if necessary. China has been increasingly willing to protest actions by foreign militaries in areas it considers its home waters or spheres of influence. That especially applies to the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety. Last week, China complained to France about a French warship it said had passed through the Taiwan Strait. The April 7 incident marked a rare case of military friction between the two countries, which have previously held joint search and rescue exercises. The Taiwan Strait enters the South China Sea at its southern end. Control of both waterbodies is considered a linchpin of Chinese naval strategy. ___ CHINA, RUSSIA PREPARE FOR JOINT NAVAL EXERCISES A Russian naval task force has arrived in the northern Chinese port of Qingdao ahead of joint naval exercises this week that reinforce the growing bond between Beijing and Moscow. During the drills, the sides will practice maneuvering and communicating and, "perform missile launches and deliver artillery fire at sea and air targets as well as practice search and rescue operations," Russia's state news agency Tass reported. Story continues The Russian squadron is led by the missile cruiser Varyag and also comprises the large landing ships Oslyabya, Admiral Vinogradov and Admiral Tributs, along with the corvette Sovershenny, salvage tug Igor Belousov and sea tanker Irkut, Tass said. China has said the exercise will involve a total of 13 surface ships, 2 submarines, 7 fighter jets, 4 helicopters, and a unit of 80 marines. Tass said aircraft from the Chinese naval aviation force would take part, along with diesel electric submarines from both sides. Bonded by a common rivalry with the U.S., Moscow and Beijing have forged what they describe as a "strategic partnership," expressing their shared opposition to the "unipolar" world a term they use to describe perceived U.S. global dominance. Russia has also offered rhetorical support for China's position on its claims in the South China Sea. Last September, about 3,200 Chinese troops joined Russia's largest-ever war games in Siberia, in which nearly 300,000 Russian troops conducted drills. ___ DUTERTE RAISES SOUTH CHINA SEA IN MEETING WITH XI Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte raised his nation's concerns over territorial disputes in the South China Sea at a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing that followed the signing of multi-billion dollar trade agreements. The official Philippine News Agency said Duterte "reiterated to Xi his resolve to endeavor to make the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) a sea of peace, stability, and prosperity." "He expounded the need for both countries to exercise restraint and caution to avoid actions that could complicate situations," the agency quoted Duterte's spokesman Salvador Panelo as saying. Duterte said in early April that he had few options other than to order troops to "prepare for suicide missions" if a Philippine-occupied island in the South China Sea comes under threat from China. Despite such rhetoric, Duterte has generally adopted a non-confrontational approach in territorial spats with Beijing while seeking Chinese infrastructure funds, trade and investment. He has declined to push a ruling that invalidated China's historical claims to the South China Sea through arbitration proceedings held by a tribunal in The Hague under the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Philippine News Agency quoted Panelo as saying that deals in energy and infrastructure signed during Duterte's visit totaled more than $12 billion, with the potential to create more than 21,000 jobs. ___ CHINA COMPLAINS OVER BRITISH NAVAL OPERATIONS Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua has blamed British activity in the South China Sea for a downturn in relations in comments at the start of a meeting with British treasury chief Philip Hammond. Hu's comments Thursday appear to illustrate how China is now willing to permit assertions of its territorial claims to affect ties with nations from outside the region. In his remarks to Hammond, Hu appeared to reference a mission by a British warship last August. At the time, China denounced the passage of the British warship HMS Albion close to Chinese-claimed islands in the South China Sea's Paracel group. That development was seen as possibly affecting negotiations on a post-Brexit trade agreement between the sides. "It is regrettable that since August last year the relations between our two countries witnessed some fluctuations because of the South China Sea issue and a series of institutional dialogues and cooperation projects had to pause," Hu said. 816 Acoma St. | Photos: Zumper Curious just how far your dollar goes in Denver? We've rounded up the latest rental offerings via rental site Zumper to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to finding a place in Denver if you don't want to spend more than $2,000/month on rent. Take a look at the listings, below. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 25 N. Downing St., #1-404 (Speer) Listed at $2,000/month, this 875-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo is located at 25 N. Downing St., #1-404. When it comes to building amenities, expect assigned parking, a fitness center, an elevator, storage space, secured entry and on-site management. In the unit, there is a balcony, a walk-in closet, a dishwasher and in-unit laundry. Attention, dog owners: Fido is permitted here. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. Per Walk Score ratings, the surrounding area is friendly for those on foot, is quite bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. (See the complete listing here.) 4728 W. 32nd Ave. (West Highland) Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom townhouse situated at 4728 W. 32nd Ave. It's also listed for $2,000/month for its 685 square feet of space. The building has garage parking and outdoor space. In the townhouse, there is a dishwasher, air conditioning and in-unit laundry. Both cats and dogs are permitted. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. According to Walk Score, this location is very walkable, has some bike infrastructure and has a few nearby public transportation options. (Take a gander at the complete listing here.) 2032 N. High St. (City Park West) Located at 2032 N. High St., here's a 964-square-foot one-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom townhouse that's listed for $1,950/month. In the unit, you can anticipate hardwood floors, high ceilings, a dishwasher and in-unit laundry. The building features garage parking and storage space. Good news for dog lovers: pups are permitted. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. Story continues Per Walk Score ratings, this location is very walkable, is a "biker's paradise" and has good transit options. (See the complete listing here.) 816 Acoma St. (Civic Center) Listed at $1,947/month, this 817-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom is located at 816 Acoma St. In the furnished condo, you can expect a walk-in closet and granite countertops. The building offers a swimming pool, a fitness center, a business center and secured entry. Good news for animal lovers: both dogs and cats are allowed here. There's no leasing fee associated with this rental. Per Walk Score ratings, this location is extremely walkable, is great for biking and has good transit options. (Take a look at the complete listing here.) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. 2111 E. Ivanhoe Place. | Photos: Zumper Curious just how far your dollar goes in Milwaukee? We've rounded up the latest rental offerings via rental site Zumper to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to finding housing in Milwaukee with a budget of $1,500/month. Read on for the listings. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 1809 N. Cambridge Ave., #502 (Lower East Side) Listed at $1,495/month, this 750-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment is located at 1809 N. Cambridge Ave., #502. Unit amenities include hardwood floors, in-unit laundry and stainless steel appliances. The building features extra storage space. Pet lovers are in luck: cats and dogs are welcome. Look out for a broker's fee equal to half of one month's rent. Walk Score indicates that the surrounding area has excellent walkability, is easy to get around on a bicycle and has good transit options. (Take a look at the complete listing here.) 221 E. Oregon St. (Harbor View) Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom situated at 221 E. Oregon St. It's listed for $1,475/month for its 874 square feet of space. The building offers outdoor space. In the unit, look in-unit laundry and a balcony. Pet owners, take heed: cats and dogs are welcome. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. Walk Score indicates that the surrounding area is friendly for those on foot, is very bikeable and offers many nearby public transportation options. (Take a gander at the complete listing here.) 1918 E. Lafayette Place (Northpoint) Here's an 825-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom at 1918 E. Lafayette Place that's going for $1,468/month. In the furnished unit, you'll get air conditioning, hardwood flooring and in-unit laundry. The building boasts garage parking, secured entry and a fitness center. For those with furry friends in tow, know that cats and dogs are allowed on this property. Story continues Per Walk Score ratings, the area around this address is extremely walkable, is convenient for biking and has good transit options. (Take a look at the full listing here.) 441 E. Erie St. (Historic Third Ward) Next, check out this 654-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom that's located at 441 E. Erie St. It's listed for $1,438/month. In the furnished unit, you'll get air conditioning, hardwood flooring and a deck. The building offers a roof deck, a fitness center and on-site management. Both cats and dogs are allowed. According to Walk Score's assessment, this location is very walkable, is very bikeable and has good transit options. (Check out the complete listing here.) 2111 E. Ivanhoe Place (Northpoint) Located at 2111 E. Ivanhoe Place, here's a 744-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom that's listed for $1,425/month. In the unit, you can expect air conditioning, high ceilings and a balcony. Building amenities include garage parking, outdoor space and a fitness center. If you've got a pet, you'll be happy to learn that cats and dogs are permitted. According to Walk Score, this location is a "walker's paradise," is a "biker's paradise" and offers many nearby public transportation options. (See the complete listing here.) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. BSE and NSE are shut today on account of Lok Sabha election in Mumbai. Forex and commodity markets including metal and bullion too will not see any trading activity on account of polling in Mumbai. On Friday, the Sensex soared 336 points to close at 39,067.33 level. On similar lines, the NSE Nifty climbed 112.85 points, or 0.97 per cent, to 11,754.65. During the week, Sensex dropped 72 points, or 0.18 per cent; while the Nifty gained just 1.85 points, or 0.01 per cent. The rupee rebounded by 23 paise to close at 70.02 against the US dollar on Friday after Brent crude oil prices receded from a six-month high of USD 75.60/barrel. Tata Steel was the biggest gainer on Sensex, spurting 6.67 per cent after the company posted a rise in consolidated income for the March quarter. Axis Bank gained 2.61 per cent it reported a net profit of Rs 1,505 crore for the March quarter, driven by a significant decline in provisioning and higher interest income. Polling is being held in 17 seats in Maharashtra, 13 each in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, eight in West Bengal, six each in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, five in Bihar, three in Jharkhand and a part of the Anantnag constituency in Jammu and Kashmir. In Maharashtra, where election will come to end with this phase, the opposition Congress is facing a tough task of reclaiming its lost base in north Maharashtra and Mumbai, while the NCP is trying to get a foothold in Thane district and Western Maharashtra. The BJP and its ally Shiv Sena had won all 17 seats in 2014. Union minister Subhash Bhamre, and Congress leaders Milind Deora and Urmila Matondkar are among the 323 candidates in the fray in this phase. Edited by Aseem Thapliyal 6633 E. Greenway Pkwy. | Photos: Zumper Curious just how far your dollar goes in Phoenix? We've rounded up the latest rental offerings via rental site Zumper to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to hunting down a rental in Phoenix with a budget of $1,500/month. Take a peek at what rentals the city has to offer, below. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 6633 E. Greenway Pkwy. (Paradise Valley) Listed at $1,500/month, this 921-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom is located at 6633 E. Greenway Parkway. In the unit, expect a balcony, walk-in closet and in-unit laundry. Good news for animal lovers: both dogs and cats are welcome here. The building has a fitness center, a swimming pool and outdoor space. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. According to Walk Score's assessment, the area around this address requires a car for most errands, is convenient for biking and has a few nearby public transportation options. (Check out the complete listing here.) North Kierland Boulevard, #A1 (Paradise Valley) Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment situated at North Kierland Boulevard. It's listed for $1,495/month for its 924 square feet of space. When it comes to building amenities, expect a swimming pool, a fitness center and outdoor space. In the apartment, there are hardwood floors, high ceilings and a fireplace. For those with furry friends in tow, know that cats and dogs are permitted on this property. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. According to Walk Score's assessment, this location is moderately suitable for walking and biking, and offers some transit options. (See the complete listing here.) McDowell Road and Central Avenue, #504 (Central City) Here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at McDowell Road and Central Avenue, #504 that's going for $1,490/month. Story continues In the unit, you'll get hardwood flooring, high ceilings and a walk-in closet. The building has a fitness center, a swimming pool and an elevator. Pet lovers are in luck: cats and dogs are welcome. Walk Score indicates that this location is very convenient for walking and biking, and boasts good transit options. (Take a look at the full listing here.) West Indian School Road and Third Avenue, #392 (Encanto) Next, check out this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment that's located at West Indian School Road and Third Avenue. It's listed for $1,472/month. In the unit, you'll get hardwood floors, air conditioning and a balcony. Amenities offered in the building include a swimming pool, a fitness center and a residents' lounge. If you've got a pet, you'll be happy to learn that cats and dogs are welcome. Walk Score indicates that this location is very suitable for walking and biking, and offers good transit options. (See the complete listing here.) 4465 E. Paradise Village Parkway South, #1146 (Paradise Valley) Listed at $1,450/month, this 851-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment is located at 4465 E. Paradise Village Parkway South, #1146. In the furnished unit, you can anticipate hardwood flooring, a fireplace and granite countertops. Amenities offered in the building include a swimming pool, a fitness center and garage parking. Pets are not welcome. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental. According to Walk Score's assessment, this location is moderately suitable for walking and biking, and offers some transit options. (See the complete listing here.) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. ALAMOSA, Colo. (AP) In this scruffy, high-desert town encircled by prairies and potato farms, Sen. Cory Gardner drew shouts of approval last week for his message that Democrats are shoving the country toward socialism. "That's not what government is or what it should be," he told about 200 Alamosa County Republicans at a barbecue fundraiser in a National Guard armory. "We have to stand up and fight. Are you going to join me in this fight?" For Gardner and other Republicans making the same pitch , including President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the key question is whether it will attract moderate voters, not just their conservative stalwarts. Based on interviews with over three dozen Coloradans last week from Denver's suburbs south to this town in the flat San Luis Valley, the argument has yet to take root, though the GOP has 18 months to sell it before Election Day 2020. Few volunteered a drift toward socialism as a major worry, with health care and living costs cited far more frequently. Several said capitalism was too embedded in the U.S. to be truly threatened and Republicans were using socialism to stir unease with Democrats by raising the specter of the old, repressive Soviet Union and today's chaotic Venezuela. "They're preying on fear," said David Kraemer, 67, a financial adviser who's not registered with a political party and lives in the Denver suburb of Westminster. Yet when asked directly whether socialism was a concern, many expressed a wariness of injecting more government into people's lives. Rather than naming policies that troubled them, many mentioned two self-proclaimed democratic socialists: Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, who's seeking the Democratic presidential nomination , and freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. The comments suggested that Republicans might be tapping into unease over letting either party go too far. Story continues "Checks and balances are what make this country so great," said Steve Lajoie, 46, a self-employed carpenter from Denver and independent voter. Gardner, 44, who's expected to face a tough re-election fight next year, has been repeating his argument for months. He cites liberal Democrats' "Medicare for All" bills for government-provided health care, and a Green New Deal proposal for aggressively cutting carbon emissions. Sanders has sponsored Medicare for All legislation that's been embraced by many of his Democratic presidential rivals. Ocasio-Cortez is an architect of the Green New Deal, which remains a concept, not proposed legislation. Many Democrats, especially moderates, have kept their distance from both plans, divisions Republicans are happy to exploit. Democrats reject the socialism assertion as a distraction from Trump's unpopularity and the issues they will emphasize, especially improving health care and protecting jobs and income. They say efforts to make health care more available and combat global warming have nothing to do with limiting individuals' rights. Democrats note that voters gave them total control of Colorado government in November despite GOP attempts to pin the socialism label on former U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, who was elected governor. They say growing numbers of younger, urban and Hispanic residents are steadily making the state more liberal. GOP cries of socialism are "Cold War stuff" that's irrelevant to most voters, said Morgan Carroll, chairwoman of the Colorado Democratic Party. "I think that probably does fire up their base, but you cannot win an election in Colorado with the Republican base alone," Carroll said. Republicans see a powerful argument in telling voters they need a GOP-controlled Senate for protection against Democrats who are coming after their current health insurance, their energy sector jobs and more. "I think we're running to be the firewall that saves the country from socialism," McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters recently. Republicans say the anti-socialism message will prove powerful in a state that overwhelmingly rejected a ballot initiative creating single-payer health care and where registered unaffiliated voters, often with libertarian leanings, outnumber both Democrats and Republicans. The GOP hopes the appeal will win over suburbanites whose distaste for Trump helped Democrats capture the House in the fall. They note that public opinion polls find socialism is especially unpopular among older voters, Republicans and moderates. Avery Jones, of Westminster, is one potential target. "Taxes kill," said Jones, 27. While she's eager to improve her family's health coverage, she sees "some merit" to checking Democrats from pushing toward universal health care because "it would just drive up taxes." But for every Jones, there's a Rhett Lucero. Lucero, 40, eating lunch at the Riverwalk park that winds through the city of Pueblo, says Democrats' efforts to expand health coverage and curb global warming make sense. "It's helping each other out," said the auto body mechanic, who, like Jones, is an unaffiliated voter. "It's putting our taxes to a real good use." Not all Democrats are dismissive of the socialism strategy. Eva Henry, a commissioner of Adams County outside Denver, says her community's blue-collar families might buy the GOP argument if they believe Democrats' proposals would drive up taxes. "Our Democrats can vote Republican because they vote their pocketbooks," the Democrat said. Pueblo Mayor Nicholas Gradisar said he doubts the argument will sway many Democrats but warned, "Democrats have to be wary of it and they have to respond" by telling voters the party "will give you a fair shake." Pueblo County, south of the economically surging corridor that runs from Boulder to Colorado Springs, leans Democratic but backed Trump in 2016. Republicans, who've already cast Democrats as socialists this year with digital videos and roadside billboards, tried the theme in several states in November, to little effect. It wasn't new: Actor Ronald Reagan and GOP presidential candidate Barry Goldwater castigated Medicare as socialist in the 1960s, yet it's now a cherished medical lifeline for millions of older Americans. Republicans say this time will be different. But one Coloradan's comments suggest that past GOP warnings about Democrats may haunt Republicans. "Every time a Democrat gets elected, they say, 'We're going to lose our guns,'" said Marc O'Leary, 48, of Westminster. "It never happens." Following is a summary of current health news briefs. Trump tells Americans: Go get your measles vaccination U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday urged Americans to protect themselves with the measles vaccination as the number of cases of the once-eradicated disease in the United States hit the highest levels since 2000. The growing outbreak in pockets across the country has triggered multiple public health efforts seeking to limit exposure to measles, including quarantines at two California universities. U.S. measles outbreak raises questions about immunity in adults Adults in the United States who were vaccinated against measles decades ago may need a new dose depending on when they received the shot and their exposure risk, according to public health experts battling the nations largest outbreak since the virus was deemed eliminated in 2000. Up to 10 percent of the 695 confirmed measles cases in the current outbreak occurred in people who received one or two doses of the vaccine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Following is a summary of current health news briefs. Factbox: What you need to know about the U.S. measles outbreak The United States so far this year has recorded 695 cases of measles in 22 states, its largest outbreak since public health officials in 2000 declared the disease eradicated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC on Monday is due to release updated figures on the number of cases recorded so far this year. Trump tells Americans: Go get your measles vaccination U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday urged Americans to protect themselves with the measles vaccination as the number of cases of the once-eradicated disease in the United States hit the highest levels since 2000. The growing outbreak in pockets across the country has triggered multiple public health efforts seeking to limit exposure to measles, including quarantines at two California universities. China to ban imports of pigs from Cambodia due to African swine fever China will ban imports of pigs, wild boars and related products from Cambodia, its customs said on Monday, after the Southeast nation reported its first case of the highly-contagious disease. That comes as China is already battling the virus after it spread to every province and region on its mainland since first being detected there in early August. U.S. measles outbreak raises questions about immunity in adults Adults in the United States who were vaccinated against measles decades ago may need a new dose depending on when they received the shot and their exposure risk, according to public health experts battling the nations largest outbreak since the virus was deemed eliminated in 2000. Up to 10 percent of the 695 confirmed measles cases in the current outbreak occurred in people who received one or two doses of the vaccine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Following is a summary of current science news briefs. Fly me to the moon: Germany eyes slice of lucrative space market Facing tough competition from China, the United States and even tiny Luxembourg, Germany is racing to draft new laws and attract private investment to secure a slice of an emerging space market that could be worth $1 trillion a year by the 2040s. The drive to give Germany a bigger role in space comes as European, Asian and U.S. companies stake out ground in an evolving segment that promises contracts for everything from exploration to mining of outer-space resources. China's rocket start-ups go small in age of 'shoebox' satellites During initial tests of their 8.1-meter (27-foot) tall reusable rocket, Chinese engineers from LinkSpace, a start-up led by China's youngest space entrepreneur, used a Kevlar tether to ensure its safe return. Just in case. But when the Beijing-based company's prototype, called NewLine Baby, successfully took off and landed last week for the second time in two months, no tether was needed. Following is a summary of current US domestic news briefs. Attorney general balks at closed-door testimony on Mueller findings U.S. Attorney General William Barr objects to testifying before the House Judiciary Committee in a closed session dedicated to redacted portions of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia report, a congressional Democratic aide said on Sunday. Barr is threatening to skip his planned appearance on Thursday, the aide told Reuters on condition of anonymity. Police examine motive of man accused of deadly California synagogue attack Police were examining the motive on Monday of the man accused of a deadly shooting at a synagogue in Southern California, after determining the 19-year-old gunman acted alone. The gunman walked into the Chabad of Poway in suburban San Diego on Saturday and killed one woman and wounded three other people inside, using an assault-style rifle, police said. Former U.S. deputy attorney general: If Trump was not president, he would be indicted Former top Justice Department official Sally Yates said on Sunday that if Donald Trump were not president, he would have been indicted on obstruction charges in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. Yates, a career federal prosecutor who rose to acting attorney general before Trump fired her in 2017 less than two weeks into his presidency, told NBC's "Meet the Press" the Republican president was shielded by department guidelines that a sitting president should not be indicted. Factbox: What you need to know about the U.S. measles outbreak The United States so far this year has recorded 695 cases of measles in 22 states, its largest outbreak since public health officials in 2000 declared the disease eradicated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC on Monday is due to release updated figures on the number of cases recorded so far this year. Suspect caught after seven bodies found at two Tennessee homes Story continues A suspect in the killings of seven people in rural Tennessee was shot and captured by police after an hours-long manhunt triggered by the discovery of the bodies in two separate homes, authorities said on Sunday. Dozens of people gathered to commemorate the victims on Sunday evening at a Methodist church in Westmoreland, a town in the area where the shootings occurred, according to Nashville television station FOX 17. U.S. measles outbreak raises questions about immunity in adults Adults in the United States who were vaccinated against measles decades ago may need a new dose depending on when they received the shot and their exposure risk, according to public health experts battling the nations largest outbreak since the virus was deemed eliminated in 2000. Up to 10 percent of the 695 confirmed measles cases in the current outbreak occurred in people who received one or two doses of the vaccine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fire kills two inmates, injures guard at Alaska village jail A fire, apparently started by an inmate, engulfed a jail in an Alaska village on Sunday, killing two prisoners and badly injuring a guard, authorities said. The jail in the remote Yup'ik community of Napakiak went up in flames after a prisoner set fire to a mattress, according to a guard at the jail, the Alaska State Troopers said. Leader of armed border group to appear in court in New Mexico The leader of a paramilitary group that has detained undocumented migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border is expected to appear in court in New Mexico on Monday to face federal weapons charges. Larry Hopkins, commander of the United Constitutional Patriots, has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm after the FBI said it found guns during a 2017 visit to his home. Democrat O'Rourke accuses Trump White House of dictating Fox News content U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke attacked the close ties between Republican President Donald Trump and Fox News on Sunday, saying the White House has "free rein, almost" over what is broadcast on the cable television network. Democrats have long accused Fox of reporting that is biased in favor of the Republican Party and Trump. The president is an avid watcher of the network, and Sean Hannity, one of its stars, is an admirer of Trump and last year spoke at one of his rallies. U.S. commander overseeing Guantanamo Bay fired: Southern Command The U.S. admiral in charge of the Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba has been fired "due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command," U.S. Southern Command said in a statement on Sunday. Rear Admiral John Ring was removed from the post on Saturday, the brief statement said, without giving details about why. Following is a summary of current US domestic news briefs. Attorney general balks at closed-door testimony on Mueller findings U.S. Attorney General William Barr objects to testifying before the House Judiciary Committee in a closed session dedicated to redacted portions of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia report, a congressional Democratic aide said on Sunday. Barr is threatening to skip his planned appearance on Thursday, the aide told Reuters on condition of anonymity. Former U.S. deputy attorney general: If Trump was not president, he would be indicted Former top Justice Department official Sally Yates said on Sunday that if Donald Trump were not president, he would have been indicted on obstruction charges in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. Yates, a career federal prosecutor who rose to acting attorney general before Trump fired her in 2017 less than two weeks into his presidency, told NBC's "Meet the Press" the Republican president was shielded by department guidelines that a sitting president should not be indicted. Oliver North steps down as NRA president amid dispute over 'damaging' information Retired U.S. Marine Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North will step down as president of the National Rifle Association, North said on Saturday, adding he was being forced out due to his allegations that NRA leaders engaged in financial improprieties. In a letter read to the organization's annual meeting in Indianapolis by an NRA board member, North, a conservative commentator best known for his central role in the 1980s Iran-Contra affair, said he had hoped to run for re-election when his term ends on Monday. Crane collapse kills four, injures three in Seattle A giant construction crane operating at the site of a future Google campus collapsed from the roof of a building and toppled across a Seattle intersection on Saturday, killing four people and injuring three others, authorities and local media said. The crane collapse occurred in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood shortly after 3:30 p.m. local time, crushing five cars and damaging a sixth at the intersection of Fairview Avenue North and Mercer Street, the Seattle Fire Department said. Story continues First swastikas, then synagogue attack: U.S. no safe haven for Israeli family For one family caught up in the California synagogue shooting, a move from Israel to the United States in search of a safer life has been a journey "from fire to fire." Israel Dahan and three of his five children were at Sabbath services at Congregation Chabad in Poway, near San Diego, on Saturday when a gunman opened fire, killing a woman and wounding three others in what local authorities deemed a hate crime. Suspect captured after seven bodies found in Tennessee A suspect in the killings of seven people in rural Tennessee was shot and captured by police after an hours-long manhunt triggered by the discovery of the bodies in two separate homes, authorities said on Sunday. Michael Cummins, 25, was in custody after suffering non-life-threatening injuries during his arrest on Saturday night, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a statement. U.S. measles outbreak raises questions about immunity in adults Adults in the United States who were vaccinated against measles decades ago may need a new dose depending on when they received the shot and their exposure risk, according to public health experts battling the nations largest outbreak since the virus was deemed eliminated in 2000. Up to 10 percent of the 695 confirmed measles cases in the current outbreak occurred in people who received one or two doses of the vaccine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Synagogue shooting suspect believed to have acted alone, San Diego sheriff says A 19-year-old man accused of opening fire on Sabbath worshippers in a deadly shooting rampage at a Southern California synagogue is believed to have acted alone, without help from any organized group, authorities said on Sunday. Police say the gunman walked into the suburban San Diego synagogue late on Saturday morning, the last day of the week-long Jewish holiday of Passover, and killed one woman and wounded three other people inside, using an assault-style rifle. Democrat O'Rourke accuses Trump White House of dictating Fox News content U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke attacked the close ties between Republican President Donald Trump and Fox News on Sunday, saying the White House has "free rein, almost" over what is broadcast on the cable television network. Democrats have long accused Fox of reporting that is biased in favor of the Republican Party and Trump. The president is an avid watcher of the network, and Sean Hannity, one of its stars, is an admirer of Trump and last year spoke at one of his rallies. U.S. commander overseeing Guantanamo Bay fired: Southern Command The U.S. admiral in charge of the Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba has been fired "due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command," U.S. Southern Command said in a statement on Sunday. Rear Admiral John Ring was removed from the post on Saturday, the brief statement said, without giving details about why. Following is a summary of current world news briefs. Violence mars voting in India's eastern battleground state India's battleground state of West Bengal took the center stage in the fourth phase of a staggered general election on Monday after clashes broke out between supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party and a regional bloc. In West Bengal, a populous eastern state where Modi is trying to gain seats to offset likely losses in northern India, security forces chased away people wielding sticks after workers from Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took on those from regional Trinamool Congress, police said. Sri Lanka on alert for attacks as archbishop slams poor church security Sri Lankan security officials have warned that Islamist militants behind Easter Sunday's suicide bombings are planning attacks and could be dressed in uniform, as the archbishop of Colombo complained about insufficient security around churches. The militants were targeting five locations for attacks on Sunday just passed or on Monday, security sources said. Turkey says UAE spy suspect committed suicide in prison A man held by Turkey on suspicion of spying for the United Arab Emirates has committed suicide by hanging himself in prison, the Istanbul prosecutor's office said on Monday. The suspect, named as Zaki Y. M. Hasan, was found hanging from the bathroom door in his one-person cell in Silivri prison, west of Istanbul, when guards arrived to give him food on Sunday morning, the prosecutor's office statement said. Global military spending at new post-Cold War high, fueled by U.S., China - think-tank Global military expenditure reached its highest level last year since the end of the Cold War, fueled by increased spending in the United States and China, the world's two biggest economies, a leading defense think-tank said on Monday. In its annual report, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said overall global military spending in 2018 hit $1.82 trillion, up 2.6 percent on the previous year. Story continues Putin says Russians and Ukrainians would benefit from shared citizenship: Ifax Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Russians and Ukrainians would only benefit from sharing common citizenship, the Interfax news agency reported. Putin said on Saturday Moscow was considering offering all Ukrainian citizens fast-tracked Russian passports, a move that angered some politicians in Ukraine which has been at war with pro-Russian separatists since 2014. Pakistan plans to bring 30,000 madrasas under government control Pakistan plans to take control of a network of over 30,000 madrasas as part of a drive to "mainstream" the Islamic schools by bringing them under state control, the military's spokesman said on Monday. Modernizing madrasa education is a thorny issue in Pakistan, a deeply conservative Muslim nation where religious schools are often blamed for radicalization of youngsters but are the only education available to millions of poor children. Security beefed up in Tokyo as emperor prepares to abdicate Divers scoured moats around the Imperial Palace and police dogs sniffed in bushes on Monday as authorities ramped up security for the start of Japan's new "Reiwa" imperial era. The new era begins on Wednesday when Crown Prince Naruhito ascends the Chrysanthemum Throne a day after the abdication of his father, Emperor Akihito, brings to an end the 31-year Heisei era. Spain's Socialists, short of majority, weigh partners for forming government Spain's ruling Socialists were considering possible partners for a new government for the politically polarized country on Monday after they won a national election but failed to secure a majority. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez faces a choice between a complex alliance with fellow leftists Podemos or joining forces across the political divide with the center-right Ciudadanos. Six killed in church attack in northern Burkina Faso Unidentified gunmen killed one pastor and five congregants in an attack on a Protestant church in northern Burkina Faso on Sunday, government spokesman Remy Fulgance Dandjinou said on Monday. Burkina Faso has been beset by rising Islamist violence this year, but the attack was the first of its kind on a church in the religiously tolerant West African country, Dandjinou told Reuters. France in a rush to train skilled workers to restore Notre-Dame France is in a hurry to rebuild world famous Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Romain Legoube, an 18-year-old apprentice carpenter, hopes to be among those chosen for the prestigious task of restoring its centuries-old roof. "It would be an achievement to be able to say that we participated in the creation of Notre-Dame," Legoube told Reuters. Following is a summary of current world news briefs. Kuwait looks at Iran's threats to block Strait of Hormuz 'with concern' Kuwait is looking at Iranian threats to block the Strait of Hormuz with concern, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Sunday quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled al-Jarallah as saying. KUNA said Jarallah was commenting on tensions in the region after Iran's Revolutionary Guards made a threat to close the strategic waterway. "We are looking at these threats with concern, and hoping as always to distance our region from this tension," KUNA quoted him as saying. Arabs in Syria's Deir al-Zor protest against ruling Kurdish militia: residents Arabs in Syria's Deir al-Zor have stepped up protests against the U.S.-allied Kurdish militia that controls the oil-rich province after seizing it from Islamic State, residents, protesters and tribal chiefs said on Sunday. Starting five days ago, they said demonstrations against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) had taken place in a string of towns, from Busayrah to Shuhail, in a strategic oil belt in the heart of Arab tribal territory, east of the Euphrates River. Libyan forces push back against Haftar in house-to-house battles Forces backing Libya's internationally recognized government fought house-to-house battles with troops loyal to commander Khalifa Haftar in southern parts of the capital Tripoli on Sunday and appeared to be gaining ground. Government soldiers, some in jeans and t-shirts, took cover by abandoned buildings as they fired on Haftar's positions. Some carried anti-aircraft guns they had to remove from their trucks to get through the narrow streets. Guaido cancels western Venezuela rally after 'dictatorship' blocks route The leader of Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly, Juan Guaido, canceled a rally scheduled to be held in the country's fourth-largest city on Sunday and said the "dictatorship" had prevented him from entering. Guaido has traveled outside the capital, Caracas, more and more in recent weeks to pressure President Nicolas Maduro to step down. In January, he invoked the constitution to assume an interim presidency, arguing Maduro's 2018 re-election was illegitimate. Story continues U.S. envoy signed North Korea document to pay for Warmbier's care: Bolton The United States signed a document agreeing to pay North Korea for the care of American Otto Warmbier but never paid the $2 million Pyongyang demanded, White House national security adviser John Bolton said on Sunday. Bolton, who said he was not part of the administration at the time, confirmed newspaper reports that North Korea demanded the money before Warmbier was flown out of Pyongyang in a coma on June 13, 2017. Sri Lanka raids headquarters of hardline Islamist group suspected in church bombings Sri Lankan police raided the headquarters of a hardline Islamist group founded by the suspected ringleader behind the Easter suicide bombings of churches and hotels, a Reuters witness said, as Sunday mass was canceled due to fears of further attacks. Armed police in the town of Kattankudy searched the headquarters of the National Thawheedh Jamaath (NTJ) and detained one man at the premises, a Reuters reporter at the scene said. Police did not comment. Map of landmines: How Brexit might help the Scottish independence quest Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's plans to lead her nation to independence from the United Kingdom have been muddled by Brexit, but the whirlwind at the center of British politics may yet advance her cause. Brexit has disrupted British politics not least because, while the United Kingdom as a whole voted to leave the European Union in a 2016 referendum, the populations of two of its four nations - Scotland and Northern Ireland - voted to stay. Spanish voters put Socialists in pole position to regain power Spain's Socialist prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, emerged from inconclusive elections on Sunday with a strong chance to regain power, though he faces weeks or even months of negotiations to assemble a government from a deeply divided new parliament. In one of the country's most hotly contested elections in decades, the rise of nationalist party Vox split the right-wing vote, echoing fragmented parliaments across Europe where traditional groups have ceded to anti-establishment upstarts. Britons opt for non-EU holidays in face of Brexit impasse: Thomas Cook British holidaymakers are favoring destinations outside the European Union after repeated delays to Brexit discouraged travelers from booking early and prompted them to look further afield, travel firm Thomas Cook said on Monday. Turkey and Tunisia are among the biggest beneficiaries from the trend towards non-EU bookings, the firm said in a report, with demand for both recovering after security concerns curbed bookings in recent years. Iran says leaving nuclear treaty one of many options after U.S. sanctions move Iran said on Sunday it could quit a treaty against the spread of nuclear weapons after the United States tightens sanctions, while an Iranian general said the U.S. Navy was interacting as before with an elite military unit blacklisted by Washington. Tensions between Tehran and Washington have risen since the Trump administration withdrew last year from a 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran and began ratcheting up sanctions. Hulman & Company Statement on Passing of Sen. Richard G. Lugar Posted by: newsla on Apr 29, 2019 - 06:03 PM Hulman & Company Statement on Passing of Sen. Richard G. Lugar A statement from Hulman & Company President and CEO Mark Miles on the death Sunday, April 28 of former United States Senator Richard Lugar, who served as Indianapolis mayor from 1968-75 and represented Indiana in the U.S. Senate from 1977-2013: "Senator Richard Lugar was a dedicated public servant who also was a great friend to Hulman & Company and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for decades. We have fond memories of his visits to the track, especially when he showed his commitment to our great nation by leading the annual military induction ceremony on Armed Forces Day during the Indianapolis 500. Senator Lugar's humility and devotion to country, state and city helped to create a better life for all Hoosiers, and his contributions are immeasurable and will be remembered forever. "On a personal level, I had the honor and privilege of knowing the senator for more than four decades, beginning with my work on his United States Senate campaign in 1974. I've never known a person with greater integrity, intellect and loyalty to this city, state and the people who were close to him. On behalf of everyone at Hulman & Company, I offer our most sincere condolences to all of Senator Lugar's family and friends." PaddockTalk Perspective Moscow (AFP) - In a slick Moscow loft, dozens of graphic designers peer at computers, compiling the latest scenes of "Fantasy Patrol", a cartoon produced by Russia's Parovoz animation studio. With its Netflix contracts, state-owned Parovoz -- which means locomotive in Russian -- is at the forefront of a resurgence of the country's animation industry. But, for some observers, the revival comes at the expense of a tradition for innovation dating back to the Soviet-era heyday. Russian authorities have invested heavily in the animation sector in recent years, after it, like others, was left in ruins following the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. Parovoz is part of a state media holding and has grown from around 20 to 300 employees. Its animated series are shown in 55 countries. Chief executive Anton Smetankin, who co-launched the studio in 2014, said it had "a product for every market". Last year, two Parovoz productions were bought by the US-based streaming service Netflix -- one of them, "Leo and Tig", is about the adventures of a tiger and leopard in Siberia. "We have taken the best from the Russian school (of animation)," said artistic director Yevgeny Golovin. "All of our films are full of kindness and can be watched by children of all ages." The studio also signed two contracts with China and had several of its projects dubbed and adapted for the Chinese market. Today they are shown on four of China's top streaming channels whose total users are estimated to number 1.5 billion a month. - From the ashes - Soviet animators won global repute for their creativity but the sector has seen mixed fortunes since then. Soyuzmultfilm, a studio launched in the 1930s which made many of the Soviet Union's animated greats, faced funding problems in the 1990s and lost control of its back catalogue. In 2011, then prime minister Vladimir Putin stepped in to try to restore the Russian animation industry to its former glory. Story continues By the early 2000s, Soyuzmultfilm had been reorganised and was again a state company. The government returned the distribution rights for its classics back to the studio and invested about $14 million over five years. - 'Masha and the Bear' effect - But it is a cartoon series produced by a private Russian studio, Animaccord, that has proven a big international commercial hit. Since 2009, "Masha and the Bear" about a mischievous little girl and an amicable, retired circus bear has been viewed dozens of billions of times on YouTube alone, as well as been broadcast in 100 countries, and has inspired several spin-offs. "Our theme, which revolves around the relationship of a child and an adult, is universal," Animaccord CEO Vladimir Gorbulya told AFP. "There is a good amount of humour and things to reflect upon for viewers of both age categories." Encouraged by the global success of the computer-animated duo, the Russian government has continued to boost support for the industry, announcing massive subsidies and, in 2017, tax reductions. "There is a desire to make sure our children look at animated films with our national cultural codes, our mentality, our language and culture," said Irina Mastusova, who heads the Russian animation association. She noted that the Russian animation sector was still relatively up-and-coming, with around 3,000 employees. - Commercial 'propaganda' ? - The government attention is in line with Moscow's increasing efforts to inject conservative, patriotic values avowed by the Kremlin into the cultural sphere. Smetankin, of the Parovoz studio, conceded that animation was part of Russia's drive for "soft power" abroad, a form of cultural diplomacy to explain Moscow's view of the world, especially at a time of tensions with the West. In November, Britain's The Times newspaper cited experts in a report who called "Masha and the Bear" a form of "propaganda", saying that "feisty but plucky" Masha "punches above her weight" while the bear's sanguine character painted Russia in a positive light. The studio rejected the depiction, pointing out that the cartoon was made without government funding. Larisa Malyukova, a culture reporter for the independent Novaya Gazeta newspaper, said that government support prioritised commercial success, rather than innovative and poetic projects of the kind that made Soviet animators famous. "The culture ministry pays less and less attention to original animation," she said. "This worries artists, since this is what, at least in Russia, is a laboratory that creates new talent." Joel Chapron, a Russian film expert for the Cannes Festival for two decades, agreed that Russia's animation was changing. "Before, the legacy of animation in Russia was associated with prodigies and big names. Today, nobody knows who the authors are." INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Richard Lugar worked to alert Americans about the threat of terrorism years before "weapons of mass destruction" became a common phrase following the Sept. 11 attacks. The longtime Republican senator from Indiana helped start a program that destroyed thousands of former Soviet nuclear and chemical weapons after the Cold War ended then warned during a short-lived 1996 run for president about the danger of such devices falling into the hands of terrorists. "Every stockpile represents a theft opportunity for terrorists and a temptation for security personnel who might seek to profit by selling weapons on the black market," Lugar said in 2005. "We do not want the question posed the day after an attack on an American military base." The soft-spoken and thoughtful former Rhodes Scholar was a leading Republican voice on foreign policy matters during his 36 years in the U.S. Senate, but whose reputation of working with Democrats ultimately cost him the office in 2012. He died Sunday at age 87 at a hospital in Virginia, where he was being treated for a rare neurological disorder called chronic inflammatory demylinating polyneuropathy, or CIPD, the Lugar Center in Washington said in a statement. Lugar's long popularity in Indiana gave him the freedom to concentrate largely on foreign policy and national security matters a focus highlighted by his collaboration with Democratic Sen. Sam Nunn on a program under which the United States paid to dismantle and secure thousands of nuclear warheads and missiles in the former Soviet states after the Cold War ended. Lugar served for decades on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, twice as chairman, where he helped steer arms reduction pacts for the presidential administrations of George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, supported an expansion of NATO and favored aid to Nicaragua's Contra rebels. "Lugar was a leader not only in the Senate but also on the world stage, where he worked tirelessly to bring pressure to end apartheid in South Africa and enforce treaties that destroyed Soviet weapons of mass destruction," Vice President Mike Pence, a former governor of Indiana, said in a statement. Story continues Another former governor, Purdue University President Mitch Daniels, who spent more than a decade as chief of staff to Lugar, said, "The world is safer from nuclear danger because of him." Lugar tried to translate his foreign policy expertise into a 1996 presidential run. But his campaign for the GOP nomination went badly from the start. His kickoff rally began just hours after the 1995 bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building, and he struggled to build name recognition and support. He withdrew a year into the race after failing to win a single convention delegate, but not before foreshadowing the threat of terrorism that would become all too real on Sept. 11, 2001. Three of his television ads depicted mushroom clouds and warned of the growing danger of weapons of mass destruction in the hands of terrorist groups. Lugar's time as a Washington foreign policy expert was the highlight of a political career that began with his election to the Indianapolis school board in the early 1960s. City GOP leaders encouraged him to run for mayor in 1967. He spent eight years at the city's helm. He first ran for Senate in 1974, narrowly losing to Sen. Birch Bayh in a Democratic landslide after the Watergate scandal. He ran again two years later and easily unseated three-term Democratic Sen. Vance Hartke, launching a 36-year Capitol Hill career that made him Indiana's longest-serving senator. He built a reputation as someone willing to work across the aisle and showed he could buck his party, notably with two major disagreements with President Ronald Reagan. In 1986, Reagan was inclined to accept the rigged election that would have kept Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos in office. But Lugar went to the islands as an election observer and said Reagan was misinformed. Lugar's stand shifted U.S. support to the ultimate winner, Corazon Aquino, bringing down Marcos. In another break with Reagan, Lugar pushed through Congress over the president's veto the economic sanctions that Nelson Mandela said played a crucial role in overthrowing white minority rule in South Africa. At home, Lugar remained the Indiana GOP's most popular figure, trouncing opponents with at least two-thirds of the vote in four straight elections. He was the top Republican on the Senate's Foreign Affairs Committee when he first worked with Obama, taking the then-Illinois senator with him to Russia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan in 2005 to visit weapon dismantlement sites. He then co-sponsored 2007 legislation with Obama on eliminating stockpiles of shoulder-fired missiles. Obama frequently cited his work with Lugar during the 2008 presidential campaign as evidence of his bipartisanship and foreign policy experience. Lugar endorsed John McCain but didn't distance himself from Obama at the time. That changed by Lugar's 2012 re-election campaign. The attacks on his conservatism combined with voter wariness about his age and long Washington tenure and questions about him not owning a home in Indiana since the late 1970s led to Lugar's first defeat since 1974. His tea party-backed challenger, Richard Mourdock, grabbed 60 percent of the GOP primary vote. Lugar's nuclear disarmament work with Nunn, the Democratic senator, led to about 7,600 Soviet nuclear warheads being deactivated and the destruction of more than 900 intercontinental ballistic missiles by the time Lugar left office, according to U.S. military figures. The program is credited with removing all nuclear weapons from the former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Belarus. Born April 4, 1932, in Indianapolis, Lugar graduated at the top of his classes at both Indianapolis Shortridge High School and at Denison University in Ohio. At Denison, he met his future wife, Charlene. They married in 1956 and had four sons. ___ Associated Press writer Ken Kusmer contributed to this report. LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) A prominent human rights group said Monday that Bolivia has undermined judicial independence by arbitrarily dismissing nearly 100 judges since 2017 and it asked the Organization of American States to address the issue. Human Rights Watch said the judges were not given any reason for the dismissals by a Magistrates Council dominated by allies of President Evo Morales. It said even judges who supposedly had permanent positions have been ousted. Government officials contacted by The Associated Press said they would have no comment before reading the report. The New York-based organization noted that the OAS Democratic Charter calls for the "separation of powers and independence of the branches of government" and said several international treaties signed by Bolivia demand an independent and impartial judiciary. Judges who can be replaced by officials "are much more vulnerable to pressure that the government can exercise," said the organization's Americas director, Jose Miguel Vivanco. "HRW has received credible complaints of pressure by senior government officials for judges to try opponents." He also cited a Constitutional Tribunal ruling declaring that Morales has a "human right" to run for re-election indefinitely despite a constitutional ban. Vivanco said the dismissal of judges "should be a wake-up call for OAS member states," and added, "When people in Bolivia can no longer expect judicial independence, then all their rights are at risk." Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Rod Rosenstein is ready to jump. The deputy attorney general, who has run the Justice Departments day-to-day operations for most of the Trump presidency, submitted his resignation to the White House on Monday. The letter said he will stay on until May 11. In the letter, Rosenstein thanked President Donald Trumpwho once retweeted a picture of him behind barsfor the courtesy and humor you often display in our personal conversations. Rosenstein also made what appears to be a vague allusion to Special Counsel Robert Muellers Russia probe. Our nation is safer, our elections are more secure, and our citizens are better informed about covert foreign influence efforts and schemes to commit fraud, steal intellectual property, and launch cyberattacks, he wrote. Rosenstein also noted that he has served in that role for longer than most people who hold it. At the end of the letter, he discussed the importance of protecting the Department from political influencewhich Trump himself has often tried to exert, as the Mueller Report detailed. [T]he Department bears a special responsibility to avoid partisanship, he wrote. Political considerations may influence policy choices, but neutral principles must drive decisions about individual cases. And he ended with a vague reference to the news, which has so frequently featured him as a central character. We enforce the law without fear or favor because credible evidence is not partisan, and truth is not determined by opinion polls, he added. We ignore fleeting distractions and focus our attention on the things that matter, because a republic that endures is not governed by the news cycle. During his time at the department, Rosenstein oversaw the Mueller probe one of the most contentious, sensitive investigations in its history. Over the course of the investigation, he became something of a folk hero to Trumps political opponents, who saw him as an icon of nonpartisan law enforcement, standing up for Muellers team against Trumps attempts to hinder and shutter it. When he appeared at the Aspen Security Forum last summeran event that brings together national security elites, along with current and former government officialshe received a standing ovation. Story continues Trump relished ripping into Rosenstein, suggesting he was to blame him in part for the tension between the United States and Russia. Much of the bad blood with Russia is caused by the Fake & Corrupt Russia Investigation, headed up by the all Democrat loyalists, or people that worked for Obama, the president tweeted on April 11, 2018. Mueller is most conflicted of all (except Rosenstein who signed FISA & Comey letter). No Collusion, so they go crazy! He tweeted on Feb. 18, 2019, that Rosenstein appeared to have planned a very illegal act. And on Dec. 27, 2018, he noted that Rosenstein signed one of the affidavits requesting authorization of surveillance of former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. Isnt Rod therefore totally conflicted? Trump asked rhetorically. But Trumps tweets about Rosenstein werent all bad. On April 28, 2018, the president pushed back against a Washington Post story reporting that he called Rosenstein Mr. Peepers. Rosensteins reputation with the #Resistance took a hit after Mueller finished his probe. When Attorney General Bill Barr released a four-page summary of the report that turned out to be misleading and distortive, Rosenstein made no public comment. He also stood behind Barr during a now-notorious press conference that preceded the public release of the report, widely viewed as an effort on the attorney generals part to run interference for the White House. And just days ago, The Washington Post reported that Rosenstein promised Trump he could land the plane of the Mueller probe, in an apparent bid to save his job. Rosenstein may have avoided a possible Trump firing, and landed the plane, but the rule of law is in a downward spiral, said Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), presidential candidate and member of the House Intelligence and House Judiciary committees, both of which do Justice Department oversight. There are serious questions about Rosensteins judgment and whether he acted independently while he was telling the president he was on his team. I expect we will hear from him in Congress. Rosenstein did some good things in two years as DAG, as would be expected by those who knew his legacy in Maryland. But nobody gets out alive, said a Justice Department official who requested anonymity. Hell be remembered as someone who mitigated, but could not stop, the presidents attacks on the rule of law, while agreeing to various compromises along the way. Those compromises humiliated him personally and did untold damage to our institutions for the future. Hell nevertheless be missed by prosecutors because neither Barr, nor Rods replacement, nor the chief of the criminal division, have a lick of prosecutorial experience. Sol Wisenberg, a friend of Rosensteins who worked with him during Ken Starrs investigation of the Clinton White House, said it was inevitable that his fans on the left would turn on him. If you inadvertently do that anything legally that is seen as pro-Trump, irrespective of the merits of it, youre going to be attacked, he said. Meanwhile, Rudy Giulianithe presidents personal lawyer for the last year of the Mueller investigationtold The Daily Beast Rosenstein was always professional with him. I never had a problem with Rod, ever, he said. In my dealings with the Justice Department, which were fairly limited in representing the president, I always found them to be fair and to be very professional in how they handled things. Giuliani added that he doesnt have enough information to have an opinion on the allegations that many on the right level against Rosenstein regarding the FISA application. All I can tell you is from my experience, he said. I believe they always treated us fairly and right down the middle. He was running it, Giuliani added. If he was going to get blamed, hes got to get credit. Many Washington legal insiders have held a more nuanced view of Rosenstein than his fans in the #Resistance. In some quarters, hes viewed as a survivor who managed to please elected officials on both sides of the aisle because of his political savvy. Rosenstein hasnt publicly confirmed his future plans. Hopefully hes going to make a bunch of money, Wisenberg said. Hes got a stellar professional record. Im sure hell go to a reputable firm and make a boatload of money, and maybe even write a bookthough I doubt, knowing Rod, I doubt he will write a book. Read more at The Daily Beast. Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here The name Rodney King has become synonymous with police brutality. One of Kings daughters hopes to shift that association toward something more uplifting. Lora King, 35, launched the I am a King scholarship program Monday aimed at celebrating and empowering African American fathers. Selected applicants will receive grants enabling them to take their children on an outing for the day. The grant is open to African American fathers around the country. We tend to downplay the attention a kid gets from a father, because mothers can be so dominant, but not having time with a father can be detrimental, King says. Most of time, fathers around here cant take the time off because of funding. So I thought maybe I could give them an outing without them worrying about whether they could keep the lights on that month. Rodney King speaks during a news conference in Los The scholarship program has received $10,000 in donations, including significant seed funding from an undisclosed technology entrepreneur. King hopes other corporate sponsors, as well as members of the public, will add support to the program by contributing cash or services. King says she wants to help fathers bond with their children through outings that could range from a trip to a museum or a day at Disneyland. The funds could cover a lost day of wages or transportation and admission. Though such a grant might seem modest to many, for parents who struggle to make ends meet, it can be a gift with resonance, says Edna De Leon, educational director for Red Eye, which operates the Watts Empowerment Center, a youth mentorship program in South Los Angeles. Lora King, daughter of the late Rodney King, has started a new initiative aimed at providing grants so fathers can spend a day with their children doing something fun without worrying about finances. Going to a museum with your child might seem easy for the average person, but here its not the narrative, says De Leon, who will help King select and interview grant recipients. Many people here are in a cycle: Youre working to pay for rent and food, and theres no money for anything else, she says. This program will help put the father in the spotlight as a hero. Story continues Kings father struggled with his own parental responsibilities in 1991 when the unemployed, 26-year-old ex-convict was pulled over for speeding. He was Tasered and beaten repeatedly with batons by four white officers. The incident was captured on amateur video. When the officers involved in the beating were found not guilty by an all-white jury in April 1992, rioting ensued. The officers later faced a federal trial, and two, Stacey Koon and Laurence Powell, were sentenced to jail time. Rodney King sued the city of Los Angeles, winning a $3.8 million settlement. He struggled with alcoholism and being an unwitting and controversial civil rights figure. In 2012, he was found dead at the bottom of his pool at age 47. For De Leon, reminding people of King's violent interaction with police is the perfect teaching opportunity, because we have kids here with PTSD from living on the streets, and they dont know where that comes from, but those who lived through the Rodney King era know. For Lora King, her fathers troubled life as a social figure overshadows the man who did his best, particularly after the incident and its ensuing lawsuit settlement, to foster his daughters curiosity and ambitions. We would go to lots of art shows, hed send me to leadership camps, and we even went to a lot of black rodeos together, King recalls. It was normal for me, because I was so young then. But looking back, I can tell that spending time with my father made a difference in the person I became. Three years ago, King started the Rodney King Foundation for Social Justice and Human Rights, eventually leaving her job as a law firm administrative assistant to run the enterprise full-time. King says her wish for the foundation's new initiative is to provide fathers and children with a window into a different world. If youre exposed to the same environment all the time, you become a product of that one environment. So a balance of a few is always better, she says. Lora King, left, is shown here as a young girl in an undated photo with her father, Rodney King, who became a household name after being beaten by Los Angeles police officers in 1991. He died at age 47 in 2012. Although the announcement of I am a King comes on the 27th anniversary of the riots that broke out in the aftermath of the first trial of the LA officers, King would prefer the initiative to be associated with Fathers Day. Rodney King died on Fathers Day seven years ago. Lora is due to give birth to her second child, and the extended familys first son, on the upcoming holiday. June has always been tough for me since it's the month my father died, but maybe now, between handing out the first grants then and the birth of my son, it will change, King says. Your life, in the end, isnt about how much money you have but about how many lives you change. So Im honored to try. Follow USA TODAY national correspondent @marcodellacava This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rodney King's daughter is helping African American fathers spend time with their children TOKYO -- When royal eras change in a country, they're generally unplanned and somber. But in Japan this week, the transition is deliberate -- and most Japanese are not only at peace with it, they are welcoming the succession with upbeat anticipation. On May 1, the Japanese monarchical era will change from Heisei to Reiwa, paralleling the handover of the throne from Emperor Akihito to his son Naruhito as the former retires at the age of 85. The "era" functions like a calendar, beginning and ending with the reign of each emperor. The Japanese use an imperial calendar alongside the Gregorian one that most of the world uses. [MORE: New Imperial Era Causes Y2K Worries in Japan] Thus, the first year of Reiwa begins on Wednesday, marking the ascension of the 59-year-old Naruhito. Previous era changes have occurred when the emperor died, most recently in 1989 when Hirohito passed away, ending the Showa era that spanned 63 years. But this time is different, since Akihito opted to abdicate. "This transition is a completely new experience for us," says Yukimi Masui, 61, a university historian in Tokyo, who adds that Hirohito's abrupt death sent the nation into mourning and stirred a generally austere and subdued atmosphere across Japan. By contrast, when Akihito announced in 2016 his wish to abdicate, citing old age and health concerns, he paved the way for an orderly and planned transition that began with new legislation that allowed an imperial succession by the choice of the reigning emperor. Previous laws did not anticipate a voluntary retirement. Akihito's abdication, in one sense, symbolizes what is taking place across the country. "That he is retiring at an advanced age is emblematic of the aging Japanese society," says Yukiko Shimazaki, a magazine editor based in Tokyo. Documentaries, Book Sales and a Newfound Sense of Optimism This week's changing of the royal era has turned into a moment of major cultural significance in the country. For nearly a year, the media has been abuzz with documentaries and feature coverage on the monarchical succession, as well as soul-searching about the Heisei era, a period in which Japan saw its economic fortunes slip: It went from being an economic juggernaut to a nation with sagging political and economic significance dogged by deflation and a shrinking population. The Mitsubishis and the Sonys of Japan no longer enjoy the hegemonic economic status of years past. Story continues [MORE: Japan's Lessons on Branding a Country] The era change has led to massive marketing opportunities for businesses, triggering sales of books about the imperial family, calendars and special promotional goods bearing the name of Reiwa. Cultural observers even predict a mini-boom of young couples tying the knot this year for auspicious reasons. Since April 1, when the name of the new era was announced by the government, 73 companies have registered as corporate entities bearing the name of Reiwa, according to Tokyo Shoko Research Ltd., a provider of corporate data and credit information. Forty-four of them are new firms and 29 changed their names. The new era of Reiwa has set up an expectation for happier times as Heisei ends. According to a recent poll by Yomiuri Shimbun, a leading national daily newspaper, 58% of the Japanese see a better time ahead as Reiwa begins, while 27% say things will get worse. The sentiment is strongest among young adults, with 80% of people aged 18 to 29 registering their optimism for the coming era, a sharp contrast from previous government surveys showing most Japanese are pessimistic about the future, especially the young generation. [MORE: Japan's Comeback Is Rooted in Automation] According to a survey conducted in March by Mainichi Shimbun, another major daily newspaper, 87% of the Japanese indicated that the emperor and the empress have played well their role as the "symbol" of the state, consistent with the stipulation of the Japanese Constitution (under the current constitution, the emperor has no political authority). "They were close to the people, often seen attending to and caring for the victims of natural disasters, like the (2011 T?hoku) earthquake," says Masui, the university professor. Miki Tanikawa is a journalist based in Japan. Kate Middleton and Prince William Relive the wedding day of Kate Middleton and Prince William [Photo: PA] Prince William married Kate Middleton, as she was known then, 10 years ago, on 29 April 2011. The pair tied the knot in Westminster Abbey in front of 26.3m viewers in the UK alone. A decade later, they have three children and are an integral part of the Royal Family, carrying out countless engagements and representing hundreds of charities. On their wedding day, more than 5,000 street parties were held and one million people lined the route the couple took from the Abbey to Buckingham Palace. The pair met when they were students at the University of St Andrews in Scotland in 2001 and began dating a couple of years later. After a long courtship, which was somewhat off and on, William proposed to Kate with his mother Princess Dianas diamond sapphire engagement ring during a trip to Kenya in 2010. Read more: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge drive a tractor as they carry out visits with sweet wedding link Kate wore a satin and lace wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen. She borrowed the Cartier halo tiara from the Queens jewellery collection, which was made in 1936 for the Queen Mother. The bride chose her sister Pippa Middleton as her maid of honour, who also wore a cowl-neck dress by Sarah Burton. There were four bridesmaids Lady Louise Windsor, then seven, Margarita Armstrong-Jones, then eight, Grace van Cutsem, then three, Eliza Lopes, then three. The two page boys were William Lowther-Pinkerton, then ten, and Tom Pettifer, then eight. William wore his red Irish Guards uniform, while best man and brother Harry wore the uniform of a captain of the Blues and Royals. William and Kate were given the title of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their wedding day. They are now parents to Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, who is soon to be six and three-year-old Prince Louis. Here, relive the pomp, romance and sheer glamour of the day with these glorious wedding photos. Originally published on 14 May 2018. (Repeats to widen distribution) By Tracy Rucinski CHICAGO, April 28 (Reuters) - American Airlines pilots have warned that Boeing Co's draft training proposals for the troubled 737 MAX do not go far enough to address their concerns, according to written comments submitted to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and seen by Reuters. The comments were made by the Allied Pilots Association (APA), which represents pilots at American Airlines Group Inc , the world's largest airline and one of the biggest 737 MAX operators in the United States. Their support is important because Boeing has said pilots' confidence in the 737 MAX will play a critical role in convincing the public that the aircraft is safe to fly again. Boeing's fast-selling 737 MAX was grounded worldwide in March following a fatal Ethiopian Airlines crash that killed all 157 on board just five months after a similar crash on a Lion Air flight that killed all 189 passengers and crew. Now it is readying for regulatory approval a final software update and training package to address an anti-stall system known as MCAS that played a role in both nose-down crashes. A draft report by an FAA-appointed board of pilots, engineers and other experts concluded that pilots only need additional computer-based training to understand MCAS, rather than simulator time. The public has until April 30 to make comments. Protesters are expected outside Boeing's annual meeting in Chicago on Monday, where shareholders will also question the company over its safety record. APA is arguing that mere computer explanation "will not provide a level of confidence for pilots to feel not only comfortable flying the aircraft but also relaying that confidence to the traveling public." It said the MAX computer training, which originally involved a one-hour iPad course, should include videos of simulator sessions showing how MCAS works along with demonstrations of other cockpit emergencies such as runaway stabilizer, a loss of control that occurred on both doomed flights. Story continues APA also called for recurring training on simulators that includes scenarios like those experienced by the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines pilots, in addition to computer training. "When pilots visually experience the failure modes and then apply them, the lesson is cemented in their minds," APA wrote. American Airlines has said it is looking at the potential for additional training opportunities in coordination with the FAA and its pilots union. Canada, Europe and South Korea are all weighing the need for simulator training, going above the recommendations in the draft FAA report, sources have said. Required simulator training could delay the MAX's return to service because it takes time to schedule hundreds or thousands of pilots on simulators. Hourly rates for simulators range between $500 and $1000, excluding travel expenses. American Airlines Chief Executive Doug Parker said on Friday that even if other countries delay the ungrounding of the MAX, once the FAA approves it, American will start flying its 24 aircraft. Union pilots for Southwest Airlines Co, the world's largest operator of the MAX with 34 jets and dozens more on order, have said they were satisfied with the FAA draft report but would decide on additional training once they see Boeing's final proposals. (Reporting by Tracy Rucinski; Additional reporting by Eric M. Johnson in Seattle, Allison Lampert in Montreal, David Shepardson in Washington, Heekyong Yang in Seoul and Jamie Freed in Singapore; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) (Repeats story from Sunday) * Harsh siege depletes food in camp * Russia seeks to dismantle camp to push U.S. troops out of Tanf * Over 7,000 civilians leave as hunger and poverty grow * For a graphic: https://tmsnrt.rs/2W6Vp0J By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN, April 29 (Reuters) - It was only when his children began to starve that Abdullah al-Amour decided time had come to leave the sanctuary of Rukban camp with his family to face an uncertain fate back under Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The cattle trader from Palmyra fled to Rukban on the Syrian border with Jordan and Iraq more than three years ago after his home was destroyed in Russian air strikes targeting areas that were held at the time by Islamic State. Conditions at Rukban are tough, but it offers one big advantage to the 36,000 people sheltering there: protection from Russian air strikes and pro-Assad forces thanks to its location near a U.S. base. But in recent weeks life in the camp has gone from bad to near impossible. Food shortages have got a lot worse as a result of a siege by government and Russian forces that want to see Rukban dismantled and U.S. forces out of Syria, according to people living in the camp and diplomats. "Today you eat. Tomorrow there is nothing to eat," said Amour, 46, speaking to Reuters by phone from the camp. Amour says his son Hamza, three, has become frail from being fed sugared water instead of powdered milk. Gravel and dirt are being added to dough to make flour supplies go further. "No one is leaving out of their own will. I can no longer sleep with my children hungry," he said. Local sources say Russian and Syrian government forces have choked off supplies to Rukban since mid-February, blocking access for smugglers who used to bribe their way through army checkpoints, and firing on some vehicles. On Thursday, Washington urged Damascus and Moscow to allow international aid deliveries to Rukban and stop blocking commercial routes into the camp to "avert further suffering." Story continues As shortages have hit, a steady stream of people have crossed out of Rukban into government territory. OCHA, the U.N. humanitarian agency, said around 7,000 had left in the last month or so. Some were in shelters in Homs city where some of the men were settling their status with the authorities, and others had gone to their areas of origin in Homs governorate. Relatives say the Homs city shelters amount to internment centers for many of the men. POWER STRUGGLE Rukban camp is at the heart of a struggle between Russia and the United States for control of southeastern Syria and with it a land route to Iraq and Assad's major regional ally, Iran. Russia, whose military has helped Assad claw back control of much of Syria, views Rukban as a U.S. pretext for maintaining its "illegal occupation in the south" and as a last pocket of anti-Assad rebels in southern Syria who must be wiped out. The camp's evacuation seems unlikely to lead the United States to abandon its nearby garrison at Tanf and the surrounding "deconfliction zone" that envelops Rukban: Tanf is seen as useful to U.S. aims of countering Iran. But Russia is still determined to see Rukban gone. This would represent a gain for Moscow in Syria as its military advances have ground to a halt in other parts of the country, and would assert its influence over a U.S.-controlled area. Moscow and Damascus have accused Washington of holding the people of Rukban hostage and Russia has even compared its conditions to the concentration camps of the second world war. The United States has said it is not preventing anyone from leaving Rukban, while calling for a process of "safe, voluntary and dignified departures" from the camp. The Russian defense ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. With routes to the camp controlled by Damascus, Rukban has rarely received U.N. aid deliveries. Following a delivery in November, the United States said it recognized Russia had played a role in persuading Damascus to authorize it. The last time a U.N. aid convoy reached Rukban was early February. Many at Rukban fear returning to Assad's Syria, saying they could be detained or forced to join the army. This concern is widely held among refugees, who are unconvinced by Russian assurances they face no threat. Over the years, the camp has taken on some features of permanence including houses built of mud bricks, schools and markets. Ibrahim al-Nasser ran a grocery at Rukban until he was forced to close it for lack of goods. Speaking to Reuters as he was about to leave Rukban, he said he no longer cared about his own fate and only wanted to save his children from starving. "People are gripped with fear of being arrested," said Nasser. "But I am forced to leave even if I might face death or prison so that my children live," he said. GREEN BUSES Abu Ahmad al Dirbas Khalidi, the head of an opposition-run civil council in the camp, said dwindling food supplies gave people at Rukban no choice but to leave. "The regime and the Russians have succeeded in their siege, and with hunger and poverty people are leaving," he said. The camp's only bakery stopped production this month. A bag of flour - if available - now costs 40,000 Syrian pounds ($70) - eight times its price in government territory. Reports in Syrian state-run media have shown people leaving Rukban on green buses like those used to evacuate civilians and rebel fighters from other parts of Syria recaptured from insurgents, such as eastern Aleppo and eastern Ghouta. In an interview with the state news agency SANA, one man leaving Rukban accused militant groups "led by America of putting us under pressure, denying us food and water, just so that we join them." But sources in Rukban said men leaving had been detained for weeks at internment camps in Homs before being jailed, released or drafted into the army. Mahmoud al-Humeili, a camp official, said he had received reports that two dozen men had been arrested. Shukri Shihab, a relief worker in the camp, said: "Death in the camp is better than dying behind prison bars." (Editing by Tom Perry and Giles Elgood) Govt committed to take all clerics on board: Dr Noor-ul-Haq Qadri Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Dr Noor-ul-Haq Qadri has brushed aside all assumptions regarding government intentions to close down religious schools and said the government is committed to take all clerics on board for promotion of diversity and tolerance and making Pakistan an Islamic welfare state. In his key note address at the eighth meeting of the National Islamic Scholars Council here on Sunday at a local hotel, the minister urged ulema to influence and guide the government for establishment of Riasat-e-Madina. Admiring the religious leadership for streamlining national religious thought through Paigham-e-Pakistan Conference, the minister urged ulema and scholars to refrain from becoming part of any negative propaganda. He said nothing like closure of madaris in the country is under consideration and the students and teachers must not come under the influence of such negative and baseless rumours. The minister said the government will take all ulema and religious scholars on board to transform Pakistan into a country ensuring protection to all religious minorities, adding that the ulema should play an effective role for promotion of unity and understanding in the society. He emphasized upon the need to discourage violence and hatred through scholarly discourse and constructive discussions. Qadri said the clerics should help people resolve their issues in the light of Islamic teachings. He said ulema have a role to play for maintaining lasting peace and protection of the homeland. He said all schools of thought should spread the Islamic teachings with wisdom and good advice. He also appreciated the organizers for holding such a conference wherein ulema and scholars from across the country participated. Photo by Jo Garbutt from Flickr Staying informed about the organizations that keep San Antonio running can be difficult. Hoodline reviewed the city's past week on Twitter, particularly those users that are dedicated to civic life local government, media, nonprofits, unions, transit and utilities. We wanted to uncover and write about the ideas that inspired your social media conversations around those topics. Media The media keep you informed about the news you need. Here are some of the top tweets from the city's journalists of the past week. San Antonio's Twitter conversations regarding media held steady in volume last week compared to the previous week. One of them with the most local attention was this tweet from @ksatnews: WE YOU H-E-B. P.S.- Nombre, shut up, and go Spurs go. https://t.co/jnMpb0uQZR KSAT 12 (@ksatnews) As of this publication, the tweet racked up 71 local retweets, 11 local quotes and 978 total retweets, quotes and favorites. There was also this Thursday tweet from @hinojosa_david: Track and field: Reagan's Gabby Martinez couldn't walk on her own a year ago. Now and she is back and stronger than ever after recovering from dirt bike accident. @reaganxctf @Rattlersports https://t.co/V21kIIYuXt David Hinojosa (@hinojosa_david) The tweet got some attention, with 11 local retweets, four local quotes and 73 total retweets, quotes and favorites. Transit Hoodline has curated top tweets from local transit agencies on Twitter over the past week. San Antonio had approximately the same volume of Twitter conversations about transit last week compared to the past week. One of them with high local attention was this tweet by @VIA_Transit: . @lyft to VIA Park & Ride = a safe @FiestaSA. #Lyft2VIA today and throughout the weekend for $10 off one ride! Use code VIAFIESTA19WK Visit https://t.co/VWYziBohlI for Park & Ride service info. https://t.co/kSsvNDnDEU VIA Metro Transit (@VIA_Transit) In all, the tweet totaled up 10 local retweets and 23 total retweets, quotes and favorites. Story continues Government Hoodline makes it easy to keep up with the latest news and announcements from local government on Twitter. San Antonio saw little change in Twitter conversations on the subject of government last week compared to the week before. Some tweets got some popularity locally, like this from @rey4sa: 1989 @ExpressNews headline on TEA intervention: SSAISD Board President Raul Prado said Monday he was optimistic about the situation. district's accreditation is in in jeopardy because of local board members getting involved in administrative matters.https://t.co/8Fxsi8nttV Rey A. Saldana (@rey4sa) That earned four local retweets, four local quotes and 20 total retweets, quotes and favorites. This story was created automatically using data from Twitter, then reviewed by an editor before publication. Click here for more about how and why Hoodline is automating local news. Got thoughts about what we're doing? Go here to share your feedback. Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein was walking into the banquet hall at Chabad of Poway on Saturday when he heard a loud noise. He thought a table had toppled or that one of his congregants had fallen. I did not know what that was, he said. But when he turned around, he immediately found out. I was face to face with this murder terrorist who was holding the rifle and looking straight at me, he said. The gunman did not say anything. As soon as he saw me, he started to shoot towards me and that is when I put my hands up, Rabbi Goldstein said. In an interview on America's Today show on Sunday, Rabbi Goldstein recounted the harrowing moments when the gunman entered the synagogue in Poway, California, and opened fire with an AR-15-style gun. My fingers got blown away, Goldstein said. I cannot erase that face from my mind. The shooting at Chabad of Poway was the most recent in a string of deadly attacks at houses of worship, including a mass shooting at a mosque in New Zealand in March that was livestreamed on Facebook and fatal bombings at churches in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday that killed more than 300 people. The attack at Chabad of Poway happened six months to the day after one of the deadliest attacks against the American Jewish community killed 11 in a Pittsburgh synagogue. The attack on Saturday left a 60-year-old woman dead, the rabbi wounded, and a 34-year-old man and a young girl with shrapnel wounds. The shooting occurred while there were 40 to 60 people at the synagogue and on Saturday, which was the Sabbath and also the last day of Passover, a holiday that celebrates Jewish freedom. Rabbi Goldstein and those injured were expected to recover, but he said he will be scarred for life. I cannot erase the moment, and it is going to be embedded there forever, he said. After the gunman, identified by officials as John T Earnest, 19, shot Goldstein in his hand, he shot to death a woman the rabbi had known for 33 years and who had helped him build the synagogue. Story continues Rabbi Goldstein said he immediately went into action. I turned around and I saw a group of children in the banquet hall, including my granddaughter, and I just ran, not even knowing that my fingers were blown off and curled all the kids together and got them outside and went into the sanctuary and got everyone out of the sanctuary to safety, he said. As they were waiting for authorities to arrive, Goldstein continued the sermon he had started inside the synagogue. I got up there and just spoke from my heart, the rabbi said. Just giving everyone the courage to know, it was just 70 years ago during the Holocaust we were gunned down like this, and I just want to let my fellow Americans know that were not going to let this happen. Authorities called the shooting a hate crime. The gunman was charged early yesterday with one count of murder in the first degree and three counts of attempted murder. No bail was set. Im just so heartbroken and saddened by the senseless killing, Goldstein said. Everyone needs to be a hero and everyone needs to step up and do something in the face of terror, he said. He added: I guarantee you, we will not be intimidated or deterred by terror. Terror will not win. The New York Times Gary Sanchez hit a long two-run homer, Gleyber Torres also hit a two-run homer and the visiting New York Yankees posted an 11-5 victory over the San Francisco Giants to complete a three-game sweep on Sunday afternoon. Sanchez hit his second homer since returning from a calf injury -- and eighth overall -- in the sixth. After hitting a 467-foot grand slam Saturday, Sanchez put the Yankees up 8-0 when he hit a 1-0 fastball off Nick Vincent into the last row of the left field bleachers Sunday. Sanchez's 430-foot blast helped the Yankees improve to 6-1 on their nine-game trip and win for the 11th time in 13 games. New York's latest win was also marred by two more injuries. Second baseman DJ LeMahieu exited in the third due to right knee inflammation and third baseman Gio Urshela exited two innings later when he was hit by a pitch on his left hand. Torres hit a two-run homer into the first row of the left-center field seats when he connected off San Francisco starter Dereck Rodriguez (3-3) in the third. Luke Voit had three hits, including a two-run single in the second. Voit extended his on-base streak to 39 games and his single put the Yankees up 4-0 moments after a throwing error by San Francisco catcher Erik Kratz on a pickoff attempt. The Yankees tacked on three runs in the ninth on a base hit by Cameron Maybin and a two-run single by Tyler Wade. The Yankees loaded the bases in the first and took a 2-0 lead when shortstop Brandon Crawford booted Sanchez's potential double-play grounder and Voit scored on Torres' double-play grounder. New York's Domingo German (5-1) gave up four runs on five hits in six innings and joined Seattle's Marco Gonzales and Tampa Bay's Tyler Glasnow as the third five-game winner in the majors. He struck out four and walked one. German took a shutout into the sixth but lost it when Joe Panik singled in Tyler Austin. The Giants added three more runs on a double by Pablo Sandoval and a two-run single by Kevin Pillar. Story continues Pillar also homered in the ninth. Rodriguez lasted three-plus innings and gave up six runs (four earned) and seven hits. He struck out three and walked four, and exited after surrendering consecutive singles to start the fourth. --Field Level Media Yamina Zahir shows the large patch of hair missing from the back of her daughter's head that she claims was cut off by school bullies. [Photo: ABC6 Philadelphia] Words: Paulina Cachero A mother from Philadelphia, US, is speaking out after bullies at her daughters school allegedly chopped off chunks of her daughters hair with scissors. But she says her pleas with school and police are being heard on deaf ears. "Nothing is happening. Nothing is being addressed, Yamina Zahir told ABC6 Philadelphia. According to Yamina, her 8-year-old daughter, Amina, has been the victim of bullying for over a year at Commodore John Barry Elementary. However, the bullying escalated to a new level when her daughter came home from school on April 24 with a large patch of hair missing from the back of her head. Who would do something like that? said Yamina. If you could see the back of my daughters head she doesnt have any hair there. Yaminas daughter claims her teacher did not respond after she reported that a fellow female student had cut her hair with scissors. READ MORE: Mother wakes up after 30 years in a vegetative state After learning this, Yamina took it upon herself to speak to Aminas teacher and school counselor. She even called the police and she says no action was taken. Someone is really going to get hurt out of this situation, a distraught Yamina tells ABC6. She could've stabbed my daughter. Anything could've happened. However, Commodore John Barry Elementary disputes the claims that the bullying or the incident happened at all. According to a statement ABC6 Philadelphia obtained from the School District of Philadelphia, the school investigated the matter and found no evidence the hair cutting took place at the school. The safety of our students is our number one priority... We at the school district take bullying very seriously. The school has no official reports of bullying involving this student," Lee Whack, the Deputy Chief of Communications, told ABC6. In a statement to Yahoo, the School District of Philadelphia mentioned the lack of official bullying reports, but did not clarify whether or not evidence has been found. Story continues READ MORE: Woman, 23, paralysed after an abnormal click in neck School staff are committed to working with the student and her family to ensure a safe, welcoming and inclusive learning environment for her and all students, a spokesperson tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Yaminas distress about the escalation of her daughters alleged bullying follows national news of 13-year-old Kashala Francis who died two days after she was brutally attacked by fellow students outside her Houston middle school. The stricken mum is now publicly speaking out against Commodore John Barry administrators, who she believes have not taken serious enough action against the harassment her daughter has faced. She says shes even filed a report with local police. Yahoo Lifestyle was not able to locate Yamina Zahir for comment. The pigs at Farsley Farfield School in Farsley (Picture: SWNS) A primary school has defended its plan to slaughter its pet pigs to teach pupils about the food chain. Farsley Farfield Primary School in Leeds, West Yorkshire, intends to slaughter its two Gloucestershire Old Spots pigs that it has reared since last October. Animal rights campaigners are angry that the school intends to kill the animals for meat, but its headmaster says he is teaching children about animal welfare and the food chain. The pigs are part of a mini-farm on the school's grounds, which also contains vegetable patches and hens. Head teacher Peter Harris, a vegetarian, says pupils will be more knowledgeable and sensitive to animal welfare" as a result of the plan. In a blog post on the school's website, Mr Harris said: "Through keeping the pigs the children will learn more about the provenance of their food and issues around animal welfare. "I think that we are raising awareness of the meat industry, and some of the issues around animal welfare and sustainability. Farsley Farfield School in Farsley, West Yorkshire which has a farm on the site (Picture: SWNS) "The pigs will live twice as long as commercial pigs and appear to be enjoying their outdoor life with plenty of opportunity to root around. "Their welfare standards are much higher than most pigs. "I dont think that we are desensitising the children, I suggest that our children will be more knowledgeable and sensitive to animal welfare than most of their peers." Mr Harris described the school farm as a "tremendous long-term success" that gives pupils a "better understanding" of where their food comes from. Read more Health Secretary adds prominent addiction warnings to opioid painkillers Nicola Sturgeon calls for second referendum vote - 'Scotland needs independent future Heathrow Airport introduces technology so you won't have to show your passport He added: "A key element of this project is to discuss the need to reduce meat consumption." However, an online petition has been launched in protest against the plan to kill the pigs. The petition, which has almost 2,000 signatures, was set up by a former student, who wrote: "My main concerns are with the wellbeing of these pigs and the message that we will be teaching the children at Farsley Farfield that it is okay to exploit and kill animals with the only justification being that people enjoy eating their bodies. Story continues "They are friendly animals that can live for about 12 years or so. "Schools have a duty of care to support children, teach them fair values and to provide a safe and happy environment for them. Pupil Charlotte Heap has defended the plan (Picture: SWNS) "By teaching children that it is okay to exploit and kill animals they are in breach of this, and this could also be traumatising for children getting to know the animals and then knowing they are going to die." But pupil Charlotte Heap, 11, wrote a letter to the Yorkshire Evening Post defending the school. We are being given a real demonstration of where our meat comes from, she said. We know that not all animals are treated well but we all want this to change. One parent said: "Despite some individual's views on social media I think having the pigs on the farm is a brilliant idea. "All of my children have been brought up knowing where our food comes from and it does not stop them eating any of it." Another said: "All of my children have attended this great school. "I fully support the teaching of the pig's life cycle, children should be made aware of where their food comes from." Logo of jester cap with thought bubble. Image source: The Motley Fool. Scorpio Bulkers Inc (NYSE: SALT) Q1 2019 Earnings Call April 29, 2019, 9:00 a.m. ET Contents: Prepared Remarks Questions and Answers Call Participants Prepared Remarks: Operator Hello and welcome to the Scorpio Bulkers Incorporated First Quarter 2019 Conference Call. I would now like to turn the call over to Hugh Baker, Chief Financial Officer. Please go ahead, sir. Hugh Baker -- Chief Financial Officer Thank you, operator. Thank you all for joining us today. Welcome to the Scorpio Bulkers' first quarter earnings call. On the call with me are Emanuele Lauro, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Robert Bugbee, our President; and Cameron Mackey, our Chief Operating Officer. Earlier today, we issued our first quarter earnings press release, which is available on our website. The information discussed on this call is based on information as of today, April the 29th, 2019 and may contain forward-looking statements that involve risk and uncertainty. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in such statements. For a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, you should purview the forward-looking statement disclosure in the earnings press release that we issued today as well as Scorpio Bulkers' SEC filings, which are available at www.scorpiobulkers.com and sec.gov. Call participants are advised that the audio of this conference call is being broadcast live on the Internet and is also being recorded for playback purposes. An archive of the webcast will be made available on the Investor Relations page of our website for approximately 14 days. In addition to this call, there will be a short presentation available at www.scorpiobulkers.com on the Investor Relations page under reports and presentations. If you have any specific financial modelling questions, you can contact me later and discuss offline. Now, I'd like to introduce Emanuele Lauro. Emanuele A. Lauro -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Story continues Thank you, Hugh and thanks everybody for being with us today. Welcome to the first quarter call for Scorpio Bulkers. The result serves to demonstrate the resilience of the Company through a testing period in the dry bulk space. This quarter, there had been some particularly unhelpful headwinds, of which you will hear more of during the call. Against this backdrop, we continued to generate positive operating cash flow and have further enhanced our balance sheet flexibility. As the past few months have demonstrated, we should expect the unexpected. That said, the forward market and the recent acceleration in US and Chinese GDP indicate that the worst may now be behind us. Although the dry bulk shipping will always be subject to the noise of the macro economy, shareholders can rightfully expect management to make informed technical, commercial and financial decisions through these peaks and troughs. Seen in that context, this quarter has been one of marked progress and we are quietly pleased with how the Company is positioned. Commercially, we have made selected disposals of tonnage where we believe the price offered represented good value for the Company. Furthermore, our decision in the second half of 2018 to take selected time charter coverage through this period has proven to be right. Technically, we remain engaged with a significant dry docking program, which will leave much of our fleet, scrubber equipped, furthering its best-in-class position as a go-to modern, cost efficient fleet into the dislocation of IMO 2020. Financially, we have engaged in selective sale leasebacks improving the balance sheet liquidity. This serves to demonstrate our access to top lenders worldwide and market leading rates for finance. Our clear intention is to return more cash to shareholders when the market allows. With this in mind, we have renewed the buyback authorization and reduced our cash operating expenses year-on-year; the timely investment in STNG shares when mark-to-market continues to pay off handsomely for SALT shareholders. With this, my remarks are closed and I would like to hand over the call back to Hugh. Hugh Baker -- Chief Financial Officer Thank you, Emanuele. I would like to refer you all to the presentation in respect of today's earnings release, which supplements the information provided by the release. The first quarter of 2019 was an eventful quarter for the Company. During the quarter, we made a net loss of $3.5 million which amounted to a loss per share of $0.05. This included a $15.5 million, $0.23 gain on our investment in Scorpio Tankers and a $7.5 million, $0.11 writedown of assets held for sale. As a result, adjusted net income was $4 million, $0.06 a share excluding the writedown of assets held for sale. Adjusted EBITDA was $32.8 million. Revenues for the first quarter were $50.4 million, which can be compared to the $54.3 million for the same quarter of 2018. Revenues were driven by Ultramax time charter equivalent earnings of $9,177 per day and Kamsarmax time charter equivalent earnings of $11,176 per day. Since the beginning of the current quarter, we can guide you that we have booked Ultramax time charter equivalent earnings of $9,779 per day book to date in Q2 -- in the second quarter of 2019 and Kamsarmax time charter equivalent earnings of $10,711 per day book to date in Q2 2019. Our liquidity position as of April the 26th was $57.9 million in cash. Our fleet size has reduced during the first -- during the quarter due to the sale of two 2015-built Kamsarmax vessels for $48 million. Upon the completion of this sale during the second quarter, the Company's liquidity will increase by $18.6 million. Capital expenditure of $3.7 million was incurred in the first quarter of 2019 for exhaust gas cleaning systems or scrubbers. Total capital expenditures to date on scrubbers has been $6.4 million. Full details of our expected future CapEx, scrubber CapEx program amounting to $120.6 million is contained in the earnings press released and the supporting presentation. In this respect, I'd like you to refer you to our most recent investor presentation, which is also on our website where we provide the basis behind our decision to install scrubbers not least through the calculations supporting the fuel savings we expect to generate from installing them. The Company also executed and commenced various financings to increase liquidity. We sold and leasebacked three Ultramax vessels and four Kamsarmax vessels, which will increase liquidity by $57.2 million in the aggregate. In a separate transaction, we sold and leasebacked one Kamsarmax vessel, which will increase liquidity by $6.9 million. We sold and leasebacked six Ultramax vessels in a further transaction increasing liquidity by $62.4 million (ph). And finally, we sold and leasebacked two Ultramax vessels, which will increase liquidity by $17 million in the aggregate. I can also announce that we've raised $46 million through the financing for scrubbers. That is the upsizing of existing loan facilities. Please (technical difficulty) announced $41 million of new financing, but over the last few weeks, we've achieved credit approval from two additional financial institutions to increase this amount by an additional $5 million to $46 million. The upsizings cover eight loan facilities supported by 10 lenders and we appreciate the support. If we add three of the lease financing's which include scrubber finance, we have 13 lenders financing scrubbers on 49 of our vessels. I'm aware that there have been recent changes in the financing of our fleet and for those investors or analysts who want to model our future debt, we have provided a detailed facility by facility overview of our future amortization schedule on Page 7 of the earnings presentation. In respect of our liquidity position, I have mentioned that the Company has raised substantial amounts of new liquidity over Q1 and to date in Q2 in relation to the sale of the two vessels, the four (ph) sale and leaseback transactions and the upsizing of existing loan facilities. These liquidity raising announcements add up to a total of $208 million and are sufficient to pay for our scrubber program and also to repay our $73.6 million of bonds due in September. We continue to monitor our liquidity and expect to announce further more modest liquidity raising initiatives going forward. The Company's Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.02 per share on April the 26th, 2019. No stock has been purchased to date in 2019. As of April the 26th, 2019, $50 million remains available under our stock buyback program. With that, I'd like to open the call up to investors. Questions and Answers: Operator (Operator Instructions) Our first question or comment comes from the line of Jon Chappell from Evercore. Your line is open. Jonathan Chappell -- Evercore ISI -- Analyst Thank you. Hugh, thanks for all the transparency in the presentation and the press release. Just a quick follow up on one of your last comments you made about continue do modest liquidity raises. Should we expect further sale and leasebacks given the fact that asset values have held up kind of relative to the market or are there other leverage you are thinking about pulling? Hugh Baker -- Chief Financial Officer I think as we said -- I think we're continuing to monitor our liquidity and we expect modest advancements going forward in that. Jonathan Chappell -- Evercore ISI -- Analyst All right. Scrubber financing, if we take all the facilities -- Hugh Baker -- Chief Financial Officer Please -- Jon, please. Completely scripted on that, that may extend beyond, no (ph) sale leasebacks into possible sales too, we wouldn't write that out. Jonathan Chappell -- Evercore ISI -- Analyst Okay. That makes sense. On the scrubbers, you've raised -- if I add up everything, about $71 million of new financing potential for those out of $127 million CapEx. So it's a little under 60%. Is that a level you feel comfortable with or are you still looking to raise additional financing for the scrubber CapEx? Hugh Baker -- Chief Financial Officer No, I think we're done on the scrubber CapEx. Like I said, we've essentially received for (ph) scrubber financing on 49 of our vessels. The remaining five vessels are vessels under Japanese sale leaseback arrangements where the leasing counterparties are not providing scrubber finance. So I think that in respect of scrubber financing specifically, I don't think we're going to do any more. We're very happy with what we've done. Jonathan Chappell -- Evercore ISI -- Analyst All right. And if I tie everything together then, you've obviously achieved a lot on the liquidity scale and you have a pretty nice mark-to-market on STNG right now. Maybe time to take a victory lap and sell some of the STNG or you still think it's too early in that cycle and you'll look to raise liquidity in other avenues. Hugh Baker -- Chief Financial Officer Well, we think STNG's got a long way to go. It's not about declaring victory laps, it is about making money and we think the product market is coming along very well, in some senses is ahead of expectations, we're just coming to the end of a really deep refinery turnaround and all the data we're getting whether it's a long term time charters or increase in traded volumes or consolidation on the margin would indicate that very shortly the product market is going to start to put itself in a position to give off some pretty extraordinary numbers. The STNG, Scorpio Bulkers management thinks that STNG's value -- NAV is closer to 40 (ph) than any other number. So we think there's a lot of upside in STNG and the liquidity measures we've done have been particularly designed to ensure that, remember we started back in January, February when it was unclear what was going to happen in trade disputes of the world or in some sense the world's view is worse than where it is today. It was designed so that we could really hold STNG shares for a long time and be in a position as shareholders to really benefit from what we expect to be a significant appreciation in those shares. Jonathan Chappell -- Evercore ISI -- Analyst Okay. Thank you for your answers and thanks again for the transparency in the releases. Operator Thank you. Our next question or comment comes from the line of Amit Mehrotra from Deutsche Bank. Your line is open. Amit Mehrotra -- Deutsche Bank -- Analyst Thanks, operator. Hi, everybody. I wanted to follow up on that last question because I think it's important in the context of just understanding what Scorpio Bulkers is just given that so much of your net asset value or fifth (ph) of the net asset value of the Company is attributable to the stake in STNG. So, Robert, it's obviously being a great investment, maybe the Company's best investment since inception, but there's also to be fair there's been criticism about the corporate governance implications rightfully or wrongfully, but that's just the fact. So obviously STNG is in a different place now than when you made the investment for the better. SALT's financial position and balance sheet, you guys are doing a lot of capital structure gymnastics given where the dry bulk market is. So why not release some of that balance sheet capacity, it accomplishes a lot of things, it alleviates some of the corporate governance implications or conclusions some people have reached. SALT gets better and then STNG's float further gets better for people -- broader market participants to participate in this product tanker up cycle. So why wouldn't you take some money off the table there? Hugh Baker -- Chief Financial Officer Well I guess that we felt that we did this in the best practice of way of doing it in good governance. The independent board directors made the decision under the guidance of their own counsel and their own investment bankers. So we felt that the way the investment was made was in line with good practice of corporate governance. We understand some of the criticism out there, but providing its legal and above board, I would have thought that good governance starts with making money and value for the shareholder and that's what the investment with STNG has done and that's what we expect it to continue to do in the future. And as we explained, it is way too early to take an investment off when -- a few times, I mean you pointed out best investment. Well, this could well be the best investment this management has ever made in any area in terms of timing or shipping over the years because what's happening in the product market is something that a regulation has created on top of already tightening supply and demand and tightening price has now created a tremendous demand catalyst in what -- Amit Mehrotra -- Deutsche Bank -- Analyst Yes, but do you understand what the -- this is a call -- conference call for a dry bulk company and we've spent more time talking about the product tanker market than the dry bulk market, isn't that weird to you? And so the question is, is that, when you meet investors, how do you pitch Scorpio Bulkers? Do you pitch it as a dry bulk company with an option on a product tanker company, isn't that kind of weird? And so, are you sacrificing Scorpio Bulkers for the outlook for STNG, which is clearly better and bigger and I'm just trying to understand where it strategically fits? Robert Bugbee -- President and Director Okay, so strategically, we made a decision back in October/November. It's pretty -- we put out a lot of our vessels on time charter. We didn't expect the market to -- let's say come under the pressure of the -- what happened with Vale, but we certainly expected at that time that the product market would -- because of its unusual phenomenon be in a position to materially outperform the dry cargo market during this period. Now that doesn't mean that we sell up every single thing right now and go into products. We took and we became the largest shareholder in what we considered the best product tanker company there is in the world and that's great and that's an investment. And in the meantime, the company has continued to -- continues to have the youngest mid-small size dry cargo fleet there is in the world and will benefit from that. We expect when the recovery comes in or will continue its progress once hopefully the US and China reach a trade agreement and there's world (ph) position, but the job -- it's a very, very good opportunity that came around and when I first started shipping -- actually forget about the past, nearly all of the billionaires of shipping actually have diverse portfolios. They really don't see anything wrong in making money first and that's what happened here. And if in the future, SALT continues to look at and continues -- the board decides to continue to judge its investments based upon what it thinks is going to be its greatest returns, then fine, it may decide to be at its core, a dry bulk owner and around the edges invest opportunistically in the arbitrage that Wall Street provides from time-to-time. We haven't come to that conclusion. All we're doing right now -- Amit Mehrotra -- Deutsche Bank -- Analyst Got it. So SALT are now -- is SALT a diversified holding company now, is that the way we should interpret it. I'm just trying to understand what you're saying? Is that the case? Robert Bugbee -- President and Director I don't know -- we haven't got to that decision yet. Right now, it is what it is, it's primarily a dry bulk company that happens to have -- be the largest shareholder in the largest product tanker company at this moment in time. Amit Mehrotra -- Deutsche Bank -- Analyst Yeah. Robert Bugbee -- President and Director We will see how this develops over time. Amit Mehrotra -- Deutsche Bank -- Analyst Okay. (multiple speakers). Emanuele Lauro -- Chief Executive Officer To echo what Robert is saying, I don't think we are sacrificing SALT in any shape or form. We were opportunistic and we took the opportunity to invest in product tankers. The management team has done this in the past, publicly and privately with investments in shipping and not (ph) but you may remember the gas investment, the crude investment, the container investment that the management team has done while involving other companies. If they were opportunistic -- we were opportunistic then and we've been opportunistic in October from a SALT perspective to look into STNG. That's it. I don't think we can look into more or conclude where SALT is going to go because if you look at -- if you take the STNG investments off SALT now, the market has done nothing, the dry cargo market unfortunately has done nothing in the last four, five months or six months and we would still be -- we will still own and operate the largest medium-sized dry cargo fleet and more modern medium-sized dry cargo fleet over there on the market, but we wouldn't have gained or lost much. That's what I'm saying. Amit Mehrotra -- Deutsche Bank -- Analyst No, that's fair and I'll hop off now. Just the only last thing I'll say is that when you say opportunistic the implication is -- there's a buying and selling going on and I guess that's the only point I just want to know. Clearly, I've been a fan of the investment in STNG, so I get it, but the VLCCs that you bought a while ago with STNG, you sold them? Right? And so you crystallized that value. It just seems to me based on what Robert was saying, five, six years from now, we could be sitting here still -- on the balance sheet still having that investment in STNG and I wasn't sure if it's an opportunistic investment or a strategic investment we should (multiple speakers). Robert Bugbee -- President and Director I don't think, I don't think, I don't think in five or six years you'll be having -- I'll make it simple, we don't think in five or six years you will have the investment on SALT's balance sheet. I do think that very clearly right now, we think that STNG is in a fantastic place for at least the next two or three years, now whether it takes off its stock at $60 or it takes it off at $70 or $80 or whether it's dividends part of it along the way, we don't know yet. We just know that $25 (ph) or we believe rather that $25 is just right at the first steps of a fantastic potential move in the product market in Scorpio Tankers. Amit Mehrotra -- Deutsche Bank -- Analyst Okay. That's fair. Thanks for taking my questions everybody. Appreciate it. Robert Bugbee -- President and Director Okay. Thanks again. Operator Thank you. Our next question or comment comes from the line of Gregory Lewis from BTIG. Your line is open. Gregory Lewis -- BTIG -- Analyst Good morning, everybody. I just had a question. You guys, you know, you've clearly been pretty opportunistic (inaudible) in the sale and leaseback of your fleet. Is there any sort of point we should think about where (technical difficulty) certain percentage of your fleet versus how much you're willing to actually put on sale and leaseback. And really what I'm getting, do you view sale and leasebacks much different than you do (technical difficulty). Hugh Baker -- Chief Financial Officer I think you've answered the question in sort of the last part (ph). The sale and leasebacks are very similar to the bank debt essentially on balance sheet debt. They are all based (ph) on (technical difficulty). Pricing tends to be slightly higher, but only slightly. (technical difficulty) few years ago, (technical difficulty) I think that we continue to monitor this. Again, I think we expect to (technical difficulty) we might make a few small changes, but essentially we don't see us doing a lot more sale and leasebacks at this time. Gregory Lewis -- BTIG -- Analyst Okay. Great. And then just (technical difficulty). Hugh Baker -- Chief Financial Officer The stock is trading at that time and even more so now that STNG has moved up, the stock was trading significantly below net asset value and I think that selling those assets at those price is -- was the most (technical difficulty) just doing sale leaseback isn't quite as flexible, long term in what you can do here (technical difficulty) by selling a couple of assets like we did at significantly (technical difficulty) Gregory Lewis -- BTIG -- Analyst Okay. So it could be (technical difficulty) buy back any stock in the first quarter you sold these vessels (technical difficulty) out of the fleet at some point in the second quarter and at that point maybe we could (technical difficulty) with that cash from these vessels we could see you guys start up the buyback that maybe -- Hugh Baker -- Chief Financial Officer Maybe, I mean, well we're not going to telegraph that, but what I would say is that when you're doing so much refinancing et cetera et cetera, regardless of what liquidity you think you're doing in the first (ph) quarter, you would not be buying back stock in the middle of going to credit committees et cetera et cetera. Gregory Lewis -- BTIG -- Analyst Okay everybody, thank you for the time. Operator Thank you. Our next question or comment comes from the line of Randy Giveans from Jefferies. Your line is open. Greg -- Jefferies -- Analyst Hey, gentlemen. This is Greg on for Randy. Thanks for taking the call this morning. So a question on scrubber install cadence. Why are you guys installing until 4Q 2020, is that just have to do with coinciding the dry docking for the vessel with the scrubber install or is it shipyard space for retrofits that the constraint there kind of will you walk us through the idea there? Cameron Mackey -- Chief Operating Officer Yeah, hi, Greg. Cameron here. It's a combination of factors as you've described. So it's a rather complex optimization problem where you have vessels that are due for statutory dry docking, you have commercial considerations around positioning vessel, you have manufacturing constraints around the supply of the scrubbers themselves and then, of course, you have the available space in established ship repair facilities that can install and commission the scrubbers. So it's a combination of things. Now, others might promote that they can install scrubbers with vessels afloat or go to some unproven or out of the way repair facility. We don't in general embrace those views or agree with those views. So this is a well-thought-out methodical process of the installing scrubbers and like I said the biggest savings comes from lining up that installation where (ph) already mandated dry docking and that reduces your off hire significantly. So that's what explains the timeline we've put in place. Greg -- Jefferies -- Analyst Okay and then lastly on that, I see in the kind of guidance that you guys provided in this table on the press release that you have $1.5 million that you're going to defer till Q1 2021. Is that just a timing issue or what's up with that payment? Hugh Baker -- Chief Financial Officer It's simply in accordance with the contracts. Greg -- Jefferies -- Analyst Okay. Okay. Makes sense. All right, so on another kind of idea here on share repurchases, why didn't you guys decide to make any share repurchases in Q1? And then also if you could reconcile in the press release the difference between the 71 million shares that you discussed in the balance sheet and in the dividend commentary and then the difference between 67 million that is in the income statement. Robert Bugbee -- President and Director Okay. The second Hugh can do that offline too. The first is a combination of two things. One is we were doing a lot of transactions in the first quarter and a lot of those are involving credit with lenders, credit with lessors et cetera, et cetera and the best thing to do always in situations like that is to keep the balance sheet as stable as you can. The second thing is that you actually need an open window in which to do it though we're doing so many transactions that I think the amount of days that the Company had an open window between either earnings or blacked out as a result of the transactions prevented it completely. Greg -- Jefferies -- Analyst Okay. Perfect. Well, thank you. That answers all my questions. Appreciate it. Operator Thank you. Our next question or comment comes from the line of Erik Hovi from Clarksons. Your line is open. Erik Hovi -- Clarksons Platou Securities -- Analyst Hey guys. Just a market-related question. So we are now seeing that South American grain and soybean exports are expected to exceed last year's volumes and further we saw that China now has bought 10 million tonnes (ph) of soybeans from the US last week. So given that the 100 year marking of the Communist Party comes in 2021, do we expect to see some Chinese stimuli and imports supporting dry bulk market going forwards? Robert Bugbee -- President and Director Yeah, we expect subject to the -- it's rational to us that the -- more than that, that the US and China will come to an agreement. We've still got some reasonably healthy growth out of China. Definitely the US economy is in OK (ph) shape and the sort of turbulence around other matters is coming to an end and you're seeing -- the irony is that our markets have been bidding (ph) up quite consistently all the way from -- let's say the middle of February in a very gentle way. And so, yes, we're expecting this market to go forward and I think that's exciting. We're not suffering from what the cape sizes have suffered from. We do have -- expect to have growth in our field and if we noticed, the supply side of Ultramax's et cetera is pretty low, in terms of we're through the major part of deliveries. So that side makes us confident that we have a dry cargo company that is in the right area at the moment that the cash flows are positive and remain positive over the bad. And as I said -- the manual said look we are still got the newest fleet, a very significant fleet in the public markets for dry cargo and that's where if you reverse what some of the other analysts said, 80% of the NAV is in dry cargo. So we felt no reason to do anything, but to tune the Company in terms of liquidity to ensure the safe passage through the uncertainties and take some insurance, but our base models are very optimistic for the core business of SALT going forward now. Erik Hovi -- Clarksons Platou Securities -- Analyst Great. Thanks. So just also to follow up on the previous scrubber question. So you have some updates on when you will start fitting? So far we have seen 13 (ph) Utras and Kamsars having fitted scrubber so far. And we see another 99 are reported for fitting. So how do you view the timeline for your guides versus your peers? Robert Bugbee -- President and Director So Cameron can go into detail, but I think most of our peers aren't doing scrubbers at all. If we look at the dry cargo market itself, the total dry cargo market. Erik Hovi -- Clarksons Platou Securities -- Analyst No (inaudible) there are 99 as we see them at least. Robert Bugbee -- President and Director It's 99. Cameron Mackey -- Chief Operating Officer Yes. Robert Bugbee -- President and Director And what's the (multiple speakers). Erik Hovi -- Clarksons Platou Securities -- Analyst Sorry guys, I didn't catch that. Robert Bugbee -- President and Director Well, the total fleet of Kamsars and Ultras is much higher than 99. Erik Hovi -- Clarksons Platou Securities -- Analyst Yeah, yeah, well the total fleet close to 500, I guess, but that's mostly on the bigger ones. Cameron Mackey -- Chief Operating Officer I'm sorry, maybe we misunderstand the question. Are you talking about the timing of the process by which we're installing scrubbers or our decision to install scrubbers in light of being a minority in the -- Erik Hovi -- Clarksons Platou Securities -- Analyst No. The timing -- Cameron Mackey -- Chief Operating Officer No. So as I mentioned before, the time or duration of a scrubber installation and commissioning is about 30 days off hire. And so we have plans to install scrubbers to try and minimize that time and also to maintain our commercial exposure largely balanced toward the western hemisphere Atlantic market and in light of other constraints around manufacturing and say installation availability at certain shipyards that we know can do the work, can do it on budget and on time. So when you look at all these constraints in total, that's really what dictates our installation program. Could we have done it earlier? Of course, but in light of the earlier risks around this time last year, around potential delays of implementation and other uncertainty, we felt that this was the right installation schedule for our fleet considering those constraints and the relevant risks involved in the capital commitment. Erik Hovi -- Clarksons Platou Securities -- Analyst Yeah. Makes sense. Thanks, guys. That's it for me. Operator Thank you. Our next question or comment comes from the line of Fotis Giannakoulis from Morgan Stanley. Your line is open. Fotis Giannakoulis -- Morgan Stanley -- Analyst Yes. Hi, gentlemen. Thank you. Cameron, this is probably for you. I want to ask you one company ask -- price risk of scrubber today and haven't been any preparation, what it would be the lead time both in terms of equipment manufacturer and also shipyard availability? And if you can give us a range, especially first-tier and second-tier scrubber installators? Cameron Mackey -- Chief Operating Officer Thank you, Fotis. It's not an easy question. There are competing technologies and yards and owners and manufacturers who will all tell you a story or sell you a song, but I think realistically, it would be 18 to 21 months. Largely the binding constraint there is first and foremost repair facility availability and then it would be the lead time around a proven manufacturer. There are a number of manufacturers that aren't proven. There are a number of repair facilities or installation methods which aren't really proven, but if you want to know what you're getting, I'd say 18 to 21 months or so. Fotis Giannakoulis -- Morgan Stanley -- Analyst Okay. That's very helpful. And the IMO 2020 day is approaching. I know it's probably a little bit on the early side, but I was wondering if there are any discussions with some of the charterers about period charters and what kind of difference do you see on the time charter market between a vessel with a scrubber and a vessel without the scrubber. Cameron Mackey -- Chief Operating Officer Thanks for the question. Others may join here, but the best example of that is on the larger vessels in new building where certain charters both in the dry bulk market and the tanker market and the container market for that matter have sponsored new buildings against long term charters where you can see the spread that IMO 2020 confers, and that spread obviously leads some sharing of the benefits to the charter and some to the owners. Now on Ultramaxs and Kamsarmaxs not so much. There are few examples in the market out there. We see regular inquiry all the time from charters wanting to fix our vessels either before and after the installation or only after, but I think at this point in time because we are confident in the spread, the fuel spread and we are confident in our assets and we are confident in our installation program that we're going to let this run a little bit before we give away a material portion of that benefit to a charterer, let alone, fix time charters at a point in the market that we don't feel is particularly attractive for us. Fotis Giannakoulis -- Morgan Stanley -- Analyst Thank you. And one last question about your installations. You mentioned that you are trying to match all the installations with dry docking. Did you have to accelerate dry docking, I understand that vessels they do not need to do a dry dock before there is -- the fifth anniversary since delivery. Most of your vessels are much young -- actually all your vessels are much younger than that. Cameron Mackey -- Chief Operating Officer No I didn't mean to suggest. And I apologize for the confusion. I didn't mean to suggest that all of our vessels need dry docking and that's when they're going to get the scrubber. Some of our vessels do in 2020, some in 2019, some in 2021, but we are trying to optimize our installation schedule around those vessels in the 2019 and 2020 window in order to minimize the time off hire. So I think it is the right thing to do when you're not sure what the freight environment and opportunity cost will be. Fotis Giannakoulis -- Morgan Stanley -- Analyst Thank you. I appreciate your answers. Operator Thank you. Our next question or comment comes from the line of Liam Burke from B. Riley FBR. Your line is open. Liam Burke -- B. Riley FBR -- Analyst Thank you. You're serving fairly diverse markets. You touched on the soybean trade with China earlier in the discussion. Is there any parts of this diverse market that are rolling out better or worse than you'd anticipated as you're looking at the forecast for 2019? Robert Bugbee -- President and Director Not really. I mean, we -- so much of our expectations were related around the general trade negotiations. Obviously, we didn't -- it's not the market we directly in, but it clearly affects the psychology of the markets. We didn't expect the -- what's happened in the iron ore market as a result of the Vale incident, that's obviously a negative but then a plus and I think it's more of an important plus is that given the fact we haven't had a trade agreement yet, we're reasonably pleased with just generally the stuff we're seeing out of the China and the US related to their individual economies. So in that sense, the overall environment is healthy. Liam Burke -- B. Riley FBR -- Analyst And just touching on an earlier question on scrubbers being a competitive advantage. Obviously, you laid out the cost side and you mentioned on the newbuild side on longer term agreements. Are you seeing any kind of customer interest now on your current fleet? Robert Bugbee -- President and Director Well I think that rather than talk about our particular fleet, which, yes, I mean, we're a new fleet, so across the board of shipping, there are customers wanting and willing to pay more for vessels that have scrubbers especially if they're delivering in the middle of this year or the second or third quarter. And you only have to look to the iron ore market and see what 2020 recently done in a very weak -- this wasn't done in the last two weeks, they've done a couple of fixes that were really all about scrubbers and all about the willingness for the customer to pay up and secure that scrubber optionality. Liam Burke -- B. Riley FBR -- Analyst Great. Thank you. Operator Thank you. I'm showing no additional questions in the queue at this time. I'd like to turn the conference back over to management for any closing remarks. Hugh Baker -- Chief Financial Officer Okay. So thank you everybody. Look, I understand there are a number of things that we do or don't do at certain times that people have the information understand or don't understand, but general everything that guides us is that we're always reviewing all of our avenues all the time to maximize value for our shareholders and that's what we do, insiders ourselves own approximately 30% (ph) of this Company and that's our guideline is we're very aligned with the shareholders. We benefit from it and that's the judgment that we're doing. So thank you so much everybody for attending. Look forward to speaking to you in a few months. Operator Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for participating in today's conference. This concludes the program. You may now disconnect. Everyone have a wonderful day. Duration: 46 minutes Call participants: Hugh Baker -- Chief Financial Officer Emanuele A. Lauro -- Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Hugh Baker -- Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Chappell -- Evercore ISI -- Analyst Amit Mehrotra -- Deutsche Bank -- Analyst Robert Bugbee -- President and Director Emanuele Lauro -- Chief Executive Officer Gregory Lewis -- BTIG -- Analyst Greg -- Jefferies -- Analyst Cameron Mackey -- Chief Operating Officer Erik Hovi -- Clarksons Platou Securities -- Analyst Fotis Giannakoulis -- Morgan Stanley -- Analyst Liam Burke -- B. Riley FBR -- Analyst More SALT analysis Transcript powered by AlphaStreet This article is a transcript of this conference call produced for The Motley Fool. While we strive for our Foolish Best, there may be errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in this transcript. As with all our articles, The Motley Fool does not assume any responsibility for your use of this content, and we strongly encourage you to do your own research, including listening to the call yourself and reading the company's SEC filings. Please see our Terms and Conditions for additional details, including our Obligatory Capitalized Disclaimers of Liability. More From The Motley Fool Motley Fool Transcribers has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. By Ayai Tomisawa and Kwiyeon Ha TOKYO (Reuters) - Divers scoured moats around the Imperial Palace and police dogs sniffed in bushes on Monday as authorities ramped up security for the start of Japan's new "Reiwa" imperial era. The new era begins on Wednesday when Crown Prince Naruhito ascends the Chrysanthemum Throne a day after the abdication of his father, Emperor Akihito, brings to an end the 31-year Heisei era. Police stepped up security at the Imperial Palace, a 115 hectare (284 acre) site that is home to the emperor and empress in the heart of Tokyo. Officers poked at bushes with steel sticks to check for hidden objects, while dogs sniffed nearby. Divers checked the murky water of a dozen moats that surround the palace. Public access to the plaza in front of the palace will be restricted during the abdication and ascension ceremonies. Security will be tight at Naruhito's residence in the Akasaka royal estate, a police official said. "We will be enhancing security to prevent illegal behavior, including terrorism acts, from happening near the palace and the Akasaka Imperial property as well as streets accessing them," said the official who declined to be identified because he was not authorized to speak to media. Kyodo News said several thousand police officers will provide security for the ceremonies and a public appearance by the new emperor on Thursday when huge crowds of well-wishers are expected. "I feel like there are more police officers today. I see way more people than usual," said Mariko Hiratsuka, 36, who jogs around the palace once a week with a friend. Police on Monday declined to comment on media reports that two knives were found on the classroom desk of Prince Hisahito, the 12-year-old grandson of Emperor Akihito. Security camera footage showed a man disguised as a construction worker enter the grounds of the junior high school in Tokyo, Kyodo News said, citing police. (Writing by Ayai Tomisawa; Additional reporting by Kwiyeon Ha, Ronn Bautista and Kyung Hoon Kim; editing by Darren Schuettler) A Singaporean activist was Monday fined for questioning the independence of the judiciary on Facebook, the latest case to highlight what critics say is the country's heavy-handed approach towards dissent. While it is wealthy and modern in many ways, tightly-controlled Singapore is regularly criticised by rights groups for restricting freedom of expression with tough laws. In the latest case, activist Jolovan Wham was found guilty in October of contempt of court for posting on Facebook that Singapore's judiciary lacked integrity and independence in cases involving the government or politicians. On Monday, High Court Judge Woo Bih Li sentenced him to a fine of Sg$5,000 ($3,674) or a one-week jail term if he fails to pay. He was also ordered to pay more than Sg$7,000 in legal and other costs. State prosecutors had asked for a fine up to three times higher, with a maximum three weeks in jail if he failed to pay. Wham, who is also an advocate for migrant workers' rights, said he will appeal the conviction and sentence. "It's not over yet," the 39-year-old told AFP. The judge noted that Wham "did not show any remorse" even after conviction, but did not agree to a request from prosecutors for the court to order him to apologise and remove the post. It was Wham's latest run-in with the authorities. In February, he was fined Sg$3,200 for organising an illegal public discussion that featured prominent Hong Kong democracy campaigner Joshua Wong speaking via Skype. He is also appealing that ruling. His cases are among several that have alarmed rights groups. In December, the editor of a Singaporean website was charged with defamation for publishing a letter alleging corruption among the country's leaders. The same month, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong sued a blogger for defamation after he shared an article on Facebook linking the leader to a corruption scandal in neighbouring Malaysia. Lee said the article was false and without basis. IMF team to arrive today A team of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is set to arrive in Pakistan on Monday (today) to hold technical-level talks on a three-year bailout package. The IMF mission, headed by Ernesto Ramirez Rigo, will reach on April 29 and will stay in the country till May 7. The mission will also visit various institutions during their stay in the country. Pakistani side for negotiations with the IMF will be led by Adviser to PM on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh. The successful conclusion of the talks will translate into a Federal Budget 2019-20 envisaging additional resource mobilisation of close to Rs 500 billion or around 1.2% of the GDP under a three-year fiscal adjustment and stabilisation programme. Authorities have already finalised the governments strategy to deliver on Medium-Term Economic Framework 2019-23 (MTEF) targets to be finalised by the IMF. The talks are taking place at a time the IMF had early this month forecast Pakistans fiscal deficit continuously elevated at close to 8% and deteriorating debt-to-GDP ratio to reach 86% over the next five years. The two sides have been engaged since August last year but talks were suspended in November when they could not reach agreement on economic adjustment plan as the IMF wanted upfront steep policy actions to reduce fiscal deficit through higher taxes and increase in gas and electricity prices and allow a market based exchange rate. BRATISLAVA (Reuters) - Slovakia's Supreme Court rejected on Monday a motion to dissolve the far-right People's Party Our Slovakia which is expected to do well in next month's European Parliament elections, saying it did not find enough evidence it was a threat to the country's democratic system. The General Prosecutor argued that the party, the third strongest in Slovakia's parliament, had fascist tendencies, violated the constitution and aimed to dismantle Slovak democracy. The court said the prosecutor did not back up those claims with sufficient evidence. "A party can be dissolved only if it actually fights against democracy and rule of law, which has not been proven in this case," chief judge Jana Zemkova said. "The court had no other option but to deny the motion," she added. The decision is final and cannot be appealed. The party, which openly admires Jozef Tiso, leader of a Nazi puppet state that ruled the country during World War Two, surprisingly won its first 14 parliamentary seats in the 150-seat chamber in the 2016 election. The party denies links to fascism. Its appeal echoes growth in similar movements in other European countries and is driven by rising public anger over graft scandals linked to traditional parties. In a Focus agency opinion poll this month, it was the third biggest party with support of around 10 percent. Its leader, Marian Kotleba, ran for president last month and ended up in fourth place. In the European Parliament elections, in which eurosceptic and far-right parties across Europe are projected to make gains, the People's Party calling for Slovakia's exit from the EU is expected to win two seats. It also wants Slovakia to leave NATO, whose military exercises it sees as a provocation against Russia. Kotleba previously ran another far-right party, the Slovak Brotherhood, which the Supreme Court dissolved in 2006 for breaching the constitution. The party has expressed admiration for Tiso, who allowed tens of thousands of Slovak Jews to be deported to Nazi death camps and was later tried for treason. It is also hostile to Slovakia's Roma minority. Story continues It stirred criticism in 2017 when it posted pictures online of an enlarged copy of a check donated to a charity for disabled children for 1,488 euros -- a number used by white supremacists representing a Nazi salute. Two of its lawmakers are facing charges for hate speeches against Roma, Jews and Islam. ($1 = 0.8961 euros) (Reporting by Tatiana Jancarikova, editing by Ed Osmond) Snoop Dogg is an investor in Klarna. Photo: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP Klarna, a Swedish payment unicorn backed by Snoop Dogg, saw sales jump by 36% to 21.6bn last year, the company said on Monday. The sales jump helped Klarnas revenues rise by 31% to 445m. The company provides shoppers with a buy now, pay later feature that lets them order items online and pay for them only once theyve received them and are sure they are right. It works with the likes of Asos and TopShop in the UK. The feedback that we get from consumers is that they like having that flexibility to make sure that the product is correct, Luke Griffiths, the UK MD of Klarna, told Yahoo Finance UK. They can add more items to their baskets, they can increase the range of products theyre purchasing, and then they can make sure when they receive that product that they want to complete that purchase. Founded in 2005, Klarna is one of Europes few unicorns a private tech businesses valued at over $1bn. The Swedish company was valued at $2.5bn in 2017 and has raised over $750m from backers including H&M, renown Silicon Valley venture capital firm Sequoia Capital, and even Snoop Dogg. The UK is Klarnas third biggest market globally, behind Germany and the Nordics. Its biggest partners in the UK are Asos, JD Sports, and Arcadia Group, which owns TopShop, Topman, and Miss Selfridges. Snoop Dogg in an ad for Klarna. Photo: Klarna Really over the last 18 months weve accelerated our growth on the back of our pay later payment method which has gained considerable adoption amongst consumers and merchants, in particular in the fashion vertical, Griffiths said. It has particular resonance in fashion for sure because youre solving to make sure that the fit is correct, that the product is correct, what you expect it to be. 4.4m people in the UK have used some type of Klarna product (as well as the pay later product, it also does online check outs and pay in instalment products.) Klarna said 25,000 people per week tried its services in the UK for the first time at the end of 2018. Story continues Klarnas popularity with online fast-fashion retailers means it has a strong foothold among millennials. We see that the trend in terms of credit card usage within that customer group is declining so the convenience of being able to put a purchase onto either a deferred payment or an instalment plan with our pay in three product is solving for what may traditionally have been a credit card transaction in the past, Griffiths said. Griffiths added Klarna was equally popular with other age groups and demographics. Globally, Klarna works with over 130,000 retailers including IKEA, H&M, Adidas, and Zara. The company has been pushing into electronics through partnerships with the likes of Samsung and Game, as well as areas like travel and home goods. Despite surging sales and revenues, the companys profit margins are thin. Operating profit for the year was just 13.5m and net income was 8.8m. Griffiths declined to comment on any IPO or fundraising plans. White people are moving into previously black neighborhoods in the cities. Many urban blacks are moving into white suburbs. There is a word for this process: desegregation. Desegregation is a good thing, no? Yet the New York Times is rolling out its customary Very Worried Tone as it looks at whats happening to real estate near downtown Raleigh, N.C. A lengthy piece with interactive color-coded maps and charts uses the South Park neighborhood, previously inhabited almost entirely by blacks, to illustrate nationwide trends. Between 2000 and 2012, the white population rose to 17 percent in South Park. Since then, nearly nine in ten new mortgages have gone to whites. South Park is one of many indications that white and black Americans are venturing out of their long-held enclaves and mixing more. You might be value-neutral on this trend (since people should be judged as individuals, it doesnt matter what demographic boxes your neighbors check), or you might read it as a positive (assuming various cultures are linked to race and ethnicity, being exposed to difference might make you a better or more well-rounded person). But it takes a crabbed and ungenerous soul to find the trend alarming, as the Times does. The paper wonders whether the areas sudden reinvention will erase the last remaining signs of its history, but it cites no examples of anything of historic importance being removed from the South Park landscape. What seems to be happening is that run-down buildings and empty lots are giving way to chic modern homes. To the naked eye, this looks a lot like improvement. Nationwide, the arrival of white homeowners in places theyve long avoided is jolting the economics of the land beneath everyone, notes a subheadline. Jolting the economics of is a curious dysphemism for increasing the value of. Gentrification has become a loaded word, but it indicates the same phenomenon: money pouring into an area, especially an area that was previously starved of it. Gentrification is a good thing. If you happen to have home equity in a gentrifying area, you are probably getting wealthier. Maybe a lot wealthier. That is a good thing, too. Would the Times prefer that black people who own houses didnt enjoy robust returns on their investment? To counter these happy tidings, the Times imagines that it must amount to running a sort of gauntlet to patronize a lavish new shopping and dining space: The food hall is trying to signal that longtime neighbors are welcome, too . . . but they must walk past the new $700,000 rowhomes outside to get here. But they must? I fail to see how walking past a nice house is a daunting experience, unless maybe its owner is firing cannonballs at passersby. Story continues But Im exaggerating. The Times doesnt associate these houses with bombardment, merely with slaveholding. The paper sympathetically treats alarmist rhetoric from black residents such as Octavia Rainey, a 63-year-old woman whose home has appreciated considerably. She calls the new houses built by white families, Gone With the Wind houses, beach houses, slave houses, comparing second-story porches to overseers perches, in the Times paraphrase of her sentiments. Is this really the attitude of whites moving into black neighborhoods? A white real-estate developer who is new to the area, Jason Queen, explains his thinking: What I didnt want to do is move to a neighborhood where all the kids look exactly the same as my kids, he said. I didnt think that was the right thing to do. This goes beyond a preference for fairness or judging people based on the content of their character; diversity today is, for a certain subset of white people, a kind of spiritual quest. Some actually panic at the thought of living in a neighborhood where they look like all of their neighbors. They view the presence of black people as a necessary element of their childrens moral formation. Call this impulse what you will, it is very far from an overseers mentality. Yet Kia E. Baker, the director of a nonprofit, says, Our black bodies literally have less economic value than the body of a white person. As soon as a white body moves into the same space that I occupied, all of a sudden this place is more valuable. Thats a pretty rough way to describe a situation in which white people like you and want to live near you. What has driven change in Raleigh and other cities seems pretty obvious: White people are no longer afraid of black people. Thats good news for all involved. The white-flight phenomenon that took off after 1968, and led to plummeting property values in downtown areas, was strongly associated with fears of crime. The period between roughly 1968 and 1995 now looks like a historical outlier in urban crime. Once the crime rate returned to mid-1960s levels, urban living became much more desirable and property values surged. A single-family detached house with a yard within a mile of downtown in any other part of the world is probably the most expensive place to live, a professor tells the Times. Just so. South Park in Raleigh was greatly underpriced and is now returning to something closer to its actual market value. For property owners such as Octavia Rainey, this is, or should be, excellent news; no one is coming to enslave her. For renters, while nobody likes paying higher prices, their enemy is basic economics. South Park is a more desirable place to live, so the price of living there is rising. The Times piece is underlain by the same dismaying reasoning in (and even uses some of the same vocabulary as) Ta-Nehisi Coatess Between the World and Me, in which Coates inveighs against both segregation and desegregation. The former left black people neglected and marginalized; the latter amounted to an invasion by genocidal conquistadors. Observing white kids on tricycles in Harlem arouses loathing in Coates: The galaxy belonged to them, and as terror was communicated to our children, I saw mastery communicated to theirs. Remarking that black bodies literally have less economic value than the body of a white person is pure Coates. As Coates has done on many occasions, the Times calls attention to the past history of redlining and starving neighborhoods for funds while in the next breath it frets about the reversal of these practices. It bristles at lenders who enacted strict mortgage standards, especially against blacks, and then castigates easy lending as predatory, as though what a bank really wants to be stuck with is a foreclosure headache. The Times story is a useful example of what you might call reactionary reporting or the Everythings a Problem school of journalism. A Raleigh planning director says this in the story, without quite intending to: The city is always the battleground; when it was failing, that was a problem, and now that its succeeding, thats also a problem. Failure, success: Both are problems. My fellow Americans, in the interests of soothing the worries of New York Times real-estate writers, please stop moving around. Stay exactly where you are, forever. More from National Review By Hereward Holland NAIROBI, April 29 (Reuters) - South Sudan has hired U.S. lobbyists to help it reverse U.S. sanctions and stop the establishment of a court meant to prosecute war crimes, a document showed - a move rights groups said could undermine victims seeking justice. Under the contract, signed on April 2 and published on the U.S. Justice Department website, South Sudan's government agreed to pay California-based Gainful Solutions $3.7 million over two years. The government and Gainful Solutions did not immediately respond to email and phone requests for comment. Gainful agreed, among other issues listed on the contract, to "open a channel of communication between (South Sudan's) President Kiir and President Trump" and "persuade the Trump administration to reverse current sanctions and further block potential sanctions." In another bullet point in the contract, Gainful agreed to provide consultant services to "delay and ultimately block establishment of the hybrid court." South Sudan seceded from Sudan in 2011 and collapsed into ethnically-charged civil war two years later, in fighting fueled by rivalry between President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar. Under a peace deal with rebels in September last year, South Sudan's government promised to set up a so-called hybrid court - staffed jointly by judges from its own benches and from other African countries. The court is meant to try people accused of war crimes during the conflict that has killed hundreds of thousands of people and plunged parts of the country into famine. U.N. agencies have accused troops loyal to both Kiir and Machar of atrocities during the conflict - accusations that both sides have regularly denied. "UNACCEPTABLE" "The hybrid court would try those most responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other serious crimes," said Sarah Jackson, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes. Story continues "Its establishment is essential for South Sudan to see sustainable peace. It is disgraceful and unacceptable that the government is willing to pay millions to avoid justice." U.S.-based campaign group Human Rights Watch accused South Sudan of "blatant obstruction." "It represents a slap in the face to victims of the horrific crimes that have been committed in South Sudan," said Elise Keppler, the organization's associate director. During the fighting Washington imposed sanctions on South Sudanese military and political figures, and in January imposed an arms embargo to halt the flow of weapons into the country, all in a bid to push both sides to the negotiating table. After a string of failed ceasefires, both sides finally agreed a deal in September under which the factions are meant to form a unity government by May 12 - though Machar told Reuters this month the deadline would be missed because pre-conditions had not been met. The contract between South Sudan's government and Gainful Solutions was published in the Foreign Agents Registration Act section of the Justice Department website. The act requires lobbyists acting on behalf of foreign agents in the United States to register the relationship. (Additional reporting Denis Dumo; writing by Hereward Holland; Edting by Katharine Houreld and Andrew Heavens) BARCELONA (Reuters) - Spain's electoral commission barred former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont from running in the European Parliament elections in May, he said on Monday, a day after a general election where the region's separatism has been a pivotal issue. Puigdemont fled Spain in 2017 after Madrid imposed direct rule on the wealthy northeastern region which had unilaterally declared independence. He is living in Belgium. Puigdemont and two other exiled candidates from his Junts per Catalunya (Together for Catalonia) party said in a statement the commission upheld an appeal against their candidacies lodged by the conservative People's Party and center-right Ciudadanos. Nobody at the electoral board was available for comment. But El Pais newspaper cited its ruling as saying the Catalan party had until the end of Monday to change its electoral list. The move against them was based on the fact they are not registered as Spanish citizens residing abroad, El Pais said. Puigdemont, Clara Ponsati and Toni Comin called the ruling a "flagrant violation" of their rights and "proof of collusion between the judiciary, which should be independent, and certain political interests". They vowed to take legal action in Spain and Europe. From Belgium, Puigdemont ran for office in the December 2017 Catalan elections and was proposed for regional president by a parliamentary majority, but Spanish courts banned his attempt to assume office from outside the country. He faces arrest on charges of rebellion if he returns to Spain. The northeastern region's independence drive was instrumental in triggering Sunday's snap general election. It was a central issue throughout campaigning and could be crucial in determining the composition of the next government. Spain's ruling Socialists were weighing options for forming a new government on Monday after they won the election but fell short of a majority in a deeply fragmented parliament. If they seek a coalition partner on the left, that would likely require support from at least one Catalan separatist lawmaker. (Reporting by Sam Edwards; Writing by Andrei Khalip; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) Imran Khan reaffirm all-weather strategic cooperation with China Prime Minister Imran Khan met with President Xi Jinping here on Sunday and reaffirmed Pakistans unflinching commitment to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as he highlighted the CPECs next phase and its extension into new areas of agriculture, industrial development and socio-economic uplift through livelihood projects. The two leaders were accompanied by ministers and senior-level delegations during the meeting held at the Great Hall of the People. Reaffirming all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between Pakistan and China, the two leaders exchanged views on the entire gamut of bilateral relations in a warm and cordial atmosphere. They affirmed the resolve to further strengthen their strategic cooperative partnership in all fields, including politics, security, economy and trade and people-to-people exchanges. Prime Minister Imran Khan thanked President Xi for the warm and gracious welcome accorded to him in China and for Beijings steadfast support to Islamabad on all issues. He also reaffirmed Pakistans support to China on all issues of its core interest. Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated President Xi on the successful convening of the second Belt and Road Forum (BRF), which he said is a practical manifestation of his far-reaching vision, and highlighted its significance as an important international platform for connectivity and sharing of experience among the BRI participating countries. President Xi Jinping reiterated Chinas unwavering support to Pakistans sovereignty and territorial integrity and appreciated the governments agenda for socio-economic development and people-centered progress. He affirmed that China-Pakistan ties will continue to acquire greater strength and deepen practical cooperation in the times to come. The two sides also exchanged views on the regional situation, including in Afghanistan and South Asia. President Xi further expressed Chinas appreciation for Pakistans sustained and successful efforts in the fight against terrorism and to create a peaceful neighbourhood. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the close cooperation between the two countries at multilateral forums and resolved to further deepen communication and coordination at all levels. They also agreed to keep the momentum of high-level exchanges between the two countries. Separately, Prime Minister Imran Khan held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at the conclusion of the second Belt and Road Forum (BRF) here on Sunday. The two prime ministers were accompanied by ministers and senior officials. Both leaders reaffirmed the time-tested and strong friendship between Pakistan and China and exchanged views on the myriad facets of bilateral engagement. Prime Minister Imran Khan extended felicitations to the Chinese leadership for successful holding of the forum. Noting the depth and breadth of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the prime minister said it is of immense significance for the world in terms of connectivity and shared prosperity. The two sides exchanged views on bilateral collaboration in the context of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and prospects of further deepening of the economic linkages. The prime minister underscored the importance of CPEC for Pakistans economy and noted with satisfaction its expansion into new areas of development, including industrial development, livelihood projects, social uplift and agriculture in line with the priorities of government. He hoped that Chinese investment in special economic zones (SEZs) will expand Pakistans industrial base and assist in diversifying its export basket. Underlining the steady growth of bilateral cooperation since the prime ministers last visit to China in November 2018, Premier Li Keqiang expressed satisfaction at the positive momentum of CPEC projects. He hoped that the signing of the second phase of China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will give further boost to trade and economic relations between the two countries. The two sides agreed to further deepen the political, security, economic, education, science and technology, cultural, and people-to-people relations. It was agreed to maintain the existing momentum of high-level exchanges between the two countries. - 2019 Getty Images Spanish Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez earned his first general election win on Sunday, despite the emergence of a hard-Right party that capitalised on many Spaniards fury with the governments attempt to find common ground with the breakaway region of Catalonia. On high turnout of close to 76 per cent, the Socialist party (PSOE) claimed victory for the first time since 2008 with 123 seats out of 350, although a delicately hung parliament means that forming a government will involve complex negotiations with other forces from the Left and regional parties. With more than 98 per cent of the vote counted, the PSOE was declared winner by Spanish government spokeswoman Isabel Celaa. We have sent a clear message to Europe and the world: you can beat authoritarianism and involution from the left, Mr Sanchez said in reference to his victory over his conservative opponents including the anti-immigration, populist force Vox. Vox became the first hard-Right force to gain significant representation in Spains parliament since the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975 with 24 seats. Santiago Abascal, leader of far right party Vox, addresses supporters outside the party headquarters after the general election in Madrid Credit: AP With the vote on the Right side of the spectrum split three ways, the biggest loser of the night was the main conservative opposition Popular Party (PP), falling to 66 seats, less than half of the 137 seats it achieved when winning the previous election in 2016. The liberal Ciudadanos came close to pipping the PP to second place, with 58 seats. Vox came from a result of 0.2 per cent in 2016 to win 10 per cent, but it had the effect of cannibalising the Right-of-centre vote and helping Mr Sanchez to stretch out his lead. Together, the PP, Ciudadanos and Vox won 43 per cent, one point more than PSOE and Podemos combined. The PP, Ciudadanos were hoping to combine with Vox for a majority to eject Mr Sanchez from power in order to crack down on Catalonias separatist leaders by suspending the regions autonomy. The three parties had accused Mr Sanchez of being a danger to Spanish unity after he used his 10-month-long spell in government before the election to seek a negotiated end to the impasse between Madrid and Catalonias regional government. Story continues But Voxs secretary general, Javier Ortega, was exultant over the result. This is just the beginning, he told supporters in Madrids Margaret Thatcher square. Every Vox member of Congress is going to be a whirlwind. The general secretary of VOX, Javier Ortega Smith, is seen during his speech at the Plaza Margaret Thatcher, where the party celebrates the electoral results Credit: Getty Pablo Iglesias, the leader the hard-Left Podemos, offered his partys 42 seats to build a leftist government coalition. But Mr Sanchez will also have to seek support from Basque nationalists and other minority forces, possibly including Catalan pro-independence parties in order to reach a majority. Divisions over how to deal with Catalonias bid for independence played out in an ill-tempered campaign with the trial of 10 imprisoned Catalan leaders over their role in the regions unconstitutional referendum in 2017 rumbling on in the background. Mr Sanchez was described by Vox as an enemy of the nation for negotiating with Catalan forces, while PP leader Pablo Casado accused the prime minister of siding with bloodstained hands after the government received parliamentary support from Basque party Bildu, regarded as the successor to the political wing of terrorist group Eta. The party leaders clashed in fractious televised debates. Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera described Mr Sanchez as a disgraceful prime minister for kneeling before Catalan separatists, while the latter took his Right-wing opponents to task over their Andalucian governments rollback of assistance for women victims of male violence. Sign up for your essential, twice-daily briefing from The Telegraph with our free Front Page newsletter. Madrid (AFP) - Spain faces weeks of coalition talks after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialists scored big but failed to gain a majority in a snap election that split the right-wing bloc and let ultra nationalists into parliament. Time, though, is on their side. With the country set to return to the polls on May 26 for regional, local and European Parliament elections, and Spain's three rightist parties unable to form a coalition even if they wanted to, Sanchez will go slowly, and a government is unlikely before June. "We must wait and see what will happen in the municipal elections... in many regions and of course in the European Parliament," Socialist party president Cristina Narbona told Spanish radio. "There is no hurry... we are still campaigning," she added. Financial markets were however concerned about a new period of instability in Spain, and the country's benchmark share index was the worst performer among leading European indices. - Europe scrutiny - The Socialists came first in Sunday's snap poll, winning 123 seats out of 350, or close to 29 percent of the vote -- short of an absolute majority but an improvement on the 85 seats they secured in the last election in 2016. Their nearest rivals, the main opposition conservative Popular Party (PP), bagged just 66 seats compared to 137 in 2016, its worst showing in over two decades. Conservative votes were split among two other parties, the centre-right Ciudadanos and ultra-nationalist Vox, which won just over 10 percent of the vote in a country that has had no far-right party to speak of since the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975. The three rightist parties together have 147 seats, far from the 176-seat majority needed to govern. The election was much commented in Europe, where the rise of far-right and/or populist movements has caused concern. "The predominance of progressive forces in Spain and the collapse of the right-wing PP is a message of hope," Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras tweeted. Story continues "Let's not rush into predicting the dominance of the right in Europe." Italy's hardline Interior Minister Mateo Salvini thought otherwise, noting Vox had gone from "0 to 24 seats," and congratulating its leader Santiago Abascal, as did French far-right leader Marine Le Pen. - Minority government? - Sanchez, who has never been elected before, coming to power in June after ousting PP prime minister Mariano Rajoy in a no-confidence vote, has several options to govern. He could try to rule on his own as he did during the 10 months that he was in power with the backing of far-left Podemos and smaller regional groupings. "We will try," Deputy Prime Minister Carmen Calvo promised on Monday. The Socialists could even try to forego the support of Catalan separatists, now that it has more seats than before. All Sanchez would need is for Catalan separatist lawmakers to abstain in the second round of an investiture vote when only a simple majority is needed. - 'Public danger' - Sanchez could also try to form a coalition with Podemos and the more moderate of Catalonia's two separatist parties, ERC, which together would provide a majority in parliament. But the separatists have proven unreliable allies. Sanchez was forced to call the election after they joined the PP and Ciudadanos in opposing his 2019 budget. His reliance on separatists also earned him accusations from right-wing parties of being a "traitor," for trying to engage with them to try to ease tensions over Catalonia's failed secession bid in 2017. A message that fell flat as Spaniards flocked to vote, with turnout close to 76 percent, around 10 percentage points higher than in 2016. "The Spaniards wanted to vote and they did so massively," wrote veteran journalist Lucia Mendez in the conservative daily El Mundo. "They didn't buy the story that presented Pedro Sanchez as a traitor capable of selling Spain to the separatists." - Alliance with liberals? - Sanchez could also try to cosy up to the centre-right Ciudadanos, which won 57 seats. Together, they would form an absolute majority but voters from both parties would likely frown on such a move. "With Rivera no!" Socialist supporters chanted outside the party's headquarters on Sunday night as a beaming Sanchez delivered his victory speech. The feeling is mutual in Ciudadanos, whose leader Albert Rivera built his campaign on disparaging Sanchez, criticising his attempts to negotiate with Catalan separatists. Senior Ciudadanos leader Ines Arrimadas told Spanish radio on Monday her party could not ally with Sanchez, calling him a "public danger, someone capable of anything" to stay in power. By Paul Day MADRID, April 29 (Reuters) - Spain's ruling Socialists were considering possible partners for a new government for the politically polarized country on Monday after they won a national election but failed to secure a majority. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez faces a choice between a complex alliance with fellow leftists Podemos or joining forces across the political divide with the center-right Ciudadanos. The Socialists won 123 seats in Sunday's election, up from 84 in the outgoing parliament as they saw off the challenge from the right, which was splintered by the rise of the far-right Vox. With nearly all the votes counted, the Socialists together with the far-left Podemos were 11 seats short of a majority in the 350-seat parliament. That could mean Sanchez having to rely on pro-independence Catalan parties or Basque nationalists to govern. "A Socialist-led government with support from Podemos seems the most likely outcome," rating agency DBRS said in a report. "This political combination needs the parliamentary support from smaller parties." Podemos leader Pablo Iglesais said on Sunday his party would happily enter a coalition with the Socialists, but Sanchez has yet to comment. Another possibilty that Sanchez has not ruled out is an alliance with Ciudadanos. The two parties would have enough seats to govern without other partners - an alliance favored by many in in the business and financial world. However, a Socialist-Ciudadanos deal appeared unlikely on Monday. Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera told supporters on Sunday night his party would lead the parliamentary opposition to Sanchez. Ines Arrimadas, head of Ciudadanos in Catalonia, added on Monday: "Everyone who voted for Ciudadanos did so knowing that we would not ally with Sanchez." POLITICAL MINEFIELD Either way, negotiations on forming a government could take weeks or even months. Under Spanish electoral law, a new government requires an absolute majority in parliament to take office in a first round of voting. Story continues To do that in combination with Podemos, the Socialists would require the support of at least one lawmaker from the Catalan separatist camp. The region's independence drive was the most divisive issue in an election dominated by a sometimes fraught debate over national identity. In cutting a deal with the separatists, Sanchez risks stepping into a political minefield. In any second round of voting, Sanchez would need only a simple majority to get his government voted in, which the Socialists and Podemos could do with backing of all regional parties except the Catalans, plus one abstention. The picture could still change when the election count is finalized in coming weeks. Still, the left clearly won Spain's third national election in four years as the mainstream conservative Popular Party (PP) lost votes to Vox, which benefited from anti-immigration sentiment and concerns over Catalan separatism. Vox became the first far-right party in Spain to have a major representation in parliament since the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975. The PP had its worst election since the early 1980s, winning just 66 seats - less that half of its total in the outgoing parliament. The PP, together with Ciudadanos and Vox combined only won 147 seats. Sanchez called the election after failing to win support in parliament early this year for his 2019 budget. Ciudadanos got 57 seats on Sunday, Podemos 42 and Vox 24. Spanish stocks lagged broader European markets early on Monday (Reporting By Paul Day, writing by Axel Bugge in Lisbon; editing by John Stonestreet and Angus MacSwan) By James Pomfret TAIPEI (Reuters) - A Hong Kong bookseller who was detained by China is seeking refuge in Taiwan, saying his home city will no longer be safe when new laws are enacted allowing extradition to China, which could drive even more emigrations from the financial hub. Lam Wing-kee, 63, worked at a bookshop owned by a publishing company that printed books critical of China's leaders and their private lives. He found himself at the center of a political storm in 2015 when he and five other Hong Kong booksellers were detained by Chinese agents. After being held in China, he was allowed to return to Hong Kong on bail for a brief visit, but stayed and lived there as a fugitive protected by Hong Kong's lack of an extradition law. Last week he left for Taiwan. "There's a 99 percent chance that they would catch me and send me back to China. They (Chinese authorities) have already explicitly said that I'm a fugitive," he told Reuters in a basement bookshop in Taipei. His decision to flee comes three months before the controversial laws are expected to be passed by Hong Kong's legislature that would allow individuals, including foreigners, to be sent to a number of countries including China for trial. The law is seen as a test of the autonomy of Hong Kong, which is ruled by China but has inherited a separate legal system from British colonial rule. Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam says extradition laws are necessary to prevent Hong Kong from becoming a haven for fugitive criminals. She has repeatedly cited the case of a Hong Kong man suspected of killing his girlfriend in Taiwan last year, who has been tried in Hong Kong for money laundering but cannot be sent off to face trial for murder. "We have to ask ourselves whether we will continue to tolerate this loophole in our system...we will be making Hong Kong a haven for all these offenders of serious crime," she has said. Hong Kong officials have made repeated assurances that no one will be extradited for political crimes, and that Hong Kong courts must approve every extradition request. China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang re-iterated the extradition law is a necessary step for legal cooperation with Hong Kong, and would ensure the city doesn't become a haven for criminals. But many Hong Kong activists say the aim of the change is to tighten China's grip on Hong Kong, in violation of promises made when it was handed over from Britain in 1997. On Sunday, more than 100,000 people marched against the bill -- the city's biggest street demonstration in several years. The bookseller said his "heart is in pain" at having to leave his home city. He said he was now striving to find a job, while raising funds with a Taiwanese partner to open up an independent bookstore there. The government push on extradition rules comes as critics say freedoms have been corroded further by China's Communist leaders in Hong Kong. A British editor was expelled, democratic activists jailed and barred from contesting local elections, and opposition lawmakers disqualified from public office. "Hong Kong isn't just changing into a city of sadness, it is becoming a tragic city," said the silver-haired bookseller. "If the new laws are enacted, you will see a wave of emigrations, or refugees from Hong Kong." ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS His incarceration was part of a coordinated operation by China's security apparatus that led to five booksellers disappearing from locations in China, Hong Kong and Thailand in late 2015, and later showing up in Chinese detention where they were forced to make confessions on public television. The case generated huge controversy, and undermined public confidence in China's commitment to preserving Hong Kong's freedoms under a so-called "one country, two systems" arrangement guaranteeing it a high degree of autonomy. Since returning to Hong Kong, he laid low, taking precautions in case Chinese agents target him again, but also speaking out for democracy and fundamental rights. "My dream is to have a free life now here in Taiwan," said Lam who wore a brown cardigan and a cap with the United Nations logo knitted onto it. "There's no way I can remain in Hong Kong. But later, I will use my methods to retaliate against them (China), to undertake resistance. I hope to use a bookshop to struggle against them. "We can help people know what's going on in Taiwan, Hong Kong, China ... A lot of other people can protest, demonstrate, write essays to resist China's oppression. We will use a bookshop. The means is different but the goal is the same." Taiwan authorities acknowledged Lam's case, and said that he could, like all others, seek legal employment which would entitle him to a residency period of 1-3 years. "Taiwan is a society that protects human rights and stresses the rule of law. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure the personal safety of all visitors to Taiwan," a representative of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council wrote to Reuters. (Reporting by James Pomfret in Taipei, additional reporting by Jessie Pang, Greg Torode and Donny Kwok in Hong Kong, Ben Blanchard in Beijing; Editing by Greg Torode and Peter Graff) * Lam fears wave of emigrations from Hong Kong when laws enacted * Tensions brewing as protesters plan to "escalate" actions * Hong Kong leader won't back down on laws * Taiwan authorities say Lam may seek lawful employment on island By James Pomfret TAIPEI, April 29 (Reuters) - A Hong Kong bookseller who was detained by China is seeking refuge in Taiwan, saying his home city will no longer be safe when new laws are enacted allowing extradition to China, which could drive even more emigrations from the financial hub. Lam Wing-kee, 63, worked at a bookshop owned by a publishing company that printed books critical of China's leaders and their private lives. He found himself at the center of a political storm in 2015 when he and five other Hong Kong booksellers were detained by Chinese agents. After being held in China, he was allowed to return to Hong Kong on bail for a brief visit, but stayed and lived there as a fugitive protected by Hong Kong's lack of an extradition law. Last week he left for Taiwan. "There's a 99 percent chance that they would catch me and send me back to China. They (Chinese authorities) have already explicitly said that I'm a fugitive," he told Reuters in a basement bookshop in Taipei. His decision to flee comes three months before the controversial laws are expected to be passed by Hong Kong's legislature that would allow individuals, including foreigners, to be sent to a number of countries including China for trial. The law is seen as a test of the autonomy of Hong Kong, which is ruled by China but has inherited a separate legal system from British colonial rule. Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam says extradition laws are necessary to prevent Hong Kong from becoming a haven for fugitive criminals. She has repeatedly cited the case of a Hong Kong man suspected of killing his girlfriend in Taiwan last year, who has been tried in Hong Kong for money laundering but cannot be sent off to face trial for murder. Story continues "We have to ask ourselves whether we will continue to tolerate this loophole in our system...we will be making Hong Kong a haven for all these offenders of serious crime," she has said. Hong Kong officials have made repeated assurances that no one will be extradited for political crimes, and that Hong Kong courts must approve every extradition request. China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang re-iterated the extradition law is a necessary step for legal cooperation with Hong Kong, and would ensure the city doesn't become a haven for criminals. But many Hong Kong activists say the aim of the change is to tighten China's grip on Hong Kong, in violation of promises made when it was handed over from Britain in 1997. On Sunday, more than 100,000 people marched against the bill -- the city's biggest street demonstration in several years . The bookseller said his "heart is in pain" at having to leave his home city. He said he was now striving to find a job, while raising funds with a Taiwanese partner to open up an independent bookstore there. The government push on extradition rules comes as critics say freedoms have been corroded further by China's Communist leaders in Hong Kong. A British editor was expelled, democratic activists jailed and barred from contesting local elections, and opposition lawmakers disqualified from public office. "Hong Kong isn't just changing into a city of sadness, it is becoming a tragic city," said the silver-haired bookseller. "If the new laws are enacted, you will see a wave of emigrations, or refugees from Hong Kong." ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS His incarceration was part of a coordinated operation by China's security apparatus that led to five booksellers disappearing from locations in China, Hong Kong and Thailand in late 2015, and later showing up in Chinese detention where they were forced to make confessions on public television. The case generated huge controversy, and undermined public confidence in China's commitment to preserving Hong Kong's freedoms under a so-called "one country, two systems" arrangement guaranteeing it a high degree of autonomy. Since returning to Hong Kong, he laid low, taking precautions in case Chinese agents target him again, but also speaking out for democracy and fundamental rights. "My dream is to have a free life now here in Taiwan," said Lam who wore a brown cardigan and a cap with the United Nations logo knitted onto it. "There's no way I can remain in Hong Kong. But later, I will use my methods to retaliate against them (China), to undertake resistance. I hope to use a bookshop to struggle against them. "We can help people know what's going on in Taiwan, Hong Kong, China ... A lot of other people can protest, demonstrate, write essays to resist China's oppression. We will use a bookshop. The means is different but the goal is the same." Taiwan authorities acknowledged Lam's case, and said that he could, like all others, seek legal employment which would entitle him to a residency period of 1-3 years. "Taiwan is a society that protects human rights and stresses the rule of law. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure the personal safety of all visitors to Taiwan," a representative of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council wrote to Reuters. (Reporting by James Pomfret in Taipei, additional reporting by Jessie Pang, Greg Torode and Donny Kwok in Hong Kong, Ben Blanchard in Beijing; Editing by Greg Torode and Peter Graff) By Shri Navaratnam and Ranga Sirilal COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lankan security officials have warned that Islamist militants behind Easter Sunday's suicide bombings are planning attacks and could be dressed in uniform, as the archbishop of Colombo complained about insufficient security around churches. The militants were targeting five locations for attacks on Sunday just passed or on Monday, security sources said. "There could be another wave of attacks," the head of the police ministerial security division (MSD) said in a letter to lawmakers and other officials seen by Reuters on Monday. "The relevant information further notes that persons dressed in military uniforms and using a van could be involved in the attacks." There were no attacks on Sunday and security across Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka has been ramped up, with scores of suspected Islamists arrested since the April 21 attacks on hotels and churches that killed more than 250 people, including 40 foreign nationals. The government has also banned women from wearing face veils under an emergency law that was put in place after the attacks. There were concerns within the Muslim community that the ban could fuel tensions in the multi-ethnic nation. But government officials said it would help security forces identify people as a hunt for any remaining attackers and their support network continues across the Indian Ocean island, which was gripped by civil war for decades until 2009. The Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Ranjith, said that security had not been sufficiently stepped up around churches. We are not satisfied with the security arrangements and urge authorities to ensure our safety," he told reporters. Authorities suspect members of two little known groups - National Thawheedh Jamaath (NTJ) and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim - of carrying out the Easter attacks, though Islamic State has claimed responsibility. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said a tight-knit group of people was involved, mostly close friends and families. They spoke face-to-face, possibly to evade electronic surveillance. Story continues "They were small enough that they were not using normal communications, instead meeting each other," Wickremesinghe told Reuters. He added the coordinated bombings, the type of explosives used and the tightly guarded plot suggested the bombers had guidance. "ISIS has claimed, we also felt there has to be some international links," he said, referring to Islamic State. Authorities believe Zahran Hashim, the founder of NTJ, was the mastermind and one of the nine suicide bombers. One military source told Reuters that five sets of white attire commonly worn by Buddhists when visiting temples were recovered from a safe house in the east, the site of a gun battle on Friday that killed Zahrans father and his two brothers. His wife and daughter escaped an explosion with minor injuries, hospital staff and police said. ROW OVER POLICE CHIEF Many Sri Lankans believe a deep rift between President Maithripala Sirisena and Wickremesinghe has undermined national security. Sirisena fired Wickremesinghe last year, after months of tension, only to be forced to reinstate him under pressure from the Supreme Court. Since then their relationship has deteriorated further to the point where their factions actively try to undermine each other, including not sharing security information, defence sources say. Sirisena said on Monday he had appointed Chandana Wickramaratne, the second in command at the police, as acting police chief. Over the weekend, two sources at the president's office told Reuters that Pujith Jayasundara, the police chief who was appointed by Wickremesinghe, was refusing the president's request to step down for not sharing information about the attacks. "Since there is an investigation into his possible failure in preventing the attacks, Jayasundara has been sent on compulsory leave," a source close to the president told Reuters. It was not immediately possible to contact Jayasundara on Monday. The president has also appointed General Shantha Kottegoda as the new defence secretary, replacing Hemasiri Fernando who resigned after the bombings, saying that some institutions under him had failed. Kottegoda, 69, army commander between 2004 and 2005, was instrumental in weakening Tamil Tiger rebels by breaking away an allied group. The archbishop criticised the bickering at the top levels of government. At a time when the whole country has been affected by a major catastrophe, politicians should stop finding fault with each other," he said. "Instead they must have broad discussion on what steps needed to be taken to solve this and take this country out of this crisis. Sri Lanka's Tourism Bureau chairman, Kishu Gomes, said tourist arrivals in Colombo were expected to fall 50 percent over the next two months because of the bombings. Tourist arrivals in areas elsewhere in Sri Lanka would likely go down by about 30 percent, he told reporters at a travel conference in Dubai. In India, police said they had raided the homes of three people in Kerala in connection with their links to Islamic State. They did not say if there was any connection to the attacks in Sri Lanka. (Reporting by Ranga Srilal and Shri Navaratnam; Additional reporting by Shihar Aneez and Sanjeev Miglani in Colombo, Sudarshan Varadhan in New Delhi and Nafisa Eltahir in Dubai; writing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Nick Macfie; Editing by Robert Birsel) By Ranga Sirilal and Alasdair Pal COLOMBO/KATTANKUDY, Sri Lanka, April 29 (Reuters) - A uthorities in Sri Lanka on Monday banned women from wearing face veils under an emergency law put in place after deadly Easter Sunday attacks by Islamist militants. The measures would help security forces to identify people as a hunt for any remaining attackers and their support network continues across the Indian Ocean island, authorities said. But there are concerns within the Muslim community that a prolonged ban could fuel tensions in the religiously-diverse nation that emerged from a civil war with ethnic minority Tamil separatists a decade ago. Officials have warned that the militants behind the April 21 suicide bombings on hotels and churches that killed over 250 people were planning more attacks, using a van and bombers disguised in military uniforms. "It is a presidential order to ban any dress covering faces with immediate effect," Dharmasri Bandara Ekanayake, a spokesman for President Maithripala Sirisena, told Reuters. Separately, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is feuding with Sirisena, issued a statement saying he had asked the justice minister to draft regulations to ban the burqa. The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU), the top body of Islamic scholars in Sri Lanka, said they supported a short-term ban on security grounds, but opposed any attempt to legislate against burqas. "We have given guidance to the Muslim women to not to cover their faces in this emergency situation," ACJU assistant manager Farhan Faris said after the scholars asked the government to drop plans for a law against the burqa and niqab. "If you make it a law, people will become emotional and this will bring another bad impact ... it is their religious right," he told Reuters. About 9.7 percent of Sri Lanka's roughly 22 million people are Muslim. Only a small minority of women, usually in Muslim areas, fully hide their faces. Story continues Human Rights Watch condemned the ban. "That needless restriction means that Muslim women whose practice leads them to cover up now won't be able to leave home," the group's executive director Kenneth Roth tweeted. In Kattankudy, the Muslim-majority hometown of Mohamed Hashim Mohamed Zahran, the suspected leader of the militant group behind the attacks, there few women in the streets and none had their faces covered. Two women declined to be interviewed by Reuters. Residents said only a small percentage of women in the town wear the burqa. Owais Ibrahim, a Muslim shopkeeper, said he supported a ban on face coverings for security reasons. "If it is not allowed it is not a problem," he told Reuters. "If we are living in Sri Lanka, we must respect their rules." (Additional reporting by A. Ananthalakshmi Writing by Alexandra Ulmer Editing by Darren Schuettler) COLOMBO, April 29 (Reuters) - Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena said on Monday he had appointed Chandana Wickramaratne, the second in command of the police, as acting police chief, the latest change in personnel after Easter Sunday suicide bombings. Over the weekend, two sources in the president's office told Reuters that Pujith Jayasundara, the police chief during the April 21 attacks, was refusing a request from the president to step down. It was not immediately possible to contact Jayasundara on Monday. (Reporting by Shihar Aneez Writing by Alexandra Ulmer Editing by Robert Birsel) Iranian authorities released 107 Pakistani The Iranian authorities on Sunday handed over 107 illegal Pakistani immigrants to Levies force at the Taftan border. According to the Levies authorities, the Pakistani nationals were arrested by Iranian authorities from various places as they were illegally trying to go to Europe via Iran. Following necessary process, a case was registered against them and then handed over to FIA for further investigation. The development comes days after Pakistan and Iran agreed to boost security cooperation and set up a Joint Rapid Reaction Force to fight terrorism and guard the common border between the two countries. Speaking at a joint press conference in Tehran, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Prime Minister Imran Khan had said both the countries will not allow terrorist activities from each others side and that security chiefs of the two countries will discuss ways to boost cooperation. Sri Lanka's president suspended the chief of police on Monday and appointed a new defence secretary in a shake-up of the shell-shocked country's security services following the Easter Sunday terror attacks. Intelligence warnings from abroad alerting to possible attacks by Islamist extremists were ignored ahead of the multiple bombings of churches and upscale hotels on April 21 that killed 253 people and injured nearly 500. Chief of police Pujith Jayasundara had refused to quit to clear the way for a shake-up of the 85,000-strong force, prompting President Maithripala Sirisena to suspend him on Monday. Senior Deputy Inspector-General Chandana Wickramaratne was appointed acting police chief in his place, Sirisena's office said in a statement. Separately Sirisena appointed on Monday a former head of the army, Shantha Kottegoda, as the country's top defence official. His predecessor at the ministry of defence and law and order, Hemasiri Fernando, stepped down on Thursday in the wake of the attacks, which were claimed by the Islamic State group. General Kottegoda, 69, was forced to retire as head of the army in December 2005, by then-president Mahinda Rajapakse. Sirisena said an intelligence agency from a neighbouring country had provided precise details of the impending attack 17 days in advance, but local authorities had failed to take counter measures. Official sources said the president was referring to information provided by India's Research and Analysis Wing which apparently gleaned details of the Easter attacks from a jihadist suspect in Indian custody. The government has since declared a state of emergency and deployed thousands of troops for search operations against Islamist extremists. Security forces searched a Muslim burial ground in Colombo Monday following information that explosives had been hidden there, but the troops did not find any, officials said. However, cordon and search searches were carried out across the country and 13 foreign nationals overstaying their visas were arrested, police said. It was not clear if the foreigners -- 10 Nigerians and one each from India, Iran and Thailand -- were linked to religious extremists or the Easter attacks. Over 150 people have been arrested since April 21 and more than 15 people killed in raids. (Note: Print or Digital Use Allowed. Please credit Stateline, an initiative of the Pew Charitable Trusts. For downloadable graphics, please visit www.pewtrusts.org/stateline) By Sophie Quinton DENVER, April 29 (Stateline) - Jerry Burton has lived in a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood here for the past few months, in an orange tent pitched on a sidewalk. He and the other homeless campers on the block Burton proudly calls the encampment Jerr-E-Ville, and has declared himself the unofficial mayor are defying the citys urban camping ban, which means they are always bracing for a visit from the police. A caseworker from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is trying to find permanent housing for the 57-year-old Marine Corps veteran whose tent is surrounded by his belongings neatly arranged in small plastic bags. In the meantime, Burton is hoping that Denver voters next week will overturn the citys camping ban, thanks to an initiative he and others petitioned to get on the ballot. The ballot question, dubbed the Right to Survive, would declare that everyone has the right to rest, eat and shelter in public places without being harassed. Supporters say it would shield people experiencing homelessness from unfair citations and arrests. But business, environmental and social service organizations fear it would proliferate dangerous encampments in parks and on sidewalks without helping to house people. I find Initiative 300 to be one of the most frightening and heinous initiatives that Ive witnessed in my career, said Jeff Shoemaker, a former Republican state representative and executive director of the Greenway Foundation, a nonprofit that works to revitalize the South Platte River and its tributaries. The Denver initiative is the latest front in a campaign advocates for homeless people have been waging at the state level for years. Lawmakers in California, Oregon and Colorado have repeatedly introduced bills that, by articulating a right to rest, would override local ordinances that penalize people for living in public spaces. Lawmakers in Washington state proposed similar legislation this year. None of the bills passed. Story continues So Denver Homeless Out Loud, an advocacy group that backed the Colorado legislation, decided to take the issue to voters. If the first-of-its-kind Right to Survive ballot initiative is successful a late January/early February poll taken by the opposition campaign suggested it could be approved its supporters are likely to try to pass similar initiatives elsewhere in Colorado and across the West. If it passes, we hopefully may not have to run another statewide initiative, said Democratic Rep. Jovan Melton, sponsor of the Colorado Right to Rest bill. We may be able to go just city by city to deal with this. When Living on the Streets Is a Crime About 552,000 people in the United States are living on the street, in emergency shelters or in transitional housing, according to the latest count from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Most people experiencing homelessness are clustered in expensive cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Seattle. Cities nationwide have laws on the books intended to keep destitute people moving and out of sight. One-third of 187 cities surveyed by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, a Washington, D.C., nonprofit, prohibit camping in public. About a quarter of cities surveyed prohibit sleeping in certain public places, and almost half prohibit sitting or lying down in public. Even if a person is just sitting outside or sleeping in a clean tent, they can be told to either move on or be issued a fine, said Tristia Bauman, a senior attorney at the law center. Even those activities are treated as public health and safety threats, when they are not. The Denver City Council in 2012 passed an urban camping ordinance that prohibits people from pitching tarps and tents or even covering themselves with a blanket in public places. Other city ordinances ban aggressive panhandling, public urination, and sitting or lying down in a public right of way, among other activities. Other Colorado cities have passed similar laws, said Nantiya Ruan, a law professor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. In our largest cities, we disproportionately cite and jail those who are homeless for these types of ordinances, and it costs the city a lot of money to do so, she said. But enforcement is spotty. Denver police officers typically tell people violating the camping ban to move rather than throwing them in jail. Under the ordinance, police officers are required to give offenders a warning and try to connect them to assistance, such as addiction treatment, before making an arrest. The camping ban still has an effect, said Terese Howard, an organizer for Denver Homeless Out Loud. The impact is a lot of sleep deprivation, its a lot of stress and mental health struggle, for constantly not knowing where you can go; its physical health problems, she said. Its safety risks, people being raped and assaulted after being forced to move into unsafe areas. Many people have no choice but to sleep outside, Howard said, because the city of Denver doesnt have enough shelter beds for the estimated 3,445 people who need them. Even when beds are available, theyre not open to everyone. People cant enter shelters when theyre drunk, high or have alcohol or drugs with them. And some people dont want to stay in a noisy, crowded shelter, separated from their partner and their pets. Sitting in the sunshine outside Impact Humanity, a Denver store that gives away clothes, a young man with sandy hair who declined to share his name said hes been homeless for two years and prefers to sleep outside in good weather. On winter nights, he said, homeless people may have to trespass to curl up in a sheltered place, such as an abandoned stairwell. I notice a lot of people who freeze to death you cant just throw up a tent and all the gear it takes to stay warm, he said. Debbie Hyatt, 67, was also waiting for her turn to enter the store. She sat under an awning that cast a cool shadow on the pavement, shaping her nails with a pink nail file. She said she sleeps in a shelter now but slept on the sidewalk for a while after getting bedbugs from a shelter mattress. Sleeping outside isnt ideal for anybody, she said. And it could be safer. There needs to be a designated ground area, she said, protected from dangers such as cars skidding off the curb. Who Gets to Use Public Space? The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty and other legal aid groups have successfully sued various cities to change policies that disproportionately affect people experiencing homelessness. For instance, Denver recently pledged to give homeless people more notice prior to cleaning up camps and to offer more storage lockers, toilets and trash cans as part of a settlement in a class-action lawsuit brought on behalf of the citys homeless population. But when advocates take their civil rights arguments to state lawmakers, they face serious opposition. The Western Regional Advocacy Project (WRAP), a San Francisco-based organization, has tried and failed for almost a decade to get right to rest legislation passed. City leaders, law enforcement and business groups have pushed back every time, said Paul Boden, WRAPs executive director. In Colorado, Rep. Melton said, his Right to Rest bill was opposed by city leaders who didnt want the state to interfere with their ordinances. The political fight in Denver, if anything, has been fiercer than the state battles that preceded it. The campaign against Initiative 300 has raised over $1.5 million, about 19 times the amount raised by the campaign backing the initiative. The opposing campaign, funded primarily by business groups such as the National Association of Realtors and the Downtown Denver Partnership, says the initiative would stop the city from enforcing laws that protect public safety without helping people access housing. We do not believe this policy helps support those experiencing homelessness or the broader community, said Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership, in an emailed statement. We know that we can do better and believe we must work to expand upon services that support the dignity of people who are experiencing homelessness in our community. The measure would supersede a host of local ordinances, including park curfews, according to city officials interpretation of the broadly worded measure. The city says it could make police officers, park rangers and outreach workers reluctant to help people living on the street, as doing so could be considered harassment. The ordinance also could make it more difficult for city staff to address health threats such as hepatitis A, rodents, feces, urine and discarded needles, the city said. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has said he doesnt support either the Right to Survive initiative, or the state Right to Rest bill. Trash discarded by homeless people is already a problem along the South Platte River, said Shoemaker of the Greenway Foundation. Before taking kids on outdoor excursions, he said, members of his education team scour the area for drug paraphernalia and human waste. An explosion of encampments in the city would further threaten the rivers health, he said. Denvers Right to Survive initiative has even been criticized by groups that supported the Colorado Right to Rest bill. I wouldnt necessarily say that were opposed to the measure, because we understand the need for this conversation, said Cathy Alderman, vice president of communications and public policy for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, a housing, health care and supportive services provider. But her organization worries that the initiatives language is vague, and that it doesnt allocate resources to address homelessness. If it does pass theres still no additional resources put into the system to make sure we dont have the need for something like Right to Survive, she said. Ruan, the law professor, said courts would decide how to interpret the statute and noted that after six months the city council could step in to modify it. It can be corrected by the city council, but it will force them to do something about this issue, Ruan said of the councilmembers. Howard, of Denver Homeless Out Loud, said concerns about human waste and trash are distinct from the camping ban. Absolutely, theres a desperate need for porta-potties, for trash services, and so on, she said. But thats true regardless of whether we have the right to sleep or not. People who live on the streets dont want the city to be overwhelmed with trash, either. I dont know how comfortable I feel about the parks turning into wastelands and dumps and stuff, said the sandy-haired young man outside Impact Humanity. Maybe the city could do more to clean things up, he suggested. They also want permanent solutions. Hopefully, they will build housing that people can afford, Burton said. Regardless of the May 7 election result, the people behind the initiative and the state bills like it say theyll keep fighting. We understand that were going to hear no. And were really good at getting our asses kicked, WRAPs Boden said. But were going to keep coming back. https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2019/04/29/this-city-might-give-homeless-people-the-right-to-camp-anywhere Washington (AFP) - Russia is holding 236 political prisoners, a significant increase over the past few years as President Vladimir Putin goes on the offensive against perceived threats, a study backed by human rights advocates said Monday. The number compares with 46 political prisoners on a February 2015 list by Memorial, the veteran Russian civil society movement that supported the latest study. The report, led by Perseus Strategies, a Washington-based law firm focused on human rights, listed 236 people it identified as political prisoners, although it said the number was likely "much higher" when including cases that could not be rigorously researched. The study said Russia has been able to jail opponents through its "notoriously vague" prohibitions, such as bans on hooliganism and insulting religious feeling. Canada's former justice minister Irwin Cotler -- now chair of the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, one of the groups that commissioned the study -- said Russia has seen a "criminalization of everyday life" and has also targeted leaders through a law that blacklists "undesirable organizations." "What is happening is that all those who are deemed to be, in a generic sense, opponents of the regime are liable to trumped-up charges," he said. Along with the political opposition, Russian authorities have set their sights on leaders of religious and ethnic minorities, gay rights supporters, journalists and especially Ukrainian activists in the wake of Russia's 2014 takeover of the Crimea peninsula, the study said. Cotler blamed the curbs on dissent by Russia, as well as by other increasingly authoritarian states, on a sense of "impunity" they have largely enjoyed on the international stage. "This pattern has been able to take place in part because of a concomitant retreat by the community of democracies," he said. - Fears for long-serving prisoner - Story continues The jailing of opponents had ended with the fall of the Soviet Union, with former president Boris Yeltsin freeing the last political prisoners. The report considers Russia's longest-serving political prisoner to be Alexei Pichugin, a security manager at now defunct oil giant Yukos who was arrested in 2003. Pichugin is serving a life sentence on multiple convictions including murder, in what his supporters say were false charges aimed at then Yukos chief Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who in exile has become Putin's most high-profile critic. Pichugin's 80-year-old mother, Alla Nikolaevna Pichugina, said that her son was suffering problems in his shoulders and joints and vein engorgement in his legs. "One of the reasons is that he has been in a tiny cell for 16 years without seeing the sun," she told AFP by telephone. "They keep him because they want him to bear false witness against Khodorkovsky. Alexei refuses to do so and that's why they're keeping him," she said. Pichugina -- who said she was only allowed to see her son twice a year, for four hours at a time through glass -- regretted that Putin has declined to pardon him. "I think only international pressure can help. I don't know what else can," she said. The study recommended a further international expansion of the Magnitsky Act, which was started in the United States in 2012. Named after Sergei Magnitsky, an anti-corruption accountant who died in Russian custody, the law imposes travel bans and freezes assets of foreign officials deemed responsible for extrajudicial killings or torture. The report said that Putin's "strong and emotional reaction" to the act showed its impact on the Kremlin. The study also called for world leaders to be more vocal in drawing attention to human rights in Russia. Moscow has in the past defended its record on human rights, saying it has differing conceptions than the West, and has hit back by accusing the United States of holding political prisoners. KHARTOUM, April 29 (Reuters) - Sudan's main protest group said late on Monday that the country's transitional military council was trying to break up a sit-in in the capital Khartoum where protesters are demanding a handover to civilian rule. In a statement, the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) called on civilians to join the sit-in and for protesters to erect barriers to protect themselves. (Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Tom Brown) Khartoum (AFP) - Sudan's army rulers and protest leaders on Monday offered differing visions for a joint council, but a military spokesman said he hoped a final structure for the body could be agreed soon. The talks came after the two sides on Saturday agreed to form a joint civilian-military body to rule the northeast African country. "The military council has presented its vision for a 10-member joint council, with seven military representatives and three civilians," a spokesman for the existing ruling military council Lieutenant General Shamseddine Kabbashi told reporters after a joint panel met on Monday. "The Alliance for Freedom and Change presented its vision of a 15-member joint council, with eight civilians and seven military representatives," he said, referring to the group that is leading the protest movement that has rocked Sudan for more than four months. Kabbashi said Monday's talks ended with both sides agreeing to consider each other's views. Kabbashi defended the military's demand for a majority in the joint council. "The necessities that made us take the people's side are still present and that's why it merits for us to be in the sovereign council," he said, without clarifying why the army generals were insisting on having a majority in the joint council. He said that talks will continue on Tuesday. In a statement, the protest leaders' alliance confirmed that no agreement was reached over the composition of the sovereign council. It also said that both sides will present proposals on transitional structures, including a future civilian government and legislative body, and their respective powers, within 24 hours "Our sit-ins and marches shall continue until all the revolution's goals are achieved," the alliance added. - Transport links to open - A joint council, if agreed, would replace the existing 10-member military council that took power after the army ousted veteran leader Omar al-Bashir on April 11 amid massive protests against his rule. Story continues The creation of a joint council would pave the way for a civilian administration as demanded by protesters, as they continue to rally outside the army headquarters in central Khartoum. Kabbashi said that during Monday's talks it was agreed with protest leaders to open some roads, a railway line and two bridges that lead to -- or pass near -- the military headquarters. When asked whether by doing this the army was planning to disperse the sit-in, he said: "That's not what we are saying". Late Monday, a Sudanese protest group said the army was trying to remove barricades and disperse the sit-in outside the military headquarters, but witnesses said troops had not moved in. "The military council is a copy cat of the toppled regime. The army is trying to disperse the sit-in by removing the barricades," said the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), the group that first launched the protest movement against Bashir's regime. "We are calling on our people to come immediately to the sit-in area. We are calling on the revolutionaries to protect the barricades and rebuild them." Witnesses at the sit-in told AFP that protesters were building up some of the make-shift barricades but there was no movement of troops around the area. - Power to civilians - The creation of a joint civilian-military council would be an overall ruling body, protest leaders have said, while they want a separate transitional civilian administration to run the country's day-to-day affairs. That civilian government would work towards the first post-Bashir elections, protest leaders say. The military council has so far insisted it has assumed power for a two-year transitional period. Thousands of protesters first massed outside the army headquarters on April 6, demanding that the armed forces back them in ousting Bashir. Five days later, the army took power through a transitional military council, having deposed Bashir, after months of protests that began with unrest over a tripling of bread prices. Since then the 10-member council of generals has continued to resist calls to step down. Western governments have expressed support for protesters' demands, but Sudan's key Gulf Arab donors have backed the military council, while African states have called for more time for the army to hand power to civilians. Khashm El-Girba (Sudan) (AFP) - Ahmed al-Kheir's friends and family are delighted with the Sudanese president's ouster but say justice will only be served once ex-regime officials are made to pay for the village teacher's death in custody. "We, the family of Ahmed al-Kheir, are very happy with the toppling of (president Omar al-) Bashir and his regime," Kheir's brother Saad told AFP at their family home in Khashm el-Girba, a small village in the eastern province of Kassala along the border with Eritrea. "We believe that Bashir's entire regime was responsible for Ahmed's killing." Kheir, 36, was arrested in late January in his village by agents of the powerful National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) on allegations he was one of the organisers of anti-Bashir protests in the area. Days later, Kheir's family was told to collect his body from a local mortuary. A top official in Khartoum confirmed in February that Kheir had died from wounds suffered in detention. Kheir "had wounds on the back, legs and other parts of his body that led to his death", the official said. Security agents of the NISS had launched a deadly crackdown on protests that erupted in December in response to the Bashir government's decision to triple the price of bread. The protests swiftly mushroomed into nationwide demonstrations against Bashir's iron-fisted rule, with protesters urging him to step down. Dozens of people died in a crackdown by security forces, while hundreds were wounded and thousands jailed. On April 11, the army finally ousted Bashir after months-long protests that were initially led by a group of teachers, doctors and engineers. - 'Honest man' - Saad, 35, charged that senior officials of Bashir's regime were behind the killing of his brother. "The group that came to take my brother was acting on orders from the higher ups," he said. "Had the regime's top officials objected, that unit would not have done something like this." Story continues Kheir's death fuelled anger against Bashir's regime, not just in Khashm el-Girba but also across Kassala and in Khartoum, where protesters held rallies to express solidarity. Thousands of protesters who remain encamped outside army headquarters in central Khartoum still chant: "Blood for blood, we will not accept compensation." They demand punishment for officials responsible for killings by the regime during Bashir's 30-year rule. Protesters outside the army complex want the military council that took power after Bashir's ouster to step down, making way for civilian rule. Khashm el-Girba is a farming village, with one main road that cuts through its mud houses, many painted in pink. Kheir whose one-storey pink structure has a courtyard in the middle, was a popular teacher, colleague Bakhit Mohamed Ahmed said. "He was an honest man who took part in community functions," he said. Ahmed recalled an incident when Kheir returned to local authorities around 30,000 pounds ($630) that had been saved from the school's meals-for-children programme. Kheir was also a member of the Popular Congress Party, Sudan's top Islamist party and an ally in Bashir's government. The party later called for a probe into all deaths during the initial weeks of protests. - 'Freedom, peace, justice' - Last week, Sudan's acting prosecutor general Al-Waleed Sayyed Ahmed lifted the immunity of an unspecified number of NISS agents allegedly involved in Kheir's death. "Those who killed him should be tried in a civilian court," said Ahmed. Salah Ali al-Nour, 55, one of Kheir's neighbours, said the teacher had given his life for "freedom, peace, justice," the catchcry of the protest movement. "We hope that freedom, peace and justice will be achieved," said Nour, his voice choking as tears swelled in his eyes. "We want all the criminals to be punished." Nationwide, protest leaders are calling for Bashir and his regime officials to be held accountable for crimes committed during his rule. "We are not seeking retaliatory measures... but we want to rebuild our justice system to hold them accountable," said Amjad Farid, a spokesman for the protest movement. Bashir himself, who was initially detained by the new ruling military council, has been transferred to the capital's Kober prison, according to a family source. KHARTOUM, April 29 (Reuters) - Sudan's military rulers and an opposition alliance met on Monday to discuss the powers of a joint military-civilian council to steer the country's transition after three decades of rule by Omar al-Bashir, two sources familiar with the proceedings said. The two sides had been due to talk about the make-up of the proposed body, but military officers who toppled Bashir on April 11 focussed the discussions instead on the future council's functions and powers, the sources said. A further meeting between the Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces, an umbrella group representing opposition groups and activists, will be held to discuss the council's composition, they added. The make-up of the proposed council is key because activists who organized 16 weeks of protests leading to Bashir's ouster have insisted that the body be civilian led. The TMC has not indicated that it is willing to cede ultimate authority. The joint council would be the sovereign body overseeing a technocrat government and a legislative council. After Bashir's ouster the TMC announced it would remain in place for two years ahead of elections. The Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces wants a four-year transition overseen by a civilian-led council with military representation. Protesters have kept up pressure on the TMC through mass rallies and a sit-in outside the Defence Ministry in Khartoum that began on April 6. Monday's meeting was held at the presidential palace on the banks of the Blue Nile in Khartoum, a short distance from the sit-in. (Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Janet Lawrence) Pakistani-US officials to talks in Islamabad on Afghan peace process Pakistani and the US officials will begin talks in Islamabad on Afghan peace process on Monday (today) ahead of a new round of US-Taliban negotiations in Qatar, according to the Foreign Office. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Dr Faisal said Khalilzad is due in Islamabad on Monday for talks on Afghan peace process. Khalilzad is currently in Afghanistan where he has met President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and other leaders. The State Department had earlier said the special envoy will visit Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia and the United Kingdom from April 21 to May 11, as part of the overall effort to facilitate a political settlement that ends the conflict in Afghanistan. In Islamabad, Khalilzad will hold meetings with Pakistani officials as part of regular consultations on bilateral relationship and the Afghan peace process. He will be accompanied by US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Ambassador Alice Wells. This is Khalilzads second visit to Pakistan this month. In an interview with Afghanistans largest private television station, Tolo News, on Sunday, Khalilzad said any peace agreement with the Afghan Taliban will depend on the declaration of a permanent ceasefire and a commitment to end the countrys long war. He said the Talibans demands are focused on the withdrawal of US forces from the country. Our focus is on terrorism. No agreement will be done if we dont see a permanent ceasefire and a commitment to end the war, he said. We are seeking peace and (a) political settlement We want peace to give us the possibility to withdraw, he added. Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen, meanwhile, told Daily Times on Sunday that Taliban and the US will hold detailed talks on the two core issues and will make efforts to finalise them. No date has been decided for the next round, and Shaheen did not offer any comment when asked when the new round is scheduled. Despite boycott by senior Afghan political leaders, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will hold a consultative Loya Jirga, or grand assembly, to discuss peace with the Taliban. Taliban have already rejected the jirga as an attempt by American servants to mislead the Afghan nation and to harm the peace process. The Pakistani side at the dialogue comprises representatives from the diplomatic and military corps, Afghan specialists, economic gurus, media professionals and civil society representatives. The recommendations and outcome of the conference will be shared with the relevant authorities in both the countries so as to help in formulating pragmatic and sustainable policies for promotion of bilateral relations. Besides the official track, experts will hold two-day Afghanistan-Pakistan Track-II Bilateral Dialogue on April 29-30. A 10-member delegation from Afghanistan, led by the former Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal, arrived in Islamabad on Sunday to participate in the Track-II dialogue to be held on April 29-30. Prospects and challenges of the ongoing reconciliation process in Afghanistan will be discussed during the dialogue. The forum will give its recommendations on institutional mechanism to ensure peace and stability post-reconciliation. FOR THE WESTERN MAIL. Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson outside the Houses of Parliament. In London. (Photo by Stefan Rousseau/PA Images via Getty Images) Eleven-time Paralympic gold medallist Lady Tanni Grey-Thompson has accused British Airways of ableism after claiming a flight crew ignored her husband. Lady Thompson, who is now Chancellor of Northumbria University, hit out at the airline on Twitter over the treatment of her husband Ian who was flying home from Italy. Mr Thompson, who also uses a wheelchair, had been told his chair would be waiting for him at the gate on arrival into the UK. However, following a series of blunders Mr Thompson was forced to get onto the transport bus before being asked to use an unfitted airport wheelchair until his own could be collected at the baggage reclaim. But when he reached the area he found the crew ignored him, and instead spoke to his colleagues because they thought he didnt understand. MONACO, MONACO - FEBRUARY 17: Laureus Academy Member Tanni Grey-Thompson is interviewed during Media Interviews for the 2019 Laureus World Sports Awards on February 17, 2019 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images for Laureus) OK @British_Airways this is going to be a long thread. An official complaint is going in. Incident was my husband flying back from Italy yesterday. As he got on plane he asked if chair would be at the gate. Cabin attendant said yes. Had a gate tag on. Tanni Grey-Thompson (@Tanni_GT) April 29, 2019 In a Tweet Lady Thompson said: I believe this is poor service in itself. Ian was told that hed been allocated a code about his impairment which turns out to be the wrong one. Ian eventually gets to baggage claim to find crew talkig to his work colleagues. Crew then leave without talking to him. Ian later finds out that crew were talking to his colleagues because they believed he didnt understand what they were talking to him about. I dont say FFS on twitter very often. But seriously British Airways. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Inspiration for Winnie the Poohs 100 Acre Wood on fire Nigel Farage tells US audience Oldham has streets split by race Met Office says no bank holiday heatwave Story continues This is now my personal opinion. Why would staff go and talk to some other random people who happen to be travelling with him. Is it because they are non disabled?This is beyond patronising. Was it to ask Does he take sugar? Patronising disability treatment. She added: Stop treating disabled people like they have no value. BA used to be an airline that you could trust to fly with. Not sure thats true any more. Lady Grey-Thompson was named as one of the most inspirational sporting figures in the BBC Icons series being placed as runner-up in her category, second to boxer Muhammad Ali. She has been married to her husband for 20 years, the couple have one daughter. A British Airways spokesman said: We are taking this very seriously and have asked for the customer's booking details so we can investigate as a matter of urgency. We carry hundreds of thousands of customers with disabilities each year and we work hard to provide help and assistance throughout the whole journey, from the point of booking to the final arrival. IT staffing and recruiting company Cynet Systems has finally apologized for its racist job listing that Twitter users spotted last week. The otherwise fairly standard posting appeared on various sites, including LinkedIn, and began by stipulating that the job candidate be Preferably Caucasian. It should be obvious, but employment discrimination on the basis of race or color is illegal. And its only legal to prefer candidates of a specific age, sex, religion or national origin if theres a bona fide occupational qualification that relates to the essence or central mission of the employers business. Twitter user Helena McCabe noticed the ad and wondered how Cynet could think such a blatantly racist post was acceptable. Uh, hey @cynetjobs - what's with this? Your job listing for a mid-senior level business development position's top qualification is "Preferably Caucasian" How could you POSSIBLY think that's okay? pic.twitter.com/DPWzpgXqqE Helena McCabe (@misshelenasue) April 27, 2019 Others piled on: You said the quiet part out loud (S) Harold (b)(5) (@haroldsmith3rd) April 28, 2019 Im not shocked by this but I am shocked the listing doesnt say preferably Caucasian male. Cuz we all know thats exactly what they mean. Book Minded Mag (@BookMindedMag) April 28, 2019 Taking this further. Question: If a caucasian person gets the job are they not offended by the idea that, perhaps the only real reason they got the job is because of their skin color? Sounds like a terrible company to work for with a lackluster value prop. Justin Dawkins (@jdawkinsatl) April 28, 2019 Cynet Systems didnt respond to the outcry until Sunday evening, tweeting that it had terminated the individuals involved in the post. Story continues The company also apologized for the anger & frustration caused by the offensive job post and insisted the ad does not reflect our core values of inclusivity & equality. Cynet apologizes for the anger & frustration caused by the offensive job post. It does not reflect our core values of inclusivity & equality. The individuals involved have been terminated. We will take this as a learning experience & will continue to serve our diverse community. Cynet Systems (@cynetsystems) April 29, 2019 Not surprisingly, people wanted to know how the ad had even been allowed in the first place. I think youre going to have to do more to demonstrate youre not all a bunch of racists Chris Ebert (@realchrisebert) April 29, 2019 Instead of writing something generic as hell like this,maybe explain to us - how did this *happen*? Did a company you work with send in a straight up racist help-wanted ad, and y'all just Ctrl+C Ctrl+V'ed it? Or was it an in person discussion and your employee went "sounds fine"? (((Joe McReynolds))) (@McReynoldsJoe) April 29, 2019 One person pointed out that the post helped demonstrate the kind of bias people of color face in the job market. I'm want to join the outrage over the job posting but, more-so want to express gratitude to the person who posted it not only for showing transparency into your company culture but also for demonstrating the challenges in corporate America that POC continue to face in 2019 Johnny (@jcsecprof) April 29, 2019 Cynet Systems later sent HuffPost a statement from Co-CEO Ashwani Mayur, expressing regret for the ad and stating that Both of our owners are Indian-Americans, our workforce is over 60 percent minority, and we are certified as a diversity supplier by the National Minority Supplier Development Council. The company said it is looking at measures to catch offensive or outside-of-policy ads before they ever go live to ensure this cant happen again. This story has been updated with a statement from Cynet Systems. Leon Norman has been jailed for four years for a 24-hour crime spree which saw him threaten numerous people with a two-foot blade. (SWNS) A teenage thug who viciously attacked a disabled pensioner during a 24 hour robbery spree armed with a huge machete has been jailed. Leon Norman, 19, went on the rampage across Birmingham armed with the two-foot long blade on December 27 last year. Birmingham Crown Court heard how he first approached a 73-year-old woman with a knife and demanded she hand over the keys to the Vauxhall Corsa she had just parked. The brave victim tried to defend herself by hitting the violent yob with her walking stick outside the Swan Shopping Centre in the Yardley area of the city. CCTV from a newsagent shows Norman brandishing the terrifying blade. But Norman grabbed her and pushed her to the floor causing her to hit her head before stealing her car. Within 24 hours, he had also threatened staff in two shops with a machete and attacked a postman in order to gain the keys to his van. Norman, of no fixed abode, was later caught by police and pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery, attempted robbery and affray. On Friday he was jailed for four years for robbing the elderly woman, three years for attempted robbery, three years for robbery on the postman and 22 months for affray - all to run concurrently. Norman was jailed for four years at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday. (PA) The court heard Norman began the first of four violent attacks at around 9am when he approached a the OAP who had parked her specially-adapted mobility car. The pensioner tried to pull him from the vehicle but Norman was too strong and pushed her away causing her to fall again. Thinking he had got away with the Corsa, Norman sped off but hit a kerb, leaving the car undrivable. He then jumped into a white BMW 3 series that was following. Less than 24 hours later, Norman was refused a sale of cigarettes at a Costcutters store in Small Heath, Birmingham. The court heard he became verbally abusive to a shop worker and returned seconds later with a machete and smashed the glass door of the shop. Read more from Yahoo News UK: Inspiration for Winnie the Poohs 100 Acre Wood on fire Nigel Farage tells US audience Oldham has streets split by race Story continues Met Office says no bank holiday heatwave He then travelled four miles up the road to a newsagent in Chelmsley Wood where he again brandished a machete and threatened the shop worker. The shop worker pressed his panic alarm as Norman smashed the Perspex screen surrounding the till area and ran from the shop. Within the hour, Norman travelled to Whittington Oval, Lea Hall, and set upon his next victim, a postman. The postman, who was collecting mail from a post box, was approached by Norman and another man, who demanded the keys to his van. He attempted to defend himself but dropped the keys after being punched by both offenders. Detective Sergeant Tom Lyons, from West Midlands Police CID, said after the case: Norman is a dangerous man who targeted several people within in short amount of time, including a vulnerable woman. Thanks to members of the public who were able to provide information on his whereabouts, Norman was arrested and will now face time behind bars. (Reuters) - Tesla Inc said on Monday it could seek alternative sources of financing, days after Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk reached a deal with U.S. securities regulators to settle a dispute over his Twitter use, removing an overhang on the stock. Shares of the electric carmaker rose 1.8 percent to $239.42 in late trading. Tesla said in a quarterly filing https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1318605/000156459019013462/tsla-10q_20190331.htm with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it expects cash generated from its business to be enough to fund its investments and pay down debt for at least the next 12 months, but that it may decide to raise debt to fund growth. Wall Street has been looking for more details after Musk last week said, "It's probably about the right time" to raise capital. He was speaking after the company posted a $700 million loss for the first quarter. Many analysts had predicted the company would need to raise funds for its expansion, including the Shanghai factory, the upcoming Model Y SUV and other projects. Musk's agreement with the SEC on Friday puts the focus back on execution as Tesla tries to ramp up production of its most important vehicle, the Model 3 sedan, and make a profit at the same time. So far, Tesla has raised funds through bank loans, several rounds of equity sales, issued convertible notes, a $1.8 billion junk bond sale, securitization of its vehicle leases and solar asset-backed notes. The company's preferred method for raising capital in public debt markets has been through convertible securities, with seven issued since 2013. These have allowed it to raise funds at a lower interest rate than plain-vanilla bonds because investors are willing to accept a lower coupon for the prospect of converting the debt to equity. Of Tesla's three convertibles to have reached maturity to date, however, only one has been converted into equity. The company's stock failed to reach the conversion price for the other two, forcing it to repay the bondholders in cash. Story continues The company paid off $920 million in debt earlier this year and a $566 million repayment is due in November. "It's all speculation but beyond the bond and equity markets Tesla could do a direct cash investment from an investor like a big private equity firm or a firm like SoftBank," Morningstar analyst David Whiston said. He said the company is more likely to just issue equity, adding that "the share count is so small relative to big automakers and the cash raise would ease any investor anxiety that the market probably would not severely punish the dilution, if at all". Tesla is rated six notches into noninvestment grade, or junk bond, territory by both Moody's Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings. Both rating agencies have a negative outlook on the company's debt. "If it was just straight debt they'd have to pay a higher interest rate. But convertible investors are willing to pay for some potential future upside in the equity," Geoffrey Dancey, managing partner and portfolio manager at Cutler Capital Management said after Musk's comments on Wednesday. "Tesla, of all companies, sells the story of their upside." The company expects capital expenditures of $2 billion to $2.5 billion this year and about $2.5 billion to $3 billion annually for the next two fiscal years, a spokesperson told Reuters. Tesla's $1.8 billion junk bond sank half a cent to yield 8.42 percent on Friday, more than 3 percentage points above the bond's coupon rate of 5.3 percent. Its spread, or the premium investors demand for the added risk of holding Tesla debt rather than a safer U.S. Treasury security, widened by about 15 basis points to a near-record 611 basis points. Tesla has in the past talked about raising funds through alternative sources, but interest has spiked following Musk's comments on raising capital. (Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee and Vibhuti Sharma in Bengaluru, additional reporting by Kate Duguid and Dan Burns in New York; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Sriraj Kalluvila) VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis has often warned against gossiping among friends and neighbors, but now he says it should also be avoided in those modern temples of cheap talk: beauty parlors and hair salons. The pope exhorted some 230 Italian Catholic hair cutters, stylists and beauticians - on a group pilgrimage to Rome - to "avoid falling into the temptation of gossip that is easily associated with your work". Instead, they should pursue their profession "with Christian style, treating clients with gentleness and courtesy, offering them always a good word and encouragement," he said. Francis noted their patron saint is Saint Martin de Porres: a 16th century barber-surgeon who joined the Dominican order in Peru and spent much of his life helping the poor and sick. Italian barbers and beauty parlors are traditionally closed on Mondays, which is why the group chose their day off to visit the Vatican. (Reporting By Philip Pullella; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne) Thousands of politicians and officials from across Afghanistan gathered amid tight security in Kabul Monday to discuss the war and US efforts to forge a peace deal with the Taliban. More than 3,000 people have been invited to the rare "loya jirga", which is being billed as the largest in modern Afghan history, in a bid to set possible conditions under which they might accept a peace settlement. The loya jirga -- literally "grand assembly" in Pashto -- is being held as the US and Taliban are discussing a possible foreign troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and various Taliban pledges. The talks have so far cut out the government of President Ashraf Ghani, whom the Taliban view as a US stooge. "We want to specify the main lines for the negotiations with the Taliban," Ghani said at the start of the summit. "We want clear advice from all of you." Ghani's government hopes the high-stakes meeting will set out Kabul's conditions for any deal, including the continuation of the constitution and the protection of women's rights, the media, and free speech. Ghani had invited the Taliban but the insurgents, having waged an unrelenting guerrilla war since 2001, refused. Much of Kabul was locked down Monday, with a weeklong public holiday declared for the duration of the four-day event. Streets across the capital were closed and hilly overlooks blocked. In the past, the Taliban have blasted rockets at a tent hosting a loya jirga. In a statement, the Taliban have vowed that any decisions or resolutions made at a loya jirga are "never acceptable to the real and devout sons of this homeland". The most recent jirga was held in 2013, when Afghan officials endorsed a security agreement that allowed US troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond their planned withdrawal in 2014. Thousands of tribal leaders, religious figures and politicians from across Afghanistan gathered Monday in Kabul amid tight security to discuss the war and American efforts to forge a peace deal with the Taliban. More than 3,000 people were attending the rare "loya jirga", which is being billed as the largest in modern Afghan history, in a bid to set possible conditions under which they might accept a peace settlement. The loya jirga -- literally "grand assembly" in Pashto -- is being held over four days as the US and Taliban are discussing a possible foreign troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in exchange for a permanent ceasefire and various Taliban pledges. "We want to specify the main lines for the negotiations with the Taliban," Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said at the start of the summit. "We want clear advice from all of you." The jirga is seen as an attempt by the Afghan government to influence the peace talks between the US and the Taliban aimed at ending more than 17 years of conflict. So far, however, the talks have cut out Ghani, whom the Taliban view as a US stooge. "Come to any part of the country for talks, why don't you want to talk to Afghans?" Ghani said, addressing the Taliban, who have boycotted the jirga. "We are ready to talk to you without any preconditions." - High-level boycotts - Ghani's government hopes the high-stakes meeting will define Kabul's conditions for any deal, including the continuation of the constitution and the protection of women's rights, the media, and free speech. But some prominent Afghans, presidential hopefuls and government officials including the country's chief executive Abdullah Abdullah have boycotted the assembly. They have criticised it as an attempt by Ghani to boost his standings ahead of presidential elections slated for September. Much of Kabul was locked down Monday, with a week-long public holiday declared for the duration of the four-day event. Story continues Streets across the capital were closed and hilly overlooks blocked. In the past, the Taliban have blasted rockets at a tent hosting a loya jirga. In a statement, the Taliban have vowed that any decisions or resolutions made at a loya jirga are "never acceptable to the real and devout sons of this homeland". The insurgents now control or influence about half of Afghanistan. They announced the start of their annual spring offensive early this month, despite talks with US representatives -- dashing hopes for a quick ceasefire in the war-ravaged country. The loya jirga is a centuries-old tradition in Afghanistan that has been convened at times of national crisis or to settle big issues. The most recent jirga was held in 2013, when Afghan officials endorsed a security agreement that allowed US troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond their planned withdrawal in 2014. Delegates this year have split into various committees to discuss negotiating points for future talks with the Taliban. The summit's results are due to be announced Thursday. WASHINGTON A veteran killed himself outside the Veterans Affairs medical center in Cleveland on Monday the fourth veteran suicide at a VA facility this month and more than a dozen lawmakers from both parties called for more to be done to prevent veteran suicides at a rare, joint press conference on Capitol Hill. The Cleveland death happened outside the facility's emergency room around 3 a.m., according to Melissa Bryant, chief policy officer at Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, who was briefed on the incident. VA officials declined to release details about what happened, citing privacy regulations. In a statement provided to USA TODAY, they offered "deepest condolences... to the loved ones affected by this death." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., left, speaks, with House Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member Phil Roe, R-Tenn., at right, during a news conference about veteran suicide prevention, Monday April 29, 2019, at the House Triangle on Capitol Hill in Washington. On April 5, a veteran died by suicide in the parking lot of the VA medical center in Dublin, Georgia. The next day, a 68-year-old veteran killed himself outside the main entrance of the Atlanta VA hospital. And on April 9, a veteran fatally shot himself in the waiting room of a VA clinic in Austin, Texas. "It is clear that we as a country are not doing enough to support veterans in crisis," Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., chairman of the House VA committee, said at the press conference with other lawmakers, including VA committee ranking member Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo.,who chairs the House Republican conference, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. "This is an unconscionable, urgent crisis," Pelosi said. "This crisis isn't about politics or partisanship, it's about patriotism." Honoring a Marine: A WWII Marine died with no living relatives. Hundreds honored him at his funeral Like what you're reading?: Download the USA TODAY app for more Veterans are 1.5 times more likely than non-veterans to take their lives, according to VA data. From 2008 through 2016, an average of more than 6,000 veterans took their lives each year. In 2016, 6,079 veterans died by suicide, down slightly from 6,281 in 2015. Story continues President Donald Trump, calling veteran suicide a tragedy of staggering proportions, signed an executive order in March creating a Cabinet-level task force to coordinate and align efforts across the federal government to help stem the crisis among former service members. The task force, led by VA Secretary Robert Wilkie, has a goal of creating a national plan to more effectively lower the number of veteran suicides after numerous programs and billions of dollars allocated to address the problem in recent years have had minimal impact. Outreach 'dropped off' The Government Accountability Office in December that VA suicide-prevention outreach dropped off since Trump took office. That included fewer social-media postings, public service announcements and advertisements. The agency spent only $57,000 of more than $6 million that had been budgeted for ads. We also found that VA did not have clear goals for evaluating the effectiveness of its outreach activities, the GAO found. The VA attributed the drop-off in outreach to leadership changes and a realignment of suicide-prevention efforts. The agency identified veteran suicide as its highest clinical priority last year and released a 10-year strategy to address the crisis. On Monday, the VA said that since the department began tracking suicides at VA facilities in 2017, there have been more than 260 suicide attempts, and 240 of them have been interrupted. "All VA facilities provide same-day urgent primary and mental health care services to veterans who need them, and any time an unexpected death occurs at a VA facility, the department conducts a comprehensive review of the case to see if changes in policies and procedures are warranted," the agency said. Trump vs. Pelosi showdown: Infrastructure meeting reopens Washington's biggest rivalry Migrants: Donald Trump wants to charge asylum seekers to process applications as migrants seek U.S. entry Lawmakers were joined at the press conference Monday by veterans advocacy organizations, including American Veterans(AMVETS) and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). "This is an absolute, national epidemic that we need all hands in," Bryant of IAVA told USA TODAY. "If there was a silver bullet for this, then we would have already used it by now. So it's going to require the entire village, it's going to require a whole of Congress, whole of government solution." Joe Chenelly, national executive director of AMVETS, said he wants the VA to acknowledge that there is a very serious problem and be held to account "We have spent tens of billions of dollars over the last several years and have got nothing to show for it," he said. "It's clear that whatever the VAs been trying to do, whatever our entire government has been trying to do is not working." Veterans who need help can call the VA crisis line at 800-273-8255 and select option 1. They can also send a text message to 838255, or chat with counselors online. In March: Trump ramps up effort to prevent veteran suicides with executive order creating task force Opinion: I survived combat in Iraq and a suicide attempt at home. But many veterans aren't so lucky. Success: Authorities locate the suicidal veteran James Woods used Twitter to help In depth: Suicide never entered his mind. Then 9/11 happened. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Veteran dies by suicide outside Cleveland VA hospital Monday, lawmakers demand action The Association of Oil Marketing Companies (AOMCs) has expressed concern over the numerous operating charges and fees imposed on Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) thereby suffocating the operators in the sector. These unprecedented charges, have the tendency of becoming a cost component, which would eventually increase the overhead cost of operation, hence the fuel price hikes in this era of already high cost of petroleum products, the AOMC, stated in a statement signed by Mr Kwaku Agyemang-Duah, Industry Coordinator. The statement addressed to some Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and obtained by the Ghana News Agency said the OMCs were over burdened with the numerous charges and fees. The AOMC Chief Executive Officer noted that the business signage fees, and other materials displayed at Filling Stations which were part of mandatory requirements for the granting and issuance of a permit to construct a Filling Station by the National Petroleum Authority attracted fees also from the MMDAs. These charges and fees being collected within the MMDAs jurisdiction appear to be duplicating the fees and other charges paid to statutory and regulatory bodies, the AOMC reminded the MMDAs. Some of the fees and charges suffocating the OMCs are; Environmental Protection Agency Processing and Permit Fees; MMDAs Business Operating Permit Fees; MMDAs Signage and Advert Fees; Fire Permit Fees; Ghana Standards Authority Verification Fees charged per each pump. Other charges are; Vehicle Branding Fees; Ground Rent and Stool Lands Fees;; Royalty Fees; Ghana Music Association Fees; Business Operational Fees and Ghana Highway Authority entry and exit fees. The OMCs also paid Ghana Revenue Authority, National Petroleum Authority, Factories Inspectorate and other mandatory taxes and levies. Scores of OMC operators told the GNA that these fees and charges were chargeable per each filling stations per year, the net effect is too huge which accounts for the fuel prices hikes. Most institutions including; statutory bodies, MMDAs and private sector actors see the OMCs as financial reservoirs to siphon money from. We are into business, so we will invariable transfer the huge overhead cost to the consumer. The OMC Operators therefore appealed for a regulated mechanism to ensure that the MMDAs and other regulated authorities synchronised their charges and levies to eliminate double taxation. The OMCs said those operating in traditional areas also paid additional dues and fees to the traditional rulers. 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 A pedestrian walks past a Tim Hortons restaurant in Toronto October 26, 2007. REUTERS/Mark Blinch (CANADA) Tim Hortons says it will revamp its iconic Roll Up the Rim contest after the company reported weak sales in the first quarter of the year. Jose Cil, chief executive of Tim Hortons parent company Restaurant Brands International, said on a conference call with analysts on Monday that a weak Roll Up the Rim campaign contributed to a comparable sales decline of 0.6 per cent at the coffee chain in the first three months ending March 31. We still believe the 33-year-old Roll Up the Rim program is a valuable and iconic platform for Tims. It has very high awareness, Cil said. However, its become clear to us that it needs a modern and fresh approach to engage our guests in a stronger way going forward. The Tims team is working on new plans to drive a successful reboot of the program next year, including seamless digital integration. The company had initially expanded the Roll Up the Rim program after seeing a decline in effectiveness last year, adding more prizes in the hopes of ramping up excitement about the contest. But the plan didnt manage to bring in more customers. Subscribe today Unfortunately, this additional investment did not drive the incremental engagement we expected, Cil said, adding that the additional giveaways resulted in a drag on comparable sales of half a point in the first quarter of 2019. While Cil did not provide details about exactly how the reboot of the program would look, he said there is opportunity to integrate this with digital. This year, the Roll Up the Rim contest had faced some backlash after three young Canadians launched a petition asking Tim Hortons to invest in compostable or recyclable paper cups. Cil also said that severe weather across the country weighed on results at Tim Hortons in the first quarter, dragging down comparable sales by approximately 1 per cent. I hate using weather as an excuse, Cil told analysts. But given the nature of our high traffic and frequency business in Canada, the severity of the weather impacting the experience in the first quarter, we felt it was necessary to disclose. Story continues At the same time, the coffee chain has seen early success in the loyalty program space. Cil said 20 per cent of the Canadian population has used the loyalty program in the first five weeks since it launched, with almost half of daily transactions now using the loyalty card. System-wide sales at Tim Hortons, which reports its financial results in U.S. dollars, fell $61 million to $1.55 billion when compared to the same quarter last year. Net income at RBI, which also includes fast-food chains Burger King and Popeyes, was $246 million, a decrease from $279 million the same time last year. Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. When special counsel Robert Muellers exhaustive report on Russian meddling in the US presidential election was released to the public earlier this month, the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, was in Ireland. Her caucus was spread across the globe on congressional trips abroad or in their home districts, preparing for Easter or Passover. After a two-week recess that provided ample time to read the 448-page report a devastating portrait of a presidential campaign eager to accept help from a foreign adversary and president intent on using the power of his office to protect himself, his family and his allies Democrats return to Washington divided as the fate of Donald Trumps presidency shifts to Congress. Related: Fox News analyst says Mueller report proves Trump did obstruct justice Pelosi has urged caution on impeachment, encouraging the Democratic committee chairs to use Muellers report as a road map to continue investigating the president and see where the facts lead. Party leaders have largely agreed to the plan, even as several prominent liberals, lawmakers of color and a handful of 2020 candidates have called on Democrats to go further. Impeachment is the peoples last instrument of constitutional self-defense against a president who is trampling the rule of law and acting like a king, said congressman Jamie Raskin, a Maryland Democrat and a constitutional law professor. The decision to bring articles of impeachment against a president is inescapably a question of both law and politics, Raskin said, noting that the founders had considered whether the process should be handled by the supreme court but ultimately decided it was best suited for Congress. We have to ask first whether there are high crimes and misdemeanors against the character of our government, he said. And then, secondly, if its in the best interest of the American people. After a nearly two-year investigation into Russian meddling in the last presidential election, Mueller said there was insufficient evidence to conclude that Trumps 2016 campaign engaged in a criminal conspiracy with Russia. Trump has declared total exoneration by the Mueller report, though investigators explicitly stated that they did not reach that conclusion on whether the president obstructed justice. Story continues The redacted version of the investigations findings describes nearly a dozen episodes in which Trump attempted to impede or undermine the investigation and appeared to offer a guide for Congress to investigate whether the president violated the law. Many Democrats, even those who have not stated so publicly, believe Trumps conduct meets the bar for impeachment. But there are sharply divergent opinions on whether it is the best course of action 18 months before a presidential election. Impeachment is one of the most divisive paths that we could go down in our country, Pelosi said, speaking in New York last week. If the path of fact-finding takes us there, we have no choice. But were not there yet. Embed Several Democrats are there already, however. At a CNN town hall last week, Elizabeth Warren, the first 2020 contender to endorse impeachment, said Congress had a constitutional duty to hold the president to account. In the wake of the abuses and misconduct outlined in the Mueller report, Warren said all members of Congress ought to take a position on the record. If there are people in the House or the Senate who want to say thats what a president can do when the president is being investigated for his own wrongdoings, or when a foreign government attacks our country, she said, then they should have to take that vote and live with it for the rest of their lives. Still, Bernie Sanders, who shares Warrens leftwing politics and is a rival in the 20-person race for the Democratic nomination, worries impeachment might strengthen Trumps electoral prospects. Bernie Sanders has cautioned against impeachment. Bernie Sanders has cautioned against impeachment.Photograph: Keith Srakocic/AP If all Congress is talking about is impeaching Trump and Trump, Trump, Trump, and Mueller, Mueller, Mueller, and were not talking about healthcare, were not talking about raising the minimum wage to a living wage, were not talking about combating climate change, were not talking about sexism and racism and homophobia what I worry about is that works to Trumps advantage, he said, speaking after Warren at the CNN town hall. In the aftermath of the Mueller report, congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announced her support for an impeachment resolution introduced by fellow freshman congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, who campaigned for Congress on removing Trump from office. Many know I take no pleasure in discussions of impeachment. I didnt campaign on it, & rarely discuss it unprompted, Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. 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. Ninety percent of the calls and mail Im receiving in my office support impeachment of Trump and so do I Maxine Waters The freshman joined a handful of prominent members Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus in calling for Trumps impeachment. Among them is the California congresswoman Maxine Waters, the chairwoman of the financial services committee and a high-profile leader of the resistance movement to Trump. Ninety percent of the calls and mail Im receiving in my office support impeachment of Trump and so do I, Waters wrote. Pressing for immediate action, she added: The impeachment resolution must start with, and be taken up by, the judiciary committee. But California congressman Brad Sherman, one of three members of Congress who have filed articles of impeachment against Trump, insisted his constituents were more concerned by local issues than impeachment. He said that just 5% of the questions he received over the recess pertained to impeachment. Sherman believes now, as he did in July 2017 when he first introduced articles of impeachment against Trump, that the president has obstructed justice. But he endorses Pelosis methodical, investigations-first approach. You cannot remove a president without a two-thirds vote in the Senate. You cant get a two-thirds vote in the Senate without changing the public opinion and you cant change public opinion without getting all the facts in front of the American people, he said. A Washington Post-ABC News poll released last week found that only 37% of Americans agreed that Congress should begin impeachment proceedings against the president, while 56% opposed the idea. Overall, support for impeachment declined slightly from a month ago, even as Trumps approval rating has fallen in the wake of the Mueller report. Young Americans support impeachment at a higher rate than their older counterparts, while 69% of African Americans support the idea the highest of any group in the survey. Legally, Id like to draw the line, Sherman said. But I think if the president were impeached and not removed, and then scored a political victory off of that effort [by winning re-election], we might be sending the exact wrong message. Embed Democrats are keenly aware of the history of impeachment: that public opinion can melt the partisan divide even in deeply polarized times, as it did during the Watergate scandal involving president Richard Nixon. They also know that attempting to remove a president without the support of both parties can cause self-inflicted wounds, as it did in the late 1990s when Republicans pursued impeachment against Bill Clinton. William Galston, a former Clinton White House adviser and a governance expert at the Brookings Institution, said Democrats would repeat the mistakes made by Republicans when they impeached Clinton if they pursue impeachment against Trump. Bill Clinton in 1999, just before his impeachment trial. He was acquitted. Bill Clinton in 1999, just before his impeachment trial. He was acquitted.Photograph: Mark Wilson/Reuters If you want to defend the constitution, make sure Donald Trump doesnt get re-elected, he said. If you want to condemn his behavior, make sure a majority of the American people vote to remove him from power. Everything else is a sideshow. Progressive groups like Indivisible are rallying their sprawling grassroots organization around impeachment. And Tom Steyer, the Democratic activist and billionaire whose Need to Impeach campaign has collected 8 million signatures, is urging members of Congress to act. There is a dramatic risk to doing nothing because if the system fails, people dont believe in the system and they dont vote, Steyer said. And it raises the question: are we going to uphold the values of the system or not? Steyer is calling for televised public hearings as quickly as possible. He said it was unfair to expect that Americans read a 448-page legal document to understand its findings. But watching the central actors testify before Congress would show its findings in a more accessible format. Related: Oliver North forced out as NRA president amid bitter power struggle Steyer believes testimony from former White House counsel Don McGahn, who was a chief witness to many of the most damning episodes of potential obstruction outlined in the Mueller report, could help to sway public opinion as it did when John Dean, the former White House counsel for Nixon, testified in 1973 during the Watergate investigations. When Republican lawmakers started to abandon Nixon, he resigned before being impeached. But House Democrats are facing blanket resistance from the White House after Trump ordered past and present federal employees, including McGahn, to defy requests from congressional investigators. Were fighting all subpoenas, he told reporters at the White House last week. The approach sharply undermines the ability of Congress to conduct oversight of a president who sees few limits to his executive power and may add pressure on Democrats to trigger the ultimate legislative fail-safe. Raskin said: We have an obligation both to keep faith with the framers of the constitution and we also have a central duty to the people who are alive today and to future generations to set a standard for presidential behavior. In speaking with colleagues, I believe that the heavy weight of our constitutional responsibility has begun to settle on the shoulders of members of Congress. In the latest and final Avengers, Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, was pictured driving up to the Avengers headquarters in a sleek concept model by Audi -- the E-Tron GT. Last week in LA, Robert Downey Jr. arrived at the "Avengers: Endgame" premiere in a concept Audi E-Tron GT, the same model we see the famous Tony Stark rolling up to the Avengers headquarters in during the final film of the saga. When the all-electric sedan concept was announced late last year at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Downey was one of the first to publicly demo the vehicle that made its film debut on Friday. The GT is not only luxurious enough to earn the approval of Mr. Stark, but also smart, powerful, and practical enough to win over Downey Jr. It generates 590 hp, can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds, and has a range over 248 miles. While that's nowhere near the range capacity of Tesla's lineup, it's still among the highest in the segment and surpasses the range of the SUV E-Tron iteration by over 40 miles. In December Audi published a video in which Captain Marvel is introduced to the SUV version and is handsomely impressed, despite the car being unable to fly. While the first deliveries of the crossover E-Tron begin next month, the future of the GT concept is less clear. Reports say that the model will launch in 2020 and, considering that the E-Tron SUV starts at $74,800, the GT version will probably start well above $100,000. TOKYO (AP) Emperor Akihito began his abdication rituals at a Shinto shrine Tuesday morning as Japan embraces the end of his reign with reminiscence and hope for a new era. Television images showed Akihito in a traditional robe entering the main Shrine of Kashikodokoro to report his retirement to the gods. The shine is where the goddess Amaterasu, said to be the direct ancestress of the imperial family, is enshrined. Only part of Akihito's shrine ritual was released to the public. In a palace ceremony later in the day, Akihito will announce his retirement before other members of the royal family and top government officials. When Crown Prince Naruhito on Wednesday becomes, by official Japanese count, the 126th person to occupy the Chrysanthemum Throne since 660 B.C., he will be ceremonially armed with the glittering, ancient imperial regalia of sword and jewel. Beyond the material trappings that accompany what the Japanese claim to be the world's oldest continuous hereditary monarchy, however, the new emperor will also receive a much more important, though less dazzling, inheritance: The deep and abiding respect his father, abdicating Emperor Akihito, has accumulated over his three-decade reign. Replicating this bequest on his own will be Naruhito's greatest challenge. The love many in Japan feel for 85-year-old Akihito was on full display when he made his last official visit to the winter sumo tournament earlier this year. TOKYO (AP) Japan's 85-year-old Emperor Akihito ends his three-decade reign on Tuesday and his son Crown Prince Naruhito will ascend to the Chrysanthemum Throne on Wednesday. Some key questions and answers about the abdication and ascension: ___ Q. Why is Akihito abdicating, and how is it different from usual successions? A. Akihito in August 2016 expressed his wish to abdicate while he is still well and capable. As a constitutionally defined symbol with no political power, Akihito sought understanding in a message to his people, and immediately won overwhelming public support, paving the way for the government's approval. With Japan's Imperial House Law lacking a provision on abdication by a reigning emperor and virtually allowing only posthumous succession, the government enacted a one-time law to allow Akihito's abdication. Story continues TOKYO (AP) Japan's imperial family is relatively small and will shrink further in the coming years. Only one of Emperor Akihito's four grandchildren is a male who can ascend to the throne. The three princesses likely will lose their royal status eventually, since they are required to do so if they marry commoners. Akihito's daughter lost her imperial status after marrying a local government official. A look at the imperial family as Akihito abdicates on Tuesday and Crown Prince Naruhito ascends on Wednesday: ___ EMPRESS MICHIKO, 84 Akihito's wife, born Michiko Shoda, is the daughter of a wealthy businessman who led the Nissin Flour Milling Co. TOKYO (AP) Japanese police on Monday arrested a man linked to knives found on the school desk of Emperor Akihito's 12-year-old grandson. The incident occurred last Friday as Japan was preparing for Akihito's abdication on Tuesday. Prince Hisahito will become second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne when his uncle, Crown Prince Naruhito, ascends the throne on Wednesday. Police said they arrested a man in his 50s, Kaoru Hasegawa, on suspicion of trespassing after spotting him in videos from security cameras in the neighborhood of Ochanomizu University Junior High School. Media reports said the man entered the school posing a maintenance worker and placed two knives on the desk. BATTICALOA, Sri Lanka (AP) The leader of the Islamic State group praised the Easter suicide bombings that killed more than 250 people in Sri Lanka in a video released Monday, calling on militants to be a "thorn" against their enemies in his first filmed appearance in nearly five years. The video of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, to whom the suicide bombers in last week's attack apparently pledged their loyalty, came as the top official in the Catholic Church urged Sri Lanka to crack down on Islamic extremists "as if on war footing." Meanwhile, a government ban on niqab face covering took effect as soldiers and police officers conducted raids in eastern Sri Lanka, the home of the alleged mastermind of the attacks. KATTANKUDY, Sri Lanka (AP) As Sri Lanka's long civil war ended in this once-contested region along its eastern coast, Muslim women eager to show their piousness began wearing the black niqab veil to hide their faces. Now in the wake of Easter suicide attacks launched by Islamic State group-linked militants that killed more than 250 people, Sri Lanka's president has used his emergency powers to ban the practice previously unheard of in the island nation off the southern coast of India. The ban, which took effect Monday, has been touted as a security measure. However, it criminalizes a practice more associated with an ultraconservative form of Islam previously unknown on the island, one that more closely adheres to the strict beliefs more common in Saudi Arabia. KALMUNAI, Sri Lanka (AP) Suicide bombings at a militants' safe house have shaken the simple homes of this east Sri Lankan town as well as the rest of this idyllic coast, as the investigation into the Islamic State-claimed Easter bombings has spread here. Police and military checkpoints dot the coastal roads, with people emptying out of buses to present their identity papers. On streets lined with shuttered shops, police officers with assault rifles look warily at passers-by. Whispers persist about the leader of the IS-pledged militant group, which preached the promise of heaven through the killing of others both here and online. KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) Afghanistan's president opened a grand council on Monday of more than 3,200 Afghans seeking to agree on a common approach to peace talks with the Taliban, but the gathering may further aggravate divisions within the U.S.-backed government. President Ashraf Ghani hopes to showcase unity at the four-day meeting known as Loya Jirga that brings together politicians, tribal elders, many prominent figures and others. But Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, his partner in a unity government brokered by the United States after a bitterly disputed election in 2014, heads a list of no-shows. Former President Hamid Karzai, who also is not attending, told The Associated Press on Monday that holding the council at this time risks "delaying and causing an impediment to the peace process." He also voiced concern that by sidelining his chief executive, Ghani could trigger suspicion that personal ambitions may have partly driven him to hold the Loya Jirga now. JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) Indonesia's decades-long discussion about building a new capital has inched forward after President Joko Widodo on Monday approved a long-term plan for the government to abandon overcrowded, sinking and polluted Jakarta. Widodo decided at a special Cabinet meeting to move the capital outside of Indonesia's most populous island, Java, said Planning Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro. It was one of three options discussed. The other alternatives were moving to a location near Jakarta or staying put and relocating all government buildings to a special zone around the presidential palace. The site for a possible new capital hasn't been announced, but Palangkaraya on the island of Borneo has often been rumored as the location. The Senior Minister, Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, has said all fees and charges at the ports which do not have the approval of Parliament will be withdrawn to create an enabling environment for investors and businesses. The measure, he explained, was part of the effort by the government to significantly improve ease of doing business in Ghana. Mr Osafo-Maafo was speaking at a durbar of the chiefs and people of the Tema Traditional Area at Tema Manhean, to climax this year's Kplejoo Festival last Saturday. Festival The Kplejoo Festival preceeds the annual Homowo Festival, and during the celebration, traditional priests and priestesses cleanse the various stools, offer sacrifices to the gods of the land and pray to them for bountiful food and fish. The Senior Minister said while the government was committed to creating an enabling environment for all investors, it had noted that a number of agencies at the countrys ports had arbitrarily imposed fees and charges without the approval of Parliament. He explained that it was only Parliament that could impose taxes, fees and charges and as such the government was going to take steps to ensure that all such unapproved charges were withdrawn until they had received parliamentary approval. Unemployment Mr Osafo-Maafo commended the chiefs and the people of Tema for the sacrifices they made some 60 years ago by accepting to relocate to their present settlement to pave the way for the construction of the Tema Port and other industries. Responding to an appeal by the Tema Traditional Council on the unavailability of jobs for the youth, he proposed that a committee made up of representatives from the TMA, the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council and his office be set up to determine how industries in Tema could put in place a quota system to ensure that the people who sacrificed their land to create the biggest industrial city in Africa were provided jobs. Corruption The Senior Minister reiterated the government's commitment to fulfill its electoral pledge of punishing persons found to have misused state resources. He said various investigations were on course and that anyone found culpable would be dealt with according to the laws of the land. "The New Patriotic Party (NPP) came into power on the back of dealing with corruption. However, we must hasten slowly. It is not in the interest of anybody to rush to prosecute people when you have not assembled all the facts. The government is working by the rules and the laws of the land. Investigations are ongoing and I can assure you that anybody who has misappropriated a pesewa will be put before the courts," he said. Development projects The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Ishmael Ashitey; the Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Felix Mensah Nii Anang-La and the MP for Tema East, Mr Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, in their separate speeches, spoke about projects initiated by the government to ensure the development of Tema. The projects include the construction of the Bankuman roads at Tema Manhean, the provision of street lights and the construction of school blocks. Mr. Titus-Glover said the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) had expressed interest in the reconstruction and modernisation of the Tema Manhean Polyclinic to enhance access to quality health care. The Tema Mantse, Nii Adjei Krakue II, expressed his appreciation to the Senior Minister for his pledge to support the traditional council in its effort to secure jobs for the youth of the area. 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 Cambridge (Canada) (AFP) - Japanese automaker Toyota will assemble two models of its Lexus in Canada starting in 2022, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday. It will be the first time that the Lexus NX and NX hybrid sport utility vehicles are produced outside of Japan, Trudeau said. He told a news conference the Cambridge, Ontario assembly plant 50 miles (80 kilometers) west of Toronto would supply the Canadian and US markets. Toyota announced last year it would invest Can$1.4 billion (US$1 billion) in its two Ontario facilities, in Cambridge and in nearby Woodstock, which assembles its RAV4 vehicles. It plans to concentrate its North American production of hybrid vehicles in the province. Ottawa also pitched in Can$110 million. The two assembly lines can build over 500,000 vehicles annually, making Toyota the largest automotive manufacturer in Canada. Photo credit: Car and Driver From Car and Driver UPDATE 4/29/19: Toyota will not deploy its vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication technology on vehicles in the U.S. in 2021 as previously planned. The company said in a statement that its reasoning to suspend the program, originally detailed in April 2018, is based on a "need for greater automotive industry commitment as well as federal government support to preserve the 5.9 GHz spectrum band for DSRC [Dedicated Short Range Communications]." Without naming specific companies, Toyota appeared to be accusing its competitors of dragging their feet on this new technology. Toyota is no longer providing any timeline for rolling out these V2X systems but says it will "continue to reevaluate the deployment environment" going forward. With or without industry competitors and government regulators, Toyota says it will forge ahead and start rolling out a long-known safety technology in new vehicles it sells in the United States, even if its not fully useful until everyone gets on board. Starting in 2021, the automaker says, it will begin deploying technology that enables real-time communications between cars and other road users. These connected car systems will send messages that warn motorists of imminent collisions, changing road conditions, and other traffic hazards. Eventually, they could provide information to automated driving systems. We can help drivers realize a future with zero fatalities from crashes, better traffic flow, and less congestion, said Jim Lentz, chief executive officer of Toyota Motor North America. Bold Move Although the underlying technology-Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC)-has been developed and vetted for more than a decade, theres disagreement throughout the industry on whether DSRC-based communications are the long-term answer for transmitting these messages. Cellular technology thats less established but also available now, and ostensibly going to get better with the coming introduction of 5G, is favored as a conduit for these safety communications by a growing number of automotive and tech companies. Story continues The choice between the two technologies is crucial, because the more widely these systems are deployed over time, the more effective they become. A vehicle cannot receive a warning message from a car entering an upcoming intersection, for example, if the other car is not equipped with the same system. A split in market approaches throughout the industry would likely render both systems less effective. In the waning days of the Obama administration, the federal government proposed rules that would mandate the DSRC approach, aiming to achieve the critical mass of users necessary to make this all worthwhile. But to date, the current Department of Transportation administration has not acted upon that proposal. It remains in limbo. Cars Could Converse Soon Which is why Toyotas decision to move forward carries both weight and risk. Proponents of the DSRC approach to these communications, which comprise vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), and vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) designations and are often wrapped together under the banner of vehicle-to-everything (V2X), argue that manufacturers can start saving lives sooner than if they wait for a consensus to materialize. Photo credit: The Manufacturer - Car and Driver Ill grant you that DSRC is the modern-day equivalent of Morse code, but guess what, Morse code still works, says Gregory D. Winfree, director of the Texas A&M Transportation Institute and a former U.S. Department of Transportation official. We dont have 5G yet, so why dont we introduce this lifesaving technology now and get American drivers familiar with it? As this newfangled technology comes online, we can introduce it. I am technology agnostic, he said, but the technologies under development now are not ready for the market. With DSRC, we can start saving lives now and get away from a cultural tolerance for what is, in essence, carnage on our roadways. More than 37,000 Americans were killed in traffic crashes in 2016, according to federal records, a number that has been rising at its fastest pace in half a century. Toyota aims to start rolling out its DSRC-based systems throughout its lineup beginning in the mid-2020s. The automakers plans are the most comprehensive to date, but it actually wont be the first automaker to deploy V2V in North America. General Motors has equipped certain Cadillac CTS sedans with V2V systems, and in 2017, Volkswagen unveiled plans to start using DSRC-based connected systems in Europe. In the United States, these systems use seven channels on the 5.9-GHz spectrum that have been reserved for automotive safety applications by the Federal Communications Commission. For now, these systems will transmit messages that serve as warnings to motorists; vehicle systems will not take action on their own based on the V2X inputs. Self-Driving Cars Eventually, information from V2X systems can be fed to automated driving systems for use by their decision-making algorithms. One advantage V2X systems have is that, unlike the other sensors aboard automated vehicles, they can provide information on imminent hazards not based on line of sight. This is the second time in recent years that Toyota has positioned itself as a front-runner in adding new safety technology while its competitors lagged. When a group of 20 automakers reached a voluntary agreement to equip all new vehicles with automated emergency braking by 2022, Toyota took its efforts a step further and pledged to install the systems as standard equipment in all new cars by the end of 2017. The company says that 92 percent of its Toyota and Lexus vehicles now sold contain automated emergency braking systems. At the time of that announcement, the future of automated emergency braking seemed nothing but promising. In the case of DSRC, which has been developed over the past 13 years with a group of global automakers, infrastructure organizations, and the DOT, its future is nonetheless very much uncertain. But Toyotas announcement gives it a sudden shot of renewed momentum. ('You Might Also Like',) (Repeats with headline tag) By Michael Martina BEIJING, April 29 (Reuters) - U.S. negotiators head to China on Tuesday to try to hammer out details to end the two countries' trade war, including the shape of an enforcement mechanism, the success or failure of which could set the trajectory of ties for years to come. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will travel to Beijing for talks beginning on April 30, followed by a visit by Chinese Vice Premier Liu He to Washington for more discussions starting on May 8. Both sides have cited progress on issues including intellectual property and forced technology transfer to help end a conflict marked by tit-for-tat tariffs that have cost the world's two largest economies billions of dollars, disrupted supply chains and rattled financial markets. Those issues are still on the table, according to the White House, but U.S. officials say privately that an enforcement mechanism for a deal and timelines for lifting tariffs are sticking points. Agreeing to a way to enforce a deal is one thing. Ensuring it holds up under ties strained by growing mistrust and geopolitical tensions will be another, say watchers of the relationship. "An effective enforcement mechanism will define the deal," Tim Stratford, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham), told Reuters. "The deal doesn't need to revamp China's economy. But it does need to provide a new methodology for dealing with our differences," said Stratford, a lawyer and former assistant U.S. Trade Representative who has worked in China for more than three decades. "This is incredibly high stakes. We have a particular window of opportunity, and a lot in the future of U.S.-China relations rests on this," he said. Earlier this month, Mnuchin said the two sides had agreed on establishing new "enforcement offices" to police an agreement, although he did not give specifics. On Sunday, he told the New York Times talks are entering a critical point: "We're getting into the final laps." Story continues AT A CROSSROADS U.S. President Donald Trump said on April 4 that the two sides could have a deal worked out in about four weeks. On Thursday, he said he would soon host Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House - a meeting seen as needed to cement an agreement. Though a final date for a deal - if there is one - remains unclear, talks have brought China and the United States to a crossroads in their fraught relationship. China has long defined commerce as the ballast in the relationship. Now, some warn that the two are teetering towards a new type of "Cold War," as Beijing asserts its growing military strength in Asia and Washington ramps up scrutiny of Chinese tech companies and cracks down on Chinese espionage and influence campaigns at U.S. institutions and universities. Beijing sees U.S. actions as efforts to contain its development. But years of only piecemeal economic reforms in China and continued industrial policies that U.S. companies complain have eroded their competitive edge have weakened key U.S. business sector support for China. AmCham said this month that U.S. businesses could no longer be counted on as a "positive anchor" in bilateral relations. And U.S. officials, chagrined by what they say have been years of Chinese stalling tactics in annual economic dialogs, have been adamant that a trade deal must have teeth. Lighthizer has suggested that some form of the tariffs Trump imposed last year on Chinese goods as leverage in the dispute should hang over a deal to ensure compliance. Any such a mechanism would be fragile, trade experts said. For one, it would mean continued uncertainty for already trade war-weary businesses and markets. They also say China's record of exploiting loopholes at the World Trade Organization suggests it will look aggressively for new areas where it can say the United States isn't living up to its pledges. If Washington re-establishes tariffs weeks or months down the road, it could lead to retaliation and the collapse of the deal. In such a case, the two sides would find themselves back at square one, this time without negotiations as a viable way to deescalate disputes. Because of this, one American trade consultant said: "It takes great imagination and optimism to think we can come up with an effective enforcement mechanism beyond the short term." A DURABLE DEAL? Another source with knowledge of the trade talks argued that if the United States triggered the mechanism, Beijing would be unlikely to "come back to the table with this president," referring to Trump. "As long as there is a mechanism of tariffs hanging over the deal, it won't be durable," the source said. Trade advisers in China appear more confident that an agreement would not fall apart quickly because both sides need it politically, particularly Trump, who is seen in China as eager for a detente as the 2020 U.S. presidential election approaches. Wang Dong, an expert on China-U.S. relations at Peking University, said it would be politically difficult for both sides to return to talks in the wake of a collapsed deal. "I'm not saying China will end altogether future talks with the Trump administration. But it would take time to build momentum again, to say the least," Wang said. (Reporting by Michael Martina; Editing by Kim Coghill) Tei Tei Robata Bar. | Photo: Whitney G./Yelp Need more sushi in your life? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best high-end sushi hot spots in Dallas, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to satisfy your cravings. 1. Uchi PHOTO: THANIN V./YELP Topping the list is Uchi. Located at 2817 Maple Ave. in Oak Lawn, the sushi bar and Japanese eatery, which offers seafood and more, is the most popular high-end sushi spot in Dallas, boasting 4.5 stars out of 1,095 reviews on Yelp. Opened since 2015, the Dallas spot marks the third location of the restaurant. The menu offers makimono, yakimono, tempura, sushi and sashimi by chef Tyson Cole. 2. Tei Tei Robata Bar Photo: JOEY S./Yelp Next up is M Streets's Tei Tei Robata Bar, situated at 2906 N. Henderson Ave. With four stars out of 506 reviews on Yelp, the sushi bar, lounge and Japanese restaurant has proven to be a local favorite for those looking to indulge. Teiichi Sakurai, a James Beard nominee, opened Tei Tei in 1998. Since then, Katsutoshi Sakamoto has taken over as the owner and chef, serving grilled seafood, vegetables and more. Look for options such as oil wrapped seabass and enoki thats grilled with natural oak charcoal. 3. Nobu Dallas PHOTO: THANIN V./YELP Oak Lawn's Nobu Dallas, located at 400 Crescent Court, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the fancy sushi bar and Asian fusion spot four stars out of 495 reviews. Nobu has locations all over the world. At Nobu Dallas, theres a mixture of hot and cold entrees, sushi, sashimi, soup, tempura and vegetarian options on the menu. The lobster shiitake salad with spicy lemon dressing and scallops served with jalapeno salsa or spicy garlic sauce are some plates to keep an eye out for. 4. Teppo Yakitori - Sushi Bar PHOTO: CHRISTY V./YELP Teppo Yakitori - Sushi Bar, a sushi bar and Japanese spot in M Streets, is another pricey go-to, with four stars out of 388 Yelp reviews. Head over to 2014 Greenville Ave. to see for yourself. Enjoy a variety of options of sushi and yakitori. Try plates like the beef tongue, chicken meatball with a quail egg garnish, grilled miso sea bass, spicy salmon roll, Louisiana roll and tuna carpaccio. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. ANKARA, April 29 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in a phone call on Monday discussed a Turkish proposal to strike a joint working group on its planned purchase of a Russian S-400 missile defense system, the Turkish Presidency said. "Our Honourable President brought up the proposal to establish a working group regarding the procurement of the S-400 defense system from the Russian Federation," it said. Washington has said the missile system could compromise its F-35 fighter jets. Ankara has said a working group could assess the impact of the S-400 on the fighter jets, but on Friday said that it has not heard back from the Americans. (Reporting by Tulay Karadeniz; Writing by Ali Kucukgocmen; Editing by Jonathan Spicer) President Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden traded barbs on Monday after a firefighters union endorsed Biden, becoming the first major labor group to back a candidate in the 2020 race. The International Association of Fire Fighters announced its decision in a video message that described Biden as an advocate for the middle class. Joes a lot like our firefighters. Hes a problem solver who cares deeply about America and committed to making our country better. Hes one of the staunchest advocates for working families, said Harold Schaitberger, the IAFFs general president. He knows that a strong middle class means a strong America, and we know, as president, he will stand up for all the patriotic Americans who want nothing more than to earn a decent wage, send their kids to college, have affordable health care and a decent and secure retirement. BREAKING NEWS: The International Association of Fire Fighters endorses @joebiden for President of the United States. https://t.co/yewUm8wMGd IAFF (@IAFFNewsDesk) April 29, 2019 Biden said on Twitter that he couldnt be more proud to have the unions backing. Unions built the middle class in this country and as President, Ill fight to strengthen them and grow the backbone of this country, he wrote. Later Monday, Trump attacked Biden and the IAFF on Twitter, accusing the union of charging exorbitant dues and claiming that its members would rather support him than Biden. Ill never get the support of Dues Crazy union leadership, those people who rip-off their membership with ridiculously high dues, medical and other expenses while being paid a fortune. But the members love Trump. They look at our record economy, tax & reg cuts, military etc. WIN! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 29, 2019 Story continues Biden responded by tweeting that he is sick of Trump badmouthing unions. I'm sick of this President badmouthing unions. Labor built the middle class in this country. Minimum wage, overtime pay, the 40-hour week: they exist for all of us because unions fought for those rights. We need a President who honors them and their work. Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 29, 2019 Biden has long had the support of organized labor and has strong ties to unions. He is formally launching his campaign Monday with a rally in Pittsburgh at the union hall of Teamsters Local 249. More from National Review Nana Appiah Mensah, the embattled Chief Executive Officer of the now troubled Menzgold Ghana Limited has been re-arrested in Dubai after he won a case in that country. The Public Relations Officer of Menzgold, Nii Armah Amaterfio told Accra News on Wednesday, April 10, 2019 that the re-arrest was at the behest of the Ghanaian authorities. He was re-arrested in Dubai. This was after the Interpol in Ghana issued an alert that he was being investigated, Mr Amarteifio said. NAM 1 recently won his court case in Dubai. The court, on Tuesday, 9 April 2019, ordered Horizon Diamonds, the said company which had issues with the embattled Menzgold CEO, to pay him all outstanding debts. NAM1 has been in the custody of the Dubai authorities since November 2018 over a gold deal that went bad. He was charged with fraud. Mr Mensah went to the United Arab Emirates to receive a huge amount of money to pay clients of Menzgold who have had their investments locked up with the company only to be arrested by the Dubai authorities. Source: classnews 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 Washington (AFP) - After just over 800 days in office, President Donald Trump has made more than 10,000 "false or misleading claims," according to a tally released Monday by the Washington Post. The count, kept by the newspaper's "Fact Checker" database, was started in the Republican leader's first 100 days in office in early 2017. At the time, Trump averaged just five false claims a day. In the past seven months, that total has risen to an average of nearly 23 every day, made at rallies, on Twitter, in speeches or in encounters with the media. During his "Make America Great Again" rallies, Trump has taken the most liberties with the truth, the Post said: 22 percent of his erroneous comments are made at rallies of his dedicated supporters. Another notable element of these claims is that the former reality television star -- who frequently rails against the "fake news" media -- has a tendency to repeat the same false formulas again and again. The Post said the president passed the 10,000-untruth mark on Friday, a day before he appeared before a crowd in Green Bay, Wisconsin to make the claim that pro-abortion Democrats support the execution of babies who have already been born. "The baby is born," he told his fans. "The mother meets with the doctor. They wrap the baby beautifully. And then the doctor and the mother determine whether or not they will execute the baby." As well as denouncing the media as "enemies of the people," Trump also lashed out at fact checkers themselves earlier this year, calling them "some of the most dishonest people in the media." WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump pressed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to have Japanese automakers produce more vehicles in the United States, according to a readout of their recent meeting provided by the U.S. ambassador to Japan on Saturday. The two discussed recent public announcements by Japanese car makers, including Toyota Motor Corp's decision to invest more in U.S. plants. "We talked about the need to see more movement in that direction but I think the president feels very positive that we will see such movement because all the economics support that," said Ambassador William Hagerty. Trump told a campaign rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Saturday that Abe said Japan would invest $40 billion in U.S. car factories, though Trump did not give details on the timeline for the planned investments. Toyota, Japan's largest automaker, said last month it would exceed a 2017 pledge to invest $10 billion over five years with a new commitment to reach nearly $13 billion over that period. Trump has prodded Japanese automakers to add more jobs in the United States as the White House threatens to impose tariffs of up to 25 percent on imported vehicles, on the grounds of national security. Trump on Friday said it is possible that the United States and Japan could reach a new bilateral trade deal by the time he visits Tokyo in May, but he and Abe cited areas where they differ on trade. "We want to ensure that the U.S. has trading terms with Japan that are no less favourable than any other nation," Hagerty said in a phone call with reporters. He added that Trump is planning to attend the summit of the Group of 20 industrialized nations set to take place in Osaka, Japan in June. Separately, Trump was optimistic trade talks with China would be successful, the ambassador said. (Reporting by Chris Sanders, Jan Wolfe and Jason Lange; Additional reporting by Richard Cowan in Green Bay, Wisconsin; Editing by Andrea Ricci) President Trump said Monday that he phoned to offer his condolences to Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who was injured in the deadly California synagogue shooting over the weekend. A 60-year-old woman, Lori Kaye, was killed and three others injured, including Goldstein, at the Chabad of Poway synagogue when a young gunman opened fire inside during Passover service Saturday. Kaye took bullets for Goldstein, standing in front of him as he evacuated children from the synagogue, according to law enforcement. I spoke at length yesterday to Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, Chabad of Poway, where I extended my warmest condolences to him and all affected by the shooting in California. What a great guy. He had a least one finger blown off, and all he wanted to do is help others. Very special! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 29, 2019 The President expressed his love for the Jewish people and the entire community of Poway. The President also thanked the brave members of law enforcement who acted swiftly, including the off duty border patrol agent who stopped the shooter, read a statement from White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere. Goldstein, who lost fingers in the shooting, thanked Trump for his call on Sunday, adding that the president spoke about his love of peace, Israel, and Judaism. The president first condemned the attack on Saturday, saying the nation stands with the Jewish community. Our entire nation mourns the loss of life, prays for the wounded and stands in solidarity with the Jewish community, Trump said at a Saturday campaign rally in Wisconsin. We forcefully condemn the evil of anti-Semitism and hate, which must be defeated. A suspect, 19, has been apprehended and charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder. Story continues Here is a young man with a rifle, pointing right at me. And I look at him. He has sunglasses on. I couldnt see his eyes. I couldnt see his soul. I froze, Goldstein said at a press conference following the shooting. Lori took the bullet for all of us, she died to protect all of us. She didnt deserve to die. One things for sure. I guarantee you, we will not be intimidated or deterred by terror, he told NBC. The attack was perpetrated by someone with hate in their heart towards our Jewish community and that just will not stand, Mayor Steve Vaus of Poway, where the synagogue is located, told CNN. A shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue last year killed 11 people. More from National Review By Susan Heavey and Jeff Mason WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday urged Americans to protect themselves with the measles vaccination as the number of cases of the once-eradicated disease in the United States hit the highest levels since 2000. The growing outbreak in pockets across the country has triggered multiple public health efforts seeking to limit exposure to measles, including quarantines at two California universities. "The vaccinations are so important. This is really going around now," Trump told reporters at the White House. "They have to get their shots." Nearly 700 cases have been confirmed by federal health officials as of this week in a resurgence that has been concentrated in a handful of states -- New York, Washington, Michigan, New Jersey and California -- although 22 states in all are affected. Measles can cause severe complications or death. So far, no U.S. fatalities have been reported. U.S. public health officials have lamented the preventable outbreak and have blamed the nationwide outbreak, which comes alongside a global rise in measles cases, in part on the spread of misinformation about vaccine safety. Some Americans have eschewed the vaccine for a variety of reasons from religious beliefs to doubts about modern medicine as well as lingering impacts from a debunked claim that vaccines cause autism. No link has been found between the measles vaccine and autism spectrum disorders. Complacency is also an issue. With fewer cases of the infectious disease in recent decades, much of the public has not seen its impact firsthand. Measles can cause pneumonia, brain swelling known as encephalitis, and severe ear infections that can lead to deafness, according the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It also can cause premature birth in pregnant women and, in rare cases, harm the central nervous system. Up to 90 percent of those not immunized who have close contact with an infected person are likely to contract measles, the CDC has said. Story continues On Thursday, county public health officials announced a quarantine at the University of California, Los Angeles and California State University, Los Angeles. New York City officials have declared a public health emergency after an outbreak in parts of Brooklyn and have taken the unusual step of ordering unvaccinated people in affected neighborhoods to be immunized. Trump, before winning the U.S. presidency, appeared to raise some doubts about vaccines, tweeting in 2014: "I believe in vaccinations but not massive, all at once, shots. Too much for small child to handle. Govt. should stop NOW!" Days before Trump took office in the White House in January 2017, vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told reporters Trump was planning a vaccine safety review panel, a project Trump's then-spokeswoman said was being explored but had not been decided. (Reporting by Jeff Mason and Makini Brice; Writing by Susan Heavey; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Jonathan Oatis) By Can Sezer ISTANBUL, April 29 (Reuters) - Turkish aerospace manufacturer Kale Group said on Monday if disagreements between Ankara and Washington curb parts orders and exclude it from an F-35 project, then any lost sales would be offset by turning to civil aviation. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has not backed down from the planned purchase of a Russian S-400 missile defense system that the United States has said would compromise the security of stealth F-35 fighter jets, which Turkey also plans to buy. NATO ally Turkey has said it will take delivery of the S-400s in July, even while sources told Reuters earlier this month that Washington had halted delivery of F-35-related equipment to the country, marking the first concrete U.S. step to block its delivery. "There has been no impact on our business so far," Kale vice president Osman Okyay told reporters on Monday. "These are large, complex parts and manufacturing continues uninterrupted. We have a five-year backlog of orders." Kale Group and its subsidiary manufacture the cockpit and front fuselage parts for the F-35. Kale Pratt & Whitney, a partnership with the Pratt & Whitney division of U.S.-based United Technologies, produces engine parts for the plane. "Our utmost desire is that Turkey continues to be a part of this project. However we have a plan B if Turkey leaves the project," Okyay said. "If this were to happen, we'll aim to offset its impact (on the company) by producing more civil and commercial aviation parts." Kale produces parts for both Boeing and Airbus , however Okyay did not elaborate on these businesses specifically. Washington says the S-400s are incompatible with NATO's defense network and would pose a threat since S-400s' radar may learn how to spot and track the F-35 and make it less able to evade Russian weapons in the future. In March, Reuters reported that Washington was exploring whether it could remove Turkey from F-35 production. Story continues Disagreement over the F-35 is one of a series of diplomatic disputes between the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation members. There are also differences over Turkish demands that the United States extradite Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, Middle East policy, the war in Syria, and sanctions on Iran. In 2017, Kale said it would set up a joint venture with Britain's Rolls-Royce to develop aircraft engines after a UK-Turkish defense deal worth more than 100 million pounds ($133 million) was signed to develop Turkish fighter jets. But last month Rolls-Royce said it had scaled back efforts to join the Turkish program and Kale subsequently said it was waiting for Turkey's defense industry directorate to respond to its final offer for the program. "As far as I know, they are looking positively at our offer, but so far they haven't made a decision," Okyay said of the directorate. He said authorities were considering three alternatives for the engine supply of TF-X, a fighter jet in early design stage. An off-the-shelf engine from General Electric or Eurojet was viewed as an interim option, with the Kale engine seen as an intermediate alternative, Okyay added. (Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Jonathan Spicer and Andrew Cawthorne) Bangladeshi security forces raided a suspected Islamist extremist hideout in Dhaka on Monday killing at least two militants, police said, as the Islamic State group claimed to have wounded three police in a bombing. Police commandos were met with gunfire on arriving at a house in the capital's Bosila neighbourhood after midnight on Monday, Lieutenant Colonel Ashique Billah told AFP. This was followed by an explosion which demolished the walls of the house, the Rapid Action Battalion commander added. Bangladesh launched a crackdown on Islamist extremism after attacks in July 2016, when IS-inspired militants stormed a Dhaka cafe killing 22 people, including 18 foreigners. "Our bomb disposal unit found the body parts of two militants in the house. The explosion was so powerful that it tore apart the bodies and shook the whole area," Billah said. Four other people were detained including a caretaker and imam from a nearby mosque, the officer added. Separately, in their first claimed attack in Bangladesh in more than two years, IS jihadists said they "detonated an explosive device" on a group of police, the SITE Intelligence Group reported. According to the US-based group which monitors jihadist activity, the brief IS statement said the blast wounded three police on a road to Dhaka's Gulistan market. In March 2017, IS had said it carried out explosions in the northeastern city of Sylhet. Police said six people died in those blasts as commandos stormed an Islamist hideout. The government at the time rejected IS's claim and blamed a banned homegrown organisation. Since the 2016 attacks, security forces have staged nationwide raids in which, they say, nearly 100 members of two extremist Islamist groups have been killed. Hundreds of suspects have been detained. The South Asian nation has boosted security since April 21 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka, which killed 253 and were carried out by jihadists affiliated to IS. Earlier this month, the USCGC Bertholf irked China with a passage through the Taiwan Strait - REX The US military sent two navy warships through the Taiwan Strait on Sunday in a move that risks adding to tensions between China and the international community over access to the strategic waterway. The increasing frequency of US navy voyages through the 112-mile sea passage that separates Taiwan from China has raised objections from Beijing but been welcomed in Taipei as a sign of support from the Trump administration against Chinese attempts to undermine the self-ruled democracy. China is seeking to annex Taiwan, which operates like any other democratic nation with its own government, currency and military, and has stepped up attempts to isolate the island since the 2016 election of president Tsai Ing-wen, suspicious that her administration will push for formal independence. Beijing has repeatedly sent military aircraft and ships to circle the island during drills and has sought to pick off Taiwan's formal diplomatic allies. The United States has no formal ties with Taiwan but is bound by law to help provide it with the means to defend itself and is its main source of arms. However, Beijings sensitivity over military vessels passing through the Strait is also one of a growing number of flashpoints with Washington and its diplomatic allies over Chinas territorial ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region and particularly the South China Sea. Last week China reportedly made the unusual assertion that France had conducted an illegal passage through the Taiwan Strait earlier this month. According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, much of the Strait, outside of the 12 nautical mile territorial waters off the Chinese coast, is open to any military and civilian vessels. However, Ren Guoqiang, a defence ministry spokesman, told a press briefing that Beijing had dispatched its own ships to identify the French vessel and warn it to leave. Frances invitation to a parade to mark the 70 years since the founding of Chinas navy was subsequently withdrawn. Story continues The voyage of the French frigate Vendemaire was, reported Reuters, a sign that US allies are increasingly asserting freedom of navigation in international waterways near China, and it could open the door for other allies, such as Japan and Australia, to consider similar operations. The two destroyers that sailed through the region on Sunday were identified as the William P Lawrence and Stethem. The ships transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, Commander Clay Doss, a spokesman for the US navys seventh fleet, said in a statement. Meanwhile, the US, which is also in the midst of a trade war with China, has warned Beijing that hostile behaviour from its coast guard and fishing boats will not be treated any differently to aggressive actions by the Chinese navy. Admiral John Richardson, head of the US navy, issued the warning in an interview with the Financial Times, in response to Chinas increasing reliance on non-naval vessels to expand its military presence and stake its claims in the South China Sea. I made it very clear that the US navy will not be coerced and will continue to conduct routine and lawful operations around the world, said the admiral. The government has handed over 64 more vehicles to the Ghana Police Service to augment its fleet and improve on its operational capability. The new vehicles include 20 Toyota Landcruisers, 19 Toyota Hilux pick-ups and 25 Toyota Corolla saloon cars. They are the third batch of vehicles to be handed over to the police since the assumption of office of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. The presentation of the new vehicles brings to 264 the number of vehicles given to the Ghana Police Service in two years. In December 2017, the President launched Operation Calm Life and provided 200 vehicles and 300 motorbikes for the service to help maintain law and order. Presentation ceremony At a short ceremony at the Police Headquarters in Accra yesterday, the Minister of the Interior, Mr Ambrose Dery, reaffirmed the governments commitment to build a strong Police Service capable of ensuring the safety and security of the people and maintain the territorial integrity of the country. He said the government would continue to mobilise all resources at its disposal to enable the police to give the people the kind of service they deserved. Mr Dery said the government was retooling the service to facilitate mobility of personnel to enable them to perform their duties effectively and efficiently. He said the government could not wait for the arrival of all the consignment of vehicles earmarked for the service before handing them over but would do so as and when they arrived, since the service was in dire need of vehicles. Committed resources According to the minister, the government had also committed resources to procure kits, gear and quantities of other essential equipment for the Police Service. He urged personnel of the service to properly maintain the vehicles and use them to serve and protect Ghanaians to make Ghana safe and everybody safe, and in terms of internal security, you must be up and doing. He assured the personnel that the government would not migrate the police or other security agencies from CAP 30 to the SSNIT Pension Scheme and dispelled assertions by some parliamentarians that the Cabinet had approved a move by the President to migrate the security agencies. He noted that the President would not permit such a migration or anything that would be detrimental to the security agencies after they had served the nation at the peril of their lives. He added that the government would ensure that personnel of all the security agencies would be well catered for during their retirement. Retooling service For his part, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr David Asante-Apeatu, expressed his appreciation to the President for showing a commitment to retool the service. He said adding the new vehicles to the police fleet would go a long way to enhance mobility, as well as the operational capacity of the service. He also thanked the Minister of the Interior for a wonderful collaboration between the ministry and the Police Administration over the last two years, adding: Working with you has been a blessing and I hope that we shall continue in the same spirit, moving forward. The Deputy IGP, Mr James Oppong-Boanuh, said he was very hopeful that the vehicles would improve tremendously the operational capability and effectiveness of the Police Service. Source: Daily Graphic Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video By Jonathan Allen NEW YORK (Reuters) - The United States has confirmed 695 measles cases so far this year, the highest level since the country declared it had eliminated the virus in 2000, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Wednesday. The resurgence, which public health officials blamed in part on the spread of misinformation about the safety of vaccines, has been concentrated mainly in Washington state and New York with outbreaks that began late last year. "The longer these outbreaks continue, the greater the chance measles will again get a sustained foothold in the United States," the CDC warned in a statement. It said outbreaks can spread out of control in communities with lower-than-normal vaccination rates. Although the disease was eliminated from the country in 2000, meaning the virus was no longer continually present year round, outbreaks still happen via travelers coming from countries where measles is still common, the CDC says. As of Wednesday, the number of measles cases so far this year exceeds the 667 cases reported in all of 2014, which had been the highest annual number recorded since the elimination in 2000. The virus has been recorded in 22 states so far in 2019, the CDC said. The virus can lead to deadly complications, but no measles deaths have been reported in the latest outbreaks. Responding to the new figures, U.S. Health Secretary Alex Azar urged greater vaccination, saying in a statement that the vaccine's "safety has been firmly established over many years." "The United States is seeing a resurgence of measles, a disease that had once been effectively eliminated from our country," he said. Measles has been on the rise globally. More than 110,000 cases were reported in the first three months of 2019, according to the World Health Organization, based on provisional data. That is a 300 percent increase compared with the same period the previous year. Story continues "A PREVENTABLE OCCURRENCE" The largest outbreak has been in New York City where officials said at least 390 cases have been recorded since October, mostly among children in Orthodox Jewish communities in Brooklyn, making it the city's worst outbreak since 1991. That total included 61 cases recorded in the last six days, of which two were pregnant women, the city's health department said on Wednesday. The CDC echoed city health officials in saying this outbreak was fueled by misinformation being spread about the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. A vocal fringe of parents opposes vaccines, believing, contrary to scientific studies, that ingredients in them can cause autism. Nationwide, the number of children getting vaccinated has remained "high and stable" for several years, the CDC said. New York City's Health Department took the unusual step earlier this month of issuing an emergency order requiring unvaccinated people in affected neighborhoods to get the MMR vaccine unless they could otherwise show they had immunity. It has issued civil summonses to 12 people it said have defied the order. They will each face a fine of up to $1,000 if found to be non-compliant at a hearing. Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease expert with the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, called the resurgence a "completely preventable occurrence." "We are fighting a disease now in 2019 that should have been off the table in the 1960s with the development of the vaccine," he said. "It should be viewed as an embarrassment that so many Americans have turned away from vaccines that we are having a record year for measles." (Reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York; Additional reporting by Ankur Banerjee in Bengaluru and Julie Steenhuysen in Chicago; editing by Bill Tarrant and Leslie Adler) By Alex Dobuzinskis LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A nationwide measles outbreak has led health officials to quarantine dozens of people at two Los Angeles universities, officials said on Thursday. The quarantine affects the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) and comes as the United States battles the highest number of measles cases since the country declared the virus eliminated in 2000. The United States has confirmed 695 cases of measles, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Wednesday. Many of the case occurred in the states of New York and Washington. California has confirmed 38 cases, state health officials have said. The people ordered quarantined at the two California campuses were exposed to measles and could not provide evidence they had been immunized against the disease, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said in a statement. "Both universities are assisting with the implementation of quarantine orders and determining how best to support students who must be quarantined and who live on campus," the Department of Public Health said. At Cal State LA, the quarantine is related to a measles exposure at a library on April 11. The quarantine initially affected about 200 employees, including some student-employees, the university said in a statement. That number was later reduced to 156 people, the Department of Public Health said in an email on Thursday, and the quarantine will end in a week. At UCLA, 119 students and eight staff members who were exposed to measles at the campus earlier this month and could not provide proof of immunity were ordered quarantined on Wednesday, the university said in a statement. Since then, officials have released more than 40 people from the quarantine after establishing they had immunity. The UCLA quarantine will end by Tuesday, according to the Department of Public Health. The virus can lead to deadly complications, but no measles deaths have been reported in the latest U.S. outbreak. Story continues U.S. public health officials have blamed the nationwide outbreak, which coincides with a global rise in the prevalence of the disease, in part on the spread of misinformation about the safety of vaccines. Although the disease was eliminated from the country in 2000, meaning the virus was no longer continually present year-round, outbreaks still happen via travelers coming from countries where measles is common, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. (Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis; editing by G Crosse and Leslie Adler) By Idrees Ali WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military said it sent two Navy warships through the Taiwan Strait on Sunday as the Pentagon increases the frequency of movement through the strategic waterway despite opposition from China. The voyage risks further raising tensions with China but will likely be viewed by self-ruled Taiwan as a sign of support from the Trump administration amid growing friction between Taipei and Beijing. Taiwan is one of a growing number of flashpoints in the U.S.-China relationship, which also include a trade war, U.S. sanctions and China's increasingly muscular military posture in the South China Sea, where the United States also conducts freedom-of-navigation patrols. The two destroyers were identified as the William P. Lawrence and Stethem. The 112-mile-wide (180-km) Taiwan Strait separates Taiwan from China. "The ships' transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," Commander Clay Doss, a spokesman for the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet, said in a statement. Doss said there were no unsafe or unprofessional interactions with other countries' vessels during the transit. Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said the U.S. ships had sailed north through the strait. "U.S. ships freely passing through the Taiwan Strait is part of the mission of carrying out the Indo-Pacific strategy," it said in a statement. Taiwan's armed forces monitored the transit and nothing out of the ordinary happened, the ministry said. In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said China had paid close attention to the sailing and had expressed concern to the United States. "The Taiwan issue is the most important and sensitive issue in Sino-U.S. relations," he told a daily news briefing. The United States has no formal ties with Taiwan but is bound by law to help provide the island with the means to defend itself and is its main source of arms. The Pentagon says Washington has sold Taipei more than $15 billion in weaponry since 2010. China has been ramping up pressure to assert its sovereignty over the island, which it considers a wayward province of "one China" and sacred Chinese territory. It said a recent Taiwan Strait passage by a French warship, first reported by Reuters on Wednesday, was illegal. China's Geng told the same briefing in Beijing that China hoped that France could ensure such an incident did not happen again. Beijing's concerns about Taiwan are likely to factor into Chinese defense spending this year, following a stern New Year's speech from President Xi Jinping, threatening to attack Taiwan should it not accept Chinese rule. Last month, Beijing unveiled a target of 7.5 percent rise in defense spending for 2019, a slower rate than last year but still outpacing its economic growth target. China has repeatedly sent military aircraft and ships to circle Taiwan on exercises in the past few years and worked to isolate it internationally, whittling down its few remaining diplomatic allies. (Reporting by Idrees Ali; Additional reporting by Fabian Hamacher in TAIPEI and Ben Blanchard in BEIJING; Editing by Peter Cooney and Paul Tait) WASHINGTON, April 29 (Reuters) - The former U.S. diplomat who secured the release from North Korea of American Otto Warmbier said on Monday Washington should honor its pledge to pay Pyongyang $2 million for the student's hospital care. Joseph Yun, the former U.S. special envoy for North Korea, confirmed to Reuters he had signed an agreement with the North Koreans for the payment of the money before Warmbier was flown out of Pyongyang in a coma on June 13, 2017. He died days after returning home. White House national security adviser John Bolton said in a television interview on Sunday that while the agreement had been signed, no payment had been made to the North Koreans. Yun, who retired from the State Department last year and is now a global affairs analyst for CNN, said on the network he believed the United States should honor its commitment. "My view is, yes. If you've signed, if you promised another government from the U.S. government that you would make the payment, my view certainly is that we should go ahead and meet our end of the commitment," he said. Yun said that as soon as North Korea made the demand he contacted the then secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, who told him to go ahead and sign the agreement. Asked if he believed Tillerson had the approval of President Donald Trump, he replied: "That was my understanding. I never asked him. But that was my understanding." The Washington Post reported last Thursday that Trump had approved payment of the $2 million bill from Pyongyang to cover its care of Warmbier, who was detained in North Korea for 17 months. In a reply on Twitter, Trump said "no money was paid" but did not address whether any agreement had been made. Warmbier died in the United States six days after his release from North Korea. An Ohio coroner said he died from a lack of oxygen and blood to his brain. North Korea has dismissed claims that it tortured the student and blamed food poisoning and a sleeping pill. North Korea state media said Warmbier, a University of Virginia student visiting North Korea, was sentenced to 15 years hard labor for trying to steal an item bearing a propaganda slogan from his hotel. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom Editing by Sonya Hepinstall) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The former U.S. diplomat who secured the release from North Korea of American Otto Warmbier said on Monday Washington should honour its pledge to pay Pyongyang $2 million for the student's hospital care. Joseph Yun, the former U.S. special envoy for North Korea, confirmed to Reuters he had signed an agreement with the North Koreans for the payment of the money before Warmbier was flown out of Pyongyang in a coma on June 13, 2017. He died days after returning home. White House national security adviser John Bolton said in a television interview on Sunday that while the agreement had been signed, no payment had been made to the North Koreans. Yun, who retired from the State Department last year and is now a global affairs analyst for CNN, said on the network he believed the United States should honour its commitment. "My view is, yes. If you've signed, if you promised another government from the U.S. government that you would make the payment, my view certainly is that we should go ahead and meet our end of the commitment," he said. Yun said that as soon as North Korea made the demand he contacted the then secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, who told him to go ahead and sign the agreement. Asked if he believed Tillerson had the approval of President Donald Trump, he replied: "That was my understanding. I never asked him. But that was my understanding." The Washington Post reported last Thursday that Trump had approved payment of the $2 million bill from Pyongyang to cover its care of Warmbier, who was detained in North Korea for 17 months. In a reply on Twitter, Trump said "no money was paid" but did not address whether any agreement had been made. Warmbier died in the United States six days after his release from North Korea. An Ohio coroner said he died from a lack of oxygen and blood to his brain. North Korea has dismissed claims that it tortured the student and blamed food poisoning and a sleeping pill. North Korea state media said Warmbier, a University of Virginia student visiting North Korea, was sentenced to 15 years hard labour for trying to steal an item bearing a propaganda slogan from his hotel. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall) By Valerie Volcovici and Nichola Groom April 29 (Reuters) - The U.S. Interior Department is still processing permit applications for companies to conduct seismic testing in the Atlantic - a precursor to drilling - despite shelving its plan to vastly expand offshore drilling, a spokeswoman said on Monday. Atlantic coastal state lawmakers, businesses and conservation groups are adamant that Interior should not allow seismic testing - a process that often uses powerful air guns to map resources below the ocean floor - arguing the surveys hurt marine life, such as the endangered North Atlantic right whale. Newly confirmed Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said last week the agencys five-year plan for oil and gas drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) would be sidelined indefinitely after a March court ruling blocked drilling in the Arctic and part of the Atlantic Ocean. But Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, which is responsible for managing energy development on the OCS, continues to review the applications of a half-dozen seismic testing companies awaiting permits to test for oil and gas drilling potential on the Atlantic Ocean floor. "BOEM is continuing to process the permit applications for conducting seismic surveys in the Atlantic, consistent with applicable law," BOEM spokeswoman Tracey Moriarty said in an emailed statement on Monday. Five companies received a first round of permits last year when the fisheries office of the National Oceanic and Atmoshperic Administration issued permits that would allow for the incidental harassment of marine mammals with air gun blasts in a region of the Atlantic from Delaware to Cape Canaveral, Florida. The last time seismic surveys were completed in the Atlantic was in the 1980s. The Obama administration banned seismic testing permits there in 2016 after it removed the Atlantic coasts from drilling in its five-year OCS proposal. Gail Adams-Jackson, spokeswoman for the International Association of Geophysical Contractors, a trade group representing seismic testing companies, said its members "remain hopeful" that BOEM will issue seismic testing permits soon - even if it remains unclear whether the Trump administration will pursue its plans to expand offshore drilling in the Atlantic. Story continues "The more data that our government has to make informed decisions, the better off our country is in terms of our energy future," she said. A federal district court judge in Charleston, South Carolina, asked the Interior Department on Monday to update him on the status of BOEM's seismic survey permit process. The South Carolina Republican attorney general and conservation groups including the Southern Environmental Law Center, filed a motion in that court earlier this year seeking an injunction to block BOEM from issuing final seismic testing permits. "It makes no sense to proceed with seismic testing now. It's exposing our resources to very significant harm for no reason, when no one wants drilling or seismic here," said Catherine Wannamaker, a lawyer for the Southern Environmental Law Center. (Reporting by Valerie Volcovici in Washington and Nichola Groom in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Cooney) CAIRO (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates' Supreme Federal Court upheld a life sentence against a Turkish citizen in a terrorism case, Emirates News agency (WAM) said on Monday. The Turkish national, according to the indictment, was found guilty of "launching an extensive campaign on a Facebook account named 'Ali Ozturk Mehmet' without getting an official permit. He used the account for promoting the ideologies of the two terrorist groups and sending them funds through money transfer companies in the UAE", WAM said. A trade and tourism hub, the UAE is an absolute monarchy which tolerates little public criticism. (Reporting by Nayera Abdallah; Editing by Marguerita Choy) The Ministry of Aviation has denied reports that the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) is being handed into private hands. A statement signed by the Public Affairs Unit, indicated that the Ministry has no plans whatsoever to recommend or approve the privatization or sale of the KIA." According to them, what was leaked was a possible management model for KIA to enhance its value, performance and international competitiveness. Read below full statement by the Aviation Ministry The Ministry of Aviation has taken note that initial internal considerations of a possible management model for the Kotoka International Airport to enhance its value, performance and international competitiveness, has been leaked and misconstrued to the general public as a plan by the Government of Ghana to privatize or sell the Kotoka International Airport. For the avoidance of doubt, the Ministry of Aviation wishes to inform the general public that: 1. The Ministry has no plans whatsoever to recommend, neither does the Government of Ghana have plans to approve a privatization or sale of the Kotoka International Airport. 2. Cabinet has not been requested, neither has the Ministry of Aviation submitted a Cabinet Memorandum recommending approval for the privatization or sale of the Kotoka International Airport. 3. What indeed the Ministry is considering is an offer to partner with Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) to provide management services to manage the financial and operational functions for the development of the GACL. 4. The Honorable Sector Minister is yet to be appropriately advised on best available options in response to the offer being made, after which Cabinet may be requested to approve a recommended option if one is agreed upon. 5. A broader consultation with key stakeholders in the sector will be part of the internal considerations in due course if an appropriate option is agreed upon. The general public is hereby entreated to disregard news of privatization or sale of the Kotoka International Airport. The Ministry is committed to protecting the assets of all institutions under its purview including the GACL whilst enhancing their value for the betterment of the aviation sector. The Ministry wishes to reiterate that the best practices for the management of the Industry will be the focus of all its decisions and actions at all times. END. Public Affairs Unit Attached is the full statement also in pdf. 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 (Reuters) - Uber Technologies Inc's drivers in six U.S. cities are planning to shut their apps for 12 hours on May 8 to protest against low wages and working conditions, two days ahead of the company's expected market debut. Drivers in San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, Philadelphia and Washington DC will shut their app on the day, when a separate protest will be carried out outside Uber's head office in San Francisco, a spokeswoman for Gig Workers Rising, a campaign for gig workers, told Reuters. About "hundreds of drivers" are likely to join the protest, with Los Angeles and San Francisco expected to see a higher concentration of people, Clarkson said on Monday. The drivers' demands also include employee benefit plans such as health care, holiday pay and representation in Uber's management structure. Uber expects to price its IPO on May 9 and begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange the following day, people familiar with the matter have said. "Uber's IPO will put millions in the pockets of executives, but the drivers who provide the service that is core to the company will get nothing, " Clarkson said. To improve relations with drivers, Uber had announced plans to offer cash bonuses to some of its most active drivers with the option to purchase shares in the company's market debut. Uber did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. (Reporting by Vibhuti Sharma in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel) Kampala (AFP) - Ugandan police arrested pop star turned MP Bobi Wine on Monday, barely two days after lifting the house arrest of a potential challenger to veteran President Yoweri Museveni, and placed him in custody over a protest he organised last year, his lawyer said. Wine, at 37, is the figurehead of a new generation who grew up under Museveni but want to see change and his anti-government songs have helped win him a big following. Police arrested him after he answered a summons to the Criminal Investigations Directorate on Monday morning, said one of his lawyers, Asuman Basalirwa. "Bobi Wine and four others including his brother and his bodyguard have been remanded to prison until May 2," Basalirwa told AFP. "The state claims my clients in July 2018, held a demonstration against the social media tax without notifying the police contrary to the provisions of Public Order Management Act," he said. "The state further claims the accused refused to cooperate with police to ensure participants in the alleged demonstration were unarmed and peaceful. All the claims have been denied by him (Wine) and the others," he added. Wine and other activists had held a demonstration in Kampala against a two shilling fee for cellular phone users to pay for access to social media links. Wine entered parliament in 2017. One of his songs contains the lyric "freedom fighters become dictators," while others hint that Museveni has stayed in power too long. The 74-year-old leader has ruled Uganda since seizing power at the head of a rebel army in 1986 but intends to contest a sixth term in office. Wine was being held at a police station 30 kilometres (20 miles) east of the capital Kampala, said Basalirwa. - 'Ridiculous' move - Police spokesman Fred Enanga confirmed the arrest, which was immediately denounced by the opposition. "This is ridiculous. How can they bring a case of 2018 now? This is a state campaign to ensure Bobi Wine fails in his political agenda" opposition lawmaker, Moses Kasibante, said. Story continues From Tuesday to Saturday last week, Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, found himself under house arrest at his Kampala home as police officers blocked his way when he tried to leave for a concert at his nightclub. Last week, Enanga described that as a "preventive arrest" imposed when the authorities decide someone is about to commit a crime. The authorities' cancellation of one his performances last week led to clashes between opposition supporters and baton-wielding police who also fired tear gas. Several times in recent months authorities have prevented Wine giving concerts and his house arrest last week was part of those efforts to keep him offstage. United Nations (United States) (AFP) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised the plight of ethnic Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang region during talks with Chinese leaders and stressed that China must fully respect human rights, his spokesman said Monday. Guterres faced calls to speak out on human rights during his visit to Beijing where he attended a summit on Saturday of China's prized Belt and Road Initiative and held talks with President Xi Jinping. The UN chief delivered a three-point message that stressed that human rights must be upheld in the fight against extremism, while recognizing China's sovereignty and condemning terrorism. "Human rights must be fully respected in the fight against terrorism and in the prevention of violent extremism," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. "Each community must feel that its identity is respected and that if fully belongs to the nation as a whole." As many as one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim minorities are being held in internment camps in Xinjiang, according to a group of experts cited last year by the United Nations. Beijing claims the camps are "vocational training centers" to steer people away from extremism and reintegrate them, in a region plagued by violence blamed on Uighur separatists or Islamists. - Guterres pressed to speak out - In the runup to the trip, Guterres had met with UN ambassadors from the United States, Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada and Turkey who urged him to raise the situation in Xinjiang during his meetings, UN sources said. That presented Guterres with a diplomatic challenge to discuss the ultra-sensitive matter with China, the UN's second largest financial contributor and a veto-wielding Security Council member. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet last month complained that she had yet to be given the green light by China for a fact-finding mission to the region following a request made in December. Story continues Guterres told Chinese leaders that he "fully stands by the initiatives" of his rights chief, Dujarric said, but there was no announcement on dispatching an independent assessment team to Xinjiang. Dujarric described the talks as "very cordial" and "frank," adding that the dialogue will continue. Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth last week wrote a scathing op-ed about Guterres, accusing him of being silent on human rights and firmly siding with quiet diplomacy since he became UN chief in January 2017. Roth said Guterres had yet to speak out publicly on the plight of the Uighurs. "Instead, he praises China's development prowess and rolls out the red carpet for President Xi Jinping." Guterres has visited China four times as UN chief. cml/jm Paris (AFP) - Diplomats from 130 nations gathered in Paris on Monday to validate a grim UN assessment of the state of Nature and lay the groundwork for a rescue plan for life on Earth. The destruction of Nature threatens humanity "at least as much as human-induced climate change," UN biodiversity chief Robert Watson said as the five-day meeting began. "We have a closing window of opportunity to act and narrowing options." A 44-page draft "Summary for Policy Makers" obtained by AFP catalogues the 1001 ways in which our species has plundered the planet and damaged its capacity to renew the resources upon which we depend, starting with breathable air, drinkable water and productive soil. The impact of humanity's expanding footprint and appetites has been devastating. Up to a million species face extinction, many within decades, according to the report, and three-quarters of Earth's land surface has been "severely altered". A third of ocean fish stocks are in decline, and the rest, barring a few, are harvested at the very edge of sustainability. A dramatic die-off of pollinating insects, especially bees, threatens essential crops valued at half-a-trillion dollars annually. Twenty 10-year targets adopted in 2010 under the United Nations' biodiversity treaty -- to expand protected areas, slow species and forest loss, and reduce pollution -- will, with one or two exceptions, fail badly. Based on an underlying report that draws from 400 experts and weighs in at 1,800 pages, the executive summary has to be vetted line-by-line by diplomats, with scientists at their elbow. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) document, once approved, will be released on May 6. Historically, conservation biology has focused on the plight of pandas, polar bears and a multitude of less "charismatic" animals and plants that humanity is harvesting, eating, crowding or poisoning into oblivion. Story continues But in the last two decades, that focus has shifted back to us. "Up to now, we have talked about the importance of biodiversity mostly from an environmental perspective," Watson told AFP ahead of the Paris meet. - Agriculture is key - "Now we are saying that Nature is crucial for food production, for pure water, for medicines and even social cohesion." And to fight climate change. Forests and oceans, for example, soak up half of the planet-warming greenhouse gases we spew into the atmosphere. If they didn't, Earth might already be locked into an unliveable future of runaway global warming. And yet, an area of tropical forest five times the size of England has been destroyed since 2014, mainly to service the global demand for beef, biofuels, soy beans and palm oil. "The recent IPCC report shows to what extent climate change threatens biodiversity," said Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and a main architect of the Paris Agreement, referring to the UN's climate science panel. "And the upcoming IPBES report -- as important for humanity -- will show these two problems have overlapping solutions." - Extinctions hard to see - That overlap, she added, begins with agriculture, which accounts for at least a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions. Set up in 2012, the IPBES synthesises published science for policymakers in the same way the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) does on climate. Both advisory bodies feed into UN treaties. But the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has always been a poor stepchild compared to its climate counterpart, and the IPBES was added as an afterthought, making its authority harder to establish. Biodiversity experts are trying to engineer a "Paris moment" for Nature akin to the 2015 Paris climate treaty. Public concern about global warming has crystallised around impacts ranging from rising seas to deadly heatwaves, and the Paris pact's hard target for capping the rise in global temperatures. The 2018 IPCC report cited by Tubiana added a time imperative: to hold the line at 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit), the world must reduce CO2 emissions 45 percent by 2030, and become "carbon neutral" by mid-century, it concluded. But finding the equivalent for Nature has proven difficult. "Extinctions are not something the public can easily see," said Watson. A growing number of scientists and NGOs are calling for 30 to 50 percent of Earth's surface to be "sustainably managed" by 2030, and more thereafter. But the draft report makes no such concrete proposals. The next opportunity for a visionary plan to be ratified would be the next full meeting in October 2020 of the parties to the Convention on Biodiversity in Kunming, China. By Mike Hutchings PEMBA, Mozambique (Reuters) - Rains grounded aid flights in northern Mozambique for a second day on Monday, hampering efforts to reach survivors of Cyclone Kenneth as the death toll there jumped to 38. Rescuers managed to use a brief break in the downpours to send one helicopter packed with aid to the island of Ibo, where hundreds of homes were flattened by the second cyclone to hit the country in less than six weeks. But rains started again and conditions were too dangerous for the next flight to take off, the United Nations said. Roads to rural districts further north were swamped and impassable after torrential rains on Sunday. "Unfortunately the weather conditions are changing too fast and threatening the operation," said Saviano Abreu, a spokesman for the United Nations' humanitarian arm OCHA. Cyclone Kenneth slammed into the Comoros and then Mozambique's province of Cabo Delgado on Thursday with storm surges and winds of up to 280 kph - stretching resources in a region still recovering from Cyclone Idai which struck further south in March. The storm knocked out power and communications. Some rural communities were reduced to mounds of jumbled wood, with only the occasional structure and coconut tree left standing. Four people died in the Comoros, the United Nations said. Mozambique's National Institute of Disaster Management said its death toll stood at 38 on Monday - up from an earlier estimate of five - and just over 168,000 people had been affected. After the first hit, heavy rains pounded Mozambique's north, an area prone to floods and landslides. Information about the scale of the flooding in more remote districts remains scant. In the port city of Pemba at least, waters had started to recede, OCHA's Abreu said. Water was still waist-deep in some neighbourhoods. One man ferried residents in a wooden boat. Others just waded through the deluge, some carrying belongings on their heads. Story continues Idai destroyed the port city of Beira and submerged entire villages, vast swathes of land and 700,000 hectares of crops. It killed more than 1,000 people across Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Forecasters have said Kenneth could drop twice as much rain as Idai on Mozambique's north. Authorities urged people living near rivers to move to higher ground over the weekend. The United Nations said it had released $13 million in emergency funds for Mozambique and the Comoros to provide food and water and repair infrastructure. (Additional reporting by Emma Rumney and Mfuneko Toyana in Johannesburg; Writing by Emma Rumney; Editing by Toby Chopra and Andrew Heavens) Georgetown (Guyana) (AFP) - The United States hit out at Guyana's parliament on Monday for approving a resolution honoring "convicted terrorist" Abdul Kadir, who died in prison last year while serving a life sentence for plotting to bomb New York's JFK airport. Kadir, a former Guyana parliamentarian, was extradited to the US where he was convicted in 2010 for arranging financing for the 2007 plot. The US embassy in Georgetown blasted the National Assembly for choosing "to honor a man who conspired to kill innocent people from across the United States and around the world. "This resolution is an insensitive and thoughtless act, which demonstrates the National Assembly's disregard for the gravity of Kadir's actions." Kadir died in a US prison in June 2018, after which his body was returned to Guyana. The US said the resolution called into question Guyana's reputation as a country that promotes religious tolerance and would undermine co-operation between the two countries in fighting crime. "Members of Parliament have placed this resolution in direct contradiction to the efforts of security cooperation between our two countries," the US embassy said. The National Assembly resolution hailed Kadir, a legislator from 2001-06, as "dedicated" and a "great man." "With this resolution, honoring a convicted terrorist, members of Guyana's National Assembly have left a stain on their legacy as representatives of the Guyanese people and on their commitment to the rule of law," the US said. The resolution was approved by government's 33 parliamentarians but was boycotted by the opposition People's Progressive Party, which also condemned the decision. Kadir, a chemical engineer, converted to Islam in 1974. He was arrested in 2007 in Trinidad from where he was scheduled to transit to Venezuela to collect a visa to travel to Iran for an Islamic conference. He was convicted for plotting with others to blow up fuel tanks and pipelines at the John F. Kennedy airport. A Guyana imam, Kareem Ibrahim and a naturalized US citizen, Russell Defreitas, were also sentenced to life in prison for their involvement in the planned attack, while a fourth man, Islamic militant Abdel Nur was given 15 years. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and other lawmakers are set to meet with President Trump at the White House on Tuesday to talk about infrastructure. Since Democratic lawmakers took control of the House in January, both parties have pointed to infrastructure as an issue on which a divided Congress could find common ground. This bipartisanship is a reflection of the American peoples recognition of the need to rebuild our infrastructure to promote commerce, create jobs, advance public health with clean air and clean water, and make our transportation systems safer indeed, to improve the quality of life of all Americans, said Pelosi and Schumer in a letter to the president. In his 2018 State of the Union address, Trump called on Congress to put $200 billion toward infrastructure over 10 years. He said the plan would spur $1.5 trillion in infrastructure investment including state, local and private funding. The White House held several infrastructure weeks, but the Republican Congress never took up the presidents plan. White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere said the president wants a bipartisan infrastructure package that rebuilds crumbling infrastructure, invests in the projects and industries of tomorrow, and promotes permitting efficiency. Pelosi and Schumer outlined their priorities in a letter to the president on Monday: Americas unmet infrastructure needs are massive, and a bipartisan infrastructure package must meet those needs with substantial, new and real revenue. A big and bold infrastructure package must be comprehensive and include clean energy and resiliency priorities. A big and bold infrastructure plan must have strong Buy America, labor, and women, veteran and minority-owned business protections in any package. Business groups are urging lawmakers and the Trump administration to fix the nations infrastructure. In a statement, the Business Roundtable said it was encouraged by the meeting. Story continues Policymakers should focus on shoring up public trust funds, unlocking and incentivizing private investment, and streamlining permitting processes for infrastructure project approvals. A solution for infrastructure should enhance, not weaken, policies that have contributed to strong, sustained economic growth. Democrats and Republicans should take advantage of this opportunity to deliver for American commuters, workers and families, said Mike Burke, Chairman and CEO of AECOM and Chair of the Business Roundtable Infrastructure Committee. A Business Roundtable study found every additional $1 invested in infrastructure would drive roughly $3.70 in economic growth over 20 years. I think it could help turbo-charge the economy, said Neil Bradley, chief policy officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Bradley told Yahoo Finance he thinks the meeting on Tuesday has the potential to be historic. We haven't modernized our infrastructure system and had the finances to do it in over 25 years, said Bradley. The American Society of Civil Engineers gives the United States infrastructure a D+ grade. Bradley said small businesses often feel the worst effects of deteriorating infrastructure. Graphic by David Foster/Yahoo Finance The number of jobs that that plumber or any other service provider can do on any given day is really impacted by how much time they have to spend in traffic. And, and that's one of the saddest aspects of it is people's livelihood. We're actually taking jobs away from folks, he said. And its not just roads and bridges that need upgrades. Its also our telecommunication systems and broadband that need to be improved. But it's also ports, airports, all of which frankly, are kind of lagging in the investments that we need to make, said Bradley. What small-business owners think A recent MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index survey found 64% of small-business owners said high-speed internet was very important to the success of their business, while 57% said roads and bridges were very important. Most American small businesses see local transportation infrastructure as merely average or poor, while about half of businesses worry that U.S. infrastructure is not keeping up with technological advancement in competing nations, said the survey. While both parties agree on the need to address infrastructure, they often differ on how to pay for it. That's really been the logjam between the two parties for the better part of two decades now, said Bradley. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Society of Civil Engineers and the AFL-CIO recommend raising the gas tax to pay for infrastructure improvements, though the idea has not been popular on Capitol Hill. On the Senate floor Monday afternoon, Schumer said there are several ways to pay for an infrastructure bill. The Democratic leader said reversing the most egregious giveaways and raising the corporate tax rate a smidge would pay for a $1T infrastructure bill. To sell the idea of an infrastructure bill, lawmakers often tout the number of jobs it could create. But Bradley notes if Congress passes an infrastructure package, the question will be finding enough workers to actually build the projects. That's a good problem to have. I'd rather have that problem than the alternative, he said. These construction jobs are good jobs, they're well-paying jobs and there's a lot of work to be done. So there's a lot of certainty kind of in that career trajectory. So we have to help people get the right skills. We have to let them know about these jobs and there's a lot of work that can be done there. Jessica Smith is a reporter for Yahoo Finance based in Washington, D.C. Follow her on Twitter at @JessicaASmith8. Trump's critics say revised NAFTA has 'minimal projected gains' 'Lied through his teeth': Dem lawmakers slam Barr over Mueller report FCC and White House set to announce 5G push GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) The U.S. government chastised the South American country of Guyana on Monday for honoring the life of a former politician convicted of plotting to blow up fuel tanks at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport. The U.S. said in a statement that a legislative resolution upholding the life and work of Abdul Kadir was an "insensitive and thoughtless act" that disregarded the gravity of his actions. Officials said they were surprised that "Guyana chose to honor a man who conspired to kill innocent people from across the United States and around the world," adding that, "members of Guyana's assembly have left a stain on their legacy as representatives of the Guyanese people and on their commitment to the rule of law." Kadir and three other men were sentenced to life in prison in the U.S. in 2010. Kadir died last year and was buried in the bauxite mining city of Linden, where he once served as mayor. The former civil engineer and former member of Parliament maintained he was set up by government informants and had no intention of carrying out the alleged plot. Federal suspects said the suspects tried to obtain financial and operational support from an al-Qaida operative in the Caribbean region and from other terrorist organizations such as Jamaat al Muslimeen, a radical Islamic group that attempted a deadly coup in its base country of Trinidad in 1990. China on Monday lashed out at the United States for voicing alarm over the jailing of leaders of Hong Kong's democracy movement, calling Washington's comments a "gross interference". Four prominent activists were last week jailed for their role in the 2014 Umbrella Movement protests, which paralysed Hong Kong's central business district for months and infuriated Beijing with its show of anger over the city's leadership and direction. The US State Department on Friday said it was "disappointed" by the jailing and called on the city to respect residents' rights to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly. "We expressed strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to these comments," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular press briefing. "China urges the US to respect China's sovereignty, respect the rule of law in Hong Kong, respect the judicial independence that the US claims is important, and stop interfering in Hong Kong's internal affairs in any form," Geng said. "It is a gross interference in China's internal affairs and the internal affairs of the Hong Kong SAR (special administrative region)." The United States last week also voiced concern over Hong Kong's plans for an extradition treaty with mainland China, under which residents of the international financial hub could become entangled in the communist nation's opaque courts. Geng defended the policy, calling it necessary to avoid the city turning into a "sanctuary" for fugitives. Hong Kong enjoys rights unseen in mainland China, but activists have warned of a steady erosion of freedoms. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Home Regional News East Washington (AFP) - US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who chose Special Counsel Robert Mueller to lead the Russia interference probe and protected him from political intrusion, announced Monday he was stepping down. In a letter to President Donald Trump, Rosenstein said he would depart on May 11, after more than two turbulent years as the second highest-ranking official in the Department of Justice. The veteran Republican prosecutor, 54, stunned the country on May 17, 2017 when he named an independent lawyer to take on the Russia probe after Trump fired FBI director James Comey. Then-attorney general Jeff Sessions had already recused himself from overseeing the investigation, leaving Rosenstein in charge. That made Rosenstein effectively the one buffer between Mueller and the White House -- a position that became even more crucial when the investigation began examining whether Trump himself had obstructed justice by firing Comey and then trying to have Mueller ousted. In his final report released on April 18, Mueller concluded that no one on Trump's campaign conspired to collude with Russians. But he reached no conclusion on obstruction, detailing the evidence he had accumulated and leaving it to Congress to act. Ahead of the release of the report, Rosenstein stood silently next to Attorney General Bill Barr as Barr asserted that there was not enough evidence in Mueller's report to charge Trump with obstruction -- a claim that many lawyers said was false. - Rocky tenure - Rosenstein had made clear last year that he would step down after Mueller's report was released. His tenure was rocky and he drew strong criticism for doing Trump's bidding on numerous other questionable policies, like the president's attempt to ban Muslim immigrants and his legally dubious policies to block migrants at the southern border. Just days after his appointment in April 2017, Trump tested Rosenstein's loyalty by demanding he author a justification for firing Comey. Story continues Trump made clear that a key reason he wanted the FBI chief out was to stymie the Russia investigation, which threatened members of the president's team. Rosenstein obliged, and later, according to reports, told colleagues he was flabbergasted at being used by Trump against Comey. His move eight days later stunned the White House, naming Mueller -- a former FBI director himself -- to take over the probe. As Mueller issued indictment after indictment of his former campaign aides, Trump was furious. He repeatedly attacked Sessions, Rosenstein and Mueller as running an "illegal witch hunt," demanding it be shut down. He came under direct pressure last year when media reported that, in the wake of Comey's firing and other controversial actions by Trump, Rosenstein privately discussed with top Justice and FBI officials recording the president in his offices for evidence that he was unfit, so that he could be constitutionally removed. While the Justice Department sought to characterize it has having been said jokingly, Rosenstein was unable to shed suspicions that he was discussing an illegal action against the president. Rosenstein reportedly drafted his resignation, but stayed on after a meeting with Trump, saying he would see the Mueller investigation through. - Served both Republicans and Democrats - Born in Philadelphia in 1965, he studied economics at Trump's alma mater, Wharton University, before attending Harvard Law School. He joined the Justice Department in 1990 and participated in the independent counsel investigation into Bill Clinton, which eventually morphed into the sex scandal that saw Clinton impeached in Congress. He was appointed US Attorney for Maryland by president George W. Bush in 2005 and enhanced his reputation with the corruption conviction of a senior state official. He was one of only three Bush-era federal district attorneys to be kept on by the Obama administration in 2009. Port-au-Prince (AFP) - The US embassy in Haiti reported gunfire on Monday near its diplomatic compound but said the incident was quickly over. In a travel alert, the US State Department said gunfire had come from the "rear entrance to the embassy" in Port-au-Prince and that staff had taken shelter inside. "If you are traveling to the embassy, find a safe area to shelter," it wrote on Twitter. Some two hours later, the State Department said the situation has been "resolved" with the order to take shelter lifted. Officials did not immediately have further details. Haiti, one of the world's poorest countries, witnessed widespread riots in February when thousands of people took to the streets demanding better living conditions. President Jovenel Moise earlier this month appointed a new prime minister to tackle mounting problems, including insecurity in the capital. Richard Oulton will finally be allowed to raise his flag, which used to fly over his hilltop bunker in Vietnam, in his community after a 20-year-long legal battle. (Photo: WTVR) A Vietnam veteran was finally able to raise the American flag on his property, twenty years after he was first ordered by a judge to take down a flagpole outside his Virginia home. For the past two decades, former U.S. Marines combat medic Richard Oulton made headlines and racked up thousands of dollars in court fees as he fought for the right to fly a flag on a flagpole outside his home in Wyndham, Virginia. In 1999, he was told his original flagpole, standing at 25-feet, was a visual nuisance, and inconsistent with the rules of his homeowner's association. Oulton took his case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, both of which declined to interfere with the initial ruling. Twenty years ago, I got a nice house I thought it would look great on. Then... I was ordered to take it down or go to jail, basically. That was the final order from the judge. So 20 years later I persevered, and here it is. Its clearly a beautiful flag on a beautiful pole, Oulton told the Omaha World-Herald. The flag is the same one that flew over the then-21-year-old Richard's bunker in Vietnam. The unit I was with was the 1st Battalion 9th Marine which got nicknamed in Vietnam 'The Walking Dead' because of the casualty rate, Oulton told Virginia news station WTVR. While Oulton saved hundreds of his fellow Marines, many did not make it. The 1st Battalion 9th Marine experienced the worst casualty rate in the history of the Marine Corps. So [I] took a little PTSD home with me from Vietnam. Mostly its a profound sadness that I have. I tear up a lot," Oulton told the outlet, "I used to hide from [the memories] and wish they went away. Now I welcome them because theyll all be my brothers...I dont mind the memories now. Theyre just part of my life." Delegate and former Navy Seal John McGuire had a part in swaying members of the Wyndham Homeowners Association to change their minds, and this time, a more understanding HOA approved the motion. You know what we did was get together and talk about it, Oulton said. I would love to get [the HOA] a high five or a round of applause because its a great American thing they did to get this Veteran his flagpole up. Story continues On Saturday, neighbors gathered to witness Oulton raising the American flag for the first time since 1999. "I was a witness to a lot," Oulton said. "And the flag was with me through it all. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Washington (AFP) - The deadly shootings targeting synagogues in California and Pittsburgh have raised concerns that anti-Semitic hatred is increasingly a rallying point for America's resurgent white supremacists. On Saturday a teenage gunman who wrote a hate-filled manifesto online opened fire at a synagogue in Poway, California, leaving one woman dead and three others injured, including a rabbi. The latest assault came exactly six months after another man spouting anti-Semitic vitriol shot dead 11 and injured six others at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. And it ignited questions over whether American white supremacists, long overlooked by US law enforcement, are turning their focus on the Jewish community over other targets. In both incidents, the attackers were part of a broader, internet-based far-right community that espouses hate against Muslims, blacks, immigrants and Jews, and advocate for a Caucasian, Christian society based on European culture. Analysts say certain websites, particularly the 8chan and Gab messaging platforms, have become breeding grounds for white extremists, encouraging hate and violence against a range of targets including Jews, tapping into age-old anti-Semitic stereotypes. "The alleged attacker's disturbing letter is more than just a hateful tirade," Rita Katz, who researches violent extremism, said of the Poway attack. "It is a product of white nationalist ideology, using specific jargon, points of argument, online meme references, etc. Further proof of how dangerous far-right rhetoric is in inspiring attacks," she wrote on Twitter. - Rising number of incidents - Research by the Southern Poverty Law Center and other groups shows that in recent years the number of US incidents involving far right extremists and white nationalists have easily surpassed those of Muslim extremists. "Once again, a young white male has apparently been influenced by dangerous online white supremacist propaganda. And once again, we see how this propaganda can lead to terrorist acts," said Heidi Beirich, Intelligence Project Director at the SPLC. Story continues White supremacists have gotten tacit encouragement from President Donald Trump, who has been accused of failing to unequivocally condemn their ideology, and whose own anti-immigration policies have targeted most heavily Muslims, Africans and Latinos. Daryl Johnson, a former senior domestic terrorism analyst at the Department of Homeland Security, explains that the white supremacist movement involves many individuals and factions. For someone subscribing to the broader ideology, their choice of a target can arise from their particular experience or neighborhood, he said. Yet anti-Semitism -- which Trump has repeatedly spoken out against -- has become a particular hallmark of this community. One common thread stands out among white extremists on the internet, according to Johnson: the prevalence of global conspiracy theories about Jews. Cesar Sayoc, a Trump supporter who mailed 16 crude bombs last year to prominent Democrats, reportedly ranted to colleagues about Jews as well as blacks and gays. Jeffrey Clark, a white nationalist arrested in Washington on gun charges last year, was a follower of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter and, according to court documents, together with his brother "fantasized about killing Jews and blacks." A Coast Guard officer, Christopher Hasson, arrested in Maryland near the US capital in February on drug charges, was discovered to have a personal arsenal of combat weapons and neo-Nazi sympathies, and had written about undertaking a mass attack. Two days after the Poway attack, there was a huge number of crude and violent anti-Semitic postings on 8chan, the site where the Poway shooter himself is believed to have posted a statement ahead of the attacks. And yet, analysts say, the spike in anti-Semitic attacks and hate speech in the United States should be viewed in the context of surging right-wing extremism -- whose targets are by no means limited to Jews. The Poway attacker, for instance, may also have attempted to set a nearby mosque on fire in March according to police. By Daniel Trotta April 29 (Reuters) - Wayne LaPierre was re-elected chief executive and executive vice president of the National Rifle Association on Monday, surviving a power struggle in which he was challenged by former NRA President Oliver North, who stepped down over the weekend. The NRA board voted unanimously in favor of LaPierre, who has been with the NRA for 40 years and has helped convert it into one of the most powerful lobbies in the United States, expanding gun rights even as the United States has endured multiple mass shootings. North, a revered figure in conservative political circles for his role in the Iran-Contra affair as an aide to President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, became NRA president a year ago. His presence lent a cachet to the largely ceremonial position that it had lacked since actor Charlton Heston resigned in 2003. As the NRA held its annual meeting Indianapolis, North attempted to topple LaPierre, who appeared to be weakened by a series of crises over the past year. The organization was embarrassed by the revelation that it was infiltrated by an undeclared Russian agent. It filed a lawsuit against its longtime public relations partner. And it has clashed with New York state authorities, who have since opened an investigation of the organization. North had hoped to be reappointed to another year as president, but his attempt to push out LaPierre backfired after he threatened to reveal allegations that NRA leaders engaged in financial improprieties. Instead it was LaPierre who survived as the 76-member board voted unanimously to reappoint him on Monday, the NRA said in a statement. Once shy and unassuming, LaPierre has taken on a bulldog persona, arguing vehemently in favor of the U.S. Constitution's Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. Chris Cox, who has emerged as a public spokesman for the NRA along with LaPierre, was reappointed executive director for the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action. Story continues In addition, Carolyn Meadows, a conservative from Georgia who had been part of the NRA leadership, replaced North as president. Those and other officers were elected unanimously and unopposed, the NRA said. NORTH THREAT FAILS In a letter to the NRA board dated Thursday and disclosed by the Wall Street Journal, LaPierre said North had threatened to reveal embarrassing information about LaPierre and the NRA unless LaPierre resigned. "Alarmed and disgusted, I refused the offer," LaPierre said. North resigned on Saturday. Although LaPierre won, even some of his most ardent supporters such as the pro-gun website AmmoLand were wondering how much longer he should continue, saying, "right or wrong, he has become a lightning rod for criticism." "Wayne LaPierre will always be a hero in AmmoLand's book for the pioneering work protecting and advancing the Second Amendment," AmmoLand said in an editorial on Monday. "That said, it may be time for LaPierre to retire. Not immediately, but perhaps in 2021, after 20 years as Executive Vice President." The NRA, with more than 5 million members, is by far the most powerful and well-connected gun lobby in the United States. It has worked closely with legislators to protect firearms manufacturers from liability for gun violence and pushed a ban on U.S. health officials from promoting gun control. Many NRA members have openly questioned the organization's leadership after the New Yorker magazine last week reported the NRA paid $40 million to its longtime public relations and marketing firm Ackerman McQueen in 2017, citing tax filings. The NRA has since had a falling out with Ackerman McQueen and is suing its longtime partner, alleging the NRA has been denied access to business records about how the money was spent. Ackerman McQueen called the NRA's lawsuit "frivolous, inaccurate and intended to cause harm to the reputation of our company and the future of that 38-year relationship." (Reporting by Daniel Trotta Editing by Phil Berlowitz) Ares Capital Corporation ARCC is scheduled to announce first-quarter 2019 results on Apr 30, before the market opens. Its revenues and earnings are projected to grow year over year. In the last reported quarter, the companys bottom line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Results benefited from an increase in total investment income and healthy portfolio activity. Moreover, lower expenses were a tailwind. In fact, the company has an impressive earnings surprise history. Its earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three and met in one of the trailing four quarters, the average beat being 6.9%. Ares Capital Corporation Price and EPS Surprise Ares Capital Corporation Price and EPS Surprise | Ares Capital Corporation Quote However, activities of the company in the first quarter failed to win analysts confidence. As a result, the consensus estimate for earnings of 42 cents has remained unchanged over the past 30 days. Nonetheless, it reflects a year-over-year improvement of 7.7%. Further, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for sales of $336.4 million reflects growth of 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. Before we take a look at what our quantitative model predicts for the to-be-reported quarter, lets check the factors that are likely to impact the results. Factors to Impact Q1 Results Given the expectation of higher prepayment activity during the first quarter, total investment income is likely to be positively impacted. Also, with the increase in LIBOR rates, Ares Capitals floating-rate debt investments, which are tied to LIBOR, are likely to support investment income. However, the company has been witnessing higher expenses over the past several quarters. As Ares Capital continues to invest in the venture growth stage companies, operating expenses are likely to remain elevated. Earnings Whispers According to our quantitative model, it cannot be conclusively predicted whether Ares Capital will be able to beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate this time. This is because it does not have the right combination of the two key ingredients a positive Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or higher for increasing the odds of an earnings beat. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before theyre reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Earnings ESP: Ares Capital has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. Zacks Rank: The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. While this increases the predictive power of ESP, we also need a positive ESP to be confident of an earnings beat. Stocks That Warrant a Look Here are some finance stocks that you may want to consider, as according to our model, these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter. Axos Financial, Inc. AX is slated to release results on Apr 30. It has an Earnings ESP of +0.26% and currently carries a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Solar Capital Ltd. SLRC has an Earnings ESP of +4.07% and currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The company is slated to release results on May 6. Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. GGAL is expected to release results on May 29. It presently has an Earnings ESP of +4.76% and a Zacks Rank #3. Today's Best Stocks from Zacks Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2018, while the S&P 500 gained +15.8%, five of our screens returned +38.0%, +61.3%, +61.6%, +68.1%, and +98.3%. This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 2018, while the S&P averaged +4.8% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +56.2% per year. See their latest picks free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. (GGAL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Solar Capital Ltd. (SLRC) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ares Capital Corporation (ARCC) : Free Stock Analysis Report AXOS FINANCIAL, INC (AX) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Holly with her fashionable flowered cane. When I was about 6 years old, my father was diagnosed with a rare and deadly genetic disease called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. He was told the diagnosis was terminal and given about three years to live. This happened in the days before the internet, but my mother became a mad researcher and sought out every type of knowledge and resource about this disease. Eventually, she got my dad connected to a lung specialist in Denver at a time when a new treatment for the disease became available. For the rest of my childhood, every couple of weeks I would watch my mother give my dad an IV with a miracle drug called prolastin. This drug allowed my dad to live another 16 years. He died at home on a Friday August evening. He fought hard to the end, and was on a list for a lung transplant at the time of his death. Related: Why It's Ridiculous to Tell Patients Not to Use Google My dad was very humble about his disease. Looking back now I think he was self-conscious and perhaps a little embarrassed. I have very few, if any, memories of my dad running or even walking at a typical pace. My dad had severe COPD and even walking from the bedroom to the kitchen took a toll on his body. He probably should have been on oxygen much longer than he was; he finally gave in and started wearing an oxygen tube the year before his death. Walking in public places was always difficult for my dad. Hed have to stop after a few paces to catch his breath, and he always did a good job of making it look quite casual, leaning against the railing and starting up a conversation to not bring attention to himself. It was only a year or two before his death that he actually allowed himself to be pushed in a wheelchair in a public place. Perhaps facing his mortality made him care less about other people judging him. Related: 12 Public Figures Who Live With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome My dad had a disability parking sign that he hung from the rearview mirror of our car. We only got it out of the glove box when we needed to park close to a building. He didnt want any permanent disability emblem on the vehicle, and I think that was because of his own sense of pride. Story continues At the time of my dads diagnosis, my three siblings and I packed ourselves into our old Ford station wagon and made a trip to Denver to be genetically tested for my dads disease. All four of us tested positive as carriers of the alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency gene. Even today, were not entirely sure what the complications are from being a carrier of the gene, though we were told at the time that we should never smoke and to avoid second-hand smoke, as our bodies make less of an enzyme to protect our lungs. Related: When I Was Treated Like a Criminal At the Airport Because of My Disability Flash forward 15 years after my dads death, when I started experiencing health problems of my own. Mostly fatigue, chronic pain, muscle weakness and a difference in my gait, amongst other things. I saw at least 10 physicians, including four neurologists, racked up medical bills well over $25,000, and was eventually given a diagnosis of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. However, despite my attempts at resting and taking supplements and self-care, new symptoms started to arise. Then I was introduced to a woman who suggested that I might have something called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. I believe this was a moment of divine providence. I had never heard of the disease, and not one of the physicians who treated me ever mentioned the possibility of it. I Googled the illness, went over the preliminary symptoms and didnt think I had it. Not long afterwards, I started getting more frustrating symptoms including constant nausea, a migraine headache that landed me in urgent care and some other issues. Again, this friend sent me more links about Ehlers-Danlos and eventually asked me if I had bendy joints. Suddenly a light bulb went on. All my life Ive been able to bend my fingers much farther back than anyone I have known, and as a kid I would entertain my friends and anyone who would pay attention with some cool tricks I could do with my tongue. I started researching Ehlers-Danlos and learned about the various subtypes. I started talking to family members about my dad and my aunt who also exhibited symptoms of Ehlers-Danlos, and I read practically every NIH article I could on the disease. Suddenly everything made sense. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a connective tissue disease that affects collagen. Collagen affects pretty much everything in our bodies, from our bones to our blood vessels to our organs. When I read that EDS can affect bowels and the digestive system, cause chronic pain, and even cause neurological issues, suddenly all the dots started to connect. Eventually, I was giving a preliminary clinical diagnosis of hypermobile EDS while we await genetic testing to rule out any of the other subtypes. Interestingly, in some of the NIH studies Ive come across, it seems there may be a connection between alpha-1-antitrypsin gene carriers and EDS. While it hasnt yet been proven, suggestions have been made in some studies that the alpha-1 antitrypsin enzyme might actually affect collagen levels. As I learn to sit with this diagnosis, I feel a range of emotions. I feel relief in finally knowing what is going on with me. When you are pushed from specialist to specialist because doctors cant pinpoint a diagnosis, there is validation in actually knowing that what you have is real. So many chronically ill women have been told they need to see a psychiatrist and will echo this sentiment. As I researched this disease and know there is no cure, I am hopeful in knowing it can be managed. I have been referred to a physical therapist, and Im learning what I need to do to keep my joints stabilized to prevent causing more damage to my body. This means wearing things like knee and elbow sleeves, special gloves to help me write so that my hands dont get fatigued, and maybe even the use of a forearm crutch or cane. I am a pastor and my work is visible within the general public. I preach in front of large groups of people, I help lead youth groups, I do hospital and nursing home visits. While my illness is nowhere near the severity of my late fathers, Im realizing now that if I want to sustain a better quality of life, I need to use the resources available to me to help me live and work better. My illness has progressed to the stage where my children are used to me not being able to do things with them. I was once an active long distance runner, taking the kids to the park a couple days a week, hiking with them, and now a walk around the block is too much for me to endure on most days. But if spending more time with them means walking with a cane or even utilizing a wheelchair, I will do it. Im coming out of the closet with my chronic illness an illness that to most people is invisible, but now with a new treatment plan, it may be a lot more visible. I wont let my stubbornness or my pride prevent me from spending time with the people I love, ministering to people in need, and doing things I enjoy. I wont be ashamed to use mobility devices, and I am fully prepared to answer any questions that might come my way. As a Christian and a religious leader, its my belief that God can use my limited physical abilities as a way for me to see with new eyes. I am already more conscious of the way I view visibly disabled people in my community, and I shamefully admit that I often overlook them. Three months before my dad died, I graduated from college. He was very ill at the time and unable to make the 500-mile trip to my graduation. I know it broke his heart, but part of me wonders if he was concerned about being a burden or embarrassing me. I think thats unlikely to have been the case, as his physical condition had deteriorated greatly by then, but I know there may have been some other times when my dad was reluctant to do things because he was worried about how he might have been seen by others. And so today, as packages start arriving from Amazon with knee sleeves and elbow sleeves and a foldable crutch, I promise to be fully transparent with my children. I promise to have them push me to go places with them even if it means allowing my illness to become visible to others. This fall, I am planning a trip to Israel with one of my best friends. I have wanted to go there my entire life, and now, knowing the health challenges I face, I know I need to go when I can still can. I think about all the places my dad wanted to visit. I think about all the dreams he had but was never able to fulfill. Two years before he died he made a trip out west to Oregon and was able to see the beautiful Pacific Ocean for the first time in his life. I dont know what his thoughts were when he was staring at the sunset over the Pacific waters, but I know in my heart that he wasnt thinking about his illness; that he was mindful in that holy moment and enjoying being with the people he loved most. Those are the moments I must allow myself to have with my family, and it doesnt matter if Im standing upright, or leaning on a cane, or even sitting in a wheelchair. Those moments will be holy. And there is no force on Earth, whether it be the judgment of others, my chronic pain, or even my own stubbornness, that can steal that holiness. I am out of the closet. Watch out, world. Read more stories like this on The Mighty: 14 Ways to Describe What a Subluxation Feels Like The Pressure to Be Extraordinary When You Live With a Disability When People Assume I Need Help Because of My Disability By Alasdair Pal AMPARA, Sri Lanka, April 29 (Reuters) - The wife and daughter of the suspected mastermind of suicide bombings that killed 253 in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday escaped with minor injuries from an explosion at a safe house where they had been holed up, hospital staff and police said on Monday. Mohamed Zahran Hashim was the ringleader of a group who blew themselves up in churches and hotels, an attack that sent shockwaves across the Indian Ocean island. The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility. His father and two of his brothers were killed when security forces stormed their safe house on the east coast of the country on Friday night, police and a relative said. The Sri Lankan military said at least 15 people were killed during a gun battle there, and Islamic State said on Sunday that three of its members detonated explosive vests at the end of the clash. The only two survivors of the blasts were Zahran's wife, Abdul Cader Fathima Sadia, and his four-year-old daughter, Mohamed Zahran Rusaina, who were pulled from the wreckage on Saturday morning. Sadia is a key accused in the Easter Sunday bombings, according to three police officers in the eastern district of Ampara, who declined to be identified as they are not authorized to speak to the media. At Ampara General Hospital, where the pair are being treated, there was a heavy police and military presence on Monday. They both suffered 5-10 percent burns along with minor lacerations from shrapnel, said Upul Wijenayake, the hospital's general manager. "They are clinically stable though both of them have burn injuries," he told Reuters. "Both of them are improving." Despite Sadia's suspected role in the attacks, she is not under arrest, according to Wijenayake and police officers who spoke to Reuters. "No one is arrested in the clinical process," said Wijenayake. "It is a matter of ethics." Hospital staff denied a request by Reuters to visit Sadia to seek comment on her alleged role in the attacks. Story continues Security was very tight at the hospital around arguably the country's most high-profile patients. Hospital staff were trying to work out how the pair managed to survive the blast, which police believe killed many of Zahran's relatives. A series of explosions blew off the house's roof and left a crater in the concrete floor. But the structure's kitchen and bathroom were relatively unscathed, a Reuters team saw during a visit to the property on Sunday. Sri Lankan security officials have warned that militants, possibly dressed in uniform, were planning more attacks. Security has been ramped up across the country, and scores of suspects have been arrested since the April 21 blasts. (Editing by Robert Birsel) The final shortlist of the Women's Prize for Fiction has been unveiled, following the announcement of the 16-book longlist in March. It features two reworkings of Greek myths with "The Silence of the Girls" by British Booker Prize winner Pat Barker, which tells the story of the captured Greek queen Briseis, as well as "Circe" from previous Women's Prize for Fiction winner Madeline Miller, a new take on the witch who seduces Homer's Odysseus. Anna Burns' award-winning "Milkman" was also shortlisted. This tale of family secrets set during the Irish Troubles won last year's Man Booker Prize as well as the National Book Critics Circle. Other novels that made it to the list include Diana Evans' "Ordinary People," Tayari Jones' "An American Marriage," and Oyinkan Braithwaite's debut "My Sister, the Serial Killer." Among the longlisted novels that didn't make the final cut are Sally Rooney's "Normal People" and Akwaeke Emezi's "Freshwater"-- which was the first book by a non-binary transgender author to be nominated for the prize. Chair of the judges Kate Williams praised "a fantastic shortlist," which is "exciting, vibrant, adventurous." "We fell totally in love with these books and the amazing worlds they created. These books are fiction at its best - brilliant, courageous and utterly captivating", she added in an official statement. This year's judging panel also includes journalist and critic Arifa Akbar, author and columnist Dolly Alderton, campaigner and psychotherapist Leyla Hussein and digital entrepreneur Sarah Wood. The winner of the 2019 Women's Prize for Fiction will be announced in London on June 5. The 30.000 literay prize celebrates "excellence, originality and accessibility in women's writing from throughout the world." Previously awarded authors include A.M. Homes, Lisa McInerney, Naomi Alderman and Kamila Shamsie. United Nations (United States) (AFP) - After a synagogue shooting in the United States and a church attack in Burkina Faso, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Monday that the world is nearing a "pivotal moment" in the battle against hatred. "As crime feeds on crime, and as vile views move from the fringes to the mainstream, I am profoundly concerned that we are nearing a pivotal moment in battling hatred and extremism," Guterres said in a statement. A teenage gunman opened fire at a synagogue in California on Saturday, killing one person and injuring three others including the rabbi as worshippers marked the final day of Passover. On Sunday, gunmen killed four worshippers and a pastor in a small town in Burkina Faso, the first attack on a church since jihadist violence erupted in the African country in 2015. On March 15, 160 people were killed in attacks on mosques in New Zealand. Guterres deplored a "disturbing groundswell of intolerance and hate-based violence targeting worshippers of many faiths," saying such violence had become "all-too-familiar." "Houses of worship, instead of the safe havens they should be, have become targets," he said. The UN chief appealed to religious leaders, governments, civil society and all others to combat hate, saying "this is a job for everyone." ABU DHABI, April 29 (Reuters) - When a falcon in the Gulf Arab countries falls sick, the owners of these much-loved and expensive hunting birds know where to take them: The world's largest falcon hospital, in Abu Dhabi. "It's their baby, they want the best for it," said hospital director Margit Muller, a German veterinarian with over 25 years experience in treating falcons. "Sometimes when the falcons have an accident at night, the owners will sit there for hours into the early morning." The birds are more than pets and the practice is more than a sport. Falconry is an important part of the cultural desert heritage of Arabs of the United Arab Emirates and neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia going back thousand of years. "The Bedouin used falcons to hunt meat ... so the falcon was essential to ensure the survival of the Bedouin's family," said Muller. "(The birds) have always been considered like the children of the family and this remains until today." With flight speeds exceeding 300 km (186 miles) an hour, falcons can suffer serious injuries as they collide with prey, misjudge a landing or ingest infected meat. The government-supported Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is the world's main center for falcon medicine, research and training. Its subsidized prices means people of all income levels can use its falcon care, Muller said. "Nowadays falconry is one of the very few opportunities for the former Bedouin to reconnect to their past," she said. Falcons are recognized internationally as endangered and only captive bred falcons can be legally owned in the UAE. Hunting in the UAE outside a few special reserves is illegal, so owners train their birds using meat and then fly them to countries like Pakistan, Morocco and the central Asian region during colder months. The UAE issues falcons their own passports and the birds travel with their owners in airplane cabins, sometimes dozens at a time for specific hunting trips. (Reporting by Lisa Barrington and Reuters TV, Editing by William Maclean) Veliz Organic offers a large selection of produce. | Photos: Teresa Hammerl/Hoodline After facing an uncertain future for several years, the North Beach Farmers Market officially opened for its second season in a row on Saturday, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Mayor London Breed. The original North Beach farmers market, at the the intersection of Columbus Avenue and Mason Street, closed in 2013 due to a lack of customers. After years in limbo, the market finally returned last May, taking over the parking lot next to Italian restaurant Piazza Pellegrini (699 Columbus Ave., at Filbert). It's a joint project between Piazza Pellegrini and North Beach Neighbors (NBN), a local neighborhood nonprofit. Bread vendor The Midwife and the Baker. "Every farm that finished the year at the market last year reapplied this year," said organizer Danny Sauter, who's also NBN's president. On top of that, three new vendors have been added to the mix, based on community feedback from last year. Sauter learned that the community especially wanted to see a bakery, so he brought in Mountain View-based The Midwife and the Baker, which is now selling its sourdough bread and pastries at the market. San Francisco-based CheeseQuakes! is also on board, offering its mini cheesecakes every other week. Neighbors also asked for more farms to join in, so Shoup Farms is now bringing its avocados from Southern California to North Beach. "It's a great opportunity for us," owner Margaret Crane said. Shoppers can also peruse items from returning vendors, like Big Paw Olive Oil, Rodriguez Farms' strawberries, smoked salmon from FreshWay Fish and eggs from Great Valley Poultry. (A list of all the vendors is available on the market's website). A vendor from FreshWay Fish assists customers. Nick Ferris, another organizer, said that community-building is a key goal of the market, and shoppers and farmers have started to get to know each other. In her ribbon-cutting speech on Saturday, Mayor Breed also pointed out that North Beach Farmers Market accepts CalFresh payments, commonly referred to as food stamps. "Farmers markets bring the community together," she said. Story continues Sauter says the market also plans to offer live music and kids' craft corners this year, though specific launch dates remain in the works. Mayor London Breed officially opened the market. "Last year got us off the ground," Sauter said. "But [2019] is gonna be a fun year [for the market]." North Beach Farmers Market will be open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through November. A superior court judge has issued a summary judgment in favor of the City of Eastport in a lawsuit brought by the boatbuilding company Millennium Marine USA and its owner, Cory Guimond. Guimond had filed the suit in 2016 against the city concerning the leasing of the city-owned Guilford mill building. On April 12 Judge Michael Duddy of the Cumberland County Business and Consumer Court granted a judgment dismissing all four of the claims against the city, its former city manager, Elaine Abbott, and the five city councillors. According to the complaint, Millennium was seeking $226,662 in damages and also claims to have suffered losses of $430,000 because of defaults by the city and county, including business interruption and lost sales caused by delays in repairs following a fire at the building. The judge ruled that the city defendants were all entitled to immunity under the Maine Tort Claims Act, which grants governmental entities and their employees immunity from suit for tort claims, which are civil allegations of wrongdoing. Guimond says the decision will be appealed. "We will go as far as we can with it," he says. "What was done was not right." Guimond adds that Millennium Marine's boatbuilding business in Escuminac, New Brunswick, "is booming." He says he is now hiring more employees from the Philippines that will bring his workforce to 50. "That all could have been in Eastport," he says. Of what occurred to end his business in the city, which had started operations in 2014, he says, "It's corruption of small-town politics at its worst." Amy Olfene, an attorney for Drummond Woodsum of Portland, which represented the city, says the judge decided, based on the Maine Tort Claims Act and the undisputed facts in the case, that there was no reason to proceed with a trial. The City of Eastport still has a counterclaim against Millennium Marine USA and Guimond for breach of contract on leases Millennium Marine had on two units in the Guilford mill, as well as unpaid personal property taxes. According to city attorney Dennis Mahar, the city's counterclaims against Millennium Marine are for $43,200 in unpaid rent, $36,000 in damage to the property and potential cleanup costs and $3,969 in unpaid personal property taxes. The city council, though, has not yet decided whether to pursue the counterclaims. The case previously involved the County of Washington and County Manager Betsy Fitzgerald, but they were later dropped from the suit. According to Chris Gardner, chair of the Washington County commissioners, an agreement had been reached on how much money Millennium owed the county. Guimond was to have paid the amount by late last year but has not done so, according to Fitzgerald. Gardner says the county may have to file a suit against Millennium to collect the amount. Citys perspective Olfene, the city's attorney in the case, notes that the "misrepresentations" Guimond alleged were made by City Manager Abbott to the public and press were not false statements. She states, "During his deposition testimony, Mr. Guimond admitted that information Ms. Abbott shared with the press (in response to FOIA requests) regarding Millennium Marine's arrearages (unpaid rent) were technically accurate, but he felt she misrepresented the relationship between the city and Mr. Guimond by not sharing his 'side of the story.' This is not a claim for 'misrepresentation' as that term is understood under the law, and we do not believe Ms. Abbott was in a position -- let alone had an obligation -- to provide the media with Mr. Guimond's perspective, which often changed and was not always clear." Concerning Guimond's complaint that the city failed to repair the mill fast enough for him to resume use of the building following a fire there in July 2014, Olfene relates, "We learned during discovery that much of the delay was Mr. Guimond's failure to follow direction and remove his property from the space so the cleaners and renovators could address the damage caused by the fire Millennium Marine itself caused." The attorney for the city states, "The city's relationship with Mr. Guimond/Millennium Marine was a challenging one. The city council and Ms. Abbott worked very hard to assist Mr. Guimond with his U.S. venture. The city truly wanted Millennium Marine to succeed and to provide quality, local jobs and industry to help support their small community. For example, to support Mr. Guimond and his business, the city provided Millennium Marine USA more than a year of free rent at the Guilford mill; Ms. Abbott wrote two Workforce Development grants for Millennium Marine to help with training new employees; renegotiated leases and reduced rental rates to help Millennium Marine when it was in arrears; and tried to meet many demands." She adds, "Mr. Guimond was apparently dissatisfied with what the city offered, despite the great lengths taken to support his business over the course of their nearly sixyear relationship. The city strongly believes it went aboveandbeyond to help Mr. Guimond and Millennium Marine thrive in Eastport and is disappointed their relationship ended in a lawsuit." History of dispute The dispute between the city and Millennium over rent payments to the city and money owed to Millennium had boiled over in the spring of 2016, when the city told the boatbuilding firm to leave the mill building by July 19. At the time Guimond vowed to continue working in a section of the building. In April 2016 the city sent Guimond a notice to quit the premises within 90 days for failure to pay the March and April rent amount of $17,000, with May and June's rent of another $17,000 also not having been paid. According to city officials contacted at the time, Millennium had previously owed back rent to the city. Guimond reported at the time that he intended to continue to operate in the smaller Olson space, while he had vacated the larger section. He maintained that the company was owed "a considerable amount," over $600,000, and that he intended to take legal action against the city. While Millennium proceeded with its lawsuit, the boatbuilding company and the city reached an agreement on a shortterm rental of the Olson space in the mill building, until the end of June 2017. Millennium agreed to then cease operations and leave the building. Zendesk ZEN is set to release first-quarter 2019 results on Apr 30. Notably, the company has surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the trailing four quarters, the average beat being 175%. In the last reported quarter, Zendesk reported earnings of 10 cents per share that beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7 cents. Revenues of $172.2 million also surpassed the consensus mark of $166 million. For first-quarter 2019, revenues are anticipated between $178 million and $180 million. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues currently stands at $179.6 million, indicating growth of 38.4% from the year-ago quarters reported figure. Moreover, the consensus mark for earnings has remained steady at 3 cents per share over the past 30 days, implying growth of 50% from the figure reported in the year-ago period. Zendesk, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise Zendesk, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | Zendesk, Inc. Quote Lets see how things are shaping up for this announcement. Factors to Watch Zendesk is gaining momentum on strong adoption of its customer relationship management (CRM) solutions. The company continues to add features to its enterprise products. Moreover, strong demand for Zendesk Suite, a bundled subscription-based product, is a key catalyst. The solution has been gaining traction not only among small and medium businesses (SMBs) but also among enterprises. Additionally, the companys new CRM platform Zendesk Sunshine is also a key catalyst. These are expected to drive the top line in the to-be-reported quarter. Further, Zendesk has been focusing on gaining enterprise customers rapidly. To achieve this, the company strengthened its executive suite in February. Elisabeth Zornes, former general manager of global support for Microsoft Office, was appointed as Zendesks first chief customer officer. While former Adobe executive, Colleen Berube, was appointed as the chief information officer, Shawna Wolverton, former Salesforce executive, was appointed as the senior vice president, product. Moreover, Zendesks growing footprint in the Asia-Pacific, particularly in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), is a key catalyst. The company has appointed Amy Foo as Managing Director of the ANZ region. Zendesks focus on expanding its international footprint is expected to drive the top line in first-quarter 2019. What Our Model Says According to the Zacks model, a company with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) along with a positive Earnings ESP has a good chance of beating estimates. The Sell-rated stocks (Zacks Rank #4 or 5) are best avoided. Zendesk has a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell, before theyre reported, with our Earnings ESP Filter. Stocks With Favorable Combination Here are some stocks you may want to consider, as our model shows these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat. Synopsis SNPS has an Earnings ESP of +1.15% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Intuit INTU has an Earnings ESP of +1.49% and a Zacks Rank #2. Sapiens International SPNS has an Earnings ESP of +6.67% and a Zacks Rank #2. Story continues Today's Best Stocks from Zacks Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2018, while the S&P 500 gained +15.8%, five of our screens returned +38.0%, +61.3%, +61.6%, +68.1%, and +98.3%. This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 2018, while the S&P averaged +4.8% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +56.2% per year. See their latest picks free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Zendesk, Inc. (ZEN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Sapiens International Corporation N.V. (SPNS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Synopsys, Inc. (SNPS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Intuit Inc. (INTU) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research The planned construction of a water pipeline to run from the Downeast Correctional Facility (DCF) to homes in the Bucks Harbor region of Machiasport appears to be in jeopardy. The project was earmarked for completion by the end of 2018 but was interrupted when the LePage administration abruptly closed the facility in early February of 2018. The newly elected Mills administration and the Department of Corrections (DOC), under the leadership of Commissioner Randall Liberty, are pursuing the establishment of a prerelease facility at potential sites in Machias or East Machias, rather than reopening of DCF in Machiasport. The plan looks to purchase and renovate a smaller building to house prisoners nearing completion of their sentences, leaving the prison shuttered and potentially killing a planned water pipeline. The status and future use of DCF remains a hot topic. The public outcry continues with a clear majority of people in the area in favor of using the DCF facility in some capacity. The new administration has indicated that much of the internal facility systems were removed after June 2018, when the prison was officially closed. The DOC believes it would cost more to bring DCF back online than to establish a prerelease center. But the public along with a number of Washington County representatives, including Rep. Will Tuell of East Machias, disagree, saying permanent closure results in loss of jobs, loss of a proven program of rehabilitation through trades training and a substantial impact to the economy because of current manpower shortages. For a number of residents in Bucks Harbor, whether DCF is reopened or remains shuttered is not their primary concern. Safe and clean drinking water is what they have been demanding for a long time. In 2016, at a special town meeting, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) presented a decision document finally addressing the problem with the design and construction of a public water pipeline that would run from DCF to homes impacted by contaminants. A facility with a long story In 1955 the U.S. Air Force (USAF) built and established a radar tracking station on Howard Mountain in Bucks Harbor that was used jointly with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an airways radar facility. In 1979 the USAF turned the facility over to the FAA but retained government personnel there as radar operators. In 1981 the Department of Defense replaced the last active duty USAF personnel with civilian radar operators. Today, military radar data is still collected and fed via a joint link to an Air Force facility in Syracuse, N.Y., and to the FAA's Boston Regional Traffic Control Center. In September 1984 the State of Maine purchased the area around the radar installation and established the DCF. In 1991 USACE designated the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to oversee the examination and potential cleanup of the Bucks Harbor facility. In 1994 USACE found 11 different chemicals while removing fuel tanks from housing units located below the radar site. At the time of the tank removal, one chemical, trichloroethylene (TCE), raised the most concern. Further testing determined 15 private wells in the area were contaminated. USACE had point of entry charcoal filtration systems (POET) installed at the homes and began discussions on a remediation process. Pursuant to the town-approved 2016 decision document, in July 2017 a contract was awarded to CCI Alliance of Augusta in the amount of $1,553,397 for the installation of a public water hub and water pipeline. This came a year after USACE hired Colby Company Engineering of Portland to come up with a design that would upgrade the current public water system in use at DCF, as well as provide a pipeline of water to residents needing it in Bucks Harbor. TCE was the standard cleaning agent for equipment used in radar surveillance. It was common practice to dispose of the chemical in dry wells, as no one at that time knew of its potential to contaminate groundwater. TCE has since been classified as a carcinogen. Iver McLeod of the DEP was quoted at the time saying, "I started working on this project 15 years ago, and I never expected we'd still be talking about it." After years of testing and analysis, it was determined that cleaning the groundwater aquifer was not possible and more harm would be done because of fractures within the bedrock and the potential to spread the contaminant. It was further determined that natural attenuation would eventually remove the TCE. McLeod added, "This situation, TCE in fractured bedrock, down a peninsula 12 miles from the closest water source, is a perfect storm. It has everything wrong with it." Today, USACE continues to monitor 14 test wells and annually draws water samples from homes in the area to monitor contaminant levels. Years of recorded data show levels of TCE dropping through natural attenuation, and it has not traveled beyond the institutional control zone, which was established by USACE. Sudden DCF closure was beginning of the end Marie Wojtas, USACE project manager, said that residents of Bucks Harbor were notified in February 2018 that, because of the sudden closure of DCF, the installation of an approved and budgeted water pipeline had been stopped. "The issue that we were not expecting is that the facility would close before the water line hub was installed," says Wojtas. "This complicated the process from the perspective of funding the cost of the installation without a known operator at the time of installation." "We concur with USACE that once the State of Maine determines the disposition of the DCF property, we will have a better understanding of how best to proceed," says David Madore, communications director for the DEP. "Until such time, residents in the Howard Mountain area with TCE in their well water continue to be protected with POET systems ensuring that no one is being exposed to unacceptable levels of contaminants. We continue to dialog with all parties involved and remain available to work with USACE and DOC once a final determination has been made." Currently, two legislative bills to reopen the prison are being considered. Rep. Tuell's bill, LD 128, "would be a straightup reopening of" the DCF facility with the same staffing and inmate levels, Tuell explains. The other bill, proposed by State Senator Marianne Moore, would use $10 million from a $147 million bond passed in 2016 to improve and update the existing DCF building and grounds. A vote on either bill has not yet been scheduled. "It is unfortunate that the DCF closed and that recent news indicates that it may not reopen," says Wojtas. "We remain committed to exploring an alternate water supply for those impacted by the groundwater contamination in the area and will continue to monitor the area, and the USACE will maintain the water filtration systems that are currently installed in homes where contaminant concentrations exceed the maximum contaminant level." If DCF remains closed permanently, Wojtas advises the USACE will provide a letter to affected residents letting them know of the status, and USACE will work with the state and discuss possible options with DEP to evaluate and determine alternatives for a permanent water supply. By CCN.com: A police investigation involving bitcoin machines at Tampines One Mall in Singapore saved a 32-year-old man from scammers impersonating officials. They also helped a 49-year-old man not to transfer any more of his bitcoin to the alleged lying thieves. Singapore police warned on Saturday: Do not fall for scammers who impersonate officials from China and ask victims to transfer money using bitcoin machines. Also: No government agency in Singapore will demand payment over the telephone or other social messaging platforms, such as WeChat or Facebook, or demand that you surrender cash to unnamed people. They would also not ask for personal banking information, such as your Internet banking passwords. Scammers Posted False Alerts From The Authorities Next to a Bitcoin Machine in a Mall Scammers exploit the fact that its easier to make people do stupid things that hurt themselves if they believe you are working for the government. Reportedly the 49-year-old man was tearing down posters near a bitcoin teller machine. Witnesses called the police to report vandalism in the mall. But when police investigated they discovered the posters were part of an elaborate and malicious scam. Read the full story on CCN.com. A former diplomat confirmed Monday that the United States agreed to pay $2 million to North Korea to release an American student who had fallen into a coma after alleged torture -- and said Washington should honor the commitment. Joseph Yun, a veteran US diplomat who had flown to Pyongyang in 2017 to bring back 22-year-old Otto Warmbier, said that North Korea presented him with a $2 million bill for his medical expenses. He said he called up then secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who he believed then sought a green light directly from President Donald Trump. Tillerson "got back to me very quickly thereafter to say, yes, go ahead and sign," Yun, who has since left government, told CNN. The Washington Post first reported the payment demand, after which Trump, describing himself as "the greatest hostage negotiator" in US history, tweeted that nothing was paid to North Korea. But Yun said that Trump's decision means that the United States should pay. "If you've signed, if you promised another government from the US government that you'll make the payment, my view certainly is that we should go ahead and meet our commitment," he said, adding that it was a separate issue whether to sign in the first place. - US says won't pay for hostages - The United States has been adamant that it will not pay for hostages or prisoners, saying it does not want to create incentives to snatch Americans. "At no time in this administration have we paid for any hostage to be released, and we have no intention of doing so," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said at a forum organized by The Hill newspaper. Warmbier, a University of Virginia student, was imprisoned after being accused of taking down a propaganda poster in his hotel during a trip to North Korea. Doctors said he suffered severe brain damage while in North Korean detention, fell into a coma and died days after arriving back in the United States. In December, a US judge found that North Korea tortured Warmbier and awarded his family $501 million from North Korea -- another sum that is unlikely to ever be paid willingly. John Bolton, Trump's national security adviser, separately confirmed in an interview with "Fox News Sunday" that North Korea had asked for money to release Warmbier, while noting that he was not in the administration at the time. Asked if the United States paid, Bolton said: "Absolutely not, and I think that's the key point." Since Warmbier's death, Trump has moved to make peace with North Korea and has described himself as fond of its authoritarian leader Kim Jong Un. Trump set off a firestorm after a summit with Kim in February when he said he took the North Korean leader "at his word" that he knew nothing about Warmbier's death. North Korea has denied mistreatment of Warmbier and said that he contracted botulism. Joseph Yun, seen here on an April 2017 visit to Japan, has confirmed that North Korea presented a bill for $2 million to free an American student who died shortly afterward The casket of Otto Warmbier, an American student who died shortly after his return from imprisonment in North Korea, is carried during his June 2017 funeral in the town of Wyoming, Ohio Slovakia's Supreme Court on Monday ruled against banning a far-right anti-immigrant, anti-Roma party currently polling at just over 10 percent, saying prosecutors had not produced enough evidence against them. The Kotleba-People's Party Our Slovakia (LSNS), which campaigns against letting migrants into the country, entered the 150-member parliament for the first time in March 2016. It currently has 13 seats. The proposed ban presented by chief prosecutor Jaromir Ciznar was "insufficiently substantiated", Jana Zemkova told reporters, reading from the court decision. The court ruled that "there was not enough evidence to ban the LSNS party", she added. Prosecutors asked for the ban in 2017, arguing the party was working to subvert democracy. They said at the time they had received some 170 formal complaints requesting the ban. "LSNS is a fascist party," Justice Minister Gabor Gal told AFP before the verdict. "Fascism has no place in Slovakia." Party chief Marian Kotleba, 42, is notorious for having led street marches with members dressed in black neo-Nazi uniforms before he entered parliament. Hostile to both Slovakia's sizable Roma minority and the established elite, he was repeatedly detained and charged with hate speech, chiefly against Roma, before becoming an MP. Kotleba has also praised the World War II-era Slovak president Jozef Tiso, who agreed to deport tens of thousands of Jews to Nazi Germany. Kotleba responded to the ruling by thanking the judges for "their personal bravery". "We were aware that our party never violated any law and we never endangered democracy in Slovakia," he told reporters. "After today, there is no reason to be afraid to vote for our party." The LSNS is currently registering 10.5 percent voter support in the latest opinion polls. It has candidates running in the forthcoming elections to the European Parliament. Kalman Petocz, president of the Slovak Helsinki Committee for Human Rights said he was not surprised by the ruling. The court "may not have wanted to interfere in the upcoming European Parliament elections" to be held on May 25, he said. "There are so many anti-Semitic, homophobic and anti-Roma statements made by mainstream Slovak politicians that, on these grounds, many political parties could be banned," he added. "We have to fight extremists at the political level rather than at a judicial one." Kotleba unsuccessfully ran for president in March 2019, winning 10.4 percent of the vote. Even if some people in Slovakia - including the justice minister - see the party as fascist, the court ruled that prosecutors had failed to make their case for a ban Marian Kotleba, leader of the People's Party Our Slovakia (LSNS), praised the judges for their 'bravery' The accents crowd sexiest in the world revealed. Photo: Getty Images If you cant get enough of the Scottish vernacular or you go weak at the knees when a French person speaks, youll love this list of the sexiest accents in the world. Big 7 Travel has released their official top 50 sexiest accents for 2019 and its good news if youre a Kiwi, because the New Zealand accent has officially been crowned the hottest in the world. Meanwhile, our Aussie accents came in at fifth place, with voters claiming to love how we skip the end of our words and pronounce them long and slow. To a novice ear, the New Zealand accent might sound just like the Australian accent, but Big 7 Travel readers disagree, the website reads. The Newzild dialect is outrageously charming. The sexiest accent in the world? Its official. Big 7 Travel has released their official top 50 sexiest accent for 2019 and its good news if youre a Kiwi, because the New Zealand accent has officially been crowned the hottest in the world. Photo: Getty Images Coming in at second place is the South African accent, which was loved by readers for its unique tones, while the Irish drawl came in at number three, with the loveable accent winning hearts all over the world. Crowned in fourth place was the completely beautiful Italian accent and rounding off the top five is Australian, which is described as a real turn on because of how we skip the ending of words and pronounce them in a slow way. Check out the top 20 below: 1. New Zealand 2. South African 3. Irish 4. Italian 5. Australian Coming in at second place is the South African accent, which was commended by readers for its unique tones. Photo: Getty Images 6. Scottish 7. French 8. Spanish 9. U.S Southern 10. Brazilian Portuguese 11. Czech 12. Queen's English 13. Canadian 14. Hungarian 15. Ukrainian The Irish drawl came in at number three, with the loveable accent winning hearts all over the world. Photo: Getty Images 16. Danish 17. Jamaican 18. Mancunian 19. Argentine 20. Zimbabwean Got a story tip? Send it to lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com Want more lifestyle and celebrity news? Follow Yahoo Lifestyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Or sign up to our daily newsletter here. SAN DIEGO SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING: The co-hosts react to the tragic shooting during a Passover service that killed one person and wounded three others. https://t.co/y6Vn5vVMUA pic.twitter.com/JQdM3vFaim The View (@TheView) April 29, 2019 MORE MEDIA COVERAGE FOR MALE CANDIDATES? Tracking polls show that the medias covering male candidates like Biden, Bernie, Beto, and Buttigieg about twice as much as female candidates Harris, Warren, Klobuchar, and Gillibrand the co-hosts discuss. https://t.co/1091s9Fn2d pic.twitter.com/qQxb9savje The View (@TheView) April 29, 2019 ZAC EFRONS FAN BOY MOMENT: When the actor sat with Matthew Broderick, he gushed about how the movie Ferris Buellers Day Off changed his life the co-hosts share what pop culture events stuck with them through the years. https://t.co/1091s9Fn2d pic.twitter.com/bG1AUB11Cs The View (@TheView) April 29, 2019 .@newtgingrich says the Internet is partly to blame for the rise in hate crimes in the U.S.: Different people who normally would have never found each other can now communicate and reinforce their hatred and get to have a sense of legitimacy. https://t.co/f8u2wc159S pic.twitter.com/ksYPgq9xj3 The View (@TheView) April 29, 2019 Im disagreeing with your interpretation.@newtgingrich discusses Trumps response to Charlottesville, saying he didnt respond perfectly but said clearly that he was opposed to white supremacists, he was opposed to Klansman, he was opposed to Nazis. https://t.co/6WCHPSf6Sj pic.twitter.com/GG4rEsUAZh The View (@TheView) April 29, 2019 I think Joe Biden is one of the nicest people in politics, @newtgingrich says of the former vice president and 2020 presidential candidate. If the country decides it wants Mr. Nice, then hes going to win the Democratic nomination. https://t.co/6WCHPSf6Sj pic.twitter.com/Cg6GftoL3x The View (@TheView) April 29, 2019 The co-hosts discuss the recent shooting in a San Diego synagogue and the rise in domestic terrorism all over the world. Sunny and Joy call out Trump for minimizing white nationalism and giving dog-whistles to white supremacists. Meghan calls out 8chan and the dark web. Whoopi calls out the disbandment of the Domestic Terror Intelligence Unit.Sunny is surprised at the lack of media coverage for female politicians because there are more female representatives in Congress than ever before. Abby says Democrats are thinking about beating Trump and that's why old white men are at the top of the polls. Meghan is infuriated by Beto's coverage because of the double standards. She says no woman could lose a Senate race and then leave her family to go on a road trip of self-discovery, appear on the cover of, and say she was born to run for president. Whoopi agrees that if Beto were a woman, he would be lambasted. Abby's big pop culture moment was. Sunny loved. Joy grew up watching a lot of romantic movies even thought it never showed what happened to the happy couple after they got married. Meghan looks up to Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley inNewt Gingrich, a hard right Republican who almost became Trump's running mate in 2016, thinks social media is to blame for the rise in hate crimes in the United States. Gingrich defends Trump's statements on Charlottesville and says that Trump's son-in-law is Jewish so he can't be a white nationalist. He says most West Virginians think Robert E. Lee was a decent person and everyone in favor of keeping those statues is not a bad human being. Gingrich praises Biden as a nice person and very bipartisan. Source: 1 Bribery case against ex-penitentiary official forwarded to prosecutors RIA Novosti, Igor Russak 14:57 29/04/2019 ST. PETERSBURG, April 29 (RAPSI, Mikhail Telekhov) A criminal case against ex-deputy director of the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) Nikolay Barinov charged with receiving about 110 million rubles (about $2 million) in bribes during the construction of a detention center has been forwarded to prosecutors for approving indictment, the United press service of St. Petersburg courts has told RAPSI. Detention of the defendant has been extended until May 25. Barinov has pleaded guilty. According to investigators, between May 2007 and December 2012, Barinov acting as the FSIN deputy director and supervisor of building a detention facility in St. Petersburg, regularly received bribes from top managers of firms engaged in the construction. In particular, he promised two businessmen, Ruslan Khamkhokov and Viktor Kudrin, to assist in the execution of necessary documents on rendered services for the money reward in the amount of not less than 12% of each funds transfer of funds allocated for the work performance to the companies accounts. The construction companies heads transferred the money through ex-deputy chief of the FSIN St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region directorate Sergey Moiseyenko. Allegedly, Barinov received around 110 million rublesin total. Khamkhokov and Kudrin, who stand charged with corruption and economic crimes, as well as Moiseyenko charged with bribery and murder organization, have been earlier put in detention. Africas largest oil producer, Nigeria, is dusting off an ambitious plan to double its oil production by 2025, aiming to pump as much as 4 million bpd in six years timea goal that analysts think may be too ambitious for the country to achieve. OPEC member Nigeria currently pumps around 2.2 million bpd in crude oil and condensate. In March, Nigerias crude oil production stood at 1.733 million bpd, up by 11,000 bpd from February, according to OPECs secondary sources. Although the number of militant attacks on oil infrastructure in Africas biggest producer has been down over the past two years, oil theft from pipelines is still plaguing facilities and leading to leaks that often force operators to shut down export pipelines for days and weeks, resulting in reduced Nigerian oil exportsand reduced oil income for the government. According to OPEC figures, the oil and gas sector accounts for about 10 percent of Nigerias gross domestic product (GDP), while petroleum export revenues make up nearly 83 percent of the countrys total export revenue. The revived plan to double oil production in six years may sound great, but according to analysts, the goal is overly ambitious and Nigeria will have a hard time achieving it, also because of security concerns. Those security concerns and the continuous oil theft and resulting oil spills in the Niger Delta have been affecting the operations of oil supermajors like Shell and Exxon. The lingering concern about security is not helping the investment climate in the upstream sector in Nigeria. Related: Russia Says Tainted Oil For Europe Was Deliberately Contaminated Nigeria has not met a single production target for at least a decade now, in many cases because of security concerns, Cheta Nwanze, an analyst with Nigerian firm SBM Intelligence, told Bloomberg. Therefore, the 4-million-bpd production target could be way too optimistic. Maikanti Baru, Group Managing Director at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), admits that the target is aggressive but appeared certain when he said last week that Nigeria is committed to meeting it. For the upstream, we are committed to aggressive production growth, and our target is to achieve a reserve level of 40 billion barrels of crude oil, and producibility of four million barrels of crude oil per day by 2025, Baru said, as carried by Nigerian outlet The Guardian. Nigerias ambitions in the oil industry extend beyond the upstream. The most populous nation within OPEC also aims to triple its refining capacity to meet growing gasoline demand. The country will need refining capacity of 1.52 million bpd in order to meet its fuel demand by 2025, NNPCs Baru said last week. The reality is that Nigeria currently has operating refineries with a total processing capacity of 445,000 bpd and it often struggles to keep them at full-capacity operation because of underinvestment in maintenance. The country aims to triple the refining capacity by 2025 in order to move closer to becoming self-reliant in fuels. Related: The Fat Margins Have Disappeared - Big Oil Disappoints According to NNPCs Baru, the 650,000-bpd refinery that Africas richest man Aliko Dangote is financing will secure most of the refinery capacity increase. However, the refinery could be near its full capacity by the middle of 2020, which would be some one and a half years later than the originally planned startup date. Nigeria is working with the private sector to add another 450,000 bpd of refining capacity in order to fill in the domestic demand-supply gap, The Guardian quoted Baru as saying. Nigeria is also looking to OPECs largest producer Saudi Arabia to secure potential investments in its downstream sector. This past weekend, Nigerias Oil Minister Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu met with Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih and said that the top Saudi oil official had expressed the strong readiness of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to sign a definite and high value Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigeria for oil sector development. A possible agreement will open the doors for Nigeria to potentially benefit from Saudi Arabias and effectively, Saudi Aramcos recent aggressive oil sector investments across the globe while serving as the nerve centre for its presence in Sub-Saharan Africa, Kachikwu said. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Its only been a few years ago, amid the ramp-up in U.S. shale oil production, that many thought the country would replace Saudi Arabia as global oil markets swing producer - a with good reason. Amid the wonders of fracking to unlock millions of barrels of previously unprofitable oil, the U.S. was flooding the market, so much that it created an unprecedented oil supply overhang that eventually saw prices plunge from over $100/barrel in mid-2014 to under $30/barrel by January 2016, ushering in the worst oil crash in a generation. However, since that time reality has set it. Saudi Arabia convinced non-OPEC producers, including Russia, to join it in wresting back control of global oil markets via the so-called OPEC+ group of producers, and its worked. The loose collection of oil producers, just this year have driven oil prices northward nearly 40 percent after their deal to remove 1.2 million barrels per day (bod) of oil from global markets. A reminder that middle east oil still rules the day came on Sunday when Kuwaits Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled al-Jarallah said that Kuwait was looking at Iranian threats to block the Strait of Hormuz with concern. KUNA said that Jarallah was commenting on tensions in the region after the Iranian Revolutionary Guards top naval commander made a threat to close the strategic oil transport waterway in response to increased U.S. sanctions. We are looking at these threats with concern and hoping as always to distance our region from this tension, KUNA quoted al-Jarallah as saying. The threat came a day after President Trump announced he would not renew 180-day waivers for Irans largest oil importers. Related: Whats Behind The Gasoline Price Spike? By Wednesday, Irans foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif joined the fray, stating We believe Iran will continue to sell its oil (and) use the Strait of Hormuz. But if the United States takes the crazy measure of trying to prevent us from doing that, then it should be prepared for the consequences. It is in our vital national security interest to keep the Persian Gulf open, to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. We have done that in the past and we will continue to do that in the future. And on Sunday, in a remark that prompted a response from Kuwait, Irans top general Mohammad Bagheri also warned Tehran could close the strategic Strait of Hormuz shipping route if it faces more hostility. We are not after closing the Strait of Hormuz but if the hostility of enemies increases, we will be able to do so, the armed forces' chief of staff told semi-official ISNA. Also if our oil does not go through the strait, other countries oil will certainly not cross the strait, too, he added. Though Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz countless times over the years, it nonetheless points to the geopolitical complexity of the region where most OPEC members are, including top global oil exporter Saudi Arabia. Around a third of the worlds sea-borne crude oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz every day, making it a strategic artery linking the Middle East crude producers to key markets in Asia Pacific, Europe, North America and beyond. Trumps incessant tweets Of course, global oil markets have a somewhat new factor to contend with - this time coming from a world away via social media - President Trumps oft ill-timed and often perplexing Tweets over a host of issues, including pressure for OPEC to increase oil production to offset upward pressure on prices. Related: Shocking Evidence Suggests Much Faster Global Warming Going forward Oil prices kicked off the start of the week trending downward after Trump pressured OPEC on Friday to rising output. Prices at the end of the week also headed south amid Trumps comments that he had called Saudi Arabia and demanded that they increase production. Prices dropped by nearly 3 percent on Friday as traders weighed uncertainty tied to Trumps plea to OPEC to lower prices. "Spoke to Saudi Arabia and others about increasing oil flow. All are in agreement, the president said in a Tweet. Besides Trumps unorthodox methods to communicative both at home and with allies and foes alike, the takeaway is that though the U.S. is now the worlds largest oil producer, recently pumping a record 12.1 million bpd, a U.S. president still has to resort to tactics to try to persuade middle eastern oil producer to help control prices. Though the medium has changed, its a dilemma that has faced every U.S. president from Richard Nixon to Trump - and will likely do so in the foreseeable future. By Tim Daiss for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The tainted oil that flew through the Druzhba oil pipeline from Russia to customers in Europe was deliberately contaminated at a private terminal, according Russias oil pipeline operator Transneft. The oil was contaminated at the Samaratransneft terminal which receives oil from several small producers, Russias TASS news agency reports, citing Transnefts spokesman Igor Demin as telling reporters. Russian law enforcement agencies have initiated a criminal case for oil contamination. The first results show that this contamination was a deliberate act. Now, investigative activities are under way in offices of several private companies in Samara to determine their involvement in the incident, Demin said, as carried by TASS. Last week, several countries, including Poland, shut down the flow of Russian crude oil via the Druzhba pipeline after traces of contamination were found. The problem has strained relations between Moscow and Minsk as Belarus was the first to report the problematic oil in mid-April, warning that it could damage refinery equipment. The oil was contaminated with organic chlorine, a substance used in oil production to boost output but dangerous in high amounts for refining equipment. The amounts of the chemical were found to be at levels much higher than the maximum allowable amount. On Friday, Russia held talks with Ukraine, Poland, and Belarus over the contamination of its crude oil that had Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Belarus shut down their sections of the Druzhba pipeline earlier in the week. The discussion focused on a road map to remove the tainted oil from the pipeline, Russian deputy energy minister Pavel Sorokin said at the meeting, adding that Russia expects that oil with standard levels of organic chlorine will reach the Russian-Belarusian border by April 29 and that the Druzhba pipeline is expected to return to full normal deliveries within two weeks. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Albert Einstein once wrote that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Were he alive today, he would be repeating the line to anyone who would listen, especially the reporters on cable news channels such as CNBC. He might add that the worlds policymakers always approach oil market disruptions in the same way: predicting there will be no impact on prices. Einstein would then point out that the policymakers are consistently wrong. A hefty price boost has followed every disruption. The world has experienced nineteen oil market disruptions over the last forty years. In a paper published in March 2018, I chronicled these events and noted that the maximum price increase was predictable. Last Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo initiated the twentieth disruption. The consequences are projected here. Start, though, with the energy policy insanity. In each of the disruptions since 1973, I have noted the following regarding government officials. State Department representatives always say something like the US Department of State remains in contact with our partners to reduce the risk of supply disruptions. There is sufficient oil supply in the global markets that countries can access. OPEC officials always spout some version of the oil market remains well-supplied, with the recent price driven by geopolitics, not fundamentals. Nothing has changed. Last week Reuters offered this quote from the State Departments Brian Hook, the person running the Iran sanctions program: Theres roughly a million barrels per day (bpd) of Iranian crude (exports) left, and there is plenty of supply in the market to ease that transition and maintain stable prices, said Brian Hook, U.S. Special Representative for Iran and Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State, speaking in a call with reporters. Meanwhile, Saudi energy minister Khalid al-Falih told Financial Times that Saudi Arabia would not boost production immediately, adding that the market is well supplied and inventories continue to rise despite the sanctions against Irans oil exports. Mark Twain is thought to have said that history does not repeat, but it rhymes. In this case, it repeats. Policymakers have learned nothing in forty years. Related: Rosneft Sees No Oil Deficit Looming As Iran Sanction Waivers End The table below lists the nineteen market disruptions. I prepared it in 2018 at a time when Conoco had just used an award of $2 billion granted against Venezuela to seize the latters assets in Curacao and when production in Nigeria suffered a disruption. For each event listed, the table shows the start date, the duration, the maximum price increase associated with it, and the percentage loss in supply. (Click to enlarge) I took these data and developed a model that predicted the price increase associated with seventeen of the nineteen disruptions, excluding the Arab Embargo and the Conoco attachment of Iranian assets. The model explained seventy percent of the price variation. The graph below compares the actual and predicted price changes for each disruption. (Click to enlarge) I note here that I based this model on results published in 1982 in Oil Markets in Turmoil, a book I wrote while teaching at Yale. The volume provides a quantitative approach to evaluating oil market disruptions. Related: OPEC Unfazed By Potential Supply Shortage The findings from the model indicate that the current disruption will likely cause prices to increase sixty-six percent at their peak. Roughly speaking, Brent will rise to between $114 and $126 per barrel. This conclusion results from my calculation that the present episode will take roughly two percent of supply from the market. The reduction will come from falling Venezuelan production, which is also subject to US sanctions, the declining Iranian exports, and a modest cut in Libyan exports. The latest issue of The Economist warns that the risk of an oil price shock is increasing. The editors are correct. Thinking of the Einstein quote above, I end by paraphrasing the title of a great book by Carmen Reinhart and Kenneth Rogoff: This time will not be different. By Philip Verleger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads from Oilprice.com: The Libyan National Army led by General Khalifa Haftar launched air strikes on Tripoli during the weekend as it continues its offensive against the capital of Libya thats controlled by the UN-recognized Government of National Accord, Reuters reports. Haftar's LNA is affiliated with the rival government in the east of the country. The escalation of violence in Libya came as a somewhat of a surprise after the LNA and other armed groups in the Oil Crescent clashed earlier this year over control of Libyas oil export terminals. Now, according to the Reuters report, the LNA had sent a warship to one of the terminals, Ras Lanuf. All four export terminals are under the control of the LNA. The National Oil Corporation condemned the move along with a few others, including an attempt to requisition several tug boats and the capturing of an airfield. This illegal and irresponsible activity is a gross violation of our civilian mandate and must stop. These acts endanger workers, diminish partner confidence, and threaten our ability to maintain operations. NOC rejects all attempts to use corporation equipment and facilities for military objectives, Reuters quoted NOC chairman Mustafa Sanalla as saying. Concern about the oil exports of Libya, on which the country relies almost exclusively for state revenues, has deepened in the three weeks since the LNA launched its offensive against Tripoli, after Haftar said Libya will soon have a single government. Related: Trumps Offshore Drilling Boom May Not Happen Before 2020 For now, there have been no reports of falling oil production, but Turkeys Anadolu Agency reported earlier today, citing a security source, that armed men had attacked Sharara, Libyas largest oilfield. The attack, the source said, was unsuccessful and the LNA remained in control of the field. According to the head of the High Council of State, an advisory body, Haftars forces are receiving military equipment from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, including fighter jets. The UAE has also sent troops to fight alongside the LNA, Khaled al-Mishri said. The latest update from Tripoli is that the GNA forces are preparing to launch a counteroffensive against Haftars troops. "We are in preparation and within three days or so, there will be a full-scale attack and we will switch from a defensive to attacking position," GNAs interior minister Fathi Bashagha said. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Neither OPEC Secretary General HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo nor Saudi officials have spoken with President Trump about lowering gasoline prices, according to Wall Street Journal sources, as cited by CNBC. President Donald Trump told reporters earlier in the day that he had called up OPEC, telling the group to move to reduce gasoline prices. It was unclear, however, whether the President was referring to a specific OPEC member or members, or whether he was referring to the group as a whole. Saudi Arabia has already denied earlier in the week that there was a need to turn up the volume of oil itand OPECproduces, despite the end to sanction waivers that will now end on May 1. Oil prices fell sharply earlier on Friday, partially due to President Trumps claim that he had directed OPEC to take action. Other negative headwinds for oil prices were unremarkable Q1 financial results from some Big Oil players including Chevron and Exxon Mobil. Regardless of the reasons behind Fridays negative price movement that saw both WTI and Brent shed roughly 3 percent by mid-afternoon, the direction of the prices will reduce the pressure played out in the media on OPEC to increase production to lower gasoline prices at the pump for American consumers. OPEC is currently overachieving on its commitment to remove the number of oil barrels from the market, and has room to increase production without altering their agreement which is set to be officially reviewed in June. OPEC+ members are split on their view about whether it will be necessary to extend the current agreement past June. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The Northern Youth Movement (NYM) has accused the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, of plotting to take over power from President Muhammadu Buhari before the year 2023. In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the Chairman of NYM, Mallam Ishaya Jato also claimed that Tinubus desperation to take over the National Assembly by installing Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, his political boy as Speaker of the House was part of his moves to pave way for his presidential ambition. The statement partly reads: Tinubu is banking on two scenarios; the President becoming incapacitated before 2022 or his impeachment and he will need the National Assembly for both. Having used the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole to take over states in the South from governors like Rochas Okorocha and Ibikunle Amosun that he opined can challenge him in 2023; Tinubu is now after the larger picture of total control of the National Assembly. It is, therefore dangerous for the north for the same Southwest, which already has the Vice President to produce the House of Representatives Speaker. Its even more dangerous for the same Tinubu; whose political boy is the Vice President to also have another of his stooge as the House of Representatives Speaker. We in the NYM will resist this attempt by one single individual to control the political destiny of our country and we urge our leaders in the north to take note of this. This is more so that the in the spirit of federal character formula enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria, the six positions of President, Vice President, Senate President and Deputy as well as Reps Speaker and Deputy available, the six geopolitical zones must get one position each. Already, Northwest and Southwest have taken President and Vice President respectively; the remaining four positions must therefore be shared among the South-South, South East, North Central and North East zones. Particularly, the North Central, which gave massive votes to President Buhari must produce the Speaker. Having lost his presidential bid and the opportunity to return to the Senate, Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki was facing a bleak political future in Nigeriauntil one opportunity came knocking. And that might keep him from rustingas someone already used to pressing flesh, holding talk shops, and taking photo ops. The International Human Rights Commission just nominated Saraki as its ambassador-at-large. He promptly accepted the nomination, and also expressed his appreciation to the IHRC. In a letter dated March 16, 2019, Ambassador Friday Sani, the Diplomatic Head of the Commission to Nigeria and other African countries, stated that as a sequel to the approval of the World Secretary General of the IHRC, Dr. Saraki has been appointed as one of the revered Ambassadors-at-Large of the multinational body, a statement by Sarakis media office revealed. Saraki will be leading the diplomatic team of the IHRC in various diplomatic missions across the world, the release added. A doctor by training, Saraki has no track record as a human rights advocateexcept the little his office as governor and senator, for eight years apiece, taught him. His personal record during those years was not devoid of allegations of rights abuse, though. The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) and Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) called a press conference in 2017 to challenge Saraki for using political thugs to silence Sahara Reporters, an online whistleblower, he slammed with a billions-naira suit for publishing an opinion. But if the IHS appointment of Saraki had to do with who paid the most lip service to fighting human rights abuse, then it was a right choice. In the heat of his friction with his former party APC, the Senate president kept harping on rights abuse against him, and, by way of sublimation, became an advocate for others whose rights he believed the APC government was abusing. Considerable peace has returned to Gombe and its environs after the imposition of a 15-hour curfew on the city by the State Government in response to the prevailing security situation in the area. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government had imposed a curfew on the city on April 27 at about 3 p.m. It, however, relaxed the order on Sunday after due consultation with the security agencies in the state. BREAKING TIMES had reported that on April 22, a vehicle killed ten members of the Boys Brigade during Easter procession in the metropolis, while 30 others sustained various degrees of injury. However, when the bodies of the victims were being taken for burial on a Saturday the city became tensed as some youths threatened retaliation, hence throwing the town into confusion. And this, compelled the state government to impose the curfew. DSP Mary Malum, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state,told NAN that normalcy had returned to the town, and that security personnel had been deployed at strategic locations to monitor and respond swiftly to any threats to peace. Malum called on the people of the state to be law abiding. NAN also reports that Motor parks, schools, markets and other business outfits have now opened for normal activities. Kathmandu, Nepal, April 29, 2019: The budget session of the Federal Parliament begins from today. First meeting of the session is scheduled at the International Convention Centre at 4:00 pm on Monday. According to the parliamentary secretariat, debate on the governments policies and program will begin from May 3 to 12 though the session was commenced from today. The Nigerian Navy on Sunday said its operatives arrested a total of 19 imposters in the First Quarter of 2019. Navy spokesman, Commodore Suleman Dahun,made this known in a statement to NAN on Sunday. Acccording to the statement, 13 of the imposters were arrested in Calabar/Ikang area; 5 in Yenogoa/Port Harcourt area and 1 in Lagos area. Dahun said: Typically, these criminals were arrested either in possession of fake Navy ID Card or dressed in Navy uniforms (Camouflage or Blue Rig). He warned that wearing and illegal possession of military hardwares was unlawful and punishable under the Nigerian Criminal Code. For the avoidance of doubt, the NN wishes to inform the general public that wearing and illegal possession of military accoutrements is unlawful and punishable under Section 109, 110 and 251 of Nigerian Criminal Code. He advised members of the public not to patronise such unscrupulous individuals in any engagement. The general public is also advised to report to the nearest Naval, Army, Air Force or Police unit any suspicious individual wearing a naval uniform and engaging in non-military or naval duties, he said. The Southeast caucus of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has demanded a review of the zoning arrangement ahead of the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly. The zone took the stand during a stakeholders meeting held in Enugu on Saturday. The meeting presided over by the National Vice Chairman of the party, Southeast, Chief Emma Eneukwu, had in attendance minister of Science and Technology, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, his labour counterpart, Dr. Chris Ngige, former Gov. and senator-elect, Dr. Orji-Uzo Kalu, former minister, Chief Emeka Worgu, serving and incoming members of the National Assembly, among others. In a 7-point communique issued after the meeting, they called on the national leadership of the party to revisit the subsisting zoning of principal offices in the 9th National Assembly in a more equitable manner that will accord more deserving positions to the Southeast zone considering that the Federation of Nigeria rests on the six geopolitical zones of Southeast, South south, Southwest, North Central, North East and North West. The APC NWC had earlier zone the speakership of the House of Representatives to the Southwest and the Senate President to the Northeast, while Deputy Senate President goes to the South south, leaving out the Southeast. But the zone has now kicked against the decision, calling for a review. It urged the NWC to draw strength from the need to utilize the zoning of principal offices in the 9th National Assembly to further deepen and strengthen the electoral appeal of the party, especially in parts of the country where it may be considered as weak. The Southeast APC said in the communique that had taken particular interest in the legitimate pursuit of National Assembly leadership offices by interested leaders from the zone, adding that it has endorsed their respective aspirations. They exhorted professionals and leaders of thought of Igbo extraction to take active interest in the aspirations of Igbo leaders and members of our great party from the zone. Consequently, a committee, chaired by the minister, Chief Ogonnaya Onu, who is the leader of the party in the zone, has been saddled with the responsibility of interfacing with the party hierarchy and party leaders in the other zones with a view to giving the Southeast a fair position in the National Assembly. Meanwhile, the meeting also congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his electoral victory, resolving that a letter of congratulations be forwarded to him to express the support of the Southeast APC. While commending the electorate in the Southeast for voting for the party, they expressed confidence that elected representatives of our people on the platform of our great party would redouble their efforts to ensure that they meet the legitimate expectations of both their respective constituents in particular and the electorate in the zone in general. They deplored what they called the undue interference and unwholesome meddlesomeness by forces from outside the zone in the affairs of the Southeast zone of our great party, aimed at factionalizing and destabilizing the party in the zone. A committee chaired by former minister, Barr. Emeka Worgu was also inaugurated to probe reported anti-party activities of some leaders of the party during the 2019 general elections. File photo A woman has reportedly collapsed at Kwaku in Ghana after seeing dead husband in another town. According to reports, her husband was believed to have been dead two years ago. He was however sighted in the company of another young woman, who was reported to be his girlfriend. The woman, upon sighting her husband, got shocked and alarmed, and so decided to monitor their every move. She trailed them to a guesthouse where they were said to be lodging for the festivities. Upon inquiry, the manager reportedly confirmed to the woman that the husband and the girlfriend had checked into the guesthouse the previous night. The woman was said to have called the police to the scene to help address her confusion. However, upon arriving at the guesthouse, both the man and the girlfriend were found dead. They came in very drunk and started kissing as soon as we gave them the keys but we dont know what happened next, the guesthouse manager says The police commander at Kwaku was said to have confirmed the incident in an interview with Joy FM We rushed to the scene as soon as we received a call from the woman. We found her husband with a 25-year-old lady who was also dead. We believe their death was caused by over-excitement but were still investigating, the commander says. However, it cannot be verified if the said man was indeed dead as the wife claimed, or he had, in a way, fled to be with his girlfriend. Perhaps, he had gone out of the house without ever returning, which makes his family attribute his long absence to his death. The woman was said to have collapsed and was receiving treatment at a private hospital. The cultists The operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit over the weekend arrested 26 dreaded Awawa cult gang in Agege and 64 miscreants at Oshodi. The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi disclosed that these 26 dreaded Awawa cult gang were arrested during an over-night enforcement operations tagged Operation Restore Sanity to Lagos carried out around Isale-oja, Funmilayo, ile-pako at Amoo, Orile by cannal, Papa-Ashafa, Dopemu and Old Oko-oba in Agege. The Chairman disclosed furher that criminal activities perpetuated by these various cult groups particularly the dreaded Awawa cult gang has become a serious threat to lives of residents and innocent members of the public around the area. He stated that it was an eye-sore seeing these miscreants and cultists robbing, raping and freely smoking Indian hemp with under age boys and girls during day time and at night. CSP Egbeyemi stated further that another 64 miscreants and hoodlums were arrested during over-night raid around Oshodi. The Chairman said dangerous weapons and substance suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from these 64 miscreants which include 3 female teenagers. These miscreants and hoodlums were those attacking/breaking motorists windscreen and disturbing innocent members of the public by dispossessing them of thier valuables such as phones, wallets and jewelleries around Oshodi. It is disheartening that most parents have abdicated their responsibility towards their children as youths are now found to be deeply involved in gangsterism Honestly, most of the violent crime committed across the State were perpetrated by youths who lacks parental care and joined cultism to avoid being intimidated by their peers He said that Operation Restore Sanity to Lagos would be a continuous exercise and extended to every other areas known to be inhabited by these undesirable elements across the State. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police CP Zubairu Muazu has however directed that all those arrested be charged to court for prosecution. In a related development, the Agency dislodged more than 1500 llegal traders and impounded 96 motorcycles for plying restricted routes around Igando. They were dislodged by the Agency to pave ways for free flow of traffic as there were serious complaints by residents and motorists about the newly constructed roads being taken over by activities of these illegal traders. Strategically, this unusual and very risky trading practice has led to the death of some traders especially those who were not quick enough to depart the scene of reckless drivers CSP Egbeyemi maintained that in accordance with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Laws, it was completely unlawful for anyone to hawk, buy or sell goods on railway tracks, road-setbacks, walk-ways and drainage alignment across the State. Adebayo Taofiq Head, Public Affairs Unit Lagos State Task Force Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a traditional rulers son, Bashiru Ahmed, for his alleged involvement in the killing of one Oshin Aderibigbe during an attempt to rob the victim of his valuables in the state. Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, in a statement on Sunday, said Aderibigbe reported the attack and identified his assailants before he gave up the ghost. He stated that operatives of the command deployed to investigate the case arrested the suspect, adding that he confessed to committing the crime with two other conspirators, who were at large. Elkana said, On Friday, April 26, 2019, around 11.30am, one Oshin Aderigbigbe, later identified as the spokesman for the Joint Campus Committee, National Association of Nigerian Students, Lagos, reported at the Okokomaiko Police Station with blood gushing out of his body that he was attacked by three men who dispossessed him of his handset and laptop and stabbed him with a knife. He was rushed to hospital, but eventually died. The leader of the hoodlums that attacked him, Bashiru Ahmed, a.k.a Kawu (21), was arrested. He confessed to have committed the crime with two of his friends. The said Ahmed, who is the son of a popular traditional ruler in Okoko, is a notorious criminal who was charged to court on several occasions by the police for sundry offences. He returned from prison six months ago and had been on the watch list of the police. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Zubairu Muazu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, for discreet investigation. Detectives have spread their tentacles to arrest the remaining two suspects on the run. Invest In Social Force & Get 50% Click HERE >> To Buy Cheap MTN & GLO Data Click HERE >> Hundreds of protesters, Monday, blocked the entrance to the Imo State Polytechnic Umuagwo in Ohaji/Egbema local government area of Imo state. Breaking Times gathered that the protests kicked off at about 08:58 am at the front of the institutions gate, by the people said to be from Ohaji/Egbema. At the time of the protests, students, as well as staff of the institution, could not have access into the institution because the gate was locked. Their reason, according to the protesters, was to express their disapproval of the announcement of the relocation of the institution to Ehime Mbano local government area of the state. It should be recalled that the Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, through his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, recently made public a press statement, that the Imo Poly, has been relocated to Ehime Mbano. However, some of the protesters who called our newsroom said that they would continue the protest until the government listened to them. Details shortly It has been reported that no less than five people have been killed, including a priest, following an alleged attack on a church in Burkina Faso. According to the Agence France Presse, AFP, the victims were gunned down on Sunday, after armed men entered the building following a service. At least two more people are missing, according to a security source who spoke to the AFP news agency. The church is in the parish of Silgadji, according to Radio France Internationale. More follows Nollywood actor, Prince Dammy Eke, has reportedly passed away on Sunday, April 27, 2019. According to Linda Ikeji Blog, the late actor slumped while having drinks with his friends in a sit out bar and was rushed to the hospital where he died. Friends of the actor have been paying tribute to him on different social media platforms. Prince Eke was one of the sons of the Late Eze Gbaka, the Gbaka of Woji, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Prince Ezes death makes it the ninth in Nollywood since January 2019. The All Progressive Congress, APC, has reportedly revealed fresh documents purportedly proving that the presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar is not a Nigerian. In the document filed before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja, an unnamed man who claims to be a close friend of Garba Abubakar, Atikus late father, alleged that neither of his parents was a Nigerian and also gave details of Atikus early years and how his father died. In a statement filed by the APC witness, simply identified with the initials ADM he said; l, ADM, adult, Nigerian citizen of Adamawa State do hereby make oath and say as follows: I know as a fact that, as at the time the 1st petitioner was born on the 25th day of November, 1946 to a FulanI trader and farmer, Garba Abubakar, Jada village and other parts of Chamba land in the then Northern Cameroon, were still part of the British Cameroons and not Nigeria. None of the 1st petitioners parents or grandparents was born in Nigeria. The 1st petitioners father died as a citizen of Northern Cameroon in 1957 prior to the referendum of 1st June, 1961 which made Northern Cameroon to become part of Nigeria. The 1st petitioners ancestral origin is deeply rooted in the then Northern Cameroon, not Nigeria and I know as a fact that the 1st petitioner is not a Nigerian citizen by birth. I know that Ganye which incorporates the 1st petitioners birth place of Jada, was the headquarters of British Cameroons, but it joined Nigeria after the plebiscite. I know that Ganye was not part of Nigeria as at the time of the birth of the 1st petitioner; on 25th November 1946. I am familiar with the historical antecedents of the birth place of the 1st petitioner. ALSO READ: Atiku reveals more details about his nationality Ganye area had been entrusted to Britain by a League of Nations Mandate in 1919 and later as Trust Territory by the United Nations in 1946. With the defeat of Germany in World War I. Kamerun (as it was known at the time) became a League of Nations Mandate Territory and was split into French Cameroons and British Cameroons in 1919. While France integrated the economy of its part of the Cameroons with that of the mother colonial France, the British on the other hand, administered its part (British Cameroons) from neighbouring Nigeria, making Jada, the 1st petitioners place of birth, a British franchise. I know that a plebiscite was held in British Cameroons to determine whether the people in that territory preferred to stay in Cameroon or unite with Nigeria. While Northern Cameroon preferred a union with Nigeria, the Southern Cameroon chose to align with the mother country. I know that on the 1st of June 1961, Northern Cameroon became a part of Nigeria and on the 1st of October 1961 the Southern Cameroonian territory dissolved and merged into the Republic of Cameroon. Atiku had earlier countered the claim by the APC that he is not a Nigerian by birth and was not qualified to seek to occupy the office of President. Atiku, who gave details of his early life, also spoke about his working life and political career in Nigeria to support his claim that he is and has always been a Nigerian by birth. Post Views: 67 Some hoodlums left this woman s face unrecognizable after she entered a one chance bus in Ibadan , the capital city of Oyo state . The sad incident happened over the weekend, on Saturday. According to the victim identified as Joy Sunday, she unknowingly boarded a bus filled with one-chance operators. The lady who didnt give further details as to what transpired between her and the men of the underworld, warned citizens to be wary of the kind of buses they enter. From Greg Swank, 12-4-2 You are about to read a list of 45 goals that found their way down the halls of our great Capitol back in 1963. As... Precio del Brent To get the BRENT oil price, please enable Javascript. Precio del WTI To get the oil price, please enable Javascript. Dolar USA Vs Euro Paginas vistas en total Lo volvio a hacer Capitalismo=embuste Historico Bitcoin La bateria mas grande de Holanda El futuro es solar Nec plus ultra, nec variatur Fisica y culturalmente Jamas nos callaran Sin ellas, no seremos Deja vu Nada que celebrar Hasta cuando? Colombia Hoy Para nunca olvidar 'Parasite' painted on a statue of Queen, Elizabeth in Kent, England Sin palabras La UE le apunta a la paz Cada vez mas solo Precio del Oro To get the gold price, please enable Javascript. LULA y su Pueblo Bye Bye Homenaje al genial Quino Fueron ellos Una imagen que resume Tan bajo ha caido que se deja tocar el trasero? Porky y el Nene (archiconocido narcotraficante) Ladrones al poder Asi mira el perrito a su amo Crazy Clamor popular La nueva inquisicion Bolivia Chile Hoy Eso es todo amigos! Piensalo! Pinerachet No More Trump Adios Macri, hasta nunca La Marioneta se desinfla Asi o mas cinico Almugre Mexico en 1794 Mas arrastrado imposible Hasta cuando! La pura verdad Solidaridad con Palestina Serie Capitalismo Espejismos de la clase trabajadora Asi es! Comerciantes o delincuentes No pasaran! Asi es la vida USA HOY 01/01/1959 La avaricia no tiene limites AYUDA HUMANITARIA? Chile Hoy Asi son las cosas Mapa Electoral de Venezuela Patagonia argentina? Un aniversario mas del mayor genocidio de la Humanidad Retrato del franquismo en Espana Visca Catalunya! El Chulo de Madrid Cuando la policia se roba la democracia Una imagen dice mas que mil palabras La purita verdad Asi gobierna la maldita burguesia Mi pobre clase media Como Chavez nadie Comparte La Colmena via twitter Twittear Programa de la MUD Asi o mas clarito Por que Trump no ataco Corea del Norte? Hace 15 anos Por que la OEA no se pronuncio? Una verguenza nacional La luz que nos guia La Union Europea Premio Nobel de la Paz? Feudalismo ayer y hoy Obama, el mentiroso Curiosa coincidencia Un mundo de cerdos No es extrano? La Marioneta Los ricos protestan, los pobres celebran MARICORI Y OBAMA Cuantas muertes este ano? 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Por culpa de Chavez Cerveza Polar Algun dia Colombia volvera a la ideologia de Bolivar Translate LOS REVOLUCIONARIOS NO TOMAN CACA-COLA No se trata solamente de un capricho, sino de una sana actitud en todos los sentidos. Desde la solidaridad con el pueblo colombiano donde la empresa Caca-Cola ha cometido los mas grandes abusos contra sus trabajadores incluyendo el presunto secuestro y asesinato de los dirigentes del sindicato, hasta la proteccion de la salud de nuestros hijos, enviciados por ese jarabe de cola y azucar, que les produce obesidad prematura. Pensemos tambien los revolucionarios, que ese dinero que gastamos en los refrescos es utilizado por esas empresas para financiar el terrorismo en nuestro pais. Es cierto, no se trata solo de la Caca-Cola, sino tambien de la cerveza, de los cigarrillos y todos esos articulos innecesarios y mas que eso, daninos para nuestra salud. Podriamos incluso pensar en un dia de parada para cada uno de ellos. Es cuestion de irnos organizando. Pero para empezar, que tal si dejamos de comprar Caca-Cola y sus similares? Cuando lo extraordinario se vuelve cotidiano... Discurso del Acto de Grado en Barinas en 12 de Febrero del 2005 Queridos Graduandos: Mas que un discurso, quiero dirigirles algunas palabras que escribi anoche, despues de visitar en las clinicas, a los estudiantes heridos, a consecuencia de los enfrentamientos con la policia de hace apenas dos dias. Me ha tocado por razones del destino, ser la persona que les otorgue el titulo que bien merecieron con sus estudios. Y me siento sumamente orgulloso de serlo. Me consta que la Universidad de Los Llanos Occidentales Ezequiel Zamora, a pesar de lo dicho por los enemigos de esta universidad, es una universidad de primera. No tendremos la mejor planta fisica, en los salones hace calor. En el comedor hace calor. Pero no es en lo material que las cosas deben valorarse. El mayor capital es el ser humano. Y en eso, nuestra UNELLEZ, lo digo con conocimiento de causa, esta sobrada. Los llaneros venezolanos son nobles, valientes, de coraje. En la UNELLEZ hacen vida, en este momento, aproximadamente 67000 personas. El 97% de ellas son estudiantes. Jovenes que, como Ustedes hasta el dia de hoy, buscan ese titulo, que constata los anos de dedicacion y de estudio. Los jovenes son el rio de la vida, ustedes graduados deben ser los capitanes de esos barcos que naveguen por el rio de la vida. Nuestra Patria atraviesa momentos muy dificiles porque decidio dejar de ser esa matrona de edad vetusta y complaciente, para ser joven, rebelde y altanera. Nuestra imagen ya no es la de una acaudalada ricachona mayamera. En nuestro rostro brilla ahora la sonrisa del Che Guevara, con su diente delantero torcido, su pelo largo y su boina con la estrella. Entender esto, a mi me ha tomado practicamente toda la vida. Tengo 53 anos, y ya perdi mi oportunidad de derramar sangre joven a causa de un ideal. Ustedes son jovenes, estan en la flor de la vida. No cometan por favor el error de renunciar a su instinto de rebelion. El Che Guevara fue Ministro de a Economia en Cuba. Los billetes y las monedas se adornaban con su rostro. Nada de eso le importo. Primero fue a Angola donde paso un penoso ano de combate. Despues se fue a Bolivia, donde encontro la muerte. El Che era el ultimo que comia, el que cargaba la mochila mas pesada. Siempre se sacrificaba por los demas en un estoicismo que mas parecia fervor religioso que ideologia marxista. Si quieren un modelo de vida. Ahi lo tienen. Dije hace unos momentos que el 97% de la poblacion de la UNELLEZ es estudiante. Se imaginan Ustedes la Universidad que podriamos tener si todos los estudiantes tuvieran la abnegacion, la combatividad del Che? Los momentos que se avecinan van a requerir de una gran unidad del pueblo venezolano. La alternativa de continuar siendo libres o regresar a la pobreza se nos planteara en los proximos dias de forma enmascarada, o quizas peor, desenmascarada, vestida con uniforme de soldado del Imperio. Por nuestra parte podemos esperar lo mejor. La macroeconomia no podria ir mejor, la justicia social ha mejorado notablemente. Las misiones ocupan un papel muy importante en el pago de dicha justicia social. Aqui en Barinas ya hemos cumplido con dos de las misiones, la mision Robinson y la mision Sucre. No hay analfabetismo y no hay exclusion en la educacion superior, en estas tierras de Zamora. Pero ay malhaya! Son precisamente estos exitos los que nos hacen mas antipaticos al Imperio. Para ellos, somos inclusive un mal ejemplo que se esta contagiando al resto del continente y cuidado sino al resto del mundo. Nunca venceremos al Imperio. Estara siempre ahi, acechando. Por lo menos hasta que el mismo no se autodestruya. Porque, sepanlo senores, el neoliberalismo es canibal. Cuando le ataque el hambre, se devorara a si mismo. Ustedes, queridos graduandos, a partir de hoy pasan a conformar la elite profesional que debe sostener este pais en los proximos cuarenta o cincuenta anos. Anos decisivos para el logro de nuestra libertad y del rescate de nuestra Soberania. No se dejen comprar. No se dejen corromper. No se dejen gritar. No se dejen pisar. Que nadie les diga que comer, o que vestirse, o que leer. Sean siempre autenticos, rebeldes, contestatarios. Pero eso si, profundamente patriotas, dignos de ser hijos de Bolivar. Muchas gracias y que Dios los bendiga. Alguna duda? Medio siglo de Holocausto Palestino Oscar Zanartu Nacio en Caracas en 1960. Ha realizado exposiciones individuales en las galerias Minotauro, Clave y San Francisco, y en salas de Coro, estado Falcon, y Puerto Ordaz, estado Bolivar. En Paris su obra ha sido exhibida en el Centro Cultural Tanagra, en la Exposicion Cite Internationale des Arts, en las galerias De Mars y Arver Space, al igual que en la Galeria Municipal Levallois, en Levallois Perret (Francia). En muestras colectivas, su obra se ha expuesto en Belgica, Francia, Estados Unidos y Venezuela; en Caracas intervino en la exposicion "Del genesis a la memoria", 1995, organizada por la Fundacion La Previsora. En 1982 obtuvo el Premio Nacional Critven y en 1990 la Mencion de Honor Jose Antonio Paez, en la Embajada de Venezuela en Paris. En 1991 se le concedio el primer premio de Pintura Itinerante, en Levallois Perret, Francia. OZ1 OZ2 OZ3 OZ4 Homenaje a Jason Galarraga La Victoria de Samotracia Odalisca Mas fotos de la nevada del pasado agosto 2008 La Sierra Nevada de Merida Nuestro precioso Churum Meru Homenaje a Picasso Autoretrato Sabes lo que bebes en una Coca-Cola? La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar. Mi profesion? Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos. Sal en la Coca Cola? A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar. De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla: Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gusto Acido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido) azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa) Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantas Mucha Cafeina Conservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o Potasio Dioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebe Sal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracion El uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja. Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos. Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja. En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero). Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma. La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate. Bebidas Light? Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal. Publicado por loretahur En realidad, la formula secreta de la Coca-Cola se puede detallar en 18 segundos en cualquier espectrometro optico, y basicamente la conocen hasta los perros. Lo que ocurre es que no se puede fabricar igual, a no ser que uno disponga de unos cuantos millones de dolares para ganarle la demanda que te metera la Coca-Cola ante la justicia (ellos no perderian).La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gustoAcido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantasMucha CafeinaConservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o PotasioDioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebeSal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracionEl uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el aspartamo , despues de tres semanas mojado, pasa a tener gusto de trapo viejo sucio.Para evitar eso, se agregan una infinidad de otros productos quimicos, uno para alargar la vida del aspartamo, otro para neutralizar el color, otro para mantener el tercer quimico en suspension porque sino el fondo de la gaseosa quedaria oscuro, otro para evitar la cristalizacion del aspartamo, otro para realzar el sabor, dar mas intensidad al acido citrico o fosforito que perderia su sabor por el efecto de los cuatro productos quimicos iniciales... y asi sucesivamente.Un consejo final !!Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.Publicado por loretahur MARGARINA o MANTEQUILLA La margarina fue producida originalmente para engordar a los pavos; cuandolo que hizo en realidad fue matarlos.Las personas que habian puesto el dinero para la investigacion quisieronrecobrarlo asi que empezaron a pensar en una forma de hacerlo.Tenian una sustancia blanca, que no tenia ningun atractivo como comestible,asi que le anadieron el color amarillo, para venderselo a lagente en lugar de la mantequilla.Que tal esa?... Ahora han sacado algunos nuevos sabores para vender mas alos incautos como usted y yo.CONOCE USTED la diferencia entre la margarina y la mantequilla?Siga leyendo hasta el final... porque se pone bastante interesante!Comparacion entre mantequilla y margarina: 1.- Ambas tienen la misma cantidad de calorias. 2.- La mantequilla es ligeramente mas alta en grasas saturadas: 8 gramos,comparada con los 5 gramos que tiene la margarina. 3.- Comer margarina en vez de mantequilla puede aumentar en 53% el riesgo deenfermedades coronarias en las mujeres, de acuerdo con un estudiomedico reciente de la Universidad de Harvard. 4.- Comer mantequilla aumenta la absorcion de gran cantidad de nutrientesque se encuentran en otros alimentos. 5.- La mantequilla provee beneficios nutricionales propios mientras lamargarina tiene solo los que le hayan sido anadidos al fabricarla. 6.- La mantequilla sabe mucho mejor que la margarina y mejora el sabor deotros alimentos.7.- La mantequilla ha existido durante siglos mientras que la margarinatiene menos de 100 anos. Ahora... sobre la margarina: 1.- Es muy alta en acidos grasos trans. (Si, esos que recien ahora loscientificos descubrieron que son malisimos y los gobiernoscomenzaron a prohibirlos) . 2.- Triple riesgo de enfermedades coronarias. 3.- Aumenta el colesterol total y el LDL (el colesterol malo) y disminuye elHDL (el colesterol bueno). 4.- Aumenta en cinco veces el riesgo de cancer. 5.- Disminuye la calidad de la leche materna. 6.- Disminuye la reaccion inmunologica del organismo. 7.- Disminuye la reaccion a la insulina. Y he aqui el factor mas inquietante (AQUI ESTA LA PARTE MAS INTERESANTE! ):A la margarina le falta UNA MOLECULA para ser PLASTICO...!!Solo este hecho es suficiente para evitar el uso de la margarina de porvida, y de cualquier otra cosa que sea hidrogenada (esto significaque se le anade hidrogeno, lo cual cambia la estructura molecular de lassubstancias).Usted puede ensayar lo siguiente:Compre un poco de margarina y dejela en el garaje o en un sitio sombreado.Dentro de unos dias notara dos cosas: * No habra moscas; ni siquiera esos molestos bichos se le acercaran (esto yale debe decir a usted algo). * No se pudre ni huele mal o diferente porque no tiene valor nutritivo; nadacrece en ella. Ni siquiera los diminutos microorganismos puedencrecer en ella.Por que? Porque es casi plastico!! No a la guerra, Si a la Paz Misterios de la ciencia... Los costos de la guerra medicos y capitalismo... Capitalismo... medicos (2) Quien educa a nuestros hijos? Los Medios... Sin Palabras... Chistes feministas - Cual es el problema, Eva? - Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas. - Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas... - Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti. - Que es un hombre? - Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente. - Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente. - Cual es el truco?. - Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion. - Cual? - Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer. Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas? Porque todos son unos cerdos Un dia, en el Paraiso, Eva llamo a Dios: Tengo un problema.- Cual es el problema, Eva?- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.- Que es un hombre?- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.- Cual es el truco?.- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.- Cual?- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas? Porque todos son unos cerdos Ellas... Ellas (2)... Tres venganzas femeninas VENGANZA NUMERO 1 Hoy mi hija cumple 21 anos y estoy muy contento porque es el ultimo pago de pension alimenticia que le doy, asi que llame a mi hijita para que viniera a mi casa y cuando llego le dije: -Hijita, quiero que lleves este cheque a casa de tu mama y que le digas que: Este es el ultimo maldito cheque que va recibir de mi en todo lo que le queda de su puta vida!!! Quiero que me digas la expresion que pone en su rostro. Asi que mi hija fue a entregar el cheque. Yo estaba ansioso por saber lo que la bruja tenia que decir y que cara pondria. Cuando mi hijita entro, le pregunte inmediatamente: -Que fue lo que te dijo tu madre? -Me dijo que justamente estaba esperando este dia para decirte que no eres mi papa! VENGANZA NUMERO 2 Un hombre que siempre molestaba a su mujer, paso un dia por la casa de unos amigos para que lo acompanaran al aeropuerto a dejar a su esposa que viajaba a Paris. A la salida de inmigracion, frente a todo el mundo, el le desea buen viaje y en tono burlon le grita: - Amor, no te olvides de traerme una hermosa francesita Ja ja ja!! Ella bajo la cabeza y se embarco muy molesta. La mujer paso quince dias en Francia. El marido otra vez pidio a sus amigos que lo acompanasen al aeropuerto a recibirla. Al verla llegar, lo primero que le grita a toda voz es: - Y amor me trajiste mi francesita?? - Hice todo lo posible, - contesta ella - ahora solo tenemos que rezar para que nazca nina. VENGANZA NUMERO 3 El marido, en su lecho de muerte, llama a su mujer. Con voz ronca y ya debil, le dice: - Muy bien, llego mi hora, pero antes quiero hacerte una confesion. - No, no, tranquilo, tu no debes hacer ningun esfuerzo. - Pero, mujer, es preciso - insiste el marido - Es preciso morir en paz. Te quiero confesar algo. - Esta bien, esta bien. Habla! - He tenido relaciones con tu hermana, tu mama y tu mejor amiga. - Lo se, lo se Por eso te envenene, hijo de puta!!! machismo y cibernetica Chiste machista La NASA ha enviado al espacio una mision experimental tripulada por dos monos y una mujer.Apenas abandona la atmosfera, se establece comunicacion con Houston. -Atencion, simio 1, verifique sistemas hidraulicos, controle adecuada presion de los propulsores de arranque. A 60.000 pies disminuya un 25% la velocidad. El simio hace la sena de OK. -Atencion, simio 2, nivele al cruzar la estratosfera y active sistemas anticongelantes. No olvide monitorear sistemas de comunicacion e indicadores de presion. Comprendido?. El simio hace la sena de OK. -Atencion, Houston llamando a mujer: no se olvide. -Mujer: Si, si, ya se! -interrumpe enojada- que no me olvide darles de comer a estos monos de mierda y que no se me vaya a ocurrir tocar nada!. .Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti. Un abogado mantiene un romance con su secretaria.Al poco tiempo, esta queda embarazada y el abogado, que no quiere que su esposa se entere, le da a la secretaria una buena suma de dinero y le pide que se vaya a parir a Italia.Esta pregunta: Y como voy a hacerte saber cuando nazca el bebe ? El abogado responde: Para que mi mujer no se entere, tan solo enviame una postal y escribe por detras: Spaghetti. Y no te preocupes mas, que yo me encargare de todos los gastos. Pasan los meses y una manana la esposa del abogado lo llama al bufete, algo exaltada: Querido, acabo de recibir el correo y hay una postal muy extrana viene desde Italia. La verdad, no entiendo que significa.El abogado, tratando de ocultar sus nervios, contesta:Espera a que llegue a casa, a ver si yo entiendoCuando el hombre llega a casa y lee la postal, cae al suelo fulminado por un infarto.Llega una ambulancia y se lo lleva. Ya en el hospital, el jefe de cardiologia se queda consolando a la esposa y le pregunta cual ha sido el evento que precipito tan masivo ataque cardiaco. Entonces la esposa saca la postal y se la muestra diciendole: No me explico, doctor; el solamente leyo esta postal. Vea usted mismo lo que trae escrito.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti."Tres con salchicha y albondigas y dos con almejas Gol !!!! Chistes de Borrachos Entra un borracho a su casa todo manchado con lapiz labial por todos lados hecho un desastre, y la mujer le pregunta:-Hombre que te paso?Y el borracho le responde:-No me vas a creer, me pelee con un payaso! Este es un borracho que entra en un bar y le dice al camarero:-Me da cinco copas de whisky?Al rato:-Me da cuatro?Al rato:-Me da tres copas?Despues:-Me da dos copas?Luego le dice:-Me da una copa?Y le dice al camarero:-Ves? Cuanto menos bebo, mas borracho estoy! " " During the 1980 census, most people received and replied to the census by mail, a practice that started in 1960. Door-to-door visits still continue for hard-to-reach populations. U.S. Census Bureau Collecting and reporting census data is a multiyear process. The 2020 census actually began back in March 2018, when the bureau officially submitted its 2020 census questions to the United States Congress [source U.S. Census Bureau]. The new batch of eight questions included one about citizenship, which hasn't been asked in any form since 1950. That citizenship question was challenged and the Supreme Court has ruled against it (see sidebar), though President Trump threatened to delay the Census because of this [source: CNN]. Census workers were also hired throughout 2018 and 2019 to begin the work of canvassing neighborhoods both online using satellite images and in person to verify addresses. During the summer of 2019, state governments will also be tasked with providing the Census Bureau with the locations of all known "transitory" housing locations, such as RV parks, campgrounds, carnivals, and long-term stay hotels and motels. Advertisement Data collection for the 2020 census began in earnest on Jan. 21, 2020, when census workers traveled by bush plane and snowmobile to reach Toksook Bay, Alaska, estimated population 661 [source: U.S. Census Bureau, Wang]. Since 1990, rural Alaskan villages have been the first to be counted since this needs to happen before the spring thaw makes travel impassable [source: Miller]. The rest of the country received their first census invitation in mid-to-late March 2020 (March 12-20). For 95 percent of households, the first invitation will come in the mail, but it won't include a paper census questionnaire. Instead, households are directed to a web address to complete the census online. The delivery is staggered so as to space out the numbers of recipients going online to fill out the census form. For the 2020 census, paper questionnaires will only be delivered to households that don't receive mail at a physical location (people who get their mail in a P.O. box, for example, or people affected by a natural disaster) [source: U.S. Census Bureau]. Those paper questionnaires will be delivered directly by census workers. Completed census forms will officially be due on April 1, 2020 Census Day. Normally, from May through July, hundreds of thousands of census workers comb the streets to collect data from households that failed to respond by mail. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, these operations will be delayed. In 2010, only 68 percent of forms were received by April 16 [source: Roberts]. In the end, 74 percent responded by mail. The Census Bureau will also conduct special operations to count people with no fixed address or who live in dormitories, nursing homes, prisons, shelters, trailer parks, transient housing and other group or nonstandard housing. From July through December, the Census Bureau will crunch numbers to accurately record and analyze the new population data. By Dec. 31, 2020, the bureau is required by law to report the new Congressional apportionment numbers to the president. The bureau will have until April 1, 2021, to provide each state with detailed redistricting data [source: U.S. Census Bureau]. Both of these dates could be pushed back depending on the severity of the delays due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Census and the Question of Citizenship On June 27, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to blocked the question of citizenship on the 2020 Census. The question would have asked whether the respondent was a citizen or not. The Court did not have to decide on the validity of the question, but whether Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who oversees the census, followed proper procedures when he decided to include it [source: Valverde]. The Trump administration claimed the citizenship question was necessary to comply with federal voting rights law. Opponents disagreed and said the Voting Rights Act has been enforced for the last 50 years without a citizenship question and that asking it would lead to less participation in the census for people in immigrant communities, which could mean less government funding and representation in those areas. Writing for a 5-4 majority, Chief Justice John Roberts concluded that there was sufficient reason for concern about why the Commerce Department wanted to add the question and that the Voting Rights Act explanation seemed to be "contrived." " " Could an old-school radio really still be a viable spy tool? Yep. RedmarkAgency/iStock/Thinkstock In an age when computers and the Internet rule communications, it could be that old-fashioned radios are the true tools of the New World Order. That's because if you want to collaborate with other governments to oppress the masses, it's best not to leave a digitized trail -- you never know when an Edward Snowden might unravel your conspiracy. So instead, you'd send indecipherable details of your fiendish plots via numbers stations. Since World War II, so-called numbers stations have been transmitting coded messages via shortwave radio antennas. These transmissions are eerie and weird to casual listeners, nonsensical and puzzling to cryptographers ... and to the right set of ears, may contain information that changes the course of history. Advertisement But let's not get ahead of ourselves. At their most basic, numbers stations are simply shortwave radio transmitters, generally operating between 3,000 and 30,000 kilohertz. They're located in many, many countries, but no one knows just how numerous they are. They often transmit strings of numbers or numbers intoned by a computerized-sounding voice. Others send broadcasts via Morse code or they just emit various types of noise. Some stations have been airing their signals for decades, and hit their peaks during the Cold War. Many have gone quiet since the Berlin Wall fell. Untold others continue filling the airwaves -- yet for what purpose, few know. And those that do know? They aren't talking. You could try backtracking through a paper trail to see who operates numbers stations. But unlike most transmitters, they aren't licensed to broadcast, so you won't find any record of them in government documents. They are essentially pirate stations (meaning they operate unlicensed and illegally) but no government agency shuts them down. That's because the government most likely operates them. Of course, no organization or government officially accepts responsibility for numbers stations. They are strictly off the record. A lot of journalists have tried to untangle the mystery of numbers stations. They've found enough information that we can safely guess the purpose of these transmitters: espionage. Keep reading and you'll see why old-school numbers stations might be the greatest spy tool ever, even in the age of the Internet and satellite phones. Courtesy : PCOO President Rodrigo Roa Duterte disembarks from the plane upon his arrival in Davao City on Saturday, April 27, 2019, after a productive visit to the Peoples Republic of China. With the President is his daughter Veronica. MANILA, Philippines The highly successful fourth official visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to China has yielded 19 signed business agreements on investments, Malacanang announced on Sunday. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Dutertes latest trip to Beijing paved the way for the signing of $12.16 billion estimated worth of business deals which will generate more than 21,000 jobs for Filipinos. These agreements include investments in energy, infrastructure, tourism, internet connectivity, agriculture, and training of Filipinos working in China, among others. As PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte) noted, the Peoples Republic of China is the largest trading partner and a major source of foreign investments of the Philippines, Panelo said in a statement. Duterte assured prospective foreign investors that the Philippine government will create an enabling environment for their investments to prosper. Duterte and his delegation attended the second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing last week. The President also held separate bilateral meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Kequiang. Panelo said the bilateral talks, described as productive and fruitful, yielded a one billion Renminbi grant to the Philippines. The President also affirmed during the bilateral talks the countrys commitment to friendship and understanding with China. He expressed the countrys readiness to pursue more high-quality and good impact projects, Panelo said. On the territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), Duterte reiterated to China his resolve to make it a sea of peace, prosperity and stability, and address the issue through bilateral talks. He also expounded the need for both countries to exercise restraint and caution to avoid actions that could complicate situations. READ: Duterte, Xi agree to resolve sea dispute through bilateral talks Panelo also assured Filipinos that Duterte is chartering an independent foreign policy to a new height of diplomatic relations with other nations. He said this will be solely based on the countrys national security and interest and towards a direction that will contribute to national development and the realization of the aspiration to attain economic progress and comfortable life. Robie de Guzman (with details from Rosalie Coz) The post 19 deals signed during Dutertes highly successful trip to China Palace appeared first on UNTV News. MANILA, Philippines The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) said on Monday it is currently looking into Cebu Pacifics cancellation of more than 40 flights since Sunday (April 28). CAB executive director Atty. Carmelo Arcilla said they are probing the factors and circumstances that led to the cancellations. We are now in the process of evaluating the incident and determine the circumstances that led to this, Arcilla said. Cebu Pacific earlier announced in an advisory that dozens of their flights have been canceled from April 28 to 30 because of limited operational conditions, particularly in their Manila hub in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). READ: Several flights in Cebu Pacific cancelled Cebu Pacific spokesperson Charo Logarta-Lagamon told UNTV News and Rescue in an interview that they are facing operational limitations due to different factors, including several damaged aircraft and heavy traffic that prevented flights from taking off and landing on time. Lagamon added that three of their aircraft were damaged due to bird strikes. The temporary reduction of flights, she said, is necessary to minimize the disruption and to restore the network route to its normal state. Yung ruta na tinatahak ng bawat eroplano and because it affects yung nga ruta yung nga timing yung nga schedule nabubulunan ang aming network, she said. Wala kaming ibang choice, masakit man sa aming kalooban we have to pulldown those flights para hindi na lumaki pa at lumala pa yung problema ng malawakang mga delay at cancellations, she added. At least 9,000 passengers are affected by flight cancellations based on Cebu Pacifics estimate. The airline management has apologized for the inconvenience caused by the cancellations, and assured it is extending every possible help to passengers. Affected travelers may rebook flights within 30 days from the original flight schedule, free of charge; get a full refund or place the full cost of the ticket in a travel fund. Story continues Passengers may also re-route to and from alternate airports for travel within 30 days, subject to availability of seats. Meanwhile, aside from Cebu Pacific, the CAB is also monitoring other airlines that also sought permission to cancel flights. These include Skyjet, Philippine Airlines, and Air Asia. Robie de Guzman (with reports from Joan Nano) The post CAB looks into Cebu Pacific flight cancellations appeared first on UNTV News. NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) Hundreds of people turned up for a protest vigil outside Cyprus' presidential palace Friday to mourn seven women and girls who police say a military officer confessed to killing and to question if authorities failed to adequately investigate when foreign workers were reported missing. The protest's organizer used a bullhorn to read out the victims' names as well as those of other missing women, and others at the memorial shouted "Where are they?" in response. Some participants held placards decrying "sexist, misogynist and racist" attitudes about women who work as housekeepers or in low-paying service jobs. In a poignant moment, a group of tearful Filipino women held lighted candles and bowed their heads in prayer for the three women and one child of Filipino descent who are believed to be among the victims. A 35-year-old Cypriot National Guard captain is in custody facing multiple homicide charges. "I felt obliged to do something for these women, all the missing women, all the killed women," protest organizer Maria Mappouridou said. "I think deep down, all that we want, what everybody wants, is justice." Federation of Filipino Organizations in Cyprus chair Ester Beatty said she hoped the event, and the tragedy of the deaths, raise public awareness about migrant workers. "Right now, it's really difficult for us to accept what has happened, what is going on. Beatty said. "We still need a lot of answers." Beatty's group held a silent prayer vigil last Sunday, a week after the discovery of a Filipino woman's body in an abandoned mineshaft triggered the investigation that led to the captain's arrest. Police identified her as Mary Rose Tiburcio, 38. Tiburcio and her 6-year-old daughter had been missing since May of last year. Investigators zeroed in on the captain as a suspect and arrested him after scouring Tiburcio's online messages. Story continues While investigating her death and searching for Tiburcio's daughter, police found another body in the flooded mineshaft 32 kilometers (20 miles) west of the capital, Nicosia. Cypriot media have identified the victim as 28-year-old Arian Palanas Lozano, also from the Philippines. Investigators now think the missing 6-year-old was killed, too. On Thursday, the suspect told them while under questioning about four more victims and gave directions to a military firing range. The body of a woman, who according to the suspect was of Nepalese or Indian descent, was found buried there. From the suspect's statements and information from the investigation, Cypriot police think the other three victims they know about so far are a 31-year-old Filipino woman who has been missing since December 2017, Maricar Valtez Arquiola, and a Romanian mother and daughter. Cypriot media identified the mother as Livia Florentina Bunea, 36, and her 8-year-old daughter as Elena Natalia Bunea. The two are believed to have been missing since September 2016. Police said the suspect will appear in court Saturday for another custody hearing. He can't be named because he hasn't been charged with any crimes yet. The scale of the ones he allegedly committed has horrified people in Cyprus, a small nation with a population of just over a million people where multiple slayings are rare. President Nicos Anastasiades said Friday that he shared the public's revulsion at "murders that appear to have selectively targeted foreign women who are in our country to work." "Such instincts are contrary to our culture's traditions and values," Anastasiades said in a statement from China, where he was on an official visit. Cyprus police have faced criticism from immigrant rights activists who said they didn't act quickly enough to locate the victims. The country has 80 unsolved missing person cases, going back to 1990. Police chief Zacharias Chrysostomou said a three-member panel has been assigned to review whether officers followed correct protocols in their handling of recent cases. As the president spoke, investigators intensified the search for bodies of victims at the firing range, a reservoir and a man-made lake near the abandoned copper pyrite mine. Five British law enforcement officials including a coroner, a psychiatrist and investigators who specialize in multiple homicides were coming to Cyprus to help with the investigation. On Friday, police spokesman Andreas Angelides again defended how the force dealt with missing person reports. He said investigations would have been more effective if lawmakers had taken the department's recommendation to give law enforcement agencies legal authority to access a missing person's personal data, telephone records and emails. A former lieutenant colonel at the British Army has admitted at a London court that he paid to watch and even direct Filipino children as they were being sexually assaulted over live streaming, various United Kingdom-based media reported last night (Manila time). Andrew Whiddet, 70 years old, pleaded guilty to six charges of child sexual abuse at the Croydon Crown Court, reported Birmingham Live. After he was arrested at Heathrow Airport in October 2017, Whiddet confessed to authorities that he sent 158 payments to the Philippines in exchange for watching and directing live sex shows. In one instance, Whiddet allegedly encouraged a nine-year-old Filipino girl and another under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity on cam, reported the BBC. Prior to visiting the Philippines in October 2016, Whiddet was found to have allegedly made a 25-minute phone conversation with a Filipina contact and told her that he wanted to sexually abuse the child whom she was grooming once he visits the country, according to the U.K.s anti-crime government office National Crime Agency (NCA). He allegedly told the woman to teach the Filipino child about sex and even quipped during the phone call: Yes, darling, need to open her (childs) mind. The NCA said they were able to prove that Whiddet allegedly paid the Filipino woman on the phone a total of UK8,584 (US$11,075) for facilitating his meeting with the child. The NCA also said they found messages which Whiddet allegedly sent to his Philippine contacts. One of the messages said, If I visit would you let me see [your] daughter, while another went, If I visit what [would] you allow me to do. The NCA said they have sent the information they have about Whiddetts activities to Filipino authorities, who have arrested one of his contacts. This led to the rescue of six children aged between three and 14. Whiddett allegedly began his illegal activities after he left his job as the head of security of the British Embassy in Baghdad, reported Metro. He is currently out on bail and will be sentenced on May 22. This article, Former British soldier admits he paid money to watch Filipino children sexually assaulted online, originally appeared on Coconuts, Asia's leading alternative media company. Want more Coconuts? Sign up for our newsletters! A father and daughter enjoy a free meal at a feeding program MANILA, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is set to sign an executive order (EO) seeking to establish a Zero Hunger Task Force, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Monday (April 29). An executive order creating the Zero Hunger task force is expected to be signed by President Duterte anytime soon, Nograles said in a statement. The creation of an inter-agency task force, which will roll out policies aimed at eradicating hunger by 2030, is part of the governments commitment to supporting the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN), Nograles said. Weve set a lofty aim of reducing hunger by 25 percent every two and a half years and we have identified a little more than 30 provinces to focus on, he said. Nograles made the remark after members of the UN Country Team visited Malacanang last April 25. The body encompasses all the entities of the UN system which carry out operational activities for development, emergency, recovery and transition in host countries. We specifically discussed the administrations ongoing initiatives in the field of food security, green economy and peace, highlighting the impending creation of a Zero Hunger Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), the goal of which is to eradicate hunger in the country by 2030, laying down a sustainable and effective national environmental policy, as well as pushing the peace process in Mindanao forward with the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) the Cabinet official noted. Nograles added that the meeting focused on exploring common alignments between domestic Philippine policy and overall UN objectives. The UN has likewise targeted zero hunger as a key goal, stressing better access to food and the widespread promotion of sustainable agriculture, he said. According to the international body, the task entails improving the productivity and incomes of small-scale farmers by promoting equal access to land, technology and markets, sustainable food production systems and resilient agricultural practices. It also requires increased investments through international cooperation to bolster the productive capacity of agriculture in developing countries. Story continues For his part, the Cabinet Secretary noted the commonalities of synergies during the gathering, which is not surprising. We just need more discussions and further explorations on how to best use our resources and make the greatest impact in achieving our shared goals, Nograles emphasized. He also noted that the Philippines is ready to collaborate on programs that are essential to improving living conditions and quality of life while working to preserve the environment at the same time. Robie de Guzman (with details from Rosalie Coz) The post Malacanang: EO creating Zero Hunger task force out soon appeared first on UNTV News. MALACANANG clarified Monday, April 29, that the rehabilitation efforts continue in war-torn Marawi City in Lanao del Sur province, although businessmen should not expect government assistance and rebuild MALACANANG clarified Monday, April 29, that the rehabilitation efforts continue in war-torn Marawi City in Lanao del Sur province, although businessmen should not expect government assistance and rebuild their destroyed buildings themselves. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte's administration remains bent on helping Marawi residents recover from the devastation brought about by the five-month battle between the Philippine troops and Maute terror group in 2017. Panelo made the clarification, saying that the President was merely misunderstood when the public thought the current administration would leave the rehabilitation and rebuilding of Marawi in the hands of rich businessmen in the war-ravaged city. On April 25, Duterte said he would let businessmen spend for the restoration of Marawi City, as he stressed that his government has already provided "sturdy" housing units to the displaced residents. In a press conference with Palace reporters, Panelo said the President was only stressing that rich businessmen who can afford to rehabilitate their business facilities are government's least priority as it continues to rebuild the conflict-torn city. "Hindi niyo naintindihan 'yung Presidente noon. Ang sinasabi niya, hindi ba nasira 'yung mga negosyanteng -- 'yung mga buildings nila doon. Dapat, ang sabi niya, gumastos kayo diyan. Hindi naman pwedeng kami lang ang gagastos diyan. Uunahin namin siyempre 'yung mga taumbayan, hindi 'yung inyo," the Palace official clarified. (You did not understand the President. What he meant was he would let businessmen spend their own money to rebuild their firms. The government cannot spend the public funds for them. Of course, the public is our utmost priority, not them.) "You have to spend also for that. You cannot rely on us on that. You have to help us kasi ang (because the) priority would be the people there, hindi 'yung negosyong nasira nung mga businessman kasi may mga pera naman sila (not your businesses ruined by the war since they have money)," he added. Story continues Maute extremists inspired by the Islamic State laid siege to Marawi City on May 23, 2017. The armed conflict lasted for five months, destroying many buildings in the southern city and leaving hundreds of thousands residents displaced. To date, portions of Marawi City remain inaccessible to residents, even though the government's rehabilitation program broke ground in October 2018, a year after the end of the siege. At an April 25 situation briefing in Pampanga following the recent powerful quake, Duterte said: "I don't think I should be spending for their buildings." "Marami man iyang pera 'yang mga tao diyan (Many people there have money). Every Maranao, there is a businessman. Kasali na 'yang shabu. May pera sila (Some are involved in illegal drug trade. They have money). The debate there is whether I would be also building the same kind that they lost. I don't think I am ready for that," he added. Panelo said the business sector in Marawi City, except the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), should understand that the government needs to prioritize the poor residents in the besieged city. "I'm sure the President will help them (MSMEs). Siguro, sinasabi niya lang ang priority para hindi umasa kasi baka naman umaasa sila agad na pati gobyerno, itatayo 'yung building nilang nasira (Perhaps, the President is merely telling them about his priority so businessmen would not rely on government when it comes to rebuilding theie business firms)," he said. "Ang sabi ni Presidente, dapat kayo ang gumawa ng diskarte niyo diyan kasi ang priority namin, 'yung mga tao sa Marawi muna, 'yung mga bahay nila, 'yung mga nasaktan sa kanila, 'yung mga survivors nila. Pero kayo, dahil kayo naman ay mga negosyante, may mga pera naman kayo, tulungan nyo ang sarili niyo muna. Sa ngayon, sila muna. 'Yun ang sinasabi ni Presidente. Later siguro kung hindi mo kaya, eh 'di mag-loan ka sa gobyerno," he added. (What the President said was have your own strategy because our priority is the Marawi residents, their homes, those who are injured and the survivors. But tho businessmen, since they have the money, they can provide. For now, let them spend their own money. That's what the President is saying. If you can't do it later on, you can request for a government loan.) (SunStar Philippines) MANILA, Philippines The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cybercrime Division assured that the automated election system (AES) in the upcoming May 13 has safeguards against hacking. The agency said the data in the system is digitally encrypted which cannot be easily accessed. It is very safe system, considering na wala talagang actual incident na naimbestigahan ng NBI involving hacking or breach doon sa election system, explained NBI Cybercrime Division Chief Atty. Vic Lorenzo. However, Lorenzo said some problems may still be inevitable such as disruptions in the operations of the vote counting machines thats why the agency has prepared measures for troubleshooting. There is also NBI personnel deployed in different regions to ensure smooth conduct of the elections in May. Kahit na hindi deputized ang NBI ng Comelec, we are mandated to implement the law kapag may hacking incidents, because its a criminal offense. Its a violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Kapag may hacking talaga, we will respond and we will investigate, Lorenzo added. To date, the NBI has not received any report of hacking in connection with the AES. Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said the AES will be independent of any other network connections on the day of the elections from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm and any attempt to manipulate the system will be detected promptly. The only time it is connected to the network is when it transmits the election results, yung transmission na yan is a very, very quick process, Comelec Director James Jimenez said. The data pocket being transmitted is encrypted. Its encrypted with an encryption strength that is basically at par with online financial transactions which means its safe as money, he added. Despite assurance from the local code reviewers of the security of the AES, Comelec will remain on guard to maintain the integrity of the AES. Jimenez noted that compared to the previous polls, the participation of tech provider Smartmatic will be lesser this year as they are limited only to providing technical support. Marje Pelayo (with details from April Cenedoza) The post NBI assures safeguards against hacking of automated election system appeared first on UNTV News. MANILA, Philippines Malacanang clarified on Monday that President Rodrigo Dutertes threat to wage war against Canada over the garbage shipped to the Philippines was just a figure of speech. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the statement after Duterte issued a stern warning against Canada if it fails to take back their garbage that was shipped to the country nearly six years ago. During a Palace press briefing, Panelo said the President was not serious in engaging Canada in war, but emphasized that Duterte was serious in sending the trash back. The Palace official added that Duterte was just expressing his anger over Canadian governments inaction on the waste issue. No, bakit naman irresponsible eh apat na taon mong tinapon yung basura sa bansa natin, hindi ka magsasalita ng ganoon? Thats an expression of outrage, couched in a very strong term, he said. Last week, Duterte said he wanted the trash shipload from Canada be returned to its shores, even raising the possibility of going to war against the North American country. The President was referring to the more than 100 containers of mixed waste shipment that arrived in Manila in batches from 2013 to 2014. The instruction is kunin nila. Kung hindi niyo kukunin, kami ang mag-babalik sa inyo, Panelo said. Following Dutertes strong remarks, Canada in a statement reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Philippine government to ensure the material is processed in an environmentally responsible way. READ: Canada vows to resolve trash dumping issue after Dutertes war threat The embassy added that the relationship between the two countries is built on strong people to people ties, common interest in strengthening political, economic and cultural relations, and in mutual commitment to peace and is highly valued as the two countries celebrate their 70 years of diplomatic relations this year. During his visit to the Philippines to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in 2017, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau vowed to cooperate with the Philippine government in resolving the offending shipment. Trudeau, however, said the Philippines and Canadian governments need to settle issues including who will pay for the shipment of the illegal trash to the country. Robie de Guzman (with reports from Rosalie Coz) The post Palace: Dutertes war threat vs Canada just a figure of speech appeared first on UNTV News. AS THE conversation drifted off to food, he excused himself to show something he retrieved from the kitchen: a dessert that hes been busy making for a much-awaited food promotion. To the untrained eye, AS THE conversation drifted off to food, he excused himself to show something he retrieved from the kitchen: a dessert that hes been busy making for a much-awaited food promotion. To the untrained eye, its absolute perfection. For chef Tristan Encarnacion, it needed more work. He shared that it wasnt his fortewhich proved even more impressive. But beyond the thoroughness and eagerness to learn, is his passion for the craft. Guests can look forward to an experiential culinary journey with him as Waterfront Airport Hotel & Casino Mactans executive chef, a role he has assumed since January this year. Encarnacion expresses himself through his creations, letting his dishes speak for themselves, served at a place where he considers his second life, surrounded by people whom he calls his family. After a series of product endorsements, consultancy projects and TV stints in Manila, the notable chef found his way to Cebu City, taking on the challenge as executive sous chef in Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, then eventually his current positionall in less than three years since being part of Waterfront Philippines Inc. This is an accomplishment that, he considers, would not have been possible without the faith and trust the company has placed on him. Not just that. Its more than that. Even now, I get shy when people say executive chef. This will never happen without my team. I learn a lot from my staff and from the different departments, said Chef Encarnacion. Its more of the joy they give me, the positive feeling that fuels me and the challenge that I look forward to. He shared that hes always excited when theres an upcoming food promotion or event happening, as theres room for creativity and added knowledge. He always makes it a point to be as present: overseeing the shifts, paying close attention to the details and being every bit the gracious host. Much like a balancing act, hes a meticulous chef but approaches everything with a childlike sense of wonder; always upbeat when hes whipping up something. Story continues When asked about his personal projects or goals, he shared that he wishes to continuously promote Filipino food. As an executive chef in a hotel adjacent to the airport, that goal gets easier to achieve. What we want is for someone who is traveling or going back to his family, to bring something that he can share and cherish with his family. You have to be proud of your heritage, he said. He shared that he often gets inspired from his peers and staff when creating a dish. More than that, his dishes are made with tales of his life story in art formthe edible form. Theres a story behind every dish I make. Its something everyone can relate to. It becomes unique because of where it came from. I pattern it to what I went through, shared the chef, recalling some hardships he experienced from his career setback that went on for a year; moments when he would question his current state to the point where almost every opportunity seemed to fade until Waterfront came into the picturea second chance at redemption. I went through a lot and now, I found what is really meant for me, he said, explaining that through all that, hes not shy on telling his story emphasizing that being a chef isnt an overnight success. His experiences aided him in getting to where he is now, taking the good with the bad. I dont just consider this a full-time job, I consider this a family because of what the companyowners, peers, staffdid for me. Waterfront gave me a second chance. THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has removed over 650,000 campaign materials all over Metro Manila.NCRPO Director Major General Guillermo Eleazar urged the candidates to also do their IT WAS a lopsided match if the competition organized by CNN Philippines last Saturday (April 27) was a clash of teams from political parties. The candidates endorsed by President Dutertes PDP-Laban and his daughter Mayor Sarah Duterte-Carpios Hugpong ng Pagbabago were outgunned in number and fire power. Many of the ruling party heavyweights though chose not to attend the CNN senatorial debate. Only 11 of 62 aspirants for the Senate showed up and seven of them were known administration critics. But the six Otso Diretso senator wannabes and one independent bet who took part showed skills that must have made many voters wish they occupied the Magic 12 in voter surveys. On the most hotly argued topic of China loans being a death trap, the ruling partys stand was badly beaten up, with the likes of Bato de la Rosa and Raffy Alunan putting up a feeble defense. Discouraging prospects But how would deserving senatoriables such as Chel Diokno and Erin Tanada fare in the polling places on election day? The prospects are not high. Theres the dispiriting effect of those surveys that seem to have converted Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations into powerful, all-knowing arbiters of public mood. Although we know they merely gauge voter sentiment during a given period, which could change on election day, it must annoy candidates that their fates are being sealed long before election day, on the basis of a sampling of 1,800 adult representatives, out of 61.8 million registered voters. And some depressing facts of election history, ticked off by election historians and cited in stories forecasting the May 13 election, including two from ABS-CBN News and Rappler. Odds against newbies Consider the odds against newcomers: Since 1995, newbies who managed to get into the 24-member Senate ranged from two to eight: two in 2010, five in 1998, 2007 and 2016, six in 2013, seven in 1995 and 2001, and eight in 2004. And the latest survey for the 2019 batch include no newcomer from the opposition. And only reelectionist Bam Auqino and returnees Mar Roxas and Serge Osmena barged into the circle of 16 to 17 who have statistical chance of winning. Story continues Since 1987 when 22 out of 24 bets endorsed by then president Cory Aquino and her Lakas ng Bayan party won, the trend has been this: a popular president gets more would-be senators elected In 1995, Fidel V. Ramoss Lakas-Laban had nine out of 12 seats,. In 2001, Gloria Macapagal Arroyos People Power Coalition won eight of 13 seats. It was in 2004 and 2007 that GMAs party won only two of 12 seats, reflecting on her unpopularity at the time. In 2013, Team PNoy won nine out of 12 seats. Popular presidents All that affirms a fact of recent history: a popular president gets most of the Senate seats. Which is not good for the Otso Diretso candidates. The critics can win a debate hands down but may not beat the odds against them: lack of voters awareness of their name and person, compared to incumbents, reelectionists and returnees; the surveys that highlight their poor chances, and the magic of a popular president. The Duterte factor in 2019, like the Cory magic in 1987, could work. The raising of hands of candidates, in both local and national fights, by both the president and his daughter even seem to double the administration thrust to control the Senate and most of the local governments. The opposition though appears not to have lost the will to push on. It pins hopes on the voters not behaving as they did in the recent past. A leading shipping agent and a Chinese captain were on Monday fined a total of HK$99,000 (US$12,600) and the latter given a suspended jail term for bringing nine Singaporean military vehicles into Hong Kong without a proper licence nearly three years ago. APL was ordered to pay HK$90,000 and shipmaster Pan Xuejun HK$9,000 after they were convicted at the District Court of breaching Hong Kongs Import and Export Ordinance. Pan was also handed a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. APL is a sister company of leading cargo firm American President Lines, which is headquartered in Singapore. While their lawyers argued during the trial that they were completely unaware of the military vehicles on board the vessel they were involved in running, Judge Stanley Chan Kwong-chi refused to accept their explanation. It could not be stored in a normal container, but a flat rack container, Chan said, stressing the size of the armoured vehicles. While there was a piece of large canvas placed on top of them as a cover, the tyres could still be seen which could not be covered entirely, Chan said, concluding it was not possible to have missed them. The fact the receiver was the defence ministry of Singapore and the sender Taiwan also indicated the nature of the cargo, the judge added, before handing down his verdict. The dispute surrounding the nine Terrex troop carriers threw Hong Kong and the Lion City into a rare diplomatic tussle in 2016, after the armoured vehicles were found on Hong Kongs shores without the required licence. City officials found them aboard the container ship APL Qatar in November that year, three days after they left Kaohsiung, Taiwan, following a military training exercise. None of the vehicles had been granted a licence issued by the director general of trade and industry allowing for the import of strategic commodities, for which the prosecutors said Singapore-based APL and Pan should be found liable. Story continues During the 15-day trial, which started in October last year, both the firm and the shipmaster pleaded not guilty to importing strategic commodities without the necessary licence. In particular, defence counsel Joseph Tse Wah-yuen SC, for APL, which is a locally registered non-Hong Kong company, contested that his client was only a shipping agent in charge of filing documents. Its sister company American President Lines was the actual carrier, he said. But the judge disagreed. APL, as the shipping operation agent, acted as the representative of American President Lines to cause the vehicle to be imported into Hong Kong, he said. Pans barrister, Olivia Tsang, argued that just like a pilot, Pan should not be held liable for all the goods on board. Chan rejected these assertions, saying Pan could not blame it on his subordinates or the shipping agent. The judge said Pan was by no means just a rubber stamp. As a captain, he was answerable to the Hong Kong authorities for the goods he was shipping. Prosecutor Robert Pang Yiu-hung SC earlier told the court that APL Qatar had docked at Kwai Chung Container Port on November 23. Upon inspection, he said, customs officers found a roofless container roughly eight metres long, three metres wide and four metres tall, wrapped in a metal chain and rope. It was later proven to contain one of the Terrex vehicles, which were amphibious, carried tear gas launchers and could withstand anti-personnel mines. Five more were found on the same deck, while three others were in storage spaces lower down. While they were of military grade, a form which APL staff showed to officers described them only as vehicles, according to Pang. The cars, worth a total of HK$136.6 million, were impounded at the River Trade Terminal in Tuen Mun before being returned to the Singaporean government on January 26, 2017. In mitigation on Monday, Tse called the incident an exceptional case and said APL had not attempted to deceive local authorities in any way. Tsang meanwhile painted her client Pan in a good light, recounting how the father of two had climbed the career ladder from a trainee to captain. He was also the sole breadwinner in his family, she said. The judge said he had given Pan a lenient sentence. A spokesman for the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department said it welcomed the verdict. It assures our commitment to comply with the international standards of the strategic trade control and that a robust control system is in place for the purpose, he said. More from South China Morning Post: This article Shipping agent APL and Chinese captain fined HK$99,000 over Singaporean Terrex armoured troop carriers impounded in Hong Kong first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2019. A diver, left, and an Investigator hold a suitcase found in a man-made lake, near the village of Mitsero outside of the capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Sunday, April 28, 2019. A travel suitcase containing the decomposing remains of an adult woman and a concrete block was retrieved from the bottom of a man-made lake, the chief of Cyprus Criminal Investigation Department said Sunday. The woman is believed to be one of the victims of a Cypriot military officer who has confessed to killing seven foreign women and girls. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) MITSERO, Cyprus (AP) Cypriot investigators hunting for victims of a suspected serial killer retrieved a suitcase containing the decomposing remains of a woman from the bottom of a man-made lake Sunday. The body is believed to be that of one of the victims of a Cypriot military officer who has confessed to killing seven foreign women and girls. The suitcase was weighed down by a concrete block, the chief of Cyprus' Criminal Investigation Department said. Senior Inspector Neophytos Shailos said a coroner who examined the body at the scene said it was in an advanced stage of decomposition. He said a battery of tests and scientific examinations will be conducted to determine the woman's identity. Authorities focused their search on the lake about 32 kilometers (20 miles) west of the capital, Nicosia, after the suspect a 35-year-old army captain told investigators that he put the bodies of three of his victims into suitcases and threw them into the toxic lake, part of a now-defunct copper pyrite mine. Those victims are believed to be Maricar Valtez Arquiola, 31, from the Philippines; Florentina Bunea, 36, from Romania; and Bunea's 8-year-old daughter, Elena Natalia. Arquiola has been missing since December 2017, while the mother and daughter vanished in September 2016. Shailos said a coroner who carried out a preliminary examination at the scene determined that the body is of an adult female. The retrieved suitcase is one of two that were located in the lake Saturday. Shailos said authorities won't retrieve the second one immediately, but will continue scouring the lake for the third suitcase. The development is the latest in a rapidly unfolding case that has shocked Cypriots who fear a serial killer has been preying on foreign women who came to work in the east Mediterranean island nation. The case came to light with the April 14 discovery of the bound body of 38-year-old Mary Rose Tiburcio, from the Philippines, down a flooded shaft near the lake. Story continues The discovery triggered a homicide investigation that led to the captain's arrest before a second woman's body thought to be that of 28-year-old Arian Palanas Lozano, also from the Philippines was found in the mineshaft on April 20. Police said the suspect admitted killing them both and they believe that he also killed Tiburcio's 6-year-old daughter, Sierra, who remains missing. The scope of the case expanded when the suspect confessed Thursday to killing a total of five women and two of their daughters. The suspect, who hasn't been named because he has not been charged yet, also led investigators to a military firing range where the decomposed remains of a woman were discovered down a pit. Officials said the remains could be those of Ashita Khadka Bista, from Nepal. Police initially tracked down the suspect through Tiburcio's computer messages on a dating site. Investigators said the two had had a six-month relationship before Tiburcio and her daughter disappeared in May 2018. A court heard that Tiburcio's roommate had pleaded with her not to take along her daughter to a pre-arranged rendezvous with the suspect on the night of her disappearance. But Tiburcio said the suspect insisted that she bring her daughter along so that the child could play with his two small children. He faces charges including premeditated murder and kidnapping for alleged crimes dating back to Sept. 30, 2016. Police Chief Zacharias Chrysostomou has ordered an internal probe to determine whether investigators had failed to properly investigate the women's disappearances, amid public criticism that authorities did little to search for the women when they were reported missing. ___ Menelaos Hadjicostis reported from Nicosia, Cyprus. The initiative to visit church and temples promoted by the NGO Global Unity Network. The president: "Compassion and closeness even when non-Muslims die". The delegation holds a meeting on dialogue with the parish priest of St. Joseph. For almost 20 years the group has offered itself as a tool to expose Muslims to other faiths. Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) A group of Muslim activists for dialogue yesterday visited a Hindu temple, a Catholic church and a place of Buddhist worship, to show solidarity with the victims of the terrorist attacks, which struck on 21 April Sri Lanka. Claimed by the Islamic State (IS), 253 people lost their lives and over 500 were seriously injured in the attacks against three churches and as many hotels. Led by President Shah Kirit Kakulal Govindji, a 22-member delegation from the Global Unity Network NGO began a round of visits from Sri Maha Kaliamman, a Hindu temple located in the village of Kampung Kasipillay. Later the group arrived at the parish of St. Joseph in Sentul (photo 1), district of Kuala Lumpur. Activists finally visited the Sri Jayanti Buddhist temple in the same area of the capital. "In Christchurch, when people of Islamic faith were killed, non-Muslims showed us their solidarity. Following the attacks in Colombo, where Christians were murdered, we Muslims also need to show our closeness. We must not manifest compassion and solidarity only when Muslims die. We must express concern if even a non-Muslim is killed. We need to be fair to everyone," says Shah Kirit to the Malaysian newspaper The Star. At the church of St. Joseph, the delegation attended mass (photo 2). At the end of the function, the group - composed of students and professionals - held a meeting with the parish priest, Fr. George Packiasamy. "We have an excellent relationship with the church," the president said, adding that this is his fourth visit to the local Catholic community. The NGO has been engaged in interreligious dialogue for almost 20 years and offers itself as a tool to expose Muslims to other religions. "Malaysia - explains Shah Kirit - is a multi-racial and multi-religious country, so it is very important that we understand each other well". The activist believes that today many problems in the world stem from prejudices, presumptions and misconceptions about other religions or ethnic groups. "The best way to remove all this is to learn from each other. That's why we must teach Muslims to learn about other religions," he concludes. More than 50 Amazon employees from as far afield as Egypt, Brazil and Pakistan gathered in Berlin on Monday Amazon worker representatives from 15 countries met in Berlin on Monday to coordinate their strategy against one of the world's most powerful companies, after years of individually battling against its often-criticised employment practices. Alfred Bujara of Amazon Poland proudly showed off images from his latest campaign to a German colleague, urging their employer to "stop the rat race". "Conditions are bad around the world, but in Poland they're worse," said Bujara, a member of the Solidarnosc union. Workers' movements are tracked "down to the second" and "if they can't cope, then they're fired," he complained. More than 50 representatives from as far afield as Egypt, Brazil and Pakistan, as well as neighbouring Italy, Poland and France, gathered in the German capital in a closed-door summit set to last into Tuesday. The aim: to compare notes on working conditions in Amazon's logistics centres around the world, the engine rooms that speed wares from the so-called "everything store" to customers' homes. Seattle-based Amazon boasts around 800 such depots worldwide and regularly opens new ones. Sharing information "We're sharing information about the different rules and regulations, then we can use those in the negotiations," Bujara said ahead of a "family photo" in the Berlin rain, fist raised alongside his colleagues from abroad. "We learn that we're not alone, that we're facing some of the same challenges everywhere in the world," said Christy Hoffman, secretary-general of the international UNI Global Union. As well as Amazon Logistics' machine-like demands and fine-grained surveillance of employees, workers complain of low salaries and are demanding collective bargaining agreements, or at least a more orderly form of dialogue with management. "We reject the allegations raised by the trade union (UNI)," Amazon Germany responded in a statement. "Amazon proves every day that you can be a fair and responsible employer without a collective bargaining agreement." European unions have struggled since 2013 to secure recognition from Amazon bosses, picking key days for online shopping like "Prime Day" or "Black Friday" to throttle package deliveries and draw public attention to their working conditions. In 2018, industrial action reached a new height as around 50 strikes were organised around Europe and, in a rare show of cross-border solidarity, some were coordinated to hit simultaneously in several countries. "If we coordinate amongst ourselves, France, Italy, Spain, then Amazon reacts. If there's a struggle, Amazon agrees to talks," said Stefanie Nutzenberger of German service workers' union Verdi. First steps But the cross-border movement is still in its infancy outside of Europe. "In South America, we're in totally unknown territory. They've just opened an operations centre in Brazil and the employees there are not at all prepared," said Henry Oliveira, a union representative from Uruguay. Many Amazon workers used the social media hashtag #wearenotrobots in November as a rallying cry for their campaign against the giant. More in-depth exchanges are going on informally and under the company's radar in private messages, British UNI member Matthew Painter told AFP. It could be some time before a global strike along the same lines as the Europe-wide actions seen last year. "That would be hard given how different legislation is across countries," Painter acknowledged. Nevertheless, "we're preparing for other conflicts and they will extend beyond our borders," German rep Nutzenberger said. Explore further Amazon employees strike in Spain and Germany (Update) 2019 AFP Violet pigment produced by microorganisms found in the environment, such as Chromobacterium violaceum, displays various biological activities. Credit: CDC / Wikimedia Commons In an article published in the journal ACS Infectious Diseases, Brazilian researchers describe the bactericidal action mechanism of violacein, a violet pigment produced by environmental bacteria, especially Chromobacterium violaceum. According to the authors of the study, the substance targets the cytoplasmic membrane of bacteria, mainly affecting gram-positive bacteria such as those of the genera Streptococcus, Enterococcus and Listeria. Its various biological activities include the capacity to kill even bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics. The investigation was conducted with support from Sao Paulo Research FoundationFAPESP by the research groups led by Frederico Gueiros-Filho at the University of Sao Paulo's Chemistry Institute (IQ-USP) and Marcelo Brocchi at the University of Campinas's Biology Institute (IB-UNICAMP). "This pigment's powerful bactericidal properties were discovered in 1945, yet its action mechanism has never been studied before. Many biologically active molecules are described in the literature, but if we want to use them to develop drugs, we have to know how they work," Gueiros-Filho said. Attractive target Violacein is a natural pigment derived from the amino acid tryptophan. It is produced as a secondary metabolite by several phylogenetically distinct bacteria found in environments as diverse as oceans, glaciers, rivers and soil. C. violaceum is the first bacterium described as a violacein producer and the most studied to date. Violacein has attracted attention because of its wide biological activity spectrum. In addition to its potent activity against bacteria, including drug-resistant pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), it has antifungal, antiprotozoal, antiviral, antitumor and antioxidant properties. Several studies describe these properties, but according to Gueiros-Filho, violacein's target and mode of action had never before been precisely identified. The first step of the study, he explained, consisted of treating bacteria of the species S. aureus and Bacillus subtilis with violacein. Using fluorescence microscopy and a set of indicator dyes, the group found that the pigment rapidly permeabilized the bacteria cells. Cell permeabilization was accompanied by the appearance of visible discontinuities (holes or rips) in the cytoplasmic membranes, while the cell walls remained intact. The researchers also demonstrated membrane permeabilization by measuring the leakage of ATP (adenosine triphosphate, a key energy transport and storage molecule) in the treated cells. Next, in collaboration with the group led by Iolanda M. Cuccovia, a professor at IQ-USP, they conducted in vitro experiments that showed violacein also disrupting the structure and permeability of liposomes, spherical vesicles with an aqueous core and a membrane created in the test tube from phospholipids, the main components of organic cell membranes. "With these experiments, we showed that the phenomenon observed in cells could be attributed to a direct effect of violacein on the membrane," Gueiros-Filho said. In addition, computer simulations of molecular dynamics were used to explore how violacein interacts with lipid bilayers, such as those that form the cytoplasmic membrane. Based on the results obtained, the authors of the study propose that the presence of violacein between the layers of phospholipids was sufficient to interfere with membrane organization, increasing the distance between phospholipid molecules and leading to loss of membrane integrity. By damaging membranes, violacein is capable of destroying persistent bacteria that lie dormant as a strategy for resisting antibiotics that depend on the microorganism's metabolic activity. These bacteria form biofilms to survive in hostile environments. The cytoplasmic membrane is an attractive and underexploited target for antimicrobials, according to the researchers, for whom the discovery that violacein is a membrane-targeting compound should set the stage for future research on the usefulness of this natural product. The research was supported by FAPESP via the projects "How do bacteria coordinate membrane biogenesis with cell growth and division?", "Antibacterial activity of violacein against Staphylococcus aureus and pharmacokinetic studies" and "Interface chemistry: drugs, peptides and enzymes interactions with membrane models". A key focus for future investigation is the question of violacein's selectivity. The cytoplasmic membrane is similar in and common to all living cells, so violacein may also be capable of disrupting eukaryotic cells such as those of humans. This property could be why it displays activity against so many types of pathogens, including fungi and protozoans as well as tumors, Gueiros-Filho said. Preliminary results obtained by researchers at IQ-USP and IB-UNICAMP suggest that violacein is not highly selective for bacterial membranes and could become toxic to the host. If so, the molecule would have to be chemically modified to make it more specific. The spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria due to the overuse of antibiotics in human medicine and agriculture is one of the most important current threats to public health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of the imminence of a postantibiotic era in which common infections and minor injuries treatable for decades become lethal once again. Most currently used antibiotics were discovered several decades ago and are directed against a limited set of targets, so the development of new antimicrobials with novel mechanisms of action is urgently needed. Explore further Anti-bacterial fabric holds promise for fighting superbug More information: Ana C. G. Cauz et al, Violacein Targets the Cytoplasmic Membrane of Bacteria, ACS Infectious Diseases (2019). Ana C. G. Cauz et al, Violacein Targets the Cytoplasmic Membrane of Bacteria,(2019). DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.8b00245 Schematic artist's impression of the changing jet orientation in V404 Cygni. Each segment (as separated by the clock hands) shows the jets at a different time, oriented in different directions as seen in our high angular resolution radio imaging. Credit: ICRAR Astronomers have discovered rapidly swinging jets coming from a black hole almost 8000 light-years from Earth. Published today in the journal Nature, the research shows jets from V404 Cygni's black hole behaving in a way never seen before on such short timescales. The jets appear to be rapidly rotating with high-speed clouds of plasmapotentially just minutes apartshooting out of the black hole in different directions. Lead author Associate Professor James Miller-Jones, from the Curtin University node of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), said black holes are some of the most extreme objects in the Universe. "This is one of the most extraordinary black hole systems I've ever come across," Associate Professor Miller-Jones said. "Like many black holes, it's feeding on a nearby star, pulling gas away from the star and forming a disk of material that encircles the black hole and spirals towards it under gravity. "What's different in V404 Cygni is that we think the disk of material and the black hole are misaligned."This appears to be causing the inner part of the disk to wobble like a spinning top and fire jets out in different directions as it changes orientation." Artist's impression of V404 Cygni seen close up. The binary star system consists of a normal star in orbit with a black hole. Material from the star falls towards the black hole and spirals inwards in an accretion disk, with powerful jets being launched from the inner regions close to the black hole. Credit: ICRAR V404 Cygni was first identified as a black hole in 1989 when it released a big outburst of jets and radiation. Astronomers looking at archival photographic plates then found previous outbursts in observations from 1938 and 1956. Associate Professor Miller-Jones said that when V404 Cygni experienced another very bright outburst in 2015, lasting for two weeks, telescopes around the world tuned in to study what was going on. "Everybody jumped on the outburst with whatever telescopes they could throw at it," he said. "So we have this amazing observational coverage." When Associate Professor Miller-Jones and his team studied the black hole, they saw its jets behaving in a way never seen before. Where jets are usually thought to shoot straight out from the poles of black holes, these jets were shooting out in different directions at different times. Artist's impression of jet ejections in V404 Cygni. With our radio telescopes, we see individual bright clouds of plasma that have been ejected from the innermost regions, and redirected by the puffed-up inner accretion disk. Credit: ICRAR And they were changing direction very quicklyover no more than a couple of hours. Associate Professor Miller-Jones said the change in the movement of the jets was because of the accretion diskthe rotating disk of matter around a black hole. He said V404 Cygni's accretion disk is 10 million kilometres wide, and the inner few thousand kilometres was puffed up and wobbling during the bright outburst. "The inner part of the accretion disk was precessing and effectively pulling the jets around with it," Associate Professor Miller-Jones said. "You can think of it like the wobble of a spinning top as it slows downonly in this case, the wobble is caused by Einstein's theory of general relativity." The research used observations from the Very Long Baseline Array, a continent-sized radio telescope made up of 10 dishes across the United States, from the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean to Hawaii. Co-author Alex Tetarenkoa recent Ph.D. graduate from the University of Alberta and currently an East Asian Observatory Fellow working in Hawaiisaid the speed the jets were changing direction meant the scientists had to use a very different approach to most radio observations. Artists impression of twisted space-time around the spinning black hole. The black hole is so dense that it creates a rupture in the very fabric of space time, seen here as the infinitely deep well in the centre. As the black hole spins, it drags spacetime around with it, giving rise to the twisting of the spacetime grid shown here. This leads to the precession of the inner puffed-up accretion disk. Credit: ICRAR "Typically, radio telescopes produce a single image from several hours of observation," she said. "But these jets were changing so fast that in a four-hour image we just saw a blur. "It was like trying to take a picture of a waterfall with a one-second shutter speed."Instead, the researchers produced 103 individual images, each about 70 seconds long, and joined them together into a movie. "It was only by doing this that we were able to see these changes over a very short time period," Dr. Tetarenko said. Study co-author Dr. Gemma Anderson, who is also based at ICRAR's Curtin University node, said the wobble of the inner accretion disk could happen in other extreme events in the Universe too. "Anytime you get a misalignment between the spin of a black hole and the material falling in, you would expect to see this when a black hole starts feeding very rapidly," Dr. Anderson said. "That could include a whole bunch of other bright, explosive events in the Universe, such as supermassive black holes feeding very quickly or tidal disruption events, when a black hole shreds a star." Explore further Cosmic jets light up black hole's snack More information: A rapidly changing jet orientation in the stellar-mass black-hole system V404 Cygni, Nature (2019). www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-1152-0 Journal information: Nature A rapidly changing jet orientation in the stellar-mass black-hole system V404 Cygni,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1152-0 Provided by International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research Boeing faces its shareholders at an annual meeting amid uncertainty and scrutiny following two deadly crashes that led to the global grounding of the 737 MAX Boeing executives successfully beat back shareholder challenges to their authority on Monday as the company signaled it expects regulators to take a key step next week in the effort to get the 737 MAX back in the air following two deadly crashes. The aerospace giant, under scrutiny following the crashes that killed 346 passengers and crew and grounded the MAX worldwide, won a vote of confidence from its investors, even as company management faced tough questions over plane design and the possible missteps in getting the aircraft to market. Boeing expects the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a test flight by the end of next week of the software fix the company developed for the flight system on the 737 MAX, a company spokesman said Monday. That would be a critical step in certifying the aircraft as flight-worthy. However, an FAA spokesman said the agency had not released a date or time for the flight yet. Amid reports of missteps in developing the newest version of its most popular aircraft, concerned shareholders used the annual meeting to seek greater transparency by proposing to make the chairman an independent director and to disclose lobbying activities and trade association memberships. But those proposals garnered just 34 and 32 percent of the votes, respectively, somewhat better than similar measures last year, but still well below 50 percent. The defeat of those motions no doubt was relief for Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg and other company brass but there was little sense of triumph at an annual meeting that included a moment of silence for the lives lost. The company faces an uncertain timetable for bringing the grounded fleet back into service and tough questions over a new plane design that crashed twice, as well as potential costs from the crisis. Muilenburg was asked during a press conference if he considered resigning. "We're focused on safety and I can tell you these accidents weigh heavily on us as a company," he responded. "My clear intent is to continue to lead on the front of safety and quality and integrity." The company reported last week that the crisis had added $1 billion to costs in the year's first quarter. The 737 MAX has been grounded since mid-March following the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines flight and an earlier Lion Air crash, a crisis that has raised questions about whether the US giant sacrificed safety in its zeal to market a new narrow-body plane and compete with Airbus. Dennis Muilenburg, who has been chief executive since 2015, faces one of the biggest challenges in the company's history with the grounding of the 737 MAX after two deadly crashes At the shareholders meeting, Muilenburg faced some pointed questions from shareholders but defended the design of the 737 MAX as "thorough" and "disciplined." Boeing has said both crashes involved erroneous information that came to the airplane through its anti-stall system, the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, which the software update is meant to address. "We know that in both accidents there was a chain of events that occurred. One of the links was the activation of the MCAS system because of the data," Muilenburg said at the media briefing. "We know we can break that link in the chain. The software update does that." 'Chain of Events' But Muilenburg repeatedly declined to characterize the MCAS system as a design flaw, saying there is more than one factor in such catastrophic accidents and that an investigation is continuing. "It's a chain of events. There is no singular item," he said. "I think it's really important that we all focus on letting the investigation process run its due course." US carriers such as American Airlines and Southwest Airlines are targeting August to resume flights on the 737 MAX in the expectation that Boeing will receive approval for its fix by that time. Boeing has submitted some of the documentation to the FAA for the fix to the MCAS system, said a person familiar with the matter, adding that the application will be considered complete following a test flight in the coming days. Boeing expects certification of the software fix some time after an FAA meeting with international regulators on May 23, the company spokesman said. Fresh questions were raised over the weekend following revelations that prior to the Lion Air crash in October, Boeing deactivated a malfunction signal on 737 MAX planes owned by Southwest without telling the carrier, a feature that would detect a sensor error of the kind thought to have been a factor in both crashes. The FAA considered recommending grounding the planes at the time as they explored whether pilots flying the aircraft needed additional training about the alerts, according to a source familiar with the matter. They decided against thatbut never passed details of the discussions to higher-ranking officials in the FAA, the source said. Shares of Boeing finished down 0.5 percent at $379.05. Explore further Boeing seeks to exit crisis mode as it reports results 2019 AFP Male turquoise cotinga, threatened with extinction. This is the only known instance of this bird being caught and banded. Credit: Cagan Sekercioglu/University of Utah Over 11 field seasons, between 1999 and 2010, ornithologist Cagan Sekercioglu trekked through the forests and coffee fields of Costa Rica to study how tropical birds were faring in a changing agricultural landscape. Through painstaking banding of individual birds, Sekercioglu asked whether the expansion of coffee plantations is reducing tropical bird biodiversity. The answer, published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is no. And yes. Sun coffee plantations are able to host a surprising number of bird species, even more if the plantation has some tree cover. But the plantations are not enough to maintain bird biodiversity. "It's two sides of a coin," Sekercioglu says. "These tropical agricultural habitats that are mostly deforested still maintain large numbers of tropical species. Even small patches of trees can make a difference and help some species. But the flip side of the coin is, in the long term, most of these species are still declining." The only way The seeds of this project were planted in 1996 when Sekercioglu, then an undergraduate at Harvard University, was studying the effects of logging on tropical bird communities in Uganda. "I wanted to continue that research in grad school," he says, "but I wanted something long term. Not just a quick snapshot, but a multiyear study where I could look at long-term population change." Such long-term studies are rare, partially because of the research timeline of a typical graduate student. Doctoral students in biology may be able to collect four years of data before compiling their research into a dissertation to complete their degree. But Sekercioglu wanted more than four years. To get the long-term trends he wanted, he needed at least six years. Ten would be even better. With the blessing of his doctoral advisory committee at Stanford University, Sekercioglu set out for Costa Rica in 1999 for the first of 11 field seasons. Between 1999 and 2010, he and his team set up stations in both protected forests and in coffee plantations where he and colleagues would extend nearly invisible nets. The "mist nets" allowed the researchers to temporarily capture birds and affix an ankle band, or check for an existing band, before releasing the bird. Banding allows each bird to be individually identifiablean essential element of fine-grained population surveys. "These are small, often secretive songbirds we're talking about," Sekercioglu says. "You need the bird banding. It's labor intensive, but there's really no substitute." After earning his doctorate in 2003, Sekercioglu remained at Stanford, first as a postdoctoral scholar and then as a senior research scientist, to keep the Costa Rica project going. Over the years, with the support of his co-authors Gretchen Daily, Paul Ehrlich, Chase Mendenhall and Federico Oviedo-Brenes, he and his colleagues mist netted 57,307 birds from 265 species in 19 different study sitesall by hand. In 2009, after securing a position at the University of Utah, he wrapped up his field work in Costa Rica before moving to his current lab in Salt Lake City in 2010. Diversity can be deceiving In Sekercioglu's new paper, he and his co-authors present their results. First, some definitions of the land types in the study: Roadside Hawk. Credit: Cagan Sekercioglu/University of Utah Coffee plantations with less than 10% tree cover are referred to as "open coffee." Coffee plantations with 10% to 20% tree cover are called "shaded coffee" in the study. Sekercioglu points out that shaded coffee is not the same as certified shade coffee, which grows under a canopy of native primary forest trees. coffee is not the same as certified shade coffee, which grows under a canopy of native primary forest trees. The other sites are collectively referred to as "forest" sites, though this encompasses fragmentary forests, narrow corridors of forest that run along rivers and protected forest land. The two protected areas are of vastly different sizes: The Las Cruces Forest Reserve has an area of 250 hectaresabout one square mile. That's smaller than the University of Utah campus. La Amistad International Park, on the other hand, has an area of 400,000 hectaresaround 1,500 square miles, which is a little smaller than Rhode Island. That size difference is important. The results of the study are a mix of bad news and good news. Let's start with some bad news. Over the study period, 61% more bird populations declined as remained stable or grew, and this trend held in all study sites except those in the large La Amistad International Park. "If you really want to conserve the native tropical forest bird community," Sekercioglu says, "there's really no replacement for big forest reserves like La Amistad. You really need at least 1,000 hectares (3.86 square miles) native primary forest. So, there's no replacement for that." Now some good news. Coffee plantations host nearly as many bird species as forests, with 230 species recorded in forest sites and 185 recorded in coffee sites. But just looking at the number of species can hide some bad newsspecies richness isn't always descriptive of how diverse an ecosystem really is, or a habitat's value for conservation. "These plantations get spillover species from the nearby intact rainforest," Sekercioglu says. "That adds to the richness." Other species present in the coffee plantations include those that prefer open habitat as well as those who can inhabit a variety of habitats. "Their populations are not declining," he adds. "In fact, many have globally increasing populations. But a lot of the species missing from these coffee plantations are the most sensitive specialist species. Any study of the conservation value of a habitat has to look at the details of the community composition and not just the sheer number of species detected." The coffee plantations redeem themselves, somewhat, with a little bit of good news to end on. The researchers found that shaded plantations (again, not shade coffee, just shadedto be clear) with an average of about 13% tree cover hosted double the number of forest specialist birds and half the number of open-habitat birds compared with plantations with only an average of 7% tree cover. In other words, a small increase in tree cover results in a significant increase in bird habitat. Are shaded coffee plantations an answer to the threat of deforestation? "No" Sekercioglu says. "In the long term, by themselves, they are not enough to preserve tropical biodiversity. We need a combination of agricultural areas with as much tree cover as possible and extensive primary forest reserves." Painting a long-term picture Despite the labor-intensive nature of a bird banding study and the relative rarity of such a long-term project, an undertaking like this is necessary to get a more accurate picture of bird population compositions and trends. "These days it would be very hard to do a study like this," Sekercioglu says. A "snapshot study" might have concluded, for example, that the number of bird species in the Las Cruces Forest Reserve indicated a healthy forest, when in fact Sekercioglu's study found more than three-fifths of the bird species in decline. "Short-term studies that focus just on species richness are likely to provide a rosier picture of the community health and the conservation status of these species than the reality," he says. Explore further Some forest birds can survive in agricultural countryside with limited habitat conservation More information: Cagan H. Sekercioglu el al., "Long-term declines in bird populations in tropical agricultural countryside," PNAS (2019). Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Cagan H. Sekercioglu el al., "Long-term declines in bird populations in tropical agricultural countryside,"(2019). www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1802732116 Federally-sponsored science plays a more significant role in bringing together stakeholders and facilitating environmental governance debates than all other types of research, according to an international team of researchers. The researchers examined the role of federal government-sponsored research in the environmental rule-making process, specifically the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's proposal in 2012 to regulate hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, on federal and tribal lands. The researchers found that stakeholders cited federal government-sponsored research more often than industry knowledge, trade group knowledge, and academic research. The researchers report their results in April 29 issue of the Annals of the American Association of Geographers. "Different stakeholders who have different perceptions about whether hydraulic fracturing is good or bad use government research as a key tool to argue for or against their position," said Jennifer Baka, assistant professor of geography at Penn State. Stakeholders weighing in on the matter during public comment periods referenced two government-sponsored studies in particularthe 2011 Secretary of Energy Advisory Board (SEAB) report on responsible shale gas development in the United States, and the Environmental Protection Agency's study examining the potential risks to drinking water from fracking. "The hydraulic fracturing debate is so polarized," said Baka. "You have these hardcore views for or against it, but reality is a shade of grey. We found that the central object stakeholders were using to form their opinions was federal government-sponsored research." Stakeholders view government research as being more neutral and credible than studies sponsored by industry or environmental nongovernmental organizations. The SEAB and EPA studies allowed stakeholders to debate how best to regulate fracking. This discussion reduced the polarization seen in the public comments. Supporters of the Bureau of Land Management proposal pointed to the studies as evidence that the country needs a federal effort to implement environmental regulations, while opponents viewed it as an example of government overreach. "Stakeholders are arguing about the interpretation of the analysis," Baka said. "But nonetheless they are coming together to talk about the research." The researchers also examined how knowledge of hydraulic fracturing shapes and is shaped by the regulatory process. "One of the key controversies of hydraulic fracturing is how disclosure of fracking fluids should take place," Baka said. "My team is studying why we have settled on disclosure and what is in the fluids as the key area of controversy as opposed to other potential environmental risks." One way the regulatory landscape has shaped the controversy and knowledge of fracking is through the trade secret exemption. The trade secret exemption allows companies to forgo disclosing company knowledge, to encourage innovation and experimentation without the risk of a competitor ripping off their product design. Hydraulic fracturing companies have used the exemption to limit the amount of information they must disclose to the public about what is in the fracking fluids. The trade secret exemption also prevents the government from acquiring this knowledge. There have been efforts at the state level to access this information, but there is variation across the states about how to do so. When asked what role the federal government should play in this regulatory landscape, stakeholders pointed to the government's ability to fund research projects and facilitate debates. The results of the study highlight the potential implications of slashing federal research budgets. Under President Donald Trump, the administration has proposed decreasing the EPA's budget by more than 31 percent. Doing so would create a knowledge vacuum, and stakeholders say that no viable alternative exists. "The federal government has deeper pockets and can marshal tremendous resources that no state can," Baka said. "It can fund this research, convene these multi-stakeholder commissions and truly put out a product that can inform debates. It plays an important role in the discussion of what we want our future energy landscape to look like." Explore further Can fluids from fracking escape into groundwater More information: Annals of the American Association of Geographers, www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/1 4694452.2019.1574549 Hydrogen fuel stations are still are rare sight across Germany The world's biggest auto parts maker Bosch said Monday it would work with a Swedish firm to develop key components for hydrogen fuel cells designed to power cars, after backing off building electric batteries. Stuttgart-based Bosch and Powercell Sweden ABformerly a subsidiary of carmaker Volvoaim to bring the fuel cells to market "in 2022 at the latest". Hydrogen-powered electric vehicles could prove winners compared with their battery-driven cousins for some applications. They offer a longer range and can be refuelled about as quickly as a petrol- or diesel-powered vehicle. At the same time, hydrogen cars boast some of the advantages of battery-electric, including powerful acceleration, silent operation and no emissions at the point of use except water vapour. But a number of technological hurdles remain to be cleared before mass deployment. Large amounts of electricity are required to produce hydrogen, and there is a very limited network of fuelling stations. Just sixty refuelling points are available across Germany. Bosch did not reveal the financial terms of its deal with Powercell Sweden, but the two firms will work together to develop the so-called "stack"components at the heart of the cell where the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen takes place to produce electricity. The group last year decided not to compete with existing Asian industry leaders in producing electric batteries for cars, seeing the rivals' technological advantage as too great to catch up. By doing so, it turned away from supplying German carmakers like mammoth Volkswagen as they gear up to offer dozens of electric vehicles over the coming decade. Manufacturers have taken the plunge on electric power faced with looming tougher emissions rules in the European Union, loaded with hefty financial penalties if they are breached. European carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) reduction targets "can only be reached by electrifying more and more of the powertrain. The fuel cell can play a decisive role here," Bosch said. At first, "the best opportunities for broad adoption of fuel-cell technology are in the commercial-vehicle market," the firm added, although it expects broader use in passenger cars should follow. By 2030, Bosch estimates that 20 percent of all electric vehicles worldwide will be powered by fuel cells. Explore further In a first, electric cars outsell traditional ones in Norway 2019 AFP Global representation of trends and variability in ice and watermass recovered by GRACE over 15 years. The top figure, which shows trend maps over Antarctica, Greenland and part of the Arctic, represent changes inice mass. The middle trend map mainly represents changes in the terrestrialwater storage, as well as large trends related to continental rebound after glacier ice-melts over continental areas, such as Alaska, Patagonia and the Canadian Arctic.The trends of the terrestrial water storage are partially related floods and droughts, but also reflect, for example, long term changes in groundwater depletion by human activity. The bottom figure shows variability in the ocean bottom pressure and are particularly relevant for understanding these effects in in the difficult to observed southern oceans and the Arctic Ocean. For the first two, the red represents mass loss and blue represents mass gain. In last figure, the color scales represent variability, with the highest variability shown in red. Credit: Cockrell School Of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin The University of Texas at Austin team that led a twin satellite system launched in 2002 to take detailed measurements of the Earth, called the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), reports in the most recent issue of the journal Nature Climate Change on the contributions that their nearly two decades of data have made to our understanding of global climate patterns. Among the many contributions that GRACE has made: GRACE recorded three times the mass of ice lost in the polar and mountainous regions since first beginning measurementsa consequence of global warming. GRACE enabled a measure of the quantity of heat added to the ocean and the location for said heat that remains stored in the ocean. GRACE has provided detailed observations, confirming that the majority of the warming occurs in the upper 2,000 meters of the oceans. GRACE has observed that of the 37 largest land-based aquifers, 13 have undergone critical mass loss. This loss, due to both a climate-related effect and an anthropogenic (human-induced) effect, documents the reduced availability of clean, fresh water supplies for human consumption. The information gathered from GRACE provides vital data for the federal agency United States Drought Monitor and has shed light on the causes of drought and aquifer depletion in places worldwide, from India to California. Intended to last just five years in orbit for a limited, experimental mission to measure small changes in the Earth's gravitational fields, GRACE operated for more than 15 years and has provided unprecedented insight into our global water resources, from more accurate measurements of polar ice loss to a better view of the ocean currents and the rise in global sea levels. The mission was a collaboration between NASA and the German Aerospace Centre and was led by researchers in the Center for Space Research in UT's Cockrell School of Engineering. By measuring changes in mass that cause deviations in the strength of gravity's pull on the Earth's various systemswater systems, ice sheets, atmosphere, land movements and morethe satellites can measure small changes in the Earth system interactions. "By monitoring the physical components of the Earth's dynamical system as a whole, GRACE provides a time variable and holistic overview of how our oceans, atmosphere and land surface topography interact," said Byron Tapley, the Clare Cockrell Williams Centennial Chair Emeritus in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics who established the Center for Space Research at UT in 1981 and who served as principal investigator of the GRACE mission. The GRACE mission was selected as the first PI-led Earth System Pathfinder Mission, with Tapley and the Center for Space Research at the helm, and it was implemented under a collaboration with the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the German Geodetic Institute in Potsdam. The mission was implemented under a partnership between NASA and the German Space Agency, but UT faculty members, researchers and students made major contributions to the engineering, concept development and scientific data analysis components of the experiment. Despite being a risky venture operating on minimal funding, the GRACE mission surpassed all expectations and continues to provide a paradigm-shifting set of measurements. "The concept of using the changing gravimetric patterns on Earth as a means to understanding major changes in the Earth system interactions had been proposed before," Tapley said. "But we were the first to make it happen at a measurement level that supported the needs of the diverse Earth-science community." Now that the GRACE Follow-On mission, which the Center for Space Research will continue to play a role in, has launched successfully, the chance to continue the GRACE record for a second multidecadal measurement of changes in mass across the Earth system is possible. Engineers and scientists anticipate that the longer data interval will allow them to see an even clearer picture of how the planet's climate patterns behave over time. Children from one of the Tajikistan communities included in the study. Credit: Elena Balanovska An international team of researchers has combined archaeological, historical and linguistic data with genetic information from over 700 newly analyzed individuals to construct a more detailed picture of the history of inner Eurasia than ever before available. In a study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, they found that the indigenous populations of inner Eurasia are very diverse in their genes, culture and languages, but divide into three groups that stretch across the area in east-west geographic bands. Inner Eurasia, including areas of modern-day Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan, was once the cross-roads connecting Asia and Europe, and a major intersection for the exchange of culture, trade goods and genes in prehistory and historical periods, including the era of the famous Silk Road. This vast area can also be divided into several distinct ecological regions that stretch in largely east-west bands across Inner Eurasia, consisting of the deserts at the southern edge of the region, the steppe in the central part, taiga forests further north, and tundra towards the Arctic region. The subsistence strategies used by indigenous groups in these regions largely correlate with the ecological zones, for example reindeer herding and hunting in the tundra region and nomadic pastoralism on the steppe. Despite the long and important history of inner Eurasia, details about past migrations and interactions between groups are not always clear, especially in prehistory. "Inner Eurasia is a perfect place to investigate the relationship between environmental conditions and the pattern of human migration and mixture, as well as changes driven by cultural innovations such as the introduction of dairy pastoralism into the steppe," states Choongwon Jeong of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, co-first and senior author of the paper. In order to clarify our understanding of some of the nuances of the history of the region, an international team of researchers undertook an ambitious project to use modern and ancient DNA from a broad geographic range and time period, in concert with archaeological, linguistic and historical information, to clarify the relationships between the different populations. "A few ethnic groups were studied previously," says Oleg Balanovsky from the Vavilov Institute of General Genetics in Moscow, also co-first author, "but we conducted more than a hundred field trips to study this vast region systematically, and reached communities speaking almost all of the Inner Eurasian languages." Three distinct east-west groupings For this study, the researchers analyzed DNA from 763 individuals from across the region as well as reanalyzed the genome-wide data from two ancient individuals from the Botai culture, and compared those results with previously published data from modern and ancient individuals. They found three distinct genetic groupings, which geographically are arranged in east-west bands stretching across the region and correlating generally to ecological zones, where populations within each band share a distinct combination of ancestries in varying proportions. Geographic locations of the Eneolithic Botai, groups including newly sampled individuals, and nearby groups with published data. The map is overlayed with ecoregional information, divided into 14 biomes downloaded from ecoregions2017.appspot.com/ (credited to Ecoregions 2017 Resolve). Credit: Jeong & Balanovsky et. al. 2019. The genetic history of admixture across inner Eurasia. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 10.1038/s41559-019-0878-2 The northernmost grouping, which they term "forest-tundra," includes Russians, all Uralic language-speakers, which includes Hungarian, Finnish and Estonian, and Yeniseian-language speakers, of which only one remains today and is spoken in central Siberia. The middle grouping, which they term "steppe-forest," includes Turkic- and Mongolic-speaking populations from the Volga and the region around the Altai and Sayan mountains, near to where Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan meet. The southernmost grouping, "southern-steppe," includes the rest of Turkic- and Mongolic-speaking populations living further south, such as Kazakhs, Kyrgyzs and Uzbeks, as well as Indo-European-speaking Tajiks. Previously unknown genetic connections revealed Because the study includes data from a broad time period, it is able to show shifts in ancestry in the past that reveal previously unknown interactions. For example, the researchers found that the southern-steppe populations had a larger genetic component from West and South Asia than the other two groupings. This component is also widespread in the ancient populations of the region since the second half of the first millennium BC, but not found in Central Kazakhstan in earlier periods. This hints at a population movement from the southern-steppe region to the steppe-forest region that was previously unknown. "Inner Eurasia has functioned as a conduit for human migration and cultural transfer since the first appearance of modern humans in this region. As a result, we observe deep sharing of genes between Western and Eastern Eurasian populations in multiple layers," explains Jeong. "The opportunity to find direct evidence for the hidden old layers of admixture, which is often difficult to appreciate from present-day populations, is very exciting." "We found not only corridors, but also barriers for migrations," adds Balanovsky. "Some of them separate the historical groups of populations, while others, like the distinct barrier following the Great Caucasus mountain ridge, were obviously shaped by the geographic landscape." Two ancient individuals resequenced in this study originated from the Botai culture in Kazakhstan where the horse was initially domesticated. Analysis of the Y-chromosome (inherited along the paternal genealogical lines) revealed a genetic lineage which is typical in the Kazakh steppe up to the present day. But analysis of the autosomes, which both parents contribute to their children, show no trace of Botai ancestry left in present-day people, likely due to repeated migrations into the region both from the west and the east since the Bronze Age. The researchers emphasize that their model of three groupings does not perfectly explain all known populations and that there are examples of both outliers and intermediate groups. "It is important to organize a future study for further sampling of sparsely populated regions between the clines, for example, Central Kazakhstan or East Siberia," says Johannes Krause, also of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, and senior author of the paper. Explore further The Caucasus: Complex interplay of genes and cultures Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's Regular Press Conference on April 29, 2019 2019/04/30 Q: Yesterday two US warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait. What is the Chinese government's reaction to this? A: China closely followed and monitored from start to end the US warships' sailing through the Taiwan Strait and has expressed concerns to the US side. The Taiwan question is the most important and sensitive element in China-US relations. We urge the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques and prudently and properly handle issues related to Taiwan to avoid negative impact on China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Q: It was said that El Salvador's embassy in China held a ceremony marking its opening this afternoon. Could you confirm it? How do you see China-El Salvador relations going forward? A: The El Salvador Embassy in China held an inauguration ceremony this afternoon. Vice Foreign Minister Qin Gang attended and addressed the event. China and El Salvador established diplomatic relations last August on the basis of the one-China principle, opening a new chapter in bilateral relations. Since then, the two sides, following the principle of mutual respect, equal treatment and mutual benefit, have rolled out practical cooperation in various fields such as economy and trade, investment, infrastructure, agriculture, science and technology, culture, education and tourism, gathering bumper early harvests and bringing major opportunities and bright prospects to the economic and social development of El Salvador. The two sides signed 13 documents on cooperation under the BRI and in other areas. Last year, China imported 210,000 tons of sugar from El Salvador, and there was a dramatic 82% increase in the country's export to China. Thirty-four young Salvadorans are currently studying in China and another 35 will come this year on Chinese government scholarships. The Chinese government will also offer various short-term training opportunities to more than 100 Salvadorans. Today the embassy is officially open. It serves as a bridge of friendship linking the two capitals, a new window facilitating mutual understanding between our peoples, and a new bond of comprehensive cooperation between our countries. China stands ready to work with El Salvador to, following the principle of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, common development and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, enhance exchange and cooperation in various areas and promote a steady, sound and sustained relationship between us. Time will prove that the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and El Salvador is the correct choice consistent with the trend of the times and the fundamental interests of our two countries and peoples that will continue to bring benefits to us. Q: According to media reports, a new round of China-US high level trade consultations will be held in Beijing. Could you shed some light on the specific arrangement? When will the US delegation arrive in Beijing? What is China's expectation of this round of consultations? A: I would refer you to the competent authority for the specific arrangement of the trade consultations between China and the US. What I can tell you is that the consultations have made substantive progress and the two teams are following the important consensus reached by our presidents and striving for a mutually beneficial agreement on the basis of mutual respect. Q: According to media reports, on April 25, China, the US and Russia held on the 25th the second trilateral consultation on Afghanistan. What do you think of its outcomes? Does the Chinese side have any thoughts about the next trilateral consultation to be held in Beijing? A: China, the US and Russia held the second trilateral consultation on Afghanistan in Moscow on April 25th. After in-depth discussions, the three parties reached consensus on respecting Afghanistan's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, supporting the reconciliation process and internal dialogue, encouraging the Afghan Taliban to engage in peace talks with a broad, representative Afghan delegation including the government at an early date, combating terrorism, fighting the illegal production and trafficking of drugs, reducing violence and withdrawing foreign troops in an orderly and responsible manner. All these will lay the foundation for a wider regional and international consensus. The content of the consensus is available online. You may refer to it for more information. As to the third trilateral consultation you are interested in, we will release information in due course after communicating with the US and Russia. The three parties will remain committed to the early realization of peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Q: US Security Adviser John Bolton said on Sunday that reviving the six-party talks is not Washington's preferred approach. He also said that both Russia and China could tighten up their enforcement of Security Council sanctions on the DPRK. I wonder if you have any comment on this? A: The Six-Party Talks has played a positive role in facilitating denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and addressing the legitimate concerns of various parties in a balanced way. Under the new circumstances, this multilateral dialogue mechanism is still highly relevant to realizing a political settlement of the Peninsula issue. As the situation on the Korean Peninsula enters a critical stage, we hope all relevant parties will step up dialogue, meet each other halfway and work for greater progress in denuclearization and political settlement. As to your question regarding the implementation of DPRK-related Security Council resolutions, China always stands for full and earnest implementation of Security Council resolutions. And we have been faithfully honoring our due international obligations. Q: We noted that China announced a series of measures for reform and opening up at the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Some Western media believe that China has made these pledges in response to what the US asked for in the trade talks. What's your comment? A: I don't know how they got such impression and come to that conclusion. At the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Meeting 2018, China announced measures for greater opening up, which some said was because of the pressure from the US. In November last year, at the first China International Import Expo, China declared the decision to roll out a series of measures to expand opening up, which some said were in response of external concerns. Do they think China's reform and opening up over the past four decades is just something for a show? China's historical choice of reform and opening up was made independently 40 years ago based on an in-depth perception of the future of the Party and the nation, rather than the pressure from the outside. We are still committed to deeper reform and opening up. This is another independent choice in accordance with our development needs instead of the concerns of others. The measures China has announced and implemented to deepen reform and opening-up are conducive to the high-quality development of China's economy and meeting the Chinese people's aspiration for a better life as well as world peace, stability and development. It's good for China and the rest of the world. We will continue to advance the reform and opening up at our own pace in accordance with our timetable and roadmap. In the meantime, we will work with like-minded partners for more BRI cooperation outcomes and strengthen practical cooperation with more countries for win-win results. Q: Emperor Akihito will abdicate on April 30. He once visited China and met with Chinese leaders on many occasions. What is China's comment on his abdication? On May 1, Crown Prince Naruhito will be the new emperor starting the Reiwa era. What is your comment and expectation for China-Japan relations going forward? A: Emperor Akihito visited China in 1992 and met with Chinese Party and state leaders on many occasions. He has made positive contributions to China-Japan relations. The China-Japan relations have come back to the right track and taken on the positive momentum of development. We hope that Japan will work with China on the basis of abiding by the principles of the four political documents, jointly cherish and maintain the positive momentum for improvement in the bilateral relationship, step up sound interactions with China, properly handle sensitive issues and ensure the sustained, sound and steady development of the China-Japan relations. Q: The Spokesperson of the US Department of State said in a statement on April 25 that the United States is disappointed by the decision of the Hong Kong Government to prosecute and convict the organizers of the "Occupy Central" movement, and that it is closely monitoring proposed amendments to Hong Kong's Fugitive Offenders Ordinance. What's your comment? A: The remarks of the Spokesperson of the US Department of State are ignorant of facts and laws. We deplore and firmly oppose that. The illegal "Occupy Central" movement in 2014 caused serious damage to Hong Kong's rule of law, social order, economy and people's life. The punishment against the illegal and criminal acts are necessary as we uphold the rule of law, which has won extensive support from Hong Kong society. The amendment of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance is necessary for Hong Kong to cooperate with other regions and countries in transferring fugitives and join efforts with them to fight crimes and uphold the rule of law, so that Hong Kong will not become a safe haven for criminals. I shall stress that the US' irresponsible accusations against Hong Kong affairs constitute gross interference in China's and the Hong Kong SAR's internal affairs. China urges the US to respect its sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong as well as the "judicial independence" that the US claims to be important, and stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs. Q: The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) published a report on Monday about global military spending. The US remains the world's largest spender with 649 billion dollars on military budget. Second place, China's defense budget in 2018 was estimated at 250 billion dollars, equaling for 14 percent of the world's military spending. I wonder if Chinese foreign ministry have any comment on this report? Can you confirm the number provided in this document? A: Regarding China's military budget, the Chinese side responds to relevant questions during the Two Sessions almost every year and also in this year's Two Sessions held more than a month ago. You may refer to the relevant information online. What I want to tell you is that China is always committed to peaceful development and a defense policy that is defensive in nature. Our military spending runs within a reasonable range. Q: According to some Western media reports, not all leaders of Western Countries attended the second BRF, which they alleged affected the event. What's your comment? A: Such comments of certain media are a typical "Western-centrism" mindset. I don't see how the the success of the BRF is necessarily linked to the participation of leaders of Western countries. One cannot just assume that they are always the leading roles on the global stage. The second BRF attracted over 6,000 foreign guests from 150 countries and 92 international organizations. Leaders from 38 countries, China included, and heads of the UN and the IMF attended the Leaders' Roundtable Summit. This is the vote of confidence and support they have cast to the BRI. As for the Western countries, we welcome the participation of their leaders as well as their people from various sectors. In fact, the leaders of some Western countries with important influence attended the event and some sent representatives at various levels and in various fields. For example, France, Germany, the UK, Japan and the EU all sent high-level representatives of their leaders who made remarks at the event. I would like to stress once again that the BRI is an open, inclusive and transparent economic initiative for cooperation. We welcome the participation of all like-minded countries and will work together for win-win outcomes through consultation and cooperation. Q: We noted that during the recent Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) signed a Belt and Road cooperation document. Could you share more information? A: On April 26th in Beijing, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and United Nations ESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana signed an MOU between the Chinese foreign ministry and the United Nations ESCAP on the Belt and Road Initiative for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which has been included in the list of deliverables of the second BRF. The MOU emphasized that the BRI, which is consistent with the trend of regional and international cooperation and upholds the principle of consultation and cooperation for shared benefit, could play a significant role in promoting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and enhancing connectivity in the Asia-Pacific. China and ESCAP will conduct cooperation in infrastructure, transportation, trade, energy and innovation to tap into the potential of the BRI in facilitating the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and mutually beneficial cooperation between regional countries. The UN is an important partner for BRI cooperation and ESCAP, encompassing key regions of the BRI, has been a leading multilateral institution in participating in BRI cooperation with tangible results achieved. By signing the MOU, the two sides have further deepened political consensus on jointly building the BRI and provided guidance for cooperation going ahead. China commends ESCAP's long term commitment to regional connectivity and economic integration and stands ready to work with it to implement the cooperation document, focus on development goals, strengthen cooperation and make new contributions to the region's sustainable development and people's welfare. Q: The final preparatory session for the 2020 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Review Conference will be held this week at the UN headquarters in New York. What are China's proposals on and contributions to strengthening the mechanism? A: The NPT is an important pillar of the international security architecture and the basis in international law for global security governance. As the coming year marks the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the NPT, China hopes all sides will join efforts for positive progress in the review. In particular, efforts should be made to uphold multilateralism and the NPT mechanism, safeguard global strategic stability, advance nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy in a balanced approach, strengthen the role of NPT in international peace and security and add a new dimension of serving global development to NPT's functions. As a concrete measure to advance the review, China will submit a national report to the upcoming preparatory session to elaborate on its policies, proposals and contributions. The full text will be released on the MFA website. I would like to reiterate China's commitment to peaceful development, a community with a shared future for mankind, a defensive nuclear strategy, and a pledge of no first use of nuclear weapons. We stand for resolving the non-proliferation issue through political and diplomatic means and take an active part in international cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and nuclear security. China will continue to strengthen the NPT mechanism and promote international peace and security. Based on their assessment of impacts across different habitats -- marine, freshwater or terrestrial - and for invasive animals vs. invasive plants, the authors led by Bethany Bradley of UMass Amherst found that 'increasing the abundance of invasive alien species has pronounced negative impacts on native species populations and communities.' Credit: CJB Sorte/UC Irvine An international research team led by invasion ecologist Bethany Bradley at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has conducted the first global meta-analysis of the characteristics and size of invasive alien species' impacts on native species as invaders become more abundant. For example, as alien garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) invades forest understory in New England, the number of native sugar maple seedlings declines, and invasive purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) in New England wetlands is linked to a decline in the abundance of native red-winged blackbirds and song sparrows, Bradley says. Elsewhere, predatory invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) introduced in Caribbean waters leads to a rapid decline in the abundance of native coral reef fish, and invading Burmese python (Python bivittatus) in the Everglades has caused dramatic losses of natives such as opossum, fox and bobcats. Bradley says, "What surprised me most was the magnitude of some of these effects. Invasive animal pests, like Emerald Ash Borer or lionfish, cause nearly a 50 percent decline in native populations. That's the average caseon average, invasive pests will cut the populations of native species in half if we don't prevent or control those invasions." The associate professor of environmental conservation adds, "Our principal finding is that if the invasive species is at a higher trophic level, that is, they are likely eating the native species, then just a few invasive individuals can cause a sharp decline in native populations. Once those invaders reach higher abundance, the damage has long ago been done. This has big implications for management," she says. "Early detection becomes critical." They report that impacts depend strongly on the invasives' position in the food chain, known as trophic level. Invasive species at higher trophic levels have a strongly non-linear effect on native species with the greatest impacts occurring early in the invasion, while invasive species at the same trophic level have a negative, linear effect on native species. Reporting in "Latest Articles" in the current online issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Bradley and colleagues analyzed findings from 1,258 case studies from 201 research papers. One goal was to understand generally how impacts accumulate during an invasion in order to support evidence-based management, Bradley says. "We know that invasive species have negative impacts, but past meta-analyses have only looked at studies where invaders were absent vs. present," Bradley says. Without information on the slope and magnitude of the impacts, she adds, "we don't know the slope of the relationship, whether it's linear or non-linear, or if there's a sharp decline of native species early or late in the infestation. These are the questions we looked at." For native species faced with an invader at the same trophic level, where the two are likely competing for resources, Bradley says, "We see a strong negative linear response," but no sharp initial decline. She adds, "As you increase invasive species' abundance, the native species decline in abundance and in community diversity. The management implications are that if you control the invasion at any point, it's a win for ecosystems." In the situation where an invader enters at a lower trophic level than the native species, results were unclear, Bradley says. "It could be creating new resources or it could compete against resources that the natives need. It's not clear whether the effects will be positive or negative, unless you're talking about terrestrial plants. Invasive plants are likely to have negative effects on native insects." Based on these and their additional assessment of impacts across different habitatsmarine, freshwater or terrestrialand for invasive animals vs. invasive plants, the authors found that "increasing the abundance of invasive alien species has pronounced negative impacts on native species populations and communities." Further, the fact that rapid declines in native species' populations can occur at initial stages of the invasion process, they say, "highlights the increasing need for early detection and rapid response (EDRR) to new invasive alien species," especially for animal pests. They point out that EDRR is cost-effective and "the only point at which eradication is feasible." "Avoiding the ecological impacts of invasive species will require a much stronger commitment to proactive policies designed to prevent novel introductions as well as increased management targeting the early stages of invasion." Bradley points out that adopting EDRR requires that natural resource managers spend more time monitoring for new invasive species. But, "our manager colleagues are telling us that they are only able to spend about 10% of their time monitoring for new species because they don't have enough resources to monitor and still manage existing invasions," Bradley says. "That's simply not enough." She adds, "Now that we know that impact and abundance are so closely related, we can use abundance as a proxy for impact. If I observe a large infestation of an invasive species, I can make a pretty good guess as to the magnitude of the ecological impact on native species." Credit: Interstellar Technologies Inc. Interstellar Technologies Inc. (IST) is in final phase of preparations for its third attempt to become the first Japanese private company to launch a small sounding rocket into space. The launch is scheduled for Tuesday, April 30 at 11:15 a.m. JST (2:15 a.m. GMT). IST plans to send the rocket, named MOMO-F3, to an altitude of at least 100 kilometers, to reach the so-called Karman linedefined as the boundary between Earth's atmosphere and outer space. MOMO-F3 is a 33-feet tall liquid-propellant sounding rocket, weighing some 1.15 metric tons. The launch vehicle will lift off from IST's launch pad in Taiki, Hokkaido. The company will be live streaming this event at Nvs-live.com. IST believes that MOMO-F3 is all set for the upcoming launch. The rocket has already passed the captive firing test four times, which gave the green light for Tuesday's blastoff. Although the mission is crucial for the Japanese private space industry, IST's CEO, Takahiro Inagawa, underlined that it should be regarded as a test flight, disclosing that the main objective of MOMO-F3 is to demonstrate the sounding rocket technology. IST's previous launches were unsuccessful. MOMO-F2 fell to the ground and exploded shortly after its launch on June 30, 2018. "We found that the cause of the MOMO-F2's failure was the malfunction of RCS [reaction control system], then repaired two parts: pipe structure and injector," Inagawa told Astrowatch.net. The first rocket developed by the company, MOMO-F1, was launched in July of 2017 but communications with it were lost about a minute after it had left the pad. IST is the first and only active Japanese company to launch a privately developed space rocket. The startup's ultimate goal is to change the economics of space launch services, making it more economic to existing customers and accessible to entirely new markets. The company's plan regarding future launches remain currently undisclosed. Meanwhile, the startup is also working on the development of a small orbital rocket, named ZERO, designed to carry about 100 kilograms of payload into space. Explore further Interstellar Technologies continues work on its own rocket despite MOMO-2 launch failure Provided by Astrowatch.net Locations of plant communities included in this study. Red circles = woody communities (N = 459); blue circles = herbaceous communities (N = 589). Multiple data points may be superimposed. Credit: Jhonny Capichoni Massante Why are there so many species in the tropics? For centuries, scientists have been searching for the causes of the latitudinal gradient in species diversitya pattern that has been documented for most groups of living species, including plants, insects, birds, and mammals. Interestingly, an Estonian wooded meadow far in the north of the country holds the world record for species richness with tropical rain forests. Why? A group of scientists from Estonian universities (Massante et al. 2019) asked whether the evolutionary relatedness of species (i.e. phylogenetic diversity), apart from species number, explains these latitudinal patterns. Massante and colleagues found contrasting latitudinal gradients of phylogenetic diversity between woody and herbaceous communities. They conducted a meta-study of published papers of 459 woody and 589 herbaceous communities from the equator to 60 degrees north. They found that woody communities are composed of more closely-related species in the tropics whereas herbaceous species tend to be more closely-related at higher latitudes. Massante and colleagues argue that these differences arise from speciation and dispersal. Most angiosperm woody species evolved in the tropics, whereas woody coniferous species emerged at higher latitudes. This causes a positive latitudinal diversity gradient in forests, i.e. high number of closely-related woody species in rain forests. Herbaceous species evolved in younger vegetation types at higher latitudes, e.g. grasslands. Therefore, a negative latitudinal diversity gradient can be found in grasslands, i.e. high number of closely-related herbaceous species in temperate grasslands. Effect of latitude on phylogenetic diversity of plant communities. Credit: Jhonny Capichoni Massante This study adds further insight into the cradle/museum debate about the causes of diversity. The results support the view that the latitudinal diversity gradient may arise from different regions acting as either cradles or museums. In regions acting as evolutionary cradles, speciation produces communities containing closely-related species. Communities consisting of more distantly-related species are found in regions acting as museums, in which conditions promote the preservation of older species. These findings also reinforce the view that both evolutionary and ecological processes should be taken into account in future efforts to explain latitudinal diversity gradients. "Even though the high number of species in the tropics is well known, understanding their evolutionary relatedness has just started," says Massante. Explore further Faster evolution not responsible for tropical biodiversity More information: Jhonny C. Massante et al, Contrasting latitudinal patterns in phylogenetic diversity between woody and herbaceous communities, Scientific Reports (2019). Journal information: Scientific Reports Jhonny C. Massante et al, Contrasting latitudinal patterns in phylogenetic diversity between woody and herbaceous communities,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42827-1 Provided by Estonian Research Council In this Monday, April 22, 2019 photo Goldman Environmental Prize winner Alfred Brownell, a Liberian environmental lawyer and human rights activist, stands for a photograph, in Boston. Brownell, a distinguished scholar at Northeastern University School of Law in Boston, says he was forced to flee his country over his fight to hold a Southeast Asian palm oil company accountable for its alleged destruction of Liberian forest and abuse of indigenous communities living around palm oil plantations. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) When Alfred Brownell arrived in a remote Liberian village, the surrounding tropical rainforest had been leveled by bulldozers. Burial grounds were uprooted, religious shrines were desecrated and a stream people depended upon for water was polluted. Brownell, an environmental lawyer and activist, blamed the devastation on the palm oil company Golden Veroleum Liberia. The company had been given a green light in 2010 by the government to expand in the country and was poised to turn more than 800 square miles (2,000 square kilometers) of lush forest into palm oil plantations. Brownell on Monday was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for exposing alleged abuse by the company and helping to prevent it from converting about 20 square miles (about 50 square kilometers) of forest that is home to elephants, pygmy hippopotamuses and chimpanzees. He said he was forced to flee the country in 2016 after the government threatened to arrest him for his activism. "It was total annihilation," said Brownell, now a visiting scholar at Northeastern University's School of Law in Boston. "It was just not that they were destroying the forest, destroying habitat for species and everything," he said. "They had also a system where they were working with the local government officials who were threatening, harassing and intimidating the communities." A spokesman for the company, Randall Kaybee, acknowledged in a statement that "there have been lapses in following its own operating procedures, resulting in grievances among some communities and in the inadvertent clearance of some high carbon stock forest areas." He said measures have been put in place to address these problems. Gregory Coleman, who now heads Bureau of Concessions under Liberia's current government, said authorities are working to avoid past problems like those that arose with Golden Veroleum. "A green Liberia is the ultimate goal of this government and we have agreed to halt all expansions until we can line up all the requirements in accordance to international best practices," he added. For his work saving forest lands, Brownell won the Goldman prize along with five others for grassroots environmental activism. The prize was created in 1989 by the late San Francisco philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman. Winners are selected from nominations made by environmental organizations and others. The prize carries a $200,000 award. In this Monday, April 22, 2019 photo Goldman Environmental Prize winner Alfred Brownell, a Liberian environmental lawyer and human rights activist, speaks with a reporter on the campus of Northeastern University, in Boston. Brownell, a distinguished scholar at Northeastern University School of Law, says he was forced to flee his country over his fight to hold a Southeast Asian palm oil company accountable for its alleged destruction of Liberian forest and abuse of indigenous communities living around palm oil plantations. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) The other winners are: Linda Garcia of Vancouver, Washington, who rallied local communities to successfully prevent the construction of North America's largest oil terminal. Ana Colovic Lesoska of North Macedonia, whose seven-year campaign helped stop hydroelectric projects from being built in the country's largest national park and home to the endangered Balkan lynx. Bayarjargal Agvaantseren of Mongolia, who led the fight to create the 2,800 square miles (7,300 square kilometers) Tost Tosonbumba Nature Reserve. It is the country's only federal reserve for snow leopard conservation. Jacqueline Evans of the Cook Islands, whose work led to the conservation and sustainable management of all 763,000 square miles (1.98 million square kilometers) of the Cook Islands' ocean territory and creation of 15 marine protected areas. Alberto Curamil of Chile, a jailed indigenous activist who had protested several hydroelectric projects in the country. His efforts were credited with halting two projects and protecting a critical ecosystem surrounding the Cautin River. Despite Brownell's campaign, palm oil development remains a threat in Liberia as mostly Southeast Asia companies move to expand their operations beyond Malaysia and Indonesia to West Africa. Golden Veroleum, one of the largest palm oil companies in the country, still holds the concession it signed with the government in 2010 to develop 800 square miles (2,000 square kilometers). Kaybee said the company is confident it will able to develop "a significant part" of the land in its concession while conserving forests. Supporters say Brownell deserves much of the credit for forcing palm oil companies to change the way they do business in Liberia. "He has compelled the oil palm companies to undertake robust diligence. He changed the mindset of oil palm companies operating in Liberia forever," said Francis Colee, head of programming for the nongovernment organization Green Advocates International that Brownell founded. "Everywhere, the oil palm companies are now trying to uphold their international commitments or deforestation rules." Explore further Liberian farmers take on Indonesian palm oil giant 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The image is a snapshot of numerical modeling of the moon formation by a giant impact. Proto-Earth is at the center; red points indicate materials from the ocean of magma on a proto-Earth; blue points indicate the impactor materials. Credit: Hosono, Karato, Makino & Saitoh For more than a century, scientists have squabbled over how the Earth's moon formed. But researchers at Yale and in Japan say they may have the answer. Many theorists believe a Mars-sized object slammed into the early Earth, and material dislodged from that collision formed the basis of the moon. When this idea was tested in computer simulations, it turned out that the moon would be made primarily from the impacting object. Yet the opposite is true; we know from analyzing rocks brought back from Apollo missions that the moon consists mainly of material from Earth. A new study published April 29 in Nature Geoscience, co-authored by Yale geophysicist Shun-ichiro Karato, offers an explanation. The key, Karato says, is that the early, proto-Earthabout 50 million years after the formation of the Sunwas covered by a sea of hot magma, while the impacting object was likely made of solid material. Karato and his collaborators set out to test a new model, based on the collision of a proto-Earth covered with an ocean of magma and a solid impacting object. The model showed that after the collision, the magma is heated much more than solids from the impacting object. The magma then expands in volume and goes into orbit to form the moon, the researchers say. This explains why there is much more Earth material in the moon's makeup. Previous models did not account for the different degree of heating between the proto-Earth silicate and the impactor. "In our model, about 80% of the moon is made of proto-Earth materials," said Karato, who has conducted extensive research on the chemical properties of proto-Earth magma. "In most of the previous models, about 80% of the moon is made of the impactor. This is a big difference." Karato said the new model confirms previous theories about how the moon formed, without the need to propose unconventional collision conditionssomething theorists have had to do until now. For the study, Karato led the research into the compression of molten silicate. A group from the Tokyo Institute of Technology and the RIKEN Center for Computational Science developed a computational model to predict how material from the collision became the moon. Explore further How scientists are piecing together the history of the moon More information: Terrestrial magma ocean origin of the Moon, Nature Geoscience (2019). www.nature.com/articles/s41561-019-0354-2 Journal information: Nature Geoscience Terrestrial magma ocean origin of the Moon,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41561-019-0354-2 Using powerful X-rays, the UpaB protein has been pictured digitally for the first time. Credit: La Trobe University The discovery, published today in Nature Communications by researchers from La Trobe University and the University of Queensland, provides details on how proteins in the outer membrane of bacteriathe bacteria's 'superglue'are able to stick to and populate parts of the human body. This new information paves the way for the development of innovative treatments for preventing and curing infections, in what could be a significant step forward for new anti-microbial development. The study focused on UpaBthe superglue protein of a pathogen known to cause urinary tract infections within 50 per cent of women within their lifetime. Similar proteins are found in the outer membrane of other pathogens responsible for infections ranging from life-threatening food poisoning to whooping cough, meningitis, typhus fever and chlamydia. Lead researcher at La Trobe University, Dr. Begona Heras, said the study provides unprecedented fundamental science that could inform future solutions to the world health crisis in antibiotic resistance. "The knowledge we now have on this bacteria's protein gives us the ability to block the bacteria sticking to different parts of the human body," said Dr. Heras. "Antibiotic resistance is an urgent, global problem and this information gives us an important opportunity to develop new anti-microbial treatments. Naturally, this is the next step for this research." La Trobe researcher Dr. Jason Paxman added that there is a flip-side to these bacterial proteins in that they could be harnessed for good. "There is nothing like these bacterial proteins in modern medicine; bacteria have had thousands of years to develop these adhesive proteins," Dr. Paxman explained. "These findings could open up new opportunities such as delivering targeted therapies to parts of the human body, which could even help in the fight against cancer down the line." Explore further Salmonella could be combated by enhancing body's natural process More information: Jason J. Paxman et al, Unique structural features of a bacterial autotransporter adhesin suggest mechanisms for interaction with host macromolecules, Nature Communications (2019). Journal information: Nature Communications Jason J. Paxman et al, Unique structural features of a bacterial autotransporter adhesin suggest mechanisms for interaction with host macromolecules,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09814-6 Colorado State University physics professor Bill Fairbank with his lab's single-atom imaging apparatus. Credit: John Eisele/Colorado State University Bill Fairbank is looking for... nothing. The Colorado State University professor of physics studies the fundamental matter particles known as neutrinos, and an exceedingly rare instance of radioactive decay in which neutrinosotherwise present in such decaysare nowhere to be found. This theorized but never-before-observed process, called "neutrinoless double-beta decay," would rock the world of particle physics. If discovered, it would solve longstanding mysteries about the basic properties of neutrinos, which are among the most abundant but least understood particles in the universe. Since 2005, Fairbank's lab has been part of the international EXO-200 (Enriched Xenon Observatory) scientific collaboration, hunting for neutrinoless double-beta decay using a particle detector filled with super-cold liquid xenon. In a new breakthrough published April 29 in the journal Nature, Fairbank's team has laid the foundation for a single-atom illumination strategy called barium tagging. Their achievement is the first known imaging of single atoms in a solid noble gas. Barium tagging could prove a key enabling technology for seeing neutrinoless double-beta decay in a future, upgraded experiment called nEXO. Crucially, barium tagging would empower scientists to clearly pinpoint single-atom byproducts of double-beta decay by separating real events from background imposter signals. The EXO-200 particle detector is half a mile underground in Carlsbad, New Mexico, and is filled with 370 pounds (about 170 kilograms) of isotopically enriched xenon atoms in liquid form. Sometimes, the unstable xenon isotopes undergo radioactive decay, releasing two electrons and two neutrinos, changing the xenon atoms into barium atoms. In the lab at Colorado State University: Alec Iverson, James Todd, David Fairbank, Chris Chambers and Bill Fairbank Credit: John Eisele/Colorado State University If the decay produces just two electrons and a barium atom, it signals that a neutrinoless double-beta decay may have occurred. And this can only occur if the neutrino is its own equal, opposite antiparticlean outstanding question that scientists would like to answer through these experiments. The confirmation of such a neutrinoless decay would be historic, requiring updates to the Standard Model of Particle Physics. In addition, the measured half-life of the decay would help scientists indirectly measure the absolute masses of neutrinosa feat never before accomplished. Finally, if neutrinoless double-beta decay does exist, scientists could use that information to learn why the universe has so much matter, but so little antimatter. So far, the EXO-200 detector has produced decay events of the correct energy, but no definitive excess over what's expected from the measured detector background. "In EXO-200, we had something like 40 decay events in two years," Fairbank said. "But we couldn't tell exactly how many of those, if any, were real." Like sifting through piles of identical-looking marbles, distinguishing between the real decay and similar-appearing background events has been a central problem for the researchers. That's where Fairbank's barium tagging comes in. If barium tagging is successfully implemented in a later upgrade of the nEXO detector currently being designed, the detector's sensitivity to neutrinoless double-beta decay could increase by up to a factor of 4. This would be a significant upgrade for the multi-million dollar nEXO experiment. If a positive signal is observed, scientists can use barium tagging to know for sure that they've seen the decay they're looking for. The barium tagging work was supported by the National Science Foundation INSPIRE program. "It's amazing to think of how sensitive these experiments are," said John Gillaspy, a physicist at the National Science Foundation. "In experiments 30 years ago, I found it challenging to look for 'one in a million' exotic atoms. This new study searched for atoms that were 10 million times more rare. Physics and chemistry have come a long way. I'm excited to think about what Fairbank and his colleagues may eventually find using this new technique, as it holds the potential to really shake up what we know about the fundamental nature of reality." In their Nature publication, Fairbank's team describes using a cryogenic probe to freeze the barium "daughter" atomproduced by radioactive decay of the isotope xenon-136in solid xenon on the end of the probe. Then, they use laser fluorescence to illuminate individual barium atoms within the now-solid xenon. "Our group was pretty excited when we got images of single barium atoms," said Fairbank, who has been leading the experiment for several years. Fairbank's single-atom tagging technique could also be generalized for other applications, with implications for fields including nuclear physics, optical physics and chemistry. Explore further New device uses biochemistry techniques to detect rare radioactive decays More information: Imaging individual barium atoms in solid xenon for barium tagging in nEXO, Nature (2019). www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-1169-4 Journal information: Nature Imaging individual barium atoms in solid xenon for barium tagging in nEXO,(2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1169-4 This May 24, 2005, file photo shows a sign of a pet store chain, PetSmart, in Warwick, R.I. PetSmart's online pet store Chewy is selling its stock in an initial public offering that may revive memories of the days when its breed of internet retailing seemed like a lost cause. The Dania Beach, Florida, company is setting out to raise $100 million, but that figure listed in documents filed Monday, April 29, 2019, is likely to change in the weeks ahead as Chewy's bankers gauge investor demand for the IPO. (AP Photo/Stew Milne, File) PetSmart's online pet store Chewy is selling its stock in an initial public offering that may revive memories of the days when its breed of internet retailing seemed like a lost cause. The Dania Beach, Florida, company is setting out to raise $100 million, but that figure listed in documents filed Monday is likely to change in the weeks ahead as Chewy's bankers gauge investor demand for the IPO. If all goes according to plan, Chewy's share will trade under the ticker symbol "CHWY." It marks the latest IPO in a parade of unprofitable technology companies led by ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft trying to persuade investors that they are mining markets that eventually will turn into money makers. Chewy, which hasn't been profitable since it was founded in 2011, stands out from the rest of the crowd because of its involvement in online pet salesa niche that turned into a financial wasteland as hundreds of internet companies imploded after raising billions of dollars during the late 1990s. Pets.com emerged as most prominent of at least nine online pet stores born during that era. It collapsed nearly 19 years ago with the ignominious distinction of leaving behind a sock puppet as its most valuable asset. The puppet, which starred in expensive TV commercials, eventually sold for $125,000 in Pets.com's liquidation sale and became the mascot for an auto lender providing financing to people with bad credit. Chewy may also have to overcome that specter, given it lost $267.9 million last year on revenue of $3.53 billion. However, much has changed since the days of Pets.com, including how much we pamper our pets. Americans spent $72.6 billion on food, vet visits and other pet related services last year, according to the American Pet Products Association, more than triple the amount spent two decades ago. Chewy will also be able to point to shifts in shopping habits and the evolutionary changes in technology that have made e-commerce a much more viable concept than it was 20 years ago. Millions of consumers now routinely order everything from dog food to diapers online, a trend that has helped establish online retailing pioneer Amazon.com as one of the world's most valuable companies. But it took Amazon years before it consistently made money. While Amazon's success could help Chewy woo investors, it also poses potential challenges, too. Amazon also sells pet supplies in its stores and offers free two-day shipping to its more than 100 million households that subscribe to its Prime membership. Chewy thinks it can turn the financial corner by expanding its in-house brands, increasing its pet pharmacy offerings and venturing beyond the U.S. market. The company, which was bought by PetSmart in 2017 for more than $3 billion, operates seven U.S. warehouses where orders are packed and shipped to shoppers. 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This animation shows the distance between the Apophis asteroid and Earth at the time of the asteroid's closest approach. The blue dots are the many man-made satellites that orbit our planet, and the pink represents the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech On April 13, 2029, a speck of light will streak across the sky, getting brighter and faster. At one point it will travel more than the width of the full Moon within a minute and it will get as bright as the stars in the Little Dipper. But it won't be a satellite or an airplaneit will be a 1,100-foot-wide (340-meter-wide) near-Earth asteroid called 99942 Apophis that will cruise harmlessly by Earth, about 19,000 miles (31,000 kilometers) above the surface. That's within the distance that some of our spacecraft that orbit Earth. The international asteroid research community couldn't be more excited. This week at the 2019 Planetary Defense Conference in College Park, Maryland, scientists are gathering to discuss observation plans and science opportunities for the celestial event still a decade away. During a session on April 30, scientists will discuss everything from how to observe the event to hypothetical missions we could send out to the asteroid. "The Apophis close approach in 2029 will be an incredible opportunity for science," said Marina Brozovi?, a radar scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, who works on radar observations of near-Earth objects (NEOs). "We'll observe the asteroid with both optical and radar telescopes. With radar observations, we might be able to see surface details that are only a few meters in size." It's rare for an asteroid of this size to pass by Earth so close. Although scientists have spotted small asteroids, on the order of 5-10 meters, flying by Earth at a similar distance, asteroids the size of Apophis are far fewer in number and so do not pass this close to Earth as often. The asteroid, looking like a moving star-like point of light, will first become visible to the naked eye in the night sky over the Southern Hemisphere, flying above Earth from the east coast to the west coast of Australia. It will be mid-morning on the East Coast of the United States when Apophis is above Australia. It will then cross the Indian Ocean, and by the afternoon in the eastern U.S. it will have crossed the equator, still moving west, above Africa. At closest approach, just before 6 p.m. EDT, Apophis will be over the Atlantic Oceanand it will move so fast that it will cross the Atlantic in just an hour. By 7 p.m. EDT, the asteroid will have crossed over the United States. A team of astronomers at the Kitt Peak National Observatory discovered Apophis in June 2004. The astronomers were only able to detect the asteroid for two days before technical and weather issues prevented further observations. Luckily, another team rediscovered the asteroid at the Siding Spring Survey in Australia later that year. The observations caused quite a stirinitial orbital calculations revealed that the asteroid had a 2.7% chance of impacting Earth in 2029. Fortunately, additional observations completely ruled out that possibility. Since its discovery, optical and radar telescopes have tracked Apophis as it continues on its orbit around the Sun, so we know its future trajectory quite well. Current calculations show that Apophis still has a small chance of impacting Earth, less than 1 in 100,000 many decades from now, but future measurements of its position can be expected to rule out any possible impacts. The most important observations of Apophis will occur in 2029, when asteroid scientists around the world will have an opportunity to conduct a close-up study of the Apophis' size, shape, composition and possibly even its interior. At the conference, scientists will discuss questions like "How will Earth's gravity affect the asteroid as it passes by?," "Can we use Apophis' flyby to learn about an asteroid's interior?" and "Should we send a spacecraft mission to Apophis?" "We already know that the close encounter with Earth will change Apophis' orbit, but our models also show the close approach could change the way this asteroid spins, and it is possible that there will be some surface changes, like small avalanches," said Davide Farnocchia, an astronomer at JPL's Center for Near Earth Objects Studies (CNEOS), who is co-chairing the April 30 session on Apophis with Brozovi?. "Apophis is a representative of about 2,000 currently known Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs)," said Paul Chodas, director of CNEOS. "By observing Apophis during its 2029 flyby, we will gain important scientific knowledge that could one day be used for planetary defense." How many species still to name? Thats a good question. Credit: Shutterstock/ju see You'd think it would be a simple piece of biological accounting how many distinct species make up life on Earth? But the answer may come as a bit of a shock. We simply don't know. We know more accurately the number of books in the US Library of Congress than we know even the order or magnitude millions and billions and so on of species living on our planet, wrote the Australian-born ecologist Robert May. Current estimates for the number of species on Earth range between 5.3 million and 1 trillion. That's a massive degree of uncertainty. It's like getting a bank statement that says you have between $5.30 and $1 million in your account. So why don't we know the answer to this fundamental question? It's hard to count life Part of the problem is that we cannot simply count the number of life forms. Many live in inaccessible habitats (such as the deep sea), are too small to see, are hard to find, or live inside other living things. So, instead of counting, scientists try to estimate the total number of species by looking for patterns in biodiversity. In the early 1980s, the American entomologist Terry Erwin famously estimated the number of species on Earth by spraying pesticides into the canopy of tropical rainforest trees in Panama. At least 1,200 species of beetle fell to the ground, of which 163 lived only on a single tree species. New species are discovered on almost every dive, says David Attenborough. Assuming that each tree species had a similar number of beetles, and given that beetles make up about 40% of insects (the largest animal group), Erwin arrived at a controversial estimate of 30 million species on Earth. Many scientists believe the 30 million number is far too high. Later estimates arrived at figures under 10 million. In 2011, scientists used a technique based on patterns in the number of species at each level of biological classification to arrive at a much lower prediction of about 8.7 million species. All creatures great and very, very small But most estimates of global biodiversity overlook microorganisms such as bacteria because many of these organisms can only be identified to species level by sequencing their DNA. As a result the true diversity of microorganisms may have been underestimated. After compiling and analysing a database of DNA sequences from 5 million microbe species from 35,000 sites around the world, researchers concluded that there are a staggering 1 trillion species on Earth. That's more species than the estimated number of stars in the Milky Way galaxy. A jewel beetle, one of the more colourful species of insect alive today. Credit: Shutterstock/Suttipon Thanarakpong But, like previous estimates, this one relies on patterns in biodiversity, and not everyone agrees these should be applied to microorganisms. It's not just the microorganisms that have been overlooked in estimates of global biodiversity. We've also ignored the many life forms that live inside other life forms. Most and possibly all insect species are the victim of at least one or more species of parasitic wasp. These lay their eggs in or on a host species (think of the movie Aliens, if the aliens had wings). Researchers suggest that the insect group containing wasps may be the largest group of animals on the planet. What do we mean by species? A more fundamental problem with counting species comes down to a somewhat philosophical issue: biologists do not agree on what the term "species" actually means. The well-known biological species concept states that two organisms belong to the same species if they can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. But since this concept relies on mating, it cannot be used to define species of asexual organisms such as many microorganisms as well as some reptiles, birds and fish. It also ignores the fact that many living things we consider separate species can and do interbreed. For example, dogs, coyotes and wolves readily interbreed, yet are usually considered to be separate species. A parasitic wasp finds a host for her young. Other popular species definitions rely on how similar individuals are to one another (if it looks like a duck, it is a duck), their shared evolutionary history, or their shared ecological requirements. Yet none of these definitions are entirely satisfactory, and none work for all life forms. There are at least 50 different definitions of a species to choose from. Whether or not a scientist chooses to designate a newly found life form as a new species or not can come down to their philosophical stance about the nature of a species. The cost of species loss Our ignorance about the true biodiversity on our planet has real consequence. Each species is a potential treasure trove of solutions to problems including cures for disease, inspirations for new technologies, sources of new materials and providers of key ecosystem services. Yet we are living in an age of mass extinction with reports of catastrophic insect declines, wide-scale depopulation of our oceans and the loss of more than 50% of wildlife within the span of a single human life. Our current rate of biodiversity loss means we are almost certainly losing species faster than we are naming them. We are effectively burning a library without knowing the names or the contents of the books we are losing. Three six-to-seven-month-old hybrids between a male western gray wolf and a female western coyote resulting from artificial insemination. Credit: PLOS One (L. David Mech et al), CC BY So while our estimate of the number of species on the planet remains frustratingly imprecise, the one thing we do know is that we have probably named and described only a tiny percentage of living things. New species are turning up all the time, at a rate of roughly 18,000 species each year. For example, researchers in Los Angeles found 30 new species of scuttle fly living in urban parks, while researchers also in the US discovered more than 1,400 new species of bacteria living in the belly buttons of university students. Even if we take the more conservative estimate of 8.7 million species of life on Earth, then we have only described and named about 25% of life forms on the planet. If the 1 trillion figure is correct, then we have done an abysmally poor job, with 99.99% of species still awaiting description. It's clear our planet is absolutely teeming with life, even if we cannot yet put a number to the multitudes. The question now is how much of that awe-inspiring diversity we choose to save. Explore further A new estimate of biodiversity on Earth This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. An abandoned bus belonging to the Chernobyl Road Repairing and Building Service. Credit: Tom Scott, University of Bristol A multidisciplinary group of researchers from the University of Bristol, as part of the National Centre for Nuclear Robotics, recently traveled to the Chernobyl exclusion zone, 33 years after the nuclear accident at the power plant in Ukraine. The team carried out a series of radiation mapping surveys using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) including the first ever UAV to map both gamma and neutrons as well as a first ever fixed-wing (aeroplane style) UAV-based radiation mapping survey. This has led to radioactive hotspots being identified that were previously unknown to local authorities. Professor Tom Scott from the School of Physics led the group who conducted surveys of numerous interest areas, including Buriakivika village. This settlement was abandoned following contamination from the power plant accident as it sat in the centre of the fallout plume west of the power plant. Speaking about the trip, Professor Scott said: "This trip has provided a great training opportunity for my PhD students and is an excellent demonstration of capability for UK robotics and sensor technologies." The accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant occurred during the early hours of Friday 25 April 1986 during a test on the Chernobyl 4 reactor prior to a routine shutdown. Unknown to the operators, the reactor core was in an extremely stable condition when they went to insert the control rods to shut down the reactor. As a result, there was a dramatic power surge that caused explosions of steam that ultimately exposed the reactor core to the atmosphere. During the trip the researchers were filmed by ITV News as part of a feature marking the 33rd anniversary of the accident. Previous University of Bristol research into the accident includes the J-Value Rating Service For Assessing Nuclear Safety Systems, which assessed that only 10-20 percent of the 335,000 people evacuated from the Chernobyl area needed to be relocated. The gamma-ray spectrometry technology developed by the University of Bristol has previously been used in the first-ever UAV mapping of the Sellafield site in the UK and has also been deployed numerous times in the Fukushima Prefecture in Japan. New safe confinement structure that surrounds the sarcophagus built around the stricken reactor immediately after the disaster that occurred in 1986. Credit: Tom Scott, University of Bristol Explore further Ukraine puts out forest fire around Chernobyl How can you find and make sense of opinions and emotions in the vast amount of texts in social media? Kostiantyn Kucher's research helps visualise for instance public opinions on political issues in tweets over time. In the future, analysis and visualisation of sentiment and stance could contribute to such tasks as detection of hate speech and fake news. Our society relies on language and text to express our thoughts, exchange opinions, and gain new knowledge. But with so much text data being produced nowadays, in particular in social media, it's impossible to read everything manually. In his dissertation in computer science at Linnaeus University, Kostiantyn Kucher has looked for a solution to this problem. "My research shows how one can investigate and make sense of opinions and emotions in collections of text data by combining computerised text mining methods and interactive visual representations, that is, special types of charts and graphs," says Kostiantyn Kucher. As part of a research project called StaViCTA, Kostiantyn and colleagues have provided online survey browsers that are now used by researchers, practitioners, and students interested in text visualisation (textvis.lnu.se and sentimentvis.lnu.se). They have designed and implemented multiple visual analytics approaches that have helped their collaborators in linguistics and computational linguistics in their research on stance analysis. The approaches presented in the dissertation can be applied in academic research, business intelligence, social media monitoring, and journalism. Besides social media texts, these approaches can also be used to visualise stance in books and business reports, for instance. "In the future, analysis and visualisation of sentiment and stance could contribute to such tasks as detection of hate speech and fake news, improvement and adaptation of graphical user interfaces in software and web applications, and visual representation of the models used by artificial intelligence agents," concludes Kostiantyn Kucher. Explore further Sentiment analysis for portfolio management More information: Sentiment and stance visualization of textual data for social media: Sentiment and stance visualization of textual data for social media: lnu.diva-portal.org/smash/reco sf?pid=diva2:1296288 The Wurzburg biologists Markus Riederer (left) and Amauri Bueno found out why the leaves of the date palm do not dry out even at temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius. Credit: JMU Wurzburg In 1956, Wurzburg botanist Otto Ludwig Lange observed an unusual phenomenon in the Mauritanian desert in West Africa: He found plants whose leaves could withstand heat up to 56 degrees Celsius. At the time, the professor was unable to say which mechanisms were responsible for preventing the leaves from drying out at these temperatures. More than 50 years later, the botanists Markus Riederer and Amauri Bueno from Julius-Maximilians-Universitat Wurzburg (JMU) in Bavaria, Germany, have determined the answer. To understand what the two scientists discovered, it is important to know the complicated structure of a plant leaf. Plant leaves, for example, have a skin that is usually invisible to the human eye. "You can see the skin on a tomato," explains Professor Riederer, head of the JMU Chair of Botany II. Bioscientists speak of the cuticle, similar to a very thin plastic foil. Without the cuticle, the leaf of the plant would dry out within a short time. The water permeability of the cuticle is even lower than that of a plastic foil. Constant trade-off: Open or close pores? Plant skin is not a continuous layer extending over the whole leaf. It contains numerous pores, called stomata, which can open and close. The plant feeds through these stomata. Riederer says, "It thereby uptakes the carbon dioxide the plant needs for photosynthesis." The problem is that whenever the pores open to acquire carbon dioxide, water also evaporates. Therefore, desert plants, in particular, are continually undergoing a balancing process: do they uptake carbon dioxide to grow further, or do they close the pores to retain precious water? According to Riederer, every desert plant decides a little differently. Colocynths are water-spenders The plant colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis), also known as bitter cucumber, a wild relative of the watermelon, opens its pores when exposed to heat in order to cool down the leaves by transpiration cooling. It "sweats," so to speak. "This makes colocynth a water-spender," explains the JMU professor of ecophysiology. The plant can afford this because it has a very deep root. This enables the plant to tap water sources deep in the desert soil. As Otto Ludwig Lange found during his experiments in the desert, the colocynth manages to make its leaf up to 15 degrees cooler than the desert air. Date palms are water-savers The date palm behaves quite differently. Like the colocynth, it lives in oases and wadis river valleys that dry up over long periods. "In contrast to the colocynth, it is a water-saver," says Riederer. Because the palm does not "sweat," its leaves sometimes reach extremely high temperaturesthey can be 11 degrees Celsius above air temperature. How can it be that the leaves do not dry out at these high temperatures? This is what JMU biologist Amauri Bueno investigated in his doctoral thesis. High-temperature wax for survival His results, published in the Journal of Experimental Botany, revolve around the wax, which is embedded in the skin of plants and ensures their low permeability to water. After extensive laboratory tests, Bueno discovered that this wax differs between the colocynth and the date palm. The date palm has a wax that can withstand high temperatures and therefore has a much more waterproof skin than the colocynth, even at extreme temperatures. Because of this special wax, the palm can survive in the desert. If the wax had a slightly different chemical composition, the leaves would dry very quickly, especially at high temperatures. According to Riederer, these experiments were highly challenging because the wax embedded in the skin is very complicated from a chemical point of view. Not all secrets have been revealed yet. The bioscientists still do not understand why one plant skin is more permeable for water than the other. Interesting for plant breeding These current findings from JMU may be of importance for plant breeding. To cultivate crop plants in places where is very hot and dry or where climate change could make the surroundings hotter, farmers must pay attention to the plant skin when searching for suitable plant varieties. If plants with certain cuticle waxes are selected for breeding, they have a better chance of survival in hot locations. Explore further How plants learned to save water More information: Amauri Bueno et al. Effects of temperature on the cuticular transpiration barrier of two desert plants with water-spender and water-saver strategies, Journal of Experimental Botany (2019). Amauri Bueno et al. Effects of temperature on the cuticular transpiration barrier of two desert plants with water-spender and water-saver strategies,(2019). DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erz018 Titans south polar vortex in 2012. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science InstituteNASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute Saturn's hazy moon Titan has a long-lived Earth-like winter polar vortex supercharged by the moon's peculiar chemistry, according to new research published in AGU's journal Geophysical Research Letters. Titan is the second largest moon in the solar system and the only moon with a thick atmosphere comparable to Earth's. The Saturnian moon may be the most Earth-like place in the solar system, with seasons, rain and surface lakes, although it is about 10 times as far from the Sun as Earth and very cold. Titan's stratosphere, like Earth's, is characterized by cooler layers closer to the surface and warmer layers higher up, and is the realm of the polar vortex, a cap of cold air that sits over the poles in winter. This is the same phenomenon that can cause frigid temperatures in North America during the winter. On Earth, the polar vortex usually dissipates in spring. The new study found that Titan's northern hemisphere polar vortex sticks around past the moon's summer solstice, into what would be late June on Earth, lasting three-quarters of a Titan year, or about 22 Earth years. The new study used measurements from NASA's Cassini spacecraft and atmospheric science developed on Earth to understand seasonal changes observed on Titan. The new study expanded previous work by the researchers indicating the presence of the polar vortex on Titan explained the enrichment of trace gases in the moon's stratosphere and the enrichment of trace gases explained the unexpectedly intense cold observed in the southern hemisphere vortex in early winter. The combination of cooling caused by trace gases and warming caused by sinking air breaks Titan's winter into two phases, according to the new study. A vortex and heightened concentration of trace organic gases sits over Titans north pole during northern winter, when the pole is tilted away from the Sun, in this artists impression of the moon, inspired by data from NASAs Cassini mission. As Titan moves past equinox and the north pole tilts toward the Sun, a vortex develops over the south pole. Winter is long on the Saturnian moon, where a year lasts 29.5 Earth years. Credit: ESA "Earth cools in winter due to lack of sunlight over the poles, but you don't get this added effect from extra gases, whereas on Titan you've got these weird gases in there that's making the process even more extreme than it would be otherwise," said Nick Teanby, a planetary scientist at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, and the lead author of the new study. Previous work from Teanby and his colleagues described the relationship between the trace gases and the polar vortex, but the new study is the first comprehensive analysis of seasonal variation in the temperature and composition of Titan's stratosphere, based on infrared mapping data from Cassini's entire 13-Earth-year tour of Saturn's system. "This is the first time one paper has gone into the whole of the Cassini dataset, covering almost half of the Titan year, and looked at how northern and southern polar vortex evolution might differ," said Claire Newman, an expert in planetary atmospheres at Aeolis Research and a researcher unaffiliated with the new study. "I work on atmospheric models and we rely on these kinds of observations to understand how correctly our models are capturing what is going on on Titan itself." In the future, the authors of the new study hope to have enough data to apply Earth's atmospheric models to Titan and attempt to predict climate trends on the moon. Testing models on a whole new world could help scientists make the models more robust. One day, Saturn's unusual moon may help scientists better understand the atmosphere of our home planet, Teanby said. "Why it's so interesting is that Titan is like a mini Earth with a really exotic and cold atmosphere that we can use to test climate models and things like that," Teanby said. "That's the big picture to why we bothered, but I guess the real motivation is just that it's really cool to try and figure this stuff out." Winter whirl Titan spins on an axis tilted to about the same degree as Earth's, which gives the moon seasons like Earth's, but drawn-out over the 29 Earth years Titan and Saturn take to circle the Sun. NASA's Cassini spacecraft observed the turning of Titan's seasons, from mid-winter through summer solstice in the moon's northern hemisphere. Credit: GeoSpace When Cassini arrived at Saturn in 2004, Titan's northern pole was enveloped in a polar vortex from the pole to about 45 degrees north latitude, about where the southern border of Montana is on Earth. A polar vortex is a large cap of cold air and low pressure that sits over the poles in winter, twisting in the direction of the planet's, or moon's, spin. Strong westerly jetstreams encircle the pole and contain the cold, creating a distinct separation from warm air from the equator. Jetstream barriers avert mixing of air masses and keep chemicals as well as cold inside the vortex. On Earth, the edge of this big atmospheric system sits at about 60 degrees latitude, the southern border of Canada's Yukon and Northwest Territories in the Northern Hemisphere. Lower latitudes encounter the vortex, as North America did last January, when the circling jetstream weakens or meanders. Cassini found that Titan's northern polar vortex persisted through the equinox and broke up in summer, much like on Earth, but lasting later in the year. Meanwhile, a new vortex began forming over the southern pole shortly after the moon's equinox. The embryonic southern vortex was, surprisingly, colder than the northern vortex, which had only been observed in full winter glory. The new research suggests the difference could be an early winter extra-cold phase produced by Titan's chemistry rather than intrinsic differences between the poles. Strange chemistry The new study suggests Titan's atmospheric chemistry may accentuate its polar vortex. Like Earth's atmosphere, Titan's atmosphere is mostly nitrogen, and the moon's surface pressure is about 1.5 times Earth's at sea level. But unlike Earth, the remaining 2 percent of the atmosphere is mostly methane, the main component of natural gas. When it rains on Titan, it rains hydrocarbons. Daylight scatters through Titans atmosphere, seen from the moons night side. A hood of haze sits over the north pole at top, and a hint of the south polar votex appears at the bottom in this image captured by Cassini in June 2018, about three Earth years past the moons equinox into winter in the southern hemisphere. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute High in the moon's relatively hot, upper atmosphere, methane reacts with energy from the Sun and from Saturn's magnetic field to produce trace gases like cyanide, ethylene, ethane and larger organic molecules. Some of these gases are building blocks of Titan's characteristic haze. Cassini observed enrichment of these trace gases over the winter poles and the new research finds this enrichment is most pronounced in early winter, when the pole is also colder. On Titan, as on Earth, the difference in temperature between the equator and dark winter pole ultimately drives the formation of the polar vortex. On both worlds, cold air sinks, dragging the upper atmosphere downward at the pole in winter. As the trace gases mix downward into the colder mid-layers of Titan's atmosphere, they condense to liquid or solid clouds. Condensed trace gases act like a sink, accelerating the movement of more trace gases down from the top of the atmosphere where they are created. Trace gases make the cold layers of Titan's stratosphere even colder by emitting infrared light. Infrared light is just beyond the visible light spectrum and is perceptible to humans as heat. When trace gases glow, they lose energy, which has the effect of cooling the atmosphere by radiating energy away into space. The new study proposes the now even colder air sinks faster, in a frigid feedback cycle. "That's all happening at the start of winter, so the start of winter is really, really cold," Teanby said. Eventually, the pressure increase caused by all that sinking air creates its own heat, which counters the feedback cycle. The authors suggest this creates two distinct phases in Titan's winter. "As you go deeper into winter and the circulation's more developed, you get an opposite effect, where you start to warm the stratosphere due to this compression of the air as it's sinking. So there's these two phases to winter that are quite strange. We're not totally sure that's what's happening, but that's our theory at the minute," Teanby said. Explore further Cassini sees dramatic seasonal changes on Titan More information: N. A. Teanby et al. Seasonal Evolution of Titan's Stratosphere During the Cassini Mission, Geophysical Research Letters (2019). Journal information: Geophysical Research Letters N. A. Teanby et al. Seasonal Evolution of Titan's Stratosphere During the Cassini Mission,(2019). DOI: 10.1029/2018GL081401 This story is republished courtesy of AGU Blogs (http://blogs.agu.org), a community of Earth and space science blogs, hosted by the American Geophysical Union. Read the original story here. BYU sociology professor Ryan Gabriel . Credit: Brigham Young University Mixed-race couples are a burgeoning population in the United States, accounting for 17 percent of all new marriages. But a new study shows they have a hard time finding a place to raise their children. BYU sociology professor Ryan Gabriel published the study in the journal Demography with Georgia State's Amy Spring. They found that mixed-race couples with children are highly likely to move to racially diverse neighborhoods. "That's not just to avoid discrimination," Gabriel said. "They're also looking for positive experiences for their children where they will be around people who look like them." And, like every other parent, they also want to live in a neighborhood with good schools and nice homes. But neighborhoods that are both affluent and racially diverse are hard to find. Gabriel analyzed data from the longest-running longitudinal study in the world to see which couples got what they wantedand which didn't. "There are some mixed-race couples with children who actually achieved both," Gabriel said. "Those that could had a particular racial make-up, such as White-Asian couples. When we look at their level of education and income, they typically bring ample resources to the housing market." Couples with a black partner were significantly more likely to move to a neighborhood that was racially diverse but less affluent. And because schools are generally funded through local property taxes, that means their children get fewer resources for their education. "I hope this paper deepens our understanding of the complex calculations families have to make when deciding where to live," said Spring. "Different families face different preferences, concerns and obstacles in accessing economically advantaged neighborhoods, creating important and enduring inequalities." To fix today's problems, Gabriel teaches his students that you have to go back to their roots. Many students aren't aware of past government policies that segregated racial groups, such as red-lining, discriminatory banking and sundown towns where blacks could not stay after dark. "Classroom discussions on racial residential stratification are powerful," Gabriel said. "When students become aware of these forms of institutional discrimination, they can contextualize their current experience with greater clarity." Neighborhood color lines partially stay intact today indirectly through zoning rules such as those that forbid multi-family housing and require a minimum acreage size for homes. The result is that neighborhoods stratify by race because racial groups are stratified by income. "Some say this is an entirely race-neutral process." Gabriel said. "Granted, directly segregationist policies ended decades ago, but we're still living with the reverberations of these processes today." Personal interactions within a neighborhood are often what change interracial attitudes for the better, Gabriel added. "There is the potential for faulty stereotypes to fade away and for us to see individuals as complex, funny, interesting, even struggling. We see individuals in their full humanity instead of stripping away all that makes them human and placing them in some type of category we can easily attend to in our mind." Explore further White families with children drawn to less diverse neighborhoods, schools More information: Ryan Gabriel et al, Neighborhood Diversity, Neighborhood Affluence: An Analysis of the Neighborhood Destination Choices of Mixed-Race Couples With Children, Demography (2019). Journal information: Demography Ryan Gabriel et al, Neighborhood Diversity, Neighborhood Affluence: An Analysis of the Neighborhood Destination Choices of Mixed-Race Couples With Children,(2019). DOI: 10.1007/s13524-019-00779-1 On April 30, Compass plans to tackle the rising number of HIV/AIDS cases in South Florida by supporting Dining Out for Life. This will be Compass first time ever participating in Dining Out for Life, an event in which participating restaurants donate 30 percent of their earnings to Compass to help advocate for those living with HIV/AIDS. Compass is also working closely with Broward House, a charity located in Broward County that provides services to people living with chronic illnesses, including HIV/AIDS. Compass is honored to be participating in Dining Out for Life for our first time, said Julia Murphy, Compass chief development officer. Sharing a meal together can make a huge difference! Your participation will help us to continue to provide life saving HIV/AIDS services throughout Palm Beach County to those most in need. Murphy said that all the proceeds from the event would benefit Compass HIV/AIDS health services that include: education, outreach, testing, medical case management, mental health, and peer support. The restaurants themselves are more than ready to join in to battle against the threat of HIV/AIDS in South Florida, as evidenced by one of the many restaurants participating in the event. [Its a] perfect match! said Dina Rubio, a representative from Don Ramon Restaurante Cubano & Social Club in West Palm Beach. Dining Out for Life Event gives Don Ramon Restaurante Cubano the opportunity in our own way to support a great cause that helps the community by increasing HIV/AIDS awareness and guiding individuals in identifying their needs to obtain the appropriate services. The event itself will take place on April 30 at several participating restaurants located throughout Palm Beach County. Broward Countys Dining Out For Life event happened April 25, where proceeds went toward Broward House. The participating Palm Beach County restaurants are: Don Ramon Restaurante Cubano Hullabaloo Java Juice Bar at Studio 205 Kapow Noodle Bar (West Palm Beach location) New York Grilled Cheese Company (Boca Raton location) For more information on what you can do to help advocate for those living with HIV/AIDS, visit www.compassglcc.comto find out more. QUEENSBURY Warren County prosecutors have decided to drop 12 of 27 criminal charges against a former camp counselor who was accused of sexually abusing 10 boys at the camp. The county district attorneys office notified acting Warren County Judge Kelly McKeighan last week that it has opted to drop charges stemming from accusations made by two of the boys who accused Dylan T. Stolz of fondling them while he worked at Brant Lake Camp in Horicon. Among the charges to be dropped were felony counts of sexual abuse, course of sexual conduct against a child and endangering the welfare of a child. Some of the charges relate to the boy whose partial recantation resulted in a mistrial in February when Stolz first stood trial. The district attorneys office did not provide any context for the decision involving the others accusations. Stolz, 51, of Little Neck, Long Island, will face eight felonies and seven misdemeanors when his second trial starts May 6. He has pleaded not guilty and maintained his innocence. District Attorney Jason Carusone referred comment on the move to the letter that his office filed in court Wednesday informing McKeighan of its decision. That letter, written by Assistant District Attorney Ben Smith, indicated that the decision was made in consultation with the parents of the two boys. The Warren County District Attorneys office gives great consideration to parental input when deciding whether to put a child through the process of a trial, he wrote. We will proceed to trial on the remaining eight felonies and seven misdemeanors. The decision will not affect the maximum sentence Stolz would face, as under state law he would serve a maximum of 20 years before becoming eligible for parole for sentences imposed if convicted of multiple sexual abuse or course of sexual conduct against a child counts. Stolz was arrested last July, after State Police began an investigation into claims he had fondled an 8-year-old boy. Nine other boys came forward in the weeks that followed, alleging he fondled them in bunkrooms and showers, resulting in 29 charges in all. Two charges related to one of the boys were dismissed for technical reasons before trial in February. Then, during the trial in February, one of the boys said he had lied to police about some of the allegations he had made, which led to McKeighan declaring a mistrial. The boys have all since been re-interviewed at a downstate child advocacy center, near their homes. Stolzs lead defense counsel, James Knox, told the jury in his opening statement during the February aborted trial that he believed the boys, many of who knew each other in New York City outside of camp, fabricated their allegations, and that the one boys recantation underscored that. Stolz was fired by camp administrators when the allegations were made, after 33 summers working as a summer counselor there. He works as an elementary school teacher on Long Island as well, but was placed on leave in that case after his arrest. He is free on bail pending jury selection starting May 6. Warren County received four responses to its request for proposals to use its rail line, one of them from a Saratoga County economic development guru who is part of a group proposing tourist and freight trains as well as possible use of the former International Paper Co. mill in Corinth. The suitors include three national railroad companies, one of which is working with Jon Jack Kelley, the Saratoga County real estate and economic development executive credited with helping to bring the GlobalFoundries computer chip plant to the region. The Warren County Board of Supervisors Public Works Committee met Monday to discuss new proposals for use of the rail line. The company that ran trains on it for seven years, Iowa Pacific Holdings doing business as Saratoga & North Creek Railway pulled out last year. Kelley is among a local group working with United Rail of Las Vegas, while OmniTRAX of Colorado and Railnet International have also submitted proposals. The fourth company, RailStar Corporation of Cape Vincent, submitted a proposal that was deemed non-responsive to the countys request and is not being considered. Railnet proposed a purchase of the rail line, while United and OmniTRAX were interested in leasing or lease-to-purchase arrangements. County Administrator Ryan Moore said the full proposals could not be released to the public Monday because they contain proprietary information, but the county would release them as soon as possible. The Post-Star has filed Freedom of Information Law requests for them. The Public Works Committee met in a closed-door executive session Monday for its first discussion on the proposals, and Horicon Supervisor Matt Simpson, chairman of the committee, said no decisions were made. Additional meetings will be scheduled in the coming weeks. Representatives of United were the only suitors to attend Mondays meeting. In addition to Kelley, the company has been working with Queensbury resident Steve Fisk, a retired CP Rail Co. executive with more than four decades of experience in the business. He runs a railroad consulting company, Nottingham Rail. The companys plans call for excursion trains and freight trains to maximize use of the rails, and its executives believe they can overcome the financial difficulties that other operators have experienced, Kelley said. Kelley and Fisk said the group has already laid a lot of groundwork in Saratoga County, by hiring a marketing firm and working with the town of Corinth and Saratoga County economic leaders to get their venture going. It focuses at least in part on tapping into the hundreds of thousands of tourists who descend on the Saratoga Springs area every year for the excursion train business, Fisk said. You have this huge, untapped base of visitors in Saratoga, he said. The 88-mile section of rail line between Saratoga Springs and the Essex County hamlet of Tahawus is owned by three different entities. The town of Corinth owns the stretch from Saratoga Springs to Corinth, Warren County owns from Hadley to North Creek and Iowa Pacific owns from North Creek to Tahawus. Iowa Pacific is negotiating to sell its portion of the line, with OmniTRAX having exclusive rights to a potential sale. Corinth Supervisor Richard Lucia did not return a phone call for comment Monday on his towns stance on use of the rail line. Kelley asked county leaders for a timetable for a decision, as the group wants to get moving on its plans if it can. Moore said the Board of Supervisors will review the proposals, and make decisions soon. Its in our best interests to do this quickly and thoroughly, Moore said. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, said it was bad judgment for members of the campaign of President Donald Trump to take meetings with Russian representatives during the 2016 campaign. But the report by special counsel Robert Mueller found no conspiracy between the Russians and the Trump campaign, she said, and special counsel Robert Mueller conducted a thorough, nonpartisan investigation. He had free rein. He interviewed dozens of administration officials. He had 2,500 subpoenas. No executive privilege was asserted. He had access to tens of thousands of documents from the campaign and from the administration, significant testimony from top administration officials, Stefanik said Friday to the media before a town hall-style meeting in Saratoga Town Hall. Mueller had all of those resources $35 million of funding to ensure he was able to investigate to the best of his ability, Stefanik said. She believes Mueller should testify before Congress. Congress needs to invest more funds in cyber-security to combat potential threats as the next presidential election is on the horizon, she said. We have a historic number of candidates running. All of those candidates should receive briefings about potential threats to their campaign, including their top campaign staff, she said. Stefanik highlighted three bills that Congress should pass to improve the integrity of elections. The Honest Ads Act would require digital political advertisements to disclose who paid for them, as required for TV and radio ads. Another bill would prohibit foreign money from being contributed to U.S. political campaigns. The third bill would require House, Senate and presidential candidates to be notified if a counterintelligence investigation is opened against someone on their staff. Stefanik has criticized former FBI Director James Comey for circumventing the process by not informing the Trump campaign about the investigation into Trump associates. Recruiting female candidates Stefanik said more than 100 women have reached out to the National Republican Congressional Committee, seeking to run for office as a result of her E-PAC fundraising organization. That is a huge positive this early in the election process, she said on Friday. Among the candidates are Chele Farley, who ran against Democratic U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in 2018. Farley is seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney in the NY-19 Congressional District. Stefanik earlier this year launched E-PAC to recruit and financially support Republican women candidates in primaries. Stefanik had served as chairwoman of recruitment for the NRCC, but stepped down after the election when the Republicans lost 10 women in the House and only 1 of 100 female candidates Stefanik recruited was elected. E-PAC has raised about $300,000, according to the most recent filing with the Federal Election Commission. Climate change caucus Stefanik has joined The Roosevelt Conservation Caucus, a group of Republican lawmakers working to combat climate change. Stefanik serves as co-chairwoman of the caucus, which formed at the end of February. The members of the caucus will: embrace and promote constructive efforts to address environmental problems, responsibly plan for all market factors and base our policy decisions in science and quantifiable facts, according to a letter to announce its formation. The letter goes on to say that America finding solutions to protect the environment are essentially to ensure economic growth, energy independence and national security. Stefanik said she has an independent record when it comes to environmental issues. She supports continued investment in renewable energy such as wind and solar, hydroelectric and biomass. Stefanik said she has been able to help defeat anti-climate change amendments that her own party has offered on various bills. She highlighted her work to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund. She also has advocated for funding to fight invasive species. Border security Stefanik said there is a crisis on the southern border and Congress needs to work on bipartisan legislation to increase border patrol funding and construct physical barriers where appropriate. Its not a one-size-fits all approach, she said. Any immigration solution also has to address DACA recipients and create a year-round agricultural visa to help dairy farmers, she said. Also, families should not be separated. Stefanik last year had co-sponsored a moderate immigration reform bill that would have shielded recipients from border deportation; upgraded border security through enhanced technology, manpower and physical barriers where necessary; and ended the practice of families being separated at the border. Stefanik also wants to make sure that funds are not being diverted from the northern border to address issues on the southern border. Fundraising protest A group of activists are planning to protest outside the Saratoga Town Republicans fundraiser on Saturday where U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik will be the featured speaker. The group, Indivisible, is organizing its No to Pay-to-Play Politics rally outside the event, which will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at Clarks Steakhouse. There is a suggested donation of $20 per person. Children under 12 are free. License fight Sen. Daphne Jordan last Wednesday joined Republican lawmakers at a news conference protesting against legislation that would grant drivers licenses to immigrants living in the country illegally. Jordan, R-Halfmoon, was protesting the Green Light Bill, which is sponsored by New York City Democratic Sen. Luis Sepulveda. Jordan and others oppose the measure because they believe it would compromise public safety and create a double standard for people applying for a standard license. They also believe it could lead to voter fraud, bank fraud and identity theft, according to a news release. The law would prohibit the Department of Motor Vehicles from sharing any databases with third parties, including law enforcement. Opponents also worry it would make it easier for scofflaws to obtain another license when their actual license had been revoked, according to a news release. Michael Goot covers politics, business, the city of Glens Falls and the town and village of Lake George. Reach him at 518-742-3320 or mgoot@poststar.com and follow his blog at http://poststar.com/blogs/michael_goot/. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. QUEENSBURY A man who was arrested with more than 3 ounces of cocaine in Queensbury last year is headed to state prison after his guilty plea to a felony drug charge. Javier Soriano, 21, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance for a Dec. 28 arrest on the Northway. State Police stopped a vehicle he was in for a traffic violation, and police discovered drugs in an unspecified location. Soriano is being held in Warren County Jail for lack of bail, pending sentencing next month. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Adirondack communities population and economic trends are either better than or just as bad as other rural communities across the country, according to a new report released Monday by Protect the Adirondacks. Peter Bauer, executive director of the organization, said the report was conducted to prove that environmental regulations in the park are not causing any unusual economic downfall or population decline locally. By the numbers Here are a few highlights from Protect the Adirondacks' report called, "The Adirondack Park and Rural America: Economic and Population Trends 1970-2010." Median household income: Increased 7.5% compared to the state's 0.7% Increased 7.5% compared to the state's 0.7% Employment rate: 53.8% compared to the state's 57.7% 53.8% compared to the state's 57.7% Median age: 45.7 years as of 2010 compared to the state's median age of 37.9 years And he thinks it does prove that. Nothing happening in the Adirondacks is different, Bauer said Thursday, of what the data shows. The report, called The Adirondack Park and Rural America: Economic and Population Trends 1970-2010, also hopes to guide local leaders on suggested investments that could not only help current residents of the park, but attract new ones. Protect the Adirondacks is a nonprofit organization based in Johnsburg that is focused on preserving the open space and wild nature of the park for future generations. It was formed in 2009 from two former organizations, the Residents Committee to Protect the Adirondacks and the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks. Bauer has particularly been peeved by political rhetoric over the past decades about how environmental regulations and land-use are prohibiting the Adirondacks from an economic boon. The 77-page report uses U.S. census data from 1970 to 2010 for 62 towns that are completely within the Adirondack Park. Thirty split towns that are not fully within the park were also examined separately. Both are compared to other rural towns in the country, other towns in New York and other towns in the Northeast. The report breaks down trends in the following: median household income, per capita income, poverty rate, employment, self-employment, population, median age, school enrollment, age and other factors. It took about three years to complete with the help of statistician James McMartin. One thing that surprised Bauer when looking at the data is the Adirondacks are attracting what Protect the Adirondacks calls working-age adults. Those are adults between the ages of 35 and 44. Other rural regions appear to be losing that population, but were actually seeing a steady recruitment, Bauer said. And, to perhaps no ones surprise, the region also attracts retirees. Thats fundamentally different from whats happening in other areas, Bauer said. Many retirees move to the region for the outdoor recreation and open space, Bauer added. Some gaps that he thinks need to be filled to keep retirees coming include more affordable housing and more health-care clinics. With only two colleges in the park Paul Smiths College and North Country Community College the region is losing college-age people. While it has still gained working-age adults over the years, that percent increase is getting smaller year to year. The report includes recommendations, and Bauer highlighted that a career consortium of some kind could be beneficial to keeping those young adults moving into the park. That would be a really good investment instead of the Frontier Towns of this world, he said. The park, similar to other rural communities, also has a higher number of self-employed people. Bauer and his organization think investing in more support services for the self-employed would also help keep people here. In the end, Bauer hopes the report will get people to stop blaming the park for those areas in economic distress. Reporter Gwendolyn Craig can be reached at (518) 742-3238 or gcraig@poststar.com. Follow her on Twitter @gwendolynnn1. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 2 Sad 0 Angry 2 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. FORT EDWARD The Washington County Board of Supervisors voted Monday morning to approve the purchase of the Hudson Falls school district property at 1153 Burgoyne Ave. in Fort Edward, pending voter approval of the proposition in May. The district decided to include the proposition with the main budget vote next month because of the buildings need for major repairs. Hudson Falls school will propose sale of district office HUDSON FALLS The school district budget vote will include a proposition to sell the distri Board of Supervisors Chairman and Argyle Supervisor Bob Henke said having the building become available was great timing, because the board was already considering options to increase county office space. Weve got some horrible space problems over here and we were talking about tearing down some buildings out back and building another one, but the cost was getting pretty astronomical. Henke said, even with the building needing serious work it would still be much cheaper than building a new one from scratch. He also said it was four to five times the square footage they were planning for a new building and less than a quarter of the cost per square foot. It keeps the public building public, the parking is already there, Henke said. I think its a pretty good use for both of us. Henke said it was too early to say exactly which departments or how many people will move into the space should the deal go through, and preferably that decision would be left to department heads rather than the board. He also said that, while some of the space will be for county personnel, storage space was a factor in the decision as were new laws requiring that voting machines be kept in climate-controlled areas year round. The machines are currently kept in trailers behind the county office buildings in Fort Edward. District Superintendent Linda Goewey said the sale would benefit both district residents and the county as a whole. Were really glad its going to Washington County, Goewey said. We work together with them every day and were glad the building is still going to be a part of the county. State passes over Washington County mortgage tax request FORT EDWARD During the Washington County Board of Supervisors Finance Committee meeting on The plan is for district personnel to move into one of the school buildings. The BOCES staff who rent space in the office building will continue using their space until the lease runs out. District Business Manager Kevin Polunci said the building was around 28,000 square feet and sits on a plot slightly larger than 9 acres. Hudson Falls school board will meet Tuesday morning to review the offer and vote on whether to approve it for the ballot next month. The deal will not be final unless the proposition is approved by Hudson Falls Central School District voters at the budget vote in May. Samuel Northrop is the education reporter for The Post-Star. He can be reached at snorthrop@poststar.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. 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 "It's like having a dog," Kenan said. "We haven't figured out how to house-break him." He's had a few close calls since moving in. Once he parked under a Mustang, observing the work while it was up on the rack. He did not move when it was time to bring it down, until at the last minute he bolted just as it was about the touch the floor. He nearly got squashed, Gallo said. Another time the crew was working with the bay doors open and heard Earl coming from the woods, loudly clucking like he was in trouble. The sound began muted at first as he approached, then grew loud as he ran by the open door. Kenan described it like an approaching motorcycle, rumbling softly in the distance before roaring by. Kenan ran outside to see a dog in close pursuit of Earl. The dog even had a few tail feathers in his mouth. The pair ran into the middle of U.S. 158, stopping traffic in both directions. They circled in the highway a few turns until a woman recognized the dog as a neighbor's and pulled him off the road. Earl ran to the opposite side and was not seen for a couple of days. The mechanics figured that might be it for Earl, but then he turned up again, back to his old routine. "This could change my life forever," the site states, going on to offer a homemade greeting card for each $100 donation. Asked whether it is possible for Gregory to have created the site, a Department of Corrections spokesperson said it is not, given that Gregory does not have internet access. As of Monday, only one person had contributed to the fund drive. Tia Cummings Dale donated $5, and it appears from her Facebook page that she may have been a classmate of Gregory's. In listing her schooling, Dale indicates she attended United Township High School, Davenport North and Moline High School, graduating in 2005; the year of the Reynolds murder. She also indicates she worked as a cashier at a Moline Taco Bell. The parking lot of the Taco Bell on Avenue of the Cities in Moline is where the murder occurred; in Kolb's car. Dale did not respond to questions sent via Facebook messenger. No one responded to requests for details from the GoFundMe account. Reynolds' stepmother, Joanna Reynolds, said she never has heard of Dale. She reported the site to the Rock Island County State's Attorney's Office and said the family asks that no one donate to the account. A photo posted on the site last week showed Gregory during a prison visit with two others in the photo. That image was removed over the weekend, and a dated prison mug shot took its place. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 4 Angry 14 Registration will begin at 9 a.m., Bible study at 9:30 a.m., and the program at 10:30 a.m. Lunch will be served after the program. Cost is $6 per person, and reservations should be made as soon as possible by calling St. James Lutheran Church, 309-786-0503. Two kinds of missing persons cases make news. There are those that linger unresolved, sometimes for decades, leaving terrible loss and a tinge of hope. And those that reach a conclusion fairly quickly, sometimes a tragic one. The story of 5-year-old Andrew AJ Freund joined the latter category Wednesday. A body believed to be his was found in a shallow grave and his parents were each charged with murder, six days after his father reported him missing from their home in northwest suburban Crystal Lake. A report of a lost or missing child rightly commands attention with its urgency. Could another hour of searching, one more public appeal, save a life -- in this case, the life of a boy standing 3-foot-5 and last seen wearing a cartoon sweatshirt? It was not to be. We dont know yet exactly what happened to AJ. We do know as does the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services there were many signs of potential concern related to AJs upbringing. ROCK ISLAND One person was killed Monday morning when a car went off the northbound lane of Illinois 92 and into a flooded ditch. The victim was identified as Alexander Jackson, 25, Moline, Rock Island County Coroner Brian Gustafson said at 3:30 p.m. Monday. The Rock Island Fire Department was called around 9 a.m. to the highway between 18th and 31st avenues, Battalion Chief Darren LeBeau said. When they arrived, firefighters in drysuits went into the water to find the vehicle. "We found it by the air bubbles," LeBeau said. The vehicle was submerged and overturned, he said. Once they found it, they hooked chains to it and pulled it far enough out of the water for the single occupant to be extricated. No other people were found at the scene. Gustafson said the death was being considered a presumed drowning. No autopsy has been scheduled, but toxicology tests will be performed at the request of the state. The Rock Island Police Department said there were motorists who saw the northbound car leave the roadway and who stayed until police and fire arrived. The crash remains under investigation. Love 7 Funny 23 Wow 7 Sad 98 Angry 4 (WB) A D.C. Superior Court judge on April 26 ruled that prosecutors have presented sufficient evidence to establish probable cause that a 26-year-old U.S. Navy hospital corpsman fatally stabbed gay retail and language services manager Vongell Lugo inside Lugos D.C. apartment on Jan. 6. Judge Juliet McKenna issued her ruling during a preliminary hearing in which a D.C. police homicide detective testified that Navy Corpsman 3rd Class Collin J. Potter allegedly stabbed Lugo as many as 47 times in the upper body and genital area shortly after Lugo invited him into his apartment at 2844 Wisconsin Ave., N.W. near the Washington National Cathedral. Potter has been charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection with Lugos death. McKenna said her finding of probable cause cleared the way for the case to go before a grand jury, which court observers say they expect will hand down an indictment that could elevate the charge to first-degree murder. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nebiyu Feleke, the lead prosecutor in the case, stated at the April 26 hearing that Potter, through his attorneys, rejected a plea bargain offer made by prosecutors calling for him to plead guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for the government not seeking a first-degree murder charge before a grand jury. In his testimony, Homicide Det. Tony Covington reiterated details of the case included in a police arrest affidavit filed in court at the time of Potters arrest in January. The affidavit says officers saw Potter fully nude standing over Lugos nude body, which was lying on the floor in the hall outside Lugos apartment, when police arrived on the scene. The affidavit says police came to Lugos apartment building after a neighbor called 911 to report hearing what sounded like a violent struggle inside Lugos apartment and hearing a male voice shout, Please stop, please stop and, Please no, please no. When Covington recited that part of the affidavit Lugos mother, who was in the courtroom along with about 25 of Lugos family members and friends, began to cry. Several of the family members and friends in the courtroom participated in a candlelight vigil in Lugos honor held Jan. 11 in a small park across the street from his apartment building. The affidavit says emergency medical personnel pronounced Lugo dead on the scene on the floor in the hall outside his apartment. Covington said police believe Potter dragged Lugo outside the apartment door after allegedly fatally stabbing him inside the apartment. Defendant Potter had blood visible on various areas of his body, to include his arms and feet, however he did not have any apparent injuries, the affidavit says. In his testimony Det. Covington reiterated the affidavits assertion that Potter referred to Lugo as his girlfriend and as she when officers first approached him outside the apartment. The affidavit says that when questioned at the police homicide office Potter initially said he remembered performing oral sex on a male, he did not know why and it could not have been the result of having ingested alcohol, and he later saw that he had blood on him that was not his own, but did not know the source of the blood. According to the affidavit, after being read his Miranda rights Potter declined to answer further questions without having a lawyer present. In presenting information not initially disclosed in the affidavit, Covington testified at the April 26 hearing that the police investigation found that Potter and Lugo met on the night of the murder at the Black Whiskey bar at 1410 14th St., N.W. in D.C. Covington, however, said the investigation has not determined whether Potter and Lugo knew each other prior to the time they met up at the Black Whiskey on the night of the murder. (The police investigation found that Potter and Lugo met on the night of the murder at the Black Whiskey bar, image via the Black Whiskey Bar website) Covington said witnesses told police that Potter had been drinking that night in Virginia with people he knew from the Quantico Marine base, where Potter was stationed. The detective said witnesses told police Potter told his friends in Virginia he wanted to go to D.C. to continue drinking. (Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Collin J. Potter, charged with the murder, was assigned to The Basic School, USMC Training Command in Quantico, Virginia, the Marines confirmed. Image via Wikipedia) A friend of Lugos told the Washington Blade that Lugo, who was openly gay, liked to hang out at straight bars and the Black Whiskey was one of the bars he patronized. In response to questions by prosecutor Feleke, Covington said one witness told police Potter was seen buying two drinks at the Black Whiskey on the night of the murder and giving one of them to Lugo. Other witnesses saw Potter and Lugo talking to each other over their drinks before they were seen leaving the Black Whiskey and entering a car, Covington testified. He said surveillance cameras at Lugos apartment building showed that the two men entered the building together and entered Lugos apartment in the early morning hours of Sunday, Jan. 6. Covington testified that police found two kitchen knives with traces of blood on them inside Lugos apartment, with one of them in a sink with water running from the faucet. The two knives are being introduced as the murder weapons. In response to questions by defense attorney Matthew Davies, Covington said police have no known motive for why Potter allegedly stabbed Lugo to death in the apartment. In response to further questions by Davies, Covington said police have no evidence to indicate that anyone else was present at Lugos apartment at the time of the murder. In concluding arguments, Davies told the judge the defense doesnt believe prosecutors established probable cause that Potter committed the murder. He said the evidence cannot rule out the assertion by the defense that the murder was committed by someone else who had access to Lugos apartment. We dont know who else was in that apartment and who else was in there and left, he said. Prosecutor Feleke said the government has presented ample evidence to show Potter and Lugo were the only two in the apartment at the time of the murder. He noted that Potter himself told police at the time they arrived on the scene that he and Lugo were the only two in the apartment that night. I do find that that the government has established substantial probability that Mr. Potter committed second-degree murder, said Judge Mckenna in handing down her ruling. The evidence that the government presented is incredibly strong, she said. Mckenna denied a request by the defense that Potter be released into a halfway house while awaiting trial and approved Felekes request that he remain held in jail as he has since the time of his arrest. The possibility of merging the parishes and schools of St. John Vianney and Our Lady of Lourdes was discussed Sunday at a meeting at Our Lady of Lourdes school, Bettendorf. More than 100 people attended the meeting led by the Rev. James Vrba, of St. John Vianney, the Rev. Jason Crossen, of Our Lady of Lourdes and Nikki Gartner, chief financial officer for the Diocese of Davenport. Each referred to a PowerPoint presentation about the history of each parish and school, along with current needs and considerations. A similar meeting was held April 14. Were very open to any possibilities, said Crossen, who along with Vrba answered questions from those in the audience and asked those attending to complete forms about individual opinions for the future of the Catholic Church in Bettendorf. In 2017, Most Rev. Thomas Zinkula, Bishop of the Diocese of Davenport, asked for a committee to study the needs of the Catholic church in Bettendorf, Crossen said. Bettendorf pastors reached out to various community leaders to be involved in the Bettendorf Catholic Study Committee, Crossen said. All indications were for peace and harmony as the 23rd biennial three-day convention of the Iowa Federation of Women's clubs opened today at the Masonic temple in Davenport, but -- With approximately 1,000 women expected to attend, many of them leaders in their respective communities throughout the state, and accustomed to expressing their diverse opinions -- Saturday, May 3, 1919 -- MUSCATINE IN 141 BALLOTS TO NAME RECORDER Muscatine, Iowa May 3. -- (Special) -- On the 141st ballot last night Republicans and Democrats united against the Socialists in the city council and elected and elected Clyde Parks, Republican, city recorder to replace B. F. Stebbins, resigned. Thursday, May 4, 1899 -- BIG DEED FILED. | Sale of the Trust Co. Tract Recorded. | MAX D. PETERSEN THE PURCHASER. | It is Located on the Corner of Second and Perry Streets, and the Price Paid is Given at $12,000 -- The Deed Filed This Afternoon. The completion of the Max D. Petersen purchase on east Second street on the tract on the northwest corner of Second and Perry streets, was accomplished today by the filing of the deed in the case at 12:53 o'clock this afternoon. Take the free tuition proposal. This would be a big giveaway to high-income families who plan to send their kids to college anyway and don't need to be comped. Free college means it's free for Bill Gates' kids, too, after all. You would get more bang for the buck if you offered more generous aid to low-income students, phasing it out as you move up the income ladder: free tuition for the poor (plus assistance for non-tuition expenses, as Warren proposes), highly subsidized tuition for the middle class and full freight for Gates' children. The student-loan forgiveness plan has similar problems. Warren would wipe out up to $50,000 in debt for everyone in a household making up to $100,000, and then progressively smaller amounts for households with up to $250,000 (that is, households in the United States' 95th income percentile). For context, despite sob stories suggesting that the typical young grad is a barista with $100,000 in debt, most students borrow much less and go on to earn much more. Among students who first enrolled in college in 2003, over the subsequent six years, 44 percent hadn't borrowed at all and another 25 percent had borrowed less than $10,000. Just 2 percent had borrowed more than $50,000. Mike Matson was raised in Davenport, went to school in Davenport and is presently teaching in Davenport, He is on the City Council in Davenport and now wants to be the mayor of Davenport. Mike spent 21 years in the U.S. Army. His list of accomplishments is truly amazing. He earned the rank of sergeant major (the highest rank an enlisted soldier can achieve). He graduated from U.S. Army Ranger, Light Leader, Sniper, and Jumpmaster programs. He served in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) as Joint Forces Special Operations Component Command Sergeant Major/Supervisor. He has over 200 tactical parachute jumps, earned multiple meritorious service award medals and had a top secret security clearance when in the military. These are just a few of the many things he did that helped him develop his leadership, management and communication skills. His leadership roles also required him to inspire others, make tough decisions and to delegate responsibility, all skills a good mayors must have. Mike Matson has them. He has "been there and done that." Thank you, Sen. Ernst for holding a town hall event on Friday. Even though it was early, 7:30 a.m., many people were able to attend and I asked a simple question: Have you read the Mueller report? I was floored when the answer was she hadn't. Just Monday, Ernst said there is no need for Robert Mueller to come before the Judiciary Committee, yet she has not read the report? On Wednesday, she said there is zero evidence of collusion with Russia from the Trump campaign, yet she has not read the report? Her statement is a lie. If she read it, the report states "we applied the framework of conspiracy law, not the concept of collusion." Why does she, Attorney General Barr, and President Trump keep lying that no Americans colluded with Russia? Why not just state the truth: the report found 127 confirmed communications between the campaign and the Russians, but could not collect enough evidence to have a successful prosecution of the crime of conspiracy? A local womans fight to become a school board candidate has ended after she lost a federal appeal and announced on Facebook that she is withdrawing her prospective candidacy. Lafawn Janis was disqualified as a candidate earlier this month because of incomplete information on her candidate petition. She appealed to federal court but lost her appeal Friday. U.S. District Judge Karen Schreiers written decision said Janis should have appealed to state court rather than federal court. South Dakota provides a forum for election administrative challenges, and thus this court will not interfere, Schreier wrote. Janis wrote on her Facebook page that she is confident she could obtain a favorable decision in state court, but she decided not to pursue that option because its too late to obtain a decision before ballots for the June 4 election are sent to the printers this week. I respectfully withdraw at this stage and look forward to continuing my work in our community to make Rapid City a safe place for all to live and receive a great education, Janis wrote. She had filed enough petition signatures prior to a March deadline to become a candidate for an Area 3 position on the Rapid City Area Schools Board of Education. But her petition was challenged by Area 3 resident Christopher Green, who showed that Janis did not specify Area 3 in the heading section of her petition. After receiving Greens challenge, David Janak, the school districts business manager and assistant superintendent for fiscal and support services, disqualified Janis. Janis appealed to federal court, claiming that Janak violated her constitutional rights to due process of law and equal protection. Janis and her lawyer, Jim Leach, showed that a 2018 school board candidate, Collin Boechler, had committed a similar oversight with his petition but was allowed on the ballot because nobody challenged the validity of his petition. The withdrawal of Janis leaves one candidate for the Area 3 school board position, Brian K. Johnson. The incumbent board member in Area 3, Ron Riherd, is not seeking re-election. In the other local school board race, Area 6 board member Amy Policky is running unopposed for re-election. The voter registration deadline for the June 4 election is May 20, which is the same day early voting begins. Rapid City ballots will include a race for mayor and several city council races. Contact Seth Tupper at seth.tupper@rapidcityjournal.com You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The scavenger-cleaned bison carcass scattered across the grassland provided the perfect punctuation point for Nathan Varley. Varley was lobbying a group of officials Wednesday to modify how the winter bison hunt is conducted in the Gardiner Basin, just north of Yellowstone National Park. The hunter-killed bison bones, fur and offal emphasized his argument: hunts are being conducted close to nearby residences. "Our contention is that some of the hunting that does take place hasn't been safe," he said. Residents variously referred to the area as the "killing field" or the "kill zone," noting that as soon as bison cross the park boundary they are fair game for hunters. The issue isn't new, as hunts have been conducted in the area since 2005. Varley is a member of the Bear Creek Council, a conservation group based in Gardiner at the North Entrance to Yellowstone. He also grew up in Gardiner, the son of the park's one-time chief scientist. After leaving and then returning to the region, Varley now runs a wildlife tourism business. He's concerned not only about wildlife, but how the public perceives the state of Montana's treatment of animals like bison. "We are hyper-vigilant of things that may influence tourism," he told The Billings Gazette. "Some (tourists) are appalled and dismayed by what they see." Once bison leave the park in the Gardiner Basin they can be legally killed during two winter seasons by state hunters, as well as by tribal hunters with treaty rights. Some tribal hunts extend into April. The problem has been that the areas where hunters have the easiest access to bison is relatively small and not far from residences. "Three-hundred and fifty eight gut piles in one winter. Picture it," said Bonnie Lynn, who lives across from Beattie Gulch, one of two prime bison hunting areas north of Gardiner. The gut piles attract scavengers, everything from eagles and ravens to bobcats, coyotes, wolves and bears. Together they can pick clean the backbones, rib cages and gut piles in a matter of days. Some of the scavengers are killed by predator hunters, others have died from lead poisoning caused by consuming bullets. "We are concerned about collateral damage," Varley said. Varley, other residents and partners of the Bear Creek Council were lobbying members of the Inter-Agency Bison Management Program, which includes state, federal and tribal officials. About 60 people toured the two hunting areas as residents spoke. The requests were varied: Could the Forest Service land near the old Yellowstone Trail Road that leads to Beattie Gulch be closed to push the bison hunt farther away from residences? Could all bison carcasses be removed from the fields? Last winter one resident estimated that out of the 300 animals killed more than 8,000 pounds of gut piles were left on the landscape. "The Bear Creek Council is not against hunting," Varley said, a message all of the other residents echoed. "But we are here to say the way hunting currently is conducted is not safe." Dan Stahler, who owns a home just off Eagle Creek Road, has lived close to the other main bison hunting area for five years. A hunter himself, Stahler said he has turned in many violators he's seen trespassing, shooting from roads and hazing bison. "I've been a witness to a lot of the negative activities," he said. He suggested the hunting area at Eagle Creek be pushed farther east, away from the houses, to increase safety for residents. Ilona Popper, who lives farther up the road near the small community of Jardine, said during hunting season the icy road she commutes on becomes dangerous as hunters park in one lane of traffic to load or butcher their kill. "It's not being conducted as a safe hunt," she said. "Something has to change." Officials from the IBMP were willing to listen to the many tales of residents, but didn't want to offer hope for changes before consulting with the rest of the group. No one partner wants to take on any of the issues individually, always seeking a consensus as well as a cost-share for any expense incurred. "I'm glad to see people talking about it and what the residents deal with," said Mike Volesky, chief of operations for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. "But there's not an easy solution or we would have done it already." Last year FWP proposed closing Beattie Gulch to state hunters, a suggestion that never made it past muster because it wouldn't affect tribal hunters, who are more numerous. "Maybe by getting people together and hearing other people's concerns, we could reconsider some things," Volesky said. "But it's tough when you have a number of tribes, a number of sovereigns who see things differently." Tribes with treaty rights to hunt in Montana are not governed by state game laws, although they often work in concert with FWP. Carl Scheeler, wildlife program manager for the Umatilla Tribe, agreed that the tour provided a great opportunity for the IBMP to hear the concerns of the local community. He suggested a bounty paid for carcasses could monetize what is now considered waste, encouraging some locals or hunters to pick up the dead bison parts now left lying in the field. The question then arises: where would the carcass parts be taken, and what would be done with them? They could be incinerated or maybe turned into compost, all issues that would have to be worked out between the IBMP partners. "We need to keep all options open right now," he said. "We clearly care about it." You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Editor's note: This is the first story in a five-part series looking at the schools that are proposed to be closed under Rapid City Area Schools $250 million facilities proposal. The way Principal David Swank tells it, overcrowding has been a problem at Canyon Lake Elementary School since it first opened in September 1949. That school year, according to Rapid City Journal archives, 300 more students had registered for lower grades than in 1948. This was originally supposed to be a seven-classroom school with an eighth room that was like an activity room, Swank said. It opened as an eight-classroom school. By 1951, according to school records, an addition had been built to relieve the pressure. Today the school's main building has a student population of 407 with a capacity for 302. And the two buildings and four annexes that make up its 13.5 acre campus arent just over-stuffed but out of shape. In the first phase of the Rapid City Area Schools proposed master plan for facilities, Canyon Lake and two other elementary schools would close over the next three to six years. Whether the buildings would be sold or demolished has yet to be determined. That plan for now recommends transferring Canyon Lake students either to Meadowbrook or Corral Drive Elementary schools. But closing schools is only one of many options on the table for the plans first phase. Three new elementary schools would also be constructed, while South and West Middle schools would be rebuilt where they stand. The infrastructural overhaul would be financed by a $250 million bond issue that 60 percent of voters would have to approve of by referendum. The school-civilian task force that crafted the plan is expected to make their final recommendations to the board of education which would decide whether to put the issue on the ballot in June. Full to the brim School officials have over the years found a number of workarounds to Canyon Lakes spatial constraints. We dont have offices for certain administrative personnel. Theyre in closets or storage closets, mostly, said Kumar Veluswamy, manager of Rapid City school facilities. Four annexes the districts term for the modular buildings that function as freestanding classrooms have gone up at Canyon Lake since the 1980s. Six years ago, the school absorbed the Kibben-Kuster building a quarter-mile away. Built in 1981, Kibben-Kuster was originally a special education facility. Its services have since moved to the schools Jefferson building. Now known as Canyon Lake East, the building houses kindergarten and first grade students as well as music rooms and the campus library. I think (parents) understand what our limitations are here," Swank said. "They understand that were doing the best we can with what we have," he continued. Still, he said, there are limitations to what can be done. The gymnasium at the Canyon Lake building, for example, cannot be used for physical education during the two hours that it serves each day as the school cafeteria. Lacking space in their classrooms, students in preschool and grades two through five hang their belongings on coat hooks that line the Canyon Lake buildings already narrow hallways. And because many of the buildings were constructed before the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law, accessibility is scattershot. Several annexes do feature wheelchair ramps, but many of their bathrooms are too tight for a wheelchair user to turn in. Underlying structural issues aside, the school simply lacks room for what school officials call 21st century learning, a cornerstone of the proposed facilities plan. One aspect of the philosophy is its emphasis on open classrooms with flexible space. Its not like a balloon where I can put more air in and make the classroom sizes any bigger, Veluswamy said. Safety and maintenance Crouching in the crawl space underneath the Canyon Lake building Tuesday, Veluswamy pointed to several points where the floor overhead is sags inward. Results, he said, of the school's high water table. Recently installed wooden supports alleviate the bowing somewhat, Veluswamy said, but this summer new concrete will need to be poured and new still mesh installed for further stability. With the crawl space accessible only by duct-sized holes in the wall, he doesnt expect it to be cheap. I could spend several millions fixing this, he said, but then if youre going to build a new school why waste the money here? Even if the bond issue passes, Veluswamy said, a new school wouldnt be built for several years. Money would have to be spent on maintenance regardless. Veluswamy said water table moisture has created air quality issues and sewer problems in some of Canyon Lakes annexes as well. School officials also expressed safety concerns related to the size of the campus, its location in a residential area and its proximity to a busy road. Additionally, Swank figures that there are six or seven separate points of entry to campus facilities. To limit the possibility of intrusion, newer schools often have only one main entryway. A chain-link fence does, however, encircle much of Canyon Lake. Its pretty easy for people to come onto our campus. Its mostly enclosed but its not entirely enclosed. And nor do we want the message to be that this is a prison," Swank said. Canyon Lake does share a resource officer with West Middle School and several others in the district, Swank said. Swank and Veluswamy added that walking between different buildings for class and activities in winter weather can be difficult on young students. It also cuts into their class time. Officials said that 170-plus students who are bused to the school from the city's north side each day lose out on additional class time because of their long commute. If you think about the cognitive capital that kids have at their disposal in a day, theyre spending the first hour of that sitting on a bus. And then theyre going home tired on a bus with 95 other kids," Swank said. "That creates its own set of issues. I would say 20 percent of our behavior issues are things that take place on the bus." You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Switch to Hospital Comfort Protocol Causes Horrifying Death News provided by Fr. Kevin Manion April 29, 2019 LOS ANGELES, April 29, 2019 /Standard Newswire/ -- Christian Churches celebrate the Sunday after Easter as Mercy Sunday. The Gospel recounts Jesus greeting his apostles in the upper room and saying to them, "Peace be with you... whose sins you shall forgive are forgiven them." For a retired Catholic priest from San Diego, Fr. Kevin Manion, this year's Mercy Sunday has an added meaning. Fr. Manion spent years caring for his invalid mother. "Today is when mom would have celebrated her 99th birthday." Patricia Ann was hospitalized earlier in the month with pneumonia. To non-medical eyes she began to recover with the medical protocol. On the afternoon of her death, she spoke to family members about returning home. She was supposed to leave the hospital. That afternoon Mrs. Manion told her housekeeper she would pay to take her home. She had been collecting "two dollar" bills in a piggy bank for an emergency. Earlier the hospital physician sought to end the "medical" and begin the "comfort" protocol. This was the doctor's professional opinion. Fr. Manion sensed the doctor's urgency for the "comfort" protocol - the use of a morphine drip to provide his mother comfort. The priest gave his consent. Medical protocol was removed. The new protocol took one hour. Family members witnessed special nurses loading Mrs. Manion with three bags of morphine. Pat saw this as well. She knew what was happening. She pleaded with her son to take her out of the hospital bed. He was helpless, knelling on the floor next to her, and he saw Jesus in agony on the cross. The Lord's Prayer ends with the words, "deliver us from evil." Fr. Manion's mom was euthanized. "Pray for us now, and at the hour of our death." The hour of Patricia's death was evil. Had she lived, Patricia would have been an invaluable witness for a recent "Cause of Sainthood" in the Los Angeles Archdiocese for Fr. Aloysius Ellacuria, CMF. 40 years earlier Mrs. Manion had accompanied Fr. Aloysius on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Fr. Aloysius was designated "Servant of God" by the Vatican Congregation handling sainthood causes. Pat Manion didn't survive to tell her story. Her 5-day hospitalization ended in terror. This Mercy Sunday Fr. Manion prays the Lord's Mercy be with all placed on comfort protocol, and that his mother, Patricia Ann, born this day 99 years ago, rest in peace. SOURCE Fr. Kevin Manion CONTACT: Rev. Kevin Manion, 512-773-5447 Related Links www.aloysius.com ELM SPRINGS- Russell Burmeister died April 26, 2019. Russell was born in 1935 when his parents were ranching near Interior, S.D. He spent his youth ranching and farming near Wasta and eventually near Elm Springs. He was an only child who enjoyed fishing and animals. He left home at age 15, traveling to California with his friend Darvin Knapp, and traveling (hitchhiking) through Florida. He married Letty Fischer in 1955 and had a daughter, Lane. He married Barbara Williamson in 1976 and had daughters Brandy and Trina, and his son Burton. He was step-dad to Barb's son John Kleinsasser. Russell was a lot of things. He was a successful rancher and farmer, a bareback rider, a Golden Gloves boxer, a pilot, a real estate guy, a world traveler, a good auctioneer, and could dance one hell of a good jitterbug. He had several life-long friends, including Lawrence Burke, the Arneson brothers, the Crawford brothers, Duane Rhynard, Junior Cress, Roger Teeters, Duane Keffeler, Sonny Huether, Lane Johnston, and more. He leaves his children Lane O'Rourke and her husband Brady and their sons Tucker and Jace, Brandy Meyer and her husband David, Burton Burmeister and his sons Trevor, Nick and Brody, and Trina Burmeister and her daughter Emma. He was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Marguerite Burmeister and his step-son John. Everyone who knew him would agree that he was a colorful character. He will be greatly missed. Visitation will be held at noon, Wednesday, May 1 at the Elm Springs Community Church followed by a graveside service at the Elm Springs Cemetery at 1 p.m. Russ has requested that everyone wear jeans to the services. Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home is in care of arrangements. Contact Geoff Preston at geoffrey.preston@rapidcityjournal.com Obituaries Newsletter Sign up to get the most recent local obituaries delivered to your inbox. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. A 23-year-old woman faces four counts of felony criminal endangerment after allegedly nearly causing four head-on collisions by driving in the wrong lane on U.S. Highway 93. Shauntae Nichole Harmon of Hamilton appeared Friday in Ravalli County Justice Court on the felony charges and misdemeanor counts of aggravated driving while under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving. According to Ravalli County Deputy Attorney Thorin Geists charging affidavit, Harmon was arrested after 3 a.m. on April 25 after she allegedly nearly hit a Ravalli County deputys vehicle and three others while driving in the wrong lane south of Lolo. The deputy was responding to the call of a sport utility vehicle driving in the wrong lane when he observed the motorist in front of him brake and take evasive maneuvers to avoid being struck head on by the vehicle Harmon was driving. The deputy was also forced to get out of the way of the approaching vehicle. He then activated his emergency lights and attempted to stop the vehicle, which continued driving in the wrong lane forcing two other motorists to take evasive action to avoid a head-on collision. After the deputy turned on his siren, Harmon stopped her vehicle, the affidavit said. When the deputy asked her what was going on, the affidavit said she replied: Well, reflecting on the last 20 minutes, I probably should not have been driving. Harmon told the deputy she had gone to karaoke and added she was tired and was unsure if she could pass a field sobriety test. She didnt pass the test. A preliminary breath sample yielded a result of .110 BrAC. After being taken into custody, a later breath sample taken on the Intoxilyzer 8000 showed .181 BrAC. In Montana, a person is considered impaired with a .08 blood alcohol content. During an interview, Harmon said she left work at 4:30 p.m. and met her boyfriend at Lolo Peak Brewery, where she had one beer. They then went to the Badlander in Missoula, where she had several more drinks, the affidavit said. Harmon thought she had been pulled over at 12:30 a.m. She could not account for the nearly 3 hour time gap. She told investigators that she did not think she was drunk, and while alcohol might have been a factor, she believed her fatigue was the cause of her errant driving. The affidavit said she did not show any remorse when advised that she nearly caused multiple head-on collisions. Justice Jim Bailey set bail at $5,000. Love 4 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 5 Angry 13 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The era of the Criterion Channel is upon us, and for longtime collectors (like me), the calculation for our walls of Criterion spines is threatening to change. I could not have signed up for the Channel faster upon its launch on April 8, and I had already consumed four films before the end of my first 24 hours on the service. I won't enumerate the myriad reasons physical media continues to retain practical advantages over streaming when it comes to bringing great films into your home. (If you've spent any amount of time on the internet in this decade, you already know them.) I will, however, admit that the threshold for what warrants a purchase vs. an evening surfing the Criterion Channel app has moved, and will continue to move. Gillian Armstrong's 1979 feature, her first, was on the Criterion Channel at launch and hits shelves as a physical disc at the end of the month. Naturally, the disc offers a supplementary experience that the streaming service does not. There's a newly-recorded interview with Armstrong, who -- in an effervescent and forthright 25 minutes -- discusses everything from how student films, not classics of cinema, made her want to become a filmmaker, to Judy Davis' intense personal dislike for her performance in My Brilliant Career. There's also a commentary track from Armstrong, ported over from a previous DVD; and a new interview with the film's production designer, and an archive television interview with Davis herself. None of these are on the streaming service, nor should (I think) they ever be. There's an interesting existential question for the Criterion Collection at the heart of all of this, an organization that made its name (first) on the detailed presentation of a canon of film classics at the highest possible quality, and (second) on nurturing those releases with "film school in a can"-style supplemental features for the interested cineaste who wanted to learn more. Arguably, both of these pillars are irrelevant to the streaming platform, because if the last decade has proven anything, it's that a) the vast majority of streaming customers wouldn't notice picture quality if it smacked them over the head with their motion-smoothed plasma screens; and b) supplementals are a value-add legacy of the physical media era built to justify the higher-than-reasonable cost of those discs, and has failed to find any real foothold in streaming media. You could argue that neither of these outcomes should hit the Criterion audience, who (one assumes) is more discerning than the average Netflix customer, but lacking access to my Time Stone at the moment, I won't make predictions. This all resolves itself upon My Brilliant Career in only one important way, though: it is not, I think, a disc I would bother to buy on its own merits, if I'd already watched the film as part of my monthly subscription to the channel. It's everything the Criterion Collection does well in terms of picture, sound, and supplements; but not arranged around a film where I particularly needed any of it. My Brilliant Career concerns a teenager in Australia named Sybylla (Davis), a wild-haired and equally-wild-spirited rascal with little patience for rules and even less for the presumption that she will, sooner than she'd like, have to marry in order to secure a financial future for herself now that her family has fallen into deep financial troubles. Anne of Green Gables collides with Sense and Sensibility (and a bit of Pippi Longstocking, to be honest) in Sybylla, whose mother describes her as plain, useless, and godless, and who herself would probably object only to the middle part: she knows she has a use, and suspects it's in the arts, though she hasn't worked out exactly what yet. It's a tremendous performance from Davis, who turns Sybylla from a truculent adolescent into a veritable force of feminine power, all under the keen eye and strong sense of place that Armstrong brings to the picture. The film is marvellously lusty, to whatever degree such lusts might be unformed or confusing to its heroine; Armstrong presents Sybylla's love interest (Sam Neill) as unabashed eye candy, and trades the balance of the story on whether succeeding in a love match is enough for a woman like Sybylla. (Spoiler: it ain't.) For all this, though, when My Brilliant Career was done, I found I didn't have much else to say or think about it, beyond the above. It was worthwhile listening to Armstrong discuss the film in the commentary and the video interview, largely because it was important for me to reacquaint myself with her trailblazing career now that a markedly belated surge in women directors like her is beginning to take root in the mainstream film industry. Just for fun, I also compared My Brilliant Career's picture quality on disc to that on the streaming platform; naturally, the disc won out by a sizeable margin; colours are deeper and richer, whereas blacks are crushed on the streaming service and fine detail is lost in a subtle but noticeable haze of video noise. Noise on the disc is natural and earthy, artifacts of the film grain itself, thanks to the 4K restoration co-produced by Criterion and the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia. Arguably the biggest advantage My Brilliant Career has over the Criterion Channel on disc is the inclusion of Armstrong's short film, One Hundred A Day, which she mentions was the reason producer Margaret Fink became interested in her, and ultimately decided to give Armstrong the feature project. One Hundred A Day is set in a shoe factory in the 1930s, in the aftermath of a young woman getting an illicit abortion. Like many student films it feels slightly incomplete, but there's no arguing with Armstrong's ambitious and vibrant use of camera to create tension and tell her story. And no, it's not on the Criterion Channel. Finding these niches for each product offering, so that Criterion does not end up in competition with itself, is key to the strategy going forward from here on these two divergent roads. The release of My Brilliant Career is a good test case for where your own collecting threshold lies (and six months ahead of Disney+, which will see us facing similar questions all over again). If a film is still more to you than just "content," you'll probably be sticking with discs; but the scale and ease of the offering on the Channel does, I'll admit, have me very happy so far. The Hong Kong office of Amnesty International has been hit by a long-running cyberattack carried out by China-linked hackers. Amnesty Internationals Hong Kong office has been hit with a cyberattack launched by China-linked hackers. This sophisticated cyber-attack underscores the dangers posed by state-sponsored hacking and the need to be ever vigilant to the risk of such attacks. We refuse to be intimidated by this outrageous attempt to harvest information and obstruct our human rights work, said Man-kei Tam, Director of Amnesty International Hong Kong. An Amnesty Internationals spokesperson told the South China Morning Post that supporters names, Hong Kong identity card numbers and personal contact information were accessed by the hackers, no financial data was compromised. In response to the cyber attack, the organization set up a global task force composed of cyber security professionals. The organizations discovered the security breach on March 15 during a scheduled migration of the Hong Kong office IT infrastructure to its international network. The initial findings reveal the attacks were perpetrated using tools and techniques associated with specific advanced persistent threat groups (APTs). reads the announcement published by Amnesty International. Cyber forensic experts were able to establish links between the infrastructure used in this attack and previously reported APT campaigns associated with the Chinese government. The organization has notified of the incident to all people that might have been impacted by the attack, it is also providing additional guidance to further ensure their data is secure. Amnesty also reported the attack to the Hong Kongs Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data. According to Amnesty International, Chinese authorities are hindering cooperation between international and domestic NGOs, The group attributed the attack to a known APT group that used tactics, techniques and procedures consistent with a well developed adversary. This sophisticated cyberattack underscores the dangers posed by state-sponsored hacking and the need to be ever vigilant to the risk of such attacks, said Man-kei Tam, Director of Amnesty International Hong Kong. We refuse to be intimidated by this outrageous attempt to harvest information and obstruct our human rights work, he said. The investigation is still ongoing to determine the extent of the hack and the time window of exposure, but experts fear the attack has been happening already for a few years. Amnesty is a privileged target for state-sponsored hackers because of its activity with other NGOs, journalists, activists, and civil rights movements worldwide. In August 2018, Amnesty International revealed that one of its employees was targeted with a surveillance malware developed by an Israeli firm. The human rights group published a report that provides details on the attack against its employee. Pierluigi Paganini (SecurityAffairs APT, Amnesty International) Share this... Linkedin Share this: Twitter Print LinkedIn Facebook More Tumblr Pocket Share On By Gemma Handy CARNIVAL Corporation, which ferries thousands of cruise visitors to Grand Turk each week, has come under fire for a catalogue of environmental crimes outlined in an alarming report. A 205-page legal document lays bare hundreds of offences including illegally dumping almost half a million gallons of treated sewage in Bahamian waters in a single month. And all while on probation for a previous charge of discharging oily waste into the ocean and lying about it to regulators. The report released by a Florida court this month makes for grim reading, revealing the shadowy underbelly of the multi-billion dollar cruise industry, tourisms fastest growing sector. The worlds largest cruise line says it has never dumped sewage within 12 miles of TCIs shore as set out under local law but the controversy has reignited serious questions about the impact of the behemoth vessels on the Islands precious marine environment. In 2016, Carnival pleaded guilty to several felonies relating to the illegal dumping of oil and a subsequent cover-up. The company agreed to a record $40 million fine and five years of probation. Washington DC lawyer Steven Solow, who was appointed by the court to monitor Carnivals operations, submitted his first report in June. Initially intended to be confidential, it was made public by District Judge Patricia Seitz in the interests of transparency two weeks ago. Seitz has also threatened to temporarily ban Carnivals 100-plus ships from docking in US ports. Solows report based on ship inspections, company records, interviews with employees and third party audits flags more than 800 incidents which occurred in several countries between April 2017 and April 2018. Carnival told the Weekly News the offences were largely self-reported, most related to equipment rather than discharges, and none intentional. Other incidents listed included dumping of food waste, illegally burning heavy fuel oil in protected areas, and furniture accidentally going overboard. Grand Turks 18-acre cruise centre was opened by Carnival Corporation at a cost of $42 million in 2006. More than 800,000 passengers and 300,000 crew visit each year with the TCIs famous waters a prime attraction; Carnivals website cites scuba diving and snorkelling as the islands top two activities. But the very feature that draws tourists to the Islands each year is being placed under increasing pressure from the sheer volume of ships, said Kathleen Wood, of Providenciales-based SWA Environmental. "TCIs reefs are among the best preserved in the region so they have a high ecological value, she told the Weekly News. Cruise ships have long earned a bad rap on account of their environmental impact. The USs Environmental Protection Agency estimates each vessel produces 21,000 gallons of human sewage, a tonne of solid waste garbage, 6,400 gallons of oily bilge water from the massive engines, and 8,500 plastic bottles every single day. The ships are also a significant contributor to greenhouse gases, while their propellers churn up sediment smothering coral reefs, Wood said. She continued that there was only a "slim chance the 450,000 gallons of treated sewage dumped in Bahamian waters in April 2017 would have reached the TCI, due to the direction of the current. Carnival says that episode was due to human error and that it has since added new tools to its ships to avoid a recurrence. Both local and international laws ban dumping in ports and waters close to land. But the likelihood of legally-discharged waste from ships visiting Grand Turk affecting the TCIs marine environment is "very high, she said. "The three main types of waste are general garbage including plastics, bilge from fuel tanks which is full of tar, and sewage. "The old adage that the solution to pollution is dilution has long been debunked, yet continues to be the mind-set for disposal of waste at sea. "Oceans are open places and there are many things that never degrade, like plastic, and others that take a very, very long time, like oil sludge. If we dump at a higher rate than the ecosystem can process, its very harmful, Wood said. She called for local funding to be allocated to observe ships behaviour in TCI waters and for greater general oversight of their operations. "Without the mechanisms in place to police ships once they leave port they could be dumping anywhere. And if they ever do discharge closer than 12 miles from the coast the pollution would be catastrophic for our coral reefs, she added. Meanwhile, the Bahamian government announced plans on Wednesday (April 24) to thoroughly investigate the findings in Solows report, which it described as "most disturbing. Transport Minister Renward Wells said officials were already in discussion with "fully cooperating Carnival chiefs and that "appropriate measures would be taken. The cruise industry is worth $406 million to the Bahamas second only to Cozumel in the region according to the non-profit Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA). An FCCA report for the 2017 to 2018 cruise year estimated the industrys total economic contribution to the TCI to be $86.5 million. The sector employs almost 1,500 people locally; collectively they earn almost $27 million, around $18,000 each. The circa 700,000 passengers around 87 percent who disembark the ship annually to experience Grand Turk spend just under $100 each. And only 40 percent buy a tour, with three in four people purchasing it from the cruise line, despite it being more than twice the price of buying it locally. The report also stated the TCI earned around $12.3 million in port fees, taxes and local supplies for its 800,000 yearly visitors. That was low compared to some destinations, such as Antigua and Barbuda which saw almost the same number of passengers but garnered twice as much at $24 million. Last year the same in which Carnival reported a $3.2 billion profit Grand Turk saw the inaugural visit of Carnival Horizon, the companys largest ship, capable of carrying almost 5,000 guests. Tourism Minister Ralph Higgs welcomed the visit and reiterated his commitment to expanding the sector. For its part, Carnival has acknowledged "unacceptable failures in its processes, as outlined in Solows report. Spokesman Roger Frizzell told the Weekly News the firm was "taking steps to address the improvement areas mentioned in the document and to build on its "positive progress also noted by Solow. Carnivals carbon footprint has already been reduced by more than 25 percent, he said, partly due to advanced air quality systems resulting in cleaner emissions. Frizzell added that Carnival was looking forward to this years launch of its industry-first LNG-powered ships which will run on liquefied natural gas. Those are among various eco-friendly measures currently being rolled out by cruise companies worldwide in a bid to remain in favour with todays increasingly eco-conscious travellers. Norwegian operator Hurtigruten recently pledged to ditch on-board plastics entirely. Whether such efforts will be enough to safeguard the TCIs world-famous reefs and others across the globe only time will tell. SINGAPORE (Apr 29): Starhill Global REIT (SGREIT) posted 3Q19 DPU of 1.10 cents, 0.9% higher y-o-y. But gross revenue was 0.9% lower y-o-y at $51.3 million, bringing net property income (NPI) to $39.6 million, 1.8% lower than $40.3 million last year. See: Starhill Global REIT declares 0.9% increase in 3Q DPU to 1.10 cents Despite the REITs mixed performance, CGS-CIMB continues to rate SGREIT an add with a slightly higher target price of 77 cents from 76 cents previously. Although the REIT saw an improvement in tenant sales and shopper traffic, Wisma Atrias (WA) performance was dragged by lower occupancy and negative rental reversions. Office contribution was also impacted by lower occupancy of 88.5% with the pre-termination of a lease. Ngee Ann City (NAC) saw office revenue increase by 10.2% y-o-y on higher office occupancy. In a Friday report, lead analyst Eing Kar Mei says, Meanwhile, the Toshin rent review, due in June 19, could provide further earnings upside. In Malaysia, SGREIT has announced it is entering into a new conditional master lease agreement for Starhill Gallery and Lot 10, with Katagreen, contigent upon an asset enhancement exercise at Starhill Gallery. The latter is expected to undergo an AEI over the next two years, but would continue to receive rent of RM26 million. In addition, any DPU shortfall would be mitigated with the REIT Manager planning to receive part of its management fees in units. We see this exercise as positive for the medium term given that the new master lease agreement would likely lengthen SGREITs weighted average lease expiry from the present 4.1 years to 6.4 years, says Eing. Similarly, RHB Group Research is also keeping its buy call on SGREIT with a target price of 78 cents In a Monday report, analyst Vijay Natarajan says, We maintain that the worst is likely over, with its Singapore retail portfolio bottoming out and a turnaround expected in the overseas and office assets. Valuations are still attractive it is trading at 0.8 times FY19F price-to-book, ie the cheapest among retail/office S-REITs. Story continues The REITs Singapore retail portfolio has shown some positive signs, with overall committed occupancy rates increasing 0.5 percentage point (ppt) q-o-q to 99.7%. Notably, Wisma retail committed occupancy rate rose 1.4ppt to 99%, albeit at slightly lower rates. Also, WAs tenant sales increased by 5% and shopper traffic grew by 2%. Looking ahead, management plans to tap into an additional GFA of about 115,000sqf, which is available. It is currently in discussions over this with various authorities. With occupancy rates stabilising, the REIT manager also plans to slowly improve the effective rental rates of the mall by about 10% over next few years, with the Thomson East line (opening in 2021) being an added catalyst. For Ngee Ann City (NAC), the Toshin master leases (about 21.6% of gross rental rates) are due for review in June. The review has a rental downside protection clause, with scope for rate increases based on current market rates. We believe there is room for a mid-single digit rental increase from rental reviews, with Orchard Road rental rates trending upwards over the last one year, says Natarajan. On the other hand, Maybank Kim Eng has a hold call on SGREIT with a target price of 70 cents. But Frasers Commercial Trust remains to be the research houses preferred retail play on more attractive valuation, visible growth drivers, strong balance sheet and potential acquisition catalysts. In a Monday report, analyst Chua Su Tye says, Looking ahead, we see a more stable DPU profile as occupancies across its portfolio recover. Tight Orchard Road supply should support its prime Singapore retail rents, but growth assumptions will be tempered by lower tourist spending. Meanwhile, revenue and NPI from the REITs Australian properties have increased by 3.1% and 2.8% y-o-y, respectively, against weaker AUD/SGD. This increase was led by Plaza Arcade and Myer Centre. At Myer Centre, the REIT has found a new office anchor tenant, which lifted the assets overall occupancy q-o-q to 89.9% from 84.4%, with momentum supported into the coming quarters. As at 3.30pm, units in SGREIT are trading at 76 cents or 0.83 times FY19 book with a dividend yield of 6.18%. Marquee night club in Singapore. (Photo: Tao Group) By Ranjeetha Pakiam and Joyce Koh (Bloomberg) -- Tao Group, the U.S.-based nightlife and restaurant company, this month opened Singapores biggest night club -- with an indoor ferris wheel and three-story slide -- as its partner Las Vegas Sands Corp. gears up to invest more than $3 billion in the city-state. The 2,300-square meter club located at the iconic Marina Bay Sands resort is Taos attempt to establish itself in a country thats seen record tourist numbers boosted by the Hollywood blockbuster Crazy Rich Asians. With its carnival theme and gilded cage bars, the venue can accommodate about 2,000 party-goers. This is a booming country in so many ways, we should be here, Jason Strauss, Taos co-founder said in an interview on Friday at the new Marquee club in Singapore. Its a big plus too to have a partner like Marina Bay Sands to give us the support to enter a new market. Marquee is the second of Taos four planned ventures in Singapore, after opening Italian restaurant Lavo on the rooftop of the Marina Bay Sands in January last year. Next will be Avenue, a speakeasy-style lounge and Koma, a Japanese eatery and sushi bar. Earlier this month, Las Vegas Sands and Genting Singapore Ltd. pledged to invest S$9 billion ($6.6 billion) in Singapores tourist attractions. Las Vegas Sands is planning to add a fourth tower to the Marina Bay Sands hotel while Genting will expand Resorts World Sentosa over five years. Tao, whose U.S. nightclubs and high-end restaurants were said to once be frequented by the fugitive Malaysian financier Jho Low, is now focused on building its brand in Singapore. In the Asia Pacific region, the city state is its only presence outside of Sydney and the one place, according to Strauss, where its expanding. Weve had incredible energy in here, he said. To build our most dramatic, our most beautiful and our most technologically-advanced nightclub in the entire portfolio, that was super exciting for us. 2019 Bloomberg L.P SINGAPORE (April 29): Manulife US REIT has agreed to acquire a freehold 11-storey Class A office asset at the Washington Metropolitan area in Fairfax, Virginia, for a consideration of US$122 million ($166.1 million) from Carr Properties. Comprising two towers dubbed Centrepointe I and II, the property is located along 4000 and 4050 Legato Road and features a total net lettable area (NLA) of 419,981 sq ft with 1,456 parking spaces. To help finance the acquisition which is estimated to cost US$127 after factoring in an acquisition fee of US$1.2 million on top of other transaction fees and expenses amounting to US$3.8 million the manager aims to raise at least US$94 million through a private placement at 81.1-83.6 US cents per new unit. Post the acquisition, which will be funded with a combination of equity and debt, the manager expects Manulife US REITs aggregate gearing ratio to improve to 36.8% from the current 37.6% thus providing US$101 million and US$284 million of debt headroom based on the REITs target gearing of 40% and regulatory gearing limit of 45%, respectively. This acquisition is also expected to be DPU-accretive. Based on FY18 pro forma financial impact of the acquisition, the REITs DPU is expected to increase by 3.3% to 5.76 US cents from 5.57 US cents. In a press release on Monday, the manager highlights Centrepointe as a best-in-class Class A asset operating at 98.7% occupancy as at end-March, with over 50% of the tenants by NLA using the building as their headquarter location. 100% of the leases in the building have built-in rental escalations ranging from 2.5% to 3%, providing organic growth to the rental income for Manulife US REIT, it adds. As the highest building in FairFax Center, the property also provides unobstructed signage and branding opportunities, along with the newly-renovated Centrepointe II providing features that distinguish the building as a unique asset in the Fairfax Center submarket. Story continues In all, the acquisition of Centerpointe is expected to increase the REITs aggregate portfolio value by 7% to US$1.9 billion from US$1.7 billion, and NLA by 11.2% to 4.3 million sq ft from 3.7 million sq ft as at end-2018. Centrepointes inclusion in Manulife US REITs existing portfolio will further diversify its tenant sector mix, adds the manager, by reducing the concentrations of legal and retail trade tenants while increasing the concentration of information sector tenants. Units in Manulife US REIT closed 1 cent higher at 88 US cents on Monday. Courtesy : Reuters Experts in Britain and Switzerland are building drones which they say will one day autonomously fly around buildings, assessing them and even conducting repairs free of human interference. Researchers in Britain and Switzerland say future soft, flexible drones will be able to reach areas dangerous for humans such as tunnels, mines or pipelines. The drones will be able to see using computer vision technology, building 3D maps of their surroundings. Once they spot where a repair is required, they could even summon other drones to fix it. The project is part of a partnership between Imperial College London and Swiss Federal Laboratories for materials science and technology, EMPA. EMPAs next evolution in sustainable building technologies aerial robotics hub and imperials aerial robotics lab are being used as hubs for the drones development. Director of the aerial robotics lab and head of EMPAs materials and technology center of robotics, Dr. Mirko Kovac, said he envisages the drones would be like a buildings immune system, monitoring and repairing it. But he also looks to nature, saying creepy crawly insects can provide good examples to follow. So, we dont have to build a robot that looks like a spider. We can really just take inspiration of the way how spiders approach manufacturing tasks and this is really what we translated here today, Kovac said. A demonstration at the aerial robotics lab in London showed one of the development drones using a magnet to latch onto a metal walkway before descending to hang from a wire. By moving up and down the wire, the hope is the drone can assess a wall while saving energy. (REUTERS) The post Experts creating drones that could repair buildings in the future appeared first on UNTV News. FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: A gas flare on an oil production platform in the Soroush oil fields is seen alongside an Iranian flag in the Persian Gulf, Iran, July 25, 2005. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/File Photo GENEVA (Reuters) - U.S. sanctions against Iran's oil industry will damage the stability of global oil markets, a senior Iranian official was quoted as saying on Monday. "These sanctions are an example of America's bullying reaction to the change of the balance of power in the world," Amir Hossein Zamaninia, a deputy oil minister, said in a report carried by the oil ministry's news website SHANA. U.S. sanctions make life more difficult for ordinary Iranians but the Islamic Republic will get through them, Zamaninia said. Oil prices hit their highest level since November last week after Washington announced all waivers on imports of sanctions-hit Iranian oil would end this week, pressuring importers to stop buying from Tehran and further tightening global supply. The United States demanded last Monday that buyers of Iranian oil stop purchases by May 1 or face sanctions, ending six months of waivers which allowed Irans eight biggest buyers, most of them in Asia, to continue importing limited volumes. The White House said after its Iran move it was working with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to ensure oil markets were adequately supplied but traders worried about tight supplies. Other countries can not fill Iran's place in the oil market, Zamaninia said, according to SHANA. "This idea that some countries can fill the empty place of Iran's oil in the market is incorrect from different aspects, including a technical and political view," Zamaninia said. Iran's oil minister Bijan Zanganeh said last week that Saudi Arabia and UAE overstate their oil capacity. Separately, Zamaninia said the Gulf can only remain an international route for transferring oil if all countries are able to use it. The commander of the Revolutionary Guards navy said last week that Iran would close the strategic Strait of Hormuz if Tehran is barred from using it. (Reporting by Babak Dehghanpisheh; editing by Dale Hudson and Jason Neely) After making auction history at Christie's New York, Leonardo da Vinci's 'Salvator Mundi' will be at the center of a new Broadway musical Later this year, the Louvre in Paris will host an exhibition of masterpieces by the Italian painter Leonardo da Vinci to mark his death 500 years ago in France. But the work that in recent months has been the intense focus of scrutiny by the media and da Vinci specialists, may not be on show. In 2017, "Salvator Mundi" was sold at auction by Christie's as a work by da Vinci for a record $450 million. But it has not been displayed in public since, triggering doubts about its ownership, its whereabouts and its authenticity. The painting, a portrait of Jesus, was to go on display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi in September last year. But its unveiling was postponed by the museum without any explanation. The Louvre Abu Dhabi has kept tight-lipped about the identity of the buyer, saying only that the emirate's Department of Culture and Tourism had "acquired" it. And the mystery has further deepened ahead of a visit by Italian President Sergio Mattarella who will join France's President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday on a trip to the Loire Valley to mark the anniversary of da Vinci's death there in 1519, at the age of 67. "The Louvre has asked the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi for the painting to be given on loan," a Louvre spokesperson told AFP. "But we have not yet had any reply." - Proscribed by Islam? - According to the Wall Street Journal, the buyer of the picture was Saudi prince Badr ben Abdallah, acting in the name of powerful Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. He has never confirmed or denied the report. Prince Badr was appointed to head the kingdom's culture ministry in a government shakeup in June. Saudi Arabia and the neighbouring United Arab Emirates are very close allies who are both engaged militarily in the war against rebels in Yemen. Mohammed bin Salman (known as MBS) is also a close confidant of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed who along with Macron opened the Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2017, the first foreign institution to carry the name of the great Paris museum. Story continues The painting's disappearance comes as MBS's international reputation has taken a battering over the murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, in which he denies any involvement. Artprice, the leading art market information service, said clerics from Sunni Islam's leading authority the Al Azhar university in Cairo told MBS the painting could not be displayed on religious grounds. Jesus is seen as a prophet within Islam, which prohibits any physical depiction of God. But the picture portrays him as a saviour and thus a deity. - 'Nothing by Leonardo' - Many art experts remain unconvinced of the painting's authenticity. "Certain details are very telling," said Jacques Franck, a specialist in da Vinci's technique, pointing to the poor depiction of a finger and other elements that are "anatomically impossible". He said that at the time the canvas was painted, da Vinci had his workshop complete certain paintings because he himself had very little time. Daniel Salvatore Schiffer, another da Vinci expert, also believes the painting was not done by the Italian master. "When you analyse the details, nothing is by Leonardo, it doesn't have his spirit." Ben Lewis, an art historian who wrote "The Last Leonardo" said London's National Gallery, which exhibited the painting in 2011, had not taken on board the advice of five experts who were sent to authenticate the painting. Although two of them believed it was authentic, another didn't, and the others were unsure. But the painting was presented at the exhibition as a genuine work by Leonardo da Vinci. But Diane Modestini, who worked on the restoration of the painting from 2005, said she did not understand the controversy, insisting that "Leonardo da Vinci painted it". A Christie's spokesman said, "We stand by the thorough research and scholarship that led to the attribution of this painting in 2010. No new discussion or speculation since the 2017 sale at Christie's has caused us to revisit its position." - 'Reputation and credibility' - The Louvre says its exhibition, due to open in Paris in the autumn, will bring together "a unique group of artworks that only the Louvre could bring together" in addition to its own outstanding Leonardo collection. But whether people will be able to draw their own conclusions by actually seeing the "Salvator Mundi" remains to be seen. "If the Louvre has still not received a response (from Abu Dhabi) months before the exhibition, it is because the work will not be exhibited there," said Franck. Schiffer said it could end up being a positive thing for the Paris gallery, which could see its "reputation and credibility tarnished" if the work was exhibited. bk-sjw/hmw/har/tom CROWN HOLDINGS ARTPRICE.COM Workers' Party secretary-general Pritam Singh. (Yahoo News Singapore file photo) SINGAPORE If those who reacted to the light punishments meted out to the perpetrator in the National University of Singapore (NUS) peeping Tom case are a mob, people should thank them for making us look at ourselves in the mirror, said Workers Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh on Monday (29 April). In a post on his Facebook page, the WP secretary-general said he found it disconcerting and even unacceptable that some had called the NUS students and Singaporeans who spoke out against the penalties slapped on 23-year-old undergraduate Nicholas Lim a mob. If they are a mob, we should thank the collective mob for making us look at ourselves in the mirror and question whether the approach to dealing with sex crimes and misdemeanours by tertiary students is appropriate, said the 42-year-old in his post. Lim had been caught for filming fellow student Monica Baey, 23, while she was showering on campus. Baey later went on Instagram to express her disappointment at the perceived light punishments Lim faced, which included being given a conditional warning by the police, being suspended for a semester and being barred from entering student dormitories. Her complaints subsequently went viral, leading many to criticise NUS and the authorities for their handling of the matter. NUS has since said that it will review its policies with regard to sexual offences committed by students on campus. Police actions rational and reasonable Referring to a Straits Times article on the case, Singh said he was not surprised that many trained in law found the Police's explanation of why some offenders are treated more harshly than others, rational and reasonable. Noting that proportionality is a central feature of criminal law, he added that the Attorney-General has to determine an appropriate punishment for an offender based on the totality of the facts and circumstances. Aggravation matters. Premeditation matters. Remorse matters. Foolishness and stupidity as opposed to criminal intent matters. The impact of the crime on the victim matters, said Singh. Story continues These, amongst others, including societys mores are relevant considerations and they will continue to be relevant regardless what NUS' review committee decides on its approach to sex crimes on campus. Case highlights lack of civic participation Singh also observed how Baeys case highlighted the lack of civic participation and organisation in Singapore given that she alone stood up to speak about the matter. Organisation and participation are a central feature of citizenship... We cannot leave it for someone else to stand up and make a difference. All of us must play our part, he said. He warned that change will be slow if people are too scared or apathetic to organise themselves to deal with social issues or if they find it sufficient to merely contribute online. Singh also noted that Parliament is set to debate the Criminal Law Reform Bill which proposes an extensive review of the Penal Code on 6 May. Whole buckets of amendments and new offences, including sexual offences such as voyeurism are being proposed. The Workers' Party will speak on this Bill, and the other two up for debate POFMA and the Protection from Harassment (Amendment) Bill, he said, referring to the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA). Related stories: Over 300 NUS students issue letter to criticise town hall meeting on sexual harassment NUS hears students grievances on sexual misconduct issue, promises immediate change NUS voyeur can be rehabilitated, prosecution would ruin his future: police Ong Ye Kung concerned over manifestly inadequate penalties in NUS sexual misconduct case Photo credit: SAUL LOEB - Getty Images From Esquire Photo credit: SAUL LOEB - Getty Images GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN -- I just listen to Donald Trump. Erika, a 31-year-old from Green Bay, told me this outside the arena where the president was scheduled to speak-her distrust and disinterest in the press breathtaking. The news media stinks, she spat, insisting she gets all of her information from the president. He sees it. He walks it. He knows. Trump goes there-he goes to the Texas border and speaks to the people who are working down there. And theyre telling him whats going on, whats going wrong, what needs to be fixed. Thats a true president. I wouldnt listen to nobody else but him. For the third year running, the president skipped the White House Correspondents Dinner, opting to spend Saturday evening feeding red meat to his base inside the Resch Center, a 10,000-seat arena in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in the shadow of hallowed Lambeau Field. Trump's sway over many of his most ardent supporters has spawned some of the most vile behavior this country has seen in decades-from encouraging hatred towards immigrants and Muslims to flouting the rule of law-but the timing of this rally also prompts the question of how his constant assault on the press has cascaded down to those making the pilgrimage on Saturday night. Photo credit: Paul Morigi - Getty Images Among the thousands who came to hear Trump speak there was nary a moderate opinion about the Fourth Estate to be found. Sentiments about the press seemed to fall mostly in the narrow range between democracys necessary evil (at best) and enemy of the people (at worst). But almost everyone was happy, even eager to share their views on the press. It appears Trump has spawned a new generation of media critic/cynic. Some uttered truly astounding things: I dont subscribe to newspapers because I dont know who these writers are. In answer to a question about who in the media is trustworthy: I dont think [Sean] Hannity has been shown to be dishonest. Also, this lament: Fox News is moving left. Story continues Around 7 p.m. local time, Trump sauntered onto the stage to a mighty ovation from an audience awash in red hats and Trump-Pence 2020 signs. He offered condolences to the victims of the synagogue shooting that day in Southern California, talked about trade with China, and the strength of the U.S. economy. But on this night, he seemed preoccupied with the First Amendment-particularly his own abiding notion that the very correspondents whose dinner party invitation he had rebuffed are partisans abusing their press freedoms to falsely and unfairly attack him and his administration. Photo credit: SAUL LOEB - Getty Images On the way over, they were telling me about bad weather, by the way: We may have to cancel tonight. I said, Are you crazy? Boos and jeers rose up from the gallery. They thought you were going to have a big snow storm. A big, big snow storm. (Other areas of Wisconsin did, in fact, see snowfall.) The people that get it wrong the most are the weather forecasters and the political analysts, said Trump, pointing toward the back of the arena, in the direction of the press area. The throng took aim with its jeers. Later, Trump touted the countrys low rates of unemployment among people of color. Then, feigning nervousness, he said: If I make any misstatement, if Im off by just a little tiny bit, those people back there will be-headlines! Boos erupted. Fake news! Trump responded. Theyre fake! They are fake. They are fakers. That provoked a resounding chant of CNN sucks! Trump smirked. You know what sucks? he asked. Their ratings! Big laughs. Photo credit: SAUL LOEB - Getty Images Trumps verbal attacks on the media have been one of the most enduring themes of his presidency. And its easy to see why: The cry of Fake news! is an all-purpose way to swat aside any story that may put him or his administration in an unfavorable light. The refrain stands to be a cornerstone of Trumps 2020 reelection campaign. It is also one of the crucial ties that bind his most fervent supporters. I dont follow any mainstream media. Never turn on CNN or ABC or NBC. Dont subscribe to newspapers, said Jason Hak, 44, a union forklift operator from Bloomington, Minnesota. Cant do it. I wont support any of the media outlets. I wont even look. If I see a video from CNN on social media, I wont click on it. If I was to click on a mainstream media link, it would only be from Fox News. Even then, Im pretty leery of it. His go-to news source is a Facebook page called American Warrior Revolution that purports to provide quality information on world and national news, survival training, [pro-Second Amendment] news, firearms safety, first aid, disaster preparedness, gear reviews and instructional videos. The page boasts more than 500,000 likes. Its news of the people, by the people-citizen journalists, Hak said. Id trust that page over the New York Times any day, all day, 100 percent. The media is bad. They spouted this thing-Russia, Russia, Russia-for two years straight, said Randal Thom, a 59-year-old from Minnesota, who loves Trump so much that the tagline to his deck-repair company is Making Your Home and Decks Great Again. The media is no longer Walter Cronkite, he continued. When he spoke, you knew he was speaking the truth. He would never put his personal spin on it. He gave you the news. Nowadays, you watch the news, its all twisted up because they have such anger and hate for our president. Photo credit: SAUL LOEB - Getty Images Thom, who said the Green Bay rally was his 49th Trump event, leads a group of devoted rally attendees called Trumps Front Row Joes. One member is retiree Libby Earle, who has traveled from her home in New Haven, Connecticut, to 45 Trump events. Canadian by birth, she was so inspired by Trump that she hurried to complete the U.S. citizenship process a month ago so that she will be able to cast her vote for him next November. Some try to say that Fox News is a government channel and only influenced by Trump and is propaganda, Earle said. Thats bullshit! Fox is the only network that can talk about Trump at all without putting him down! I dont think the media is into representing whats really going on. Theyre into what sells. And if you are willing to take a shot at Trump, youre going to get eyeballs, said Mike Kraemer, 49, from Manhattan, Kansas. What gets short shrift, Kraemer and others said, is the nitty-gritty of the presidents actions, the things that keep them staunchly in his corner: economic growth, trade deals, border security, deregulation of various industries, etc. Photo credit: SAUL LOEB - Getty Images Madeline Miner, a 17-year-old from Green Bay, who took part in a small anti-Trump rally in a free-speech zone on the outskirts of the main rally area, said its difficult to stomach a Trumpie lecturing anyone about the media. Trump supporters are just in an entirely different world, she said. They listen to what they want to hear and they write everything else off as fake. That includes refusing to acknowledge as legitimate the innumerable necessary-and necessarily hard-hitting-public-interest stories regarding Russian election interference, the Stormy Daniels affair, the Trump familys murky finances, the fraudulent Trump University, and so on. Out on vendors row, thoughts about the press and politics were a bit more fluid. MAGA apparel saleswoman Audrina Falcone, a 27-year-old from Los Angeles, admitted, when customers were out of earshot, that her employer donates 20 percent of each sale to the campaign of Bernie Sanders, the candidate she voted for in the 2016 Democratic primary. Another vendor selling Trump merch, an African-American man named Jay, said for him its not about politics-its about money. Im a capitalist, man! A businessman. If I worked at a hotel, would I ask everyone who came through the door who they voted for? No. Id ask, Cash or credit? If you sell cars, you dont ask, Are you a Republican or a Democrat? You say, Do you want a two-door or a four-door? Otherwise you go broke. A balmy 40 degrees in Green Bay, Wisconsin President Trumps rally isnt until 7pm here but folks are lined up outside the Resch Center (in the shadow of Lambeau Field) pic.twitter.com/ZorvL724kl - Johnny Verhovek (@JTHVerhovek) April 27, 2019 I dont know if theres a place to get the unvarnished truth. I can wake up and watch Fox News and tell how theyre spinning a story one way, and I can turn to CNN and see theyre spinning it the other way, said Shane Henderson, a metal artist from Manitowoc, Wisconsin. He was peddling his creations-everything from a polished stainless steel Trump head to a sheet metal Jesus in a MAGA hat. The political drama of the Trump presidency is better than any soap opera-and I profit off of it. Like, when he was fighting with Nancy Pelosi, I created a piece featuring Trump pissing on Pelosis head and sold 50 of them. As Trump neared the end of his 90-minute speech, he started to come off as a tired legacy music act, dutifully pleasing the crowd with his greatest hits. Build the wall is his Hotel California, drain the swamp his Stairway to Heaven, fake news his Free Bird. Once he had run through the entire set list, he went into full stump-speech mode to bring it in for a landing: Every day between now and November 2020 . . . we are going to keep on winning, winning, winning. We are going to win. Remember, I used to tell you about winning? We are winning. Photo credit: SAUL LOEB - Getty Images Long after Trump had left the stage and most all his supporters had exited the building, the reporters who remained in the media pen were seated in front of laptops as they readied their final drafts. No one seemed to notice, then, as a goateed man in a red MAGA hat leaned against the fence, cupped his mouth, and yelled, Liberal media sucks! His words, full of fury, floated high into the now-empty arena, echoed weakly, and quickly died out. The journalists kept on typing. The man turned on his heels and stalked away. ('You Might Also Like',) Mandela prison drawing goes under the hammer in US A drawing by late South African leader Nelson Mandela of the door of his prison cell on Robben Island -- where he was held for 18 years -- will be put up for auction in early May in New York. Bonhams, which will host the sale on May 2, has put the value of "The Cell Door, Robben Island" -- completed in 2002 by the Nobel peace laureate -- at $60,000 to $90,000. The work will be part of a sale of modern and contemporary African art. "The word 'iconic' is so overused but to have a drawing of one of the most important men of the 20th century... would be a remarkable thing," Giles Peppiatt, the auction house's director of modern African art, told AFP. "It's the first time this work has ever been exhibited in public. It's also the first work by Nelson Mandela ever to be sold in the open market." The wax pastel crayon drawing shows a few bars of the cell door and a key in the lock, sketched in purple. The work is one of the few that Mandela -- who was jailed for 27 years in total and inspired the struggle against apartheid -- kept until his death in 2013. "It was a very personal, very poignant work for him," Peppiatt said, explaining that Mandela embraced art as a hobby after leaving South Africa's presidency in 1999. "He had more time on his hands," he said. Until now, Mandela's daughter Pumla Makaziwe Mandela had the work in her possession. South Africa's first black president did a total of 20 to 25 drawings, according to Peppiatt. Some were reproduced as lithographs to raise money for the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Mandela was jailed from 1962 to 1990. He was held at Robben Island off Cape Town from 1964 to 1982. Mandela served as South African president from 1994 to 1999. 29 Apr Kris Aquino recently announced that the complaint filed against her by the Falcis brothers has recently been dismissed by the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office. The actress shared the development on Instagram with a clip of the said resolution, which cited that the prosecutor's office has junked the case due to lack of probable cause. "Though he claimed that he was greatly alarmed by the threat made on his life, complainant Nicko [Falcis] did not report it to the police authorities in Bangkok, Thailand, or at the very least, to the Philippine consulate in the area. There is even no showing that he immediately contacted his relatives, especially his brother, Atty. Jesus Nicardo M. Falcis III, and confided said threats to them/him," the resolution read. It also added that Falcis did not take any steps to keep his arrival in the Philippines a secret, or that his family had done anything to ensure his safety from his travel to the airport to his residence an action that they should have taken if there was a threat as it was alleged. Aquino wrote, "It's easy to judge others, I've fallen into that trap, too. But it's HARD to LIVE that person's life. The amount I read, heard, and watched, countless critiques throughout my personality. HOW DID I SURVIVE? BECAUSE I TOLD THE TRUTH." Thanking her legal team, Aquino said that she is proof that everybody is flawed. "But setting me apart from my legal adversaries, I immediately [and] bravely faced accountability for my actions. I did not pretend you were "perfect"... and we STUCK TO THE ISSUES." Falcis, Aquino's former business manager, filed the grave threats case following Aquino's decision to file criminal cases against him for supposedly misusing funds intended for her business. In it, the business manager claimed that Aquino warned him not to return to the Philippines, otherwise her family will have him killed. Photo Source: Kris Aquino Instagram) An exhibition of wax figurines by Roman Bajzik, a 48-year-old opera teacher who moonlights as Slovakia's very own Monsieur Tussauds, in Bajzikov mlyn ("Bajzik's mill") in Zavada Slovakia The bald head of Slovak general Milan Rastislav Stefanik is pierced before hairs are inserted into his skull. Stefanik's face remains motionless, his blue eyes do not even blink. The late founder of the former Czechoslovakia is the latest figure to get the wax treatment from Roman Bajzik, a 48-year-old opera teacher who moonlights as Slovakia's very own Monsieur Tussaud. "I began creating wax sculptures back in 2002 as I wanted to see what my great-grandfather looked like," Bajzik said, at his two-room gallery in what was once the family mill. "I only had an old photo of him and was curious if I could turn him into something three-dimensional," he told AFP in Zavada, a central village of 600 residents, about 150 kilometres (around 90 miles) from the capital, Bratislava. Two decades later, there are now 23 motionless family members, royalty, folklore characters and important figures for tourists and schoolchildren to view. Figures on display past the creaky wooden front door at the mill-turned-gallery include the vampire Nosferatu, pope John Paul II and a mermaid from Slovak mythology. The wax museum is open by appointment only for an entry fee of two euros ($2.2). - 'Mute' - An experienced tenor who once sang at Austria's prestigious Salzburg Festival, Bajzik studied opera directing and now teaches operatic acting at the state conservatory in Bratislava. He likes silence when he sculpts though, usually at night to relax. "I have enough singing during the day. I'm pleased to be surrounded by my mute figures," he said. He lives alone in a high-rise flat in the capital where he has turned one room into a tiny studio whose shelves are filled with chicken mesh, cornstarch, construction foam, silica gel -- all used for wax modelling. Currently he is working on two figures: Stefanik is getting his hair done, while Empress Elisabeth of Austria, better known as Sissi, is undergoing some facial work. Story continues Bajzik consulted available photos and busts of Sissi to get her facial measurements just right. Once the clay head is done, he casts it in plaster and then pours hot wax in the mold before fine-tuning the details. - 'Lend a hand' - Wax is ideal for models because it looks similar to human skin, said Bajzik, whose mix notably includes beeswax and paraffin. "It has to be carefully blended as wax tends to crack when inserting hairs into the skull," he said. The hair comes from discount store wigs. Using a long needle, he attaches each hair into the wax skull. It is time-consuming, meticulous work. "It took me a while to investigate how to make a hole that isn't too large but could secure the hair. I watch instructional videos," he said with a laugh. Bajzik often transforms everyday items into the props he needs. When one of his kings required an imperial orb, Bajzik bought a Christmas bauble and added a small cross. He opens a drawer full of semi-finished hands, waiting for their turn to become the appendages of a king or queen. "Hands are finicky. I usually ask someone to 'lend a hand' and I mold it for a figure," Bajzik said. "John Paul II, for example, has my hands." Song Joong-ki as Eunseom in "Arthdal Chronicles". (PHOTO: Netflix) South Korea has made plenty of period dramas, but epic fantasies? We havent heard of any. Well, now thats changed, with upcoming series Arthdal Chronicles, which stars some of K-dramas biggest stars, including Song Joong-ki and Jang Dong-gun. Song, who rose to superstardom with his role in Descendants of the Sun, will be reunited with his co-star in that show, Kim Ji-won. Kim Ok-bin also stars in Arthdal Chronicles, which was produced by Korean broadcaster tvN and will be released on Netflix on 1 June. The fantasy series centres around the ancient city of Arthdal within the mythical world of Arth. Netflix describes the series as such in their press release: Arthdal Chronicles depicts the birth of civilisation and nations in ancient times. It is a story of mythical heroes, their struggle, unity and love of people living in a virtual land called Arth. Jang Dong-gun as Tagon in "Arthdal Chronicles". (PHOTO: Netflix) The mythical land of Arth. (PHOTO: Netflix) So far, tvN and Netflix have released a couple of teasers for Arthdal. On Sunday (28 April), tvN released a 30-second trailer while Netflix Asia posted a 15-second teaser. The teasers give us a first-look at the characters, including heartthrob Song as Eunseom, a curly-haired warrior who fights to protect his tribe. This is Netflixs teaser: Here is tvNs longer teaser: Veteran actor Jang Dong-gun (A Gentlemans Dignity) plays Tagon, the charismatic and talented leader of Saenyeok Tribe, who is prone to outbursts of anger. Kim Ji-won plays Tanya, the clan mother of Wahan Tribe, who realises her destiny to lead and protect her people against other powerful tribes. Kim Ok-bin (Thirst, Steal Heart) stars as power-hungry Taelha, who is also the most beautiful woman in Arthdal. Arthdal Chronicles was directed by Kim Won-seok (Sungkyunkwan Scandal, Misaeng), and written by award-winning screenwriters Kim Young-hyun and Park Sang-yeon (Deep Rooted Tree, Queen Seondeok). Netflixs strategy in South Korea has involved acquiring as well as producing Korean-language shows such as Kingdom and Memories of the Alhambra. Story continues Follow Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore on Facebook. Related stories: Netflixs 'Kingdom' blends zombie action with Korean court intrigue Hyun Bin, Jang Dong-gun star in period zombie flick Rampant Inside Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-Kyo's wedding: from limousines to after-party and the wedding ring Anti-abortion advocates have grown more vocal in recent yearsespecially after the 2016 presidential election. On top of trying to restrict reproductive rights through draconian legislation, the anti-abortion movement has frequently used misinformation to demonize abortion providers and their patients. These myths are even being spread by our president. Recently, Donald Trump claimed that some doctors and parents execute newborn babies. According to The New York Times, Trump made the inaccurate statement at an April 27th rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The president was criticizing the states recently elected governor, Tony Evers (a Democrat), for vetoing a bill that would send doctors to prison if they didnt administer medical care to fetuses born alive after failed abortions. Trump vilified Evers for his action, arguing that some parents and doctors would literally commit infanticide without the bill in place. undefined Here's Trump making another false & unspeakably dangerous claim about abortion: "The baby is born; the mother meets with the doctor. They take care of the baby. They wrap the baby beautifully. Then the doctor & mother determine whether or not they will execute the baby." pic.twitter.com/Hg6V6pjgpX Caroline Orr (@RVAwonk) April 28, 2019 In reality, its extremely rare for abortions to take place past the point when a fetus can survive outside the womb (about 24 weeks). According to a report from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, only 1% of abortions performed in the state during 2017 occurred after 20 weeks gestational age. Trumps remarks are also deeply insulting to parents who deliver infants who cant survive. Dr. Daniel Grossman, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of California, San Francisco, previously told The New York Times that in these cases, doctors might offer comfort care to the newborns, but not medical treatment. For Trump to compare these instances to executing a baby is especially cruel. Thread: As a NICU nurse, I served on the Bereavement Team. We were a special team of Nurses tough enough to help new parents go through the worst day of their lives. Parents of babies who had fought so hard for their tiny little lives and werent going to make it... 1/ https://t.co/2ZzDAEziyi Julia Pulver, RN (@VotePulver) April 28, 2019 The decision to terminate a pregnancy is extremely personal, and for some families, its a decision made because their child simply wont survive. Its despicable for anyone to spread lies about these procedures, but its especially despicable for the president of the United States to do so. We cant let this go unchecked. UPDATE: VIP tickets are sold out as of Wednesday afternoon. Ticket sales for the 9th annual Iowa Craft Brew Festival begin Wednesday. Scheduled for June 15 in Des Moines' East Village neighborhood, the annual festival is a fundraiser for the Iowa Brewer's Guild, the trade group representing Iowa's craft brewers. VIP tickets, sold out as of Wednesday afternoon, allow entry to the festival at 1 p.m. The gates open for general admission ticketholders one hour later. The festival ends at 5 p.m. More than 60 Iowa breweries are expected to offer samples of about 350 beers at the festival, according to information on the guild's website. Sioux City's Jackson Street Brewing is scheduled to pour at the event. The annual festival is a flagship event of Des Moines Beer Week, June 14-22. All tickets to the festival - which usually sell out - must be purchased online; none will be sold at the gate. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SOUTH SIOUX CITY -- Before announcing a week ago that it was temporarily suspending its biogas production operations in order to make equipment repairs, Big Ox Energy's immediate future already was clouded with rumors of financial difficulties. The Wisconsin-based company owes more than $3 million to the city of Sioux City alone, and the South Sioux City biofuels plant's manager has referred to financial troubles in conversations with Nebraska regulators. The Journal has learned that Big Ox also has reached out to vendors and suppliers to set up payment plans for outstanding bills. Perhaps the most pressing issue is the status of Big Ox's permit to send pretreated wastewater across the Missouri River to Sioux City's regional wastewater treatment plant. The permit expires Tuesday, and the city has yet to make a decision on the company's renewal request. Sioux City officials can't recall the city ever denying a permit renewal, but Big Ox's debt, coupled with discharge issues in past months, raises concerns. "We would need to have a lot of assurances for a lot of things, including payment of what they owe" before granting the renewal, city utilities director Mark Simms said. Kevin Bradley, Big Ox director of business and economic development, said the company would continue discussing its permit renewal with the city. Even though the plant for the time being will no longer be accepting organic waste from local food and beverage manufacturers and converting it to methane, Bradley said it will continue to receive and treat wastewater from other South Sioux City industries and discharge it to Sioux City, though at a lower volume. If the city were to deny its permit renewal or make a decision days or weeks after Tuesday, Big Ox would not be able to legally discharge wastewater to Sioux City. "They'd have to go someplace else with their wastewater," assistant city attorney Justin Vondrak said. The discharge of higher volumes of wastewater with high concentrations of pollutants and suspended solid waste late last year and early this year led to huge bills for Big Ox, leading to Sioux City's hesitancy to renew the company's wastewater permit. Billing records show that the city has billed Big Ox more than $3.5 million in wastewater fees, fines and late fees since June, when Big Ox stopped making monthly payments. The company has made three payments -- two in November, one in December -- totaling $478,501 since then, leaving a balance due of a little more than $3 million. Vondrak said Big Ox officials have given the city no explanation for the nonpayment, despite committing last fall to making payments on past due amounts and staying current. "We have had a lot of dialogue with Big Ox concerning this matter. Big Ox has failed to follow through on several commitments they have made," Vondrak said. Simms said Big Ox racked up higher costs for a period of time when it was discharging high volumes of highly concentrated wastewater to Sioux City. That increased volume pushed Big Ox into a higher billing rate charged to industrial users that discharge strong waste or high volumes that can take a toll on the wastewater treatment plant's equipment. The city has fined Big Ox a total of $95,500 for several violations, most of them for discharging excessive amounts of suspended solid waste, from June until February, when, Simms said, Big Ox seemed to stabilize its operations and began operating within the parameters of its permit, dropping out of the higher rate tier. The fines have yet to be paid, however. Simms said Big Ox claims the city has not incurred the costs it has charged the company to treat its wastewater. "They don't believe that we've justified the fees that we've charged, but the fees are ones they would have known about when they hooked up," Simms said. "We aren't in the business to make money, but obviously every user has to pay for services." Vondrak said litigation is a possible step toward collecting the money Big Ox owes. Terminating service is another option, which also could involve litigation. Opting not to renew Big Ox's permit, however, would effectively terminate the company's service, which would affect South Sioux City's ability to discharge wastewater from other industries and residences to Sioux City. South Sioux City Mayor Rod Koch said the city has a contingency plan in place if that were to happen. "We've already made plans no matter what happens to Big Ox," Koch said. "The city and Big Ox and businesses, we all have to work together and be in partnership to make this successful." Big Ox also owes South Sioux City for sewer, electric and water use. "No, they're not current," city manager Lance Hedquist said, declining to say how much Big Ox owes the city and how long it's been since the city was last paid. It appears that Big Ox also has failed to pay other area vendors. On April 19, the day Big Ox announced it would temporarily cease biogas production, the company sent letters to vendors, suppliers and contractors, asking them to send current billing statements. "It is our intention to develop a payment plan on all outstanding balances," Big Ox general manager Rob Ernest said in the letter. Since the plant began operations in September 2016, it had hauled solid waste, averaging up to five to seven side-dump truckloads of a semisolid sludge byproduct daily, to a Jackson, Nebraska, landfill operated by Gill Hauling. "We did take considerable material from them, but haven't for the past couple months," said Leonard Gill, president and owner of Gill Hauling. Gill said things with Big Ox are "in a state of flux" and declined to comment on whether Big Ox owes him money. He also declined to comment on any possible legal action. Bradley, Big Ox's spokesman, declined to comment on the company's financial matters. The millions in unpaid bills adds to the mystery surrounding Big Ox's financial stability. Plant manager Jody Anderson twice in the past month has referred to possible financial troubles in communications with the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. In a March 29 email to the NDEQ concerning removal of solid waste being stockpiled on site, Anderson said, "We started hauling off site using two trucks from local contractor due to financial difficulties those only two trucks could get to haul. ... If had ability to hire more trucks to haul away to fields this project of removal would be much faster to remove solids. We will have to look for financial support to remove newly generated solids each day ..." In an April 2 memorandum summarizing a March 28 visit to the plant, an NDEQ inspector referred to a discussion with Anderson about the department's concern about plant safety and uncontrolled emissions. The inspector wrote, "Mr. Anderson agreed that emission controls and safety measures are needed, but explained BOE's current financial outlook forced him to prioritize needed projects." Nearly three weeks later, Big Ox announced its plan to temporarily suspend its biogas production operations in order to make repairs that the company hopes will solve ongoing emissions and odor issues that have led to more than a dozen lawsuits from homeowners in the plant's vicinity who claim its odors are a nuisance and, in some cases, have caused health issues and made their homes uninhabitable. Those emissions have led to past citations from regulators, the most recent, an April 2 NDEQ citation for failing to control emissions after inspectors noticed gases leaking from a damaged anaerobic digester structure. Big Ox has had problems with repeated venting of hydrogen sulfide gas into the atmosphere and solid waste spills. The company also has been cited for storing solid waste on its grounds outside the plant. The plant has been cited for various violations nine times by the NDEQ and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The NDEQ has called Big Ox to appear in Lincoln next month to justify why its storm water and air quality permits shouldn't be revoked, a move that would effectively shut down the plant. Bradley said on April 19 it's not yet known how long it will take to fix the damaged digesters or when the plant will be able to resume its methane production. Prior to the shutdown, Bradley said, Big Ox was producing enough gas to supply more than 4,000 homes daily and injecting it into an interstate pipeline and selling it to an unnamed private customer. With production ceased, a main source of revenue is now gone. Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SIOUX CITY -- A federal jury has found a Minnesota man guilty of selling methamphetamine in Northwest Iowa. Raul Marin, 47, of Bigelow, Minnesota, was found guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court in Sioux City of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Marin faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a possible maximum sentence of life in prison. Marin was arrested July 19, 2017, when the Osceola County Sheriff's Office received a report of a suspicious pickup truck trespassing on property in a rural area. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, deputies saw the pickup driving away from the property and stopped it after the driver swerved across the gravel road and almost ran in the ditch. During a search of the vehicle, authorities found a 9 mm handgun and more than 15 grams of meth. Evidence presented at trial showed that Marin was involved in the sale of more than 500 grams of meth in the Osceola County area. Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ORANGE CITY, Iowa -- A Hawarden, Iowa, man was resentenced Monday to four years in prison for physically abusing a child. Matthew Spaans, 37, had pleaded guilty in April 2018 to four counts of child endangerment, all aggravated misdemeanors, and was sentenced to four years in prison. The Iowa Court of Appeals in December vacated the sentence and returned the case to Sioux County District Court for resentencing, ruling that District Judge Tod Deck considered an improper sentencing factor when he sentenced Spaans. District Judge Jeffrey Poulson on Monday resentenced Spaans in accordance with the Court of Appeals ruling. Spaans will be given credit for time already spent in custody. Spaans and his wife, Nina, were charged with placing the child in danger from Sept. 17, 2014, through Feb. 18, 2017. On at least three occasions from September 2016 through February 2017, Matthew Spaans caused injuries to the child with his hands, a clothing dryer and a 56-inch sword, causing bruising to the child's head, legs, neck and face. Nina Spaans told the child to make up stories about how the injuries happened, court documents said. The child told a teacher about the abuse in February 2017, and authorities were notified. Nina Spaans, 34, also pleaded guilty to four counts of misdemeanor child endangerment and received a four-year suspended prison sentence and was placed on two years probation. Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 2 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. SIOUX CITY -- The U.S. Marshals Service Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force is seeking the public's help in locating the following person: * Tyrone Tyndall, 42. He is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weights 230 pounds. Tyndall is wanted by the Monona County Sheriff's Office for failing to verify his sex offender registration. His last registered address was in Onawa, Iowa. Anyone with information can call the Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force at 712-252-0211 or email SiouxlandsMostWanted@usdoj.gov. Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. DICKENS, Iowa -- Two men died as a result of a single-vehicle crash that occurred Friday night in rural Clay County. The Clay County Sheriff's Office responded to reports that a 1999 Mercury Sable had hit an electrical pole at the intersection of 280th Avenue and 350th Street, outside of Dickens. The driver, Alfonso Adrian Maldonado, 19, of Graettinger, Iowa, was transported to the Spencer Hospital, where he died from his injuries. The passenger and registered owner of the vehicle, Tephonte Alan Smith, 21, of Estherville, Iowa, died at the scene. The accident investigation is ongoing, the sheriff's office said. An Iowa State Patrol traffic investigator is assisting in the investigation. The Clay County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Iowa State Patrol, Dickens Fire and Rescue, and the Spencer Ambulance. Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 3 Angry 0 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. South Africa: Two arrested for murder, arson conspiracy Two men, aged 59 and 50, will this morning appear before the Temba Magistrates Court for conspiracy to commit murder and arson. In a statement, the South African Police Services (SAPS) said police in February this year, received information of a plot to kill a woman from Ratjiepane Village in Temba, Hammanskraal, where the alleged plan was to set her house alight at night while she and her family would be asleep. Gauteng Provincial Head of Organised Crime, Brigadier Moabi Modise, led a multi-disciplinary task team comprising of Provincial Organised Crime Unit; Crime Intelligence and the Tactical Response Team. The team worked around the clock and ultimately arrested the duo in an operation in the early hours of Friday morning, 26 April 2019. One of the suspects was found in possession of a flammable solution that would allegedly have been used to commit the planned arson and murder, the SAPS said. Gauteng Commissioner of Police Lieutenant General Elias Mawela commended the quality of the intelligence and meticulous investigation that saw police spare the lives of the woman and her family. "The public has yet again played a valuable role in the fight against crime. Had this conspiracy not been reported to the police, we would have been telling a different story today. Big ups to everyone who played a role in the prevention of what could have been a tragedy," said Mawela. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-04-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. At the Regina Caeli on Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis recalls the gifts of the Risen Lord: peace, joy, mission. "But let's not forget the wounds of Jesus". The memory of the Argentine martyrs, defenders of the peasants against the landowners. Solidarity for refugees in Libya and for flood victims in South Africa. Best wishes to the Orthodox Churches that today celebrate Easter according to the Julian calendar. Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "If you are not at peace, touch my wounds": for Pope Francis this is the invitation that Jesus addresses to everyone, on Divine Mercy Sunday, the second of Easter, in which the Gospel narrates of the incredulity of the apostle Thomas and of the invitation addressed to him by the risen Jesus "to touch his wounds". Speaking to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square for the Regina Caeli, He continued: "To touch Jesus wounds, which are the many problems, difficulties, persecutions, sicknesses of so many suffering people. Are you not in peace? Go, go visit someone, who is the symbol of Jesus wound. Touch Jesus wound. Mercy flows from those wounds. Therefore, today is the Sunday of Mercy, which comes to all of us through wounds. All of us, we know, are in need of mercy. Let us approach Jesus and touch His wounds in our suffering brothers. Jesus wounds are a treasure: mercy flows from there. Let us be courageous and touch Jesus wounds. He is before the Father with these wounds, He makes the Father see them as if to say: Father, this is the price, these wounds are what I have paid for my brothers. Jesus intercedes, with His wounds, before the Father. He gives us mercy if we approach Him, and intercedes for us. Do not forget Jesus wounds." Still referring to the Gospel of the day (John 20, 19-31), Francis emphasized that "then, in addition to peace and joy, Jesus also brings the mission as gift to the disciples. He says to them: As the Father has sent me, even so, I send you (v. 21). Jesus Resurrection is the beginning of a new dynamism of love, capable of transforming the world with the presence of the Holy Spirit.". "On this Second Sunday of Easter, we are invited to approach Christ with faith, opening our heart to peace, to joy, and to the mission. However, let us not forget Jesus wounds, because from there issues peace, joy and the strength for the mission. We entrust this prayer to the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Heaven and earth." After the Marian prayer, Francis expressed a long list of greetings. First of all, yesterday in La Rioja (Argentina), diocesan bishop Enrique Angel Angelelli (1923-1976), bishop Carlos de Dios Murias (1946-1976), conventual Franciscan, Gabriel Longueville (1931-1976), fidei donum priest, and Wenceslao Pedernera (1936-1976), lay catechist and family man were declared blessed. All of them were killed during the so-called "national reorganization process", while they defended the rights of peasants against the landowners. "These martyrs of the faith - Francis explained - were persecuted for the cause of justice and evangelical charity. May their example and intercession support, in particular, all those who work for a more just and solidary society. One of them was French; he went to Argentina as a missionary. The other three were Argentines. Let us applaud all the new Blesseds!" The pontiff then asked everyone to join his prayer "I invite you to join my prayer for the refugees that are in detention centers in Libya, whose situation, already very grave, is made even more dangerous by the on-going conflict. I make an appeal so that the women, the children and the sick, can be evacuated soonest through humanitarian corridors." He also expressed his hope that " our solidarity and also the concrete support of the International Community not be lacking these brothers of ours" who have lost their lives or suffered serious damage from the recent floods in South Africa. Finally, recalling that today the Orthodox Easter is celebrated - for the Churches that follow the Julian calendar - he expressed his "cordial wishes". "The Risen Lord - he added - gives them joy and peace! And an applause also for all Eastern Catholics and Orthodox, And an applause also for all Eastern Catholics and Orthodox, to say to them: Happy Easter!. ROCK VALLEY, Iowa --The owners of a grocery chain in Rock Valley have decided to turn over the business to a new owner. The Van Otterloo family, the longtime proprietors of Van's Marketplace Foods, have sold the business to Sunshine Foods. The grocery chain, which has 15 locations -- including in Rock Rapids, Hawarden and Milford, Iowa -- will take over Van's Marketplace in mid-July, according to a press release from the company. Van's Marketplace Foods will remain open during the transition. The Van Otterloo family has been in the grocery business in Rock Valley for nearly six decades. Kevin Van Otterloo, the store's current owner and mayor of Rock Valley, said in a statement that the decision to sell didn't come easily. Its never an easy decision to leave something youve spent your entire career doing and thats been a part of your family for decades, but knowing we are passing the torch to another family and community-orientated business makes leaving a lot easier, Van Otterloo said. Sunshine Foods belongs to a cooperative of more than 3,900 grocery stores, according to the release. The chain, which stresses on its website the importance of shopping locally, has locations in Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota, primarily in small towns. The move comes as independent small-town grocers have struggled against declining populations and competition from big-box stores, online shopping and national chain stores like Dollar General. The sole grocery store in Correctionville, Iowa, closed permanently in mid-April after failing to find a buyer for the store at auction. According to a survey conducted by the University of Minnesota, 63 percent of small-town grocery operators do not plan to own the store in 10 years. Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. SIOUX CITY -- The top administrator for the Sioux City public school district on Friday hailed passage of long-awaited state legislation aimed at extending a revenue source the district has tapped to build more than a dozen new schools. "We celebrate passage of the SAVE legislation in the Iowa Legislature, and look forward to the governor signing this extension of the penny sales tax for school infrastructure into law," Sioux City superintendent Paul Gausman said in a statement. "We have worked diligently to exhibit responsible use of this funding, and the extension, once signed into law, will allow us to continue to use this long-term alternative to property taxes for school facilities and make further investments in school safety, 21st century technology, STEM and CTE (Career and Technical Education), science labs, and fine arts facilities." The Iowa House on Thursday night gave its approval to SAVE, short for Secure an Advanced Vision for Education, which would extend the 1 percent sales tax until 2051. With the tax currently set to sunset in 2029, the Sioux City leaders said they had nearly run out of bonding authority to fund future infrastructure projects. A 22-year extension, they said, would help the district replace one or more aging elementary schools and modernize the three high schools, which were all built nearly 50 years ago. The idea for funding school infrastructure with sales tax proceeds started in Sioux City in the late 1990s as local leaders looked for an alternative to raising property taxes to replace a long list of crumbling and aging school buildings. Since local voters first approved the 1 percent tax in 1998, the Sioux City district, which has devoted more than $240 million in sales tax revenue to finance 18 renovation or construction projects. The work has included replacing all the middle schools and most of the again elementary schools, some of which had dated to the late 1880s. Under construction are two new elementary schools that will bear the same names as their old counterparts. Bryant is scheduled for completion in August at a cost of $24 million and Hunt is projected to be finished by August 2022 at a cost of $20.5 million. State lawmakers in 2008 expanded the school infrastructure tax statewide, with a formula distributing funding to the state's K-12 districts. Efforts to renew the tax had bogged down in recent years, with some lawmakers wanting to scoop up the revenue for some non-school infrastructure projects, while others wanted to devote some funding to reducing property taxes. In the bill that passed Thursday, House members, some reluctantly, accepted the Senates increase of how much of the 1 percent sales tax would go to property tax relief. The bill now specifies 70 percent would go to school infrastructure and 30 percent to property tax relief, up from the Houses proposed 15 percent. Despite the change, Rep. Jacob Bossman, R-Sioux City, called the bill a win-win because with the addition of new revenues from digital media and internet taxes SAVE revenue is increasing faster than projected. It is projected to raise almost $5.8 billion over 30 years. Rep. Sharon Steckman, D-Mason City, wasnt as enthused because of the doubling of the property tax relief, but Ill hold my nose and vote for it. SAVE, or House File 546, was approved, 95-4, with two Democrats and two Republicans voting no. It passed the Senate, 48-2. Gausman said the amendment increasing the portion of sales tax dollars to property tax relief "is also good for our local community, as the property tax equity relief that will come will help us most significantly because of our property value status in Sioux City." Sioux City has long struggled with having one of the lowest property tax valuations per student in the state because the district takes in less commercial and industrial property than most other districts. That's forced the local district to levy higher property tax rates to generate the same revenue as so-call property-rich districts. The Journal Des Moines Bureau contributed to this story. Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 Steve King, who's slowly rolling out a new book and maintains an active presence on Twitter, said at the Sioux City Convention Center on Monday that he's been one of the most hated and first canceled high-profile men in America. Every so often, a literary novelist offends the community of science fiction writers and fans. They can be touchy, given that their genre is often misrepresented by outsiders. For example, despite having, by her own account, written, read, and enjoyed many science fiction novels, Margaret Atwood once described the genre as talking squids in outer space, a statement that has reliably fueled outrage for a decade and counting. (Although, with admirable humor, the science fiction novelist Vonda McIntyre created a web site, Talking Squids in Outer Space, dedicated to enshrining examples of the genre using just that motif.) Advertisement The latest and most egregious example is Ian McEwan. In an interview with the Guardian, the author of Atonement asserted that his new novel, Machines Like Me, takes the motif of artificial intelligence into new territory by addressing it not in terms of travelling at 10 times the speed of light in anti-gravity boots, but in actually looking at the human dilemmas of being close up to something that you know to be artificial but which thinks like you. As many commentators have pointed out, this absurd statement exhibits ignorance of a huge swath of well-known science fiction, from the writings of Philip K. Dick to films and TV series like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Westworld, all of which do precisely what McEwan claims is groundbreaking about his own novel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If McEwan had read some of the genres best treatments of this theme, Machines Like Me might have been a better book. The novel is set in an alternate version of the 1980s, one far more advanced technologically than the one were familiar with. The narrator, Charlie Friend, is a day trader with a shabby London flat and a rattletrap car, but when he gets a small inheritance from his late mother, he blows 84,000 pounds on a robot, a newly released model nearly indistinguishable in appearance from a young man. At the same time, he falls in love with his upstairs neighbor, Miranda. Over time, a romantic triangle between man, woman, and android develops. McEwan has often been celebrated for his interest in science, but the alternate history he has created for this fiction is even more rickety than Charlies car. Charlies world surpasses our own, posits McEwan, with such impressive advances as brain-machine interfacing and organic-seeming androids, because Alan Turing, instead of committing suicide at 41, has survived into old age. Brilliant as Turing was, this vein of Great Man sentimentalism is silly. For example, if McEwan thought about it a bit, hed have realized that creating a product like Adam, Charlies robot, would require advances in many more fields than artificial intelligence. It would take chemical, engineering, and industrial genius to create a material that looked, felt, and functioned like living human skin. Advertisement Get Slate Culture in Your Inbox We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. Any writer asking his readers to enter into an imaginary world different from the one around us faces a challenge: how to ease the reader into this altered reality without resorting to long passages of exposition. Over the decades, science fiction writers have developed a sophisticated range of narrative tools to help them do this. Dicks The Man in the High Castleset in a counterfactual history in which the Axis powers won World War II and are occupying the former United Statesopens his novel with a scene in which a shopkeeper selling Americana caters fawningly to a stylish Japanese couple. Everything about the interaction, including how the shopkeeper tries to suss out the rank and influence of his new customers, conveys what the reader needs to know about the world Dicks characters inhabit. Part of the pleasure of reading novels like this comes from surmising the rest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Real people dont spend a lot of time musing on the broader historical context of their everyday lives. But in Machines Like Me, they do, and the novel is larded with long, tedious passages of potted history: Nothing proved more vividly the maxim that technology renders civilisation fragile than the great traffic paralyses of the late seventies. By then, autonomous vehicles comprised seventeen per cent of the total. Who can forget that roasting rush-hour evening of the Manhattan Logjam? Due to an exceptional solar pulse, many on-board radars failed at once. Advertisement Advertisement McEwan might have decided that he didnt want to bother with concocting a rationalized, convincing world in which to set Machines Like Me. Science fiction writers do that, too! For example, time travel is the only unrealistic touch in Octavia Butlers Kindred, and in his first novel, Gun, With Occasional Music, Jonathan Lethem makes no effort to explain the technology behind procedures that allow animals to become as intelligent as people or couples to trade erogenous zones. The science in this type of science fiction either serves as a handy device (transporting a girl from the 1970s to an antebellum slave plantation) or as a metaphor for the disjunctions and perplexities of contemporary life. Advertisement McEwan seems to be after the latter effecthes not really interested in how a machine like Adam could be engineeredbut he also seems to have fallen in love with the half-baked historical scenario hes come up with as a backdrop for his robot love story. (In addition to Turings survival, this alternate 1980s has got a Beatles reunion and Britain losing the Falkland Islands War.) The result works neither as a parable of free will and selfhood nor as an experiment in imagining the quandaries waiting in our future. If only McEwan could strap on those antigravity boots and travel at 10 times the speed light back into the past. Then he could start this lazy, flimsy novel over, only this time with the humility to learn from those who have boldly gone before. Attorney General William Barr has threatened he may not show up to his scheduled testimony before the House Judiciary Committee about special counsel Robert Muellers report on Thursday as his office has made it clear to Democrats that he is none too happy with the format of the hearing. CNN was first to report the story, which was later confirmed by several others, citing an unnamed committee source that said Barr wouldnt go to the hearing unless there was a change in the proposed format. Failing to attend the hearing would mark a huge escalation in tensions between the Trump administration and Democrats, who have requested to see the full, unredacted Mueller report. Advertisement There are two basic sticking points. First, House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler has proposed that after lawmakers complete their allotted time for questioning there would be an additional 30-minute round for each side of the aisle in which Democratic and Republican counsels could question Barr. The attorney general agreed to appear before Congress. Therefore, members of Congress should be the ones doing the questioning, Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said. He remains happy to engage with members on their questions regarding the Mueller report. Barr is also reportedly opposed to the idea of moving to a closed session if lawmakers want to discuss parts of special counsel Robert Muellers report that were redacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nadler was defiant Sunday morning, telling CNN that Barr would not dictate the format of the Judiciary Committee. Nadler added that the witness is not going to tell the committee how to conduct its hearing, period. Asked what could be the next step if Barr doesnt agree to testify, Nadler didnt mince words. Then we will have to subpoena him, and we will have to use whatever means we can to enforce the subpoena, he said. Barr is scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday and the House committee on Thursday. Seeing as though the hearing is still a few days away, the two sides could still come up with some sort of compromise that would allow it to move forward as scheduled. With every passing week, there seems to be a new litmus test for Democratic presidential candidates. Last weeks was whether a felon should be permitted to vote while serving time in prison. At CNN town halls on April 22, Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed the idea of enfranchising those currently serving prison sentences, Mayor Pete Buttigieg did not, and former prosecutor Sen. Kamala Harris hedged, calling for a conversation. But no ones commitment to voting rights should be judged based on a policy that has been adopted by only two statesMaine and Sanders Vermont. This is not a pragmatic or strategic approach to changing these laws in the near future. Reasonable peopleincluding those who care deeply about civil rights and democracycan and do differ on whether felons should be allowed to vote during incarceration, even as more and more citizens and their representatives favor earlier and easier restoration of this right. There are millions of disenfranchised people nationwide who have completed their prison sentences, and restoring their right to vote would constitute a tectonic shift in civil rights. Focusing on this widely popular policy goal before trying something that is far less agreed upon is not just practical politics but also smart policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most states restore voting rights at some point after incarceration, usually following parole or probation, while an ever-shrinking minority of states require a felon to petition the state government for restoration. But only 15 statesplus the District of Columbiarestore voting rights immediately upon release from incarceration. Bringing 33 additional states into that column would constitute an enormous changea revolution by any definition. It would immediately restore the voting rights of millions who are still completing a period of supervised release but who have successfully finished their prison terms. Permitting parolees and probationers to vote helps reintegrate them into society, and there is some evidence that it can diminish the chances that a person will break the law again. Advertisement There is also already momentum for change on this issue, as evidenced by the passage of a constitutional amendment in Florida restoring voting rights to most felons who have completed their sentences, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomos decision to reenfranchise parolees in New York, and Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds support for amending the Iowa Constitution to restore voting rights to returning citizens who have completed their sentences. There is already momentum for change on this issue. But as any observer of the state legislative debates on this issue knows, there is no nationwide consensus or trend in favor of Maine and Vermonts policy to let all felons vote, including those still in prison for the most serious and violent crimes. This year in New Mexico, where Democrats control both houses of the legislature and the governor is a Democrat, a bill to end all felon disenfranchisement, including during incarceration, stalled in committee. By the time legislators decided to amend it to restoration following release from prisonwhich would have restored an estimated 16,000 peoplethey ran out of time and the bill failed. Now, nothing will pass until 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By contrast, last week in Nevada, a bill to adopt voting rights restoration following the end of incarceration passed the assembly with bipartisan support and is on to the state Senate. If enacted, this legislation will restore approximately 77,000 people in one fell swoop. The assembly speaker, who sponsored AB 431, should be commended for not holding up the voting rights of approximately 77,000 American citizens who have completed the hardest part of their criminal sentences for the much more controversial voting eligibility of about 14,800 people in prison. Colorado is currently considering similar legislation. Drawing the line at restoration following release from prison is a pro-voter and completely defensible position. It is also the line drawn in the Democracy Restoration Act, a bill that has been introduced in Congress for many sessions and has now been incorporated in H.R. 1, which the House of Representatives recently passed. Adopting restoration upon release from prison would vastly improve the laws in no fewer than 33 states, if adopted, restoring voting rights to an estimated 2 million to 3 million people. That could hardly be dismissed as minor, craven, or incremental reform. Seeking change in the near term requires advocacy based on the evidence of where popular will is currently and where it could be led. Taking stock of where 50 state legislatures and the D.C. Council are on this issue is a good gauge of popular opinion and the scope of likely reform on felon voting rights restoration. This approach would positively affect millions of people right away: people who have paid their debt and who should be given a chance to fully participate in their communities. As of Monday, Muslim women in Sri Lanka will no longer be allowed to wear face veils in public. All types of face coverings that could hide someones identity are now banned in the country under an emergency law. The measure was imposed a week after more than 250 people were killed in a series of bombings that targeted churches and hotels. President Maithripala Sirisena took this decision to further support the ongoing security and help the armed forces to easily identify the identity of any wanted perpetrators, read a news release from the presidents office. Advertisement Catholics in Sri Lanka, meanwhile, were not able to attend Sunday Mass as churches remained shut amid fears of further attacks. Many Catholics stayed home and watched a televised service given by the Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Ranjith from his home. In a sign of unity, President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, and former president and opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa attended the service in person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a time our hearts are tested by the great destruction that took place last Sunday, Ranjith said during his televised Mass. This is a time questions such as, does God truly love us, does he have compassion toward us, can arise in human hearts. The concern of further attacks comes amid warnings from both local officials and the U.S. Embassy that more attacks could be imminent. In an illustration of how serious the threat could be, authorities say they found a sophisticated bomb-making operation at a site where three militants blew themselves up after law enforcement officials found them. Police also raided the headquarters of the hardline Islamist group National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) that was founded by the man suspected of being the mastermind behind the Easter bombings. Authorities believe the founder of NTJ, Zahran Hashim, was one of the nine suicide bombers. Former Sen. Richard Lugar, who died on Sunday at the age of 87, was the most mild-mannered historic figure of our time, a moderate Republican whose signal achievement helped save the world from calamitous chaos. His passing is worth noting because nothing like his achievement could occur, nor could anyone like him rise to power, in todays political climate. His great deed was the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Act of 1991, co-sponsored with Democratic Sen. Sam Nunn (bipartisan bills were routine in Congress back then), which, in the wake of the Soviet Unions implosion, authorized $400 million a year to deactivateover the years7,500 nuclear warheads, shut down 47 biological weapons centers, retrain 58,000 weapons scientists, and lock up enough fissile material to build thousands of nuclear bombs, throughout the former Soviet republics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of the acts passage, Nunn was chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Lugar was ranking minority member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Some Soviet Consulate officialswhom theyd met while monitoring U.S.-Soviet arms control talks in Genevaapproached them with warnings that the world was in trouble. Officers guarding the Soviet nuclear stockpile were deserting in droves, leaving fissile materials and the weapons themselves open to rogue elements and terrorists. The Kremlin needed Western money to pay the guards and Western technicians to build new locks. There was initial reluctance, especially in some Republican circles, to spend American taxpayers dollars to beef up Russian security, but most lawmakers grasped the urgency. The bill easily passed the House and the Senate on voice votes. Over the next several years, Nunn-Lugar came to refer to a range of efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons in the postCold War era. Its two sponsors traveled frequently to Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstanthe former Soviet republics where nuclear weapons had been basedto witness the dangers, and observe the dismantlement, of missiles, warheads, and bombs. Advertisement Advertisement When I interviewed Lugar a year ago, for a forthcoming book on the history of American nuclear-war policy, he told me about one of his first inspection trips, to the Pervomaisk missile base in Ukraine, where he watched an enormous intercontinental ballistic missile, tipped with several nuclear warheads, being pulled out of its underground silo. He and his hosts took the long elevator ride down the tube to see the launch facility. The first thing he saw, when they reached the bottom, was a guards desk and, on the wall behind it, photographs of large American cities. It occurred to him: Those cities had been the targets of that missile. Like most politicians, like most Americans, Lugarwho had been mayor of Indianapolis before winning his first election to the Senate in 1976hadnt closely followed the arcana of the nuclear debate before this immersion. The thought made him shiver more than a littleand deepened his commitment to his new mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His enthusiasm for foreign policy, once a plus for Republican candidates, was turned into a mark against him. Another historic consequence of all this was the role Lugar played in the education of Barack Obama. As a freshman senator in 2005, Obama nabbed a slot on the foreign relations committee and threw himself into the work. Often, as a hearing rambled on beyond its first hour, Obama and the committee chairman were the only senators in the room. Since the Republicans had taken control of the Senate two years earlier, the chairman was Lugar. Almost 30 years Obamas senior, he was impressed and took to mentoring the up-and-comer. After a few of these hearings, Obama asked if he could tag along on one of Lugars visits to the former Soviet republics. They went together that August, on a weeklong tour of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons sites. It was an eventful trip: Russian border guards detained the senators for three hours at the airport in the Siberian city of Perm, demanding to search their aircraft, which they suspected was a spy plane. Top Kremlin officials, alerted by the U.S. Embassy, eventually ordered the guards to let the plane leave for its next stop, in Ukraine, and apologized to the senators. During their holdup, Obama and Lugar discussed the issues, and the politics of the issues, more deeply than they had before. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Obama became president three years later, his signal achievements on nuclear security all stemmed from his tutorship with Lugar. These included the U.S.-Russian New START, or Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty; the Iran nuclear deal; and the Nuclear Security Summits, which extended the aims of Nunn-Lugar and resulted in the removal or downgrading of enough highly enriched uranium to build nearly 7,000 nuclear bombs at more than 50 facilities in 30 countries, as well as the installation of radiation detectors at 329 international border crossings. Advertisement After six terms in the Senate, Lugar was defeated in the 2012 primary by Indianas treasury secretary, a Tea Party candidate named Richard Mourdock, who was subsequently trounced in the general election by Democrat Joe Donnelly. Lugar lost because he was, by then, too moderate for the Republican Party. His enthusiasm for foreign policy, once a plus for Republican candidates, was turned into a mark against him. Lugars complacency, a trait of many multiterm incumbents, compounded the trend. One of Mourdocks catchy lines was that Lugar had spent more time in Moscow, Russia, than in Russiaville, Indianaand the jab hit a sore spot: Lugar hadnt lived in his home state since 1977, when his Senate career began. Advertisement Advertisement After his defeat, Lugar established the Lugar Center, a Washington-based think tank affiliated with Indiana University and the University of Indianapolis.* Nunn left the Senate voluntarily, 16 years before Lugar, in 1996 after serving four terms, tired of holding a minority seat in a chamber that Republicans had recently taken over.* In 2001, he created, and still co-chairs, the Nuclear Threat Initiative, which has carried on the Nunn-Lugar Acts work with private funding. There is no one like either of them in the Senate todaylawmakers who also see themselves as diplomats, more devoted to national policy than to party politicsand the country is poorer because of it. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein submitted his resignation to Monday, bringing to a close a tumultuous two years at the helm of the Mueller investigation that saw him alternatively enrage President Donald Trump and anti-Trumpers on the left. Rosenstein had been rumored to be on his way out of the Justice Department for monthsand throughout the ups and downs of the special counsel investigation always seemed precarious in the jobbut will officially leave his post, on his own terms, on May 11. Advertisement The resignation letter reads as an affirmation of some of the achievements that Rosenstein believes have been accomplished during his tenure at the DOJ. The note also has a number of more cryptic passages that are either aimed at Trump himself or as a reminder of the principles that the Justice Department aims to embody. I am grateful to you for the opportunity to serve; for the courtesy and humor you often display in our personal conversations; and for the goals you set in your inaugural address: patriotism, unity, safety, education, and prosperity, because a nation exists to serve its citizens, Rosenstein wrote in his resignation letter. We enforce the law without fear or favor because credible evidence is not partisan, and truth is not determined by opinion polls. We ignore fleeting distractions and focus our attention on the things that matter because a republic that endures is not governed by the news cycle. We keep the faith, we follow the rules, and we always put America first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rosensteins legacy remains unclear, but the second in command at the DOJ was in the thick of this tumultuous presidency from the outset and made what was the most consequential move of Trumps presidency so farthe appointment of Robert Mueller as special counsel in May 2017. Rosenstein had been handed decision-making authority over the Russian investigation after thenAttorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself. While the appointment of Mueller to investigate Trumps Russia ties and possible obstruction of justice angered the Trump administration, Rosenstein also tweaked the left by writing a letter critical of James Comey that was used by Trump to fire the thenFBI Ddirector in the early days of his presidency. More recently, despite managing to stay in his job long enough to see the Mueller investigation to its completion, Rosenstein sided with Attorney General Bill Barr on his handling of the release of Muellers findings. The roll-out has been criticized as a cover up operation for the president. Rosensteins successor, Jeffrey Rosen, is awaiting confirmation from the Senate. Sitting in the front seats of their car earlier this month, Stephanie Washington and Paul Witherspoon could be seen in a cellphone video singing love songs to one another, laughing, smiling, and apparently savoring each others presence. Soon after, both of these young, black New Haven, Connecticut, residents would be under gunfire, and Washington would be shot in the face, sustaining injuries. Neither posed a threat, but that didnt matter to the Yale and Hamden police who shot at them. Advertisement On April 16, Yale police officer Terrance Pollock and Hamden police officer Devin Eaton opened fire on Washington and Witherspoon. While the bullets missed Witherspoon, some of the more than 15 shots hit Washington, who now appears to be in stable condition. The involvement of university police in this tragic event implicates the entire Yale community. As a Yale Law School student, I, along with the thousands of students who walk the streets of New Haven and enjoy the privileges that come with our institutional affiliation, am culpable for this act of police violence. As a Yale Law School student, my tuition helped fund this life-threatening incident. And as a black Yale Law School student, I know how easily that same violence could have been directed toward me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yales current approach to policing has created a confusing and complicated accountability structure. Since the shooting shined a light on New Havens convoluted system of policing, students and activists have taken their demands for justice to the streets, following the lead of local organizers like Kerry Ellington from New Haven for Black Lives. The presence of multiple police forcesYale Police (YPD), Hamden Police, and New Haven Policehas resulted in a complex and fear-inducing degree of surveillance. This concern is not unfounded. In recent years, there have been other prominent incidents of overpolicing in New Haven. Last year, a black student was accosted by several police officers after falling asleep in a common room of a dorm; four years ago, a Yale police officer pulled a gun on the son of New York Times columnist Charles Blow. Other black Yale students have expressed concern over what has been described as a climate of racial profiling. The anxiety and concern this atmosphere creates warrants interrogation, particularly as a rapidly increasing number of universities follow in Yales footsteps and begin the controversial process of expanding the authority of campus police. Ultimately, Yales resources must be better spent. Rather than financing a subsidiary community police force, Yale should limit the authority of YPD and invest directly in New Haven by paying the taxes the citys residents have been demanding for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement University police forces like Yales maintain contracts with host cities whereby the scope of their authority is defined. Often, as in Yales case, these university-funded officers function as a sworn police force, with many of the same responsibilities as the citys. These agreements are frequently framed as a necessary form of institutional support from the university to the city: Campus police forces like YPD are known for being better trained, paid, and resourced than police departments in the surrounding area. Advertisement Advertisement The true benefits, however, are being called into question. Yale and similar universities undoubtedly have an obligation to invest in the surrounding area. Yet tragedies like Washington and Witherspoons near-death experience demonstrate that this is not the way to do it. Advertisement Advertisement Yales current approach to policing has created a confusing and complicated accountability structure. This policing regime has been described by activists as a triple occupation, a perception rooted in fears of overpolicing. The significance of this perception alone cannot be overstated. In fact, professors here at Yale have shown that the distrust this creates between community members and the police weakens police legitimacy in a way that hinders the efficacy of policing itself. Advertisement Advertisement Yale is not alone, of course. Throughout the country, universities are bolstering the authority of campus police, ultimately complicating accountability mechanisms. As recent examples like Johns Hopkins restructuring of its campus police show, these expansions of power are often initiated in the face of intense opposition from community members. Advertisement Whats a more effective way for universities like Yale to contribute to their surrounding areas? Paying their fair share in taxes. Cities like New Haven and Baltimore are resource-deprived. With a poverty rate of more than 25 percent, New Haven lacks the funds to effectively invest in a strong police force and violence-prevention programs that tackle crime. The implications of this lack of resources are severe. As sociologists like Robert Vargas have shown, this broad underfunding of government services has been known to intensify the very crime rates campus police are asked to address. This does not have to be the case. Despite their wealth, universities like Yale use almost every loophole possible to avoid taxes. Although Yale owns more than $100 million in real estate assetsmaking it the citys fourth-largest property ownerit is a tax-exempt entity. From 2010 through 2015, Yale avoided paying corporate income taxes on earnings from its $25 billion endowment, resulting in savings of $2.1 billion. During this same period, Yale saved $708 million in municipal property taxes, something many corporate entities would have paid. And again, Yale is not alone. Far too many universities, including Johns Hopkins, have leaped at opportunities to limit their contributions to the surrounding community by failing to pay a fair share in taxes. If universities truly care about the safety of their communities, they will invest directly in a way that would make institutions like YPD obsolete. Only then can universities like Yale begin to improve, rather than make worse, the lives of those in their citys communities. Only then will these universities give their cities the autonomy they deserve when it comes to policing and begin to address the all-too-common violence inflicted on people like Stephanie Washington and Paul Witherspoon. At a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Saturday, President Donald Trump went on a little riff about Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia, very rich country. We defend them! We subsidize Saudi Arabia. They have nothing but cash, right? And they buy a lot from us. Four hundred fifty billion dollars, they bought. And you had people wanting to cut off Saudi Arabia. They bought $450 billion! I dont want to lose them! But the military, we subsidize. Saudi Arabia! I called the king. I like the king. I said, King, were losing our ass defending you, King, and you have a lot of money. And he said, Why would you be calling me? Nobody has ever made such a call before. I said, Thats cause they were stupid! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Impressively, Trump is saying two things here that are both untrue and contradict each other. Saudi Arabia hasnt really bought $450 billion (or $110 billion) from the U.S. And the U.S. is hardly subsidizing the Saudi military. More to the point, both those things cant be true: The Saudis are either such valuable U.S. defense industry customers that its worth turning a blind eye when they bomb hospitals and dismember journalists, or theyre free riders who are ripping us off. Which is it? Trump has told variations of this story before. In an October speech in Mississippi, he recounted to a rally crowd that he had recently told King Salman, King, were protecting you. You might not be there for two weeks without us. You have to pay for your military, you have to pay. He might have been referring to the same conversation on Saturday, though there has been some confusion about conversations between Trump and the Saudis in recent days. Advertisement Advertisement Trump told reporters on Friday that he had called up OPEC to tell the organization to take action to bring down fuel prices, but officials at the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said they had had no conversations with him. Trump then clarified in a tweet that he spoke to Saudi Arabia and others about increasing oil flow. This was also news to Saudi officials, one of whom told the Wall Street Journal that Trump may have been referring to his frequent tweets calling on OPEC and Saudi Arabia to lower oil prices. Trump did speak on the phone with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman earlier this month, in a conversation the White House says focused on Iran and human rights issues. There havent been any media reports of conversations between Trump and King Salman since last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps willingness to criticize the Saudis often seems to rise in correlation with the price of a barrel of oil. Oil hit a six-month high last week after the Trump administration announced it would not extend sanctions waivers to several countries that purchase Iranian crude. Trump is calling on Saudi Arabia and other OPEC members to boost production to keep prices down, but theres only so far the Saudis can go: Bloomberg reports today that, according to International Monetary Fund data, the kingdom needs oil prices around $85 a barrel to balance its budget. As much as Trump wants to be tough on Iran (though theres evidence to suggest he doesnt care about this nearly as much as some of his advisers do), high fuel prices are never helpful for a president heading into an election year. Beyond economic considerations, the close Trump-Saudi relationship is also an opportunity for Democrats. Trump, who visited Saudi Arabia as his first foreign trip as president, recently used the second veto of his presidency to block a congressional resolution (co-sponsored by presidential candidate Bernie Sanders) that would have ended U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen. He also enthusiastically stood up for the Saudi royal family following the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, contradicting the findings of U.S. intelligence agencies that the crown prince was behind the killing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as much as Trump may like the Saudis, he knows this relationship isnt all that popular. Americans have more unfavorable views of Saudi Arabia than of China or Cuba. Trump himself blasted Saudi Arabias human rights record when he was running for president and knows his election rivals are likely to do the same. Leading Democrats have said they plan to make Saudi Arabia an issue in 2020. Well likely hear more from Trump about his tough talk with his friend the king in the coming months, though it would be more effective if this tough talk made any sense. Scan the headlines on any given day, and youll likely find at least one about the perils of screen time. Were addicted to our smartphones! Binge watching is killing our sex lives! So, it follows we may be even more concerned about how increased time spent in front of screens might be affecting the most impressionable among us: Wont someone please think of the children? This week, the World Health Organization answered by releasing a new set of recommendations about activity, behavior, and sleep for children younger than 5 that included specific directives about what it termed sedentary screen time. According to these new WHO guidelines, children between 2 and 5 should be limited to only 60 minutes of screen time per day (and the less the better). Children under 2, it says, should not spend any time with screens at all. WHOs new screen use recommendations bear similarity to guidelines issued in 2016 by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which recommend that children under 18 months get no screen time, kids between 2 and 5 should limit their use to an hour, and ideally, any screen time should be spent co-watching with engaged adults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a former life as a developmental psychology researcher studying how children learn from watching others, I met thousands of parents with children under 5 who came into the lab for research. In the waiting room, I saw how families took radically different approaches to their offsprings screen use. Some parents proudly told me about their screenless lifestyle, clearly wanting me to validate them as having made the right decision. Others had no qualms about sitting their kids down with their phone. Others did the same but kept apologizing to me for it, as if they were sure that researchers like me would judge them for their parenting choices. I generally wasntIm not a parent, and the one thing I took away from that job was that parents really want to do right by their kids. But I can see why it touched a particularly sensitive nerve, given how societys love for judging parenting choices is merging with the greater cultural conversation around whether our digital devices are rotting our brains, changing our attention span, and maybe toppling democracy. Advertisement Advertisement I imagine hard and fast rules like those issued by WHO might exacerbate that inclination to judge parents. Just scroll through social media (oh no, even more screen time!), and youll see lots of people taking the new recommendations to mean that screens are dangerous for young children. The guidelines also obscure something more significant when it comes to how best to think about screen time: Its not the screens that are bad, necessarilyits how we use them. And if we dig into the research the WHO used as the basis of its recommendations, the conclusions are much messier than the tidy guidelines it recommends. Advertisement To put together its report, the U.N. agency looked at thousands of existing studies examining links between things like young childrens physical activity and sedentary behavior (including sedentary screen use) and certain outcomes, such as obesity and motor and cognitive development. But these studies were a mixed bag when it came to their methodology and findings, and didnt necessarily find connections between increased screen time and adverse outcomes. Some studies found that more screen time was associated with obesity, for instance, but other studies didnt find any connection. In its full report on the guidelines, WHO acknowledges that for the critical outcomes, there was moderate to very low-quality evidence for screen time and adiposity [obesity], motor and cognitive development and psychosocial health and that the overall quality of evidence it reviewed on sedentary time with or without screens was rated as very low. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know that kids primarily learn from playing, moving, talking, and watching other humans. Whats more, if we look a little closer, it seems the agencys recommendations for limiting screen time are not actually based on the idea that more screen time is necessarily harmful. Instead, it appears to rely on evidence that shows that more physical activity most likely benefits young children and that less screen time to achieve that wont harm them. What essentially boils down to a let kids play! recommendation also comes out in other guidelines in the WHO report, including suggestions that children should not be restrainedsitting in strollers, high chairs, or strapped to a caregiverfor more than an hour, again to give more opportunities for children to exercise. Advertisement Advertisement What we know from decades of child development research also squares with this more nuanced reading of the evidence. We know that kids primarily learn from playing, moving, talking, and watching other humans. The time they spend with a screen is time that could, in theory, involve some of these types of learning. The problem with screens is not necessarily that theyre screens; its that they can be addictive, that theyre not always conducive to being active and observant of the world, and that, perhaps most significantly, they present an opportunity cost to kids. If kids spent hours a day sitting silently staring at a blank wall, it wouldnt do them good, either. Advertisement Advertisement But the overarching takeaway is that theres still so much we dont know about screen time and young children. This is, in part, because how difficult its effects are to measure. You cant just throw 100 kids into a lab and control their every move. Instead, researchers must work around real kids living in real families in the real world, who live vastly different and complex daily lives. Its also because the technology is moving faster than research. To understand how screen use affects children, we need to follow them for years, which means waiting for a generation of kids to grow up. But consider that any researcher that may have started work just five years ago probably didnt account for factors like the rise of smart speakers, interactive childrens shows on Netflix, or the first steps toward virtual reality. Even if they did, collecting data and publishing an academic paper can take another few years. By the time new research is out, theres likely already another shiny new innovation vying for kids attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, there are many talented researchers working on unraveling questions around screen use. One important nuance theyve found is that not all screen time is created equal. As education policy expert Lisa Guernsey has written about for Future Tense, over the past decade, an increasing number of studies has shown that children, even at very young ages, can benefit from using media when its designed for learning and helps catalyze conversations. For instance, psychologists have found that kids are more likely to learn words from videos that build in interactivity, like allowing kids to click on a box to see whats inside, as opposed to videos that they passively watch. Similarly, kids are more likely to learn words from someone theyre talking to on Skype than from passively watching a video. Thats because a FaceTime call to grandma is more interactive than watching Peppa Pig on YouTube. Similarly, watching Peppa Pig with your parents and talking about it is more interactive than just passive watching. Advertisement Its also worth noting that some research has shown that a good old-fashioned book or face-to-face game may invite more genuine connection, since adults tend to get sucked into passively enjoying screen medias bells and whistles, too. Several studies have found that when parents read an e-book with their kids, theyre less likely to ask story-related questions and engage in conversation about the narrative compared with parents who read traditional books to their kids. Advertisement Advertisement Of course, keeping these devices away or making sure that the only screen time your child gets involves deep engagement and follow-up is easier said than done. Again, Im not a parent, but Ive seen the wonders a tablet can do for a bored toddler on a multihour flight or at a restaurant with parents who just want to have an hour with their adult friends without hiring a sitter. And theres no evidence that kids who end up in front of screens so a parent can get dinner started, put a load of laundry in, or, God forbid, just take a few minutes for themselves will be ruined for life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fixed guidelines on screen time like those from WHO may be well-intentioned messaging to remind modern parents to give their kids opportunities to lead active lives (nuance isnt catchy). But they are arbitrary and, for some families, may be unrealistic. That doesnt mean parents shouldnt try to keep unsupervised screen time for young children to a minimum. Or that they shouldnt be mindful of giving their kids opportunities to move, interact, and build meaningful relationships. But we should remember that kids are resilient. That extra 15 minutes of Paw Patrol probably isnt going to be what makes or breaks their middle school algebra grade, their ability to make friends, or their job prospects at 25. With a caring parent, theyll probably be just fine. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. Robert Gilpin, R.I.P. - The Washington Post : His greatest book was written in 1981, but the main theory in it is perhaps more trenchant now... 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 websites 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. Sri Lanka after the jihadist massacre of Christians is not just a terrible succession of crying mothers and little coffins. Unfortunately, it also tells us a lot about the discouraging state of the West. Pictured: The funeral of one of the victims of the April 21 Easter Sunday attack in Sri Lanka. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images) "The differences in tone and nature between the condemnations of the Christchurch and Sri Lanka terrorist attacks are striking. After Christchurch, there was no hesitation about stating the religious backgrounds of the victims and directing emotion and affection towards Muslim communities. Politicians took no issue with categorising the events in Christchurch as terrorism. "In contrast, the words 'terrorism' and 'Christianity', along with their associated terms, have so far failed to feature in much of the reaction to the attacks in Sri Lanka. "What is evident is not only a clear reluctance to specify the religious background of Christians who were killed in Sri Lanka, but also an absence of heartfelt solidarity with Christian communities across the world, which continue to suffer grave forms of persecution on the grounds of their faith." "Fabiola Fernando, 6, was an elementary school student. In a photo posted to her mother's Facebook page, she showed off a gold medal, a small smile on her face. Leona Fernando, 4, the middle child in her family, was learning to read and was holding a copy of "Sleeping Beauty" in the picture. Seth Fernando, 11 months, was the newest addition to the Fernando family. He was buried alongside his parents and two sisters." "Religious liberty, the core value of western civilisation, is being destroyed across large parts of the world. Yet the West, myopically denying this religious war, is averting its gaze from the destruction of its foundational creed in the Middle East and the attempt to eradicate it elsewhere. It is therefore no surprise that, faced with jihadist barbarities abroad and cultural inroads at home, the free world is proving so ineffectual". , Giulio Meotti, Cultural Editor for Il Foglio, is an Italian journalist and author. "Where is the solidarity for the Sri Lanka's Christians?" asked the British scholar Rakib Ehsan, a Muslim.Rakib Ehsan asked the right question. But it might be rewritten as: Where is the Western solidarity for the Sri Lanka's murdered Christians?This is a drama in three acts. The first act consists of the Christians and other non-Muslim indigenous peoples being violated and murdered. The second act consists of Muslim extremists who create this genocide. And the third act consists of the indifferent West, which looks everywhere else.The number of murdered victims in the April 21 Easter Sunday jihadist attacks in Sri Lanka is too terrible even to think about: 253 dead. Among the victims, 45 children were murdered. Their small faces and stories have begun to emerge. The Islamic terrorists knew there were many children in the three churches, and they deliberately targeted them with their bombs. Footage shows one of the bombers patting a young child on the head before he enters the St. Sebastian's Church in Negombo, where " everyone has lost someone ".The Fernando family had taken a photograph at the baptism of their third child, Seth. In Negombo they were all buried together. Father, mother and three children aged 6, 4, and 11 months. According to the New York Times The silence of the Western intellectual world and the media is particularly deafening. The new humanitarian conscience seems to see only two groups: those who have the right to the compassion and protection of the international community, and those, such as Christians, unworthy of help or solidarity.The deliberate murder of an 8-month-old baby, Matthew , in a Sri Lankan church apparently did not upset or chill the West, did not go viral on social media, did not to become a hashtag, did not to push the Europeans to crowd into their public squares, did not press the Islamic world to examine its conscience, did not to induce Western politicians and opinion-makers seriously to reflect on who killed that child, or on those who foment and finance the Islamist anti-Christian hatred. Sudesh Kolonne was waiting outside St. Sebastian's Church when he heard the blast. He then ran inside and searched for his wife and daughter. It took him a half hour to find their bodies.The attacks also killed three children of a Danish billionaire . Another woman lost her daughter, son, husband, sister-in-law and two nieces. A British father had to make a choice over which of his two children to save. Another British family was destroyed . To add horror to horror, the pregnant wife of one of the terrorists, when police raided her home, detonated a suicide vest, killing her own children.The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, just visited the Muslim survivors of the attack on the mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, including children recovering in the hospitals. It was a gesture of humanity and compassion. Why does the same compassion not spur the British royal family to stop in Sri Lanka, their former colony, to meet the Christian survivors, before going back to England? Entire Christian families were decimated in the attack.Where is the outrage in the West for the annihilation of Christian life and people? It feels as if there is no indignation, only silence, interrupted by bombs and "Allahu Akbar". The history books of the future will not condone this Western betrayal. If the West had taken seriously the persecutions of Christians, now the bell would not toll for the death of the Christian presence -- not only in historic lands of Christianity, but also for the West. Islamic extremists have seen that the West has not mobilized to prevent them from repressing Christians, as if unconsciously there were a strange convergence between our silence and the ethnic cleansing project of the Islamic State, aimed at erasing Christians.The British author Melanie Phillips has called this persecution of Christians "our guilty secret."The jihadist attack in Sri Lanka was not only " the deadliest attack on Christians in South Asia in recent memory ." It was also the largest massacre of Christian children. But no newspaper has launched a campaign to raise awareness of European public opinion, no pro-Christian solidarity movement has arisen, no Western leader appears to have visited a church in solidarity, no Western church leaders had the courage to point out the culprits by calling them by name, no Western mayors hung photographs of the 45 children torn to pieces, no public square was filled in thousands saying "Je suis chretien".A few years ago, at the height of the migrant crisis in Europe, a photograph conquered public opinion in the West. It was the famous picture of the three-year-old Syrian boy, Alan Kurdi , who drowned off the coast of Bodrum, Turkey. That little migrant moved the West. His image went viral called it " Aylan Kurdi's Europe "."For historical reasons, Angela Merkel feared images of armed German police confronting civilians on our borders," wrote s leading journalist, in his book,("The Driven Ones"). If photographs of migrant children spurred Europe's leaders to open their borders, the photographs of murdered Christian children -- such as the 45 in Sri Lanka -- apparently left them indifferent.The appeal of Asia Bibi's daughters to help her mother met a deaf West. The UK refused to offer asylum to this Pakistani Christian family and take persecuted Christians."It is with indifference that we witness a catastrophe of civilization with no precedent", wrote the French scholar historian Jean-Francois Colosimo, commenting on the destruction of Eastern Christianity. No religion, no community, is today more persecuted than Christians. Why, then, this silence by the West? Have we become so foreign to ourselves, to our roots and to our history, that we can contemplate this outbreak of jihadi violence without blinking an eye? Or are we so short-sighted that we hoped to buy "peace" with the Muslim extremists at the cost of abandoning those Christians? The same jihadi ideology that murdered Christian children in Sri Lanka, targeted European children in Nice Manchester and Barcelona Sri Lanka after the massacre is not just a terrible succession of crying mothers and little coffins. Unfortunately, it also tells us a lot about the discouraging state of the West. The gravity of the existential threat we face from Islamic Jihad is truly of epic proportions. It is essentially a battle pitting free-civilized man against a totalitarian barbarian. What is at stake is the struggle for our very soul - namely who we are and what we represent. The lives that were sacrificed for individual rights and freedoms that we've come to cherish are being chiseled away from right under our noses by the stealth jihadists. And many of us are in denial and totally clueless. The left's appeasement and pandering to evil is nothing new. What makes their utopian delusions so infuriating and unpardonable is that it is not only they who will have to pay the consequences, and deservedly, so, they are thwarting and undermining our best efforts at resistance and are thus dragging us down in the process as well. By Peter Lancz,, the head of the Raoul Wallenberg World Campaign Against Racism. Discover a charming village of Brodzany, located in the Nitra River basin, only two hours from Bratislava. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled The winds of change and new technologies blew through the 19th century. Communication and broadcasting were not things for the cell phone and WhatsApp, radio stations or the internet. But the telegraph. Carl von Linde gave the world the refrigerator. And Karl Benz designed and built the first practical car. A Belle Epoque. After saying it couldnt been done, the Eiffel Tower became a sensation. The art movements changed faster than Facebook or Instagram posts. Links to Pushkin A small village located in the Nitra River basin, two hours drive from Bratislava, became a centre of the decadence in Slovakia and Hungary. And there, a little girl lived. Her name was Natalia. Her father was Earl Gustav Vogl von Friesenhof, a successful Austrian diplomat in the czars court in St. Petersburg. The name of her mother was Alexandra Nikolaevna Goncar, a sister-in-law of the Russian literary genius, Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin. Brodzany. video //www.youtube.com/embed/T9qQAmmT4jI A charming manor hourse A village veiled at the foot of the Nitrianska pahorkatina mountains and the Tribec mountains, 2km from Partizanske and 15km from Topolcany. And there is a charming Renaissance-style manor house situated in its heart, surrounded by an exquisite English park. Along the curving paths between monumental plane trees beside the cascades of the Geradza stream, their stories revealed. Who was Natalia von Oldenburg? Natalia von Oldenburg, nee von Friesenhof, was beautiful. The mysterious and alluring femme fatale. The intelligent and eccentric spearhead of the decadence in Slovakia and Hungary. The talented, emancipated and philanthropic musician, artist and poet. The Bell of Vienna society. She commissioned the construction of several unique sites: the first pet cemetery in Slovakia, and a glorious summer residence, christened Babylon, hidden on a hill in the forest. The world would truly be a monochromatic place without glamorous, amazing and inspiring women! Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin would have never written Eugene Onegin. Auguste Rodin would have never sculptured The Thinker or The Kiss. And Emmanuel Macron would have never been elected President of France. One2We is an incoming company concentrating on active, adventure, bike and sport tours in Slovakia, in the unique, authentic and safe country, far away from mass tourism; offer undiscovered and amazing places, tailored-made solutions and very professional individual guiding. Activists welcome the decision, but the mining company insists that its employees were endangered by the protest. The banner Greenpeace activists placed on the Novaky mine tower. (Source: Greenpeace) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Greenpeace activists, whom the police detained in November 2017 for scaling the mining tower in Novaky (Trencin Region), will only be charged with a misdemeanour after administrative proceedings. The criminal police department of the regional police corps headquarters in Trencin decided that 12 activists, who non-violently protected the Upper Nitra region against coal mining, did not commit any crime, Greenpeace informed on its website. The activists from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, and Belgium posted a banner on November 22, 2018 on the mining tower of the coal mining company Hornonitrianske Bane Prievidza, reading End the coal era. Since it is only a misdemeanour, police transferred the case to the district mining authority in Prievidza (Trencin Region). Mines insist on risks towards their employees Ivana Kohutkova, head of Greenpeace Slovensko, welcomed the decision. The decision of the investigator has confirmed what weve been explaining from the very beginning, she said. Greenpeace activists committed no crime, and thus didnt harm anybodys health, life and property. Read also: Read also: Prosecutors office drops charges against Greenpeace activists Read more As she stressed, we are currently witnessing a critical change in climate, and this act of the activists was a sign of bravery, not a crime. Activism mustnt be punished, Kohutkova added. However, the Hornonitrianske Bane Prievidza mining company, which operates the mine in Novaky, insists that the activists who climbed the tower endangered the safety of their employees. The investigation was transferred to the state mining authority, which will decide on the responsibility and fault rate of the activists actions, said Adriana Sivakova, spokesperson of Hornonitrianske Bane Prievidza, as quoted by the TASR newswire. Coffee in Armenia is like beer to Europeans. When you arrive, youll quickly learn that when a new friend invites you out for a drink, they dont mean a pint of beer. It is almost always a coffee. In homes, cafes, and restaurants, it is predominantly made with unfiltered, finely ground beans in a small pot, called a jezve or cezve. This is, of course, known as Turkish-style, though dont say that to Armenians due to the historically tense relations between the two neighbors. Armenia, a small nation of three million, is also wedged between Georgia, Iran, and Azerbaijan. The people here see coffee as a staple of every meal. It comes dark and rich and, more often than not, sweet. A landlocked country with a complex history, the country experienced a politically charged 2018. Sick of the deep-rooted corruption that had spread its roots through every part of society, people took to the streets in a bid to overthrow the long-ruling Republican Party. After a peaceful revolution, the protest leader, Nikol Pashinyan, became Prime Minister and has since seen his party win a landslide election. It is a time of optimism in this small, yet beautiful, former Soviet country. The capital of Yerevan embodies this newfound optimism. Bright and bustling, one of the oldest cities in the world is a fusion of monolithic Soviet-era buildings, ad hoc balcony and roof extensions, and modern new-builds. Water fountains, parks, grand government buildings, and public squares are spread across the city. And with an increasingly demanding service industry, cafes have become Yerevans speciality. There are hundreds within the city centre. The Green Bean Launched in 2012, The Green Bean was an attempt to carve out an environmental conscience in Armenias cafe industry. Owned for the last three years by Lilit Ishkhanian and her husband, The Green Bean claims to be the first in the city to be entirely non-smoking. Its sustainability mindset combined with a craving for locally sourced produce can create issues at times, admits Ishkhanian, but they have led the charge with their eco-concept approach. The theme continues through the restaurants design, including messages of environmental caution sketched on the walls and a wide chipboard bar at the main cafe, which is just minutes from the Republic Square. Another Green Bean cafe serves the students at the campus of the American University of Armenia, while a franchise outlet is located at the foot of the citys grand Cascade stairway. All three sell a Costa Rican and Peruvian blend roasted at the main cafe. They began roasting five years ago and have seen locals join tourists in buying into the cafes coffee and conceptparticularly during the Velvet Revolution, says Ishkhanian. She recalls tables full of excited Armenians, desperately following the movement on laptops, tablets, and phones. And the subsequent political changes have left Ishkhanian excited for the future. The country now needs an economic revolution, she says when asked about any possible expansion. The Green Bean has multiple locations around Yerevan. Follow them on Facebook Mirzoyan Library An escape from busy city centre traffic, Mirzoyan Library is hidden just behind Yerevans impressive Republic Square. An arched entrance on a narrow side street opens into the grand 19th-century courtyard, which houses a small public library, a cafe, art gallery, and studio space. An ancient chestnut tree stands tall above the two-floor wooden terrace which is packed full of young tourists and locals throughout the year. Named after its founder, Karen Mirzoyan, the cafe was opened in 2014 alongside the photobook library, which features donated books from across the world. The gallery also serves as a late-night venue with regular jazz and electronic music nights. The coffee, Buon Gusto, comes from Bristot, and blends Arabica beans from Brazil, India, and Central America with Asian Robusta varieties. The rich body and intense aroma make it ideal for an intense espresso and there is nowhere better in Yerevan to enjoy it than overlooking Mirzoyans sunlit courtyard. Jazzve One of Armenias largest cafe chains, Jazzve opened its first branch back in 2003 when Yerevan was a completely different city. The ubiquity of Yerevans cafes and restaurants had not yet appeared across a city that was still adjusting to independence from the Soviet Union, and Jazzve can take some credit for that industrys subsequent success. Its name comes from the concept of combining cezve-made coffee and jazz music and has stretched to five outlets. Three of those lie within Yerevans small city-centre with the most popular on Abovyan Street, just meters from the Republic Square. Despite a rebrand in 2018, the chain has kept true to its traditional method of coffee-making. Using cold water in a cezve pot filled with blends from Ethiopia, Honduras, Cameroon, and Guatemala, the coffee comes thick and rich. Around a year ago, Jazzve opted to introduce three Armenian coffee varieties to its customers as a tribute to one of the nations most beloved writers, Hovhannes Tumanyan. Named Gohar, Anush, and Tamar, characters from Tumanyans poemsthe brand uses the term Armenian coffee loosely as it refers to the techniques of their process rather than the coffee being grown in the small, mountainous nation. All three are sold in shops across the country, with Anush, a 70-30% blend of Arabica and Robusta, this writers favorite choice. Jazzve has multiple locations around Yerevan. Visit their official website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram Artbridge Bookstore Cafe One of Yerevans oldest coffee spots, the Artbridge Bookstore Cafe in the city centre was the first to combine literature and coffee. The cafe was opened in 2001 by Shakeh Havan, who wanted to create a space where women felt comfortable to dine or drink alone. Its interior has changed little in the 18 years since, and includes a smoking room inspired by Armenian manuscripts and hieroglyphics. The ceilings exposed beams are decorated with painted copies of ancient documents while the walls host different artists every month. The back (non-smoking) room takes its inspiration from the Urartu Kingdom, or the Kingdom of Van, which was centered around Lake Van in the historic Armenian Highlandsnow modern-day Turkey. Customers in Artbridge can surreptitiously tuck themselves into the cafes corners. High-profile Armenian-Americans such as System Of A Downs Serj Tankian and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian are often seen there during visits to Yerevan and it has also been a personal favorite eaterie of the current Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan over the years. Artbridge buys its coffee from a local roastery, where it is blended into what they call their secret Artbridge blend. A combination of Costa Rican and Tanzanian beans, it is served in a French press and has a light, subtle sweetness. Those looking for a more authentic experience can order the small muddy Eastern coffee. Either way, the best bet would be to pair it with the cafes mouthwatering French toast. Impresso The ideal experience for a romantic late-evening coffee, Impresso is Yerevans tribute to the Italian cafe. It pairs modern lighting and tall ceilings with a number of vintage accessories, including a 1950s analogue TV that sits high on the bar. They only sell Caffe Mauro, which is bought directly from Italy and the cafe boasts that it is the only place to get a real Italian espresso in Yerevan. Almost the entire Caffe Mauro range is for sale though youll generally find yourself drinking from the original line, with its high-caffeine, spicy aroma, and strong flavors. Aside from their coffee, Impresso also offers a broad menu ranging from a number of succulent pasta dishes to the intriguingly named pizza cones. The real eye-catching food items are found in the dessert menu, however, with homemade carrot cake and gato-chocolate among the choices. Despite its long opening hours, the dark, classy interior and teardrop lighting make it more suitable for an evening outing. With piano music every night except Sunday, Impresso offers far more than just a great Italian espresso. Joe Nerssessian is a freelance journalist based in Armenia. This is Joe Nerssessians first feature for Sprudge. Photos supplied courtesy of each cafe. Top image Adobe Stock/Photoaliona Owned, trained and driven by Melanie Plourde, Bestofbest Hanover sat the pocket to the favourite and blew to a half-length win at 10-1 in 1:54.3 on Sunday, April 28 at Rideau Carleton Raceway. Ufdragons Rocket parked to a :28.2 quarter as Bestofbest Hanover led before yielding the lead through the stretch first time. Then posting fractions of :57.1 and 1:25.4, Ufdragons Rocket turned for home on the lead while Canadian Edition ground first over and Bestofbest Hanover veered out of the pocket. Bestofbest Hanover surged to the lead late in the stretch to post a half-length victory with Canadian Edition took third. Returning $23.40 to win, Bestofbest Hanover won his first race from seven starts this season and his 37th from 207 overall, earning $699,588. Melanie Plourde owns, trains and drives the winner. Flying Isa N followed with a wire to wire win in the $8,100 Preferred Trot by four lengths in 1:56.1. The 11-year-old Pegasus Spur gelding cleared command from post five and posted fractions of :27.4, :57.2 and 1:26.4 on the lead while Pasadena Star sat the pocket and Slip Into Glide ventured into the competition first over. Flying Isa N drew away from the field through the lane while Pasadena Star gave pursuit from second and Slip Into Glide settled for third. Owned by Francois Morin, Flying Isa N won his third race from 15 starts and his 40th from 152 overall, earning $564,510. Stephane Brosseau drove the $4.60 winner for trainer Yves Tessier. Trainer Matthew McDonald won three races on the Sunday card. He started his night with Genesee ($13.00), who flew from off the pace to a three-quarter lengths win in 1:56 to take a $6,500 conditioned pace. McDonald then swept the late double as Its Eds Idea ($3.70) wired his competition in a $6,500 conditioned pace in 1:54.4 and Cheyenne Moishe ($5.80) popped pocket to win a $6,000 claiming pace in 1:56.4. To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway. On Sunday night (April 28) at Pompano Park, Hall of Fame driver Wally Hennessey won a whopping seven of the eight races on the evening program. Hennessey won with his own Boli ($2.40) in the opener. The Dan Hennessey trainee scored in 1:57.3 to kick off the Hennessey-Ingraham Pro-Am Challenge. The event benefits three major charities in a four-race competition, which pits Team Hennessey against Team Ingraham, which is captained by Dave Ingraham. Hennessey completed his early daily double sweep by guiding Race Me Rocky ($2.20) to a handy win in 1:55.1. Race Me Rocky is trained by John Mungillo for owner Delmis Esquival. Next, in the second leg of the challenge, Hennessey guided the Donna Gilson-Eferstein-owned and trained Alfredo Dream ($4.80) to a handy near gate-to-wire win in 1:59. Hennessey's streak was interrupted in the fourth race when Ingraham rallied Team Captain to a 30-1 upset win over Hennessey's Harry Terror in a photo finish timed in 1:53.4. Team Captain is trained by Mickey McNichol for owner Joseph Martinelli Sr. In the fifth race, Hennessey was back in the winner's circle with Don Brainard's Fire In My Heart ($2.80), trained by George Coblentz. The mile was clocked in a lifetime-best 1:55.2. About 22 minutes later, Hennessey was back in the winner's circle with Golden Tate ($3.60), who won in 1:56.1. Golden Tate is trained by Norman Dessureault, who co-owns with Steve Stabile. Hennessey then scored with Rub Ofthe Green (N) ($3.40), who scorched the Pompano oval in 1:52. The eight-year-old is trained by Luc Loyer for Ciro Gentile and Larry Tucker. Hennessey notched his seventh win with Big Bad Bill ($2.60), who scored for the Pacing Pretty Stable and trainer Jim McDonald. "Yes, it was a great night, but you have to give credit to all the trainers and caretakers that get 'em ready to race and take such great care of them, said the humble Hennessey, reflecting on his momentous night. It all starts with them." Hennessey's heroics helped his team defeat Team Ingraham (68 to 47) in the 2019 edition of the challenge, which featured the two captains and the best amateur drivers at Pompano. Following the final race of that event, a large throng was in the winner's circle as presentations and donations were made to the Christian Harness Horsemen's Associaation, Rockin' T Horse Rescue and Tomorrow's Rainbow. The CHHA has been a driving force in the harness racing industry since 1983 and provides emotional support for those in need. They also have a scholarship program benefitting many young people. Rockin' T Horse Rescue Ingraham's beneficiary gives a safe haven to injured and retired horses in need of medical and spiritual support. Horses give us everything they've got on the racetrack and it's great to have places like Rockin' T to help restore their spirit in times of need," said Ingraham. Tomorrow's Rainbow uses horses to provide emotional support for trauma victims as young as three years old and, as Hennessey related, "For those that have suffered tragedy in their lives. Hennessey went on to say, founder Abby Mosher stepped up to the plate and formed this rainbow to give hope and support to those that really are in need. They are just fantastic." The donations sent the FADC donations well over the $200,000 since its inception. Racing at Pompano will continue Monday and Tuesday and the tracks meet will wind up on Saturday, May 4. (With files from the Pompano Park and the Florida Amateur Driving Club) As more F-35 stealth fighters enter service their database of effective tactics and operating techniques is rapidly expanding. One thing the F-35 does extremely well is use automated flight controls that allow the pilot to carry out maneuvers that would require a lot more experience in older (F-15. Su-30) aircraft but are much easier for an F-35 pilot. The more experienced pilots know a lot more useful maneuvers than new pilots but because of the adaptive F-35 flight control software, it is much easier for new pilots to master an unfamiliar maneuver. The best way to explain this is the experience of British carrier pilots who formerly flew Harrier vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and were now using the F-35B (the vertical takeoff and landing version). The British pilots say difficult carrier landings that could be terrifying in a Harrier (which U.S. Marine Corps pilots also used on small carriers) were surprisingly easy with an F-35B. As British pilots began carrying out landings on the new British carrier they were pleasantly surprised. The F-35B flight control automatically adapted to all the rapidly changing wind and carrier movement variables and allowed you to land without a lot of stress. Handling the F-35B, in general, was much easier, and safer, than the Harrier. Hovering, for example, required a lot of continuous effort and attention from a Harrier pilot. In the F-35B the pilot could fly the aircraft to a position and hover and the aircraft would remain where it was flown to without additional effort by the pilots no matter how much the weather changed. All this ease of flying enables F-35 pilots to concentrate on something that does still require a lot of decision making by the pilot; stealth management and threat management. The stealth characteristics of the F-35 make it more difficult for radar to detect it. How the pilots fly in a combat zone can improve the effectiveness of stealth. That is done by learning to manage the flood of threat management data that F-35 pilots have access to. By being able to concentrate on stealth and threat management F-35 pilots achieve what has been the key element in air combat since 1914; getting in the first shot. From 2014 into the 1940s the key to success in air-to-air combat was knowing how to fly into a position where you would see the enemy first and carry out a surprise attack. The earliest of these tricks was the World War I tactics of trying to have the sun behind you to make it more difficult for the enemy to see you coming. Another tactic was trying to get higher and out of sight (for as long as possible) until you could dive on the enemy aircraft in a high speed and unexpected attack. In effect, stealth and the resulting surprise was always the key to victory. The F-35 was designed with that in mind. The radar stealth and maneuverability isnt as good as the F-22, but the F-35 situational awareness is much better. Pilots who have flown the F-22 and F-35 always note that and point out that, in the hands of an experienced pilot, it makes the F-35 a more effective aircraft than the older and more expensive F-22. The F-35 was designed to have affordable stealth and much more effective sensors and electronics. The F-35 stealth is much less expensive than that in the F-22 and initial Israeli combat experience over Lebanon and Syria indicates that the stealth and internal electronic countermeasures more than make up to for that. The passive sensors and sensor fusion software of the F-35 also appear to be working as advertised. In the cockpit, the pilot has one large (20 inch diagonal) LCD showing all needed aircraft data with more showing on the pilots JHMDS helmet visor. That is all very well, but as with the very capable F-22, it wasnt performance that limited procurement but excessive cost. What the F-35 flight management software and situational awareness demonstrate is that the usual measures of a superior fighter aircraft (speed, maneuverability) no longer matter as much. An F-35 is more likely to see the other aircraft first, fire first and be more aware of the changing battle situation than enemy pilots in, on paper, faster and more maneuverable aircraft. Even when the F-35 is hit and damaged the flight control software senses the damage and automatically flies differently to compensate for the damage. That takes a lot of stress off the pilot who can concentrate on threat and stealth management to complete the mission and get the aircraft back to base. Another important aspect of the F-35 is that its flight control and threat management software is built to be constantly updated by pilot experience. As more pilots fly the F-35 and experiment with different techniques, its software is updated to become more capable. Those updates require more attention to post-change testing. Thats because there are so many interconnections within the flight control software. Those have to be tested to prevent unexpected results when the pilot is most vulnerable to that sort of thing. All these positive reviews from F-35 pilots have made it more likely sales will increase. In 2001 the U.S. believed 5,100 F-35s would be sold but the rising costs and increasing delays drove that down to 3,100 by 2013 and 2,500 by 2018. Now that some F-35s are actually in service (F-35As and 35Bs) and getting good reviews from users, existing and potential customers are increasing their orders. That may not last, because there is a lot still to be discovered about how well the F-35 will do in comparison to the many F-16s, F-15s, F-18s and AV-8s it will replace. The F-35C was supposed to enter service in 2018 but now it looks like 2019 is more likely and that will not have an impact on foreign sales because few, if any, were ever expected. Currently, the F-35 is, at $405 billion, one of the most expensive defense procurement projects ever. Total development cost is now put at $70 billion, which comes to nearly $30 million per aircraft if only 2,500 are built. Development costs for the new U.S. F-35 fighter-bomber have grown more than a third over the last few years as the aircraft finally entered service. The additional development costs were accompanied by additional delays. The 31 ton F-35 is mainly defined by the land-based F-35A which is armed with an internal 25mm cannon and four internal air-to-air missiles (or two missiles and two smart bombs) plus four external smart bombs and two missiles. All sensors are carried internally and max weapon load is 6.8 tons. The aircraft is very stealthy when just carrying internal weapons. The F-35B and C do not have the internal cannon and the B model has less internal space for weapons. Like the F-22, which had production capped at less than 200 aircraft, the capabilities, as superior as they are, may not justify the much higher costs. The F-22 fighter is stealthier than the F-35, especially from the side and rear. The F-22 is more maneuverable and has two engines instead of one in the F-35. Both are stuffed with a lot of new technology. Obviously, the F-35 tech is more recent and more powerful. For example, the stealth coatings in the F-35 are far easier (and cheaper) to maintain than those in the F-22. But time will tell (and soon) just how much cheaper the F-35 is to maintain as an operational aircraft. Initially, it was believed that most (about 60 percent) of the F-35s built would be used by foreign nations. The rising cost of the F-35 brought with it a reluctance to buy as many aircraft as customers originally planned. The success of smart bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan has also made it clear that fewer aircraft will be needed in the future. In any event, it's likely that F-35s will end up costing more than $100 million each and many current and potential customers realized they could upgrade some of their F-16s and get along just fine until it was clear that the F-35 was effective and affordable. That means the F-35 has to prove it is affordable to maintain. For most modern fighters operations and maintenance are 65 percent of the lifetime cost of the aircraft. Currently, the F-35A is 40 percent more expensive to maintain per flight hour than the F-16s most it will replace. The F-35 manufacturer says they can reduce that gap but potential buyers will want to see that in action first. Another deal breaker is the long time it takes to modify the F-35 software and certify non-U.S. weapons for use. This is proving to be another obstacle to foreign sales. So is the U.S. policy of allowing little foreign user access to the source code of the software. Thats a security measure and the only way around it (to help sales) is to make software changes requested by foreign users in a timely and affordable fashion. Same with construction costs, which are said to be falling to under $100 million per F-35A over the next few years but that goal seems out of reach and $110 million is more likely. The increasing air attacks and continued ground operations by Somali security forces and foreign peacekeepers are having an impact. While al Shabaab exercises some control in about a quarter of Somalia, that al Shabaab presence is more as a bandit threat than a replacement for the local or national government. More al Shabaab leaders are concluding that this sort of thing has no future and are leaving or defecting. Al Shabaab treats all who leave as traitors so departing the organization is a major decision, especially for senior members. Lower level members know they can, if they are careful, desert and either get out of the country or return to a powerful clan they came from that can and will protect them. Al Shabaab usually does not bother with low ranking deserters because they know they can just kidnap or persuade more teenage guys to join. But the senior defectors are a growing problem because they often take with them vital details on current planned al Shabaab operations. This improves the frequency and accuracy of American UAV attacks and makes it easier for government forces to trap and destroy al Shabaab factions. The Benefits Of Corruption In the south, along the Kenyan border, al Shabaab terrorists and smugglers continue to move freely across the Kenyan border. The border guards on both sides of the frontier accept bribes to allow just about anything to pass through border control points. Despite several major al Shabaab attacks inside Kenya since 2015, starting with the Garissia University massacre four years ago that killed 148 Kenyans, al Shabaab violence continues but with less frequency and intensity. Investigations into al Shabaab attacks nearly always lead back to poor border security and calls for something to be done about it. There have been more border patrols and occasional crackdowns on bribery among border guards. Despite that, the border remains easy for Islamic terrorists to cross. Since 2015 Kenya has spent $33.5 million on a fence (and other barriers) along the 700 kilometer long Somali border. Most of the money has been stolen or misused and only about 30 kilometers of fence has been built. Actually by the end of 2017, in northeast Kenya, about eight kilometers of the new security fence had been completed in Mandera (near the coast). Work on the next 28 kilometer segment was about to begin but that never happened because of local opposition on both sides of the border. The fence was originally to be a combination of a two meter (6.2 foot) high wall with security cameras in addition to a deep trench and a wire fence. After two years of delays and disputes over exactly where the border was and what to do with existing buildings on the actual borderline, the specifications of the fence were reduced to a border barrier that was just a fence and ditch plus a road for regular patrols and to quickly reach an area that has been breached. Work did not really get underway until 2017 but never built more than 30 kilometers of the actual fence, despite the fact that the Kenyan government appropriated money for the fence every year and that has added up to over $33 million with little to show for it. Any work at all on the fence halted in early 2018 and the parliament refuses to provide any more money for the effort because it has turned out to be another political scam to steal government funds. Desperate Measures Currently, al Shabaab is concentrating most of its attacks on the Somali capital (Mogadishu) in a renewed effort to gain control of the city, topple the government and turn the country into a religious dictatorship. Resistance to that form of government is one of the few things that most Somalis can agree on. Other popular items are that Somalis are superior to their neighbors and are Arabs, not Africans. One area where there is little agreement is who should run a national government. Because of this, there is a growing sense of despair at the inability of Somalia to govern itself. Some Somalis (like al Shabaab) blame foreigners for interfering with Somali internal affairs and manipulating Somalis into a state of chaos. But the majority of Somalis know that the problem is closer to home. Somalis have been battling each other, and their neighbors, for centuries. Disunity is nothing new. Corruption has long been the major flaw in Somali culture and the inability to cope with this has turned Somalia into one of the poorest and violent countries on the planet. Then there's always the clan (tribal) politics, and the inability of clan and warlord groups to compromise to form a united government. Not enough Somali leaders have accepted the fact that the old ways just are not working. Then again, many Somalis have a different concept of peace and prosperity. In times past, the losers in these tribal wars would all die or be absorbed into the victorious tribe. But these days you have international relief efforts. So millions of Somalis are surviving on foreign aid. This refugee community produces angrier young men, ready to take up the gun and go get some tribal justice, or just get rich. Somalis prove troublesome wherever they end up and, for the neighbors in Africa, Somalia has long been a major menace and source of trouble. So it's not surprising that in Somalia the biggest threat is other Somalis. The many recent al Shabaab car bomb attacks in Mogadishu are, in part, an effort to cripple the government security forces by going after the leadership and intimidating the security forces in the national capital. Key military and political leaders live in Mogadishu, often in major hotels, which have some of the best security in the country (because foreigners stay there.) Al Shabaab is concentrating on Somali intelligence experts because those Somalis are paying a lot of attention to al Shabaab operations, locations and leaders. So far this year American airstrikes (usually with armed UAVs) have killed 280, all but a few of them al Shabaab. In 2018 these airstrikes killed 326 but that included about 200 ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) members. This year the primary target for an increased number of attacks is still al Shabaab and it is hurting. At the current rate, al Shabaab could lose a thousand men to airstrikes this year. Its not just the attacks but their accuracy. Too many key al Shabaab targets (meetings of leaders, large concentrations of al Shabaab gunmen) are getting hit with demoralizing effect. Worse, the Americans have already demonstrated that they can do major damage to an Islamic terror group they concentrate on. Since early 2018 American UAV operations in Somalia have concentrated on the 4,000 or so local al Shabaab Islamic members. In late 2018 this led to speculation that the United States would halt UAV operations in Somalia because the U.S. was pulling troops out of overseas battle zones where American troops were not essential. Somalia was not subject to this new policy because few American troops are stationed inside Somalia and those that are there are either part of an international military training effort for the new Somali army or intelligence specialists working with the CIA. For a long time, the main purpose of the UAV operations in Somalia (including Puntland and Somaliland) was to deal with international Islamic terrorists like ISIL or al Qaeda (which al Shabaab technically belongs to). From 2015 to 2017 the main target of American UAV operations in Somalia was ISIL but American advisors in Somalia made a strong case that more American UAV action (surveillance and missile attacks) could cripple al Shabaab the way it did ISIL. The UAV effort does not depend on any American troops in Somalia and is operated out of a joint (U.S.-French) special operations base in neighboring Djibouti (which is not a combat zone). In other words, it was low risk but with a potential high payoff. April 26, 2019: In the north (Puntland), an American UAV used missiles to kill three ISIL men. April 23, 2019: In the southwest (Gedo), two senior al Shabaab officials surrendered to the government. April 19, 2019: In the north, pirates captured a Yemeni dhow off the coast. The anti-piracy patrol eventually learned of it and after five days captured the five pirates responsible and freed the dhow and its crew. During those five days, the pirates used the captured dhow to attack ships far offshore. This is how the anti-piracy patrol learned of the captured dhow and its conversion into a high seas pirate mothership. Even far from shore (beyond where pirate speedboats launched from land, not a mothership) foreign commercial ships are still alert to the pirate threat and that is why in the few days before the anti-piracy patrol caught up with them, the pirate attacks on three ships failed and simply made it easier for the anti-piracy patrol warships to catch up with them. In Mogadishu, an al Shabaab car bomb went off killing four people and wounding five. April 14, 2019: In the north (Puntland), an American UAV used missiles to kill Abdulhakim Dhuqub, the ISIL second-in-command for Somalia. Dhuqub was in charge of planning attacks and general day-to-day operations. There are still some ISIL in Somalia but the few that remain are maintaining a low profile, especially in the Puntland highlands where most of them are. There ISIL is getting by as bandits, too busy with that to pose much of an international Islamic terrorist threat. Then there is the local politics angle. The ISIL operations in Puntland are run by a local fellow with ties to the powerful local Ali Salebaan clan. In return for clan patronage (protection), the local ISIL faction played by clan rules. Banditry is permitted but large scale attacks are not. Since 2015 ISIL has been trying to take advantage of local (Puntland and Galmudug) clan feuds to establish a presence in Puntland. This began in October 2015 when an al Shabaab faction declared that it was now the local branch of ISIL. The ISIL members up there were largely former al Shabaab men who wanted more violence or whatever. ISIL was more daring and dangerous than mainstream Islamic terror groups like al Qaeda (which al Shabaab associates with as well as seeks to destroy) but is also self-destructive as ISIL considers any other Islamic terror group a potential enemy (if the other group does not recognize ISIL as the leader). Between local militias, the UAV attacks and internal disputes ISIL has moved to the bottom of the threat list for Somalia. April 13, 2019: In Mogadishu, operators of motorized rickshaws (the most common taxi in the city) rioted to protest security forces restrictions on where they could drive. The riot got violent and five people died. There has been growing threats of violence from the rickshaw operators who resent having to deal with so many military checkpoints (established to deal with al Shabaab operations.) This sense of entitlement (to ignore checkpoints or use violence to protest them) is a common factor in Somali internal affairs. April 12, 2019: In northeast Kenya (Mandera), two Cuban doctors were kidnapped by al Shabaab and held for ransom. While the Cuban economy is a wreck the country does provide free medical school for nearly all Cubans who are capable of handling the demanding courses. While Cuba has lots of doctors it has little money for medications or medical equipment in general. Cuba does demonstrate that good primary care has a very positive overall impact. Cuba eventually had more doctors than they could use and found that renting out its doctors for foreign countries, especially in South American and Africa, could be lucrative. That business now brings in over $10 billion a year. The Cuban doctors involved are paid more than they receive back in Cuba and have opportunities to defect, which a growing number do. The Cuban government holds kin of doctors hostage but that, and fact that kin will no longer receive part of the doctors foreign pay, is often not sufficient to prevent defection. The Cuban doctors are appreciated in foreign countries, where the local medical facilities are generally better than back in Cuba and the patients grateful for the specialist care and surgical skills the Cuban doctors often provide to people who would otherwise not receive much medical care at all. The kidnapping in northern Kenya had an immediate impact. Local tribal elders and others with contact or clout with al Shabaab began negotiations to get the doctors released. After all the doctors also treated Kenyan Somalis and refugees from Somalia. Meanwhile, other Cuban doctors working near the Somali border withdrew to safer areas until their colleagues were released and Kenya increased security for those Cubans working in areas where al Shabaab is known to operate. April 9, 2019: In the south (Jilib) an American UAV used a missile to kill at least one al Shabaab gunman. April 4, 2019: in Mogadishu an al Shabaab car bomb exploded near the police academy, wounding seven people. April 2, 2019: Kenya demanded that the UN stop paying about a million dollars a month in foreign aid to al Shabaab in order to allow the rest of the aid to reach needy Somalis unmolested. The UN officially opposes such bribery but Kenya says it has proof that UN officials in Kenya and Somalia are paying off the Islamic terrorists, which helps al Shabaab survive in southern Somalia and continue to cause problems in northeastern Kenya. It is also pointed out that paying bribes to al Shabaab does not always guarantee the aid supplies will reach their intended destination. Graham v. Florida centered on the Eighth Amendment and the topic of cruel and unusual punishment for minors. Understand the case brief and summary, learn about the decision, and read the dissenting opinions of some justices of the US Supreme Court. See a 5th Amendment definition, summary, and clauses, and examples of 5th Amendment court cases. Understand the 'Plead the Fifth' meaning, pros, cons, and uses. What is the Ninth Amendment? Learn what the Ninth Amendment to the United States Constitution is defined as, what it means, and see examples of how it is used. What is the 6th amendment? Learn the meaning and the due process guarantees of the 6th amendment. See a 6th amendment summary, 6th amendment examples and court cases. What does the 3rd Amendment say? See examples of court cases, learn about 3rd Amendment rights and understand the history behind this part of the Bill of Rights. The 9th Amendment is part of the Bill of Rights. It was added as a way to help U.S. citizens understand that the government would not take away their rights. In this lesson, the meaning, history, and current uses of the 9th Amendment are discussed. In the United States, juveniles are granted specific legal rights which are distinct from those of adults. Analyze the background of these distinctions and identify the types of rights which juveniles are granted during trials and appeals. The 7th Amendment provides for a trial to be heard by a jury, as long as certain criteria are met. Understand the application of this amendment through a definition and summary, as well as through famous court cases where it was applied. Third Amendment: Lesson for Kids In America today, people have the right to decide who stays in their home; however, this was not always the case. An important law was passed that protected this right. In this lesson, you will learn about the Third Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. 7th Amendment: Lesson for Kids The 7th Amendment is part of the Bill of Rights, which is made up of the first ten Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Come explore the 7th Amendment, what it's all about, and why it's important. 5th Amendment: Lesson for Kids The Fifth Amendment is in an important part of the Constitution known as the Bill of Rights. This lesson provides an overview of the Fifth Amendment simplified and explains what the amendment means and why it was written. Lewis University Lewis University in Romeoville provides a dual MSN/MBA program that totals 63 credits. Students must complete 33 credits for the MSN and 30 credits for the MBA. The MSN portion of the degree requires a capstone project in healthcare systems leadership and a practicum experience, while the MBA portion of the program requires a major field test. The university does offer a variety of scholarships and discounts to help qualified students pay for their education. Saint Xavier University Saint Xavier University in Chicago has a dual MSN/MBA program that allows students to earn both degrees faster than taking each program separately. Students first complete the MSN portion of the degree and can choose from tracks in clinical leadership, family nurse practitioner, or executive leadership. Courses for the clinical leadership and executive leadership track are only available online, while the family nurse practitioner track is only available on-campus. The program concludes with business foundation courses and 8 core MBA courses. McKendree University McKendree University in Lebanon offers an online dual MSN/MBA program that totals 60 credits. Students can take the program full- or part-time and classes are typically 8-weeks long, but some may be 16 weeks in length. The MSN portion of the degree does require a practicum experience and a scholarly project. The MBA portion of the program may require foundational business courses for students without undergraduate coursework in business. Benedictine University Benedictine University in Lisle also has an online dual MSN/MBA program that requires 23 courses. Students can complete the program in 2.5 to 4 years and has students complete the MSN portion of the degree first, followed by the MBA portion. The entire program totals 78 credits and includes a clinical immersion and capstone project for the nurse executive leader concentration in the MSN portion of the program. The MBA portion of the degree requires 42 credits and includes course topics in team building, international business, and project management. Boston College Students interested in Boston College have a number of different dual degree program options from which to choose. The JD/MSW program offered in partnership with Boston College Law is designed to be completed in a total of four years, rather than the five that it would take to complete each program separately. It is also possible to enroll in the MSW/MBA program offered in partnership with the School of Management or the MSW/MA program in theology and ministry. This program can be completed in a total of three years, during which students will spend the first year and subsequent summers taking theology and ministry courses and the final two years take social work courses. Undergraduate students may also be interested in the BA/MSW program, which allows students at Boston College to begin taking some graduate courses before completing their bachelor's degree while seamlessly transitioning into the MSW program. Finally, students may also be interested in the MSW/PhD program, which allows students to pursue a doctoral degree in social work and earn an MSW along the way. Boston University At Boston University, students can choose from several different dual degree options. One option is the MSW/MPH degree in which students can study both social work and public health. This program can be completed in a total of three years and students have a number of options to further specialize their program according to their interests. Within the MSW program, they can either pursue a major in clinical or macro practice and can also select a certificate within the MPH program, with options in global health, health policy and law, and social justice, among others. Other options at Boston University include the dual MSW/Master of Education (EdM) program and the MSW/Doctorate in Special Education (EdD) program, both of which are offered in partnership with the School of Education. The courses for these programs take at least two and a half to three years to complete, and the EdD program will then take additional time for completion of a dissertation. The final dual degree options at this school are offered by the School of Theology. Students can earn either an MSW/Master in Theological Studies (MTS) degree or an MSW/Master in Divinity Studies (MDiv) degree. These programs take three and four years to complete, respectively. Bridgewater State University Students at Bridgewater State University can enroll in the dual MSW/JD degree offered by the School of Social Work and the University of Massachusetts Law School. Students can apply to each program at the beginning of their studies if they already know they are interested in earning both degrees, though it is also possible to begin pursuing either the MSW or JD degree before applying to the other degree program. This dual degree option allows students to complete both programs more quickly than taking them separately, enabling them to save money and time. Completion time varies according to whether students attend full-time or part-time. Springfield College Another dual degree option in Massachusetts is the MSW/JD program offered by Springfield College in a partnership with the Western New England University School of Law. Students who enroll in this program are able to complete it in a total of four years full-time study rather than the five it would take to complete the programs separately. During the first two years of the program, students can choose how they wish to structure the curriculum, taking courses from either the law school or the School of Social Work. The third year is spent exclusively taking law courses while the fourth year entails electives in law, social work research, and field practices in social work. Israel released two Syrian prisoners, after it received the remains of an Israeli soldier killed in the first Lebanon war, although they deny that it was part of a deal writes Al-Quds Al-Araby. While the Assad regime remains silent, Israel is witnessing controversy around the return of the remains of an Israeli soldier missing since the first Lebanon war, in exchange for two Syrian prisoners. Israel has been quiet since this was revealed, but Israeli radio on Sunday quoted a major Israeli official as saying that Russia had come to Israel two weeks after the delivery of Baumels body asking for a gratuity to save face for the Bashar al-Assad regime, who had gotten angry at what Moscow did in Syria under Tel Avivs direction. It said that after the embarassment caused to Bashar al-Assad, Putin had personally intervened and put heavy pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu to provide cover for Baumels return. It also raised the question of how the Arabs view this issue, noting the scandal of negotiations being carried out between Russia and Israel, and the goodwill initiatives between them, and continued: There is a lot of fuss about the questions raised around the truth of the Bashar al-Assad regime, which by day declares that it wants to liberate the Golan from Zionist occupation and by night carries out contacts with them. The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said that the Israelis were not the only ones surprised by Israels intention to release two Syrian prisoners, but most ministers in the occupation government were as well, as they learned about what happened in the media, after Alexandrer Lavrentiev, Russias Special Envoy to Syrian, revealed the matter in an interview with a Russian channel two days ago. Netanyahus decision to cover up the deal and limit the decision-making process to the governments legal adviser, Avichai Mandelbilt, and Minister of Justice, Ayelet Shaked, and President Reuven Rivlin, who signed the decision granting the two prisoners amnesty for them to be released, created widespread controversy in the media and among political circles. The new representative for the Blue and White party, Zvi Hauser, called on the Minister of Justice and Minister of Education to resign immediately because of the failure to convene a small cabinet before taking the decision to release the two prisoners. A Likud representative Yoav Kish said that Netanyahu had been forced to act unilaterally to preserve secrecy and out of fear of leaks to the media. People close to Netanyahu said that the discussion was about a Syrian prisoner whose term would end in two months, and another who was a drug dealer, who was nearing the end of his sentence. They told the occupation armys radio that Israel had made the decision just two days ago and had voluntarily taken on the goodwill initiative after Baumels remains were received and denied there was a deal. Without Assads Permission A military analyst for the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Amos Harel, said that Israeli security agencies learned at a relatively late stage of the Israeli initiative towards Syria. Harel attributed Netanyahus concealment to two factors: First, that the decision was made between him and Russian President Putin during their meeting in Moscow at the start of the monthwhich was denied by Netanyahus office. The second was that the initiative came late, after Syria got angry with Russia for removing the Israeli soldiers remains without Bashar al-Assads permission. Harel quoted Israeli sources explaining the initiative as resulting from pressure that the Syrian regime put on Putin after Israel received the body, which was secretly taken from Syria, without the Syrian regimes knowledge, and without it being notified in advance. Putin had claimed during his meeting with Netanyahu, that it had been a joint operation with the Syrian regime army, without Damascus hurrying to deny that after it found itself in a state of confusion and embarrassment because it appeared to have allowed Russia and Israel to behave as they wanted on its terrorityand thats why it demanded the two soldiers be released as late compensation for Assad. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. A Syrian Facebook, Russian reticence about an Idleb assault, a halt to the registration of refugees in Germany and Syrians arrested in Lebanon. Catch up on everything that happened over the weekend. 1. A Syrian official has said the Assad regime is developing an online platform to rival social media giant Facebook, a local pro-government outlet reported on Wednesday. Deputy Communications and Technology Minister Ghassan Saba told the magazine Masarat that a social media application was being designed to protect the privacy of Syrians. The announcement comes days after Syrian authorities complained that its Instagram account had been shut down. The Ministry is working to create an application similar to Facebook, but a Syrian version, Saba was quoted as saying. 2. Israeli raids and military operations in Syria, as well as the economic situation in Iran, has prompted Tehran to give up a large part of its plans and limit its objectives in Syria, according to Israeli intelligence sources. The sources told Israels Maariv newspaper that Iran did not change its strategic objectives in the region, but it had to let go of some of these objectives. At the same time, Tehran increased its expectations in Iraq to overcome the decline of its status in Syria. The sources added it is possible to see a change in Irans performance over the past year. 3. On Saturday, Russias President Vladimir Putin called for a continuation of the fight against terrorism, however, he noted that for now, launching a full-scale assault against militants in Syrias Idleb province was unpractical. According to Asharq Al-Awsat, Putin said the presence of civilians in parts of Idleb where militants were also active meant the time was not yet ripe for full-scale military operations. Im not ruling it [a full-scale assault] out, but right now we and our Syrian friends consider that to be inadvisable given the humanitarian element, Putin stated. 4. Germany has stopped processing some applications for asylum from Syrian refugees, according to a report on Saturday. The German Interior Ministry was quoted as saying that the decisions on some asylum applications from Syrians had been postponed, AFP reported. According to the report, those affected are Syrians granted subsidiary protection. The decision is currently pending a new assessment of the security situation in Syria, which has not been announced yet. 5. On Friday, the Presidential Political and Media Advisor, Bouthaina Shaaban, delivered a speech at the opening session of the sub-forum of the Second Belt and Road International Summit. In the speech, reported by SANA, Shaaban said that Syria has been subjected to a terrorism war for the past eight years, and the latest form of this war is the US and Western attempts to prevent any connection between Syria, Iraq, and Iran, because such connection is vital for economic, social, and cultural life, stressing that the emphasis of the Belt and Road initiative on building connections between countries is essential. She said that the Belt and Road initiative is crucial for confronting Western hegemony and attempts to divide people, and it is specifically important for the countries of Western Asia, the Middle East, and the Arab world. 6. On Wednesday, the Lebanese Army stormed a Syrian refugee camp near the town of Bar Elias in the Beqaa Valley, removing tents and detaining most of the male refugees living there. Opposition Syria TV reported that the army destroyed 110 empty tents at the Yasmin Refugee Camp. These had been donated by humanitarian organizations for use in emergency situations. Up to 80 people were detained for not possessing the correct documents. The army also confiscated motorcycles belonging to refugees. The Yasmin Refugee Camp was established in 2016 in coordination with the UNHCR and the Lebanese Interior Ministry. It consists of 320 pre-fabricated housing units and a number of tents. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Upon their return, Zidan al-tawil and Ahmad Khamis, expressed their delight at returning to Syria reports SANA. On Sunday, the two liberated captives, Zidan al-tawil and Ahmad Khamis, arrived home via the al-Quneitra crossing, after years of incarceration in Israeli occupation prisons. Upon their arrival at the al-Quneitra crossing point, the two Syrian captives expressed joy over their liberation. They were confident that the occupation will be eliminated and Syria will defeat the occupation as it did the terrorist groups. Quneitras governor, Humam Dibyat, said that the Syrian state puts the liberation of all captives in the Israeli occupation prisons as a priority, with Sidqi al-Maqt and Amal Abou Saleh being their top priority. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option. The refugees, who had previously been in Cyprus and Istanbul, had entry bans placed on their passports and were reportedly forced to sign deportation papers reports Zaman Al Wasl. On Thursday night, the Lebanese authorities detained 18 Syrians, including four women at Rafik Hariri International Airport, with the intention of deporting them back to Syria, despite the fact that they were fleeing from the hell of the Assad war. According to sources, the Syrians were deported from Cyprus airport, to Istanbul airport and then to Beirut. The Access Center for Human Rights was informed that Syrian refugees were arrested at Beirut airport and threatened with being deported to Syria. Lebanese security at Beirut airport is holding 18 Syrian refugees, including four women, denying them entry to Lebanon, because of the entry ban that was placed on their passports on Apr. 21, 2019 added the Center. Sources at the airport indicated that security forced the refugees to sign papers agreeing to be voluntarily deported from Lebanon. In light of the concerning actions of the Lebanese General Security Council, the Access Center for Human Rights has recommend that the Lebanese authorities immediately and expeditiously withdraw the forcible deportation decision and allow those detainees to enter Lebanese territory and grant them temporary residence, until their legal status is settled. The Human Rights Access Center has worked on several cases related to arbitrary detention at Beirut airport this year. The Center documented the case seven Syrian refugees in January 2019, whose fate is unknown, after they were forced to sign deportation papers and leave Lebanon. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Bouthaina Shaaban and the Bolivian Foreign Minister pointed to the strong relationship between the two countries and the importance of China's Belt and Road initiative writes SANA. Presidential Political and Media Adviser, Bouthaina Shaaban, discussed with the Bolivian Foreign Minister, Diego Pary Rodriguez, bilateral relations between Syria and Bolivia. The meeting was held on the sideline of the Second Belt and Road International Summit. Rodriguez highlighted the importance of the friendly relations between the two countries and their joint struggle against hegemony and colonialism, hailing the importance of Chinas Belt and Road initiative, which would change the reality of many people around the world and their future. Shaaban also met the Iranian Minister of Energy, Reza Ardakanian, on the sideline of the summit. Ardakanian hailed Syrias stances at the summit, exposing US policies that are based on law of the jungle and imposing sanctions on the Syrian and Iranian people. The three-day summit saw the participation of the heads of 37 states, in addition to 150 ministers from around the world. This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Residents of the al-Rukban camp are facing a terrible humanitarian crisis, prompting some to leave to regime controlled areas, which might not be safe reports Alsouria Net. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that more than 7,000 people living in the al-Rukban camp on the Syrian-Jordanian border have left for regime-controlled areas since March, as Assads forces impose a harsh blockade on the camp, which is home to about 40,000 people living in terrible humanitarian conditions. Various deaths have been recorded, especially among children, as a result of the lack of medicine and medical care. An OCHA spokesman, David Swanson, said that more than 7,300 people had left the camp since March, adding that the camp, which is close to the al-Tanf base, still has about 36,000 people. Camp residents who want to leave must organize themselves in batches for transport, heading up to the border of the safe zone in region 55, run by the International Coalition, where the camp is located. After reaching the safe zones borders, they continue on their way in either private vehicles or vehicles provided by the regime, to four joint shelter centers in Homs. Last Wednesday, Russias so-called reconciliation center in Syria announced that about 2,000 displaced Syrians had departed the al-Rukban camp on Apr. 23, 2019, through the humanitarian corridor at the Jalib crossing. The operation to get this number of families out of the camp came a day after a meeting held by representatives of Russia with a number of camp figures to negotiate between the two sides. The Syrian Observatory for Human rights said that the operation had recently been carried out in the context of reconciliations with regime forces. Other residents had refused to carry out settlements with the Assad regime or to go to areas under its control. Last March, the al-Rukban camps administration issued a statement in which it accused Russia of blockading the camp, to force its residents to head to Assad-controlled areas. Moscow responded that it was American forces blockading the camps residents and preventing them from leaving. The central command for American forces in Syria denied the Russian allegations in a statement, saying that the United States was not restricting displaced peoples movements inside or outside the camp, and that it was in full support of an operation allowing displaced people to freely move without coercion and allowing those who want to leave al-Rukban to leave safely and voluntarily. Since 2016, when Jordan closed borders with Syria declaring it a military zone, displaced people have refused to return to areas under regime control, out of fear of revenge and of arrest, as well as being conscripted into Assads forces. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Following the latest international talks, the Syrian opposition has vowed to continue its fight against the Assad regime and the occupation forces of Iran and Russia reports Al-Modon. The Syrian opposition has said that the Assad regime has lost all legitimacy and has turned into a terrorist militia, and that it cannot provide the most basic necessities for its people. It said that the resistance would continue until they were rid of Russia, Iran and terrorist militias. This came in a joint statement by the National Front for Liberation (the Free Syrian Army) and the National Army in response to statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the Syrian regime and it not ruling out a military option in Idleb province. Putin said in a press conference on Friday: The opposition acknowledges that the Syrian regime has won, and a military option for Idleb has not been ruled out. He continued that the current time was not appropriate for any operation of this type. The opposition said in its statement that: Russian fighters were burning villages and towns in the Hama countryside and Idleb and carry out the most heinous massacres against innocent civilians at the same time, in their closing statement at the latest round of international talks on Syria in the Kazak capital. The statement said that, bombing civilians and destroying mosques, homes and schools, and using internationally-banned weapons are not a sign of victory or evidence that the matter is resolved. The statement said that the resistance would continue, even in areas under Syrian regime control, and noted that, Russian support for the Syrian regime means continued killing and destruction in Syria. The opposition continued: The Syrian revolution will continue until the regime falls, freedom and dignity for our people is achieved, and Syria attains full independence, and rids itself of the occupation manifested by Russia, Iran, and terrorist militias. In another development, five civilians were killed during an air raid on Saturday night in the de-escalation zone in Idleb. The Anadolu Agency quoted local sources as saying on Sunday that a warplane carried out a raid on Qalaat al-Madiq and the village of al-Hawash in the western countryside of Hama city, which falls in Idlebs de-escalation zone. Sources from the White Helmets said that the raid on Qalaat al-Madiq killed five civilians, including two women. Commenting on the raid, which struck Qalaat al-Madiq and al-Hawash, an opposition air traffic monitoring site said on social media that, a Russian fighter took off from the Hemeimeem base in Lattakia. Over the last seven days raids on residential areas in Idleb and Hama have killed 17 people. This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author. Five years after her husband was accidentally shot and killed during a bear hunting trip in Canada, a Toutle woman will go to trial this fall against the guide company she blames for his death. Between 2009 and 2014, avid hunter and Toutle native Jeffrey Cooper made several visits to northern British Columbia through Wistaria Guiding, an unincorporated hunting business specializing in guided hunting trips for moose, bears, mountain goats, wolf, upland birds and fish. But when a grizzly bear, which Cooper shot and wounded the night before, came charging out of the brush the morning of May 26, 2014, Cooper and two guides reacted instantly and fired, dropping the bear. Cooper, standing in front of one of the guides, was inadvertently struck and killed, according to Canadian court documents. Royal Canadian Mounted Police pronounced Cooper dead at the scene, RCMP Corporal Madonna Saunderson said. While the case had not been officially closed as of this month, the Canadian government has not pursued criminal charges against any of the guides involved, Saunderson said. Shirley Cooper filed a lawsuit against Wistaria Guiding owners Gary and Julie Blackwell, as well as employees/hunting guides Derrick Blackwell and Robert Cork, in 2015. Her suit alleged the company was negligent in the death of her husband by, among other claims, failing to properly control the firearms and to ensure the members of the hunting party were not in each others line of fire. The case is currently set to go to trial Nov. 18 in Vancouver, Canada. Both Shirley Cooper and a representative for Wistaria Guiding declined to comment when called. An attorney for Wistaria Guiding could not be reached. Wistaria initially asked for the suit to be dismissed because Cooper had signed a liability waiver for a previous hunting trip the year before, according to Canadian court documents. But a judge ruled the case could go on. They were, quite literally, two different hunting seasons, British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Nigel Kent found in late 2017, and the 2014 hunt required a new hunting licence. Jeffrey Cooper had participated in two moose hunts with the company in 2009 and 2012 and an unsuccessful grizzly hunt in 2013. He signed a liability release for that 2013 hunt assuming all risks of personal injury or death while participating in the said guided excursion. At the end of the hunt, Blackwell offered to let Cooper return the next year, free of charge, since Cooper was a good client and he wanted to offer him another chance to hunt a grizzly, according to Canadian court documents. Cooper was not given another release to sign for that hunt, court documents said. The Blackwells argued there was a mutual assumption that the 2014 hunt was a continuation of the unsuccessful hunt the year before, and that was covered under the previous agreement. Kent dismissed Wistarias claim, allowing Coopers suit to move forward. Love 4 Funny 8 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 3 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. How are y'all doing? This week is Marvel's Avengers Endgame week and the whole world is going crazy about it. In conjunction with the most anticipated movie release of the year, OPPO has collaborated with Marvel to make an awesome OPPO F11 Pro Marvel's Avenger Limited Edition! There isn't much different from the standard F11 Pro, except that it has a 128GB storage and for just RM1399, it's a deal breaker. While there isn't really much tech gadget news to go around, U Mobile recently announced about their new Money-Back-Guarantee 7-Day Trial which is nice for new users to try out their Unlimited HERO P99 for free. There's also an unfortunate Samsung Galaxy Fold screen blooper, which we think we won't be seeing it anytime soon this year. Hopefully, it won't be another disaster like the ill-fated Galaxy Note 7. Anyway, onto this week's NewsBytes! Smile4REWARDS with Hotlink app First up, Hotlink is now collaborating with McDonald's to give their customers free ice cream and nuggets! How does it work? All you need to do is go to any Smile4REWARDS Kiosks in the following four locations - McDonalds Bangi Drive-Thru, McDonalds Section 3 Shah Alam, McDonalds Jalan Gopeng Drive-Thru, and McDonalds Jalan Tebrau Drive-Thru. For a free Chocolate Sundae, you can drive up to the kiosk, smile, take a picture and after that, you will be given a free ice cream with any purchase. Moreover, you can also get four pieces of Chicken McNuggets for free if you show the Deals page on the Hotlink RED App or MyMaxis App while making that redemption. Easy peasy. It should also be noted that all customers who participate in the Smile4REWARDS will stand a chance to win a pair of free flight tickets to anywhere within the Southeast Asia region. All you need to do is share your Smile4REWARDS photo on Facebook and Instagram with the hashtags #HotlinkxMcD #Smile4REWARDS. There are only 10 pairs of tickets, you can find out more about Hotlink Rewards here: www.hotlink.com.my/SMILE4REWARDS or visit www.hotlink.com.my 30 Celcom customers had a fun time with Kamal Adli Also at another place, 30 Celcom customers (who were also the first owners of the OPPO F11 Pro) had the opportunity of a lifetime to personally meet and hang out with Malaysian actor, Kamal Adli. The event took place at Galactic Laser, Sunway Pyramid, where the customers were able to enjoy a three-round laser tag game together with Kamal Adli and his team. As most of the winners had never played laser tag before, so they probably had a blast (pun intended) and not only that. By the way, customers can now get the phone for free when they sign up with Celcom Mobile Platinum Plus postpaid plan at RM188 monthly. They can also own the phone through Celcoms affordable instalment plan, Celcom EasyPhone, from as low as RM54/month. Maxis launches Malaysias first commercial NB-IoT With all the IoT and 5G trial going on, Maxis has recently launched its first commercial Narrowband-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) service in Malaysia. The network is activated in selected areas which include Cyberjaya, Penang, Kuching, Putrajaya, Johor Bahru, and KLCC. Through this, they will be promoting solutions and development of the local ecosystem, like new data streams, enabling actionable insights by connecting simple devices such as sensors. There is an immense amount of opportunities for NB-IoT especially around big data analytics and in enabling real-life use cases. The launch will encourage the development of an ecosystem of partners, developers and customers that will offer even more opportunities for enterprises, to better manage and optimise their assets, their environment, their energy usage and the safety of their people, and to unlock the potential for the delivery of new services in the Malaysian market. This is a significant step for us as it sets the standards in the deployment of IoT solutions, said Paul McManus, Head of Enterprise, Maxis. To find out more about Maxis NB-IoT, you can read it here. A new AMD Ryzen Embedded R1000 SoC unveiled Elsewhere in Taiwan, AMD introduced a new AMD Ryzen Embedded R1000 SoC at the Taiwan Embedded Forum. This new SoC here is able to support up to three 4K displays at up to 60 FPS, as well as sharing other features established in the AMD Embedded family including 10Gb Ethernet ports and security features. The new SoC will be available this quarter to ODMs and OEMs worldwide and is already supported by numerous hardware and software companies including Advantech, ASRock, DFI, iBase, Netronome, Stratacache and many others. The Ryzen Embedded R1000 SoC will also power the upcoming Atari VCSTM game system. If you want to read more about it, you can check it out right here. Ramci & Cybersecurity Malaysia team up to fight identity theft Lastly, RAM Credit Information Sdn Bhd (RAMCI) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CyberSecurity Malaysia to work together by launching a public awareness campaign called STOP IDENTITY THEFT. It will be an educational roadshow from now until 16 May 2019 and also at the same time, launched a new JagaMyID Plus which is a credit monitoring tool for individuals to protect their personal credits. JagaMyID Plus is offered at a special 20% discounted price of RM 79.20 for a one-year plan inclusive SST. Moreover, they also offer a promo code JAGAMYID to unlock this special promotion. The introductory price is RM99.00 inclusive SST. Besides providing a monthly credit score, identity fraud alerts, constant monitoring of credit card utilisation and monthly payment tracking, JagaMyID Plus comes with a powerful online dashboard that will update subscribers on aspects currently impacting their credit. In addition to that, it also has secured lock access to the credit report. This means that if someone ever tries to apply for any type of credit in your name while its locked, you will be immediately notified. With Plus version, you will get insurance coverage protection that provides compensation in the event of death, ATM withdrawal protection, snatch theft, bodily injury or other losses suffered by you. Being careful and well-prepared is key, and an identity theft protection service is just one piece of the puzzle to address this breach, concluded Dawn Lai, Chief Executive Officer of RAM Credit Information (RAMCI). That's all, folks. Stay tuned for more NewsBytes at TechNave.com. Our friend Carl Weese was discussing the Panasonic G9 (now $1,199) with an online group of photographer friends when the topic of the quickness of the G9 came up. The G9 is almost eerily responsive, in a variety of ways. But one of its most distinctive features is the hair-trigger shutter releaseit's incredibly light and easy to trip, which has been difficult to get used to for me. But Carl, who is a trained marksman, had a tip: "I just figured out another thing this afternoon on a two-hour photo walkabout. Ive been getting occasional double releases from the G9s hair-trigger shutter release. What I just figured out was that I was making a perceptual mistake about the problem and making it worse instead of better. I more or less 'assumed' unconsciously that the camera was making the mistake and firing twice, when there was no reason to think so. What Id been doing was trying to press/release the shutter quickly and gently, as though it were in burst mode and I only wanted one shot (think firing accurately with a fully automatic weapon). Wrong! The camera is in single shot mode, but trying to jigger the release that way was resulting in double touches. All I had to do was deliberately press and briefly hold and it does not spontaneously make a second shot. Having that figured out may make me pretty much completely comfortable with the hair-trigger release." Eureka! Several months in, that was my problem with the G9 tooI've been trying to to touch the shutter lightly, as if pressing too hard would set it fluttering in rapid-fire Continuous mode. But he's exactly rightone easy but firm full press and the camera takes only one shot. (The light shutter is supposedly to help defeat "shutter jab" syndrome, to aid the IBISor at least that's what Fuji says about the similarly light and hair-trigger release on the X-H1.) It's rather amazing that this isn't obvious, and it may have been to some users. But it isn't to everybodyCarl and I have a long human lifespan's worth of experience with cameras between us, and it wasn't obvious to either of us. So there must be others out there. If you have a G9, you don't have to admit it if you'd been making this "perceptual mistake" too. :-) But if you were, I'm sure you'll be as happy as I was with Carl's tip. Mike (Thanks to Carl) Original contents copyright 2019 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. (Not) everything must fade away (To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.) Featured Comments from: Kurt Kramer: "Thanks for this useful post. I thought something was wrong with my camera and it was annoying." Maggie Osterberg: "I'll be! My Pen-F has the same 'problem.'" Frank: "I have a G9, from the first moment it seemed a little difficult, but after 10 minutes, I became comfortable with the shutter. It feels very good. I never had your problem with it. I've made photos for 48 years now. I think it's no problem for most, and you both are the exceptions." Dale: "It's not obvious. The initial review in PDN also flagged this as a problem. Now we have a solution. Good work Carl!" MURPHYSBORO Jury selection in Jarrell Pullens murder trial is set to begin Tuesday, about 14 months after the initial trial was scheduled to begin. Pullen is charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of JaVon T. Trott, 19, of Johnston City. The incident occurred in March 2017 across the street from the Eurma C. Hayes Center in Carbondale. According to previous reporting in The Southern, Trott was found by police lying in a parking lot the evening of March 9, 2017, and was transported to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, where he later died. Investigators speculate that the two men were acquaintances and were involved in an altercation prior to the shooting. Pullen was later indicted by a grand jury on eight counts, including two counts of first-degree murder as well as aggravated discharge of a firearm. Each murder count presents a different theory for how the incident occurred, but only one conviction can be made. After Pullen was identified as the suspect, he remained at large for a month until he was apprehended in Arkansas. Carbondale man charged with murder in 2017 fatal shooting suddenly asks for new lawyer, delaying trial MURPHYSBORO A Carbondale man charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a teenager one year ago Friday said he no longer want The trial was scheduled to begin almost exactly a year from the incident when, three days before proceedings were to start, Pullen asked for a new attorney. During a hearing, Pullen said he wanted to fire attorney Cheryl Whitley of Belleville. The events came after Whitley said she had a document stating an affirmative defense of self-defense. According to previous reporting by The Southern, Pullen shook his head as she announced the strategy, later saying he did not agree to that defense. Pullen his now represented by Murphysboro-based lawyer Celeste Korando. During a motion hearing ahead of trial, it was speculated that trial would take about a week. Pullen arrested: Alleged gunman in downtown Carbondale shooting found in Harrisburg CARBONDALE Police in Harrisburg have arrested an alleged gunman in an April 12 shooting in downtown Carbondale that left four injured, inclu Pullens brother, Jody Pullen Jr., was earlier this month identified by police as a suspect in the April 12 shooting in the alley between ABC Liquor and Tres Hombres that injured four people. Two of the injured were involved in a dispute investigators believe prompted the shooting, while the other two who were injured were bystanders, police have said. Jody Pullen Jr. was arrested Thursday in Saline County. He has been charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated battery with a firearm and felon in possession of a firearm in connection with the April 12 shooting. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 BELLEVILLE A clergyman with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belleville was charged Friday with sexually assaulting an adult woman on March 1. Deacon Robert J. Lanter, 68, of Swansea, was charged with felony criminal sexual assault, and is accused of assaulting a 29-year-old woman who was unable to give consent. Prosecutors did not specify the reason the woman was unable to give consent. Lanter was ordained in 1997 as a deacon, a member of clergy who can perform many of the same duties as a priest. Lanter resigned from all his positions with the diocese Thursday, including roles directing the Office of the Permanent Diaconate and providing ministry at St. Teresa of the Child Jesus Parish and St. Luke Parish in Belleville. "I know that this information will come to you as a surprise and be a source of sadness and concern," Bishop Edward Braxton said in a letter Thursday to the diocese community. "At this juncture, the most important thing for us to do is to pray for Deacon Lanter, his family, and all those who may have been harmed by this development." The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests released a statement Friday criticizing the diocese and encouraging any other possible victims to come forward to law enforcement. Lanter's bond was set at $100,000. He has already been released after posting bond. The case was investigated by the Swansea Police Department and Lanter was charged by the St. Clair County States Attorneys office. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Mourners filed past the casket of former Marion Mayor Bob Butler during a public visitation Monday. Butler died Monday, April 22, at the age of 92. He had served as the mayor of Marion from 1963 to 2018, making him the longest-serving mayor in Illinois history, and one of the longest-serving mayors in United States history. The public visitation continues today in the lobby of the Marion Cultural and Civic Center until 9 p.m. Additional visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday. A public memorial service is set for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Marion CCC. City of Marion offices will be closed at 1 p.m. Tuesday to allow city employees to attend the service; offices will reopen Wednesday morning. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Byron Hetzler Photographer Byron Hetzler is the photo editor for The Southern Illinoisan. Follow Byron Hetzler 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 CHICAGO The gunman who killed five colleagues at a suburban Chicago manufacturing plant and wounded five police officers before he was killed in a shootout had told a co-worker that February morning that he would kill everyone there and "blow police up" if he was fired, prosecutors said in a report released Monday. The Henry Pratt Co. employee told authorities in Aurora that he knew Gary Martin carried a firearm in his vehicle, but that he didn't report Martin's comments to his superiors because he routinely made "off the wall" statements and that he didn't believe Martin would do anything violent, according to the nine-page Kane County State's Attorney's office report . The employee is not named in the report. While it has widely been reported that Martin had been fired, the report marks the first time officials have explained that Martin's firing came during a Feb. 15 disciplinary meeting that was called because of his refusal to wear safety glasses. He anticipated he was about to be fired, telling his co-worker that morning: "If I get fired, I'm going to kill every motherf---er in here," the report says. It also explains that Martin apparently brought the gun and ammunition into the plant when he arrived at 6:45 a.m. that day. Immediately before the shooting, Martin walked "over to his workstation to retrieve something," put on a hoodie and went into the bathroom, it says. Martin then went to the meeting during which he was told by Clayton Parks, the company's human resources manager, that he'd been fired. Martin responded with profanities and plant manager Josh Pinkard said, "OK, it's over." Martin said, "Yeah, it is over," and opened fire. Both Parks and Pinkard were among those who were killed. The report also gives an account of the police response, beginning with officers being dispatched to the scene at 1:24 p.m. when they are confronted by Martin. Video surveillance footage indicates Martin was waiting for police to arrive after he killed his colleagues and "positioning himself near a doorway." In a five-minute period, five officers were shot in the parking lot and inside the building. Naperville Police Officer Shaun Moy described searching the building carrying a protective shield and coming upon the bodies of two people on the second floor who he believed were dead, the report says. On the first floor of the warehouse, the officer heard noises from a workshop and saw Martin "quickly pop up from behind some machinery and point a gun at him that was equipped with a green laser," it says. Moy said he believed the gun was pointing "directly at him," and that he saw Martin fire at least four shots. The officer said he returned fire as other officers set off flash bangs noisy explosives designed to distract that allowed other officers to take cover behind a partition wall. Later in the report, Aurora police Detective Chris Bosson said he saw Martin inside a room in the warehouse sitting in a chair, holding a pistol in his right hand. "It appeared that the offender was waiting for police to enter the area where the offender was located in order to ambush the police," according to the report. The officer said he fired his rifle twice, hitting Martin in the chest and head. The officer said he saw another officer fire his weapon three times. The report, citing an autopsy, says Martin was shot six times: once in the middle of the forehead, four times in the chest, and once in the jaw an injury that fractured his skull that the Kane County coroner's report concluded was likely self-inflicted. Martin fired his weapon dozens of times. Prosecutors wrote that the Illinois State Police recovered 64 casings at the scene from the semi-automatic handgun Martin was carrying. Illinois lawmakers return Tuesday for final stretch of 2019 regular session SPRINGFIELD Gov. J.B. Pritzkers budget proposal, including his call for legalizing recreational marijuana, will be among the top issues Ill The report does not say the exact time the shooting started, but that police were dispatched to the scene at 1:24 p.m. The first officers entered the building about four minutes later, and five officers suffered gunshot wounds outside and inside the building between 1:30 and 1:35, the report says. The next time listed on the timeline is 2:59 p.m. with the words, "suspect is down." The report concludes that the officers were justified in using deadly force. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Regional Medical Center's capital reserve fund and pension fund investment portfolios saw positive returns over the last quarter and the year. "It was a very good quarter," hospital financial consultant David Yon informed trustees Tuesday. "You made some real impressive progress this quarter, he said. Yon pointed out the value of the hospital's capital reserve fund was a little over $61 million and its pension fund was valued at about $50 million, giving the hospital a $111 million total assets in both of the funds. Yon said the hospital saw a 3.2 percent return for one year on its capital reserve fund and a 5.8 percent return on the pension fund for the year. "The portfolio added value over all periods, so you are outperforming your benchmarks over all periods," Yon said. Overall, it was a very impressive quarter. You made some good ground, you made good money. I am very pleased with the portfolio." Officials also reported the hospital's volumes were generally above budget for the month of April. That caused its net revenue to be above budget by 1.2 percent. Expenses were above budget by 1 percent. Year-to-date, the hospital is about $5 million in the black. Year-to-date, the entire Regional Medical Center system is $4.5 million in the black. This time last year, the entire system was at a loss of about $4 million. "I think we should commend (RMC CEO Charles Williams) and team because when we look at the year to date as opposed to a year ago, I think we are doing remarkably well," trustee the Rev. Dr. Caesar Richburg said. A part of the turnaround can be credited to the hospital's reduction in contract labor from a high of 82 people in December 2017 to 32 in March 2019. Trustee Milton Dufford, chair of Edisto Regional Health Services, said the all of the hospital's seven practices had a good month. Dufford noted the Holly Hill practice also recently hired a pediatric nurse specialist. "We have never had a pediatric nurse in one of the ... practices," Dufford said, noting the services will be marketed heavily by RMC in the coming months. The trustees also unanimously approved $624,092 for nine capital improvement projects. The projects of note include: about $176,558 for 12 patient surgery monitors in the Dialysis Access Institute and an MRI infusion pump and monitor for $111,310. The MRI equipment, which will be housed in the hospital's radiology department, will enable the hospital to perform MRIs on critically ill patients. In other business: Trustees unanimously approved the board's conflict of interest policy related to individual board members. Trustees also approved an amendment to the board's bylaws related to the fact that current board officers may not serve on the board's officer nominating committee. Trustees recognized former trustee Leroy West for his service on the board from September 2010 to December 2018. Trustees went into executive session to discuss contracts related to urgent care, ambulatory services and physician contracts. Other items discussed in closed session included personnel and contractual matters related to the president's report and the hospital's management oversight committee. Contact the writer: gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5551. Check out Zaleski on Twitter at @ZaleskiTD. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Even after Donald Trump won the presidency, Jared Kushner was embarrassed by his father-in-law, according to Vicky Ward's terrific new book, "Kushner, Inc." In a speech to hundreds of New York bankers and businessmen on Dec. 16, 2016, Jared admitted that Trump was "easy to hate from afar." But not to worry, he said, Trump wouldn't be keeping his campaign promises -- especially on immigration. One banker who heard the speech was appalled, shocked by Jared's arrogance in thinking he could "control" the president. Joke's on him. Turns out Jared was right. He does control Trump. And what a blessing that's been. It was Jared's idea to fire FBI Director James Comey. If Trump hadn't followed that advice, there would have been no independent counsel. It was also Jared and Ivanka's idea to hire Paul Manafort and Michael Flynn. (Ivanka was adamant, saying Flynn gets "anything he wants.") If Trump hadn't hired Manafort and Flynn, the independent counsel investigation would have been over in about a week. Even Trump's opponents warned him about the man Javanka said should have anything he wants. Ward reports: "President Barack Obama gave Trump two pieces of advice: One was that the biggest problem he would face as president was the nuclear threat posed by North Korea. The second was a warning against hiring Flynn: 'He'll cause you nothing but problems.'" Trump's supposedly loyal kids give him worse advice than the ex-president whom Trump tormented during his presidency. Even Trump's plethora of Goldman Sachs aides were horrified by Jared's decision to fire the FBI director just as congressional Democrats were gearing up their Russian collusion nonsense. When Goldman Sachs alum Dina Powell got wind of Comey's coming dismissal, she told Jared that firing the director would be "a huge political mistake." A self-assured Jared brushed her off, saying, "No, no, this is what should be done. The guy is not on our team." At least Jared's string of disastrous decisions hasn't harmed his self-confidence. The hits keep coming! Jared wanted Chris Christie fired. He was fired. (Jared insists this had absolutely nothing to do with Christie being the U.S. attorney who put Jared's criminal father in prison.) All of Christie's proposed hires were jettisoned along with him. Whoever they were, they couldn't be worse than Trump's actual White House staff. Jared brought in Goldman Sachs' Gary Cohn to be Trump's National Economic Council director -- which would be like Malia Obama demanding that Obama hire me as his White House economic adviser. Still, I've got mixed feelings on Cohn. On one hand, he is credited with blocking Trump's promise to end the carried interest loophole (and many other items on the MAGA agenda). But on the other, Cohn is all over Ward's book, trashing both Jared and Ivanka, e.g.: "Cohn felt Jared was not looking at the practical challenges," Ward writes. He "was more impressed by famous names." Cohn also sneered that Ivanka "thinks she's going to be president of the United States." To her, "this is like the Kennedys, the Bushes, and now the Trumps." Trump should have read Jared the snake poem before he hired Cohn. ("You knew damn well I was a snake before you took me in.") Early in the administration, Jared demanded that Trump endorse the widely unpopular establishment Republican, Luther Strange, in the 2017 special Senate race in Alabama to replace Jeff Sessions. Like night follows day, Trump suffered a humiliating defeat. It turned out Alabamians preferred anyone to Strange. First they voted for a nut in the primary, and then for a Democrat in the general. Always trust Jared. No one but Jared could have turned over Jeff Sessions' U.S. Senate seat in the reddest state in the Union to a Democrat. Oddsmakers would have said it was impossible. But with Jared's sound counsel, Trump did it. He took Sessions out of the Senate, then delivered the seat to a Democrat. Trump is like a guy who breaks up a marriage -- and then dumps the wife. Jared and Ivanka were also the brain trust behind hiring Anthony Scaramucci. "Ivanka brought Scaramucci into the White House without telling anyone," Ward says. She went to her father and said, "He'd be a great communications director." Scaramucci was the White House communications director for a glorious 11 days, before imploding in an obscenity-laced rant to The New Yorker. In addition to Javanka's personnel decisions on Corey Lewandowski, Paul Manafort, Chris Christie, Michael Flynn, Luther Strange, Gary Cohn and Anthony Scaramucci, Javanka wanted John Kelly made chief of staff, believing he would be loyal to them. When that turned out not to be the case, they decided to get rid of Kelly. He was gone. They wanted Steve Bannon fired. He was fired. At this rate, it's only a matter of time before Jared gets rid of Trump. No wonder the media like him so much. Ann Coulter is an American conservative social and political commentator, writer, syndicated columnist and lawyer. She frequently appears on television, radio and as a speaker at public and private events. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 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. Political and cultural commentary from the perspective of radical common sense. Opposition to the AMERICAN BIPOLARCHY and ideological fanaticism in all forms. Don't take our word for anything: figure it out for yourself. MBABANE Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo met with British High Commissioner to South Africa Nigel Casey to discuss the implications of Brexit on the Kingdom of Eswatini. The meeting convened on Thursday was in light of on-going discussions in the United Kingdom regarding Brexit, where Prime Minister Theresa May was focused on a bid to avoid a no-deal scenario. The discussions have temporarily put a pause on the trade negotiations taking place with regard to the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Mozambique and UK Economic Partnership Agreement (SACUM-UK EPA). The aim of the SACUM-UK EPA would be to deliver continuity in terms of trade between SACUM countries and the UK. The minister learnt that the UK was ready to pick up on the negotiations as soon as a solution to the current Brexit deadlock was found. He was also briefed about a post-Brexit trade agreement with the UK; which was meant to spell out how the Kingdom of Eswatini will trade with the UK following Brexit. The main objective of the meeting was to ensure that trade relations between the two countries were not disrupted, particularly with regard to the countrys beef and sugar exports. In the event a solution to the deadlock leads to another Brexit delay, more time would be made available to attend to outstanding issues concerning the negotiations. Outstanding issues include sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures (i.e. health certificates for meat products and plant protection). The delay would also give exporters from Eswatini more time to prepare for any new trade requirements. It should be mentioned that the Kingdom of Eswatini may be producing some of the most unique products in the world but they may not necessarily be of the required quality standards. Speaking during the recent signing ceremony of the E9 million Manzini Trade Hub project Khumalo said as a result of this substandardisation, the countrys products faced rejection in export markets. He listed poor packaging, labelling and several other standards as well as sanitary and phytosanitary issues as among the major impediments facing local products. Eswatini is involved in both local and domestic trade. In order to compete and fully exploit possibilities of the Eswatini industry, the country has to attain a demonstrable product and/or service quality offering demanded by global, regional and domestic markets reflecting evidence of compliance to international requirements, Khumalo said. He said through the Manzini Trade Hub project COMESA and the European Union intended to strengthen national quality infrastructure institutions through providing the necessary support to produce competitive goods and services. Meanwhile, Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg said time had come for the upliftment of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). He said the EU and COMESA had a very specific mandate towards MSMEs and improving the lives of the poor. He said as a ministry they appreciated the support provided by the two entities to the Kingdom. Rijkenberg further justified the introduction of consumptive taxes; saying this was aimed at improving the livelihoods of the poor through MSME development. This site focuses on Republican politicians and conservatives that rip off their constituency. We have the Tea Party, fundamentalist churches, the corruption of ALEC and other special interests groups. But the site also supports progressive Democrats and the local Democratic Socialist of America. We must have ideas on how to replace regressive and corrupt politicians with something better. For comments steveotto2001@yahoo.com or ottozero2001@yahoo.com. Nine catholic bishops from four countries, including Luxembourg's archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich, will publish a joint pastoral letter on Monday morning. In their letter, they want to encourage believers to vote in the upcoming European elections. It is expected that the nine bishops will encourage voters to not turn their backs on Europe and warn them of thinking in a nationalist manner. The letter is supposed to be signed by Luxembourg's archbishop, as well as by bishops from Trier, Aachen, Liege, Namur, Verdun, Metz, Nancy and Troyes. For first-time Danish voter Josepha Pultz Nielsen, voting in the upcoming European Parliament elections goes without saying, but disillusioned Juraj Martiny of Slovakia says he'll abstain because he has no faith in the system. The two illustrate how voter turnout in European elections varies widely, with northern nations at the top and eastern countries at the bottom. It is also often a reflection of citizens' satisfaction with the bloc's institutions. Denmark and Slovakia will each elect 13 representatives to the European Parliament between May 23 and 26. Around 76 percent of Denmark's 4.2 million eligible voters say they plan to vote, compared to just 27 percent of Slovakia's 4.8 million. In the last EU elections in 2014, only 13 percent of Slovaks voted -- the weakest turnout in Europe. Danes are much more interested in the European elections than people in the rest of the EU / AFP Far from Denmark's bustling capital of Copenhagen, in the small central town of Nyborg, 21-year-old Josepha Pultz Nielsen plans to cast her ballot even though the European Union remains an abstract construction for her. "I don't think there is a lot of focus on the EU. In school, we don't learn much about it," says the shy young woman who works as an after-school care teacher. While she sees freedom of movement as a clear benefit of European Union membership, she is primarily attracted to the idea of an open and welcoming bloc that can work together to address major issues. "We have to change the world and help each other with global warming," she says. - Pseudo-democracy? - More than 350 million Europeans will vote to elect 751 members to the European Parliament in May. 'You simply have to go and vote if you support democracy in your country,' says first-time voter Josepha Pultz Nielsen / AFP Danes are much more interested in the European elections than people in the rest of the EU, notes Catharina Sorensen, head of research at the think tank Europa. In the Scandinavian country, the general thinking is that "you simply have to go and vote if you support democracy in your country," she says. "In other countries there is less of a sense that it is a democratic duty to go and vote." Pultz Nielsen agreed. "It's better to go and vote with a blank vote than not vote." Meanwhile only 25 percent of Slovaks vote regularly, according to Eurobarometer. Danes also tend to have confidence in institutions, be they national or European, with 60 percent saying they have faith in the EU. This compares to only 43 percent of Slovaks, according to Eurostat. "I do not like this institution," 42-year-old Slovak Juraj Martiny says of the European parliament, sitting at a cafe in Bratislava. The director of a public relations firm, he won't be going to the polls in the May elections, though he did vote five years ago. He says the European Parliament is a pseudo-democracy. Slovak Juraj Martiny says he won't be voting this time / AFP "Decisions are being made by the European Commission, which - as opposed to the members of the European Parliament - has not been directly elected." He also feels the parliament is too far removed from the daily lives of Europeans in general, and Slovaks in particular. It can't even "approve unambiguous legislation that would ensure that a jar of Nutella bought in Paris would be the same as one bought in Budapest or Bratislava," he says, referring to tests conducted in 2017 revealing that big Western brands use cheaper ingredients in food products sold in former communist countries. More than half of Slovaks, 54 percent, said last year they would abstain from the May elections because "their vote does not make a difference", according to Eurobarometer. - Europe a la carte - Contrary to Denmark, voters in other EU countries have "much more utilitarian concerns, (such as) 'does the EU provide enough benefit to us'," says Sorensen. A recent poll showed that 63 percent of Slovaks saw no advantages to being a member of the EU. Meanwhile Denmark, which joined the bloc at the same time as Britain in 1973, is a largely europhile country -- as long as it can have its Europe a la carte. The Scandinavian country has zealously guarded its sovereignty, negotiating four key opt-outs to EU cooperation: on security and defence, citizenship, police and justice, and the adoption of the euro. In 2014, 56 percent of Danes voted in the EU elections, official statistics show. This year, the number is likely to be higher. Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen must call a general election before mid-June, and many political observers suspect he will hold it at the same time as the European elections, to avoid voter fatigue. Holding the two votes at the same time will "most likely boost turnout," researcher Sorensen added, but would also likely make Europe "quite absent from the campaign". Get access to everything we publish when you sign up for Outside+. From coast to coast, the U.S. exhibits an array of ecosystems and wonders that make up a trail-runners paradise. Trail systems travel through wild places and provide access to soul-nourishing experiences for runners and hikers alike. Heres one to add to your list, even if you dont hail from the Lone Star state. El Camino Real de los Tejas, a 2,500-mile footpath, was originally a series of trails and trade routes used by native people from Mexico to Louisianain fact tejas is a Spanish spelling of the native tribe Caddos word taysha, which means friend or ally. Tejas was later adapted a second time to become Texas. The Spanish built Catholic missions all along the trail as a way to stake their claim on the land before other European nations could get their hands on it. Later, when the region was still a part of Mexico, thousands of Americans would use the trail to immigrate into Texas and eventually spark the Texas war for independence. Running the Camino Real de los Tejas is a way to commune with people who set into the unknown to find their future on foot. Floresville Hike and Bike Trail The Floresville Hike and Bike Trail is the longest stretch of officially signed hiking trail along the Camino Real de los Tejas. Situated in Floresville, Texas, about 30 miles southeast of San Antonio, the Floresville trail is a rail-to-trail conversion that traverses neighborhoods and natural areas within the city. At three miles long, the trail allows users to see actual remnants of the historic Camino Real (referred to as swales), so look closely for U-shaped depressions on the side of the trail in the natural area near the country club. Or, if youre in the area in early October, look for an annual run that is hosted by the Wilson County Road Runners and El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association. Mission Reach Along the San Antonio River is a hike and bike trail that spans eight miles and connects all five Spanish missions in San Antonio: The Alamo (Mission San Antonio de Valero), Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada. The trail mirrors El Camino Real, and is a great way to approximate a piece of the old trek while walking through the history itself. The Spanish built thick, stone Catholic missions like these all the way from Texas to Argentina in the early 1800s. The five preserved in Texas have been standing for nearly 300 years. Each mission is about 2.5 miles apart, so nice runs can be interspersed with history and water breaks. Along the Mission Reach, runners can see stone bridges reminiscent of the historical mission walls, and kayakers traveling beneath them on their way down the river. The path is alternately grassy and shady with tree coverit gets the maintenance of an urban trail with more rural surroundings. This makes sense, because Mission Reach is actually a segment of a larger trail called the Riverwalk, a 15 mile trail that follows the river and leads runners right into the heart of San Antonio. The river has been important to the state ever since the first Governor of Texas visited it in 1691. Hundreds of years ago, this meant the construction of missions, forts and bridges along the river. Now it means museums, restaurants and marketsand the potential for modern fun after your trek through history. McKinney Falls State Park Located in Austin, Texas, McKinney Falls State Park is a great way to experience El Camino Real in the Heart of Texas. Onion Creek Trail, a 3.6-mile loop, tracks the route Domingo Ramons 1716 expedition took along the left bank of Onion Creek on El Camino Real in 1716. Look for indentations in the rocks revealing historical use of the area. The park features a total of 9 miles of trails traversing various terrain featuring wooded riverside views, cacti and wildflowers. Shady singletrack Rock Shelter Trail, takes runners to an ancient Native American campsite and a massive 4,000-year-old limestone overhangthe rock shelter itself. Finish off your trip by stopping by the Upper and Lower Falls themselves. Not only are they historic Camino crossings of Onion Creek (worn paths of the road can be vividly seen at the latter), there are large, popular swimming holes beneath the falls, perfect for a post-run swim. McKinney Falls State Park is an excellent way to get in a few miles before heading to the weird and lively city of Austin, just over ten miles away. Mission Tejas State Park Located in the forest of East Texas Pineywoods, Mission Tejas State Park is a place like no other along the Camino Real. Loblolly, longleaf, and shortleaf pines rise above the trail, and in the understory dogwood trees sprawl, blooming pink and pearl in early spring. On the history side, the park contains a commemorative structure of the first Spanish mission in TexasMission San Francisco de los Tejas, which was dedicated on June 1, 1690. Visitors can also walk in a swale (a marshy depression between ridges, the Texan equivalent of a valley,) and follow the footsteps of Native American tribes such as the Caddo, French and Spanish Explorers, and early American settlers heading into Texas from the east. The run along the Camino Real Trail brings visitors to a grassland at the edge of the forest, which is an archaeologically verified Caddoan village. Run the nearly seven miles of hiking trail, plus the Rice Log Cabin as another stop along your way, you can get in a wooded run in before heading out or camping beneath the pines. Road RunNew Braunfels to San Marcos By beginning at the intersection of the Old Bastrop Road and Interstate 35 and following Old Bastrop northeast towards San Marcos you can run a 10 mile (20 round trip) stretch of El Camino Real in Central Texas. The one lane road winds through the Blackland Prairie, an area so fertile that people once claimed you could simply drop seed on the ground and watch it grow. The run parallels the Balcones Escarpment to the west, a line of low hills in the Balcones fault zone that separates the great plains of the west from the coastal plains back east. Look for granite markers placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the State of Texas in 1918 that mark the route of the Camino. The run ends at the junction of the San Marcos River and the Old Bastrop Highway (known as Old Bastrop Road, just across the county line), where you will find historic markers at the first town site of San Marcos de Neve, established in 1805. Finish off (or take a break at the turn around) by taking a cool dip in the San Marcos. Its well understood in Wyoming that the states biggest coal companies got into trouble because theyd taken on debt, hoping to ride a metallurgical coal boom driven by Chinese demand. When the Chinese coal-demand promise failed, those firms Peabody Energy, Arch Coal and Alpha Natural Resources buckled beneath the combined weight of their debt and the declining demand for thermal coal. Not so for Cloud Peak Energy. The pure Powder River basin player thats currently contemplating its options, including bankruptcy or sale, avoided the bad bets of the metallurgical boom, the bankruptcy filings of the downturn and the layoffs of Wyoming miners. But Cloud Peak did make cash investments years ago that in retrospect were a similarly poor gamble on Asian demand: the still-fallow Youngs Creek mine in northern Wyoming. It was really debt that sank those companies, Clark Williams-Derry, director of energy finance for the Sightline Institute, said of the metallurgical coal gamble on Asian demand. The same thing is true for Cloud Peak They avoided (the metallurgical coal) disaster, but they had their own mini-version with Youngs Creek. On Valentines Day 2013, Cloud Peak Energy provided its annual financials report to the Security and Exchange Commission, which noted its 2012 acquisition of the Youngs Creek mining project for $300 million, cash on hand, with an eye toward both the U.S. market and future growth in our Asian exports as additional thermal capacity becomes available. The mine boasts coal similar in high heat quality to the Spring Creek mine across the border in Montana, which is the source of the companys export coal. Youngs Creek remains at the permitting stage now seven years later, with the export market for Powder River Basin thermal coal, the domestic thermal market and the future of coal export terminals on the West Coast of the U.S. sapped of the excitement of years past. Williams-Derry who watches the coal company financials for Sightline, a think tank that advocates a transition to green energy said he hadnt considered the full import of the Youngs Creek acquisition on Cloud Peaks current financial straits until recently. There were, and are, other pressures, like the big losses that the company had written off due to the failure of a coal port to come to fruition, debt maturity and the ongoing coal plant closures winnowing out the nations coal fleet. But the fact that the company put $300 million in cash on a project that never materialized is a sizeable mistake in retrospect, Williams-Derry said. If they hadnt done that, they would now have the money to pay off their debt, he added. A smooth operator Otherwise, Cloud Peak Energy was the coal company that did everything right. Its been known as a smart operator, purely operating in the Powder with a small export market, and it has extensive community ties in the Gillette area. Cloud Peak is largely hurting now due to its inability to face its debt, but signs of pressure go back to the bankruptcy period, when Cloud Peak was the only large, publicly traded firm in Wyoming to avoid Chapter 11. In mid-2016, as Arch and Peabody trudged through bankruptcy and the coal market wobbled, Cloud Peak reported a second quarter profit. Coal plants in contract with the coal mine had paid Cloud Peak rather than taking more coal. The following year, the big firms had climbed into solvency. Cloud Peak continued to incur losses, without the relief of debt erasure that Arch and Peabody could boast post-bankruptcy. Though Wyomings coal sector found a degree of stability, all companies are now reacting to a tighter and tighter market as coal demand weakens. Cloud Peak began showing more obvious signs of distress last year, including the June announcement that it would consolidate offices, its decisions to cut retiree benefits in October and boost executive pay in November, and the desilting warning it absorbed in December from the New York Stock Exchange. Last month, the exchange notified the company that it would commence delisting proceedings due to abnormally low stock prices. Its all in the margins Amidst greater pressure, Cloud Peak just isnt making as much money off its coal production as some others. Its margins the amount of cash thats left over from a coal sale after subtracting the cost to mine fell from $2.30 per short ton in 2017 to just 92 cents last year. The company has cut production in recent months. For the first quarter of this year, Cloud Peak has run its mines at about 78 percent of last years pace. Cloud Peak is not alone in the Powder River Basin in starting off the year slower than 2018. Peabody Energy is at 85 percent of its 2018 rate and Arch Coal is at 87 percent. Buckskin mine which has a low cost to mine and is owned by the private firm Kiewit is running past its production pace of last year so far, as is Blackjewel LLCs Eagle Butte mine. Cloud Peaks operations are the weakest, with its Spring Creek mine in Montana running at a pace that would add up to just 9.2 million tons of coal dug from the ground by years end, compared to nearly 14 million tons last year. Cordero Rojo which Cloud Peak admitted would likely be uneconomical in March - would be down 2.3 million tons at its current rate of production per quarter. Antelope, a high-quality mine that neighbors the two largest open-surface mines in the country just outside of Wright, would hit 19.1 million tons if its first quarter mining pace held the rest of the year. That would be down from 28.4 million tons in 2017 and 23.2 million tons last year. Cloud Peak received a two-week reprieve on loan payment default. It also faces a May 10 local county tax bill. Local officials were quoted in the Gillette News Record in early April as being confident that Cloud Peak would pay its local taxes. Follow energy reporter Heather Richards on Twitter @hroxaner Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 5 Angry 0 The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The defense attorney for a Casper doctor accused of operating a broad-ranging drug conspiracy told jurors Monday that his client was misled by his patients and never intended to break the law. An opening statement given by Michael Thompson, a Chicago attorney representing Dr. Shakeel Kahn in a federal trial here in Casper, gave the fullest insight yet into the doctors defense strategy against the 21 felonies he faces. The defense attorney said prosecutors will not be able to show Kahn acted with the intent required to convict him of the alleged crimes. Thompson, instead, said the doctor should have been more thorough in his investigation of patients reported symptoms and more cautious in writing prescriptions for them. However, the doctor did not commit any crimes, he said. This case isnt about whether Shakeel Kahn is a bad doctor, Thompson said. The doctor will testify in his own defense, the attorney added. Drug dealing allegations Thompsons statements followed Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Hambricks hour-long description of the evidence she plans to present in coming weeks. She said Kahn operated a drug conspiracy over the course of years, beginning in Arizona. She said the doctor used false medical records to cover up widespread drug dealing. The defendant in this case, Shakeel Kahn, is a magician an illusionist, the prosecutor said. Hambrick said Kahn routinely wrote patients prescriptions for hundreds of pills. The prescriptions involved three different categories of drug: opioids, which are potent pain relievers; benzodiazepines, which are highly-addictive anti-anxiety drugs; and muscle relaxers specifically carisoprodol, known by the trade name Soma. She said the doctor did so without performing basic medical tests, or, in some instances, without even seeing the patient. He later modified medical records to indicate he had seen patients and performed medical tests in an attempt to deceive medical licensing authorities in Arizona, the prosecutor told jurors. The doctors patients, she said, became trapped. Fearing withdrawal, they were forced to sell the pills in order to finance the office visits that procured their prescriptions, according to the prosecutor. If they tried to change doctors, Kahn would call the new doctor and warn that the patient was addicted, cutting off their supply of pills. Kahn, Hambrick said, at one point wrote prescriptions for hundreds of pills for a man who was incarcerated. He later falsified medical records to indicate the man, Anthony Vargas, of Arizona, had made visits to the doctors office, Hambrick said. Vargass girlfriend, Jessica Burch, died months later of a drug overdose, only two days after Kahn prescribed her hundreds of opioids. Hambrick said Kahn at one point asked Vargas how much the drugs were selling for on the street. Vargas lied to the doctor, Hambrick said, because he knew Kahn would increase the amount the doctor was charging if he knew the full resale value. Kahn left his practice in Arizona and relocated to Wyoming after authorities began investigating his prescribing habits, Hambrick said. When he moved to Wyoming, some of his customers followed him, Hambrick said. Of those, some obtained Wyoming identification issued in their names, and with their photos, but with Kahns office and home addresses listed. The local identification made it easier for those customers to fill prescriptions at Wyoming pharmacies, Hambrick said. Over the course of the alleged conspiracy, the doctor prescribed nearly 900,000 Oxycodone 30mg pills alone, Hambrick said. Kahn wrote prescriptions in exchange for guns and stopped accepting insurance, charging more than $1,000 cash for some visits. Shakeel Kahn was nothing but a drug dealer in a white coat, the prosecutor said. Accusations of lying After Hambrick turned over the podium to Thompson, the defense attorney said witnesses whom prosecutors intend to call will lie in court to protect themselves. The anticipated witnesses, whom Thompson characterized as drug-addicted serial liars, include several of Kahns former co-defendants his wife and two patients who have pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy charges as part of agreements with prosecutors. Lyn Kahn, Thompson said, manipulated her husband for years and is now lying to prosecutors to protect herself. The defense attorney said he did not know what she would say in her testimony, before characterizing his expectations. I promise it will be whatever she thinks is in her best interest, Thompson said. Thompson said Vargas avoided prosecution altogether by blaming Kahn for his girlfriends death. The defense attorney said Kahn plans to take the stand in his own defense, look jurors in the eye and tell them the truth that he had been taken advantage of by his wife and a host of addicted patients. He said Jessica Burch and the rest of Kahns patients made their own choices to lie to the doctor, telling him they were not abusing the prescriptions. Kahn, who was raised in a sheltered environment, fell for it, Thompson said. Shakeel Kahn always acted in good faith to do what he thought was best for his patients, the defense attorney said. An attorney for Nabeel Khan, the doctors brother, who faces two felonies in the case, declined to give an opening statement Monday, saying she would make remarks before the defense begins its case. Follow crime reporter Shane Sanderson on Twitter @shanersanderson Love 1 Funny 6 Wow 3 Sad 5 Angry 4 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Natrona County school board completed its preliminary work on its next set of strategic goals last week, settling on high expectations across the board. The five goals will now be handed to the Natrona County School Districts administrators to hammer out the pathways to achieve those goals. Once fully shaped and then approved later this summer, the goals will become the benchmark by which Wyomings second-largest school district will judge itself over the next five years. If all goes according to the draft blueprint, the district will hit an 86 percent graduation rate for its three traditional high schools; every school will meet state expectations; all third- through eighth-graders will meet English testing targets; all district environments will be safe, orderly, supportive, and conducive to a climate of high expectations; and the district community will be at least 80 percent satisfied with Natrona County schools. The previous goals, which were supposed to be met by this year, had mixed results. The district fell short on its previous graduation goal of 85 percent; was well below the 100 percent meeting expectation goal; and likely didnt meet testing targets. It did have good customer satisfaction scores, its fourth goal. The shortcomings of the past five years have animated the recent discussion about these newest goals. While the graduation rate has ticked upward from 75.4 percent five years ago to 78 percent in 2018 its still well short of the 85 percent goal. Board members lamented that Roosevelt, the districts alternative school, has dragged down the numbers for Natrona County High and Kelly Walsh, which have both hit record-high graduation rates in recent years. With that concern in mind, the board has broken out its graduation rate goals. The draft approved last week would set one 2022 four-year graduation goal for Roosevelt 65 percent and another for NC, KW and Midwest 86 percent. The traditional schools goal is lower than the 88 percent goal considered a few weeks ago; board members and the districts upper-level staff say they decided to reduce the goal a bit after talking with high school officials. Still, if the 86 percent rate is achieved in the next five years, the district will have successfully upped its graduation rate for its traditional high schools by 10 points in 10 years. Of the five new benchmarks the board is currently considering, the graduation rate goal took the most shaping. The board generally agreed on the other four. While the graduation goal has a high degree of visibility and difficulty for the district, and high immediate impact on the lives of students who do graduate, the 100 percent rating for Natrona County schools will be no easy feat, either. Last year, about a third of schools here met the states expectations. Just one Evansville exceeded expectations. But district administrators have repeatedly said theyre confident the goal can be met. Walt Wilcox, the districts associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction, reiterated that last Monday. Dirk Andrews, who heads the countys education association, noted too that other districts currently have a 100 percent rating. It goes well beyond a wish and a hope that schools meet or exceed expectations, Superintendent Steve Hopkins said Monday. He noted the individual work plans schools will put together. Its a little stronger than we just hope every school, or we wish every school, or we want every school. Its more intentional. Follow education reporter Seth Klamann on Twitter @SethKlamann Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Want to see more like this? Get our local education coverage delivered directly 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. By Trend Azerbaijan and Croatia must strengthen cooperation in the transport sector, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said. Mammadyarov made the remarks during the press-conference with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia Marija Pej?inovi? Buri? in Baku on April 29, Trend reports. "Azerbaijan and Croatia signed an agreement on strategic cooperation in 2013, he added. We have discussed this issue today. The volume of bilateral trade turnover is not very big. We considered the ways to increase these volumes. Croatia will receive gas through the Southern Gas Corridor. We also exchanged the views on this issue." Mammadyarov also stressed that Croatia has repeatedly expressed its opinion on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of four resolutions of the UN Security Council. LARAMIE (AP) Gov. Mark Gordon says he will convene a task force to address ways to combat the high rates of murdered and missing American Indian women in Wyoming. The Laramie Boomerang reports that Gordon made the announcement Friday at the University of Wyoming during the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls March. The event was held to raise awareness of the high rates of homicide and disappearances faced by American Indian women, including on Wyoming's Wind River Indian Reservation. Many Fremont County residents drove down to Laramie to participate in the march, including councilwomen of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho business councils. On some reservations, Indian women are murdered at more than 10 times the national average. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The years first formal meeting on streamlining state government will be taking place this week at a meeting in Cheyenne. The Wyoming Legislatures Government Efficiency Commission will be huddling once again with a state-hired consultant, Alvarez & Marsal, to recommend next steps for a government restructuring recommended by the group in 2017. The groups contract was renewed last year as part of a three-stage effort to reduce spending at a time where the states budget has, almost annually, become a constant target for cuts and criticism from fiscal hawks across the Equality State. Early recommendations included reducing and consolidating administrative support services within state government, pursuing new types of shared services and rehiring staff in departments where levels have been diminished to points where they are no longer operating at their full capacity, among other recommendations. State leaders including Gov. Mark Gordon have expressed faith that the groups efforts could lead to tens of millions of dollars in savings to the state, but little has been heard from the group since the commissions last meeting in November. Gordon, meanwhile, has been looking to apply other efficiencies to his own office. In an interview with the Star-Tribune prior to taking office, Gordon spoke in great detail of the strides he had made to increase efficiency and productivity in his time as state treasurer, describing principles he applied there that he wished to administer across the entirety of state government. While Gordons office will be responsible for providing the committee with an update on the consultants progress on Thursday, Gordons chief of staff, Pat Arp, will be providing the committee with a synopsis of the governors formal policy approach during the meeting, according to an agenda posted on the Wyoming Legislature website last week. The Week Ahead Monday: Reps. Charles Pelkey & Cathy Connolly and Sen. Chris Rothfuss are co-hosting town hall and legislative wrap-up in Laramie. Governor Mark Gordon will speak briefly at Wyomings 131st State Arbor Day in Cheyenne. Today is also the 151st anniversary of the signing of the Ft. Laramie Treaty. Tuesday: None. Wednesday: Capitol Building Restoration Oversight Committee meets in Cheyenne. Wyoming Broadband Advisory Council to hold statewide teleconference. Thursday: Joint Committee on Revenue meets in Lander; Government Efficiency Commission meets in Cheyenne. National Day of Prayer celebrated statewide. Friday: Gordon will spend the day attending the Old West Invitational Turkey Shoot in Hulett. Weekend: Wyoming GOP meets in Riverton. Gov. Gordon will attend a 100th Anniversary Celebration for the Casper Rotary Club. Have an event youd like highlighted here? Email me with the date, time, and place! Wyoming Politics Governor Mark Gordon has opened the first three months of his administration with the lowest disapproval rating of any governor in the nation, according to new quarterly polling numbers from the Morning Consult. However, the nations 15th-most popular governor with an approval rating of 53 percent is also one of the nations least well-known governors, with 37 percent of respondents saying theyd never heard of the Johnson County Republican, though it should be noted that Wyomings results were given one of the widest margins of error in the country: The opinion of Wyoming Democrats in the poll, for example, had a 10-point margin of error, and independents had a margin of error of seven. Gordons 2019 Q1 numbers arent much of a surprise, very much in line with those of former Gov. Matt Mead, who left office with a 60 percent approval rating and a 26 percent disapproval rating. (Mead, after eight years in office, was also better known, potentially explaining the wide variability.) The governor, however, has done a good enough job to earn a mention in a recent piece in The Hill for his place among an uncommonly active crop of freshman executives. Elected in the age of Trump, the new class of Republican governors have advanced a more quiet brand of pragmatic conservatism, in contrast to the hyper-partisanship demonstrated by both sides coming out of Washington, D.C., Phil Cox, a former executive director of the Republican Governors Association, told the newspaper. Also ranked in the poll were Wyoming Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso. Perennially ranked as having two of the Senates highest net approval ratings, both finished with favorability in the low-50s with unfavorable ratings at or below 26 percent. Eastern Shoshones makes pick for governors liaison position: The Eastern Shoshone Business Council has nominated a liaison to Gordons office: Lee D. Tendore. Tendore, a Marine Corps veteran and Eastern Shoshone tribal member, is originally from Fort Washakie. (via The Riverton Ranger) Governor, tribal leaders talk reservation development on campus: Gordon said this week the state of Wyoming has a role to play in reducing the layers of government bureaucracy that impede economic development on the Wind River Indian Reservation. (via The Laramie Boomerang) Gillette lawmaker accuses LGBTQ advocacy group of exploiting students to advance agenda: A Wyoming state legislator accused LGBTQ advocacy group Wyoming Equality of exploiting children in order to further an agenda in the wake of two student-related incidents involving homophobia over the past several months a narrative Wyoming Equality disputes. (via Trib.com) UW files first arguments in Supreme Court gun case: Attorneys representing the University of Wyoming filed the schools first arguments Tuesday in a Wyoming Supreme Court case concerning UWs ability to restrict the carrying of firearms on campus. (via The Laramie Boomerang) With Zinkes help, Wyoming gold, copper mining could resume: A former gold and copper mining area in Wyoming could get a new lease on life with help from former U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, who recently joined the board of a minerals exploration and development company. (via The Associated Press) Campbell County GOP considers resolution to purge, purify party: In an effort to guard against the infiltration of the Wyoming Republican Party by liberals and moderates, the Campbell County Republican Party will consider a resolution on Saturday that declares the party has the authority to disqualify Republican candidates for elected office. (via WyoFile) Around Wyoming Laramie County submits application for $6 million for new manufacturing facility: Laramie County plans to submit a grant and loan application to state officials in hopes of funding construction of a manufacturing facility that could bring more than 80 new jobs to the area. (via The Wyoming Tribune-Eagle) Fans gear up for Longmire Days: Sheriff Walt Longmire may have retired at the end of his Netflix series, but his diehard fans wont let him ride off into the sunset just yet. Longmire really continues to be a phenomenon, said Jennifer McCormick, director of marketing and programs for the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce. Ive had a number of people contact me for the first time about Longmire Days this year. A lot of them have just discovered the series on Netflix. I dont have an exact number of how many people will be coming to our event this year, but I dont see the numbers going down anytime soon. Old Walt is just as popular as hes ever been. (via The Buffalo Bulletin) Stickers from white nationalist group found at Gillette College: Stickers and posters from a recently rebranded white nationalist group were found plastered around the Gillette College campus recently and were immediately removed by campus law enforcement. (via The Gillette News-Record) Citing high housing costs, Wyoming Game and Fish eyes Jackson departure: Teton Countys extraordinary housing costs have the Wyoming Game and Fish Department exploring the possibility of combining its Jackson and Pinedale regions and shifting its workforce out of the valley, commissioners announced last week. This announcement came just days after local officials rejected a privately-funded, 155-unit affordable housing project on a vacant lot on the outskirts of town. (via The Jackson Hole News&Guide) Eye On Washington Theres always a local angle. Former Vice President Joe Biden declared his run for president last week and, though the Obama administration itself had several scandals attached to it including continued warrantless surveillance from the National Security Administration, systemic failures in the Department of Veterans Affairs, thousands of bombs dropped on the Middle East and the surveillance of journalists by the Department of Justice one sticks out clearly in the minds of Wyomingites: the time Joe Biden was dinged by a government ethics watchdog for unauthorized use of a government-owned lodge at Grand Teton National Park. A 2015 report from the Interior Department watchdog confirmed that Biden along with then-Education Secretary Arne Duncan and former EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson were among those who enjoyed approximately 186 unpaid visits to the Brinkerhoff Lodge in the park, using a little-known loophole in the law to render any visits to the lodge official. Biden eventually paid up. Sen. John Barrasso released a discussion draft of his Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2019, which provides practical reforms to the nations nuclear waste management policy to ensure the federal governments legal obligations to dispose of spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste are fulfilled. Sen. Mike Enzi has been traveling the state over the past two weeks on his Wyoming Works tour, visiting small businesses in the southwestern and central portions of the state. According to a news release, stops included Star Valley, Kemmerer, Evanston, Green River, Rock Springs, Wamsutter, Rawlins, Casper and Douglas. Rep. Liz Cheney was spotted at the Casper Area Chamber of Commerces 116th annual awards dinner, along with Sen. John Barrasso and Gov. Mark Gordon. She visited a number of other sites in Casper as well, including a trip to Park Elementary and an appearance at the Service Industry Representatives annual lunch. Have any tips or suggestions to make this newsletter better? Let me know! Call me at 307-266-0634, email me at nick.reynolds@trib.com or follow me on Twitter, <&underline>@IAmNickReynolds Follow politics reporter Nick Reynolds on Twitter @IAmNickReynolds Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. JACKSON (AP) Summer tourists flying into Jackson Hole Airport in northwest Wyoming may soon be able to rent cans of bear spray at the airport before heading out to Yellowstone National Park or other places where grizzly bears roam. The Jackson Hole News & Guide reports airport officials have issued a solicitation for businesses that would be able to maintain some type of bear spray rental vending machine or kiosk in the terminal building. Jackson Airport Director Jim Elwood says a goal of providing the service would be to cut down on the 300 to 400 bear spray canisters that are confiscated from air travelers passing through security checkpoints during a typical summer season. At least one other airport in the Yellowstone region, Montana's Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, offers a similar service. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 HELENA, Mont. (AP) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating the shooting of a grizzly bear in Montana. The Independent Record reports that Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks says the bear was shot by a landowner near Augusta on April 13. Agency bear management specialist Mike Madel says in a press release there have been reports of grizzly bears coming around cabins and getting into livestock feed. But there have been no reports of depredations on livestock to date. FWP is warning anyone going into areas with bears to prepare themselves with bear spray and be aware of bear attractants and where they are in relation to bear environments. The USFWS investigates all grizzly-involved incidents due to their status on the Endangered Species List. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 1 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (AP) Yellowstone National Park staff will be holding community meetings in Montana and Wyoming over the next couple of weeks regarding its efforts to restore native fish species, the threat of aquatic invasive species, and the park's fishing regulations. The National Park Service says meetings will be held Monday in Bozeman and Tuesday in West Yellowstone in Montana. In Wyoming, meetings will be held May 7 in Cody and May 8 in Jackson. The meetings will begin at 7 p.m. with a brief presentation about native fish restoration projects. A discussion on angling regulations and a question and answer session will follow. Fishing season in Yellowstone opens on May 25. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 My feelings about-- who, at least until recently, was probably America's most famous therapist, media personality and author regarding the subject of sex -- have always been on the positive side, thanks to her huge help in bringing our country from the dark ages into the light in terms of sex, how we engage in it and what it means to us. That said, her near-constant rah-rah, feel-good, always-positive attitude did put me off a bit.Having now seen the new and quite intelligent, engaging and encompassing documentary about Westheimer's life and times,, I have come to understand that this super active-positive attitude, given the history we see here, is a very necessary part of this woman's survival mechanism. (Toward the end of the movie, Westheimer's daughter calls her mom's need to be constantly on the go and accomplishing something part of her survival technique, but I would also suggest that her insistently positive attitude was and is part of her very survival.)As directed by, shown above, the documentary rumbles along, just as does its subject, with a lot of charm and wit, even as it encompasses the good doctor's early years as a child who managed to escape to Holocaust via ato Switzerland.Mr. White and his team, with the help of Westheimer (shown above and below), her family and other sources, have assembled a fine array of archival footage, along with some unusually good animation. Whileis usually not much of a fan of animation in documentaries, he must admit that it works quite well in this one. Its very sweetness and lightness of touch seem to fit Ms Westheimer like the proverbial glove.How this child and then young woman went from Germany to Switzerland to France and eventually to America, in the process getting a fine education and then putting it to even better use, proves a fascinating tale well told. Her early "learning," offered via another student at the orphanage where she was relocated, is a particularly poignant and effective piece in the Westheimer puzzle.During the documentary, we hear from family, friends and co-workers, and while what they tell us may not surprise much, it all adds up to the lovely and rich tapestry that has been woven into an impressive and edifying life. It is hard to imagine any intelligent, inquisitive audience not fully responding to this story of change and growth, history and sexuality, and a life particularly well lived.Dr. Westheimer will celebrate her 91st birthday this June. Good for her. Lucky for us.Fromand released theatrically byopens in select theaters nationwide this Friday, May 3, and will be available exclusively on Hulu beginning June 1. Here in South Florida, look for the film in the Miami area at the, and at the, and at the Lake Worth Playhouse . Clickto find locations of other theaters nationwide. A couple was arrested on suspicion of murder after a Tucson woman was found dead in her home last week. Pima County Sheriff's deputies arrested the woman's son, Shane Martin, 41, and his partner in the 700 block of East Benson Highway at about noon on Wednesday. Around 7 p.m. on April 26, deputies responded to a welfare call at a residence in the 4200 block of East Dover Stravenue. Deputies found Julia Rankin, 73, deceased with obvious signs of trauma, a Pima County Sheriff's Department release said. On Monday, detectives determined Martin and his partner were suspects in the case and began their search for the pair. Detectives initially believed the duo fled out of the state, a department news release said. After arresting and interviewing the pair, detectives determined Martin's partner was no longer a suspect. She was released on May 13, authorities said. Before a situation may arise, Reck said the general guideline is to keep pets at home when out running errands and places where they are not allowed. If you need to be out with a pet, bring lots of clean water and keep them out of the elements. Reck said those guidelines apply especially to short-nosed pets like a bulldog and Boston terriers, who can have a difficulty breathing. The best thing to do if you and your pet are going to be outside, just watch for your friend, Reck said. If hes acting any different than normal, bring him inside if you can. You know your pets best. When it comes to vulnerable people and animals in vehicles, it is always best to play it safe, Nolte said, as even a minute can become something much longer. Unfortunately, you think its a minute, but your track of mind goes somewhere else or you end up on a tangent, she said, adding that its better to take the time to bring kids and pets back inside than being tempted to leave them for your second load from the car. Down the Road The investigations are modeled after the National Institute of Justices sentinel event review, which evaluates significant, unexpected negative outcomes. The sentinel event model is also used by hospitals and the transportation industry, and in a variety of other fields. The thought with sentinel event review is to get away from the idea of sort of the shame and blame of one person and instead, OK, we get it there may be some responsibility by individual actors, but perhaps theres a much bigger framework of issues and challenges that need to be addressed, Magnus said. Among the incidents that have been reviewed are pursuits that resulted in injuries or death, a 2017 protest on Congress Street in which an elderly woman was pushed by an officer, and other use-of-force incidents. Sometimes these are picked not just because its a typical critical incident in terms of a shooting or pursuit, but actually because we want to look at did we make the best choices here, were there other resources that could have been utilized or other things we could take away from this? Magnus said. The longevity of Earth's continents in the face of destructive tectonic activity is an essential geologic backdrop for the emergence of life on our planet. This stability depends on the underlying mantle attached to the landmasses. New research by a group of geoscientists from Carnegie, the Gemological Institute of America, and the University of Alberta demonstrates that diamonds can be used to reveal how a buoyant section of mantle beneath some of the continents became thick enough to provide long-term stability. "We've found a way to use traces of sulfur from ancient volcanoes that made its way into the mantle and eventually into diamonds to provide evidence for one particular process of continent building," explained Karen Smit of the Gemological Institute of America, lead author on the group's paper, which appears this week in Science. "Our technique shows that the geologic activity that formed the West African continent was due to plate tectonic movement of ocean crust sinking into the mantle." Diamonds may be beloved by jewelry collectors, but they are truly a geologist's best friend. Because they originate deep inside the Earth, tiny mineral grains trapped inside of a diamond, often considered undesirable in the gem trade, can reveal details about the conditions under which it formed. "In this way, diamonds act as mineralogical emissaries from the Earth's depths," explained Carnegie co-author Steve Shirey. About 150 to 200 kilometers, 93 to 124 miles, beneath the surface, geologic formations called mantle keels act as stabilizers for the continental crust. The material that comprises them must thicken, stabilize, and cool under the continent to form a strong, buoyant, keel that is fundamental for preserving the surface landmass against the relentless destructive forces of Earth's tectonic activity. But how this is accomplished has been a matter of debate in the scientific community. "Solving this mystery is key to understanding how the continents came to exist in their current incarnations and how they survive on an active planet," Shirey explained. "Since this is the only tectonically active, rocky planet that we know, understanding the geology of how our continents formed is a crucial part of discerning what makes Earth habitable." Some scientists think mantle keels form by a process called subduction, by which oceanic plates sink from the Earth's surface into its depths when one tectonic plate slides beneath another. Others think keels are created by a vertical process in which plumes of hot magma rise from much deeper in the Earth. A geochemical tool that can detect whether the source of a mantle keel's makeup originated from surface plates or from upwelling of deeper mantle material was needed to help resolve this debate. Luckily, mantle keels have the ideal conditions for diamond formation. This means scientists can reveal a mantle keel's origin by studying inclusions from diamonds that formed in it. The research group's analysis of sulfur-rich minerals, called sulfides, in diamonds mined in Sierra Leone indicate that the region experienced two subduction events during its history. They were able to make this determination because the chemistry of the sulfide mineral grains is only seen in samples from Earth's surface more than 2.5 billion years ago--before oxygen became so abundant in our planet's atmosphere. This means that the sulfur in these mineral inclusions must have once existed on the Earth's surface and was then drawn down into the mantle by subduction. The team's comparison to diamonds from Botswana showed similar evidence of keel-creation through subduction. But comparison to diamonds mined from northern Canada does not show the same sulfur chemistry, meaning that the mantle keel in this region originated in some way that did not incorporate surface material. The group's findings suggest that thickening and stabilization of the mantle keel beneath the West African continent happened when this section of mantle was squeezed by collision with the sinking ocean floor material. This method of keel thickening and continent stabilization is not responsible for forming the keel under a portion of northern Canada. The sulfide minerals inside Canadian diamonds do not tell the researchers how this keel formed, only how it didn't. "Our work shows that sulfide inclusions in diamonds are a powerful tool to investigate continent construction processes," Smit concluded. This work was supported by the GIA, the University of Alberta, the NSF, and Carnegie. It is a contribution to the Deep Carbon Observatory. Please follow Astrobiology on Twitter. Help India! By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter The National Investigation Agency arrested Riyas Aboobaker today in Kochi in connection with his alleged involvement with the IS recruitment case. He will be presented at the NIA court tomorrow. There are also reports that he has confessed to the investigating officers of a plan to carry out a suicide attack in Kerala. Riyas, hailing from Palakkad, was taken into custody last day but was not arrested for want of any proof. Support TwoCircles The NIA on Friday had searched the houses of four people in Kerala in connection with the IS recruitment case. Suspected persons were summoned to the NIA office in Kochi and Riyas was taken into custody for further investigation. The NIA also clarified that the search was related to the IS recruitment case and not to the Sri Lanka Easter blasts, according to reports. The IS recruitment case in Kerala is related to a group of people that left the country and went to Afghanistan three years back to work for the IS as alleged by the media. A group of men and women were found missing from Kerala in 2016 and they were later understood to be in Afghanistan working for the Islamic State. Media reported that three couples in the group had been to Sri Lanka in early 2016 for religious studies but were expelled from the college for allegedly propagating extremist views. They returned to India in April and 15 persons, including those who had been to Sri Lanka, managed to leave for Afghanistan between May and July 2016. The search was carried out in the districts of Kasaragod and Palakkad. The persons under suspicion now had reportedly kept connections with the people who had left for Afghanistan. Mobile phones, SIM cards, memory cards, pen drives, diaries and books etc were taken by the NIA from the houses which would be subject to forensic examination. However, several media reported that the NIAs search was related to suspected links with the Srilanka Easter blasts. Reports said that the suspects had connections on the social media with the supposed mastermind of the blasts namely Zafran Hashim, who was also active on Facebook. The blast mastermind is also said to have spent substantial time in south India, reported certain Indian media citing a top military source in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, the Central Crime Branch officials arrested a retired army truck driver named Sundar Murthy in Bangalore on Friday night in connection with a hoax call informing of planned terror attacks in several cities in South India. He had called up the police control room claiming of terror attacks planned to be held in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. He used to get visions of future incidents while meditating and felt it his duty to inform the police, he is alleged to have explained to the police. One of those cases was a labor trafficking case, during which the client described the abuse he endured. Because of the mans previous immigration issues, the Star is not identifying him by name. They didnt pay me, they insulted me, threatened me, and harassed me, he said, adding that his troubles did not end when he quit. I had to pay rent, I had to feed my kids, I needed to find a way to get paid. After several referrals, he found himself at the immigration law clinic. After the clinic took his case, the client was able to receive a work permit, put in his application for residency last year and finally received his green card. The clinic rid me of all my suffering, he said. Now I have social security, I have a drivers license, I bought a car its old but its mine. All without fear. That is the most important thing. I go out without fear, and thats the most important thing. All thanks to the work of the program. This year, the client was able to take his children to see the Colorado river for the first time and visit his home country of Mexico for the first time in 15 years. A man in northern Mexico had to be rescued after he accidentally trapped himself in a tunnel that he dug so he could spy on his former girlfriend in violation of a court order to stay away from her, authorities said Sunday. The Sonora state attorney general's office said the 50-year-old man had spent days digging the hole in Puerto Penasco, a popular beach town also known as Rocky Point, only to become trapped and require assistance to get out. The man had been ordered to stay away from his former girlfriend due to domestic violence charges and he is now in jail, authorities said. The newspaper El Universal said the man dug a tunnel under the woman's house. It said the woman told police that over the course of a week, she had heard scratching noises but assumed the noise was cats. But when the sound grew louder, she investigated and found her former partner of 14 years trapped below, the report said. She said she ended the relationship because her partner was very jealous. Police said the man appeared intoxicated and severely dehydrated once they got him out of the tunnel. From December 19th through December 26th we will be granting free access as a gift to our readers presented by Copenhagen Imports Vietnams coffee exports in the first four months of this year are expected to fall 13.5 percent from a year earlier to 629,000 tonnes, while rice exports will likely decline 7.9 percent, government data showed on Friday. Coffee exports from Vietnam in the first four months of this year will likely fall an estimated 13.5 percent from a year earlier to 629,000 tonnes, equal to 10.48 million 60-kg bags, the General Statistics Office said in a report on Monday. Coffee export revenue for Vietnam, the worlds biggest producer of the robusta bean, will likely decline 22.6 percent to $1.09 billion in the four-month period, the report said. The countrys coffee shipments in April are estimated at 140,000 tonnes and valued at $235 million, it said. Rice exports in the first four months of this year from Vietnam were forecast to fall 7.9 percent from a year earlier to 2.03 million tonnes. Revenue from rice exports in the period was expected to drop 21.7 percent to $866 million. April rice exports from Vietnam, the worlds third-largest shipper of the grain, totalled 620,000 tonnes, worth $256 million. Vietnams January to April crude oil exports are forecast to rise 22.8 percent from the same period last year to an estimated 1.51 million tonnes. Crude oil export revenue in the four-month period is expected to increase 12.7 percent to $744 million. Oil product imports in the period were estimated at 2.88 million tonnes, falling 35.2 percent from the same period last year, while the value of product imports fell 39.0 percent to $1.74 billion. Vietnams January to April liquefied petroleum gas imports are forecast to rise 20.6 percent from a year earlier to 564,000 tonnes. Your browser does not support the audio element. Hai Minhs Leinne fashion brand creates clothing and accessories made solely from natural and degradable materials, combining the two ideals the designer holds most dear: environmental protection and showcasing Vietnams storied artisan craftsmanship. Hai Minh, also known as Mimi Vesper, often calls herself Saigon born, London and Paris raised." From her boutique apartment in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, her small brand is making a big splash, producing clothing, hats, and accessories made from natural and degradable materials such as linen, cotton, and natural raffia, including a couture item which appeared on the cover of the Vietnamese edition of Harpers Bazaar. In the two years since she launched Leinne, she has accrued a loyal following of customers who share her passion for practicing a green, sustainable lifestyle. Hai Minh with a raffia and cotton Leinne bag. Photo: Supplied Establishing style through travel I believe that my taste was shaped by my travel experience, Minh said, adding that seeing the world has helped her recognize what she truly appreciates in fashion and only focus on the necessary features. When she was 15, Minh left Vietnam to attend high school in London, her first time living abroad. After graduating, she moved to Paris to pursue her studies in the creative sector. France had a different style which was more relaxed, she said. I love the creative energy in Paris. There is something about the city that encourages others to be more creative, active, and free. During her time in Paris, Minh not only studied fashion design, but also advertising, promotion, and branding key factors behind her success in developing her own brand. After finishing school in 2016, the woman continued living in France until her parents decided to close down the familys 20-year-old artisan business, which mainly manufactured crafted goods for foreign businesses. This prompted the young fashion designer to return to Vietnam and create her own fashion brand. Hai Minh poses in a Leinne outfit and a hat made of sustainable materials. Photo: Supplied A sustainable brand Having spent over ten years visiting several countries, Minh is well versed in sustainable living, a theme she hopes to spread through Leinne. The woman defines leinne as innate wanderlust," stemming from a combination of the English word "leisure" and the French word "inne," or innate. To her, leinne represents a passion for living and an eagerness to see the world with confidence, passion, and sensitivity. I like to establish a lifestyle brand that combines the meticulous Vietnamese designs with the modern world, all while staying environment-friendly, Minh said. My brand is for modern women who want to discover the world with their eyes and heart wide-open. A model poses with a Leinne hat made of raffia. Photo: Supplied Leinnes designs use sustainable material that is both natural and recyclable, including raffia - a grass-like material from Madagascar known for its durability and flexibility. This dedication to sustainability is her war cry against the common misconception that sustainable fashion and artisan crafts are neither trendy nor long-lasting. We are trying to prove that our items are durable, easy to use, and highly fashionable, the young founder of Leinne said. [These items] can even be considered haute couture if carefully designed with good choices and use of materials, she said, confidently adding that one of Leinnes couture hats appeared on the cover of womens fashion magazine Harpers Bazaar. Cover of Harper's Bazaar magazine, featuring Leinne's couture hat. Photo: Instagram Minh also uses sustainable, recyclable, and reusable materials for her packaging. Unlike other fashion brands, she chooses not to print her brand name and logo on her bags in order to encourage customers to reuse them. Additionally, she spends 15 to 20 percent of her profits researching and developing more sustainable materials and manufacturing techniques while strictly ensuring that her employees have good working conditions and fair salaries. Leinnes jewelry is made of environment-friendly materials. Photo: Supplied 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 group of Vietnamese high school students have developed bricks made entirely from plastic waste that meet the countrys construction material standards. Six 11th graders from Cao Thang High School in Thua Thien-Hue Province, located in central Vietnam, have created four different models of plastic bricks, also called polymer bricks, two of which meet the national standards for cement bricks permitted to be used for construction. Practicality is priority Polymer bricks are ones made of four main materials - cement, sand, blended plastic, and water. After the ingredients are mixed together, the mixture is shaped with a mould and left in the sun to dry for a month. Polymer bricks do not require baking which helps eliminate gas emissions during the production process. In order to meet Vietnams national standards for bricks, four different models with varied ratios of materials were made. The amount of plastic in each brick ranges from 300 to 600 grams per 7-to-10-kilogram product. The size of the brick is 100x185x280 millimeters. All four models were tested by a local cement manufacturer who found that two matched the countrys current standards. One of the suitable models could be used for all constructions, while the others can only be used for smaller projects. The bricks are not baked so the process minimizes gas emissions, Nguyen Tran Tien, the groups head researcher, said. Using blended plastic helps minimize plastic waste. The new technique also limits the amount of sand used for brick production so it also lowers sand exploitation which causes erosion. "Despite that, there is no additional cost required and the quality remains the same. Inspired by UN report The students said they originally began working on the project with the intention of finding a solution to the enormous amount of untreated plastic waste currently present in the country, an issue exacerbated by the heavy dependence on plastic bags and cups. Only 27 percent of plastic bags are properly treated, Thang said, citing the most recent UN report. The project must ensure three things environmental safety, practicality, and feasibility, he added. Many previous solutions have proven beneficial but just arent practical for use in daily life, he explained. In order to start the project, each of the group members spent several hours after school collecting plastic waste from trash bins and asking neighboring households for plastic waste. The trash was then cleaned and cut into small pieces before being mixed with cement, sand, and water. The process was challenging because it took a long time and none of the group members had had experience in manufacturing and waste treatment. If the product is used by consumers it will become a valuable resource with many advantages, one of the researchers said confidently. We would no longer have to think about new ways to treat plastic. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Here are todays leading news stories: Politics -- Leaders of China, Laos, Cambodia, and Cuba have sent messages and letters of condolences over the death of former State President Le Duc Anh to the Vietnamese Party, state, government, and people. Society -- A heavy rain occurred in multiple districts across Ho Chi Minh City on late Sunday morning and helped cool down the heat that had been baking the metropolis over the past week. -- Commuters had to wait for nearly two hours just to cross the Rach Mieu Bridge connecting Tien Giang and Ben Tre Provinces in the Mekong Delta on Sunday due to the high volume of traffic during a five-day holiday starting on Saturday to mark Reunification Day (April 30) and International Workers's Day (May 1). -- A 34-year-old car driver, who was previously caught traveling in the wrong direction along the Hanoi-Hai Phong Expressway on Saturday afternoon, has been fined VND7.5 million (US$322.5) and had his driving license revoked for five months. -- Police in the northern province of Hung Yen confirmed on Sunday they had arrested two suspects for transporting and trading nearly four kilograms of crystal meth and 4,000 pills of synthetic drugs. -- The border guard unit in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday received two new patrol boats and 10 speedboats from the municipal Peoples Committee to help facilitate their missions. -- Officers in the northern province of Quang Ninh on Sunday apprehended two Vietnamese suspects for colluding with some Chinese individuals to steal over VND675 million ($29,025) kept inside a safe of a local company. -- Police in the Mekong Delta province of Long An are verifying a viral video in which a female caretaker is seen repeatedly hitting a young boy as she feeds him at a local childcare facility. Business -- The observatory deck on the 79th to 81st floors of Landmark 81, Vietnams tallest skyscraper located in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, was opened to visitors on Sunday. The first 810 tickets are sold at a discounted price of VND300,000 ($13), while the original price is VND810,0000 ($35). -- The Vinpearl Luxury Landmark Hotel, situated on the 47th to 77th floors of Landmark 81, was officially inaugurated on Sunday, becoming the highest hotel in Southeast Asia. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Ho Chi Minh City border guard unit has received two new patrol boats and 10 speedboats designed to further facilitate their missions. The municipal administration on Sunday transferred the two patrol boats CN09, which can also perform search and rescue missions, and the 10 speedboats to the border guard officers. Among them, the steel-hull CN09 is the most modern type of ship that the municipal border guard unit has had so far. Measuring 30 meters long, 6.7 meters wide, and 3.6 meters high, the boat is equipped with two main engines, a hydraulic power steering system, along with both manual and autopilot controls. Nguyen Thanh Phong, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee, examines the equipment of the CN09 ship. Photo: Nguyen Duc Thang / Tuoi Tre It can withstand wind speed of up to 74km per hour and reach the maximum velocity of 20 nautical miles an hour. The boat can travel non-stop for 24 hours. The maximum operating time of the CN09 is 10 days at the speed of nine to ten nautical miles per hour. It can rescue up to 25 people at a time, while towing fishing boats weighing up to 3,000 metric tons. The patrol boat boasts a fire fighting system, emergency facilities, and modern weapons. The speedboats during a test run. Photo: Nguyen Duc Thang / Tuoi Tre According to Nguyen Thanh Phong, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee, the new boats play a significant role in ensuring national defense and security. Phong praised the efforts of the shipbuilding units for the early completion and operation of the boats. The chairman also tasked the border guard unit with carrying out regular inspection and maintenance to keep the ships in their best conditions. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Recently, Turkey has actively supported the South Caucasus region's infrastructure development. Inaugurated in October 2017, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) Railway has already carried over 180,000 tons of freight. At the same time, Ankara has engaged in efforts to develop maritime transport links with the EU states, Russia and the Caspian states. Turkey's annual sea freight volume exceeds 200 million tons of cargo, and in this regard, it is interested in Abkhazia with a coast line of 220 km and three ports: Sukhum, Ochamchire and Pitsunda. In Soviet times, the territory of the Abkhaz ASSR was the eastern gateway to the South Caucasus, with the most important regional railway line of the Soviet Union running through its territory. Ankara is interested in Abkhazia's interconnection of the North and South Caucasus, a common border with the Krasnodar Territory, as well as the republics of the North Caucasus, Stavropol, which have a strong agro-industrial base, a developed network of railways going to Kazakhstan, which is a very important direction for Turkey. The factor of the unresolved Georgian-Abkhaz conflict, of course, has "inhibitory effects", but maintaining good neighborly relations with both parties to the conflict, Ankara expects to achieve a trade and economic agreement, which, among other things, will stimulate the Abkhaz economy. According to Turkey, working in the 3+2 format (Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia + Russia and Turkey) may create the basis for overcoming conflicts and achieving the economic development of the South Caucasian states. Ankara is sympathetic to Moscow's geopolitical interests in the South Caucasus region, but uses every opportunity to strengthen its own positions. Modern Turkey is the largest regional exporter of goods and services, and despite its difficult relations with Armenia and conflicts in the South Caucasus, Ankara looks forward to the adoption of an economic formula that will not only qualitatively affect the trade growth rates, but also cover the North Caucasus, which would allow to overcome the shortage of transport connections between Russia and Turkey. Creating an energy transportation and communication network to link Central Asia and Turkey depends largely on the participation of Georgia. Moreover, cooperation between Ankara and Tbilisi may not be limited to transit, Georgia can also become a transport hub in international distribution networks. Although Abkhazia is Turkey's close partner and beneficial in a longer-term perspective, Georgia remains one of the guarantors of international cooperation in the region. The relationship between Abkhazia and Turkey shouldn't be underestimated. The diaspora of over half a million Abkhazians in Turkey plays a significant role in carrying out the strategy. This community is the most organized, there are branches of Abkhaz cultural societies in many large Turkish cities, moreover, ethnic Abkhazians are loyal Turkish citizens. Their activities are primarily linked to cultural enlightenment - maintaining their native language, traditions, culture and folklore, organizing concerts, festivals, exhibitions, conferences and round tables, publishing scientific papers, as well as maintaining cultural contacts with Abkhazia. Heads of large banks, hotels, TV, radio and transport companies, commercial, construction and pharmaceutical enterprises visit Sukhum together with representatives of the Abkhaz diaspora. Abkhazia is ready to further develop relations with Turkey, but refrains from discussing the conflict with Georgia, the territorial integrity of which is recognized by Ankara. Although Sukhum doesn't like the Turkish government's official position, given the importance of Turkey as a strategic partner, Abkhazia seeks to establish economic contacts with Turkey. Police have nabbed two men for transporting and trading nearly four kilograms of crystal meth and 4,000 synthetic drug tablets in northern Vietnam. The two suspects are Hang Pao Mua, 35, who is from the northern province of Son La, and Do Minh Luyen, 36, who resides in Phu Cu District, Hung Yen Province, said Colonel Pham The Tung, deputy director of the Hung Yen Department of Police. Mua was arrested on Saturday after he was caught red-handed transporting the drugs from Son La to Hung Yen in a taxi. Officers pulled over the cab near the Yen Lenh Bridge in Hung Yen City, located in the namesake province, for an inspection. They discovered 20 plastic bags containing 4,000 red and blue pills, which were stashed in Muas backpack. The pills were later confirmed as synthetic drugs. More than 3.8 kilograms of methamphetamine, or crystal meth, was also found. Mua claimed he had purchased the drugs from a Laotian man in Son La Province for VND370 million (US$15,910) on April 17. He was on his way to Hung Yen Province to sell the stimulants to Luyen. Officers then apprehended Luyen and confiscated three mobile phones together with VND42 million ($1,806) to assist the investigation. At the police station, Luyen has admitted that he was about to buy the drugs from Mua. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A Current Affair has aired footage filmed by Al Jazeera in which One Nation candidate Steve Dickson can be seen groping an exotic dancer in a strip club at a strip club in Washington DC. In the footage the married politician makes derogatory remarks and requesting sexual favours. Along with James Ashby, Dickson was at the centre of a controversy last month in which he was seen meeting with NRA organisers in the US. Pauline Hanson later defended him, describing him as a family man, a good man. Dickson, 56, is a former Liberal MP for the Queensland electorates of Kawana and Buderim, on the Sunshine Coast. One Nation spokesman James Ashby told news.com.au Senator Hanson would make a statement in response to the video later this morning. Source: Nine News Early Sunday evenings have traditionally been the place for documentary, lifestyle and history programming but from this weekend, it moves into mystery crime. 3 part British drama Agatha Christies The ABC Murders screens from as early as 7:40pm. The series stars John Malkovich as Hercule Poirot & Rupert Grint as Inspector Crome. The book was written and is set in 1935 and was published in January 1936. It has previously been adapted for screen as The Alphabet Murders with Tony Randallnas Poirot in 1965, and for an episode of ITVs Agatha Christies Poirot starring David Suchet. It screened in the UK from Christmas. England, 1933. Hercule Poirot (John Malkovich), older, greyer and no longer revered by the public, has been receiving mysterious letters from a stranger who calls themselves A.B.C and the author has an obsessive, ominous interest in Hercule. Hercule alerts the police at Scotland Yard but hes met with utter disdain as the new hothead officer, Inspector Crome (Rupert Grint), refuses to see him. Meanwhile, Cust (Eamon Farren), a shy and poorly businessman, rents a room at Marbury Boarding House, run by the cantankerous Rose Marbury (Shirley Henderson) and her unloved daughter, Lily (Anya Charlotra). From here he intends to start his new business selling stockings. Hercule receives another letter from A.B.C. forewarning something sinister in Andover. Hercule travels there immediately and makes a shocking discovery the brutally murdered body of Alice Asher with an ABC Railway Guide beside her body. Despite the polices confidence that the culprit was her alcoholic husband, Hercule believes that there is a killer at large. 7:40pm Sunday on ABC. The case of the TX Australia tug of war drags on. Five months after a court blocked an attempt by Nine and Seven networks to buy 10s one-third stake for $1 dollar was blocked by the Supreme Court of NSW, a formal valuation for a deal is still being worked out. TX Australia is a joint venture of the three networks to broadcast signal around the country. The case was brought about because under the shareholders agreement, a partner going into administration can trigger the other members buying it out. According to The Australian both Seven and Nine are intent on enforcing their rights to buy the stake, subject to a final valuation being reached. In financial accounts for 2018 that were lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission last week, 10 said the stake could be sold to the other two 33.3% shareholders or another party. But such a move would also see them have to start paying for those services. Last May PricewaterhouseCoopers offered 3 valuation models: one that valued TENs share at $1, valuing the entire business at $3, and another valuing it at more than $40 million with the entire business at more than $120 million. In May a court ruled in favour of the $1. But after an appeal in December ruled in 10s favour the network sent Seven a $1 coin it had sent them. Affixed with sticky tape is a $1.00 coin. Spend it wisely! All the best for the end of year festivities, 10 said at the time. Last year 10 returned to net profit of $72.65m, against a $351.57m loss in 2017, when the company was placed in administration and subsequently bought by CBS. Source: The Australian, Mediaweek Cookies op Tweakers Tweakers maakt gebruik van cookies Tweakers is onderdeel van DPG Media en maakt gebruik van cookies, JavaScript en vergelijkbare technologie om je onder andere een optimale gebruikerservaring te bieden. Functionele en analytische cookies die door Tweakers zelf geplaatst worden, worden gebruikt om de website goed te laten functioneren, bezoekersstatistieken bij te houden en a/b-testen uit te voeren. Ook kan Tweakers hiermee het gedrag van bezoekers vastleggen en analyseren. Cookies kunnen daarnaast worden gebruikt om op Tweakers advertenties te tonen die aansluiten bij je interesses. Daarbij kan gebruikgemaakt worden van bezoekersprofielen die door derden zijn opgesteld. Ook kunnen derden je internetgedrag volgen, zoals bijvoorbeeld het geval is bij embedded videos van YouTube. Tot slot kunnen cookies worden gebruikt om op sites van derden relevante advertenties te tonen. Content van derde partijen, zoals embedded videos van YouTube, wordt met een trackingvrij abonnement standaard uitgeschakeld. Indien je deze content wilt zien, kun je hier expliciet toestemming voor geven. Wil je meer informatie over cookies en hoe ze worden gebruikt? Bekijk dan ons cookiebeleid. Accepteer cookies ... Om deze pagina op Tweakers te kunnen bekijken, moet je cookies accepteren. Cookies accepteren Heb je al een account? Dan kun je hier inloggen! The next time you are thinking about visiting your doctor for relief from aches and pains, you may also want to buy a plane ticket and treat yourself to vacation while you get treatment. As Caspian News writes, some countries experience a lack of reliable healthcare institutions, and no visit to a clinic for hospital is fun. But Caspians countries can take care of health-conscious travelers, allow them to kick back and relax, all without killing their pockets. Caspian region states offer something for those looking to give health tourism, or medical tourism as it is sometimes called, a try. Azerbaijan The mineral and oil resources found within Azerbaijan are catching the interest of health practitioners around the world. Azerbaijan, known for its oil and gas reserves that are being exported to Europe, has more than just the kinds that will heat your home. The city of Naftalan, located in the western part of the country, is for you. Famous for its unique grade of black-brown, thick oil that is comprised of high content of naphthalene, the citys oil baths attract around 60,000 to 100,000 tourists each year. Ailments like rheumatism, arthritis and psoriasis, as well as 67 other illnesses have all been known to be treated successfully thanks to oil that gives the phrase sweat crude a new meaning. Iran Irans government has recognized the importance of health tourism as a viable sector of the economy, turning the country into an attractive destination for those looking for high-quality medical services, affordable medication and treatment and a pool of qualified doctors and surgeons. In 2016, some 30,000 visas were issued for medical tourists that travelled to Iran, and the number is said to be growing. Hot springs, such as the one in Delfan, have benefits for skin, treating muscle aches, and dehydration. Located in Lorestan province, the spring is very effective in healing chronic pain skin and infectious diseases. The temperature of the spring reaches 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit), and its waters are loaded with sulphate, calcium, sulfur and magnesium. Kazakhstan Thermal sulfur-hydrogen water sources and all types of mud volcanoes found in Kazakhstan are used there for medical purposes. The waters in Chundzha, located in the southeastern part of the country and in proximity to Kyrgyzstan and China, have a relatively high but safe concentration of radon, useful for treating skin ailments, digestive issues, cardiovascular issues and some even say depression. Russia Yessentuki, located at the base of the Caucasus mountains and in between the Black and Caspian seas, may be the oldest and most attractive of the health tourism resort across what is the worlds largest country. Also known as Essentuki, the annually treats roughly 130,000 patients and dates back over 100 years. Springs here contains a variety of beneficial elements such as magnesium, calcium, lithium, strontium, barium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, iodine and bromine, boric and silicic acid. Yessentukis sanatoriums and medicinal mud bath clinics can help in the prevention of chronic ailments. Spring has officially sprung, and British travellers are planning their summer holidays. However, with all the troubling news over Brexit, many are now avoiding European destinations, preferring to Travel to countries like Tunisia and Turkey instead. Thomas Cook reported the news on Monday, as they can see the current trends as they happen and while many Brits are still keen on the usual number one destination of Spain, there are definitely fewer European bookings than in previous years. Brexit causing travel disruption According to the report by Thomas Cook, repeated delays in Brexit talks are definitely having an effect. People are worried about booking flights to EU countries, especially after easyJet reported earlier this month that travellers are holding back on booking their holidays over the Brexit uncertainty. The whole political mess has basically weakened the demand for air tickets, but also the prices. Some believe if they make a booking now, the flight could later be cancelled, messing up their holiday plans. More Britons choosing non-EU holiday destinations, says Thomas Cookhttps://t.co/1F9CLZPMvf pic.twitter.com/ICWJSZoekw Sean Sullivan (@ReformedPsycho) April 29, 2019 Britain was originally due to leave the European Union on 29 March 2019. However, the terms of Theresa Mays Brexit deal have led to further delays. According to a report by Reuters, a new Brexit deadline has now been agreed with Brussels for 31 October 2019, long after the summer season has ended. Tunisia and Turkey are popular holiday spots Thomas Cook reports that the new trend in non-EU bookings is doing Tunisia and Turkey a huge favour. While security concerns had held back bookings for those countries in recent years, things are changing. The travel firms Chief of Tour Operating, Will Waggott, said that while Britain is going through unique political times, people in Britain still want to head to the sunshine for their summer holidays. However, the uncertainty caused by Brexit has caused people to think and delay decisions on where to book their holidays and when. Britons opt for non-EU holidays in face of Brexit impasse: Thomas Cook https://t.co/0x0AtjmVcV pic.twitter.com/ZdpnG9ESjX Reuters Top News (@Reuters) April 29, 2019 Thomas Cook surveyed 3,422 British holidaymakers who did say they are still likely to spend their holidays abroad, in fact more than they did last year. 25 percent of those surveyed said a foreign holiday was more of a priority this year than last. Only 8 percent said differently. Waggott confirmed there is a definite shift to non-EU destinations this year, with 48 percent being package holidays booked through Thomas Cook so far this year as well as non-European hotspots. Spain still in the lead for EU bookings Despite this, the BBC reports Spain is still the most popular summer destination for British travellers, but Turkey has now reportedly overtaken Greece (previously another popular choice for Brits) in the number of bookings coming in. Thomas Cook also reports a slight increase in the number of all-inclusive holidays being booked by British travellers, who want to tie down their food and drink costs, even if the pound reduces in value even more. Storyful Anti-vaccine protesters gathered in central Munich on the evening of December 22, clashing with local police, and overrunning officers on several occasions, according to local reports.The demonstrations came as many countries in Europe faced surging COVID-19 cases fueled by the Omicron coronavirus variant. In Germany, cases have declined from a peak in early December, but top health officials expect Omicron to be the dominant variant in the country by mid-January.This week, Germanys top ethics council narrowly recommended mandatory vaccinations for all adults over the age of 18. The body, known as the German Ethics Council, serves in an advisory capacity to lawmakers.This video, recorded by journalist David Speier, shows protesters facing off with local police in Munich on Wednesday night.Police estimated the number of demonstrators at around 5,000, and said roughly 500 officers were on duty. Eleven people were arrested, according to authorities. Credit: David Speier via Storyful By Gwladys Fouche and Terje Solsvik OSLO (Reuters) - Greenpeace activists on Monday climbed aboard a Seadrill drilling rig commissioned by Equinor in protest against oil and gas drilling in the Norwegian Arctic, the group told Reuters. Four activists climbed aboard the West Hercules rig, the organisation said. The vessel is anchored off Hammerfest, continental Europe's northernmost town and the site of an Equinor liquefied natural gas plant, Snoehvit. "We clearly are in the middle of a climate crisis that cannot take any new oil, so we must show our resistance in any way we can," said Frode Pleym, the head of Greenpeace Norway. The activists are from Norway, Sweden and Denmark, the group added, and carried a banner that said "Stop Drilling in the Arctic" in Norwegian. The rig is due to drill a well in the Equinor-operated production license 859 in the eastern part of the Barents Sea, some 435 kilometres (270 miles) northeast of the coast of continental Norway. The rig was due to begin its contract with Equinor in the coming days, and drilling operations were scheduled to start in early May, a company spokesman said, declining to give the precise start date or how that may be affected by the protest. "The rig owners are following this up," he added, referring to the Greenpeace protest. Seadrill said it had contacted the police. "Our primary concern is the health and safety of all personnel on-board the rig. We will continue to monitor the situation and have notified the local authorities, including the police," it said in an email to Reuters. Equinor's partners in the license are DNO, Petoro, Lundin Petroleum and ConocoPhillips. Norway is western Europe's largest oil producer and Europe's second-largest gas supplier after Russia. (Additional reporting by Nerijus Adomaitis, editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Louise Heavens) PA Media: Video Stretched nurses have pleaded with the public to get vaccinated and boosted over Christmas to ease the strain on the NHS. Staff at Kings College Hospital in south-east London said while social distancing and wearing masks was important, getting both jabs as well as boosters was the best thing that people can do to prevent themselves from getting Omicron. Storyful Adorable baby animals at an Australian zoo in Somersby, New South Wales, showed off their festive spirit, to celebrate their first Christmas ever.This footage, released by the Australian Reptile Park on December 23, shows a range of joeys born in 2021, including Poppy the wombat, Stanley the Tasmanian devil, Rupert the koala and Linguini the ringtail possum.Daniel Rumsey, head keeper at the park said, We love getting into the Christmas spirit here and so do our animals! We needed to make sure these little guys had the perfect first Christmas and I think we pulled it off!. Credit: Australian Reptile Park via Storyful By Saad Sayeed ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan plans to take control of a network of over 30,000 madrasas as part of a drive to "mainstream" the Islamic schools by bringing them under state control, the military's spokesman said on Monday. Modernizing madrasa education is a thorny issue in Pakistan, a deeply conservative Muslim nation where religious schools are often blamed for radicalisation of youngsters but are the only education available to millions of poor children. Pakistan's new government, facing pressure from global powers to act against militant groups carrying out attacks in India and Afghanistan, has vowed major reforms and Prime Minister Imran Khan has promised the South Asian nation will no longer tolerate such outfits operating on its territory. Critics of the madrasa education system say children who attend such schools, where they spend most of the day memorising the holy Quran, are often ill-equipped for the modern world and some madrasas act as breeding grounds for militant outfits. "The government of Pakistan ... has decided that these madrasas will be mainstreamed," spokseman Gen. Asif Ghafoor told reporters at military headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. "An Islamic education will continue to be provided but there will be no hate speech," Ghafoor added, saying that religious schools will come under the purview of the ministry of educations and incorporate other subjects into their syllabus. Ghafoor said Pakistan would pay for the madrasas by diverting cash to education from the cost of anti-terrorism security operations, which are less necessary because militant attacks have sharply declined in recent years. Pakistan has been eager to show that it has severed links with militant groups that have in the past carried out attacks in neighbouring Afghanistan and India. Last month, the government announced it had taken control of 182 religious schools and detained more than 100 people as part of its biggest push against banned groups. Story continues Security services have kept a close eye on madrasas associated with radicalising youths and feeding recruits to Islamist militant outfits that have killed tens of thousands of people in the South Asian country since 2000. "The benefit will be that when children grow and leave these institutions they will have the same career opportunities that those coming from a private school have," Ghafoor said. "We want to end violent extremism in Pakistan and that will only happen when our children have the same education and opportunities." He added that madrasa legislation would be presented in parliament in another month and that would be followed by a finalised syllabus, appointment of teachers and allocation of finances.($1 = 141.3300 Pakistani rupees) (Reporting by Saad Sayeed) STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Scandinavian airline SAS cancelled more than 1,200 flights scheduled for Monday and Tuesday as a pilot strike that has disrupted the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers entered its third day on Sunday. SAS pilots went out on strike on Friday as wage talks broke down, grounding around 70 percent of the airline's flights and impacting about 280,000 passengers including the latest cancellations. "We deeply regret that our customers are affected by the ongoing pilot strike when SAS now cancels flights on Monday and Tuesday," the airline said in a statement. "The strike will affect an additional 61,000 passengers on Monday when 667 flights are cancelled across Scandinavia. On Tuesday 49,000 passengers and 546 departures will be affected." The deadlock in the dispute showed no sign of being broken early on Sunday with both SAS, Swedish and Danish pilots unions and Norway's employers association NHO saying no renewed contacts between the parties had been initiated. The carrier created after World War 2, which remains part-owned by the Swedish and Danish governments, has said it was prepared to return to negotiations but warned that agreeing to pilots' demands would seriously damage the company. The airline industry's employer body in Sweden has said pilots sought a 13 percent wage hike despite what it called already high average wages of 93,000 Swedish crowns ($9,777) a month, demands it labelled as "extreme". The SAS Pilot Group, a union body representing 95 percent of the airline's pilots in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, has said the dispute concerns more than wages, pointing to demands for more predictable working hours. Having flirted with bankruptcy in 2012, SAS has run a net profit in each of the last four years. But rising fuel costs, volatile currencies and overcapacity among European airlines has put pressure on carriers, including SAS. Sydbank analysts have estimated the strike costs the airline 60-80 million Swedish crowns per day, a rate which would wipe out the expected net profit this year in just two weeks. The strike at SAS does not affect flights operated by its partners, which make up roughly 30 percent of all departures. (Reporting by Niklas Pollard; additional reporting by Jacob Gronholt Pedersen in Copenhagen, Nerijus Adomaitis in Oslo, and Ishita Palli in Bangalore; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle) The United Nations envoy for Libya on Monday warned countries tempted to continue backing eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar that he was no democrat and his political agenda was not supported by most Libyans. Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA), which is allied to a rival administration in eastern Libya, mounted an offensive on the capital Tripoli, seat of the internationally recognised government, three weeks ago but has failed to breach defences in the city's south despite heavy fighting.The battle for the capital has all but wrecked UN-backed efforts for a peace deal between the rival factions and threatened to further disrupt OPEC member Libya's oil industry."He is no Abraham Lincoln, he is no big democrat, but he has qualities and wants to unify the country," Ghassan Salame told France Inter radio, referring in part to the revered 19th century US president who led the nation through its Civil War, preserving the union, and abolished slavery.>> Read more: How the West's silence emboldened Libya's Haftar"But how is he going to do it? Seeing him act, we can be worried about his methods because where he is governing, he doesn't govern softly, but with an iron fist."Salame, whose tone on Haftar appeared tougher than previously, is touring European capitals to try to secure a consensus for a ceasefire and a return to peace talks as Western and Arab countries remain divided over how to tackle Libya.France has along with the United States been accused in Tripoli of playing both sides since Haftar launched his offensive. Paris has supported Haftar in his efforts to fight Islamist militants in Libya in the past, while at the same time officially backs the UN-recognised government.France was criticsed by analysts and diplomats earlier this month after blocking an European Union communique that it deemed was too one-sided against Haftar. The statement was eventually approved after additions and a rewording of the text, although it remained critical of Haftar's advance."I'm suffering from a very deep division at the UN Security Council that prevented a British draft to pass a resolution to stop the firing," Salame said, referring to a resolution blocked last week by Russia and the United States."The temptation of the strongman is widespread. The problem is that the strongman is perhaps not as strong as he seems and that's the dilemma for those who support him."Haftar's opponents in Libya see him as a budding new autocrat in the mould of Muammar Gaddafi, who was toppled by a NATO-backed uprising in 2011.Salame was in France after visiting Italy, Libya's former colonial ruler, and he said Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian had told him Paris was fully behind his efforts for a ceasefire."We cannot ignore the General Haftar phenomenon, but one must not go so far as to adopt his political project entirely because his political project is a project which does not suit a good part of the Libyan population," Salame said.(REUTERS) The United Nations envoy for Libya on Monday warned countries tempted to continue backing eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar that he was no democrat and his political agenda was not supported by most Libyans. Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA), which is allied to a rival administration in eastern Libya, mounted an offensive on the capital Tripoli, seat of the internationally recognised government, three weeks ago but has failed to breach defences in the city's south despite heavy fighting. The battle for the capital has all but wrecked UN-backed efforts for a peace deal between the rival factions and threatened to further disrupt OPEC member Libya's oil industry. "He is no Abraham Lincoln, he is no big democrat, but he has qualities and wants to unify the country," Ghassan Salame told France Inter radio, referring in part to the revered 19th century US president who led the nation through its Civil War, preserving the union, and abolished slavery. >> Read more: How the West's silence emboldened Libya's Haftar "But how is he going to do it? Seeing him act, we can be worried about his methods because where he is governing, he doesn't govern softly, but with an iron fist." Salame, whose tone on Haftar appeared tougher than previously, is touring European capitals to try to secure a consensus for a ceasefire and a return to peace talks as Western and Arab countries remain divided over how to tackle Libya. France has along with the United States been accused in Tripoli of playing both sides since Haftar launched his offensive. Paris has supported Haftar in his efforts to fight Islamist militants in Libya in the past, while at the same time officially backs the UN-recognised government. France was criticsed by analysts and diplomats earlier this month after blocking an European Union communique that it deemed was too one-sided against Haftar. The statement was eventually approved after additions and a rewording of the text, although it remained critical of Haftar's advance. Story continues "I'm suffering from a very deep division at the UN Security Council that prevented a British draft to pass a resolution to stop the firing," Salame said, referring to a resolution blocked last week by Russia and the United States. "The temptation of the strongman is widespread. The problem is that the strongman is perhaps not as strong as he seems and that's the dilemma for those who support him." Haftar's opponents in Libya see him as a budding new autocrat in the mould of Muammar Gaddafi, who was toppled by a NATO-backed uprising in 2011. Salame was in France after visiting Italy, Libya's former colonial ruler, and he said Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian had told him Paris was fully behind his efforts for a ceasefire. "We cannot ignore the General Haftar phenomenon, but one must not go so far as to adopt his political project entirely because his political project is a project which does not suit a good part of the Libyan population," Salame said. (REUTERS) Wiktor Malinowski Leads After Day 1 of EPT Monte Carlo 100,000 Super High Roller April 28 2019 Will Shillibier A total of 48 players entered the 100,000 Super High Roller at the PokerStars and Monte-CarloCasino European Poker Tour. Eight levels were played on Day 1, and with late registration open until the start of Day 2 the number of entrants could grow from the 28 that advanced to Day 2. Leading the way, and the only player with a stack in excess of seven figures is a new face to the European Poker Tour High Roller scene in Wiktor Malinowski. Top 10 Day 1 Chip Counts Place Player Count 1 Wiktor Malinowski 1,042,000 2 Ahadpur Khangah 985,000 3 Isaac Haxton 953,000 4 Sergio Aido 880,000 5 Michael Soyza 813,000 6 Luc Greenwood 758,000 7 David Peters 530,000 8 Jean-Noel Thorel 480,000 9 Steve O'Dwyer 480,000 10 Sam Greenwood 473,000 The Polish player scored a bunch of eliminations early on, including Ahadpur Khangah and Sam Greenwood, before sending Charlie Carrel to the rail late on to breach the one-million chip mark for the first time. "It just happened to be good with my schedule," said Malinowski. "But today's been good. I've had quite a lot of volume playing high-stakes tournaments online and I'm ready for tomorrow." Malinowski has plenty of High Roller experience online as well as in Macau but says the only major difference at the tables in Monaco is the amount of staring, although he did spend the latter part of today with Christoph Vogelsang at his table. "There's a little bit more staring than usual, but I feel very comfortable. I don't think it's changed that much in comparison to other games that I play. But it's always nice to play, and I love tournaments." PCA and EPT Prague Super High Roller Champion Sam Greenwood. Other big stacks at the end of Day 1 include Ahadpur Khangah (985,000), Isaac Haxton (953,000) and Sergio Aido (880,000), with defending champion and PCA Super High Roller champion Sam Greenwood (473,000), GPI World #1 Alex Foxen (162,000) and the highest-ranked Asian player in the GPI Michael Soyza (813,000) also in the field and advancing to Day 2. EPT Prague Super High Roller champion Matthias Eibinger busted late but is expected to return to re-enter at the start of Day 2. Play resumes at 12:30 pm on Sunday, which is when registration for this event will close. Be sure to follow the PokerNews live reporting team for all of the updates throughout all of the PokerStars and Monte-CarloCasino EPT events. The Stars Group owns a majority shareholding in iBus Media. Joe Stapleton: Then and Now on the EPT (Part Two) April 29 2019 Paul Seaton The PokerStars European Poker Tour has grown up with poker just like poker has grown up with the EPT. Last time out, we spoke to comedian, writer, and broadcaster Joe Stapleton about his time back then in the comfortable middle seasons of the worlds most famous European poker tournament. But how has the EPT changed to what it has become today? Society has, of course, changed markedly since the 2013 EPT Monte Carlo Main Event. There was a different U.S. President for one thing. Since then, Donald Trump has taken office, and Stapleton has become a vocal activist on social media in decrying the current regime. He doesnt, however, take his feelings onto the stage when hes in stand-up mode. It occupies a lot of my time, thinking about it, raging against it, being saddened by it. Thats part of the reason I dont talk about it on stage. Its too personal to me; I dont find it very funny, says Stapleton, deadly serious. There are 10,000 Twitter comedians doing Trump material non-stop. Its easier for me to tackle other subjects. He does, however, tackle politics on his social media pages, something he admits has questionable value. But while he doesnt mind his fans asking him to get back to the jokes, he sees a vivid difference between an audiences preference for comedic material and ostracizing his voice from the discussion entirely. "You dont have to be a politician to have an opinion on politics. Were voters, and its a democratically representative government." For me, I couldnt sleep at night not saying, This is wrong. We all learned about World War Two at school, and we all raised our hands to say, Why didnt people do anything, how did this happen? Im not going to be one of those people - speaking up is the first step. Speaking up Stapleton does, not just because he cares, but he considers it his duty to do so. Plenty of his fans on social media agree with him, but he gets haters too. Im perfectly fine when people say get back to the jokes. They mean We want more of you doing the thing we love but if theyre saying get back to the poker because you do not belong in this area... on that, they can fuck off. Stapes doesnt believe people should be compartmentalized; from poker presenters, to players, fans, or anybody. You dont have to be a politician to have an opinion on politics. Were voters, and its a democratically representative government. Saying stick to poker is like me asking someone for a glass of water and them replying stick to oxygen. Its reasonable for me to have both things. Stapleton lived in London at the time of ODwyers quads in 2013 but has since moved to New York City and now finds himself in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Just as the EPT has moved on, so has he. I knew I didnt want to live in London for the rest of my life and it was an easy sell to go to New York. I figured I could work at stand-up there, and it would be a quick hop back and forth to London. Stapleton did just that, honing his skills on both sides of the pond. His love of stand-up, that rawest of comedic forms, is long-founded. Saturday Night Live is the reason I got into comedy in the first place. I still watch it every week, albeit not always live. Saturday Night Live is the reason I got into comedy in the first place. I still watch it every week, albeit not always live. Within five or six months of being in New York, Stapleton had a management company in Los Angeles reach out to him. Now hes on the same books as people like Seth Rogan, artists he admires. Hes recently headed to Phoenix, Arizona to perform stand-up with legendary comedian Norm Macdonald. Its a reverse situation of the PCA earlier this year when Stapes roped Macdonald into performing at Atlantis. I got Norm that gig, but Norm getting me gigs is much more important for my career. Hes an all-time great as far as Im concerned. Norms got the face, the posture, the voice, the cadence; hes a legend. I cannot think of a comedian who has influenced me more than Norm Macdonald. Joe Stapleton hosted a comedy night at this year's PCA with Norm Macdonald headlining The level of respect Stapleton has for great comedians is clearly what motivates him. It burns within him to make people laugh. He sees the medium as one he has wanted to move towards for many years. Stand-up has been a great outlet for me. When Im on a poker show, I try to inject as much humor as I can, but I have to amplify and accentuate the poker. Understandably, that can be frustrating, but I get it. Its a poker show; its not the Joe Stapleton Comedy Hour. When hes unleashed on stage, Stapleton can be hundred percent himself. Its a freedom that he embraces, even as recently as in 2015, when he performed in front of Team PokerStars Pros, telling jokes to avoid being hit by tomatoes: Stand-up is a lot more of what I want to say. There are certain jokes I cant pull off; I dont get political in my act. I feel like theres so much out there for people who want to listen to jokes about whatever awfulness is going on, that unless I have a really brilliant take on it, I tend to leave it out. Stapleton now has a very different career within poker than he has ever had before. Stapleton, however, is looking to branch out beyond poker. I want a bigger audience; I want to talk to more people. If I can take a very narrow subject matter of poker, and make people laugh, then Id love to have a bigger audience and a wider subject. If somebody handed me the keys to a comedy sketch show, Id be fucking thrilled. Stapleton will always be associated with the European Poker Tour. Just as the memory of any comedy show or TV drama is stirred by the biggest characters, its impossible to think of the EPT without thinking of Joe Stapleton. But as Stapes himself describes, now hes in Los Angeles, his business is one of rotation. Im like a plate-spinner at the circus, youre spinning plates, running back and forth, keep this one going, keep that one going. Oh shit, that one almost fell!... you do that for as long as you can until something works out. In poker, as in comedy, writing and presenting, success can often come when you least expect it. Extremely hard work is an edge that Stapleton has pressed for years. For a man so in tune with his audience for so many years, it seems like only a matter of time before the European Poker Tour becomes one of the many gigs Joe Stapleton has had that keep getting bigger. The Stars Group owns a majority shareholding in iBus Media. Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Croatia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Marija Pejcinovic Buric held a meeting in Baku. According to the Croatian Deputy PM, the countries will intend to hold a business forum in Zagreb in the near future. "We have also created the joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. Its meeting will be held within the forum till the end of 2019 or in early 2020," Trend cited her as saying. She also expressed support for the EU-Azerbaijan negotiations on a new agreement. "Croatia as the EU member-state supports this agreement. The negotiations are at the final stage," Marija Pejcinovic Buric noted. The Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs stressed that Azerbaijan is a very important participant of the Eastern Partnership program. Sunday Briefing: Igor Kurganov Wins $1K Sunday Supersonic April 29 2019 Matthew Pitt Sunday is traditionally the biggest, busiest day for online poker tournament players thanks to sites running their largest tournaments of the week. Apr. 28 was no different despite thousands of poker players competing at the European Poker Tour Monte Carlo festival; some took time out to grind online. $1,050 Sunday Supersonic 6-Max at PokerStars Date April 28th Buy-in $1,050 Guarantee $175,000 Entrants 215 Prize pool $218,409 ITM 17 Team PokerStars Pro Igor IgorKurganov Kurganov added to his already glowing reputation by taking down the $1,050 Sunday Supersonic, a six-handed hyper-turbo affair that only took two hours and six minutes to complete, giving everyone who cashed an amazing hourly rate. Nobody enjoyed the tournament more than Kurganov who walked away with the $42,858 top prize. The UK-based Russian defeated Uruguays MB TREMENDO heads-up to secure another online title, resigning the Uruguayan to a $32,904 consolation prize. Earlier at the six-handed final table, Hungarys Wildace_hun banked the $11,432 sixth-place prize to take their lifetime winnings ever closer to $3 million. Then Tinas21 Of Norway fell in fifth-place for $14,890. Fourth-place and $19,395 went to Rob batoelrob Hollink of the Netherlands before Julian jutrack Track of Germany crashed out in third-place for $25,262 leaving Kurganov and MB TREMENDO to battle heads-up for the title, a battle we already know Kurganov won. Place Player Country Prize 1 Igor IgorKurganov Kurganov United Kingdom $42,858 2 MB TREMENDO Uruguay $32,904 3 Julian jutrack Track Germany $25,262 4 Rob batoelrob Hollink Netherlands $19,395 5 Tinas21 Norway $14,890 6 Wildace_hun Hungary $11,432 $109 Sunday Million at PokerStars Date April 28th Buy-in $109 Guarantee $1,000,000 Entrants 10,224 Prize pool $1,022,400 ITM 1,826 A monster-sized field of 10,224 competed in this weekends PokerStars Sunday Million with the top 1,826-finishers sharing a slice of the $1,022,400 prize pool. All but one of the nine players at the final table won a five-figure prize, Chinas papatsr423 being that one player, netting $7,626 for their ninth-place exit. Mexico-based Spaniard David davaman Lopez, who once earned 1 million VPPs in only three months, finished in eighth-place for $10,606 and was joined on the rail by GregX89X of Russia and Polands Inflames6 who secured payouts of $14,751 and $20,516 respectively. Greeces dpsd05 crashed out in fifth-place for a $28,534 addition to their bankroll before Romanias Lionet narrowly missed out on winning their second Sunday Million title, busting in fourth-place for $39,686. The Romanian won the Sunday Million back in May 2014 for $203,088. The penultimate elimination was that of Austrias Chillero1441 who scooped $55,195, a fantastic result when you consider their previous largest score was worth $6,811. This left slarki1 of Canada and sica26 to fight heads-up for the title. The heads-up duo struck a deal to make the pay jump shallower, so when slarki1 fell in second-place they netted $81,770 with Romanias sica26 banking the $101,770 top prize. Place Player Country Prize 1 sica26 Romania $101,770* 2 slarki1 Canada $81,770* 3 Chillero1441 Austria $55,195 4 Lionet Romania $39,686 5 dpsd05 Greece $28,534 6 Inflames6 Poland $20,516 7 GregX89X Russia $14,751 8 David davaman Lopez Mexico $10,606 9 papastar423 China $7,626 *reflects a heads-up deal Sunday High Roller Deepstack: $200K Gtd at partypoker Date April 28th Buy-in $1,050 Guarantee $200,000 Entrants 190 Prize pool $200,000 ITM 24 It was a Russian one-two in partypokers Sunday High Roller Deepstack: $200K Gtd this week. A field of 190 entries left a slight overlay and the Russian duo took full advantage. The first exit from the eight-handed final table was that of sluuvtanuuv of Sweden who collected $5,500 before SouhftfW of Croatia busted in seventh-place for a $7,000 prize. Ukraines number one online poker tournament player Roman SanityWaterline Romanovsky was the next player to bust, his sixth-place finish securing a $9,000 score. Everyone else was now guaranteed a five-figure prize. WeisYis of Estonia locked up fifth-place and $11,600 before screen_name1234 of Netherlands saw their tournament end in fourth-place, a finish worth $16,600. Third-place and $23,200 went to partypoker regular spinner2255 of the UK, which set up a heads-up dual between Russia pair sweet_dreammm and CrazyLissy. The Russians ended the tournament early by agreeing to a deal that saw CrazyLissy crowned champion and receive $38,035 with sweet_dreammm finishing second for $38,024. Place Player Country Prize 1 CrazyLissy Russia $38,035* 2 sweet_dreammm Russia $38,024* 3 spinner2255 United Kingdom $23,200 4 screen_name1234 Netherlands $16,600 5 WeisYis Estonia $11,600 6 Roman SanityWaterline Romanovsky Ukraine $9,000 7 SouhftfW Croatia $7,000 8 sluuvtanuuv Sweden $5,500 *reflects a heads-up deal Roman SanityWaterline Romanovsky won $9,000 Sunday Gladiator: $250K Gtd at partypoker Date April 28th Buy-in $2,100 Guarantee $250,000 Entrants 115 Prize pool $250,000 ITM 16 The Sunday Gladiator: $250K Gtd is partypokers biggest weekly PKO tournament and awarded $68,080 to its champion this week. That champion was Canadas Muzuma who won the $24,334 first-place prize that was boosted by $43,476 worth of bounty payments. The substantial bounty payment included their own scalp and that of runner-up shorezydrew who collected a combined prize worth $28,934 only three weeks after locking up a career-best $74,662 in a POWERFEST PKO tournament at partypoker. All but two of the final table players received more than $10,000 when bounties were taken into consideration. Finlands rdcrsnn netted $8,059 in total before Elio donzledubru Fox helped himself to an $11,202 haul, slightly more than AlexSeb0715 who finished one place deeper. Mexicos a8risoli walked away with $9,558 before Mark Ilove2fish Telker took his lifetime winnings closer to $11 million with a $21,544 haul. Russias f8ndorin then busted in third-place for $21,309 leaving shorezydrew and Mazuma in a battle for the title, a fight that Mazuma emerged victorious from. Place Player Country Prize Bounty Prize Total Prize 1 Mazuma Canada $24,334 $43,476 $68,080 2 shorezydrew Canada $24,308 $4,626 $28,934 3 f8ndorin Russia $17,372 $3,937 $21,309 4 Mark Ilove2fish Telker Costa Rica $12,160 $9,384 $21,544 5 a8risoli Mexico $9,033 $525 $9,558 6 AlexSeb0715 Denmark $6,948 $3,346 $10,294 7 Elio donzledubru Fox Canada $5,559 $5,643 $11,202 8 rdcrsnn Finland $4,516 $3,543 $8,059 $100,000 Sunday Mega Deep at 888poker Date April 28th Buy-in $215 Guarantee $100,000 Entrants 488 Prize pool $100,000 ITM 45 The $100,000 Sunday Mega Deep at 888poker came close to making its guarantee but fell short by 12 entries. Not that it bothered those who finished in the top 45 places who shared the $100,000 prize pool. A pair of pokers established players found themselves at the final table. Swedens Robin Inho Ylitalo, a former European Poker Tour champion, ran out of steam to bust in ninth-place for $1,750. Ylitalo has almost $11.5 million in online poker tournament winnings. Three-time Sunday Million champion Artem veeea Vezhenkov isnt a name you want to see at your table so the players must have breathed a sigh of relief when he fell in seventh-place for $3,400, leaving the waters slightly less shark infested. The top three finishers won at least $11,000 each. New Zealands GABriela1 busted in third-place for $11,000, leaving Brazils CutinuaBR and Finlands tikkapekka as the last two players standing. It was the latter who secured the title and the $19,350 top prize, with CutinuaBR adding the $14,500 runner-up prize to their bankroll. Place Player Country Prize 1 tikkapekka Finland $19,350 2 CutinuaBR Brazil $14,500 3 GABriela1 New Zealand $11,000 4 Alrighty2222 $8,250 5 Avskedad Sweden $5,700 6 MuckFest Finland $4,400 7 Artem veeea Vezhenkov Russia $3,400 8 kiskutya23 $2,400 9 Robin Inho Ylitalo Sweden $1,750 Artem veeea Vezhenkov won $3,400 $20,000 Sunday Challenge at 888poker Date April 28th Buy-in $109 Guarantee $20,000 Entrants 256 Prize pool $25,600 ITM 27 Canadas bustingyou lived up to their name by taking down the $20,000 Sunday Challenge at 888poker. The Canadian defeated amaze1 Of Germany heads-up, busting them in second-place for $3,968 and ensuring the $5,504 first-place prize was theirs. Two Peruvians made it to the final table, O_fenomeno9 and n0seratv. The former fell in ninth-place for $512 with the latter busting in fifth-place for $1,536. Russias Lucky_Frutti busted in fourth-place for $2,240. The Russian has $2.5 million in online poker tournament winnings and was arguably the most experienced player at this final table. Place Player Country Prize 1 bustingyou Canada $5,504 2 amaze1 Germany $3,968 3 Kid.Twist1 Romania $3,008 4 Lucky_Frutti Russia $2,240 5 n0seratv Peru $1,536 6 xane7a Malta $1,280 7 zoobanana Canada $1,024 8 GrandPadano Sweden $768 9 O_fenomeno9 Peru $512 Sunday Blade 10K at Natural8 Date April 28th Buy-in $10,000 Guarantee $200,000 Entrants 35 Prize pool $339,500 ITM 5 Canadas SasukeUchiha was the big winner at Natural8 this week after the Canadian topped a compact yet talented field of 35 in the Sunday Blade $10K. The $339,500 prize pool was shared among the top five finishers with Shark Bait being the first player to cash, banking $21,339. TexasPete of Costa Rica ran out of luck and chips to fall in fourth-place for $33,902 before Mexico-based grinder carsonwentz busted in third-place for a $53,861 addition to their bankroll. Heads-up saw PokerBluff1 of Hungary take on SasukeUchiha for the title and the not-so-small matter of $144,825 for first-place. No deal was struck despite there being a $59,255 difference between first and second-place. SasukeUchiha came out on top to scoop the $144,825 top prize, while PokerBluff1 was the runner-up, a finish worth $85,570. Place Player Country Prize 1 SasukeUchiha Canada $144,825 2 PokerBluff1 Hungary $85,570 3 carsonwentz Mexico $53,861 4 TexasPete Costa Rica $33,902 5 Shark Bait Canada $21,339 Sunday Blade $5K at Natural8 Date April 28th Buy-in $5,000 Guarantee $50,000 Entrants 40 Prize pool $190,000 ITM 5 Forty entries were processed in the Sunday Blade $5K meaning the $50,000 guarantee was almost exceeded by four-times! $190,000 was shared among the top five finishers with $81,050 reserved for the eventual champion. That champion was the Natural8 regular NOMAMES of Mexico who found themself in the unenviable position of being heads-up against Ukrainian superstar Roman SanityWaterline Romanovsky. Obviously unfazed by their talented opponent, NOMAMES ran out a worthy champion to secure the $81,050 payout and resign Romanovsky to $47,889. Earlier at the final table, vamossuerte fell in fifth-place for $11,942, MiMosa1 crashed out in fourth-place for $18,973 and Canadas RockyMarciano collected $30,143 for their third-place exit. Place Player Country Prize 1 NOMAMES Mexico $81,050 2 Roman SanityWaterline Romanovsky Ukraine $47,889 3 RockyMarciano Canada $30,143 4 MiMosa1 Finland $18,973 5 vamossuerte Mexico $11,942 Want a mention in this article? First you'll need an account at these online poker rooms. Get the best deposit bonuses here. The Stars Group owns a majority shareholding in iBus Media Sylvain Loosli Reigns Victorious in EPT Monte Carlo 10,300 High Roller April 29 2019 Adam Lamers It took quite the effort from Frenchman Sylvain Loosli, but he managed to rise to the top of the 2019 PokerStars and Monte-CarloCasino EPT 10,300 No-Limit Hold'em High Roller. Loosli outlasted a total of 70 entries and defeated Georgios Kitsios to claim the 198,610 first-place prize. It was a back and forth heads-up battle that saw both players hold serious chip leads at different points. Loosli's Greek counterpart was willing to push the action but it was the Frenchman who got paid off in two critical pots. The ladder came when Loosli went for value with second pair and it worked out for him, earning him the chip lead again. In the final hand of the evening, Kitsios risked his 15 big blind stack with king-five but Loosli had him dominated with ace-five. Kitsios could not hit a three-outer and by the river, Loosli made a flush and closed out the tournament in roughly six hours on Day 3. Loosli has been a force on the high roller scene as of late and now he is finding success close to home. Born in France but now living in London, England, Loosli has over $7.1 million in career tournament earnings and his resume continues to grow. Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize (EUR) 1st Sylvain Loosli France 198,610 2nd Georgios Kitsios Greece 142,590 3rd Seth Davies United States 92,680 4th Charlie Carrel United Kingdom 69,940 5th Erik Seidel United States 54,320 6th Joao Vieira Portugal 42,100 7th Ole Schemion Germany 33,270 8th Thomas Muehloecker Austria 25,800 9th Pablo Melogno Uruguay 19,690 Day 3 Summary Only six players returned to the felt for the final day and Charlie Carrel came in as the overwhelming chip leader. Loosli, on the other hand, was the short stack but still had enough chips to remain patient. Joao Vieira was the first player to be eliminated when he ran his ace-jack into the ace-king of Carrel. Erik Seidel soon fell to the shortest stack and also succumbed to the ever-growing stack of Carrel. Seidel's king-jack was not good enough to win a flip against Carrel's pocket nines and the field was quickly down to just four. That sparked the first of Loosli's double ups and he would go on to find plenty more of those - five in total on the day to be precise. It also turned the tide for Carrel who sent a couple of big pots to Kitsios, relinquishing the chip lead. Carrel was unable to stop the downward spiral as he eventually got all of his chips in the middle after flopping the nut flush draw. Unfortunately for him, Kitsios held pocket aces and Carrel was unable to come from behind. Charlie Carrel The final three players were left to battle it out and it continued for nearly three hours. Even without any eliminations for quite some time, the chips were still flying around the table as each player grabbed the chip lead at some point. Loosli was forced to double up a couple of times to make it a three-way push to the finish. Once he managed to grab a sizeable lead over his two competitors, Kitsios and Seth Davies got involved in a large pot. Kitsios was able to disguise the strength of his hand by his aggressive play style and it worked in his favor. Kitsios turned a king-high flush and Davies turned top pair into a straight on the river. All of the chips got in the middle and Davies was barely covered, forcing him to exit in third place. That made room for the rollercoaster heads-up battle between Kitsios and Loosli. While only six players returned for the final day, a total of nine players made the money. Ole Schemion (7th Place - 33,270), Thomas Muehloecker (25,800), and Pablo Melogno (19,690) were all eliminated in the last level of Day 2. Philipp Gruissem was the unfortunate soul to be eliminated on the money bubble and left the tournament with nothing. The opening high roller event was a great introduction to the 2019 PokerStars and Monte-CarloCasino EPT festival, allowing many players getting their feet wet before the larger buy-in tournaments unfold. Many of the participants were quick to jump into the 100,000 Super High Roller that began earlier today and will continue over the next couple of days. Be sure to follow the PokerNews live reporting team for all of the updates throughout all of the PokerStars and Monte-CarloCasino EPT events. The Stars Group owns a majority shareholding in iBus Media. A new day has arrived at the 2019 PokerStars and Monte-CarloCasino European Poker Tour (EPT) and at 6 p.m. local time Day 1b of the 330 EPT Cup will start. Yesterday saw 265 players register for Day 1a and only 13 of them made it through to Day 2. Alexandre Moreau grabbed the chip lead with 995,000 and he's well ahead of Andrea Schettino (675,000) in second and Vamshi Vandanapu (625,000) in third. Another familiar name that made it through to Day 2 is Jia Tang. Tang finished 27th in the 2018 EPT Prague Main Event and is looking to make another score on the European circuit. A couple of familiar faces showed up on Day 1a but most of them didn't make Day 2. Pete Chen, Aylar Lie, Abdelkrim Chenoufi, and Bruno Hormigo all entered the tournament but they failed to find a bag. They do have the shot to reenter in flight 1b but that will be their last shot as there are no more starting flights after this one. Day 1b will be played as a freeze-out. Players will start the day with 20,000 in chips and the first 20-minute level of the day will be 100/100 without an ante. The tournament uses a big blind ante from the second level onwards and players can enjoy a 20-minute break after every six levels. Registration will close after the eighth level. Fifteen percent of the field will reach the money and they will play down to the final five percent before they bag up. Yesterday's flight ended right at the start of level 23 and they had 19 minutes and 20 seconds left in that level. The field will combine on Tuesday, April 30th. Levels will be 30 minutes long on Day 2 and they will play down to a winner. Day 2 will start at 1 p.m. local time. PokerNews will be on the floor to report on the tournament until a winner is crowned in the 330 EPT Cup. University of North Georgia (UNG) senior Jenna Patterson will have a few accolades to highlight on her resume when she graduates at age 20 this fall. Patterson won top honors at UNG's Annual Research Conference (ARC) for her paper "Europe: A shift away from multiculturalism," which addresses the impact of latest waves of migration in Europe. It was one of two papers she entered in the March 22 conference. Patterson, who is pursuing a degree in international affairs with a concentration on Europe, will study abroad in Bulgaria in fall 2019 after a summer internship at the Belgian Consulate in Atlanta. In addition, Patterson will attend the Washington Program on National Security (WaPoNS) from June 18 through July 1 in the nation's capital. She is one of two UNG students to make the cut of 20 students selected nationally for the prestigious program run by the Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western Civilization (AHI). The second UNG student preferred not to be named because of security concerns related to his chosen career field. Possible speakers for the WaPoNS include current and former officials in the White House, intelligence community, the Pentagon, Congress, nongovernmental organizations, industry, academia, think tanks, and news organizations. Participants will also meet Army Brig. Gen. Michael R. Eastman, deputy director for operations at The Joint Staff. A self-proclaimed "big nerd," Patterson is eager to learn more about the topics the WaPoNS will cover. "That's really exciting for me because I don't have the opportunity to focus on the security side of domestic politics very often because I am an international affairs major," Patterson said. Dr. Jon Miner, associate professor of political science, helped the two UNG students with their applications. He said they did a great job of demonstrating how the program could benefit them in their careers. "The students will be able to gain firsthand knowledge and interact with people in the D.C. area that work in the fields that they study here at UNG," Miner said. In addition to an essay on why they should be in the program, students had to write an essay on what they believed to be the current most important national security issue. Patterson chose the lack of unity in the United States, which she argued puts the country in a security dilemma with the image portrayed to the international community. This year's participants are the second and third for UNG in the WaPoNS; Brianna Clay took part in summer 2018. Other schools sending students include Colgate, Loyola University (Maryland), Stony Brook University, Texas Tech and University of North Texas. Dr. Raluca Viman-Miller, an assistant professor of comparative politics, international relations and European politics, has served as Patterson's adviser and mentor. "She is dedicated. She is serious. She is hard-working. She is mature," Viman-Miller said. "She's definitely hitting it out of the ballpark." Along with migration, Patterson is interested in political analysis. She is excited to learn more about a variety of topics as part of WaPoNS. "For her, this will be a really good learning experience," Miner said. "It will give her a sampling of so many different ways she can apply her international affairs degree." Patterson, who is from Blue Ridge, Georgia, is grateful that the WaPoNS is free and the Department of Political Science and International Affairs has offered to help with travel to Washington, the only part not covered by the program. Viman-Miller said the department is committed to offering such opportunities for its students. "We support them. We encourage them. We mentor them," Viman-Miller said. "We work with them on absolutely anything that is necessary for them to be successful." A UNG alumna is in the running to gain experience in the nation's capital, as well. Anita Renfroe, a 2017 graduate who majored in Arabic, was selected for a regional interview for the White House Fellowship, the first step in a three-stage process. Only about 15 Americans are chosen every year to serve as a White House Fellow. 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. Jonah Larson had no way of knowing how high emotions have been over the past two weeks on Today. The Wisconsin whiz kid, with a ball of yarn, could not have known that baby news has been buzzing throughout the "Today" family for two weeks now. Hoda Kotb welcomed the arrival of her second cherished, adopted daughter, Hope Catherine. Meteorologist Dylan Dreyer celebrated that blessing while sharing her own heartache in the struggle with secondary infertility with her husband, Brian Fichera. The same day, Jenna Bush Hager hosted her own gender reveal party on the air, announcing her first baby boy will join sisters Mila and Poppy in just months. Jonah Larson and his mom, Jenn, did bring a beautiful baby gift of hand-crocheted booties for little Hope Catherine, unaware of the rapid pace of all the Today progeny. The story of the tiny baby born in an Ethiopian orphanage is a miracle all its own. Jonah spent his first five months in the orphanage, and when he was adopted by Jenn and Chris Larson, the new parents werent given the brightest prognosis for their son in 2008. The Larson's were told to expect developmental delays for Jonah, but a loving environment with constant nurturing and support can produce miracles, day by day. He was very ill, Jenn Larson agrees, relating her son's condition when he came home. Little by little, however, Jonah became this little miracle. He was reading by the time he was three and, at age five, the crochet hook caught his attention. The hosts of the "Today" morning shows third hour thought they might get a mini-lesson in crocheting from Jonah Larson today, April 26, but the talented young man simply had too much to say and too much exuberance to work in a lesson for beginners. Instead, the prodigy is focused on making the future better for babies who began life much like him. Discuss this news on Eunomia No grandmother necessary Many children can recall a patient grandmother or an aunt guiding their hands in learning the first fledgling loops in crochet. Jonah Larson didnt need that much time or guidance-- all he needed was the wonder of YouTube. He taught himself how to create intricate patterns from featured instructional segments, and by the time Larson was 7, he was crafting full afghans. Ive probably made about 100 afghans, Jonah Larson estimates. The crafting kid probably loses track of the number, because he has given so much of the proceeds from his work to support the orphanage he came from in Ethiopia. His older brother helped him to start his own YouTube channel, and his followers are swelling. Channeling the passion and energy Jonah Larson never claims to be a perfect kid and admits that he used to interrupt people, and not let them finish their work at school. His teacher suggested that he bring his crochet projects to school and, instantly, his attention was channeled appropriately. From the time he comes home from school until sleep at night, Jonah has his crochet hook, and his creations are endless. Jenn Larson insists that after school talks about values and behavior, all the while as her son keeps crocheting, are the best times of the day. I love your energy so much I could cry, exclaimed co-host Sheinelle Jones to Jonah. Sheinelle was also wearing one of Jonah Larson's exclusive jackets, emblazoned with his Jonahs Hands charity emblem. When asked what drew him to crochet, Jonah described that he just loved the motion of moving my hook through the yarn, and it was also quite fun! It became blatantly evident that the youthful artisan is a speed-talker, too. Dylan Dreyer is known for being very observant, but she couldn't keep up with the 11-year-olds speedy fingers. I can make a hat in 46 minutes, Jonah assured. The crafter knows that his crocheting consoles him, saying, I find it very calming and its sort of like therapy relating that its attributes are very effective for someone with so much energy and an active mind. Jenn Larson thought the hobby might last a few months for Jonah, but crocheting has become a passion, and he keeps learning more and more difficult patterns. As it turns out, Jonah Larson's occupational goal is to become a surgeon, so he can go back to Ethiopia and give free surgeries. Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer really did want a lesson from Jonah, but the boisterous language and energy from the young lad simply wouldn't let him slow down to their speed. Dylan was blessed to have his favorite afghan draped over her lap, one that reminded him of sunsets, with its citrus colors of pink, red, and orange blended together. There's not a single mistake, brags Dreyer over the beloved creation. Jonah is not taking new orders for his creative wares just now. There is a backlog of 4,500 items, and he does only have two hands, and still has homework to do. Anyone interested in making donations through his Roots Ethiopia or GoFundMe initiative for the orphanage and for stimulating micro industries in the region where Jonah was born is welcome to contribute and most appreciated. Jonah Larson will be busy putting his flying fingers and colorful yarn to good use for those in his homeland. Jenna Bush Hager has had a very eventful two weeks. The new co-host of Todays fourth hour only started her new gig two weeks ago, after a tearful and tremendous sendoff for morning TVs best-loved veteran, Kathie Lee Gifford. She hardly had time to break in her personalized wine glass created by a fan before Hoda Kotb was called away by motherhood. Kotb called in last Wednesday, announcing the news that her second adopted daughter, Hope Catherine, had arrived into her heart and her arms. Jenna Bush Hager was as overjoyed as she could be with the joyous family addition, but she had news of her own that was literally bursting at the seams. On Monday of this week, Jenna Bush Hager hosted her own baby news with her first-ever gender reveal event. The mom of two daughters and will welcome the first boy to her family in just a few months, and the first male grandchild to the Bush family. Meredith Vieira was on hand for a hug and seemed to be happily filling in for the maternity leave stint. Nonetheless, the news came on a bittersweet day for the Today family, with the revelation of Dylan Dreyer's secondary infertility struggles. Today, April 25, however, Jenna Bush Hager and Jay Leno partnered up for a special delivery without any contractions or pain. The granddaughter of former president George HW Bush paid forward a very special possession to a very deserving disabled veteran and his family. Stricken at sea Everyone service person understands the sacrifice and commitment required when he or she signs on the dotted line for military service. David Miller knew early that he was born to serve, and he signed with the Navy just two weeks after his high school graduation in 2007. The adventurous seaman was assigned to aviation ordination and thrived on the travel and adventure of his work. Discuss this news on Eunomia He met his wife, Misa, while stationed in Japan. She was the one, he knew, and the couple married in 2011, and welcomed their daughter, Rachel, in 2012. In 2017, David Miller was aboard the USS Nimitz in the Middle East. He was set for the seven-month deployment but developed a fever that turned disastrous. The high fever prompted a seizure, and David thought he was paralyzed. I couldn't walk. I couldn't talk, he relates. He languished in the ship's infirmary until being airlifted to Bahrain. He was diagnosed with cerebellar atrophy and ataxia, which left him with very limited mobility and slurred speech. He now uses a walker to get around and feels glad saying, I gave my all while I was able, and still exuding the same love of country and strong faith that motivated his service. Unexpected honors for a hero David Miller's daughter was talkative and cheerfully waving to everyone on Rockefeller Plaza this morning. The Miller family likely thought they were invited simply to discuss veterans issues before being told that Jenna Bush Hager and Jay Leno were about to make a very special delivery. Jenna Bush Hager teased that Jay keeps looking for a hot dog as they drove up to the curb beside the family. Mrs. Miller politely bowed and shook the hand of Jay Leno, while Hager offered a letter from her grandfather to the receiving veteran. Braun Ability and Drive for Inclusion embarked on making the former president's secret service-ready vehicle ready for this veteran and his family. A wheelchair can be used inside the vehicle should Miller need one. The Navy hero seemed truly overwhelmed with emotion once he soaked in the realization that the gift came from the George HW Bush. George HW Bush-- I loved that man, Miller spoke from the heart. Jenna Bush Hager presented the letter from her grandfather, in which he wrote: 41 would be proud to know that a fellow sailor will take his seat in this van. The remarks concluded with thanks for the recipients honored service. Little Rachel Miller mumbled some happy words into the microphone, but her father simply reiterated his pure gratitude. George HW Bush-- he was such a hero, and one of our greatest presidents. Jenna Bush Hager reflected later on her many rides with her grandfather in the vehicle, inscribed with his motto of ceiling invisible. This veteran and his family can now ride into the future with unlimited hopes along their journey. Time will pass by, but our peoples victory in the cause of resistance against America and national defense will be recorded forever as one of the most glorious pages in our national history. It is a brilliant symbol of the triumph of revolutionary heroism and a great international event in the 20th century which had deep contemporary values, said the political report at the 4th Party Congress, the first congress after the country was reunified. Ho Chi Minh City has had 44 years of development after the countrys reunification. Photo: VNP The city has made comprehensive investment in its infrastructure. Photo: VNP HCM City is among the worlds 10 most dynamic cities in 2019 according to the City Momentum Index (CMI) released by Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL). Photo: VNP The cty is an attractive destination for domestic and foreign investors. Photo: VNP Modern urban centers by the side of Saigon river . Photo: VNP Classic French architecture are major tourist attractions in HCM City. Photo: VNP HCM City is a big economic hub with an income per capita of 6,000 US dollars/year. It contributes 22% of the GDP and 27% of tax revenues. Photo: VNP Saigon New Port Corporation handled 7.5 million TEUs (twenty-foot-equivalent unit) in 2018, up 9.3% from 2017. Photo: VNP HCM City is restructuring its economy toward a knowledge-based economy. Photo: VNP The Vietnamese peoples resistance war against America was a just resistance war that promoted the solidarity and strength of the whole nation, and was supported by friends and people around the world," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said in a statement on the documentary film The Vietnam War. In his memoir The General Headquarters In The Spring Of Brilliant Victory, General Vo Nguyen Giap summed it up by saying The entire nation fought against France and America, regardless of the front or the rear. The Vietnam front was one. The whole nation unified in an undivided bloc of compatriots who came from the same origin of Hong Lac. Even former US Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, who was regarded as the architect of the Vietnam war, drew "11 lessons", the first and most basic was, "We misjudged then -- as we have since -- the geopolitical intentions of our adversaries . . . and we exaggerated the dangers to the United States of their actions. There were also voices from the other side of the front line who recognized the great victory of the whole nation. General Nguyen Huu Co, former Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister of the Republic of Vietnam said in an interview with the Ho Chi Minh City Law newspaper that The April 30 victory was great. It was a victory of the strength of the entire people of Vietnam. No war and no bombing in our homeland were the best things the ending of the war brought about. Commenting on the call for "homeland restoration" and consideration of April 30 as national hatred day", former Prime Minster of the Republic of Vietnam Nguyen Cao Ky said Unifying the country is the historical mission of every Vietnamese . W we could not do that, but our brothers in the other side could do it. It was our history and our country was reunified. Why do we have to restore our homeland when Vietnam is not lost to foreigners? Ao Dai Festival 2019 in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: VNP Ho Chi Minh City is growing with the dynamism and creativity of every citizen and the whole community. Photo: VNP The 6th Ao Dai Festival in Ho Chi Minh City carries an environmental message for a green city. Photo: VNA Ho Chi Minh City is reporting steady growth in vocational education. Photo: VNP In 2018, healthcare establishments in the city provided medical check-ups for 45.5 million patients (up 5.8%) and gave treatment to 2.5 million inpatients (up 4%) from 2017. Photo: VNP Contemporary Americans have also respected history to draw lessons for the future. In her speech Aftermath: War, Memory and History, which was delivered at Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities in March 2017, Harvard President Drew Gilpin Faust said History illuminates the blindness and cruelties that enable war. It equips us to imagine and to strive for peace. Lies and distortion of history to incite hatred and conflicts are not only immoral acts showing ingratitude toward our predecessors and those having sacrificed their lives for peace, independence and unification of the country, but also destroy the future of the nation. Those acts and thoughts should be eliminated in order to gain peace and do away with war permanently. The sale of Shop&Go to Vingroup for the price of $1 has been described as a declaration of bankruptcy, rather than an M&A deal. Shop&Go, one of the first retail chains in Vietnam, has transferred all of its 87 shops to VinCommerce, which runs VinMart and VinMart+, retail brands of Vingroup. The retail market is extremely hot Analysts said the sale indicates a bankruptcy declaration by a retailer. In 2015 and 2016, the chain reported a loss of VND17.8 and VND38.6 billion, respectively. Its gross loss had reached VND205 billion by the end of 2016. According to Pham Viet Anh, an expert on business strategy, Shop&Gos finance report showed that the company had to borrow money to offset a liquidity shortage. All the assets of the chain by the end of 2016 had been created by accounts payable. AT Kearneys GRDI report said that Vietnam has been among the top 30 retail markets in the world for the last seven years. AT Kearneys GRDI report said that Vietnam has been among the top 30 retail markets in the world for the last seven years. The General Statistics Office (GSO) reported that the retail turnover had reached VND3,300 trillion last year. The national economy maintains high growth rates, the population is young, urbanization continues, and the peoples income is on the rise. However, despite the attractiveness, many retailers have had to leave the market, while others have not been able to implement expansion plans. Shop&Go has left. Vissan, a meat supplier, in early 2018 said it had to shut down nearly 60 shops out of its 100 convenience stores. Saigon Co-op, considered the largest retail chain, when setting up Co.op Smile chain in 2016, stated it would open 500 shops a year. However, after two years of development, its scale is less than one-fifth of hat initially planned. Family Mart also stated that it would open 1,000 shops by 2020 in Vietnam, but last year said it would stop making further investments. Trung Nguyen, a well known coffee brand, also failed after two attempts of jumping into the retail market with G7 Mart and G7-Ministop. Other brands left Vietnam quietly after a short time. The losses and ineffective investments were the major reasons behind the departures. VIssans CEO Nguyen Ngoc An said the shops did not enjoy large sales, while a representative of Family Mart cited the same reason. Analysts said Vietnams retail market has become cramped recently with the arrival of many big names, which has led to stiff competition. The players in the retail field have had to spend a lot to struggle for market share. Vingroup, for example, reportedly spent VND16 trillion after five years of operation. RELATED NEWS Some retail brands disappear quietly, others expand to great fanfare Who is the most profitable retailer? Mai Lan Robot3T Group of HCM City designs and builds cost-effective robotics and automation products and solutions to meet small and medium-sized enterprises emerging needs for smart manufacturing systems. The Government supports innovative startups Investment for start-up enterprises just begins An industrial robot made by Robot3T Group in HCM City. In recent years there has been a wave of tech start-ups in the city, especially in the use of technology platforms to modernise the traditional business landscape. Photo courtesy of Robot3T Truong Trong Toai, a graduate of the HCM City University of Technology, started Robot3T at the end of 2014 to turn the dream of a Made in Vietnam robot into reality. He said many SMEs want to use robotic technologies in manufacturing but find the prices of imported robots unaffordable. Besides, many imported technologies with their multi-purpose tasks are not compatible with certain production processes. Many local SMEs are still at the level of Industry 2.0 in terms of manufacturing technologies. Therefore, they encounter difficulties when leapfrogging to Industry 4.0 technologies and smart factories. To resolve the problems faced by SMEs, the Robot3T team has focused on building specific robots with simple structures, high efficiency and low costs that are easy to operate for SMEs. For instance, a Robot3T part-feeding robot for pressing machines is priced at US$3,000-5,000 compared to $15,000-30,000 for imported ones. The company has put in place a comprehensive robotic eco-system not only for manufacturing facilities but also for the services sector and military use. It has completed more than 500 commercial projects in industrial automation and robotics. Expanding rapidly in both domestic and global markets, Robot3T is now serving over 500 customers from 60 countries and territories, with exports accounting for half its revenues, Toai said. Nguyen Minh Vu, technology director of Live Group, one of Australia's leading payment service providers, last year hired Robot3T to test his companys new point of sale integrated EFTPOS terminal. With the terminal inspection system needing to be fully automated and operating 24/7, manually testing a high number of terminals was not a possibility. Using Robot3Ts expertise, Live Group utilised robots to test various aspects of the terminals functionality. Robot3Ts testing makes use of the latest Industry 4.0 manufacturing technologies incorporating data analysis, evaluation and cyber-physical systems. Live Group plans to utilise 10-20 robots to continue the work that has been implemented, he said. Nguyen Thi Dieu Hang, deputy director of the Business Start-up Support Centre, said: We have provided consulting and support for a few start-ups developing automation technology, especially robotics, to replace people in dangerous jobs and for sectors requiring a high degree of sophistication. I believe in their capabilities. I dont think their level is inferior to that of their counterparts in other countries. Digitisation Vu Anh Tuan, director of the Quang Trung Software Business Incubator (QTSC Incubator), said understanding that digital transformation would change each industry, the HCM City start-up community has come up with digital transformation solutions that are appropriate for each segment large, medium, small or micro -- which are expected to help businesses compete with foreign counterparts not only at home but also globally. In addition to manufacturing sector, start-up companies have also developed innovative solutions to other sectors. Tuan said: Start-up projects have contributed or will contribute increasingly to HCM City, especially to its master plan for developing into a smart city, through applications serving administrative reform, solutions used in traffic (to reduce traffic congestion, intelligent traffic supervision/co-ordination systems), education (with education 4.0), health (reducing overload at hospitals), environmental monitoring and processing, and hi-tech agriculture to improve productivity and quality. Winsoft Vietnam Co., Ltd in District 12s Quang Trung Software City has developed Emedi Clinic (eMedical), general management software for general clinics, which helps patients reduce the time needed for medical examination and treatment, easily look up the history of the examination and support recurrent visits. It also helps doctors eliminate almost all paperwork and clinics with managing the overall process, monitoring staff productivity, managing financial resources, minimising errors related to health insurance payouts, and better managing patients medical records. Explaining why he developed eMedical, Pham Van Dong, the companys director, said: With economic growth, people of all ages and classes tend to pay more attention to healthcare services. However, not all can access quality healthcare services. Winsoft made its debut because of our desire to develop an interactive app for patients and doctors to talk directly to each other about the symptoms of a disease before visiting a clinic or hospital. The software is used by clinics in many cities and provinces like HCM City, Hanoi, Binh Duong, Kien Giang, Long An, An Giang, Dong Thap, Dong Nai, Lam Dong, Dak Nong, and Binh Phuoc. Talking about future plans, Dong said: Winsoft would this year complete its eMedi app and connect with teledoctors delivering health checks and treatment. Another startup in QTSC, Development Software JSC (Incomsoft), has researched and developed management and customer care solutions for SMEs, shops, kiosks, and organisations. Pham Thanh Hau, Incomsoft director, said the companys goal is to bring world-class incomSoft solutions to Vietnamese enterprises at costs that are affordable to Vietnamese businesses. Our sales are very good. We plan to expand its presence to all provinces and cities across the country by 2030 and enter foreign markets by 2035. More support needed HCM City is known as a hub of technology start-ups and software programmers with more than 800 in operation, accounting for 42 per cent of the countrys total number. The city has launched many programmes over the years to support start-up activities. Tuan said: In order to help the start-up community develop rapidly, the Government needs to have more specific policies. Besides, it is necessary to enhance communications about the results achieved by start-ups in the past, the citys guidelines and policies for supporting innovative start-ups and the eco-system in place to support start-ups. Hang said: To succeed, start-ups need to carefully study the market to develop products in line with market demand and at reasonable prices. Large domestic enterprises should be more supportive of and willing to use the technologies of Vietnamese start-ups to give them wings to become large enterprises in future. VNS A Georgian-Israeli business forum, to be attended by about 100 entrepreneurs from Israel, will be held in Tbilisi tomorrow. The Israeli delegation will include large businessmen who have not previously had relations with Georgia. According to President of the Israel-Georgia Chamber of Business Itzik Moshe, Israeli businessmen are interested in investing in Georgia,which requires support from the country's authorities. During the visit, the Israeli delegation will also commemorate the victims of the Holocaust. Memorial events will be held at the Rustaveli Theater, Georgia Online reported. Elephant tusks are available in many places, from souvenir shops and jewelry shops to tourist sites. But the sales there are very small compared with transactions via online markets. MT, at No 81-83 Nguyen Van Cu street, is a well known souvenir shop in Buon Ma Thuot City. There are many stalls inside, including a jewelry and souvenir stall which display products made of elephant tusks. N, a salesman, showed many products, from bracelets, rings, pens, combs and a section of an elephant tail with black feathers. Each feather was priced at VND100,000. Reporters acted as buyers seeking to buy a huge elephant tusk block to create a statue. The salesman brought a 2.2 kilogram tusk block, as big as an adult thigh, 10 centimeters long. N said this was an African elephant tusk and affirmed that the food for elephants in Africa was very good, and the quality of African tusks was better than Asian tusks. African tusks are most suitable for statues. The Asian tuft is soft, difficult to sculpt, he explained, adding that he would sell the block at no less than VND70 million per kilogram. When reporters complained that the diameter of the tusk was too big to sculpt, N told reporters to come back days later to see new arrivals. As promised, a few days later, N sent the image of an elephant tusk section via Zalo account. It was also an African tusk, but it had the diameter of 11 centimeters, length of 23 centimeters and weight of 4.918 kilograms. As the tusk block was smaller, the price was lower, at VND45 million per kilogram. Buyers now do not have to come to Dak Lak, the elephant metropolis, to buy ivory products, but can do this in HCMC or order at home. The images of products will be sent to customers via Facebook and Zalo, and products will be delivered to their door. At another souvenir shop, reporters met G, a Lao woman, who settled down there after marrying a man in the locality. Ivory bracelets, rings and jewelries were in plastic baskets. There were also numerous tusks, small and big, and pieces of tusks. G, N and other ivory traders in Buon Ma Thuot are all running big shops in the city. But they tend to encourage buyers to make transactions online. Their shops serve as showrooms where buyers can visit and see products. After you transfer money into my account, I will send goods as soon as possible. And you can update my new arrivals on Facebook, G said. Buyers now do not have to come to Dak Lak, the elephant metropolis, to buy ivory products, but can do this in HCMC or order at home. The images of products will be sent to customers via Facebook and Zalo, and products will be delivered to their door. RELATED NEWS Nearly 1 tonne of elephant tusks, pangolin scales uncovered in Hanoi Elephant tusk trafficker arrested in HCM City Thanh Mai By bringing meaningful value in improving productivity, efficiency and competitiveness, digital transformation is becoming an inevitable trend, deeply affecting most of the development of businesses and organisations worldwide. Quang Ninh province is a typical example of success in digital government building. What strategy does Vietnam need in order to not miss the opportunity from the digital age? Key survival issue Currently, digital transformation is taking place worldwide. According to a recent survey by International Data Group, nearly 90% of businesses have started their conversion with different steps, from research to implementation. More than 30% of business leaders surveyed considered digital transformation a vital issue, confirming the immediate effectiveness brought about by digital transformation in many aspects: superiority in customer understanding, increased productivity, ensuring competitive prices and speeding up creativity. If enterprises and organisations are slow in shifting, it will lead to consequences such as inferior labour productivity, decision-making delays, a lack of sensitivity to seize opportunities and not being closely associated with customers. In fact, there are large enterprises with a development history of hundreds of years but have not caught up with "digitalisation", or have the desire to transform but have not succeeded, have lagged behind, even at risk of going to bankruptcy like GE or Sears. Meanwhile, many businesses, thanks to the rapid implementation of digital transformation, have achieved outstanding results, such as the case of Dupont, a pioneering model for using technologies to create business strengths. Dupont is at the forefront of using Office 365 to replace outdated Lotus Notes, and is also the first company to launch an e-commerce model that helps reduce costs and improve customer services in Brazil, Singapore and more than 20 other countries worldwide. With a clear and integrated digital conversion strategy, Dupont has saved over US$1.6 billion in IT costs, generated an 80% reduction in order processing time, and brought about billions of US dollars in benefits. Vietnam ready for digital transformation In the context of the strong development of digital transformation, the Government, organisations and enterprises in Vietnam have actively embraced and positively participated in activities so as not to miss the train of the fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0). The Government of Vietnam is promoting digital economic development through a series of policy mechanisms, and in particular these policies have recently been reinforced by the Prime Minister's Directive No. 16/CT-TTg on increasing strong access to the IR4.0. Currently, digital transformation appears in all areas, from trade, finance - banking to health, education, tourism and transportation. Surveys of 180 agencies and enterprises attending the Vietnam ICT Summit 2018 showed that Vietnamese businesses have quickly grasped the issues related to digital transformation. IT companies such as FPT, Viettel and VNPT have made strong investments to develop core technologies of digital transformation, including artificial intelligence, big data analytics and cloud computing. "We ready and confident to conquer the peak of digital transformation, looking to become the leading companies in digital transformation consultancy, such as Accenture or Deloitte DX, to once again bring Vietnam to the same level with global technology powers, Truong Gia Binh, Chairman of FPT's Board of Directors, announced at the 2019 FPT shareholders' meeting recently held in Hanoi. Not only technology companies but also enterprises in many different fields have quickly taken the initial steps in digital transformation and gained positive initial results. Consumer finance company FE Credit is an example. In the context that consumer loans are still handled through a manual process with multiple steps, often taking 4-5 days, FE Credit has applied a digital loan platform named "$NAP", which is a fully automated programme providing a complete and closed lending process without human intervention. This platform helps shorten the entire loan process to only 10-15 minutes, making guests to be disbursed within a few hours. As a result, in just two months after deployment, the number of loan registrations and loans disbursed through the $NAP application increased by an average of 280%. In addition, thanks to artificial intelligence algorithms and in-depth data analysis in the customer verification process, FE Credit has succeeded in capturing the needs of customer segments that have not had access to banking services. In the field of digital government, some localities have also experienced strong movements, of which Quang Ninh is a typical example. With the successful implementation of its e-government system, Quang Ninh has saved time and reduced administrative costs for State administrative agencies worth about VND50 billion. 100% of administrative procedures are received, solved and computerised on the network environment. The operation of 15 public administrative centres across the province have fundamentally changed the image, environment and the way public servants interact with local people and businesses, thus helping reduce more than 40% of the travelling time and the number of visits and transactions for them, saving average social costs of more than VND70 billion per year. In November 2018, Quang Ninh became the only representative of Vietnam to be honoured by the Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organisation 2018 Awards in the Digital Government Award for its e-Government development. The immediate objective that Quang Ninh is aiming for is to digitise, focus and share data, thus saving time for its people. With that rapid change, along with the great benefits, it can be seen that digital transformation is no one's story but an inevitable trend in the world, in which, if enterprises, organisations or individuals do not quickly grasp the opportunity, the possibility of being left behind will be inevitable. To promote digital transformation and take advantage of IR4.0, experts recommend that each industry, sector and enterprise needs to focus on building digital transformation strategy, in which, in the immediate future, it is necessary to change the way of thinking and the appropriate approach to suit the new situation. According to FPT, digital transformation in organisations and businesses is a process of changing from traditional models to digital, by applying new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, Internet of things and cloud computing. Digital transformation helps change the way of operation and management, thereby, the efficiency and competitiveness of organisations and businesses are enhanced. Nhan Dan Vietnamese students who study abroad now tend to be younger, and often leave after they finish the 9th grade. Hoang Dang, a parent in Binh Thanh district, HCMC, recently returned to Vietnam after taking his 15-year-old son to Australia to enroll in a private high school. Dang and his wife prepared for the sons overseas study for many years. The boy planned to leave Vietnam after finishing secondary school to follow higher education in Australia. However, the parents decided their son should leave earlier. We think it would be better if our son can enter the 10th grade in Australia. This would be helpful for his tertiary education years there, he said. When asked about the study cost, Dang said he has to pay VND400 million a month to fund the boys study, which is not much higher than an international school in Vietnam. More Vietnamese parents are sending their children to schools overseas right after they finish secondary school in Vietnam. The schools for the gifted in HCMC confirmed that they lose tens of students every semester as the students leave for study overseas. More Vietnamese parents are sending their children to schools overseas right after they finish secondary school in Vietnam. The schools for the gifted in HCMC confirmed that they lose tens of students every semester as the students leave for study overseas. Le Hong Phong and Tran Dai Nghia High Schools for the Gifted have lost the highest numbers of student. Schools for the gifted enroll high-performing students who have long-term study plans. An experienced teacher at a school in HCMC commented that students tend to be younger when they leave Vietnam. If they cannot obtain scholarships, they accept to study on the parents money. Studying overseas is the choice of many urban families as they dont have confidence in Vietnams education, she said. The report released by Open Doors, belonging to IIE in late 2018, showed that Vietnam ranked sixth among countries which have the highest numbers of students in the US. This was the 17th consecutive year Vietnam saw an increase in the number of students going to the US. Vietnamese students bring $881 million to the US economy each year. Hoang Mai Lan, a parent in district 3, commented that previously parents needed to be extra wealthy to send children abroad. But in recent years, more opportunities are available thanks to government scholarship programs applied to high school students. However, parents have been advised against sending children abroad at an early age. A representative of the Hong Ha Overseas Study Consultancy Firm said there are two possible scenarios for students who leave Vietnam before the age of 18. They will adapt well to the new schooling environment and succeed, or they will be isolated and overcome by fear and will have to return home. RELATED NEWS The psychological effects of studying overseas International in-country training programs lose popularity Minh Nhat The coastal city of Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa Province last year ranked third among the top five Southeast Asian beach destinations favored by Chinese tourists. Nha Trang becomes increasingly favorite destination for Chinese tourists Khanh Hoa, Danang still popular among Chinese tourists The coastal city of Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa Province ranked third among the top five Southeast Asian beach destinations favored by Chinese tourists in 2018. VNA/VNS Photo The ranking was noted in a recent report from Chinas Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The Vietnamese coastal town followed Indonesias Bali and Thailands Phuket. Nha Trang is well known for its beaches and scuba diving, attracting both backpackers and more affluent travelers, as well as Vietnamese tourists. Nha Trang Bay is widely considered one of the world's most beautiful bays. China has been Vietnam's main source of tourists in recent years, making up one-third of all foreign visitors. More than four million Chinese visitors arrived in Vietnam last year, up 48.6 percent year-on-year. Last year, Nha Trang received more than 1.4 million Chinese tourists, up 56 percent from a year earlier, accounting for more than half of its international arrivals. VNS A collection of ao dai by designer Lan Huong presented at the event. VNS Photo Thuy Tinh SUWON Nguyen Thi Tuyen and her 10-year-old daughter got up at 5am and eagerly prepared for the We Are Together festival held on April 27-28 in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. The little girl was one among special models performing traditional costumes of Viet Nam and South Korea during the festival. Tuyen is one among many Vietnamese brides who married to Korean husbands and settled down in South Korea. She has lived in the country for 13 years. Initiated by the Korea and Viet Nam Economic and Cultural Association (KOVECA), the annual festival has been held for three times. The festival helps strengthen friendship between Viet Nam and South Korea, makes Vietnamese expatriates feel closer to home, and provides interesting experience for participants and makes Vietnamese culture known Korean people. Tuyen said the festival has become an important event for Vietnamese community in Suwon. There are many Vietnamese people living in this city, including families, workers, students and Vietnamese brides like me, she said. I am lucky that I have a happy family and South Korea now becomes my second homeland. We all wait for this festival because it provides a good chance for us to enjoy Vietnamese culture. The fashion show introduced collections of ao dai by Vietnamese designer Lan Huong and hanbok by designer Park Mi-yeon. Huong presented ao dai inspired by lotus, traditional costumes of ethnic people in the Central Highlands region and flower seasons of Ha Noi. Meanwhile, Park introduced collections of hanbok in traditional style, modern style and wedding style. Huong has more than 20 years designing ao dai and she has been known in Viet Nam as a master of ao dai. Both of the designers have presented ao dai and hanbok at many international events. Other highlights included traditional games, art performance and cuisine presentation of the two countries. Participants also have a chance to try on ao dai and hanbok. Pop idols from Viet Nam Thuy Chi, Trong Hieu and Uyen Linh from Viet Nam performed at the festival. Gummy and Suwon City Choir represented Korea at the festival. Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tu said: This year, Viet Nam and South Korea celebrate the 27th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relationship. We have a good co-operation in all fields such as politics, economy, culture, education and people exchange. The success of the We Are Together festival helps boost the ties between two countries, said Tu. There are nearly 300,000 Vietnamese people living in South Korea, according to Ahn Hye-young, vice mayor of Gyeonggi Province. "Gyeonggi Province has a partnership between some provinces of Viet Nam like Hai Duong and Nghe An, we look forward to having further co-operation with Viet Nam," she said. "We expect that more festivals like this will be held to strengthen the ties between us. All designers and artists performing at the event are remarkable and have devoted to promote the national culture to the world." VNS CEDAR FALLS -- Sharon Lynn Curtis, 81, of Coralville, formerly of Cedar Falls, died April 23, 2019 with her family by her side. Sharon was born Feb. 19, 1938, in Audubon, daughter of Jack and Helen (Jones) Carpenter. She married William Curtis in 1965; they later divorced. Following graduation from the University of Iowa, she worked as a caseworker for Cook County Public Aid in Chicago. She received her masters degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1986, and became the coordinator of the New Directions program at Hawkeye Technical College in Waterloo. She was also a patient representative for the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and in 1994, she became a licensed clinical therapist for Mayo Health System, where she retired from in 2006. She appeared on a local radio show, sang on the Teen Show, and traveled and sang with many jazz combos in the area. Survived by: a daughter, Kristin (Gerald) Semler, and their son, Jack; her sisters, Teri (John) Burg and Carol (Larry) Coglan; Geralds children, Amy (John) Copping and Ryan Semler; and her cat, Java. Preceded in death by: her parents; and a son, Aaron. Celebration of life: 1 to 4 p.m. May 11 at the Unitarian Universalist Society, Coralville. The family asks that you please paint one, or all of your nails, blue. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Iowa Cremation, is assisting the family. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, may be directed to Iowa City Hospice or the Iowa City Bird House. Condolences may be left at iowacremation.com. Sharon always loved music. She shared a special bond with her daughter, and they had many adventures together, enjoyed traveling, and have many funny stories of their treasured times together. She also cherished time spent with her grandson Jack, playing pranks on each other, reading, and going to movies. Noon Kiwanis meet Tuesday WATERLOO The Waterloo Noon Kiwanis will meet at the Elks Lodge for a noon luncheon on Tuesday. The program will be with Meg Campbell, CASA, court appointed special advocate for abused and neglected children. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers. Call Larry Cain at 231-9871 for more information. Free Comic Book Day at The Core CEDAR FALLS The CORE Comics & Games will host the 18th annual Free Comic Book Day on Saturday. Celebrating literacy, family and community, The CORE will be giving out free comic books to all from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., people can meet and get photos taken with comic heroes, villains and movie creatures. There will be artists, a live DJ, Balloon Man and more. Spaghetti supper slated for Saturday WATERLOO The mens club at Kimball Avenue Methodist Church, 1207 Kimball Ave., will host a spaghetti supper from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Cost is $9 for adults and $4 for kids 10 and younger. The meal is open to the public, and tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling 232-4103. Blue Zones cooking class set CEDAR FALLS A Super Sheet Pan Suppers Blue Zones cooking class with Luann Alemao will take place from 5:45 to 8 p.m. May 9 at the UnityPoint Health Teaching Kitchen, 5100 Prairie Parkway. Norman Grant, executive chef with the Western Home Communities, will present Knife skills 101. Happys Wine and Spirits will provide a wine tasting, and Eric Cornish from Western Home Market will have food samples to share. Register by May 8; go to www.laanda.com or call 266-8021. HUDSON The Hudson AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary will sell burgers, tenderloins and hot dogs during the Hudson garage sale weekend on May 3 and 4. Serving will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the AMVETS Hall Post 31 at 123 Eldora Road. Piano recital set in Denver DENVER Piano students of Arlyce Schroeder will present recitals at 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday at the Denver Cyclone Center Auditorium. A variety of styles of music will be presented, with students from youths to adult. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WATERLOO Sometimes when little Gracie Buss had bruises or other marks from being beaten, her mother would apply makeup to cover up the injuries, according to her older brother. The man behind those beatings, according to the brother, was Chad Allen Little, who is now charged with murder and child endangerment in the 4-year-old girls death. The brother, now a teen, took the stand Monday as the states case against Little the 35-year-old boyfriend of Gracies mother, Kristi Buss resumed in Black Hawk County District Court. Medics were called to the childs Downing Court apartment May 30, 2015, after she was found unresponsive following what was said to be a seizure and a fall down the stairs. She died days later in a hospital of blunt head trauma. The brother, who said Little also struck him and once threatened to kill him, recounted how Gracie would cry when she was hit. I would try to stop Chad from hitting her, the brother said. He said he sometimes gave her an ice pack, and she found relief when she put it on her face. Sometimes Kristi Buss would apply makeup to Gracies face, he said. Why would your mom put makeup on her? Black Hawk County Attorney Brian Williams asked. To cover the bruises on her face, the brother said. How did she get those bruises on her face? Williams asked. Chad beating her, the brother said. Hitting her, pushing her. Prior to the May 2015 incident, Chad had said Gracie had fallen down stairs, the brother said, be he said he didnt see it happen. Gracies bedroom had been moved from upstairs to a downstairs room at one point because of ghosts, according to the brother. He said Little told him the ghosts beat her when she was sleeping. The boy said his mother never hit the children. On the morning of May 30, 2015, the boy said Little woke him screaming that Gracie had a seizure. He said Little told the mother to call 911. He saw Gracie on the floor, her eyes rolled back into her head and her teeth locked together. The brother said he and Little left, hopping a fence behind the townhouse and going to a nearby mobile home park. The ambulance arrived for his sister as they watched from a fence line, he said. He said he wanted to be with his sister. Investigators found what a veil of makeup couldnt cover up when they searched the apartment. Jurors heard about blood police found in different areas around the townhouse. Crime Scene Investigation Officer Jody Stratton said police discovered blood on a toddler-sized mattress that was propped up in the kitchen. A bloody yellow pillow with butterflies was discovered in a laundry room. There was also a comforter with blood and a few towels with blood smears, Stratton said. Investigators also discovered blood on the carpet in Gracies room, and one spot had blood soaked through into the padding underneath, the officer said. Among the belongings that caught the attention of police was an undated handwritten note, apparently from Little, apologizing to Kristi Buss. It read: Hey you, Im very sorry for snapping on Grace. I lost my temper know (sic) joke. I leave the room for 10 seconds to shower and come out to her playing ... I wont do that again. Im a leave just for a bit clear my mind. Love Chad Little. Police also found at least two holes in the drywall around the apartment, the officer said. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 9 Angry 19 INDEPENDENCE --- Two juvenile females who fled the Four Oaks facility in Independence were arrested Sunday after they reportedly stole a vehicle and led law enforcement on a chase in Independence and Hazleton The two were caught in Hazleton Sunday night after they struck a street light, jumped a curb and ran into a chain-link fence. The Buchanan County Sheriff's Office said the incident began about 7:10 p.m. when they received a 911 call that a vehicle had been taken without permission from 2277 Iowa Ave. (Mental Health Institute campus) west of Independence. Within minutes, a report was also taken that two juvenile females had run away from Four Oaks, which is housed within the buildings on the MHI Campus. Shortly after, the vehicle was located in Independence and a traffic stop was attempted. The vehicle began to elude law enforcement through town and northbound on Highway 150, reaching speeds of 90-plus mph at times. The pursuit concluded in Hazleton when the vehicle turned westbound onto West Hayes Street and struck a street light, knocking it down. The vehicle then jumped a curb and ran into a chain-link fence. The two juveniles, 13 and 14, were taken into custody without further incident. The 13-year-old, who was not named, faces charges of operating a motor vehicle without the owners consent (aggravated misdemeanor), eluding (aggravated misdemeanor), reckless driving (simple misdemeanor), fifth-degree criminal mischief (simple misdemeanor) and numerous other traffic-related offenses including no valid driver license, failure to maintain control as well as speed and stop sign violations. The 14-year-old juvenile faces charges of operating a motor vehicle without the owners consent, eluding, fifth-degree criminal mischief and other simple misdemeanor violations. Both were transported to a juvenile detention facility. The Buchanan County Sheriffs Office was assisted by the Independence Police Department, Fayette County Sheriffs Office, Iowa State Patrol, Hazleton Fire Department and Oelwein MercyOne Ambulance. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 1 WATERLOO Police are seeking the publics help as they investigate the death of a former University of Northern Iowa softball player who was killed when she was struck by a bullet while driving on U.S. Highway 218 early Sunday morning. Micalla Alexis Rettinger, 25, of Cedar Falls, and her passengers were returning from work when the shooting happened. There is nothing to indicate the victims in this case were in any way involved in any activity that would have caused them to be targeted in this manner, said Maj. Joe Leibold with the Waterloo Police Department. Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers has offered a $7,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. Leibold said authorities want to hear from anyone who noticed anything suspicious in the area at the time of the shooting or anyone who may have a surveillance or trail camera that might have recorded something. We are asking for the publics help in locating any person who may be involved in shooting or hunting legal or illegal in the area of the Cedar River between the Highway 218 Bridge and the Conger Ave. Bridge, Leibold said. A passenger, Adam Jake Kimball, 32, also was injured in the shooting, according to police. Rettingers autopsy is scheduled today. According to police, Rettinger was driving southbound on Highway 218 at 2:38 a.m. Sunday when a bullet shattered the drivers side window not the windshield as previously reported and hit her in the neck. The projectile then struck Kimball. Rettinger pulled over near the Greenhill Road exit and was later pronounced dead at the scene. Kimball was taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City and is expected to survive, police said. A second man in the vehicle wasnt injured. The shooting happened as Rettingers Jeep was crossing the bridge over Brinker Lake and the Cedar River. The area below is heavily wooded. Waterloo Police are investigating the area around Brinker Lake. Leibold said one of the men in the vehicle had been working at a Cedar Falls bar that night, and they were traveling home when the shooting happened. There were no other vehicles on the highway in that area, according to initial reports, and there hadnt been any trouble or other incident leading up to the shooting. Police havent received any other reports of vehicles damaged by gunfire, and there were no reports of gunshots in the area at the time, Leibold said. Investigators collected fragments of the bullet for ballistics purposes. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Waterloo Police Department at 291-4340, ext. 7, or Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers at (855) 300-8477. Rettinger, a native of Lenexa, Kan., was a four-year softball player at UNI from 2013-2016. She earned second-team all-Missouri Valley Conference recognition her junior and senior years in 2015 and 2016, leading UNI in hits in the 2016 season with 56 while recording a .311 batting average with 16 extra-base hits. She also drove in 20 runs from the second spot in UNIs batting order, reaching base at a .412 clip. Rettinger graduated in 2016 with a degree in biology. Her father, Steven Rettinger, told the Des Moines Register that Rettinger was planning to become a dentist, and that she was probably picking up Kimball, her boyfriend, from his job at a Cedar Falls bar when they were both shot. Both Rettinger and Kimball were employees at Mulligan's Brick Oven in Cedar Falls, confirmed Mulligan's co-owner and manager Ryan Bennett. He declined to say what positions they held or how long they'd been employed there, and said the restaurant may release a statement at a later time. "We're just kind of trying to get our employees through it," he said Tuesday morning. Condolences began pouring in to Rettingers Facebook page when news broke. You were more than a teammate, you were a sister, said former UNI softball teammate Mel Walls. I am forever grateful for the memories. UNI released a statement Monday afternoon mourning the loss of Rettinger, known as KK. Her former softball coach Ryan Jacobs was quoted as saying she was a pretty special kid to us. I can still see the smile on her face and I remember the way she always thought of other people first in a genuine way, Jacobs said in the release. When we had youth camps, she was the one that all of the kids on campus would be drawn to. This is a huge loss to our team and everyone that knew her. UNI said a moment of silence to remember Rettinger will take place during todays softball home season finale at 5 p.m. in the UNI-Dome. Staff writer Amie Rivers contributed to this report. Love 6 Funny 33 Wow 7 Sad 148 Angry 47 Iran does not intend to close the Strait of Hormuz, but would severely confront those who endanger its security, Chief of staff of Iran's armed forces, Major-General Mohammad Baqeri said. "The [Iranian] authorities have announced that we are not seeking to close the Strait of Hormuz, but if the enemies' hostilities grow, we will be able to do it," IRNA cited him as saying. The subject of closing the strait by Iran in retaliation for the United States' hostile measures came up once again after Washington called on all buyers of Iranian oil to cut their purchases, or face penalties. Baqeri said Iran wants the strategic waterway to remain open because goods and oil of various countries, including Iran, pass through it daily. "The security of the strait is the duty of Iranian armed forces American vessels have been in contact with Iran's forces and there has been no problem so far," he said. Commander of Iranian Army Navy Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi said today that Iran and Russia agreed to conduct a joint military drill in southern waters of Iran in the near future. Earlier U.S. President Donald Trump announced that it will not renew special waivers that allowed eight countries to import Iranian oil without violating renewed sanctions. Iran reacted angrily, threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz. Senior research fellow of the Institute for Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladimir Sazhin, speaking to Vestnik Kavkaza, recalled in the first place that the issue of closing the Strait of Hormuz has been raised by the Iranian side for several years in a row, but it should not be expected in reality. "I think it's a bluff. According to various sources, from 20% to 30% of tanker oil passes through the strait, practically all the oil-producing countries of the Persian Gulf are tied to the strait. Technically it is relatively easy to close it, but politically it's very difficult," the expert said. According to him, if Iran does this, it will set oneself at odds with the Arab world completely. "I dont think that the United States, which has a central command and fleet in the Persian Gulf, will calmly look at such actions of Tehran. And it would be a serious regional war. Of course, I dont think that the U.S. and its allies will deploy land troops to attack on Iranian territory, but missile and air strikes against the naval and air bases are possible. It is quite likely. And Tehran is well aware of it," the senior research fellow of the Institute for Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences explained. He also expressed doubt that all countries, including Iran, are ready for such a war. The expert stressed that this is the next stage of intimidation by Iran of their opponents, first of all, the Americans and their allies. The head of the Iranian section of the Center for the Study of Countries at the Middle East of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the RAS, Nina Mamedova, agreed with Sazhin. "The Iranian authorities have declared their readiness to close the Strait of Hormuz during the period of sanctions of previous years, they talked about this every month, but the strait still has not been closed. It's even less likely that the current government will do it. Iran will not take this step because Tehrans key task is to preserve the JCPOA as an international treaty. If they close the strait, the JCPOA will collapse," she said. FAYETTE An Upper Iowa University alumna and champion in the field of hearing health care will deliver the commencement address during the Universitys graduation ceremonies at Harms-Eischeid Stadium in Fayette on Saturday. A native of Fosston, Minn., Lisa (Maanum) Richards, who graduated in 1993, currently serves as chief experience officer for Starkey Hearing Technologies in Eden Prairie, Minn. As part of her duties, Richards provides strategic direction for a team of more than 140 members. Richards earned bachelors degrees in marketing and psychology at UIU. She and her husband, Steve, reside in Monticello, Minn. The couple has five children and a granddaughter. Approximately 600 students are participating in the 2019 UIU Commencement ceremonies. Graduates of the universitys MBA, School of Business, and School of Science and Mathematics programs will participate in a 10 a.m. ceremony. This ceremony also includes associate degrees with an emphasis in general business. A separate ceremony will be held at 2:30 p.m. for MPA, MSC, MEd, MSA, Andres School of Education, and School of Liberal Arts graduates. Associate degrees with an emphasis in liberal arts, criminal justice and psychology will also be awarded during this program. To facilitate travel plans, the university will use the weather forecast as of Wednesday to make its decision on whether to relocate the ceremony indoors. Any relocation announcement will be posted on the homepage of the UIU website at uiu.edu. Only in an emergency would the decision be made on Saturday to relocate the ceremony. In the case of inclement weather, the ceremonies will be moved to Dorman Gymnasium at Fayette Campus. All seating is on a first-come basis. An overflow viewing area will be located in the Student Center ballrooms. Guests at this location can view the full ceremonies on live video. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Three outgoing city council members were honored by the mayor at their last meeting, including one the mayor frequently butted heads with politically, and citizens also weighed in on Monday. WATERLOO World War I camouflage and a team of young people have transformed a 103-year-old rail bridge to a work of art. Neighbors had complained that the trolley-bridge-turned-recreational-trail overpass on North Hackett Road had become a magnet for graffiti. Enter the Youth Art Team, a squad of dozens of area youngsters behind recent murals and works of public art across the city. The group with members ranging in age from 6 to 15 years visited the bridge and sketched during a 2018 summer camp before choosing dazzle camo, a pattern of geometric shapes designed to fool the eye and obscure allied ships from German submarines. The project was formally unveiled Sunday with a party for the artists. Ahmad Matlock, 15, said the project began with learning the history of the bridge. He said a number of designs were contemplated before the team settled on a dazzle theme using shades of purple, green and blue. We wanted to make sure this was protected from vandalism, and dazzle camouflage was the one that stuck out for us, he said. I think that its fun that we got to do all the different colors, and at the end it all comes together and looks really cool, said Addelyn Hoskinson, 11. When viewed from a precise spot just to the right of the bridge on the nature reserve side the lines of the geometric pattern on the side line up with the lines under the span, said Heidi Fuchtman, the teams director. Everything kind of flattens out. Everything from the inside is a flat shape, and as you go through it, it changes, Fuchtman said. She said there is a similar magical vantage point on the other side of the bridge. I think its cool that when people visit Waterloo, they can see these murals and think this isnt like any other city or town, said Sophie Matlock, 10. The mural project is supported by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts, Orchard Hill Church and Waterloo Community Foundation. Also providing support was a gift from the Shirey family, which operated a cement business in the area before it became part of the Hartman nature reserve. Advocates include Black Hawk County Conservation, City of Waterloo Historic Preservation Commission, Waterloo Center for the Arts, Waterloo Cultural & Arts Commission and the Exhibition & Collections/Public Art Committee. Painting started in September, and the group finished in November. We were on top of the bridge, panting over, and we had a truck and we had very long sticks and we got on the bed. And we got on the side of the hills, Ahmad said. I did some of the purple over there, and on the other side I did some blue, said 8-year-old Gabriel Vernoy. The teams next project is a mural on a wall near the Waterloo Center for the Arts near the Cedar River. Love 5 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 0 Eastern Iowas 58th House District appears to be popular with politically flexible candidates. Iowa Rep. Andy McKean created a Statehouse stir last week when he announced his decision to change his political party affiliation from Republican to Democrat. McKean has served two stints in the Iowa House for a total of nearly 20 years. He represents the Houses 58th District, which includes all of Jackson County, much of Jones County and a small piece of southwestern Dubuque County. The district is no stranger to the political pendulum swinging for its Statehouse representatives. Before McKean returned to the Capitol in 2017, the district was represented for six years by Brian Moore, a former Democrat who became a Republican. Moore in 2010 ran unsuccessfully in a Democratic primary for an Iowa Senate seat, then switched parties and ran that fall for the Iowa House seat and won as a Republican. From that twist in 2010 to McKeans announcement, it would seem for Iowa Republicans that the 58th District giveth and the 58th District taketh away. Its quite the coincidence the same district, one of 100 in the Iowa House, would be represented by consecutive political shape-shifters. Or maybe its not. The 58th District is certainly not the most politically divided: 31 percent Democrats, 25 percent Republicans and 44 percent no-party voters as of the most recent state data. And its in the heart of Obama-Trump country. The district swung 33 points between 2012, when Democrat Barack Obama won it, and 2016, when President Trump was the victor. Only one Iowa House District the 51st, in north Iowa swung more. Maybe in the 58th District the candidate is more important than the letter after his or her name. McKean hopes so, since he plans to run for re-election in 2020, this time with a different letter. I hope the people back home will know that Im still the same Andy McKean I always was. Ive just changed my party affiliation. But Ill still be working for the very same goals and priorities that Ive had over many years in public service, McKean said. I fully expect that there will be some ramifications. I know there will be people who will be disappointed. There will probably be people who will be pleased, too. The reaction to McKeans announcement was as mixed as it was widespread. National media outlets picked up on the news of a Statehouse Republican disavowing his party, in large part due to his disagreements with President Trumps policies and behavior. Among Iowa Republicans, some in Des Moines wished McKean well and outwardly, at least, showed no frustration with his decision. His move is especially stressful for House Republicans, who saw their majority which was pared in the 2018 election from nine to four trimmed by one more. Outside the golden dome, some Republicans were less forgiving. State party chairman Jeff Kaufmanns statement lambasted McKean and his criticism of Trump. And there was some Iowa GOP social media chatter that McKean had sealed his electoral fate by switching parties in a district that Trump carried. Predicting McKeans defeat in 2020 may be premature. That is not to say he is guaranteed a victory, only that it seems short-sighted to suggest McKean will lose just because he switched parties in a district that Trump carried. McKean has significant name recognition, a critical component in elections and especially in local races. He has been on the ballot regularly, and voters have elected him repeatedly. In a local election, McKeans party affiliation may not matter as much as candidates further up the ballot. And McKean is well-known in his district. In addition to serving as a representative for roughly two decades, he also was a Jones County supervisor. Independent of McKean and his district, political scientists will tell you voters view statehouse elections far differently than presidential elections. It is not at all uncommon for voters to split their tickets and vote for a local candidate regardless of which party they support atop the ballot. What is safe to assume is the 58th District race will be interesting in 2020. Republicans surely will work to field a strong candidate who can help them win back a seat that, with McKeans change, they have lost for the next 20 months. Erin Murphy covers Iowa politics and government for Lee Enterprises. His email address is erin.murphy@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter at @ErinDMurphy. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Last week the Hawkeye Community College board of trustees officially named Todd Holcomb as the new president of the college. Currently the president at Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff, Neb., Holcomb, 57, will be paid an annual salary of $246,500 plus benefits when he starts in his new position July 1. We feel that hes got the vision and the energy to move us forward, said HCC Board Chairman Jay Nardini. Hopefully this will be his last presidency. Were excited and so is he. Holcomb was the only sitting president among the four finalists, holding the top post at Western Nebraska for more than nine years. He also has some Iowa ties. He spent much of his childhood in Iowa growing up in Tipton, and previously served as an administrator at Iowa State University. What we know of Holcomb weve mostly learned from the board, Holcombs recent visit to the area and his resume. All look extremely good. What we know for sure is the selection process was a transparent one that included a great cross section of the colleges stakeholders including public input. Each finalist met privately with Cedar Valley business and education leaders, as well as Hawkeye cabinet members during their respective visits. They participated in two open forums and an interview, also open to the public. Thats appropriate since, over the past couple of decades, the college has built and strengthened increasingly important partnerships in the community namely with area high schools and businesses. During his visit, Holcomb stressed the importance of further developing its high school career pathways a focus that gained considerable momentum under current HCC President Linda Allen, who announced earlier this year her plans to retire. As that particular focus developed over the years, we have praised its vision numerous times in this space. Preparing young and not-so-young people for well-paying positions in the area workforce is of great importance. So, too is maintaining the health and development of the entire college. Under Holcombs guidance, Western Nebraska has grown out-of-state enrollment and has been extremely effective at attracting that regions Hispanic population. Hispanic students now make up 23 percent of the colleges enrollment compared to 9 percent when he took over. He has boosted staff of the colleges foundation and nearly tripled its endowment. Your president is your chief fundraising officer, Holcomb stated at his open interview. Thats my job, and I love it. I knew early on that fundraising was going to be critical to the community college. Over the past half century, Hawkeye Community College has steadily gained importance as an integral part of the Cedar Valleys education and workforce sectors. When Hawkeye first opened, there was no campus. The programs that made up the fledgling Hawkeye Institute of Technology in 1966 were spread across the community. A total of 227 students enrolled that first fall in programs such as nursing, mechanical and electronic engineering, auto mechanics and body repair, machine specialist and welding. In 1993 the school became Hawkeye Community College. Today, Hawkeye has an enrollment of about 5,200 students and a nearly $70 million budget. Its important role in the Cedar Valley calls for excellent leadership, and we believe Hawkeye Community College officials clearly did their due diligence on behalf of the community during this transparent selection process. Holcomb said he sees himself as the orchestra director, bringing together people playing a wide range of instruments to perform a symphony. I think thats my strength, pulling people together, he said. Thats music to our ears. With its focus on community partnerships, that is a necessary strength as Hawkeye Community College moves forward as an ever-increasing valuable asset to the Cedar Valley and the state of Iowa. Wed like to take this early opportunity to welcome future HCC President Todd Holcomb to the Cedar Valley. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Ukraines President-Elect Vladimir Zelensky should start protecting human rights with Georgians, namely Mikhail Saakashvili. "As for freedoms, it would be reasonable to start, say, with Georgians, or former Georgians, rather than with Russians. For instance, it would be fair to restore the Ukrainian citizenship of a person who used to be a Georgian but now calls himself a Ukrainian, I mean Mikhail Saakashvili," TASS cited the Russian leader as saying. He pointed out that Saakashvili "was illegally deprived of citizenship and deported from the country, so it would be fair to bring him back and restore his rights, as well as the rights of many other Ukrainian nationals who had to leave the country and move abroad in order to escape the current Ukrainian regimes persecution," Putin added. Saakashvili served two terms as Georgias president, from January 2004 to November 2007 and from January 2008 to mid-November 2013. In May 2015, Saakashvili was granted Ukrainian citizenship, which resulted in his Georgian citizenship being terminated by the Georgian presidents decision. He then served as Odessa Regional Governor, but eventually stepped down. In July 2017, Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko stripped him of his Ukrainian citizenship, and in February 2018, the Ukrainian authorities expelled him to Poland. The Ukrainian State Border Service banned Saakashvili from entering the country until 2021. However, he said he would never stop trying to return to Ukraine. SAN FRANCISCO The fate of the Burning Man event, a Pagan-adjacent event, may rest in the hands of the many people who travel to the middle of Black Rock Desert each year to be part of the temporary community that seemingly appears from the desert sands. This year, the non-profit Burning Man Project and the event organizers, have seen more than their usual share of challengessome that are yet to be overcome. On April 10, the ticketing process had a number of glitches, leaving some of those trying to buy tickets frustrated and angry, and ultimately without tickets. Patron Technology and ShowClix partnered together to manage the sale of tickets for Burning Man this year for the first time. According to reports on multiple sites and platforms, the ticket system was completely overwhelmed. Two weeks later the president of ShowClix, Brian Arnone, published a formal apology on the companys blog. The most serious challenge facing Burning Man is negotiating a deal with Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a division of the Department of the Interior, to renew their 10-year permit to use the space in the Black Rock Desert for the event. The BLM issued a draft of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on March 15, 2019 that the Burning Man Project cites as, Many of the measures recommended by BLM are unreasonable, untenable, attempt to solve problems that dont exist, and/or create new (and worse) problems. Some the requirements that the BLM wants met are: a requirement that organizers install dumpsters and hire companies to haul out the trash 10 miles of concrete barriers installed on the events perimeter for security authorities in place to conduct vehicle searches at the gate The Burning Man Journal site followed by breaking down the reasons many of the requirements are problematic. Altogether, these requirements would fundamentally change the operational integrity and cultural fabric of Black Rock City, and would spell the end of the event as we know it. The public comment period for responses to the BLM concerning the EIS draft and the permitting, ends today, April 29, 2019. * * * CLEVELAND The Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick reopened last Saturday in its new location in Clevelands Old Brooklyn neighborhood. The museums previous location on West 14Street in Tremont neighborhood had seen increases in rent that were unsustainable. Museum director, Steven Intermill, and his wife Jillian have operated the museum since 2017 in partnership with Toni Rotonda, who purchased it from Buckland in 2015. They are excited about the new location. Intermill said of the new space, Its four times as big, weve been able to bring out so much more of our collection from storage. The collection has been dubbed one of the most significant magickal collections in American history and spans over 50 years of Bucklands travels and acquiring various artifacts from a variety of sources. Some of the more notable pieces are a briefcase and horned pipe that once belonged to Gerald Gardner, Bucklands own ritual wand and ceremonial robe, as well as thousands of books, and variety of newspaper clippings that featured Buckland numbering in the hundreds. The museum has had quite a number of homes over the years. Buckland first started displaying the items he collected in his home on Long Island. By the mid-60s he had acquired so many pieces; he decided to open a museum in Bayshore, New York. From 1976 until 1980, the collection was on display in Weirs Beach, New Hampshire. Then it was in storage until 1999, and ended up in Louisiana. In 2009 Rev. Velvet Rieth of Covenant of the Pentacle Wiccan Church, was named curator and began the task of sorting and restoring the collection and placed some of it once again on display, this time in New Orleans. Sadly, Rieth was unable to complete the work as she was diagnosed with a rare form of dementia and crossed the Veil in early 2017. During Rieths tenure as curator, she also transported some of the pieces to various festivals so the collection might be shared with the larger community. In other news : The Correllian Nativist Church announced the celebration of the 40 th anniversary of M. Rev. Don Lewis as First Priest to take place during the Lustration of the Ancestors weekend, hosted by Pure Sanctuary Temple in Danville, Ill., May 3 5, 2019. anniversary of M. Rev. Don Lewis as First Priest to take place during the Lustration of the Ancestors weekend, hosted by Pure Sanctuary Temple in Danville, Ill., May 3 5, 2019. Edain McCoys passing last month motivated a group of McCoys friends, in coordination with and sponsorship of Circle Sanctuary, to start a memorial fund to cover the cost of honoring her request to have her ashes interred with a memorial stone at Circle Cemetery. Donations can be made via Paypal. The Satanic Temple (TST) announced last week that it has been approved by the IRS as a faith-based non-profit organization or church. TWH will have more on this story and their change in tax status will affect their various projects moving forward. An open letter and petition regarding last years de-platforming of presenters has been circulated on social media and was delivered to Pantheacon organizers. According to the petition site on change.org, the petition was delivered on April 3, while it continues to seek signatures. Earlier this month TWH reported on efforts to create a Pagan credit union. Two of the supporters of the project have withdrawn their participation. In a post in the public Facebook group, The Pagan (Proposed) Credit Union Project, Belladonna Laveau of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church (ATC) said, Due to recent developments, the Aquarian Tabernacle Church and the Correllian Nativst Church are unable to move forward with this project at this time. Members of the steering committee are intent on moving forward with their plans for the credit union. TWH is following this story closely and will report any new developments as the project moves forward. The Summer Solstice Faerie Festival announced the new location for its event. The festival had been held at Sproutwood Farm Center in Westminster, Maryland for the past 27 years. This year Sproutwood Farm in partnership with the Marshy Point Nature Center Council will hold the event at the Marshy Point Nature Center. A new establishment open in Seattle may be of interest to Heathens and Pagans, Skal Beer Hall. Skal features aesthetics similar to that of a Viking meadhall serving a rotating variety of local and Scandinavian craft beer, cider, mead, wine, & aquavit cocktails. The menu reflects their own description, inspired by the idea of a Viking butcher shop and features a variety of sausages, roasted chicken, other Scandinavian-style items, including a variety of mustards. Tarot of the week by Star Bustamonte Deck: Vanessa Tarot by Lynard Narciso, published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. Card: Lovers VI (six) Major Arcana This week may put the focus on relationships of all types. Trust, fulfillment, and commitment could all figure prominently in a myriad of the ties that connect us to others in our livespersonal, business, and spiritual. 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(13) Apr 11 (14) Apr 10 (16) Apr 09 (20) Apr 08 (36) Apr 07 (22) Apr 06 (11) Apr 05 (28) Apr 04 (20) Apr 03 (29) Apr 02 (32) Apr 01 (18) Mar 31 (12) Mar 30 (9) Mar 29 (15) Mar 28 (22) Mar 27 (24) Mar 26 (17) Mar 25 (17) Mar 24 (13) Mar 23 (5) Mar 22 (12) Mar 21 (15) Mar 20 (18) Mar 19 (19) Mar 18 (16) Mar 17 (10) Mar 16 (6) Mar 15 (18) Mar 14 (24) Mar 13 (18) Mar 12 (18) Mar 11 (17) Mar 10 (13) Mar 09 (12) Mar 08 (18) Mar 07 (25) Mar 06 (16) Mar 05 (16) Mar 04 (22) Mar 03 (17) Mar 02 (6) Mar 01 (23) Feb 29 (19) Feb 28 (25) Feb 27 (26) Feb 26 (23) Feb 25 (12) Feb 24 (13) Feb 23 (15) Feb 22 (26) Feb 21 (31) Feb 20 (12) Feb 19 (21) Feb 18 (15) Feb 17 (10) Feb 16 (15) Feb 15 (19) Feb 14 (15) Feb 13 (25) Feb 12 (20) Feb 11 (9) Feb 10 (7) Feb 09 (28) Feb 08 (20) Feb 07 (22) Feb 06 (20) Feb 05 (19) Feb 04 (14) Feb 03 (16) Feb 02 (28) Feb 01 (37) Jan 31 (27) Jan 30 (31) Jan 29 (18) Jan 28 (14) Jan 27 (10) Jan 26 (18) Jan 25 (26) Jan 24 (34) Jan 23 (21) Jan 22 (21) Jan 21 (18) Jan 20 (18) Jan 19 (18) Jan 18 (26) Jan 17 (24) Jan 16 (23) Jan 15 (30) Jan 14 (20) Jan 13 (18) Jan 12 (24) Jan 11 (11) Jan 10 (23) Jan 09 (22) Jan 08 (17) Jan 07 (17) Jan 06 (9) Jan 05 (18) Jan 04 (15) Jan 03 (19) Jan 02 (14) Jan 01 (6) Dec 31 (12) Dec 30 (4) Dec 29 (15) Dec 28 (11) Dec 27 (7) Dec 26 (10) Dec 25 (16) Dec 24 (13) Dec 23 (16) Dec 22 (11) Dec 21 (26) Dec 20 (28) Dec 19 (14) Dec 18 (25) Dec 17 (23) Dec 16 (19) Dec 15 (22) Dec 14 (38) Dec 13 (26) Dec 12 (25) Dec 11 (27) Dec 10 (31) Dec 09 (15) Dec 08 (30) Dec 07 (31) Dec 06 (27) Dec 05 (38) Dec 04 (25) Dec 03 (27) Dec 02 (15) Dec 01 (36) Nov 30 (23) Nov 29 (17) Nov 28 (23) Nov 27 (13) Nov 26 (16) Nov 25 (14) Nov 24 (18) Nov 23 (21) Nov 22 (21) Nov 21 (24) Nov 20 (20) Nov 19 (23) Nov 18 (17) Nov 17 (17) Nov 16 (34) Nov 15 (25) Nov 14 (17) Nov 13 (21) Nov 12 (18) Nov 11 (9) Nov 10 (15) Nov 09 (9) Nov 08 (9) Nov 07 (12) Nov 06 (8) Nov 05 (4) Oct 29 (1) Oct 01 (1) Jul 29 (1) May 11 (1) Jul 11 (1) The Telugu remake of the blockbuster Tamil romantic drama, 96, began its shooting formalities earlier this month in Mauritius. The team had canned hero Sharwanands introduction song in this picturesque country. After wrapping up the Mauritius schedule, the team flew to Kenya for yet another crucial schedule. The Kenya schedule kick-started on Saturday. Scenes featuring Sharwa as a wildlife photographer are being shot at the moment. After the brief Kenya schedule, the unit will return to Hyderabad and continue shooting in Vizag and Hyderabad until the completion of the entire production formalities. Samantha, who plays Sharwas estranged girlfriends role, will join the team in the Hyderabad schedule. 96s Tamil versions director Prem Kumar is helming the Telugu remake. Dil Raju is producing the movie. Articles that might interest you: It looks like Portugal is going to see a mini-reunion of the Akkineni family, thanks to Manamdhudu 2s ongoing shoot. Directed by Rahul Ravindran, the film has Nagarjuna and Rakul Preet playing the lead roles, and its being produced under Annapurna Studios banner. Recently, Amala Akkineni flew to Portugal to spend time with Nagarjuna, and she has been bonding quite a lot with the rest of the cast and crew. Now, Samantha too is on her way to Portugal. We had earlier reported that Samantha will be playing a cameo in the film; however, theres still no clarity over what role shes going to play in the film. Earlier this month, Samantha scored a blockbuster with Majili, and shell soon join the sets of 96. The actress is expected to come back to Hyderabad shortly, and in the next few weeks, shell also kickoff promotions of her next film, Oh Baby. Articles that might interest you: by Michael Liss Read your fate, see what is before you, and walk on into futurity. Henry David Thoreau It has been a little over a week since the redacted Mueller Report was released, and so many words have been spilled that there could be a drought by summer if the umbrage reservoirs are not refilled. Can we just retire the word closure? The legal verdict is in, and I dont plan to re-litigate it here. Robert Mueller determined there was not enough to charge President Trump with collusion, and Attorney General William Barr decided that Trump did not obstruct justice. We all can look at the (unredacted) facts they based their judgments on, and question whether those judgments were correct, but this phase of it is almost certainly over. The President and his inner circle are not going to be indicted. That certainly is life-affirming. Whats next? How do we read our fate, see what is before us, and walk on into futurity? We might start with perhaps the most under-reported angle of the cycle: the practical implications of Muellers finding that the Trump Campaigns scores of contacts with the Russians and WikiLeaks were not, per se, illegal. Despite diligent efforts, despite countless dots, Mueller could not find what he thought would have been determinativea hard agreement that would have nailed down collusion. His team evaluated a lot of meetings, a lot of discussions, a lot of timing coincidences, but, in the absence of a specific exchange of quid pro quos, smoke, no fire. Im not critiquing Muellers thought process. I accept it. But it leaves us with a serious problem. If we concede that what Trump did was legal, then he created a template for the future: Meet as much as you want with a foreign power, talk, explore points of mutual interest, but dont actually agree to anything. Apparently, as long as you dont say, Wouldnt mind some traffic problems in Cuyahoga County, what would you want on sanctions relief? its not criminal. This is exactly the thinking that leads the Trump team to send Rudy Giuliani out there on a Sunday morning to tell Jake Tapper, Theres nothing wrong with taking information from the Russians. Let us all hope that when we get a little distance from this, smart principled people from both sides will realize the incredible threat Rudys ravings constitute. You dont talk to the Russians, or the Chinese, or any other country, or a stateless entity like WikiLeaks, whether they are friend or foe of the United States, to gain an advantage in an election. Those folks will see it as transactional and, sooner or later, if something is not paid for, will present a bill for services rendered that can only be redeemed in the currency of national interest. But what Trump did, he did. The election is over; Mueller is not the Deus Ex Machina. Big win for Trump, no matter how you spin it. Hes been fundraising off it from the moment Barr dropped the four page summary with the smiley-faces plastered all over it. Of course, some wins are more pleasurable than others, and Trump is not feeling the love quite so much anymore. Thats why he keeps up a stream of invective-laden tweets and comments including phrases like hit job and true Trump-haters rather than just taking a lap. The Mueller Report is terribly damaging to Trumps image. What we have is a portrait of a grifty, swampy, unserious, unqualified man and his grabby, often corrupt team playing footsie with the Russians and WikiLeaks, then lying about it continuously, screaming fake news, and letting (and encouraging) his underlings do the same. Whats more, Trumps impulses are awful. Mueller documented 10 close calls which, if Trumps staff had actually done what their boss demanded, clearly would have constituted obstruction. Since their scruples led them to refuse, and Mueller had some concerns about indicting a sitting President, he passed the obstruction decision to Barr, who then applied his somewhat more idiosyncratic moral code to assume the dual role of defense counsel and judge and then exonerate his own client. What about all that nasty spying on the Trump campaign? Mueller thoroughly undermined the rationale for that one, although it wont stop Trump and his conservative allies in Congress and the media from screeching about it and demanding investigations. Ask yourself seriously whether the intelligence agencies should ignore roughly 140 contacts between any Presidential campaign and a foreign power, much less one with which we have been fighting proxy wars in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, and to which we just gave notice of withdrawal from a major nuclear arms control treaty over its non-compliance. In a way, Mueller and perhaps even Barr did us a favor. A legal solution was never going to be satisfactory. Trumps actions as a candidate and then as a President need to be judged in a political forum. Congress has to do its job and decide whether remedies like impeachment or censure are appropriate, and the electorate has to do theirs, by making their preferences known to their representatives, and marching to the voting booth next November. Impeachment? The House can certainly start if it wants. We impeached a President for skanky personal behavior with a White House aide; why cant we impeach one for actions that challenged the legitimacy of our elections and potentially compromised our national security? But see what is before you. It is not done in a vacuum. Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer are almost certainly right. The public doesnt currently support it, and the chances of 20 Republican Senators voting to convict are roughly equal to those of William Weld knocking Trump out in the primaries. I have seen very reasonable arguments that the rule of law needs to be defended, that history demands it, and that public hearings might be cathartic and informative, as Nixons were. There is a lot of truth in them. But Trumps America is not Nixons. Yes, this could be a great civics lesson, but it could also turn into a circus. Whats more, I cannot see Kevin McCarthy, Mitch McConnell, and Lindsey Graham making a solemn visit to the White House to deliver the bad news that time is up. This isnt your fathers Republican Party. So what are Democrats to do when it just burns us up to see all this? Not only is Trump President because, in part, he had an affair with Putin, but hes kicking the crap out of usgoing after everything we care about with the venom of an outlaw-biker-gang leader on meth. It burns even more that, after all those lies, he calls us the traitors (the dirtiest word in the English language) and blasts as an Enemy of the People anyone in the media who dares cover him with anything less than fulsome praise. See what is before you. We Democrats have to control ourselves. To beat Trump, to start the process of cleaning the stables, we need to see him thoroughly repudiated by the electorate. That is not going to be easy. He cheatswe know that. The Russians are already sowing discord in Democratic ranks and targeting Bernie voters, and reports are that the subject cant even be discussed in the White House. Hes the incumbent and has a tremendous amount of leverage to use taxpayer assets for his benefit. Republicans control voting procedures in some critical statesand no, Brett Kavanaugh is not going to help us out on voter suppression. Trumps base remains a rockhis approval ratings have a hard floor. As for money, the people who have quietly benefited from Trump, even those who wouldnt be caught dead with him, are going to hold their noses and write some seriously big checks to protect their investments. All this is known. And, at times like this, what do we Democrats do? We see what is beside us, and form a circular firing squad. Amy was mean to her staff; Kirsten was mean to Al Franken; Kamala was mean to criminals; Joe cant be mean (hes not a mean guy), but he is a little touchy. Pete is not mean, but hes so many things at the same time we cant even keep track of them. Hes also not really a Liberal. Bernie, on the other hand, is not really a Democratand, from looking at last years tax return, not really a Socialist. Elizabeth is not really a Native American. And Beto is not nearly as neato as Pete-O. And thats just the first tier! Wait until we get to Dancer and Prancer and Vixen and Comethave you heard what they have been saying about reindeers? Personally, I was rooting for Sherrod Brown (but isnt he kind of rumpled?). Come, on, Democrats. Surely, we can get past this crazy, fault-finding variation on the Blind Men and the Elephant where we feel a tusk and think its Amy Klobuchars salad-scooping comb? Even the Rushmore Four were flawed. No one ever achieved high office (maybe not even Mayor of South Bend) without being a little sharp-elbowed or flexible at times. Its not like weve always been pure ourselvesafter all, we nominated both Clintons. Arizona, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, North Carolina. We need a good candidate. Articulate, tough, fearless, willing take a punch to give one. Americans admire someone who is willing to fight for something they care aboutits part of the reason why some of them took a chance on Trump in the first place. We have to compete for those votesjust energizing our base will lead to bigger margins in Blue States and more complaints about the Electoral College. So, lets play Trump Voter eharmony (or Tinder, depending on whether you want a long term relationship or would be content with an Election Day fling). How are we going to woo enough of those folks who decided to date the bad-boy with the cool convertible last time, particularly since weve been telling them for the last 2 years they have terrible taste in partners and must have some moral flaw for sticking with him? See what is before you. Its not just about Trump, because many Trump supporters have internalized his excesses and still see something that they like in him. Its usour failure to offer an attractive alternative, not merely in a candidate, but also in ideas and vision. It is possible, by being the Anti-Trump and hoping he self-destructs, that we might chip away just enough votes to regain the White House. But thats betting on an inside straight. What we need to do is remake ourselves on the fly and, in the words of a very smart Millennial I know, give the voters something they did not get with Hillarythe sense of being part of a movement and not merely supporting a candidacy. Im with her was a terrible slogan. Shes with us would have been the better one. In the end, everyone worries about the future, and his or her part in it. Trump addresses that: Put aside every tweet, every insult, and every rant, and the core of his campaign (especially his focus on immigration) is that the solution to the future is to restore the America of the past. This may be regressive, but it is particularly potent with voters who feel their standing is challenged. We have to do better. Our balance is offinequality and injustice are important issues, but so also are healthcare, the environment, opportunity at a time where technology is increasingly replacing jobs, and privacy in a pervasively intrusive world. We should work to make the latter four ours. If we Democrats can, then we can construct a new winning coalition and begin to recapture the things we value. But, if we cant, if all we can do is bicker and fall back on self-indulgent outrage, then we are doomed to repeat recent history. But it will be a worse history. As Steve Bannon said in an interview with Politico, Youre going to get pure Trump off the chain. Four years of Donald Trump in payback mode. See that before you. by Dave Maier Realism is a word with many senses. In politics, its synonymous with pragmatism in being the alternative to idealism, which it considers naive. In science, realists oppose instrumentalism and (extreme forms of) empiricism, positing a reality behind the phenomena of empirical investigation. In philosophy as well, one can be a realist about this or that by resisting the reduction of that or this phenomenon to other things thought more ontologically basic. Mainly, though, philosophical realism is metaphysical realism, an ontological commitment to a basic reality irreducible to, and independent of, mind, belief, language, social conventions, empirical observations whatever you got. On this side of the pond, realism has generally been considered the default position, but analytic philosophy was born in linguistic analysis and a robust strain of empiricism, so various sorts of antirealism have remained popular here as well. On the Continent, however, things are different. Analytic philosophy was a revolt against a post-Hegelian tradition which remained dominant in Europe, and in the last third of the previous century, when postmodernism ruled supreme, continental realists hardly dared even show their faces in public. At least, thats the story now being related by a new breed of continental realist. Now that postmodernism is yesterdays (or last weeks) news, realism is popping up all over. If postmodernism was nonsense on stilts, then a return to common sense can only be good. But analytic antirealists, at least, arent just dimwits or charlatans, and we shouldnt simply identify substantive philosophical claims, however intuitive, with mere sanity; and continental realism, it turns out, comes in a bewildering variety of forms. Before sounding the hosannas, and awarding the palm to realism at last, we owe this new development a closer look. Graham Harman (no relation, I dont think, to philosopher Gilbert Harman, whose views I have occasionally been accused of sharing) is the most visible new realist, with several books and a vigorous internet presence, but is not, as he acknowledges, the first. In a foreword to Italian philosopher Maurizio Ferrariss book Manifesto of New Realism (2014), Harman tells us that Ferraris had seen the light (in a flash, during a lecture by hermeneutic philosopher Hans-Georg Gadamer) by 1992, and Ferraris describes the book as a summary of the last twenty years of his thoughts on the subject, putting him at what we might as well call the beginning. As Ferraris notes, the context of this turn to realism is all-important, and he means his book to be an explicit response to three crucial points of postmodernist dogma: 1) Ironization: taking a theory seriously shows a form of dogmatism, and we should therefore maintain an ironical detachment toward our statements. 2) Desublimation: the idea that desire constitutes as such a form of emancipation, because reason and intellect are forms of dominion, and liberation must be looked for through feelings and the body, which are revolutionary per se. 3) [most of all] Deobjectification: the assumption that there are no facts but only interpretations, as well as its corollary for which friendly solidarity should prevail over an indifferent and violent objectivity. [p.4] If the wording of (1) and (3) didnt already suggest it, footnotes confirm that Richard Rorty (as well as Nietzsche, whose infamous note 481 of The Will to Power is quoted in its entirety without further comment) is a prime target. (That of (2) turns out to be Gilles Deleuze, not usually thought to be a major postmodernist; well come back to him later.) In response, Ferraris lists several overlapping features of the real world which should restore our faith in facts [before, I quoted; here I paraphrase]: 1) Ancestrality: briefly, the real world cant be socially constructed, because it was here before anyone was around to construct it. (We will see a subtler version of this argument below.) 2. Unamendability: we cannot change reality by the mere use of conceptual schemes (there is an entirely spurious citation of Wittgensteins remark about bedrock here). A corollary: if we could indeed do so, things would be better (unless were masochists). 3. Similarly, we can well imagine experiences that occur without language: I can slip on the ice without having that concept. 4. Being and knowing (ontology and epistemology) are not the same; the alleged postmodern opposite, again, is Nietzsche: (there are no facts, only interpretations). 5. the world is (not simply unamendable by, but) completely external to conceptual schemes. This seems to be directed at Kantians: The constructionist claims that if fire burns [] it all depends on conceptual schemes. It is clearly not so [] It depends on the fact that fire burns [] I can know (or ignore) all I want; the world is what it is. [pp. 32-3] These are all things which realists can be expected to say, and they may indeed be familiar from the realism debates on our own shores. Also familiar, unfortunately, is the suggestion, throughout the book, that refuting postmodernism, and establishing realism in its place, is a matter simply of a) alluding to common understandings of postmodernists as facile idealists and/or relativists (or, as with Nietzsche, quoting the alleged proof-text without further comment), and b) restating everyday trivialities in response. This better not be all there is to new realism, or were wasting our time. As it turns out, we can indeed do better. Another writer Harman namechecks as a prime mover in the new realist movement is French philosopher Quentin Meillassoux. While superficially similar to Ferrariss Manifesto, Meillassouxs After Finitude spends rather less time abusing postmodernism, devoting most of its pages to a rigorous, detailed argument for a fairly specific although indeed decidedly realist metaphysical position. This requires confronting what Meillassoux calls correlationism, which consists, he tells us, in disqualifying the claim that it is possible to consider the realms of subjectivity and objectivity independently of each other [ that is, that not only do] we never grasp an object in itself, in isolation from its relation to the subject, but [] we can never grasp a subject that would not always-already be related to an object. [p.5] In most new-realist writing that I have seen, correlationism functions as an all-purpose term of abuse, applying not only to the usual idealist and postmodern suspects but also, as one writer has it, to hermeneutics, Wittgensteinian philosophy, pragmatism, analytic anti-realism, existentialism, etc. Meillassoux himself does refer to correlationism as the central notion of modern philosophy since Kant, but in this formulation, while or because more substantive than Ferrariss triviality, the rejected idea seems to represent a fairly specific post-Kantian constructivism rather than mere resistance to metaphysical realism in general (not, of course, that Meillassoux would be happy with that either). Whether this is indeed the case will depend on what it means, for example, to grasp things (or encounter, or think them), but lets move on. Meillassoux takes similar care in unpacking his prime argument, familiar in its crude form from above, from ancestrality. He grants that his idealist opponent will affirm the empirical triviality that the world existed before we got here if someone had been there to see it, then they would indeed have seen it, and its empirical reality need not depend on its actually being seen but the idealist will also add a codicil that this triviality need not imply the existence of a real world preceding givenness itself, which, whatever exactly that means, is unacceptable to Meillassouxs project. In this formulation, the argument from ancestrality is thus fairly involved, and its not entirely clear where exactly we end up, but it does at least seem to transcend mere abuse, albeit without convincing me that such an argument can uproot, in one go, the correlationism allegedly common to great swaths of philosophy indeed, virtually everything since Kant in favor of what, again, seems like a fairly specific metaphysical end (the subtitle of After Finitude is An Essay on the Necessity of Contingency, not Why Realism is True After All). In any case, while its easy for me as someone resisting traditional Cartesian metaphysical realism to ignore crude anti-postmodern abuse, as deployed in support of realistic trivialities, its less easy for me to shrug off as irrelevant a detailed argument which purports to establish something not only explicitly advertised as pre-critical, but which also sounds a lot like the sort of unpleasantly dualistic picture found in Descartes. Indeed, it seems that Meillassouxs main disagreement with Descartes is not with the latters industrial-strength dualism but with his dogmatism, in for example appealing to Gods supposed non-deceptive nature to get us out of his self-imposed skeptical predicament (and, beyond that, to a conception of the absolute which depends crucially on the concept of necessity). On the other hand, especially since Im already happy to allow something like the necessity of contingency (not to mention the possibility of substantive metaphysics in general), Im not in a big hurry to finish this book. Finally, lets meet Graham Harman himself, here in conversation with another continental realist, Manuel Delanda. This book, called The Rise of Realism (I recommend the Kindle edition, so you dont get weird looks on the subway; see cover at right), is particularly enlightening for a couple of reasons. First, while condemning correlationism (no surprise there), Harman and Delanda (hereinafter HD) say quite a bit more about what realism might mean. Second, while agreeing that there is a real world in some strong sense, they disagree quite a bit with each other (and with Meillassoux for that matter) about what sorts of thing that real world contains. Delanda, for example, virtually equates realism with (his brand of) materialism, while Harman has written articles like I Am Also of the Opinion that Materialism Must Be Destroyed. Harmans short-lived group of speculative realists (also including Ray Brassier, Levi Bryant, and Iain Hamilton Grant) disbanded for similar reasons a few years ago. Following Lee Bravers exposition (in his 2007 book A Thing of This World: A History of Continental Anti-Realism), HD list six theses about which one might come down on the side of realism or antirealism: R1/A1: The world is not/is dependent on the mind. R2/A2: Truth is/is not correspondence. R3/A3: There is/is not one true, complete description of how the world is. R4/A4: Any statement is/is not necessarily either true or untrue. R5/A5: Knowledge is/is not passive with respect to what it knows. R6/A6: The human subject does/does not have a fixed character. To these, Harman adds: R7/A7: The relation of the human subject with the world is not/is a privileged relation for philosophy. Harman complains about A7 a lot: correlationists, he believes, are so committed to the for-us that they never consider that there are plenty of other things out there which are not human subjects, and that the relations between those things dont depend in any way on our own capacities. As he notes, one could, with Kant apparently, believe both R1 and A7; so already we have a subtler, if potentially more inconclusive, treatment than we have seen previously. Next, Delanda adds: R8/A8: The world is not/is a holistic entity in which everything is inextricably related. Delanda takes Deleuze a primary influence to be an R8 (and thus not the postmodernist Ferraris thinks him to be), identifying R8 with the doctrine of relations being external to their terms, a concept central to both of HD, although the metaphysical results for each, as noted, are quite different. (Briefly, Harman believes in individual essences (preceding, and thus not exhausted by or reducible to, the relations engaged in by individual objects), while Delanda endorses a (post-) Deleuzian ontology of flows or flux. Its less clear to me how this requires a doctrine of external relations, or R8, but that doctrine is indeed something that Deleuze himself says all the time, so theres that.) Delanda adds one final thesis, citing Derrida as an example: R9/A9: Subjective experience is not/is linguistically structured. It follows from A9, according to Delanda, that each culture lives in its own world, and that there is not one real world that we all share, which certainly sounds like antirealism, even if Id require more explication of at least four terms here before Id accept R9 (I guess is is okay, but maybe thats up for grabs too!). So, points to HD for their careful (if not, as I believe, comprehensive) review of our options here, and I recommend this book as an excellent resource (warning: it gets rather technical, and indeed over my own head, in spots). I will content myself here with a single potential gripe, to wit: I wonder if perhaps the entire presentation tilts the playing field toward realism. If this discussion is to arrive at a substantive conclusion, the R-statements cant simply be trivially true. If they were, wed all agree on them, congratulating ourselves on putting nonsense behind us; but once the party was over wed be pretty much where we started (minus the loons). There would turn out to be different kinds and degrees of realism (in addition, as here, to differences about which things are the real ones). In any case, thats not how HD present it. Heres Harman on R1: The great likelihood that the universe pre-existed humans has enough prima facie plausibility that any philosophy denying it has a heavy burden to carry. If theres only a great likelihood that its true, its not a triviality; but how heavy is that burden supposed to be? That is, what exactly would A1 be denying? To their credit, HD take this problem seriously, and spend some effort trying to get clear on the exact sense of independence they mean (as clear, that is, as is possible without a non-realist in the room to press them). Once thats settled, though, its easy for the careful disambiguation to fall away. R1 means that the world is independent, full stop; and now we must choose it or its opposite, and bring in, as perhaps not definitive evidence, but perhaps only showing a great likelihood of truth, the fact that the universe pre-existed humans. But is that the triviality it seems, or something apparently more substantive, as in Meillassoux? The deck still seems rhetorically stacked: any balking at R1 means you dont think the world preceded us, and how crazy is that? In my view, it would be better to explain R1-R8 and A1-A8 as not necessarily simply contradictory, leaving space for us to reject both (or accept both, for that matter). After all, R4 (bivalence) is, I take it, not supposed to be a triviality, so we shouldnt just be assuming it (note that we leave open the possibility of picking one or the other each time, thus not assuming A4 either). In other words (or relatedly, anyway), we might wonder whether R1-8 are themselves to be realistically construed. HDs procedure here is in line with the typical realist assumption that self-reference can only be a problem for relativists (relativism isnt true-for-me, so ha; but is realism true? Yes!). However, this only follows with realism already in place (think about it). Back to the positive, though: I have already learned quite a bit from this book, and I am interested in hearing more from Delanda in particular, whose realism depending, again, on what exactly these flows turn out to be may not, in practice anyway, be any impediment. So stay tuned! by Robert Fay During the annus horribilis of 1968 when it became clear the U.S. would never win in Vietnam, John Wayne decided to star and direct in a propaganda film called The Green Berets. Wayne was a die-hard Orange County anti-communist who believed that the U.S. military was winning on the battlefield in South Vietnam, but losing in the media and public relations realm. Rather shrewdly, Wayne centered his film on the U.S. Army Special Forces, a.k.a. the Green Berets, whose small 12-man A-Teams lived and trained with the anti-communist Montagnards, the indigenous peoples of Vietnams remote central highlands. The Green Berets in the 1960s were an all-volunteer, highly-selective outfit with both mystique and a bit of holdover, Kennedy-era glamour. These teams spoke the local languages and formed close and often lifelong bonds with their Montagnard peers. This mission profile remains to this day the classic Special Forces game; make contact with local populations and then fight alongside them against a common enemy. If John Wayne had depicted the typical American military units in Vietnam, main-line U.S. Army or U.S. Marine Corps infantry troops trudging through rice fieldseven with all the hilarious puffery of Hollywood special effectshed have had far-less glamour to work with. These units were often filled with draftees who went out on company-sized operations supported by massive amounts of artillery and air support, some of it indiscriminately unleashed upon the countryside. There were generally no Vietnamese speakers among the troops, and the cultural and historical knowledge (e.g., of the recent Indochina War between the Vietnamese and the French) was nil. The civilians naturally feared the Americans because of their firepower, and the U.S. troopers returned the sentiment, because they could not distinguish between combatants and non-combatants, since the Viet Cong guerrillas wore the same peasant clothing as villagers. At its worst, this combination of anger, fear, confusion, hatred and profound ignorance led to evils like the My Lai massacre in 1968, were U.S. Army soldiers murdered upwards of 500 unarmed Vietnamese civilians. This is not, of course, what John Wayne depicted in The Green Berets, were the atrocities are naturally committed by communists, and the American Special Forces soldiers come off as big-hearted UNICEF workers who happen to carry M-16s, wear tiger-camouflage battle dress and occasionally mow down hordes of robotic Orientals. I first saw the film sometime in the late 1970s on broadcast television. I was around nine or ten and the film had a profound effect on me. It was the first time Id been exposed to the idiomatic (and now iconic) language of the Vietnam War: Charlie, Hughey helicopters, The VC, and punji sticks. I found it fascinating. I wanted to know more, and started seeking out books on Vietnam. This wasnt my first pull toward the subject of war; Id seen several classic World War II movies by then and I had a juvenile reader on the U.S. Civil War. I can still remember a colorful graphic of Confederate soldiers in their gray tunics laying behind a stone wall and firing at unseen Blue Coats at Shiloh. The Rebels are surrounded by their dead colleagues, who are covered by Tennessee peach blossoms shot off by Yankee rifle fire. Even as a boy, I intuited that horror and beauty might just be intertwined with war. The gray uniforms stained with crimson blood and dappled with gorgeous pink flowers, was something out of a Jean Genet novel, something mysterious and grand. I was intrigued. * Through my adolescent years, I read good and bad books about war and military history. I watched all the great movies about Vietnam, the classics: The Deer Hunter, Apocalypse Now, Platoon, Full Metal Jacket and some lesser ones, Casualties of War by Brian De Palma (a play-like film with Michael J. Fox and Sean Penn), Hamburger Hill, Uncommon Valor, as well as a CBS television series Tour of Duty that ran from 1987-1990. Whether they were works of art like Apocalypse Now or silly hero films like Uncommon Valor, all these productions had a common theme: the Vietnam War was tragic and wounding, yes, but also kind of fascinating, almost cool. In adolescence I also developed a burgeoning literary habit. Along with gorging on war books, I read Thoreau, Kerouac, J.D. Salinger and Emerson. I knew what good books were, and my two worlds eventually merged in college when I discovered The Things They Carried (1990) and Going After Cacciato (1978) by Vietnam veteran Tim OBrien. They are hands-down the two greatest books of fiction about the Vietnam War. I also discovered the war memoir A Rumor of War (1977) by Philip Caputoactually made into a low-budget, but largely decent television movie featuring the great Brian Dennehy playing a grizzled Marine NCO. But there is really only one war book, both for the Vietnam War, and perhaps for all ages, all wars, and its by a middle class Jewish boy from Kentucky. One day, when we abandon the publishing industrys harmful practice of dividing literature into artificial categories, well classify Michael Herrs Dispatches (1977) simply as literature, and readers will look back on the late 20th Century and group it with other great American works of literature from the era, such as like Gravitys Rainbow (1973) by Thomas Pynchon and A Scanner Darkly (1977) by Philip K. Dick. Herr was a war correspondent in Vietnamand if youre 35-years-old or youngerhe is likely the best American writer youve never heard of. Whether you have read Dispatches or not, if youve seen Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket, you have heard his words, because both Francis Ford Coppola and Stanley Kubrick wisely relied on him and his book to inform their scripts. During the war, Herr based himself in Saigon where hed smoke joints and listen to Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix with photojournalist pal Sean Flynn, who was the son of actor Erol Flynn. Flynn was fearless, talented and a bit crazy. He disappeared in Cambodia in 1970still chasing the adrenaline highwhere he was captured by Khmer Rouge soldiers and presumably executed. Herr generally went where the fighting was the worst. This meant, more often than not, catching helicopters up to I Corps, the portion of S. Vietnam closest to N. Vietnam and the DMZ, which was the responsibility of the U.S. Marine Corps. I Corps was the coldest, most violent part of Vietnam and Herr found himself in epic battles in Hue City and Khe Sanh, where he was looking, not for news copybut for the inner, universal language and experience of war that had repelled and attracted men since the Battle of Thermopylae. In January of 1968, when the communists overran the city of Hue during the Tet Offensive, U.S. Marines units to the south were hastily organized and trucked up Highway 1 to take the city back. Herr joined the convoy and captured the mood before, what would be become, one the Marine Corps most legendary and toughest fights, as they battled insurgents house-to-house. Herr captures that uncanny mix of both horror and jocularity: All the grunts were whistling, and no two were whistling the same tune, it sounded like a locker room before a game that nobody wanted to play. Or almost nobody. There was a black Marine called Philly Dog whod been a gang lord in Philadelphia and who was looking forward to some street fighting after six months in the jungle, he could show the kickers what he could with some city ground. (In Hue he turned out to be incredibly valuable. I saw him pouring out about a hundred rounds of .30 caliber fire into a breach in the wall, laughing. You go to bring some to get some; he seemed to be about the only man in Delta Company who hadnt been hurt yet.) * Theres no other way to say it, reading Dispatches as a 20-year-old aspiring writer, I thought the book was cool. Over time, I began to suspect that Herr had infused the horror of war with a bit of contrived, imported glamour and romance. But then I discovered a 2001 documentary called First Kill on YouTube, which featured interviews with Herr. It was a chilling experience and it convinced me that all Herr had done is capture reality as hed encountered it. In a 1990 interview with Terri Gross, he confirms the fact that he felt a sincere obligation to the soldiers to tell it like it was. The documentary, which also features interviews with Vietnam combat veterans, opens with Herr saying: If war were hell, and only hell, and there were no other colors in the palate. If that was the essence of the experience, and all that there was to the experience, I dont think people would continue to make war. Herr later admits he had always felt a strong attraction to war. If I had been at all smart, I probably would have left (Vietnam) after the first operation. I know reporters who did, he says. The interviewer asks, Why didnt you leave? And Herr says, Because I was into itI was into it. I was all caught up in the tripI believed in my being there to see this war, and it was interesting, you know it was not boring, one is never bored. The documentary, it must be admitted, is tough viewing. The vets are as frank as anything you will ever here on the subject, and several men admit they experienced pleasurable adrenaline highs when killing in Vietnam, and it become addictive. They liked it. For obvious reason, the film is quite dark. But the sincerity of these men is undeniable and they deserve to be listened to. And the worrying part is that this truth is not simply a Vietnam anomaly, but would surely apply to soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. If we dont acknowledge these realities about the complexities of the human heart, well never be able fully come to grips with what war is and what it does to combatants and innocent civilians. Whether it is Vietnam or Iraq, civilians always pay the highest price in casualties. * In 1988 when I was seventeen years old I invited a U.S. Army recruiter to my familys house. He was a sergeant in a dark green dress uniform with rows of ribbons. He met my mother and tried sell us both on the benefits of my enlisting in the U.S. Army Reserves. My fascination with war and the military had led me to the door of the warriors profession, but I knew I was playacting. I wasnt ready for Drill Sergeants and barracks. I wanted some of the magic I found in war movies and books, but I was realistic enough to understand there was none to be found at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. There have been times when I wondered if Id missed out on something by not enlisting; the kids whod joined in the late 1980s ended up in The Persian Gulf war in 1991. That surely would have been an experience. And experiences, Ive begun to discover, are harder to rustle up in middle-age. I still devour war books. My wife cant understand it, Are you reading another war book? she asks. Im currently reading Hell In A Very Small Place: The Siege Of Dien Bien Phu (1966) by the unparalleled Swiss war correspondent Bernard Fall, who was killed in 1967 while on patrol with U.S. Marines in Vietnam. His book remains the classic account of the battle that led to the end of the French presence in Indochina and opened up the door for the great American-Vietnamese tragedy of the next decade. Im embarrassed to reveal my martial reading habits to literary people, for Im neither a hawk nor an enthusiast of firearms, and fear I might be judged as a bit unhinged. Sometimes I explain this obsession in terms of karma. I was born during the Vietnam War, when fighting was still raging. Perhaps, if what the Buddhists contend is true, I violently exited one life and immediately got reborn into a new one, where I have had the luxury to work out my experiences in a peaceful setting. A life where I could read instead of fight. Maybe. Just maybe. Robert Fays essays, reviews and stories have appeared in The Atlantic, The Millions, The Los Angeles Review of Books and The Chicago Quarterly Review, among others. He is co-creator of the Feeling Bookish Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @RobertFay1. Russia and Turkey are jointly working on creating promising aircraft and helicopters, and also components for the armor, Russias state arms seller Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev said. "We have a number of joint projects for developing promising aircraft and rotorcraft platforms, components for the armor and the after-sale maintenance of the armaments supplied," the press office of Rosoboronexport cited Mikheyev as saying. According to him, Turkey also shows interest in the newest Russian combat modules, air defense systems with different range capabilities and anti-tank weapons. The chief executive also stressed that despite the rivals interference in the bilateral relations, Russia and Turkey are coping with the difficulties that arise. by Bill Benzon Seder-Masochism, the whole film Nina Paley recently finished her second feature film, Seder-Masochism. Her first, of course, is the award-winning Sita Sings the Blues, a retelling of the Ramayana from a feminist point of view which Paley released in full in 2008. However, she had started posting segments to the internet several years before that and she has done the same with Seder-Masochism, in which she retells events from Book of Exodus. She began posting segments in 2012 and completed the film last year, when she began showing it at festivals. Paley placed the whole film in general release at the end of January this year. In both cases Paley has worked outside the mainstream movie industry, perform the tasks writing, directing and animating the films herself. I want to offer some brief comments about two segments of the film. This Land is Mine is the first segment she released, but it is the last one in the completed film. God-Mother is one of the last she releasedI dont know whether or not it is THE lastbut will be the first one in the film, even before the credits. Jordan Peterson has interviewed her and, in that interview, Nina said that the process of making the making turned about to be a journey of discovery in which she, in effect, discovered God-Mother. The End: This Land is Mine Paley created This Land is Mine is in the style she used for the music clips of Sita Sings the Blues: This Land is Mine The song is the theme song from Exodus, a contemporary epic about the founding of the modern state of Israel that came out made in 1960. The movie was a hit and so was its theme song. Originally an instrumental, This Land is Mine was given lyrics by Pat Boone and was a major hit, both in instrumental and vocal versions. Paleys clip is based on a vocal version sung by Andy Williams. The segments opening is very stagy: The virtual camera then zooms in on a generic Early Man who starts singing the song: The camera then stays focused on that space through the clip to the very end. Soon another figure, a Canaanite, enters from the right, in different dress, kills our Early Man, and continues singing. An Egyptian enters from the left, shoots this character with an arrow, and continues the serenade. You can pretty much guess what happens next. Someone enters from the right, kills our Egyptian, and continues singing. Sorta. Enter from the right, yes. Kills the Egyptian, yes. Continues to sing you bet. But he passes across the screen, in silhouette, exits at the left, and then re-enters from the left, and comes up behind the Egyptian. Then he kills him. And the slaughter continues, left, right, left, right, etc. until the very end, when were all dead: The atomic Angel of Death takes us all. This is a very grim segment. Cruel. But also witty, and even beautiful, as Jordan Peterson notes in one of his remarks to Nina. Paley keeps our interest by changing the costumes of the killers (Paley identifies them all in this blog post) and by varying the timing and method of slaughter. For example, if you know the song at all, then you know at one point we have this line: So take my hand When you hear some poor soul (well, perhaps not so poor, its Andy Williams) start singing that, you know whats going to happen, dont you? And so it goes, as Kurt Vonnegut would say. In line after line of this preposterous anthem, people get slaughtered right and left, left and right until the Angel of Death takes them all. Then Paley runs the end credits, but over distinctly different music, a gently swinging version of the theme by Quincy Jones. This last section isnt used for the complete film, which must accommodate credits for the whole film. The Beginning: God-Mother God-Mother The films opening segment, God-Mother, is very different. Paley says that its the slowest thing shes ever animated. Its also got a completely different visual style, very austere and abstract, and the music is worlds away from Ernest Golds theme from the 1960 film, Exodus (with lyrics later added by Pat Boone). Heres a frame from very very early in the segment: The snakeor should I call it a serpent?started as a dot and then spiraled larger and larger and thenIm not going to try to describe what happens. Its difficult to describe and easy enough to watch. Heres where we are, a bit later: The snakes still there. But so is a woman, albeit a very abstract woman. And behind her we have a photo of a starry sky perhaps a NASA image? All three will continue as motifs throughout the film. Now the sun/moon/earth enters: With the addition of that reddish brown we now have the full palette for this segment. As I said, very austere and quite a contrast from the palette of This Land Is Mine and, for that matter, most segments of the film. There are other motifs, circles and crosses, fish, deer, horses, plants of various kinds. The woman at the middle of this frame is obviously based on an ancient, very ancient stone carving: Paleys put many such images in this segment, and photographs of those carvings figure prominent in other segments of the film. Those handprints? Id guess that theyre based on the handprints one finds in rock art all over the world. And now were near the end: That large tree in the center? It emerged from the woman in the previous frame through a series of smooth transformations; her feet become roots, her arms and head become branches and leaves. Theres a lot of morphing in this segment. That angular little guy on the left with an ax? You can guess what hes going to do, cant you. Not a happy ending. The music in this segment is very different from the anthemic This Land is Mine. Its slow, stately, chant-like, performed by the Bulgarian State Radio and Television Female Vocal Choir. Superficially, different, deeply very much alike Its difficult to imagine such very different film segments as these two. The music is utterly differentsymphony orchestra and male soloist vs. a female choir (with solo voice or voices)as is the visual materialfull color, rapid action, complex imagery vs. a very restrained palate, slow action, simple images. And yet, abstractly considered, theyre alike. Its a bit difficult to conceptualize properly, but both segments depend on the timing of a relatively small repertoire of images. Sure, the cast of characters in This Land is Mine is relatively large, but the range of things they do is quite small. They sing, they kill, and they get killed. Thats it. We know whats going on, all the time. Theres no mystery about that. We just dont know exactly when and how its going to happen. God-Mother is similar. The range of imagery is small, though not predictable. Still, once it gets moving you pretty much know that Paley is working variations on a small ensemble of motifs. The action is relatively smooth and the change from one moment to the next is relatively small. But at some point it changes; the rabbit becomes a duck, the old woman becomes young. Exactly when is it going to happen? Thats what Paley has us guessing about. Sure, movies are about that, movement. And, yes, there are surprises. But in both of these segments Paley brings the movement and the surprises into the foreground, yet without being self-consciously arch or meta. She brings us an awareness of change and of time as phenomena unto themselves. Have I got that right? South Dakota COVID hospitalizations stable as one new death reported Before he became president, Donald Trump described himself as pro-choice. Now, he cant do enough to deny women control of their own bodies. Marching in lockstep with Vice President Mike Pence and some of the most anti-choice members of his right-wing coalition, Trump has gone global in his crusade, watering down a United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at stopping rape and sexual violence in war. His acting U.N. ambassador threatened to veto any resolution containing language referring to reproductive health. The goal of the demand, most observers agree, is to ensure that women who are raped in war should not receive any help terminating pregnancies. This episode is just the most recent in the accelerating and increasingly successful campaign to criminalize abortion, waged by a vocal, well-funded minority in this country. For close to half a century, the right to a safe, legal abortion has been guaranteed by the Supreme Courts landmark Roe v. Wade decision. For many years, the divided court consistently reaffirmed Roe v. Wade. With the surprise retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy, though, and his replacement with controversial, conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the balance on the court has shifted markedly to the right, and the future of Roe is entirely uncertain. Confident that the current Supreme Court would now overturn Roe v. Wade if given a chance, anti-choice activists and their allies in Republican-controlled state legislatures are pushing a new wave of anti-abortion bills. This will set the stage, they hope, for a Supreme Court decision eliminating a womans right to privacy and to make her own health care decisions, enshrined in Roe v. Wade. The extreme nature of this years bills is unprecedented, the pro-choice Guttmacher Institute noted in a recent report. Legislation under consideration in 28 states would ban abortion in a variety of ways. Among the slew of strategies employed are trigger bans, which would make abortion completely illegal in a state should Roe be overturned; gestational age bans, which make abortion illegal after a fetus has gestated six, 12 or 18 weeks, or some other length of time these are often referred to as fetal heartbeat bills; reason bans, which bar abortions for reasons of a fetuss sex, race or disability; and method bans, which bar certain types of abortion procedures. Add to that the TRAP (Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers) laws that impose extraordinary, cumbersome regulations, which the majority of small clinics cannot afford to follow. These laws dont enhance patient safety but force facilities that provide abortions to meet an array of onerous conditions like having corridors of a certain width and exam rooms of a specific size. The financial costs of meeting these arbitrary regulations often force clinics to shut down. While over two-thirds of Americans are pro-choice, anti-choice activists have the edge in state governments, with Republicans controlling roughly two-thirds of statehouses and 27 of the countrys 50 governorships. But progressive legislators in some states are pushing bills to protect access to safe, legal abortion, enhance availability of contraception and expand sex education. Likewise, federal courts continue to strike down the most egregious and unconstitutional efforts to control womens reproductive health decisions. Recently, Trumps Department of Health and Human Services issued what pro-choice advocates call the Title X gag rule, barring physicians from giving patients the full range of options when considering reproductive health. In Oregon on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Michael J. McShane issued a preliminary injunction against the gag rule, calling it a ham-fisted approach to public health policy. Dr. Leana Wen, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said of McShanes ruling: While this is a victory for patients and doctors, this relief is preliminary, and we will continue to fight the Trump-Pence administration in court and in Congress to ensure our patients health and rights are protected. Back at the United Nations, the Trump-Pence administration has expanded the anti-choice agenda globally by removing any reference to sexual and reproductive health from the U.N. Security Councils resolution on conflict-related sexual violence. Outraged at the U.S. position, Frances U.N. ambassador said, It is intolerable and incomprehensible that the Security Council is incapable of acknowledging that women and girls who suffered from sexual violence in conflict, and who obviously didnt choose to become pregnant, should have the right to terminate their pregnancy. The U.S. administration also removed the word gender from the resolution, and weakened references to the International Criminal Court, making it harder for women and girls to seek justice. Donald Trump himself has been accused of sexual harassment and sexual assault by no less than 16 women. Is this really the world leader who should be shaping global policy on sexual violence? Note to the Bernalillo County Commission: Theres a happy medium between using a broad-spectrum weed killer thats suspected of causing cancer, and unkempt open spaces that 15 new hires added to the taxpayer payroll have to try to make look presentable. Its called integrated weed management; try it. Because the choice you make for taxpayers shouldnt be between glyphosate (the main weed-killing agent in most Roundup herbicides and the target of thousands of lawsuits against manufacturer Monsanto alleging safety issues) and an extra $1.2 million to have a crew on its hands and knees in a forest of Russian thistle (tumbleweeds) and goatheads. Yet that was the either-or presented by commissioners last week when they voted to kick glyphosate completely to the curb by next April. The countys Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department manages 123 properties and 2,209 acres. In October, commissioners ordered staff to temporarily stop all use of the chemical but had not approved a long-term strategy until Tuesday. But Tuesdays strategy amounts to the public paying a whole lot more for something a whole lot less appealing. Commissioner Debbie OMalley, who advocated for phasing out the chemical in one year rather than two, says we have come to expect sort of a pristine situation, especially with our parks no weeds, all clean, grasses, everything is perfect. As a result of that, we have turned to chemicals. John Barney, a planning manager with Parks and Rec, warns the change will mean using more native vegetation, which may look weedy compared to a typical park. And Ed Martinez, the departments land management section manager, explains anything you see out on the mesa, thats what youre going to start seeing on county properties. Really? That just doesnt add up, given what glyphosate does. The chemical is a non-selective herbicide, meaning it will harm or kill just about any plant it comes in contact with. So you do not use it on lawns or in planting beds. You use it on sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, places you dont want anything to grow. How does banning its use summarily remove every grassy public play area in the county? Meanwhile, weedy is hardly a fair term for New Mexicos hardy native plant species, many of which are brilliantly colored, aesthetically pleasing and uniquely adapted to our harsh environment. Xeriscaping is not zeroscaping, folks. Taxpayers deserve a little more information before the county draws up next years budget and Parks and Rec work details, and frankly, officials should have had that research in hand, considering the temporary glyphosate moratorium went into effect six months ago. Not to practice horticulture without a license, but a quick internet search turns up that the market is awash in more selective herbicides that target specific weeds and leave other plants be; Monsanto itself recently released a glyphosate-free Roundup product. As for that weed-picking crew, the option of labor from the Metropolitan Detention Center was mentioned almost as a throwaway line; in fact, the chance for those incarcerated to get out in the fresh air, get some community service credit and get some landscaping experience is a win-win option. It should be thoroughly explored before commissioners go on a hiring spree and stick $1.2 million on the publics tab. We get it, chemicals that are designed to kill things are scary, especially in our recreational spaces. But the herbicide market has adapted and many new options are available, and Bernalillo County has a long row to hoe to make the case that banning glyphosate means a seven-figure bill that makes our public recreational spaces less inviting. 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. New Mexico Tech is earning recognition as a gem in the desert for marketable, cutting-edge innovation. The university is already well-known for producing the now-famous nicotine patch, an invention created by New Mexico Tech researcher Frank Etscorn that earned tens of millions after the college commercialized it in the 1980s. But now, after five years of concerted efforts to build robust technology-transfer and entrepreneurship programs on campus, investors, entrepreneurs and commercialization professionals from both East and West coasts are taking a hard, fresh look at what New Mexico Tech has to offer. We have about 20 technologies at different stages in the pipeline now, said Peter Anselmo, executive director of the universitys Office of Innovation and Commercialization. Nearly half of them are at the end stages in negotiations with investment and marketing firms on both coasts. While the college is best-known for its work in mining and petroleum, its marketable breakthroughs include everything from novel biotechnology to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria to innovations in cybersecurity and big data analysis. Conference momentum Much of the universitys newfound commercialization momentum is driven by its annual Inventors and Entrepreneurs Workshop, a two-day conference launched in 2016 with help from Larry Udall, a veteran investor and entrepreneur from the Silicon Valley who founded the California Invention Center and the Center for New Venture Alliance at Cal State University. As a technology-transfer consultant, Udall has helped attract prime-time national players every year, many of them repeat participants. This years event, held April 12-13 in Socorro, included executives from Royalty/Revenue Interest Capital in New York and from America Invents Inc. and Science Futures LLC in California. Senior representatives from several West Coast intellectual property firms also attended, as did Katherine Ku, the internationally-recognized technology transfer specialist who headed Stanford Universitys Office of Technology Licensing for nearly three decades. Venture investors, serial entrepreneurs and state officials from across New Mexico participated as well. The conference has brought together people from inside and outside New Mexico to work with us, many of them returning each year, Anselmo said. Weve been able to expose New Mexico Tech to the local and national venture business community. People see us now as a place where innovation happens. The conference features educational panels and presentations on moving ideas from conception to market, plus a special, closed-door session for inventors from New Mexico Tech and other state institutions to discuss select technologies with investors and venture professionals. Wolves Den The event culminates with the Wolves Den, a Shark Tank-style pitch competition in which local teams compete for $10,000 in cash prizes and in-kind services. Although the pitch is open to local community inventors, its generally dominated by student teams from New Mexico Tech and other schools, particularly Luna Community College in Las Vegas, where the science, technology, engineering and math department has worked to encourage participation. It helps to build confidence and skills among community college students, many of whom go on to undergraduate and graduate studies at New Mexico Tech, said Luna STEM Director Francisco Apodaca. It builds character and confidence and improves their abilities and skills, Apodaca said. And its a great venue for exposure to world-class inventors, attorneys, and venture investors who help educate students about how to move forward with entrepreneurial ideas. Workshop winners To date, about 40 Luna students have participated, with 10 selected to pitch in the competition since 2016. Half of them have won cash prizes, including Jake Taylor, a pre-engineering and computer science student who took first place this year, winning $5,000 for developing a new method to speed soil testing for road construction. I still cant believe I won, said Taylor, 25. My idea wasnt the best one in the competition, but the judges liked that I had a full plan worked out to do something with it. Jonna and Brock Witter, a married couple studying at New Mexico Tech, won the second-place, $3,500 prize for a remote-controlled device to shut down vehicles in motion. The device, still in design and prototyping, could be marketed for defense and law enforcement purposes. We got great feedback from the Wolves Den judges and others at the conference, Jonna said. To rub shoulders with these people who are such experts in business has helped put us in a different place professionally. The Witters now plan to apply for a federal small business innovation grant and seek assistance through the state Economic Development Department. There are a lot of wonderful programs now for small business owners in New Mexico, Brock said. Were learning our way through the system. Tech transfer goals Encouraging and educating students to pursue entrepreneurship is a central part of the universitys technology-transfer goals. The college launched a Center for Leadership in Technology Commercialization in 2014 that offers courses and hands-on experience for students to acquire knowledge and skills to guide technology to market. About $400,000 in private donations provides annual financing for student teams to conduct marketing studies and other tasks to help university researchers commercialize new innovations. To date, more than 100 students have participated, Anselmo said. The university created the Office of Innovation and Commercialization that Anselmo heads about 18 months ago to work with academics at the earliest stages of their research. We want to catch inventions very early to assess market impact from the start, Anselmo said. We formed a committee of outside experts that meets once per month to assist us. A $100,000 grant from the New Mexico Gas Co. will also finance a new, 1,000-square-foot startup incubator the university plans to open off campus in Socorro. Innovation efforts attract local, national attention, investors Lauded as a hero, not only for his work as a Rio Rancho police officer and a Sandoval County deputy, the late Joe Harris has a memorial set in stone, now that a school in Rio Rancho has been named in his honor. Harris was killed in a shootout in a cabin in the remote La Cueva area of the Jemez Mountains in the summer of 2009, and Rio Rancho Public Schools Superintendent Sue Cleveland said it was hard for her to believe almost 10 years has passed. He made the ultimate sacrifice as a police officer, she said, (but) Joe was even more to us. Joe was a constant in the Rio Rancho public school district in so many different ways, she added. He put such a positive face for law enforcement in front of young people. They loved him and would tell him the most incredible stories. There was hardly a kid in the district who did not know who he was. Cleveland said she didnt receive any complaints about the districts decision to name its newest elementary after Harris. I cannot tell you the number of calls and positive comments that we got, she said. The biggest concern was, Whats taken you so long? Certainly, the Great Recession intervened, and with that came a cutback in terms of growth and dollars. Joe had a heart of gold, and he loved people, added the district chief operations officer, former Rio Rancho Police Chief Mike Baker, who introduced Harris sons, Joe and David, and their wives to the school board. He knew everybody. I would tell Joe, Joe, when you retire, youve got to run for mayor, Baker said. Joe Harris Jr. told the gathering, I think theres no better way to repay him for everything he did for our city than by giving him an elementary school; our children will benefit from it. Its what he would have wanted; he was all about the kids and the community, the younger Harris said. Board President Catherine Cullen thanked all who were going to make the school a reality, including Los Diamantes developer Pierre Amestoy and the Southern Sandoval County Arroyo Flood Control Authority. The 87,630-square-foot school, to be designed by Wilson & Co. and built by Bradbury Stamm Construction, will be between 21st and Westside about 1 mile west of Unser. It will have a capacity of 800 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Bonds approved by school district voters in 2016 made the project possible. PUEBLO, Colo. Authorities say a man stole a Colorado State Patrol squad car during a traffic stop, dragged a trooper for a short distance and then led other officers on a high-speed chase until he crashed and was arrested. Officials say the trooper and the suspect were treated for minor injuries after the confrontation on Interstate 25 near Pueblo Sunday. Authorities identified the suspect as 31-year-old Richard Twomey of Livermore, California. Online jail records didnt indicate whether he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf. The injured troopers name wasnt released. The patrol says he tried to stop Twomey from taking the car when he was dragged. Officials say the ensuing chase exceeded 100 mph (160 kilometers per hour). The patrol says Twomey had been pulled over for driving the wrong way on I-25. WASHINGTON The Justice Department has informed the House Judiciary Committee that Attorney General William Barr may not attend a Thursday hearing to review special counsel Robert Muellers report due to objections over the panels format, according to a Democratic senior committee aide. The department has balked at the panels plans to allow the committees counsels from both sides to question Barr after the traditional round of questioning by members. Justice officials also told the committee that they are opposed to the panels plan to go into a closed session if members want to discuss redacted portions of Muellers report, according to the aide, who requested anonymity to discuss the confidential communications with the Justice Department. The Justice Department declined to comment on the dispute. Barr is scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday and the House panel on Thursday. The GOP-led Senate committee is expected to have normal rounds of member questioning. It is unusual for committee counsels to question a witness. But committees can generally make their own rules, and other panels have made similar exceptions. In a confirmation hearing for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh last year, for example, Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee hired an outside prosecutor to question a witness who had accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault. The dispute comes as tensions have escalated sharply between House Democrats and the Trump administration over full access Muellers report and government witnesses who have defied congressional subpoenas to testify. Democrats have been eagerly anticipating the hearing with Barr as they try to build on Muellers findings with their own investigations into the president. House Democrats have subpoenaed the Justice Department for the unredacted version of the Mueller report and underlying material gathered from the investigation. In response, the Justice Department has said they will make the full report, minus grand jury material, available to a limited group of members an offer that Democrats have so far refused. The dispute could eventually end up in court. A spokeswoman for the top Republican on the committee, Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia, noted that Barrs testimony is voluntary and criticized the Democrats for not reading the full report. Democrats have yet to prove their demands are anything but abusive and illogical in light of the transparency and good faith the attorney general has shown our committee, Jessica Andrews said. Democrats have criticized Barr for drawing his own conclusion that Trump did not obstruct justice after Mueller found he couldnt exonerate the president on that point. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said Barr is involved in a staggering public effort by the Trump administration to put a positive face on Muellers findings. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., has also invited Mueller to testify and subpoenaed former White House counsel Don McGahn. McGahn was a vital witness for Mueller in the report, which recounted the presidents outrage over the Mueller investigation and his efforts to curtail it. The White House has asserted it will fight the McGahn subpoena. ___ Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report. Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Jaguar Recovery Plan would commit more than $605 million to the species survival over the next 50 years, but leave much of the effort to Mexico. It also includes few gaps for the large cats to cross the border. And that isnt sitting well with some wildlife advocates. This so-called recovery plan wont do anything to help the jaguar, so the threats to its survival and recovery will still require urgent action, said Michael Robinson, a senior conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. The plan is a green light for Trump to build his wildlife-blocking border wall. Jaguars cant use Google maps to find tiny gaps in hundreds of miles of impermeable walls. Among the reasons for much of the recovery work depending on Mexican wildlife officials is because few if any of the jaguars live on this side of the border, according to the recovery plan released by Fish and Wildlife on Wednesday. According to the recovery plan, seven or possibly eight jaguars have been documented in the U.S. between 1996 to 2017. Male jaguars have been sighted in the Peloncillo Mountains and in the northern part of the San Luis Mountains in New Mexicos Hidalgo County. Currently in the U.S., we are aware of one male jaguar, USFWS public affairs specialist Aislinn Maestas said. Given that the jaguar is an international species with the vast majority of its range outside of the U.S., primary actions to recover the jaguar will occur outside of the U.S. In the Northwestern Recovery Unit Mexico will be the primary contributor to recovery for the jaguar because over 95% of the species suitable habitat in the NRU (Northern Recovery Unit) exists within the borders of Mexico, the recovery plan states. But Robinson says while the plan outlines measures Mexican authorities can take to protect the jaguars, they wont be enough to recover these majestic animals. Without reintroduction in the Southwest and cross-border connectivity, isolation and genetic problems may doom the jaguars in northern Mexico, Robinson said. Maestas said the USFWS has long-term relationships with many partners in Mexico and in 2010 convened the binational Jaguar Recovery Team to facilitate a coordinated effort toward jaguar recovery. She said the team includes jaguar experts and landowners-land managers from Mexico to help inform the needs of the jaguar within the Northwestern Recovery Unit and develop recovery actions to address threats. The Mexican National Jaguar Census estimated in 2011 there are 271 jaguars in bordering Sonora province. But Robinson said there could be as few as 50, another reason he feels the species should be reintroduced on this side of the border. Robinson is also skeptical Sonora has enough habitat to support 1,161 jaguars as the plan claims. He cited a previous estimate that the habitat could only support 172. He said jaguars are native to the U.S. and eventually migrated into Central and South America. I think the best habitat would be the Gila (National Forest), Robinson said. The plan lists a habitat area for six jaguars in Pima, Santa Cruz and Cochise counties in Arizona and Hidalgo County in New Mexico. But Maestas said the recovery team has not prescribed jaguar reintroductions in the United States, but focuses on efforts to sustain habitat, eliminate poaching, maintain at least two borderland dispersal corridors and improve human social acceptance of the jaguar to accommodate jaguars that disperse into the United States. Jaguars are currently found in 19 countries, stretching from the United States to South America. The recovery plan calls for one habitat area from western Mexico into southern Arizona and southwest New Mexico. The other would stretch from eastern Mexico to northern Argentina. He was born in a tiny village inaccessible by road and so high in the mountains of Peru that it seemed as if he must be pretty close to the top of the world. And then he came to Albuquerque and found his way to the top. Steve Schroeder, CEO and founder of successful web-tech company Real Time Solutions, has told the story of his humble, heartbreaking rags-to-riches story many times. Chris, one of two Schroeder sons who works at Real Time, has heard the story many times. And yet, as the elder Schroeder retells it, both men still choke up. Sometimes I can tell the story fine, he says, wiping away tears. And sometimes it gets emotional. He tells his story now about how a little Peruvian boy named Diego became a big businessman named Steve Schroeder because it seems more important than ever to speak about the power of education, the contributions of immigrants, the generosity of heart and the importance of giving back. The Schroeders are all about that. Im an immigrant, Schroeder, 67, said. I came over as a child. But Im a proud American. And I think a guy like me is more representative of what an immigrant is hard-working, generous, caring about the community. Im not the exception. Im the norm. Real Time Solutions which has produced more than 1,500 websites and software applications, including the popular nmroads.com and nmcourts.gov moved from Downtown, where it had been located since opening its doors in 2000, to its site on Mountain NW across from Old Town in September. Its a place of contrasts between traditional territorial and modern glass, a style reflective of Steve Schroeder, who is crafted by his roots and his reach into futuristic technology. But lets start at his roots, which begin with a European-bred grad student of archaeology named Federico who hiked to the Andean village of Colcabamba in search of ancient ruins. He found them and he found the love of a village girl named Florencia. From their union came Schroeder called Diego then in 1951 and a brother six years later. Federico left her and the village to teach at a university in Lima, a large metropolis 280 miles south. Eventually, she and her two sons followed. But they were doomed from the start, their relationship ill-fated, forbidden. There was a class distinction between them that my fathers family could not get over, Schroeder said. They wouldnt even meet her. It was an impossible situation. In 1956, Federico traveled to the University of New Mexico to study for the summer. There, he met Dr. Florence Schroeder, a professor in the education department who had adopted two boys from Jemez Pueblo. Federico asked her whether she might like to adopt two more boys. Diego was 6 that December when he boarded a plane with his father and baby brother and waved goodbye to his mother. She had not been told of the pending adoption and that she would never see her sons again and neither had Diego. Emotionally, it was tough, he said. I spoke no English, understood nothing of what was happening, what happened to my mother, what happened to my father after he left us. Florence renamed the boys Steve and Fredric and proved to be a strict disciplinarian, especially when it came to their education. Both boys studied hard and did well, even after Fredric went blind at age 8 from an inflammatory disease called Stevens-Johnson syndrome. He received his doctorate in education administration from UNM. Today, he and his wife live in Virginia, and he serves as president of the World Blind Union, which represents blind and partially sighted persons in 190 member countries. Steve embarked on what he calls his odyssey, working back-breaking jobs from farming to logging from Mississippi to Alaska. In his 30s, he returned to Albuquerque, graduating with a masters degree from UNMs Anderson School of Management. For 15 years, he worked in technology and software at Sandia National Laboratories, but set off on another odyssey, this one involving running his own company. Today, Real Time Solutions employs 22 people. Because of his companys success, he is able to reach back to the community by nurturing other small businesses and local entrepreneurs. If you take care of your community, your community takes care of you, said Chris Schroeder, chief operating officer, lead designer and the force behind WeConnectNM, a small business economic development think tank and app. My Pops taught me the importance of that. Time changes things. Today, Colcabamba can be reached by a small, unpaved road. Steve Schroeder, a former Hispano Chamber of Commerce chairman, has also reached out to his father, a renowned Peruvian archaeologist. But for years, he wondered what had become of his mother. Then came a mysterious phone call in January 1995 from a man with a broken accent. Florencia, he learned, had gone to college courtesy of his father, earned her degree and became a teacher. And this is where Schroeders tears come as he recalls the first time in nearly 40 years that he heard her voice, the first time he hugged her again that summer when he invited her and her husband to Albuquerque. It was a great reunion, he said. Life is pretty great, as it turns out, at the top. UpFront is a front-page news and opinion column. Comment directly to Joline at 823-3603, jkrueger@abqjournal.com or follow her on Twitter @jolinegkg. Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required. Your Full Name: (optional) Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required. The Albuquerque Police Department has launched a homicide investigation after a man shot Sunday night succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. Officer Tanner Tixier, an APD spokesman, said officers were dispatched to a shooting in the 900 block of Valencia SE at about 10 p.m. A male victim was transported to the hospital, but doctors believed that he would survive his injuries, Tixier said. However, this morning the victim died as a result of his wound(s) and a full Homicide investigation has been initiated. Police have not yet released the victims name, nor have they said whether a suspect has been identified. Growing up in a non-practicing Jewish family, I was excited to attend my first Seder dinner April 19 with a family I had never met before. Johanna Smith, a former Jewish educator I interviewed for last weeks Passover article, invited me to her friends house for dinner the first night of Passover. This includes reading from the Haggadah, which is the text that tells the story of Passover, and participating in the Seder, the ceremonial dinner. As I entered the Lydles house, I felt anxious. I knew sitting down for a religiously themed dinner with 12 strangers would take me out of my comfort zone. Once inside, I was welcomed with warm smiles and encouragement from members of their family, as well as some of Smiths friends and family. Smith led the ceremony by reading from her version of the Haggadah, which tells the story of the Israelites freedom through a feminist lens. I appreciated this most from the readings, because historical and religious stories are often told through the perspective of men, while women endure the same hardships and play an equal role in overcoming oppression and rule of another. Another aspect of the ceremony I found moving was the connection of the Israelites struggle to find freedom from Egyptian rule to the plagues of today,. Smith said sixth- and seventh-graders helped her come up with a list of the many hardships people experience today, including acting from hate and fear, the feeling of hopelessness, benefiting from the suffering of others and destruction of the planet. It is so important to take the time to reflect on the violence, hatred and enslavement of a people from long ago, and relate that to how violence, hatred and fear of minority groups are seen today. It is only then that we can begin to understand the other and see them as people who have a lot more in common with us then we might first assume. Im grateful to have learned more about my familys religious history and a part of the story of my ancestors by participating in a Seder and reading the story of Passover with a welcoming family. Growing up away from my religious extended family, I was never encouraged to participate in any religion, particularly Judaism. This experience has taught me that while I may be far from my family, you can find people like you, who share a similar history and outlook on the world, almost anywhere. Above all, I learned the importance of taking the time to hear other peoples stories and learn from their past, because you are most likely to relate to them in one way or another. (Amanda Britt is a University of New Mexico student, Rio Rancho resident and Observer intern.) OKLAHOMA CITY Residents of an Oklahoma town were still waiting for answers Monday on what prompted police to open fire on a pickup truck last week, wounding three children and a man who authorities say was wanted in a robbery. Three days after the shooting, it remained unclear why gunfire broke out Friday when two Hugo police detectives tried to pick up William Devaughn Smith, 21, on a robbery warrant. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation says Smith and four children were in the truck outside a community center that serves food. One child wasnt hurt. The agency had previously said the childrens mother was in the truck but said Monday she was not. The three children who were wounded have been released from the hospital. OSBI said Monday that the childrens mother, Olivia Hill, is in a relationship with Smith. Hill told KXII-TV in Sherman, Texas, that her 4-year-old daughter was shot in the head, her 5-year-old child has a skull fracture and that her 1-year-old has gunshot wounds on her face. The state agency has not released the names of the detectives, who have since been placed on paid leave. The agency and local police also have not said how they connected Smith to the robbery of a restaurant earlier this month. Authorities have not said if Smith fired a weapon in the confrontation with police on Friday. A statement from OSBI on Monday said the investigation is ongoing and evolving and that when it is complete, a report will be submitted to the local district attorneys office for review. Since the time of the incident on Friday afternoon, the OSBI has had agents on the ground collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses, the agency said. Rodney Cox grew up in Hugo, a town with about 5,200 residents, and was leading demonstrations there Monday. He and others are asking for local and state officials to show any police videos of the shooting and for a public release of a report on the incident. Residents also want to know if the officers involved were appropriately trained. If those were your kids in the car, how would you feel about the situation and what would you want to be done? said Cox, who now lives in Oklahoma City. Were not hearing much right now. Calls to the Hugo Police Department went unanswered Monday afternoon, and the department Facebook page was no longer available. State Rep. Justin Humphreys district includes Hugo. He said Monday that he met with community leaders over the weekend and is pushing authorities to be open about the investigation. Theres no question the community has a right to be concerned, and I think these requests are reasonable, Humphrey said. Ive been in contact with the OSBI and have asked that they work with me to make the investigation as transparent and as open as we can. The police chief in Paris, Texas, whose officers arrested Smith on Friday after he was treated and released from a hospital there, said hes also not clear on aspects of the Oklahoma investigation. Chief Bob Hundley said hed seen reports that the children were shot in the head and others that their injuries were not life-threatening. The only information Ive been made aware of is conflicting information, Hundley said. Smith was being held Monday on an aggravated robbery complaint in the jail in Choctaw County, Oklahoma. Jail records dont indicate he has an attorney to speak on his behalf. Smith is suspected in an April 11 armed robbery at a Pizza Hut in Hugo, about 180 miles (290 kilometers) southeast of Oklahoma City and near the Texas state line. A now-unavailable post on the Hugo police Facebook page said a man entered a back door of the restaurant, pressed an object to an employees back and demanded money. Police said the worker handed over cash and the robber left. ___ Associated Press writers Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City and Jake Bleiberg in Dallas, and AP researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed to this report. BATTICALOA, Sri Lanka The leader of the Islamic State group praised the Easter suicide bombings that killed more than 250 people in Sri Lanka in a video released Monday, calling on militants to be a thorn against their enemies in his first filmed appearance in nearly five years. The video of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, to whom the suicide bombers in last weeks attack apparently pledged their loyalty, came as the top official in the Catholic Church urged Sri Lanka to crack down on Islamic extremists as if on war footing. Meanwhile, a government ban on niqab face covering took effect as soldiers and police officers conducted raids in eastern Sri Lanka, the home of the alleged mastermind of the attacks. The 18-minute video of al-Baghdadi included images of the extremist leader sitting in a white room with three others, assault rifles by their sides. He discussed Sri Lanka in an audio portion of the video, suggesting the April 21 attacks came after they filmed him. Al-Baghdadi praised the attackers, saying they conducted the bombings as revenge for the fall of Baghouz, Syria, the last territory the extremist group held there or in Iraq. As for your brothers in Sri Lanka, they have put joy in the hearts of the monotheists with their immersing operations that struck the homes of the crusaders in their Easter, al-Baghdadi said, according to a transcript from the U.S.-based SITE Intelligence Group. He also called on Islamic State-pledged militants in the island nation off the southern tip of India to be a thorn in the chests of the crusaders. Authorities initially blamed the Easter attacks, targeting three hotels and three churches, on a local militant named Mohammed Zahran and his followers. Then the Islamic State group on April 23 released images of Zahran and others pledging their loyalty to al-Baghdadi. Police conducted a later raid in eastern Sri Lanka that saw militants detonate suicide bombs in violence that killed at least 15 people, including six children. Explosives recovered by authorities bore hallmarks of the Islamic State group as well. Anger against Sri Lankas government has grown after the country discovered its security services had prior, specific warnings an attack loomed. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the archbishop of Colombo and the Catholic Churchs top official on the island, said the church may not be able to stop people from taking the law into their own hands if the government doesnt do more. All the security forces should be involved and function as if on war footing, Ranjith told reporters. I want to state that we may not be able to keep people under control in the absence of a stronger security program, he said. We cant forever give them false promises and keep them calm. Ranjith, however, sought to assure Muslims the church will not allow any revenge attacks against them. Catholic churches cancelled Mass on Sunday, a week after the bombings, for fear of another attack. Catholics celebrated Mass in their homes while watching Ranjith preside over a televised service. Other denominations also closed their doors. The church closing followed local officials and the U.S. Embassy in Colombo warning that more militants remained on the loose with explosives and places of worship remained targets. President Maithripala Sirisena also appointed former army commander Shantha Kottegoda on Monday as the top official in the Defense Ministry. He earlier requested the resignation of his predecessor, Hemasiri Fernando, for intelligence failures that led to the bombings. In the eastern Sri Lankan city of Kalmunai, Associated Press journalists saw police and soldiers conducting raids in a predominantly Muslim area. Such operations are likely to continue around the area Zahran once preached his extremist message glorifying killing non-Muslims. Meanwhile, Sirisenas ban on wearing the niqab face veil took effect. The niqab is a black veil made of thin fabric, often with a small opening from which a womans eyes can peer out. While previously unseen in Sri Lanka, the niqab has grown in popularity in the last 10 years after the countrys civil war. ___ Associated Press writers Zeina Karam and Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed to this report. Francis reported from Colombo, Sri Lanka. TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he is willing to take initial steps toward fortifying a lock-and-dam system on a Chicago-area waterway so it can protect Lake Michigan from invasive Asian carp. Pritzker, a Democrat, told the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in a letter Friday that he had authorized the states cooperation with preconstruction, engineering and design work at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois. But he voiced misgivings about the cost and said his state is not in a financial position to commit to the full plan in its current form. The Corps has proposed installing devices such as an electric barrier, noisemakers and an air bubble curtain in a specially designed channel to deter fish from swimming upstream and remove those that dont turn back. The adjacent lock would be retooled to flush away unwanted species floating on the water. An updated version of the plan released last November put the price tag at $778 million, which was much higher than an earlier $275 million estimate. That drew criticism from Illinois, which agreed last year to serve as non-federal sponsor of the project. I would like to discuss how we can lower the cost of this plan and still effectively address the threat of Asian carp, Pritzker said. I will not sign a Project Partnership Agreement without a cost control strategy and additional cost sharing among the states. Corps spokeswoman Samantha Heilig said Monday that Pritzkers letter was forwarded to the agencys headquarters in Washington, D.C., where a final report on the project awaits approval from the chief of engineers. The Brandon Road complex is on the Des Plaines River, which is part of a waterway network that links Lake Michigan with the Illinois River. The Illinois River is infested with several varieties of Asian carp, which were imported decades ago to cleanse Southern sewage lagoons and fish farms but escaped into the Mississippi River and invaded many of its tributaries. Scientists say if the Asian carp becomes established in the Great Lakes, it could unravel food chains and out-compete native species. Environmentalists and some states, including Michigan, have called for walling off Lake Michigan from the Chicago waterway system, which Illinois opposes as disruptive to commercial navigation. The Brandon Road project is considered a compromise. Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder proposed a partnership last year to help cover costs of operating and maintaining the Brandon Road structures, drawing support from Ohio, Wisconsin, the Canadian province of Ontario and Chicago. But former Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner rejected fellow Republican Snyders offer of $8 million in support of the arrangement, saying he didnt want to commit to the deal in the final days of his term. Snyders successor, Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, is willing to make good on his proposal and appreciates Pritzkers decision to move forward, spokesman Ed Golder of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said Monday. Illinois Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, both Democrats, supported Pritzkers position in a statement and agreed other Great Lakes states should share the costs. Invasive Asian carp are a serious threat to the Great Lakes ecosystem and the regions economy, they said. ___ Follow John Flesher on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ johnflesher Public Service Company of New Mexico wants another chance to convince state regulators that a new transmission line its planning will benefit all utility customers, not just Facebook. The company expects to file for a rehearing today with the Public Regulation Commission, which ordered PNM on April 16 to not charge ratepayers for any of the project costs, only Facebook and wholesale customers. Thats because a PNM executive testified in hearings in February that the line, which would run from Clines Corners to a new substation in Sandoval County, would only serve Facebook and wholesale customers, not retail consumers. The company later rectified that testimony in writing to the PRC. Even so, commissioners ordered PNM to bill Facebook $39 million, or nearly half the cost of the $85 million line, and charge wholesale customers the rest. In its request for a rehearing, PNM said it recognizes that its initial description during the hearing was confusing, leading the commission to the incorrect belief the line would only serve Facebook. The company says the project, which will carry 166 megawatts of electricity from a wind farm under construction near Estancia to Facebooks data center in Los Lunas, will have capacity to transmit an additional 199 MW of electricity, benefitting all customers. The line is considered a network upgrade under Federal Energy Regulatory Commission guidelines, something the utility did not clearly explain in the hearings, PNM says. Its needed to not only bring electricity from the new wind farm onto PNMs grid, but to provide more capacity for renewable generation in general, since the utilitys current transmission line in eastern New Mexico has reached its limit. PNM contends that forcing Facebook to pay $39 million upfront for construction constitutes unfair double billing on the company, since Facebook must still pay transmission charges once the line is operational. If Facebook is only required to pay transmission charges like other retail customers, the company would still end up contributing $64.5 million over the 30-plus years it will take for PNM to recover all construction and operating costs for the line. That compares with $43.9 million that other customers would pay, representing a net savings of $21.5 million for ratepayers over time, according to PNM. The commissions order to directly bill Facebook generated critical backlash from public officials, economic development professionals, and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. They say its unfair to Facebook, and it sets a chilling precedent that could discourage other companies from investing in New Mexico. Thats because the PRC previously agreed to only directly charge Facebook for projects that benefit that company alone, not for infrastructure development that benefits everyone. Now, however, PNM said it takes full responsibility for confusion at the PRC. The PRC has recently taken flak for their decision on the transmission line, but we must admit their decision was based on confusing information provided by PNM, and for that, we take full responsibility, said PNM Senior Vice President of Public Policy Ron Darnell in an op ed in the Journal on Sunday. When we presented our case to the PRC, we didnt do a good job presenting the full story or describing how the transmission line benefits our customers throughout the state, not solely Facebook. By squarely admitting its mistake, the company hopes to persuade commissioners to reconsider the case to avoid harming Facebook or other customers, Darnell added. Other organizations intervening in the case either support PNMs request for a rehearing, or dont oppose it, including the Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy, New Mexico Industrial Energy Consumers, and the PRCs utility division staff. Were filing our own request for the commission to reconsider its decision, said CCAE attorney Chuck Noble. Requiring Facebook to pay $39 million makes them overpay for the transmission line. Under regulatory law and precedent, the costs should be allocated to all users of the system based on their usage, not just Facebook. Its unclear how or when commissioners will respond, but PNM has requested an expedited decision on the rehearing. SANTA FE The Santa Fe Police Department is looking for a teen accused of shooting his stepfather in the abdomen at an apartment complex Sunday night. Officers believe 16-year-old Hunter Woods shot the man at the Avaria of Santa Fe apartments on Lorca Drive around midnight Sunday, according to a news release. The victim is in critical but stable condition at a local hospital, SFPD spokesman Greg Gurule said Monday evening. Neighbors told officers they heard a loud argument going on in the apartment before the shooting, Gurule said. Police believe Woods, who Gurule said attends Santa Fe High, is driving his mothers silver 2016 Kia sedan with license plate number 890SXN. Woods is considered armed and dangerous and anyone who sees him is encouraged to call 911. Last June, 58-year-old Michael Willms was found stabbed to death in his apartment at the same complex. Police have not named a suspect in that case. HOUSTON Weingarten Realty Investors (WRI) on Monday reported a key measure of profitability in its first quarter. The results fell short of Wall Street expectations. The real estate investment trust, based in Houston, said it had funds from operations of $67.3 million, or 52 cents per share, in the period. The average estimate of seven analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for funds from operations of 53 cents per share. Funds from operations is a closely watched measure in the REIT industry. It takes net income and adds back items such as depreciation and amortization. The company said it had net income of $49.7 million, or 39 cents per share. The real estate investment trust posted revenue of $123.1 million in the period. Its adjusted revenue was $119.8 million, which also missed Street forecasts. Four analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $120.7 million. Weingarten Realty expects full-year funds from operations in the range of $2.09 to $2.17 per share. The companys shares have increased 17% since the beginning of the year. In the final minutes of trading on Monday, shares hit $28.95, an increase of nearly 4% in the last 12 months. _____ This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on WRI at https://www.zacks.com/ap/WRI LOS ANGELES An Army veteran who converted to Islam and discussed launching various terror attacks throughout Southern California was arrested as he plotted to bomb a white supremacist rally as retribution for the New Zealand mosque attacks, federal prosecutors said Monday. Mark Domingo, an infantryman who served a combat stint in Afghanistan, was arrested Friday after visiting a park in Long Beach where authorities said he planned to plant home-made explosive devices made with nail-filled pressure cookers in advance of a Nazi rally scheduled Sunday. Domingo, 26, was arrested on a charge of providing material support to terrorists. A criminal complaint said he had been planning since March to manufacture and use a weapon of mass destruction in order to commit mass murder. U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna told a news conference that Domingo supported violent jihad and spoke about becoming a martyr and of pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group if it established a presence in the United States. This is a case in which law enforcement was able to identify a man consumed with hate and bent on mass murder, and stop him before he could carry out his attack, Hanna said. The criminal case outlines a chilling terrorism plot that developed over the past two months and targeted innocent Americans that he expected to gather this past weekend. Investigators said Domingo posted an online message March 3 that said America needs another Vegas event, an apparent reference to the 2017 mass shooting that killed 59. He allegedly said it would spark civil unrest to weaken America by giving them a taste of the terror they gladly spread all over the world. After Domingo began to discuss seeking revenge for the March 15 attacks that killed 50 people at New Zealand mosques, a confidential source who has worked with the FBI since 2013 began chatting with him about his plans. Domingo said he had an assault rifle, semi-automatic rifle and several magazines of ammunition. He discussed picking off Jews walking to synagogue, shooting police officers or attacking a church or military base, according to investigators. When the source asked him how he planned to carry out violence without getting caught, court records said Domingo replied: Martyrdom, bro. He also allegedly discussed killing a neighbor he was upset with as a prelude to broader violence and later contemplated bombing the Santa Monica Pier, where he said a summer attack on the crowded tourist spot would maximize casualties because people wouldnt be able to escape the blast in the enclosed space. Eventually, he settled on the idea of planting an improvised explosive device that would be remotely triggered or detonated by a timer at a white supremacist event, investigators said. The confidential source connected him with a purported bomb maker who was actually an undercover police officer. Domingo bought 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms) of nails long enough to puncture internal organs and provided them to the bomb maker, though the resulting contraption contained only inert materials, authorities said. If he survived the planned bombing, Domingo allegedly discussed launching further attacks on the Long Beach Port or on a train. The plot was thwarted just two days ahead of the event, investigators said, when an FBI SWAT team arrested Domingo after he was given the pressure cookers and surveyed Bluff Park in Long Beach, where the rally was supposed to happen. White nationalists, however, never showed up at the park Sunday. Instead, a large group of counter protesters demonstrated for peace. Phone and email messages seeking comment from the public defender representing Domingo were not immediately returned. A voicemail left at a phone number listed for Domingo was not returned. Domingo is believed to have acted alone and authorities said the public was not at risk. After Domingo was identified online by the FBI, he was under surveillance around the clock, said Ryan Young, the FBI special agent in charge of counter terrorism at the Los Angeles office. Our biggest fear is this was a rapid what we call radicalization to mobilization to violence,' Young said. Sometimes we get asked What keeps you up at night? This is a case that keeps us up at night. While Domingo had appeared committed to carry out the plot, court papers portray him as suddenly reluctant as the bomb plot came together. He told the others he thought were his confederates they should consider postponing so he could finish reading the Quran and experience the Muslim holy month of Ramadan beginning in May. Last Wednesday, he told the confidential source he wanted to think about it for a night. Lets just sleep on it, he said, according to court papers. If were still as motivated Ill give the go-ahead. The next day he sent a message to the supposed bomb maker that the plan was on. The two referred to the bombs as presents they needed to wrap for a party. Keep the presents somewhere safe lol, Domingo wrote back Friday morning before making plans to meet that night. ___ Associated Press reporter John Antczak contributed to this report. A federal magistrate judge in Albuquerque ordered Monday that the leader of an armed group that detained asylum-seeking families near the Mexican border remain jailed as he awaits trial on a federal firearms charge. Larry Mitchell Hopkins pleaded not guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition during a detention hearing that was delayed earlier in the morning because the federal courthouse in Albuquerque was abruptly evacuated. The U.S. Marshals Service said it could not provide information hours later about why the courthouse was cleared. It reopened shortly after noon. Hopkins, 69, clad in a gray jumpsuit and shackled at the waist, wrists and ankles, inched across the courtroom as an officer helped him down a step and escorted him out of the courtroom. A federal prosecutor argued after the courthouse reopened that Hopkins posed a flight risk and danger to the public if released. He cited Hopkins history of felony convictions dating back decades, use of aliases, and his leadership role in the heavily armed United Constitutional Patriots group at the border. He was a commander of this militia group that was heavily armed, and that further establishes hes a danger to the community, said George Kraehe, the federal prosecutor. Hopkins was arrested on April 20 after videos of his militia group carrying firearms and detaining groups of immigrants crossing the border sparked widespread criticism. The charge against him stems from 2017 when, authorities say, an FBI agent was invited into Hopkins northern New Mexico home. Hopkins showed the agent at least nine weapons and ammunition, saying they belonged to his live-in girlfriend before referring to one of the weapons as his, according to the complaint. He also knew which firearms were loaded with ammunition, Kraehe said in court. In an interview, Hopkins partner, Fay Murphy, said he had been at the border for about two months before his arrest. She said he had told her over the phone that an FBI agent approached him in the desert near the border. He had been preparing to cook hamburgers when the agent offered to instead take him to a restaurant in Sunland Park, where federal authorities took him into custody, she said. It doesnt make no sense, Murphy said. Hes not a threat. She shook her head in court as the prosecutor said he had counted 11 prior felony convictions since 1968 against Hopkins. The indictment against Hopkins cites previous criminal convictions of impersonating a police officer and repeated firearms violations. Are you lost in the wild? Sorry, but the page you're looking for has not been found Try checking the URL for errors, goto home or try to search below. Prosecutors and law enforcement officers can do communities more harm than good if the wrong strategies are in place, San Franciscos district attorney said during a national conference here Monday. San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon said over-incarceration hasnt reduced crime, but it has created a lot of problems for many communities over the past three decades. We cant apply the rules that were used 20 or 30 years ago, Gascon said during a luncheon at the Symposium on Intelligence-Driven Prosecution being held here this week. He said the wrong strategy can result in people not wanting police in their communities, which he said has been the case in some communities in Los Angeles, or people not wanting to report crime to law enforcement. He discussed the workings of Crime Strategies Units, which he said were on the cutting edge of what public safety needs to look like in the 21st century. We have to come up with a lawful, thoughtful, respectful way to reduce crime, he said. To accomplish that goal, he created his initial CSU in San Francisco in 2014. The unit he created served as the model for one created last year by the 2nd Judicial District Attorneys Office here in Bernalillo County, the first of its kind in New Mexico. There were really only two offices in the country that were head and shoulders above the district attorneys, and that was New York where crime strategies started and then there was San Francisco, 2nd Judicial District Attorney Raul Torrez said. We went to San Francisco in part because they had developed the latest version of the Crime Strategies Unit, and they also had access to really cutting edge technology in Silicon Valley. We thought that was going to be very helpful. San Francisco also presented a blueprint probably closer to what this county looked like, Gascon said. He called CSUs a new way of thinking that will work. Rather than going and sweeping entire neighborhoods, we need to look at the crime drivers and look behind the curtain and see what will be the right intervention. The right intervention could be drug treatment, it could be mental health issues. For somebody else, it could be custody. It could be jail, it could be prison. For Torrez, the work of the San Francisco CSU in dealing with auto theft and auto burglary issues was of particular interest for local community leaders. There was a sense of importance of finding criminal networks and high-crime drivers, he said. And then using data to inform and make more precise judgments as to what to do with criminal defendants when they came into the system. Gascon said he is impressed with how quickly Torrezs office ramped things up. Weve made pretty fast progress, Torrez said. We didnt get funding for the office until the summer of last year, 2018. Weve been in operation for less than a year. We will be unveiling a new tech center in the District Attorneys Office later in May. In terms of technological advances, our partnerships with New Mexico Tech and Sandia National labs have been extraordinary. Theyve advanced our technical capabilities to a whole new level. Theyre critical in helping us pull in relevant data from multiple data sources. Gascon, a former police chief, said it was important to have cooperation from law enforcement when setting up a CSU. Torrez said the cooperation between his office and law enforcement is going well. Its always tough when you try something new, he said. Were trying to educate and work with law enforcement. Theyve been very helpful, and weve been able to assist in a number of recent violent crime cases, gun-related cases. Were hoping our partnership is only going to get better. CHICO, Calif. - Chico has a non-profit organization that is raising funds so that they can move 50 of Butte County's most vulnerable, homeless and elderly citizens into a tiny home village - Simplicity Village. The organization is called CHAT. The acronym stands for Chico Housing Action Team. Leaders of the organization told Action News Now reporter that some of the homeless people they will house in the new Simplicity Village will be Camp Fire survivors. Participants in CHAT's programs believe the Simplicity Village will be a great way to integrate homeless people back into society and the Chico community. The location of Simplicity Village will be on Notre Dame Blvd. just off of Highway 99. The piece of land is two-and-a-half acres. Susan Gannon is medically fragile and is currently housed in a CHAT home. She said the support has been awesome and the group of generous and caring volunteers have provided support in numerous ways. Robert Trausch, a founder of the group, said CHAT volunteers work to stabilize people and bring them back into society, helping them get jobs and back on their feet. The housing that is provided to the homeless is referred to as "bridge housing." They can stay at a CHAT home or unit until they can move on to a more self-supporting living situation. CHAT screens applicants carefully and enforces a community "code of conduct." Several of the tiny homes destined for Simplicity Village have already been built by volunteers and have been displayed to the public at several different church parking lots. CHAT received city council support in December, and will break ground at the Simplicity Village site in June, but need to raise some more money to pay for construction costs. They are inviting their supporters to the Bacio Catering event called, "Feed Your Soul," which will help pay for the construction. It is Bacio's spring dinner. Every year it is put on to support an important community project. "Human Kindness" is Bacio's theme for 2019. Bacio's owners believe CHAT's efforts in dealing with the housing crisis in Butte County are commendable and says CHAT is in need of the community's financial and volunteer support. The pop-up farm-to-table dinner will cost $55 per ticket, will take place on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at the Lakeside Pavilion in Chico from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m You need to get your tickets in advance, either at Bacio Catering (1903 Park Ave.) or online through Eventbrite. You can also donate to CHAT at that link, even if you are not able to attend the dinner. More information on CHAT is available at their webpage -- CLICK HERE REDDING, Calif. - Starting Monday, firefighters will learn how to supervise air attacks during a training in Redding. The U.S. Forest Service is teaming up with Cal Fire for an aerial supervision course at the Redding Air Attack Base and the Northern California Training Center. Fighting fire from the air is extremely hazardous, according to authorities. To maximize safety and efficiency, new supervisors of air operations must undergo training in air traffic control, communications, equipment, aerial firefighting tactics and observation. During training, students will coordinate air tankers, helicopters and smoke-jumper firefighting aircrafts on a simulated fire in the Oak Run and Whitmore areas. Vidooly, a leading online video analytics & marketing company, has aggregated data on millions of videos to determine the most popular video formats. The list gives an idea of the type of content that is most popular on platforms like Facebook, YouTube and Instagram and who are the top performing creators in their respective genre. Top 5 Performing Content Categories Stats of Facebook, YouTube and Instagram (March 2019 views) News & Politics Comedy/Skit Fashion & Beauty Vlogs Gaming This report has been created with the help of Vidoolys Brand Intelligence tool, which helps creators, brands and agencies track useful analytics data of their competitors and clients. The Himalaya Drug CompanyIndias leading wellness companyin its new campaign, highlights the benefits of using Himalaya Purifying Neem Face Wash over an ordinary toilet soap as a solution to tackle pimples. Weaved around the central message Pimple Hai to Soap Nahi, Sirf HimalayaPurifying Neem Face Wash, the campaign captures the playful banter between two sisters wherein the younger one is seeking advice from her elder sister for pimple problems. Consumer insights suggest that when a girl gets her first pimple, she gets anxious and actively starts looking for solutions. She washes her face more frequently to stay clean, she tries different soaps and even upgrades to special soaps but pimples continue to bother her. During this journey, she doesnt realize that her ordinary toilet soap (with high pH) is being harsh on her pimples and the same soap may be further aggravating her pimples. The new Himalaya Purifying Neem Face Wash TVC sets in with a beautiful screenplay between two sisters in the backdrop of a painting canvas. The younger sister is seen anxious with her first pimple and walks up to her elder sister. The elder sister cares for her sisters anxiety and advises her to not use soap on pimples. She explains the harsh effects of an ordinary toilet soap and asks her to switch to Himalaya Purifying Neem Face Wash, as it is soap-free and has the antibacterial goodness of Neem and Turmeric. She explains the harsh effects of an ordinary toilet soap and advises her to use Himalaya Purifying Neem Face Wash, as it is soap-free and has the antibacterial goodness of Neem and Turmeric. Abhinav Chugh, Category Manager Face Wash, Consumer Products Division - Marketing, The Himalaya Drug Company, said, Himalaya is the most preferred and loved brand in the Face Wash Category. Consumers trust Himalaya for their face wash needs. It is our responsibility to build awareness around face care and advocate correct solution for consumers benefit. The rapidly growing face wash category still has low penetration. 7 out of every 10 consumers in urban India unknowingly use soap for face cleansing. With pimple problem, an ordinary toilet soap can be harmful and should be avoided. Keerthika Damodaran, Brand Manager Face Wash, Consumer Products Division - Marketing, The Himalaya Drug Company, said, Himalaya Face Wash provides a safe and effective solution for multiple skin problems. When it comes to pimples, consumers dont realize that ordinary toilet soaps can be harsh on them. With this communication, we emphasize on the soap-free nature of Himalaya Purifying Neem Face Wash, along with the antibacterial goodness of Neem and Turmeric to help prevent pimples. This campaign, with its compelling insight and strong delivery, will make consumers re-think on using their ordinary toilet soap on pimples and make them switch to Himalaya Purifying Neem Face Wash. Conceptualized by Eighty-Two Point Five Communications, the highlight of the TVC was to give enough reasons to the consumer using soap on pimple to switch to Himalaya Purifying Neem Face Wash to resolve their pimple-related problems. Ravikumar C, Senior Creative Directive, Eighty Two Point Five Communications, said, This time around, as part of recruiting new users into the category, we had to make the consumers aware of the ineffectiveness of an ordinary toilet soap when it comes to pimples. We had to communicate a functional message while retaining the brand story of two sisters, their innocence, care, and warmth. Our creative solution was simple, and added one more character to this mix, a portrait. The story revolves around a portrait of the younger sister drawn by the elder one. When one uses the portrait to showcase her problem of pimples, the other provides the solution through it without losing the innocence, simplicity, care, and warmth. Naveen Raman, Senior Vice President & Branch Head, Eighty-Two Point Five Communications, said, As a creative proposition, the brand has been owning the first pimple in a girl's life for a very long time. We remained consistent to the creative hook and came up with an interesting story between two sisters to establish our proposition. Campaign details: Title: Pimple Hai to Soap Nahi, Sirf Himalaya Purifying Neem Face Wash Client: The Himalaya Drug Company Agency: Eighty Two Point Five Communications Brand Planning: Siddharth Roy, Malini Menon Creative: Ravikumar C Account Management: Naveen Raman, Sunpreet Kaur, Dhwani Nagrani Production house: Code Red Films Director: Gajraj Rao In one of the most extensive qualitative GEN Z (18-23) youth surveys done across the country, Yuvaa, in partnership with InUth, has found out that the top issue on the mind of young voters is womens safety and and empowerment. This was followed by communal politics and violence and corruption, as the top reasons that will get young voters to cast their vote. Yuvaa travelled between January and March across 25 Indian cities (in North, South, East, West, Central and North East zones), and interviewed over a 1000 youth in 65+ colleges (including IITs, NITs, AIIMS, IIMs, NIFTs, and more) from across economic divides to understand the first time voter, for a video series called YOUTH ADDA, in partnership with InUth. The qualitative interviews were then mined for quantitative data, and the results give a sharp insight on what the first time voter is voting for in this election season (and whether or not they are going to vote at all). While students across tiers and gender agreed on the importance of voting, 29% said they wont be voting or are unable to vote because they dont have a Voter ID and/or did not know how to make one. There were many insights that were derived out of the survey, some of the top ones are given below: On Politics: 55.6% youth view politics negatively, 11.1% are neutral and only 33.3% are positive about it. More tier 1 students and more male students view politics negatively than tier 2 and female. The lack of youth representation was given as the biggest reason for the disinterest/dislike towards politics, followed by communal hatred and corruption. Interestingly, a majority of the students said that they would vote based on the candidate and not the party. On Important issues: Over 20% Gen Z students felt that women safety and empowerment was the most important issue facing the country today. This number was consistent across tiers and gender. But while for women, the other top issues were corruption and poverty, for men it was communal violence and education. Students among Tier 1 cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore felt corruption and communal violence are the other most significant issues that will compel them to vote, whereas for Tier 2, the other issues to vote for were education and infrastructure. On Social Media: An overwhelming 74.3% students viewed social media negatively and 11.4% were neutral, and among women and Tier 2 students, the number was as high as 80%. The biggest reason given for disliking social media as a political/campaign tool/platform was fake news (47.1%). 20.6% found meme culture as toxic in campaigning while 20.6% equally thought radicalisation/communal hatred online was one of the reasons social media has become a negative experience for them during election season. Other topics: 68% of students viewed NOTA positively, with many calling it a protest vote. Over 62% students were in favour of students politics and most felt that it would help more youth engage with politics on a larger level. An overwhelming majority of students interviewed (86%) viewed the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi positively, primarily due to development and international diplomacy. More Tier 2 and male students viewed him positively, but interestingly, not everyone who supported PM Modi supported BJP, instead believing that candidate and party should be seen as separate entities. Among all students who viewed PM Modi negatively, blamed BJPs communal politics for the reason. Yuvaa and InUths Youth Adda is a 10-part mini series that will be released on all social media on the channels of both the youth organisations. Three parts of the series are already out. Please find the links below: YOUTH ADDA EPISODE 1 NOTA: YOUTH ADDA EPISODE 2 - SOCIAL MEDIA: YOUTH ADDA EPISODE 3 ISSUES: YOUTH ADDA TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=ETI4rKQ_MLk Yuvaa is also doing a 4 part video series to explain the process of elections to first time voters, called How To Election, in association with Young India Foundation. Links below: HOW TO ELECTION EPISODE 1: HOW TO ELECTION TRAILER: Attached is an infographic featuring some of the major points of analysis. Please reach out for any other details or data points, the cities and colleges Yuvaa visited, or any other details. Says Co-Founder and CEO, Nikhil Taneja, The first time voter in this election season is the first adult of the 21st century. The Gen Z youth will not just determine the future of India, they are the future of India. We went to 25 cities, 65+ colleges and met thousands of students over 3 months because at Yuvaa, we understand that every young Indian has something to say, but few political parties are listening. The manifestos of all major parties dont think of youth beyond employment, whereas there are so many other issues plaguing them. We need to listen to, understand and engage with young India, to ascertain a bright future for India. Below is a letter from a Jewish woman to her Senator regarding vaccination choice. The letter is anon for her safety. We live in a tenuous time. Jewish Americans especially. We had a shooting at synagogue on Passover in San Diego this past weekend. The media push to demonize those who do not have an MMR vaccination is dangerous in the extreme. To vilify Americans of faith is to open them to hatred and violence - for what, to fund pharma, political campaigns? We need to stop and think. Fear generates hatred. Hatred opens the door to death. ### "Dear Senator, I write to you about the bill to remove our rights to religious vaccine exemption. As a legislator who is involved with the Holocaust and Human Rights Center you must have affinity and an authentic appreciation for the "event", its lead up and its outcomes. I am Jewish. I observe the laws of kashrut (kosher) that are articulated in Torah. I chose the philosophical exemption for my children years back because I carry a life long trepidation of "outing" the choices I make having foundation in being Jewish. I did not want record of my observance. My grandma, mom's mom, got stuck in the progroms in Russia in the early 1900's. For too many years she lived a terrifying life very similar to Anne Frank. My Zeide, dad's dad, fought in the underground in Poland against the communists and the Nazis who both wanted us dead, years before the world was allowed any knowledge of what was going on there. With what has transpired in NY and the exacerbation of anti semitic activity by the government and media focusing on orthodox Jews, my trepidation continues in this day. What the government has done gives my insides goosebumps. That this bill removes the G-d given right to observe the Torah is abhorrent to me beyond the words I have available to describe. Torah says no pig, no blood. My ancestors did not capitulate. They clung to the Torah and to G-d. They are my heritage. I am their legacy, as are my children. We will never take a vaccination. That I will be unable to pursue educational advancement, as I continue getting older with less opportunity to pay for my own old age, or turn my back on my ancestors, my heritage, my faith, is heinous and an unforgivable choice that will be the result if this bill, in its current form, becomes law. It puts a disability on me personally and those like me. I do not envy you as you have limited choice in what bills are presented. I appreciate your legislative service and the importance of your work. Please, consider what I have shared with you as time comes before you to vote. Sincerely, Your Constituent" Hello, dear readers! Kim here. I'm hitting you up for a donation, so get ready. XOX After a quiet weekend with my girls, I find myself at the computer on Sunday afternoon selecting content for you to read on Monday morning. AofA is a content hog - and I must feed the beast daily. So feed I do. With help from our wonderful Contributing Editors. Our content reflects the state of the autism epidemic. Right now, we are measles heavy as vaccine mandate laws slash across the nation. Soon, we'll seem "political" as the Presidential election gets underway. We NEVER please everyone. Thank GOD. The day we make everyone happy is the day I log off and hit DELETE SITE. Our job is to tackle the uncomfortable. The difficult. It has cost us sponsor after sponsor. I am a Sirius satellite radio lover and I listen to a range of channels all day. I rarely watch TV. I cut cable when I moved in October to a new little house. I miss not a thing about TV news. I can listen to the major news channels on Sirius and I have the CBS app if I need to watch the NYC news during a storm, etc. But I digress, as usual! As I bumped Miss Mia off my laptop, I was listening to the Siriusly Sinatra channel and the song playing was "Everything Happens to Me." I'd written about this song once before here at AofA. Why? Because of this lyric: "I've had the measles. I've had the mumps. Everything happens to me." Measles and mumps were comm0n childhood diseases for decades in America. They did not induce panic, fear or discrimination. They were not used to fund politicians and pharma and public health machines. They were a pain in the ass nuisance that pediatricians saw daily, and parents handled with relative ease. Measles and mumps were fodder for cartoons and sitcoms and pop songs. Today, we face a real hit to our liberty, rights as Americans. Those of us with "under-vaccinated" children are being demonized. Our kids are being called threats to society. Imagine that. Healthy American children banned from school and elsewhere. We face not only discrimination, but also censorship. We're being bumped from social media (our account was removed from Pinterest) and there's a push to shut us up. Not likely. We speak out for OUR CHILDREN and the children even of those who claim to hate us. Censorship? NOT AT AGE OF AUTISM. Our work, Dan Olmsted and Mark Blaxill's original mission, is more important then EVER. We are donor driven. Your donations fund my ability to run AofA every day. With your funds, I pay to keep us online, I pay myself a small salary (less than I made 35 years ago out of college) and when funds allow, I try to help other autism Moms who also write. Please make a donation to us today. You can use the Bank of America merchant services donate button on our sidebar, or our new funding platform at Network for Good - which is also funding our NEW family member: www.AutismAges.org. More on the new site later this week. If you prefer to send a check: Autism Age PO Box 110546 Trumbull CT 06611 Thank you. KIM Experienced Executive Hired to Lead Media and Broadcast Sector Strengthens Team With Appointment of Barrie Woolston as Senior Vice President London, April 27, 2019 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Speedcast International Limited ( ASX:SDA ) ( FRA:7SC ) ( OTCMKTS:SPPDF ), the world's most trusted provider of remote communication and IT solutions, announced today that Barrie Woolston has been appointed Senior Vice President of the company's Media and Broadcast team. In his new role at Speedcast, Woolston will help Broadcasters and Media companies navigate the complexities of global content distribution and the emerging trend toward IP and cloud-based services using the company's scalable global infrastructure that consists of satellite, fiber and cellular networks."Barrie has a solid track record for driving business growth in the Media sector," said Erwan Emilian, Executive Vice President, Enterprise & Emerging Markets at Speedcast. "Over the last three decades, Barrie has worked with major broadcasters and platforms around the world. His understanding of the complex challenges our customers face, combined with the relationships he's solidified with broadcasters, will help to increase Speedcast's standing as the most extensive provider of global connectivity."Woolston has 30 years of experience in the Technology, Media, and Telecom sectors, with a particular focus on managing customer relationships and driving new business. Before working at Speedcast, Woolston was the Chief Commercial Officer at AsiaSat and the Commercial Director at Arqiva. Throughout the years, he has gained a strong understanding of DTH, OTT, satellite, and digital media technologies."The Media industry is going through a dynamic period of change as disruptive business models and technologies impact broadcasters and content owners around the world. With its global scale in people and infrastructure married to our proven robust service culture, Speedcast is in a unique position to help the Media industry navigate the challenges of the future," said Woolston. "Speedcast has continually demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to sectors impacted by technology challenges by developing strong customer relationships and innovative technical solutions, and we will bring a much-needed new approach to an industry that touches everyone's lives on a daily basis."Speedcast recently announced that it expanded the capabilities of Speedcast Media Network to support the growing industry requirement for multi-platform, point-to-point, and point-to-multipoint live and linear digital video delivery anywhere in the world. As content rights owners and pay-TV operators make more content available on every screen globally, and with nearly 90 percent of US and EMEA broadcasters expected to adopt IP and cloud technologies over the next few years according to IABM, Speedcast Media Network enables increased efficiency and agility for supporting "video everywhere" models for any size media organization.About Speedcast International Ltd Speedcast International Ltd (ASX:SDA) is the world's most trusted communications and IT services provider, delivering critical communications solutions to the Maritime, Energy, Mining, Media, Telecom, Cruise, NGO, Government, and Enterprise sectors. With more satellite capacity than any other provider, Speedcast enables faster, seamless pole-to-pole coverage from a global hybrid satellite, fiber, cellular, microwave, MPLS, and IP transport network with direct access to public cloud platforms. The company also integrates differentiated technology offerings that provide smarter ways to communicate and distribute content, manage network and remote operations, protect and secure investments, and improve the crew and guest experience. With a passionate customer focus and a strong safety culture, Speedcast serves more than 3,200 customers in over 140 countries. Learn more at www.speedcast.com. 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. https://www.aish.com/ci/s/Jews-Shouldnt-have-to-Pay-with-their-Lives-to-Gather-in-Prayer.html We need our leaders to work together to stop the hate all hate from the far right to the far left. Ten years ago, we asked a hotel clerk in Frankfurt, Germany how to walk to the local synagogue. Easy, she said, smiling, go to the second light, make a right and walk until you reach the armored half-track. European Jews, to try to protect themselves from Palestinians in the 1970s and today from returning Islamic State fighters, have long accepted that the only way to pray in peace is to prepare for war. Synagogue goers in Paris, Rome, Copenhagen, and in Istanbul, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem have paid with their lives for praying to God in a minyan. Here at home, Jewish institutions large and small have had perimeter security for decades. Still, we all wanted to believe major attacks wouldnt happen here. Now they have happened here again and again. Six months to the day of the Tree of Life Synagogue massacre in Pittsburgh, when a white supremacist neo-Nazi mass-murdered 11 Jews, another Jewish woman, Laurie Gilbert Kaye, is dead, struck down here in California as she tried to shield her rabbi, who was injured along with two others, including an 8-year-old girl. They were allegedly gunned down by a 19-year-old white supremacist, who in word and deed copied the shooters in Pittsburgh and in a New Zealand mosque attack. Something precious and uniquely American is being stripped away from us before our very eyes. Until recently, Americans of all faiths felt secure leaving our homes to go our churches, synagogues or mosques to pray, socialize with our faith communities and return home in peace. No more. Terrorists, foreign and increasingly domestic, specifically seek to murder and maim the faithful. They are killing more than people; these terrorists are steadily destroying a key pillar of American society. Is turning our houses of worship into armed camps the best we can offer our children? We can and should increase training and deploy technological tripwires to harden houses of worship. But that cannot stop the hate. We should also demand that all social media platforms remove live streaming capabilities that broadcast these onslaughts in real time. We should demand that Twitter, YouTube, Google, Facebook and others stop providing the anti-Semites and racists a platform. But that would also not stop the hate. Instead of showing some moral leadership and bipartisan resolve, our politicians have chosen to weaponize anti-Semitism and racism. The recent hearing on white supremacist hate crimes in the House Judiciary Committee was a farce with both Democrats and Republicans more interested in pandering to their bases than forging a unified action plan to counter the kind of attacks that took place in Pittsburgh and San Diego. They are shirking their responsibilities to fight the hate. We American Jews live with the fact that we are the No. 1 target of religious-based hatred. The media have too often failed in their responsibilities. Hate is hate. But frankly, media outlets dont always present a level playing field. They dont seem to trust that Americans are mature enough to know that all Muslims arent responsible if an Islamist commits a hate attack, just as all of Christendom is not culpable when a white nationalist invokes Scripture to justify murder. We American Jews live with the fact that we are the No. 1 target of religious-based hatred. In 2019, we are more worried than ever, not only because of the unprecedented level of deadly violent attacks but because anti-Semitism is now accepted in the mainstream of society. We are incensed and worried that Americas anti-Semite in chief, Louis Farrakhan, is rarely called out for decades of violent hatred of Jews and Judaism. We watch in horror as freshman Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) has injected anti-Semitism into the mainstream of American political culture. Her hatred is excused or winked at by the top leadership of her party. Heres what we need from our Democratic and Republican leaders: Spare us the morning-after news releases and work together to stop the hate all hate from the far right to the far left. If we truly want to defeat hate and take back our nations venerated freedoms, we all have to earn it by being strong and by acknowledging our differences while working together to rebuild the playing field that once housed the American dream. This article originally appeared in the LA Times. https://www.aish.com/ho/p/Smuggled-Out-of-Kovno-Ghetto-in-a-Sack.html Arik Brik was a young boy when he survived the Holocaust. He moved to Israel with his family where he reached great prominence. Arik (Aharon) Brik was born in Kovno, Lithuania in 1936, the only son of Zvi Brik an attorney and his wife Leah, a school teacher. The second biggest city in the country and once its capital, Kovno was famous for its textiles, breweries and furniture production and was brimming Jewish artisans and businesses. Home to dozens of synagogues and Jewish schools with many active Zionist youth movements, Kovnos Jewish population of 31,000 made up a quarter of the town. The famed Slobodka yeshiva - one of the most renowned seats of Torah learning in Europe was located close by. On 25 June 1941, the thriving and vibrant Jewish life in Kovno came to an abrupt halt when the Nazis conquered the city, unleashing a wave of brutal attacks by Lithuanians who murdered hundreds of the Jews in broad daylight on the streets of the city. Within weeks, the Nazis consolidated their grip on the town, forcing the Jews into a ghetto, and in a series of gruesome aktions, led large groups to nearby the forests, shooting them in military forts abandoned by the Soviets. Forced labor in the Kovno Ghetto The killings spread fear throughout the community, with the date October 28 1941 still etched in the memory of the few survivors of the town. On that day 9,200 men, women and children were led to the notorious ninth fort, lined up and shot, their bodies buried in shallow pits. The remaining 20,000 Jews in the ghetto lived in constant fear. No memories of happiness Five years old when the Nazis entered the city, Arik Brik testified over 60 years later, I dont remember that I ever played in the ghetto, I was always afraid. He added, I was always within four closed walls, I could not go out. I have no memories of happiness. I can remember only the fear and worry of the daily deprivation. Several bitter moments have been etched into his childhood memories. One day I dropped a pot of soup, he said. It was a tragedy because you have no food. The food was in such short supply, A rotten potato which has been smuggled in from outside turns the day into a festival. Jews forced to leave the Kovno Ghetto The Nazis brutally exploited the Jews for slave labor, marching 4,500 Jews, already weak from hunger, six kilometers a day to build a military airport for the German air force. Those who worked there lived with the hope that being useful to the Nazis would keep them alive, while each day they would come home terrified to find their families had been deported or taken away in another brutal aktion. Ariks father, fearing for his sons safety, dressed him as an older boy taking him along to work with the other men of the ghetto. On March 27 1944, the Nazis stepped up their murderous plans for the Jewish people, dragging 1,800 children and babies out of the ghetto, shooting them in cold blood. Somehow Arik survived the aktion. Death is a phenomenon that I saw from up close all around me, he said. Hiding underground As the remaining Jews of Kovno realized their end was near, they began to dig underground bunkers under the buildings of the ghetto, hoping they could hide or owing to some twist of fate, survive until they were liberated. Some who had good contacts outside of the ghetto tried to find ways of escaping but Zvi Brik, a respected leader in the city both before and during the war, refused to abandon his community. Joining others in one of the bunkers, he used his pre-war connections with local gentiles to smuggle his wife and their son out of the ghetto, so Eriks incredible story of survival continued. They put me in a sack and told me not to make a sound One of the ghettos factories produced uniforms for the German army; it was another way the Jews of the city used their skills as artisans to remain useful to the Nazis for as long as possible. In a carefully worked out plan, Zvi bribed the wagon driver and guards collecting a batch of uniforms from the ghetto and organized his familys escape, placing Arik into one of the sacks, with the guard allowing his mother to walk alongside the wagon. They put me in a bag and told me not to make a sound, Arik said remembering the tense journey. If it was cold or hot or whatever, I was not to make a sound. The wagon contained valuable goods for the Nazi war effort, and the sack containing 8-year-old Arik was placed on top so that hed be able to breathe. A few kilometers outside the ghetto, the wagon stopped and all of the sacks were unloaded into a barn. They had arrived at the farm of a friend of Jaroslavas Rakevicius, a friend of Ariks father before the war. Jaroslavas Rakevicius was awarded as a Righteous among the Nations by Yad Vashem Arik had spent his childhood in the ghetto and had never spent time in the countryside. When they opened the sack, he recalled, I opened my eyes and saw a cow. I had never seen one before. Arik and his mother stayed at the farm, just outside Kovno for three days before Rakevicius and his sons, who had also helped 20 other Jewish families to escape, sensing the Nazis were looking for Jews in hiding, took them to their own farm in the village of Keidziai, around 100 kilometers away from Kovno. He remained hidden there with his mother, moving between two bunkers built under the familys home and yard, hoping the war would end soon. Our biggest fear was being given away and someone informing on us, Arik said. If anyone would tell the authorities then not only we would be killed, but also the family that was looking after us. You must keep learning Despite living with this fear, Ariks mother refused to give up on her only sons education. Drawing from her experience teaching before the war, she insisted they use their time in hiding to continue his education, tutoring him daily. She taught me math and history, and I remember many long conversations about the world, he said, recalling how his mother engaged him about life beyond the confines of the war. As Arik and his mother stayed in hiding, Zvi Brik, along with the remnant Jews of Kovno, were hiding in the ghetto in their underground bunkers. As the Soviets advanced and the fortunes of the war turned, the Nazis began destroying the ghetto, setting fire to its buildings and smoking the Jews out of hiding. Sadly most of the bunkers were discovered, with the Jews inside suffocating from the smoke. Zvis bunker was not found and remarkably he too survived the war. Reuniting and moving to Israel After six months in hiding, the Brik family finally reunited, and two years later in 1947, moved to pre-state Israel to start a new life. Arik recalls the familys journey: We travelled from Lithuania to Poland, from Poland to Romania, from Romania to Hungary, from Hungary to Russian-controlled Austria, and from Russian-controlled Austria to British-controlled Austria. He continued, When we crossed the border we were suddenly met by a division of Brigade soldiers bearing the symbol of our flag. These were members of the Jewish brigade serving in the British army; from there they joined a boat of refugees sailing to Palestine. These are things that will never be forgotten. The view of Haifa from the ship when we first arrived is something I will always remember." Aharon Barak greets his rescuers son Ceslovas Rakevicius in Israel, 1976 Eleven years old, when the ship docked Ariks parents changed their family name from Brik, to Barak, meaning lightening. Their survival had been like flashes in the dark - one of a very few number of Kovno families who managed to reunite and begin new lives after the war. Following in his fathers footsteps In Israel, Aharon continued his education, the efforts of his mother in hiding had helped him retain his thirst for knowledge, despite the fear and anxiety he lived with on a daily basis. After serving in the IDF, he completed a bachelor's degree in International Relations at Jerusalems Hebrew University before choosing to follow in his fathers footsteps to qualify as an attorney. Aharon Barak at Yad Vashem After gaining great renown, in 1974, Aharon Barak was appointed the Dean of the Hebrew University Faculty of Law and one year later, the young boy smuggled out of Kovno Ghetto in a sack served as Attorney General of the State of Israel from 1975 to 1978. Barak served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Israel (197895), and became President of Israels Supreme Court from 1995 to 2006. Such was the potential of one Jewish boy who survived the Holocaust. 15 / 2019 PIPA . : 11 "": " . 13 400 ". : " ". PIPA : " 3500 2000 ". " " : " ". : " 3 / 2019 600 ". : " : 385 560 ". : " 25 200 10 150 ". " . ". "" PIPA "": " ". " " : " ". " ". " " "": " ". : " ". . 30 / 2018 "" 6 . . 19 / 2019 . 2000 . 2017 15 "" : " ". " ". "": " ". : " . ". " ". "" . Quarterly Activities Report 31 March 2019 Perth, April 29, 2019 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Intermin Resources Limited ( ASX:IRC ) ("Intermin" or the "Company") is pleased to provide the March 2019 Quarterly Activities Report. Intermin is a gold exploration and development company with a key focus in the Kalgoorlie region of Western Australia (see Figure 1 in link below) and has a number of joint ventures in place with quality partners covering multiple commodities in Western Australia and Queensland.HIGHLIGHTS- Intermin and MacPhersons' proposed combination through a Scheme of Arrangement progresses with the scheme booklet registered with ASIC and released to MacPhersons shareholders- Independent Expert concludes the Scheme is in the best interests of MacPhersons shareholders with the scheme meeting to be held on 31 May 2019- Exclusivity Deed signed with Focus Minerals Ltd for potential acquisition of the 2.1Moz Coolgardie gold project including the 1.2Mtpa processing plant- Maiden independent Mineral Resource estimate released for Crake which stands at:o 1.12Mt grading 1.59 g/t Au for 57,700oz at a 1.0g/t Au lower grade cut-off- Over 69% in the Indicated Category with mineralisation open to the west and north- Intermin's Total Mineral Resource grew to:o 10.38Mt grading 2.00g/t Au for 667,500oz at a 1.0g/t Au lower grade cut-off- Menzies and Goongarrie gold project areas returned to Intermin on a 100% basis- Excellent drilling results received from the Lady Irene prospect, part of the Menzies project area- Exploration drilling program commenced with an initial 11,000m planned at Binduli, Teal East, Olympia, Scotia and Windanya at Kalgoorlie and Lady Irene, Selkirk and regional targets at Menzies- Janet Ivy Mining Royalty payments of A$0.50/t continue with A$56,000 received in the March Quarter and regular quarterly payments expected through FY2019- Cash and tradeable securities of A$6.3 millionTo view the full report with tables and figures, please visit:About Horizon Minerals Limited Horizon Minerals Limited (ASX:HRZ) is a gold exploration and mining company focussed on the Kalgoorlie and Menzies areas of Western Australia which are host to some of Australia's richest gold deposits. The Company is developing a mining pipeline of projects to generate cash and self-fund aggressive exploration, mine developments and further acquisitions. The Teal gold mine has been recently completed. Horizon is aiming to significantly grow its JORC-Compliant Mineral Resources, complete definitive feasibility studies on core high grade open cut and underground projects and build a sustainable development pipeline. Horizon has a number of joint ventures in place across multiple commodities and regions of Australia providing exposure to Vanadium, Copper, PGE's, Gold and Nickel/Cobalt. Our quality joint venture partners are earning in to our project areas by spending over $20 million over 5 years enabling focus on the gold business while maintaining upside leverage. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi visited the White House for the second time and met with his American counterpart Donald Trump on April 9. The next day, Reuters reported that Egypt had pulled out of the US effort to forge the Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA), known as the Arab NATO. A source familiar with the decision told Reuters that Egypt conveyed its stance to the United States and other concerned parties ahead of a meeting for MESA held in Riyadh April 9. Besides the United States, the alliance includes Egypt, Jordan and the six Gulf states: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. It aims to promote regional stability, security and prosperity through enhanced multilateral cooperation at the political, security, energy and economic levels. There are reports that the MESA alliance has been conceived to meet US needs to target Iran and to reduce the US regional presence without allowing China or Russia to gain influence while disregarding the priorities and constraints of prospective Arab member states. According to Egyptian reports, Egypt made its decision due to the challenges facing the alliance. The first challenge is that the alliance is essentially linked to Trump and there is no guarantee that it will continue to exist after he leaves power. Therefore, its future is not guaranteed. The second challenge is the lack of consensus on the objectives of the alliance and the nature of the challenges and threats facing its potential member states. Such issues include combating terrorism and extremism, confronting Iran's aggressive policy in the Middle East and reducing the increase of Russian and Chinese influence in the region. The third challenge is related to the mystery surrounding the institutional aspect of the alliance and the US role therein. Asked about the reason behind Egypts withdrawal, Mohammad Abbas, an Iranian affairs expert at the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, told Al-Monitor that there is a divergence in strategic vision between Egypt and the United States on the core of the conflict in the Middle East. According to Cairo, he added, while terrorism and extremism pose a direct threat to its national security, the Iranian policy in the region does not. Washington perceives Tehran's destabilizing role in the region as a strategic challenge, and Egypt does not want to escalate the conflict with Tehran by joining an alliance that mainly targets Iran. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said there has been no official statement yet regarding Egypts withdrawal from the US effort to forge an Arab NATO, but Iran welcomes the decision if confirmed. According to one of the two sources that talked to Reuters, the decision did not appear to be final. Abbas also said that Cairo refuses to join an alliance that includes Qatar, whose interests are in opposition to the interests and national security of Egypt and is boycotted by four countries in the alliance (Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain). He said this obstacle will prevent the US efforts from coming to fruition. The United States does not need such an alliance to counter Iranian influence in the Middle East, said Abbas, as it has taken serious steps on the ground during the past few days to modify Tehrans behavior. On April 22, it demanded that buyers of Iranian oil stop purchases by May 1 or face sanctions, a move to choke off Tehrans oil revenues. It also officially designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist organization on April 15. Abbas said that the Egyptian withdrawal from the US effort will hamper the effectiveness of the alliance because Cairo serves as a pillar in any alliance it joins and its withdrawal will create a vacuum that is difficult to fill by other regional powers. A great deal of uncertainty continues to surround the Egyptian position, and if confirmed, such a decision would be consistent with the traditional Egyptian refusal to join military alliances forged by international powers. Its hesitation to make an official statement about its withdrawal suggests that Egypt could still be part of those efforts, especially considering that Cairo has attended all of the meetings. Commenting on the Reuters report, Mohammad Qashqoush, a military analyst and strategist and visiting national security professor at the Nasser Higher Military Academy, also pointed out to Al-Monitor that there is still no official Egyptian statement regarding Cairos withdrawal from the US effort to forge the alliance. In response to the comments indicating that the Egyptian withdrawal from the US effort came because Egypt did not want to confront Iran, Qashqoush said that the Egyptian decision not to support the US escalation against Iran aims at maintaining security and stability in the Arab Gulf. GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Abdullah Abdullah, a member of Fatah's Revolutionary Council, told Al-Monitor that the Palestinian Authority (PA) has asked Egypt to take over management of the Gaza Strip crossings as per the Palestinian reconciliation agreement signed October 12, 2017. Abdullah said both the PA and the movement sent a delegation to Cairo in mid-April for a few days to meet with Egyptian officials and discuss the implementation of the agreement. The delegation included Azzam al-Ahmad, who heads the reconciliation file in the Fatah movement, and Rouhi Fattouh, the commissioner of international relations in Fatah, among other representatives of the PA. Abdullah said discussions with the Egyptians included the Gaza Strip crossings and the PAs responsibility to provide whatever services it can provide to the Palestinians." There are two main crossings in Gaza, namely the Kerem Shalom commercial crossing and the Rafah crossing for individuals. This Fatah initiative comes after the announcement in late March of understandings between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip under the auspices of Egypt. Under these understandings, Israel approves international aid and development projects and allowing more trucks and products to go through the Kerem Shalom commercial crossing, especially after PA employees withdrew from it on Feb. 17 and Hamas took over its administration. The PA was indeed deployed at the Gaza crossings, but its presence was only a formality, as Hamas was effectively controlling the crossings and collecting taxes, which led us to withdraw the PA staff from the crossings, the Fatah leader said. According to Abdullah, the delegation will suggest taking over everything in the Gaza Strip, including the collection of taxes at the crossings. Abdullah said the PA and the movement are waiting for a response from Egyptian officials while Egypt is waiting for the other partys response, meaning Hamas. Usama Nofal, director of planning and policy at the Ministry of Economy in Gaza, told Al-Monitor that during its management of the Kerem Shalom commercial crossing, the PA made huge revenues through taxes. Nofal said the PA collected 15 million shekels a month (around $4.2 million) from the Kerem Shalom commercial crossing, but these revenues fell to 8 million shekels (around $2.2 million) this year due to the drop in imports and the low purchasing power. He said that the PA has now lost this monthly revenue because its staff withdrew from the crossings. Raed Fattouh, head of the coordination committee for the entry of goods at the Kerem Shalom crossing in Gaza, told Al-Monitor that between 300 and 400 trucks enter Gaza every day, and the Kerem Shalom commercial crossing is operational despite the absence of the PA staff. Nofal believes the reason the PA is once again asking to take over the Gaza crossings is that it wants to control the international assistance and development projects that are to be implemented in Gaza in the framework of the recently concluded understandings. Also, he added, the PA wants to control the movement of goods and individuals entering the Gaza Strip. Of note, the understandings stipulate expanding the fishing zone in the Gaza Strip to 15 nautical miles, up from the previous limit of 9 nautical miles. They also stipulate reducing the list of dual-use items and allowing $30 million a month in Qatari aid into the territory until the end of the year. In addition, the understandings stipulate increasing employment programs through international institutions such as the United Nations and offering 40,000 job opportunities over the course of six months, as announced by Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar. The continued opening of the Kerem Shalom crossing is also part of the truce. Omar Shaaban, director of the Pal-Think for Strategic Studies, told Al-Monitor the PA staff are no longer deployed at the Kerem Shalom commercial crossing as Hamas has returned to the crossing. This has to do with reducing the PA prerogatives in Gaza, he added. Shaaban said the PAs attempt to take over the crossings once again is a matter of sovereignty, as it would not be appropriate for the PA to return to an area whose border crossings it does not control. Add to this, he said, that taking over the crossing would generate significant financial revenues for the PA amid its financial crisis. Kerem Shalom is the only commercial crossing through which goods, foodstuffs, supplies, building materials, fuel, medical supplies and medicines enter the Gaza Strip. The crossing is to serve as the main gateway for the implementation of the truce between Hamas and Israel and the passage of aid and development projects, and this may justify the PA's official request to take over the Gaza crossings once again. A controversial bill in the Iranian parliament seeks to ban its members from running for office after serving three consecutive terms. Under the new bill, high-profile moderates such as current parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani and outspoken lawmaker Ali Motahari, who have both served three consecutive terms, would not be eligible to run in the 2020 legislative elections. On March 3, parliament passed the bill, with 135 members voting in favor. The bill also stipulates that after a period of four years, the ban is lifted and the individual may again run for parliament. To become law, the bill must now be approved by the Guardian Council, and the powerful body hasnt stated its position yet. Based on this bill, 34 current parliamentarians will be forbidden from running in the 2020 parliamentary elections. A number of Reformists and conservatives opine that this bill isnt in line with the constitution, as it limits the people's right to choose their preferred candidates. Sadegh Zibakalam, a prominent Reformist analyst, told a local news site, "[Limiting] the number of times the parliamentarians can take part in the parliamentary elections and restricting it to three consecutive terms is against the constitution and principles of democracy. People have the right to say who will represent them, whether a parliamentarian is [elected] three times or 30 times." He said, "[Based on] the constitution, the people's will must not be stalled. If the parliamentarians really care about the country and the people, it is better for them not to limit people's right to choose." Meanwhile, one hard-line outlet argued that "opponents state that the constitution doesn't allow restrictions to be applied against the people's [right] to choose their parliamentarians." It added that the Iranian Constitution doesnt let a president run the country for three consecutive terms. Opponents of the bill believe it will prevent parliament from having efficient and experienced parliamentarians, while supporters believe the bill will create huge opportunities for the young generation to enter parliament. Hamidreza Taraghi, a former hard-line parliamentarian, told a local media outlet, "[Banning] the experienced parliamentarians will deliver irreparable blows against the legislative [process]." Conservative parliamentarian Mohammad Reza Bahonar, who has served seven terms, noted that "if this [bill] is turned into a law, it will empty our parliament of experience." However, Hassan Nowruzi, a hard-line parliamentarian who voted for the bill, emphasized that the parliamentarians can still be elected for three consecutive periods, which will make them experienced enough. Is this bill designed to force influential figures out of parliament? After the bill passed, hard-line parliamentarian Seyed Hossein Naghavi Hosseini, took a swipe at Larijani, saying, "God willing, it is your last term and you should take a rest in the next [election]." Larijani replied sarcastically, "You will [have the opportunity] to take a breath." It should be noted that Larijani has backed moderate President Hassan Rouhani over the past six years, especially during the nuclear talks and the passing of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. This support has transformed the once conservative politician into a hated figure among conservatives and hard-liners. The hard-liners' jubilation over the prospect of Larijani not being able to run for reelection raised questions about the motivations behind the bill. Rasoul Montajebnia, a senior Reformist figure, told a local news outlet, "It is likely that there is a hidden political aim behind this bill, which seeks to deprive a number of prominent figures who can manage the parliament well from being nominated." Hassan Kanani Moghaddam, a moderate political activist, stated that the hard-liners are seeking revenge on Larijani. Meanwhile, one analysis is that the bill is the result of a secret agreement between hard-liners and Reformists, as a number of Reformists, including Mohammad Reza Aref, the chairman of the Hope faction in parliament, would benefit from this bill. Hard-line SNN news outlet wrote that removing Larijani from parliament would please Aref more than anyone. Nonetheless, it is likely that such an agreement was made, as a number of hard-liners and Reformists reached a deal in 2018 to bring down Larijani. In 2018, when parliament voted on a speaker, some hard-line parliamentarians voted for Aref in a coordinated plan to take down Larijani. However, they failed, as Larijani obtained only 24 votes more than Aref, which was alarming for him. Moderate Ali Motahari is among the prominent parliamentarians who would have to say farewell to parliament if the Guardian Council approves the bill. If passed, figures like Larijani and Motahari would likely focus on other endeavors, such as potentially running in the 2021 presidential election. In response to a question about the possibility of his nomination in the next presidential election, Motahari, in an unprecedented move, did not dismiss the notion. In an interview with a local outlet, Motahari stated: "It is dependent on the situation. I myself didnt think that one day I would enter the parliament, because I assumed that it wasnt compatible with [my character]. Sometimes I listened to the parliament [sessions] on the radio, and I said to myself, how patient they are, sitting there and discussing issues." Since Reformists will likely not be able to bring out their supporters to the polls, due to their constituents' disappointment over the Reformist performance in parliament, the bill would benefit hard-liners and conservatives, as their key rivals would be excluded from the elections. The path, then, is set for the new generation of hard-liners to enter parliament, since many hard-liner and conservative constituents see voting as a "religious duty." Under such circumstances, it's possible that conservatives like Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who has ran for president three times, will be nominated to be the next parliamentary speaker. During an April 29 speech addressing Irans police force commanders, Qasem Soleimani of the Quds Force - the foreign operations branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) - weighed in on one of the hot topics in Iranian media: direct talks between Iran and the United States. The enemy [America] wants to drag us to the negotiating table through economic pressure, and this type of negotiation is an example of submission, Soleimani said. But our people are smart and intelligent and believe that negotiations with the enemy under current conditions is pure surrender and certainly we will not give in to this humiliation. With the recent replacement of Mohammad Ali Jafari as commander of the IRGC, Soleimani is definitely the most recognizable face of the IRGC both inside and outside of Iran. Given that he is not political in nature and a man of few words, and that he weighed in on this issue during a time when Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is in the United States discussing with American media possible prisoner swaps with the United States, Soleimani appears to have been sending a signal to the Donald Trump administration on the IRGCs current position regarding any direct talks. Zarifs media interviews in the United States, which he gave while attending a United Nations conference, have definitely caught the attention of Iranian media. Hard-line Kayhan newspaper, whose editor is chosen by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneis office, took exception with a comment Zarif made in which he said Iran is ready to discuss prisoner swaps but the United States has not responded. The article stated that given that the United States has already exited the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and has a history of breaking pacts, Zarif is recommending negotiations from a position of weakness and passivity. The article noted that a number of Reformist media outlets reported on Zarifs proposal for talks with the United States and generally welcomed the news. However, Kayhan continued, addressing the foreign minister directly, Mr. Zarif, a weak message will make the enemy bolder and reminded him that Now the instructive experience of the JCPOA is in the court of public opinion. While the foreign minister was in the United States openly discussing the possibility of talks with American officials, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was in Iran meeting with European officials. The patience and tolerance of the Islamic Republic is not unlimited, Aragchi told Iranian reporters April 28. He added, And with a comprehensive assessment of the present situation well soon adopt a proper response to Americas illegal actions. It seems that while Iran is opening the door for some form of talks with the United States, they seem intent on not showing the gesture to be a sign of submission to Trump's reapplying sanctions on the country after Trump exited the JCPOA. While the United States recently announced they would no longer allow sanctions waivers for countries purchasing Iranian oil, Iranian media has been filled by statements from Russian, Turkish and Chinese officials stating that they would continue to do business with Iran. Education Minister Naftali Bennett founded the New Right party on the eve of the last election. When the party failed to pass the voter threshold, he had a hard time dealing with the outcome. He was not satisfied with the many volunteers who recounted the ballots at questionable voting stations and actually joined them in an effort to prove that there were irregularities and that his party actually made it into the Knesset. When the numbers failed to confirm his suspicions, his party announced that the fight was not over and that the next stage would be an appeal to the courts, demanding a recount in several polling stations where the New Right felt that the outcome was illogical. Just a few days later, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus lawyers announced that if Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit did not agree to postpone the hearings for the prime ministers three cases, they would appeal the ruling before the Supreme Court. They argue that it makes no sense that people dealing with a single case receive three months to prepare their defense, whereas Netanyahu, who is facing three separate charges, received the same amount of time. It seems to me that when the outgoing education minister and prime minister needed justice most, they were oblivious to how much damage they had done over time to the judicial authority, whose role was to listen to anyone who feels injured and to determine whether their claims are reasonable or just. They thought that the courts would always be there for them when they felt they had suffered some personal injury or were victims of discrimination. Netanyahu backed the attacks on the justice system throughout the last Knesset, and there is every indication that he plans to intensify his war against the court in his next term. Bennett had pressured Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked to both limit the authority of the Supreme Court and to appoint conservative and religious judges. The main issue surrounding the next coalition revolves around who will be the next justice minister. Based on past comments, the two main candidates for the position, the Likud's Yariv Levin and Betzalel Smotrich of the United Right, are both thought to be more extreme than Shaked. Appointing either one of them would deal a devastating blow to Israeli democracy. Both men represent the simplistic approach that elected officials should decide and legislate, leaving it up to the justice system to ensure that the resulting structure operates in accordance with the legislators decisions and legislation. This approach is typical of states with a nominally democratic government. Without an authority to interpret the laws and instruct the decision-makers to implement their decisions, there can be no real democracy. Israel has no constitution. It is governed by a unicameral parliament without a second chamber to review its decisions. Such a system of government ensures that decisions almost always pass with a majority. The most significant body with the power to balance and block the Knesset is the court. In a society such as ours, in which the ultra-Orthodox are a minority, the Arabs are a minority, the left is a minority and the right is a minority we are all minorities we all need the protection of the courts, which stand as a barrier against the tyranny of the majority. The role of the Israeli justice minister is unique to Israels system of government. Unlike the United States, for instance, the justice minister is not the chief prosecutor, nor even part of the legal system. On the other hand, the minister does have enormous influence on the selection of new judges and on the administration of the justice system. The minister can open and close courts, is a dominant factor when it comes to granting clemency and plays an important role in government-sponsored legislation and the coalitions reaction to legislation introduced by Knesset members. The justice minister cannot prevent an investigation from taking place, cannot stop the investigation nor prevent Netanyahu from being brought to trial, but can initiate legislation that would prevent putting the prime minister on trial. As such, the justice minister can influence the justice system at large by presenting his personal worldview. By appointing a specific justice minister, the government and the person at its head are sending a clear signal about their intentions. When I was appointed to this position in 1999, hundreds of Palestinians were under administrative detention. Nothing can be more contrary to the legal concept that suspects must be charged, that they must be informed of the charges being brought against them and that they must be allowed legal assistance so that they can defend themselves from the charges. Otherwise people could find themselves spending endlessly extended time in prison without even knowing what crimes they are suspected of committing. I spoke out about this frequently, even though I was fully aware that without legislative changes, I could do nothing to amend the situation. There was no majority in the coalition to enact the necessary changes. One day, a prosecutor appeared in court, demanding that a certain suspect be kept in administrative detention. The judge asked him how this request aligns with comments that his minister happened to make that very morning during a radio interview (my own against administrative detention). The prosecutor answered correctly that those remarks reflected the ministers personal opinion, while the legal system believes that administrative detention is an effective means of combatting threats to public safety and therefore in the public interest. The judge rejected the request, telling the attorney that if the suspect really were a threat to national security, he would do well to press charges. By the time I completed my term, only seven people were still in Israeli prisons under administrative detention. It is obvious that Netanyahus primary consideration at this moment is to avoid a trial. But that is not enough of a reason to justify the appointment of someone with an agenda of curbing the power and importance of the court. Not only would this be a devastating blow to Israels image as a democracy that prides itself in its court system. It should also be avoided because anyone who harms the courts is shooting himself in the foot. At some point, the court will be too weak to help when that person needs it. The Palestinian Authority (PA) is on the verge of collapse. Israeli security officials believe that barring drastic rescue measures, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will step down regardless of whether he quits of his own free will or is forced out by mass protests over the failure of funding-strapped institutions to carry out their tasks. Israels security agencies are convinced the collapse is only a matter of time as a result of Israels own doing and that of its friend, the United States. The first responsible for the possible collapse of the PA is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The 1994 Paris Protocol, which regulates economic ties between Israel and the PA, stipulates that Israel would collect on behalf of the PA tax revenues on imported goods and then transfer the money to the PA. But in February, under pressure from right-wing political parties and the upcoming April 9 elections, Netanyahu approved the enforcement of a 2018 law that allows Israel to deduct money from these tax revenues in the equivalent amount the PA pays the families of Palestinians accused of terrorist activities against Israel. That means a reduction of some 500 million shekels ($138 million) from the duties Israel collects for the PA. In response, Abbas instructed the Palestinian Economics Ministry to refuse all the tax money Israel owes the PA, some 400 to 500 million shekels a month. Abbas apparently sought to bring things to a head with a deep crisis that would serve as a distress call to the international community. His move has been only partly effective. The second reason for the possible collapse of the PA the doing of the United States has to do with President Donald Trump, whose administration is scheduled to unveil its long-awaited Israeli-Palestinian peace plan after the month-long Ramadan fast, meaning within about a month. Neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians appear to know the full details of Trumps so-called deal of the century, but according to The Washington Post, the blueprint is not based on a two-state solution to the conflict but only on recognition of autonomy rule in PA territory. Whether or not the report is exact, the Palestinians are expected to outright reject the plan over which presidential envoys Jared Kushner and Jason Greenblatt have been laboring for more than a year. PLO Secretary-General Saeb Erekat stated on April 15, What the US administration is doing is not a peace plan, but a plan to destroy peace. He added that peace would not be achieved without the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem. On April 26, Erekat tweeted a derisive reaction to Greenblatts claim that the Trump peace plan reflected thinking outside the box. Israeli security officials believe the presentation of the US plan will generate fierce anger at PA headquarters in Ramallah and unrest throughout the West Bank. In turn, this could result in Palestinian protests and clashes with Israeli troops, which would further destabilize the PA. Now, as many times before, Israel feels under pressure over a crisis that it and its allies caused themselves. It realizes in retrospect the consequences of its acts. Israel has pushed the PA into an economic crisis and possible collapse, and now it must rush to save Abbas from the economic collapse in order to prevent an escalation into chaos an escalation the outcome of which no one can predict. This pressure in Israel to stop the escalation is expressed on two levels, or rather, in reflecting over two options. Rescue Plan A: On April 28, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon to examine ways to prop up the PA. Netanyahu and Kahlon, both of whom supported the enforcement of the tax deduction legislation at the time, discussed how to convince Abbas to step back from his refusal to accept the funds Israel owes the PA (minus the deducted sum). According to a report on Israels Public Broadcasting network, last month prior to the April 9 elections Israel secretly transferred 660 million shekels ($182 million) of the PAs funds directly into Palestinian banks, but the PA refused to accept the money and it was returned to Israels Finance Ministry. Kahlon enjoyed a good relationship with previous Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, but since his successor, Mohammed Shtayyeh who was sworn in some three weeks ago the PAs relationship with Israels Finance Ministry has changed. When assuming office, Shtayyeh declared that Israel and the United States were waging economic war against the PA and claimed the American plan does not have any supporters in Palestine or Europe because it will be stillborn. Can Israel convince Abbas or Shtayyeh to accept the Palestinian tax funds from Israel? Apparently not. It seems that the only way out of this situation is for Israel to go back on its decision to cut the tax revenues. While there seems to be some logic behind the Israeli argument on offsetting the stipends paid to Palestinian assailants from the tax revenues, Israel must now reconsider this move. Still, prospects of such an Israeli shift are slim. Israel will have to eat the mess it cooked up by refusing to heed the warnings of security officials against enforcing the law. Rescue Plan B: This is a less complex solution given the good ties between the heads of Israels security forces with their Palestinian counterparts, which are undoubtedly much better than those between Netanyahu and Kahlon and Abbas and Shtayyeh, respectively. This option consists of continuing and reinforcing security cooperation in order to thwart an escalation in the West Bank. A Palestinian security official told Al-Monitor that in recent weeks, Israels Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Maj. Gen. Kamal Abu-Rokun has been holding in-depth discussions with heads of the Palestinian security forces and Shin Bet agency representatives. The discussions focused on rioting that might break out in the Palestinian territories with the publication of the Trump plan and possibly even a series of terrorist attacks by Palestinian organizations or individuals against Israelis. According to the official (who spoke on condition of anonymity), Israel understands that peace talks are not in the offing and that as far as the Palestinians are concerned, the deal of the century is not a peace plan but yet another blow by the Trump administration against the Palestinians. The blows [so far] were painful and humiliating, and the deal of the century is not a deal. It could be another blow that will not leave Palestinian citizens indifferent, he said. The source said the talks stem from a sense of urgency on both sides in light of severe economic crises afflicting the PA due to its refusal to accept at least some of its tax revenues from Israel. While the regular security coordination between the sides is ongoing and both sides are satisfied with it and seek to ensure calm in the West Bank in case of protests and clashes, they do not have control over the economic issues. Ramadan begins May 5. Every home in the West Bank will feel the economic pressure and the resulting shortages. Each Iftar the sundown fast-breaking meal will be tougher than the one on the previous day. After 30 days, on Eid al-Fitr marking Ramadans end, the deal of the century will probably be unveiled. Yet the unveiling of the plan would probably offer little to the Palestinians. It would be a deal that provides no hope or expectation of a new beginning but promises only worry and anxiety that this is the end of the road. Israel released two Syrian prisoners this week, criminal prisoner Zidan Taweel and security prisoner Ahmed Khamis, in what Jerusalem described as a goodwill gesture toward President Bashar al-Assads regime in Damascus. It was the sole decision of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, made without authorization from the cabinet and carried out in utmost secrecy. In the harsh public and political criticism that followed, it was argued that the move was the second part of a secret deal that Netanyahu made with Assad under the mediation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The first step, it was said, was the transfer of the remains of Israeli soldier Zachary Baumel to Israel just prior to the April 9 elections, winning Netanyahu brownie points from the public as a world-class statesman. After Baumel's remains arrived in Israel, Netanyahu flew to Moscow to participate in an impressive ceremony that Putin organized for him. In the ceremony, the belongings of the Israeli soldier, considered missing for the last 37 years, were handed over to Netanyahu. Netanyahu again appeared as an important personage, a statesman able to solicit the assistance of the leaders of the worlds strongest powers. But now, argue Netanyahus critics, it turns out that Israel made certain commitments in exchange for Baumel's remains. They argue that these commitments were hidden from the public eye so as not to damage Netanyahu prior to the elections, as the right-wing voters of the premiers electoral base are never happy when enemy security prisoners are released. Netanyahu strongly denies the existence of any kind of a deal. Even the Israel Defense Forces, which was involved in the Israeli-Russian operation that led to the return of Baumels remains, denies the existence of a secret agreement. One way or another, that Netanyahu agreed to release Syrian prisoners as a goodwill gesture without involving any other government body is suspicious. It clearly demonstrates, yet again, that the government institutions and formal administrative bodies that have led Israel for generations are crumbling. Even though the law expressly demands it in the event of a prisoner release, Netanyahu did not update the ministers, did not convene the cabinet and did not consult with any constitutional forums. He simply requested covert approval to bypass the security cabinet from Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit and after receiving it, Netanyahu made the arrangements on his own. The prime minister succeeded in fooling everyone: He was able to show off his prize before the elections, while the price he paid became public only after them. Between the lines is another astonishing fact with regard to Israels relations with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad: Many high-level Israeli figures have long since branded Assad as finished, someone who had lost international and ethical legitimacy and committed genocide on his own people. Now, however, it seems that Israel has simply decided to reconcile itself to Assads full return to power. It even maintains covert relations with Assad via Russian mediation, including goodwill measures and confidence-building steps. Despite Israel's frequent attacks on Iranian targets in Syrian territory, according to foreign reports, there are no direct conflicts with the Syrian ruler himself. On the contrary many high-level Israeli figures have maintained over the last two years that Assad knows that he has a lot to lose from the Iranian presence on his territory and agreed to it only under pressure. He is loath to pay Israel the price for that presence. Could it be that the Israeli-Syrian deal was designed to mobilize Assad to leave the Iranian camp for the Israeli side, with Russian encouragement? Baumel, an Israeli tank commander, was declared missing in action immediately after the bloody Sultan Yakoub battle that took place 37 years ago between the IDF and the Syrian army. At the same time, two other Israeli fighters from the same unit were also declared missing: Yehuda Katz and Zvi Feldman. As is customary in Israel, efforts to find the three missing soldiers have continued for decades. There is great public involvement in these efforts, with the families deeply involved and Israeli society remaining concerned about each and every missing soldier. It became known to Al-Monitor that extensive Israeli efforts were made to search cemeteries in Syria. But none of the findings were a genetic match for the three soldiers. Russian involvement in Syria opened up a world of possibilities to Israel. It began with the first visit of former Chief of Staff [Gadi] Eizenkot to Moscow in 2015, a former senior Israeli security source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. We found out that the Israeli tank that was taken in the Sultan Yakoub battle was found in Russian hands. We asked for it and, to our surprise, the Russians willingly agreed and demanded nothing in return. The tank was brought back to Israel and the IDF understood that Moscow was open to more deals or efforts. It was decided to try and recruit the Russians for the tremendous effort of locating those missing from the battle. The Russians operated in Syrian territory and examined graves in coordination with Israeli intelligence. Body parts and various findings were brought to Israel three times, an insider told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. The first time there was no match to the missing soldiers, and the second time, too. But the third time, bingo. As fate would have it, the third time fell about two weeks before elections in Israel. Netanyahu always has this kind of luck; good news always reaches him at the right time. Once Baumels remains had been found in a grave in a remote Syrian cemetery, it was clear that it could not remain secret. At this point, no one was talking about a deal, swore a high-placed Israeli military figure, speaking to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. We in the IDF, in the discourse of our intelligence wing with the Russian military intelligence we didnt talk about quid pro quo, they didnt ask us tit for tat. The Russians simply helped us when we needed them. This theory is supported by additional sources in Israels security and intelligence bodies who believe that the Russians offered Israel help without asking for something specific in return. Perhaps they wanted to warm up the relationship between Israel and Syria and to cause Israel to be beholden to Russia. The question of price only arose after the return of the soldiers remains. According to an Israeli security source (speaking on condition of anonymity), in the conversation between Netanyahu and Putin, the Russian asked the Israeli to help him calm Assad down. Until then, Assad didnt even know that Russian intelligence was digging up graves in his backyard. Now he knows, and hes not exactly thrilled with the idea. So Netanyahu rose to the occasion and made a grand gesture: releasing two Syrian prisoners. Another Israeli security source told Al-Monitor, also on condition of anonymity, The Russians are trying to calm the Syrians this way and continue the process that just might uncover the corpses of the other two Israeli MIAs. However, these perfect theories and alibis were somewhat spoiled by the words of Russian envoy to Syria Alexander Lavrentiev. In an interview with Russias RT broadcaster, Lavrentiev said, But this action was not unilateral Israel made a decision, which it will have to carry out later, to release some of the Syrian citizens who are in Israeli jails. This was an act of interest for the Syrian side. Of course, these words run contrary to the official Israeli version and create a problem for Netanyahu. As it turns out, the head of the most radical right-wing government that Israel has ever known [Netanyahu], is conducting indirect but extensive negotiations with Hamas (under Egyptian mediation) for months. And now were told that he is also strengthening his relationship with President Assad (under Russian mediation). And all this, of course, while publicly distancing himself from both processes. Only Netanyahu is capable of pulling this off. A top-level meeting of the Russian-Iraqi Intergovernmental Commission for Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation was held in Baghdad on April 24 and 25. It produced 16 bilateral agreements and memos of understanding in telecommunications, trade, energy, electric power, manufacturing, information technology, transport and banking. Yury Borisov, who headed the Russian delegation, traveled to Baghdad shortly after his April 20 Damascus visit. In Syria, the Russian deputy prime minister discussed the ways of reviving the countrys economy with President Bashar al-Assad and sealed Russias 49-year lease of the seaport of Tartus for economic uses. In 2017, Moscow and Damascus signed an agreement on the deployment of a Russian navy logistics support center in Tartus. "A key issue that is to yield positive dynamics is the one on the use of the port of Tartus. My visit has cemented all these agreements. We have made a considerable progress on that matter and hope that a contract will be signed within a week and the port of Tartus will be used by Russian businesses for 49 years," Tass reported Borisov as saying. The economic recovery of the Syrian-Iraqi crisis zone received less coverage, but the fact that the issue is in the hands of a high-ranking official Borisov is a former deputy minister of defense speaks volumes about Moscows attitude toward the Arab Mashriq, which extends from the western border of Egypt to the eastern border of Iraq. Switching to payments in the national currency was an item on the agenda. It was also announced on the eve of the visit that Russia seeks to boost its grain exports to Iraq. Earlier, the parties had concluded agreements to cooperate in ensuring the quality and safety of grain and quarantine phytosanitary control. Iraqis were to share with the Russians the results of their April inspections at seven Russian enterprises. The talks, however, predominantly revolved around bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sector. Borisov said Lukoil investment amounts to about $8 billion and under the agreement with Iraq may climb to $45 billion by 2035. Given the understandable transformations, the projects require revision and are subject to negotiations with Iraq, Borisov said. Lukoil President Vagit Alekperov met with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi on March 29. Bagdad assured Russias largest private oil company of its support for stepped-up development of Block 10 and namely the Eridu field. In the meantime, the company said that cumulative production at the West Qurna-2 field in the south of the country had reached 400,000 barrels per day, which reinforces Lukoils status as a reliable partner to Iraqis. In 2017, Rosneft and Bashneft [also] clinched agreements on exploration and production of mineral resources [in Iraq]," Borisov said, according to Tass. It said Borisov added that while the projects are in their early stages, "They have very good prospects. On April 10, Iraqi President Barham Salih welcomed Moscows role in expanding oil and gas cooperation as part of restoration efforts and called for closer ties with Russia. Borisov, during his Baghdad visit, met with Salih, Abdul Mahdi (who voiced a desire to adopt Russian best practices in various fields) and with Mohammed al-Halbusi, the Iraqi parliament speaker. The Iraqi president and the Russian deputy prime minister expressed the need to comply with the agreements of the intergovernmental commission and implement the projects in the interests of the two nations. In addition, they discussed the international agenda and the political process in Arab states, according to the Elaph news site. The two sides agreed to hold semi-annual meetings led by deputy co-chairs of the intergovernmental commission, Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Ali al-Hakim, co-chair of the commission, was quoted by Sputnik as saying following the talks. He also emphasized the strategic nature of Russian-Iraqi relations on political, security and trade tracks. In this regard, the removal of legal barriers to bilateral trade and the elaboration of ways to boost joint economic projects may be seen as a positive outcome of the talks. Around the time the members of the commission came together in Baghdad, Moscow hosted the 8th Conference on International Security organized by the Russian Defense Ministry. Muhammad Jawad Khadum Al-Abadi, general secretary of the Iraqi Defense Ministry, told the conference that the Russian-Iraqi partnership was at the highest level and that the cooperation between Russian, Iranian, Iraqi and Syrian intelligence services is continuing. Indeed, Russia and Iraq are consistently developing their military and technical cooperation. April 2019 saw the Russian Uralvagonzavod company carrying out the arms contracts and new supplies of T-90C tanks to Iraq. At the same time, commanders of Iraqs armored divisions confirmed the readiness of military personnel to operate the battle tanks after they had received training from Russian trainers, according to Rossiyskaya Gazeta. As Abadi put it, Iraqi-Russian ties remained substantive and they were not influenced by the US. On a regional scale, the anti-Iran sanctions badly dent Iraqs possible commercial transactions. Starting from early May, the United States will end its six-month sanctions waivers for oil imports that have allowed eight governments to do business with Iran. Although Iraq does not import oil from Iran, it does rely heavily on the latter for gas imports for Iraqi power plants and for direct electricity imports. And if all such waivers end this could put both Tehran and Baghdad in the hot seat. However, amid the US effort to drive Iranian oil exports to zero in the world market, the share of Iraqi oil is on the rise. Given the fact that Russian oil companies, among others, have become major players in Iraq, one can believe that, at least in the short term, Washingtons strategy to weaken Iranian influence benefits Moscow and even its relations with Baghdad. Yet it appears that Iraq will have to cooperate with Iran following the end of sanctions waivers. If America opts for strict adherence to its policy, sanctions may be imposed on Iraq, which will bring greater risk and instability both to the Iraqi market and Russias interests in the country. Earlier this month two sisters from Saudi Arabias southwestern Ranya province took an early plane out of Riyadh to Turkey. Two hours after reaching Istanbul, they took a second flight to Trabzone, and from there they hired a driver to take them to neighboring Georgia, where they could enter without a travel visa. They needed to move quickly before their family would be alerted through the controversial Absher phone app, which notifies male citizens when dependents check in at airports. The sisters, now known as the "Georgia Sisters" on social media, are the latest Saudi nationals to have made such a public plea in a new wave of women leading a vote of no confidence with their feet against the reforms of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Even though Saudi Arabia has sought to revamp the kingdoms image abroad through lobbying, domestically women are still crippled under a guardianship system where a male relative can make critical decisions for a woman from her birth to death, a legal system deterring them from reporting abuse, and, most recently, a nationwide crackdown on women who deviate from the norm. When Mohammed became crown prince in 2017, there was a moment of euphoria, both domestically and internationally. Within months of his arrival, religious police were rendered less powerful, a driving ban on women was lifted and gender segregation was loosening. During a visit to the United States last year, Mohammed said in an interview with "60 Minutes" that he believed women were absolutely equal to men. The crown prince became a symbol of hope for women. Even prominent activists embraced him, at one point touting him as a reformer. Mohammed was seen as economically and socially open, even if he was politically conservative. But even that formula is no longer valid, according to Saudis affected by the changes, as society becomes more repressive under his rule. Weeks before the driving ban was lifted, for example, the government rounded up women activists who campaigned for womens right to drive. The women were not informed about their charges or the duration of imprisonment. They were given electric shocks, waterboarded and beaten in what Saudi activists say is a new trend where women are tortured and abused by authorities. This trend is not only unprecedented, but it is normalizing abuse of women at home. This, activists say, can explain the heightened number of escape attempts seen playing out on social media. On April 1, the same day the sisters fled Riyadh, the US Department of Homeland Security published numbers of Saudi nationals granted asylum in the United States during Mohammeds first year as crown prince. In 2017, 63 Saudis were granted asylum in the United States, up from 46 the year before and 39 the year before that. Even political dissidents well known to be aggressive against the state were never detained or tortured the way [the state] treated these women, Hala Al Dosari, a prominent Saudi human rights activist and scholar, told Al-Monitor. She said it followed patterns seen when women first tried to defy the state by driving in the 1990s, except that physical abuse was not employed then. Previously, women were summoned, had their passports confiscated, faced travel bans, lost their jobs or were suspended at work. In fact, matters have gone from bad to worse for women in Saudi Arabia. Women say prosecution of women activists is enabling rather than weakening the social grip on women. The state has also intentionally leaked names of those arrested to help set an example and deter other women from breaking free from a patriarchal grip, Al Dosari said. On April 16, the Georgia sisters," Wafa, 25, and Maha Zayed al-Subaie, 28, made the irreversible decision to go public with a plea for help from social media, knowing that by doing so their family would know where they were hiding. They released videos about abuse they faced back home and took off their niqabs. Going public meant shaming the family, and thus putting their lives at greater risk if they ever return. If our family finds us, they will kill us, Maha Subaie told Al-Monitor by phone. She said she and her sister crossed every red line they were raised to fear, essentially committing social apostasy. They are now aar, or dishonor, to the family. We are now in a lot more danger than we were before. Families learn repression from the government, and the government blesses their repression of whoever is under their custody, Maha Subaie said. And [the government] doesnt ensure that women gain their dignity and rights if they face abuse from their guardians. On the contrary, a woman would be jailed and her guardian would remain free, and her release from prison depends on his approval. Thats a flawed justice system and the government must ease injustice against women. After the sisters were unable to apply for a travel visa, they speculated that their passports had been canceled by the Saudi government. The Saudi Embassy in Georgia denied this in a tweet April 19. "We don't trust the embassy," the sisters said. The embassy did not respond to Al-Monitor's request for comment. While the sisters had been planning their escape since 2014, one incident that pushed them over the edge was when their father beat Maha Subaie in front of her son, who was then 8 years old (she is divorced). Enraged by seeing his mother being abused, the son told her to call police. But she believed this would make matters worse in a system that begins and ends with the guardian who holds absolute power. In abusive cases, the police will just ask the guardian to sign a paper pledging they would stop; they would up the violence or imprison the girl at Dar El Reaya [a notorious rehab facility for Saudi girls], Maha Subaie said. We do not want these solutions, we want real solutions. Rights Issue Closing Date Extended Sydney, April 29, 2019 AEST (ABN Newswire) - On 10 April 2019, Hastings Technology Metals Ltd ( ASX:HAS ) (Hastings or the Company) lodged a replacement prospectus with ASIC in respect of a partially underwritten non-renounceable rights offer to raise up to A$16.5 million (before costs) (Replacement Prospectus).The Company advises that due to delays in a number of shareholders receiving the Replacement Prospectus due to Easter public holidays, the Board has resolved to extend the Closing Date of the Offer to 5.00pm (WST) on Wednesday 8 May 2019.As a result of this change, the updated Indicative Timetable for the Offer is as follows:Event: Last day to extend the Rights Issue Offer closing dateDate: Monday, 29 April 2019Event: Closing Date of Rights Issue OfferDate: Wednesday, 8 May 2019Event: Securities quoted on a deferred settlement basisDate: Thursday, 9 May 2019Event: Shortfall notification dateDate: Monday, 13 May 2019Event: Issue of Rights Shares and Deferred Settlement Trading EndsDate: Wednesday, 15 May 2019Event: Anticipated date for dispatch of holding statements for Rights Shares and Rights OptionsDate: Wednesday, 15 May 2019The above dates are indicative only and may change without notice. The Company reserves the right to extend the Closing Date or close the Offer early without notice.If shareholders require replacement documentation please contact the Company Secretary (guy.robertson@hastingstechmetals.com) who will reissue electronically.About Hastings Technology Metals Ltd Hastings Technology Metals Ltd (ASX:HAS) (FRA:5AM) is advancing its Yangibana Rare Earths Project in the Upper Gascoyne Region of Western Australia towards production. The proposed beneficiation and hydro metallurgy processing plant will treat rare earths deposits, predominantly monazite, hosting high neodymium and praseodymium contents to produce a mixed rare earths carbonate that will be further refined into individual rare earth oxides at processing plants overseas. Neodymium and praseodymium are vital components in the manufacture of permanent magnets which is used in a wide and expanding range of advanced and high-tech products including electric vehicles, wind turbines, robotics, medical applications and others. Hastings aims to become the next significant producer of neodymium and praseodymium outside of China. Hastings holds 100% interest in the most significant deposits within the overall project, and 70% interest in additional deposits that will be developed at a later date, all held under Mining Leases. Numerous prospects have been identified warranting detailed exploration to further extend the life of the project. Brockman Project The Brockman deposit, near Halls Creek in Western Australia, contains JORC Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources, estimated using the guidelines of JORC Code (2012 Edition). The Company is also progressing a Mining Lease application over the Brockman Rare Earths and Rare Metals Project. Hastings aims to capitalise on the strong demand for critical rare earths created by the expanding demand for new technology products. Christians in Syria on April 28 celebrated their first Easter following the declaration of the defeat of the Islamic State (IS). The militant group had taken the province of Raqqa as its main stronghold in recent years, and had committed atrocious crimes against Christians in Raqqa and in Hasakah province. The Eastern Orthodox church celebrated Resurrection Sunday on April 28. Catholics and Protestants, who observe the Western Christian liturgical calendar, had observed Easter on April 21. Despite the activities and events organized by churches and religious associations in northeastern Syria, Christians are far from getting their normal lives back. Gabriel Moshe Kourieh, the head of the Assyrian Democratic Organization, said, Christians will regain normal life only when stability and security are instilled as part of a secular democratic regime for all Syrians. The Assyrian Democratic Organization and other Christian groups seek to "preserve the national, cultural, linguistic and religious heritage of Christians by celebrating national and religious holidays" and by promoting customs and traditions, including different languages, Kourieh told Al-Monitor. In turn, the Syriac Union Party, observing the Eastern calendar, issued Easter congratulations to all Syrian Syriacs and Assyrians. In Syria, despite the war in the last eight years and the ensuing exodus of our people, will and faith remained unwavering. [Our people] continued to assert their attachment to their land and to defend their existence and rights. However, Easter celebrations and festivals did not take place in village churches in the Khabour area of Hasakah and Raqqa. These villages were abandoned as a result of the killings, abductions and displacement by IS. Jimmy Shanhyan, a Christian who now lives in Germany and works for an organization supporting civil society in Raqqa, said he has strong memories of previous holidays. He was displaced from Raqqa along with hundreds of other Christians after IS took over. The province was home to 1,500 Christian families, but then only 25 families remained. Shanhyan told Al-Monitor that IS had destroyed three churches in Raqqa. IS took over the city of Raqqa in early 2014, and Christians were displaced as the Islamic militant group advanced during the year. Displacement increased after IS kidnapped hundreds of Assyrian Christian members in Hasakah. Christians were the most affected in IS-controlled areas. They faced various kinds of persecution, such as murder and kidnappings. They were forced to pay IS a special tax (jizia) in return for protection. They were denied their right to practice their religious rituals. Jamil Diarbakerli, the director of the Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights, told Al-Monitor, When IS invaded Christian villages it wreaked havoc and devastation. More than 10 villages and about 12 churches and synagogues were destroyed in whole or in part in the Jazira region, Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor and Tabqa. He added, About 280 Christians were abducted from Khabour villages. About 100 families were kidnapped by IS in the province of Homs in central Syria, and more than 15 killed. In light of these horrific figures, Diarbakerli does not believe Christian holidays will be celebrated as they once were before the war in the Christian towns and villages in northern Syria. This needs more than defeating IS, he said. To regain their normal lives and practice their religious rituals again, Christians need reconstruction and a political transition in Syria. He said Syria had witnessed a massive wave of Christian migration. The prospects of their return are bleak amid a current environment favoring threats, killings and displacement. He continued, There are a number of Christian villages in Jazira, Raqqa and Tabqa where life is almost nonexistent. These villages are still destroyed. Osama Abu Uday, a member of the media office of the Raqqa Civil Council, told Al-Monitor, There is only one [Christian] family left in Raqqa [city]. All other families were displaced to the areas controlled by the regime. All of Raqqas churches were leveled to the ground by IS explosions. Hossam Sheikh, a media activist in the city of Derek in Hasakah, told Al-Monitor, The scarce number of Christians left in the region shows the extent of the Christian tragedy in recent years. Only around 40,000 Christians currently live in Jazira, down from more than 150,000 before 2011. Still, the churches and streets of Tel Tamur, Qamishli, Amouda and Derek in northeastern Syria were all decorated for the Easter celebrations. However, such ornamentation was absent from villages and churches in other areas. Although Syrian Christians are attempting to revive their religious holidays in areas recovered from IS, Diarbakerli said these areas will not see life as normal as long as the culture of the militias that govern the region prevails amid the absence of an all-inclusive rule of law governing the full spectrum of the Syrian people. Mohammad Abdulsattar Ibrahim contributed to this article. A federal panel led in part by conservative Christians close to the Donald Trump administration is pressing the president to penalize Saudi Arabia for its religious discrimination following the mass execution of 37 prisoners, most of them members of the kingdoms minority Shiite population. The bipartisan US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today rolled out its annual report, which makes recommendations to the State Department ahead of its own report on the issue, to be released later in the year. Todays report calls on Trump to lift a waiver that has allowed Saudi Arabia to escape penalties from its designation as a country of particular concern for more than a decade. Were encouraging this administration to be more forceful in following these recommendations, Tony Perkins, a USCIRF commissioner and president of the conservative Family Research Council, told Al-Monitor. There were some positive developments but these recent events that have occurred really dashed those hopes. USCIRF also called on the State Department to lift the waiver in last years report. This years report, which was written before the executions, cites a handful of positive developments, such as lifting the ban on women driving, less strict enforcement of male guardianship laws, more aggressive efforts to counter extremist ideology and a USCIRF meeting with the Saudi Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. It also pointed out that Saudi officials had backed off their stance that Islam can be the only religion on the Arabian Peninsula and had met with Christian leaders. Even in two countries that we still recommend to be a country of particular concern, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan, we saw continued efforts of those governments to engage, Commissioner Gayle Manchin said during the reports rollout on Capitol Hill today. Still, Perkins stressed that last weeks mass execution only exacerbates the situation and only makes it worse from the standpoint of the abuse of religious freedom. After the executions, which included three individuals who were minors when they were sentenced, USCIRF released a blistering public rebuke. The Saudi governments execution of minority [Shiite] Muslims on the basis of their religious identity and peaceful activism is not only shocking, but also directly contradicts the governments official narrative of working toward greater modernization and improving religious freedom conditions, USCIRF Chairman Tenzin Dorjee said in a statement. The State Department first designated Saudi Arabia as a country of particular concern in 2004 and has maintained an indefinite waiver for Riyadh since 2006, the report notes. The International Religious Freedom Act requires the president to designate countries of particular concern every year. The president then has the option to choose among a menu of retaliatory measures (including economic and financial sanctions), negotiate a bilateral agreement or issue a national security waiver. In a dissenting opinion, Commissioner Johnnie Moore defended the State Departments decision to maintain the waiver for Riyadh. I do not think the way of persuading Saudi Arabia to improve its religious environment is by shame and force, Moore wrote. I do think its through direct, respectful and meaningful engagement. Iran and Syria are the only other two Middle East countries identified as being among the worst offenders. The report notes that religious freedom conditions in Iran trended in a negative direction relative to 2017, pointing to the harassment and detention of Sunnis, Sufis, Christians and Baha'is. For the first time, the report also recommends including Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Syrias al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham as entities of particular concern, joining the Islamic State. The State Department already designated the Houthis in last years report and has highlighted the groups detention of Baha'i leader Hamed bin Haydara on espionage and apostasy charges. Conversely, the report notes progress in Egypts treatment of its own Baha'i minority. Egypt is listed as a Tier 2 country in which the government is accused of engaging in or tolerating serious religious freedom violations. Moore made it a point to praise the Egyptian governments commitment to peaceful coexistence and suggested that Cairo could rid itself of its black mark if it improves security for religious minorities in Minya, which is home to many Christian Copts, and enshrines the recognition of the Baha'i faith into law. Nonetheless, Perkins pointed to attacks on Coptic churches throughout Egypt. Egypts still a troubled place, he told Al-Monitor. There are rays of light and of hope, but theyre a long way from being out of the woods. Accordingly, the report recommends allocating US assistance to train and equip Egyptian security forces to protect the places of worship and other holy sites of religious minority communities. Other countries on the reports Tier 2 watch list include Bahrain, Iraq and Turkey. While the report notes that religious freedom in Bahrain trended positive in some areas, the government, it said, continued its discrimination and repression of the [Shiite] Muslim community. As it did last year, the commission endorses legislation that would sanction the Iran-backed Shiite militia Asaib Ahl al-Haq, which holds 15 seats in the Iraqi parliament. Turkey has also fallen under particular scrutiny despite releasing pastor Andrew Brunson, a US citizen, last year. Theyre really on the borderline of becoming a Tier 1 country, Perkins told Al-Monitor. Theyre moving in the wrong direction. Were going to be watching very closely this next year, and if they continue on the same course, I would not be surprised to see them [downgraded]. Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met with Iraqi Kurdish leaders today on the last leg of an ambitious visit to Iraq, in which the Turkish diplomat unveiled plans to reopen consulates in Mosul and Basra and to establish new ones in Kirkuk and Najaf. Cavusoglu also announced that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan would pay a formal visit to Iraq before the year's end. The timing of the two-day tour, which took Cavusoglu from Baghdad to Basra and finally Erbil, prompted speculation that Turkey was turning to its oil-rich neighbor for help after the US administration announced it was ending waivers that allowed a clutch of countries including Turkey to continue buying oil from Iran effective May 2. Last week Cavusoglu railed against the sanctions, saying, We dont accept unilateral sanctions and impositions on the issue of how we will establish relations with our neighbors. Getting around the sanctions will be tough if not impossible because taking delivery of Iranian oil regardless of how it's paid for will be deemed sanctionable by Washington. Hence, Turkey is already looking to alternative suppliers and Iraqs oil-rich Basra is an obvious choice due to its proximity. Bloomberg, citing anonymous sources, reported Turkey was looking to import more crude from Basra ostensibly via tankers and also from the oil-rich province of Kirkuk through an existing pipeline that runs through Iraqi Kurdish territory. The dual line, which began operating in 1976, was badly damaged during the war against the Islamic State and is operating under capacity. Sources familiar with the substance of his talks with the prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Nechirvan Barzani, intelligence head Masrour Barzani and Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani said Cavusoglu had talked about energy, though not at any great length. Turkey is extremely keen to begin importing Kurdish natural gas from a pipeline that is currently under construction and by Russia's Rosneft. It would help offset its dependency on Iranian gas, which the United States is expected to end waivers for as well. The Iraqi-Kurdish line will be able to handle up to 30 billion cubic meters of gas per year and is expected to be able to meet up to 6% of Europe's yearly gas demand. Energy clearly was on the agenda in Basra. After meeting with Basras Governor Asaad Abdulameer Al Eidani yesterday, Cavusoglu tweeted that with its strategic location&natural resources, Basra is the economic capital of Iraq. Will establish a trade corridor from Turkey to Basra. He did not specifically mention either oil or gas, though Basra has loads of both. In an ironic twist, however, Cavusoglu sought the KRGs help in persuading Baghdad to drop its 2014 arbitration case filed against Turkey when Ankara allowed Iraqi Kurdistan to export its own oil independently of Iraqs central government via loading terminals on Turkeys Mediterranean coast. Baghdad called it a breach of its sovereignty and of the 1973 Iraq-Turkey pipeline agreement. The move was widely interpreted at the time as the most concrete signal yet that Turkey had overcome its paranoia about the establishment of an independent Kurdish state. It also drove a deep wedge between Ankara and Baghdad. But such thinking was upended when Turkey joined forces with Baghdad, Iran and the United States to oppose the KRGs 2017 referendum on independence. Though Turkey never sealed the oil pipeline or its border with the KRG, it has since revised its policy of relying mainly on the Barzanis Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) - which pushed for the referendum - and has been reaching out to its rival, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) of late. The new strategy was in evidence as Cavusoglu tweeted that Turkey would be more present in [Sulaimaniyah] with our private sector&businessmen after his meeting with Talabani. Sulaimaniyah is the PUKs unofficial capital while Erbil is seen as the KDPs. This development marks a sea change. Turkey has long accused the PUK of backing the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). The PKK, which is based in the Qandil mountains separating Iraqi Kurdistan from Iraq, was granted virtual carte blanche in Sulaimaniyah until the PUK started squeezing the group under Turkish pressure. Ankara rewarded the PUK by reopening Turkish airspace to Sulaimaniyah-bound flights but it wants more, well-informed sources told Al-Monitor. It views the closure of the offices of the PKK-linked Kurdistan Free Society Movement in PUK-controlled areas as merely a start and still holds the PUK responsible for the August 2017 abduction of two Turkish intelligence agents by the PKK. Turkey expects Baghdad to be more assertive against PKK militants operating in its territory, notably in Yazidi-dominated Sinjar and in Makhmour, the sources briefing Al-Monitor said. Cavusoglu also broached the matter of a second border gate between Turkey and Iraq in todays talks. He acknowledged this in yet another tweet, saying it will benefit both Iraq and the KRG. But while Baghdad loves the idea, the Kurds beg to differ. The proposed crossing would be very close to the existing one in Zakho and would again have to run through Kurdish-controlled territory. The Kurds fear that once it's established and a network of roads and bridges connecting Turkey to Tal Afar, Mosul and on to Bagdhad is built, Iraqi forces will move in. They would then be cut off from their brethren in neighboring Syria, allowing Ankara to bypass Erbil in their dealings with Baghdad, which is precisely what Turkey wants. The main oppositions election victory in Istanbul Turkeys biggest city and economic hub has set the stage for major changes in how the citys budget is spent. Since his razor-thin victory in the March 31 polls, the new mayor Ekrem Imamoglu of the Republican Peoples Party (CHP), whose victory is still being challenged by the election board has vowed that the era of serving [certain] individuals, associations, foundations and communities is over. Imamoglus remarks seemed to single out not only the business cronies of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), but also groups espousing political Islam. Such groups have significantly expanded their financial and social clout under the AKP. Al-Monitor asked CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu what groups the new mayor meant. Was he announcing an end to funding for entities such as the Ensar Foundation and the Turkey Youth and Education Service Foundation, which espouse political Islam and are closely linked to the AKP government? Kilicdaroglu answered in the affirmative. We are against such transfers of municipal funds, he said. Municipal funds belong to the local people and should be used in line with their needs. The local people must know where the money goes. Kilicdaroglu was confident that the termination of such funding would be easy to implement. Once the mayor makes the decision, it will be very easy, he said. The associations and foundations in question have been pillars of the AKPs almost 17-year rule. Their role extends back to the 1980s and the 1990s, when they were the most trustworthy vessels of Islamic parties to advance their political struggle. Numbering in the hundreds, they were part of the strong civic society network the Islamic movement had built during its many decades in opposition. Coming into their heyday under the AKP, they have reinforced the partys voter base through the assistance they provide to the needy, in addition to spearheading President Recep Tayyip Erdogans pious generation goal through the scholarships and dormitories they provide to students. Ahmet Faruk Unsal, a former AKP lawmaker who has fallen out with the party, believes that the governments collaboration with those associations and foundations is akin to building a parallel state structure. In remarks to Al-Monitor, Unsal pointed to the myriad dorms and kindergartens that those entities have opened. The Credit and Dormitories Directorate is tasked with providing loans and dorms to students. Yet they open dormitories and provide scholarships to students via those foundations and associations, he said. Thus, by pouring money there rather than to official institutions, they are building a separate structure outside the state, while also removing the funds from the supervision of the Court of Accounts, he added, referring to the countrys top public auditor. Given the major role that Islamic associations and foundations have played in promoting religious and conservative worldviews in society, coupled with the 25-year local dominion of political Islam in Istanbul, Imamoglus pledge to end financial support to those groups signifies more than just an alternative approach to administrative and financial affairs. The exact number and budgets of those entities are hard to know, but the municipal funds they have enjoyed are believed to be significant. Is their funding in jeopardy now? The answer to this question is crucial. According to Tarik Balyali, a CHP member in both the new and previous municipal assembly in Istanbul, the outgoing AKP-led administration spent at least 340 million Turkish liras ($57.2 million) to support associations and foundations over the past year and a half. That money was not cash transferred to the accounts of those foundations and associations," he said. "Rather, the municipality paid their rents or assumed the maintenance and repair of their buildings under protocols signed in 2017 and 2018. Such expenses amounted to 340 million Turkish liras over a year and a half." Such payments are legal but not ethical, Balyali argued. What we have here goes beyond the rights that the law grants to municipalities and foundations, [amounting to] committing the offense of abuse of power. We went to court on those grounds, but the court rejected the lawsuit, saying that the law on municipalities allowed for such payments. In our view, foundation work is a matter of volunteerism, and foundations should meet their expenses by themselves. Asked how Imamoglus pledges have resonated with the public, Balyali said, The reactions have been very positive. Istanbul is a city that needs serious investment, and Istanbulites have some priorities. We will use the budget for those priorities. In our view, what the people of Istanbul expect is service and not [the financing of] those foundations and associations. What makes the municipalitys benevolence controversial in the public eye is that almost all beneficiaries belong to the fold of Sunni Islam and support the AKP. According to the municipalitys 2018 report on activities concerning civic groups, schools and dormitories, the leading recipients of assistance include four foundations in which Erdogans son Bilal, daughter Esra and son-in-law Selcuk Bayraktar hold senior positions, along with other AKP-controlled or Islamic entities. Asked whether the planned cut of assistance to those groups would bear on the social and cultural climate in Istanbul, Balyali said, It will certainly have an effect on social life. And it will not be a negative effect. Kilicdaroglu, for his part, said he had instructed CHP mayors across the country to follow suit. Apart from its victory in Istanbul, the CHP won the mayoral races in the capital Ankara, the countrys third biggest city Izmir and an array of other major urban centers, such as Adana, Antalya and Mersin. The impact of reassigning municipal funds, so it seems, would be hard to play down. An attempt to lynch Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), occurred April 21 during a funeral in Ankara for soldiers who were slain in clashes with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in northern Iraq. The crowd first booed Kilicdaroglu. Then he was pushed, shoved and punched in the face. He took refuge at a house in the village, as his bodyguards thought it was too dangerous to take him out of the village in a car and through the angry crowd. Kilicdaroglu was in the house for at least an hour because the crowd refused to disperse in spite of demands by security forces. Some people tried to break into the house, and a woman called on the crowd to set the house on fire. Meanwhile, his minivan was pelted with large stones and seriously damaged. Kilicdaroglu could only leave the house in an armored vehicle that was brought in at the insistence of the director of the General Directorate of Security, Celal Uzunkaya, who also addressed the crowd. "You need to lynch me first to harm anyone here," he said. Uzunkaya's strong words seem to have played a role in deterring the group. More than a thousand people had surrounded the house, but only nine people were taken into custody. The prosecutor released three suspects, and five suspects were freed by the magistrate judge. Only one suspect, Osman Sarigun who punched Kilicdaroglu was detained and then released and placed under judicial control. Given the fact that people sometimes quickly find themselves in prison pending trial for even mild criticism of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey, it was evident that this attempt at lynching Kilicdaroglu was taken very lightly by the Turkish judiciary. No one got arrested, and there is no sign of a serious case that might be brought against the attackers. Having heard the remarks of Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu on the first day the suspects were in custody, when he said there was no evidence of an organization being behind the attack, the results were not surprising Soylu's hasty announcement about the crime set the tone for the investigation. Not only the interior minister but also other senior officials from the presidents office sent messages attempting to turn a serious crime into a legitimate protest. Presidential communications director Fahrettin Altun said, "We can't accept our citizens who protested the opposition leader's language and the alliance he formed to be treated as if they are an angry crowd or an organized crime gang." He added, "The right to protest in our country is protected by the constitution." Devlet Bahceli leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which partnered with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to form the "public alliance" coalition in the local elections, placed almost all the guilt on Kilicdaroglu's shoulders. He asked, "What did you do to that man to make him punch you?" After high-profile people portrayed the lynch attempt as a "reaction" and downplayed the near lynching itself by focusing on the possible and so-called "justified" reasons behind it, Sarigun received a hero's welcome when he was released. AKP supporters visited Sarigun in his village in Ankara and posed for a picture with him, kissing his hands as a gesture of respect. Enthusiastic welcome to Mr. Sarigun extended to all different circles. 800 lawyers have offered their service pro bono for him. Not everyone agreed with this heros welcome. Some think the attack on Kilicdaroglu was a grave crime. The Ankara Bar Association filed a petition with Cubuk's prosecutor, complaining about the provocative publications of pro-government Gunes daily. The bar said the newspaper among others should be tried for "crimes against humanity." Kilicdaroglu and his party have a completely different view of the attack. Kilicdaroglu said it was a pre-planned, organized attempt to lynch him. "We see this clearly. Everything was somehow planned ahead of time," he said. Some signs do show the attack might have been pre-planned and may have ulterior motives. CHP parliament member Levent Gok who was with Kilicdaroglu when the attack took place said they were "steered toward those aggressive groups." He added, "It was a very organized action. The group was positioned in three or four different places. CHP parliament member Yildirim Kaya stated they received information suggesting that the Ankara arm of the Cubuk Grey Wolves organization which is an extension of the MHP was behind the attack and brought their militants to the village in three buses. Haber Turk writer Nagehan Alci wrote that the funeral was originally going to take place in the Cubuk district, where the police had taken serious measures for Kilicdaroglu's security. But it was moved to a village under the gendarmerie's responsibility the gendarmerie was not even aware that Kilicdaroglu would be attending the ceremony. A report prepared by a CHP investigation team presents some unmistakable signs of a premeditated crime. According to the report, 15 people who were not from the nearby village were talking to other attendees in an effort to provoke them. Stones had been piled along Kilicdaroglu's route beforehand, and large plastic cans were placed to establish barricades. Also, a man was seen piling up batons on the roof of a house along Kilicdaroglu's route. The report also said that some 300 gendarmeries and 152 members of the police did not intervene for 30 minutes while Kilicdaroglu was pushed, shoved and assaulted. Small groups of five to six people kept moving around in the large crowd to provoke the others. In the broader picture, the attack could be seen in the light of political developments in Turkey. It took place just after Erdogan's first conciliatory messages after the elections. "We 82 million [Turks] have to unite and act jointly as a Turkey Alliance on the issues concerning the future of our country, putting aside all our political differences," Erdogan said in a Twitter message. Just a few days later, Bahceli responded to these remarks. "Talking about Turkey's Alliance' has raised question marks. Our alliance is with the republic. Our alliance is with our brothers in the AKP who are patriots," he said. Not all messages from within the AKP condemned Kilicdaroglu. Some senior officials in the party harshly condemned the attack and said they were very sorry for what happened. Maybe it is possible to say there are different camps within the AKP and when reacting to the events they were also expressing their position to Turkey's Alliance. In an opinion piece published April 22 in the New York Times, US special representative for international negotiations Jason Greenblatt wrote about human suffering in the Gaza Strip. The enclave endures long power cuts, shortages of medicine and food, high unemployment and a polluted shoreline. After Greenblatt blamed Hamas for causing this suffering by being hostile to Israel, he concluded his piece by suggesting two scenarios to help Gaza: Isolate Hamas, or for Hamas to restore peace and stability by halting the violence and recognizing Israel. Imagine if Hamas chose peace, he wondered. Greenblatts piece mostly reiterates the anti-Hamas US discourse and adopts the Israeli position. Yet, the conclusion of his article is unique in suggesting a new option for Hamas choosing peace and rejecting violence. Such an option gives rise to many good questions, as it suggests that the United States plans to keep Hamas out of its so-called "deal of the century" peace plan, thus attenuating the movements possible opposition to it. On April 23, Husam Badran, a member of Hamas political bureau in charge of international relations, tweeted, Greenblatt is biased and blindly supports Israel. He is one of the causes of the problem and of the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and the rest of Palestine. Badran told Al-Monitor from his residence in Doha, Qatar, Hamas does not take Greenblatts discourse seriously, and the bet he is making is a losing one. His words will not stop us from resisting the deal of the century. Hamas will not sit aside while the US tries to end the Palestinian cause. Major Palestinian and Israeli newspapers translated the piece, as it reflects the direction of US policy. During the Time 100 Summit held April 24 in New York, senior adviser to President Donald Trump Jared Kushner announced he will reveal the deal in June. On April 24, Hamas spokesman Abdulatif al-Qanoo replied to Kushner by confirming Hamas' intention to fight the US peace plan. Salah al-Bardawil, a member of Hamas political bureau, revealed the establishment of a committee to resist the plan. He said the group is made up of Palestinians residing locally and abroad and of Arab powers, but he included no more details. Basem Naim, head of the Council on International Relations in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, Greenblatts article aims to push forward the deal of the century and to greatly pressure Hamas into either ignoring the deal or accepting it. It also shows that Hamas is [on] the political radar of US policy. A rapprochement between Hamas and Washington is impossible, as their views on how to stabilize the region are conflicting. Greenblatt accused Hamas of sabotaging the efforts of [Trump's] administration, when there is also American and European opposition to the deal. The last few weeks have witnessed several verbal exchanges between Hamas and Greenblatt. The latest was on April 24, when Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said Greenblatt continues to accept the Israeli side of the story against Palestinians. Meanwhile, Hassan Asfour, a former Palestinian minister of civil society organizations in Ramallah, described Greenblatts article as the United States addressing Hamas for the first time. In a March 1 tweet, Greenblatt accused Hamas of recklessness. Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zahri responded that the United States is led by a gang devoid of any human values. Abdullah Abdullah, a member of Fatah's Revolutionary Council and chairman of the Palestinian Legislative Council's Political Affairs Committee, told Al-Monitor, Greenblatts address to Hamas is the biggest proof that Washington is trying to exploit the Palestinian division and look for new leadership to replace President Mahmoud Abbas. The humanitarian understandings reached between Hamas and Israel in March encouraged Greenblatt to focus in his article on the humanitarian aspects of the Palestinian cause. This was a mistake Hamas made because it wanted to stay in power at all cost. Greenblatts address to Hamas comes three weeks after Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad stated that Hamas is not opposed to talks with the Europeans and Americans, even though Greenblatt himself recently reiterated that Hamas' deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri is wanted for abhorrent crimes and Washington backed a proposed UN resolution condemning Hamas for firing rockets on Israel. The resolution did not pass. Ahmed Yousef, who was a senior adviser to top Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh, told Al-Monitor, Although Greenblatts article does not officially suggest a dialogue with Hamas, the movement is ready to start a dialogue with the US on condition of transparency and credibility through an Egyptian, Arab or European mediator. Hamas does not reject talks with anyone who could help its cause. Yet, we feel that Trump's administration is more biased toward Israel than any former US administration. Bilal Shobaki, a political science professor at Hebron University, told Al-Monitor, Greenblatts article aligns with the US policy toward Hamas since Hamas was besieged after winning elections in Gaza in 2006. It is as if he is saying that the siege managed to force Hamas to improve the humanitarian conditions in Gaza, provide education instead of bombs, give up on war against Israel and content itself with storing its weapons. Greenblatt knows that Hamas is the biggest party to oppose the deal of the century. But Hamas will condemn itself to disappearing if it adopts a neutral position on the deal. Greenblatts opinion piece may not do much to break down the wall between the United States and Hamas. It doesn't mean Washington will stop calling Hamas a terrorist group. Yet Hamas understands the significance of a senior representative of one of the worlds biggest nations writing an article addressed to the group and published in one of the most prominent global newspapers. It means, at least, that Hamas is still a key issue to the United States. 3M will pay the West Morgan East Lawrence Water and Sewer Authority $35 million in a lawsuit settlement. According to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the settlement amount was agreed upon this month. The company and water authority issued a joint statement Friday on the settlement of the federal lawsuit filed by the water authority in 2015 against 3M over the release of chemicals known as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, - or PFAS for short - into the Tennessee River. According to the SEC filing, the authority will fund a new water filtration system. As part of the settlement, 3M will indemnify the authority from liability from the resolution of pending and future lawsuits against the authority over damages related to PFAS. The water authority had sued 3M to pay for a new water filtration system to remove industrial chemicals that 3M manufactured and used for decades at its facility on the Tennessee River in Decatur. The water authority provides service directly or through other utilities for about 20,000 metered customers in north Alabama from an intake on the Tennessee River downstream of the 3M facility. PFOA and PFOS are not found in nature but were widely used to make non-stick, waterproof or stain resistant coatings on consumer products like non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing or Scotchgard stain repellent. By nature, the chemicals are very slow to break down in the environment. They can last for decades after use and build up over time in human and animal tissue. Though 3M stopped producing those chemicals in the early 2000s, they are now so widespread that nearly every person on earth has some level of them in their blood. However, in 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warned that those chemicals were associated with health problems, including cancer at concentrations as low as 70 parts per trillion. Measles has now been confirmed in Alabama. Read the update here. Earlier: The Alabama Department of Public Health has 34 open investigations into possible cases of the measles but no confirmed cases, officials said. The state has investigated 211 reports of measles since last April but so far, none of the incidents turned out to be the highly contagious virus. Since Jan. 1, 704 cases of measles have been reported nationally, topping the previous recent high of 2014, when 667 people were infected with the virus. Twenty-two states have reported cases of measles but outbreaks are limited to areas in Rockland County, New York; New York City; Washington state; New Jersey; Butte, County, California; and Michigan among what health officials deemed as pockets with higher numbers of unvaccinated people. The outbreaks were traced to travelers who brought measles back from other countries such as Israel, Ukraine and the Philippines, where large measles outbreaks are occurring, the Centers for Disease Control said. According to the ADPH, almost 93 percent of children enrolled in public and private schools in Alabama were up to date on vaccinations. Concerns over the virus spreading to Alabama increased after the ADPH confirmed last week a person with the measles traveled through the state to Tennessee, making stops at a gas station and a fast-food restaurant. Measles can live up to two hours in the air or on the surface after an infected person coughs or sneezes. Those infected with the virus can spread it to others four days before and four days after its signature rash appears and a single case of measles will infect up to 95 percent of unvaccinated people who are exposed to the virus. Symptoms of measles appear seven to 14 days after a person is infected. The current two-dose vaccine regiment is 97 percent effective after the disease, however. A bill that would make it a felony for a doctor to perform an abortion is slated for debate Tuesday in the Alabama House of Representatives. The sponsor, Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, said the legislation is intended to clash with the Roe v. Wade decision in hopes of triggering litigation that could lead to the U.S. Supreme Court reconsidering abortion rights. The abortion bill figures to the centerpiece issue in the Legislature this week following last weeks narrow survival of a state lottery bill. The lottery bill squeaked through the Senate with the minimum number of votes and moves to the House. Speaker Mac McCutcheon said the House would consider it but did not say when. The abortion bill is scheduled to be the first one considered by the House when it returns on Tuesday afternoon. Sixty-six of 104 House members are signed on as co-sponsors, along with Collins. It would be a Class A felony, punishable by at least 10 years in prison, for a doctor to perform an abortion. Attempting an abortion would be a Class C felony, punishable by 1 to 10 years. The woman receiving an abortion would not be criminally or civilly liable. Abortions could be performed to avert death or serious health risk for the woman. But the bill includes no exceptions to allow abortions in cases of rape or incest. If the bill passes and is blocked by a federal court, then the states current abortion laws and regulations would stay in place while the litigation is pending. On Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee is expected to consider a bill that would sharply reduce the penalty for marijuana possession. Possession of one ounce or less would be treated as a violation, less serious than a misdemeanor and punishable only by fines of up to $250 for the first two offenses and up to $500 for third and subsequent offenses. A similar bill to reduce penalties for marijuana possession has won approval by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The state education budget for next year is up for consideration in the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee on Tuesday. Spending from the Education Trust Fund is expected to top $7 billion for the first time next year. The meeting as at 1 p.m. Tuesday is the 14th meeting day of the session, which can last up to 30 meeting days. Samuel and Jenny Sullivan were both denied bond by a Washington County judge who said during a hearing Monday that the pair could potentially flee before going on trial in the murder of nurse Terri Sullivan. Both suspects, who used to be married, are charged with capital murder and kidnapping after Samuel Sullivans current wifes remains and her burned out rental car were found at a location in Grand Bay in March. Terri Sullivan was reported missing Jan. 20. Investigators found receipts and other evidence of two mobile phones being bought by Samuel, 42, and Jenny Sullivan, 44, that were activated in Wilmer and later turned on at Terri Sullivans address in Tibbie, Washington County, on the morning she went missing. The phones were then traced back to Mobile where one phone went to the home shared by the suspects and one phone went to the site of where the burned out car and remains were found. The pair were picked up in Wilmer, a small community close to the state border with Mississippi, and were immediately transported to Washington County where they were both charged. Its not clear if Mobile-based law enforcement had any hand in their capture or why the case isnt being tried in Mobile. Mobile District Attorney Ashley Rich did not respond to questions regarding jurisdiction. Samuel and Jenny Sullivan were booked in to the Washington County jail Thursday afternoon. Both were initially charged with kidnapping and issued a $60,000 bond, according to local Sheriff Richard Stringer, who said at the time further charges relating to Terri Sullivan death could be brought once a positive ID on the remains found in Mobile County could be made. That ID was made the same day and both suspects were charged with capital murder. Jenny Sullivan is still locked up in Washington County jail, but Samuel Sullivan was moved to Clarke County later Thursday afternoon. Law enforcement did not respond to calls about why he was moved. District Court Judge Jerry L. Turner has has already issued a gag order preventing any extra judicial information connected to the case being given to media or published on social media. Makes New Investments in Online Education Businesses Melbourne, April 29, 2019 AEST (ABN Newswire) - SEEK Limited ( ASX:SEK ) ( OTCMKTS:SKLTY ) ("SEEK") invests in two high growth global online education businesses: FutureLearn and Coursera.Transaction Highlights- New investments are market leaders that partner with world class higher education institutions and global businesses and have attracted a combined c49m learners- Highly aligned with SEEK's strategy and existing online education investments (OES, Caelum and Utel)- Leveraged to long-term structural trends such as growth in online education and micro-credentialing to meet evolving labour market needs- SEEK to utilise its deep expertise in scaling up online education and marketplaces to support future growth across its online education portfolio- SEEK acquired 50% of FutureLearn for a purchase price of cA$92m and acquired a minority interest in Coursera for a purchase price of cA$50m- Both transactions are primary raisings with proceeds used to accelerate growthStrategic rationale of the transactionsThese new investments are a continuation of SEEK's strategy to deploy capital into market leading high growth assets across the large human capital market. FutureLearn and Coursera are global leaders that are already providing online education at scale and both have exposure to large markets.Commenting on the transactions, Andrew Bassat, CEO and Co-Founder of SEEK said,"FutureLearn and Coursera are global leaders in online education each of which have a proven track record in educating millions of learners and partnering with world class education institutions. Both businesses are leveraged to structural trends such as migration of education online and in helping millions of people to adapt to evolving labour markets. The long-term opportunity is to significantly increase accessibility of 'career ready' education to the rapidly growing pool of learners.Our new transactions share similar logic to our successful IDP and OES investments, where we are investing in disruptive models leveraged to long-term structural trends. To accelerate their growth, SEEK will be contributing its deep employment and education insights alongside patient capital. OES will provide its world class expertise in various aspects of online education including technology platforms, student retention and commercialisation initiatives.FutureLearn has already invested significant capital to build a leading online education platform. It is operating on a large scale and is a trusted partner to 150+ education and specialist institutions and 9m learners. Alongside founding shareholder Open University, SEEK is excited to play an active role to commercialise FutureLearn. Proceeds from SEEK's investment will be used to grow a number of new courses linked to employment outcomes, online marketing, initiatives to grow the student experience and overall retention. FutureLearn is a unique opportunity to build a global market leader and if we execute well the long-term upside is significant.Coursera is the world's largest online learning platform for higher education with 40m learners and 3,200 courses from over 150 leading universities. Coursera has performed strongly for many years and we are pleased to partner with its strong management team and other leading investors such as Kleiner Perkins and New Enterprise Associates.Our investment in FutureLearn provides us with a strong footprint across the UK, Australia and Europe, and Coursera provides us with exposure to the high growth North American education market. This complements our OES business which is exposed to Australia and the UK, and Caelum and Utel in the LatAm region."Overview of businessesFutureLearnFutureLearn is a world leading online education platform with over 20m enrolments and 9m learners that are accessing short-courses, micro-credentials and full-degrees on behalf of over 150 higher education institutions which include 50 of the top 200 universities ranked globally and 10 Australian universities. Post transaction, FutureLearn's founding shareholder, the Open University, will retain a 50% interest in the business.CourseraCoursera is the world's largest online learning platform for higher education with 40m learners and 1,800 businesses accessing 3,200 courses and 310 specialisations from over 150 leading universities. SEEK was joined by existing investors New Enterprise Associates and the Future Fund as well as Capital Research Global Investors in this Series E funding round of US$103m.Other details- Both transactions have completed contemporaneously- SEEK will equity account for its interest in FutureLearn whilst Coursera will be held on balance sheet with its fair value reassessed at each reporting period- SEEK expects to recognise cA$2m of NPAT losses1 in FY19 as a result of these transactions- These transactions will be funded via a mixture of cash and SEEK's existing debt facilitiesAbout SEEK Limited SEEK Limited (ASX:SEK) (OTCMKTS:SKLTY) is a diverse group of companies, comprised of a strong portfolio of online employment, educational, commercial and volunteer businesses. SEEK operates across 18 countries with exposure to over 2.9 billion people and approximately 26 per cent of GDP. SEEK makes a positive contribution to people's lives on a global scale. SEEK is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, where it is a top 100 company with a market capitalisation close to A$6billion and has been listed in the Top 20 Most Innovative Companies Globally by Forbes, and Number One in Australia. Dr. Marshall Plotka, a Huntsville physician who was arrested in a recent federal opioid sting, pleaded not guilty to a felony charge today and will remain jailed without bail. Plotka is charged with the federal crime of maintaining a drug-involved premises. Federal prosecutors said police were called the doctors Hampton Cove home at least 35 times during the past few years. Plotka, according to federal court records, recruited prostitutes as patients at Phoenix Emergency Care in Jones Valley. He let patients and other people use drugs like heroin, meth and pills at his home in Hampton Cove, prosecutors said. In federal court this morning, Plotka, flanked by his public defenders, pleaded not guilty. After Plotka also waived his right to a bond hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Herman Johnson ordered he remain jailed without bail in neighboring Morgan County. Johnson said because of clear and convincing evidence of danger to the community, he was granting the prosecutions request that Plotka remain in jail. Plotkas attorneys, Deanna Oswald and Kevin Butler, of the federal public defenders office, said they might later challenge the bond decision. Plotka was arrested in what federal prosecutors called the largest prescription opioid prescriber takedown in U.S. history. Dozens of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other medical professionals from five states were arrested on charges involving more than 350,000 prescriptions and 32 million pills, the Department of Justice announced earlier this month. Eight Alabamians were among those charged. Plotka is among three Huntsville-area doctors charged in the sting. Plotkas stood out for wild details, like prostitutes as patients, lines of heroin on his kitchen counter, overdoses and more. Phoenix Emergency Care appears to be closed since Plotkas arrest. Plotka surrendered his Alabama medical license a few weeks ago while under investigation by the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners for multiple violations, including unprofessional conduct, endangering the health of his patients, and excessive prescribing of controlled substances. UPDATE 11:25 a.m.: The firefighters injuries are non life-threatening, according to a Mobile Fire and Rescue spokesperson. A Mobile firefighter was injured Monday morning while battling a fire in the west-side of the county. The extent of the firefighters injuries are not known, but Mobile Fire and Rescue officials said it was a trauma injury and hes been taken to Springhill Medical Center for treatment. The firefighter was described as a veteran by a spokesperson. The fire broke out on Lucerne Drive some time before 9 a.m. This story will be updated as new information becomes available. The Navy is reviewing its training and safety procedures after the death of an 18-year-old Alabama trainee last week, the second boot camp death in two months. Seaman Recruit Kelsey Nobles of Mobile collapsed and went into cardiac arrest while completing fitness tests at the Navys Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois. She was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead. In late February, 20-year-old Navy recruit Kierra Evans of Louisiana, collapsed and died during the final running phase of her fitness test. Spokesman Lt. Joseph Pfaff told Military Times the deaths have prompted a review and investigation of procedures. "Recruit Training Command reviewed the training, safety, medical processes, and overall procedures regarding the implementation of the Physical Fitness Assessment and found no discrepancies in its execution," Pfaff said. "However, there is a much more in-depth investigation going on and, if information is discovered during the course of the investigation revealing deficiencies in our processes and procedures that could improve safety in training, it would be acted on." At the time of her death, Nobles was in her sixth week of training. Update: A judge has sided with comedian Sacha Baron Cohen and Showtime and against Roy Moore in a bid to relocate the hearing of a defamation case filed by the former Alabama Chief Justice. Washington, D.C. Federal Judge Thomas Hogan ruled the $95 million suit can be tried in New York, something Moore said was a ploy by defendants to allow it to be heard in a more liberal area. Moore is suing over Cohens Who is America? show that featured a segment with Moore in which he was subjected to scanning by a bogus device that claimed to be able to detect sex offenders. During his failed U.S. Senate race, Moore was accused of having sexual contact with underage girls in the 1970s when he was in his 30s. In their defense, Showtime and Cohen pointed to a consent agreement signed by Moore that included a provision that any disputes be heard in New York. Moore is arguing the consent agreement is void due to fraud and said he was tricked into flying to Washington to accept a fake award from Israel. Moore attorney Larry Klayman said the defendants wanted the case moved to New York because it is a more favorable venue given the leftist slant of the judiciary. Earlier Former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore will be in court today arguing that his case against comedian Sacha Baron Cohen should be tried in Washington, D.C. and not leftist New York. Moore attorney Larry Klayman said via a release he and Moore will appear in New York to argue a motion filed by Cohen, Showtime and CBS seeking to have a defamation suit transferred to the Southern District of New York. Moore filed the case after he appeared on the Showtime series Who is America? and was administered a bogus pedophile detector test by Cohen, who was posing as an Israeli agent. Klayman said he will argue since the show was taped in Washington, D.C., it should be tried there as well. "The defendants can try to run to New York City where they obviously believe a leftist jurist will be more inclined to dismiss the case, but they cannot hide from the egregiousness of their cheap and vile acts. I'm confident (the judge) will see through this charade and allow the case to go to a jury of the parties' peers in the place where this case belongs, the District of Columbia, the attorney said. Moore and his wife, Kayla, filed the $95 million suit against Cohen and the others in September 2018, alleging defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and fraud. The Who is America?" appearance came after Moore lost a December 2017 special election to Democrat Doug Jones amid allegations Moore had improper sexual contact with teen girls in the 1970s when he was in his 30s. Moore has denied the allegations. Moore said he was duped into appearing on the July 29, 2018 show by Cohen under the guise of accepting an award for his support of Israel. Klayman said Moore will hold a press conference after the hearing. An Alabaster mother sought for weeks on charges that she nearly starved to death one child, and woefully neglecting another is now in custody. Regina Shavon Hosey, 35, was arrested Saturday, according to court and jail records. She is charged with aggravated child abuse and willful abuse of a child under the age of 18. Hoseys boyfriend, 28-year-old Tramaine C. Walter, was arrested earlier this month on similar charges. Alabaster police said Hosey is the mother of both children and Walter is the father of the youngest of the two kids. They launched their investigation in November after they were contacted by the Shelby County Department of Human Resources, who had been brought in by Childrens of Alabama, said Det. Randy Ray. The victims were two children a 3-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl. Charging documents state that the little boy had a gastrostomy tube - also called a G-tube which is a tube inserted through the abdomen that delivers nutrition directly to the stomach. It's one of the ways doctors can make sure kids with trouble eating get the fluid and calories they need to grow. Between November 2015 and November 2018, police say, Walter and Hosey on more than one occasion failed to take the boy to doctors visits to access the G-tube. The victim, records state, lost nearly 10 pounds and was suffering from severe malnutrition. It is in that case that they are charged with aggravated child abuse. The willful abuse of a child charge involved the 4-year-old girl. Documents state the young boy was left in her care for hours at a time, and police say she was forced to bear more responsibility than is feasible for a child her age. Both kids were placed in foster care late last year. Ray said the boy is now physically OK. Walter remains held in the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $22,000. Hosey is jailed on $20,000 bond. A disbarred attorney from Walker County has been sentenced to one year behind bars after he was convicted earlier this year on two counts of felony theft of property. Garve Ivey Jr., 67, pleaded guilty in a Walker County courtroom in February. On Monday, he was sentenced for unlawfully taking client funds from his trust account over a period of several years to fund his extravagant lifestyle, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has said. Jefferson County Circuit Judge Michael Streety was specially-appointed to preside over the case. According to Marshalls office, Ivey was sentenced today to 46 months, which was split for him to serve 12 months in the Walker County Jail. Once released, he will serve three years of probation. He was previously ordered to pay $381,515 in restitution. The investigation into Ivey began after the Attorney Generals Office and the Alabama State Bar received multiple complaints regarding theft of client trust funds. An extensive investigation showed that on several occasions, Ivey would settle cases on behalf of clients that were plaintiffs in personal injury or wrongful death cases. Instead of informing his clients that a settlement had been reached and disbursing to the victims their portions of the funds, he would transfer the settlement money into his operating and personal accounts and use it to fund his lavish and extravagant lifestyle, Marshall said. In 2011, Ivey was disbarred from the practice of law by order of the Supreme Court of Alabama. He had consented to disbarment based on two investigation concerning the misappropriation of third-party and client funds from Iveys trust account. In 2012, he was indicted by a Walker County grand jury on multiple charges of theft of property. In those cases, authorities said, Ivey was charged with 10 counts of first-degree theft of a check or currency valued a more than $2,500 and one count of second-degree theft of a check or currency valued between $500 and $2,500. The money belonged to 14 people. The following year, Ivey was again indicted in Walker County with two additional theft charges. After many years of delays, the case was set to go to trial in April. However, Marshall previously said, Ivey agreed to plead guilty to two felony counts and pay the restitution. Ivey, who was once active in politics and was the brother of former Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey, was sentenced by a judge in 2000 to 30 days in jail and fined $1,000 for his role in an ex-hookers election-year 1998 accusations against former Lt. Gov. Steve Windom. The misdemeanor conviction, however, was reversed and a judgement of acquittal entered in 2001 in that case. UPDATE: Authorities said Sulena Coleman contacted them after seeing this story and has agreed to cooperate. EARLIER: The capital murder trial for a man accused opening fire on his ex-wifes fiance has been postponed because the key witness his ex-wife cannot be found by prosecutors. Verneil Wilson, 42, was set to go on trial Monday in the July 5, 2017 shooting death of 32-year-old Adrian Lockett. Initially Wilson was charged with murder, and then that charge was upgraded to capital murder. He is also charged with two counts of domestic violence assault for physical injury to his ex-wife Sulena Coleman. The shooting happened shortly before 8:20 p.m. that Wednesday on 68th Street near Joppa Avenue in the Marks Village public housing community. Birmingham police said Wilson went to the home unannounced looking for his ex-wife. Wilson allegedly pulled his ex-wife out of the doorway of the apartment and forced his way inside. Wilson and Lockett then got into a physical altercation with each other. During the fight, police said Wilson pulled out a weapon and shot Lockett five times. Wilson then drove himself to the police headquarters on First Avenue North to surrender to police. According to the indictment, Wilson knowingly and unlawfully entered Colemans apartment with the intent to commit the crime of assault and shot Lockett with a pistol. The charge is capital murder during a burglary. On the domestic violence assault charges, the indictment says Wilson struck his ex-wife with a pistol. Coleman previously told AL.com she was devastated by the killing, which was witnessed by her 7-year-old son. Adrian Lockett had six children and was a stepfather to Colemans two children, who were fathered by Wilson. Prosecutors today requested, and were granted, a continuance in Wilsons trial. One of the witnesses, who called 911 after seeing a man force his way into the apartment just before the shooting, had an unexpected illness and had to be hospitalize so therefore was unable to attend court. That neighbor is expected to testify when the case does go to trial. Jefferson County Chief Deputy District Attorney Joe Roberts said, however, that Coleman is a key witness and prosecutors have not been able to locate her or serve her with subpoena for more than a year. The state will continue to try and locate Sulena Coleman, serve her with a subpoena and have her come to court and testify in this trial in an effort to get justice for Adrian Lockett and his family, Roberts said. A new trial date has been set for Oct. 7. Anyone with information on Colemans whereabouts is asked to call Roberts and 205-325-5252. A man in a wheelchair was gunned down inside a west Birmingham car detailing shop Sunday night. Birmingham police identified the victim as Omari Sharad Pollnitz. He was 38. Birminghams gunfire detection system - Shot Spotter - alerted police to shots fired at 6:30 p.m. in the 2800 block of Bessemer Road. Birmingham police spokesman Sgt. Johnny Williams said officers then received a call about a person shot. They arrived on the scene to find the victim wounded just inside the bay at Nu Vision . Birmingham Fire and Rescue pronounced him dead on the scene. Grieving family members rushed to the scene, including both his mother and father. Family members said Pollnitz was in a wheelchair from a previous gunshot wound. Williams said no suspects are in custody and no eyewitnesses have yet come forward. The slaying is Birminghams 34th homicide in 2019. Of those, at least five have been ruled justifiable and therefore are not deemed criminal by the Birmingham Police Department. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 51 homicides, including the 34 in Birmingham. Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. The minimum wage in Alabama has been stuck at $7.25 an hour since 2009. Since then, costs have gone up 17 percent, making it nearly impossible for working families to make ends meet. Voters sent this Democratic majority to Congress with a clear mandate to raise the federal minimum wage and provide better economic opportunities and security for working Americans and their families. All Democrats progressives and moderates agree that we must raise the minimum wage and are committed to determining the best path forward in a respectful and collaborative manner. To be clear: Alabamians deserve more than $7.25 an hour. That is why I have introduced legislation to raise the minimum wage in Alabama from $7.25 to $10.20 an hour by 2021 and increase incrementally going forward. While my proposal is just one approach to achieving this goal, and there are a variety of ideas about how to improve the economic security of low-wage workers, Democrats strength lies in the diversity of perspectives that each Member brings to the table. In my hometown of Selma, Alabama, the median household income is less than $25,000. I represent dozens of communities like Selma, where decades of factory closures and subsequent job loss have left generations behind. I hear from Alabamians every day who struggle to put food on the table, let alone send their children to college or begin to save for retirement. No matter how hard they work, they cant seem to get ahead. The status quo is unacceptable. Although some state legislatures have approved legislation to raise state wage floors, Alabama has done the opposite, squashing the City of Birminghams attempts to increase its minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. That means as states around the country enact higher minimum wages, Alabamians are being left further and further behind. It also means hourly Alabama workers are unlikely to be guaranteed a raise unless the federal government acts. With that said, small businesses are the lifeblood of communities in Alabamas 7th District and across the country and they are often the primary source of economic opportunity for workers in distressed neighborhoods and minority communities. I am committed to backing a minimum wage proposal that gives workers a much-needed raise in a way that both protects hardworking Alabamians and these small businesses. I have heard from small business owners in my district who want to provide their workers with a livable wage but fear abrupt changes to their overhead costs might have the unintended consequence of forcing them to lay off workers or close altogether. Whats more, the communities most likely to feel the brunt of rapid changes in the labor market are in rural areas or minority communities where too often jobs are already scarce areas just like Alabamas Black Belt. In addition to a higher minimum wage, I am supportive of broader policy proposals that expand opportunity and economic security, including improving our schools and workforce training, expanding access to quality, affordable health insurance, increasing housing options and giving incentive to Governor Ivey and the state legislature to expand Medicaid. Congress must be clear-eyed and laser-focused on uniting behind comprehensive and pragmatic solutions to address the systemic issues facing American workers. A smarter, higher minimum wage is a critical step in the right direction. U.S. Rep. Terri A. Sewell represents Alabamas 7th Congressional District. I knew it had happened to me, so I concluded it was happening to others. Im a small business owner, and for years I owned and operated small catastrophe-restoration franchises in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. If your home or store had fire or water damage, my team and I would come in and restore your shop or house. It was hard work: theres nothing clean or easy about ripping out walls that are rotting from mold, or painstakingly assessing the best way to remove fire-damaged cabinets while preserving the integrity of a kitchens interior. But it was rewarding, too: I was providing for my family, my team was giving great service to our customers, and we were creating jobs. Unfortunately, it turned out that my franchisor was not interested in the long-term success of my business. They were interested in corporate profits, regardless of how it impacted the small business owners who operated their franchises. I wanted to believe that this inequity was limited to my particular franchisor, but, sadly, it is not. I learned that Alabama is a state without a franchisee-protection law. Through contact with the Alabama Franchisee Association, I learned that scores of Alabama businesses both small and large have essentially no rights and no protections. It has been a take it or leave it proposition, with franchisees having to take on more and more at each contract renewal. I recently met Darrel Bush, whose family had operated the Huddle House in Wetumpka for more than 25 years. As the years went by, unreasonably-priced building and equipment upgrades were added to the extensions of the original contract, and the Bush family had no choice but to agree to the franchisors demands in order to stay afloat. Ultimately, the Bush family had to shut down its franchise. Huddle House is now looking to construct a new location, just down the road from the one the Bush family operated for a quarter-century. None of this is right. Thankfully, Im out of the franchisee business now, but Im taking a stand for Alabama business owners with the introduction of the Protect Alabama Small Businesses Act, co-sponsored by Representative Connie Rowe of Jasper, in the Alabama Legislature. The Protect Small Businesses Act will create the level playing field that small business owners particularly, our small franchisee owners desperately need. The bill provides three things: Protection from unjust terminations and non-renewals without good cause. Franchisees should be compensated for fair market value for their investments. Protection from unjust restrictions on sales and transfers. Most importantly, the bill protects the right to sue in Alabama courts. Often, franchisors construct contracts that only allow for disputes to be settled in courts in New York City or Los Angles, where court costs and attorneys fees are prohibitively expensive for small business owners in Alabama. If youre 25 years old and working 80 hours a week to make your first Taco Bell franchisee profitable, you dont have the time or money to battle Big Law hired-guns in a lower Manhattan courtroom, if a contract dispute arises. I hope you will join me in protecting these Alabama family businesses, their employees, and our communities. Too many people have been harmed by one-sided agreements where the goal posts move quickly, and the deck is always stacked in favor of the large, out-of-state franchisors. # # # Chris Elliott represents Baldwin County in the Alabama State Senate, where he serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs. Follow him on Twitter for legislative updates: @SenatorElliott At mayor-founded academy, uniformed migrants repeatedly say thank you, do free community work and sing national anthem. Bergamo, Italy A group of about 30 men form two neat rows, hands behind their straight backs in a military-style at ease position. In the corridor of a building in Bergamo, they repeat in chorus: We are the students of the first course of the Accademia dellIntegrazione Grazie Bergamo, Thank you Bergamo. Then they break ranks, line up two by two and move to a larger room, where two of the students, wearing white aprons, begin serving lunch. The students are asylum seekers and participating in a boot-camp style one-year programme whose explicit purpose is to integrate migrants. The school whose name translates as Academy of Integration Thank you Bergamo, hosts 35 men aged 18 to 40, all of them, except one Pakistani, from African countries Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Ivory Coast. Participants attend Italian-language classes, get internships at factories in the area and have to follow a strict routine. They also have to do community service work for free. Khan, right, a Pakistani asylum seeker, says he wants to start working in Italy [Giorgio Ghiglione/Al Jazeera] Bergamo is a wealthy city in northern Italy, about 50km east of Milan. The municipality of Bergamo runs the project, in collaboration with the Catholic non-profit organisation Caritas and the local branch of Confindustria, Italys association of entrepreneurs. A cooperative called Ruah oversees the schools day-to-day activities, such as classes and meals. Active since September 2018, the academy shares a building, once a retirement home, with the Centre for Extraordinary Hospitality, CAS, a facility that hosts regular asylum seekers. Only one door separates the two facilities, but the atmosphere between the two organisations could not be more different. In CAS, asylum seekers can move freely in the corridors, pass their time in their rooms, and use their smartphones as much as they please. The academys students can only use their smartphones for a few hours a day. For the best part of the day, their rooms are empty, with perfectly made beds. No language other than Italian is allowed. And they look more like cadets than students. They must always wear a uniform and have three kinds of outfits. When they are inside, it is a blue tracksuit with the words Grazie Bergamo in large print on the back; the second uniform is orange, similar to waste collectors, and also bears the words Grazie Bergamo in large print; the third, worn in free time, is a blue shirt and grey sweater with a small school logo, which also allows them to take the citys public transportation free of charge. This orange uniform which must be worn by the refugees bears the words Thank you Bergamo [Giorgio Ghiglione/Al Jazeera] This is not a school for everyone, Giorgio Gori, mayor of Bergamo, told Al Jazeera. Its no place for slackers, he says, because participants must respect a series of rules of cohabitation and professional training is mandatory, with the aim of getting them to a job. To get into the programme, participants must pass three interviews assessing their knowledge of Italian, the level of schooling and their ability to respect the rules. Two are conducted by operators of the Ruah Cooperative and the last one with Christophe Sanchez, the mayors chief of staff, who created the academy. Sanchez believes that Italys system of asylum seekers management is not working and attributes its failure to the fact that they have rights but few duties: Asylum seekers can stay in bed all day and there is no legal instrument to force them to do something. Here is what a typical day at the school looks like: wake up at 6:30am, breakfast and Italian classes. After lunch, the students do community work around the city, such as cleaning parks, painting schools or bringing meals to retirement homes. After dinner, there are other classes, either maths or singing they sing the national anthem and folk songs by Francesco De Gregori, Italys equivalent of Bob Dylan. Lights are out by 10:30pm. Students are free to leave the building during weekend days and once a week, but must return by 10pm. Being late, even by five minutes, can lead to disciplinary action. A typical schedule at the school [Giorgio Ghiglione/Al Jazeera] I am happy to be in the academy because I used to spend time sleeping, now we help the city, says Madou, an asylum seeker from Guinea, who arrived in Italy in 2016. After this programme, I would like to be independent and start working, said Khan, the Pakistani student. He said he does not mind the discipline and likes the uniform: It makes us all equal. Sanchez says that the school aims is to make the students feel empowered, for instance by appointing a different student as class leader each week. While talking, Sanchez keeps an eye on the group, checking every detail. He reproaches a student, named Boateng, because he keeps his hands in his pocket. Oppression or providing opportunities? The underlying message of the academy seems to be that participants must demonstrate that they are hardworking people, that they really like Italy and are not troublemakers in other words, that they deserve to stay. The fact that the programme includes free-of-charge community work, not to mention the Thank you part in the name, gives the impression that migrants must be grateful. Stefano Quadri, an activist from the Bergamo migrante antirazzista group, an anti-racist organisation, objects to the idea that migrants need to prove they deserve to be hosted, since asylum is a human right, and says free labour destroys the local economy. A worker at the Ruah coop, who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity, is worried that students live in relative isolation, with little contact with locals: Integration means inserting a person in society, he said. But organisers brush off criticism, saying that the programme is effective. We have so far done 380 hours of volunteer work and all our students understand Italian, says Sanchez. As for the free labour, Gori insists it is not really free: Between food, lodging and classes, we are investing 1,000 euros ($1,115) per months on each of them, so in a way they are getting paid. Marwan Kabalan is the Director of Policy Analysis at the Arab Centre for Research and Policy Studies. With the breakout of the Arab Spring more than eight years ago, pro-democracy activists in the Arab world and elsewhere were hopeful that the tide of democratic change might have finally reached its shores. Many who had criticised the likes of American scholar Samuel Huntington, who saw democracy as an alien concept to Middle Eastern culture, felt vindicated. The euphoria of the Arab Spring did not last long, however. In Syria, Libya and Yemen, civil wars erupted, subduing any hopes for a peaceful democratic transition. In Bahrain, fearing Iranian interference, a Saudi-led military intervention quickly put down popular protests. In Morocco, the February protest movement was smothered by a combination of political manoeuvres by King Mohammed VI and a security crackdown. And in Egypt, the military establishment spearheaded a counter-revolution and eventually staged a coup against the democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi, which installed General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as the countrys new military ruler. These developments have been seen by many as yet another indication that the Arab world is intrinsically undemocratic . The rise of organisations such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) has validated the perceived need for a strongman rule. The political choice of Arab nations has been seemingly reduced to SISI or ISIS. With this logic in mind, regional and world powers have sponsored the return of military dictatorships to the region, with the hope that they would clean up the Arab Spring mess and restore order. In particular, they are seeking to create a new military crescent in North Africa that encompasses Sudan, Egypt, Libya and Algeria. But just as the military rule established in the 1950s and 1960s eventually crumbled, this new push to militarise Arab politics is also bound to fail. The US hope for the enlightened Arab military ruler Western powers have long been supporters of military rule in the Arab world, the United States being one of its earliest and most eager proponents. In the late 1940s, modernisation theories popular within US political circles regarded the conservative ruling elites as a major hurdle towards the establishment of modern states and societies in the Arab world. At the same time, as Washington gradually emerged as a world power, its interests started to clash with those of its ally, the British empire, particularly in the Middle East. The US viewed Arab conservative regimes as an extension of British and in some cases French colonialism, which it sought to dismantle. It considered takeovers led by Arab military forces which tended to be more modernised than other state institutions in the Arab world as a viable solution. By the 1940s there was also already a model for the region to follow: the Young Turks revolution and the subsequent rule of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, which rapidly modernised the newly created Turkish republic. The US political elite was convinced that Ataturk-like military leaders were better equipped to start a modernisation process from the top, change, forcibly if necessary, the conservative culture of Middle Eastern countries, and expel the Europeans from the region. In 1949, the CIA assisted the military coup in Syria against the first democratically-elected government of Shukri al-Quwatli. In 1952, the US welcomed the coup against the British-backed Egyptian monarchy led by Gamal Abdel Nasser. This US strategy faltered a bit after the Suez War of 1956 when the Soviet Union entered the scene in the Middle East and opened another front in the intensifying Cold War, but ultimately, Washington continued to favour military rule in the region over the next few decades. Arab military rulers did engage in the modernisation of their countries but also created police states and dysfunctional economies in which people had neither bread, nor freedom. Poverty, repression, despair, inequality, and marginalisation led to radicalisation and violence. It took the US some 60 years to admit the link between authoritarianism and extremism. Four years after the 9/11 attacks, in June 2005, then-US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, gave a speech in Cairo, in which she said: For 60 years, my country, the United States, pursued stability at the expense of democracy in this region here in the Middle East and we achieved neither. Now, we are taking a different course. We are supporting the democratic aspirations of all people. Yet, when the people of the region took to the streets in peaceful protests a few years later, demanding freedom and democracy, Washington did not extend its support. In 2011, the US and European countries once again demonstrated their deep conviction that their interests in the Middle East are served best by autocratic leaders and that they see the democratic aspirations of the Arab people as a threat. A new military crescent But they are not alone in this belief. Regional players Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates too felt threatened by the popular uprisings in the Middle East and for many years now, they have been leading the counter-revolutionary forces in the region to re-establish military rule. Ironically, the two GCC states werent always supporters of Arab military strongmen. Saudi Arabia, in particular, was a fierce opponent of military rule in the region, as army officers toppled one conservative monarchy after the other in the 1950s and 1960s. Witnessing the dismal fate of royal families in Egypt, Iraq, Libya, and Yemen, the House of Saud worried about its own security and took measures not only to weaken and fragment its own armed forces, but also to ally with anti-revolutionary powers in the region (including Iran under Pahlavi rule). Today, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, like their US and European allies, see their interests better served by military dictatorships in the region. Thus, after funding the military coup in Egypt in 2013, they are now hoping for military rule to extend to Algeria, Sudan and Libya. In recent months, Algerian and Sudanese people rebelled against their long-term leaders, Abdelaziz Bouteflika and Omar al-Bashir and managed to topple them. But in both countries, the military has sought to take advantage of the situation. In Sudan, military generals stepped in and took control of the country and in Algeria, the military from behind the scenes has been trying hard to engineer a transition that secures its interests. Meanwhile, in Libya, renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar launched a major military offensive on the capital Tripoli, seeking to unseat the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) and derail efforts to spearhead a political transition through general elections. In all three countries, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have stood by the military generals seeking state capture, and so have the US and a number of European countries. In the case of Libya, US President Donald Trump expressed direct support for Haftar, while France has been accused of directly supporting his military operation. There seems to be a concerted effort to establish a crescent of military-ruled countries from Sudan in northeast Africa to Algeria in the northwest through Egypt and Libya to ward off popular upheaval and keep Islamist forces in check. It is based on the misguided belief that military strongmen such as el-Sisi in Egypt, Haftar in Libya or even Bashar al-Assad in Syria can provide security and stability in the region. But the truth is as all uprisings since 2011 have demonstrated the stability, which they promise, is a mere illusion. The fact that popular movements calling for democratisation in the Arab world continue to sweep through the region despite the tragic outcomes in countries like Syria, Yemen, Egypt and Libya, demonstrates that authoritarian rule and brutality are the main sources of instability and insecurity. They have led to the rise of a new wave of extremist groups, more violent and more radical than before. The Middle East will not achieve stability until this vicious circle of despotism, violence and extremism is broken. Establishing a military crescent in North Africa is not the right solution for the region. Change can be delayed but cannot be stopped. In Algeria and Sudan, the military establishment has the unique opportunity to learn from past mistakes, resist foreign influence and make the right choice: hand over power to the civilian population and prevent another Syria from happening. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Iraqi intelligence chief says Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi suffered severe wounds to his legs in air raid but is alive in Syria. ISILs leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is alive and being treated at a medical facility in northeastern Syria after being severely wounded in an air raid, a senior Iraqi official said. The head of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) sustained serious wounds to his legs during air raids, Abu Ali al-Basri, Iraqs intelligence and counterterrorism department chief, was quoted on Monday by the government-run al-Sabah daily as saying. We have irrefutable information and documents from sources within the terrorist organisation that al-Baghdadi is still alive and hiding with the help of his collaborators, al-Basri said. Al-Baghdadi one of the worlds most-wanted men with a $25m US bounty on his head is currently in Syrias Jazeera desert, west of Deir Az Zor, he said. He suffers from injuries, diabetes and fractures to the body and legs that prevent him from walking without assistance, said al-Basri. Despite a series of major military defeats over the past year, ISIL retains a significant presence in northeastern Syrias Hasakah province despite having lost most of its cross-border caliphate, which al-Baghdadi announced in 2014 after his fighters shocking military victories across the region. It was unclear what air force was responsible for targeting ISILs leader. Al-Basri was quoted as saying he was wounded during air raids in Iraq. Russias defence ministry has said it may have killed al-Baghdadi in one of its air raids on the outskirts of Syrias Raqqa, an ISIL stronghold, until the group was ousted from the city late last year. American broadcaster CNN on Monday quoted US officials as saying that al-Baghdadi was wounded in Raqqa and forced to relinquish command of the armed group because of his injuries. There have been isolated strikes by Russians in Raqqa, but as theres no timeline to it, we dont know if its ours, an unidentified American official said of the attack that wounded the ISIL chief. Another US official told the network it was unclear if he was again leading the group. I do not know how much Baghdadi is day-to-day running the shop. Libyan officials have said that eastern-based forces loyal to renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar have intensified their air attacks around Tripoli over the past two days. Haftars self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) launched an operation to take the capital from the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) on April 4 and has been engaged in fighting with its militias in and around the city. LNA attacks on Monday targeted the Nawasi brigade in the Abu Salim district, located roughly 7km from central Tripoli, officials, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Associated Press news agency. The Nawasi brigade is one of several militias allied with the internationally recognised GNA. The towns of Khallet al-Forjan, Ain Zara and al-Twaisha along the citys southern outskirts were also targeted. Residents said that fighting continued overnight Sunday in residential areas a few kilometres south of Tripoli. Both sides have used heavy artillery and air attacks, they said. We cannot move because of the shelling from both sides. Our homes have been damaged. We are trying to leave the area to a safer place, said Mohammed al-Trapoulsi, a 41-year-old father of three from Abu Salim. Reporting from Tripoli, Al Jazeeras Mahmoud Abdelwahed said the LNA had advanced closer to the city centre on Monday. Forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar have advanced towards Al Sidra neighbourhood, about 15km away from Tripolis city centre. Eyewitnesses there say they have seen Haftars forces engaging against forces loyal to the UN-recognised GNA in the streets and in densely populated areas, he said. In the past two weeks, Haftars forces were losing ground and the GNAs forces were pushing them back. After they lost ground, Haftars forces intensified air strikes. The situation remains very tense, especially for civilians living in or near the fighting areas. On Sunday, GNA forces fought house-to-house battles with the LNA, pushing Haftars troops further away from the capital. A Reuters news agency team visiting Ain Zara on Sunday said they estimated that forces allied to the Tripoli-based GNA gained up to 1,500 metres compared with a visit a few days prior. Fathi Bashaga, the GNAs interior minister, had on Friday announced that preparations were under way to mount a full scale attack against Haftars troops. No Abraham Lincoln Separately on Monday, the United Nations envoy for Libya warned countries against backing Haftar and said his political agenda was not supported by most Libyans. He is no Abraham Lincoln, he is no big democrat, but he has qualities and wants to unify the country, Ghassan Salame told France Inter radio, referring to the 19th century US president. But how is he going to do it? Seeing him act, we can be worried about his methods because where he is governing, he doesnt govern softly, but with an iron fist. At least 278 people have been killed and more than 1,300 wounded in the clashes this month, according to a casualty toll released by the World Health Organization on Wednesday. According to the International Organization for Migration, 39,000 people have been displaced by fighting along Tripolis southern districts. 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. Teenage cousins kept in dark about death sentences and flogged before executions, rights group says. Iran secretly executed two boys under the age of 18 over multiple charges of rape, Amnesty International reported as it condemned the countrys utter disdain for international law and childrens rights. Cousins Mehdi Sohrabifar and Amin Sedaghat, who were arrested at the age of 15 and convicted following an unfair trial, were executed on Thursday in the southern city of Shiraz, according to the UK-based rights group. The teenagers had lash marks on their bodies, showing signs they had been flogged before the executions, Amnesty said on Monday. The Iranian authorities have once again proved that they are sickeningly prepared to put children to death, in flagrant disregard of international law, said Philip Luther, Amnestys Middle East and North Africa director, in a statement. 190424083313403 It seems they cruelly kept these two boys in the dark about their death sentences for two years, flogged them in the final moments of their lives, and then carried out their executions in secret, he added. Since 2017, the pair had been kept in a juvenile correction centre and were transferred to the Adelabad prison in Shiraz a day before the execution. Their families were granted a visit on Wednesday, but not informed about the death penalty, Amnesty said. Top executioner for children Iran is the second-most prolific executioner in the world after China, where thousands are believed to be put to death annually. It is also the top executioner of children in the world, figures by Amnesty show. Between 1990 and 2018, Amnesty recorded the executions of 97 prisoners who were convicted as minors. At least 253 people, including seven under the age of 18 at the time of the crime, were executed in the country last year, according to Amnestys annual report, published this month. Meanwhile, more than 90 minors remained on death row, the rights group documented. We have identified a trend in which Irans authorities are carrying out executions of juvenile offenders in secret and without giving advance notice to the families, seemingly in a deliberate attempt to avoid global outrage, said Luther. This makes it all the more important for influential international actors such as the European Union to increase their diplomatic and public interventions to pressure Iran to end the use of the death penalty against juvenile offenders. Irans executions come after outrage over the beheadings of 37 men, most of whom were from the Shia-Muslim minority sect, in Saudi Arabia over terrorism-related crimes. The UN human rights chief said at least three of those killed were minors at the time of their sentencing. Bangladesh police say they have recovered a large amount of improvised explosive device from the hideout in Dhaka. Dhaka, Bangladesh At least two people blew themselves up on Monday after they were cordoned off by the security forces in a house in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, according to officials. Before the militants killed themselves, they exchanged gunshots with Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) -Bangladeshs elite police forces, Benazir Ahmed, the Director General of RAB, said at a press briefing in Dhaka. Authorities in the South Asian nation had increased vigilance in the wake of Sri Lanka Easter Sunday bombings that killed more than 250 people. RAB fired about 150 rounds of bullets when they first started shooting at us, said Ahmed. The bodies have been blown apart in the explosions. We will have to identify them through DNA profiling, he said. The police said that they have recovered a large amount of improvised explosive device (IED) in the hideout. The RAB DG, however, said that there was no full-proof information about mens identity and their affiliation with any terrorist organisation. Human rights concerns Acting on a tip-off about the presence of the banned Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) members, security forces cordoned off a tin-shed house in Metro Housing area of Basila on the outskirts of Dhaka. RAB Additional Director General (ADG) Colonel Jahangir Alam told Al Jazeera that they first knocked the door but no one responded. RAB fired back after gunshots were were fired from inside the house, Alam said. Then there was a huge explosion at around 5am in the morning, he said. A total of four people, including the owner of the house, Wahab and caretaker Sohag, have been detained for questioning, the RAB ADG said. Bangladeshi human rights lawyer Shahdeen Malik said the security forces should ensure that people in such cases are caught alive. Police or RAB or Counter-Terrorism Unit have always either killed the suspected militants or say that the militants have blown themselves up, Malik told Al Jazeera. He said Bangladesh in recent years has witnessed a number of extra-judicial killings. This (extra-judicial killings) doesnt solve anything in the long run, he said. Steps should be taken towards finding the core problem of militancy, Malik said. Bangladesh launched a crackdown on armed groups in the wake of 2016 deadly attack on a cafe in Dhaka that left 22 dead. But human rights organisations have accused security forces of carrying out extra-judicial killings and enforced disapperarnces. In the last six years, the commercial jet manufacturer suffered two worldwide groundings, leading to its current crisis. Since 1916, Boeing has carefully built up a proud history that reached almost a century without a grounded fleet. But in the last six years, the US-based commercial jet manufacturer has suffered two worldwide groundings. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) halted operation of the 787 Dreamliner in 2013 following two battery failures and then acted earlier this year on the 737 Max after two plane crashes killed 346 people. The events in Indonesia in October 2018 and in Ethiopia in March 2019 have prompted a criminal investigation into the planes certification by the US Department of Justice, according to a Seattle Times report. The US Transportation Departments inspector general is also reported to be examining the planes design certification. On April 10, Boeings shareholders filed a lawsuit accusing the company of defrauding them by concealing safety deficiencies. The complaint said that Boeing effectively put profitability and growth ahead of airplane safety by rushing the 737 Max in order to catch up with its rival Airbus, and by making some safety features extra or optional. The comments echo what Boeing engineers have been saying for several years. Dozens of current and former workers expressed concern over Boeings quality procedures on the 787 as far back as 2013. Broken Dreams: The Boeing 787, a 2014 Al Jazeera investigation released in the wake of the Dreamliners brief grounding, revealed the fears of Boeing workers in Charleston in the southern state of South Carolina, where the company launched a new manufacturing plant in 2011. At the time, Boeing lambasted the investigation as neither balanced nor accurate. The 737 Max and the 787 Dreamliner were two of Boeings biggest projects for the 21st century and sold more quickly and in greater numbers than previous models. In each case, analysts and engineers said Boeing was focused on making planes that would be cheap for airlines to operate. Delegating safety assessments In 2015, as Boeing rushed to certify the 737 Max and catch up with Airbus, managers at the FAA pushed its safety engineers to delegate safety assessments to the company, resulting in a safety analysis with crucial flaws, according to the Seattle Times. There was constant pressure to reevaluate our initial decisions, one former FAA engineer directly involved in certifying the 737 Max told the Times. And even after we had reassessed it there was continued discussion by management about delegating even more items down to the Boeing Company. Cynthia Cole, a retired Boeing engineer with a 30-year career and a stint as union president, criticised the regulatory failures, telling the Times things were complicated by the FAA using Boeing engineers for many of the certification tasks, then pressuring people who disagreed with findings to keep quiet. Engineers have long recognised the potential conflict of interest in the FAA allowing Boeings own staff to assess their planes safety when they are developed and certified. Al Jazeera can reveal that during the 2014 investigation, in previously unreported comments, an engineer directly involved in 787 oversight said they felt Boeing was pushing too hard to get certifications done. Another said Boeings oversight representatives were often going to the FAA and asking for deviations to the regulations. The quality control department was doing whatever management wanted to meet schedule and engineers were furious, another Boeing worker told Al Jazeera. All spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. Al Jazeera also found that dozens of engineers responsible for 787 regulation had complained to the FAA about Boeing managers pressuring them to certify before they felt ready. FAA documents showed that when they tried to enforce official standards they came under undue pressure and were either talking to a brick wall or subjected to verbal abuse and verbal ridicule. The documents suggest Boeing impeded its workers communication with regulators, making it harder for them to do their job. Boeing emphatically denied the claims, saying safety is our highest priority as we design, build and support our airplanes. The company said that the regulatory system is robust and effective. It added that no engineers were barred from talking to the FAA, and each verified that they were not subject to any undue pressure. Workers at Boeing say the problems today are the result of a slow but certain cultural change that can be traced to the companys 1997 merger with McDonnell Douglas, the creator of the DC-10 grounded in 1979 after American Airlines Flight 191 crashed, killing 271 people. Stan Sorscher of engineering union SPEEA told Al Jazeera that Boeing had shifted from a business model based on problem-solving and worker engagement to a top-down cost-cutting system popularised by Wal-Mart, the worlds largest retailer based in the US. All of these issues have their roots in the merger and the slow eroding of The Boeing Way, said Cole. Boeings new plant in Charleston was launched in 2011 with lower labour costs and tax breaks totalling over $1bn. But workers at the companys facilities in the western city of Seattle say that came at the cost of the so-called tribal knowledge that they had developed over generations. Three years later, Al Jazeera captured footage showing 10 workers at the Charleston plant saying they would not fly on the planes they were building. I wouldnt fly on one of these planes, a worker told his colleague, because I see the quality of the f****** s*** going down around here. Another said, Were not building them to fly. Were building them to sell. You know what Im saying? One customer, later revealed to be Qatar Airways, refused to accept planes from the plant after a number of manufacturing problems and sent a video in which the airlines chief executive lectured workers on the quality of their product. Neither Boeing nor Qatar Airways has commented, although Boeing says it has the highest confidence in its workers in South Carolina. As part of Al Jazeeras 2014 investigation into Boeings 787, Kevin Sanders, a 30-year employee across Boeing business units, expressed the passion workers feel about the changes. With tears in his eyes, he said he felt the institutions legacy had been hijacked by a bunch of corporate thugs. Others spoke of a cultural war between heritage engineers and modernisers, which only one side can win. The legacy people are just waiting for retirement, said one engineer. Officials say Mark Domingo was arrested as he finalised plans for an attack to cause the maximum number of casualties. A US veteran of the war in Afghanistan, who prosecutors say plotted to detonate a bomb at a Los Angeles area rally causing mass casualties, has been taken into custody following an FBI online sting operation, federal prosecutors said on Monday. Mark Steven Domingo, 26, a US Army infantryman who served time in Afghanistan and later converted to Islam, was taken into custody on Friday after being given what he thought was a live explosive device to use in the attack, federal prosecutors said in a written statement. This investigation successfully disrupted a very real threat posed by a trained combat soldier who repeatedly stated he wanted to cause the maximum number of casualties, federal prosecutor Nick Hanna said in the statement. According to prosecutors, Domingo was arrested while finalising plans to plant a bomb at a white supremacist rally scheduled for Sunday in Long Beach. Court papers show that Domingo also discussed with an informant different types of attacks that included targeting Jews, churches and police officers. Domingo allegedly said he wanted revenge for the attacks on two mosques in New Zealand that killed 50 people last month. Faces 15 years in prison if convicted Domingo was charged in a federal criminal complaint with providing and attempting to provide material support to terrorists and was scheduled to make an initial appearance in US District Court in Los Angeles later on Monday. It was not immediately clear if he had retained a lawyer. Prosecutors said that in online conversations with an undercover FBI source, Domingo expressed willingness to become a martyr. In an FBI affidavit filed in the case, Domingo said he specifically purchased three-inch nails because they would be long enough to penetrate the human body and puncture internal organs. He could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison if convicted of all of the charges. The announcement comes two days after a gunman opened fire in a San Diego-area synagogue, killing one person and wounding three others in what officials have described as a hate crime. A suspect identified as John Earnest, 19, was taken into custody in the shooting. There was no indication that the two incidents were connected. Four bodies have been found as police are accused of failing to investigate the disappearances when they were reported. Police in Cyprus have found human remains in an ongoing investigation into a suspected serial killer thought to have gone on a killing spree that claimed at least seven female victims. Police said the suspect, a career officer in the Cypriot army, has confessed to killing five women and the six- and eight-year-old daughters of two of his victims. He connected with the women on an online dating site over a period of several years. Four bodies have so far been found, after a female body in a state of decomposition was found on Sunday in a suitcase retrieved from a highly toxic lake close to an abandoned mine west of the capital Nicosia, police sources said. After great and persistent effort and many difficulties, a travel case was pulled from the lake, containing the body of a woman, and a block of cement, said Neofytos Shailos, head of Nicosia Criminal Investigation Department. It appeared to belong to an adult, Shailos told journalists. Tourists stumbled upon the first victim, discovered by chance in a disused mining shaft, two weeks ago. A mother and daughter from Romania are thought to have disappeared in September 2016, and the last of his victims, from the Philippines, around August 2018. Investigation failure The bodies of three women have been discovered in recent days. One has been identified as Marry Rose Tiburcio, 39, reported missing in May 2018. The bodies of the other two victims are thought to belong to a woman from the Philippines and a woman from Nepal, who went missing last year. Police have been accused of failing to investigate the disappearances properly when they were first reported. In response, police said a restrictive legal framework hampers the ability of authorities to check things such as phone records without a specific court order, issued only on the grounds that a criminal offence punishable by more than five years in prison is suspected. Tiburcio, the first victim discovered, was found on April 14. Her six-year-old daughter Sierra is missing. Almost a week later a second victim was found in the same mine shaft and on April 25 a third at a firing range some 15 kilometres away. Mexican gangsters are notorious for always finding a way to get their hands on fentanyl despite restrictions. China has banned all variants of the drug fentanyl. This is a step welcomed by United States President Donald Trump, to stem the flow of lethal opioids responsible for 48,000 deaths in the US last year. But the drug is not just entering the country directly from China. It is also being imported by Mexican drug cartels. Al Jazeeras John Holman reports from the Mexican state of Sinaloa. About 3200 delegates gather in Afghan capital to lay foundation for peace talks as the Taliban calls for boycott. Afghan president Ashraf Ghani opened a grand council on Monday with politicians, tribal, ethnic and religious leaders meeting in Kabul to discuss negotiations with the Taliban. The four-day gathering, called a loya jirga, included about 3200 representatives from every district in Afghanistan, said Mohammed Omar Daudzai, the presidential adviser for reconciliation. The meeting aims to build consensus among various ethnic groups and tribal factions and is traditionally convened under extraordinary circumstances. Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, who shares power with Ghani, and former President Hamid Karzai are among a number of senior figures boycotting the gathering, accusing the president of using it for political ends ahead of presidential elections scheduled for September 28. But in his opening remarks, Ghani refuted the allegations. {articleGUID} Poor people are bearing the brunt of war, not political elites, we have not come here for campaigning, he said. Security around the capital has been tight with police and military forces checking vehicles and their occupants at checkpoints throughout the city. Kabuls normally bustling streets were mostly empty. The government declared a week-long holiday while the assembly takes place. Enemies of true peace The Taliban has called on Afghans to boycott the meeting. Do not participate in the enemys conspiracy under the name of jirga, instead find ways to further sideline the shaky administration of Kabul, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement. On its website the Taliban said there had been progress in negotiations with the United States and the jirga was an obstacle for ending occupation and was sabotaging the authentic peace process. Security is tight in Kabul with checkpoints throughout the capital [Rahmat Gul/AP] {articleGUID} The Taliban said it considers this jirga the embodiment of efforts demanded by foreigners, its boycott a national and Islamic responsibility and its participants the enemies of true peace. US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has held several rounds of talks with the Taliban with another meeting expected to be held in Qatar soon, where the Taliban has a political office. He told Tolo News in Kabul on Sunday that any agreement with the Taliban requires a permanent truce and lasting peace. We are seeking peace and [a] political settlement We want peace to give us the possibility to withdraw, he told the countrys largest private television station. If the Taliban insist on going back to the system they used to have, in my personal opinion it means the continuation of war, not peace, Khalilzad said. The Taliban has repeatedly refused to meet representatives of Ghanis government, labelling them puppets of the West. An intra-Afghan meeting was scheduled to be held in Doha earlier this month, but it was cancelled over disputes about the 250-strong delegation from Kabul. Afghan women have expressed concern about being sidelined from the peace process, and fear the Taliban could try to reimpose the harsh restrictions that kept them from schools and the workforce during the groups rule. West Bengal state, crucial for Modis hopes of retaining power, takes centre stage in the staggered general election. West Bengal state, crucial for Prime Minister Narendra Modis hopes of retaining power, took centre stage in Indias staggered general election on Monday after clashes broke out between supporters of his party and a regional challenger. Security forces chased away people wielding sticks after workers from Modis Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took on those from regional Trinamool Congress in the city of Asansol, police said. Mondays was the fourth round in the countrys phased election, which reported a turnout of 64 percent for 71 parliamentary seats across nine states. The polls started on April 11 and the last phase is on May 19. Results are expected four days later. Crucial state Modi is hoping to gain seats in West Bengal, a populous state in eastern India, to offset likely losses in the north of the country. 190419164503459 An Election Commission of India official said paramilitary forces fired a blank round inside a polling station in another constituency in the state after a scuffle between voters and troops, who were demanding that mobile phones be kept aside while voting, as rules state. The BJP is in a direct, and sometimes bloody, fight in West Bengal with Trinamool, whose chief, Mamata Banerjee, is one of Modis biggest critics and a possible candidate for prime minister. The BJP currently holds only two of West Bengals 42 parliamentary seats. We have asked for central forces at all polling booths so that free and fair elections can be held in the state, said Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, a minister in Modis cabinet, referring to federal paramilitary police. Modi told a rally in West Bengal that at least 40 Trinamool state lawmakers were in touch with him and would leave the party after votes are counted on May 23. Trinamool accused Modi of attempting to horse-trade, telling him: Nobody will go with you. The party also alleged that federal security forces were trying to influence voters to back the BJP wherever they were deployed. Maidul Islam, a professor of political science at Kolkatas Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, said the stakes were high for both parties, with Trinamool hoping to be part of a federal government coalition. There were no immediate reports of any poll-related injuries in West Bengal, where at least one person was killed and three injured during the third phase of voting last week. Main issues Many of the constituencies for Mondays elections were in Uttar Pradesh state in the north and western Indias Maharashtra, where the financial capital Mumbai is located. 190418191725241 Uttar Pradesh elects the most MPs, with Maharashtra next, and both states are ruled by the BJP. Prime Minister Modis coalition won more than 75 percent of the seats in the previous elections in 2014. However, political analysts say the BJP may struggle to repeat its strong showing this time due mainly to a jobs shortage and weak farm prices, issues upon which the main opposition Congress party has seized. Jobs should be the priority for the new government, said Aaditya Nair, a hotel management student, as he stood in line outside a polling station in Mumbai. First-time voter Ankita Bhavke, a college student in Mumbai, said she voted for economic development. I want the country to be at par with the best in the world, she said. Theres been some progress in the last five years. Indias financial markets were closed on Monday for the election. 190425125545951 Mumbai, which has six seats, is Indias wealthiest city but ageing and insufficient infrastructure is a major concern. It is also home to the massive Hindi film industry, Bollywood, as well as Asias richest man, Mukesh Ambani, and Indias richest banker, Uday Kotak. Indias financial markets were closed on Monday for the election. In disputed Jammu and Kashmir states Anantnag constituency, which is voting in three phases due to security concerns, paramilitary forces fired tear gas and pellets to disperse youth throwing stones at them, a police officer said. Modi has played up his record on national security after he sent warplanes into Pakistan in late February in response to a suicide bomb attack by an armed group based there that killed 40 soldiers in the disputed Kashmir region. President Widodo decided at a special Cabinet meeting to move the capital outside of Indonesias populous island, Java. Indonesian President Joko Widodo has approved a long-term plan for the government to abandon overcrowded, sinking and polluted Jakarta and build a new capital. The idea has been circulating for decades according to Widodo, since the time of Indonesias first President Sukarno but it has never been decided or discussed in a planned and mature manner, the incumbent said. 190408055350168 Three options were discussed at a special cabinet meeting on Monday, but Widodo decided to move the capital outside Indonesias most populous island, Java. The other alternatives were moving to a location near Jakarta or staying put and relocating all government buildings to a special zone around the presidential palace. The site for a possible new capital hasnt yet been announced, but Palangkaraya, on the island of Borneo, has often been rumoured as the location. Planning Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro, however, said eastern Indonesia is favoured. This is a big job, impossible to take just one year, it could take up to 10 years, he said. Prone to flooding and rapid sinking because of uncontrolled groundwater extraction, Jakarta is the archetypical Asian mega-city creaking under the weight of its dysfunction. Only four percent of Jakartas waste water is treated, according to the government, causing massive pollution to rivers and contaminating the groundwater that supplies the city. Congestion is estimated to cost the economy $6.5bn a year. Improving inadequate infrastructure in the country of 260 million has been Widodos signature policy and helped him win a second term in elections earlier this month. Brodjonegoro said a new capital would require an area of 30,000 to 40,000 hectares and have a population of between 900,000 and 1.5 million. Jakarta has a population of about 30 million in its greater metropolitan area. Japans 85-year-old Emperor Akihito will end his three-decade reign on Tuesday when he abdicates to his son Naruhito. Japans 85-year-old Emperor Akihito prayed to a Shinto sun goddess, starting a day of ceremonies to mark the end of a three-decade reign in which he sought to ease painful memories of World War II and bring the monarchy closer to people. Akihito, 85, was the first monarch to take the Chrysanthemum Throne under a post-war constitution that defines the emperor as a symbol of the people without political power. Akihito will end his three-decade reign on Tuesday when he abdicates to his son Crown Prince Naruhito. Only part of the ritual was released to the public. In a palace ritual later in the day, he will announce his retirement before other members of the royal family and top government officials. He is the first emperor to abdicate in 200 years. The last abdication by a Japanese monarch was in 1817. Naruhito will become emperor on Wednesday, but his formal enthronement will take place at a more elaborate ceremony in October. Why is Akihito abdicating? In August 2016, Akihito, citing concerns about his age and declining health, expressed his wish to abdicate while he was still well and capable. 190408031343187 As a constitutionally defined symbol with no political power Akihito sought understanding in a message to his people, and immediately won overwhelming public support, paving the way for the governments approval. With Japans Imperial House Law lacking a provision on abdication by a reigning emperor and virtually allowing only posthumous succession, the government enacted a one-time law to allow Akihitos abdication. Who is next in line and who is left? Naruhito is the elder of Akihitos two sons. A musician and avid hiker, 59-year-old Naruhito spent two years at Oxford and wrote a paper on the 18th century Thames River transport systems after studying history at Gakushuin University, a school formerly for aristocrats. His wife, Masako, a Harvard-educated former diplomat, is recovering from stress-induced conditions she developed after giving birth to their daughter Aiko amid pressure to produce a boy. Aiko, 17, is barred from inheriting under Japans male-only succession law, and the line goes to Naruhitos brother, Fumihito, better known by his childhood title, Akishino. Fumihitos son, Hisahito, 12, would be next. Discussions on changing the law to allow female succession quickly ended with Hisahitos birth, but they are expected to resume, with Akihitos abdication raising concerns about the familys future. What are the procedures to abdicate? Akihito will announce his abdication in a palace ritual on Tuesday evening, but technically he remains the emperor until midnight, when his era of Heisei, or achieving peace ends and Naruhito takes over with his Reiwa era of beautiful harmony beginning. On Wednesday morning, Naruhito, in his first ritual as emperor, receives the imperial regalia, including the sword and the jewel, as proof of his ascension to the throne. Aside from government officials, only adult male royals are allowed to attend, a tradition the government has kept despite criticisms raised by the public. What will Akihito do after abdication? 190102055253355 Akihito will hold a new title, Emperor Emeritus, but he will be fully retired from official duties and will no longer sign documents, receive foreign dignitaries, attend government events or perform palace rituals. He will not even attend his sons succession rituals and will largely recede from public appearances. His activities will be strictly private so as not to interfere with the serving emperor. After abdication Akihito and Michiko will move to a temporary royal residence before eventually switching places with Naruhito after refurbishments at each place. Six dead and two missing after an attack on a Protestant church in the north of the West African country. Armed attackers killed five worshippers and a pastor in the first attack by armed groups on a church in Burkina Faso, security and local sources said on Monday. The attack took place on Sunday in the small northern town of Silgadji near Djibo, the capital of Soum province, and two others were reported missing. Unidentified armed individuals have attacked the Protestant church in Silgadji, a security source said on condition of anonymity. Government spokesman Remy Fulgance Dandjinou said it was the first attack on a church since sectarian violence erupted in the West African nation. Muslim leaders and imams have also come under attack. Burkina Faso, which boasts of a history of religious tolerance, has been beset by a rise in attacks as groups based in neighbouring Mali seek to extend their influence over the Sahel, the arid scrubland south of the Sahara. About 60 percent of the countrys population is Muslim, roughly 25 percent is Christian, and the rest follow indigenous religions. Armed groups have every interest in troubling or going against the good understanding between religions. We have observed this strategy in other countries in the region and in the world, said Rinaldo Depagne, West Africa Project Director at International Crisis Group. Frequent and deadly The attack happened around 1pm (13:00 GMT) just as the faithful were leaving the church at the end of the service, said a member of the church, who did not want to be identified. The attackers were on motorbikes. They fired in the air before aiming at the members of the congregation. Deadly attacks have been attributed to a number of groups, including Ansarul Islam, the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM), and those with links to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS). The attacks started in the north of the country before targeting the capital, Ouagadougou, and other regions, notably the east of the country. Intercommunal violence and attacks by armed groups have forced tens of thousands from their homes in the past few months. The United Nations says Burkina Faso is facing a full-blown humanitarian crisis with almost one million people in need of urgent help. In February, a Spanish priest, Father Cesar Fernandez, was killed in a raid attributed to armed groups in Nohao in the centre of the country. In January, a Canadian national was killed after being abducted from a gold mine. Spains centre-left PSOE has won 123 seats in the general election, giving its leader a chance to form the government. Spains centre-left Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) has won 123 seats in Spains general election. The results offer Pedro Sanchez, its leader, a chance to form a government with left-wing Unidas Podemos (UP) and regional nationalist parties. Since becoming prime minister in 2018, Sanchez, 47, has taken PSOE from near-irrelevance back to its position as the most popular party in Spain. He became the countrys prime minister after a no-confidence vote against Mariano Rajoy, from the centre-right Peoples Party (PP), who ruled since 2011. Sanchez was widely considered the winner of televised debates leading up to the elections, which appears to have won over undecided voters. Who is Sanchez? Sanchez, who hails from Madrid, is a lawyer who has worked with the centre-left party since 1993. He has served as PSOEs general secretary since 2014, when the party was in the midst of a downward slope after five years of PP victories. Sanchez was little known when he became the socialist leader. He left his post in 2016 to resume it in 2017. When Sanchez became prime minister, PSOE held 84 seats and had a tense coalition with UP and other regional parties. Sanchez relied on support from Catalan nationalist parties, who rejected his partys budget proposal in February, leading to early elections being called. Where does he stand on the issues? Sanchez is centre-left in many of his positions, including international issues like immigration and refugees, the European Union and the economy. PSOE backed a move to exhume Francisco Franco in 2018, though it faced opposition from his family and Vox, which views Francos rule favourably. The remains of Spains fascist dictator, who ruled from 1939 until 1975, lie at the Valley of the Fallen, a monumental compound which includes a large basilica, constructed in part by his political enemies. Sanchez is also socially liberal and supports LGBT rights and womens right to abortion. Sanchez and Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias agreed to the biggest wage hike in 40 years in 2018 as part of a series of agreements on the 2019 budget, raising the minimum wage by 22 percent. That budget did not pass. Regarding Catalonias independence, Sanchez has said he would reinitiate dialogue with Catalan leaders, whose independence drive in 2017 shook Spain and the EU. This came in contrast to the right-wing bloc, headed by PP, which supported stripping Catalonia of its regional autonomy and placing it under the direct rule of the national government. However, Sanchez has explicitly stated there would be no independence, or even a state-recognised referendum on secession. Najib challenged criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering charges at the start of his trial. Malaysias former Prime Minister Najib Razak has failed to secure dismissal of seven corruption charges against him as his trial enters its third week. At the start of his trial on April 3, Najib challenged the criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering charges against him on grounds they lacked clarity and impeded the preparation of his defence. However, on Monday, Judge Mohamad Nazlan Mohamad Ghazali ruled the charges would stand, adding that Najib hadnt been prejudiced as his lawyers had extensively cross-examined 21 witnesses that testified so far. The trial is the first of several against Najib, who faces 42 corruption charges in one of the biggest criminal proceedings in the country. The case centres on the 1MDB unit, SRC International, where Najib faces charges including abuse of power, criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving 42 million Malaysian ringgit ($10.3m) that allegedly made its way into his personal bank accounts. The former prime minister pleaded not guilty when he was charged last July. The son of Malaysias second prime minister, Najib took the top job in Malaysia in 2009 vowing to reform the economy and the countrys authoritarian politics. But reform soon slowed and the finances of 1MDB, a state investment fund, began to draw suspicion. In May last year, with allegations of thievery mounting and public anger growing, Najib was defeated in the general election, the first time his United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) had lost power in six decades. Leader Pedro Sanchez celebrates after his Socialist party wins the most seats in Sundays vote, but questions remain. Madrid, Spain The Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) announced on Monday it will attempt to govern following a resounding victory in national polls. We believe that we have more than enough support to be the rudder of this ship, Carmen Calvo, the deputy prime minister in the previous government, told Spanish radio service Cadena SER. 190429005324580 Pedro Sanchez and his centre-left PSOE were the clear winners of Spains general elections on Sunday after garnering 123 seats. The anti-austerity, left-wing Unidas Podemos (UP) party gained 42 seats and has signaled its openness to work with PSOE. However, their combined 165 seats still fall short of the 176 required for an absolute majority in the 350-seat Congress of Deputies in Spain. Variable geometry The remaining seats needed for a majority could conceivably come from regional nationalist parties in the Basque Country and Catalonia. However, a 176-seat majority or formal coalition agreement isnt essential for Sanchez to govern, Josep Costa, vice president of the Catalan parliament from the pro-independence Together for Catalonia (JxCat) party, told Al Jazeera. Sanchez has got many options on the table, Costa, who is also a professor of political science, said. 190426210811869 He explained that Sanchez is likely to employ variable geometry a term used in Spanish politics that means Sanchez will probably rely on different parties for votes on different issues. He may be able to join with the left when it comes to social issues. He might be able to join with more nationalist parties when it comes to [the] institutional design of the state, Costa said, adding Sanchez will only need more yes votes than no in a second-round vote to become prime minister. Still, Catalan nationalist parties are a force to be reckoned with in the current parliament, with the regions independence crisis, former dictator Francisco Francos legacy and the rise of the far right all issues requiring the attention of Spains next government. Costa said the 22 seats won by pro-independence Catalan parties 15 from the centre-left Catalan Republican Left and seven from JxCat was their largest share in Madrid, ever. Sanchez has taken a firm anti-independence stance, saying in Barcelona last week there would be no referendum and no independence in Catalonia. When asked what role pro-independence parties will play in the current government, Costa replied: It definitely depends on what he wants to do. What are his priorities? I mean, the best scenario for us would to be not involved with Spanish politics We want to be self-sufficient and independent. Far-right rise The right-wing bloc of the centre-right Peoples Party (PP), Citizens, and far-right Vox won a total of 147 seats. PP suffered the greatest defeat on Sunday, going from 137 seats in the previous congress to 66 seats in the post-election one. Citizens, which considers itself centrist-liberal but has faced accusations of ties to the far-right in its home region of Catalonia, was the clear winner from the right-wing bloc, increasing its seats from 32 to 57. Citizens leader Albert Rivera declared in a tweet on Monday that his party will lead the opposition, signaling PSOE wont receive its support. 190426214317444 Observers were alarmed by the rise of the far-right Vox party in Spanish politics before the national vote. While Vox may not be in government, its 24 seats still signal a shift in Spain. Vox is the first far-right party to win seats in the countrys national congress since Spains transition to democracy in 1975, following Francos death. Vox found substantial support among Spains middle and lower-middle classes, according to Helen Graham, a history professor at Royal Holloway, University of London who specialises in the Spanish Civil War and its aftermath. The voters who have propelled Vox into the forefront are mainly urban and suburban, white-collar middling sectors which are currently becoming downwardly economically mobile just the same as they are across the West generally, Graham told Al Jazeera. But the particularity of Spain is that these particular sectors were the child of Francoism, and created by the dictatorships accelerated urban and industrial development during the late 1950s and 1960s, she added. These sectors typically voted for PP but have decamped to Vox in the wake of the global recession and Spains downward economic slope, Graham said. An open question Ignacio Jurado, a senior lecturer of politics at York University, told Al Jazeera that the far rights rise was also aided by Catalonias independence push. The Catalan crisis has catalyzed the rise of the far right, he said, noting this took place even as other parties took tough stances against the regions independence. Jurado said the Catalan issue also helped Citizens, which had its best results in the polls just after the crisis, and strongly campaigned on the national issue compared to 2016 where economic reforms were its main banner. How Sanchez handles his mandate is an open question: Francos legacy, the economy, and Catalan independence are still major challenges for Spains new government, and this could lead to instability, Costa said. I think it remains to be seen what his priorities will be. Will he try to seek a solution to Catalan demands, which help him stabilise his government into the future? Or [what] if he just wants to survive? Al Jazeera speaks to a range of people, including Muslim women, on an issue that is dividing opinion in Sri Lanka. Colombo, Sri Lanka A decision to ban face coverings a week after more than 250 people were killed in a series of coordinated attacks on Easter Sunday has drawn a mixed response, with activists saying the move violated Muslim womens right to practice their religion freely. The law that takes effect from Monday did not specifically name burqas, niqabs or hijab worn by many Muslim women. A burqa is an outer garment that covers the entire body and the face, a niqab is a veil that also covers the face, while a hijab covers only the hair. The ban is to ensure national security No one should obscure their faces to make identification difficult, President Maithripala Sirisena said in a statement on Sunday. 190421092621543 Many in Sri Lanka, including the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU), the top body of Islamic scholars in the South Asian island nation, have backed the move on security grounds. The group had earlier issued guidance asking Muslim women to avoid wearing face veils in public but added that it was opposed to the legislation. Sheikh Arkam Nooramith from ACJU said his organisation has discussed the issue with the Ministry of Justice. We had asked that we are given some more time, and whatever concerns that the ministry has with regards [to] what is possible within religious norms we will guide the Muslim community, Nooramith told Al Jazeera. Muslims form nearly 10 percent of the South Asian nations 22 million population. Al Jazeera spoke to a range of Sri Lankans, including Muslim women, on an issue that is dividing opinions in the Indian island nation. Qaanita Razeek, 33, cofounder of Soup Kitchen Sri Lanka which helps the destitute, regardless of race/religion, wearer of the face veil While I understand that there is a difference in scholarly opinion about the wearing of the face veil, I made the choice to wear the niqab 16 years ago and asking me to unveil now is like asking to strip me of my identity. Looking at the larger picture and the purpose with which I want to live my life, staying home is not an option for me, and I am trying to figure out a way around this. Harshana Rajakaruna, Member of Parliament from the ruling United National Party I feel that the majority of the Muslim community are very positive and happy about the ban. I have spoken to members of the Muslim community, they say: We never had this culture [of face veils] in Sri Lanka, this is something that has come to our community through influences of the last 10 to 15 years. Zainab Hussein (not her real name), a prominent social activist based in Colombo, wearer of the head scarf In the current context, I dont think there is anything much we can do to show resistance against this ban. However, the worry is the precedent that the law is setting. There are schools of thought emerging against the hijab and other parts of Muslim female attire. I understand, however, how avoiding the niqab would help with easing some of the fears but will the vigilantes stop at what the government has prescribed [ie banning only the face veil] or will they go further? We are already seeing overstepping. Both the government and the Muslim community have to do a lot of communications to ensure that this works smoothly. Kalana Senaratne, senior lecturer, Department of Law, University of Peradeniya The banning of the burqa/niqab is to be welcomed especially if this marks a shift in Sri Lankan society towards a more secular ethos. If the banning is motivated by hate, it would have a very negative effect especially on the Muslim community in the long-term. Security cannot be enhanced merely by banning the burqa/niqab. It has to be linked to the broader objective of secularisation of Sri Lankan society, which in turn requires other ethnic and religious groups, including the Sinhala Buddhist majority, to rethink and reform their own communities in more progressive and pluralist ways. Tehani Ariyaratne, womens rights activist Any ban on the niqab without consultation with those who would be directly affected by it, is nothing but a reactionary response by the state, designed to distract from its woeful lack of accountability for the events that have taken place over the last week. Muslim women and Muslim womens rights groups and activists have not been consulted in the process of putting this ban in place. This is unacceptable. It is a violation of their right to practice their religion freely, and they should be the principal stakeholders in this discussion. Instead, once again, Muslim women are sidelined in decisions that affect their own lives. Joint council, if agreed, would replace existing 10-member military body that took power after al-Bashirs overthrow. Sudans army rulers and protest leaders have offered differing visions for a joint council, but a military spokesman said he hoped a final structure for the body could be agreed soon. The talks came after the two sides on Saturday agreed to form a joint civilian-military body to rule the northeast African country. The military council has presented its vision for a 10-member joint council, with seven military representatives and three civilians, a spokesman for the military council, Lieutenant-General Shams al-Din Kabashi, told reporters after a joint panel met on Monday. The Alliance for Freedom and Change presented its vision of a 15-member joint council, with eight civilians and seven military representatives, he said, referring to the group that is leading the protest movement that has rocked Sudan for more than four months. Kabashi said Mondays talks ended with both sides agreeing to consider each others views. He also defended the militarys demand for a majority in the joint council, without clarifying why the army generals were insisting on it. Kabashi said talks will continue on Tuesday. No deal In a statement, the protest leaders alliance confirmed no agreement was reached over the composition of the sovereign council. It also said both sides will present proposals on transitional structures, including a future civilian government and legislative body, and their respective powers, within 24 hours. Our sit-ins and marches shall continue until all the revolutions goals are achieved, the alliance added. A joint council, if agreed, would replace the existing 10-member military council that took power after the army overthrew veteran leader Omar al-Bashir on April 11 amid massive protests against his rule. The creation of a joint council would pave the way for a civilian administration as demanded by protesters as they continue to rally outside the army headquarters in central Khartoum. Protesters continue with sit-in as talks with military for joint transitional council under way. Further talks are continuing between Sudanese opposition groups and the military. The protesters want to know the shape of the future government, how long it will rule for and who will be in positions of power. They hope that will pave the way for a civilian government. Al Jazeeras Mohammed Adow reports from Khartoum. Suspect allegedly hanged himself in prison as authorities investigate possible link with Khashoggi murder case. One of two men suspected of spying for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Turkey has committed suicide in prison, state media has said. Turkeys Haberturk news website first carried the report on Monday, with senior journalist Cetiner Cetin, who broke the story, saying the suspect hanged himself in Silivri prison on Sunday. The suspects death was later confirmed by the state-run Anadolu Agency. Al Jazeeras Sinem Koseoglu, reporting from Istanbul, said Turkish authorities would investigate how he managed to kill himself as he was being held in solitary confinement. The Justice Ministry said they believe he used his clothes, his pyjamas, to hang himself, she said. She added that according to Turkish authorities, the two men were detained in mid-April, they are Palestinian nationals and admitted to working on behalf of UAE intelligence. Authorities believe that since relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt have been strained since the military coup in Egypt in 2013, those countries were trying to build up a new system of intelligence gathering because of the situation. They were believed to be spying on Muslim Brotherhood members living in Turkey since the coup, she added. According to a previous report by the Reuters news agency, citing a senior Turkish official, one of the two men arrived in Turkey in October 2018, days after Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside the kingdoms consulate in Istanbul. The other person had arrived later to help his colleague with the workload, the unnamed official told Haberturk. 190419144820497 It is not clear if their arrival in Turkey was linked to the Khashoggi case. Khashoggi, a prominent critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed by Saudi operatives, provoking an international outcry. The CIA and some Western countries believe Prince Mohammed, Saudi Arabias de facto ruler, ordered the killing, an allegation Saudi officials deny. Disagreements over transitional authoritys composition, mandate, had previously resulted in a breakdown in the talks. Representatives from Sudans protest movement will hold a new round of talks with members of the military on Monday to agree on the formation of a transitional authority, an umbrella group of unions and syndicates said. The Sudanese Professional Association (SPA) announced on Sunday that the Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces, a leading opposition group, will meet the ruling Military Transitional Council (MTC) for a third time to set out the two groups prerogatives for the short term. Talks between the two were brought to a halt over the oppositions reservations about members of the old guard taking part in the negotiations. Other points of contention included disagreements over the new bodys composition, with the military adamant that 10 of the 15 members hail from its ranks. SPAs statement did not specify whether the military conceded to the oppositions demand of setting aside eight seats to civilian leaders, including one for women and youth. The MTC is overseeing a two-year transitional period, during which it has pledged to hold a presidential vote, following former President Omar al-Bashirs removal on April 11. Opposition groups and protesters, however, have continued to stage demonstrations to demand that the ruling military council hand over power to a civilian administration. On Saturday the protesters clashed with members of the Popular Congress Party of late opposition leader Hassan al-Turabi outside a meeting in Khartoum, leaving 65 party members injured. The Sudanese opposition has rejected an African Union proposal to give the ruling military council a three-month deadline for handing power over to a civil administration. Turkeys President Erdogan says he wont step back from the deal to acquire missile defence system despite US pressure. US President Donald Trump and Turkeys leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a phone call discussed a proposal to create a joint working group on its planned purchase of a Russian S-400 missile defence system. Our honourable president brought up the proposal to establish a working group regarding the procurement of the S-400 defence system from the Russian Federation, a statement from the Turkish presidency said. The White House confirmed Trump and Erdogan discussed Turkeys planned purchase of the controversial S-400s. 190329112122402 The two countries have argued for months over Turkeys order for the missile defence system, which the United States says is incompatible with NATOs defence network and could compromise its F-35 fighter jets. Erdogan has repeatedly said Turkey wont step back from the deal with Russia, despite mounting pressure from Washington including threats of sanctions on Turkey. No one can demand that we give it up, Erdogan said this month in Moscow alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin. This is our sovereign right. Putin said delivering the S-400s to Turkey was a national priority. Face penalties? Asked if Trump raised with Erdogan the US concerns about Turkey buying the S-400 system, a senior administration official said: We have been clear and consistent in emphasising our grave concerns on the S-400 acquisition with representatives of the Turkish government on numerous occasions and at the highest levels. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and several US senators have warned Turkey it will face penalties for buying S-400s under a law that calls for sanctions against countries procuring military equipment from Russia. Turkey has said as a NATO member it poses no threat to the US and the sanctions should not apply. Trump and Erdogan also discussed trade and the ongoing crisis in Syria, the White House said. Musician-turned-politician charged with leading a protest in Kampala last year without prior approval, police say. Ugandan police arrested celebrity musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine after he was charged over his role in a street protest last year against a tax on social media. Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, was charged with holding an illegal public assembly and detained on Monday at Naggalama police station, about 30km east of the capital, according to a police statement. Police spokesman Fred Enanga said Kyagulanyi led the protest in Kampala in July 2018 without prior police authorisation. He is with the police and investigations are on, he told AFP news agency. Asuman Basalirwa, one of Kyagulanyis lawyers, said his client was arrested after he answered a summons to the Criminal Investigations Directorate. 180828111608108 This time we have not been informed why he has been detained, he added. Kyagulanyi, who entered parliament in 2017, had been under house arrest in Kampala since Easter Monday when police officers blocked his way when he tried to leave for a concert at his nightclub. Last week, police spokesman Enanga described the situation as a preventive arrest imposed when the authorities decide someone is about to commit a crime. The cancellation by the authorities of one his performances last week led to clashes between opposition supporters and baton-wielding police who also fired tear gas. The 37-year-old opposition MP, who has said he plans to run for president in elections in 2021, has since called for mass protests. Vocal presence Kyagulanyi has built a large youth following through his criticism of Ugandas long-time leader President Yoweri Museveni who has been in power for 32 years both in parliament and through his music. The rapper made international headlines after an arrest last year and alleged torture by Ugandan security forces in detention. The government denies the accusations. On August 14, Kyagulanyi was arrested and charged with treason for allegedly throwing stones at Musevenis presidential motorcade during a by-election campaign. After being released on bail nearly two weeks later, Kyagulanyi was re-arrested in September while trying to leave the country to seek medical treatment in the United States for his injuries. Eventually, Kyagulanyi was released and allowed to travel to Washington, DC, to be treated in hospital. Kyagulanyi is the figurehead of a new generation who grew up under Museveni but want to see change. His anti-government songs have helped win him a significant following. In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera last year his first for television since leaving hospital Kyagulanyi said: Weve always wanted a free Uganda, but that Uganda should not come at the cost of torture. It should not come at the cost of murder or illegal executions, it should be got freely because our generation feels like the price has already been paid. Several times in recent months, the authorities have stepped in to prevent Kyagulanyi giving concerts, and his house arrest last week was part of those efforts to keep him offstage. Few voters in Benin turn out for elections with opposition excluded and only two parties in competition. With just two parties to choose from and no opposition parties in the running, few voters have turned up to cast their ballot in Benins parliamentary elections. Some parties may have told their supporters to stay away in protest. And that is not good for the countrys democratic future. Al Jazeeras Ama Boateng reports from Cotonou. Al Jazeera speaks to a range of people, including Muslim women, on an issue that is dividing opinion in Sri Lanka. U.S. and Israel Should Recognize the Armenian, Assyrian, Greek Genocide Last week Turkey recalled its ambassadors to America and Israel. That decision came in response to Israeli forces killing 60 Palestinian protestors attempting to cross the Gaza border. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Israeli actions a "genocide" on Turkish TV; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shot back on twitter: "I suggest that he not preach morality to us." Erdogan's attack has opened an unanticipated window of opportunity, both in Washington and Jerusalem to break a decades-long refusal to join historians and many governments in recognizing a real genocide that Turkey continues to deny -- that against Armenian Christians. This, of course, is history. The genocide took place during World War I. It was carried out by an Ottoman Turkish caliphate which is long gone. But in the Middle East, history matters. Turkey has made it a policy to baldly deny the genocide, and demand acquiescence in this lie as the price of good relations with Israel and other countries. In 2011, when France recognized the genocide, Erdogan accused the French of doing even worse in Algeria. Five years later, when Germany followed suit, Erdogan again lashed out. "Look at your own history," he instructed the government of Angela Merkel. "You are proud of having burned people alive in ovens." Despite such rhetoric, almost 30 countries have now officially classified the mass murder of Armenians as "genocide." Israel and the United States are not among them. For years, the Armenian community in America has petitioned the government to officially recognize the genocide. U.S. presidents, acting on expert advice and the pressure of the Turkish lobby, have refrained doing so. This year, on "Armenian Remembrance Day," President Trump issued a statement to mark the occasion that managed to omit the words "Turkey" and "genocide." Less than a month later, Erdogan rewarded Trump's kow-towing by labeling him an accomplice to what he called Israel's genocidal actions against Palestinians. The best answer Trump could give now would be to demonstrate American leadership by officially recognizing the Armenian genocide. Meanwhile, Erdogan's outburst and the harassment of the Israeli ambassador on his way home from Ankara, have lit fires in Jerusalem. Two members of Knesset, the ruling Likud Party's Amir Ohana and Itzik Shmuly from the opposition Zionist Unity Party, have introduced legislation to end Israel's embarrassing silence on the Armenian issue. That silence had been a matter of sheer pragmatism. Once, when Turkey was a secular, pro-Western country, Israel relied on it as a strategic partner in a hostile Arab neighborhood. That rationale no longer holds. Israel can now take care of itself. And Erdogan, an aspiring caliph, is now an enemy. Shortly after he accused Israel of mass murder, he received a call from his new best friend, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, praising him in the name of Islamic solidarity for standing up to the "Big and Little Satan"; that is, the U.S. and Israel. In Israel, circumstances have altered consciences. Truth is now in style. "It's not too late to do justice," says Knesset member Ohana. "When Hitler presented Wehrmacht officers with his plan for mass extermination in Poland, including women and children, he soothed the concerns about the world's reaction by saying, 'Who, after all, speaks today of the Armenians?' For that reason alone we should have already officially recognized this genocide." At least five senior ministers in the governing coalition have come out for measures that would punish Turkey and recognize its genocide. So have the speaker of the Knesset and the heads of the major opposition parties. It is hard to recall such trans-partisan enthusiasm. Still, nothing will change without Netanyahu's say-so. No legislation can pass without his consent and no new diplomatic policy can be adopted either, as he is also Israel's foreign minister. Netanyahu is a strategic thinker, and Turkey, like it or not, is a player in the regional game of thrones now underway. He will officially recognize the Armenian genocide only if he thinks it fits his purposes. That may be the wrong reason, but for once in this debate, for both Israel and the U.S., raw national interest and moral obligation are perfectly aligned: In a war against fanatics, truth is a powerful weapon. About the show A weekly programme that examines and dissects the worlds media, how they operate and the stories they cover. Watch The Listening Post every Saturday at 0830GMT African states should not be denied the opportunity to use nuclear energy, but it should be a solution of last resort. ISIL leader was about to relocate to the Syrian town of Jarablus when the US commando operation earmarked him. One of Michigan's major Christian adoption agencies is reversing its policy against placing children with same-sex couples, thanks to a legal settlement drafted by the ACLU and Michigan's radical attorney general, Dana Nessel. Bethany Christian Services, the Grand Rapidsbased global nonprofit adoption agency, has announced that it will begin placing children in LGBT homes in Michigan, "in compliance with our legal contract requirements." Bethany's course reversal came after last month's settlement agreement between the ACLU and the State of Michigan. Michigan was the defendant in the ACLU's federal lawsuit demanding that Michigan terminate contracts with faith-based adoption agencies that follow their religious convictions regarding marriage. In a reported statement, Bethany expressed disappointment "with how this settlement agreement has been implemented by the state government." The people running Bethany might well be disappointed. Michigan's previous attorney general defended the 2015 law protecting faith-based agencies like Bethany from being compelled to act in ways that violate their "sincerely held religious beliefs." Nessel, who made her name fighting for LGBT causes, campaigned for A.G. promising she wouldn't defend the law and would tell those in the Legislature they'd have to defend the law themselves "with private counsel." But there was never a chance for that to happen, because within three weeks of her inauguration, she was announcing her intention to settle with the ACLU. Back in 2012, the ACLU had joined up on Nessel's side in her previous successful, pre-Obergefell same-sex "equality" case, DeBoer v. Snyder. It's fair to say that on LGBT and religious freedom issues, Nessel and the ACLU are of one mind: all in for the former, staunchly opposed to the latter. This is as close as it gets to a lawyer negotiating with himself. The resulting agreement, finalized in March, requires Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services to include language in its contracts forbidding adoption agencies from turning away any "LGBTQ individual or same-sex couple." To ensure compliance, the department is also required to maintain a prominent link to an "Online Complaint Form" on its website's landing page. In announcing its new policy, Bethany says its beliefs "have not changed," but it's applying the new policy only in Michigan, and not in private adoptions. In other words, Bethany's adoption practices will be consistent with its deeply held beliefs everywhere else except Michigan, where its only other choice is to lose its contract with the state and close its doors. (It's also been reported that a group of Bethany employees threatened to walk off their jobs if Bethany didn't change its policy, but no matter: bullying is bullying.) The other targeted agency, the Lansing-based St. Vincent's Catholic Charities, is not going along. That group is challenging Nessel's deal in a federal lawsuit filed by the Becket law firm on behalf of a Michigan couple who've adopted five special-needs children through St. Vincent's. Nick Reaves, an attorney for Becket, says St. Vincent gets the majority of its work through state contracts, so the agency "would be forced to close down both its foster care and adoption programs if the state follows through on their threats." That's perfectly okay with Nessel, who hates Catholics anyway. She's called all Christians who support marriage "hate-mongers." If she cared about adoption agencies closing down, she would have defended religious freedom from the ACLU. Both tragic choices for an adoption agency to close its doors and to publicly violate the principles of its faith were the intended consequences of the ACLU's lawsuit. Between the two, progressives take more joy in compelling believers to compromise their faith than in just driving them from the public square; getting Christians to violate their beliefs draws them into the Left's own corruption. Why else does the Left fight ceaselessly against conscience rights and force Catholic sisters to pay for contraception, Christian doctors to participate in abortions, and Christian-owned businesses to endorse homosexual activities? When Nessel thanked the now compliant Bethany for its capitulation, she said, "Having more adoption agencies not discriminate results in 'more children adopted into loving, nurturing 'forever' homes." But forcing Christian agencies out of business results in fewer adoption agencies, period. The ACLU's Jay Kaplan says the settlement shows that the state (i.e., Nessel and the ACLU) was willing to put the needs of children first, but that's a crock. It shows the emotional needs of LGBT people being put first, just as it always has to be. Kaplan says, "Children in foster care need every family that is willing and able to provide them with a loving home." But kids in foster care also need as many agencies as possible to increase their chances. Deliberately eliminating effective, experienced Christian adoption agencies defeats that purpose. Fewer, not more children in Michigan will find homes now. To show this isn't about "putting kids first," consider how the lesbian plaintiffs in this lawsuit deliberately bypassed secular adoption agencies willing to work with them in order to apply at St. Vincent and Bethany. Their goal was not adoption, but to set a legal booby trap for two Christian agencies whose beliefs they found offensive. It was never about same-sex couples being treated as second-class citizens who must "fight to adopt in Michigan," as a Detroit News headline falsely framed it last July. It has always been about the LGBT community's bottomless desperation to be considered normal, even if it can get the approval only by brute force. Nessel obviously doesn't see it as her duty to defend Michigan's laws, preferring to impose her own progressive agenda without regard for the authority of the legislative branch. Even the Detroit News has noticed how she's "throwing out or undermining laws she doesn't like," even though "she's the attorney general, not the Legislature, and she is abusing her authority." She's promised Planned Parenthood that if Roe v. Wade is overturned, she'll never enforce Michigan's existing abortion law. Last month she drew some criticism for creating a Stasi-like "hate crimes unit" to serve as the Southern Poverty Law Center's government enforcer against unwoke thinking. The American Freedom Law Center is now challenging that unconstitutional scheme in a federal lawsuit. Dana Nessel's unfitness to serve as attorney general has even led to talk of impeachment by GOP Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey. That's not going to happen, but the Legislature is at least trying to rein her in by proposals to cut her budget and introduce language "attempting to limit her discretion in lawsuits." There's not enough Republican pull in Michigan to limit the A.G.'s power, either, but there's at least some indication Nessel's starting to feel less invincible. Two days before the proposed budget cut, she was trying to reassure the Senate Oversight Committee that her hate-crime squad is only going to "focus on prosecuting legitimate crimes, 'not policing thoughts and words.'" Nessel also denied that her office is working with the SPLC to target "hate groups," or that the unit will be "developing a database to document hate incidents." You can believe her or not, since she and her hate-hunting partner, state civil-rights director Agustin Arbulu, already went on the record about their plans to document lawful incidents interpreted by them to be hateful. As she was trying to convince the Senate she wasn't running a secret-police operation out of Lansing, Nessel could hardly contain her frustration that citizens she disagrees with are free to say and even think whatever they like: While some people in this state may choose to exercise their right to free speech by thinking hateful thoughts, saying hateful words or associating with hate-filled people, as attorney general it is my job to protect that right, not to prosecute it, even if I vehemently disagree with those thoughts, words or associations. Clearly, Dana Nessel sees herself as some kind of secular Apostle of Love, 100% guiltless of a single hateful thought, word, or association. I just wonder if all the people on her enemy's list appreciate that about her. T.R. Clancy looks at the world from Dearborn, Michigan. You can email him at trclancy@yahoo.com. In its recent and controversial pro-abortion decision, the Kansas Supreme Court warped the English language, repeatedly referring to abortions as "whether to continue a pregnancy." But more glaringly, in its 87-page opinion, the Kansas Court completely avoided any discussion of the existence of fetal personhood, even though protecting the unborn was the entire purpose of the challenged law. As Justice Biles noted in his concurring opinion (pp. 9697): My larger point is this: ... S.B. 95 is not claimed by the State to have been enacted to promote maternal health it is all about fetal protection and tellingly entitled, "the Kansas unborn child protection from dismemberment abortion act." K.S.A. 65-6741. And its legislative history shows patient safety was never brought up as a supporting justification.no guesswork is required it is squarely in this legislation's title and legislative record, so why not talk about it now? The reason the Kansas Court will "not talk about it now" is that the Left fights tooth and nail against any recognition of fetal personhood. Third-trimester abortions are illegal in Kansas. But in Vermont, pending legislation seeks to guarantee unfettered availability of abortion up until delivery. Vermont, too, seeks to frame the conversation as solely about women's rights, opposing recognition of fetal personhood at all costs, even as it expands availability of abortions in both hospitals and clinics. Recently, its largest medical provider stepped in to similarly narrow the recognition of rights to that of doctor-patient, stating that "decisions about reproductive health, including abortion, are the concern of the patient and their provider, as is the case with all other medical care." At another Vermont hospital, administrators employed similar sterilizing language: "It's legal, so why wouldn't we offer it?" On such a rationale, hospitals in Vermont could also offer pornographic magazines, liquor, and THC vapes. The "progressive" abortion agenda seeks to eliminate the acknowledgement of anything human about a fetus and eclipse any hint of such a recognition by employing the righteous subterfuge of women's rights. To borrow from dissenting Kansas justice Stegall, this is a "fabrication so flimsy it makes run-of-the-mill straw men appear as fairy tale knights by comparison" (p. 187). Clearly, the termination of a human life is not the equivalent of "all other medical care." In testimony on April 19 before Vermont's Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, Dr. Ingrid Skop insightfully opined that "pregnancy is a normal physiologic function, not a disease state. Interrupting this normal process is not health care. It is a surgical solution to a societal problem." Other testimony on April 19 focused not on abortion, but on fetal personhood, a verboten subject for the "Pro-Kill" movement. As Roe v. Wade recognized, there is definitely a point at which a second life exists well prior to delivery. These two lives are intensely intertwined. Women possess deep, fundamental rights as mothers in the lives of their children, as do fathers. Both mothers and babies are humans; each has rights. Despite a 1989 Vermont Supreme Court decision that called upon Vermont's legislature to recognize fetal personhood under its criminal statutes, exactly the opposite has been achieved. Vermont's legislators have steadfastly refused to create any criminal law protections for the unborn, meaning that women who are assaulted by domestic abusers, or victimized by impaired drivers, have no recourse when their unborn children are killed by criminal neglect or even malice. At the Vermont Senate hearing, the committee heard of numerous examples of the reality of fetal personhood and the extreme sorrow that affects both men and women when they lose a child in utero. Most compelling was testimony by Patricia Blair, who was six months pregnant when her twins were killed by an impaired driver who hit her head-on in 2009. In her written submission, Mrs. Blair wrote: "Though dozens of other states have done so, Vermont has never addressed protection or recognition for unborn victims of negligence or violence. Vermont takes pride in standing up for women's rights, but that's not true because I'm a woman." No one on the committee dared tell Patricia Blair the truth, but back in 2010, the truth was told when she attempted to introduce fetal homicide legislation, which the ACLU maligned as a "slippery slope." At the time, a Burlington Democrat publicly dared to admit that "violent crimes against pregnant women are a real problem, but I don't think fetal personhood put forth in this bill is the answer. There can be unintended consequences both for women's health and fetal health." Those "unintended consequences" include the chiseling away of the absolute sovereignty of women and their medical providers to determine when a fetus becomes a human being. That tyrannical determination pervades the Kansas Supreme Court's bizarre decision as well. It is evident our nation is already well along the opposite slippery slope, and sinking further. The Kansas Court artificially if artfully seeks to elevate the level of scrutiny of government restrictions of second-term procedures to "strict," triumphantly proclaiming that it has expanded Kansas's state constitutional protections beyond those of Roe. The decision simultaneously casts doubt on Roe's trimester pregnancy analysis and completely ignores Roe's clear ratio decidendi acknowledging a "compelling state interest" in fetal personhood. In all three ways this court patted itself on the back for tipping the Roe balance in favor of so-called women's rights. In all three ways, it sought to diminish or extinguish legal recognition of unborn babies as persons. Kansas wishes to ignore fetal personhood in the name of women's second-trimester abortions, no matter how much the babies suffer. Vermont seeks to blindly do the same, through the third trimester and delivery. But not all Americans are blind. As it approaches the daylight of delivery, that striving life in the womb cannot be ignored not even by the Vermont legislature, or the Kansas Supreme Court. Jurisdictions that stubbornly persist in slaying children late in pregnancy help educate the American public more than ever before. States that refuse to punish fetal homicide demonstrate how extremely far they will go to deny mothers' rights when their babies have been criminally slain. But this is where Kansas and Vermont again diverge. Vermont has steamrolled women like Patricia Blair for decades; Kansas enacted a fetal homicide law in 2007. The Kansas Legislature is now riled to pass a constitutional amendment to overturn its Supreme Court's extremism; Vermont is poised to amend its constitution to secure elective third-trimester procedures. America will heed women like Patricia Blair, even as Vermont ignores them in the vain hope they will simply be quiet and give up. There is no protection for the unborn so long as states like Vermont welcome women to come there to do the unthinkable, just as there was no freedom from slavery as long as one state could enslave. Those who cannot speak with mouths are speaking with their corpses to the United States Supreme Court please, intervene! Our nation cries out for federal intervention. We all are accomplices to the Left's political crime of indoctrination. We were the ones who accepted the myth that leftists are "liberals." We were the ones who accepted the hoax that Republicans (and right-wingers in general) are associated with the color red. We were the ones who became obsessed with the fairness of the "mainstream media." So they like to be called "liberals"? There is nothing liberal in the non-tolerant, neo-Marxist Democratic Party, who borrowed the idea of Antifa from Benito Mussolini's Blackshirts. The ideas of classical liberalism of the 18th century, and liberalism of American's Founding Fathers, are referred to in the 21st century as conservatism. Conservatives are the true heirs to the title of liberalism. Anytime we call leftists "liberals," we incur a self-inflicted political wound. Are right-wingers "red"? It is well known that the color red is traditionally assigned to the leftists (Marxists, socialists, communists, fascists, Democrats, Trotskyists, Maoists, and others). The attempt to map red to right-wingers happened relatively recently back in 2000 and it stuck. Remember the massive "red wave" versus "blue wave" agitprop during the 2018 elections? Any time we cheered the "red wave," we incurred a self-inflicted political wound, because traditionally, red was the color of the enemy. "Mainstream media"? There is nothing mainstream about the far-left outlets in our center-right country. Referring to them as "media" does them a favor and provides them a cover, for they are just propaganda outlets serving their masters from the Democratic Party and a multitude of other American left-wing parties. There are many other examples; some of them are relatively new, but some are pretty old. Associating the National Socialism of the Third Reich with right-wing ideology was a smart trick they pulled, and it affected a lot of unsuspecting people. They converted universities into Marxist indoctrination centers while leaving the original name intact, thus confusing even more people. They created the U.N. under the pretense of "solving international problems" without telling us it is just a branch of the Socialist International on American soil. (Most people do not know that the Presidium of the SocIntern traditionally happens on the premises of the U.N. and at the same time as the U.N. General Assembly.) In the 1970s they pushed for a "global cooling" narrative (which in the 1990s was substituted by "global warming," and then in the 2000s with "climate change") without telling people it is just a novel scheme for world wealth redistribution. "Trump is Putin's marionette," they said. "Hillary Clinton has a 97% probability of winning the presidency," they said. "Twitter does not shadowban conservatives," they said. "Facebook does not suppress alternative points of view," they said. They warned us about an imminent World War III if Trump relocated the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem or discarded Net Neutrality. Well, the leftists are masters of such tricks. Leftists successfully pulled a trick with their progressive tax scale. Let us recall that this was the crucial second goal in Marx's Communist Manifesto. On top of that, they managed to plant the idea that Progressives are somehow associated with human progress. In fact, Progressives got their name due to their support of Marx's heavy progressive taxation scheme. They have nothing to do with human progress. The party of pussy hats and farting cows managed to hijack not only the label of liberals, but also unions, including government unions, and a sizable section of academia and pop culture. Despite their successes, the (D)emocrats show many signs of (D)ecadence. The leftists had a good run, but their recent initiatives are a clear indication of strategic failure. To be fair to Democrats, let us come to an agreement that they are quick learners. They learned a lot from their predecessor and ideological cousin Joseph Goebbels, and they methodically follow his famous advice: "Make the lie big, keep it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it." Well, let us stop believing it. The time has come for the right-wingers to stop being unwitting accomplices of left-wingers. The king of shared bathrooms and open-to-everybody women's locker rooms, community organizer Barack Hussein Obama, must not be called a Democrat. In reality, he is a socialist. (Perhaps, John Kennedy was the last president from the same party who could be called a Democrat.) We should avoid calling the recently failed anti-Trump palace coup d'etat Spygate; the more appropriate name would be Obamagate. Finally, we should reassign the color red back to Democrats, where it traditionally belongs. The right-wingers, the loose term for the conservative ideology of small government, small taxes, and big freedom, will greatly benefit from such clarity. Gary Gindler, Ph.D. is a conservative blogger at Gary Gindler Chronicles. Follow him on Twitter. China's meteoric rise from an impoverished country to a global superpower ranks as one of history's most remarkable political and economic achievements. It would be a mistake to think U.S. and Chinese interests are the same, however. They have arrived with a strategy to contest the U.S. military on all levels land, sea, air, space, and cyber. They sell us boatloads of inexpensive merchandise to finance their military buildup while viewing us as their principal foe. It is time for us to awaken to the rising China threat. As the Chinese economy modernizes, we had hoped that political liberalization would follow. We had hoped economic integration would moderate their autocratic government into a democracy focused on internal development and peaceful economic competition. This has been an illusion. China is a major trading partner, but the country is not our friend, nor anyone else's. With each day we pretend their intentions are benevolent, we lose what little advantage we may still have. Both America and China assume they are special and inherently superior to other nations. Both expect other countries to follow their lead. Unlike Americans, whose time horizon rarely extends beyond the next election, China plays the long game. The Chinese are willing to wait out difficulties until they succeed. They will wait as long as trends are moving their way. They seek victory through incremental moves designed to gradually improve their strength, by both legal and illegal means, until it grows into an overwhelming advantage. They wish to avoid war by winning it without firing a shot. We have been naive to believe we can hasten democratic reform in China by opening our markets to the country. It may never happen. We may have thought we could divulge our industrial know-how to Beijing while the U.S. would focus on the development of information technology. Not only did the Chinese absorb the manufacturing that we willingly gave them, they are now pivoting to dominate cyberspace as well. But industrial might cannot hide behind a facade while their 21st-century digital police state does its work. China is using metadata and "predictive policing" derived from DNA, artificial intelligence and deep-learning for face, body, voice, and behavioral recognition to control every citizen, and especially minorities. They even have a "social credit" system to score and penalize each person's behavioral infractions. If Beijing were faced with another uprising like what happened in Tiananmen Square in 1989 where as many as 10,000 peaceful protesters were gunned down they would do it again without remorse. Their strategy is now to pick off individuals one by one before resistance ever grows this large. Beijing steals intellectual property from all off-shore companies seeking entry into their huge market. That is the price of entry. The absence of a protected patent process means that product innovation in China usually does not happen. Why spend the money to develop a new product when the factory down the street can easily steal the designs and reproduce it without consequence? A MacAfee study estimated that the annual loss for the U.S. from cyber-crime and espionage amounted to as much as 1% of our national income and as many as 508,000 U.S. jobs. We know that China accounts for most of this theft. Chinese cyber-enabled theft is one of the main reasons behind their amazing economic growth. By mid-century, China will likely surpass the United States to become the world's largest economy. And since no one threatens China, why is Beijing growing its military so fast? For most of its history, China has been a land power. It has long had the largest standing army in the world, and now it is becoming a sea power as well. Its growing navy is starting to contest vast regions of the Pacific Ocean and will soon be moving on to the Indian Ocean. It has little opposition on the seas except for an overextended and under-resourced U.S. Navy. While we struggle to find a way to get Mexico to pay for the border wall, China has found an easy way to get America to pay for its military buildup. Those who worry that tariffs will provoke a trade war are missing a larger point. American consumers are quite simply financing China's war machine. By some estimates, Beijing can pay for its entire annual defense budget with just a few months of what American consumers contribute to their trade balance. And then they cyber-hack our submarine and fighter plane designs and reproduce them at a fraction of the cost to oppose the U.S. When President Xi Jinping became China's leader in 2012, he declared that he wanted to make China strong again. He wants "Asia for the Asians" and wants the U.S. to withdraw its military from the region. This has meant a more assertive China. For now, Beijing avoids high-risk confrontations with Washington while incrementally increasing its economic and military strength. But they may not remain quiet much longer. Since 1945, the U.S. has fought in Korea and Vietnam and has protected Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, and vital sea lanes in the region. There may soon come a time when the U.S. would lose a military confrontation in the Pacific. There is a growing concern in Asian countries that the U.S. may not come to their rescue should Beijing decide to grab more territory like Taiwan or contested islands in the South China Sea. What would this mean for the Asian democracies in the Pacific Rim? Doubting U.S. resolve makes Asian allies more vulnerable to Chinese intimidation. If we withdraw from the Western Pacific, it will raise fundamental questions about the role of the U.S. in this part of the world. The question looms large in the global balance of power. It is frightening to contemplate. Historically, when a rising power (such as China) challenges a status quo power (such as the U.S.), the result is a rising tension that usually escalates toward war. In his book Destined for War, Harvard professor Graham Allison labels this historically repeating pattern the "Thucydides Trap." The resolution of the Cold War was a notable exception that ended peaceably, and perhaps we should look to it for clues as to our way forward. We must be prepared to enter into a new Cold War with China in the same ways as we did with the Soviet Union. Reversing the China threat will be a long and costly process that will take much determination. We need to recognize that China is not our friend and prepare accordingly. We need to stop being the chumps we have been and perhaps begin a process of disengagement. We must grow our military and improve our intelligence and counter-intelligence operations. We need to address the Sino-American trade deficit and minimize their use of our markets to finance their military. We must be more aggressive in media operations like Voice of America to reach the Chinese people directly with the message of freedom. And we need to strengthen our alliance with surrounding Asian nations and together demand that China begin democratic reform. China's ruthless rise to dominance is a clear danger to America and free people around the globe. It is time to take steps to prevent China's rise to world hegemony. Contact Jeff Lukens. What if correctional facility prisoners throughout the country were allowed to vote for any candidate they wanted and there just so happened to be a candidate who ran on the promise that if elected all sentences would be commuted to time served? And by voting together these prisoners constituted a majority, are there any doubts as to who would win and what the results would be? Well, there is no need to think in the hypothetical for the answer because the results of such a system are seen in most major liberal cities across the United States. And it's all done legally by nonworking people who vote for Democrat candidates promising to overtax hardworking Americans to pay for the stuff they say is "free." Ronald Reagan put it as direct as possible, When you rob Peter to pay Paul, you can always count on Paul's vote. And Benjamin Franklin also warned against such practices when he said, When the people find that they can vote themselves money that will herald the end of the republic. Because this system has been ongoing for decades, people accept it as business as usual when a Democrat is in office, yet outside the world of politics, people commonly refer to the practice as theft. According to a December 2018 article in Lexington Law, "The total cost of poverty assistance programs in America can add up to a shocking $1 trillion a year when combining both federal and state level program budgets." A sobering statistic found in a 2012 policy analysis report from the CATO Institute found that from 1965 to 2011 the total percentage of GDP spent on welfare programs had quadrupled from .83 percent to 4.4 percent of the total. The report went on to add, "The American welfare state is much larger than commonly believed. The federal government alone currently funds and operates 126 different welfare or anti-poverty programs, spending more than $668 billion per year." With the new wave of Democrat Socialists rising through the ranks of the Democrat party, promising free tuition and free healthcare, the welfare state will most certainly balloon and see a significant increase in expenditures inside an already unsustainable system. The Democrat efforts to shrink America's middle class through wealth redistribution is being joined with a plan to exploit the already broken immigration system. Leftist media propaganda, as well as leftist universities, have put forward the lie that illegal immigrants are a net financial gain to the country but the facts are clear and reveal the exact opposite. As an example, according to a 2013 report from the Heritage Foundation, In 2010, the average illegal immigrant household received around $24,721 in government benefits and services while paying $10,334 in taxes. This means that U.S. taxpayers shouldered the net cost of about $14,387 per household. A Watchdog report stated that the Government Accounting Office (GAO) report discovered that illegal immigrants in the U.S. generated an estimated national net cost from $2 billion to $19 billion annually. Astonishingly, Democrats like Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, and New York City mayor Bill de Blasio are doubling down and demanding that illegal aliens be added to the list of those already getting government "freebies." Combine that absurdity with another Democrat demand for open borders, and it's not difficult to see the cataclysmic economic and social destruction that an entitlement budget of immense proportions will present. The 2020 Democrat plan to take back the Presidency is simple. Promise debt forgiveness, free education, healthcare, and any other entitlements a young, shortsighted or indentured voting populace would like or need. Increase the Democrat voter base by opening up America's borders and offering the above list of freebies to anyone setting foot on American soil. So how do financially responsible Americans fight back against Democrat taxation proposals and "free stuff" programs aimed at maintaining their hold on power by redistributing other people's wealth? Apart from voting for a conservative, Americans should demand voting reforms. One such proposal could be to suspend the voting privileges to anyone who relied on government assistance for a consecutive 24-month period while the unemployment rate was at or below 6% for 18 out of the 24 months. Another solution might include a proposal written by the private sector and agreed to by voters offering limited government assistance based on established community needs. But whatever the agreed to plan, it should never incorporate the understanding that any support provided is "free." Shanghai (Gasgoo)- SAIC Motor announced on April 28 that it has officially launched the enterprise-class mobility service brand dubbed Xiangdao Zuche as part of upgrading strategy for Xiangdao Chuxing, a mobility service brand launched in last December. The Xiangdao Zuche (Zuche means car rental in Chinese) is dedicated to providing comprehensive service and technology solutions for business trips, employees' travels as well as vehicle and chauffeur management. According to SAIC Motor,Xiangdao Zuche is attached to Anji Car Rental and Leasing Co., Ltd, a 50/50 joint venture between Shanghai Automotive Industry Sales Co.,Ltd and ABG (Avis Budge Group), starting from 2002. The company has operated in a total of 154 cities in China, including Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Suzhou and Shenzhen, serving over 1,000 companies. For now, the joint venture has become a wholly-owned subsidy of SAIC Motor after the state-owned automaker recently agreed an equity-changing agreement with ABG. As China's biggest car group, SAIC Motor boasts great advantages in mobility service field with doubt. First of all, it is victorious over Internet platforms in vehicle purchase and maintenance that can achieve a good cost control performance. It is reported that vehicles deployed by Xiangdao Zuche come from such models as the Passat, the Buick Regal, the Buick GL8, and so on. Besides, the automaker's two in-car intelligent systemsOnStar and Banmaare able to collect huge amount of users data so as to help the company improve vehicle operation and mobility service quality along with big data, AI and cloud computing technologies. For years, President Trump's opponents on the Left have attempted to pin the label of anti-Semitism on him. In the wake of the vile attack on the Poway synagogue, the response from Rabbi Yishoel Goldstein, who was wounded in the attack, tells a different story: Rabbi Goldstein on Trump calling him following the shooting: "He spoke about his love of peace and Judaism and Israel and he was just so comforting that Im really grateful to our president for taking the time and making that effort to share with us his comfort and consolation" pic.twitter.com/Bu31UvZomI Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) April 29, 2019 As I was in my house, I received a personal phone call from our president, Donald Trump. I was amazed to answer the phone, and, say, the secretary of the White House is calling, and he spent close to ten, 15 minutes with me on the phone. And, it's the first time I've ever spoken to a president of the United States of America. He shared with the condolences on behalf of the United States of America. And we spoke about the moment of silence. And he spoke about his love of peace and Judaism and Israel and he was just so comforting that I'm really grateful to our president for taking the time and making that effort to share with us his comfort and consolation. Does that sound like the kind of phone call that comes from an anti-Semite? The sort of person who would run a sick 'Der Sturmer'style Jews-are-dogs cartoon in a newspaper? The sort of phone call that Rep. Ilhan Omar would be capable of making? It's amazing that in this era of Omar and all her anti-Semitic tropes ("All about the Benjamins, baby,"), and now the New York Times' repulsive anti-Semitic cartoon, it's Trump who is branded as the 'real' anti-Semite, a projection if there ever was one. It reminds me of the style of anti-Semitism that has come out of Europe in recent decades, claiming that Jews, see, are the real Nazis. Yet the evidence of President Trump's philo-Semitism has always been there. His favorite daughter is a convert to Judaism. He boldly moved the U.S. embassy in Israel to its correct capital, Jerusalem, in a deed that has eluded every past president and, wildly enough, seems to have contributed to peace. He has a warm relationship with Israeli prime minister Bibi Netanyahu, the man who was left waiting at the White House while then-president Obama ate his own lunch without offering his guest any. And Trump has made repeated statements of affection for the Jewish people. Nope, Trump is the bad guy, the 'real' anti-Semite, despite all the evidence to the contrary and in particular, this moving statement from the kindly old wounded rabbi in Poway. Look at this nonsense written by some lefty in Ha'aretz: The U.S. president is no anti-Semite and doesn't want attacks on Israelis and Jews. Nevertheless, Donald Trump's electoral victory and the violent political discourse which he both reflects and actively encourages have let the genies of extremism out of the bottle in the United States. Under these circumstances, even the San Diego murderer whose published remarks just before he embarked on his attack harshly criticized Trump and depicted him as a puppet of the Jews have found the ideological ground more fertile for action. Here's more dreck, trying to pin anti-Semitism onto conservatives from the Daily Beast: Despite reams and reams of ideological-political writing, from the Protocols of the Elders of Zion forgery to Mein Kampf to the paranoid manifesto of the Poway shooter that allege in precise terms the ways in which Jews destroy the national homeland, conservatives insist that anti-Semitism is simply pure, irrational, timeless, and ahistorical hatred that has nothing to do with any politics whatsoever. It's the same whether it comes from Pharaoh in Egypt, a Tsarist pogrom, or a Hamas terrorist. "We forcefully condemn the evil of anti-Semitism and hate, which must be defeated," President Donald Trump said in response to the Poway shooting. This definition of anti-Semitism is extraordinarily wrong. It is at odds with what anti-Semites themselves have said since the term was popularized in 1879. It mashes together religious animus, true nationalist anti-Semitism, and resistance to right-wing Zionism. And it is particularly helpful to the very people who exacerbate it, today's nationalists, for three reasons. Leftist California governor Gavin Newsom muddled things in other ways, first trying to yes-but his thanks to Trump by calling attention to himself and then by generalizing the 'hate' he condemns to include everyone, taking the focus off the anti-Semitism that drove the maniac to kill. Here's what Fox reported: "Appreciated the call from [Trump]," Newsom tweeted. "Working with state, local, and federal officials on today's horrific shooting at the Chabad of Poway synagogue." Newsom added: "We all must call out hate against any and all communities wherever it lives." It's changing the subject. Because right now, it's pretty obvious that President Trump who was detested by the killer who attacked the synagogue in his so-called 'manifesto' is probably the strongest friend the Israelis and the Jewish people here have ever had. He not only detests Jew-hatred with a credible loathing; he loves Jewish people. They can't pin this on him anymore. They need to start looking at themselves and their newspaper of record, which just ran a revolting anti-Semitic cartoon and papered over the anti-Semitism of a congressmember by reducing the problem to a generalized issue of 'hate.' They're the ones with an anti-Semitism problem, and their hypocrisy is showing. Image credit: CBS News screen grab. I'm not a daytime watcher of Fox News, but as an always-on television is within earshot, I do tend to be a bit of a detached daytime listener. As such, I have been mystified by the one-eighty-degree turn of Fox legal analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano from being an ardent Trump-supporter to a constant critic of the president. It was one of those mysteries we must sometimes wait years for to get an explanation of what led to such a sudden, inexplicable political reversal. But thanks to that titan of tweeting, our nation's chief executive (Dems would prefer that to be Titanic), we now know what inspired this sudden onset of anti-Trump hostility from Judge Nap. Following his hugely successful Wisconsin rally Saturday night, Donald Trump tweeted this: ....Ever since Andrew came to my office to ask that I appoint him to the U.S. Supreme Court, and I said NO, he has been very hostile! Also asked for pardon for his friend. A good "pal" of low ratings Shepard Smith. Aha! Sorry, couldn't resist that it's so seldom one gets to use aha, and for once, it actually applies. But seriously, folks (as a certain comedian used to say, who, by the way, like our president, could never get any respect, either), if true, Trump's tweet does certainly provide motive for Judge Nap's mysterious morphing from a Fox News fan of the president to a continually carping critic, without even a hint of explanation from the network. This is another example of how all these so-called "expert" observations we're continually fed by the media are far too dependent on the personal feelings and attitudes of the so-called experts rather than being objective and fact-based. Moreover, Trump's tweet shows the entire nation that Napolitano's goodwill, even his on-air legal opinions, can be bought not exactly a quality most presidents would look for in a Supreme Court appointee, is it? What is even more mystifying is this: whatever made Napolitano think he, an on-air legal "analyst" for Fox News Network, was of sufficient juristic eminence to be appointed to the highest court in the land? True, he was a New Jersey Superior Court judge, and that is a statewide bench, but it's an intermediate court, not the New Jersey Supreme Court, which service upon would have lent a bit more heft to Napolitano's national ambitions. You can bet the farm that had Trump made the appointment, the media would have immediately and endlessly denounced Judge Nap as judicially unqualified and appointed only due to his on-air support of Trump. And for a top-level legal analyst, Judge Nap has to be politically tone-deaf to not realize what a field day the media would have with a Trump pardon for a friend of two Fox personalities. Those liberal headhunters would hang a cronyism-corruption charge around Trump's neck that would create a political stench worse than a long-dead albatross. Trump wisely recognized the hazard and declined to put himself in such jeopardy, correctly calculating that Nap going negative was the lesser of two bad options. Like so many of us, Trump has to be aware that far too many of Judge Nap's past on-air judicial prognostications have turned out to be decidedly wrong pure crap from Nap. Analyst, indeed Fox News needs to replace this mendacious magistrate. Update: Fox Business Network sends this response by Judge Nap on its "Mornings with Maria" program today (video here): Now that more than half of the states have enacted laws outlawing compulsory union membership in order to get a job, labor union membership has declined, and in tandem, so has the flow of money to Democrats (nearly all union political donations go to donkeys). Over the weekend, presidential candidate Kamala Harris joined Bernie Sanders in calling for an end to this freedom of association. Via the Wall Street Journal: "The barriers to organized labor being able to organize and strike are something that have grown over a period of time," Ms. Harris told a forum co-sponsored by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) on Saturday. She added that she'd use the bully pulpit and executive authority as President to promote "banning right-to-work laws." That's pretty vague. Executive orders from a president can't nullify state laws. She'd need federal legislation, which is unlikely unless Democrats gain control of the Senate and abolish the filibuster. It could happen, but it is unlikely to be an appealing plank in the party's platform. Maybe that's why Harris is keeping it vague. As the Journal notes, her use of the language "barriers to organized labor" is factually incorrect: That's an odd policy juxtaposition because right-to-work laws pose no barrier to union organizing. Unions can still hold secret-ballot elections to organize workers at plant sites in the 27 states that have passed right-to-work laws. The laws merely let individual workers opt out of union membership, which means unions can't coerce people to join and pay dues to the union leadership. Unions are hardly deterred from striking these days, as we've seen in the proliferation of teachers' strikes across the country. Teacher unions are among the biggest components of the union movement, and Harris already has pandered to them: Her first big policy proposal, unveiled in March, would have the feds give teachers across the country an average pay raise of $13,500 a year. That payoff to the teachers unions would cost federal taxpayers some $315 billion over 10 years, not including what states would have to contribute to qualify for these Harris Grants. Photo credit Office of Senator Kamala Harris (cropped). In traditional Buddhist teachings, contemplating about death is an integral part of meditation. Buddha himself said that death is the greatest of all teachers, for it teaches us to be humble, destroys vanity and pride, and crumbles all the barriers of caste, creed and race that divide humans, for all living beings are unescapably destined to die. Many Buddhist cultures also practice sky burials, where human corpses are left out in the open, such as mountain tops and forests, to be eaten by wild animals. This may seem macabre and gruesome for people of other cultures, but for practicing Buddhists, sky burial is yet another way of acknowledging the impermanence of life. Such pragmatic and mature approach to the subject of death is the rationale behind the gory and unapologetic Japanese art form called kusozu that appeared in the 13th century and continued until the late 19th century. Kusozu, which means painting of the nine stages of a decaying corpse, portrays the sequential decay of a cadaver, usually female, in graphic detail. The shocking art genre appeared routinely for more than five hundred years in various formats, including scrolls and printed books. One of the earliest examples of this genre is a 14th-century scroll titled Kusoshi emaki, whose English translation is rare lengthyIllustrated handscroll of the poem of the nine stages of decaying corpse. The scroll consist of ten narrative illustrations portraying the nine stages of decomposition starting with a healthy subjectan aristocratic female who has been identified as the 9th-century poetess, Ono no Komachi. In the second panel, she has died and is laid out on the floor and covered with a blanket. In subsequent panels, her body, now in the open, can be seen getting progressively decomposed and putrefied until all remaining flesh and bones had been pecked clean by scavenging animals. Below: Body of a courtesan in nine stages of decomposition. Ink and color on silk, circa 1870s. Courtesy: British Museum The function of these works is to demonstrate the effects of impermanence and the gross nature of the human form, especially the female one, writes Gail Chin. The pictorial function is attuned to Buddhist meditation on the corpse, which is to instill a deep sense of revulsion for the human body, particularly that of the opposite sex, so that the monk or devotee will not be tempted by the flesh and realize the impermanence of the body, especially their own, and renounce it. In Buddhism, overcoming sexual desire is a necessary step towards achieving enlightenment. Since the female body was a source of desire for men, meditating on a decaying corpse became a form of aversion therapy for Buddhist monks. Not only men, women too were asked to meditate on the repulsive aspects of their own body. The use of the female cadaver as a tool to despise ones own body has a long tradition in Buddhist literature dating back to medieval times. However, the visual depiction of this theme is a specifically Japanese adaptation. Some modern scholars have interpreted the exclusive use of female corpses in the kusozu genre as a testament to the prevalence of misogyny in Japanese Buddhist thought. But Gail Chin denies this claim by arguing that because the female body is used to teach one of the most important Buddhist lessons, she must be inherently valued as representing Buddhist truth. Below: The death of a noble lady and the decay of her body. circa 1700s In the first painting a court lady in a kimono is seated indoors at a low red table, with a scroll in her left hand, upon which she has written her farewell poem: she is pallid, and her expression is preoccupied. In the second painting, she has died, and is laid out on the floor covered to her shoulders with a blanket, with a lady and a gentleman in attendance. In this painting, her body is out of doors, naked apart from a loincloth, on a mat, the lower part of which is folded up over her legs; her skin now has flesh tones. In the fourth painting, putrefaction has just begun. Here her body is decaying in the advanced stages of putrefaction. The putrefying body is now carrion for scavenging birds and small animals. The flesh has almost all decayed revealing the skeleton. There are wisteria flowers in blossom above her body. Only a few fragments of bone, including the skull and fragments of rib. hand and vertebrae remain visible. The final image is of a memorial structure upon which her Buddhist death-name is inscribed in Sanskrit. Google appears to be hard at work bringing forward new security features that build on previously implemented site isolation and keep cookies more private by brute force, based on new flag settings spotted by 9to5Google. In effect, the new settings allow users to browse normally but mark stored, trackable data from sites cookies as only useable via secured sites while only allowing certain cookies to be accessed at all by a given site, to begin with. That all centers around how web developers either do or dont handle their own cookies. The first experimental setting forces sites using the SameSite attribute but without an attribute provided to mark cookies as SameSite=Lax by default. That blocks cookies from one site when connected to another from being used under a range of conditions that would typically make them vulnerable. The second experimental setting builds on that by forcing the browser to secure cookies from sites that havent marked the cookies with SameSite at all. The attribute is used to ensure that some data remains the same when users navigate from page to page within the same site for example, keeping users logged in when they click a link on the site to move to another page. Advertisement The flag makes sure that unmarked cookies are marked as Secure wherever that can be done, effectively blocking the cookies entirely where web developers havent. Importantly, it will also block cookies when those are pulled from a website that isnt HTTPS. Stacking on top of more localized security The changes build on Googles previous efforts to isolate sites or associated data from being accessed maliciously but swing things in a web-based direction compared to some of those changes. Among the most recent related changes is the move undertaken by the company to ensure that sites remain isolated. Activated in Chrome 66, Google has already built on that before but this new change takes a more direct approach. Advertisement Site isolation works by cordoning off local memory resources on a users hardware from being accessed across sites. That eats up quite a bit more RAM and resources but it also prevents data from being accessed. The latest change suggests Google wants to force that level of security further at the browser level and for cookies themselves. Turn it on, only in Canary Both flags need to be enabled in order to take advantage of the features and thats fairly straightforward but they are only present in Chromes Canary Channel for the time being. Theres no official timeline for a more full release on Stable Channels and theres also nothing to guarantee theyll be made available beyond the need to activate flags. Advertisement Because the change will impact the security aspects of Chrome, Google likely wants to take its time to be as certain as possible that it isnt creating new problems or bugs. To activate the flags themselves in Chrome Canary, users will need to navigate to the chrome://flags page and use the search bar at the top to first find the #same-site-by-default-cookies setting. That will need to be switched over to Enabled in the corresponding drop box menu. The second flag can be found by searching for #cookies-without-same-site-must-be-secure and the same steps will activate it. After theyve been switched to Enabled, users will need to reboot the browser with the appropriate button that should appear at the bottom of the browser windows UI. Google has at long last announced the nominees for the 2019 Google Play Store Awards its annual shindig for celebrating the developers behind the most innovative, well-rounded applications available on Android. There are a number of well-known titles on the list, as well as an abundance of lesser-known ones. But thats the beauty; the aim is to spread word about the independent applications that may have slipped through the cracks, listing them alongside the high-budget heavyweights. Before we dive deep into the list, however, we should highlight some of the prolific nominees. First off, we have Gamelofts Asphalt 9: Legends, which was nominated to take home the title of Most Beautiful Game, followed by Envision AI for Best Accessibility Experience, Plantix for Best Social Impact, Pluto TV for Best Living Room Experience, Tick Tock for Most Inventive, Canva for Standout Build for Billions, Notion for Best Breakthrough App and Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery for Best Breakthrough Game. Advertisement Other notable nominees are Badland Brawl for Most Beautiful Game, TintVision for Best Accessibility Experience, Wisdo for Best Social Impact, Tubi for Best Living Room Experience, Firework for Most Incentive, Cookpad for Standout Build for Billions, Tasty for Best Breakthrough App and Old School RuneScape for Best Breakthrough Game. There are, of course, also a number of underdogs in the mix, including RaceTogether! for Best Accessibility Experience and Chuchel for Most Beautiful Game. Google will announce the winners at an event in Mountfain View, California on May 6. Our most eagle-eyed readers will be aware thats the day before Google I/O 2019 is scheduled to kick off, and thats no coincidence the Google Play Store Awards have taken place on the eve of the event for as long as theyve been going. Its a smart move, though. The ceremony sets the mood for Google I/O 2019, acting as a fantastic chance for those on the ground to mingle in a casual, alcohol-filled environment. Wait! Whats Google I/O? Advertisement Google I/O is Big Gs annual developer conference. Its scheduled to run from May 6 through May 9. Its unclear what the firm will showcase at the gathering, though rumor-spinners have speculated that it could use it as a chance to the third beta of Android Q, while also shedding light on its Stadia real-time game-streaming platform. Chrome OS, Google Assistant, Google Chrome and Google Duplex are said to have some stage time as well though its unclear what Google has in store for them. Earlier this week, Google started rolling out an update its Google I/O client for Android. The release bundles a number of changes, including the option to add individual events to your personal calendar, in order to receive notifications before they start; as well as the facility to search through content by sessions, topics and speakers, making it easier than ever to find sessions to attend. But chances are, if you forked out $1,150 for a ticket, youre going to know what you want to do, see and achieve. For the full list of all the nominees for the 2019 Google Play Store Awards, head over to Googles website. A new rumor circulating in Chinese microblogging website Weibo claims that Huawei will release its upcoming flagship chipset product, the Kirin 985 SoC, in the third quarter of 2019. Since the Kirin 985 chipset will become available in the second half of the year, Huawei will be able to incorporate its upcoming processor offering in the Huawei Mate 30 series handsets. Recent rumors confirm earlier reports which state that the handset will be fabricated using the 7-nanometer process node technology from TSMC, which the foundry calls the N7 process. Previous articles also noted that the mass production of the Kirin 985 SoC would begin within the second quarter of 2019. By using a smaller process node, Huawei can clock the Kirin 985 at a higher maximum frequency compared to its previous chipset developments. According to the rumor from Weibo, the Kirin 985 will feature a 10 to 20-percent improvement in performance, likely when compared to Huaweis most recent SoC offering, the Kirin 980. Advertisement Aside from allowing the chipset to run at higher clock speeds, producing the Kirin 985 at a smaller process node improves the power efficiency of the processor, which should help improve the battery life offered by the handset. Meanwhile, the use of Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography process (EUV) enhances the production yields of the chips, making the processors cheaper and faster to manufacture. Interestingly, Apple, which also uses TSMCs facilities to fabricate its chipsets, will use a more advanced process node technology, called the N7 Pro, compared to the manufacturing process that Huawei will use for its processors. Rumors about the Kirin 985 chipset started appearing in late 2018 when an India-based industry insider supplied the name of Huaweis upcoming flagship SoC. More details emerged about the processor last month, with reports hinting that the Kirin 985 will be an incremental upgrade over the Kirin 980 SoC. The Kirin 980 chipset, the processor that currently powers the Huawei P30 series handsets, featured an octa-core CPU setup comprised of two ARM Cortex A76 cores running at a maximum frequency at 2.60GHz, another dual-core Cortex A76 CPU clocked at 1.92GHz, and four Cortex A55 CPU cores clocked at 1.80GHz. Given the reports of incremental upgrades and updated process node technologies, the Kirin 985 may feature the same CPUs, albeit running at higher frequencies. Advertisement Aside from features that boost the performance of the chipset for artificial intelligence and image recognition tasks, it is likely that the Kirin 985 chipset may feature support for 5G modems, given the possibility that Huawei may launch 5G variants of the Mate 30 alongside the standard models of the device. Meanwhile, according to an official from the Chinese tech giant, the Huawei Mate 30 is already in testing, and interested consumers may get a hold of the device in September or October. According to recent reports, there will be three models that Huawei will launch as part of the Mate 30 series. These devices include the standard Mate 30, the Mate 30 Pro, and the mid-range Mate 30 Lite. Reports also suggest that the Mate 30 handsets will resemble the design of the P30 devices that Huawei launched recently. The smartphones will likely feature a metal and glass construction. Both products will feature OLED displays, although the Mate 30 will reportedly sport a flat display, while the Mate 30 Pro will come with a curved screen. Motorola is expected to introduce its very first foldable smartphone in the near future, and that phone may have just surfaced in a couple of images. The phone appeared in three images on Weibo (Chinese social network). There is no way for us to confirm that this leak is legit, so take it with a grain of salt, as it is possible that this is a concept smartphone of some sort. The device actually appeared with its retail packaging, and in-box content, not to mention that it resembles Motorolas patented design which surfaced a while back. The phone is quite reminiscent of the original Motorola Razr cellphone which was announced a long time ago. That is not surprising at all, as Motorola already confirmed that the phone will carry the Razr branding, so the company will essentially revive that brand. The phone comes with two displays, the main one folds in half, after which the bottom part of it sits nicely above the chin below the display. That chin protrudes quite a bit, as on the original Motorola Razr, its more of a design choice than a necessity, it seems. The phones main display does have a notch, which houses the phones earpiece, and quite possibly some additional sensors. Advertisement When folded, the phones secondary display becomes available, although that display is quite small, as on the original Motorola Razr. The device will be quite thin when folded, it seems, and you can get a glimpse of the phones hinge in one of the images down below. As you can see, the alleged retail box of the device is quite odd, and it sits vertically, not horizontally. It has an odd shape and the razr branding on top. One of the images in the gallery also provides the contents of that box, as already mentioned, and it seems like one of the items is a wireless charging dock. In addition to that, you will notice a regular charging brick, charging cable, USB Type-C to 3.5mm cable, some paperwork, and an additional cable. Were presuming that the additional cable is actually for the charging dock. Advertisement We are still unsure when will the Motorola Razr become official, but Lenovo is expected to release it in the coming months. A report by XDA Developers actually suggested that the phone will ship with a mid-range processor, the Snapdragon 710, and not the Snapdragon 855 as originally expected. Truth be said, it would be odd to see such a premium foldable smartphone to include a mid-range processor, but who knows, as it will certainly help the company keep the price tag down. On the other hand, the phone is rumored to cost around $1,500 when it arrives, and consumers will want to see a premium processor included on the inside for that amount of cash, even though the phone will be quite a bit more affordable than the Samsung Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X if it ends up costing $1,500. All in all, were expecting to see more info regarding the Motorola Razr in the near future, and its up to you to decide whether you think these leaked images are legit or not. According to new info, the Samsung Galaxy Note10 Pro will ship with a 4,500mAh battery. If you take a look at the photo below the article, you will be able to see the battery itself, and this photo has been taken by Samsung SDI Vietnam. Considering that the info is coming from Samsung SDI Vietnam, its safe to assume that this info is legit, especially if you take a look at the model number, DB-BN975ABU. The N975 part definitely suggests this could be the Galaxy Note10 Pros battery, as the device is expected to ship with an SM-N975 model number, while the regular Galaxy Note10 will carry the SM-N970 model number. The provided image down below does not really reveal much, but it does reveal the battery capacity, and that is saying a lot. For comparisons sake, the Galaxy S10+ includes a 4,100mAh unit on the inside, though truth be said, the Galaxy Note10 Pro is rumored to ship with a much larger display than the Galaxy S10+. Advertisement If rumors are to be believed, the Galaxy Note10 Pro will include a 6.75-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display, while the regular model will ship with a 6.3-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED panel. It is still unknown what battery capacity will the Galaxy Note10 include, but considering its screen size, its battery could be similar to the one in the Galaxy S10+, so were presuming it will include a 4,000mAh or a 4,100mAh unit. Rumors are claiming that both the Galaxy Note10 and Galaxy Note10 Pro will ship in both 4G and 5G variants, which effectively means that Samsung is planning to release four Galaxy Note10-branded smartphones. Those four models are expected to ship carrying SM-N970, SM-N975, SM-N971, and SM-N976 model numbers. It is also worth saying that the Galaxy Note10e was mentioned in one rumor a while back, though considering that it hasnt popped up recently, and a credible source did not really mention it thus far, the probability of that happening is not that high, especially considering that well be getting four Galaxy Note10 handsets, if rumors are accurate. Advertisement The Galaxy Note10 series is expected to become official in August, prior to IFA, which will kick off at the beginning of September. Samsung still did not confirm anything, but the Galaxy Note9 arrived in August, and it makes all the sense in the world for the Galaxy Note10 to get a similar launch date. Samsung will probably aim for August not only to release the phone prior to IFA, but to push its Galaxy Note10 series to market before the next-gen iPhone models arrive. The Galaxy Note10 and Note10 Pro will both be fueled by the Exynos 9820 / Snapdragon 855, depending on where you get them. The 5G models may arrive in the Snapdragon 855 variant only, though, well see. Both devices will be made out of metal and glass, and are expected to resemble the Galaxy S10-branded handsets. Android 9 Pie will come pre-installed on them with Samsungs One UI Android overlay, while both Galaxy Note10 devices are expected to include a display camera hole, for either one or two cameras. Samsung recently filed a trademark application for a new gaming service to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and the South Korean tech giant will likely call this gaming platform the PlayGalaxy Link. The application provided hints on the possible features of the PlayGalaxy Link. The platform will host electronic games through the internet, and these games may be accessed either through downloadable or non-downloadable applications. This service also offers augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) games, and it could also conduct online game tournaments. Furthermore, the description for the PlayGalaxy Link notes that it will primarily serve games for mobile devices, which possibly include Samsung-manufactured smartphones and tablets. Advertisement The PlayGalaxy Link will not be Samsungs first attempt to gain revenue share in the mobile gaming market. Samsung recently collaborated with the tech firm Hatch to develop a cloud gaming service that runs on the 5G network infrastructure called the Hatch Premium. This offering allows users to stream and play games that are currently available in Hatch Premiums software library. At this point, the service is currently limited to South Korea, and the people who purchased the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G will get three months of free trial for Samsungs latest gaming service. There is some speculation that Samsung may launch this same service in the United States and other parts of the world under the PlayGalaxy Link branding. Advertisement Aside from cloud gaming services, there are also reports that Samsung may also release a smartphone that caters to gamers, which the South Korean tech giant will likely call as the Galaxy A90. A marketing material that Samsung America inadvertently released claims that the Galaxy A90 is the ultimate gaming device, and it will launch with a promotional offer which gives users free in-game currency in the racing game Asphalt 9. Aside from Samsung, several tech firms are also developing their online gaming services. One of Samsungs biggest competitors in the smartphone market, Apple, will launch its gaming offering, the Apple Arcade, later this year. Among the key selling points of its service include the ability to transfer their gaming sessions between mobile and desktop devices. Another company that is working on its gaming service is Google. The search giants offering, called the Google Stadia, will allow users to stream games on devices that support the Google Chrome browser, and these devices range from smartphones, personal computers, and television sets. Advertisement However, to improve the latency of its service, Google developed a controller optimized for playing games through Google Stadia. The controller also features support for the Google Assistant, which should help enhance the gaming experiences of users. Other firms interested in developing their gaming services include the retail giant Walmart and software behemoth Microsoft. Reports indicate that Walmart already talked to several developers and game publishers about its cloud-based gaming platform. Meanwhile, the public trials for Microsofts Project xCloud service are scheduled to begin later this year, and this platform will also work on smartphones, aside from consoles and personal computers. While the trademark hints on Samsungs intent to develop gaming service, it is not yet clear when Samsung may launch the service, although given that its competitors are already in the trial phase of their platforms, there is a possibility that the South Korean tech firm may launch its platform later than its rivals. Samsung is not exactly a stranger to novel ideas and concepts although its latest TV offering is a little stranger than usual and may take some getting used to. Arguably, some consumers might not ever get used to it. There are those, however, who might see the value in a device like this and it is those particular consumers Samsung is hoping to service in the near future with its new The Sero TV. Advertisement The big selling point here is this is what Samsung refers to as a vertical TV due to its ability to adopt a portrait orientation. This is not a fixed setting as Samsung did opt to also include a landscape orientation as well presumably to satisfy the more traditional folk who expect their TVs to be wider than they are tall. It can switch between the two orientations as and when needed. Samsung argues the reason The Sero exists in the first place is the millennial generation, highlighting how those consumers have grown up in a smartphone world where most of the mobile contents are in the vertical form. The suggestion being this vertical TV will be better-suited to their vertical needs and viewing habits. Advertisement This is not just a design gimmick used to bank on a certain generations tendency to watch vertical videos either. Instead, it is designed to continue to push those consumers to consume even more smartphone content than before by utilizing the TV as an extension of their phone. The TV can be synced with smartphones over NFC. Essentially, with The Sero you can mirror your smartphone to the TV and to the point where it visually appears as a massive smartphone in the middle of the room, playing smartphone-optimized videos. This is also a massive smartphone that comes with an equally massive boost in audio performance as The Sero is loaded with a 4.1-channel, 60-watt high-end speaker. Again, making it all the better to cast music from your smartphone to the TV. Advertisement Adding to its feature set, this is one of those smarter-than-usual smart TVs due to the inclusion of an artificial intelligence assistant. As to be expected with Samsung, this means Bixby. Some of the other reasons Samsung suggests this TV will be better for you is the vertical orientation lends itself well to viewing images and even shopping as it allows you to view comments on the bottom. Samsung has not provided many of the typical technical specs and information usually released with a new TV announcement. Instead, the announcement seems to almost exclusively focus on the smartphone-esque features and benefits that are on offer. Advertisement The new The Sero TV is due to go on sale towards the end of May and at present the company has only confirmed a release in South Korea. In terms of the price, The Sero TV is set to land at just under 1.9 million Korean won. In U.S. terms, that equates to around $1,600. In spite of the unique design and dual orientation feature, the new The Sero TV seems to be lacking in size options. At launch consumers will only be able to opt for the 43-inch model. Still, in smartphone land thats a pretty big smartphone display. Posted on: April 29, 2019 4:17 PM The opening Eucharist of the 17th Anglican Consultative Council (ACC-17) included what one observer described as a fascinating mixture of sounds. Among them was the opening hymn accompanied by organ and brass instruments, the solemn silence of prayer for the victims of the bombings in Sri Lanka and the resonating crashing sound of a Chinese gong. The celebrant of the liturgy was Archbishop Paul Kwong, the Chair of ACC-17 as well as the host primate of the province of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui. The preacher was the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. The celebration took place at St Johns Cathedral in Hong Kong, which is marking its 170th anniversary during 2019. The congregation included the ACC-17 delegates, staff and ecumenical guest from around the Anglican Communion, as well as members of the diplomatic corps, laity clergy, and bishops and of the province. In his sermon, Archbishop Justin citing the biblical readings of the day (Acts 5:27-32, Psalm 150, Revelation 1:4-8, John 20:19-31) referenced the Resurrection and the courage of Peter and the disciples. He acknowledged the difficulty faced by some of the delegates. Many here, like Peter, have had your faith tested under difficult circumstances, some of you under circumstances nearly impossible, he said. Thank you for standing firm in your faith. Not only are you standing firm in your faith, you are also sharing your faith like Peter who took advantage of the situation of being challenged to share He expressed grief about the persecution of Christians especially those attacked and killed in Colombo and other towns last weekend. He spoke about the theme of ACC-17, Equipping Gods people: going deeper in Intentional Discipleship, and how intentional discipleship is known by different names around the Communion. He closed the sermon by challenging the congregation to witness in all aspects of their life: witness calls us to discipleship, at home, at work, in every place and moment so that the body of Christ grows. The congregation at St John's Cathedral, Hong Kong, for the official openning of ACC-17 Photo: Old Dog / St John's Cathedral Following the Prayer after Communion, the official opening of this weeks ACC-17 meeting took place. Archbishop Paul warmly welcomed the delegates representing 40 provinces and 160 countries to the Province of Hong Kong and Macau. He explained that, Hong Kong literally means Fragrant Harbour and was named this because of the spice trade in the old days, he said. I believe that a disciple gives off the Fragrance of Christ in daily life. My prayer is that ACC-17 can help our Anglican Communion to become a giver of the Fragrance of Christ to the world. Archbishop Justin offered a prayer for guidance and then declared the ACC-17 open by striking a ceremonial gong three times. I enjoyed that, he was heard to observe afterwards. Boeing generated operating cash flow of $2.8 billion and paid $1.2 billion of dividends. The previously issued 2019 financial guidance does not reflect 737 MAX impacts. Due to the uncertainty of the timing and conditions surrounding return to service of the 737 MAX fleet, new guidance will be issued at a future date. Boeing is making steady progress on the path to final certification for a software update for the 737 MAX, with over 135 test and production flights of the software update complete. The company continues to work closely with global regulators and our airline partners to comprehensively test the software and finalize a robust package of training and educational resources. "Across the company, we are focused on safety, returning the 737 MAX to service, and earning and re-earning the trust and confidence of customers, regulators and the flying public," said Boeing chairman, president and chief executive officer Dennis Muilenburg. "As we work through this challenging time for our customers, stakeholders and the company, our attention remains on driving excellence in quality and performance and running a healthy sustained growth business built on strong, long-term fundamentals." The quarter's operating performance was highlighted by key defence wins, strong commercial widebody performance and orders, continued robust services growth, and receiving Embraer shareholder approval for the proposed strategic partnership. Operating cash flow was $2.8 billion in the quarter, primarily reflecting lower 737 deliveries as well as timing of receipts and expenditures. During the quarter, the company paid $1.2 billion in dividends, reflecting a 20 percent increase in dividends per share compared to the same period of the prior year. The company repurchased 6.1 million shares for $2.3 billion in the quarter, all of which occurred prior to mid-March. Cash and investments in marketable securities totalled $7.7 billion, compared to $8.6 billion at the beginning of the quarter. Debt was $14.7 billion, up from $13.8 billion at the beginning of the quarter primarily due to the issuance of new debt. Total company backlog at quarter-end remained robust at $487 billion. Commercial Airplanes first-quarter revenue was $11.8 billion reflecting lower 737 deliveries partially offset by favourable mix. First-quarter operating margin was 9.9 percent reflecting lower 737 deliveries partially offset by a higher margin on the 787 programme. The reported margin also reflects increased costs associated with the recent 737 production rate adjustment. During the quarter, Commercial Airplanes delivered 149 airplanes and the production rate for the 787 increased to 14 airplanes per month. Commercial Airplanes captured several widebody orders during the quarter, including orders for 18 777X airplanes for British Airways parent company IAG, 20 787 airplanes for Lufthansa, and 10 787 airplanes for Bamboo Airways. The first 777X flight test airplane rolled out of the factory, and the program remains on track for flight testing this year and first delivery in 2020. Commercial Airplanes backlog remains healthy with over 5,600 airplanes valued at $399 billion. Defence, Space & Security first-quarter revenue increased to $6.6 billion primarily driven by higher volume across satellites, weapons and surveillance aircraft partially offset by lower C-17 volume. First-quarter operating margin increased to 12.8 percent reflecting a gain on sale of property partially offset by unfavourable mix. During the quarter, Defence, Space & Security was awarded a multi-year contract for 78 F/A-18 Super Hornets for the U.S. Navy as well as contracts for 5 Extra Large Unmanned Undersea Vehicles for the U.S. Navy, 5 E-7 AEW&C aircraft for the U.K. Royal Air Force, and 19 P-8 Poseidon aircraft for the U.S. Navy, Royal Norwegian Air Force and U.K. Royal Air Force. Key milestones achieved during the quarter included completion of the first Ground-based Midcourse Defence test with two interceptors, successful environmental testing of the Commercial Crew spacecraft, and the first flight of the SB>1 DEFIANT helicopter. Defense, Space & Security also delivered the first 7 KC-46 Tankers to the U.S. Air Force. Defence, Space & Security booked orders valued at $12 billion during the quarter and backlog grew to $67 billion, of which 31% percent represents orders from customers outside the U.S. Global Services first-quarter revenue increased to $4.6 billion, primarily driven by higher volume across the portfolio including the acquisition of KLX. First-quarter operating margin was 14.1 percent reflecting mix of products and services and less favourable performance. During the quarter, Global Services was awarded contracts for Performance Based Logistics for V-22 for the U.S. Navy and P-8A training for the U.K. Royal Air Force. Global Services captured an order for 10 737-800 converted freighters for GECAS, secured an agreement to optimise crew operations for Royal Air Maroc, and expanded global distribution of hardware and chemical products to Joramco. In addition, Global Services completed the acquisition of ForeFlight, a leading provider of innovative mobile and web-based aviation applications. At quarter-end, Boeing Capital's net portfolio balance was $2.5 billion. Revenue in other unallocated items and eliminations decreased primarily due to the timing of eliminations for intercompany aircraft deliveries. The change in earnings from other unallocated items and eliminations is primarily due to a customer financing impairment, higher deferred compensation expense and increased enterprise research and development investment. The effective tax rate for the first quarter decreased from the same period in the prior year primarily due to a higher foreign-derived intangible income benefit and higher excess tax benefits related to share-based payments. Outlook The previously issued 2019 financial guidance does not reflect 737 MAX impacts. Due to the uncertainty of the timing and conditions surrounding return to service of the 737 MAX fleet, new guidance will be issued at a future date. Business aviation is about flying precisely where you need to be. Todays flight on the Falcon 8X embodies everything that advanced design can accomplish: unparalleled airport performance, a quiet noise footprint and extended capability, all in a large cabin business jet, said Eric Trappier, chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. This is not possible in any other business jet in the ultra-long range class. The mission, with four passengers and 200 pounds of payload, beat a previous speed record by 24 minutes which was set when Santa Monicas runway measured 5,000 feet. Santa Monica represents a specific challenge because of the 3,500 foot runway length and a strict noise abatement departure procedure. The airplane needed less than 2,000 feet of runway upon landing and a balanced field length only of 3,200 feet when it departed at 8:08 a.m. local time. Incredibly, the departure procedure and climb-out measured significantly below the 95 dBA SEL sound limit. The 8X landed in Teterboro at 3:36 p.m. local time. The record is pending official ratification by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) in Washington, DC. The new speed record follows a series of records set in 2018, including a challenging mission from London City that crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Beverly, Massachusetts, an immediate suburb of Boston, in 6 hours and 44 minutes. The Emirates pavilions design and visitor experience will utilise interactive technologies and design-thinking focusing on the future of commercial aviation. Emirates has already broken ground on the pavilion and construction began in March 2019. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline & Group said: We are incredibly proud to unveil the first details of the Emirates Pavilion today, which celebrates the themes of Expo 2020 Dubai. The aim for our pavilion is very much in line with that of Expo 2020 Dubai, to stimulate connections, create experiences and foster creativity and innovation, inspiring a commitment for a better future. The forward-thinking experiences will highlight the best that is yet to come in aviation, and will be a platform to showcase how important mobility is for the world today and in the future. Emirates and the wider transportation ecosystem here in the UAE will play a key role in providing connectivity for a successful Expo 2020, and the economic impact of the transport, hospitality and tourism sector will contribute AED 16.4 billion to the UAE economy, underscoring the vital role these industries play in generating economic value by bringing people together and breaking down barriers. Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General of Bureau Expo Dubai 2020 said: We are excited to be bringing the whole world together to experience this incredible mega event. For almost 170 years, World Expos have united people in a spirit of inspiration and excitement for the future, and have amazed them with innovation, culture, art, food and fun. Air travel has transformed the ability of people to experience everything that the world has to offer. Expo 2020, and Emirates as our Official Airline Partner, will be bringing all of that together in one place, Dubai, in 2020. And the Emirates Pavilion will tell the incredible story of the role that air travel will continue to play in transforming mobility and shaping our futures. Expo 2020 takes place from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021. The interim reports from both accidents, while not comprehensive or final, are important inputs to the deliberations. We urge the participants to recommit to a collaborative, data-driven approach to airworthiness and certification decisions, said Dr. Hassan Shahidi, president and CEO of Flight Safety Foundation. We need to not only restore public confidence in the safety of the aircraft but also preserve the well-established certification and airworthiness process thats produced the worlds safest mode of transportation. A key component of this process is the mutual acceptance and validation of the certifying authoritys certification decisions. This long-standing practice, which has evolved over many decades, has ensured a harmonized and orderly approach to certification and has enhanced global aviation safety. The Foundation believes strongly that authorities participating in this review should adopt a data-driven and scientific approach to understanding the automated flight control system, pilot training and proposed improvements. The passengers and crews killed in the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines accidents were from many nations and included personnel on international humanitarian missions, said Shahidi. Global aviation safety is not confined to national boundaries and therefore requires coordinated actions. We call on authorities to adopt an organized approach and outcome to restore the traveling publics confidence in the aircraft certification process, and to demonstrate the value of international cooperation to ensure passenger safety. The long-term contract includes a guarantee covering APU replacement. The repair services will be provided by AFI KLM E&M subsidiary EPCOR, global market leader for MRO support for APUs. Gulf Air will benefit from AFI KLM E&M exclusive predictive maintenance solution: PROGNOS for APU. Designed, built and marketed by EPCOR, this innovative offering was launched in September 2017. Just like its predecessors PROGNOS for Engine and PROGNOS for Aircraft, PROGNOS for APU uses Big Data technologies to monitor the performance of APUs and predict faults, ultimately helping to rationalize maintenance work and avoid shop visits and excess costs for client airlines, a major competitive advantage. PROGNOS for APU is now the market-leading solution for APU predictive maintenance, monitoring more than 600 APUs around the world, including those of Gulf Air's 787. This latest contract marks the renewal of Gulf Air's trust in the AFI KLM E&M network. The collaboration between the two companies started several years ago with the repair of Gulf Air's CFM56 engines and the airline currently uses AFI KLM E&M services for component support on its existing fleet of A320s and A330s, and those of its Dubai-based AMES subsidiary for nacelle and radome repairs. EPCOR, for its part, has provided APU support for the Bahraini carrier's Airbus A330s for a number of years. Kresimir Kucko, Gulf Air chief executive officer, said: "EPCOR's proven TAT and service quality performance observed in the framework of our A330 APU contract convinced us to extend our partnership to this new type of APU and we are pleased to continue our relationship with them as we prepare to welcome new aircraft into our fleet." EPCOR Managing Director, Martijn de Vries added: "Our leadership position for APU maintenance, repair and predictive solutions means we can guarantee unrivalled reliability and experience for our clients. The renewed trust Gulf Air has honoured us with is most definitely a bonus for our development in a region with fast-growing MRO requirements." To begin their dining experience, passengers will now be presented with redesigned menu cards which will include a service timeline on all long-haul and ultra-long-haul flights, ensuring they can plan their journey without missing anything on offer. A pre-dinner drinks option will also now be available on flights of more than five hours, with sparkling wine and cocktail snacks available prior to the main meal being served. Food portions have increased by 25 per cent - 50 per cent with a greater focus on the use of local, fresh and healthy ingredients that are in season. Meals will also feature individually wrapped artisanal warm infused bread and an individual bottle of water. A wider selection of mid-flight movie snacks includes a tantalising array of cheese and crackers, chocolate bar, potato crisps and popcorn, with innovative flavours such as Himalayan Salted Caramel and French Butter and Pink Salt provided by gourmet popcorn brand 4700BC. Quisine will be launched with a phased introduction across the airlines network from April, beginning with flights to and from Brussels, Cardiff, Gothenburg, Moscow and St. Petersburg. Qatar Airways Group chief executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: These latest on-board dining enhancements will undoubtedly provide our passengers with an even higher level of satisfaction and luxury. We have carefully crafted our new Economy Class experience to offer a proposition that ensures our passengers journeys are best in class. In addition to our products, which showcase a new retail style of tableware, we have also focused on the reduction of single use plastics with the introduction of more sustainable products. Working with local companies, in addition to esteemed suppliers such as Godiva Chocolatier and 4700BC Popcorn, ensures that we are offering our passengers a premium service in economy class. TAV Airports Holding Executive Board Member & CEO Sani Sener said: The commercial passenger traffic of Istanbul Ataturk Airport was transferred to the New Istanbul Airport on April 6th 2019. As TAV Airports, we had three main objectives during the transfer. Our first objective was to continue running Ataturk Airport smoothly until the last day of operation which we achieved. Our second objective was to transfer part of our operations to the new Istanbul Airport. We will continue to provide services in the new airport with 12 thousand employees. Our largest operation in the new airport will be our ground handling partnership with Turkish Airlines as the exclusive ground handler of Turkish Airlines for 15 more years. Havas will also continue to provide ground handling services to its clients in the new airport. ATU will be operating luxury stores and BTA will be operating a 4000 m2 catering area. Our third objective was to minimise the impact of the transfer on our employees. We have coordinated with the Human Resources of the New Istanbul Airport during this transition and have managed to offer 85 percent of our employees a position in IGA or another group company. We paid all the termination benefits due to our employees which totalled a significant amount even for a company of our size. After the departure of Istanbul from our portfolio, the second most immediate change will be in our headquarters. We will move to our new headquarters building in Vadistanbul after the furnishing of the building is complete. Our discussions with the State Airports Authority (DHMI) advised by KPMG on our side and PWC on the side of DHMI, on the compensation from early closure of Istanbul are ongoing as we speak. We hope to finalize these discussions soon. In the first quarter of 2019 our international passengers increased 10% compared to last year boosted by addition of Antalya. In the first quarter of 2019, our revenue increased 9% and reached 270m, Our EBITDA increased 2% and reached 98m and our net income increased 233% and reached $ 26,745. Sener added: Our post-Istanbul portfolio consists of 14 airports that we operate in seven countries with an EBITDA between 330 to 350 mn and around 90 to 95 million passengers served. Our post-Istanbul services network comprises 75 airports in 21 countries. With the inclusion of Antalya in our portfolio in 2018 we already recovered 25% of the EBITDA loss from Istanbul. In addition to organic growth of our existing portfolio, going forward, we will also be looking to grow our services offering that comprises 37% of our revenue and we will be looking for profitable inorganic growth opportunities. At the moment we are evaluating close to ten different projects in CIS countries, Africa and Eastern Europe. As always, our main criteria in inorganic growth will be value creation I would like to use this opportunity to thank all our employees one more time, who through their selfless efforts grew Istanbul Ataturk Airport five times, turned it into the 10th best airport in the world and the 5th largest airport in Europe. With the dedication and social capital of our employees and the trust of our shareholders and business partners we built a global brand. I am certain that we will take this global brand much further in the next twenty years. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has disclosed equity holding in Young Indian and investments in several mutual funds. The direct equity investments for a few are limited to unlisted companies, including those owned by their families. New Delhi: Fixed deposits and tax-free bonds seem to be among the most favoured financial investments for the political leaders fighting the Lok Sabha polls, while mutual funds and stocks also adorn the portfolios of many and some even have got shares of long-defunct firms like Kingfisher Airlines. Shares of Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), the countrys most valued company with a market capitalistion of over Rs 8.82 trillion, can be found in the portfolios of several leaders, while stocks and mutual fund units of the firms from younger brother Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group are also a common sight, as per disclosures made in election affidavits of the contestants. However, some top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi have no stock market or mutual fund exposure at all and their financial savings are limited to deposits in banks, tax-free bonds, insurance policies and instruments like National Savings Certificate. The direct equity investments for a few are limited to unlisted companies, including those owned by their families. BJP President Amit Shah has disclosed a long list of listed and unlisted shares in his name and in the name of his spouse. The listed shares in his name, totalling over Rs 17.5 crore, include companies from Aditya Birla Group, Bajaj, L&T, Tata and both Reliance groups, as also several PSUs. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has disclosed equity holding in Young Indian and investments in several mutual funds. The portfolio of his mother and senior party leader Sonia Gandhi includes equity shares of Young Indian and Maruti Technical Services Pvt Ltd and mutual fund units of HDFC, Kotak, Motilal Oswal and Reliance MF. Nationalist Congress Partys Supriya Sule, daughter of veteran leader Sharad Pawar, has got unlisted shares worth over Rs 1 crore and listed shares worth over Rs 6 crore, besides some mutual funds. The listed shares include those of Adani Group firms, the two Reliance groups, several Tata firms and even Kingfisher Airlines as also of some other companies from the erstwhile UB Group, including United Spirits which was sold by defaulter businessman Vijay Mallya to global liquor giant Diageo Plc. Kingfisher shares have long been delisted from the stock exchanges, though they quoted at above Rs 300 apiece once. The stocks eventually slipped below Rs 1 and trading was eventually suspended in 2014-end after mounting troubles for the erstwhile luxury airline had led to its closure. Union minister and BJP candidate from Nagpur Nitin Gadkari has equity shares of Purti Power and Sugar Ltd, among other investments. Poonam Mahajan, BJP candidate from Mumbai North Central, has disclosed listed equity investments by her spouse in Kingfisher Airlines, as also in Reliance Industries, TCS, Vodafone Idea Cellular and Reliance Power. Her Congress rival Priya Dutt has listed several mutual fund and portfolio schemes totalling about Rs 14.92 crore, while the listed shares disclosed in the name of her spouse include Reliance Industries, Reliance Infra and Reliance Power. Congress candidate from Mumbai South, Murli Deora, has disclosed multiple bonds, structured market products, PMS account, mutual funds and FMPs (fixed maturity plans). Actress-turned-politician Urmila Matondkar, Congress candidate from Mumbai North, has disclosed Rs 28.28 crore worth investment in shares, bonds and mutual funds and PMS (portfolio management service) investments worth about Rs 6 crore, but the individual stocks/units were not disclosed. Jaya Prada, another former actress and the BJP candidate from Rampur in Uttar Pradesh, has also disclosed investments in some listed companies such as Energy Development Company Ltd (which has got her political mentor Amar Singh as a promoter), Coal India, HDFC Bank, ITC, MCX and Reliance Industries. Actor-politician Raj Babbar, the Congress candidate from Fatehpur Sikri, has investments in IL&FS Transportation Networks Ltd. Among other Uttar Pradesh candidates, Union minister and BJP leader Satyapal Singh has disclosed investments worth Rs 1.5 lakh in mutual funds and bonds in his name and some equity shares held by his spouse including of Reliance Capital and Reliance Industries. Another union minister V K Singh and his spouse have also invested in various mutual funds. We have seen our Bollywood divas trying hard to attempt this difficult form and only a few of them managed to do a decent job. Mumbai: Today, every dance lover around the world must be celebrating International Dance Day. After all, dance is one of those acts that help a person to express their emotions. Amidst all, our country, India has various forms of dance which are widely popular around the world. These dance forms have also been used in Bollywood. Especially, we have seen dance forms like Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Lavani, Bhangra and others in Indian films. In this modern era, however, filmmakers want to show some foreign dance forms to Indian audiences. We have seen Salsa in Pyaar Ki Ye Kahani from Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd (2007), Hip Hop in ABCD franchise movies and so on. But have you noticed one dance form which we have seen in the late 70s but didn't expect that it would get trend again in recent times. Yes, we are talking about none other than, Belly Dance! Belly Dance is an Arabic expressive dance which originated in Egypt and that emphasizes complex movements of the torso. We have seen our Bollywood divas trying hard to attempt this difficult form and only a few of them managed to do a decent job. So, on the occasion of International Dance Day 2019, let's take a look at the top 5 Belly dance numbers in Bollywood which you can't miss! Mehbooba O Mehbooba - Sholay (1975) How can we forget Helen's sizzling dance number from cult-classic Sholay (1975)? The dancing diva from the late 70s indeed set the screen on fire with her perfect belly dancing skills with a mixture of cabaret. The song and dance are still popular among the young generation. Raqqasa Mera Naam - The Great Gambler (1979) Apart from Helen, one actor who used to match up her scale of dancing was undoubtedly Zeenat Aman. Her belly dance number Raqqasa Mera Naam from The Great Gambler (1979) is still the hot favourite of many people. It's hard to take off your eyes from Zeenat when she moves her belly with much grace. Mayya Mayya - Guru (2007) Mayya song from Guru (2007) is yet another a perfect example of superb belly dance. Sex symbol of the 2000s, Mallika Sherawat had literally stolen the show with her sexy belly dance moves in the song. She managed to pull off this Arabian dance number quite well. Aga Bai - Aiyyaa (2012) It was a surprising element for all the moviegoers when they saw Rani Mukerji doing a fabulous belly dance in the song Aga Bai from film Aiyyaa (2012). Oh my-my, the actress was just amazing with her moves and expressions. Don't forget to watch the last few moments of the song! Dilbar - Satyameva Jayate (2018) Lastly, the new version of Dilbar song in Satyameva Jayate (2018) was a major highlight of last year. We must say that Nora Fatehi nailed it with her sexy belly moves and expressions. A perfect recreation of old Dilbar song. Happy International Dance Day!!! The episode titled The Long Night had a ton of action including character deaths, dragon wars and an unexpected finish. Since the beginning, way back in the first episode of the first season, the show set the tone of defying expectations and eight seasons in, with the third episode currently aired, the theme of the unexpected continues to ring true. In George R. R. Martins books A Song of Ice and Fire, Azor Ahai has been referred to as the prince who was promised. This is mainly due to the fact that he will have the power to defeat the Night King. Ever since the emergence of Jon Snow, it was widely believed that he would be the one to fell the Night King. But in a sudden turn of events, while Jon was fighting the reanimated Viscerion, the ice dragon, it was another member from the Stark clan to slay the evilest character television has ever witnessed. The episode started off where it left off last week with the preparation for battle with the Dothraki hordes, the Unsullied and the free folk all forming flanks outside the walls of Winterfell. Morale was not the highest as fear was evident on their faces. Joining these armies were some of the shows biggest heroes including the now respected Jaime Lannister, Ser Brianne of Tarth, Ser Jorah Mormont, Samwell Tarley, Edd and others. Assisting them was Jon Snows trusty dire wolf Ghost. While the thought of victory seemed impossible, an unlikely help came in the form of Mellisandre, the Red Woman, who set the Dorthraki swords on fire in a bid to vanquish the dead. This helped in spurring on the troops as they rode into battle to take on the White Walkers. However, this newfound hope was short lived as the flames were snuffed out within a matter of minutes indicating that none of them was coming back alive. Still from Game of Thrones Season 8 Episone 3 (Photo: HBO) The rest of the armies marched on towards battling the wights but no matter how great a swordsman you were, the sheer number of the undead overwhelmed the living forcing them to retreat. Elsewhere in the crypts, the women and children sat in muted silence with Tyrion and Varys alongside Sansa Stark. There was a spark between the former husband and wife and a sense of the inevitable sweeping along their faces showing that they were resigned to their fate even though they would fight to the death. At the Battle of Winterfell we saw some major characters lose their lives; including but not limited to Doloros Edd, Beric Dondarion, Lady Mormont and possibly Ghost as he never returned from his battle with the undead. Arya being Arya didnt hesitate in joining the battle and bravely fought off hordes of wights and digging deep where others had failed; she overcame her nerves and fought like shes never done previously. Her past training had served her well and this was essential in her tip-toeing across the halls of Winterfell and avoiding the wights who were searching for any living being to devour. She is then pulled out from the clutches of death by the Hound and comes face to face with Mellisandre. The Red Woman then asks her what happens when she comes face to face with death, she promptly replies Not today. This sets the tone for the rest of the episode. While the battle is going on the grounds, the dragons and their riders Jon Snow and Dany are in an insane aerial duel with the Night King. Even though it's one on two, he is more than capable of holding them at bay. Dany and Jon manage to drop him off the ice dragon and he falls to the ground giving the Dragon Queen an open invitation to torch him with Drogons fire breath. In a long played out the scene, the Night King is engulfed in flames and it seems that the humans have finally won as it appears that he is disintegrated. With the flames dying down we see the Night King smirking and unaffected; leaving Dany and the on-looking Jon completely clueless as what to do next. This prompts Jon to rush him to battle him in a swordfight. But before he gets closer, the Night King raises his hands and reanimates all the fallen; including Lady Mormont, the Dothraki and the Unsullied who lost their lives earlier on. At Godswood, Theon is left with the noble task of protecting Bran who has taken flight using his greensight. With the battle almost lost, the Night King makes his way to Bran leaving him and Theon surrounded by wights. Elsewhere, Jon is battling the ice breathing Viscerion while Ser Jorah Mormont and Dany are fighting and taking on hordes of wights. While protecting the Khaleesi, Mormont is stabbed in the gut; but does his best to continue fighting a protecting his queen. Still from Game of Thrones Season 8 Episone 3 (Photo: HBO) Back at Godswood, it's just Theon and Bran who are left to face the Night King and Bran reassures him that no matter what hes done in the past; it has all led to this moment in time. This prompts Theon to dash forward to slay the Night King and in one quick swoop, the lord of the dead snaps his spear and stabs Theon in the gut. The Night King makes his way slowly to the unperturbed Bran and it looks like the end is near for the Three-eyed Raven. But suddenly, theres a whoosh in the air and out of nowhere Arya jumps behind the Night King to stab him. He sees this move and catches her. She drops her dagger from one hand to the next and stabs him in the stomach; shattering him to a million ice pieces. With the death of the Night King, the rest of the White Walkers and the army of wights are evaporated the same way; including the ice dragon. After the slaying of the Night King, we see Ser Jorah Mormont succumb to his injuries and dying in Danys arms. Mellisandre, realizing her work is done, walks out of Winterfell, removes her necklace, turning her back into an old woman where she lays down and passes away. The episode was proof that Game of Thrones defies expectations and nothing can be taken for granted. While Jon Snow has long been heralded as Azor Ahai or The prince that is promised, it is, in fact, his sister Arya who, after going through the most ups and downs manages to fell televisions biggest bad guy. While Game of Thrones isnt yet over, we can maybe breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the Night King is no more. However, Brans story still feels a bit incomplete as he has the power to see through time and his conversation with Jaime proves it when he says, How do you know theres an after? There is a lot more to see and possibly next weeks episode will divulge more information. Oh, wait, Cersei is there as well with her army that has been looking at this battle from the sidelines completely unharmed. Jha also said Mr Gandhi made a false claim that BJP national president Amit Shah was a murder accused and sought his apology for the comment. Bhopal: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday sent a legal notice to Congress president Rahul Gandhi for making false claims that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought a legislation to attack tribals in the country. BJP national vice-president Prabhat Jha in his notice sent to Mr Gandhi said the Congress chief while addressing an election meeting in district headquarters of Shahdol in Madhya Pradesh on April 23 said a law legislated by the Centre said tribals can be shot at. Mr Gandhi has made false allegations against the PM to tarnish his image and he should apologise within three days to avoid legal action, the notice said. Mr Jha also said Mr Gandhi made a false claim that BJP national president Amit Shah was a murder accused and sought his apology for the comment. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses etc all. Happy reading. 'The main concern was the Prime Minister's speeches on armed forces,' Singhvi said. Singhvi alleged that during polling in Tripura West Lok Sabha constituency, there was booth capturing and violence backed by the BJP government in the state. (Photo: ANI) New Delhi: A Congress delegation, led by Abhishek Manu Singhvi, met Election Commission officials here on Monday, demanding a ban on Prime Minister Narendra Modi from campaigning for 48 to 72 hours for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) several times. "Today, we raised three important issues with the EC. The main concern was the Prime Minister's speeches on armed forces, where he has been dragging the services into politics. This is unconstitutional. The Prime Minister is asking for votes in exchange for the 40 brave jawans who died in Pulwama and the airstrike by the IAF in Balakot, Singhvi told reporters here after the meeting with EC officials. He (Modi) also gave an interview to a channel where he was saying that the forces went deep inside Pakistan at his behest to kill terrorists and, therefore, people should vote for BJP," he said. "We also filed a complaint against Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah over the same issue. But the EC did not take any action against them in the last one month. We have raised this matter with the EC and have demanded a ban on the Prime Minister from campaigning for 48 to 72 hours. This should be done like how Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Mayawati were banned from campaigning," he added. Singhvi alleged that during polling in Tripura West Lok Sabha constituency, there was booth capturing and violence backed by the BJP government in the state. He demanded that the EC should cancel the election in the parliamentary seat and hold fresh polls there. "In the election that was held on April 11 in Tripura West, there was booth capturing and more than 500 CCTV cameras were destroyed. We request the EC to immediately countermand the election held there and hold fresh polls," the Congress leader said. Singhvi said that the EC should discharge its constitutional duties without any hesitation. Meanwhile, party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala raked up the allegation that Modi was busy in "shooting" at Jim Corbett National Park when the Pulwama attack took place. "When the entire nation was mourning in the wake of the Pulwama attack, our Prime Minister was busy in shooting at Jim Corbett. Instead of immediately chairing a Cabinet meeting, he was chairing the shooting in Jim Corbett. The Prime Minister left his responsibility and was honing his acting skills," he said. The Supreme Court said it will hear the matter on Tuesday. New Delhi: The Congress on Monday moved the Supreme Court against Election Commission of India alleging inaction against PM Modi, Amit Shah for poll code violations. The Supreme Court said it will hear the matter on Tuesday. Congress MP Sushmita Dev requested the top court to direct the poll body to decide on complaints against PM Modi and Amit Shah within 24 hours. In her petition, Dev said that PM Modi and Shah made hate speeches at campaign rallies. She also said the duo talked about the operations by the armed forces in public rallies despite the Election Commissions ban. The Supreme Court said it will hear the matter on Tuesday. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses etc all. Happy reading. BJP's Babul Supriyo has alleged that TMC workers captured booths and suspended voting. Moon Moon Sen suggested that violence in Bengal has reduced from the days of Communist Party of India (M) rule suggesting that political clashes take place across India and not just in Bengal. (Photo: ANI) Asansol: Trinamool Congress (TMC) Asansol candidate Moon Moon Sen has attributed her oblivion about the clashes which erupted in Asansol to bed tea which was served late to her. "They gave me my bed tea very late so I woke up very late. What can I say? I really don't know," Moon Moon Sen, actor-turned-politician, told NDTV. Politically charged West Bengal has witnessed gruesome political violence this election season. On Monday, clashes erupted between BJP and TMC workers in Asansol. The incumbent lawmaker from Asansol, BJPs Babul Supriyo, was attacked in the morning. His car was vandalized in the violence. He has alleged that TMC workers captured polling booths and did not allow people to vote. Moon Moon Sen suggested that violence in Bengal has reduced from the days of Communist Party of India (M) rule. She also said political clashes take place across India and not just in Bengal. When asked about the allegations of violence made by Babul Supriyo, she shut it down and walked off saying, "I don't want to hear his name. Bas (that's it)." Moon Moon Sen had a stunning political victory in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections when she defeated the CPI(M) strongman Basudeb Acharia from Bankura. In this election, she is contesting from Asansol against BJPs candidate Babul Supriyo. The chief minister also alleged that BJP is doling out thousands of rupees to lure people to its rallies, while also buying votes. Banerjee, whose party was accused of unleashing a reign of terror during the panchayat polls, insisted that it was her party men who were killed during the elections in 2018. (Photo: File) Khejuri/Tamluk: Accusing the BJP of doling out money to buy votes in the general election, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee said her party will request the poll panel to seek an account of expenditure at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rallies. Banerjee also demanded that PM Modi's candidature from Varanasi be cancelled, claiming that he has written "does not know" on many counts in his affidavit. Addressing election rallies in East Midnapore, she said, "We will ask the Election Commission (EC) to keep an account of the spendings in the prime minister's public meetings. If the EC can seek details of expenditure from others, why not from him?" The chief minister also alleged that BJP is doling out thousands of rupees to lure people to its rallies, while also buying votes. Taking her diatribe against the prime minister to his home front, she claimed that "all throughout his life, PM Modi never respected his mother or his wife. "You shy away from giving your wife her due respect, what respect will you give to the people?" the CM said. Maintaining that she has seen PM Modi's affidavit in his nomination papers, Banerjee said, "The PM has written that he does not know about his wife's movable and immovable assets. I don't like making such comments, but the level he has stooped to forced me to speak out," the TMC boss said. She urged the EC to carry out an investigation into the expenditure of PM Modi's "colourful rally" in the holy town of Varanasi before filing his nomination. "This election is not (a test) for Mamata Banerjee, but for you (Modi). It is time for you to answer what you have done in five years," she said, insisting that the prime minister was busy touring the world during his tenure. Maintaining that PM Modi is worse than Muhammed bin Tughlaq, the 14th century sultan of Delhi, she said that the sudden demonetisation of high-value currency notes in November 2016 caused immense hardship to people, be it a housewife, farmer, worker or a small businessman. Drawing from Marx's famous statement "religion is the opium of the masses", she said, "The BJP is using religion as opium to divert the attention of people from the non-performance of its government at the Centre. She, however, did not mince her words when it came to targeting the Left parties in the state. "Those who wore red shirts earlier are now donning saffron kurtas in West Bengal," the TMC chief said, indicating that many BJP workers in the state are former CPI(M) cadres. The CM also iterated that PM Modi will ensure that there was no further election in the country if re-elected to power. She charged the poll panel with "doing the bidding of the BJP". Banerjee, whose party was accused of unleashing a reign of terror during the panchayat polls, insisted that it was her party men who were killed during the elections in 2018. Arjun Singh, BJP leader who crossed over from TMC, had claimed in March that about 100 TMC MLAs would switch over to BJP very soon. Kolkata: As voting was underway for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal and eight other states on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi created a sensation by claiming that 40 legislators of Mamata Banerjees Trinamul Congress (TMC) are in touch with him and will change camp as soon as the results are announced on May 23. West Bengals ruling party dismissed his claim and asked if he was campaigning for an election or horse trading. Launching an attack on Ms Banerjee at a rally in Sreerampore, Hooghly, Mr Modi said, Didi, on May 23, when the results will be declared, the lotus will bloom everywhere and your MLAs will leave you. Even today, Didi, 40 of your MLAs are in contact with me. Stunning Ms Banerjee with her worst fear of a revolt in her party, the Prime Minister also resolved to wipe out her party drop by drop from the state. He said that that Delhi will remain a distant dream for her with a handful of MPs and mocked her aspiration as an excuse to help her nephew TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee to succeed her in the state. Describing Ms Banerjee as a betrayer, Mr Modi said her survival is difficult. Your survival is difficult now because you have broken peoples trust. You will not find a place to flee to. He added, The youth will make you pay the price of your betrayal. Choope chaap kamal chhap; boond boond se TMC saaf! TMCs parliamentary leader in the Rajya Sabha, Derek OBrien, rubbished Mr Modis claim and said that not a single MLA will jump ship. Expiry Babu PM. Nobody will go with you, not even one councillor. Are you election campaigning or horse trading, your expiry date is near. Today we are complaining to EC. Charging you with horse trading, ANI quoted Mr OBrien as saying. The PMs prediction of a possible revolt in the TMC assumes significance in context of the BJPs present strength of three MLAs among 294 members in the state Assembly where the Trinamul won 211 seats while the Congress got 44 in 2016. If Mr Modis words come true, the BJP would, at least, get an opportunity stake claim for the main Opposition party status in the House as more than a dozen Congress MLAs have defected to the Trinamul in last three years. Earlier, countering Ms Banerjees offer of clay-made sweets filled with gravel to him, Mr Modi said, The soil where Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Syama Prasad Mookherji were born and the soil which their feet touched, is holy. I will, therefore, think of the rosogolla made from the soil of Bengal as prasad, I thank you in advance for this, Didi. You (Banerjee) also said you will send some stones mixed in the sweets. I welcome that too as otherwise those stones could have been used to burst open the heads of the people of Bengal by your goons. So it is better that you to send them to me, he added. At a rally in Raniganj on April 26, Ms Banerjee had said, Just like cashew nuts and raisins are put in laddoos, we will give laddoos made of clay with stones in them to break his (Modis) teeth. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses etc all. Happy reading. Curvy women defy stereotypes with Eiffel Tower fashion show. The message was underscored by signs in English that read "My body is beautiful" or "Your beauty through your diversity". (Photo: AFP) Paris: Dozens of curvy women staged a fashion show near the Eiffel Tower Sunday, braving chilly rain in skimpy outfits to defy fashion diktats with the simple slogan: "My body is beautiful." Transparent nightgowns, stockings and lingerie were out in full force along with white-winged models gently mocking US underwear Victoria's Secret to the delight of Parisians and tourists who snapped away with mobile phones and cameras. Plus size models and "everyday women" took part in the second edition of the "body positive" show, inspired by a movement launched in countries such as Britain and the United States. Organiser Georgia Stein told AFP her goal was "to represent the majority of women, show they are beautiful despite their 'faults' which are in fact not faults because they are completely natural, like tummies, cellulite or stretchmarks". The message was underscored by signs in English that read "My body is beautiful" or "Your beauty through your diversity". Stein, 32, said she wanted to make a difference for "women who don't feel good about themselves and fall into depression as a result". "In France, we lag far behind on the subject," she added in reference to fashion for larger women. "We don't see any diversity in advertising campaigns or on catwalks. The market for larger sizes is minimal." Leslie Lauthelin, who wears a French size 44-46 (a US size 10-12, a UK size 14-16) said she had trouble finding fashionable clothing in stores. "Finding something trendy at a good price is almost impossible. We have to fall back on things with little flowers, outfits that are pretty out of date," she said. "Finding sexy lingerie if you are curvy, with good support, is complicated. We are doing this so that the fashion world gets going," she added. The city of Paris in February organised a campaign against fat shaming during the latest fashion week, but the message had trouble being heard. Fashion houses contacted by AFP preferred not to comment publicly. Karl Lagerfeld, the late designer known for speaking his mind, once said that "no one wants to see curvy women" on catwalks. Stein noted there were fewer plus-sized women in France than in Britain or the US. "In the United States, they are who they are; a woman size 50 will wear a short, tight dress with a plunging neckline or heels. If Mamataji remains in power, ISIS can enter Bengal anytime: Kailash. Kolkata: Blaming West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for her appeasement policy behind the recent threat by terror outfit Islamic State (IS) to enter the state, senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya assumed that ISIS can enter the state anytime and the states situation would be similar to that of Jammu & Kashmir if the Trinamul Congress supremo remained in power. He pointed out that the IS poster, Coming Soon, written in Bengali, which surfaced in a pro-IS telegram channel few days ago, was a proof of Ms Banerjees appeasement policy. It is alarming the way the IS has threatened to come to Bengal. All these happened because of the appeasement policy practised by Ms Banerjee, the BJP leader reasoned. He argued, If Mamataji remains in power, the IS can enter Bengal anytime. The IS threat is looming large over Bengal. Mamataji is responsible for this. The situation in Bengal will become like Jammu and Kashmir if she is not removed from power. So, ousting Mamataji from power is very important. Courtesy to her appeasement policy, terrorists have made their bases strong in the bordering states. This is evident from the IS poster. Meanwhile, Trinamul secretary general Partha Chatterjee condemned his attack. One thing is clear that coming from Delhi they are polluting the culture of Bengal. This is an example. They are trying to trigger a fight between two states while making derogatory and unparliamentary comments to attack Ms Banerjee, he alleged. He claimed, Everyone knows that there is no extremism in the state. The militant movement, which they are dreaming of, is about to make a comeback because of their provocative approach. The people of Bengal will never accept it. I am surprised to find them (BJP) not caring of our countrys foreign policy while giving an example. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses etc all. Happy reading. The crash-landing of private airlines like Jet Airways and Kingfisher is the norm of the market across the world. The simplistic inference to be drawn from the financial decay of Jet Airways is that a private sector airline can run into debt due to mismanagement in the same way that Air India/Indian Airlines can in the public sector. This is not then a justification of the bad ways of the AI/IA. The malfunctioning of the national airline is partly due to bureaucratic ineptitude and political profligacy, but it is also due to inherent economic factors as well. And this holds good in the case of private airlines as well. That is, a private airline can land in trouble because of bad management as well as the inevitable market risks. Most market pundits for the past 30 years have been arguing like evangelic novices that the only way to solve the economic woes of Air India/Indian Airlines is to privatise it. It is an intellectually dishonest argument because worldwide experience has shown that private airlines go down as well and that is because its the nature of the market. The only legitimate argument for the privatisation of AI/IA is the ideological one that the State has no business to run an airline and not an economic one. So there is a real need to lay to rest for all time that the privatisation of AI/IA is the surefire economic cure for the national carriers woes. And when faced with the failures of private airlines like Kingfisher and Jet Airways, analysts should not fall back on the infantile argument of crony capitalism as an explanation. Again, there is little doubt that there is crony capitalism, that most business tycoons are close to governments and political leaders, and that they take unfair advantage through public sector banks because of political connections. But that cannot be the sole explanation because there are some other issues as well. Kingfisher and Jet Airways, apart from taking advantage of their political connections, have also shown symptoms of irrational exuberance, and paid a price for it. And their fate shows that crony capitalism cannot protect them for too long. It should also be remembered that through the so-called reforms, friendly governments have helped the tycoons in running their business empires. Former civil aviation minister Praful Patel had indirectly helped Jet Airways by offering it secure global routes which were earlier the monopoly of Air India. He tried to argue that he was creating competition in the sector, and that it was good for the public sector airline as well. At the same time, Mr Patel went in for a large purchase of aircraft for AI/IA, to expand the fleet of the national airline, which pushed it into the red though it was not the only reason. Crony capitalism cannot flourish without hinder. It reaches the end of the tether, as it were, and pushes the financial system to the brink. In India, the crony capitalists pushed the public sector banks to the brink of collapse. The elimination of crony capitalism does not, however, ensure the end of market blues. Unless we go beyond the private sector/public sector dichotomy and accept the fact that a market economy is uncharted territory, and that it is not always a smooth ride, the crises that erupt from time to time, and Jet Airways is one such and it is neither the first nor the last, will generate false debates about the nature of the market economy. The answer to the risks of the market economy is not nationalisation or any kind of socialism. And the answer is also not to be found in unbridled capitalism. The answer lies in risk analysis, which has become the dominant method for understanding the vagaries of the market. This needs to be done in the case of Indian civil aviation as well. Ironically, the shutting down of Jet Airways comes a month after the Indian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) in its newsletter had projected that the Indian civil aviation sector was set to become the third largest in the world by 2024 and attract Rs 1 lakh crore worth of investments during the same period. The figures of the passenger traffic between April 2018 and February 2019 are quite impressive, with the domestic passenger figure of 252.92 million. The projections might still turn out to be true, and the end of Jet Airways could just be a local disturbance. The growth of this sector and of the economy in general could be a rising graph because India as an emerging market economy holds out huge potential in many sectors. But this growth could come at a huge price as well, with turbulence of the Jet Airways kind. The other issue that needs to be scrutinised well is the assumption that the government should expand and strengthen the air transport infrastructure because it is a crucial pillar of an expanding economy. The motto of Prime Minister Narendra Modis dream that a man wearing a hawai chappal should be able to fly as well may be good politics, but it need not necessarily make economic sense. The expansion of air travel has certain natural limits in terms of economic efficiency. The performance of the private sector airlines is dependent on the size of the air travel segment in the country. It is true that the limits have not been reached, and there is still huge room for expansion. But in trying to tap the market and overtake the competition, airlines will indulge in unfair trade practices like unreasonably low, as well as surge, prices of tickets. It will be necessary for some regulatory body like the Competition Commission to settle the issue of ticket prices, which will also protect the consumer and it would indirectly ensure the economic health of the private airline. The crash-landing of private airlines like Jet Airways and Kingfisher is the norm of the market across the world. There is, however, a need to safeguard the public interest by ensuring that there are enough players all around. What has to be avoided at all costs is the crash of the civil aviation sector because of the crash of any airline. Chinas intention in developing a string of ports, including Gwadar in Pakistan, are too well-known. Chinas call to Pakistan to meet India halfway to mend their strained ties after the Pulwama attack is just a pro-forma statement. Chinas ties with Pakistan have become firmer with the signing of agreements worth $60 billion for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, part of Chinas ambitious $1 trillion Belt and Road Initiative. Chinas ties with Pakistan are akin to an inextricable embrace for over 20 years, since when China has been freely providing Indias neighbour with defence technology, fighter jets and weapons. There is little that can be expected to happen soon, even after President Xi Jinpings advice to Pakistan PM Imran Khan to repair ties. Imran is obviously waiting for the May 23 poll results before he undertakes any kind of recalibration of ties soured by the ISIs helping hand in Pulwama. Pakistans economy being what it is after having stalled a few years ago, the country has not been unwilling to taking help from anyone be it the IMF, Saudi Arabia, the UAE or China. The risk that countries in the region, from Myanmar and Malaysia to Sri Lanka and Maldives, may have taken in accepting Chinas aid in building infrastructure may have rebounded as in Sri Lanka having to hand over Hambantota port. Chinas intention in developing a string of ports, including Gwadar in Pakistan, are too well-known. Indias fears then would have to do more with falling behind China militarily and in diplomatic influence in the region, and failing to be heard globally rather than feeling threatened to be forced into reordering its ties with Pakistan just because Imran Khan has been cosying up to Xi Jinping at the Belt and Road Forum. US President Donald Trump on Friday urged Americans to protect themselves with the measles vaccination. Measles can cause severe complications or death. So far, no US fatalities have been reported. (Photo:AP) Washington: US President Donald Trump on Friday urged Americans to protect themselves with the measles vaccination as the number of cases of the once-eradicated disease in the United States hit the highest levels since 2000. The growing outbreak in pockets across the country has triggered multiple public health efforts seeking to limit exposure to measles, including quarantines at two California universities. "The vaccinations are so important. This is really going around now," Trump told reporters at the White House. "They have to get their shots." Nearly 700 cases have been confirmed by federal health officials as of this week in a resurgence that has been concentrated in a handful of states -- New York, Washington, Michigan, New Jersey and California -- although 22 states in all are affected. Measles can cause severe complications or death. So far, no US fatalities have been reported. US public health officials have lamented the preventable outbreak and have blamed the nationwide outbreak, which comes alongside a global rise in measles cases, in part on the spread of misinformation about vaccine safety. Some Americans have eschewed the vaccine for a variety of reasons from religious beliefs to doubts about modern medicine as well as lingering impacts from a debunked claim that vaccines cause autism. No link has been found between the measles vaccine and autism spectrum disorders. Complacency is also an issue. With fewer cases of the infectious disease in recent decades, much of the public has not seen its impact firsthand. Measles can cause pneumonia, brain swelling known as encephalitis, and severe ear infections that can lead to deafness, according the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It also can cause premature birth in pregnant women and, in rare cases, harm the central nervous system. Up to 90 percent of those not immunized who have close contact with an infected person are likely to contract measles, the CDC has said. On Thursday, county public health officials announced a quarantine at the University of California, Los Angeles and California State University, Los Angeles. New York City officials have declared a public health emergency after an outbreak in parts of Brooklyn and have taken the unusual step of ordering unvaccinated people in affected neighborhoods to be immunized. Trump, before winning the US presidency, appeared to raise some doubts about vaccines, tweeting in 2014: "I believe in vaccinations but not massive, all at once, shots. Too much for small child to handle. Govt. should stop NOW!" Days before Trump took office in the White House in January 2017, vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told reporters Trump was planning a vaccine safety review panel, a project Trump's then-spokeswoman said was being explored but had not been decided. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has suspended police chief Pujith Jayasundara, his office announced on Monday. Sirisena on Friday said that Jayasundara had resigned but he never sent the letter and remained in his official residence. (Photo:AP) Colombo: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has suspended police chief Pujith Jayasundara, his office announced on Monday after the defiant Inspector General refused to quit following the massive Easter Sunday bombings. Sirisena on Friday said that Jayasundara had resigned but he never sent the letter and remained in his official residence, according to officials. The police chief in Sri Lanka can only be removed through a parliamentary procedure and Sirisena's action suspending him is the first step towards that, the officials said. Senior Deputy Inspector General C D Wickremaratne, the second-in-command in the force, has been appointed as the acting police chief. Jayasundara was asked to quit along with defence ministry secretary Hemasiri Fernando, taking responsibility for the intelligence failure that led to the bombings. Police chief Jayasundara has steadfastly refused to heed Sirisena's call to resign following April 21 coordinated blasts on three churches and three luxury hotels. The attacks carried out by suicide bombers came in spite of early warnings and the security establishment's failure to take preventive action has come under severe criticism. Sirisena, who also keeps the defence portfolio with him, said he wanted to revamp the security system and his defence ministry secretary Fernando resigned promptly on his request on Thursday. Former Inspector General N K Illangakoon has been appointed as an advisor to the Defence Ministry, according to the President's office. Deputy Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Nalin Bandara said a motion to remove the police chief will be tabled in Parliament within this week, Sri Lanka Mirror reported. Noting that the motion will be tabled on the agreement of all government MPs, he hoped to get the backing of opposition MPs as well, it said. President Sirisena last week said that intelligence failures led to the blasts, the country's worst terror attack. Meanwhile, the police chief has said that he has done nothing wrong and that he would resign if the defence minister resigns as well. Nine suicide bombers carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on the Easter Sunday, killing 253 people and injuring over 500 people. The Islamic State claimed the attacks, but the government has blamed local Islamist extremist group National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) for the attacks. Sri Lanka on Saturday banned the NTJ and a splinter group linked to the ISIS. A total of 106 suspects, including a Tamil medium teacher and a school principal, have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday blasts. According to Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry, the number of foreign nationals who have been identified as killed remained at 40, including 11 from India. I would like to welcome these 15 talented individuals to the partnership and congratulate them on their well-deserved promotions, said Colin Passmore, senior partner. They are excellent lawyers with outstanding qualities and will help us continue to grow and strengthen our market-leading offering across the globe. Hamilton Locke adopts AI solution for due diligence National firm Hamilton Locke has become the latest law firm in Australia to adopt machine learning technology from Luminance. The AI platform has been deployed in the firms Sydney office for due diligence following a live review of more than 1,000 documents. There is a lot of room for human error if you are manually reviewing documents, noted partner Gordon McCann who spearheaded the firms use of the platform. From my perspective, it was very pleasing to know that our clients were the ultimate beneficiaries of this platform as it became clear very early in the pilot that the scope and accuracy of our due diligence was greatly enhanced. Dentons combination in Chile goes live The combination of Dentons with Chilean firm Larrain Rencoret Urzua has now launched. King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) has expanded its team of dispute resolution experts with a new partner appointment in Hong Kong. Rachel Yu has joined the firm, making the move from Herbert Smith Freehills, where she was a senior associate. She brings to the firm more than 12 years experience, primarily advising on complex financial disputes. We have interviewed so many candidates to identify the right fit for our financial clients. Rachels background reveals a perfect blend of complex financial and regulatory work, not to mention her fluent Putonghua, said Paul Starr, who heads the KWM dispute resolution team in Hong Kong. What we do know is that The Rock and Jason Statham wont return, but Jordana Brewster will reprise her role as Mia Toretto. The people who run the Fast & Furious empire also tapped Justin Lin to direct the ninth and the tenth installments. Born in Taipei, the Taiwanese director is the man behind the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth installments of the billion-dollar franchise.Even though Vin Diesel expressed interest in Africa, production is underway in London. The city of Los Angeles is another confirmed location, and Ruby Rose may be a new addition to the cast. Newcomers also include John Cena , who was recently confirmed by Vin Diesel.Guys, as you know, Im always thinking fast, and thinking about the responsibility of making something iconic and deserving of your loyalty; () today, someone came by Toretto Gym that speaks to what Pablo would have brought, the 51-year-old American actor said. It remains to be seen, however, if Cena will be one of the good guys or one of the bad guys.Last time weve heard anything about the professional wrestler, Cena was battling Ford in court over selling the GT at auction. Customers who ordered the EcoBoost V6-engined supercar within the first two years of ownership. Because Cena did the exact opposite to what he signed up for, the Blue Oval sued him for breaching the contractual obligation.The Dearborn-based automaker wanted to buy back the vehicle for $463,376.50 the price Cena paid for the GT in addition to damages of over $75,000. To make a long story short, both parties eventually settled.Turning our attention back to The Fast and the Furious, the franchise will come to an end on April 2nd, 2021 with the tenth installment. It is assumed that Dwayne Johnson will return for this part while Jason Statham will stay out. Now if youre suddenly feeling nostalgic, youll soon have the chance to revive your old Boxtype or even create the Boxtype of your dreams without having to spend more than five digits The Mitsubishi Lancer Boxtype is possibly one of the most iconic vehicles in the Philippines. In fact, it has somewhat become a household name due to its popularity in the 80s. Odds are someone you know has owned one in the past or even still drives one today. Aoshima has announced that they will soon be releasing a 1/24 scale model of the ever popular Lancer Boxtype (or the Lancer EX Turbo as they call it in Japan) for the first time. Specifically, the model theyll be producing is an 84 Rally Version complete with a roll cage, bucket seats, and fog lights. It even comes with Advan livery and stickers to replicate the original 80s rally car. Whats great about Aoshima scale model kits however is that builders dont necessarily have to follow details in every step. They can simply choose to ignore some of the parts included in the kit and just build it how they want. Drop by the local hobby store and builders can even choose a different set of wheels to put on together with other bits such as a GT Wing. Because of the endless number of modification choices, builders can essentially do whatever they want with the kit. The company has announced that the kit will be released in June 2019 and will be built jointly with Macao model maker Beemax. The planned price of the kit is JPY 4200 (about Php 1,960). Considering the rising popularity of scale model builds in the country, we won't be surprised if we start seeing models of the Lancer Turbo built to local specs soon. Palmdale, CA (93550) Today Rain showers in the morning will evolve into a more steady rain in the afternoon. High 58F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Periods of rain. Low near 50F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Amazon will open the first building in its new northern Virginia headquarters complex this fall, with new employees moving into a temporary space in June, the company said Monday. Why it matters: Amazon vice president of workforce development Ardine Williams said in a blog post that it's "on pace to create 400 new jobs this year" and has started to hire for the office. Some in the region are nervous that the expected influx of tech workers associated with the Virginia project will displace current residents, especially low-income people. Similar concerns sunk a planned headquarters expansion in New York. President Trump told reporters on Friday that "gasoline prices are coming down. I called up OPEC. I said, 'You got to bring them down. You got to bring them down.' And gasoline is coming down.'" Later in the day Trump tweeted, "Spoke to Saudi Arabia and others about increasing oil flow." But, but, but: The Wall Street Journal reports that Trump hasn't spoken with OPEC's secretary general or the oil minister with Saudi Arabia, OPEC's most powerful producer. And per Bloomberg, Trump "hasnt spoken to anyone at OPECs headquarters to discuss oil production." The intrigue: White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders, said in a statement Saturday, "The White House is in regular contact with the worlds leading energy producing nations, including OPEC members." She added... "As recently as last week, White House officials met with a delegation from the Saudi Ministry of Energy, which included high-level representatives to OPEC, in Washington to discuss global oil markets and to ensure global demand is met after all Iranian oil is removed from the market." Where it stands: Oil prices are heading downward on Monday after dropping by roughly 3% on Friday, a stark contrast to the price spike that followed last Monday's announcement of tighter sanctions against Iran. The U.S. president clearly on-boarded the Saudis before tightening the screws on Iran, PVM Oil Associates' Stephen Brennock tells Bloomberg. The big picture: Trump has often prodded OPEC via Twitter to argue for lower oil prices. The Socialist party of incumbent Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez emerged with a plurality from Spain's snap election this weekend, while its conservative rivals collapsed. The big picture: The eruption of nationalist populism, championed by the far-right Vox party, made this a landmark election. Although the Socialists' margin of victory is not enough to avoid long, difficult negotiations to form a government, it does establish majority support for a progressive, pro-European platform. Context: Spain is, by and large, progressive. It was the third country in Europe to legalize same-sex marriage, in June 2005. Its feminist movement has mobilized broadly and empowered new generations: Madrid and Barcelona are led by female mayors; women hold 11 of 17 current ministerial posts and will make up 48% of the new parliament. Details: For a country undergoing its third general election in four years, the 75% turnout was high (the highest since the end of Francisco Franco's reign in 1977, in fact). Vox secured 24 seats in parliament, fewer than some polls had predicted. But over the past four decades, the radical right has only once earned a single seat. Between the lines: While Catalan independence and anti-feminism dominated media attention during the campaign, the issue that keeps Spanish people up at night is unemployment. Spain's economy is slowly recovering from recession, but 3 million people are unemployed and youth unemployment is over 30%. What to watch: Sanchez has pledged to tackle inequality and reduce corruption, but he should not take continued support for granted unless he can deliver benefits to the population that feels disenfranchised. The bottom line: The election results make clear that social democracy is not dead in Europe, and that defending both the interests of workers and cosmopolitan values can still resonate with voters. Jordi Vaquer is the regional director for Europe at the Open Society Foundations and a co-director of the Open Society Initiative for Europe. 2020 candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden launched his campaign inside a union hall in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Monday with an appeal to the blue collar workers who helped hand Trump his electoral college victory in 2016. "There are three basic reasons why I am running for president of the United States. First, to restore the soul of the nation. The second is to rebuild the backbone of the nation. And the third is to unify this nation. We always do better when we act as one America." The big picture: On the heels of this morning's attacks by President Trump over earning the endorsement of the nation's largest firefighter's union, Biden told a largely white crowd: "I make no apologies. I am a union man." Biden used the rally to endorse a $15 minimum wage, call for free community college and the prohibition of "non-compete" agreements for low-wage workers, and advocate for a public option instead of Medicare for All. Other highlights: In striking a pro-labor tone, Biden took aim at Trump's economic policies and vowed to roll back the Republican tax cuts. He lauded organized labor and berated Wall Street leaders and companies that used the Trump tax cuts to purchase their stocks. "The country wasn't built by Wall Street bankers, CEOs and hedge fund managers. It was built by you. It was built by the great American middle class. And America, America middle class was built by unions, by you. The stock market is roaring, but you don't feel it," Biden said. The former vice president also sought to appeal for a more hopeful and inclusive vision of America, saying: "The only thing that stands in our way is our broken system that's continually being undermined by our president. Donald Trump is the only president who's decided not to represent the whole country. The president has his base. We need a president that works for all Americans." Go deeper: Everything you need to know about 2020 candidate Joe Biden The record-large measles outbreaks occurring across 22 states continue to grow, with a total of 704 cases through Friday, according to new data released Monday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Why it matters: U.S. measles outbreaks so far this year have eclipsed all other outbreaks in any year since the virus was declared eradicated in the country in 2000. The total number of cases has been dominated by three outbreaks in particular, including a large outbreak in Washington state, two ongoing outbreaks in New York and an ongoing outbreak in California. The New York outbreaks have been the largest individual outbreaks on record since 2000, a CDC official told reporters on a press call. The big picture: Measles is a preventable, sometimes deadly illness against which a safe and effective vaccine exists. The U.S. outbreaks have been touched off by travelers coming into the U.S. from regions where measles outbreaks are ongoing. The disease is then spread in regions where there was not sufficiently high levels of immunization. Countries that have resulted in the accidental importation of measles cases into the U.S. include Ukraine, Israel and the Philippines. What they're saying: CDC director Robert Redfield emphasized the contagiousness of measles, stating that if someone who has measles enters a room of 10 unvaccinated people, 9 of them would get the illness. Health officials warned on Monday that measles is not a harmless childhood illness and it can be deadly. From 2001 to 2013, 28% of children younger than 5 years old who had measles had to be treated in a hospital, CDC spokesperson Jason McDonald told Axios last week, referring to relatively small outbreaks related to measles patients who traveled to the U.S. from areas where the disease is still active. "Some children develop pneumonia, a serious lung infection, or lifelong brain damage," he said. Details: The national average vaccination coverage in kindergarten children 94.3% for 2 doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine for the 20172018 school year is at a level consistent with the "herd immunity" necessary to prevent a nationwide outbreak. However, pockets of community resistance to the vaccine, including in ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities in New York City, are allowing the virus to make inroads, officials said. "Vaccine preventable diseases belong in the history books, not in our emergency rooms," Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told reporters. The CDC is urging individuals who are unsure of their vaccination status or who have questions about the safety of the vaccine to contact their health care provider. What's next: "We should expect to see additional cases associated with this outbreak this year," said Nancy Messonnier, director of CDCs National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Messonnier added that the measles outbreak in New York could be contained if officials work together to increase vaccination rates and counter disinformation raising concerns about the safety of the vaccine. "Once measles is in an undervaccinated community, it is difficult to control the disease," she said. Go deeper: The New York Times has issued a statement calling it an "error of judgment" to publish an anti-Semitic cartoon in its international paper on April 25, which depicted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a guide dog for a blind President Trump. A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted. Background: The cartoon was published alongside an opinion piece from Thomas Friedman titled "A sad waste on immigration." The New York Times' statement: A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted. Go deeper: YouTube coverage of hate speech hearing marred by hate speech President Trump says he thinks he could strike a bilateral trade deal with Japan by the time he visits Tokyo in May. (Trump made this prediction during a Friday meeting at the White House with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.) Reality check: Multiple sources close to the U.S.-Japanese trade talks tell me this is ridiculous spin. Trump's big demand that the Japanese drop their massive tariffs on U.S. agricultural products isn't going to happen anytime soon. They say the two sides haven't even agreed on the scope of these trade talks, let alone crafted serious plans for the timing of a possible deal. "Japan is hoping the USMCA and China will continue to preoccupy USTR [the U.S. trade representative] and the White House," said a source close to the Japanese negotiating team. (Translation: They have little interest in a bilateral deal; rather, Abe is indulging Trump and playing for time.) Between the lines: Abe has no political wiggle room to give Trump what he wants on agriculture without getting significant U.S. concessions in return. Japan's farming lobby is far more powerful than America's its virtually untouchable. National security adviser John Bolton's announcement on April 17 of additional sanctions on Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba marked another step in the attempt to tighten the noose around the countries he has dubbed the "Troika of Tyranny." The big picture: Ahead of 2020, President Trump is trying to fuse the anti-communism of Cuban American voters with the frustrations of other Troika migrants who have fled repression and dysfunction. With regime change yet to take hold in Venezuela, the administration has begun to increase pressure on Cuba while tying together its policies toward both countries. Background: Bolton has given his two major Latin America policy speeches in Miami, targeted in part at southern Florida's anti-communist Cuban Americans, who have helped deliver the state's 29 electoral votes to Republicans. But that community has diversified in recent years and supported Trump substantially less than past GOP presidential candidates. Between the lines: The keystone of Boltons speech on April 17 the 58th anniversary of the failed Bay of Pigs invasion was the announcement that the White House would implement Title III of the 1996 Helms-Burton Act, which re-codified the Cuba embargo into law. The provision allows American citizens, including naturalized CubanU.S. citizens, to bring suits in U.S. courts against foreign companies that have invested in assets confiscated by Fidel Castro after the revolution. Canada, Spain, France and other U.S. allies oppose the provision and U.S. courts have questioned the legality of its extraterritorial overreach. Since the laws passage, both Democratic and Republican administrations have suspended Title III. The Trump administrations intent to implement it threatens to alienate more than 50 coalition partners trying to force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to step down. The bottom line: Those governments will find it increasingly difficult to stand with a White House that has unilaterally opened the door to suits against their citizens and businesses. At the same time, Venezuelan and Nicaraguan American voters may see in this tighter embrace of the embargo a 67-year-old policy that has failed to loosen the Castros' grip on power the seeds of their own frustration. Christopher Sabatini is an adjunct professor at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, executive director of Global Americans and a non-resident fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute. By 2045, the U.S. as a whole is projected to become majority minority. And the changes are already underway: non-white Americans are now the majority of the population in four states, as well as in the most prosperous and powerful U.S. cities. Why it matters: The U.S. faces two possible futures: a thriving nation that embraces its new demographic makeup, or an escalation of fighting, racism and xenophobia. By the numbers: Since 2010, non-Hispanic white people have become the minority in 32 more U.S. counties for a total of 372 counties, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. The trends are largely due to a rise in Hispanic and Asian immigrants as well as slightly higher birth rates among non-whites. Next year, the entire under-18 population will be majority non-white, according to William Frey, a Brookings Institution demographer and author of "Diversity Explosion: How New Racial Demographics are Remaking America." the entire under-18 population will be majority non-white, according to William Frey, a Brookings Institution demographer and author of "Diversity Explosion: How New Racial Demographics are Remaking America." In less than a decade, the population under 30 will be majority non-white. The demographic shifts are already having an impact on our national identity, politics and the generational gap, according to sociologists and demographers who have studied the trends. National identity: The U.S. has made significant strides toward structurally equal rights, but in practice, there's still a long way to go. There's been renewed racial tension and anti-immigrant sentiment over the past few years. White Americans often feel threatened by growing diversity, according to research by Jennifer Richeson, a social psychologist at Yale University. Jennifer Richeson, a social psychologist at Yale University. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that 59% of Republicans and 46% of whites said a majority non-white population will weaken American culture. "[We] have to come up with a narrative that realizes and accepts that the U.S. is an immigrant nation. ... We're denying that," says Monica Toft, a professor of international politics at the The Fletcher School at Tufts University. It's also important for diversifying communities to ensure equal rights for all people and have an inclusive identity so they can thrive, says George Mason University's Justin Gest, who has studied nations and states that have become majority minority. Politics: One big problem is that politicians capitalize on polarization. As we saw with President Trump's election, a focus on the shrinking non-Hispanic white population has spurred anxiety in a large number of white voters. "The panic translates into an effective voting block that has high anxiety about immigration, diversity and religious issues." Jack Goldstone, Hazel professor of public policy at George Mason University Studies have shown that younger generations and minorities are more likely to lean toward the Democrats. But demographers said the demographic trends might not necessarily favor the Democratic Party in the long run. Many white, Hispanic Americans have more conservative values, Goldstone said. If the GOP shifts and learns to embrace more Hispanic voters, it could be a source of new energy for the party. And as immigrant minorities assimilate, "they may turn out to vote more like whites," said Richard Alba, a sociologist and professor at the City University of New York. "Its not so immediately clear that the demographics really favor Democrats." The generational gap: Studies have found that older voters and taxpayers tend to be less supportive of education and other issues that impact young people. As the youth looks less like the elderly voters in the community, this dynamic could worsen, according to Frey. Much will depend on millennials, who have become a generational bridge between the older, majority-white population and the younger, more diverse generation to come, Frey says. These younger generations are also more likely to be biracial than ever before. People of two or more races are projected to be the fastest growing racial or ethnic group over the next several decades, according to the Census Bureau. What to watch: This trend, along with an increase in the white Hispanic population people who are racially white, but with Spanish or Latin American origins could change the entire conversation about race in the U.S. Go deeper: Last night, the political world had something for everyone. Driving the news: President Trump traded out the White House Correspondents' Association dinner for a rally in Green Bay, while the Clintons and former President Obama appeared at non-WHCA speaking engagements in Washington. The White House Correspondents' Association dinner was boycotted by President Trump, who made administration guests cancel at the last minute. In an effort by the association to make the dinner less Hollywood-y and more of a celebration of the First Amendment, the evening concluded with a historian rather than an entertainer. "Alexander Hamilton" author Ron Chernow drew applause when he said presidents have always had differences with the press, but that "they don't need to be steeped in venom." dinner was boycotted by President Trump, who made administration guests cancel at the last minute. In an effort by the association to make the dinner less Hollywood-y and more of a celebration of the First Amendment, the evening concluded with a historian rather than an entertainer. "Alexander Hamilton" author Ron Chernow drew applause when he said presidents have always had differences with the press, but that "they don't need to be steeped in venom." President Trump counter-programmed with a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, laced with shots at the press. Sarah Sanders strode onstage to chants of "Sarah! Sarah! Sarah!" and said in an allusion to the WHCA dinner: "Last year this night I was at a slightly different event. ... Not quite the best welcome." (NY Times) counter-programmed with a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, laced with shots at the press. Sarah Sanders strode onstage to chants of "Sarah! Sarah! Sarah!" and said in an allusion to the WHCA dinner: "Last year this night I was at a slightly different event. ... Not quite the best welcome." (NY Times) Less than three miles from the WHCA dinner at the National Museum of African American History, at a gala that's part of a year-long celebration of the centennial of Nelson Mandela's birth President Obama spoke about the power of young people to carry forward the legacy of South Africa's liberator. from the WHCA dinner at the National Museum of African American History, at a gala that's part of a year-long celebration of the centennial of Nelson Mandela's birth President Obama spoke about the power of young people to carry forward the legacy of South Africa's liberator. And less than a mile from Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton spoke at DAR Constitution Hall as part of their arena tour, which has drawn 15,000 so far. Video: Comedy Central's Jordan Klepper made this video ("Hillary Clinton Reads the Mueller Report") as a setup to last night's appearance by the Clintons. Armenia remains committed to its continued membership in the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and broader alliance with Russia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian told his visiting Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, on Monday. Pashinian hosted Medvedev in his private residence ahead of a meeting in Yerevan of the prime ministers of five ex-Soviet states making up the Russian-led trade bloc. Medvedev is the most high-ranking Russian official to visit Yerevan since last years velvet revolution which toppled the former Armenian government. In his opening remarks at the informal talks with Pashinian, he said Armenia and Russia remain allied countries that have a special history of relations. Now is a very important moment in our relations, Pashinian said, for his part. And Im sure that contrary to pessimists we will succeed in raising our relations to a new level I think that we should actually turn pessimists into optimists. We will do everything for that. Turning to the EEU, Pashinian said that membership in the organization is very important for Armenia. We will do everything to make the EEU and our membership in it more effective, he said. The Armenian premier likewise stressed the blocs significance for his country when he visited Moscow and spoke at the EEU headquarters in January. Pashinian criticized Armenias accession to the EEU and even called for its withdrawal from the bloc when he was opposition to former President Serzh Sarkisian. But immediately after Sarkisian was forced to resign in April 2018 he made clear that he will not pull his country out of the EEU or the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). In an interview with the Moscow-based newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta published last week, Pashinian admitted that he is still distrusted by some Russian circles. He said they are wrong to suspect that the Armenian velvet revolution was orchestrated by Western powers. He reiterated that there will be no fundamental changes in Armenias traditional foreign policy. Meeting with Medvedev, Pashinian said Russian-Armenian relations have developed steadily since last years regime change in Yerevan. Still, he noted the existence of some issues in bilateral ties. One of those contentious issues is coup charges that were brought by the new Armenian authorities last year against former President Robert Kocharian and Yuri Khachaturov, a retired Armenian army general who was the CSTOs secretary general at the time. Moscow denounced the charges as politically motivated. Russian President Vladimir Putin signaled his continuing support for Kocharian after the latter was again arrested in December. Kocharian, Khachaturov and two other retired generals are expected to go on trial soon. By Leman Mammadova Port of Baku gives much importance to the cooperation with foreign partners to increase the transport and logistics potential of the region. The Bulgarian Ports Infrastructure Company (BPI Co.) and the Baku International Sea Trade Port will discuss the current state of transport and logistics in the Caspian region, Mariela Ganchovska, Head of Public Relations and Protocol Department at BPI Co. told Trend. We met with Taleh Ziyadov, Director General of the Baku Port, in Bulgaria last year, when Ziyadov visited the ports of Varna and Burgas. We have scheduled another meeting with him at the IAPH World Ports Conference in China, which will be held on May 6-10 this year, where we will hold discussions about "Belt and Road Initiative: new opportunities for ports, she said. Ganchovska also touched upon the upcoming meeting with Vahid Aliyev, Deputy Director General of Baku International Sea Trade Port, that will held at the first exhibition and conference titled "Caspian Ports and Shipping 2019" in Aktau in May 2019. She noted that there will be an opportunity to discuss the current state of transport and logistics in the Caspian region and the development of multimodal transportation along the Trans-Caspian international transport route. The head of department added that BPI Co. will continue to make efforts to support the application of the Baku Sea Trade Port to obtain the observer status in the European Sea Ports Organization. We are also considering the possibility to enhance the Persian Gulf - Black Sea transport corridor and to use its potential in the future, she said. Ganchovska further noted that the memorandum signed between the two sides on September 29, 2016 is vital for the mutual cooperation between BPI Co. and the Baku Sea Trade Port. This provides an opportunity to encourage closer cooperation between the respective national port authorities, she noted. Being headquartered in Sofia, BPI Co. manages the infrastructure of the public transport ports of national importance and provides transportation management and cargo delivery services. The company has four territorial and three specialized divisions in Burgas, Varna, Lom and Ruse. Port of Baku is an important participant of both East-West and North-South corridors which are in the interest of Bulgaria in terms of having an access to Central Asia. In 2016, Port of Baku and BPI Co. signed a memorandum of understanding to further expand the cooperation and exchange experience between the Baku Port and Bulgarian ports of Varna and Burgas. Port of Baku also inked memorandums of understanding with many other ports of the world in the past years. Recently, Port of Baku has begun cooperation with Dutch companies operating in the city of Venlo in the Netherlands. Baku International Sea Trade Port was commissioned in 2018. Its territory is 400 hectares. The port can simultaneously receive up to 12 ships. The Port was previously located within the city. Taking into account the bid of the country to become one of the major commercial and transportation hubs in the region and facilitate regional transformation, the state decided to move it to a new location, 70 km south of the capital Baku, near a small town called Alat, which is located at the strategic crossroads of the regional railroads and highways. The Baku Port in Azerbaijans Alat settlement is expected to become one of the leading trade and logistics hubs of Eurasia. The capacity of the port is 15 million tons of cargo, including 100,000 containers per year. Its going to increase to 25 million tons of cargo, including 500 000 TEU with completion of the 2nd phase. In the future, it is planned to create a free economic zone in the surrounding areas, including the territory of the port. The port in Alat is a transportation hub linking the west (Turkey & EU), south (Iran & India) and north (Russia). In addition, the port's location is linked to existing highways and railways, connecting the port to the inland regions of the country. In 2018, the total volume of cargo transportation at all terminals of the Port of Baku was about 3.8 million tons, of which 84.5 percent (3.2 million tons) accounted for transit cargo. In the first quarter of 2019, the volume of cargo transportation via the Baku International Sea Trade Port exceeded 1.03 million tons. More than 861,000 tons or 83.1 percent of all cargo transportation volume accounted for transit. --- Leman Mammadova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @leman_888 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Representatives of Azerbaijans Agency for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) took part in the 11th International Economic Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries in Kazan city (Russias Tatarstan Republic) on April 24-26, Trend reports with reference to Azerbaijans Economy Ministry. During the event, discussions were held on the expansion of trade, economic, scientific, technical, social and cultural ties between the OIC member countries and Tatarstan. As part of the summit, a meeting was held between Chairman of the Agencys Board Orkhan Mammadov and Minister of Entrepreneur Development of Malaysia Mohd Redzuan Yusof. During the meeting, the parties exchanged experience and views on the implementation of joint projects. Within his visit to Kazan, Mammadov got acquainted with working processes at the enterprise on the model of entrepreneurship development in Tatarstan. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Leman Mammadova Despite the long distance between Azerbaijan and Mexico, relations between the two countries are developing rapidly in many spheres. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Mexico amounted to $26.2 million by the end of 2018, Mexican Ambassador to Azerbaijan Rodrigo Labardini said, Report informs. This year we reached a record. In 2018, our trade amounted to $26.2 million. Compared to 2017, the growth has been 35.74 percent, he noted. Ambassador stressed that about 40 percent of the trade accounted for oil products. He also touched upon the tourist flow between the countries. In his words, the number of tourists visiting Mexico from Azerbaijan has increased. In 2018, 506 Azerbaijani tourists visited Mexico, and 622 Mexican tourists came to Azerbaijan, Labardini noted. The diplomat pointed out that these figures increased by 19.06 and 8.93 percent, respectively, in 2018 compared to 2017. The ambassador added that Azerbaijani tourists prefer to visit such Mexican cities as Riviera, Maya and the capital city Mexico. He expressed the hope that the flow of tourists will further increase as a result of the opening of the Istanbul-Cancun (Mexico) flight from August this year. The access to the Caspian Sea and border with Central Asia determine Azerbaijan's strategic position, and on this basis, Mexico recognizes Azerbaijan as an important partner in the region. In recent years, the trade between Mexico and Azerbaijan has grown dramatically after opening of embassies in both countries. Azerbaijan opened its embassy in Mexico City in 2007 and Mexico followed suit by opening embassy in Baku in 2014. According to the Mexican Economy Ministry, the average annual trade turnover between Mexico and Azerbaijan amounted to $1.2 million between 1993 and 2014, and an average of $9.6 million between 2015 and 2017, which means eightfold increase. Among the products sold are pipes, cars, tourist buses, motor boats, hake, beer and other products. Mexico plans to organize the export of various types of products to Azerbaijan, in particular, to supermarkets of Mexican products in Baku. In addition, Mexico intends to increase the number of trade delegations to Azerbaijan to expand trade relations between the countries. Previous Mexican trade delegations visited Azerbaijan in 2017 and in 2018. Mexico is particularly interested in increasing tequila exports to Azerbaijani market. Every year, Mexico supplies 213.3 million liters of tequila to more than 120 countries. Mexico and Azerbaijan strive to become a transit, trade and energy center in their regions. The countries have many opportunities for expanding cooperation in the oil and gas sector. Mexican Institute of Petroleum intends to establish exchange of experience and technologies with oil companies operating in Azerbaijan. --- Leman Mammadova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @leman_888 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Mirsaid Ibrahimzade Azerbaijan is pursuing successful foreign policy, which takes into account the economic interests of the country, and fruitful cooperation with EU member-states is an integral part of it. Azerbaijani-Croatian Business Forum was held in Baku on April 29, Trend reported. Speaking at the forum, Rufat Mammadov, Azerbaijans Deputy Economy Minister, stated that Azerbaijan and Croatia have great potential for diversification and increase in trade turnover. He said that last year, the trade turnover between the countries grew by 16 percent, reaching $250 million. This pace can be considered satisfactory, but there is still potential for growth in trade, according to Mammadov. He added that a broad legal and contractual basis has been formed between the countries, noting that there are significant agreements in many fields, especially in the field of trade and economy. Mammadov emphasized that these documents include agreements on the mutual protection of investments and the elimination of double taxation. Stressing that all this creates an important platform for expanding trade and investments, Mammadov said that Azerbaijan is interested in expanding business cooperation with Croatia. In turn, Marija Pejcinovic Buric, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia, stated that her country is open for Azerbaijani investments. She said that low tax burden, a developed system of cargo transportation and the availability of highly qualified personnel in various fields are among the advantages of investing in Croatia. Buric added that favorable business environment has been formed in Croatia. Speaking about relations with Azerbaijan, she noted the high level of development of cooperation in the economic sphere. Buric reminded that in 2013, a document on strategic partnership was signed, and the parties also signed an agreement on economic cooperation. Buric also highly appreciated the pace of Azerbaijans development, noting that everyone who visits the country witnesses this. During a press-conference on the same day, the Croatian deputy PM said that Azerbaijan and Croatia have the potential to increase the mutual trade turnover. "Azerbaijan and Croatia intend to hold a business forum in Zagreb in the near future, she said. We have also created the joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. Its meeting will be held within the forum till the end of 2019 or in early 2020." In turn, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov said that Azerbaijan and Croatia must strengthen cooperation in the transport sector. "Azerbaijan and Croatia signed an agreement on strategic cooperation in 2013, he said. We have discussed this issue today. The volume of bilateral trade turnover is not very big. We considered the ways to increase these volumes. Croatia will receive gas through the Southern Gas Corridor. We also exchanged the views on this issue." Mammadyarov further stressed that Croatia has repeatedly expressed its opinion on the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on the basis of four resolutions of the UN Security Council. Its evident that Croatia sees in Azerbaijan an important partner in the Caucasus. Given the enhanced interaction between the two countries, the trade and economic cooperation of Azerbaijan and Croatia is expected to reach a new level in the near future. The turnover between two countries amounted to $247.77 in 2018, which is an increase of more than 15 percent compared to 2017. This proves that the countries' trade and economic cooperation is progressing. -- Mirsaid Ibrahimzade is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @MirsaidIbrahim1 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Laman Ismayilova The 9th season of the Azerbaijan Fashion Week (AFW) will gather fashion lovers at the Stone Chronicle Museum on May 1-3. AFW is a clear manifestation of the current ideas about beauty. Side by side with priceless exhibits that have come down to us through the millennia, Azerbaijani and international fashion designers will once again delight fashion lovers with their stunning clothing lines, Trend Life reported. Perhaps, some of them will be worthy exhibits of future museums and will present the current era to future generations. Kazakh designer Tamara Lamanukayeva will present at the fashion show a mixed collection consisting of gorgeous outfits both for women and kids. Alex Chzhen will showcase wonderful outfits for little fashionistas. Leonid Zherebtsov will once again surprise the guests of the fashion week. His new collection is dedicated to victims of plastic surgery. Other fashion designers from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Georgia and Tajikistan will also present their outfits on the catwalk. The number of local designers participating in the fashion week has also increased. Just like in the previous season, country's best fashion designers will present their works to the public. Besides the fashion shows, AFW showroom will be available for the guests. The showroom will give an opportunity to boutique owners, buyers, media representatives and guests of the fashion week to communicate with designers, discover new names and find something new for their wardrobe. The Stone Chronicle Museum has twice become the venue for this fashion event. The museum is located in the building of a power station built in 1921 by the Siemens Brothers and once provided energy supply to oil fields. Since its reconstruction in 2015, the museum stores exhibits from country's reserves showcasing the life of prehistoric people. Media partners of the event are Azernews.az, Trend.az, Day.az, Milli.az. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov Peace in the South Caucasus will be restored only if Armenia eventually makes the right decision and leaves the occupied Azerbaijani lands, Guram Markhuliya, President of the Caucasus International Center for the Study of Geohistory and Geopolitics, said in an interview with Azernews. "Armenia is not a country where a change of power may lead to a change in the foreign policy. However, I consider that the Armenians will eventually make the right decision and leave the occupied Azerbaijani lands. Only in this case, there will be peace in the South Caucasus," he stressed. Analyzing the results of the Moscow meeting of Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russia FMs in mid-April, the expert said that to resolve a conflict, joint participation of its both parties is required. He noted that in this case, the Moscow meeting was a pure program meeting and no one expected the sides to move towards the settlement of the conflict. Markhuliya stressed that the topic of discussion did not unite any of the parties represented. As for the Pashinyans statement about involving the puppet Karabakh authorities in the negotiations, the expert noted that even with their involvement, Armenia will continue to delay the conflict resolution. Markhuliya also commented on the Armenian Defense Ministers statement about "moving military operations to the territory of Azerbaijan". The expert said that such a rhetoric of the Armenian military leadership causes ironic laugh. Markhulia stressed that such speech strategy is primarily aimed at calming its own population. Speaking about the anniversary of the velvet revolution in Armenia, the expert noted that the goals of this revolution were not realized. Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a lengthy war that ended with signing of a fragile ceasefire in 1994. Since the war began, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. While the OSCE Minsk Group acted as the only mediator in resolution of the conflict, the occupation of the territory of the sovereign state with its internationally recognized boundaries has been left out of due attention of the international community for years. Until now, Armenia ignores four UN Security Council resolutions on immediate withdrawal from the occupied territory of Azerbaijan, thus keeping tension high in the region. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Trends exclusive interview with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia Marija Pejcinovic Buric on the occasion of her visit to Azerbaijan Question: How do you assess the current status of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Croatia? Answer: Let me reiterate that Croatia considers Azerbaijan an important strategic partner. Our partnership and friendly bilateral relations were further confirmed on the highest level during the official visit of Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev to Zagreb last year on the 6th of September. Therefore, we would like to further encourage more intensive exchanges between our state bodies, businesses, and citizens. Q.: Does the existing level of trade turnover between the two countries satisfactory? What are the ways of boosting the mutual trade turnover? A.: We will continue to hold annual or biennial meetings of our bilateral cooperation enhancement engines, such as the Joint Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation between Croatia and Azerbaijan, which will organize its next meeting in late 2019 or early 2020. It is our strong belief that this Commission can serve as a foundation to increase our bilateral trade in many areas of mutual interest and we seek to include more companies in its work. A working group to better prepare for the next Commission session has been formed and also comprises a number of companies that are planning to do business with Azerbaijan. The formation of specialized working groups (i.e. for energy issues, tourism, etc.) operating within the Commission will likely take place before its next meeting. Q.: How do you see the prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and Croatia in ports industry? A.: In Croatia we have a number of sea ports as well as a number of ports in inland waterways. Possibilities of cooperation between Croatian and Azerbaijani ports could include signing of cooperation agreements (as well as concession possibilities for passenger and freight operators). I would like to mention that the Port of Vukovar has through the Danube River the possibility to connect Central Europe and the Black sea (the Heart of Eurasia). Q.: Which spheres seem to be more promising in Croatia and Azerbaijan in terms of attracting mutual investments? A.: The Croatian business community and companies are especially interested in investments in energy, transport, shipbuilding, pharmaceutical and the IT sectors. Possibilities also exist in construction and engineering, the textile, agriculture and food industries, rolling stock vehicles and, of course, tourism. When it comes to Croatian investments, usually it is about investing knowledge and know-how and this is the model we expect most future joint ventures to be structured upon, especially in the area of IT. Q.: Croatia is expected to receive Azerbaijani gas via the Ionian Adriatic Pipeline (IAP). How much gas per year do you expect to get via IAP? Which percent of Croatias gas demand will be covered thanks to IAP gas? A.: There is a belief that major leaps forward can be made in forthcoming years in the field of energy due to the significance of the Ionian-Adriatic Pipeline for Europe. The planned capacity of IAP is 5 bcm/y of which 2.5 bcm/y is expected for Croatia and transport towards other developed markets in CE & CEE (the rest is intended for markets in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro). The Ionic-Adriatic pipeline Project Management Unit (PMU) meeting was held on the sidelines of the 5th Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council ministerial meeting on 20 February 2019 in Baku. The PMU concluded that the legal framework for the establishment of the Project Company is almost completed, so we are confident that the IAP Project Company will be established soon. Q.: Are any visits expected between the two countries in coming months? If yes, what is the purpose of those visits? A.: I assume that the meetings which I will have in Baku will yield ideas and proposals for the next high level meetings since I will have meetings with several high officials. Q.: Currently, there is no direct flight between Baku and Zagreb. How do you assess the necessity of opening this flight? How should the two countries improve the tourism relations? A.: We expect a continuous rise in the number of Azerbaijani tourists and business people visiting Croatia, and vice versa. Therefore I believe that next year seasonal direct flights from Baku to Zagreb and other destinations such as Split, Dubrovnik, Zadar or Pula are feasible. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Azerbaijan as a leader of the region is playing very significant role in One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative, Deputy Director General of Trend News Agency Lina Vaitkeviciene told Trend. Vaitkeviciene made the remarks as part of the video project entitled "PREZIDENT. Musteqillik. Tehlukesizlik. Rifah". The One Belt One Road initiative, first announced in 2013 by Chinese President Xi Jinping, is an extremely ambitious and far-reaching initiative with significant potential to improve the social and economic structure in Asia, Europe, and northeastern Africa, where more than half of the worlds population lives, she said. This win-win initiative should benefit more than 50 percent of the worlds population living in that region and contribute to political stability and peace in the world. Azerbaijan as a leader of the region is playing very significant role in this project, Vaitkeviciene said. Azerbaijan is geographically located on East-West and North-South transportation corridors and its territories were used historically by Silk Road caravans. It is obvious that Silk Road related initiatives did not not leave Azerbaijan outside the plans and they will use the countrys transit potential and natural resources. the expert said that by taking advantage of countrys geographical location and investing mainly in infrastructure and transportation sector Azerbaijan turned into one of the international transportation hubs which connect Europe and Asia. The country is situated in the historic Silk Road and the creation of modern infrastructure is one of the main goals of Azerbaijan, she said. Azerbaijan is largely investing in infrastructure to build roads, highways, airports. East-West and North-South transportation corridors cross the country and Azerbaijan is actively participating in both of these transportation corridors and has offered a number of initiatives in this regard. Vaitkeviciene pointed out that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has issued a number of decrees and given orders on construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, relocation of the countrys main sea port to a Alat and the creation of the Baku International Sea Trade Port, a decree on the establishment of a free trade zone in the territory of the port, the creation of industrial zones and estates as well as IT parks in the regions of the country. The government of Azerbaijan does not see silk roads as a simple route or branch to be used only for transit purposes but as a focus more on its contribution to the development of the non-oil sector of the economy, the expert said. The long-term vision of the country's development and its exploitation of existing geographic advantages will give the country economic stability, sustainable development and prosperity for the people. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The Air Defense military units and subunits of the Air Force of Azerbaijan conducted tactical-special exercises, Trendreports referring to the country's Defense Ministry. The exercises were conducted according to the combat training plan for 2019 approved by the country's defense minister. In the course of the exercise, the units that have been put on alert were taken to the areas of destination and worked out actions to repel the air strikes of the imaginary enemy, as well as the activities of the staffs based on the decision-making process in accordance with the assigned task. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov Among the military units of the Armenian army, stationed in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan in Agdere, the number of people leaving the military unit without permission is evading. According to Armenian media, servicemen Aram Gabuchyan, Tigran Sahakyan and V. Yedikyan were placed in a hospital in Agdere with high fever and Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). However, after the end of the treatment they did not return to the place of service.an employee of the hospital, Gevond Tadevosyan said. These three soldiers have already escaped from a military unit several times. Measures are currently underway to return them back. Meanwhile, called for service on January 15, 2018, the soldier was sent to the occupied settlement of Agdere, to the military unit No. 49971, nicknamed by the population "Boarding school". In the same month, he was abused and beaten. A soldier informed the violence was committed by an officer who denies everything and is currently at large. The soldier was held in the military police Department and was forced to change his testimony. Now he is accused of perjury. The criminal case was sent to the court. The last meeting was held in November 2018 in the court of Khankendi, the next is scheduled for May 8. The victims lawyer Arpi Sargsyan said the situation is desperate, he's not even received the documents on the medical examination of a soldier who remains in the military unit. Also, it is noted that for Commission of violence to the subordinate on January 14 a criminal case was filed on an officer. The lawyer reported this terrible situation in letters to the Minister of Defense, the Prosecutor General and the Prime Minister. The forensic medical examination confirmed the fact of violence. Armenian Defense Ministry did not react to the incident and the injured soldier remains in the military unit. In addition, the Defense Ministry called the simulator a soldier of the Armenian army, a Yezidi by nationality, Yuri Broyan. He was in inhuman conditions in the Kanaz hospital and could not speak for 5 months because of the injections made to him. Armenian media reports that the soldiers mother, Marina Broyan, said despite her genetic psychiatric illness, her son was found fit in August 2018 and sent to a military unit in the occupied settlement of Agdere. After two weeks, he was beaten and placed in the Agdere hospital with a cut vein. The son told his mother that he was severely beaten by the commander of the battalion of the military unit in Agdere. He told the lawyer that the commander beat him for refusing to pick up a cigarette thrown on the floor. The lawyer said that two servicemen were witnesses of the incident. The commander knocked down the Yezidis and kicked him in the head. On August 28, Yuri Broyan was placed in the Aghdere Hospital, and on August 29, in a psychiatric hospital in Khankendi. From there he was transferred to the Kanaz hospital. He is in a serious condition and at the moment all investigative measures are suspended. In late December, the soldiers mother sent an appeal to the Armenian Defense Ministry to conduct a new medical examination, but the ministry ignored. After covering this problem, the Ministry of Defense issued a statement in which it called the soldier a simulator. After being placed to the Kanaz hospital and treated in psychiatry, Broyans condition worsened. He barely walks, his head is shaking and speech is disturbed. The lawyer informed, now Broyan is held at the military police branch and does not receive medical treatment. The lawyer informed the Armenian Defense Ministry about this situation. If there is no reaction, he intends to apply to other bodies. The investigator in the case decided to conduct an outpatient psychiatric and forensic medical examination. In the military prosecutor's office, in connection with Broyan, three criminal cases were initiated on the facts of violence by the commander, a dispute with a psychiatry worker and self-infliction of bodily harm. Thus, Armenian army leaves much to be desired in its conditions. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov Armenia celebrates Frontier Guards Day, while almost all Armenian borders with neighboring countries are not guarded by Armenian, but by Russian border guards. In 1992, Yerevan signed an agreement with Moscow on the status of the Russian border troops on the Armenian territory and the conditions of their functioning. Thus, Russian border guards began to police the borders of Armenia with Turkey, Iran and Georgia. It seems Armenia is not concerned absolutely that the state borders protection is one of the fundamental attributes of state independence. In recent years, the Armenian society and even the National Assembly repeatedly drew attention to the necessity of transferring border functions from the Russian border guard service of the federal security service to the Armenian national security service. This topic has emerged when Russophobia surged in Armenia. During Sargsyans years in power, Armenian public organizations offered to take control of the border checkpoints at Zvartnots airport until March 1, 2018, and then, hand over the Armenian-Iranian border to Armenian border guards by January 1, 2019. Moreover, they called upon Sargsyan to consider the transfer of full control over the Armenian-Turkish border to the Armenian border troops by January 1, 2020. It was also planned to develop a schedule and technical conditions for the reception and transmission of border posts located on this site, together with the border troops leadership of the Russian FSS. However, Sargsyan was overthrown and Pashinyan came to power. The premier has already understood all the hopelessness of demands for Russian border guards withdrawal from Armenia. After all, Moscow all this time ignored the Armenians protests. This is not surprising since Armenians are no longer owners of the country. Yerevan should understand that it lost sovereignty as a result of Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan and the occupation of Azerbaijani territories. Therefore, it is strange to celebrate Frontier Guards Day in the current Armenian realities. Pashinyans arrival at the Directorate of border troops of the national security service, performance there with a solemn speech, congratulate the holiday and imaginary successes of the Armenian border guards looks particularly ridiculous. Although it is not surprising, because in Armenia it is a tradition to throw dust in someone's eyes and consider oneself important despite it is not true. So, let them celebrate the holiday and console themselves that they live in an independent state and it even has border guards. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 By Trend Kazakhstan is looking to export electricity to EAEU countries, where it is also a member, Trend reports citing KazInform. The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is an economic union, which includes Armenia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan. "In the last three years the total volume of exported electricity reached 13.789 billion kWh (4 percent of the volume produced). Within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Community's unified electricity market, formation the protocol between EAEU countries is be signed before March 2019. The event is to coincide with the five year anniversary of the Eurasian Economic Community agreement signing," said Kanat Bozumbayev, the minister of energy. The minister also stated that the question of export expansion is in the process of consideration. "The expansion of electricity export plans include the EAEU countries," he said. According to the Ministry of Energy, a step-by-step unified electricity market formation is planned. The regulatory framework is being developed by the EAEU countries. "We are to create pro-cooperation conditions based on equality, mutual benefits and avoidance of damage to the ecology. In doing so, economical interests of both manufacturers and electricity consumers are to be considered," said the minister. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend A delegation of Turkmenistan took part in a meeting of delegations of Defense Ministries of the Caspian littoral states held recently in Russias Astrakhan city, Trend reports with reference to Neytralni Turkmenistan newspaper. The event participants discussed issues related to the implementation of the Agreement on the Prevention of Incidents in the Caspian Sea signed in Aktau city in Kazakhstan in August last year following the Fifth Summit of the Heads of the Caspian littoral states. At the meeting, the parties confirmed the high level of trust between the fleets of the Caspian littoral states and expressed their readiness to discuss draft Agreement on Confidence Building Measures in the Caspian Sea in the future, the news report noted. The document is aimed at ensuring safety of navigation of military ships and flights of aircraft of the armed forces of the states of the Caspian region. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received Saudi Arabias Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, Trend reports with reference to the Turkmenistan State News Agency. At the meeting, the Turkmen President emphasized that Turkmenistan pays great attention to intergovernmental dialogue built on the principles of mutual respect and trust. Having expressed satisfaction with the high level of Turkmen-Saudi relations, Berdimuhamedov noted the presence of solid potential for the development of interaction, the news report says. During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on the prospects for dialogue. Riyadh studies Turkmenistans investment projects in agribusiness, trade and construction. As was reported earlier, a meeting with Ayed Noueihed, Head of Saudi Arabian Hajjan Trading & Industrial Services Company Ltd, was held at the Ashgabat headquarters of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan (UIET). At present, UIET exports to Saudi Arabia confectionery products and it is ready to supply other food products including meat, vegetables and melons. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems will be delivered to Turkey in two cargoes, Trend reports on April 29 referring to Turkish media. The first cargo of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems will be delivered in June this year, and the second one in July, according to the report. It is expected that in November 2019, the first F-35 fighters will be delivered to Turkey. As was announced earlier, Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems may be installed in the south and west of Turkey. According to preliminary reports, they may be installed in western Turkey and the provinces bordering the Aegean Sea as well as in the province of Hatay on the border with Syria. On April 11, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that specialists from the US and NATO could come to Turkey to make sure that Russian S-400 air defense systems do not pose a threat to NATO. He noted that Turkey is in dire need of the S-400 air defense system. "Although the US urges Turkey to abandon the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense missile systems, it does not guarantee that it will sell us Patriot air defense systems," Mevlut Cavusoglu said. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo stated that the US believes that Turkey would not be able to have both US F-35 fighter-bombers and Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems at the same time, as this is technically impossible. According to Pentagon sources, it is not possible to launch the F-35 in the space where the S-400 is operated, he said. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey may receive the S-400 missile systems earlier than scheduled. According to him, it was expected that Turkey would receive the first supplies of S-400 missile systems in July 2019. He noted that despite appeals from the US, Turkey will not abandon the purchase of the S-400. "This issue has been already resolved by Turkey," said Erdogan. Initial reports of negotiations between Russia and Turkey on the supply of S-400 surfaced in November 2016. The signing of a contract was confirmed by the Russian side on September 12, 2017. Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that the S-400 air defense systems would be deployed from October 2019. The supply of the S-400 air defense systems to Ankara cost $2.5 billion, head of the Rostec state corporation Sergey Chemezov said in December 2017. Turkey is the first country, a NATO member to receive the S-400 air defense systems from Russia. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend A lot of problems exist in the region of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and no one should turn a blind eye to them, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly George Tsereteli on April 29, Trend reports citing BelTA. Lets agree that there are a lot of problems in our common home, and we must address them, Lukashenko said. Among those problem he mentioned the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The president remarked that he probably criticizes the Organization for weak reaction too often, but resolution of the existing problems is a priority for the OSCE. First and above all, the Organization is responsible for security on the European continent, and it is absolutely unacceptable to ignore those problems, the head of state said. Aleksandr Lukashenko added that there were not any meetings for the heads of states under the auspices of the OSCE for a long time. During those meetings the leaders could discuss current issues and try to find a way out from the situation, he said. The last event of this kind took place in Astana in 2010, and an even bigger conference took place in Istanbul in 1999, he noted. It was a strong conference, he said. Unfortunately, the leaders have not gathered together since then. In the meantime, there are a lot of issues, and they cannot be ignored. It is necessary to gather together and address them. If the participants of the meeting do not manage to solve those problems, they will at least make plans and determine prospects. If not, what is the purpose of the organization? The president continued by adding, You can always rely on our support and our honesty and sincerity in all fields. George Tsereteli, in turn, thanked the Belarusian head of state for the organization of the 26th annual session of the Parliamentary Assembly in Minsk in July 2017. He also pointed out a special nature of friendly and business relations with the chairmen of the chambers of Belarusian parliament. I met with Mr Andreichenko [chairman of the House of Representatives] for the third time, he said. It symbolizes Belarus proactivity in our organization, and we also want to work with the country. He agreed with Aleksandr Lukashenko that there are pending issues in the OSCE region. When your neighbors have problems, these are your problems, Tsereteli said. I agree with you that the OSCE is a very serious organization, and many countries including Belarus are doing a lot to strengthen it. We are grateful for that. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Laman Ismayilova "From Regions to Regions" Art Festival has reached Khachmaz. The main goal of the project is to promote the cultural heritage of the Azerbaijani people, who have rich traditions of statehood. The festival aims at expanding cultural exchange between the regions. As part of the festival, nation's talented artists showcased their handcrafted works at the Heydar Aliyev Park, Trend Life reported. Sixteen regional cultural administrations of the Culture Ministry installed tents, where samples of folk art, reflecting the cultural heritage of cities and regions were displayed. Moreover, theatrical exposition dedicated to the 650th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet Imadaddin Nasimi was presented as part of the festival. It is noteworthy that in connection with the 650th anniversary of the poet, President Ilham Aliyev declared 2019 the Year of Nasimi in Azerbaijan. The festival participants were especially interested by unique folk ensemble consisting of old people. The Diyar folk ensemble demonstrated their brilliant carpet weaving skills, traditions and customs of their ancestors. Local residents and guests of the city enjoyed gala concert with the participation of folk and dance ensembles. The guests also showed a particular interest to the theater teams from Khachmaz and Shabran. Khinayakhdi folk ensemble showcased Azerbaijan's wedding dance rituals. One of the best things about traveling is exploring the history of a given place. There are numerous historical sites to visit in Khachmaz that will make one's trip memorable. Archeologists found working and hunting tools there, along with domestic belongings which were used in the Bronze Age. The Niyazabad port is one of the historical parts of Khachmaz. From the 16th century, the port played an important role in the establishment of relations between Azerbaijan and neighboring countries by sea and in the expansion of trade and export of silk, crafts and dried fruits to the northern countries. The ancient Khudat fortress, the Shah Abbas mosque, the Sheikh Movlana Yusif Baba Mosque could be good sites for those who like to make trips to historical places. The most ancient archaeological monuments are ancient Bronze Age barrows near the villages of Mollaburhan, Hulovlu, Garajik and Hasangala and medieval settlements near Janakhir and Bostanji. Some of the most well-known landmarks in the region are the ancient Albanian church, the water tower and the historical railway station. One of the historical sites in Khachmaz is the Veli Amir Shrine, which is located near the Valamir village. People go to the shrine on a pilgrimage with a hope of cure and fulfillment of their wishes. The name of the shrine is linked to Veli Amir and Veli Omar brothers who were holy men and had the sacred ability to heal people. Nabran is a popular municipality and resort in Khachmaz. It is a beautiful place with forests, sandy beaches and climatic resorts. Many hotels, hostels and guest houses have been built and welcome tourists each year, especially in summer. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Categories Categories Select Category #abarare ABA Events ABA News Action Adventure Alaska AOU Apps Art Asides Attu BEX Big Year Bird Feeding Bird ID Bird of the Year Birders Guide Birdsong Blog Bites Blog Review BookReviews Building Birding Skills Commentary Conservation eBird Equipment Review Featured Gallery Festivals Field Identification Fun Gardening Gear Happening NOW HowToKnowTheBirds Human Dimensions of Birding Humor Listing Members Only Content North American Birds Obscure Hotspots Open Mic Outdoor Tips Photography podcast Point/Counterpoint Presidents Corner Publications RBA Science Science Art Social Media Sponsored Technology Top 10 Travel Young Birders Archives Archives Select Month January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 Blog Birding #402 At Hakai Magazine, Phoebe Weston looks into how scientists actually count the many millions of bird crossig the Gulf of Mexico this time of year. Over the next 18 days, from April 19 until May 7, more than one billion birds will attempt the perilous journey north over the Gulf of Mexico to reach their spring breeding grounds in North America. As few as one in five will make it back south to their winter habitat. This arduous journeyby gnatcatchers, flycatchers, warblers, buntings, and otherstakes place along one of the most significant migration routes in the world. As tiny geolocator backpacks get smaller and lighter, researchers are able to track the migration of birds that would never have been able to wear them before. Hilary Cooke at Scientific American explores the amazing things were discovering. Blackpoll warblers are one of the fastest declining North American land birds, suffering an estimated 95 percent population decline since 1970. They breed in forested wetlands across the boreal from Alaska to Newfoundland, as well as in isolated montane fir forests at the southern periphery of their range in the northeastern United States. They are long-distance migrants, wintering in the Amazon basin of South America. Spring is season of birding joy, and Jen Kepler of Snapshot of Nature shares what she is joyful for. I Love Birds. This is no surprise to those who know me best. I am instantly your best pal the moment you say, I like birds. So, since I love birds, they bring me so much joy. I spend a lot of time in the field with a big dopey smile on my face and saying hi to birds, sometimes even giving a little wave. I even talk to them. Dont judge. Its good to have goals, in birding and in life. Traditional birding goals like chasing lifers are certainly valid, but Jessica Gorzo at Avian Ecologist finds value in other aspects of birding, too. There has been recent criticism of ABA Big Years as privileged and not particularly requiring skill (i.e. if you have enough money, you can do whatever you want). Also, what is any endeavor like that really worth? In other words, what level of experience, effort and takeaway makes seeing a bird worth it (and to whose criteria)? For these reasons, Ive wondered if lifer chasing will become somewhat passe in favor of some other more nuanced and woke way to enjoy wildlife (or maybe, well just talk about it less). Climate change threatens to upend the habitats of a great many species of birds in ways we cant always predict, and according to Phys.org, it looks to be a existential threat for a species like Saltmarsh Sparrow. Salt marshes are globally limited to about 30,000 square miles (45,000 square km), with one-third of the total on North American coasts. Of the 25 species or subspecies limited to tidal wetlands worldwide, 15 are restricted to the US Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Given rapid climate changes and other threats to salt marsh ecosystems, many of these species are in serious danger. (ANSA) - Rome, April 29 - RAI State broadcaster's local Emilia Romagna division's TV coverage of the anniversary of Benito Mussolini's death at his former home at Predappio has been criticised for allegedly celebrating Fascism. RAI CEO Fabrizio Salini voiced "deep irritation" at the tone of the coverage and demaned an explanation from the local news station chief Alessandro Casarini. Casarini had already disassociated himself from the coverage while the Emilia Romagna internal RAI union had called it "inadmissible". The centre-left opposition Democratic Party (PD) called the coverage "apology of Fascism", a crime in Italy. photo: Salini Bakersfield, CA (93308) Today Cloudy with periods of rain. High 58F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch.. Tonight Periods of rain. Low around 50F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Zapatas technology platform is an innovative approach to leverage the potential of this novel technology Applications of quantum computing offer opportunities to meet the challenges of the chemical industry Ludwigshafen, Germany, April 17, 2019 BASF Venture Capital is joining a group of prominent investors in the Series A investment round of Zapata Computing, Inc. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Zapata is developing both a powerful software platform as well as specific applications for Global 1000 companies to effectively utilize a range of emerging quantum computing hardware. By investing in Zapata, BASF Venture Capital supports BASFs strategic goal to take advantage of the opportunities that digitalization offers along the entire value chain. Quantum computing will enable BASF experts to very efficiently investigate complex questions and it will further shorten the time it takes to launch new products. Zapata, which was spun-out of Harvard University in 2017, will use the funds raised to expand its scientific team and further develop its software platform to meet growing customer demand. BASF joins a round led by Comcast Ventures and Prelude Ventures, together with new and existing investors including Pitango Ventures, Pillar Venture Capital, and The Engine. Quantum computing is a next generation approach to computation that utilizes the laws of quantum mechanics to increase the speed of certain calculations. While quantum computing has great potential, it is currently limited by the pace of hardware development. Zapatas hybrid quantum-classical approach is designed to elicit the maximum value from the limited number of qubits that will be available in the next few years. We are happy to support this promising start-up. Zapata is positioned to add value to a wide variety of industries, including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, automotive, aerospace, and finance, said Markus Solibieda, Managing Director at BASF Venture Capital. Zapata will fill a growing demand for quantum solutions that address key issues its customers are facing. We are thrilled and honored that BASF selected Zapata as a partner in the growing quantum technology revolution, said Christopher Savoie, CEO of Zapata. This financing will allow us to continue to expand our incredible team to take on the challenges of solving real problems with quantum computing. We are racing to meet an enormous demand. Quantum Computing Primer A classical computer uses many bits (0s and 1s) for calculations. A quantum bit (qubit), like the bit in classical computing, describes the state of the smallest unit used for calculations. A qubit consists of two quantum states, e.g. the electron spin that can have two directions. These qubits can be combined in a way that they contain much more information than the same number of classical bits. By this superposition a quantum computer can work much more efficiently than a classical computer in certain important applications, e.g. materials modeling, optimization, machine learning. Sicilian runs with Greece's Syriza in EU vote Candidate Olga Nassis, anthropologist with Greek origins (by Patrizio Nissirio) (ANSAmed) - ROME, APRIL 29 - Many in recent weeks have written that the upcoming European Parliament elections will be the first to be a true competition involving the entire EU instead of simply an exercise to verify internal equilibriums within individual countries. Looking at the lists at the continental level, one finds several transnational candidates such as Olga Nassis, who is running in Greece on Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras's party Syriza. Sicilian with roots in Greece, Nassis told ANSAmed that she has a ''Mediterranean identity''. ''I am an anthropologist,'' she said. ''I started off with research into Greekness in Albania. I have two children, one of whom is 14 and makes comics, and who in the past had problems at school for defending a schoolmate against bullies. The other is in his first year of an engineering course at university. My mother is Sicilian with Greek origins. The family of my father is entirely from the (Greek) region of Epirus: my grandmother is from Ioannina and my father from Parakalamos.'' She went on to note that ''in Sicily I organized struggles against oil pollution and exploitation of the territory and I wrote in the anti-mafia newspaper 'I Siciliani'. I was also given an anti-mafia award named after Turiddu Carnevale.'' The history of the Nassis family ''is linked to the history of Greece'', she said. ''My great-grandfather fought against the Turks, my grandfather against the Germans, as a partisan, as well as against those exploiting farmers like the secretary of the AKE (Greek Farmers Party), exiled and tortured for 11 years. My father, under the colonels, sought refuge in Italy in 1968. My flag is that of stopping Neo-fascism.'' Since 2015, Nassis has been presiding over Greek communities and associations in Italy and opted to run in Greece as part of a European perspective. ''I am with Syriza because it brought Greece back to the center of European politics. The Greeks have shown in these difficult years what dignity and 'the people' mean, and Syriza was worthily and skillfully at the front of this. I am Greek and thus I am European, because I speak the language of the Mediterranean, because I am the daughter of a population that made Europe, that mixes without fear within a values system that is generous, not egoistic. Because it is unfair that a girl in Sweden can work or study and another in Sicily or Athens must give up and leave. We must remake a Europe that is deeply democratic, solidarity-based, peaceful, and fundamentally human.'' ''I speak two strong, profound languages that are divided only by a shore,'' she said. ''For the past three thousand years Italy and Greece have been enlivening all of Europe. The Italy that I grew up in is Magna Grecia and my language is that of the Mediterranean. The South, the Mediterranean, is the heart of Europe. It is the center of the social issue, in which we must intervene first. Migration is a gift and not a source of fear. Nationalities should unite, while nationalism kills. Walls make us poor and diversity is wealth.'' (ANSAmed). Oregon Coast Crews Rescue Endangered Seal from Washington Beach Published 04/25/2019 at 7:53 PM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Seaside, Oregon) An uncommon sight on the Oregon and Washington coast or at least it's supposed to be showed up this week on a northwest beach and had to be rescued. Crews from the Seaside Aquarium had to venture up to Oysterville, Washington to help out a stranded Guadalupe fur seal which needed some medical care. (All photos courtesy Tiffany Boothe, Seaside Aquarium). Guadalupe fur seals are not common up around the Oregon coast and in fact normally live in warmer waters south of here. Yet for some reason Seaside Aquarium has seen about ten of them in the last year, according to manager Keith Chandler. Education specialist Tiffany Boothe said this one was quite young and in a bit of bad shape. The pup was only about 7-10 pounds, cold, dehydrated, and out of its range, Boothe said. The male pup was easily captured and is being transferred to the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California, for rehab and eventual release. Boothe said Guadalupe fur seals are considered threatened although not technically endangered. There is an estimated population of only 34,000 of these fur seals, and at one time they were quite endangered but managed to bounce back to some degree. In fact, their numbers got so low that they were thought to have become extinct twice: once in 1928 and again in 1954, Boothe said. It seems the Guadalupe fur seals are traveling northward as they follow warm water currents far offshore, something that puts them in danger as these currents run out around the Oregon border and the water turns cold again. Their typical range is from Guatemala to California. They breed exclusively on Guadalupe and the surrounding islands, Boothe said. Unlike the pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) that inhabit the coastlines of Oregon and Washington, fur seals do not have a thick layer of blubber to keep them warm. They are equipped with a thick layer of fine fur which prevents heat loss, and by trapping air gives them buoyancy. Chandler said the Guadalupe fur seals showing up here in recent months have been both dead and alive. Back in January, the same kind of fur seal became famous on the internet with a video of Washington cops trying to free it from a rope it was entangled in. It managed to slip away, and the little creature caused a stir as authorities were looking for it to not only check on its condition but take it back down to California for rehabilitation and release. Seaside Aquarium crews eventually did help rescue that one as well, and the whole tale had a happy ending. This animal was also transferred to the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito and has already been released, Boothe said. A satellite tag was placed on the animal before releasing it and as of March 27, 2019 the animal was back on Guadalupe Island where it belongs. The Seaside Aquarium has been part of the Southern Washington/Northern Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network since 1995. Oregon Coast Lodgings in these areas - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Seventeen million people can't be wrong, can we? We're spending every Monday through Saturday waiting for Sunday night to arrive so we can see what happens next in the epic HBO TV series, "Game of Thrones." Every product imaginable is finagling a tie-in to this series, from Oreos cookies stamped with characters' faces -- I ate a White Walker (OK, two) -- to Adidas Running shoes inspired by GoT characters. Now, it's PPG's turn, matching up existing paint colors with some of our favorite characters. (Yes, paint color names are almost as lively as nail polish colors -- not that there's much color in the harsh world of GoT.) RECAP ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Defending Winterfell comes at a cost. What next? As we wind down from the exhausting Battle of Winterfell, let's recall a handful of characters and their representative colors, courtesy of PPG: Jon Snow: PPG's Night Watch might be the perfect fit for this bastard-turned-possible king, the brooding Lord Commander who has stared down death in many forms and more than once. Snow's integrity is as down to earth as Night Watch, PPG's black-infused green with powerful and mature vibes. Daenerys Targaryen: A widowed Khaleesi, heir to the Iron Throne and Mother of Dragons, silver-haired Daenerys Targaryen isn't really a complicated woman -- she wants what she wants, and she wants it all. It's as simple as that. The birth of her three dragons -- though just two are left now -- turned mythical creatures into fire-breathing beasts that would be any army's best weapon. PPG's Purple Dragon -- it's got to be D' s signature color -- is a powerful purple that makes a statement in any room. Night King: The Night King knows how to bring it when it comes to a big battle. His White Walkers, Others and the wights they raise from the dead were nearly unstoppable. So with a "Winter is Coming" prophecy, PPG's Snow Storm was right on target for the Night King. PPG describes Snow Storm as a "pale, neutral, mauve purple with a magenta undertone," a shade that surely worked well with the Night King's icy blue eyes. Tyrion Lannister: The Imp's mouth is both his best and worst attribute, because it's always getting him into trouble and, of course, getting him out of it. Now, Tyrion who was once the Hand of his evil nephew, King Joffrey, and now the hand of Daenerys Targaryen, PPG's King's Court, a deep gray-green, is as much a title as it is a paint color. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: How I stopped worrying and learned to love 'Game of Thrones' Brienne of Tarth: The deep, chalkboard gray that PPG calls Knight's Armor is perfect for this powerful and courageous woman who fights alongside men and who has proven to be one of the show's most loyal and true soldiers. This color is worthy of any new knight. Arya Stark: Ned Stark's little girl is all grown up now, an assassin with the ability to change faces and take on any foe -- Night King included -- with her slender sword, Needle, or a silver of dragon glass. PPG's Silver Swordplay, a mulberry purple with royal blue undertone, is both playful and deadly serious, just like Arya. Bran Stark: Perhaps no other character has taken such a dramatic turn as Bran, the second youngest of the Stark clan. In Season 1, episode 1, Bran was a little boy who loved to climb and seemed to fear nothing. Now he's the three-eyed raven who knows all and sees all, so PPG's Black Magic might be part of Bran's mystical new persona. Melisandre: The Red Woman, a priestess for the Lord of Light, is the kind of character who gives redheads a bad name. But in the end, she sent the Dothraki into battle swords aflame, and later set the trenches on fire to hold the dead at bay, even if it was only temporary. She brought Jon Snow back from the dead and helped unite him with Daenerys and, in the end, brought her own death. PPG's Burnt Red is her perfect color. PREVIEW: Get experts picks for concerts, kids stuff, fine arts, movies and more delivered to your inbox weekly. FLORENCE - Italian experts have found what they say is hair from Lenoardo da Vinci and are set to do a DNA test on the Renaissance genius's locks, they announced Monday. "We found, across the Atlantic, a lock of hair historically tagged 'Les Cheveux de Leonardo da Vinci' and this extraordinary relic will enable us to carry out research on his DNA," said Alessandro Vezzosi, director of the Museo Ideale Leonardo da Vinci, and historian Agnese Sabato, president of the Leonardo da Vinci Heritage foundation. The find will be presented at a press conference at Vinci near Florence on May 2, they said - the 500th anniversary of the artist's death. "The historical find of the lock of hair," Vezzosi said, "which up till now had been hidden in an American collection, will be shown in a world premiere, together with documents that prove its ancient French provenance". ERIN SCHAFF, STF / NYT President Donald Trumps frequent visits to Texas appear to be paying off in contributions for his reelection campaign. Texans are responsible for at least $5.7 million of the $97 million Trump has raised for his reelection, according to donations tracked by the Federal Election Commission more money than Trump has raised in any other state. Wisconsin awarded $22.5 million to the family of an infant whose likely permanent brain damage may have resulted from surgical anesthesia at UW Health's American Family Children's Hospital in Madison, Wis., according to the Wisconsin State Journal. The key details: 1. The 6-week-old child, Venkatasathvik Mallidi, underwent surgery in April 2016 for a condition in which his spinal cord stuck to surrounding tissue. 2. The surgery was successful, but the anesthesia that was administered allegedly caused brain damage. The boy, now 3, cannot walk, speak or see. He will likely function at the level of a 2-year-old for the rest of his life, according to the family's attorney. 3. The family's lawsuit alleges that Michael Chalifoux, MD, the anesthesia resident involved in the procedure, didn't appropriately address prolonged low blood pressure readings. Dr. Chalifoux is now an anesthesiologist at Springfield, Mass.-based Baystate Health and did not respond to the Wisconsin State Journal's request for comment. 4. State prosecutors and Dr. Chalifoux argued that his supervising physician, an unnamed UW-Madison employee, was responsible for the child's injuries. 5. Most of the settlement money went into two accounts designated for the boy's long-term care. The injured child's parents received about $1.9 million, and $4.5 million went toward attorney fees. Notre-Dame: 1,000 experts urge Macron to 'act without haste' Appeal for 'caution and responsibility' (ANSAmed) - PARIS, APRIL 29 - Over 1,000 experts including conservationists, architects and university professors have signed an appeal urging French President Emmanuel Macron to act with caution and without hurry for the restoration of Notre-Dame. The French president has vowed to rebuild the Parisian cathedral within the next five years, in time for the 2024 Olympics. But the 1,170 who signed the appeal published on Monday by French daily Le Figaro fear that haste to rebuild the Gothic landmark after a fire tore through the cathedral will not be positive, urging for caution and responsibility. They called for time to undertake all the proper analyses and make the best choices for the reconstruction of the cathedral after the fire on April 15. ''Let's take the time for a diagnosis'', the appeal said. ''The executive cannot ignore experts, France educates some of the best in the world'', said the letter, which was also signed by several Italian researchers, including a professor of Medieval art history at the University of Naples, Francesco Aceto, and a professor of History of architecture at the Sapienza University in Rome, Flaminia Bardati.(ANSAmed). Bob Gauvin, CRNA, is president and owner of Dartmouth, Mass.-based Anesthesia PROfessionals, which provides practice management and anesthesia staffing services to facilities including surgery centers, ophthalmic centers and endoscopy centers. Here, Mr. Gauvin shares his insights on anesthesia group partnerships, out-of-network billing and more. Note: Responses have been lightly edited for style and clarity. Question: Why do some healthcare organizations partner with anesthesia service providers rather than directly employing anesthesiologists or certified registered nurse anesthetists? What are some advantages and risks associated with these partnerships? Bob Gauvin: Healthcare organizations are always looking for efficiencies when they work with service providers, but anesthesia is complex and they don't always understand the business side of it. For example, healthcare organizations may attempt to bill for anesthesia services thinking it is similar to other Medicare Part B providers, but later discover significant differences leading to inadequate results. And while larger anesthesia service providers bring a great deal of experience to the table and often have better reimbursement agreements with third-party payers, the potential for mergers and acquisitions to disrupt their anesthesia-service agreements creates an unpredictable situation. We're now seeing many larger hospital systems moving back to directly employing CRNAs and anesthesiologists because of their ability to control the anesthesia practice model more effectively. By doing this, they can better utilize both provider types to their strategic advantage, such as using CRNAs to the full scope of their education and training. Economics and evidence are replacing costly practice models and politics. Q: How is public and legislative concern about "surprise" out-of-network billing affecting anesthesia groups? BG: Public outcry and proposed legislation surrounding out-of-network billing have drawn the attention of anesthesia groups, spurring some to double down on their efforts to come to agreement with third-party payers. Clearly, it is in the best interest of anesthesia groups to be in network it's good business practice and good for patients. Though most payers are cooperative in the negotiation process, in some instances, they either refuse to contract or offer unreasonable payment terms. It is in these situations, specific rules from the legislature and insurance commissioners across the country need to help reform the industry to ensure high-quality and accessible care delivery for patients and providers. Q: Have you seen any change in the number of anesthesia group partnerships or acquisitions occurring in the past year? Why do you think that is? BG: We have seen a stabilization generally, but it appears that the next wave is ready to occur. In Massachusetts, for example, many long-standing private group practices are struggling to provide adequate staffing and meet the needs of their hospital partners. Some CEOs and CFOs are looking to control costs by limiting stipends paid to anesthesia groups for services, and we are also seeing a move to employing anesthesia providers by the larger healthcare organizations. Again, there are inherent benefits and challenges to this structure, but one of the most significant incentives is transparency of all business activities. Frankly, hospitals and health systems are still learning the business of anesthesia, removing the middleman, dictating the practice model that best suits their needs (ratio of physician anesthesiologists to CRNAs) and providing the most efficient service possible. To participate in future Becker's Q&As, contact Angie Stewart at astewart@beckershealthcare.com. For a deeper dive into ASC industry trends, attend the Becker's 17th Annual Future of Spine + The Spine, Orthopedic & Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference in Chicago, June 13-15, 2019. Click here to learn more and register. State Farm and Allstate filed two separate lawsuits accusing physicians and their pain practices of illegal billing schemes, Claims Journal reports. Six insights: 1. Allstate filed a lawsuit April 22 seeking $860,000 in damages from The Pain Center USA and Interventional Pain Center, as well as Rajendra Bothra, MD, and Eric Backos, MD, who reportedly operated the Warren, Mich.-based clinics. 2. The lawsuit makes several allegations, including that Dr. Bothra billed Allstate for facility fees and services performed at Interventional Pain Center's ASC three months before the center actually opened. 3. Allstate claims both organizations performed interventional treatment for patients without having them undergo a regimen of conservative care, and staggered the dates of procedures commonly performed the same day to maximize charges. 4. Separately, State Farm is suing Nooruddin S. Punjwani, MD, and Baytown, Texas-based Pain Alleviation & Interventional Needs, the clinic where he practiced. 5. State Farm accused Dr. Punjwana of performing epidural steroid injections for nearly all of his patients without performing sound medical examinations to determine whether the injections were necessary. Dr. Punjwana also allegedly billed the insurer for conditions that didn't exist or exaggerating severity. 6. State Farm's lawsuit accuses clinic's owners Barketal Roopani and his sons Anil and Sohail Roopani of benefiting from the alleged fraud scheme. The insurer is seeking $3 million in damages. More articles on surgery centers: SouthEast Eye Specialists adds Drs. JD Bonner, Will Whitmire 3 insights Happy 25th birthday Arizona Institute of Medicine and Surgery 4 insights Meet Chesapeake Urology's newest specialist 3 highlights Providence-based Ortho Rhode Island, Calspan and the Carpionato Group held a groundbreaking for Ortho Rhode Island's medical office building and surgery center in Warwick, R.I., GoLocal Prov reports. What you should know: 1. Developers broke ground on a 60,000-square-foot building. A second 40,000-square-foot building will be built afterward. 2. Ortho Rhode Island's development is on the same campus as a biotechnology research and development facility. 3. Calspan Development & Construction will oversee the project. Ortho Rhode Island President and CEO Michael Bradley, MD, praised Warwick officials, saying, "The support we have received from the city has made it very easy for us to make this significant investment in Warwick as we build this world-class, highly innovative and high-tech facility for the future." The Washington State Department of Health delayed a decision on Walla Walla, Wash.-based Providence St. Mary Medical Center's proposed ASC expansion once again, the Union-Bulletin reports. What you should know: 1. Providence is attempting to earn state approval to turn a portion of the defunct Walla Walla General Hospital into an ASC with two operating rooms and two procedure rooms. 2. St. Mary's expected a decision by April 23. Nancy Tyson, executive director of the state's certificate of need program, said in a letter, "Unfortunately, the [CON] program is behind schedule for processing decisions because of the current workload." 3. The state's new deadline is May 23. A labor union is asking the state of New Jersey to probe payroll errors at Edison-based Hackensack Meridian Health, according to NJ.com. The Health Professionals and Allied Employees which represents 2,600 Hackensack Meridian hospital and nursing home employees in the state filed a complaint April 24 with the state labor department. Union officials say Hackensack Meridian employees have been improperly paid due to problems with the health system's new payroll system, NJ.com reports. Union spokesperson Bridget Devane told NJ.com that employees received incorrect paychecks twice in April, and the payroll errors primarily affect hourly workers, those who work overtime or receive a night pay differential. It was unclear how many employees have been affected. "When checks did not come through, [workers] got charged fees," union president Kendra McCann told NJ.com. The errors affected "how health insurance has been taken out of pay, it affected life insurance payments a couple people lost life insurance policies. It has spiraled into so many different directions and caused so many problems," she added. "Hackensack Meridian has to take responsibility." Hackensack Meridian spokesperson Nancy Radwin told the Asbury Park Press that there have been some challenges while the organization consolidates multiple payroll systems into one new PeopleSoft system for payroll, scheduling, timekeeping and absence management. She said Hackensack Meridian is trying to fix problems as soon as possible, one employee at a time. "We are asking everyone to carefully review their statements and report any discrepancies or concerns. We are prepared to run another off-cycle payroll as needed. Our goal is to make sure every team member is made whole and ensuring any expenses or fees incurred as a result of incomplete funds are addressed," said Ms. Radwin. The union's complaint includes an April 15 email exchange in which Hackensack Meridian acknowledged the payroll issues and said more payroll runs would be scheduled to make corrections, according to NJ.com. Union members reported that they had not received refunds as of April 24, which prompted the union complaint, Ms. Devane said. Hackensack Meridian has 6,500 physicians and 17 hospitals. More articles on healthcare finance: Vermont hospital considering partnerships, bankruptcy as financial struggles drag on: 8 things to know Johns Hopkins Hospital CFO Daniel Smith on the value of EMRs Prior authorization rules delay lifesaving cancer treatments, physician survey finds On April 26, the FBI conducted a search of the San Francisco headquarters of uBiome, a startup that provides DNA sequencing of customers' microbiomes, the agency confirmed to The Wall Street Journal. The investigation reportedly concerns uBiome's billing practices, which are also being examined by the California Department of Insurance and insurers such as Anthem, Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield, according to the Journal. The scrutiny stems from uBiome's alleged practices of hiring physicians to order their tests for patients sometimes without patient approval and billing government programs, including the private Medicare Advantage plan, for tests. In a statement, uBiome told the Journal it "does not have any control over physician billing. Any improper billing by physicians, if it occurred, is not related to uBiome's billing practices." Additionally, in an interview with the outlet shortly before the FBI raid, the company's CEO Jessica Richman said uBiome's billing practices are proper and that "compliance is our highest value." UBiome, which was founded in 2012 and bills itself as "the leading microbial genomics company," offers three genetic sequencing-based at-home tests that examine patients' gut, vaginal and nasal microbiomes, then provide a clinical report that can be used by physicians to diagnose conditions and offer health advice based on the microorganisms detected. According to the company's website, all uBiome tests, which must be ordered by a healthcare provider, are "fully or partially covered by most health insurance companies under 'out-of-network' healthcare benefits." More articles about health IT: AltaMed alerts 5,500 patients of data breach Cryptocurrency, trading platform hid $850M in losses, engaged in fraud scheme, New York attorney general alleges How health records could benefit from blockchain Google veteran and technology expert David Weekly has developed a free app, which will launch May 3, that allows patients to record visits with their physicians, according to CNBC. Patients and family members can use Medcorder to re-listen to visits and physician notes and share the information with family later. Studies have shown that patients do not always understand or absorb discharge instructions and other notes when leaving the emergency room. Patients have also been known to miss certain advice after receiving bad news, CNBC suggests. Medcorder is designed to fix these problems. Physicians will need to give consent for patients to record the visit. While physicians have not always been on board to share notes during consults, Mr. Weekly believes physicians will be more accepting as they realize not all patients absorb the conversations in the moment. Mr. Weekly set out to create the app after multiple members of his family were diagnosed with cancer, CNBC reports. Throughout his experience, he saw problems with communication in healthcare. Experts in the technology sector continue to move into healthcare. Investors have put $30 billion into startups that are at the crossroads of healthcare and technology. While many of these startups focus on assisting hospitals and health systems, more tools like Medcorder could hit the market soon. Mr. Weekly formerly served as the head of product for Google's data center software. The Washington State Health Care Authority has selected AbbVie to supply hepatitis C medication under a subscription-based payment model, the agency announced April 26. Under the terms of the contract, the state will pay a fixed dollar amount to AbbVie for an unlimited supply of hepatitis C drugs. The contract is part of the state's plan to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030. Last month, the state of Louisiana struck a deal with a Gilead Sciences subsidiary to supply hepatitis C medication under a subscription-style payment model. Both Washington and Louisiana plan to start their programs this summer. Health officials are investigating a possible tuberculosis case at HonorHealth Scottsdale (Ariz.) Shea Medical Center, reports ABC15 Arizona. The Maricopa County Public Health Department has not confirmed the diagnosis, but recommended the hospital administer preventive treatment for patients potentially exposed to the disease. Additional information about the potential tuberculosis case was not disclosed. "We understand this news will raise concerns for our patients," Stephanie Jackson, MD, senior vice president and chief quality officer at Scottsdale Shea Medical Center, told ABC15 Arizona. "We empathize with each person and their loved ones, and we are committed to providing appropriate support. The safety of our patients, their families and our staff remains our top priority." France thwarts attack on security forces, arrests 4 Minor who had tried to go to Syria involved (ANSA) - PARIS, APRIL 29 - Four people were arrested on Monday morning in France for planning an attack that was to have been carried out soon against security forces, sources involved in the inquiry said. The arrests were made as part of an investigation into criminal association for terrorist ends. Among those arrested is a minor who had previously been sentenced to 3 years in prison, 2 of which suspended, for attempting to go to Syria. The other three were known to the police for having committed petty crimes. (ANSAmed). The number UK firms in financial distress has risen amid Brexit uncertainty (Chris Radburn/PA) The health of UK companies significantly deteriorated in the first quarter, with businesses in the property sector in particularly bad shape. Data from Begbies Traynor found that at the end of March, 484,000 business were in significant financial distress amid current economic uncertainty. The number of businesses in critical financial distress, often those verging on insolvency, surged by 17% year on year. Property was the worst-hit sector for the second quarter running, amid a fall in the number of people making big-ticket purchases including new homes. The number of significantly distressed companies in the property sector jumped by 13% to 48,182 for the quarter, from 42,512 in the same period the previous year. House prices fell in England for the first time since 2012 in the three months to March 2019, as Brexit uncertainty put off potential home-buyers. Within the sector companies involved in buying, selling and letting properties took the biggest hit, with a 16% rise in the number in significant distress. The construction sector also struggled, with the number of significantly distressed involved in building projects rising 10% to 13,018 for the period. Financial services saw a 5% increase in the number of businesses in significant distress to 12,728, as it was particularly affected by the lack of clarity regarding the UKs exit from the EU. The leisure and culture sectors also suffered, reporting 9% and 4% rises in the number of affected businesses respectively. Julie Palmer, partner at Begbies Traynor, said: Many UK businesses are currently in limbo and deferring major investment decisions. This, combined with consumers holding back on big-ticket purchases, has resulted in increasing significant distress across many sectors. Ric Traynor, executive chairman of Begbies Traynor Group, said: We have heard from businesses that Brexit uncertainty has been a hindrance to business growth and investment. There has already been a number of high-profile firms announcing their decision to invest in other countries, which not only impacts regional economies, but also the SME supply chain. Franciscan Well, one of Ireland's largest craft beer brands, intends on doubling its output to more than 200,000 kegs in the next five years, its founder has said. The business, which was sold to drinks giant Molson Coors in 2012, has invested more than 3m in a brewery in Co Cork with a further investment of just under 1m to come. Founder Shane Long said that its aim was to achieve "sustainable growth in a tough market". The company has just launched its new beer 'Pilgrims'. Read More "We want to go to several more countries. Coors are very strong in Eastern Europe so I'd imagine we'll go there. They've acquired a brewery in Italy and in Spain so I would imagine we'll be following there because there is a route to market," he said. "We went from the equivalent of 7,000 kegs when I was independent in my best year to last year which would have been 90,000 kegs. "A fifth is coming from the UK and growing rapidly." Mr Long, who now works as an adviser to Molson on the Franciscan Well brand, said that he was "living the dream" following the sale of his business seven years ago. "It's a very ambitious plan. That brewery we have has the ability to do 200,000 kegs, but it requires further investment, which they're doing in the form of a canning line and they've invested 3m into it already," he said. "If the growth keeps going the way it is we'll see that in five years, but anything can change. When we took over the warehouse it was 50,000 sq ft and we thought that we would never fill it but now I think we will." The stolen cash machines taken during a raid in Ballymena last week The police response to cash machine thefts across Northern Ireland is being hampered by a policy that means officers responding cannot break the speed limit in a pursuit, it has been claimed. Police officers can only drive faster than the speed limit when they are responding to an emergency situation where they believe there is an immediate and serious risk to life. This means the patrol car that responded to the theft of an ATM in Ballymena was only allowed to travel at 50mph along the dual carriageway outside the Tesco store where it was stolen in the early hours of last Friday. The PSNI was criticised after the gang behind the raid escaped, even though they were seen by officers fleeing the scene. However, one officer said: "The public seems to be under the illusion that police can do whatever speed they like, but that simply isn't the case. "Not only do we have to adhere to the speed limit like every other driver - unless we are responding to a situation where a person is in danger - but there is also technology in our vehicles that monitors the speed at which we are travelling." The officer said the use of the technology, known as Locate, is also slowing response times. He explained: "The fact is that there are speed limits set depending on the vehicle you're driving and there's technology fitted in every car, Land Rover and truck we drive, that constantly monitors our speed. "If we go over that limit it triggers an alert and we have to justify to our bosses why we breached that limit. "Only if we can show that we were responding to a call or situation where we believed a life was in danger will we not get into trouble. "I would imagine that the crew following the stolen ATM didn't reasonably believe any lives were at risk, so it would have meant that they couldn't drive any faster than the speed limit on whatever road they were on." Locate alerts happen if a response officer drives an armoured saloon car at more than 70mph for longer than 60 seconds. The limit is reduced to 50mph when they are driving a Land Rover. PSNI drivers have been reprimanded and disciplined in the past on the basis of evidence provided by the Locate system. The officer added: "When police are tasked to a scene, they are told whether the call is priority or emergency. "Priority calls include reports of domestic abuse with no violence or a burglary in progress where the householder is in the property but not under immediate threat. "In the past, you would have had situations like these where officers would have assessed that it was safe to break the speed limit in order to get to a scene as quickly as possible. "Obviously if you know an elderly lady is in her house during a break-in you want to get there as quickly as possible but, with the introduction of Locate, your hands are tied somewhat. "You can take the chance and drive faster than the speed limit in say a 40 or 50mph zone without triggering Locate, but if you have a crash they will go over the data and you'll have some difficult questions to answer and could even face criminal charges." The PSNI couldn't be contacted for comment at time of publication. A man charged over a spate of armed robberies in east Belfast has no memory of the alleged raids, a court has heard. Aiden McConnell is accused of stealing 21 boxes of diazepam and pregabalin drugs from a pharmacy at Westminster Avenue North last Friday. The 27-year-old, of no fixed abode, also allegedly robbed a shop on Orangefield Lane of 1,000 in cash and 800 worth of cigarettes three days earlier. McConnell is further accused of separate bids to steal cash from a fast food outlet on the Albertbridge Road on April 19 and a Beersbridge Road filling station on April 26. He appeared before Belfast Magistrates' court charged with two counts of robbery and two of attempted robbery. McConnell also faces four counts of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and having Class C drugs with intent to supply. Handcuffed and dressed in a grey tracksuit, he spoke only to confirm that he understood the allegations against him. No bail application was mounted due to the lack of any address. Defence solicitor Hamill Clawson also told the court McConnell was not fit to be interviewed for more than 20 hours after his arrest. When he was questioned an appropriate adult had to be present, the court heard. "In a prepared statement he indicated that he had no memory of any of the incidents, but apologised if he had committed any of the offences," Mr Clawson added. District Judge Fiona Bagnall remanded McConnell in custody to appear again by video-link on May 24. The air quality samples were collected using diffusion tubes situated at over 100 sites then processed and analysed by a laboratory. Poisonous air across Northern Ireland is contributing to illness and early death for many people, it has been claimed. The stark warning comes as an investigation into air quality in Belfast revealed dangerously high levels of pollutants. Levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were so high in some areas that it breached legal limits at 30 sites across the city. Expand Close NO2 is a toxic gas which inflames the lining of the lungs (Green Party/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp NO2 is a toxic gas which inflames the lining of the lungs (Green Party/PA) An environmental group monitored levels of NO2 for several weeks, providing a snapshot of NO2 pollution. NO2 is a toxic gas which inflames the lining of the lungs. The results found levels of NO2 pollution breaching legal limits at 30 sites across Belfast and North Down. The group claimed that particularly high readings were recorded outside the Royal Victoria Hospital and at the Belfast Metropolitan College Millfield Campus. The legal annual limit for NO2 is 40 micrograms per cubic metre, however there are no safe levels of exposure to air pollution. The air quality samples were collected using diffusion tubes situated at over 100 sites then processed and analysed by a laboratory. Expand Close The Green partys Clare Bailey issued a stark warning (Liam McBurney/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Green partys Clare Bailey issued a stark warning (Liam McBurney/PA) The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) test air quality at 18 sites across Northern Ireland with nine in the greater Belfast area. Green Party leader Clare Bailey warned that polluted, poisonous air across towns and cities in Northern Ireland is contributing to illness and early death for many people. She said: This is an important study alerting us to an air pollution emergency across Belfast and beyond. Clean air is a human right, but many of us are breathing in heavily polluted and poisonous air each and every day. Air pollution is often invisible, with residents in heavily polluted areas not realising the extent of the problem and the resulting health impacts. Some of the most concerning levels of NO2 were recorded across inner city working class communities, with heavy traffic prevalent. Expand Close Tests revealed there were dangerously high levels of N02 pollution breaching legal limits at 30 sites (Green Party NI/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Tests revealed there were dangerously high levels of N02 pollution breaching legal limits at 30 sites (Green Party NI/PA) The scientific evidence on the effects of air pollution is well documented and mounting. Respiratory symptoms, asthma prevalence and certain types of cancer can all be attributed to air pollution. New studies have linked the problem with dementia and complications during pregnancy. Urgent action is required to address this public health emergency, Ms Bailey added. NO2 pollution is closely linked with vehicle emissions, particularly diesel engines. A green transport strategy aimed at reducing the number of vehicles on our roads and increasing access to public transport is long overdue. The Department must also commit to increased air quality monitoring. Eighteen testing sites across Northern Ireland is inadequate. Communities are suffering from the poisonous effects of air pollution often without realising the harmful effects of the air they are breathing. I also want to see the introduction of a Clean Air Act which enshrines clean air as a human right and updates the legislation for modern fuels and technologies to reduce harmful air emissions and protect human health and the environment. BEIRUT - Tension is growing between Arabs and Kurds in eastern Syria, in the oil-rich Dayr az Zor region where ISIS was militarily defeated last February after a war that lasted over three years. Syrian sources and media have reported that several demonstrations and sit-ins were staged by Arab residents in several areas of the eastern part of the Dayr az Zor region between the Euphrates and the border with Iraq. Protesters have blocked roads, according to the reports. The area is controlled by Syrian-Kurdish forces backed by the US. Demonstrations started on April 25 and have continued until the last few hours in the areas of Shehil, Basira, Azbeh, Daman and others in the region of Dayr az Zor, where several oil wells are located. The largest is al Omar, which has recently become the headquarter of Kurdish-Syrian forces which, with the backing of the US, have militarily defeated ISIS in the plane of Baghuz, south-east of the main city of Dayr az Zor. The issue of oil, according to local media and sources on the ground, has enraged local Arab residents who complain about a ''Kurdish occupation'' of the area and the ''exploitation of local energy resources for political ends''. This refers to the fact that crude oil over the last few weeks has been transported from the fields of Dayr az Zor controlled by Kurds to western Syrian areas held by the Damascus government. ''The oil of this land is ours and must not go to the regime'', demonstrators were quoted as saying by local media. Protesters have repeatedly blocked roads in the area, setting tires and waste bins on fire, according to the reports. Families of the people who were killed during a disputed series of shootings in the Ballymurphy area of Belfast in August 1971 hold images of their loved ones with supporters outside Belfast Laganside Courts, Northern Ireland, during a new inquest into their loved ones deaths (Liam McBurney/PA) Two former police officers have described witnessing a gun battle between soldiers and unseen men in Belfast. Ex-Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) officers John Jackson and Rolf McGookin were on duty in Springmartin Road on August 9 1971 hours after internment was introduced. They were standing with a crowd of loyalists watching rioting in front of a temporary Army base at Henry Taggart Memorial Hall. Six people were killed in the area that day in a disputed shooting, including a Catholic priest and a mother of eight. Expand Close Photos of those killed at Ballymurphy (Ballymurphy Massacre Committee/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Photos of those killed at Ballymurphy (Ballymurphy Massacre Committee/PA) The episode dubbed the Ballymurphy massacre started on August 9 as the British Army moved into republican strongholds to arrest IRA suspects after the introduction by the Stormont administration of the controversial policy of internment without trial. A new inquest at Belfast Coroners Court is examining the deaths of 10 civilians over three days in the Ballymurphy area from August 9 to 11. Claims that IRA gunmen were in the area at the time have been disputed during the inquest hearings. On Monday, the two retired RUC officers gave evidence in person, while statements made in 1972 were read on behalf of two others who are now dead and one who cannot be traced. Expand Close A poster featuring photos of those killed in the Ballymurphy massacre outside the Royal Courts of Justice, Belfast (Rebecca Black/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A poster featuring photos of those killed in the Ballymurphy massacre outside the Royal Courts of Justice, Belfast (Rebecca Black/PA) Their evidence included claims of seeing an exchange of fire between unseen gunmen and soldiers. Mr McGookin said there were 250-300 loyalists at Springmartin, and described the crowd as initially not hostile. He said that changed when an unknown person shouted the Fenians are attacking from Springfield Park, and the crowd surged forward to a wire fence which divided the two areas and started to climb it. He told the inquest that after a person had been taken from a house in Springfield Park by soldiers, there was talk among the loyalist crowd of lynching that person. Mr McGookin said soldiers fired a number of shots into the air to push back the loyalist crowd, which he described as having turned into a mob. Mr Jackson said shots were fired from the Moyard, Springfield Park and Ballymurphy areas, and soldiers returned fire, but added that he did not see the gunmen. In a statement made in 1972, Constable Rex Thompson described helping the soldiers by directing gunfire at those who he said he believed to be gunmen. Karen Quinlivan QC, acting for the families of some of those killed at Ballymurphy, put to Mr McGookin that witnesses observed an attack at Springfield Park by loyalists in Springmartin that was so ferocious that women, children and the elderly were being evacuated from their homes in the street. She also put to Mr McGookin that a witness had observed RUC officers laughing and joking with the loyalist crowd at Springmartin. He rejected that, saying: We didnt have the numbers to control them. Expand Close Joan Connolly, one of the 11 victims of the Ballymurphy Massacre in west Belfast (Ballymurphy Massacre Committee) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Joan Connolly, one of the 11 victims of the Ballymurphy Massacre in west Belfast (Ballymurphy Massacre Committee) Later on Monday, a former soldier described to the inquest how the Army accommodation was attacked on August 9 1971, initially with petrol bombs, then nail bombs and finally gun fire. To say that the IRA was not in Ballymurphy at the time was a load of rubbish, he told the inquest. The former signaller attached to B Company of the Second Battalion of the Parachute Regiment in 1971, who has been granted anonymity and is referred to as witness M1438, described waking up in the middle of the night to go to the toilet and seeing in the moonlight a number of bodies lined up in the corridor. He said he believes one of the bodies was Joan Connolly, because of facial injuries. The bodies were gone when he woke up later. Michael Mansfield QC, acting for some of the families of those killed, put to M1438 why, as a human being had he not asked anyone about the bodies. M1438 responded: It was the middle of the night, no-one was there, and when asked whether he had inquired about the bodies later that day, he said he had not. The inquest continues. A Co Armagh woman is among only a handful of people in the UK living with an incurable genetic condition that could cause internal 'decapitation' at any time. Amanda McTaggart from Mullaghbawn suffers from a rare genetic connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. It affects her entire body, especially her joints, which all dislocate daily causing extreme pain and discomfort. It is a progressive condition with no cure or specific treatment. It affects all her vital organs and weakens her blood vessels to such an extent they could rupture at any time. Doctors treating Ms McTaggart have already confirmed she suffers from atlantoaxial and craniocervical instability, meaning she is at risk of internal 'decapitation' if certain joints dislocate. Ms McTaggart's pain and discomfort are further exacerbated by a number of other health conditions including mast cell activation syndrome which has resulted in her developing a long list of life-threatening allergies. Among the substances Ms McTaggart has developed an allergy to is morphine, which complicated her care after she was rushed to hospital in January when her neck became unstable. Ms McTaggart is now on a cocktail of medication to help her which includes 36 oral tablets per day and four syringes of liquid pain relief, but doctors have warned that as her condition worsens, she will soon run out of medication options. With NHS funding only available for part of Ms McTaggart's treatment, and few professionals medically qualified to treat her, Ms McTaggart's family recently launched an online fundraiser to cover costs. To date, it has smashed through its 5,000 target and now stands at over 12,000. This money will be used to cover the costs of visits to a specialist in London, although if Ms McTaggart needs life-saving surgery for her neck, the family will need to raise more than 100,000. A family member appealed to the public to assist them in getting Ms McTaggart the medical care she needs, saying: "I'm sure you can all understand that we as a family want and need to help Amanda as much as possible. Amanda has a beautiful wee four-year-old boy that she's not fit to look after on her own at the minute. This is our aim and the aim for Amanda to be able to enjoy seeing her beautiful wee man Ethan growing up. "The specialist doctor confirmed atlantoaxial instability and craniocervical instability. We found out on Friday, January 25, what the results were and what the next step is regarding surgery and treatment as this condition can be fatal with any wrong movement of her neck. "We had found a private physio here in Ireland, who we thought could help Amanda, but they are now saying they are not specialist enough to deal with her case and can't treat her. "Amanda now has to go back to London for another urgent scan and then to see her specialist straight after it. This is combined with his team of specialist neurosurgeons and physios." Unfortunately none of these appointments are NHS funded and Ms McTaggart's family is hoping to raise as much as possible to help fund the next trip to London. "Dr Hakim has basically asked Amanda to come as soon as she can. This is fully depending on funding now," her family said. "If the level of internal decapitation of the top neck joint is bad enough not to be managed with her neck brace and specialist physio alone, Amanda is looking at major surgery. "This spinal neck fusion is only undertaken by two surgeons in the world, one in America and the second in Spain. "This surgery alone is 100,000. So the amount needed may change after this trip. "As a family we can't thank you all enough for all your help in helping us get Amanda to where she needs to be. Which is healthy and with her little man." To contribute to the fun, visit gofundme.com/action-4-amanda A murder inquiry has been launched after a 21-year-old man died from stab wounds following an incident at a house in Crumlin. He was named as Niall Magee, and is believed to have originally been from Twinbrook in Belfast. Emergency services were called to Cairn Walk in the town at around 2.50am on Saturday. The victim was taken to Antrim Area Hospital for treatment. Detective Inspector Michelle Griffin said: "Sadly the man died as a result of his injuries. "I am appealing to anyone who was in the Cairn Walk area and has information which may assist our investigation to contact detectives by calling the non-emergency number 101." Four men aged 19, 24, 25 and 29 were arrested in connection with the incident. Three of the men have now been released on bail pending further police enquiries whilst the 25 year old man remains in custody. Antrim and Newtownabbey mayor Paul Michael said that there were more than a dozen forensic officers attending the incident. "The whole community is shocked and horrified at this dreadful murder," he told the Belfast Telegraph. "A life has been lost and a family left grieving." Expand Close Police forensic officers at scene of murder of Niall Magee Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Police forensic officers at scene of murder of Niall Magee Ulster Unionist Party councillor Mervyn Rea said the murder was devastating news. "It's a blow, but people will come together and get over it," he said. "We don't want any further wrongdoing in this town." Expand Close Police forensic officers at scene of murder of Niall Magee / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Police forensic officers at scene of murder of Niall Magee Sinn Fein councillor Anne Marie Logue expressed her condolences. "This killing of a 21-year-old man in Crumlin has shocked the local community," she said. "Another man is still in hospital following the incident and I hope he makes a full and speedy recovery. A police investigation is now under way and I would encourage anyone with information to bring it forward. Expand Close Police forensic officers at scene of murder of Niall Magee / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Police forensic officers at scene of murder of Niall Magee "My thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of the deceased man at this difficult time." South Antrim/Crumlin IRSP also sent its condolences to the dead man's family. A Co Antrim man who contracted hepatitis C after receiving contaminated blood transfusions has said that victims of the scandal will finally get to reveal "the ugly truth" at a public inquiry this week. Tomorrow marks the start of witness hearings in the contaminated blood inquiry into the treatment of thousands of people in the 1970s and 80s who were given blood products infected with hepatitis viruses and HIV. It has been described as the worst tragedy to ever hit the NHS. Across the UK, at least 2,400 people died as a result of being treated with infected blood products during blood transfusions and other treatments, and around 5,000 people were infected with HIV and hepatitis C. A significant percentage came from Northern Ireland and Wales. Hundreds are still living with the debilitating illnesses and health issues associated with being infected. Simon Hamilton, chairman of Haemophilia NI, described the hearings as a further step in righting the wrongs committed against an unsuspecting community with blood disorders. Glengormley-born Simon and his twin brother Nigel, aged in their late 50s, contracted hepatitis C after receiving contaminated blood transfusions. Today Simon lives with cirrhosis of the liver and must be tested every six months to determine if he has cancer. At Christmas 2017 Nigel was diagnosed with liver cancer, and later had a transplant. The family also lost two cousins infected through transfusions. It is estimated that 4,800 haemophiliacs received contaminated blood. Mr Hamilton said: "Haemophilia NI has campaigned for both haemophiliacs and transfusion victims and families and welcomes the start of the public hearings so that victims can finally tell their stories and help uncover what has happened. "The public inquiry is our last real chance to hear the ugly truth and see justice after too long. "We have all lost friends in this disaster and this will be a moment for them." Watkins & Gunn represents more than 300 victims in Northern Ireland and Wales, many of them core participants. Solicitor Michael Imperato of Watkins & Gunn said: "This inquiry is the only real chance that victims will have to get to the truth and to see justice done at long last. "The voices of all must be heard and I would urge any victim, or family of a victim, to come forward and help us tell your story. The opportunity will never come again." The public inquiry is chaired by Sir Brian Langstaff who has vowed he would "put the people who have been infected and affected at its heart". Witness hearings will commence in London tomorrow, with hearings in Belfast from May 21-25. A 23-year-old man who broke his victim's jaw in a one-punch attack inside a Belfast nightclub must pay him 1,000 compensation, a judge ordered today. Joshua Peoples, of Walnut Green in Larne, Co Antrim, was also given 150 hours community service for inflicting grievous bodily harm. Belfast Magistrates' Court heard Peoples launched the assault while out celebrating the birth of his daughter in April last year. During the course of the evening he got into a discussion with another man at Plastik nightclub on Mays Meadow, according to his lawyers. Peoples then encountered him again later in the dance floor area, punching him once. The victim sustained a broken jaw and required pins inserted for his injuries. Defence counsel Sean Mullan said Peoples has limited recollection of the incident due to the amount of drink taken. But the barrister stressed how his client admitted the grievous bodily harm charge straight away. Mr Mullan added that Peoples has no previous convictions and apologised to the victim. He has shown full remorse for his actions, counsel submitted. Based on the defendant's clear record, Deputy District Judge Gerard Trainor decided to impose community service. He also directed that the injured party is to receive 1,000 compensation. Police at the scene where Jim Donegan was shot dead in Belfast (Niall Carson/PA) A man arrested by detectives investigating the murder of a father outside a school in Belfast has been released unconditionally. Jim Donegan, 43, was shot dead as he waited to collect his 13-year-old son from St Marys Christian Brothers Grammar School in west Belfast in December. Detectives investigating the murder arrested a 63-year-old man at Musgrave police station on Monday morning under anti-terrorism legislation and later released him. Detective Chief Inspector Pete Montgomery said: Jim was brutally murdered as he sat in his car outside a school on the Glen Road in west Belfast on December 4 2018. The fourth March of Life to remember the Holocaust and take a stand against anti-Semitism took place yesterday in Belfast. Members of the Jewish and Christian communities joined together to walk to City Hall from the Jaffe Fountain, erected by Otto Jaffe, Belfast's only Jewish Lord Mayor, in memory of his father Daniel Joseph Jaffe, who funded the building of Belfast's first synagogue. During the walk from the fountain at Victoria Square, the flags of many nations were carried, representing the international aspect of the event. March co-ordinator Mike McNally said: "The concept behind this event is to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish community to commemorate the Shoah, (Holocaust), remembering those who perished and to pay tribute to the survivors, re-telling their stories for generations to come. "We want to say 'Never Again' to this form of hatred and make a public declaration against modern day anti-Semitism, racism, discrimination and xenophobia." Disrupting dissident republican rhetoric needs to be the priority for political leaders in the wake of Lyra McKee's death, former Irish President Mary McAleese has said. She said she believes the murder of the journalist, who was from her native north Belfast, will not stop the violence from groups such as the New IRA largely because of inexperienced political leaders here. "Leaders should be able to push out into the deep, out into place where they know their constituents are nervous about going," Mrs McAleese said. "Leaders need to be able to say: 'This is where we need to go to and I am going to go there and I want you to follow me.' "We are looking at an issue to do with political inexperience and we really don't have the time for them to grow because as we can see the wheels are beginning to come off because of a lack of that experience. "The Good Friday Agreement taught us that the overwhelming majority of people in Northern Ireland are not wedded to the use of violence, they don't want violence in their community. "When I saw that event in St Anne's Cathedral, did I think it was going to change anything, did I think it was going to radically overhaul, did I think it was going to fill in the horrendous vacuum in politics? I am afraid I didn't. "We have been here too many times before but would it be enough to push the political leaders who have stayed out of government for over two years? "If you could embarrass them into it, I don't think we would have been waiting this length of time. "They turned up to a funeral to show what we always knew - that they are opposed to violence - but haven't shown up for over two years to actually enter into talks." Mrs McAleese said the reasons for that are well-known. "It's because of the red lines that have been set, the failure to really enter into the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement, to really make parity of esteem work," she added. Mrs McAleese said the focus for politicians should be breaking the grip of dissident republican groups. She added: "I believe in this moment right now our priority right now is to stop those smug conversations that allow 18 and 19-year-olds who have enjoyed the peace, to allow them to go out with guns." She called on people to "disrupt" those conversations. "The dissidents, who are a small body of people who never subscribed to the Good Friday Agreement, never subscribed to the policy of parity of esteem, never believed in shared government. "They believe that politics don't work and that paramilitarism does. "All around them is evidence that politics is not working in Northern Ireland but that the fact that politics is paralysed, the fact that politics is chaotic is absolutely no excuse to resorting to paramilitarism as an answer to political problems. "They need to get that message from the people around them, from the people who might have been tempted to offer them support." An MP has said it was not his intention to conflate the violent activities of dissident republicans with the Orange Order or the Apprentice Boys of Derry while making a statement in the Commons. It comes after concerns were raised about the MP's comments by DUP MP Gregory Campbell. Glasgow North East MP Paul Sweeney said organisations such as Saoradh the political wing of the so-called 'new IRA' which claimed responsibility for the murder of journalist Lyra McKee the Apprentice Boys and the Orange Order were "the only barriers to peace". He made the comments as Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley updated the Commons on the latest talks aimed at breaking the political impasse and restore the devolved institutions. Read More He said as part of the post Good Friday Agreement generation, he found many were "bemused and offended" by the intransigence of the Northern Ireland political impasse. He told MPs there needed to be more "temperate language" from both sides as they tried to find compromise in order to reach an agreement. He said: "In raising my concerns about Saoradh taking part in a parade in Glasgow this weekend which did take place in the end I was confronted by people who questioned all sorts of motives. The lack of faith, the lack of trust on either side. "Whether I call out the Orange Order and the Apprentice Boys of Derry intimidating Catholics at prayer in Glasgow, whether it's organisations like Saoradh bringing their toxic politics and violence to the city of Glasgow. I call out both sides, because they are the only barriers to peace. "We a bit need more temperate language from both sides and an understanding that, to paraphrase Mo Mowlam, if both sides are willing to compromise, we will get a good outcome. Expand Expand Previous Next Close Paul Sweeney MP Gregory Campbell / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Paul Sweeney MP "That is the way ahead. We need to understand that no one will get everything they want out of these negotiations." Saoradh are a different order of violence from anything that has taken place. The comments caused DUP MP Gregory Campbell to raise his concerns. "When criticising quite rightly, in the view of many, many people the actions of Saoradh, the political wing of murdering terrorists, but he made an oblique comparison with that group of, as I say, murdering terrorists with others who walk on the streets such as the Orange Order and the Apprentice Boys. "That should not go unanswered, and it should be totally and utterly condemned by all right-thinking people." Mr Sweeney again took to his feet in the chamber to address Mr Campbell's comments. "It was not my intention in making that statement to conflate the motives of those organisations," he added. "I was merely reflecting my constituents' concerns, as brought to me, about the intimidation that has taken place in the city of Glasgow, as they see it. I was merely reflecting that. I was not conflating violent acts with anything else. "I abhor the actions of Saoradh, they are a different order of violence from anything that has taken place involving any other organisation in recent times. It was not my intention to cause that degree of offence. "If it has been received in that way, I beg your forbearance for that it was not my intention. "It is important that both sides understand each other if we want to reach a compromise that was merely my intention in raising those concerns. I have had dialogue with both sides on that issue." Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley has insisted there is a "narrow window in which genuine progress" can be made to re-establish devolved powersharing. She would not divulge detail of how the latest talks would work or what the consequences would be of failure, saying this stage was more of encouragement for the parties and getting the process restarted, "before we move into the next part of the year when excuses can be used for not having talks". "There can be no more excuses," she added. She said it was always the intention to resume talks after the local government elections and there was a "real willingness from the parties" for that. Read More The MP said the talks would involve the two governments and the five political parties and in line with the commitments in the Good Friday Agreement. She said there would be an intensive period of preparation before the start of the process between her team and the parties. Mrs Bradley did say she was open to options on the talks format including the appointment of an independent chair to mediate. "Northern Ireland needs its government back up and running for the people of Northern Ireland," she said. Read More The Conservative frontbencher told MPs in Westminster "we must act now" as she outlined her hopes for the forthcoming talks, which have been confirmed by the British and Irish governments following the murder of journalist Lyra McKee. Lyra symbolised the new Northern Ireland and her tragic death cannot be in vain. Giving a statement in the Commons, Mrs Bradley said: "No Government can impose an agreement from the outside. "We need Northern Ireland's political leadership to do everything they can to ensure we emerge with an agreement to restore the executive and build a better future for the people of Northern Ireland. "Both and the UK and Irish governments have been clear that we will do everything in our power to make these talks a success, but we cannot do it alone." She described Ms McKee's funeral as an "incredibly emotional and touching event", adding that "all of us heard a clear message that day". Mrs Bradley said: "No more violence, no more division and no more delay. "Northern Ireland's political leaders must come together now and must work together to stand firm against those who oppose peace and the political process, and work to build a genuinely shared future for all the people of Northern Ireland. "Lyra symbolised the new Northern Ireland and her tragic death cannot be in vain." Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Tony Lloyd said Labour was fully behind efforts to get the Northern Ireland Assembly back up and running but said the Prime Minister has not been as engaged in the process as she needed to be. He added: "Cynics to me in Northern Ireland say that Downing Street's main interest has been the 10 votes of the DUP members in this House, and that sadly prejudices the way that the Secretary of State's own efforts are seen and that has got to change, because the two governments have got to be seen as both independent and impartial." Mrs Bradley did not address Mr Lloyd's concerns about the Prime Minister, but thanked him for his support of renewing dialogue between the parties in Northern Ireland. She added: "I've always said that I wanted to restart talks, but I was realistic that it had to wait until after the local elections. "I'm sad that it took such a tragedy to show the political leaders standing together but I am hopeful and optimistic that we can build on that and the time we have ahead of us after the local elections before we move into the next part of the year when excuses can be used for not having talks. "We need to find no more excuses, the time has come for talks and we need them to start." DUP MP Jim Shannon said "the time has passed for talking shops" and politicians must get back to Stormont to take decisions. He added: "The Northern Ireland Assembly is the only mechanism for getting Northern Ireland back on its feet. No more deadlines, instead getting business done. And that can only be done by returning to Stormont those elected representatives who want to deliver what our people need: legislative change." Mrs Bradley said she agreed the time has come for politicians to get back to Stormont and make the decisions that "people are crying out to be taken". Turkey: UAE official commits suicide in Istanbul jail, media Arrested with colleague for 'spying Arab exiles' (ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, APRIL 29 - One of two United Arab Emirates secret service agents arrested two weeks ago by Turkish police in Istanbul has committed suicide in a jail in Istanbul, Anadolu reported on Monday. The man, who was accused along with his colleague of ''political, military and international espionage'' against a number of exiles from Arab countries, reportedly hanged himself in the prison of Silvri, on the outskirts of Istanbul. The identity of the two suspects has not been released. The case has drawn attention also because authorities have said that they are investigating possible links with the murder of Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last October 2. (ANSAmed) A Co Tyrone-based building firm at the centre of a school safety controversy is suing the Republic's Department of Education for more than 750,000 (647,000) in overdue payments A Co Tyrone-based building firm at the centre of a school safety controversy is suing the Republic's Department of Education for more than 750,000 (647,000) in overdue payments. Western Building Systems (WBS) has initiated legal action in Dublin's Commercial Court seeking the final payments due on eight school building projects. WBS confirmed it had initiated proceedings recently, but would not comment any further. It is understood that the company is seeking what is known as retention money, a feature of construction contacts that allows for the withholding of a final payment as security for satisfactory performance. It is the latest development in a major dispute between the department and WBS over building and safety standards at a number of schools built by the company. It emerged last month that Irish Education Minister Joe McHugh has initiated 19 legal actions in the Republic's Commercial Court, a division of the High Court, against WBS over alleged defects. Last autumn the Department of Education ordered structural checks at 42 schools built by WBS. Three of the schools closed or partially closed to allow for remediation works, 19 needed external precautionary measures but did not have to close, while 19 required no intervention. The checks followed the discovery of "significant structural issues" at Ardgillan Community College, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, which forced the closure of a section of the school. The structural concerns at Ardgillan came to light during remediation work, which followed a fire safety audit conducted over the previous year in 55 schools, including 30 built by WBS. As a result of the audit, extensive remedial issues, such as inadequate fire protection around emergency escape routes, were identified in at least eight of the 55 schools. Former leading barrister Michael Lavery QC, who died last week at the age of 84, was noted not only for his outstanding ability in legal matters, but also for his friendly personality and his help for younger lawyers. A colleague said: "He was highly-respected for his ability as an advocate, and he was also a friendly and affable colleague who was very approachable. "He was a larger-than-life character and a bon viveur who regularly dined with his colleagues on Friday afternoons in Belfast when the business of the courts had ended for the day. "He was a literary person with at times a lyrical approach to his advocacy, and a good sense of humour. "He was also a modest man who carried his considerable gifts lightly." Another younger lawyer said: "Michael always had time for young people at the Bar. "He was a self-deprecating man with a great sense of humour, but he also had a strong spine, a passion for what he did, and a great sense of fairness. "His sad passing should be a time for reflection for us all." Born in 1934, Charles Michael Lavery studied law at Queen's University Belfast and Trinity College Dublin. He was called to the Bar in 1956 and went on to become a QC in 1971. He was an advocate in many high-profile cases during his career of more than six decades. He represented some of the families of the Bloody Sunday victims at the Saville Inquiry, and on one memorable occasion he clashed sharply with the former British Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath. Under intense questioning, Sir Edward condemned as "obscene" a suggestion that he had been more interested in the UK's role in Europe than in the murders in Northern Ireland. In a strong exchange lasting nearly an hour, Sir Edward told Mr Lavery that he objected strongly to his attitude and the tone of his questioning. A former chairman of the Bar Council, his high standing in the profession was confirmed by tributes from top legal figures at the weekend. Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan described him as one of the outstanding advocates of his generation. "His skilful, persuasive style was enhanced by his powerful intellect, and an appropriate level of humour. It made him very effective. Despite the success he achieved in his profession, he was always to the fore in promoting the interests of young lawyers and providing assistance and encouragement to all he encountered," Sir Declan said. "His passing will be deeply mourned by the profession." Current Bar chairman Sarah Ramsey said: "Michael remained in active practice until 2017, and he was the Father of the Bar until his retirement. "He was much-loved and highly respected. "His immeasurable contribution to the Bar throughout his long career will endure, and he will be fondly remembered by us all. "On behalf of the Bar, I would like to express our deepest condolences to his family and friends." The father-of-five was predeceased in 2008 by his German-born wife Dr Anneliese Lavery, who was a well-known GP in west Belfast for more than 40 years. Requiem Mass for Mr Lavery will be held tomorrow at noon in St Brigid's Church, Derryvolgie Avenue, Belfast, followed at 2pm by burial at Roselawn Cemetery. A total of 84 people were wrongly convicted of crimes between 2007 and 2017 More than 9m has been paid to compensate 16 people in Northern Ireland who have had their criminal convictions overturned. Figures show that a total of 84 people were wrongly convicted of crimes between 2007 and 2017, with charges ranging from murder to rape, the BBC reports. Of those 84 people, 12 were serving life sentences when their convictions were quashed. Suspect cases can be referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Case Review Commission (CCRC), which investigates wrongful convictions in the UK. Dr Hannah Quirk, a former case manager at the CCRC, said it is important to note that a wrongful conviction does not necessarily mean a defendant is innocent. "It would be very unusual for the Court of Appeal to say someone is innocent, instead it decides whether any new evidence has come to light that makes a conviction unsafe," she said. "So not all these cases will necessarily be about innocence and more about if the criminal justice system applied the rules fairly at the time and whether or not if the trial happened today that the person would be convicted based on the latest available evidence." One person who was wrongfully convicted is Charlie McMenamin, who was 16-years-old when he was charged with terrorist offences in 1978. He spent three years in prison. It was only in 2007 that the Court of Appeal ruled that he was wrongfully convicted, as he was in a training school at the time he was supposed to have committed his alleged crimes. Mr McMenamin said that he was told that if he fought the charges he could go to prison for 17 years. "I was really reluctant to admit to something I hadn't done, but eventually I just give up because I didn't have faith in the justice system either way," he said. "Jail was tough, I got a lot of beatings. I felt why should I be here, so I just fought against the system. "I was being told I was a political prisoner, but I was saying I wasn't because I was in jail for something I didn't do. So as a teenager I had all those battles going on as well, but you just go into survival mode." "When I came out of jail, everything had changed, friends had moved on. I had a girlfriend, my teenage sweetheart, and in my last year in prison she died of cancer. "Even practical things like travelling, I couldn't go to America and employment was a problem. It had huge impact on the rest of my life." Police released a CCTV image of a man they are keen to speak with in connection with an armed robbery in Dunmurry. The incident happened at a fast food outlet in the Kingsway area on Friday July 27 last year. The image shows a man in a grey tracksuit with navy shoulders and wearing a woolen hat. The man has a goatee beard in the image. Police said: "Anyone who has any information that can assist with the investigation is asked to contact detectives at Musgrave Police Station on 101, quoting reference number 605 29/07/18. Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime." Road barriers were set alight during disturbances in Londonderry at the weekend. Credit: Sandra Duffy Police and firefighters were attacked with bricks and bottles during a weekend of anti-social behaviour in Londonderry. On Saturday night, road barriers were pulled out onto Madams Bank Road and when police responded they were pelted with fireworks and stones. On Sunday night, road barriers were again pulled out onto the Madams Bank Road, one of which was set alight. A set of traffic lights in the area were also set on fire. Firefighters attended the scene but had to withdraw after being attacked by a crowd of youths throwing stones. Police were also attacked with bottles and bricks and a petrol bomb was thrown, but it failed to ignite. PSNI Chief Inspector Jonathan Hunter condemned those responsible for causing "damage and misery" to the community. "I cannot understand what these youths hope to achieve. No one wants this, everyone should be in a position to go about their daily lives and come into the city without worrying about this mindless criminal behaviour. It has to stop," he said. "It is critical that the young people who choose to behave in this way understand their behaviour is unacceptable. Everyone deserves to live in peace and to enjoy their homes and public spaces. "Stop and think about the harm and damage you're inflicting on the community when you choose to be a part of this type of anti-social behaviour. "Not only are you putting yourself in danger by becoming involved in activity such as this you will also face consequences that can be far reaching and can seriously impact on your future opportunities for work, travel and being accepted for university. "You are in effect damaging your own future." Chief Inspector Hunter urged parents and guardians to ensure their children are not caught up in such behaviour. The botched renewable heating scheme was no justification to collapse the Assembly, the Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin (l) said during local government election canvassing in Belfast (Michael McHugh/PA). Northern Irelands botched renewable heating scheme was no justification to collapse the Assembly, the Fianna Fail leader has said. Micheal Martin urged voters in Thursdays local government elections to choose politicians willing to return to powersharing at Stormont. Read More Former coalition partners Sinn Fen and the Democratic Unionists have held endless rounds of negotiations but have been unable to patch up differences over the place of the Irish language and same-sex marriage. Fianna Fail leader @MichealMartinTD : There was never any justification to collapse the Executive. @PA pic.twitter.com/ewHPmyRxw3 michael mchugh (@mmchugh02) April 29, 2019 Mr Martin said: There never was a justification to collapse the executive, in my view. I dont think the heating scheme was a good enough reason to collapse the executive on day one, and I think the issues that are there can be resolved without necessitating the continued absence of an executive and Assembly. He joined Colum Eastwood canvassing voters for SDLP candidates in south Belfast ahead of this weeks poll. In February, SDLP members voted for a partnership with the larger Irish opposition party in an effort to boost flagging electoral fortunes. Mr Martin said: There is an opportunity in the local elections and the European elections for people to let their voice be heard. I think people should indicate that they want people back in the institutions, back in the Assembly, back in the executive. I would always be hopeful that people will see the light of day. Staying out does not work. Former Sinn Fein deputy first minister Martin McGuinnesss resignation early in 2017 in protest at the DUPs handling of the over-spending green energy scheme forced the collapse of the devolved institutions. While same-sex marriage is a live issue between Sinn Fein and the DUP, the Republics citizens overwhelmingly voted in a referendum to legalise it. Mr Martin said the issue was not weaponised in the Republic as a way to attack a political party. At the joint SDLP and Fianna Fail event - 'Shaping Ireland Beyond Brexit' in North Belfast this morning. Strong and ambitious leadership on show with a partnership that aims to bring about real change across the island. pic.twitter.com/sRpRxJG0br Paul Doherty (@PaulDohertySDLP) April 29, 2019 He added: The Assembly here should pass marriage equality, that would be the ideal way to get this resolved quickly. The absence of an Assembly and executive for two years or more has not helped marriage equality and has not brought it one step further. SDLP leader Mr Eastwood said someone needed to legislate. He suggested the petition of concern used to block contentious legislation be suspended and reformed while what he termed marriage equality could be delivered. Has there being no Assembly delivered marriage equality? No it has not. Has there being no Assembly delivered anything around Irish language? No it has not. What has it done? It has led to longer waiting lists, schools being defunded, Brexit happening and us not there to do anything about it. That is the reality. The strategy that Sinn Fein has deployed has totally and abjectly failed, it may be time to think again. A photo of a Sinn Fein team canvassing for Thursdays local election with Shankill bomber Sean Kelly (back row, pale jumper, no glasses) A man whose 13-year-old sister was murdered in the Shankill bombing said last night he had been "sickened" after seeing a photograph of bomber Sean Kelly canvassing for a Sinn Fein candidate in this week's council elections. The photograph, which was taken during canvassing in February, appears on the website of Sinn Fein candidate Taylor McGrann, who is standing for election in the Macedon area of Antrim and Newtownabbey Council. It shows the convicted bomber in the Bawnmore area with Mr McGrann and his canvass team, who include North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly. Nine people - including two children - were murdered in the 1993 bombing. A further 57 people were injured by the blast. At the time the IRA claimed they were targeting loyalist paramilitaries they wrongly believed were meeting in rooms above Frizzell's fish shop. Kelly - who was himself seriously injured in the explosion he caused - was found guilty of the attack and sentenced to nine life terms. He was released in 2000 under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. His accomplice Thomas Begley also died when the bomb exploded. One of Kelly's victims was Leanne Murray, who had just celebrated her 13th birthday. She had been out shopping with her mother Gina. The teenager had popped into the fishmongers to buy some whelks, while her mother was in another shop. Last night Leanne's brother Gary Murray (40) told the Belfast Telegraph: "I am very concerned about this. "This is the second time I've seen a photograph of him (Kelly) canvassing for Sinn Fein. "I'm really sick to the stomach with it. "I feel disgusted by it. "I told my mum Gina about the photo last night, and she wasn't at all happy. "I've a lot of questions to ask. "Why is a convicted multiple murderer of men, women and children allowed to roam the streets putting stuff through people's doors? "Questions have to be asked. "This is a convicted multiple murderer running about the place like he's done nothing wrong. "It's like he's rubbing our noses in it, going, 'Ha ha look at me'. "When I saw him standing in that photograph, he seems all happy. "But my mum's not happy, because of what he did. "I don't think it's very fair at all." Last year Kelly offered an apology for the bombing, describing it as an "IRA operation that went tragically wrong". Speaking at a commemoration for Begley held at Milltown Cemetery in Belfast, he said: "I am truly sorry for the loss of life and injuries suffered on that day, but there is nothing I can say that can bring any comfort to the families of the victims." Sinn Fein has yet to respond to a request for comment. Staff at a petrol station were threatened at knifepoint during an armed robbery in Co Antrim. The armed robbery happened at around 10.30pm on Sunday when two men entered a petrol station on Upper Road in Greenisland and forced staff to open the till. The pair jumped over the counter and stole cash and cigarettes before making off in a blue Rover 25, which was later found burnt out on Townsend Street. One of the suspects is described as being around 5'10" and of medium build. He was wearing a balaclava, a black coat with a grey hood, black trainers and dark trousers with high-vis stripes on each leg. The other suspect is described as being around 5'10" and of medium build. He was wearing a black Adidas top with grey stripes and white trainers. Anyone with any information regarding the armed robbery has been urged to contact police on 101, quoting reference 1272 28/04/19. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. (by Patrizio Nissirio) ROME - Many in recent weeks have written that the upcoming European Parliament elections will be the first to be a true competition involving the entire EU instead of simply an exercise to verify internal equilibriums within individual countries. Looking at the lists at the continental level, one finds several transnational candidates such as Olga Nassis, who is running in Greece on Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras's party Syriza. Sicilian with roots in Greece, Nassis told ANSAmed that she has a ''Mediterranean identity''. ''I am an anthropologist,'' she said. ''I started off with research into Greekness in Albania. I have two children, one of whom is 14 and makes comics, and who in the past had problems at school for defending a schoolmate against bullies. The other is in his first year of an engineering course at university. My mother is Sicilian with Greek origins. The family of my father is entirely from the (Greek) region of Epirus: my grandmother is from Ioannina and my father from Parakalamos.'' She went on to note that ''in Sicily I organized struggles against oil pollution and exploitation of the territory and I wrote in the anti-mafia newspaper 'I Siciliani'. I was also given an anti-mafia award named after Turiddu Carnevale.'' The history of the Nassis family ''is linked to the history of Greece'', she said. ''My great-grandfather fought against the Turks, my grandfather against the Germans, as a partisan, as well as against those exploiting farmers like the secretary of the AKE (Greek Farmers Party), exiled and tortured for 11 years. My father, under the colonels, sought refuge in Italy in 1968. My flag is that of stopping Neo-fascism.'' Since 2015, Nassis has been presiding over Greek communities and associations in Italy and opted to run in Greece as part of a European perspective. ''I am with Syriza because it brought Greece back to the center of European politics. The Greeks have shown in these difficult years what dignity and 'the people' mean, and Syriza was worthily and skillfully at the front of this. I am Greek and thus I am European, because I speak the language of the Mediterranean, because I am the daughter of a population that made Europe, that mixes without fear within a values system that is generous, not egoistic. Because it is unfair that a girl in Sweden can work or study and another in Sicily or Athens must give up and leave. We must remake a Europe that is deeply democratic, solidarity-based, peaceful, and fundamentally human.'' ''I speak two strong, profound languages that are divided only by a shore,'' she said. ''For the past three thousand years Italy and Greece have been enlivening all of Europe. The Italy that I grew up in is Magna Grecia and my language is that of the Mediterranean. The South, the Mediterranean, is the heart of Europe. It is the center of the social issue, in which we must intervene first. Migration is a gift and not a source of fear. Nationalities should unite, while nationalism kills. Walls make us poor and diversity is wealth.'' (ANSAmed). An assault and a robbery carried out in the space of just a few hours in Belfast over the weekend may be linked, police have said An assault and a robbery carried out in the space of just a few hours in Belfast over the weekend may be linked, police have said. A man in his 60s was assaulted in Donegall Square North at around 7pm on Saturday. A shop on North Queen Street was then robbed by two men at 12.30am yesterday. Police believe a Taser stun gun may have used in each incident. The man was assaulted in the vicinity of Belfast City Hall by an unknown male. It was reported the suspect pinned the victim to the ground before punching him and then fleeing on foot. Police believe a Taser stun gun may have been used by the suspect during the attack. Detective Sergeant Eric Fairfield said: "This must have been an extremely distressing ordeal for the victim who was treated at the scene by staff from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. "The suspect is described as being of a heavy build, with black hair and thought to be aged in his late 20s. "He is reported to have worn a red Adidas tracksuit top that was zipped with a white hood underneath, black tracksuit bottoms with white stripes down the side and white trainers. "Our enquiries are at an early stage. "I would appeal to anyone who saw what happened to get in touch with us." Police are also appealing for information following the report of a robbery at North Queen Street. Two men entered the shop, one of whom was armed with what was described as a Taser stun gun. They threatened a member of staff before fleeing with a sum of money. The staff member was not injured but was left shocked by the ordeal. Detective Sergeant Fairfield said: "One of the suspects is described as being tall and wore a red and white Adidas jacket, green shorts, white trainers and had his head and face covered. The second suspect is described as wearing a blue/green-coloured jacket with white stripes on the sleeves, grey knee-length shorts and had his face covered. "We believe these two incidents may be linked. "I want to appeal to anyone who has information about either of them and which may assist our investigation, or who witnessed either incident, to call detectives at Musgrave PSNI statoin on the non emergency number 101, quoting reference number 38 of 28/04/19 or 1044 of 27/04/19." The arson attack happened on Conyngham Street in Moneymore in the early hours of Monday morning. Credit: Google Maps Three children have escaped injury in an arson attack in Co Londonderry. Police said a car parked outside a house on Conyngham Street in Moneymore was deliberately set alight at around 3.30am on Monday. The car was destroyed and the house was also damaged. A couple and their three children were inside the house at the time, but were uninjured. Anyone with any information regarding the arson attack has been urged to contact police on 101, quoting reference 149 29/04/19. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Two 14-year-old boys have pleaded not guilty to murdering Anastasia Kriegel in Dublin last year. One of the boys also pleaded not guilty to the aggravated sexual assault of the 14-year-old, whose body was found at a derelict farmhouse in Lucan, Co Dublin, almost a year ago. The boys cannot be identified because of their age. The jury has been selected for the trial which is expected to last up to six weeks. Expand Close Dublins Central Criminal Court (Niall Carson/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Dublins Central Criminal Court (Niall Carson/PA) Both boys sat beside their guardians at the Central Criminal Court on Monday where they were accused of murdering the schoolgirl at Glenwood House in Lucan on May 14 last year. Anastasias naked body was discovered at the derelict house three days later. Both boys were 13 at the time. Mr Justice Paul McDermott told the jurors to ensure they are not connected to the case. If you have a connection with those events you should not serve on this jury, he added. Expand Close Anastasia Kriegel (Family handout/PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Anastasia Kriegel (Family handout/PA) He said the case was covered by the media during the investigation, adding: If there is any element you feel may prevent you from an independent assessment and judgment arising from any knowledge you may have, you should bring that to my attention. He warned that the case involves the allegation of murder and aggravated sexual assault and added: They involve young people so that may make it more upsetting than other cases of this kind. These are serious offences. More than 130 witnesses including gardai, forensic experts and doctors are due to give evidence. Justice McDermott reminded the jury that the accused are entitled to have their identities protected and it is an offence for anyone to broadcast or publish their details. He also warned the jurors not to disclose any details of the case they have heard. He added that any publication of the boys identities would be contempt of court. A jury of eight men and four women were sworn in to hear the trial. The opening statements are expected to be heard on Tuesday. Police at the scene of the shooting of T2 Trainspotting actor Bradley Welsh (Andrew Milligan/PA) CCTV images have been released of a car police believe is connected to the death of T2 Trainspotting actor Bradley Welsh. Mr Welsh, 48, was shot as he walked down the stairs to his Edinburgh flat on April 17 and a murder investigation was launched. Officers have issued photographs of a grey Ford Kuga SUV and are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the vehicle. Expand Close Ford Kuga police believe was used in connection with the death of Bradley Welsh (Police Scotland/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ford Kuga police believe was used in connection with the death of Bradley Welsh (Police Scotland/PA) It was in William Street at around 7.30pm before the incident and then driven through the city, arriving at Kaimes Avenue in Kirknewton at around 9pm. The vehicle was recovered by police on Saturday the April 20, when it had the registration number CX68XVV. Detective Superintendent Allan Burton from Police Scotlands major investigation team said: We are still undertaking significant lines of inquiry in our investigation and would now like to ask for assistance from the public in helping us establish the movements of this Ford Kuga. We want to hear from anyone who saw the vehicle in and around Chester Street prior to the incident. This will help us identify any occupants and the route taken prior to arriving in Kirknewton. If you believe you have information about the Ford Kuga, those who utilised it, or anything else that may be of relevance to our ongoing inquiries then please come forward. Police confirmed on Wednesday that a second man was arrested over the death and he has been released pending further inquiries. It came a day after officers revealed a first man had been arrested over the incident. He was released pending inquiries. Mr Welshs partner and young daughter were at home in the Chester Street flat when he was targeted at around 8pm on April 17, sparking a murder investigation. The Duchess of Cambridge has been made a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order by the Queen. Gareth Fuller/PA Wire The Duchess of Cambridge has been awarded a prestigious honour by the Queen in recognition of her efforts supporting the head of state. The Queen has made Kate a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order on the day she celebrates her eight wedding anniversary. The Queen has been pleased to make the following appointment to the Royal Victorian Order. https://t.co/34sJOY8WYt The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 29, 2019 Awards under the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) are made personally by the Queen, not on the recommendations of Downing Street, for services to the sovereign. The RVO has five classes from member to Knight or Dame Grand Cross, and Kate follows in the footsteps of the Duchess of Cornwall, who received the same honour in the Queens 2012 Diamond Jubilee year. 8 years ago today thank you for your lovely messages on The Duke and Duchess of Cambridges wedding anniversary! pic.twitter.com/jDiIk7bs2V The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) April 29, 2019 It is likely the honour recognises Kates work over the past eight years as a member of the monarchy. She has championed her own causes like supporting the early years development of children, travelled the Commonwealth on behalf of the Queen and raised awareness about mental health with William and the Duke of Sussex. The honour also reveals the esteem in which Kate is held by the Queen and reflects her growing prominence as a senior member of the royal family. Expand Close The Queen and Kate visiting Kings College London (Paul Grover/Daily Telegraph/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Queen and Kate visiting Kings College London (Paul Grover/Daily Telegraph/PA) The monarchys official website says about the duchess: She has been hugely inspired by the leadership the Queen has provided for over 60 years and will continue to play her part in supporting and celebrating the Queen in the UK and around the Commonwealth wherever possible. Kate has joined the Queen at national events like the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, celebrating the Queens official birthday at Trooping the Colour and joining members of the monarchy to welcome visiting heads of state. William and Kate wed on April 29 2011 at Westminster Abbey and now have three children Prince George, Prince Charlotte and Prince Louis. Expand Close Kate at East Anglias Childrens Hospices in Quidenham, Norwich (Adrian Dennis/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kate at East Anglias Childrens Hospices in Quidenham, Norwich (Adrian Dennis/PA) Over the past eight years the duchess has developed her own public interests, from becoming patron of the National Portrait Gallery and Natural History Museum to becoming royal patron of East Anglias Childrens Hospices. Royal tours undertaken on behalf of the Queen have taken William and Kate from Tuvalu in the South Pacific to Canada, India and America. The Scottish Government has announced a 30 million investment for the rental market (Yui Mok/PA) The Scottish Government has announced it will provide 30 million of funding to help boost the number of properties being built for private rent. Investment will be provided to Edinburgh property group Sigma through the Building Scotland Fund, which was set up last year to provide loans at commercial rates as a precursor to the Scottish National Investment Bank. The 30 million will contribute towards a 43 million Scottish Private Rental Sector Fund set up by Sigma to increase the number of rental properties in Scotland. It is estimated the funding will enable an additional 1,800 properties to be built for private rent across the country. We want people to have the security to make that house their home.Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: Renting accommodation is becoming a long-term option for many people, at many stages of life, for example when starting a family or when retiring. We want everyone who rents to be able to live in a house that suits their needs and in an area where they want to live, including near family, friends or schools. We want people to have the security to make that house their home whether they are looking for a house for three years or 30 years. She added: The Private Residential Tenancy already offers greater security for tenants, balanced with appropriate safeguards for landlords and investors. These additional new properties to the sector can give people long-term security and the confidence they are renting from an experienced, professional management company. The additional long-term stability these properties provide will make a huge difference for many households, especially those wanting to create a family home and settle into a community. @NicolaSturgeon: "Starting later this year and running until the end of this parliament, we will offer first-time buyers loans of up to 25,000 to fund or top up their deposit. That is your SNP government building a fairer Scotland for the next generation." #SNP19 The SNP (@theSNP) April 28, 2019 Graham Barnet, Sigma chief executive, said: We are delighted to have the support of the Scottish Governments Building Scotland Fund. Our approach to housing delivery has been working extremely well in England and is helping to deliver thousands of new houses for the private rental market. We see significant demand for our high-quality, professionally managed homes in Scotland and look forward to using this new fund to assist in addressing Scotlands housing needs. We are also continuing to explore other opportunities to extend our business model. The planned investment follows First Minister Nicola Sturgeons comments at the SNP conference in Edinburgh that a 150 million scheme would be established to provide loans to help first-time buyers with deposits. The scheme would offer first-time buyers loans of up to 25,000 to fund or top up their deposit. The scene of the booby-trap bomb in London that claimed Airey Neave's life in 1979 A police investigation has been reopened into the INLA assassination of Tory MP Airey Neave following a campaign by a DUP MP to have the case re-examined. Scotland Yard is following up on "new work" in relation to the murder of Mr Neave 40 years ago. The development, which was reported yesterday by the Sunday Times, comes after the DUP's Jeffrey Donaldson lobbied the Government in a bid to bring those responsible for Mr Neave's killing to justice. Last month he wrote to UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid in a bid to have the case reopened in order to ensure terrorists responsible for Troubles killings do not escape justice. The fresh bid was prompted by the controversial decision by the Public Prosecution Service to charge Soldier F with two murders in connection to Bloody Sunday. Conservative MP Airey Neave was fatally wounded when a booby-trapped vehicle he was being driven in exploded as he was being driven from the House of Commons underground car park on March 30, 1979. His murder sent shockwaves through the political establishment and was later admitted by the INLA. Before his untimely death at the age of 63, the Second World War hero was shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland under Margaret Thatcher and was poised to occupy the role proper. Sir Jeffrey has previously described the killing of Mr Neave as an "assault on democracy in the United Kingdom". "In the wake of the decision to prosecute a member of the Parachute Regiment for the shootings in Londonderry, it highlights again the need for the Government to be proactive in pursuing those who were responsible for terrorist murders," he said. Specifically he appealed for Mr Javid to outline what steps the UK is taking to extradite a suspect in the Tory MP's murder from Spain. In March it emerged that an INLA fugitive believed to be connected to the 1979 killing is running a Celtic-themed pub on the popular Spanish tourist island of Majorca. Harry Flynn (65), who was named in court in 1982 as chief of the INLA, now runs the Celts Well pub in Santa Ponsa. The establishment reportedly flies the terror group's emblem and has memorabilia glorifying republican terrorists on open display. Flynn was in the INLA from 1975 and that same year he was charged with stealing 3,500 in an armed bank robbery in Belfast. The following year he escaped from the Maze Prison before his trial. Five years later he was caught rioting in Dublin and was jailed for 18 months. He was sentenced to five years in France in 1986 for illegally importing 70,000 of weapons. Britain tried to extradite him in 1987 but failed as his crime was deemed political. He is believed to have been living in Santa Ponsa since around 1998. According to the Sunday Times, Mr Flynn could be questioned in connection to the murder. The newspaper also reported that the bar landlord refused to comment on his activities with the INLA. The three are expected at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Monday (Andrew Milligan/PA) Three people have been charged after heroin worth more than 50,000 was seized in Aberdeen. Police stopped a vehicle as it tried to board a vessel at the Ferry Terminal, Jamieson Quay, on Sunday. Drugs with an estimated street value of around 50,000 were recovered. A 41-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man, both from Glasgow, have been charged and are anticipated to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Monday. There will be no let up from Police Scotland in our commitment to tackling the illegal supply of drugsDetective Sergeant Andy Wilson Officers have also charged a 49-year-old local man following the recovery of heroin with a street value in the region of 2,000 from Guild Street on Friday. He is anticipated to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court today on Monday. Detective Sergeant Andy Wilson said: The illegal supply of drugs spreads misery and harm in our communities and the last few days has seen a significant quantity of illegal drugs being removed from circulation. There will be no let up from Police Scotland in our commitment to tackling the illegal supply of drugs and associated antisocial behaviour. Socialists win in Spain but without majority PP plunges, far-right Vox goes from 0 to 24 seats (by Anna Lisa Rapana) MADRID - Spain's governing Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) won the country's general election held on Sunday. The party, led by Pedro Sanchez, came out far ahead of Partido Popular (PP), which plunged to a historic low. Also historic is the entrance into Parliament of the far-right party Vox with 24 seats, as is the record 75.7% turnout. Spain has found itself without a clear majority to form the next government, however, and parties supporting regional independence may once more play a key role in complex mix of alliances likely to be formed. ''PSOE has won the elections and in so doing won the future and lost the past,'' was the first comment by the prime minister. The vote gave Sanchez the popular mandate that he had been lacking, having arrived at the head of the government after the scandal-ridden government under Mariano Rajoy fell. The PM led the PSOE to win like it hadn't for 11 years. Celebrations erupted on the street outside the party headquarters in Madrid immediately after the announcement, with a rash of flags and songs. However, Sanchez's task will be difficult. Despite having 123 seats out of 350 - double that of the PP, which was the true losing party in this election, having cut its participation in the parliamentary body down by half and now holding only 66 seats - the socialist leader nonetheless does not have enough to form a left-wing coalition with a clear majority, since with the 35 seats that Podemos managed the two add up to only 158. Addressing the pro-independence front would simply confirm accusations wielded by the opposition, which is now Vox. Many have also noted that the 'Pandora's vase' of independence movements had in recent years led to the creation of Vox. Starting Sunday morning, Vox leader Santiago Abascal had been talking about a 'historic day' and that their 'victory' was almost assured. He had praised the fact that the taboo of the far-right would finally be broken, after being left out of politics since 1982: and thus not having taken part in the entire democratic history of the country. With the ballot counting almost over, in the evening and with 24 seats in hand, Abascal said in Madrid that ''we can say to all of Spain that Vox is here to stay''. ''This is only the beginning,'' he added. The final results were slightly different from the exit polls, but from 0 to 24 is nevertheless a success. Vox has clearly made it mark among those seeking a strong message about defending the unity of the country, even despite fears that some of its radical positions have raised. ''Once in Parliament they will tone it down,'' many claim. And while Catalan pro-independence supporters may have a decisive say once again, Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias confirmed after the results that he is willing to work on forming a government coalition with Sanchez. (ANSAmed). The US has delivered a fresh warning that there is no safe level of involvement by Chinese tech giant Huawei in the 5G networks of Western powers. Robert Strayer, the deputy assistant secretary for cyber at the State Department, said any role for the firm in building a nations 5G network posed an unacceptable risk to security. His comments came after Theresa May was reported to have given the green light for Huawei to provide non-core elements of the UK network, overriding concerns of a number of senior ministers. In an online briefing for journalists, Mr Strayer said that even allowing an untrustworthy operator into the edges of the network created risks of espionage or sabotage. Having potentially compromised equipment and software in any part of that network is an unacceptable riskRobert Strayer, US State Department He said the US would have to reassess its intelligence-sharing arrangements with any country which allowed such a firm to become involved in building its network. Having potentially compromised equipment and software provided by vendors in any part of that network is an unacceptable risk, he said. It is our position in the United States that there is no way that we can effectively mitigate the risk to having an untrustworthy vendor in the edge of the network. We should be concerned about all parts of the 5G network. No part of the 5G network should have parts or software coming from a vendor that could be under the control of an authoritarian government. He said the increasing use of software in the new networks for tasks previously carried out by computer hardware increased the attack area for attempted interference, while 5G would create vast quantities of new data. The temptation will be there to come after that data and use it for illicit purposes. What we really have here is a loaded gunRobert Strayer The temptation will be there to come after that data and use it for illicit purposes, he said. What we really have here is a loaded gun. It is something Western democracies who value human rights should think very carefully about if they want to give that to an authoritarian regime with very different values about the uses of data. If other countries allow untrusted vendors to build out and and become the vendors for their 5G networks we will have to reassess the ability for us to share information and be interconnected with them in the ways that we are today. Exactly how that will be done will depend on the risk of the equipment that is put into the networks. The latest US intervention will heighten the pressure on Mrs May, with many Conservative MPs concerned by the implications of allowing a Chinese firm access to the UKs critical communications network. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: Our position has always been that where national security concerns arise in any foreign investment the Government will assess the risks and consider what course of action to take. Expand Close Jeremy Hunt (Stefan Rousseau/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jeremy Hunt (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, one of the ministers said to have raised objections about Huaweis involvement, said the Government needed to be wary in coming to a final decision. We are right to have a degree of caution about the role of large Chinese companies because of the degree of control the Chinese state is able to exercise over them in the way that would not be possible if they were large Western companies, he told The Daily Telegraph. That doesnt mean to say that their role is automatically malign, but there are things like the 2017 law which requires all Chinese companies, whatever their ownership, to co-operate with Chinese intelligence services on any occasion. A hunt is continuing in Whitehall for whoever leaked details of last weeks National Security Council meeting when Huawei was discussed to the Telegraph. Mr Hunt confirmed he had been questioned by officials as part of the probe ordered by Cabinet Secretary and National Security Adviser Sir Mark Sedwill, and said he would be prepared to hand over his phone for examination. I would be very happy for anyone to look at my phone, as would my trusted special adviser, he said. Fire has raged through the top floors of a 21-storey residential building in the Philippine capital, killing an elderly woman and injuring five other people. Firefighters battled the blaze at the Pacific Coast Plaza condominium in Paranaque city, Manila, where a woman was found dead in the upper floors. A firefighter was treated for fatigue. Expand Close Fire in the top floors of the 21-storey Pacific Coastal Plaza condominium in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila (Bullit Marquez/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Fire in the top floors of the 21-storey Pacific Coastal Plaza condominium in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila (Bullit Marquez/AP) Investigators will inspect the floors gutted by the fire, which was put under control about three hours after it started. The fire apparently began in or near the rubbish chute that runs from the top to the ground floor, Mayor Edwin Olivarez said. At the height of the fire, dark smoke billowed from the mid-section of the top five floors, leaving a black stain on the white facade of the building, which Mr Olivarez said was built more than two decades ago. Many Chinese citizens have moved into the condominium in recent years, he said. Expand Close A firefighter rescues a dog from the scene (Bullit Marquez/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A firefighter rescues a dog from the scene (Bullit Marquez/AP) Fire officials say more than 100 fires have hit the Philippine capital this summer, more than in the previous year, mostly because of faulty electrical connections and unattended candles and gas lamps. The Philippines has a poor safety record blamed on weak enforcement of regulations and past corruption. A nightclub fire killed 162 people, mostly students celebrating the end of the school year, in suburban Quezon City in the capital in 1996. Many of the victims were unable to escape because the emergency exit was blocked by a new building next door. The most striking image from Lyra McKee's funeral was the standing ovation when the priest at St Anne's Cathedral, Fr Martin Magill, begged politicians in the congregation, including former First Minister Arlene Foster and Sinn Fein deputy leader Michelle O'Neill, to make her murder "a doorway to a new beginning". The week duly ended with Secretary of State Karen Bradley and Tanaiste Simon Coveney standing together in Stormont to announce a new start date for talks to end the political stalemate, with both insisting that "the excuses need to end". The joint message was clear - let the murder of this innocent young woman be the last atrocity. "We owe that to the memory of Lyra, in particular, but to many others too," declared Coveney with grim-faced determination. The mood in the country since Lyra's murder has presented a powerful narrative of hope and renewal and one with a seductive simplicity for the national British and southern Irish media, which, confused by detail, just wants a simple morality tale. But isn't there something slightly cynical about the way that politicians in London and Dublin have picked up and run with the challenge laid down by Fr Magill last week, as if they are the only adults in a room filled with unruly, disobedient children? Seeing Bradley and Coveney standing in Stormont, urging a return to reasonableness, a gullible onlooker could be forgiven for thinking that the deadlock had nothing whatsoever to do with them. How much is the reconvening of talks about ring-fencing the two of them from blame for the collective failure to find a solution as it is about, well, finding a solution? The Tanaiste's manner was particularly haughty. In Dublin he also holds the office of Minister for Foreign Affairs, in which capacity he has responsibility for Northern Ireland affairs. How convenient that his own government's role in stoking nationalists' sense of grievance since taking office is being conveniently forgotten. From the start Coveney was criticised by unionists for his "clumsy" and "aggressive" interventions, not least by raising the spectre of joint authority when talks teetered, forcing the British Government to reiterate that Northern Ireland sovereignty was not up for auction. Coveney has resisted the urge to repeat his demand that "there can be no British, only direct rule", but it would have shown some welcome humility, as he chided the local parties for their political failings, to admit that he had made serious mistakes of his own. Instead, he played the headteacher, ticking off the class dunces for letting everyone down. In the Secretary of State's case, she's more like a supply teacher with zero authority who continually issues threats which the class knows will never be carried out. Her culpability lies in presiding over a year and more of stagnation since she took office in the middle of the crisis. Bradley cannot, in all good conscience, now stand there and pretend that her own government has not enabled the naysayers, not least because it relies for its survival on one of the parties in the stand-off. The DUP and Sinn Fein deserve every criticism for digging in their heels since former Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness recklessly collapsed the power-sharing Executive in January 2017. There could have been an agreement on the question of an Irish Language Act last February if Arlene Foster had stood firm against her own critics. Likewise, for Sinn Fein to keep pretending that it's reasonable to link the return of devolved government with same-sex marriage and abortion is beyond absurd. The Republic only enshrined those rights comparatively recently. It's a bit rich to now act as if not having them yet in Northern Ireland is an affront too far. We'll get there in time. While it's satisfying to see party leaders squirm when called out on their self-indulgent stubbornness, there is another elephant in the room, though, and that's the fact these are still the parties which command the largest support in Northern Ireland and will most likely continue to do so at the coming local and European elections. In the 2017 Assembly elections the DUP and Sinn Fein jointly garnered 56% of the vote. In the Westminster election a few months later that rose to over 60%. That's more than half-a-million votes. Every DUP voter knew the party would continue to hold fast against a standalone Irish Language Act and every Sinn Fein voter knew that the party would likewise hold out for one, to the neglect of more urgent issues, such as health. Time and again those offering alternatives to this dysfunctional duopoly have been rejected at the ballot box. When the message goes out that "the excuses need to end", perhaps it's voters as well as elected representatives who need to heed it. For good and bad, they're a part of who we are. The electorate can't be entirely blamed for making bad choices. The way the power-sharing Executive was set up by the Belfast Agreement made it inevitable that support would leak to whichever of the parties each side deemed strong enough to stand up to the other. Power goes to the last two standing, so voting for a smaller party, urging compromise, ultimately risks weakening either unionism or nationalism. Why take the risk? Within a few short years, voting for the hard man in the room became the predictable norm, even as those who warned that this would happen were dismissed as doomsayers. How to break that cycle remains the unanswerable question. TUV leader Jim Allister talks about making Stormont a coalition of the willing, by allowing any parties which can find agreement with one another to form a government, as they would in any other representative system. If that excludes either of the two main parties, then so be it. That's democracy. Would it work? Arguably not. But we'll never know, because London and Dublin refuse to countenance changing how the system works - or, rather, how it doesn't. For that, they're as guilty as the parties themselves of encouraging this endless merry-go-round. It could be that this moment will be different. One positive development is that the smaller parties, such as the UUP, SDLP and Alliance, will now be invited along to talks, when before they were excluded. They should never have been left outside the door. That may shift the dynamic back towards accommodation, rather than inflexibility, but, if it doesn't, then it would be dishonest not to admit we're all partly responsible - not just those who it's politically advantageous to blame in the emotional aftermath of Lyra McKee's murder. I was at services in two churches and a synagogue last week. I've written a lot about my lovely friend Lyra McKee so I won't say much about Wednesday's widely-reported inter-denominational thanksgiving service in Belfast Cathedral. It was brilliantly put together and the tributes did her justice, but I'm one of those who thought it inappropriate to applaud in church. Yes, I clapped too, and stood for Father Martin Magill's ovation, because if everyone else is doing so it seems like a mark of disrespect not to follow suit, but it made me uneasy. And I'm with those who are unhappy about the pillorying of politicians who had turned up to honour her memory and found themselves in the stocks. But the portraits of Lyra were inspirational - particularly the evidence of how she made innumerable friends by ignoring religious, political, tribal and numerous other barriers, and how her instincts were always to help the most vulnerable by finding the truth. The Thursday funeral, at a Hertfordshire cemetery, was of another clamberer across barriers, senior English Orangeman Mike Phelan, whom I met in 1997 in Belfast when I was researching a book on the loyal institutions. He became an invaluable source and a very good friend, whose Yorkshire bluntness and talent for hilarious one-liners made him great company. In 1971, aged 20, at the time three young Scottish soldiers were callously murdered by the IRA, he was, he said, "a bit of a thug", walking around Sheffield "with a Rangers scarf tied round the head, a leather jacket and lots of Red Hand badges on the front ready to attack anyone who sounded like a Fenian". But having joined the Orange Order he came under the influence of the prayers and the Bible at lodge meetings, "so I abandoned the physical force idea and started to think more constructively". Mike made his living as an accountant, was a devoted husband and father and a senior member of many friendly and fraternal societies, but at his core was his deep Christian faith (he called his first son John Calvin). Yet, as his long-time friend, Orangeman Richard Harvey, explained at the service, he "was devoid of bigotry and fully committed to the civil and religious liberty which was the founding principle of the Glorious Revolution of 1688". Although a unionist and devoted to Ulster, Mike greatly valued his Kilkenny heritage - along with history and Shakespeare, his passions included Irish music, literature and hurling. He wrote prolifically and gave many talks on loyal institutions, Protestantism, the Union and military history, and his work matters not just because he was so well read, intelligent and articulate, but because he was so truthful. Aileen Quinton, the victims' campaigner whose mother was murdered in Enniskillen in 1987, remembered him "saying he got so angry about Sinn Fein distorting Irish history and basically lying about past events, that he decided he would play them at their own game and lie back, 'but in the end, I love history and the truth too much and I just couldn't do it. I have to content myself with telling the truth'". Mr Harvey mentioned to the predominantly Orange audience that Mike's wide circle of friends included me and the late Sean O'Callaghan, IRA killer turned anti-terrorist, telling a story of the two of them walking by the Assyrian Church of the East in Westminster Road, with Mike initiating a discussion about this obscure sect that split from mainstream Christendom before the fifth century. On Saturday I was at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in St John's Wood where a pair of 15-year-old twins I've known since birth were participating in the Kabbalat Torah service (Confirmation) which required them to read to the congregation their essays on 'Our Passions'. Adam, who had watched Lyra's service, had incorporated her into his on denial - "a refusal to accept the truth". Talking about the importance of being "valued for truth", he said: "She was determined to find the truth and would not quit. She was the embodiment of being valiant for truth and epitomised dogged determination. We could all learn from her example." We touch each other in so many ways. What matters is to keep reaching out. Just when people think the New IRA murderers of journalist Lyra McKee could not sink any lower, they do. During an interview with a Sunday newspaper a typically-unnamed "spokesman" for the dissident republican group said the atrocity "let the world know there is an ongoing conflict". It is difficult to imagine anything more callous at a time when the dead woman's mother, partner and wider family are still trying to come to terms with their dreadful loss. East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell is right when he describes the comments as "sick and twisted". Lyra's close friend Ann Travers, whose sister Mary was murdered by the Provisional IRA, speaks for all of us when she says the comments "show a lack of humanity that they can take a human life like that... the fact that they can say that their actions to murder are symbolic shows the measure of their absolute insanity". It might seem little comfort to note, as was also reported at the weekend, that Saoradh, seen as the Real IRA's political wing, is being evicted by their landlord in Derry. It can be viewed as a small step towards the long overdue consigning of the dissidents' bloodlust to the waste bin of history. In an interview in today's paper Anthony McIntyre, the former IRA activist, who served 18 years for the murder of a UVF man in 1976, does not try to minimise his terrorist past. McIntyre, a good friend of Lyra, is now a writer and blogger, and his view of the New IRA is worth quoting: "In spite of the fact that many people in the IRA were interested in idealism and social justice, it violated more rights than it could assert. For that reason the IRA was wrong. "The New IRA's physical force, when everything else is shaken down, says: 'We have the right to kill you and you have no right not to be killed by us.' That is a serious mental aberration and should have no standing." McIntyre believes republicans should be allowed to honour their dead, but finds it "obnoxious" that floral tributes to the 18 paratroopers killed at Narrow Water should be vandalised. Where McIntyre differs significantly from the nameless Real IRA spokesman is that he refuses to be a prisoner of the past. Were more people to share this clear appreciation of when to let the past go, we might then perhaps say that Lyra McKee was the last victim of that fascist ideology. Unless members of the New IRA take to wearing full body suits, the technology available to security investigators will identify them. Face recognition technology can help authorities assemble profiles of faces based on ear sizes, nose and mouth shapes and the shape and contours of heads. Body typing is another tool. The dissidents who marched in Dublin will have been studied for their body types, and if any have a peculiar gait, it will be easier to match them against surveillance of known or suspected activists. This has me wondering how these guys think that wearing a pair of cheap sunglasses, some face netting and berets, which do not hide their hair colouring, are fit disguises. It's laughable. I am particularly intrigued to know how they acquire their outfits. For example, is there a paramilitary, terrorist outfitter where they are measured for their jackets, trousers, boots and berets? Do they parade in front of a full-length mirror to approve their media paraphernalia? I recall hearing in the early days of the Troubles that balaclavas worn by some notable gunmen had been specially knitted for them by local women. I guess the terror business must produce a little industry of sorts, but I am not certain it is as profitable nowadays as it was in the early 1970s, though that could change. In the 70s, terrorist outfitting was big business because the UDA and the Provos were able to put tens of thousands of followers on the streets and they all needed boots, khaki pants and jackets, as well as the customary mesh cloth netting to partly cover their faces. Cheap sunglasses, balaclavas and berets were in vogue then, too. Now that the New IRA has acquired the services of a personal outfitter, one wonders if another outfitter is busy preparing a terror paraphernalia catalogue for the IRA's rivals in loyalism. Martin Dillon is an investigative journalist and author who has won international acclaim for his work on the Troubles I first became aware of Lyra McKee a few years ago when she was seeking support for the book she wanted to write about the murder of the Reverend Robert Bradford. He was the Ulster Unionist MP shot dead by the IRA in his South Belfast constituency office in 1981. Some 38 years later, Lyra herself fell to a republican's bullet. And be in no doubt, both killings were attacks against democracy. Rev Bradford's may have been a more targeted assassination, certainly, but when the police attend a riot like that on Thursday, April 18, the people most likely to be at the police line with them are politicians and journalists - three essential elements of a democracy. The strength of public revulsion at Lyra's death gives rise to the question of whether this will be a turning point. Will things change? I support that demand, but I also know that if they do, it will be a triumph for hope over experience. It was Archbishop Robin Eames whom I first heard caution against heaping too much praise on people who stop doing what they should never have done in the first place. He was referring, of course, to terrorism and those who condone terrorist acts. I was reminded of what the former Church of Ireland Primate had said when I heard that the illegal Easter Monday parade planned for Derry/Londonderry had been cancelled because of Lyra's murder. The cancellation was welcome, but don't expect me to offer the organisers any thanks. I also note they did not cancel their parade of shame in Dublin. The statement from the so-called 'New IRA' about the killing also reminded me of something I had heard previously. Saoradh, the political group that represents the views of the New IRA, refused to accept responsibility for the murder, choosing instead to blame the "heavily armed crown forces" who mounted an "incursion" into the Creggan estate, resulting in what Saoradh called a "republican volunteer" attempting to defend the area, with the result that Lyra was "killed accidentally". What did that remind me of? The words of Gerry Adams discussing how Britain reacted to IRA "mistakes" during the Troubles. Writing in 1986, Mr Adams accused Britain of exploiting the IRA's errors: "... when Oglaigh na hEireann killed or injured civilians the British were always, in classic counter-insurgency fashion, cynically prepared to exploit these mistakes or to create the conditions in which they might occur". What exploitation? Highlighting the IRA's gross abuse of a civilian's human rights? What conditions? Sending "heavily armed crown forces" into a republican area? Expand Close Lyra McKee / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lyra McKee It's the same thing, 33 years on. Sinn Fein's position has changed. In 2009, Martin McGuinness described the republican killers of Stephen Carroll, the first PSNI officer to be murdered, as "traitors". On Good Friday, Adams' successor as Sinn Fein president, Mary Lou McDonald, stood in solidarity with unionist politicians at the vigil in the Creggan, her words strongly echoing what President Bill Clinton told the terrorists when he first visited Northern Ireland in 1995. Speaking at the Mackie's Foundry in west Belfast, Clinton told us: "You must stand firm against terror. You must say to those who still would use violence for political objectives - you are the past; your day is over." On Good Friday, Ms McDonald's message was the same. That, at least, is progress and I welcome it. But the sentiment in Saoradh's statement also illustrates that the New IRA is a legacy of the IRA and Sinn Fein's support for its campaign of violence. Why? Because just as people like Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams argued that the "conditions" justified IRA terrorism, so the New IRA also claim "conditions" justify their actions. Expand Close Mike Nesbitt / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mike Nesbitt My point is that terrorism is an absolute, as in absolutely wrong. Once you move from that position, you open the door to people seeking to argue the environment in which they live gives them permission to murder (and of course, the same applies to the loyalist terror groups). It would be helpful if republicans and loyalists could start to move their language in the direction of accepting how wrong terrorism is. They should also get off the backs of the communities they repress. It would also help kick-start reconciliation if we as unionists were more open to honestly analysing 51 years of majoritarian government. I suspect the truth is, it was worse than most unionists admit, but not nearly as bad as nationalists imagine - but either way, nothing justified the loss of a single life. A few hours after Lyra died, I was contacted by Mike Harris, a campaigner for libel reform. Mike knows I have a Private Members Bill ready to go on the reform of Northern Ireland's antiquated libel laws, if Stormont ever returns during my political lifetime. Mike wanted to know if I would consider naming the bill 'Lyra's Law', as Lyra was a founding member of the NI Libel Reform group. I said, consider it done, although since then I note there are competing ideas for a 'Lyra's Law', including a same-sex marriage bill, and a bill to penalise those who advocate for organisations that support politically motivated violence. All three ideas could form part of a fitting legacy for Lyra, but the really appropriate reaction would be a return to political stability. If her murder is not to be another death in vain, we need sustained political leadership like that shown in the wake of Lyra's passing. I have long argued we should return the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement to its factory settings, and negotiate from there. It would be easier in many ways than the talks of 1998, because the difficult, emotive transitional arrangements no longer apply. We can focus on the core issue - do you want to share, or not? No group owns Northern Ireland any more. Stormont is no longer what James Craig called a Protestant parliament for a Protestant state; nor is the Republic de Valera's Catholic state for a Catholic people. Are we mature enough to build from there, truly offering respect and building trust? What so impressed me about Lyra McKee's interest in the murder of the Rev Robert Bradford MP is that the two individuals could not form more of a contrast, in gender, sexual orientation and so much more. If Lyra could bridge that gap, and she did, why can't the rest of us? Mike Nesbitt is an MLA for Strangford, and a former UUP leader and victims commissioner Comedian and Derry Girls star Tommy Tiernan has brushed off recent criticism of a joke telling unionists to "f*** off to Israel". Police received a complaint about the gag made during a gig at the Ulster Hall in Belfast last month but the Father Ted actor isn't worried. In an interview in today's Sunday Independent, he says: "There's an airborne Greek chorus at the moment and a very strong tendency to condemn. "I think the media have replaced the church and journalists are the new priests." According to reports, a number of people walked out of the show while others who stayed said both sides of the political divide were subject to jibes. Commenting online, one person said he singled out Secretary of State Karen Bradley and a number of unionists, including Arlene Foster. In today's candid chat, he also revealed he has abandoned a decade off the drink and now makes a point of having a glass of wine every day thanks to his wife. "Yvonne [McMahon] asked me to start drinking. I think I had just become no craic," he explained. "I think she was sort of missing out on a shared experience with her partner. She'd be thinking, 'I'm having a glass of wine and Tommy's reading'." "We can become very precious and concerned about how we come across and maybe that had happened a bit to me. Expand Close Tommy Tiernan at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Tommy Tiernan at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin. Photo: Gareth Chaney Collins "There is a level of drunkenness where you lose control of all of that and I think there is something to be valued in that." The Donegal-born comic also spoke of how he was touched inappropriately by a teacher when he was in his teens. "Because I was never sexually abused as a child, it didn't trigger any memory of something that happened when I was younger. But bloody sure he touched me," he said. "He was so camp, and he had a lisp as well. He'd be grabbing and squeezing you, but you couldn't challenge his authority. But maybe he thought, 'This weak, genial young man will tolerate it'. I was 16." It was followed by a similar experience the same year when he was hitch-hiking from Dublin to Navan, forcing him to flee the man's car. Mr Tiernan (49) also spoke of how he used to blow thousands of his earnings on his family and, despite sell-out runs, he is still not rich. Expand Close Gerry Quin (Tommy Tiernan), James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn), Clare Devlin (Nicola Coughlan) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Gerry Quin (Tommy Tiernan), James Maguire (Dylan Llewellyn), Clare Devlin (Nicola Coughlan) "I was rich at one stage, but money is a trembling orb that has to go somewhere," he said. "About 10 years ago I had loads of money and I was underwhelmed by it. I spent it very flamboyantly, for instance, I flew my entire family first class to Australia. "None of us knew how to ski, but I also brought us to the most expensive ski resort in Europe for a week. All that is quite distorting; it's not something I'd yearn for again. It's like sugar - too sweet to be wholesome." n The new series of The Tommy Tiernan Show begins on Saturday, May 4, at 9.30pm, on RTE One. There's a lot going on during Passover. It's one of the most important holidays of the Jewish year and everything seems to have significance. So for those of you who are confused, overwhelmed, or just want to know more about this important holiday -this is a great read to clarify some of the most important elements of the holiday! The Passover Story The name passover comes from the Hebrew word pesach and refers to a significant event in Israelite history (you may have heard about it: the Exodus). The Israelite people had been kept as slaves by the Egyptian pharaohs and were seeking freedom. God became concerned for the plight of his people and spoke to Moses, telling him to go to the Pharaoh and ask for the freedom of the Israelites. When the Pharaoh refused, God sent 10 plagues to Egypt, destroying nearly everything. Gods last plague was the murder of all firstborn children in Egypt. However, before executing this, God warned the Jewish people and told them that if they sacrificed a spotless lamb and smeared the blood on their doors, that the angel of death would Pass Over their homes and spare their firstborn children. It was this last plague that spared only the Israelite households that convinced the Pharaoh to set the Jewish people free. Chametz (Leavened Grains) Chametz is leavened grain. But what exactly is leavened grain and why is it not allowed during Passover? Leavened grain is food that is made with wheat, barley, oats, rye, or spelt that has been allowed to ferment (fermentation is believed to get going 18 minutes after a grain has been exposed to moisture - so time is of the essence!). Yeast is not necessarily bad, but yeast that has been allowed to ferment (and rise) is. However, wine, which is fermented grape, is allowed-and encouraged-in the home and at the seder (except Karaite Jews avoid wine because of the whole fermentation thing, and instead drink fruit juice). The reason that Chametz must be ritually cleansed from the home before Passover is because it reminds observants of the hasty exodus of their ancestors. When the Israelites were freed from the Egyptian pharaoh, Moses urged them to flee so quickly that they did not even have time to let their bread rise. Today, all Chametz in the house is gathered and sold to a non-Jewish friend. At the end of Passover, the Chametz is bought back and restored to its former home in the pantry. Matzah In lieu of Chametz, there is Matzah: unleavened bread made with just water and special flour (called shmurah -- flour that has absolutely, for sure, no-question-about-it, never ever never been exposed to moisture). The flour and water are kneaded, rolled out, perforated, and baked within 18 minutes (remember that whole 18 minute rule?). Seder The Seder meal is a ritual reenactment (of sorts) of the story of the Jewish people of Egypt. In Israel the Seder occurs on the first night of Passover, but everywhere else in the world Seder is observed on both the first and second night of Passover. During the course of the meal, those in attendance are taken through the whole story of the Jewish people (the Haggadah), starting with the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), and ending with their miraculous salvation and exodus. No part of the evening is without significance as every element represents the pain and/or strength of the Israelites under Egyptian rule and their ultimate salvation through God. The Seder Plate The most important parts of the night include the special consumption of items on the Seder Plate, the reading of the Haggadah, the drinking of four cups of wine, and the breaking and eating of matzah. Part of the Seder involves a plate with meaningful food items chosen specifically for the occasion. See this interactive photo of a traditional Seder plate here - scroll over items to find out what they are and where they fit in to the ritual. Fun fact: You might see an orange on more progressive Jewish household's Seder Plates. This is a fairly new tradition started by Jewish feminist, Susannah Heschel. She came up with the idea of putting an orange on the seder plate to represent the fruitfulness of the Jewish community when it includes marginalized people, like LGBTQ people. This still image from a video shows a Vietnamese coast guard boat hitting an Indonesian warship in the Natuna Sea in Indonesia, April 27, 2019. Updated at 11:15 a.m. ET on 2019-05-09 Indonesia next weekend plans to sink dozens of foreign boats that were seized after straying illegally into its waters, including many vessels from Vietnam, the fisheries minister said Monday amid fresh maritime tensions between Hanoi and Jakarta near the South China Sea. Also on Monday, Indonesias foreign ministry said it summoned Hanois deputy ambassador after the Indonesian navy claimed that two Vietnamese coast guard vessels had rammed one of its naval ships patrolling against illegal fishing near Indonesias Natuna Islands. Indonesia on Saturday will resume its practice of sinking confiscated foreign vessels, Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said. On the 4th (of May) we will be sinking 51 boats, mostly from Vietnam, Susi said Monday via Twitter. This past Saturday, an Indonesian naval ship, the KRI TPD-381, was chasing a Vietnamese trawler suspected to be fishing illegally in the North Natuna Sea, when the Vietnamese coast guard ships engaged in dangerous maneuvers, Indonesias navy said. This morning the deputy ambassador of Vietnam was summoned to the foreign ministry, Foreign Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir told reporters. Indonesia deeply regrets the incident involving the Vietnamese fisheries surveillance ships KN-213 and KN-264 and the Indonesian Navy KRI TPD-381 vessel, he said. The actions of the Vietnamese government-owned vessels endangered the safety of Indonesian naval personnel and violated international law, Arrmanatha said. It was not the first incident involving a naval ship and Vietnams fisheries surveillance ships in the area. In February, the navy also expelled two Vietnamese government-owned ships from Indonesias exclusive economic zone (EEZ) after they showed hostile intent, minister Susi said at that time. Since 2014, when Indonesian President Joko Widodos government began fighting suspected marine poachers, at least 488 foreign boats accused of illegal fishing, including 276 Vietnamese-flagged vessels, have been sunk, after crewmen had been removed, according to the Ministry of Fisheries. Incident at sea Saturdays clash at sea began when the crew of the naval ship was about to arrest 12 Vietnamese fishermen suspected of fishing in Indonesian territory, said Adm. Yudo Margono, Indonesias Navy Fleet 1 commander. It turned out that a vessel operated by the Vietnam Fisheries Resources Surveillance tried to obstruct the law-enforcement process, he said, calling the move a provocation. He said the Vietnamese coast guard ship struck the left side of the Indonesian vessel and also hit the fishing boat, which eventually capsized. A video released by the Navy on social media showed the Vietnamese vessel ramming into the Indonesian warship. Indonesian navy crewmen who were armed with rifles could be heard shouting expletives toward the Vietnamese boat. Yudo said 12 crew members of the Vietnamese fishing boat were subsequently arrested. They would face trial on charges of illegal fishing, he said. Two other crew members jumped into the water and were rescued by one of the Vietnamese coast guard boats, he said. Yudo called on navy personnel to exercise restraint in facing similar incidents. We should not be reckless, he said, referring to the Vietnamese coast guard, as he underscored that the action taken by the Indonesian navy had been according to procedure. Muhammad Arif, a South China Sea researcher at The Habibie Center, a Jakarta based NGO promoting human rights and democratization of Indonesian society, said frequent clashes involving naval patrol ships and foreign vessels the North Natuna Sea were partly due to unfinished negotiations on the maritime delimitation in the area. Negotiations on a few spots in the North Natuna Sea with Vietnam have not been completed, he said. Such clashes are common but if this keeps happening tensions will increase and it could undermine stability in the ASEAN region, he said. Indonesia, meanwhile, is developing the so-called Integrated Marine and Fisheries Center in the North Natuna Sea in the far southern reaches of the South China Sea, as it seeks to assert sovereignty amid claims of overlapping rights by China. In 2016, navy patrols confronted Chinese fishing boats in waters off the islands at least three times, as the government increased its crackdown on illegal fishing. Indonesia accused the Chinese of fishing within Indonesias EEZ. China responded by calling the waters traditional fishing grounds and said there were overlapping maritime rights and interests in the area. Tensions between China and its neighbors have risen as the superpower has sought to assert its control of the South China Sea in the face of competing territorial claims from countries in the region. China claims most of the sea as its own, while Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei have overlapping claims. Indonesia is not a party to the maritime dispute but it has recently asserted its claim by unveiling in July 2017 an updated national map in which the countrys northern reaches the area north of the Natuna Islands had been renamed the North Natuna Sea and part of its EEZ. That area had previously been marked in Indonesian maps as South China Sea. In December, the Indonesian military also inaugurated an integrated unit in the Natunas to ward off illegal fishing and strengthen security. The unit, composed of a few hundred personnel including members of army engineering corps, will be equipped with a surface-to-air missile defense systems, the military said. Other facilities include a port, a hangar to support military aircraft and a hospital. In the future, the unit will become part of Indonesias Regional Defense Joint Command and will include army, air force and navy personnel, officials said. An earlier version incorrectly identified the organization associated with Muhammad Arif, a South China Sea researcher. Former Prime Minister Najib Razak attends a court hearing related to his trial at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur, April 29, 2019. A Malaysian judge on Monday rejected a bid by former Prime Minister Najib Razak to have seven corruption charges against him dropped in his trial linked to the alleged theft of billions from the 1MDB state fund. Judge Nazlan Ghazali ruled that the charges against Najib would stand. He dismissed the former leaders claims that the accusations were defective as they lacked clarity and were structured to mislead in such a way that he could not put up a proper defense. I hereby find the argument that the charges are defective is unsustainable, Nazlan said. Najibs current trial, which started on April 3, focuses on seven of the total 42 charges against him related to his role in the scandal surrounding 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), the sovereign wealth fund he started in 2009 during his dual role then as prime minister and finance minister. He has pleaded not guilty to the seven charges, which include money laundering and criminal breach of trust. Najibs lawyers did not indicate whether they would appeal the ruling. The seven charges specifically revolve around allegations that 42 million ringgit ($10.3 million) were illegally funneled electronically into Najibs private bank accounts from SRC International, a former 1MDB subsidiary. The 1MDB scandal led to the fall of Najibs government and the rise of the then opposition alliance Pakatan Harapan, which campaigned last year on a platform of cleaning up corruption. Najibs former mentor-turned-nemesis, Mahathir Mohamad, led Pakatan to victory in the May 2018 general election and took over as prime minister. U.S. prosecutors contend that $4.5 billion (18.3 billion ringgit) was diverted from 1MDB into the bank accounts of Najib, his friends and family, in what they described as kleptocracy at its worst. Najibs attorneys had earlier argued that the seven charges against him lacked merit and should either be dropped or modified. Aside from the seven charges in the SRC International case, Najib is facing another 35 charges for crimes he allegedly committed as head of the 1MDB, which he founded in 2009 ostensibly to boost the nations economy through strategic investments. Those cases had been calendared for hearings from May until June this year. Relatives of people killed in President Rodrigo Dutertes so-called war on drugs hold lit candles and display portraits of their loved ones as they gather at a Roman Catholic church in suburban Quezon city, Philippines ahead of the March 15, 2019. Philippine authorities said Monday they would offer a 10 million-peso reward (U.S. $192,000) for information to help them arrest an ex-policeman who had accused a former economic adviser to President Rodrigo Duterte of being involved in trading illegal drugs. Police are looking for Col. Eduardo Acierto, a former head of the countrys counter-narcotics enforcement unit, whom a Manila court had named in a warrant for his arrest on suspicion of involvement in the illegal importation of methamphetamines. He denied those allegations during a clandestine meeting with reporters last month. Definitely, the 10 million pesos reward money will be a big help to the ongoing manhunt operations against ex-police Col. Acierto, national police spokesman Col. Bernard Banac said. Authorities announced the reward after the Philippine government over the weekend slammed city officials in San Francisco, Calif. for pushing a resolution this month that condemned the Duterte administrations deadly war on drugs. In its resolution passed unanimously on April 16, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors the citys legislative body supported a congressional resolution sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) that criticized the Government of the Philippines for its role in state-sanctioned extrajudicial killings by police and urged the United States to cut aid to Manila. The 11-member board voiced support as well for Filipino Sen. Leila de Lima, an ardent critic of the drug war who has been jailed the past two years. More than 29,000 Filipinos had lost their lives in Dutertes drug war, the San Francisco supervisors said, according to official documents posted on the boards website. The board had based its resolution on the false narratives as well as the bogus statistics cited in the Duterte Administrations drug war fed to them by biased news agencies, anti-Duterte trolls and a biased alleged labor and environmental activist, Philippine presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo countered. The resolution is a toxic and unacceptable intrusion to our legal processes and an outrageous interference with our countrys sovereignty, Panelo said. Police have said that more than 5,200 suspected pushers and dealers were killed since Duterte took office in mid-2016. In all cases, those killed had fought off arresting officers, police have maintained. Rights groups, however, have put the death toll from the drug war at about 20,000, which includes people killed by vigilantes and others. Panelo said the government and police did not condone state-initiated killings, adding that scores of police had been injured or killed in the line of duty. As for de Lima, Panelo said she was under trial. Former Philippine police officer Col. Eduardo Acierto meets with select members of the press in Manila, March 24, 2019. [Jason Gutierrez/BenarNews] Ex-cop goes underground Philippine Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, meanwhile, confirmed the cash reward offered for help in catching Acierto. The bounty is from Malacanang, so Im not privy to where it will be sourced. Its not from DOJ [the Department of Justice] because such an amount is certainly much larger than what the DOJ could offer, Guevarra told reporters, referring to the presidential palace. Acierto had alleged that former Duterte advisor Michael Yang was a drug operator with ties to Chinese narcotics smugglers. Duterte defended Yang, who served as the presidents economic adviser from January to December 2018, by calling on the public to not believe a discredited former police official Acierto. Acierto claimed he had given an intelligence report about Yang to his superiors as early as December 2017, but the report was largely ignored by then-national police chief Ronald dela Rosa, a Duterte aide. Acierto said he was forced to go public with the allegations after an informant told him that a drug syndicate had put a bounty on his head. Shortly after Acierto made his allegation and went underground, a court in the Philippine capital issued an arrest warrant over his alleged involvement in smuggling in meth. Jojo Rinoza in Manila contributed to this report. If you have news from the Jamestown area, send it in to Monica Nixon at monicanixon@hotmail.com. Community members are invited to bring personal items documenting the history of the Islamic community in the Toledo area to Community Scan Day May 5. Bowling Green State Universitys Center for Archival Collections (CAC) and the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo (ICGT) are partnering on the event, which was made possible by a $12,000 Common Heritage Grant supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). We are excited to partner with the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo to work toward the ongoing preservation of materials documenting the regions Islamic heritage, said Michelle Sweetser, head of the Center for Archival Collections. Muslims have been an important part of the cultural and religious fabric of the area and it is important that we document and preserve that history while we are able to do so. The Community Scan Day is the first in a series of three events that the CAC and ICGT will present as a part of the grant, which is one of 20 awarded by the NEH this year to preserve and make accessible materials important to family and community histories by supporting digitization events and public programming at local cultural organizations. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Islamic Center, 25877 Scheider Road, Perrysburg. CAC staff members, who will set up digitization stations at the ICGT, will scan materials. Community members who bring materials will go home with their originals as well as digital copies and free supplies to ensure the preservation of the original. With permission, the CAC will add digital copies to its holdings to preserve and make them accessible to the public. CAC staff members will be able to digitize a wide variety of materials, including photographs, letters, newsletters, scrapbooks, 3D artifacts and audio tape, and can record personal stories documenting the rich history of the Islamic community in the northwest Ohio region. Well-organized archives bridge generations, paying tribute to those who have gone before, connecting their contributions to the current life of our mosque and providing important resources for both the present and the future, said Nadia Ashraf-Moghal, ICGT president. Scan Day will be an important step in making that happen. The grant also supports the creation of an exhibit that will be installed at the Islamic Center and subsequently on the BGSU campus, as well as a public program in each venue. These events will take place in the fall of 2019 and spring of 2020, respectively. ISIC recently organized 3rd International Conference on Clinical Orthopedics & Spine Biomechanics The Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) and the University of Toledo recently organized a three day conference on Clinical Orthopedics & Spine Biomechanics in New Delhi. In a bid to augment the development of world-class medical technology in India and ensure indigenous implants meet the global standards, ISIC will set up a world-class laboratory to test their quality. Dr. H S Chhabra, Medical Director of Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi at the said, Implants developed in India often do not match up to the international standards. There is no comprehensive implant testing laboratory in India now. The implants developed in India do not go through the rigorous quality checks and we are largely dependent on imports for quality implants most of which are designed for Caucasian population and may not suit the Indian body types. We will collaborate with premier institutions such as IITs to develop this laboratory and ensure products complying with international standard. I thank the faculty members and engineers from India and abroad to help us set up this first-of-its kind laboratory in India. Medical fraternity converged at the inauguration of the three-day event emphasized on the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) and technological advancement for customized products and better services, and hoped that the increasing importance of healthcare in election campaigns and overall political discourse will provide the necessary impetus. Dr. A K Mukherjee, Director General of Indian Spinal Injuries Centre said, The sustainable development goals (SDGs) have a social aspect and healthcare is at the heart of social development. If we look around the world, health has become an important issue in the election elections in the US, the UK, Turkey, Japan and India have seen focus on healthcare programs. This creates a great momentum for the development of the healthcare services and bringing more people with disability to the mainstream. Artificial intelligence has become the new electricity. Our healthcare development is centered around technical development. Along with AI, technological development will play a very critical role in evolving evidence-based understanding. We got a National Healthcare Policy after 14 years and the NITI Aayog is developing a program on healthcare that is AI-based to a great extent. Biotech is another area that holds a lot of promise but developing its experimental side will need a lot of investment by 2030, an estimated $ 6 trillion will be used for healthcare programs, mainly due to the rapid spread of non-communicable diseases, adds Dr. Mukherjee. Dr. H P S Ahluwalia, Chairman of Indian Spinal Injuries Centre said, A lot has changed in past 40 - 50 years in India I have never heard of AI in healthcare. I am very happy to see so many youngsters here today and would like them to contribute to this pioneering research. Hailing the efforts if ISIC in setting up a biomechanics laboratory at the premises, Dr. Patrick Kluger, an eminent spine surgeon from Germany says, Biomechanics laboratories and clinics remain disconnected, mostly. It is important that both biomechanics and clinics are available in one place for a better implementation of the new developments. Workshops as parallel sessions with demonstrations on various orthopedic and spinal problems was also the part of the conference. His Heartbeat Stabilised, All Thanks To Potholes! Life oi-Syeda Farah Noor Potholes are considered to be very dangerous since there are so many deaths reported every year due to the accidents caused by them. Though the reports of deaths due to potholes seem to be a common thing, you would be shocked to know that these potholes can be lifesavers at times too! This is the case of a 59-year-old man from Gretna, Malaysia, who was being rushed to hospital as he had a racing heart at work. It is reported that the man's heartbeat had skyrocketed to a rate of 200 beats per minute, but the potholes ride to the hospital stabilised his heartbeat and saved his life. Apparently, he had no history of heart problems. According to the doctors, the potholes are believed to have acted as electrical shock that helped the patient by stabilising his heartbeat. The jolts of the potholes had converted the patient's racing heartbeat to normal. But we at India still cannot go by this as this is one of the rarest cases. So if you have to go over potholes in case of an emergency, then do watch out! Until then share your thoughts in the comment section below. GET THE BEST BOLDSKY STORIES! Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, April 29, 2019, 17:49 [IST] PR Newswire PHUKET, Thailand, April 29, 2019 PHUKET, Thailand, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Central Pattana Plc. (CPN), Thailand's top property developer and the operator of Central Phuket shopping center recently celebrated its new luxury zone with the first store from each world-class brand at downtown Phuket, including ALEXANDER MCQUEEN, BALENCIAGA, BVLGARI, CHLOE, GUCCI, HERMES, LOUIS VUITTON, PMT THE HOUR GLASS, SAINT LAURENT, SALVATORE FERRAGAMO and VERSACE. This fulfills luxurious shopping and lifestyle experience in line with the rapid growth and high demand of affluent tourist market around the world. It also supports Thailand's tourism industry to complete Phuket city as one of the 'Global Beach Lifestyle Destinations' comparable to French Riviera, Miami, and Hawaii. In this occasion, Central Phuket held a grand celebration entitled 'The Unveiling of the New World of Luxury' highlighting a prestigious 'Universe of Sirivannavari: The First View from Paris to Phuket' exhibition, which H.R.H. Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana is graciously allowing to be held for the first time in Thailand at Central Phuket Floresta from 28th April to 26th May 2019. A crowd of A-list celebrities, well-known actors and actresses also participated in the event. Ms. Wallaya Chirathivat, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of CPN, said: "As a global player, we aim to elevate Central Phuket to become one of the most complete travel destinations in the world. Central Phuket has the concept of 'The Magnitude of Luxury & Leisure Resort Shopping Destination' in the form of a 'Beach Lifestyle', which perfectly matches with Phuket as a beach city comparable to the world's greatest beach cities. We truly appreciate that the global luxury brands have placed trust and confidence in our project as the first luxury mall that located outside Bangkok, Thailand." "Pioneering a trend of 'Luxury and Leisure', Central Phuket also meets the needs of a luxurious lifestyle and leisure at a beach city. We also offer a new dimension of tourism that will attract people from around the world under the concept of 'The World Comes to Play' in order to become a destination where everyone can come to play, following their own lifestyle. We offer an 'All in One Place' experience, where you can enjoy one whole day in one single place. Central Phuket also hosts three world-class attractions including 'TRIBHUM' the world's first 3D walkthrough adventure theme park with a large feature called 'Silver Mountain' (as high as a two-storey building) and many more special rides to highlight the fun; 'AQUARIA' Thailand's largest capacity aquarium, where you can encounter more than 180 species of marine life and more than 15,000 species of fish from around the world in 12,000 m2 of space, and 'Tales of Thailand' which replicates the Thai way of life and architecture in the four regions (North, Central, Northeast and South), presented in a contemporary style, with the highlight being the large replica floating market that reflects the Thai identity," Ms. Wallaya concluded. For more information, please contact: Public Relations Department, Central Pattana plc Kwanjai Tangbut | Tel. +662-667-5555 ext .4115 | E-mail: [email protected] and Thitiphon Untrakul ext. 4199 | E-mail: [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/877962/Central_Phuket_Floresta.jpg Bidding reached a fevered pitch Saturday morning as Brandonites filled the Brandon Curling Club looking to find hidden treasures at the annual Kiwanis Bicycle Auction. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (969 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us Bidding reached a fevered pitch Saturday morning as Brandonites filled the Brandon Curling Club looking to find hidden treasures at the annual Kiwanis Bicycle Auction. This year proved to be one of the 29-year events busiest in terms of both attendance and the total number of bikes sold, Kiwanis Club of Brandon co-chairperson Keith Scott said. CHELSEA KEMP/THE BRANDON SUN Rhonda Forbes and her daughter Lorissa, seven, check out potential bikes to bid on during Saturday's auction. The sale featured approximately 130 bikes that were, for the most part, collected by Brandon Police Service members. Police collect the bikes throughout the year, and if they are left unclaimed by their former owners, they are sold during the annual auction. This year, 12 of the bikes up for auction were donations from Brandon community members. "The word is getting out more and more," Scott said. "Were getting a lot of support." CHELSEA KEMP/THE BRANDON SUN The first bike goes up for bidding on Saturday. The auction raised approximately $12,000, which Kiwanis member John Rice said will all go right back into the community. The number of bikes at the auction has increased each year, in part because of the rising number of thefts but also because of donations from community members. Brandon police say bike thefts spiked in 2018, increasing by more than 30 per cent over 2017. "The (bike theft) situation the last couple years has been extreme," Rice said. "Its been rather overwhelming." In years past, approximately 125 bikes would be what the Kiwanis Club would typically get the entire year. Now, the club is able to host two shows that feature more than 200 bikes between them. Brandon Police Service public information officer Sgt. Ed Conway said the force received reports of 274 stolen bikes in 2018, up from 185 in 2017. The total in 2017 is a huge increase itself, up from only 92 stolen bikes reported to police in 2016. Local police recently received $43,100 to crack down on bike theft through the provinces share of forfeited money from federally prosecuted crimes. As part of this initiative, Brandon Police Service has partnered with 529 Garage, a database that tracks bicycle ownership and theft. The police had registration for their services at the event to help cut down on bike theft in the city. Const. Adam Potter was on hand to help guests register their bikes. "Its important that we get bikes registered and that owners also participate in this program," Potter said. The online database spans across North America and is used by countless police agencies. It tracks bicycles that are reported stolen, allowing for police to return stolen items to its owner. "Now, if the owner doesnt have a serial number then it's very difficult to get the bicycle back to the proper owner," Potter said. "We can ensure the bikes are getting back to where they belong," Potter said. Brandon Police Service will be hosting a 529 Garage database launch party on May 11, which will include free food and a free lock. Kiwanis Club of Brandon will be hosting an additional bicycle auction on July 27 at the Brandon Curling Club. ckemp@brandonsun.com, with files from The Brandon Sun Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp A man killed in a trucking accident in Minnedosa on Saturday is being remembered as compassionate, hard-working and dedicated to his job. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (969 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us A man killed in a trucking accident in Minnedosa on Saturday is being remembered as compassionate, hard-working and dedicated to his job. Sixty-three-year-old Ronald Milton Levasseur from Kelwood, located an hour and 20 minutes northeast of Brandon, was pronounced dead at the scene, after the truck he was driving carrying a load of hazardous material collided with a tree. SUBMITTED Sixty-three-year-old Ronald Levasseur from Kelwood was killed on Saturday when the truck he was driving collided with a tree. "He had a side that if he new you were feeling down he would say something to cheer you up," cousin Barry Houle said. "He also loved driving tractor-trailers around Canada and (the) U.S.A." At approximately 9:30 a.m., Minnedosa RCMP responded to the single vehicle collision on Road 85 North at PR 262 in the town of Minnedosa, a press release from the RCMP said. It is believed that Levasseur was travelling westbound on 85 North, when the truck went through the intersection at PR 262 and collided with the tree. SUBMITTED The scene of the fatal accident on Saturday in Minnedosa. The driver was killed after the truck collided with a tree. Houle said Levasseur was like a brother to him. The two were into demolition derbies for years. He loved working on vehicles, and he had two hard tops and two trucks he would work on. "He was quite a mechanic when it came to working on vehicles," he said. "Why does the good ones have to be taken away like this ... I wished this was a bad dream." The truck he was driving was carrying two tanks of the hazardous material anhydrous ammonia when it crashed. Both tanks were three-fourths full, said Minnedosa fire Chief Dean Jordan. When handled improperly, anhydrous ammonia can be immediately dangerous to life or health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website says. Its a colourless gas with suffocating fumes, and is used as either an agricultural fertilizer or an industrial refrigerant. According to Fertilizer Canada, its a highly effective fertilizer, helpful for farmers in feeding a growing population and replenishing nutrients in the soil. The fertilizer provides nitrogen for plants. Crews were at the scene all day working to safely remove the tanks. The Rivers Fire Department and Sustainable Development were also on scene Saturday to help with the safe removal of it. "After looking at the tanks, the best course of action was to rather than off-load it on site, we decided that it should be taken to the (Minnedosa fertilizer) companys secure site in order to do that," Jordan said. "Because the tanks hadnt been damaged at all, we were able to load them onto a flatbed, like a tow truck, and then we with a police and fire escort we were able to take them to that site and then they were able to do their normal off-load of the product there." It was 5:30 p.m. by the time they were finished. They had a Hazmat trailer on scene just in case they needed it, but fortunately they didnt have to use it, Jordan said. PR 262 between Third Street South East to 86 North was closed for several hours after the crash on Saturday, and all traffic was re-directed to 84 North and then to 99 West. Alcohol and drugs are not believed to have been factors in the collision. Minnedosa RCMP and a forensic collision reconstructionist are continuing to investigate. "He will be sadly missed by all of us of his family members," Houle said. mverge@brandonsun.com Twitter: @Melverge5 MONTREAL - The exiled former president of Spain's Catalonia region is fighting a Canadian government decision to refuse him entry into the country to attend an event hosted by a Quebec nationalist group. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (968 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. MONTREAL - The exiled former president of Spain's Catalonia region is fighting a Canadian government decision to refuse him entry into the country to attend an event hosted by a Quebec nationalist group. Carles Puigdemont, who fled Spain in 2017 to avoid prosecution after his regional government held an unauthorized referendum on independence, has hired Montreal immigration lawyer Stephane Handfield to plead his case. Former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont speaks as he presents his candidacy for the European elections during a media conference in Brussels, Wednesday, April 10, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Riccardo Periggiani Handfield filed a motion Monday in Federal Court seeking judicial review of the Immigration Department decision. He said the Catalan separatist, who lives in exile in Belgium, received an Electronic Travel Authorization from Canada. But on March 31, two days before his scheduled arrival in Quebec, the government revoked the permit without giving a reason, Handfield said. "It's as if we're saying he is undesirable in Canada," Handfield said in an interview. "That he is akin to a terrorist or a member of organized crime." Maxime Laporte, president of the Societe Saint-Jean-Baptiste, the nationalist group that had invited Puigdemont, accused the federal government of denying Quebecers the right to hear the Catalan separatist politician's "liberating speech." Mathieu Genest, spokesman for Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen, said in an email that the government cannot comment on specific cases. But he said reasons that someone can be found to be inadmissible to Canada include "criminality, having a serious health problem (and) having lied in their application or during an interview." The news Monday that Puigdemont had been denied entry into Canada was criticized by sovereigntist political parties in Quebec as well as by the federal New Democrats. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh told reporters in Ottawa he saw no reason why Puigdemont wouldn't be allowed into Canada. "It's worrying," he said. Parti Quebecois deputy leader Veronique Hivon called the decision unacceptable. Handfield's motion asks the Federal Court to review the decision to "cancel the Electronic Travel Authorization" of his client. The lawyer said he is seeking a written response from the federal government outlining its motives for refusing Puigdemont entry into Canada. The former Catalan president is considered a fugitive by the Spanish government. The 2017 referendum led to an independence declaration, but no action was taken to implement it, and no countries recognized the new Catalan republic. A little less than half of voters in the region of 7.5 million support pro-independence parties, results of the last regional election show. Also on Monday, Spanish political party officials said the countrys Electoral Board has ruled that Puigdemont and two other Catalan separatists who fled abroad to escape arrest can't stand as candidates in next months European Parliament elections. With files from The Associated Press The families of Canadians killed in the Ethiopian Airlines crash last month launched a collection of lawsuits against Boeing on Monday, alleging the plane manufacturer put profits over safety when it rushed a new aircraft model to market. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (968 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Manant Vaidya is joined by his wife Hiral, left, as he speaks to a Canadian Press reporter about losing his two parents, sister, brother-in-law, and two young nieces in the Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 crash, at his home in Brampton, Ont., Monday, March 11, 2019. The families of Canadians killed in the Ethiopian Airlines crash last month launched a lawsuit against Boeing on Monday, alleging the plane manufacturer put profits over safety when it rushed a new aircraft model to market. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tijana Martin The families of Canadians killed in the Ethiopian Airlines crash last month launched a collection of lawsuits against Boeing on Monday, alleging the plane manufacturer put profits over safety when it rushed a new aircraft model to market. All 157 people on board were killed when the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft en route from Addis Ababa to Nairobi crashed on March 10. Eighteen of the victims were Canadian citizens, although several others were foreign nationals living in Canada. Lawyers in Chicago filed Monday's suits in the U.S. on behalf of a Brampton, Ont., family that lost six members and a man who lost his Hamilton-based wife and three young children. "Blinded by its greed, Boeing haphazardly rushed the 737 Max 8 to market, with the knowledge and tacit approval of the United States Federal Aviation Administration while Boeing actively concealed the nature of the automated system defects," the unproven claims alleged. "Numerous decisions by Boeing's leadership substantially contributed to the subject crash and demonstrate Boeing's conscious disregard for the lives of others." Boeing said it could not comment on the lawsuits. "We offer our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those onboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302," spokesman Paul R. Bergman said in a statement. "Boeing continues to support the investigation, and is working with the authorities to evaluate new information as it becomes available." Manant Vaidya, a Brampton man who lost his parents, sister, brother-in-law and two nieces, said his family had been travelling to Kenya for a safari vacation that they had spent years saving for. He said he was taking legal action to get answers. "They all died together due to the insensitivity and greed of the maker of the plane," Vaidya told a news conference in Chicago. "We still cry when we think of the horror of their last moments." Paul Njoroge, who lost his entire immediate family, was also part of the legal action. His wife Carolyne Karanja, seven-year old son Ryan, four-year-old daughter Kelly and nine-month old daughter Rubi died in the crash. Rubi was the only Canadian citizen in the family while Karanja had applied to be a permanent resident. "I'm left with nothing," said a teary Njoroge, who also lost his mother-in-law Ann Karanja. The family was travelling to Kenya to visit the children's grandfather. The suits alleged the pilots of the Ethiopian Airlines plane dealt with the same problems that occurred on a deadly Lion Air flight with the same type of aircraft that crashed into the Java Sea on Oct. 29, 2018 and killed all 189 on board. "The flight paths and data released thus far for both aircraft show that the pilots were engaged in a terrifying tug-of-war with the plane's automated systems as the pilots manually tried to climb while the computer system repeatedly caused the plane to dive with increasing nose-down trim against the pilot inputs," the suits claimed. The pilots lost their fights against Boeing's flight computer, the suits allege. The suits allege Boeing leadership was worried about losing market share to its main rival, Airbus, so it sought to push forward a modified version of the 737 airplanes. The modifications, rather than an entirely new design, allowed pilots to operate the 737 Max 8s "without extensive simulation time or retraining," the claims said. However, the suits allege, the goal of a more fuel-efficient plane included larger engines that had to be relocated, which then forced the landing gear to be moved forward. Pilots operating the older 737s found the Max 8s "would ascend faster and at a higher angle, increasing the risk of a stall," the suits claim. To deal with the issue, the company installed a new automated flight control system that would help compensate for the issue of climbing too fast, the suits said. The system based its information on a single sensor on the fuselage that would detect the angle of the plane, they said. The system was designed to run in the background and compensate accordingly. The suits allege pilots weren't informed of the existence of the new flight control system, nor was any information about it included in the manual given to pilots. "Pilots would only learn indirectly about the (automated flight control system) when the plane began automatically fighting their pitch commands, often at low altitudes with little time to react and resolve the issue," the suits allege. The two families have also filed a claim against the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, alleging the regulator enabled the plane's rush to market. SAINT JOHN, N.B. - Canada's defence minister says if the impact of climate change disasters ranging from floods to fires worsens, he may have to increase the number of Canadian Forces personnel available to respond. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (968 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A woman wades through the floodwaters of the Saint John River on the only access road to the Dominion Park community in Saint John, N.B., on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Stephen MacGillivray SAINT JOHN, N.B. - Canada's defence minister says if the impact of climate change disasters ranging from floods to fires worsens, he may have to increase the number of Canadian Forces personnel available to respond. "With the impact of climate change, if we see that it's even getting even worse, we'll do a re-evaluation of the numbers that we have," Harjit Sajjan said Monday as he stood next to floodwaters in Saint John, N.B. Sajjan said there's been a growing need for personnel to help with events such as the current flooding hitting the Saint John River in New Brunswick and many regions of Quebec. He also noted the forest fires that swept through parts of Western Canada last year required military help. In fact, he said, more Canadian soldiers are currently deployed to domestic disaster relief than to operations outside the country. The minister spoke while visiting Randolph Island in the Saint John area, where waters from the river rose during heavy rainfall on Saturday. He said the military has already been increasing its reserves to cope with climate change fallout. However, with the combat training centre in Gagetown, N.B., facing other commitments, the response to disasters could require additional personnel, the minister told reporters. "We're growing the military to make sure we have the right numbers for our domestic response and to sustain international response as well," he said. The minister said that climate change has been a security threat for some time, and the Defence Department "looks at climate security challenges around the world." He added: "It is real." The military response has been welcomed by the public. "It's been great," Norma Knight said after walking through the water flowing across the road to the island. Days earlier, when the water was deeper, military vehicles enabled residents to leave or return to their homes. "It's great with the army. They enabled people to go back and forth. Otherwise they're stuck on the island," Knight said, carrying a pair of rubber boots she was taking to her husband. Knight said she has lived in the area her entire life and had never seen water covering the road until last year's record flooding. She hoped the road could be raised to mitigate flood disruption in the future. Officials in New Brunswick are urging patience as floodwaters recede in some regions, saying there's a long way to go before the response can become a recovery effort. "We're still going to see high water for the next couple of days, especially in the southern reaches of the river system," said Greg MacCallum, director of the New Brunswick's Emergency Measures Organization. Heavy rain caused the river level to rise slightly in Fredericton on Saturday night, but MacCallum said there has already been a discernible drop. He said it will take time for the levels to return to normal along the entire river but said crews will be ready for the recovery phase. "We will be certain to approach that phase ... with the same energy and determination and thorough planning and execution that we have done for the response," he said. More than 80 roads across the province remain closed because of flooding, including a major section of the Trans-Canada highway between Oromocto and Riverglade. MacCallum viewed the highway by helicopter Monday. He said the water is no longer on the roadway, but there is still debris to be removed and inspections to be done. He said that could take a few more days. With files from Michael Tutton in Halifax. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (969 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Dam in downtown Bracebridge Ontario can't hold back the swollen waters of the Muskoka River on Sunday, April 28, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Thornhill Four stories in the news for Monday, April 29 NO RESPITE FROM FLOODING IN QUE., ONT., N.B. Thousands of people across Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick are facing several more days of flooding that has already been life-changing for many. The most dire situation is in Ste-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Que., a suburb west of Montreal that was inundated Saturday night after the Lake of Two Mountains burst through a natural dike. More than 5,000 residents were forced to grab what essentials they could, including pets, and flee as waist-high water filled their streets and homes. Another 1,500 people were evacuated the next day. Premier Francois Legault visited the scene yesterday and said it was "almost a miracle" that everyone was safe. PM LEAVES OPEN DOOR TO RELOCATE FLOOD VICTIMS Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is leaving the door open to using federal dollars to help relocate communities facing the recurring threat of severe flooding. Spring flooding in New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario has forced the evacuation of thousands of people and caused an enormous amount of property damage. Federal figures indicate that since the Liberals took office they've approved almost $1.27 billion in funding for 41 projects deemed "disaster mitigation," but only a handful of the projects have started. Trudeau said yesterday that the government needs to ensure future infrastructure spending hits the "right" projects to protect communities. STUDY LOOKS AT FLOOD IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH A sociologist says the 2018 flood in southern New Brunswick took a physical and mental toll on people, and she plans to recommend ways to improve the situation for the future. Julia Woodhall-Melnik, a researcher at the University of New Brunswick, is studying how the flood and evacuations last year affected people's health. She says people can be faced with fatigue, depression, anxiety, grief, sleep disturbances and the development of post-traumatic stress disorder. Woodhall-Melnik conducted her interviews with people in March and April, before this year's flooding began, but she said the possibility of a repeat of last year's record event was already on everyone's mind, and they were anxious and stressed. WAYSON CHOY, CELEBRATED AUTHOR OF "THE JADE PEONY," REMEMBERED Wayson Choy, the celebrated author of "The Jade Peony" and a powerful voice for the Chinese-Canadian community, died this weekend. Choy was born in Vancouver in 1939 and had an illustrious career that spanned decades, winning a number of awards and becoming a member of the Order of Canada. He is best known for his debut novel "The Jade Peony," which is set in Vancouver's Chinatown during the 1930s and 1940s and tells the stories of three children in an immigrant family. It shared the 1995 Trillium Book Award with a novel by Margaret Atwood and was also named an American Library Association Notable Book of the Year in 1998. ALSO IN THE NEWS: CN Rail CEO J.J. Ruest will review the first-quarter financial results - released at 4 p.m. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada president Fred Volf will make a production announcement at the company's Cambridge, Ont., plant. Kashechewan First Nation will rally at Queens Park in Toronto to demand action on relocation due to annual flooding. Announcement in Winnipeg of a major international sporting event coming to Bell MTS Place this summer. Andrew Berry, charged with the second-degree murders of his daughters, stands trial in Vancouver. OTTAWA - B'nai Brith Canada says online hatred is fuelling a rise in anti-Semitism that saw record numbers of Jewish Canadians harassed and assaulted last year. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (968 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. B'nai Brith Canada Chief Executive Officer Michael Mostyn speaks during a news conference in Ottawa, Monday April 29, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld OTTAWA - B'nai Brith Canada says online hatred is fuelling a rise in anti-Semitism that saw record numbers of Jewish Canadians harassed and assaulted last year. The group released its annual audit of anti-Semitism Monday, showing 2,041 recorded incidents of hatred towards Jews in 2018, up 16 per cent compared to the year before. This is the fifth straight annual increase, and the highest number of incidents the organization has recorded since it began tracking 1982. "Our primary concern with the trend we are observing is that this may be indicating a new normal in terms of the propagation of anti-Semitism in Canada," said B'nai Brith Canada CEO Michael Mostyn. Eleven of the incidents included violent assaults, including two Jewish children in Saskatchewan who were assaulted by their schoolmates and four Jewish teenagers attacked in Toronto by a group of youths. B'nai Brith only includes incidents in the report where a victim's being Jewish was the explicit reason for the attack. Most of the incidents constituted harassment, such as a man in Montreal whose coworker showed him a new lighter and threatened to use it to burn Jews, and a Toronto high-schooler who was told by a classmate he should "go back in the ovens." But 80 per cent of the incidents overall, and more than 90 per cent of harassment episodes, occurred on the internet. Steven Slimovitch, the national legal counsel for B'nai Brith Canada, said online hate has a much larger reach and can have a bigger impact than direct one-on-one incidents. "Now what's happening is you can easily reach thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of people via the internet," Slimovitch said. "You can do it quietly, you can do it in your basement and that's a very very serious problem." The release of the audit comes two days after a deadly shooting at a synagogue in Poway, Calif., allegedly by a 19-year-old man who posted a long anti-Semitic rant online first. The attack killed one woman and injured three people, including a child and the synagogue's rabbi. The online screed said the alleged attacker was inspired by the massacre at a Pittsburgh, Pa, where 11 people were murdered by a man at a synagogue during Saturday morning services. The accused in that case also posted anti-Semitic comments online. Mostyn said the events in the United States hit very close to home for Jews in Canada, and have caused "an elevated level of stress" in the Jewish community here. He added there is no reason to believe there is an elevated threat of an attack here in Canada, but also said the amount of online hatred targeting Jews is having an impact. He said that's why B'nai Brith is pushing for protections that go beyond adding more security officers outside synagogues and Jewish schools. "We have to start at the start and the start is incitement," Mostyn said. "And too often nowadays this incitement is taking place on the internet and it is influencing others that unfortunately take violent and drastic actions and that's what really needs to stop." B'nai Brith is asking the Canadian government to address gaps in hate laws that allow for the proliferation of online hatred. Facebook recently began deleting pages belonging to white supremacist people and groups but has faced a lot of backlash for not doing more to stop hatred advanced on its platform. Facebook was the site of choice for the shooter in the recent New Zealand mosque massacre to livestream his deadly attack, but the synagogue attackers in Pittsburgh and California used less mainstream sites, and ones where white-nationalist viewpoints are known to run rampant. OTTAWA - Canada is looking for new Asian customers for its canola to answer China's ban on many shipments of the product, says International Trade Minister Jim Carr. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (968 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Conservative leader Andrew Scheer meets volunteers during an event in the Kanata suburb of Ottawa on Thursday, April 25, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang OTTAWA - Canada is looking for new Asian customers for its canola to answer China's ban on many shipments of the product, says International Trade Minister Jim Carr. The Canadian government is also still pushing China to allow a Canadian delegation to visit the People's Republic to verify complaints that Canadian canola is contaminated with pests, Carr said in an interview. So far, China hasn't agreed to requests for a Canadian delegation to test its unproven concerns. China has rejected Canadian canola-seed shipments in recent months and has suspended the licences of two major Canadian exporters. The government requested permission on April 1 for inspectors from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to visit China, but so far there has been no response. The CFIA has twice inspected the shipments in question and found no impurities, Carr told The Canadian Press on Saturday, prior to the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. "We want to have a science conversation with the Chinese to verify any allegations that the very high quality Canadian canola has any impurities at all. We're looking to have that proven to us," the minister said. "We will send a high-level delegation as soon as that invitation is sent to us. Meanwhile, it's important that we look for other markets for our canola and certainly the Asia-Pacific is among them, including Japan." Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau has also written to her Chinese counterparts to press the issue, he added. Asked why he thinks the Chinese have been delaying, Carr replied: "I can't speak for them." On Monday, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to pressure China by pulling hundreds of millions of dollars Ottawa has committed to Beijing's multilateral development bank. The Liberal government has committed $256 million over five years to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, in the hopes that Canada can help guide its decisions and that Canadian companies will get business from the development projects it promotes. Dozens of countries outside Asia are participants in the bank, from Madagascar to Ireland to Norway. Scheer also demanded Trudeau take several more-immediate steps, including appointing a new ambassador to China, launching a complaint about the canola dispute with the World Trade Organization and increasing financial support for farmers caught in the crossfire of what has become a broader diplomatic spat between the two countries. "By doing nothing, this policy of appeasement that Justin Trudeau has pursued with the government in China has clearly not worked," Scheer said. China's decision to cut off Canadian canola-seed shipments is widely viewed as an attempt to apply economic pressure on Canada following the December arrest of senior Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver at the behest of the United States. China is the usual destination for about 40 per cent of Canadian canola, a major source of oil used for cooking and some industrial purposes. In the days following Meng's arrest, China arrested two Canadian citizens on allegations of engaging in activities that have endangered Chinese national security. Michael Kovrig, a Canadian diplomat on leave, and Michael Spavor, an entrepreneur, are still being held by Chinese authorities in what the Trudeau government has called arbitrary detentions. Weeks later, Trudeau fired Canada's former ambassador to China, John McCallum, for going off-script in the government's efforts to win the release of the two men. Before his posting in Beijing, McCallum was a longtime Liberal MP and cabinet minister. Scheer tried to cast the canola fight as just one example of the Liberals' failures on the foreign-policy front. "There's been no reaction, there have been no consequences to the government of China for detaining our citizens and blocking our exports," Scheer said. "I believe that when a country stands up for itself and shows that there are consequences to mistreating our citizens and blocking our exports that that will be when China recognizes that they should not pursue this course of actions." The Liberal government has established a working group to address the canola issue and asked to send a delegation of experts to China to examine the complaints and says it has been exploring options to provide financial support to farmers. Trudeau and Abe discussed Canada's ongoing feud with China over the detainees and canola during the Japanese leader's two-day visit to Ottawa over the weekend. China is "trying to impose its approach on countries around the world. As countries like Japan and Canada continue to engage economically with China we have to deal with some of these challenges," Trudeau said. Canada and Japan are united in their approach to China because of their shared democratic values, and adherence to the rule of law and respect for human rights, Abe said. "We shall have to raise our voices in unity together so that China will go towards a positive, constructive role," said Abe. CAMBRIDGE, Ont. - Toyota will start building the Lexus NX SUV at its Cambridge, Ont., plant starting in 2022, the company announced Monday, saying the move demonstrates its commitment to staying in the province. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (968 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. This March 30, 2011, file photo, shows the Toyota logo at Wilsonville Toyota, in Wilsonville, Ore. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Rick Bowmer, File CAMBRIDGE, Ont. - Toyota will start building the Lexus NX SUV at its Cambridge, Ont., plant starting in 2022, the company announced Monday, saying the move demonstrates its commitment to staying in the province. The plant will produce both a standard and hybrid version of the vehicle to supply the North American market. Fred Volf, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, said the announcement is good news for Ontario auto workers. An employee takes a photo of a Lexus NX300h following an announcement at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing CanadaAos plant in Cambridge Ont., Monday, April 29, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Geoff Robins "It means that Toyota's Canadian manufacturing operations are here to stay," he said during a news conference at the plant held with the prime minister. Toyota will have extra capacity at the plant after announcing in March that it would shift production of the hybrid RAV4 SUV to its plant in Georgetown, Ky. Last year, the company committed to invest $1.4 billion in its Cambridge and Woodstock plants in Ontario. The federal government committed $110 million to support the investment. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said government funding will always play a role in securing the future of the Canadian auto industry. "I think the question that Canadians rightly have about public money invested in any industry is, are we investing in the future of the industry or are we investing in keeping things the way they were?" Trudeau said. "We see that the auto industry is evolving rapidly and that's why ... being part of that and making those investments for the future also by investing in research, in science and in education and training for Canadians is how public investments are going to ensure that we continue to have great jobs right across Canada for many years to come." Trudeau said Toyota's decision amounts to a "significant" vote of confidence at a time when the auto sector is facing many challenges. The new product announcement by Toyota comes after the Ontario manufacturing sector was hit by major job loss announcements in recent months. General Motors Canada announced last November that it would close its Oshawa, Ont., plant by the end of the year at a loss of close to 3,000 jobs, while Fiat Chrysler Automobiles said in March that it would cut a shift at its Windsor, Ont., plant later this year at a loss of about 1,500 jobs. 63 new jobs have been announced for Co Mayo by Allergan. The pharmaceutical company is to invest 65m in its operations in Ireland. This latest investment is focused on the creation of two new manufacturing suites and a laboratory. The new jobs in Westport will bring the pharmaceutical company's total employment in Ireland to more than 2,000 people across the country. Allergan also has a manufacturing campus in Clonshaugh in north Dublin. The Westport investment is set to focus on four areas. Two new manufacturing suites in its biologics facility are to provide the capability to introduce new product formats for the company There will also be the completion of a microbiology and a cell-based laboratory. The Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, welcomed the announcement, saying: "This is great news for Westport and for Mayo and reinforces the regions deserved reputation as a location for investment and innovation. "It is further evidence of the confidence international companies like Allergan continue to have in Ireland." Paul Coffey, Vice President & Plant General Manager at Allergan Westport, said: "This 65m investment further cements Irelands strategic role in Allergans global network. "Continued investment of this scale builds on the 50m investment programme in 2018 and 42m in 2017 which allows us to apply world-class technology to Allergans leading innovation and product development strategy. "We are expanding capacity to meet global demand and we are advancing our R&D capabilities to meet the needs of the future for our business. "We are proud that 40 years on we are still growing and offering valuable employment opportunities in key regions of Ireland and we thank the communities around us for their continued support. The Central Bank has fined the Irish division of Canadian lender Bank of Montreal more than 1.24m for breaching the conditions of its Irish banking licence. The bank failed to submit three operational risk returns to the regulator and failed to establish and maintain effective processes and internal controls to ensure compliance with this regulatory reporting condition. Its breaches dated between 2013 and 2015. The fine was reduced from a potential 1.78m due to the Canadian bank admitting its breach. However, it is the second time Bank of Montreal Ireland has been fined for deficiencies in regulatory reporting. The regulator said the previous enforcement action was "an aggravating factor" in this case. The Central Bank's director of enforcement and anti-money laundering Seana Cunningham said the regulator must have a "clear line of sight" to any potential risks within regulated companies as the financial sector continues to grow and become more complex. "All firms operating in Ireland must do so in line with their regulatory licence, and all conditions attaching to it. Compliance with licence conditions is not optional, and breaches are treated seriously by the Central Bank as demonstrated in this enforcement action against the firm," she said. "All firms must ensure the highest standards in identifying, properly managing and monitoring, and reporting on its operational risks in line with the Central Bank's requirements," Ms Cunningham said. Since 2006 the Central Bank has imposed fines of more than 70m under its administrative sanctions procedure and has made 127 settlements. A Meath business owner has won her lengthy battle to keep her play centre open at the eleventh hour by securing insurance for herself and 60 other facilities across the country. Linda Murray refused to give up after she was refused insurance and instead fought hard to secure premium cover by two UK insurers which will save almost 1,000 jobs in the industry. The jobs of her own 12 staff are now secure and the Navan centre Huckleberry's Den is looking forward to celebrating its sixth anniversary at the end of May. The new insurance cover for Huckleberry's Den means a savings of 3,000 on last year's fees of 16,000 and at 13,000 is half of the 26,000 she was told she would have to pay this year if she could find anyone to insure her business. However, Linda is seething with the lack of help from both the Government and the Irish insurance industry in her plight over the last number of months. Since facing the prospect of closure through no insurance, she formed Play & Activity Ireland (PALI) which now has 61 members including play centres, pet farms, multi-activity centres and playgrounds. Recently she made a tearful appeal for help before an Oireachtas Finance Committee. Breaking the news today, Linda said: "I'm over the moon. Today could've been a much different story if I had to close but now Huckleberry's Den remains open for the future and I'm hoping customers will come and celebrate with us. "My business has been saved. "We found out on Friday evening that two UK insurers with offices in Ireland have agreed to insure all of us in the next two weeks - at premiums far less than last year. "I feel very angry and let down though at the Irish market and the Irish Government who didn't give me one ounce of help." "This insurance triumph is down to hard work by working with PALI, the Alliance for Insurance Reform and the UK insurers who have come on board." Shannon Airport has warned that the grounding of Boeing's 737-Max aircraft will negatively affect its passenger numbers this year. Matthew Thomas, chief executive of Shannon Group - the holding company for the airport, as well as Shannon Heritage, Shannon Free Zone and Shannon Commercial Properties - said the catastrophe at Boeing will make it "a challenging year" for Shannon Airport. "At Shannon it is impacting our well-supported and successful Norwegian and Air Canada services. This will affect our passenger throughput and resultant business as we build towards what is otherwise a busy summer season," he said. He was speaking as Shannon Group reported a 37% rise in earnings, to 12.7m, for 2018 and an 8% increase in turnover to almost 78m. The group previously reported, in January, a 6.5% rise in passengers through Shannon Airport to 1.86 million last year; but called on greater Government financial backing to secure improved flight connectivity to major EU airports. Boeing chief executive Dennis Muilenburg sought to bolster shareholder confidence in the company in his first general meeting since two fatal crashes of the 737-Max triggered the jets grounding, lawsuits and investigations. File photo of Boeing 737-Max aircraft. Battling the biggest crisis of his tenure, Mr Muilenburg said the company was making steady progress toward getting approval for new software as questions linger over the safety of its fastest-selling aeroplane. Mr Muilenburg is Boeings chairman and president in addition to CEO, and faced calls to strip him of one of those titles at the meeting, but a motion to split the chairman and chief executive roles did not pass. About 150 shareholders gathered in the auditorium of the Chicago Field Museum for the meeting. One shareholder during the meeting asked Mr Muilenburg what Boeing was doing on safety assessments following the crashes. The CEO said the companys commitment to safety has not wavered. Safety is at the core of what we do. Every day, we try to get better, Mr Muilenburg said. Boeing is under pressure to deliver a software fix to prevent erroneous data triggering the MCAS anti-stall system and a new pilot training package that will convince global regulators, and the flying public, that the aircraft is safe. Last week Boeing abandoned its 2019 financial outlook, halted share buybacks and said lowered production due to the 737-Max grounding had cost it at least $1bn so far. Assault is something that happens "every day" to taxi drivers, according to Derek Devoy of Taxi Watch. Mr Devoy uploaded the video of a taxi driver being racially abused and assaulted to social media in the hope of identifying the perpetrator. A man has since turned himself in after the video went viral on social media and was seen by a family member. Mr Devoy, whose organisation trains taxi drivers to look for warning signs that indicate their passengers are suicidal, said the victim, Samuel Johnson, is "in a bad way" after the assault in Dublin. Over 200,000 people have seen the video and that led to somebody contacting me saying 'I know who this man is and here's his number', and so I rang him. He said that he wanted to hand himself in and he was deeply remorseful for what he had done, Mr Devoy told Miriam OCallaghan on RTE Radio 1. Mr Devoy praised Mr Johnsons restraint in the face of assault. He showed great restraint to be quite honest with you, a lot of taxi drivers wouldn't have put up with it, fair play to him for what he had done, but he's in a bad way, the driver still, he's very, very shaken up over it, he said. Mr Devoy said assault is something that happens out there every day to drivers. This isn't a one-off incident that doesn't happen, this happens an awful lot." "I was shocked at how aggressive it was. He was extremely aggressive. It was really, really bad. The abuse that non-national drivers take out there is phenomenal. We go out there as taxi drivers to earn money and feed our families we're not out there for the fun of it, and we shouldn't have to put up with that. It's a hard job. I wouldn't dare go out in my taxi without having a camera in my car, just to cover my backside and somebody else's as well, he said. I don't know if that driver will be able to come back to work for a long, long time, he said. Mr Devoy said a family member of the perpetrator contacted him a day after he uploaded the video, which led to him driving the perpetrator to gardai. The Justice Minister has said he is cautious of arming gardai. Charlie Flanagan's comments come after members of the Garda Representative Association called for 24-hour armed support units in every division across the country. The Association's annual conference begins in Kerry this evening. Minister Flanagan has said he has concerns about arming all gardai. "The gardai have had armed support for a long number of years," said the Minister. "One of the great attributes of the Irish Garda service, the Garda Siochana, is the fact that it is in the main an unarmed police service. "I think that's good and I would be concerned at attempts to ensure that the arming of the gardai becomes commonplace." Meanwhile, GRA President Jim Mulligan has said that a proper armed support unit in every division would "do away with the need for detective units to carry guns". He told RTE radios Morning Ireland that he believed that more resources and better targeting of criminal gangs would be needed to tackle the growing problem of ATM thefts. Mr Mulligan said the GRA is calling for a full-time public order unit to be established in Dublin, which would provide another back up service for frontline members in Dublin. He also said members would also like a clear policy on whether someone, arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving, should be handcuffed. Mr Flanagan did support the calls for 24-hour armed support units, saying there is scope for the expansion of the units. "I think there is merit in ensuring that at a regional level, there can be an armed response should the circumstances warrant," he said, speaking from Killarney. "And I'm thinking particularly in Drogheda where currently we have an armed support unit on the street in order to meet head on what is a particularly nasty challenge." Earlier: Gardai call for 24-hour armed support unit in every division in Ireland Rank and file gardai want 24-hour armed support units across every division in the country. The issue of violent crime will dominate the annual conference of the Garda Representative Association, which begins in Co Kerry this evening. GRA members from all 28 garda divisions will be represented at their annual conference, which gets underway later in Killarney. Resources to tackle criminal gangs will be discussed, following a rise in ATM robberies along the border and an upsurge in violence in Drogheda. Members want a 24-hour armed support unit in every division and a full-time public order unit in Dublin. Gardai say they also need clarity on when to use handcuffs if arresting people for drink driving. The conference will hear calls to increase the age at which gardai must retire, extra allowances for members living in rent pressure zones, access to the flu vaccine and for all garda cars to be fitted with GPS. Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris will address the conference tomorrow. The threat of censorship that hangs over artists and writers must be removed once and for all, according to civil rights activists. Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan will tomorrow be called on to repeal the Censorship of Publications Act so as to "liberate the arts in a modern-day Ireland". Backed by historians and artists, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) will make the call for an end to censorship in all its forms. The campaign launch, the Best Banned in the Land event, is part of the Dublin: One City One Book festival. It comes a year after the forced removal of a Repeal the 8th Amendment mural at the city's Project Arts Centre, an order by authorities which sparked public outrage. In a message ahead of the campaign launch, ICCL chief executive Liam Herrick said: Artistic expression, because it resonates at such a deep level, should be protected and facilitated by the State. "This includes via state support of artists who face barriers such as gender, economic status or race. Artists should feel that the State is not only allowing their work to flourish, but actively promoting it and they should feel empowered to claim that from the State. "Any act of censorship is counter to this obligation and the State should make every effort to repair damage done by it. In 2018, the charities regulator ordered the removal of a pro-choice mural at the Project Arts Centre. A separate order in 2016 saw city authorities argue the mural breached planning regulations. One writer last year also had her talk on abortion at a literature festival cancelled. Other guest speakers at the launch tomorrow include Declan Long, a programme director at the National College of Art & Design; Project Arts Centre artistic director Cian O'Brien; poet and barrister John O'Donnell; and Lian Bell who is a director for a campaign for women working in theatre. A Dublin actress has pleaded guilty to online harassment campaign of a BBC childrens television presenter. Frances Winston, 45, is awaiting sentence after she was charged with harassing CBeebies star Ferne Corrigan on social media. Winston, who is also a writer and a comedian, faced her fourth hearing today before Judge Michael Walsh at Dublin District Court. Defence solicitor Colleen Gildernew told the court her client was pleading guilty, and the case would take some time to hear the facts. Ferne Corrigan, host of My Pet And Me and Ferne and Rorys Vet Tales, was not present for the hearing. File photo of Ferne Corrigan. Pic: IrishPhotoDesk.ie Detective Sergeant Jonathan Kelly asked for an adjournment. The complainant resided in the UK, he said, adding that he may have to take a victim statement from her over the phone. The defence indicated that there was no objection to this and Judge Walsh adjourned the case for finalisation in two weeks. Winston was remanded on continuing bail. In December, she was given a warning, sought by gardai, to remind her she had to obey a condition banning her from contacting Ms Corrigan on social media. Disclosure of evidence, including typed statements, was ordered at an earlier stage. Ms Winston, who has an address at Rathgar Road, Dublin 6, faces a single count under Section 10.1 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. She was accused that on an on-going basis between February 19, 2016, and May 20, 2017, at various unknown locations she harassed Ferne Corrigan. At her first hearing in September 2018, Detective Sergeant Jonathan Kelly told the court Ms Winston, was charged at Irishtown Garda station after which she made no reply. The Director of Public Prosecutions had directed the case should be dealt with at district court level and not in the circuit court, which has tougher sentencing powers. After hearing an outline of the case against the accused, Judge Walsh had accepted jurisdiction. Detective Sergeant Kelly told the court it was alleged: The defendant engaged in an online campaign of harassment against a named individual who is not resident in the State, and used various social media platforms to harass this individual in a very public way. Judge Walsh had asked if they were connected and the Garda said they were not directly linked but he added: The injured party is the daughter of the defendants former partner. The defence solicitor had successfully resisted the gardas application for an absolute ban on her client using social media of any type. The judge had agreed to her request that the order in relation to using social media would be limited to the injured party. He has also warned that if Ms Winston were foolish enough to make contact it could lead to further charges. Ms Winston cannot have any contact with the injured party, or members of her family and her friends, by any means. He warned her she could not contact Ferne Corrigan and this included social media, emails, any manner whatsoever. She was also told to reside at her current address and she had to give gardai her phone number. The judge has ordered gardai to hand over copies of all the communications which included various emails to the defence. Legal aid was granted to Ms Winston at her first hearing after the judge noted from the defence solicitor that she was employed but not above the threshold. Ms Winston was cast to play murder plotter Sharon Lying Eyes Collins in a 2017 TV3 reconstruction of that case. Fianna Fail have sought a meeting with the Government to seek an explanation on the rising cost of the National Broadband Plan. The Government is expected to go against concerns raised and approve the plan in the coming weeks. It has been reported that senior officials - including Robert Watt, Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform - told Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe that the plan to deliver high-speed broadband to every home and business in the country should be abandoned due to escalating and unaffordable costs. While the Government initially said it would cost 500m to roll-out rural broadband, that has now increased to 3bn and the one remaining bidder has yet to be approved by Cabinet. Fianna Fail's Barry Cowen has written to the Finance Minister demanding that all advice received on the project be published. Fianna Fail's Barry Cowen. "I am anxious to meet with him to discuss this. I don't want to get in the way or to delay the scheme but I have a responsibility and a duty to scrutinise the details and the advice given, this is in the public interest," Fianna Fail's spokesperson on public expenditure and reform said. It is understood that Mr Donohoe may now meet Mr Cowen later this week to discuss the advice the Government has received on the plan. However, a spokesperson for Mr Donohoe claimed: "no request of that nature has been submitted". She confirmed that the Minister had received the letter from Mr Cowen adding: "Minister Donohoe will respond shortly". Mr Varadkar had said that a decision on the plan, which was first published in 2012, would be made before Easter. However, this deadline was missed and the NBP will not be discussed when the Cabinet holds its weekly meeting in Cork on Wednesday. A spokesperson for Communications Minister, Richard Bruton, said the Government wants to deliver broadband to the remaining 540,000 premises in rural Ireland for whom it is clear that commercial operators will not deliver high-speed, future-proofed services. "However, we have to make sure we do it right," the spokesperson said. Update 12pm: Alyssa O'Hanlon has been located safe and well. Gardai have thanked the public for their assistance. Earlier Gardai are asking for the public's help in finding a teenage girl from Dublin. 17-year-old Alyssa O'Hanlon has been missing from the Crumlin area since the early hours of yesterday morning. She was last seen on Stanaway Avenue. Alyssa is 5ft in height, with a slim build, long brown hair and blue eyes. When last seen, she was wearing a black bubble jacket with a fur hood, black leggings and pink Nike Air Max trainers. Gardai are concerned for Alyssa and asking anyone who has seen her or who can assist in locating her is to contact Crumlin Garda Station on 01 - 6666200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station. Three teenage boys have reportedly been attacked with acid in Waterford. Gardai believe acid was thrown over them and one of the boys, said to be an Irish U17 international soccer player, is still in hospital where doctors are trying to save his sight. Another of the victims is said to be a juvenile hurler for Waterford, according to Damien Tiernan of local radio station WLRFM. Four youths were arrested in connection with the incident. The Government is expected to announce an update on the stalled Cork event centre after a special Cabinet gathering in the city on Wednesday. As well as Cork, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will visit Waterford and Limerick this week as campaigning ramps up for the local and European elections. While a final announcement or opening commitment date for the near 80m project is not expected after the weekly government meeting, ministers will discuss an update to the project. It will be about the state of play [of the centre] and where to from here. It is not expected to be a final decision, said a source. An artist's impression of the proposed events centre. The Government meeting is also expected to be marked by protests by members of the Irish Farmers Association who have concerns about the high price of beef. While it is expected that ministers will gather in Blackrock Castle in Cork for the meeting, a government spokesman did not confirm final details for the gathering. There have been calls for a decision on the Cork centre to be delayed until a new council take their seats after the May 24 poll. However, there are also problems with a 30m state-funding package for the facility. Mr Varadkar will tomorrow visit Waterford city. He is leading canvasses and townhall events across the three cities this week as part of Fine Gaels campaign for a Yes vote in Directly Elected Mayor plebiscites next month. Voters there as well as in Cork on Wednesday and Limerick on Thursday will be able to hear discussion on reasons why the Government believe a directly elected mayor will benefit cities and surrounding regions. The plebiscites will take place in Waterford and Limerick city and county electoral areas and the Cork City Council area on May 24 the same day as the elections. Meanwhile, Tanaiste Simon Coveney is expected to update the Cabinet on efforts by the Irish and British governments to get the North's power-sharing administration up and running again. The fresh impetus follows the shooting dead last week of 29-year-old journalist Lyra McKee in Derry. The governments have called all-party talks in the North for May 7. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has suggested that a referendum on marriage equality should be held to solve the political impasse in the North. Same-sex marriage, which Sinn Fein sees as a red line issue, remains a thorny and unresolved matter with the DUP vehemently opposed to it. Health Minister Simon Harris has witten to politicians, ordering them to publicly support childhood vaccinations to combat anti-vax scaremongering and populist nonsense. Mr Harris will also put pressure on TDs to promote vaccination, tabling a cross-party motion in support of childhood immunisation programmes and the HPV vaccine for girls and boys. Cases of measles have spiked by 200% in the last year and the HSE was forced to launch an awareness campaign after significant drop-off rates in young girls getting the HPV vaccine. In a letter sent to all TDs and senators, Mr Harris blamed misinformation and disinformation for the worrying drop-off in children being immunised. Although vaccines for the prevention of 15 diseases are currently included in Irelands population-based vaccination programme, Ireland continues to experience cases and outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccine hesitancy and the increased public profile of misinformation/disinformation campaigns continue to be significant public health concerns and challenges for Ireland, our EU partners, and indeed globally, he wrote. Mr Harris has already confirmed that he is looking to make vaccinations mandatory and has sought legal advice from Attorney General Seamus Woulfe. Mr Harris told politicians: At my request, my officials have now initiated a review of the available evidence, both legislative and scientific, with a view towards identifying the most appropriate policy intervention or interventions which might be applied in Ireland and, subject to their findings, I look forward to engaging with members of the Oireachtas further over the coming months. Notwithstanding this work, I am concerned at the negative impact upon the overall efficacy of vaccination programmes and public health generally. Mr Harris is to set up an alliance of healthcare professionals and policy-makers to promote vaccination, particularly the childhood immunisation programme and the HPV vaccine. However, he said politicians have a responsibility to show leadership on this issue. I think it would be a very powerful message for the Houses of the Oireachtas to pass a cross-party motion in support of our childhood immunisation programmes and the HPV vaccine for both girls and boys. I will revert on this shortly. The minister encouraged TDs and senators to share information on vaccinations from the National Immunisation Office on social media platforms. Vaccination saves lives and I know, working together, we can continue to increase vaccination rates, prevent disease and save lives, he wrote. However, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin accused Mr Harris of creating distractions with his letter. There [are] huge issues across health, but I am surprised he doesnt already have the AGs advice. We are kind of tired of announcements saying I am going looking for advice. "In the same announcement, the same minister said he hadnt consulted with his own ministers, he hadnt consulted with the Taoiseach, that it was a personal position, and yet now we are led to believe hes going to write to the Attorney General, and one would have thought that he would have had those advices a long time ago, in terms of whether it is possible to have mandatory childhood vaccination. There are constitutional issues in terms of bodily integrity, the right to privacy, but more fundamentally, in terms of schooling and education, theres a constitutional right to a primary education. Mr Martin said rather than creating the issue in a kind of vacuum he would have preferred if Mr Harris had come to the debate with an authoritative opinion from the Attorney General as to what is possible. He said he would be encouraging his party colleagues to support the programme. Separately a small group of protesters yesterday targeted the family home of Mr Harris for a second time this year. The Fingal Battalion also posted a video message online demanding for Mr Harris resignation. The head of the ASTI is calling for dedicated teachers to teach sex education in secondary schools. It comes after a leaked Government report found that the current curriculum is outdated and does not deal with issues like pornography, consent and LGBT relationships. House prices close to Dart stations and Luas stops in Dublin are now 129,000 higher than average prices in the city, a new survey has found. The latest research from Daft.ie found property prices near public transport stops rose by an average of 4% in the first quarter of this year, to an average of 512,000. It means buyers are now paying 129,000, or 34%, more for a property close to a Dart station or Luas stop compared to the average price for a house in the capital, which is 383,000. As seen on previous Daft light rail reports, commuters on the Dublin south coastline pay the most for a property close to a Dart station, with prices averaging 670,000, an increase of 45,000 on the first three months of 2018. Raychel OConnell of Daft.ie said: House prices close to Dublin Dart and Luas stations continue to rise at a higher rate than the county average, which shows just how strong demand is for light rail public transport options in the capital. The survey, released yesterday, analysed average asking prices for two and three-bedroom properties close to each of the 98 Dart and Luas stops and stations in the greater Dublin area for the period between April 2018 and March 2019. Prices near Dart stations are among the most expensive analysed, with Sandymount averaging 870,000, Dalkey 848,000, Lansdowne Rd 821,000, and Sydney Parade 756,000. On the Luas, homes close to the Beechwood stop command the highest average asking price (788,000) on the green line, while those living close to the Spencer Dock stop (724,000) pay the most on the Luas red line. For the first time, the 16 stops on the proposed MetroLink route were examined. The most expensive homes on the proposed route are those closest to the Charlemont stop (724,000) and Tara St (573,000). The least expensive homes are in the areas close to the Ballymun (285,000) and Northwood (322,000) stops. Ms OConnell said Daft.ie would monitor price changes as the project evolves. Economist Ronan Lyons said: In this update to the rail prices map, weve added areas around the MetroLinks residential stations. Thats because, when people buy homes, they typically buy them for the long term 10 years or more. Therefore, they plan ahead and its envisaged that MetroLink will be up and running by 2027, less than 10 years away. A four-year-old boy and his toddler sister were abandoned in a taxi by their drunken mother, it was alleged today as she was prosecuted for child cruelty. The 32-year-old woman appeared at an in-camera sitting of Cork District Court charged with two counts of child cruelty, contrary to The Childrens Act. Sergeant Ann Marie Twomey outlined the allegations in the case so that Judge John King could decide whether or not he would accept jurisdiction to deal with the case at Cork District Court. Sgt Twomey said it is alleged that the woman was in a taxi with her two children, aged 4 and 18 months, after 8pm on August 10, 2017. As a result of the defendant's drunken condition, the taxi driver required assistance from the gardai so he pulled in to a local garda station. Gardai called an ambulance for the defendant as she was so drunk she was foaming at the mouth and her eyes were bloodshot. She agreed to go to hospital in the ambulance and her children went with her. Gardai contacted the defendants mother to attend the hospital to mind the children. However, upon arrival at the hospital, the defendant left the ambulance with her children without getting medical attention and got into a second taxi. It was alleged that she later got out of this taxi, stumbled into her home and left the boy and girl in the taxi. The driver was so concerned that he brought the children to gardai. It was alleged that when questioned later, the mother said she knew she had left the children with a taxi driver but did not know which taxi driver. Judge King said he would accept jurisdiction to deal with the case. It was adjourned until May 7. It will now be a matter for the mother to decide if she is pleading guilty or not guilty. Minister for Health Simon Harris has said that the allegiance of the people who Their mask slipped, we see now where their allegiances lie and it is not to our Republic, he told RTE radios News at One. Members of a group that calls itself the Fingal Battalion Direct Action Group suggested they were present because of the comments last week by Mr Harris when he said that the actions of self-styled revolutionary party, Saoradh who paraded in paramilitary style through Dublin on Easter Saturday, must be examined and not allowed to happen again. One of the groups online comments read: Simon slatted [sic] people who commemorated our fallen heros [sic] but Simon needs to know he would never be commemorated in this country as hes one of Irelands biggest embarrassments. Mr Harris said the activity outside his home in Greystones was not a protest, its an attempt to intimidate. This is the second time they have visited my home. It causes huge disruption to my family, my neighbours and the gardai. The Minister said that the gardai are doing a wonderful job. Its very important to send a message that as a people, as a Republic we dont support their actions. I know the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner are going to continue to monitor the situation. When asked about his plans for an Read More: Im trying to ignite a debate. Mandatory vaccination is a possibility. Vaccination should be the norm, otherwise its putting other kids at risk. Eleven countries have already taken steps on mandatory vaccination. He said it is a matter of balancing a childs rights and the public good to eradicate diseases. Health professionals want to push back against misinformation. In relation to mortuary facilities in University Hospital Waterford, the Minister confirmed that a mobile refrigerated unit will be in place this week. There is an obligation to make sure that these things are managed and that peoples dignity is maintained. Sinn Fein's spokesperson on health says a protest at the private home of Simon Harris at the weekend is a step too far. Gardai were called after a group called Fingal Battalion staged the latest in Read More: He responded with a statement saying his main concern is his family, but he will not be intimidated. Sinn Fein's Louise O'Reilly says this type of protest does not help anybody. "I don't think it's acceptable for any group to protest at someone's home," said Ms O'Reilly. "The Minister is involved in politics, his family are not. And their right to privacy should be protected. "I would also say to the protestors that what they're doing is counterproductive. "It's not engendering any support for those who seek to oppose the government or indeed seek to oppose what this government is doing to people. In fact, it is having the very opposite effect." Opposition TDs who have raised concerns around vaccinations have defended their actions. It comes as Health Minister Simon Harris wrote to all TDs and senators calling on them to publicly support childhood immunisation programmes to combat anti-vax "scaremongering" and "populist nonsense". Cases of measles have spiked by 200% in the last year and the HSE was forced to launch an awareness campaign following significant drop off rates in young girls getting the HPV vaccine. In a letter sent to all TDs and senators, Mr Harris blamed "misinformation and disinformation" for the worrying drop off in children being immunised and the significant increase in cases of measles which is highly contagious and can be dangerous. A number of TDs have previously tabled parliamentary questions to Mr Harris questioning the safety of vaccinations such as HPV and the side effects associated with it. Mr Harris yesterday dismissed these concerns and said: "As a parent and as Minister for Health I instinctively believe that vaccination should be the norm. "There is so much information out there today, which is great, but parents need to know where they can get reputable information and my worry that in the social media ear in which we now live that there has been misinformation and disinformation spread and that has resulted in very stark figures. "We had 25 cases of measles in Ireland in 2017, we had 86 last year and so far in the first four months of this year we see 47 so we are seeing a very significant increase in diseases which many of us thought had nearly been confined to the history books. "We saw with the HPV vaccine where we had a very high uptake rate and then a campaign of misinformation saw that rate drop. We are now working really hard to get it back up." Fianna Fail TD Eugene Murphy, who last year asked the minister to make a statement on unexplained adverse reactions associated with the HPV vaccination, said he was representing a constituent in doing so. "My personal view is that I think it's important that the vaccination programme is supported. I was asked by a constituent, there is a small number of people who have concerns and I never brush them aside and that's why I think research should continue." Party colleague Marc McSharry who has also written to the minister about the HPV vaccination said he is "totally in favour" of immunisation. However he said an "adequate pathway of care" for those who do have adverse reactions should be provided. Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice said he had contacted the minister asking for clarity on his letter. However, he said he had tabled the parliamentary question on vaccinations after being contacted by a constituent. Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae told the Irish Examiner that he had not received the letter from Mr Harris and would not be making a comment on it or on vaccinations until he received the correspondence. Some of Ireland's newest citizens have been urged to seize the opportunity afforded to them by their new status by taking part in the upcoming referendum on May 24. People living in Ireland have the right to vote in different types of elections, but only citizens can vote on changing the constitution, a ceremony conferring citizenship on almost 2,500 people from 90 countries was told. The final step the oath of loyalty and fidelity to the Irish State made the new citizens equal of those who had been here generations, said retired High Court Judge Bryan McMahon who was one of two presiding officers at the ceremony in the Killarney Convention Centre, Co Kerry. We have no second class citizens, Mr Justice McMahon said. Participate fully in the political system. Vote! You have a right to vote now, he added. Mr Justice McMahon also urged the new citizens not to forget their old country, their stories, and their songs and to bring with them their own memories. Lt. Matthew Kennedy, 12th Batallion, Limerick holds the Irish flag Such memories are not contraband, he said. The retired judge said the first thing everyone wanted to do was to apply for a passport, but he said they should also buy a copy of the constitution. Gently assert yourselves in your new communities and you will be surprised what welcome you will find there, he said. The new citizens should not, however be too modest in their aspirations and one day they or their children could be ministers or justices or could follow An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. In a televised address Mr Varadkar, offering his congratulations said father was Indian, his sister was born in the UK and some of his relatives lived in America. My family story like yours is very much defined by migration, the Taoiseach said. Ireland, not yet 100 years a State, was a place of diversity and of openness, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said in his address. Since 2011, when large scale citizenship ceremonies were introduced, some 122,000 people from 180 countries had become Irish citizens, Mr Flanagan added. Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD. It is truly remarkable this tiny island on the edge of Europe facing into the Atlantic has as its citizens people from every country on this planet." Poland, with 406 people, was the top nationality at the ceremony followed by 309 from the United Kingdom and 218 from Romania. Indians were the fourth highest grouping. Lucimeire Da Silva, originally from Brazil, and living in Dublin had worked for a while as an extra on Fair City. The mother of a two-year-old is married to James McClafferty from Donegal and has been in Ireland for eight years. Seated on the front row and waving an Irish flag enthusiastically Ms Da Silva said: I love Ireland! The couple had met in a pub in Dublin, she said. Ravinder Dhingra from Jaipur, India but living in Glenageary in Dublin for six years with his wife and five year-old son, said: Its a very big day. I love this country. Working in IT, he had come to Ireland for an assignment - but stayed. Asked what he liked so much about Ireland, Mr Dhingra said: "Its really the people." Two Polish road hauliers who were working in Ireland were put on trial today on the charge of murdering another Eastern European man at a filling station in Fermoy, Co. Cork, over two years ago. It was alleged that the deceased and his friend brought iron bars from a trampoline to the scene after getting into a verbal dispute with the two accused. Tomasz Wasowicz, 45, and Marcin Skrzypezyk, 31, are charged with the murder of Ludovit Pasztor, 40, on February 21, 2017, at the Amber filling station at Carrignagroghera, Fermoy, County Cork. Wasowicz also faces the additional charge of being in possession of a weapon, namely a stun-gun at the same date and place. The scene of the incident in Fermoy in 2017. Pic: Denis Minihane Siobhan Lankford prosecution senior counsel gave the jury what she described as a road map of the anticipated evidence but stressed that her outline was not itself evidence. On February 21 2017, Ludovit Pasztor, now deceased, got up in the morning at around 10am and went down to clean his car. His friend (Mariusz Osail) called at about noon. "Sometime after 2.30pm they went to Mr Osails house and had a few drinks. In this case, there was a significant amount of alcohol consumed by Mr Osail and Mr Pasztor, Ms Lankford said. Both men went to the Amber filling station near Mr Osails house at around 9.30-9.45pm and bought eight cans of Carlsberg. On that same evening the two accused, Tomasz Wasowicz and Marcin Skrzypezyk, who worked as drivers for Macroom Haulage, were resting at the car park of the filling station and were to stay the night there in keeping with regulations that restrict the amount of time that haulage drivers can drive in a 24-hour period. Ms Lankford said: They were in Mr Wasowiczs truck. They had drink from the service station and were chatting. They went around the back of the truck to go to the toilet. The scene of the incident in Fermoy in 2017. Pic: Denis Minihane Mr Pasztor and Mr Osail were making their way out of the filling station having bought alcohol and they heard voices and recognised them as Polish and struck up a conversation with Mr Wasowicz and Mr Skrzypezyk. That conversation turned sour at some point. There were verbals. People in the vicinity say there was some argy-bargy that might be too strong but there were unhappy verbals. Mr Osail and Mr Pasztor left and went back to Mr Osails House. There were a number of bars from a trampoline behind a shed. "They took two of the bars and went back to resume the conversation with Mr Wasowicz and Mr Skrzypezyk and knocked on the door of Mr Wasowiczs truck. The two men got out, the prosecution senior counsel said. Ms Lankford said other truck drivers were parked at the filling station where there was allegedly a physical altercation between Mr Pasztor and Mr Osail on one side and on the other, Mr Wasowicz and Mr Skryspezyk. Ultimately, it appears that Mr Pasztor and Mr Osail were on the ground and hit using iron bars by the accused. The accused had disarmed Mr Osail and Mr Pasztor and hit these individuals, in particular, Mr Pasztor. Mr Osail appears to have gotten up. Mr Wasowicz and Mr Skrzypezyk returned to their respective trucks. Mr Osail made a 999 call which was received at 10.16pm. Guards arrived at 10.22. Evidence from the guards will be given of what they found. They found an iron bar visible under a lorry and a second one in a field nearby. It may be said that certain of these acts were carried out in self-defence. The state will have to deal with that, she said. The trial before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury of eight men and four women will continue tomorrow at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork. Sri Lankas government has banned face coverings that conceal peoples identities in the wake of the Easter Sunday terror attacks. The emergency law prevents Muslim women from veiling their faces. Candles lit in tribute to victims in Colombo (Manish Swarup/AP) Earlier, the Catholic church in Sri Lanka said the government should crack down on Islamists as if on war footing in the aftermath of the bombings. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the archbishop of Colombo, said the church may not be able to stop people from taking the law into their own hands unless the government conducts a more thorough investigation and prevents further attacks. Sri Lankan Catholics pray during mass outside the exploded St Anthonys Church (Eranga Jayawardena/AP) Cardinal Ranjith told reporters: All the security forces should be involved and function as if on war footing. I want to state that we may not be able to keep people under control in the absence of a stronger security programme. (PA Graphics) Meanwhile, President Maithripala Sirisena appointed former army commander Shantha Kottegoda as the top official in the defence ministry after requesting the resignation of his predecessor, Hemasiri Fernando, for intelligence failures that led to the bomb attacks. More than 250 people were killed when seven Islamist suicide bombers blew themselves up, targeting worshippers in three churches and in three luxury hotels. The victims included at least 40 tourists who were having breakfast at the hotels. Two other suicide bombers died by triggering blasts one to avoid capture by the police, and another at an inn where he was staying. Islamic State has claimed responsibility, and investigators are looking into the extent of their direct involvement with the local radicalised Muslims who carried out the attacks.- Press Association Catholic church urges crackdown on Sri Lankan Islamists The Catholic church in Sri Lanka has said the government should crack down on Islamists "as if on war footing" in the aftermath of the Easter bombings. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the archbishop of Colombo, said the church may not be able to stop people from taking the law into their own hands unless the government conducts a more thorough investigation and prevents further attacks. The cardinal said he is not satisfied in the manner in which the government has carried out its investigations so far. Cardinal Ranjith told reporters: "All the security forces should be involved and function as if on war footing. "I want to state that we may not be able to keep people under control in the absence of a stronger security programme. "We can't forever give them false promises and keep them calm. (We ask the government) to implement a proper programme in order that the people don't take the law into their own hands." More than 250 people were killed when seven Islamist suicide bombers blew themselves up, targeting worshippers in three churches and in three luxury hotels. The victims included at least 40 tourists who were having breakfast at the hotels. Two other suicide bombers died by triggering blasts - one to avoid capture by the police, and another at an inn he was staying. Islamic State has claimed responsibility, and investigators are looking into the extent of their direct involvement with the local radicalised Muslims who carried out the attacks. On Sunday night, President Maithripala Sirisena ordered an emergency law banning face coverings that conceal people's identities. The decision came after the Cabinet had proposed laws on face veils at a recent meeting. It had deferred the matter until talks with Islamic clerics could be held, on the advice of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. - PA April 28 was a special day of prayer for the victims of the Easter massacres. The faithful gave life to processions, vigils and Eucharistic adorations. Many Muslims and Hindus joined the Catholics. Miao (AsiaNews) - Accepting the invitation of the Indian Catholic Church, which announced a special Day of Prayer for the victims of Sri Lanka for yesterday, the faithful of Arunachal Pradesh commemorated the massacres carried out at Easter with masses, prayers and processions. The Miao Catholics spent the whole day in prayer: in the morning with Sunday Mass; in the evening with Eucharistic adoration and a candel lit procession. Yesterday, the day when the universal Church celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday, it was the first Sunday after the massacres that killed at least 253 people in three churches and three hotels in Colombo. Msgr. George Pallipparambil, local bishop, said to those present: "The news of the chain explosions during Easter morning in Sri Lanka was too painful. As a nation, Sri Lanka has already suffered too much violence in the past. We assure our support in prayer to the Church of Sri Lanka. May the Lord of peace who defeated death help the people of Sri Lanka with hope and peace ". After the Eucharistic adoration, the young people of the diocese organized a gathering at the Namphai market, in the district of Changlang. Then, together with many Muslim and Hindu friends for a total of over 200 people, they started a march. The procession started from the grotto of the Sacred Heart and came to the government upper secondary school. Other similar marches were held in Tezu, in the district of Lohit, and in Pongchao, in the district of Longding, in the eastern part of the state. Nangtim Mossang, Miao's youth leader, says: "The news from Sri Lanka is really painful. What was supposed to be a day of celebration is transformed into a day of mourning and sorrow for our brothers and sisters . Tumen Wangrai, a catechist in the Changlang district, adds: "Sri Lanka is not alone in this moment of great pain. His agony is also ours ". (Photo credit: Felix Anthony) Six people including a pastor have been killed in an attack on a Christian church in northern Burkina Faso. The violence took place on Sunday in the village of Silgadji, not far from the volatile border with Mali. Virgin Australia has deferred delivery of the first jets in an order of 48 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft amid ongoing uncertainty around the scandal-plagued plane and as the airline tries to improve its own financial position. In the first major decision by new chief executive Paul Scurrah since he took the top job a month ago, the airline said it was pushing back on delivery of its first MAX aircraft from November this year to July 2021. Virgin has dozens of MAX jets on order. Boeing's new series of aircraft have been grounded globally since March following two fatal crashes involving MAX 8 planes in the past six months, in Indonesia and Ethiopia, which killed 346 people. The price tag on Virgin's order is confidential but is estimated to run at close to $2.5 billion, and pushing back the order will delay a $1 billion delivery bill. by Melani Manel Perera Catholic and Protestant clerics have banned Mass in churches. Such a step was not taken even during the countrys civil war. Muslim women are not allowed full face covering for security reasons. Colombo (AsiaNews) - For the first time in their lives, Sri Lankan Catholics watched Mass live on TV, as a result of the ban on church services a week after Easter Sunday's massacres. Nothing like it has ever happened before, "not even during the terrible war launched by the Tamil Tigers rebels," some youth said. At 8am, Card Malcolm Ranjith, archbishop of Colombo, celebrated the liturgy in the archbishop's chapel, which was broadcast on all public and private radios and televisions. At 8.45am, the exact moment when the St Anthony Church in Kochchikade (Colombo) was struck, all of the countrys churches rang the death knell in memory of 253 victims. Since the attacks, Catholic and other Christian churches have banned liturgical services in churches to avoid the risk of new attacks after those carried out against three churches and three hotels in Colombo. In some places, Muslim and Buddhist communities offered Christians their places of worship for Sunday celebration. The Buddhist temple in Gampah, in the western province, was one of them. Yesterday Card Ranjith concelebrated the service with two auxiliary bishops, several priests, nuns and a few faithful. During the homily, the cardinal said that large-scale deaths and destruction caused by human failure may prompt some people to question the existence of God and his love for them. However, God loves everyone, including those who died. He created man in his own image and likeness and breathed his own life into him. In the name of God, people cannot destroy other human beings. If we do that, it is contrary to Gods wishes," the Archbishop said. All of us are unique, he added. God has created us with a unique face, unique talents, unique weaknesses as well as strengths. God loves everybody profoundly; therefore, every human person is a treasure. There is nothing as important as human life. [ . . .] Last Sundays mass murder was nothing but an insult to humanity. Just after the homily, President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the leader of the opposition, former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa, joined Catholics in the ceremony of lighting the candle to the statues of Saint Anthony and Saint Sebastian, the patron saints of the two Catholic churches that were attacked. The third church to be attacked was Zion Church, an evangelical church located in Batticaloa. A ban on face coverings in public came into effect today, including the veil some Muslim women wear to cover their faces. President Sirisena took the decision yesterday for security reasons under the state of emergency. After some resistance, the Muslim community accepted the ban. Childcare operators have broadly welcomed Labor's $4 billion childcare policy saying it would improve options for low income earners and attract staff to the sector. Labor this week pledged to increase the childcare subsidy available to families with household incomes under $175,000 a year by lifting the current 85 per cent subsidy for low-income families to 100 per cent for all those earning less than $69,527. Labor would also fund a 20 per cent increase in the wages of early childhood educators over the next eight years. Opposition leader Bill Shorten at a Goodstart Early Learning centre on Friday. Credit:AAP Australia's largest childcare provider, Goodstart Early Learning, a not-for-profit with 645 centres across Australia which caters for 60,000 families said Labor's policy is well targeted and will support a lot of families. Spokesperson John Cherry says 30 per cent of families currently using childcare earn less than $69,527 and 50 per cent earn less than $100,000. The $170 billion franchising sector faces a wide-ranging overhaul after the federal government revealed it had set up a taskforce to address the systemic issues in the industry. A parliamentary inquiry report in March made 71 recommendations amounting to a total recasting of regulation in the sector as well as greater enforcement powers and penalties for the regulator. Small Business Minister Michaelia Cash on the campaign trail with Prime Minister Scott Morrison earlier this month. Credit:AAP Small Business Minister Michaelia Cash said the establishment of an inter-agency taskforce was the first recommendation of the committee. She said the government had now set up that taskforce and that it would examine the feasibility and implementation of the committee's other recommendations. Finance Minister Mathias Cormann has rubbished suggestions by independent Curtin candidate Louise Stewart the Liberal Party is behind fabricated polling her campaign claimed to have commissioned when leaking it to journalists. In a statement released on Monday, Ms Stewart said she had actually received the polling in an email from "independentinc.org.au", which purported it had been supplied by former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's son Alex. Minister for Finance Mathias Cormann says suggestions the Liberal Party is behind the fake polling are "just crazy". Credit:Alex Ellinghausen She did not say who sent the email, but claimed "data has been obtained suggesting 'independentinc.org.au' may have originated from a location close to a senior conservative WA Liberal MP's office in Perth". But a search indicated independentinc.org.au is not registered as a domain name. A $42 billion explosion in tax paid largely by workers, companies and superannuation funds has helped drive tax collections to their highest share of the economy since the final year of John Howard's government. As Scott Morrison argued the government was bringing the budget back into surplus because it had "taxes under control", the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported a surge in tax revenue at the federal and state level. ABS figures show an explosion in revenue has taken Australia's tax-to-GDP ratio to its highest since the last year of the Howard government Credit:Louie Douvis Through the 2017-18 financial year, the bureau found total taxes collected by all levels of government reached a record $528 billion or 28.6 per cent of GDP. It is the highest share of the economy claimed by taxes since 2007-08 when it hit 29.5 per cent. Federal government taxes jumped by 10 per cent or $38.7 billion to a record $427.2 billion. It eclipses the 9.8 per cent increase enjoyed by the Gillard government in 2011-12 on the back of a sharp lift in commodity prices. From K-beauty, to G-beauty, to J-beauty: international markets have increasingly become beauty trends in and of themselves. Loading But, while a number of overseas brands are already available in Australia, there are still products that either dont ship here, or are much cheaper locally. For the best range and experience it can be worth going straight to the source. Before I travel I like to do my research: best-of blog posts, YouTube hauls, as well as recommendations from friends and family. Sometimes, especially if I am travelling to a non-English speaking country, I like to collate a document complete with images so I know exactly what Im looking for and can show the sales assistants once there. If you haven't had time to prep, I'm a big fan of shopping at eye level never underestimate the power of merchandising. I also give the products a quick Google to see if there are any reviews about. Best sheet masks in [insert country] is one of my most-searched terms. In fact, while Stephenson believes this millennial softness has positive attributes, like empathy and a desire to fight for social injustice, she basically agrees with claims that its all the rage for Generation Wuss to present as "fragile". Our parents have had, maybe two or three jobs in their life. Now, millennials, were riddled with anxiety over all the choice. We are soft like that ... I feel this sense of responsibility or this guilt for having everything at my fingertips but not having a direction essentially. I kind of grew up with the idea that I could be anything I wanted, and I think, as millennials, weve all been told were pretty little butterflies and we basically can do anything, says the a 26-year-old communications and cultural studies graduate. She recounts stories of fellow university students, full of empathetic angst as they protested homelessness by sleeping out in the cold, all the while having a financial safety net of their parents and a warm bed when to return to when they chose. They would be anti-societal and 'not giving in to the system' and using social media to promote their activism but not genuinely being in that position, she says, in the back of their mind knowing theyre still going to be safe. Loading There's a power in being fragile now, psychotherapist Stella OMalley said last week, while promoting her new book, Fragile: Why We Feel More Anxious, Stressed and Overwhelmed Than Ever, and What We Can Do About It. You get attention and you get status from it in the way that people once did from their yachts and cars ... You see it all the time [on social media]: the person with the sad story gets the most attention and the most traction." OMalley, who has also written about Cotton Wool kids, blames the millennials fragility on a combination of helicopter parenting, a cultural shift away from stoicism as well as the positive psychology message that we can do or be anything we put our minds to. The families of the Lindt cafe shooting victims say authorities are failing to acknowledge their culpability in the mistakes made during the siege, with the partner of cafe manager Tori Johnson accusing the NSW government and police of a "cover-up". The partner of Mr Johnson, Thomas Zinn, said nobody had been made accountable for procedural failures during the siege, which ended with the deaths of Mr Johnson and a fellow hostage, barrister and mother Katrina Dawson. His comments followed revelations that a senior police sniper is suing the State of NSW over the siege, accusing them of negligence. Special operations police assemble a block away from the siege in Sydneys Martin Place in 2014. Credit:Daniel Munoz It is not only one of the biggest cover ups of all times but also one of the biggest injustices, and it looks like they are getting away with it so far, Mr Zinn said. Many Queenslanders die before their palliative care packages are approved, doctors say in a damning submission to a state government inquiry. The state government is delving into the adequacy of aged care, end-of-life and palliative care, and whether there is support for state laws to allow voluntary assisted dying. Specialist palliative care doctors say patients and their families are struggling to negotiate the complexities in arranging care and sometimes it's just not available. Credit:Eddie Jim Specialist palliative care doctors say there's a yawning gap between demand and the capacity to support dying Queenslanders, and the situation can no longer be ignored. They say patients and their families are struggling to negotiate the complexities in arranging care and sometimes it's not available, particularly in regional and remote communities. A 40-year-old homeless man has appeared in Beenleigh Magistrates Court charged with murdering a stranger in a Brisbane street. Emergency crews were called to Woodridge on Friday morning and found 50-year-old Steven Church with critical head, neck and chest injuries. He later died in hospital. A 40-year-old homeless man has been charged with the murder of 50-year-old Steven Church in Woodridge. Credit:ninevms Beenleigh man Paul John Conoley appeared briefly in court on Monday where the matter was adjourned for mention on May 1. Police said Mr Church, a grandfather of eight, had never met Conoley before the attack at the intersection of Defiance and North roads at Woodridge. The boss of one of Brisbane's biggest health services has been sacked. Stephen Ayre, the CEO of Metro South Hospital and Health Service, was sacked by the health service's board on Monday afternoon. Stephen Ayre, the CEO of Metro South Hospital and Health Service, has been sacked by the health service's board. Credit:File image Dr Ayre was appointed to the position in 2017 after an extensive recruitment search over several months. He was promoted from his role as executive director of Princess Alexandra Hospital and was at the helm when it transitioned to Australias first public digital hospital. Once e of the newly emerged millionaires who couldnt hide his shock and excitement said; I cant believe this! I have had this account since my NYSC days! I cant believe this. Thank you UBA the 20 names were drawn, some of the new millionaires were called to tell them the good news about their new millionaire status. On by Wang Zhicheng Against a backdrop of chaotic organisation and tightly-controlled media, BRI forum saw Xi Jinping take centre stage. BRIs main projects are the ports of Piraeus (Greece) and Gwadar (Pakistan) and railway lines to Europe and South East Asia. However, pollution and corruption have cast their shadow over the initiative. Beijing (AsiaNews) The Second Belt and Road Initiative Forum for International Cooperation, which ended on Saturday, left many participants unhappy. One major issue was the lack of a clear schedule, leaving attendees either waiting for hours on end or scrambling to catch up after an event started suddenly. Another issue was tight media control and the inability of Chinese officials to speak to any media organisation about the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) itself or the trade war between China and the United States. Only Xi Jinping's speech received broad coverage. At the end of the Forum, a joint statement was issued, signed by China and 37 other countries in which a certain number of infrastructural projects (ports and railways) were touted as symbols of what the BRI can do. Beijing hoped to use the Forum to counter world mistrust vis-a-vis its plans and show that BRI can meet the expectations of local populations and investors. BRIs highlights include the Port of Piraeus (Greece) and that of Gwadar (Pakistan). According to several experts, the Greek port has the possibility of becoming Chinas "gateway to Europe". State-owned shipping firm Cosco Holdings took a 67 per cent stake in the port in 2016. Greeces largest seaport is now ranked 36th of the worlds 100 biggest ports, up from 93rd in 2008. Gwadar's port is another flagship BRI project, but its funding by China is under investigation for graft. Pakistans new prime minister, Imran Khan, who was elected last year, wants to review the project. Railways are BRIs other main area. Topping the list is the China Railway Express, which is expected to connect Chongqing, in central China, to London. Launched in 2011, the railway will eventually link 60 Chinese cities with 50 cities across Central Asia and Europe. More than 14,000 freight trains are expected to use it every week. However, its environmental impact is one of the reasons it is disliked by some European countries. Other railway projects mentioned include the China-Laos Railway, the China-Thailand Railway, the Hungary-Serbia Railway, and the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway. There was no mention of the East Coast Rail link in Malaysia. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who earlier threatened to cancel the deal because of its high cost, this month signed a new agreement for the project with China after Beijing cut the price by 30 per cent. Authorities have suspended their search for a man last seen at the music festival in southern Queensland where two people died. Bradley James Smith, 37, was reported missing last Tuesday after not coming home from the Rabbits Eat Lettuce festival near Warwick, with festival organisers saying he was last seen 17 kilometres down the road on foot. SES volunteers carried out an extensive search of the Elbow Valley area, with the help of police and a rescue helicopter. Credit:Queensland Police Service A police spokeswoman said Elbow Valley, 109 kilometres south of Toowoomba, was "saturated" last Wednesday with the help of police, SES and an RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter. The search was scaled back on Thursday to local patrols. Firefighters have called for the Director of Public Prosecutions to freeze the recent sale of a Wallan home owned by a man at the centre of a major investigation into the illegal dumping of up to 19 million litres of toxic waste. Graham Leslie White is currently serving a six-month prison sentence for stockpiling an arsenal of loaded weapons in his home which was also adorned with props from the former Dracula's restaurant. He was allegedly responsible for a massive chemical stockpile at a West Footscray warehouse which fuelled a massive industrial blaze in August last year. Graham White sold his Wallan home for about $620,000. Several firefighters who attended the scene have been unable to return to work or forced to modify their duties, after suffering a range of medical conditions because of exposure to the highly toxic smoke. Almost 16 degrees in the city now ahead of a sunny top of 22. Get out and enjoy the sun today - the rains are coming. Major delays now on the Werribee and Williamstown lines. Minor delays elsewhere. See their website for more details. Victorian Parliament is sitting today, while the Lawyer X royal commission hearings resume. We'll have more details on both of those later. See you here again from 6am tomorrow. Have a beaut day. Warning: This story contains images that may distress some readers. A woman has been charged for allegedly trying to blackmail grieving parents over a missing mobile phone as they said goodbye to their dying 11-month-old daughter in a Melbourne hospital. Malaysian woman, Siti Nurhidayah Kamal, 24, allegedly claimed to have a lost mobile phone belonging to Jay and Dee Windross that held irreplaceable photos of their dying daughter Amiyah. Ms Kamal, who is a mother herself, allegedly demanded $1000 in exchange for the phone. A DNA profile and a fingerprint would usually be enough to catch a killer, but in the case of Tracy Connelly, they haven't led to the person who murdered her on a cold winter's night. The investigation went international with the testing of two backpackers in France and Interpol being called in. Still, the clues left by the killer are yet to find their match. Ms Connelly was a sex worker in St Kilda when she was stabbed to death in a white Ford Econovan parked in Greeves Street between 1.15am and 2.28am on Sunday, July 21, 2013. The 40-year-old lived, and worked from, the van with her boyfriend of 19 years, Tony Melissovas. New high-definition digital cameras are being rolled out across Melbournes rail network to help police crack down on criminal behaviour in the first major surveillance technology upgrade since 2008. There are now more than 2300 digital closed circuit television cameras at railway stations, replacing obsolete models that produced grainy footage. New digital CCTV cameras are replacing the dated analogue models at metropolitan train stations. Credit:Paul Jeffers The roll out of the cameras began in 2016 but the system was last upgraded in 2008. Public Transport Minister Melissa Horne declined to reveal how much the new cameras had cost, saying they were part of the contract with Metro Trains. A build up of grease has been revealed as the cause of a restaurant blaze in Melbourne's CBD that forced office workers to evacuate on Monday, firefighters say. Passers-by raised the alarm shortly after the fire broke out in the Crazy Wing restaurant, near the corner of Bourke and Russell streets, about 11.15am. CBD fire Credit:@Scott_Reed Several workers were inside the restaurant when the fire started, Melbourne Fire Brigade said. Flames and a large plume of smoke could be seen coming from the roof of the building at 177 Russell Street before 50 firefighters arrived at the scene. A Perth man who allegedly threatened to post an intimate photo of a girl online if she didn't have sex with him, and then ran down her brother when he attempted to stop the blackmail, is fighting the charges at trial. Praveen Krishnen, 31, is accused of raping a 15-year-old girl he met through Facebook, and attempting to compel two other underage teenagers he met online to meet up for sex one of whom was a police officer posing as a 14-year-old girl. The 31-year-old is accused of raping a 15-year-old, and attempting to meet up with two other underage girls for sex. Mr Krishnen has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him, claiming he thought the 15-year-old was aged 17, and that he hit the brother while attempting to get away from the situation. During the opening day of his trial in the District Court of Western Australia, state prosecutor Alan Dungey said the fly-in, fly-out worker befriended the 15-year-old girl on Facebook in 2017, and asked her for photographs. Colombo: Sri Lankan security officials have warned that the Islamist militants behind Easter Sunday's deadly suicide bombings were planning more attacks imminently, using a van and bombers disguised in military uniforms. "There could be another wave of attacks," the head of ministerial security division, a unit of the police, said in a letter to politicians and other security sections, seen by Reuters on Monday. Sri Lankan policeman on patrol in a Muslim neighbourhood in Colombo. Credit:AP "The relevant information further notes that persons dressed in military uniforms and using a van could be involved in the attacks," the letter said. It said the militants were targeting five locations for attacks on Sunday or Monday. The man accused of murdering his Melbourne fiancee in their London flat has faced court. The body of Melburnian Amy Parsons, 35, was found by police in the fifth floor flat she shared with her fiance Roderick Deakin-White at Whitechapel in east London on Friday at 1.30pm local time following a call over concerns for her welfare. Mr Deakin-White, 37, was arrested on suspicion of murder the same day and was charged on Sunday. Amy Parsons from Melbourne and Roderick Deakin-White Credit:Facebook He faced Thames Magistrates Court on Monday and the case was adjourned to the Old Bailey on Wednesday for a bail hearing, The Australian reports. Deva Thakur is vice president of the Hindu Mahasabha party. According to John Dayal, some Hindus are gripped by "paranoia" since their numbers fell below 80 per cent of the population. New Delhi (AsiaNews) Christians and Muslims are a threat to Hindus and so have to be forced to undergo sterilisation, said Sadhvi Deva Thakur, vice president of the right-wing Hindu Mahasabha party, speaking to reporters last Saturday. Ms Thakur also noted that Hindus should have more children to increase their population to counter the rise of Christians and Muslims. Fr Felix Anthony, spokesman for the Catholic Church in northeastern India, slammed the statement. Speaking to AsiaNews, he said that there is a new generation of motormouth politicians who enjoy a certain amount of patronage from the present-day government. We shouldnt be wasting our time discussing this. For "the soldiers of the Sangh Parivar,[*] the RSS,[] words such as sterilisation of Muslims and Christians, their disenfranchisement or diluting their presence in the North East and Kashmir through changes in residency rules, are each a metaphor for annihilation, wiping out, erasing from the landscape, said John Dayal, general secretary of the All India Christian Council. The Hindu Mahasabha party backs a Hindu sectarian state and is not new to controversy. On 30 January, its national secretary, Puja Shakun Pandey, caused outrage when she posted a video in which she re-enacted the murder of Mahatma Gandhi, on the anniversary of his murder. For Thakur, the "population of Muslims and Christians is growing day by day. To rein in this, [the] Centre[] will have to impose emergency [measures], and Muslims and Christians will have to be forced to undergo sterilisation so that they can't increase their numbers. The Hindu leaders words seem to point a real threat, but in fact Indias Christians and Muslims are minorities. Out of a total population of 1.4 billion, Christians number 27.8 million or 2.3 per cent; Muslims are 172.2 million or 14.2 per cent. Hinduism is the dominant religion with more than 966.3 million people or 79.8 per cent of the population. John Dayal remembers that the Sangh Parivar "raised a racket when the 2016 census showed the Hindu population [. . .] under the 80 per cent mark. The drop was less than 1 per cent, but it was enough to fuel fears that Muslims and Christians would overtake Hindus within a few years if no action was taken. Xenophobia of this nature cannot but end in tragedy if the people of this country do not challenge it, Dayal explained. Lastly, Fr Felix notes that a woman accused of terrorism is a candidate in Bhopal as the fourth stage in Indias general election gets underway. Pragya Singh Thakur is out on bail for health reasons, but she was arrested in connection with 2008 Malegaon bombings (Maharashtra). A spiritual guru, she has made untenable statements, according to the Catholic clergyman. [*]Sangh Parivar means family of organisations and refers to Hindu nationalist organisations. [] RSS, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, literally National Volunteer Organisation or National Patriotic Organisation, is a right-wing, Hindu nationalist, paramilitary volunteer organisation. [] The Centre refers to the Indias Union government. Poway, California: The rabbi had just finished comforting a congregant as she prepared to say the traditional prayer for the dead in honour of her mother when a loud crack rang out in his synagogue. It was about halfway through the Sabbath service on Saturday when a gunman turned what was supposed to be a time of solace into a day of horror. The rabbi, Yisroel Goldstein, turned quickly to see the body of the woman, Lori Gilbert Kaye, 60, slumped on the floor. He began to rush toward her when he caught sight of several small children watching as the gunman unleashed the attack on Chabad of Poway. Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein outside Poway synagogue. Credit:AP "My instinct was to go to her, but I turned toward a doorway and these little kids were there, so scared," he said. By then, Goldstein had been shot in both hands. "I just grabbed them with my bloody fingers. They were screaming and I was shouting." As Goldstein ran out with the children, Kaye's husband, a doctor, ran in to help. But the second he recognized it was his wife on the ground, he fainted. Their only daughter stood a few feet away sobbing in shock, Goldstein said. Latest News MoneyMe to acquire SocietyOne Deal brings together two of the fastest-growing brands in the non-bank space Resimac makes key broker channel hires Two new GMs to bolster broker support The number of home loans is down on the previous year in all but two of the states and territories, according to the latest State of the States report from CommSec. The Northern Territory and New South Wales came in the weakest, both showing loan commitments 14.8% down as compared to last year. The only two regions to show an increase were Tasmania, up 3.9%, and South Australia, up by 0.1%. The survey also measured the quantity of home loans against the decade average in each state and territory. With this parameter, the ACT topped the list with the number of commitments up 17% on the long-term average. Tasmania was not far behind, its home loans up by 16.4%. Victoria and South Australia were both also up on the average, 5.0% and 1.1% respectively. The Northern Territory yielded the weakest result, home loan commitments 32.1% lower than the long-term average. Western Australia was down 24.5%, Queensland down 7.4%, and New South Wales down 4.9%. According to the report, Housing finance is not just a leading indicator for real estate activity and housing construction, but it is also a useful indicator of activity in the financial sector. While values have changed, the ranking remains the same from the previous quarter. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams Talk about a homecoming dance! A Brooklyn-born jitterbug is bringing his international dance act to his home borough for the first time on May 9, when his show Black Velvet will make its Kings County premiere at Brooklyn Academy of Music. For me to bring my work to Brooklyn Academy of Music feel monumental, and it feels like a homecoming, said Shamel Pitts. The Bedford-Stuyvesant raised dancer and choreographer developed his multidisciplinary dance performance as a visual expression of his partnership with fellow dancer Mirelle Martins, who attended a dance workshop Pitts taught in 2013, leading to an instant and profound connection that could only be expressed one way through dance! Black Velvet is about the efficiency of strangers to become partners, said Pitts. Pitts, who utilizes an Israeli style of dance that features subtle movements with explosive gestures, called Gaga, first premiered in Brazil in 2016, before heading out on an international tour that netted the dance duo an Audience Choice Award at the Stockholm Fringe Festival in Sweden. But the show also leans on the talents of Brazil-based Graphic Designer and Video Artist Lucca Del Carlo, who employs a special, single-point projection technique that utilizes video mapping to project three-dimensional images around Pitts and Martins movements. The work is very cinematic, said Pitts. Its contemporary art more than dance. And Pitts developed a soundscape for Black Velvet that borrows from Brooklyn-born rapper Jay Z, along with other African American poets and artists. Their music is part of the soundscape in very subtle ways, said Pitts. Thats why, especially in Brooklyn, people who know of Jay Zs work, Nina Simone, and Frank Ocean, theyll feel them. Experience Black Velvet at Brooklyn Academy of Music Fishman Space [321 Ashland Pl. between Lafayette Avenue and Hanson Place in Fort Greene, (718) 6364100, www.bam.org/ black velve t ]. May 911 at 7:30 p.m. May 12 at 3 p.m. Tickets start at $20. Reach reporter Colin Mixson at cmixs on@cn gloca l.com or by calling (718) 260-4505. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams Theyre doing it for the culture. Local politicians gathered in Sunset Park on April 26 to announce plans to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a daylong outdoor cultural celebration next month. The free May 19 event will highlight the importance of honoring Kings Countys various cultural communities, according to state Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge). Our diversity is our strength. Events like these bring the community together to celebrate the cultures, traditions, and history that make southern Brooklyn so special, Gounardes said. Gounares joined Assemblyman Peter Abbate (D-Bensonhurst) and members of the Brooklyn Community Improvement Association, a local do-good group, at the organizations offices on 57th Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues to announce the event, which they will host with Councilman Justin Brannan (D-Bay Ridge). The festivities will take place at Leif Ericson Park located at 66th Street and Eighth Avenue from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will feature a traditional Chinese Lion dance, Tai chi and Taekwondo demonstrations, and Korean K-Pop performances, according to information from Gounardes office. Brannan said the event will offer locals a chance to come together and take part in Asian cultural traditions. We are excited to celebrate Asian cultures and keep our community together, Brannan said. Congress in 1992 designated May as Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the completion of the transcontinental railroad which stretched from Nebraska to California and was built by mostly Chinese immigrant workers on May 10, 1869. Brooklyn Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration at Leif Ericson Park (66h St. at Eighth Avenue in Sunset Park). May 19, 11 a.m. 3 p.m. Free. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams They want it both ways. Drivers will soon pay tolls in both directions on the VerrazzanoNarrows Bridge, if a group of local politicians have their way. Federal legislation introduced by three Kings County lawmakers would cut commuter fares in half, to be paid in both directions on the bridge. Currently, drivers fork over $19 on each trip from Brooklyn to Staten Island, or $12.24 for travelers using the E-ZPass system, whereas drivers can enter Brooklyn from the island borough free of charge. The current system allows out-of-state commuters to use the bridge as a cheap entry to the City, said one rep. The restoration of toll collection in both directions, using electronic tolling that does not require stops at a toll plaza, will greatly improve traffic and congestion in Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan, while also capturing new vital funding for the MTA from out-of-state trucks, who no longer will avoid a toll entering New York City via Staten Island, said Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Borough Park). Nadler presented the legislation at an April 28 press conference at the Wadsworth Visitors Center on Staten Island with fellow Reps. Max Rose (DBay Ridge) and Nydia Velazquez (DSunset Park), along with the chairman of the MTA, who called the current toll system unnecessary. Given todays technology, there is no reason to require tolls only in one direction on this important crossing, and we look forward to rationalizing the collections so they match every other tolled-bridge in the nation, helping to fund the next MTA capital plan including much-needed investments in Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn, said Patrick Foye. Foye estimated that implementing two-way tolling would provide the MTA with an additional $10 to $15 million funds annually. Rose, the freshman congressman who represents both sides of the bridge, said charging commuters from the island borough to Brooklyn would reduce excessive amounts of traffic. Staten Island and South Brooklyn have been used as a cheap thoroughfare for far too long, he said. The status quo is not working for Staten Islanders and South Brooklynites who are living through nightmare commutes every single day. Two-way tolling would discourage out-of-state truck drivers from entering southern Brooklyn in an effort to skirt the fares of other throughways, causing severe congestion in residential areas, according to one City Councilman, who applauded the federal legislation. Gone will be the days of toll-shopping trucks snaking their way through our community and choking our streets just to save a few bucks, said Justin Brannan (DBay Ridge). Now, the only reason well see them in Bay Ridge or Dyker Heights is if they need to make a local delivery. The two-way toll effort comes after a recent push by a group of state legislators to provide Brooklyn residents who frequently cross the bridge a reduced fare of $5.50, a discount already provided to State Island locals. After sponsoring that legislation earlier this month, Assemblywoman Mathylde Frontus (D-Coney Island) said a two-way toll was necessary for balancing the need for additional MTA revenue while helping local residents. Reinstating the two-way toll on the VerrazzanoNarrows Bridge conveys consensus among us elected officials in the area when it comes to finding the balance between helping our constituents and ensuring that we continue to raise revenue to maintain and improve the conditions of our local transportation system, she said. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams A community group in Borough Park opened a new state-of-the-art social service center on April 29. The Boro Park Jewish Community Council welcomed neighbors to its new facility, located at 1310 46th St., which will serve more than 20,000 clients who utilize the councils various services annually, according to its CEO. We are at the point where were bursting out of our seams, so we have a new opportunity to move to this new space, said Avi Greenstein. Its much bigger, much more accommodating, with more modern technology to help us service the community. Founded in 1997, the council provides numerous services to local residents, including job counseling, disability information, and immigration consultation. The BPJCC presently operates a wide array of social services and programs to assist clients in obtaining government and other benefits and entitlements with the dual goal of providing immediate relief and simultaneously directing them towards a path of self-sufficiency and independence, according to the organizations website. The new location, which is just five blocks from the former site, will house 19 employees in the modern, luxurious space, according to Greenstein. People need to feel they are truly valued. We have people coming it at the lowest points of their lives, and we help them by providing all of these services, he said. Now they can come to an office that is beautiful, and lavish, and it is really a pickup. Its a high end facility. The council will also be expanding to another location in the coming months, according to Greenstein. Were growing, in terms of providing more service, because of the tremendous passion we have about helping people, he said. by Hocine Drouiche Christians continue to suffer persecution and pay the price for wars they never asked for. Intolerance against them increases in contemporary Islamist discourse. The Nimes imam comments on the attacks in Sri Lanka and challenges "the silent majority": "You will be accused of complicity, if you do not declare a holy war against extremism and hatred". Paris (AsiaNews) - The Colombo Easter massacre "is not the first and unfortunately it will not be the last, because the Muslim authorities do not want to face extremist terrorist thinking in a courageous and firm manner," affirms Prof. Hocine Drouiche, imam of Nimes and vice-president of the Conference of imams of France. The religious sent AsiaNews a reflection on the terrorist attacks that sowed death among the Christian community of Sri Lanka at Easter. We publish his considerations in full. Christians in the world, especially Catholics, continue to suffer persecution, terrorist attacks and massacres. In Syria, Iraq, Egypt and elsewhere they pay the price for wars they never asked for. The terrorist massacre in Sri Lanka is very significant. In the world, hatred against Christians continues to increase despite them defending peace, supporting the poor, caring for the sick. Every year Catholics spend billions to save lives and build schools for needy children. This has not prevented some from making Christians pay the consequences of the policies of Western countries, which are generally secular. Neither the Vatican nor the Church has power over these secular countries. If the place of Christians is important in the texts of Islam (including the Koran), it is time for the Muslim world to ask questions about the rise of Christianophobia within the contemporary Islamist discourse. The Colombo massacre is not the first and unfortunately it will not be the last, because the Muslim authorities do not want to face extremist terrorist thinking in a courageous and firm manner. Today the fearful are accomplices. The reform of Islam will come from the brave. It is not enough to repeat that Islam is a religion of peace. Muslims must act if they want to protect Islam from this extremist Islamist minority that kills in the name of hatred. The silent majority will have no excuse because it will be accused of complicity if it does not declare a holy war against extremism and the hatred that almost dominates the discourse of the imams and Muslim preachers. Contemporary Islam is closer to hatred and violence than to the notions of human love and brotherhood. This hateful interpretation produces human bombs that kill everything that is different, including Muslims who don't think like them. All my condolences to the families of the victims and all my support to the Christians persecuted in all over the world. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor by Mathias Hariyadi The government has yet to find a new location. President Widodos decision is designed to encourage economic development outside of Java, in other regions of the country. Moving the capital may take up to ten years. According to some reports, the choice is likely to be a city in Kalimantan (Borneo). Jakarta (AsiaNews) After years of deliberations and analyses, Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo (pictured) announced today that Jakarta will no longer be the capital of Indonesia. National Development Planning Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said that the government decided to leave Java, the countrys main island, but has yet to decide on a new location. During a cabinet meeting chaired by the president, three viable options were presented to cabinet. In the first one, Jakarta would remain the capital and government ministries would remain in the Monumen Nasional area. In the second one, the new capital would rise some 50-70 kilometres from Jakarta. The third one would see the capital move to another island. "The president has chosen the latter option," Brodjonegoro noted. This "crucial decision" is due to the need to stimulate economic growth in other regions. So far, it has been centred in Java, home to almost 60 per cent of Indonesias 260 million people. More than 10 million people live in Jakarta, about a third of the larger urban area. The city loses about 100 trillion rupiahs (US$ 7.04 billion) a year due traffic and congestion problems, Brodjonegoro explained. The capital is also subject to flooding and sinking because of overuse of underground water, often illegally. Citing examples like those of Brazil and Kazakhstan, the Planning Minister said that moving the capital could take up to ten years. Brodjonegoro noted that the government is looking to the east for its new capital. According to some reports, the new capital could move to Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo), either Palangka Raya (Central Kalimantan province), Tanah Bumbu (South Kalimantan) or Panajam (East Kalimantan). As a child, Mehmood Khan says he would often navigate through waist-deep waters to reach school some distance away from his village of Nai Nangla in Mewat. From there, he went on to navigate the globe as a Unilever executive -- from seeking business opportunities in Eastern Europe as it came out from behind the Iron Curtain to opening up countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos for the company. Now close to 65, he is navigating the choppy waters of Indian politics as the Jannayak Janata Party-Aam Aadmi Party (JJP-AAP) alliance candidate for the Gurgaon parliamentary seat. 'It ... Never before has the inkdot on the index finger been accorded such significance as it is being done in this years Lok Sabha elections both in letter and spirit. In an unprecedented move, a majority of large corporates based out of Mumbai, including Tata, Aditya Birla, Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), and JSW groups, among others, have given the day off to their employees for casting their vote even as a few others such as the RPG Group, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), and Essar Group have chosen to give a half-day off to their employees. For the financial sector in Maximum City, it ... President Donald Trump wants to strangle the Iranian economy and keep gas prices low for American drivers. The discovery that Russia has been exporting contaminated crude oil means any hopes that he could do both have all but evaporated. Trump decided this month not to renew waivers that let countries buy Iranian oil without violating his sanctions, affecting eight nations that have exemptions expiring on May 2. This drove crude prices higher at a time when gasoline prices were already rising. Gas is up by nearly 30 percent since the start of the year and is now within 10 cents of last ... Fighting between the RCSS and the SSPP has stopped in Kyaukme and Thibaw townships. It broke out last September in the Namtu district. Since the end of 2018, the two groups have clashed more than 150 times, displacing thousands of persons. Shan State is the global centre for methamphetamine production. Naypyidaw (AsiaNews/Agencies) Two warring armed ethnic Shan armies have started peace talks, both groups have announced. Fighting between the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP), a separatist group, and the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), a nationalist group, broke out last September in Namtu, a district in the northern part of Myanmars most easternmost state. The fighting resumed after 21 December, when the Myanmar military declared a unilateral ceasefire in the region. Since then, the two groups have clashed more than 150 times, displacing thousands of civilians. Unlike the SSPP, the RCSS signed the National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with the central government in October 2015. Since November of that year, the two armed groups have clashed in the municipalities of Hsipaw, Kyaukme and Namtu. The SSPP has so far been able to count on the support of its allies, the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), which is fighting for the self-determination of the Taang ethnic group. According to analysts, infighting is motivated in part by a desire to control the production and sale of drugs. Located on the border with China, Shan State has become the global centre for methamphetamine production. We dont want to fight with the RCSS because both groups are Shan, said SSPP Lt Col Sai Su. We have been in northern Shan for a long time ago, but the RCSS moved from the south to the north. We need to build trust and share information. Lack of communication led to the fighting. Myanmars military has offered to mediate between the two groups to reach a ceasefire, but the latter have refused noting that it is up to the Shan to resolve their differences. Lt Col Sai Su said that after designating restricted areas, fighting has stopped in Kyaukme and Thibaw townships. Both sides agreed not to encroach on the restricted areas whilst a solution is sought through negotiations, he added. For the SSPP, the two sides should work together on regional development, establishment of a federal union, and building trust between our two groups to achieve our goal, which all people in Shan State expect. Sri Lankan security officials have warned that Islamist militants behind Easter Sunday's suicide bombings are planning attacks and could be dressed in uniform, as the archbishop of Colombo complained about insufficient security around churches. The militants were targeting five locations for attacks on Sunday just passed or on Monday, security sources said. "There could be another wave of attacks," the head of the police ministerial security division (MSD) said in a letter to lawmakers and other officials seen by Reuters on Monday. "The relevant information ... A Swiss anti-corruption lobby group has filed a criminal complaint against Credit Suisse over alleged fraud in the arrangement of $2 billion of loans to Mozambique, the group said on Monday. Mozambique, one of the most indebted countries in the world, in 2016 admitted to billions of dollars of undisclosed borrowing, sparking a debt crisis and leading to the arrest of government officials and international bankers in the United States, United Kingdom and South Africa. Three former Credit Suisse bankers were arrested in London in January on US charges of conspiring to violate ... The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will investigate the incident where a SpiceJet aircraft overshot the runway at Shirdi airport. "On April 29, at about 16:22 hours, SpiceJet flight SG 946 from Delhi to Shirdi had stuck on the end of Runway 27, apparently due to the high tailwind," said authorities at Shirdi airport. "There were a total of 189 passengers and six crew members were on board and measures are being taken by the authorities to deplane the passengers," they said. "Aircraft is stuck in the soft surface. It is, therefore, a challenge to reach the aircraft. However, MADC has arranged the equipment to reach the stepladder to the aircraft for the disembarkation of the passengers," they said. "At the time of the incident, two aircraft (one of SpiceJet flight to Bhopal with 56 passengers and one plane of Air India to Mumbai) were on the ground. However, arrangements were made to clear the takeoff of the aircraft on ground by displacing the runway threshold," authorities said. "The SpiceJet flight to Bhopal took off safely for the destination at around 5:30 pm. However, Air India flight to Mumbai with 52 passengers has been cancelled and the airlines are doing the needful alternative arrangement for the stranded passengers. (360 Delhi-bound passengers of SpiceJet flight SG942 and SG748 with 61 passengers of Hyderabad)," authorities said. "Due to this incident, landings of the two flights have been affected. Air India flight 9I 869 (Hyderabad- Shirdi) which has been sent back to Hyderabad and SpiceJet flight SG 471 (Delhi- Shirdi) to Delhi due to unavailability of the runway at Shirdi Airport," they said. As a course of action, MADC has initiated a NOTAM stating the unavailability of the runway. However, MADC is making all efforts to remove the obstructed aircraft and bring the operations back to normal as soon as possible, authorities at Shirdi airport further said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi Marlena on Monday wrote to East Delhi Returning Officer (RO), accusing BJP candidate Gautam Gambhir of violating the Model Code of Conduct again. In the letter, Marlena has stated: "I file my formal complaint against Gautam Gambhir, East Delhi Parliamentary Constituency candidate, BJP, for distributing pamphlets without details such as printer's name and quantity in violation of the rules." The AAP leader, who is facing Gambhir and Arvinder Singh Lovely of the Congress, further wrote: "This is the third time in a row that Gambhir has violated the MCC. Such continued blatant disregard for the Election Commission is contrary to the spirit of democracy and endangers the free and fair process of elections...Only an exemplary punishment can deter such continued willful violation." The AAP leader has requested the RO to take strong action on her complaint and register an FIR against Gambhir. On Sunday, Marlena had sought 72 hours ban on Gambhir from campaigning in the Lok Sabha poll for "repeatedly violating" the MCC. "Gautam Gambhir has not yet clarified whether he has two voter card or not. Today Gautam Gambhir has again held an unauthorised rally. I have filed a complaint in the EC to ban him from campaigning for 72 hours," Atishi told media persons. Delhi, where seven Lok Sabha seats are at stake, will go to polls on May 12, the sixth phase of seven-phased polling, ending on May 19. 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.) Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Monday inaugurated Grand Consultative Jirga on Peace to determine the framework for talks with the Taliban, saying peace in the war-torn country is his "top priority". "It is a pride; exciting to see that 3,200 elected delegates have been gathered under one dignified umbrella from across Afghanistan to determine the framework of talks with the Taliban," Tolo News quoted Ghani as saying. The four days will be chaired by Jihadi leader Abdul Rab Rasul. "The four days of the Jirga will prove that you, the elected delegates of the nation, are the symbol of power and national unity and you are the owners of willingness, talent, understanding and views and you are hoping for peace and prosperity," he added However, Ghani noted that he is not in favour of "hasty" agreements on peace and that the Jirga delegates will decide on this. The Jirga could emerge as a breakthrough between the Afghan Government and the Taliban, who never accepted Ghani's government. The Taliban at various occasions had shown reservation against holding talks with the Afghan government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Special CBI court on Monday deferred till Tuesday hearing in the plea filed by Rajiv Saxena, accused turned approver in AgustaWestland deal case, seeking permission to travel abroad for medical treatment. Special CBI Judge Arvind Kumar posted the matter for tomorrow after Enforcement Directorate's (ED) counsel Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh sought the time of one more day to file reply on Saxena's plea. Saxena had moved the court seeking permission to travel to Europe, United Kingdom and Dubai in the month of May over the grounds of medical treatment. Saxena turned an approver in the case after the court allowed his plea on March 22. The Dubai-based businessman was extradited to India in the wee hours of January 31 in connection with alleged scam in the Rs 3,600 crore deal for the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland company. He was allegedly operating a number of bank accounts in Switzerland in which huge amounts of money were deposited, according to the government dossier. The banks in which the amounts were allegedly deposited, include Union Bancaire Privee UBP in Zurich, UBS Switzerland, and Credit Suiss AG, states the dossier accessed by ANI. The remittances into these accounts came allegedly from Matrix Group Ltd, UHY Saxena and Associates, Tiramisu Holdings Inc and Tanay Holdings Ltd, claimed the government dossier. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Pune court rejected on Monday a temporary bail plea of activist and Bhima Koregaon violence accused Varavara Rao who wanted to attend post-death rituals of his sister-in-law. Rao had requested a temporary bail for six days from April 29 to May 4 to attend the rituals in Hyderabad. The application was moved before the District Session Court here on April 22 and was heard on Thursday. Opposing Rao's bail at the hearing, the prosecution had argued that there were serious allegations against him and he might escape if allowed to go out on bail. The prosecution quoted Superintendent of Police, Hyderabad Intelligence branch, who in a letter to Joint Commissioner in Pune had said, "If Rao is allowed to travel to Telangana, then there are possibilities that he might escape from police custody." The SP in his letter had also mentioned possibilities of an attack on police escort accompanying him. "There is no ritual in Telangana that he has to attend since the son of deceased is alive," he had said. Rao was arrested in November last year in connection with the violence in Bhima Koregaon. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A BJP delegation on Monday met the Election Commission officials over several issues including 'defamatory and baseless' allegations levelled by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, poll-related violence in West Bengal, and favouriticism of officials in Madhya Pradesh. Union Ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Vijay Goel, Rajya Sabha MP GVL Narasimha Rao met Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and other poll body officials. "Congress president Rahul is continuously attacking and giving statements against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah that is against the model code of conduct," Naqvi told reporters after the meeting. "Rahul has called our party president as 'killer' which is against the electoral laws and categorised under corrupt practices. Rahul is becoming a part of 'gaali gang' (people who abusive) which is uncivilised in a democratic country. His allegations are baseless and false," he said. Speaking further, the Union Minister said: "The Election Commission has not taken any action against Rahul Gandhi till now. We have given CDs, speech scripts and other evidence to them. The poll body should take action in this regard." The BJP leaders also complaint that hooligans and anarchic elements are creating hurdles in a conducive polling environment in West Bengal. "In West Bengal, the government and machinery are hijacked by the hooligans and running a parallel system there. The electors are being stopped from excercising their franchise. If someone tries to stop voters from voting, it is not just a violation of MCC but it is grave crime more than killing," Naqvi said. "The Commission has also appointed specials observers. Unfortunately, hooligans and anarchic elements are creating trouble there and not allowing to conduct polling in a fearless environment," he said. Slamming TMC Union Minister Naqvi alleged, "Possibly, the Commission is not getting the support of the local machinery. The reserve forces have not been deployed at several polling centers. We have asked the Commission to deploy forces there". "The action should be taken against those elements who are threatening voters and not allowing them to vote in a conducive environment," the BJP leader said. The Union Minister also alleged that some officials in Madhya Pradesh are working at the behest of the Congress. "In Madhya Pradesh, some officials especially Chief Secretary is acting as an agent of Congress. They are hampering campaigning of former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chohan. Our party has also filed a complaint with the Commission in Bhopal," he said. "We have demanded that the action should be taken against these officials and they should be freed from election work immediately. Special observers and police observers should be appointed there," Naqvi added. Naqvi also demanded re-polling in several booths in Odisha saying that the booths were captured. Union Minister Vijay Goel demanded action against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and AAP MP candidate from East Delhi Atishi for their objectionable remarks. "In Delhi, AAP MP candidate Atishi was heard saying that in Uttar Pradesh, people should not vote for Amit Shah and Narendra Modi even if they have to give votes to hooligans," he said. "Kejriwal says BJP will kick out communities like Sikhs, Buddhism, Jains. We have clearly said that under Citizen Amendment Bill, we will give protection to minority communities in our neighbouring country," Goel said. Speaking in the context, the Union Minister said: "Kejriwal is asking people belonging to these communities not to vote BJP. We have demanded that FIR should be lodged against them for seeking votes by hurting the religious sentiments. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor-turned-politician Sunny Deol, who was recently inducted into the Bharatiya Janata Party, filed his nomination from the Gurdaspur Parliamentary Constituency on Monday. Before filing the nomination, Deol paid a visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar and offered prayers. After he filed his nomination papers, his father Dharmendra Deol took to the micro-blogging site and tweeted in his support: "We are asking for your support. If you support us, the victory will be yours. The victory will be of my brother and sisters of Punjab and the beautiful Gurdaspur." Earlier in 2004, Dharmendra had also represented BJP from Bikaner Lok Sabha constituency and won the seat. Dharmendra's wife Hema Malini is a member of the BJP and sitting MP from Mathura. Deol was inducted into the party on April 23 in New Delhi in the presence of Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal. After joining the party, Deol had said that he was looking forward to working with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "My work will do the talking," he had asserted. PM Modi also met Deol on Sunday and posted a photo of the meeting along with a message on Twitter stating that he was impressed with Deol's passion for a better India. "What struck me about Sunny Deol is his humility and deep passion for a better India. Happy to have met him today. We are all rooting for his victory in Gurdaspur!" "We both agree - Hindustan zindabad tha, hai aur rahega," the Prime Minister said in a tweet. Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency was earlier represented by actor Vinod Khanna who had won from here four times - 1998, 1999, 2004 and 2014 - on a BJP ticket. Deol has already come under electoral crosshairs with party's rival Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh terming him a 'filmi fauji'. "Sunny Deol is a 'filmi fauji,' while I am a 'real fauji.' Captain Amarinder Singh had said in Gurdaspur on Friday. The actor held his first roadshow in Rajasthan's Barmer on Saturday. Elections in Punjab will be held on May 19 in the last phase for all 13 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.) BJP leader and former Chief Minister of Karnataka, J Shettar on Sunday alleged that the HD Kumaraswamy cabinet, which passed a resolution on Nava Bengaluru scheme, has allocated the project to Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) without tender. Alleging huge corruption in awarding grants and works under the Nava Bengaluru scheme, Shettar told ANI: "Kumaraswamy cabinet passed a resolution and handed over the project without tender. Before the election, there was a collection of money from contractors, the project was handed over to those from whom they benefitted." He also alleged that Kumaraswamy had taken money from contractors in Bengaluru and other districts. "For all this, the project has been handed over to limited contractors through the land army. All this happened through Venkatesh, who is very close to Deve Gowda family," he said. Shettar and his party have approached the Election Commission to consider the 'awarding of the scheme' as a matter of model code of conduct (MCC) violation, which will be in force till May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) by Paul Wang The protesters fear that dissidents will be extradited to China, with the risk of false trials, torture and the death penalty. Yesterday was the largest demonstration since Occupy Central. Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - Tens of thousands of people took part in a march through the central streets of the island, from Wan Chai to Causeway Bay, to the government offices in Admiralty as a sign of their opposition to the ongoing changes in a extradition law. According to the police, only 22-23 thousand demonstrators participated. Organizers claim there were 130,000 present. In any case, it was the largest demonstration since Occupy Central and was organized by the Human Rights Front. The law proposed by the government gives the chief executive the power to initiate a process of extradition of suspects to other countries with which Hong Kong has no formal agreements. And the case of Chan Tong-kai, a 19-year-old accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend in Taiwan is cited. In the absence of agreements with Taiwan, in Hong Kong Chan cannot be charged with murder. But many in the area fear that this law could trigger a series of extraditions to popular China, where there is a chronic lack of respect for human rights. Many demonstrators carried placards and shouted slogans against Carrie Lam, the current head of the executive, branded as too dominated by Beijing. The government has often stated that it will not extradite anyone who risks capital punishment, or torture, or political charges to China. But the demonstrators are not convinced and accuse Lam of having "betrayed" Hong Kong. In the past, the area served as a passageway for many Chinese dissidents seeking freedom before being sent abroad as political refugees. Since 1997 and the "return to the motherland", Beijing has been trying to influence the political and legislative situation in Hong Kong, failing in its promise that Hong Kong should be governed by the "one nation, two systems" principle, which should guarantee "a high degree of autonomy" to the territory. A Congress delegation, led by Abhishek Manu Singhvi, met Election Commission officials here on Monday, demanding a ban on Prime Minister Narendra Modi from campaigning for 48 to 72 hours for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) several times. "Today, we raised three important issues with the EC. The main concern was the Prime Minister's speeches on armed forces, where he has been dragging the services into This is unconstitutional. The Prime Minister is asking for votes in exchange for the 40 brave jawans who died in Pulwama and the airstrike by the IAF in Balakot," Singhvi told reporters here after the meeting with EC officials. "He (Modi) also gave an interview to a channel where he was saying that the forces went deep inside Pakistan at his behest to kill terrorists and, therefore, people should vote for BJP," he said. "We also filed a complaint against Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah over the same issue. But the EC did not take any action against them in the last one month. We have raised this matter with the EC and have demanded a ban on the Prime Minister from campaigning for 48 to 72 hours. This should be done like how Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Mayawati were banned from campaigning," he added. Singhvi alleged that during polling in Tripura West Lok Sabha constituency, there was booth capturing and violence backed by the BJP government in the state. He demanded that the EC should cancel the election in the parliamentary seat and hold fresh polls there. "In the election that was held on April 11 in Tripura West, there was booth capturing and more than 500 CCTV cameras were destroyed. We request the EC to immediately countermand the election held there and hold fresh polls," the Congress leader said. Singhvi said that the EC should discharge its constitutional duties without any hesitation. Meanwhile, party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala raked up the allegation that Modi was busy in "shooting" at Jim Corbett Park when the Pulwama attack took place. "When the entire nation was mourning in the wake of the Pulwama attack, our Prime Minister was busy in shooting at Jim Corbett. Instead of immediately chairing a Cabinet meeting, he was chairing the shooting in Jim Corbett. The Prime Minister left his responsibility and was honing his acting skills," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) For 10 years, 'aaliya maaliya' entered the Indian soils without former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh doing anything about it, but when we responded to the Pulwama terror attack, Congress started crying foul, BJP president Amit Shah said on Monday. Addressing an election rally here, Shah affirmed that his party led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has truly secured the borders of the country and made security as its foremost priority. "If Pakistan fires a bullet at us, we will throw a bomb in reiteration," he added. Continuing his tirade against the opposition parties, BJP president said: "Following the Pulwama terror attack in which at least 40 CRPF personnel died, the opposition parties wanted us to have a dialogue with Pakistan, but we reiterated with an aerial strike. If Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav or Mayawati were at our place, they would not have done the same, as they are always concerned about their vote banks." He reiterated his promise of scrapping Article 370 of the constitution if his party is voted to power in the elections. "Our party will take Kashmir on the path of peace," he said. Article 370 grants special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir. Shah also accused Congress president Rahul Gandhi of yearning to separate Kashmir from India. "Kashmir is the crown of our country. Even if our party is voted out of power in the ongoing elections, we would still not let Kashmir go out of the hands of India. We will stay true to our 'Sankalp Patra'," Shah contented. Shedding light on the issues of Register of Citizen (NRC), he contended that he will evict all the illegal immigrants from the country. "If our party is voted to power, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Assam to Gujarat, we will throw out all the illegal immigrants," he added. Amit Shah was campaigning for Sangam Lal Gupta, a BJP candidate from Pratapgarh Parliamentary Constituency. Pratapgarh will go into polls in the sixth-phase on May 12 and counting will take place on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi court has sought reply of Delhi Police on an application of Congress leader Shashi Tharoor seeking the court's permission to travel to the US from May 5-20. Special Judge Arun Bhardwaj will hear the matter on Tuesday. Tharoor is an accused in his wife Sunanda Pushkar's death case. Pushkar was found dead under mysterious circumstances in a suite of a Delhi hotel on the night of January 17, 2014. The couple was staying in the hotel as their house was undergoing renovation. Tharoor has been charged under Sections 306 (abetment to suicide) and 498A (husband or his relative subjecting a woman to cruelty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He, however, has dismissed the charges as "preposterous". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In view of the cyclone storm 'Fani,' the Indian Air Force (IAF) and BrahMos Aerospace have put on hold the testfire of the air-launched version of supersonic cruise missile from a Sukhoi-30 combat aircraft. The air-launched version of the BrahMos was to be testfired by the Air Force over southern India this week for giving a homegrown weapon system to the force for carrying out Balakot-type air strikes. "The testfire has been postponed due to the cyclone storm 'Fani' for the moment but we will be doing it soon," government sources said here. The cyclonic storm 'Fani' on Monday morning was located at 880 km of South-East of Chennai and it will continue to move North-West and change its path to North-East from Wednesday. The cyclone is expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday. Seeking to further bolster its ability to destroy major ground targets, the IAF and DRDO are planning to testfire the air-launched version of the world's fastest supersonic cruise missile BrahMos from a Su-30MKI combat aircraft. Sources in the IAF say that they are very keen for a fast track development of the 290-km strike range missile which can destroy targets on the ground and can be used for Balakot-type air strikes where the planes won't even have to cross enemy borders for the hit. During Balakot airstrikes, the IAF had used the Spice-2000 bombs launched from a Mirage-2000 fighter aircraft for striking Jaish targets in Balakot town of Pakistan. With the availability of a BrahMos developed by DRDO, the IAF would be able to destroy similar targets from at least 150 km inside Indian territory. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a bilateral meeting with her Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meet here on Monday. The two sides discussed regional and bilateral security issues during the meeting. The Defence Minister is currently in Kyrgyzstan on a three-day visit to attend the SCO meet, along with holding bilaterals with a handful of other member-countries on the summit's sidelines. She is scheduled to attend the SCO ministerial meeting later today. The eight member-states will discuss ways to increase cooperation in combatting terrorism, amongst other issues, during the meet. The current SCO meeting is being held in the run-up to the SCO summit, which is expected to take place from June 14 to June 15 this year. In 2018, India participated in the SCO Defence Ministers meeting for the first time. Speaking at that meeting, Sitharaman had highlighted India's keen interest in developing an expanded partnership with the broader Eurasian region. In 2018, India for the first time participated in the SCO defence exercises. The joint exercise was conducted by the Central Military Commission of Russia at Chebarkul, Chelyabinsk. The exercise involved tactical level operations in an international counterinsurgency or counter-terrorism environment under the SCO Charter. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday "strongly condemned" the statement made by Union Minister Maneka Gandhi on April 12 and "warned" her not to repeat such misconduct in future. "The Commission has seen the video recording of her impugned speech and based on the available evidence and material facts, is convinced that the statement made by her is in violation of provision of Model Code of Conduct and Representation of Peoples Act, 1951," Anuj Jaipuriar, Principal Secretary, stated in a letter directed to Gandhi. The warning came days after Gandhi while addressing a public meeting in Sultanpur said that her win from the Sultanpur Lok Sabha constituency was certain "with or without" the support of the Muslims and the community should realise it since they will need to get their work done once BJP is in power. On April 15, taking cognizance of the matter, EC had barred her from election campaigning for 48 hours for violating Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The prohibition on Gandhi began on April 16 at 10:00 am and lasted for 48 hours. "You have to recognise that this victory is sure without you and even with you, and you will have to spread the word," she had said while addressing a rally in Sultanpur. Emphasising that she had distributed Rs 1000 crore for Muslim institutions to flourish, she said: "You came to seek our help at the time of your need. But, if you say during election time that we will not vote for the BJP and instead vote for any other party which can defeat BJP, then it breaks our heart". "I have already passed this election. But now if you have to lay the foundation for getting help then this is the right time to do so," Maneka Gandhi added while indirectly calling upon the Muslim community to vote for her. Maneka Gandhi is fielding from Sultanpur Lok Sabha Constituency in Uttar Pradesh. In Sultanpur, polling will be held in the seventh-phase on May 8 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.) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the state police to register an FIR against Babul Supriyo, Union Minister and BJP candidate from Asansol Lok Sabha seat, for allegedly trespassing into polling booth number 199 and threatening a polling agent and an officer, confirmed the Chief Electoral Officer on Monday. "At 9.15 am, Supriyo went inside polling booth number 199 at Kashidanga F P School under Barabani police station along with his security guards complaining that his agent was not allowed to sit. When the in-charge of the booth, CRPF ASI Ram Navami Ram, protested the entry of security guards inside the booth, he pushed him physically and entered the booth along with his security guards," sources said. Sources added that Supriyo's convoy of around eight-nine cars later blocked the way of "RT mobile vehicle of ASI Emdadul Haque." "The candidate and his supporters used slang language against the RT officer... His abusive language instigated the voters standing in the queue and they started protesting around the candidate's car. In the chaos, someone from the crowd or someone from his supporters threw a stone at the rear shield of the candidate's car resulting in breaking of the shield. The QRT and the HRFS, thereafter, reached the scene and controlled the situation," sources stated. However, while talking to media, Supriyo said: "These are the goons of the Trinamool Congress and the police are standing quite. The CPM and the Trinamool Congress members had a fight among themselves and when I asked where is the BJP agent they said he has gone for lunch. More than 50 people met us and said entire polling is being rigged." Earlier in the day, security forces resorted to lathi-charge at a polling station in Asansol parliamentary constituency after clashes erupted between TMC and BJP supporters over allegations of electoral malpractices. There were reports of altercations between the supporters of TMC, BJP, and CPI (M) from several polling booths in the constituency. At polling booths 125-129 in Asansol, TMC workers insisted on polling to begin despite the absence of central forces, leading to protests from BJP and CPI (M) supporters. When the central forces arrived, TMC workers clashed with the security personnel. Supriyo is contesting against Trinamool Congress' Moon Moon Sen from Asansol seat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hours after the Samajwadi Party (SP) named him as its new candidate from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, former BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav on Monday claimed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has also extended its support to him to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has also supported me," he told ANI. AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in a tweet, hailed SP chief Akhilesh Yadav's decision to field Yadav from Varanasi. Earlier in the day, former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav-led SP announced to replace its existing candidate Shalini Yadav with Tej Bahadur, who was dismissed from the Border Security Force (BSF) in 2017 for his video depicting the poor quality of food served to soldiers. "Brave soldier Tej Bahadur has got the SP ticket from Varanasi," the party announced on its official Twitter handle. Tej Bahadur was already in the fray as an independent candidate from Varanasi parliamentary constituency. Yadav said: "I appeal to the people to distinguish between the real and fake 'Chowkidars (watchmen)." Yadav has maintained that soldiers, farmers and the youth who are jobless will be on his agenda of election campaigning. Questioning Prime Minister Modi government on job creation, he said: "Did they provide two crore jobs each year? Did the youth get jobs? Instead, four crore jobs were lost." The former BSF constable compared Prime Minister Modi with Mughal emperor Aurangzeb for constructing Vishwanath Corridor, which allegedly led to the demolition of several ancient temples. "Many ancient temples were razed in Varanasi. So far, we only heard of Aurangzeb but we saw Aurangzeb (an apparent reference to PM Modi) with our own eyes," he said. Yadav had posted four videos on social media in January 2017, which showed him complaining about unpalatable food at his camp along the Indo-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir. Shalini Yadav, meanwhile, insisted that she was still the party's official party candidate. She said: "I have filed nomination at the direction of president. I am the official candidate of the party." Shalini, who joined the SP some days back, refused to comment on Tej Bahadur's candidature and said that she would follow the order of the party leadership. "I will not comment on the candidature of Tej Bahadur ji. I have and will follow the directions of the president," she told media persons. Varanasi seat was won by Prime Minister Modi in the last Lok Sabha elections. He had defeated AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal with a massive margin of 3.37 lakh votes. The SP is contesting the Lok Sabha polls in alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) in Uttar Pradesh. As per the seat-sharing pact, the SP is contesting 37 Lok Sabha seats, while Mayawati-led BSP and Ajit Singh's RLD have been allocated 38 and three seats respectively. The election in Varanasi is slated to take place in the last phase of seven-phased Lok Sabha elections on 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.) A sessions court on Monday framed charges against Indian Mujahideen (IM) co-founder Yasin Bhatkal in connection with the 2010 Pune German Bakery blast case. The court has framed charges against Bhatkal under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), IPC and Explosive Substances Act, 1908. Yasin Bhatkal has been already convicted and awarded death sentence in 2013 Hyderabad twin blast case. He is also an accused in many other cases having terror links. He was arrested by the Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2013 in multiple cases of terror links. A notice was issued to Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) asking them to produce Yasin Bhatkal in court after he was not presented since long despite multiple warnings. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the Delhi government to decide on the parole plea of Balwan Khokhar, who along with former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar was sentenced to life imprisonment in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. A single judge bench of Justice A K Chawla directed the Delhi government to decide on Khokhar's plea by passing a 'speaking order' to be passed two weeks after the Lok Sabha elections are over. As per the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), prisoners cannot be released during the election, said the Delhi government Standing Counsel Rahul Mehra and sought the time to consider Khokhar's plea after the Lok Sabha election. Khokhar had sought parole to file a special leave petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High court's order dated December 17, 2018. The seven-phased Lok Sabha elections will conclude on May 19. The counting of votes will be done on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jammu and Kashmir police on Monday filed the charge sheet against nine accused in September 2018 terrorist attack near fire services crossing which led to the death of one CRPF jawan. On April 24 last year, militants holding illegal weapons had fired indiscriminately at the CRPF and police personnel deployed near Pampori Sons showroom. The incident had led to injuries among the personnel and death of CRPF constable Shanker Lal Brala. The charge-sheet was filed against nine accused for their role in hatching criminal conspiracy for the terrorist act, harbouring terrorists and giving support to the proscribed terrorist organisation, said the police statement. After the conclusion of the investigation, the police filed the charge-sheet before the competent court under Section 302 and 307 of the Indian Penal Code, ULA (P) Act and Substantive Offences Act thereof subsequent to obtaining necessary government sanction for prosecution under UAPA Act, added the police statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jodhpur District Collector Prakash Rajpurohit on Monday denied any instance of bogus voting and termed as "fake news" that a report was sought by the state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) from him. "No report was sought directly. The report was sought on a news clipping. No complaint was received in any of our control offices from anyone. This is fake news," Rajpurohit told ANI. Meanwhile, sitting BJP MP Gajendra Shekhawat raised an objection against Congress candidate Vaibhav Gehlot for using a Congress symbol on his car, saying that it could influence voters. Speaking about Shekhawat's complaint, Rajpurohit said: "Whenever we came across complaints from polling agents or candidates, we have verified them quickly. Almost all were found to be incorrect." "There is a rule that you cannot bring any campaign material within 200 metres of a polling station. If there were any complaints related to this, we swiftly acted and removed the campaign material," he said. Polling is currently underway in 13 out of 25 parliamentary seats in Rajasthan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actors Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson starrer 'The Hustle' will hit the big screens on May 17 this year. Indian film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared the release date along with a poster of the film. The poster features the two leading ladies dressed in black outfits, standing in the backdrop of a golden car. The film's tagline on the poster reads, "They're giving dirty rotten men a run for their money." Adarsh wrote, "Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson... #TheHustle release date finalized: 17 May 2019... Remake of #DirtyRottenScoundrels." The film is a remake of Frank Oz's 1988 comedy 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels', which starred Steve Martin, Michael Caine, and the late Glenne Headly. The American comedy film, which is directed by Chris Addison and written by Jac Schaeffer, is based on two women con artists who team up to take down the dirty rotten men who have wronged them, reported The Hollywood Reporter. The film was previously titled 'Nasty Women'. The film also features Alex Sharp, Timothy Blake Nelson, Ingrid Oliver and Emma Davies in pivotal roles. Apart from 'The Hustle', Hathaway will appear in 'The Last Thing He Wanted', directed by Dee Rees and in a live-action film adaptation of the Barbie film series. Wilson, who is also producing 'The Hustle' was last seen in 'Isn't it Romantic', alongside Liam Hemsworth and Priyanka Chopra. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 55-year-old man was rescued from a dry well in Sarlahi district of Southern Nepal on Monday, five days after he fell into it. The man identified as Sanuman Jimba was rescued from the 30 feet deep well by Nepal Army's Ranasher Battalion. Jimba went missing from his village on April 25 and was spotted in the well by a teenager. "The boy went around shouting 'there is a ghost in the well' and when other villagers went there they found Sanuman Jimba. Upon spotting him there, we informed the police and dropped water, juice and other liquid food items into the well," Nagendra Shah, Ward Chief of Hariwan-5 told ANI over the phone. "As he was in the well for five days without food and water he has become very weak. He was immediately taken to Namuna Hospital for treatment," Shah added. It is still uncertain how he fell into the well. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's brain would burst seeing increasing enthusiasm of people in BJP's election rallies, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday. "Seeing today's scenario, condition of some people is going to worsen further. It seems that there is a sort of competition among the people here as the second rally is bigger than the first one, the third one is bigger than the second one, and the fourth one is bigger than the third one. As your enthusiasm increases, Didi's (Mamata Banerjee) brain gets burst," said Modi addressing an election rally here. People of West Bengal should not vote for those who think hundred times before saying, "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Vande Mataram," he said. "The West Bengal has given strength to 'Rashtra bhakti,' but these days it has become a fashion to abuse 'Rashtra bhakti'. This is a distorted mentality. 'Vande Mataram' is praise for 'Maa', 'Mati' and 'Manush.' But, attempts are being made to shamelessly bury 'Vande Mataram,'" said Modi. "Those who started ignoring 'Rashtra bhakti' for 'vote bhakti', think 100 times before saying 'Vande Mataram' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai.' People of West Bengal should stay alert from such people," he added. Continuing his attack on Banerjee, he said: "Mamata Banerjee is one of the members of the group that praises Pakistan. When the whole world was accusing Pakistan, 'Didi' was passing a resolution against Narendra Modi. She is a member of the group that supports terrorism and terrorists for political interest." Eight parliamentary constituencies in West Bengal -- Baharampur, Krishnagar, Ranaghat, Burdwan East, Burdwan-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur and Birbhum, went to polls under the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha election. There are 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state. 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.) Pope Francis recently donated USD 5,00,000 to help migrants in Mexico who are attempting to enter the United States, reinforcing the pontiff's stance of welcoming migrants rather than stigmatising them. The funds will reportedly be distributed among 27 projects, undertaken by 16 Mexican dioceses and religious congregations, that made the call for assistance to provide food, lodging, and other necessities to the migrants, reports Sputnik. "In recent months, thousands of migrants have arrived in Mexico, having travelled more than 4,000 kilometres on foot and with makeshift vehicles from Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala. Men and women, often with young children, flee poverty and violence, hoping for a better future in the United States. However, the U.S. border remains closed to them", said a press release from Peter's Pence, the organisation which has been tasked with handling the funds, outlined. The organisation added that the migrants "were stranded, unable to enter the United States, without a home or livelihood," and that is why the Catholic Church hosted "thousands of them in hotels within the dioceses or religious congregations, providing basic necessities," including lodging and clothing. The Pope had earlier outlined that the migrants bring with them the wealth of a multicultural and multi-ethnic world, urging nations to not be "afraid" of them. "Let us thank God for a multi-ethnic and multicultural society because dialogue among cultures, persons, and ethnicities is richness. We must not be afraid of the water of life, of this multiethnicity, of this multiculturalism and here I touch on a sore topic: don't be afraid of migrants. Migrants are those who always bring us riches. Europe itself was made by migrants! The barbarians, the Celts... all these came from the north and brought their cultures with them. Europe grew in this way, with the contrast of cultures," he said during an address to students in Milan. The donation comes as the United States has continued with its tough stance towards migrants at its Southern border with Mexico, detaining them at camps which, at this point, are full beyond their capacity. US President Donald Trump had threatened to shut the border if Mexico did not take action to stop the migrants. The US President has repeatedly outlined his intention of building a wall on the US-Mexico border to curb illegal immigration, with an impasse between Trump and US lawmakers forcing the government to partially shut down for the longest-ever period in US history recently. The Pope slammed Trump's support for the wall and said: "He who raises a wall ends up a prisoner of the wall he erected. That's a universal law in the social order and in the personal one. If you raise a wall between people, you end up a prisoner of that wall that you raised. We need bridges and we feel pain when we see people who prefer to build walls." The Trump administration has upheld their decision of denying entry to migrants, alleging that drug-peddlers and criminals are a part of the migrant caravans. In order to secure funding to build the wall, Trump declared a national emergency last month, requesting a sum of USD 32.5 billion to be allocated for border security alone. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A new technique, in which a single high dose of radiation can be delivered directly to the tumour within a few minutes, is safe and effective for treating men with low-risk prostate cancer, recent findings suggested. The study was presented at the ESTRO 38 conference. Radiotherapy traditionally involves a series of lower dose treatments that take place over several days or week. The new treatment is called high dose-rate brachytherapy and it delivers radiation via a set of tiny tubes. Researchers said this technique could offer an effective treatment that is convenient for patients and brings potential time and cost savings for hospitals. The research was presented by Dr Hannah Tharmalingam "Brachytherapy, where we use temporary catheters to directly treat tumours, has already proved to be a good treatment for prostate cancer, both in terms of killing the cancer cells and minimising side effects. This usually means patients make four to six visits to the hospital for a series of lower dose treatments. We wanted to see whether we could get similar results but with just one high dose treatment, saving time for the patient and the hospital," said Dr Tharmalingam, one of the researchers. The research included 441 men with prostate cancer who were treated at one of the seven United Kingdom hospitals between 2013 and 2018. Their cancers were classified depending on how likely they were to spread, as low risk (total of 44 men), medium risk (285 men) or high risk (112 men). All were treated with a single high dose (19 Gy) of radiation; 166 men also received hormone therapy but none had any surgery or chemotherapy. Researchers monitored the men's progress for an average of 26 months. They measured the levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the men's blood two years after the treatment and again three years after the treatment. PSA is considered to be a good indicator of how well prostate cancer treatment has worked. If levels increase, this can indicate cancer has returned. Overall, after two years, 94 per cent of men showed no sign of the cancer returning, according to their PSA levels. For men with low-risk cancer this figure was 100 per cent, in men with the medium risk it was 95 per cent and in men, with high-risk cancer, it was 92 per cent. After three years, the overall figure was 88 per cent, and in men with low, medium and high-risk cancers, the figures were 100 per cent, 86 per cent and 75 per cent respectively. Of the 27 men with raised PSA levels, researchers were able to identify where cancer had returned in 25. In 15, cancer had returned in the prostate. In the rest, it had spread to other parts of the body. At the time of the treatment, there were no serious side effects. Later on, two men developed urethral strictures that required surgery and two developed rectal fistulae that required a colostomy. Dr Tharmalingam said: "These results indicate that high dose-rate brachytherapy is a safe and effective treatment for men with low-risk prostate cancer but further research is needed in medium and high-risk patients to see if the results can be improved with a higher dose". "This type of treatment offers an attractive alternative to surgery or other forms of radiotherapy as it has a comparatively low risk of side effects. It is also a patient-friendly option because the treatment can be given quickly at a single hospital visit," Dr Tharmalingam added. Dr Tharmalingam and her colleagues hope to continue studying the impact of using this type of radiotherapy, especially in patients with higher risk prostate cancer who are more likely to suffer a recurrence. She believes it would be possible, given the low risk of side effects, to modify the treatment or increase the dose even further in higher risk cases. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Samajwadi Party (SP) on Monday replaced its Varanasi Lok Sabha candidate Shalini Yadav with former BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav, who will face Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the fray. "Brave soldier Tej Bahadur has got the SP ticket from Varanasi," the party announced on its official Twitter handle. Tej Bahadur was already in the fray as an independent candidate from Varanasi parliamentary constituency. It is worth mentioning that Tej Bahadur Yadav was dismissed from the Border Security Force (BSF) in 2017 after he released a video, depicting the poor quality of food served to soldiers. Yadav had posted four videos on social media in January 2017, which showed him complaining about unpalatable food at his camp along the Indo-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir. The videos triggered outrage across the nation, but the BSF dismissed his allegations. After announcing his decision to contest against Prime Minister Modi, he had said: "I am contesting as an Independent candidate from Varanasi. The Prime Minister had said he will give the status of martyrs to soldiers of paramilitary forces and will give them a pension. I will ask the Prime Minister if you had made promises, what all did you do to date?" The SP is contesting the Lok Sabha polls in alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal in Uttar Pradesh to defeat the BJP. As per the seat-sharing pact, the SP is contesting 37 Lok Sabha seats, while Mayawati-led BSP and Ajit Singh's RLD have been allocated 38 and three seats respectively. The election in Varanasi is slated to take place in the last phase of seven-phased Lok Sabha elections on 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.) Actor-turned-politician Sunny Deol, who was recently inducted into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and his brother Bobby Deol on Monday cast their votes at a polling booth in Vile Parle here. Earlier today, Sunny filed his nomination papers from Gurdaspur Parliamentary constituency in Punjab. Before filing the nomination, Deol paid a visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar and offered his prayers. Sunny then came to Mumbai to cast his vote. He, however, avoided talking to media persons and simply said that he is tired and came all the way from Punjab to vote. When asked how he feels as his brother is contesting for the first time in Lok Sabha elections, Bobby said: "Very proud of my brother." Deol was inducted into the BJP on April 23 in New Delhi in the presence of Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal. After joining the party, Deol had said that he was looking forward to working with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "My work will do the talking," he had asserted. Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency was earlier represented by actor Vinod Khanna who had won from there four times -- 1998, 1999, 2004 and 2014 -- on the BJP ticket. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Poway's Chabad Synagogue's suspected shooter was booked on charges of murder, according to a statement released by San Diego Sheriff William Gore on Sunday (local time). The 19-year-old suspect, identified as John T. Earnest, was booked on one count of murder in the first degree and three counts of attempted murder in the first degree, as per the statement. "There is no indication at this point in the investigation that Earnest was part of an organized group. We believe he acted alone and without outside support in carrying out the attack. We are continuing to explore every investigative avenue to bring out all the facts in the case," the statement highlighted. At least one woman was killed and several others suffered injuries when a man opened fire at the synagogue on the last day of Passover on April 27. Poway Mayor Steve Vaus has described the shooting as a possible hate crime which occurred on one of the holiest Jewish celebrations of the year. It was reported that the suspect had published an online manifesto hours before he allegedly carried out the gruesome attack. The suspect claimed to be inspired by the Christchurch mosque shootings and the shooting at the Pittsburgh Tree of Life synagogue last year in the document. The Sheriff had previously revealed that the suspect was also under investigation in connection with an episode of arson at an Escondido mosque last month. The incident comes exactly six months after the deadly Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. Last year on October 27, Robert Bowers stormed the synagogue, killing 11 people in what the Anti-Defamation League said was the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in the history of the United States. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) One of the two men, suspected of spying for the United Arab Emirates, committed suicide in an Istanbul prison on Monday, according to Turkey's state-run media agency. The two suspects were arrested earlier this month on charges of "political and military espionage" and "international espionage." According to reports, they had arrived in Istanbul shortly after the murder of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. However, it is not known if they were connected to the Khashoggi murder case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Leaders of Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party went on an indefinite hunger strike in Hyderabad on Monday, demanding justice for the intermediate students over "errors" in their state board results. BJP Telangana state president K Laxman along with some other party activists started the sit-in hunger strike at Namapally in Hyderabad. Laxman said, "Telangana government has failed to solve the issue of intermediate students. It has been 10 days (since the students' protest started) and so many students have committed suicide in this period. We have approached the Governor on the matter." "We demand the government to suspend Minister Guntakandla Jagadish Reddy. We will continue this strike until intermediate students get justice," he said. Over three lakh students reportedly failed in the intermediate exams conducted by the Board of Intermediate (BIE) in the state. This led to protests by students and parents alleging large-scale discrepancies in the examination process. According to reports, around 18 students have committed suicide across Telangana after failing in the intermediate exams. Human Rights Commission had earlier issued a notice to the chief secretary of the state over the student suicides. Students and parents have been demanding a re-evaluation of all intermediate answer sheets and suspension of Telangana State Board of Intermediate Secretary A Ashok over 'faulty' results. The government has constituted a three-member team to probe the alleged fiasco. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader Geeta Reddy and several other Opposition leaders were on Monday arrested by the Telangana police after they protested against the Board of Intermediate Education (BIE) over the alleged goof-up in the intermediate exam results. They protested in front of the BIE office in Namapally. Besides them, student welfare organisation members have also been arrested. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) also staged a protest at Pragathi Bhavan, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao camp office in Begumpet, demanding justice to the intermediate students who failed, and few of them who committed suicide. Heavy police force was deployed at the camp office after which they shifted the ABVP members to various police stations from the spot. Police brought the situation under control. Over three lakh students reportedly failed in the intermediate exams conducted by the BIE in the state. This led to protests by students and parents alleging large-scale discrepancies in the examination process. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Netherlands Consulate-General in Bengaluru hosted a reception on the occasion of King's Day, the Dutch national day, at restaurant Blyton's on April 26. King's Day marks the birth of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, who took the throne in 2013. The reception witnessed the gathering of more than 200 guests, with attendance from a number of Indian as well as Dutch companies including Arcadis, Shell, KLM, Randstad, Philips, FoodTechIndia and Heineken; diplomats from various Consulates-General in Bengaluru; and key academics from important institutes and universities in Bengaluru. All making the best of the opportunity to interact and network with each other. "It is my pleasure to host our King's Day reception in Bengaluru. We opened our Consulate-General in this vibrant city of Bengaluru last Summer. The state of Karnataka and other neighbouring states in the region are of strategic importance to the Netherlands, in terms of our bilateral agenda. We see a lot of opportunities for Dutch companies and universities in sectors such as Life Sciences & Health, Water, Agriculture and High Tech Systems including Aerospace. The Consulate-General will certainly help in scaling up Dutch activities in Southern India, enabling more exchange and creating platforms for people to explore joint opportunities," said Gert Heijkoop, the Consul-General of the Netherlands in Bengaluru. The Consulate-General in Bengaluru was opened in the Summer of 2018. The office supports and promotes relations between the Netherlands and India, in southern states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The Consulate-General is host to various departments including Trade, Innovation, Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) and Netherlands Education Support Office (NESO). This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader on Monday alleged that 10 people who claimed to be turmeric farmers from Nizambad and are planning to file nomination from Varanasi t, belong to the Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (TRS) party. Speaking to ANI, D Arvind, sitting MP and BJP candidate from Nizambad said, " Ten people who claimed themselves to be turmeric farmers from Nizambad and planning to file nomination from Varanasi are related to TRS party and sponsored by CM KCRs daughter and Nizambad TRS MP K Kavita." "The same 10 people are holding different positions in TRS party, they are not supported by the village farmers," TRS Rajya Sabha MP Srinivas' son echoing similar sentiments said. Launching a scathing attack on TRS party, Arvind said, "TRS can't digest that BJP has created turmeric board and gave a fixed price for turmeric crop. K Kavita has never taken up farmer issues from Nizambad, she has failed miserably from Nizambad constituency." The statement from the BJP leader comes after a group of 50 turmeric farmers from Telangana arrived in Varanasi to file their nomination as independent candidates to contest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. "We are not opposing anyone. We just want to highlight our problems and demand creation of a turmeric board and Minimum Support Price of Rs 15000 per quintal (MSP) for turmeric," a spokesperson for the farmers had said while speaking to ANI on Saturday. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Modi won from Varanasi by a margin of 3.37 lakh votes. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and Rai were among the candidates from the seat. While Kejriwal came in the second place, Rai stood third in the vote tally. Varanasi will go to polls on May 19 in the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections. 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.) Bollywood actors Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor, who have featured in Remo D'Souza's 2015 hit dance film 'ABCD 2' are collaborating once again for yet another dance film titled 'Street Dancer.' Dance isn't just an activity. For some people, dance is an emotion and a celebration of their being and of their feelings. On the occasion of International Dance Day, Shraddha and Varun took to their respective social media handles to celebrate dance by sharing videos of themselves showing off their dancing moves. Varun took to his Instagram account and shared a video in which he appears to be dancing to a slow number with another dancer. In the video, Varun can be seen dressed casually in a white tee with black track pants and orange sneakers. "If you love me, let me hear you say aaa #happyworlddanceday@piyush_bhagat," he wrote alongside the video. While, Shraddha shared a mashup video on the photo-sharing application which features her grooving to her hit songs from 'Stree,' 'Baaghi 2', 'Ok Jaanu' and more. She captioned the post, "Happy international dance day! The biggest thank you to all the amazing choreographers I have had the honour to work with. Because of their faith in me, I am able to do one of my most favourite things - dance!" Well, seems like the two co-stars are all charged up for their upcoming dance film. Varun and Shraddha's film 'Street Dancer' has been extensively shot in Punjab and London. The entire team keeps sharing pictures from the shoot and also treated fans of the stars with a few character posters from the film. The makers of the film kick-started promotions by using #3, and eventually revealed the title of the film. Many thought the film would be titled 'ABCD 3' as it's the third installment in the 'ABCD' series. However, with the title of the film, it's clear now that this one is a different dance film in 3D. Along with the lead pair, the upcoming film also features Nora Fatehi, Aparshakti Khurana and Shakti Mohan in pivotal roles. As per media reports, Shraddha will be seen as a dancer from Pakistan, while Varun will be playing a dancer from Punjab. Reportedly, Katrina Kaif was to play the leading lady in the film. In fact, Varun and Katrina recently appeared together on the popular chat show 'Koffee With Karan' to promote their dance drama. However, Katrina had to back out of the project because she was busy shooting for 'Bharat'. Produced by Bhushan Kumar, Lizelle D'Souza and Krishan Kumar, the film is all set to hit theatres on November 8, this year. Varun was last seen in the recently released 'Kalank', while Shraddha has three films in her kitty including 'Saaho', 'Chhicchore', and Saina (Saina Nehwal's biopic). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The polling percentage in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections was the highest in West Bengal - around 76.44 per cent till 5 pm, said the Election Commission of India (ECI) here on Monday evening. Eight seats of the state went to the polls in the fourth phase. In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the polling percentage for these seats was 83.38 per cent. Jammu and Kashmir recorded the lowest turnout with just 10.5 per cent votes polled till 5 pm. Polling for Anantnag seat is scheduled to be held in three phases. On Monday, Kulgam district went to polls. In 2014, the polling percentage for Kulgam alone was 36.34 per cent, according to Election Commission of India. Talking to media persons, Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha along with other senior officials said that in Odisha, where six Lok Sabha seats went to polls in the fourth phase along with 42 Assembly constituencies, 68 per cent votes were polled till 6 pm. In 2014, the polling percentage in Odisha stood at 73.75 per cent. In Rajasthan, where 13 out of 25 seats went to polls on Monday, the voter turnout was recorded at 64.5 per cent till 5 pm. The polling percentage for the same seats in 2014 stood at 64.48 per cent. The rest 12 seats of the states will go to polls in the fifth phase on May 6. Voting was held for five seats of Bihar as well. In these seats, around 58.92 per cent voters exercised their franchise till 6 pm. In 2014, the polling percentage for these five seats was recorded at 56.18 per cent. Seventeen seats of Maharashtra went to polls in the fourth and final phase of polls for the state. The voter turnout was recorded at 58.23 per cent till 6 pm. In 2014, the polling percentage for the same seats was recorded at 55.58 per cent. In Uttar Pradesh, 13 Lok Sabha seats went to polls on Monday. The polling percentage stood at 57.58 per cent. In 2014, the final turnout for these seats was recorded at 58.39 per cent. In Jharkhand, where three seats went to polls on Monday, around 63.39 per cent voters exercised their franchise. This was slightly lower as compared to 2014 when the polling percentage stood at 63.82 per cent. In Madhya Pradesh, where polling was held for six seats, the voter turnout was recorded at 66.14 per cent. The first three phases of elections were held on April 11, 18 and 23. The polling percentage in the first phase was recorded at 69.50, 69.44 in the second phase and 68.40 in the third phase. The EC stated that the polling in the first three phases was 0.675 per cent higher as compared to the last Lok Sabha election in 2014. According to the Election Commission, polling was largely "incident-free" except in West Bengal. In Jharkhand, the last voter in one of the polling stations in Chatra damaged the ballot unit. "In West Bengal, BJP candidate from Asansol Babul Supriyo went inside a booth with his security guard alleging that his polling agent was not allowed to sit," an EC official said during the press conference. "When the CRPF ASI in-charge protested the entry of security guards with the arms inside the booth, he pushed him physically and entered the booth along with his security guard," he added. "A case was also registered against Babul Supriyo and against unknown persons for breaking the glass of Babul Supriyo's car," he said. The remaining three phases of Lok Sabha polls will be held on May 6, 12, and 19. The counting of votes will be done on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab Minister and Congress' star campaigner Navjot Singh Sidhu on Monday repeated Congress president Rahul Gandhi's challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a debate on Rafale jet deal and asserted that he would leave if the Gandhi scion loses it. "Narendra Damodardas Modi, you debate with Rahul Bhai on Rafale jet deal in any part of the country. You can call him at your home. I will leave if Rahul Bhai loses the debate," he said at an election rally here. The Congress has alleged a scam in the Rs 59000 crore Rafale fighter jet deal and has promised to probe the irregularities into the purchase of 36 jets from France if the party comes to power. He accused the Prime Minister of lying to the country and dubbed him as 'feku' (liar). Sidhu said, "I have watched films with titles like 'Hero no 1', 'Coolie No 1' and 'Biwi No 1'. Now a film 'Feku No 1' is coming out." It is next to impossible to make Modi speak the truth, he quipped. The Congress leader said that BJP has not fulfilled its promises made in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. "Modi has ruined farmers, the youth and the poor of India. He has not fulfilled what he promised five years ago. Modi has only benefitted the rich one per cent of the country," he said. Sidhu took a dig at the PM for his alleged failure to prevent the fraudsters from fleeing the country. He said: "Earlier watchmen used to say - jagte raho (be awake), now the Chowkidar (a reference to the PM) gives banks' money to the rich and says - bhagte raho (keep fleeing)." "Ask him (Modi) who was Chowkidar when Lalit Modi and Nirav Modi fled the country," he asked. He also hit out at Raebareli BJP candidate Dinesh Pratap Singh for contesting against UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who is seeking a re-election from the seat. Sidhu said: "One who could not be loyal to Sonia Gandhi, cannot be loyal to the public." Singh was considered a close associate of Gandhi before he defected to the saffron party last year. Raebareli goes to polls in the fifth phase of elections on May 6. 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.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that the his party will provide 22 lakh government jobs to people if voted to power following the ongoing elections. "I do not promise 2 crore jobs from this stage. I talked about NYAY and lakhs of people would get employed. When we form the government, I can guarantee that Congress will give 22 lakh government jobs," Gandhi said while addressing a poll rally here. "I will not say 2 crore jobs, will speak the truth of 22 lakh jobs. In 10 lakh Panchayats, youths can be employed," he said. Speaking further, Gandhi said: "Through demonetisation, he (Narendra Modi) took money from your pockets and he rolled out Gabbar Singh Tax and took you're your remaining money as well. "People stopped purchasing and as a result companies were forced to shut down that led to unemployment," he added. The Congress president reiterated his poll promise of NYAY in which the party will give Rs 72,000 to 20 per cent of poor whose income is under Rs 12,000 if voted to power. "NYAY scheme money will into the bank accounts of 5 crore women. Two separate India will not be created here. If Narendra Modi can deposit crore of money in bank accounts of Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi then Congress will deposit money in 5 crore people," he said. Speaking further about his party's vision, Gandhi said: "Our government will spend crores of rupees on education, health. Your children will get a better education because this is your money, not Anil Ambani, Mehul Choksi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinese President Xi Jinping met Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan here on Sunday and expressed hope that Pakistan and India could improve their strained relations, following the Pulwama terror attack. Addressing the Pakistan-China Investment Forum, Khan reaffirmed Pakistan's unflinching commitment to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major component of China's Belt and Road project (BRI). Pakistan's Prime Minister, in a statement, highlighted CPEC's next phase and its extension into new areas of agriculture, industrial development, and socio-economic uplift with livelihood projects. Under the project, a double railway track will be laid from Peshawar to Karachi. The speed of trains on the new track will be around 160 kilometres per hour, Dawn quoted Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid as saying. Reaffirming 'All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership' between Pakistan and China, the two leaders exchanged views on the entire gamut of bilateral relations in a warm and cordial atmosphere. They affirmed the resolve to further strengthen their strategic cooperative partnership in all fields including political, security, economic and trade, and people-to-people exchanges, the statement, issued by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry stated. Khan further reaffirmed Pakistan's support to China on all issues of its core interest and congratulated President Xi on the successful convening of the second BRF, which the press release described as a "practical manifestation of his [Xi's] far-reaching vision", and highlighted its significance as an important international platform for connectivity and sharing of experience among the BRI participating countries, the statement read. Meanwhile, Xi reiterated China's unwavering support to Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and appreciated the government's agenda for socioeconomic development and people-centred progress. He affirmed that China-Pakistan ties would continue to acquire greater strength and deepen practical cooperation in the time to come, the statement said. The two sides also exchanged views on the regional situation, including in Afghanistan and South Asia. President Xi further expressed China's appreciation for Pakistan's sustained and successful efforts in the fight against terrorism and to create a peaceful neighbourhood, it added. Khan flew to China on April 25 to attend the second BRI Cooperation in Beijing. The initiative, proposed by Xi in 2013, aims at enhancing all-around connectivity through infrastructure construction, exploring new driving force for the economic growth, and building a new platform for economic cooperation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Zero Gravity Communications, Ahmedabad based strategy, branding, advertising and digital agency, which prides itself on its 'unconventional ideas and conventional ways', turned five this year. Ever since it was formed in 2014, Zero Gravity Communications has been making waves in the industry with an admirable passion for creativity, hard work and the ability to think 'out of the box'. Boasting of a team that comes from a diverse background, ZGC has made a name for itself in the fields of strategy, branding, advertising and digital through the years. The company has acquired a cliental base and leading brands since its inception. Brands include KP Sanghvi, Vadilal Icecreams, MYBYK, Indira IVF, Emerald Motors, KK Jewellers, Shankus Waterpark, Grainspan foods, etc Mainly focused around SMEs, national brands from Gujarat, promoting start-ups, they started with small but now works with some of the best brands to Gujarat in across more than 15 industry verticals. "It has been a challenging and creatively satisfying journey from 2014 till now and I am proud of my '#theideapeople' and all those who have stood by us. I have been fortunate enough to work with some of the best professionals in the industry and I believe that Zero Gravity Communications is set to be a force to be reckoned with the coming few years", said Khusbhoo Sharma, Founder, ZGC. After ZGC bagged its first client in 2014, there was no looking back for this plucky outfit and the agency managed to successfully complete 50 projects within the first year of operation itself, which was no mean feat by any standards. The year 2017 proved to be another landmark for the agency when it started working with international clients too, besides bagging their very first award for India's Best Design Project. In 2018 with studio of their own with 35 professionals team, 40 around clients, ZGC aims to grow faster and fiercely in coming year by participating in more challenging pitches and creative solutions across mainline and digital media. This content is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Japan share market closed for 10-day holiday from 27 April 2019 to 6 May 2019 to celebrate the enthronement of the country's Crown Prince Naruhito. Shares in the Asia Pacific region traded mixed on Monday, 29 April 2019, as investors struggled to track another record lead from Wall Street Friday that was fuelled by more strong earnings and better-than-expected US first-quarter GDP reading, while China-US trade talks come back into focus. On the U. S.-China trade front, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in an interview that negotiations between the two economic powerhouses were "into the final laps," according to reports. Eyes now turn to Beijing where top US negotiators will return for another round of trade talks with their Chinese counterparts, with the White House saying issues to be covered include intellectual property, forced technology transfer, agriculture and enforcement. While the general consensus is for the two to eventually reach a deal to end their long-running trade war there are still a number of sticking points, and Mr Trump has warned he is willing to walk away from talks of he is not happy with their progress. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jharkhand recorded 20.87 per cent polling till 11 a.m. on Monday for three Lok Sabha seats in the state's Maoist-affected areas, according to Election Commission (EC) data. Polls for the 14 Lok Sabhaseats in Jharkhand are scheduled to be held in four phases, beginning with these three constituencies. Voting, which began at 7 a.m. across 6,072 polling stations in the Lohardagga, Chatra and Palamau constituencies, will end at 4 p.m. The EC data showed that Chatra witnessed 17.46 per cent voting, Lohardagga 28.78 per cent and Palamau 18.30 per cent. Polling could not start on time in at least seven polling booths due to technical snags in the electronic voting machines (EVMs). Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs and BJP candidate Sudarshan Bhagat cast his vote in Lohardagga. A large voter turnout has been seen so far in the Maoist affected areas of the state. Long queues of voters formed early on Monday to join in the fourth phase of voting in the ongoing general elections. Of the 6,072 polling booths, more than 40 per cent have been categorised as either "sensitive" or "very sensitive". Over 140 paramilitary force companies are deployed. The fate of 59 candidates will be decided by 45,26,691 voters. In the 2014 general elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won all the three seats. Chatra is witnessing a triangular fight between BJP's Sunil Singh, Congress' Manoj Yadav and the Rashtriya Janata Dal's (RJD) Subhash Yadav. In Lohardagga, the BJP's Sudarshan Bhagat will take on Congress' Sukhdeo Bhagat. In Palamau, the main contest is between V.D. Ram of the BJP and the RJD's Ghuran Ram. --IANS ns/bc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A total of 3,000 kg of solid waste has been collected from the Mt Everest region since the beginning of the Nepal government-backed Sagarmatha Cleaning Campaign on April 14, the media reported on Monday. Dandu Raj Ghimire, Director General of Department of Tourism, informed that of the total garbage collected so far, 2,000 kg has been sent to Okhaldhunga while 1,000 kg has been brought to Kathmandu using Nepali Army helicopters for disposal, reports The Himalayan Times. "Our team has now reached the Everest Base Camp for the cleaning campaign. All the necessary things including food, water and shelter have already been arranged there," Ghimire said. The Department estimates that around 23 million Nepalese rupees will be spent for the campaign. "Under this campaign we will be collecting around 5,000 kg of garbage from the Base Camp area, while 2,000 kg of garbage will be collected from the South Col region and around 3,000 kg from Camp II and Camp III areas," Ghimire added. The team also located four bodies while cleaning the Base Camp. This is the first time that the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Environment, Nepali Army, Nepal Mountaineering Association, Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality and Nepal Tourism Board are working jointly to clean up the world's highest peak. The Department has estimated that at least 500 foreign climbers and over 1,000 climbing support staff will visit higher camps of Mt Everest as well as Mt Lhotse, the fourth tallest mountain. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday warned West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that her MLAs will abandon her after the results of the Lok Sabha polls were out, claiming that 40 of them were already in touch with him. "When the lotus will bloom all over Bengal after May 23, Didi (Banerjee), you will see that your MLAs will also abandon you and run away. Forty of your MLAs are in touch with me even today," Modi told an election rally here in Hooghly district. "It will be tough for you to save yourself. You have cheated the people of Bengal," he said. Modi said despite all the attacks and intimidation by the state's ruling Trinamool Congress, the people of Bengal have only one motto in this Lok Sabha elections. "Didi has crossed all limits this time. The Trinamool Congress goons are trying to stop people from casting their votes. Our party candidates are being attacked and stopped from campaigning. Yet people in the villages are turning up in the polling stations with only one motto...'chup chap kamal chap, booth booth se TMC saaf' (silently vote for the lotus symbol, remove Trinamool from all booths)," Modi said. Taking a dig at Banerjee for claiming to send him 'rasgullas' made out of soil and stones, Modi said Bengal's soil, which has given birth to so many statesmen and revolutionaries in the past, was "holy and inspirational" to him. "Didi, who once talked about 'mati and manush' (soil and human being), is now talking about feeding me 'rasgullas' made out of Bengal's soil and stones. How lucky I am! The soil of Bengal gave birth to so many statesmen such as Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Shyama Prasad Mookerjee. If Modi gets 'rasgullas' made out of this soil, it will be like 'prasad' to him," the Prime Minister said. "It will bring me good luck because this soil is holy to me. It is my inspiration. I will be grateful to Didi for the 'rasgullas' made out of Bengal's soil, as not everyone is fortunate enough to get such holy 'prasad'," Modi added. The Prime Minister also ridiculed Banerjee by asking her to send as many stones as possible in the sweets so that the Trinamool-backed goons do not have enough stones left to attack the people of Bengal. "You said there will be stones inside the 'rasgullas'. I would be grateful for this because otherwise your goons would use the stones to break people's heads. So send me as many stones as possible so that the heads of Bengal's people remain unharmed," he said amid massive cheer from the crowd. Modi further said that Banerjee knew that her Prime Ministerial aspirations were hollow, as no one can be on that chair with a handful of seats. He also claimed that Banerjee was trying to establish her nephew and Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee as the next Chief Minister of West Bengal. "Didi also knows that she won't become the Prime Minister with a handful of seats. Going to Delhi is not that easy, it is very far. She actually has another agenda. Should I tell you? "'Delhi to bahana hai, ye bhatije ko jamana hai' (Delhi is an excuse, she wants to establish her nephew here)," the Prime Minister said. --IANS mgr/arm (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.) Braving the afternoon heat, people came out enthusiastically to vote in 13 constituencies of Uttar Pradesh which went to polls on Monday in the fourth phase, with a 43.91 per cent turnout being recorded till 3 p.m., officials said. According to Joint Chief Electoral Officer Ramesh Chandra, the highest turnout was witnessed in Jhansi at 49.18 per cent, followed by Kheri with 49.07 per cent and Hamirpur at 47.25 per cent. The lowest, so far, was in Shahjahanpur at 38.31 per cent. The voting figures in other seats were: Hardoi at 42.8 per cent, Misrikh at 41.8, Unnao at 42.58, Farrukhabad at 45.76, Etawah at 43.8, Kannauj at 44.83, Kanpur at 40.16, Akbarpur at 43.76 and Jalaun at 42.49. Technical glitches in electronic voting machines (EVMs) delayed voting for around an hour in a booth in school in Jhansi seat's Babina segment. Problems in EVMs and VVPATs also delayed polling for 15 to 30 minutes in a dozen booths in Shahjahanpur, especially in the Tilhar area. A violent altercation also broke out between two groups in Tilhar over casting of votes and the brick-batting soon snowballed into an exchange of fire, which left a woman injured. A youth was also injured in the violent. Hearing of the violence, Circle Officer Mangal Singh Rawat arrived with adequate force to quell the violence. Police force has been deployed in the area as a precautionary measure. Earlier in the day, technical problems in EVMS delayed the balloting process in four polling booths in Chhibramau area of Kannauj, where Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple Yadav is contesting. A total of 2.38 crore people are eligible to exercise their franchise at 27,513 polling booths. In 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party won 12 seats barring Kannauj, which was won byDimple Yadav. The SP-BSP alliance has fielded six BSP candidates and seven SP candidates. The Congress has fielded candidates from all constituencies barring Kannauj. Other prominent candidates in the race in the fourth phase include former Union Ministers Salman Khurshid, who is contesting from Farukhabad, and Sriprakash Jaiswal from Kanpur (both Congress), Uttar Pradesh Minister Satyadev Pachauri from Kanpur after the party dropped sitting MP and veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi and Sakshi Maharaj against the Congress' Annu Tandon from Unnao. --IANS hindi-vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ignoring heat wave-like condition, nearly 54 per cent voters turned out to cast their vote in Bihar's five Lok Sabha constituencies -- Begusarai, Ujiarpur, Darbhanga, Munger and Samastipur -- till 5 p.m. on Monday, said an official. "Long queues were seen at polling booths in rural as well as urban pockets of these constituencies despite heat wave-like conditions," the official said. Women queued up in large numbers outside polling booths in the initial three hours of voting, he added. Voting that started at 7 a.m. will end at 6 p.m. More than 87 lakh voters are eligible to decide the fate of 67 candidates, including some political heavyweight, in this phase of polling. Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Giriraj Singh is being challenged by JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar, contesting on Communist Party of India (CPI) ticket, in Begusarai. The BJP has fielded state unit chief Nityanand Rai from Ujiarpur, where the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) chief and former Minister Upendra Kushwaha is also in the fray. In Munger, the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) has fielded Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's close aide Lalan Singh against Congress candidate Neelam Devi, wife of Independent MLA Anant Singh. In Darbhanga, senior Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui is in the fray against BJP's Gopaljee Thakur. This phase of polling will also decide the fate of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Ramchandra Paswan, brother of LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan, in Samastipur. People at several polling booths boycotted the polls over closure of jute mills. Heavy security was deployed at all booths and three helicopters were also stationed to provide air cover. According to officials, the voting was peaceful, except sporadic clashes between supporters of rival parties. In Begusarai, villagers clashed with security forces and pelted stones after being beaten up by the police. Villagers, in Begusarai and Samastipur, alleged that polling officials forced some voters to cast vote in favour of a particular party candidate. --IANS ik/mag/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Around 67 per cent voting was recorded in six parliamentary constituencies -- Sidhi, Shahdol, Jabalpur, Mandla, Balaghat and Chhindwara -- and by-election for the Chhindwara Assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh, the state Election Commission sources said, here on Monday. According to the official information, 66.92 per cent voters cast vote in the state. The Chhindwara parliamentary constituency recorded the highest 77 per cent voting, followed by Balaghat 70.42, Shahdol 68.76 per cent, Mandala 67.09 per cent and Jabalpur 64.05 per cent. The lowest 57.32 per cent polling was recorded in Sidhi. For the by-election to the Chhindwara Assembly seat, 70.49 per cent electorate cast vote. Chief Minister Kamal Nath, who must get elected to the Assembly within six months of assuming office, is in the fray from here. The seat was vacated by Congress MLA Deepak Saxena for him. The BJP has fielded former Youth Congress activist Vivek Sahu against the Chief Minister. In some places, officials had to replace electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter verifiable paper audit trail devices due to technical glitches. Three government employees, including a woman, died in the last 48 hours while on poll duty, state Chief Electoral Officer V.L. Kantha Rao said. Sunanda Kotekar (50), deployed at the Lodhikheda polling booth in the Saunsar segment of Chhindwara, died of cardiac arrest, even before she could be provided medical assistance. While an Assistant Sub-Inspector died after suffering heart attack in the Sidhi district, another person succumbed to brain haemorrhage in Seoni in the Balaghat Lok Sabha constituency on Sunday evening, Rao said. In Balaghat, Maoists allegedly set Independent candidate Kishore Samrite's vehicle on fire. Samrite claimed he was also held hostage for some time by them. Barring the Maoist-affected Baiher, Lanji and Paraswada Assembly segments under the Balaghat parliamentary constituency, polling was conducted from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. In the Maoist-affected areas, polling was held between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. In 2014, the BJP had won 27 of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The Congress later reclaimed the Ratlam seat in by-election, taking its tally to three. Congress veteran Kamal Nath had won from his bastion Chhindwara in 2014, where his son Nakul Nath is the party candidate. While the success in the Assembly elections held last year has boosted the confidence of the Congress, the BJP is banking on the Narendra Modi wave. To drive home the point, the BJP workers have distributed leaflets listing the Modi government's achievements, including the post-Pulwama show of might. The Election Commission has barred political parties from using the armed forces' valour for electoral promotions. --IANS hindi/naidu/rs/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As voting began across 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday urged the people to cast their ballots. "For a prosperous and powerful India, for a strong and decision-making government, to fulfil a dream, make sure you go out of your home and vote. Hope you remember, first vote and then refreshment. The mercury during summer is high, take care of yourself, but do vote. The government is formed by every one vote," Adityanath said in a series of tweets. Yadav appealed to the people to vote for a 'mahaparivartan' (great transformation), saying their ballots will prove decisive for the future. "For a 'mahaparivartan' and to save democracy, unite and exercise your right to fulfil your civilian rights. Today's elections will prove decisive for tomorrow," he tweeted in Hindi. The seats where polling in underway in the state are Shahjahanpur (SC), Kheri, Hardoi (SC), Misrikh (SC), Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah (SC), Kannauj, Akbarpur, Jalaun (SC), Jhansi and Hamirpur. A total electorate of 2.38 crore is eligible to exercise their franchise at 27,513 polling booths. --IANS aks/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As voting began across 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, Chief MInister Yogi Adityanatah on Monday urged the people to cast their ballots for a prosperous and powerful India. "For a prosperous and powerful India, for a strong and decision-making government, to fulfil a dream, make sure you go out of your home and vote. Hope you remember, first vote and then refreshment. The mercury during summer is high, take care of yourself, but do vote. The government is formed by every one vote," he said in a series of tweets. The seats where polling in underway in the state are Shahjahanpur (SC), Kheri, Hardoi (SC), Misrikh (SC), Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah (SC), Kannauj, Akbarpur, Jalaun (SC), Jhansi and Hamirpur. A total electorate of 2.38 crore is eligible to exercise their franchise at 27,513 polling booths. --IANS aks/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two Afghan nationals were arrested following a raid on a prostitution racket in the beach village of Calangute in Goa, an official said on Monday. According to Police Inspector Nolasco Raposo in-charge of the Calangute police station, the accused were arrested in the raid conducted by officials of the Calangute police station, in which two women from were rescued. "The two accused from have been arrested under sections 370 (prostitution), 370(iii) of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 4, 5 and 7 of the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, 1956," Inspector Raposo said, adding that police are on the look out for a pimp who had solicited the services of the two Uzbek women for the Afghan duo. (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 Congress on Monday complained to the Election Commission against PM Modi saying he violated the model code of conduct by seeking votes in the name of armed forces. According to the Congress memorandum to the EC, the PM made reference to the Pulwama terror attack during a TV interview to the Aaj Tak news channel in Varanasi on April 26. "In fact his entire 2019 campaign has been built around religious invective and co-opting the achievements of the armed forces," the memorandum said. The Congress memorandum further noted that the PM had made such violation of the model code earlier also and these were against the EC's directive. "The prime minister thinks he is above law," said the memorandum, adding "it is time the commission reminded him he was not above law." --IANS amit/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said on Monday that staring at defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress was using the name of Mohammad Ali Jinnah to garner votes. The Congress may even go the extent of creating a communal atmosphere to polarise votes and that is the reason it supported Pakistan and its terrorists by raising questions over the bravery of the country's security forces, Thakur said. He said these days Congress leaders were saying that Jinnah, who was responsible for the formation of Pakistan, was part of the Congress family. "The Congress has admitted that it won't even touch the figure of 44 seats in this elections due to the Modi wave. The Congress' love for Jinnah and Pakistan is not new and its leaders have referred to him (Jinnah) as a hero many times," the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said in a statement here. Congress leader Shatrughan Sinha had recently courted controversy for saying "from Mahatma Gandhi to Mohammad Ali Jinnah, all are part of the Congress Parivar." Thakur also said that the country's security was the top priority for the BJP and the Narendra Modi-led government cannot mess with it for the sake of vote bank. --IANS vg/arm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Union Minister and Congress' New Delhi seat candidate Ajay Maken on Monday promised that if his party comes to power after the general elections, then it will fill the 22 lakh vacant government posts in an year. Maken held several interactive meetings during his padyatras in Ayur Vigyan Nagar, Gurudwara Singh Sabha, Jungpura Extension, Sat Nagar, Tikona Park, Karol Bagh, Tel Mandi and Pahar Ganj to reach out to the voters. "The Congress party has promised of filling the 22 lakh government vacancies within a year of coming to power," he said, Recalling the party's work in 2006-07 when the sealing process started first in the national capital, he said: "The UPA government would protect the small and medium traders or entrepreneurs from vagaries of sealing as it had done before in 2006." "As the Union Urban Development Minister, I had made 170 amendments in Delhi Master Plan to protect commercial establishments and small and medium traders." Maken also said that if Congress returns to power, a simplified pro-business GST would replace the existing GST that the Narendra Modi government brought into place. The Congress leader faces a triangular contest, with sitting BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi and the Aam Aadmi Party's Brijesh Goyal in the contest. Besides Maken, Congress candidate for the North West Delhi parliamentary constituency Rajesh Lilothia also addressed several public meetings, undertook padayatras and held corner meetings in the Narela assembly segment of the seat. Addressing a public meeting near the Aggarwal Tower in Narela, he appealed to people to bring back Congress to power as both the BJP and the AAP had "betrayed the people of Delhi". "It was imperative for the Congress to win all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi as the party is sure to form a government at the Centre, under the leadership of Congress President Rahul Gandhi," he said. Lilothia, who is pitted against BJP's Hans Raj Hans and AAP's Gugan Singh, said the last five years of Modi rule, there were attacks on secular and democratic forces, and even the common people were not spared and became victims of the BJP government's high-handednessA He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of working as the agent of a few rich industrialists by totally ignoring the poor and common people. The elections on all the seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital is scheduled on May 12 in the sixth phase. The BJP had won all the seats from the national capital in 2014 Lok Sabha polls. --IANS aks/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the Easter Sunday attacks could have been prevented if the new Counter Terrorism Bill was passed in Parliament without delay. "No anti-terrorism law in Sri Lanka provides for territorial jurisdiction under which a cadre belonging to an international terrorist organisation could be arrested in Sri Lanka if they are found. Not even the penal code provides that provision," the Prime Minister told the Daily Mirror. "We have included this provision in the new Counter Terrorism Bill. However, it is stuck in Parliament for months. The Easter Sunday attacks could have been prevented if this legislation was passed." Wickremesinghe reiterated that defence authorities should have acted upon the warnings given by intelligence units. "There has been no breakdown in the intelligence services but the issue has been that the Defence authorities had not acted upon the warnings," he added. The Easter Sunday attacks that targeted churches and hotels killed 253 people and injured more than 500 others. --IANS ksk/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Election Commission on a plea challenging the legal provision mandating six months jail for questioning the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The court issued the notice on a petition seeking the decriminalization of the act of filing complaints regarding discrepancies between EVMs and VVPATs. According to section 49 MA of Code Of Election Rules, if a person files a complaint regarding the discrepancy (voted for a particular party but it went to some other party) regarding the EVM, and, if after investigation this is found to be false or incorrect, then the complainant can be prosecuted under section 177 of IPC for "furnishing false information. This section invites six months in jail or a Rs 1,000 fine or both". Petitioner Sunil Ahya contended before the court that such a clause deters an elector from reporting any discrepancies observed at the time of casting vote. "Deviant behaviour and lodging a complaint which is an essential ingredient in a continuous exercise for improving the electoral process," said the petitioner. --IANS ss/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Election Commission on a plea challenging the legal provision mandating six months jail for questioning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). On a petition filed by Sunil Ahya, an SC bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi heard the arguments and issued the notice to the Election Commission. According to Section 49 MA of the Code of Election Rules, if a person files a complaint regarding discrepancy in the EVM, and if after investigation it is found to be false or incorrect, then the complainant can be prosecuted under Section 177 of the Indian Penal Code for "furnishing false information". This section invites "six months in jail or a fine of Rs 1,000 or both". Ahya contended that such a provision in election rules will act as a deterrent for voters experiencing faults in the EVMs from lodging a formal complaint. Claiming that the provision was not fair and that it will discourage voters with genuine complaints from coming forward, the petitioner said, "This infringes upon a citizen's right to freedom of expression, which is a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India," said the petition."Deviant behaviour of the electronic machine should not go against the electorate and lodging a complaint is an essential ingredient in a continuous exercise for improving the electoral process," Ahya said. The petitioner also included some suggestions to improve the overall electoral exercise. He said, "One of the possible ways to address the issue of reporting the aforesaid discrepancy in the future would be to keep the ballot unit lamp against the blue button of EVM glowing and at the same time, to let the VVPAT printed slip remain hanging in the transparent window without it being automatically cut after 7 seconds, unless and until the voter is completely satisfied and comes out of the polling booth." --IANS ss/arm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Election Commission (EC) on Monday "strongly condemned" Union Minister Maneka Gandhi for her statement asking Muslims in Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh to vote for her if they wanted her to get their work done after she wins from the constituency. Ruling that her statements violated the model code of conduct (MCC) by making an appeal to "caste or communal feelings for securing votes" and also infringed the sections dealing with "bribery", the poll panel warned her not to repeat "such misconduct in future". The EC had on April 15 barred Gandhi from campaigning in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections for 48 hours on account of her remarks. Addressing an election rally in Turab Khani village, the BJP leader had said that she would not like it if she won without the support of the Muslims, and also may not get the work they required done after she wins. Gandhi's three-minute speech went viral on social media, leading to outrage for its "communal content", with the Congress terming her statement "scandalous". However, Gandhi later maintained that her remarks were quoted out of context. She is contesting from Sultanpur, a seat won by her son Varun Gandhi in 2014. Varun Gandhi is contesting this time from the Pilibhit constituency, from where his mother had won in 2014. --IANS vv/bc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chairman of Mahindra group Anand Mahindra said on Monday that whosoever comes to power at the Centre after the Lok Sabha elections, including a coalition government, must work for growth and development. "We all have been infected by the virus of progress and growth. Even if a coalition government comes to power, it should work towards progress and growth," Mahindra said after casting his vote at a booth in Malabar Hill in the Mumbai South parliamentary constituency which went to the polls in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections on Monday. The big names of India Inc who have so far exercised their franchise in the fourth phase include Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das, Reliance Communications Chairman Anil Ambani, Chairman of Godrej group Adi Godrej, Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, HDFC Chairman Deepak Pareakh and its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Keki Mistry, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of JSW group Sajjan Jindal, BSE CEO Ashish Chauhan and Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal. While many are expecting a fractured mandate in the ongoing elections, the India Inc is looking at flow of reforms, continuing government spendings to boost consumption, capital formation and nothbound domestic demand. In the first three phases of Lok Sabha polls, voting was been held in 302 parliamentary constituencies while 72 seats went to the polls in the fourth phase on Monday to decide the fate of 961 candidates. The Indian economy is currently passing through a slow growth phase and the industry is looking up to the new govenrment, which will assume power in June, for some bold reforms. While India's growth forecasts have been lowered in recent times by the RBI, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has called for policies to boost the manufacturing sector and small businesses, the cornerstones of Indian economy which were the worst affected by demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax (GST) roll out. Earlier this month, the World Bank had pegged India's GDP growth rate for FY20 at 7.5 per cent, to be driven by private investment, better exports and domestic consumption. Both the ADB and the RBI had earlier this month cut their 2019-20 growth projection for India to 7.2 per cent from 7.4 per cent, blaming the rising risks to global economic growth as well as weakening domestic investment activity. India is expected to grow at 7.3 per cent in 2019-20 and 7.5 per cent in 2020-21, the IMF said in its latest World Economic Outlook report, which is a downward revision from its outlook released in January by 20 basis points for each year. The Indian economy grew at 6.6 per cent in the December quarter, the slowest in five quarters which prompted the CSO to trim its 2018-19 forecast to 7 per cent in February from 7.2 per cent estimated the previous month. Rating agency Fitch cut India's GDP forecast in FY20 to 6.8 per cent citing slow momentum in manufacturing and agriculture sectors, while Moody's said that the Indian economy is expected to grow at 7.3 per cent in the calendar years 2019 and 2020. --IANS ana/arm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Coastal states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal will be on high alert as the cyclone storm 'Fani' is "very likely" to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm in next 24 hours, the Indian Meteorological Department warned on Monday evening. Fani is expected to move northwestwards till Wednesday and thereafter recurve north-northeastwards towards the Odisha coast. Cabinet Secretary P.K. Sinha on Monday took stock of the situation, arising out of the storm that has been intensifying in the in southeast Bay of Bengal, at a National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) meeting here, a Home Ministry statement said. The meeting followed directions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is closely monitoring the situation. The IMD has warned of light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy rainfall at isolated places in Kerala on Monday and Tuesday. There are chances of light to moderate rainfall in north coastal Tamil Nadu and south coastal Andhra Pradesh as well. On Thursday, light to moderate rainfall is "very likely" over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and south coastal Odisha, which is expected to increase in intensity to heavy to very heavy rainfall. On Friday, light to moderate rainfall with heavy falls is "very likely" to commence over coastal districts of West Bengal. Strong winds of 80-100 kmph are prevailing over southeast Bay of Bengal and its neighbourhood, the IMD said. These are very likely to increase gradually, becoming 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph on Tuesday and to 185 kmph on Wednesday, the IMD warned. Sea conditions are likely to be "rough to very rough" along and off Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh coasts till Wednesday. The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into deep sea areas of Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. The NCMC will again meet on Tuesday to take stock of the situation. "During the meeting, officers of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal confirmed their full preparedness to deal with any emerging situation arising out of the cyclonic storm. "The state governments have adequately warned fishermen not to venture into the sea and highlighted that there is a seasonal ban on fishing in sea up to June 14 due to the breeding season," said the statement. On a request by the states, the ministry assured them of releasing in advance the first instalment of the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF), added the statement. Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretaries of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal attended the meeting through video conference. Senior officers from the Central ministries and agencies concerned were also in attendance. "The government is keeping a close watch on the impact on states on the eastern coast. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indian Coast Guard have been put on high alert and are coordinating with the state government authorities. They have positioned themselves adequately," the statement said. Regular warnings have been issued since April 25 to fishermen not to venture into the sea and asking those at sea to return to the coast, said the statement, adding that the IMD has been issuing three-hourly bulletins with latest forecast to all the states concerned. --IANS spk/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) View this post on Instagram Our Starboy is not only a great talent! He is also one of Africas biggest business moguls! - Check out some of @wizkidayos favourite financial tips! Swipe #UBAxWizkid #AfricasGlobalBank Fewer Britons have booked a summer holiday inside the European Union (EU) this year amid continuing Brexit uncertainty, according to leading travel firm Thomas Cook. In a statement on Sunday, the travel firm said almost half (48 per cent) of the holidays it sold up until the end of February were to non-EU destinations, up 10 per cent on last year, the BBC reported. Despite this, the firm says Spain is still its most popular destination. Thomas Cook - through which 19 million people book holidays each year - said after Spain, Turkey had proved the most popular destination for its holiday-makers, accounting for a quarter of its flight-only bookings so far. The company said that Tunisia was also "faring well" with package bookings to the country double that of last year, with flight-only bookings up four-fold. Thomas Cook CEO Peter Fankhauser said it was still too early to tell the impact on bookings of the UK's exit from the EU being delayed to the end of October. But he said there was "little doubt that the prolonged uncertainty around the manner and timing of Britain's exit from the EU has led many customers to press pause on their holiday plans for this summer". --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Polling began at 7 am at three Maoist affected Lok Sabha seats spread over in six districts of Jharkhand on Monday, said an official. The polling will end at 4 pm. Polling began at total 6072 polling booths. More than 40 per cent polling booths are either sensitive or over sensitive. More than 140 companies of para military forces have been deployed for peaceful polling. Fate of 59 candidates will be decided by of 45,26, 691 voters. In first phase polling is taking place on three Lok Sabha seats -- Lohardagga, Chatra and Palamau. The important candidates include central minister Sudarsan Bhagat from Lohardagga. BJP had won all the three seats in 2014 Lok Sabha poll. In Chatra, there is triangular fight among Sunil Singh of the BJP, Manoj Yadav of the Congress and Subhash Yadav of the RJD while in Lohardaga, Sudarshan Bhagat of the BJP will take on Sukhdeo Bhagat of the Congress. In Palamu, the main battle is between VD Ram of the BJP and Ghuran Ram of the RJD. --IANS ns/vin/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four Indian academic qualifications -- Senior School Certificate (SSC), Bachelor's and Master's degrees and PhDs - from government-approved institutions will now be recognized by the French government with effect from May 1. Similarly, the French equivalents of these qualifications will be recognized by the Indian government. This has been made possible by an agreement between France and India for the Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications signed during President Emmanuel Macron's maiden State visit to India last year. The agreement, which will come into force from May 1, was inked on March 10 last year during the India-France Knowledge Summit, the first high-level summit for university, scientific and technological cooperation held by the two countries, a statement by the French Embassy here said on Monday. It is the first such intergovernmental agreement that India has entered into. As per the agreement, the educational qualifications from India (from government-approved institutions) which are now recognised by the French government are All India Senior School Certificate Examination (AISSCE) (CBSE, state boards, pre-university (PU) or any equivalent qualification recognised by the Government of India), Bachelor's degree, Master's degree and Ph.D, the statement said. The educational qualifications, recognised by the French Ministry of Higher and which will now be recognised by the Indian government, are Baccalaureat (equivalent to AISSCE), License (equivalent to Bachelor's in India), Master's and Master's level qualifications (equivalent to Master's in India) and Doctorat (equivalent to Ph.D. in India). Professional degrees such as law, medicine or those of other professions regulated by a professional council are excluded, the statement said. "The mutual recognition of AISSCE and Baccalaureat degrees will enable students to advance their studies in both French and Indian educational systems. It promotes mobility of students between the two countries," the statement said. Welcoming the development, French Ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler said: "I am delighted that the Agreement will benefit Indian students wishing to study in France and French students wishing to study in India, since both governments will recognise their degrees." He said over the past few years, his country has taken several steps to facilitate student exchange between India and France. "With this MoU, we have reached an important milestone, which is a great opportunity for students from both countries," the Ambassador said. In addition to encouraging student mobility, this Agreement will also promote excellence in higher through cooperation and exchanges between Indian and French universities, he added. "People-to-people ties are essential for strengthening our links, and producing ambassadors of each other's countries," Ziegler said. France ranks third globally, welcoming the highest number of foreign students. In 2018, 8,000 Indian students chose France to pursue their higher - mostly in the English medium - a significant increase over the previous years, the Embassy said. "The Embassy of France in India is committed to fostering this positive trend with supporting initiatives. The target set by President Emmanuel Macron to welcome 10,000 Indian students annually by 2020, will be reached by the end of this year," it added. The Embassy said it has developed a highly-attractive visa policy for Indian students, which includes the option of a 2-year employment visa in France after the completion of post-graduate studies. Furthermore, all Indian alumni who hold a Master's or higher degree from state-recognised French institutes are eligible for 5-year short-stay visas. Indian alumni with French degrees enjoy many career opportunities in India as well, as over 500 French companies, employing more than 3,50,000 people, operate in India. The French Government currently invests 1 million euros (7 crore rupees) in over 500 scholarships for Indian students every year. The French Embassy founded the Franco-Indian Education Trust in 2017 to further increase scholarships. --IANS akk/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Afghanistan's President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani stressed achieving viable peace in his militancy-battered country through dialogue in the much-awaited consultative Loya Jirga or traditional grand assembly of elders and chieftains inaugurated here on Monday. "I want to have lasting peace in Afghanistan and not the loose and shaky one. I am calling upon you people to define the peace talks and guide on how to talks with the Taliban and achieve viable peace," Ghani said at the gathering. About 3,200 delegates across the country gathered at the four-day traditional assembly to discuss the measures on how to initiate dialogue with the Taliban to find a negotiated settlement to Afghanistan's prolonged conflict, Xinhua news agency reported. Taliban militants have repeatedly refused to talk with Afghan government, saying there will be no dialogue with the Kabul administration in the presence of foreign forces in the country. However, US special envoy for peace in Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has held series of talks with the Taliban representatives in Qatar's capital Doha since November 2018. But the last round of talks slated for April 19 had been cancelled on the ground of introducing a 250-member negotiating team by the Afghan government. Ghani in his address categorically stated that all Afghans earnestly want to end the war and restore lasting peace in their country, calling upon the participants of the Jirga to debate freely and prepare a comprehensive guideline for the government to initiate negotiation with the Taliban that could yield the desired results. The consultative Loya Jirga was opened amid tight security as the government put all security measures in place and declared one-week public holiday for the capital city in efforts to check any untoward incident. However, the critics including opposition politicians -- above all the government Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and former President Hamid Karzai -- have boycotted the Jirga, arguing the consultative jirga has not been held in unity environment. Slamming the ongoing insurgency and conflict in Afghanistan as against Islamic teaching and illegitimate, Ghani noted that both sides had been paying a huge price in the war and "it is the time to give up fighting" and join hands for achieving peace in the country. Earlier in his opening remarks, head of the Jirga Mohammad Omar Daudzai, called upon all the opposition sides including the Taliban group to attend the Jirga and play their due role in ending the war and finding the way to achieve peace in Afghanistan. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Heavier and taller children are more likely to develop kidney cancer as adults than their average-sized peers, warn researchers. "We know that overweight in adulthood is associated with an increased risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We also know that cancers take many years to develop. We therefore had a theory that already being overweight in childhood would increase the risk of RCC later in life," said lead author Britt Wang Jensen from Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital in Denmark. RCC is the most common form of kidney cancer found in adults. For the study, the researchers included 301,422 individuals from the Copenhagen School Health Records Register born from 1930 to1985. The weights and heights were measured at the ages seven to 13 years, and body mass index (BMI) was used to categorise the children as normal-weight or overweight, suggested by the International Obesity Task Force. During a median of 32 years of observation, 1,010 individuals (680 men) were diagnosed with RCC. Among men and women, significant and positive associations were observed between childhood BMI and height, respectively, and RCC risk. Children who grew from average to above average height had an eight per cent increased risk of RCC, the study said. "Our findings that heavier and taller children have increased risks of RCC open the door to new ways to explore the causes of kidney cancer," Jensen said. The study was presented at the European Congress on Obesity being held in Glasgow, Scotland from April 28 to May 1. --IANS bu/gb/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and China are marking the first anniversary of the icebreaking meet between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Wuhan, by holding a week-long celebration in the central Chinese city. The ties between the two Asian giants, who have a festering border dispute, have seemingly improved after Modi and Xi had an informal summit on April 28-29, 2018, which many analysts described as "historic" one. To commemorate the event -- "Colours of India" -- a week-long exposition of Indian culture, together with business and tourism-related events, will be held in Wuhan, Hubei, from April 29 to May 3. India's envoy Vikram Misri held consultations with Jiang Chaoliang, Communist Party Secretary of the Hubei province, on Monday to discuss activities and ideas to take forward India-China relations and further strengthen the role of the province in this endeavour, the Indian embassy in Beijing said. Meetings with the Wuhan municipal government leadership were also scheduled. It's being jointly organised by the Indian embassy, Beijing, and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi, in association with the Hubei provincial government and the Wuhan municipal government and supported by the China Arts Association. Indian dance performances, Bollywood movie screenings as well as photography exhibitions will be part of the week-long celebration. There will also be photo exhibitions on Mahatma Gandhi and Buddhist heritage sites in India. A business event to encourage Chinese companies to invest in India is also lined up. A tourism roadshow is also scheduled. The icebreaking Modi-Xi summit in 2018 followed a 73-day military stand-off between the two nations in 2017 that brought them almost to blows. The format of the never-seen-before rendezvous between any Indian and Chinese leaders involved several rounds of talks between Modi and Xi. They also watched a cultural performance and took a leisurely walk by the lake in Wuhan. They pledged not to let the border dispute affect other aspects of Sino-Indian relations. The bilateral ties have been on upswing since the meeting, with Chinese agreeing to provide more market access to Indian firms. However, China's continuous opposition to India's entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and it shielding of Pakistani-terrorist Masood Azhar continue to frustrate New Delhi. --IANS gsh/soni/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iraqi security forces freed 44 Bangladeshi citizens who had been held captive in Baghdad for two months and arrested six of their abductors, authorities said on Monday. According to a statement by the Supreme Judicial Council, the Bangladeshi Embassy in Iraq informed the authorities about a suspected house in Karrada district where the Bangladeshi citizens were being held and the abductors were blackmailing their families for ransom. The security forces raided the house and rescued 44 Bangladeshi citizens who had come to Baghdad for job opportunities, Xinhua news agency reported. The six arrested abductors were four Bangladeshis and two Iraqis. Authorities were still looking for three others including two more Bangladeshis. "The abductors were caught red-handed in the house, where the captives were physically tortured and detained for two months," the SJC statement said. The abductors were running a labour office for foreign workers in Iraq, it said, adding that the freed Bangladeshi citizens had been handed over to the Bangladeshi Embassy. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kangana Ranaut, known for her pro-BJP stance, here on Monday said India was "gaining independence in the real sense" as earlier "we were slaves" of the Italian government, in an apparent attack on the Congress. On the importance of voting, she said, "It's a very important day. This day comes once in five years. Please make use of it. I feel India is gaining independence in the real sense of the term today. Because before this, we were servants of the Mughal, the British and the Italian governments. Please exercise your 'swaraj (independence)' and vote." The actress used the word 'Italian' in reference to Sonia Gandhi, who has her roots in Italy, and led the Congress for nearly two decades. Urging people to vote in large number for India, Kangana said, "the state the country was in during the Congress rule, it can't get worse than that". On the big screen, the actress last appeared in "Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi". --IANS rb/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, after a high level meeting here on Monday to discuss the 'rebuild Kerala' initiative in aftermath of the worst-ever floods that hit the state last year, indicated that the World Bank will provide a Rs 3,596 crore loan for rebuilding activities covering various sectors. He said that the World Bank has, in principle, agreed to this sum, provided that state government also chips in 30 per cent which would work out to be around Rs 1,541 crore. "From what we have gathered is that the World Bank sanction of the loan is expected to come in June, when this would be taken up in their meeting then. In the present fiscal, an amount of Rs 1541 crores would be utilized for rebuilding activities," Vijayan added. The disaster, which began with rains at the end of May last year and continued in three stages till the middle of August, had claimed 483 lives and at the height of the deluge, there were 14.5 lakh people in over 3,000 relief camps. Various agencies had assessed the total damages to life and property in the deluge were in excess of Rs 30,000 crore. --IANS sg/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Demanding fresh voting in the Tripura West parliamentary constituency, the Left parties would intensify their agitations until the Election Commission declares re-polling in the entire Lok Sabha seat, Left leaders said here on Monday. The Left parties led by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Monday held demonstrations and protest rallies across the Tripura West constituency protesting "farcical polling in the parliamentary seat on April 11". "Since the BJP led government came to power in Tripura in March last year, a 'goonda raj' has been established," said Left Front convener Bijan Dhar. "On the first phase of elections to the the Tripura West parliamentary seat on April 11, BJP workers turned the polling totally farcical by indulging in large-scale rigging, intimidation and attacks on opposition party supporters and voters," said Dhar. The Left leader said the Election Commission in Delhi and election officials in Tripura had repeatedly assured the Left parties that polling would be free and fair, "but the commission miserably failed to do so." Dhar said they have on a number of occasions told the Chief Electoral Officer Sriram Taranikanti that from the scrutiny of official reports, documents, video and webcasting footages of the poll process in the seat, it was established beyond doubt that voting was totally rigged by the ruling BJP members. Former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, CPI-M state secretary Gautam Das and other Left leaders took part in these demonstrations. A delegation of Left leaders on Tuesday would meet the Election Commission in Delhi to reiterate their demand. Tripura Pradesh Congress Vice-President Tapas Dey said that a Congress delegation led by state party president Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarman would meet the Election Commission again demanding fresh polling in the Tripura West seat. Tripura Pradesh Congress Vice-President Pijush Kanti Biswas said if the EC did not hold fresh polling, his party would move the Supreme Court. The BJP, however, dismissed these accusations. "None of our party members was involved in rigging," said BJP spokesman Nabendu Bhattacharjee, adding the opposition parties were making excuses in the face of their certain defeat. Meanwhile, an EC official said after the scrutiny of reports, documents, video and webcasting footages of the poll process in the seat, detailed reports had been sent to the poll panel on Friday. "The commission after studying these reports may declare a re-poll soon in a large number of polling stations," an EC official told IANS. --IANS sc/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Farah Khan's films are known for their elaborate song and dance sequences -- something also common to the movies that Jacqueline Fernandez, the lead actress of the choreographer-filmmaker's next production "Mrs. Serial Killer", does. But this new project won't have any of it. "Mrs. Serial Killer" is written and directed by Farah's husband Shirish Kunder. It will go live on streaming platform Netflix later this year. The film will mark Jacqueline and Farah's foray into the digital world. Why was Jacqueline cast in the film? "It is about a girl next door. When Jacqueline and Shirish met and discussed it, she said that she was also hunting for something to do something she had never done before," Farah told IANS over phone. The 54-year-old filmmaker, known for movies like "Main Hoon Na" and "Om Shanti Om", says "Mrs. Serial Killer" does not have any song, dance and no item number. "It's a pretty cool role for her. She is also pretty excited. It's a big step to make her digital debut, especially when she is on top of her game right now. It is very commendable and brave of her to be a little bit ahead of time." The project also marks Farah's debut into the digital zone. She finds it quite exciting. "Everything has to be accounted for and everything has to be planned and given to Netflix much in advance... You have to be very well-planned and organised. I am a control freak. For us, it is better because in the long run it saves you a lot of time and money," she said.Farah Khan is also all for no censorship on the digital medium. In a recent interview, superstar Salman Khan had said there should be censorship for content on the digital space and that there should be an appointed body for the purpose. Asked what she thinks about his views, Farah said: "I truly don't believe in censorship. I believe in 'aap certificate dedo' (give a certificate) and write down if it is a 13+, 16+ or 18+ (rating)." "Give it a rating and people can judge it for themselves... When anything and everything is censored, what is art for me may be censorable for you... You can just give it a rating. That's what I believe in." --IANS dc/rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ignoring heatwave like conditions, 40.08 per cent voting was recorded in Bihar's five Lok Sabha seats till 2 p.m. on Monday, an official said. Voting started at 7 a.m. in Begusarai, Ujiarpur, Darbhanga, Munger and Samastipur constituencies. "Long queues were seen at polling booths in rural as well as urban pockets of these constituencies despite heatwave-like conditions," the official said. Women queued up in large numbers outside booths in the initial three hours of polling, the official said. More than 87 lakh voters are eligible to decide the fate of 67 candidates, including some heavyweights, in this phase. Union Minister and BJP candidate Giriraj Singh is being challenged by JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar on a Communist Party of India (CPI) ticket in Begusarai. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded state chief Nityanand Rai from Ujiarpur, where Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) chief and former Minister Upendra Kushwaha is also in the fray. In Munger, the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) has fielded Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's close aide Lalan Singh against Congress' Neelam Devi, wife of Independent MLA Anant Singh. In Darbhanga, senior Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui is in the fray against BJP's Gopaljee Thakur. This phase of polling will also decide the fate of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Ramchandra Paswan in Samastipur. He is the brother of LJP President Ram Vilas Paswan. Heavy security has been deployed at all booths to ensure peaceful polling. Three helicopters have also been deployed to provide air cover. According to officials, the voting has been peaceful so far, except reports of star clashes between supporters of rival parties. In Begusarai, villagers clashed with security forces and pelted stones after being beaten up by the police. Villagers, in Begusarai as well as in Samastipur, also alleged that polling officials forced some voters to cast their vote in favour of a particular party candidate. --IANS ik/rtp (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan has released 55 Indian fishermen and five civilians as a "goodwill gesture", the media reported on Monday. According to the Express Tribune, the Indian fishermen and civilians were released from Karachi's Malir jail on Sunday. Fifty five of the men were arrested for illegal fishing in Pakistan's territorial waters, while the other five were detained for crossing the border illegally. All of them were taken to Lahore in a train where they are expected to be handed over to the Indian authorities at Wagah border. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan on Monday hit out at the opposition parties for raising the issue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's caste background and called them frustrated as they know they are "losing elections". Addressing the media here, Paswan asked "what problem" Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati have if Modi's caste is listed in "backward" category. "What is hurting them? When Modiji had become Chief Minister of Gujarat, he was abused over his caste then. Now, they are raising it again. It is their frustration as they know they are losing the elections," he said. On Sunday, Mayawati had claimed that Modi got his caste included among the Other Backward Class (OBC) communities for political gains. Vadra, however, denied that her party ever raised questions about Modi's caste. Earlier, Modi had "requested" the opposition parties not to drag him into caste Paswan said the LJP-Bharatiya Janata Party-Janata Dal (United) alliance would win all 40 seats in Bihar. "We expect the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) will win all 40 seats and we are cent per cent sure about 35 seats," he said. Paswan also said Gandhi chose not to contest against Modi in Varanasi as she was "scared". He claimed that the NDA will win Lok Sabha polls with majority and Modi will become Prime Minister again. --IANS spk/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday directed officials to take stock of preparedness for Cyclone 'Fani' that has been gaining strength in the southeast Bay of Bengal and is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm on Tuesday, a Home Ministry statement said. As of Monday morning, Fani was located 880 kms southeast of Chennai and was expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm by April 30, said the statement. It added the cyclone would continue to move northwest and change its path to northeast from May 1. "The Prime Minister is closely monitoring the situation and has directed the Cabinet Secretary to convene a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to take stock of the situation with state governments and Central Ministries and agencies concerned and ensure that all preparations to deal with any situation are in place," said the statement. Prime Minister Modi also tweeted: "Spoke to officials regarding the situation arising due to Cyclone Fani. Asked them to take preventive measures and be prepared to provide all possible assistance. Also urged them to work closely with governments of the affected states. Praying for everyone's safety and wellbeing." The Home Ministry said that it had been in continuous touch with the concerned state governments and Central agencies. "National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Indian Coast Guard have been put on high alert and placed at the disposal of state government authorities. Regular warnings have been issued since April 25 to fishermen not to venture into the sea and asking those at sea to return to the coast. The IMD has been issuing three hourly bulletins with latest forecast to all the concerned states," said the Ministry. --IANS rak/rtp (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sparked off a major row in West Bengal with his warning to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that her MLAs will abandon her after the results of the Lok Sabha polls come out and 40 of them were already in touch with him. Reacting angrily, the Trinamool Congress charged him with horse-trading, but BJP leaders backed Modi's statement, saying the state's ruling party would collapse once the results of the seven-phase polls are declared. "When the lotus will bloom all over Bengal after May 23, Didi (Banerjee), you will see that your MLAs will also abandon you and run away. Forty of your MLAs are in touch with me even today," Modi told an election rally in Hooghly district. "It will be tough for you to save yourself. You have cheated the people of Bengal," he said. Trinamool spokesman and Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien said his party would move the Election Commission charging Modi with horse trading. However, he also rubbished Modi's statement, claiming nobody will go with him. "Expiry Babu PM, let's get this straight. Nobody will go with you. Not even one councillor. Are you election campaigning or horse trading! Your expiry date is near. Today, we are complaining to the Election Commission. Charging you with horse trading," he tweeted. But BJP National Secretary Rahul Sinha endorsed Modi's comments and said many of the Trinamool leaders as well as senior state and police officers are in touch with his party. "We have said earlier that many Trinamool leaders are in touch with us. You will see that after the election results are out on May 23, cracks will emerge in Trinamool Congress. Many of them will migrate to our party," Sinha told IANS. "Also a number of senior state officers and police officers who are now forced to work for the state's ruling regime are also calling us and saying that they are forced to do so to protect their jobs. Things will change after the poll result," he added. BJP state Secretary Ritesh Tiwari seconded Sinha. "The BJP will win a majority of the 42 seats. And once the elections are announced, the Trinamool government will go, as the party will collapse like a packet of cards. There are some good people in Trinamool. They will join us. The good persons among their MLAs will also cross over to our side," Tiwari told IANS. Trinamool legislator Arjun Singh, who joined the BJP and is now the saffron party's candidate from Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency, said a month back that 100 legislators from the ruling party would join the BJP "soon". The four-time legislator from Bhatpara told media persons on March 27 that some of the lawmakers would come to the saffron party's fold before the coming general elections, while theothers would cross over after the polls. He said the legislators were keeping regular contact with the BJP leaders. Left Front legislature party leader and CPI-M state secretariat member Sujan Chakraborty accused the Prime Minister of resorting to horse-trading, but also said Banerjee is being given a dose of her own medicine. "It is clear-cut horse trading. It shows the Prime Minister does not have faith in democracy and people's opinion. He is talking about stealing away leaders from the opposition party. "Mamata Banerjee resorted to the same tactics earlier. She wooed away leaders from other parties. Now she is being paid back in her own coin. Modi and Mamata are complementing each other," Chakraborty told IANS. --IANS mgr-ssp/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Polling for 13 parliamentary seats in Rajasthan started at 7 am on Monday. Over 2.57 crore voters will vote to seal the fate of 115 candidates,which includes 108 males and seven females in the first phase of polling in Rajasthan on Monday. The second phase of elections in the state will be held on May 6 for 12 seats. Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje cast her vote in Jhalawad. Speaking with media, she said, "Many youngsters are casting their votes in this election. They seem quite excited. I hope people vote in large numbers," she said. According to Anand Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer, the 2.57 crore voters include 1.32 crore males and 1.24 crore females. The candidates in fray count 13 from Congress, 13 from BJP, 10 from BSP, 2 from Communist Party of India, 34 from different parties and 43 as independent candidates. Around 6.5 lakh first time voters are using their right to vote. A total of 51,965 voting centres have been created in the state for polling, Kumar added. Out of these, the voters shall cast their votes in 28,152 voting centres in the first phase of election in Rajasthan, he added. The 13 seats going to poll on Monday include Jodhpur (19.51 lakh voters), Barmer (19.39 lakh voters), Jalore (20.899 voters), Udaipur (20.69 lakh voters), Banswara ( 19.75 lakh voters), Chittaurgarh (20.15 lakh voters), Rajsamand (19.9 lakh voters), Bhilwara (19.95 lakh voters), Tonk-Sawai Moadhopur (19.43 lakh voters), Ajmer (18.72 lakh), Pali (21.56 lakh). Kota (19.47 lakh), Jhalawad-Baran 19.3 lakh voters. The maximum voters are in Pali while the minimum voters are in Ajmer, he confirmed. Many strong candidates, including Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat who is contesting on BJP ticket from Jodhpur, were seen standing in queues waiting for their turn to cast votes. The fate of strong candidates including Shekhawat, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav Gehlot, Jaipur princess and BJP candidate Diya Kumari, Congress candidate Manvendra Singh and Union Minister of State PP Choudhary shall be decided on Monday. There are over 26,000 service voters in the state and over 1.12 lakh employees have been deputed at different voting centres. --IANS arc/vin/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP leader Sakshi Maharaj, who is re-contesting from Unnao parliamentary constituency on Monday exercised his right and said that when the results will be announced the opposition will again blame the electronic voting machines (EVMs). The godman, who is pitted against Congress's Anu Tandon and Samajwadi Party's Arun Kumar Shukla cast his vote at a Unnao polling booth and said, "Anu Tandon is going to lose even her deposit. No one stands a chance against me here." He also said: "When Prime Minister Narendra Modi will get more than 400 seats then these people will again raise questions on the functioning of EVMs." Congress candidate from Farrukhabad and former Union Minister Salman Khurshid also cast his vote in his constituency. "The fight in my constituency is between the BJP and the Congress. I'm expecting a positive outcome, given (Congress President) Rahul Gandhi and (General Secretary) Priyanka Gandhi have come out all guns blazing." It was the peope who gave huge mandate to Modi in 2014, he said, adding "He (Modi) has not won on his own." Khurshid is pitted against BSP's Manoj Agarwal and BJP's Mukesh Rajput in a triangular contest. BJP's candidate from Jhansi Anurag Sharma also exercised his right. He is pitted against Congress's Shiv Saran Kushwah and Samajwadi Party's Shyam Sundar Singh Yadav. --IANS aks/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Samajwadi Party has claimed that a number of its leaders have been put under house arrest in Kannauj where party President Akhilesh Yadavs wife Dimple Yadav is contesting the Lok Sabha elections. SP state President Naresh Uttam sent a letter to the state election commission late on Sunday night, with photographs of police personnel camping outside the houses of senior SP leaders in the district. Sources said that more than a dozen leaders were put under 'house arrest', which prevented them from carrying out any form of political activity. Samajwadi leader Anil Arya alleged that the party's leaders were being harassed by police at the behest of the BJP government. "Not even one BJP leader has been put under house arrest, but our leaders are being stopped by the police and have been trapped inside their houses," he said. SP leader Tehseen Siddiqui said: "This is blatant misuse of power and democracy is being murdered by such acts." However, the police have maintained silence over the episode. Kannauj Superintendent of Police Amrendra Pratap Singh refused to comment. Additional Chief Electoral Officer B.D. Tiwari has taken cognizance of the issue and has sought a report from the Kannauj District Magistrate. SP national spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said: "We have been getting reports from Kannauj, Kanpur dehat, Auraiyya and adjoining areas that SP leaders, village heads, BDC and zila panchayat chiefs are being harassed and are asked to get votes polled in favour of BJP." He said that in his letter, the state SP president had mentioned an incident in which the officer in charge of Mangalpur police post in Rasoolabad allegedly harassed SP supporters and is working for BJP candidate. He claimed that officers in charge of Gursahayganj Kotwali in Chibbramau and Saurik Police Station in Tirwa were acting against SP workers at the behest of BJP government. Kannauj is considered a Samajwadi bastion and has been with the Samajwadi Party since 1998. --IANS amita/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sheila Dikshit, former Delhi Chief Minister and Congress candidate from north east Delhi Lok Sabha seat, on Monday asserted that her party would sweep the 2019 general elections in the national capital and accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of fooling people on full statehood issue. Addressing a public meeting in the Seemapuri area of her constituency, Dikshit said, "The Congress will sweep all the seven seats in Delhi on the strength of the previous Congress government's unmatched achievements in the state during its 15-year rule." She said during her tenure, the city witnessed massive development as new flyovers, schools, colleges and hospitals were constructed to make the life of citizens easier, without crying for full statehood. "Kejriwal is fooling the people of the national capital on the issue of full statehood for Delhi," she said. "Ever since Kejriwal came to politics, he has been mouthing lies and making hollow promises to fool people. But the intelligent Delhi voters have seen through his game plan," the Congress leader said. Dikshit said the Delhi Metro rail project got off the blocks only because of the planning and initiative of the Congress government. She also addressed public meetings in Seelampur Mauzpur, Shastri Park, New Seelampur and Babu Nagar Chanaiwali gali. The three-time Chief Minister, who is pitted against BJP's Manoj Tiwari and AAP's Dilip Pandey in a triangular contest, said: "Had Kejriwal read the Indian Constitution and understood it well, he would not have been repeatedly telling lies to the people on the full statehood issue." She said to get full statehood for Delhi, the Constitution needed to be amended, which the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) could not achieve without the support of the majority in Parliament. Hitting out at the AAP leaders, Dikshit said their four Lok Sabha and three Rajya Sabha members never raised the full statehood issue in Parliament and accused the AAP of raising it to divert people's attention from it governance failure for the past four and half years. The Congress leader said both the AAP and the BJP-led central government could not deliver on their promises. They could not talk about old promises as they had no face to show to the people due to their failure to fulfil hollow promises, she added. The elections in Delhi are scheduled on May 12 in the sixth phase. --IANS aks/pgh/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The sister of the suspected ringleader of Sri Lanka's deadly April 21 Easter Sunday bombings has said that up to 18 of her family members are missing and feared dead since the attacks and subsequent raids, the media reported. Mohamed Hashim Mathaniya is the sister of Mohamed Zahran Hashim, the man Sri Lankan authorities believe was one of the leaders of the attacks. Speaking to CNN on Saturday, Mathaniya said she identified her brother from photographs of his body parts at the police station earlier in the week. "Five men went missing after the attacks (on Sunday). They were my three brothers, my father, and my sister's husband," she said. On Friday night, 10 civilians, including six children, were killed along with six suspected terrorists after a shootout between police and alleged militants in the town of Sainthamaruthu on Sri Lanka's eastern coast. On Saturday, a gruesome scene was revealed at the raided house -- charred bodies and a roof blown off during three explosions. One of the militants killed in that raid has been identified as Mohamed Niyas, a prominent member of the local extremist group National Thowheed Jamaath and Mathaniya's brother-in-law. "It did not hit me until I saw the bodies of the men and women. When they said six children, I thought whether they could be the people related to me," Mathaniya told CNN. "Among the women, there were five women there in the house. The wives of my three brothers, my younger sister, and my mother. There were altogether seven children." Mathaniya said her brother Zahran Hashim's wife and daughter are currently in the hospital. The raids are part of a nationwide hunt for the perpetrators of the Easter Sunday attacks that killed 253 people and injured more than 500 others. In the last 24 hours, at least 48 suspects have been arrested, National Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said on Sunday. Meanwhile three MPs told CNN that their personal security officers have received an internal memo from the VIP Security Division of the Sri Lankan police, warning that there could be more attacks in the coming days. The memo said the possible attacks were planned by the "same perpetrators" as those thought to be behind the Easter Sunday bombings. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lankan intelligence has received information on an attack targeting Buddhist temples by the National Thowheed Jamaath extremist group, using female bombers, the media reported on Monday. Intelligence officers have found white pairs of skirts and blouses from the safehouse which was raided on Friday night in Sainthamaradu area, 364 km from Colombo, reports the Daily Mirror. On March 29, 29 Muslim women had spent 29,000 SL rupees to purchase nine sets of such clothing from a textile shop in Giriulla, the officers said. So far, five sets of the white clothing had been found from the house and the intelligence services are continuing their efforts to find the remaining ones. CCTV footage of the shop shows the women who purchased clothes from the shop. The Friday night raid was part of a nationwide hunt for the perpetrators of the Easter Sunday attacks that killed 253 people and injured hundreds. --IANS ksk/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Education Secretary Damian Hinds demanded that technology giants must 'get serious' about their responsibility and protect their young users, The Sun reported on Monday. His warning comes as several Cabinet ministers are scheduled to hold a meeting with Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat bosses, the report added. 'It's time for social media companies to get serious about their responsibility to young people,' Hinds was quoted as saying by The Sun. Hinds said social media is impacting the attitude of teenagers to their own bodies and putting pressure on them about how they should act and look all the time. 'Growing up has always been hard, but the Internet and social media heighten the pressures,' Hinds added. At the summit with the bosses of the social media giants, the British ministers are expected to demand that tech companies take down harmful content -- not just illegal content. 'This isn't just about tackling illegal content, but things that are legal but still harmful to wellbeing,' Hinds was quoted as saying. --IANS gb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialist Party emerged as the single largest political party after it won 123 seats in the Sunday's snap election, official results showed. However, PM Sanchez will need the support of at least one other party to stay in power. The Socialist Party (PSOE) obtained 28.69 percent of the vote, and 123 of the 350 lower-house seats, according to official results with 99.65 percent of the votes counted, Efe news reported on Sunday. The conservative Popular Party (PP) came in second, with 16.69 percent and 66 seats, followed by Ciudadanos (Citizens, center-right) with 15.85 percent, garnering 57 seats, and leftist Unidas Podemos (United We Can) getting 35 seats with 11.95 percent of the votes. Vox - the first far-right party to enter the National Parliament since Spain's transition to democracy after Francisco Franco's death in 1975 - obtained 10.26 per cent of the votes and 24 seats. The leader of Vox, Santiago Abascal, was the first party leader to appear before his supporters, who welcomed him on Madrid's Margaret Thatcher Square with shouts of "Spain, united, will never be defeated!" Vox has a heavy emphasis on anti-Catalan separatism, which is one of the central pillars of a party whose meteoric rise came just after the illegal - and ultimately abortive - referendum in the prosperous northeastern region of Catalonia back in 2017. Abascal promised to provided "resistance" with his 24 lawmakers "in the face of the break-up (of Spain) and against freedom-destroying positions" and he boasted of having garnered 2.5 million votes for a party that, in earlier elections, had only managed to scrape together some 40,000 supporters at the polls. The "ultra-rightist" leader, who formerly belonged to the PP, warned Sanchez that no majority in Parliament will enable him to reform the Constitution or approve "totalitarian legislation on the part of the 'progressive' dictatorship." Having increased his party's parliamentary weight from 84 to 122 seats in the lower chamber, Sanchez can now choose between an alliance, or a coalition government, with either the Ciudadanos party or with Unidas Podemos plus one or more regional parties. The leader of Unidas Podemos, Pablo Iglesias, congratulated Sanchez and said that the results were hopeful since "the parliamentary weight of the progressive bloc exceeds that of the bloc of the three rightist" parties in the country. "Pedro Sanchez, who has won the elections, at this time must avoid the orange temptation (orange being the identifying color of Ciudadanos and its leader, Albert Rivera) because it's time to shield public services," Iglesias said. The leftist leader demanded that Sanchez halt the right in Spain and build a coalition government of left-leaning politicians. "Not with Rivera, not with Rivera," Socialist activists and supporters chanted when their leader, dressed casually in jeans and with his shirtsleeves rolled up, emerged on the balcony of the PSOE headquarters on Madrid's Ferraz Street, which was jammed with people celebrating the election result. "From our progressive position, we're going to extend our hand to all political groups within the Constitution," the premier said, while his supporters insisted on demanding that he steer clear of a coalition pact with Ciudadanos. Sunday's vote was the third general election in less than three-and-a-half years in the Mediterranean country. On June 1, 2018, Sanchez became the first Spanish Prime Minister to assume office via a no-confidence motion, which he successfully tabled against his PP predecessor, Mariano Rajoy. Last February, he called the snap elections held on Sunday after Catalan separatists linked up with right-wing opposition parties to reject his government's budget for 2019. The Socialist Party had not emerged as the top vote-getter in any of Spain's general elections since 2008. In Sunday's vote, however, the party managed to achieve an absolute majority in the Senate of 208 seats. For the PP conservatives, meanwhile, this was the worst result in the history of their party. Rivera and PP leader Pablo Casado, publicly appeared at the same time as Sanchez was celebrating his victory with his Socialist backers after midnight in Madrid. Rivera said that the PSOE will govern with the leftists of Iglesias and with the nationalist parties, and Casado demanded that the premier come to a governing agreement "without needing the independence-minded" forces. The voter turnout was calculated at 75.75 percent, the highest since the 2004 elections. --IANS vin/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China on Monday urged the US to respect China's sovereignty and stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks in response to a statement by a US State Department spokesperson reportedly expressing "disappointment" over the decision by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government to indict and imprison several organizers of the 2014 illegal "Occupy Central" movement. The US spokesperson earlier said that Washington "will follow closely the proposed amendments to the HKSAR's Fugitive Offenders Ordinance". "China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes relevant remarks of the US Department of State spokesperson, which disregard the facts and laws," Geng told a press briefing. He said the illegal "Occupy Central" movement inflicted severe damage on Hong Kong's rule of law, social order, economy and people's livelihood, according to Efe news. "Bringing criminal behaviour to justice according to law, as a due component of maintaining the rule of law, is widely supported by Hong Kong society. "The amendments to laws including the Ordinance are necessary measures taken by Hong Kong to cooperate with other regions and countries in fugitives handover," Geng said, adding that the moves were also aimed at jointly cracking down on crimes and maintaining the rule of law, to prevent Hong Kong from becoming a "crime haven". The Chinese official said that the US arbitrary comments and blame on Hong Kong's affairs were a "brutal interference" in the internal affairs of China and the HKSAR. "We urge the US to respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, as well as the 'judicial independence' repeatedly professed by the US side and stop meddling in Hong Kong's affairs in any form," the spokesperson added. --IANS soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Chinese student in Taiwan who criticized Chinese President Xi Jinping during a live Internet broadcast applied for long-term residence on the island on Monday amid a possible backlash if he returns to his homeland. During the live stream on March 12, Li Jiabao, who hails from China's Shandong province and who is enrolled as an exchange student at Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science in the southern Taiwanese city of Tainan, criticized Xi for declaring a life-long presidential term for himself. "I'm planning to stay in Taiwan for a long time, no matter how hard life gets here," the 21-year-old said, according to Taiwan's state-run Central News Agency. According to CNA, Li added that he "will definitely be subject to criminal charges of state subversion" if he returns to his home country. Given that his visa expires at the end of the current academic semester on July 2 and the lack of laws granting political asylum in such cases, Li has applied for permanent long-term residence, Efe news reported. The student said that the Chinese government has been monitoring him since making the comments against Xi, but said he has been receiving financial support for his studies from his friends and from Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council amid a possible suspension of assistance from China. Li said that his criticism of Xi was not made with the deliberate aim of obtaining political asylum in Taiwan as it would have been much easier to apply for a visa in the US or seek asylum there. The National Immigration Agency of Taiwan said that it would look into Li's application seeking long-term residence in coordination with the Mainland Affairs Council. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor-turned-politician Sunny Deol, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) candidate for the Gurdaspur parliamentary seat, on Monday offered prayers at the Golden Temple here ahead of filing his nomination papers. Sporting a blue turban and a blue shirt, Deol, who himself is a Sikh, entered the shrine complex with folded hands, accompanied by his supporters. He offered prayers at the 'Harmandir Sahib', the sanctum sanctorum. Following the visit, Deol, 62, later left for Gurdaspur where he will file his nomination papers. His father, veteran actor Dharmendra and actor brother Bobby Deol are likely to be present during the filing. Sunny Deol, who has starred in blockbuster movies like "Border", "Betaab", "Gadar - Ek Prem Katha", "Ghayal" and others, faces tough competition from Congress candidate and sitting MP Sunil Jakhar, who is the Punjab Congress president. Earlier, actor Vinod Khanna won the Gurdaspur seat four times in 1998, 1999, 2004 and 2014. Khanna died in April 2017 while he was still the sitting MP. Following his death, the BJP chose Swarn Singh Salariya, a Mumbai-based millionaire businessman,as the party candidate for the October 2017 by-election, over Kavita Khanna, the widow of Vinod Khanna. Salariya lost to Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar by over 1.93 lakh votes. --IANS js/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two suspected Islamist militants were killed during a raid by Bangladesh's security forces here, officials said on Monday. Rapid Action Battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Ashique Billah told Efe news the suspected Islamists blew themselves up during the pre-dawn raid in the Mohammadpur area. "We had some information and we went to check it in the night. When we knocked at a house, someone from the next house started firing at us." The security forces retaliated and the firing continued for about an hour, he added. Around the morning prayer time, 45-60 minutes before the sunrise, the militants "threw few grenades and low-level cocktails (crude bomb) at us", Billah said, adding there was a big explosion about 5 a.m. We were waiting for daylight when our commando team, bomb disposal unit and fire brigade to join us, he said. "In drone surveillance, we found no living person in the house. Our commandos raided the house and found two bodies blown in parts. The bomb disposal unit found four-five unexploded bombs," he said. The bodies, which could not be identified, had been sent for forensic tests, he added. "We suspect they were Islamists terrorists because they fired at us raising Allahu Akbar (Allah is greatest of all) slogan, but don't know to which group they belonged," Billah said. Bangladesh launched crackdown on Islamists following an attack on a Dhaka cafe in 2016 that killed 22 people. Though the attack was claimed by the Islamic States, the government blamed local Islamist group Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) for the attack. Around 70 people, including bloggers, intellectuals, foreigners and members of religious minorities in Bangladesh, were killed in a series of attacks between 2013 and 2016. --IANS soni/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rape victims in Britain are to be asked to handover their mobile phones and social media accounts to police or risk seeing their cases collapse, under new guidelines that have come under fire from women's rights groups and senior police figures. New standardised forms being rolled out by police in England and Wales ask people alleging a variety of crimes, including rape and sexual assault, for permission to access their messages, emails, photographs and social media accounts, in order to improve the chances of a successful prosecution, CNN reported on Sunday. The forms tells rape claimants that "mobile phones and other digital devices such as laptop computers, tablets and smart watches can provide important relevant information and help us investigate what happened". But the move has been condemned for "treating rape victims like suspects" and women's rights groups fear it will deter victims from coming forward to report crimes. A group that provides legal support for victims of sexual assault has also warned the police they will launch a challenge in the courts to halt the strategy. "Most complainants fully understand why disclosure of communications with the defendant is fair and reasonable, but what is not clear is why their past history (including any past sexual history) should be up for grabs," Harriet Wistrich, director of the Centre for Women's Justice, said in a statement. The UK is one of just eight European countries surveyed by Amnesty International that has laws defining sex without consent as rape. The vast majority only recognise rape when physical violence, threat or coercion is involved. In the UK, an estimated one in seven women has reported experiencing some form of sexual violence, placing it in the joint top five countries for the most amount of sexual assaults recorded, according to Amnesty. But despite this, the number of rape convictions dropped to 23 per cent in 2017-18, compared with the previous year, according to data from the UK's Crown Prosecution Service. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Polling in the initial phases of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections have shown a varying trend in urban and rural areas as compared to the 2014 general elections, according to the Election Commission data. For instance, the data for the second phase of polling on April 18 showed that in Bangalore Central, an urban constituency, voting was down by 1.45 per cent from 55.74 per cent in 2014 to 54.29 per cent in 2019. Similarly, in Bangalore South, polling was down 2.2 per cent from 55.67 per cent in 2014 to 53.47 in 2019. In Chennai Central, an urban seat in Tamil Nadu, voting was down by 2.67 per cent from 61.36 per cent in 2014 to 58.69 per cent in 2019. In Amravati in Maharashtra, polling was down by 1.87 per cent from 62.23 per cent in 2014 to 60.36 in 2019. In Amroha in Uttar Pradesh, polling was up by 0.4 per cent from 71 per cent in 2014 to 71.04 per cent this year, while in Bulandshahar, polling was significantly up by 4.43 per cent from 58.3 per cent in 2014 to 62.73 per cent in 2019. In West Bengal's Darjeeling, polling percentage was down by 1.49 per cent from 80.2 per cent in 2014 to 78.71 per cent this year, while in the Tribal-dominated Bastar in Chhattisgarh, polling percentage was up by 6.77 per cent from 59.2 per cent in 2014 to 66.84 per cent in 2019. Similarly, the data for the first phase of polling held on April 11 showed that Vishakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh showed a decline in polling by 4.94 per cent from 72.20 per cent in 2014 to 67.26 per cent this year. In contrast, polling was up in the Tirupati seat by 2.48 per cent from 76.6 per cent in 2014 to 79.08 per cent in 2019. Maharashtra's Nagpur seat showed polling was down by 2.31 per cent from 57.05 per cent in 2014 to 54.74 per cent in 2019. In Odisha's backward Kalahandi seat, polling was up by 0.27 per cent from 75.7 per cent in 2014 to 75.97 per cent this year. In Uttarakhand's Haridwar, an urban area, voting was down by 2.71 per cent from 71.63 per cent in 2014 to 68.92 per cent in 2019. Traditionally, the rural voting percentages have been better than the urban areas as the villagers feel they have more stakes in the country's democracy, while the city electorate exhibit a certain level of apathy with the political process. Badri Narayan, who works with the GB Pant Institute of Social Sciences in Allahabad, said: "The urban areas will vote better this time and the electorate will favour the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)." Nisar-ul-Haque, former professor of political science at the Jamia Milia Islamia University in Delhi, too felt that the BJP had an edge in the urban areas, but pointed out that the saffron party's campaign built around national security was finding favour in the villages as well. "Voters in the urban areas are supporting the BJP's view on the Pulwama terror attack and the government's air strike at terror camps across the border. While the urban areas have always supported the BJP, the party is also getting some share of votes in the rural areas," said Haque. This could be attributed to the fact that the BJP this time tried to make inroads into the rural areas and its ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), too was active on the ground mobilising support for the ongoing polls. Other than the BJP, Haque said that rural voters were getting divided between the Congress and the BSP-SP alliance in Uttar Pradesh and the RJD-RLSP-Congress alliance in Bihar. In 2014, the BJP had done well in the two states, which sent 120 party MPs to the Lok Sabha. However, political commentator Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay said that it was difficult to point out any urban versus rural vote pattern, as there were issues on both sides. "If you see, economic issues affect both the city and village populations," he said. (The writer can be contacted at amit.a@ians.in) --IANS amit/arm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US government has begun erecting tents close to the border with Mexico in the state of Texas to house detained migrants, the media reported on Monday. Life at the foothills of the Franklin mountains in El Paso, Texas, has been rudely disrupted in the last few days by construction crews coming and going near the adjacent border patrol station, reports the Guardian. The main frames of two large tents popped up last week. They are expected to hold up to 500 migrants. Construction crews are now working to prepare the interior of the shelter, which is expected to be operational by May 1, even as President Donald Trump downplayed conditions in which migrants are held and appeared once again to support the separation of families crossing the border. He told Fox News on Sunday: "When they used to separate children, which was done during the Obama administration, with Bush, with us, with everybody, far fewer people would come, and we've been on a humane basis, it's pretty bad. "We go out and we stop the separation. The problem is you have 10 times more people coming up with their families, it's like Disneyland now." The Trump administration began separating thousands of migrant families last year whenever they crossed the US-Mexico border unlawfully, and detaining parents and children separately, under a "zero tolerance" policy. Trump halted the policy mid-2018 after widespread uproar, though in recent weeks, even as the government is being sued over the consequences, floated, then rejected again, the idea of resuming such actions. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Trade negotiations between the US and China were entering a critical point as an American delegation will head to Beijing this week to try to finalise a long-awaited deal, said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. "We're getting into the final laps," The New York Times quoted Mnuchin as saying on Sunday. He added that while the two sides are closer to an agreement, more work remains to be done, and that the talks are nearing a point where they would either produce a deal or end with no agreement. Mnuchin is heading to China on Monday with Robert E. Lighthizer, President Donald Trump's top trade negotiator, to try to resolve the remaining sticking points between the countries. Chinese officials are expected to visit Washington on May 8 to continue and possibly conclude the negotiations. The US and China have been locked in a trade war for months, slapping tariffs on billions of dollars' worth of products and rattling global markets. Trump imposed punishing tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods in an effort to force Beijing to make significant changes to its economic practices, including Beijing's requirement that American companies turn over valuable intellectual property as a condition of doing business there. Mnuchin however, declined to predict whether the negotiations would be wrapped up by the end of June but said he believes that both countries want to reach a deal. He also did not reveal if a breakdown in the talks would lead Trump to impose more tariffs. "I think both sides have a desire to reach an agreement...We've made a lot of progress." Mnuchin did not also provide details of the remaining obstacles, but he said this round of talks would continue to focus on China's longstanding practice of subsidising its industries. He also expected the two sides to discuss Trump's move this month to end waivers that allowed countries like China and India to import oil from Iran. --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 said that the US would seek to stabilise global oil market after Washington's decision not to extend sanctions waivers for Iran oil purchase. "We are convinced we can make sure the markets are adequately supplied. We are continuing to work on that," Xinhua quoted Pompeo as saying to the audience during an event by The Hill news outlet on Monday. The US would cooperate with other alternative suppliers home and abroad on the matter, he added. The Trump administration announced on April 22 that the US sanctions would be reimposed on all countries that import Iranian oil since May 2, leading to turbulence in global oil markets. US President Donald Trump urged the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and top oil supplier Saudi Arabia to lower oil price on Friday. "Gasoline prices are coming down. I called up OPEC, I said you've got to bring them down. You've got to bring them down," Trump told reporters Friday en route to an event in Indianapolis, according to local media. Analysts noted that Trump's previous effort to push gasoline prices down had been followed by fresh price highs, according to a Reuters report. Washington in November snapped back sanctions on Tehran's banking, energy and shipping industries while granting 180-day waivers to eight of Iran's major oil buyers in order to stabilise the global energy market. --IANS vin/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Voting began on Monday in five Lok Sabha seats in Bihar for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha election. Long queues of men and women were seen to cast their votes. There were reports about voting delay and problems in EVMs at some polling booths. However, there were no reports of violence. According to officials, voting is underway in Begusarai, Ujiarpur, Darbhanga, Munger and Samastipur parliamentary constituencies. More than 87 lakh voters are eligible to decide the fate of 67 candidates, including 3 women. Heavy security forces have been deployed at the polling booths and three helicopters have been requisitioned to provide air cover to security forces during polls. "In initial morning hour of polling, voters, particularly women in large number were seen standing before polling booths to escape scorching sun later in the day" official said. Prominent candidates in the fray are Union Minister and BJP candidate Giriraj Singh and CPI candidate and former JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar from Begusarai seat. BJP state chief Nityanand Rai from Ujiarpur seat, where RLSP chief and former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha is also in fray. In Munger, JD-U has fielded Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's close aide and Bihar Minister Lalan Singh. While, Congress has fielded Neelam Devi, wife of independent legislator Anant Singh. In Darbhanga, former Bihar minister and senior RJD leader Abdul Bari Suddiqui is in fray. --IANS ik/vin (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Food ordering app Zomato on Monday announced the launch of a warehouse in the Capital for its business-to-business food ingredients supply arm Hyperpure, marking the opening of the second warehouse for the company after Bengaluru. Zomato said it plans to open 20 more warehouses by 2020, targeting a combined capacity of 90,000 metric tonnes and 700,000 sq. ft. "The approximate investment is $400,000 for setting up a Hyperpure warehouse and there is a separate cost for operationalising and scaling up," Gaurav Gupta, Co-founder and COO, Zomato, told IANS. Besides Delhi and Bengaluru, the warehouses will be spread across Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Nagpur, Lucknow, Vadodara, Coimbatore, Kochi, Agra, Goa and Surat, Zomato said. "We believe Zomato is uniquely placed to shape the future of food. With Hyperpure by Zomato, we've been able to disintermediate the supply chain, providing restaurateurs access to fresh, clean, fully-traceable food ingredients," Gupta added. "With plans to launch 20 more warehouses by the end of 2020, we want to create a dependable demand-supply cycle of clean ingredients, for a future where everybody is eating quality food," Gupta said. Launched in August 2018, Hyperpure by Zomato allows restaurants to buy everything - from vegetables and fruits, poultry, groceries, meats, seafood, and dairy to beverages, and even eco-friendly packaging - using an end-to-end technology-driven platform. Spread across 40,000 sq ft, the warehouse in Delhi is designed to supply 5,000 metric ton capacity per month and equipped to serve 3,000 restaurants every day, Zomato said. "Considering the positive response we've received in Bengaluru, our expansion into Delhi is a part of Hyperpure's natural progression," said Dhruv Sawhney, Founder, Hyperpure. "We are certain that our restaurant partners in Delhi will benefit immensely from both Hyperpure's offer of fresh and quality food products, as well as the competitive pricing we offer," Sawhney added. --IANS gb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on April 26 issued an order that must have been a severe setback for the Reserve Bank of India. The apex court declared that the banking regulator was in contempt of court for failing to comply with a 2015 order directing it to make information regarding its annual inspection reports (AIRs) of banks available under the Right to Information Act. The court said the RBI had a statutory duty to uphold the interests of the public, depositors, the countrys economy and the banking sector, and that it should act with transparency and not hide information that might ... As many as 1,125 security force personnel have laid down their lives in anti-Naxal operations since 2009, the Union Home Minister has said in reply to a query under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The maximum incidents were reported in 2009 (287) followed by 2010 (262), said the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Division of the ministry in the reply. The ministry gave the figures in reply to the RTI query by law Noida-based lawyerand social activist RanjanTomar, who had sought the year-wise data from the MHA on the deaths of security personnel in anti-Naxal operations. In 2011, 112 security personnel lost their lives, followed by 108 in 2012, 93 in 2013, 81 in 2014, 34 in 2015, 40 in 2016, 56 in 2017, and 52 in 2018, the reply stated. No casualty was reported in 2019 till January-end, it added. In a response to an RTI query by Tomar earlier this year, the MHA had stated the 1,190 Left Wing Extremists have been killed by security forces in the country since 2010. There have been 11,567 incidents involving Naxals during the period in which 1,331 security personnel suffered injuries, it had said. Information put by the MHA on its website says that 7,907 people have been killed in LWE incidents between 2004 and 2018 (till 31 July). As many as 90 districts in 11 states of the country are considered as affected by LWE, according to a reply made in Parliament by Minister of State in MHA Hansaj Ahir on February 5, 2019. The affected states include Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, he had said. In another reply in Parliament on December 11, 2018, Ahir stated that 731 civilians and 260 security force personnel have been killed from 2015 till 2018 (November 15). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An average 11.46 per cent voting was recorded in the first three hours of polling in six Lok Sabha seats of Madhya Pradesh on Monday, an official said. Polling began in all the six constituencies at 7 am. "An average 11.46 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 10 am," Madhya Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V L Kantha Rao told reporters. The voting figures till 10 am are as follows: Sidhi- 11.24 per cent, Shahdol-11.9 per cent, Jabalpur-10.96 per cent, Mandla-10.87 per cent, Balaghat-12.14 per cent and Chhindwara-11.63 per cent. Barring the Naxal-affected Baiher, Lanjhi and Paraswada Assembly segments under Balaghat parliamentary seat, polling will be held from 7 am to 6 pm, the official said. In Naxal-affected areas, polling will be held from 7 am to 4 pm, he said. Polling was underway the state's six Lok Sabha seats - Sidhi, Shahdol, Jabalpur, Mandla, Balaghat and Chhindwara - and by-election to Chhindwara Assembly constituency, where Chief Minister Kamal Nath is in the fray. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Ltd has won five awards in the 15th Golden Leaf India Award- southern tea competition held in Ahmedabad recently. Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Company Pvt Ltd and United Nilgiri Tea Estates Company Ltd shared four awards each. Devon Plantations & Industries Ltd, Joonktollee Tea & Industries Ltd, Harrisons Malayalam Limited-SBU(B) and Kodanad Estate shared three awards each. Harrisons Malayalam Limited-SBU(A) won two awards, Waterfall Estate Pvt Ltd and Woodbriar Group shared one award while Vigneshwar Estate Tea Factory won six awards in the Bought Leaf Factory Segment. The final tasting session was held on April 27, wherein the 66 short-listed teas that qualified the first and second-level of screening were evaluated by a jury comprising tasters and major buyers, the competition convenor Arun Kumar said in a press release here Monday. Coinciding with the session, a B2B session was organised wherein a large number of individual tea producers from South and buyers from Gujarat and western parts of the country participated, the release said. A joint meeting of the United Planters Assocation of Southern India and Federation of All India Tea Traders Association (FAITTA) was also held for the promotion of South India tea, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sporadic incidents of violence marked the first two hours of polling in West Bengal, where an estimated 16.90 per cent of voters exercised their franchise till 9am on Monday in eight Lok Sabha constituencies, election officials said. An electorate of 1,34,56,491 will decide the fate of 68 candidates in the eight constituencies -- Baharampur, Krishnagar, Ranaghat (SC), Burdwan East (SC), Burdwan-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur (SC) and Birbhum. There were reports of a clash between TMC and BJP workers outside a booth in Barabani in Asansol, following a tiff between sitting MP and BJP candidate in Asansol, Babul Supriyo and polling officials inside the station, an Election Commission source said. Supriyo's vehicle was also reportedly vandalised in the clash, he said. However, an EC official said by and large, polling has so far been peaceful. "There are reports of small incidents of violence from some booths which were addressed immediately. Our officials and forces are monitoring the situation in Asansol," the official told PTI. "We have sought a report from the presiding officer about what Babul Supriyo was doing inside the booth," he added. The commission has deployed a total of 580 companies of central forces to cover all the polling booths in the Lok Sabha constituencies, to ensure free and fair polling. The eight seats will see a four-cornered contest between the Trinamool Congress, the BJP, the Congress and the Left Front. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A major fire broke out in three chemical factories in west Delhi's Naraina on Monday triggering a blast in which a fireman and a special officer of the Delhi Fire Service were injured, a senior officer said. The fire broke out in the factories located behind PVR Cinema at the Naraina industrial area around 11.35 am. Forty fire tenders were rushed to the spot after a call about the blaze was received. Officials said no casualties were reported since it was a Monday, and the employees were on holiday. "The chemical was adhesive in nature. It is suspected that it was spirit. The fire was brought under control at 2.10 pm. Just when it was thought that the fire had been doused, there was a blast in containers in which chemical was stored which led to injuries to fireman Naresh Kumar and special officer Aman," the Delhi Fire Service official said. The impact of the blast was such that the duo slipped and sustained burn injuries. "The fireman sustained burn injuries on the back and even when water was being poured to ease the pain, he was feeling a burning sensation and was crying constantly," a witness said. The injured were rushed to B L Kapoor Super Specialty Hospital and are out of danger, Chief Fire Officer of Delhi Fire Service Atul Garg said. Garg said it seems the factories did not have fire clearance but they are checking the facts. One of the three factories was completely gutted in the blaze, one was partially burnt and the third one was affected a little bit, a senior fire officer said, adding the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. "There was panic in the area as locals saw smoke emanating from a factory around 11 am. Rumours are being spread about the fire tenders reaching late. Actually fire engines reached there on time," General Secretary of Naraina Gurdwara C S Bhatia said. The blaze intensified due to wind making the job of firemen difficult, an officer said. Smoke billowing from the factory could be seen from a distance as the fire tenders had make multiple trips to the fire station to fill water in the containers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A group of people set on fire more than 20 vehicles of a private firm in Dhanbad after a villager was injured in firing allegedly by the company staff on Monday, police sources said here. The mob also damaged the vehicle of Sindri Deputy Superintendent of Police Pramod Kesri when he went to clear the road of the protesters. Two police constables were also injured, they said. Two companies of the State Armed Police Force were requisitioned from Bokaro district and Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner A Dodde and Senior Superintendent of Police Kishore Kaushal were camping in the area, police said. The incident happened when villagers went to the company office and demanded it ensured sprinkling of water on roads to curb pollution due to transportation of coal from the firm. The discussion turned into a heated exchange and the staff of the company allegedly opened fire, in which a person named Sanjit Sharma was injured, the sources said. Sharma has been admitted to Patliputra Medical College Hospital and doctors said his condition is critical. Superintendent of Police (Rural) Aman Kumar told reporters that an FIR will be filed against the people guilty of arsoning and the priority is to control the situation from deteriorating. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 29 per cent voting was recorded in the first four hours of polling in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in Rajasthan which began at 7 am on Monday. The Barmar parliamentary constituency recorded the maximum voter turn out of 33.53 per cent, while the overall voting percentage at 11 am was 29.40 per cent, according to the office of the chief electoral officer. Banswara, a tribal dominated Lok Sabha seat in south Rajasthan, recorded 31.66 voter turn out till 11 am. Jodhpur, which is the keenly watched seat where the son of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Vaibhav Gehlot, is contesting against Union minister of state and sitting MP Gajendra Singh Shekhwat, recorded 30.53 per cent voting in the first four hours. Tonk-Sawaimadhopur recorded 26. 15 percent voter turn out, Ajmer 28.16 per cent, Pali 28.53 per cent, Jalore 30.51 per cent, Udaipur 27.71 per cent, Chittorgarh 30.47 per cent, Rajsamand 28.83 per cent, Bhilwara 28.81 per cent, Kota 29.26 per cent and Jhalawar-Baran 29.04 per cent till 11 am. The polling in 13 constituencies began amid tight security arrangements. About 2.57 crore people are eligible to vote at 28,182 polling stations in the 13 constituencies where as many as 115 candidates are in the fray. The fate of former Union minister Jaswant Singh's son and former MLA Manvendra Singh, erstwhile Jaipur royal family member Diya kumari, Union minister PP Chaudhary will also be decided in the polling Monday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Residents of 17 colonies in the Trans Hindan area protested against the Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (PVVNL) here on Monday for a near 29-hour-long power outage in their neigbourhood. The protestors alleged negligence on part of the Water Works Department of Ghaziabad Nagar Nigam. The power outage lasted from 9.00 pm on Saturday to 2.00 am on Monday. The PVVNL will lodge a FIR against the water works department for allegedly damaging underground cable while laying water pipes, officials said. Chief Engineer Rakesh Kumar Rana said the case will be lodged under Prevention Of Damage To Public Property Act. Meanwhile, a contractual lineman, Hariom, was charred to death on Saturday evening when he was working on a 33-KVA power line. Harriom died after electricity supply suddenly resumed, officials said. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his burn injuries, they added. Ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh was given to his family by PVVNL. Rana said Vidhyut Surkasha Vibhag will probe into the death of Harriom. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP general secretary Bhupender Yadav Monday targeted the Congress over its proposed minimum income guarantee scheme NYAY, saying three generations of the party's leadership only talked about eliminating poverty and welfare of the poor and but did nothing in reality. "Why would people of the country believe in Congress's promises when three generations of its leadership have merely talked about welfare of the poor and elimination of poverty but did nothing in reality," Yadav told a press conference here. Citing various public welfare schemes of the BJP government at the Centre, Yadav said, "Social justice for us is taking all sections of the society together and it reflects in the schemes being run by the government in the past five years." Yadav exuded confidence in his party's victory in the ongoing general elections and claimed the BJP will win all the 25 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan. Responding to a question on the Centre's demonetisation move, Yadav said it was an achievement of the BJP government as the number of taxpayers has doubled and many shell companies have been shut. He also cited the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act as the Modi government's achievement. Yadav further said the BJP is committed towards building a Ram Temple in Ayodhya and stands firm on striking down Section 370 and Section 35A of the Constitution. Article 370 gives autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir while Article 35A accords special rights and privileges to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir and bars people from outside the state from acquiring any immovable property in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three men were arrested on Monday for allegedly beating to death a 37-year-old man as he refused to return the mobile phone of one of the accused in Outer North's Swaroop Nagar area, police said. "The body Jitender Kumar, a resident of Meerut, was recovered from Kadipur cremation ground in the morning," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer North) Gaurav Sharma said. The victim had come to Swaroop Nagar to meet his brother, he said. During investigation, police got a tip-off and apprehended one of the accused, Sushil (23), a native of Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit district. On his instance, Vijender (24) and Mahipal (42) were also nabbed, Sharma said. During interrogation, the accused disclosed that Jitender Kumar had been staying in a room at the Kadipur cremation ground for last three days. There was a dispute between Kumar and Sushil over mobile phone and some other items. Kumar was not returning the mobile phone and other articles of Sushil following which, the latter called Vijender and Mahipal, the DCP said. Kumar was beaten up with sticks and he died because of the injuries. Following the incident the three accused fled, the police officer said. Sushil was a priest in the cremation ground, Sharma said, adding four blood-stained sticks have been recovered from the accused. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An estimated 35 per cent of the 95.06 lakh voters exercised their franchise till 1 PM during fourth and final phase of simultaneous polling on Monday in six Lok Sabha and 41 assembly constituencies of Odisha, a poll official said. Polling is not being held in Patkura assembly seat, where voting will be held on May 19 following the death of the BJD candidate. Long queues were seen outside the polling stations before voting commenced at 7 am. However, technical glitches in EVMs delayed polling in around 60 booths where voting got under way after the snags were rectified, the official said. Elaborate arrangements are in place to ensure free and fair polling in the six Lok Sabha constituencies of Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur and the 41 assembly seats that come under them, he said. Allegations of rigging attempts in some booths in Kendrapara, Jajpur and Balasore Lok Sabha segments were made by BJP leaders and poll officials were verifying the charge. Director General of Police (DGP), R P Sharma said polling was in progress peacefully and no untoward incident has so far been reported from anywhere. Minor glitches were noticed in EVMs at some places and corrective measures were taken promptly to ensure smooth voting, he said. The electoral fortunes of 388 candidates, including BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda and Odisha PCC president Niranjan Patnaik, will be decided in this phase. Total 52 contestants, including 12 women, are in the fray in six Lok Sabha seats, while there are 336 candidates, 34 of them women, in the 41 assembly constituencies. Of the over 95.06 lakh electorate, around 45.98 lakh are women and 595 voters are transgenders. Around 15,450 voters are service electors. As many as 72,363 personnel have been deployed in 10,792 booths spread across the eight districts, where polling is being held. Altogether 3,092 polling stations have been identified as critical and central armed police forces deployed to ensure smooth voting, state chief electoral officer Surendra Kumar said. CCTVs have been installed in 554 polling booths, 595 micro observers appointed and around 1,216 poll vehicles fitted with GPS system have been deployed to track the movement of reserve EVMs, he said In Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency where the BJP had demanded tight security arrangements, additional security force has been deployed to ensure peaceful polling, the CEO said. In a first, four polling stations are being manned by differently abled persons, election office sources said. Around 1.86 lakh differently abled voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the final phase of polls. As many as 105 polling booths are being handled exclusively by women staff in the last phase of polls in Odisha, they added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An estimated 43.91 voter turnout was recorded till 3 pm in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies of Uttar Pradesh Monday as polling for the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in the state was underway. Seats where the polling is underway in the state are Shahjahanpur (SC), Kheri, Hardoi (SC), Misrikh (SC), Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah (SC), Kannauj, Kanpur, Akbarpur, Jalaun (SC), Jhansi and Hamirpur. In Kanpur, BJP workers clashed with police and allegedly threatened Circle Officer, Gwaltoli, Janardan Dubey and his subordinates posted on election duty. Dubey said some BJP agents forcibly tried to enter a polling booth in Parmat primary school and when they were stopped they threatened him of dire consequences. A case has been registered against BJP leader Suresh Awasthi and six others in this connection, District Magistrate, Kanpur, Vijay Vishwas Pant said. In Kannauj, a representative of Samajwadi Party candidate Dimple Yadav, Guddu Saxena, has complained to the observers that the district administration allegedly was not allowing SP leaders and workers to move out of their houses. He complained that security personnel in large numbers were deployed outside the houses of SP leaders before polling began and also alleged that EVMs in the SP strongholds were malfunctioning. Complaints of EVM malfunctioning were also reported in Etawah under Auriaya district, with voters saying they had to wait for hours at polling booths in Tilak Mahavidyalaya, Sahupur, Ajitmal and Dalelnagar to cast their votes. Reports that a woman being allegedly beaten up after she did not cast her vote in favour of Samajwadi Party candidate came up from Ekghara village of the Achalda police station area. Superintendent of Police, Auraiya, has ordered lodging of an FIR against a man who allegedly carried his mobile phone into a polling booth and posted a picture on social media while casting his vote. Polling in this phase is specially important for the ruling BJP as it is aiming for a clean sweep by winning all 13 seats, including Kannauj, which was the only seat the Samajwadi Party had managed to win in 2014. Kannauj was won by Samajwadi Party's Dimple Yadav. On four of these 13 seats -- Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Mishrikh and Etawah-- the BJP has opted for new faces. The BSP has fielded six candidates, while the SP seven. The BSP and the SP have formed an alliance are are contesting the elections together in the state. While the BSP is contesting from Shahjahanpur (SC), Misrikh (SC), Farrukhabad, Akbarpur, Jalaun (SC) and Hamirpur, the SP has fielded candidates from Kheri, Hardoi (SC), Unnao, Etawah, Kannauj, Kanpur and Jhansi. The Congress has fielded candidates from 12 parliamentary constituencies. It is not contesting Kannauj. Some of the prominent candidates whose electoral fate will be decided in this phase are Dimple Yadav, former Union ministers Salman Khurshid (Farrukhabd) and Sriprakash Jaiswal (Kanpur) of Congress, UP Cabinet minister Satyadev Pachauri (Kanpur), Sakshi Maharaj of BJP (Unnao) and Annu Tandon of Congress (Unnao). In Etawah, sitting MP Ashok Kumar Dohare, who was dropped by the BJP this time, is contesting on a Congress ticket. The BJP has fielded MP Ram Shankar Katheria from Agra (SC). Katheria is also the chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. The 13 seats also include three Lok Sabha seats of Bundelkhannd -- Jalaun (SC), Jhansi and Hamipur. The fourth Banda will go to polls in the fifth phase on May 6. As many as 2,41,07,084 voters are eligible to exercise their voting rights at 27,516 polling booths located in 17,011 polling centres. Almost all parties made strenuous efforts to win over the voters with electioneering reaching a feverish pitch on the last day of campaigning on Saturday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed two back-to-back rallies in Kannauj and Hardoi. Congress' Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav and UP CM Yogi Adityanath also held road shows and election meetings on the last day. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A total 44.26 per cent of 87.74 lakh electorate cast their votes till 3 pm in five Lok Sabha constituencies in the fourth phase of polling in Bihar on Monday, EC official said. They cast their votes in 8834 polling stations to decide the fate of 66 candidates, three of them women. Peaceful polling is on in five Lok Sabha constituencies of Darbhanga, Ujiarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai and Munger, where a total 16239 poll personnel have been deployed for conducting election, the official said. As per the poll figure released by the office of the Bihar chief electoral officer Munger recorded the highest voters turnout at 47 per cent by 3 pm, followed by Begusarai at 46.8 per cent, Darbhanga 43.4, Samastipur 42 per cent and Ujiarpur 41.21 per cent. Prominent among those who cast their votes in today's polling included Bihar Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary, CPI candidate Kanhaiya Kumar, Union Minister Giriraj Singh, former union minister Mohd Ali Ashraf Fatmi and Bihar Congress chief Madan Mohan Jha. A few incidents of malfunctioning by EVMs and poll boycott were reported from a few places. Voting was delayed due to EVM malfunctioning at three polling stations in Munger, two polling stations in Darbhanga, three polling stations in Begusarai due to technical glitches, official sources said adding that polling began an hour after the scheduled start at 7 am. People boycotted voting at a polling station in Rajwara village of Teghra assembly segment of Begusarai Lok Sabha constituency and at Narsara village under Bahadurpur assembly segment of Darbhanga constituency due to lack development workin road connectivity and water supply their villages, EC sources said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An FIR against Union Minister Babul Supriyo, damage to his vehicle, clashes between rivals TMC and BJP, lathicharge by policemen and firing in the air by central forces marked the fourth phase polling in eight Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal on Monday. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that there was firing by central forces inside a polling booth in Birbhum district and accused the BJP of misusing the forces in the elections. An Election Commission official said an FIR was lodged against Supriyo on the EC's instruction for entering a polling station at Barabani under Asansol constituency, where he is the sitting MP. The EC show-caused the Birbhum BJP candidate after he was seen talking over a mobile phone inside a polling booth just before casting his ballot. According to reports, Supriyo had an argument with polling officials inside a booth in the polling station following which TMC workers attacked his vehicle outside it, an EC official told PTI. Supriyo said, "I visited Barabani to witness the polling but found that voters were not being allowed to exercise their franchise. Our fight is to establish democracy ... It is shameful that I have to say this in a democratic country." The attackers broke the rear windshield of his car. Suypriyo was, however, not injured. Asked to comment on it, TMC's Asansol candidate actor-turned politician Moon Moon Sen said she had no knowledge about the clashes as she woke up late. "They provided me my bed tea very late so I woke up quite late. What can I say? I really don't know," Sen told a national TV channel. She declined to comment when asked about the allegations made by Supriyo. "I don't want to hear his name. Bas (that's it)". An EC official said that voters fled a polling station at Jemua in Bardhhaman-Durgapur constituency, where BJP leader S S Ahluwalia is in the fray, after being threatened by miscreants. There were clashes between supporters of rival TMC and BJP at Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Suri areas of Birbhum constituency in which several people were injured. At Dubrajpur area of the constituency security personnel reportedly fired in the air to control a mob which allegedly engaged in a scuffle with the central forces when they were barred from entering the booths with mobile phones. Following this polling was stalled in these booths, the official said. A combative Banerjee, who is among the most severe critics of the saffron party, accused it of misusing the law, bringing in central forces without depending on the state police and thereafter using them in garnering votes for itself. She said that she had heard that CRPF had fired inside a polling booth at Dubrajpur. "I am yet to the detailed report .... law and order is a state subject and it is not the job of the central forces to enter any polling booth as they are deployed to keep vigil outside it. They do not have the right to lathicharge or fire," the TMC supremo said. "We know the law .... Law and order is a state subject and not a central subject. I have heard that complaints were made (before the EC) that the central force personnel have gone inside booths and asked people to vote for the BJP. This will not help the BJP," she told a rally at Bagda in North 24 Parganas district. Banerjee said that central forces, even if they have to conduct a route march are required to do it along with the state police. "But the BJP do not trust the Bengal police. The police are on security duty during the Durga Puja, Diwali. However, during elections you need policemen from Delhi". The EC show-caused Birbhum BJP candidate Dudh Kumar Mondal after he was seen talking over a mobile phone inside a polling booth just before casting his ballot. The EC official said that the presiding officer of the polling station has been removed after the incident. The poll body had put TMC Birbhum president Anubrata Mondal, known for his controversial remarks, under scanner after poll workers complained that they feel "threatened" by his presence. At Hanskhali under Ranaghat constituency a woman voter was crticially injured in bomb throwing by political workers outside a polling station, Nadia district election officer Sumit Gupta said. Accusing the TMC of rigging the polls in almost every booth, BJP's Krishnanagar candidate Kalyan Chaubey said voters in several areas were not allowed to cast their ballots. "The TMC goons jammed booths at Chapra, Dompukur and Hatisala areas of Krishnagar constituency. The central forces guarded the booths but people beyond the mandatory 100-metre radius were warned against casting their votes. I was also threatened by some of them," he claimed. Rejecting the charges, TMC Krishnagar candidate Mahua Maitra said the accusations were baseless and had no truth in them. "They (BJP) do not have a support base in the constituency so they could not appoint enough observers for the polling stations. Now, they are giving excuses. The allegations are baseless," she added. A total of 1,34,56,491 electorate decided the fate of 68 candidates in the eight parliamentary seats of Baharampur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat (SC), Burdwan East (SC), Burdwan-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur (SC) and Birbhum during the day. The EC had deployed 580 companies of central forces to man over 98 per cent of the polling booths in these constituencies to ensure free and fair polls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Voter turnout for the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh which went to the polls on Monday was recorded at 57.58 per cent, slightly lower than in 2014. According to the state's Chief Electoral Officer Venkateshwar Lu, 57.88 per cent votes were cast when polling closed at 6 pm. The final percentage in the fourth phase of polling is expected to go up as there were still people in queues at polling booths after closing time, and they will be allowed to cast their vote. In 2014, the turnout was 58.39 per cent over the same 13 constituencies. Opposition Samajwadi Party's alleged that many EVMs malfunctioned and in Kannauj several SP workers were prevented from coming out of their homes to vote. Guddu Saxena, a representative of the Kannauj SP candidate Dimple Yadav, complained to the election observers that the district administration had stopped some party leaders and workers to move out of their homes. He alleged that security personnel in large numbers were deployed outside the houses of SP leaders before polling began. He also claimed that the EVMs in the SP strongholds were malfunctioning. In Kanpur, BJP workers allegedly tried to barge into a polling booth and clashed with the police. A case has been registered against BJP leader Suresh Awasthi and six others in this connection, Kanpur District Magistrate Vijay Vishwas Pant said. Polling was held at Shahjahanpur (SC), Kheri, Hardoi (SC), Misrikh (SC), Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah (SC), Kannauj, Kanpur, Akbarpur, Jalaun (SC), Jhansi and Hamirpur seats. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A total of 58.92 per cent of the 87.74 lakh electorate cast their vote s in five Lok Sabha constituencies in the fourth phase of polling in Bihar on Monday, an EC official said. The voters exercised their franchise on 8,834 polling stations to decide the fate of 66 candidates. The polling percentage of the five constituencies could increase once the final figures reach the state election office here, the official said. "A total of 58.92 per cent voting was recorded in five Lok Sabha constituencies of Darbhanga, Ujiarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai and Munger. It was around 2.74 per cent higher in these five seats compared to 2014 general elections," Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) H R Srinivasa told reporters here. Begusarai witnessed the highest turnout of 61.27 per cent, while Samastipur recorded 60.80 per cent, Ujiarpur 60.56 per cent, Darbhanga 56.68 per cent and Munger 55.38 per cent, Srinivasa said. "Polling passed off peacefully with no incidents of any violence barring three incidents of poll disturbances at four polling booths at different places in Munger Lok Sabha constituency," the CEO said. Police had to fire in the air to disperse a crowd when some unsocial elements tried to capture polling station number 5 at Oli village in Lakhisarai district, which falls under Munger Lok sabha seat, he said adding that the police foiled the bid and voting took place thereafter. In an another incident, one person identified as Gopi Kumar was detained for trying to create disturbances at polling station number 45 in Nirpur village in Patna district, but the local people pelted stones at police and took Gopi Kumar with them. There was clash between police and villagers at polling station number 221 and 223 at Rampur upgraded school in Suryagraha in Lakhisarai district, when the villagers tried to disturb the booths, CEO said adding that police had to resort to lathicharge when villagers hurled stones on them. With regard to an attack on journalist Shyam Sundar Susobhit, the CEO said he had received a complaint from the journalist that some people at polling station number 333 and 334 at Ghonghsa village in Lakahisarai district attacked him while he was discharging his duty. Both Lakhisarai District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police had reached to the journalist on the spot but the journalist has not lodged an FIR so far in this regard, he said adding that police will lodge FIR if the journalist does not lodge the same. Poll boycott was reported from polling station number 221 in Mohiuddinagar under Ujiarpur lok sabha seat due to lack of developmental work in the area, an official said. A total of 60 people were arrested as a preventive measure during Mondays polling in the state, Srinivasa said. The Election Commission has received 133 poll related complaints from five Lok Sabha constituencies, he said and added that the complaints were basically of bogus voting, EVM malfunctioning, polling withheld, etc - which were timely redressed except six complaints. One helicopter and air ambulance were pressed into service in order to strengthen the monitoring of polling in the constituencies and also to instill a confidence among voters, the CEO said adding that an air ambulance was also pressed into service to deal with any exigency. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An estimated 63.77 per cent of the 45.26 lakh electorate cast their votes on Monday in three Lok Sabha constituencies in Jharkhand, which passed off peacefully, an official said. Lohardaga (ST), Palamu (SC) and Chatra constituencies are among the states 14 Lok Sabha constituencies, which went to the polls on Monday. Prominent among those in the fray are Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs and BJP's Lohardaga candidate Sudarshan Bhagat, who is pitted against Congress MLA and Mahagathbandhan' candidate Sukhdeo Bhagat "An estimated 63.77 per cent polling was recorded by 5 pm and it will increase," Chief Electoral Officer L Khiangte said at a press conference here after the end of the polling. The polling began at 7 am and ended at 4 pm. As per the instruction of the Election Commission voters, who entered polling stations before the scheduled time would be allowed to vote. The voting passed off peacefully, the CEO said. An FIR was lodged against a polling personnel at a booth in Hussainabad in Palamu constituency when it was found during webcasting about his inconsistent behaviour. The officer concerned was immediately replaced by another polling personnel from the reserve, he said. The CEO said some EVMs were immediately replaced after malfunctioning was reported. Inspector General of Police (Operation) Ashish Batra said that not a single disruption of polling was reported during the elections for the three constituencies as 40,000 para-military forces and other state police forces were deployed to oversee peaceful polling. Braving the summer heat, family members of a 94-year- old man took him in a cot to cast his vote at Loharsi in Chatra Lok Sabha constituency. There was no incident of violence anywhere in the three Lok Sabha constituencies during the day, the police said. Ranchi Sadar Sub-divisional officer Garima Singh honoured a woman, who turned up as the first voter in a booth in Lohardaga constituency, presenting her with a citation, poll officials said. The voters exercised their franchise in 6,072 polling stations and 25,727 polling personnel conducted the polling, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Incidents of violence in West Bengal and Odisha that left a Congress worker dead and EVM glitches were reported in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls on Monday which saw 64 per cent turnout in 72 seats across nine states. In the heartland states, where the BJP had won 30 out of 32 seats in 2014, 67.73 per cent turnout was recorded in Rajasthan (13 seats), 58.56 per cent in Uttar Pradesh (13 seats) and 67.09 per cent in Madhya Pradesh (6 seats), according to the Election Commission. West Bengal recorded a high turnout at 76.66 in the eight seats though clashes broke out between supporters of TMC and BJP in Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Suri areas of Birbhum seat, leaving several people injured. In Barabani, BJP candidate from Asansol and Union minister minister Babul Supriyo's vehicle was vandalised allegedly by TMC workers outside a polling station while in Dubrajpur area central security forces personnel reportedly opened fire in the air to disperse irate people who attacked them when they were barred from entering the booths with mobile phones. ALSO READ: SP fields former BSF constable Tej Bahadur Yadav against Modi from Varanasi An FIR was registered against Supriyo for allegedly getting into an argument with polling officials, an election official said. The ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP accused each other of intimidating voters in the state, which has seen violence in all previous three phases despite stepped up central forces deployment. The stakes are high for the BJP which had won 56 of these 72 constituencies in the 2014 polls. About 12.79 crore people were eligible for voting in the fourth phase. With this round, polling has been completed in 374 seats out of 543. According to a senior police officer, violence was reported from several places in six parliamentary seats in Odisha, where the turnout was 64.05 per cent. A Congress worker was stabbed to death in Balikuda-Erasama are of Jagatsinghpur seat while he was returning from a polling booth. The victim, Lachman Behera, had recently quit the BJD to join the Congress, the official said. Clashes between supporters of the ruling BJD and the BJP were reported from Jajpur Kendrapara and Balasore Lok Sabha seats amid allegations poll rigging. Technical glitches in EVMs delayed polling in 60 booths, but it resumed after the snags were rectified. During a mock-poll in Madhya Pradesh, electronic voting machines (EVMs) were replaced at 207 polling booths as some glitches were found. EVMs were also replaced at 106 polling booths after the voting began, according to officials. Polling was peaceful in Rajasthan, with tribal dominated seat of Banswara recording the highest voting percentage at 72.34, followed by Barmer which recorded 72.21 per cent voting, according to state election officials. Nearly 55.86 per cent voting was recorded in Maharashtra (17 seats), 59.02 per cent Bihar (five seats) and 64.38 per cent Jharkhand (3 seats), according to data provided by the Election Commission. In Kulgam district of Anantnag constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, 10.5 per cent polling was recorded, amid isolated incidents of stone pelting. This was the second of the three-phase polling in the sensitive seat. Billionaires and Bollywood stars lined up outside polling stations along with the common folks in Mumbai, where polling was held in six constituencies. Celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan, the Khan troika of Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir, Deepika Padukone, Sachin Tendulkar along with his wife and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray cast their votes in Mumbai. Actors Priyanka Chopra, Rekha, Aamir and his wife Kiran Rao were among the early voters. In Uttar Pradesh, opposition Samajwadi Party's alleged that many EVMs malfunctioned and in Kannauj, from where SP chief Akhislesh Yadav's wife and sitting MP Dimple Yadav is contesting, several party workers were prevented from coming out of their homes to vote. In Kanpur, BJP workers allegedly tried to barge into a polling booth and clashed with the police. A case was registered against BJP leader Suresh Awasthi and six others in this regard, Kanpur District Magistrate Vijay Vishwas Pant said. Reports were received of EVMs malfunctioning in Bidhauna area in Kannauj following which polling remained suspended for over an hour. Complaints were also reported in Etawah under Auriaya district, with voters claiming they had to wait for hours at polling booths in Tilak Mahavidyalaya, Sahupur, Ajitmal and Dalelnagar to cast their votes. According to a report from Hardoi, an elderly woman voter complained that the presiding officer at Jamkara booth forcibly pressed the EVM button. The sector magistrate removed the officer and handed him over to the police. Besides Dimple Yadav, prominent candidates in the fray in this phase are former ministers Salman Khurshid (Farrukhabd) and Sriprakash Jaiswal (Kanpur) of Congress, UP minister Satyadev Pachauri (Kanpur) and Sakshi Maharaj of BJP (Unnao) In Bihar, voting was delayed due to EVM malfunctioning at three polling stations in Munger, two polling stations in Darbhanga and three polling stations in Begusarai, from where CPI's Kanhaiya Kumar and Union Minister Giriraj Singh (BJP) are contesting, official sources said. Voting was also held for 41 Assembly seats in Odisha and Chhindwara Assembly bypoll in Madhya Pradesh, where Chief Minister Kamal Nath is contesting. Election to 542 Lok Sabha seats is being conducted in seven phases between April 11 and May 19. Election in Vellore constituency in Tamil Nadu was cancelled. Results will be declared on May 23. Incidents of violence in West Bengal and EVM glitches in some areas were reported as 64 per cent turnout was recorded on Monday in 72 constituencies across nine states in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections. In the heartland states, where the BJP had won 30 out of 32 seats in 2014, 62 per cent turnout was recorded in Rajasthan (13 seats), 53.12 per cent in Uttar Pradesh (13 seats) and 65.86 per cent Madhya Pradesh (6 seats). West Bengal recorded a high turnout at 76.47 in the eight seats though clashes broke out between supporters of rival parties in Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Suri areas of Birbhum seat, leaving several people injured. In Barabani, BJP candidate from Asansol and Union minister minister Babul Supriyo's vehicle was vandalised allegedly by TMC workers outside a polling station while in Dubrajpur area central security forces personnel reportedly opened fire in the air to disperse irate people who attacked them when they were barred from entering the booths with mobile phones. An FIR was registered against Supriyo for allegedly getting into an argument with polling officials, an election official said. The ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP accused each other of intimidating voters in the state, which has seen violence in all previous three phases despite stepped up central forces deployment. The stakes are high for the BJP which had won 56 of the 72 constituencies in the 2014 polls. About 12.79 crore people were eligible for voting in the phase, which marked the start of polling in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh while elections came to an end in Maharashtra and Odisha. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Madhya Pradesh V L Kantha Rao said that during a mock-poll, electronic voting machines (EVMs) were replaced at 207 polling booths as some glitches were found. EVMs were also replaced at 106 polling booths after the voting began. Polling was peaceful in Rajasthan, with tribal dominated seat of Banswara recording the highest voting percentage at 72.34, followed by Barmer which recorded 72.21 per cent voting, according to state election officials. Nearly 52 per cent voting was recorded in Maharashtra (17 seats), 64.05 per cent Odisha (6 seats), 53.67 per cent Bihar (five seats) and 63.42 per cent Jharkhand (3 seats), according to data provided by the Election Commission till 6 PM. In Kulgam district of Anantnag constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, 10.3 per cent polling was recorded, amid isolated incidents of stone pelting. This was the second of the three-phase polling in the sensitive seat. Billionaires and Bollywood stars lined up outside polling stations along with the common folks in Mumbai, where polling was held in six constituencies. Complaints of technical glitches in EVMs and VVPAT machines in some polling booths were addressed in Maharashtra, an election official said. Bollywood celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan, the Khan troika of Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir, and Deepika Padukone cast their votes in Mumbai. Priyanka Chopra, Rekha, Aamir and wife Kiran Rao were among the early voters. In Uttar Pradesh, opposition Samajwadi Party's alleged that many EVMs malfunctioned and in Kannauj, from where SP chief Akhislesh Yadav's wife and sitting MP Dimple Yadav is contesting, several party workers were prevented from coming out of their homes to vote. In Kanpur, BJP workers allegedly tried to barge into a polling booth and clashed with the police. A case has been registered against BJP leader Suresh Awasthi and six others in this connection, Kanpur District Magistrate Vijay Vishwas Pant said. Shahjahanpur (SC), Kheri, Hardoi (SC), Misrikh (SC), Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah (SC), Kannauj, Kanpur, Akbarpur, Jalaun (SC), Jhansi and Hamirpur seats recorded 53.23 per cent polling till 5 pm, an electoral officer said. Reports were received of EVMs developing snag in Bidhauna area under the Kannauj Lok Sabha seat following which polling remained suspended for over an hour. Complaints of EVM malfunctioning were also reported in Etawah under Auriaya district, with voters claiming they had to wait for hours at polling booths in Tilak Mahavidyalaya, Sahupur, Ajitmal and Dalelnagar to cast their votes. According to a report from Hardoi, an elderly woman voter complained that the presiding officer at Jamkara booth under Sandila area forcibly pressed the EVM button. The sector magistrate has removed the officer and handed him over to the police who is investigating the matter. Besides Dimple Yadav, prominent candidates whose electoral fate will be decided in this phase are Dimple Yadav, former Union ministers Salman Khurshid (Farrukhabd) and Sriprakash Jaiswal (Kanpur) of Congress, UP Cabinet minister Satyadev Pachauri (Kanpur) and Sakshi Maharaj of BJP (Unnao) In Bihar, voting was delayed due to EVM malfunctioning at three polling stations in Munger, two polling stations in Darbhanga and three polling stations in Begusarai, from where CPI's Kanhaiya Kumar and Union Minister Giriraj Singh (BJP) are contesting, due to technical glitches, official sources said. In Odisha, technical glitches in EVMs delayed polling in 60 booths, but it resumed after the snags were rectified, the official said. Election to 542 Lok Sabha seats is being conducted in seven phases between April 11 and May 19. Election in Vellore constituency in Tamil Nadu has been cancelled following excess use of money power. Results will be declared on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 64 per cent voter turnout of Kashmiri migrants was recorded in the second phase of the three-phased elections in Anantnag parliamentary constituency Monday. Unhappy over the "cumbersome" voter registration process adopted for them by the Election Commission, the community members demanded scrapping of M-forms. They alleged that the forms deny and discourage them from voting. "Over 64 per cent votes (by Kashmiri migrants) were polled today. As many as 1,784 such voters cast their votes in the second phase, out of a total of 2,779 registered voters, after completing the required formalities," Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) for Migrants, Pankaj Anand told PTI. Though the official admitted that there were problems while preparing the electoral roll, Anand said hectic efforts were made to ensure no voter was left out. "There were only a few such cases due to wrong filling of Form M. Some of these forms did not have names of polling stations. Some names did not match with the records," he said. The official said 59 per cent Kashmiri Pandits and other migrants voted at 21 polling stations established across Jammu district for the Anantnag parliamentary seat. The polling in the south Kashmir constituency is being held in three phases. The constituency is spread over four districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama, covering 16 assembly segments. Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and state Congress chief G A Mir are among the 18 candidates whose fate will be decided from the constituency, which has a large number of registered migrant voters. The Election Commission had set up 21 special polling stations for Kashmiri migrant voters in Jammu, one in Udhampur and four in Delhi. Meanwhile, dozens of Kashmiri Pandits protested outside a polling station at Jagati camp on the outskirts of the city as they claimed their names were missing from the voters list. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A voter turnout of 67.78 per cent was recorded in Rajasthan's 13 Lok Sabha seats which went to the polls Monday, an election official said. The percentage, recorded at the close of polling, is expected to increase when a final count is released. According to a tentative break-up made available earlier, the tribal dominated seat of Banswara recorded the highest voting percentage at 72.34, followed by Barmer which recorded 72.21 per cent voting. Chittorgarh and Jhalwar-Baran also recorded 71.29 and 70.95 per cent voting. Voters are still lined up in front of several polling booths and the final figure will be known later. Total voter turnout in the 2014 general election was 63.11 per cent. The voting began at 7 am in the 13 constituencies of Tonk-Sawaimadhopur, Ajmer, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Udaipur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Kota and Jhalawar-Baran, according to the office of the chief electoral officer. About 2.57 crore people were eligible to vote at 28,182 polling stations in the 13 constituencies where 115 candidates are in fray. Jodhpur, one of the most talked about seats, saw a contest between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav and Union minister of state and MP Gajendra Singh Shekhwat. Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje's son Dushyant Singh contested Jhalawar-Baran seat while erstwhile Jaipur royal family member and former BJP MLA Diya Kumari in the fray from the Rajsamand seat. The Barmer Lok Sabha seat witnessed a close contest between Congress candidate Manvendra Singh, a former BJP MLA and the son of Jaswant Singh, and BJP candidate Kailash Chaudhary. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A voter turnout of 67.78 per cent was recorded in Rajasthan's 13 Lok Sabha seats that went to polls on Monday. Barmer recorded the maximum voter turnout of 73.15 per cent, while the lowest voter turnout of 61.57 per cent was in Pali, Chief Electoral Officer Anand Kumar said at a press conference. "Polling as of now is 67.78 per cent.... The voting turnout may be revised," Kumar said. "This is the highest voter turnout in the Lok Sabha election (in the state) so far." In the 2014 election, the voter turnout in these 13 seats was 64.27 per cent and the overall percentage was 63.11. Barring a few incidents, Kumar said the election was held peacefully. Three youths of the Kalbi community and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters allegedly pelted stones at the car of the Congress' Jalore candidate, Ratan Dewasi, when he reached the polling station, police said. Dewasi escaped unhurt, but his driver sustained minor injuries. Congress supporters also reached the spot after the incident, leading to an altercation, the police said. Two incidents of damaging ballot units were reported in Barmer and Ajmer, and FIRs have been lodged. Malfunctioning of 49 ballot units, 49 control units and 305 VVPAT (voter verifiable paper audit trail) machines also occurred, Kumar said. One polling officer died during the polling, apparently due to cardiac arrest, officials said. There polling officers died on Sunday -- two due to illness and the other after he fell from the roof of the polling booth, the officials said. Despite scorching heat, voters came out of their houses and queued up in front of polling stations. Barmer seat, where Congress' Manvendra Singh -- a former BJP MLA and the son of Jaswant Singh -- is contesting against the saffron party's Kailash Chaudhary, recorded the highest voter turn out of 73.15. Tribal-dominated seat of Banswara seat registered the second-highest voter turnout of 72.30 per cent. Jodhpur, one of the most talked-about seats where Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son, Vaibhav Gehlot, is fighting against Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhwat, registered a voting of 67.63 per cent. The voting took place in 13 constituencies of Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, Ajmer, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Udaipur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Kota and Jhalawar-Baran. Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje's son, Dushyant Singh, contested from the Jhalawar-Baran seat, while erstwhile Jaipur royal family member and former BJP legislator Diya Kumari is in the fray from the Rajsamand seat. About 2.57 crore people were eligible to vote at 28,182 polling stations in the 13 constituencies, where 115 candidates are in fray. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An estimated 7.92 per cent voting was recorded Monday in the first two hours of polling in five Lok Sabha constituencies of Bihar in the fourth phase of general elections, officials said. A total of 87.74 lakh voters would decide the fate of 66 candidates, including three women nominees, in this phase of polling in 8,834 booths. Polling is underway in the five Lok Sabha constituencies of Darbhanga, Ujiarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai and Munger. "Voting has been peaceful with no untoward incident reported from any of these constituencies so far," election officials said. Polling was, however, briefly hampered at three booths in Munger, two in Darbhanga and three in Begusarai due to glitches in EVMs, which were rectified, they said. People boycotted voting at a polling station in Rajwara village of Teghra assembly segment in Begusarai lok Sabha constituency, owing to lack of road connectivity, an Election Commission source said. Prominent candidates in this phase include Union minister Giriraj Singh, Bihar minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh and Bihar BJP chief Nityanand Rai. Elaborate security measures have been put in place to ensure free and fair polling in all the seats, the officials said. Paramilitary forces, Bihar Military Police and Special Auxiliary Police jawans have been deployed at all the stations across the five seats, along with 16,239 poll personnel, they said, adding, a total of 4,252 micro observers have also been deputed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bollywood stars Aamir Khan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Rekha, Madhuri Dixit Nene and R Madhavan stepped out early morning to exercise their right to vote for Lok Sabha Election 2019, here Monday. Maharashtra is polling in on 17 seats in the fourth phase of the general election. In Mumbai alone, voting is on in six seats. Besides Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have also gone to polls. Among the early voters were Priyanka, Priya Dutt, Lara Dutta, Aamir, who came along with wife Kiran Rao. Posting on Twitter a selfie showing her inked finger, Priyanka wrote, "This is the moment that matters.... Every vote is a voice that counts. #LokSabhaElections2019." While Madhuri tweeted, "Voting is our right, let's use it wisely! The future of our country is in our hands. Let's do our duty and #VoteForIndia." Like Priyanka, she also accompanied her tweet with a selfie, showing her inked finger. Actor Urmila Matondkar, who recently joined Congress and is contesting from the North constituency of the city, was also among the first ones to cast her vote. Madhavan posted on Twitter a picture of himself and his wife after casting their votes. Actor Amrita Rao, who came to cast her vote at a booth in Mahim, told PTI that "voting is important for everyone irrespective of their status." "It is a duty of every citizen who wants betterment of the country and its people. However being a celebrity you do carry the power to influence and if my voting can influence even one more person to get out if the house and vote I shall be more than satisfied," she added. Other Bollywood celebrities, who have voted so far, include, Rahul Bose, Kunal Kohli and Ravi Kishan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A special court here Monday rejected the temporary bail application of activist and poet P Varavara Rao who is currently lodged in a prison here. Rao wanted temporary bail to visit his hometown to perform post-death rituals of his sister-in-law who died on April 22. However, the prosecution, objecting to the temporary bail to Rao, cited a letter to Pune's Joint Commissioner of Police by Hyderabad Superintendent of Police (Special Intelligence Branch) which stated, "Considering seriousness of the crime, there is a possibility that accused may abscond if he is allowed attending the last rites of his relative". "Moreover, there is a possibility of a serious attack on the police party, who will be deputed for an escort, by Naxals," the letter added. The prosecution also informed the court that the letter stated that as per Hindu traditions and customs, there is no established procedure and norms to attend "pedda karma" (10th-day ritual) by the brother-in-law of a deceased who is survived by her children. After hearing the arguments and going through the written submissions from the prosecution, judge Vadane Monday rejected the temporary bail application. Rao was first arrested on August 28 last year in connection with the Elgar Parishad case along with activists Sudha Bhardwaj, Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves and Gautam Navalakha. However, the Supreme Court later asked the police to place them under house arrest. On November 17, Rao was re-arrested by Pune police. The prosecution, in its submission, said the accused is an active member of the proscribed CPI (Maoist) and along with other accused, was involved in unlawful and terrorist activities, and that investigation so far had revealed that he was involved in raising and distributing funds to smuggle arms and ammunition. "There is ample of evidence against the accused and the charge sheet too has been filed and therefore it is not desirable to release the accused on temporary bail," according to the prosecution. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A senior official of the Afghanistan Government has been arrested in Calangute village in Goa after police raided a guest house and rescued two Uzbek women suspected to be involved in flesh trade, police said Monday. The accused Mohammad Omar Arian (28) has been booked under provisions of the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA), Calangute police inspector Nolasco Raposo said, adding that the raid was conducted Sunday night. He said Arian is working as Director of Internal Audit, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Afghanistan Government. Police also arrested another Afghan national Mohammad Ajmal Hodama (41), a lawyer, along with Arian. Both the accused are currently lodged at Calangute police station. During the raid, police rescued two women from Uzbekistan, aged 27 and 36. One of them was found to be living in Goa without a valid passport, following which she has been booked under Foreigners Act. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Afghanistan's president opened a grand council on Monday of more than 3,200 Afghans seeking to agree on a common approach to peace talks with the Taliban, but the gathering may further aggravate divisions within the US-backed government. President Ashraf Ghani hopes to showcase unity at the four-day meeting known as Loya Jirga that brings together politicians, tribal elders, many prominent figures and others. But Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, his partner in a unity government brokered by the United States after a bitterly disputed election in 2014, heads a list of no-shows. Former President Hamid Karzai, who also is not attending, told The Associated Press on Monday that holding the council at this time risks "delaying and causing an impediment to the peace process." He also voiced concern that by sidelining his chief executive, Ghani could trigger suspicion that personal ambitions may have partly driven him to hold the Loya Jirga now. "We are all here to talk about the framework of peace talks with the Taliban ... reaching a sustainable peace is very important to us," said Ghani in his welcome address to delegates. Waving a copy of Afghanistan's constitution, Ghani lauded it as the most Islamic of constitutions an apparent message to the Taliban who have suggested they want to negotiate articles within the charter, without specifying. Ghani gave the chairmanship of the council to Abdul Rasool Sayyaf, a former warlord with past links to Osama bin Laden and the militants who took control of Kabul after the collapse of the communist government in the early 1990s. He is known for adhering to a strict interpretation of Islam, and refusing to meet with women. During the 2002 Loya Jirga to devise Afghanistan's constitution following the U.S. invasion, it was Sayyaf and his political allies who pressed for the inclusion of a clause prohibiting any laws that are deemed unacceptable to Islam. In several rounds of talks with the Taliban, US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has narrowed the gaps on a deal under which US forces would withdraw in return for guarantees that Afghanistan not revert to a haven for international terrorists. But Khalilzad has struggled to get Afghans to agree on a roadmap for the country's future. The Taliban have refused to directly talk to Kabul representatives, viewing the government as a US puppet. Ahead of the council, Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Programme at the Washington-based Wilson Center, said that "if Abdullah and his supporters don't attend, there's going to be a glaring absence of key stakeholders that will diminish the event's credibility in a big way." "Given all the divides in Afghanistan, there is as much of a need for reconciliation within Afghanistan as there is for reconciliation with the Taliban," he added. The latest attempt at Afghan-to-Afghan talks scheduled in Qatar earlier this month and intended to include the Taliban, Kabul government representatives, the opposition and other prominent figures collapsed as the two sides were unable to agree on the participants. Karzai urged the US to do more to press all sides to the table. "We are in a great hurry for peace." The Loya Jirga, a deeply-rooted tradition aimed at building consensus among Afghanistan's various ethnic groups, tribes and factions, was intended to strengthen Ghani's hand but risks being seen as just a gathering of loyalists. The Americans appear increasingly impatient with Ghani, with Khalilzad tweeting his frustration after the Qatar talks fell apart. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called Ghani to urge him to join the talks in Doha, where the Taliban maintain an office. Even Pakistan, which the US and Afghanistan regularly accuse of aiding insurgents, issued a statement saying talks were the only path to peace in Afghanistan. It promised not to interfere in Afghanistan's internal affairs and even condemned the Taliban's recent announcement of the start of their annual spring offensive. "The so-called offensives are condemnable and will undermine the peace process. It is not right to seek an edge in dialogue through coercion," Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan said. "Pakistan will not be party to any internal conflict in Afghanistan anymore." Over the weekend, Khalilzad tweeted his approval of Khan's statement. The U.S. envoy recently met with representatives of China and Russia, saying there is an "emerging international consensus on the U.S. approach to end the war and assurances terrorism never again emanates from Afghanistan." The State Department said the U.S., Russia and China called for intra-Afghan talks, urged a cease-fire and supported "an orderly and responsible withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan as part of the overall peace process."The statement also said the Taliban have agreed to fight Islamic State militants in Afghanistan and sever ties with al-Qaida, the Eastern Turkestan Islamic Movement and other militant groups. It said the Taliban have promised to "ensure the areas they control will not be used to threaten any other country" and called on the insurgents "to prevent terrorist recruiting, training, and fundraising, and expel any known terrorists." The Taliban effectively control nearly half of Afghanistan and have continued to carry out daily attacks despite their talks with Khalilzad. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AIADMK candidate P Kandasamy Monday filed his nomination for the by-poll to Sulur assembly constituency scheduled for May 19. G Mayilsamy of Makkal Neeti Maiam also filed his papers for the poll, necessitated by the death of sitting AIADMK MLA R Kanagaraj, officials said. Monday is the last date for filing of nomination. Tamil Nadu Municipal Administration Minister S P Velumani, who accompanied Kandasamy, asserted there was no dissent in the party over the candidature and said the party was united as always. Kandasamy will win with a margin of over 50,000 votes, he told reporters. DMK has fielded former minister Pongalur N Palanisamy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A former apex court employee, who levelled allegations of sexual harassment against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, appeared before the in-house inquiry panel and recorded her statement on Monday. She appeared before the three-member panel headed by Justice S A Bobde for the second time. The first proceeding by the panel was held on April 26. The panel also including two women judges -- Justices Indu Malhotra and Indira Banerjee -- is conducting in-camera proceedings. During the hearing, only the woman was present, an apex court source said. The complaint is not permitted to accompany her lawyer. It is learnt that the next hearing will take place on Tuesday. The source also said that the proceedings went on for around three hours during which the woman recorded her statement. The in-house inquiry proceeding into the sexual harassment allegations is distinct from the probe to be carried out by the court-appointed Justice (retd) A K Patnaik panel which would inquire into the claims of an advocate about a larger conspiracy to frame the CJI and fixing of benches. On April 23, Justice Bobde had told PTI that the in-house procedure did not contemplate representation of advocates on behalf of parties as it was not a formal judicial proceedings. "This is going to be an in-house procedure which does not contemplate representation of advocate on behalf of parties. It is not a formal judicial proceeding," he said. He had clarified that there was no time-frame to complete the inquiry and the future course of action will depend on "what comes out of the inquiry" which will be "confidential". Justice Indu Malhotra was on April 25 appointed a new member of the committee after Justice N V Ramana recused himself. The woman's allegations against the CJI were brought into the public domain by some web portals on April 20. She had worked at Justice Gogoi's home office in Delhi and the allegations were carried by the portals based on her affidavit which was sent to 22 judges of the top court. In her affidavit, the woman described two incidents of alleged harassment, days after Justice Gogoi was appointed CJI last October and her subsequent persecution. The woman alleged that she was removed from service after she rebuffed his "sexual advances". She claimed that her husband and brother-in-law, both of whom were head constables of Delhi Police, were suspended for a 2012 criminal case that had been mutually resolved. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Plunging into the thick of election campaigning, Congress' octogenarian candidate Sheila Dikshit Monday hit out at the BJP and the AAP for failing to meet the aspirations of people and asserted that her party will win all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi. Canvassing in various parts of the North East Delhi parliamentary constituency, Diskhit said AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal is "fooling" the people on the issue of full statehood for Delhi. The former chief minister said her party will win all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi. Dikshit, who heads Delhi Congress is pitted against her BJP counterpart Manoj Tiwari and former convener of AAP's Delhi unit Dilip Pandey in a triangular contest on North East Delhi seat. Kejriwal is "fooling" the people on the issue of full statehood for Delhi, she said during her public meetings in North East Delhi. "Had Kejriwal read the Indian Constitution and understood it well, he would not have been repeatedly telling lies to the people on the full statehood issue. "Asking for full statehood for Delhi meant going against the grain of the Indian constitution, and Kejriwal seems to be totally ignorant about the country's Constitution," she said. The ruling AAP has been attacking both the BJP and Congress over full statehood issue, which it has made its central theme of campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections. The AAP leaders including Arvind Kejriwal have charged the BJP and Congress of "betraying" the people of Delhi by going back on their promise for granting full statehood to the city. Dikshit said full statehood for Delhi needed amendment in Constitution which the Aam Aadmi Party cannot achieve without the support of a majority in Parliament. Dikshit also questioned the AAP over its sincerity towards the issue of full statehood and charged party MPs of never raising it in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The Congress led by Dikshit is banking on various work done by her as Delhi's Chief Minister for three consecutive terms from 1998 to 2013, to sail through the Lok Sabha polls. The former Delhi Chief Minister attended public meetings at Seemapuri A Block, Mother Dairy, Subzi Mandi Seelampur, Mauzpur, E Block Shastri Park, New Seelampur and Babu Nagar Chanaiwali gali 25-futa Road, in the Mustafabad Assembly segment. She highlighted works done by Congress governments at the Centre and Delhi during in her public meetings. "During its 15-year rule in Delhi, Congress undertook major development work as new flyovers, schools, colleges and hospitals were constructed to make the life of the people easier without crying for full Statehood," she said. The AAP is raising the statehood issue to "divert" attention of people from its "governance failure" in Delhi in last four and half years, she said citing "poor" condition of school education, transport, sanitation and air quality. She alleged both AAP and BJP are two sides of the same coin when it comes to governance. "A beautiful Delhi left behind by the Congress in 2013 has now been turned into a huge garbage dump as both the BJP ruling the municipal corporations and AAP government have failed to maintain cleanliness and improve the green cover in the capital. "The hike in fairs of Delhi Metro, due to collusion between the AAP and the BJP, has made it unaffordable for the common people," she said. She claimed Delhi government has so much power even without full statehood status of the city, that ruling it could have achieved much more in the last four and half years if it had followed in the footsteps of previous Congress regime. She said people will vote in favour of Congress's dynamism symbolised by party President Rahul Gandhi and help the party to win all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi to replace the "autocratic" governance of Modi government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On a day Mumbai voted in the fourth and final phase of Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, a delegation of the Australian High Commission visited the country's financial capital to understand the voting procedure. The delegation was taken to some polling stations in the city, said a statement issued by Mumbai district Collector Shivaji Jondhale. "The Election Commission of India has sent the delegation on a Mumbai tour. It was taken to Sakhi polling centres at Cuffe Parade and Jai Hind College, which were operated by all women officials," it said. A video clip about the election procedure was shown to the delegation, it said, adding that the members were also shown functioning of EVMs and VVPAT machines and their usage. The six Lok Sabha constituencies in Mumbai voted along with 11 seats in rest of the state. Mumbai recorded 55.11 per cent voting, an improvement over the 2014 elections figure of 51.59 per cent. The final voting percentage in Maharashtra could reach 57 per cent. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jammu and Kashmir police Monday said it has arrested a PhD scholar along with five other terrorists for launching an abortive suicide car bomb attack on a CRPF convoy along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway last month. The terror attack was jointly hatched by terror outfits JeM and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) under the command of Pakistan-based terrorist Munna Bihari, Jammu Inspector General of Police M K Sinha told reporters here. The arrested persons include a PhD scholar who is an active member of Jamiat-e-Talaba, the student wing of banned Jammat-e-Islami (JeI), he said. His interrogation revealed that the group was engaged in radicalising youths in a big way for "jehad" (hoily war), said Sinha. He said the National Investigation Agency is taking over the case tomorrow for further investigation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jammu and Kashmir police Monday said it has arrested six terrorists, including a PhD scholar, for launching the abortive suicide car bomb attack on a CRPF convoy on Jammu-Srinagar highway last month. The failed attack was jointly hatched by militant outfits Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) under the command of a Pakistani terrorist, Munna Bihari, Jammu Inspector General of Police M K Sinha told reporters here. The arrested PhD scholar is an active member of Jamiat-e-Talaba, the student wing of banned Jammat-e-Islami (JeI), said Sinha. His interrogation has revealed that JeI student wing is currently engaged in radicalizing youths for "jehad" in a big way, he added. Sinha identified the five arrested terrorists as PhD scholar Hilal Ahmad Mantoo, Waseem alias "Doctor", Umar Shafi, Aqib Shah, all hailing from Shopian and Shahid Wani alias "Watson" of Pulwama. The sixth one, Hizbul suicide bomber Owais Amin was arrested on April 1 from Teethar in Banihal when he was trying to escape after unsuccessfully targeting a CRPF convoy with a car bomb near the Jawahar Tunnel - the gateway to the valley on March 31. Sinha said the National Investigation agency is taking over the case tomorrow for further investigation, though, he added, the J&K police has completely worked it out. Sinha said two HIzbul modules were involved in fabricating the car bomb. "Two modules of Hizbul Mujahideen, one led by Dr Saifullah of Pulwama and the other led by Rayees Khan alias Imad Khan of Shopian had jointly worked to fabricate the car bomb and to take other steps for the explosion," he added. Sinha identified a Pakistani terrorist Muna Bihari, operating in south Kashmir in collusion with a local JeM militant Shahjahan, as the mastermind behind the fabrication of the car bomb by planting IED inside it. The Jammu IGP, however, ruled out any link between the February 14 Pulwama car bomb attack which left 40 CRPF personnel dead and the Banihal attack. He, however, did not rule out the involvement of Pakistan in Banihal attack, saying "the entire module led by Hizbul chief in the valley, Riyaz Naikoo, and Saifullah were involved in the attack along with JeM Pakistani terrorist Muna Bihari". He added that the identity of the exact person who directed them to carry out the attack was not yet known. Sinha said the J&K police was yet to identify the owner of the car used in the failed bid. "The chassis number and the engine number of the vehicle used in the attack were tempered with. We have sent the vehicle to FSL and they are trying to retrieve the original numbers," he said. Sinha said the source of the gelatin sticks too is to be ascertained and the NIA may find it out in subsequent probe. PhD scholar Mantoo, who was doing some research on anxiety among the students, was arrested from Central University Bathinda in Punjab, he said. He revealed in his interrogation that Jamiat-e-Talaba is "radicalizing youths in a big way for Jehad", he said. "Youths are taken in Jamait-ul-Talba after careful screening and once inducted, they are given an extremely hard-core religious orientation and made to indulge in various activities including terror operations," the IGP said. Sinha said the radicalisation of youth is a major threat because a radicalised youth can do anything and indulge in any violent act. He said the group that was involved in the fabrication of the IED, procuring gelatin sticks, urea, acids and other material was working under the overall command of the Pakistani terrorist. "Amin along with his friend Omar and Aqib were working as over ground workersof Rayees Khan who became active terrorist of Hizbul Mujahideen in 2018. After the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani, all four of them were involved in stone pelting," said Sinha. These terrorists were selected for the explosion because they had a clean slate and were off the police radar with no criminal case registered against them earlier, the IGP said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) is internally plagued by a "turbulent state of affairs" with allegations of unauthorised use of funds, misuse of organisations name and rifts between members, its president Rakesh Khanna said on Monday. In a letter to the members of the apex court advocates' body, Khanna said it had been projected that a recently held legal conference by a media house was organised in partnership with SCBA but the Bar's Executive Committee (EC) had not at any point resolved to be a partner to any such conference. Khanna clarified that SCBA, in its resolution dated April 11, 2019, had specifically resolved that decisions taken by its sub-committee will have to be placed before the EC for approval before execution. "No such resolution or decision had been placed before the EC for any such permission/ partnership in a conference organised by...to be held in Mumbai nor did the EC at any point of time resolve to be a partner to any such conference. The information about this programme was never communicated to me or to the members of SCBA," he said in the letter. Khanna further said some members have even expressed their resentment over the whole issue by asking how much money has SCBA taken to lend its name. He said that apex court judge Justice N V Ramana and other dignitaries, who were present at the legal conference, were completely misled in as far as association/ partnership of SCBA with the media house for the conference was concerned. "Your discontent and resentment has been noticed by me and some members have even gone to the extent of venting out their anger by asking how much money has SCBA taken to lend its name. As the president of SCBA, I concur with and join you all in the resentment and anguish against the manner in which the SCBA platform has been exploited and misused," he said. The use of SCBA's name and its logo without intimation or consent of the EC is completely "unauthorised, unethical and illegal", he said. He also pointed out the issue of unauthorised payment of SCBA funds of several lakhs for which an enquiry committee has been constituted and said that all kinds of efforts were put to disband the committee. "To begin with, the Finance Sub-Committee unearthed a case of what looked like unauthorised and unapproved payment of SCBA funds to the tune of several lakhs for which the EC in one of its meeting in February 2019 resolved to constitute an Enquiry Committee of three members -- senior advocates Shekhar Naphade, Amrendra Saran and C U Singh," he said. "Immediately thereafter all kinds of allurements and pressure tactics started to which some of the EC members evidently fell prey. All kinds of efforts were put to disband the enquiry committee as also the finance sub-committee," Khanna said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indians looking for employment in must be wary of fake recruiting agents, the in Doha has warned, advising the job-seekers to ask for a copy of the agent's ID proof to ensure authenticity. "Please do not trust any recruiting agent who promises you a in on a business/visit visa," the embassy said in a Twitter post on Sunday. The embassy advised the job-seekers to "always ask" for a copy of the agent's ID to be sure of the authenticity of the being offered. "Always ask for a copy of the agent's Qatar ID and save it carefully, so that the Embassy can help you better, in the event of any fraud," the embassy said. "Before an Indian worker accepts employment from a Foreign Employer/Company, it would be safer to check their credentials on the e-Migrate portal, POE Offices or by emailing the in the country concerned," it said. Indian nationals comprise the largest expatriate community in Qatar numbering around 691,000. They are engaged in a wide spectrum of professionals, including medicine, engineering, education, finance, banking, business, media and labour. An estimated 32.48 per cent voters of the 87.74 electorate cast their ballots till 1 PM in Bihar, where polling for five Lok Sabha seats is underway on Monday, an election official said. Bihar Assembly Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary exercised his franchise at a polling station in Kyonta village under Ujiarpur Lok Sabha constituency while former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar cast his vote at Masnadpur polling station under Teghra assembly segment of Begusarai seat. Union Minister Giriraj Singh cast his vote at a polling station at Barahiya under Munger Lok Sabha seat. A total of 66 candidates, including three women nominees, are in the fray from Darbhanga, Ujiarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai and Munger constituencies in the fourth phase of polling in the state. "Polling has been peaceful with no untoward incidents reported from any of the constituencies so far," the official said. Voting was initialLy hampered at three polling stations in Munger, two polling stations in Darbhanga and three polling stations in Begusarai due to technical glitches. Paramilitary forces, Bihar Military Police and Special Auxiliary Police jawans have been deployed at all the 8,834 polling stations across the five seats, along with 16,239 poll personnel. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP councilor Avtar Singh, who used to sell tea for a living, was on Monday elected unopposed as the new mayor of North Delhi. Singh is also the first Dalit Sikh to reach the position. He was nominated for the election by Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari and was elected unopposed in the election held at general house meeting of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, said a senior municipal corporation officer. Singh is a very hard working BJP cadre. He has used his hard work to reach to the post of mayor from his humble beginning as a tea seller," said a senior Delhi BJP leader. The election of mayor is indirect in which councilors of the civic body participate. The BJP has a majority in NDMC. The term of mayor is for one year. The third term of the five-year tenure of the corporation is reserved for SC candidates to become mayor. Earlier, Anju Kangra, BJP councilor of South Delhi Municipal Corporation was elected mayor of the Civic body. Anju Kamlakar, BJP councilor, is also stated to be elected unopposed as new mayor of East Delhi Municipal Corporation ruled by the party. PTI VIT http://ptinews.com/images/pti.jpg We bring the World to you"Disclaimer : This e-mail message may contain proprietary, confidential or legally privileged information for the sole use of the person or entity to whom this message was originally addressed. Please delete this e-mail, if it is not meant for you. http://ptinews.com/images/pti.jpg We bring the World to you" Disclaimer : This e-mail message may contain proprietary, confidential or legally privileged information for the sole use of the person or entity to whom this message was originally addressed. Please delete this e-mail, if it is not meant for you. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot on Monday termed the BJP government at the Centre "arrogant" and accused it of ignoring the farmers and leaving the youth unemployed. Addressing an election rally in Sardarshahar town under the Churu Lok Sabha constituency, he also claimed the BJP would not be able to open its electoral account in south India in this parliamentary polls. On Congress president Rahul Gandhi fighting elections from Wayanad in Kerala apart from his pocket borough Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, Pilot said, "Rahul Gandhi ji decided to fight elections from Kerala after considering the workers sentiments and as a result BJP will not be able to open account in South India." "BJP is going to be wiped out in the south," he said, adding, "It will meet the same result as that in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan where the Congress formed government after Assembly elections." Pilot also alleged that all promised made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last five years have proved to be false. Accusing the BJP of harming the country's constitutional institutions, he alleges that dissenting voices are being suppressed by using the CBI, RBI, ED and the Income tax department. "Those asking the government questions are declared anti-national... Now, people will give them a reply," Pilot said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Boeing expects US regulators will conduct a test flight of a software fix for the grounded 737 MAX by the end of next week, a company spokesman said Monday. Boeing expects the certification of the software fix -- a key step in returning the planes to the skies -- some time after the Federal Aviation Administration meeting with international regulators on May 23, the spokesman said. The plane was grounded worldwide in mid-March following a second deadly crash, but US carriers have said they expect to resume flights on the popular 737 MAX over the summer. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Meghalaya Cabinet Monday approved the proposal for creation of a new Directorate of Dairy Development in the state to increase milk production. Home Minister James K Sangma said the state government had launched the Meghalaya Milk Mission and Rs 215 crore has been sanctioned. "In view to really increase the milk production in the state, we have decided to approve the creation of a directorate of dairy development," he said. The state Cabinet has also approved a proposal for enhancing the grant-in-aid to night and morning ad-hoc secondary schools in the state. The Home Minister said the proposal to increase the grant-in-aid to 15 such schools has been approved. The minister also said the government has decided to have uniform rate in the grant-in-aid extended to such schools unlike earlier where different amount was given to different categories. The minister also informed the government has decided to implement uniform grant-in-aid extended to such schools unlike earlier where different amount was given to different categories. The cabinet has also approved the proposal for enhancing the factory license and renewal fees after a gap of 18 years. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Crime Branch CID wing of Tamil Nadu police Monday handed over all documents relating to the Pollachi sexual harassment case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The CBI had taken over the investigation into the case from the state police. CB-CID Superintendent of Police Nisha Parthiban, who was heading the probe, had recorded the statement of 40 witnesses, besides subjecting various material to forensic tests. "All related documents have been handed over to the CBI by CB-CID on April 29," a release by the CB-CID said. The case pertains to alleged sexual harassment of a woman at Pollachi in Coimbatore district by a gang of men, who shot a video of the incident and blackmailed her for money. The central agency has registered two FIRs in the matter --one pertaining to sexual harassment of the woman and another related to assault on her brother -- against different sets of the accused. The gang is believed to have sexually harassed and blackmailed a large number of women in Tamil Nadu, which triggered an outrage in the state. Citing the need for specialised attention, dedicated investigation with technical expertise and the extremely serious nature of the crime, the state government had given its consent, transferring the harassment and assault case from the state's CB-CID to the CBI. A four-member gang had on February 12 allegedly tried to strip the woman inside a car near Pollachi, over 500 km from Chennai, and shot a video of the act and blackmailed her using the visuals. The victim, who managed to free herself, lodged a complaint with police on February 24. The case assumed political overtones since a local functionary of the ruling AIADMK allegedly attacked the victim's brother. The attack by the functionary, who was later expelled from the AIADMK, coupled with reports in a section of media that the gang had sexually harassed several other women, led to an outrage. The issue eventually snowballed into a political row and the main opposition DMK targeted the AIADMK, asking if it was protecting the accused persons. A slew of protest demonstrations by parties, including the DMK, students and youth outfits escalated the row, bringing more pressure on the government and police for speedy action. The four accused in the case -- Sabarirajan, Sathish, Thirunavakkarasu and Vasanthkumar -- are under judicial custody. They were booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act and the Goondas Act. Nagaraj, the expelled AIADMK functionary, is one of the accused in the assault case, besides Senthil, Babu, Manivannan and Vasanthakumar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Trinamool Congress Monday approached the Election Commission alleging that the central forces deployed in West Bengal have created a "reign of terror" in the minds of voters and acted in a manner which is not conducive to free and fair elections. TMC leaders Shanta Chhetri and Chandan Mitra submitted two letters to the EC - one alleging illegal action taken by the forces as well as violation of model code of conduct by BJP candidates and the second related to firing by Central Forces personnel inside polling booths in Dubraipur and Birbhum Parliamentary constituency. Central forces have been deployed in almost all the booths in West Bengal, but there has been stray incidents of violence across the state during the first three phases. Violence was reported on Monday as well in Asansol and Birbhum. "After the deployment of central forces, there have been various instances where, at the instruction of the leaders of the BJP, the Central Forces have acted in a manner which is not conducive to free and fair election within the state of West Bengal. "During earlier phases of election, complaints were filed against the central forces, but no action has been taken," one of the letters stated. The Lok Sabha Election in West Bengal is being conducted in seven phases out of which polls for the fourth phase, which includes Asansol and Baharampur seats is being held on Monday. The letters stated that the Central Forces have been deployed to ensure free and fair election without being influenced by any political party and are required to act in an "unbiased manner without any partiality to any political party" to uphold the constitutional principle of free and fair election. "This is to bring to your notice that across several parliamentary constituencies having poll today, Central Forces have created a reign of terror in the minds of voters and they have also urged the voters to cast their vote in favour of BJP. "The Central Forces, in a motivated and pre-conceived manner, have resorted to firing within the polling booth thereby creating a fear in the mind of the voters so that they are restrained from casting their votes," it said. The party claimed that the "BJP and their agents" were resorting to large-scale intimidation, violence, chaos and unrest among the electors and thereby disturbing the poll process hugely. The party, in the letter said during this fourth phase also, instances have been recorded where Central Forces had created a reign of terror in the minds of voters and they have also urged the voters to cast their vote in favour of BJP. "The Central Forces, in a motivated and pre-conceived manner, have utterly failed to take any effective steps to counter the BJP terror and restore confidence among the people. "Moreover, Central Forces are once again entering inside the polling booths where actual voting is taking place and influencing the voters to vote for BJP candidates," the letter said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Charges were framed against Yasin Bhatkal, alleged co-founder of the terror organisation Indian Mujahideen, in the 2010 German Bakery blast case at a trial court here Monday. Bhatkal alias Mohammed Ahmed Siddibappa was produced before the court amid tight security. Charges were framed against him under various sections of the IPC, Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, said special prosecutor Ujjwala Pawar. Seventeen people were killed and 64 injured in the blast at German Bakery, an eatery in the Koregaon Park area in Pune, in February 2010. Bhatkal was earlier convicted in the 2013 Hyderabad twin blasts case and awarded death penalty by a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in July 2018. He was brought here from Delhi's Tihar jail Monday and produced before additional sessions judge K D Vadane. This was the first time since his arrest that Bhatkal has been brought to the Pune court. Prosecutor Pawar said the Delhi Police filed an application stating that due to security reasons, they would not be able to bring Bhatkal to Pune for trial, and further hearing should be conducted via video-conference. Zahir Khan Pathan, Bhatkal's lawyer, opposed the Delhi Police's request, saying the accused must be present during the trial. "It is the duty of the state to provide security....He (Bhatkal) can be lodged here at Yerawada Central Jail till the trial ends," he said, adding that he would file his submission on the issue on May 15. The NIA arrested Bhatkal, wanted in over 40 terror cases, from the Indo-Nepal border in 2013. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China and Pakistan have signed an agreement on space exploration, marking a new phase in space science cooperation between the all-weather allies. The agreement was signed on April 27 during the visit of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to China for the 2nd Belt and Road Forum (BRF), the China National Space Administration (CNSA) said in a statement. The space agreement will serve as a high-level foundation for cooperation in space science and exploration. Both nations will conduct scientific and technological experiments, astronaut training, along with manned space applications and achievement transformation, official media quoted the CNSA statement as saying on Monday. The space agreement between China and Pakistan also comes close on the heels of India's successful Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Missile test last month. The test made India the fourth country in the world after the US, Russia and China to acquire the strategic capability to shoot down enemy satellites. China had conducted such a test in January 2007 when its anti-satellite missile destroyed a weather satellite. Under the agreement, the CNSA and the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission will establish a China-Pakistan space committee chaired by top officials from both sides to address future collaborative issues. China has advanced space programme with successful manned missions besides exploration missions to Moon. China is also building its space station which was expected to be ready by 2022. It has also unveiled plans to send spacecraft to Mars and Jupiter. "The newly-signed space exploration agreement between China and Pakistan on manned space missions manifests their more profound cooperation on the peaceful use of outer space," state-run Global Times quoted experts as saying. Since Pakistan is China's all-weather friend, China is willing to provide know-how to foster Pakistan's technological development on the use of outer space, Lan Jianxue, an associate research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Monday. "China-Pakistan space cooperation will help Pakistan in terms of satellite monitoring of natural disasters and agricultural production, land and resources surveying, and waste handling in a microgravity environment," Lan said, adding that China will also benefit from the cooperation, including for commercial applications of space technology, investment security and counter-terrorism. In 2018, China sent two Pakistan satellites into orbit. The PRSS-1, Pakistan's first optical remote sensing satellite, and the PakTES-1A, a smaller observation craft, were both lifted into space by China's Long March-2C carrier rocket. "The current agreement signifies that their cooperation is not limited to infrastructure and resources, it also concerns technology and innovation," Lan said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Violence marred the first few hours of polling in West Bengal, where the fourth phase of elections is underway in eight Lok Sabha constituencies. According to senior election official, clashes broke out between the supporters of rival parties in Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Siuri areas of Birbhum seat, injuring several people on the two sides. In Dubrajpur area of the constituency, voters allegedly engaged in a scuffle with the central forces when they were barred from entering the booths with mobile phones. Security personnel reportedly opened fire in the air to control the mob, following which polling was stalled in the booths, the official said. The state election office has also received reports of violence from Jemua and Barabani areas of Bardhaman East constituency, he maintained. "In Barabani, BJP candidate and central minister minister Babul Supriyo's vehicle was vandalised allegedly by TMC workers outside a polling station, while in Jemua, voters fled from a polling station after being threatened by miscreants," he told PTI. According to reports, Supriyo had a tiff with polling officials inside a booth, following which TMC supporters attacked his vehicle. "Polling was peaceful in the first two hours. However, of clashes started surfacing thereafter. We have sought reports from each of these places. Our officials are monitoring the situation and taking proper measures to conduct the election in a free and fair manner," he said. In Birbhum constituency, the Election Commission has show-caused BJP candidate Dudh Kumar Mondal after he was seen talking over a mobile phone inside a polling booth, just before casting his ballot, the official said, adding that the presiding officer of the station has been removed. Notably, the poll panel has put TMC's Birbhum president Anubrata Mondal under scanner after poll workers complained that they feel "threatened" by his presence. A total of 1,34,56,491 electorate is set decide the fate of 68 candidates Monday in the eight constituencies -- Baharampur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat (SC), Burdwan East (SC), Burdwan-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur (SC) and Birbhum. The EC has deployed 580 companies of central forces to man over 98 per cent of the polling booths in these constituencies to ensure free and fair polling. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Violence marred the first few hours of polling in West Bengal, where the fourth phase of elections is underway in eight Lok Sabha constituencies. According to a senior election official, clashes broke out between the supporters of rival parties in Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Siuri areas of Birbhum seat, injuring several people on the two sides. In Dubrajpur area of the constituency, voters allegedly engaged in a scuffle with the central forces when they were barred from entering the booths with mobile phones. Security personnel reportedly opened fire in the air to control the mob, following which polling was stalled in these booths, the official said. The state election office has also received reports of violence from Jemua and Barabani areas of Burdwan East (SC) constituency, he maintained. "In Barabani, BJP candidate and central minister minister Babul Supriyo's vehicle was vandalised allegedly by the workers of the TMC outside a polling station, while in Jemua, voters fled a polling station after being threatened by miscreants," he told PTI. According to reports, Supriyo had a tiff with the polling officials inside a booth, following which TMC supporters attacked his vehicle. Supriyo, on his part, said, "I visited Barabani to witness the poll process, but found that voters were not being allowed to exercise their franchise. Our fight is to establish democracy... It is shameful that I have to say this in a democratic country." The senior election official gave assurances that measures were being taken to rein in poll-related violence. "Polling was peaceful in the first two hours. However, of clashes started surfacing from several areas thereafter. We have sought reports from each of these places. Our officials are monitoring the situation and taking measures to conduct the election in a free and fair manner," he said. In Birbhum constituency, the Election Commission has show-caused BJP candidate Dudh Kumar Mondal after he was seen talking over a mobile phone inside a polling booth, just before casting his ballot, the official said, adding that the presiding officer of the station has been removed. Notably, the EC has put TMC's Birbhum president Anubrata Mondal under scanner after poll workers complained that they feel "threatened" by his presence. Accusing the TMC of rigging the polls in almost every booth, BJP's Krishnanagar candidate Kalyan Chaubey said voters in several areas were not allowed to cast their ballots. "The TMC goons have jammed the booths in Chapra, Dompukur and Hatisala areas of Krishnagar constituency. The central forces are guarding the booths and 100-metre radius around those centres, but people beyond that were being warned against casting their votes. I was also threatened by some of them," Chaubey said. Rebuffing the charges, TMC Krishnagar candidate Mahua Maitra said the accusations were baseless and bereft of truth. "As they (BJP) do not have a support base in the constituency, they could not appoint enough observers for the polling stations. Now, they are giving excuses They are baseless allegations," she added. A total of 1,34,56,491 electorate will seal the fate of 68 candidates on Monday in eight parliamentary seats -- Baharampur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat (SC), Burdwan East (SC), Burdwan-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur (SC) and Birbhum. The EC has deployed 580 companies of central forces to man over 98 per cent of the polling booths in these constituencies to ensure free and fair polling. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Scores of workers and students' activists were taken into custody Monday as the Congress, BJP and various student outfits in Telangana ratcheted up protests over the alleged goof-up in declaration of Intermediate exam results, demanding removal of the State minister. The Congress, TDP, CPI and Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) jointly called for a 'Maha Dharna' at the office of Board of Intermediate to protest the alleged failures of the BIE and the "negligent" attitude of the TRS government towards the conduct of Intermdiate exams. Several leaders were put under "house arrest" in parts of the city and across the state, the parties claimed. The protesters alleged that over 20 students committed suicide since April 18 after the results were declared. Separately, state BJP president K Laxman launched an indefinite fast outside his party office. However, he was removed from the place within a few hours and shifted to the state-run Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) by police. He was shifted "in view of his health", police said. Condemning the police action, Laxman announced that he would continue his fast. Amid the protests, the Telangana High Court directed the department and BIE officials to complete the recounting and re-verification of papers by May 8 and submit a report before it in this regard. The BJP's demands include sacking of education minister G Jagadeesh Reddy, suspension of BIE secretary, judicial inquiry into the entire episode and compensation to families of students who allegedly committed suicide. Students' organisations demanded the education minister's resignation. The students also made a vain bid to "lay siege" to the Telangana State Board of Intermediate Education office here and Pragathi Bhavan, the official residence complex-cum-camp office of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. Several protesters were taken into preventive custody, police said. Telangana TDP President L Ramana, CPI state secretary Chada Venkat Reddy, Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS) chief M Kodandaram were among the leaders who were either taken into preventive custody or put under house arrest by police. Police, who had stepped up security near the BIE office, foiled attempts by activists of Students' Federation of India, Progressive Democratic Students Union, Democratic Youth Federation of India, All India Democratic Students' Organisation and other students' organisations to barge into the TSBIE office. The protesters were whisked away in police vehicles. Similarly, many Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishat activsts were taken into preventive custody when they tried to hold protests near Pragathi Bhavan. They raised slogans against the government and demanded resignation of Education Minister and suspension of officials of BIE including its secretary A Ashok against "irregularities" in the declaration of the results. The protesters also demanded "blacklisting" the private firm which was given contract for data collection and processing of the results. They also sought ex gratia for over 20 students, who they alleged committed suicide after the results were declared. The exams were conducted during February and March this year and the results announced on April 18. Some students claimed they either failed or got poor marks though they had done well in exams. The TSBIE imposed a fine on a private educational institute lecturer who served as examiner and suspended a lecturer after a second-year (final) Intermediate girl student was allegedly given '00' marks even though she secured 99 marks in Telugu paper, an official release said Sunday night. Following allegations of bungling in the announcement of results, protests by students, parents, students' organisations and political parties are being held across the state over the past one week. Senior Congress leader and former minister J Geetha Reddy claimed that the dharna call given by the party was successful. She alleged that police forcibly took scores of party workers into custody across the state. She also claimed that a committee headed by former education minister K Srihari had earlier rejected the private company and demanded an inquiry as to how the "incapable" firm was given contract for data collection. She demanded that the education mMinister be sacked and Rs 50 lakh ex gratia be given to the families of each student who allegedly committed suicide. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress on Monday urged the Election Commission to take urgent action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly violating the model code by raising the matters of Balakot air strike and Pulwama terror attack in his poll campaign. A delegation of Congress leaders led by its chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala and Abhishek Singhvi met top Election Commission officials and made a fresh complaint against Modi demanding urgent action against him. "The prime minister has in all the phases sought votes once again by invoking the valour of the armed forces. The prime minister has also made references to the Pulwama attack... "Such habitual violations by the prime minister make it evident that he is not just making a mockery of this Commission but also the armed forces and the defence personnel for his petty political gains," the Congress said in a memorandum to the EC. The Congress also demanded that the election to one Tripura seat held on April 11 be countermanded as the BJP "influenced" the poll process by misusing the government machinery. The Congress gave references to an interview given by the prime minister to a TV channel in which he made references to the Balakot air strikes and Pulwama attack. He said the prime minister's violations have even grown "more brazen and such brazenness stems from the fact that the prime minister thinks he is above the law". Surjewala said there has been widespread disapproval from across the nation on non-action against the prime minister's violations by the Election Commission. "It is time that this Commission exercises its wide powers and restores the faith of the citizens by passing strictures/censures against the Prime Minister and remind him he is not above the law. It must take action or forever be remembered for establishing a double standard. We hope the Commission takes urgent and immediate action," the party told the EC. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mumbai Congress president Milind Deora Monday congratulated the Election Commission for peacefully conducting elections in the metropolis. In a statement, Deora, the Congress' Mumbai South Lok Sabha candidate, also appreciated the efforts of the Mumbai police and other security personnel deployed for poll duty. "The voters are the real heroes of this election and I thank them for strengthening our democracy today. On behalf of the Mumbai Congress, I congratulate the Election Commission for peacefully conducting elections in Mumbai," he said. "I also appreciate and thank Mumbai Police and other security personnel for maintaining law and order in the city," he added. He thanked party workers, stating they "demonstrated their commitment to the values of the Congress". He also said that the media kept a close vigil on the proceedings. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Congress worker was stabbed to death, while three polling personnel were suspended for violation of norms in Odisha, where the fourth and final phase of polling were conducted Monday in six Lok Sabha and 41 assembly constituencies, an election official said. An estimated 66 per cent of 95.06 lakh voters cast their votes till 5 pm in the final phase, but the turnout is set to go up as polling was still underway in several booths, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Surendra Kumar said. Barring Patkura assembly seat, where voting has been rescheduled to May 19 following the death of BJD candidate Bed Prakash Agarwalla, elections were successfully held in the six Lok Sabha constituencies - Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur and the 41 assembly segments that come under them, Kumar said. According to a senior police officer, unprecedented violence was reported from several places of the six parliamentary seats. A Congress worker was stabbed to death in Balikuda-Erasama Assembly segment of Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha seat, while he was returning from a polling booth having cast his vote, he said. The deceased, Lachman Behera, had recently quit the BJD to join the Congress. "Behera was attacked with a broken bottle by unknown miscreants. He died on his way to hospital," Additional Superintendent of Police B P Mishra said, adding that an investigation is being carried out into the incident. In Jajpur Lok Sabha constituency, three officials were suspended for entering the polling compartments on the pretext of assisting the voters. Noting that the matter was noticed during the live webcasting of the poll process, he said stern action will be taken against the polling officials. "Two presiding officers in Binjharpur assembly segment and another polling officer in Sukinda assembly constituency were suspended for flouting norms," the CEO said. Clashes between the supporters of the ruling BJD and the BJP were reported from Jajpur Kendrapara and Balasore Lok Sabha constituencies, he said. The BJP leaders accused the ruling BJD workers of indulging in poll rigging in several booths, an allegation which the election official said will have to be verified. Bhadrak recorded the highest voter turnout at 68 per cent till 5 pm, followed by Mayurbhanj at 66 per cent and both Jajpur and Kendrapara at 65 per cent, the CEO said Jagatsinghpur and Balasore constituencies registered lowest turnout at 64 per cent, he stated. Keeping in view the likely movement of Cyclone Fani towards Odisha shores, the CEO said adequate arrangements are in place to guard the EVMs in the strong rooms. "We are not sure about the probable impact of the cyclone, but the polling officials have been alerted and instructed to take proper measures well in time for the security of EVMs," he said. Of the over 95.06 lakh electorate in the fourth phase, 45.98 lakh are women and 595 of the third gender, Kumar said. Altogether 52 contestants, including 12 women, are in the fray in six Lok Sabha seats, while 336 candidates, 34 of them women, are contesting the polls from 41 assembly constituencies, he said. Prominent among those in the fray are BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda and Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Niranjan Patnaik. "More than 3,000 of 10,792 polling stations, spread over eight districts, were identified as critical. While CCTVs were installed in 554 polling booths, around 1,216 poll vehicles were fitted with GPS system to track the movement of reserve EVMs," Kumar added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A woman from Congo has been apprehended at the Delhi airport for allegedly trying to smuggle narcotics worth about Rs 14 lakh by concealing them in a bed sheet, an official said Monday. Wadi Tshanda Kapinga, who was supposed to travel to the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, was apprehended by CISF personnel late Sunday night, he said. As she was about to enter the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport here, a CISF staff intercepted her and took her for detailed frisking. "About 14 kg of pseudoephedrine, a stimulant drug, was recovered from the bag of the woman who hails from the Republic of Congo. "The drug was neatly wrapped in 14 packets and was hidden in bed sheets in her bag," the official said, adding the seized drug is valued at about Rs 14 lakh in the market. The woman was handed over to the anti-narcotics sleuths, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) He was Honolulu's Rolex-wearing police chief, an avid surfer who chatted with beat cops in Pidgin, Hawaii's creole language. She was his deputy city prosecutor wife, who drove a Maserati and led an elite unit targeting career criminals while showering lunches on colleagues, friends and even the workers renovating her home. For years, Louis and Katherine Kealoha were the city's law enforcement power couple, enjoying widespread respect as Native Hawaiian role models who hailed from humble, blue-collar roots and rose to the top thanks to decades of hard work. They lived in a swanky house near an exclusive country club in the city's Kahala neighborhood, sometimes called Honolulu's Beverly Hills. Then the white mailbox perched on a pedestal in front of their house disappeared, triggering a drawn out disintegration of the couple's reputation amid a twisted tale of allegations involving fraud, illegal drugs and an attempt to frame Katherine Kealoha's uncle for stealing the mailbox. Federal authorities started investigating the two in 2015, and both stepped down from their jobs as the probe deepened. Now the Kealohas are heading to trial next month on federal charges of conspiracy, obstruction and false statements to a federal officer involving the mailbox case. The obstruction charge carries the heftiest sentence up to 20 years in prison. Katherine Kealoha, 48, and her physician brother, Rudolph Puana, are also expected to be tried later on separate allegations that the siblings bartered opioids for cocaine. The Kealohas and Puana have denied all of the charges. The case has morphed into a scandal characterized as the largest corruption prosecution in Hawaii history and prosecutors say greed was the couple's motive. They allege the Kealohas were so desperate to fund their lavish lifestyle that they swindled more than a half-million dollars from banks, relatives and children whose trust funds Katherine Kealoha controlled when she was a lawyer in private practice. Prosecutors say Katherine Kealoha's uncle and her now-99-year-old grandmother threatened to expose the fraud, so she devised a scheme to silence them by attempting to have her grandmother declared incapacitated and conspiring with her 58-year-old husband and members of a special police unit hand-picked by him to frame the uncle, Gerard Puana, for stealing the Kealohas' mailbox. Honolulu police arrested the uncle on a felony charge of mailbox theft in 2013. Puana's lawyer, federal public defender Alexander Silvert, was initially skeptical about his client's claim that he was being set up in an attempt to discredit him over a lawsuit he had filed claiming Katherine Kealoha used a reverse mortgage scheme to steal money from him and his mother, Florence Puana. The Kealohas reported the mailbox as a Gaines model valued at $380 but Silvert said he and his investigators learned it was actually made by a different manufacturer and cost only $180. The difference in value allowed Puana to be charged with a felony instead of a misdemeanor. "When I realized they were lying about the make and model of the mailbox, then I was 'OK, there's something going on,'" Silvert said. Federal prosecutors said in court documents filed in the upcoming case against the Kealohas that the couple concocted the mailbox scheme to silence her uncle. "Their reputations, careers and livelihood were seriously threatened by what the Puanas' lawsuit could bring to light. So they moved to silence and imprison him," prosecutors said. "Public embarrassment was not something the Kealohas could afford. They needed to maintain their carefully crafted public image." Puana's mailbox theft case ended in a mistrial in 2014. In 2015, a jury sided with Katherine Kealoha in the civil lawsuit her grandmother and uncle lodged against her. Federal investigators stepped in eventually revealing allegations against Katherine Kealoha, including stealing trust funds from children, showering money she bilked on a firefighter lover and the alleged drug-dealing with her brother. They allege she even invented an alias Alison Lee Wong "to dodge scrutiny, forge documents, secure state Senate confirmation, and more." In 2017, she and her husband were indicted on the federal criminal charges. They have since lost their expensive home to foreclosure proceedings and have taxpayer-funded, court-appointed defense attorneys. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) / -- Makes strong push to tap India-US synergies for Universal Healthcare and Ayushman Bharat The Council for Healthcare and Pharma is holding the 'Legislative Day', at the Capitol Hill, Washington D.C., on 30th April 2019, to make a strong push for greater synergies between India and the US providing an impetus to the cause of Universal healthcare and Ayushman Bharat. The event draws a cross-section of bi-partisan senators and congressmen interested in the cause of healthcare, members of the US health committee, influential US doctors, prominent members of the Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) and contributing sectors of the health industry. At this select forum, the Council for Healthcare and Pharma will be advocating mutually synergistic themes and avenues that can benefit both India and the US. Speaking of the Legislative day, Dr Gurpreet Sandhu, President, CHP, said, "We believe that an integrated thrust from the best global thought leaders and companies can undoubtedly unleash considerable savings for both health systems allowing them to stretch their health budgets for additional coverage, greater efficiencies, service enhancements and deployment in alternate priorities." The opportunity to lower cost clearly lies in emphasizing a high quality generic formulary, realizing supply chain efficiencies, complementing R&D strengths to amplify drug development efforts, locating manufacturing where advantageous, leveraging new technologies such as Robotics, AI and Blockchain for greater efficiencies, better health surveillance, early detection of disease, improved treatment protocols, enhanced patient experience with significantly better outcomes. These opportunities can be developed where best feasible through a Make in US or Make in India initiative. India has critical mass in providing affordable, high quality generic medicines to the US and the world. India additionally has strengths in IT and a vibrant start-up environment for frugal innovation with interesting health applications being developed that have the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency and outcomes in delivering healthcare. On the other hand, American Firms can outsource significant parts of their R&D efforts with considerable savings in new drug discovery as well as to amplify their shortlist of drug candidates for further research and development. These drugs in turn can be marketed not only in the US but also in India and other populous countries. In addition, there are medical challenges of significant proportions like AMR which continue to deplete the arsenal of antibiotics by rendering them ineffective on account of overuse and misuse. The US has done a lot of work in alleviating this global problem and both countries can collaborate to mount a sizable program to mitigate this menacing challenge and such others. The Council is facilitating the presence of its member global companies and Government delegates, at the 'Legislative Day', substantiating the intent and resolve to bring about suitable progress in the health arena. The Council for Healthcare and Pharma (CHP) is an integrated, not-for-profit, Global think tank that advocates the development of sustainable health systems around the World. It looks at engaging with Governments and other stakeholders to adopt rational approaches that capture benefits, that accrue through the optimization of the eco-system and value chain involved in treating diseases and keeping people healthy. CHP members include domestic and global Pharmaceutical companies, Providers of Diagnostics, Medical device Manufacturers, Hospitals and adjunct services. Headquartered in New Delhi, India, the Council focuses on Africa, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, UK and the USA. Its important areas of work are in ease-of-doing business; increasing competitiveness; broadening access to safe, efficacious and affordable healthcare services and medicines. CHP is guided in its work by expert advisory committee's in Intellectual Property; Market Access; Regulatory Policy; Key Therapeutics - Women's Health, Oncology & Tropical Diseases; Research & Development (R&D); Artificial Intelligence (AI); Environment; Healthcare start-up's. As a significant and credible stakeholder in alleviating the burden of disease, the CHP brings to bear the collective wisdom of industry and policy makers on health issues that stand to make a positive contribution to society in bringing about Universal healthcare. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 81,000 people, including security personnel, have either been killed or injured and the country's economy suffered a USD 300 billion loss in the war against terror since 9/11, the Pakistani Army said, and claimed that there is no organised terror infrastructure present in Pakistan. Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor told the media that Pakistan had come a long way in its fight against militancy. "Pakistan paid heavy price to eradicate organised militancy from the country. We paid the price for this. Over 81,000 Pakistanis, including personnel of the armed forces, were either killed artyred or injured. The overall impact on the Pakistan's economy amounted to over USD 300 billion in losses," he said. "Today, we can say with conviction, evidence and logic that there is no organised terrorist infrastructure present in Pakistan," he added. Ghafoor said Pakistan carried out 1,237 kinetic operations since 9/11, while about 100,000 intelligence-based operations were carried out across the country. He said, in these operations, a total of 17,531 terrorists have been killed and about 450 tons of explosives were recovered in addition to recovery of weapons. Ghafoor said Pakistan was playing role in rooting out terrorism and militancy and also helping other countries. He said Pakistan had intelligence sharing cooperation with 70 countries. The DGISPR also said disturbance on the country's eastern border was a distraction and many times attention was diverted in the middle of kinetic operations against militants. He said that there was foreign influence in Afghanistan since the last 40 years; first with Russian forces and then with coalition forces led by the US. Ghafoor said that post-1979 regional political situation including in countries like Afghanistan and Iran played a role in creating jihadi culture and sectarian tension. He said Pakistan's fight against militancy was complex as international powers wanted it to formulate polices to suit their agenda. He said apart from use of force, legal measures were taken by setting up military courts to deal with militants. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi court has sought response from the city police on a plea by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, accused in the death case of his wife Sunanda Pushkar, seeking its nod to travel abroad. Special Judge Arun Bhardwaj issued notice to Delhi Police and directed it to file a reply by tomorrow, when he will hear the matter. Tharoor has sought court's permission to travel USA from May 5-20. The former Union minister has been charged under sections 498-A (husband or his relative subjecting a woman to cruelty) and 306 of the IPC, but has not been arrested in the case. Pushkar was found dead in a suite of a luxury hotel in the city on the night of January 17, 2014. The couple was staying in the hotel as the official bungalow of Tharoor was being renovated at that time. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) To protect domestic market, industry body SOPA Monday demanded that the government curb illegal import of refined soybean oil and palmolein from Nepal at zero customs duty under a concession granted to least developed countries in the SAARC region. India meets over 70 per cent of its domestic edible oil demand through imports. The country imports 15-16 million tonne of vegetable oils (edible and non-edible) annually. However, goods exported to India by five least developed SAARC countries are fully exempt from customs duty. In a representation to the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, the Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) said taking advantage of the exemption, the import of palm and soybean oils has started from Nepal at zero duty in "substantial quantities". The industry body expressed concern that the large imports from Nepal are causing loss to the exchequer and also harming the industry and farmers. SOPA also demanded that the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBITC) impose safeguard measures to protect the domestic industry. "We would request you (CBITC) to kindly restrict the imports from Nepal only to those edible oils which are produced there and the 'Rules of Origin' should be strictly enforced for all imports at zero duty," SOPA said in the letter. The palmolein imported from Nepal is of Indonesian and Malaysian origin and soybean oil is of South American origin, routed through Nepal by flouting the 'Rules of Origin' for getting the duty exemption for such imports, it said. Further, Nepal has no production of soybean and has a very small capacity for crushing imported soybean. Nepal does not produce any palm oil, it added. At current tariff value of USD 573 per tonne for refined palmolein, SOPA said the amount of customs duty being evaded is Rs 19,968 per tonne. Similarly, the duty on refined soybean oil is Rs 25,195 per tonne. The loss to the exchequer because of this duty evasion would be huge. Also, the imported soybean oil is being sold Rs 5,000 per tonne cheaper when compared with indigenous soybean oil and this puts the industry at a financial loss which it cannot bear, it added. SOPA also mentioned that the import duty on edible oils was increased by the government to ensure a remunerative price to farmers and encourage them to produce more oilseeds, and consequently reduce the country's import dependency of edible oils. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cyclone 'Fani' intensified into a 'severe cyclonic storm' Monday evening and is headed towards the Odisha coast, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. It could take a shape of an 'extremely severe cyclone' by Wednesday, prompting the government to put the National Disaster Response Force and the Indian Coast Guard on high alert, officials said. In its 9 pm bulletin, the Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD said the storm currently lays about 620 km east-northeast of the Trincomalee in Sri Lanka, 770 km east-southeast of Chennai and 900 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam. "The Cyclonic storm 'Fani' (pronounced as Foni) over Southeast Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood moved north-northwestwards with a speed of about 16 kilometres per hour in last six hours, intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. "It is very likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm during next 24 hours and into an extremely severe cyclonic storm during subsequent 24 hours. It is very likely to move northwestwards till May 1 evening and thereafter recurve north-northeastwards towards the Odisha coast," the bulletin said. The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), the country's top body to deal with emergency situation, Monday took stock of the situation arising out of cyclone 'Fani' and assured the state governments concerned of all assistance from the central government to face the storm. The NDRF and the Indian Coast Guard have been put on high alert and the fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea as cyclone 'Fani' is expected to intensify into a 'very severe storm' by Tuesday, the Home Ministry said. The wind speed of a cyclonic storm is 80-90 kilometres per hour with wind gusting up to 100 kmph. In case of an 'extremely severe cyclonic storm', the wind speed goes up to 170-180 kmph and could gain the speed of 195 kmph. Light to moderate rainfall at a few places is very likely over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and south coastal Odisha on Thursday. The precipitation is likely to increase intensity with 'heavy to very heavy rainfall' at isolated places over coastal Odisha and adjoining districts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh from Thursday. Light to moderate rainfall is expected at many places. Downpour at isolated places is also very likely to start over coastal districts of West Bengal from Friday, the IMD said. The NCMC met here under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha and took stock of the situation. Chief secretaries, principal secretaries of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal attended the meeting through video conference. Senior officers from the central ministries and agencies concerned also attended the meeting. The NDRF and the Indian Coast Guard are coordinating with the state governments. The home ministry has assured the state governments to release in advance the first instalment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), as per their request, a Home Ministry statement said. During the meeting, officers of all the state governments concerned confirmed their full preparedness to deal with any emerging situation arising out of the cyclonic storm. Further, the state government highlighted that there is a seasonal ban on fishing in sea up to June 14 due to breeding season. The state governments were advised to effectively enforce this ban According to the IMD, the cyclone's landfall over Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh is ruled out. However, the possibility of landfall in Odisha is under continuous watch. Regular warnings have been issued since April 25 to fishermen not to venture into the sea and asking those at sea to return to the coast. The IMD has been issuing three hourly bulletins with latest forecast to all the states concerned. The Home Ministry is also in continuous touch with the state governments and the central agencies concerned, the statement said. The NCMC meeting followed directions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is closely monitoring the situation. The NCMC will meet again Tuesday to take stock of the situation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Cyclone 'Fani' is very likely to intensify into a 'severe cyclonic storm' by Monday evening and could take shape of an 'extremely severe cyclone' by Thursday, prompting the government to put the NDRF and the Indian Coast Guard on high alert, officials said Monday. In its 1 pm bulletin, the Cyclone Warning Division of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the storm currently lays about 620 km east of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), 880 km southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and 1050 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh). "It is very likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during next six hours and into a very severe cyclonic storm during subsequent 24 hours. It is very likely to move northwestwards till May 1 evening and thereafter recurve north-northeastwards gradually," the bulletin said. It is likely to further intensify into an "extremely severe cyclone" by Thursday, the IMD said. The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), the country's top body to deal with emergency situation, Monday took stock of the situation arising out of the cyclone 'Fani' and assured the state governments concerned of all assistance from the central government to face the storm. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indian Coast Guard have been put on high alert and the fishermen were asked not to venture into the sea as cyclone 'Fani' is expected to intensify into a very severe storm by Tuesday, the Home Ministry said. The wind speed of a cyclonic storm is 80-90 kilometres per hours with wind gusting up to 100 kmph. In case of an 'extremely severe cyclonic storm', the wind speed goes up to 170-180 kmph and could gain the speed of 195 kmph. Light to moderate rainfall at few places is very likely over north coastal Andhra Pradesh and south coastal Odisha on Thursday. The precipitation is likely to increase in intensity with "heavy to very heavy rainfall" at isolated places over coastal Odisha and adjoining districts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh from Thursday. Light to moderate rainfall is expected at many places. Downpour at isolated places is also very likely to start over coastal districts of West Bengal from Friday, the IMD said. The NCMC met here under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary P K Sinha and took stock of the situation. Chief secretaries, principal secretaries of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal attended the meeting through video conference. Senior officers from the central ministries and agencies concerned also attended the meeting. The NDRF and Indian Coast Guard have been put on high alert and are coordinating with the state governments. The home ministry has assured the state governments to release in advance the first instalment of State Disaster Response Fund, as per their request, a home ministry statement said. During the meeting, officers of all the state governments concerned confirmed their full preparedness to deal with any emerging situation arising out of the cyclonic storm. Further, the state governments have adequately warned fishermen not to venture into the sea and highlighted that there is a seasonal ban on fishing in sea up to June 14 due to breeding season. The state governments were advised to effectively enforce this ban. According to the IMD, its landfall over Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh is ruled out. However, the possibility of landfall in Odisha is under continuous watch. Regular warnings have been issued since April 25 to fishermen not to venture into the sea and asking those at sea to return to the coast. The IMD has been issuing three hourly bulletins with latest forecast to all the states concerned. The home ministry is also in continuous touch with the state governments and the central agencies concerned, the statement said. The NCMC meeting followed directions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is closely monitoring the situation. The NCMC will meet again Tuesday to take stock of the situation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The will take a decision on complaints of model code violations by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief and on Tuesday. Deputy election commissioner Chandra Bhushan Kumar said Monday that the 'full commission' would meet Tuesday morning and decide on the complaints. "The secretariat has processed everything and place the details before the Commission," he said. The Commission meets every Tuesday and Thursday to discuss important issues. The poll panel is also likely to discuss the possible dates for the assembly elections on Tuesday. The state elections could not be held along with polls as the Union Home Ministry had cited law and order problems in holding simultaneous election. The meeting of the Commission will take place on a day when the will hear a MP's plea seeking direction to the poll panel to decide without any "demur" the complaints against Modi and Shah on their alleged hate speeches and using armed forces for "political propaganda". Asked whether the meeting has deliberately been coincided with hearing in SC, another deputy election commissioner Sandeep Saxena said the agenda for the EC's meet was fixed last week itself. Responding to questions on delay on the part of the in taking a decision, Saxena said a "comprehensive view" is required for which legal, model code and expenditure divisions are involved. Addressing a rally in Ausa of Latur in on April 9, Modi had urged young voters to cast ballots in the name of heroes of the Balakot air strike. The local poll authorities in are learnt to have told the here that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks asking first-time voters to dedicate their vote to those who carried out the Balakot air strike, are prima facie violative of its orders, asking parties against using the armed forces in their campaigns. Modi had said, "Can your first vote be dedicated to those who carried out the air strike." "I want to tell the first-time voters: can your first vote be dedicated to the veer jawans (valiant soldiers) who carried out the air strike in Can your first vote be dedicated to the veer shaheed (brave martyrs) of Pulwama (terror attack)," Modi had said. On a question about Modi's remarks not being violative of the EC's guidelines because he had not sought votes for any party, an official said the matter is before and it would decide on it Tuesday. A decision on Shah's reported remarks on 'Modi ji ki vayu sena' made in on Monday will also be taken on Tuesday. The EC had sought reports on Modi and Shah in the context of its advisory issued last month asking parties to desist from indulging in political propaganda involving actions of the armed forces. "...parties/candidates are advised that their campaigners/candidates should desist, as part of their election campaigning, from indulging in any political propaganda involving activities of defence forces," the commission said on March 19. Rahul Gandhi's 'chowkidar chor hai' jibe against Modi is also under EC lens and the decision is slated for Tuesday. Transcripts of his two media interactions/interviews in which he had reportedly made these remarks have been obtained and it is under the consideration of the Commission. (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 Rs 250-crore expansion plan of Aurobindo Pharmas manufacturing facility in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh has been accorded environmental clearance by the the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. The plan was for increasing the production capacity of for bulk drugs and intermediates manufacturing unit from 583.31 TPM (tonnes per month) to 1518.3 TPM, a press release said here Monday. The project involves also installation of a captive power plant of 8.85 MW, the release said. The project is expected to create jobs for 600 people directly and 120 indirectly, it said. The estimated cost for expansion is Rs 250 crore. The total capital cost earmarked for environmental pollution control measures is Rs 32.77 crore and the recurring cost (operations and maintenance) would be about Rs 8.84 crore per annum, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court Monday directed the AAP government to decide the parole plea of Balwan Khokhar, who along with former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar was sentenced to life imprisonment in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. Justice A K Chawla asked the Delhi government to decide on Khokhar's plea within two weeks after the end of the ongoing Lok Sabha election. The direction came after the Delhi government told the court that due to enforcement of the model code of conduct during elections, prisoners cannot be released during the poll period. Khokhar has sought a parole to file a special leave petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court order of December 17, 2018. The high court on December 17 last year had set aside the trial court's verdict, which acquitted Kumar in a case related to killing of five Sikhs in Raj Nagar Part-I area in Palam Colony in South West Delhi on November 1-2, 1984, and burning down of a gurdwara in Raj Nagar Part-II during that period. The riots had broken out after the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984 by her two Sikh bodyguards. The high court, in its verdict, had also upheld the conviction and varying sentences awarded by the trial court to the other five -- Khokhar, retired naval officer Captain Bhagmal, Girdhari Lal and former MLAs Mahender Yadav and Kishan Khokhar. It had also convicted them for criminal conspiracy to burn down residences of Sikh families and a gurdwara in the area during the riots. The trial court in 2013 had awarded life term to Balwan Khokhar, Bhagmal and Lal, and a three-year jail term to Yadav and Kishan Khokhar. Following the high court verdict, life term of Balwan Khokhar, Bhagmal and Lal has been upheld and the sentence of Yadav and Kishan Khokar has been enhanced to 10 years in jail. The high court, in its judgement, had said that the riots were a "crime against humanity" perpetrated by those who enjoyed "political patronage" and aided by an "indifferent" law enforcement agency. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court Monday refused to entertain a plea seeking to restrain the media from publishing allegations of sexual harassment against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi by a former Supreme Court employee. A bench headed by Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani disposed the plea filed by an NGO saying that the top court is seized of the matter and various orders have been passed, including directing initiation of certain inquiry. Once the top court is seized of the matter interference in the matter by this court is not called for, the bench said. "We have considered the contentions advanced and we are of the considered view that when the issue is pending consideration before the Supreme Court in the suo motu writ petition...and the Supreme Court has already expressed itself..., judicial propriety and discipline require that this Court should not interfere in the matter at all, when the matter is sub-judice before the Supreme Court. "In view of the above we see no reason to make any indulgence in the matter and, accordingly, we refrain from exercising jurisdiction," the high court said. During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General of India Maninder Acharya, appearing for the Centre, informed the court that the apex court is already seized of the matter and the question of restraining the media was raised before it. The NGO Anti Corruption Council of India had said publication of allegations against the CJI directly hit the Indian judicial system. The petition had sought immediate restriction on the media from further telecasting or publishing the allegations till conclusion of the three-judge panel's inquiry. The allegations levelled by the former woman employee of the Supreme Court are being inquired into by a three-judge panel of the apex court which held its first proceeding on Friday last. Besides electronic and print media, the plea had also sought directions for restraining the social media platforms. The petition had arrayed as parties the ministries of law and justice and information and broadcasting, the Delhi government, the Press Council of India and Delhi Police Commissioner. The plea had alleged that it suspects involvement of "anti-national elements" in this act and if publication of these allegations is not restricted, "people will lose faith in the Indian judicial system", and the "vast damage" caused to the nation and its people would be "irreparable". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Despite the scorching heat, over 43 per cent of 2.57 crore electorate Monday cast their votes till 1 pm in 13 Lok Sabha seats of Rajasthan. Maximum voter percentage of 53.45 was registered in Barmer, followed by Jodhpur where 46.41 per cent voters exercised their franchise till 1 pm. The voting began at 7 am in the 13 constituencies of Tonk-Sawaimadhopur, Ajmer, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Udaipur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Kota and Jhalawar-Baran, according to the office of the chief electoral officer. About 2.57 crore people are eligible to vote at 28,182 polling stations in the 13 constituencies where 115 candidates are in fray. Jodhpur is one of the most talked about seats where Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav is pitted against Union minister of state and MP Gajendra Singh Shekhwat. The fate of former Union minister Jaswant Singh's son and former MLA Manvendra Singh, erstwhile Jaipur royal family member Diya kumari, Union minister P P Chaudhary will also be decided in the polling Monday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Education leaders who oversee school improvement are having a tough time getting a handle on the role evidence must play in turnaround effortsand some are worried about the sheer volume of schools that could get identified as needing some sort of intervention in the age of the Every Student Succeeds Act. Those are two main conclusions from a new report from the Center on Education Policy, a nonpartisan Washington think tank that works to improve public schools. In addition, leaders interviewed for How States are Responding to ESSAs Evidence Requirements for School Improvement say theyre re-examining their relationships with education-technology and other vendors to see if the products they provide have evidence to back up whether they work. The types of support states are giving to districts also varies, with the approaches ranging from providing optional lists of improvement strategies to using regional education agencies for assistance. Turnaround strategies under ESSA must meet one of four tiers of evidence (see page 13 of the CEPs report for these tiers). Earlier this month, my colleague Alyson Klein looked at how schools are handling ESSAs demand for evidence in turnaround strategies. See In-Depth Education Week Coverage:Putting ESSAs Puzzle Together The group interviewed officials from seven states (selected for their diversity on a range of measures like population and governance), as part of the first phase of a CEP project on the topic. These officials are not identified by name in the report. On the number of schools identified for improvement, for example, one state leader told the CEP that, " We didnt expect that student achievement would be that low among subgroups in so many schools. That was an awakening for all of us. Another leader said that feedback from community members indicated that being persistently identified as a school needing improvement was self-defeating in many instances; as a result, this leader said the state wanted to make it easier for schools to shed the label. What about state capacity to support improvement? One leader gave a mixed outlook: Right now, we think we are going to be able to do this [carry out school improvement responsibilities]. We know that there are going to be issues when we start trying to provide all the resources we need. Dollarwise, we definitely have concerns. I think for the past two years weve done a good job at being more involved and building up peoples capacity. In terms of actual state support for turnaround efforts and the need for evidence-based strategies, one leader said, We put together a guidance document on how to use evidence-based practices. It walks districts through the problem-solving cycle of identifying their needs, selecting their interventions, implementation, and examining progress. But another told the CEP there were concerns on the consumer end: Schools are not generally made up of people who can read or consume research ... Our schools are struggling with this, our advocates are struggling with this. As for the U.S. Department of Educations role in all of this? One person criticized the political upheaval at the agency, adding, We dont feel like we are getting near the support from them. However, another respondent told the CEP that the department was at its most helpful when it left states alone. Anytime you get an email from them you kind of cringe, the state official told the group. Although the department might take issue with that particular sentiment, in general Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has stressed that she doesnt want her team to take a heavy-handed approach to the law. (That doesnt always mean shes thrilled wih how states are handling ESSA , however.) Read the full CEP report below: Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 . And follow the Andrew Ujifusa half of Politics K-12 @AndrewUjifusa . Over 6,500 people were told to quickly leave their homes near Montreal late Saturday and early Sunday after floodwaters breached a dike in rain-soaked eastern Canada. The evacuations came as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for increased measures to make infrastructure "climate resilient." The flooding across Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick "highlights how important it is that we fight climate change, that we adapt and mitigate the impacts of more extreme weather events," he said. According to the latest government data, nearly 8,000 people have been forced from their homes in Quebec -- more than in 2017, during what was then the area's worst flooding in half a century. The barrier protecting Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, just west of Montreal, gave way Saturday night, causing a surge of water of up to 1.5 meters (five feet) to crash through the area. "We didn't have time to do anything, the water rose while were chatting, I just had time to take my medication," one resident told public broadcaster Radio-Canada. Hundreds of policemen, firefighters and soldiers helped evacuate nearly 2,600 homes in the area, a provincial police spokesman said. "It's going very well. Thankfully no one was injured, no one is missing," Sergeant Daniel Thibodeau said. Around 1,700 soldiers have been deployed to the hardest-hit regions -- and Montreal and Ottawa declared states of emergency last week. In Fredericton, New Brunswick, crews have been busy hauling away driftwood and debris as waters start to recede. More than 400 households were flooded in the province, and the main highway connecting to the rest of Canada remained closed. In Ottawa, a bridge connecting the capital to Gatineau, Quebec was closed and 18 residents fled their flooded homes. Trudeau was in the Ottawa area on Saturday for a briefing from emergency management officials -- where he helped to fill sandbags with his young son. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A dog with pro-BJP stickers on its body was detained alongwith his master in north Maharashtra's Nandurbar town where polling for the Lok Sabha elections took place Monday. Eknath Motiram Chaudhary (65), resident of Navnathnagar area, was spotted with his dog near Andhare hospital Monday afternoon. The dog's body was found covered with stickers bearing the BJP's symbol and the message "Modi Lao, Desh Bachao" (Vote for Modi and save the country), a local police official said. As the polling was underway, police had received a complaint about the dog and his master who were roaming around the town, he said. A case was registered against Choudhary under section 171 (A) of the IPC for violation of election rules which prohibit campaigning on polling day. The police have asked the municipal corporation to take custody of the dog, the official added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot Monday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on course to becoming a "dictator" who talks of nationalism to captivate the people. After casting his vote with his family in the morning, the Congress leader told reporters that Modi had been "dividing the nation and the society in the name of nationalism", which posed a "threat" to democracy. Later in day, the chief minister spoke at a rally in Sardarshahar town under Churu Lok Sabha constituency which was also addressed by Congress president Rahul Gandhi. "History says every dictator first talks of nationalism and captivate the people. Modi has been doing the same thing, but the people, especially the young generation, need to understand this," Gehlot told reporters in Jodhpur in the morning. Modi is "on course to becoming a dictator, which is a huge threat to the democracy of the country", he said. "He (Modi) has a perverted version of patriotism and has got down to exploit this term to win the election only by emotionally misleading the people, especially the youth," the chief minister said. Gehlot accused Modi of turning the electoral debate from the issues of development to nationalism and patriotism. "Aren't others patriots?" he asked. After casting his vote, the chief minister left for Saipau village in Dholpur district to join Congress president Rahul Gandhi in a public meeting. At the election meeting in Sardarshahar town he claimed the prime minister wants to win the elections by engaging people in "issueless politics". "There should issues in elections. Rahul Gandhi has been repeatedly asking the prime minister to talk on issues," Gehlot said. "The prime minister never talks about his vision, policies, programmes for farmers, labourers, women, youths of the country. They (BJP leadership) want to win the election by engaging people in issues like Ram temple and patriotism. They want to win election in the name of the defence forces," the chief minister said. He alleged that an atmosphere of fear, hatred and violence has been created in the country, which is very dangerous for democracy. Claiming that the Congress always keeps its promises, the Rajasthan chief minister said, "Rahul Gandhi had promised farm loan waiver before the assembly elections and our government waived loans given by the cooperative bank and the Bhumi Vikas Bank as soon as the Congress came to power." "We promised to waive loans up to Rs 2 lakh taken from nationalized banks. We will do it after the Lok Sabha elections," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and China on Monday kicked off the first anniversary of the landmark "informal summit" between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Wuhan, which was largely credited to have improved the bilateral ties after the Doklam standoff, by holding a week-long India festival in the central Chinese city. To commemorate the first anniversary of the Modi-Xi talks held on April 27-28, 2018, India launched "Colours of India" week in Wuhan during which dance performances, movie screenings, photo exhibitions and other business and tourism promotion events will be organised. The programme was inaugurated by Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri and Deputy Mayor of Wuhan, Chen Xiexin. It is being jointly organised by Embassy of India, Beijing and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi in association with the Hubei Provincial Government and Wuhan Municipal Government and supported by the China Arts Association, a statement from Indian Embassy here said. The festival also included photo exhibitions on the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi; Buddhist heritage sites of India along with Buddhist-themed sculptures by renowned Indian photographer Benoy Behl. It also showcases the worldwide celebration of International Day of Yoga. An Indian film festival will be held as part of the celebrations during which five popular Indian movies, each one representing a specific genre, including romance, comedy, action thriller, adventure and drama, will be screened. The inaugural film will be the romantic movie Badrinath ki Dulhaniya starring Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt. A business event involving local Chinese companies will be held on April 30 to encourage Hubei business leaders to invest in India and explore opportunities with Indian IT companies and local Chinese industries. A Cooperation Framework Agreement between Indian company Zeta-V and Wuhan Software Association will be signed at the business event on April 30 to explore mutually beneficial cooperation in the IT sector. A presentation on Sino- Indian Digital Cooperative Plaza (SIDCOP) will also be made at the event. A tourism promotion roadshow is scheduled to be held on April 30 for deepening people-to-people exchanges between the two countries by introducing the unique experiences India offers as a tourist destination to Chinese travellers. As part of his visit to Wuhan for the India Week, Misri held consultations with Jiang Chaoliang, the ruling Communist Party Secretary of Hubei on Monday. The Wuhan summit was largely credited to have turned around the bilateral relations soured by the 73-day-long Doklam standoff, triggered by Chinese troops attempts to build a road close to Indian border in an area also claimed by Bhutan in 2017. India had objected to it as it came close to key highway connecting with North Eastern states. The standoff ended after Chinese troops halted plans to build the road. After the Wuhan summit, both the countries stepped up efforts to improve relations on different spheres including the military to military ties. Modi and Xi issued strategic guidance to their militaries to strengthen communications to build trust and understanding, a move aimed at avoiding a Doklam-like situation in the future. China said Xi will visit India to hold second informal summit after the general elections in India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister on Monday cautioned first-time voters against the 'mission mahamilavat', asserting that the opposition's grand alliance does not want a government with absolute majority. Addressing an election rally here, Modi also slammed the Congress, alleging that the party wants a weak government which it can "remote control". "The 'mission mahamilavat' is not in favour of a government with absolute majority at any cost. I want to caution all the first-time voters about their intentions," the prime minister said. Taking potshots at the 'mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) and its leaders, Modi said they owe allegiance to nobody, and are only interested in votes. "They are just not interested in the development of those areas where they do not see their votebank," he alleged. Meanwhile, the first phase of polling is underway in Jharkhand. An estimated 20.87 per cent of the 45.26 lakh electorate cast their votes till 11 am on Monday in three Lok Sabha constituencies of the state. Former Haryana Chief Secretary S C Chaudhary on Monday joined the Congress, the party said in a release here. He joined the party in Rohtak in the presence of former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the release said. Speaking on the occasion, Hooda said Chaudhary's long administrative experience will benefit the party. Chaudhary, a 1977 batch IAS officer, retired as Chief Secretary, Haryana in April 2014. Hooda said Chaudhary was known as "a very competent, honest, able and upright officer". The previous Hooda-led Congress government in Haryana had appointed Chaudhary as Chief Commissioner of the Haryana Right to Service commission in May 2014 and he remained in the post for almost five years. All 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana go to polls in the sixth phase on May 12. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Half of a group of 120 Sri Lankan migrants who arrived on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion two weeks ago were deported early on Monday, officials said. The group of 60, including three women and three children, were flown back to Sri Lanka in a special flight, the island's prefecture said in a statement. The group of 120 migrants arrived at Reunion on April 13, having made the 4,000-kilometre trip in a fishing boat. They each paid 2,000-5,000 euros (USD 2,230-USD 5,580) for the crossing. The fishing boat's three Indonesian crew members have been charged with assisting illegal immigration. Remanded in custody, they are scheduled to appear in court on May 15. Since March 2018, 273 Sri Lankans have arrived on Reunion Island, of whom 130 are still there. They are waiting for OFPRA (the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons) to rule on their asylum applications. All the others have been sent back to Sri Lanka. "There are clearly illegal immigration networks in operation," said Frederic Joram, secretary general of Reunion Island's prefecture. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) France may send its scientific instruments on board India's missions to Mars and Venus, French envoy to India Alexandre Ziegler said Monday. He said France and India are cooperating on the Gaganyaan project, India's human spaceflight mission, especially in the area of space medicine. "We are considering the possibility of embarking French scientific instruments on board in India's missions to Mars and Venus," he said, while delivering the inaugural address at the ORF's Kalpana Chawla Space Dialogue. This, he said, is in line with the India French joint vision for space cooperation signed in March 2018, the envoy said. Under this, the two countries also resolved to work on interplanetary missions to Mars and Venus. The two countries are also working on building a constellation of satellites for maritime surveillance in the Indian Ocean. India and France share the same interests and values in the outer space and the two countries intend to maintain their freedom of access to space, the envoy said. "And, we therefore refuse any destabilising arms race, which would be detrimental to all of us," he said. Last month, India demonstrated anti-satellite missile capability by shooting down a live satellite and described it as a rare achievement that put the country in an exclusive club of space super powers. On one hand, many hailed the feat, several from the international community criticised India's move stating that it added to the space debris. Ziegler also emphasised on regulation of space traffic in view of the overlapping trajectories of satellites. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist B N Suresh said India has so far launched 300 satellites of 23 countries. Speaking at the event, Rod Hilton, the Australian Deputy High Commissioner, said India is, has been, and will be one of Australia's top-tier international partners. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Madras High Court bench here Monday directed the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission to publish the reserve list of candidates who had applied for various posts in government service as mandated in the TNSPC rules and fill up all vacancies. Justice R Mahadevan, disposing of a petition filed by a Scheduled Caste candidate Paramanandham who wrote the TNSPC examination in 2014, said he was eligible for appointment in the vacancies that have arisen due to non-joining or joining and leaving of selected candidates. The judgesaid information obtained under the RTI Act would reveal there were a lot of vacancies, including in the SC category, due to leaving or non-joining of candidates. Under the TNPSC rules, a reserve list containing not less than 25 per cent of the candidates of each group, including those in the regular list, should be published. But the TNPSC had not published the reserve list, instead issued notification for fresh recruitment which resulted in denial of appointment of the petitioner, though he took part in the earlier selection process and was called thrice. The Judge directed authorities to consider the candidature of the petitioner against the existing vacancies and issue appointment order if it came within the vacancy limit pursuant to the notification on February 6, 2014. Also, the judge warned that if the present mode of recruitment continued and if any deviation was found in future, it would be viewed seriously. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Chhattisgarh High Court Monday granted anticipatory bail to IAS officer Anil Tuteja, one of the accused in the multi-crore civil supply scam unearthed in 2015 during the previous BJP government in the state. Justice Ram Prasanna Sharma granted bail to Tuteja, who has claimed no direct evidence against him, after hearing his anticipatory bail plea, his lawyer Peeyush Bhatia said. A case was registered at the office of Economic Offences Wing/Anti-Corruption Bureau of the state police at Raipur in 2015 in connection with the alleged scam, he said. During that time, the ACB and EOW had raided 28 premises of officials and employees of Chhattisgarh State Civil Supply Corporation (CSCSC) and registered a case against 18 people, including two Indian Administrative Service officers Tuteja and Alok Shukla, he said. Several officials and employees were also arrested in this connection, he said. Tuteja was then posted as managing director of the corporation. The Centre had granted sanction for prosecution of Tuteja in 2016, Bhatia said. A supplementary charge sheet was filed in the case in December 2018 before special judge (prevention of corruption act) in Raipur in which Tuteja was made an accused, he said. Meanwhile, Tuteja had filed anticipatory bail application in the high court, contenting there was no direct evidence against him in the case, he said. The petitioners counsels, Avi Singh and Bhatia, in the HC argued their client was charge-sheeted under sections 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant) and 420 (cheating), but there is no evidence against him to prove these charges. They argued the petitioner has been also booked under section 13(1) (D) and 11 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, but there is no prima facie evidence that he obtained for himself any pecuniary advantage of any valuable thing. The FIR in the case was lodged in 2015 but Tuteja was not interrogated then. He was directly chargesheeted in 2018, three years after the FIR was lodged, but no evidence was made presented against him, Bhatia said. On the other hand, the state governments counsel opposed the anticipatory bail application. He submitted that though there is no direct evidence against Tuteja, the evidence collected by the prosecution should be taken as a whole. Therefore, the applicant (Tuteja) is also liable to be charged in the case, the government counsel said. After hearing the arguments of both sides, the HC granted bail to Tuteja, citing lack of direct evidence against him, Bhatia said. The alleged scam came to light in February 2015 when ACB and EOW sleuths conducted simultaneous raids at premises of CSCSC and its officials. The scam related to supply of poor quality salt and rice under Public Distribution System (PDS), and payment of money to certain officials. The Congress had then claimed the scam was worth Rs 36,000 crore and alleged the then Chief Minister Raman Singh and other high-profile people were named as its beneficiaries in a diary recovered during the raids. After the formation of the Congress government in the state in December last year, Tuteja had demanded a detailed investigation into the case. Later, the Congress government set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the case. The opposition BJP had termed the decision to form the SIT as vindictive politics by the Congress. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Calcutta High Court Monday refused to pass any injunction on the Election Commission's decision to keep TMC's Birbhum district president Anubrata Mandal under surveillance. The poll body had on Sunday ordered that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) strongman, who has often invited controversies with his remarks against opposition parties, be kept under scanner from 6 pm of April 28 to 7 am of April 30. Polling is underway in Birbhum and seven other Lok Sabha constituencies of West Bengal in the fourth phase of the general election Monday. Moving the petition for Mandal, TMC general secretary Baishyanor Chattopadhyay submitted that there was no ground for restricting his movement. The court, however, noted that the EC has mentioned in its order that it has taken the decision based on feedback received by its officials and that the move was necessitated to ensure free and fair elections. Justice Debangshu Basak, refusing to pass any interim injunction on the EC's order, directed Mandal and the poll panel to file affidavits on the maintainability of the petition of the TMC leader. While Mandal will get two weeks to file his affidavit, the poll panel has been directed by the court to file its reply in another week after that. The matter is scheduled for hearing in the court after three weeks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Uttarakhand High Court on Monday sought a reply from the Centre on the proposed disinvestment of Ramnagar-based IndianMedicines Pharmaceutical Corporation Ltd. Justice Alok Singh asked the Centre to file a counter affidavit on a writ petition challenging the proposed disinvestment move on the plea that it was a profit making company set up in the backward area to boost employment generation for locals. The writ petition has been filed by IMPCL Karmachari Sangh through its secretary Jaipal Singh Rawat, counsel for the petitioner Kartikeya Hari Gupta said. IMPCL employees, in their petition, said they had worked very hard to make it a profit makingcompany and at this stage its proposed disinvestment by the Government was arbitrary and illegal, Gupta said. Disinvesting in the company and privatising it will make its services suffer, the petition said and also questioned the rationale behind the decision. Ifthe Centre has not disinvested inAir India in spite of its being a loss making company, why should it disinvest in IMPCL, the petition said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Calcutta High Court Monday directed the West Bengal DGP, home secretary, police commissioner of Howrah and other officials to file separate personal affidavits on violence at Howrah court premises last week which left several persons injured and led to ceasework by lawyers in the state. Hearing a suo motu writ petition on the violence, a division bench headed by Chief Justice T B N Radhakrishnan observed that unauthorised intrusion into court premises and the activities would stand to breach the Constitution and the laws. Lawyers at the Howrah district court and employees of the Howrah Municipal Corporation, which is located opposite to the court, clashed on April 24 over vehicle parking. The lawyers alleged police highhandedness in controlling the situation. Several persons, including lawyers, were injured in the incident. The bench said the executive agency of a state has the constitutional duty to provide infrastructure for courts and protect those institutions and premises dedicated for activities in connection with the courts. The bench, also comprising Justice Arijit Banerjee, said the courts are constitutional forts of power and authority from where judicial power is exercised on behalf of the sovereign. Apart from the DGP, the home secretary and the police commissioner, the bench also directed the commissioner of Howrah Municipal Corporation and station house officer of Howrah to file separate personal affidavits on the untoward incidents of April 24. The court directed that the affidavits be filed by May 1 when the matter would be taken up for hearing again. The bench also directed that the high court, on the administrative side, will carry out the exercises to ensure smooth judicial functioning of courts at Howrah. The Chief Justice also requested the lawyers, who are on ceasework, to attend courts. Condemning the alleged attack on lawyers, the Bar Council of West Bengal had on Thursday urged the bar associations of all courts in the state to observe ceasework from Friday to Monday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CPI candidate Kanhaiya Kumar on Monday exuded confidence he will come up trumps in his much-talked about electoral debut against nominees of the mightier BJP and the RJD, asserting that people of Begusarai would vote from "dil" (hearts) and not go by dal (party). Waiting for his turn to cast his vote at a polling station inside a government secondary school that he had attended, the former JNU students' union president said he was excited to be at his alma mater in a new role. The 32-year-old, who shot to fame three years ago when he was booked in a sedition case lodged in Delhi, is engaged in a three-cornered contest with Union minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh and RJD veteran Tanveer Hassan. "In Begusarai, voting will be dil se, not dal se I have received enormous support from the people of the constituency The ruling dispensation here stands for the rich and powerful, while I stand for the common citizenry, of which I am also a part," the Left debutant said. Dismissing allegations from his rivals that he represented a "B Team" working to help a more formidable candidate, Kumar quipped, "There is an old Bollywood number - kuchh to log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna. People may say all sorts of things. All rumours will be put paid to when the results are out". Meanwhile, RJD candidate Hassan - who had finished a runner-up five years ago - lashed out at the CPI nominee and his supporters for carrying out a "false campaign" that he has issued a last-minute appeal to support Kanhaiya. Taking to Twitter, the RJD candidate debunked statements put out by many Left supporters in this regard and asserted that he was in the fray as a "serious contender". RJD supremo Lalu Prasad is said to have initially been in favor of supporting Kumar but decided otherwise at the instance of his younger son and political heir Tejashwi Yadav. Last week, CPI general secretary Sudhakar Reddy had appealed to Yadav to ask Hassan to "retire" from the contest and help the Left candidate win with an emphatic margin. The request was, however, rebuffed by RJD national vice-president Shivanand Tiwary, who challenged the Left party to do likewise "in the common interest of fighting the BJP". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India increased its defence spending by 3.1 per cent to USD 66.5 billion in 2018 while Pakistan hiked it by a hefty 11 per cent to touch USD 11.4 billion, according to a new report on global military expenditure released on Monday by a leading Swedish think tank. The total world military expenditure rose to USD 1,822 billion in 2018, representing an increase of 2.6 per cent from 2017, The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said in its annual report. The five biggest spenders in 2018 were the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, India and France, which together accounted for 60 per cent of global military spending, it said. Military spending by the US increased for the first time since 2010, while spending by China grew for the 24th consecutive year. In South Asia, the SIPRI said India increased its military spending by 3.1 per cent to USD 66.5 billion in 2018. Military expenditure by Pakistan grew by 11 per cent (the same level of growth as in 2017), to reach USD 11.4 billion in 2018. Total global military spending rose for the second consecutive year in 2018, to the highest level since 1988the first year for which consistent global data is available. World spending is now 76 per cent higher than the post-cold war low in 1998. World military spending in 2018 represented 2.1 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP) or USD 239 per person. "In 2018 the USA and China accounted for half of the world's military spending," says Dr Nan Tian, a researcher with the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure (AMEX) programme. "The higher level of world military expenditure in 2018 is mainly the result of significant increases in spending by these two countries," he said. America's military spending grew - for the first time since 2010 - by 4.6 per cent, to reach USD 649 billion in 2018. The US remained by far the largest spender in the world, and spent almost as much on its military in 2018 as the next eight largest-spending countries combined, SIPRI said in a press release. "The increase in US spending was driven by the implementation from 2017 of new arms procurement programmes under the Trump administration," according to Dr Aude Fleurant, the director of the SIPRI AMEX programme. China, the second-largest spender in the world, increased its military expenditure by 5.0 per cent to USD 250 billion in 2018. This was the 24th consecutive year of increase in Chinese military expenditure. Its spending in 2018 was almost 10 times higher than in 1994, and accounted for 14 per cent of world military spending, the release said. "Growth in Chinese military spending tracks the country's overall economic growth," according to Tian. China has allocated 1.9 per cent of its GDP to the military every year since 2013, the SIPRI release said. "The tensions between countries in Asia as well as between China and the USA are major drivers for the continuing growth of military spending in the region," according to Siemon Wezeman, a senior researcher with the SIPRI AMEX programme. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and Peru will hold their next round of negotiations for proposed free-trade agreement (FTA), aimed at boosting two-way commerce and investments, here in August, an official said. "Chief negotiators from both the countries will hold the fifth round of negotiations for the agreement in August," the official said. In an FTA, two trading partners significantly reduce or eliminate duties on most of the goods traded between them besides relaxing norms and rules to promote trade in services and increase bilateral investments. In the fourth round of talks, senior officials of both the sides deliberated upon issues such as customs procedures, trade facilitation, market access for goods and movement of professionals. The fourth round was held between March 11 and 15 this year in Lima, Peru. The main chapters of the agreement include trade in services, movement of professionals, investments, dispute settlement, technical barriers to trade, trade remedies, rules of origin of goods, customs procedures and trade facilitation. With growing uncertainties in its traditional markets, including the US and Europe, India is looking to enhance engagements with other regions such as Africa, South America and Central Asia. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) said Peru holds enormous opportunities for domestic exports. "South America has huge trade potential. The agreement would help boost exports between the two countries," FIEO President Ganesh Kumar Gupta said. Peru ranked third among export destinations for India in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. The bilateral trade between the nations increased to USD 3.13 billion in 2017-18 from USD 1.77 billion in the previous fiscal. Among the top-10 commodities that India exports to Peru are motor vehicles, cars, auto components, tyres, dyes, products of iron and steel, cotton yarn and fabrics. While the imports include bulk minerals and ores, gold, fertilisers, aluminium, coffee, crude oil and zinc. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Indian is among the 13 foreign nationals arrested by police for violating Sri Lankan immigration laws during their stay in the country, police said on Monday. The 20-year-old Indian was arrested from Mount Lavinia without a valid visa on Monday, police spokesman S P Ruwan Gunasekara said, adding that he would be produced before the magistrate's court on Tuesday. The others arrested for the crime include ten Nigerians, an Iraqi and a Thai staying in different parts of the Lankan capital. They will be produced in the courts today, he was quoted as saying by the SundayTimes. The arrests have come after the Sri Lankan government beefed up security measures following the country's worst terror attacks on Easter Sunday, killing 253 people and injuring 500 others. A total of 106 suspects, including a Tamil medium teacher and a school principal, have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday blasts. According to Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry, the number of foreign nationals who have been identified as killed remained at 40, including 11 from India. has a population of 21 million which is a patchwork of ethnicities and religions, dominated by the Sinhalese Buddhist majority. Indonesia's navy says one of its patrol boats was rammed by two Vietnamese coast guard ships after intercepting an alleged illegal fishing boat. The commander of Indonesia's Western Fleet, Rear Adm. Yudo Margono, said the Vietnamese fishing boat sank during the clash Saturday and Indonesia has detained 12 Vietnamese fishermen. Two others were rescued by Vietnam's coast guard. Margono said in a statement Monday that the Vietnamese fishing vessel was detained in waters off Indonesia's Natuna island chain, which is the southernmost reaches of the South China Sea. Indonesia calls the waters the North Natuna Sea. Video purportedly shot from the Indonesian vessel shows a Vietnamese patrol boat colliding with it as Indonesian seamen shout out insults such as "dog," ''pig" and "you die. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress Monday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for claiming that he was in touch with 40 MLAs of the TMC in West Bengal, asking if the statement tantamounts to horse trading or not. Making a sensational claim in the middle of the general election, Modi said 40 TMC MLAs were in touch with him and will desert their party once the BJP wins the poll. "Modi ji has claimed that he is in touch with 40 MLAs of the TMC. Is it not horse trading? Is it not open talk of buying and selling. Does it not show the political bankruptcy of the BJP," Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said. "It is clear that after the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP has accepted the defeat," he tweeted in Hindi. On the campaign trail in West Bengal's Serampore Lok Sabha seat in Hoogly district and Barrackpore constituency in North 24 Parganas, Modi assailed TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee over her prime ministerial ambitions, saying "Didi, Dilli door hai (Delhi is far away)." "Didi, even your MLAs will desert you when the results of this election are out. Your 40 MLAs are in touch with me and all your MLAs will desert you once the BJP wins the election. Political ground has slipped from under your feet," Modi said. The TMC leadership was quick to hit back, accusing the prime minister of horse trading, and saying it would complain to the Election Commission about it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A special CBI court is likely to pass an order on May 2 on the applications of retired police officers D G Vanzara and N K Amin seeking dropping of proceeding against them in the Ishrat Jahan alleged fake encounter case after the Gujarat government declined the sanction to prosecute them. Special CBI judge J K Pandya on Monday said he may pass the order on May 2. The court had earlier concluded hearing in the case on April 16, and had kept Monday as the date to pass its order. The two retired police officers, accused in the Ishrat Jahan alleged encounter case, have sought that proceedings against them in the case be dropped as the state government has decided not to grant sanction to the CBI to prosecute them as required under section 197 of the CrPC. Under section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the government's sanction is necessary for prosecution of a public servant for an act done as part of official duty. The court had in the past rejected their discharge applications in the same case. While the CBI refused to take any stand on the state government's decision to decline sanction to prosecute the two accused, the mother of Ishrat Jahan, Shamima Kauser, has opposed their applications. In a written submission made through her lawyer Vrinda Grover, Kauser has said that the pleas to drop proceedings were "untenable in law and unsustainable on facts", and that the state government was not the appropriate authority to refuse sanction to prosecute the two officers. She said the order of the state government amounted to "interference with the administration of justice". "It is a matter of record that it is the Union ministry of Home Affairs and not the state of Gujarat which is the appropriate sanctioning authority in the present case," she said. Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to seek sanction for prosecution was not applicable in the present case that deals with "abduction, confinement and murder", which were grave and heinous crimes falling outside the scope of official duty, she contended. "The material on record shows that there was no encounter/confrontation with the deceased, that the encounter was set up and a fake encounter staged," she said. Vanzara's lawyer V D Gajjar has argued that the court cannot determine the validity of the sanction order and any review was not possible. He said judicial findings of the case had established that there was no "fake encounter" on part of police officers. He said the sanction for prosecution was declined after the state government went through materials on record, examined the facts and circumstances of the case fully. Vanzara, a former IPS officer, and Amin, who recently retired as a superintendent of police, had moved the pleas seeking that the proceedings against them be dropped soon after the Central Bureau of Investigation told the court that the Gujarat government has not given its sanction to prosecute them. Ishrat, a 19-year-old woman from Mumbra near Mumbai, Javed Shaikh alias Pranesh Pillai, Amjadali Akbarali Rana and Zeeshan Johar were killed by Gujarat police in an alleged fake encounter on the outskirts of Ahmedabad on June 15, 2004. The police had claimed that they had links with terrorists. The charge sheet filed by the CBI names several police officers, including Vanzara and Amin. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jammu and Kashmir BJP Monday pitched for permanent closure of cross-LoC trade, currently suspended on the direction of the Centre, saying it has developed into a channel to foment trouble and sponsor illegal and unwanted activities. The saffron party also launched a scathing attack on National Conference and PDP leadership for their stand on Article 370 and Article 35A which, according to the BJP, have lost their relevance and time has come for their "removal for good". Article 370 of the Constitution grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir and limits Parliament's power to make laws concerning the state, while Article 35A empowers the state assembly to define 'permanent residents' for bestowing special rights and privileges on them. "The cross-LoC trade has brought countless miseries to the state as it has developed into a channel to foment trouble and do illegal and unwanted activity. Its suspension should pave the way for its permanent closure," BJP state spokesperson Brig (Retd) Anil Gupta told reporters here. On April 18, India indefinitely suspended cross-LoC trade at two points along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir following reports that it was being "misused" by elements from across the border to smuggle weapons, narcotics and fake currency. The LoC trade across Chakan-Da-Bagh in Poonch district of the Jammu region and Salamabad in the Baramulla district of north Kashmir was intended as a confidence-building measure for the population living in Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. BJP state spokesperson on Kashmir Affairs Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo and another state spokesperson Balbir Ram Rattan also addressed the press conference. "The BJP would like to reiterate that Article 370 and Article 35A have lost their relevance, if they had any, and time has come for their removal for good. They have been a basis to mislead the people about the constitutional and political status of the state and thus create a situation where the younger generations would be prone to political blackmailing and exploitation," Chrungoo said. He said these provisions cannot be allowed to provide an alibi for "separation, hatred, misuse of power, gender bias and infringement of fundamental rights" guaranteed by the Constitution. "The Article 370 and Article 35A need to go on the first available opportunity once the government has the necessary legislative numbers," he said. On PDP president and former CM Mehbooba Mufti's recent remark that Article 370 is the basis of the state's relationship with the country and that if the prime minister thinks Kashmir is in loss because of it, then they should leave Kashmir, Chrungoo said her comments are not only unwarranted and unwanted but are also bereft of normal political sagacity. "The statement is aimed at raising passions and emotions and causing harm to the established constitutional and political practices in the state," he said, adding the PDP chief is not interested in mitigating the sufferings of the masses in the state. He said it needs to be made clear that since the Kashmir province is a part of the state, the province has no exclusive right to represent the state as a whole. "It has been established well that the last seven decades of political blackmailing, that had the tacit support of the Congress party, was engineered by a couple of political families of the valley. They did it to suit their own political ends and used their parties and their position to this effect," he claimed. The BJP leadersaid the statements of PDP and NC leaders expose their "ignorance of history, political arrangements and ground realities" in Kashmir valley. "There is need of an open debate and dialogue on all issues concerning the future of our society, state and younger generations. We invite all those who feel suffocated in these political parties, due to lack of inner democracy, to join open discussion and debate on issues like nationalism, development, national security and on terrorism (as an enemy outside and within)," Gupta said. Rattan said Jammu and Kashmir is nobody's fiefdom and the people of Jammu, Ladakh, Kashmiri Pandits and other minorities and also the nationalist people of Kashmir rejected the secessionist ideology and practice. "They have deep emotional bonding with the rest of India. Our cultural, historical, traditional and practical relationships are more important than the invented so-called narratives of separation and hatred," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Polling began in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir -- part of the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency -- on Monday amid stringent security arrangements as the voting in the second leg of the three-phased schedule for the Lok Sabha seat would decide the fate of 18 candidates, including former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti. Polling began at 7 am in the district and would end at 4 pm, officials said. They said all arrangements were in place to ensure smooth conduct of the second leg of the three-phased parliamentary polls in the Anantnag constituency in the restive south Kashmir. Stringent and elaborate security arrangements have been put in place in the district in the restive south Kashmir to ensure smooth conduct of polling, the officials said. They said a multi-layered security set-up was put in place as part of an elaborate security plan for protection of polling booths, handling of law and order problems and thwarting the designs of anti-national elements to disrupt the polls and also to instil a sense of confidence among voters for ensuring free, fair, transparent and smooth conduct of elections in the district. The officials said all of the 433 polling stations have been designated either as hyper-sensitive or sensitive and a massive security layer has been thrown around the polling stations, many of which have been clubbed. The Kulgam district, which comprises four assembly segments of Kulgam, Devsar, Noorabad and Hom Shalibugh, has 3,45,489 electors, including 1,79,607 males, 1,64,604 females, 1265 service electors and 13 transgender voters. Out of these, the Kulgam Assembly segment has the highest number of 98,298 voters (51,051 males, 46,818 females, 455 service voters and 4 transgender voters), while as Noorabad has the lowest 77,171 electors, including 40,093 males, 36,886 females, 188 service voters and 4 transgender voters. The Assembly segment of Devsar has 91,288 voters (47,467 males, 43,324 females, 492 service voters and five transgender voters), and the Hom Shalibugh segment has 78,669 voters (40,996 males, 37,576 females and 127 service voters). The Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency is spread over four districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama with 16 assembly segments. The Lok Sabha polls to this constituency are being held in three phases due to security reasons. Anantnag district went to polls on 23 April, while voting in Pulwama and Shopian districts will take place on 6 May. The Election Commission has curtailed the polling duration for the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency by two hours following a request from the state police to this effect. The revised polling timing is from 7 am to 4 pm. There are 18 candidates in the fray for the Anantnag constituency, including PDP president and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti. The Congress has fielded its state president Ghulam Ahmad Mir, while former High Court judge Hasnain Masoodi is contesting on the National Conference ticket. The other candidates in the fray include former MLC Sofi Yousuf (BJP), Nisar Ahmad Wani (National Panthers Party), Zaffar Ali (People's Conference), Sanjay Kumar Dhar (Manav Adhikar Party) and Surinder Singh (Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party). Imtiyaz Ahmad Rather, Ridwana Sanam, Riyaz Ahmad Bhat, Zubair Masoodi, Shamas Khwaja, Ali Mohammad Wani, Gh Mohammad Wani, Kyasir Ahmed Shiekh, Manzoor Ahmed Khan and Mirza Sajad Hussain Beigh are all independents. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gunmen killed four worshippers and a pastor in the first jihadist attack on a church in Burkina Faso, security and local sources said Monday. Sunday's attack took place in the small northern town of Silgadji near Djibo, the capital of Soum province, and two others were reported missing. "Unidentified armed individuals have attacked the Protestant church in Silgadji, killing four members of the congregation and the main pastor," a security source told AFP. "At least two other people are missing," the source added. It was the first attack on a church since jihadist violence erupted in the west African nation. Muslim clerics and imams have been targeted as well. "The attack happened around 1:00 pm, just as the faithful were leaving the church at the end of the service," a member of the church who did not want to be identified told AFP. "The attackers were on motorbikes. They fired in the air before aiming at the members of the congregation," the witness added. Burkina Faso has suffered from increasingly frequent and deadly attacks attributed to a number of jihadist groups, including the Ansarul Islam group, the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM) and Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. The attacks started in the north of the country before targetting the capital Ouagadougou and other regions, notably the east of the country. In February, a Spanish priest, Father Cesar Fernandez, was killed in a raid attributed to jihadists in Nohao in the centre of the country. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Karnataka BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje Monday appealed to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to ensure the CID conducts a fair probe into the arrest of journalist S A Hemant Kumar for allegedly circulating a "fake letter". Kumar was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Friday for allegedly sharing a fake letter, purportedly written by State Home Minister M B Patil to Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi in 2017 for religion tag to the Lingayat sect, with the website Postcard "There is no connection between Hemant Kumar and this fake letter. The JD(S)-Congress government is filing false cases against BJP workers and party sympathisers on fear of losing elections," Karandlaje told reporters. The BJP state general secretary and MP from Udupi-Chikmagalur said she does not have "faith" in the investigation being conducted by Hemant Nimbalkar, Inspector General of Police, CID, economic offence wing and cybercrime. "I have informed Rajnath-ji that the way Nimbalkar is probing, we have doubts. He is siding with one party. His wife is a member of Vidhana Sabha and the Congress party. We don't have faith in the probe," she said. In his representation to the union home minister, Karandlaje said, "The police instead of finding the real culprit of the alleged fake letter written by M B Patil or to find out the authenticity of the letter, they are going after innocent journalist Hemant Kumar who has no role in any conspiracy. He is being falsely framed in the case by police to please the minister (Patil)." Stating the CID should be unbiased, the BJP leader sought the central government's intervention in the matter to ensure the DGP of Karnataka stops "vindictive reprisal" against BJP workers and act as per the law. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Living miles away from their native place for the past three decades, Kashmiri Pandits Monday voted for "restoration of peace" in terror-hit South Kashmir and demanded scrapping of M-forms. The second phase of the three-phased elections to the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency took place Monday. The constituency is undergoing polls in three phases due to security reasons. Meanwhile, Kashmiri migrant voters staged a demonstration outside a special polling station here after several of them found their names missing from the voters list. They also alleged that the "cumbersome" M-forms were discouraging them from exercising their franchise. "I voted in support of Modi with a hope that he will facilitate the return of peace to the restive South Kashmir," Avtar Krishen Bhat (78) told PTI. Bhat, who hails from Kulgam and cast his vote at a special polling station at Muthi, said, "We want to return and resettle in our homeland without fear and threat." His family had to leave Kulgam in 1990 after two Kashmiri Pandits - a father and son - were killed by terrorists in broad day light. The septuagenarian credited the Governor administration with bringing down terror activities in this belt. He said there has been a dip in militant recruitment, terrorist attacks, terror funding and stone pelting incidents. Hailing from Devsar belt of Kulgam district, D P Dhar hopes that the promises made by political parties will finally be a reality after the elections. Echoing his sentiment, Rajni Koul of Chawalgam belt, who cast her vote at Jagti Camp polling station, said she hopes the new government will formulate a return policy for the Kashmiri migrants. "The new government should give us a good rehabilitation package with safety features. Our youngsters should be given more jobs in Kashmir. Traders should be given loans to re-start their business apart from initiating confidence-building measures," she said. Meanwhile, many Kashmiri Pandits demanded scrapping of M-forms. "The government and ECI should do away with M-forms. We filed up the cumbersome M-forms to exercise our right to vote, but were left dejected at not finding our names in the list," Sarla Razdan said. The protesters also threatened to boycott the upcoming assembly polls if the poll body continued with the present formalities. "Kashmiri Pandits (KPs) had filed the necessary M-Forms for voting... the voter list is made available only a day before the polling, leaving several with no option but to return if their names are missing from the list," NC minority cell chairman M K Yogi said. "If the process of M-forms is not scrapped, KPs will boycott the assembly polls," he added. Out of over 99,000 registered migrant voters, 38,564 voters are in the Anantnag constituency, officials said. Many first-time voters also cast their votes at polling stations set up in Muthi and Jagati camps not only for rehabilitation, but also for a "stable and strong" central government. "Over 64 per cent votes (by Kashmiri migrants) were polled today. As many as 1,784 such voters cast their votes in the second phase, out of a total of 2,779 registered voters, after completing the required formalities," Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) for Migrants, Pankaj Anand told PTI. Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and state Congress chief G A Mir are among the 18 candidates whose fate will be decided from the constituency, which has a large number of registered migrant voters. The Election Commission had set up 21 special polling stations for Kashmiri migrant voters in Jammu, one in Udhampur and four in Delhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday lauded Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav for fielding dismissed Border Security Force constable Tej Bahadur Yadav against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi. The former BSF constable was dismissed in 2017 after he posted a video online complaining about the food served to the troops. Lauding the SP chief, Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi, "On one hand there is a person who risked his life for the country and lost his job to fight for the rights of jawans, while on the other hand there is this person who fired a jawan who raised his voice and asks votes over martyred soldiers." Tej Bahadur Yadav will be contesting the Lok Sabha election as a candidate of the grand alliance - Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Samajwadi Party (SP) and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). He will be challenging Modi in Varanasi constituency of Uttar Pradesh, an SP leader said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As campaigning peaks for the sixth phase of polling, Manohar Lal Khattar and Bhupinder Singh Hooda engaged in a war of words on Monday, with the Haryana chief minister asking his predecessor to stop "day dreaming" about helming the state again. Hooda responded by taking a veiled dig at Khattar's bachelor status. He said Khattar does not understand the respect that sons-in-law and other relations have in India's culture and society. All the 10 seats in Haryana will vote on May 12. Interacting with people in Rohtak, Khattar said the senior Congress leader is harbouring the ambition of becoming the chief minister again but he should stop day dreaming about it. He criticised Hooda for reportedly saying his victory from Sonipat Lok Sabha seat would pave the way for him to regain the chief minister's chair through Delhi. "Leave aside reaching Chandigarh, the former chief minister will not even get a chance to reach Delhi," Khattar said. Hooda, a sitting MLA from Garhi Sampla-Kiloi in Rohtak district, is the Congress candidate from Sonipat. His son Deepender Hooda is seeking re-election for the fourth term from Rohtak parliamentary seat, considered a stronghold of the Hooda family. Rohtak was the only constituency Congress won in 2014, beating a strong "Modi wave". After Haryana came into existence as a separate state in 1966, the BJP formed government in the state on its own for the first time in 2014. Since then it has stepped up its political activities in Rohtak, in a bid to weaken the hold of the Hoodas and the Congress party. Campaigning in Jind district, Hooda hit back at Khattar. "The chief minister does not understand the value of people and relationships and does not have any respect for them. I can only tell him to uphold the dignity of the office he holds, he said. "I am a son-in-law here (Sonipat) but in other parts I am a son, elsewhere I am a brother-in-law, and in some places an uncle, as I am tied in relations across the state," Hooda said. He also attacked the BJP, saying "its nationalism is fake, aimed only at drawing political advantage from the sacrifice and valour of our armed forces. Hooda said, After the BJP came to power by making tall promises, they threw their manifesto in the dustbin and their government did nothing. This is why they have been forced to seek votes in the name of Modi. On Sunday in Sonipat, Khattar had said Congress leaders were "avoiding" seeking votes in the name of their party president Rahul Gandhi for fear of losing. Besides, Khattar reportedly launched a personal attack on Hooda dubbing him a bigdail Jamai (spoilt son-in-law). Hooda's wife Asha belongs to Sonipat, from where the former CM is fighting LS polls. On Monday, Khattar claimed the opposition has already admitted defeat by reading the writing on the wall". "People have made up their mind for the 10 seats which will go to BJP." Referring to Rohtak and Sonipat Lok Sabha seats, Khattar said the time has come for the father-son duo to make an exit. "A strong Modi wave is there not only in Haryana but in the entire country," he claimed. Retorting back, Hooda threw a challenge to the chief minister: "Let Khattar resign as chief minister if his claim is proved wrong. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to address a rally in Rohtak on the last day of campaigning for the sixth phase on May 10. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "Game of Thrones" star Kit Harington says after the HBO epic fantasy series ends with its eighth and final season, he would like to re-team with Sophie Turner on another project. The British actor plays Jon Snow in the popular series, while Turner essays the role of Sansa Stark. It was revealed in the last episode of season seven that Sansa and Jon are related by blood. "I'm always going to be very fond of it. It's hard to remember who any of the cast members were 10 years ago," Harington told People magazine. Harington, however, believes fans might have some concerns and reservations with him and Turner having any other equation on screen. The 32-year-old actor added that apart from Turner, he would also like to work with his wife Rose Leslie, whom he met on the sets of the series, which had its premiere in 2011. Leslie played Ygritte on the show. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Introducing a tough new legislation to eliminate jihadism and extremism from Sri Lanka is the government's top priority, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said in the aftermath of country's worst terror attacks on Easter Sunday. The deadly attacks could have been prevented if the new Counter Terrorism Bill, which provides for territorial jurisdiction, was passed in Parliament without delay, he said on Sunday after joining the Sunday Mass in Colombo and the mass at the Saint Anthony's church in Kochchikade, a week after the deadly suicide bombing killed over 250 people. "No anti-terrorism law in Sri Lanka provides for territorial jurisdiction under which a cadre belonging to an international terrorist organisation could be arrested in Sri Lanka if they are found. Not even the penal code provides that provision," the Prime Minister was quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror. Introducing legislation against extremism is a priority for the government and new laws will be introduced to eliminate jihadism from the country, Wickremesinghe was quoted as saying by the Colombo Page. "We have included this provision in the new Counter Terrorism Bill. However, it is stuck in Parliament for months. The Easter Sunday attacks could have been prevented if this legislation was passed," he said. Nine suicide bombers carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on the Easter Sunday, killing 253 people. The Islamic State claimed the attacks, but the government has blamed local Islamist extremist group National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) for the attacks. Sri Lanka on Saturday banned the NTJ and a splinter group linked to the ISIS. A total of 106 suspects, including a Tamil medium teacher and a school principal, have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday blasts. Wickremesinghe reiterated that defence authorities should have acted upon the warnings given by intelligence units. "There has been no breakdown in the intelligence services but the issue has been that the defence authorities had not acted upon the warnings," he added. Last week, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene accepted that there had been "major" lapses in the security arrangements. Sri Lankan and international media reported that India and the US provided specific warnings about terror attacks to Sri Lanka, ahead of the Easter Sunday bombings. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bar Council of West Bengal on Monday extended the ceasework called by it to protest alleged attack on lawyers at a Howrah court by municipal workers and policemen till May 2, its vice-chairman Siddhartha Mukhopadhyay said. The Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court TBN Radhakrishnan, while taking suo motu cognisance of the violence at Howrah court premises, Monday requested the lawyers to lift the ceasework. "Since no concrete steps have been taken to identify and punish the perpetrators of the April 24 attack, the Bar Council has decided to extend the ceasework till May two," Mukhopadhyay said. The elected members of the council are scheduled to meet the Chief Justice on Tuesday to discuss the issue, he said. Lawyers at the Howrah district court and employees of the Howrah Municipal Corporation, which is located opposite to the court, clashed on April 24 over parking of a vehicle. The lawyers alleged police highhandedness in controlling the situation. Several persons, including lawyers, were injured in the incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The opposition Left Front in Tripura Monday took out protest rallies in different parts of the West Tripura constituency demanding that the Election Commission orders fresh election in the Lok Sabha seat. The Left Front alleged that large scale rigging and violence took place during the April 11 election in the West Tripura constituency. "We are organising protest rallies, in different parts of West Tripura constituency areas ... But this is not our protest and struggle alone. It is a struggle of all peace loving, democratic citizens whose democratic rights were snatched by large scale rigging", Left Front convener Bijan Dhar told a gathering here. Dhar alleged that the BJP-IPFT government in Tripura was "responsible" for overall breakdown of law and order which led to massive rigging on the poll day on April 11. He said that when a CPI(M) delegation met Election Commission in Delhi before the elections, the EC had assured to take all measures for free and fair elections, but they "failed to fulfil their promises." "It's been 18 days since the polls were held but no fresh election was ordered," he said. The Left Front earlier had alleged large-scale rigging and violence during Lok Sabha polls on April 11 and demanded fresh elections in West Tripura constituency. "The ECI is responsible. They cannot shift their liability. We want to know what decisions were taken by them. Voting is a democratic and personal right. But the people of the constituency could not exercise their adult franchise," Dhar said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Suicide bombings at a militants' safe house have shaken the simple homes of this east Sri Lankan town as well as the rest of this idyllic coast, as the investigation into the Islamic State-claimed Easter bombings has spread here. Police and military checkpoints dot the coastal roads, with people emptying out of buses to present their identity papers. On streets lined with shuttered shops, police officers with assault rifles look warily at passers-by. Whispers persist about the leader of the IS-pledged militant group, which preached the promise of heaven through the killing of others both here and online. The scale of the explosives seized following Friday night's violence, as well as the continued warning of authorities that more militants remain on the loose, only add to the dread. "Even though the security forces are here, it's not like earlier," said Chandima Krishanthi, a 42-year-old market vendor in nearby Ampara. "We are living in fear. It's nothing like it used to be." Sri Lanka's eastern coast was a battleground in the island nation's 26-year civil war with the Tamil Tiger rebels, a group of secular nationalists who launched over 130 suicide bombings themselves. The war ultimately ended in 2009 with the government crushing the Tigers, with some observers believing that tens of thousands of Tamils died in the last few months of fighting alone. Violence here in Kalmunai, some 225 kilometres northeast of the capital, Colombo, shattered nearly 10 years of peace on Friday night. One neighbour, Ahamed Mohammed Rizwan, told The Associated Press that leaders at his mosque asked him and two others to go the militants' house and check on them as he knew the people living there. As they approached, one man opened the gate and said, "Peace be upon you," Rizwan said. He replied the same way and they entered the compound and began talking. Suddenly, another man appeared with a Chinese variant of the Kalashnikov assault rifle and aimed it at Rizwan's chest, saying, "God is the greatest." Rizwan and the other men fled and found two traffic police officers, who then started walking toward the house. The militants opened fire, sparking the confrontation, Rizwan said. Those inside later detonated suicide vests, killing themselves and others. AP journalists walking through the neighborhood Sunday found evidence of the firefight. Spent 7.62 mm cartridges littered the ground, likely from the assault rifle one of the militants carried. Down the street, bullet holes punctured the cement block walls of neighbours' homes. Around the house, the scale of the violence became even more clear. A limb still lay in a drainage ditch. The roof of the home had been blown off by the power of the explosion, pages of religious tracts in Arabic lying atop it. Inside the home, lined notebooks had a child's shaky Arabic calligraphy. Police also laid out white linen women's dresses recovered from inside, similar to those worn by Buddhists when they go to temple. Investigators spoke softly to each other, wondering if that meant the militants planned to expand their targets beyond Christian churches. Soldiers waited until sunrise Saturday before entering the home, ending the violence that killed 15 people. Amid the blood-stained walls and shattered glass, they found a young girl, as well as a woman. Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara later identified them as the wife and 4-year-old daughter of Mohammed Zahran, the alleged mastermind behind the Easter Sunday bombings of three churches and three hotels that killed over 250 people. Meanwhile, in nearby Kattankudy, the mosque of National Towheed Jamaat, the organization that Zahran once led, found itself raided by police and military Sunday. Authorities searched and shut down the center just within eyesight of the waves of the Bay of Bengal. The Islamic State group claimed Friday night's suicide bombings, saying early Sunday morning that "with success from Allah the Almighty" the attackers blew themselves up. But police discovered the bodies of six children inside of the home, all likely the victims of a powerful blast that tore away part of the home's roof and sent out a deadly wave of small metal balls. Sifting through debris Sunday afternoon, a police officer discovered the arm of what appeared to be an infant. He cupped it in his gloved hands, blackened from the soot. "These people are animals," he said. "How can they have children then blow up these children?" The officer gently laid the child's arm down next to a charred assault rifle magazine, a license plate and pieces of a cellphone. It was now evidence of even greater crimes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An average 52.07 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm in 17 seats in Maharashtra in the fourth and last phase of Lok Sabha polls in the state Monday, election officials said. Long queues were seen in some areas such as Powai and Chanidwali in Mumbai where voting process had slowed down. Outside Mumbai, where turnout has been high, officials had to refute rumours including those of withdrawal of a candidate and technical glitches in Electronic Voting Machines, said an Election Commission (EC) official. The voting hours are 7 am to 6 pm. Till 5 pm, Nandurbar seat in North Maharashtra had recorded the highest 64.44 per cent voting while Kalyan near Mumbai saw the lowest 41.64 per cent polling. Voting figures till 5 pm elsewhere were: Dhule-50.97 per cent, Dindori- 58.20 per cent, Nashik- 53.09 per cent, Palghar- 57.60 per cent, Bhiwandi 48.90 per cent, Thane- 46.42 per cent, Mumbai North- 54.72 per cent, Mumbai North West 50.44 per cent, Mumbai North East- 52.30 per cent, Mumbai North Central- 49.49 per cent, Mumbai South Central- 51.53 per cent, Mumbai South- 48.23 per cent, Maval- 52.74 per cent, Shirur- 52.45 per cent and Shirdi- 56.19 per cent. The 17 seats are spread across Mumbai metropolitan region and parts of northern and western Maharashtra, with some 3.11 crore voters, and 323 candidates in the fray . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath was among the early ones to cast his vote on Monday for the Lok Sabha polls in the state's Chhindwara seat, where his son Nakul Nath is the Congress' candidate. The chief minister along with his wife, son and daughter-in-law arrived at a polling booth in Shikapur area to exercise their franchise. Power supply tripped briefly when the chief minister and his family members were inside the polling booth, election micro-observer Narendra Singh Sisodia told PTI. Polling began in the morning in six Lok Sabha seats of the state and by-election to Chhindwara Assembly constituency, where the chief minister is in the fray. The Lok Sabha constituencies of Sidhi, Shahdol, Jabalpur, Mandla, Balaghat and Chhindwara are going to polls in the first phase of general elections in the central state. A poll official said Nath would not be able to exercise his democratic right in the Chhindwara Assembly bypoll as he is a registered voter from Saunsar Assembly seat. Barring the Naxal-affected Baiher, Lanjhi and Paraswada Assembly segments under Balaghat parliamentary seat, polling will be held from 7 am to 6 pm, a poll official said. In the Naxal-affected areas, polling will be held from 7 am to 4 pm, he added. Total 108 candidates are in the fray in the six Lok Sabha seats, including maximum 26 in Sidhi, followed by Balaghat-23, Jabalpur-22, Chhindwara-14, Shahdol-13 and Mandla-10. Nine candidates are trying their luck in the Chhindwara Assembly bypoll. In 2014, riding on the 'Modi wave', the BJP won five of these six Lok Sabha seats. Congress veteran Kamal Nath had won from his bastion Chhindwara, where his son Nakul Nath is the party candidate this time for the Lok Sabha polls. After taking over as chief minister following Congress' victory in the last year's Assembly polls, Kamal Nath needs to get elected to the state Legislature within six months. Congress MLA Deepak Saxena quit from the Chhindwara Assembly seat to make a way for him. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Artists of the world-renowned Madhubani paintings or 'Mithila painting' and the traditional tattoo art form called Godhna are facing financial distress. Bihar's Jitwarpur village is famous for its Mithila paintings, which are known for its bright, vibrant colours, lively figures and minute details, and has received the status of the 'craft village' recently. In this village, one may find an artist in almost every household. Asha Devi, daughter-in-law of Padma Shri Sita Devi, a pioneer of Mithila paintings, plays a major role today in keeping this traditional art form alive. "People from France, Germany and Japan used to visit the village, and the artists were paid well for their hardwork," she told PTI. But after the art form gained popularity, Asha Devi says the middlemen started buying the paintings for a lesser price and sold it at a higher rate in metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi. She urged the government to open a national-level sale-purchase unit in the village so that the artists could get their due recognition, fame and price for the hardwork they put in making the paintings. She, however, adds a silver lining, saying many well-known designers have been visiting the region lately, with the growing trend of paintings and other art form on clothing. The village is also known for its traditional tattoo paintings. Late Rowdi Paswan along with his wife Chano Devi not only carried forward the Mithila paintings, but also established the traditional tattoo paintings (Godhna) and took it to a new direction giving it a new look and style. This traditional tattoo form is not only restricted to this village, but has spread across the region and has been transferred from generation to generation. In Mithila's feudal society, this art form has given freedom and social justice to the women, and has also helped in overcoming barriers of caste-divide spread across the region. Mahanma Devi, the daughter-in-law of late Chano Devi, is now taking the tradition forward. A national awardee, she says, that the art form has no proper channel of distribution, sale and purchase. These paintings depict life events like birth, marriage and festivals through eye-catching geometrical patterns. Natural colour from leaves, flowers and fruits are used. Though, Jitwarpur village with almost 800 families is only known for its 'mithila paintings', the traditional 'tattoo paintings' also has deep-roots and is growing with time. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Many electors and leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Monday alleged various anomalies in the voters' lists in Maharashtra during the fourth and final phase of Lok Sabha elections. NCP candidate from Nashik Lok Sabha constituency Sameer Bhujbal said the name of his mother was missing from the voters' list at a polling booth in Cidco area. In Mumbai, many voters whose residential buildings have gone for redevelopment were shocked to see their names missing from the lists. In Palghar constituency neighbouring Mumbai, voters complained that their names were deleted. NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad, who represents Mumbra-Kalwa assembly constituency in Thane district, claimed that the name of his late father still figured in the list of voters. "His name is still there even though the authorities concerned were informed and proper documents submitted for deletion of the name," he said. The NCP leader also alleged that names of some people who are alive were mentioned as dead voters. He claimed that around 20 per cent of the total voters in Thane district could not exercise their franchise due to anomalies in the voters' lists. "Names of members of one family appeared in different polling centres. If a voter has a voter identity card, his name should remain in the voters' list till he is dead," he said. Mrityunjay Bose, a resident of Vasai in Palghar district, claimed that names of himself and his family members were missing from the voters' lists. Bose said he had searched his and his family's names in the voter list available with political parties in Nallasopara assembly segment. "We got the voter slip from these parties. But when our turn came for voting at a polling booth, we were told that we are not registered voters," he said, adding that they had voted during the bypoll to Palghar Lok Sabha seat, which was held last year. Nityanand Bhise, whose house falls under Mumbai North West constituency, said his building went for re-development in 2012 and residents had shifted elsewhere. "In 2014, political parties in the locality contacted us and we cast our votes. But now we find that 30 per cent of the names have been deleted from the voters lists," he said. A total of 17 constituencies, including Mumbai region and north Maharashtra, voted Monday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Monday took dig at Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Digvijaya Singh saying fear of backlash has prompted "majority bashers" to proclaim themselves as "proud" Hindus. "Elections, after all, are a convenient season for all the neo-converts," the senior BJP leader said stressing that aspirational middle-class, which is religiously inclined without being communal, will not accept "majority bashing" as the definition of secularism. During elections, even atheist are wearing their religion and caste on their sleeves, he said. Without getting into the larger issue of whether a person can inherit his grandmother's caste, the Congress has suddenly decided to proclaim its President Rahul Gandhi as "Janeu-dhari Brahmin", Jaitley said. "He has now been declared as 'Shiv Bhakt'. He does not miss an opportunity to visit temples and makes an event out of each such programmes. His religious orientation was not visible in either 2004, 2009 or 2014," he said as the general elections entered the crucial phase. Parties such as Congress, BSP, SP and TMC have accused the ruling BJP-led NDA of communalising the elections to seek votes. They have also accused the BJP of sidelining key issues like unemployment and farm distress in the name on nationalism. In a blog post titled "A Convenient Season for Being a 'Proud Hindu'", he further said Digvijaya Singh, the Congress candidate from Bhopal, is a well-known majority basher. Singh, Jaitley said, had claimed that the Batla House encounter during the UPA government was a fake one and carried on a campaign in support of the terrorists and against the security forces. "He even visited Azamgarh to meet the relatives of the deceased or arrested terrorists. He holds the patent for manufacturing the theory of 'Hindu Terror'. "He took it to illogical conclusion till the whole theory was busted. Today, realising the wrath of the electorate, he has become 'proud' of his Hindu credentials," said Jaitley. He noted that the socio-economic profile of India changed in slowly consolidating and enlarging India's middle-class. The middle-class is aspirational. It has strong concern on national security. It is religiously inclined but not communal. "At the same time, it will not accept majority bashing as the definition of secularism. The attitude of this class towards national security-related issues such as terrorism and a special status of Jammu & Kashmir, is extremely strong," he said. Also, reaction of the middle-class on both Ayodhya and Sabarimala is self-evident, he said. "This has created fear of the backlash in the minds of those who conventionally indulged in majority bashing and were compromising on issues of national security," Jaitley added. He also took on the Aam Aadmi Party saying the "hypocrisy" of the AAP climaxed when, in the last few days, its only lady candidate Atishi Marlena from Delhi, shed her family legacy of ultra-Left leaning parents, who were important interlocutors seeking a pardon for Afzal Guru, and started wearing not only her religion but her caste, her father's caste and her husband's caste on her sleeve. "I was wondering as to why those brought up in atheist environment, for political convenience, start displaying their religion and caste publicly," he said. He further said India is a land of patriotic people and the contrarians are merely a fringe. The fringe can be a disgruntled lot getting a disproportionate voice on electronic and social media, one cannot belong to the fringe can win elections, he added. "This is the power of democracy. Religiosity is suddenly being discovered. Majority bashing has been replaced by a self-proclaimed title of a 'proud Hindu' or even a 'Punjabi Hindu Kshatriya'. "Today, even atheist will wear their religion and caste on their sleeves. Elections, after all, are a convenient season for all the neo-converts," Jaitley said. The seven phase elections will be completed on May 19. 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.) Embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya took to social media on Monday to lament the collapse of Jet Airways and repeated his offer of a "100 per cent payback" for state-owned Indian banks to cover his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines' debt. The 63-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines (KFA) boss is currently appealing against his extradition order from the UK to India to face charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to an alleged Rs 9,000 crores. Mallya drew parallels between the plight of his collapsed airline and that of Jet Airways, India's leading private airline which grounded to a halt earlier this month amid a mounting cash crunch. "Several Indian airlines collapsed sadly including KFA. Now the previously unthinkable has happened with the collapse of Jet," Mallya said on Twitter on Monday. "Genuine business failures. But I am criminally charged by CBI/ED despite offering 100% payback. Wonder why only me," he questioned. His latest Twitter statements echo some of his previous social media interventions on the issue, claiming that his offer to pay back the debt owed by his now-defunct airline had been rebuffed by the banks and the Indian government. "Watched TV debate on the sad collapse of Jet which included unpaid employees and Industry veterans. Important issues on unemployment and suffering, security available to banks, prospects of revival etc. Here I am offering 100% payback of KFA loans which Banks won't take. Why?" he said. Mallya, who remains on bail on an extradition warrant executed by Scotland Yard in April 2017, is undergoing a UK High Court appeals process against his extradition order signed off by UK home secretary Sajid Javid in February. He has been allocated July 2 as the date for a brief hearing to convince a High Court judge that he should be given permission to proceed to a full-blown appeal against Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot's Westminster Magistrates' Court ruling last December in favour of his extradition to India. The judge had concluded there was "clear evidence of dispersal and misapplication of the loan funds" and accepted a prima facie case of fraud and a conspiracy to launder money against Mallya, as presented by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on behalf of the Indian authorities. Meanwhile, the businessman also faces a flurry of other legal cases in UK courts related to a worldwide freezing order and a threat of foreclosure of one of his homes in central London. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday slammed the central forces for allegedly firing "inside" a polling booth in Birbhum district and accused the BJP of misusing the forces in the elections. Stating that the law and order is a state subject, she said it is not the job of the central forces to enter polling booths and they should keep vigil outside. In Dubrajpur area of Birbhum constituency, voters allegedly engaged in a scuffle with the central forces when they were barred from entering booths with mobile phones, a senior election official said. Security personnel reportedly fire in the air to control the mob, following which polling was stalled in the booths, the official said. "I have heard that the CRPF fired inside a booth in Dubrajpur. I am yet to get the detailed report. CRPF personnel can be deputed outside booths, but they do not have the right to lathicharge or fire," Banerjee, also the TMC supremo, said. "Law and order is a state subject and not a central subject. Even if the central forces have to conduct a route march, they are required to do it along with the state police," the TMC chief said while speaking at a rally in Bagdhah in North 24 Parganas district. Banerjee accused the BJP of misusing the law and bringing in central forces without depending on the state police and using them in garnering votes for themselves. "We know the law. I have heard that complaints were made (before the EC) that the central force personnel have gone inside booths and asked people to vote for the BJP. This will not help the BJP," she said. "The BJP do not trust the Bengal police. The police are on security duty during the Durga Puja, during Diwali. They protect us from thieves and dacoits. And during elections, you need policemen from Delhi," Banerjee said. Asking the BJP to trust the people, she said police will not vote for its candidates but the people will. Violence was reported from several parts of the eight Lok Sabha constituencies where polling is going on Monday. Clashes have broke out between the supporters of rival parties in Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Siuri areas of Birbhum seat, injuring several people. The Election Commission has deployed central forces at around 98.8 per cent of the booths in the eight seats -- Baharampur, Krishnagar, Ranaghat (SC), Burdwan East (SC), Burdwan-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur (SC) and Birbhum. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The police crime branch arrested a man here on Monday on charge of cheating, officials said. The arrested, Puneet Rasutra, is presently on police remand, they said. FIR has been registered under sections 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 467 (forgery of valuable security, will, etc.), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged) of the Ranbir Penal Code, they said. Police said complainant Munish Bhatia of Jammu had started a firm ACE Engineering Infra Tech Pvt Ltd with its office at SIDCO Industries Area in Bari Brahmna belt. Rasutra had close relation with Bhatia, taking advantage of which the accused convinced Bhatia to mortgage his and his brother's property in Gandhi Nagar here. The mortgage enabled Rasutra to avail a cash credit facility from J&K Bank, they said. The mortgaged property is valued at Rs 4 crore, for which the complainant and his brother became guarantors, officials said. In 2015, Rasutra again approached the complainant for mortgaging more of his property for overdraft (OD) limit, saying he had got a supply order for manufacturing prefabricated vehicle garage at Dimapur, worth around Rs 16 crore. During investigation, it was found that Puneet Rasutra and Sumeet Rasutra had defrauded the bank and availed substantial credit of crores of rupees on the basis of forged documents, they said. The arrest was made by a crime branch, Jammu, team, led by Deputy Superintendent P Bushan Kumar Ganjoo, officials said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 56-year-old man was arrested from Jaipur on Monday for allegedly killing the wife of a retired Indian Air Force Wing Commander in Dwarka's Sector-7 area, police said. The accused has been identified as Dinesh Dixit, a resident of Jaipur in Rajasthan, they said. On Friday morning, Meenu Jain, 52, the wife of a former IAF Wing Commander, was found lying unconscious at her house in Dwarka, police said. She was taken to Ayushman Hospital in Dwarka Sector-10, where doctors declared her brought dead. During interrogation, it was revealed that the accused was in contact with Jain from past few months and had visited her house several times, police said. He had came to meet her on Thursday afternoon and remained there till Friday morning, they said. Dixit also said he smothered her and fled with cash and jewellery. The family members of the deceased said two mobile phones, the jewellery she was wearing, Rs 5 lakh cash in Indian currency and Rs 2 lakh in foreign currency were missing from the house. Police seized three pillows and a towel with blood stains from the room. Three vessels and five cups, used for making and drinking tea, were also seized. Police said further details are awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A meeting of "like minded"MLAs called by Congress legislator S T Somashekar on Tuesday, amid coalition worries, has been postponed citing preparations for the Kundgol and Chincholi assembly by-polls as the reason. Somashekar's invitation for a meeting of "like-minded" MLAs to discuss the present political situation in Karnataka, stating that it is growing worse day by day had created flutters in political circles on Sunday. The MLA's letter had come amid worries within the ruling Congress-JDS coalition and dissidence in the Congress surfacing again. "As several Congress legislators will be presentduring filing of nominations for Kundgol and Chincoli by-pollstoday, a meeting of like minded MLAs called fortomorrow has been temporarily postponed. The next date will beintimated," Somashekar said in a message to the legislators Monday. The invitation has also come at a time when rebel Congress MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi is threatening to quit the party along with legislators close to him. According to sources, the meeting is said to have been postponed with party asking all its MLAs to work for the Chincholiand Kundgol by-polls. Congress Legislature Party leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also reportedly asked Somashekar and associates to postpone the meeting as it would send a wrongmessage to the public. The meeting was called to discuss issues faced by MLAs under the coalition government and long-pending development work. The scheduled meeting had irked some Congressmen, with party MLC G Raghu Achar slamming Somashekar and asking him to discuss any issues he may have with the party leadership. Somashekar in January had embarrassed the coalition, especially Congress leaders, with his statement that Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah be made Chief Minister again, and had claimed that development works had come to a grinding halt. His comments had irked chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, who had even threatened to step down. Monday is the last day to file nominations for Kundgol and Chincholi assembly by-polls, that will go for voting on May 19 The results will be declared on May 23, along with the Lok Sabha poll results. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two Food Corporation of India (FCI) rice-laden trucks were damaged when unidentified miscreants lobbed petrol bombs on Monday at the parking area of the depot at Mawroh, police said. No one was injured in the early morning attack but the police have already launched an investigation into the incident, a senior district police officer told PTI. The trucks were parked outside the FCI depot along side other lorries when unidentified miscreants hurled suspected petrol bombs, they said. The police officer said that the attack was carried out by a group of miscreants and all leads are being examined. Mondays incident took place a week after a security guard was allegedly murdered at the FCI depot at Byrnihat, along the Assam-Meghalaya border. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Unidentified miscreants pelted stones at Congress nominee from Jalore Ratan Dewasi's car on Monday, when he reached Heerpur polling station, police said. Dewasi escaped unhurt, but his driver sustained minor injuries, they said, adding additional police force was deployed as a precautionary measure. Three youths of the Kalbi community and BJP supporters pelted stones at Dewasi's car, Jalore SP Keshar Singh said. He said Congress supporters also reached the spot after the incident, leading to an altercation between both groups. "The situation is completely under control. So far, no case has been registered in the matter," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Making a sensational claim in the middle of the general election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday said 40 TMC MLAs were in touch with him and will desert their party once the BJP wins the poll. The TMC leadership was quick to hit back, accusing Modi of horse trading, and saying it would complain to the Election Commission about it. On the campaign trail in West Bengal's Sreerampur Lok Sabha seat in Hoogly district and Barrackpore constituency in North 24 Parganas, Modi accused TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee of nepotism, insisting she wants to politically establish her nephew in West Bengal. Modi also assailed her over her prime ministerial ambitions, saying "Didi, Dilli door hai (Delhi is far away)." "Didi, even your MLAs will desert you when the results of this election are out. Your 40 MLAs are in touch with me and all your MLAs will desert you once the BJP wins the election. Political ground has slipped from under your feet," Modi told an election rally in Sreerampur, targeting the West Bengal chief minister. TMC group leader in Rajya Sabha Derek O' Brien was quick to allege that Modi was indulging in horse trading. "Expiry Babu PM, lets get this straight. Nobody will go with you. Not even one councillor. Are you election campaigning or horse trading! Your expiry date is near. Today, we are complaining to the Election Commission. Charging you with horse trading," O'Brien tweeted. Mocking Banerjee for often losing her cool as she was "sensing defeat", Modi said she cannot even dream of becoming the prime minister. "With just a handful of seats, 'Didi' you can't reach Delhi. Delhi is far away. Going to Delhi is just an excuse. Her real intention is to politically establish her nephew," he said. Banerjee's nephew Abhishek is a sitting MP from Diamond Harbour and the TMC candidate for the seat. Modi alleged that TMC "goons" were trying to prevent people from voting and attacking BJP workers. He claimed BJP leaders were not being allowed to campaign freely. "Mamata didi your army of goons is trying to stop the people from casting their votes. Mamata didi, democracy offered you the position you occupy now. Dont betray democracy. The people of West Bengal have made up their mind," he said, claiming that across Bengal there is a desire to defeat the TMC. The prime minister's remarks came in the wake of reports of violence during the fourth phase of polling in eight Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal. Giving the slogan of "Chup Chap, BJP te chhap" (cast your vote silently for the BJP), Modi took a dig at Banerjee for her comments that the people of Bengal will, instead of votes, offer him rosogollas made of clay with stones inside. "It will be like 'prasad' for me. I will be honoured to have rosogollas that are made of the soil of the sacred land of Bengal. The land of Ram Krishna Pramahansa, Swami Vivekananda, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Rabindranath Tagore," he said. Citing Banerjee, Modi said he would also be happy to have the stones that the West Bengal leader said would be inside the clay rosogollas as it will bring down the number of stones being used by "Mamatadi's goons" to attack people. Miffed over Modi's disclosure during a televised interview that she gifts him kurtas and sweets every year, a combative Banerjee had said last week that the people of Bengal will offer him rosogollas made of clay with stone fillings instead of votes that will break all his teeth. Maintaining that the state has already seen three political ideologies -Naampanthi (people who rule by using the name of family), Vaampanthi (Leftist), Daam aur Damanpanthi (people who rule through corruption and oppression)-- Modi said time has come for it to adopt "Vikaspanthi" (people wedded to the ideology of development) represented by the BJP. "We don't need to give you the example of 'Naampanthi'," Modi said in an apparent reference to Congress party and the Gandhi family. "We have seen three decades of Left rule that was full of violence and misgovernance. The foreign ideology, which has been discarded by the entire world. The third is 'Daam aur Damanpnathi' regime of the Trinamool Congress which is ruling by using money and muscle power, and has turned Bengal into killing fields," Modi alleged. He also raked up the contentious issues of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), which the TMC is vehemently opposing. "We will weed out each and every infiltrator from the country. We will first pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill to ensure that refugees get citizenship and then NRC will be brought to throw out infiltrators," he asserted. Addressing another rally at Barrackpore, Modi claimed the country is witnessing a trend where patriotism and nationalistic feelings were being subjected to abuse, and asked people to beware of those who negate nationalism for the sake of votebank "The country is witnessing a peculiar trend of abusing partriotism and nationalistic feelings. West Bengal is the land where the national song 'Vande Mataram' was created. This is the land of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhaya. But here the song is being misintepreted to serve vote bank politics," he said. "Mamata Banerjee is also part of this group that believes in singing paeans to Pakistan. The people of Bengal would not spare her for supporting those who are opposing our country," he said. Noting that it was the BJP which honoured the contributions and sacrifices of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army (INA) to the freedom struggle, Modi said political parties, including the TMC, which had never done that, are now questioning the valour of the armed forces. "These are the people who never honoured our freedom fighters. They are now questioning the valour of the armed forces. They are more comfortable trusting Pakistan rather than our armed forces and are questioning the air strikes," he said. Under the TMC rule "all three--mother, motherland and people are suffering", he said, referring to the 'Ma, Maati and Manush' slogan of West Bengal's ruling party. Referring to the closed jute mills in the industrial belt of Barrackpore, Modi said first the Left Front and now didi's 'daman' (repression) are responsible for it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram has described the five year rule of the Narendra Modi government as a "complete disaster", saying the BJP will not be able to form the next government and UPA-III could be a reality. The former Union minister also said the BJP's "campaign of polarisation" is a complete failure in southern and western states and the impact it will have in northern and eastern India remains to be seen. "We are absolutely confident that the BJP will not be able to form the government again. The government will be a non-BJP government. Obviously, the UPA that is Congress plus pre-election allies will play a big part. If there are more post election allies, I think UPA-III has a very good chance," he told PTI in an interview. Giving an analysis of the performance of the Modi government, Chidambaram said on economic front, it has absolutely and conclusively established that economic growth has slowed down and "unemployment is highest in 45 years". "In fact, I have the data put out by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy which shows unemployment has reached 8.4 per cent in the third week of April 2019. It is the highest unemployment rate in over 45 years," he said. On the social harmony, the former finance minister said there has been a complete breakdown of social harmony, particularly in northern states where community is pitted against community, caste is pitted against caste and and all these have happened under Modi. On the security front, Chidambaram said the country was today less secured than what it was under former prime minister Manmohan Singh. "During the 10 years of the UPA rule, there was no war with Pakistan or China. Although there was infiltration and casualties, they had come down to the lowest level in 2013-14," he said. In the 'Modi years', the Congress leader said, infiltration has increased year after year and there is always a danger or fear that a war may break out anytime between India and Pakistan. "It is a complete disaster," he said. Chidambaram added that the BJP's "campaign of polarisation" has been a complete failure in Southern India along with Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra. "What impact it will have in central Indian states where Hindi is spoken-- Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand-- remains to be seen. They again tried in (West) Bengal, they have not succeeded so far. They tried in Odisha, they have not succeeded. They are trying in Assam. "Let us see what the results will be. BJP's polarisation campaign is a failure in the majority of states in India," he said. Asked about the possibility of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi becoming the prime minister, Chidambaram said the Gandhi scion has made it clear that the party is not going to talk about the post of PM at this stage. "He (Rahul) has said more than once that all the opposition will gather in Delhi after the election results and decide whether we are in a position to form a government and if we are in a position to form the government, who should be the Prime Minister. It is a statesman like position," he said. Asked whether there will be many claimants from the opposition for the PM's post, the former home minister said nobody was claiming the post of the Prime Minister. "I have not heard anyone claiming the post of PM. Every party leader is entitled to say 'if my party wins, my party can provide the PM candidate'. What is wrong with that? "Ultimately the numbers will decide who will be the PM. It is not the God given right of Mr Modi alone to say that he can be the Prime Minister and nobody else can be the Prime Minister," he said. Asked about the Congress' proposed NYAY scheme, under which Rs 6,000 per month will be given to 5 crore poorest families, Chidambaram said the party has already explained the arithmetic behind the scheme and so far, no body has challenged the arithmetic. "So why it should hurt the economy? When we said MNREGA, they said it will hurt the economy. When we said agricultural loan waiver, they said it will hurt the economy. When we said right to food security, they said it will hurt the economy. But all these were implemented. "So when we said NYAY, don't we know what we are talking about? We have done our math. We are absolutely confident that the programme can be implemented without compromising the fiscal prudence," he said. On the prospect of UPA in his home state Tamil Nadu, the senior Congress leader said the alliance may win more than 33 seats. "Out of the 38 seats in Tamil Nadu where elections were held, our assessment is that the DMK-Congress alliance can win 33 plus seats," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rains from Cyclone Kenneth, the second tropical storm to hit Mozambique within weeks, continued to pound the northeastern city of Pemba and surrounding areas causing massive flooding and destruction. One death has been confirmed so far and 160,000 people are at risk, with more torrential rain forecast for the days ahead. The government described the situation as "critical" in other centers of Cabo Delgado province which are unreachable by road. In a statement Sunday night, the government said the death toll could rise due to "worrying" rains. The towns of Ibo, Macomia and Quissanga have been badly flooded and many buildings and homes destroyed. Access to those centers is currently not possible by road and the heavy rains have made air contact difficult. Safe drinking water has become scarce. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "Mr Robot" creator Sam Esmail says the fourth and final season of the drama thriller will be a "one very long Christmas special". The writer said like other British shows wrap with a holiday special, the last season of the series will go on about week over Christmas set in 2015. "Typically how (British shows) wrap up series, like the British 'Office', you tend to do a Christmas special. So the final season of 'Mr Robot is one very long Christmas special that will last about a week over Christmas of 2015," Esmail said. "The tagline for the first season was, 'Our democracy has been hacked'. A year later it happens. In the writer's room, we're continuing to let current events inspire us, and that's what feels relevant. (When we first started), hacking felt relevant, and the day after (USA Network) picked up the series, the Sony hack happened," he added. According to IndieWire, Esmail was speaking at Tribeca Film Festival Sunday. The writer also explained the reasons of the popularity of the show, which stars Oscar winner Rami Malek. "Part of the reason people connected to the show is we wanted to talk about now. The show is still set in 2015 for this reason. The technology will always look dated, but we specifically said, this is about 2015, so it's almost like a period piece for current day," Esmail said. "Mr Robot" premiere date is yet to be announced by the studio, USA Network. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A large number of first-time voters came out to cast their ballots Monday in Mumbai, marking their formal participation in choosing the next government in the world's largest democracy. According to the Election Commission (EC) data, Maharashtra has over 1.19 crore voters who fall in the age group of 18-19 years and are eligible to exercise their franchise in the Lok Sabha polls for the first time. Enthusiasm was palpable among first-time electors, who openly expressed their views about candidates in the fray and whom they voted for. Ninad Tendulkar (18), who cast his vote in Dindoshi, which falls under the Mumbai North-West parliamentary constituency, said he had voted keeping in mind issues like good governance and development. "The Congress-led opposition is not strong and convincing. The opposition party is contesting the lowest number of seats ever. "I felt there is no harm is giving the BJP-led NDA another chance," he said. Tendulkar came across as an informed citizen, who is well aware of issues facing the country. The teenager said he disapproves of many things that have happened during the five years like mob lynching. Similarly, Tendulkar doesn't agree with government critics being dubbed as "anti-nationals". "You can counter criticism with facts. Less number of jobs are being created in the country but due to some government schemes like Mudra (under which loans are given to micro and small enterprises), people have become employment givers," he said. Tendulkar praised the Modi government for taking a tough stand on cross-border terrorism. Since it is a majority government, it could retaliate against terror, he said, apparently referring to surgical strikes. "This has given strength to the armed forces," the teenager said. Samruddhi Purav (19), who cast her vote for the first time in suburban Borivali under the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat, said NOTA (None of the Above) option was discussed much in her friend circle. "I read and watch all and discuss them with my family members and friends. But I make my own decision. I voted for a young leadership. "Everyone deserves a chance. I made my decision after hearing all speeches given by Raj Thackeray (the MNS chief who has been urging people to vote against BJP-Shiv Sena candidates)," she said. Purav said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign was "irritating and overbearing". It is like forcing you to vote for him. If you have work to show, then you don't need over the top campaigning. Those who work less, campaign hard, she said. Divya Khadpe (18), who voted in suburban Goregaon under the Mumbai North-West seat, said she was excited to cast her vote for the first time. "I felt like a responsible citizen who is taking part in the democratic process. There was also nervousness that I will be choosing the next government," she said. "More than party, I chose a good candidate who worked in the constituency...who had time to hear out people and their grievances. "I recently attended a meeting of sitting MP Gajanan Kirtikar (of the Shiv Sena) and heard him speak about his work. I came home and discussed with my father to check whether he was speaking the truth," Khadpe said. She said she was impressed with the work done by government under Modi's leadership and felt giving him a second term will do the country good. Kimaya Nadkarni (21), who cast her vote in Chembur, which is part of the South Central parliamentary constituency, said, said she cast her ballot after taking into account several factors. "As a first-time voter, I have voted for the candidate who is most active in my area, interacts with colony people, understands their problems and carried out many development projects in the past. "So I felt he deserves my vote and have voted accordingly. My decision was based on my own thoughts and observations," Nadkarni said. Of the total 8,73,29,910 voters in the state, 1,19,95,027 are in the 18-19 age group, as per the EC data. Six Lok Sabha constituencies in Mumbai are among the 17 seats in the state which voted in the fourth and final phase of polling Monday. Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second highest in the country, where polling was held in four phases on April 11, 18, 23 and 29. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mumbai Congress president Milind Deora, the party's candidate for the city's South Lok Sabha seat, Monday called up his opponent and sitting Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant after polling was over. A Congress statement said Deora phoned Sawant and thanked him for a decent fight as a political opponent, adding that the former also extended best wishes to the MP and his family. It said Deora recalled the combative confrontations during the campaign and appreciated Sawant's undaunted spirit and energy. The Congress statement informed that the Shiv Sena leader praised Deora's gesture of calling him post voting. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Members of the Muslim community in Bengaluru and Mysuru came out in large numbers in a show of solidarity with Christians following the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka that targetted churches and hotels and left over 250 people dead. Maqsood Imran Rashidi, the Imam of Bengaluru Jamia Masjid, said a large number of Muslims Sunday gathered in front of a church in the city and townhall to show that the community stood by the Christians at this hour of grief. "We want to convey the message that Muslims share the pain of the Christians and we express full solidarity with them," Rashidi told PTI. Munawwar Pasha, the head of the Mysuru chapter of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, said that following an appeal by him, Muslims and members of other communities Sunday gathered outside the main church of the city, St Philomena, to extend solidarity with the christians. "We want to convey the message that the Muslims and others are with the Christian brothers and sisters," he said. Pasha said a large number of tourists also gathered at the St Philomena in support. He said when New Zealand had faced the terror attack at two mosques last month, Muslims were overwhelmed with the support received from various communities. "Sri Lanka suffered an appalling attack on Easter Sunday. Churches were attacked while their congregation was in worship, just as those in New Zealand were," he said. Serial bomb explosions at churches and hotels on the Easter Sunday killed 253 people in Sri Lanka. Police and security forces in Sri Lanka are on the lookout for members of the National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ), a local terror outfit behind the attack. The mosque attack in New Zealand took place on March 15 in which 55 people were killed when a gunman fired at worshipper inside two mosques at Christchurch during Friday prayers. Following the attacks in New Zealand, people from all sections of the society came forward to extend their support to the Muslims in that country. There have been reports that Muslims had gathered Sunday in front of the St Joseph cathedral in Lucknow and St. George's Church, Hyderabad, to express solidarity with the Christians. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi has arrived in Cambodia on an official visit to strengthen ties between the countries. The three-day visit starting Monday is the first since Suu Kyi became her country's head of government in 2016. Cambodia's foreign ministry says she will meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen, King Norodom Sihamoni and other Cambodian officials before visiting the famous Angkor Wat archaeological complex. Suu Kyi arrived from Beijing, where both she and Hun Sen attended a forum about China's multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative. Representatives of 37 countries were at the meeting on the massive infrastructure-building plan. Myanmar and Cambodia have both grown closer to China in reaction to pressure from Western nations over human rights issues. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Green Tribunal has refused to review its order of penalising Gammon India Limited and the Hindustan Construction Co Ltd of Rs 1 crore each for damaging the during construction of a stretch of the Udhampur-Banihal National Highway in Jammu and Kashmir. A bench headed by National Green Tribunal (NGT) Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel also ordered the monitoring committee of former judge of Jammu and Kashmir High Court Justice J R Kotwal, to conduct an audit. The NGT had slapped the fines after the project proponents were found dumping soil in Chenab and Tawi rivers. "There is no ground to say that interim compensation required to be paid, pending the determination of actual extent of damage for which the committee has to make its recommendation after all the sites are visited, is uncalled for," the bench said. The tribunal also said that while undertaking the exercise for assessment of damage, the committee may take into account the entire damage right from the beginning of the project and not merely what was observed during a particular visit. "The committee may visit all the existing designated and non-designated dumping sites and give report regarding current practices of debris dumping, remedial measures proposed to secure designated dumping sites including its capacity, quantity of debris received, balance quantity to be received, illegal dumping of mucks and debris on entire stretch along with the quantum of muck dumped and file report within two months by e-mail," the tribunal said. The tribunal on February 12 had imposed a fine on both the companies and also asked them to furnish a performance guarantee of Rs 1 crore for improving the situation within the next three months. The tribunal had passed the order after perusing a report by a monitoring committee which informed it that the project proponent should immediately discontinue with the use of dumping sites. The green panel had also asked the committee to examine the actual extent of damage and the amount required for restoration. The tribunal's order came on a petition filed by Ramban resident Amaresh Singh against rampant dumping of soil in Chenab and Tawi rivers and sought directions to restrain the authorities from throwing debris in the water bodies while constructing the stretch of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway between Udhampur and Banihal. The plea, filed through advocate Swarn Kishore Singh, had said the work on four-laning of the stretch of the highway was being executed in "a reckless manner" and loose soil was being dumped directly into the two rivers. The NGT had earlier directed the Jammu and Kashmir government and the state pollution control board to test ambient air quality in the entire construction stretch of Udhampur-Banihal Highway after a plea alleged air pollution in the area. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Investigation Agency Monday arrested a man, who is a follower of Sri Lankan Easter bombing mastermind Zahran Hashim, on the charge of conspiring to carry out a suicide attack in Kerala, an NIA spokesperson said. The spokesperson said 29-year-old Riyas A, also known as Riyas Aboobacker or Abu Dujana, a resident of Palakkad, was picked up on Sunday in connection with the ISIS module case. During interrogation, Riyas disclosed that he has been following speeches/videos of Hashim for more than a year and has also followed the speeches of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. He admitted that he wanted to carry out a suicide attack in Kerala, the spokesperson said. During interrogation, he has disclosed that he has been in online contact with absconding accused Abdul Rashid Abdulla, aka Abu Isa, for a long time and has been following his audio clips including the clip which he had circulated on social media platform instigating others to carry out terror attacks in India. He revealed that he was also having online chat with Abdul Khayoom, aka Abu Khalid, (accused in Valapattanam ISIS case) who was believed to be in Syria. NIA earlier received inputs that a group of four persons has been in contact with some of the accused viz Abdul Rashid, Ashfaq Majeed, Abdul Khayoom etc who had already migrated to Afghanistan and Syria. After verification, NIA carried out searches at three places (two in Kasaragod and one in Palakkad District) on Sunday. Three group members have been interrogated for their ISIS links and their plans. The Kasargod ISIS module case was registered in July 2016 following the disappearance of 15 youths from Kasargod and their subsequent migration to ISIS (14 persons to Afghanistan and one person to Syria). Riyas will be produced before an NIA court in Kochi on Wednesday, the spokesman added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Monday rejected media reports suggesting the SIT giving a "clean chit" to the Akali leadership in the 2015 Behbal Kalan police firing case in which two youths were killed. Singh said a single challan submitted by police in the court so far was being "erroneously interpreted" to mean that the Akalis were "innocent" in the matter. After accompanying Congress candidate Sher Singh Ghubaya to file his nomination papers from the Ferozepur Lok Sabha seat, where he is pitted against SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, the CM said the media was "twisting" select information to mean something that had nowhere been concluded by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The Amarinder Singh-led government had formed an SIT to probe the case related to the killing of two youths in alleged police firing on anti-sacrilege protesters in 2015 in Behbal Kalan of Punjab's Faridkot district. The SIT had, in fact, made it clear that its investigations were still in progress and it would be filing more challans to supplement the one it had filed so far against a single police officer, the chief minister said. "How can a partial investigation and a single challan be taken to mean a clean chit to the Akalis," he asked. Singh reiterated that once the probe into the case was completed, anyone found guilty of involvement, howsoever high and mighty, would be punished as per law. He, however, clarified once again that he would not indulge in political vendetta to nail the Badals or anyone else in this or any other case. Earlier, in Rupnagar, he accompanied Congress candidate Manish Tewari in filing his nomination papers. Taking a strong exception to the remarks of his Haryana counterpart on Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, asked Manohar Lal Khattar to stop commenting on the Congress leadership and instead talk about his own state and his own leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Why does he not talk of Modi and the BJP in Haryana?" asked Singh asked. Khattar had claimed that Congressmen were "avoiding" seeking votes in the name of their party president Rahul Gandhi, and said instead they were asking for votes in the name of their party or on other grounds. In response to a question, Singh repeated his earlier stand on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), saying the Congress did not need a "non-existent" outfit with no presence in Punjab. The Congress was well positioned to sweep the Lok Sabha polls in the state on its own, the chief minister added. Asked about the bribery allegations against Congress nominee from the Bathinda seat Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, he said the SDM had already done an inquiry into the charges and found them to be "totally wrong". The opposition had no election plank to fight the polls and was indulging in "falsehoods" and unfounded allegations to mislead the voters, Singh added. The chief minister asserted that Sunil Jakhar would win the Gurdaspur seat hands down, with BJP's Sunny Deol just "a fly-by-night" candidate who would simply "disappear". The BJP has fielded Deol, a Jat Sikh, from the Gurdaspur constituency. He is pitted against sitting MP and Congress candidate Jakhar. Deol's rally had been a "total flop", Singh added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) General Officer-commanding-in-chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh Monday visited forward posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district and reviewed the operational preparedness and prevalent security situation of the force, a defence spokesman said. 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, the spokesman said. He said the Army commander was also briefed on the formations' role of maintaining a conducive environment for the recently held parliamentary elections in the border area villages. Besides, Lt Gen Singh was also briefed on the actions taken to meet the challenges of increased ceasefire violations through superior and aggressive domination of LoC being exercised by the troops and defensive measures put in place to thwart the nefarious designs of the adversary, he added. He said the Army commander, who also interacted with the soldiers, was appreciative of the measures and standard operating procedures instituted by the units and formations in their area of responsibility to minimise the casualties due to ceasefire violations and infiltration bids. "The need to be prepared for effectively meeting current emerging security challenge was also reinforced," the spokesman said. He said the Army commander exhorted all ranks on the need to remain vigilant to counter the nefarious designs of the enemy and "anti-national" elements. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Scientists have developed a novel DNA test for missing soldiers from historic battles, that may help accurately identify casualties from World War II. More than 25,000 Australian soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice have no known grave, and thousands of those are in the Asia-Pacific area, according to the researchers from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Australia. Forensic biologist Kirsty Wright, who works with the Australian Defence Force identifying victims of current conflicts and disasters, said historic cases are extremely challenging because often only a few bone fragments are found, and the remains can be highly degraded due to decades of exposure to the elements. "This is particularly the case in the Asia-Pacific area, where in 95 to 99 per cent of cases we have only partial remains," said Wright. "We often have no other forensic evidence to work from, and limited artefacts such as badges or identity tags that might provide some clues," she said. Wright said the first step was to determine ancestral origin. For example, on the Kokoda Track or in the jungles of Papua New Guinea, the remains found may belong to an Australian or Japanese soldier or may even be of local origin. Ensuring respectful association and likely origin is a top priority. "The current utilised method is from modern criminal investigation case work and uses mitochondrial DNA, following maternal lineage," Wright said. "However in 69 to 83 per cent of these historical cases current DNA tests can't reliably identify ancestry," she said. Researchers developed a targeted SNP panel to identify ancestral origins of Australian and Japanese WWII soldiers. SNPs have become a commonly used genetic marker for ancestry. The panel also includes genetic variation information on hair and eye colour as an extra layer of identification. "It is very important to be confident with ancestral origin so that, for example, Japanese soldiers can be returned with honour to the Japanese government," Wright said. "Once we establish that we have found an Australian soldier, the Unrecovered War Casualties - Army unit can then move to the next stage of giving the soldier back their name, and bringing closure to the family," she added. Wright said to test the accuracy of the new SNP panel, researchers in the team generated profiles of Australians born around World War II, and used profiles of people from Japan. "We were pleased to get 100 per cent accuracy with the test predicting Australian and Japanese ancestry," Wright said. "Based on the population samples we also found that the SNP test identified ancestry in 79 per cent more cases than currently used DNA methods," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As uncertainty continues over the fate of the shuttered Jet Airways, an employees' consortium has proposed to take over the airline with at least Rs 3,000 crore expected from outside investors for the bid, according to two staff unions. This is the first time that employees have come together with a proposal to run the more than 25-year-old Jet Airways, which temporarily suspended operations on April 17. Two associations representing pilots and engineers -- SWIP and JAMEVA -- have written to State Bank of India (SBI) Chairman Rajnish Kumar proposing that they would take over the airline and can bring in up to Rs 7,000 crore. The Society for Welfare of Indian Pilots (SWIP) and the Jet Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Welfare Association (JAMEVA) have written a letter to the SBI chief asking the lead lender to consider "employee consortium" as an intending bidder for the carrier. While SWIP has around 800 members, there are about 500 employees with JAMEVA. "The contribution from employees would be realised from their future earnings and increased productivity... As per our initial estimate, the contribution of employees group over a hypothetical 5-year Employee Stock Ownership Programme (ESOP) is likely to be upward of Rs 4,000 crore. "In addition, we are also confident of securing an investment commitment of up to Rs 3,000 crore from outside investors," the letter, dated April 29, said. The letter has been signed by four people -- SWIP General Secretary Ashwani Tyagi, JAMEVA President Ashish Kumar Mohanty, Jet Airways Manager (Human Resources) B B Singh and Jet Lite Senior Vice President (Operations) and Accountable Manager P P Singh. The deadline for submitting initial bids have already ended and the list of shortlisted entities is expected to be finalised on May 10. SBI Capital Markets, on behalf of the lenders' consortium led by the SBI, is managing the bidding process. "We confirm that a proposal for employee takeover of Jet Airways has been submitted by us... We are optimistic that the banks and Government of India will give our plan a serious consideration," the two unions said in a joint statement. Tyagi said the letter has also been signed by two officials of the airline. Cash-starved Jet Airways stopped operations on April 17 after lenders decided not to extend emergency funds. Since then, employees have held gatherings in various cities and have also met various ministers with pleas to save the airline. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi Monday described the party's proposed 'NYAY' minimum income guarantee scheme as a "diesel for the engine" of the Indian economy. Addressing an election rally in Rajasthan's Dholpur district, Gandhi said the Congress will deposit Rs 3.60 lakh in bank accounts of five crore women in five years unlike Narendra Modi who, he alleged, opened bank accounts of people, but did not deposit a single penny in them. Gandhi promised to give government jobs to 22 lakh youths in one year, recruit 10 lakh youths in panchayats and said no farmer will be jailed for not repaying loan, if voted to power. "I am not here to lie. Our NYAY scheme will jumpstart the economy. It will be a diesel for the Indian economy. We will deposit Rs 3.60 lakh in five years in bank accounts of 5 crore women," he said in the rally held in Sepau town of this district. The Congress has promised to give an annual income support of Rs 72,000 to poor families under the 'NYAY' scheme. He claimed that unemployment is highest in 45 years and 22 lakh government jobs are lying vacant. "We will fill the vacancy in one year after coming to power," Gandhi said. Dholpur, along with 11 seats in Rajasthan, will go to polls on May 6. Thirteen seats of the state are voting Monday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) One person was killed and seven others were injured when their car was hit by a roadways bus in Khatauli near here, police said. They accident took place Sunday evening on Delhi-Dehradun national highway, they said. The deceased has been identified as Dharav, 30, police said. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital, they said. Police said a case has been registered against the driver of the bus. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP president Amit Shah Monday accused the Opposition of giving tickets to "bahubalis" (strongmen) in Uttar Pradesh, asserting that their presence will not have any impact as the Yogi Adityanath government has been acting tough against them. He also reiterated that the BJP government, after coming to power, will scrap Article 370 of the Constitution which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing an election meeting in Pratapgarh, Shah said, "We want to remove Article 370 from Kashmir, but Rahul Gandhi does not want this... when Modiji's government comes back in power, it (Article 370) will be abrogated." Attacking the Opposition on the issue of Kashmir, he said, "Omar Abdullah says there should be another PM for Kashmir... his friends are Mayawati, Akhilesh and Rahul Gandhi... all these together want to separate Kashmir from India." In Jaunpur, the BJP leader said his party will never indulge in vote bank nor compromise with the security of the country, "but Rahul, Akhilesh and Mayawati can do anything for votes". Shah alleged that "goons" of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) used to work as land mafias, but ever since the "anti-land mafia squads" were set up by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, encroachment of land has stopped. "The people from the 'grand adulteration' have given tickets to 'bahubalis' in Uttar Pradesh, but such strongmen do not have an impact here," he said addressing rallies in Chitrakoot and Pratapgarh districts. The BJP has been referring to the Opposition alliance as "mahamilavati" (grand adulteration). "The 'mahamilavatis' are not able to understand yet that Uttar Pradesh has changed... Now, it is the Yogi government that is at the helm," Shah said. "Now, the strongmen have no impact here. 'Ab bahubalion ko ulta latka kar seedha kar diya jata hai' (Now, the musclemen are set right by hanging them upside down)," he said. The BJP president also termed Congress chief Rahul Gandhi the "mahamilavati" leader of the grand alliance. "If temperatures in country increase, he (Rahul) takes leave and goes out of the country.... Even his mother (Sonia Gandhi) is not able to find him," he said, adding Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not taken leave in 20 years. Shah accused BSP supremo Mayawati and SP president Akhilesh Yadav of making similar speeches of working for the poor. "For 25 years, the people of Uttar Pradesh gave them opportunity, but they did nothing for the poor," he said. "You gave one chance to Modi ji. When he became the prime minister, he worked for the poor and benefitted them with many schemes in the past five years," he said. Listing the works undertaken by the Modi government, the BJP leader said a defence corridor and expressway, linking Jhansi to Etawah, will help in the development of the Bundelkhand region. He said there was mourning only at two places when the IAF air strikes were carried out-- one in Pakistan and the other in the offices of Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi. Shah also alleged that the 'guru' of Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, is of the view that action should not be taken against terrorists, rather they should be engaged in dialogue. He said his party will "oust intruders" by bringing in the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The BJP chief said the SP, BSP and Congress only talked about a backward caste commission, but did nothing for getting it recognition. He added Modi hailed from the most backward caste and so was working for the poor. "There had been talks about giving reservation to the poor among unreserved categories. The Modi government extended it without touching the quota of backwards," Shah said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Polling picked up in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies of Uttar Pradesh as an estimated 34.40 per cent voters exercised their franchise till 1 pm Monday. Seats where the polling is underway in the state are Shahjahanpur (SC), Kheri, Hardoi (SC), Misrikh (SC), Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah (SC), Kannauj, Kanpur, Akbarpur, Jalaun (SC), Jhansi and Hamirpur. In Kannauj, a representative of Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav, Guddu Saxena, has complained to the observers that the district administration allegedly was not allowing SP leaders and workers to move out of their houses. He complained that security personnel in large numbers were deployed outside the houses of SP leaders before polling began and also alleged that EVMs in the SP strongholds were malfunctioning. Complaints of EVM malfunctioning were also reported in Etawah under Auriaya district, with voters saying that they had to wait for hours at polling booths in Tilak Mahavidyalaya, Sahupur, Ajitmal and Dalelnagar to cast their votes. Reports that a woman being allegedly beaten up after she did not cast her vote in favour of Samajwadi Party candidate came up from Ekghara village of the Achalda police station area. Superintendent of Police, Auraiya, has ordered lodging of an FIR against a man who allegedly carried his mobile phone into a polling booth and posted a picture while casting his vote on social media. Polling in this phase is specially important for the ruling BJP as it is aiming for a clean sweep by winning all 13 seats, including Kannauj which was the only seat the Samajwadi Party had managed to win in 2014. Kannauj was won by Samajwadi Party's Dimple Yadav. On four of these seats -- Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Mishrikh and Etawah-- the BJP has opted for new faces. The SP-BSP alliance has fielded six BSP candidates and seven SP candidates. While the BSP is contesting from Shahjahanpur (SC), Misrikh (SC), Farrukhabad, Akbarpur, Jalaun (SC) and Hamirpur, the SP has fielded candidates from Kheri, Hardoi (SC), Unnao, Etawah, Kannauj, Kanpur and Jhansi. The Congress has fielded candidates from 12 parliamentary constituencies, and it is not contesting Kannauj. Some of the prominent candidates whose electoral fate will be decided in this phase are Dimple Yadav, former Union ministers Salman Khurshid (Farrukhabd) and Sriprakash Jaiswal (Kanpur) of Congress, UP Cabinet minister Satyadev Pachauri (Kanpur), Sakshi Maharaj of BJP (Unnao) and Annu Tandon of Congress (Unnao). In Etawah, sitting MP Ashok Kumar Dohare was dropped by the BJP and he was given ticket by the Congress. The BJP has fielded Ram Shankar Katheria, who is the sitting MP, from Agra (SC). Katheria is also the chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. These 13 seats also include three Lok Sabha seats of Bundelkhannd -- Jalaun (SC), Jhansi and Hamipur -- while the fourth Banda will go to polls in the fifth phase on May 6. As many as 2,41,07,084 voters are eligible to exercise their voting rights at 27,516 polling booths located in 17,011 polling centres. Almost all parties made all out efforts to win over the voters with electioneering reaching a feverish pitch on the last day of campaigning on Saturday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed two back-to-back rallies in Kannauj and Hardoi. Congress' Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav and UP CM Yogi Adityanath also held road shows and election meetings on the last day. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 53 per cent electorate cast their votes till 5 pm Monday in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies of politically crucial Uttar Pradesh. Polling was held amid opposition Samajwadi Party's allegation that many EVMs malfunctioned and in Kannauj several SP workers were prevented from coming out of their homes to vote. In Kannauj, Guddu Saxena, a representative of Samajwadi Party candidate Dimple Yadav, complained to the observers that the district administration allegedly was not allowing SP leaders and workers to move out of their homes. He complained that security personnel in large numbers were deployed outside the houses of SP leaders before polling began and also alleged that EVMs in the SP strongholds were malfunctioning. In Kanpur, BJP workers allegedly tried to barge into a polling booth and clashed with the police. A case has been registered against BJP leader Suresh Awasthi and six others in this connection, Kanpur District Magistrate Vijay Vishwas Pant said. Shahjahanpur (SC), Kheri, Hardoi (SC), Misrikh (SC), Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah (SC), Kannauj, Kanpur, Akbarpur, Jalaun (SC), Jhansi and Hamirpur seats recorded 53.23 per cent polling till 5 pm, an electoral officer said. Reports were received of EVMs developing snag in Bidhauna area under the Kannauj Lok Sabha seat following which polling remained suspended for over an hour. Complaints of EVM malfunctioning were also reported in Etawah under Auriaya district, with voters saying they had to wait for hours at polling booths in Tilak Mahavidyalaya, Sahupur, Ajitmal and Dalelnagar to cast their votes. A woman was reportedly beaten up after she did not cast her vote in favour of Samajwadi Party candidate in Ekghara village of the Achalda police station area. The Auraiya Superintendent of Police has ordered to lodge an FIR against a man who allegedly carried his mobile phone into a polling booth and posted a picture on social media while casting his vote. According to a report from Hardoi, an elderly woman voter complained that the presiding officer at Jamkara booth under Sandila area forcibly pressed button in front of 'elephant' for her. The sector magistrate has removed the officer and handed him over to the police who is investigating the matter. Polling in this phase is specially important for the ruling BJP as it is aiming for a clean sweep by winning all 13 seats, including Kannauj, which was the only seat the Samajwadi Party had managed to win in 2014. Kannauj was won by Dimple Yadav. On four of these 13 seats -- Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Mishrikh and Etawah -- the BJP has opted for new faces. The BSP has fielded six candidates, while the SP seven. The BSP is contesting from Shahjahanpur (SC), Misrikh (SC), Farrukhabad, Akbarpur, Jalaun (SC) and Hamirpur while the SP has fielded candidates from Kheri, Hardoi (SC), Unnao, Etawah, Kannauj, Kanpur and Jhansi. The Congress has fielded candidates from 12 parliamentary constituencies. It is not contesting Kannauj. Some of the prominent candidates whose electoral fate will be decided in this phase are Dimple Yadav, former Union ministers Salman Khurshid (Farrukhabd) and Sriprakash Jaiswal (Kanpur) of Congress, UP Cabinet minister Satyadev Pachauri (Kanpur), Sakshi Maharaj of BJP (Unnao) and Annu Tandon of Congress (Unnao). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An average 66.09 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 6 pm across six Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh that went to polls Monday, an official said. A total of 1.05 crore people were eligible to vote for the six seats. The polling began at 7 am. "An average 66.09 per cent turnout was recorded till 6 pm. Those in queue (at 6pm) will be allowed to vote and the final figure will be released later," an election official said. Voting figures till 6 pm were as follows: Sidhi- 56.82 per cent, Shahdol- 66.89 per cent, Jabalpur- 64.05 per cent, Mandla 67.09 per cent, Balaghat 70.13 per cent and Chhindwara- 72.95 per cent. The corresponding figures till 5pm were as follows: Sidhi- 47.76 per cent, Shahdol- 64.89 per cent, Jabalpur- 64.05 per cent, Mandla 64.54 per cent, Balaghat 66.88 per cent and Chhindwara- 71.71 per cent. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the state V L Kantha Rao said that during a mock-poll, electronic voting machines (EVMs) were replaced at 207 polling booths as some glitches were found. The polling started on time after the machines were replaced, he added. EVMs were also replaced at 106 polling booths due to malfunctioning after the voting began. At two places under Sidhi constituency, locals threatened to boycott polling but officials persuaded them to vote, he said to a question. Asked about BJP candidate from Sidhi, Riti Pathak, reportedly receiving a threat, Rao said, "The district collector has been asked to take action." No further details about the incident were available immediately, officials said. In Naxal-affected Baiher, Lanjhi and Paraswada Assembly segments under Balaghat parliamentary seat polling was held from 7 am to 4 pm. Apart from six Lok Sabha seats, voting is also being held for by-election to Chhindwara Assembly constituency, where Chief Minister Kamal Nath is in the fray. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Army on Monday once again rejected India's claim of shooting down a Pakistani fighter jet, saying one cannot hide if a plane is downed in today's age when even if a motorcycle crashes the world finds out. has asserted that an shot down an American-made on February 27 during the aerial confrontation, a day after Indian fighter jets bombed a JeM terror camp in Balakot, Pakistan, however, has consistently denied the Indian Air Force's claim, saying none of its aircraft was shot down during the weeks of tensions between the two nuclear-armed countries. also claims to have shot a second jet during the engagement, a claim has dismissed. "We downed two Indian planes in the process, the whole world saw their debris and you [India] still claimed that one of the two planes was ours and one of our own pilots died, as we had initially said that two Indian pilots had been captured, and then said that there was only one. You [India] said that we have changed our statement because one pilot was our own," Pakistan military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor told reporters in Rawalpindi. "We got initial information through the proper channel, then on the ground, I personally found out that only one person had been captured and I sent out the correction myself. How is it that you are ready to accept one of our statement, not the other?" he was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper. "We have not retaliated because we want peace [...] we asked you [India] to ask about our F-16s' strength. In this day and age, hiding the downing of a plane is impossible. In this time, even if a motorcycle crashes the world finds out," he added. Pakistan's military on Monday once again claimed that there was "no damage" in the Balakot air strike carried out by India and asserted that it will facilitate the Indian journalists if they wish to visit the area to "see the truth". Addressing a press conference at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, Pakistan military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor alleged that India had been "lying repeatedly" and Pakistan has not responded to those lies. "Since the last two months India has been continuing to lie. As a responsible country we have not responded to their lies," he said. "The truth is that there was an incident in Pulwama. Attacks on the police in Pulwama have happened before. There was no damage at our end in Balakot. We took local and foreign media there to show them [the truth]. We will facilitate Indian media if they choose to come to Balakot to see the truth," Ghafoor was quoted as saying by Geo Tensions flared up between India and Pakistan after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF personnel in Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14. Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting the biggest JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured an IAF pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1. Ghafoor said Pakistan was waiting for the appropriate time to "honour our pilots who downed the Indian planes". "India has not said what happened in Pakistan's counter-strike," he said. The Army spokesperson also warned India not to test Pakistan's resolve. "India must not test Pakistan's resolve. It is not 1971 anymore," he said. After the aerial confrontation, India said one of its MiG-21 fighter jets downed a Pakistani F-16 before itself being shot down on February 27. Pakistan, however, has consistently denied the Indian Air Force's claim, saying none of its aircraft was shot down during the weeks of tensions between the two nuclear-armed countries. Pakistan also claims to have shot a second Indian Air Force jet during the engagement, a claim India has dismissed. "We downed two Indian planes in the process, the whole world saw their debris and you [India] still claimed that one of the two planes was ours and one of our own pilots died, as we had initially said that two Indian pilots had been captured, and then said that there was only one. You [India] said that we have changed our statement because one pilot was our own," Ghafoor said. "We got initial information through the proper channel, then on the ground, I personally found out that only one person had been captured and I sent out the correction myself. How is it that you are ready to accept one of our statement, not the other?" he was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper. "We have not retaliated because we want peace [...] we asked you [India] to ask America about our F-16s' strength. In this day and age, hiding the downing of a plane is impossible. In this time, even if a motorcycle crashes the world finds out," he added. Ghafoor also criticised India for using the threat of nuclear weapons, saying they were "weapon(s) of deterrence". He said India should to change its attitude towards Pakistan instead of asking "us to change attitude". Ghafoor also accused India of funding Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a tribal region based rights group, to destabilise Pakistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US and Pakistan officials on Monday held talks here on key bilateral and regional issues, including the peace process in Afghanistan. Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal said US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad accompanied by a delegation, including Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, South and Central Asia, Alice G Wells, arrived in Islamabad. The purpose of the trip is "to hold meetings - part of regular consultations, on bilateral relationship & Afghan peace process," said Faisal. He said Ambassador Wells held delegation-level talks at the ministry of foreign affairs with the Pakistan side led by Aftab Khokhar, Additional Secretary (Americas). The ties between the two countries strained after US President Donald Trump, while announcing his Afghanistan and South Asia policy in 2017, hit out at Pakistan for providing safe havens to "agents of chaos" that kill Americans in Afghanistan and warned Islamabad that it has "much to lose" by harbouring terrorists. But lately new efforts have been launched to improve the trust level after Secretary of State Michael Pompeo visited Islamabad in September. The US and Taliban have held several rounds of talks, including one in Qatar, and reportedly made headway on key issues. But the intra-Afghan reconciliation is a key hurdle as Taliban are not fully ready to sit with the Kabul government as they consider it as a puppet of the US. The US special envoy, Khalilzad, would also meet foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and foreign secretary Sohail Mahmood to further integrate efforts for peace in Afghanistan, officials said. US troops have been stationed in Afghanistan for 17 years. President Trump reportedly wants to cut in half the 14,000 American troops in Afghanistan, and the Taliban leaders have made a US withdrawal a key condition in peace negotiations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As many as 67 Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) activists were booked for allegedly manhandling a Shiv Sena MLC when cash was seized from a car outside the poll campaign office of the party's candidate in Maharashtra's Palghar district, police said. Vasai-Virar mayor Rupesh Jadhav of the BVA, which is an ally of the Congress, was among those booked in connection with the manhandling incident, a police official said. The incident took place just hours before polling began in the Palghar Lok Sabha constituency as part of the fourth and last phase of voting in 17 seats of the state. Following a complaint by BVA activists that voters were being lured, the Election Commission's flying squad searched a car parked outside Sena's Palghar seat nominee Rajendra Gavit in Tulinj area in the early hours of Monday and seized Rs 64,500 from it, the official said. During enquiry, the police found Shiv Sena MLC Ravindra Phatak and his supporters at Gavit's poll campaign office. They had gone there around midnight in connection with some issues pertaining to the voters' list, according to Phatak's personal assistance Ajinkya Gaonkar. Jadhav and other BVA activists reached the spot around the same time as they got information that cash was allegedly being distributed from a car to lure votes, the police official said. They demanded that the car be removed from the spot, following which Gaonkar asked them to approach Phatak. A heated argument broke out between the two sides after the BVA activists allegedly threatened to smash the car, he said. When Phatak came out of the office at that time and went near the car, Jadhav and his supporters allegedly manhandled him and Gaonkar, the official said. They also allegedly pushed Phatak's security guard and driver into the car and prevented them from getting out of the vehicle, he said. Later, based on a complaint filed by Gaonkar, the Tulinj police registered offences against 67 BVA activists, including Jadhav, under IPC sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 143 (unlawful assembly), 323 (voluntarily causing hiurt) and provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act. Earlier, the police also filed a complaint against Phatak for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by being present in the constituency even after the campaign there was over, the official said. An investigation was on into the incident, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The air is cool with the barest hint of the scorching day ahead, the sun still to hit its hot stride and office a couple of hours away. Perfect time then not just for a morning walk in the park but also for candidates to canvass for votes. On Monday, Union minister Harsh Vardhan, the BJP's candidate for Chandni Chowk, and AAP's New Delhi candidate Brijesh Gupta were among those who made the most of the morning hours to campaign. "This is the time when you can meet maximum people at one place. This is also the time where you can meet all members of a family," Vardhan told PTI. At 6.30 am, BJP workers outside the K L Sharma Park in Paschim Vihar in west Delhi in the constituency eagerly waited for Vardhan to arrive so the campaign for the day could begin. As residents jogged, ambled or did push-ups on the grass, party workers dressed in 'NaMo' T-shirts with BJP scarves hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a young worker shouted slogans into a mike. Vardhan, the incumbent MP, was scheduled to start his campaign at 6 am in the morning from the park. Dressed in a NaMo shirt, track pant and jogging shoes, he arrived about an hour later to an enthusiastic welcome from the workers. Some showered flowers while others wanted to place a turban on his head. Within minutes, the crowd entered the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) maintained park through a narrow passage. The younger lot jumped a wall at the entrance to join Vardhan. As he entered the park, he started interacting with morning walkers. The first interaction took place with a bunch of people exercising on gym equipment inaugurated by Vardhan recently. After a brief interaction, he proceeded to meet others. In 30 minutes, he met over 50-60 people in the park, appealing to them to vote for Prime Minister Modi. One woman vented her grievances and he patiently listened, assuring her of action. Some also wanted to take selfies with him. He then proceeded to the Meera Bagh area for campaigning. As temperatures cross 40 degrees Celsius, the time between 6-10 am is one of the most preferred slots for campaigning. According to Vardhan, every hour should be utilised to the fullest during the polls when time is of the essence. "I also like visiting parks. Election campaigning gives me more reasons to do that," he added. AAP's New Delhi candidate Gupta agreed. He also starts his campaign at 6 am and covers three parks a day. "Where do you get 500-600 people in a concentrated place. This is the advantage of campaigning in the morning. Plus, it gets very hot later in the day," Goyal said. Workers, too, find it easy to campaign. Explaining the importance of campaigning in the morning, BJP councillor Neeraj Gupta said parks play an important place in Delhi's politics. "It is the place where people debate, discuss what's happening in Delhi and national politics. Visiting them in parks facilitates one on one meetings, which helps develop a bond," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defending Narendra Modi's "backward" caste credentials, Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Monday lashed out at opposition parties for their attacks on the Prime Minister over his caste. Earlier this month, Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav rebuffed Modi's assertion of belonging to an "ati pichhada" (most backward) caste and called him a "fake OBC". BSP chief Mayawati has also alleged that Modi included his caste in the backward category during his tenure as Gujarat chief minister to derive electoral profit. For the Congress, its general secretary Priyanka Gandhi had said that while her party did not indulge in caste politics, she didn't know as to which caste prime minister belongs to. "Who is backward from his birth? Does an infant born out a mother's womb has a caste? The caste is a reality, but backward and forward is a constitutional construct. Now Paswan in Bihar is a scheduled caste but not so in Delhi. Or Yadavs, they maybe backward...Why are they screaming?" the Dalit leader told reporters. "These comments are a sign of desperation and clearly shows they have already lost the election." Addressing a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh Saturday, the prime minister aggressively pitched his backward caste identity, declaring that he was not just an OBC, but was "born" into the "most backward caste". The Lok Janshakti Party chief also said that the election results on May 23 will clear all doubts of the opposition parties and by May 26 Modi will again be sworn in as the PM. Paswan also took a dig at Priyanka Gandhi and said that she had "backed out" from the fight against Modi in Varanasi. "In the face of a defeat, she backed out," he alleged. Paswan also said that individual candidate is not important in this election as people across the country are voting for Modi. "There is one united view in this country that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be brought back. Candidates are not important in this election," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday claimed that patriotism and nationalist feelings are being abused in the country and said the people should be cautious of those who indulge in it for the sake of votebank He alleged that the political parties which did not recognise the sacrifices made by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and other freedom fighters are now questioning the valour of the armed forces - a reference to the air strikes at Balakot in Pakistan. "The country is witnessing a peculiar trend of abuse of partriotism and nationalist feelings. West Bengal is the land where the national song Vande Mataram was created. This is the land of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhaya. But here the song is being misintepreted to serve vote bank politics," Modi said at a poll rally here. The people of the country should be wary of such forces who think "hundred times" before shouting slogans in favour of the motherland in order to serve the purposes of their vote bank politics, the prime minister said. "Mamata Banerjee is also a part of this group. The people of Bengal will not spare her for supporting those who are opposing our country," he said. Claiming that it was BJP which honoured the contributions and sacrifices of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Indian National Army, Modi said political parties, including Trinamool Congress have never honoured their contributions are now questioning the valour of armed forces. "They (the political paries) are speaking in the same tune as Pakistan and are questioning the (Balakot) air strikes," he said. Elated over the huge turnout at his rally at Barrackpore, Modi said Mamata Banerjee has "lost her cool" after seeing it. Under TMC's rule "all three - mother, motherland and people (Ma, maati, manush which is TMC's slogan) are suffering", he said. Referring to the closed jute mills in the industrial belt of Barrackpore in North 24 Parganas district, Modi said "First the Left Front and now didi's daman (atrocity) have put the locks on jute factories of the area. "The hooliganism in trade unions and syndicates have forced the jute industries to close down," Modi said. In West Bengal syndicate means a business run by persons allegedly enjoying political patrongae who force builders and contratcors to buy construction materials, often of inferior quality, at high prices. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Petronet LNG Ltd plans to set up a floating LNG terminal in Andaman and Nicobar Islands which will be utilised to feed city gas distribution business of selling CNG to automobiles and piped cooking gas to households in the island. Petronet has made an application to sector regulator, Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) for a city gas licence. In its application it said, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd is looking at setting up a 50 MW gas-based power plant in Hope Town in South Andaman and plans to appoint a gas supplier for the same. "Petronet (has) proposed to set up an Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) to regasify LNG to supply gas to the power plant. This would (also) be the source for the supply of gas to city gas distribution (CGD) network at Port Blair," the company said in the application. Gas will be imported in its liquid form (LNG or liquefied natural gas) from international suppliers. It will be converted back into its gaseous state at a FSRU at the high-sea. "Gas shall be sourced from long term or spot LNG market," Petronet said. The company currently operates a 15 million tonnes a year LNG import terminal at Dahej in Gujarat and has another 5 million tonnes a year unit at Kochi in Kerala. Petronet said Port Blair has a population of around 1.5 lakh made up to some 39,000 households. Port Blair has 1.2 lakh vehicles with majority 86,402 being two-wheelers. Petronet assessed the city's gas demand by 2027 at 0.077 million standard cubic meters per day, more than half of which will come from the use of CNG in transport. Household demand was put at 0.015 mmscmd and an almost similar consumption from commercial establishments. The geographical area for its city gas network at Port Blair will span some 50 square kilometers, according to the application. PNGRB has sought comments on the application made by Petronet by June 6. It may allot the city gas licence to the company if there is no competitive offer for setting up a CGD network on the Islands. In case there are offers, the applicants as also Petronet would be asked to make a bid for the licence. According to Petronet, the FSRU will have the capacity to import 0.15 million tonnes per annum. Andaman & Nicobar islands currently meets its power needs mainly from Government owned diesel generation units with balance power purchased from independent power producers such as Surya Chakra Power Corporation Ltd at Bamboo flats and other Hired Power plants at Phoenix Bay. Gas being environment-friendly fuel will help the ecology of the Island. The planned 50 MW power plant by NTPC will be sufficient to meet current as well as future electricity needs of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The proposed LNG terminal will cost about Rs 496 crores while the power plant may cost about Rs 215 crore. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The KC College polling centre in South Mumbai is where many of the 'SoBo' (South Bombay) elites, including serving and retired IAS and IPS officials, cast their votes. On Monday, a sizable group of pavement dwellers rubbed shoulders with them. These homeless people, who have made pavements around the Mantralaya, the state government's headquarters, their home, turned out armed with voter ID and Aadhaar cards. Shantabai Laxman Kale, 70, said she was among some 300 people who have been living on pavements near the Mantralaya for decades. "We hail from Solapur, and live in Mumbai to eke out a living. We still yearn to have a house of our own," she said, adding that eviction by civic officials or police is a constant fear in their lives. "But we come back even when we are evicted and sent outside the city," she said. Bhamabai Chavan, who works as a cleaner in the Mantralaya on contract basis, said, "We are Indian citizens, and we vote. We are entitled to a house of our own. Ward officials burn our belongings (whenever there is anti-encroachment drive)". Many of these pavement-dwellers work as sweepers and cleaners in the Mantralaya, getting about Rs 8,000 per month. Chavan said they have got Aadhaar and voter cards under the 'homeless' category. Local officials rubbished the claim that these people face harassment. "Police intervene only when there are orders to evict them," said a constable who did not wish to be named. They create "unhygienic conditions" and get into squabbles, creating nuisance in the area, he alleged. Some of them have got houses under government schemes in places like suburban Mankhurd, but they rent them out and live here, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has suspended police chief Pujith Jayasundara, his office announced on Monday after the defiant Inspector General refused to quit following the massive Easter Sunday bombings. Sirisena on Friday said that Jayasundara had resigned but he never sent the letter and remained in his official residence, according to officials. The police chief in Sri Lanka can only be removed through a parliamentary procedure and Sirisena's action suspending him is the first step towards that, the officials said. Senior Deputy Inspector General C D Wickremaratne, the second-in-command in the force, has been appointed as the acting police chief. Jayasundara was asked to quit along with defence ministry secretary Hemasiri Fernando, taking responsibility for the intelligence failure that led to the bombings. Police chief Jayasundara has steadfastly refused to heed Sirisena's call to resign following April 21 coordinated blasts on three churches and three luxury hotels. The attacks carried out by suicide bombers came in spite of early warnings and the security establishment's failure to take preventive action has come under severe criticism. Sirisena, who also keeps the defence portfolio with him, said he wanted to revamp the security system and his defence ministry secretary Fernando resigned promptly on his request on Thursday. Former Inspector General N K Illangakoon has been appointed as an advisor to the Defence Ministry, according to the President's office. Deputy Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Nalin Bandara said a motion to remove the police chief will be tabled in Parliament within this week, Sri Lanka Mirror reported. Noting that the motion will be tabled on the agreement of all government MPs, he hoped to get the backing of opposition MPs as well, it said. President Sirisena last week said that intelligence failures led to the blasts, the country's worst terror attack. Meanwhile, the police chief has said that he has done nothing wrong and that he would resign if the defence minister resigns as well. Nine suicide bombers carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on the Easter Sunday, killing 253 people and injuring over 500 people. The Islamic State claimed the attacks, but the government has blamed local Islamist extremist group National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) for the attacks. Sri Lanka on Saturday banned the NTJ and a splinter group linked to the ISIS. A total of 106 suspects, including a Tamil medium teacher and a school principal, have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday blasts. According to Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry, the number of foreign nationals who have been identified as killed remained at 40, including 11 from India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday suspended defiant police chief Pujith Jayasundara and named his successor as well as a new defence secretary as part of the revamping of the security establishment following the country's worst terror attack. Sirisena on Friday said that Jayasundara had resigned but he never sent the letter and remained in his official residence, according to officials. Senior Deputy Inspector General C D Wickremaratne has been appointed as the acting police chief while former Inspector General N K Illangakoon named as an advisor to the Defence Ministry, according to the President's office. Police chief Jayasundara was asked to quit along with defence ministry secretary Hemasiri Fernando, taking responsibility for the intelligence failure that led to the bombings. Jayasundara, however, refused to heed Sirisena's call to resign following April 21 coordinated blasts on three churches and three luxury hotels. The police chief in Sri Lanka can only be removed through a parliamentary procedure and Sirisena's action suspending him is the first step towards that, the officials said. The attacks carried out by suicide bombers came in spite of early warnings and the security establishment's failure to take preventive action has come under severe criticism. Sirisena, who also keeps the defence portfolio with him, said he wanted to revamp the security system and his defence ministry secretary Fernando resigned promptly on his request on Thursday. Deputy Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Nalin Bandara said a motion to remove the police chief will be tabled in Parliament within this week, Sri Lanka Mirror reported. Noting that the motion will be tabled on the agreement of all government MPs, he hoped to get the backing of opposition MPs as well, it said. President Sirisena last week said that intelligence failures led to the blasts, the country's worst terror attack. Meanwhile, the police chief has said that he has done nothing wrong and that he would resign if the defence minister resigns as well. Nine suicide bombers carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on the Easter Sunday, killing 253 people and injuring over 500 people. The Islamic State claimed the attacks, but the government has blamed local Islamist extremist group National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) for the attacks. Sri Lanka on Saturday banned the NTJ and a splinter group linked to the ISIS. A total of 106 suspects, including a Tamil medium teacher and a school principal, have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday blasts. According to Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry, the number of foreign nationals who have been identified as killed remained at 40, including 11 from India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Protestscontinued Monday over the alleged goof-up inthe declaration of results ofthe Intermediate examinations by members of different student organisations and political parties here even as the BJP Telangana unit president K Laxman began an indefinite fast. The bungling led to the alleged suicides of 23 students since the declaration of results on April 18. Hitting out at the TRS government, the BJP state chief Laxman began his fast seeking justice for the students. The demands of the BJP include sacking of Minister G Jagadeesh Reddy, suspension of secretary of Board of Intermediate Education, judicial inquiry into the entire episode and compensation to families of students who allegedly committed suicide. The exams were conducted during February and March this year and the results were declared on April 18. Many students and parents have been protesting against the Telangana State Board of Intermediate (TSBIE) alleging goof-up in the paper valuation. Demanding resignation of the Minister, the protesters, wanted him to take moral responsibility over the "fiasco" and made a vain bid to lay siege to the TSBIE office here and Pragathi Bhavan, official residence complex-cum-camp office of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. Scores of protesters were taken into preventive custody by the police. In the wake of "Chalo TSBIE" protest call given by Opposition parties, several leaders of the Congress, Telangana TDP, TJS were put under "house arrest" in different parts of the city and across the state, leaders of those parties said. Police, who had stepped up security near the TSBIE office, foiled attempts by activists of Students' Federation of India, Progressive Democratic Students Union, Democratic Youth Federation of India, All India Democratic Students' Organisation and other student organisations to barge into the TSBIE office, and whisked away the protesters in police vehicles. Similarly, scores of members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishat and CPI were taken into preventive custody when they tried to hold demonstrations near Pragathi Bhavan. The protesters raised slogans against the government and demanded resignation of the Education Minister and suspension of officials of TSBIE including its secretary A Ashok againstirregularitiesin the declaration of the results and demanded to 'blacklist' GlobarenaTechnologies, which was given the contract for data collection and processing of the results. Some students claimed they had either failed or got poor marks though they had done well in exams. Following allegations of bungling in the announcement of results, students, parents, students' organisations and political parties have been staging protests across the state over the past one week. The three-member committee of technical experts, appointed by the Telangana government following the furore over Intermediate examination results, pointed out certain lapses and suggested various measures for improvement, officials said Saturday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress President Rahul Gandhi expressed "regret" once again in the Supreme Court on Monday for his "chowkidar chor hai" remark on the Rafale judgement, which the apex court had said was "incorrectly attributed" to it. The apex court on April 15 had given a categorical clarification that in its Rafale verdict there was no occasion for it to make a mention of the contemptuous observation that "chowkidar Narendra Modi chor hain" as has been attributed to it by Gandhi. Gandhi, who filed a fresh affidavit following the formal notice issued to him by the apex court on a criminal contempt petition filed against him by BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi, has written the word "regret" in bracket. On April 22, Gandhi had filed an affidavit in response to the apex court's order asking him to give an explanation over his remarks and had said that he was expressing "regret" over it. However, during the hearing in the matter on April 23, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Lekhi, had told a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi that the word 'regret' was in a bracket and actually it was a "lip service of apology". In his fresh affidavit, Gandhi reiterated what he had said in his explanation earlier that his statement was made in the "heat of political campaigning" and there was not the "slightest intention to insinuate" anything regarding the Supreme Court proceedings in any manner. He said his April 10 statement was made in purely political context to counter the "misinformation campaign" being led by senior BJP functionaries as well as the government that the apex court verdict on December 14 last year was a "clean chit" to the Centre regarding all the aspects of the Rafale deal. "My statement was made in the heat of political campaigning. It has been used (and misused) by my political opponents to project that I had deliberately and intentionally suggested that this Court had said 'Chowkidar Chor Hai'! Nothing could be farther from my mind," he said in his 28-page affidavit. "It is also clear that no court would ever do that and hence the unfortunate references (for which I express regret) to the court order and to the political slogan in juxtaposition the same breath in the heat of political campaigning ought not to be construed as suggesting that the court had given any finding or conclusion on that issue," Gandhi said in his affidavit filed through advocate Sunil Fernandes. Gandhi clarified that he did not have the "slightest or remotest intention, desire or even thought process, to bring the court into the political arena or bring it into disrepute or attribute to it deliberately or willfully that which the court had not said or meant". Referring to a media interview by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi said Modi had "clearly suggested" that the apex court had given him a clean chit in the Rafale deal. "It was in this context that the court's order dated April 10 rejecting the challenge of maintainability of the review petition by the Government and deciding to go ahead with the hearing of the matter was seen generally as a vindication of the stand of several sections opposed to the government and the ruling party," he said. Gandhi said he had not done nor remotely intended to do anything to lower the majesty of the Supreme Court in any manner whatsoever. "There is no intention, direct, indirect, remote, implied or an attempt in any other manner to violate any court order, obstruct the administration of justice, or prejudice or interfere with the due course of any judicial proceedings, or scandalize the court in any manner. The said statements were made by the answering respondent (Gandhi) in Hindi in a rhetorical flourish in the heat of the moment," he said. Gandhi said his statement was made during a "political campaign without a readable copy of the Supreme Court order" being available on its website and he had neither seen nor read the order. "On April 10, at the time of and in my statement, the issues relating to court proceedings unfortunately got juxtaposed and mingled with a political slogan being used extensively by answering respondent's party (Congress) as well as answering respondent (Gandhi) for the last several months, which is a matter of intense and frenzied public debate during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections," he said. "The answering respondent (Gandhi) would take this opportunity to reaffirm his stand and belief and that of his party that the Rafale deal is a tainted transaction and a gross and brazen abuse of executive power and a leading example of the corruption of the BJP Government led by Prime Minister Modi, which deserves to be investigated thoroughly by a Joint Parliamentary Committee and proceeded against thereafter," he said. Gandhi, who said that he is a responsible political and public figure heading a 130-year-old political party, sought dismissal of Lekhi's plea saying it was an "abuse of process" of the court. "In view of the above, it is submitted that the present petition be dismissed in limine at the very threshold with costs. It is further submitted that by this petition, it is the applicant-petitioner (Lekhi) who is seeking to drag the court into a political controversy for personal gains and political mileage," he said. The apex court had earlier said it will hear Lekhi's contempt petition on April 30. In her plea, Lekhi, the Lok Sabha MP from New Delhi constituency, has alleged that Gandhi has attributed his personal remarks to the top court and tried to create prejudice. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress chief Rahul Gandhi will Tuesday address three public meetings in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh. The meetings will be held in Tikamgarh, Damoh and Khajuraho Lok Sabha seats, all currently held by the BJP. Sagar is the fourth Lok Sabha seat in Bundelkhand, an impoverished region of the state. "Rahul ji will first address a public meeting at noon in Jatara in Tikamgarh Lok Sabha seat. He will then hold election rallies at Patharia in Damoh parliamentary constituency around 1.45 pm and at Amanganj in Khajuraho Lok Sabha seat around 4.15 pm," MP Congress spokesperson Bhupendra Gupta told PTI Monday. The Congress, which unseated the BJP in the 2018 Assembly polls, is hopeful of opening its account in the region this time, said party functionaries. In April 2008, Gandhi had visited Bundelkhand's remote Tapriyan village in Tikamgarh district and spent the night in a tribal's thatched-roof house devoid of basis amenities. He then got the Centre to announce an economic package for the upliftment of Bundelkhand region. However, it did not have the desired political effect as the Congress drew a blank in this region in the 2009 and 2014 general elections. Tikamgarh, Damoh and Khajuraho go to polls on May 6. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi has not tendered any "apology" or exhibited "remorse" in his explanation filed in the apex court over his remark on the Rafale case verdict, BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi told the Supreme Court Monday. Lekhi, who has filed a criminal contempt petition against Gandhi over his "chowkidar chor hai" remark after the Rafale verdict, which the apex court had said was "incorrectly attributed" to it, submitted a rejoinder affidavit in the top court. The apex court is scheduled to hear the Lekhi's contempt petition on Tuesday. "I state and submit that from the tone, tenor and the language used in the purported explanation of the alleged contemnor (Gandhi), it is clear that the alleged contemnor has not tendered any apology or exhibited any remorse in the affidavit," she said. She said that Gandhi further made false and contradictory statements in the affidavit "which itself amounts to contempt of court". "In the garb of a bona fide general perception," Lekhi said, Gandhi has sought to justify the "contemptuous statements" made by him rather than submitting an "unconditional apology" to the court. "It is submitted that from the holistic reading of the reply affidavit of the alleged contemnor (Gandhi), it is clear that there is no sense of regret or remorse or bona fide and unqualified apology on part of the alleged contemnor," she said. She said that a "mere vague and half-hearted expression of regret", without bona fide belief of mistake, cannot be a ground to escape consequences of contempt of this court. Gandhi, while responding Monday to a notice issued to him by the apex court on Lekhi's petition, once again expressed "regret" for his remarks. The apex court on April 15 had given a categorical clarification that in its Rafale verdict there was no occasion for it to make a mention of the contemptuous observation that "chowkidar Narendra Modi chor hain" as has been attributed to it by Gandhi. Gandhi, who filed a fresh affidavit following the formal notice issued to him by the apex court on Lekhi's pleas, has used the word "regret" in bracket. On April 22, Gandhi had filed an affidavit in response to the apex court's order asking him to give an explanation over his remarks and had said that he was expressing "regret" over it. However, during the hearing in the matter the next day, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Lekhi, had told a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi that the word 'regret' was in a bracket and actually it was a "lip service of apology". In his fresh affidavit, Gandhi reiterated what he had said in his explanation earlier that his statement was made in the "heat of political campaigning" and there was not the "slightest intention to insinuate" anything regarding the Supreme Court proceedings in any manner. In her plea, Lekhi, the Lok Sabha MP from the New Delhi constituency, has alleged that Gandhi has attributed his personal remarks to the top court and tried to create prejudice. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As 13 Rajasthan constituencies voted Monday, Congress president Rahul Gandhi addressed rallies in other parts of the state, attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi over jobs and corruption in the Rafale military jet deal. ' "An inquiry in the Rafale deal is going to happen. Two names will emerge. One, Anil Ambani and the other, Narendra Modi, he claimed at an election rally in Kotputai area of Jaipur Rural Lok Sabha constituency. He also addressed meetings in Churu and Dholpur where elections will be held in the next phase on May 6. The first round of polling in Rajasthan was held Monday, when votes were cast for 13 of the state's 25 seats. The Modi-led government has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the deal for the French aircraft. Industrialist Ambani has also dismissed charges that his Reliance Group was favoured in any way. At the rallies, Rahul Gandhi said the party's proposed minimum income guarantee scheme will boost the economy. "I am not here to lie. Our Nyay scheme will jumpstart the economy. It will be the diesel for the Indian economy. We will deposit Rs 3.60 lakh in five years in bank accounts of five crore women," he said in Dholpur's Sepau town. The Congress has promised to give an annual income support of Rs 72,000 to the poorest 20 per cent families under the scheme if comes to power. The money will come from the pockets of thieves like Mehul Choksi and Anil Ambani, he said, and asked Modi to save his friend. He said no farmer will go to jail if he fails to repay loans. In Churu, a group of youths wearing t-shirts that spelled out his slogan, Chowkidar chor hai caught his eye. Each youth wore a shirt displaying a single letter, adding up to the slogan which accuses the prime minister of being a thief. Gandhi claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised Rs 15 lakh in the bank accounts of all Indians and asked whether anyone present in the rally has got it. "Chowkidar ji had also promised two crore jobs. Anyone among you got the jobs?" Gandhi asked. He repeated the charge that Modi gave the public's money to the country's 15 richest people, and said the Congress wanted to give it to the poor. The Congress leader claimed that unemployment is now the highest in 45 years while 22 lakh government jobs are lying vacant. "We will fill the vacancies in one year after coming to power," he said. He said a special budget will be made for the farmers before the general budget if Congress comes to power. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and senior BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan Monday said Congress chief Rahul Gandhi would fulfil Mahatma Gandhi's post-Independence wish that the country's oldest party be dissolved. He also accused the Congress chief of "breaking a record" of lying and levelling "wrong allegations" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing a rally in Indore, he said, "After India attained Independence, Mahatma Gandhi had said the Congress should be dissolved. I feel this work (dissolution) will be accomplished at the hands of Rahul Gandhi." He further claimed that the Congress chief had to apologise in the Supreme Court for his "chowkidar chor hai" remark, adding that the opposition did not have a leader to take on Modi. He also took a swipe at former chief minister and Congress' Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate Digvijaya Singh for inviting former JNU students' union president and CPI Begusarai Lok Sabha contestant Kanhaiya Kumar for campaigning. Singh had announced Sunday that Kumar would seek votes for him on May 8-9 in Bhopal, where he is pitted against BJP candidate and Malegaon blast case accused Pragya Singh Thakur. "The Congress president Rahul Gandhi's guru Digvijaya Singh calls Osama bin Laden, Osamaji and stands with terrorists. When he did not get anyone for electioneering, he has invited Kanhaiya Kumar, who is facing trial in a sedition case," Chouhan said. "The Congress speaks the language of terrorists and supports traitors. The party wants to do away with the sedition law," he told the gathering. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government should take steps such as rationalising rate for and incentivising private participation to boost the sector as it holds huge potential to push economic growth and job creation, a report Monday said. Enlisting the measures, a FICCI-Yes Bank Report titled 'India Inbound Tourism: Unlocking the Opportunities' said that by 2029, the Indian sector is likely to grow at 6.7 per cent per annum to reach Rs 35 lakh crore. Among the 14 measures suggested by the report, the other steps include creation of the Authority and Advisory Council, release of tourism competitiveness index, greater coordination at state level and creation of land bank repository. " applicable on varies according to the room tariff. Rooms with tariff Rs 2,500-7,500 per night attract a rate of 18 per cent and rooms with tariff of Rs 7,500 and above per night attract a rate of 28 per cent. "This makes the premium/ luxury and resorts in India among the most taxed in the world, higher than cities such as New York, London and Paris," it added. It said higher taxes on hotels make the segment less competitive as compared to other Asian peers. "It is recommended to reduce with a ceiling of 18 per cent on hotel rooms to make the segment more competitive," it said. The report said availability of a suitable land parcel is the preliminary step for assessment towards development of a tourism project. Seeking relaxation in visa regime, it suggested that India should work with other member countries of BIMSTEC, SAARC and ASEAN to offer 'Combined Visa. "Such visa will result in conversion of stopovers to short-haul visits and will also add India on itinerary of tourists on long visits to the South Asian region," it said. It also said there is an urgent need to focus towards development of quality accommodation infrastructure across the region to unlock the true potential of the country's northeaster region. Further, the report said the tourism sector generated 26.7 million jobs in 2018 and by 2029, it is expected to provide employment to nearly 53 million people, directly and indirectly. Rebel Wilson says she believes as a public figure, there is a "responsibility" on her to promote body positivity and she takes that role "seriously". The actor said she wants to dispel the "negative perceptions" about what women must look like. "I take my responsibility seriously that way. I want to do everything I can to present a positive, intelligent image for women who should be proud of their spirit and energy, which will ultimately overcome any negative perceptions about how women are expected to look," Wilson told Heat magazine. The 39-year-old actor said she does not want people to be ashamed of their looks and instead be comfortable with their "self-image". "There's a lot of pressure on women, especially younger women, to conform to the thin body image. Not everyone can be that way and no one should be ashamed of how they look or suffer bullying and other forms of abuse because of their size and shape. "I'm a very unique case in Hollywood because there are very few women who look like me and are working a lot in movies. So if women - and young women in particular - can see me in interesting roles, being brave and bold and having fun in life, that can be a big help and help their self-image and self-respect," Wilson said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) GST officers are working out a mechanism to deal with non-payment of taxes by large number of small restaurants and B2C entities which are collecting taxes from customers but not depositing the levy with the government. Several consumers have filed complaints through a mobile app -Iris Peridot - that GST was charged by small restaurants but the eatery neither deposited taxes with the government nor filed GST returns. Many customers have downloaded the Iris Peridot app, developed by a GST Suvidha Provider, allowing them to scan the unique GST Identification Number (GSTIN) of a business and find out whether the returns have been filed by the entity. Complaints of consumers about non-filing of returns by the entities which are charging Goods and Services Tax (GST) are being forwarded on a real-time basis to the tax department for further action. Small businesses with an annual turnover of up to Rs 1.50 crore can opt for the composition scheme and file returns quarterly. However, such businesses are not allowed to charge GST from consumers and are required to print on their invoice that they are under the composition scheme and hence not supposed to charge GST on supplies. Under the composition scheme, traders and manufacturers pay 1 per cent GST on their turnover, while restaurants and service providers pay 5 per cent and 6 per cent taxes respectively. "We have received several complaints from consumers with regard to charging of GST by entities who have not been filing returns. Some customers have also flagged the issue of charging of GST by small local restaurants who otherwise would be under the composition scheme," an official told PTI. As the number of complaints is very large, the tax department is developing a mechanism to find out the quantum of possible tax evasion and refer them to field offices for follow-up actions. "In absence of sufficient manpower to deal with such huge number of complaints with relatively small tax implication, it has become an administrative nightmare for the department," the official said, adding similar complaints have also started coming in against small B2C entities dealing in hardware, sanitary ware, furniture, electrical goods. PwC India Partner and Leader (Indirect Tax) Pratik Jain said tax evasion at B2C level remains a big concern for the government. "To achieve over 20 per cent projected growth in GST collection in current fiscal, it's important that evasion in B2C segment significantly reduces. Governments across the globe are trying to find ways to incentivise consumers to help in creating a more compliant eco-system, which we need to explore as well. Also the tax policy should be aligned to check tax evasion," Jain said. Jain further said restricting input credits for restaurants and real estate sector may disincentivise the businesses to come in the tax chain and such policies need to be carefully reviewed. EY Tax Partner Abhishek Jain said "with a significant growth in GST collections envisaged in this Financial Year, the focus of the government would be to plug GST leakages". For 2019-20, the government proposes to collect Rs 6.10 lakh crore from Central GST and Rs 1.01 lakh crore as compensation cess. The Integrated GST balance has been pegged at Rs 50,000 crore. The Central GST collection in 2018-19 fiscal was Rs 4.25 lakh crore, while compensation cess was over Rs 97,000 crore. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister Kiren Rijiju lashed out at the Congress on Monday for "decades of criminal injustice" to the people of Ladakh. Addressing rallies at Nyoma in Changthang region near the Line of Actual Control here, the minister of state for home said in the 72 years of independence, Congress enjoyed power for 60 years but the party did not manage to do anything for the common man. "The Congress has unleashed a demonic culture of looting the nation's resources for filling their own pockets, which has done enough harm to the nation and it should be stopped at once", he said, campaigning for the BJP's candidate Jamyang Tsering Namgyal in Ladakh Parliamentary Seat, which is primarily Buddhist-dominated. Flanked by BJP state president Ravinder Raina, MLC Tsering Dorjey, MP candidate Namgyal, Rijiju told gatherings at Khalsti and Neoma of Ladakh to vote for the favour BJP. He appealed to the people to teach Congress a lesson as the grand old party had "abandoned the Ladakh region for filling its own kitty". Rijiju said while the Congress party only serves a single family, the BJP is a party which cares for the whole country. He said the Modi-led government had undertaken record number of development works in the country in only five years. He said mass voting in favour of the BJP would strengthen Prime Minister Narendra Modi's hands to undertake development work in the region. He said Namgyal will fulfil the expectations of the people with full support of the central leadership. Ravinder Raina, in his address, said the BJP has put an end to the discrimination that the people of Ladakh were facing for decades. He said the same spirit will be carried forward by Namgyal as MP. Namgyal resolved to develop the Ladakh region on the most modern lines. Ladakh Lok Sabha constituency is the largest in India in terms of area. Out of the six parliamentary constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh has the least number of polling stations at 559 and the fewest voters at 1,71,819. Leh and Kargil districts have 294 and 265 polling stations respectively. The Congress is facing an uphill task to win the Ladakh Parliamentary seat as party rebel, backed by an influential religious organisation, has filed nomination as an independent candidate, making the May 6 election a multi-cornered contest involving the BJP, said analysts. Rigzin Spalbar, of Congress, is fighting against party rebel Asgar Ali Karbalai. Spalbar, a Buddhist leader, is a two-time chief executive councillor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), and Karbalai is a former MLA of Kargil. There are four other candidates in the fray. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court Monday directed the Punjab and Haryana High Court Registry not to appoint any civil judge in Haryana without its nod and summoned the Registrar General with all the selection records pertaining to the exams held to fill 107 posts in lower judiciary. The top court was hearing the plea filed by 92 aspirants to the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division) in Haryana. They alleged that 1,282 examinees, who had qualified the preliminary tests, appeared for the mains and out them only 9 were selected for the interview against a total 107 vacancies. "Issue notice, returnable on May 3. The Registrar General of the High Court of Punjab and Haryana will be present with the records of the selection, including the evaluation of the answer scripts of all the candidates appeared in the Main Written Examination. "No appointments will be made without leave of the court," said a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. The plea, filed through Prashant Bhushan, Amiy Shukla and Shakti Vardhan, has listed out several discrepancies and sought quashing of the result of the Main (Written) Examination of Civil Judge (Junior Division) in the Haryana, which was declared on April 11. The bench, which also comprised Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, was hearing the petition challenging the selection process and evaluation method adopted in the examination on the grounds of being "unreasonable, arbitrary and malafide". The plea alleged that if the examination's selection process was not stayed, it would cause irreparable damage to the petitioners and other un-successful candidates. The petitioners alleged that various RTI applications were filed immediately after the result of the main examination seeking disclosure of marks, copies of answer scripts, model answers and marking criteria, but to no avail and the interview tests were scheduled on the basis of the already declared results. The petitioners have alleged that there was a "serious problem" with the evaluation method being conducted for selecting judicial officers in Haryana. A total 14,301 students took the preliminary examination held on December 22, 2018 for total 107 vacancies. "1,282 students, out of 14,301, who were declared successful in preliminary examination, took the main examination held on March 15 and 17, 2019," it said. The main examination was cleared only by nine students out of 1,282, against the total vacancies of 107 which means that a total of 99.298 percent of the students failed the test, the plea said. It further said that it was "surprising" and "invited disbelief" that at least 20-30 candidates, who had appeared for the main exam but were not selected for the interview are those who have already cleared judicial examinations of other states or are sitting judges in their respective states. "Some of the candidates who have not been found fit for the interview are the toppers and gold medalists in their respective reputed law colleges, the plea said. Through the information obtained under RTI Act, it is clear that in the last examination cycle leading to appointment of successful candidates to state judicial services, there was "no marking criteria" for the evaluation of answer scripts in the related mains examination and the performance of the candidate in the written examination depended solely on discretion of the examiner, the plea alleged. It also alleged that the Punjab and Haryana High Court had further responded that information was not available with the concerned branch about existence of model answers or their copies and principles governing grace marks. The petition says that the high court has already scrapped the entire preliminary examination held earlier on July 16, 2017 on account of paper leak and had issued direction for an enquiry in to the entire issue. The plea said that unless the selection process for the examination is re-examined to make it more rational and reasonable, one of the most important factors responsible for "huge pendency" and "delay in justice", which is lack of sufficient number of judicial officers, will not be tackled. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court Monday sought a response from the Election Commission on a plea seeking setting aside a rule which provides for prosecution of an elector if the complaint alleging malfunctioning of EVMs and VVPATs eventually turns out to be false. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi took note of the plea, which alleged that Rule 49MA of 'The Conduct of Elections Rules' was unconstitutional as it criminalizes reporting of malfunctioning of Electronic Voting Machines and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails. The plea alleged that putting the onus on the elector in cases of arbitrary deviant behaviour of machines used in election process, infringes upon a citizen's right to freedom of expression under the Constitution. The bench, which comprised justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, also issued a notice to the Centre on the plea filed by Sunil Ahya. His plea has sought a direction to the EC to register a complaint of any deviant behaviour of equipment used in the election process. The petition said that presently, the burden of proof, rests on the elector for reporting any deviant behaviour of EVMs and VVPATs, who will face criminal charges irrespective of whether the complaint was truthful and honest. It said that when an elector is asked to cast test vote as prescribed under Rule 49MA, he may not be able to reproduce the same result which he was complaining about, one more time in a sequence, because of the pre-programmed deviant behaviour of the electronic machines. "In the course of reporting the deviant behaviour of an electronic machine used in the election process, an elector has to cast two votes; first one in secrecy and the second a test vote in the presence of the candidates or polling agents. A test vote cast subsequently in the presence of others cannot become a conclusive evidence of the deviant behaviour or otherwise of the previous vote cast in absolute secrecy," the plea said. It said that holding an elector accountable for deviant behaviours of EVMs and VVPATs could deter them from coming forth and making any complaint which is essential for improving the process. "This may also create an illusion of free and fair elections, whereas the fact would be that people have simply not come forward to lodge complaints," the plea said. It also added that since only an elector could be a witness to the secrecy of his vote cast, it would violate Article 20(3) of the Constitution which says that no person accused of an offence shall be compelled to be a witness against himself. The plea also referred to an incident where a retired senior police office, even after finding the discrepancy in the VVPAT, could not dare to complain as falsity of such complaint would have led to his imprisonment and heavy fine. The plea said the penal consequences for making complaints against EVMs and VVPATs may deter an elector from reporting any deviant behaviour and lodging a complaint which is an essential ingredient in a continuous exercise for improving a election process. Rule 49MA reads: Where printer for paper trail is used, if an elector after having recorded his vote under rule 49M alleges that the paper slip generated by the printer has shown the name or symbol of a candidate other than the one he voted for, the presiding officer shall obtain a written declaration from the elector as to the allegation, after warning the elector about the consequence of making a false declaration. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Schoolgirls from Bhati Mines area in south Delhi complained on Monday to the Delhi Commission For Women about being harassed by their male classmates, following which the women's panel directed police to take action. At a 'Mahila Panchayat' meeting in the area, the eleven-year-old girls from a nearby school while returning home met DCW chief Swati Maliwal and told her that boys whistle at them, make catcalls and even stalk them, the DCW said. Maliwal was meeting a group of over 500 women and girls who also complained regarding illegal sale of liquor in the area, it said. The women claimed that despite repeated complaints to police, no action had been taken. The girls said the boys, as young as 11, follow them when the return home after school. They said that despite the humiliation, they are scared to tell their parents about it lest they be asked to discontinue schooling. The girls also informed Maliwal that senior boys have been found writing "love letters" to some girls but the matter has not addressed by school authorities either. Police said they have made a daily diary entry about the matter. Maliwal is also issuing a notice to police on prevalence of illegal sale of alcohol and drugs in the area. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Singapore Airlines group's budget arm Scoot on Monday announced it will suspend services to four cities, including Lucknow, from June due to weak demand and a shortage of planes. The other cities include Kalibo in the Philippines, Quanzhou in south-east China and and Male in the Maldives. The last flights from Singapore will depart on June 29 for Lucknow, June 30 for Kalibo, August 24 for Quanzhou and October 25 for Male, it said. All flights are operated with Scoot's Airbus 320 aircraft, the airline said on Monday. The budget carrier currently operates three times a week to Lucknow, Kalibo and Quanzhou and four times a week to Male. The aircraft shortage is because SilkAir is no longer able to transfer its Boeing 737-800NG aircraft to Scoot in the current financial year, as originally announced in November 2018, Scoot said. Both Scoot and SilkAir are part of the internationally renowned Singapore Airlines group. The budget carrier said that customers with existing bookings have been contacted and offered several options, including bringing forward their travel dates while the services are still operating. "They can also obtain a full refund on their booking via their original mode of payment, or a 120 per cent refund via a Scoot Travel Voucher," said Scoot. In India, Scoot currently operates flights to seven destinations--Amritsar, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Lucknow, and Tiruchirappalli--from Singapore. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday attended a key conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Kyrgyzstan and held bilateral meetings on its sidelines, including with her Chinese counterpart. Sitharaman attended the SCO Defence Ministers' conclave in Bishkek where ways to further boost defence and security cooperation among the member countries in the wake of evolving security challenges in the region were discussed. On the sidelines of the conclave, Sitharaman attended a bilateral meeting with Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe. The defence minister held talks with Russian Defence Minister General Sergey Shoygu and discussed key bilateral defence issues. She also held a bilateral meeting with Major General Raimberdi Duishenbiev, Chief of General Staff of Kyrgyz Armed Forces, and discussed defence cooperation between the two countries. India became a full member of the the China-dominated grouping in 2017 and New Delhi's entry into it increased the bloc's heft in regional geopolitics, besides giving it a pan-Asian hue. India is also keen on deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence. India was an observer at the SCO since 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region. Along with India, Pakistan was also granted membership of the SCO in 2017. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became its members last year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Samajwadi Party on Monday nominated former BSF constable Tej Bahadur Yadav, who was dismissed after complaining about the quality of food, as its candidate against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi. The SP, which is in an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal, had earlier declared Shalini Yadav as its candidate from Varanasi, while the Congress has renominated Ajai Rai. "I was sacked for raising the issue of corruption. My sole objective will be to strengthen and eliminate corruption in the forces," Yadav told reporters when asked about the SP decision to field him. Yadav will be challenging Modi in Varanasi constituency of Uttar Pradesh, an SP leader said. The former Border Security Force (BSF) soldier had uploaded a video on social media in 2017, complaining that poor quality food was being served to the troops in the icy, mountainous region along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. He was later dismissed on the charge of indiscipline. Varanasi will go to polls in the seventh phase of the Lok Sabha election on May 19 and the last date for filing nomination is Monday (April 29). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taking a swipe at the Samajwadi Party, Deputy UP Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma Monday said efforts made by Akhilesh Yadav to safeguard the political health of the SP are "failing" and his party is in dire need of a "political health tonic". Sharma also dubbed the SP-BSP tie up as an "unnatural alliance, which will taste defeat similar to the one in 2017." "When a person is physically weak, he needs a (health) tonic. Similarly, when a political party become weak politically, it needs a political health tonic. If anybody needs it the most today, then it is the Samajwadi Party," Sharma told PTI here in an interview. Sharpening his attack on the SP, the Deputy Chief Minister said, "In 2017 UP Assembly elections they had aligned with the Congress, which was itself a weak party from the political point of view. They suffered a humiliating defeat in UP polls. Now, they have forged an alliance with the BSP, which had failed to open its account in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. I feel efforts made by Akhileshji to safeguard the political health (of his party) are failing." Sharma said in order to regain the falling health of the party, the "SP chief should learn from developmental works done by the BJP, and elections should be contested on the basis on developmental activities". "Instead of resorting to divisive based on caste and sect, whose days are gone, time has come to repose faith in 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'," he said. Sharma also took a jibe at Congress leader Shatrughan Singh for his recent 'Jinnah' remarks. He said, "Objections were raised when flags of Muslim League were waved during nomination of Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad. Now, the way in which Shatrughan Sinha has eulogised Jinnah, make sit amply clear that this Congress is the 'Congress of Jinnah' and 'not the Congress of Mahatma Gandhi'. "The leaders of the Congress must read the history of India's freedom struggle. This new Congress is ridiculing dreams of Mahatma Gandhi," he charged. The Deputy Chief Minister said people can do anything, but "they should not at least associate themselves with enemies of the country". Referring to the SP-BSP-RLD alliance, Sharma said, "There is growing disappointment among SP, BSP and Congress after the first three phases of polls in the state. In the 2017 UP Assembly elections, there was an alliance between two boys, and now one boy has been replaced with a bua. This new alliance is getting the external support from the other boy (apparently referring to Rahul Gandhi)." He also observed that this is "an unnatural alliance, which will taste defeat similar to the one in 2017." Maintaining that there is "no vacancy for the Prime Minister's post till 2024", Sharma said, "It is laughable that those who are contesting on 10 seats, 37 or 38 Lok Sabha seats, are dreaming for the PM's post. To them, I want to say that there is no vacancy for the prime minister's post till 2024. In this era of no vacancy, the opposition will only face despair (hatasha) and disappointment (nirasha)." The UP Deputy Chief Minister said leaders like Sharad Pawar, Chandrababu Naidu and Mayawati, who are eyeing the PM's post are unable to muster courage to contest polls. Exuding confidence that the BJP will be winning more seats in the coming phases, Sharma said, "The way in which the opposition is crying foul over EVM malfunctioning, makes it clear that they (opposition) have got hint of defeat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialists won snap elections Sunday without the necessary majority to govern solo in a fragmented political landscape marked by the far-right's entry into parliament. The results raise the spectre of another period of instability for Spain, with Sanchez depending on alliances with hostile rivals in an environment that has soured since Catalonia's failed secession bid in 2017. A significant development was the rise of the ultra-nationalist Vox party, which garnered just over 10 per cent of the vote in a country that has had no far-right party to speak of since the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975. Sanchez's Socialist Party (PSOE) got 123 lawmakers out of 350, or close to 29 per cent of votes -- short of an absolute majority but much better than the 85 seats it got in 2016. "The Socialists have won the general election and with it the future has won and the past has lost," he told cheering supporters from the balcony of the party's headquarters in Madrid, claiming victory late Sunday. The big loser was the conservative Popular Party (PP), which bagged 66 seats compared to 137 in the previous election that saw it govern Spain with a minority government. Sanchez, who came to power in June after ousting conservative prime minister Mariano Rajoy in a no-confidence vote, could seek to forge alliances with far-left Podemos and smaller groupings like Catalan separatist parties, as he had done over the past 10 months. He could also try to cosy up to centre-right Ciudadanos, which won 57 seats. Together, they would form an absolute majority but voters from both parties would likely frown on such a move. "I hope Sanchez won't reach an agreement with Ciudadanos, I want a left-wing government," 51-year-old Esther Lopez, said at the Socialist Party headquarters, wearing earrings marked "PSOE." Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera, built his campaign on disparaging Sanchez, criticising his attempts to negotiate with Catalan separatist parties in a bid to ease a secession crisis in the northeastern region. The crisis in Catalonia was precisely what fuelled Vox's meteoric rise from the outer margins of to the national scene, after gaining nearly 11 per cent of votes in December regional polls in southern Andalusia. Founded by Santiago Abascal, a disgruntled former PP member, it will now take 24 seats in the national parliament. This is less than what opinion polls had predicted. "I thought Vox would get way more votes, with this result Vox won't have any weight in parliament as no one supports them. We needed more seats," said Maria Bonilla Ortega, a 22-year-old philosophy student in central Madrid, a Spanish flag draped around her shoulders. Abascal was more optimistic: "We can tell Spain with complete calm that Vox has come to stay," he told cheering supporters. After a tense campaign, voter turnout was high at 75.76 per cent, up from 66.48 per cent in 2016, election authorities said. With a strong stance against feminism and illegal immigration, Vox stood out with ultra-nationalist rhetoric advocating the "defence of the Spanish nation to the end" and a hard line against separatists in Catalonia. The region in northeastern Spain was the scene of a secession attempt in 2017 that sparked the country's biggest political crisis in decades and caused major concern in Europe. The issue has continued to cast a pall over Spanish Sanchez was forced to call Sunday's elections after Catalan pro-independence lawmakers in the national parliament, angered at the trial of their leaders in Madrid, refused to give him the support he needed for his 2019 budget. Right-wing parties for their part lambasted Sanchez, at the head of a minority government, for talking with separatists who still govern the region, accusing him of cosying up to those who tried to break up Spain. That controversy is likely to continue as two Catalan separatist parties gained even more lawmakers in the national parliament than they did in 2016 -- up to 22 from 17. In a sign of the impact the crisis had on voters, Dolores Palomo, a 48-year-old domestic worker, said she had always voted for the socialists but cast her ballot for Ciudadanos this time at a polling station in Hospitalet de Llobregat, near Barcelona. The reason? Sanchez "is a puppet of the separatists," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Muslim women in Sri Lanka will not be allowed to wear any form of face veils in public from Monday under new regulations announced by President Maithripala Sirisena who used emergency powers in the wake of the Easter Sunday bombings. The new regulation banning any form of face covering was announced by the President on Sunday, a week after the coordinated blasts hit three churches and three luxury hotels, killing over 250 people and inuring more than 500 others. "The ban is to ensure national security... No one should obscure their faces to make identification difficult," Sirisena's office said in a statement. He took steps under the emergency regulation to prohibit the use of face coverings of all sorts which is an obstacle to ensure the identity of the people and a threat to national and public security, Colombo Page reported. The order clarifies that the key criterion for establishing the identity of a person is the need to clearly expose the face, the report said. The President has taken this decision to establish a peaceful and cohesive society which does not inconvenience any community people as well as ensure national security, it added. Muslims account for 10 per cent of the population and are the second-largest minority after Hindus. Around seven per cent of Sri Lankans are Christians. Nine suicide bombers carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on the Easter Sunday, killing 253 people. The Islamic State claimed the attacks, but the government has blamed local Islamist extremist group National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) for the attacks. Sri Lanka on Saturday banned the NTJ and a splinter group linked to the ISIS. A total of 106 suspects, including a Tamil medium teacher and a school principal, have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday blasts. According to Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry, the number of foreign nationals who have been identified as killed remained at 40, including 11 from India. Sri Lanka has a population of 21 million which is a patchwork of ethnicities and religions, dominated by the Sinhalese Buddhist majority. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Female bombers posing as devotees may have been planning to attack Sri Lanka's Buddhist temples after authorities seized white clothes from a house that was raided following Easter Sunday blasts, a media report said on Monday. The Sri Lankan intelligence agency has received inputs of possible attacks on Buddhist temples by female bombers of the banned local terror outfit National Thawheeth Jamath (NTJ) after police found white pairs of skirts and blouses from the house which was raided after the explosion in Sainthamuruthu area in the Eastern province, raising suspicion that the attackers might pose as Buddhist devotees, the Daily Mirror reported. On March 29, Muslim women had spent 29,000 Sri Lankan rupees (USD 166) to purchase nine sets of such clothes from a textile shop in Giriulla, the report said. The CCTV footage of the shop shows the visuals of these women who purchased clothes from the shop. So far, five sets of white clothes have been found from this house and intelligence services are trying to find the remaining clothes. Sri Lankan authorities say that there was one women among the nine bombers who carried out the country's worst terror attack, killing 253 people and injuring over 500 others. Six children and three women were among 15 people killed on Saturday when militants linked to the Easter Sunday bombings opened fire and blew themselves up during a fierce gun battle with security forces in the Sri Lanka's Eastern province. The shootout occurred as the security forces continued their hunt for members of the NTJ. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan government has banned Muslim women from wearing any form of face veils in public from Monday. President Maithripala Sirisena, who used emergency powers in the wake of the Easter Sunday bombings, prohibited the use of face coverings of all sorts which is an obstacle to ensure the identity of the people and a threat to national and public security. The order clarifies that the key criterion for establishing the identity of a person is the need to clearly expose the face. A total of 106 suspects, including a Tamil medium teacher and a school principal, have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday blasts. According to Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry, the number of foreign nationals who have been identified as killed remained at 40, including 11 from India. Sri Lanka has a population of 21 million which is a patchwork of ethnicities and religions, dominated by the Sinhalese Buddhist majority. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has suspended police chief Pujith Jayasundara, his office announced on Monday after the defiant Inspector General refused to quit taking responsibility for the intelligence failure that led to the massive Easter Sunday bombings. The police chief can only be removed through a parliamentary procedure and Sirisena's action is the first step towards that, officials said. Senior Deputy Inspector General CD Wickremaratne has been appointed as the acting police chief. Jayasundara has steadfastly refused to heed Sirisena's call to resign following April 21 coordinated blasts on three churches and three luxury hotels. The attacks carried out by suicide bombers came in spite of early warnings and the security establishment's failure to take preventive action has come under severe criticism. Sirisena, who also keeps the defence portfolio with him, said he wanted to revamp the security system and his defence ministry secretary Hemasiri Fernando resigned promptly on his request on Thursday. Deputy Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Nalin Bandara said a motion to remove the police chief will be tabled in Parliament within this week, Sri Lanka Mirror reported. Noting that the motion will be tabled on the agreement of all government MPs, he hoped to get the backing of opposition MPs as well, it said. Meanwhile, the police chief has said that he has done nothing wrong and that he would resign if the defence minister resigns as well. Nine suicide bombers carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on the Easter Sunday, killing 253 people and injuring over 500 people. The Islamic State claimed the attacks, but the government has blamed local Islamist extremist group National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) for the attacks. Sri Lanka on Saturday banned the NTJ and a splinter group linked to the ISIS. A total of 106 suspects, including a Tamil medium teacher and a school principal, have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday blasts. According to Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry, the number of foreign nationals who have been identified as killed remained at 40, including 11 from India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A suspected United Arab Emirates spy who was detained by Turkish authorities 10 days ago has committed suicide in prison, a Turkish government source and state media said on Monday. The suspect was found dead in Silivri prison, on the outskirts of Istanbul, state agency Anadolu reported. A Turkish justice ministry source confirmed the report to AFP. The man was taken into custody with another alleged spy as authorities probed whether they were tied to the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi last October in Istanbul. The suspect was later formally charged with "military and political" and "international espionage", according to Anadolu. The agency said the man, previously reported to be a UAE citizen, hanged himself. Khashoggi was killed and dismembered on October 2 after he went to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain paperwork ahead of his upcoming marriage. While the kingdom initially denied having any knowledge of what happened to the former insider turned critic, Riyadh later blamed rogue agents for his killing. The Saudi public prosecutor has charged 11 people with Khashoggi's murder. 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. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taiwan's defense ministry says two U.S. warships have sailed through the Taiwan Strait, in a move likely to spark protests from Beijing. The ministry said the ships made the passage on Sunday, sailing from south to north through the waterway that divides the self-governing island from mainland China. Beijing frequently objects to such voyages based on its claim to Taiwan as its own territory to be annexed by force if necessary. In a statement Monday, the ministry said U.S. ships were free to sail through the Taiwan Strait as part of their "strategic Indo-Pacific tasks." China last week complained to France after a French warship entered Chinese territorial waters while traversing the Taiwan Strait, and blamed British naval activity in the South China Sea for a downturn in bilateral relations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Body of a school teacher was found floating in a river in Bihar's Sheikhpura district, a senior police officer said Monday. Superintendent of Police Daya Shankar said that the deceased has been identified as Gautam Kumar (28), a resident of Chakandra village under Chewara police station of the district. Kumar was the teacher in government middle school at Chakandra village, the SP said, adding that he had left his village for Patna after completing his duty in the school on Saturday. His body was found floating in a river on Monday near Kamalgarh village, which is four km away from the deceaseds home, he said. The SP said police are investigating the matter and a dog squad has been called from Bhagalpur trace the killer. However, villagers alleged that the teacher was murdered after being kidnapped on Saturday last. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hollywood star Charlize Theron believes the #MeToo and Time's Up movements have brought about a positive change in the society and have made things better for women. The two movements were aimed at bring an end to sexual harassment and gender inequality and Theron said she is thrilled ''as a woman'' to witness the shift, reported Contactmusic. "I feel like everything that's happened in the last year or so has created change that is going to be sustained. Things are happening right now where doors can't be closed on what's been opened and shown. And that, to me as a woman, is exciting," the actor told Notebook magazine. The 43-year-old star, who has children Jackson, seven, and three-year-old August,, said she want to see her kids to benefit from the way the world is changing. "I mean obviously it would have been great if that was the case 20 years ago, but I'll take it now and I'm happy I'm a part of it. More than anything, I look at my two kids and I'm so happy that they're going to benefit from this. "And that drives me to make sure we don't screw this up and we actually do this in a way where it can be sustained and be something that's talked of in the past - caveman style. Done. So I'm very optimistic, and I'm usually not,'' she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ahead of a meeting with President Donald Trump this week on infrastructure, the top two Democrats in Congress want to make sure that schools get consideration if the federal government takes action. In a Monday letter to Trump , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., name-checked school infrastructure in a list of areas where improvements to infrastructure are vital for the countrys future. To truly be a gamechanger for the American people, we should go beyond transportation and into broadband, water, energy, schools, housing and other initiatives, Pelosi and Schumer told Trump. The Washington Post reported that among the Democrats slated to meet with Trump about infrastructure is Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who is the top Democrat on the Senate education committee. She might be as good as, or better than, any other lawmaker in the meeting to make the case for any big infrastructure spending bill to include schools. Trump himself talked up the idea of spending money to fix up schools when he ran for president, but when his administration has floated general ideas for infrastructure, schools havent made the list . House Democrats have introduced legislation that would authorize federal aid for school repair, construction, and modernization. Earlier this year, the House education committee backed legislation to provide $100 billion for K-12 infrastructure , including $70 billion in direct federal spending. But even if the full House passes the bill, it could quickly flounder in the Republican-controlled Senate. The full Pelosi-Schumer letter is below: Photo: President Donald Trump speaks to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., second from right, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., at right, along with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in 2017. (Evan Vucci/AP) Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 . And follow the Andrew Ujifusa half of Politics K-12 @AndrewUjifusa . President Donald Trump has criticised India's "big tariffs" on American paper products and the iconic Harley-Davidson bikes, saying the US has been losing billions of dollars to countries like India, China and Japan. Addressing a Republican political rally in Wisconsin state's Green Bay city on Sunday, Trump alleged that every country has been ripping off America for years. The President has repeatedly claimed that India is a "tariff king" and imposes "tremendously high" tariffs on American products. "For so many decades we've been losing tens of billions of dollars to China and Japan, and India, and name any country and we lost, but we're not losing anymore," he said to his cheering supporters. He said that the US was being charged high tariffs on foreign paper products. "We charge other countries zero tariffs on foreign paper products, but when Wisconsin paper companies export it abroad... China charged us big tariffs, India charged us big tariffs, Vietnam charge us massive tariffs," Trump said. He claimed that people of the US demanded a government that puts America first. "And we're doing that with China, we're doing that with India, we're doing that with Japan, we're doing it with a great new trade deal, that hopefully will get approved in the house," the President said. Early this year at a White House event to announce his support for reciprocal tax, Trump had said that he was satisfied with the Indian decision to reduce the import tariff on high-end Harley-Davidson motorcycles from 100 per cent to 50 per cent. The President said that he called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of tariffs on Harley-Davidson motorcycles. "Look at Harley-Davidson. I met with them three years ago, they would tell me tough to do business in certain kind. I asked 'How you're doing in India?' and they said, 'Oh, we don't do any business'. They weren't even complaining because so many years. "So India charged a 100 per cent tariff on Harley-Davidson, but when they send their motorcycles and they may come to us, we charge them nothing," Trump said. "So I called up Prime Minister Modi, I said unfair, he cut it 50 per cent... But that's not good enough because look, it's 50 per cent to nothing. And what we're doing is changing all of that stuff, changing all of that rapidly," he added. India is pressing for exemption from the high duty imposed by the US on certain steel and aluminium products, resumption of export benefits to certain domestic products under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) programme, greater market access for its products from agriculture, automobile, automobile components and engineering sectors. On the other hand, the US is demanding greater market access through a cut in import duties for its agriculture goods, dairy products, medical devices, IT and communication items. India has stated that it would be difficult for them to cut duties on IT products. India's exports to the US in 2017-18 stood at USD 47.9 billion, while imports were USD 26.7 billion. The trade balance is in favour of India. A major fire broke out in three chemical factories in west Delhi's Naraina Monday, triggering a blast in which a fireman and a special officer of the Delhi Fire Service were injured, a senior officer said. The fire broke out in the factories located behind PVR Cinema at the Naraina industrial area around 11.35 am. Forty fire tenders were rushed to the spot after a call about the blaze was received. Officials said the factory where the fire started did not have a fire safety clearance and even the other two factories were functioning without a fire No Objection Certificate. They said there could have been casualties, had it been a working day. "The chemical was adhesive in nature. It is suspected that it was spirit. The fire was brought under control at 2.10 pm. Just when it was thought that the fire had been doused, there was a blast in containers in which chemical was stored which led to injuries to fireman Naresh Kumar and special officer Aman," the Delhi Fire Service official said. The impact of the blast was such that the duo slipped and sustained burn injuries. "The fireman sustained burn injuries on the back and even when water was being poured to ease the pain, he was feeling a burning sensation and was crying constantly," a witness said. The injured were rushed to B L Kapoor Super Specialty Hospital and are out of danger, Chief Fire Officer of Delhi Fire Service Atul Garg said. Garg said it seems the factories did not have fire clearance, but they are checking the facts. One of the three factories was completely gutted in the blaze, one was partially burnt and the third one was affected a little bit, a senior fire officer said, adding that the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. "There was panic in the area as locals saw smoke emanating from a factory around 11 am. Rumours are being spread about the fire tenders reaching late. Actually, fire engines reached there on time," General Secretary of Naraina Gurdwara C S Bhatia said. The blaze intensified due to wind making the job of firemen difficult, an official said, adding that the factory was located in an open area due to which the firetenders could reach the spot in time and had easy access to the factories. Smoke billowing from the factory could be seen from a distance as the firetenders made multiple trips to the fire station to fill water in the containers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two sharpshooters of Naresh Sethi-Raju Basodi gang have been arrested after a brief exchange of fire in Delhi's Rohini area, police said Monday. They have been identified as Ravi (25), who was carrying reward of Rs 1 lakh, and Rohit (27), both residents of Haryana's Jhajjar, they said. They were wanted in three murder and two robbery cases in Haryana. "The members of the alleged gang belong to Jhajjar and Sonipat area. This gang has recently joined hands with Gogi gang of Alipur in Delhi," Rajiv Ranjan, Additional Commissioner of Police (crime), said. They have been operating in Haryana and were involved in contract killings, handling of disputed properties and extortion in Sonipat and Jhajjar districts, he said. Police got a tip-off on Sunday that Ravi and Rohit would come to Rohini for a robbery following which a trap was laid and at around 6.30 pm they were arrested, the officer said. Four sophisticated weapons, nine cartridges and a bike have been recovered from them, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two suspected militants were killed on Monday after they blew themselves up during a raid at their hideout by the Bangladesh's elite anti-terrorism unit in Mohammadpur area here, officials said. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) surrounded a single-storey tin-shed house in Mohammadpur's Basila area, on the outskirts of Dhaka, following a tip off. The personnel of the elite anti-crime and anti-terrorism unit met with gunfire, followed by a powerful blast, they said. "We overnight laid a siege to the house. They (suspected militants) staged a blast early Monday in which at least two of them were killed," a RAB spokesman told reporters. He said that those living in the neighbourhood were evacuated ahead of the raid. According to witnesses, the blast was so powerful that it shook the whole area. A fire also broke out following the blast and fire-fighters were called in to douse the blaze. RAB chief Benazir Ahmed said that at least two (suspected) militants have been killed in the blast. "The bodies have been blown apart in the explosions which will require DNA profiling for their identification," Ahmed told reporters. The RAB has detained the owner of the house, its caretaker and his wife and an imam of a nearby mosque for questioning, according to media reports. The house owner reportedly told the RAB that two persons, who identified themselves as van drivers, had rented the house a few months ago and were supposed to vacate it this month. The RAB did not immediately made it clear that to which terror group the suspected militants were associated with. Bangladesh launched a crackdown on Islamist militants following the July 2016 terror attack in which terrorists stormed a Dhaka cafe and killed 22 people, including 18 foreigners, by firing indiscriminately. In a nationwide raids since then, the security forces have killed around 100 terrorists and detained several others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ugandan police arrested pop star turned MP Bobi Wine on Monday, barely two days after lifting the house arrest of a potential challenger to veteran President Yoweri Museveni, and placed him in custody over a protest he organised last year, his lawyer said. Wine, at 37, is the figurehead of a new generation who grew up under Museveni but want to see change and his anti-government songs have helped win him a big following. Police arrested him after he answered a summons to the Criminal Investigations Directorate on Monday morning, said one of his lawyers, Asuman Basalirwa. "Bobi Wine and four others including his brother and his bodyguard have been remanded to prison until May 2," Basalirwa told AFP. "The state claims my clients in July 2018, held a demonstration against the social media tax without notifying the police contrary to the provisions of Public Order Management Act," he said. "The state further claims the accused refused to cooperate with police to ensure participants in the alleged demonstration were unarmed and peaceful. All the claims have been denied by him (Wine) and the others," he added. Wine and other activists had held a demonstration in Kampala against a two shilling fee for cellular phone users to pay for access to social media links. Wine entered parliament in 2017. One of his songs contains the lyric "freedom fighters become dictators," while others hint that Museveni has stayed in power too long. The 74-year-old leader has ruled Uganda since seizing power at the head of a rebel army in 1986 but intends to contest a sixth term in office. Wine was being held at a police station 30 kilometres (20 miles) east of the capital Kampala, said Basalirwa. Police spokesman Fred Enanga confirmed the arrest, which was immediately denounced by the opposition. "This is ridiculous. How can they bring a case of 2018 now? This is a state campaign to ensure Bobi Wine fails in his political agenda" opposition lawmaker, Moses Kasibante, said. From Tuesday to Saturday last week, Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, found himself under house arrest at his Kampala home as police officers blocked his way when he tried to leave for a concert at his nightclub. Last week, Enanga described that as a "preventive arrest" imposed when the authorities decide someone is about to commit a crime. The authorities' cancellation of one his performances last week led to clashes between opposition supporters and baton-wielding police who also fired tear gas. Several times in recent months authorities have prevented Wine giving concerts and his house arrest last week was part of those efforts to keep him offstage. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Diplomats from 130 nations gathered in Paris on Monday to validate a grim UN assessment of the state of Nature and lay the groundwork for a rescue plan for life on Earth. The destruction of Nature threatens humanity "at least as much as human-induced climate change," UN biodiversity chief Robert Watson said as the five-day meeting began. "We have a closing window of opportunity to act and narrowing options." A 44-page draft "Summary for Policy Makers" obtained by AFP catalogues the 1001 ways in which our species has plundered the planet and damaged its capacity to renew the resources upon which we depend, starting with breathable air, drinkable water and productive soil. The impact of humanity's expanding footprint and appetites has been devastating. Up to a million species face extinction, many within decades, according to the report, and three-quarters of Earth's land surface has been "severely altered". A third of ocean fish stocks are in decline, and the rest, barring a few, are harvested at the very edge of sustainability. A dramatic die-off of pollinating insects, especially bees, threatens essential crops valued at half-a-trillion dollars annually. Twenty 10-year targets adopted in 2010 under the United Nations' biodiversity treaty -- to expand protected areas, slow species and forest loss, and reduce pollution -- will, with one or two exceptions, fail badly. Based on an underlying report that draws from 400 experts and weighs in at 1,800 pages, the executive summary has to be vetted line-by-line by diplomats, with scientists at their elbow. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) document, once approved, will be released on May 6. Historically, conservation biology has focused on the plight of pandas, polar bears and a multitude of less "charismatic" animals and plants that humanity is harvesting, eating, crowding or poisoning into oblivion. But in the last two decades, that focus has shifted back to us. "Up to now, we have talked about the importance of biodiversity mostly from an environmental perspective," Watson told AFP ahead of the Paris meet. "Now we are saying that Nature is crucial for food production, for pure water, for medicines and even social cohesion." And to fight climate change. Forests and oceans, for example, soak up half of the planet-warming greenhouse gases we spew into the atmosphere. If they didn't, Earth might already be locked into an unliveable future of runaway global warming. And yet, an area of tropical forest five times the size of England has been destroyed since 2014, mainly to service the global demand for beef, biofuels, soy beans and palm oil. "The recent IPCC report shows to what extent climate change threatens biodiversity," said Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and a main architect of the Paris Agreement, referring to the UN's climate science panel. "And the upcoming IPBES report -- as important for humanity -- will show these two problems have overlapping solutions." That overlap, she added, begins with agriculture, which accounts for at least a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions. Set up in 2012, the IPBES synthesises published science for policymakers in the same way the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) does on climate. Both advisory bodies feed into UN treaties. But the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has always been a poor stepchild compared to its climate counterpart, and the IPBES was added as an afterthought, making its authority harder to establish. Biodiversity experts are trying to engineer a "Paris moment" for Nature akin to the 2015 Paris climate treaty. Public concern about global warming has crystallised around impacts ranging from rising seas to deadly heatwaves, and the Paris pact's hard target for capping the rise in global temperatures. The 2018 IPCC report cited by Tubiana added a time imperative: to hold the line at 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit), the world must reduce CO2 emissions 45 percent by 2030, and become "carbon neutral" by mid-century, it concluded. But finding the equivalent for Nature has proven difficult. "Extinctions are not something the public can easily see," said Watson. A growing number of scientists and NGOs are calling for 30 to 50 per cent of Earth's surface to be "sustainably managed" by 2030, and more thereafter. But the draft report makes no such concrete proposals. The next opportunity for a visionary plan to be ratified would be the next full meeting in October 2020 of the parties to the Convention on Biodiversity in Kunming, China. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised the plight of ethnic Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang region during talks with Chinese leaders and stressed that China must fully respect human rights, his spokesman said Monday. Guterres faced calls to speak out on human rights during his visit to Beijing where he attended a summit on Saturday of China's prized Belt and Road Initiative and held talks with President Xi Jinping. The UN chief delivered a three-point message that stressed that human rights must be upheld in the fight against extremism, while recognizing China's sovereignty and condemning terrorism. "Human rights must be fully respected in the fight against terrorism and in the prevention of violent extremism," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters. "Each community must feel that its identity is respected and that if fully belongs to the nation as a whole." As many as one million Uighurs and other mostly Muslim minorities are being held in internment camps in Xinjiang, according to a group of experts cited last year by the United Nations. Beijing claims the camps are "vocational training centers" to steer people away from extremism and reintegrate them, in a region plagued by violence blamed on Uighur separatists or Islamists. In the runup to the trip, Guterres had met with UN ambassadors from the United States, Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada and Turkey who urged him to raise the situation in Xinjiang during his meetings, UN sources said. That presented Guterres with a diplomatic challenge to discuss the ultra-sensitive matter with China, the UN's second largest financial contributor and a veto-wielding Security Council member. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet last month complained that she had yet to be given the green light by China for a fact-finding mission to the region following a request made in December. Guterres told Chinese leaders that he "fully stands by the initiatives" of his rights chief, Dujarric said, but there was no announcement on dispatching an independent assessment team to Xinjiang. Dujarric described the talks as "very cordial" and "frank," adding that the dialogue will continue. Human Rights Watch executive director Kenneth Roth last week wrote a scathing op-ed about Guterres, accusing him of being silent on human rights and firmly siding with quiet diplomacy since he became UN chief in January 2017. Roth said Guterres had yet to speak out publicly on the plight of the Uighurs. "Instead, he praises China's development prowess and rolls out the red carpet for President Xi Jinping." Guterres has visited China four times as UN chief. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the mercury steadily rising, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other senior leaders Monday appealed to the electorate not to bogged down by soaring temperatures and exercise their franchise. Polling is underway in 13 constituencies of Uttar Pradesh on Monday. In a tweet, Adityanath said, "Temperatures are high, take care of yourself but definitely cast your vote..every single vote of yours help formation of the government." "For a prosperous and strong Bharat, for a strong and decisive government, for fulfilling a dream, come out of houses today and vote. Remember, first voting and then breakfast," he said. BSP president Mayawati also took to twitter to exhort people to vote. "Polling is taking place for the fourth phase of election for the 17th Lok Sabha. It is an appeal to voters to first discharge their duty of casting votes. This effort of theirs is important for their welfare and interest," the former UP chief minister said. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav tweeted "Today's election will prove to be decisive for days to come." "For the safety of democracy, get united to vote by discharging your duties and rights as a citizen in the fourth phase of the process of mahaparivartan," Yadav said in a tweet. In a related tweet, he said,"Today is a celebration of democracy and every single vote is taking the country ahead towards progress. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump has said that there are so many migrants crossing into the US territory illegally that "it's like Disneyland now." The Trump administration threatened to close the US-Mexico border, but backed off on the threat at the beginning of April after an outcry from congressional and business leaders. Trump has often blamed Mexico for the growing flow of illegal migrants entering the US and said they were a major source of drug trafficking and other crimes. Trump on Sunday lamented his administration's decision to stop the practice of separating families illegally crossing the, calling it "the worst immigration laws ever, incompetent, they're there for a long time." "When they used to separate children, which was done during the Obama administration, with Bush, with us, with everybody, far fewer people would come," Trump said during Fox News' 'Sunday Morning Futures,'. "The problem is you have 10 times as many people coming up with their families. It's like Disneyland now," he said. In most instances, children were separated when federal officials had concerns about their safety while in their parents' care. The Trump administration was the first to initiate separations on a widespread basis for the purpose of deterring illegal migration. It implemented a "zero tolerance" policy last year that separated more than 2,700 children from their parents last spring. Under the practice, adults were taken to immigration jails and were prosecuted for entering the country illegally. Their children were sometimes detained in chain-link holding pens and then sent to shelters overseen by US Department of Health and Human Services. However, Trump ended the practice in June in the face of condemnation from some Republicans and growing evidence that his administration had not developed a plan to reunite families. A federal judge issued a temporary injunction, ordering Trump to reunite families and end the practice, effectively preventing him from reinstituting it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technology have made it possible to detect mental disorders such as anxiety and depression from cues in a person's voice, but doctors warn that adopting such tools in haste may prove to be counterproductive. Despite staggering number of patients being reported to suffer from disorders like depression, India struggles with the stigma of mental health diseases -- deterring patients from getting the right help in time. AI-based vocal analytics may allow patients to detect the disease at home by just speaking into a smartphone application -- eliminating the need to be physically present at treatment facilities for diagnosis. "This technology will be helpful to people who are bound by the stigma of going to a doctor for therapy or diagnosis," Dr Rajendra Singh, a psychiatrist based in Bhopal, told PTI. Last year, CompanionMx, an application developed by the behavioural analysis firm Cognito Corp, launched an AI-based mobile mental health monitoring system, clinically validated by the Harvard Medical School in the US. The app uses objective data instead of self-reports to track the mood of the users by analysing their voice for acoustics and behavioural biomarkers, in order to predict the core symptoms of mood and anxiety disorders. Similarly, Sonde Health a US-based digital medicine company, uses vocal analytics, licensed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)'s Lincoln Laboratories in the US, to monitor and diagnose depression, dementia, Parkinson's and a host of other diseases. "Sonde has collected voice and health data from over 10,000 volunteers in India as a part of the ongoing validation of its platform. We are currently developing partnerships with healthcare and commercial entities in India," Jim Harper, the co-founder of Sonde Health, told PTI. However, health practitioners in India are yet to warm up to adopting such unconventional means of diagnostics. "I think the prospect of a non-invasive technique of diagnostics and the idea of AI-based analytics in pathology seems interesting, though I am apprehensive of how it will pan out in India," said Arunima Patel, CEO of Mumbai-based IGenetics Diagnostics. "Even if the technology is US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, people in the industry are still pretty conservative in terms of adopting such unconventional types of diagnostics methods," Patel said. "My concern is that sometimes people with mental health disorders tend to hide or even pretend otherwise so the system of vocal analytics may be subject to manipulation. I want to know if it is completely foolproof," said Dr Satyam from Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) hospital here. Dr Shweta Sharma, a senior clinical psychologist from Columbia Asia Hospital here felt that diagnosis through speech analysis is not enough to ascertain mental health as it takes an experienced psychologist to observe multiple biomarkers to reach a diagnosis. With the stigma surrounding mental health, Sharma expressed concern if people consult vocal analytics based apps for diagnosis, they would take treatment into their own hands and may not even bother to seek proper therapy. "It would be like how people use Google for diagnosis based on a few vague symptoms. I think it is going to create more chaos than order in this regard," Sharma. She also noted that every individual is different and that the manifestations of the symptoms of mental disorders may vary from person to person. "Without going through the entire personal, interpersonal case history and comprehensively evaluating the extrinsic and intrinsic forces that push a person to a psychological disorder, it is hard to determine the disease without interacting with the patient, especially in the case of mental disorders," said Singh said. The idea of a technology that allows people to diagnose themselves by speaking into their smartphones at home may be revolutionary, but until clinical trials offer conclusive results, getting the doctors help in case of mental health issues may be the best way forward. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Daniela Soto Innes Named The World's Best Female Chef Mexico City - At 28 years old, Mexico City-born Daniela Soto-Innes recently became the youngest woman ever to be named the best female chef in the world on The World's 50 Best Restaurants list. At the age of 12 she moved to Houston, Texas, where she carried on the family traditions she learned from a line of strong Mexican women that love to cook. Some years later, she returned to her home turf to spend her formative years training under chef Enrique Olvera at the award-winning Pujol restaurant in Mexico City. The knowledge and skills Daniela gained while training under chef Enrique Olvera is now expressed in the dynamic and inventive dishes she creates at the two contemporary Mexican restaurants she owns in New York City, Comse and Atla. After opening Cosme with Olvera in 2014, Soto-Innes promptly gained the attention of New York's gastronomic elite with her own special version of traditional Mexican dishes that are featured on the restaurant's menu, such as duck carnitas, barbacoa with shishito peppers, quelites, avocado and salsa, and corn husk meringue desserts. Two years later she was given the Rising Star Award by the James Beard Foundation and was later put on short list for The World's 50 Best Restaurants' best chef award for 2019. In 2017, she and Olvera opened Atla, a casual all-day restaurant in the NoHo district of New York that serves traditional Mexican classics like huevos rancheros and quesadillas. Soto-Innes is currently in charge of Cosme, which she defines as more of a "cultural institution" than a restaurant, and she has established her own set of standards. Members of Soto-Innes' kitchen staff do not necessarily have formal training, but learn all the skills they need under her careful tutelage. There is no rule of silence here, hers is a vibrant kitchen, where staff get fired up with music and exercises before each shift. Daniela said she hopes to inspire and support people of all ages, races and nationalities to become cooks. "It doesn't matter whether you've been cooking 40 years or one year. There are cooks who weren't even cooks when they joined me a year ago, and they've taught me a lot..." She and Olvera are now working on opening two new restaurants in Los Angeles later this year, a Japanese-influenced Mexican restaurant and a taqueria. When she accepts her award at the World's 50 Best Restaurants awards on June 25 in Singapore, Soto-Innes will join an illustrious list of female chefs who have received the same honor since the awards were launched in 2011. They include Clare Smyth, Dominique Crenn, Helene Darroze and Anne Sophie-Pic. President Lopez Obrador applauded Daniela Soto-Innes for gaining world-wide recognition, and said that ""Everything that is a triumph for one Mexican is a compliment to the Government and certainly to the whole society." NCP leader Shankersinh Vaghela Monday claimed the BJP government in Gujarat would fall on May 23, when votes polled in the Lok Sabha elections will be counted, and maintained "many" ruling party MLAs were in touch with him. The BJP quickly dismissed Vaghela's claims as "baseless" and said he was just trying to remain in limelight. The former chief minister also claimed the saffron outfit will lose the Lok Sabha elections. "The BJP will lose power both at the Centre and in Gujarat on May 23. The number of BJP legislators from Gujarat who would resign on May 23 is enough to topple the state government," Vaghela told PTI. The septuagenarian politician, who was in the Congress till 2017, said "many" MLAs of the ruling party had met him to convey that they no longer wanted to remain with the BJP. "These MLAs told me that they are ready to resign as legislators. They just want to leave the BJP as well as the government. "They are feeling like bonded labourers. They say that no one listens to them. No one pays attention to their complaints about corruption," Vaghela claimed. In the last Assembly elections held in 2017, the BJP had scored a slim victory over the Congress by winning 99 seats in the 182-member House. One Independent MLA had extended outside support to the government. Support of at least 92 MLAs, out of the total 182, is needed for any party or coalition to form a government in Gujarat, where the BJP is in power for over two decades. With the recent induction of former Congress MLA Kunvarji Bavaliya, the BJP now has 100 legislators. Apart from Bavaliya, four more MLAs of the Congress had resigned ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Bypolls to these four assembly seats, which fell vacant following the resignation of sitting MLAs, were held on April 23 along with the Lok Sabha elections in Gujarat. "The BJP, which used to talk about Congress-Mukt Bharat, has become Congress-Yukt BJP...I don't know what will happen in West Bengal, but I am 100 per cent sure that this (BJP) government (in Gujarat) will fall after Lok Sabha results," said Vaghela. He was apparently referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement in West Bengal that 40 MLAs of the ruling TMC were in touch with him and will desert their party once the BJP wins the general elections. Guajrat BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya said Vaghela is known for making such "baseless" claims. "People of Gujarat have been listening to Vaghela's false and baseless claims for many years now. He is doing so to remain in limelight. "Forget about MLAs, not even a common worker has ever left the BJP. Our party is intact and it will remain intact in the future," said Pandya. Vaghela was with the BJP till he pulled off a coup in 1996 to form government. After the BJP came to power in 1995 in Gujarat and chose Keshubhai Patel over him as chief minister, Vaghela engineered a split in the saffron outfit and became the CM in 1996 with outside support of the Congress. Later, he joined the Congress and served as Union Textiles Minister in the Cabinet of the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Kshatriya strongman, who had also served as the Leader of Opposition in the Gujarat assembly, joined the Sharad Pawar-led NCP in January this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Monday hit out at the opposition for not appreciating Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the surgical and air strikes on Pakistan and reminded them of the praise showered on Indira Gandhi by Atal Bihari Vajpayee after the victory in the 1971 war. Addressing a rally in Shamshabad, part of Sagar Lok Sabha seat, Singh also lambasted the Congress-led Madhya Pradesh government for "playing with people's emotions by making false promises". "When India defeated Pakistan in the 1971 war, our leader (Vajpayee), despite being in the opposition, praised then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It showed Atalji was large-hearted," he said. "I want to ask Congressmen when (Indira) Gandhi can be praised for the 1971 victory, then why not Modi for giving a befitting reply to Pakistan," he said. There was a power outage during his speech, leading to Singh ridiculing the Congress, calling it an example of its governance in the state. Early in the day, MP Chief Minister Kamal Nath faced embarrassment when power tripped while he was casting his vote in Chhindwara. He said the NDA government would eradicate poverty if given another five-year term. Singh also addressed rallies in Damoh and Bhind Lok Sabha constituencies. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Voting began Monday for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls in 72 parliamentary constituencies spread across nine states. About 12.79 crore people are eligible for voting in the fourth of the seven-phase elections. The Election Commission has set up 1.40 lakh polling booths/stations and has made elaborate security arrangements. Polling will be held in 17 seats in Maharashtra, 13 each in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, eight in West Bengal, six each in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, five in Bihar, three in Jharkhand and a part of the Anantnag constituency in Jammu and Kashmir. The stakes are high for the ruling BJP and its allies as it had swept 56 of these seats in 2014, leaving just two for the Congress and the rest for other opposition parties such as the Trinamool Congress (six seats) and the Biju Janata Dal (six). The fate of 961 candidates, including Union ministers Giriraj Singh, Subhash Bhamre, S S Ahluwalia and Babul Supriyo of the BJP and former Union ministers Salman Khurshid and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of the Congress, will be decided in this phase. Among other key contestants in the fray are Kanhaiya Kumar (CPI), Baijayant Panda (BJP), Urmila Matondkar (Congress), Dimple Yadav (Samajwadi Party), Satabdi Roy (TMC) and Milind Deora (Congress). Election in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, where the BJP had cornered all but two of the total 54 seats in 2014, will begin in this phase. The Congress appeared to make a comeback, forming the governments in the states after last year's Assembly polls. With this phase, election will come to an end in Maharashtra and Odisha. Voting is also being held in some Assembly constituencies in Odisha and Madhya Pradesh. In the first three phases, voting has been held in 302 Lok Sabha constituencies, and 168 more seats will go to polls in the last three phases. Election to 542 Lok Sabha seats is being conducted in seven phases between April 11 and May 19. Election in Vellore constituency in Tamil Nadu has been cancelled following excess use of money power. Results will be declared on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Police personnel posted at polling booths across Mumbai Monday earned kudos for lending a helping hand to senior citizens and differently-abled people to cast their votes in the six Lok Sabha constituencies in the city and suburbs that went to polls. A total of 17 constituencies in Maharashtra have voted in the fourth and final phase. In Fort area in South Mumbai, which falls under Mumbai South Parliamentary constituency, personnel of Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Marg police station were seen assisting senior citizens to polling booths. Similar scenes were witnessed in areas that fall under the rest five constituencies that cover the island city as well as distant suburbs. Many Mubaikars clicked photos of this goodwill gesture of Mumbai Police and shared them on social media. "Fighting all the odds for an able democracy! Our salute to all the specially abled voters for not compromising on their duty! Lets not make any excuses." Mumbai Police tweeted from their official tweeter handle @MumbaiPolice. In another tweet Mumbai police said, "Raising the bar for the youth, senior citizens across the city are turning out at large numbers at polling booths to vote. It is our pleasure to help them in every little way we can." Praising the police, Dipak Das tweeted, "@MumbaiPolice are doing excellent job for old age votes...Jai Hind". A heavy contingent of over 40,000 security personnel, including local police, QRTs, Central forces, was posted on election duty in Mumbai. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Youths wearing T-shirts with the BJP's "main bhi chowkidar" slogan at a rally on Monday caught the attention of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who asked them about the 2 crore jobs promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing a public meeting in Sardarshahar town of Rajasthan's Churu district, Gandhi acknowledged the presence of some youths who were wearing the T-shirts having the "main bhi chowkidar" (I, too, am a watchman) slogan of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "You are wearing T-shirt of the 'chowkidar' (watchman). You all are welcome here," Gandhi said. The Congress chief first said Modi had promised Rs 15 lakh in the bank accounts of all Indians and asked whether anyone present in the rally had received the amount. "'Chowkidar' ji had also promised 2 crore jobs. Anyone among you got the jobs?" Gandhi asked, pointing to the youths who were wearing the T-shirts. Describing demonetisation and the goods and services tax as an attack on the country's economy and employment, the Congress leader claimed lakhs of youths were left unemployed by the twin decisions. Gandhi accused Modi of giving public money to the top 15 rich people, adding that the Congress wants to give money to the poor through its proposed minimum income support scheme, Nyay. Under the scheme, Rs 72,000 will be deposited annually in the bank accounts of the poorest 5 crore women of the country, Gandhi explained. "The money to run the scheme will not come from the bank accounts of the middle class and shopkeepers or from the pockets of honest businessmen." He also talked about the Congress' manifesto promise of making loan default by farmers a civil offence. "I want to give a message to PM Modi, you want to send to jail those farmers who cannot repay a loan of Rs 20,000," Gandhi said. "But you can also send behind bars those who have taken away Rs 35,000 crore of public money. If they are not jailed, then the farmers will also not go (to jails)." Gandhi pointed out to the farmers' budget promised by the Congress if it comes to power. "After the 2019 election, two budgets are going to be presented in India. The first budget will be the special budget for the farmers. Not after the general budget, it will be presented before the general budget." In the budget, Gandhi said, the farmers would be told how much money the government was going to give them in a year. Issues of minimum support price (MSP) and compensation will be clear in the budget, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Pakistani Army on Monday said it would make all efforts to resolve the issues faced by Pashtuns in the tribal areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa province, but would not tolerate allow them to engage in violence. Director General of Pakistan Army's media wing the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor also said that "the time was up" for those who are playing in the hands of the enemies. "Time was up for them (Pashtun Tahafuz Movement) who are playing in the hands of enemies," he said. Without giving the details about the action against the PTM, he said "there would not be any law and order situation while dealing with the group as no unlawful path will be adopted." He said all lawful demands of the PTM related to clearing the mines from the area and removal of unnecessary check posts have already been met. "We created 48 teams and 45 per cent of these areas were cleared (of mines). About 101 casualties of the Pakistan Army also occurred in those areas while clearing those mines," he said. The PTM started a couple of years ago to safeguard rights of people in tribal region. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Wipro Consumer Care (WCC) Monday announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Philippine based personal care company Splash Corporation. This will be Wipro Consumer care's 11th acquisition, said WCC Chief Executive Officer Vineet Agrawal. Addressing a press conference here, he said Splash Corporation has a presence in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Nigeria and the Middle East. "This is an exciting milestone for us, given our vision ofbeing amongst the top three players in personal care in Asia. Splash gives us a market leading position in the Philippines,which is one of the strong economies in the region and aformidatble personal care market," Agrawal said. The WCC CEO did not share the deal size, saying that it was confidential. He however, noted that Splash has a revenue of USD 80 million. After the acquisition, Splash founder Dr Rolando B Hortaleza would remain as the consultant and the rest of the team would become part of Wipro Consumer Care, Agarwal said. "It's the number one local personal care brand there in the Philippines and number five overall. So it's been able to handle the competition which is coming from the MNCs," Agrawalsaid. The acquisition, he said, would enable Wipro brands to grow in the Philippines market by leveraging Splash's distribution strength across market segments. Wipro Consumer Care also aims at expanding further to other international markets where Wipro has a strong footprint and brands have latent equity, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A woman in Sri Lanka has gifted her five German Shepherd dogs to the Army for explosive detection training in the wake of the massive Easter Sunday bombings. Dr Shiru Wijemanne, a lecturer in an international open university, gifted the canines to be used for emergencies, Colombo Page reported. The five German Shepherd dogs of a single family, including parent dogs in the age of two years and others of six months in age, were handed over to Brigadier A N Amarasekara at her residence in Narahenpita area here. She said that she was impressed with the role the Army was playing in detection of explosives and drugs. The dogs are to be trained in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Squadron of the Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE) within a few weeks before they are tasked with specific roles, the Army said. The Army has trained a number of dogs for mine detection, drug and explosive sniffing among others. Nine suicide bombers carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on the Easter Sunday, killing 253 people. The Islamic State claimed the attacks, but the government has blamed local Islamist extremist group National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) for the attacks. Sri Lanka on Saturday banned the NTJ and a splinter group linked to the ISIS. A total of 106 suspects, including a Tamil medium teacher and a school principal, have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday blasts. According to Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry, the number of foreign nationals who have been identified as killed remained at 40, including 11 from India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After a synagogue shooting in the United States and a church attack in Burkina Faso, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Monday that the world is nearing a "pivotal moment" in the battle against hatred. "As crime feeds on crime, and as vile views move from the fringes to the mainstream, I am profoundly concerned that we are nearing a pivotal moment in battling hatred and extremism," Guterres said in a statement. A teenage gunman opened fire at a synagogue in California on Saturday, killing one person and injuring three others including the rabbi as worshippers marked the final day of Passover. On Sunday, gunmen killed four worshippers and a pastor in a small town in Burkina Faso, the first attack on a church since jihadist violence erupted in the African country in 2015. On March 15, 160 people were killed in attacks on mosques in New Zealand. Guterres deplored a "disturbing groundswell of intolerance and hate-based violence targeting worshippers of many faiths," saying such violence had become "all-too-familiar." "Houses of worship, instead of the safe havens they should be, have become targets," he said. The UN chief appealed to religious leaders, governments, civil society and all others to combat hate, saying "this is a job for everyone. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) It's a battle for chips, not microchips but potato chips. PepsiCo, the $64 billion US global food, snack and beverage is battling four farmers of Sabarkantha in North East Gujarat for allegedly growing the FL 2027 variety of potatoes for which it has claimed Plant Variety Protection rights. But the battle has moved from the courts to social media. And there are enough and more supporters for the farmers. After being inundated by media queries from across the globe, Kapil Shah, founder of Vadodara based NGO, Jatan Trust has just formed a WhatsApp group to proactively share news updates that are of interest to all such people at one go. "Deputy chief minister of Gujarat Nitin Patel says the state government will become a party to help farmers", was Shah's message, accompanied with a video clip of a Gujarati news channel. This is a live-commentary-of-sort on the WhatsApp group of PepsiCo's litigation with the farmers. "Government advocates (legal counsels) will argue the case in (the) court for farmers; government has created pressure on Pepsi to withdraw the case", the English translation of minister Patel's public assurances follow soon after... The quickest way to explain the media interest in Shah and the need for a quick response from him is based on the reactions it is generating on Twitter. In less than a week, solidarity towards the four Indian farmers is pouring in on Twitter from the US to Brazil and India. They are almost entirely against Pepsico. With consumers in more than 200 countries, Pepsico's decision to slap legal cases against a handful of Indian farmers who, according to Pepsico's petition, were cultivating the FL 2027 or FC5 variety of potatoes, which apparently helps in higher yield, enhanced quality, leading to remunerative income for farmers, without its authorisation seem to have not gone well with Twitteratis. ALSO READ: PepsiCo seeks Rs 1 crore from four farmers it sued for patented Lay's potatoes Pepsico sought compensation of Rs 1.05 crore from each farmer for estimated damage caused by infringing the intellectual property rights (IPR) the company has by virtue of registering this particular variety of potato seed under India's Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001. Without getting into the legal aspects of the issue, Twitter followers seem to have their verdict clear. "#PepsiCo this will be an easy boycott for me. Farmers and people are more important than your profits" tweets AmaryllisTV. The global response generated through media reports aided by Shah's inputs and on Twitter have made Pepsico realise the damage a potential negative propaganda can play on its global business is not small. The company has played safe too. The India arm of PepsiCo has already proposed to amicably settle with people who were "unlawfully using seeds of its registered variety". PepsiCo has proposed that the four farmers may become part of its collaborative potato farming programme that gives them access to higher yields, enhanced quality, training in best-in-class practices and better prices." In case, they do not wish to join this program, they can simply sign an agreement and grow other available varieties of potatoes", a Pepsico statement says. What triggered a global outbreak of negative propaganda for Pepsico and an internal vigil within India from NGOs was the hearing of a case on April 8, 2019 in an otherwise inconsequential commercial court of Gujarat. Pepsico India, in a case filed against four persons - Bipin Patel, Vinod Patel, Chabilbhai Patel and Haribhai Patel from Sabarkantha district of Gujarat - accused them of using proprietary potato seeds of Pepsico that are used to manufacture potato chips sold under the Lay's brand name/trade mark without the company's authorisation. The company accused the farmers were "illegally growing, producing, selling without permission, such variety in violation of the statutory right granted under Sections 64 and 65 of the PP&FR Act". Pepsico is a leader is India's savoury snacks market. "The market value of this high-growth segment is expected to reach Rs 141,094 crore by 2020. Ethnic and traditional snacks is the largest category in the Indian savoury snacks market", says a report called "High growth segments of Indian Food and Beverage Industry" prepared by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries on the occasion of World Food India 2017. The report puts PepsiCo India as the market leader in savoury snacks in India with a 31% share. The company's two key brands are Lay's for western salted snacks and Kurkure for traditional Indian ones. PepsiCo's eagerness to seek legal remedy to what it considers as an infringement of its rights on its products is thus understandable. "I came to know about such a case through media reports. Then I tried to trace them (the farmers) through our local connections", says Shah, who is a proponent of organic farming in Gujarat. He says that it was then he realised that it was not a one off case, but five farmers were sued in another district court, in another part of Gujarat the previous year. "So, total nine farmers as of now. Last year's cases are also going on. Pepsico claimed Rs 20 lakh as compensation from the five farmers. This year it is Rs 1.05 crore, for the same issue, by the same company. That is where we felt like intervening", he says. ALSO READ: PepsiCo offers 'amicable' settlement to Gujarat farmers: Either join us or don't cultivate our potatoes What Kapil Shah and likeminded NGOs did was to amass support of 107 individuals and civil society organisations to petition against the action of PepsiCo against the very authority that operationalises the Act in question. A joint letter to the Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers Rights Authority (PPVFRA) on April 24 said that as per the information gathered so far, "these farmers (against whom PepsiCo has initiated legal action) are small farmers holding around 3-4 acres on an average, and had grown a potato crop from farm-saved seed after they accessed the potato seed locally in 2018. PepsiCo apparently got a tip-off that the farmers were growing "its registered variety" of FL-2027 and in a completely unacceptable manner, hired a private detective agency to pose as potential buyers in front of the sued farmers, to take secret video footage and collect samples from farmers' fields sans disclosing its real intent", the petition says. "Later on, PepsiCo India Holdings got the samples tested in its own laboratory and sent the same to ICAR-CPRI, Shimla (Central Potato Research Institute) got reports confirming that the varieties being grown by the farmers are indeed FL-2027 or FC-5. Armed with this information, and presenting an estimated damage of more than one crore rupees against each farmer, the MNC filed legal suits against 4 farmers in early April 2019", the petition said. The letter said that everything about this entire operation was "in fact against the law, and it is not the farmers who are violating the law, but the company" as the "PPV&FR Act has always been projected as a law to protect farmers' rights as the Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers Rights Act was enacted in India as a sui generis framework at the national level, after India had signed on to the WTO TRIPS in 1995 and it has upheld the apriori rights of farmers of the country, by explicitly stating under Section 39 (1) (iv) of the Act, notwithstanding anything in the Act "farmer shall be deemed to be entitled to save, use, sow, resow, exchange, share or sell his farm produce including seed of a variety protected under this Act in the same manner as he was entitled before the coming into the force of this Act, provided that the farmer shall not be entitled to sell branded seed of a variety protected under this Act". PPFRA chairman K V Prabhu refused comment on the petition filed by the civil society groups as the matter was sub juidice. PPFRA is a quasi-judicial authority with powers of that of a civil court. Ram Kaundinya, Director General of the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) said that the Act allows the farmers to save and grow, and exchange seeds. However if the people who they (Pepsico) have filed case against are not just farmers, (but also traders), and if they are selling it as a branded seed, then there could be a problem, he explains. "This is a trend setter, because nobody (no company that has engaged with farmers for contract production) has done it so far. This (contract violations) are rampant in India. So this might set actually a good legal interpretation. Let us see how in the context of contractual cultivation, the courts will interpret the law, which is interesting to see", he says. With PepsiCo expressing its willingness to settle the case out of court, and petitioners seeking time till the next hearing date of June 12 to decide upon the matter, one can only profess the outcome without any certainty. What is already happening is a firming up on opposition against PepsiCo and contract cultivation from various segments of Indian activist groups. Shah's WhatsApp group has just flashed a news clip which said that Tamil Nadu Organic Farmers Association has asked the state government to check the entry of BT Brinjal seeds into the state, as apparently, when the farmers are held responsible for using seeds that are not traditional but are those with some proprietary ownership even if it happens without their knowledge, the pitfalls of such crops, in terms of the environmental damage it causes, will remain unaccountable. One of the WhatsApp group members, enrolled by Shah - a New York number - has just quit. ALSO READ: PepsiCo worried over Indian unit's legal action against potato farmers Things to Consider Before Making Your Move to Mexico With its close proximity to the U.S. and gorgeous year-round weather, Mexico is a premier location for those looking to retire. Mexico is currently home to over a million Americans and half a million Canadians, many of whom are retirees. With the baby boomer generation soon reaching the point of retirement, it makes sense to look at their neighbor down south for a place to hang up their hats and enjoy a less stressful lifestyle. In Western media, Mexico is typically in the news for all the wrong reasons: from drug violence to border control. However, this has not deterred retirees from choosing Mexico as their final destination. With its gorgeous landscape, rich culture, and deep history, retiring in Mexico is a dream destination for many approaching retirement. But there are a few things that you should consider before you head south of the border. Keep Your Wits About You Let's begin with the elephant in the room: How safe is Mexico? Unfortunately, 2018 marked the most violent year in Mexican history, with an astonishing 33 percent increase from 2017 (the previous record). With most of the established cartels disbanding in recent years, violent turf wars between the fractured crews has been a root cause in the increase in violence. To add further insult to injury, most of the crime remains unpunished as killers regularly face impunity from the law. Fortunately, there is some good news for those wanting to move to Mexico. Most of the violence is concentrated in five states: Sinaloa, Colima, Michoacan, Guerrero and Tamaulipas, with the US State Department advising citizens not to travel to those areas under any circumstances. Fortunately for potential retirees, many of the most desirable sites in Mexico are located outside these dangerous states. Puerto Vallarta, Tulum, Mexico City, and the entire Southern region are considered safe. In fact, many American cities are even more dangerous than their Mexican counterparts. For example, New Orleans, St. Louis, and Baltimore each have a higher crime rate than Mexico City. The fact of the matter is that if you keep your wits about you and don't travel to dangerous areas, you probably won't experience the slightest whiff of violence. The most important thing is to be wary and stay out of known bad areas which is similar advice I would give to travelers in almost any city around the globe. Live a Comfortable Life at a Comfortable Price So now that we got that ugliness out of the way, let's talk about your wallet. How much is it going to set you back to pack up and move to Mexico? Fortunately, it's very cheap to retire in Mexico compared to other countries around the world. For example, a couple can expect to live comfortably in Mexico for less than $3,000 a month. This cost includes amenities such as health-care, a two bedroom house, utilities and groceries. For those looking to buy a house, excellent options are available for under $150,000. Of course, this price can vary dramatically according to each individual person's preferences, but compared to the United States it's a world apart. Of course, when traveling to a new country, obtainment of the proper visa can be a hassle. Fortunately, in Mexico it's fairly easy to get a short-term residency visa. All you need to do is prove that you can sustain yourself in Mexico. You can do this a variety of ways: 1) show that you have at least $1,553 USD monthly income for 6 months; 2) show an annual bank balance of $25,880; or 3) show that you own a property in Mexico valuing at least $207,046. Providing Whatever Retirement You Desire Of course, before you establish yourself in Mexico, you have to consider how your daily life is going to be once you are there. Do you like to experience culture? Would you simply enjoy isolating yourself on a secluded beach? And just how important are Western amenities to you? Fortunately, Mexican life allows for flexibility to attune to your tastes. For those looking to experience rich Mexican culture, tours of the ancient Aztec and Mayan ruins or salsa lessons await you. If you want to relax on a beach, Mexico has some of the finest in the world. And if you want hometown comfort, Mexico has a massive expat community with all of your favorite restaurants and brands available throughout the country. Unfortunately, it is sometimes a challenge to access all of what Mexico has to offer. While the main highways remain top of the line, in rural areas they can be very run-down and mismanaged. Plus, sometimes people forget: Mexico is a huge country. It can take some time to get from place to place. But if you're willing to be patient or simply book a flight, it can be a lot more accessible. Mexico can be a great place to kick start the next phase of your life. When you take into account the benefits, they greatly outweigh the negatives. If keep your wits about you and don't get into any sticky situations, Mexico can make your retirement a dream. FMCG firm ITC and Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurveda have come under the scanner of profiteering watchdog for not passing benefits of reduced goods and services tax (GST) rates to consumers. ITC received notice from Directorate General of Anti Profiteering (DGAP) for withholding benefits of GST rate reduction on its FMCG products, the Business Standard reported. Reliance Retail buys ITC's John Players, bolsters readymade garments portfolio The government cut GST rates to 18% from 28% in November 2017 for 178 products including detergents, shampoos and beauty products. ITC confirmed to Business Standard that it had received enquiries from the DGAP and it was providing necessary information to the authorities. According to the report, DGAP has indicated Patanjali Ayurveda earned nearly Rs 176-crore profit on various FMCG products till August 2018. The probe into profiteering by Baba Ramdev-led Patanjali is being extended till March 2019, the report said. Multinational companies such as Procter & Gamble (P&G), Johnson & Johnson (J&J), and Samsung have also been accused of not passing on the benefits of GST rate cuts to consumers. The tax authorities had alleged that the US consumer goods maker Procter & Gamble did not pass on Rs 250 crore in tax benefits which were meant to have gone to its customers. In July 2018, the GST Council had exempted sanitary napkins from the levy which stood at 12%. P&G sells the Whisper brand of sanitary napkins. J&J, which sells Stayfree brand of sanitary napkins, too has come under the scanner of profiteering watchdog. Baba Ramdev plans to open 500 Patanjali Paridhan stores this year A J&J spokeswoman said via email that the company had passed on all benefits to customers after the government exempted sanitary napkins from the goods and services tax. "The matter is currently under adjudication and we continue to work closely with the authorities to address any queries that they may have on the subject," the spokeswoman said. Samsung is being probed for not passing rate cut benefits in case of television sets. In its December meeting, the GST Council had reduced rates on monitors and TV sets of up to 32 inches from 28 percent to 18 percent. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Samsung said the firm reduced its sales price according to GST reduction on January 1. "Samsung reduced its sales price according to GST (Goods and Services Tax) reduction with effect from January 1, 2019. We are cooperating with DGAP (Directorate General of Anti Profiteering) on this matter," the company said in a statement. The firm received a notice from the DGAP after a consumer filed a complaint with respect to pricing of the Samsung television. Edited By Aseem Thapliyal As its bid to acquire Jaypee Infratech got rejected by lenders, state-owned NBCC has written to the interim resolution professional (IRP) that the company is interested in taking over Jaypee group firm and its offer should be considered on merit. NBCC, which is also completing some projects of Amrapali group on the Supreme Court's direction, said its offer safeguards the interests of bankers as well as homebuyers. In its meeting on April 26, a committee of creditors (CoC) decided not to consider NBCC's bid as it was subject to approval of various government authorities. NBCC had in the meeting sought some time to take all the necessary approvals. However, the lenders decided to put on vote on April 30 the offer of Suraksha Realty-led consortium and not that of NBCC. In a letter to Jaypee Infratech's IRP Anuj Jain, NBCC has said it is very much interested in acquiring bankruptcy-bound Jaypee Infratech and its resolution plan should be considered on merit. NBCC had informed to the lenders during the meet on April 26 that the company was in process of seeking government approvals and it should be given some time before the voting could be carried out on its plan, the letter said. "NBCC continues to be very interested in the resolution process and accord the interest of the homebuyers, utmost priority," the letter said. NBCC said it entered into the insolvency proceedings of Jaypee Infratech to provide relief to over 20,000 homebuyers. To protect financial creditors interest, NBCC said it has offered Rs 5,000 crore worth land as well as 100 per cent equity of Yamuna Expressway, which is the only cash generating asset with Jaypee Infratech. "We are confident that our proposal will safeguard the interest of the homebuyers and the lenders. Therefore, we request the CoC to consider our proposal on merit," NBCC said in the letter. Meanwhile, business conglomerate Adani Group had also recently expressed interest to bid for Jaypee Infratech. However, lenders are unlikely to seek Adani's offer until this round of insolvency proceedings gets completed. Crisis-hit Jaypee Group's promoters too have made a fresh attempt to retain control over its realty arm Jaypee Infratech by seeking the support of homebuyers for its debt resolution plan under the IBC. Jaypee Group Chairman Manoj Gaur has promised to infuse Rs 2,000 crore to complete apartments over the next four years. The group had submitted a Rs 10,000-crore plan before lenders in April 2018 as well, but the same was not accepted. In 2017, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) admitted the application by an IDBI Bank-led consortium seeking resolution of Jaypee Infratech. Anuj Jain was appointed the IRP to oversee the company's operations and undertake insolvency proceedings. 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's direction. The realty firm has an outstanding debt of nearly Rs 9,800 crore. Jaypee Group's flagship firm Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL) had submitted Rs 750 crore in the registry of the Supreme Court for the refund to buyers and the amount is lying with the NCLT. Jaypee Infratech is a subsidiary of JAL. Also read: Jaypee Infratech lenders reject NBCC bid; to vote on Suraksha offer Also read: Jaypee Infra lenders' committee to discuss revised bids on April 26 Executives at PepsiCo's headquarters and its Asia-Pacific office have reportedly expressed their concern over the Indian unit's lawsuits against Gujarat farmers. PepsiCo India had sued nine farmers of Sabarkantha and Aravalli districts of North Gujarat for "illegally" cultivating its registered FC5 potato variety, exclusively grown for its Lay's chips. The food and beverages giant, which faced strong criticism from farmers' unions, activists and social media users, had asked its Indian unit to resolve the issue at the earliest and work as a team, reported The Economic Times. "Headquarters has asked PepsiCo India to resolve the issue at the earliest and work as a team," said an executives aware of the developments. "They are concerned about the legal issue and the backlash," the daily quoted the company's Asia-Pacific office as saying. A PepsiCo India spokesperson said the local team is free to take its own decisions based on local market conditions. "The local team at PepsiCo India are fully empowered to "act as owners" and equipped to take decisions based on local market conditions. Beyond this, there is nothing more to add," the spokesperson said. The Indian arm of the US-multinational food and beverages company sought more than Rs 1 crore ($142,840.82) each for alleged patent infringement. PepsiCo, which established its first potato chips plant in India in 1989, uses the FC5 potato variety, which has a lower moisture content required to make snacks such as potato chips. Also Read: PepsiCo seeks Rs 1 crore from four farmers it sued for patented Lay's potatoes The farmers have got support from the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress party. Media reports quoted Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel saying that the state government had received the representation of the farmers to intervene in the case to protect farmers' rights. He has said that the government will seek Court's permission to become a party in the case to support the farmers' cause. Congress leader Ahmed Patel has said that Pepsi's decision to take Gujarat's potato grower farmers to court is ill-advised and brazenly wrong. "It is in violation of the farmers right under PPVFR Act," he said. After a hearing at the Ahmedabad civil court on Friday, the Pepsi-Co's Indian arm had offered an out-of-court settlement to the Indian farmers with conditions. The company sought an undertaking from the farmers saying they would not use its patent variety of potato and destroy all existing stocks, or sign a collaborative farming agreement with PepsiCo and sell the produce back to the company. The farmers will take a final call on this matter after due consultations. Edited by Chitranjan Kumar Also Read: PepsiCo India's biggest challenge is how to win consumers Although he has turned down these speculations in the past, Raghuram Rajan is still among the top picks for the next governor at Bank of England. Out of the six contenders for the job, reports suggest that the former RBI Governor is the second favourite to take over from the incumbent Mark Carney. The appointment will be made by Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond around October this year. After extending his term twice, the Treasury is sure that Mark Carney will stand down as the Bank of England Governor in January 2020. The selected candidate will come into the most powerful appointed position in British public life by February 2020. If the bookies are any guide, Andrew Bailey, the chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority, is the favourite, but his odds are drifting out a little, while Raghuram Rajan, the urbane Chicago economics professor and former governor of the Reserve Bank of India, is running him a close second, said the Financial Times. ALSO READ: Raghuram Rajan has a few tips on jobs, reforms for the next govt Rajan served as the RBI Governor from 2013 to 2016, and as the Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from 2003 to 2007. After exiting RBI he went back to Chicago to continue his work as an academician. Even early last year, he had refuted similar speculations of him taking the top job at the Bank of England. None of the other contenders have shown interest in the job publicly, either, knowing how important it is to be approached and asked to apply by the Treasury or its headhunter, Sapphire Partners, Financial Times went on to say. ALSO READ: 'Cannot ignore those left behind by tech change, globalisation,' says Raghuram Rajan at UN Notably, Rajan is not the only Indian in the race. Shristi Vadera, the chairperson of Santander UK, is also among the six probable replacements for Carney despite no experience with central banks. She, however, is known for her work as a no-nonsense minister in the Gordon Brown government. Philip Hammond has said that a candidate from a Commonwealth country will be welcome, if the post-Brexit Britain does not turn out to be too hostile, FT said. No matter who is selected, the next Bank of England governor will have his work cut out for him with Brexit in the picture. However, there is a chance that British PM Theresa May and Hammond might be out of government by the time decision on the next Bank of England governor is taken. The upcoming European elections next month might see the end of May's reign, and even change the list of contenders. ALSO READ: Nyay is doable, have given advise to Rahul Gandhi on it: Raghuram Rajan A total of six parliamentary constituencies will go to polls in the fourth phase of 2019 Lok Sabha election on Monday. Over 9.5 million voters from Jagatsinghpur, Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jajpur and Mayurbhanj Lok Sabha seats in Odisha will cast their ballots for 52 candidates. There are major parties in the fray in Odisha this time - the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which is in power in the state, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC). Back in 2014, the BJD had secured a win all six Lok Sabha seats, and by a substantial margin on top of that. While BJD faced competition from Congress last time, this time it is the BJP that is bringing the fight to the Naveen Patnaik-led party. The most interesting battle in Odisha during the fourth phase of Lok Sabha election this year is set in thee coastal constituency of Kendrapara. Baijayant Panda, who once was very close to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, was suspended from BJD earlier this year over allegations of anti-party activities. He later joined BJP and is contesting on its ticket. He will face BJD's actor-turned-politician Anubhav Mohanty. Although Mohanty is not a political contender, the real fight is between old friends Panda and Patnaik. And a lot is at stake for both heavyweights of Odisha politics. A defeat on Panda's part will be a huge political setback for the longstanding parliamentarian. On the other hand, BJD's loss from Kendrapara might be seen as a huge personal loss for the Odisha Chief Minister. Another high profile constituency in Odisha during the fourth phase is the Balasore Lok Sabha seat. BJD has fielded sitting MP Rabindra Jena from Balasore, whereas BJP has nominated its national executive Pratap Sarangi. Congress, which still holds some sway in the constituency, has named Navajyoti Patnaik as its candidate from Balasore. In Mayurbhanj, the BJD has nominated Debashis Marandi who will face BJP's Bishweswar Tudu. Another interesting name in the contest from the constituency is Jharkhand Mukti Morcha's Anjani Soren, who is the daughter of party chief Shibu Soren. The closure of Pakistan's airspace in reaction to the Indian Air Force's strike at Jaish-e-Mohammed's Balakot camp across the Line of Control (LoC) on February 26 has affected as many as 350 flights daily and caused massive losses to airlines. And the Maharajah is reportedly among the worst affected. The beleaguered national carrier has suffered losses of around Rs 300 crore in the past two months as its long haul flights from New Delhi had to be diverted around the Pakistani airspace and, hence take longer to reach destinations in Europe, the Gulf and the US, IANS reported. Air India operates 66 weekly services to Europe and 33 to the US. Longer flights not only translated to higher fuel burn at a time oil prices were already on the boil, but also meant that the aircraft could not be used to generate revenue elsewhere. Moreover, it pushed up airfares significantly. According to a Reuters calculation, which mapped all 34 flights between Delhi and Amsterdam in both directions, over February 19-26 and April 3-9 - using data from Flightradar24 - the detour added up to two hours to flight time since distances increased by an average 22% over the previous direct path over Pakistan. The Maharajah's Delhi-Washington and Delhi-Chicago flights similarly had to take a southerly detour, compelled to make a stop at Mumbai or Vienna for refuelling and change of crew. In the bargain, Air India has incurred daily losses to the tune of Rs 6 crore on additional fuel, cabin staff expenses and reduced flights. "The losses on account of payload restriction and cancellation alone are about Rs 2.75 crore per day. The longer flying time has affected the duty hours of cabin staff and pilots," an Air India official told IANS. "Other airlines have an option to pull out services in such situations but as the national carrier we cannot do so." American carrier United, for instance, temporarily suspended its Delhi-Newark flight and is monitoring the situation. Air India has, therefore, approached the Civil Aviation Ministry to ensure it is compensated for the loss and the matter is reportedly being taken up with those concerned. The silver lining is that with Pakistan partially reopening its airspace, things have started to improve. On April 6, Pakistan opened one of the 11 routes for west-bound flights and the buzz is that Air India has rerouted some of its US and Europe-bound flights, saving 15 minutes of flight time. (With agency inputs) Also read: Air India software shutdown effect: 137 flights to be delayed on Sunday Also read: Air India to charge no fee on cancellation, change in ticket within 24 hours of booking Everybody has an opinion on Jet Airways. It doesn't cost anything to have one, and that's why everyone - from an anxious working professional to a pseudo-evangelist industrialist to an attention-seeking politician - is offering free opinions on Jet's problems. Their concern in saving the grounded airline is common; their methods to rescue are different though. One such opinion has come from veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) politician Subramaniam Swamy who reportedly has made an out-of-the-blue suggestion of merging Jet with national carrier Air India. The alliance of Jet and Air India, Swamy said, is going to ensure that air services are not restricted but also to enable Air India to recover its premier position. Swamy, who had filed a writ petition in the apex court in 2013 against the Jet-Etihad deal, has said that the private airlines are benefitting from Jet's shutdown (as its slots are being given to these carriers) and officers in the ministry of civil aviation are supporting these private airlines. The cascading effects of merging Air India with Jet are unthinkable. Merging the two airlines is not going to solve their problems but it would create a bigger entity with a huge pile of debt. Remember that one of the biggest issues with Jet and Air India is the big amount of debt that they carry on their books - Air India has about Rs 55,000 crore (about Rs 30,000 crore from it has been transferred to a special purpose vehicle Air India Asset Holding Ltd) and Jet has about Rs 8,500 crore. Both airlines are in deep losses. Unlike Air India, which has government's everlasting backing to support its losses, the Jet's funding comes from its operations - and sometimes banks. Losses in core operations and bankers refusing to lend more are the reasons for Jet's recent troubles. "Emotionally, it could be the right thing to do but Air India and Jet are two different entities. It could be the worst thing to happen to Air India, which is expected to make some operational profits this year after creating a SPV where it has transferred a substantial debt. I'm sure Air India will collapse within six months of such merger," says Satish Modh, former chairman, Aeronautical Society of India (Mumbai chapter). "The M&As in the aviation sector have never worked. Jet's merger with Air Sahara, Air India's with Indian Airlines and Kingfisher Airlines' merger with Air Deccan have failed. The merger of Jet with Air India or any other airline - suppose if the Tata Group acquires Jet and merges it with Vistara - is bound to doom. Jet, with its current financial mess, will drag the other airline down," says an aviation consultant. SpiceJet chairman Ajay Singh has been more vocal about the Jet crisis than any other airline CEO. Singh has reportedly said that acquiring Jet is beyond his ability as the airline would need viability gap funding of Rs 25,000 crore, out of which Rs 11,000 crore have to be paid up front. Singh, who said that he had just got a moral support from the government in 2014 rather than a bailout, has doubts over Jet's ability to resurrect from the dead. "Besides funding, Jet would need at least 40 planes on the domestic routes. Its earlier fleet of about 130 planes was unmanageable, and many of them were used on unprofitable routes," says Modh. So far, four entities - TPG Capital, Indigo Partners, Etihad Airways and government-backed National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) - have evinced interests in acquiring Jet. These entities are at various stages of due diligence, have have to make up their mind before the bidding process closes on May 10. Besides, a UK-based entrepreneur Jason Unsworth, who is founder and CEO of start-up carrier Atmosphere Air, has also expressed interest in acquiring a controlling stake in Jet. Banking sector experts are expecting a significant haircut - 50-60 per cent - by Jet's lenders to sell the airline. Jet's lead banker SBI is spearheading the sale process after founder Naresh Goyal was given forced exit from the airline last month. The countdown has begun for Jet, which is running against the time to save its prized assets. One of them is landing and parking slots - which Jet runs the risk of losing in less than 90 days. SpiceJet, along with the market leader IndiGo and full-service carrier Vistara, has already started snapping up Jet's landing and parking slots at key airports such as Delhi and Mumbai. Its international slots that had come through bilateral rights are at risk too. The domestic slots are being given temporarily as of now but if Jet never takes off, the slot allocation will become permanent. SpiceJet is planning to induct around 40 aircraft - mostly through leasing - over the coming weeks, to take advantage of the capacity vacuum created by Jet. IndiGo and Tata Group (that operates Vistara and AirAsia India) have accused the government of favouring SpiceJet in allocating Jet's slots. A similar allegation has also been made by Swamy through his tweet. Although IndiGo is expected to add about 30 per cent capacity this financial year, its aircraft deliveries are pre-scheduled - depending on Airbus' timetable - which is unlike SpiceJet whose leasing arrangement seems to be flexible. At a time when world's largest market for pharmaceuticals, the US is sparing no words to accuse India as a source of counterfeit medicines, and complaining about India's intellectual property protection policies and drugs and medical device pricing regulatory systems, an industry veteran - Gurpreet Sandhu - is attempting to build an organisation that can bridge the advocacy gap between India and the US. Delhi based Sandhu, the managing director of privately held Reva Pharma, has taken the lead in setting up a global not for profit think tank - Council for Healthcare and Pharma (CHP). The Delhi headquartered think tank plans to open offices in the US, Japan and other countries. The Council is hitting the road running, as its first programme, Legislative Day at Capitol Hill, Washington D.C, for US Congress members and opinion makers, is on April 30. "Over two dozen US Congress members are expected", says Sandhu, who himself will present India's case before US legislators. According to him, the event draws a cross-section of bi-partisan senators and congressmen interested in the cause of healthcare, members of the US health committee, influential US doctors and members of the Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI). "At this select forum, the Council will be advocating mutually synergistic themes and avenues that can benefit both India and the US", says Sandhu. "We believe that an integrated thrust from the best global thought leaders and companies can unleash considerable savings for both health systems allowing them to stretch their health budgets for additional coverage, greater efficiencies, service enhancements and deployment in alternate priorities", Sandhu says. According to him, the opportunity to lower cost lies in emphasizing high quality generic formulary, realising supply chain efficiency, locating manufacturing where advantageous, leveraging new technologies such as robotics, AI and Blockchain for greater efficiencies. CHP states these opportunities can be developed where best feasible through a make in US or make in India initiative. The council has sector experts from medicine, intellectual property, global trade, medical devices, IT and pharmaceuticals on its advisory board. Rajeev Kher, former Commerce Secretary is known to be one of the early members of the advisory panel. Sandhu said the council will be funded through membership fees. All stakeholders, healthcare firms both within India and abroad, will be encouraged to be part of the organisation. India has critical mass in providing affordable, high quality generic medicines to the US and the world. India additionally has strengths in IT and a vibrant start-up environment for frugal innovation with interesting health applications being developed that have the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency and outcomes in delivering healthcare. On the other hand, American firms can outsource significant parts of their R&D efforts with considerable savings in new drug discovery and amplify their shortlist of drug candidates for further research and development. These drugs in turn can be marketed not only in the US but also in India and other countries. In addition, there are medical challenges of significant proportions like AMR which continue to deplete our arsenal of antibiotics by rendering them ineffective on account of overuse and misuse. The US has done a lot of work in alleviating this global problem and both countries can collaborate to mount a sizable program to mitigate this menacing challenge and such others, Sandhu explains his US-India linkage plans. Though CHP members include domestic and global pharmaceutical companies, Providers of Diagnostics, Medical device Manufacturers, Hospitals and adjunct services, the focus of the council will be advocacy for the development of sustainable health systems around the world. We look at engaging with governments and other stakeholders to adopt rational approaches that capture benefits, that accrue through the optimization of the eco-system and value chain involved in treating diseases and keeping people healthy, Sandhu says. ALSO READ: Piramal Enterprises consolidated Q4 profit drops 88% on higher base ALSO READ: Alembic Pharma gets USFDA nod for 2 generic products Wipro Consumer Care (WCC) Monday announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Philippine-based personal care company Splash Corporation. This will be Wipro Consumer care's 11th acquisition, said WCC Chief Executive Officer Vineet Agrawal. Addressing a press conference here, he said Splash Corporation has a presence in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Nigeria and the Middle East. "This is an exciting milestone for us, given our vision of being amongst the top three players in personal care in Asia. Splash gives us a market leading position in the Philippines, which is one of the strong economies in the region and a formidable personal care market," Agrawal said. The WCC CEO did not share the deal size, saying that it was confidential. He, however, noted that Splash has revenue of USD 80 million. After the acquisition, Splash founder Dr Rolando B Hortaleza would remain as the consultant and the rest of the team would become part of Wipro Consumer Care, Agarwal said. "It's the number one local personal care brand there in the Philippines and number five overall. So it's been able to handle the competition which is coming from the MNCs," Agrawal said. The acquisition, he said, would enable Wipro brands to grow in the Philippines market by leveraging Splash's distribution strength across market segments. Wipro Consumer Care also aims at expanding further to other international markets where Wipro has a strong footprint and brands have latent equity, he added. Also Read: PepsiCo worried over Indian unit's legal action against potato farmers Also Read: Vijay Mallya once again offers '100% payback' to Indian banks It was announced today that global wedding planning company, The Knot Worldwide will establish an Operations Centre in Galway, creating circa 100 job opportunities over the next few years. The project is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland. Through its global wedding planning brands, The Knot Worldwide has more than 40 years of experience combined and has helped more than 40 million couples plan their weddings. The Knot Worldwide says engaged couples worldwide will plan and celebrate their special day by benefitting from the company's extensive and inspirational content, registry services, free wedding planning tools, and access to over 700,000 local vendors with 7 million global reviews. The company claims wedding professionals, retailers and national brands will benefit from enhanced advertising and marketing reach to the expansive global wedding audience, as well as industry-leading tools and analytics to help grow their businesses. The new roles announced today will include content writers, community forum support and customer support staff. Speaking at todays announcement in Galway, Executive Vice President of Global Business Operations for The Knot Worldwide, Jessica Finnefrock said, "We couldnt be more thrilled to expand our global footprint with a new office in Galway. Weve been extremely impressed with the talent from this city, are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the IDA and the city of Galway, and are excited for the invaluable work this team will do to help our local wedding business professionals better connect with couples and ultimately grow their businesses." Source: www.businessworld.ie Ryanair aims to double the number of routes and passengers it flies to Jordan next year following rapid growth since launching flights to the country last year, the head of Europe's biggest budget airline told Reuters. The Irish airline, which began flying to Jordan in February 2018, currently operates 14 routes to the capital Amman and the Red Sea port city of Aqaba, and will add four new routes for the winter season in Europe. After talks with Jordanian officials, Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said he expected to reach around 1 million passengers in 2020 from the roughly 500,000 expected this year. "We could double the number of routes to 40 routes connecting other cities in Germany, Poland, Italy, Greece and others to Jordan," O'Leary said in an interview in Amman, urging the government to waive a $56 visa at the airport to help boost passenger numbers. O'Leary said Ryanair in total expected to carry almost 150 million passengers this year, the vast majority on routes in the European Union, although it also flies to some non-EU countries, including Israel and Morocco. Jordan has courted Ryanair, which flew 300,000 passengers in the first year of its launch, a key factor behind the 13 percent rise in tourism receipts last year to a record $5.2 billion. The recovery in tourism has been a major economic boost to the cash-strapped country that has been forced to adopt IMF-guided austerity measures, sparking major protests last year. Jordan's open skies agreement with the EU in 2010 that abolished all restrictions gave the country an edge over other Middle Eastern countries that have sought to protect their national carriers. "Jordan is Ryanair's by far fastest (growing) winter sun destination. It's growing faster than Morocco, Canary Islands, Southern Italy and Greece. You have an enormous potential here for inbound tourism," O'Leary said. Morocco is Ryanair's biggest market in the Middle East, with 2.5 million passengers annually, followed by Israel which gets 1.3 million to Tel Aviv airport alone. In European tourists' minds, Jordan and Israel are less of a security concern than other destinations in the Middle East, such as Tunisia and Egypt, O'Leary said. "Jordan is very much ahead of Middle Eastern destinations ... In European minds there are no security or safety issues visiting Jordan and Israel," he said. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie Billionaire Terry Gou, chairman of Foxconn Technology Group, speaks at the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business in Hong Kong, China, on Nov. 5, 2016. Photo: Getty Images In a conference hall of Taiwans Kuomintang party (KMT), Foxconn founder Terry Gou bowed to portraits of the partys founding father Sun Yat-sen and former presidents Chiang Kai-shek and Chiang Ching-kuo. With the old-fashioned ritual, the billionaire officially announced April 17 his decision to seek the nomination of the KMT, Taiwans main opposition party, for Taiwans top office in the 2020 election. Sixty-eight-year-old Gou, whose company assembles iPhones and iPads for Apple, is Taiwans richest man and a business legend on the island, which has been self-governing and apart from the Chinese mainland since the end of the Civil War in 1949. Gou could be a strong contender in the race for Taiwans top leadership, given his wealth and fame. He has cultivated an image as self-made entrepreneur. Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd. (Foxconn), the manufacturing giant Gou started more than 40 years ago, now employs 1.4 million people globally and is key supplier for Apple, Amazon, and other global tech giants. In 2018, Foxconn booked revenue of NT$5.29 trillion (1.15 trillion yuan or $171 billion), accounting for a third of the global electronic manufacturing service industry. Gou has shown political acumen as he built close ties with Beijing and Washington. Across the Taiwan Strait, Foxconn has conducted billions of dollars of business on the mainland since the late 80s, and Gou is a welcomed guest of both local authorities and the top leadership, including President Xi Jinping. In Washington, President Donald Trump called Gou a good friend and endorsed Foxconns $10 billion investment proposal in Wisconsin in July 2017. A recent poll showed that Gous support has outpaced that of incumbent leader Tsai Ing-wen and former Premier Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Both Tsai and Lai are potential DPP candidates in the next election. Gou is also more popular than Ko Wen-je, an independent politician and the mayor of Taipei, who is also seen as a strong candidate for the office. The biggest challenger for Gou may be Han Kuo-yu, another potential KMT candidate and the current mayor of Kaohsiung, Taiwans second-largest city in the south. Han generated wide support among the electorate and within the KMT when he won a mayoral election in the DPP stronghold of Kaohsiung in May 2018. He is widely considered Gous biggest potential competition if he chooses to run. But not all are convinced that Gou will win the KMTs nomination because of his widely known tantrums and lack of political experience. Some younger voters who tend to support the DPP and Taiwan independence may not be impressed by his deep business ties with the mainland. As Gou steps out of his factory office to stand under spotlights of the political stage, his business empire, strongman-style management approach and views on Taiwans relationship with the mainland and the U.S. will come under closer public scrutiny. If he succeeds, he would have to step down from all position in Foxconn, leaving the tech giant with an unprecedented challenge in the absence of his absolute leadership. In announcing his candidacy, Gou said he most values peace, stability, economic prosperity and a better future, whether as a businessman or while exploring other opportunities. A factory man In 1988, Gou gained his first foothold on the mainland in a four-story townhouse in suburb Shenzhen, where he declared to 150 newly recruited workers that the worlds largest factory will start here. Now Foxconn employs more than 300,000 workers in Shenzhen, and its main factory there covers 2.3 square kilometers of land, where the first iPhone was manufactured. In 2012, Foxconns annual revenue exceeded the rest of Taiwans top 10 manufacturers combined. Despite controversies related to reports of excessive work demands, poor living condition and underpayment, especially after a series of suicides among workers in 2010, Foxconns business in Shenzhen is seen as a big success. Gou is one of the most-wanted guests for city officials who desperately seek new investment. And Gou is good at bargaining for favorable conditions. Since 2003, Foxconn invested in new production facilities in Shanxi, Langfang, Nanjing, Kunshan, Shanghai, Guangzhou Chongqing, Chengdu and other cities. Meanwhile, Foxconns business has expanded to include televisions, video display panels, auto parts, smart devices and robots, while exploring emerging businesses such as big data, artificial intelligence and cloud computing. The rapid expansion reflects Foxconns intention to transform itself from an electronic supplier into a tech service provider, partly because of slowing business with Apple, its biggest customer, analysts said. As of March, Foxconn had at least 841 subsidiaries and affiliated companies with businesses including smartphone assembly, PCs and servers, TVs, internet equipment, e-commerce, biotech, electric vehicles, robots and drones. Dong Min, vice president of the market research organization AVC, said Foxconns expansion in recent years reflects Gous long-time dream of building Foxconn into a solid brand in the terminal devices market. But other analysts expressed concerns that Foxconn may stretch its business range too broadly to focus on any sector. Gou still keeps his office in a small building at the Shenzhen factory and lives in a factory dorm when he stays there, people familiar with him said. We factory men are like this, Gou often tells visitors surprised by his plain office. But the businessman is no doubt the absolute commander of the tech giant as everyone obeys unconditionally, said one person close to Foxconn. Gou is probably the only one who can speak clearly what Foxconn will do in the future, said a senior executive. But Gou will have to step down all from business positions if he wins the KMT nomination for the 2020 election, under Taiwan law. Analysts say they are concerned that Gous departure will leave his massive business empire rudderless. But Dong said it will only take some time for the company to work out a new governance system driven by its many capable senior executives. Terry Gou announces $10 billion investment in Wisconn Valley at the White House in July 2017. Photo: IC Photo Seeking balance For any leader of Taiwan, managing cross-strait relations and positioning Taiwans strategy with the U.S. are always the key policy issues. Among the declared KMT candidates, Gous position on cross-strait relations is one of the more clear-cut: stability in the Taiwan Strait and accommodating the growth of a cross-strait economy. He also advocates for Taiwan to stop buying weapons from the United States and instead make it an economic and technological partner. Gou was the first Taiwan businessman to visit the White House after Trump won the presidency, with a $10 billion investment offer to build the Wisconn Valley technology park in Wisconsin and create 13,000 jobs. Gou disagrees with many Taiwanese politicians, including Han, who argue that Taiwan should rely on the U.S. for defense. Instead, he says, the money Taiwan uses to purchase outdated weapon from the U.S. should be channeled into investment to bring advanced technology from the U.S. Taiwans defense should not depend on the U.S., but rather on peace, he declared. Gou also opposes the tough stance of Tsai Ing-wens administration toward the mainland. They dont see the reality, Gou said. The key for Taiwan to take part in regional economic cooperation is in Beijing. Gous business strategy of maintaining close partnerships with the mainland and the U.S. to benefit Taiwans industry and economy may provide a convincing option for Taiwan. Douglas Paal, vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said cross-strait relationships have been seeking a delicate balance that is neither too hot nor too cold. Zhang Wenzheng, a professor at Xiamen University, said Gous race for the top office may trigger concerns in the U.S. because of his close ties with the mainland. But Gous decades-long experience doing business with the mainland will bring greater stability to the cross-strait relationship. He also has the ability to deal prudently with Taiwans relations with the mainland and the U.S., Zhang said. But Gou could win support from the U.S. if he can push forward a peace pact across the Taiwan Strait, said Dennis Hickey, a political studies professor at Missouri State University. Contact reporter Han Wei (weihan@caixin.com) 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. She tried gums, patches and various electronic cigarettes to quit smoking. What finally worked for Chantel Williams was a small, reusable e-cigarette called Juul that packs a big nicotine punch. I look better. I feel better and I dont smell. Its fantastic, said Williams of Portland, Oregon, who smoked for decades. That nicotine hit and its easy-to-inhale vapor is one reason why Juul is so popularand so feared. Thats the trouble with Juul: Its probably the worst for kids but it might be the best for adult smokers, said Dr. Nancy Rigotti, a tobacco treatment specialist at Harvard Medical School. The brainchild of two Stanford University design students, Juul launched in 2015 and quickly leapfrogged over its competitors to become the top-selling e-cigarette in the U.S. Today, the privately held company controls nearly three-quarters of the $3.7 billion-dollar retail market for e-cigarettes, spawning dozens of copycat brands along the way. With Juuls rise came an explosion of underage vaping, alarming public health officials and lawmakers. Last year, 1 in 5 U.S. high school students reported vaping in the previous month, according to a government survey. Juul and other pod-based vaping devices can be used discreetly, without the smoke, odor or throat irritation that deterred some teenagers from smoking. E-cigarettes typically heat a solution containing nicotine into a vapor, and health experts say the addictive chemical is harmful to developing brains. Recent research published shows some teenagers arent even aware they are inhaling nicotine when using Juul and similar e-cigarettes. Proposals to keep e-cigarettes away from teenagers include banning flavored solutions, restricting where they can be sold and raising the purchase age to 21, which some states have done. Less attention has been paid to Juuls quick, powerful buzz. Abbey Solomon first began seeing Juul around the house when her son Jack was in 8th grade. Like many parents, she didnt initially recognize the small, rechargeable device, which resembles a flash drive, as an e-cigarette. But as parents and teachers began sounding the alarm, she started confiscating Juul and its color-coded flavor pods from her son and his friends. Last year, Jack, 16, became an unlikely spokesman for the anti-vaping movement, appearing in a viral video , Juulers against Juul to push for tougher restrictions to protect kids. In the video, he says teenagers will often leave school to get their Juul fix. It shouldnt happen, he said. But kids are very addicted to these e-cigarettes and need this stuff to be satisfied. Jack himself hasnt been able to quit, his mother says. When she tried to make him stop, he was moody, he was complaining, he wasnt sleeping, says Solomon, of Scarsdale, New York. He was miserable because he was going through nicotine withdrawal. He was addicted. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has the power to cap nicotine levels in e-cigarettes, but hasnt proposed any such standard. For cigarettes, theres no limit on nicotine, although the FDA has taken preliminary steps toward reducing levels to help smokers quit. Limiting nicotine in e-cigarettes could have unintended consequences, including making the products less satisfying for smokers trying to switch. Juul declined interviews for this story, but said in a statement that its product is formulated to mimic the experience of a cigarette. Its goal is to offer smokers an alternative to tobacco-burning cigarettes, the company said. Under pressure from regulators, Juul voluntarily shut down its Facebook and Instagram accounts and pulled several flavors out of stores last November. Company critics say Juuls nicotine level may be excessive and should be getting far more scrutiny. I think theres a real question of how addictive these products need to be, said Robin Koval, CEO of the Truth Initiative, a nonprofit anti-smoking education group. Juul sells two formulas for most of its flavor pods. One contains 59 milligrams of nicotine per milliliter of liquid, or roughly three times what can be sold to consumers in Europe, where Juul sells a 20-milligram version of its pods. Juuls lower-nicotine U.S. version contains 35 milligrams of nicotine per milliliter, which still exceeds the European limit. Britain and other nations have had success promoting e-cigarettes as a lower-risk alternative to smokers, without seeing a surge in underage vaping. But they also have tighter regulations, including strict limits on advertising. Juul, like all e-cigarettes in the U.S., has not been approved to help smokers quit. The FDA isnt expected to begin reviewing the contents and health effects of e-cigarettes for at least two more years. While calling underage vaping a mounting epidemic of youth addiction, recently departed FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb stressed the importance of keeping e-cigarettes available for adult smokers trying to quit. The FDA and most experts agree that e-cigarettes are probably less harmful than traditional cigarettes because they dont produce all of the cancer-causing byproducts of burning tobacco. Meanwhile, the vaping industry appears to be following Juuls lead. Stanford researchers have identified 39 U.S. devices mimicking Juuls pod-based design and 71 brands selling similar high-nicotine solutions. Juul has published little peer-reviewed research, and only in the last year have independent researchers begun studying its formula. The company says each of its full-strength pods delivers about as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. But experts note that usage varies widely; some people may vape one pod a day, others one pod a week. Most researchers have focused on a more objective measure: The potency of Juuls nicotine formula, or e-liquid. Researchers at Portland State University analyzed the concentration of Juuls full-strength pod against nine other nicotine formulas on the market in 2017. Juuls nicotine level dwarfed its competitors, in some cases by twentyfold. Regular cigarettes and older e-cigarettes mainly contain nicotine in its freebase form, which becomes increasingly harsh on the throat at higher levels. Juuls innovation was to convert the nicotine to its salt form by combining it with an acid. The result is a mild vapor that allows even a novice to inhale large doses of nicotine. David Peyton, a chemistry professor at Portland State who co-authored the paper, says Juuls popularity is due to a combination of its formulation, flavors and marketing efforts. Its very powerful and very attractive, Peyton said. Adult smokers want something that will deliver this hit and relieve their nicotine craving as fast as possible, said Dr. Maciej Goniewicz, a toxicologist at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York. Thats what attracted Chantel Williams to Juul. The 46-year-old social media manager said she began smoking in grade school. She tried to quit beginning in 2005, using nicotine gum, patches and eventually e-cigarettes. Refillable vaping devices were too much work, she said. And other brands didnt have the immediacy of a cigarette like Juul. You just grab it and youre taken care of it, she said. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Grain-free tortillas pan fried until crisp, topped with marinated Pollo Asado Chicken make for quick and easy, flavorful tostadas! Growing up, tostadas were always my favorite! I mean, dont me wrong I also love tacos, but s a kid, tostadas made me feel like I was eating a giant nacho, which I also lurve. But really, how do you not love all three of these; a tostada, a taco or nachos? Give me any of them, and I wont say no. What is a tostada? A quick Google search will tell you that a tostada is, a Mexican deep-fried tortilla topped with a seasoned mixture of beans, ground meat, and vegetables., and its delicious AF. You want a crisp tortilla for the base. Traditionally, a legit tostada will have a deep-fried corn tortilla. Different parts of Mexico will use shredded meat over ground. From what I can tell, they all use refried beans, and I dont hate it. As a girl with no Mexican heritage whatsoever, Ill tell you, I just want you to enjoy these however you like! And for you to make them in as little time as possible. Because, I love you. I love corn tortillas myself, but for an easy weeknight dinner, I like to keep it clean when I cook at home (for the most part) and so I used grain-free tortillas (Siete brand) that I found at Sprouts. Please use any tortilla you like for this tostada recipe, the same cooking method will apply. I love that I can get everyday staples along with more specialty items at Sprouts; for me its the best of both worlds! They have a lot of cleaner items I cant find at my local grocery, but they also usually have what I can find at my local grocery, so they save me a trip, which is nice. Because I like convenience. thx. Do you know what else Spouts has to make this chicken tostada recipe the easiest ever? Pollo Asado Chicken Thighs already marinated and ready to GO. You can find in the self-service case next to the butcher case. They also have Carne Asada marinated skirt steak, which would taste amazing for this tostada recipe. Pollo Asado or Carne Asada: both are great for a quick + easy tostada dinner, and perfect for any fiesta youre planning. Make these. Make these now, friends. How to make this easy chicken tostada recipe Prepare Pollo Asado Chicken Thighs : cook according to package directions on back of package. Once done, allow to cool and transfer to a cutting board. Roughly chop using a chefs knife, and set aside. The instructions call to grill and it couldnt be easier. You can prep the Pollo Asado Chicken Thighs in advance for weekly meal prep or party prep! : cook according to package directions on back of package. Once done, allow to cool and transfer to a cutting board. Roughly chop using a chefs knife, and set aside. The instructions call to grill and it couldnt be easier. You can prep the Pollo Asado Chicken Thighs in advance for weekly meal prep or party prep! To a medium pan, heat refried beans according to directions. Prep toppings : dice tomatoes, chop cilantro, slice avocado and radish. : dice tomatoes, chop cilantro, slice avocado and radish. To a medium skillet, use nonstick cooking spray and warm skillet on medium high heat. Add tortilla to skillet and cook, flipping every 2 minutes, until tortilla is crisp all over, 4 to 5 minutes total. Place each crispy tortilla on a plate, and set aside. Continue until all tortillas are crispy. To assemble, spread each tostada with refried beans and top with pollo asado, shredded lettuce, tomato, queso fresco, radish, cilantro and diced avocado. How do you eat a tostada? Honestly, just go all in for it! Pick it up and bite it. Messy? Maybe a little. But delicious and fresh tasting. No need to fork and knife these easy chicken tostadas. If youre making these chicken tostadas for Cinco de Mayo, definitely pair with a pitcher of my Beer Margaritas enjoy! easy chicken tostada recipe Grain-free tortillas pan fried until crisp, topped with marinated Pollo Asado Chicken make for quick and easy, flavorful tostadas! No ratings yet Print Pin Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 25 minutes Servings: 8 Calories: 358 kcal Ingredients 1 package Pollo Asado Marinated Chicken Thighs - approx. 1.5lbs per package - 1 16- ounce can refried pinto beans 2 cups shredded lettuce, romaine or iceberg 2 roma tomatoes, seeded and diced 1 cup queso fresco 1 bunch cilantro, chopped 2 avocado, pitted and sliced 2 small radishes, sliced thin, for garnish Nonstick cooking spray 8 tortilla shells of choice - Siete suggested, but any soft tortilla shell will do Instructions Cook pollo asado chicken thighs according to package directions on back of package. Once done, allow to cool and transfer to a cutting board. Roughly chop using a chefs knife, and set aside. To a medium saucepan, heat refried beans according to directions. Prep toppings: dice tomatoes, chop cilantro, slice avocado and radish. To a medium skillet, use nonstick cooking spray and warm skillet on medium high heat. Add tortilla to skillet and cook, flipping every 2 minutes, until tortilla is crisp all over, 4 to 5 minutes total. Place each crispy tortilla on a plate, and set aside. Continue until all tortillas are crispy. To assemble, spread each tostada with refried beans and top with pollo asado, shredded lettuce, tomato, queso fresco, radish, cilantro and diced avocado. Notes nutrition info is for 1 tostada. We easily eat 2 per person at Casa de Crews, which would provide 4 servings. These are also party perfect for 6-8 people! Nutrition Serving: 1 tostada | Calories: 358 kcal | Carbohydrates: 25 g | Protein: 25 g | Fat: 17 g | Fiber: 8 g Did you make this recipe? We want to see! Tag @casadecrews on instagram or use the hashtag #casadecrewseats so we can find you! Thank you to Sprouts Farmers Market for sponsoring todays post. All opinions are my own. Please see the disclaimer here. Katalin Novak But since 2010, one country has seen marriage rates increase by a whopping 43 per cent with their divorce rate dropping by 22.5 per cent. Unsurprisingly, with the increase in marriage, 33 per cent fewer women are having abortions today than they were eight years ago. Likewise the national birth rate is currently at its highest in 20 years. The country is Hungary. And earlier this month their parliament just passed a second round of sweeping pro-family policies. While other countries fret about how immigration trends will shape their destiny, Hungarians are actually solving their demographic crisis by a different path. Hungary's Minister for the Family, Katalin Novak, explains how their pro-family strategy faced profound opposition which they had to overcome if they wanted to save their country from social decline: "After we won the election in 2010 with a two-thirds majority, we decided to build a family-friendly country and to strengthen families raising children. We thought the opposition would be a partner in this, but since then there have been very few decisions in the field of family policy that they've supported. So if we had always taken the opposition's opinion into account, Hungary would now be on the brink of collapse. There wouldn't be such a comprehensive family-support system, a family-friendly tax system, a housing program, 800,000 new jobs, and many opportunities to create a balance between life and work. The socialists have driven our country into deep crisis before, and they would do it again. They're only interested in grabbing power again; to achieve this goal, they've even joined forces with the Hungarian far right." The new law which comes into effect July 1 has a new set of pro-family incentives such as a 3,000 euro mortgage reduction for a second child, and a 12,000 euro reduction for a third. Effective in 2020, mothers with 4 or more children will enjoy a lifetime personal tax exemption. Katalin Novak says that socialist opposition to pro-family policies remains entrenched but since they are more interested in power than in proposals that make for stronger families, she believes such opposition will grow weaker. The family is one of the "necessary societies" in Catholic teaching. As Pope St John Paul II once put it, "as the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live." Hungary is proving that pro-family policies are better for nations than those policies which deracinate and diminish the family by the whims of ideological dictate. OPERATOR: Welcome and thank you for standing by. At this time, all participants are in listen-only mode until the question and answer of todays conference. At that time, you may press star one on your phone to ask a question. Id like to inform all parties that todays conference is being recorded. If you have any objections you may disconnect at this time. I will now turn the conference over to Kathy Harben. Thank you. KATHY HARBEN: Thank you, Denise. Thank you all for joining us to discuss the latest on the measles outbreaks in the United States. Were joined today by Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. Assistant Secretary for Health, Admiral Brett Giroir. CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield. CDC Principal Deputy Director Dr. Anne Schuchat and CDC Vaccine Director Dr. Nancy Messonnier. Ill now turn the call over to Secretary Azar. HHS SECRETARY ALEX AZAR: Good morning and thank you all for joining us today. Todays the start of National Infant Immunization Week, an annual observance and opportunity for us to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and to celebrate the achievements of immunization programs in promoting healthy communities throughout the united states. This year, were celebrating 25 years of national infant immunization week. When this observance was established in 1994, health departments and immunization programs were facing significant challenges. The nation was in the midst of a serious measles outbreak and communities across the United States were seeing decreasing immunizations rates among children. Today, the overwhelming majority of parents choose to protect their kids with vaccines. However, were very concerned about the recent troubling rise in cases of measles, which was declared eliminated from our country in 2000. Today, CDC is reporting 704 cases of measles from 22 states. This is the greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since measles was eliminated. While most parents are getting their children vaccinated, the vast majority of cases involve children who have not been vaccinated. Everyone should be vaccinated against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases. As Dr. Redfield will explain, measles is not a harmless childhood illness, but a dangerous, highly contagious disease. Most of us have never seen the deadly consequences that vaccine-preventable diseases can have on a child, family or community, and thats the way we want to keep it. Vaccine-preventable diseases belong in the history books, not in our emergency room. Vaccination is a simple, safe and effective way to protect our loved ones and neighbors from the scourge of measles, and the suffering we are seeing today is completely avoidable. Ill repeat it one more time, we know vaccines are safe because they are among the most studied medical products we have thats why this week across the department of health and human services were reminding all Americans to talk to their doctor and ensure theyre up to date on CDCs recommended vaccination schedule which provides guidelines for people of all ages and with particular health conditions. Now, Id like to turn the call over to our CDC Director Robert Redfield to talk about whats being done and what else can be done to prevent these outbreaks. ROBERT REDFIELD: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Many of you are familiar with the consequences of measles. There are no treatment and no cure for measles and no way to predict how bad a case of measles will be. Some children may have very mild symptoms. Others may face serious complications. Most of the cases were seeing in the recent outbreaks have been among people who have not been vaccinated. And most of those cases have been children under 18 years of age. Measles can be serious in any age group, but particularly children younger than 5 and older adults. Theyre likely to suffer complications. Of the cases in 2019, 9% of them have been hospitalized and 3% have had pneumonia. At this time, there have been no deaths. Measles is incredibly contagious. A person who has measles can make other people sick four days before they get a rash. If an infected person enters a room of ten unvaccinated people nine of them will get measles. The united states has high rates of vaccination coverage among kindergartners entering school in 2017 about 94% had the recommended two doses of measles, mumps and rubella or the MMR vaccine. That means the majority of parents are making sure their children get vaccinated according to CDCs recommended immunization schedule. Two doses of MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles. One dose is about 93% effective. When you get vaccinated, you also protect others around you who are at high risk for complications but cant get vaccinated because theyre too young or have a health condition. As the holidays and summer approach, and families are traveling abroad, CDC strongly recommends that one, infants 6 months through 11 months of age get one dose of MMR vaccine before travel. Two, children 12 months of age or older need two doses separated by at least 28 days. Three, adolescents and adults who have not had measles or have not been vaccinated should get two doses separated by at least 28 days. People traveling internationally should try to be fully vaccinated at least two weeks before traveling. But even if your trip is less than two weeks away you should still get a dose before you depart. I encourage parents to speak to your family healthcare providers, theyre your partners and committed to caring for your childs health. Now, Id like to turn the call over to Dr. Nancy Messonnier. NANCY MESSONNIER: Thank you. I want to discuss the reasons why were seeing so many measles cases and what can be done to prevent them and to stop the outbreak, and what CDC is doing to support communities. The high number of cases in 2019 is primarily the result of a few large outbreaks, one in Washington State, two, in New York, that started in late 2018. The good news is that last week the Washington state department of health declared their outbreak over. However, the outbreaks in New York City and New York State are the largest and longest lasting since the measles elimination in 2000. The longer these outbreaks continue the greater the chance that measles will again get a foothold in the United States. The recent outbreak started through what we call importation. Measles is imported when an unvaccinated traveler visits a country where there is widespread measles transmission, gets infected with measles and returns to the United States. That traveler then exposes people in their community who are not vaccinated. 44 cases so far this year were directly imported from other countries. Among the 44 internationally imported measles cases over 90% were in people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown. Additionally, all 40 were age- eligible for vaccination. Including two infant travelers, aged 6 to 11 months. When measles is imported into a community with a highly vaccinated population, outbreaks either dont happen or are small. However, once measles is in an under vaccinated community its difficult to control the spread of disease. Vaccination is our most powerful tool to control the spread of imported measles. Another factor contributing to the outbreaks in New York is misinformation spreading in some counties about the safety and effectiveness of the MMR vaccine. Sadly, these communities are being targeted with inaccurate and misleading information about vaccines. Stopping these measles outbreaks is a priority for the CDC. Were working 24/7 to protect Americans. Measles can be extremely costly and disruptive to public health, costing an average of around 32,000 dollars per case. That does not capture cost from the community perspective the tragic impact measles can have on individuals and their families. CDCs addressing the current outbreak in several ways. We have implemented an incident management structure within the national center for immunization and respiratory diseases to respond to the measles outbreak. Were reinforcing to health care providers the guidelines for recognizing and preventing measles. Because misinformation about vaccines is circulating in communities the CDC has developed a toolkit with resources that physicians can use with parents and other patients to reinforce what we know about measles and vaccines. CDC is also working to address vaccine hesitancy. Including creating new resources and updating existing resources to counter misinformation. CDC continues outreach to the medical associations to help spread clear, consistent, incredible vaccine information through trusted sources. Before taking questions. I want to thank the local and state and health officials that have been tirelessly working to control these outbreaks theyre on the front lines following up with contacts and answering questions anyone may have. We at CDC appreciate the work you do today and every day to keep America healthy. KATHY HARBEN: Thank you, Secretary Azar, Dr. Redfield and Dr. Messonnier. Denise, were now ready for questions. Well be joined by Admiral Giroir and Dr. Schuchat. OPERATOR: If youd like to ask a question, please press star one. To withdraw a question, press star two. Please stand by. First question comes from Mike Stobbe with the associated press. Sir, you may ask your question. STOBBE/AP: Thank you for taking my question. I want to ask, it was mentioned that the outbreak in Washington state was declared over, what was the final number, was it 72? I also was wondering, Dr. Messonnier, you mentioned that this misinformation in certain communities, i think you were talking specifically about ultra-orthodox communities in New York, and you said they were targeted. Who targeted them and why did they target that community or those communities? NANCY MESSONNIER: So 72 is the right number of cases in Washington State. And those numbers should be up on our website by 11:00. In terms of targeting, we have definitely seen misinformation about vaccines being sent to susceptible communities, that is communities susceptible to that misinformation. I cant explain why. I think youd have to talk to people who are spreading that misinformation. We definitely see that information targeted and these vulnerable communities are the communities in which were seeing these outbreaks right now. Next question comes from Helen Branswell -Stat News, your line is open. HELEN BRANSWELL: thank you very much. I have a couple. First one is, people who had at least one dose of vaccine, can you unpack that and let us know, you know, were they partially vaccinated or fully vaccinated by age? My second question relates to recommendations around vaccines now in places where the virus is spreading, would it make sense to push forward the second dose of vaccine in young children if, as long as theres 28-day window between the two doses. NANCY MESSONNIER: Your numbers are right in terms of the first question. There are cases in the 704 that were reporting that are fully or partially vaccinated and were still trying to pin down the numbers. What i would say about those, in a setting where there is extreme disease pressures we know that there can be vaccine failures. Thats why its important not just to protect individuals with vaccination but to get the community vaccination numbers up so we can get herd immunity that cushion of protection that helps all of us. So there are some adults in those numbers. We are recommending that adults, especially those who are in high risk settings, those who are traveling internationally but also who are health care workers and those that live in communities that have ongoing outbreaks we especially want to make sure theyre checking on their status to make sure theyre protected against the measles disease. Your second question which was, should we be moving forward the second dose so that younger kids get two doses of measles vaccine? Thats not where were seeing disease yet. Were focused on getting the first dose in these affected areas and also for people traveling internationally. But were obviously, going to be looking closely at all these cases to make sure that we dont need to update our recommendations. Next question is from Lena Sun from The Washington Post. LENA SUN: I dont know if secretary azar is still on the line and available for questions. AZAR: I am, yes. Okay, Mr. Secretary, thank you. In statements last week you said, you talked about the importance of vaccination and why this is happening. Im wondering, given that we have been racing toward these record measles cases for some time now, why it took so long for you to say something? AZAR: So, weve been very active across the entire department on the measles outbreak and vaccination. I have been a vigorous advocate for the public health importance of vaccinations and i have been a proponent dating back to my confirmation hearings that vaccines are one of the greatest public health advances of the 20th century and we need to be taking advantage of that and modeling that behavior myself, having my flu shot recorded. Unfortunately, we have some individuals that are not getting vaccinated, who are indicated for it and it would be appropriate for them to be vaccinated. We encourage all individuals to talk to their healthcare providers to see if theyre up to date on their recommended vaccinations and also to ensure that their children are being vaccinated. LENA SUN: Well, if i could just follow up, i know you have that record, i wonder why you didnt specifically come out and say something until last week in regards to the rising number of measles cases, this has been going on for several weeks i didnt know if there was hesitation because of president trumps previous position on vaccines and the erroneous and discredited link to autism. I know he shifted positions. But i was just curious why you didnt say anything until last week on this outbreak. AZAR: Your factual predicate is not accurate. I have repeatedly shared the op-ed from our public health leaders, Dr. Redfield, Admiral Giroir and Surgeon General Adams on vaccines that they published on March 6th. And Im also delighted by the presidents very strong leadership last week making clear that people have to get the shots, vaccinations are so important. We encourage everyone to talk to their healthcare professional to make sure they have the vaccines they need and encourage people to protect themselves, protect their families and protect their communities. The next question comes from, Arthur Allen with Politico. Your line is open. ARTHUR ALLEN: Yes, two questions. One, in regard to older adults, there are number of us who are between who were born after 1957 and before live measles vaccine became you know was commonly used, given to children. I dont know really personally whether i got a catch-up dose when i was older. 10% is not a very large number. Do you feel that there is any necessity to give special instruction or advice to adults born before 1989, who are one dose or possibly no-dose group. The second question is, do you think it would be good, Secretary Azar, for the president to refute his earlier comments which, certainly may have contributed to peoples attitudes toward vaccines. He has said several times during the campaign and previously that he believed that vaccines caused autism. MESSONNIER: Secretary Azar, Ill answer the first question. Thank you for the question about the dose. Its really important to get this right. Most adults are protected against measles thats what the science says. Including people who were born before measles vaccine was recommended and even people who only got a single dose of measles. We really are focused on adults who are at higher risk and those who are traveling internationally, university students and adults specifically living in these communities that are having outbreaks. The data really strongly supports that they are already protected against measles. AZAR: Aas I mentioned earlier, as you know, the President last week was very firm last week that people need to get their shots, vaccinations are so important. As you know, some years ago there was a debate about this issue that was partly fueled by data that has since been discredited. The scientific community has generated new and definitive information that theres no association between vaccines and autism. Theres no link between autism and vaccinations. Credible science everyday shows that vaccines are very safe and dont cause autism spectrum disorders. CDC, ACIP, and others are always reviewing data to ensure that vaccine recommendations are based on the latest available science to provide safe protection against serious diseases. In one such recent study of more than 650,000 Danish children at greater risk of developing autism, study research showed there was no risk of autism from vaccines. The next question is from CNN (Elizabeth Cohen for John Bonifield) ELIZABETH COHEN: Hi, at the beginning of this conference, Dr. Redfield mentioned about getting a shot, babies getting shots between 6 months and 12 months. Did he mean for all babies or just babies who are going to traveling internationally, babies in outbreak communities? REDFIELD: Yeah, my comment was for normally we dont recommend the measles vaccine to begin in infants until 12 months of age. But because of the current situation globally, if infants were to travel, we recommend in their 6 months to 11 months before they would get their 12-month shot, we recommend those infants do get a dose of the MMR vaccine prior to travel. That was the comment that i made. The next question is from FOX News channel, David Lewkowict. Your line is open. DAVID LEWKOWICT: Good morning and thank you for doing this conference. Quick question, the spike were seeing in measles cases can be linked to vaccine skepticism. Are there other examples in recent history where we see misinformation leading to spikes like this in other diseases? ANNE SCHUCHAT: There have been some other reports of delayed vaccination or missed vaccination accounting for severe disease. We saw this tragically in a young child who had haemophilis influenza B. and whose family had deferred vaccination. We recently reported on a very severe case of tetanus that occurred in an unvaccinated child. The risk of disease occurs when vaccines are foregone. Right now, the country has a very large multistate outbreak of hepatitis A thats ongoing. Hepatitis A vaccinations have been routine for young children for some years, and the outbreak occurs primarily in adults. We know when communities have low immunization coverage with measles that high rates of disease can follow. The next question comes from Kathleen Doheny with WEBMD. Your line is open. KATHLEEN DOHENY: Any predictions on when the outbreak in the east can be eliminated or contain. NANCY MESSONNIER: We should expect to see additional cases associated with this outbreak this year. The public health community, the community organizers are all working together to correct misinformation and get folks vaccinated. I think these outbreaks can end with all of those groups working together. But well expect to see additional cases before this is all over. The next question is from Betsy McKay with Wall Street Journal. Your line is open. BETSY MCKAY: A couple of questions if i might. I wanted to press the point about adults and vaccinations a little more. What about adults who are born before 1989, may have one dose, but also dont have their vaccination records or recall being vaccinated? Is its clear from what you have said that adults who fit this category, traveling internationally, healthcare workers and so forth, should talk to their providers and get a second dose. What about people who are not in the areas that may be concerned. One question. The second question, some people who know they had the vaccine but it was decades ago have found theyre not adequately immunized. So, you know, i could appreciate that is anecdotal information. I wonder we also understand that the vaccine is believed to have very good durability. In light of this, are there studies have been done or under way to to look at the durability of vaccines now that we have many decades since this vaccination began? MESSONNIER: Let me start with the last one. As you know, we continue to monitor the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. Were certainly monitoring for any signs of waning immunity. We dont see signs of waning immunity yet. The immunological tests can be helpful to a clinician but, in general, the documentation of vaccination trumps any immunological test. They need to talk to their healthcare provider who can give them specific guidance. Its our focus to focus on the adults in these higher risk settings. The next question is from Dennis Johnson. Your line is open. My question has already been answered. Thank you. The next question comes from Melissa Jenco with AAP news. Your line is open. My question was also answered. Thank you. Thank you, this next question comes Robert Stein, National Public Radio. ROBERT STEIN: Wanted to double-check the total number, is it 704 or 705? And where are the additional cases coming from, primarily from the New York outbreaks, and what do you think is going to take to really start to turn this around and get the numbers to start going down? MESSONNIER: The numbers as of Friday are 704. As i said, we expect to see addition measles cases and so, you know, by today, there have been additional cases that occurred over the weekend. By Friday, 704. The increase were seeing primarily in New York and California. In terms of what its going to take, what its going to take is everybody working together to identify people at risk who are unvaccinated and getting them vaccinated. Wed like to get ahead of this thing which means not just retracing contacts in these communities where measles is circulating, getting to all the folks who are under vaccinated. Getting them correct information not only from CDC but local public healthcare providers. All those folks working together to get scientifically valid information so people can go ahead and make the safe choice which is to vaccinate to protect their children. Thank you, Brian McEneny from CBS news. Your line is open. BRIAN MCENENY: Hi, i just wanted to make something clear about the import point. I was wondering if we knew exactly what country or where this came from in its first reiteration in the U.S. MESSONNIER: So, we do. We tracked closely where these importations are coming from. The top three country where importation are coming from, Ukraine, Israel and the Philippines. And the last question comes from Shamard Charles, NBC news. Your line is open. SHAMARD CHARLES: Hi, how are you? Thank you for taking my call. My question is about immune amnesia. Can you tell us a little bit about it and how many cases of that have we seen? MESSONNIER: Im not sure that concept directly applies here. Its true that an individual may not have immunological evidence of protection but still be able to mount an appropriate immune response that would keep them from getting measles if theyre exposed. Perhaps thats what youre referring to. But its important here to note two things, one, is most Americans are protected against measles through vaccinations and most of these patients who are getting measles right now are unvaccinated. HARBEN: All right. Thank you, everyone. Thank you, Denise. Thanks again for joining us today. If you have follow-up questions, you can reach us at media at cdc.gov or call 404-639-3286 a transcript of this telebriefing will be posted on the CDC newsroom site later today. This concludes our call. California Department of Education News Release California Department of Education News Release State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces 2019 Classified School Employees of the Year SACRAMENTOState Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today honored six outstanding classified school employees for their dedication to Californias public school students. Meeting students basic needs, as well as their social and emotional needs, is essential to ensuring that every student can learn, said Thurmond. These dedicated employees make sure that kids have healthy meals, safe transportation on school buses, and have someone to talk to during difficult times in their livesallowing Californias students to reach their greatest potential. The annual program honors six outstanding classified school employees from the following categories: Child Nutrition; Maintenance, Operations, and Facilities; Office and Technical Support; Para-Educator and Instructional Assistance; Support Services and Security; and Transportation. This years recipients were chosen from more than 100 nominations statewide. The 2019 Classified School Employees of the Year, who will be honored by Thurmond at a luncheon in Sacramento on Thursday, May 23, are (information contained in the following biographical sketches was excerpted from their nomination forms): Child Nutrition: Deborah Watkins, Food Service Cook, Westminster School District, Orange County. 24 years in current position. Debbie has an incredible work ethic and goes above and beyond to ensure the cleanliness standards in the kitchen are impeccable and that all rules and regulations are followed. Debbie is responsible for planning, cooking, and distributing 7,500 meals to Westminster Elementary school sites each day. In the 24 years she has worked for the district, there has not been a single day that students have not received a meal. Debbie is one of the most reliable, hard-working individuals at the district. Maintenance and Operations: Kim Bramsen, Director of Maintenance and Operations, Ballard Elementary School, Ballard School District, Santa Barbara County. 21 years in current position. Beyond taking great care of the school, Kim is an integral part of the community at Ballard School. An elementary school with around 120 students, Kim gets to know each child by name and establishes relationships with them. He is always a willing participant in the hijinks of the kindergarten classroom, whether it involves leprechauns and their mischief or regaling the children with historical tales of the school house. Office and Technical: Michelle Brobak, School Secretary, Del Rey Elementary, Orinda Union School District, Contra Costa County. Seven years in current position. Michelle runs the Del Rey front office with heart. Students trust her and feel safe. She is calm and reassuring, particularly when dealing with injured students and their concerned parents. On many occasions, teachers and staff report escorting a crying child to the office during yard supervision and witnessing Michelle quickly assessing the situation, providing necessary first aid, and ensuring the student feels safe and as comfortable as possible. Para-Educator and Instructional Assistance: Maria Arroyo, Behavior Specialist, Daly Academy, Chula Vista Elementary School District, San Diego County. 12 years in current position. There is not a single hat that Maria doesnt wear at Daly Academy. The work that Maria does on any single day is nearly unmatchedit takes a special type of person to do it all with a smile and a desire to do it well so that students have an amazing day. Maria understands trauma-informed care and never takes things personally. The children immediately know they will be loved, cared for, and educated. This allows for an environment of grace which helps our children thrive. Support Services and Security: Benito Torres, Police Officer, Stockton Public Safety Academy, Stockton Unified School District, San Joaquin County. 19 years in current position. During his 19 years of service with the Stockton Unified School District Police Department, Officer Torres has worked in many capacities. He exudes the definition of role model and mentor for the students. He is passionate about so many things, especially making a difference in the lives of others. That includes taking a call on his personal cell phone at 1 a.m. from a scared cadet whose house was just shot at; helping a family who cant afford medication for their child; and simple everyday actions that make everyone he encounters feel safe, heard, and important. Transportation: Ramon Moreno, Bus Driver, Greenfield Union School District, Monterey County. 12 years in current position, 20 years with the district. Ramon is a bus driver for special education students who get services in other school districts in Monterey County. He is always conscientious about students feelings and well-being. There are times where his routes result in very long journeys due to traffic or delays. During these times, Ramon engages with students when they become irritable or sad. He is in constant communication with parents during these delays. He personally communicates and informs parents of transportation time changes in his route. These are tasks that he does not have to perform but is willing to do to ensure students are comfortable and parents have peace of mind. Please visit the California Department of Educations Classified School Employee of the Year web page for more information. The program is co-sponsored by the Classified School Employees Association and our Presenting Sponsor, San Mateo-based California Casualty. Californias Classified School Employee Week, established as an official week of statewide recognition in 1986 through Senate Bill 1552, will be celebrated from May 19 to May 25, 2019. # # # # Tony Thurmond State Superintendent of Public Instruction Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100 Last Reviewed: Monday, November 9, 2020 QNCC looks to export 3Mta of clinker to Africa, Asia and Kuwait 29 April 2019 Qatar National Cement Co (QNCC) is now looking to export as much as 3Mta of clinker, particularly focussing on markets in Africa, Asia (including India) and Kuwait. "We are looking at Africa, Asia and some of the Gulf countries. We have 3Mt of clinker (for exports)" said Salem Butti Al-Naimi, QNCC chairman and managing director. The announcement comes after the company commissioned its 5000tpd fifth plant in February this year. According to Mr Al-Naimi, the potential export markets such as Yemen and Iraq would need cement once their respective governments open up the sector. Meanwhile, the company is in advanced talks with players in the Indian market and represents significant potential on the back of the infrastructure development pace. The company will reportedly be ready to enter the export markets soon. Published under Dangote Cement sees volumes rise, revenues down in 1Q19 ICR Newsroom By 29 April 2019 Dangote Cement reported increased volumes of 6.3Mt, up 2.3 per cent YoY, in the first quarter of 2019. However, group revenues slipped 0.8 per cent to NGN240.2bn (US$668m) and group EBITDA fell 11.2 per cent to NGN111.8bn. Nigeria Despite a subdued domestic economy, Nigerias cement market remained robust, expanding by six per cent in the 1Q19. However, the rate of growth slowed in February and March. As a result, Dangotes Nigerian operations supplied nearly 4Mt, its third-highest quarterly volume despite the loss of weekends to election delays. Nigerian revenues slipped 2.3 per cent at NGN169.9bn while EBITDA decreased 10.4 per cent to NGN103.bn, with a margin of 60.9 per cent. Margins were lower due to higher input and distribution costs. The average realised price on Nigerian sales was about NGN42,567/t. Following the end of the quarter, the company raised its prices by NGN150/bag, or NGN3000/t before discounts. Pan-Africa Dangotes Pan-African volumes, which represent 30.7 per cent of group sales volumes before inter-company adjustments, increased 4.8 per cent to 2.3Mt in the 1Q19. Revenues increased 2.5 per cent YoY to NGN70.3bn and represented 29.2 per cent of total group revenues. EBITDA declined 9.3 per cent YoY to NGN11.9bn, accounting for a 10.3 per cent share in group EBITDA. EBITDA margins slipped from 19.1 per cent in the 1Q18 to 16.9 per cent in the 1Q19, due to depressed economic conditions as well as competition in South Africa, Zambia and Ethiopia. In Cameroon individual construction projects, public housing and further African Cup of Nations developments supported the market. Dangotes 1.5Mta clinker grinding facility in Douala sold around 299,000t in the 1Q19, down 10 per cent YoY, mainly due to security challenges in the North West and South West regions. The company estimates its market share at around 40 per cent. Dangotes 1.5Mta integrated works in Mfila, Republic of Congo, supplied 58,000t of cement in the 1Q19, up 49 per cent YoY, and representing a market share of 32 per cent. The rise is attributed to the introduction of the new grade 32.5R product, sales price promotions, the opening of the Brazzaville and Pointe Noire sales depots and clinker export to its Cameroon unit. Sales at our 2.5Mta factory in Mugher, Ethiopia, were up 19.2 per cent to 527,441t in 1Q19 from the 442,524t sold in 1Q18, with a market share of 24.2 per cent. Total market sales were just under 2.2Mt, supported by the retail sector due to delayed or postponed major government projects. In addition, sales increase was driven by increased operations this year following closures due to social unrest in 1Q18. In Ghana Dangote sold 117,000t of cement in 1Q19, down 39 per cent YoY due to an inadequate cement supply. However, this situation has now been remedied and the company expects improvements going forward. In Senegal sales from its 1.5Mta Pout plant remained almost flat at 386,000t in the 1Q19 due to operational challenges as a result of the presidential elections. Exports to Mali remained stable. Sierra Leones increased infrastructure spending is providing a boost to Dangote sales, up by 78 per cent YoY to 58,000t in the 1Q19. Meanwhile, in South Africa the 2.7Mta market remains subdued. Dangote sales decreased 19 per cent YoY in the 1Q19. The cement producers 3Mta plant in Mtwara, Tanzania, sold 281,000t of cement in the 1Q19, up 127 per cent when compared with the 1Q18 when the plant was partially mothballed. The companys market share is estimated at 21 per cent. Sales in Zambia in the 1Q19 climbed 15 per cent YoY to over 223,000t, helped by reduced pricing in February, a less severe rainy season and aggressive brand marketing. Market share is estimated at around 37 per cent. Challenging quarter Commenting on the result, Group CEO, Joe Makoju, said: "It was a challenging quarter with delays to the Nigerian elections that impacted sales, increased discounting in Nigeria and tougher market conditions in South Africa and other Pan-African markets. In addition, our variable costs were hit by foreign exchange effects, as well as higher fuel and distribution costs. Unrealised foreign exchange losses driven by the variation of local currencies versus US Dollar also impacted negatively our financial results. Combined with the muted volume growth across our operations, all of these factors contributed to a slight fall in revenues and a larger impact on profitability. "Despite these challenges, we had our third-best volume quarter in Nigeria and increased Pan-African sales volumes by nearly five per cent. We are optimistic that the Nigerian market will accelerate when the government and private enterprise focus on infrastructure and economic development and we have taken steps to protect our margins by introducing a price increase at the beginning of April. "Our balance sheet remains strong with a low level of net debt resulting from continuing strong cash generation. This financial strength is what enables us to maintain our position as Africas leading cement company, despite the challenging conditions we have seen so far in 2019," he added. Published under IEEE-IAS/PCA 2019 opens its doors in St Louis ICR Newsroom By 29 April 2019 IEEE-IAS/PCA 2019 opened its doors to visitors at the Americas Centre in St Louis, Missouri, on Sunday evening with the first two-hour opportunity for visitors to walk around the large hall of more than 160 exhibitor stands. Michael L Parson, Governor of St Louis, stated in the welcome programme that, the St Louis region contains five operating cement plants along the Mississippi River, making St Louis an ideal location to host this annual event. The 61st Cement Industry Technical Conference for presentations will get underway on Tuesday and will continue through Wednesday, while there is more opportunity to visit the exhibition stands on Monday and on Tuesday. Process training and professional development courses are also ongoing from Monday, before IEEE hosts an awards banquet on the Wednesday night. In addition, LafargeHolcim USA has invited participants to a plant tour of its St Genevieve cement plant on Thursday. Corinne Field, local organising committee chair, said: We expect this years conference to exceed expectations and we wish attendees another wonderful cement conference experience. International Cement Review is located at Booth No 1 in the exhibition hall and has details about the forthcoming Cemtech Asia and Europe Conferences in Bangkok and Berlin, respectively. Visitors to the stand will also be able to pick up a copy of ICRs May issue. Published under The recent talk and push to make businesses who employ more than 100 people, responsible to do the governments job, is confusing to me. Why are we going to force the large businesses, which make up only 1.9 percent of all employers responsible to vaccinate their people, at their expense? Yes, I said their expense. While the vaccine is free the administration, production interruption, ... (click for more) Too few have ever stood in a barn with milk cows on a frosty morning. Its as warm as your favorite blanket, the heat from the animals filling the place and, in the big scheme, thats why the Jesus was born in a manger compared to a dark and drafty inn, which brings us to Issachar the Innkeeper, and a story written by Jewell Hill. For the last several days I have read dozens ... (click for more) Remodeling work is underway at a building a 619 Market St. that dates to the late 1880s. The building, that was last occupied by Jazzy Casuals, has long been vacant. Harmon Jolley in 2004 gave this history of the interesting building that is next to the Phoenix Block: Based on my research, the building at 619 Market Street was built in the late 1880s. The building which is shown on an 1885 fire insurance map is clearly not the present one, but an 1889 map shows a different structure and a description of it and its neighbors as the Phoenix building. In the Chattanooga pictorial, Pen and Sunlight Sketches, the building which formerly adjoined it - 617 Market Street - has Phoenix inscribed on the top story. In 1888, Gibson-Lee Manufacturing was the buildings first occupant. The founders were Fillmore Gibson and Gordon Lee. Mr. Gibson came to Chattanooga in 1877 and joined the queensware firm of Williamson and Frye. After that business went under, he started his own company with the help of Gordon Lee, who was a Georgia congressman. Mr. Lee departed after just one year, and William E. Love took his place. The business was then renamed Gibson-Love Manufacturing. They made stoves, ranges, and china at their foundry in South Chattanooga, and sold them at their Market Street store. In 1889, Gibson-Love moved next door to the 617 building. In 1890, the Miller Brothers dry goods store became the next business at the 619 Market Street site. Gustavus and Franklin Miller had started the New York Racket Store at 510 Market Street in 1889. After renaming their store Miller Brothers and after a few changes of address, the Millers moved to 619 Market. A fire in 1897 destroyed the Richardson office building, which was at the southern end of the 600 block of Market Street. The Miller brothers saw a business opportunity in the burned-out property. There, they built a new department store building which still stands today, and is now the home of one of the offices of Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Tennessee. Meanwhile, the buildings third occupant, the Fritts and Wiehl Paints and Oils, had been operating at 615 Market Street. The business was founded in 1882 by Benjamin Franklin Fritts. Mr. Fritts was a native of Roane County. There, he was in business with his brothers, operating steamboats between Knoxville and Chattanooga. He came to Chattanooga early in 1882 and was initially employed by the Standard Oil Company. Within a few months, Mr. Fritts started his own business at Eleventh and Market Streets. Frederick Ferdinand Wiehl, who was an officer with the Bank of Chattanooga and active in the livery business, became Mr. Fritts business partner in 1883. Mr. Wiehl was a native of Pittsburgh, Pa. As a member of the Federal army, he had come to Chattanooga in 1863, and decided to move here after the war. He married Kate Foster, a native Chattanoogan. Wiehl Street, near Erlanger Hospital, was named for Mr. Wiehl. The Fritts-Wiehl company moved into the vacated 619 building, and continued to expand their business. They grew by carefully managing their financial responsibility. An 1898 Fritts-Wiehl receipt, which is archived at the downtown library, reads, After railroad or steamboat receipt is taken, our responsibility ceases. In 1900, following the death of Mr. Wiehl, Kate F. Wiehl took over as partner in the business with B.F. Fritts. The company soon went into the wholesale drug business, while continuing their paint, oil, and plate glass sales (I hope that they never got their varied products mixed up!). They also made a line of patent medicine under the Dr. Granger brand name. I could not confirm the connection, but did notice that at that time, Fred Granger was listed in the city directory as the companys bookkeeper. Benjamin F. Fritts passed away in 1926 at the age of 82o. Kate Wiehl, who was 77 when Mr. Fritts died, retired and spent winters in Florida before her passing in 1934. The Duff Drug Company acquired the Fritts-Wiehl firm. On August 11, 1928, Haverty Furniture Company opened a store in Chattanooga in the 619 Market Street building. This was the sixteenth store of the Haverty chain, which was founded in Atlanta in 1885. Its founder, J.J. Haverty, Sr., commented in a 1929 interview that he had been in business long enough to see furniture that he had sold in 1885 become antiques. Prior to the opening of the new Haverty store, the old Fritts-Wiehl headquarters had undergone an extensive renovation, which included new lighting and a passenger elevator. On opening day, customers were given a silver tea bell as a souvenir. The tea bells were tied to the new stores advertising: The bells will ring today at Havertys. This is get-acquainted week. That evening, company officials were interviewed on WDOD radio during a special program, and introduced the store to the community. Some of the opening week specials included: * metal bed complete with mattress and springs for $19.95 * 3-piece living room suite for $79.50 * chiffarobe for $24.50 * pie safe for $49.85 * consolette phonograph at $2.00 down, and $2.00 a week, or $89.50 cash. In 1957, Havertys expanded into the upper floors of the adjoining building to the north at 617 Market Street. The National Peanut Shoppe, founded by Ernest H. Longworth in 1938, was allowed to remain in business on the first floor of 617 Market. Many long-time Chattanoogans recall the nutty aromas from the stores roasters, and the employee dressed as Mr. Peanut. When Havertys expanded again in 1968, the Planters Peanut Shoppe was a casualty of the expansion. The 619 building also was given a metal facade. In August, 1982, Havertys closed its downtown store. The stores management had already seen other retail centers leave the area for the acres of parking available in the suburbs. Several old buildings had been razed in downtown to create parking lots and parks. A major customer base had been removed by the West Side urban renewal and construction of the I-124 (U.S. 27) freeway and Riverfront Parkway. Havertys business had been declining to the point that they could not justify renewing the downtown lease. Today, Havertys continues to operate stores in other cities in the southeast, and also maintains its credit operations department here. Following the departure of Havertys, the Jazzy Casuals store was briefly located in the 619 building. Their sign still hangs there today as the building awaits its next occupant. If the paint and the metal facade were removed, the 619 Market Street building would complement the restoration of the old Miller Brothers Department Store which was done several years ago. The City Council is considering setting up a Police Advisory and Review Committee following complaints that the current Police Department review process was inadequate. However, there may be some delay. During a Tuesday afternoon council committee meeting, it was found that Police Chief David Roddy had been working off a different draft version than some council members. Chief Roddy also noted that some sections of the proposed city ordinance could be in conflict with a new state law on the same subject. He said that bill is on the desk of Governor Bill Lee, but has not yet been signed. Several council members urged that there not be further delays. Councilman Russell Gilbert said, "We need to get something going so our citizens can feel comfortable." He said black citizens often "get treated different." He said in light of some treatment of black citizens by city police "the citizens are upset, angry and scared. This can ease that." Councilwoman Carol Berz said she would favor going ahead as scheduled with a vote next Tuesday night. She said, "It will show people that we do care and we want to move on." Chief Roddy was to keep the council a new timeline on the matter. The council is eyeing a proposed 11-page ordinance on May 7 that sets up a nine-member committee. Each council member would have one appointee that could come from within or within the district. The group is to elect a chair at its first meeting. The chair will accept complaints concerning police officer actions and refer them to Police Internal Affairs. The committee is later to get a report from Internal Affairs on what action, if any, was taken on the allegation. The committee is to make recommendations for improvements to the Police Department and give an annual report. The police chief is to retain final authority on discipline of officers. No member will be paid. Here is the ordinance: WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Chattanooga believes that a strong and close relationship between the Chattanooga Police Department and the citizens of the City of Chattanooga is an integral part of a progressive, responsive and responsible city government; and WHEREAS, essential to such a relationship is the communitys respect for and trust in the Chattanooga Police Department; and WHEREAS, recognizing the need to allow the citizens of the City of Chattanooga to assume a greater role in guiding the Chattanooga Police Department in matters of public concern, including the examination of citizen complaints and complaint review procedures in other cities, the Chattanooga City Council desires to establish this Police Advisory and Review Committee. The purpose of the Police Advisory and Review Committee is to strengthen the relationship between the citizens of the City of Chattanooga and the Chattanooga Police Department, to assure timely, fair and objective review of citizen complaints while protecting the individual rights of police officers, and to make recommendations concerning citizen complaints to the Chief of Police, the Mayor and to the Council. The Committee shall consist of nine (9) members, who shall: 1. Have a background indicating fairness, integrity and responsibility including an active interest in public affairs and service for the citizens of Chattanooga for at least ten (10) years; 2. Be qualified to vote in Hamilton County, Tennessee; and 3. Not be a current employee of any governmental body except for those employed in the field of education. (b) All Committee members shall be appointed in the discretion of each City Council member within or outside each council district and committee members shall be confirmed by a majority vote of the City Council. Initial appointments to the Committee shall be made for the following terms: 1. Three (3) members of the Committee shall be appointed for one (1) year terms; 2. Three (3) members of the Committee shall be appointed for two (2) year terms; and 3. Three (3) members of the Committee shall be appointed for three (3) year terms. All subsequent appointments, except to fill vacancies, shall be for three (3) year terms. Vacancies occurring other than through the expiration of terms shall be filled for the remainder of the term of the member being replaced. No member appointed pursuant to this Article may serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. Upon making the initial appointments to the Committee, the Council shall designate one member of the Committee to convene the first regular meeting of the Committee. At its first regular meeting, the Committee shall elect one of its members to serve as Chair. The Chair shall serve a term of one (1) year or until a successor is elected. The members shall elect any other officers as deemed appropriate pursuant to Robert Rules of Order for terms of one (1) year. (c) Upon the recommendation of the majority of the Committee or upon its own volition, the City Council may remove any member of the Committee for official misconduct or neglect of duty, including but not limited to, neglect of any duty specifically enumerated in subsection (f) below. In addition, members who fail to attend three (3) consecutive regular meetings may be considered to have vacated their positions and may be replaced, as provided for herein. Members who cease to have the qualifications provided in subsection (a) of this Section shall be deemed to have forfeited their positions. (d) No member of the Committee shall receive compensation for services performed. (e) The Police Chief shall provide an opportunity for each member to complete the Citizens Police Academy course offered by the Chattanooga Police Department and such other training as may be deemed appropriate by the Chief of Police. Members of the Committee shall at all times: 1. Obey all laws regarding an individuals right to privacy and confidentiality of records; 2. Maintain the integrity of Internal Affairs Unit files, personnel files or other files, records or tapes received as a result of the work of the Committee; 3. Excuse themselves from participating in a review of any complaint in which they have a personal, professional or financial conflict of interest; 4. Conduct themselves at all times in a manner that will maintain public confidence in the fairness, impartiality and integrity of the Committee, and refrain from making any inappropriate or prejudicial comments regarding any matter being reviewed by the Committee or which may be reasonably be expected to be reviewed by the Committee; and 5. Comply with all rules and regulations applicable to other employees and volunteer board or committee members of the City of Chattanooga, including the Ethics Ordinance. The Chair shall accept written, sworn complaints from members of the public regarding misconduct of police officers and shall forward these complaints to the commander of the Internal Affairs Unit of the Chattanooga Police Department (IA) within three (3) working days. Upon receipt of any such complaint, IA shall immediately undertake an investigation of major allegations as defined by the Manual Orders of the Chattanooga Police Department. The Chair may also accept unsworn or anonymous complaints and shall either attempt to resolve such complaints or, if warranted, refer the complaints to IA for investigation. (b) Upon notification by the commander of IA that an investigation of an allegation of police misconduct is closed, whether such investigation was prompted by a complaint received by the Chair or otherwise, the Chair shall review the IA file or the Referral Action Form and determine whether the investigation is complete. 1. If the Chair finds that the investigation is complete, he or she shall so report to the Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting, attaching a copy to his report a copy of the IA case summary or the Referral Action Form and any documentation of disciplinary action pertaining thereto. 2. If the Chair finds that the investigation is not complete, he or she shall so report to the Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting and shall include in his report an explanation of the specific information needed in his opinion for the investigation to be complete. (c) At each of the regularly scheduled meetings of the Committee, the Chair shall provide a report to the Committee that details the resolution of any unsworn or anonymous complaints that the Chair is able to resolve without any investigation by IA. (d) The Chair, in his discretion, may request legal services and advice from the City Attorneys Office. Where, in the judgment of the City Attorney, the provisions of the legal services and advice would constitute a conflict of interest with the City Attorneys duties to the City of Chattanooga or any department thereof, the City Attorney shall so advise the Chair, who may then request the City Attorney to contract with outside counsel to the Chair for a specific incident based on funding designated annually by the City Council. (e) The Chair shall ensure the proper recording of the minutes of the Committee, shall be responsible for the maintenance of proper records and files pertaining to Committee business, and shall receive and record all exhibits, petitions, documents, or other materials presented to the Committee in support of or in presented to the Committee in support of or in opposition to any question before the Committee. All files shall be stored as Open Records, onsite or offsite, as a part of the annual budget of the City and the Records Retention Policies of the City. All Committee members shall maintain confidentiality of records as required under the Ethics Code adopted by the City Council. (f) The Chair shall be responsible for complying with all statutes of the State of Tennessee and City of Chattanooga ordinances to the extent required by Tennessee law at the conclusion of process by the Committee. The Chair shall be responsible for providing complainants with information regarding the complaint process. (g) The Chair shall compile information concerning complaints of police misconduct and any information relevant thereto, whether such complaints are received by IA or by the Chair, and shall include such information in an annual report to the Mayor, the Police Chief and the City Council of the Committees activities. Sec. 16-64. Powers and Duties of the Committee. (a) The Committee shall review all reports of the Chair submitted in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 16-63(b) above; and (b) As it deems necessary to conduct its affairs in furtherance of its mandate, the Committee shall have access to all public records of the City of Chattanooga, which are not determined to be confidential under Tennessee law, including those of the Chattanooga Police Department. Such records may include, but are not necessarily limited to, complaints and supporting documents provided by complainants, offense, incident and arrest reports, incident-related documents such as schedules, dispatch notes, dispatch tapes and transcriptions (CAD tapes and reports), citations, photographs, body-worn cameras, ICVAR, and records of interviews with complainants, employees, and witnesses. The Committee shall not have access to any non-public or confidential records of the City of Chattanooga, including employee medical records, or any records that are otherwise exempt from disclosure, including records of open pending criminal investigations which are determined to be confidential under Tennessee law and all committee members shall comply with confidentiality requirements of all records as required by the Ethics Code adopted by the City Council. (c) The Committee may make recommendations for enhanced training for police department, committee members, and Council member to include training on racial equity, implicit bias, gender identity and mental health challenges. The Committee may notify complainants when a case they have filed will be heard by the Police Advisory and Review Committee and allow them to provide testimony and answer questions from the Police Advisory and Review Committee. The Committee may recommend policy changes for consideration by the police chief. (d) Based upon any specific findings and conclusions of the Committee, the Committee shall have the authority to make recommendations to the Police Chief designed to improve police policies and activities and to benefit the community. The Police Chief or his designee shall attend all requested meetings of the Committee to provide information and advice to the Committee and to accept the recommendations of the Committee, if any. (e) The Committee shall, at least annually, compile a comprehensive report on its activities. The report shall contain statistics and summaries of citizen complaints, including a comparison of the Committees findings and conclusions with those of IA, along with the actions taken by the Police Chief. The Committees annual report shall be submitted to the Chair for inclusion in his annual report to the Police Chief, Mayor and City Council. (f) The Committee, in its discretion, may request legal services and advice from the City Attorneys Office. Where, in the judgment of the City Attorney, the provisions of legal services and advice would constitute a conflict of interest with the City Attorneys duties to the City of Chattanooga or any department thereof, the City Attorney shall so advise the Committee. The Committee may then request the City Attorney to provide outside counsel to the Committee on a case by case incident based upon funding designated annually by the City Council. In addition, where the Chair excuses himself or herself from participating in the review of a complaint pursuant to Sec. 16-62(f)(3) above, the Committee may petition the Council to appoint a temporary assistant to perform the duties of the Chair. (g) After a finding by the Chair that an investigation is not complete, the Committee, by a majority vote of its members, may: 1. Request the Police Chief to conduct a further investigation of the incident specifying additional information needed; or 2. In the event the Police Chief fails to conduct a further investigation as requested by the Committee, direct the Chair to further investigate the incident. 3. After review, the commission will, by majority vote, recommend a final disposition and disciplinary action, when warranted, to the chief of police. 4. Upon receiving the recommendations from Police Advisory and Review Committee, the chief of police will consider the recommendations by the Committee and make a final decision on the case. 5. If discipline is imposed, the officer(s) has the option to appeal. Any additional investigative findings shall be reported to the Committee. Upon completion of its inquiry, the Committee shall report its written findings and conclusions to the Police Chief, Mayor and the City Council. Sec. 16-65. Procedure. (a) The Committee shall adopt written rules of procedure for the transaction of Committee business not inconsistent with the letter and intent of this Article. (b) Five members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. No meeting of the Committee shall commence or continue in the absence of a quorum, and a majority vote of the members of the Committee (five votes) shall be required for any action by the Committee except where otherwise specified in this Article. (c) Regular meetings of the Committee shall be held no less than monthly on the first Thursday of each month, or as the Committee may otherwise elect. Any scheduled meeting may be rescheduled at the preceding regular meeting. The Chair and/or any three (3) members of the Committee may call a special meeting of the Committee upon at least seven (7) days notice subject to availability of a quorum. (d) Committee meetings and records shall be confidential to the public to the extent allowed by Tennessee law. The Committee shall adopt rules regarding public comment as to any investigation being reviewed by the Committee. (e) The City Council shall subpoena witnesses, if necessary, to IA, onto the Police Advisory and Review Committee and may utilize such power only when necessary to compel witnesses to provide statements in furtherance of an investigation. (f) Each case reviewed by the Police Advisory and Review Committee can have multiple allegations (ex: improper conduct, improper (ex: improper conduct, improper procedure, and public relations). It can also have multiple officers listed in the case. Each officer who is listed could be considered for one allegation listed in the complaint, or multiple allegations. The data should be broken out by the number of allegations listed in complaints (Allegations) and the number of allegations assigned to officers (Total Allegations) as set forth in the example form below. Firearms cases shall be separated from other allegations. Sec. 16-66. Limitations. (a) The Committee shall not review any investigation: 1. Concerning any incident occurring prior to the effective date of this Ordinance; 2. Prior to the closure of any pending IA or criminal investigation; 3. While the complainant, the officer(s) complaint of, or any witness is actively engaged in pursuing any remedy provided by the Employee Information Guide of the City of Chattanooga for disciplinary appeals; 4. Where the complainant has initiated, threatened or given notice of the intent to initiate civil litigation against the City of Chattanooga or any of its employees. (b) Five (5) possible recommendations by the Committee for consideration by the Chief: 1. Unfounded: Allegation is false or not factual. 2. Exonerated: Incident complained of occurred, but was lawful and proper. 3. Not Sustained: Insufficient evidence either to prove or disprove the allegation. 4. Sustained: The allegation is supported by sufficient evidence. 5. Policy Failure: The allegation is factual. The officer followed proper departmental procedures which have been proven to be faulty.(c) The Committee shall have no authority to direct the Police Chief to alter or to impose any disciplinary action against any employee of the Chattanooga Police Department. In all cases, the Police Chief will be the final authority on case dispositions and discipline of police officers. The Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce will host the annual presentation of the Mel Bedwell Small Businessperson of the Year Award at this years luncheon presented by Pinnacle Financial Partners on Wednesday, May 15, during Small Business Month. This years program will focus on the upcoming downtown redevelopment efforts and the effects on small business growth and economic development in the community. The luncheon will feature a discussion panel moderated by Garry Rodgers, Rodgers Group. Members of the panel will be Cleveland City Mayor Kevin Brooks, City Manager Joe Fivas, Chamber of Commerce Vice President for Economic Development Doug Berry and the Director of the Small Business Development Center at Cleveland State Community College Jennie DeCook. The panel will discuss how a vibrant downtown, affects development efforts throughout the community and spurs development in other areas. The format will allow time for those in attendance to ask the panelists their own questions about plans and processes. The Small Business Committee of the Chamber of Commerce presents this annual recognition event. Highlighting the luncheon is recognition of an outstanding small business person in the community, recognized for his/her success in six areas: staying power, growth in number of employees, increase in sales, innovativeness of product or service offered, response to adversity, and evidence of contributions to the community. The Chambers board of directors renamed the Small Business Person of the Year Award in 1998 to honor the memory of Mel Bedwell, who was known for his energy, determination, ingenuity, honesty, enthusiasm and loyaltyall traits necessary for a successful small business owner. Mr. Bedwell was an owner with Jack Smith of Cleveland Business Machines. Chamber members will have an opportunity to have a tabletop business display to showcase their services and products to fellow Chamber members. A limited number of tables are available, so members are encouraged to reserve their table early. Each display registration provides one luncheon ticket. Members who would like to use admission credits should call the Chamber office at 472-6587 to register or at www.clevelandchamber.com. The Tennessee House of Representatives has approved State Rep. Robin Smiths (R-Hixson) legislation honoring and recognizing the role Tennessee women played in the right to vote. In preparation for the centennial of womens suffrage, House Bill 1192 encourages a curriculum to be addressed on a monthly basis to honor and teach children on the importance of Tennessees role in this pivotal moment in the states and nations history. According to the Tennessee Secretary of States website, Tennessee provided the 36th and final state needed to ratify this landmark amendment to the U.S. Constitution after the effort had failed in other states. Tennessee was a last hope for women in 1920 with drama unfolding in the deadlocked House of Representatives chamber with a surprise switch of his position by the 24-year-old Rep. Harry Burn, donning a red rose boutonniere symbolizing his opposition casting the historic "yellow rose vote" that changed all of history. Mr. Burn honored the wishes his widowed mother expressed in a seven-page note he'd just received in voting for the women's right to vote. Tennessee played a pivotal role in ratifying the 19th Amendment, and it is important our history is taught to students especially young girls as part of their civics and social studies curriculum in school, said Rep. Smith. Im proud of the many women like Abby Crawford Milton of Chattanooga who paved the way for women like me to follow, and I believe their stories should be shared in our Tennessee classrooms. 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. Two sixth grade students were charged on Friday after their plot to bring weapons to school to shoot students and faculty was discovered in Crossville. The school resource officer for South Cumberland Elementary uncovered a rumor of the possible existence of a hit list containing students to be shot in a future school shooting. Immediate steps were taken to ensure the safety of all students and the newly-formed Crossville/Cumberland County District Threat Assessment Task Force, a multi-jurisdictional team, was contacted and began to assist in the investigation, working closely with the school administration and school resource officer. Director Janet Graham said, Our first and most important responsibility is to ensure the safety of our students and staff. It was determined that at no time during the investigation students or staff were believed to be in any immediate danger. The investigation did not turn up a hit list but it did find a hand-drawn map of the school and a plot between the two sixth grade students to bring weapons, hide them in the locker room and on the last day of school enter through the back door, shoot faculty and students then commit suicide before law enforcement intervention. The investigation revealed multiple conversations between the students in the past two weeks in preparing the plot. Investigators from the Sheriffs Special Investigation Unit assisted in the search of both students homes for weapons and/or other evidence relating to the plot with no weapons being found in either home. Parents of both students were very cooperative in assisting the school administration and law enforcement. Both students were arrested and transported by Cumberland County deputies to the Cumberland County Juvenile Detention Facility where they were charged with conspiracy to commit murder. The students remain in custody awaiting a hearing in juvenile court. Sheriff Casey Cox said, We take any threat to students and school faculty very seriously and we will respond, investigate and take swift appropriate action to manage each threat. Chief Brooks said, The best way to manage threats is through all agencies working together in unity. Holi, a Hindu spring festival celebrated predominantly in India and Nepal and also in parts of the Western world now including Chattanooga- is known as the "festival of colors" and the "festival of love. "The whole family is invited to attend in white sundresses and t-shirts to the Sculpture Fields at 11 a.m. on Saturday and leave in a blaze of color," organizers said. "Chattanooga is home to a vibrant Desi cultural community- families descended from peoples of the hot and colorful southern areas of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Now Sush Shantha and Sujata Singh and their organization Desi Chattanoogan are bringing this colorful cultural celebration alive for our own southern region." We are excited to have Chattanooga experience the joy and color of Holi, said event co-chairs Sush and Sujata. Families will share a wonderful day of games, vegetarian Indian cuisine and cultural activities, as well as the great fun of the color exchange. "Guests may purchase pouches of vibrant color to share by tossing the colors on family members and friends. Once the colors are flying back and forth, water can be splashed on so the colors run together on faces, arms and shirts. We strongly suggest bringing a change of dry clothes for the drive home. Holi celebrations engage all the senses through festive touch, sights, sounds and smells. Musician Sagaar will circulate through the sculpture fields performing on his large tasseled drum. Traditional fashions of India will be modeled by area families walking to music by DJ Eric of Warsaw International. Childrens activities will be sponsored and staffed by ArchWay, including Go Fish, Relay Races and Balloons by Mike. Indian street food from Desi Brothers, Hema Selvam and other vendors will include Pani Puri, Bhel Puri, Samosas, Jalebi, Vada Sambar, Pongal and Chai. Festival beverages will include Double Cola products, as well as prosecco and sangria for adults. Holi Festival sponsors include: Presenting Sponsor: V. Love Events and Staffing Venue Sponsor: Desi Chattanoogan Emerald Sponsor: Dos Bros, Nephrology Associates, Beacon OB/GYN Ruby Sponsors: Dr. Vani and Mr. Venu Puttagunta, Thinking Media, Double Cola, Advanced Center for Sleep Disorder Music Sponsor: Warsaw International Color Sponsor: Desi Brothers Gates open at 11 a.m. Festival grounds admission charge is $5 per person, children 12 and under are free. VIP admission for 2 adults with valet parking is $20. Food and activities are available with additional ticket purchase inside the festival grounds. Pre-event entry tickets may be purchased at www.tugoz.com/events/vloveevents/holi. Zavier Chavez, a senior at the Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts, has advanced to the final round of the 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholars competition. Chavez is one of 621 semi-finalists from across the country and among the 14 from Tennessee moving on in the competition. Chavez was selected as a candidate for the competition for his demonstrated excellence in academics. He is no stranger to recognition, as he is valedictorian of his graduating class and Senior Class president at CCA. Chavez is an active participant on the Center for Creative Arts campus. He is active in the arts, studies Jazz music, and is the drummer in the schools Jazz band. Chavez has been accepted to Harvard University in the fall, and plans to study to become a lawyer. The U.S. Presidential Scholars competition was established in 1964, originally to recognize and honor students to demonstrated exceptional academic abilities. The competition was later extended to recognize exceptional students in both the creative and performing arts and career and technical programs as well. Out of over 3 million graduating high school seniors, just over 5,000 are selected as candidates, with 621 chosen as semi-finalists this year. To see a full list of the 2019 semifinalists, visit https://www2.ed.gov/programs/psp/2019/semifinalists.pdf. Of the semi-finalists, 161 students will be chosen to receive the Presidential Scholars honor, one of the top recognitions for high school students in the nation. Its been three years since Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick ended their nine-year relationship. Though they are no longer together, the former couple has remained in each others lives as they continue to co-parent their three children. Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick | Photo by David Becker/WireImage Disick and Kardashian have been able to move on with other people, but does Scotts current girlfriend, Sofia Richie, not like the fact that he and Kourtney are considered soulmates? Scott cherishes the relationship he has with Kourtney If you were completely overwhelmed by the most recent episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, youre not alone. During the latest episode, the Kardashian family continued soaking up the culture and beauty of Bali. They visited temples, mud baths, community centers, and even paid a visit to a local healer. While in Bali, Kourtney Kardashian revealed that she wanted to spend the rest of the vacation working on herself and live in the present. To do so, she and Scott Disick went to Mas Joko, a renowned local healer, in order to get a little insight into their relationship. During the session, Mas Joko revealed to Kourtney and Disick that they have a very strong bond and even called them soulmates. They never expected to be called soulmates After their healing session, Kardashian and Disick had a lot of emotions to contemplate. The last thing they expected to hear was that they were meant to be and were soulmates seeing as though they ended their relationship in July 2015. Both admitted that the reading was a lot to take in but tried to look on the brighter side on things. I dont really know what to think. Im in another relationship, said Disick, who is currently dating 20-year-old Sofia Richie. I just want to take whatever good away from it that I can. Kourtney Kardashian felt the same way and doesnt want this to complicate things. I just really wasnt expecting that this is what was going to come out of this reading, Kourtney said. I feel really claustrophobic or something. Weve come to such a good place were finally able to travel together as a family. There are so many positives. But the whole soulmate thing comes up I dont know. Its just a lot to think about. Since their split, many have said that Kardashian and Disick have been in a good place and are work well together when it comes to co-parenting their sons Mason, 9, Reign, 4, and daughter Penelope, 6. Even Kim and Khloe Kardashian think the same way but hope the reading didnt confuse Kourtney and Scotts feelings towards one another. Ive actually loved having Scott here [in Bali], Khloe said. Hes an active, involved parent. I think they genuinely enjoy each others company and I think they will always have this attraction because they were together for so long and they do make a good couple. Theyre just in two different spaces. I like Kourtney and Scott being separate, Kim added. You can have soulmates in your life but then reality sets in, and I do think they are separated for a reason and I hope things dont get awkward. Sofia understands Scotts relationship with Kourtney Even though Scott Disick as been able to maintain a friendly relationship with Kourtney Kardashian, many wonder if Sofia Richie feels threatened by their bond? Khloe Kardashian took Disick aside during their Bali trip to ask how Sofia must feel about him being so close to Kourtney. If I was Sofia, I would be so insecure, she told Disick while they had a one-on-one. I dont care how confident you are. Its weird if youre Sofia. Though it might seem weird to most, Scott explained how understanding his girlfriend is and how she knew what she was getting herself into when they first started dating. I mean, Sofia knew going into this that I was extremely close with Kourtney, Disick said. She was like, Listen, I will never get between you and your family and your children. Just speak to me and make me comfortable. As for them recently being donned soulmates, Scott Disick isnt too sure how Richie is going to take that. I definitely dont want to disrespect my relationship with Sofia because it means a lot to me, he said. Whether Kourtney and I are soulmates or not, I feel like I owe a lot to Kourtney for the times that I missed when I wasnt the best partner to her. So I feel like I will forever be making up for that lost time for the rest of her life. Were sure Scott Disick already explained the situation to Richie and she was hopefully very understanding. Chris Evans is having a moment. Not only does he play noble men in movies paging Captain America but hes generally perceived as a good guy in real life, even when hes not tossing his mighty shield around. Hes buddies with fellow Marvel co-star Robert Downey Jr., who has nothing but praises for Evans. And hes super active on Twitter he engages with fans, shares behind-the-scenes pics, and praises his peers. His social engagement is so high, and well received, that fans are wondering: Is Evans trying to be Cap in real life? Chris Evans didnt want to be Captain America Captain America may be strong and tough, but aside from the actual physical fights, he tends to be unfailingly polite, even when people disagree with him. Just ask Tony Stark, who once said, Sometimes I just want to kick you in your perfect teeth. In real life, Downey and Evans have gotten along famously. In fact, had it not been for Downey, Evans might not have been in the MCU at all. Having already done the whole superhero bit by playing the Human Torch in two Fantastic Four movies, Evans turned down Captain America not once, but twice. Getting the offer felt to me like the epitome of temptation, Evans said. The ultimate job offer, on the biggest scale. Im supposed to say no to this thing. It felt like the right thing to do. But Downey Jr. sensed something in Evans, who more than proved his worth. Downey Jr. revealed in interviews that he is glad he changed Evans mind, not just for the sake of the movies, but for Evans himself, as he observed the experience changing Evans for the better. Ive been in hundreds of scenes with this guy, Downey said of his co-star. Ive also seen him, over the last 10 years, go from being someone who had laughably real social anxiety to someone who has grown more and more comfortable in their own skin. Chris Evans puts his money where his mouth is Actors who play superheroes tend to stay out of the political spotlight. But Evans, who plays the ultimate patriot, has not been at all shy airing his political views on social media, much to the chagrin of fans who dont see eye-to-eye with him politically. Evans recognizes its not wise to alienate his audience, but he has said he would feel worse if he didnt speak up. But Evans is also trying to keep the discourse level. When he met with members of Congress, he conducted interviews for A Starting Point, a nonpartisan website whose mission is to create informed, responsible and empathetic citizens by offering viewpoints from both sides of the political fence. The launch date of the website has not been set, but Evans says in the clip: Its not about my political opinion. This is about yours. This is a chance for you to talk about issues that matter to you. According to the Look to the Stars website, which tracks celebrities charitable giving, Evans has contributed to the organizations Breast Cancer Care and Got Your Six. The latter helps military veterans readjust to civilian life. Life for Chris Evans after Captain America Im assuming you mean the parachute. However you DID design that costume, so I think they cancel each other out. https://t.co/Qya7trypBl Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) April 13, 2019 Captain America: Civil War made a big deal out of asking fans whether they were Team Iron Man or Team Captain America. As Avengers: Endgame brings the comic book saga to a close, its clear people like to be on Team Chris Evans. Contrary to some reports, he is not retiring from acting, just from the role as Captain America. He has several gigs lined up, including Knives Out, a noir thriller directed by Rian Johnson of The Last Jedi fame. At the root of it, he has true humility, says Downey Jr. I think its the reason he was able to kind of come to the front and be our team leader in the Avengers. I think a lot of his theater experience helped, too. Because it was like, OK, Im going to dress up, Im going to go out, and Im going to tell the truth.' Meanwhile, Evans himself remains ever the good soldier. I dont know about you, but I cried like six times, Evans said at the Avengers: Endgame premiere. Baby Sussex will be making his or her debut into the world any day now. Although we wont be notified of the birth for a few days at least, we are excited nonetheless. A new baby is an exciting time for everyone, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. They are said to be over the moon about the upcoming birth of their first child, and thats an understatement! Their families are pretty excited as well Doria Ragland cant wait to be a first-time grandmother, and the royal family is all set to welcome the newest member. With recent rumors of a feud between sisters-in-law Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, many fans have been left wondering just how close the Duchess of Sussex is with Kates children. Who are the Cambridge kids? Prince William and Kate have three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and little Prince Louis. The oldest is in the direct line of succession to become king someday, and he doesnt even know about it yet. Each child has an adorably unique personality, with Charlotte said to be somewhat cheeky, and George being the shyest of the three. Prince Louis just celebrated his first birthday and has a smile that is mesmerizing to fans around the world. Harrys role as an uncle Harry became an uncle a few years before meeting Meghan, and it was if he had been preparing for the role his entire life. The Duke of Sussex has always had a soft spot for children, and they adore him right back. Harry was elated when his first nephew was born and seems to be greatly enjoying his role as Uncle Harry. He said in an interview several years ago that he knows that his mother, Princess Diana, would have absolutely loved being a grandmother, and how he couldnt wait to become a father himself. Is Meghan close with the children? Although they are not photographed together very often, it is certain that Meghan has a strong relationship with each of the three Cambridge children. The older two, George and Charlotte, served as a pageboy and bridesmaid in Meghan and Harrys wedding almost a year ago. At the christening of Prince Louis, Meghan was pictured attending the special event with a happy smile on her face. She and Harry also left a heartwarming birthday message for Louis as he turned one year old. Will Kate be close with Baby Sussex? There is no doubt that Kate is looking forward to the birth of Harry and Meghans first child. The baby will be a cousin to her own children, and they all have the wonderful advantage of growing up relatively close in age, so they can share many experiences together. Chances are, Kate and Meghan will have a lot of royal playdates, both at Kensington Palace and Meghan and Harrys new home in Windsor. Although Kate has not spoken publicly regarding her excitement for the new arrival, we can only imagine that behind closed doors, she is eagerly awaiting the news that the baby has been born. After all, she is like the rest of us in so many ways, and this is no exception. Baby Sussex will strengthen Meghan and Kates relationship Now that the duchesses have a chance to bond over the wonderful journey of motherhood, it is highly likely that their relationship will grow stronger. Rumors of a rift are finally dying down, and fans are sure to see Kate spending as much time with Meghan, Harry, and the new baby as possible. She will definitely want her kids to get to know their new cousin, and we can only imagine that Kate wants to be close with the newest little royal. Its time to congratulate actor Idris Elba. The British star and part-time DJ just got married. In addition, the actor has a lot going on in his professional life. Heres what you need to know about his new bride, his personal life, and what projects he has on the horizon. Who is Idris Elbas wife? Elba married model Sabrina Dhowre on April 26, 2019. The couple has been together since 2017, according to BBC News, and they got engaged on Feb 10, 2018, at a screening of Elbas directorial debut, Yardie, in London. Dhowre is of Somali descent, but grew up in Canada. She was crowned Miss Vancouver in a 2014 pageant. Other than that, not much is known about Dhowre: She has a verified Instagram account, on which she documented her Bachelorette weekend at the Amangiri resort in Utah in March. Has he been married before? While it would appear that this is Dhowres first marriage (though her Instagram only goes back through September 2017, so whos to say), her now-husband has done this a couple of times before. Elbas was married to Hanne Kim Nrgaard from 1999-2003, with whom he had his first child, a daughter named Isan. Elba was married once more, for just four months in 2006, to Sonya Nicole Hamlin. Later, he dated Naiyana Garth, with whom he had a son, Winston, in 2014. Hes starring in this upcoming action flick Aside from his engagement and his wedding, Elba has been having a busy couple of years. He was named Peoples Sexiest Man Alive in late 2018 and has obviously started 2019 off with a wonderful occasion. Now, he has more to look forward to: His upcoming The Fast & the Furious spinoff, Hobbs & Shaw, is due out in August. And in a very different kind of role, Elba is portraying Macavity in the upcoming film adaptation of the musical Cats, set to be released in Dec. 2019. Elba did not appear in the latest Marvel film Hobbs & Shaw will Elbas first movie of 2019, but theres one film that fans were a little sad to see him miss out on. Elba is, as youre probably aware, a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe or, that is, he was (spoilers ahead). Elba portrayed Heimdall, the all-seeing and all-knowing protector of the Bifrost in all three of the Thor films. The final one of these, Thor: Ragnarok, led right into the MCU epic team-up Avengers: Infinity War. Heimdall does appear in the very beginning of that film but, sadly, does not survive, as he is killed by Thanos team. Some may have hoped that he would return in Endgame, but no one who was killed prior to the snap made an appearance, likely meaning that his death could not be undone. This is the role everyone wants him to play Idris Elba | Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images Of course, theres one big role that has had Elbas name on it for ages. For years, fans have been gunning Elba to be James Bond in whatever the next film in the franchise is. However, the actor isnt interested. In March, he said, Bond is one of the biggest franchises in the world, and for that reason, whoever ends up playing it, lives it. Youre THAT character, and known as that character for many, many years. Im creating characters now that can still live alongside Idris. Not ones that take over me and solely define me. It seems as though Elba might have a character in mind after all, hes gearing up to play an unspecified role in another major series: James Gunns Suicide Squad sequel. Check out the Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are expecting a new baby any day now, and fans are definitely on their toes about Baby Sussexs arrival. For about a month, people have been checking daily to see if Meghan had her baby. And Prince William, who is away in New Zealand on a quick trip, only made us wonder even more with his response to a question about the couples baby. Meghan Markle and Prince William | Max Mumby/Getty Images; Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images Meghan revealed a few months ago that her baby was due in late April When Meghan and Harry first announced they were expecting, the palace only said the couple would welcome their baby in the spring of 2019. However, Meghan did let it slip while she and Harry were on an outing that the baby was actually due in late April. The couple has kept almost every other detail under wraps, though. The two have never revealed the gender of the baby and claim they still dont know. They also havent given any indication of possible baby names, though the public has made their own suggestions. With so little information, people are even more excited about the babys arrival. Meghan will not give birth in the Lindo Wing Ever since Meghan married Harry, shes been hesitant to continue with certain royal traditions. One major tradition Meghan has put her foot down about has been Baby Sussexs birth. For decades, royal women have given birth inside the Lindo Wing at St. Marys Hospital in London. After the birth, the women and their husbands step outside the hospital for a photo opp with their newest child. However, Meghan doesnt appear to be a fan of all the pomp and circumstance that comes with this tradition, and she and Harry have subsequently decided to keep their birth plans private. According to The Cut, the couple will pose for photos with their baby soon after the arrival and on the grounds of Windsor Castle. When Prince William was asked about Meghans baby, he gave absolutely no information Prince William took a quick trip to new Zealand on behalf of the queen this week, and of course, fans couldnt help but question his knowledge about Baby Sussexs arrival. According to People, Will refused to say anything he knew about the babys arrival. Any signs of the royal baby? one fan asked. I havent got my phone on me, Will said. I have no idea. You guys will find out before I do at this rate. Fans were hoping Will would provide some insight, but he seemed just as unaware of the babys arrival as fans are, which only added to the confusion about when Meghan is actually due. Its possible Will is hiding what he knows, but either way, he wasnt about to give anything up. Some suspect Meghan has already had the baby Meghan and Harry never said exactly when the photo opp would occur in terms of when their baby was born. And some fans of the couple believe Meghan may have already given birth. Since Harry and Meghan have decided to keep everything private, its entirely possible that Meghan has had the baby, but the two just havent announced the babys arrival in order to let Meghan rest and have some alone time with their little one. Either way, the announcement could happen any minute now, but William doesnt seem to be willing to give any information away. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! When Prince William and Kate Middleton named their son Louis, many considered it a tribute to a man known in The Crown as Uncle Dickie. His full name was Lord Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten, and he was a great-grandson of Queen Victoria. Prince Charles, Williams father, had been close to Mountbatten. In fact, remembering him after a visit to the site of Mountbattens death in 2015, Charles said he represented the grandfather I never had. Looking back at Mountbattens life story, its easy to see how important he was to the royal family. (Some say he introduced Queen Elizabeth II to Prince Phillip both relations of his in the 1930s.) After a distinguished career as a naval officer and statesman, Mountbattens life ended suddenly and tragically at the hands of Irish Republican Army terrorists in 1979. He had celebrated his 79th birthday a few months prior. IRA assassins blew up Mountbattens boat with him and his grandsons aboard. 5th September 1979: Queen Elizabeth II (centre), Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother (1900-2002) and Charles, Prince of Wales leading their family at the funeral service of Louis, 1st Earl Mountbatten. | Central Press/Getty Images On 27 August 1979, Mountbatten took his family out on a boating trip in Donegal Bay, off the coast of Ireland. Nicholas, his 14-year-old grandson, joined him that day. Several other passengers, including Nicholass twin brother and Baroness Brabourne, also took the trip. IRA terrorists had planted a large bomb aboard the ship. After the vessel went out to sea, they detonated the bomb. Mountbatten, the baroness, Nicholas, and a boy working on the boat all died from their injuries. The others barely escaped with serious injuries. Historians have described the bombing as possibly the most shocking of all horrors inflicted by the IRA against the United Kingdom. It represented the first deadly IRA strike against a member of the royal family. Charles later reflected on the grief he and his family felt following Mountbattens death. I could not imagine how we would come to terms with the anguish of such a deep loss, he said in 2015. Mountbattens funeral took place on September 5 1979. What Mountbatten meant to Britain and the Queen 7th June 1977: Queen Elizabeth II waves from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during celebrations for the Queens Silver Jubilee. Louis, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma (1900 1979), stands at her right. | Central Press/Getty Images In addition to his close family relationships with Elizabeth, Phillip, and Charles, Mountbatten was an important figure in English history. After working his way up through the Royal Navy, Mountbatten became supreme allied commander of the Southeast Asian front during World War II. In that position, he led the campaign that recaptured Burma for the Allies. While his leadership appointment prompted cries of nepotism, Mountbatten proved he was a skilled leader after the war as well. As the final viceroy of India, Mountbatten oversaw the transfer of power from Britain to India. Back home in the 1960s, he became governor and, later, lord lieutenant of the Isle of Wight. When he died in 79, the IRA quickly took responsibility for the attack. That same day, another bombing killed 18 people in County Down. Thomas McMahon, the bomber convicted of the attack, served 19 years in jail before he was freed in 1998. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Meghan McCain is the outspoken conservative commentator on The View, well known for her tendency to get into verbal altercations with fellow host Joy Behar. McCain pulls no punches and is a vocal opponent of President Donald Trump, not hesitating to call him out over policy decisions or personal conduct that she takes issue with. Recently, McCain made headlines for her very surprising statements about Trump statements that seem to directly contradict her previous statements about the president. Meghan McCains family has a complicated history with President Trump Its no secret that McCains father, the late Senator John McCain, wasnt exactly close friends with President Trump. Many times, John McCain would express viewpoints that were the exact opposite of Trumps, even though they both belonged to the Republican political party. Many times, it seemed to get personal, with McCain calling out Trump for certain actions that he found distasteful. For his part, Trump took many jabs at McCain, and seemingly took issue with his war hero status, saying that he liked people who werent captured. Even though John McCain was diagnosed with a terminal illness and passed away in late 2018, Trump clearly still has some lingering bad blood toward the late senator. Frequently over the past several months, Trump has referenced John McCain, and how he was never a fan of the Arizona senator. Needless to say, the presidents comments about Meghan McCains late father havent been sitting well with her, and shes used her platform on The View to let the entire Trump family know how she feels about them. In March 2019, McCain slammed Trump for his repeated attacks on her father, saying that Trump spends all of his time obsessing over the actions of great men because he will never be a great man, unlike her father. McCain drew a lot of ire from conservative commentators over her comments, but she refused to apologize or back down from her statements. On another episode of the show, McCain spoke out to thank all of her familys supporters and told viewers not to feel sorry for her or her family. Instead, she told fans to feel bad for people without familial support, like disabled veterans and victims of cyberbullying. What did Meghan McCain say about Donald Trump? In the words of the esteemed poet @NICKIMINAJ Shout out to my haters, sorry that you couldnt phase me. https://t.co/tU3XdeeyUn Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) April 19, 2019 A new book about The View, called Ladies Who Punch, was recently released and includes many insightful interviews from McCain and her fellow hosts. McCain spoke out about President Trump, saying that contrary to popular opinion, shes actually grateful to him in an odd way: She believes that if he wasnt the sitting president, she wouldnt have experienced the success on The View that she has. She went on to say that hes made her job a little bit easier, but in spite of that, she doesnt think that his presidency specifically has contributed to The Views high ratings. She believes that more viewers are drawn to the show because more and more young people, especially young women, are getting involved in politics. She also attributed the rise of young people getting politically active to Trumps presidency. Will Meghan McCains attitude toward Donald Trump change? Meghan McCain is currently the most outspoken conservative on The View, and with a brand-new election year fast approaching, theres no telling what showdowns and controversies could spring up on the popular daytime talk show. Its unlikely that either McCain or President Trump will back down from their long-standing feud but at least viewers will be able to follow along with all the latest updates when new episodes of The View air daily. South Africa: New Seshego factory to hire 150 people with disabilities Limpopo province today welcomed the opening of the new Supported Employment Enterprises (SEE) factory at Seshego Industrial Park, with 39 workers with disabilities currently on site. At its peak, the SEE factory is expected to employ 150 or more people with disabilities, thereby giving them space in the labour market. The opening of the SEE factory by the Department of Labour was given the thumbs-up by the community of Seshego and Labour Minister as a step in the right direction. Speaker after speaker said the new factory would make a noticeable dent in unemployment. Chief Kgabo Moloto, of Moletji, urged the community to support the initiative. He pledged the support of the 147 headmen in the Moletji District. Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant said the opening of the factory followed the ratification of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention on People with Disabilities by South Africa in 2006. We have since taken the decision to establish these factories in all provinces. I urge you to offer support by buying the products. I am very happy that we have come to witness the opening of the Limpopo SEE factory that I promised in Parliament during 2017, the Minister said. The latest factory opened in Seshego will bring to 13 factories managed by the SEE. The latest development leaves Mpumalanga province as the only province without a facility. SEE has manufacturing factories in Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London, Johannesburg, Kimberley, Pietermaritzburg, Port Elizabeth, Potchefstroom and Pretoria. The factories currently employ over 1 000 disabled people, who are supported by 140 administration, management and technical staff. Some of the products manufactured by SEE factories include office and school furniture; hospital clothes; office safes and gates. The entitys head office is located in Pretoria. Depending on the extent of support, the department may increase the number of factories in Limpopo to areas such as Vhembe District and Collins Chabane Municipality. In Gauteng, we have three, in the Eastern Cape two, in KZN two and in the Western Cape two, the Minister said. - SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-04-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Last week, after four years spent evaluating the Louisiana Scholarship Program (LSP), the School Choice Demonstration Project issued a comprehensive summary of the findingsand the results were pretty grim. The research team, led by University of Arkansas professor Patrick Wolf, concluded: Overall, participating in the LSP had a statistically significant negative impact on student English Language Arts (ELA) and math scores across most years of the evaluation, including the fourth year, and across most samples of students studied. Because Wolf has earned a reputation for both scholarly rigor and fair-mindedness when it comes to evaluating school choice, the negative findings cannot be lightly dismissed as the handiwork of anti-voucher ideologues. What to make of these results, however, is less straightforward than the findings themselves. Wolf et al. explain that things are more complicated than the overall findings might suggest. First, test scores are an imperfect gauge of outcomes, as Wolf et al. make clear. For instance, while LSP students posted lower test scores than did their peers, there was no commensurate effect on whether or not participating students wound up enrolling in college. It may be that students are benefiting in ways that dont show up on the state tests. Second, it also turned out that the test effects were only half as large when students were assessed using the iLEAP test (which is less aligned to the public school curriculum) than the LEAP (which is more aligned). This means that a substantial chunk of voucher underperformance on state tests might simply reflect that private school students spend a lot less time focusing on preparing for state tests than do students in public schools. Whats striking is that this question of how to make sense of movement in test scores is exactly the same one that arisesand is too often given short-shriftwhen it comes to district schools. Now, given that some choice advocates once insisted that test scores proved that school choice works, critics have a point in calling out those advocates whove flipped and now insist that it was never about test scores. But I feel comfortable setting that discussion aside, given that Ive never used test scores to argue for school choice. Indeed, as I put it nearly a decade ago in Does School Choice Work? , The mixed findings suggest that simply legislating school choice programs, or enrolling a child in a charter school, will have no obvious short-term impact on achievement. I feel like Ive been pretty consistent, given that I observed in that essay: For the past 20 years, the question of whether school choice 'works' has been understood to mean simply whether a school-choice program boosted reading and math test scores in a given year . . . Particularly problematic is how this way of thinking has caused school-choice proponents to ignore crucial questions of market design and implementation. Third, the Louisiana program is distinctive in the substantial regulations it imposes upon participating private schoolsincluding the requirement that they employ an open admissions policy. A crucial question is whether well-meaning regulations deter quality schools from accepting voucher students. For instance, Wolf et al. note: To participate in the [LSP], private schools must meet certain criteria related to: enrollment, financial practices, student mobility, and the health, safety and welfare of students. Participating schools are prohibited from being selective in their enrollment of voucher students and must administer the state's accountability tests annually to voucher students in grades 3 through 8 and grade 10. Anyone who has spent much time in or around schools knows that even seemingly innocuous criteria relating to student health or safety can entail onerous paper chases, complicated compliance, intrusive micromanagement, and disruption. This is why well-meaning rules may deter high-quality schools from participating especially when those schools find it easy to fill up their seats without accepting voucher students. When that happens, the participating schools will tend to be those most desperate to add enrollment. If thats what is leading to lousy performance, one conclusion is not that the scholarships were bad for kidsbut that scholarships only help when kids can use them to attend good schools. This all brings us back to something I wrote about last week, which is why obsessing on What works? can do more to obscure than illuminate why and how things work. My hat is off to Wolf and his colleagues for their invaluable work, but we would do well to recognize that their findings raise at least as many questions as they answer. KAHL process technology for compacting, pelleting, and shaping The Kahl policy for the pelleting of powdery, lumpy, or pasty products is "to adapt the machine to the product". Pelleting with KAHL presses is an economic alternative to considerably more expensive processes. Optimum design of each pelleting plant is achieved as a result of different product tests and analyses carried out at our pilot plant. Due to the versatility of equipment of the KAHL pelleting plants, we are able to meet the special requirements of our customers. For example the pelleting of: In the last years more than 5000 products have been pelleted successfully in the KAHL pilot plant. 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Crossroads names Phil Heller new lead pastor months after Patrick Garcia firing Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Crossroads Christian Church in Indiana has named a new lead pastor months after the ousting of the megachurchs former Pastor Patrick Garcia and the departure of other pastors who established a new church. Phil Heller has been named the new lead pastor of the nondenominational church near Evansville, the church announced Thursday via Facebook. Heller was recommended by a lead pastor search team and was affirmed by church elders. A vote of affirmation among church members is upcoming. Heller will begin preaching at the church this weekend and will continue with the congregations Jesus People series. Heller served for over a decade as the executive pastor at White River Christian Church in Noblesville, about three hours north of Evansville. He previously served on staff at Crossroads as the student ministries pastor and high school pastor between 19962002. He has a bachelor's degree in specialized ministries from Kentucky Christian University and is near completing a masters degree in organizational leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University. We became convinced that his previous experience with us gives him a completely unique passion and love for our church family, the church expressed in its Facebook post. At the same time, we recognized that Phils leadership qualities and preaching capacity grew to an exceptional level as the executive pastor, for 13 years, at White River Christian Church, a large church in Noblesville, Indiana. He has been uniquely prepared to be the lead pastor at Crossroads. The church said the decision was made after thousands of hours were spent reviewing resumes and sermons as well as conducting several rounds of interviews The churchs statement outlines what is required in the lead pastors role. This person serves with genuine humility, is committed to seeing the Gospel reach people and transform our community and the world, and leads from a Kingdom mindset, the statement explains. In addition to preaching capability, our goal was to find someone who is accessible, relational, hard-working and has a shepherds heart. According to Hellers biography page, he grew up in a pastors family and also married a pastors daughter. Gods call to ministry came early in his life and he loves being part of what God is doing in the world, the website explains. In August, Garcia was let go by Crossroads elders and accused of being an inexperienced leader who wanted complete control. In the days after, hundreds called for his reinstatement. In the wake of Garcias departure, other Crossroads ministry leaders resigned. Former leaders who were either ousted or resigned from Crossroads launched a new church called The Hills in Evansville last September. "We are not doing this out of hate, we are not doing this out of hurt or emotion but out of a strong conviction that we were called to Evansville and that calling has not changed," churchs Executive Pastor Darryl Marin explained at the time. In October, Garcia was named lead pastor at The Hills. Garcia told The Christian Post at the time that philosophical differences were really at the heart of his ousting from Crossroads. When you see Paul and Barnabas parting ways in Scripture, the Gospel continued to advance because Paul could be who he was and Barnabas could be who he was, Garcia explained. Barnabas was very much an encourager. He was someone who was maybe more emotionally driven and was more sensitive to the people's needs. Whereas Paul, he had some of that but his focus and purpose was different and that was an aggressive mission to turn the world upside down for Jesus Christ. Evangelical leaders call on Christians to take on 'biblical view' of immigration, love one's neighbor Book calls for investments in border security, pathway to citizenship Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Evangelical Immigration Table is encouraging Christians to take on a biblical view of immigration by loving one's neighbor and supporting policy that allows undocumented immigrants to earn legal status. Scripture does not necessarily prescribe specific immigration policy to govern any particular nation but the Bible is replete with stories of immigrants, with specific instructions from God to the Israelites about how to treat the foreigners who came to reside in their land, and with broader principles that have clear ramifications for how contemporary followers of Jesus should interact with our immigrant neighbors, EIT's newly released e-book, titled Thinking Biblically about Immigrants & Immigration Reform, says. The book highlights Gods concern for the worlds most vulnerable and how some of the Bibles most prominent characters were immigrants themselves. Gods people are told to love immigrants as themselves because they knew firsthand what it is like to dwell in a land that was not their own. When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong, the book quotes Leviticus. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. The 35-page e-book is endorsed by leaders of the eight organizations that head EIT, a broad coalition of evangelical organizations and leaders that advocate for immigration reform consistent with biblical values. Those leaders include Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission; Samuel Rodriguez, an Assemblies of God pastor and head of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference; retiring National Association of Evangelicals President Leith Anderson; Edgar Sandoval, president of the evangelical humanitarian agency World Vision U.S.; and Scott Arbeiter, who heads NAEs humanitarian arm World Relief. The book comes as a 2015 LifeWay Research poll found that just 12 percent of evangelicals cited the Bible as the primary influence of their opinions on immigration. Evangelicals were more likely to cite the media, local church and national Christian leaders as influencers in their immigration opinions. Evangelicals in the U.S. are challenged to be guided by Scripture in their approach and thinking about the hot-button issue of immigration policy, one of many political issues dividing the nation. Though the Bible certainly includes principles that can help guide lawmakers, the Scriptures also speak to every follower of Jesus as they interact with their neighbors, some of whom are immigrants, the book states. In fact, while applying biblical principles to public policy inherently requires some prudential determinations, biblical teachings about how to interact with immigrants themselves leave less space for differences of interpretation: Were called to love our neighbors (Luke 10:27) and to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19), regardless of where we land on public policy. The book outlines the six principles from the Evangelical Statement of Principles for Immigration Reform, which was drafted in 2012 and affirmed by thousands of pastors and other Christian leaders, that can be played out in the public policy context. It calls for a policy that respects the God-given dignity of every person. The belief in human dignity should lead Christians to desire human life being protected. Playing out in the immigration context, Christians would insist that our government provide a safe haven for refugees fleeing tyrannical governments or terrorist groups who are seeking to do them harm. Its a reason that U.S. asylum laws, which guide the government not to send someone back to a situation of danger, are so vital, the book reads. The EIT has long been critical of the Trump administration over its drastic cuts to the number of refugees being resettled to the United States. The evangelical leaders feel that the U.S. should be a place where people with a credible fear of persecution across the globe can come to seek refuge. The Obama administration resettled nearly 85,000 refugees in the fiscal year 2016, Obamas last full year in office. By comparison, just 22,491 refugees were resettled in the fiscal year 2018. Belief in human dignity also calls on Christians to think about how they talk about illegal immigrants. Even referring to immigrants as aliens, though that is the terminology used by many U.S. laws and by older English translations of the Bible, leads many contemporary speakers of English to conjure up Hollywood-induced images of three-headed green Martians rather than human beings made in Gods image, the book reads. U.S. immigration policy should reflect the value of family unity, it argues, adding that government policies should prioritize the strength and unity of families. Earlier this month, it was reported that President Donald Trump pushed to reinstate family separation policies for immigrants at the border. With polls showing that so many white evangelicals support Trump, the book wants readers to know that immigration policies should reflect family unity and seek to keep families together. If the family truly is the core building block of our society, all American policy, including immigration policy, should prioritize the strength and unity of families, the book reads. In seeking immigration reform, the book argues that it is key for the policy to respect the rule of law, suggesting that amnesty is not the appropriate response. Christians can and should understand the complex reasons that people have violated immigration laws, whether they did so by crossing the border without documents or overstaying a temporary visa. But we should not condone the violation of law, because this causes the law to lose its meaning." A diverse range of Americans believes that current U.S. immigration policies are in desperate need of reform," it adds. The EIT advocates for the immigration system to be reformed in a way that will offer immigrants who came to the country illegally or overstayed a visa to be able to earn their way toward legal status. Deporting the millions of illegal immigrants in the U.S. would be too costly. The earned legalization process would include the payment of a fine for all adults who willfully violated U.S. immigration laws. A criminal background check would be conducted and anyone convicted of a serious crime ought to be deported. Immigrants would be allowed temporary legal status while they prove that they are working, paying taxes and not involved in criminal activity. If they meet all appropriate requirements, theyd eventually be able to apply to be lawful permanent residents of the United States, the book reads. Once they reach that status, they could choose to pursue the existing process for naturalization to become a U.S. citizen, which includes passing a test in English focused on the Constitution and U.S. history. According to the book, most undocumented immigrants in U.S. churches are very eager to make things right, and they would be happy to pay a fine and meet other qualifications to eventually have the chance to be lawful permanent residents of the United States. The book recommends that investments should be made to better secure the U.S. border to prevent illegal immigration and trafficking. It calls on elected leaders to take the challenge of border security seriously. At the same time, it contends that the government should also respect U.S. laws that allow those with a credible fear of persecution to request asylum. The eight leaders of the EIT are also featured in a series of six videos released along with the e-book. EIT has regularly issued statements of concern relating to the immigration issues. Last year, EIT leaders suggested that the Trump administrations refugee cuts could impact international religious freedom. The leaders asked the Trump administration to raise the refugee cap to 75,000 in the fiscal year 2019. EIT leaders also spoke out last December against a proposed rule change from the Trump administration that would give the Department of Homeland Security more discretion in denying visas and green cards to immigrants deemed to be too reliant on public assistance. The leaders argued that such a rule would lead to a reduction in immigration to the U.S., especially for people applying on the basis of family ties. The book is free to download and aims to become a resource to be used by churches, campus groups and other nonprofit purposes. Harvest Bible Chapel will seek reimbursement from James MacDonald for personal expenses Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Harvest Bible Chapel in greater Chicago says it will seek reimbursement from the megachurchs founder James MacDonald for any personal expenses he charged to a controversial discretionary fund which were not repaid during his tenure at the church. As communicated before, we have hired a law firm to oversee the financial review of our church. This law firm has secured an out-of-state accounting firm that specializes in not-for-profit organizations and forensic accounting to assist in this review. The final report will be presented by the law firm to the elders, Church Leadership Team, Capin Crouse (our auditor), and the congregation at the completion of the investigation, the church said in a statement released Saturday. The length and scope of this investigation will be determined by the law firm. Harvest Bible Chapel will seek reimbursement from James MacDonald if any items are deemed by the accounting firm to be unreimbursed personal expenses. The announcement comes as the church undertakes a massive external audit of MacDonalds use of church finances and a report that he was being paid nearly a million dollars per year in regular salary, while having access to approximately a million more in discretionary spending. Just over a week ago, The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability also announced that they had terminated HBCs membership based on further investigation into the megachurchs operation. While an earlier report said MacDonald had access to between $800,000 to $1.2 million in discretionary funds, on top of his nearly $1 million annual salary, the church confirmed in their weekend statement that he was only given $451,000 in discretionary funds in 2018. The church also revealed that the discretionary spending account was at the crux of the ECFAs termination of their membership. The greatest area of failure to meet ECFAs standards was in the management and control of the former Senior Pastors discretionary account. This account was a portion of the general compensation budget and was managed and controlled exclusively by a combination of three people in 2018: the former Senior Pastor, the former Chief Operating Officer, and the former Senior Administrator to the Senior Pastor. These three people are no longer employed by Harvest Bible Chapel, the church said. Expenses of this account were handled outside of our standard accounting controls, and there was no line-item accountability presented to the elders by those people. After further review, we have found the documentation of these expenses to be insufficient and inconsistent. The funding of this discretionary account for 2018 was for the amount of $451,000. That was comprised of $315,000 from HBCs general fund and $136,000 from Walk in the Word, leaders explained. Church leaders said they are currently taking steps internally to ensure that financial abuse on this scale doesnt happen again including a review of four years of expenditure by MacDonald. We have closed the [discretionary] bank account and eliminated any use of the credit cards that were used for expenses incurred under the former Senior Pastors office. This discretionary account no longer exists. Furthermore, we have begun the process of identifying every expense of this account for the past four years. If items were classified as expenses rather than taxable fringe benefits, we will adjust tax documentation to be accurate. Finally, our new elder board will be responsible for amending the by-laws to ensure that something like this can never happen again, HBC said. The church also said even though the ECFA found them to be in full compliance with the organizations standards despite the financial abuse uncovered, officials did not provide the organization with sufficient details to accurately assess their standing. On December 10, 2018, ECFA requested information regarding their seven standards. ECFA did not receive the necessary information in order to accurately assess our standing as members because the detail of the usage of this discretionary account was not known. However, beginning in mid-January, information was brought forward from former employees of HBC that began to uncover more details regarding the spending and oversight of this discretionary account, the church said. On March 11, 2019, during a conference call, these new details were shared with ECFA leaders leading to the suspension of HBCs membership pending further review. On a follow up call on April 15, 2019, a clearer view of the spending and lack of oversight of this discretionary account led to the termination of HBCs membership. The Church Leadership Team agrees this membership termination was rightful and necessary, officials said. The church says it is now working to regain the ECFA's seal of approval. John Piper open to cremation under certain circumstances Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Notable Bible teacher and DesiringGod.org founder John Piper argued that cremation can sometimes be an acceptable practice. In an episode of Ask Pastor John posted to Desiring God on Monday, a listener inquired about the practice of cremation in relation to donating ones body to science. In the past, Piper has stated that while he is critical of cremation, he does support donating ones organs to science after death. A listener specifically asked the Bible teacher his opinion on whether cremation was an acceptable practice after a person had given their organs to science. Im a nurse at the local university medical center, and Im considering donating my body to them when I die. After they harvest organs and tissues, the rest of the body is cremated, inquired the person. Im seeking your wisdom on this situation. (1) Is it virtuous for Christians to donate their organs and tissues for medical use? (2) Is cremation less of a concern in such a situation? Piper answered yes to both of those questions provided that the heart is humble and trusting Gods mercy rather than proud and seeking to score points with God and man. You can donate your body and be an arrogant person trying to earn Gods favor, but Im assuming thats not at all the case here, said Piper. If we act from faith, it can be a beautiful act of love for Christians to donate their organs and tissues for medical use. Yes, cremation, while not ideal, may carry new meaning under those circumstances. Piper commented that he believed there are other values that might override the ordinary way Christians show honor to the body in burial. One of those would be the conviction that offering our bodies to medical science may serve the discovery of some disease-healing drug or may provide an organ transplant that could save a person whos about to die on dialysis or something like that, noted Piper. The value of loving others in this way may override the value of burying the body (in its entirety at least). Historically, Christians have opposed cremation under the belief that since the body was made in the image of God, it deserves the respect of burial. Nevertheless, there is no explicit condemnation of cremation in Scripture and the practice has seen a rise in popularity in the United States in recent years. Russell Moore, head of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, weighed in on the issue in a Gospel Coalition video released in February. In the video, Moore stated that the question of burial or cremation should center on What do we, as the people of God, intend to communicate when we are dealing with our dead? The body isnt just a disposable container of the person, said Moore, who noted that he did not want to judge those who opted to cremate a loved one. When we care for the body and when we honor the body, we communicate that the body matters and that a day of resurrection is coming. Norman Geisler retiring from Southern Evangelical Seminary over health issues Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Notable Christian apologist and philosopher Norman Geisler, will be retiring from his teaching position at Southern Evangelical Seminary, which he helped found, over undisclosed health issues. The Charlotte, North Carolina-based Seminary sent out a press release on Monday announcing the 86-year-old Geislers retirement, explaining that it was due to health reasons. SES President Richard Land, who also serves as executive editor of The Christian Post, said in the press release that Geisler was the pre-eminent Christian apologist of the past half-century. If they ever construct a Christian apologists Mount Rushmore, they would unquestionably start with Dr. Geislers visage. He has truly been one of Gods great gifts to His church, stated Land. Southern Evangelical Seminary would not exist without Dr. Geislers vision and dedicated service over the past 27 years. Dr. Geisler has assured me that he wants to continue to support SES in any way he can, as his health allows. Born on July 21, 1932 in Warren, Michigan, Geisler graduated with honors from Wheaton College in 1958 with a bachelor of arts in Philosophy, received a masters in Theology from Wheaton Graduate School in 1960, and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Loyola University in Chicago in 1970. Geisler frequently participated in academic debates on topics like creation and evolution, humanistic ethics, sexual morality, and the existence of God. He is also a prolific author. Norm has authored or co-authored over 100 books and hundreds of articles. He has taught theology, philosophy, and apologetics on the college or graduate level for over 50 years, noted an entry on his website. He has served as a professor at some of the finest Seminaries in the United States, including Trinity Evangelical Seminary, Dallas Seminary, and Southern Evangelical Seminary. Geisler was one of about 300 signatories of the influential 1978 document The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy. The authority of Scripture is a key issue for the Christian church in this and every age. Those who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are called to show the reality of their discipleship by humbly and faithfully obeying God's written Word, read the Statements Preface. To stray from Scripture in faith or conduct is disloyalty to our Master. Recognition of the total truth and trustworthiness of Holy Scripture is essential to a full grasp and adequate confession of its authority. In 1992, Geisler co-founded Southern Evangelical Seminary along with evangelist and former Calvary Church pastor Ross Rhoads, who passed away in 2017. Pastor Rhoads burden for evangelism and Professor Geislers concern to defend the historic Christian Faith combined in the two-fold vision of the seminary to evangelize the world and to defend the historic Christian Faith, noted SES. The Seminary grew rapidly, attracting students from all over the United States and several other countries; from the beginning it attracted national attention by its unique program in evangelism and classical apologetics. In 1995 the first graduate received his degree. Pastor of gunman in Calif. synagogue shooting calls it horrible act of evil Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The pastor of the church that a 19-year-old who shot-up a California synagogue attended denounced the shooting as an act of evil and said that the shooting was a shock to his congregation. Zach Keele is a pastor at Escondido Orthodox Presbyterian Church, where John Earnest, the suspect in the shooting at the Chabad of Poway synagogue in San Diego, attended. Keele told CNN on Sunday that while Earnest was an attendee, he did not attend Sunday School or youth group. He also explained that he and his church were shocked to learn of the attack. This is a complete surprise. He was quiet, kept to himself, sweet guy. We had no idea. This a surprise to all of us, explained Keele. Keele gave his condolences to the victims, adding that it just saddens us that this horrible act of evil could come from someone we know. It is not part of our beliefs, our practices, our teachings in any way. Our hearts, our prayers, our tears go out to the victims. To all those wonderful neighbors at the synagogue, we pray for them, stated Keele. We believe in lifting high the love of Christ to all people men, women, old and young from every tribe and denomination. On the last day of Passover, a gunman entered the Chabad synagogue and opened fire, killing one woman and wounding three others, including the congregations rabbi, Yisroel Goldstein. Despite being wounded, Rabbi Goldstein wrapped his injured hand with a prayer shawl and addressed his congregation after the shooter had fled, according to Time magazine. We are a Jewish nation that will stand tall. We will not let anyone take us down. Terrorism like this will not take us down, he stated, as reported by Time. The woman who died has been identified as Lori Kaye, 60. She was shot when she stepped between the gunman and the rabbi. Goldstein paid tribute to her on Sunday, saying she was "the example of kindness to the fullest extent," according to CNN. The injured were treated at a nearby hospital for gun and shrapnel wounds, with officials reporting on Sunday that all three had been discharged from the facility. Soon after the shooting, Earnest was detained by authorities after his vehicle was spotted by a San Diego police officer on his way to the synagogue. David Jeremiah, senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California, expressed condolences. "Poway is a community close to Turning Point and Shadow Mountain Community Church. Our prayers are with the victims and their families and for all the Jewish people throughout this city, this country, and the world," said Jeremiah in a statement. "The Christian community stands firmly and compassionately behind our Jewish brothers and sisters, and we condemn hatred against anyone, especially those with their heads bowed in prayer, as those in Poway were, celebrating the last day of Passover. May God be close to those who have suffered this terrible tragedy." President Donald Trump, who has Jewish family members, expressed his deepest sympathies. We're some doing very heavy research We'll see what happens, what comes up. At this moment it looks like a hate crime, but my deepest sympathies to all those affected and we'll get to the bottom of it," Trump stated. Trump also spoke on the phone with Rabbi Goldstein, who described the president as "comforting." "Im really grateful to our president for taking the time and making that effort to share with us his comfort and consolation," the rabbi said. Sex, gender identity different, funeral director headed to Supreme Court over LGBT suit says Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The head of a Michigan-based funeral home sued by a former transgender employee opposed to the companys dress code maintains that, despite claims by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, sex and gender identity are different. Thomas Rost, owner of R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes, had an opinion column published last week by The Detroit News soon after the United States Supreme Court agreed to hear oral arguments in his case. He noted that both he and a Florida-based company named Lakeland Eye Clinic were sued over the issue of defining civil rights law on the term sex to include gender identity. EEOC accused both my business and the eye clinic of discrimination on the basis of sex a term the agency reads to mean gender identity. The eye clinic settled. I admit that I was tempted to settle also, explained Rost. But sex and gender identity are not the same thing. Businesses have the right to rely on what the law is at the time that they make business decisions. Employers like me shouldnt risk incurring punitive damages for following existing laws. Rost went on to argue that he believed the EEOC was attempting to usurp Congress through trying to create drastic change through the courts. As my former employee testified, employers would have to treat men who believe themselves to be women as women unless those employees dont meet the expectations of what females typically look like, continued Rost. That sounds unworkable and like its demanding that employers stereotype their own employees. Rost went on to note that while the case has hindered his ability to pursue possible major business plans, he nevertheless was not taking it personally. I know Ive been targeted because the EEOC wants to rewrite federal law. After all, what interest could the EEOC have in forcing small funeral homes like mine to change how we serve families mourning the loss of loved ones? Were just a means to an end, he concluded. Rost also noted that he's a descendant of a minister who traveled to America on the Mayflower, and this "rich heritage of Christian ministry may have been part of what compelled me to serve the grieving." Last week, the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case of R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. At issue was whether Title VII applies to gender identity as it already applies to biological sex. In September 2014, the EEOC filed a lawsuit against Harris Funeral Homes over the firing of Aimee Stephens, formerly known as Anthony Stephens. The case was one of the first legal actions the EEOC took on behalf of transgender individuals alleging sex discrimination against an employer. In August of 2016, U.S. District Court Judge Sean F. Cox ruled in favor of Harris, ruling that the funeral home was protected under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. However, in March 2018, a three judge panel of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals overruled the lower court and concluded that Rost unlawfully discriminated against Stephens. Last October, the Trump administration filed a friend-of-the-court brief on behalf of the funeral home, arguing that "the court of appeals misread the statute and this Court's decisions in concluding that Title VII encompasses discrimination on the basis of gender identity." Judge blocks Trump admin.'s Title X rule stripping abortion clinics of funding Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A federal judge in Washington state issued a preliminary nationwide injunction blocking the Trump administrations new Title X family planning policy barring funding recipients from promoting or referring women for abortion days before it was to go into effect. The order comes from United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian, who on Thursday reasoned that arguments presented by the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits. The state of Washington, the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, and Cedar River Clinics sued to block the new Department of Health and Human Services rule issued in March and scheduled to go into effect on May 3. Abortion organizations like Planned Parenthood, the nations largest abortion provider, and NFPRHA argued that the regulation is essentially a gag rule that would prevent women from receiving family planning aid. They fear that the rule will essentially block abortion clinics from receiving Title X funding. The Title X program gives out about $286 million annually to programs that provide things like birth control, mammograms (which Planned Parenthood does not offer), and cancer screenings. Planned Parenthood receives about $60 million per year. The judge said the plaintiffs presented the argument that the new policy violates Title X regulations and section 1554 of the Affordable Care Act. In so finding, the court has not concluded that Plaintiffs will definitely prevail on the merits, nor has it concluded that they are more likely going to prevail, the judge wrote. The preliminary injunction standard requires neither of these conclusions. Four lawsuits have been filed in various states against the policy. Bastian is just now the second judge to rule against Trumps gag-rule. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Michael J. McShane in Oregon granted a preliminary injunction against the HHS rule and called it a "ham-fisted approach to public health policy.'' That case was filed by Oregon and about 20 others states. However, McShane has not yet written an opinion but suggested that he was reluctant to set a national health policy, suggesting his ruling might not be national in scope. Bastians ruling Thursday finds that the plaintiffs presented facts to demonstrate that they are likely to suffer irreparable harm without an injunction and that it could seriously disrupt or destroy the existing network of Title X providers in both the state of Washington and throughout the entire nation. [T]his network has been carefully knit together over the past 45 years and there is no evidence presented by the Department that Title X is being violated or ignored by this network of providers, the ruling states. It should be noted that the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association represents over 800 health organizations in all 50 states. Bastians ruling favors the plaintiffs argument that the ruling will cause Washington and other states unnecessary costs due to the separation rule" requiring abortion organizations to have a "clear financial and physical separation for Title X funded programs from programs and facilities where abortion is a method of family planning." Plaintiffs have presented initial facts and argument that the separation requirement in the Final Rule forces clinics that provide abortion services to maintain separate facilities and finances for Title X programs will more likely than not increase their expenses unnecessarily and unreasonably, Bastian wrote. Bastian also said the plaintiffs and supporters who filed amicus briefs presented facts to argue that the HHS rule is arbitrary and capricious and reverses long-standing positions of the department without proper consideration of sound medical opinions and the economic and non-economic consequences. The Trump administration argued that the HHS policy is justified through the 1988 Supreme court decision in the case of Rust v. Sullivan, where the high court upheld a similar policy that was later ended under Democrat President Bill Clinton. Bastian criticized the administration for relying on a 30-year-old Supreme Court ruling, suggesting that the ruling was out of date. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in a statement that the ruling ensures women with unplanned pregnancies can continue to receive unbiased healthcare. The ruling states that Washington stands to lose $28 million in savings from the loss of federal dollars and showed that it is not legally or logistically feasible for Washington to continue accepting any Title X funding subject to the Final Rule. Trumps gag rule would have jeopardized health care access to women across the country, Ferguson argued. Title X clinics, such as Planned Parenthood, provide essential services now they can keep serving women while we continue to fight to keep the federal government out of the exam room. NFPRHA and Cedar River Clinics were represented by The American Civil Liberties Union. As Bastians ruling is nationwide in its scope, Justice Department spokeswoman Kelly Laco criticized the judges decision to go beyond the parties before the court in an attempt to block executive branch actions. The Department of Justice's position is supported by long-standing Supreme Court precedent and should be upheld," Laco argued. Part of the plaintiffs arguments is that Title X policy already prevents organizations from using funds it receives from being used for abortion programs. While the ruling has been praised by abortion advocates, pro-life litigators question the way in which the order was issued. The same day as a federal district court in Washington heard oral argument, it issued a 19-page order granting a sweeping nationwide injunction against all of the challenged provisions of the Title X Rule based on all the legal theories raised by the challengers, Americans United for Life Litigation Counsel Rachel Morrison said in a statement. The orders analysis consisted merely of conclusory statements that the challengers have presented initial facts and argument on each claim without identifying any specific facts or arguments. Morrison believes that Bastians order did not truly grapple with any of the responses from the federal government and simply rejected them in a single sentence as dismissive, speculative, and not based on any evidence presented. There was no reasoned analysis for why the district court did not apply the U.S. Supreme Courts binding decision in Rust v. Sullivan, which upheld similar Title X regulations, other than the fact that the regulations were from 30 years ago and subsequent administrations have issued different regulations in the interim, Morrison stressed. Even though Title X statutorily excludes abortion from its family planning projects and funding, the district court apparently believes that Title X providers have a right to continue to receive taxpayer dollars to support their advocacy and promotion of abortion. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment In February, the Yale Law School chapter of the Federalist Society invited Kristen Waggoner of the Alliance Defending Freedom to speak on campus. This, to put it mildly, didnt go over well with some of the law schools more woke students. Using talking points straight from the Southern Poverty Law Center, students protested Waggoners visit, calling the ADF a homophobic, transphobic hate group. If thats all that had happened, it would merely have been yet another example of progressive intolerance. However, the way things escalated makes clear how serious the on-campus threats to religious freedom have become, and just where those threats are coming from. The protesters not only protested, they had a list of demands, including that Yale Law would make it more difficult for students to work at discriminatory organizations like ADF and that the school would consider denying admission to applicants who worked on certain religious liberty efforts before law school. As Yale Law School alum Samuel Adkisson wrote in USA Today, these kinds of demands are usually greeted with laughter. But not this time. Not only did Yale cave into the demands, they went beyond them by announcing an expanded anti-discrimination policy. Under the new policy, employers who hire Yale students or graduates who benefit from the schools public-interest funding, its loan-repayment program, and its post-graduate fellowships, must promise that they will not consider an applicants religion, religious creed, gender identity or gender expression in the hiring decision. The sound you hear is doors of opportunity for students slamming shut everywhere. Basically, any organization that runs afoul of the new sexual orthodoxy thats driving this new policy, will find it much more difficult to recruit Yale Law School grads. And those grads whose motivations run toward non-profit or public service will find their choices significantly narrowed. Yales blatant discrimination against people with traditional religious beliefs is an important reminder of where the greatest challenge to religious freedom currently lies in our culture. As David French wrote at National Review, one of the prime sources of [culture war] conflict is the increasing progressive tendency to use the financial and cultural power of progressive institutions to force social change regardless of the underlying mission of the institution. Think back to the controversy over Indianas attempt to enact a state-level Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The most vocal and well-funded opposition came from companies like Salesforce, which threatened to boycott the state, and Angies List, which said it would shelve plans to expand its headquarters in Indianapolis. Even the NCAA, which is based in Indianapolis, threatened to no longer hold the Final Four in the city. Private-sector threats to religious liberty are dangerous precisely because, unlike governments, universities or a Fortune 500 company arent covered by the First Amendment or RFRA. While they can run afoul of anti-discrimination laws, as French wrote, we should not confuse Yales actions with a constitutional violation. Thus, legal recourse against Yale is unlikely. This is another example where politics tends to be downstream from the rest of culture. As more and more private entities act in concert with activists who have declared traditional Christian morality beyond the pale, the more likely we are to see public policy follow suit. And this allows private companies and colleges to divert attention from other things theyre doing, like dangerous working conditions in Chinese factories or trampling their customers privacy online or selling an education that delivers no return. Whenever theyre challenged, they simply yell, Hey! Check out our rainbow flag! All of this is why corporate and academic wokeness, even more than the government, is a primary threat to religious freedom. Resources The Culture War Is Getting Worse Yale Law School Edition, David French | National Review | April 9, 2019 Yale Law School policy may discriminate against Christian groups, Sen. Ted Cruz says, Bradford Betz | Foxnews.com | April 8, 2019 Originally posted at Breakpoint. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI recently surprised church observers by weighing in on the Roman Catholic Churchs sexual abuse scandal. In an almost 6,000-word article published in Germany, Benedict argued that clerical sexual abuse could be traced to the moral transformation that transpired during the sexual revolution of the 1960s. The rejection of biblical morality and absolute truth, Benedict said, has led to the dissolution of the Christian concept of morality. The public comments represent a rare move for the former pontiff, who, in 2013, became the first pope in nearly 600 years to resign. At the time, Benedict pledged to live out his remaining years in quiet contemplation. Thus, his public letter, which was approved by Pope Francis, is a notable change for the former leader of the worlds largest church. Initial reaction to Benedicts letter was mixed. Whereas conservatives praised the former popes analysis, those on the theological left immediately criticized the letter for its thin analysis of the situation. Critics, such as church historian Christopher Bellitto, attacked Benedicts letter for omitting conclusions that were reached during a February summit in Rome, such as the claims that abusers were priests along the ideological spectrum, that the abuse predated the 1960s, that it is a global and not simply Western problem, [and] that homosexuality is not the issue in pedophilia. As far as the contents of the letter, it is divided into three parts. The first section outlines the wider social context of the clerical sexual abuse scandal. In scathing language, Benedict attacks the 1960s as a time when the previously normative standards regarding sexuality collapsed entirely. Specifically, Benedict points to the loss of objective truth as a major turning point for the church. Although the former popes analysis, in nature, is largely theological, he is specific about how changing cultural mores led to a rejecting of standards of right and wrong. For example, he argues that sexual and pornographic movies became a common occurrence and that violence and sexual deviance began to be tolerated. Elsewhere, he writes, Among the freedoms that the Revolution of 1968 sought to fight for was this all-out sexual freedom, one which no longer conceded any norms. These changes in the culture eventually found their way into the seminaries. The extensive collapse of the next generation of priests in those years and the very high number of laicizations were a consequence of all these developments, Benedict wrote. Arguing for the reality of and the need to recover biblical truth, he stated, There are values which must never be abandoned for a greater value. In the second part of the letter, Benedict discusses how this loss of morality affected Catholic educational institutions, including seminaries. He notes, As regards the problem of preparation for priestly ministry in seminaries, there is in fact a far-reaching breakdown of the previous form of this preparation. Specifically, Benedict notes the rise of homosexual cliques that changed the climate in many Catholic seminaries. Referring to one example, he notes, the climate in this seminary could not provide support for preparation to the priestly vocation. Benedict goes on to note that the seminaries have improved since the 1970s. In the final section of the letter, Benedict offers some thoughts on how the church should now move forward. Part apologetic, part pastoral counsel, Benedict argues in this section for a return to the content of the Faith as laid down in the Bible. Commenting on the widely-held secular belief that the public square should be desacralized, Benedict notes that the death of God in society also means the end of freedom. He goes on to observe that the secular and cultural elite believe Western society is a society in which God is absent in the public sphere and has nothing left to offer it. Against this, Benedict argues that when the ground of morality is removed, the measure of humanity is increasingly lost. Reflecting on the current crisis, Benedict offers a theological reflection: Why did pedophilia reach such proportions in the church? Ultimately, the reason is the absence of God. For Christians reading the former popes letter, there are a few important take-aways. First, Benedict is helpful in connecting the rejection of objective truth to the collapse of moral standards. When absolute truth is abandoned the result is the eventual acceptance of all sorts of depravation. This is why Christians have long recognized that moral values must be grounded in Gods revelation. The Bible, as Gods Word, is the final authority in matters of right and wrong. In regard to sexual ethics, pornography, homosexuality, and pedophilia are wrong because they deviate from Gods intention for marriage and human sexuality. Second, the pope is right to point out the disastrous effects of the ideology underlying the sexual revolution. Although many commentators have called the popes assessment of the moral climate of the 1960s embarrassing, it is true that norms regarding sexuality were undermined during the sexual revolution. In his attempt to trace the causes of the abuse scandal, Benedict is noting what happens when moral standards are abandoned. To be sure, the abuse in the Catholic church goes beyond the sexual liberation movement of the 1960s; clerical abuse predates the middle of the twentieth century. But the popes cultural analysis, particularly his observation about theological liberalism and his caution about the dangers of moral relativism are helpful. If biblical truth on marriage and sexuality is compromised and replaced with teaching antithetical to Gods Word especially in the institutions responsible for training aspiring ministers the result will be a confused generation of priests unprepared to lead the church. Third, Christians who read Benedicts letter should heed his heartfelt admonition about societys desperate need for God. Tragically, the pope is right in his diagnosis that Western society is a society in which God is absent in the public sphere. But Christians should insist that the evacuation of God and biblical values from the public square is an unnecessary concession to secularists who demand a value neutral public square. As Richard John Neuhaus argued years ago, the notion that religiously informed beliefs must be kept out of our public discourse is false and based on the misguided belief that secular values are non-religious. Ultimately, everyone enters the public square with a worldview grounded in fundamental beliefs about what is true; everyone has commitments formed by an overarching metanarrative. And because our culture desperately needs God, Christians, the people who truly believe that the gospel is the answer to the worlds problems, must recommit themselves to loving their neighbors by sharing the good news of Gods grace. Finally, Christians should embrace Pope Benedicts call to embrace the incarnation. Believers celebrate especially during Holy Week as we prepare to observe Easter the reality that in the incarnation Jesus willingly offered Himself as the substitute for human sin. Therefore, the incarnation is the preeminent display of Gods love for His children and is the basis for establishing a right relationship between God and man. While much of the media hullabaloo surrounding the release of the former popes letter stems from the unprecedented nature of having a pope emeritus, the theological and historical ruminations and pastoral counsel within the letter deserves attention. In our modern cultural climate where theology and biblical truth are largely considered outdated or irrelevant, the popes exhortation to hold fast to the churchs timeless moral beliefs is a needed reminder. The full text of Pope Benedicts letter can be read here. David Closson is Family Research Council's research fellow for Religious Liberty and Biblical Worldview. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Catholic Charities has provided foster care services to the children and families in Philadelphia for a century, which began long before the City of Philadelphia had begun its involvement with foster care. Being Catholic, Catholic Charities has certain standards which it follows to determine whether a family is suitable placement with a child. Among those standards is whether that familys living arrangement is consistent with Catholic beliefs. Accordingly, Catholic Charities practice was to not place children in households that have unmarried partners, which includes partners that are the same sex. The City of Philadelphia began regulating foster care in the 1950s, and until 2018, Catholic Charities and Philadelphia had a healthy relationship, despite the fact that their placement practices were according to Catholic beliefs. However, in 2018, the City began inquiring about why Catholic Charities would not place children with same-sex couples. During a meeting, city officials told Catholic Charities that it is not 100 years ago, that times have changed and that the Citys view of the teachings of Pope Francis should be followed. Immediately after the meeting, Philadelphia informed Catholic Charities that it would no longer refer them for foster children. The Third Circuit handed down a precedential Opinion in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia. The regions highest court, under only the Supreme Court, affirmed Philadelphias decision to no longer refer children to Catholic Charities, which effectively shuts the charity down. It is alarming that Philadelphia and the Courts are both comfortable with shutting the doors of a charity that has served children for a longer period of time than the government itself. But the reasoning is what is truly alarming. The Third Circuit repeatedly made reference to the idea that Philadelphia did not force Catholic Charities to change their beliefs or objections regarding same-sex relationships, so therefore Philadelphias actions pass constitutional scrutiny. Consider these quotes: In a letter, the City respect(s) [Catholic Charitys] sincere religious beliefs, but your freedom to express them is not at issue here where you have chosen voluntarily to partner with us. The Third Circuit highlighted caselaw, emphasizing that the First Amendment obviously excludes all governmental regulation of religious beliefs. [W]hilereligious and philosophical objections to same-sex marriage are protected, it is a general rule that such objections do not allow businessto deny protected persons equal access to goods and services. There is simply no evidence that this is a veiled attempt to coerce or impose certain religious beliefs on [Catholic Charities]. The Third Circuit creates a separation between belief and practice. It claims that a charity can hold onto its beliefs, so long as it can regulate the charitys practices. But the problem is that Philadelphia and the Third Circuit are, in essence, saying that citizens can believe what they want about marriage, they just cannot act upon those beliefs. A foster care charity can believe that it is best for the child to be placed in a home with a married man and women, or alternatively a single parent, but it cannot put that belief into practice. However, the First Amendment doesnt guarantee that we have the right to believe what we want. It guarantees that government cannot prohibit the free exercise of religion. Exercise inherently means to act, not merely believe. This decision is the symptom of a larger problem that needs to be corrected. The quotes above come from other cases, meaning the Third Circuit is acting upon a trend in case law. Courts have made the transition from exercise to belief. This needs to be fixed. What good is the freedom to believe something if one cannot act out their beliefs? Catholic parents deserve the ability to have access to foster care through an agency that views family in the same way that they do. Adoption and foster care are, after all, are one of the most personal and life-changing events that a family can participate in. And, often, fostering an adopting are religiously motivated. Likewise, those who are called by God to serve youth and adoptive families should not be forced to choose between their sincerely held religious beliefs about family and their religious calling into that charitable cause. The Free Exercise Clause needs to be restored. Perhaps this is the perfect case to accomplish the needed change in case law. The cause is certainly sympathetic. Catholic Charities should appeal. Hopefully, the Supreme Court takes this case and corrects this problem. Curtis Schube serves as legal counsel for the Independence Law Center. Christians stand with California's Jewish community after deadly attack on synagogue Christian leaders have condemned a deadly attack on a synagogue in California on Saturday as the Jewish community was marking the last day of Passover. One woman was killed and three others wounded, including the rabbi, when a gunman opened fire on worshippers at Congregation Chabad in Poway, California, about 22 miles north of San Diego. Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein lost a finger as he put his hands up to protect himself when he came face to face with the shooter. "As soon as he saw me, he started to shoot toward me and that is when I put my hands up," Rabbi Goldstein said on NBC's Sunday Today programme. "I cannot erase that face from my mind." The suspect is 19-year-old John Earnest, who surrendered himself to police on a highway in nearby Rancho Bernardo, and is believed to be the author of a "manifesto" posted online claiming responsibility for a recent mosque arson attack and referencing deadly mosque attacks in New Zealand as a source of inspiration. In a statement, representatives of the Chabad synagogue said their hearts were "shattered by the cold-blooded attack" and that God's heart "aches from senseless tragedies like these". "While commemorating the Jewish people's miraculous liberation from bondage and persecution more than 3,300 years ago, and preparing to remember their departed loved ones at the Yizkor service, these beautiful people were heinously attacked for no reason other than the fact that they were Jewish," they said. "We offer our immense gratitude to God that the full scope of the perpetrator's evil intent to commit mass murder was miraculously unrealised when his rifle inexplicably jammed, though tragically not before snuffing out the life of a most beautiful human being and injuring others." They paid tribute to Lori Gilbert-Kaye, who lost her life in the attack, as a "community trailblazer". They said the attack on Chabad and other places of worship recently underscored the "critical need" for the moral education of young people rooted in faith in God. They also called for acts of kindness to counter hate. "Cold-blooded, fanatical, baseless, relentless hatred can be uprooted from its core only by saturating our world with pure, undiscriminating, uninhibited, unyielding love and acts of kindness, and by teaching that to all our children, in our schools and our homes," they said. Christian peace campaigner the Rev Joseph D'Souza called upon faith leaders to speak out against extremism in their communities. "There is no worse form of terrorist extremism than an attack on a place of worship whether it be arson at churches in Louisiana, mass shootings at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, or this weekend's attack on a synagogue in Poway, California," he said. "This evil must be confronted by all of us, especially faith leaders who at times have to overcome threats from within their own community to speak up against extremism. We cannot be bystanders in this war against the right of any community to worship in peace. Enough is enough." Georgia pastor Jentezen Franklin said that acts of violence were not the will of God. "It seems a week doesn't go by before we hear of yet another attack against those peacefully exercising their right to worship," he said. "I'm grieving for the people of Poway, California tonight and the Jewish community around the world after such a senseless synagogue shooting. "I so desperately want the world to know that the God who made us and loves us does not call us to act in violence towards anyone. In a time of increasing hostility towards nearly every faith, I pray we all take a moment to remind our children that a bullet, a bomb or a clenched fist is never the answer to our troubles. "Loving your neighborno matter their race, religion, or creedis always the better choice." Church of England offers 'unreserved apology' after harrowing Panorama investigation into child sexual abuse The Church of England's lead safeguarding bishop Peter Hancock has offered an "unreserved apology" after a harrowing BBC Panorama investigation into the Church's handling of child sexual abuse. Two former bishops of Lincoln were accused in the programme of failing to act on information regarding child sexual abuse. In 2015, Lincoln Diocese gave police 53 names of concern, the investigation revealed. Rick Hatton, Deputy Superintendent of Lincolnshire Police, said that the number of people on the list "was a surprise to say the least". "We whittled it down to about 25 names, whereby we either knew that they'd committed offences or there was some issue around risk to members of the public from them," he told the programme. "There was the ongoing concern that actually those people were working with children. Potentially there was still a risk." Three people were eventually convicted in relation to historic child sexual abuse in Lincoln Diocese as a result of the police investigation. They included Roy Griffiths, the former deputy head teacher and choirmaster at Lincoln Cathedral School, who last year was jailed for six years and seven months after admitting to charges involving the sexual abuse of boys in his care between 1963 and 1970. One of Mr Griffith's survivors, Kevin Bennington, said: "It should have been dealt with right away and the Church should have instructed the police [...] and they didn't, they just turned a blind eye and moved on." Another of his victims, Mark Wheeler, described Mr Griffiths as "cold and frightening". "He was just all powerful," he said. Mr Bennington, who now lives in Canada, said that when the abuse escalated during a school trip in 1969, his mother reported it to the then Bishop of Lincoln, the late Rt Rev Kenneth Riches. Another complaint was made against Mr Griffiths the following year. Despite the reports, the programme said that the police were not informed and Mr Griffiths left the school a few months later. He moved to Papua New Guinea where he took up a new teaching post at an Anglican boys' school. A second former Bishop of Lincoln, the Rt Rev Robert Hardy, was reportedly informed in the 1990s by then Director of Education, John Bailey, that he had inappropriately touched a female as a "one-off" in the past. Bishop Hardy told Panorama that no one had contacted him at the time or subsequently to complain about Mr Bailey. He claimed that had they done so, he would have investigated it further. Mr Bailey was prosecuted in 2017 following Operation Redstone, in which he admitted to 25 counts of indecent assault against three girls. He was sentenced to six years in prison. In 2007, the Church of England had ordered a national review of staff and clergy files going back decades to assess whether there more safeguarding failings. Some 40,000 records were examined as part of the Past Cases Review (PCR) but the Church did not speak to survivors of the abuse. At the end of the review, the Church of England concluded that only 13 cases required further action. "I thought it was fundamentally flawed," Phil Johnson, chair of Ministers and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors, told Panorama. "I just thought, this is not credible," he added. The Bishop of Buckingham Alan Wilson agrees. He told Panorama, "I'm very disturbed now to have found out that there seems to have been quite a process of whittling down the numbers by changing the criteria of what was being looked for. And I think there was a lot of massaging going on at the centre that was deeply suspect." Asked whether the Church had put its own interests before the needs of survivors, Bishop Hancock told Panorama investigators: "I think there was too much concern about the reputation of the Church and there was not enough care for those themselves who are victims of abuse." In a statement issued after the programme aired on Monday night, Bishop Hancock said that the PCR was "well-intentioned" but "in hindsight clearly flawed". "It has been harrowing to hear survivors' accounts of their abuse - shared on BBC Panorama - and we issue an unreserved apology for how we have failed them," he said. In light of a separate independent report last year by by Sir Roger Singleton which also highlighted the failures of the PCR, Bishop Hancock said a second past cases review was now being carried out in which the accounts of survivors would be heard. "We fully acknowledge that it was a serious mistake not to work with and hear from survivors during the original PCR," he said. "The new review will ensure survivors voices are heard. We are aware of the courage it takes for survivors to come forward knowing that the effects of their abuse are with them for life. "I would urge anyone affected by the Panorama programme to call the NSPCC helpline number 0808 800 5000." The Rt Rev Dr Nicholas Chamberlain, Bishop of Grantham and lead bishop for safeguarding for the Diocese of Lincoln, said the diocese was now working closely with the police to ensure that suspected abuse is properly dealt with. "The Diocese of Lincoln wishes to acknowledge that past matters have not been handled well," he said. "The diocese is committed to learn from its mistakes. I am very sorry that it took so long for justice to be served." Responding to the Panorama programme, Church of England priest Peter Ould told Christian Today that senior bishops needed to ensure safeguarding was being properly implemented right the way down through the Church. "The revelations in tonight's Panorama are distressing and add to the evidence that the Church of England have failed in the past to act properly in these matters," he said. "It should be incumbent on all senior leaders in the Church to enact immediately all safeguarding and safe recruiting requirements that they have agreed and to be held fully to account if they fail in this." Former Dean of Durham Michael Sadgrove said the findings were "deeply troubling". "How can we have been so blind about child abuse?" he tweeted. The Bishop of Grantham's statement on the Panorama programme in full: Whilst some matters remain under investigation it is not possible to comment specifically on the questions that have been posed to the diocese by the BBC. The Diocese of Lincoln wishes to acknowledge that past matters have not been handled well. The diocese is committed to learn from its mistakes. I am very sorry that it took so long for justice to be served. The past abuse that our safeguarding team brought to light, through our revisiting and review of past cases, is all the more appalling given what the public deserve and are fully entitled to expect, which is the highest level of conduct from clergy and all those involved in leadership in the church. All people are made in the image of God and abuse of any kind is contrary to that belief. It is as a result of our commitment to ensuring justice is served, that our safeguarding team have developed an effective partnership with Lincolnshire Police, working together on Operation Redstone. Together they have worked tirelessly to ensure that convictions were secured where possible and where this was not an option, that risk was managed appropriately. Throughout all recent processes our hope is that victims and survivors have felt heard, and been well supported and cared for, although we acknowledge we may not have always got this right. Every effort is being made to ensure that safeguarding is part of the DNA of the Diocese of Lincoln. There are high levels of confidence in our safeguarding practitioners from Lincolnshire Police and statutory authorities. There is mandatory safeguarding training that is externally audited and independently validated with support from Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children and Adult partnership boards. Our safeguarding team have delivered face to face training to 3296 people in the past five years. As a diocese we promise to offer support to anyone who contacts us about issues of harm or abuse and are committed to ensure that churches are a safe place for all. With best wishes, The Right Reverend Dr Nicholas Chamberlain Bishop of Grantham Parental concerns over sex education should not be 'brushed aside', says bishop The Bishop of Durham has voiced concerns that the Government is failing to give proper consideration to the concerns of religious parents around new relationships and sex education lessons. Addressing the House of Lords, Bishop Paul Butler said that he was "deeply concerned" that relationships education was not being made optional for primary school children. The change is being introduced by the Government in the biggest overhaul of relationships and sex education in schools in 20 years. Under new legislation, parents will have the right to opt their children out of sex education at the primary school level, but not relationships education. The changes, coming into effect in September 2020, will also limit the ability of parents to opt their children out of sex and relationships classes in secondary school, with head teachers reserving the right to enroll them in "exceptional circumstances" and students being able to decide for themselves after the age of 15. The lessons have come under scrutiny because of concerns that they will undermine the rights of parents, particularly those of faith, to raise their children in line with their own beliefs. Bishop Butler commended the legislation for placing the lessons within the "wider personal development of character, virtues and values". "Conversations about relationships will be empowered by discussions of honesty, courage and humility," he said. "Sex education is crucially paired in this framework with conversations about relationships: an incredibly important shift in how the curriculum is constructed." However, he suggested that it was not appropriate to teach relationships lessons to primary school children. "I am also glad that sex education will be optional in primary school. However, I am deeply concerned that the same cannot be said of relationships education," he said. "Psychologists, ethicists and paediatricians often debate at what age and developmental stage it is appropriate to be exploring early concepts of relationality and sexuality. "For example, girls continue to hit puberty earlier and earlier, while the average age of boys maturing remains more constant. How are schools to come to a conclusion about how and when they teach on such issues, and how will such decisions and resources then be adequately monitored?" He added, "Development is not uniform, and parents should be able to determine what is appropriate for their children, especially during vulnerable ages. Why cannot parents' decision regarding what is appropriate for their children be respected?" The bishop welcomed the emphasis on the special place of families in the new relationships curriculum but said that although the motives were honourable, it failed to respect the "diversity of parental concern". He urged the Government to listen to the views of parents of faith. "Our concern is that the views of others, especially respecting the beliefs of people of faithand, indeed, some of no faithabout parental responsibilities and rights, are not simply brushed aside," he said. "The lines between relationships and sex education are far more blurred than is recognised, so I ask that great care is taken to monitor that this does not lead to inappropriate sex education being offered at an early age in the name of relationships education." 'There could be another wave of attacks,' says Sri Lankan security official Security officials in Sri Lanka have warned that the Islamist militants behind the Easter Sunday suicide bombings are planning more attacks. They said there was a risk of imminent attacks in five locations involving attackers dressed in military uniforms. "There could be another wave of attacks," the head of ministerial security division (MSD), a unit of the police, said in a letter to lawmakers and other security sections, seen by Reuters on Monday. "The relevant information further notes that persons dressed in military uniforms and using a van could be involved in the attacks." Speaking to reporters, the Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, claimed to have seen an internal security document that warned of more attacks on churches. The Catholic Church suspended all masses across the island as a precaution while Anglican churches were told by bishops to "prayerfully discern" whether to go ahead with their services. Some Christians chose to observe Sunday worship in their homes. The Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, delivered a televised sermon from a chapel at his home in which he called for unity. "We cannot kill someone in the name of God... It is a great tragedy that happened," the Archbishop said in his sermon. "We extend our hand of friendship and fraternity to all our brothers and sisters of whatever class, society or religion that differentiates us." The service was attended by President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Sunday passed off without any attacks and the government lifted a curfew in the evening that had been in place since the attacks on churches and hotels last week that killed 253 people. Security across the island has been ramped up after the attacks, which the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for, and last week police carried out a number of deadly raids on suspected militant safe houses. On Saturday, President Sirisena outlawed the militant groups National Thawheedh Jamaath (NTJ) and Jamathei Millathu Ibrahim, which are suspected of carrying out the attacks. Christians have spoken of their forgiveness for the attackers and asked for prayers for comfort and healing, as well as unity among the many faith and ethnic groups in the country. We cannot allow years of fruitful reconciliation ministry to be undone in Sri Lanka On the morning of Easter Sunday, a joyous day when hope and faith are renewed, the radio news delivered the devastating blow of a string of suicide bombings on churches and hotels across Sri Lanka. A country struggling to rebuild itself following the three-decade bloody conflict that killed tens of thousands of people had been struck again, this time the minority Christian community its target. Almost 350 were killed and upwards of 500 injured. Having visited this beautiful country and being welcomed with open arms by its wonderful people back in February, I was heartbroken. I had witnessed, with tears in my eyes, members of the different ethnic and religious groups in this still fragile nation Singhalese, Tamil, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu come together with the common goal of reaching out and finding and curing people of leprosy. If left untreated, leprosy is physically devastating as well as emotionally scarring and Sri Lanka is known to have a high rate of 'hidden' leprosy cases. A decade ago, my colleague Head of Programmes Sian Arulanantham was praying during her first visit to Sri Lanka as The Leprosy Mission England and Wales began working in a country still reeling from a torrid conflict. Sian said she felt God say that our work there must be about peace. This confused her as she thought 'obviously it's about leprosy'. But we have since learnt that we needed to bring divided religious and ethnic groups together to have a significant impact on leprosy. Meeting our partners on the ground out in Sri Lanka I heard some incredible 'God moments' where people who traditionally wouldn't be in the same room together are now working together to find and cure people with leprosy. As an illustration the President of the Leprosy People's Forum for Change, Nahamani, 73, is a Hindu Tamil working closely with his Vice-President Amarasinghe, 38, a Singhalese Buddhist. It broke my heart to hear how leprosy sufferer Nahamani had lost two sons in the conflict and had been treated so badly, because of deep-rooted prejudice surrounding leprosy, that he contemplated suicide. But instead he channelled his grief into leading a leprosy screening programme in more than 30 villages in the Jaffna district of Sri Lanka. In one day I had the amazing privilege of meeting five children who had been diagnosed with leprosy and cured before any damage was done to their bodies. Almost in a modern take of the Good Samaritan, Vice-President Amarasinghe was rescued by Rev Joshua, a Tamil and someone from the very community he despised when diagnosed with leprosy back in 2015. He now gives money he can barely spare to support children from the Tamil community who he once hated. So the word my colleague Sian received from God all those years ago is being lived out. It all began in 2014 when we began training pastors and church leaders about leprosy, the idea being they could offer practical help and advice after delivering a service, say, on Jesus healing the man with leprosy. Initially it was a project run throughout Evangelical churches but then, amazingly, other faith communities wanted to be involved from Anglicans to Catholics and then Buddhist, Muslims and Hindus. This was hugely encouraged and resulted in nearly 10,000 people hearing about leprosy through 78 interfaith awareness events as well as another 20,640 people reached through 349 leprosy awareness Sundays. The work is growing and continues. Scores of people have been diagnosed with leprosy as a result with the sting of the disease taken out of the diagnosis for many thanks to the powerful nature of the campaign. In addition prejudice between the communities is being broken down through new relationships and friendships formed between religious leaders. We were devastated to learn that one of the three churches targeted on Easter Sunday the Zion Church in Batticaloa - was where a leprosy Sunday service had been carried out in January. The blast killed 27 people, including 15 children, and injured more than 50 others. With this catastrophic loss of life we weep as God weeps and our request for prayer is that the reconciliation between religious and ethnic groups will only grow stronger following the Easter Sunday tragedy. Peter Waddup is the National Director of the Leprosy Mission in England and Wales A brief history of engraved Classical gems Antiquities Specialist G. Max Bernheimer unravels the significance of engraved Classical gems including lots from the G. Sangiorgi Collection, which realised $11,901,125 across two dedicated sales What are intaglios and cameos? Ancient engraved gems, which were historically worn mounted on finger rings, fall into one of two categories intaglios, which have designs cut as a depression into the surface of the gem; and cameos, which have excess material removed to leave a raised image in relief. Despite their small size, the highest quality engraved gems rival monumental marbles, vases and bronzes in terms of artistic skill, explains Christies International Head of Antiquities G. Max Bernheimer. Which stones were used? These were highly prized items and were normally made from precious and semi-precious stones, such as carnelian, agate, jasper, chalcedony, rocky crystal, amethyst, garnet and sapphire. Their material, size and colour would reflect the wealth and taste of the patron, adds the specialist. The gems were usually set in gold, silver or bronze mounts, sometimes on plain bands, or occasionally with more intricate designs. While many have lost their original mounts, some can still be found in their ancient settings. How were they made? The earliest engraved gems were cut by hand with simple iron tools, including pointed drills and cutting wheels, used in combination with fine abrasive emery powders. The diamond-tipped drill was introduced in the 5th century BC but did not become common until centuries later. Some gems contain a small hole drilled through the centre which allowed for it to be mounted on a swivel-setting, so that they could be worn with the engraved side against the finger. They could then be removed and the stone rotated for display and use. What was their purpose? Initially, says Bernheimer, engraved gems were portable seals used to imprint the wearers chosen design into wax or clay in order to ratify documents and objects, in a time before signatures existed. Later they became objects of fashion rather than function, and were worn to signify the interests, allegiances, beliefs and persuasions of the owner. When and where were they made? The tradition began in ancient Mesopotamia, some 5,000 years ago, when stamp seals and cylinder seals were pressed and rolled into damp clay. From there it gradually spread throughout Minoan and Mycenaean Greece, Persia and Egypt. Around the 16th century BC the Minoans began making small rectangular stamp seals. The tradition was lost towards the end of the Bronze Age, but revived in the 6th century BC with small, oval-shaped intaglios usually in the form of a scarab beetle with the underside engraved. During the 5th century BC the detail on engraved gems became finer, and by the 3rd century BC the conquests of Alexander the Great allowed the flow of new exotic stones around the Hellenistic world. The Romans continued the Hellenistic tradition for intaglios and cameos. The Roman writer Cicero once noted how people wore portraits of their favourite philosophers on their rings, says Bernheimer. The Romans also began making glass from which cameos could be cut, allowing for consistent and predictable layers of colour. The best known example of this tradition is the Portland Vase in the British Museum, which went on to inspire Josiah Wedgwoods monochromatic ceramics, adds the specialist. What kind of motifs were engraved on them? Mythological figures, animal studies and portraits were popular subjects in all periods of engraved gem production. Some examples also have inscriptions identifying their owners (written in reverse so as to be correctly seen when impressed). Occasionally, the name of the artist who engraved the gem is also included. The carver Dioskourides is known from ancient literature as the court engraver to the Roman emperor Augustus, and his signature survives on the amethyst intaglio above, says Bernheimer. Some Roman intaglios and cameos were often larger in size, and were perhaps worn around the neck rather than on the finger. These allowed for more detailed images to be created, such as the above depiction of the Roman emperor Claudius. How have they survived? While many engraved gems have been discovered in archaeological excavations, most are chance finds. Bernheimer cites the example of the draining of the Roman baths in Caesarea in Israel, which resulted in numerous gems being found, some of which may have slipped from the fingers of bathers. Ancient writers also describe large deposits of engraved gems being offered to the gods in Greek and Roman temples. Other engraved gems have survived above ground. In the Middle Ages they were prized by royal collectors and often set into ecclesiastical objects such as book covers and chalices. After the Renaissance a renewed interest in antiquity inspired a new breed of collector. In the 17th and 18th centuries Grand Tourists displayed cases of engraved gems in their stately homes as souvenirs of their travels, says the specialist. The 4th Duke of Marlborough, George Spencer, amassed a collection of 780 gems during the 18th century, and commissioned Joshua Reynolds to paint him holding his prized cameo of the Roman emperor Augustus. His collection was sold by Christies in 1899, and many of the gems are now considered lost, known only through surviving casts and impressions housed in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. Sign up today The Online Magazine delivers the best features, videos, and auction news to your inbox every week Subscribe The cameo shown below, which depicts a Julio-Claudian prince, possibly Germanicus, wearing his toga and wreath, was once in the Marlborough collection. The trend for collecting, as well as wearing, ancient gems has remained popular throughout the past few centuries, and as a result many examples that come to market have been remounted in modern settings. What is the appeal to modern collectors? These ancient engraved gems offer a fascinating scholarly window on the ancient world in terms of life, fashion and ritual, while also proving that the tradition for sentimental jewellery is thousands of years old, says Bernheimer. A Family Vision: The Collection of H.S.H. Princess Titi von Furstenberg Offered in New York this May, an exceptional collection of 20th-century art which includes works by Picasso, Derain, Rothko, Nolde, Ernst, Arp and other greats of the era The sitting room of Titi von Furstenbergs home, featuring Picassos La Lettre (La Reponse), painted on 16 April 1923, hanging above the fireplace. Sold for $25,245,000 on 13 May 2019 at Christies in New York 2019 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Princess Cecil Amelia von Furstenberg was born Cecil Amelia Blaffer in Houston in 1919, the descendant of two of Texass most prominent families. Titis father, Robert Lee Blaffer was a founder of Humble Oil which is now Exxon Mobile; her maternal grandfather, William Thomas Campbell, was among the founders of The Texas Company know today as Texaco. The Blaffer familys philanthropic and cultural efforts made a lasting impact across the state of Texas. Titis mother, Sarah Sadie Campbell, was one of the states most ardent supporters of the arts as well as being a collector and connoisseur of paintings, a passion she passed on to her daughter. Video: Specialist Max Carter takes a closer look at the collection In 1975, Titi married Prince Tassilo von Furstenberg. At the Von Furstenbergs residences in Europe, the Bahamas and the United States, she earned a reputation as a consummate hostess. She was also renowned for her dedication to philanthropy. During her lifetime she provided significant financial donations and personal leadership to institutions including the Houston Symphony Orchestra; the Houston Grand Opera; the Wagner Opera Festival in Bayreuth, Germany; the American Cathedral in Paris and St. Martins Episcopal Church in Houston, among many others. Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), La Lettre (La Reponse), 1923. 39 x 31 in (100.3 x 81 cm). Sold for $25,245,000 on 13 May 2019 at Christies in New York 2019 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Leading the selection is Picassos La Lettre (La Reponse), one of a trio of portraits of his wife, the Russian-born ballerina Olga Khokhlova, which was completed in the early months of 1923. Picasso and Olga had first met in Rome in February 1917 she was rehearsing for Serge Diaghilevs premiere production of the ballet Parade; he was designing costumes and the set for the production. They married the following year and took an apartment in Paris on the fashionable rue la Boetie. Thereafter, Olga assumed a variety of guises in her husbands art. Often, he transformed her into a Greco-Roman goddess, her body and features exaggerated to mythological proportions; elsewhere, she is portrayed as an Italianate Madonna, a Spanish matron in a lace mantilla, or most tenderly, a new mother, in scenes inspired by the birth of their sole child a son, Paulo in 1921. La Lettre (La Reponse) was one of 16 pictures by Picasso to feature in the artists first solo showing in America In La Lettre (La Reponse) Olga has paused in a moment of reverie, pen in hand and inkwell before her on the desk; her private thoughts are a mystery to us, and probably to Picasso as well, but she shares them here with some unknown confidante. The tactile sensuality of her blue dress contrasts with her ethereal beauty and distant, dignified mien, which seems to mask an inner sadness. By the time Picasso painted La Lettre (La Reponse), intimations of unease had become evident in their relationship. The change in Picassos attitude toward his wife is reflected in his portraits from this period, where Olga is not an object of heated erotic desire, but rather of coolly detached pride and admiration tinged, in La Lettre (La Reponse), with a certain nostalgic tenderness. This canvas was one of 16 pictures by Picasso to feature in a landmark exhibition in New York and Chicago the artists first solo showing in America during the winter of 1923-1924. The impresario of the exhibition was the dealer Paul Rosenberg, who had represented Picasso since 1918. Andre Derain (1880-1954), Les voiles rouges, 1906. 30 x 39 in (81.3 x 100.2 cm). Sold for $6,858,000 on 13 May 2019 at Christies in New York Another highlight of the selection is Andre Derains Les voles rouges. In the spring of 1906, Derain embarked for London on an important painting campaign. The results were a radical reimagining of the cityscape in a unique series of paintings that are filled with bold passages of bright, saturated colour that transformed familiar landmarks of the English capital into Fauvist visions. Emil Nolde (1857-1956), Herbstmeer XVII, 1911. Oil on canvas. 29 x 34 in (73.6 x 89.9 cm). Nolde Stiftung Seebull Emil Noldes Herbstmeer XVII is part of a sequence of 20 seascapes Herbstmeer I-XIX, plus one unnumbered example that he painted on the island of Als during two consecutive autumn campaigns in 1910 and 1911. Eight of these are now in museum collections, five have been lost or destroyed, and seven remain in private hands. For Nolde, the eternal proximity of the ocean, in all its elemental and indomitable force, held a mystical, almost pantheistic significance. Working from a wooden hut that he erected directly on the beach, with an unobstructed view over the churning ocean, the artist came as close as he ever would in this series to non-representational art. Mark Rothko (1903-1970), No. 16/No. 12 (Mauve Intersection), 1949. 58 x 64 in (135.6 x 163.2 cm). Sold for $5,382,500 on 13 May 2019 at Christies in New York 2019 Kate Rothko Prizel & Christopher Rothko / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Also offered from The Collection of H.S.H. Princess Titi on Furstenberg is Mark Rothkos No.16/No.12 (Mauve Intersection), an early example of the enigmatic and colourful floating planes of colour that would come to distinguish the artists entire oeuvre. One of the most accomplished of his Multiforms, this evocative painting marks the moment when Rothko finally began to relinquish the figurative paintings that had proliferated during the early part of his career, and condense the enigmatic shapes into forms that would become his main and enduring artistic expression. Before being acquired by Titi von Furstenberg, No.16/No.12 (Mauve Intersection) was part of the internationally important collection of Rothkos paintings at The Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C., for more than a decade between 1957 and 1971. Max Ernst (1891-1976), A la nage, 1950. Oil on canvas. 28 x 36 in (71.1 x 92.1 cm). 2019 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris The work of another of the 20th centurys great art theorists is represented by A la nage by Max Ernst, painted in 1950 the year in which the artist first returned to Paris after spending the war years in the United States. Divided into three distinct, horizontal planes, the composition is immediately reminiscent of a landscape. In the upper third of the painting, the gently undulating forms appear like the mountains near the remote town of Sedona, Arizona, where Ernst and his wife Dorothea Tanning had been living since 1946. A verdant green plane, filled with the fantastical patterns created with Ernsts decalcomania technique, serves as the central register of the canvas, while the terracotta-coloured lower section could read as the space below the earths surface. A single, strange, flattened anthropomorphic figure presides over this otherworldly scene. Most likely the swimmer of the title, this form recalls Ernsts abiding interest in the theme of swimming that had existed throughout his career. Jean (Hans) Arp (1886-1966), Entite ailee, conceived in 1961 and carved by 1963; unique. Height including base: 50 (129 cm). Sold for $3,855,000 on 13 May 2019 at Christies in New York. 2019 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn Just over a decade after Ernst painted A la nage, Jean Arp who together with Ernst and Alfred Grunwald had established the Cologne Dada group in 1920 conceived of Entitee ailee. The undulating form, entirely smooth and restricted to essential features only, was carved from black granite in 1963, and acquired by Titi von Furstenberg three years later. Anchored in a taut, rounded mass that evokes the hips of a feminine torso or the bulb of a flowering plant, the sculpture tapers sensuously at mid-section before swelling outward once again. The flowing contours terminate at the top in two burgeoning buds that paraphrase the shape of a head and a raised shoulder or lifted wing. Sign up today The Online Magazine delivers the best features, videos, and auction news to your inbox every week Subscribe A joint venture that includes Houston's KBR has landed a $608 million contract for two NASA facilities in Florida. NASA awarded the base operations and spaceport services contract to PAE-SGT Partners LLC, a joint venture between KBR subsidiary SGT and Virginia-based defense contractor PAE. Under the two-year deal, PAE-SGT Partners will provide operations, maintenance and launch support services at both the Kennedy Space Center and the NASA facilities at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. "This is an exciting win that significantly expands our relationship with NASA and grows our space franchise," KBR CEO Stuart Bradie said in a statement. "It demonstrates the new growth we are experiencing as a direct result of our acquisition of SGT." Business Move: KBR to be reclassified as an IT consulting company by stock traders Over the past five years, KBR has made shift away from engineering and construction projects to government contracts that include information technology and other support services. KBR bought Maryland-based NASA contractor SGT in April 2018 and folded it into KBR's government services business, KBRwyle. Long considered as an engineering, procurement and construction company by stock traders, KBR will be reclassified as an information technology consulting company at close of the stock market on Tuesday. Fuel Fix: Get daily energy news headlines in your inbox Headquartered in Houston and with local roots going back to 1919, KBR has more than 36,000 employees in 40 nations. KBR reported making a $281 million profit on $4.9 billion of revenue in 281. The company reported that more than 70 percent of its revenue came from its government services division. The Woodlands oil and gas company Anadarko Petroleum said Monday it will resume negotiations with Occidental Petroleum after it submitted what could be a "superior" merger proposal to the $33 billion bid by Chevron. Occidental, headquartered in Houston, has offered $38 billion to acquire Anadarko, including a larger amount of cash than Chevron. Occidental's bid, which values Anadarko at $76 a share, would pay half of that, or $38 a share, in cash, the balance in stock, Anadarko said. Chevron's bid valued Anadarko at $65 a share, offering $16.25 a share in cash in addition to stock. RELATED: Oxy makes public bid for Anadarko Anadarko said its merger agreement with Chevron, announced just over two weeks ago, remains in effect, but its decision to reopen talks with Occidental raises stakes in the takeover battle. Occidental had made an earlier bid for Anadarko, but Andarko's board decided to go with Chevron. Occidental made its bid public on April 24. Anadarko would have to pay a $1 billion breakup fee to get out of the deal with Chevron. The question now is whether Chevron will increase its offer. In a statement, Chevron said, "We believe our signed agreement with Anadarko provides the best value and the most certainty to Anadarko's shareholders." The Oxy-Chevron contest for Anadarko is the first major takeover battle in the exploration and production sector this century, creating a rare confrontation between the Big Oil company Chevron and the much smaller Occidental. The main prize in the fight: Anadarko's holdings in Permian Basin, one of the world's biggest and most productive oil fields. RELATED: Oxy tries jump to big (oil) leagues Both Occidental and Chevron already had extensive holdings in the Permian. In Chevron decides to sweeten its offer, analysts have said,that the California oil major most likely won't have to match the Occidental offer to prevail. Occidental's initial offer was said to be higher the Chevron's, but Anadarko chose the lower Chevron bid, seeing a better fit and greater long-term value in a combination with Chevron. Anadarko stock was down slightly in early trading to $72.66 a share. Occidental shares fell about 2 percent to $60.09. Chevron shares rose slightly to $117.27. WASHINGTON Climate change is fast turning into a top-line issue for Democratic presidential hopefuls as former Texas congressman Beto O'Rourke became the latest to weigh in Monday with a sweeping proposal to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. With front-runners Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., pledging support for the Green New Deal to fight climate change and the massive government spending it would require pressure is building on candidates to come out firmly on the issue ahead of next year's Democratic primary. "The fact this is Beto's first policy proposal, and he makes clear it would be the first bill he would send to Congress, is very important," said Tiernan Sittenfeld, senior vice president of government affairs at the League of Conservation Voters. "Clearly the 2020 election presents the best opportunity for us to confront the climate crisis once and for all." CLIMATE POLITICS: Texas Democrats caught between climate change and the energy economy O'Rourke's plan calls for the United States to tighten regulations of greenhouse gas emissions to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, while also investing $5 trillion over 10 years to improve technology and expand infrastructure for clean energy sources such as wind and solar. That spending would be funded by raising taxes on the wealthy and ending tax breaks for fossil fuels. "The greatest threat we face which will test our country, our democracy, every single one of us is climate change," O'Rourke said in a statement. "We have one last chance to unleash the ingenuity and political will of hundreds of millions of Americans to meet this moment before it's too late." Democrats' positioning comes as scientists predict that the effects of climate change, such as wildfires and crop failures, will come faster than originally predicted. Severe changes caused by the warming of the planet could come as soon as 2040, short of sharp government action to curb greenhouse gas emissions, scientists forecast. Dire consequences Any widescale effort to reduce emissions has potentially dire consequences for the oil and gas industry that calls Houston home, likely driving motorists from gasoline- and diesel-burning vehicles toward electric models and the power industry from natural gas to renewables. President Donald Trump already has rolled back climate change measures undertaken by former President Barack Obama, arguing such moves hurt the U.S. energy sector and its hundreds of thousands of workers. That has resulted in a fierce backlash in state houses and city halls across the country, as Democrats roll out local laws to limit emissions. But efforts to persuade Congress to address climate change have so far failed, with Republicans and Democrats divided on the severity of the threat and on how to go about reducing greenhouse gas emissions. "Elections, in particular primaries, often motivate ambitious ideas tailored to rally a party's base. The legislative process is more stubborn," said Timothy Fox, vice president at the Washington consulting firm ClearView Energy Partners. "We regard current proposals from the Democrat field as more aspirational than actionable. In other words, Democrats may be seeking election year 'likes.'" Climate change has gained momentum as an issue in Washington since late last year when Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., proposed her Green New Deal, a 10-year plan to convert the U.S. power grid to 100 percent renewable energy and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector through a massive federal investment. While dismissed by many as unrealistic former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who considered a run for the Democratic nomination, called it "pie in the sky" presidential candidates have latched on. In addition to Sanders and Harris, other Democratic candidates supporting the Green New Deal include Sens. Corey Booker of New Jersey, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind. Waiting for Biden Former Vice President Joe Biden, who announced his candidacy last week, has been vocal on the threat climate change poses to the United States. But he has yet to offer specific plans to address climate change, drawing criticism from some environmental activists. "Joe Biden has some catching up to do if he wants to show voters he'll be a champion for confronting the fossil fuel industry," Charlie Jiang, an activist with Greenpeace, said in a statement. "It's easy for politicians to simply acknowledge that climate change exists. What's harder is a real plan that measures up to the urgency of the crisis." Crude flipped between gains and losses as a severe crackdown on Iranian oil exports ticked closer. U.S. and international oil prices ended Monday's trading session little changed from where they began the day. While London futures settled lower, the West Texas Intermediate contract traded in New York posted a small gain. Even so, WTI was on track to advance more than 5 percent for April; if that holds, American crude will post its best start to a year since 1999. U.S. exemptions that allowed China and several other major buyers to purchase Iranian oil will expire May 2, cutting off supplies from OPEC's No. 4 producer. U.S. President Donald Trump over the weekend renewed calls for Saudi Arabia and OPEC to pump more crude. PREVIOUSLY: Oil tumbles most in two months as Trump promises lower prices "Uncertainty about what eventually is going to happen with those sanctions is kind of keeping the market unnerved," said Gene McGillian, manager of market research at Tradition Energy. "The Saudis said they are not going to immediately boost production levels and that's also adding to the uncertainty." Oil touched a six-month high last week after the White House announced the end of sanctions exemptions on Iranian crude. Investors are waiting to see whether Saudi Arabia will ramp up production to make up for any supply shortfalls after Trump said on Twitter he had spoken with suppliers about boosting oil flows and that "all are in agreement." WTI for June delivery edged up 20 cents to settle at $63.50 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. SAUDIS: Trump says he's spoken to Saudi Arabia about increasing oil flow Brent for June settlement fell 11 cents to end the session at $72.04 on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The global benchmark crude was at a premium of $8.54 to WTI. Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih said last week that the world's biggest oil exporter will cater to customers' needs, but doesn't see the need for an immediate response to the Iran situation. "The U.S. president clearly on-boarded the Saudis before tightening the screws on Iran," said Stephen Brennock, an analyst at PVM Oil Associates Ltd. in London. Ultimately, the kingdom will probably "lead efforts to prevent the oil market from over-tightening." --With assistance from James Thornhill, Heesu Lee and Grant Smith. 2019 Bloomberg L.P. Courtesy of NewQuest NewQuest Properties, a Houston-based commercial real estate firm specializing in developing and leasing shopping centers, has launched a division focusing on healthcare and wellness, a response to the "retailization" of the medical industry as it moves to bring patient care close to residential neighborhoods. The new group aims to expand the firm's healthcare portfolio, as well as provide commercial real estate services to healthcare providers, developers and investors. Beaumont-area residents looking to get inked had more than 100 tattoo artists to choose from last weekend at the 4th annual Beaumont, Texas Tattoo Expo. If tattoos weren't your thing, piercings and temporary tats were also available. But, as you can see in the photos above, tattoos were the main attraction. A federal judge has frozen the assets of two unknown stock traders amid allegations that they used insider trading to make $2 million from Chevron's announcement to buy The Woodlands-based oil company Anadarko Petroleum. U.S. District Court Judge Gregory Woods with the Southern District of New York handed down the order late Monday morning and ordered an investigation to identify the pair of traders. The Securities and Exchange Commission alleges that two unknown traders used foreign brokerage accounts in the United Kingdom and Cyprus to buy suspicious amounts of call options to purchase Anadarko stock in the weeks before Chevron's April 12 announcement to buy Anadarko for $33 billion. The traders allegedly made $2 million in profits after the merger and acquisition announcement, which sent Anadarko stock prices on the New York Stock Exchange soaring from $46.80 per share to well above $63 per share. Judge Woods order required that an funds or assets located outside the U.S. that were obtained from the alleged insider trading be repatriate to the United States. BIDDING WAR: Anadarko to resume Occidental talks, calls bid a "superior proposal" The insider trading allegations are the latest twist in the proposed $33 billion merger and acquisition deal between Chevron and Anadarko. Houston oil company Occidental Petroleum has made competing bid, offering to buy Anadarko for $38 billion. Anadarko issued a Monday morning statement saying the company remains committed to the deal with Chevron but has agreed to resume negotiations with Occidental Petroleum. Fuel Fix: Get energy news headlines in your inbox Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Houston, Anadarko is one of the largest oil companies in Texas. With more than 4,700 employees in the United States, Latin America and Africa, Anadarko posted a $615 million profit on nearly $13.4 billion of revenue in 2018. 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. Houston's LyondellBasell expects its second quarter results to take a hit from the March chemical fire in Deer Park that forced the petrochemical company to reduce output when the ship channel shuttered for three days. "During the first quarter, we incurred service disruptions related to the March fire at a third-party terminal in the Houston Ship Channel," said Thomas Aebischer, LyondellBasell's CFO told investors in an earnings call Friday. " We are still assessing ongoing disruptions and we expect second quarter impact will be similar to slightly higher than the first quarter." EARLIER: LyondellBasell's profits tumble again The fire at the Mitsui Co.'s Intercontinental Terminals Company destroyed 11 storage tanks and sent chemicals spewing into the ship channel. The U.S. Coast Guard closed the ship channel for three days during the cleanup and shipping was restricted for nearly a month. At one point, Lyondell's refinery saw output slip 14 percent, according to media reports. Shell also reportedly reduced its refinery output in Deer Park too. But CEO Bob Patel downplayed the impact of the channel's closure in an April 16 interview. "Our cutbacks were very modest. The team was really able to manage through most of the issues pretty well," Patel said. Overall in the first quarter the Houston refinery ran at about 259,000 barrels per a day, or at 98 percent capacity. RELATED: CEO: LyondellBasell's talks to buy Braskem picking up again LyondellBasell, which primarily produces petrochemicals but also owns an oil refinery in Houston, saw its refining profits plunge$59 million into the red in the first quarter, according to its earnings posted April 26. However that had to do more with international oil markets, not the ship channel closure. Patel told investors Friday that a combination of higher costs for heavier crudes used in Gulf Coast refineries -- in shorter supply with the Trump administration's sanctions on Venezuela -- and plentiful supplies of gasoline hurt profit margins. But the tides could turn for the refinery after the International Maritime Organization implements a marine spec fuel change that will required shippers to use low-sulfur fuel and is supposed to be a boon for Gulf Coast refineries. As shippers start to shift to the new fuels in preparation for the January 1, 2020 rule change "we'll be ready to capture improved margins with our continued stable operations," Patel told investors. 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. Houston liquefied natural gas company Tellurian has started booking capacity on two proposed pipeline projects that will support the growing LNG industry in southwest Louisiana. Tellurian's $1 billion Haynesville Global Access Pipeline will connect natural gas pipelines and production facilities in DeSoto Parish to those in Calcasieu Parish. Once complete in 2023, the 42-inch natural gas and 160-mile pipeline will move up to 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. A separate $1.4 billion project named the Delhi Connector Pipeline will move natural gas from the Perryville/Delhi Hub in Richland Parish to Calcasieu Parish. Once complete in 2023, the 42-inch and 180-mile pipeline will move another 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. Permit Decision: FERC approves LNG projects in Texas, Louisiana The two open seasons for booking pipeline capacity on they Haynesville and Delhi pipelines come less than two weeks after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission granted a permit to Tellurian's Driftwood LNG export terminal in Calcasieu Parish. Earlier this month, Tellurian also announced that it was booking capacity on its planned Permian Global Access Pipeline, a $3.7 billion project to move natural gas from West Texas to Louisiana. The company estimates that LNG export terminals will boost natural gas demand to more than 20 billion cubic feet by 2025. "Tellurian has recognized the critical need we have in the United States for additional natural gas infrastructure that can leverage our country's prolific shale resources," Tellurian CEO Meg Gentle said in a statement. "We are willing to invest and build a pipeline network that connects to key U.S. producing shale basins, detangling the existing pipeline and regional bottlenecks and facilitating the flow of natural gas to feed Southwest Louisiana's growing industrial demands." Fuel Fix: Get daily energy news headlines in your inbox Launched in February 2016 by former Cheniere Energy CEO Charif Souki and headquartered in Houston, Tellurian employs 172 people. Without any operational export terminals and a final investment decision for its Driftwood LNG export terminal still pending, the company posted a $125.7 million loss on $10.8 million of revenue in 2018. California-based bakery SusieCakes is hitting the sweet spot with a second Houston location. SusieCakes, which welcomes guests with made-from-scratch frosted layer cakes, frosting-filled cupcakes, whoopie pies, cookies, cheesecake and more, is opening at 1709 Dryden Road in the Texas Medical Center late summer/early fall, representatives for the bakery told Chron.com. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Review: B.B. Lemon in Sixth Ward Here, daily-made classic sweets are created with no artificial preservatives, high-fructose corn syrup or trans-fats, including the Vanilla Celebration Cake. The festive treat is baked with colorful sugar confetti and filled and frosted with retro-blue vanilla frosting. The Tropical Coconut Cake features vanilla cake with pineapple-coconut filling. It's topped with coconut buttercream icing and shredded coconut. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: GQ's 'Best New Restaurants in America, 2019' includes two Houston restaurants Decadent whoopie pies come with two chewy chocolate cookies, filled with rich vanilla buttercream. SusieCakes has more than 25 locations in California and Texas. The first Houston location opened at 2563 Amherst in late 2017. 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 With the support of the Sugar Land Skeeters, the "Strike Out" Autism event held Sunday, April 28, was a resounding success. Hope For Three uses the event to highlight awareness and raise fund for programs "primarily focused on educating and empowering others." Officials with the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office arrested and charged six people with felony DWI over the course of March, according to records from a public information request filed by the Chronicle. One of the six, Vicente Ramirez, was previously convicted on an intoxication manslaughter charge in 2009, court records show. Ramirez told police he drank five beers before colliding head-on with another vehicle and killing the driver, court records show. His blood-alcohol level was in excess of .300 an hour after the collision, court records show. He was found guilty and sentenced to ten years. The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office is investigating an early Monday morning train incident in Porter involving a pedestrian. Dispatchers received calls around 2:30 a.m. near Texas Loop 494 and FM 1314 and investigators responded soon after and were still on scene as late as 8:39 a.m. Sheriffs spokesman Lt. Scott Spencer said the incident is still being investigated. Spencer declined to say whether anyone was killed by the train and did not respond to questions about the gender or approximate age of the pedestrian involved. This pedestrian-involved incident is the fourth within the last 12 months in Montgomery County and the second event in Porter within the same time. All three of the prior incidents were fatal and involved men struck by a Union-Pacific frieght train, according to past reports in The Courier. RELATED: Pedestrian fatally hit by train near Porter In the previous Porter incident a 59-year-old east Montgomery County man died after being hit by a train May 10 at East Martin Road and Texas Loop 494. On July 23, 39-year-old Charles Bradford was fatally struck in Conroe near Lewis Park. The train conductor in that incident, Spencer said then, began sounding the horn and unsuccessfully attempted to break. Only four days later, another man was killed by a train in Oak Ridge North. He was described as wearing a hard hat and a yellow vest. 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. At the time, Oak Ridge North Police Chief Andrew Walters, who has since retired, warned pedestrians about the dangers of oncoming trains. Trains always come out undamaged, people never, Walters said. jose.gonzalez@chron.com twitter.com/jrgzztx Google Maps A man who approached a young girl at a park in Katy then fled the scene when her father came toward him is being sought for questioning by authorities. The unidentified man walked up to the girl about 7:30 a.m. Saturday at a park in the 24900 block of Morton Road. He told her he wanted to help get a bug off her shirt. She tried to avoid him but man kept saying he wasnt going to hurt her, said officials with Harris County Precinct 5 Constables Office. Two women found decapitated over a year ago both appear to have had their heads removed with a sawlike device, Houston police said, extending the possibility that the cases in Lake Houston and Louisiana might be linked. The manner the head was taken off was similar, its not identical, homicide investigator Andrew Barr said Saturday at the Missing in Harris County Day event at the Childrens Assessment Center. We know (both heads were) cut with potentially like a saw. A new sketch was released last week of an unidentified woman whose severed head was found March 24, 2018, on the rocks and boulders surrounding Lake Houston, the HPD-patrolled lake in the northeast Harris County city of Huffman. Both cases, Barr added, feature other similarities including victim description, the time frame in which the severed heads were recovered and that those remains were found near bodies of water. Authorities determined both women were either white or Hispanic, with the woman in the Lake Houston case between young adult and middle age and the unidentified woman in the Louisiana case between 30 and 50. The Louisiana victim was found March 1, 2018, on grassy marshes within a mile of Calcasieu Lake in Cameron Parish. RELATED: Police: Dental records may ID severed head found at Lake Houston Additionally, investigators for HPD and the Cameron Parrish Sheriffs Office said early on that both women had good teeth. The Lake Houston cases victim had winged teeth. Barr said so as long as no one submits dental records, they cannot make a comparison to match and positively identify. As soon as her DNA is ready, he said, it will be submitted into the FBIs Combined DNA Index System database. DNA testing takes time. It takes six to nine months, Barr said. Its a sticking point for us because in an investigation, thats a long time. Barr said he and his partner, Michael Perez, are in contact with the Cameron Parish Sheriffs investigators. He said they repeatedly hear from people, from as far away as Indiana and Ohio, who think the woman in the Lake Houston case may be a missing loved one. Initially, the Lake Houston cases victim was described as having hair dyed red and the victim in the Louisiana case was said to have reddish brown or auburn hair. Later in June, the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences determined the Lake Houston victim had naturally dark hair. The following month, Louisiana State Universitys forensics lab determined the Louisiana victim had medium brown hair. RELATED: Houston police ask for help identifying woman whose severed head was found Hair color changes so much and with some people it changes more often than anything. Its hard to put it out there that she was any certain hair color, Barr said. We dont want people to get fixated on the hair color and discount that this could be their loved ones. The victim in the Lake Houston case had apparent cosmetic tattooing on her eyebrows and eyelashes, a feature Barr said investigators are using to weed out wrong leads. When we talk to the families, thats one of the things that well ask, Barr said. That doesnt necessarily take them out of our search, but it limits it. The sketch completed by Texas Rangers forensic artist Suzanne Birdwell was revealed last week. It was originally announced in July that the Texas Rangers would make a facial reconstruction of the woman in the Lake Houston case. Barr said he was unsure why those plans fell through but mentioned the statewide agency is limited to two forensic artists. 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 original rendering on the unidentified woman was completed by sketch artist Lois Gibson about three weeks after her remains were recovered. Shortly after the case broke, Barr and Perez informed the public of a man deemed as a person of interest after having been seen throwing a black plastic bag off the bridge near the recovered head two weeks prior. He was described as a white man in his early to mid-20s and standing between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 8 inches with short dark-brown hair and long bangs. The man was seen stepping out of a teal or bluish green Chevrolet Silverado extended cab truck described as rusted, and it appeared to have been wrecked multiple times. The description, however, proved too broad. We got every green truck in Houston called in, Barr said. We did our research into that. It didnt lead anywhere. If the remains had been disposed of in a more centralized part of Harris County, Barr argued, it would be easier to pinpoint her identity. The case, however, originated near Montgomery and Liberty counties. Now that just opens you up to two other counties, and thats tough, Barr said. Barr also acknowledged he and Perez were at one point looking into whether there was a link to a case where the remains to a womans headless body were found on a rural Texas road. Following an open records request by the Houston Chronicle, the woman in that case was identified by investigators as a Houston resident who was reported missing shortly before her remains were recovered. That case is in our file as possibly connected, Barr said. Once we flesh this (case) out, well start looking. Since starting the investigation on the Lake Houston case, Barr said that he and Perez have been working on up to 40 other homicide cases. Still, he said they have not lost focus on identifying whose severed head was found more than a year ago. Its still an ongoing investigation. We dont look at it daily, but we look at it weekly, Barr said. We dont take it and put it in a box and put it away. Were still working it actively. jose.gonzalez@chron.com twitter.com/jrgzztx Officials with the city of Conroe and the University of St. Thomas announced plans Monday to bring a nursing program to Conroe but university president Richard Ludwick said school officials are still studying plans to build a satellite campus in the Deison Technology Park. Ludwick said the school has a concept for a new campus but officials have not yet inked a deal for the purchase of land in Conroe. However, he said the school does have an agreement with the city for use of the Old Conroe Police building on Old Montgomery Road as a temporary site for classrooms, administrative offices and lab facilities. There is a rendering of the campus so that is kind of the concept of what we might do here, Ludwick said. How this works is we do our due diligence about what programs would fit the market and what the growth trajectory here would be and so we lay out our plans accordingly and move forward. We arent going to put up a building here just yet, we are going to make sure we get our ducks in a row before we do that. This is something we are committed to. Ludwick said the use of the old police station will be a beachhead for the university for up to three years. From there we will figure out where we will go next, he added Ludwick announced during the press conference that school alumnus Vincent DAmico has offered the donation of about 50 acres of land at FM 1485 and Waukegan Road as part of the development of the project. (He is) donating (the land) not as a location for the campus but as an opportunity to raise capital, Ludwick said. According to Ludwick, Councilman Jody Czajkoski contacted him about a year ago regarding the possibility of locating a four-year university in Conroe. He said hey, why dont you locate a Catholic university in Conroe, Ludwick told the crowd of about 50 people. This just came out of the blue and I said that seems like an intriguing invitation you dont hear every day. The city, Ludwick said, has made the university feel right at home. Czajkoski said the city is looking forward to a lifelong partnership with the university. He added the vision of a four-year university began about eight years ago with the plan to build a technology park in Conroe. However, the Deison Technology Park has remain vacant since its grand opening in May of 2013. The 248-acre tech park is adjacent to the Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport and was designed to attract corporate headquarters and research and development operations and to complement the manufacturing focus of nearby Conroe Industrial Park North. We wanted a way to train our local talent and keep them in the Conroe community, Czajkoski said. Mayor Toby Powell called the project the grand prize for Conroe. Dr. Ludwick and Councilman Czajkoski have brought together two teams that have been working very well together and here we are today, Powell said. Ludwick said nursing is a good fit for the area with the many hospitals located within Montgomery County, especially near The Woodlands. It makes good sense for us, Ludwick said adding there are other programs that would do well in Conroe including aviation, technology and engineering. University of St. Thomas Dean of Nursing Poldi Tschirch said one program that is being considered for the Conroe location is an accelerated program for second degree candidates. We think that would be of interest to the people of Conroe, she said. This is a program for persons with bachelors degrees who are deciding to change careers and move into nursing. There is a tremendous need for nurses in our region and in Texas. This is a very exciting opportunity. cdominguez@hcnonline.com A Democratic state senator from Houston is demanding a change to the Texas prison system's execution-day procedures, arguing that allowing a spokesman to read aloud a condemned killer's written statement after his or her death is "disrespectful" to victims' families. Prompted by last week's execution of white supremacist John King - one of the men sentenced to die for the notorious hate crime slaying of James Byrd Jr. in 1998 - state Sen. John Whitmire on Monday called on the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to stop allowing prisoners to leave behind written statements after they are put to death. "Once they're executed that should be the end," Whitmire told the Houston Chronicle. "If they want to write something, I would suggest that TDCJ throw it in the trash with all his other belongings." Traditionally, death row prisoners are permitted to say their last words in a microphone inside the death chamber, and also provide a written statement that a department spokesman may read aloud to the media at a press conference afterward. Whitmire isn't seeking to ban final utterances, but instead demanding an end to written last statements. Prison officials declined to comment - but King's attorney, Richard Ellis, pushed back on the idea of retooling the current procedure "An inmate's last statement is virtually the only time in that person's life when anyone pays attention to what they have to say," Ellis said, "and I fail to see why the manner or form of that statement, whether written or oral, should be of any concern to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or to Senator Whitmire." READ MORE: Last-meal requests come to an end on Texas death row Whitmire's letter marks the second time the Houston lawmaker has demanded a policy change following the execution of one of Byrd's killers; 8 years ago, the senator urged the prison system to end the practice of allowing condemned prisoners to order last meals after Lawrence Brewer put in a massive final request and ate none of it. Likewise, on the gurney Wednesday, King had nothing to say and showed no remorse. But what irked Whitmire was the "flippant" final statement the 44-year-old left behind in writing: "Capital punishment: Them without the capital get the punishment." Afterward, spokesman Jeremy Desel read the statement aloud to the press gathered in Huntsville, as per usual procedure in the few cases when a prisoner leaves a written statement. In some cases - such as Napoleon Beazley's rambling 2002 examination of capital punishment - prisoners have expressed last-minute regret through their written statements, but often inmates simply speak on the gurney, or leave no final public thoughts at all. "If a death row inmate has something to say to the public or victims, let him or her say it while they are strapped to the gurney," Whitmire wrote, adding that he was "shocked" to see King's written statement quoted in the media. "I believe this action was totally improper and should never be repeated." On top of that, Whitmire asked for an examination of the death penalty appeals process and a look into how King was able to linger on death row for two decades before his execution. "I intend to ask Lt. Governor Patrick to authorize an interim study of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee to review how someone like Mr. King could be on death row for 20 years," Whitmire wrote. "It is entirely too long and not fair to the Byrd family and to the State of Texas." READ MORE: John William King has been executed The Jasper killer was sentenced to die as one of three white men involved in the gruesome modern-day lynching, when Byrd was chained to a pick-up truck and dragged to death on a country road, then left for dead in front of a black church. The murder helped fuel the passage of federal hate crime legislation named for the slain black man, but it also eventually led to a change in execution-day protocols. Before he was put to death, one of the other convicted killers - Lawrence Brewer - ordered two steaks, a triple-patty bacon cheeseburger, a cheese omelet,fried okra, a pound of BBQ, white bread, fajitas, pizza, Blue Bell Ice Cream, fudge, and and three root beers. It was, at the time, standard for prisoners to request a special meal before their execution - and some states still allow it. But when Brewer refused to eat any of the vast order, Whitmire penned a letter to then-prisons chief Brad Livingston calling the practice of special last meals "ridiculous" and demanding an end to it. Texas prison officials complied, and since then condemned men can only eat what's on the mess hall menu for the day. Houston's traffic snarl generally clears up once drivers make it out of the city, but that doesn't give people the green light to speed. The Texas Department of Public Safety issued more than 500 speeding tickets on three highways in the Houston area during the first three months of 2019, according to data obtained by Chron.com through an open records request. HOUSTON SPEEDER: Houston police chief writes 140 mph speeding ticket to driver of Dodge Viper The data shows Highway 288, Interstate 10 and Interstate 45 were the most ticketed highways from January through March in DPS Region 2A, which includes Harris, Chambers, Brazoria and Galveston counties. The data mostly reflects highways in the DPS region outside the city. The data also includes the mile markers on each highway where DPS caught the most speeders. DPS officials say those heavy ticket areas aren't simply indicative of speed traps. "They're not just going to say 'Let's see how many tickets I can write,'" DPS Sgt. Richard Standifer said of trooper activity on highways. "They're trying to end [a dangerous trend]." Ultimately, troopers work to stave off traffic fatalities, Standifer said. He noted that DPS troopers likely issue more tickets than the average police department because they don't respond to daily calls for service. Troopers work their assigned areas on varying schedules. The majority of their shift consists of patrolling major roadways, he said. OUT OF CONTROL: Houston's roads, drivers are country's most deadly Typically, a trooper parked on the side of the road indicates a traffic fatality hotspot, he said. "DPS works where fatalities and traffic are more prevalent," Standifer said. "When you work the road for a little bit, you're going to find where folks are causing crashes." >>> Click through the slideshow above to see a ranked list of the most-ticketed highways in the Houston area Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com | 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. Courtesy photo Fort Bend County Judge KP George led a prayer vigil on Sunday, April 28, in support of the Sri Lankan community devastated by a series of bombing on Easter Sunday. George held, organized, and lead a prayer vigil in remembrance of victims of the bombings centered in and around Colombo. The bombings targeted churches and hotels. The Prayer vigil event occurred on the steps of Sugar Land City Hall and began at 7 p.m. What began as a casual fishing get-together has become the Tomball Rotary Clubs biggest annual fundraiser. Now in its 50th year, Tomball Rotarians decided to make the 2019 annual Fish Fry fundraiser even bigger in honor of the milestone anniversary. The club rolled out its inaugural Big Show at the Depot a music festival hosted in tandem with the Fish Fry fundraising event. The Tomball Rotary partnered with Main Street Crossing to host the event at the Tomball Depot on Saturday, April 27. Winner of The Voice on NBC in 2016, Porter native Sundance Head served as the events headliner. Country musician Kimberly Dunn also performed at the event. Shes about to break into mainstream country, said Jim Engelke, president of Tomball Rotary. We feel great about the artists. In addition to the concert, the club raffled off a 1969 Corvette Stingray. Tomball Rotary is a branch of Rotary International, an organization that conducts community service initiatives at the local and global levels. We are all Tomball area business owners and community members that just care about the community, Engelke said. The Fish Fry event has typically drawn in a few hundred people, raising between $30,000 and $50,000, which the club uses to fund scholarships and grants for local charities. Engelke said the addition of Big Show at the Depot helps raise more funds for Tomball Rotarians to funnel back into the community. Tomball Rotary intends to continue the Big Show aspect of their annual fundraiser moving forward. We want to dramatically increase our impact in the community, Engelke said. We want to tell the community what Rotary is, what were all about and we want to showcase how we do things. The Tomball Rotary Club awards scholarships to local students and provides grants to community nonprofits. In May, Rotarians plan to help construct homes in the Tomball area through Habitat for Humanity. Internationally, club members traveled to Kenya and provided water filters to villages, supplying millions of gallons of fresh water to rural areas. Its all about service above self thats the Rotary motto, Engelke said. Engelke encourages people interested in becoming new members to learn more about the Rotary Club of Tomball by attending one of their regular meetings at the Tomball Community Center on Wednesdays at 12 p.m. mfeuk@hcnonline.com Tomball ISD is delaying the opening of a new junior high school by a year. The new school was originally expected to open in August 2020, along with a new stadium and elementary school on the same site along the Grand Parkway and Cypress Rosehill Road. In a letter to parents sent on April 10, superintendent Martha Salazar-Zamora said the district was hindered by unforeseen obstacles that caused the schools construction delay. The new junior high was planned to open in August 2020, but challenges in acquiring land, the impacts of Hurricane Harvey on building code regulations and county permitting have set our time back with the new junior high school delayed a year, she wrote in the letter. The new school is one of the construction projects under the districts $275 million bond, which was approved by voters in 2017. Related: Tomball ISDs $275 million projects listed by amount The other bond construction projects also include building a new natatorium and agriculture barn along with expanding Tomball Memorial High School, renovating Tomball High Schools auditorium and Tomball Intermediate Schools entrance. The new school was set to relieve overcrowding at Willow Wood Junior High School and would be modeled after Creekside Park Junior High School. During the districts latest regular board meeting on April 9, chief financial officer Jim Ross said one of the biggest hurdles was negotiating a road that would lead to the site where the new schools and stadium would be built. The maximum total the board approved for the construction of the new junior high school would be $43.2 million. Overcrowding concerns According to the Texas Education Agency, 1,353 students are currently enrolled at Willow Wood Junior High for the 2018-2019 school year. Tomball ISDs five other middle schools, Creekside Park, Tomball Intermediate, Northpointe Intermediate, Oakcrest Intermediate and Tomball Junior High currently have between 693 to 770 students for an average of 750 students at each campus. In the meantime, we are fully aware and understand that Willow Wood Junior High Schools enrollment continues to increase and that there are concerns about the campus capacity and the potential impact that may have on the student population, Salazar-Zamora wrote in the letter. In response, the district would expand the lunch capacity, custodial staffing and adding portable classrooms on campus, although Tomball ISD did not provide specifics. Related: Tomball ISD school board approves 2017 bond construction costs During the districts last regular board meeting on April 9, the board also approved leasing five portable classrooms from Satellite Shelters, Inc. for $207,837. It is unclear if all five will be used at Willow Wood Junior High as Tomball ISD did not respond to requests for comment before press time. mayra.cruz@chron.com Looking to mix things up this week? From Spring Fling fundraiser to a food truck festival, here are the best options to help you get out and about in the days ahead. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. ALBANY A handful of state lawmakers are pushing a pilot program that would enable law enforcement to utilize technology that could detect whether a smartphone was in use at the time of an automobile crash. The legislation, which is limited to a trial run in Westchester County, is the latest attempt to implement the technology in New York, with a statewide proposal stymied in recent years due to concerns about privacy and whether it works as billed. Proponents of the test say that distracted driving due to smartphones has reached "epidemic" levels and is the cause of an increase in traffic fatalities. They maintain that phone records alone, which indicate calls and text messages, fail to capture all the different distractions on a smartphone that can contribute to a crash. A roundtable discussion of the issue in the Capitol on Monday revealed that a pilot program for law enforcement could be available in six months from the digital intelligence company Cellebrite, which developed a prototype system two years ago and is planning on finalizing their product based on state regulations. "The technology to provide law enforcement is available," said Cellebrite Vice President Maurice Cook. "A lot of it's challenging, but it's very doable." In order to be used in the field, though, the company will need to update its prototype to differentiate between smartphone activity done via voice command and by hand. Cook said that feature has only been tested in a lab setting, but he is sure it could be part of any real-world deployment. To avoid running afoul of privacy concerns, Cook explained, the technology works by only assessing whether there was activity on the device, such as swiping or typing on the smartphone. The explanation caught the attention of Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, a Westchester County Democrat sponsoring the measure in the Assembly. She suggested crafting legislation reflecting the narrow application described by Cook. "Maybe it's workable," Paulin said to an aide about the privacy restrictions. While the roundtable featured an expert claiming the new legislation would pass constitutional muster, the American Civil Liberties Union has had reservations about past incarnations of the proposal and a representative attending Monday's event grilled the panel about the technology. The legislation will get its first test Tuesday in the Senate Transportation Committee, where it's expected to pass. The more serious obstacle could be Assembly Transportation Committee Chair Bill Magnarelli, who told Monday's forum he has "a lot of concerns with the bill." The Syracuse Democrat isn't convinced the technology is ready for use in the field and has practical concerns, such as any repercussions for someone who declined to let police administer the test to their device. David.Lombardo@timesunion.com - 518.454.5427 - @poozer87 NEW DELHI (PTI): Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman left for Kyrgyz capital Bishkek on Sunday on a three-day visit to attend a key meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Sitharaman will attend the SCO Defence Ministers' conclave on Monday during which she is likely to press for concerted efforts by the powerful bloc to deal with terrorism and extremism, officials said. She is also likely to hold bilateral meetings with a number of counterparts from the SCO member countries on the sidelines of the conclave, they said. The SCO defence ministers will explore ways to further boost defence and security cooperation among the member countries in the wake of evolving security challenges in the region. India became a full member of the China-dominated grouping in 2017 and New Delhi's entry into it increased the bloc's heft in regional geo-politics, besides giving it a pan-Asian hue. India is also keen on deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence. India was an observer at the SCO since 2005 and has generally participated in the ministerial-level meetings of the grouping which focus mainly on security and economic cooperation in the Eurasian region. Along with India, Pakistan was also granted membership of SCO in 2017. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan became its members last year. Sitharaman will return to India on Tuesday, the officials said. WASHINGTON - Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein - whose tumultuous two years as the No. 2 Justice Department official was marked by battles over the special counsel probe of President Donald Trump - submitted a resignation letter Monday indicating he will leave the job in two weeks. Rosenstein's departure had been expected since the beginning of the year, but the date was repeatedly pushed back as special counsel Robert Mueller wound down his investigation and compiled a report detailing his findings. Since his first days on the job, Rosenstein's role in the Trump administration was controversial, from the firing of FBI Director James B. Comey in May 2017 to the conclusion by Rosenstein and Attorney General William P. Barr that there was not sufficient evidence for an obstruction-of-justice case against the president. In his resignation letter to Trump, Rosenstein praised the president for his personal charm and policy goals. "As I submit my resignation effective on May 11, I am grateful to you for the opportunity to serve; for the courtesy and humor you often display in our personal conversations; and for the goals you set in your inaugural address: patriotism, unity, safety, education, and prosperity, because 'a nation exists to serve its citizens'," Rosenstein wrote. He ended his letter with a sentence that asserted the Justice Department's independence, before closing with a phrase from Trump's campaign: "We keep the faith, we follow the rules, and we always put America first." The resignation letter was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. The new attorney general praised Rosenstein's long career in federal law enforcement. "Over the course of his distinguished government career, he has navigated many challenging situations with strength, grace, and good humor," Barr said in a statement. "Rod has been an invaluable partner to me during my return to the Department, and I have relied heavily on his leadership and judgment over the past several months." Earlier this year, Trump nominated Rosenstein's replacement, current Deputy Transportation Secretary Jeffrey Rosen, though Rosen still must be confirmed by the Senate. The Judiciary Committee said Monday it will consider Rosen's nomination on Thursday, which means he could be confirmed by early May. Rosenstein's resignation letter comes days after The Washington Post reported that he had assured Trump in a call last year that the special counsel investigation would treat the president fairly, and that he was on Trump's team. The September conversation, according to people familiar with it, followed an explosive New York Times report revealing that Rosenstein had suggested wearing a wear to surreptitiously monitor the president, or using the 25th Amendment to oust him from office - reporting that Rosenstein disputes. "I give the investigation credibility," Rosenstein told Trump, according to an administration official with knowledge of what was said during the call. "I can land the plane." While it is difficult to interpret Rosenstein's remarks, he was apparently trying to mollify Trump and save his own job, or at least his reputation. "I can go. I'm ready to go. I can resign. But I don't want to go out with a tweet," the deputy attorney general said in a meeting with Trump's chief of staff before the call, according to one person's account. Trump routinely makes significant personnel announcements via Twitter. In his resignation letter, Rosenstein extolled the Justice Department's accomplishments during the Trump administration. "We enforce the law without fear or favor because credible evidence is not partisan, and truth is not determined by opinion polls,"" Rosenstein wrote. "We ignore fleeting distractions and focus our attention on the things that matter, because a republic that endures is not governed by the news cycle," Rosenstein wrote. He also defended the department's handling of the Russia probe, writing the country "is safer, our elections are more secure, and our citizens are better informed about covert foreign influence efforts." Rosenstein went on to cite the kinds of cases in which the president has expressed a personal interest. "We also pursued illegal leaks, investigated credible allegations of employee misconduct, and accommodated congressional oversight without compromising law enforcement interests," he wrote. Matthew Miller, a Justice Department spokesman in the Obama administration, said he found particularly odd the "over-the-top praise for the president who has spent his entire tenure attacking the Department of Justice. . . . When one of the most consistent themes of the president's tenure has been attacking the career men and women at the Department of Justice, it's just inappropriate for a deputy attorney general to heap all of this unalloyed praise on him." On Thursday, in one of his last public speeches as the deputy attorney general, Rosenstein lashed out at politicians and the media, denouncing what he called "mercenary critics, who get paid to express passionate opinions about any topic, often with little or no information. . . . They make threats, spread fake stories and even attack your relatives." In recent weeks, Rosenstein has faced criticism for how the Justice Department released the findings of Mueller's investigation. Rosenstein signed on to Barr's conclusion - which went further than Mueller had been willing to go - that there was insufficient evidence to accuse Trump of obstructing justice, and he stood behind Barr when the attorney general repeatedly declared at a news conference that Mueller had concluded there was no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Democrats and legal analysts have asserted that Barr was casting Mueller's report in a way that was overly favorable to Trump, with public support from Rosenstein. Rosenstein was long viewed as one of the last bastions insulating the Mueller probe from political interference. But Rosenstein's role was always deeply controversial, since it was a memo he wrote criticizing Comey that formed the public justification for firing him as FBI director - a shocking move that led Rosenstein, days later, to appoint Mueller as special counsel to carry on the Russia investigation. URUAPAN, Mexico - Not long ago, it seemed as if every young person in this city was heading north, part of a mass exodus from Mexico that sent millions of people to the United States illegally. But that flow has since slowed to a trickle. Migration from Mexico has dropped 90 percent over the past 20 years; this year, for the first time ever, Guatemala and Honduras are on pace to surpass it as the leading sources of illegal immigration to the United States. The young men and women of Uruapan, which has grown to become the world's avocado capital, are doing something historic: They're staying here. Thirty-three-year-old Jose Garduno Hernandez works as an agricultural engineer, inspecting avocado orchards that send their vegetables to the United States. "Our parents saw no other option but to migrate," he said. "But for us, we see alternatives. "If I go to the United States, it will be as a tourist." The dramatic changes in migration flows from Mexico are the product of multiple factors. Among them: the growth of the country's economy, an aging population, more visas for temporary work and increased U.S. border enforcement. Those factors might seem loosely connected, but analysts say the sharp decline reflects a natural pattern that's likely to be repeated in Central America as the populations of Guatemala and Honduras age and as their economies grow. "That's what history shows from countries all over world," said Princeton University's Douglas Massey, founder of the 37-year study known as the Mexican Migration Project. "Migration reaches its peak and then it comes down," he said. "They reach a certain level of development and then it slows down." President Donald Trump has suggested that migration is best slowed through enforcement - such as sending troops to the border, and building a wall - and changes in America's asylum system. The dramatic collapse of migration from Mexico has received almost no public attention from the White House. But examining what happened here could serve as a useful window into the future of immigration to the United States. Fewer than 75,000 Mexicans have been apprehended at the U.S. border so far this year. The number apprehended from Guatemala, a country with less than one-seventh of Mexico's population, is more than 132,000. In Guatemala, some analysts see a version of what Mexico was two decades ago: A country approaching its so-called migration hump - a wave that will rise and fall as such flows typically do. "The same story played out in Italy, Ireland and the Czech Republic many years before it played out in Mexico," said Andrew Selee, president of the Migration Policy Institute. "And it probably will play out in Central America, too, as the population gets older and the economies expand. But it's not predetermined when or how it will happen." Jorge Durand, a scholar at the University of Guadalajara, has studied migration from the Los Altos de Jalisco region for 30 years. When he began working there, he said, "it was like everyone was leaving for the United States." But when Durand returned for another round of research last year, he observed "a radical change." "Mothers there once had at least eight children," he said. "Now, they have two. The women are working, so for the first time families have two incomes, and the region is full of economic opportunities. It's one of the country's biggest egg producers. They make tequila. There are clothing factories." "The people now say, 'If I can make $400 per month here, why do I need to go to the United States?' The cost of living is a lot cheaper. In the U.S. you can make three times more, but it doesn't help if you need to pay $3,000 for a coyote and an expensive rent." Here in Uruapan, a city of more than 250,000 midway between Mexico City and the Pacific Ocean, residents have benefited from one particular corner of the country's agricultural industry: The post-NAFTA boom in avocados. Eighty-five percent of the 4 billion avocados consumed in the United States last year came from Mexico. Mexico's avocado exports were worth $2.4 billion, which has made the city attractive for would-be migrants. Alejandro Chavez worked in San Francisco for 20 years as a construction worker, building everything from townhouses to high-rises. He was undocumented, but his children were U.S. citizens. When he heard about the economic growth in Uruapan, his hometown, he decided to return with his family voluntarily. They bought an apartment building in a part of Uruapan called Caltzontzin. They rent out each of the five units for $200 per month. "There's no reason for us to be in America when we can make a living here," said Chavez, 38. The family worried briefly about their 15-year-old son, Pablo, who was more comfortable in English than Spanish, and who had grown accustomed to his California life. But Pablo's transition has been smoother than expected. "There's even a Little Caesar's here," Pablo said. "It tastes exactly the same as San Francisco." In 2000, at the peak of Mexican migration to the United States, 1.5 million Mexicans were apprehended at the border. Back then, opponents of illegal immigration talked about a flood of Mexicans overwhelming the United States. But by 2019, NAFTA had produced an increase in economic opportunity. Over the last two decades, average income in Mexico has risen by roughly 20 percent. Education attainment has gone up by 50 percent. Public services such as health care have dramatically improved. Immigrants in the United States sent billions in remittances back to Mexico, which paid for university educations and provided capital for small business. The growth has been uneven. The minimum wage here is just over $5 per day. And a huge portion of the Mexican population still lives in dire poverty - 60 percent in the southern states of Oaxaca and Chiapas, for example. Many young people from those states are now migrating within the country to work. Roughly 4 percent of Mexicans are internal migrants. Jose Bacilio, 38, makes about $25 per day picking avocados. He thinks about working in the United States - but only with a visa. He spent six months picking berries in southern California last year on a temporary visa for agricultural workers. This year, roughly 300,000 Mexicans will receive those visas, known as H-2As, a massive expansion from previous years, which has further diminished Mexicans' interest in illegal immigration. "Most of my friends go with visas or they don't go at all," Bacilio said. Philip Martin is professor emeritus of agricultural and resource economics at the University of California at Davis, and editor of Migration News and Rural Migration News. "The bottom line," he said, "is that we are replacing aging unauthorized farmworkers with legal Mexican H-2As." But while Mexicans now have greater access to U.S. visa programs, relatively few of those visas are awarded to Guatemalans and Hondurans, in part because those countries are farther from the border and transporting those workers costs more. The demographic story is also important. In 1995, Mexico's median age was 21. By next year it will be about 30. Mexico's baby boom is over, due to a combination of economic growth and cheaper contraception, thanks in part to the Mexican government's family planning policy. That change has led to a looser labor market and a smaller population of young people, who are seen as the likeliest to migrate. The dual factors of an improving economy and an aging population have caused declines in migration for hundreds of years across Europe and Asia. It appears that those factors are already slowing the migrant flow out of El Salvador, which has an older population than either Guatemala and Honduras, both still in the midst of their "youth bulges." The number of Salvadorans apprehended at the U.S. border fell from 72,000 in 2016 to 31,600 in 2018. Violence and political instability remain major factors that can influence migration from Central America. But for now, a large number of migrants from Guatemala and Honduras are primarily fleeing poverty. For those who have studied migration here, the fact that Mexico is no longer the largest source of illegal immigration to the United States doesn't come as a surprise. It was always an inevitability, based on how the country was developing. "A lot of people thought it was a boom that was never going to end," Massey said. "But I could see things unfolding in real time. I could see that the peak had been reached and rates were coming down. There's no sign it will ever return." - - - The Washington Post's Gabriela Martinez in Mexico City contributed to this report. Photo: Indian Navy NEW DELHI (PTI): Two maritime platforms of Indian Navy have reached the South Korean port city of Busan after participating at an international maritime parade off the coast of Qingdao in China. The Indian Navy said INS Kolkata and INS Shakti are in Busan as part of a deployment of the eastern fleet to the South China Sea. "In a demonstration of India's Act East policy and the Indian Navy's increasing footprint and operational reach, Indian naval ships Kolkata and Shakti have arrived at Busan, South Korea on a three-day visit as part of deployment of the Eastern Fleet to the South China Sea on April 28," it said in a statement. The two ships had gone to China to participate in the International Fleet Review (IFR), organised to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Navy. The Navy said the two ships will participate in the ADMM-Plus Maritime Security Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Busan. The ADMM-Plus is a platform of the 10-member bloc, ASEAN, and its eight dialogue partners. The aim of the ADMM-Plus is to strengthen the security and defence cooperation among the member countries of the grouping. "During the visit, the Indian Navy ships will have a professional interaction with ADMM-Plus navies towards further enhancing co-operation," the Indian Navy said. After leaving Busan on May 1, the two ships are scheduled to join a maritime security exercise with the participating navies. Thereafter, the ships will sail to Singapore, where the closing ceremony of the ADMM-Plus exercise is scheduled, the Navy said. In Singapore, the two ships will also participate in the International Maritime Defence Expo, IMDEX-19, and the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise, SIMBEX, the Navy said. Two award-winning teachers boycotted todays White House ceremony honoring the 2019 national and state teachers of the year, saying that they wouldnt support an administration whose policies they feel have harmed their immigrant, refugee, and LGBTQ students. The boycott added another twist to an already unusual set of circumstances. The Council of Chief State School Officers, the organization that administers the Teacher of the Year program, announced last week that the president would not be attending the ceremony. But President Trump did end up meeting with the teachers in the Oval Office today. The entire day was an exciting surprise, Kelly Harper, the 2019 Washington D.C. State Teacher of the Year and one of the four finalists for the national award, said in a press call with reporters after the event. (The ceremony was closed to the press.) The teachers also met with Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. And they participated in a panel discussion with education department officials. Rodney Robinson, the 2019 National Teacher of the Year, who teaches at the Virgie Binford Education Center, a school inside a juvenile detention facility in Richmond, Va., said that Trump congratulated him on winning the award. He was happy that I was giving the kids a second chance, said Robinson. Trump also said that teachers have the hardest job in the world, according to Danielle Riha, the 2019 Alaska State Teacher of the Year. Pence took a few minutes to speak with each teacher individually, the teachers said on the press call. He was extremely cordial. He told us a few jokeshe was funny, said Donna Gradel, the 2019 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year and another finalist. Before meeting with Trump and Pence, Robinson delivered a speech to the teachers, and they heard remarks from Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. The secretary also presented Robinson with his award, he said. Today wasnt about policy or funding, he said. It was just to honor the teachers and the profession and give us the respect we deserve. But Jessica Duenas, the 2019 Kentucky State Teacher of the Year, and Kelly D. Holstine, the 2019 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, did not attendthey boycotted the event on political grounds. Its uncomfortable for me right now to not be with my peers, but its the right choice, said Duenas, a 6th grade special education teacher at W.E.B. DuBois Academy in Louisville, Ky. When Im gone someday from this earth, I feel like Im going to be on the right side of history, for speaking up for my students and my state in this manner. And DeVos used her address to highlight several Trump administration education policy priorities. Rodney, you were recently asked whether your students are different simply because of where they learn, DeVos said, according to prepared remarks. I loved your answer. You said, America is a country of second chances, and in order for them to achieve and get that second chance, you said, they deserve a quality education like everybody else. DeVos said that she and Trump also believe in the power of redemption, highlighting the administrations efforts to support incarcerated individuals: the First Step Act, a prison-reform bill that Trump signed into law earlier this year, and the Second Chance Pell program, an Obama-administration initiative that the Trump administration has continued , allowing incarcerated students to qualify for Pell Grants. The secretary also said that teachers should be trusted with more autonomy, honored with more flexibility, and lifted up as professionals, according to prepared remarks. She said that the professional development vouchers that Trump included in his 2020 budget proposal could provide this increased autonomy. The $200 million stipend program would allow teachers to select training programs tailored to their needs . However, the proposed budget, which is not likely to pass, would also cut the $2.1 billion Title II grant program that funds teacher and principal professional development. Damaging and Hurtful Holstine and Duenas said they would have refused to attend the ceremony regardless of which Trump administration official was hosting. Im an out, gender-non-conforming lesbian, and Im the first Minnesota Teacher of the Year to be an out LGBTQ person, said Holstine, an English teacher at Tokata Learning Center in Shakopee, Minn. I feel that the policies of this administration, and the homophobia and the transphobia and the demonizing of the LGBTQ people, is so damaging and hurtful. And it creates an environment where other folks feel emboldened to also feel that hatred. Holstine teaches a diverse population of students at Tokata, an alternative learning center. Many of her students are undocumented immigrants, or have relatives who are undocumented. She also works with Somali refugee students. She says the Trump administrations immigration policies and rhetoric have directly harmed her students and their families. Her Somali students have experienced more bullying and discrimination, she said, and another student of hers was separated from a parent when his father was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. I cannot in good conscience even implicitly support an administration that does not support my students, said Holstine. Duenas, the daughter of a parent who was formerly undocumented, cited the administrations family separation policy as a major factor in her decision to boycott the event. The Trump administration has said that they have stopped the practice of widespread family separations at the border . She also pointed to a recent roundtable discussion in her state with the governor, Matt Bevin, and DeVos, which high school student journalists were barred from attending . I would rather give up the once in a lifetime opportunity than go against the things that I firmly believe are best for students, across the country and in my state, said Duenas. Holstine and Duenas will be hosting a press conference on Tuesday at the American Federation of Teachers headquarters in D.C. to speak on issues that they feel are most important to the profession and their students. As the National Teacher of the Year, Robinson will focus on issues of economic and cultural equity, he said in an interview with Education Week after his win last week. Throughout my schooling, I only had one black male teacher the entire time, Robinson said last week. This teacher led band class, which Robinson took from 5th to 12th grade. Having a black teacher was one of the main reasons he stuck with the class for so many years. It meant so much to see someone like me in the classroom, he said. Robinson is the first black man to win National Teacher of the Year in more than 25 years. The last black male teacher to receive the national honor was Thomas Fleming from Michigan in 1992. This post has been updated to reflect the revised list of speakers who will be participating in the press conference on Tuesday. Photo: President Donald J. Trump welcomes the 2019 National Teacher of the Year Award winners to the Oval Office Monday, April 29, 2019, at the White House. Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian The death of 13-year-old Kashala Francis was ruled as being due to natural causes, according an autopsy performed by Harris County Institute of Forensic Science. Kashala Francis, was involved in an off-campus altercation near Attucks Middle School on April 18, according to Houston Police Department spokesperson Victor Senties. She was rushed to Texas Children's Hospital, where she was pronounced dead nearly a week later, Senties said. MORNING UPDATES: Get all the news you need to know to start your day, delivered to your inbox According to an HCIFS spokesperson, the autopsy found that Kashala died of natural causes, due to "complications of intracranial neoplasm (pilocytic astrocytoma)." According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders website, "Juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma (JPA) is a rare childhood brain tumor. In most cases, the tumor is a benign, slow growing tumor that usually does not spread to surrounding brain tissue." HPD homicide detectives initially investigated the girl's death. An HPD Public Information Officer said due to the autopsy's ruling, the investigation will shift to see if any assault charges might be filed against those involved in the off-campus fight. Houston ISD issued the following statement: "The Houston Independent School District is deeply saddened to learn of the death of one of our students. We extend our sincere condolences to the student's family, friends, teachers and classmates. Off-campus events that preceded the student's death are being investigated by the Houston Police Department, and HISD is cooperating. We have grief counselors available at Attucks Middle School for all who may need assistance." HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Austin HS student charged with bringing gun to school, HISD says Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message The Harris County District Attorney is once again seeking the death penalty against a convicted cop killer who won a new punishment trial nearly three decades after the slaying of a Houston police officer. Shelton Jones was originally sent to death row for the April 1991 murder of Officer Bruno D. Soboleski, but a federal district court overturned his sentence in light of bad jury instructions. "We put police officers in harm's way to protect us from violence, and it is our duty to forever protect society from this killer," District Attorney Kim Ogg said in a statement Monday. "Sgt. Soboleski's family was forever changed by this horrific attack, and no matter how long it takes, Jones deserves the ultimate punishment." ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Houston state senator demands end to reading of killers' last statements after they're executed The night of the slaying, Soboleski was on patrol and driving in his squad car with a grand juror when he spotted two men at the intersection of Calhoun and Hull near the University of Houston. Soboleski stopped the pair, though it's not entirely clear why. As he searched them, Jones pulled out a 9mm pistol and started shooting, according to court records. After the officer fell to the pavement, Jones shot him again, then fled with his confederate. Afterward, a third man opened fire, getting off six rounds but missing the officer. Instead, he shot up the lawman's patrol car where the grand juror was trying to radio for help. The grand juror escaped unscathed, while Soboleski lingered in the hospital for five days, undergoing multiple surgeries before dying in intensive care. Longtime Harris County District Attorney Johnny Holmes prosecuted the case personally, winning a guilty verdict and a death sentence. But for nearly three decades, Jones has fought his sentence, raising a slew of concerns including claims about the effects of widespread publicity and police presence in the courtroom. COUNTY GOVERNMENT: High turnover continues at Harris County DAs office The media coverage at the time included a letter to the editor suggesting Jones be hung from a "tall tree" with a "short rope," according to court filings. He tried for a change of venue in light of the press, and later argued that the 15 to 25 officers in the courtroom had prejudiced jurors, implicitly demanding a guilty verdict with their presence. At one point, Jones also asked for additional funding for investigative findings and discovery, but the courts determined that they weren't "reasonably necessary." Even though the courts denied his appeals on those grounds, Jones won a new punishment phase over on bad jury instructions. And, since life without parole was not a sentencing option at the time of his crime, Jones could be eligible for parole some day if the jury rejects a death sentence, Ogg said. Defense attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 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. Houston homicide detectives hope new surveillance video sheds some light on three unknown suspects accused of killing a 59-year-old father in a brazen daytime robbery. Family members of Magdaleno Reyes' stood before television cameras and reporters during a press conference downtown Monday, begging anyone with information about the men responsible for their loved one's death to come forward. Reyes died Feb. 11 after being shot in the 7200 block of T.C. Jester during a robbery, Houston Police Department Homicide Detective J. Flores said. Escobar and about a half-dozen family members were wearing red ribbons in honor of their late family member; Red was his favorite color. "We (wonder if) his big, bright-red truck drew attention to him," Reyes' niece Arlette Escobar said. "The action was done. They took his life." Reyes was tending to his broken-down pickup truck that his wife had managed to pull over on T.C. Jester earlier that morning, Escobar said. He had walked to a nearby mechanic shop for help but returned to the street alone. Surveillance video released by police in the days after the shooting showed the gunman, wearing a red shirt or hoodie, get out of a Toyota Camry and go over to Reyes. That's when the suspect stole Reyes' wallet and cell phone, detectives say. During the robbery, the suspect opened fire, striking Reyes in the head, police say. He died on scene. "They took a father, a brother, someone who we all cared very much about," Escobar said. A passing HPD Mobility Response Team unit spotted Reyes lying lifeless on the ground moments after the shooting, police say. That unit radioed for help while tracking down the Camry, which was stolen earlier that day in Spring, police say. Houston paramedics rushed to help Reyes but were unable to save him. Officers found the Camry dumped about five miles away in the 3900 block of Creekmont. Inside the Camry, officers found at least four wallets including the one stolen from Reyes and a Taco Bell receipt from a trip to the fast-food joint the night before. Those wallets are believed to have been taken in similar robberies by the same suspects over the previous 24 hours, although none of the victims met Reyes' fate, Flores said. Surveillance video from that Taco Bell shows at least two men in the Camry paying for food in the drive-thru not more than 12 hours before the shooting, Flores said. While it is unclear if the men seen in the Taco Bell surveillance video are the same involved in Reyes' death, they are considered persons of interest, Flores said. The suspects involved in the shooting police are only described as three males, police say. One is described as being black or Hispanic in his 20s, standing about 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing between 140 and 150 pounds. Detailed descriptions for the other two suspects were not made available. Anyone with information about the suspects is urged to call HPD homicide detectives at 713-308-3600 or Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477). Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message Responding to what it called criminal levels of contamination, the Harris County District Attorneys office said Monday that it has charged Intercontinental Terminals Company with five misdemeanor counts of water pollution arising from a March plant fire that sent toxic chemicals into nearby waterways and a thick plume of smoke over the Houston area for days. The discharge from the ITC fire into Tucker Bayou is a clear water pollution case, said Alex Forrest, the environmental crimes division chief for the DAs office, in a written statement. We are looking forward to reviewing the reports of other local and federal agencies, as they complete their investigations, so that we can determine if other charges will follow. The charges are the most recent example of District Attorney Kim Oggs more aggressive approach toward chemical companies in the aftermath of environmental disasters that have outraged the public and drawn national attention. This is the beginning of our review, not the end, said Dane Schiller, a spokesman for the DAs office. According to the DAs Office, water pollution in Tucker Bayou was at criminal levels from March 17 through March 21. Prosecutors filed one count for each of the five days the company allegedly violated the law at its Deer Park plant. Each charge carries a fine of up to $100,000. People living in Deer Park and the other neighboring residential areas near ITCs plant deserve protection, Ogg said. When public health is at risk, its a public safety concern. An attorney for ITC, which stores petrochemicals for companies including Chevron, Philips 66 and Exxon, defended its efforts. Although we have not seen the charges, there is no question that there was a large fire and an enormous effort to extinguish it which resulted in a discharge into Tucker Bayou, said Michael Goldberg, an attorney for ITC, in a written statement. The Deer Park blaze began when a leak at one of ITCs petrochemical storage tanks caught fire on March 17. The conflagration created a thick plume of toxic smoke and chemicals that blanketed parts of greater Houston. During the days-long disaster, a containment wall breached, pouring large amounts of toxic chemicals such as xylene and benzene into Tucker Bayou. The blaze and spills led neighborhoods and schools to shelter in place, prompted a temporary closure of the Houston Ship Channel, and raised fears about air and water quality throughout the metro area. More than two weeks later, one worker was killed and two others were critically wounded during a fire at KMCOs Crosby chemical plant. State officials have filed lawsuits against ITC as well as KMCO in Crosby for pollution caused by fires at both facilities. ITC also faces a blizzard of lawsuits filed by area residents in the aftermath of its fire, which destroyed 11 chemical tanks and is under investigation by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Harris County officials previously estimated that its response to the disaster cost approximately $1.9 million in services, materials, supplies and labor. Mondays court action against ITC marks the second time Ogg has pursued criminal charges against Houston-area companies in high-profile pollution cases. After a chemical fire during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Ogg brought a criminal case against the chemical company Arkema and two of its executives for the reckless release of an air contaminant. Investigators found that the companys emergency plan provided little direction to employees on how to handle major floods, and as a result, it couldnt keep combustible organic peroxides cool, according to federal documents. Over the next week, nine trailers of organic peroxides erupted in flames, sending pillars of fire and thick plumes of black smoke into the air. Prosecutors recently charged the company and a third executive with reckless assault, citing injuries sustained by two deputies who responded to the scene based on the companys assurances. Company officials have defended their actions in both suits and accused Oggs office of prosecutorial overreach. A fire also broke out at Exxon Mobils Baytown refinery in mid-March but was contained hours later. The investigations are ongoing. Luke Metzger, executive director of Environment Texas, a state advocacy group, said Mondays charges send an important message to companies. It really raises the bar for industrial facilities, Metzger said. Harris County has stepped up oversight of the petrochemical industry since Ogg took office in 2016, and the 2018 election brought in new Democratic leadership on the Commissioners Court. Oggs office recently called for an additional $850,000 to fund eight new positions in the environmental crimes division, including tripling the number of prosecutors from two to six focused on such violations. Thats a change, Metzger said, adding that the most that companies could previously expect for violating a permit was a a weak fine. He expects employees and companies will demand more resources to invest in prevention and safety to avoid facing future criminal charges. In February, the Commissioners Court approved a 28 percent budget increase for the Pollution Control Department. The investment made little difference during the ITC and KMCO fires. The department was still unprepared for a multi-day response, despite experiencing one during the 2017 Arkema fire. The department told commissioners that it would take days to get air-quality test results related to the ITC fire. Five of the countys 12 ozone monitors were broken and it had no mobile air-monitoring vehicles at its disposal. Prosecutors have previously won convictions against ITC for water pollution, but not recently. The company paid a $500 fine for a 1975 conviction and $650 in a 1990 case. In the decade before the March fire, ITC violated federal and local environmental rules multiple times, racking up fines of more than $65,000 since 2009. Residents echoed Metzgers support for more aggressive oversight. Duncan Stewart lives a few miles from the plant. He wasnt surprised by the decision to charge ITC. He thinks polluters will take a criminal process more seriously than a simple civil penalty. A fine like that is a token for a company like ITC, Stewart said. A man was fatally shot Monday morning after leaving a club in southwest Houston, according to Houston police. A woman was also shot but is expected to survive, police said. Police said the two were driving from the club around 3:15 a.m. in the 7900 block of the Southwest Freeway. A suspect reportedly followed them from the club after some kind of altercation and fired several shots into their vehicle, police said. BE THE FIRST TO KNOW: Sign up to get breaking news delivered directly to you The victims had been traveling down the service road and crashed into the Southwest Freeway retaining wall near Beechnut, police said. The man, who was driving, was found dead on the scene. Police applied a tourniquet to the injured woman until an ambulance could arrive, police said. Police were working to get a description of the suspects overnight. The investigation is ongoing. Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com | NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | The Marine veteran believed responsible for killing his uncle at a north Houston home had been staying with him for the past three weeks after being released from jail, according to a lawyer who recently represented the 27-year-old. Oscar Ochoa was granted probation and released from custody on April 8 after being arrested for violating the community supervision conditions of an unrelated arson case in March, according to court records. During that jail stint, he was ordered to undergo a mental health assessment. Attorney Cynthia Henley, who no longer represents Ochoa, said he was allowed to live with his aunt at her home in the 9900 block of Aldine Westfield Road. That is the same home where he is accused of killing his uncle, Alfredo Garnica Jr., 39, with a 12-gauge shotgun as his aunt listened to the slaying in a phone call on Sunday afternoon, prosecutors said. She said Ochoa was homeless and at a very bad place in his life. He was not a scary dude, Henley said. The shooting happened while members of Ochoas family, including his aunt, were at church. The suspect Ochoa called his aunt and demanded that she be truthful about unspecified family issues, prosecutors said. She hesitated but heard her husband on the other line urging her to talk, officials said Monday afternoon during a probable cause hearing. She proceeded to talk but then heard her nephew rack a shotgun and open fire. She heard him rack the weapon again and fire another shot. Better him than me, the nephew then told her, according to prosecutors and relatives. I dont want to die. Her son, and then police, found Garnica dead of a gunshot wound to the head at the Aldine Westfield home around 3:40 p.m., officials said. Two spent 12-gauge shells were found in the room and a third shell was found near the entrance of the house, according to the prosecutor. The aunt called 911 and said her nephew shot her husband and had likely fled in her vehicle to a home in the 2900 block of Trenton Road, police said. The vehicle was found abandoned but still running in the 3000 block of Little York Road and Ochoa was soon apprehended at the home on Trenton Road. There, police also found an AR-15 and a shotgun. Surveillance video from the aunt and uncles home showed Ochoa going in and out of the home and at one point brandishing the semi-automatic rifle and shotgun. A public defender said Ochoa had struggled with unemployment for the past two years. He joined the Marines in 2010 and left four years later after serving in Afghanistan. A magistrate ordered that Ochoa be held with no bond because the murder charge happened while he was on a five-year deferred adjudication for the 2016 arson case. Ochoa was linked to an insurance fraud investigation in which he and an accomplice were hired to steal a FIAT 500 and then dispose of it because the owner was tired of paying on a vehicle with frequent mechanical problems. The accomplice asked Ochoa to help because he knew that Ochoa was in need of money, according to court documents. Ochoa was responsible for setting the vehicle ablaze. He pleaded guilty to the arson charge in March 2018. Samantha Ketterer contributed to this report. nicole.hensley@chron.com A taxi driver was shot Monday afternoon at a Kroger in Montrose, according to Houston police. The driver's condition is unknown. More than one person has been detained, but it's unclear whether they are suspects. Police first received the report of a shooting around 1:20 p.m. in the 3000 block of Montrose Boulevard. At the scene, a large bullet hole is visible in the taxi's driver side window, as well as several shell casings on the ground. A blood-stained cloth was also seen on the ground near the taxi. LAKE HOUSTON: Authorities reveal new sketch, details on severed head case Arnold Hugues was shopping at the Kroger shortly before the shooting happened. He said he hit the ground when he heard at least five gunshots. "I saw everybody running," Hugues said. "When I got up, I see cops all around. I came close to the cab driver. He got shot (in his side), but he was still talking. He was talking. I think God saved his life." This story will be updated as more information becomes available. 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. Marley Alutec has recently secured a new Scottish independent merchant stockist and federation membership. Marley Alutec products will now be stocked by John Cameron (Plumbers and Builders Merchants) Ltd in Glasgow. Specifically, Camerons will be stocking the Alutec Evolve Half Round and Evolve Deepflow aluminium guttering systems, as well as the Evolve 63mm and Tudor 63mm downpipe systems, all of which are popular amongst the merchants client base. Managing Director, John Cameron said: We receive a lot of interest in the Marley Alutec Evolve system due to its simple bolt free, clip together installation. We believe that stocking the Evolve system will add value to our product offering and we are looking forward to working with Alutec to promote the range in the future. Already an associate member of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Alutec has also recently become an associate member of the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers Federation. Alutec will be involved in many of SNIPEFs regular events, either through sponsorship or attendance, to promote its product offering and liaise with local installers. Drummond Mckenzie, Marley Alutecs Area Sales Manager for Scotland, said: We are delighted that Camerons has become an Alutec stockist as it is a notable, recognised brand in Scotland and it has provided a lot of support to Alutec in the past it is great to now be in partnership. We are also looking forward to attending future SNIPEF events to meet and support new and existing Marley Alutec customers. Pictured: John Camerson (left) and Drummond McKenzie. Donald Trump Jr. may keep a fairly low profile compared with his president dad, but Donald Trump's oldest son did recently make headlines for almost turning down a posh vacation mansion in the Hamptons. The reason? According to the New York Post, the house lacked a secure room to store his guns. After hearing about Trump Jr.'s dilemma, we couldn't help but wonder if he was the only home shopper who prioritizes such a home featureand apparently he's got plenty of company! We dug through our listings and found more than 400 homes currently on the market that tout a gun room. Wherever you stand on the firearms debate, gun rooms raise plenty of questions. If you're selling a home with a gun room, should you mention it? If you're buying a place with a gun room, are there safety concerns? Here's everything you need to know. Should you mention a gun room in the listing? Although gun rooms are a bit of a niche item, "when potential buyers read that a house has a gun room, they will likely not have a neutral reaction," says Eric Vaughn, a real estate agent with Upchurch Realty, in Athens, GA. Amanda Graham, a Washington, DCbased real estate agent with Sotheby's International Realty, agrees that some buyers might have mixed feelings upon seeing pictures of a gun room in a listing. "The popularity [of a gun room] varies by location," she says. "For instance, home buyers in New York [City] most likely would not see this as desirable, versus a home buyer in Idaho." Despite this, Graham suggests including a gun room in the listing since potential buyers will find out about it when they eventually tour the home. "After all, this could end up being a desirable feature," she says. What safety features does a gun room require? A gun room isn't just any room with a few lockers for gun storage. Most are constructed below ground, in a vault or basement. Teris Pantazes, co-founder of home preparation service Settle Rite, notes that most gun rooms have specific safety features, such as the following: A fortified door with heavy-duty locks No windows Concrete walls Lockable display cabinets For extra safety, some gun room doors include a deadbolt that locks with a key from the outside but can also be turned on the insideso no one accidentally gets trapped inside, says Jordan Barkin, a real estate agent with Harry Norman Realtors in Atlanta. Barkin also notes that careful owners of gun rooms will install LED bulbs and a switch both inside and outside the vault, so nobody gets stuck fumbling around in the dark. A gun room's impact on resale Given the niche market of a gun room, how will one affect a home's resale value? "Most people will see a gun room as a potential waste of space," says Lior Rachmany, CEO of Dumbo Moving + Storage. "Even people who have one or two guns wouldn't usually dedicate an entire room for their guns." Rachmany adds that since potential homeowners like to imagine themselves in their future home, a gun room can be an instant turnoff for some. "Gun rooms are big statements, so be prepared that it can hinder you selling your home," he warns. But if you're OK with a smaller pool of buyers, there is a plus side: "These rooms could attract gun collectors," he says. How to list a home with a gun room When listing a home that includes a gun room, first and foremost mention the room's safety features. And while including a gun room in your listing photos is fine, all firearms should be removed from your home before your first open house. "I highly recommend removing all guns from the premise and storing them off-site," Pantazes says. "Even if there's a locked area [in your home] that is part of your amenity list, I would recommend clearing it of weapons and ammunition and leaving in an unlocked position so any potential buyers might be able to look inside and visualize their own firearms." In fact, Pantazes even suggests advertising the room as either a gun/safety room or a secure storage room for valuables. "I would include the word 'gun' but not make it the sole focus," he says. Vaughn agrees that rebranding the room might help reel buyers in. "It can be included as 'secure storage closet' or something similar," he says. "This description is less likely to leave viewers who couldn't care less about a gun room thinking, 'Well, what would I do with that?'" The post Real Estate Listings With Gun Rooms? The Pros, Cons, and Perils Revealed appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. Studies across 13 CEMEX quarries have discovered more than 100 wildlife species, including a variety of wildflowers, butterflies, rare birds and protected mammals. Cambusmore quarry in northern Scotland was the most diverse of all sites surveyed, with 200 species recorded in total. This included 15 Red List birds, six protected mammals and 66 flowering plants. There were regular sightings of pine martens, ospreys, Atlantic salmon, otters and high numbers of red squirrel. Meanwhile, Raynes quarry in North Wales is the most improved site, with a total of 132 recorded species. The creation of a wildflower meadow has been successful, with 87 different varieties of flowering plant spotted, including several types of orchid. This has in turn attracted many different butterflies and moths, such as ringlet, small heath, common blue, dingy skipper, dark green fritillary and cinnabar moth. There are plans for goats to be used to graze the wildflower meadow in autumn as a natural method of scrub control. The survey has been relaunched for the coming year, with the aim to expand it across the UK, covering all 35 quarries. This monitoring is vital as it helps to inform and develop the Biodiversity Action Plans at each site; assessing how activities such as planting wildflower meadows, wetland creation or installation of bat boxes are doing, and highlighting areas for potential improvement. Sean Cassidy, Regional Environmental Manager for Sustainability, said: Encouraging biodiversity across our business locations is a priority for CEMEX and this initiative has demonstrated the success of these efforts. Its a great opportunity to reflect on the work completed so far and consider how it can be developed further, while also encouraging our teams to get involved and appreciate the wildlife for themselves. We are excited to see what this years survey records! 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The ISIS-supported attack marks the most violence the country has faced since its brutal, 25-year civil war came to a close in 2009 during which suicide bombings at banks, bus stations, and other public spaces were common. The ban on major social networksinstituted by the Sri Lankan government to curb misinformation and hate speechis is now on its eighth day and continues to interrupt communication, blocking access to family and friends. Its also a burden to journalists trying to keep up with sources and follow what is an ongoing terrorist threat. Hearing of the ban, I couldnt help but think of how much I relied on these platforms when I was living in Sri Lanka during last years constitutional crisis. When a sudden shift in power in the highest branch of government was overlooked by international media and local coverage became politically motivated, I looked to reporter friends on Facebook who were posting regular updates, journalist messaging groups on WhatsApp, and Twitter lists curated by Groundviews, a local media organization. And when, ultimately, the political party leading the coup seized the Sri Lankan newspaper I had been working at and forced out one of my editors when she refused to cede editorial control, I found out through social media. For Western journalists who are physically distant from Sri Lanka, it is easy to use this violence and the ban that followed as another data point in their ongoing battle against Facebook. Kara Swisher wrote in an op-ed for The New York Times that her first reaction when she heard the site had been blocked was, Good. When you traffic in outrage, you get death, she wrote. Stop the Facebook/YouTube/Twitter worldwe want to get off. Turning off Facebook and other social media, Swisher argues, is one of the only ways to protect against further violence. Sure, users do traffic in outrage on these platforms, but vital information also circulatesinformation that can only flow outside the political constraints of mainstream Sri Lankan media. And while there is a case to be made that Sri Lankas history of ethnic tension makes it particularly susceptible to flare-ups in violence, journalists and people seeking information will be hurt by the ban. Free-speech advocates have railed against the ban as needless censorship, condemning the Sri Lankan government for taking draconian measures. But Sri Lankas tragedy is neither a footnote in an American list of grievances against big tech nor a straightforward instance of authoritarian censorship by the government. Instead, the ban on social media should be seen as a desperate, albeit haphazard, attempt by a government inept at handling sensitive informationits said to have known about the attacks in advanceto tame social media networks that have gotten wildly out of hand. Social media blocks have now become something of a routine in Sri Lanka during emergencies, though no real research has been done into their effectiveness. Even with the ban, misinformation spreads. Many have managed to get around the block with VPNs. Fake news is still running rampant on Facebookincluding rumors about additional bombs and misleading photos repurposed from previous tragedies. Still, Sri Lankas ban will set a harrowing precedent for information freedom in the years to come. And the likes of Facebook and Youtube, in creating a situation ripe for government overreach, have become de facto accomplices. The ban on social media should be seen as a desperate, haphazard attempt by the Sri Lankan government to tame social media networks that have gotten wildly out of hand. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Sri Lanka is extremely online. Throughout the country, the red Dialog logo sticker (Sri Lankas most popular phone service) can be spotted on even the smallest of shops. According to some estimates, there are as many as 27 million mobile connections in Sri Lanka more than there are people in the countryand of those mobile connections, 55 percent have 3G or 4G capabilities. WhatsApp and Facebook are staples for communicationthe latter had 6 million active users in the country as of 2018. In September of last year, I met Roel Raymond, a tech-savvy editor at Roar Media, on a press trip to the Northern Province. Together, we listened to speakers speculate about how to make Jaffna, a city still very much bearing the scars of the civil war, more Instagrammable to attract tourists. A month later, Raymond became one of the first journalists to post when the president ousted the sitting prime minister and appointed Mahinda Rajapaksa, a former leader accused of human rights violations and violent attacks on the press, in his place. Raymond painstakingly documented the ensuing crisis, which would span two tense months, until the Supreme Court finally deemed the move unconstitutional. I just kept updating my Facebook and Twitter with information as I received it and before I knew it, it took over my life, she said. During the crisis, Raymond quickly became my go-to for information. I was on a fellowship at the state paper, and the sudden political switch-up left me in a particularly precarious situation. Id sometimes catch myself refreshing Facebook and Twitter several times a minute desperate for any kernel of truth amidst a flurry of propagandistic messages from my former employer. The paper I worked at had come under control of the new government, and even the building I worked in was sporting banners with Mahinda Rajapaksas smiling, mustached face. Raymond has been documenting the Easter bombings in the same meticulous fashion. She was restrained in her opinions about the recent ban. I would normally be incensed at the idea of a social media ban, she said, but in both instances that the government imposed it [the first, during mob violence in 2018], I have understood why and think it isnt too much to ask in the interest of national security. Marianne David, deputy editor of Sri Lankas DailyFT newspaper, echoed that sentiment. On her fifth night of working double shifts, she wrote to me via Twitter (which is not banned) from a barebones newsroom of three reporters: I believe the press can work around it. . . if it helps the security situation, media must find other ways to manageand it will. Sri Lanka Press Institute CEO Kumar Lopez emphasized the particularities of Sri Lankas situation, which often arent taken into account by Western reporters in search of an anecdote for a big tech or anti-censorship rant. We need to take this in the right context, he wrote to me via email. Sri Lanka is a multi-religious, multi-ethnic, multi-communal society, which has gone through 30 years of war. The issue is very sensitive. Social media companies have done little to respond to those sensitivities. Amantha Perera, South Asia coordinator for Columbias Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, remembers visiting Facebooks Singapore headquarters in June. He saw an interactive map with data about each country on the platform, and yet, when he clicked on Sri Lanka, no information came up. The impression it gave was that Sri Lanka was not important enough to be tracked or displayed in real time, he says. Because Sri Lanka does not generate as much revenue as other, larger countries, he explains, putting resources toward the country might not make sense from a business perspective. Facebook has to pay more attention to markets like Sri Lanka where [it doesnt] generate a lot of money for the company, but [its] impact is huge, he says. Like many other countries around the world, Sri Lankas social media is full of suspicious fake accounts, and plenty of mis- and disinformation. Last spring, a similar social media ban followed mob violence fueled by online rumors that the Muslim minority was trying to sterilize the Sinhalese Buddhist majority. In June, a manufactured memo spread on Twitter, claiming the writer of a controversial New York Times article had left the Times in the aftermath (she had not), while a member of parliament tried to spread an online rumor that the government had poisoned milk packets at a protest led by his political party. After the recent violence, Sri Lankas police department even tweeted out a photo of a Brown University student, mistakenly identifying her as a suspect in the terrorist attack investigation. The risks of these falsehoods online are compounded by poor digital literacy. Digital platforms give a space for journalists that doesnt exist in Sri Lankas traditional media. Western media should not blindly praise what could very well be overreach by the Sri Lankan government; instead, we should double down on our criticism and demands of the platforms. What makes these platforms so liberating in a tight media environment are also what presents the greatest dangers: they cannot be regulated locally and they offer an open space for discussion. For me, social media is the best thing that happened to media, Raymond says. I have only cliched praise for it. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Kelsey Ables is currently based in New York writing about tech, art, and media at Artsy. She was formerly an editorial assistant for CJR. Follow her on Twitter @ables_kelsey. Its spring, and a young lexicographers fancy turns to love of new words. Many dictionaries update online periodically, and March and April were the periods for the Oxford English Dictionary, Dictionary.com, and Merriam-Webster. M-W says it added more than 640 new words in April; The OED says it added More than 650 new words, senses, and subentries in March; and Dictionary.com says it added more than 300 new words and definitions in April. ICYMI: Redacted or censored? The right words to use when reporting on Mueller The new entries have little overlap, not surprising given that different dictionaries have different audiences and purposes. As we wrote last fall, M-Ws editor at large, Peter Sokolowski, says that M-W is synchronic, concentrating on current, active vocabulary. The OED is diachronic, written from a historical perspective. Dictionary.com is based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, but it also uses the American Heritage and HarperCollins dictionaries to supplement its main database, so its not a single source, but it is also synchronic. And words make it into dictionaries at different speeds. As M-W said, Each word follows its own path at its own pace before its use is widespread enough to be included in a dictionary. For example, our column last fall noted that imposter syndrome had just made it into the OED, despite having been around since at least the 1980s. Its now made it into M-W and Dictionary.com as well. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Youre probably not surprised to hear that many of the new words in the OED are British, and that you may never have heard them. For example, dof, an adjective meaning Stupid, dim-witted; uninformed, clueless. Or baff and baffie, a slipper, usually one that is worn out. Or chuddies, Short trousers, shorts. Now usually: underwear; underpants. Youre also probably not surprised that many of the new words arise from changes in politics and society. Both the OED and Dictionary.com added Latinx, for a person of Latin American descent who does not want to be identified as either a Latino (male) or a Latina (female). M-W added it in last falls update. But the OED also added [email protected] as a second gender-neutral term, calling it chiefly U.S. and tracing it to 2000, eight years earlier than Latinx. Gender nonconforming was added to M-W, as were top surgery and bottom surgery, the procedures to have someone conform physically to their gender identity. Dictionary.com covers nonconforming in its gender-variant entry, though variant has a tinge of negativity and should probably be avoided. Dictionary.com added false flag, defining it as an attack or other hostile action that obscures the identity of the participants carrying out the action while implicating another group or nation as the perpetrator. The OED added that in January 2018, though, as we wrote last fall, the term traces to 1569, albeit in a figurative sense. False flag hasnt yet appeared in M-W. Dictionary.com also just got around to adding dumpster fire, which we wrote about three years ago. Its already in M-W, but not in the OED, although you will find dumpster diver there, which also appears in M-W and under dumpster diving in Dictionary.com. (For the diehard copy editors out there, remember that dumpster lost trademark status in 2015 and is no longer capitalized.) Safe space showed up in Dictionary.com to mean a place that provides a physically and emotionally safe environment for a person or group of people, especially a place where people can freely express themselves without fear of prejudice, negative judgment, etc. M-W added it in early 2017; the OED isnt there yet. M-W added definitions for snowflake. Besides being a crystalline form of precipitation, it can also mean someone regarded or treated as unique or special and someone who is overly sensitive, as we wrote two years ago. And finally, the OED caught up with the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy by adding grassy knoll. As its entry notes, it has gone beyond the theory that there was a second gunman positioned on a grass verge, and now means anything considered as a major factor or issue in any investigation around which conspiracy theories have been constructed. Those may be the same people who wave the false flags. Though its a British dictionary, the OED beats the homegrown ones in pointing out a purely American phenomenon. Diachronic, indeed. ICYMI: The visual power of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Merrill Perlman managed copy desks across the newsroom at the New York Times, where she worked for twenty-five years. Follow her on Twitter at @meperl. Last September, during a heavy downpour in Brooklyns Sunset Park neighborhood, Luis Sanchez Almonte was buried alive. An immigrant from the Dominican Republic, Sanchez Almonte, who was 47, had been living in northern Manhattan since 2016 and working construction jobs to send money back home. He was digging at the base of a 30-foot wall when it gave way, covering Sanchez Almonte in mud and debris. In the hours that followed, more than a hundred firefighters arrived on the scenealong with search dogs, listening devices, and assorted heavy machinerybut the rain hampered recovery efforts. It was not until the next day that Sanchez Almonte was dug out and pronounced dead. Jere Hester was in the newsroom at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, at the City University of New York, when news of the accident flashed on TV. An awful tragedy, he thought. Over the coming days, Hester, then the director of the schools NYCity News Service, found the story sticking with him. The incident had occurred not far from the one-bedroom apartment where Hester grew up. It also reminded him of a story he had worked on in 1999 as an editor at the New York Daily News, about a construction worker from Mexico who fell through the floor of a construction site in Williamsburg and drowned in three feet of wet concrete. Back then, Hester and the Daily News crewalong with journalists from a host of other city publicationsdid what Hester says journalists are supposed to do when something like this happens. They pestered the Buildings Department. They hounded the developers. They wrote columns and follow-up reports. They advocated that justice come down on a builder who, it turned out, was no stranger to workplace accidents. The event even inspired a book by Jimmy Breslin, the beloved city columnist, called The Short Sweet Dream of Eduardo Gutierrez (2002), in which Breslin excoriated local corruption and American immigration policy. In the case of Sanchez Almonte, however, after initial coverage of the accident, weeks passed and then? Nothingat least not as far as Hester saw in the press. Community leaders had told reporters that safety measures at the worksite were substandard. An investigation by the Buildings Department was ostensibly underway. But soon it seemed as if the death had never happened. You walk down pretty much any block in this city, and you see building sites, Hester says. But we dont report on these things like we used to. Its not that there arent still great reporters out there, he adds. Its because theyre stretched too thin and on to the next story. ICYMI: A wake for half the Daily News Days before, Hester, who is 52, had signed on to become editor in chief of The City, a new digital news nonprofit that launched this month with the aim of investing in local accountability journalism. Hester was on the lookout for stories that he believed deserved better coverage. It was not hard to find examples. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Local news has taken a beating in New York in recent years. Major publications, including The New York Times and the Daily News, have winnowed local coverage in favor of stories from across the nation and the world. Others, including The Village Voice and DNAinfo, a hyperlocal site, have closed outright. Mass layoffs have become the norm. For years, it was death by a thousand cuts, Hester says. Lately, its become a bloodbath. Its much the same story as anywhere over the past decade, as diminishing advertising revenue and shifting online distribution models continue to ravage the news industry. But in New York, where boroughs larger than most American cities are now hardly trodden by local reporters, the effects are particularly acute. Its not just accountability that falls by the wayside, whether for specific incidents of wrongdoing, or for negligence on the part of entire city agencies. A decline in local news also threatens to deliver a decline in civic engagement. Does the news help New Yorkers understand and navigate their city? More and more, the answer would seem to be no. In many ways, the news built New York City, from the newspaper wars of the late 19th century, when Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst duked for prominence, to the post-war years, when a booming national economy and ad sales propelled newspapers to ever-greater heights. Young reporters dashed across town, willing to do anything for a byline, even writing up sermons from prominent churches on Sundays. It was a different universe, Clyde Haberman, who began his career in the sixties as a Times copy boy, says. Nobody would dream of doing this stuff now. The Timess coverage was robust, but the real action was in the tabloidsthick with adsincluding the New York Post, the Daily News, and eventually Newsday, based in Long Island. Small paper. Big headline. High energy. Blood, guts, dirt, fires, floods, champion of the da people. Thats how Nora Ephron described the tabloids in her play Lucky Guy (2013), set in the eighties and nineties, about the life and career of Mike McAlary, a Pulitzer Prizewinning columnist and reporter. The city then, Ephron wrote, was a shithole. But it was a grand and glorious time to be in the tabloid business. Politicians sought favor and feared condemnation. And when the tabloids got on a story, coverage in the Times and on TV routinely followed. Pages were filled with popular voices: Michael Daly, Jim Dwyer, Gail Collins, and Breslin, who was so revered that he was once tapped as a spokesperson for a brewing company, Piels, in East New York. (Its a good drinking beer, the slogan went.) If youre gonna be a watchdog, youve gotta be watching. Whether or not this was a golden era is subject to debate. By the mid-eighties, much of what fueled papers growth, on the tabloid side especially, was celebrity gossip, including not a few front pages that made hay of Donald Trump. And even more than today, Haberman recalls, coverage of marginalized neighborhoods and groupsminorities, gay people, immigrants, and the poorwas scarce, or offensive. Still, awash in Watergates afterglow, journalism was highly coveted as a profession; newsrooms brimmed with reporters, many fresh from the Ivy League, stacked behind beats that probed city politics and governancewriting on education, transportation, the courts, housing, homelessness, AIDS, infrastructure, and more. But the expanding market for mass media was chomping into newspaper revenue. And as the city changedthe papers targeted a primarily white, working class audience in a city that was rapidly growing more diversepublishers struggled to keep pace. Circulation declined and outlets began shedding reporters. When Paul Moses took over as city editor of Newsday, in 1997, the paper had gone from 60-odd reporters in the eighties to only 12. (A city-specific edition of the paper had closed in 1995, after a decade of operation.) Moses added back a few reporters and, in time, came to feel that his team was doing a respectable job of covering the city. I remember thinking, This is scary, Moses says. If we can actually do this with 15 reporters, soon the other papers are going to realize itand theyre all going to cut back. As the millennium turned, the internet promised new riches, if only outlets would trade local audiences for ones across the country and abroad. Publishers leaped. In 2008, the Times folded its stand-alone Metro section into the A section, along with national and international coverage. The Times also cut many of its city-centric columns, including one written by Haberman from 1995 to 2011. (Decisions were made, Haberman wrote in his final column, by way of explanation. Lets leave it at that.) In 2015, the Daily News, which had circulated to more than a million people in the pre-2000s, scrapped its borough-specific sections. A year later, The New York Observer, once a beloved skewer of the citys rich and powerful (particularly under the stewardship of longtime editor Peter Kaplan) ran its last print issueand, tellingly, dumped the words New York from its masthead. RELATED: Scrappy Brooklyn news site ventures into print Scaling back local coverage was rationalized as sensible business. In 2016, in response to a story in the Times about a fire in the Bronx, Liz Spayd, the papers last public editor, wrote: Why should a newsroom that just announced lofty international ambitions spend resources covering news of no interest to readers in Beijing or London? She explained that, moving forward, the Times would favor local stories that tap into widely resonant themes over incremental beat reporting. (The broader subject of policing and race is in. Cop coverage by jurisdiction is out.) Spayd acknowledged that the approach was risky: When reporters arent tied to hard beats, they dont develop the kinds of sources and expertise that help them break big stories. That has proven true in Mosess experience. In 1992, Newsday won a Pulitzer for its coverage of a midnight subway derailment, and Moses says that the story was only possible because the paper had both a full-time subway reporter and a full-time subway columnist, as well as a handful of other reporters who routinely covered transportation. If youre gonna be a watchdog, youve gotta be watching, Moses says. Unless theyre on watch, New Yorks papers risk losing touch with the city and the people living in it. Last June, for example, outlets were taken aback when Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defeated Joseph Crowley in the Democratic primary for New Yorks Fourteenth Congressional District (which encompasses the east Bronx and north-central Queens). From the races outset, the press had treated Crowley, a long-seated incumbent who was considered Nancy Pelosis possible successor to lead House Democrats, as the all-but-certain victornever mind shifting demographics in the Bronx and Queens, Ocasio-Cortezs aggressive door-to-door canvassing, or her savvy social media game. In the Times, before the week of the primary, Ocasio-Cortezs name had appeared in only two news stories, neither of which was about her campaign specifically. The morning after her victory, a headline in the paper read: Who Is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez? A 28-Year-Old Democratic Dragon Slayer. Jill Abramson, the Timess former executive editor, tweeted in response: Kind of pisses me off that @nytimes is still asking Who Is Ocasio-Cortez? when it should have covered her campaign. Missing her rise akin to not seeing Trumps win coming in 2016. By lunch that day, the Times removed the question from its headline. The Times was hardly alone in skimping on coverage of Ocasio-Cortez. We simply didnt have the manpower to cover that race the way we should have, Erin Durkin, a former City Hall and politics reporter for the Daily News, tells CJR. In years past, when there were more reporters to go around, Durkin explains, election coverage was a shared effort between reporters in City Hall, political reporters assigned to the boroughs, and a Daily News staffer in Washington focused on New Yorks congressional delegation. In 2018, with the City Hall bureau cut nearly to the boneit was just Durkin and one other reporterand the borough and Washington bureaus both long gone, election coverage proved a strain, as she and her colleague were still responsible for covering the mayor, a 51-member city council, and the daily machinations of city agencies. Its not reporters jobs to pick winners, but it should be our job to cover competitive elections and help inform voters, Durkin says. In July, half of the Daily Newss already trim editorial staff was laid off, including Durkin, leaving only one reporter in City Hall. That doesnt mean you only need one person to cover City Hall, Jim Rich, the Daily Newss former editor in chief (who also lost his job in the cuts), says. It means that one reporter is working twice or three times as hard. Its not fair to that reporter, and its not good for the city. I feel like Im on a life raft in the bleak, terrible sea of local news. City journalists, under pressure to file as many as five pieces a day, are unable to devote time to the research and discovery that result in scoops. In 2017, the Daily News won a public service Pulitzer, in partnership with ProPublica, for a series of stories demonstrating how police had abused the law to evict hundreds of people, many of them poor minorities, from their homes. Today, that story would never happen, no chance in hell, Rich says, explaining that the project required years of dedicated investment. The gutting of the Daily News by its owner, Tribune Publishing, has shown in more obvious ways: in February, a headline confused Long Island with Staten Island and, the next day, another story misidentified Mayor Bill de Blasio as Mike. The New York Post gleefully reported the mistake. Robert York, the current editor in chief of the Daily News, disputes the Posts characterization of the cause of these errorsthat copy and design functions had been moved to a centralized hub in Chicago, which they have not. Without providing an alternate explanation, York says that the Daily News is in good posture to cover local stories. At the time of this writing, however, the City Hall bureau chief position is vacant. The decay of coverage has had consequences for those who remain on the job. For years, it has been the norm for certain reporters to find themselves the only journalist at a public meeting, if anyone from the press shows up at all. Some are viewed as so alien that they get kicked out; in March, Maya Kaufman, a reporter for Patch, the community watchdog website, was barred from a public hearing by the mayors office. Peter Mastrosimone, editor in chief of the Queens Chronicle, a weekly newspaper, says that officials and community leaders have grown less accustomed to being pestered by reporters, which makes it harder than ever to get powerful people on the record. The running joke in our office is that the Department of Transportation will tell us in an email, on background, that they pave roads, he says. Research shows that a decline in local news contributes to a drop in civic awareness and participation. NY1, generally regarded as the standard-bearer for local TV news, deserves particular credit for frequently hosting politicians for interviews and debates. But its difficult to keep New Yorkers engaged: in the last mayoral race, in 2017, only 26 percent of registered voters participated, according to the Board of Elections, and only 12 percent showed for the primary. (Turnout was 41 percent when Michael Bloomberg won election in 2001 and 57 percent when New Yorkers chose Rudy Giuliani in 1993.) Some reporters are nervous about their outlets preparedness to cover the mayoral race in 2021. No one has been put in a situation to succeed, a city government reporter tells CJR. The problem extends well beyond politics, of course. Fewer reporters on the street means less expertise in newsrooms and less awareness of the publics mood. Small neighborhood sites (West Side Rag, The Lo-Down, The Wave) and their more ambitious cousins (the Bronx Times, the Queens Postplus Our Town and The Spirit, once run by Kyle Pope, now the editor of CJR) play meaningful roles in their communities. But with small budgets and staffsin some cases, theyre the passion project of a single busybody with good tipsmost would be hard-pressed to pull off investigations of pervasive problems. Reporting by Bklyner has forced local action on housing and school crosswalks, but its editor, Liena Zagare, laments the many subjects that her team, of five, has trouble getting to: real estate development, transportation, education, courts, and the environment, to name a few. More than a million New Yorkers live in poverty, and millions of others are on the threshold. Those are a lot of important lives, and we just know nothing about them from our media, says Doug Lasdon, who has led the Urban Justice Center, a nonprofit, for more than 30 years. Lasdon has observed that outlets like the Timeswhich could once be counted on for coverage of public assistance, housing, healthcare, and other poverty-related storiesnow tend to come up short. In April, by CJRs count, out of nearly 300 articles in the Times Metro section, one was primarily about poverty. (Cliff Levy, the sections editor, says, These issues are absolutely core to the Timess mission, and were never going to pull back from them.) In a city where nearly 40 percent of residents are foreign born, ethnic and foreign-language newspapersof which there are hundreds in New York Cityare essential, but their audiences are niche, and many lack the resources to support in-depth reporting. In the citywide press, these communities are often underserved, or misunderstood. Amy Torres, of the Chinese-American Planning Council, a social services nonprofit catering primarily to low-income and immigrant clients, points to the ongoing debate over specialized high schools. On multiple occasions, Torres says, reporters from the Times and elsewhere have approached the Asian immigrant community expecting a defense of the status quoAsian students are well-represented in these schools, compared to other ethnic groupsbut many CPC families have not benefited from the existing system. They want us to comment on the Asians in the schools, not the Asians we serve, Torres says. The result is coverage that lacks nuance. Its very difficult for us to fight for issues of equity when theres a flattening of our community in the media and in policy-making, Torres says. ICYMI: A decade in, the Texas Tribune pursues the rest of its audience Violent crime has reached an historic low, yet splashy stories still make headlines, often in the place of deep reporting. In 2016, when prosecutors for the Southern District of New York announced what they called the largest gang raid in the citys history, the press played along. 120 violent thugs, the New York Post wrote. As The Intercept reported last week, however, only a third of the defendants were charged with violent crimes and more than half were never gang members at all. At the neighborhood level, residents have watched with dismay as local coverage has dwindled. Rob Witherwax, who heads the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council, a civic group, says that his area benefited enormously from the presence of DNAinfo, which, until its closure, in November 2017, was a reliable source of hyperlocal, day-in, day-out stories; reporters were assigned to virtually every neighborhood in the city and were regulars at community board meetings. The people who have the luxury of time to go to these meetingsand it is a luxuryare generally the people who have other luxuries, too, Witherwax explains. So, just to have a disinterested third party in the room who knows the issues, who is providing a record to everyone else, thats priceless. When the site shut downin part the result of its staff voting to unionizeWitherwax says the loss felt personal. That reporter was a part of our community, he says, of Rachel Holliday Smith, who was on the beat. Witherwax and the neighborhood development council have since attempted to fill the gap, through the councils website and email list serve. But we are necessarily a conflicted party, Witherwax says. We have an agenda. Smith says that, after she received an email announcing her sites shutdown, distressed inquiries from sources followed. Who are we going to talk to now? they asked. Who will we go to with stories? When it made sense, Smith pointed them to outlets like the Brooklyn Daily Eagle or Brooklyn Paper. But often the stories her old sources had in mind were so specific to their neighborhoods that she had no answer. It was horrible, Smith says. I was like, I dont know who to direct you to. There is nobody who will cover this. Its a dire picture that threatens to look worse. Fewer local stories lead to a less-informed readership, which then grows less interested in local news, thus further reducing the incentive to support local stories, Tony Proscio, a researcher, explained in a 2018 report on local news in New York published by the Charles H. Revson Foundation. The Times, for one, has pledged to reinvest in city coverage, with the appointment of Levy, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and Metro veteran, as the sections editor. Recent investigationsinto wasteful spending by the Metropolitan Transit Authority and lead paint in public housing, for examplehave been impressive. But neighborhood coverage can feel superficial. With some 90 percent of the Timess readership coming from outside of New York, Levy says, wide appeal is still the goal. We want to be an indispensable resource for people who live in New York, Levy says. But we also want to be indispensable for people who live outside of New York. On the bright side, a recent surge of philanthropic support for local news has fueled promising growth and experimentation, especially among nonprofit outlets. Early last year, WNYC, New Yorks public radio station, was able to revive Gothamist, a hyperlocal news site that had been shut down along with DNAinfo. And then came The City. Within the first 24 hours of its announcementvia an article in the Times last Septembermore than 80 applications flooded Jere Hesters inbox; some 500 followed in the next months. The applicant pool stunned Hester, not just for its size but its quality. I could easily have staffed this place five or 10 times over with excellent people, Hester saysputting him in an enviable position, if one that spoke darkly to how many talented local reporters were looking for work. Hester hired 17 journalists, including Smith. (I feel like Im on a life raft in the bleak, terrible sea of local news, she says.) The City has leveraged a combination of membership and donations to fund its operations, rather than ads. It received $7.5 million in seed funding, with $2.5 million from a few large foundations, including Craig Newmark Philanthropies (Newmark is also a member of CJRs board). The team has raised an additional $1 million since, making for a secure financial runway of about two and a half years, according to John Wotowicz, The Citys publisher, and there are plans for growth. The focus is on hard-hitting accountability reporting, as opposed to breaking news. Still, Hester says, There are no small stories, if they affect peoples lives. Establishing name-awareness has been a challenge. (Hi, Im from The City, doesnt immediately scan with would-be sources.) So for a few months, Hester sent out reporters to introduce themselves to people and ask: What can The City do for you? Feedback ranged from generalpeople want to see better coverage of housingto very specifica man said that someone should write about the need for more showerhead filters in apartments. In February, while its website was still in development, The City began publishing stories on New York magazines Intelligencer blog. (Adam Moss, New Yorks former editor, is a member of a council that advises The City on editorial matters; there is also a board of directors, which provides financial guidance, led by Ben Smith, the editor in chief of BuzzFeed News and Zagare of Bklynrs husband.) The Citys inaugural stories looked into the persistence of racial discrimination by police in the Bronx, the suspension of the Housing Authoritys elevator chief for making false maintenance claims, and the routinely broken subway escalators at the Hudson Yards station. The City launched formally in April, with reports on displacement that will result from the 2nd Avenue subway; the bloated costs of public restroom construction (a bathroom in a Bronx park cost taxpayers $4.7 million); and the citys failure to follow through on plans to furnish every public school classroom with air conditioning. Some showed tabloid snark: No relief, read the headline on the bathrooms story. Not cool, quipped the story on school A/C. A story by Claudia Irizarry Aponte surveyed the aftermath of Luis Sanchez Almontes death. The subcontracting company he worked for, it turned out, had a history of violations and criminal ties; after the Sunset Park accident, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration judged that the company had willfully disregarded safety regulations, and fined it $63,647. Sanchez Almontes family, Irizarry Aponte discovered, had received a rush of support from city officials following the accident, only to see promises broken. To Hester, the story was exactly in line with The Citys mission. Were here to listen, he says, and were here to act. The City occupies space in a narrow building in Koreatown, constructed in 1904. On the fourth floor, it sits above a dentists office and a catering company. A banner on a wall displays The Citys logo, with its mascot, a carrier pigeon named Nellie, a reference to the pioneering investigative journalist Nellie Bly. On a recent Monday morning, staffers crowded around a conference table. It fit only half the team, so the others pulled up chairs and sat to the side, looking up between glances at their phones and notebooks. Hester, who has a gentle face and a tidy bald-eagle haircut, was unpresuming in a dark V-neck sweater, khakis, and rectangular glasses. He sat facing a TV screen, on which he projected talking points from his laptop. The mood was upbeat. Traffic to the site was high, Hester said. Two hundred people had donated to The City in its first 24 hoursa feat, given that there had been no formal membership drive. And many of the reporters had been invited on TV and radio programs to discuss the findings of their reporting. Most important, The City was getting results. In response to a story on an excessive $369 million that the mayors office had spent on ferries, Scott Stringer, the city comptroller, proposed a different plan. Within a day of The Citys coverage of public bathroom costs, de Blasio vowed to rein in procurement processes. There were kinks still to work out. Getting the daily combination of stories right, for example, and figuring how to promote them on social media. I actually gave some feedback to Greg this morning on Twitter, Alyssa Katz, The Citys deputy editor, said. When tweeting a story about the Housing Authority, Greg B. Smith, an investigative reporter, had written Exclusive. Katz had a problem with that. She wanted readers to associate The Citys brand with always having stories that no one else doesif one article is exclusive, what does that mean for the rest? She continued, I just sent you a little messageI dont know if you saw itsaying, Greg, every story The City does is or should be an exclusive. But theres a reason you do that, Smith replied. Its not because of regular people, because regular people dont give a shit about that. But other journalism organizations see it, and its just like, Look at this thing! Cliff Levy puts things like Scoop before everything he tweets, another reporter said. Katz was firm: Everything youre going to read in The City is going to be unique. Hester changed the subject. The mayor was coming to visit later in the week, he told the staff. Were not sure how were going to do it, Hester said. Ive told his team that I want to do it as an on-the-record round table with all of our reporters, which may not be practical, but well figure out some ground rules. (In the end, de Blasio never showed. Whether or not this had to do with The Citys reporting, Hester wasnt sure. Hes welcome to come see us any time, he says.) Wrapping up, Hester told the staff that they set a high bar for themselves, and then sent them back to work. He has no illusion that The City is the remedy to the woes of New Yorks local news, but hes hopeful. I woke up today and had that Monday morning feeling that I havent had in a long time, he said. Weve got a week to fill with stories. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Andrew McCormick is an independent journalist and former CJR Delacorte Fellow. His work has appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, the South China Morning Post, and more. Follow him on Twitter @AndrewMcCormck. Its boom time for bullshit claims against media organizations. Congressman Devin Nunes, the California Republican, is suing McClatchy for libel and demanding $150 million, in what his complaint alleges is a case about character assassination and a public company that weaponized its powerful pen and used it as a terrible sword. Joe Arpaio, the demagogic former sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, is suing The New York Times for libel, demanding $147.5 million, over an opinion piece that Arpaio said was carefully and maliciously calculated to damage his reputationas if someone other than Joe Arpaio is capable of harming Joe Arpaios reputation. Shopping mall enthusiast Roy Moore is suing a variety of people for libel, among them Sacha Baron Cohen and Showtimefor Moores appearance on Who Is America? The complaint alleges the show falsely painted, portrayed, mocked and with malice defamed Moore as a sex offender, which he is not. Donald Trump himself, very much of the school that any coverage less than fawning is an outrage, has threatened to sue a host of media organizations, including The Daily Beast, The Washington Post, and the AP. He has also pledged to change libel law to make such suits easier. (Although Trump has never followed through, he would not have won if he had.) Add, too, wealthy third-party litigation financiers. The obvious example is Peter Thiel and Gawker, though its not the only one. Theres also the 2013 libel lawsuit filed by billionaire Frank VanderSloot against Mother Jones, over critical coverage of him and his company Melaleuca. The magazine spent $2 million defending itself before prevailing on summary judgment in 2015. Satisfied with the outcome of the case, despite its dismissal, VanderSloot announced later he would create a fund to finance similar litigation by people who have been defamed by Mother Jones or other liberal press because of their conservative values. Sign up for weekly emails from the United States Project These suits seem less about winning than about exacting revenge on publishers for stories the plaintiffs didnt like. They show why we need stronger anti-SLAPP protections at the state and federal levels. SLAPP stands for strategic lawsuit against public participation, and they often come in the form of libel or privacy claims. Plaintiffs generally dont file them to win on their merits, a feat that First Amendment law makes difficult in most cases involving newsworthy expression. They are filed to restrain protected expression or simply as an act of vengeance. Related: After journalists murder, efforts to combat SLAPP in Europe Anti-SLAPP laws provide a mechanism for courts to dismiss a SLAPP early, thus averting the substantial legal fees and emotional stress that come with litigation. The problem is that anti-SLAPP measures are available in just 31 states, plus DC and Guam, and their protections vary significantly from place to place. And there is no federal anti-SLAPP law. This patchwork of protections does not serve the First Amendment well. Nunes, of California, filed his complaint in Virginia against Sacramento-based McClatchy over a story in the Fresno Bee. Why? Probably because California has one of the broadest anti-SLAPP laws in the nation, and Virginia has one of the weakest. Meanwhile, The New York Times is filing against Arpaio a special motion under the DC anti-SLAPP law. And VanderSloot filed his suit in Idaho, which has no anti-SLAPP law. Mother Jones had no special tool to get the suit quickly and cheaply dismissed. It survived longer there than it would have in a state like California. First Amendment law, overall, is in good shape, and is protective of speech about matters of public concern. But SLAPPs are costly to defend even if the news outlet ultimately wins, and at the state and local levels, legal resources are especially strained. A Knight study in 2016 reported that 65 percent of US newspaper editors said the press is weaker than it was 10 years ago. SLAPPs threaten free expression and clog up the courts. They feed off of imbalances in resources and power. This is dangerous in the SLAPP context because of the non-economic motives at play in many cases. The plaintiff typically is not trying to remedy a quantifiable economic loss; rather, he is trying to retaliate or send a message, at whatever cost and whether or not he wins. This is also dangerous because networked communication has increased exponentially the number of people who publish content and has made a lot of it available across state lines. State anti-SLAPP laws do not apply to claims in federal court based on federal law, and federal courts disagree about whether they should apply state anti-SLAPP laws when they hear cases based on state law under diversity jurisdiction (i.e., when the plaintiffs and defendants are from different states). All of which means: We need a federal anti-SLAPP law to fill that hole and resolve that disagreement, and we need stronger and more consistent state protections. (This assumes the federal law would not authorize the transfer of cases brought in state court to federal court.) The ideal measures would define a SLAPP somewhat broadly: as a claim arising from expression, or conduct in furtherance of expression, about a matter of public concern or in connection with an official proceeding. Matter of public concern would include economic, environmental, health, safety, governmental, and marketplace issues. This approach would be similar to that of the last federal anti-SLAPP bill, which was introduced in Congress in 2015 but didnt make it out of committee. Procedurally, the ideal measures would (1) allow the defendant to bring an early motion to strike the complaint and, if the expression involved a matter of public concern, require the plaintiff to show a likelihood of success on the merits; (2) compel the plaintiff to present evidence supporting every element of the claim; (3) pause discovery pending resolution of the motion to strike, unless the plaintiff can show that targeted discovery is necessary; and (4) provide mandatory fee awards to the prevailing defendant. There should also be an exception preventing a defendant from filing the motion to strike if the plaintiff brought the claim at issue in the public interest. These protections are critical in our current political and cultural moment. SLAPPs threaten free expression and clog up the courts. They feed off of imbalances in resources and power. Stronger and more consistent anti-SLAPP measures, at the state and federal levels, would prevent against time and resource loss by quickly disposing of any claims inspired by those of Nunes, Arpaio, Moore, and VanderSloot. Comprehensive anti-SLAPP laws would also ensure that First Amendment values are respected wherever a defendant is dragged into court. Though Nunes, Arpaio, and Moore will not prevail on the merits of their claims, which are somewhere between baseless and preposterous, their suits stand to chill expression about newsworthy social and political affairs. That expression should be left in the public forum where it belongsagainst the background of a profound national commitment, as the Supreme Court held in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, to the principle that debate on public issues should be uninhibited, robust, and wide-open, and that it may well include vehement, caustic, and sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks on government and public officials. ICYMI: Facebook is the biggest problem we have for democracy, former investor says Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Jonathan Peters and Jared Schroeder are CJR contributors. Peters is CJRs press freedom correspondent. He is a media law professor at the University of Georgia, with posts in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication and the School of Law. Schroeder is an assistant professor of journalism at Southern Methodist University, where he specializes in First Amendment law. He is the author of The Press Clause and Digital Technologys Fourth Wave. The Missouri River used to be out of control. It cuts corners, runs around at nights, fills itself with snags and traveling sandbars, lunches on levees, and swallows islands and small villages for dessert, is how the humorist George Fitch (pretty accurately) described it in 1907. It was also hugely variable in size and shape. Below Yankton, South Dakota, where a narrow valley gave way to a flat expanse five to 18 miles wide, the Missouri and its various secondary channels, sandbars and the like had a width of 1,000 to 10,000 feet during normal flow periods, historian Robert Kelley Schneiders wrote in 1999. During a flood, which usually came in April when snow melted in the Great Plains, or in June when it melted in the Rocky Mountains, the river could become a foaming, misdirected monster that covered the entire valley, sometimes with ice as well water. Afterward, the Missouri would often resettle along an entirely new course. Here again is Fitch who got to know the river while working at the newspaper in Council Bluffs, Iowa, just across the water from Omaha, Nebraska in what has become a classic description: It is a perpetual dissatisfaction with its bed that is the greatest peculiarity of the Missouri. It is harder to suit in the matter of beds than a traveling man. Time after time it has gotten out of its bed in the middle of the night, with no apparent provocation, and has hunted up a new bed, all littered with forests, cornfields, brick houses, railroad ties and telegraph poles. When Fitch wrote that in 1907, local officials and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had already been trying and mostly failing for several decades to persuade the Missouri to behave more like they thought a river should, flowing in a single channel navigable by barges and staying off neighboring cornfields and out of houses. It is our purpose to improve the Missouri River from its source to its mouth, to make it thoroughly available for navigation, a Kansas City businessman and former mayor had declared at a regional summit on the matter in 1885. This, if accomplished, would be an exceedingly valuable thing to the commercial, manufacturing, and agricultural interests of this section of the country. It took a while, and a lot of wasted Congressional appropriations, but in the early years of the Great Depression the Corps and more than 10,000 temporary workers finally succeeded, by means of pile dikes, stone and concrete revetments, willow mattresses and simple dredging, in channelizing the river from Kansas City to where it meets the Mississippi at St. Louis. An extended drought, though, left it still too shallow for barges. This inadequacy, along with the New Deal penchant for projects that employed lots of people, led to the construction of Fort Peck Dam in Montana, which after its completion in 1940 allowed the Corps to store water to be released into the river in drier months, followed by major channelization efforts upstream from Kansas City. Then came big floods in 1943, after which Congress assented in 1944 to a combined plan cooked up by the Corps and the irrigation-focused Bureau of Reclamation to dam the Missouri at five places in the Dakotas, the last of them Gavins Point Dam on the South Dakota-Nebraska state line near Yankton. These dams drowned the best parts of several Indian reservations and created the countrys largest reservoir system, with 72.4 million acre-feet of storage (for comparison, thats almost twice the water that all of Californias farms and cities use in a year). These were from the beginning to be multipurpose reservoirs, operated to provide flood control, navigation, irrigation, hydroelectric power, drinking water, recreation and even habitat for fish and wildlife, but with the Corps in control the first two of those authorized purposes clearly predominated. In 1945, the Corps also got the go-ahead to build hundreds of miles of levees from Sioux City, Iowa, to St. Louis, and to firm up and deepen the river channel to at least nine feet for that entire distance. The largely artificial river-like entity that resulted, which has existed in more or less its current form since the mid-1960s, is about 200 miles shorter than the meandering 2,546 miles the Missouri River was measured at in 1895. Its also a lot narrower than that Missouri River was, with a channel width ranging from 600 to 1,100 feet. The one thing that hasnt changed is that its still largely devoid of barges: The 5 million short tons of cargo transported in 2017, most of it sand and gravel, ranked the Missouri River 15th among U.S. rivers and waterways in freight tonnage and was just 1.6 percent as much as the Mississippi River carried.For a long time, though, this new infrastructure did seem to succeed at keeping floodwaters at bay. Yes, there was some flooding in 1967, 1975, 1978, 1984, 1986 and 1987, and a lot in 1993. But the 1993 floods were caused by epic summer rains in the Midwest, not snowmelt from the Plains or the Rockies, and the worst of the damage was on the Mississippi River and on the lower Missouri far from the dams. In 1997, in a triumph for the Corps, the Upper Missouri Basin experienced the biggest runoff year since regular record-keeping began in 1898, but major flooding was averted. Disaster? Yes. Natural? No.Lately, though, things havent been going so well. A new runoff record in 2011, 22 percent higher than the 1997 peak, proved too much even for even the nations biggest reservoir system to manage, and there was heavy flooding downstream from and between the dams. This year, even though it isnt expected to set any overall runoff records, is looking even worse. Floodwaters breached levees in more than 40 places along the Missouri in mid-March, and more than a month later much of the river valley from Omaha and Council Bluffs southward to Missouri most of which, because the river channel hugs the hills on the Nebraska side, is in Iowa is still soaked. Interstate 29, which connects the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area to points south, is closed to just past the Missouri state line and not expected to reopen until June. These floods got some but not a huge amount of coverage in the national media, most along the lines of, Wow, a natural disaster! Yet the modern Missouri River isnt natural, and floods in the Missouri basin have at least as much to do with what people have done to shape the river as with nature. The river is part of American history (as Meriwether Lewis and William Clarks main conveyance, among other things) and it is deeply enmeshed in modern conflicts over natural resources, economic development and the proper role of government. Thats where the interesting stories lie at least the ones that interest me. Nature does still play a role, of course. The precipitating event for this years floods was, as is usually the case, precipitation heavy rains that started the night of March 12 in eastern Nebraska, southern South Dakota and western Iowa. The rain fell upon snow packed atop frozen ground that gave the rain and snowmelt nowhere to go but into creeks and rivers that eventually empty into the Missouri. Flows from the biggest of them, Nebraskas Platte River, peaked at an estimated 170,000 cubic feet (about two Olympic-size swimming pools) per second, 20 times the rivers March average and almost equal to the Missouris flow where the Platte met it just south of Omaha. That caused flooding slightly upriver at Offutt Air Base and the Omaha suburb of Bellevue, while downriver it overwhelmed levee systems protecting farms and a few small flood plain settlements on the Iowa side. There was also some less-devastating flooding along the Missouri north of Omaha, and spectacular inundations in Nebraska along the Platte and its tributaries the Elkhorn River and the Loup River, as well as the Niobrara River that flows into the Missouri just upstream from Gavins Point Dam. The latter floods swamped the outskirts of several towns, temporarily cutting them off from the world, as well as tearing up roads and knocking out a 92-year-old hydroelectric dam on the Niobrara. But the flooding didnt last long, it generally kept within the 100-year floodplain (that is, areas deemed to have a 1 percent annual chance of flooding) and nobody that I know of was blaming the federal government for it. Things were different along the Missouri. There, floodwaters engulfed areas that thanks to their levees had been deemed vulnerable only to 500-year floods (that is, they supposedly had only a 0.2 percent annual chance of flooding), and stayed there for weeks. At a Corps of Engineers public meeting in Nebraska City, Nebraska, that I attended earlier this month, it was quite clear that lots of farmers and other residents along the Missouri blame the federal government for what happened. Corn, Soybeans and Carp The story that Corps officials had to tell in Nebraska City, most of which is safely ensconced in the hills just west of the river about 50 miles south of Omaha, was that there wasnt a whole lot they could have done. This year the runoff came from uncontrolled tributaries, explained John Remus, chief of the agencys Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. If we would have emptied the reservoirs, it would not have prevented this flood. As for Gavins Point Dam, which was downstream from the Niobrara River floodwaters, it wasnt designed for flood storage and thus could hold back the waters only briefly. Gavins Point wasnt designed for flood storage because it was designed instead to smooth out flows for navigation, which is necessary because the Fort Randall Dam 70 miles upstream adjusts its releases to meet daily peaks in hydroelectric demand. All those uncontrolled tributaries remain undammed because, as Remus put it to me the day after the meeting, If there were a good dam site, in the 1940s, 50s or 60s some agency would have put a dam there. The Corps actually explored damming the Platte River about 20 miles upstream from the Missouri in the 1930s and concluded that the resulting reservoir would fill with sediment so quickly that the benefits would approach a minimum. The idea still occasionally catches the fancy of local politicians envisioning speedboat rides from Omaha to Lincoln, but its multi-billion-dollar price tag, the tens of thousands of acres of farmland and one small city it would submerge and the relatively small capacity of the reservoir (it would be quite shallow even before it silted up) mean its almost certainly off the table. In the 1940s, the Corps also considered several options for containing the flow of the Elkhorn River, the tributary responsible for most of those mid-March peak flows in the Platte, and found that the projected costs exceeded the benefits by a more than a two-to-one margin for all of them which for the dam-happy Corps of the 1940s was really saying something. Most of the people in attendance in Nebraska City seemed to get this. When the first person from the crowd to speak, Omaha insurance broker Kevin Penrod, advocated damming the Platte, he was greeted with near silence. Of the subsequent comments that got lots of applause, a few did concern inadequate infrastructure. You had crappy levees! exclaimed one man whose name I didnt catch because he stalked out immediately afterwards. Most, though, focused on the conviction that more flooding was happening because, as farmer Donette Jackson of Tekamah, Nebraska, north of Omaha, put it, the Corps long-standing focus on flood control has been reversed to pursue an environmentalist dream of a free river. There are in fact environmentalists who dream of a free river, and environmental concerns that were ignored during the mid-20th-century damming and channelizing boom do now play some role in how the river is managed. How much of a role is debatable: the Missouri River remains a constrained, artificial waterway, and the rich ecosystem of plants, fish and other wildlife that once thrived along the river has been replaced by corn, soybeans and a much narrower assortment of wild plants, animals and fish, some of the most successful of them non-native invasive species such as carp. Still, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which instructed federal agencies not to take actions that would jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species, has forced some changes. With the Missouri and its sandbars home to the endangered pallid sturgeon and interior least tern and the threatened piping plover, the Corps has made alterations to the mostly underwater wing dikes that help keep the river in its channel in order to create habitat for the sturgeon, and adjusts river flows in May and June to try to avoid swamping the nests of terns and plovers. In 2006, after years of wrangling with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and environmental groups, it began releasing spring pulses of water from Gavins Point Dam to encourage the sturgeon to spawn, but these were only conducted in 2006, 2008 and 2009 and have since been discontinued because they didnt seem to be helping. The fact that these changes were followed in later years by flooding is a coincidental thing, Remus told me. In 2014, though, 372 property owners sued the Corps, claiming that actions taken to protect endangered species were causing floods along the Missouri that represented an unconstitutional taking of private property without compensation. In March 2018, Federal Claims Court Judge Nancy B. Firestone agreed, but only partly, ruling that localized flooding in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2014 could be blamed on the Corps, but the big floods of 2011 could not. Im guessing the same will apply for the floods of 2019. Changes made to help endangered species may have made the river valley a little wetter, but keeping it entirely dry seems to be something that simply cannot be guaranteed with the existing infrastructure. The River Is Going to Fool You Why not? A fuller river is one reason. As mentioned, this wont be a record runoff year for the Upper Missouri River, but assuming that projections pan out it will mark the fourth time in just 10 years that runoff exceeds its pre-1978 record. A 2016 study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration attributed recent runoff increases mostly to a change in weather patterns that has led to more precipitation falling in colder months when less of it evaporates. NOAA concluded that this was probably just natural variation, not climate change, but added that its modeling of future changes caused by global warming bears resemblance to the recent observed trends. In any case, the less than half a century of reliable runoff data that the Corps had in hand when it designed the reservoir system in the 1940s clearly fell short of capturing the full range of potential outcomes. Precipitation also runs off more quickly when it encounters pavement or houses or even cornfields rather than worm- and gopher-hole ridden grassland, so development and farming are likely culprits as well. Finally, theres the simple reality that attempts to subdue nature often backfire, or at least disappoint. When you confine a wild river like that to a narrow space its going to fool you, especially now with climate change issues, says W. Carter Johnson, an emeritus professor of ecology at South Dakota State University who has participated in two major National Research Council studies of the Missouri River. Or as a high-profile Bill-Clinton-administration panel led by Corps of Engineers veteran Gerald Galloway, then a brigadier general and now an engineering professor at the University of Maryland, concluded after the 1993 floods: Persistent flood losses during a half century of flood-control programs raise serious questions concerning the long-term efficiency of such programs. A movement to reduce flood damages through nonstructural means, limiting unwise development of the floodplain and evacuating those at most risk, gradually has become a viable alternative to the construction of dams, levees, and floodwalls. The word gradually was doing a lot of work there. It was all the way back in the late 1950s that researchers and a few Washington officials began pointing out that flood-control efforts and other government policies were perversely encouraging people to put themselves in the path of floods. But progress in changing those policies has been fitful, and in some areas, especially along the coasts, things seem to be headed in the wrong direction, with more and more people opting to live in harms way. Along the Missouri, though, the situation really isnt all that bad. The rivers floodplain is the lightest-colored area on the terrain map below: The higher ground consists of what are called loess hills, formations of wind-deposited river silt that rise about 200 feet above the flood plain. The Missouris wild behavior in the pre-dam era, coupled with the fact that the regions economy grew up around railroads rather than boats, meant that most people settled not in the floodplain but among the hills or at least right at their edge or, as is apparent on the above map, in the floodplains of smaller rivers, which has turned out to be problematic this year but not totally disastrous. Most of the counties along the Missouri River, especially those in Iowa, have been losing population for decades and havent seen lots of new floodplain development. The handful of metropolitan areas along the river have grown, and while mostly located on higher ground have built airports, industrial parks, premium outlet malls and residential neighborhoods on the flats, but they can at least afford pretty good levees and flood walls. Bigger and Better Hamburg, Iowa, with a population of 1,086, apparently cannot. The town, wedged against the hills on the east side of the valley south of Nebraska City, was able to fend off floodwaters in 2011 with a temporary addition to its levee. But it couldnt come up with the funds to make the levee improvements permanent, it wasnt allowed to keep the temporary addition and most of it was swamped in March. Back in the mid-20th century Congress might have just paid for a better levee, but since the passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, non-federal sources have to foot part of the bill currently at least 35 percent for new flood-control projects. This kind of cost-sharing makes sense, as does a more cost-benefit-analysis-oriented approach to flood control in general. But such calculations can seem cruelly dismissive of those with limited resources. Cities will tend come out as having more economic value than small towns, industry more than agriculture, rich neighborhoods more than poor ones. A couple of hours into the Nebraska City public meeting, a woman in the audience blurted out, If water were running through the White House, you dont think there would be a solution? Remus paused, smiled and said: I think there would be a solution. Still, its not like the region is getting no attention from Washington. Vice President Mike Pence showed up the very next day in Pacific Junction, Iowa, a flooded town near the mouth of the Platte River, and declared, according to the Omaha World-Herald, that were going to rebuild bigger and better than before. Pacific Junction has 470 inhabitants, down from a peak of 744 in 1890. That means it long predates the dams; it was founded at a railroad junction in 1871. But it also sits smack in the flood plain, reliant on levees to keep it from flooding yet again. Maybe, instead of rebuilding it and its levee bigger and better than before, we could pay a little more to move its residents some of whom want to leave to safety among the loess hills that rise less than two miles away. Or maybe not. There are lots of places in this country and around the world that would be underwater much of the time but for human intervention, and they certainly shouldnt all be abandoned. I make no claim to know the proper balance between trying to tame the Missouri River and getting out of its way. It does seem apparent, though, that the approach that reigned from the 1930s through the 1960s was unsustainably unbalanced, and that acknowledging this does not constitute environmentalist extremism. Even more apparent is that one of the main justifications for re-engineering the Missouri River has turned out to be chimerical. That relatively measly five million tons of barge traffic that I mentioned earlier was almost all downriver from Kansas City. Between Kansas City and Omaha, the river carried only 451,157 tons of freight in 2017, and upstream of Omaha it carried none at all, according to statistics maintained by the Corps of Engineers. Keeping the river navigable all the way to Sioux City seemingly generates no economic benefit, and is clearly at odds with the goal of restoring habitat. And while it was long assumed that ensuring navigability complemented flood control, given that channelization makes the river run faster, in recent years the Corps has been contending with claims from researchers that some of its navigational structures actually worsen flooding. Now that seems like a good fight to pick at the next Corps public meeting about the Missouri River. Two insurance carriers filed separate lawsuits last week against medical doctors and their pain-management clinics, accusing them of submitting bills for unnecessary medical procedures performed on vehicle-accident victims. State Farm Mutual Auto Insurance Co. filed suit in the U.S. District Court for Southern Texas against Dr. Nooruddin S. Punjwani as well as the clinic where he practiced, Pain Alleviation & Interventional Needs (PAIN), as well as the owners of the clinic. It is seeking $3 million in damages. Allstate Insurance Co. filed a racketeering lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan against The Pain Center USA, Interventional Pain Center and Dr.s Rajendra Bothra and Erick Backos, seeking $860,000 in damages. The carrier in February filed a similar lawsuit against several other clinics, seeking $3.5 million. State Farm alleges that Punjwani performs epidural steroid injections for nearly all patients he sees at his Baytown, Texas practice without performing legitimate medical examinations. He reviewed magnetic resonance imaging scans and documented conditions that did not exist or exaggerated the severity of existing conditions, the suit says. State Farm said PAIN charges $1,500 for the use of fluoroscopic guidance with the injections, but could not produce any fluoroscopic images when asked.Punjwani charged $8,000 for each epidural steroid injection and $500 for an examination in addition to the fluoroscopic charge, the carrier said. The clinic billed State Farm for 810 epidural steroid injections out of 821 patients examined. All of them sere diagnosed with spondylosis and stenosis, according to the suit. Defendants Barketali M. Roopani and his sons, Anil B. and Sohail B. Roopani, are laymen owners of the PAIN clinic, the suit says. State Farm alleges that they shared in the proceeds from the fraudulent scheme. Allstates April 22 suit against The Pain Center USA and the other Detroit-area clinics is the latest of several racketeering lawsuits that it has filed against medical providers for allegedly taking advantage of the states no fault auto-insurance law. The carrier says Bothra controlled and operated The Pain Center USA and Interventional Pain Center, both in Warren, Michigan. Backos participated in the control of both clinics, according to the suit. While Bothra has claimed that the Pain Center treats only patients with chronic pain who have not been helped through conservative treatment, many patients started treatment there within days of their alleged motor vehicle accidents, the suit says. Once the patients arrived, The Pain Center and Interventional Pain performed bilateral procedures that are normally performed on the say day into two separate dates to multiply the amount of fees charged.The carrier charges that the doctors prescribed patients opioids as an inducement for them to return to the practice, knowing full well that they were contributing the nations opioid addiction crisis. Those opioid prescriptions led to urine drug screening, which could also be billed to insurance carriers, the suit says. Allstate says Bothra found a way to expand his billings in March 2016, when he opened the Interventional Pain Centers ambulatory surgery center. The surgery center billed Allstate for facility fees for dates of service more than three months before it opened, according to the suit. The clinics billed for blood tests that were not performed, urine drug tests that werent performed, physical therapy that wasnt performed and injections that were never given, the suit says. Backos wrote out disability certificates for the overwhelming majority of patients who he treated at the clinics. The defendants goal in treating patients was to perform as much treatment as possible, regardless of whether such treatment was reasonably necessary to the patients care, recovery, or rehabilitation, and/or arose out of an alleged motor vehicle accident, in order to generate bills to Allstate, the suit says. Allstate in February filed a similar lawsuit against several other pain clinics. The defendants are Michigan Pain Management, Dearborn Pain Specialists, Southfield Pain Management, Sterling Heights Pain Management, Precision MRI of Michigan, Advanced Surgery Center, North Shore Injury Center, and Medi Transit. The lawsuit also names as defendants three chiropractors, four physicians and three other people. Allstate is seeking $3.5 million in damages. Google unveiled another round of policy changes to address employee concerns about misconduct at the worlds largest internet search company. Staff can now lodge complaints and concerns about harassment and other misconduct at work via a new website. During meetings related to investigations, workers will have more freedom to bring along colleagues to support them. Theres also a new program to provide better care for employees during and after investigations, the company said Thursday. We want every Googler to walk into a workplace filled with dignity and respect, Googles global director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Melonie Parker, wrote in an email to employees, which was also posted publicly online. By June, the Alphabet Inc. subsidiary will also complete a dedicated site for receiving concerns from temporary workers and vendors. Last year, temporary, vendor and contracted staff became a majority of Googles workforce. The latest changes come nearly six months after thousands of Google employees around the world staged walkout protests to demand changes to the way the company handles misconduct. In response, Google announced last November that it would stop forcing employees to handle sexual harassment and assault claims in arbitration rather than in court. In February, the company announced a more sweeping change; dropping so-called forced arbitration for all current and future employees and allowing them to instead pursue courtroom class actions for all kinds of workplace complaints. Such moves, Parker wrote, are all big changes that I hope show our real commitment. The internet giant came under fire this week from two leaders of last years walkout. They alleged in a message posted to internal mailing lists that Google has been retaliating against them. Google denied the claims. The employee activists, whose message was first reported by Wired, plan to hold a town hall meeting about the issue on Friday. What we see here is Google management scrambling to placate workers in the face of serious claims that the company retaliates against organizers and those who speak up about harassment and discrimination, the advocacy group Tech Workers Coalition said in a statement Thursday. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signaled he will sign the recently-passed property insurance reform legislation that the insurance industry and consumer advocates say will stem abuse of a policy feature known as assignment of benefits (AOB). The Senate joined the House last Wednesday in passing the reform measure after having weighed the issue for seven years. As a result, some homeowners covered by the states insurer of last resort, Citizens Property Insurance Corp., will see rate reductions or less dramatic rate increases as originally anticipated as the insurer plans to re-calculate its rate request based on the new law.* By a vote of 25-14, the Florida Senate passed SB 122 that addresses the abuse of post-loss AOBs for residential or commercial property insurance claims and limits one-way attorneys fees related to AOB agreements. The bill was a committee substitute for House Bill 7065, sponsored by Rep. Bob Rommel, which passed the House on April 11. The Senate bill was sponsored by Senator Doug Broxson, chair of the Banking & Insurance Committee. DeSantis said he is ready to sign the bill and bring relief to Florida consumers, who are receiving rate increases statewide and experiencing difficulty obtaining coverage in some areas. The governors office said AOB lawsuits have exploded over the last 10 years. The exponential growth in AOB abuse has contributed to mounting insurance costs for Floridians for far too long, said DeSantis. In recent years, there have been calls for reform and [Wednesday], the Legislature took action. I thank them for their efforts in getting this done and I look forward to signing this meaningful legislation into law. The AOB reform bill will take effect July 1, 2019. The bills provisions: Define assignment agreement and establishing requirements for the execution, validity, and effect of such an agreement Prohibit certain fees and altering policy provisions related to managed repairs in an assignment agreement Transfer certain pre-lawsuit duties under the insurance contract to the assignee and shifting the burden to the assignee to prove that any failure to carry out such duties has not limited the insurers ability to perform under the contract Require each insurer to report specified data on claims paid in the prior year under assignment agreements by Jan. 30, 2022, and each year thereafter Allow an insurer to make available a policy prohibiting assignment, in whole or in part, under certain conditions Revise the states one-way attorney fee statute to incorporate an attorney fee structure in determining the fee amount awarded in suits by an assignee against an insurer Require service providers to give an insurer and the consumer prior written notice of at least 10 business days before filing suit on a claim. Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis, a member of the Florida Cabinet who pushed hard for the reforms this session, also noted that the bill requires savings be passed along to consumers who are covered by Citizens Property Insurance Corp., which has borne the brunt of AOB abuse. A no vote on this bill is a vote against savings for Florida consumers and everyone should take notice, he said in a statement. Tackling AOB abuse not only protects consumers but is essential to the financial health and stability of our state. In South Florida in particular, AOB lawsuits have expanded over the last 10 years. Citizens has filed for rate increases to offset litigation costs. It proposed rate increases for 97 percent of its homeowners policyholders for 2019. Written into the bill is a stipulation stating Citizens may not implement rate changes in 2019 for DP-3 and HO-3 policies unless the rate filing reflects projected rate savings from this act. Citizens said in a statement that its actuaries estimated reforms would reduce the statewide average rate need from 25.2% to 10.1% for homeowners policyholders. In South Florida, the average rate need would drop from 30.4% to 12.8%. Citizens spokesperson Michael Peltier said in an e-mail to Insurance Journal the insurer is planning to refile its rate request in the coming months. It plans to release further details at a later date and will work with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) on timing. [This] vote is a critical step in our efforts to bring relief to our policyholders, who have had to pay the bill for runaway litigation and AOB abuse, Barry Gilway, Citizens president, CEO and executive director. Patronis said the legislation will also protect homeowners from being taken advantage of during vulnerable times. We fought for Florida homeowners this year and passed this bill to stop the man-made hurricane of rampant AOB abuse in our state that is driving up insurance rates. Bad actors have exploited loopholes in Florida law to take advantage of a system meant to empower consumers, and today families take back control of their insurance benefits, Patronis said. Florida SB 122/HB 706 AKRON, Ohio An Akron lawyer who sued his city councilman alleging he was blocked from the councilmans official Facebook page has withdrawn a motion asking that the councilman unblock him, court records show. Brian Holb withdrew his motion Sunday after City Councilman Donnie Kammer agreed not to block Holb from the Facebook page while the lawsuit remains pending, court records state. I have no comment on the pending case, Kammer said in a statement Monday to cleveland.com. Im focused on serving the people of Ward 7 and the upcoming election. Holb, who lives in Akrons Firestone Park neighborhood, filed the suit in federal court earlier this month, arguing that Kammers actions infringed on his right to free speech in a public forum on matters of public concern. The lawsuit further claims Holbs comments were deleted without due process, since there was no prior notice or opportunity to respond. In January, Holb left a critical comment on Kammers page about the councilmans efforts to hang American flags on a bridge over Interstate 77, according to the lawsuit. Not long after I posted that comment, he blocked me and erased my comment, Holb told cleveland.com. Holb said he emailed Kammer about being blocked, but was still barred from engaging with the page until he filed the federal lawsuit, after which he was unblocked. In an interview immediately following the court filing, Kammer told cleveland.com that no one was blocked from his official Facebook page. Want more Akron news? Sign up for cleveland.coms Rubber City Daily, an email newsletter delivered at 5:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. CLEVELAND, Ohio City council will consider giving a $12 million loan to the nuCLEus project. The money would bring the developer one step closer to shoring up financing for the ambitious, $350 million plan that would add two towers to downtowns skyline. Legislation laying out the proposed financing package was introduced to city council at its Monday night meeting. The proposal is for a $12 million loan, with a condition that developer Stark Enterprises pay back 110 percent of the original amount using new income-tax and parking revenue generated by the project. The length of the loan term was not specified. The legislation will spend a few weeks going through city councils committee process before coming back to the full council for a vote. First introduced in 2014 as a $500 million project to build a 54-story skyscraper in downtowns Gateway District, Stark now seeks to build a pair of 24-story towers, one featuring about 400,000 square feet of office space and the other featuring approximately 250 residential units. The city loan would help pay for construction of the office tower, according to the mayors office. The development is also slated to include about 80,000 square feet of retail on the ground floor, a pedestrian laneway between the two buildings, and a six-floor parking garage. Stark has secured Benesch Law, currently headquartered at 200 Public Square, as its anchor office tenant and plans to move its own office to nuCLEus. The development, located at the corner of East Fourth Street and Prospect Avenue, would replace a large parking lot that sits just north of the newly renamed Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The nuCLEus project is an opportunity to reutilize the Gateway lots and to bring critical opportunities for employment, housing and economic growth to the city, Mayor Frank Jackson said in a news release. This project not only complements previous development in the Huron area, but also demonstrates an ongoing commitment to the revitalization of our citys neighborhoods. After years of plans and anticipation, Im pleased that this is moving forward, City Council President Kevin Kelley said. I look forward to learning more about this potentially transformational Gateway District project that could weave the district and downtown more fully. In an interview with The Plain Dealer, 3rd Ward Councilman Kerry McCormack, who sponsored the legislation and represents parts of downtown, said he is comfortable with the legislation because the city would get back at least 110 percent of the original loan amount. The city will retain all of the existing tax revenues from the current income and parking tax being generated by Stark and Benesch, and then on top of that, we will be paid back the 110 percent of the new revenue to pay down the debt service, he explained. I view it as an investment. Were guaranteed that money. NuCLEus is a catalytic development and will help make the Gateway District more walkable and connected, said McCormack. The city previously approved a non-school tax increment financing deal for the project, and two Vacant Property Initiative loans totaling $360,000. Tax increment financing allows revenue created by a development to help finance the project. As for the rest of the projects financing, a financial consultant working on nuCLEus said this loan, along with anticipated subsidies from Cuyahoga County and the state, will close the last funding holes. Were very close to wrapping up support from the state of Ohio and Cuyahoga County. These three incentives are the last pieces to close a financing gap and allow us to proceed with a groundbreaking, said Ryan Sommers, managing director of financial services at Project Management Consultants. In addition to the public subsidies, the projects capital stack includes a significant equity contribution by Stark and its partners, and most likely a consortium of banks to provide the senior construction debt, Sommers said. A document from the citys economic development department, posted on the citys website along with the ordinance, provides an estimated breakdown of the projects funding sources. It lists the county and states expected contributions at $6 million each. The project also may take advantage of the federal Opportunity Zones program, which provides tax incentives to investors who put capital gains into certain economically distressed areas, Sommers said. Downtown Cleveland is one of the eligible areas. CLEVELAND, Ohio Reporters from several Cleveland television stations on Monday publicly accused the administration of Mayor Frank Jackson of being untruthful in reporting about the hacking of a computer system at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. At a City Hall news conference, the reporters complained that the administration had denied last week the system controlling the airports information boards for flights and baggage had been infected with ransomware something the FBI confirmed on Monday. There was never any misleading of the press, countered Jacksons chief of communications, Valarie McCall. The city may not have addressed questions about malware or an attack on the system, but it did not deny that it was present, McCall said. The city finally did acknowledge that malware infected the system on Friday. The FBI confirmed it considered it ransomware on Monday. But with that, Airport chief Robert Kennedy said there never has been a ransom demand often associated with ransomware to free up the system from malware that caused the malfunctions. The flight and baggage boards were brought back online Monday, Kennedy said. Cleveland Chief Information Officer Don Phillips, the citys top IT person, said he expected the email system also would be back up on Monday. The malfunctions did not affect flights or airport security. Malfunctions in the system were first noticed April 21 and airport technicians immediately shut down the computer system, Kennedy said. The city acknowledged the problems the next day. Fortunately, our guys on Sunday said something doesnt look right, Kennedy said. After that, the citys and airports IT staffs began looking at systems to see what was affected and began bringing them back on line. Ultimately, the only systems hit by the malware were the info boards and the email. The FBI continues to investigate, searching for the source of the malware. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bryan Smith said Monday those investigations are difficult and can take years to resolve. And in a globally connected cyberworld, the perpetrators can be almost anywhere. BROOKLYN, Ohio -- Despite residents defeating new-money issues in each of the last two years, Brooklyn City Schools returns to the ballot May 7 with Issue 1, a 10-year, 6.9-mill emergency operating levy that, if approved, will raise taxes on a home valued at $100,000 an additional $241.50 annually. So far, weve received a positive response, Superintendent Mark G. Gleichauf said. Weve held three finance forums around the community. Weve really taken some time to describe to people where we get our money -- state and school finances are very complicated. Overall, Id say the reaction so far has been good. I think that we have clearly shown the need for this levy. The operating levy is tied to the district losing more than $14 million due to the elimination of the Tangible Personal Property Tax Reimbursement over a 12-year period between 2010 and 2022. At the forums, Gleichauf said school officials have also discussed how the district is underfunded by the current state funding formula. I think people are understanding the need is real, Gleichauf said. While last years new-money levy was defeated with 52 percent of residents casting ballots against, a 2017 tax increase lost by just 12 votes. Compared to last years defeated levy, which was continuing, Issue 1 is a 10-year tax increase. Gleichauf said the decision to make the change came from hearing that residents were skittish about the continuous collection. I would say Im optimistic going into May 7, Gleichauf said. It was close in November. Also, theres the sense of urgency with this. We need it desperately or cuts will have to be made for next year. If residents defeat Issue 1, the superintendent said the district is expected to run out of cash at the end of fiscal year 2021, which will require reductions of about $500,000 for fiscal years 2020 and 2021. Cuts in programs and opportunities for kids are the last thing we want to do, Gleichauf said. Were really hoping that we can get this passed, which will get us some momentum because some good things are happening in our schools. I think we have big-school opportunities in a small-school setting. Thats why people love Brooklyn. We want to continue to have strong schools for our kids. Read more news from the Parma Sun Post here. CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio -- Chagrin Falls Schools has partnered with University Hospitals and the Chagrin Falls Fire Department to bring a training called Stop the Bleed to the district. The goal of the program is to train individuals and to be equipped to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives. Staff was training during their professional development day on April 18. In addition to the training, each classroom and common area will be provided with Stop a Bleed bucket. These include a basic tourniquet and packing and chest wound materials which are vacuum sealed and do not expire. The kits have enough supplies to save one or two lives each. Additionally, the kits include tape, rope, a door stop, toilet paper, a privacy sheet, medical shears, and other safety items. The bucket has room in it for additional materials that the district or classroom teacher may want to add. This bleeding control training was developed after the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. It has already been implemented in schools such as the East Guernsey School District in Lore City, Ohio. Bleedingcontrol.org states, Anyone at the scene can act as an immediate responder and save lives if they know what to do. Bleedingcontrol.org is an initiative of the American College of Surgeons and the Hartford Consensus. Read more news from the Chagrin Solon Sun here. CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- A majority of City Council last week sent a letter to Gov. Mike DeWine opposing the heartbeat abortion ban that he signed into law on April 11. Councilman Kahlil Seren also plans to introduce a resolution for first reading at the May 6 council meeting that strongly condemns the passage of Senate Bill 23, which he said effectively bans abortion in Ohio, violating our residents right to bodily autonomy. The proposed legislation would also instruct the City Law Department to contribute to any state or federal legal challenges to the law's constitutionality by filing an "amicus curiae" or "friend of the court" brief. The letter, signed by five council members and sent April 24 to DeWine in Columbus, expresses our concern and our disappointment regarding SB 23, known as the Heartbeat Bill, which you signed into law last week. Citing what amounts to a virtual ban on on any safe and legal abortion in Ohio, the letter notes that the new law goes into effect prior to when most women realize they are pregnant. It is also deemed unacceptable in "not allowing anywhere near a sufficient amount of time to overcome all of Ohios current barriers to abortion, including a 24-hour, two-visit requirement." Signed by Seren and the four attorneys on council -- Mayor Carol Roe, Vice Mayor Melissa Yasinow (who drafted most of it), new member Craig Cobb and Mike Ungar -- the letter accuses the Heartbeat Bill of intrusion into a persons right to liberty, bodily autonomy and privacy. With no exceptions for cases of rape, incest of fetal abnormality beyond the first six weeks of pregnancy, council members told DeWine that the new law makes matters worse in terms of constitutional and human rights. The letter also questions whether the former attorney general signed it in order to challenge the federal standard set in the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1973. If that is the case, "then that in itself is the wrong action for the governor of our state," the letter added. "We are considering all options as this unconstitutional law is challenged in court, including the possibility of joining with other municipalities in an amicus brief." But some members of council may draw the line at allocating city resources to a court challenge, especially after City Law Director Jim Juliano noted that outside legal counsel would probably have to be retained. "The law department does not have the expertise, much less the time, to file an amicus brief," Juliano said. Roe recommended the letter, saying it would work just as well and would get to Columbus a lot faster than legislation, which would likely take several weeks, especially if the public needs time to weigh in on it. Yasinow agreed, saying that while the new law amounts to a "gross and unconstitutional overreach," the local resources spent on filing a "friend of the court" action could prove in itself to be "a very heavy lift." She did not rule out the possibility for Cleveland Heights to join in a lesser capacity as a signator on any court actions filed by cities such as Columbus or Cincinnati. Seren believes the city could get a lot of assistance from local activists on its own court filings, noting that the law doesn't go into effect until July. Ungar said he would support the letter and continue to consider a full-fledged resolution and amicus filing. Is what we do as a council going to matter to the state? Probably not, Ungar said. "But at the end of the day, this does impact the safety, health and welfare of women in Cleveland Heights. "I'm supportive of doing something," Ungar continued. "The idea of sitting back and doing nothing didn't strike me as an option." Councilwoman Mary Dunbar said she does not feel it is appropriate for council to take a stand on state and federal legislation, and did not sign the letter or support further measures. "Our focus should be on police, fire, sewers and public works," Dunbar said. "If I wanted to do something other than that, I would have gotten elected to something else." Councilman Jason Stein missed last Mondays meeting do to Passover, but Yasinow said that in her conversations with him, he was more supportive of a letter. But as it turned out, Stein didnt sign it, either. Meanwhile, Seren still plans to introduce his resolution on May 6, according to a press release he issued the same day council's letter went to Columbus. Referring to the new law as this latest assault on the rights of Ohioans, Seren commended the efforts of Pro-Choice Ohio Director Kathleen Copeland and other advocates in their efforts to assist local policymakers in standing up to the state. Seren also commended former Cleveland Heights councilwoman and current Ohio House Rep. Janine Boyd in "working to prevent fundamental rights from being stripped away by men in the General Assembly. In the press release, Boyd, a ranking member of the house Health Committee, connects the ban to a "greater trend of misogyny and political imbalance" in state government. It is clear that the majority Republican legislature does not trust women or prioritize the health and life of women," Boyd said. Because here in Ohio," Boyd added, with its recently passed abortion ban, spousal rape is still legal, and the black maternal death rate as a result of pregnancy-related complications is among the highest in the nation. Boyd also cited the need for all levels of government to step up in the struggle. Until the Ohio legislature starts to look like a swing state again, with a balanced legislature and not a gerrymandered GOP super-majority, we need our local communities to stand with us to fight sanctimony disguised as policy," Boyd stated. Also in Serens press release, Cleveland Heights resident and business owner Mallory McMaster said the proposed resolution is intended to communicate the citys position not only to state lawmakers, but also to local residents. This resolution might not create material changes in the way our government works," McMaster stated. But it will make me feel safe and welcome and proud to call Cleveland Heights my home -- instead of having a target on my back. Read more news from the Sun Press here. NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio -- Eighth-graders at the North Ridgeville Academic Center reached out this month to Syrian refugee girls in a school in Lebanon as part of a reading exercise designed to help the refugees improve their English language skills. Approximately 14 girls took part in the project. The phone call to Lebanon took place at 7:30 a.m. U.S. time, which was 2:30 p.m. in Lebanon. Claire Conley, who organized the project, said, The students will be using the Kindi app to connect to the girls in the Syrian refugee school. Conley found the app at the Scholastic Book Club on Facebook and reached out to them. We hooked up with Kindi back in the fall and started looking at the possibilities. The girls were so excited and volunteered to help, she said. Conley noted that the school in Lebanon has only five girls fluent in English. The students (in Lebanon) will be listening to the girls read, who will be helping with pronunciations, highlighting troublesome words, creating a word bank of practice words and helping to develop English conversational skills. The interaction is very similar to a phone call, but the text and text interactions are happening in real time through the use of the app on iPads. The girls selected a short story to read that has been provided by the Scholastic Book Club, How the Little Kite Learned to Fly. This reporter sat at a table with Ariana Nakoneccny, whose family, coincidentally, is from Lebanon. Also at the table were McKenzie Schulte, Addison Monter and Allison Boltrom. The American girls highlighted words the Syrian girls had problems with, then repeated those words to them and had the Syrian girls repeat them again. Conley said the experience teaches the girls to be resourceful and creative. It is global learning for our girls. Using all the technology our school is able to provide, they are seeing the things we are learning about that they can have an impact on. For the girls in Syria, who live in tents, according to Conley, it is about learning to read to get out of their circumstances. One drawback, said Conley, was not being able to bring the boys in, but were working with them on a United Nations school so the boys could be involved. Though the transmission lasted only about 15 minutes with only one story, as the year progresses Conley hopes to do a couple more stories with the girls before the end of the school year. Read more news from the Sun Sentinel here. PARMA, Ohio -- For the last five years, the Parma City Schools has been a 1:1 district, meaning each student has their own issued laptop computer or tablet. It was recently announced that going forward, high school students -- grades 8 through 11 -- will be allowed to take their Chromebooks home over the summer. Our students have proven to be very responsible in caring for the technology we provide to them, Superintendent Charles Smialek said. Learning does not end on the last day of school. Now, our students will be able to access the same technological advantages during the summer that they are fortunate enough to experience during the school year. Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction Jeff Cook said the decision is tied to allowing students to have access to technology through the end of the school year. Previously, the timing of kids turning in their Chromebooks for processing may have affected the final exam schedule. Were also hoping that the kids will become more acquainted with the device and what it can do by having access in a non-school setting over the summer, Cook said. Also, a lot of kids will do things to personalize their computer, such as the way they have their background set up, links, etc. That will still stay in place now, because theyll be keeping the machines. Its also important to note also theres time lost in getting the devices back in the hands of students in the fall. So now, none of that will occur. The students will come into school the first day of the school year with their technology in hand. The elimination of the Chromebook processing both at the beginning and end of the school year by technicians will result in a slight cost savings for the district. Outgoing seniors will be turning in their Chromebooks, which will go to incoming eighth-graders next August. In 2017, Parma City Schools sold its older devices for students in grades 5-12 for $1.4 million. The district then used the funds to purchase 7,000 Chromebooks -- including management licenses, service and cases -- for $1.3 million. All district devices, including Chromebooks, contain filters keeping users from visiting inappropriate sites. Our goal is to provide students with as much access to information as possible throughout the summer, Cook said. We dont know what the future will bring in terms of summer assignments and so forth. Will it necessarily translate in test scores? Time will tell, but just having access to that technology we hope will add to student performance. Read more news from the Parma Sun Post here. NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio -- Wendy Blount, a Westpoint graduate in information technology and a now-retired U.S. Army captain, flew Blackhawk helicopters in combat. But she says that was nothing compared to attending Lorain County Community College to earn a nursing degree. My whole career had been in training for the military. Then it was 10 years of stay-at-home mom. In going back to school, I had to really buckle down and study, said Blount. It was a challenging experience, she said. I was more stressed going through LCCCs program than going through West Point, combat and flying helicopters. Its a tough program, because its a tough profession. If we dont have the information we need, we will make mistakes on the floor. Blount graduated from Westpoint in 1993 with a bachelors degree in computer science. She served in the Army until 2002. While in the Army, she went into aviation and learned to fly $9 million helicopters and lead other pilots. Her rank was second lieutenant. She and her husband, also a helicopter pilot, were stationed in Germany. After 9/11, we were activated for Iraq, which is where I found out I was pregnant," Blount said. She went back to Germany, then came home to North Ridgeville. Her husband came home about a year later. Blount, now a staff nurse at University Hospitals Bedford Medical Center, says going back to school at age 42 to begin a new career wasnt easy. But my professors wanted me to succeed, she said, and they helped me on a very personal level." Other students were also critical to her success, she noted. Between the invaluable tutoring and the extensive library, I had everything I needed, she said. Blount said she was impressed with the schools commitment to the two-year nursing program (three years including prerequisites) because they did clinicals in different hospital systems for the exposure. LCCC Nurse Management Professor Marianne Carvour acknowledges that the program is challenging, but that students benefit from the difficulty. Our nursing grads are heavily sought out because of our rigorous curriculum, she says. LCCC stays competitive by meeting with potential employers to learn about their needs and how to best meet them." Carvour says instructors get to know their students as people first, not just as students. Everyone comes to us with different skill sets and different life experiences, she says. We attempt to meet each student where they are and use that to help them meet outcomes of the program. Lecture classes at LCCC hold no more than 40 pupils, and classes are generally 12 to 15 students. I felt it was the teachers sole focus and they wanted to help me succeed, Blount said. While Blount credits the college, Carvour, who taught her in a management leadership class -- a capstone course for nursing -- said her former student played a huge role in her own success. She has a natural sense of caring, said Carvour, and her background in the military gave her a great deal of transferrable skills." They melded Blounts IT background with her nursing training to seek a future in nursing informatics: working with different data sets to collect information about patients to help with diagnosis, short-term treatment and long-term management. All of the above culminated with Blount receiving the Pinnacle Award in January 2018. I was deeply humbled and honored to receive such a prestigious award for doing what I love, she says. UH has provided me the opportunity to grow and develop my skills. I appreciate the chance to use that award as a platform to spotlight all the good things happening at Bedford. Blount said she is not through with her education, though. After the foundation was laid at LCCC, she said she is going to earn a bachelors degree in nursing through Chamberlain College online and she wants a masters degree to apply computers to nursing. Regarding going back to school at an older age, Blount said: We only have one life to live, and we should always look for ways to reinvent ourselves to fit our current lives. Finding purpose and happiness are not exclusively owned by the youth; they are for everyone who seeks them. So, whether you are 20, 48 or 60, know that its never too late to find the career that gives you a sense of purpose and, ultimately, true happiness. Read more news from the Sun Sentinel here. Lejeune Mbella Mbella Archives The Minister of External Relations(MINREX), has cautioned Cameroonians against hate speech and fake news, warning them that there's a thin line between freedom of expression and those two. Minister Lejeunne Mbella Mbella was speaking in Yaounde this Monday, during the opening ceremony of the first session of trainees in international law and human rights, at the International Relations Institute Cameroon (IRIC). He regretted that many citizens continue to misconstrue freedom of expression, to spread unconfirmed, bias, judgemental, nonexistent news, with the aim of causing instability. The minister was speaking during the occasion of first session of training in international law and human rights, at the institute of international relations Cameroon, IRIC. To Lejeune Mbella Mbella, government has been tolerant enough, since it passed a law on the freedom of expression in 1990, which today is being abused. His voice comes to add up to many others, who think the internet has brought more harm than good to Cameroonians. Government had on several occasions, warned against the wrong use of internet. Following the ongoing unrest in the Anglophone regions, some civil society organisations have been holding workshops with citizens, to fight hate speech and combat fake news. Last year, the government met with Facebook and asked them,for help in a fight against the use of the social media platform to spread rumors and misinformation. Some two Facebook officials, Aida Ndiaye, the Facebook public policy lead for Francophone Africa and Lukas Holzer, Facebook content policy head, made it to Yaounde and met government officials as well as other civil society players. In January 2017, the government of Cameroon ran out of patience and shut down internet, for 240 days in the North West and South West regions, as separatist ideas continued to gain grounds amongst locals. However, the United Nations condemns governments who intentionally disrupt its citizens access to the internet because it violates the human right to freedom of speech and information access. SEVEN HILLS, Ohio -- Via ballot initiative, a group of residents hopes to accomplish what City Council was unable to do last month -- put a charter amendment changing the law director from an elected position to a mayoral appointment on a future ballot. Were going to circulate an initiative petition to put the appointed law director question on the ballot, said Seven Hills resident Tom Jaros, who is behind the ballot initiative effort. According to the (Cuyahoga County) Board of Elections, we need just over 800 signatures. We havent circulated anything yet because were still finalizing what were going to circulate. This is going to be an ASAP thing. I think we got it pretty much nailed down now, so this could happen in a week. Jaros said the ballot initiative, which he hopes to go to a vote of the residents before November, may mirror the City of Independences law director charter language. The Independence specification is much simpler overall, Jaros said. It also ties in an expiration for the life of the appointment. Currently in Seven Hills, only the service director's position has an expiration specification that requires a reconfirmation by council. Seven Hills would likely be best served if reconfirmation were necessary for all directors. Cronyism would take a hit," Jaros said. If voters eventually agree with the charter amendment, the term for the law director would be concurrent with the mayor who made the appointment. Also, the mayor, with a majority of City Council members, could remove the law director from office. Initially suggested last summer by the Charter Review Committee, the law director-related charter amendment received three readings earlier this year before council was set to vote March 4, which was the deadline to put it on the May 4 ballot. A procedural error kept the law director charter amendment from being voted on. Also, council did vote on the charter amendment at a Feb. 25 meeting, at which time a no vote by Councilwoman-at-Large Leslie Stager -- due to recusals by City Council President Anthony Biasiotta and Councilman Randolph Greenwald -- led to its defeat, 4-1. When an ordinance is on emergency, it requires five yes votes to pass. Jaros said his decision to pursue a ballot initiative was made after council was unable to put the charter amendment on the May primary ballot. (Stager) had plenty of time to research it, Jaros said. Shes just obviously obstructing. Law Director Richard Pignatiello and Councilwoman Stager obviously came up with 11th hour issues to keep this thing from hitting the May primary. As for why she didnt bring up any concerns earlier in the process, Stager said she simply changed her mind. I kept pondering the issue and thinking something isnt right, said Stager, who is doing her own research on the charter amendment. Regarding Jaros claim about her working with Pignatiello, Stager said: People can have their opinions. Thats fine. Im not going to change anybodys opinion. Stager also denied having any conversation with the law director about the proposed charter amendment. cleveland.com was unable to reach Pignatiello for comment. Read more news from the Parma Sun Post here. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A group of black diners and the Bahama Breeze restaurant chain have settled a lawsuit that accused the chain of racial discrimination. Lawyers for 26 plaintiffs, 17 of whom are members of the Greater Cleveland Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, dismissed their lawsuit on Monday. The dismissal said the matter has been resolved to the parties satisfaction." A release from the Chandra Law Firm said the settlement includes financial considerations" and an agreement by Bahama Breeze to enhance its existing diversity training. The firms founder, Subodh Chandra, would not say how much the chain agreed to pay to the plaintiffs. He referred such questions to representatives from the restaurant chain. Rich Jeffers, a spokesman for Darden Restaurants, the restaurant chains Florida-based parent company, refused to say Monday how much the company agreed to pay to settle the lawsuit. In a previous statement to cleveland.com, Jeffers said that everyone is welcome in our restaurants, and we strive to provide an exceptional experience for all our guests. Each side of the suit will be responsible for their own court costs. The group filed the lawsuit in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court in September. The diners said restaurant managers called police and falsely accused them of threatening to leave without paying their checks at a June 19 dinner. One of the managers, Francis Skupnik, then stood with police officers and demanded receipts from each member before allowing them to leave, the suit said. The lawsuit said the group was mistreated from the beginning of the meal. Manager Devin Jenkins told them when they were seated in a private room that you and your people cannot leave out of this room for anything," the suit said. One of the groups diners complained after waiting 25 minutes to get her check, and mentioned that she was going to leave out of frustration, one of the diners told cleveland.coms Mark Naymik the day after the dinner. Jeffers said that the company fired a manager after the incident, but he would not identify the manager by name. He confirmed Monday evening that Skupnik still works for the company. The group included a doctor, a judge, educators and other professionals from the Cleveland area, and they became upset by what they perceived as case of profiling. Im a highly educated young lady, Colleen Williams, one of the plaintiffs, said at a news conference announcing the filing of the lawsuit. The only problem I had on June 19 was that I was a person of color. Bahama Breeze agreed in 2009 to pay $1.26 million, and institute new policies to settle racial harassment claims pursued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of 37 black workers of the Orange Village location. To comment on this story, please visit Mondays crime and courts comments page. Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified the manager who was fired. CLEVELAND, Ohio The man wounded in a shootout with Cleveland and RTA police officers Sunday after carjacking an 83-year-old woman in a church parking lot has a criminal history that includes several sex offenses, according to police and court records. Clifford Gillespie, 43, was booked into the Cuyahoga County Jail on about 9:30 p.m. after undergoing surgery at MetroHealth. He suffered a gunshot wound to his right arm, left leg and groin, police dispatch records say. Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said four Cleveland police officers and an RTA officer were involved in the shooting. All five were placed on paid leave for at least three days while the Cuyahoga County Sheriffs Office investigates the shooting. Officials have not released the names of the five officers involved in the shooting. Gillespies criminal history dates back to 1995, and he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for failing to register as a sex offender and failing to report to his parole officer. He has not been formally charged in connection with the events that led to Sundays shooting. 83-year-old woman carjacked The string of events began about 9:15 a.m. Sunday. Police said Gillespie carjacked the 83-year-old woman in the parking lot of the Greater Gospel Temple Aoh on East 83rd Street and Quincy Avenue. The woman told police she was seated in her car outside the temple when a man in a black ski mask, later identified as Gillespie, knocked on her window. He pointed a gun at her head and threatened to kill her if she didnt get out of the car, according to police. He sped off on Woodland Avenue. The woman was not injured but an ambulance took her to MetroHealth in Cleveland Heights to be checked by a doctor, according to police reports. The churchs surveillance video captured robbery. Woman threatened at gunpoint at laundromat Two hours later, Gillespie drove the stolen car to the Fleet Avenue Superwash laundromat on Fleet Avenue and East 63rd Street, according to police. He began masturbating in front of a 27-year-old woman who was inside the business, police said. The woman told Gillespie she was going to call the police and he threatened to shoot both her and her cousin, according to police reports. He went outside, grabbed his gun from the car and waved it around, according to police. The woman called police from the managers office and gave officers the license plate number of the car. Officers spotted the car as Gillespie pulled out of the laundromat and a chase ensued. Gillespie drove between 38 and 42 mph during the chase, according to police dispatch records. The car Gillespie drove made odd noises and caught fire. He hopped out of the car and ran from officers through several fields and over RTA Rapid tracks, according to the dispatch records. Officers spotted Gillespie, who pulled out his gun, pointed it at officers and fired several shots, according to dispatch records. The officers returned fire, shot Gillespie before they took him into custody, according to police. Gillespie has extensive criminal history Gillespies most recent felony conviction happened in March 2018, when a jury found him guilty of abusing a 13-year-old boy, according to Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court records. In that case, Gillespie regularly slapped, punched, and hit the boy with drum sticks, twigs, extension cords or plastic rods for asking to play outside or using curse words at school, according to court documents. The abuse escalated until December 2014 when the boy asked to play outside after finishing his homework. He also accused Gillespie of rape. Gillespie told the boy if he ever told anyone about the rape hed kill the boy and his family, according to court records. The boy started sleeping with a knife under his pillow. The boy didnt report the incident to police until two years later, when the boy was accused of sexually assaulting a younger family member. Gillespie was charged in the case in 2016. A jury found him guilty of child endangering, domestic violence and aggravated menacing, but not guilty of rape and kidnapping. He was sentenced to 18 months in jail. In 2012, Gillespie was convicted of masturbating in front of two 12-year-old girls walking to school on Lamontier Avenue. He was sentenced to 17 months in prison in that case and to register as a sex offender. He was sentenced to three years in prison in 2009 after he broke into a womans home through a childs bedroom window, punched a woman in the face several times and slammed her into a wall. He pulled out a knife and bullet and threatened to kill the woman before ransacking the house and running from the home. In 2005, he was sentenced to two years in prison for two separate cases for shooting into an East Cleveland home with two young children inside and attacking a woman inside a Cleveland Heights home. He has also been convicted of drug trafficking, escape, failing to register as a sex offender, drug possess and vandalism. Correction: This post was updated to reflect that Gillespie was found not guilty of rape during a 2018 trial but guilty of child endangering and aggravated menacing. CLEVELAND, Ohio The mother of a 10-year-old boy who, according to police, accidentally shot and killed his 1-year-old cousin appeared at a federal court hearing where she was accused of violating her probation in an unrelated criminal case. Brittney McTier, 31, was convicted in 2018 of bank fraud, cried several times throughout Mondays hearing before U.S. District Court Magistrate David Ruiz. Federal prosecutors accused McTier of violating probation because she was charged with obstructing justice and tampering with evidence following the April 20 shooting of her 1-year-old nephew Isaiah Martin. She also failed to notify her probation officer of her involvement in a criminal case, had access to a gun, contacted someone who knowingly engaged in criminal activity and failed to pay more than $9,000 in restitution in her federal case, according to prosecutors. Ruiz set a May 3 preliminary hearing on the possible probation violation. The judge also scheduled a May 7 detention hearing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Baeppler said she will ask U.S. District Judge Donald Nugent to sentence McTier to federal prison for the probation violation due of the nature of McTiers new criminal charges and because McTier put the publics safety at risk. No other details were discussed at Mondays hearing. McTiers new charges accuse her of hindering the police investigation into her nephews death. She was not at home at the time of the shooting. The 10-year-old boy and the 1-year-old boys mother were inside when the shooting happened, according to police reports. McTier pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud in 2018. She made and cashed fake checks using routing numbers stolen from a Salt Lake City, Utah-based company, according to investigators. Jasaun Mattice, the man who spearheaded the scheme and continued running it while in the Cuyahoga County Jail, was sentenced to six years and seven months in federal prison. The group stole more than $40,000. McTier was sentenced to one day in federal prison. CLEVELAND, Ohio All of last week, Mayor Frank Jacksons administration downplayed the nature of the malfunctions that disabled flight and baggage information screens at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, sources said. The computer system that run the screens, which went dark last Monday, were compromised by a form malware that sought a ransom from the city, multiple sources told cleveland.com. Airport officials, however, did not respond to any such demands. Contacted Monday about the assertions, Clevelands Chief Information Officer Donald Phillips told cleveland.com that the city did not intend to mislead the public and the media - about the problem. We were giving you what we knew at the time, he said. Phillips acknowledged that he considers the malware involved to be form of ransomware. He said the city was asked by the malware to respond to an email address for more information about the hack but the city did not respond. We never responded and moved on to fix it, he said. In public statements last week, Jacksons administration described the problem as a technical issue. The mayors office also had declined to even to acknowledge that the city contacted the FBI about the case, though the FBI has confirmed as much. On Friday, the city said the systems were affected by a form of malware, but maintained that did not equate to being hacked. Chief of Communications Valarie McCall said Monday that the city has a meeting at 10 a.m. today with city officials and its federal partners and will update the public later this afternoon. Phillips said 95 percent of the system operating the screens was back online. The malware attack has not affected flights schedules or security operations at the airport. The city has denied reports by some media that other systems, such as the airports payroll and timekeeping, were affected. There is no evidence that they were affected by the malware. KENT, Ohio - Kent State University trustees announced Monday that Todd Diacon, the schools executive vice president and provost, will be its next president. Diacon currently holds the second-highest ranking position at Kent State, behind the president. He is responsible for all academic functions of the eight-campus Kent State system. Diacon will be Kent States 13th president. Read more about Diacon, his background and what he hopes to accomplish at Kent State University here. He will follow President Beverly Warren, who led the university since 2014. She announced her departure in October 2018 and will step down July 1. Warren decided to leave for family and personal considerations. Diacons base salary is $475,000. Russell Reynolds Associates conducted the search, along with a 16-member university committee. Kent State will pay the firm $170,000 plus a $9,000 administrative charge. Three other schools in Northeast Ohio are searching for a new president. Northeast Ohio Medical University, the University of Akron and Notre Dame College are all switching leadership. KENT, Ohio -- Kent State Universitys next president, Todd Diacon, is behind many of the advancements on campus in the past seven years. Arriving in 2012, hes served as second-in-command to Beverly Warren since her start as president in 2014. Diacon oversees academics and enrollment at Kent States eight campuses and led the university to record retention and graduation rates. Its special for me because I get to bring to this position a lot of experience at other institutions but I also have a pretty good understanding of how the university works, so there wont be much of a delay, Diacon said after his appointment. Really, its just a great honor." Kent State University paid a search firm $179,000 to conduct a national search, but Shawn Riley, chair of the universitys 16-member search committee, said Diacon was still the best candidate for the job. Diacon, 60, said he pursued the job after being nominated several times. Trustees approved the appointment Monday morning. Diacons experience as an administrator, faculty member and scholar, along with his student-first perspective set him apart, Riley said. Diacon also was key in developing the universitys strategic plan, approved in 2015. Diacon is also a Latin American scholar with a PhD in Latin American History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He guided the founding of Kent States American Academy in Curitiba, Brazil, a two-year degree-granting institution. Before Kent State, he served as deputy chancellor for the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and the vice provost for academic operations at the University of Tennessee. Diacons base salary is $475,000. He will start July 1, after Warren steps down. Warren said in remarks on Monday that Diacon served as a wise counsel and an outstanding partner during her time as president and that he has a quirky sense of humor. She also stressed Diacon knows the importance of supporting faculty because of his academic background. I think most importantly what weve seen from (Diacon) is his unwavering support of students in discovering their purpose, Warren said. Hes worked so very hard in supporting students in and out of the classroom. During Diacons time as provost, he created a degree completion program for students who have paused their education with 90 or more credits, implemented analytics to improve academic advising and created a transfer advising center. The university could not immediately provide how many candidates applied for the position. Cleveland.com has requested that information and application materials for candidates. What does Diacon plan to do? Diacon will need to lead Kent State through the predicted statewide drop in high school graduates, estimated in double-digits for Northeast Ohio. KSU will need to expand where it recruits students, Diacon said. The university will also need to make it possible for more Northeast Ohio students to attend college. That means doubling down on affordability and utilizing the regional campuses, where tuition is about 40 percent lower, Diacon said. Diacon also wants to continue expanding the Brain Health Research Institute. Kent State recently hired Michael Lehman as the first director of the institute, which has about 80 faculty members, according to Kentwired.com. As Kent State approaches the 50th anniversary of the Kent State University shootings, Diacon thinks it can serve as a hub for discussion of national issues of the day. The Ohio National Guard shot and killed 4 students and injured 9 during a protest on May 4, 1970, sparking nationwide demonstrations and school closings. The university will begin a year of recognition events in the fall of 2019. (Its) our responsibility to explain to the world the dangers of polarization and the danger of angry and poisoned speech, and the power of reconciliation, Diacon said. CLEVELAND, Ohio Sen. Kamala Harris, a California Democrat running for president, urged a friendly crowd at the Cuyahoga County Democrats annual dinner to speak truth in the 2020 presidential election. In her keynote speech to the dinner at the Downtown Hilton Hotel Sunday evening, Harris said that included fighting against hate and injustice and creating an economic system focused on helping the poor and middle class. Despite the more formal setting than a typical campaign rally, the dinner attendees seemed enthused by several of her proposals, peppering the speech with applause. This is a moment in time that requires us each as individuals to look in the mirror and ask a question. That question being, who are we? Harris said. And I think what we all know is part of the answer to that question is we are better than this. Harris is one of the top contenders in the crowded Democratic presidential primary, one of 20 candidates seeking to challenge Republican President Donald Trump in 2020. She has consistently polled as one of the top four Democrats in the presidential primary since announcing her candidacy in January. Shes been able to raise money as well, pulling in $12 million in the first quarter of 2019. Her Sunday dinner marked her first time visiting the state as a candidate, though she also gave the keynote speech at the Ohio Democratic Party annual dinner in 2018, making it a comeback of sorts. She also met with labor leaders earlier in the day. Among Harris proposals in the roughly 25-minute speech were tax credits for working class people and increasing teacher pay a pitch she made standing right in front of teachers union members, whose table was front-and-center at the dinner. Harris also criticized Trump and Republicans touting of the current economy. The GOP has telegraphed that the economy, which has continued to expand under Trumps presidency, will be one of its central campaign themes heading into next years election. I find it really kind of sad and pathetic when supposed leaders are walking around talking about the economy is great. The economy is great, they say. And you ask, well how so exactly is the economy so great? And they point to the stock market. Well thats great if you own stock. Harris also said the unemployment rate, another economic indicator often pointed to as a strength in the economy, was misleading. Yeah, people are working. Theyre working two and three jobs, Harris said. Nobody should have to work more than one job to get through the month to pay bills. Harris said she would repeal the Republican tax cuts passed in 2017 on her first day in office if she were elected. Interestingly, Harris did not mention the Lordstown General Motors plant closure, one of the more potent political issues in Northeast Ohio. Other candidates who have come to the state have made it a focal point. Harris also criticized Trump for his seemingly cozy relationship with leaders of adversarial countries. She specifically pointed out Trumps praise of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un despite the murder of Otto Warmbier, a college student from Cincinnati. Warmbier was held as a prisoner in North Korea for more than a year, before being returned to the United States in a coma. He died as a result of his treatment in North Korea. Following a meeting with Kim, Trump said he believed the North Korean leaders claims that he did not know about Warmbiers treatment, a highly unlikely scenario given Warmbiers high-profile status as an American prisoner in North Korea. We can no longer afford that commander in chief, Harris said. Republican National Committee spokeswoman Mandi Merrit said Harris proposals were pie-in-the-sky with no basis in reality. "Harris out-of-touch agenda would cost trillions of dollars, turn back the progress weve made, and is too radical for Ohio, Merritt said. Gauging Harris support based on her appearance is difficult. The room was mostly filled with elected officials and Democratic Party leaders instead of the public. Regardless, though, she certainly has some support from figures with sway in Cuyahoga County politics. Rep. Marcia Fudge, a Warrensville Heights Democrat, introduced Harris and described her as a fearless advocate and one who is not afraid to take on the powerful to protect the powerless. During a meeting with the cleveland.com/Plain Dealer editorial board in March, Fudge listed Harris as one of the Democrats she thought could beat Trump. Harris speech almost didnt happen. A scuffle between labor unions and Democrats on the county council was veering toward a fiasco. The unions, upset at the county commissions decision to transfer health care at the county jail to MetroHealth, threatened to picket the event. Harris said she would not cross a picket line under any circumstances. Days before the dinner, however, the two sides came to an agreement avoiding a high-profile confrontation that could have been a major embarrassment for the party. Harris is the fourth Democratic presidential candidate to visit Northeast Ohio since the beginning of the year. Former Texas Rep. Beto ORourke, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and businessman Andrew Yang have all made stops as the primary season ramps up. Jacques Fame Ndongo Archives The National Commission for the Evaluation of Training Domains Offered Abroad has met at its 91st ordinary session for 2018 and detected 63 fake certificates (62 baccalaureates from the Central African Republic and 1 Degree of Engineer from Russia.) Chairing the session last April 26, 2019 at the Higher Teacher Training College in Yaounde on behalf of Minister of State for Higher Education and Chancellor of Academic Ordors, Prof Jacques Fame Ndongo, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Prof Wilfred Gabsa called on members to show proof of objectivity, rigour and transparency in examining the 426 files submitted to them for scrutiny from 146 institutions in 43 countries. Some 5 certificates were rejected because the institutions were not officially homologated, unauthorized delocalized formation and a total of 357 equivalences were granted. Hinting that reforms to modernize the system for the treatment of equivalence files are on good footing, Prof Wilfred Gabsa explained that the Commission for which, the Vice Chair is the Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reforms is an inter-ministerial forum that makes proposals on equivalences for foreign certificates, academic entitlements and grades, as well as on the recognition of foreign institutions whose certificates can lead to the integration, reclassification or advancement of civil servants of the various corps of the Cameroonian civil service in keeping with the rules and regulations that apply. On the particularity of the session, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Higher Education, Prof Wilfred Gabsa told reporters that it is holding after the January 4th cabinet shakeup that saw the promotion of the Commissions Chair, Prof Jacques Fame Ndongo to Minister of State for Higher Education. We congratulated him and also the newly promoted Director for the Coordination of Academic Activities in the Ministry of Higher Education, Prof Emvudu. He expressed gratitude to the government for making available funds for the commission to meet and decide on the academic faith of citizens who studied abroad despite security challenges in the country draining state resources. Refugees in Cameroon from CAR whatsapp Cameroon's education sector has been amplified with over FCFA 75 Billion from the World Bank, as part of its effort to assist children refugees residing in Cameroon, as well as those who are internally displaced and unable to go to school. The project which falls under the World Bank Education Reform Support Project for Cameroon, was approved on last year, on the 1st of May and will run till December 29, 2023. The development objective of the Education Reform Support Project for Cameroon is to improve equitable access to quality basic education, with a focus on selected disadvantaged areas. It comprises of three components which include improving access, quality, and education system management and supports three government priority areas aiming at enhancing equitable access to quality pre-primary and primary education, strengthening education system management and the recently identified additional priority of supporting the education needs of public schools in host communities with refugees. The second component, improving school effectiveness through performance-based financing (PBF) aims to improve the quality of schooling, student retention, and school governance, with an emphasis on girls education. The third component, institutional strengthening and project management aims to strengthen the capacity of education sector in line with ministries and relevant agencies toward the achievement of education sector strategy objectives. The total project worth USD 130million, is headed by World Bank representatives,Vincent Perrot, Yevgeniya Savchenko, while Cameroon's ministries of Basic Education, and that of Economy,Planning and Regional Development, are the implementing agencies. Some 1000 teachers are expected to be recruited as a result of this project. For the past four years, the World Bank has assisted Cameroon with projects that touched areas such as education, energy, transport, rural development, social protection and health, to the tune of over FCFA 1,240 Billion. CMU, University of Pretoria Create New Partnership For Human Rights Accountability April 29, 2019 Carnegie Mellon University's Center for Human Rights Science (CHRS) and the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria in South Africa have established a strategic partnership to pursue joint projects and academic activities that will foster human rights accountability through the use of technology. "Our partnership is an effort to expand the voices and conversations about technology and human rights. We are particularly interested in engaging directly with researchers and practitioners in the Global South," said Jay D. Aronson, CHRS director and a professor in CMU's Department of History. "The Centre is the preeminent academic human rights research center in Africa, and the partnership will be a great opportunity to share technology and expertise." Jay Aronson, director of the Center for Human Rights Science at Carnegie Mellon University, gathers with graduate students at the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. The cross-continental relationship also will allow for a robust exchange of ideas, solutions and approaches that will help the human rights community better prepare to tackle the challenges presented by rapid changes in technology. The partnership with initially focus on artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analysis, but will evolve as needs and opportunities emerge. "Up to this point, conversations about the human rights impact of computing technologies have largely been exclusionary," Aronson said. "There is a robust community of computer scientists and human rights practitioners in Africa that do not have the same resources as their peers in North America or Europe and are generally not invited to participate in shaping products, policies and norms. This is an opportunity amplify voices that aren't being heard in the big meetings in London, New York or San Francisco. We want these conversations to expand to places like Accra, Dakar, Nairobi and Pretoria." As part of the agreement, Aronson was appointed an Extraordinary Lecturer within the Faculty of Law, where the Centre for Human Rights is housed. He presented lectures to students in the University of Pretoria's Master's Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa on April 15-16, which he has done for the past two years, and he plans to co-advise a small group of doctoral student theses. The partnership comes at a time when the Centre for Human Rights is planning a global conference with a focus on Africa's human rights response to technology. The event, which is scheduled for 2020, will bring together activists, experts and stakeholders within Africa and beyond to discuss what the human rights approach should be to innovations being witnessed in automation, machine learning and deepfakes. It will also address African governments' actions with respect to freedom of expression, the spread of hate speech and disinformation, and access to the internet and social media. This partnership grew out of three years of work Aronson has completed with faculty and researchers at the University of Pretoria. Adebayo Okeowo, project coordinator for the Centre for Human Rights, previously visited Carnegie Mellon, and exchanges between the two universities will continue. CHRS also is in the process of building similar partnerships in Latin and South America. Carnegie Mellon University is committed to educating, empowering and aligning its community around the world to address the Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals, which aim to create a more peaceful, prosperous planet with just and inclusive societies. Recognizing the critical contributions that universities are making through education, research and practice, CMU publicly committed to undertaking a Voluntary University Review of the Global Goals. The 17 Global Goals cover wide-ranging issues, including reducing violence, ending extreme poverty, promoting equitable education, fighting inequality and injustice, advancing economic growth and decent work, and preventing the harmful effects of climate change by 2030. The preceding story demonstrates CMU's work toward attaining Global Goals 16 and 17. Carnegie Mellon, University of Michigan To Co-host Religious Diversity Panel May 6 April 28, 2019 Carnegie Mellon University's Center for Africanamerican Urban Studies and the Economy (CAUSE) and the University of Michigan's Center for Social Solutions will co-host "Our Compelling Interests: Out of Many Faiths" from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Monday, May 6 at WQED Multimedia Studios. The event is free and open to the public, although online pre-registration is required. The panel discussion on religious diversity will feature Eboo Patel, founder and president of Interfaith Youth Core and author of "Out of Many Faiths: Religious Diversity and the American Promise." Additional panelists include City of Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto, Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of Tree of Life * Or L'Simcha Congregation, and Public Religion Research Institute CEO Robert P. Jones. Journalist Lisa Washington of WQED and KDKA-TV News will moderate the panel. The Center for Social Solutions' founding director Earl Lewis conceptualized the "Our Compelling Interests" book series and events during his tenure as president of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The initiative is co-led with Nancy Cantor, Chancellor of Rutgers University-Newark. CAUSE is an interdisciplinary research center in CMU's Department of History that explores African American urban life from the transatlantic slave trade to recent times. Founded and directed by Joe William Trotter, Jr., the center is committed to publications and public education programs on African Americans in Pittsburgh, western Pennsylvania and the nation. Registration and a reception will begin at 5:30 p.m., and the panel discussion will begin at 6:15 p.m. Complimentary parking will be available at Central Catholic High School (4720 Fifth Ave). Ambassador Ran Gidor in handshake with Peter Mafany Musonge Archives The Ambassador of Israel to Cameroon, His Excellency, Ran Gidor has unveiled plans to begin a mentorship programme that will contribute to promoting dialogue at grassroots level in the country. The Israeli Ambassador discussed the idea with the President of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism, Peter Mafany Musonge during an audience the latter granted him at the Commissions Office at Emergence Building in Yaounde last April 25, 2019 in the presence of the Commissions Vice President, Oumarou Djika and Secretary General, Dr Chi Asafor Cornelius. Ambassador Ran Gidor in handshake with Commission President, Peter Mafany Musonge Ambassador Ran Gidor told reporters that We also used the opportunity to share with the President an idea that we have. We are about starting a mentorship programme in Cameroon which will contribute to dialogue at the grassroots level, among students in universities. We had a very fruitful discussion and I am sure we have many more opportunities for cooperation with the commission. The Diplomat disclosed after the closed curtain brief audience that he equally used the opportunity to wish members of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism well in the accomplishment of their challenging mission of using bilingualism and multiculturalism to maintain peace and stability in Cameroon and in the Central African sub region. Talking to reporters shortly after the brief audience, the Israeli Ambassador disclosed that I was honoured to meet the President and his colleagues. The reason why I had to meet them was first of all for me to express my first-hand impression on the important work they are doing. As I told the President of the Commission, we of the Embassy of Israel together with the rest of the international community think that the work of the commission is critically important not just for Cameroon but for the entire region so we came to wish the President and other members success. Who is your financial role model? If you're married and said your spouse, you may want to rethink your answer. The latest CNBC and Acorns Invest in You Savings Survey found that 20% of married men said "their partner or their spouse" when answering that question. But women, at 32%, are much more likely to rely on their significant other. The survey, conducted for CNBC by SurveyMonkey, polled more than 2,300 adults in March about various aspects of financial wellness. For women, that can be a problem, because the financial stakes for them are higher. They typically earn less and are more likely to take time out of the workforce. Daniel Grill | Getty Images As a result, women have a $1 million earnings gap when they get to retirement, according to research from Merrill Lynch and Age Wave. At that point, they have another challenge to contend with: longer life spans. Leaving financial planning to a spouse or significant other is not necessarily a problem, said Russ Thornton, financial advisor at Wealthcare for Women. "You can divide responsibilities," Thornton said. "The problem is when one person takes that responsibility and the other one checks out." Thornton has seen this first hand with a female client in her late 40s who is going through a divorce. Her former husband handled all of the money including the bills, taxes and investing for more than 25 years. "She's literally been out of the loop," Thornton said. "Now, she recognizes that she should have been engaged." One area where women in particular tend to take a back seat: long-term planning. A recent survey from UBS Global Wealth Management found that 58% of women leave big money decisions up to their spouses. And that means they can fall behind in two key areas of financial planning. Retirement savings The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College recently examined one key question in a study titled, "Do individuals know when they should be saving for a spouse?" The answer, unfortunately, is not always. The research found that dual-earning couples with just one partner saving fell short of the money they should put aside for both of them. The average contribution rate as a share of household earnings was 4.9% for those households versus 9.3% when both saved or 8.6% for couples with just one earner. "These individual savers do not seem to realize that they need to pick up the slack for their spouse," the research said. More from Invest in You: Americans more confident but still worried about retirement saving 'I stash cash where my wife can't find it': America's juiciest money secrets Jean Chatzky: Here's how women can take charge of their money Part of that can be attributed to retirement plan features such as automatic enrollment and employer matches which nudge employees to save at rates based on themselves alone, the study said. Beyond workplace retirement plans, one opportunity for savings that single earners may overlook is spousal IRAs. Those accounts let you invest up to $6,000 per year for a nonworking spouse's retirement. Those age 50 and over can contribute as much as $7,000. Social Security In this photo taken on Sunday, April 21, 2013, 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. Maria Butina, the Russian operative who used her NRA activism to illegally infiltrate conservative political circles, was sentenced to 18 months in prison by a federal judge on Friday. The 30-year-old American University graduate student pleaded guilty in December to one count of conspiracy to act as an agent of a foreign official. She was arrested in July. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan gave Butina credit for nine months of time served. The judge ordered her deported as soon as her time is up. "You have a future ahead of you. I wish you the best luck," the judge said. Butina addressed the court and insisted she wasn't working as a spy, and only wanted to mend Russia-U.S. relations. "I came here to better my life to get a degree. I wished to mend relations while building my resume," she said. "It was for these actions and my own ignorance that I'm here." But the defendant admitted to harming relations between the two superpowers. "It has never been my intention to harm American people but I did so by not notifying your government. It has harmed mt attempts to improve relations, " she said. "I have three degrees, but now I'm a convicted felon with no money, no job, and no freedom." She added: "Instead of building peace, I created discord." Butina admitted to working with her Republican operative boyfriend Paul Erickson identified in court papers as "U.S. Person 1" at the behest of a Russian official in order "to establish unofficial lines of communication with Americans having power and influence over U.S. politics for the benefit of the Russian Federation," according to court papers. Butina also considered sex as part of her arsenal to gain influence. "For example, on at least one occasion, Butina offered an individual other than U.S. Person 1 sex in exchange for a position within a special interest organization," prosecutors wrote in opposing her bail last year. "Further, in papers seized by the FBI, Butina complained about living with U.S. Person 1 and expressed disdain for continuing to cohabitate with U.S. Person 1." Butina, in December 2015, helped orchestrate a trip by NRA members to Moscow where they met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, court papers say. Defense lawyers had asked Judge Chutkan for no jail time, writing in a sentencing memo that she has "always been willing to cooperate with the government." "Maria's 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. Prosecutors conceded that "Butina was not a spy in the traditional sense," but said she was still working to the detriment of the United States. "She was not a trained intelligence officer. But the actions she took were nonetheless taken on behalf of the Russian Official for the benefit of the Russian Federation, and those actions had the potential to damage the national security of the United States," according to the government. A child stands next to the 'Fearless Girl' after a ceremony to unveil the statue's new location across from the New York Stock Exchange on Dec. 10, 2018 in New York City. If you want to see a better gender balance in the workforce, you may want to consider putting your money where your mouth is. Enter gender and diversity funds, which screen for certain characteristics such as women in leadership and let you back companies that share those priorities. These are funds that seek to make a measurable impact, alongside financial return, by investing in companies with a record of measuring and improving workplace diversity and equal pay for equal work. Among U.S. asset managers, there are 15 funds exchange-traded funds and mutuals that fall into the gender and diversity sustainable investing category, according to investment research company Morningstar. That includes 10 funds provided by Calvert Research and Management. Those funds consider gender and diversity investment criteria alongside other environment, social and governance priorities. Four other funds are focused primarily on gender and diversity: Glenmede Women in Leadership U.S. Equity Portfolio, Impact Shares YWCA Women's Empowerment ETF, Pax Ellevate Global Women's Leadership Fund and State Street's SPDR SSGA Gender Diversity Index ETF. One fund SerenityShares' Impact ETF closed in March, two years after it launched. It had less than $5 million in assets under management. "We never hit the critical mass for being able to cover the cost of offering the fund," said Scott Sacknoff, CEO of SerenityShares. "Most advisors wanted to be the next dollar in, not the first dollar." But other fund managers are still betting that, with the right company selection, their funds can outperform and appeal to investors. "There's just volumes of data out there that shows that companies that invest more in women do better financially and economically," said Julie Gorte, senior vice president for sustainable investing at Impax Asset Management and Pax World Funds. "You don't have to give up anything for equality." Former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a rally organized by UFCW Union members to support Stop and Shop employees on strike throughout the region at the Stop and Shop in Dorchester, Massachusetts on April 18, 2019. Joseph Prezioso | AFP | Getty Images In a Democratic primary where candidates have lashed corporations and praised workers, presidential hopefuls have started a furious push for union support. Ahead of his first official campaign event Monday at a union hall in Pittsburgh a city associated with blue-collar work former Vice President Joe Biden secured the first major endorsement of the primary. The roughly 300,000-member International Association of Firefighters backed Biden on Monday. In a video, IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger called the former vice president "one of the staunchest advocates for working families." Biden's rivals want a similar seal of approval from organized labor as America's largest unions start deciding who to back. While union membership and the organizations' political clout have dropped in recent decades, Democrats' efforts to woo labor show a constituency that still carries weight in a party increasingly tailoring its message to workers. Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., who have railed against alleged corporate mistreatment of workers more than any other Democratic presidential candidates, are considered two of the top contenders for union support. Other Democrats, including Sens. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Cory Booker, D-N.J., and former Rep. Beto O'Rourke, have made plays for labor backing. It sets up a rush within the Democratic field to secure support from major unions, nearly all of which have not endorsed a candidate yet. The National Education Association the largest union in the country, with 3 million members told CNBC it has not yet decided who to endorse. Other large unions affected by President Donald Trump's trade policies, such as United Steelworkers and United Autoworkers, also say they have not chosen who to back. Organized labor has historically leaned toward supporting Democrats, and unions have more than 20 to choose from in the presidential primary. Who the groups and their members support could in part hinge on whether candidates backed trade deals such as the North American Free Trade Agreement, which not only Trump but also liberals including Sanders and Warren have slammed as devastating for American workers. How Democrats have talked to unions Democrats have always vied for electoral support from unions. But a focus on workers has shown even more clearly in policy and campaign strategy this year. The vast majority of Democrats in the 2020 race have sworn off contributions from corporate political action committees. The field has broadly endorsed a $15 per hour minimum wage and more robust benefits packages for workers. Candidates have railed against right-to-work laws. The focus on unions showed from the start of the campaign. Sanders' campaign workers formed a union, while former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro also pledged to let his campaign unionize. Candidates such as Klobuchar highlighted union members from their families in campaign launch speeches. One opportunity to appeal to unions arrived earlier this month, when workers from the grocery chain Stop & Shop went on strike in New England. Various candidates sent messages of support to the workers. Biden rallied in Massachusetts with workers. Warren stopped by a picket line with Dunkin' donuts in tow, reportedly telling workers that "unions will be rebuilding America's middle class." Securing support from labor could give any candidate a boost in a primary marked by candidates' efforts to cast themselves as the most friendly to workers. Navigating Trump and trade A contractor works in the control room at an Anadarko Petroleum Corp. oil rig site in Fort Lupton, Colorado. Jamie Schwaberow | Bloomberg | Getty Images Anadarko Petroleum said Monday it will restart negotiations with Occidental even though it struck a $33 billion deal earlier this month with Chevron to sell its business. The announcement comes after its board unanimously determined that Occidental Petroleum's rival bid, launched last week, could reasonably lead to a proposal that is superior to Chevron's previously announced deal to buy Anadarko. Occidental has offered $76 a share for Anadarko, while Chevron has put $65 a share on the table. The board's determination allows Anadarko and its advisers to resume talks with Occidental under the terms of the Chevron deal. The agreement with Chevron remains in effect, and Anadarko's board reaffirmed its support for the deal for the time being. Anadarko would have to pay Chevron a $1 billion breakup fee if it decides to sell to Occidental. The announcement is the latest development in a rare bidding war in the oil and gas sector. At the heart of the battle are the crown jewels of Anadarko's portfolio: a significant footprint in the Permian Basin, the top U.S. shale oil field. Both Chevron and Occidental are seeking to expand their presence in the Permian, which stretches across western Texas and southeastern New Mexico. Occidental CEO Vicki Hollub told CNBC that Anadarko's Permian assets represent about 75 percent of the deal value. Analysts say Chevron may have to sweeten its offer for Anadarko. During a conference call on Friday, company executives declined to offer details on the price they'd be willing to pay. However, Chevron CEO Michael Wirth said the oil giant would bow out if the cost of buying Anadarko got too high and no longer created value for shareholders. Occidental revealed last week that it had put forward three offers to buy Anadarko since late March. On Monday, Anadarko said the latest proposal "reflects significant improvement" in value, terms and conditions, and closing certainty compared to previous offers. The agenda of anti-vaccination activists may be causing a drag on the U.S. economy as the measles outbreak forces people to stay out of work and seek medical care, the director for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said Monday. "If you wind up getting more infections and diseases that were vaccine-preventable, those are entirely avoidable burdens on the economy," Dr. Anthony Fauci told CNBC. "When people get sick, they lose work, they lose their finances from work, [and] they have hospital costs." There's no official data yet on how this year's measles outbreak now the worst in the U.S. since the disease was declared eradicated in 2000 may impact the economy in the near term. However, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2013 showed a person hospitalized with measles can run up a hospital bill ranging from $4,032 to $46,060. Additionally, a University of North Carolina study showed vaccine-preventable diseases among adults cost the economy nearly $9 billion in 2015, with unvaccinated individuals responsible for 80% of those costs. The study was funded by Merck, a leading producer of vaccines. On Friday, President Donald Trump, who had questioned the safety of vaccines in the past, urged people to get measles shots. Health officials in New York, where the current outbreak is the worst, have declared public health emergencies, and they're scrambling to vaccinate people. The Food and Drug Administration is also reiterating to the public that vaccines are safe and effective. The latest numbers from the CDC, released Wednesday, show 695 measles cases in 22 states. The calls for action from federal and local officials come amid growing misinformation efforts by anti-vaccination activists, a vocal fringe who oppose inoculations. They believe, contrary to scientific evidence, that ingredients in vaccine can cause harm to the body. Fauci, who helped develop a vaccine against AIDS, warned that measles itself is dangerous and can kill. The disease, before vaccines were available, killed an average of 2 million to 3 million people a year globally, he said. "In the United States, there were about 2 million cases [of measles] and about 500 deaths per year." "The misinformation that measles is not a serious disease is just not true," Fauci added in the interview on "Squawk Box." Apple chief design officer Jony Ive (L) and Apple CEO Tim Cook inspect the new iPhone XR during an Apple special event at the Steve Jobs Theatre on September 12, 2018 in Cupertino, California. Apple said Sunday that it removed several parental control apps from its App Store platform because they put user privacy and security at risk. The removed apps, according to Apple, were abusing a kind of technology intended for company-owned work phones called Mobile Device Management (MDM), which can give an app developer access to information including user location, browsing history, and what photos and videos have been taken with the camera. The statement was made in response to a New York Times story that suggested Apple had pulled the apps for anti-competitive reasons. The response, published on Apple's website, is another example of how the company is walking a tightrope given its control of the App Store and its safety and security priorities along with new accusations from politicians and rivals that Apple uses its power over the software distribution platform to favor its own apps. Apple said in its statement that it "is incredibly riskyand a clear violation of App Store policiesfor a private, consumer-focused app business to install MDM control over a customer's device." Most of the apps highlighted by the Times report enabled parents to limit the amount of the time they and their children spent on their iPhones and Android devices, and two developers have filed a complaint with the European Union's competition office. Apple continued: "Contrary to what The New York Times reported over the weekend, this isn't a matter of competition. It's a matter of security." One of Apple's App Store guidelines says that "Apps should use APIs and frameworks for their intended purposes and indicate that integration in their app description." Using MDM to track and limit phone use isn't the intended purpose of MDM, Apple says. Apple released software in 2018 called Screen Time that enables users to track which apps they use the most and restrict access to distracting apps. It's installed by default on iPhones. "I think it has become clear to all of us that some of us are spending too much time on our devices," Apple CEO Tim Cook said last summer. In the weeks after Screen Time was released, 11 of the 17 most-downloaded screen-time and parental control apps were removed and restricted, according to the Times. Presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren said earlier this year that the fact that some apps Apple develops competes with developers on the App Store is possibly anti-competitive. Spotify, which competes with Apple Music, has also accused Apple of anti-competitive practices. A paramilitary police officer stands guard in front of red flags at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, on Monday, March 2, 2015. Tomohiro Ohsumi | Bloomberg | Getty Images Chinese President Xi Jinping's signature Belt and Road Initiative is now about far more than just infrastructure. The program began roughly six years ago with a focus on building out rail and maritime trade routes connecting China with central Asia, Europe and Africa. While critics have charged that the initiative is simply a branding exercise for Beijing to spread its global influence through lending and the associated debt for projects like ports and bridges, Xi has now made it clear he's aiming even further. That is, the second Belt and Road Forum that wrapped up this weekend in Beijing demonstrated that the China-led program now seeks to influence technology and governance around the world. "There will be a shift away from ... hard infrastructure projects," Tom Rafferty, principal economist for China at The Economist Intelligence Unit, said Friday. "(The Belt and Road is) going to have a broader range." GET YOUR ESSENTIAL TECH INSIGHT FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE PODCAST SERIES Subscribe E-NEWSLETTER Sign up In fact, Rafferty said, the Chinese leader demonstrated that he sees the program "as a China global governance initiative." Xi's speech at the forum's opening ceremony on Friday proclaimed that, through the Belt and Road, China would "strengthen cooperation in customs, taxation and audit oversight" and pursue cooperation on technological development. The joint communique released at the conclusion of the forum also said Belt and Road participants "aim to enhance connectivity among financial markets" and encourage the development of digital infrastructure. Although it's always been difficult to pin down the exact nature of the Belt and Road Initiative, the latest pronouncements indicate how Beijing is, as many had expected, using the program as a way to expand its global influence. "I think it is fair to say that the introductory phase of Belt and Road is over," Jacob Shapiro, director of analysis at online publication Geopolitical Futures, said in an email. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol January 30, 2019 in Washington, DC. Sen. Bernie Sanders took to Twitter on Monday to criticize Disney CEO Bob Iger's salary and suggest that Disney should use the massive box-office haul from its superhero film "Avengers: Endgame" to give its employees raises. Sanders' tweet comes just a day after Disney revealed that "Endgame" shattered box-office records, taking in $356 million in the U.S. and more than $1.22 billion internationally in just five days in theaters. "What would be truly heroic is if Disney used its profits from 'Avengers' to pay all of its workers a middle class wage, instead of paying its CEO Bob Iger $65.6 million over 1,400 times as much as the average worker at Disney makes," Sanders wrote in a tweet Monday. Bernie Sanders Tweet Sanders, the independent senator from Vermont who is running for the Democratic nomination for president, isn't the first to criticize Iger's massive paycheck. Last week Disney heiress Abigail Disney, the granddaughter of the company's co-founder, once again publicly took umbrage with Iger's compensation, calling it "insane." The comment came after a recent Equilar study found Iger's pay was 1,424 times that of the median Disney employee. In March, Iger agreed to a new compensation contract that cut his maximum potential annual pay by $13.5 million. However, the year prior he was awarded $65.6 million for his performance with the company, the result of a pay bump for extending his tenure at Disney through 2021 and stock awards in excess of $35 million. This year, however, the company eliminated a $500,000 boost to his base salary, keeping it at $3 million. It also cut his potential cash bonus from $20 million to $12 million and reduced his long-term incentive pay from $25 million to $20 million, the company said in a securities filing. Tweet de Paul Biya, 08-02-2019 PRC That is the question making rounds on social media, this Monday April 29, as Cameroonians got another unusual tweet from President Paul Biya. Todays tweet read, Democracy must not breed hatred, demagogy, and factionalism which corrupts and perturbs social peace. Democracy is a spirit of criticism, and not criticism for its own". Still ondemocracy ,he further expatiated in a different tweet."Cameroonians, the advent of democracy should not be a pretext for the settling of scores, for slander, for spreading false information, and for all sorts of denigration" Some critics who have been analysing the tweet, purpose that Biya sees the concept of a democracy system in Cameroon, has pushed many to go recalcitrant. They continue suggesting that Biya thinks people have exploited principles of a democratic state, to go against the laws of the land. Never has President Paul Biya's social media been active before, since mid April. Many have been proposing that his close collaborators, are probably behind these tweets, while others suggest it the 86 year old might not even be informed about such social media presence. However, some Cameroonians have been reacting positively to the tweets, encouraging President Paul Biya for his role, in ensuring Cameroon stays united and in peace, despite the crises faced by the Central African state. His tweets focus on development, peace, national unity, cultural diversity and more. "Cameroon really needs true national unity, it should not be the victim of tribalism, nepotism, carelessness and corruption. We must all fight effectively against such ills which easily undermine an entire Nation" He recently called on Cameroonians through same means, to avoid the easy way, do not cheat and show the right example. Joe Biden's presidential campaign, in a bid to broaden its appeal with younger voters and small donors, has turned to a data science software and consulting company backed by former Google chairman Eric Schmidt, CNBC has learned. The firm, Civis Analytics, has been advising Biden's team on how to better connect with young voters online and improve its appeal to donors who give $200 and less, according to those familiar with the matter. Civis, which was founded in 2013 by former President Barack Obama's 2012 campaign analytics chief, Dan Wagner, has also suggested potential digital hires for Biden's 2020 campaign, these people added. Schmidt, who backed Obama, is part of a host committee for a May fundraiser for Biden at the Los Angeles home of James Costos, the former U.S. ambassador to Spain under Obama. Federal Election Commission records show Schmidt has donated at least $2,800 to Sen. Cory Booker's campaign for president. He has backed Republicans, as well. People close to Schmidt insist he has not participated in consulting for Biden or any 2020 Democrat that has hired Civis. "Eric has not endorsed any candidate and is not working with any campaign right now. He is a board of member of Civis- which is providing these types of services for all types of Democratic candidates," one person said on the condition of anonymity. Federal Election Commission records show former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke $9,000), Sen. Elizabeth Warren ($9,500) and Booker ($19,000) paid Civis during the first quarter of 2019 for a range of tasks, including research consulting and database services. During the 2018 congressional midterm elections, Democratic super PACs paid Civis hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Senate Majority PAC, which is dedicated to helping Democrats win their respective Senate races, spent $2.2 million, while the House Majority PAC, a committee backing candidates for the House of Representatives, paid Civis $418,000, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee gave $185,000 to the company. Last November, Democrats retook the majority in the House while losing some seats in the Senate. Representatives for Civis, the Biden campaign and Google declined to comment. Schmidt, through a spokesman, also declined to comment. Schmidt is a technical advisor at Google's parent company, Alphabet, and has a net worth of $14.3 billion, according to Forbes. Schmidt was Alphabet's executive chairman from 2015 through 2017. He also had strong ties to Obama when he was president. Schmidt visited the White House 18 times from 2009 to 2015, according to data collected by the nonpartisan Campaign for Accountability. Four of those meetings were with Obama himself. In 2012, he donated $35,800 to Obama's joint fundraising committee, the Obama Victory Fund. Going into Biden's 2020 run, his supporters privately warned him that he needed to improve his online presence if he wanted to overtake other candidates who had more experience appealing to young voters through social media. Biden then met with an executive from Twitter and spoke with Athan Stephanopoulos, president of NowThis News, which specializes in viral short-form videos and helped raise the national profile of O'Rourke when he ran for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas, CNBC previously reported. Since then, Biden's campaign has hired at least one digital advisor. PJ Alampi, a former director of accounts at multi-channel network Fullscreen Inc., recently became the campaign's head of digital strategy. Alampi was also was a social media strategist at Epic Signal, a digital marketing company, according to his LinkedIn page. During the first week of his campaign, Biden's team spent $406,860 on Facebook ads, according to data compiled by the social media companies' Ad Library Report. In contrast, President Donald Trump's joint fundraising committee, Make America Great Again, invested just over $159,000 on Facebook ads during the same time period. Rep. Katie Hill, D-Calif., engages in a discussion with a constituent she disagrees with on April 27, 2019 in Santa Clarita, Calif. Jeff Daniels | CNBC SANTA CLARITA, Calif. Even before getting elected in November, freshman Democratic Rep. Katie Hill was aware of how town hall-style events can become raucous. Hill attended one such event in 2017 where boisterous protesters were heckling the House incumbent she would later defeat. However, the lawmaker was on the other side Saturday and faced a rowdy group of sign-carrying protesters who repeatedly disrupted her "Congressional Conversation" event in Santa Clarita, California. The 31-year-old congresswoman represents California's 25th Congressional District located primarily in north Los Angeles County. She pleaded for civility and threatened to have unruly people removed. Angry constituents shouted criticisms on various topics, from immigration and Democrat's opposing President Donald Trump's border wall to calling global warming a hoax. Some even blasted Hill, who is openly bisexual, for co-sponsoring the Equality Act, a bill she defended adding protections for LGBTQ people. "What we really wanted to have was a discussion," Hill said afterward. "The most disappointing thing was that people who wanted to actually have input and have discussions weren't able to ask their question." Hill was one of the seven Democrats in California who triumphed in November's midterms by flipping GOP-held House seats. Those same districts also voted in the 2016 election for Democrat Hillary Clinton rather than Trump. Some of the protesters defended their actions by claiming they were only doing to Hill what her supporters did to Republican former Rep. Steve Knight during his town halls. "We're giving you a taste of your own medicine," one protester shouted. In 2017, Hill confronted Knight at a town hall with a question about health care, and some of her supporters booed the Republican. Katie Hill, Democrat running for California's 25th Congressional district seat in Congress, speaks during the opening of the SCV Democratic Headquarters for 2018 in Newhall, Calif., on Saturday, May 26, 2018. Bill Clark | CQ-Roll Call | Getty Images "I never behaved like this at town halls, even when I was somebody running for office against the person who was having those town halls," Hill told reporters. Kassie King, a spokesperson for Hill, claimed Monday the majority of those disrupting were outsiders. "We know that probably two to three of those individuals live in our district of the 12," King told CNBC. "It's one thing to answer to constituents. It's another thing to have professional disruptors show up at an event with the intent to derail so that you can't connect with your constituents." Delving into the issues Regardless, Hill heard from many people in the crowd who were supportive and told constituents about her first 100 days in Congress and priorities, including legislation designed to help end gun violence. Hill was one of the co-sponsors of House Resolution 8, which passed the lower chamber in February and would expand background checks for gun purchases. The key sponsor, Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., also spoke Saturday and faced jeers at times. Hill, who is vice chairwoman of the House Oversight Committee, said the powerful panel has requested documents from pharmaceutical companies to show how they are setting drug prices and plans to make that information public. Before winning the election, Hill ran one of the largest homeless services organizations in California. Hill spoke about the homeless issue at the town hall and noted she's co-chairwoman of the Housing Task Force for the New Democratic Coalition in Congress. "We have a housing crisis here that is hitting everybody," said Hill, adding that affordability is impacting people in middle incomes, not just the poor. "One thing that has not helped with the issue of homelessness, with the question on the housing market, is the Republican tax plan that has made it so difficult for deductions." Democrats have a slim 4 percentage-point advantage over the GOP in Hill's 25th District, according to the latest voter registration data. Republicans are already plotting their strategy to win back lost seats in California, but the GOP tax plan signed into law in 2017 by Trump could be an obstacle in 2020. Similarly, Rep. Katie Porter another new California Democrat sent to Congress in the "blue wave" brought up the Republican tax overhaul during a town hall held earlier this month in her district in Orange County. "What we've seen from the Trump tax cuts, the number of corporations that paid zero tax zero tax went up under the Trump tax plan," said Porter. "At the same time, the Trump tax plan hit Orange families, particularly Orange County homeowners, really, really hard." Rep. Katie Hill, D-Calif., speaks during a town hall style meeting on April 27, 2019, in Santa Clarita, Calif. Jeff Daniels | CNBC A Boeing 737 Max 9 plane at the Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington on on March 22, 2019. "Boeing included the disagree alert as a standard feature on the Max, although this alert has not been considered a safety feature on airplanes and is not necessary for the safe operation of the airplane," the company said. "Boeing did not intentionally or otherwise deactivate the disagree alert on its Max airplanes." Southwest said that it did not know about the deactivation of the disagree alert, which warns pilots about malfunctioning sensors, until after the crash of a Lion Air flight in Indonesia, and said that Boeing indicated in its manual that the disagree lights were functional. The statement comes in response to reports that the plane maker failed to tell Southwest Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration that the safety feature was deactivated before recent crashes. Boeing said Monday that it didn't "intentionally or otherwise deactivate" the disagree alert on its 737 Max jets. The feature is an alert that lights up in the cockpit if a plane's angle-of-attack sensors transmit incorrect data about the pitch of the plane's nose. The angle of attack indicator displays the readings of the two sensors, and the disagree light is then activated if those sensors are misaligned with one another. "The disagree alert was intended to be a standard, stand-alone feature on Max airplanes. However, the disagree alert was not operable on all airplanes because the feature was not activated as intended," the company said. Boeing is working on an update to the jet's anti-stall software, known as MCAS, and plans to make the disagree light standard on all new 737 Max jets. The MCAS software was implicated in crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia that killed a total of 346 people. The grounding of the jets since March has forced major airlines to cancel thousands of flights through the summer. The situation has been an overhang on Boeing's business, and has weighed on its stock. At Boeing's shareholder meeting on Monday, its chairman and CEO, Dennis Muilenburg, rejected criticism about how the company designed the Max flight control system, calling its development "thorough" and "disciplined." "We followed exactly the steps in our design and certification processes that consistently produce safe airplanes," he said at a news conference following the meeting. Earlier, Boeing shareholders rejected a proposal for splitting the chairman and CEO roles. If passed, Muilenberg could have been stripped of one of his titles. The FAA has not received Boeing's software fix, but said in an initial review in April that its upgrade was "operationally suitable." On Monday, erroneous reports briefly circulated that Boeing had submitted the fix for review, but the FAA confirmed that was not the case. WATCH: Boeing updates shareholders on 737 Max Deutsche upgraded the stock and said that American looks to be on the precipice of being a "true deleveraging and free cash flow story." "American's lowering of its EPS guidance range from $5.50 - $7.50 to $4.00 - $6.00 was not unexpected given the recent rise in fuel prices and grounding of its MAX fleet. The company estimates those two items will impact its 2019 pretax profits by $1 billion ($650 million due to fuel and $350 million due to the MAX) and assumes that its MAX aircraft will return to service by late August. We think the resetting of expectations by management essentially establishes a "floor" for AAL's share price and provides the company a bit more "cushion" around its earnings targets. In that regard, our revised EPS forecast (now $5.00 vs. prior $5.30) reflects the "full bore" effect of higher fuel prices and the impact of the MAX grounding without giving American much credit for revenue recapture or any sort of "compensation" from Boeing. Both of those could spell upside to our 2H 2019 and 2020 outlooks. Based on last close of $33.06, the stock is trading at an undemanding 6.6x P/E multiple (given its leverage, it trades at a pricier 6.8x on an EV/EBITDAR basis, but the compa-ny's financial leverage has peaked and should decline over the next several years). Furthermore, American looks to be on the cusp of being a true deleveraging and free cash flow story. We've been waiting for this for a long time. As such, we are upgrading AAL shares from Hold to Buy." Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, ruler of the Emirate of Dubai, China's President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan (L-R) ahead of a reception marking the Belt and Road Forum at the National Museum of China on April 26, 2019 in Beijing. Valery Sharifulin | TASS | Getty Images A move by China and the United Arab Emirates to expand trade and investment ties through new deals worth $3.4 billion "isn't a surprise," according to World Economic Forum President Brge Brende. "China is now the second largest economy in the world and Asia is now 50 percent of global GDP," Brende told CNBC's "Capital Connection" on Sunday. "A lot of countries like the UAE see huge market opportunities in China." The UAE and China signed $3.4 billion worth of new deals on the weekend, as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative a massive infrastructure project that involves building roads, railways and shipping lines between China and more than 60 countries in Asia, Europe, Middle East and North Africa. The latest agreement is expected to boost an existing $53 billion worth of bilateral trade to $70 billion next year. Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, participated in the Belt and Road forum in Beijing on the weekend, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping to ink the deals. China is already the UAE's second largest trading partner, and the UAE serves as a major gateway for Chinese exports to the Middle East. We're living in a very different world than we did ten years ago. It's a multipolar, multi-conceptual world. Brge Brende As part of the new deals, the two countries launched a number of new investments including the development of a 60 million square feet station at the new Silk Road in Dubai for Expo 2020. Sheikh Mohammed Tweet: We launched 60-million square feet 'Traders Market', an international station for the Belt and Road Initiative in Dubai opposite to Expo site. Our Chinese partner will invest $2.4 billion in using the station to store and ship Chinese products from Jebel Ali to the world. "Our Chinese partner will invest $2.4 billion in using the station to store and ship Chinese products from Jebel Ali to the world," Sheikh Mohammed, who is also the ruler of Dubai, said in a tweet on Saturday. Expanding influence The UAE has emerged as a key player in Xi's Belt and Road initiative, which is attempting to link China by both sea and land to markets in Asia and Europe through a range of strategic, and oftentimes controversial, investments. The project has led some to suggest that China is using the initiative to expand its economic and geopolitical clout but Beijing has always rejected those criticisms. "We're living in a very different world than we did ten years ago. It's a multipolar, multi-conceptual world," Brende said. "Multipolar, in the sense that we see much more geopolitical competition. It's also multi-conceptual, because there are different ideologies out there. It's not only one that we are used to, with the U.S. and western Europe way of running things," he added. "In such a world, what I think is important is that we can find common ground and collaborate on these issues and not just compete with each other." UAE will be 'vital' The UAE will be "a vital station along the new Silk Road," Sheikh Mohammed tweeted on Friday, when he announced plans for a $1 billion "Vegetable Basket" project that will import, process, pack and export agricultural, marine and animal products through the new Silk Road. The project is supported by the China-Arab Investment Fund, he added. "The Arab-Chinese collaboration will positively contribute to the Belt and Road Initiative, given the Arab world's strategic location that connects East & West," Sheikh Mohammed tweeted. Sheikh Mohammed Tweet 2: We also launched a $1 billion 'Vegetable Basket' project in Dubai, supported by the China-Arab Investment Fund, to import, process, pack and export agricultural, marine and animal products to the world through the new Silk Road. UAE will be a vital station along the new Silk Road The UAE government has also partnered with the World Economic Forum to launch "The Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution" in the Emirates, the first of its kind in the region and the fifth globally. The term "fourth industrial revolution" is defined as a "technological revolution ... that is blurring the lines between the physical, digital and biological spheres." It was a term first introduced by the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab. WASHINGTON A broad coalition of House Democrats is laying out an infrastructure plan road map that calls on the federal government to provide the majority of funding and warns against repealing environmental regulations. The resolution, to be introduced Monday, is a joint effort of members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the moderate Blue Dogs and newly elected Democrats. The groups hope it will provide a framework for party leadership ahead of Tuesday's scheduled trip to the White House by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for a meeting with President Donald Trump to determine whether there is common ground on what traditionally has been a bipartisan issue. The resolution calls for significant federal investment in infrastructure, stating that most of the funding should come from the government rather than private entities a sharp contrast to Trump's initial plan to leverage $200 billion in federal dollars as an incentive to attract a total of $1 trillion in infrastructure spending. The president's proposal never gained traction on Capitol Hill, and Trump himself did not seem to fully embrace it. "We thought it was important to set a marker down," Rep. Ted Lieu of California, the progressive lawmaker who spearheaded the resolution, told CNBC. "We're not going to support a fake infrastructure proposal if it's really just a bunch of tax breaks to a bunch of corporations." But Democrats have not yet settled on how big any legislation should be, and the resolution stops short of specifying a dollar amount. Instead, it highlights the American Society of Civil Engineers' estimate that there is a $2 trillion shortfall in funding to modernize the nation's infrastructure over the next decade. At a party retreat earlier this month, Pelosi said she believed any bill should outline at least $1 trillion in spending but she would prefer $2 trillion. The resolution also makes clear that Democrats will not support loosening or eliminating environmental regulations in order to foster greater investment, setting up another potential flash point with the Trump administration. A key plank of the White House's infrastructure plan has been streamlining permitting regulations, particularly in the absence of a deal with Congress. But Democrats are worried the moves merely undermine environmental safeguards. A contractor works on highway construction near Portsmouth, Ohio. Ty Wright | Bloomberg | Getty Images The grounding of 737 Max airplanes has cost Emirates' sister airline FlyDubai a "lot of profitability" and Airbus planes could now replace some Boeing orders, the Middle East airline's CEO and chairman said Monday. Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said Flydubai, a regional partner of Emirates, has had to stop using 40 aircraft due to the worldwide grounding of the 737 Max aircraft following two deadly crashes involving the model. The CEO added that with more than 100 Max 8 planes currently on order, he couldn't "sit and do nothing" and needed to look at options such as the Airbus A320. "I have to look into a similar type of aircraft, let's say with the Airbus," Al Maktoum told CNBC's Dan Murphy at the Arabian Travel Market trade show in Dubai on Monday. The Emirates and FlyDubai chief said he would "always demand that we be compensated," but would not yet take the step of officially canceling orders. When asked how the Boeing crashes could affect the aerospace sector, Al Maktoum said he expected a lot of pressure on the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) to be more candid about how it certifies Boeing aircraft. The judges on ABC's "Shark Tank" are known for their sharp bite and brutal honesty, but one former Tank reject found redemption when he returned to re-pitch his company after leaving empty handed in 2013. This time, he scored a half-a-million-dollar investment. Jason Woods appeared on "Shark Tank" season 5 to pitch his battery-powered Kymera Body Board, which he said could go up to 20 miles per hour in the water. At the time though, Woods didn't have a product, just prototypes, and the Sharks ripped apart Woods' pitch. Mark Cuban told Woods he wasn't an entrepreneur, just a "want-repreneur," and Daymond John said Woods had the "worst pitch" he'd ever seen. Though the experience was brutal, according to Woods, after he walked out of the tank without a deal, he quit his job, changed his attitude and took the Sharks' advice to improve his business. Woods enlisted someone else Adam Majewski to run Kymera operations and they raised $625,000 in funding. Kymera also turned the prototype into a product selling for $3,500. Majewski, who was also in the Tank on Sunday, said the company sells direct to consumer but had signed a deal with one of the largest luxury boat manufacturers in the world, by which Kymera would have access to all the manufacturer's dealers. Woods and Majewski were seeking a $250,000 investment in exchange for a 5% stake in the company, money that they said they would use for inventory. Kevin O'Leary, however, questioned the $5 million valuation of Kymera. Wood replied that the technology is scalable; while the body board took him 12 years to build, he created a number of other products like a kayak and a surfboard in only two weeks. Convinced, O'Leary offered $250,000 in exchange for a 5% equity stake and a $500 royalty per unit until $750,000 is recouped. John then jumped in, asking for a 10% stake in exchange for $250,000. Meanwhile, Robert Herjavec said he loves the Kymera, but told Woods that he needs to stop with the other products because it's unfocused and burning cash. With that, Herjavec gave an offer: $500,000 in exchange for a 10 percent stake in the company. "Love it, love the second chances," Herjavec said. "That's one of the things that makes this country great. Everyone deserves a second chance." Woods and Majewski accept. "Redemption is the only word you can use," Woods said. "If you're willing to give everything that you've got to what you believe in, you can make it happen. But it may take a long time and it may be harder than you think, but it's totally worth it in the end." Don't miss: 'Shark Tank': Mark Cuban invested $100,000 in this invention that turns a pickup truck bed into a pool Like this story? Subscribe to CNBC Make It on YouTube! Disclosure: CNBC owns the exclusive off-network cable rights to ABC's "Shark Tank." Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO David Solomon said the investment bank is working hard to put the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal behind it. "We are spending a lot of time being reflective and really thinking about how it was that we wound up having somebody we hired at the firm, promoted at the firm, became a partner with the firm and turned out to be a criminal," Solomon said Monday in an interview with CNBC's David Faber at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California. "We own that, that's on us. ... We are working as diligently as we can to put it behind us and move on and stay focused on our clients and businesses," he added. The person Solomon referred to was Tim Leissner, a Goldman partner who pleaded guilty to U.S. bribery charges in August for his role in helping raise funds through bond offerings for a Malaysian state investment fund known as 1MDB. Goldman has been going through its worst scandal since the financial crisis as the fund is the subject of corruption and money-laundering investigations in at least six countries. It's always been the bank's defense that 1MDB is the result of a few bad employees, rather than something broader about firm or its culture. "We committed a significant amount of capital in a part of the world where the distribution process isn't clean and simple. In those transactions, one was sold very quickly; one took almost a year to distribute. The risk is real," Solomon said. "If you actually look at other transactions in other developed economies where you are committing sizable capital like that, the risk premium for making that commitment then structuring, rating and distributing the paper, this wasn't out of the ordinary," he added. The bank's shares were battered last year amid the scandal, falling more than 34% in 2018. They have partially recovered this year, climbing more than 23%. Makan Delrahim testifies before the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary on his nomination to be an Assistant Attorney General, Antitrust Division of the US on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. Despite reports that it won't be approved, the chief of the Department of Justice antitrust division said he has yet to come to a decision on Sprint and T-Mobile's planned merger. "I have not made up my mind," Makan Delrahim, assistant attorney general for the Department of Justice antitrust division, told CNBC's David Faber during a "Squawk on the Street" interview Monday from the Milken Institute Global conference in Beverly Hills, California. The Wall Street Journal earlier in April reported the $26 billion planned merger is unlikely to be approved in its current structure, citing people familiar with the matter. The report casts doubt on the fate of the mega-deal. The most immediate hurdle, according to the Journal, came from Delrahim's antitrust division, which is reportedly considering whether a deal would present an "unacceptable threat to competition." Shares of Sprint fell as much as 12% after that Journal report, while T-Mobile dropped by 4%. Sprint shares were slightly positive after Monday's CNBC interview, while T-Mobile's stock was down more than 2%. Delrahim said his department does have an eye on price competition and the potential for more consolidation in the industry to raise bills for the average consumer. The DOJ is looking into "coordinated effects," meaning companies would not compete on prices anymore if it's no longer in their best interest. "Those are the factors, and there are strict guidelines that we follow, based on case law handed to us; we are continuing to investigate that," he said. "My job is to make sure the analysis is done properly and make sure the facts are there." The $26 billion deal would combine the third- and fourth-largest wireless providers in the U.S., a market with only two other participants: AT&T and Verizon. Sprint and T-Mobile have argued that the merger is necessary to compete with the two larger carriers, and would provide greater access to 5G. T-Mobile CEO John Legere defended the deal before Congress in February, arguing that the deal would create jobs and lower prices. "With 5G and other technologies, you're going to be able to use that phone for more than just communicating with your best friend or texting," DOJ's Delrahim said. "You're getting your media, you're getting video we want to be sure to encourage that, but ultimately, is there going to be a price effect when those two combine?" While more players in any market typically means more competition, Delrahim said there was no ideal number for the total amount of wireless companies. "There is no magical number it's what the facts and the economic evidence shows us," Delrahim said. CNBC's Christine Wang contributed reporting. CMA National Secretariat, foundation stone laid Atia Azohnwi The Foundation Stone for the National Secretariat of the Catholic Men Association (CMA) Cameroon has been laid in Molyko, Buea. This was during a solemn ceremony April 26, 2019 presided at by the Bishop of the Diocese of Buea, His Lordship Immanuel Balanjo Bushu. The circa FCFA 300 million worth edifice expected to be completed within three years was christened St Josephs Centre by Bishop Bushu. The naming, the prelate said, is in honour of St Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ. The Bishop of Buea, who had so generously offered the 2,000 metres square piece of land to host the secretariat, dedicated the project into God's hands. To him, there can be no foundation solid enough unless it is laid in the name of Jesus Christ. We are Gods people and we cannot but call on God to be with us and to help us build and take care of this house using it for the right purpose or which it is built. We must be aware of Gods presence in this place, he said He added that: Let us all grow and be holy like Jesus Christ himself. The building we want to construct will be a gate of heaven because it is here that the CMA and the spiritual progress of its members will be crafted out and promoted. On his part, the National President of the CMA, Okie Johnson Ndoh expressed thanks and appreciation to all who have made contributions towards the success of the project. "I am overwhelmed and filled with tears of joy. It was like a dream when we came up with this project barely a year ago. And for us to be where we are today, its just by the grace of God, Okie said. He announced that part of the FCFA 300 million earmarked for the project has already been collected and each diocese has been given a levy. So far part of the money has been collected from the Diocese of Yaounde and we believe that if the others play their roles well, in less than no time, we shall be done and dusted with the entire project. The CMA National Secretariat will be used among others for the coordination of the affairs of the association, upliftment of the spiritual life of the community and serve as a focal point for evangelism. Lodging facilities and space for the organisation of seminars, workshops, conferences and wedding receptions among other facilities will be part of the CMA project. The CMA National President assured the public that the sociopolitical situation in the country's North West and South West regions will in no way stall the project. He recalled CMA's contributions towards a return to normalcy, citing among others a 9-day Novena for Peace and donations to the needy. On behalf of the Bishops of the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province, the Bishop of the Diocese of Kumba, His Lordship Agapitus Enuyehnyoh Nfon assured the CMA members of the full support and prayers from the BAPEC Bishops in order to see to the realisation of the project. This secretariat will be open to touch the lives of many people. When you come here youll meet Christ and hear about St. Joseph who is a man of honour and we therefore expect that all Catholic men in Cameroon will be real examples of honour wherever they find themselves. Wherever you are, represent the Christ you carry. As Catholic men, your faith should also help in the decision making process in finding lasting solutions to the crisis plaguing the South West and North West Regions of the country. Play the role of St Joseph who protected the families of Nazareth. Remain United, no competition, see Christ in Your faces, do your best in the group and St. Joseph man of honour will intercede for you, Monsignor Nfon said. Former vice president Joe Biden speaks during his first campaign event as a candidate for US President at Teamsters Local 249 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 29, 2019. The rally marked the 76-year-old Biden's first major public campaign event since his long-expected announcement last Thursday that he would run for president, becoming the 20th Democrat to join the race to unseat Trump in 2020. Despite his late arrival, the six-term former senator and two-term former vice president is widely considered a top contender in the crowded Democratic field. "I came here because, quite frankly folks, if I'm going to beat Donald Trump in 2020, it's going to happen here," Biden told a packed Teamsters banquet hall in Pittsburgh. Former Vice President Joe Biden on Monday kicked off his first campaign rally as a 2020 presidential candidate with a stump speech tailored toward America's workers that also threw more than a few jabs at President Donald Trump . Biden speaking to a crowd filled with union members steered his remarks heavily toward populist issues including corporate greed and income inequality. "I make no apologies I am a union man. Period," said Biden, who had received his first union endorsement earlier that morning. "The country wasn't built by Wall Street bankers, CEOs and hedge fund managers," Biden told the crowd. "It was built by you. It was built by the great American middle class." "We need to reward work in this country, not just wealth," Biden said. As the roughly 20-minute speech went on, Biden dug in on Trump's character and his administration's policies. "There was a $2 trillion tax cut last year. Did you feel it?" Biden asked the crowd, which responded with a loud "No!" in unison. "Of course not!" he said, adding, "It's a one-way street these days." Trump, said Biden, is "the only president who's decided not to represent the whole country." Biden has taken aim directly at Trump from the very beginning of his candidacy last week. And Trump has not been shy about launching his own salvos. Ahead of Biden's Monday afternoon speech, Trump fired off a pair of tweets attacking the latest entrant to the presidential race, branding the political veteran with the derisive nickname "Sleepy Joe Biden." @realDonaldTrump: The Media (Fake News) is pushing Sleepy Joe hard. Funny, I'm only here because of Biden & Obama. They didn't do the job and now you have Trump, who is getting it done - big time! Trump also touted Pennsylvania's economic progress under his administration, saying Biden "obviously doesn't know" that the state "is having one of the best economic years in its history, with the lowest unemployment EVER." State officials reportedly said earlier this month that the Pennsylvania unemployment rate had fallen to 3.9% in March, its lowest point since 1976. @realDonaldTrump: Sleepy Joe Biden is having his first rally in the Great State of Pennsylvania. He obviously doesn't know that Pennsylvania is having one of the best economic years in its history, with lowest unemployment EVER, a now thriving Steel Industry (that was dead) & great future!........ The early days of the former Delaware senator's campaign strategy appear to be aimed at shoring up his support in Pennsylvania, a swing state rich in electoral votes that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton narrowly lost to Trump in the 2016 election. Biden's first fundraising event as a candidate was held at the Philadelphia home of David Cohen, executive vice president of Comcast, the parent company of NBCUniversal. And he's scheduled to return to the city on May 18 to hold a rally that will lay out his campaign's vision for unifying a politically polarized country. Biden has also showed a clear focus on gaining the support of labor unions. On the eve of his campaign announcement, Biden delivered some of his most fiery speeches to union crowds. And on Monday morning, he picked up the first major union endorsement of the presidential primary, gaining the blessing of the roughly 300,000-member International Association of Firefighters. Other Democrats, eager to present themselves as champions of working Americans, have also taken steps to court the backing of labor unions by disavowing contributions from political action committees and calling for increased worker benefits and protections. Employees on the campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who is running for president as a Democrat, have even formed their own union. JetBlue planes at a gate at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. "Systems are back online and customers are reporting normal or close-to-normal operations. We sincerely apologize for any resulting travel delays," said Sabre, a company that airlines use for printing tickets and making reservations. Major U.S. airlines were hit with systemwide ticketing outages on Monday, which have since been resolved. American Airlines said the technical issue was resolved shortly before 2 p.m. ET and had no major impact on flights. Alaska Air said on Twitter at 2:23 p.m. ET that its service was restored. WestJet and JetBlue were also affected by the outage. JetBlue said its customers could have issues with booking or check-in on its website, mobile app and in airport kiosks. "We are working to resolve the issue and apologize to our customers for the inconvenience," the airline said. The cause of the outage wasn't immediately known. Sabre apologized for the disruption. "No downtime is acceptable," the company said. WATCH: American Airlines raises 2019 fuel cost guidance SAN FRANCISCO, CA - NOVEMBER 16: A sign is posted in front of a Marriott hotel on November 16, 2015 in San Francisco, California. Marriott International announced plans to purchase Starwood Hotels & Resorts for $12.2 billion. The deal would create the world's largest hotel company. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Marriott International is gearing up to start a new home-rental business with the goal of competing with Airbnb and other home-sharing companies, The Wall Street Journal reports. Marriott is the world's largest hotel company and would be the first major hotel company to create a home-rental platform for the U.S., following its pilot program in Europe. The company partnered with Hostmaker, a home-rental management company, and offered 340 properties for home-sharing stays in Paris, Rome, Lisbon and London. The properties came with a 24-hour support line and an in-person check-in through Hostmaker, Marriott told the Journal. Marriott would allow guests using the platform to earn and redeem loyalty points as they do with other brands Marriott owns, including Sheraton, W hotels and Ritz-Carlton. Marriott did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for a comment. Other hotel operators such as Hilton Worldwide Holdings and Hyatt Hotels are also exploring or studying the home-rental industry, according to the Journal. Hyatt Hotels had a minority stake in onefinestay, a company offering upscale rentals that was later acquired by Accor. Hyatt also had a stake in Oasis Collections and incorporated the firm's rental listings into its loyalty program and distribution system until it severed ties with the company when it was taken over by Vacasa. This comes as Airbnb began to expand into the traditional hotel business last month when it acquired Hotel Tonight, a company that collects bookings from hotels and offers them at a discounted price. Airbnb also recently invested in Oyo Hotels & Homes, an Indian hotel-booking company. Airbnb just announced that it will be partnering with RXR Realty, a New York City developer, to launch its first hotel, which can be booked on Airbnb's platform. As the world's biggest hotel company, Marriott owns about 1.3 million guest rooms globally, according to data tracker STR, while Airbnb has nearly 5 million rooms listed, according to AirDNA. New competition for Airbnb comes as a number of city governments have said some of the platform's hosts have turned their homes into illegal hotels. New research from British insolvency firm Begbies Traynor revealed that 484,000 U.K. businesses are in "significant financial distress," which is 14% of all the economically active firms in the country. The "Red Flag Alert" data also showed that the number of firms in "critical" distress, often a precursor to formal insolvency, rose by 17% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2019, prompting concerns that the U.K. could suffer a broader economic slowdown. Property was the hardest hit sector, with 48,182 companies in significant financial distress, up from 42,512 in the first quarter of 2018, a 13% year-on-year increase. Construction, often portrayed as the bellwether of the British economy, saw a 10% year-on-year rise in significantly distressed businesses, while financial services had 12,728 businesses affected, a 5% increase from the same period last year. Julie Palmer, a partner at Begbies Traynor, said the incline in distress for capital intensive sectors such as construction and property was "bad news for the economy," as construction accounts for 17% of all U.K. businesses, employs 2.5 million people and contributes 6% of the nation's economic output. "Worryingly this data shows that this economic malaise is spreading to the U.K.'s dominant services sector and does need to be stopped in its tracks by a combination of political certainty and a commitment to support U.K. business, particularly SMEs (small to medium-sized businesses) which are the 'engine room' of the U.K. economy," she said. Executive Chairman Ric Traynor said Brexit uncertainty had hindered business growth and investment, but also highlighted that a combination of faltering European economies and a potential trade war between Europe and the U.S. could have a wider impact on U.K. businesses than its domestic issues. But he suggested that record high employment figures and growing GDP (gross domestic product) showed the country's "economic foundations remain strong." "If the government is able to right the ship over the next few months, providing greater certainty to businesses and regaining consumer confidence, then there is still time to head to calmer waters and avoid a storm," he said. Barclays Chief U.K. Economist Fabrice Montagne, however, suggested that the U.K. picture across the first quarter of this year was not as bleak as the insolvency data suggested. In a note published Friday, Montagne said that evidence of Brexit-related stockpiling, previously only implied in sentiment surveys, had become more evident in the hard data and boosted activity figures. "GDP growth was robust through January and February as was job creation with the unemployment rate dipping to 3.9% while retail sales were exceptionally strong in March," Montagne said. "Overall, the data support a strong Q1 GDP print, with some upside risks to the forecast of 0.4% quarter on quarter." Against a backdrop of a less favorable global environment, a further adjustment in domestic demand means that Barclays economists are forecasting low levels of headline growth for a longer period of time. Yet Montagne and his team are not forecasting a recession, rather GDP growth of 1.2% for 2019 and 1.2% for 2020. Netflix has said it doesn't intend to ever run traditional ads. But advertising industry experts aren't so sure that will be the case. During a panel at IAB's Digital Content NewFronts on Monday, executives from YouTube, JPMorgan Chase, media agency UM and MediaLink were asked about Netflix staying ad-free. "Well, that's not what their recruiters say," said Tara Walpert Levy, YouTube and Google's VP of Agency and Media Solutions. "They're going to need growth. Eventually, they're going to need more growth." JP Morgan Chase CMO Kristin Lemkau said consumers would be open to ad-supported options if those options are transparent and consumers understand the value exchange. "The consumer wants choice and they want something that creates value for them," Lemkau said. "To the extent that you've got this subscription version versus the non-subscription version, consumers will take that tradeoff." She spoke about "the biggest thing to happen in TV last night," referring to the airing of the latest "Game of Thrones" episode. "It wouldn't have worked with ads," she said. "That piece of content, that type of storytelling couldn't have happened with ads. The army of the dead are at the wall, and we're still fighting among the houses." Other streaming services offer both ad-supported and ad-free options. Hulu, for example, sells its ad-supported service for $5.99 per month. It costs $11.99 per month without ads. CBS All Access has similar offerings. Joshua Lowcock of media agency UM said though there's been a move toward getting rid of ads, it will go back the other way. Lowcock is global brand safety officer and U.S. chief digital and innovation officer at the agency, owned by Interpublic Group. "We grew up in digital, believing we should inject ads everywhere at every moment we could," Lowcock said. "And that's why you've seen ad blockers and a move to ad-free environments. I think there will become a tipping point where ads come back. Netflix is ad-free now. I can't imagine a world where Netflix will be ad-free forever. If you look at their content costs ... that's where addressable advertising and new ad formats will come in." Netflix did not respond to a request for comment on the panelists' remarks. The entrance of new streaming players like Apple and Disney were a point of discussion in Netflix's shareholder letter recently. In it, the company claimed it didn't anticipate "these new entrants will materially affect our growth because the transition from linear to on-demand entertainment is so massive and because of the differing nature of our content offerings." Disney will pull its movies from Netflix this year to stream on its own new service. Netflix has a market cap of $162.6 billion, compared with Disney's $250.4 billion. Netflix stock fell about 1% earlier this month after reporting its first-quarter earnings. The company posted quarterly revenue that beat estimates but included light guidance for the following quarter. The company ended 2018 with 139 million paid subscribers, up 26 percent for the year. Competitor Hulu ended 2018 with more than 25 million subscribers. You shouldn't feel bad reaching for more chips, two market watchers told CNBC. Chipmakers, that is. While the group struggled last week after softer-than-expected earnings reports from Xilinx and Intel with Intel's lowered 2019 forecast pushing the sector more than 1% lower on Friday the two analysts don't think the moves spell doom for the sector. "There is some value down here on a pullback" in Intel, Bill Baruch, founder and president of Blue Line Futures, told CNBC's "Trading Nation" on Friday. "Looking in the $50 area, you can find some retracement levels." But for those not willing to risk buying Intel after its slide, Baruch suggested avoiding "the idiosyncratic risk" and instead buying into the iShares PHLX Semiconductor ETF, known on the Street as SOXX, which was above $210 before Monday's opening bell. "There's a breakout there out above $200, and it's going to stay above there," Baruch said of the fund, which counts Qualcomm and Nvidia among its top holdings. "It can even pull back as far as $185 and stay in a strong uptrend. I think this overall sector recovers. I think we'll find it higher over the next 30 days." Chantico Global CEO Gina Sanchez agreed that a recovery is in store now that some of the smoke in the sector has cleared. "China was a big cloud, and Qualcomm's kissing and making up with Apple actually turned out to be Intel's loss, so some of this is very idiosyncratic," she said in the same "Trading Nation" interview. "It's a really mixed bag, but there's an expectation that these semis will recover in the second half or, if you listen to Texas Instruments, the first half of next year." "The point is that this recovery, or this soft patch, is likely to find some footing later in the year, and so I think you don't give up the semis altogether," Sanchez said. "But you do have to be careful about which stocks you're in." The VanEck Vectors Semiconductor ETF, which tracks the sector, shed nearly 2% last week, but is up almost 33% year to date. This aerial photo taken on January 2, 2017 shows a Chinese navy formation, including the aircraft carrier Liaoning (C), during military drills in the South China Sea. The head of the U.S. Navy has warned China that hostile behavior from its coast guard and fishing boats will not be treated any differently from the Chinese navy, the Financial Times reported on Sunday. In an interview with the FT, Admiral John Richardson said he told Chinese vice-admiral Shen Jinlong in January that Washington will respond to aggressive acts by these non-naval ships the same way it has with the People's Liberation Army Navy. That's because non-naval ships have been used to help Beijing stake its claims in the disputed South China Sea, the London-based newspaper reported Richardson as saying. "I made it very clear that the U.S. navy will not be coerced and will continue to conduct routine and lawful operations around the world," Richardson told the newspaper. The warning from the U.S. Navy comes as China increasingly relies on its coast guard and maritime militia or marine industry workers trained alongside its navy to expand its military presence in the region. South Korean telecoms giant SK Telecom has signed an agreement with the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) to develop 5G-based self-driving infrastructure. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) will also focus on the development of information and communications technology start-ups in the IFEZ, a specially-designated economic zone located in the city of Incheon in the northwest of the country. The IFEZ was set up in 2003 and is made up of the areas of Songdo, Yeongjong and Cheongna. 5G refers to the fifth generation of mobile networks. While it promises cell phone users incredibly fast browsing experiences, it will also benefit the autonomous vehicle sector through its ability to process reams of information and data simultaneously and quickly. In a statement Monday, SK Telecom said it would produce a high definition map covering the whole IFEZ area. It added that the map would have "centimeter-level accuracy" and provide information relating to road conditions, lanes, road slopes and speed limits. The hope is that the map will help the IFEZ area become ready for Level 4 autonomous vehicles, as defined by SAE International. A global association of over 127,000 engineers, SAE International has defined five "levels" of driving automation. An example of Level 4 automation could be a driverless taxi, while at Level 5 a vehicle's automated features can drive it under all conditions. The map will be built using a 5G-based platform that will automatically update when it gets road observation data from advanced driver assistance systems over the 5G network. Advanced driver assistance systems, or ADAS, are becoming increasingly important tools in modern vehicles. They use a range of technologies, including sensors and cameras, to detect potential hazards, and can undertake action be it automatically or by warning a driver to prevent accidents from happening. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez celebrated an electoral triumph in Madrid Sunday night, after his earlier decision to call a snap poll in February during a moment of parliamentary deadlock resulted in his Socialist party - known as the PSOE - significantly consolidating their presence in the lower legislative chamber. Though the party on its own remained well short of an outright majority, the strong Socialist showing followed a highly polarized campaign. Sunday's vote was Spain's third general election since 2015, with the country's politics more splintered than at any time in its modern democratic history. In a victory speech that was frequently drowned out by the chants of his flag-waving PSOE supporters, Sanchez insisted that he would seek cooperation from across the political spectrum with any group that was prepared to promote social justice and to respect Spain's 40-year-old constitution. Five major national parties had vied for Spaniards' votes on Sunday; three on the right and two on the left. But with voting participation numbers that were substantially higher compared to the 2016 election, particularly in Catalonia where at least a million more residents voted this time around, it was Sanchez who won the most new ground as his PSOE saw 38 extra lawmakers elected to the 350-seat Congreso de los Diputados - or Congress of Deputies. With this gain of almost 50%, he must now persuade just another 53 lawmakers from separate parties to join his Socialists in a coalition if he is to command a 176-seat majority. If such a combination proves achievable, it could allay concerns about the kind of political uncertainty that plagued Spain through much of 2016, when politicians spent nearly a year haggling over the formation of a new government. But senior party officials told CNBC they do not expect a new government to be formed before June. Reyes Maroto the country's trade minister and a close ally of the prime minister said that the vote result was "a breath of fresh air for a congress that was a prisoner," and insisted Spanish voters had given their backing for the Socialist party to "keep up the work we have been doing over the last 10 months." Sanchez took power after pushing through a motion of censure against his predecessor Mariano Rajoy, with his Partido Popular mired last summer in a sprawling corruption scandal. Pedro Sanchez (2nd from right), Prime Minister of Spain and candidate of the Socialist Party (PSOE), cheers with his wife Begonia Gomez (2nd from left) to his supporters on election night. picture alliance | picture alliance | Getty Images Pressing challenges Among the most pressing challenges for Sanchez if he returns to the seat of government at the Palacio Moncloa will be Spain's slowing economy; continued high unemployment across much of the country, particularly among young people; fiscal and spending imbalances that went unaddressed when he tried and failed to pass a new budget in February; and a thus far intractable stand-off between the central government in Madrid and pro-independence politicians and supporters in the wealthy northeast region of Catalonia. The latter dispute dominated much of the electoral campaign's rhetoric in the euro zone's fourth largest economy, with right-wing critics of Sanchez frequently competing to highlight their anti-secession bona fides. That in part forced the Socialist leader publicly to rule out the possibility of any future referendum on Catalan independence, a key demand of the region's pro-independence supporters. A senior Sanchez ally in government, Labour Minister Magdalena Valerio, told CNBC Sunday after the vote that the result could reopen the door to dialogue with Catalan separatists. "I hope that they take notice in Catalonia that the majority of Spaniards have backed the constitution," she warned. "They have backed diversity and inclusion as long as it is done within the Spanish constitution and laws." Many Catalans have grown angry that some of their most high-profile former leaders have faced prosecution for their alleged roles in a 2017 referendum effort on Catalan independence that a Madrid court labelled unconstitutional. And so strong is their support in Catalonia that several of those leaders nevertheless won back seats in Spain's national parliament - from their jail cells. Meanwhile, after the emergence late last year of the right-wing VOX party as a significant political force in the southern Andalusian region's local elections, it has become clear that strong anti-secession sentiment has helped invigorate Spanish populism, far more than the type of immigration-driven concerns that have bolstered populist leaders elsewhere in Europe. In its first showing in a national election VOX won 24 seats. Supporters of Spain's far-right Vox party wave Spanish flags during a campaign rally in Burgos, northern Spain on April 14, 2019, ahead of the April 28 general elections. CESAR MANSO | AFP | Getty Images Exterior pictures of both Tim Hortons and Burger King(in the same frame) located across the street from one another on the Queensway in Etobicoke. Check out the companies making headlines midday Monday: American Airlines American Airlines rose 2.2% after Deutsche Bank upgraded the airline's stock to buy from hold. "American looks to be on the cusp of being a true deleveraging and free cash flow story. We've been waiting for this for a long time," Deutsche Bank analysts said in a note. Gardner Denver Shares of the industrial company jumped 16% after a report said Gardner Denver is in talks to merge with a division of Ingersoll-Rand. The deal could be announced next week, The Wall Street Journal reported. Restaurant Brands International The parent company of Burger King and Tim Hortons fell 1.4% after releasing weaker-than-forecast quarterly earnings. Restaurant Brands reported earnings per share of 55 cents versus the 58 cents per share expected by Refinitv. Disappointing sales from its Tim Hortons business dragged down the company's results. Cooper Tire & Rubber Shares of the tire company rose 1.2% despite missing Wall Street's estimates in its first quarter. Cooper Tire & Rubber reported earnings per share of 14 cents. Analysts polled by FactSet expected a profit of 17 cents a share. Its management team, however, expects to improve operating profit margin in 2019. Diamond Offshore Drilling The driller's stock dropped 6.3% despite the company reporting a lower-than-expected first-quarter loss. Diamond Offshore reported a loss of 53 cents per share, while FactSet had estimated a loss of 59 cents per share. The company reported better-than-expected revenues of $233.5 million, versus an estimate of $232.9 million. Immunomedics Shares of Immunomedics plunged 5.4% after the biopharmaceutical company announced announced its chief medical officer, Dr. Robert Iannone, is leaving. Veoneer Shares of the radar and vision systems software company plummeted nearly 17% after the company said it will seek up to $500 million in funding to deal with a slowdown in its driverless car business. Momo Shares of Momo fell nearly 7% after the Chinese social media company said some mobile app stores have removed its dating app Tantan on direction of governmental authorities in China, according to a press release. The company said it's communicating with the government to restore Tantan as soon as possible. Target Target shares climbed 0.9% after a Barclays analyst upgraded the stock to overweight from equal weight and raised his price target to $115 a share from $85. "We have now decided with the pullback in the stock due to recent Amazon fears, our expected downside from this near-term view is meaningfully derisked," the analyst said in a note. Walt Disney Disney shares rose as much as 1.8% after J.P. Morgan hiked its price target on the media giant's stock to $150 per share from $137. The new price target implies a 7.2% upside from Friday's close of $139.92. J.P. Morgan cited the strong performance of Marvel's "Avengers: Endgame" movie for the price-target increase, among other factors. CNBC's Nadine El-Bawab, Yun Li and Jessica Bursztynsky contributed to this report. LOS ANGELES Authorities have arrested a Los Angeles man described as a U.S. military veteran on terror-related charges that include threats against a local landmark and freeways. The suspect was identified as Mark Steven Domingo, 26, of Reseda, California, according to a press release issued Monday by the U.S. Department of Justice. It said Domingo "was arrested Friday night after he received what he thought was a live bomb, but in fact was an inert explosive device that was delivered by an undercover law enforcement officer as part of an investigation by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force." "Domingo, a former U.S. Army Infantryman, wanted to use improvised explosive devices against innocent civilians and he selected components that would make the bombs even more deadly to the victims he targeted," said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John Demers. "His arrest today mitigates the threat he posed to others in the Los Angeles community." The government said Domingo faces federal charges in a terrorist plot in which he planned to detonate an improvised explosive device for the purpose of causing mass casualties. According to the federal prosecutors, Domingo in online posts and conversations with an FBI source "expressed support for violent jihad, a desire to seek retribution for attacks against Muslims, and a willingness to become a martyr." During an April 3 meeting, the suspect allegedly expressed support for ISIS and said "if ISIS 'came here,' he would swear allegiance to ISIS," according to the complaint. Domingo, who recently converted to Islam and has combat experience in Afghanistan, also discussed wanting to use explosives at the Santa Monica Pier and plotted to set off explosives on L.A. freeways, authorities said. He also made threatening comments about wanting to harm LAPD officers. "After considering various attacks including targeting Jews, churches, and police officers Domingo decided to detonate an IED at a rally scheduled to take place in Long Beach this past weekend," the DOJ said. "As part of the plot, Domingo asked his confederate who actually was cooperating with the FBI as part of the investigation to find a bomb-maker, and Domingo last week purchased several hundred nails to be used as shrapnel inside the IED." The suspect "specifically bought three-inch nails because they would be long enough to penetrate the human body and puncture internal organs," according to the 30-page affidavit. "I'm extremely glad to be announcing that we interdicted a potential terrorist attack, rather than outlining the FBI's response to yet another tragedy," said Paul Delacourt, assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles field office. "At no time was the public in danger and there is currently no known threat to public safety." Online rants from the suspect tipped off investigators about Domingo, who expressed anger at the killings of Muslims last month in New Zealand mosque attacks. The suspect had been put under surveillance since he posted threatening comments a few weeks ago. Domingo had several guns, including a modified AK-47-style rifle, when he was arrested in the sting operation. The suspect is expected to make his initial appearance this afternoon in federal court in Los Angeles. "We know that there are others out in our communities that will find some rationale, in some twisted manner, to go out and act in a manner similar to this man," said LAPD Chief Michel Moore. "And what is really needed is a continued vigilance of each of our communities, of each of our houses of faith, of each American, to know that this is not television." The threat against LA follows Saturday's deadly shooting at a synagogue in Poway, California, located in San Diego County. A 19-year-old suspect was arrested in connection with the synagogue shooting, which killed one person and injured four others. In the wake of the synagogue shooting and hate attacks across the country, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his May budget revision will include $15 million in additional funds to help religious and community-based nonprofits strengthen security. "We all must call out hate against any and all communities and act to defend those targeted for their religious beliefs, who they love or how they identify," said Newsom. The We Company, better known as WeWork, filed confidentially for an IPO, the company said in a press release on Monday. The company did not reveal financial information in the filing. However, in a presentation shared with CNBC in March, The We Company said it had a net loss of $1.9 billion on $1.8 billion in revenue in 2018, and a net loss of $933 million on $886 million in revenue in 2017. WeWork's business model continues to rely on heavy funding from private investors, namely SoftBank, which has poured over $10 billion into the company, including $2 billion this year. WeWork has to plunge cash into real estate in some of the most expensive markets and makes money back over time as companies and individuals pay their rent, or membership. The We Company joins a growing class of tech firms filing to go public. Lyft, Pinterest, Zoom and PagerDuty have already gone public this year, and Uber and Slack are both preparing for their own IPOs. The We Company's confidential filing is an amended draft registration statement, according to the release. The company initially filed a draft S-1 confidentially in December, according to a memo from the company's co-founder Adam Neumann obtained by CNBC. The firm rebranded from the name "WeWork" earlier this year in order to encompass the expanding scope of its plans. WeWork now encompasses the co-working space business with which the firm got its start. The We Company's other business units include WeLive, which provides flexible residential offerings and WeGrow, its education unit. In the memo to employees Neumann told staff, "We have regularly focused on how to take our business to the next level in every aspect. As part of keeping all options open, we confidentially filed a draft S-1 registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission in December. After a lot of thought, last week we decided to file the first amendment to our submission, which is a step towards allowing us to decide to become a public company." Here is Neumann's memo to employees: Hello everyone, This week I have been celebrating my birthday with family and close friends. It has been an opportunity to reflect on some of the most meaningful moments in my life: growing up in Israel, meeting my wife and partner Rebekah, the birth of my children, and collaborating with Miguel and Rebekah to found WeWork. From the first day, the goal of our company has always been about making a difference, impacting as many people as possible, and creating a world where people make a life and not just a living. We have regularly focused on how to take our business to the next level in every aspect. As part of keeping all options open, we confidentially filed a draft S-1 registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission in December. After a lot of thought, last week we decided to file the first amendment to our submission, which is a step towards allowing us to decide to become a public company. As partners on this journey, it is important for me to personally share this information with you and again thank you for your collaboration in getting us to this point. While this process restricts our ability to communicate about this topic, we will do our very best to update you when we can. I do not have an exact date or timeline to share with you, but I wanted you to know first that this process has started. Partly due to technology and partly due to the times we live in, the world has never felt smaller and yet more people than ever are sharing that they feel alone. As one of the world's largest physical networks, it is our responsibility to help lead the way and set the global example for people and corporations on how we should take care of each other and of our planet. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to our mission. Sincerely, Adam Watch: WeWork's revenue and net losses both doubled in 2018 Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Hong Kong on Sunday to demand the local government scrap a plan that would allow extraditions to mainland China an idea that has also raised concerns among foreign investors. Police estimated that about 22,800 people marched at the peak of the demonstration, a spokeswoman told CNBC on Monday. Organizers put the figure far higher at about 130,000, according to local media reports. Demonstrators snaked through congested areas of Hong Kong island, carrying signs and banners criticizing the plan. "Resist the evil law," read one in Chinese. The extradition issue underscores ongoing concerns in Hong Kong about erosion of the its autonomy nearly 22 years after British colonial rule ended on July 1, 1997. On that date, the city became a special administrative region of China maintaining its own laws, currency and economic management. The impetus for the proposed legal change came after a murder in February last year allegedly committed by a Hong Kong citizen in Taiwan. It highlighted not only Hong Kong's lack of an extradition mechanism with the self-governed island, but also with the Chinese mainland and nearby Macau, which is also a semi-autonomous Chinese region. Hong Kong's government wants to remedy that by changing local ordinances to allow extraditions but only on the final authority of the chief executive, the city's top official. That post is currently held by Carrie Lam, who said last month authorities need to "plug the loophole." The government has tried to allay concerns by removing nine mostly white collar crimes from the list of offenses that would be covered. It has also said it will safeguard human rights and that no cases potentially involving the death penalty will be included. Protesters take part in a demonstration against Hong Kong's proposed extradition law on April 28, 2019. Tens of thousands of people marched on Hong Kong's parliament on Sunday to demand the scrapping of proposed extradition rules that would allow people to be sent to mainland China for trial a move which some fear puts the city's core freedoms at risk. Opponents of the proposal fear further erosion of rights and legal protections in the free-wheeling financial hub freedoms which were guaranteed under the city's handover from British colonial rule to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. Ranks of marchers snaked peacefully for more than three hours through the shopping and business districts of Causeway Bay and Wanchai, with thousands staying on into the evening outside the Legislative Council and government headquarters. Police said 22,800 people marched at the peak of the procession, but organisers estimated 130,000 turned out making it one of the largest street protests in the city for several years. Observers said the turnout dwarved an earlier protest against the plan last month. Veteran activist and former legislator Leung Kwok-hung said the government's move risked removing Hong Kongers' "freedom from fear." "Hong Kong people and visitors passing by Hong Kong will lose their right not to be extradited into mainland China," he said. "They would need to face an unjust legal system on the mainland." Some younger marchers said they were worried about traveling to the mainland after the move, which comes just as the government encourages young people to deepen ties with the mainland and promotes Hong Kong's links with southern China. Law clerk Edward Wen, 45, said the difference in human rights standards between Hong Kong and the mainland was too great to bridge. "You will be screwed as long as they put up a crime on your behalf," he said. The marchers' chanted demands for Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam to step down echoed through the high-rise streets, with some protesters saying she had "betrayed" Hong Kong. Some sported yellow umbrellas the symbol of the Occupy pro-democracy movement that paralyzed parts of Hong Kong for 11 weeks in 2014. The proposed changes have sparked an unusually broad chorus of concern from international business elites to lawyers and rights' groups and even some pro-establishment figures. Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong who handed the city back to Chinese rule in 1997, on Saturday described the move as "an assault on Hong Kong's values, stability and security," government-funded broadcaster RTHK reported. US President Donald Trump speaks during the National Rifle Association Annual Meeting on April 26, 2019, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. "The NRA should leave and fight from the outside of this very difficult to deal with (unfair) State!" the president wrote in a subsequent tweet. The president's comments follow the news that New York Attorney General Letitia James opened an investigation into the group, including ordering the preservation of internal documents. James said during her campaign that she intended to look into the New York-chartered group's nonprofit status. The president also chided the group for a leadership fight that has played out in public in recent days, saying the NRA "must get its act together quickly, stop the internal fighting, & get back to GREATNESS - FAST!" President Donald Trump said Monday the National Rifle Association is "under siege by Cuomo," days after New York's attorney general opened an inquiry into the gun rights lobbying organization. The chaos gripping the NRA spilled into public view last week in the midst of its annual convention in Indiana, where both Trump and Vice President Mike Pence delivered remarks. Shortly after Trump spoke to the group, The Wall Street Journal reported that the NRA's longtime leader, Wayne LaPierre, had informed the board that he was being extorted and pressured to resign by retired Lt. Col. Oliver North, another top NRA official. LaPierre wrote in a letter to the organization's board that North was threatening to make public "destructive" embarrassing information about him and the NRA's financial dealings. On Saturday, North announced that he will not serve a second term as the group's president. The Iran-Contra figure wrote in a letter to NRA members on Saturday that the organization faced a "clear crisis" and that, if the allegations about financial mismanagement were true, "the NRA's nonprofit status is threatened." Trump tweet two James' office has gone after the president's own nonprofit, the Donald J. Trump Foundation. The foundation agreed to dissolve under judicial supervision last year after state's previous attorney general, Barbara Underwood, accused it of "a shocking pattern of illegality," and said her office would pursue further investigations. In a March filing, James wrote that the foundation broke "some of the most basic laws" related to private foundations. Her office is seeking nearly $3 million in restitution from the foundation. Trump foundation attorneys have denied the allegations and accused officials in the heavily Democratic state of having political motivations. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, recently opened up his formidable financial support network to Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden, the former vice president, who is the early front runner in the primary race that will determine which candidate faces off against Trump in 2020. In a statement, Cuomo fired back against the president's tweet. "Unlike you, President Trump, New York is not afraid to stand up to the NRA. I will continue to fight for the children of this state. As for the NRA, we'll remember them in our thoughts and prayers," he said. And James's office said in a statement that "we will follow the facts wherever they may lead." "We wish the President would share our respect for the law," the statement said. -- CNBC's Kevin Breuninger contributed to this report. Monday, April 29, 2019 at 6:28AM Embed from Getty Images We speculate that a part of why Intel gave up on 5G was because Apple and Qualcomms truce. But it seems there might be one more thing to add to that. Weeks before the said settlement, Apple poached Intels 5G modem head Umashankar Thyagarajan. His departure wasnt exactly a secret. But he was, according to the Telegraph, the project engineer for the XMM 8160 chipset, which was at the heart of Intels 5G plans. And he played a key role in the creation of the Intel modems in the iPhone XS and XR. Intel and Apple are not commenting on the report. And it isnt clear what his role in Apple is, apart from it being described as Architecture on his LinkedIn page. But we expect he is working on wireless chipset design for Apple. Apple has in the past said it wanted to make its own cellular chipsets, so we arent as surprised about the hire as we should be. U.S. President Donald Trump sits in the cab of a truck as he welcomes members of American Trucking Associations to the White House March 23, 2017 in Washington, DC. President Trump hosted truckers and CEOs for a listening session on healthcare. Alex Wong | Getty Images President Donald Trump on Monday unleashed a series of tweets criticizing leaders of major labor unions and former Vice President Joe Biden, who launched his 2020 presidential campaign last week. Biden was scheduled to speak to the Teamsters union Monday in Pennsylvania, a state Trump won in 2016, but where Biden was born and raised. "I'll never get the support of Dues Crazy union leadership, those people who rip-off their membership with ridiculously high dues, medical and other expenses while being paid a fortune," Trump tweeted at around 10:30 AM. "But the members love Trump. They look at our record economy, tax & reg cuts, military etc. WIN!" "Sleepy Joe Biden is having his first rally in the Great State of Pennsylvania," Trump wrote 10 minutes later. "He obviously doesn't know that Pennsylvania is having one of the best economic years in its history, with lowest unemployment EVER, a now thriving Steel Industry (that was dead) & great future!........" Four minutes after his tweet about Pennsylvania, Trump wrote, "The Dues Sucking firefighters leadership will always support Democrats, even though the membership wants me. Some things never change!" TRUMP TWEET In response to Trump's attack, Biden tweeted, "I'm sick of this President badmouthing unions. Labor built the middle class in this country. Minimum wage, overtime pay, the 40-hour week: they exist for all of us because unions fought for those rights. We need a President who honors them and their work." BIDEN TWEET Earlier in the day Monday, the International Association of Fire Fighters announced that it would endorse Biden in 2020. In a video posted on YouTube, IAFF's general president, Harold Schaitberger, said Biden, "will be a champion for the public's safety in America, fighting for policies and legislation that improve the lives and livelihoods of not just firefighters, but all who work for a living." Trump made traditionally union-backed positions, like trade protections and raising tariffs, into pillars of his successful 2016 presidential campaign. And support from Democratic-leaning union households in states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin no doubt helped Trump win these states by the slim margins he did. (L-R) US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He pose for a group photo at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on February 15, 2019. Trade talks between the U.S. and China are now in the final stages, said U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, ahead of this week's meeting in Beijing between negotiators from both sides, according to a New York Times report. "We're getting into the final laps," the report quoted Mnuchin as saying, in an interview at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles. "I think both sides have a desire to reach an agreement," Mnuchin said, according to the New York Times report. "We've made a lot of progress." According to the report, Mnuchin said that while both countries are nearing a deal, the negotiations are reaching a stage where either an agreement could happen or it could end without a deal. Mnuchin, together with U.S Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, have been trying to negotiate a deal with Chinese representatives amid a protracted trade war between the world's two largest economies. Both sides have met several times in a bid to hammer out a deal to end their trade differences. The talks so far have focused on a range of issues, including forced technology transfer and structural reforms. Both Mnuchin and Lighthizer will head to Beijing for talks that start on April 30, Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement last week. They will meet with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He. According to the Times report, Mnuchin did not want to say if the talks would conclude by the end of June, but only that both economic powerhouses desire to have an agreement. He also declined to say if a collapse in negotiations would cause Trump to inflict more tariffs on China, the Times said in the report. The U.S. and China have been embroiled in a trade dispute since last year that spooked world markets and hurt global growth. The Trump administration imposed levies on $250 billion of Chinese goods, and China retaliated by placing its own tariffs on $110 billion of American products. For the full report, read the New York Times. CNBC's Joanna Tan contributed to this report. In this photo illustration a 10 pack and one dose bottles of measles, mumps and rubella virus vaccine, made by MERCK, sits on a counter at the Salt Lake County Health Department on April 26, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. U.S. health officials confirmed another 78 cases of measles last week, urging people to get vaccinated as they battle the worst year for the disease in 25 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday said it has confirmed 704 cases of measles this year as of Friday, the largest number of cases in the U.S. in a single year since 1994 and the largest number of cases since measles were considered eliminated from the U.S. in 2000. Cases have been reported in 22 states this year. Most of the new cases were reported in New York, where outbreaks are occurring in New York City and Rockland County. Nearly three-quarters of this year's measles cases were in unvaccinated people, the CDC said. The measles, mumps and rubella shot is the best way to prevent the disease, which is one of the most contagious in the world. Measles infects 90% of unvaccinated people who are exposed to it, according to the CDC. "Vaccine-preventable diseases belong in the history books, not our emergency rooms," Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told reporters on a media call Monday. "Vaccination is a simple, safe and effective way to protect our loved ones and neighbors from the scourge of measles, and the suffering we're seeing today is completely avoidable." Six of the 13 outbreaks were associated with close-knit religious or cultural communities with lower immunization rates, the CDC said. Yet they accounted for 88% of all cases this year, highlighting how easily the disease can spread among people who are not vaccinated. New York City health officials earlier this month mandated people get a measles, mumps and rubella shot or else be fined. They also closed one Jewish school that allegedly would not provide immunization records as the city tries to vaccinate people in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, which outside groups have targeted with misinformation about vaccines. Two Los Angeles universities last week quarantined more than 700 students who may have been exposed to the measles after an outbreak was declared in the county. "Really, this should be a wake up call," said Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease doctor at Johns Hopkins University. "We're dealing with a disease that should have been taken off the table in the 1960s, and now in 2019, when we're planning a mission to Mars, we're dealing with it because we're allowing it to be here." For more on investing in health-care innovation, click here to join CNBC at our Healthy Returns Summit in New York City on May 21. Before the measles vaccine became available in 1963, nearly all children got the disease before they turned 15, the CDC said. Every year, an estimated 400 to 500 people died, 48,000 were hospitalized and 1,000 experienced brain swelling that can occur in people infected with measles. Measles is still common in other parts of the world. Fourty-four of U.S. cases this year were directly imported from other countries, including the Philippines, Ukraine and Israel, the CDC said. Nearly all of the people who became ill were not vaccinated. Receiving both recommended doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is 97% effective in preventing the measles, according to the CDC. Health officials declared the disease eliminated from the U.S. in 2000, thanks to vaccination efforts. However, more parents are refusing to vaccinate their children. Reasons vary, but some point to false information that vaccines cause autism. President Donald Trump has peddled this misinformation in the past, though last week he reversed course, saying people "have to get the shots." The longer the current outbreaks in the country continue, the greater the chance that measles will "again get a sustained foothold" in the U.S., the CDC said. The agency defines outbreaks as three or more cases. [The stream is slated to start at 11:15 am ET. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.] Boeing is hosting its shareholder annual meeting at its corporate headquarters in Chicago. Shareholders will likely be eager to hear more about the impact of the 737 Max groundings on the planemaker's future business after the jet's anti-stall software was implicated in the crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. Two leading shareholder advisory firms have proposed voting against reinstating CEO Dennis Muilenburg as executive chairman in the crash aftermath. Muilenburg defended that title on the earnings call last week. The meeting also follows reports that Boeing failed to tell Southwest Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration that the safety feature that warns pilots about malfunctioning sensors had been deactivated on the Max jets. Southwest did not know about the deactivation until after the Lion Air flight crash in Indonesia, and said that Boeing indicated in its manual that the disagree lights were functional, according to the Wall Street Journal. The jets have been grounded since mid-March. Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. Stephen Moore, visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation. Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Call Group | Getty Images White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed Monday that the Trump administration is in the process of reviewing the past writings of conservative economics pundit Stephen Moore, President Donald Trump's recently announced pick to join the board of the Federal Reserve. Moore's writings have come under scrutiny for passages that appear to denigrate women, call for the repeal of child labor laws, make jokes about AIDS, and jab at Moore's now-ex wife, Allison Moore. "Certainly, we're reviewing those comments," Sanders told reporters Monday morning outside the White House, in response to a question about the writings, and about Moore's insistence that he is the target of a "sleaze campaign." "When we have an update on that front, we'll let you know," Sanders said. Asked later about whether Sanders' remarks reflected a change in tone from the White House regarding Moore's expected nomination, National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow told reporters they did not. Kudlow also emphasized that there had been no change in the president's position on Moore, who was one of a small number of high-profile economists who backed Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. Nonetheless, Sanders' comments marked the first time the White House has acknowledged that Moore's past writings are undergoing internal, as well as external, scrutiny. It was also noteworthy for Sanders to indicate that an "update" would be forthcoming after the review was complete. If Moore were to withdraw his name under from consideration for the Fed post, he would become the second Trump pick to do so in recent weeks: On April 22, Trump announced that former pizza company executive Herman Cain had asked that his name be withdrawn from potential nomination, after four Republican senators said they would not support him, leaving Cain short of the 51 votes needed to be confirmed to the post. TRUMP TWEET Moore's past writings The controversial comments Moore has made are scattered across decades worth of opinion columns he has written for conservative media outlets. But they include repeated suggestions by Moore that if women earn more money than men, it could lead to societal instability. "What are the implications of a society in which women earn more than men?" Moore wrote in a 2014 column for National Review. "We don't really know, but it could be disruptive to family stability. If men aren't the breadwinners, will women regard them as economically expendable? We saw what happened to family structure in low-income and black households when a welfare check took the place of a father's paycheck. Divorce rates go up when men lose their jobs" he wrote. Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday. 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. Types of obituaries The Missourian publishes two types of obituaries family obituaries and life stories. A family obituary is the version submitted by a funeral home or family. Please see the submission form for details on cost and deadlines. Family obituaries A life story is a closer look at a person's life and involves a reporter contacting family and friends. Life stories are based on newsworthiness and consent of the family. Life stories. The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form Brave Software has finally kicked off its alternative ad concept by rolling out one form of Brave Ads and tying them to "payments" based on users agreeing to view those ads. Users who volunteer to see the ads will be given 70% of the revenue the ads generated, not in cash but in BATs, or Basic Attention Tokens, the crypto-backed currency that drives the Brave economy. Users cannot exchange BATs for physical currency, although Brave said it is working on not only that, but also on ways to redeem the BATs for perks and other rewards, such as vouchers and gift cards. The latest version of Brave - 0.63.48 - is required to opt in to the ad-and-BATs scheme. The browser is based on Chromium, the Google-led open-source project that produces the core technologies used by Google's own Chrome, Opera Software's Opera and at some point, Microsoft's Edge. Look ma, no ads..., oh, wait Brave's premise is that users want a browser that doesn't show the current kind of online ads but instead strips every ad from every page - scrubs ad trackers while it's at it - ala, say, Chrome or Firefox armed with a comprehensive ad blocker. But Brave needed a business model, a way to pay the staff who produced and maintain the browser. For that, Brave came up with the idea of replacing the erased ads with ads it sold. To internally monetize the model, Brave created BATs, which users earn for agreeing to view ads and other content. The tokens could be passed to publishers as support for their sites, or alternately the tokens could be exchanged for premium content or advanced features on a website. Complicating matters, Brave has decided on two categories of its ads-as-replacement-for-other-ads: one, named "User Ads," the other labeled "Publisher-integrated Ads." It's the former that launched last week. User Ads are unlike traditional website ads in that they're full-page displays that appear only after the user accepts an on-screen notification that one can be viewed. "When users click to engage with these notifications, they're presented with a full page ad in a new ad tab," Brave stated in an unsigned post on the company's blog. It's because User Ads are so different that Brave can get away with saying, "Brave Ads do not replace current Web page ads. They are separate and supplemental," even though they replace current ads in that the latter no longer appear in Brave but the former certainly do. Brave will hand over 70% of the revenue from User Ads to, well, the users - so the approximately 5.5 million users as of December will split that 70% - and keep the remaining 30%. Sites that, at least in Brave, receive no ad revenue because their ads have been blocked, get nothing except for any largess users dole out using BATs. It's as if a TV maker came up with technology that erased ads from a program, say ESPN, when it showed on the screen; inserted its own house ads into the ESPN show; then credited owners of the TVs with IOUs for volunteering to watch those ads. The IOUs would be split between ESPN and other channels' programs the viewer tuned to and saw ads on. At some point, the TV manufacturer would exchange the IOUs for some of the cash generated by ad sales. The remainder, the TV maker would keep. The concept might show viewers fewer ads - or none if they refuse to look at any - but that would be in large part because the TV maker would have to generate much less revenue to stay afloat than if it had also created the content by, for instance, building and programming its own ESPN. By default, Brave will show two of these ads hourly, although users can change the setting from between one and five per hour. Out of the box, Brave distributes any accrued BATs automatically, "based on your attention as measured by Brave." Users can also "tip" specific sites or set up recurring monthly tips to favorite destinations. Brave Brave's BAT-and-ad pane lets users set contributions of the former and notifications per hour of the latter, among other things. Currently, User Ads come from the two ad networks and three cryptocurrency-centric companies featured in the previews that started in January, as well as five new advertisers. Three of those are cryptocurrency-focused as well, while the remaining pair are the media company Vice and the meal kit firm Home Chef. Second ad category still to come Yet to make an appearance are Publisher-integrated Ads, which Brave hasn't described in detail other than to assert that they will be "private ads within their [content provider's] website." Brave said that this ad category would launch later this year. Publisher-integrated Ads will split revenue differently: 70% will go to what Brave calls "verified" publishers and content creators, 15% to users and 15% to Brave. Brave hasn't said whether it will use both ad types concurrently or if it expects one to dominate such that the other is discarded. Until users amass BATs, of course, none of this giving of BATs matters...unless the user decides to buy some BATs (now, that's not a phrase one often sees). For now, the only way to do that is through a transfer from a crypto currency wallet holding Bitcoin, Ethereum or Litecoin. Recognizing that most people don't deal in crypto currencies, Brave promised, "In the future, we will add the ability to directly fund your wallet with a credit card in the browser." Brave When Brave has an ad to show users, a notice appears on the screen (lower right). Viewing an ad is optional. With Brave 0.63.48 and the up-and-running ad replacement platform, the browser now gives users a working version of the platform CEO Brendan Eich - the creator of JavaScript and a co-founder of Mozilla - touted when he laid out the concept in early 2016. Initially, Brave's ads will be seen in Canada, France, Germany, the U.K. and in the U.S. "More geographies will be available soon," Brave pledged, adding that versions for Android and iOS will follow in the months ahead. Brave can be downloaded for Windows, macOS and Linux from the company's website. On Thursday, local elections take place, amidst an exceptional level of antipathy towards the main political parties at Westminster. What makes it unprecedented is the degree of hostility to both Labour and the Conservatives. One can only really make such comparisons for the period after the Second World War. Before that, local elections were much less party political. In London, the Conservatives used to call themselves the Municipal Reform Party when it came to local government. Elsewhere, it would be quite normal for no candidates to be standing under a party banner but as independents, or as Ratepayers. Since 1945, it has often been the case that a Party in power nationally has been punished with a drubbing in town hall contests. The oddity we face at present is that the Conservatives, Labour, and the Lib Dems have all contrived to be deeply unpopular at the same time. No council elections are taking place in Scotland or Wales this year. But in England 8,374 seats are up for election, and a further 460 in Northern Ireland. There are no elections in London, Cornwall, Bristol, Wiltshire or Shropshire. But most of the rest of England has an election of some sort. 33 metropolitan boroughs, 168 districts, and 47 unitary authorities go to the polls. Some are all out elections; others have a third of seats being contested. A quiet revolution is underway with more unitary authorities rather than two tier arrangements. So in Dorset, there will be just two councils in future. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council will cover the east of the county; the new Dorset Council will cover the rest of the county. Another innovation will be a new directly elected regional mayor, for the North of Tyne Authority. Despite their difficulties, the Labour Party is expected to make significant gains from the Conservatives. This is partly because most of these seats were last contested in 2015, the same day as the Conservatives won the general election. Therefore, the Conservatives have more territory to defend. Furthermore, we have a Conservative Government and voters tend to focus their blame on the Party in power if they are dissatisfied whether over Brexit or other matters. As I noted last week even if the main parties were level in the opinion polls, that would imply Conservative losses of 500 seats. Most recent polls have had Labour several points ahead. So which are the council results to look for in terms of Labour/Conservative battlegrounds? Calderdale is one of the easiest Labour targets, even though only a third of the seats are being contested. That council already has a minority Labour administration. Victory would give Labour control of every metropolitan borough in Yorkshire. Trafford is another council that is already Labour-run, but as a minority administration. Modest gains would give Labour full control in this authority which has long been a high profile bellwether of Party fortunes. The same applies in Dudley. Labour will be hoping to advance overall control from their current precarious status. Other councils with minority Labour administrations include Carlisle, Milton Keynes, Redcar and Cleveland, and North East Lincolnshire. All are obvious targets for them to gain overall control. Brighton and Hove is less predictable. The whole council is up for election there. It has a minority Labour administration. But what will be the impact of Corbynista deselections? It is not a straightforward Labour/Conservative battle as there is a significant group of Green party councillors. Labour has an overall majority of one on Cheshire West and Chester. But that is a council they gained unexpectedly last time, and so can not take it for granted. Derby is another to look out for. It is run by a minority Conservative administration after Labour lost control last year. Will they get it back? Or make further losses? Stoke is also a bit tricky to call. All the seats are up for election. It is currently run by Conservatives and independents. Normally it would be solid Labour territory. But what will be the Brexit factor? York is run by a coalition of the Conservatives and Lib Dems. That will be another prominent Labour target. Among the district councils, High Peak and Gravesham are both Conservative councils, with small majorities, where all the seats are being contested. Amber Valley and Basildon are also both narrowly Conservative controlled and in those only a third of the seats are being contested, making Labours challenge greater in mathematical terms. Thurrock is a unitary authority with a minority Conservative administration and a third of seats being contested. What if Labour do much better? It is possible they could be gifted some windfall gains due to Tory voters abstaining. Conservative councils where all the seats are up for election include Boston, Broxtowe, Dover, Medway and North Lincolnshire. If it is a bad night those are the sort of places that would fall. Richard Walton is a Senior Fellow at Policy Exchange and a former Head of Counter-Terrorism Command of the Metropolitan Police. Every so often, it is worth noting the current threat level to the UK from terrorist attacks, which only hits the headlines when it is revised up or down. Right now, it stands at severe. This means that the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre and the Security Service, MI5, think a terrorist attack is highly likely. Hidden away from most of us, thousands of public servants work day and night to stop these highly likely attacks and to frustrate those who seek bloodshed on our streets. As the Head of the Metropolitan Polices Counter-Terrorism Command from 2011-2016, I led a significant part of this work and saw close up the men and women engaged in it, the costs and the sheer hard work that goes into keeping the public safe from terrorist violence. Its an impressive national effort. But what worries me now is that the police, the intelligence agencies and Ministers could soon have their hands tied if the Government chooses officially to adopt the All Party Parliamentarty Group on British Muslims definition of Islamophobia. This asserts that Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness. It is my firm view that this deeply flawed definition which wrongly conflates the religion of Islam with a racial group could over time cripple the UKs successful counter-terrorism strategy and counter-terrorism operations. And this warning is at the heart of a research paper that I have co-authored for Policy Exchange, published today. Adopting the definition would hand the initiative to those who have been trying to dismantle the Governments Countering Violent Extremism programme for years; it is no surprise to see many of those same campaigners and radical groups have been closely involved in the APPGs work in developing the definition (as authors or sources). As my report sets out today, there are two kinds of legal challenges that we would see if the definition was made official and which could hamper counter-terrorism efforts. The first would be Judicial Review of operational decisions by police officers, their counterparts in other agencies and by Ministers dealing with terrorism threats. The second would be challenges under the Human Rights Act 1998 and the right not to be discriminated against by public authorities. And just think: how could the police or anyone else disprove that they had targeted an expression of perceived Muslimness? The definition would also severely hamper efforts to stop and search extremists travelling through ports. The success of the UKs counter-terrorism model relies on legislative powers designed to disrupt terrorist activities. Schedule 7 and Section 47A of the Terrorism Act 2000 and Schedule 3 of the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 give police important powers to stop and search people travelling through ports and after terrorist incidents. They couldnt be more important, given the context of British ISIS fighters trying to return from Syria. If the Government accepts the APPG definition of Islamophobia, all of these powers are more likely to be challenged by anti-Prevent campaigners and their supporters who would seek to label police officers Islamophobic (and, therefore, racist). There would likely be an increase in formal complaints against officers, leading to futile investigations and potentially unfair judgements by the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC). This, in turn, could lead to the powers subsequently falling into disrepute with officers, who would be discouraged from using them. Thus, the UK would be made less safe. It is institutions as well as individual officers or ministers who could be in the line of fire. Whole government departments, the entire police service, intelligence agencies, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), judiciary and HM Prison and Probation Service could be branded and labelled institutionally Islamophobic by anti-Prevent campaign groups. It would be an allegation that would be impossible to refute, owing to the indistinct and imprecise nature of the APPG definition. A range of other counter-terrorism measures would be undermined. The APPG definition would thwart the prosecution of individuals for possession of extremist material and dissemination of terrorist publications; even prosecution for membership of (and encouragement of support for) proscribed terrorist groups. Imagine how Anjem Choudary might have used the label Islamophobic in his defence. The Prevent strategy would also suffer, weakening the ability of the country to divert individuals away from all forms of extremism and terrorism, including Islamist and Far Right terrorism. And the definition would have a major detrimental impact on the UKs ability to keep communities safe, including keeping Muslim communities safe from far-right terrorism, and intra-Muslim sectarian attacks. Todays report features a Foreword by Lord Carlile, the UKs Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation from 2001 to 2011. He is in agreement on the legal problems the Islamophobia definition could throw up. As his Foreword states: The authors of this paper have exposed the difficulties left by the APPG. Successful and accepted counter-terrorism measures would run the risk of being declared unlawful. The Prevent strand of counter-terrorism policy, which would be thrown into turmoil by the APPG, provokes a refrain of cliched criticism, but that is rarely evidence based: Prevent demonstrates statistically and evidentially a high net profit of success, which would be lost. The APPG definition would lead to Judicial Review litigation that would hold back the evolution of better counter-terrorism law and practice hand in hand with strengthened religious tolerance. Ministers should heed his words and not support those who seek to impose this all-encompassing definition on the Government and country. It would overturn the approach of governments of all parties over the last two decades who have grappled with how to deal with a growing extremist and terrorist threat. Ministers are understandably under pressure to be seen to act on Anti-Muslim prejudice. They should avoid the trap of adopting the off-the-shelf definition offered by groups who have an agenda of their own. We must tackle all hate crimes and be alive to an increase these crimes against Muslims but adoption of this definition would actually make achieving this more difficult. Instead, I recommend that the Extremism Commission examine the issue as part of its national consultation, leading to a code of practice. Six years ago, the TaxPayers Alliance reported that in the last year, five times more Labour people were appointed to public bodies than Tories. Since then, the figures have varied, and some Conservative members or supporters have been selected to fill important posts. Nonetheless, it remains the case that, since it took office in 2010, our Party has punched beneath its weight when it comes to public appointments. One of the reasons seems to be that Tories simply dont apply in the same number as Labour supporters. To help remedy this, every week we put up links to some of the main public appointments vacancies, so that qualified Conservatives might be aware of the opportunities presented. Financial Reporting Council Chair/Deputy Chair The mission of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to promote transparency and integrity in business. These are cornerstones to generating public trust and confidence in UK business and help attract investment in successful companies that provide jobs, create prosperity and generate economic growth. The FRC sets the UK Corporate Governance & Stewardship Codes which aim to make investors more accountable to their clients and beneficiaries. The FRC also sets standards for accounting, auditing and actuarial work. As the UKs independent regulator and Competent Authority for Audit it monitors, and takes action where necessary, to promote the quality of corporate reporting and audit. It also operates independent enforcement arrangements for accountants and actuaries.. Time: 3 days per week. Remuneration: 150,000 per annum Closes: 03/05 May British Council Board of Trustees Chair The Chair will be critical to delivering the British Councils purpose. The Chair must be credible with senior stakeholders and able to operate at the highest levels on a global stage, both within and outside government. The Chair must have a passion for the British Councils mission, and an enthusiasm for and understanding of the arts and education and the diversity of contemporary British life, culture and society. Candidates must demonstrate a strong record of achievement at the most senior level in large and complex organisations. They must have the international awareness necessary to operate confidently in less stable and more politically sensitive parts of the world. Time: 40+ days per annum. Remuneration: Reasonable expenses. Closes: 03 May Copywright Tribunal Lay Members We are seeking people to sit on the Copyright Tribunal as lay members. If you are appointed, you will sit alongside the legally qualified Chair of the Tribunal to provide your perspective and opinion on all matters on the case, with a focus on the commercial, financial, cultural and non-legal aspects of the dispute. While copyright licensing disputes are rare, the disputes that arise are often complex yet interesting and go to the heart of the value of copyright works in society. As such, the workload is varied and it is important to be aware that there may be no cases in any one year. Time: 25 days per annum typically. Remuneration: 450 per diem plus travel and subsistence. Closes: 05 May National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Chair The Chair of NICE will: lead the board in an open and positive way, representing the Institute to the health and social care communities, life sciences industry, and the public, and build on the Institutes international status; set the tone for excellent working relationships between the Institute and key stakeholders responsible for the successful operation of the health and social care system, and supporting innovation and the UK life sciences; ensure that the Board puts policies in place to secure the effective management and development of all its staff; that it is clear about the values it holds as an organisation and communicates them effectively to the Institutes staff and to its external partners Time: 2.5-3 days per week. Remuneration: 74,000 per annum. Closes: 05 May Historic England Commissioners Historic England is the public body that helps people care for, enjoy and celebrate Englands spectacular historic environment, from churches and battlefields to parks and high streets. We champion and protect the places that define who we are and where we have come from as a nation. We champion the historic environment, helping people discover the great places that add colour and character to our lives. We include everyones history because we know every community has made a contribution that is worth understanding and celebrating. We protect by identifying the most important parts of our heritage, by listing and conserving, and by speaking up for places that are at risk. We care by helping communities and professionals to look after their local heritage. Time: 15-20 days per annum typically. Remuneration: 4,133 per year plus reasonable expanses. Closes: 15 May Imperial War Museum Business Trustee IWM is seeking to increase the business and commercial skills on its Board of Trustees as the generation of commercial revenue forms a critical part of IWMs income and operating model. The commercial and learning activities of IWM, including retail, corporate hospitality and the IWM Duxford Air Shows are operated through the IWM Trading Company plc, a wholly owned subsidiary incorporated in 1999. The business trustee will also be Chair of the IWM Trading Company Ltd. Candidates for this particular post will have significant experience in an area of business or commerce. Time: Up to one day per month. Remuneration: Expenses reasonably incurred. Closes: 22 May Ofgem Non-Executive Director GEMA is the Governing Body of the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), a non-ministerial department and an independent National Regulatory Authority. GEMAs powers are provided by inter alia the Gas Act 1986, Electricity Act 1989 and the Utilities Act 2000. Following the recent appointments to the Ofgem board, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is seeking to recruit a further two Non-Executive board members (NED) with an accountancy and digital transformation background respectively. Time: 16+ days per annum approx. Remuneration: 20,000 per annum (part-time) plus expenses. Closes: 26 May The Royal Armouries Chair The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is seeking to appoint an outstanding individual as the next chair of the Royal Armouries, to take the Museum forward as this new critical period in its history. The ideal candidate will have a passion for cultural heritage, a commitment to public service, strong commercial acumen and a successful track record in public service, heritage management, or business. This is a very exciting time for the Royal Armouries, having substantially increased its commercial operations, and now in the process of devising a masterplan to transform the museum brand and its offer at the main museum site in Leeds. Time: ~4 working days per month. Remuneration: Reasonable expenses. Closes: 05 June Air Quality Expert Group Chair AQEG plays a vital role in providing advice to officials and key office holders in Government and the Devolved Administrations (DAs) on the evidence base supporting air quality policies and operations. The independent advice from AQEG helps shape Defras evidence base to robustly support policy development and implementation. While AQEGs primary role is in the provision of scientific advice to assist Defras strategic vision, members and the Chair are also called upon to provide ad hoc advice on occasion. The role of the AQEG is particularly significant at present as Government begins to implement its Clean Air Strategy. Time: 4-6 meetings per annum. Remuneration: 226 per diem. Closes: 10 June Chloe Westley is the Campaign Manager of the TaxPayers Alliance. Think for yourselves, and allow others the privilege to do so, too. Those words are attributed to Voltaire. As groupthink and call-out culture continues to dominate public discourse and academia with the recent dismissal of Roger Scruton and Cambridges rescinded offer to Jordan Peterson I wonder where Voltaire would find his voice in todays society. There is one place, albeit not a physical one, where those that still believe in freedom of thought are welcomed with open arms. Its been dubbed as the Intellectual Dark Web (IDW) a group of podcasts, websites and thought leaders who are committed to thinking for themselves, and allowing others the privilege to do so, too. Many of them thought leaders are based in the United States. Joe Rogan, who has one of the most popular podcasts in America, is the most well known of those associated. Dave Rubin is another key figure. His journey from the left to classical liberalism provides him with a unique insight. His show on YouTube is approaching one million subscribers. Of course, theres no official onboarding process or official club membership, but podcasters such as Joe Rogan and Rubin have been pioneers of a new media which has been associated with the Intellectual Dark Web. The format is simple, but in stark contrast with mainstream media. Instead of a five minute head to head debate between a for and against spokesperson, these podcasts allow for in-depth discussion. Guests are encouraged to go into detail about their arguments, how they came to see the world that way, and are always treated with dignity and respect by the presenters. Instead of condescending the audience by assuming theyre only capable of processing soundbites, these podcasts encourage deeper thinking on the issues that matter. Rogan and Rubins podcasts provide a popular platform for thinkers such as Jordan Peterson, Ben Shapiro, Sam Harris, Christina Hoff Sommers, and Bret Weinstein. Claire Lehmann has also played a leading role by establishing Quillette, an online magazine which describes itself as a platform for free thought. The website has published articles by academics and journalists on topics that other publications might shy away from. Its difficult to describe the x factor that brings all of these people together. If you google the term Intellectual Dark Web youll see some attempts to analyse and dissect this movement. A writer for Vox described the Intellectual Dark Web as a group united mainly by its disdain for multiculturalism because dark web intellectualshave seen their culture invaded by women and minorities. Setting aside the fact women and minorities frequently appear on these shows and write for these publications, this is often the slur of choice for those who oppose the IDW. Of course, its much easier to dismiss intellectual opponents with ad hominem insults than engage in the arguments put forward. Bari Weiss wrote a more detailed analysis for the New York Times this year, after meeting with several leading figures, and concluded that most simply, it is a collection of iconoclastic thinkers, academic renegades and media personalities who are having a rolling conversation on podcasts, YouTube and Twitter, and in sold-out auditoriums that sound unlike anything else happening, at least publicly, in the culture right now. It would be wrong to characterise this movement as left or right wing, liberal or conservative. In fact, its the diversity of ideas and viewpoints expressed in these articles and podcasts which makes the IDW so hard to define. In a Youtube post last year, Dave Rubin attempted to define the heart of the movement: this wide tent of people we are talking about have tremendous political differences when it comes to taxes, abortion, foreign policy and more. Butweve committed to the open exchange of ideas and not silencing our opponents. No matter how many times they refuse to extend that same courtesy to us. What really brings together all of these people is a commitment to enlightenment values. The pursuit of the truth, a respect for the individual and a commitment to freedom of thought and freedom of speech. These values are not the norm for human societies. If we were living in any other century, or indeed in many other countries today, expressing an opposing viewpoint or even questioning the groupthink established by those in power would be a risky venture that could lead to imprisonment or death. Today in Western societies, the punishment for challenging dominant narratives tends to be harassment on social media or worse, losing your job. Bret Weinstein, a progressive professor who taught at Evergreen State College, was pressured to leave his job after raising concerns about a plan to ban white students from campus for a day. Newspapers and broadcasters often play into this call out culture, with a focus on hit pieces and destroying opponents personally, as opposed to engaging in a discussion of ideas. I think the popularity of alternative media and the IDW proves that there is an appetite for meaningful conversations and long form discussions in good faith. Of course, most of these podcasts are based in the United States. Ive seen mainstream news networks and newspapers in the UK try to jump on this bandwagon, but theyre still very much constrained within the groupthink of the westminster bubble. There are a few shows in Britain which I think have huge potential to occupy this space. James Delingpole has a brilliant podcast, which follows a similar conversational format to Rubin. Triggernometry, which was launched last year has interviewed a range of politicos and academics, and is growing in popularity on Youtube. I also think Russell Brands podcast will grow in popularity, as his conversations are guided by a curiosity for ideas and an authentic pursuit of the truth. In his recent interview with Rogan, he spoke about meeting Turning Point USAs Candace Owens: I did a podcast with Candace OwensI couldnt disagree with her more profoundly, on an interpersonal level I thought she was absolutely delightful. What we are witnessing with the IDW is a revival of enlightenment principles; individuals thinking for themselves, and respecting others who think differently. The Conservative share of the vote has risen at five successive general elections, as follows: 31.7 per cent (2001), 32.4 per cent (2005), 36.1 per cent (2010), 36.9 per cent (2015) and 42.3 per cent (2017). Until very recently, there seemed little point in treating the national opinion poll as any kind of guide to the next poll (and not only because of their well-advertised weaknesses, at least in 2015). Very roughly, they have showed the Tory vote hovering consistently at about 40 per cent or thereabouts since 2017. This year, Anthony Wells YouGov table shows the Party dropping pre-March as low as 35 per cent only once, in a Kantar poll on January 24. Over the weekend, three polls for the European elections found the Conservatives at 13 per cent, 14 per cent and 16 per cent. For the sake of the argument, lets treat these elections as sui generis, since the Party polled only 23.9 per cent in 2014 and 27.2 per cent in 2009. Though even then the levels of support suggested by these polls, and others, for these coming Euro-elections is alarming for it. Now turn to Wells table of general election voting intention results. It records the Tories as last scoring above 40 per cent on March 11. Their ratings since March 15 have been as follows: 38 per cent, 35 per cent, 35 per cent, 35 per cent, 34 per cent, 38 per cent, 34 per cent, 38 per cent, 36 per cent and 33 per cent: that final polls publication date was March 24. The days leading up to Friday March 15 saw the second meaningful vote in the Commons, its defeat by 149 votes, the passing of the Spelman amendment to take no deal off the table, and the announcement of a forthcoming vote on extension. It takes no genius to work out that the bulk of the lost Tory votes have gone off to the Brexit Party, which is broadly being presented in the media as UKIP minus the extremism. The key event seems to have been the Theresa Mays decision in principle to seek extension. Blame the ERG, if you like, for sinking her deal, the defeat of which was followed by the extension announcement. Or instead point the finger at Amber Rudd, Greg Clark, David Gauke et al for defying the Conservative whip to abstain on the Spelman amendment. In our view, that second reading of events is more accurate. You may or may not back the deal, or believe that part of that lost seven per cent or so would return to the Conservative fold were it now passed. But you will have a very hard time arguing that this slice of the vote doesnt care about extension. The long and short of it is that a significant percentage of the former Tory vote believed that the UK should leave the EU as promised on March 29 deal or no deal. Tory optimists will claim that these voters will come back to the blue corner, sooner or later. And that David Cameron won a majority in 2015 despite UKIP winning 12.6 per cent of the vote. They will add that first past the post is a killer for smaller parties. We are not so sure. The Conservatives have no divine right to these voters. And the EU referendum has shaken up traditional allegiances and loyalties even further. Tory MPs have a choice. They can sit out the local and European election results, and hope for the best, with Parliament, in all probability, inching towards a second referendum, and risk the seven per cent or so who have left for the Brexit Party going for good. Or they can change their leader as soon as possible, recast a Brexit policy around the Brady amendment or a time-limited backstop, prepare fully for No Deal and take their case to the voters. Neither option is palatable, to put it mildly. But the road on which the Conservatives are presently set leads towards a 1997-style wipeout. Spains electoral system and culture is very different from ours. None the less, the fate of the Peoples Party, with its number of seats halved and a new challenger to its right is worth pondering, as Spain readies itself for a new socialist government. For a Government which has been wracked by as many resignations as Theresa Mays, the departure of a mere tsar may count as a little light relief. Yet Natascha Engels decision to step down as Shale Gas Commissioner is just the latest evidence of the extent to which this administrations domestic agenda is disintegrating as it focuses its dwindling reserves of energy on the Prime Ministers ongoing efforts to pass her Withdrawal Agreement. Engel, a former Labour MP and Deputy Speaker who represented North East Derbyshire before being unseated by Lee Rowley in 2017, was appointed by Claire Perry, the Energy Minister, only seven months ago. She was meant to serve as a single point of contact for residents and others on the subject of fracking. Yet she claims that ministers are making shale gas extraction effectively impossible by imposing excessive restrictions, namely requiring an 18-hour pause in drilling every time a micro-tremor of magnitude 0.5 or greater is detected. The industry claims that such tremors are almost entirely undetectable on the surface and that several more serious ones unconnected to fracking have occurred in the UK without any ill-effect. In a parting shot in the Times, Engel herself argues that shale has an essential role to play in helping the UK transition from traditional oil and gas to renewable energy which currently provides only a fraction of Britains energy needs on a reliable basis whilst avoiding counter-productive alternatives such as wood pellets or bio-fuels. Labour and green activists want shale extraction banned altogether. Setting aside the question of whether or not fracking is a good thing, the Governments current position appears designed to irritate both sides to minimal benefit. Greta Thunbergs acolytes wont be won over by official statements saying that shale extraction could have the potential to be a new domestic energy source and create thousands of well-paid, quality jobs. But if the shale companies cant extract then neither those jobs nor that energy will materialise either and this hasnt gone unnoticed in usually-friendly newspapers such as The Sun and the Daily Telegraph. Engels version of events that the Government has chickened out of reviewing the originally-temporary 0.5 limit because it lacks the fight to take on the green lobby is entirely plausible, and illustrative of a Government which appears to be losing even the capacity for power. May is reportedly scrambling to find bills to justify forestalling a new Queens Speech its too much to hope that action on this important front will be part of that exercise. The company is playing things safe as COVID-19 variants continue to spread Apple is handing out $1,000 holiday bonuses to its employees and announced that it will delay its full office reopening. A letter that CEO Tim Cook sent to staff on Wednesday, which was obtained by The Verge, stated that the official date for returning to work is yet to be determined. Cook also took the opportunity in his letter to encourage Apple workers to get the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots. Our offices remain open and many of our colleagues are coming in reg... 65% Website 2jucatori.net uses latest and advanced technologies. It supports HTTPS. The main html page has a size of . This CoolSocial report was updated on 2020-11-09, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 90% Website ferramenta-utensili.it uses latest and advanced technologies. It is very popular on the web, it's within the 1 million most visited websites of the world at position 364618 by Alexa. It supports HTTPS. The main html page has a size of . This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-10-25, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 80% Website passcreamode.com uses latest and advanced technologies. It supports HTTPS. The main html page has a size of 19902 bytes (19.44 kb uncompressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2020-10-17, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 96% Website vsezatablico.com uses latest and advanced technologies. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 462 bytes (0.45 kb uncompressed) and 317 bytes (0.31 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2019-09-21, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. Nidec Corporation announced that two Nidec subsidiaries, Nidec Europe B.V. and Nidec Americas Holding Corporation will sell Nidecs entire compressor business, Secop, to ESSVP IV L.P., ESSVP IV (Structured) L.P., and Silenos GmbH & Co. KG (collectively ESSVP IV), advised by Orlando Management AG (the Transaction). This Transaction is made following Nidecs commitment to the European Commission to sell certain of its compressor business lines to a suitable purchaser as condition for the European Commissions approval of Nidecs acquisition of Embraco from Whirlpool Corporation, which was obtained on April 12, 2019. The current Transaction is subject to regulatory approvals in Germany, Austria and Spain, as well as the approval of the European Commission. To this end, Nidec has filed with the European Commission its reasoned proposal of ESSVP IV as a suitable purchaser, together with a copy of the Transaction documents, including the Share Purchase Agreement. In addition, in advance of the signing, several communications and meetings have taken place between ESSVP IVs advisor Orlando and the European Commission as well as the Monitoring Trustee to discuss the approval. Mark Weidemaier & Mitu Gulati Wolfgang Munchaus column in the FT yesterday identifies a possible Italian debt crisis as one of the biggest worries for the Eurozone. This makes sense, given Italys huge debt stock (upwards of 130% of GDP), seemingly irresponsible politicians, and low growth. An Italian debt restructuring would be the biggest in history, yet it might prove necessary. Munchau highlights the economic consequences of a debt restructuring (e.g., for Italian and other European banks) and also asserts that Europes legal systems are not prepared. The general sense is that an Italian debt crisis will be a disaster. It wont be good, that is for sure. But if planned properly, an Italian debt restructuring can be done relatively smoothly. Why? Because Italy has an enormous local law advantage, combined with an enormous set of captive (aka local) holders who have been, to quote an old friend in the sovereign restructuring business, rolling over their Italian bonds since Hadrian died. One might ask, Didnt Greece have the same local law advantage and wasnt that a chaotic restructuring? Our reply is that the source of chaos in the Greek case was the unwillingness of key institutions to acknowledge that the debt was unsustainable until very late in the process. The restructuring itself was relatively smooth (for more, see here). In any case, the restructurers this time can learn from the Greek experience. Plus, the local law advantage is significantly bigger in Italy. Students in our joint class on sovereign debt worked intensely this semester on what an Italian debt restructuring might look like, and they have recently posted their work to ssrn.com. From our informal conversations with European colleagues and friends, we understand that lawyers at various official sector institutions take the position that they do not have the power to do the things our students suggest. But we have yet to hear convincing reasons for this position. Indeed, our impression is that these lawyers are mostly worried that they will spook investors if they publicly acknowledge having the power to restructure (on the theory that investors might take this as a sign that restructuring is likely). Monday, April 29, 2019 Pray... and Do Your Part Then the Lord said to Moses, Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. ( Exodus 14:15 NKJV) The Israelites finally were allowed to leave Egypt and return to their homeland. But as they made their way home, they arrived at the Red Sea. Talk about an insurmountable obstacle. There was no way they could cross it. Then they turned and saw the Egyptian army in hot pursuit. What did they do? They started praying. I love what God said to Moses: Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea (Exodus 14:1516 NKJV). Theres a place for the practical, and theres a place for the spiritual. There comes a point when we should stop praying and start doing. We have to find a balance. Yes, its good to pray. But what is the plan of action? Whats the first step? Maybe youre praying, Lord heal my marriage. Its unraveling. My spouse is so messed up. Hold on. What about you? Pray that you would be the husband or wife God wants you to be. Husband, are you loving your wife as Christ loves the church? Why dont you just start there? Maybe as a wife youre praying, Lord, change my husband. Hes such a loser. Hes such a disappointment. Maybe thats part of the reason your marriage is failing. When is the last time you showed him a little respect? When is the last time you complimented him or thanked him? Yes, we should pray about it when trials come our way. But lets make sure were doing our part. Theres a place for the practical, and theres a place for the spiritual. They both work hand in hand. Copyright 2018 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved. For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org and Listen to Greg Laurie's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com. Watch Greg Laurie's weekly television broadcast on LightSource.com. SPECIAL OFFER In thanks for your gift, you can receive The Case for Miracles, BOOK Is God still doing miracles today? Is He intervening? Is He still active in the miracle business? Why is God doing miracles? While doing research for his book, The Case for Miracles, Lee Strobel comes across this definition of a miracle: A miracle is an event brought about by the power of God that is a temporary exception to the ordinary course of nature for the purpose of showing that God is active in history. This book is our thank-you gift to you when you donate to Harvest Ministries this month. Kingstown, St. Vincents main cruise port, hosted 82 ships in the 2018-2019 season for a total of 202,079 passengers. About 10 miles south, the Grenadine island Bequia received 88 calls. These were usually by small ships, although the Marella Explorer did call. The rest of the Grenadines were busy as well. Tiny 1.5 square mile Mayreau Island hosted 43 ships, the largest being the 450-passenger Seabourn Odyssey. Tobago Cays saw 31 calls, Union Island saw 26, and three ships came to Canouan. Kingstown Cruise Terminal has two berths that can take small- and medium-sized vessels, while the Grenadines are all tender ports. Ashore in Kingstown, the Ministry of Tourism offers walking tours, and the three-year old Port Information Ambassador program has 12 bilingual specialists positioned throughout the capital. Training in French, the program will add Spanish language soon, said Nichole Hazell Gun-Munro, marketing officer for cruise and yachting. "The enhancements include beautification work, painting of buildings, planting of flowers, building walkways in certain areas, and installing new signage, she said The healthcare industry is an inviting and lucrative target for threat actors. It holds lots of valuable personal, health and finance data living in environments that often depend on legacy technology that is hard to patch and is defended by small teams with limited resources. Worse, the cost for data breaches at healthcare organizations is high. Not only does the healthcare industry have the highest cost per record breached according to the 2018 Ponemon Cost of a Data Breach study ($408, nearly double the next-highest industry), but research published last year suggested healthcare data breaches may cause as many as 2,100 deaths per year in the United States. One healthcare organization is turning to automation and orchestration to maximize the effectiveness of its small team. Martins Point Health Cares information security officer has created a new framework to help create what the company calls a data-driven approach to security. Small team vs. regulations and nation-state attacks Martins Point is a not-for-profit organization providing healthcare services and health insurance plans both Medicare and Tricare in Maine and New Hampshire. It has seven healthcare centers and employs 800 staff across 18 U.S. locations. Matthew Witten has been information security officer of Martin's Point since 2015. Previously CISO for the Louisville Metro Government at the University of Louisville, he was brought in to Martins Point as the organizations first security officer to build a full security program. Witten's five-person security team including a former oncology nurse who found a second career within the security operations center (SOC) team protects health and insurance records for 80,000 people on its health plans, plus over 100,000 more on the patient delivery side. As Martins Point deals with health and finance data, it is regulated by the likes of PCI DSS and HIPAA, but Witten jokes that HIPAA is a walk in the park compared to regulatory requirements around Department of Defense data for the military personnel it serves under the Tricare plan. As well as ransomware attacks, Witten and his team help protect Martins Point against targeted phishing campaigns against its senior leaders, as well as attacks from what he describes as smaller nation states. A data-driven security framework Witten's small team has many records to protect and a security infrastructure that is creating huge amounts of information. A lot out there in the business see security as gatekeepers for egress and ingress traffic, says Witten. What a lot of people didn't realize is we're actually a data department. Were gathering more data in our department than the entirety of our EMR [electronic medical record systems] and our claims system in any given day. Day after day, we collect more data than what is residing on both of those systems hundreds of millions of logs per day that we're collecting from all different avenues. This perception of the security function as a data team lead to Witten and his team creating a new framework called DOVeS (Detect, Orchestrate, Visualize and Substantiate), an open, vendor-agnostic feedback loop to normalize, optimize and automate processing of security data into what is relevant for the organization. We're trying to take all the subjectivity out of information security risk, getting away from that nominal one-to-five scale, and really drilling into finding the true risk out there and diving into that data, to the point where we're running Monte Carlo simulations on some of these to find the true likelihood of something actually happening, says Witten. DOVeS aims to govern how information is ingested and acted upon. In short, the team brings in a new stream of data (often from a new area of the business that is being monitored), the team looks at how to normalize and visualize that data, then looks at how to orchestrate and automate that data in a meaningful way, substantiate any risks that are coming out (for example, whether its a false positive or a major threat) and that take that information and feed it back into the process to better detect and orchestrate against that risk in the future. I've worked with so many frameworks, and none of them really focused on the data side of it, says Witten. We developed this in-house; it was our deliberate intent of developing a framework to be more data-driven around security. How DOVeS works The detect aspect is about understanding what data is coming in from where (and what assets arent yet being monitored), normalizing it, and then honing down the alerts to reduce the number of false positives your SIEM is creating. While he says his team has been able to hone it down to very meaningful alarms now, there has been a learning process along the way. Youd put a certain stream into effect for monitoring, youd hone down the alarms and all of a sudden when you're about to go to sleep at night your phone starts blowing up with 480 alarms because we miscalculated. That happens to us I would say at least on a monthly basis. But with DOVeS, ... its a fail-forward mentality of consistently improving. The orchestration and automation step involves writing scripts to take automated actions where possible. That might be blocking or flagging bad sites to the user, alerting the security team to a threat that needs remediation or investigation, or creating scripts to alert certain risky behaviors by users with certain profiles. Instead of automating yourself out of a job, let's automate yourself to a better job, says Witten. Automate those little simple, everyday tasks that you're doing over and over and over again, and those two minutes [of time saved] turns into 30 minutes, turns into an hour, turns into an FTE. There are so many automation tools out there to do that. We build our own servers in our environment, so we went outside the security realm and started bringing in server automation tools, using tools like Ansible to spin up, and Docker-izing our SIEM and our EDR [endpoint detection and response] and so we can spin it up and spin it down as we need, says Witten. Visualization is about making everything easy to understand for the people involved, visualizing the data ingested, and surfacing the right data points at the right time for the right people. Substantiate is about understanding the risk and, says Witten, where DOVeS all comes together. This can be anything from reverse-engineering malware, to running a vendor or internal risk assessment, to having the Martins Point red team try to emulate or duplicate an attack to see the real damage something would cause before then putting new detection and remediation procedures in place and starting the whole process again. DOVeS in action As an example of how DOVeS works, Witten explains how he has recently seen a large uptick in malicious macros being used in Word files being sent via phishing emails So, the company has been using the framework to try to block those without affecting ongoing business processes and legitimate uses of macros. We take our Endgame EDR logs, those flow into our SIEM, which then goes into our GrayLog visualization tool. We set up alarms as those are coming through to determine where they're coming from, how they're coming in, the what the purpose is, Witten says. Instead of looking through each alert every time one come in, we have orchestrated automated streams to show if its coming from certain areas of the world and whether its targeting or emulating certain individuals. We determined we were being targeted from a couple of countries who were trying to emulate a couple of our chief executives. We do our own reverse analysis for forensics on the files to see what they were trying to do and substantiate the true risk. We then eliminate admin rights on machines, flag certain TLDs in our perimeter firewalls to say this isn't truly a legitimate site, and we block a range of IP addresses and whitelist going forward. Security automation can be a business enabler A key part of DOVeS is the idea of constantly improving and feeding back, and Martins Point is always looking to expand the framework into new areas. One vendor helping Martins Point with its DOVeS idea is Endgame, which is providing EDR services. As well as providing data streams around endpoints for its SIEM and greater protection against attacks such as ransomware hidden in macros, it is also helping the team introduce behavioral analytics into its monitoring and prevention capabilities. One of the things we're working on with Endgame is using the data that we're gathering and to figure out the risk of employees resigning within the next four weeks, says Witten. When somebody leaves, they are going to try to take different pieces of proprietary data to help themselves at their new job, so we're looking to try to protect our intellectual property and regulatory-protected data as well by detecting that behavior, visualize that the behavior is actually happening, and then start taking action and keep extra eyes on that data, files, systems, whatever, to make sure that nothing's leaking out. Another success within the company was repurposing some of the automation work the security team was doing for the infrastructure team to help automate server upgrade-related tasks. One of our largest systems is over 40 servers large, so when you do an upgrade to that it takes months. With one of the automations we were doing in security, were able to help automate that entire upgrade process to where instead of taking three to six months to do the full upgrade of the infrastructure, we got it down to three hours, which was massive to the organization. Witten and his team started the DOVeS project in 2017, and it wasnt until late 2018 that he says the project has really started to take true effect. It wasn't built overnight, and it's not just something you can go buy off the shelf, it does take a lot of work. However, despite the initial effort, the companys efforts around automation and orchestration with a small team using this DOVeS framework saw Witten win a SANS Difference Maker award. He and Martins Point plan to release the framework as an open-source project including scripts to help stitch different product together later in the year. We know we're not experts in everything. We contribute to a lot of open-source projects, especially the ones that we use, and we want other people to hopefully contribute to DOVeS as well. Let all the brains come together and show us where we can improve. Public transportation is a money-losing proposition. But Connecticut is home to one of the few profitable transit companies in the U.S. Its not CTtransit or Metro-North, both of which are heavily subsidized. No, the operation thats squarely in the black is the Bridgeport-Port Jefferson Steamboat Co., a.k.a. the ferry. If you tried to start this ferry company today, you couldnt do it, the ferry companys Chief Operating Officer Fred Hall said. Todays ferry is a legacy of the 1883 cross-Sound service run by P.T. Barnum. Hall has been on the boats since 1976 when he worked weekends as a bartender as a side-hustle to his advertising job in New York City. In those days, they ran a Friday and Saturday night Rock the Sound cruise departing at 10 p.m. from Port Jefferson, N.Y. Complete with a live rock band and a lot of drinking (the legal age then was 18), the three-hour cruise drew 600 passengers a night. Hall was then promoted to general manager of the Bridgeport terminal, assistant general manager and finally to vice president in charge of the entire operation. He thoroughly enjoys his work, commuting from his home on Long Island to inspect the three-vessel fleet several times a week. Hes not alone: the ferry carries nearly 100 daily walk-on commuters, crossing in both directions, who are an important indicator of the economys strength to Hall. When the numbers of monthly commuter (at $240 per month) are high, thats a sign of a weakening jobs market because people have to commute long distances to find work, he observes. But the opposite is true for the amount of cars carried on the ferry. In 2005, we carried 460,000 cars, he said. In 2018, only 450,000. Why? Hall says many of his repeat customers are using the ferry to get to second homes beach houses on Long Island or winter ski cabins in New England. You can probably fly out west in the winter and get more reliable snow conditions and still save money compared to driving to Vermont, Hall says of his northbound Long Island customers. Big changes are coming for the Bridgeport ferry, starting with an annual May fare increase. Tickets, previously sold on board using carnival tickets on a broom handle, are now e-tickets sold and scanned before boarding. If youre bringing a car, reservations are needed, especially on weekends. If you show up without a ticket, expect to pay a surcharge, just like on Metro-North. The ferry company is still seeking to move to a new, larger terminal farther east in the harbor, a 19-acre site that will also support a deep-water shipping pier if the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredges the harbor. But that work is a Catch-22, Hall says. They dredge where theres shipping traffic. But that traffic depends on dredging. The new, $35 million ferry terminal will save up to eight minutes unloading and loading the ship and allow passengers to board using Jetways. The terminal could open as soon as in 2020 or 2021. The ferry company also hopes to add a fourth boat to its fleet, built in the U.S. and likely to cost between $30 million and $40 million. But long rumored plans to run additional ferry service from New Haven to Port Jefferson likely wont happen, Hall said. He said the company couldnt find the land for a New Haven terminal. Brian A. Pounds / Brian A. Pounds MILFORD A disturbance at Elis Tavern downtown led to the arrest of a Massachusetts man who police said tried to strike an officer. Jordan James, 21, of Swampscott, Mass., was charged with second-degree breach of peace, interfering with a police officer, assault on a police officer and third-degree criminal mischief. He didnt present the award, but President Trump met Monday with the 2019 Teachers of the Year including the national winner, Rodney Robinson of Richmond,Virginia. Connecticut Teacher of the Year Sheena Graham, a music teacher at Harding High School in Bridgeport said she was so happy the teachers were allowed to meet the president, which is a tradition. There are no words to describe the emotions that flowed through the room, said Graham. It was truly an inspirational moment. On Friday, Nancy Rodriguez, a spokeswoman for the Council of Chief State School Officers which administers the program, announced that U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos would be presenting the award and that the president would not be in attendance. The ceremony took place in the Eisenhower Building at 1650 Pennsylvania Avenue. Afterwards, Graham said the contingent of 57 teachers were surprised to be led to the West Wing of the White House where they met with Vice President Pence, and then the president in the Oval Office. Graham said some teachers had tears in their eyes. He sat at his desk for the group pictures then shook each of our hands, had us say our name and where we were from, Graham said. Graham said Robinson, who teaches social studies inside the Richmond, Va., Juvenile Justice Center, got to tell Trump about his platform and his students. Afterwards, Graham said Robinson called the encounter professional. I felt honored, Graham quoted Robinson as saying. She called the meeting great. It has often but not always been a tradition that the president hand out the award after it was developed in 1952. Trump did the honors the first two years of his presidency. In 2017, the award went to Sydney Chaffee, a public charter school teacher from Boston. During that ceremony, Trump called it really something special that an educator from charter schools, which he and DeVos support, had won. In 2018, Mandy Manning, who teaches English to refugee and immigrant students in Spokane, Wash., used the opportunity to present the president with a stack of letters from her students. On her dress, she wore buttons that promoted Trans Equality, along with a button from the Womens March and a rainbow-colored apple. The National Teacher spends a year away from his or her teaching duties to serve as a spokesman and advocate for the teaching profession. Paul Ferrari, the senior program director with the National Teacher of the Year Program, said CCSSO works with the White House to coordinate the recognition event. It is up to each administration to decide how to recognize the teachers, and it has varied throughout the 67-year history of the program in location and who has delivered the recognition to the National Teacher, Ferrari said. lclambeck@ctpost.com; twitter/lclambeck BRIDGEPORT The number of non-fatal shootings in the city dropped more than 50 percent from March to April, according to data from Bridgeport police. And data in the police departments annual report shows declines in various other areas as well from 2017 to 2018 including shooting victims, homicides and vehicle pursuits. The shooting data showed there were seven shootings in January, two of which were fatal. There was an additional homicide in January, a stabbing. In February, three shootings left two people dead and one person injured. In March, two people died from gunshot wounds; non-fatal gunfire left 11 people wounded. With just a few days left in April, those numbers have dropped significantly. Although the city has not recorded any homicides so far this month, data show there have been five non-fatal gunshot wound victims reported from four separate shootings. Since Jan. 1, the city has seen seven homicides one stabbing and six shootings. At this point last year, there had been four homicide cases under investigation. And in 2016, by the end of April, nine people had been killed in Bridgeport two stabbings, two assaults and five fatal shootings. In 2017, the city saw 23 homicides. That total dropped significantly in 2018, when 11 people were killed in Bridgeport. More News Cops say Bridgeport shooting victims wont talk But that wasnt the only decline recorded by the police department between the two years. The annual report, provided to Hearst Connecticut Media by Police Chief Armando Perez at a budget meeting for the citys public safety agencies earlier this month, showed that calls for service increased about 1.5 percent, from 102,659 in 2017 to 104,266 in 2018. The number of shooting victims saw a slight drop from just over 100 in 2017 to just under 100 in 2018. Shooters arrested with criminal backgrounds dropped more than 50 percent from 14 to 6. The number of vehicle pursuits, something critics have voiced concerns about in the past, saw a drop from 88 in 2017 to 53 in 2018. The Bridgeport Police Department, through vibrant community policing initiatives, will continue to work to build strong community partnerships, reads a statement in the annual report from Perez. Between the two years, the department saw an increase in public complaints of employee misconduct from 131 in 2017 to 150 in 2018. But while that number slightly increased, the number of use of force incident reports saw a slight decline from 133 in 2017 to 126 in 2018. Among the complaints filed in 2017 were those of two civilians arrested at a Colorado Avenue house party that October. An internal affairs report about the investigation into 17 police officers and two civilian detention officers involved in breaking up the party and handling those arrested in booking detailed claims of inaccurate reporting of incidents, improper supervision by higher-ranking officers and use of what was considered to be unjustified excessive force. Officers involved are set to start their hearings before the Police Commission on May 8. Throughout the annual report are mentions of various new technological additions to the department, including body and dashboard cameras and the Fusion Center, aiding officers in their day-to-day jobs. I am very proud of the commitment to service that each and everyone of our officers and civilian support staff make on a daily basis, Perezs statement said. NEWTOWN Mae Schmidle, a former state legislator who fought successfully to save the towns iconic flagpole when the state moved to tear it down, died Friday at age 92. Along with serving four terms as a state representative, Schmidle was also Town Clerk and president of the Connecticut State PTA. A familiar figure around Newtown, who always dressed in red, she was as dynamic as she was diligent in given her enthusiastic efforts to the causes she espoused, her death notice reads. During her years in the Legislature, she will be remembered for her advocacy on behalf of the historic flagpole, first erected in 1876 on the centennial celebration of the nations independence. The state Department of Transportation touched off a furor by proposing to remove the pole after a fatal car accident in 1979, but Schmidle got legislation passed prohibiting its removal. That wasnt her only high-profile fight. In 1985, Schmidle proposed a bill that would outlaw tossing uncooked rice at weddings because It kills the birds who ingest it," she said. "They can't digest it." She instead suggested that people throw birdseed. That would feed the birds and at the same time eliminate cleanup work for the churches. Sort of like "killing two birds with one stone," she said. The only ones that will be unhappy are the brides and grooms who will have to pick it out of their hair. Her ban the rice at weddings bill made national headlines and even a mention in Ann Landers syndicated column. The bill died in the General Assembly after some representatives vetoed the idea of fining rice throwers. Schmidle was also a longtime champion of the states Freedom of Information law. She was included in the Legendary Locals of Newtown history book, and was flattered to be included. "I can hardly believe it. I just go about through life doing the things I think are interesting and should be done, she said. You just need to step forward and do it; and I think that's a lot of what Newtown is all about. Born in Bridgeport in 1926, she married her husband, Robert, and lived briefly in Trumbull before moving to Newtown in the early 1960s. Together, they raised two sons, Robert Jr. and Paul, and a daughter, Lisa. But it was Maes social and political activities that read like bullet points of accomplishment. After serving with the Newtown PTA (and later as President of the Connecticut State PTA), she was elected to the first of her four terms as Town Clerk. In 1981, she was elected state Representative for the 106th Assembly District, in which she served five terms. Indeed, throughout her long and fruitful life she had much love to give - first, to her husband Robert, her son Robert Jr. and his wife Pamela; her son Paul and his wife, Wendy; her daughter, Lisa and her husband, Rob Keller, her death notice reads. It included also their children and in-laws, Nicholas and his wife, Rikki; Christian and his wife, Jen; Heather and her fiance, Chris; and Hillary Schmidle and Baxter and Clayton Keller, in addition to four great-grandsons, Oscar and Bohan and Charlie and Theo. Finally, it continues to touch her legion of friends, neighbors and thousands of Newtowners whose lives she will enrich for years to come. Calling hours are from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Rose of Lima Church, Newtown at noon on Tuesday, April 30. Interment will follow in Newtown Village Cemetery. Contributions can be made to the Newtown Visiting Nurse Association, 45 Main St., Newtown, CT 06470. Add Ralph Nader to the list of those who think consolidating the states 12 community colleges into one is a bad idea. Nader, the quintessential consumer advocate, Connecticut native and sometime presidential candidate, wrote a letter to Gov. Ned Lamont on Monday asking him to put the breaks on a plan that he calls dangerous, embarrassing and half-baked. Community based education is so essential for democracy in an age of relentless concentration of decision in even fewer hands, wrote Nader. Nader, in a telephone interview, said he believes he has the ear of the freshman governor. Oh yeah, I have talked to him on other things, Nader said, adding the new governor has visited Winsted, where Nader still lives, on more than one occasion. Mark Ojakian, a former chief of staff of former governor Dan Malloy, became the third president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system in 2015. Less than two years later, he was the architect of a plan he called Students First, which would combine community colleges, consolidating administrative and back office services but leaving 12 campuses. The idea, he said, would save money and provide a better experience for students. A large number of faculty and members of the community disagreed. So, too, did the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, which rejected the plan, calling it unrealistic. Rather than shelve the idea, Ojakian has forged ahead to aligning curriculum. The system is getting feedback from the accrediting body, now called the New England Commission on Higher Education, as it revises the plan. Last week, the Board of Regents for the system named three regional presidents each which will make $220,000 salaries and oversee four of the community colleges. For the time being, campus presidents remain in place. In the long run, Ojakian said, the plan will save $23 million and increase the number of students who graduate. In his letter, Nader appeals to Lamont to turn his attention to the community college situation and remove Ojakian and stop the consolidation process. Naders older brother, Shaf Nader, founded Northwestern Community College in 1955. I have been interested in this issue since Day One, Nader said. Nader said the General Assembly would take back some of its authority over the situation if a Senate bill were to require legislative approval to merge or close institutions within the CSCU system. He wants more, but called such a bill a start. Ojakians office had no comment on the letter. The governors office could not immediately be reached for comment. BRIDGEPORT Being a cop is no picnic. The current strain of public animosity toward police officers is much like it was in the turbulent 1960s. Videos routinely run on network news showing officers beating unarmed suspects although most of the many thousands of officers across the country respect and uphold the nations laws. So there they were Monday morning, bright-eyed and standing tall, 26 new recruits including seven women being sworn in at the citys police academy. This is an honorable profession, dont ever forget that, Police Chief Armando Perez told the recruits. We exist to serve and protect society. Anyone who violates that standard, the chief said, he will run out of the Police Department. Being a police officer is a tall order, but I know you wouldnt be here if you werent cut out for it, Mayor Joseph Ganim told them before administering the oath. The city has not been an exception to the controversies involving police around the country. Still fresh in many residents minds is the May 9, 2017, shooting of unarmed 15-year-old Jayson Negron by a police officer. And there was incident in which 17 police officers were cited for lying and using excessive force to break up a party in October 2017 much of it caught on video. Training for todays police officers has changed to adapt to the problems now being faced by officers. Police Capt. Rebecca Garcia, the head of the police academy, said among the new training programs recently implemented are de-escalation training for recruits and more programs aimed at forging a bridge between officers and the community. We want our officers to get acquainted with the people in the community and build a trust in the community, Garcia said. If you dont have a relationship with the community, then the community cant trust you, and thats where problems occur. Garcia said the citys police academy is the first in the state to start an officer wellness class. She said the six-week, two-hour class teaches new officers to stay healthy both in mind and spirit. While in the past there have been confrontations over the growing number of citizens video-recording police activity, Garcia said they are now instructing new officers to accept the fact that they could be photographed or video recorded at any time. We tell our officers that its all about character and they shouldnt do anything out of character whether they are on video or not, Garcia said. With the new class of recruits, Perez said he is getting closer to his goal of having a 400-member police force. The academy course is seven months. When this class is over, I want to get another one, the chief said. Gov. Ned Lamonts two key education bills including one intended to push school districts toward regionalization were approved by a legislative committee Friday, but with a few notable changes. Members of the Education Committee eliminated the governors proposal to have municipalities chip in on teacher pensions and scrapped a plan to require homeschoolers to register in their school districts. The votes, which went largely along party lines, were on House Bill 7150 an act implementing the governors budget and Senate Bill 874, the controversial bill that includes what some view as punitive steps to push school districts toward regionalization. The latter bill also would have established a commission charged with creating a plan for redistricting. Last week, the Lamont administration changed language in Bill No. 874 making it more palatable to many by removing every reference to redistricting and consolidation and by empowering the commission to make only recommendations. Senate Bill 874 was one of three bills that prompted hundreds of opponents to turn out for a hearing last month out of fear their school district would be forced to merge with others and that local control would be lost. Earlier this months, two of the bills died, and last week Lamont recast his proposal to emphasize that his effort to get school districts to share services and save resources would be voluntary. The original bill called for the establishment of a Commission on Shared School Services, charged with developing a plan for redistricting or consolidation of school services and school districts. The revised bill not only eliminates the words redistricting, and consolidation, but also replaces plan with recommendations as a way to emphasize the advisory nature of the commissions report. It says that the commission shall develop recommendations for the sharing of school services and additional collaborations within and among school districts. He [the governor] heard the people loud and clear and he heard committee members loud and clear, said Rep. Bobby Sanchez, D-New Britain, and co-chairman of the education committee. The bill approved by the committee maintains the governors language, but also eliminates a provision that was considered punitive by many. That controversial section of Lamonts bill required small districts- defined as districts with fewer than 10,000 residents, fewer than 2,000 students, or with fewer than three schools to share a superintendent with another district or name a chief executive officer to oversee the schools. The bill said that if such a district chose instead to maintain its own superintendent without sharing, the commissioner of education could withhold funding in an amount equal to the superintendents salary. However, Republicans said the steps taken by the administration to water down the bill did not alleviate their concerns. Rep. Gail Lavielle, R-Wilton, said that despite the language changes, which do show there was listening and acknowledgement, she is concerned about the original discourse and the original intent of the bill with its references to re-districting and regionalization. Most disturbing, Lavielle said, was that the original language was all based on the premise that effective local school districts must be prodded somehow to act in their own best interests. So many schools districts in Connecticut are effective and efficient already and I dont believe the state has any business to spend time and energy interfering with them. In addition, Lavielle said there is nearly $1 million in the governors budget to create and run the commission. I dont see a reason to spend that money, especially in our severe budget straits, because I dont see a reason for the bill, she said. McCarty said she opposed the bill because it leaves the structure for a commission to move forward. At some point this could turn to more forced regionalization, she said. She said the possibility of forced regionalization resulted in a a lot of angst in the school communities through-out the state. Sanchez noted that the bill also is stripped of the provision that would require home-schoolers to register with their district. So you dont have to send me thousands and thousands of emails, Sanchez said to the knowing chuckles of a dozen or so home-school advocates in the attendance. Twenty two Democrats voted in favor of Senate Bill 874, while 13 Republicans voted against it. Two legislators absent. After it was approved, about a dozen opponents expressed disappointment. Wilton resident Jennie Wong said, We made our voices clear. The intent is still there to regionalize. I just think they should have heard us. Republicans and Democrats alike spoke in favor of the committees decision to eliminate Lamonts plan to have municipalities pay for 25 percent of teacher pension costs, and a greater share if teachers were paid above the statewide median. Betsy Gara, executive director of the Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST), sent out an email after the vote saying, This proposal would have overwhelmed property taxpayers in small towns and cities throughout Connecticut. She said the plan would have shifted $73 million onto the backs of already burdened property taxpayersCOST is very pleased that lawmakers recognized that shifting a greater property tax burden on homeowners and businesses is bad public policy. This is a big win for municipalities and property taxpayers, Gara added. However, those voting against the bill said they were concerned about a provision that accelerated a plan to reduce education cost sharing funds to wealthier districts. Under Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, an agreement had been reached to phase in a shift in education funding over a 10-year period from wealthier districts to struggling, poorer districts. Lamonts proposal would phase out the funds to wealthier districts over a shorter period of time. I am against this proposal, said Rep. Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, shortly before a vote was taken. This really represents the undoing of a bipartisan budget that worked hard to re-establish a true [Education Cost Sharing] formula that took the appropriate educational needs into consideration as part of that formula. Rep. Kathleen McCarty, R-Waterford, a ranking member on the committee, said the measure would impact adversely over 74 towns, so for that reason I will be voting no on the bill. Twenty Democrats voted in favor of House Bill 7150, while 15 Republicans and two House Democrats Liz Linehan, D-Cheshire, and Jill Barry, D-Glastonbury voted against it. Two legislators were absent. MIDDLETOWN Ending years of frustration, the Harry Ruffin Jr. American Legion Post No. 206 has won the support of the Common Council that could finally lead to a permanent home for the legionnaires. Members of the predominately African-American post have tried for years to get a permanent home in the city that would enable them to expand the services they offer. The post is counting on receiving a $2.6 million grant from the state to create a Veterans Community Center. As a first step, post members came before the council earlier this month seeking approval for a $260,000 grant from the city. Members of the post and their supporters who spoke at the council meeting said they want to be able to offer something more than just a Thank you for your service to troops returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. There are a lot of veterans out there who are homeless and sick, said Gerome Turner, a retired sergeant 1st class who served 22 years in the Army. When he returned from serving during the Gulf Wars (Desert Shield/Storm, Bosnian Conflict) and other combat campaigns, Turner said, he needed some assistance to deal with PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. According to the American Psychiatric Association, PTSD can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, a serious accident, a terrorist act, war/combat, or other violent personal assault. People with PTSD have intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience that last long after the traumatic event has ended. They may relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares; they may feel sadness, fear or anger; and they may feel detached or estranged from other people. Were looking for a program that helps these people face some of those issues, to help them take some of that load off, Turner said. But to do that, We need a base, he said. Having a physical presence in the city will enable legionnaires to take their comrades to appointments at the Veterans Administration hospital in West Haven or to Connecticut Veterans Home and Hospital in Rocky Hill, he said. Councilor Eugene Nocera announced he was an enthusiastic supporter of the proposal. We need to be ahead of the curve in supporting the needs of our veterans, Nocera said, adding the proposal is a win-win for the city and its veterans. Veterans who suffer PTSD but who cant or wont get treatment for it often are plagued by a range of negatives, Councilor Mary Bartolotta said. Those negatives include poverty, homelessness and drug and/or alcohol abuse. One in six veterans of color suffer from substance abuse, she said. The issue is intensely personal one, Bartolotta acknowledged. She had a brother who served in the Marine Corps and returned home suffering from PTSD. Try as he might, my brother lost that battle several years ago, she said. The issue was also a personal one from Councilor Philip J. Pessina, who raised his hand to support and defend the country 50 years ago. Now that he serves on the council, Pessina said he has one paramount objective: to provide services to all of our veterans. He called the council and the publics attention to the veterans memorial that occupies much of the back wall of the council chambers. Look at the back wall, at all those wars and all these people, Pessina said. We need to take a big step forward and do whats right for the city of Middletown and, most of all, for all our veterans. However, Minority Leader Sebastian N. Giuliano proposed postponing action on the proposal, saying with the continuing uncertainty about the state budget, I dont know how we can even consider this. This is very premature, and it comes at the worst possible time, Giuliano said, asking the issue be put off until June. Bartolotta disagreed. Post 206 has been nothing but a positive for veterans and for the city, she said. There is no reason to postpone this. Councilor Grady L. Faulkner Jr., also supported the proposal. Were always looking for positive role models, particularly for your youth of color, he said. Who better to hold up as model than the veterans of Post 206, he asked. Councilor Carl R. Chisem said council support for the proposal is long overdue. Giuliano was joined by Councilor Gerald E. Daley in calling for a postponement, with Daley asking for more information about the proposal. I think our vote of confidence should start today, Faulkner countered. Lets finally step up and do the right thing. Several of the legionnaires were upset by the proposal to put off the issue. What theyre trying to tell us is we are not a welcome organization in this community, Air Force veteran James Woodward said after the meeting. Woodward said he has made Middletown his home for 44 years, and in all that time, Ive never asked for anything that was free. Whats more, the men and women who serve - and in some cases sacrifice their lives for the country arent black or white or Jewish or Christians - they are all citizens of the United States of America. Marine veteran David Roane, the post commander for the past five years, was very pleased the council approved the grant. For 13 years the city had been putting off the Post 206 veterans and it really has become an issue, he said. Now, with the citys endorsement, I hope we have turned a corner, Roane said. Editors note: This story has been edited to correct a mistake in the war service of Gerome Turner. A homicide investigation is underway in Ohio after four family members were shot and killed at at West Chester apartment complex Sunday. Police responded to the scene around 9:40 p.m. for a call of four people down inside an apartment on Wyndtree Drive, police said. Police found four adults, three women and one man, dead inside the apartment from multiple gunshot wounds. The victims were all related and lived in the home together, West Chester Police Chief Joel Herzog said. In a 911 call released by police, an emotional family member tells a dispatcher he came home to find his wife and three other family members bleeding. "My wife and my family are bleeding .. they're on the ground and they're bleeding," the caller said to the dispatcher. Police confirmed the caller was a family member that discovered the victims. The caller was not taken into custody, police said. Police also said there was some smoke in the building, possibly from something cooking on the stove. Herzog later said the fire was not intentional. Multiple police agencies are canvassing the area for witnesses and are using every resource they have, Herzog said. There is no suspect information at this time. Police said it does not appear that the shooter is among the dead or that anyone returned fire. Herzog said it is too early to name any persons of interest or suspects. There have been calls to police at the apartment for assault reports and theft, Herzog said. He said it's unclear if the victims lived there when the calls were made since it was over a period of a several years. Police said children do live in the home, but weren't there at the time of the shooting and are currently with other family members. Police said there is no immediate threat to neighbors and no nearby schools are on lockdown but are aware of the situation. Police told residents to be diligent about their surroundings and report anything unusual, saying "nothing is too small." "We are actively working this case, looking to identify a suspect. the safety of the community is paramount," Herzog said. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police. Most candidates agree that "grass-roots engagement" and a good ground campaign matter, but too often candidates misunderstand what actually make them work. People power is not a spigot that can be turned on and off with fancy technology. Instead, it depends on interwoven human networks through which people learn to work together on things they care about, even when the electoral spotlight is not on. Campaigns, and political parties, can help build these networks - or make them wither away. In 2009, national Democrats opted to let them wither. They're back at that crossroads today. 2018 was a standout year for voter engagement. According to data provided by NGP VAN, the voter file provider for Democratic campaigns and independent groups up and down ballot, supporters of Democratic campaigns knocked on more than 155 million doors in 2018, a 60 percent increase over the previous midterm election and a full 40 percent more than in the 2016 presidential election year. Today, just as in 2009, the consultants and vendors who earned millions of dollars on the last election are eager to attribute victory to new technology (today it's voter-to-voter tools like Hustle and VoteWithMe) or to "radical" campaign structures, like Beto O'Rourke's in Texas. Dropped from view are the millions of volunteers who worked for the "blue wave," and, as important, the local structures that made their participation possible - and will determine what their future impact will be. The success of Barack Obama's 2008 and 2012 field campaigns renewed attention on the ground game after decades in which campaign managers spent more time worrying about the "air wars" of TV and radio ads. Beginning in 2007, the campaign built "Obama for America" into a volunteer behemoth through neighborhood-based, relational organizing, in which small numbers of staff trained volunteers to recruit and lead others. By 2012, this strategy yielded 2.2 million volunteers, organized by 10,000 unpaid neighborhood team leaders, with 30,000 additional volunteers working as core team members. This volunteer machine registered over 1.8 million voters, made more than 150 million phone calls and ran 5,177 get-out-the-vote staging locations on Election Day. Yet after the groundswell that carried Obama to office in 2008, Democratic leaders dithered about who should "own" Obama for America, eventually deciding to turn it over to the Democratic Party. Once it became a party-run organization, party leaders sought to quash dissent, discouraging volunteer leaders from opposing the Obama administration and treating Obama for America more like a publicity list than a human ecosystem. The relationships, spaces of self-governance and concrete community-based goals that gave the 2008 campaign its energy dissipated. By turning Obama for America into a commodity, the party stripped it of value. In contrast, tea party anger on the right translated into high-impact organizing, as new local groups supported and held accountable Republican candidates for school boards and state legislatures across the country. Instead of silencing tea party dissenters, Republican leaders negotiated with them, allowing local leadership to grow. This investment laid the foundation for the GOP "shellacking" of Democrats in the 2010 midterms and the down-ballot victories Republicans racked up from 2009 to 2016 even as Obama won reelection in 2012 and Hillary Clinton won more overall votes than Donald Trump in 2016. But the left has seen a resurgence of local organizing since 2016. After Trump's election, new grass-roots groups came together and dived into action, mostly without guidance from the Democratic Party. In some cases, the energy flowed into long-standing community organizing networks like Faith in Action and the Center for Popular Democracy, or local chapters of organizations like the ACLU. New networks also offered inspiration and tools for group-formation, including Indivisible, Swing Left, Sister District, the Women's March and March On. At the same time, emerging local groups developed unique regional priorities, embracing campaigns from Medicaid expansion in Idaho to ranked-choice voting in Fargo, N.D., to public campaign financing in New York, to school board elections all across America's once-red suburbs. This year-round work formed the springboard to the blue wave and massive participation of 2018. You don't get 155 million door knocks from early adopters alone. You get them from active local networks building outward. Unlike previous volunteer surges on the left, including the Obama '08 campaign, these new activists sought to join local Democratic Party organizations as well. By now, two years into the process, most grass-roots groups we know have multiple leaders who are also elected members of their local or county Democratic committee. These volunteers have learned a fundamental rule the national campaigns continue to ignore: local structures matter. Democratic Party leadership gives rhetorical attention to the grass roots. But instead of investing in local party offices and recruiting, training and listening to local leaders who can nurse year-round relationships, the party puts more resources into tools and national communications. With that approach, come election time, voters are merely data points instead of humans enmeshed in a latticework of local relationships. Yet from blue metropolitan areas to conservative rural counties, grass-roots activists are pushing from within for a different approach, running slates of officers who have hands-on experience as campaign "super volunteers" and believe passionately in precinct-level relationship-building. Some longtime local Democratic leaders, however, seem more interested in maintaining control of endorsements and alliances than having local parties fulfill their nominal mission of outreach and engagement. When commentators hype minuscule ideological differences among 2020 Democratic hopefuls as "a struggle for the soul of the party," they are missing the real fight. Voices from within are demanding transparency and action from their local Democratic parties. It's not a struggle over policy direction, but instead a struggle to turn local parties into real spaces of democratic access and make themselves heard within a national party structure that largely ignores local leaders. Pundits on the left have gone from chiding that protests don't change politics to lamenting that people aren't protesting enough - without stopping to notice the crucial base-building work, far beyond protests, that has been underway all along. Grass-roots stalwarts know that obsessing over 2020 polls will not keep democracy afloat. Instead, they have embraced the grinding, glamour-free work of building change: rewriting bylaws, recruiting for municipal office, pushing referendums that ensure every vote counts. National Democratic leaders and funders can support those efforts now and reap the benefit in engaged volunteers and voters when 2020 arrives. Or they can repeat the mistakes of 2009 all over again. - - - Han is the Anton Vonk professor of political science at the University of California at Santa Barbara and the author of "How Organizations Develop Activists." Putnam is UCIS research professor and chair of the Department of History at the University of Pittsburgh. She is active in grassroots political organizing in southwestern Pennsylvania. HARTFORD A finance committee hearing on how to tax recreational marijuana and what the state should do with the money quickly became a broad debate on the merits of legalization as the Connecticut legislature readies to vote on the issue in the next six weeks. Supporters of legalization Monday highlighted the states opportunity to revitalize urban communities while bringing new revenue to the state. Opponents said the social costs of the drug eclipsed those benefits. The Democrat-backed bill proposes a $35 per ounce levy on cannabis flowers and $13.50 per ounce on the rest of the plant. It also includes a 6.35 percent states sales tax and 3 percent local sales tax, which will go to the towns that host dispensaries. This rate is similar to the 20 percent effective tax rate in Massachusetts, which has already legalized adult recreational use of the drug. Economists agree that legalizing recreational marijuana is a chance to protect public health, shape consumer behavior, reduce an illegal market and increase state revenue. But, a council of four Connecticut medical marijuana producers worried that Connecticuts proposed tax rate is too high, making legal weed much more expensive than the drug on the black market. Diversion (from the legal market to the black market ) would be encouraged, the Connecticut Medical Cannabis Council said in written testimony Determined to reverse the impact of the war on drugs, the legislation also requires using the revenue from legalized recreational marijuana to invest in impoverished urban areas, instead of marking the money for general state use. The money would go to community development corporations, which could use the money for construction and repair of neighborhood assets like libraries and playgrounds, supporting pathways to home ownership, enhancing workforce training programs, investing in community center programs and providing low-cost transportation. Janice Butler-Flemming, founder of Voices of Women of Color, spoke in favor of using cannabis revenue to rebuild communities, not targeting the dollars at individuals. Connecticut has an opportunity to combat significant educational, public health and economic health disparities with these dollars, she said. Jay Williams, president of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, testified that the bill was too prescriptive in how dollars should be used to help cities with diverse needs. He urged lawmakers to provide the funds to non-profits for community investment. Democrats have already passed bills that would expunge the criminal records of those convicted of marijuana-related crimes and give minority entrepreneurs priority in obtaining licenses to run cannabis retail shops and cultivation facilities. These cannabis bills will eventually be blended into one piece of legislation for the House and Senate to vote on. Policy staff for the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee estimate cannabis taxation would raise $80 million to $140 million a year, said Sen. John Fonfara, D-Hartford, a committee chair. Independent fiscal analysis has not yet been completed. In the seven states where marijuana is legal and taxable, revenue from pot sales comprises less than 1 percent of general state tax collection, the Tax Policy Foundation found. I dont think anybody in this legislature is under the illusion this is going to save the state from the revenue challenges that we have, said Rep. Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford, Finance Committee chair. Opponents of legalization argued the social costs of marijuana use wipe out any state or municipal boons. Their top concerns, highlighted in a press conference Monday led by Republicans Rep. Vincent Candelora of North Branford and Sen. Tony Hwang of Fairfield, were driving under the influence, teen use and addiction. Most, if not all, Republicans in the Connecticut legislature oppose legalization, although Republican caucuses have not done a vote count yet, Candelora and Hwang said. Some Democrats, including Sen. Alex Bergstein of Greenwich, also oppose legalization. Hwang and Candelora were joined by Susan Klein of Brookfield whose husband was killed in a car accident when an 18-year-old girl, who later admitted she was high on marijuana, drove across the median. The girl was sentenced to five years for manslaughter, Klein said. A major concern of legalization opponents is no breathalyzer test exists for police to use to determine whether a driver is high on cannabis. Blood tests may reflect marijuana consumed up to a month prior. Although they are a more subjective measure, police are able to use the same field sobriety tests they use for alcohol with weed, said Kebra Smith, co-director for the Connecticut Coalition to Regulate Marijuana. Tiffany Davidson of Westport described how her 17-year-old struggled with an addiction to marijuana. Davidson founded a group Moms Against Marijuana Addiction to rally against legalization in Connecticut, she said. Rev. Bruce Morris, a former state representative from Norwalk, helped organize a group of black clergy speaking out against legalization at the Capitol earlier this month. Morris started using marijuana in high school, before experimenting with harder drugs while attending UConn, he said. Morris went to college wanting to become a lawyer, but a terrible trip on LSD shook up a young Morris and eventually led him to find God, he said. My life changed drastically because of drugs and because yes, I started using marijuana earlier, Morris said. I accomplished a lot, but not what I could of, had I not used those drugs. Black communities stand to lose the most from legalization, Morris argued. But Smith, an African American woman and pro-cannabis organizer, disputed that idea. Cannabis was prohibited with racially motivated factors in mind and that any continued support of the prohibition of cannabis is the support of racist laws and legislation, she said. That first and foremost must be amended. Smith said recreational cannabis use has not increased driving fatalities or drug addictions in other states where the drug has been legalized. emunson@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson After Kevin Robert Lee admitted to embezzling more than $800,000 from the $222 million Florida State University Credit Union, prosecutors revealed new details about how the former lending director used the identity of a credit union colleague and college roommates to steal the money and spent more than half of it to pay for in-app video games. Lee, 35, of Tallahassee pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to 25 felony counts of bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, theft from a lending institution and filing false tax returns. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 22. For 20 counts of banks fraud, the maximum sentence is 30 years, a two-year mandatory minimum prison sentence for one count of aggravated ID theft, a maximum of 30 years for one count of theft and a maximum of three years for three counts of filing a false tax return. Starting in June 2014, Lee used the name, date of birth, and Social Security number of the president of the Tallahassee Chapter of Credit Unions to open a second account. For that group, Lee was the treasurer. Welcome to episode 16 of The CUInsight Experience podcast. Hosted by Randy Smith, co-founder and publisher of CUInsight.com. The President and CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, Diana Dykstra, is todays guest! Diana is also on the WOCCU board, the current President of the Western CUNA Management School, and much more. Listen in to our conversation, which will explore everything from why its so important for her to be involved on the national and global level, what shes learned from her experiences, and various aspects of innovation. Diana learns a lot from the international credit union system, she points out. Seeing credit unions in other countries helps you remember and appreciate how important the credit union movement is worldwide. She also enjoys learning from these international sources, as well as sharing her own insight and knowledge with them. As you may have gathered by now, Diana is an incredibly busy and productive woman. Well chat about her time management system and how she manages to get so much done! She doesnt really use to-do lists, but always knows what she needs to do the next day, she points out. Thanks to always having been busy, she naturally knows how to manage it and juggle everything she has to do. Tune into the episode to hear all about these topics, as well as the greatest strengths of Dianas team, what theyve heard her say so many times that they could finish her sentence, what inspired her to start working in credit unions (and whether that inspiration has changed), and much more. Enjoy! Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher How to find Diana: Diana Dykstra President and CEO, California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues dianad@ccul.org www.ccul.org Twitter | Linkedin Show notes from this episode: Diana has accomplished so much. Heres the best quick bio I found scouring the inter webs. Diana was honored this year at the Wegner Awards Dinner for Outstanding Individual Achievement. Read all about it here. NCUF video honoring Diana from the Herb Wegner Awards Dinner at the 2019 CUNA GAC: Diana Dykstra Wegner Award Winner video See all the work Diana supports globally through WOCCU. Shout-out: Lois Kitsch for the opportunity I get to have in June and go to Kenya to work with credit unions. It took us all of three minutes for DE to come up in the conversation. If you havent yet, sign up, join the club, become a CUDE. Conference mentioned: 2019 World Credit Union Conference (2020 will be in Los Angles. Closer to home) A fantastic way to get involved globally (for the guys too): Global Womens Leadership Network Shout-out: Dianas team at the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues. Best album of all-time: Eat a Peach by the Allman Brothers Band Or just grab some Fireball and listen to Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd Random word I couldnt remember: Tsundoku (the Japense word for buying books that you intend to read someday) Previous guest mentioned on this episode: Doug Leighton You can find all past episodes of The CUInsight Experience here. In this episode: [00:03] Randy welcomes listeners back to the show, and introduces Diana Dykstra. [02:48] Did Diana enjoy preparing for the Wegner Award, or was she troubled because she still feels like she has so much to do? [03:58] Diana talks about why its so important to her to learn from credit union systems internationally. [05:54] Does Diana have a favorite experience from her work outside of the United States? [07:02] Diana shares the advice that she would give someone who has an interest in the global good and would like to be a part of that system. [08:22] We hear about what has continued to motivate Diana over her years of work in credit unions. She also talks about her time management system, and whether shes good at switching off from work. [11:10] Whats Dianas reaction to the phrase thats the way weve always done it? [12:12] Is there a belief in credit unions that Diana thinks will have to fundamentally change in the relatively near future? [13:32] Diana talks about the war for talent in Californias credit unions. [15:49] We hear Dianas thoughts on the fear of change, and how she helps minimize this for the people who she leads. [18:39] Diana chats about whether she has a network of people to lean on for honest feedback, even when it might not be positive. [19:30] What inspired Diana originally to take the gig as the President and CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union League? And has the inspiration changed since the time that she took the job? [21:23] We hear how Diana would describe her leadership style, as well as how she finds people who work well with her, and whether her leadership style has changed over the years. [24:18] With all of her experience, is there something Diana would share with a new CEO when dealing with a board for the first time? [26:13] Diana talks about the greatest strength of her team at the league, and whether theres something that her team has heard her say so often that they could finish her sentence. [27:30] Is there a notable mistake that Diana made when she looks back at her early years in her career? [28:53] Diana shares a piece of advice that she keeps going back to. [31:54] As a leader, how does Diana make sure that her message is staying fresh and clear? [33:03] Diana chats about her passions outside of credit unions. [34:11] We move into the rapid-fire question section of the show. When was the first time that Diana got into memorable trouble? [35:01] Does Diana have any daily routines that she needs to do or else she just feels off? [35:41] Whats the best album of all time? [36:40] Is there a particular book that Diana tends to gift or recommend, or that she thinks everyone should read? [37:42] What has become more important to Diana as she has gotten older, and has anything become less important? What advice would she give to her 25-year-old self? [38:48] When Diana hears the word success, who is the first person who comes to mind [39:32] Does Diana have any asks or final thoughts for listeners? How can listeners get in touch with her? Attacks On Business Are Intensifying A sharp increase in the number and cost of cyber-attacks is the key finding in a study of more than 5,400 organisations across seven countries, commissioned by insurer Hiscox. More than three out of five firms (61%) report one or more attacks in the past year, yet the proportion achieving top scores for their cyber security readiness is marginally down year-on-year. Belgium reported the most attacks with 71% of commerce reporting an attack, with more than 30% of business being attacked four or more times. However, 16% of Belgiums larger businesses have very high level cyber security experts and this puts them in the best position for attaining cyber-security. The Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report 2019 surveyed a representative sample of private and public sector organisations in the US, UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands. Each firm was assessed on its cyber security strategy and execution, and ranked accordingly. Only 10% achieved high enough marks in both areas to qualify as cyber security experts. Among the key findings: Cyber-attacks reach a new intensity: More than three in every five firms (61%) experienced a cyber incident in the past year, up from 45% in the 2018 report. The frequency of attacks also increased. Belgian firms were the most heavily targeted. More small and medium-sized firms attacked this year: While larger firms are still the most likely to suffer a cyber-attack, the proportion of small firms (defined as those with less than 50 employees) reporting an incident is up from 33% to 47%. Among medium-sized firms (50 to 249 employees) the proportion has leapt from 36% to 63%. Cyber losses soar: Among firms reporting attacks, average losses associated with all cyber incidents have risen from $229,000 last year to $369,000 an increase of 61%. For large firms with between 250 and 999 employees cyber-related losses now top $700,000 on average compared with $162,000 a year ago. German firms suffered the most, with one reporting a cost for all incidents of $48 million. More firms fail cyber readiness test: Using a quantitative model to assess firms for their cyber readiness, only one in ten (10%) achieved expert status this year, slightly down from 11% in 2018. Nearly three-quarters (74%) ranked as unprepared novices. There was a sharp drop in the number of larger US and German firms achieving expert scores. Cyber security spending up by a quarter: The average spend on cyber security is now $1.45 million, up 24% on 2018, and the pace of spending is accelerating. The total spend by the 5,400 firms in the survey comes to $7.9 billion. Two-thirds of respondents (67%) plan to increase their cyber security budgets by 5% or more in the year ahead. UK business, even ones that say they are not really secure against attacks, are reporting a significant increase in cyber breaches, according to Hiscox. Hiscox say that 55% of business have been attacked in 2019, which is a 15% increase in one year. But almost three quarters of firms were ranked as "novices" in terms of cyber readiness. Hiscox said a lot of businesses "incorrectly felt that they weren't at risk". It said there had been a "sharp increase" in the number of cyber-attacks this year, with more than 60% of firms having reported one or more attacks - up from 45% in 2018. Average losses from breaches also soared from $229,000 (176,000) to $369,000, an increase of 61%. Despite this, the insurer said the percentage of firms scoring top marks on cyber security had fallen, with UK organisations doing particularly badly. British firms had the lowest cyber security budgets, it said, spending less than $900,000 on average compared with $1.46m across the group. They were also joint-least likely with US firms to have a "defined role for cyber security" on their staff. In France the proportion was closer to one in ten. Gareth Wharton, head of Cyber at Hiscox, said the low UK spending could be driven by the large number of small businesses in Britain. "They may feel like they won't be targeted, as we tend to only read about large breaches in the press. If they incorrectly feel that they won't be targeted, they may be less likely to spend on cyber security." Hiscox also found the average cost of an attack in the UK was lower than average at $243,000, compared with $906,000 in Germany and $486,000 in Belgium. New regulation has also prompted action, with eight in ten UK firms saying they had made changes since the introduction of tough new EU data protection rules last year. You Might Also Read: Frances National Cybersecurity Policy: Both Defend & Attack France has recently defined its cybersecurity policy, pledging to use its capabilities in this sphere in an offensive capacity if it should be required. Late last year, it also set out a series of standards that it believes should be adopted internationally for the digital space. At a global conference in Lille earlier in 2019, the French Defence Secretary, Florence Parly (pictured), said the country would use its cyber arms as with all other traditional weapons ...to respond and attack. Her comments at the Forum International de la Cybersecurite (FIC), are particularly resonant, when viewed through the prism of the stance most commonly adopted by EU nations in this area; which is one of reactive defence with overhauls happening in the wake of major cyber incidents. Parly said that the cyber-weapon is not only for our enemies to deploy, and added that the countrys doctrine in relation to cyber warfare encompassed public and private partnerships, with the nations defence establishment working with SMEs in the tech sector, to help bolster the countrys cyber-defence and security capabilities. In addition, she called for pan-European cooperation in relation to cyber security threats, a crisis which she said has no border. The French stance on cybersecurity was crystallised at the November 2018 Paris Call announcement, at which Parly unveiled the countrys doctrine for offensive cyber operations. The basis for these developments goes back to the countrys Defence and National Security Review in 2017 and, which identified cyber as an area of priority, leading to the establishment of a Cyber Defence Command, to head the development of a doctrine in this area. The French strategy has been financed to the tune of six billion euros up to 2025, and the countrys defence ministry aims to have 4,000 operatives specialising in cyber-security by 2025. The Paris Call is a non-binding international document. It does not set out specific measures, but rather, it aims to promote existing institutional mechanisms to limit hacking and destabilising activities in cyberspace. It came about as a result of an impasse at a UN level, when it came to adapting standards and norms that should be expected across the digital space. The Paris Call sets out nine objectives that are intended to represent a compromise of priorities between national governments, business and civil society. To date, over 57 nations have signed up to this accord, from across the globe. Unveiling its new cyber-doctrine in January of this year, the Defence Secretary referred to three specific cyber incidents over recent years. The first is related to Turla, a Russian speaking cyber espionage group, who experts believe are responsible for multiple cyber incidents. Parly said that Turla had targeted two dozen high-ranking French officials for several months in 2017 and 2018, with the reported objective of uncovering details of the French Navys oil supply chain. On the eve of the 2017 French election, a coordinated leak of documents from the Macron campaign, raised suspicions of foreign interference in French domestic politics. In 2015, the 12 stations of TV5Monde were attacked, and taken off the air, in a particularly malevolent assault. The attackers carried out reconnaissance of TV5Monde, to understand the way in which it broadcast its signals. They then developed custom-made malicious software to specifically corrupt and destroy the internet-connected hardware that controlled the TV stations operations. This was an attack not aimed at espionage, but at destruction; something that could have real global consequences. The attack was initially claimed by a group called the Islamic Caliphate, but investigators warned against early judgements that it was related to the terror group ISIS, who were at the peak of their infamy in 2015. Indeed, subsequent investigations pointed to a Russian organisation, known as APT 28. One of the most notable aspects of Frances cybersecurity and cyber-defence model, is that it has taken shape in a relatively short period of time, in under three years. On a civilian level, it provides a well-funded and state supported national resource, the National Cyber Security Agency. This Agency delivers an expertly led asset, to both the French business community and the French state itself, including the intelligence community and the military. The fact that the Defence Secretary identified the explicit cyber events that triggered the development of this new position, is a deviation in French policy, which had previously been reluctant to name and shame those suspected of cyber incursions. Going forward, if French policy is to dictate the tempo of cyber operations at a European level, it will need to balance advocating for a set of cyber standards as set out in the Paris Call; with a growing need to develop, and if necessary to use, cyber operations, both as a deterrent and a defence. SouthEUSummit: You Might Also Read: Hackers Came, But the French Were Prepared: Neither US, Russia Or China Will Sign Macron's Cyber Pact: Chinese researchers held a send-off ceremony for a pair of giant pandas who are to depart for Moscow on Monday for a 15-year collaborative research. Staff members load a transport cage containing Ding Ding, the female panda born in 2017, into a lorry at the Bifengxia base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Ya'an, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 29, 2019. Chinese researchers held a send-off ceremony for a pair of giant pandas who are to depart for Moscow on Monday for a 15-year collaborative research. Ru Yi, the male panda born in 2016, and Ding Ding, the female panda born in 2017, are scheduled to board a flight at 1:45 p.m. in Chengdu and arrive in Moscow at 10:00 p.m. Beijing Time the same day, the panda research base in southwest China's Sichuan Province said. [Photo: Xinhua] Ru Yi, the male panda born in 2016, and Ding Ding, the female panda born in 2017, are scheduled to board a flight at 1:45 p.m. in Chengdu and arrive in Moscow at 10:00 p.m. Beijing Time the same day, the panda research base in southwest China's Sichuan Province said. Ru Yi, the male panda born in 2016, is seen in a transport cage at the Bifengxia base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Ya'an, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 29, 2019. Chinese researchers held a send-off ceremony for a pair of giant pandas who are to depart for Moscow on Monday for a 15-year collaborative research. Ru Yi, the male panda born in 2016, and Ding Ding, the female panda born in 2017, are scheduled to board a flight at 1:45 p.m. in Chengdu and arrive in Moscow at 10:00 p.m. Beijing Time the same day, the panda research base in southwest China's Sichuan Province said. [Photo: Xinhua] Li Shuming, deputy director of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, presided over the ceremony at the Bifengxia base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP). Svetlana Akulova, head of the Moscow Zoo, also attended the ceremony. Staff at the center prepared buns, bamboo sprouts and baby formulas for the pandas in the journey. Caretaker Wang Pingfeng and veterinarian He Ming will travel with the pandas to Russia. Ding Ding, the female panda born in 2017, is seen in a transport cage at the Bifengxia base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Ya'an, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 29, 2019. Chinese researchers held a send-off ceremony for a pair of giant pandas who are to depart for Moscow on Monday for a 15-year collaborative research. Ru Yi, the male panda born in 2016, and Ding Ding, the female panda born in 2017, are scheduled to board a flight at 1:45 p.m. in Chengdu and arrive in Moscow at 10:00 p.m. Beijing Time the same day, the panda research base in southwest China's Sichuan Province said. [Photo: Xinhua] "My job is to keep them calm in case of any stress symptoms. We will make sure they are accustomed to their new life in Moscow," said Wang. "Ru Yi is outgoing and vivacious, but Ding Ding is quiet. We have carried out quarantine and health checks for them. They are in good shape," said He Ming. The pair of giant pandas will live in the Moscow Zoo for 15 years, according to the research project. On February 28, the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the Moscow Zoo signed an agreement on the protection and research cooperation of giant pandas. Ding Ding, the female panda born in 2017, is seen in a transport cage at the Bifengxia base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Ya'an, southwest China's Sichuan Province, April 29, 2019. Chinese researchers held a send-off ceremony for a pair of giant pandas who are to depart for Moscow on Monday for a 15-year collaborative research. Ru Yi, the male panda born in 2016, and Ding Ding, the female panda born in 2017, are scheduled to board a flight at 1:45 p.m. in Chengdu and arrive in Moscow at 10:00 p.m. Beijing Time the same day, the panda research base in southwest China's Sichuan Province said. [Photo: Xinhua] The Moscow Zoo sent full-time keepers and veterinarians to China in advance to learn about the breeding and medical care of giant pandas. Our own Bruce Siwy and Eric Kieta talk about their true-crime cases in Return To View: The Roundtable Photo: Contributed There has been some concerns over changes made to the Agricultural Land Reserve regarding housing on farm land, but the province wants to set the record straight. Okanagan-Monashee MLA Eric Foster expressed some concerns over limiting the number and size of homes on farmland, but Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture, said those concerns are unfounded. Foster said he is concerned changes to Agricultural Land Commission rules will negatively impact farm families. During a presentation to the Regional District of North Okanagan recently, Foster touched on new rules regarding residences within the ALR. "This is hurting family farms. It makes it difficult for families to stay together," said Foster, noting additional residences will not be allowed, and neither will detached suites and manufactured homes for family members. And for principal residences, the total floor area must not exceed 500 square metres. Foster says he supports some regulations regarding the location and size of residences on agricultural land, but the new policies are out of step with farm activities in the North Okanagan. I would like to provide your readers with a more accurate understanding of the changes our government is making to help farmers farm in British Columbia, said Popham. Despite the reported claims by the MLA from Vernon-Monashee, people will, in fact, still be able to have secondary homes, detached suites and mobile homes on land in the Agricultural Land Reserve. The only change is that they will now require approval from the Agricultural Land Commission, instead of their local government. Popham said homes larger than 500 square metres will be allowed, provided they receive support from their local government. Who do you think will be most delighted by news that the UK's commissioner for shale gas has quit in dismay at the Government's craven surrender to lobbying by so-called environmentalists? Vladimir Putin, that's who. It might seem odd that the regime that unleashed biological and plutonium-based weapons of contamination in Salisbury and London should be in league with environmentalist campaigners against shale gas 'fracking' in the UK. But it's not odd at all. Russia's economy relies upon Europe remaining dependent on the vast Siberian gasfields for its energy. Vladimir Putin (pictured at a summit in Beijing on Saturday) will be most delighted by news that the UK's commissioner for shale gas has quit in dismay at the Government's craven surrender to lobbying by so-called environmentalists, writes Dominic Lawson The prospect of the UK becoming self-sufficient in gas, and even an exporter ourselves by exploiting the colossal reserves revealed by the British Geological Survey, is deeply unwanted competition for Moscow. That's why the English-language TV station RT, funded entirely by the Kremlin, has engaged in ludicrous scaremongering about the consequences of gas 'fracking' in the UK. For example, Max Keiser, who presents the Keiser Report for RT, claimed that 'frackers are the moral equivalent of paedophiles' because fracking 'is giving British children cancer'. According to Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the former secretary general of Nato: 'Russia, as part of their sophisticated information and disinformation operations, engaged actively with environmental organisations working against shale gas, to maintain European dependence on imported Russian gas.' Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the former secretary general of Nato, said that Russia is trying to maintain European reliance on its gas imports Wasted The 'shale gas gives you cancer' tactic has been shamelessly employed in this country by Friends Of The Earth. It had been handing out leaflets promoting the idea that 'silica' that is, sand injected at high pressure into shale rocks to force out gas from thousands of feet below ground, would cause cancer. Following complaints, the Advertising Standards Authority, after a 14-month investigation, told Friends Of The Earth it should stop promoting this terrifying untruth. Remarkably, a Friends Of The Earth spokeswoman, while saying it had withdrawn the leaflets, still told the BBC and Channel 4 News that the organisation 'stands by everything it says'. One of those who complained at these scare tactics was a Lancashire vicar, the Rev Michael Roberts: his parish is in one of the areas that the exploration firm Cuadrilla regards as highly prospective. Not only were his parishioners being unscrupulously terrorised, but this was an area of high unemployment desperate for the return of some industry. As the shale gas commissioner, Natascha Engel, pointed out in her resignation statement: 'A perfectly viable industry is being wasted because of a Government policy driven by environmental lobbying, rather than science, evidence and a desire to see UK industry flourish.' The Rev Michael Roberts, a Lancashire vicar, complained about shale gas scaremongering by the Friends Of The Earth group The specific issue vexing Ms Engel is that the Government is refusing to relax a rule that if the fracking caused an Earth tremor of over 0.5 on the Richter scale, then site operations should cease for 18 hours. This makes the exploration process untenable. And, as Engel points out, a tremor of 0.5 on the Richter scale would scarcely be felt by humans. The limit was not based on scientific advice: geo-scientists had told the Government that a limit of 1.5 would be absolutely safe as the maximum allowable tremor which itself is less than the limits of between 2 and 4.5 in the United States, where shale gas has been produced in vast quantities with no casualties among the population. Bear in mind that the Richter scale is logarithmic: so a 0.5 magnitude tremor is over 3,000 times smaller than one of magnitude 4. Thus, in February, 49 geo-scientists signed a letter to The Times pointing out that the 0.5 limit was not just 'so low as to threaten the potential development of a shale gas industry in the UK', but that 'this is far below the levels set for comparable industries in the UK, such as quarrying, mining and deep geothermal energy'. Natascha Engel, the former shale gas commissioner, hit out at the Government's environmental lobbying which she claims is wasting a 'perfectly viable industry' I can vouch for that. Within a couple of miles of my Sussex home lies the country's largest reserve of calcium sulphate, otherwise known as gypsum, used to make plasterboard. The miners, who run a 24-hour operation, conduct controlled explosions 300ft or so below the surface. I've never come across a local who is bothered about this. But for a gas exploration company, such practices would be illegal and we'd have Extinction Rebellion, Dame Emma Thompson and all, demonstrating on our doorstep if it weren't. Thwart Yes, because gas being a fossil fuel is now deemed unmentionable in polite company. Yet while gas-burning emits CO2, it does so at less than half the amount, per unit of energy, as coal. Thus the U.S. shale gas boom, by displacing coal, has resulted in that great country now recording its lowest CO2 emissions since 1985: and its switch from coal to shale gas has been vastly more effective in cutting emissions than anything achieved by the use of wind or solar power. On Wednesday, Jeremy Corbyn will table a Commons motion over whether the UK should openly declare a climate emergency That is not good enough for the politicians now trying to suck up to schoolchildren who apparently believe that unless the UK goes 'zero carbon by 2025', they will never grow up to have children of their own. Thus Jeremy Corbyn yesterday said the UK should declare a state of 'climate emergency'. Yet he and the Government said nothing when Cumbria County Council last month gave the go-ahead for Britain's first new deep coal mine in 30 years. This makes it all the more idiotic that craven politicians thwart the creation of a new industry which could help transform our prospects for the better (and rule out any need to buy Russian gas). They must be cackling in the Kremlin. SENTENCE THAT DISGRACES OUR COURTS Two crime-related stories in last Saturday's Mail had an identical outcome. I'll get to that later, but here are the two, very different, cases. In the first, a 44-year-old lorry driver called Dean Phoenix was found guilty of killing three-year-old Jaiden Mangan by 'careless driving'. Phoenix was seen 'swearing, gesticulating and sarcastically clapping another driver', swerved round him and crushed the little boy crossing the road on his bike (alongside his mother and sister). A 44-year-old lorry driver called Dean Phoenix (left) was found guilty of killing three-year-old Jaiden Mangan (right) by 'careless driving' It emerged after the trial that Phoenix had been previously convicted of the murder, by strangling, of his wife Naomi and therefore was 'on licence' when he mowed down Jaiden. The second story was about the sentencing of a 26-year-old prison guard, Emily Watson, who had 'performed a sex act on Christmas Day' on a prisoner called John McGee. On a later date, in the same cell, the two had 'sexual intercourse'. When Watson was interviewed by police about the incidents, she made a full confession. Now here's the identical conclusion to the two cases. Both Dean Phoenix and Emily Watson were given a prison sentence of 12 months. A 26-year-old prison guard, Emily Watson (pictured being escorted in handcuffs), 'performed a sex act on Christmas Day' on a prisoner called John McGee Hard to believe, isn't it? Jaiden's grandmother, Mandy, would certainly agree. She shouted out in court: 'He has killed two people in his life and that's all he gets!' Understandably, the murder of his wife was not deemed relevant to the circumstances of the second crime: but still, judges can give a sentence of up to five years for 'causing death by careless driving'. In extreme contrast, far from anyone being killed as a result of Ms Watson's admitted offence of 'misconduct in public office', all she inflicted was pleasure. Under what rational system of justice do the crimes of Emily Watson and Dean Phoenix deserve the same punishment? We asked a number of writers and those involved in rape cases - including a victim of rape - whether they agree with the new phones policy. VIOLATION Megan Clark Megan Clark, 21, with retired judge Lindsay Kushner. They became friends after Judge Kushner presided over Megan Clark's rape case The 21-year-old student from Salford was attacked on a night out in July 2016. Her attacker was found guilty of two counts of rape. Megan says: Im absolutely horrified that a victim of rape might be compelled to hand over her mobile phone. Had I been forced to do so as part of the police investigation, Im not sure Id have gone ahead with the case. Like any 19-year-old girl as I was when my rape happened my phone reflected my life. A normal life filled with pictures of nights out, drinking with friends, parties. All of which is completely irrelevant in a rape case they should in no way incriminate the victim. Unless you have the terrible misfortune of suffering a violent attack, you cannot imagine how horrendous the court process can be. You have to submit so many personal details and surrender yourself to intense questioning about the events leading up to an awful situation. All this at a time when youre deeply traumatised and just want to go home and crawl under the covers. Although I was the one who had been badly wronged a young girl on a night out in the wrong place at the wrong time in court I felt I was the one being judged. To say its incredibly distressing would be a huge understatement. So the idea of being forced to hand over your phone as well with all its personal information, details, private messages and photographs is to me another violation. We all feel possessive about our phones. Rightly so. Theyre our private world. Im not saying phones dont have their part to play in a rape case. When I was attacked, a witness who rang the police also filmed the attack on a phone. My attacker was sentenced to six years. But I fear any move to demand access to a victims mobile phone or say that without this then the case may not be pursued will be hugely counter-productive. It could deter victims from coming forward and even afford protection for the attacker. It cannot be allowed to happen. JUSTICE Laura Perrins Laura Perrins is a former criminal defence barrister and co-editor of The Conservative Woman. She says evidence must be sourced from mobile phones Former criminal defence barrister and co-editor of The Conservative Woman. Laura says: The law and evidence rules around the offence of rape and other sexual offences have always been contested. Rape is considered rightly to be one of the most serious crimes a woman could suffer. But a woman who makes an allegation of rape is not entitled to a conviction and we also must remember that to be wrongly accused of rape is one of the most terrible things that could happen to a man. We live our lives on our mobiles, so what is the criminal justice system to do when an allegation, especially a serious allegation like rape, is made by one person against another? The result is that in every single criminal trial including sexual offences, the evidence must be tested. These days this will often include evidence from mobile phones. Mobile phones of those accused of a crime are often seized and the defendant cannot object. And sometimes in order for the defendant to have a fair trial, the police will take and look at the mobile phone of the person who has made the allegation. This does not mean this person is on trial. But it does mean the defendant on trial can have a fair one. Following an outcry about the new policy, Max Hill, the Director of Public Prosecutions, insists that phones are not being seized by police as a matter of course. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not instruct police to probe devices on a purely speculative basis [but] only when reasonable and proportionate. If this is how the police proceed, namely taking mobile phones only when relevant and not on a speculative basis to discredit an alleged victim of rape then I support the change. This is a sensible and necessary measure that strikes the right balance between the two sides. VIOLATION Sarah Vine Sarah Vine says: 'No one who does not have a genuine case to bring will want their most intimate data scrutinised by strangers, however much of a grudge they may bear against the other party' Lets make one thing clear: no one deserves to be raped. It doesnt matter what you wear, how much youve had to drink, how silly or flirty you may be, how many previous sexual partners youve had; if you dont want to have sex with someone then they shouldnt force you to. And if they do, they should face the consequences. That is why Im very nervous about this notion that unless alleged victims consent to allowing police to examine their mobile phone data, they risk not having their cases prosecuted. People do and say all kinds of things in the digital sphere that they would not dream of actually doing in real life. You can argue that this makes them foolish. And I would. But it does not give another person carte blanche to assault them sexually. That said, I can perfectly understand why the CPS are pursuing this course of action. Far too many so-called date rape cases collapse at the last moment because the alleged victim has not been entirely candid about the true nature of the circumstances of the incident in question. There is a difference between sexual assault and buyers remorse. Many of us have sexual encounters we later regret; that is not a valid reason to accuse someone of retrospective rape. That this happens is not in doubt: there have been several high-profile cases in recent years of young men whose lives have been ruined because of false allegations, driven by a desire on behalf of the victim to disassociate themselves from the encounter. This is greatly exacerbated by the fact that victims are afforded anonymity while those accused are not. Given this, and the time and expense involved, I imagine part of the logic is that this new requirement will act as a deterrent to anyone whose accusations are not entirely genuine. No one who does not have a genuine case to bring will want their most intimate data scrutinised by strangers, however much of a grudge they may bear against the other party. But it is a pretty blunt instrument. And the fundamental message it sends to women is simple and devastating: whether or not your case deserves to be heard depends on the circumstances of your relationship with the accused and potentially on your past moral code of behaviour. In other words, the default position is either we dont believe you or, even worse, you were asking for it. JUSTICE Libby Purves Libby Purves says: 'I can see how having to trust a stranger with your passwords would feel like another violation' Its hard, horribly hard, on women whove already suffered a terrible thing and are brave enough to report it. I can see how having to trust a stranger with your passwords would feel like another violation. So for rape victims, this new policy is not a perfect situation or a welcome request, but it was bound to come about as the new digital age matured. Justice and truth depend on evidence, and the accused have rights too. Of course, the police and courts must handle this kind of material with immense care, security and respect, or answer for it if they dont: and there isnt and never has been any excuse for using a womans general sexual history in court. And yet the police wouldnt need to access phones if digital devices, which feel so private and personal, werent now routinely used for explicit sexual messages and images. In the few years since texting and sexting began, something new has happened to flirtation and courtship: something unfamiliar and rather horrifying to anyone who grew up before the digital age. Its understandable in fast-moving, sexually liberated youthful lives (our generation had no way of exchanging raunchy promises, or even sweet declarations of love, while standing miles away in a bus queue), but this is another reminder that smartphone sexiness is never a wise habit. We need to remind ourselves that sending the most private messages via distant, impersonal servers is always rash. Any device which keeps things on record texts, sexts, WhatsApps, pictures has to be treated with care. See you Monday 7.30, look forward to it would be my riskiest text if I were on the romantic market now. VIOLATION Carol Sarler Carol Sarler says: 'For me, our right to privacy wins. It must.' If people are able to destroy letters they should be able to destroy messages My knee-jerk reaction? That the police should obviously have access to the phones. We know of men who have been saved from incarceration by phone evidence and I heard yesterday of another case where phones proved the rape was a mutually planned fulfilment of the womans rape fantasy. And as the saying goes, if youve nothing to hide, youve nothing to fear. I heard one woman complain on the radio that this shouldnt be allowed to happen because women keep all sorts of private things on their phones like, oooh, naked pictures of themselves and all I could think was, why? Have they no dignity? Dont they know phones get stolen? And images are then splattered over social media? Not that I do social media. To the annoyance of friends, not even WhatsApp owned by Facebook so concerned am I for my privacy. Which, suddenly, stopped me in my tracks. Social media, no. But emails? Of course. And emails today are what we used to call letters. Until recently, I kept all my letters. Boxes of them, spanning a lifetime. So meticulous was I that, pre-laptops, I even wrote my replies with a carbon copy so that I had a complete record. Then, not long ago, I wondered: if I fell under a bus, could I bear the thought of them being read? I could not. Not just for the racy few, but also the ones where I bitched needlessly or told an eeny weeny, uh, fib. Eventually, this became a proper niggle and there was only one way to get rid of it: I took ALL the letters and destroyed the lot. My daughter was furious; she felt deprived of a living record of my life. But I asked her, If I didnt want you to read them when I was alive, why might I want you to read them when Im dead? If you do give police phones, they have access to every email you ever wrote; even the ones you have deleted. And if emails and other digital interactions are the new letters, how can I take action to protect my own letters then deny another woman the right to do the same? For me, our right to privacy wins. It must. VIOLATION Julie Burchill Julie Burchill says: 'This is a move almost guaranteed to make women less willing to report rape. Still, thats one way of boosting the clear-up rate' Sadly, the idea of taking the mobile phones of alleged rape victims seems like a silly gimmick at best and a sinister strong-arm tactic at worst. Would police take the phones of people alleging racial hate crime to see if they ever used the racial slang so popular among the young when having bantz with their mates? Would they take the phones of transgender people alleging misgendering to see if they had ever referred to themselves privately as men? No, because these crimes must be handled with seriousness and sensitivity rather than the toxic blend of bullying and condescension with which too many policemen treat women in general and rape victims in particular. This is a move almost guaranteed to make women less willing to report rape. Still, thats one way of boosting the clear-up rate. JUSTICE Nick Freeman Nick Freeman is a criminal defence lawyer who represents clients accused of rape. He says: 'Evidence such as text messages that may suggest the experience was consensual and enjoyable can be found on electronic devices' Im a criminal defence lawyer whos represented countless clients accused of rape. Time and again its messages or information on social media sites and mobile phones that have undermined the allegation and prevented an innocent man going to jail. In allegations of rape, there often isnt any physical injury or further corroboration. Its usually just the complainants testimony. From a legal perspective, its a deeply undesirable state of affairs if someone faces a jail sentence on the basis of what somebody has told the police without any independent evidence to back it up. Yet, often, that evidence such as text messages that may suggest the experience was consensual and enjoyable can be found on electronic devices. Rape has always hinged on the issue of consent. As it should. No means no. But were now living in an age where social media plays a huge part in relationships. It can provide a road map of the relationship before, during and after. Thats why its often of evidential value. A complainants credibility is often central to a case. On one occasion, I defended a personality charged with sexual assault. His accuser had told the court she wasnt a party animal, that she didnt drink. But countless photographs and comments she posted on social media repeatedly referred to how drunk she would get herself on nights out. In other words, the accuser had painted a verbal picture to the police which entirely contradicted the way she appeared on social media. It was highly relevant in determining her credibility. As a result, the defendant was quickly acquitted. And remember, having access to a complainants phone can work the other way too: corroborative evidence on a mobile phone can support their case. The distraught rape victim may have texted or WhatsApped a friend telling them about an attack. That could help secure a conviction which the victim would surely want. Yet at the same time a complainant cant be selective about what evidence to disclose about her case. Rape is a vile crime and the only person to blame is the rapist. But we need to make sure we convict the guilty and acquit the innocent (or ensure they are not unnecessarily charged). Without access to mobile phones, theres every chance the judicial system will not get this right. Do we really want to live in a society like this? Additional reporting Megan Clark and Angela Epstein. Some time in 1998, in a sleepy town by a river in south-eastern Europe, a leather-bound book is being passed from hand to hand, from street corner to newspaper stand to cafe. At last, the book is opened to reveal a computer hard drive hidden in the centre: but before the information on it can be read, the door is battered down by armed men and the hard drive is captured. We cut to 2004 and a courtroom in New York City, where a national commission investigating the background to the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center is in session. A young FBI agent is making an explosive charge: in the months and weeks leading up to the tragic events of September 11, the CIA deliberately withheld crucial intelligence from the FBI including, perhaps, information on that mysterious hard drive that could have averted the attack altogether. A gripping new mini-series starring Jeff Daniels and Peter Sarsgaard (pictured), dramatises the weeks leading up to the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center So begins The Looming Tower, the gripping ten-part mini-series starring Jeff Daniels and Peter Sarsgaard thats based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Lawrence Wright. His book detailed the rise of Al Qaeda in the Middle East in the 1990s and followed five years of research, in which he travelled through Asia, Europe and the US asking the questions of how the tragedy happened and maybe more significantly why. The author has called the book probably the most important thing Id ever write, and for years resisted having it adapted, fearing hed lose control of the story. Now, however, hes allowed it to be made into a mixture of dramatisation and contemporary footage that recounts the road to the sunny late-summer morning in 2001 when the world changed forever. Prominent in the story are the two mighty organisations, the FBI and the CIA. And representing them in the series are two very different men: the fictional Martin Schmidt of the CIA, obsessive head of the Alec Station of the agency, devoted to tracking down and eliminating Osama Bin Laden; and John ONeill, a real-life FBI agent who was painfully aware of the risks posed by Al Qaeda. Other key players include US ambassador to Yemen Barbara Bodine, played by Jennifer Ehle, and Yemeni intelligence chief General Qamish (Ali Suliman). Tahar Rahim is cast as Ali Soufan, the FBI agent who speaks out so dramatically against the CIA. Jeff Daniels has the role of John ONeill, and says learning about the man was a revelation. The 10-part programme, based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Lawrence Wright portrays key players in the US including ambassador to Yemen Barbara Bodine, played by Jennifer Ehle (pictured left) and Ali Suliman (pictured right) as Yemeni intelligence chief General Qamish A larger-than-life figure, loved and hated in equal parts by those who knew him, he made both devoted friends and bitter enemies during his time at the FBI, until, frustrated by butting heads with his superiors and colleagues about the scale of the threat of Al Qaeda, he decided to retire to the private sector. In a tragic twist of fate, the new job he took was that of chief of security at New Yorks World Trade Center, where he began work in August 2001. Less than three weeks later, he was killed in the attack. It was beyond ironic, says Jeff of ONeills death. He was broken by being pushed out of the FBI, and as the TV series shows, he decided at last to focus on what mattered to him: his relationship with his wife. 'So he took this new job at the Twin Towers, and in the show, he starts on the Monday, and says, Im going to change. Im going to be better. 'Its a new beginning. But John spent years trying to get Bin Laden, and in the end Bin Laden got him. 'John would be spitting now if he knew that. John ONeill aided in the series by the likes of FBI veteran Bob Chesney (Bill Camp) was far from a saint. Tahar Rahim (pictured) plays Ali Soufan, the FBI agent who speaks out accusing the CIA of withholding crucial intelligence from the FBI that could've potentially prevented the attack A fiery hot-head, he smoked too many cigars, drank too much, ate too much, and had not one but two girlfriends in addition to his wife. He was also excellent at his job. He was abrasive, he was a flagrant womaniser, he gulped life and he was brilliant, says Jeff. He was complicated. I think he was searching for something, and in many ways, his true love was the FBI. 'That was his everything. Which, as The Looming Tower makes plain, made it all the more frustrating for him when the FBI refused to listen to all his warnings. We just got warned by Al Qaeda on national TV and our director slept through it, ONeill snorts in disgust in the series, after the infamous TV interview in which Osama Bin Laden calmly announced to journalist John Miller his intention to kill Americans. Were running out of time. The truth is that we were all responsible - Peter Sarsgaard As the drama points out, it didnt help either that while ONeill was striving to draw attention to Al Qaeda, the US public was far more interested in the more colourful matter of President Bill Clinton and a pretty intern called Monica Lewinsky. Over at the CIA, they were experiencing exactly the same difficulty in sounding the alarm. And in many ways were all responsible for that, says Peter Sarsgaard, who plays Martin Schmidt. You can point to one person as being culpable, but if you look more closely the truth is, we were all responsible. 'Because all of us who were around then were paying far more attention to Monica Lewinsky than we were to the fact that we were already being attacked in many ways. Jeff Daniels (pictured left with Robert Chesney) who portrays John ONeill, says John's death was beyond ironic as he had swapped his career in the FBI to become the chief of security at New Yorks World Trade Center less than three weeks before the attack He says that the question of examining just why September 11 happened is a large part of what attracted him to the series. I think that something weve been missing is looking at the issue in detail. 'Its an idea that my wife [actress Maggie Gyllenhaal] articulated not long ago when she said, I think enough time has passed that we can think about the ways in which were responsible for what happened. 'The word responsible is very important, because too often people will make something like that into our fault, and if youre talking that way, youre not going to be able to think in a coherent manner. There was such petulance between the two agencies - Jeff Daniels 'But we can look at how we were... not at fault, exactly, but responsible. He adds that, like most of his countrymen of the same generation, he grew up thinking America was the good guy on the world stage. Id hear about, for instance, the KGB, and it always seemed unfathomable to me that the Russian government had a bunch of thugs that did these terrible things and went around killing people; but, you know, we only have to look in our own back yard to see that it has happened on our side as well. His character Schmidt a composite of many real CIA operatives is one who, on the face of it, is hard to like. Pompous and domineering, he regards his organisation as innately superior to New Yorks scrappier FBI. Hes someone who doesnt listen well, Peter admits. Peter Sarsgaard (pictured right with Wrenn Schmidt) who plays Martin Schmidt, says the CIA operative is someone whose genuinely smart and feels that because of that he doesn't need to listen to anyone else Someone who is genuinely a very smart person, but so smart that he feels like he cant listen to anyone else, that his narrative is the only one that is the right one. 'But I would also say the case for him is that he had been onto Osama Bin Laden for far longer than anyone else in his area, he knew a lot about what was going on, and was not being listened to. The animosity between ONeill and Schmidt is made plain from the beginning of the series along with the stubborn refusal of the CIA to share its hard-won information with an outfit whose methods it regarded as at best primitive. If we did have any intelligence whatsoever, Schmidt tells ONeill, it would be for us to decide how best to use it before you do what you always do go around the globe arresting people and putting them on trial before you blow a possible goldmine of useful information and render it useless. The tragedy, says Jeff Daniels, is that ultimately the two agencies failed to find a way to help each other in their larger goal of protecting the American people, There was such petulance between them that it superseded what they should really have been doing. Both can argue they were doing things in the way they both traditionally have. The tradition is that the CIA takes a longer approach to a situation, it develops informants, it infiltrates itself. Meanwhile, the FBI breaks down doors to arrest people. Thats the way they both are. The problem is that there were a lot of people at the time who were involved in the situation and, had the FBI known about them, theres a good chance 9/11 would not have happened. The Looming Tower begins on Friday at 9.30pm on BBC2. Hot flashes, mood swings, memory problems, difficulty sleepingfor women, going through menopause is often one of the most difficult times of their lives. But while many don't want to take medication, they often struggle to find anything natural to help relieve their symptoms. Not anymore. Hot flashes are, for many, the worst menopause problem - but help is at hand Because a new natural and organic skin care range is now available which helps target both the physical and emotional effects of menopause. Hot Beauty has been developed by Jennifer Young, a microbiologist who'd already launched a similar range for people with cancer. She says: 'A lot of skin conditions associated with treatment for cancer are driven by hormonal issues. So when my friends started to speak about the impact of menopause, which is also driven by hormones, I realized I could help.' As menopause symptoms are often caused by lowering levels of estrogen, Hot Beauty includes many natural plant sources of the hormone, such as soy, avocado and borage. 'We don't seek to replace the lost estrogen but rather increase exposure to natural estrogen,' says Jennifer. The products also include essential oils which are known to help balance hormones, such as orange blossom (which is also known for its restorative properties), and a rosemary, lemon and lavender blend that's also uplifting. They've caused a revolution in many women's lives. 'So many people tell me they work,' says Jennifer. Here, three women reveal how Hot Beauty has turned their world around: 'I'M SO MUCH HAPPIER THEY'VE CHANGED MY LIFE' Ana Bonito, 50, says the products have helped her feel happier and more relaxed Ana Bonito, 50, from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England 'When I started going through menopause last year, I never expected to be so badly affected by a natural process. 'The symptoms made everyday life difficult - I was anxious, my skin was dry and itchy and I wasn't sleeping well, especially as I would get so hot. 'I was desperate but couldn't find any natural products specifically for menopause. 'Then one day, a woman in my yoga class said she'd noticed I wasn't myself so I explained why. 'It was Jennifer Young, and the following week she gave me some products to try. As soon as I used them, I felt better. 'The Lavender, Mandarin, Bergamot and Benzoin in the Relaxing Moisturising Mousse really did the trick they instantly relaxed me and definitely improved my sleep. 'And the rosemary in the Morning Body Spritz picks me up and wakes me up in the morning and during the day if I get a hot flash. 'I love the smell of rosemary but the added lavender and lemon in the Uplifting Body Oil add to the 'boom' I get from the Spritz. It's perfect for me. 'And the jojoba in the Hot Beauty Moisturiser is a real treat as well as moisturizing and balancing my skin, it smells good enough to eat. 'I absolutely love these products and don't know what I would do without them. I feel so much happier now. They've changed my life.' 'FINALLY, I'VE FOUND SOMETHING THAT CAN HELP' Karen Cherry, 43, from Altrincham, Cheshire, England Karen Cherry, 43, found her menopausal skin became flushed, dry and sensitive, but the Hot Beauty products calmed and cooled it 'Last year I started noticing my skin was a lot drier and more sensitive than it used to be, and that I was suddenly looking a lot older. I was also becoming flushed for no apparent reason - even when I didn't feel anxious. 'Then I came across the Hot Beauty range online so I ordered the morning facial spritz, cleansing oil and moisturizer. 'When they arrived, they smelled divine I love the scent of mandarin, it's my favorite essential oil, and bergamot, which is meant to be really relaxing. I couldn't wait to try them. 'When I did, the first thing I noticed was that my skin didn't feel dry anymore. It felt nourished, probably because of the shea butter, which I love. 'The spritz really helped too, cooling me and calming me during a hot flash. Now I don't have as many as I used to. 'My mood and sleep have also improved just spending a few seconds using the spritz makes me feel focused and lifts my mood. 'Now I've found something that will help, I'm happier because of it.' 'THEY GIVE ME THE CONFIDENCE TO GET THROUGH THE DAY' Sabine Brannan, 50, says she sleeps better and her skin has more of a healthy glow now Sabine Brannan, 50, from Birmingham, England 'I've known about Jennifer's products for several years because I work with cancer patients, so when I heard she'd launched a menopause range, I ordered everything! 'My skin had changed - I had pimples like a teenager and my skin looked tired grey, dry and flaky. And I'd been suffering from nightly sweats and mood swings. 'So, I ordered a spritz, cleanser, morning oil and night cream. 'The first thing I noticed was the scent it was so relaxing, calming and comforting. 'After four or five days, I began noticing a difference. My skin had more of a healthy, rosy glow, it wasn't as dry and there were fewer outbreaks. 'It gave me the confidence to get through the day and I think also helped with my mood swings if you glance in the mirror and look washed out, you feel it. 'I also noticed the orange in the morning oil really does wake me up. 'The sweats are still there but I feel my sleep isn't as restless as it was before. When I wake up, I use the spritzer and the scent calms me down and helps me go back to sleep. 'I love these products, I really do.' Stop worrying about troubling symptoms of menopause and try a natural product to help SPRITZ YOURSELF HAPPIER The whole Jennifer Young Hot Beauty range can be found at menopause.livebetterwith.com. Here are just a couple of our favorites Morning Body Spritz - $33 Perfect as a cooling spray for hot flashes or a body spray to revive and energize you, this is lightly fragranced with rosemary which is known for its uplifting and stimulating properties. It's also associated with improved memory. Customers say: 'An essential in my everyday routine. I used to suffer with hot flashes in the morning, this instantly relieves them and smells amazing 5/5' 'How did I ever live without this? Literally it's that good 5/5' Night Body Spray $33 Relax and cool down before bed with this delicately fragranced spray containing rose which is well-known for its relaxing and calming properties. It's also a hormone balancer so may help with the hot flashes caused by hormone imbalance. Customers say: 'Helps so much to sleep through the night without the hot flashes 5/5' 'This spray has helped massively with my hot flashes and inability to sleep. Thank you for making these wonderful products 5/5' *Prices shown are based on the exchange as at 3/24/2019 and will vary according to the current exchange rate. Try easing your symptoms naturally with these products by Jennifer Young Hot Beauty An author who watched his step-father die 'miserable and in pain' with 'far too much medical support', has called for the introduction of 'death doctors' to help people pass away with dignity. Guy Kennaway's step-father Stanley, 90, died in 2018 and the author said his final two weeks were 'tender, torturous, frustrating, tragic and very occasionally comic'. Now, a year on, and after speaking to experts for his book Time To Go, Guy has said that he thinks there should be a profession centred on end of life care to ensure everyone dies with dignity. Guy, 61, from Glastonbury, Somerset, explained how the new death doctor role would be a combination of 'priest, pharmacist, magistrate and carer'. Guy Kennaway's step-father Stanley, pictured, died last year at the age of 90. Stanley's family had hoped for a quiet death but said that Stanley was be pumped with antibiotics and given another 24-hour boost every time he looked like he might pass away, meaning his death was dragged out unnecessarily Guy, pictured front with his mother Susie, right, and Stanley, his late step-father, is now calling for a professional role that would let people die with dignity - and said that the 'end of life' role would be a combination of priest, pharmacist, magistrate and carer The 'end-of-life' carer would need to be fully trained and be there to talk to families and comfort them during the incredibly emotional time. Just as it looked like he was about to die, the door would fly open and two nurses would come in, inject him with antibiotics, sit him up in bed and set him on course for another gruelling 24 hours... Guy Kennaway on his step-father Stanley's 'torturous' passing Importantly, he says, this qualified person would be the one to administer drugs to end a life 'and be present to make sure the ceremony was dignified and effective' - if everyone was in agreement that it should go ahead. Kennaway says: 'I think people's desire to end their lives in the time, manner and place of their choosing is legitimate. 'Our bodies belong to us and we must be allowed to make the decision about when to die, with the exception of suicides that are the consequence of a mental illness like depression.' The author explained that Stanley's final days were 'torturous' and there was 'far too much medical support'. Step-father Sanley's final two weeks were dominated by antibiotics, various tubes and lots of medication. He is pictured with Guy's mother Susie in an undated family photo He said: 'Stanley was miserable confused and in pain. We all hoped for a quiet death, but just as it looked like he about to die, the door would fly open and two wonderful nurses would come in, inject him with antibiotics, change various tubes and bags, wash him, brush his hair, sit him up in bed and set him on course for another gruelling 24 hours. 'None of us, Stanley especially, wanted it to go on. No-one's needs were getting met in that room, unless you count the pharmaceutical companies'.' During Stanley's last days, Guy said that he had needed someone who 'had the support of the healthcare professionals and was sanctioned by law' to help. Guy, pictured with his sister Emma, left, and mother Susie, said that none of the family 'dared do anything to hasten' Stanley's death at the end and that he needed an expert to take on the task Guy, pictured, also revealed he plans to schedule his own death and will arrange a date which isn't inconvenient for his children - perhaps a weekday so he doesn't 'ruin a weekend' He explained that ideally this person would talk to the family present, and those who weren't, and work out the right thing to do in the circumstances. Guy said: 'If it was decided that a dignified death was right, they would administer the drugs and be present to make sure the ceremony was dignified and effective. Assisted suicide in Britain: Anyone helping someone to take their life faces 14 years in jail Under the Suicide Act 1961, anyone helping or encouraging someone to take their own life in England or Wales can be prosecuted and jailed for up to 14 years if found guilty of an offence. Section two of the act states that a person commits an offence if they carry out an act capable of encouraging or assisting the suicide or attempted suicide of another person, and the act was intended to encourage or assist suicide or an attempt at suicide. In 2015 MPs including former prime minister David Cameron rejected a Bill to legalise assisted dying. Opposition to changing the law has come from faith groups, campaigners who say disabled people may feel pressured to end their lives and campaigners who fear assisted dying would become a business. Advertisement 'Then the doctors and nurses who had been looking after Stanley could go about their work helping those younger patients who needed healing.' Speaking about the subject with candour, Guy said that he even thinks 'forthcoming deaths' will be announced like births, deaths and forthcoming marriages are now in newspapers. He said: 'I think in the future, in the classified ads in the newspapers, there will be a new category called forthcoming deaths. 'I expect to schedule my own death. I will get my kids together, tell them my plan, open diaries, and agree a convenient date with them. 'I can imagine a weekday afternoon in May, so I don't ruin a weekend, and then I will carry out the operation. 'They will maybe be sad, but they won't be surprised, and I will have explained to them how I love them and life too much to spoil it with decrepitude and dementia.' Although an often taboo topic, Guy believes that assisted dying will eventually be 'forced on us' and it will no longer be possible to avoid it. He said: 'I reckon it is going to be forced on us, the way HIV forced an honest conversation about sexual behaviour on us. 'Decrepit, old and unhappy people are just going to start piling up in greater and greater numbers and force us to re-think what we are going to do with them. 'I don't advocate we kill any of them, that's important to make clear. Let people do what they want - whatever it is. That's a general rule I try to live by.' Despite wanting a change in the way assisted dying is handled in the UK, Guy said although he's imagined helping in one, he couldn't do it. Guy said: 'I could definitely imagine it. I often have. Doing it is another thing. 'When I was left alone with my step-father in those final grueling days, I thought, "Right, this is the time to press the pillow on his face and grant him the wish he had been making: to die." Guy, pictured with his mother as a child, said he thinks the taboo topic of assisted dying will eventually 'be forced on us the way HIV forced an honest conversation about sexual behaviour' Guy writes with candour and humour in his book Time To Go, pictured, which is out now 'But I couldn't do it. I decided I needed professional help to give the patient his wish.' While researching his book, Guy spoke with a number of doctors and understands why they're 'wary of the subject of assisted dying'. Guy said: 'Every doctor I spoke to on the matter is, at best, wary of the subject of assisted dying, or to use its technical term, murder. 'It must be confusing to spend all your time trying to keep someone alive and then be told to kill them. They swore the hypocratic oath, to do no harm. 'How can killing a patient be squared with that? Most doctors are not well disposed to killing anyone. 'As for the families: if any are like mine, we wrung our hands and just prayed my step-father would die in the night. None of us dared do anything to hasten it. 'At least I didn't, despite all my big talk. I needed an expert to take on the task. Someone with authority, experience and wisdom.' Guy's personal contribution to the debate is Time To Go, in which he writes about the subject with candour topped with a large dollop of humour. A former student at Pensacola Christian College has shared photos of a censored art textbook that was kept in the school's library, revealing that any nudity even the Mona Lisa's cleavage was covered with black marker. Imgur user scopecreepstudio posted images from the book 'Eyewitness Art: Looking at Paintings' on Thursday, explaining that the ridiculous markings covering the nudity in the famous works of art were done by the school. 'Fine art books censored for "nudity" in a fundamentalist Baptist college library. Yes that is the Mona Lisa,' the person captioned the photos of the Renaissance paintings featured in the textbook. Never nude: A former student at Pensacola Christian College shared photos of the censored art textbook in the school's library on Imgur on Thursday Goodbye cleavage: 'Fine art books censored for "nudity" in a fundamentalist Baptist college library,' the person wrote, while revealing how even the Mona Lisa had her chest covered (left) The first image shows a page in the book that takes an in-depth look at Agnolo Bronzino's painting Venus, Cupid, Folly and Time. Text: The Imgur user had taken the photos from 'Eyewitness Art: Looking at Paintings' The artwork is marred by black boxes that cover the figure's bodies, leaving just their arms and legs visible. It's difficult to see what the book is referencing because most of the images are covered with marker. In a photo of Titian's Bacchus and Ariadne, someone colored over the naked men so they look like they are wearing black shorts. Not only are naked babies and young children censored in the book, but pictures of paintings depicting women's cleavage have also been scribbled over. Pensacola Christian College is a Baptist liberal arts college in Pensacola, Florida. The website for its visual and performing arts department says the purpose of the program 'is to equip students to share Christ through the visual arts, music, or dramatic performance.' Covered up: In a photo of Titian's Bacchus and Ariadne, someone colored over the naked men so they look like they are wearing black shorts Yikes: In the comments section of the post, which was also shared on Reddit, the person admitted that his love of art diminished because of the rigid program Yikes: The person claimed that the art textbooks sold at the school's book sale were also censored, noting that having an uncensored book would get you in trouble Next level: Even naked babies and young children were censored in the book It's 'built upon a biblical foundation of the arts' and 'students are trained to be proficient in their creative discipline.' In a statement shared with DailyMail.com via email, a spokesperson for Pensacola Christian College said the school no longer censors its textbooks. 'In recent years, Pensacola Christian College has taken specific actions to stop the modification of textbooks, and we will continue to take appropriate steps for our library holdings,' the school said. 'Along with the larger Christian community, we are opposed to pornographic materials, but understand the value of fine art. We are committed to practices which accurately reflect these values.' In the comments section of the post, which was also shared on Reddit, the Imgur user admitted that his love of art diminished because of the rigid program. Mission: The school's website says the purpose of the department 'is to equip students to share Christ through the visual arts, music, or dramatic performance' Religious: Pensacola Christian College is a Baptist liberal arts college in Pensacola, Florida. In a statement shared with DailyMail.com, a spokesperson said the school no longer censors books 'Wanted to be a cartoonist for quite a while, but my parents were terrified of the "weirdos" at art school,' the person explained. 'The compromise was enrolling me in PCCs Fine Art Program. Except I'd never learn to draw a decent figure there, which is what cartooning is all about. 'My creative drive died and I flunked out of their program, still regret all the time I wasted there,' the Imgur user added. 'Art textbooks sold in the book sale were also censored. I just bought mine elsewhere even though having the uncensored book would have got me in trouble. I'm not paying full price for a defaced book.' Commenters were stunned that the school would actually censor the bodies in an art textbook, particularly Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, which is one of the most famous paintings in the world. 'They for real censored the Mona Lisa? Christ there's nothing shown in the original. It's the tiniest cleavage line possible,' one person wrote. Another wanted to know what the classes were like because of the censorship. 'My creative drive died': The Imgur user admitted to failing out of the school's art program Curious: One person wanted to know what the school's life-drawing classes were like Say what? Commenters were stunned that the school would actually censor the bodies in an art textbook, particularly Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa Just a body: Many stressed that their is nothing dirty about nudity Upbringing: Others admitted that they could actually relate to the former student because they've experienced similar things Whoa: One person recalled having to color over anything red 'because it's the devil's color' 'I'm awfully curious what their figure/life-drawing classes were like,' the person commented. 'Fully clothed,' the Imgur user explained. 'Learned a bit but not as much as a REAL figure drawing class.' Others admitted that they could actually relate to the former student because they've experienced similar things. 'When I was a kid we had to go through every book brought in the house and cross out any picture, color over anything red (because it's the devil's color) and censor anything inappropriate,' one commenter recalled. 'According to a strict interpretation of Exodus 20:4 any image or drawing is an affront to God. By the standards I was brought up with, the people who censored this book didn't nearly go far enough.' A mother has issued a warning about the danger of cold sores for babies, after her eight-week-old daughter nearly died. Sophie Lebner, from New South Wales, was horrified to learn her daughter Lottie's condition could have killed her within days. Posting on Facebook to raise awareness about the experience, Sophie wrote: 'For an infant Herpes Simplex Virus, within days of exposure, can spread to the brain and to the organs, causing permanent damage and death if left untreated'. She shared her own story as a warning for other mothers who might not realise cold sores can be as severe as they nearly were for her daughter. A mother has issued a warning about the danger of cold sores for babies, after her eight-week-old daughter nearly died (Sophie pictured with her daughter Lottie) Sophie Lebner, from New South Wales, was horrified to learn her daughter Lottie's condition could have killed her within days (baby Lottie pictured) According to Sophie, she first noticed something was wrong with her daughter Lottie on a Sunday, when she noticed she had a 'watery eye' that later became a 'red crusty eye' on Monday. 'I hoped she wasn't coming down with conjunctivitis, and [then on Monday] I thought I was right,' Sophie wrote. The chemist prescribed the mum with a dose of saline solution. But by Tuesday, Lottie had developed small red lumps and blisters around it. 'I was sure this wasn't what conjunctivitis looked like, so I made an appointment with the GP, but I couldn't get an appointment until late Wednesday afternoon,' she said. According to Sophie, she first noticed something was wrong with her daughter Lottie on a Sunday, when she noticed she had a 'watery eye' that later became a 'red crusty eye' What are the facts around cold sores? * Cold sores are tiny fluid-filled blisters that form in a cluster, often at the edge of your lip. Before you notice the blisters, you may feel tingling, itching, or burning in the area. * After a few days, the blisters will pop, forming a crust, and go away in about one to two weeks. * For adults, cold sores are uncomfortable and unappealing, but for newborn babies the virus that causes them can be downright dangerous. * A cold sore is actually the result of a virus called the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two strains of the virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2. * Infants in the first three to four weeks of life are at the highest risk for having severe symptoms from catching the herpes virus. Source: Healthline Advertisement That afternoon, she said she noticed 'two small red pimple-like spots on Lottie's left hand from where she had rubbed her eye'. 'I then considered she might have Hand Foot and Mouth... an hour later Lottie was irritable and upset, nothing would console her, however she did not have a temperature and was generally otherwise well'. Sophie said she phoned the Maternal Health Nurse, who advised that she take Lottie to the hospital's emergency department. 'We saw a doctor who advised us that Lottie was okay and the rash would disappear after 10 days and to expect it to get worse before it got better, but she was fine, she did not have a temperature, she was not lethargic, she was fine and we would be fine to go home.' However, Sophie said she was still concerned about Lottie's eye. 'What if it was an infection and what if it was an infection and what if it went into her eye and could it cause permanent damage if it did get worse?,' she said. A doctor told the worried parents (pictured with Lottie) that within days of exposure to the Herpes Simplex Virus, an infant can get permanent damage or even die if it's not treated Following this, the doctor phoned the paediatrician who requested pictures of Lottie's eye. 'He asked me if anyone could have had a cold sore around Lottie, I said yes. Lottie's dad had had a coldsore that week. He immediately told me about Herpes Simplex Virus and the danger it posed.' She said that within days of exposure to the Herpes Simplex Virus, an infant can get permanent damage or even die if it's not treated. Lottie was hooked up to antibiotics on an IV drip and was referred to the nearby Children's Ward, where her parents could do nothing but wait for her symptoms to develop. There, she had blood tests, which eventually confirmed she had HSV. 'Luckily we caught it before it travelled any further,' Sophie said. 'The paediatrician told us that had we not taken her to the ER, had we have waited for the GP appointment the next day, had we not questioned the doctor further, had we have gone home, had we of waited even hours more to act, there was a high chance that we may have lost Lottie and that she is a real success story.' Now, the relieved mum said she is happy that her daughter is 'on the mend, and she said they cannot 'express just how lucky we are' (pictured: Lottie in hospital) Now, the relieved mum said she is happy that her daughter is 'on the mend, still smiling and on a course of 14 days IV antibiotics followed by six months of oral antibiotics, weekly pediatric appointments and blood tests'. 'We cannot express just how lucky we are. 95 per cent of those friends and family who we have told have had no idea of the risk that a simple coldsore poses for an infant,' she said. Sophie said she believes there isn't enough education around the subject, and encouraged other people to share her message - in the hope it might save another 'precious little one's life'. She also said she is keen that her husband, Ben, doesn't blame himself: 'To watch someone so strong go through the process of blaming themselves for their daughter's illness is debilitating. 'As many times as I or anyone else can tell Ben that it is not his fault, he will always carry this on his shoulders and it's really not fair.' The post has received more than 12 thousand shares on Instagram, as well as 149 comments. 'Wow never knew and at the time of our first born hubby nearly always had them,' one person posted. 'Thank god he was overly careful as at the time we just didn't want William to have to worry about them. We were never told what they could do to a bub.' Another wrote: 'Have been thinking of you all week! Mothers' instincts are strong! Well done for following through. Wishing you a speedy recovery Lottie girl and sending all our love.' Australian makeup artist Brooke Luke (pictured) said she was shocked after discovering a job opportunity she was offered via email was all part of an elaborate scam A young makeup artist who was offered a 'super desirable' job by a bridal magazine via email has shared her horror after discovering the opportunity was actually sent by an assumed 'sex trafficking ring' in an elaborate scam. Brooke Luke, from Sydney, said she was offered to work as a makeup artist for an upcoming photoshoot in Melbourne by New York publication Brides Magazine. Sounding too good to be true, the 20-year-old said she responded to the email to express her interest but questioned the sender about the authenticity of the job opportunity. Brooke was then told in a follow up email that the job was 'legitimate' and the magazine has 'never been involved in anything illegitimate or fraudulent'. She was promised a round trip from Sydney to Melbourne, with travel and accommodation expenses all paid for, as well as a $2,000 payment for her makeup services - and $200 per hour for overtime. As her suspicions grew, Brooke told Daily Mail Australia she was shocked when she soon discovered the email was linked to a human trafficking scheme to dupe aspiring makeup artists out of thousands of dollars or potentially lure them to hotel rooms. Brides Magazine has issued a statement saying they have no involvement with the scam - and they are taking every step to put an end to the counterfeit emails. Brooke Luke, from Sydney, said she was offered to work as a makeup artist for an upcoming photoshoot in Melbourne by New York publication 'Brides Magazine' (Picture of the fake email) The fake email shows Brooke being offered a round trip from Sydney to Melbourne, with travel and accommodation expenses all paid for, as well as a $2,000 payment for her makeup services - and $200 per hour for overtime Brooke was then briefed in a lengthy response about the requirements of the job, which included applying makeup to the models, do touch ups during the shoots and work in accordance with 'Brides Magazine standards' Brides Magazine's official statement While we love to engage with our audience and real-life brides, if and when Brides desires to use models, makeup artists, and other industry professionals, it is through agencies and all our email communications use @condenast.com in our email addresses. Brides also never posts modeling or makeup artist jobs to or uses websites to recruit industry professionals. Unfortunately many brands (Brides included) have been misrepresented by such a scam as of late. We are doing our best to put an end to this, but in the meantime we want to keep our readers as informed as possible. Please stay aware of any such spam and if you do receive one of these counterfeit requests, please forward it to editors@brides.com. Advertisement On Sunday, Brooke - who runs her own makeup artistry business - said she received an email via a Gmail account from someone claiming to be 'editorial assistant' Marissa*. 'Brides Magazine is currently looking out for markup artists for its September 2019 issue. Your contact was found via your social media page while looking out for talents that will suit the case,' the email read. 'Our senior editor was quite impressed with your portfolio and mandated me to get in touch with you so as to know if you would like to work with us on this shoot, do not hesitate to get back to me so that I may provide you with further information.' Brooke said she was convinced the email was fake but was reassured by the sender she had 'nothing to worry about'. 'When I first received the email, I thought it was a little odd that they reached out to myself as I am not an editorial makeup artist, but I was still excited that a company from New York had reached out to me and I could possibly endeavour a new part of my career,' she said. 'I was suspicious about the email address, as it was under a gmail.com account, but the email ended in a confidentiality agreement so I thought maybe this could be real. 'I decided to reply to the email saying: "Hi Marissa*, yes I would be interested but how do I know this is real?". Her response made me believe it was real.' Brooke was then briefed in a lengthy response about the requirements of the job, which included applying makeup to the models, do touch ups during the shoots and work in accordance with 'Brides Magazine standards'. 'You stand a chance of making a reasonable amount from this deal, and even a noticeable fame. I believe that it will be a positive experience for you especially if you are looking to expand your portfolio,' the response said. As her suspicions grew, Brooke (left) told Daily Mail Australia she was shocked when she discovered the email was linked to a human trafficking scheme to dupe aspiring makeup artists out of thousands of dollars or potentially lure them to hotel rooms Brooke said she felt 'violated' after learning the emails were all part of an elaborate scam Brooke told Daily Mail Australia: 'The emails were very detailed in what the requirements of the job would be, what the payment would be and also explained that all expenses including travel and accommodation would be paid for. 'The scammer also explained how the magazine has never been a part of any fraudulent or illegal situations, which I did think it was strange. They felt the need to reassure themselves as a company in that wording, but it did still made me believe the entire job offer was real. 'I got pretty excited and I showed the emails to my partner and my family and they were also really excited for me and encouraged me to go ahead and do it. 'I was still unsure as to why a big company would reach out to myself, I do not have a large following compared to other well-known makeup artists so I decided to think about it for the day before responding. 'For someone with a smaller following, it sounded like a great opportunity to kick start or further our careers and get our names out to a larger audience.' But the job opportunity came to a halt when she discovered she was not the only one targeted after she shared screenshots of the email exchange on Facebook. The real editorial assistant responded to one woman confirming the emails were in fact a scam - and Brides Magazine is taking all steps to prevent the fraudulent scheme from continuing Hundreds of women came forward claiming they have received the same email, with many saying they were told to hand over their passport, driver's license, bank details or make a $1,000 payment upfront via Bitcoin to proceed with the job. 'I decided to ask makeup groups on Facebook if these emails were real or fake. I got tonnes of comments saying it was fake, but one that stood out in particular told me to search 'Brides Magazine Scam' on YouTube as others are talking about it,' she said. I felt completely violated and actually pretty unsafe once I figured everything out 'I watched the videos that came up and was so shocked to see that this was linked to human trafficking. It actually made me very upset that I could have possibly fallen into this trap and who knows what could have happened to me. 'I felt completely violated and actually pretty unsafe once I figured everything out.' By sharing her story, Brooke said she wanted to warn young makeup artists about the emails to prevent them from falling victim to the elaborate scam. 'I would hate for someone to fall into this trap and let this affect their life or their passion of makeup artistry. We should always feel safe no matter what job we are being offered or are working on,' she said. 'I would love to put awareness out there as it is such an easy thing to fall into especially for those who are just starting in the industry. 'Please be careful... This job offer was super desirable so please do your research if you are ever contacted for a job offer with a company or production.' Makeup artist named Rachel shared a similar email from someone claiming to be 'Melissa Wilson' - but when she contacted the magazine directly, she discovered there was no one working under that name In October last year, makeup artist Rachel received a similar email from someone claiming to be 'Melissa Wilson' - but when she contacted the magazine directly, she discovered there was no one working under that name. Editorial assistant Marissa* responded to Rachel: 'Hi Rachel, first off, I am SO sorry that you received this. Thank you for checking in, as it is fraudulent. 'My name is Marissa and I am the only Editorial Assistant on our staff of 15 people. Please don not respond! We are working with our security department to make sure this does not happen again. If you have any other friends in the beauty industry receiving these messages, please forward my way,' Marissa said in the email. Brides Magazine editors issued an official statement on April 18, 2019 warning their readers about the fraudulent emails. 'While we love to engage with our audience and real-life brides, if and when Brides desires to use models, makeup artists, and other industry professionals, it is through agencies and all our email communications use @condenast.com in our email addresses. Brides also never posts modelling or makeup artist jobs to or uses websites to recruit industry professionals,' the statement read. 'Unfortunately many brands (Brides included) have been misrepresented by such a scam as of late. 'We are doing our best to put an end to this, but in the meantime we want to keep our readers as informed as possible. Please stay aware of any such spam.' *Names have been changed The best wines and spirits for 2019 have been revealed in the 2019 'Best of Awards' held by Australian liquor chain Vintage Cellars. The company's buying team goes through all of their products by category to see which have sold well throughout the year before they are judged by a large panel of experts. The judging panel begins its process with blind-tastes and then the products are scored on visual appeal and value. From a gin that changes colour to a $15.54 Sauvignon Blanc, here are the final results. The best wines and spirits for 2019 have been revealed thanks to Australian liquor chain Vintage Cellars 'Best of Awards' The best wine for 2019 The best wine for 2019 was Mr Riggs The Bolter Shiraz from McLaren Vale, which also won in the best value red wine for under $25 category. This 2016 bottle only sets customers back $22.21. 'This wine expresses the essence of McLaren Vale. Well structured, featuring chocolate, lush berry and meaty aromas and a savoury, juicy finish,' the judges said. The best white wine for under $25 In this category the Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough New Zealand took out the number one spot. This 2018 is an affordable $15.54 and has been crafted with fruit from New Zealands most popular wine region. 'This winning wine displays the very best regional distinctions, all derived from the area's soil and climate - a major focus at Kim Crawford, established in 1996,' it reads on the Vintage Cellars site. 'It is these idiosyncratic regional characteristics that have become the foundation for this winery's amazing wines, known throughout the world.' The best wine for 2019 was Mr Riggs The Bolter Shiraz from McLaren Vale, which also won in the best value red wine for under $25 category (left) and Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc took out the best wine for under $25 Who were the winners? Best wine for 2019: Mr Riggs The Bolter Shiraz Best red wine for under $25: Mr Riggs The Bolter Shiraz Best white wine for under $25: Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Best red wine for over $25: Peregrine Pinot Noir Best white wine for over $25: Church Road McDonald Series Chardonnay Best sparkling wine: Ninth Island Sparkling NV Best champagne: Charles De Cazanove Tradition Brut Vintage Best rose: Lampe De Meduse Rose Cru Classe Best vodka: Reyka Vodka Best tequila: Casamigos Blanco Best Australian gin: Ink Gin Best international gin: Roku Advertisement The best premium red wine for over $25 The winner for the best premium red wine was the Peregrine Pinot Noir from Central Otago New Zealand. This 2014 bottle costs $47.77 and has been labelled as 'soft, supple and stylish'. 'The Peregrine Pinot Noir has the intensity and depth of flavour for which Central Otago is becoming known and it's a true reflection of the three sub regions that contribute to the wine: Bendigo, Pisa and Gibbston,' it reads on Vintage Cellars. Best premium white wine for over $25 The winner for this category was the Church Road McDonald Series Chardonnay from Hawke's Bay in New Zealand. This $35.54 2017 bottle took out this spot due to its complex and creamy texture that 'boasts a core of ripe stone fruit, citrus and subtle notes of roasted nuts and smoky struck flint'. Church Road is one of the oldest wineries in New Zealand, blending old world and new world techniques. 'And the McDonald Series Chardonnay may be one of the most perfect chardonnays out there,' it says on Vintage Cellars. Best premium white wine over $25 was the Church Road McDonald Series Chardonnay from Hawke's Bay in New Zealand Best Sparkling Wine The Ninth Island Sparkling NV from Tasmania won best sparkling wine and will only set shoppers back $21.10. 'The Ninth Island Sparkling is one of Australia's top-value sparklings, made with the classic secondary fermentation method and aged for one year before release,' they said. With views of the Bass Strait, and the Ninth Island, after which the range is named, Pipers Brook Estate is home to the magical crafting of this vivacious sparkling. The picturesque estate makes this not only a wonderful drop to try, but a fine winery to visit if you're in Tasmania.' The Ninth Island Sparkling NV from Tasmania won best sparkling wine and will only set shoppers back $21.10 Best Champagne The winner for best champagne was Charles De Cazanove Tradition Brut Vintage The winner was Charles De Cazanove Tradition Brut Vintage from Champagne France. The 2007 bottle costs $61.10 and is considered to be 'serious sparkling'. 'The name, history and legend of Maison Charles de Cazanove now one of the key houses in the world of Champagne span more than 200 years, and the quality of its winemaking is evident in each and every drop,' it reads on the Vintage Cellars website. 'Aged for nine years on lees, with the help of a dominant presence of chardonnay, this is a Champagne of unmatched greatness and rightly deserves a place in your sparkling collection.' Best Rose The 2017 Lampe De Meduse Rose Cru Classe from Provence France took out the number one spot with this $38.88 bottle. 'Lampe De Meduse is a beautiful rose from Provence, France,' it says on the site. 'This iconic rose region has produced this instant classic, which has a crisp and dry palate. It pairs well with sauteed green vegetables.' Best Vodka The overall winner for best vodka was Reyka Vodka, which is a $54.99 from Iceland that has been distilled from wheat and barley. 'It is also the world's first "green" vodka, it being made from glacial water and distilled using sustainable energy from geothermal heat,' Vintage Cellars said. 'This premium craft vodka boasts a smooth taste, silky finish and distinctive flavour, making it a perfectly versatile spirit for cocktails.' The overall winner for best vodka was Reyka Vodka, which is a $54.99 from Iceland that has been distilled from wheat and barley Best Tequila Casamigos Blanco won Best Tequila at Vintage Cellar's 2019 'Best of Awards', impressing their judges with its clean and crisp mouthfeel and hints of vanilla, citrus and sweet agave. They explained that it is a premium tequila made in small batches in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, where it is rested for two months. 'The taste is crisp and clean with hints of vanilla, citrus and sweet agave,' they said. Best Australian Gin Ink Gin took out the number one spot for best Australian gin and it has a price tag of $79.99 Ink Gin took out the number one spot for best Australian gin and it has a price tag of $79.99. 'Ink Gin impressed our judges with its colour-changing nature and native botanicals. Mix it with tonic water, the liquid turns purple; mix it with soda water, the liquid turns pink,' they said. It is a premium dry gin made with 13 organic botanicals with the main one being juniper berries. 'However the defining character of Ink Gin comes from the second tier botanicals led by locally grown lemon myrtle leaf, coriander seed, Tasmanian pepper berry and freshly peeled sundried sweet orange peel,' it says on the site. 'These major ingredients give Ink Gin its fresh piney, spicy and citrusy aroma and flavour. 'The third group of minor botanicals include elderflower, cinnamon, cardamom, angelica root, oris root, licorice root and lemon peel. Like a pinch of salt, these minor ingredients are critical to the end result adding perfume, body and balance.' Best International Gin The best international gin is Roku from Japan which costs $54.99. In Japanese roku means 'six', hinting at the fact the gin's base is a blend of six exotic botanicals. These are Sakura flower, Sakura leaf, Yuzu peel, Sencha tea (green tea), Gyokuro tea (refined green tea), and Sansho pepper. 'Eight other traditional botanicals are built upon this foundation to create that authentic and irresistible flavour. Smooth and oily, this gin has a rich character as it coats the tongue,' they said. The New Zealand accent has been crowned the 'world's sexiest' after an international travel website polled their 1.5 million readers. The Big 7 Travel readers voted for their favourite accents over the past month and while New Zealand led the top 50, it was closely followed by South Africa, Ireland, Italy and Australia respectively. 'The "Newzild" dialect is outrageously charming. The sexiest accent in the world? It's official,' the accent description read. The New Zealand accent has been crowned the world's sexiest after an international travel website polled their 1.5 million readers Poll Which is the sexiest accent? New Zealand South African Irish Italian Australian Which is the sexiest accent? New Zealand 370 votes South African 282 votes Irish 724 votes Italian 436 votes Australian 456 votes Now share your opinion Second on the list was South African for 'their unique tones and Saffa slang' followed by Irish (whether it be a 'Jamie Dornan-esque Northern Irish accent or a lilting Cork jibe') and Italian. Australians earned fifth place for their ability to pronounce words 'long and slow'. The rich sounds and harsh tones of the Scottish lilt were enough to give the kilt-wearing natives a spot in the top ten alongside French, Spanish, U.S Southern and Brazilian Portuguese. Despite the fact Timeout.com voted English as the sexiest accent last year, the Queen's English earned a measly 12th place on the list after Czech. 'The "Newzild" dialect is outrageously charming. The sexiest accent in the world? It's official,' the website wrote (Auckland pictured) The New York tone, which was described as 'fast and hypernasal' came in at 44th, India's 'easy on the ears' accent was 26th and Jamaica's vibrant twang was 17th. To round out the top 50 was the 'least favourite Slavic' tongue of Croatian. With over 7,000 accents worldwide it's no mean feat that New Zealand came first, and they're more than likely going to use this win to their advantage for the next 12 months. Who has the sexiest accent in the world? 1. New Zealand 2. South African 3. Irish 4. Italian 5. Australian 6. Scottish 7. French 8. Spanish 9. U.S Southern 10. Brazilian Portuguese 11. Czech 12. Queen's English 13. Canadian 14. Hungarian 15. Ukrainian 16. Danish 17. Jamaican 18. Mancunian 19. Argentine 20. Zimbabwean Advertisement Photo: RDCO You can recharge your soul and your batteries at two Central Okanagan parks. A two-month pilot project by students with Enactus Okanagan College has installed solar recharging stations at Mission Creek and Gellatly Nut Farm regional parks. Enactus students Nick Gallant and Cooper Simson say their team found the collective environmental impact from charging mobile devices is increasing at an alarming rate. With solar energy being the fastest growing energy sector in Canada the pair says our team saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between carbon dioxide emissions associated with phone use and the growing need for green energy. You can charge any USB device at the ReCharge outlets. The green technology exhibited by the ReCharge station pilot project is a perfect fit and we anticipate the stations will be a welcome addition to visitors in these two busy regional parks," says Regional Parks Services Operations Manager Brad Ackerman. The ReCharge pilot project will run through the end of June. With so many mascaras on the market, it can be difficult to find one that lengthens your eyelashes, creates volume and doesn't flake all in the one tube. But those who have tried Benefit's Badgal Bang mascara claim the $43 makeup product is the ultimate beauty must-have, with the added benefit of lasting all day. And now the mascara has been crowned the winner in the makeup category of the annual Glosscar Awards by Beauty Heaven. Benefit's Badgal Bang mascara has been crowned the winner in the makeup category of the annual Glosscar Awards Available in the 'blackest black' colour the Badgal Bang has been praised for 'thickening' and 'separating each individual lash' from women who have taken the plunge and bought it. 'This gravity-defying formula builds volume the more you layer and contains aero-particles, which are one of the lightest known materials, derived from space technology,' Benefit's website read. 'This smudge-proof, water-resistant mascara is also formulated with provitamin B5 to support natural lash thickness and strength.' Available in the 'blackest black' colour the Badgal Bang has been praised for 'thickening' and 'separating each individual lash' from women who have taken the plunge and bought it The company recommend starting with their Tinted Lash Primer before applying the mascara so it lasts for a total of 36 hours The company recommend starting with their Tinted Lash Primer before applying the mascara so it lasts for a total of 36 hours. More than 1,700 people voted the mascara five stars, calling it their 'holy grail'. 'I absolutely love this mascara! You have to figure out how to use it. It works so much better to blink into it rather than moving it side to side. It stays on ALL day,' one person said. 'It does it all volume, length, no clumps, doesn't run during intense workouts but at the same time removes at the end of the day BETTER than any other mascara I've used,' another added. While there are a few complaints about clumping, many people thought that might have more to do with the application over the formula itself While there are a few complaints about clumping, many people thought that might have more to do with the application over the formula itself. L'Oreal Paris Paradise mascara ($25) came runner-up in the awards with beauty aficionados saying it gives them movie star length lashes after one coat. 'It coats lashes with a silky smooth formula, enriched with lash-loving castor oil,' the Beauty Heaven website read. The Countess of Wessex looked glorious in green as she attended a reception where she met graduating midwives on the first evening of her official tour of India. It come just hours after Sophie, 54, who is Vice Patron of The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, visited three hospitals across Hyderabad to see first-hand how the organisation is working to prevent premature babies from losing their sight. The cause is close to the mother-of-two's heart, as her daughter with Prince Edward, Lady Louise Windsor, 15, was born with a severe squint that affected her vision. It marked the first day of her royal tour through India, which is her final visit for the Jubilee Trust before its projects conclude in 2020. In the evening Sophie attended a reception at the Deputy High Commissioners residence in Hyderabad where she met graduating midwives. In the evening Sophie, pictured, attended a reception at the Deputy High Commissioners residence Hyderabad where she met graduating midwives The Countess of Wessex, pictured, wore a long green dress for the reception with colourful shoes by Penelope Chilvers Sophie Wessex visited three hospitals in Hyderabad on the first day of her tour through India, and met with premature babies and their mothers During the day she was seen meeting doctors and eye care professionals and wore a bold pink long-sleeved blouse, with burnt orange and pink floral trousers. The royal, who wore protective clothing and a hairnet, met with several children who had been born prematurely at the Gandhi Medical College, in Hyderabad. Sophie will go on to visit Mumbai and New Delhi later this week, and returns to the UK on Friday 3 May. The royal saw the work the charitable foundation has supported to tackle avoidable blindness in babies born prematurely, and also heard about the impact of programmes successfully launched by Queens Young Leaders. During the trip Sophie, saw the screening and treatment services that have been introduced to ensure babies at risk of the avoidable condition receive the timely treatment they need to prevent blindness. Sophie also met with leading eye health professionals who have been instrumental in setting up and delivering the services, and parents and children who have, or have had, the condition. The cause is one close to the royal's heart, as her own daughter Lady Louise Windsor, 15, was born with a severe squint After visiting the hospital today Sophie, pictured centre, met midwives who are about to graduate at the Deputy High Commissioner's residence in Hyderabad Sophie, pictured, kept her hair pulled back for the evening engagement and wore a pair of drop earrings with a gold necklace The reception was hosted at the Deputy High Commissioners residence. The Countess of Wessex is picture with the Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Fleming and his family Dozens of midwives also attended the reception this evening. The Countess of Wessex is pictured in the centre wearing green and pink When she goes to Mumbai, Sophie will visit a school where she will meet Queens Young Leader, Deane de Menezes, whose project Red is the new Green aims to destigmatise menstruation, improve access to menstrual hygiene and ultimately prevent female absenteeism in schools. Sophie will also visit a health centre to meet Queens Young Leader Aditya Kulkarni, whose pioneering Care Mother antenatal app has helped to reduce maternal and child mortality rates in India. The royal will meet health workers and mothers, and hear how the app has helped over 30,000 women from disadvantaged communities in India access antenatal care. The Countess looked emotional during the visit to the hospital ward this morning. The cause is one close to her heart as her daughter was born with a severe squint The royal met with health care professionals during the visit, and wore long sleeve pink blouse and floral trousers, which she covered in protective clothing when meeting the newborns The royal met with several babies during her visit, including this tiny newborn who is being treated at the Gandhi Medical College and Hospital in Hyderabad Sophie met with several premature babies during her visit to the Gandhi Medical College and Hospital on her first day of the royal tour In New Delhi, Sophie will join the British High Commissioner in hosting a reception to celebrate the collaborative efforts to advance eye health in India. The Countess will deliver a speech in which she will reflect on the progress achieved by the Trust in the name of the Queen and encourage efforts to continue and be taken to a greater scale so that vision is brought to everyone, everywhere. The reception will recognise the preparatory work underway to create a Vision Catalyst Fund an endeavour inspired by the work of the Trust which will see public and private sector organisations with expertise in eye health coming together. Sophie was seen smiling and interacting with tiny newborn premature babies during her visit to the Indian hospitals Sophie, who wore protective clothing during her visit to the premature baby ward, also met with doctors and leading eye health professionals The Countess will also undertake engagements in New Delhi in support of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPS) and championing the empowerment of women. On the final leg of her tour, Sophie will join a roundtable discussion to share ideas on how the UK and India can work more collaboratively in tackling challenges relating to gender based violence in conflict. Sophie will also learn about the Women on Wheels initiative, which empowers young women from poorer communities to become professional drivers to enable them to have better employment opportunities. The mother of three looked emotional as she met with prematurely born babies, and heard about the medical treatments and services available at the hospital It's the final overseas tour for the royal as Vice Patron of Diamond Jubilee Trust ahead of its closure next year The royal was joined by eye care professionals as she saw the screening and treatment services set up at Gandhi Medical College and Hospital in Hyderabad The royal will conclude the visit by attending a reception celebrating a cross-section of remarkable women living and working in India. The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust is a time-limited charitable foundation, established in 2012, to mark and celebrate the Queens 60-year contribution to the Commonwealth at the time of Her Majestys Diamond Jubilee. The Trust works in alliance towards eliminating avoidable blindness and to empower a new generation of young leaders. It's a cause close to the royal's heart, as her own daughter Lady Louise Windsor, was born with a severe squint that affected her vision She looked emotional as she visited one of the three hospitals on the royal visit, which is the last that the royal will take as Vice Patron for The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust To enable the Trust to make a tangible and sustainable difference in the name of The Queen within five years, its programmes have focused on tackling three major causes of preventable sight loss blindness caused by trachoma, the worlds leading infectious cause of blindness; blindness caused by diabetes; and blindness affecting premature babies. Every year 60 exceptional young leaders were chosen each year from across the Commonwealth to become Queens Young Leaders, with the last cohort awarded this honour by The Queen in 2018 in recognition of the remarkable changes they had brought about to improve peoples lives. The Trust will close, as planned, on 31st January 2020. A natural mother, Sophie was pictured beaming at some of the tiny babies she visited, who are being treated at the Gandhi Medical College and Hospital in Hyderabad A YouTube star has revealed how her lips were 'hours from falling off' after she had botched lip fillers. Cassidy Valentine, 21, from London, boasts almost 300k subscribers on her channel and was contacted by a clinic who offered her free lip injections after the influencer released a blog admitting that her confidence was low. The blogger decided to go ahead with the treatment, but opted to pay for it as she didn't want to influence followers by sharing the sponsored post needed to get the free appointment. However within hours of having the injections, which Cassidy says were performed by a beautician not a doctor, her lips began to swell up and turn blue. The clinic allegedly brushed off her concerns and advised her to take antihistamines for the swelling, however when she contacted a second clinic they found her lips were dying and 'had lost their pulse' as an artery had been occluded - and immediately dissolved it. YouTube star Cassidy Valentine, 21, from London, has revealed how her lips were 'hours from falling off' after she had botched lip fillers (seen after they were dissolved) Speaking to Sky News, Cassidy said: '[The second clinic] rushed me in as an emergency and said they couldn't find a pulse in my lip. 'My artery had been occluded and my lip was hours from falling off as it was dying. 'If I hadn't contacted the second clinic, I would not have a top lip and I really don't know the effect that would have had on my mental health.' In a follow-up video, Cassidy said she had the treatment after suffering from low confidence and anxiety. She explained: 'I felt fed up with my appearance: I'd gained weight, my hair had fallen out due to alopecia and I decided to change something to see if it would make me feel better. Cassidy told how within hours of having the injections, which she says were performed by a beautician not a doctor, her lips began to swell up and turn blue (pictured) Speaking in the video, Cassidy later admitted that she had hoped having lip filler would make her feel better about herself - but it didn't. Sharing a stark warning, Cassidy pleaded with women to visit doctors not beauticians for procedures, adding: 'Do not copy influencers and people who they are promoting - usually it's just for free filler.' The clinic who dissolved Cassidy's fillers added: 'We saw her immediately and she presented with a very soft a labialis pulse at the commisura, and absent pulse medially. An urgent dissolve, to reverse the ischaemia and flood blood and oxygen back to the lip was vital.' Lip enhancements have become increasingly popular with the likes of Kylie Jenner, and after the reality star admitted to having them done they became the most popular procedure of 2016. When Cassidy contacted a second clinic they found her lips were dying and 'had lost their pulse' as an artery had been occluded - and immediately dissolved it (seen in the hours after she had fillers injected) Describing the dangers of 'cheap filler', Dr Esho of Channel 4's Body Fixers previously told Femail: 'Risks include bleeding, bruising, infection, and allergy. 'In some rare but most concerning cases, this can lead to tissue necrosis where the blood vessel is blocked by preventing blood to that area of tissue which can then die, leading to disfigurement.' How to get safe lip fillers 1. As per NHS England advice ensure your practitioner is a registered medical professional 2. Ensure treatment is within a clean clinical environment such as a clinic 3. Check you practitioner had the appropriate insurance and is experienced at the procedure and treating complications 4. Always ensure you have a follow up appointment available to you as part of your treatment 5. Adhere to aftercare and ensure you have emergency contacts for your practitioner Advertisement Dr Esho explained infection is a risk of any procedure but that this is increased when the product or filler used is unregulated or incorrectly administered. He said: 'Elements that put you at high risk are the use of unregulated products, an unsanitary clinic, poor aftercare and sharing syringes.' The cosmetic doctor urged anyone interested in having the procedure to ensure the practitioner is registered, correctly insured, and operating from a clean environment. 'This is so important as medical professionals undergo several years of medical training,' he continued. 'The training is not just to perform the treatments but also to recognise medical problems and independently treat medical adverse events like tissue necrosis or allergy. This is paramount for your safety'. A 'super surrogate' who is 'addicted' to being pregnant has given birth to four children in the last six years - and is now planning to carry a fifth. Annie Peverelle, 40, of Rugby, Warwickshire, explained she 'loves the feeling of growing a new life' and 'feels really good while carrying a baby'. She has even kept in touch with parents whom she has helped and wears a bracelet inscribed with the names and dates of the children she has carried. However despite the joy she gets from pregnancy, the administrative assistant, who met her husband Steve, 49, the night before a Surrogacy UK social, insisted she has never wanted a family of her own. Super surrogate Annie Peverell, 40, of Rugby, Warwickshire, centre, has carried four children in the last six years, including Effie and Jude for couple Amanda and Jason McKeane, pictured Annie, pictured while pregnant with Effie, explained she 'loves the feeling of growing a new life' and 'feels really good while carrying a baby'. But she doesn't want a family of her own Explaining how she was introduced to surrogacy, Annie said: 'I was desperate to experience pregnancy, but I didn't want to have a baby. 'A colleague suggested surrogacy as a joke but that weekend, I couldn't get it off my mind, so I researched it and before I knew it, I was at a social event with other surrogates and parents-to-be. I have never looked back since.' She continued: 'I adore being pregnant, it's addictive, I have never had morning sickness and the last three labours were no longer than two hours and very easy. 'I love the feeling of growing a new life for someone who can't do it themselves and the thrill of seeing a positive pregnancy test. Annie has remained close with Amanda and Jason after carrying Effie and Jude. Pictured, Effie leans into Annie's stomach while she was pregnant with Jude 'I just feel really good whilst carrying a baby and I am fortunate enough to have no cravings or sickness. Seeing that first scan and feeling the little kicks are just amazing.' Annie, whose husband is supportive and 'admires what she does', most recently gave birth to baby boy Jude for couple Amanda and Jason McKeane, after carrying their daughter Effie, four years ago. Veterinary nurse Amanda, 42, was diagnosed with endometrial cancer aged 34 after she miscarried a baby at seven weeks. She had a year to freeze her embryos before undergoing a hysterectomy. Annie, pictured, met her husband the night before a Surrogacy UK social and revealed he is supportive of her mission to be a surrogate. She is now planning to carry a fifth baby to help a couple Annie said she finds pregnancy straightforward and enjoys helping other couples. Pictured, the scan while she was pregnant with Effie, Amanda and Jason's daughter Annie wears a bracelet inscribed with the names and dates of the children she has carried. She was introduced to Amanda and Jason McKeane through a Surrogacy UK social Amanda and Jason (pictured with their children) befriended Annie before she offered to carry Effie. Annie later offered to carry a second child for them and baby Jude was born this year Amanda said: 'I was in total shock; I had no symptoms and its uncommon for someone my age to have this cancer. 'Thankfully, we found it at the very early stages, so It was cured after a hysterectomy, I didn't need radiation or chemotherapy. 'Surrogacy was our only option left, we froze 14 embryos and started attending socials.' It was a Surrogacy UK social that Annie met Amanda and Jason, 43, and the trio 'kept bumping into each other'. At the time Annie was carrying her first surrogate baby. Annie, pictured holding Effie and Jude's baby scans, researched surrogacy after it was suggested by a colleague. She was intrigued by what it would be like to be pregnant After carrying Effie, Annie offered to carry baby Jude, pictured in one of his baby scans Mother Amanda said she had told Effie, pictured with baby brother Jude, that 'auntie Annie' had carried her in her tummy because 'Mummy's tummy is broken' Amanda and Jason dreamed of starting a family but were left with surrogacy as the sole option after Amanda had a hysterectomy as a result of cancer treatment. Pictured Amanda and Jason with Annie, left, and children Effie and Jude Amanda continued: 'We became friends with Annie and six months after she gave birth, we got "the call", Annie had chosen us, we were thrilled as she was a natural. 'We became anxious not only for the health of our baby but for Annie too but she coped amazingly.' The trio became firm friends and Annie later asked Jason and Amanda if they would like her to a carry a sibling for Effie. Baby Jude was born in January this year. Amanda said: 'Both our babies were overdue so there is something about Annie that made them want to stay, we were in awe with how she was so calm when she gave birth to Effie. Annie, pictured, said she treasured the friendships she had made through the surrogacy community, including her relationship with Amanda, Jason and their children Effie and baby Jude, pictured, were both carried by 'super surrogate' Annie Peverelle, 40 Amanda, left, and Annie have become close friends through their surrogacy experience 'Not many parents can say they missed the birth of their baby, but we missed the birth of Jude by 20 minutes due to road works. 'Effie knows that "mummy's tummy is broken and auntie Annie carried her" - I couldn't thank her enough.' Annie, who plans to carry a child for one more couple before stopping surrogacy, added: 'No surrogate will ever be out of pocket, as all expenses pre-pregnancy and during are covered by the family along with maternity leave from the workplace. 'This includes travel costs, vitamins, food and loss of worktime, with Jude I went swimming so this was paid for too. 'I get the privilege of seeing my friends fall in love with their baby from the second they hold them.' A former model has spoken out about the dark side of the fashion industry, revealing her poor treatment caused her to spiral into a severe depression, anorexia and bulimia after she was told to lose weight. Leanne Maskell, originally from Coventry, started modelling aged 13. At 26, she's spent half her life in the industry. With more than a decade's experience, she's appeared in Vogue and i-D magazine and modelled for Asos, Nasty gal, Boohoo.com, Urban outfitters. Having now traded the catwalk for a legal firm, she's firmly out of the industry and has written a tell-all guide aimed at helping those starting out to avoid exploitation. Leanne Maskell, originally from Coventry, started modelling aged 13. At 26, she's spent half her life in the industry. With more than a decade's experience, she's appeared in Vogue and i-D magazine and modelled for Asos, Nasty gal, Boohoo.com, Urban outfitters 'Modelling is like being on drugs: you have that constant craving to be approved by someone and when you're earning 7-an-hour, it's very hard to hear, "Tomorrow you can go to Mexico and be paid 10,000"' she told the The Times. She was also instructed to lose 5cm from her hips to land a shoot with a high fashion magazine, 'It seemed great, but then I asked how much Id earn and was told, "These magazines often dont pay anything" I was, like, "OK, you want me to starve myself and work for free?.' Leanne began modelling as a teenager. After her parents divorced her mother moved her to Cyprus, and despite her objections signed her up to a modelling agency. She quickly got jobs, and balanced a career appearing on the pages of Vogue, with going to school and modelling lessons at the weekends. But constant pressure caused Leanne into a downward spiral of depression and eating disorders. She was among the 68 per cent in the fashion industry to suffer from an anxiety-related disorder. Leanne has spoken out about the dark side of the fashion industry, revealing her poor treatment caused her to spiral into a severe depression, anorexia and bulimia after she was told to lose weight After spending her teen years modelling, she gave it up when she got a place at Queen Mary's University in London to study Law. But she was quickly approached by a scout who asked her to visit an agency. Still a teenager and wearing a size 8, she met was agents but was told she would only be signed if she lost 3cm (1.2in) off her hips. She initially refused, but later took the job after an emotional call from the scout saying she would lose her job if she didn't sign up. After that, she was sent regular emails asking what she ate and had weekly measurements at the agency. Having now traded the catwalk for a legal firm, she's firmly out of the industry and has written a tell all guide for those starting out to avoid exploitation. She says modelling is like 'being on drugs' 'Obviously I became super anorexic and bulimic. I'd stave myself before being measured, then buy a box of chocolates on the way home' she told the publication. After four months, she lost the 3cm from her hips, but was then told she needed to lose another 2cm (three quarters of an inch) to keep getting jobs. She was assigned a personal trainer, and asked to pay for them - at 100 a session. 'Everyone around me was saying "you have the best job ever" but I hated my life' she continued. Leanne began modelling as a teenager. After her parents divorced her mother moved her to Cyprus, and despite her objections signed her up to a modelling agency Still a teenager and wearing a size 8, Leanne was told she could only join an agency if she lost 3cm (1.2in) off her hips. She initially refused, but later took the job after an emotional call from the scout saying she would lose her job if she didn't sign up Her manifesto, which she began writing after 'hitting rock bottom' details how models can avoid exploitation. She speaks about things like taxes. 'A lot of models assume it's already been taken out of their earnings and get a nasty shock when the bill arrives' she said. She also recalls stories of sexual exploitation models often face. In her first job, aged 13, she was laughed after covering her chest by two male dressers who told her 'we're gay'. In another shocking story she reveals is how an 18-year-old friend was offered 10,000 for sex, and that any night of the week models can 'go clubbing with "rich men"' and get 'a free dinner and as much free alcohol and drugs as you like'. Leanne, who now vouches she will never return to modelling, was sent regular emails asking what she'd eaten Despite public perception, Leanne explains that '99 per cent of models aren't supermodels' and aren't paid well. In one story, she recalls being asked to model for a high fashion magazine and being told it doesn't pay. Leanne, still a teenager for the majority of her career, didn't speak out, for fear of being labelled 'difficult'. Now back in London, after years of travelling and living in Australia, she's determined to never return to modelling. YouTuber Riyadh Khalaf has revealed it took his father a year to 'start loving him again' after he came out as gay to his parents. The 28-year-old, famous for his lighthearted clips including 'Awkward questions with my ex' and 'Eating the world's hottest sandwich', appeared on ITV's Lorraine to discuss his new book, 'Yay! You're Gay! What now?' this morning. Dublin-born Riyadh, who lives in London, has previously told how telling his Irish Catholic mother, Lorraine, and Iraqi father, Sam, that he was homosexual was absolutely terrifying. He came out to his mother first - who had already guessed - and opened up to his father nine months later, by passing him a piece of paper that said 'I am gay' on it after a blazing row. After hearing the news, Sam admitted during one of his son's YouTube videos that he was so distraught he looked for 'tablets for suicide' - but Riyadh told today how the family are now 'so in love as a family'. YouTuber Riyadh Khalaf, left, has revealed it took his father Sam, right, a year to 'start loving him again' after he came out as gay to his parents Riyadh, 28, appeared on ITV's Lorraine this mornign to discuss his new book, 'Yay! You're Gay! What now?' He told Lorraine: 'They saw me just as their little fella Riyadh who liked to keep himself to himself and that's because I was afraid of becoming too close and too open to other peers because I knew they knew and the bullying was there. 'When he found out it was difficult because his vision of his son, in a split second, had been completely changed. 'He's going to get married, he's going to have kids and do all these things, and he thought that now that's not going to happen. 'He took about a week to fully start talking to me and a year to actually start loving me again, but we're so in love now as a family.' Riyadh, whose YouTube channel has around 372K subscribers and 45 million views, said his father is now 'best friends' with drag queens and goes for pints with Panti Bliss, an Irish gay rights activist. In terms of the message he wants the book to get across, Riyadh said he wants young gay people to understand they are not 'flawed' or 'sick', but rather a 'wonderful, gorgeous, young human being' Riyadh's dad Sam now goes out for pints with Rory O'Neill, better known as Panti Bliss, pictured left 'Dad has come full circle,' Riyadh added. 'He campaigns, he even wrote a chapter in the book. 'I said to them, "This book, I've written it for these young gay kids but I need advice in there for the parents. You as a mum and dad who've done it, what can they do?"' Speaking about his new number one bestseller, which features guest contributions from influential gay men like Stephen Fry and Australian drag queen Courtney Act, Riyadh said he is 'over the moon' about the positive response its received. 'You can delete a YouTube video, you can't delete a book, it's there forever if you say something wrong,' he explained. Riyadh said his father is now 'best friends' with drag queens and goes for pints with Panti Bliss, an Irish gay rights activist 'It was a year writing it. There were a lot of tears, funny moments, digging through old stories with friends, "What really happened that night when we kissed each other?" It was an amazing experience, and it's a number one bestseller which is mind-blowing to me.' Lorraine pointed out he openly discusses sex in a 'practical' way, to which Riyadh added that it's not intended to be 'dirty'. 'I'd call it honest, and funny,' he explained. 'Sex is imperfect, whether you're gay, straight or you're just on your own, as some of us are. Let's have a laugh about it while also learning. Speaking about his new number one bestseller, which features guest contributions from influential gay men like Stephen Fry (left) and Australian drag queen Courtney Act (right), Riyadh said he is 'over the moon' about the positive response its received 'When I was in school it was all straight sex, this is how it works, and let's turn a blind eye to all that other stuff, demonise it and make it seem overly dirty when really it's just as clunky and boring. 'We need LGBT kids to know their sex is a beautiful thing, their sexuality and gender identity is a beautiful thing, and here's a life bible for you going forward into the world.' In terms of the message he wants the book to get across, Riyadh said he wants young gay people to understand they are not 'flawed' or 'sick', but rather a 'wonderful, gorgeous, young human being'. 'The world needs some time to catch up to that fact,' he said. 'Go out there, be authentic, be safe and pass the big pink baton down to the next generation. You've got to help each other. Riyadh, pictured with his mum Lorraine, revealed his parents have written a chapter in his new book offering advice to parents whose children have recently come out 'If your parents don't accept it or kick you out the house or are mean in any way, give them time. They're going through just as much a transformative process as you. 'This is new to them, speak to them openly, tell them this is not a decision that you made, you didn't wake up one morning and decide to be part of a group that's discriminated against, who would decide that?' He also offered up his thoughts on the legalisation of gay marriage, which is yet to happen in Northern Ireland. After hearing the news, Sam (left) admitted during one of his son's YouTube videos that he was so distraught he looked for 'tablets for suicide' - but Riyadh told today how the family are now 'so in love as a family' Claiming they have 'no choice' as it's the 'last piece of the puzzle', having been legalised elsewhere in the UK, he went on: 'Unfortunately it's down to a couple of people in power who have very, very conservative views and seem to enjoy treating LGBT people like second class citizens, and enough is enough. 'The day that Ireland got the same sex marriage vote over the line, someone like me, a young guy who grew up in that country was elated. 'I finally felt that you love me, you accept me. I walked down the street with my parents the next say and it was like the country had changed overnight. It had come into the 21st century roaring.' Queen Letizia charmed crowds today as she greeted mothers and toddlers impacted by natural disasters in Mozambique. The royal, 46, was seen stroking children and holding their hands as she spoke to packed crowds in the health centre in the country's capital Maputo. The Queen of Spain is currently in the region for a two-day visit to meet with those impacted by recent natural disasters in the country. Serious flooding is currently raging in parts of northern Mozambique hit by Cyclone Kenneth, which killed at least five people last week. Queen Letizia looked broody as she gazed at toddlers and babies during her visit to the health centre in Maputo, Mozambique Queen Letizia gently reached out to one little boy, and seemed charmed by the children at the health centre Letizia wore a light lace top beneath her cream suit, and finished the outfit with a red Spanish Cooperation waistcoat Much of the area is still recovering from horrendous flooding and devastation left after Cyclone Idai struck in March. The Spanish royal was due to visit the region ahead of Cyclone Kenneth's arrival. She plans to meet with officials to see the work being done to strengthen relations between Mozambique and Spain. The royal is undertaking the two day visit despite the devastating Cyclone Kenneth impacting more northernly parts of Mozambique. She met with crowds of women and children at the Manica Health Center in Mozambique's capital, Maputo The royal looked charmed by the crowds of mothers and children that she met at the health care centre Inside, she met with health care professionals to learn about work carried out by Spanish Cooperation in Mozambique in the areas of democratic governance, health, nutrition and rural development On the first visit of her royal tour, she met with crowds of women and children at Manica Health Center in Maputo, the country's capital, which is on the south coast of the country. She wore a cream textured suit, with a light lace-trimmed camisole beneath her open jacket, and finished the outfit with nude brogue style shoes. The outfit was paired with a bold red 'Spanish Cooperation' waistcoat, which several member's of the royal team were pictured wearing. The mother-of-two was seen crouching down to meet women and children, and seemed charmed by the group. The royal watched on as one little boy was weighed at the health center in Maputo, Mozambique Her two day royal visit started with a tour of a health centre, where she spoke to mother's and their children, as well as health care professionals The royal looked charmed by the children impacted by natural diasters in the region, stroking one little boy's head Mozambique has been struck with several terrible cyclones in the last few months, including Cyclone Idai which caused hundreds of deaths in the region earlier this year. It's currently battling against Cyclone Kenneth, which is causing devastating floods in the country, putting 700,000 people's lives at risk. It is Queen Letizia's fourth cooperation visit after visiting Honduras and El Savaldor, Seneal, Dominican Republic and Haiti. Queen Letizia looked to have charmed one little boy, who couldn't help but stare at the royal as she stroked his cheek The royal met with healthcare professionals at the centre on her cooperation trip to Mozambique The royal looked engaged as she spoke to professionals at the health center in the small market town While on the visit to the medical center, she looked sombre as she peered through a microscope Queen Letizia used her motherly instincts to reach out and stroke a young baby who was being weighed at the health centre Inside the medical centre, Letizia looked somber as she met with children being currently treated as well as health care professionals. She donned a white lab coat as she met with medical experts, and was seen peering through a microscope. During her visit, Letizia will learn about work carried out by Spanish Cooperation in Mozambique in the areas of democratic governance, health, nutrition and rural development. Both parents and children were charmed by the royal, who was greeted by crowds at the health centre Letizia looked broody as she gazed at the young toddlers impacted by devastating storms in Mozambique It was the Queen's fourth cooperation visit, with her other trips taking her to Senegal, the Dominican Republic and Haiti The royal seemed to effortlessly connect with the children she met while on her visit to the health centre Crowds gathered to meet the Queen, with many holding children which the royal couldn't help but stroke She will also learn about the emergency response for those affected by Cyclone Idai, which struck earlier this year in March. The royal went on to meet the President of Mozambique Filipe Jacinto Nyussi and First Lady Isaura Nyussi at their official residence in the capital of the country. They were seen shaking hands outside the Ponta Vermelha Palace, before attending a meeting to discuss the recent natural disasters. Changing her outfit from the morning's visit, Letizia stunned in a gorgeous sky blue shirt dress that featured a bow style tie around the waist. Letizia looked somber as health care professionals spoke to her while on the visit to the health centre Queen Letizia went on to meet the President Filipe Jacinto Nyussi and First Lady Isaura Nyussi at their official residence Letizia stunned in a stylish yet simple sky blue shirt dress, and kept her makeup light for the occasion Wearing a touch of light eyeshadow and pink gloss, the royal finished the outfit with navy accessories and cool hoop earrings. Kenneth arrived just six weeks after Cyclone Idai ripped into central Mozambique and killed more than 600 people with flooding. Authorities have said at least five people died after Kenneth roared in Thursday evening with the force of a Category 4 hurricane, stunning residents of a region where such a storm had not been recorded in the modern era. More than 160,000 people have been affected in the largely rural region, many already exposed and hungry. More than 35,000 homes in parts of Mozambique's northernmost Cabo Delgado were partially or fully destroyed by the storm. Letizia shook hands with the president of Mozambique Filipe Jacinto Nyussi and his wife, the First Lady, Isaura Nyussi Police officers the shocking level of violence they have come to Sharing their stories in Police Code Zero: Officer Under Attack, airing on Channel 5 tonight at 10pm, officers revealed how they have been beaten and punched and had their dogs bitten and choked by violent criminals. In one shocking scene, a suspect is seen biting and choking a German Shepherd after being chased by PC Gareth Greaves in Manchester, following an altercation at a petrol station. And PC Lucie Gray of Newbury, who had her head repeatedly smashed against a police car while tackling a drunk driver, was left bleeding in pitch darkness on a deserted hill while waiting for backup. 'To a degree, I think as officers we accept that we will be assaulted,' she explained. 'Its not right and its not OK, but ultimately I know theyre not assaulting me personally its the uniform that Im wearing and the job that Im doing.' PC Lucie Gray was assaulted by a suspect while investigating a drink driving call. The man, called Mark, bashed her head against her police car several times PC Kyle Sayers was dragged onto the road and beat up by a violent motorist during a routine traffic stop turned violent PC Gareth Graves, with his dog Theo (pictured) were both assaulted by a suspect that had tried to flea from arrest A code zero, is the radio call sign issued by officers who need urgent assistance, often when they are under attack and their lives are in danger. 'When you put the uniform on when you start this job, you think no one's going to come near you, no one's going to hurt you, because it's like an invisible shield of armour, but it isn't.' In the documentary, PC Lucie Gray and her partner Sgt John ODonovan were seen using the code, after an altercation with a particularly violent and unstable suspect left them seriously wounded. The incident took place during one of the duo's late shift in 2015, which started at 5pm and ended at 4am. ODonovan, who used to be a Met officer before he moved to Newbury said that policing is actually harder outside of London because there's less back-up available. They received a report that a member of the public had called about a 'man up in a secluded place possibly having crashed a van and possibly being drunk.' Lucie Gray (above) tried to stop the suspect from hitting her partner John, but it turned the focus - and the blozs - on her The suspect was also accompanied by a young child identified as his daughter. The police partners drove up to Combe Gibbet, nine miles from Newbury, a remote area surrounded by fields and found a man called Mark, holding a can of beer 'Just in the distance we saw an outline of two people walking towards us. It was a male and a small female child,' Lucie recalled. 'I was uncomfortable about the situation, something not right about it made me a little uneasy.' During the incident, recorded by Lucie's body camera, Mark refused to answer John and Lucie's questions and asked them if they were acting 'in accordance with the law of the land'. He suddenly walked off, and the officers followed as he was suspected of drink driving accompanied by a minor, causing them serious concerns about her welfare. But when John tried to arrest Mark on suspicion of drink driving things turned violent, as he resisted and started hitting Johnny. 'Within a split second, he had started punching Johnny to the face, with both of his hands like a complete wild animal,' Lucie said. Kyle had to be helped by back-up after a man dragged him on the street and started punching him during a simple traffic check 'He went from zero to crazy man in literally a split second.' On the recording the man could be heard threatening John as he hit him, while Lucie tries to calm him down. 'Johnny was on the floor and he was on top of Johnny, hitting him in the head, over and over and over again,' Lucie said. Lucie tried to jump on the man's back and grab a hold of his arm to stop his attack, however, it only turned his attention to her instead. 'I just remember feeling being punched to the side of the face several times, and I think I sort of went down of the floor,' the officer said. Mark then lifted her up and smashed her hand against the police car several times in a row. PC Gareth Greaves said he owed more to Theo that he could give him and that the brave dog never backed down during the altercation, even after he was viciously bit by the suspect After receiving the blows to her head, Lucie managed to call zero zero - the code for back-up. 'I just knew at that point it had gone past us being able to deal with it ourselves,' she said. When back-up finally reached them, Mark had fled with the child and Lucie burst into tears. In 2017, a police officers and his dog were attacked by a suspect running away from arrest after an incident at a petrol station in Manchester, recorded on PC Gareth Greaves' body camera. The incident, Gareth happened at 4:30am, at the end of a night shift when PC Greaves and his German Shepherd Theo were on the trail of a suspect in Hyde, seven miles away from Manchester's city centre. The officer was called to argument between two men and a cashier at a petrol station, and followed their car as they drove away. After a brief chase, the suspects pulled up in a car park and tried to take off, prompting Gareth to release Theo to puruse them. The dog managed to catch up with the suspects, and clamped his jaws around one of their legs as he ran. The suspect they changed strategy and started hitting PC Greaves, who quickly called for back-up. But faced with tackling the suspects alone until support arrived, he was punched repeatedly and was left bleeding. PC Lucie Gray said assault police officers was not ok, but that she understood people did not have a personal problem with her - they had a problem with her uniform The other man from the car then got involved, and while he didn't join the fight, he encouraged his friend to 'bite the dog's ear'. After following his friend's advice, the suspect then tried to choke Theo in order to get away - but the dog refused to back down until support arrived. Gareth says the suspect's whole demeanor changed when his friend joined, and that he tried to choke the dog in order to get away. In 2018, PC Kyle Sayers was assaulted by a violent motorist during a traffic stop in Merseyside. The man launched his attack after Kyle pulled him over in the street. The officer and the suspect ended up on the floor, while the man viciously hit Kyle repeatedly in the face. Police Code Zero: Officer Under Attack airs tonight at 10pm on Channel 5. Heiress and fitness influencer Hannah Bronfman has revealed she suffered a miscarriage in January in an emotional video detailing her pregnancy. The 31-year-old entrepreneur from New York City was filming her pregnancy with her husband, Brendan Fallis, when the couple discovered they suffered a miscarriage at nine weeks. 'There is no way to ease into this so here it is. On Jan 25th I had a miscarriage,' Hannah wrote in an emotional post on Instagram Sunday prior to releasing a video about her pregnancy journey. Heartbreaking: Entrepreneur Hannah Bronfman, 31, from New York City was filming her pregnancy journey with her husband, Brendan Fallis, when they suffered a miscarriage Emotional: The couple decided to vlog their pregnancy journey to one day share with followers, but they did not anticipate it would involve a miscarriage Pushing through: At nine weeks pregnant, Hannah suffered a miscarriage. She had to attend a book event (pictured) that night in January without letting anyone know 'Before you comment with your condolences Im not writing this from a place of grief,' she continued. 'Im writing this to share what I think is a very common thing that so many women go through, 1 in 4 women will go through a miscarriage in their life. Yet this isnt something that is common to share or talk about. 'As working women we have so much pressure to show up, be professional, break through ceilings, while keeping our hormone levels even keeled.' Tough: The couple tried to get pregnant for eight months, they explained She further detailed her miscarriage when sitting down with her husband as part of a vlog explaining their commitment to having children. The couple admitted they tried for eight months before they discovered they were pregnant ahead of Christmas. Brendan said: 'We started to question, Why isnt this working for us?" We treat our bodies pretty well. Actively pretty healthy.' In the video, it shows the couple's excitement once they realize they are pregnant with their first child. But they kept it a secret from their friends and family until the Hannah was more weeks along. 'We were nine weeks in,' Hannah explained. 'We had already had our first doctors appointment. Heard the heartbeat. I went back two weeks later for my nine-week check-up.' Hannah's doctor told her she could come on her own as the check-up would be rather routine, so Brendan was not present. During the appointment, the OB-GYN discovered there was no heartbeat coming from the baby. The couple debated for months on whether they wanted to share their emotional journey with followers, but they ultimately decided to open up about the miscarriage in hopes it would help other people going through similar heartbreak. Elated: They found out they were pregnant in December (pictured) before Christmas but were waiting to tell people Difficult journey: But Hannah then discovered she suffered a miscarriage at her nine-week appointment when the doctor was unable to find a heartbeat Road to recovery: Hannah discovered she had a miscarriage at her nine-week appointment. Brendan then accompanied her to the D&C procedure (pictured) 'At first I was in denial, disbelief and overwhelmed with sadness,' Hannah wrote in her Instagram post. 'I had made so many plans and imagined our life with a child and it all seemed so tangible, so exciting, so real.' The news was difficult for Hannah to handle, and she had to call Brendan to relay the news over the phone. Then later that evening, the entrepreneur put on a happy face to attend a book event where she spoke to 200 women. 'Because Im trained to show up no matter what, thats what I did,' Hannah wrote. 'I felt comfort in being surrounded by a room full of women even though they didnt know what I was going through.' Brendan expressed pride in his wife for finding strength to still attend her event despite the emotional day. 'Youre so strong for doing that,' he told her during their vlog. 'Im proud of you. Very proud of you.' Her more than 500,000 followers had no clue at the time what Hannah was going through with her husband, as she shared a picture of herself on Instagram on the day of the miscarriage. In the caption, she made a joke about how the tight dress she was wearing made it difficult for her to breathe. Two days after the miscarriage, Hannah underwent a Dilation and Curettage (D&C) procedure to remove the fetus from her uterus, this time with husband Brendan by her side. He filmed a brief clip of themselves at the appointment. Moving forward: The couple is now actively trying for a baby again and remain hopeful they will have the opportunity to expand their family Supportive: The purpose of sharing their pregnancy journey thus far was to help other followers going through similar struggles Open book: By sharing the story on both YouTube and Instagram, the couple hoped they could show their followers their 'realness' The couple debated for months on whether they wanted to share their emotional journey with followers, but they ultimately decided to open up about the miscarriage in hopes it would help other people going through similar heartbreak. What is a D&C? A D&C, also know as dilation and curettage, is a surgical procedure performed on some women after they have suffered a first trimester miscarriage. According to the American Pregnancy Association, around 50 per cent of women who lose a baby in the first few months of pregnancy have to undergo the procedure, and it is more likely to be necessary if the baby was lost after ten weeks. A D&C is most often recommended to women who miscarry between ten and 12 weeks, and to any patients who have suffered an incomplete miscarriage. During the procedure, the patient's cervix is dilated, before the contents of the uterus are removed. This process can be performed either by scraping the uterine wall with a curette instrument or by a suction curettage (also called vacuum aspiration). D&C procedures are most often carried out in order to ensure that the miscarriage does not cause any complications like infection or hemorrhaging, however the APA also notes that the process can help some women to begin emotional healing after losing a child. Advertisement 'We really battled with the idea of sharing this with you guys... I think its important we talk about it, and its important that more people talk about it because its not easy to deal with,' Brendan said. 'And we definitely felt, you know, alone and in a corner.' Hannah was in agreement, saying people talking about miscarriages is often a 'taboo' subject. 'Its seen as taboo or some sort of female issue,' she said. 'Thank god we had each other to not only share the good news about the pregnancy, but the bad news of it, too.' She continued: 'Were happy to be on the other side of it. I have no doubt in my mind that we will get pregnant and have very happy and healthy babies... 'We did want to share because this community can seem like so shallow and theres a lot of depth to us as peopleand I think it is important to keep that realness.' Hannah is the granddaughter of late billionaire and philanthropist Edgar Bronfman, whose family founded Canadian beverage company Seagram. Her father, Edgar Bronfman Jr. is the half-brother of Clare Bronfman, who recently pleaded guilty to crimes relating to her involvement in sex cult Nxivm. She followed in the footsteps of her grandfather by co-founding her own company in the form of a beauty app called Beautified, however she left the company in 2014, and moved onto other ventures. Thus far those have included a long-running partnership with Adidas, and the release of her own wellness book, which is entitled, Do What Feels Good: Recipes, Remedies and Routines to Treat Your Body Right. A grandmother has warned others about the dangers of using natural hair dye after her face swelled up after using an Indian henna colour. Narinder Kaur, 57, from Hanwell, west London, had an itchy head almost immediately after using a hair dye brought back by a friend from a bazaar in Delhi, India. Three days later her eyes were so swollen that they had closed over and it took hospital steroids and antihistamines to finally get her severe allergic reaction under some control. 'I only use natural hair dyes but this stuff temporarily blinded me,' she explained. 'I'd warn others about the perils of getting allergic reactions from unknown products which might claim to be more natural than they really are.' 'Within hours my head was itchy and by the next day the doctor had prescribed me antihistamines as my head was getting progressively bigger. But the lumps around my eyes just got larger and larger.' Narinder Kaur, 57, from Hanwell, west London, has warned others about the dangers of using natural hair dye after her face swelled up after using an Indian henna colour. Pictured before the reaction The grandmother had an itchy head almost immediately after using a hair dye which was brought back by a friend from a bazaar in Delhi, India (above) Three days after using the dye, Narinder's eyes were so swollen they had closed over and it took hospital steroids and antihistamines to finally get her severe allergic reaction under some control. Pictured in hospital following the reaction Narinder continued: 'A day later my eyes were closing over and there were itchy secretions coming out of my head. By this morning I ended up getting an ambulance to Ealing Hospital's accident and emergency unit as I couldn't see.' After dying her hair last Monday, by late last week the steroids started to take effect and the swelling calmed down. 'I looked like the terrifying looking characters of the Elephant Man or the Hunchback of Notre Dame,' said the property developer who works in her family's business. 'It's outrageous that people are selling this hair dye as natural when it clearly isn't. It's so dangerous.' Whilst in hospital, Narinder was told that if she'd used any more of the hair dye, the adverse reaction could have spread to her lungs. Pictured before using the hair dye Narinder compared herself to 'the Elephant Man or the Hunchback of Notre Dame' following the severe allergic reaction Narinder told how the product was marketed as a natural hair dye which her friend said was used by many in India. 'I'll never take a chance on a brand that I don't know ever again,' she explained. 'It's just not worth the risk.' Even now, Narinder is still recovering from the itching and slight swelling a week later. She has been left astonished at having such a strong reaction to using just two teaspoons of something labelled as natural. They told me in hospital that if Id used any more, the adverse reaction could have spread to my lungs,' she said. People need to be made aware of how dangerous something as innocuous as hair dye can be. Even now, Narinder is still recovering from the itching and slight swelling a week later. Pictured above Photo: Colin Dacre The Southern Interior Local Government Association convention runs this week at the Trade and Convention Centre The City of Penticton will be focusing on social issues when the Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) convention comes to town this week, says mayor John Vassilaki. Most of the resolutions we have brought forward to SILGA are dealing with social issues like homelessness, mental illness, policing and safety, he said. The province has downloaded all of these costs onto municipalities and our costs for policing and bylaws keeps going up. The province isnt giving us extra financing so it comes through peoples taxes. We want to see the province recognize this. Several hundred municipal politicians and staff are spending the week in Penticton for the SILGA Convention and AGM which runs from April 30 to May 3 at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre. SILGA is comprised of elected officials from 37 cities and towns and represents municipalities and regional districts in the Thompson-Okanagan. The SILGA convention gives the local economy a boost which is good for this time of year when we dont see as many tourists. They are staying at our hotels and motels, eating at our restaurants and touring our wineries, said Vassilaki. Vassilaki is hoping Pentictons resolutions will be passed at SILGA so they can then be brought to the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) conference held in September in Vancouver. If they pass there, then those resolutions will be put on the province to hopefully do something, said Vassilaki. The first resolution Penticton has on the table seeks provincial and federal funding for full social support services for homeless housing. We do finally have the province bringing some services but they are late to the table, he said. The 62-bed modular housing on Winnipeg Street is being run by Ask Wellness Society and is expected to be ready in September. The conversion of the old Super 8 motel into homeless housing has seen major delays due to rot and mold issues, said BC Housing. They expect to open a portion of the Super 8, now dubbed Compass Court, this spring. Penticton is also asking for both levels of government to fund alcohol and drug recovery facilities and beds. The city would also like to see the Ministry of Health get involved with inspecting rooming houses in the city. The RDOS has submitted several resolutions including asking for gas tax funding to help pay for volunteer or paid-on-call fire departments. Under safety and environmental, the RDOS has a resolution asking for roles and responsibilities for emergency and disaster mitigation in B.C. As her lump grew bigger and more uncomfortable, Tatiana's boyfriend, Erik, 28, insisted that doctors remove it The assistant food and beverage manager went to the doctor, however, she was continuously told that her lump was a benign cyst Tatiana Konovalov, from California, was 19 when she found a lump in her breast A woman who was dismissed by doctors for eight years after discovering a lump in her breast was diagnosed later with stage three breast cancer. Assistant food and beverage manager, Tatiana Konovalov, 27, from California was just 19 when she found a lump in her breast. Despite being checked and having an ultrasound, her doctor brushed it off as a benign cyst. Although she initially accepted it as a harmless lump, she continued to have it checked just in case, but was continually dismissed by doctors who assured her she was 'too young' to have breast cancer. Devastating: Tatiana Konovalov, 27, who was continuously told by doctors that a lump in her breast was a benign cyst, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer years later Tough: The assistant food and beverage manager went to the doctor, however, she was continuously told that her lump was a benign cyst and she was 'too young' to develop cancer Hard: When her lump grew bigger that her boyfriend, Erik (pictured) insisted she have it removed. After a biopsy in September 2018, it was found she had stage three breast cancer However, as it grew bigger and more uncomfortable, her boyfriend, Erik, 28, insisted for her to ask the doctor to remove it. Following a biopsy in September 2018, the tests found that she did in fact have stage three breast cancer and on the same day she met up with an oncologist, radiologist and a geneticist. Possible symptoms of breast cancer 1. Swelling of all or part of the breast 2. Skin irritation or dimpling 3. Breast pain 4. Nipple pain or the nipple turning inward 5. Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin 6. A nipple discharge other than breast milk 7. A lump in the underarm area Source: American Cancer Society Advertisement A week later she had a lumpectomy on her right breast to remove the tumor and underwent six aggressive rounds of chemotherapy. After her second round of chemo in November 2018, she decided to shave her head to avoid having to witness her hair falling out which she describes as 'empowering', so her boyfriend assisted her. She had a full mastectomy in March 2019 after she completed her rounds of chemotherapy. While her tests have shown that the chemo has worked and she no longer has any remaining cancer cells, her journey has not yet finished. She will still undergo 10 more rounds of antibody therapy to treat the cancer cells and in a month's time she will begin radiation therapy and is due to have another mastectomy and reconstruction surgery later this year. She is now adjusting to her new normal life and has been embracing her journey with her boyfriend by posting on social media to help other women going through a similar ordeal to find hope and positivity in the darkest of circumstances. Explaining her journey, Tatiana said: 'I first noticed my lump when I was nineteen-years-old; I had it checked and an ultrasound was conducted. My doctor at the time dismissed it as a cyst or fibroadenoma that would go away with time. 'After my first dismissal I just accepted that it was a lump, but it was not dangerous. But I routinely had the spot checked by doctors at yearly physicals, but no one was concerned because of my age. Journey: As seen with Erik, 28, before beginning treatment, Tatiana had a lumpectomy on her right breast to remove the tumor and underwent six aggressive rounds of chemotherapy Strong: After her second round of chemo in November 2018, she decided to shave her head to avoid having to witness her hair falling out which she describes as 'empowering' 'I received answers like, "it's an unnecessary surgery" and "if it was cancer, it would be affecting you already". Finally, my partner insisted that I go to the doctor and ask to have it removed because it had seemed to be growing and was uncomfortable. 'Up until my doctors had the biopsy results, they denied the fact that it could be breast cancer. No one wants to insist to a doctor that they might have breast cancer, now I know that I should have pushed harder. Surgery: Tatiana, as seen in hospital with Erik, had a full mastectomy in March 2019 after she completed her rounds of chemotherapy 'I was dismissed mostly because of my age and lack of family history. At nineteen, it was likely not breast cancer, and so rarely happens at that age, that it was dismissed. 'But as I got older, my doctors should have taken a more active role in monitoring my lump. I try not to look back and think about the 'what-ifs' but it's an important reminder to women. 'Women should advocate for their health, especially for diseases like breast cancer that are not screened for regularly until later in life. 'When I was diagnosed, I imagine I felt like most people do when they hear the "C" word. My life came to a screeching halt. 'I got the diagnosis Saturday and by 8am Monday I would start a day of meeting doctors; we didn't leave the doctor's office until 4pm that afternoon. 'I decided that day with my surgical oncologist that we would remove the tumor because I wanted to know exactly what we were dealing with. I also met with an oncologist, radiologist and a geneticist that day. 'Surgery happened one week after my initial appointment. Everything happens so fast, but surgery helped me get a clearer picture of the monster we were dealing with, I had a grade three tumor, and lymph node involvement,' she added. Most women diagnosed with breast cancer are over 50, but younger women can also get it. About one in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their life. If it is detected early, there is a good chance of recovery. While most lumps are cancer-free, it is always important to have them checked with your GP. Other potential symptoms include; a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts, discharge from either of your nipples, a lump or swelling in either of your armpits, dimpling on the skin of your breasts, a rash on or around your nipple, a change in the appearance of your nipple, such as becoming sunken into your breast. Strength: Pictured during her final round of chemotherapy, Tatiana's test results have shown that the chemotherapy has worked and she no longer has any remaining cancer cells Recovering: However, she will still undergo 10 more rounds of antibody therapy to treat the cancer cells and next month she will begin radiation therapy Opening up: As seen with a friend while wearing a blonde wig, Tatiana said she has 'embraced' her journey and now feels more comfortable sharing it with others Tatiana felt in control when she had her boyfriend shave her head and now says that she wants to help others take control of their fate. 'I shaved my head after my second round of chemo; I was told that your hair starts to fall out after the second round and like clockwork, I woke up one morning and my hair was falling out,' she said. 'I cried about it and then we decided to shave my head. It was more traumatizing to have my hair falling out then it was to shave it all off. It was one of the most empowering moments of my life. Important: Tatiana urges other women to 'advocate for their health' as she said she should have 'pushed harder' for doctors to find out the underlying cause of her lump 'I'm now adjusting to the new normal, and so happy to be through chemo and my first surgery. I have embraced my journey and feel so much more comfortable sharing. 'I still have a long road ahead with radiation and several more surgeries. A huge weight has been lifted because I did have a complete response to chemotherapy. 'I haven't been cleared of cancer yet, not completely. My surgery in March 2019, showed that I did not have any remaining cancer cells, but I'm still considered active treatment and not disease free. 'Scars and a fuzzy head are my new normal and I accept that. I love that I found grace and strength in this journey and know it will define the rest of my life. 'I didn't know what to expect throughout every hurdle in this journey. Some things are harder than I expect, others easier. 'It's scary knowing you have had a disease so young in your life and there is so little data on women my age with survival rates, etc. so there are a lot of question marks out there. Tatiana, who now regularly shares updates on her journey with breast cancer on Instagram, said using social media to document her recovery has helped her feel less isolated. 'Going on social media with my journey made it feel less isolating. When I was first diagnosed, I was traumatized by all the negativity that the internet was throwing at me. 'I joke because I actually googled 'positive chemotherapy stories' one day out of desperation. I wanted to share a little light and positivity and hope to other women. 'I have loved connecting with people and showing them that it's not as scary as the 'Hollywood' version of cancer is and I've loved rocking the bald look, I tell women to be proud, it's one way to show the world you are a warrior. Grateful: Tatiana, who shares updates of her journey on Instagram, said she now wants to raise awareness about breast cancer and speak out about it in order to help others 'I make a more conscious effort to do the things that make me happy and spend time with those that make me happiest because cancer puts everything in to perspective. 'Being open and honest has helped; sometimes you have to tell your family, friends, significant other that you can't do something, or you aren't feeling well, or you need a minute. 'During cancer treatment I think patients need to remind themselves (as bad as it sounds) to be selfish because all your energy needs to be going towards getting well,' she said. Tatiana expressed her gratitude for her supportive family who have been there for her during the difficult time, particularly her boyfriend. 'I couldn't have done this without my boyfriend Erik, and without my family and friends, they have been there every step of the way,' she said. 'Erik has never missed a doctor's appointment and was so good at keeping me focused and positive. My parents and brother have also been so strong. 'I can only imagine how it feels to have a loved one diagnosed with cancer, but they never hesitate to support me with every decision. I also am so grateful to my oncology team. 'It seems so hard and maybe even impossible, but you will get through it and I think you will find strength and purpose that you may not have known you had. 'I am moving to South Carolina, as my boyfriend and I have bought a house while I was going through chemo. I am excited to start my postgraduate course, start my new job and close this cancer chapter. 'I would very much still like to speak out about breast cancer and help others dealing with a new diagnosis.' A kilted Prince Charles received a guard of honour as he visited a Scout hut in Aberdeenshire today. Charles, 70, known as the Duke of Rothesay while in Scotland, beamed as he was greeted by members of the 1st Macduff Scouts at their newly refurbished hut in the coastal town. The royal was invited to take part in a craft session and was given a tour of the 18th century stone hut, which was recently reopened after a renovation. It marked the first stop on a busy day of engagements, which also took in a walkabout and a visit to the local museum in the nearby town of Banff. Prince Charles appeared in excellent spirits as he met scouts during a busy day of engagements in Aberdeenshire, pictured The royal, 70, known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, beamed as he arrived at the newly refurbished scout hut in the coastal town of Macduff Donning a kilt for the occasion, Charles was met outside by beavers, cubs and scouts before being given a tour of the facility. Pictured, with scout leaders Dennis Watt and Stuart Watt Prince Charles joined scouts Jenny Duncan and Phoebe Wiseman for a bracelet braiding session during his visit to the 1st Macduff Scout Hut on Monday As he was shown how to loop cord to make a colourful key ring, Charles told Scouts Jenny Duncan, 12, and 17-year-old Phoebe Wiseman: 'I wouldn't know where to begin. I think it's going to take me too long to learn.' Charles, who wore a kilt in Rothesay tartan, unveiled a plaque and spoke to the families of the Scouts, Cubs and Beavers gathered outside the hut. He asked the crowd: 'Are you all enjoying sitting in the sun?' Pointing to the hut, one of the oldest remaining buildings in Macduff, he said: 'It's wonderful to see it all brought back to life, isn't it?' Scout leader Dennis Watt said: 'It was a most enjoyable visit. He was really interested in the building and all the stuff the kids are doing, all their badges. 'He didn't take part in trying to make a key ring but he's a bit like myself, it's too difficult. All the kids seemed to enjoy meeting him.' Scouts stood in uniform as they waited to greet the prince. The 1st Macduff Scout Hut dates back to the 18th century and is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the town The Duke of Rothesay spoke to families and members of the community during his visit to Macduff. Later Charles will visit the nearby town of Banff The prince shared a joke with Phoebe Wiseman, centre, and Jasmine Cook during the visit Charles also visited a silversmithing and jewellery-making business in nearby Banff. He toured the new Smiddy Centre of Excellence for Silversmithing and Jewellery, which offers skills development opportunities to people around Scotland. The social enterprise Vanilla Ink runs classes to help vulnerable youngsters in particular, develop the skills. Business partners Kate Pickering and Scott McIntyre opened the Centre in September after six months of work to renovate the Auld Smiddy into a skills base for workshops. The Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Rothesay while in Scotland, walks up the 'Strait Path' through Banff town centre The Duke of Rothesay, who will become a grandfather for the fourth time when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcome their first child in the coming days, spoke to well-wishers The prince donned a kilt in Rothesay tartan for the brief walkabout on Banff High Street today To mark the visit, they presented Charles with a quaich made at the centre before silversmith Megan Falconer introduced him to some of those taking part in session. She also showed him how to planish, smooth and finish, a communal bowl, handing him a hammer to get to work. Ms Falconer said: 'Everyone has had a bash on the bowl and I asked His Royal Highness to use the hammer to remove the marks from when the bowl was being raised. 'I was quite nervous showing him how to do it but he really got into it. Prince Charles waved as he arrived at Banff Museum during his busy day of engagements Prince Charles looks at display of Banff Silverware with Dr David Bertie during a visit to the Banff Museum 'It was lovely to meet him and he seemed interested in what we do. 'He definitely seemed interested in being here and learning about the craft.' At the local museum, he admired locally-produced silverware, including a teapot made in the early 1700s - said to be one of the oldest surviving silver teapots in Scotland. Charles was also invited to view the Banff Market Cross, dating from the early 1400s. Spotting a decorative Celtic trumpet at the museum, the prince said: 'I played trumpet at school but I'm not going to try it.' The Duke was shown several of the displays within the museum, including what appeared to be regalia worn by a royal or nobleman, pictured The Duke of Rothesay signed a visitor's book during the visit to Banff Museum, Aberdeenshire The royal also unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit to Banff Museum on Monday Julian Watson, chairman of Banff Preservation and Heritage Society, said after the visit: 'He was very surprised at just how prolific silver production was up here - it was second after Aberdeen. 'It was a very wealthy Georgian town in its day.' Mr Watson added: 'It was a great visit and helps put Banff Museum on the map.' The sister of a knife crime victim broke down in tears as she learned fresh details about the murder after tracking down the detective in charge of the case. Chanell Wallace was 11 years old when her brother Daniel Williams, 20, was stabbed and killed just metres away from his front door in Nottingham in March 2006. His murderer Cornelius Messam, then 24, was given a life sentence following a trial in March 2007, but his parole process will soon begin. After volunteering to write a Victim Personal Statement on behalf of the family, Chanell, now 24, is followed by BBC cameras as she worked to uncover details about her brother's murder that were kept from her when she was just a schoolgirl. Chanell Wallace was 11 years old when her brother Daniel Williams, 20, was stabbed and killed just metres away from his front door in Nottingham in March 2006. In Life After My Brother's Murder, she breaks down as she learns details about his killing, pictured Daniel Williams, pictured, was killed in 2006. His murderer Cornelius Messam, pictured, was given a life sentence following a trial in March 2007, but his parole process will soon begin Messam, pictured in a newspaper cutting from the time, denied killing Mr Williams but was convicted at Nottingham Crown Court in March 2007 'There's things I remember and things I don't really remember,' she explains at the start of the documentary, Life After My Brother's Murder. 'It was 2.30 in the morning. I remember hearing the noise and then my Mum coming in the room screaming and shouting. 'And then my Mum was trying to wake me up, wake me up. She said my name over and over again and then looked at me straight in the eye and said: "Daniel's gone. He's dead".' Last year saw the highest number of fatal stabbings in England and Wales since records began, and both Chanell and her mother Sarah, are keen to highlight the lasting impact knife crime has on victims' families. As part of her journey to learn about her brother's murder, Chanell make contact with Nick Holmes, pictured together, who was the lead detective on the case. 'Youths need to see the damage they're doing to families' In an emotional moment after her daughter Chanell begins crying over Daniel's death, Sarah Wallace addresses the camera directly to issue an impassioned plea to viewers who might find themselves involved in knife crime. She says: 'When these youths turn on the TV and see this documentary they need to see the damage they're doing to families. They need to see this, this is what happens. 'One minute, we're happy-go-lucky, going about our business, going to school, going to work, going to church on a Sunday, whatever we do, and all of a sudden things stopped dead. 'We have to go to the psychiatrists, we try to take our own lives, for this, why? Because you found it so fitting to take my son's life? 'I don't understand it and I will never understand it until the day I die.' Mother Sarah Wallace addresses the camera directly, pictured, to issue an impassioned plea to viewers who might find themselves involved in knife crime Advertisement As part of her journey to learn about her brother's murder, Chanell make contact with Nick Holmes, who was the lead detective on the case. In an emotional conversation, Mr Holmes, tells Chanell details about the relationship between her brother and his attacker including a previous altercation and an instance where Mr Williams had been robbed by Messam at knife point. Mr Holmes admits Mr Williams had been involved in 'low level stuff' - Chanell knows her brother 'dealt some weed' - but that Messam was a 'different character' entirely. He says: 'The strong feeling that we got was that Daniel was a really nice guy, he certainly wasn't a violent individual by nature... Both Chanell and her mother Sarah, are keen to highlight the lasting impact knife crime has on victims' families. Pictured, Chanell at home in Nottingham with Sarah Mother Sarah brought out mementos she had kept from Daniel's life, including childhood photos (pictured) and a letter she wrote to him in the hours after his death in March 2006 Mr Williams was attacked as he made his way back to his flat in this Nottingham tower block 'Messam was a different character. He had been seen with a firearm previously, according to witness, and clearly carried a knife. But Daniel didn't.' After asking Mr Holmes about whether there is any evidence Messam had intended to hurt or kill her brother that night, Chanell is shocked to be told Messam had been lying in wait in the bushes for Mr Williams. She had long believed it was more of a random attack and that the pair had happened to cross paths that night. Mr Holmes continues: '[Messam] knew Daniel would be there and he was waiting for him... He was in the bushes and then they had a bit of an argument and then they came together. Chanell, pictured, spoke about growing up under the shadow of her brother's murder 'I think he had his knife already and then when they came together it was pretty quick.' The revelation leaves Chanell in tears and she asks the camera to stop feeling while Mr Holmes fetches a tissue. She adds: 'For all these years, I always thought it just happened. I think my mind wanted to tell me it was random so [I didn't have to think] he wasn't ambushed.' The Duchess of Cambridge has received the Queen's highest seal of approval as she's made a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. Buckingham Palace made the announcement on Kate's eighth wedding anniversary to Prince William, 36 - and just days before Meghan is due to give birth to her first baby with the Duke of Sussex, 34. Awards under the Royal Victorian Order are made personally by the Queen, for services to the sovereign. It's likely that the Queen bestowed the prestigious honour on her granddaughter-in-law, 37, in recognition of her work as a member of the monarchy - which will come as a massive boost for Kate amid rumours of recent strains on her marriage. She has supported her own causes such as the early years development of children, travelled the Commonwealth on behalf of the monarch and helped to raise awareness about mental health alongside her husband and Prince Harry. But just hours after the honour was announced, the so-called rivalry between the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex has once again been thrown into the spotlight. The Queen has made the Duchess of Cambridge a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, Buckingham Palace has announced. Pictured, Prince William and Kate Middleton wave to the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London, following their wedding at Westminster Abbey The Queen has bestowed the honour on Kate, 37, which is likely to be in recognition of her work as a member of the monarchy. Pictured, Queen Elizabeth II in the Music Room of Buckingham Palace ahead of a State Banquet on May 24, 2011 in London Buckingham Palace made the announcement on Kate's eighth wedding anniversary to Prince William, 36. The rumours began last year when Meghan and Prince Harry, whose first child is expected to arrive imminently, announced they would move out of Kensington Palace to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. There were also claims that Kate was left in tears following Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid's dress fitting, ahead of Meghan and Harry's wedding in May, as well as suggestions the pair had clashed over staff. However, royal insiders insisted that there has been no falling out between the Cambridges and the Sussexes, but admitted the pair are 'very different people'. Despite the palace shutting down these rumours of different opinions, hundreds of royal fans took to Twitter today to comment on Kates new honour and compare the two Duchess roles in the family. In becoming a Grand Dame, Kate who will now have the letters GCVO after her name will join other senior female royals including the Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Anne, the Countess of Wessex and the Duchess of Gloucester. Pictured, Duchess of Cambridge attends the ANZAC Day Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey on April 25, 2019 Kensington Palace's Twitter and Instagram accounts thanked royal fans for their well wishes on Monday, as they tweeted throwback photos of the royal couple on their wedding day The announcement came just days before Meghan is due to give birth to her first baby with the Duke of Sussex, 34 (pictured above) A fan of Meghan said: She deserves the Royal Order more than Kate I'm sorry! I expect her to receive one in a year or two. She's done more representing to the Queen than Kate has done in 8 whole years! Another supporter defended the Duchess of Cambridge and reminded others that the award is a personal honour from the Queen. People trying to say Meghan should have gotten the honour due to her working more than Kate omg people,' she wrote. 'The Queen gave it to Catherine for a reason my god. Must they tear Catherine down every damn time Like RELAX people. Someone else in agreement explained that the award today wasnt based on a comparison between Meghan and Kate but in recognition of how the Duchess of Cambridge is doing and what she has had to put up with. One royal supporter said they thought Meghan should have received acknowledgement for her work within the family instead of Kate Middleton However others backed Kate saying she received the award from the Queen 'for a reason' Another person also said that Kate was given the RVO because the Queen must have felt that she had 'earned it' and helped the monarchy during the past eight years What is the Royal Victorian Order? The order was started by Queen Victoria in 1896 so that she could personally reward people who had helped her as a monarch. During the reign of Edward VIII, in 1936, the order was amended to admit women. The highest class of the order is to be a Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GCVO), which is what Kate Middleton has now been awarded. The Royal Victorian Order, one pictured, is a Maltese cross surrounded by a blue ring Other classes include Knight or Dame Commander (KCVO or DCVO), Commander (CVO), Lieutenant (LVO), and Member (MVO). The two highest classes come with admission into knighthood if the awardee is not already a knight or a dame. This means they can be called sir or dame. Once part of the Order, members are given a badge which is a Maltese cross surrounded by a blue ring and featuring a Tudor crown. The Queen decides who gets a RVO and they are awarded for services to the monarch. Pictured is Elizabeth II's hairdresser John Carmichael receiving his medal in 2017 There are variations on the badge for each grade of the order. For example Knights and Dames Grand Cross wear the badge on a sash passing from the right shoulder to the left hip. Their badge also has white enamel with gold edging, setting it apart from the other ranks. Foreigners can also be part of the Royal Victorian Order, however their ribbon will differ from others and have an additional central white stripe. The Order's motto is 'Victoria,' in reference to the founder and its chapel is the Savoy Chapel in London. Advertisement They wrote: HM [her majesty] seems to bestow honors when she feels they are earned or helpful to the monarchy or in recognition of some important occasion. This one isn't about the count of engagements. IMO it's recognition of how DoC is doing as a mentee, incl what she's had put up with. A thank you from HM. Another person even questioned why the news was shared so late in the day, writing: Wonder why Kate's Dame Grand Cross was announced so late in U.K. Afternoon? Awards under the Royal Victorian Order are in the Queens personal gift and unlike others are bestowed independently of Downing Street. They are given by the head of state to those who have served her or the monarchy in a personal way. Kate's appointment comes just in time for the service for the order, which according to Majesty Magazine, will be held on Friday, May 3 at Windsor Castle. Another royal fan questioned why the news of Kate's award today wasn't announced until the afternoon Hundreds of people congratulated the Duchess of Cambridge on her Royal Victorian Order The Queen gifted her daughter-in-law the Duchess of Cornwall the same personal wedding anniversary honour back in April 2012. Pictured, Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall leave St Georges' Chapel, Windsor England, following a blessing of their marriage in 2005 In becoming a Grand Dame, Kate who will now have the letters GCVO after her name will join other senior female royals including the Duchess of Cornwall, Princess Anne, the Countess of Wessex and the Duchess of Gloucester. Kate's new honour will be apparent at her next working engagement, as those in the Royal Victorian Order wear a blue sash in recognition of their appointment. She will also continue to wear a yellow badge, which indicates the Royal Family Order. The Dame Grand Cross, which is the highest rank in the Order and the equivalent of a Knight, was founded in April 1896 by Queen Victoria as a way of rewarding individual service to her. But being a member of the British royal family isn't a requirement, as the former list also includes British diplomats and others who have served the monarchy - along with honourary members including Emperor Akihito of Japan and King Harald V of Norway. WHO ELSE HAS RECEIVED THE ROYAL VICTORIAN ORDER? Queen Victoria's first two appointments were to her sons Albert, Prince of Wales, and Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn. Queen Elizabeth has also appointed several members of her own family as Knights and Dames Grand Cross. In 1960 the Duke Of Kent, a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, was appointed. In 1974 the Duke of Gloucester received his award and the Duchess of Gloucester also received one in 1989. The Countess of Wessex, right, became a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in 2010 and is pictured wearing the it on a sash Prince Philip, pictured with the Queen, received the Royal Victorian Order in 2017 in celebration of their 70th wedding anniversary Other high ranking female members of the royal family to receive the order include the Countess of Wessex in 2010 and the Duchess of Cornwall in 2012. The Queen also awarded Prince Philip the honour in 2017 in celebration of their 70th wedding anniversary. Several honorary knights and Dames grand cross have also been appointed during the Queens reign. These include Emperor Akihito of Japan in 1953, Kuwaiti diplomat Khaled Al-Duwaisan, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations Kamalesh Sharma and Prince, later King Felipe of Spain in 1988. Advertisement The Queen gifted her daughter-in-law the Duchess of Cornwall the same personal wedding anniversary honour back in April 2012. Camilla became a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order to mark the seventh anniversary of her wedding to Prince Charles. The couple married on April 9, 2005, in a civil ceremony at the Guildhall in Windsor after a controversial relationship spanning several decades. Once seen as the other woman in Charless marriage to Princess Diana, Camilla has become an integral member of the Royal Family since she married Charles. Along with the honour, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been flooded with well wishes as they celebrate their eighth wedding anniversary today. Kensington Palace's Twitter and Instagram accounts thanked royal fans for their well wishes on Monday, as they tweeted throwback photos of the royal couple on their wedding day. Writing a sweet tribute caption alongside the three pictures, the palace tweeted: 'Eight years ago today thank you for your lovely messages on The Duke and Duchess of Cambridges wedding anniversary!'. Prince William and Kate married on April 29th 2011 at Westminster Abbey and the couple share three children - Prince George, 5, Princess Charlotte, 3, and Prince Louis, 1. Pippa Middleton opted for a dressed down look as she headed out on an evening stroll around the park with baby Arthur this evening. The Duchess of Cambridge's younger sister, 35, was spotted walking her two dogs while pushing her six-month-old son's pram in London. As she made her way along the main drive, Pippa expertly managed her Labrador and Cocker Spaniel named Rafa while concentrating on her phone call. When it was time to get back onto the pavement, the socialite carefully balanced her mobile phone between her shoulder and head while pushing the stroller. Pippa Middleton, pictured, looked deep in thought as she walked her two dogs and pushed baby Arthur's pram in London this evening The Duchess of Cambridge's sister, pictured, held her mobile to her ear with one hand while pushing six-month-old Arthur's stroller with the other Pippa, who is married to James Matthews, 43, opted for a casual look for the evening walk in the city and donned blue jeans with a grey t-shirt. She coordinated her look with a pair of sensible blue trainers with white laces - perfect for keeping up with her adorable pets. The mother-of-one also wore a knee-length blue coat which featured detail around the cuffs and collar - ensuring she didn't get too cold in the breeze. Throughout the walk baby Arthur was well covered inside his pram, with the navy blue pram hood pulled completely down. As the mother, pictured, made her way around the park she continued her conversation and appeared to be concentrating On the way out from the park, Pippa expertly balanced the phone between her shoulder and head while pushing the pram onto the pavement Pippa has kept a relatively low profile since she and husband James welcomed their first child together in October last year. However, she has been keen to stay active in the first months of motherhood, and has been spotted walking with Arthur many times - often near the 17M family home. Pippa is often seen out walking with the same 1,100 pushchair. The state-of-the-art pushchair is from Dutch-based brand Bugaboo, favoured by celebrity parents including Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham and Sir Elton John. Pippa's older sister the Duchess of Cambridge, 37, is also rumoured to have purchased a Bugaboo design ahead of the birth of Prince George in 2013. Fitness queen Kayla Itsines has given birth to a baby girl named Arna Leia via caesarean. She posted a picture of her fiance Tobi Pearce, 26, holding the little girl for her 11million Instagram followers on Tuesday morning. In a lengthy caption, the 27-year-old described how she stared into his eyes during the delivery before her 'perfect' child was born. The young couple from Adelaide embraced as Tobi, with tears streaming down his face, whispered 'she's so perfect, I love you.' Kayla, a Greek-Australian Instagram fitness model worth $487million, said the birth happened a couple of days ago and her doctor had recommended a caesarean. Welcome to the world: Kayla told how she stared into her partner's eyes while giving birth Tobi also posted a picture on Instagram of him holding his new little one She wrote: 'I just stared into Tobi's eyes the whole time during delivery, nervously whispering "please let her be healthy, please be okay, please be okay" and Tobi kept repeating "I love you so much - she's going to be healthy it's okay just breathe it's okay". We both were crying. 'In that second, we heard her cry for the first time, the doctors and nurses examined her quickly, bought her over to us and said "she is absolutely perfect". My doctor said "Look at that hair and those cheeks! Amazing!" 'I don't even know how to describe how I felt in that moment. I looked over at Tobi who looked like the proudest Dad I've ever seen, with tears running down his face he gave me a kiss on the forehead and whispered "She's so perfect, I love you". 'She is perfect indeed! From the start, she knew exactly who we were and was instantly calm. Kayla then described how Tobi reacted during and after the birth. She wrote: 'Tobi went into 'Dad mode' straight away. From someone who made jokes the whole 9 months about not being able to change a diaper... to now not wanting to let ANYONE change her because he wants to help - has made me love him even MORE. 'Tobi wraps her up and cuddles her and she goes straight to sleep. She's a happy quiet bubba who LOVES her big greek family. The fitness model then mentioned herself, saying she was still sore. Her post continued: 'As for me, I ended up having a cesarean, as recommended by the doctor. I was a little bit sore, but after a couple of days I was generally fine, just no lifting other than Arna. Now, I just need to rest, eat good food, drink lots of water and I'll be okay! Fitness queen Kayla Itsines has given birth to a baby girl named Arna Leia via caesarean 'I feel so BLESSED right now. I AM blessed to have Tobi and my family be there every day. I am so thankful to have the most amazing doctor and midwives ever to help me. 'This experience has been amazing for me and I am proud to say that. Thank you everyone for being SO amazing!! We are so in love and happy. Holding her for the first time in our arms was truly the best day of our life.' Tobi also posted a picture on Instagram of him holding his new little one. He wrote: 'Recently, my world got so much brighter when this little angel entered the world. Everyone, please meet Arna Leia Pearce. 'To be honest, I don't think any to be mum or dad knows what to expect when entering parenthood for the first time. I expected so many great things, and an abundance of learnings, but I couldn't be more pleasantly surprised with how great this is already. I've never felt so connected. Last week Kayla Itsines said she won't be posting photos of her 'muffin' on social media In March it was revealed the Australian couple have accumulated a half a billion-dollar fortune just five years after launching a women's fitness app 'For every couple that goes on the pregnancy journey together, I am sure you can all relate to just how incredible it is, but also how it is hard work and requires a lot of teamwork. 'Throughout that journey, almost daily I was reminded just how strong and caring Kayla is and I couldn't be more proud, I just know she is going to be such a great mum. 'For the big day, her birth, everything went so well, Mum is doing great and recovering very well. Baby Arna is most importantly healthy, happy and so, so beautiful and peaceful. 'I can't wait to go on this journey together as a family, here we go! 'Kayla (Cherub) and Arna (Muffin), I love you both so much.' In March it was revealed the Australian couple have amassed almost half a billion dollars just five years after launching a women's fitness app. They have made $487million with Sweat, a workout app created out of Kayla's own exercise regime which she called the Bikini Body Guide (BBG). The pair have been listed at number 206 and 207 on The Australian's The List, the youngest to be featured, two years after making it on the Young Rich List 2017 with a combined fortune of $109million. Kalya and Tobi met at a gym and have lived together since 2013. They got engaged in April last year. A creamy rum cocktail dreamed up by Waitrose, which resembles an avocado, has been dubbed 'the most middle class thing ever' by delighted fans. Following the wild success of its sell-out Chocolate Avocado Egg, the recipe has caused a stir after being shared online. The cocktail - which uses melted white and dark chocolate, double cream, white rum, peppermint extract, green food colouring, and a giant chocolate button - is designed to look like an avocado. Following the wild success of their sell-out Chocolate Avocado Egg Waitrose have launched a new recipe so their shoppers can enjoy avocado-related products past Easter After posting the drink recipe on their Facebook page, thousands of people liked and commented on the unusual concoction. One shopper wrote: 'God damn, this is the most middle class drink I've yet laid eye upon'. Another replied: 'We need these!!!' A third said: 'Not avocado, but green food colouring. I love avocado but not with chocolate and cream!!' Agreeing, a fourth commented: 'It might actually be improved by the addition of an avocado. Chocolate and mint sound disgusting to me.' The recipe - which uses melted white and dark chocolate, double cream, white rum, peppermint extract, green food colouring, and a giant chocolate button - is designed to look like an avocado The recipe - which uses melted white and dark chocolate, double cream, white rum, peppermint extract, green food colouring, and a giant chocolate button - is designed to look like an avocado The recipe - which uses melted white and dark chocolate, double cream, white rum, peppermint extract, green food colouring, and a giant chocolate button - is designed to look like an avocado After posting the drink recipe on their Facebook page , thousands of people liked and commented on the unusual cocktail The cocktail recipe comes after the success of the supermarket giant's avocado chocolate egg, which they bought back for Easter this year. In 2018, the Waitrose Chocolate Avocado Egg became the supermarket's fastest selling Easter egg ever as shoppers frantically searched up and down the country for the in-demand sweet treat. The avocado- shaped egg flew off the shelves and had to be repeatedly restocked in store and online. In 2018, the Waitrose Chocolate Avocado Egg became the supermarket's fastest selling Easter egg ever. The supermarket is put them it back on the shelves this year as well as introducing mini versions of the popular avocado shaped egg This year, the supermarket is put them back on the shelves introducing mini versions of the popular egg for customers to indulge in. Although the Easter egg looks identical to a giant avocado, it's 100% chocolate with no avocado flavouring. But healthy or not that doesn't seem to stop avocado-loving millennials. Although the Easter egg looks identical to a giant avocado, it's 100% chocolate with no avocado flavouring. The egg comes in a dark Belgian chocolate shell with 70 per cent cocoa, with a white chocolate middle which uses natural colouring to imitate the green flesh of the fruit, finished off with a cocoa dusted 'stone' The egg is made up of a dark Belgian chocolate shell with 70 per cent cocoa, and a white chocolate middle which uses natural colouring to imitate the green flesh of the fruit, finished off with a cocoa dusted 'stone'. The supermarket is also released a 'Baby Chocolate Avocados' for 2019, smaller versions of the giant egg, ideal for any Easter egg hunts. Vegans also got a slice of the avocado action as Waitrose introduced lime flavoured vegan jelly avocados for 2.50 for a pack of six as an alternative to the chocolate version. Waitrose have also launched lime flavoured vegan jelly avocados for 2.50 for a pack of six as an alternative to the chocolate version Kate Kind, Waitrose & Partners Easter egg product developer said: 'We know our customers love avocados, but we never realised quite how much until we launched our Chocolate Avocado last Easter! 'The avocados were a huge hit with avo-lovers hunting for them in Waitrose & Partner shops across the UK. 'They sold out much quicker than expected and were such a talking point among family and friends that we wanted to recreate them with some fun, mini versions this year to make sure our shoppers had a whole array of avocado treats to choose from.' A mother-of-two whose baby was left with bleeding skin due to her severe eczema has hailed a 'miracle cream' for freeing her daughter of the condition in just two weeks. Katie Rosendale, 21, took Evelyn to the doctors when she developed large dry patches over her chest and abdomen at just three months old. Although her GP prescribed an ointment, the youngster's condition only got worse, with Miss Rosendale, of Southampton, being forced to 'constantly' change her sheets when her red-raw skin left them covered in blood. Just as she was starting to believe Evelyn's condition was 'incurable', Miss Rosendale came across the skincare brand Baby Kingdom Collection on Instagram, which claims to ease eczema. Despite having 'no faith' it would work, she ordered a cream and shampoo, which soothed the youngster's skin almost immediately and gave the family their 'happy Evelyn back'. Baby Evelyn Rosendale is finally free of her eczema-ridden skin thanks to a 'miracle cream'. She is pictured left after using the lotion. The youngster endured large dry patches over her chest and abdomen (pictured right) at just three months old, which would leave her bleeding Desperate to help her baby, Evelyn's mother Katie Rosendale came across the skincare brand Baby Kingdom Collection on Instagram, which claims to ease eczema. Miss Rosendale is pictured with her daughter, partner Nathan, 22, and their three-year-old son Ellis Speaking of her daughter's condition, Miss Rosendale said: 'It was really awful for Evelyn. 'It was worst in the creases of her skin, all over her belly and chest, and she would itch it and it would bleed. It was just unbearable to see her in such discomfort.' Miss Rosendale, who is also mother to three-year-old Ellis with her partner Nathan, 22, hoped the prescribed ointment would ease her daughter's symptoms. 'We tried what the doctors gave us but it was hopeless,' she said. 'We bathed Evelyn in oil in the bath but the ointment was really greasy and had a horrible texture, and took ages to dry. 'It also didnt help Evelyns eczema at all it was worse than ever. I was so worried.' Desperate to help her daughter, Miss Rosendale, who developed mild eczema on her face and hands while pregnant, tried numerous brands and turned to friends for advice, but nothing worked. WHAT IS ECZEMA? Eczema is an inflammatory condition of the skin that leads to redness, blistering, oozing, scaling and thickening. It usually appears in the first few months of life and affects around 10 per cent of babies. Eczema's cause is not fully understood but it is thought to be brought on by the skin's barrier to the outside world not working properly, which allows irritants and allergy-inducing substances to enter. It may be genetic due to the condition often running in families. As well as their skin being affected, sufferers may experience insomnia and irritability. Many factors can make eczema worse. These may include: Heat, dust, soap and detergents Being unwell, such as having a cold Infections Dry skin Stress There is no cure for eczema, however, 70 per cent of childhood sufferers no longer have the condition in their teens. Patients should avoid known triggers for flare ups and use emollients. Source: British Skin Foundation Advertisement 'Evelyn remained very distressed and unable to sleep properly due to sore, bleeding skin,' she said. 'I would have to constantly change her sheets because of the blood. We had started to believe her eczema was incurable.' Thinking she had no options left, Miss Rosendale, who used to work in a shop, came across Baby Kingdom Collection while scrolling through social media. With the brand claiming it helped eczema-prone skin, she ordered a 16.95 cream and a 17.95 hair-and-body wash. 'If Im honest, I didnt have any faith left, but I was prepared to try anything,' Miss Rosendale said. Despite her pessimism, she was astounded by the results. 'The cream wasnt like other baby body creams - it dried quickly and soothed Evelyns skin and smelt amazing,' Miss Rosendale said. 'We also used the hair and body wash, and Evelyns eczema cleared up in two weeks, it was just amazing. 'Now we have our happy Evelyn back. She has started to sleep properly and is so much more content. It was such a weight off our shoulders.' Miss Rosendale continues to apply the products to Evelyn's skin every day. 'I call it Evelyns "miracle cream",' she said. 'Were just so relieved we finally found something to cure the eczema. 'Evelyn is now just like any other baby and we can all just enjoy the milestones shes going through and getting some normality back for our family.' Speaking of the brand, Dr Firas Al-Niaimi, group medical director at sk:n, told MailOnline: 'Some of the ingredients are emollients and help with hydrating the skin and optimising the skin barrier, which is essential in eczema. 'Some others such as aloe vera and Panthenol have mild anti-inflammatory effects, which, together with the hydrating effects can explain the improvement in eczema.' Miss Rosendale had 'no faith' the brand would work, but ordered a cream and shampoo regardless. She claims it soothed the youngster's skin (pictured recently) almost immediately Miss Rosendale claims the family have their 'happy Evelyn back', adding she is 'more content' A mother whose insides began to burst through her caesarean section scar is to undergo a rare five-organ transplant. Michelle Oddy, 43, gave birth to her daughter, Kiera, via C-section in 2004, ten years before her ordeal began. Mrs Oddy, who has suffered from Crohn's disease since she was 14, woke up one morning to find her insides had pushed out of her scar, causing faeces to leak. Doctors said it was caused by a fistula - an abnormal channel that passes from one organ to another, or to the outside surface of the body. A fistula can be caused by Crohn's and other inflammatory bowel diseases. Mrs Oddy's fistula was a channel from her bowel to her skin which then broke through the weak scar tissue of her C-section scar. Mrs Oddy now has multiple organ failure, which doctors believe has been caused by various operations. She also has a colostomy bag and relies on feeding tubes. Surgeons have hope to get her an operation in the next two months to replace her liver, pancreas, small and large intestines and half of a stomach, with all the organs coming from one donor. However, they have warned the hairdresser, from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, that there is a 35 per cent chance she will die during the 20-hour procedure. Michelle Oddy, 43, of Ilkeston, Derbyshire, is having a rare five-organ transplant after findings her insides bursting out of her caesarean section scar. Pictured at home with her colostomy bag and feeding machine Mrs Oddy woke up one morning to find her insides bursting out of her scar which had been caused by a complication of her Crohn's disease. Pictured, her stomach With multiple organ failure due to so many operations, a colostomy bag and feeding tubes constantly becoming infected, doctors are running out of options to keep Mrs Oddy going. Pictured when she dropped to four stone in weight in 2015 Mrs Oddy said: 'At the end of the day it's only a matter of time before I could pass away. It just gets worse. 'My quality of life is so bad that I'm willing to gamble - half of my insides are being replaced. 'I want this gaping hole in my stomach to go, I can't do anything, it has completely taken over my life.' Ms Oddy had endured seven operations to remove parts of her bowel due to complications with her Crohn's. CAN INTERNAL ORGANS POP OUT OF A C-SECTION SCAR? Mike Savvas, consultant gynaecologist at King Edward VIIs Hospital and King's College Hospital, London, said that while such incidents are rare, 'they can happen'. He told MailOnline in 2015: 'With any time of abdominal incision, this can happen - it's not unheard of. 'However it's particularly rare with horizontal incisions, as made during C-sections. 'If there is a bit of a gape (of the wound) then a bit of the bowel bulges out. 'It's not just a case of the wound popping open and everything spilling out.' Another issue is that while new mothers have traditionally been in hospital for five days, shorter hospital stays mean women are increasingly discharged sooner. 'If such an incident happens while a woman is on the ward, it is a lot quicker and easier - and less alarming - to deal with than at home,' he explained. Advertisement In 2014, she woke up one morning and looked down to see a hole in her stomach ten years after the birth of her daughter. She did not say which month it happened in. She said: 'The insides of my stomach were just falling out, there was blood all over me.' Mrs Oddy added that it was also leaking faeces. Fistulas occur in one in three people with Crohn's at some point in their life, according to Crohn's and Colitis UK. The abnormal passage may connect two parts of the bowel to each other, or the bowel to the vagina, bladder, or skin, most commonly around the anus. Mrs Oddy had a gastrointestinal fistula, a passageway from a remaining part of her bowel to the outside of her stomach, which then broke through the skin where she had previously been opened for the C-section. A gastrointestinal fistula causes fluids and acid to seep through the lining of the stomach or intestines which can cause infection to other organs and sepsis. Food also struggles to move properly through the body. It is not clear how Mrs Oddy's condition was treated, however she still needs the hole dressed daily by nurses. During this time, Mrs Oddy started to dramatically lose weight and gradually dropped to just four stone in 2015, which contributed to her organs struggling. She said: 'It's hard to explain, but because I have had so many operations on my bowels, they stopped working so everything just clogs up in my body, and it has to leave somewhere. 'They told me my organs had packed up and I only had a few days of life left.' Treated just in time, Mrs Oddy was given a TPN, or liquid feed, that was set up at her home after spending four weeks in hospital. Mrs Oddy said: 'The insides of my stomach were just falling out, there was blood all over me'. Pictured, Mrs Oddy's hole in her stomach Mrs Oddy developed a fistula, which is an abnormal channel that passes from one organ to another, or to the outside surface of the body. It's common in people with Crohn's Mrs Oddy had 'one of the worst days of my life' last year when she fell ill and was rushed to hospital. She had gone into septic shock from an infection in her feeding tube Six nights a week, a nurse visits Mrs Oddy home to administer the liquid feed, which gives her all the vital nutrients. Mrs Oddy said: 'My weight started to get better but I still have a nurse coming to my house to feed me every day, it's just insane, I can't keep living like this. 'My organs have stopped working, I still have a hole in my stomach and a permanent colostomy bag.' Mrs Oddy had 'one of the worst days of my life' last year when she fell ill and was rushed to hospital. She said: 'After being there for a couple of hours, my wife, Laura, walked in and found me unresponsive and staring into space. 'The next thing I remember was the room filling up with doctors. I had gone into septic shock due to infections caused by the TPN and my veins giving in after being pumped with liquid nutrients for the last four years. 'Once they stabilised me, they told Laura to come in so we could say our goodbyes because I would not make it to the next day. 'Saying goodbye to my daughter, and Laura, was one of the hardest moments I have ever faced. 'Somehow, two hours later I made a full recovery and I decided to marry Laura six weeks later.' Six nights a week, a nurse visits Mrs Oddy's home to administer the liquid feed, which sends vital nutrients direct to her major arteries. Pictured at home with a gastrostomy feeding machine and other medical equipment After her weight plummeted in 2015, Mrs Oddy was given a TPN, or liquid feed, that was set up at her home after spending four weeks in Hospital Mrs Oddy shows a picture of the hole in her stomach which was leaking blood and faeces The liver, pancreas, small intestine, large intestine and half of the stomach are all due to be replaced thanks to one donor WHAT IS A FISTULA? A fistula is an abnormal connection between an organ and another structure. Fistulas develop when an organ becomes inflamed or injured. They are a very common complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), occurring more frequently in Crohns disease than ulcerative colitis. About 35 per cent of people with Crohns disease have at least one fistula. The most common location for a fistula is around the anus. These are called perianal fistulas. Over half of fistulas form in this location. The second most common location is between two loops of intestine. What are the symptoms? Symptoms of a fistula depend on where the connection has formed. Fluid or waste may leak continually from the anus or vagina or seep through the wall of the abdomen. If you have a perianal fistula, you may have ongoing rectal pain or swelling. A fistula between the intestine and bladder can cause a urinary tract infection that keeps returning. Fistulas between two loops of the intestine may not cause any symptoms. What is the treatment? Fistulas can be very complicated to treat. Surgery can be risky. Most health care providers will try to treat a perianal fistula with medication first. However, many patients with perianal fistulas eventually do need surgery. Advertisement Now, consultants have said that her artificial feed is failing. They have put her forward to have five of her organs replaced in hope of giving her a better quality of life. She needs all of the organs to be from one donor to minimise the risk of rejection. The operation will also need a team of various specialist surgeons to come together. Mrs Oddy said: 'The idea that I have a 35 per cent chance of never waking up is terrifying. 'What I always remember is that there's also a 65 per cent chance that I'll wake up better, I'll be able to take my daughter on holiday and we'll be able to swim together. 'I want my quality of life back; I want to enjoy days out with my family just like everyone else. 'The little things have become so difficult, I just want to enjoy a meal, or go out and not have to worry about my stomach opening up and spilling out. 'Even going for something as normal as a picnic is hard - everyone is sitting around eating lovely food and I can't touch it. I always have to be on guard.' Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust consultant transplant surgeon, Andrew Butler, said: 'This procedure, which includes an intestine graft, is rare and certainly complex. 'We have carried out about 100 such procedures and internationally there have been around 1,500 bowel containing transplants in adults since 1992. 'In the UK, Addenbrooke's Hospital is the only centre that provides adult multivisceral transplants including a liver.' Mrs Oddy said: 'Without my wife and daughter, who have been amazing throughout this whole process I would have already given up. 'I'm risking this for them, for better or for worse.' An anti-psychotic pill which contains a tracker so doctors can check if it's been taken isn't being used because it could add to patients' paranoia, an expert has warned. The Abilify MyCite has a metallic chip the size of a grain of sand. It was approved to treat schizophrenia by the US's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017. But few patients are taking the pioneering new treatment, which costs $1,650 (1,275) for a month's supply, because of concerns and the fact it costs so much more than usual medication. The idea of swallowing a tracking chip which transmits signals may be too much for patients battling the disorder to handle, according to a psychiatrist. The FDA approved Abilify MyCite (pictured), the first medication with a tracking device in it, in 2017. The drug contains a transmitter that sends information to a patch worn on the patient's arm, which is then logged on a mobile app Schizophrenic patients are already at risk of paranoia, delusions and hallucinations. And Dr James Levenson, from Virginia Commonwealth University, said the pill, which still isn't on the market in the US, could contribute to those. Abilify is already used to treat schizophrenia but a pharmaceutical can add the tracking sensor made of copper, magnesium and silicon and put it into the pills. When the patient swallows the pills it transmits a signal over the internet to let the doctor know it has been taken. This process makes the medicine up to 30 times as expensive, however. As well as this, the extra component may be worsening the same symptoms it's trying to control, according to Dr Levenson, who spoke to The Washington Post. He said: 'Patients who have a lot of paranoia might be uncomfortable with the idea of a medicine that is transmitting signals. The patient may be afraid to take it. 'The science of this one is kind of ahead of the data.' Dr Levenson's comments mirror concerns which were raised when the drug was approved in 2017. One expert said introducing the medicine in a schizophrenia medication wasn't very considerate. Dr Paul Appelbaum, a psychiatrist from Colombia University said at the time: 'Psychotic disorders are often characterized by some degree of paranoia, often reaching delusional proportions, in which patients may believe that outside forces are trying to monitor and control them. HOW DOES THE DIGITAL PILL WORK? In 2017 Abilify MyCite became the first pill containing a tracking sensor to be approved by the US's Food and Drug Administration. It combined a tried and tested schizophrenia drug, Abilify, with a metallic chip the size of a grain of sand. The chip, containing copper, magnesium and silicon, sends a signal to a patch worn on the patient's arm when the pill is taken. Ingestion can be recorded within between 30 minutes and two hours of the patient swallowing the drug. The sensor has no battery or antenna but is activated when it gets wet from stomach juices. That completes a circuit between coatings of copper and magnesium on either side, generating a tiny electric charge. The patch then synchronises with a mobile app on the patient's smartphone or tablet, and sends data to their doctor over the internet to show whether the pill has been taken. In this way, doctors can collect accurate, reliable and real-time data about whether their patient is sticking to their prescription. Past research has found around 50 per cent of patients given regular medication don't take it properly, and this may be even higher for patients with schizophrenia. Advertisement 'The idea that were giving this group of patients a pill that, in fact, transmits info about them from inside their body to the people that are involved in their treatment almost seems like a confirmation of the worst paranoias of the worst patients.' Past research has found that non-adherence refusing to take medication properly or regularly is a particular problem for doctors treating schizophrenic patients. In 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that as many as 50 per cent of patients on prescription medications do not take their drugs as directed. A study published in December 2018 by the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences claimed 75 per cent of patients with schizophrenia quit their meds within 18 months. Between 930,000 and 2.3million people in the US are thought to have schizophrenia or a similar disorder. Worldwide, around 21million people are affected. Patients may be put off taking their medicine because they don't believe it works, they don't fully understand their illness, or they don't trust their doctor, the study said. And this is hard to measure because some patients may avoid taking their drugs but not tell their doctor about it. Abilify MyCite is still not on the market in the US, potentially because of scepticism from prescribing doctors and medical insurance providers. Scott Gottlieb, the former commissioner of the FDA, said: 'I think that these technologies have a lot of potential benefits. 'But it's going to be a question of evidence that they can demonstrate value to patients and payers.' Otsuka Pharmaceutical, the Maryland-based company which makes Abilify MyCite, said people who were likely to be afraid of their medicine were not likely to be given it. The pioneering pill, the firm said, is designed for patients who ask for it in a bid to improve their own mental health rather than a replacement for existing medicines. John Bardi, spokesperson for Otsuka, told the Washington Post: 'It's unlike a pharmaceutical launch where you proactively blitz all the states. We're not doing that. 'It's really about patients who want to improve their treatment goals. If they have any concerns, it's probably not the right solution for them.' Photo: The Canadian Press Police work near the scene where authorities say several people were shot, at least one fatally, Sunday, April 28, 2019, in Baltimore. A gunman fired indiscriminately into a crowd that had gathered for Sunday afternoon cookouts along a west Baltimore street, killing a man and wounding seven other people, authorities and reports said. Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said the gunfire erupted after 5 p.m. on a block in the city's western district of brick row homes. Harrison said a man approached a crowd on foot and began firing in what he called "a very tragic, very cowardly shooting." Speaking at the scene afterward, Harrison said the shooting appeared "extremely targeted," but he didn't provide a possible motive. The shooting comes roughly six weeks after Harrison's swearing-in last month as Baltimore police commissioner, when he promised to make the city safer and lead the department through sweeping reforms required by a federal consent decree. It's a daunting task in one of the country's poorest major cities where there were more than 300 homicides in each of the past two years. Harrison is the city's 14th police leader since the mid-1990s. The commissioner said there were two cookouts taking place on opposite sides of the street Sunday, and that shell casings were found in two different locations, indicating that there may have been a second gunman, or someone firing back at the first shooter, who fled on foot. It was unclear whether the cookouts were related, Harrison said. One man who was shot collapsed behind a Baptist church nearby and was pronounced dead at the scene. Harrison said initially that six others had been wounded and were taken to hospitals, but he didn't release their names or their conditions. A police statement later said a man was killed, but didn't give his age. It said five of the survivors were men ranging in ages from 27 to 58, as well as a 30-year-old woman. A police spokeswoman later Sunday evening was cited by The Baltimore Sun as saying an eighth victim, a man with a gunshot wound to the leg, went to a hospital. The report did not elaborate. "It wasn't anything dealing with the church. I want to make that very clear," acting mayor Jack Young said. Harrison and Young, in appearance with reporters, urged members of the public to help investigators with any information as to who took part or a motive. "Someone knows something," Young said. "These things ... they don't happen by happenstance. People know who's doing these shootings." The Baltimore Sun reported that bullet casings were found scattered on the ground near grills, and a table still had items on it that appeared to be left from a cookout. Police officers could be seen after the shooting placing small orange evidence markers on the ground, just feet from a barber shop. Meanwhile, Harrison said authorities were seeking witnesses among the many present Sunday as they begin to try to piece together details of what happened. Slovakia, Latvia and Estonia all have more beds than Britain for young people with serious mental health problems, research has found. The UK ranks 18th out of 28 countries in Europe for the number of hospital beds for treating severe mental health issues in young people. And it places 21st for the number of psychiatrists available, according to an analysis of official data from across the continent. It comes amid soaring rates of anxiety, depression, psychosis, self-harm and suicidal thoughts are rising among young people. The UK is 18th in Europe for the number of inpatient beds available, despite having the largest number of services available to young people. The ten countries with the least amount of beds per 100,000 include Spain, Italy, Ireland and Bulgaria. In Britain, there are 9.4 beds per 100,000 suffering from mental health conditions. Sweden has the least with 1.2 beds. The highest was Germany with 64 beds One in ten five to 16-year-olds have a diagnosable mental disorder, but only 70 per cent have had access to treatment at a sufficiently early age. The study, led by researchers at the University of Warwick, is believed to be the first comprehensive evaluation of childrens mental health services in Europe. In Britain, there are 9.4 beds per 100,000 suffering from mental health conditions, compared to poorer countries such as Estonia where there are 16.8. Germany has the most beds at 64 per 100,000, and Sweden has the least with 1.2 beds. Beds could be for children with a severe eating disorder who need to be fed, or if they are suffering psychosis due to severe depression. The UK has the largest number of services for children (child and and adolescent mental health services) by far at 939, with Germany second with 537. Despite this, it is far down in the rankings for the number of specialist psychiatrists, with just 4.5 psychiatrists per 100,000 young people, according to the study. However, it is far fewer than Finland, which ranked the best with its 36 specialists per 100,000 under-18s. WHY ARE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS SOARING? Mental health problems are a growing public health concern in the UK and around the world. At any one time, a sixth of the population in England aged 16 to 64 have a mental health problem, according to statistics body NHS Digital. There are around 6,000 suicides in the UK each year and it's the biggest killer of men up to the age of 49. Men account for 75 per cent of the total figure. 10 per cent of children and young people (aged 5-16 years) have a clinically diagnosable mental problem. The overall number of people with mental health problems has not changed significantly in recent years, but figures spanning over decades show some trends. Mental health charity MIND say it appears that how people cope with mental health problems is getting worse as the number of people who self-harm or have suicidal thoughts is increasing. Economic uncertainty, the influence of social media and expectations of what life should be like have all been suggested as possible causes by experts. Young people today are more likely to suffer from depression or self-harm, as well as have obesity or sleep disorders. But they drink less, take fewer drugs, and are less likely to be vandals or violent than their elders of just a decade before, a large-scale study by the University College London found. Advertisement Warwick Medical Schools Professor Swaran Singh told MailOnline: 'There is a sheer shortage of specialists in the UK which is a real worry.' He added: 'The services are battling each other rather than arguing for more resources all round. 'We have now reached a stage where we have lowered the number of beds because beds are expensive. 'But what is really important is the number of psychiatrists which is where the UK do quite poorly.' Although the UK have a large number of CAHMS, this does not mean the UK spends more money, Professor Singh added. The findings marks the end of a large five-year project called MILESTONE, which has involved teams in seven countries. Professor Singh, project coordinator for the MILESTONE project, said: 'With around a tenth of young people likely to experience mental health issues, its a matter of concern that the approach to child mental health varies so dramatically across Europe. 'Our youth deserve better mental health care than they currently receive.' Figures show 50 per cent of mental health problems are established by age 14 and 75 per cent by age 24, according to the Mental Health Foundation. During the wait for mental health services, three-quarters of young people see their condition get worse, according charity Young Minds. A 2018 survey of more than 2,000 parents and carers found young people and their families are often left to 'fend for themselves' for months while waiting for help from the NHS. Even those who receive care for their mental health in their younger years may have difficulty to do so once they reach 18, according to the MILESTONE project. In the majority of European countries, when service users reach a certain age 18 in the UK, for example they are no longer eligible to use childrens services and are instead moved to adult services. The transition has little clarity, the experts said, and the findings indicate that a large proportion of young people are discharged without guidance on how to continue their support. They may have to take on the burden of convincing adult services to accept them, experience long waiting times for appointments and repeatedly explain their problems to different services. No amount of alcohol is safe for women to drink while they're pregnant, according to research. Drinking can harm the development of a baby's brain in any quantity or at any stage during pregnancy, scientists found. In a study on teenagers, scans revealed a pattern of brain damage in those who had foetal alcohol syndrome, caused by alcohol exposure while in the womb. Despite clear warnings, many British mothers still drink while expecting one in six children have signs of alcohol damage, scientists found last year. Researchers led by Xi'an Jiaotong University in China said their study, in which they scanned the brains of teenagers and found those exposed to alcohol in the womb had more nerve damage, shows t'here is no safe amount or safe stages during pregnancy for alcohol consumption' (stock image) Researchers led by Xian Jiaotong University in China examined the brains of 40 teenagers. More than half of them (21) had mothers who drank during their pregnancy, and 19 had mothers who didn't drink. They found the corpus callosum a part of the brain which links the left and right halves was unhealthier in alcohol-exposed children. This part of the brain is a bundle of nerve fibres which creates a bridge across the brain's central divide. People with connection issues in these nerves have in the past been found to be more likely to suffer from schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, autism and depression, the scientists said. WHY SHOULDN'T PREGNANT WOMEN DRINK ALCOHOL? Pregnant women shouldn't drink alcoholic drinks because the chemical can pass into their baby's body. The liver is one of the last organs to finish growing in the womb, so babies exposed to alcohol may not have any natural defences against its harms in grown people the liver filters it to reduce damage. Drinking during the first trimester can raise the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, or a low birth weight. Whereas drinking later in the pregnancy increases the chance of the baby being born with health problems. Babies of mothers who drank regularly in pregnancy may develop a serious condition called foetal alcohol syndrome. This can cause physical deformities (notably the eyes can be set far apart, and a large forehead and thin upper lip can develop) as well as disability. Babies with severe foetal alcohol syndrome may have learning difficulties, behaviour problems or even develop cerebral palsy. Around 6,000 to 7,000 babies are thought to be born in the UK every year with foetal alcohol syndrome, according to the charity Mencap. Source: NHS Advertisement 'This work presents major evidence that children exposed to alcohol prenatally are at risk of suffering from impaired cognitive abilities,' said the study's lead author, Lin Gao. 'Our study... shows that there is no safe amount or safe stages during pregnancy for alcohol consumption.' The Chief Medical Officer for the UK, Dame Sally Davies, has for years urged women not to drink at all while they're pregnant. Exactly how alcohol damages babies' brains has been unclear to scientists, but this direct damage to the corpus callosum could be a key discovery. The differences were found by scanning the brain's natural electrical activity using a process called magnetoencephalography. This involves using an extremely sensitive machine to record normal impulses in the brain and build a map of how well different sections work. Scientists in Bristol and Cardiff last year revealed around 79 per cent of British children born in the 1990s were exposed to alcohol while in the womb. Their study of screening tests on 13,500 children said 17 per cent of babies had worse brain development because of their mothers' drinking. Research leader Dr Cheryl McQuire, of the University of Bristol, said in November: The high rates of prenatal alcohol use and FASD-relevant symptoms that we found in our study suggest that [foetal alcohol syndrom e] is likely to be a significant public health concern in the UK. Guidance states the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all if you are pregnant, or think you may become pregnant.' The Xian Jiaotong University research was published in the journal Chaos by the American Institute of Physics. A kidney delivered by drone has been transplanted into a patient in need for the first time ever. University of Maryland (UMD) doctors and engineers worked together to create a custom drone that could carry an organ with perfect stability, while monitoring it and communicating with the teams on the ground. Every second counts during the transplantation process. Delivery delays of a single hour, which are common, can make the difference between a viable and non-viable organ - and whether its intended recipient lives or dies. By cutting out the complications of freight and passenger planes and airports, the University of Maryland team wondered if an unmanned drone could money and precious time in the organ transplantation process. In a world first, they flew a 44-year-old's new kidney over two miles in an unmanned drone from the Living Legacy Foundation organ distribution center to the University of Maryland Medical Center(both in Baltimore) on April 19. A specially designed drone (pictured) flew a donated kidney over two miles in 10 minutes to be transplanted at University of Maryland For an organ transplant to be successful, so much has to be right. Donor and recipient have to have the same blood type, be around the same size and timing has to be perfect. This leaves little room for error or delay. Yet, even after all of these factors are aligned, organs don't always make it to their destinations and their recipients. In fact, about 1.5 percent of organs don't get to their destinations. It's a small percentage, but it means that some 1,710 out of 114,000 people on the transplant list lose their organs to these issues. Last year, 2,700 kidneys were simply thrown away because they expired before they could be transplanted. In one frustrating incidence, a kidney slated for a a three to four hour trip from Atlanta to Baltimore was caught in transit and didn't reach its destination for 29 hours, Matthew Scassero, director of UMD's unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) programs told Dailymail.com. So he and project lead Dr Joseph Scalea wanted to try to tackle these delays using drones. The system uses the standard organ transportation box, but outfitted with a system they developed using the 'guts of a cell phone' to remotely track not just the location but the 'medical condition' of a flying organ, Scassero said. Scassero's team also designed a totally new drone to comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines while incorporating multiple redundancies - back op rotors and a parachute - to come as close as possible to ensuring a traveling organ would remain viable no matter what happened. The team loaded a kidney up and flew it 2.8 miles in just under 10 minutes, from the Living Legacy Foundation organ distribution center to UMD Medical Center. 'We found it had less vibration and temperature variation than if we had put the kidney in other craft,' like ambulances or charter planes, Scassero said. 'It was maintained no matter what.' The organ drone made a smooth landing, and was successfully transplanted into a 44-year-old recipient who had spent the last eight years on dialysis. This maiden voyage was just a proof of concept and, but Scassero says that within two to three years it could be ready for common use for short distances. 'What we envision is a completely unmanned distribution system, where all the routes are programmed in and from the distribution center, you hit go and from that point until the drone arrives, it's all automated,' Scassero said. A military mother who battled breast cancer while pregnant finally rang the bell that declared she was finished with chemotherapy. Jessica Purcell, a captain in the US Army, was nine weeks pregnant with her second child when she was diagnosed in August 2018. She underwent a mastectomy, but was then told the cancer had spread and she would need to undergo chemotherapy. Purcell, 36, was hesitant - but was told that if she didn't have treatment, she wouldn't live to meet her unborn son. After 12 rounds, she gave birth and, after another four, she was done with chemotherapy. On Thursda, Purcell got to ring the bell at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, before she faces a six-week series of radiation. Jessica Purcell, 36 (left and right), of St Petersburg, Florida, who battled while pregnant finally rang the bell that declared she was finished with chemotherapy. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in her left breast in August 2018 She had a mastectomy in October 2018, when doctors discovered the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. Pictured: Purcell with her son Jameson Purcell told Dailymail.com that in 2017, when she was pregnant with her older daughter Josephine, she had noticed a lump in my left breast. 'I mentioned it to my OBGYN, and she said: "We think it's just an infection of some sort. Don't freak out",' she said. The doctor didn't give any medication and didn't recommend a follow-up and sent Purcell home. In April 2018, Purcell noticed a lump once more on her breast but, on the day of her scheduled mammogram, she found she was pregnant again so she decided to hold off until her first prenatal appointment. 'The OB said: "I'm not too concerned. It's probably just cyst, but let's schedule an ultrasound for peace of mind",' she said. However, the radiologist who performed the ultrasound recommended a biopsy and, a couple of weeks later, the diagnosis came back as breast cancer. 'It was absolutely terrible. I thought: "I'm pregnant, I can't have breast cancer",' Purcell said. 'I never expected in a million years for it to be breast cancer.' One out of every eight American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. More than 268,000 cases are estimated be diagnosed in 2019 and more than 41,700 will die. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, behind lung cancer. Breast cancer does also occur in men but the incidence rate is less than one percent. Two months after being diagnosed, in October 2018, Purcell underwent a mastectomy to remove the cancer from her breast. However, by then, scans showed it had spread to her lymph nodes and she needed to undergo chemotherapy. Purcell had to undergo chemotherapy, and she gave birth to her son in March 2019, during round 12. Pictured: Purcell, right, with her husband Justin and daughter Josephine After her son was born, Purcell (pictured during an overseas tour) asked for breast milk donations because chemotherapy drugs interfere with the normal division of cells, which can harm a growing infant Purcell said she was hesitant to have the treatment while pregnant and spoke to multiple oncologists about her options. 'Chemo is poison and I thought: "How is it even possible to even undergo chemotherapy while pregnant?"' she said. 'But I spoke to specialists and they reassured me it's doable. You can do chemo while pregnant.' Purcell's oncologist told her, as well, that if she didn't undergo chemotherapy, she would likely not live to give meet her son or raise her daughter. She went through 12 rounds of chemotherapy before giving birth to her son Jameson in March 2019. 'The whole time I was nervous and anxious but he did so well,' she said. Purcell had to undergo four more rounds before she was done with chemotherapy and will be facing radiation in May. Not long after her son was born, Purcell began asking for breast milk donations. Although cancerous cells cannot be passed through breast milk to a baby, chemotherapy drugs can be. According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the drugs interfere with the normal division of cells, which could harm a growing infant. Breast milk contains antibodies, other proteins and immune cells that help prevent microorganisms from penetrating body tissue. Additionally, studies have shown that breastfed babies are less likely to catch viruses. Purcell received thousands of replies, but has mainly taken donations from local moms so she can vet them. She has six weeks of radiation coming up next for her final round of treatment. Pictured: Purcell with a member of her care team, left, and with her husband, right She says she hopes her cancer battle can inspire others going through a similar situation. Pictured: Purcell with her dog Purcell reached out on Facebook to a local moms' group and, when some members asked if she could make it public so they could share it, she posted a status. She received thousands of responses from both her home state of Florida and as far away as Texas and California. 'It was completely unexpected. I thought I would get a few local responses from women in St Petersburg, maybe Tampa,' she said 'Never in a million years did I think it would initiate such a huge response.' Purcell has mainly taken donations from local moms so she can vet them, and she says Jameson had responded better to breast milk than he has to formula. She has six weeks of radiation coming up next, the final phase of treatment, and says she hopes her cancer battle can inspire others going through a similar situation. 'The one thing is, if there's another girl out there in my shoes - pregnant and diagnosed - there's plenty of research out there and studies to show that it's safe to chemo,' Purcell said. 'If my story can save another girl's life, that's important.' A family friend started a GoFundMe page to help cover the cost of Purcell's medical bills. So far, more than $3,700 has been raised out of a $7,000 goal. When people ask me why I am deaf and I tell them its because I had measles as a baby, they always look so shocked. Then inevitably they say something like good grief, how is that possible?. I dont think people realise how serious measles can be. In fact, I had measles twice before I was one: the first time at around ten months, then again soon after that. Id had the other vaccines youre meant to have at three months and five months, such as diphtheria and whooping cough, but I wasnt old enough for the measles vaccine although I was old enough to catch measles. Warning: Audiologist Nicky Jones, 35, from Holyhead, has been deaf since she was a baby My mum recalls taking me to the doctor as I was so poorly and being asked to wait in isolation when they realised what was wrong, because its such an infectious condition. There was and still is nothing much in the way of treatment; Mum had to just sit it out and care for me at home because I was so young, as well as looking after my older (vaccinated) brother. Because I was only a baby, at first no one realised my hearing had been affected. But Mum knew something wasnt right, although initially she was brushed off by the doctors and told she was just a fussy mother. Id been babbling as normal before having measles but I barely spoke as a toddler. I would also pull peoples faces round to mine when they talked to me, and I cried a lot looking back, it must have been in frustration that I couldnt understand what was going on and was very sickly: I had lots of fevers and infections and for a while they thought I had asthma. When I was four, my school called Mum in the standard hearing tests they gave all kids at that time had revealed I was severely deaf in my right ear and completely deaf in the left one. They ran tests to check whether it was a genetic condition and found nothing. That, combined with the fact that I did talk a bit and my pronunciation wasnt bad, made them conclude I must have been able to hear when I was born (if you once had some hearing, you know how words should sound). They said the only possible cause for such extreme hearing loss was nerve damage caused by measles. It has had a huge effect on my life. I never had a group of friends throughout my childhood. Children are cruel and although with intense speech therapy I started to talk more, I relied a lot on lip-reading to work out what people were saying, as with hearing aids I could hear some but not all of what was going on. Infected: Ms Jones, pictured as a youngster, when she was left completely deaf by a measles infection. Now, she has a cochlear implant to enjoy some hearing The other kids didnt know how to engage with me, so I felt left out and so isolated. I went to school and worked hard, came home and kept myself to myself. I managed to make my way in life I built a good career as an audiologist but my hearing loss brought other issues. In my 20s I met my husband through my now sister-in-law, and thankfully with him there were no barriers hes amazing and acts as my ears. But when we thought about having a family, I worried that I might not hear my children cry. When we did have children, my husband had to be the baby monitor my ears in the house but I discovered that a mothers instinct is strong and you just know when your child needs you. I had them vaccinated for measles and everything else as soon as I could. In 2018, I had a cochlear implant [a device that is surgically inserted and does the work of the damaged inner ear] in my right ear. Thats because I had an infection and it knocked out the remaining hearing in my better, right ear, so I was struggling and feeling isolated again. 'I find it incredible that a parent could think of not allowing their child to have the vaccine that could be doing them a favour,' she says of the current trend It is amazing what I can hear now I had no idea birds were so noisy, and sometimes I can even talk to patients on the phone. This was previously difficult, as I relied so much on lip- reading. But now, after 18 years in the job, I am just starting to make the occasional call. Id like another implant in the left ear but you only get one on the NHS. It wont have as big an impact as the first because I have no residual hearing in that ear but it will improve things like spatial awareness and will definitely be better than the hearing aid I currently have in that ear. Im proud of what I have achieved I work with older people with hearing difficulties and know what they are up against. Thats why I chose to be an audiologist. However, life has been a struggle and when I come across mothers, as I do, who say Im not sure I want my baby to have the MMR, I get so angry. After everything I have been through as a result of having measles, I find it incredible that a parent could think of not allowing their child to have the vaccine that could be doing them a favour. actiononhearingloss.org.uk An article on August 2 2018 claimed that Interpal, a charity supporting Palestinians, funded a hate festival in which children acted out the murder of Jews. In fact, while Interpal donated to the festival, it did not fund or support the play and the Trustees of Interpal unequivocally condemned the activities the play depicted. It was not our intention to suggest that the Trustees promote or condone anti-Semitism or attacks on Jews and we apologise for any distress caused. To report an inaccuracy, please email corrections@dailymail.co.uk. To make a formal complaint go to www.dailymail.co.uk/readerseditor. You can also write to Readers Editor, Daily Mail, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT or contact IPSO directly at ipso.co.uk THE AMERICAN AGENT By Jacqueline Winspear (Allison and Busby 19.99, 350 pp) THE AMERICAN AGENT By Jacqueline Winspear (Allison and Busby 19.99, 350 pp) Facing up to the wartime emergency, the indefatigable Maisie Dobbs, private detective and part-time ambulance driver, takes on yet another role working with American intelligence to solve a murder. The victim, an ambitious correspondent in her 20s, has made enemies on both sides of the Atlantic not least her father, a diehard isolationist determined to keep America out of the war. Nursing injuries after saving a friend from a burning house, Maisie is further hampered by fears that her secret service contact is playing a double game. While there is much here about London in the Blitz, with casualties mounting, Winspear holds us to the central plot point of identifying a killer who is likely to strike again. As we approach a truth that impinges on the innocent and guilty alike, the emotional pressure is as explosive as the falling bombs. MAIGRETS PICKPOCKET By Georges Simenon (Penguin 7.99, 192 pp) MAIGRETS PICKPOCKET By Georges Simenon (Penguin 7.99, 192 pp) We are on the home stretch of an ambitious publishing venture. All 75 Simenon classics featuring Chief Inspector Maigret have been freshly translated for reissue at monthly intervals. The latest, Maigrets Pickpocket, is well up to standard. Having had his wallet lifted, Maigret is surprised to have it returned, contents undisturbed. Moreover, the thief wants to meet him. It turns out hes been wandering the streets after finding his murdered wife in their flat. Anyone familiar with Maigrets methods will know that he does not take the easy option of assuming the young man to be responsible. Instead, he meticulously reconstructs the crime and finds himself embroiled in the wicked world of movie-making, where the casting couch trumps talent and where temperament quickly spills over into violence. While Maigret waits and watches, bohemian Paris comes vividly to life. AND DEATH CAME TOO By Richard Hull (Agora Books 9.99, 222 pp) AND DEATH CAME TOO By Richard Hull (Agora Books 9.99, 222 pp) Accountancy is not a profession one immediately associates with creative writing. But when it comes to crime, the number cruncher can invent plot permutations denied to the less numerate. This is certainly true of Richard Hull, who took time out from auditing to produce some of the most tantalisingly involved mysteries of the golden age. This one sees a diverse group of visitors head to a country house expecting a drinks party. They include four young people with romantic connections, a taciturn woman who disappears without explanation, a school teacher with a line in irreverent pedagogy and a policeman who happened to be passing when he noticed an open door. Why the host is absent becomes clear when his body is discovered in an adjoining room. While the twists defy summary, the resolution is satisfyingly elusive until the final pages. White Bret Easton Ellis Picador 16.99 Rating: The novelist Bret Easton Ellis is not a natural charmer. Upon hearing of the death of JD Salinger in 2010, he tweeted: Yeah!! Thank God hes finally dead. Ive been waiting for this day for-f***ing-ever. Party tonight!!! Around the same time, it began to dawn on him that Patrick Bateman, the serial killer narrator of his most famous novel, American Psycho, was a version of himself on so many levels, though the same thought must surely have already crossed the minds of most of his Twitter followers. Bret Easton Ellis has confessed that Patrick Bateman, the serial killer narrator of his most famous novel, American Psycho, was a version of himself on so many levels He likes to tease, especially late at night, on Twitter, after a few drinks. I went on a Twitter rant a few years ago caused by a mix of insomnia and tequila, he confesses, though perhaps boasts might be the more appropriate verb. His new book his first work of non-fiction is about the giving and taking of offence. Though he fails to mention his celebratory Salinger tweet in his new book, he parades quite a few others. IT'S A FACT Only when filming of American Psycho was over did star Christian Bale speak in his native Welsh accent. The crew were amazed. Advertisement For instance, of the moving film Amour, about dementia, he tweeted that it was what On Golden Pond might have been like if it had been directed by Hitler. In another tweet, he described the revered American author David Foster Wallace, who had recently committed suicide, as the most tedious, overrated, tortured, pretentious writer of my generation. He freely admits to being a wind-up merchant. Its almost a hobby. At times while reading this funny and provocative treatise against the closing of the liberal American mind, I found the famous rhyme from Alice In Wonderland coming into my head: Ellis is essentially a realist, at war with idealism. He wants us all to see the world as it is, not as it might be, if only everyone else agreed with us Speak roughly to your little boy And beat him when he sneezes! He only does it to annoy, Because he knows it teases. Yet, in some ways, he is just as tetchy as those he seeks to rile. In the past few years, he has, he says, developed an almost overwhelming and irrational annoyance at the way people have begun to respond to his jests. Ten years ago, his opponents might have reacted with a contrary opinion of their own, and a lively discussion might have ensued. People had differing opinions yet debated them rationally, driven by passion and logic. But now that mood has changed. Any different opinion is deemed unacceptable, and there is a knee-jerk move to censor it. The liberals of the past welcomed debate; the new liberals simply wag their fingers, and demand silence. I was now looking at a new kind of liberalism, one that willingly censored people and punished voices, obstructed opinions and blocked viewpoints. This book is a winning mixture of incautious autobiography and caustic polemic, with plenty of sharp social observation thrown in. He offers an explanation for the younger generations over-sensitivity. Born in 1964, Elliss parents left him to walk home alone, eat in an empty kitchen, then bicycle off to someone elses house. This was as it should have been. His generation were left alone to find out about the world by ourselves. Unlike the children of today, we definitely werent told how special we were at every opportunity. It will come as no surprise to those who have read American Psycho that his childhood reading and viewing were largely devoted to horror: Carrie, The Exorcist, Salems Lot, The Shining, The Thing. He even goes so far as to list the goriest scenes from the movies that lodged in his mind, finding in them the warm, nostalgic glow that others find in Dinky Toys or games of Subbuteo, not least the blood pouring from Donald Sutherlands chopped-open throat at the end of Dont Look Now. Right: Donald Sutherland in Dont Look Now. Left: Sissy Spacek in Carrie He was nine years old when his father treated him and a friend to a late morning showing of Vincent Prices Theatre Of Blood at the local cinema. We survived the ordeal, my friend and I delighted by the gory and hideous Shakespearean deaths (including the decapitation of two poodles their owner is forced to consume until he chokes to death). Happy days! Over half a century on, he insists that this horror-thon formed a vital part of his education. He learned that the world was a random and cruel place, that danger and death were everything... He is adamant that it did him no harm. We consumed all of this and none of it ever triggered us we were never wounded. In fact, it probably made each of us less of a wuss. Though he fights against it, his argument has a tweedy, self-regarding aroma of things were better in my day about it. I never wanted to be the old geezer complaining about the next wave of offspring who were supplanting his own, he protests, before revealing himself to be just that. He cant stop grumbling at the millennial snowflake generation, with their sense of entitlement, their insistence that they were always right despite sometimes overwhelming proof to the contrary, their failure to consider anything within its context, their joint tendencies of overreaction and passive-aggressive positivity... Being an old geezer myself, I couldnt help chuckling along with this wonderfully grumpy inventory. Ellis is essentially a realist, at war with idealism. He wants us all to see the world as it is, not as it might be, if only everyone else agreed with us. But, of course, the snowflakes didnt come from nowhere: they were the products of Elliss own generation, selfish, narcissistic, true-boomer parents... not teaching them how to deal with lifes hardships about how things actually work: people might not like you, this person will not love you back, kids are really cruel, work sucks, its hard to be good at something, your days will be made up of failure and disappointment, youre not talented, people suffer, people grow old, people die. Phew! Ellis is childless, so, in this context, something of a back-seat driver. But his disinterested position lends clarity to his view that the blanding of our society the idea that you will only read books or watch films with whose outlooks you already agree, and that you will seek to censor anyone who offends you is damaging to art and civilisation. After youve blocked and unfollowed people whose opinions and worldview you judge and disagree with, after youve created your own little utopia based on your cherished values, then a kind of demented narcissism begins to warp this pretty picture. Not being able or willing to put yourself in someone elses shoes to view life differently from how you yourself experience it... is why so many progressive movements become as rigid and as authoritarian as the institutions theyre resisting. He is writing about the current state of America, and in particular the demonisation of Donald Trump. Though he himself didnt vote for Trump, he understands why so many did. He admires Trumps chutzpah, his courting of controversy and his bullish disregard for Establishment conventions. He also enjoys the way the President leaves his opponents frothing at the mouth with self-righteous indignation. His own boyfriend, some years his junior, was turned into a wreck by Trumps victory. At times he resembled a bedraggled and enraged Russian peasant, ranting and stomping around. To anti-Trump journalists who headed an article lamenting his election, What shall I tell my daughter? Ellis suggests telling her, s*** happens, grow up, this is how the world works and next time find a better candidate. Whether you agree or disagree, it is hard not to laugh. He is a master of what Auberon Waugh used to call the vituperative arts. Sadly, he focuses entirely on America, and has nothing to say about Britains own great social rift, caused by Brexit. I think you could rely on him to scorn those on either side who regard themselves as too full of passion and integrity to tolerate the others point of view. What a timely book this is bursting with wit and diablerie, shameless, bracing and fun. Miriams Dead Good Adventure Sunday, BBC2 Rating: MotherFatherSon Wednesday, BBC2 Rating: But for sheer dreadfulness: Rating: I dont know if its likely that Miriam Margolyes will ever come round your place or mine, but you can rest assured she will always bring her own radishes, which has to be a relief. No last-minute dashes to get some in, which is always such a pain. In fact, Miriam and her radishes appear to be rarely, if ever, separated. She was pictured driving around with steering wheel in one hand, radish in the other. Just to perk me up, she said, as she took a big bite. She later visited the home of 71-yearold Laurie, whom she met at the Revolution Against Ageing And Death Festival in California. Laurie practises and teaches sex magic, which uses your sexual energy to keep you youthing. Miriams Dead Good Adventure is a naff title for what was, in fact, an excellent, if radish-heavy, hour of television Miriam bought her own radishes in a plastic bag. I was wondering if I could rinse my radishes, were her first words on arrival. She then sat through a sex magic session (everyone imitated having orgasms; it was weird), having refused to participate and with a face of thunder. My sexual energy is deeply my own, she then said, rather primly, and I am not generous enough to share it. She reclaimed her radishes and exited. Would you rather have sex or a radish? she was later asked. If it were good sex I would rather have sex, she said, but if it were bad sex I would rather have a radish. She was not then asked if she was ever generous enough to share her radishes, but I expect not. It may even be that she sleeps with them under her pillow. Miriams Dead Good Adventure is a naff title for what was, in fact, an excellent, if radish-heavy, hour of television, as Miriam confronted her own fear of ageing and dying, travelling from homes for dementia patients in the UK to proponents of the super-longevity movement in America. Some have complained that she was ill mannered and insensitive, although you dont hire Miriam to behave well Brand Miriam is never about behaving well and anyway, she wasnt. She was blunt, yes, but insensitive to whom exactly? The Californian crackpots who say the physical body doesnt have to die? In this instance I longed for her to be more insensitive, in fact. She was always compassionate when it counted. In the care home she led a rendition of Daisy, Daisy, Give Me Your Answer Do for one woman and had tears in her eyes as another woman repeatedly asked for her dinner. Its depressing and scares me. I expect its what Ill come to and I dont know how to deal with it, she said, and I was moved. She is 77, and the average life expectancy for a British woman is 82, so this came with a sense of urgency unlike, say, Grayson Perrys series about mortality. Her travels in California then brought her into contact with those who believe humans are capable of immortality. Ageing is ugly and death is horrible. Who wants it? preached one. We are out to win against sickness and dying, said another, to an audience that stood up and cheered. Oh great, I thought. Even death has to be the result of personal failure now. But while Miriam remained cynical she didnt really call them out, or point out, robustly, that if youre alive you will die. (Being Alive remains the No 1 killer globally, I think youll find.) Also, disappointingly, while the radishes played big, she did not eat a whole raw onion for breakfast as she did in The Real Marigold Hotel. But this is only the first of a two-parter. So there is still hope. Fingers crossed. And now, lets take a moment to consider this weeks episode of Line Of Duty, and those final two minutes, which I saw coming. Joke. Such a shock, although not as surprising as Ted bringing Gill Biggeloe back to his grim Travelodge room with the bust toilet. Ted, what is happening to you, fella? And send that money back! But we must press on to MotherFatherSon, which concluded this week, so its our last chance. It was dreadful. I think I only kept watching it because I couldnt quite believe how dreadful it was. Richard Geres performance as Max, the newspaper magnate, was dreadful (utterly wooden), while the dialogue was so dreadful I sometimes screeched with laughter at the dreadfulness of it. No one said anything to each other that wasnt IMPORTANT. Whatever Max said was so IMPORTANT he couldnt ever get it out in whole sentences, so it was: If you win. Prime Minister. Ill be back. Here like. I always have. And it was catching. Certainly, his young Mexican wife had caught it. But can you. Love. Un. Conditionally? Meanwhile, Helen McCrorys wardrobe was transfixingly bizarre Man alive, I yelped several times per episode, what is she wearing now? and as for what it all added up to, havent a clue. And the ending? Frighteningly unresolved. Oh. No. Its not going to. Return for another. Series. Is. It? I was having a drink with my new friend A. Hows it going with David? she asked me. Well. I was very brave, for the first time in my life, and I emailed him, saying, Where do we go from here? If anywhere? After all hes done? OK. What did he say? He hasnt replied. She stifled a laugh, tried to look sympathetic, then sat up straight. I know! she shouted, banging down her martini glass. Not for the first time do I feel as though Im in an episode of Sex and the City, except for the sex part. You should Marie Kondo him! And so, just as the Japanese queen of decluttering gave us a new, liberating way of living by tidying our sock drawer, I am to consult a hypnotherapist specialising in relationships called Malminder Gill at her Harley Street clinic. Her speciality is to spring-clean the toxic relationships in your life. I arrive at her consulting room in my default setting: panting, constantly checking my phone and my bag for my keys, which might have jumped out at some point. She asks why Im here. I tell her I have no confidence: I am always terrified of everything. That I was probably born nervous. You were not born this way, she says. Something happened when you were very young to make you anxious. She asks for my earliest memory, wanting to prise open the black box that will tell her why my life crashed, and I tell her something Id forgotten. That my mum was pushing me in my pram to pick up my sister from school. And when my sister emerged, she turfed me out of the pram and got in. I had to walk. I consult a hypnotherapist specialising in toxic relationships She asks how I am now. I tell her I have nightmares and wake at 3am, gripped by a panic attack. That I catastrophise. We talk more and within minutes she tells me I have been preyed on by a narcissist: someone who appears credible, nice, but is really putting up a front. This person is also a psychopath. They make up only one per cent of the population. That what happened wasnt my fault. That I was a victim. But that person is out of my life now, I tell her. I havent heard from them for 18 months, from the moment I was made bankrupt. But the pain is still in your mind. How do you think that person is now? Upset, alone. Then Malminder who, bear in mind, is a scientist not a psychic shivers and rubs her arms: the hairs have stood on end. She is not alone. She is no longer interested in you. She is feeding on someone else. Blimey. Now Im really scared. Talking more, I realise my fear never made me stick up for myself: narcissists prey on the vulnerable. Malminder tells me my ex-boyfriend is not my real problem, and that by using hypnosis, she can help to release me from the grip of all my fear and bitterness, before she can then work on my anxiety. The next day, I return for my hypnosis session. I am asked to visualise a meadow, which will become my safe place whenever negative thoughts threaten to invade. She tells me these thoughts do not really belong to me, but have been placed there. She then asks me to visualise this person and tie them to a chair. I am then to tell them, in my mind, exactly what they did to me and how they made me feel. And that they will never be able to harm me again. And then I release them. It is not forgiveness exactly: more a banishment, rendering them insignificant. I am then asked to imagine a bright light around me, a bubble that will protect me from ever being preyed on by someone toxic again. I will be able to enjoy my life. The adversity has made me stronger. After an hour, I am told to open my eyes and sit up. I am not to think too much about what has happened, but to allow my subconscious to do its work. Malminder is going to call me on Monday to gauge how Im feeling, and Im to have another hypnosis session to tackle my anxiety now my virtual sock drawer no longer houses ones with holes. I emerge into the sunlight and hail a cab. For the first time in a decade, I dont reach for my phone, opening my inbox as though its an unexploded bomb. Instead, I sit back. The sun comes out. I usually stare at the meter but today I simply look out of the window. All those commuters, rushing to work, getting on with their lives. And I realise that I deserve that, too. Photo: The Canadian Press Dozens of protesters rallied at a hog farm in the Fraser Valley on Sunday in a response to a video that activists said showed sick and dead pigs packed into cramped crates at the facility. About 200 people arrived on buses to Excelsior Hog Farm in Abbotsford at around 6 a.m. About 50 snuck into a barn while the others stood outside wearing black shirts that read "Meat the Victims" and singing. In the afternoon, police led the barn occupants out of the facility, took their information and arrested one person for mischief and break and enter. Officers will continue a criminal investigation of those who entered the barn, said Abbotsford Police Sgt. Judy Bird. "This is a peaceful protest and people have the right to protest," she said. "However, we also recognize the fact that this is private property." The demonstration comes after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals released a video that it said was shot at the farm. The clip posted on YouTube appears to show dead piglets left among living animals, as well as fully-grown pigs with growths and lacerations. Protester Susan Rowbottom, 28, was among those led out of the barn while her eight-year-old son participated in the protest outside. All the activists left the property by about 2:30 p.m., she said. "I am proud to be part of this team. I am proud to be with all my fellow vegans," she said. "We just want to open the public's eyes so they can see and make an informed decision about where their food comes from." Ray Binnendyk, one of the brothers who operates Excelsior, said the PETA video was shot in secret by someone trespassing at night and he believes some of the images were staged. "Some of those pictures could not have even been from our farm. We are not sure. I find it's very hard when someone puts out information that's incorrect about how we do things here as a family farm," he said. "It's very disturbing to see what traction this gets in the media for people that are implicating us as criminals." His brother Jeff Binnendyk said the farm is "clean" and if they did not take proper care of every pig, it would not still be operating. "We're more scared about the safety of our pigs and about what kind of diseases (protesters are) bringing in or, after all of this is done, what's going to happen to our herd," he said. Rowbottom said activists inside the barn were wearing biohazard suits with foot coverings and gloves and they did not touch any of the animals. Ray Binnendyk said the B.C. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals was looking into the farm. The brothers raise the animals to the best of their ability and follow industry guidelines that require veterinarians to visit every few months, he added. "It's a very hard industry and it's fun," he said. "We love what we do and we're very, very saddened by the fact that we are implicated as bad people when we are not." The brothers were joined by dozens of people who arrived on the farm property to support them on Sunday. Dr. Josh Waddington, a veterinarian who said he visits Excelsior every three months, said the PETA video was meant to show the farm in the "worst light" and he is proud of the care the animals receive there. After watching the video, he said he spoke with the operators about removing some animals from their pens sooner, but he added that "those things happen." "This farm is very well recognized in their ability and their level of care and attention to welfare," Waddington said. "They have been industry leaders." When the man she loved was taken hostage, she refused to give up hope, says Miranda Thompson John said, We are two ordinary people getting to know each other again. Its very nice After being held captive for 1,943 days in Beirut by a Shia militant group, British journalist John McCarthy was released. For his supporters in the UK, it was the climactic end to a love story that had been more than five years in the making. In April 1986, then aged 29, John had been on his first foreign assignment in Beirut for United Press International Television News when he was taken hostage by the Islamic Jihad Organisation. A week earlier, Irishman Brian Keenan who taught at the American University of Beirut had also been kidnapped. During their ordeal, after months in isolation, Brian and John would share a tiny cell, half-starved and chained to a wall. Back home, Johns family and friends relentlessly campaigned for his release as Friends of John McCarthy, led by his girlfriend, journalist Jill Morrell. She made it her duty to keep his name indelibly stamped on the public consciousness with a campaign of events: benefit gigs, yellow ribbons, badges, billboards and cinema adverts. Jill released balloons from the top of Blackpool Tower, kept vigil at St Brides Church on Fleet Street and made televised pleas for his freedom. The nation was gripped. Everyone willed for his release and for them to be reunited. Following UN-led negotiations, John was finally released and taken under army escort to Damascus, where he was reunited with his father and brother. Back in the UK, Jill was ecstatic. There were times when it seemed like it had been going on for an eternity, she said. But we all always knew that John would be released one day. The pair, who had been apart longer than they were together, went on to write Some Other Rainbow, a memoir of Johns years in captivity. The country was heartbroken when the couple announced the end of their 12-year relationship in 1995. Im always going to be in awe of what she did for me, John said. Also that month Cynthia Lennon The Fifty Shades trilogy made its author E L JAMES a multimillionaire and inspired British women to rediscover their sexuality. Elizabeth Day meets the queen of the sex scene As a middle-aged woman, I am invisible. and I love that A few years ago, Erika Leonard called up her local car dealership. She was not in the market for a new vehicle. Instead, she had a specific purpose in mind. She introduced herself as a romantic novelist to the man in sales and said she needed to know the answer to a particularly urgent question. I said, Could you have sex in the front of an Audi R8? Because Id never been in one. And he said, Absolutely not. No, you cant do that. And I thought, Oh. OK. Curiosity sated, Erika put down the phone and returned to her laptop in her West London study. She tried removing the sex scene between her protagonist Christian Grey and his romantic conquest Anastasia Steele that took place in his glossy black Audi R8. But it didnt quite work. Erika wasnt satisfied. She knew her readers wouldnt be either. She wanted that sex scene in the book. So Erika took matters into her own hands. A few days later, she went to the West London Audi garage in person, and there was a beautiful black R8 on display and I said, Can I just get in the car? So I sat in it and said, You could totally have sex in here. Theres enough room. Then I went back and rewrote it. That book, complete with sex scene in the leather-upholstered front of an Audi R8, was Fifty Shades Freed. It was the final instalment in an erotic fiction trilogy that had started with Fifty Shades of Grey, which became a literary sensation when it was published in 2011. It began as Twilight fan fiction Erika had loved the teen vampire movies so much that she had taken to her laptop to bash out erotic encounters with fictional characters and she soon discovered that she had a talent for it. She was working three days a week in TV production at the time but, disillusioned with her day job, she decided to pour all her fantasies on to the keyboard. Fifty Shades of Grey I got to the stage where I had two teenage boys and a husband who were just doing their own things, she says now. And I was slogging away working in telly. I thought, Is this it? and I suddenly found this passion. Fifty Shades was originally self-published. It struck a chord with women around the world, many of whom took advantage of the new ebook reader trend to lose themselves in breathless renditions of kinky sex without anyone on the morning commute being any the wiser. Soon broadsheet newspapers were publishing articles entitled Why Does Fifty Shades of Grey Turn British Women On? and various academics were wheeled out to talk earnestly about how Erika (under the pen name E L James) had made it permissible for women to indulge their sexual imaginations without shame. By August 2012, the book was more popular than The Highway Code, shifting 5.3 million copies in its first year and becoming the UKs fastest-selling paperback of all time. Demand was so high in America that it caused paper shortages and lumber mills in Canada started rehiring laid-off workers. The two sequels Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed continued to explore the relationship between Christian, a businessman with a taste for BDSM (bondage, dominance, sadism and masochism and, yes, I had to look that up) and Ana, a college graduate. Combined, they sold more than 125 million copies worldwide and were adapted into a highly successful film franchise starring Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson. That level of success would go to most peoples heads. Which is why it is such a pleasant surprise to walk into Erikas agents office in Central London and find an entirely unaffected, grounded and nervous 56-year-old woman with dark hair neatly cut in a fringe, wearing an LK Bennett scarf. There is no hint of the diva about her. I use the word nervous because its almost the first thing Erika says to me. She has just published a new novel, The Mister, and its nothing to do with Fifty Shades so shes hoping that shes done her fans proud and that theyll like it. Im full of self-doubt, she admits. Self-doubt is my middle name. I probably need to go and see someone about it, to be honest. Does she have self-doubt about her writing specifically? Everything, Erika bats back. And its stupid carrying around all that and I dont know what to do about it. Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan in the 2015 film adaption of Fifty Shades of Grey Although Fifty Shades made her a multimillionaire, critics were scathing about its literary merits. Salman Rushdie commented unkindly that: It made Twilight look like War and Peace. Does she care, I wonder, that she will never win the Booker Prize? I have no problem with never winning the Booker Prize, she says. You know, Fifty Shades sold a ridiculous amount of books, which meant that my publishers could buy [other] literary manuscripts. So that makes me feel good as well. The Mister is a rollicking tale of romantic intrigue that whisks the reader from Chelsea to Cornwall via Albania and has an unexpected storyline incorporating everything from sex trafficking to clay pigeon shooting and Korean house music. The protagonist is Maxim, a devilishly handsome part-time model, DJ and photographer, who also just so happens to have inherited an aristocratic title and vast swathes of property around the country. His path crosses with Alessia Demachi, an enigmatic young woman who has fled an unhappy past. She is making a living in London as a cleaner, and along with the sex (impressively written with a great deal of detail about what goes where) Erika also seems to know exactly what goes into the life of a daily. Does she have a cleaner? Who doesnt? she giggles. My cleaner is Polish and shes amazing. Before her I had one for 15 years who left me only two years ago. I used to live in a place in Brentford and, you know, this stuff all happened. She flaps her hands embarrassedly and I take it that she is referring to the stellar success of her books. And then two years later [my cleaner] comes in and shes holding my book and she says [adopting a tone of utter incredulity]: This? You? And I went, Yeah. She still cherishes her relative anonymity. Working on the Fifty Shades film franchise (Erika was producer on all three movies) was exhausting for various reasons, partly because of the high-profile nature of the project. She had a fractious relationship with the director of Fifty Shades of Grey, Sam Taylor-Johnson. Erikas contract requests reportedly included approval over director, writer, cast, trailers and screenplay almost unprecedented in Hollywood at the time, but which Erika says was only because she cared so much about not disappointing her fans. Hollywood is tough, she admits. The first movie was a huge challenge and the director had very, very, definite ideas of what this should be. And it wasnt particularly Fifty Shades of Grey. It was something else So that was difficult. Taylor-Johnson was replaced as director for the next two movies, which scored higher audience satisfaction scores in test screenings, and thats all Im going to say about that, Erika concludes crisply. Erikas debut novel was the UKs fastest-selling paperback of all time The level of attention paid to both the films and the books is partly why Erika does very few interviews. She still lives in West London with her husband, screenwriter Niall Leonard, and relishes her anonymity. I think I found it very difficult to deal with all the navel-gazing about Fifty Shades. Its just a book, people! Its fantasy. I just dont like putting myself out there I do not want to be famous. As a middle-aged, overweight woman, I am invisible, and I love that. I can go into Marks & Spencer and do my thing and no one is going to pay a blind bit of notice. As a child, Erika remembers having an overactive imagination. She grew up in Buckinghamshire with one elder brother. Her father was originally from Scotland and a BBC cameraman while her mother is Chilean. One of Erikas vivid childhood memories is of taking her Sindy doll and putting it into compromising positions with her brothers Action Man. How much of her passionate nature does she think stems from her Chilean roots? Quite a lot, I think. My mother was very different. Shes always been this crazy ball of energy. Shes an extraordinarily strong woman and very angry most of the time. Shes a few shades of f**ked up, bless her. She had a very difficult childhood. But, yeah, I think theres a lot of her drive in me as well Ive inherited a lot of her hot-headed Latin American traits, I think. When I ask her how her life has changed since accumulating a net worth of more than 70 million (according to Forbes magazine in 2013), she replies that her first extravagant purchase was a Volkswagen Touareg 4x4. Come on, there must be more? Well, I can buy Dolce & Gabbana shoes now. I dont have to get up every morning and go out and drive round the M25 to work I have a lovely beach house in Cornwall. Ive got a place in LA. Yeah. What can I say? I travel at the front of the plane. She breaks off and reveals that her mother, Alexandra, has Alzheimers. (Her father died in 2002.) It means Im able to look after my mother properly, you know, with 24/7 care at home. So thats great. Erikas new novel The Mister And then theres the fact that Erika still gets thousands of emails every year from her predominantly female readers wanting to thank her for changing their attitudes towards sex. She starts crying when she tells me about one of them, from a woman who had experienced horrific abuse as a child: She wrote to me and said, You have no idea what this has meant to me because I can see how Christian has healed and how he has found his own redemption and its helped me to find mine. Erika reaches for the tissues. Sorry, she says as she dabs at her eyes. Its certainly true that, in the eight years since she was first published, the sexual landscape has changed dramatically. We live in a far more open, gender-fluid age and Erika is proud to have been part of a cultural shift in how openly we now talk about sex. What I think the books did is allow women to have a bit of a giggle and then to talk about it with their friends. It sort of prompted a conversation. And, you know, women do like sex. If its done well. Would she ever consider writing a lesbian protagonist? Never say never. And then, almost in the same breath, she adds: Oh, Ive got a story! What? One came into her head just then as we were talking? Yes! I tell her Ill be happy to take the appropriate cut of the royalties when the time comes and she laughs. No, Erika, I want to say. Im deadly serious. Apparently the key to writing a convincing sex scene is choreography. Its all about geography. So, you have to go, Were going to get from here to here Because if youre asking, But when did he take her knickers off? thats probably something that will pull you out of the scene. When she started writing Fifty Shades, she used to ask her husband Niall to try out positions with her on the floor of her study while fully clothed. It was hilarious. He is very, very funny. The couple, who have been married since 1987, have two sons, aged 24 and 22, who are referred to only as Major and Minor in the acknowledgements for The Mister. I keep them out of this totally, Erika explains. Theyre their own people. What do her sons think of her being the poster-girl for empowered female sexuality? They are incredibly proud of me [and] theyre slightly embarrassed. All of which leaves me with one pressing question: can you have sex in the front of a Volkswagen Touareg? She whoops with laughter. Yes, theres plenty of room to do all sorts of things in a Volkswagen Touareg. Kem Cetinay lost a decade of his life to crippling anxiety and depression but despite his history of mental illness, the reality TV juggernaut signed him up to be a contestant. Here, he and his mother talk to Louise Gannon about how they both survived the experience Kem wears T-shirt, Gap. Figen wears: shirt, Next. Necklace, Missoma When barber Kem Cetinay was scouted by researchers for ITV2s Love Island, even the shows psychiatrist questioned whether he was too high a risk for the sun-and-sex dating series that has become a TV phenomenon. His mother Figen was also terrified at the prospect of her vulnerable son who had suffered almost a decade of mental health issues appearing on the Big Brother-style show where, despite the dazzling smiles of the contestants, hearts can be broken and insecurities magnified by the constant threat of rejection. Kem, just 20 at the time, was adamant that this was the perfect way to test his mental health. I felt I had to do it, he says. Id lost most of my teenage years to serious depression but I thought if I could cope with this then I would prove to myself how far I had come. In the weeks leading up to the 2017 series, Figen admits, I would beg him every day not to do it. The 52-year-old (who teaches at the London College of Contemporary Arts) had spent years nursing her son through issues sparked by her almost dying from septicaemia when he was 11. She recovered but her sons anxiety and depression, she says, almost left both me and Kem completely broken so I was scared that any criticism of him on Love Island would bring all that back. Its now two years since Kem triumphed in the 2017 series alongside his then girlfriend Amber Davies with whom he split the 50,000 prize. He and Figen laugh together as they prepare to launch a new mens range Kem has designed for the high street chain Primark. Their bond is apparent even in the smallest glances. Kem wears T-shirt, Gap. Figen wears shirt, Next. Necklace, Missoma Figen has watched her sons metamorphosis from a terrified at times suicidal boy who would lock himself in his bedroom for weeks at a time into a confident, successful young man. But the trauma they both went through is never far from their thoughts. So when one month ago it was announced that Mike Thalassitis, who was one of Kems fellow contestants on Love Island in 2017, had taken his life it was not just a massive blow but a dreadful reminder of what Kem refers to as an epidemic of depression among young people today. He says Mikes death still hasnt sunk in: I was so shocked. I heard about it before it hit the news because he didnt live far from me. We had a lot in common. We were both from Cypriot families [Mikes family are of Greek descent while Kems are Turkish]; both from Essex. I wish someone could have helped him. Its incredibly sad. Recent media reports have questioned the morality of a show where young contestants are under 24-hour camera surveillance as they flirt and fondle, fall out and cheat. In June 2018 former Miss Great Britain and former Love Island contestant Sophie Gradon, 32 (who was in the 2016 show), was found dead at her home near Newcastle after months of anxiety and depression. Two weeks later her 25-year-old boyfriend Aaron Armstrong killed himself. The ensuing outcry focused heavily on the duty of care offered by the ITV2 show and raised questions about the exploitation of vulnerable young contestants with some calls for it to be axed. Not only do contestants have to cope with rejection, character assassinations or cheating partners on the show but they also have to face the reality of coming back to their normal lives and dealing with the aftermath without the army of producers, researchers and therapists to help them. Alex Miller, 28, who was on Love Island last summer, said that he considered suicide after the show, explaining he had struggled to return to his regular job as a structural glazier after leaving the villa, and that reality fame is not what it is cracked up to be. For Kem it was a risk worth taking: My mum was begging me not to do it but my brother [Izzy, 27] told her to trust me and so did my dad. Even the Love Island psychiatrist really questioned me because she was concerned about me. But I spoke to my therapist who had helped me through everything and she told me if I felt it was right then to do it. Kem with his 2017 Love Island co-winner Amber Davies He acknowledges that if it wasnt for his therapist and the emotional tool box she had given him, he would not have been able to cope when he entered the Love Island villa in Majorca. And he is the first to admit that not everyone has the mental resilience necessary to deal with the pressures of the show. Figen has to pinch herself at times when she looks at her son, as she can never forget the teenage boy too depressed to leave his bedroom. I used to sit outside with my phone because he wouldnt talk to me. We had to communicate by text. His anxiety went on for eight years, swinging from fits of massive aggression to absolute silence. He couldnt go on buses or trains, sit in a restaurant or even go to school. My husband [Kems father Niyazi, a pharmaceutical engineer] and I tried hypnotherapy, medication, psychiatrists, psychotherapists but nothing worked for Kem. In the end we found a local therapist who told me I needed therapy, too, to learn how to deal with what we were going through. Her method was CBT [cognitive behavioural therapy in which subjects attempt to unwire their behaviour using different responses to deal with their issues] which slowly helped. By the time Kem was about 19 I had my son back. A year later, he signed up for Love Island. So how did someone with a recent history of long-standing, severe mental health problems get passed fit to be on reality TV? A spokesperson for ITV says, The medical team contacts each Islanders GP to check whether they feel that person is able to take part. We also work with both an independent GP and a psychological consultant, and we ask for full disclosure from potential cast members to these health professionals so that we can support them appropriately. Our duty of care is continuous and ongoing in three key stages: pre-filming, filming and aftercare. My mum was right to be worried about me, recalls Kem. It is easy to be destroyed by a show like Love Island. But I wanted to do it to see if I was strong enough. I expected nothing. I even made sure I had barbering jobs booked in after the show was due to finish because it was important for me not to think that this was going to change my life. Kem wears T-shirt, Gap. Figen wears shirt, Next. Necklace, Missoma But it did. Love Island made Kem Cetinay. He was the lovable half of a sweet and sour romance with Welsh actress Amber, 22, that ended less than five months after they left the villa. During his eight weeks on the island he spent most of his time with Amber and farmers son Chris Hughes, 26, but he distinctly remembers cutting Mikes hair. Barbering was my way of getting to know the guys, he says. Cutting hair can be quite an intimate thing. You can have fairly deep conversations. I did realise Mike wasnt the talking kind. He was quite closed off. I thought of him as confident, which meant I fell into the same trap as most people. What I know is you cover up your issues deep-down by pretending to be cocky and arrogant Ive done the same thing so many times. Does he think Love Island was responsible for Mikes death? After all, they were happy to have Kem as a contestant despite his history. Kem shakes his head: There is aftercare if you need it but you have to ask. The biggest issue is how to make people open to talking about the fact they have a problem and need help. There is no shame in admitting you feel scared, unhappy and lost it happens to all of us. Kem describes himself as an easygoing, happy kid who spiralled into a depression when his mum was seriously ill. She went into a coma and I remember sitting in a hospital waiting room and overhearing the doctors telling my dad they thought she only had 24 hours left. That terrified me and haunted me even after she recovered. Then I had my tonsils out; somehow the operation went wrong and I ended up with kidney failure, on a drip and unable to eat. I was having panic attacks and thinking the darkest things. I went on antidepressants, which turned me into a zombie and my dad got me off them after a week. Kem wear shirt, Primark man x Kem. T-shirt, Primark When Kem was 16, his parents found the therapist who finally turned his life around. She sat me in a room and asked me if I felt anxious about the door being shut, he says. I told her I did and she got up and locked the door. I started having a panic attack and she sat with me and then when it was over she told me I was OK and I could see I was. I was used to just running away and she made me face everything. Get on a train, feel the panic, live with it, get through it. Kem admits he was stunned when he was approached by Love Island researchers who had seen the barbering videos he had put up on Instagram. But it was not his mental health that was his concern, but his rather endearing lack of belief in his own good looks. When I was on the show I would speak to Amber or Chris if I felt down, he remembers. Chris opened up about his own anxieties. It bonded us. He looked like a model yet he had his own insecurities. If you are young and good-looking people think you have no problems. You do. Everyone kept saying they were shocked about Mike because he was so good-looking. Why? Mental health issues can happen to anyone. Kem says he is keen to be part of an advisory team to help programme makers be aware of potential issues. He says: You come out of Love Island and you have to face all this criticism on social media, which is tough. It can really get to you and you have to learn to understand that its just rubbish from people you dont know. Figen admits she was almost more worried about her son after Love Island had finished. Kem had never previously had a serious girlfriend. That was why it was so shocking for me to see my son doing what he did on the show [he and Amber had sex]. I sat with a cushion in front of my face but I knew he was very much in love, she says. When Amber ended the relationship she was prepared for her son to fall to pieces. But I didnt, Kem says. I went through the emotions and gave myself some time out but I was OK. He has not had a girlfriend since and remains single. Having reportedly earned 1.2 million, he has bought a four-bedroom semidetached house in Essex. He and Amber remain on good terms. He is still involved with the show, doing a podcast called Love Island: The Morning After where he has become something of an agony uncle for the contestants. I know what they are facing. I always tell them to take a week out, switch off their phones and be with their families. Something might happen for some of them but others will be going back to their old jobs and normal lives and that has to be OK. And I give them all my number and tell them the most important thing is if there is a problem they need to talk. I just want to help. Whisk up a barely there dressing and serve in a beautiful bowl Portobello salad bowl, 30, and olive wood salad servers, 25, thewhitecompany.com. An easy vinaigrette, see blow A good green salad is the great all-round side perfect with savoury pies. Or try sliced mixed varieties and colours of tomatoes. For the simplest vinaigrette dressing, whisk 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar or lemon juice with a little salt and pepper in a small bowl. Add 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil so they remain separate. Shake or whisk immediately before dressing your salad. Spring's most sought-after sequins? Shimmering neutrals to dazzle by day and sparkle all night A subtly embellished tee perfectly complements a full-on sequined skirt. Chic with flats, va-va voom with heels. Top, 80, needleandthread.com. Skirt, 577, Paula Knorr, farfetch.com. Stud earrings, 12, orelia.co.uk. Long earring, 156 for pair, corneliawebb.com Try a stream of sequins from head to toe, layering tones and textures. Alternatively, team with denim. Shirt, 45, riverisland.com. Camisole, 140, Mes Demoiselles, mesdemoisellesparis.com. Skirt, 79.99, HM Studio, hm.com. Earrings, 12, orelia.co.uk Pale gold tones look lovely layered. Amp up a pared-down one-piece with an embellished top. Jumpsuit, 29.99, zara.com. Top, 119.99, Conscious Exclusive, hm.com. Stud earrings, 12, orelia.co.uk. Hoop earrings, 10, Michelle Keegan, very.co.uk Meet your fabulous, flattering forever dress for a day or evening fizz. Dress, 199.99, Conscious Exclusive, hm.com. Stud earrings, 12, orelia.co.uk. Shell earrings, 255, alexmonroe.com. Sandals, 49.99, zara.com For a summer evening alternative to the LBD, channel your inner flapper with pearly bugle beads. Dress, 195, frenchconnection.com. Earrings, 12, orelia.co.uk An easygoing cut meets showstopping sparkle in this investment two-piece. Dress it up or down for years to come. Top, 595, and trousers, 795, temperleylondon.com. Stud earrings, 12, orelia.co.uk. Long earrings, 203, applesandfigs.com. Sandals, 155, Ancient Greek Sandals, 24sevres.com Fashion assistant: Joanne Toolan Make-up: Lisa Valencia at Coral Hayes using Guerlain Hair: Shukeel at Frank Agency using Bumble and Bumble Model: Erika at Models 1 Production and casting: Lucy Coghlan Shoot on location at Faarufushi in Maldives, faarufushi.com kuoni.co.uk offers seven nights' half board at Faarufushi in a beach retreat with pool, including flights on Emirates from London Gatwick and transfers in resort. Selected departures in October 2019, based on two adults sharing, from 3,899 per person, with a saving of up to 1,841 per couple. To book, quote tour ref: MV0111 Jo and Sarah answer real questions from readers: to put your query, go to beautybible.com Q. My daughter is getting married in June. The food were serving is vegan and shed like to wear a vegan perfume on her big day. Any suggestions? A. Just to explain, here: the animal derivatives that still feature in many perfumes include honey, milk, ambergris and civet all of which are off the menu for vegans. The good news? That there are absolutely no compromises required when it comes to buying and wearing vegan perfumes. For more information follow Beauty Bible online here or on Facebook and Twitter Wearing her hat as co-founder of The Perfume Society, Beauty Bibles Jo (Fairley) makes these suggestions for your daughter. The first brand to point her in the direction of is Floral Street, who are reinventing florals in a very exciting way. They proudly claim to use no ADIs (animal-derived ingredients) in their portfolio of scents. Particularly wedding-perfect, Jo suggests, is Wonderland Peony, which is a gorgeous sweet floral. Or perhaps Neon Rose (rose being traditional, for weddings), which they describe as like freshly-chopped jasmine and roses. 58 for 50ml buy here. You might also like to check out Prosody London, a new luxury perfume brand thats sustainable, ethical and organic. With a gloriously wedding-y mood is Rose Rondeaux; this has a rosy heart and plenty of warmth in the lingering sandalwood and patchouli base. Neroli Nuance takes white floral notes of orange blossom again, with a strong link to weddings (Queen Victoria wore an orange blossom crown when she married Prince Albert), creating a super-elegant, summery blend that incorporates other floral and woody notes. These fragrances are priced from 36 for 10ml (a small size buy here but more than enough for a wedding and/or to tell whether you want to spring for the larger bottle. Which is always lovely, as a keepsake.) One last suggestion is the fragrance portfolio of Le Labo, a new-ish-to-the-UK brand landed here from New York, which proudly state that We believe it is more humane to test cosmetics on New Yorkers than animals, and whose range is animal-friendly. Theyve a wide range of fragrances (which you can smell in-store at Liberty or their own boutique on Sohos Beak Street), but again, wed suggest Neroli 36 or Rose 31. Or if your daughter prefers something fresh and non-floral, the ultra-cool The Noir, perhaps? As a bit of a novelty, theyll actually mix the fragrances before your very eyes. From 57 for 15ml buy here. We hope you all have a wonderful, fragrant and animal-friendly day. FAB FIND OF THE WEEK Simple Minis We honestly couldnt count how often weve recommended Simple skincare to people. To sensitive-skinned women and men, whose complexions have been overloaded. To people on medication which has made their skin touchy. And very often to teenagers embarking on their skincare journey for the first time because while they may be tempted to reach for paint-stripper-eseque products, thats the worst thing for young skins, which instead need to be balanced with lots of TLC). Simple Minnies are absolutely brilliant for travel and compared to other 50ml products, contain 62% less plastic So were really taken with these very adorably packaged, super-affordable pouches, which act as a perfect introduction to their hero products Cleansing Water, Moisturising Facial Wash, Refreshing Facial Wash, Eye Make-up Remover, Hydrating Light Moisturiser and Protecting Light Moisturiser (not photographed above, but it features an SPF15). Theyre absolutely brilliant for travel and compared to other 50ml products, contain 62% less plastic. What we also very much applaud is that because theyre squishable, you can squeeze every last atom of product out of the container at the end of its life (and even scissor the packaging open easily, for that final smoosh). Small wonders, in every way. 1.99 each for 50ml buy here Mastercard and Visa have both agreed to cut their fees on payments made with foreign-issued debit and credit cards in the European Union the latest twist in an EU antitrust investigation. The European Commission says that interchange fees, where the merchant's bank pays a charge to the cardholder's bank, result in higher prices for consumers. While these fees are a lucrative source of revenue for banks, they are ultimately passed on to the merchant. Visa, the world's largest payments network operator and Mastercard, its closest rival, will now cut such fees by an average of 40 per cent, the European Commission said. Visa & Mastercard have both agreed to cut their fees for foreign card transactions by 40% This will be welcome news for the Commission, who have waged a decades-long crackdown on payment and credit card fees. This culminated in Mastercard being fined 570million in January this year for limiting the ability of retailers and banks to shop around between member states to offer lower fees which therefore restricted competition between banks and raising payment costs for retailers and customers. Europe's antitrust chief, Margrethe Vestager, said: 'Mastercard and Visa have committed to significantly reduce the interchange fees applied to payments made in Europe with cards issued elsewhere. 'The commitments, which are now binding on Visa and Mastercard, will reduce the costs borne by retailers for accepting payments with cards issued outside the EEA. 'This, together with our January 2019 decision on Mastercard's cross-border card payment services, will lead to lower prices for European retailers to do business, ultimately to the benefit of all consumers.' This is Money has contacted Visa and Mastercard for comment. The fees will be reduced for five and a half years and the two firms could be fined up to 10 per cent of their global turnover if they fail to meet their commitments. The two companies have proposed a 0.2 percent fee on non-EU debit card payments carried out in shops and a 0.3 percent fee on credit card payments, the Commission said late last year. This would bring their fees in line with those charged for EU cards, which were the subject of a long EU investigation after a 1997 complaint by business lobby EuroCommerce. The Commission initially released its concerns in 2015, saying it was concerned the fees may increase prices for European retailers accepting payments from cards issued outside the EEA and in turn lead to higher prices for consumer goods and services in the EEA. The Mail on Sunday has recently reported how holidaymakers are being forced to pay in pounds when abroad, although it is often much cheaper to pay in the local currency. Maxime Lombardini sold shares just weeks before Iliad announced a surprise takeover bid for T-Mobile US The chairman of French telecoms company Iliad has been find 520,000 over illegal insider trades that benefited himself and his girlfriend. Maxime Lombardini sold a chunk of shares just weeks before Iliad announced a surprise takeover bid in 2014 for T-Mobile US, which caused Iliad's shares to plunge. The trades allowed Lombardini, 53, and his partner to avoid losses of 160,500 and 9,900 respectively, according to French regulator the Autorite des Marches Financiers. Lombardini was able to avoid the damage caused by a 19 per cent drop in Iliad's share price in the days following its bid because his knowledge gave him an unfair advantage, the regulator ruled. Days after Iliad made its offer public, on July 31, 2014, the bid was turned down Economic optimism among Europe's industrial firms and hit a two-year low this month European firms became more pessimistic about the economy as confidence among their British counterparts grew for the second month in a row. Economic optimism among the Continent's industrial companies and retail bosses hit a two-year low this month, according to official figures from the European Commission. They were downbeat about their order books, with the commission saying expectations for production rates had 'deteriorated significantly'. The report's authors added: 'This reflected households' more pessimistic expectations about their future financial situation and, in particular, the general economic situation.' The glum update was in marked contrast to the latest research by High Street lender Lloyds, which said UK business confidence had risen in April. Lloyds said confidence had improved in nine of 12 regions in the country, particularly in London, the West Midlands and the North West. It said confidence rose four points to 14pc. The figure is calculated from companies' views on their own prospects and those of the wider UK economy. The highest figure recorded was 24 per cent in 2002. Hann-Ju Ho, a senior economist at Lloyds, said yesterday: 'Firms appear more positive about both their own trading prospects and the broader economy.' Spotify has become the world's first music streaming service to reach 100million paying subscribers as it fights a vicious turf war with Silicon Valley's tech titans. The milestone is an early victory for the Swedish firm amid fierce competition from rival services run by Apple, Google and Amazon. The company revealed revenues had surged by 33 per cent to 1.3billion in the first quarter and losses narrowed to 146million a better result than analysts expected. Hit factory: Spotify users streamed songs by Ariana Grande 3 billion times in 2018. The Swedish firm revealed revenues had surged by 33 per cent to 1.3bn in the first quarter But the pressure on the New York-listed business is set to increase after Google and Amazon both unveiled free versions of their music streaming platforms this month. Paid-for service Apple Music is also gaining fast on Spotify, boasting 50m subscribers, and has surpassed it in the US. It has prompted fears Spotify will be out-gunned by the tech giants which have vast resources at their disposal. As the competition has increased, Spotify has branched out into other types of media such as podcasts, and has also starting seeking listeners in developing countries such as India. Yesterday analysts said this appeared to be paying off but they cautioned that the company cannot rest on its laurels. Daniel Ek, Spotify's chief executive and co-founder, insisted he is not worried by the opposition because there are more than enough potential customers to go round. The 36-year-old said: 'We've always had competition. Competition has always come in the form of much larger players that's not unusual to us. 'Yet, we keep on doing what we said we are going to do and keep on growing at more than 30 per cent per year. 'And the point with that, I think, is that the music industry market is just way bigger than most people realise.' Spotify said it has 217m users overall. Those who do not pay must listen to advertisements between songs. The firm makes the vast majority of its income from its 9.99-per-month 'premium' subscription which gives listeners access to an advert-free service and other features. Currently 100m pay for this service. Globally Spotify still has double the amount of paying subscribers as Apple but in the crucial US market it has been overtaken. Apple Music is thought to have more than 28m paying US subscribers, while Spotify has around 26m, it was reported this month. There is a brutal battle for American listeners between the rivals, with Spotify offering discounted subscriptions and bundles with video service Hulu. In Europe, the Swedish company has separately stepped up its fight with Apple by filing a competition complaint against the iPhone maker. Spotify claims Apple has abused its control of the iPhone App Store to the advantage of its own music service an allegation Apple has denied. But it also faces pressure from Google and Amazon, which are launching ad-supported versions of their music streaming services that will be compatible with their smart speaker devices. Analysts estimate Amazon has around 20m paying subscribers for its music service. Spotify's results yesterday helped ease concerns it would be crushed by its bigger rivals. It forecasts revenue of up to 5.9billion for 2019, slightly above analyst expectations of 5.8billion, and said it expects to reach 127m paying subscribers in that time. Nicholas Hyett, an analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'With rivals of the calibre of Amazon and Apple, Spotify can't afford to rest on its laurels, but so far the group seems to be more than capable of holding its own.' Spotify said it spent nearly 310million last year buying podcast firms Gimlet Media, Anchor FM and Parcast. Photo: The Canadian Press Actor Robert De Niro, from left, co-founder, CEO, and executive chair of Tribeca Enterprises Jane Rosenthal, and director Martin Scorsese attend "Tribeca Talks - Director Series - Martin Scorsese with Robert De Niro" during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival at the Beacon Theatre on Sunday, April 28, 2019, in New York. Ahead of their much-anticipated and most recent collaboration, "The Irishman," Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro convened at the Tribeca Film Festival to look back on their long partnership together. The talk, staged Sunday at New York's Beacon Theatre, gave De Niro, co-founder of the festival, one of his most unlikely roles to date: interviewer. With interstitial clips chosen by Scorsese from the director's filmography, the famously terse actor didn't so much pepper or prod the filmmaker as occasionally announce it was time to discuss "the next one." But if the conversation relied largely on Scorsese, it still offered a window into their long-running collaboration. Begun with 1973's "Mean Streets" and stretching over nine feature films, it's one of the most famous director-actor pairs in cinema. One of Scorsese's other regulars, Leonardo DiCaprio, was among the full crowd, eager to see the legendary New York duo together. "The Irishman," which Netflix will release this fall, is their latest gangster film together, following "Mean Streets," ''Goodfellas" and "Casino." It's based on the 2003 book "I Heard You Paint Houses" by Charles Brandt, which recounts the life of mob hitman Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran (played by De Niro). Al Pacino plays Jimmy Hoffa, whose disappearance some have traced to Sheeran. "It's in the milieu of the pictures we've done together and are known for, in a sense, but I hope from a different vantage point," said Scorsese. "Years have gone by and we see things in a special way, I hope." Though its release is months away, "The Irishman" one of Netflix's biggest-budgeted films yet has already become the new flash point of the ongoing battle between Netflix and movie theatres. The major chains have refused to play releases that don't abide to the traditional exclusive 90-day theatrical window. Netflix has said that doesn't serve the interests of its millions of members. How Scorsese will navigate those divisions is being closely watched. The 76-year-old filmmaker is among the most respected in movies, and has long been a devoted advocate of film history and film preservation. The director didn't wade into those issues Sunday, but he spoke about how "Irishman" reverberates with themes that have long propelled him. "Casino," he said, relates to what he considers a current "cultural explosion." "It's the old story: How much is enough?" said Scorsese. "It has to do with our foibles and our pride. It just so happens (to be told with) gangsters and killers and prostitutes and gamblers." Scorsese said that "The Irishman" will, like "Casino" did with the score from Jean-Luc Godard's "Contempt," include music from another film. He also said his last feature, "Silence," his 2016 religion epic about Jesuit priests in feudal Japan, connects with "The Irishman." "Terry Malick wrote me a letter when he saw the picture. He said: 'What does Christ want from us?'" said Scorsese. "In the old neighbourhood, I saw some of the people doing terrible things. But they still had something in them. They cared for each other." "This film comes out of that and our new feature comes out of that," he added. "It's right there." Scorsese is also prepping the release of his documentary "Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story," which will debut on Netflix on June 12. The film will play in a concurrent Oscar-qualifying release in a handful of theatres, as well as "road show" screenings the night before release in some 20 cities. Music was a constant theme to Scorsese on Sunday he said it often tells him how to move the camera as was his enduring interest in gangster films. Alluding to "The Irishman" while discussing "Goodfellas," Scorsese said the genre can contain everything. "We find that we keep going back to that world because I think we're trying to get to what's essential," said Scorsese. "The microcosm is a macrocosm." Sir Philip Green and directors of his Arcadia retail empire will today discuss its future amid a crisis on the High Street. The Topshop tycoon, 67, is plotting a major overhaul of Arcadias portfolio, which is expected to involve the closure of around 50 shops. A decision could be made as early as tomorrow on whether to proceed with the proposals, known as a company voluntary arrangement, according to Sky News. Troubled times: Sir Philip Green with his daughter Chloe and wife Tina Arcadia which owns Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Miss Selfridge, Burton, Evans and Wallis will need the support of landlords, pension trustees and other stakeholders in order to push through the shake-up. If Green fails to secure their support, a sale of the company is expected to be launched within weeks. Brands such as Topshop and Miss Selfridge have struggled as younger shoppers flock to online rivals such as Asos and Boohoo instead. Arcadia declined to comment last night. Boeing boss Dennis Muilenburg narrowly survived a bid to weaken his control of the plane maker in the face of investor fury over fatal crashes. More than a third of investors voted in favour of forcing Muilenburg to give up one of his three roles of chief executive, chairman and president, amid angry scenes at the group's annual meeting. The 55-year-old has been criticised after two of Boeing's 737 Max jets crashed due to problems with their flight systems, killing hundreds of people. More than a third of investors voted for Dennis Muilenburg to give up one of his three roles as chief exec, chairman and president The jets have been grounded and shares dropped 10 per cent after last month's Ethiopian Airlines crash. Last week Boeing abandoned its financial outlook for 2019, halted share buybacks and said cuts to 737 Max prduction have cost it 773million so far. Muilenburg vowed that the 737 Max will become the safest plane in the air once the automatic safety feature that is the focus of the crash investigations is fixed. He said: 'Safety is at the core of what we do.' Shares in Google owner Alphabet tumbled last night as its sales disappointed investors. Despite raking in sales worth 28.1billion during the first three months of 2019, shares in the tech giant slumped by more than 5m per cent in after-hours trading. Alphabet, which also owns YouTube, posted a 17 per cent rise in sales compared with a year earlier. But analysts had expected the group to make 28.9billion during the period. Google is facing growing efforts by Amazon to steal market share in a battle between the US tech titans It also suffered a 1.3billion hit relating to a fine from Europes competition watchdog after it was accused of squeezing out advertising rivals. Profits fell from 7.3billion to 5.1billion as a result. It came as Wall Street analysts said Google has nothing to fear from Amazons bid to steal its advertising business. The search engine is facing growing efforts by Amazon to win market share in a battle between the US tech titans. But analysts said the raid has not yet had any effect. Dan Ives, of Wedbush Securities, said: The bark is worse than the bite. Its an opportunity for Amazon from an advertising perspective, but I dont see it moving the needle too much for Google. Amazons advertising takings have been growing rapidly. The company said sales from its other businesses largely ads more than doubled to 7.8billion in 2018. And in the first quarter of this year it reported sales of 2.1billion, a rise of 34 per cent. The growth has prompted suggestions Amazon could challenge the vice-like grip Google and Facebook have over online ad sales, with the pair estimated to control nearly 60 per cent of the market between them. Amazon is thought to control around 8 per cent. But Colin Sebastian, an analyst at Baird Equity Research, said: The ramp in Amazon advertising is having limited impact on core Google search spend. A fit and healthy mother died while holidaying in Greece with her family after eating just one mouthful of uncooked chicken. Natalie Rawnsley, 37, was on holiday with husband Stewart and her two young sons when she was struck down with food poisoning, an inquest heard. Westminster Coroner's Court heard that Natalie, from Harpenden, Herts, rapidly deteriorated in just 36 hours after consuming the chicken at a hotel restaurant. The fit and healthy triathlete died after blood clots formed all over her body and blocked the vessels. Husband Stewart Rawnsley said that his wife lay bleeding from every orifice in a hospital bed in Corfu as his insurance company insisted she should not be moved to the mainland. The coroner heard the Rawnsley family left for the Greek island of Corfu on 13 August last year and were just beginning their second week when tragedy struck. The mum-of-two had been on holiday with her children and husband Stewart on the Greek island of Corfu (pictured) Mr Rawnsley said: 'The hotel had two or three restaurants. It was a buffet or restaurant and we had all four of us eating together. 'The set up Natalie and I had agreed was we took it in turns alternatively either to go up and get the kids food and our food while the other joined the longer queue for nicer food. 'I had both my boys with me, we had pasta, bread and sausages. Natalie had a completely different dinner which consisted of chicken, salad, prawns and vegetables. 'We were already at the table when Natalie came back with her food. Natalie started to eat hers and as she cut the chicken the chicken oozed red blood to which point I commented it looked bloody. 'She got up took it back replaced the chicken with a different piece and came back and ate it. 'She had had a few mouthfuls of the other piece of chicken.' Natalie's husband said his wife had complained that evening of feeling unwell, but had not said anything specific about how she felt ill. He was woken at 3am when Natalie started throwing up in the hotel bathroom. He told the inquest 'The doctor came at around 7am. After he diagnosed gastroenteritis at that point he told us to separate - to stop me and the kids catching it. I took the kids for breakfast, took them for a swim. 'At 11am I came back to check on her. She was still being sick and asked me to go back to the doctors and get more assistance. 'The second doctor said because she had been sick for so long she needed additional medical help so she was going to the medical centre a number of kilometres away from the hotel. 'An ambulance arrived at around 1pm. I was aware she had been moved from the medical centre to the Corfu hospital in the early evening by text message. 'At 11pm in the evening the first doctor - who saw her at 7am - he knocked on my door and explained that I needed to get dressed and I needed to come to the hospital quickly. 'I thought my wife was going to be home in the morning. 'The hospital was on the other side of the island about 70km away from my memory. The A&E department was empty. 'My wife was down the end of the room surrounded by about eight people. 'She was fully awake and aware, and happy to see me, but obviously distressed and concerned. 'There was pain in her legs and she had also had a number of red blotches all over her.' The inquest heard that a nurse, who said she was the head of international medicine, said they wanted to fly Natalie to a hospital on the mainland, which had better facilities. As Natalie's brother and niece arrived, her relatives gathered around her as she lay unconscious in the makeshift intensive care unit, the inquest heard. Stewart added: 'At around 1pm her brother and I notice her heart monitor was getting weaker and it continued. 'I screamed out and her brother screamed out. Medical assistance arrived and we were removed from the room. According to her husband she had eaten a small mouthful of uncooked chicken at dinner in their hotel Infections expert Dr Sebastien Lucas said Mrs Rawnsley had a particularly bad reaction to the chicken because she had 'bad genes' 'We were outside the door and they were in there five or ten minutes and then the same nurse came out and apologised as there wasn't anything more she could do, and Natalie died.' The inquest heard that although Natalie, a stay at home mum, was fit and healthy, the probability of contracting the more serious illness from food poisoning depends entirely on your genes. Infections expert Professor Sebastien Lucas said: 'It depends on what your genes are. It seems like Mrs Rawsley had the wrong genes - to put it crudely. 'Assuming it is an E-Coli infection - coming from uncooked chicken seems a very reasonable theory. 'The point I also made in my report is how it escalates. 'There's a tipping point when it starts producing DIC. By definition, once it starts doing that, you are doomed. 'It's a very rapid process and so the chronology I heard from Mr Rawnsley fits to a 't' with that view. 'If they start saying I feel very unwell, and this is anecdotal, but within a day they are dead.' Professor Lucas confirmed that not much can be done once infection sets in. He said Natalie was the third person he had seen die under these circumstances so far this year. Dr Athanasia Vargiamidou performed the post-mortem on Natalie when her body was repratriated from Greece. She said: 'The blood was not able to clot properly, it clotted a lot and at the same time.' Asked if the case presented as a 'classic case of serious food poisoning' Dr Vargiamido replied: 'Yes. I was kind of thinking something along those lines.' Assistant Coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe said: 'There isn't a magic cure for it. Uncooked chicken is a known to be a source of E-Coli.' The coroner recorded a verdict of death by the accidental consumption of E-Coli infected chicken. She concluded: 'I think it seems very clear-cut. The most common infection that causes this condition is E-Coli. 'It all fits together with her having contracted from uncooked chicken which is a source of this infection. 'The timeline fits very well with her having developed initially gastroenteritis but then this additional condition DIC that certain individuals can develop. 'We have to consider its very patient-specific, some patients will be susceptible to this and some will not. 'There's nothing anyone can do to reverse it.' The Greek Coca-Cola billionaire entrepreneur has been ordered to pay $11 million in a sexual assault trial. Alkiviades 'Alki' David, whose family business is the Leventis-David group which owns the Coca-Cola Hellenic bottling plants, was sued by former employee Chasity Jones, a 42-year-old single mom from California, who claims she was fired for refusing his sexual advances. On Friday, a California jury awarded Jones $3.1 million in compensatory damages and a further $8 million in punitive damages for committing sexual battery. The $11 million total is one of the biggest payouts from a sexual harassment suit, according to Jones' attorney Lisa Bloom. David has said the sum is ridiculous and insists he will not pay. David is also a founder of online TV provider FilmOn.TV and Hologram USA which is known for providing holograms at festivals. He also has a business selling oil extracted from cannabis plants, which he markets as a treatment for a range of conditions with the endorsement of celebrities including rapper Snoop Dogg and fashion designer Donatella Versace. The dramatic two-week trial included heating exchanges from both sides, with each legal team trying to tarnish the reputation of the other with Instagram photos, social media posts and lurid allegations. The proceedings were littered with heated outbursts from David, 50, who called Jones 'abhorrent', and said Bloom should 'do something with her life' and even got down on his knees and offered Jones' attorneys his wallet. David was accused of groping Jones by running his hands up her legs under the pretense of offering sympathy for the loss of her mother, and among a slew of other allegations, terminating her employment when she would not have sex with him. Billionaire entrepreneur Alki David (left), whose hologram technology was used in a series of money-spinning music festival sets has been ordered to pay Chasity Jones (right) $11 million in a sexual assault trial. The photo on the right was entered into evidence, and provided to DailyMail.com, to show that Jones wasn't suffering from PTSD, but it was denied by the judge Jones' attorney Lisa Bloom displayed photos from David's Instagram which were allowed into evidence, including one of him with his fingers around a woman's breast and another with 'f*** off' written on his shorts. The woman on the left has been blurred to protect her identity David's defense attempted to dispute Jones' claims, suggesting the lawsuit was an opportunistic bid to exact money from the Greek billionaire. Jones alleged the incidents left her suffering from PTSD, however David's defense tried to submit a series of Instagram photos showing her enjoying a lavish lifestyle at around the time of the trial. However, under Californian law, evidence that would impeach the credibility of the accuser, such as sexually proactive images, are prohibited. The photos were not entered into evidence as a result. The images, obtained exclusively by the DailyMail.com, show Jones appearing to enjoy a jet-set lifestyle and mingling among stars - in one instance she posed with world famous boxer Floyd 'Money' Mayweather at a Bel Air function. On Friday, a California jury awarded Jones $3.1 million in compensatory damages and a further $8 million in punitive damages for committing sexual battery. David's attorneys tried to enter both the above pictures, including left of Jones with Floyd Mayweather, as part of their defense, to show she lived a jet-set lifestyle, but they were rejected by the judge and slammed as a 'desperate ploy' by Jones' legal team The dramatic two-week trial was littered with heated outbursts from David, 50, (left and right in 2011) who called Jones 'abhorrent', said she should 'do something with her life' and even got down on his knees and offered her attorneys his wallet A source with close legal knowledge of the case told DailyMail.com: 'In California, you can't enter evidence to impeach the credibility of the accuser. 'No sexually provocative photos she may have posted, no anecdotes about flirtatious behavior or lewd comments she may have made about her night time activities. 'Meanwhile, you can use character evidence against the accused - even, as in this case, a parade of people who have their own suits against the defendant and have a financial interest in seeing him lose.' The source added, in reference to her PTSD: 'Ms Jones was collecting disability from the State of California for what her doctor called PTSD related to her allegations - even while she posted elaborately posed bikini photos from Cabo and Cancun and leased a Maserati.' Jones' attorney, Lisa Bloom told DailyMail.com: 'She wasnt traveling the world, merely to nearby places like Palm Springs or Mexico on short trips of a few days each with her family. That was the undisputed testimony. 'Women with PTSD still work, take trips, see friends, and do their best. They also suffer from insomnia, hyper vigilance, anxiety and stress, and get triggered by their abuser. 'We won $11 million because the jury found she had been sexually assaulted three times by Alki David, and his companies knew about the hostile environment and failed to stop him. Alki's defense attempted to dispute Jones' claims, suggesting the lawsuit was an opportunistic bid to exact money from the Greek billionaire. They tried to introduce the two photos above as evidence, but they were rejected by the judge Jones' attorney, Lisa Bloom told DailyMail.com: 'She wasnt traveling the world, merely to nearby places like Palm Springs or Mexico on short trips of a few days each with her family. That was the undisputed testimony'. She is seen on the right in one of the photos entered into evidence that was turned down by the judge Bloom also said that many of David's former employees said he made them follow him on Instagram. 'What a desperate ploy by a man who was just hit with one of the biggest sexual harassment verdicts in history,' she added. During the stormy trial, David in one instance shouted at Bloom: 'You are a liar, you are disgusting,' from his seat in the gallery before storming out of the courtroom during Bloom's presentation of evidence. The outburst came immediately after Bloom announced that her client would be seeking $10million in damages. In Davids wake, Bloom warned the jury they had just captured a glimpse of the Greeks unpredictable temperament. Ongkeko remained unmoved by the exchange and offered no comment about the defendants actions. During the stormy trial, David (pictured above with Janice Dickson) in one instance shouted: 'You are a liar, you are disgusting,' from his seat in the gallery Ellyn Garofalo, Davids attorney, said that Jones only made allegations against the business mogul after she was fired from positions at two of his companies. Before that, Garofalo claimed that Jones always spoke very highly of her employer, regularly telling associates that she loved her job working in a wild and outrageous place, where sexual innuendo wasnt uncommon. She also said David brought a male stripper into the workplace to celebrate the birthday of one of his executives. She said she found the strippers appearance offensive and considered it sexual harassment. Along with another former sales accountant, Jones first filed a lawsuit against David in February 2017, claiming she was ousted from the companies for refusing to have sex with him. During the hearing, Bloom detailed a series of alleged instances in which David was deemed to have acted inappropriately towards Jones, making her feel uncomfortable. Shortly after assuming her sales position in January 2015, Jones claimed that David came up behind her, placed his hands on her shoulders and told her to follow him on Instagram. The single mother says she pulled away and said no, but apparently David repeated the interaction several days later. David later stormed out of the courtroom during Bloom's presentation of evidence against him Bloom showed the jury one of David's alleged Instagram postings containing a photo depicting Caitlyn Jenner with a stunned look on her face with a caption that read, When you play with your vagina for the first time. She also displayed three others photos including one of David with his fingers over a woman's breast, another of him wearing shorts that read 'f*** off' and another with contents too explicit for DailyMail.com to publish. As Bloom went on to describe another instance in which her client voiced discomfort, regarding a male stripper dressed as a policeman hired to come to the office, David was heard laughing as Bloom referred to Jones as a Christian woman. The $11million total is one of the biggest payouts from a sexual harassment suit, according to Jones' attorney Lisa Bloom. She also said his attempt to use some of Jones' Instagram pictures were a 'desperate ploy' Also among the slew of allegations, was one encounter shortly after Jones mother died, in October 2015. She said David pretended to be sympathetic at first, but during a meeting regarding her mothers passing, the CEO allegedly ran his hands up her legs. He is said to have later ordered her to watch the adult video Two Girls, One Cup on her computer, which left Jones feeling demeaned, Bloom claimed. Jones was then fired in November 2016. This is a case about a sexual predator running loose in a company he controlled, Bloom told the courtroom. She [Jones] was fired because she refused to have sex with him. Jones was the first witness called in the trial. The additional sexual harassment lawsuit, filed by Jones co-worker, Elizabeth Taylor, will be tried at a later date. A trip through the McDonald's drive-thru may cost drivers more than just the price of their food if they use their phone to pay. Phone payment apps that allow you to tap your device the same way you would a debit or credit card to make purchases are fast becoming popular among savvy consumers. What consumers may not know, however, is that picking up your phone to pay while sitting at the drive-thru is illegal. A trip through the McDonalds drive-thru may cost drivers more than just the price of their food if they use their phone to pay While some road users may think that McDonald's carparks are private property, they are still considered a 'road' in terms of the law, this means police can enforce road rules the same as they could outside the carpark. 'A 'road' is an area that is open to or used by the public and is developed for, or has as one of its main uses, the driving or riding of motor vehicles,' the law states. The penalties for using a mobile phone while driving in New South Wales are a $337 fine and five demerit points. The law is clear as to what is allowed when it comes to mobile phones with the NSW Road Rules 2014 stating that,'the driver of a vehicle must not use a mobile phone while the vehicle is stationary but not parked.' The only exception to this is if the phone is mounted to the car or if you are using hands free. PENALTIES FOR USING YOUR MOBILE PHONE WHILE DRIVING NEW SOUTH WALES QUEENSLAND VICTORIA WESTERN AUSTRALIA A.C.T. NORTHERN TERRITORY SOUTH AUSTRALIA TASMANIA $344 $391 $484 $400 $447 $250 TBC $300 5 POINTS 3 POINTS 4 POINTS 3 POINTS 4 POINTS 3 POINTS 3 POINTS 3 POINTS Advertisement Phone payment apps that allow you to tap your device the same way you would a debit or credit card to make purchases are fast becoming popular among savvy consumers Similar laws apply in all other states. Apps such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay allow users to leave their cards at home and pay with digital version on their phones. Critics may think handing your expensive iPhone back and forth with a drive-thru employee above a hard concrete surface may not seem like a great idea. The process is here to stay, however, and fast food chains such as McDonald's have streamlined the process where a modified version of Eftpos machines can be passed through the window to the drivers. However, digital payment apps are also available on smartwatches so reaching over and tapping your write may be better a far better option. Some of the participating banks include ING Direct, ANZ, Bendigo, Macquarie, Teacher's Mutual, Bankwest, and Commonwealth. The technology, which is based around Eftpos machines reading an encrypted code sent from the phone, was introduced into Australia in 2015. Spain's governing Socialists won the country's election but fell short of a majority as a far-right party won seats in parliament for the first time since the death of the dictator Francisco Franco. With nearly all ballots counted, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialists won nearly 29 per cent of the votes, capturing 122 seats in the 350-seat Congress of Deputies meaning they will need the backing of smaller parties to govern. The new far-right Vox party won 10 per cent of the vote in Sunday's election and will have 24 seats. Its success came at the expense of the once-dominant conservative Popular Party, which fell to 66 seats The Popular Party lost votes both to Vox and to the center-right Citizens party, which will increase its number of seats from 32 to 57. Spain's incumbent Prime Minister and Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) leader Pedro Sanchez greets supporters outside of the PSOE headquarters on Sunday night Santiago Abascal giving a speech at the headquarters of Vox on Sunday night in Madrid Sunday night's election saw the Socialists win the election but with no overall majority as the far-right Vox party won seats for the first time The surge in votes for Vox shows that leader Santiago Abascal has managed to resurrect the far-right from the margins of Spanish politics where it has spent four decades. Spain has had no far-right party to speak of since the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975. The results raise the spectre of another period of instability for Spain, with Sanchez depending on alliances with hostile rivals in an environment that has soured since Catalonia's failed secession bid in 2017. Sanchez's Socialist Party (PSOE) got 123 lawmakers out of 350, or close to 29 percent of votes - short of an absolute majority but much better than the 85 seats it got in 2016. 'The Socialists have won the general election and with it the future has won and the past has lost,' he told cheering supporters from the balcony of the party's headquarters in Madrid, claiming victory late Sunday. The big loser was the conservative Popular Party (PP), which bagged 66 seats compared to 137 in the previous election that saw it govern Spain with a minority government. Sanchez, who came to power in June after ousting conservative prime minister Mariano Rajoy in a no-confidence vote, could seek to forge alliances with far-left Podemos and smaller groupings like Catalan separatist parties, as he had done over the past 10 months. He could also try to cosy up to centre-right Ciudadanos, which won 57 seats. Together, they would form an absolute majority but voters from both parties would likely frown on such a move. 'I hope Sanchez won't reach an agreement with Ciudadanos, I want a left-wing government,' 51-year-old Esther Lopez, said at the Socialist Party headquarters, wearing earrings marked 'PSOE.' Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera, built his campaign on disparaging Sanchez, criticising his attempts to negotiate with Catalan separatist parties in a bid to ease a secession crisis in the northeastern region. Supporters of Republican Left party of Catalonia celebrate the results of the general election in Barcelona, Spain on Sunday night Spain's Prime Minister and Socialist Party leader Pedro Sanchez gestures to supporters outside the party headquarters following the general election in Madrid on Sunday Voters in Spain had become disillusioned as the country struggled with a recession, austerity cuts, corruption scandals, divisive demands for independence from the restive Catalonia region and a rise in far-right nationalism not seen since Spain's dictatorship ended in the 1970s. Sanchez announced that he would soon open talks with other political parties, telling crowds gathered at the gates of his party headquarters in central Madrid that 'the future has won and the past has lost.' He hinted at a preference for a left-wing governing alliance but also sent a warning to Catalan separatists whose support he may need that any post-electoral pact must respect the country's 1978 constitution, which bans regions from seceding. 'We told you that we were going to begin a reconquering of Spain and that's what we have done,' Vox leader Santiago Abascal said, in reference to the 15th-century campaign by the Spanish Catholic Kings to end Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula. Vox, which was formed five years ago, has promised to defend Spain from its 'enemies,' citing feminists, liberal elites and Muslims among others. Its emergence on the national stage gives Spain five political parties, furthering political fragmentation in a country that was alternately ruled for decades by the Socialists and the Popular Party. A divided Spain voted on Sunday in its third general election in four years. Pictured are supporters of far right party Vox cheer as party leader Santiago Abascal addresses them outside the party headquarters following the general election in Madrid Santiago Abascal, leader of far-right party Vox, addresses supporters gathered outside the party headquarters following the general election in Madrid on Sunday To stay in office, the Socialists and Sanchez must form a governing alliance with smaller parties, including the far-left United We Can led by Pablo Iglesias. Iglesias said after the vote the he 'would have liked a better result, but it's been enough to stop the right-wing and build a left-wing coalition government,' adding that he's already offered support to Sanchez. But Sanchez will still need 11 more seats to get the 176-seat majority he needs in the lower house of parliament, meaning he may be forced to make pacts with Catalan and other separatist parties - moves that would anger many Spaniards on the left and the right. Pablo Casado, who had steered the Popular Party further to the right to try to stop it from losing votes to Vox, called the worst ballot result ever for his party 'very bad,' saying 'we've been losing our electoral support for several elections.' Turnout was nearly 76 per cent, up more than 8 points since the previous election in 2016. The vote surge included a huge boost in the northeastern Catalonia region, which has been embroiled in a political quagmire since its failed secession bid in 2017 put separatist leaders in jail while they are tried. Supporters of Spanish Prime Minister and Socialist Party candidate Pedro Sanchez gather at the party headquarters waiting for the results The arrival of Vox in Madrid's national parliament marks a big shift for Spain, where the far right has not played a significant role since the country's transition to democracy following the death of dictator Gen. Francisco Franco in 1975. The Popular Party and the Citizens party had focused their campaigns on unseating Sanchez, hinting they could create a conservative coalition government - with the backing of Vox - like a regional one that recently ousted the Socialists from southern Andalusia. Speaking Sunday after voting, Sanchez said he wanted a mandate to undertake key social and political reforms. The prime minister said he wanted 'a stable government that with calmness, serenity and resolution looks to the future and achieves the progress that our country needs in social justice, national harmony' and in fighting corruption. At the Palacio Valdes school in Madrid, voter Alicia Sanchez, a 38-year-old administrator, worried about the influence of Vox. 'I've always come to vote, but this time it feels special. I'm worried about how Vox can influence policies on women and other issues. They are clearly homophobic. Reading their program is like something from 50 years ago,' she said. Having voted in all elections since Spain returned to democratic rule four decades ago, Amelia Gomez, 86, and Antonio Roman, 90, said they had little faith in any of the candidates. 'All I want is for whoever wins to take care of the old people,' Gomez said, complaining that together the two of them receive less than 1,000 euros ($1,100) a month in state pensions. Two of the victims of the tragic California synagogue shooting hailed from the same family that moved from Israel to the U.S. in search of a safer life. But after Saturday's horror shooting where gunman John T. Earnest, 19, released a hail of bullets at the Chabad of Poway Synagogue, killing one and injuring three, they realized their journey has been 'from fire to fire'. Eight-year-old Noya Dahan was hit by shrapnel and suffered wounds to her leg and face. Her uncle Almog Peretz, 34, who was visiting from Israel, was also injured in the attack trying to protect her. Noya's father Israel Dahan revealed that he, his wife, and their five children moved to the U.S. from Sderot, Israel, a town on the Gaza border, to escape the violence after they were hit by rocket attacks that frequent the border. 'We came from fire to fire,' the father said to Times of Israel. 'We left Sderot because of the shelling. My house was hit several times. My mother's house, my mother-in-law's house were hit several times. I was also wounded several times ... we wanted to move far away.' Noya Dahan, 8, (left) and her uncle Almog Peretz, 34, (right) were injured by shrapnel in Saturday's California synagogue attack that killed one and injured three The Dahan family had moved from Israel to the U.S. to flee the violent rocket attacks on the Gaza border, only to encounter violence stateside. Noya pictured in her hospital bed after the attack where she suffered injury to her leg and face. As of Sunday she and the other wounded victims were discharged from the hospital The Dahan family has been living in Poway for the past three years and Almog was visiting from Israel for Passover - the holiest holiday for the Jewish people. Israel Dahan says he locked eyes with gunman Earnest when he stormed into the synagogue, and Dahan shouted for worshipers to evacuate. 'I began to shout that people should flee,' Dahan recalled. 'Thank God his gun jammed.' In the attack gunman Earnest, a San Diego native and nursing student, opened fire but fled the scene when armed off-duty Border Patrol agent began to fire back at him. In his barrage of bullets, he shot dead Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, and injured Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, 57, by shooting him in the fingers. Israel Dahan pictured on Sunday at a candlelight vigil for the victims of the shooting with his daughter Noya Dahan riding on his shoulders 'We came from fire to fire,' Noya's father Israel Dahan said, pictured above in a 2014 interview This is the second time the Dahan family has been victimized in an antisemitic attack. In 2014 their house and car was smeared with graffiti swastika signs during Passover By Sunday all three wounded victims were discharged from the hospital. Almog was hit in the leg by shrapnel as he was trying to protect his niece. He was visiting from Israel for Passover and attended the service with some friends and was taking the child to the dining room of the synagogue when the gunman entered. He saw Earnest point his rifle towards a group of children - including three of his nieces and a neighbor's daughter - and then opened the doors of the building, yelling for the kids to get out. Then he helped bring them to a nearby home to hide. 'This is sad, but I am originally from Sderot, so we know a bit about running from the Kassam rockets,' Peretz said to Israel's Channel 12 from his hospital bed. 'At first we thought the ceiling had collapsed, but then I turned around and saw he was aiming his weapon at me. There were many small kids next to me,' he said. 'As I picked up [a] girl, the terrorist aimed his weapon at me. I was injured in the leg,' he added. Gunman: John T. Earnest, 19, was taken into custody without incident on Saturday after he opened fire at the synagogue, killing one and injuring three others before he fled the scene Injured: Rabbi Goldstein, 57, (left) was shot in the hand and will likely lose his right index finger. Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, (right) was killed in the attack Almog Peretz was hit in the leg with shrapnel while he was trying to protect his nieces during the Saturday shooting. He was visiting the Dahan family from Israel 'I came back because one of my nieces was stuck in the bathroom. I had to go back and bring her. Fortunately, she stayed there and the terrorist had already left,' he said. Noya's mother has hailed Peretz a hero. 'Almog saved my daughters, he saved all the children. He just didnt think about anything except how to save the children,' she told Israeli radio. Authorities say Earnest fired the first rounds then his weapon malfunctioned. Despite coming to the U.S. for a better life, Dahan reveals this isn't the first time his family has been the victim of a hate crime. In 2015 when the family was residing in Mira Mesa, about 10 miles from Poway, swastika symbols were smeared all over their housing and their car during the Passover holiday. 'But that's life,' Dahan said recalling the swastika incident. When asked if he regretted moving his family from Israel he said, 'No. We love America.' 'It can happen anywhere - in any mall, and in any hospital and in any family gathering and in any place. We are strong. We were born to be strong,' he added. Detectives hunting for victims of a Cypriot serial killer have uncovered a suitcase with the body of a woman inside at the bottom of a man-made lake. The woman is thought to have been murdered by a 35-year-old military officer, named locally as Nicos Metaxas, who has been dubbed Cyprus's first serial killer. Police say Metaxas, who is Greek, has confessed to killing five women and two girls on the island. So far, four bodies have been recovered. It is thought Metaxas targeted foreign women on the island between 2016 and 2017. All but one of the women was of Asian descent and he met at least two of them on dating websites. Investigators searching for victims of a man dubbed Cyprus's first ever serial killer pulled the body of a woman inside a suitcase (bottom centre) out of a man-made lake on Sunday Police said the suitcase had been weighted down with a concrete block and contained the remains of an adult woman 'in advanced stages of decomposition' Investigators believe they have also located the remains of a second woman in the same lake and are searching for a third Nicos Metaxas, 35, a Greek army captain, has been identified locally as the suspect , but has not been formally identified because he has not been charged Police said the suitcase was discovered Sunday in a man-made lake in the village of Mitsero, 20 miles west of the capital, Nicosia. The case had been weighted down with a concrete block. Senior Inspector Neophytos Shailos said a coroner who examined the body at the scene said it was in an advanced stage of decomposition. He said a battery of tests and scientific examinations will be conducted to determine the woman's identity. Authorities focused their search on the lake after Metaxas told investigators that he put the bodies of three of his victims into suitcases and threw them into the toxic lake, part of a now-defunct copper pyrite mine. Those victims are believed to be Maricar Valtez Arquiola, 31, from the Philippines; Florentina Bunea, 36, from Romania; and Bunea's 8-year-old daughter, Elena Natalia. Arquiola has been missing since December 2017, while the mother and daughter vanished in September 2016. Shailos said a coroner who carried out a preliminary examination at the scene determined that the body is of an adult female. Mary Rose Tiburcio, 38 (left) was discovered on April 14 at a mine-shaft, while her six-year-old daughter Sierra is feared to also be dead Maricar Valtez Arquiola, 31 (left) and Arian Palanos Lozano, 28, (right) - have been named by Cypriot media as victims The soldier is also suspected of killing Romanian mother Livia Florentina Bunea, 36, (left) and her eight-year-old daughter Elena Natalia (right) who went missing in 2016 The toxic lake is part of an abandoned mining complex where Metaxas is thought to have disposed of most of his victims Police began investigating the murders on April 14 after the body of 38-year-old Mary Rose Tiburcio, from the Philippines, was discovered down a flooded shaft near the lake (pictured) The retrieved suitcase is one of two that were located in the lake Saturday. Shailos said authorities won't retrieve the second one immediately, but will continue scouring the lake for the third suitcase. The development is the latest in a rapidly unfolding case that has shocked Cypriots who fear a serial killer has been preying on foreign women who came to work in the east Mediterranean island nation. The case came to light with the April 14 discovery of the bound body of 38-year-old Mary Rose Tiburcio, from the Philippines, down a flooded shaft near the lake. The discovery triggered a homicide investigation that led to the captain's arrest before a second woman's body - thought to be that of 28-year-old Arian Palanas Lozano, also from the Philippines - was found in the mineshaft on April 20. Police said the suspect admitted killing them both and they believe that he also killed Tiburcio's 6-year-old daughter, Sierra, who remains missing. The scope of the case expanded when the suspect confessed Thursday to killing a total of five women and two of their daughters. The suspect, who hasn't been officially named because he has not been charged yet, also led investigators to a military firing range where the decomposed remains of a woman were discovered down a pit. Officials said the remains could be those of Ashita Khadka Bista, from Nepal. Including the woman pulled from this lake on Sunday, officers have now retrieved the remains of four victims. It is thought there are seven in total Forensics officers search Kokkinopezoula lake, also known as "red lake", for possible bodies of victims of a suspected serial killer near the village of Mitsero Officers were led to the lake by Metaxas, who was seen there on Sunday Police initially tracked down the suspect through Tiburcio's computer messages on a dating site. Investigators said the two had had a six-month relationship before Tiburcio and her daughter disappeared in May 2018. A court heard that Tiburcio's roommate had pleaded with her not to take along her daughter to a pre-arranged rendezvous with the suspect on the night of her disappearance. But Tiburcio said the suspect insisted that she bring her daughter along so that the child could play with his two small children. He faces charges including premeditated murder and kidnapping for alleged crimes dating back to Sept. 30, 2016. Police Chief Zacharias Chrysostomou has ordered an internal probe to determine whether investigators had failed to properly investigate the women's disappearances, amid public criticism that authorities did little to search for the women when they were reported missing. But residents in another Russian city made an Easter cake five metres wide- and it could break a world record Advertisement Millions of believers around the world celebrated Orthodox Easter in a number of religious ceremonies. From continent to continent, millions of people celebrated by holding traditions including releasing fire lanterns, eating Easter cake and holding processions to mark the holy occasion. In Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, revellers tucked in to an Easter cake weighing in at 350kg, while almost 1,000km away in Volgograd a procession was held to mark the day. In the Donetsk region of Ukraine, special cakes were baked and taken to church. But an even bigger cake which measures five metres in diameter was baked in Yekaterinburg, Russia. The huge cake was baked for both today's Orthodox Easter celebrations and the Guinness World Records Book, but it is is not known if a record has been broken. The cake was baked for both today's Orthodox Easter celebrations and the Guinness World Records Book, but it is is not known yet if a record has been broken. Most Christians celebrated Easter last week on the Gregorian calendar. However, Orthodox Easter is celebrated relative to its position on the Julian calendar, which can change from one year to another, like the Gregorian calendar. In Jerusalem's Old City, hundreds watched a procession to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on the alleged spot where Jesus was crucified and resurrected. Fire lanterns were released in the town of Leonidio, Greece, while people brought their decorated Easter baskets to church in Istanbul, Turkey. Even in the Kurdish-controlled city of Qamishli, Syria, along with the capital Damascus, believers came together in a traditional Orthodox Easter church service. In the city of Volgograd, Russia, clergy members are pictured embarking on a procession to celebrate Orthodox Easter. Most Christians celebrated Easter last week on the Gregorian calendar, but Orthodox Easter celebrations took place this weekend A bishop, right, hands a local governor a flame in the city of Volgograd. Millions of believers around the world celebrated Orthodox Easter in a number of religious ceremonies, including holding processions, above In Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, revellers tucked in to an Easter cake weighing in at 350kg. The cake, which had multiple layers, was cut outside the city's Annunciation Monastery An even bigger cake which measures five metres in diameter is pictured in Yekaterinburg, Russia. This cake was baked for both today's Orthodox Easter celebrations and the Guinness World Records Book, but it is is not known if a record has been broken Meanwhile in Moscow, Russian President Vladamir Putin is pictured with Russian Orthodox bishop Patriarch Kirill during an Orthodox Easter service held in a cathedral Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev is pictured with his wife Svetlana, left and second left, while President Putin is pictured with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. They are pictured together holding candles in the service In the Donetsk region of Ukraine, special cakes were baked and taken to church. From continent to continent, millions of people celebrated by holding Orthodox traditions Fire lanterns were released in the town of Leonidio, Greece. Millions of believers around the world celebrated Orthodox Easter in a number of religious ceremonies Residents are pictured lighting and releasing the lanterns in Leonidio, Greece, as young children look on. Orthodox Easter is celebrated this weekend because of its position on the Julian calendar, which can change from one year to another People brought their decorated Easter baskets to church in Istanbul, Turkey as a priest, dressed in black above, blesses believers with water People are pictured in Hatay, Turkey taking part in an Easter vigil at the local Orthodox Church. From continent to continent, millions of people celebrated the holiday People gathered at the Al-Maryamieh Church in Damascus, Syria to mark Easter. The country has seen violent civil war and just last week, a car bomb killed a civilian in the city In the Kurdish-controlled city of Qamishli, Syria, believers came together in a traditional Orthodox Easter church service In Jerusalem's Old City, hundreds watched a procession to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on the alleged spot where Jesus was crucified and resurrected Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III, left, is pictured leading the Orthodox Easter Sunday mass in the holy city Photo: The Canadian Press The Bank of Montreal's Irish subsidiary has been fined 1.25 million euros by Ireland's central bank for breaching a condition of its banking licence. The central bank says the Bank of Montreal Ireland plc. failed to establish and maintain processes and controls to ensure the submission of certain reports regarding operational risk. It said BMO has admitted the breaches in full. BMO was not immediately available for comment. The central bank says the appropriate fine amounted to 1.78 million euros but this was reduced by 30 per cent, as per its procedures for early settlements. It added that this was the Canadian lender's second reprimand and fine for deficiencies in regulatory reporting. A man was jailed in Mexico over the weekend after spending several hours buried in a tunnel he dug underneath his ex-girlfriends home to spy on her. Cesar Arnoldo Gomez, 50, from Sonora, was found under a pile of dirt last Thursday morning and required assistance from the local Red Cross and fire department after he refused to get out. He was taken to hospital and placed under arrest after violating a court-issued restraining order. Cesar Arnoldo Gomez was arrested after he dug a tunnel under his ex-girlfriend's home in Sonora, Mexico. The 50-year-old man spent several hours stuck under a pile of dirt Gomez was taken to a hospital and placed under arrest over the weekend after he was extracted from a tunnel he spent about a week digging under his former partner's house in northern Mexico The Sonora state attorney general's office said on Sunday that Gomez had spent days digging the hole so that he could spy on his ex-partner Griselda Santillan, 58, at her residence in Puerto Penasco, a town on the Gulf of California. According to Mexican newspaper El Universal, Santillan told cops that she had heard a lot noises during the past week, but initially dismissed it as stray cats. However, when the sound grew louder early on Thursday, she investigated and found her former partner of 14 years trapped in the soil below her property. The head of the Civil Protection and firemen's department said they were forced to extract a significant amount of dirt from the tunnel and remove it through a corridor before they could rescue Gomez Cesar Arnoldo Gomez spent about a week digging a tunnel underneath a home in Sonora, Mexico, so that he could spy on his ex-girlfriend 'I went for a neighbor, who looked out and said there was nothing. Then I saw some shoes, two knives and water to drink,' Santillan told El Universal. 'I screamed at him to come out and he did not listen to me.' She said she ended the relationship because her partner was very jealous. Gomez had been ordered to stay away from Santillan due to charges of domestic violence. Police said the man appeared intoxicated and severely dehydrated once they got him out of the tunnel. The head of the Civil Protection and firemen's department said they were forced to extract a significant amount of dirt from the tunnel and remove it through a corridor before they rescued Gomez. Violence against women has been in the spotlight in recent days in Mexico after a woman was hit by a car and then stabbed to death by her husband outside the governor's residence in the western state of Jalisco. That incident was captured on video. Terminally-ill baby girl Amiyah Windross (pictured) died after battling an 'undiagnosed' condition since birth Devastated parents who asked for help finding their lost phone containing precious memories of their dead baby girl have been the target of an alleged blackmail plot. Melbourne couple Jay and Dee Windross' 11-month-old daughter Amiyah had been fighting an 'undiagnosed neurological issue from the day she was born', and died on Wednesday morning just one month away from her first birthday. The Windrosses made a desperate plea for their stolen mobile phone to be returned as it held irreplaceable memories of their little girl. A woman allegedly tried to exploit the couple's vulnerability by extorting $1000 out of them while their daughter was dying. Mrs Windross left her Samsung Galaxy S8 phone in a toilet cubicle at Melbourne's Chadstone Shopping Centre on April 20, and her husband made a desperate plea on social media to have it returned. 'Someone has picked up Dee's phone from a toilet next door to Target in Chadstone around 5:30pm,' Mr Windross said in a Facebook post that went viral. Less than a day before Amiyah died, Mr Windross claims he received a text message from someone saying they had the phone - but wanted $1000 for it to be returned. Melbourne couple Jay and Dee Windross' (pictured) 11-month-old daughter Amiyah had been fighting an 'undiagnosed neurological issue from the day she was born', and died on Wednesday morning 'As we were spending time with Amiyah (and) beginning to say our goodbyes to her, I received a text message from someone claiming to have Dee's phone,' Mr Windross posted to social media on Sunday. 'While trying to spend every emotional minute with Amiyah and giving her all of my attention, I'm also responding to someone claiming to have our phone with all the memories of her. 'This person continued to message me into the night while Dee and I were having our final moments with Amiyah.' Mr Windross contacted police, who investigated the woman who allegedly claimed to have the phone. A 24-year-old woman was charged with blackmail and will appear at the Ringwood Magistrates' Court on Monday, the Herald Sun reported. 'It was a hoax. They had seen our desperate situation, seen we had no problem paying a reward and used that to their advantage,' Mr Windross said. 'Not only was it a complete and utter waste of my time, it was interrupting my final moments with my dying daughter. 'We cannot begin to explain the hurt and emptiness we are already feeling, but to get this news has just broken us even more. This is not fair. 'I was originally trying to find compassion for this woman and the possible situation she might be going through to take this desperate step to embezzle money, but now I am sickened that this would actually be a thought in her mind, let alone act on it.' A woman tried to exploit the couple's vulnerability by extorting $1000 out of them while their daughter was dying After Amiyah died on Wednesday, Mr Windross said she had an 'infectious smile' in a heartbreaking Facebook post. 'It is with utter sadness that Dee and I inform everyone that Amiyah Victoria grew her wings at 2.05am on Wednesday morning. Amiyah's last hours were spent peacefully and calmly, cuddling in Mummy's and Daddy's arms - which is what she loved most,' Mr Windross said. 'Her strength, her courage, and her unrelenting fight was on display from her first breath, all the way till her last. She held on and fought every minute to stay cuddling with her Mummy and Daddy for as long as she could and we can't begin to describe how brave and courageous she was. 'Amiyah knew how much we loved her and in return, we knew how much she loved us. We could tell in her gaze whenever she looked at us. 'No matter what, you will forever be in our hearts and we are so proud of you. We will never have to see you grow old and frail. 'We love you endlessly bubba. Love Mummy and Daddy. Amiyah Victoria Windross.' A mother drove her son to a police station just hours after officers issued an appeal to find a 'cowardly' predator who tried to rape an elderly woman. The sex predator broke into the 81-year-old woman's retirement village home in Greenfields, Western Australia, as she slept early on Sunday morning. The victim put up a fight and suffered bruising and abrasions to her face and a swollen hand as a result of the attempted violent rape, police said. She is currently being treated in hospital for her injuries. Western Australia Police released CCTV footage of a man wanted for allegedly sexually assaulting an elderly woman in her home on Sunday Hours after police issued a public appeal to find the predator, a woman drover her son to Mandurah Police Station and handed him over to officers The incident was described by authorities as a 'cowardly attack on a vulnerable member of our community.' 'We've spoken to her at length this morning,' Detective Sergeant Nicole Simon said, according to the ABC. 'She's naturally shaken and upset by the incident but she is being cared for by family. WA Police released a CCTV photo of the suspect dressed in black at the Peel Health Campus in Greenfields moments before the alleged assault took place. An hour later, a woman took her son to Mandurah Police Station and handed him over to officers, Perth Now reported. Police announced on Monday that a 30-year-old man from Mandurah has been charged with attempted aggravated sexual penetration without consent, and aggravated home burglary and commit. He is scheduled to appear in Mandurah Magistrates Court later today. Fans of Harper Lee may have reason to rejoice, with CBS News confirming on Sunday that the beloved American author had begun work on a third book years before her death. The first chapter of the true crime story that had been tentatively titled The Reverend was uncovered by the estate of Tom Radney, the lawyer who features heavily in the book. Radney's daughter had been going through her father's possessions when she found what was unmistakably the first chapter of a manuscript written by Lee. How the manuscript came to be, and the crime that inspired Lee to write a true crime story, are detailed in the new book Furious Hours, written by Casey Cep. The author appeared on CBS Sunday morning to unwind the tale of why Lee started writing the nonfiction book in secret, and what caused her to halt her writing. Scroll down for video In cold blood: Harper Lee (above in 1960) researched the alleged murders of five people who were related to Willie Maxwell, a self-ordained reverend who practiced voodoo To kill a memoir: It became the basis for her true crime story The Reverend, the first chapter of which was discovered by the daughters of Maxwell's lawyer (manuscript above) Spree: Reverend Maxwell (left) was charged with killing his first wife, but was found not guilty, after which his brother, second wife, nephew and stepdaughter (right) died Radney got a call one night back in 1969 from the Reverend Willie Maxwell, the same holy man that the book title references, seeking his legal expertise after his wife Mary was found dead in her car. That death had been staged to look like a car accident, but in fact she was strangled and bludgeoned before the crash. Four more people close to Reverend Maxwell would be murdered over the next seven years under highly suspicious circumstances, but he was never convicted of any crime. He also managed to collect $500,000 from insurance policies he had taken out on the deceased, another bizarre and troubling coincidence in the real life tale. Then, just a few days after his stepdaughter Shirley Ann Ellington was found dead on the side of the road, Reverend Maxwell was shot dead at the teenager's funeral. His assailant, Ellington's uncle Robert Burns, also called on Radney to defend him at trial. The deaths began in 1969 with Mary Edwards Maxwell, whom The New York Times reported had been found dead inside her car. What initially looked to be an accident on a country road proved to be anything but however, with an autopsy revealing that the reverends first wife had been beaten and strangled to death. Reverend Maxwell was soon indicted for his wifes murder, but just before the trial was set to begin he married Darkis Anderson. His second wife also happened to be a crucial witness for the prosecution, but in the wake of her nuptials the woman began telling an entirely different story. That close call only seemed to embolden Reverend Maxwell, whose brother Columbus Maxwell was found dead in his car two years later in 1971. His cause of death was excessive alcohol consumption, and years later investigators would say that there was a good likelihood that the man had been forced to drink himself to death. Two years after the it was Anderson who was found lifeless in her car on a back road, with her cause of death determined to be acute asthmatic bronchitis. That cause of death shows many of the same signs as suffocation. Reverend Maxwell returned to court after the death of his second wife, but not as a defendant. He sought to get a payout of $200,000 from the insurance companys double indemnity clause, arguing his wife had suffered a minor car accident but then died of shock. In 1976 it was James Hicks who was found dead. The young man was found dead in his car after it had run off the road but discovered no signs of fatal injury. Torn: 'My publisher wants another best seller and I want a clear conscience in that I haven't defrauded the reader,' wrote Lee about the book His death was determined to be from natural causes, and it was soon learned he had taken out an insurance policy. That form was filled out in Reverend Maxwells handwriting but drew less suspicion because the young man named his mother as his benefactor. Behind the scenes however, Reverend Maxwell was unsuccessfully attempting to obtain power of estate from his sister. She denied his attempts and a year later Ellington was found dead. It was after delivering a eulogy for the teenager he is believed to have killed that Reverend Maxwell was shot dead by Burns. Forty-two years later, Lee's retelling of those events might be coming to light. 'It is numbered at the top, four pages stapled together, titled The Reverend,' said Radney's daughter. She then shared one of the lines from that chapter: 'This is Reverend Maxwell and the police are here at my house. Accusing me of killing my wife. Will you come down and help me.' It is unclear why Lee gave up the project, but Cep did uncover one letter Lee sent to Gregory Peck, who famously played Atticus Finch in the film version of To Kill A Mockingbird, about the book. 'She is thanking him for his loving counsel,' explained Cep. 'She then tells him that her agent wants pure gore and autopsies. "My publisher wants another best seller and I want a clear conscience in that I haven't defrauded the reader."' Lee also started battling depression and alcoholism around this time, which caused further complications according to Cep. If there is a finished manuscript it is all under lock and key with the rest of her papers. The chief sniper during the Lindt Cafe siege in December 2014 is suing NSW Police for allegedly preventing him and other officers from doing their jobs. The officer, who can only be identified as Sierra 3-1, believes the lives of cafe manager Tori Johnson, 34, and lawyer Katrina Dawson, 38, could have been saved. Self-styled Iranian cleric Man Haron Monis, armed with a sawn-off shotgun and a backpack sprouting wires, took 17 hostages inside the cafe at Martin Place in Sydney on December 15, 2014. For about 17 excruciating hours, snipers and tactical officers stood ready to pounce as negotiators tried in vain to make direct contact with Monis. The chief sniper during the Lindt Cafe siege (pictured) in December 2014 is suing NSW Police for allegedly preventing him and other officers from doing their jobs The officer, who can only be identified as Sierra 3-1, believes he and fellow officers could have saved the lives of cafe manager Tori Johnson, 34, and lawyer Katrina Dawson, 38, if they were allowed to discharge their duties Police officers stormed the cafe after Monis, who was out on bail for violent and sexual crimes, executed cafe manager Johnson. Ms Dawson was killed by police bullet fragments as she hid under a chair during the bloody shootout. On Monday, the chief sniper claimed in a 30-page affidavit that he has suffered psychological trauma because of his superiors' decisions, The Daily Telegraph reported. 'The way we trained for incidents like this is for the sniper co-ordinator to be in the command post. I asked to perform that role on this occasion, but I didn't,' he said. 'My point to the debrief was we need to play how we train.' The NSW District Court is expected to hear the civil action, lodged on April 12, during a one-day hearing in 2020. Self-styled Iranian cleric Man Haron Monis (pictured), armed with a sawn-off shotgun and a backpack sprouting wires, took 17 hostages inside the cafe at Martin Place in Sydney on December 15, 2014 For about 17 excruciating hours, snipers and tactical officers (pictured) stood ready to pounce as negotiators tried in vain to make direct contact with Monis In 2017, NSW coroner Michael Barnes suggested that police action could have been swifter. Mr Barnes told the inquest the officers' bravery during the siege 'inspired awe,' but called for NSW police to review its siege response training after failing to answer four phone calls made within 30 minutes because they were in a 'handover briefing'. 'This was a significant failure in basic siege management,' he said. In handing down his findings, the magistrate who oversaw the inquest said snipers positioned in Martin Place should not be criticised for failing to shoot Monis before he killed Mr Johnson. 'The snipers could not have safely resolved the siege,' he told the inquest. He said police were wrongly under the impression Monis had a bomb inside the cafe. Feuding neighbours from an affluent Gold Coast suburb have landed in court for the second time in four years over an ongoing dispute about overhanging trees. Carol Bool is demanding her neighbour Stuart Constable trim the trees on his $1million Broadbeach Waters home claiming the foliage is dropping leaves on her property and damaging her swimming pool. Ms Bool has lodged a complaint with the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal seeking the removal of the trees, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported. She said the leaves have become a nuisance as they have littered her entertaining area and fallen into her gutters. Broadbeach Waters residents Carol Bool and Stuart Constable, who have properties on Tumbi St (pictured) have been embroiled in a four-year long dispute over trees Ms Bool's application comes three years after the two Tumbi St residents appeared to have settled the issue by agreeing to have them regularly trimmed. Mr Constable has claimed he has adhered to the agreement, having the trees trimmed in October 2016, as well as May and June of last year. But Ms Bool contests that her neighbour has avoided taking care of the problem by claiming he cannot afford the costs and that the trees are too 'high.' She claims Mr Constable also questioned why she chose to purchase a property near the trees and allegedly told her, 'trees are not a problem, you are.' Ms Boon is seeking Mr Constable remove trees (stock photo) from his property which she claims keep dropping leaves and damaging her pool QCAT documents stated Mr Constable did go through with tree maintenance such as 'reducing and removing epicormic regrowth' and removing some of the branches. Bill Potts, the president of the Queensland Law Society told the publication that the two parties were urged to try to mediate the problem themselves before filing an application with the tribunal as neighbour disputes are difficult to resolve through the QCAT. Australia's flagship airline Qantas has been quietly dropping religious leaders from its exclusive Chairman's Lounge to save money and focus on big spenders. The Chairman's Lounge is an invitation-only club for favoured Qantas customers who are treated to pre-flight massages, seat upgrades and personal service at all times. Qantas declined to comment on the claims, published by The Australian on Monday. However, Daily Mail Australia understands the airline decided four years ago to drop religious groups in order to refocus on big-spending commercial relationships. Qantas is reported to have been saving money by purging people off its exclusive but bloated list of Chairman's Lounge members. The airline will not confirm or deny the reports When religious group memberships expired, Qantas did not renew the memberships. Daily Mail Australia understands from a source with knowledge of the policy that the move is broader than just religious groups. The decision was taken in order to reward organisations and businesses who regularly spend big money with the airline. Membership numbers are believed to have become bloated with the ever-growing list of powerful and influential people Qantas invited to join over the years. Australian Business Traveller said Qantas had gifted Chairman's Lounge membership to at least 105 Federal politicians in 2016. Cardinal George Pell, the world's third highest ranking Catholic clergyman, was kicked off the Chairman's Lounge after his conviction in March for child sex offences. He will seek leave to appeal against his conviction on June 5 and 6. Politicians, unions bosses, A-list celebrities and high-profile media members have all received invites into the exclusive club. Former prime minister Tony Abbott and former foreign secretary Julie Bishop are in along with Qantas ambassadors Hugh Jackman and John Travolta. Astronomer and Nobel Prize recipient Brian P. Schmidt is known to be part of the Chairman's Lounge. Media personality Phillip Adams was recently ejected from the five-star food and fluffy bathrobes list, and told The Australian he was disappointed. Broadcaster Phillip Adams was disappointed to be off the Chairman's Lounge list 'Because of age and decrepitude, I haven't been using it much at all, but that's not the point,' he said. 'I was hardly cluttering up the facility.' Senior public servants such as the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and at least three senior officials from the Office of National Assessments were reported to be on the list in July 2018. Queensland Senator Fraser Anning was dumped after the Senate formally censured him for blaming immigration policy for the New Zealand mosque massacre. Disgraced Cardinal George Pell was dropped from the exclusive list after he was found guilty of child sex offences in March. An application to appeal against the conviction of the Catholic Church's third most senior clergyman will be heard by the Court of Appeal on June 5 and 6. No need for public announcements: A Chairman's Lounge host will walk up to a member and quietly inform them when their flight is ready to board. Pictured is the lounge in Melbourne Five-star food awaits inside the exclusive Chairman's Lounge Frequent flyer points will get customers benefits up to Platinum One status but will not gain entry to the Chairman's Lounge. 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. The Qantas chairman, currently Richard Goyder, signs off on two-year memberships to the lounge but there is a perception that it is Mr Joyce who controls who gets in the door. Lounges at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Perth airports are hidden behind a door labelled 'private'. 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) A government worker has been charged after allegedly sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl at a high school event. Neile Robinson is accused of inappropriately touching the teenage girl in Sydney's west last month. The 52-year-old was arrested by detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad on Queen Street, Campbelltown, on April 2. The 52-year-old is accused of inappropriately touching the teenage girl at a school event in Sydney's west last month (stock) He was taken to Campbelltown Police Station where he was charged with common assault and intentionally sexually touch child between 10 and 16 years. Robinson appeared in Campbelltown Local Court on Monday when it was alleged he sexually touched the young girl during a school event. He has acted as a council representative at multiple meetings with youth organisations in Sydney over the years and conferences about local government over the decades, documents online reveal. He is listed as a representative at a youth suicide standing committee in Canberra in 1997 which examined the impact of sexual and physical abuse. Detectives are continuing their investigation of the alleged assault. Robinson was released on conditional bail following his arrest earlier this month. The Northmead man is not able to be within 500 metres of a school which cannot be named and he is not to contact a person, who also cannot be named. He is also not allowed to be unattended with anyone under the age of 16 through the course of his employment with the council. He was granted bail and will appear at Campbelltown Local Court (pictured) on Monday A Campbelltown City Council spokeswoman told AAP all staff working with the community must meet 'stringent legal and professional' requirements. 'We respect the process of the court and have no comment to make about any matter that is currently before it for consideration,' the spokeswoman said. Robinson's bail conditions were not varied when his matter was mentioned at Campbelltown Local Court on Monday. He is next expected before the same court on May 13. The grim reality of Sydney's rental market has been exposed in a series of images showing the squalid conditions people have been forced to endure. A lack of affordable homes in the city has pushed people into substandard living conditions, a report released by the Sydney Policy Lab at the University of Sydney stated on Monday. Shocking images of some of the rooms cash-strapped Sydneysiders have turned to include an enclosed balcony in a Haymarket apartment. An enclosed balcony in a Haymarket apartment was advertised as a 'sunny, private bedroom' for $225 a week earlier this year (pictured) Another home included in the report was an illegally converted shed with three mattresses on the ground (pictured) The balcony was advertised earlier this year as a 'sunny, private bedroom' for $225 a week. Last year, a bunk-bed in a roomshare in the city's inner west with a towel for a curtain was advertised for $125 a week. Another home included in the report was an illegally converted shed with three mattresses on the ground. It's believed a family were living in the 'apartment', which also featured a TV and a couch. At least two prams can be seen inside the structure, as well a makeshift clothes line. The images illustrate Sydney's ongoing housing affordability crisis. Affordability pressures have been compounded by the loss of traditional sources of low cost rental accommodation, such as boarding houses, the report said. 'Low income earners and those without a rental history, such as recent migrants, face particular barriers to accessing affordable rental accommodation through the private market. The grim reality of Sydney's rental market has been exposed in a series of images showing the squalid conditions people have been forced to endure Last year, a bunk-bed in a roomshare in the city's inner west with a towel for a curtain was advertised for $125 a week (pictured) The 'beds in sheds' trend, which has been growing rapidly in London, is a growing concern as it masks street homelessness, the report said 'With more people increasingly unable to access the private rental sector, the market for informal housing arrangements has burgeoned.' Professor Nicole Gurran, who co-authored the report, told Domain complaints included overcrowding and illegally converted granny flats. She said there was a significant health and safety risk to residents, but councils were not resourced to do proactive inspections. The 'beds in sheds' trend, which has been growing rapidly in London, is a growing concern as it masks street homelessness, the report said. However, the true scale of the 'hidden informal sector' in Sydney is not fully known as further research is required. 'A lack of data about it means it's also a policy blindspot,' Ms Gurran said. Jeremy Hunt says Britain should be wary about embracing Chinese firms because they are obliged to help the country's spies Britain should be wary about embracing Chinese firms because they are legally obliged to help their country's spies, Jeremy Hunt warned last night. In a significant intervention, the Foreign Secretary said there must be a 'degree of caution' around large Chinese companies because of 'the control the state is able to exercise over them'. He also highlighted a 2017 law which requires all Chinese companies to cooperate with the country's intelligence agencies 'on any occasion'. His remarks came as plans were announced to clean up public life amid fears over the influence of Chinese and Russian money in politics. The Government is backing a change in House of Lords rules to force peers to declare the full extent of their business interests in these countries. Peers do not currently have to declare how much money they have earned from foreign activities unlike MPs. Mr Hunt's comments are the most hawkish remarks by a Government minister in the wake of the row over Huawei providing technology for the UK's 5G network. At a security meeting on Tuesday, the Prime Minister reportedly approved Huawei's bid to help build Britain's new 5G mobile network. A row was then triggered when details of the move were leaked. Speaking as he arrived in the Senegalese capital Dakar at the start of a week-long trip, Mr Hunt said: 'We are right to have a degree of caution about the role of large Chinese companies in the British economy because of the degree of control the Chinese State is able to exercise over them. A furious row broke out last week after Theresa May reportedly approved Huawei's bid to help build Britain's new 5G mobile network, only for the details to leak 'That doesn't mean to say that their role is automatically malign. But there are things like the 2017 law which requires all Chinese companies to cooperate with Chinese intelligence services on any occasion.' Mr Hunt who is one of the favourites to replace Theresa May as prime minister also hit back at the Chinese government yesterday over claims that Britain's decision on Huawei was influenced by the US. He revealed he has already been interviewed by the Whitehall inquiry looking at how details of the Huawei discussions were leaked to a newspaper. Mr Hunt said he had not handed over his phone but added: 'I'd be very happy for anyone to look at my phone, as would my trusted special advisor.' In an article yesterday, the Chinese ambassador to London, Liu Xiaoming, urged the UK to defy 'pressure' over Huawei and make 'independent choices'. It follows a warning from the US National Security Agency that approving Huawei's involvement risked handing China a 'loaded gun'. But Mr Hunt said it was 'absolute nonsense' to suggest the UK's decision about Huawei could be the result of pressure from the US. Meanwhile plans to clamp down on the source of money in political life are likely to be included in the next Queen's speech. Security minister Ben Wallace said the lack of total transparency in Westminster was a 'weak point' in Britain's defences. Tory MP Bob Seely said threats to free societies also come from 'how powerful people are influenced'. He added: 'We need a publicly available list of PR agencies, reputation management firms and others who do this work. 'It needs to include MPs and members of the House of Lords, some of whom have links to Russian businesses.' Photo: The Canadian Press Leader of the Opposition Andrew Scheer Canada is looking for new Asian customers for its canola to answer China's ban on many shipments of the product, says International Trade Minister Jim Carr. The Canadian government is also still pushing China to allow a Canadian delegation to visit the People's Republic to verify complaints that Canadian canola is contaminated with pests, Carr said in an interview. So far, China hasn't agreed to requests for a Canadian delegation to test its unproven concerns. China has rejected Canadian canola-seed shipments in recent months and has suspended the licences of two major Canadian exporters. The government requested permission on April 1 for inspectors from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to visit China, but so far there has been no response. The CFIA has twice inspected the shipments in question and found no impurities, Carr told The Canadian Press on Saturday, prior to the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. "We want to have a science conversation with the Chinese to verify any allegations that the very high quality Canadian canola has any impurities at all. We're looking to have that proven to us," the minister said. "We will send a high-level delegation as soon as that invitation is sent to us. Meanwhile, it's important that we look for other markets for our canola and certainly the Asia-Pacific is among them, including Japan." Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau has also written to her Chinese counterparts to press the issue, he added. Asked why he thinks the Chinese have been delaying, Carr replied: "I can't speak for them." On Monday, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to pressure China by pulling hundreds of millions of dollars Ottawa has committed to Beijing's multilateral development bank. The Liberal government has committed $256 million over five years to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, in the hopes that Canada can help guide its decisions and that Canadian companies will get business from the development projects it promotes. Dozens of countries outside Asia are participants in the bank, from Madagascar to Ireland to Norway. Scheer also demanded Trudeau take several more-immediate steps, including appointing a new ambassador to China, launching a complaint about the canola dispute with the World Trade Organization and increasing financial support for farmers caught in the crossfire of what has become a broader diplomatic spat between the two countries. "By doing nothing, this policy of appeasement that Justin Trudeau has pursued with the government in China has clearly not worked," Scheer said. China's decision to cut off Canadian canola-seed shipments is widely viewed as an attempt to apply economic pressure on Canada following the December arrest of senior Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver at the behest of the United States. China is the usual destination for about 40 per cent of Canadian canola, a major source of oil used for cooking and some industrial purposes. In the days following Meng's arrest, China arrested two Canadian citizens on allegations of engaging in activities that have endangered Chinese national security. Michael Kovrig, a Canadian diplomat on leave, and Michael Spavor, an entrepreneur, are still being held by Chinese authorities in what the Trudeau government has called arbitrary detentions. Weeks later, Trudeau fired Canada's former ambassador to China, John McCallum, for going off-script in the government's efforts to win the release of the two men. Before his posting in Beijing, McCallum was a longtime Liberal MP and cabinet minister. Scheer tried to cast the canola fight as just one example of the Liberals' failures on the foreign-policy front. "There's been no reaction, there have been no consequences to the government of China for detaining our citizens and blocking our exports," Scheer said. "I believe that when a country stands up for itself and shows that there are consequences to mistreating our citizens and blocking our exports that that will be when China recognizes that they should not pursue this course of actions." Chicago's top prosecutor Kim Foxx has been subpoenaed to appear in court for a hearing over her handling of Empire actor Jussie Smollet's high profile case. Retired appellate judge Sheila O'Brien subpoenaed Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx along with her top deputy Joseph Magats and in a separate document requested that Smollett also appear at the hearing. Foxx came under fire in March when her office announced it was dropping charges against Smollett who faced 16 felony disorderly conduct charges for allegedly filing a false police report. Smollett, who is black and gay, is accused of staging a racist and anti-gay attack on himself in downtown Chicago in January. Scroll down for video Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx (right) has been subpoenaed to appear in court for a hearing on how she handled Empire actor Jussie Smollett's criminal case by retired appellate judge Sheila O'Brien (left) O'Brien is pushing for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate Foxx's handling of Empire Actor Jussie Smollett's case O'Brien is pushing for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate Foxx's handling of the controversial case. She says that Foxx's handling of the case was 'plagued with irregularity'. O'Brien requested that Foxx, Magats, and Smollett produce the original documents used in Smollett's criminal case to 'assure' the public 'that they have not been altered or destroyed and will not be destroyed throughout this case', according to court documents as per the Chicago Sun-Times. 'Foxxs conflict in this matter is beyond dispute,' O'Brien wrote in the court documents, saying Foxx should have sought the appointment of a special prosecutor. 'Instead, Foxx misled the public into believing that Smolletts case was handled like any other prosecution and without influence,' she added. O'Brien subpoenaed Foxx along with her top deputy Joseph Magats (above) and in a separate document requested that Smollett also appear at the hearing Foxx's office is also undergoing an independent inspector-general investigation on how she handled the case. Since the scandal, three members of Foxx's team - including her chief ethics officer and chief spokesman - have left the office. Foxx says she defends the decision to drop Smollett's charges and welcomes an independent investigation. In the Smollett case, Foxx recused herself after it emerged she exchanged text messages with a member of his family in the days after the incident. She then elected First Assistant State's Attorney Joe Magats to serve as Acting State's Attorney for the case. Weeks later the 16 grand jury charges against Smollett were suddenly dropped. Emails and texts have been released showing Foxx meddled in the case after she recused herself, including by sending texts to Magats to lower the charges against Smollett. In the alleged attack on January 29, Smollett claimed that two masked men attacked him, threw a noose around his neck, and called him racist and homophobic slurs. 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's lawyer said there was no doubt that the brothers Abel and Ola Osundairo attacked him, but no other motive than that Smollett asked them to has emerged But on February 15, unconfirmed reports emerged suggesting the actor might have staged the attack to save his job with help from two Nigerian brothers that he reportedly knew as extras on Empire. Investigators said they believe Smollett may have paid Abimbola 'Abel' and Olabinjo 'Ola' Osundairo $3,500 to assault him in the orchestrated attack. Smollett was written out of the final two episodes of Empire this season after he was charged with staging the hate crime. Fox executives have not said if he will return should the show be renewed for another year. Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke has attacked the close ties between Republican President Donald Trump and Fox News. Speaking at a campaign event in San Francisco Sunday the politician added his voice to growing Democrat concerns over the Republican party's control over the cable television network and said that the White House had 'free rein, almost' over what is broadcast. Democrats have long accused Fox of reporting that is biased in favor of the Republican Party and the 45th American president. Beto O'Rourke said the White House had 'free rein, almost' over what is broadcast on Fox News during a campaign event in San Francisco President Donald Trump has remained a supporter of the news channel and invited talk show host Sean Hannity to speak at one of his rallies Democratic presidential candidate greets supporters at the Irish Cultural Center on April 28 The president is an avid watcher of the network, and talk show host Sean Hannity, one of its stars, is an admirer of Trump and last year spoke at one of his rallies. Former Fox News executive Bill Shine became a communications official in the Trump White House in 2018, resigning the position in March to be an adviser on Trump's 2020 presidential campaign. The former Texas congressman, who is one of 20 candidates seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, criticized the links between the Trump White House and an influential news network. He said: 'You have members of the organization moving into the White House, you have a White House with free rein, almost, over what is broadcast over one of the most widely watched cable networks in the country today.' Beto O'Rourke stands in front of spectators in San Francisco, California during his second stop of his four-day California tour The former Texas congressman speaks to supporters during a campaign event in San Francisco on Sunday Spectators listen to thepresidential candidate at the campaign town hall in San Francisco, California In 2018 former executive at Fox News Bill Shine became a communications official in the Trump White House Reuters emails to the White House and Fox News were not immediately answered. On Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, Mr O'Rourke said Trump invited Russia to interfere, even if Special Counsel Robert Mueller concluded after a 22-month investigation that Trump and his campaign did not collude with Moscow. 'I don't know if collusion is a term of art in the law, but he certainly invited their participation,' Mr O'Rourke said. Sydney has been blanketed in a thick layer of smoke that may not leave the for a few days. The haze, caused by hazard reduction burns outside the city, has left the air quality more than three times more toxic than it should be. The NSW Governments Air Quality Index (AQI) shows swathes of Sydney have levels of particles in the air that are almost three times too high. If the index reaches 200, the air quality is deemed hazardous and not safe for lung or heart problems. In Sydney's south-west the index has reached highs of 781. The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) said the smoke is expected to last for days due to the lack of wind in the city A thick layer of hazardous smoke has blanketed Sydney on Monday due to hazard reduction burns The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) said the smoke is expected to last for days due to the lack of wind in the city. 'The lack of wind and, at the moment, an inversion layer which is effectively trapping the smoke in the city,' RFS spokesman Chris Garlick told news.com.au. 'That's expected to lift later, but the winds are not strong enough to push smoke around.' The biggest burn is currently at the Royal National Park in Heathcote where 160 hectares are being burned. Other hazardous reduction activities are also currently taking place in the Southern Highlands, 110 km south-west of Sydney, and at Colo Heights in the city's north west. Jeremy Corbyn was accused of gesture politics last night after announcing a vote on declaring a climate change emergency at the same time a Labour council backs a new coal mine. On Wednesday Mr Corbyns party will force MPs to debate whether to declare a climate emergency a key demand by the Extinction Rebellion eco activists protesting in London last week. But the move started to unravel when it emerged a Labour-led council in Cumbria had applied to dig for new coal. Jeremy Corbyn has been accussed of 'gesture politics' after backing a vote on declaring a 'climate change emergency' despite Labour-led Cumbria council applying to build a new coal mine. (Pictured) Extinction Rebellion protestors outside the Tate Modern in London Challenged on BBC Ones Andrew Marr Show yesterday, shadow communities secretary Andrew Gwynne could only say: We need to make sure there is proper investment in those green technologies going forward. 'So now I think that yes, dirty forms of energy, its a retrograde step. Tory deputy chairman Helen Whately accused Labour of gesture politics, adding: Labour has no credibility when it comes to energy policy. The eight-year-old girl who was wounded in Saturdays shooting at a synagogue outside San Diego described the horrific moments when she witnessed her rabbi being shot. We were in shul (synagogue) like normal weekends and we were praying, Noya Dahan told Israels Channel 13 on Sunday. And then the kids were playing. I dont remember what I got from inside but I had to get something and then I heard someone shooting and, like, I saw the rabbi and he was jumping crazy and he was getting hurt really bad. Noya Dahan, 8, was wounded in the leg and face by shrapnel during Saturday's shooting at a synagogue just outside of San Diego , -8 : " , . " Posted by 13 on Sunday, April 28, 2019 Dahan was injured in the leg and face by shrapnel at the Chabad of Poway synagogue in Southern California on Saturday morning, the last day of Passover. 'In the first place when it was gushing blood, I didnt even feel it,' she told CNN. 'And then after they wiped it and the blood was off it felt like I had the giantest bruise ever. 'It was just hurting bad.' Dahan said that the shooting has shattered her sense of security in a synagogue, where she says she has always felt safe. 'I never thought that was going to happen to me because like it's a safe place, you're supposed to feel safe,' she told ABC News. The rabbi, Yisroel Goldstein, 57, suffered what appeared to be defensive wounds to both of his index fingers, and will likely lose his right index finger, according to medical officials at Palomar Medical Center. The third victim who was wounded, Almog Peretz, is Noyas uncle. Noya is seen wrapped in an Israeli flag while riding on the shoulders of her father, Israel Dahan, at a candlelight vigil held for the victims of the Chabad of Poway synagogue shooting on Sunday evening in Poway, California The young girl was all smiles as supporters came to cheer her on in Poway on Sunday Peretz, 34, was hit by shrapnel as he was trying to protect his niece. He was visiting from Israel for Passover and attended the service with some friends. 'I turn around and I saw him and the gun, the big gun,' Peretz said, recalling how he encountered the gunman while walking from the synagogue's banquet hall. 'He looks at me and he shoots one after one.' Peretz said he picked up a five-year-old girl walking next to him, lifted another child in his arms, and directed some 20 kids out through a side door and toward a rabbi's house next door. In the first place when it was gushing blood, I didnt even feel it. And then after they wiped it and the blood was off it felt like I had the giantest bruise ever. It was just hurting bad. - Noya Dayan, the 8 year-old Chabad Poway shooting survivor tells our @sarasidnerCNN pic.twitter.com/0AhgQzfXE4 Ana Cabrera (@AnaCabrera) April 28, 2019 Dahan says she witnessed the rabbi being shot by the gunman during the attack. She was released from the hospital (right) on Sunday Injured: Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, 57, (left) was shot in the hand and will likely lose his right index finger. Almog Peretz, 34, (right) was visiting family in the area for the Passover holiday from Israel. He is listed in stable condition Peretz saw the gunman point his rifle towards the children and then opened the doors of the congregation, yelling for the kids to get out and helped bring them to a nearby home to hide. He said he did not realize he had been shot in the leg until someone noticed blood on his pant leg. Many lives were saved in the shooting because the gunman's rifle jammed, according to congregation member Roneet Lev. One woman, Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, of Poway, was killed. She lost her life when she was protecting the rabbi by jumping in between him and the shooter, 19-year-old John T. Earnest. She was an active member of the congregation and had attended the Passover service to say a Kaddish prayer for her mother who passed away in November. She was the only fatal victim in the shooting. 'She's been a member with us since the '90s,' Goldstein said of Kaye. 'She's one of the most kindest persons, an activist, who's always there to help others, to help the world. 'That was her mission in life, just to be out, to do kindness and goodness.' Goldstein said that Kaye was making preparations to say a prayer for her recently departed mother. 'She asked me what time Yizkor was,' he said of a special pray for the departed. 'Her mother just recently died and she came to memorialize her.' Goldstein then stepped away to his office to freshen up. When he returned, Kaye told him she had figured out on her own what time the prayer was supposed to be uttered. 'We both looked and smiled at each other,' the rabbi said. 'I turned around to walk into the banquet hall, where I was going to wash my hands, and I heard the first loud noise.' Goldstein initially thought that Kaye either fell or a table had toppled over. 'I turned around and I see the shooter standing there in position with a rifle moving it towards me,' Goldstein said. The rabbi says he put his hands in front of his face to protect himself. The gunman fired a round which ripped off his right index finger. A second bullet almost pierced his left index finger. Goldstein saw Kaye lying mortally wounded on the floor while bullets whizzed by him. It was a miracle he was not killed. 'I was centimeters from death,' Goldstein said. 'I turn my back towards him and he's shooting bullets towards me, trying to get me down in the banquet hall.' 'She didn't die a senseless death,' Lev told CNN when asked about Kaye. California mother Lori Kaye, 60, died while trying to protect her rabbi on Saturday when a gunman stormed into Congregation Chabad in Poway, California during a Passover service The gunman had shot Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, 57, her friend of 25 years, in the hand when she stepped in between them and was shot herself. Kaye was the only fatal victim in the attack. Pictured above with Rabbi Goldstein 'She died advertising the problem we have with anti-Semitism and to bring good to this world. ... If God put an angel on this planet, it would have been Lori.' Rabbi Goldstein hailed Lori as 'the ultimate woman of kindness' after she saved his life. 'Lori and I have known each other for over 25 years. She was one of the pioneering members of our congregation. She is not just a member, she's an activist. She personified ultimate of kindness and generosity,' he said Saturday night to CNN's Brisn Stelter. 'She's one of those people who are always there to be able to help others in their time of need. When people are diagnosed with cancer, she would be dragging them to appointments and would bring flowers to cheer people up and bake Shabbat challah just to bring the family some happiness. Gunman: John T. Earnest, 19, was taken into custody without incident on Saturday after he opened fire at the synagogue, killing one and injuring three others before he fled the scene 'She was the ultimate woman of kindness and it's unfathomable, why this beautiful, beautiful, wonderful human being would be shot down,' he added. Kaye is from San Diego and leaves behind her husband and 22-year-old daughter. 'We're shocked, it's a little bit scary. We're all over the place,' Noyas father, Israel Dahan, said early Sunday. The family had moved from Israel eight years ago in search of a safer life after Israel and his wife were injured by rockets. '(We were) under the impression that everything is good here. Today we noticed his is not even close to be regular life,' Dahan said. In 2015, the Dahan family home in San Diego was spray painted with swastikas. Israel Dahan, Noya's father, is seen above in April 2015 The swastika was painted during a power outage at the Dahan family home in Mira Mesa in April 2015 The Dahan family had a previous run-in with anti-Semitism in 2015, when someone spray painted swastikas on their property during the Passover holiday. At around 11pm, the power went out at their home in the Mira Mesa section of San Diego on April 5, 2015, according to KSWB-TV. Israel Dahan then went to the circuit breaker to restore power to the home. He then noticed that while the power was out, somebody spray painted large red swastikas on his garage door and the hood of his truck. 'But that's life,' Dahan said, recalling the swastika incident and how he had briefly locked eyes with the synagogue assailant. Dahan, speaking on Israel Radio on Sunday, said his family was no stranger to violence, having lived in Israel in Sderot, a town on the Gaza border that has been a frequent target of Palestinian rocket attacks. 'We came from fire to fire,' he said. 'We left Sderot because of the shelling. My house was hit several times. My mother's house, my mother-in-law's house were hit several times. 'I was also wounded several times ... we wanted to move far away.' Asked whether he regretted their move from Israel, he said: 'No. We love America...It can happen anywhere - in any mall, and in any hospital and in any family gathering and in any place. 'We are strong. We were born to be strong.' A police chief who admitted his force was failing to probe four in ten crimes has been criticised for overseeing a 50 per cent rise in highly-paid officers. Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said last week that budget cuts and falling officer numbers had forced Greater Manchester Police to screen out 43 per cent of cases He said the chance of one of his officers investigating a bicycle or shed theft was almost non-existent without witnesses or CCTV. Mr Hopkins admitted feeling worried that so many cases were being abandoned. Greater Manchester's Ian Hopkins claimed budget cuts meant his force had to abandon four in ten crimes while he oversaw a 50 per cent pay rise for highly-paid officers But figures published yesterday show that more than 1,260 officers on his force earned 50,000 or more over the past year, up by almost 450 on the previous 12 months. Fourteen members of staff were handed pay and pension packages of more than 100,000. They include Mr Hopkins himself, who was paid 251,000 including pension payments of 46,000, his deputy Ian Pilling, who is on a package of 192,000, and eight assistant chief constables, whose salaries and pensions range from 118,000 to 153,000. The force has just over 6,000 officers 2,000 fewer than in 2010 and, although it has cut its wage bill by more than 60million, the number of high earners has increased. Crime campaigners said the situation was scandalous. David Spencer, research director of the Centre for Crime Prevention, told The Sun on Sunday: It is a national scandal that police bigwigs are handing themselves massive pay hikes while deliberately failing in their duty to protect the public. The sort of crimes Greater Manchester Police are screening out are the ones that leave people feeling unsafe in their own homes. The Mail told last Wednesday how the force had dropped probes into 81 per cent of reported bike thefts and 79 per cent of muggings in the year to last August. A similar pattern was uncovered in other forces around the country. Mr Hopkins admitted: If your life is in danger, youve been seriously hurt, we will still turn up ... if your sheds been broken into, your bikes stolen, your vehicles broken into and theres no witnesses, theres no CCTV and theres no opportunity for forensics, well be screening that out really quickly. Police insisted the screening out numbers included cases where a suspect had been charged or cautioned swiftly. But critics said the failure to investigate certain offences was insulting to victims. Baroness Newlove, Victims Commissioner for England and Wales, said: It leaves victims feeling distressed and unsafe in their homes, which should be their place of sanctuary. Louise Haigh, Labours policing spokesman, said: This is the scandal happening in every police force in the country quietly dropping crimes because there simply arent the resources to investigate. The Manchester force is due a 35.8million budget boost from the Home Office this year, which is expected to pay for more than 300 new officers. More than a dozen handguns have been seized in a police operation that led to the arrest of a Latvian national. Jurijs Ragozins was stopped by officers from the National Crime Agency's armed operation unit on Friday afternoon. He was arrested on a street near his home in King's Lynn, Norfolk, and searches in the area ended with the seizure of 12 handguns, ammunition and 29 stun guns. A Turkish Zoraki 9mm handgun was among the weapons allegedly found by police Two other handguns were recovered previously as part of the investigation. A forensic analysis will be conducted on the weapons to check if they had been used in any crimes or had been converted to fire live ammunition. Photos released by the agency show one to be a Turkish Zoraki 9mm, designed for firing blanks. Other images show a number of weapons wrapped in plastic and a bag containing dozens of bullet casings. The NCA said they would undoubtedly have 'been used to commit violent acts on our streets' if they hadn't been recovered. It declined to give further information about the nature of the operation, where the weapons were located or whether any were being transported at the time. Ragozins, 44, has been charged with possession with intent to supply firearms and is due to appear at Norwich Magistrates Court on Monday. NCA branch commander Martin Huxley said: 'Preventing firearms from reaching the hands of criminals is a key priority for the NCA. 'This represents a significant seizure of weapons which I've no doubt would have been used to commit violent acts on our streets. Our investigation into this seizure continues.' The agency's regional head of investigations, Andrea Wilson, added: 'Removing these weapons from the criminal market will protect our communities from the harm they could have caused.' The Royal British Legion has been accused of selling off the family silver by closing clubhouses around Britain and handing them to housing developers. Clubs sold against the wishes of veterans and local communities sometimes at knock-down prices are being turned into flats or luxury homes, with war memorials uprooted or relocated. One clubhouse was even taken over by the German supermarket chain Aldi. The Legions actions have now sparked a rebellion among the members it relies upon to raise millions of pounds each year from selling poppies. Long Ashton borough councillor and former Royal British legion member Charles Cave outside the former legion premises in Long Ashton. The premises are being sold for housing after the local community failed to raise enough money to buy the building. Mr Cave accuses the legion of behaving in an 'entirely commercial way' in selling its old buildings and of 'not considering local interests' Major Donald Moore, 84, a former branch president, is among those campaigning in Llay, near Wrexham, over plans to turn the clubs car park into a shop and 51 homes. He said: The property is meant to be retained in perpetuity for the benefit of Llay and district. The car park is the location of the war memorial and, on Remembrance Sunday, its jam-packed. It should be retained. Initial plans for the site were rejected last year but a revised scheme has been approved. Major Moore, who spent 25 years in the Army and Colonial Police, serving with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and Army Air Corps, said while he still believes the Legion is a remarkable organisation, he accused the charitys bosses of asset stripping. They are selling off the family silver. They are getting rid of sites on a continual basis with seemingly little thought for communities. When they sold a former club nearby in Buckley, it was replaced by a German supermarket even though the war memorial still stands outside. How crass is that? In the village of Tarporley, Cheshire where detached houses sell for close to 1million the Legion is believed to have received just 230,000 for the clubhouse from a property developer, who plans to turn it into at least ten homes. Gill Clough, vice-chairman of Tarporley Parish Council, said: People in the village did not want more housing. To have sold it for that amount, given property values in the area, seems scandalous. Secretary of State for Defence Gavin Williamson with Chelsea Pensioners Anthony Hunt and June Lowe collecting donations for the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal in Westminster In Long Ashton, Somerset, there is anger at a decision to sell the Legion club for housing, even though it is listed as a Community Asset of Value and there had been a campaign by residents to buy it. Instead, it is set to be replaced with nine houses, despite more than 50 objections including from the parish council. Charles Cave, a former Royal British Legion member and district councillor for Long Ashton, said: The Legion is behaving in an entirely commercial way with their assets and have not really considered local interests. While The Royal British Legion would not comment about individual cases, a spokesman said: Unfortunately, some clubs are under increasing financial pressure and as a result may have to close. When this happens, the Legion reviews the various options for the future use of the building in line with the Charities Act and local beneficiary need. As part of this there is also a dialogue with the local club and Legion membership. In some cases the buildings are sold, as they are no longer fulfilling their charitable purpose and the funds would be better spent serving the people we support. Charity shops are used to sorting through donation bags full of dusty clothes, bric-a-brac and, sometimes, plain junk. So it must have come as quite a surprise when a haul of high-end clothes from big-name designers was donated to one store. The clothes, worth a total of 50,000, include pieces by one of Meghan Markles favourite labels, Erdem. Other items in the generous donation to mental health charity Minds store in Tunbridge Wells included a Prada skirt, a Chloe handbag, a Gucci wool coat, Rupert Sanderson heels and a Mulberry dress that was on sale for 425 despite being worth 900 new. Customer Margaret Mercer browses through some of the 50,000 of designer clothes given to the Mind Charity shop in Tunbridge Wells The pick of the bunch was a luxury silk skirt worth 1,180 by Canadian brand Erdem, favoured by the Duchess of Sussex. Shoppers could still find a bargain as a pink floral skirt was up for grabs for 245 yesterday. Staff at the Kent charity shop hope to make at least 15,000 from selling the luxury goods that would have been bought for about 50,000. Many of the items, which were donated last week, still had their original price tags and appear to have never been worn. Shop manager Alison Homewood, who has worked at Mind for 14 years, said: Its fantastic to get all this stuff, it has just caused a huge interest. We have had Prada, Gucci, Mulberry, Kate Spade and a lovely houndstooth check Burberry style coat by Gucci which went for more than 400. Alison Homewood with shoes by Rupert Sanderson. The pick of the bunch was a luxury silk skirt worth 1,180 by Canadian brand Erdem Alison Homewood with a Talbot Runhoff dress. Staff at the Kent charity shop hope to make at least 15,000 We also had a beautiful Valentino dress we sold for 650 in plain black with a gorgeous ice-cream pleat in pale blue, yellow and pink. We are really, really busy, but were not complaining. She added: It is a regular donor and she donates stuff to us on quite a regular basis. Only a quarter of the designer items remain after staff unveiled the special collection in the shop window last week. Serial killer Kathleen Folbigg has broken down in tears while talking about the deaths of her four children - saying she misses them 'all the time'. Folbigg, 51, was sentenced to 40 years in jail in 2003 for murdering her children Patrick, Laura and Sarah and for the manslaughter of her first-born son Caleb over a 10-year period from 1989 until 1999. All of the children died before they were two years old. She has maintained her innocence, claiming each child died of natural causes. Her chilling diary entries were crucial evidence used to convict her, but Folbigg claims they were not an admission of crime but the thoughts of an insecure mother. Folbigg appeared in public for the first time in more than a decade on Monday ahead of the third week of a judicial inquiry being held at the Coroners Court in Lidcombe, western Sydney. During the inquiry, she said she misses her dead children 'all the time', and denied destroying personal diaries. Serial killer Kathleen Folbigg has broken down in tears while talking about the deaths of her four children Folbigg, 51, was sentenced to 40 years in jail in 2003 for murdering her children Patrick, Laura and Sarah and for the manslaughter of her first-born son Caleb She said she threw one away after being told by director of public prosecutions Chris Maxwell that she got rid of them 'because there was significantly incriminating material in those diaries', the Sydney Morning Herald reported. Folbigg cried as she described finding her children's dead bodies. 'When I found the children I was always alone. [Her husband Craig] wasn't the one who found them, I was,' she said. 'I do feel responsible, I was their mother. Ive always felt I didnt do enough. Something went wrong and I was always searching for why.' Folbigg was asked about an entry from 1997 in which she mentioned 'snapping my cog' with her first-born daughter Sarah. She said it meant she had shown 'slight frustration' - but Mr Maxwell suggested otherwise. 'I suggest to you that you used the term 'snapping cog' as a mitigating term for something that you had done to Sarah in order to stop her living. What do you say to that?' he asked her. 'No I wouldn't agree at all,' she said. Folbigg appeared in public for the first time in more than a decade on Monday, smirking in court. Six of her diaries taken from the 10 to 11-year period, in which her four children died, are before the inquiry while up to five others are unaccounted for. The diaries obtained by police include comments such as Laura being 'a fairly good-natured baby' which 'saved her from the fate of her siblings'. 'I think she was warned,' Folbigg wrote in December 1997. Laura died in March 1999. 'With Sarah all I wanted was her to shut up, and one day she did,' Folbigg wrote in November 1997, adding in a January 1998 entry that Sarah 'left, with a bit of help'. In another diary entry dated November 9, 1997, Folbigg wrote about her daughter Sarah. 'With Sarah all I wanted was her to shut up. And one day she did,' Folbigg wrote. Serial killer Kathleen Folbigg has smirked in court ahead of giving evidence during an inquiry into her convictions for killing her four children Folbigg was sentenced to 40 years in jail in 2003 for murdering her children Patrick, Laura and Sarah and for the manslaughter of her first-born son Caleb A few months later on January 28, 1998, Folbigg wrote about daughter Laura. 'I've done it. I lost it with her. I yelled at her so angrily that it scared her, she hasn't stopped crying. Got so bad I nearly dropped her on the floor & left her... I feel like the worst mother on this earth. Scared that she'll leave me know (sic). Like Sarah did.' Mr Maxwell read part of a transcript of a police interview with Folbigg in July 1999, in which she said she had thrown away her diaries. The inquiry is expected to last for between six and 12 months. The Crown's case against Folbigg was already being formed when her husband Craig discovered the diaries in 1999. Detective Bernie Ryan told Australian Story in 2004: 'From the moment I read the diary, it was a murder investigation.' Passages included: 'I feel like the worst mother on this earth. Scared that she'll leave me now like Sarah did.' Folbigg also wrote: 'I knew I was short tempered and cruel sometimes to her. She left, with a bit of help.' In a phone call to a friend from prison, Folbigg said the diary entries were the result of her 'blaming myself for everything'. Her diary entries were crucial evidence used to convict her but Folbigg (pictured in 2003) claims they were not an admission of crime but the thoughts of an insecure mother 'It's just I took so much of the responsibility, because that's, as mothers, what you do,' she said. In 1987 she married Craig Folbigg and their first child, Caleb, was born on February 1, 1989. However, 19 days later, Folbigg said that she found her son lifeless in the cot. His death was ruled as being caused by SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). In June 1990, Folbigg's second son Patrick was born, but at four months later he too was found lifeless in his cot, having suffered from an 'acute life-threatening event'. He was resuscitated but was diagnosed with epilepsy and cortical blindness. Four months later, Patrick was found dead by Folbigg. Folbigg's first daughter, Sarah, was born on October 14, 1992. In August 1993, Sarah, then aged ten months, was discovered dead, with the death being ruled as another case of SIDS. Folbigg's second daughter and fourth child, Laura, was born on August 1997 and lived until the age of 18 months. The Crown's case was simply that Folbigg smothered her four children. The prosecution presented circumstantial evidence of a mother suffering from stress and murdered her children in bouts of rage. The defence stressed that there was no physical evidence of injuries on the children and that Folbigg was a loving mother. The trial lasted seven weeks until Folbigg was found guilty of three counts of murder and one of manslaughter. The Crown's case was simply that Folbigg smothered her four children including Patrick (bottom left), Caleb (bottom right), Laura (top left) and Sarah (top right) The jury rejected the defence's argument that the deaths were of natural causes and Folbigg was sentenced to 40 years in prison - 30 without parole - which was later reduced to 30 years. In 2013, a group of lawyers and academics began calling for a judicial review of Folbigg's case. Isabel Reed, one of the barristers who began the petition calling for a review of Folbigg's case, argued that the mother's conviction was made based on insufficient evidence. Professor Stephen Cordner reviewed the forensic evidence and his report cast doubt on the prosecution's case. He found that Caleb and Sarah's deaths were caused by SIDS, while Patrick's death was connected to his epilepsy and Laura's was caused by myocarditis. He also said that there were 'no signs of smothering'. 'The findings cannot rule out smothering in one or more of the cases, but especially in the case of Laura, not only is there an acceptable natural cause of death easily visible microscopically, it is important that there are neither general nor specific signs of compression of the face present,' he said. 'If the convictions are to stand, they must do so without the support of forensic pathology, and in Laura's case at least, against the forensic pathology view.' 'There is no positive forensic pathology support for the contention that any or all of these children have been killed,' he concluded in the report. Southwest Airlines says Boeing did not disclose that it had deactivated a safety feature on its 737 Max jets until after one of the airliners crashed last year. A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max aircraft lands at the Southern California Logistics Airport in the high desert town of Victorville, Calif., March 23, 2019. [Photo: AP] At issue is an alert that tells pilots if a sensor called an "angle of attack" (AOA) indicator is transmitting bad data about the pitch of a plane's nose. The sensor's alerts had been operational in previous versions of the 737 but were switched off in the 737 Max. The news first appeared Sunday in The Wall Street Journal. The Journal also reported that Federal Aviation Administration safety inspectors and supervisors did not know about the change either. The FAA declined to comment. In a statement Sunday, Southwest said that the safety feature was "depicted to us by Boeing as operable on all Max aircraft." Only after a Lion Air 737 Max crashed in Indonesia last Oct. 29 did Boeing say the feature wasn't turned on, Southwest said. The Max was grounded after a second crash, involving an Ethiopian Airlines jet, on March 10. In response to the Journal story, Boeing said that as the Max planes return to service "all customers will have the AOA disagree alert as standard." Earlier this month, an Ethiopian government report found that a malfunctioning sensor sent faulty data to the 737 Max 8's anti-stall system, forcing down the nose of the jet. The pilots could not regain control of the aircraft; 157 died in the crash. Last year's Lion Air crash killed 189. Photo: The Canadian Press The families of Canadians killed in the Ethiopian Airlines crash last month launched a lawsuit against Boeing on Monday, alleging the plane manufacturer put profits over safety when it rushed a new aircraft model to market. All 157 people on board were killed when the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft en route from Addis Ababa to Nairobi crashed on March 10. Lawyers in Chicago filed the suit on behalf of a Brampton, Ont., family that lost six members and a man who lost his Hamilton-based wife and three young children in the crash. "Blinded by its greed, Boeing haphazardly rushed the 737 MAX 8 to market, with the knowledge and tacit approval of the United States Federal Aviation Administration while Boeing actively concealed the nature of the automated system defects," the unproven claim alleged. "Numerous decisions by Boeing's leadership substantially contributed to the subject crash and demonstrate Boeing's conscious disregard for the lives of others." The allegations have not been proven in court. Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Manant Vaidya, a Brampton man who lost his parents, sister, brother-in-law and two nieces, said his family had been travelling to Kenya for a safari vacation that they had spent years saving for. "They all died together due to the insensitivity and greed of the maker of the plane," Vaidya told a news conference in Chicago, where the lawsuits were filed. "I'm here to get answers. I owe that to my family that died." Vaidya said it's still hard to believe so many members of his family are gone. "We still cry when we think of the horror of their last moments," he said. "I am now more like a robot just following my daily routine." Paul Njoroge lost his entire immediate family: his wife Carolyne Karanja, his seven-year old son Ryan, four-year-old daughter Kelly and nine-month old daughter Rubi, died in the crash. "I'm left with nothing, without a home," said a teary Njoroge, who also lost his mother-in-law Ann Karanja.. The family was travelling to Kenya to visit the children's grandfather. The two families have also filed a claim against the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, alleging the regulator enabled the plane's rush to market. A policewoman was pushed to the ground and had her hair ripped out during a vicious attack on Sunday. Authorities were called to a block of units in Brighton-Le-Sands in Sydney's south-east just after 12pm to check on the welfare of a a 48-year-old man who resided at the Queens Road apartment building. When police arrived to the scene, the man became agitated and aggressive before allegedly charging at the officers. Authorities were called to a block of units on Queens Road (pictured) in Brighton-Le-Sands in Sydney's south-east just after midday on Sunday When police arrived to the scene, the man became agitated and aggressive before allegedly charging at the officers (stock image) The officers used both a taser and Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray to try and subdue the man. However, the man allegedly continued his rampage and ran at a female officer before pushing her to the ground. It is alleged that while holding her down, the man violently assaulted the female officer by scratching her, biting her face and ripping out her hair. The man was once again tasered and multiple officers pinned him to the ground. The female police officer was taken to St George Hospital for treatment and has since been released. The female police officer was taken to St George Hospital (pictured) for treatment of her minor injuries The 48-year-old man was also taken to St George Hospital under police guard for assessment. He has since been charged with assaulting a police officer in the execution of duty causing bodily harm, assaulting an officer in the execution of duty and resisting an officer in the execution of duty. The man has been refused bail and is due to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Monday. Banks are failing to block payments into fraudsters accounts up to two months after being alerted about them by previous victims, the Daily Mail has discovered. NatWest and HSBC allowed transfers to be made into the accounts eight weeks after they had been used when fleecing victims of thousands of pounds in a tax scam. Last month the Mail exposed a gang of criminals who impersonate HMRC officials and cold-call tens of thousands of UK residents demanding repayment of tax debts. The callers, operating from the Indian city of Ahmedabad, warn victims they face immediate arrest if they refuse to transfer money across. Banks are failing to block payments into fraudsters accounts up to two months after being alerted about them by previous victims, the Daily Mail has discovered A flood of victims contacted the Mail to say they had been conned and warned their bank about the existence of the fraudsters accounts. But two months after the alerts were issued, following concerns from readers the Mail made a number of test payments of 1 to the same account numbers. Payments from Lloyds and Santander accounts did not go through, but attempts to move cash from NatWest and HSBC to seven accounts run by the conmen saw some allowed through. Victims described the failure to stop the payments as astonishing and accused the banks of a shocking failure to protect their customers. Gareth Shaw, head of money at consumer group Which?, said: Its alarming that banks have neglected to do even the bare minimum by failing to stop payments to accounts used by scammers months after victims reported them as fraudulent. This worrying inaction could have left people vulnerable to falling victim and allowed fraudsters to easily re-offend. Britain is in the grip of a so-called push payment fraud epidemic, where sophisticated scammers convince victims to transfer money to their accounts, costing people 1million a day. When the Mail made four payments from a NatWest account to a fraudsters account eight weeks after one victim made her original payment in January, three were allowed to go through. Our reporter later received a call from the NatWest fraud team but only because we had made a 1 payment, which is sometimes used by fraudsters ahead of bigger payments, not because of concerns over the accounts being paid into. And more than two months after another victim lost 12,040, the Mail was able to make a payment from an HSBC account to one of three accounts the fraudsters had used to fleece her. Banks have the capability to block accounts, and several other payments made to known fraudsters accounts were prevented from going through. NatWest and HSBC both declined to say why they had not blocked subsequent payments to the fraudsters accounts and referred all queries to the banks that received them. The recipient banks said the fraudsters accounts had been frozen by the time the Mail reporters made payments. NatWest and HSBC were unable to say where the money had gone. A NatWest spokesman said: We take our responsibility to prevent fraud and scams very seriously and invest heavily in our security systems and processes. To help reduce this type of criminal activity, we work closely with the other banks, police and industry bodies. An HSBC spokesman said: Where a report of a fraudulent payment or scam is received, we take appropriate and timely action. We work with the authorities and alongside others in the industry to identify and address the ever-changing techniques used by fraudsters and to protect our customers. A spokesman for one of the fraudsters banks, APS Financial, said: When alerted to fraudulent activities well take appropriate action. Regarding the payments made by Daily Mail reporters, none of these were applied to the accounts in question, all of which are blocked. Britain's fracking tsar has quit after just six months saying developing the industry had become an impossible task. Natascha Engel claims the Government has caved in to the powerful environmental lobby, meaning there is 'no purpose' to her job. She told her boss, Business Secretary Greg Clark, that the shale gas industry has 'enormous potential'. Natascha Engel has quit in frustration as the Goverment's fracking tsar after just six months But in her resignation letter, she said eco activists had been 'highly successful' in encouraging ministers to curb fracking which she said can create jobs and provide a cleaner alternative to coal and biomass. She has also accused ministers of listening more to environmental campaigners such as 16-year-old Swedish schoolgirl Greta Thunberg than to those involved in the fracking industry. Last night Miss Engel told The Sun: 'It's fine listening to people like Greta and the Extinction Rebellion but they don't have any answers. 'The Government are paying more attention to them than the very people wanting to invest and develop new energy reserves or even local communities.' Miss Engel, 52, resigned following two weeks of protests by Extinction Rebellion which brought parts of London to a standstill. The group is demanding that carbon emissions are cut to zero by 2025. But the former Labour MP argued that ending fracking will cause higher, not lower, greenhouse gas emissions because Britain will be more reliant on imported gas. She wrote in her resignation letter: 'A perfectly viable and exciting new industry that could help meet our carbon reduction targets, make us energy secure and provide jobs in parts of the country that really need them is in danger of withering on the vine not for any technical or safety reasons, but because of a political decision.' Miss Engel accused ministers of paying too much attention to environmental campaigners such as Swedish schoolgirl Greta Thunberg Miss Engel whose role was to liaise between the Government, scientists, the industry and residents near potential fracking sites claimed the bar for fracking to be given the go-ahead had been set too high. She said the key reason for her decision to quit was Mr Clark's refusal to review a 'traffic light system' which halts fracking when a tremor with a magnitude of 0.5 on the Richter scale is recorded. She wrote: 'A 0.5 tremor is much weaker than the rumble you might feel when walking above a Tube train. Yet if a frack unleashes a tremor rated 0.5, operators have to stop what they are doing for 18 hours.' She said this amounted to a 'de facto ban'. Critics claim fracking pumping high-pressure water into shale rock to release gas is bad for the environment because of the huge amounts of water needed and the potential release of dangerous chemicals. But Miss Engel, whose official title was Commissioner for Shale Gas, said the debate was being dominated by a 'small but loud environmental movement' who 'do not represent local residents nor the wider population'. Britain has one active shale gas site near Blackpool, operated by energy firm Cuadrilla. It started fracking in 2018 but has had to stop several times after causing mini-earthquakes. The Lancashire for Shale group said Miss Engel's departure was a 'damning indictment of Government dithering' and called for ministers to re-examine 'overly cautious rules on mini earth tremors'. One council recently spent almost 2,000 on an aircraft which will be licenced Drones may be used by councils to spy on home extensions if they suspect they are larger than planned. Dozens of district and county councils have applied to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for a drone licence. More than 20 councils have been granted approval by the CAA to use drones for commercial purposes. A stock picture of a drone is pictured above for illustrative purposes [File photo] The snooping has caused uproar from civil liberties campaigners, who argue it is an expansion of state surveillance, The Daily Telegraph reported. Campaign group Big Brother Watch is urging for guidelines to be drawn up. Silkie Carlo, director of Big Brother Watch, said: Theres a real risk that drones could be used by councils to expand the surveillance state. There should be clear safeguards in place to make sure authorities make the best of new technologies without having free licence to snoop on the public in the absence of good reason. Drones are already used across the country to investigate fly-tipping. North Yorkshire recently spent almost 2,000 on an aircraft, which is to be licensed by the CAA. The council told the newspaper the device will perform a variety of functions, including checking the work of cowboy builders, searching for livestock carcasses and inspecting sites in relation to breaches of planning controls that the county council enforced'. More than 20 councils have been granted approval by the CAA to use drones for commercial purposes. Matt ONeill, assistant director of growth, planning and trading standards at North Yorkshire County Council, said: Like many councils, we use advances in technology to help us to work smarter. Its a useful addition to the tools available to the county council, enabling us to make more efficient use of our limited resources and to enhance health and safety. It came as hundreds of passengers were diverted from Gatwick to Stansted after another drone scare yesterday. A pilot told air traffic control he had seen a flying object just over three miles from the airport at 4.05pm. North Yorkshire County Council will use its newly-bought drone to check the work of cowboy builders, search for livestock carcasses and inspect sites in relation to breaches of planning controls it enforces,' it was reported. Dozens of district and county councils are set to follow suit, applying to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for a drone licence [File photo] It is understood the airport immediately investigated, but its new military grade anti-drone radar systems did not detect anything. The object was seen outside the 5km (3.1mile) no-fly zone introduced around airports in the wake of the drone chaos at Gatwick before Christmas. Despite this, pilots on three flights did not take any chances and diverted to Stansted in Essex, 70 miles away. The pilot of an easyJet flight from Amsterdam told those on board that the plane had been in close proximity to a drone, The Sun reported. One flight from Barcelona and another from Heraklion in Greece were also affected. All three planes landed at Gatwick more than 90 minutes after their scheduled arrival time. Last night the airport stressed that its runway had not been closed at any point. Gatwick shut for 33 hours in the week before Christmas, disrupting 140,000 journeys. The culprit has never been caught and police have suggested it was an inside job. Since first publication of this article, North Yorkshire county council have asked us to make clear that it is not responsible for domestic planning applications and does not therefore use its drone to carry out surveillance on domestic home extensions as was previously suggested. We apologise for any confusion. The five men accused of murdering Stephen Lawrence have been granted more than 800,000 in legal aid, it emerged last night. Since Stephens death in 1993 lawyers acting for Gary Dobson, David Norris, Jamie and Neil Acourt and Luke Knight have received 813,384. In contrast Stephens parents Neville and Doreen were denied legal aid when they tried to launch a private prosecution a year after the death. The five men accused of murdering Stephen Lawrence (pictured) have been granted more than 800,000 in legal aid, it emerged last night. Since Stephens death in 1993 lawyers acting for Gary Dobson, David Norris, Jamie and Neil Acourt and Luke Knight have received 813,384 The familys lawyer Imran Khan then took on the case for free. Most of the 800,000 went on the murder trial of Dobson and Norris, The Sun reported. The pair are serving a life sentence for the killing after a forensic breakthrough led to a second trial six years ago. Lawyers received almost 268,000 for Norris, who sued the Ministry of Justice after claiming not enough was done to protect him from fellow inmates after an attack at Belmarsh jail in 2011. In contrast Stephens parents Doreen and Neville were denied legal aid when they tried to launch a private prosecution a year after the death The Legal Aid Agency, which provides both civil and criminal legal aid and advice, have been criticised for granting suspects significant amounts of money while denying backing to victims. Lawyers received almost 268,000 for Norris, who sued the Ministry of Justice after claiming not enough was done to protect him from fellow inmates after an attack at Belmarsh jail in 2011 Richard Taylor, father of ten-year-old Damilola, who was fatally stabbed in Peckham, south London, in 2000, told The Sun: Those who need legal support dont get it. The Legal Aid Agency said those applying for the provision may have to contribute after they have been means-tested. A spokesman added: The criteria for eligibility in civil cases has significantly changed and is now more robust. Stephen Lawrence was stabbed to death by a gang of five white youths in 1993 as he waited for a bus at Eltham, south-east London, with his friend Duwayne Brooks. In February 1997, in a famous front page, the Mail accused Norriss gang of murdering the 18-year-old in a savage and unprovoked attack. Neil Acourt, 43, was recently released from a six-year jail term for masterminding a 4million cannabis ring. His brother, Jamie, 42, the fourth man we named, was arrested in Spain last summer over cannabis trafficking charges and was sentenced to nine years after going on the run for more than two years. The final murder suspect, Luke Knight, remains a free man. Advertisement Britain could soon see a three-month heatwave after the appearance of a 900-mile-wide jet of hot air called the 'Spanish plume'. Forecasters have predicted a high of 26C (79F) this bank holiday weekend, possibly rising to 28C (82F) later in May. And late May's sizzling bank holiday weekend is part of an expected three-month heatwave, with the Met Office's long-range forecast predicating higher than average temperatures until the beginning of July. The Easter weekend saw record-breaking temperatures across the country with the mercury hitting 25.5C (77.9F) in Gosport, Hampshire. The South will enjoy the best of the weather in the first bank holiday weekend while the North and West of Britain could see some wind and rain. Thousands of visitors take to the beach in Brighton and Hove as sunny and hot weather is hitting the seaside resorts on the Easter Bank Holiday Sunday The packed seafront at Boscombe over the East Bank Holiday. The Easter weekend saw record-breaking temperatures across the country with the mercury hitting 25.5C (77.9F) in Gosport, Hampshire Monday is predicted to have the best weather. During the middle and end of May, the Met Office said 'above average' temperatures are expected. Some forecasters even predict that the record for the hottest day of the year could be smashed at the end of the month. Brian Gaze, of website TheWeatherOutlook, said: '28C would not be a surprise later in May, with warm air, known as a Spanish plume, expected to arrive from southern Europe.' Sarah Kent, a Met Office meteorologist, said: 'The forecast is based on probabilities that are averaged over the whole three-month period. 'So it's a little bit like odds on a horse race it's not saying other outcomes are not possible, but that on balance over the three months we are slightly more likely to have warmer than average conditions. It's not saying hot days, necessarily; it might be milder nights, for instance.' Caitilin Ahern, 22, Bethany Cammack, 22 and Milly Everett, 19, enjoying the hot weather on Formby beach on Easter Sunday The Met Office's long- range forecast said: 'For April to June, above average temperatures are more likely than below-average. 'The probability the UK average temperature falls into the warmest of our five categories is 45 per cent. The coldest category is 5 per cent.' Last year saw the warmest May since records began more than 100 years ago with a daily average high of 17C (63F). The early May bank holiday hit 28.7C (83.66F) at RAF Northolt, west London, according to the Met Office. Forecasters think that 2019 could be the hottest year to date with February breaking temperature records to add to the hottest ever Easter Monday. The New York Times has once again apologized for an anti-Semitic cartoon depicting President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Jewish organizations continued to voice anger on Sunday. The American Jewish Committee slammed the Times, saying that it printed a cartoon that would not have looked out of place on a white supremacist website. The Times on Saturday acknowledged that the cartoon included anti-Semitic tropes and that the image was offensive, and it was an error of judgment to publish it. Apology not accepted, the AJC tweeted in response to the Times clarification on Saturday. The New York Times on Saturday said it deleted an anti-Semitic cartoon which depicts a blind President Trump with a Jewish skullcap being led by a 'guide dog,' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu The American Jewish Committee released a statement saying it did not accept the Times' explanation on Saturday for printing the cartoon The image was offensive, and it was an error of judgment to publish it,' the Times said on Saturday In response to the continued outrage, the Times issued another statement on Sunday that had a more explicit apology What does this say about your processes or your decision makers? How are you fixing it? The AJC then tweeted: Naked antisemitism such as in this image is not an error of judgment. We have to wonder if the @nytimes editors wouldve published a similar cartoon depicting any other country or people. The continued uproar on Sunday prompted the Times to issue a longer, more detailed apology on Sunday. We are deeply sorry for the publication of an anti-Semitic political cartoon last Thursday in the print edition of The New York Times that circulates outside of the United States, and we are committed to making sure nothing like this happens again, the Times Opinion section tweeted in a statement. New York Times op-ed columnist Bret Stephens blasted his paper for the cartoon on Sunday Such imagery is always dangerous, and at a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise worldwide, its all the more unacceptable. We have investigated how this happened and learned that, because of a faulty process, a single editor working without adequate oversight downloaded the syndicated cartoon and made the decision to include it on the Opinion page. The matter remains under review, and we are evaluating our internal processes and training. We anticipate significant changes. The cartoon in question portrays President Trump as a blind man wearing a yarmulke while being led by a dog with Netanyahus face imposed on the poochs body. A blue Star of David is seen dangling from Netanyahus collar while Trump holds the leash. The cartoon itself was drawn by political cartoonist Antonio Moreira Antunes of the Lisbon, Portugal-based newspaper Expresso. A New York Times op-ed columnist, Bret Stephens, wrote a piece blasting his employer over the cartoon. Donald Trump Jr, the presidents eldest son, tweeted: Disgusting. I have no words for flagrant anti-Semitism on display here. Imagine this was in something other than a leftist newspaper? Titled A Despicable Cartoon in The Times, Stephens writes that the medias torrential criticism of Israel and mainstreaming of anti-Zionism has desensitized people to its inherent bigotry. I have now been with The Times for two years and Im certain that the charge that the institution is in any way anti-Semitic is a calumny, Stephens writes. The cartoon was drawn by political cartoonist Antonio Moreira Antunes of the Lisbon-based newspaper Expresso But the publication of the cartoon isnt just an error of judgment, either. The paper owes the Israeli prime minister an apology. It owes itself some serious reflection as to how it came to publish that cartoon - and how its publication came, to many longtime readers, as a shock but not a surprise. Donald Trump Jr, the presidents eldest son, tweeted on Saturday in response to the cartoon: Disgusting. I have no words for flagrant anti-Semitism on display here. Imagine this was in something other than a leftist newspaper? The cartoon was intended as a criticism of the Trump administration's perceived pro-Israel bias. Palestinian leaders have said Trump cannot be an honest broker for peace after he broke with long-standing U.S. policy and recognized Jerusalem as Israels capital in 2017 and moved the American embassy to the city last May. Trump also established a precedent by recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau that Israel captured from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War. A former fugitive has finally been jailed for murdering a man and raping two women during a string of attacks in the early 1980s. James Dobbie, now in his mid-60s, has been jailed for at least 25 years, almost four decades after he preyed on couples in a quiet Melbourne lover's lane car park. Victorian Supreme Court Justice John Champion on Monday sentenced him for three separate attacks at Rowville's Police Paddocks Reserve in 1980 and 1983. A former fugitive has finally been jailed for murdering a man and raping two women during a string of attacks in the early 1980s Dobbie raped two young women, then 18 and 21, at gunpoint in Melbourne's south-east. Their boyfriends were tied up and forced to watch, helpless to stop him. Father-of-two Rodney Mitchell tried to stop Dobbie in the third attack. When Dobbie stuck the gun through a car window, Mr Mitchell got out naked and lunged for the weapon. He was shot and killed. 'Tragically (he) paid the ultimate price for his bravery in confronting you,' Justice Champion said. James Dobbie, now in his mid-60s, has been jailed for at least 25 years, almost four decades after he preyed on couples in a quiet Melbourne lover's lane car park Dobbie then drove off with a woman in Mr Mitchell's car but she threw herself from the moving vehicle and escaped. Justice Champion said the victims had suffered 'tremendous pain, suffering and trauma, the effects of which have been felt for almost 40 years and will likely continue for many more'. Dobbie fled to Cape Tribulation, north of Cairns in far north Queensland, after the shooting, remaining there until an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers in 2018 identified him as a suspect. Victorian Supreme Court Justice John Champion on Monday sentenced him for three separate attacks at Rowville's Police Paddocks Reserve in 1980 and 1983 Justice Champion said without Dobbie's confessions in a police interview, the prosecution could not have gone ahead. He accepted Dobbie was remorseful but noted it took decades to reach the level that prompted confession. Had Dobbie been sentenced before 1986, the law would have required a mandatory life sentence for murder. Justice Champion sentenced him to 31 years in jail with a 25-year non-parole period behind bars. A heroic US Army veteran who chased down the gunman and tried to tackle him during Saturday's synagogue shooting in San Diego has spoken out about the terrifying incident. Oscar Stewart, 51, was praying inside the the Chabad of Poway synagogue near San Diego when he heard the first crackles of gunfire and sprung into action. Storming into the lobby he saw the gunman, named as 19-year-old John Earnest opening fire on worshippers with a semi-automatic rifle. Stewart told the LA Times he immediately screamed for everybody to 'get down' and was met with a hail of bullets from Earnest's weapon in response. Scroll down for video US veteran Oscar Stewart attempted to stop the gunman from fleeing and chased him out of the building Stewart, who chased off the gunman inside the synagogue, speaks with members of the media in front of the Chabad of Poway Synagogue on Sunday The US Army veteran was said to have chased Earnest into the car park and banged on the window of his car He then shouted 'I'm gonna kill you!' at Earnest, who seemed rattled and began to flee. The former Army sergeant then chased Earnest into the parking lot where the gunman leapt into his Honda. John Earnest is alleged to be the gunman who walked into the synagogue Saturday morning and opened fire with an assault-style rifle, police said He banged on the side of Earnest's car and the shooter dropped his rifle to start the ignition. At that exact moment, Jonathan Morales, an off-duty Border Patrol agent, shot four bullets into the car - and Earnest sped off into the distance. 'I've been told that I may have saved some lives - I never thought about that I think... I just did what I did,' Stewart told reporters. 'I'm not a hero or anything, I just did it. 'I thank God that he gave me the courage to do what I did.' Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein of the Chabad of Poway synagogue had been finalizing his sermon for the last day of Passover when the shooting started. The preacher had just passed his good friend Lori Kaye in the lobby. The pair exchanged smiles, and his immediate thought was that she 'may have fell or a table tipped over.' Instead, Goldstein found himself face to face with the teenage gunman responsible for killing Kaye and wounding three others. He recapped the dramatic moment for reporters on Sunday as he hailed the heroic acts of the worshippers who risked their lives to save others. Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein (2nd R) said facing the shooter was 'indescribable' 'I turn around and I see a sight that I - indescribable. Here is a young man standing with a rifle, pointing right at me,' he said. 'And I look at him. He had sunglasses on, I couldn't see his eyes, I couldn't see his soul. I froze.' Goldstein's first concern was for Kaye, a 60-year-old long time congregation member, whom he described as a person of 'unconditional love.' But before he could get to her, 'more shots came' and he raised his hands -- eventually losing his right index finger to a bullet despite a four-hour surgery to try to save it. The badly wounded rabbi saw children were still playing in the banquet hall and he rushed to gather them and get them out -- including his own four-year-old granddaughter. He was joined in this effort by Almog Peretz, who Goldstein said was an Israeli 'war veteran.' Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein (pictured) has recalled the moment he came face-to-face a gunman who shot dead a worshiper and injured three others at a synagogue in California Goldstein (left and right) was shot in the hand, but witnesses say he continued to deliver a sermon during the shooting. 'I was face-to-face with this murderer, terrorist, who was holding a rifle and looking straight at me,' Goldstein said Peretz 'ran into the banquet hall, gathered more children, he got a bullet in his leg, risking himself to save the children.' It was then that the assault weapon wielded by Earnest - jammed, creating an opening for others to jump in, said Goldstein. Goldstein heaped praise on Stewart and Jonathan Morales, who began coming to the synagogue after recently discovering his Jewish roots, After the shooter had left, Goldstein returned to the lobby to find Kaye unconscious. 'And her dear husband, a brother to me, is trying to resuscitate her. And he faints and he's lying there on the floor next to his wife. And then the daughter Hannah comes out screaming, 'Daddy and Mommy, what's going on?' One person was killed and three were injured in the shooting at the Chabad of Poway synagogue Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, (pictured) was identified as the woman who was killed during the horrific attack on Saturday 'It's the most heart-wrenching sight I could have seen.' Earnest also wounded eight-year-old Noya Dahan in the leg, though she has since been discharged from hospital, as has Peretz. Goldstein, who said he was grateful for a fifteen-minute phone call he had received from President Donald Trump, vowed his community would remain unbowed. 'No matter how dark the world is. We need to think of light, a little bit of light, pushes away a lot of darkness,' he said. 'A lot of light will push away much more.' 'We need to show them that terrorism, evil will never prevail, let's fill up the synagogues, let's stand tall, let's dance together.' A male prison guard is under investigation for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a female inmate. The guard was allegedly caught giving the prisoner oral sex in her cell at Kempsey jail on the NSW Mid-North Coast last August. Other prisoners did not report the incident until two months later for fear of retaliation from the inmate involved, but it is now being investigated. The guard was allegedly caught giving the prisoner oral sex at Kempsey jail (pictured) on the NSW Mid-North Coast last August It is the same jail where where prison guard Amy Connors was sacked for having a relationship with convicted cop killer Sione Penisini. A former prisoner at the jail told 2GB about the investigation, but the guard is reportedly yet to be interviewed. 'I would have thought... it would have been a matter for police to investigate if there was an alleged sexual assault,' Ray Hadley said on air. 'But for some obscure reason the prison guard is yet to be interviewed by police, or even the internal investigators at Corrective Services. I'd like to know why.' Corrective Services NSW confirmed a 'thorough' investigation was underway and 'we take these matters very seriously'. 'The majority of our officers do the right thing in a difficult line of work, keeping the people of NSW safe and secure,' it said in a statement. 'In the rare cases where they don't, these officers will come to our attention and we will prosecute with the full force of the law.' Connors allegedly let herself into Penisini's cell regularly at night using her own key so they could have sex - breaking strict protocol. Kempsey is the same jail where prison guard Amy Connors (pictured) was sacked for having a relationship with convicted cop killer Sione Penisine The liaison was revealed when her husband suspected she was having an affair for months and called prison managers. Phone calls between Connors and Penisini were facilitated by a mutual friend, who would put him on loudspeaker and them let them talk. Intelligence officers intercepted a phone call between them after her husband tipped them off. Connors tried to resign when she was suspended, but was denied because prison authorities wanted to complete their investigation. It is not illegal for corrections staff to have sex with inmates, although it is a breach of their code of conduct. However, senior prison officer of 14 years was charged with 'misconduct in public office' and arrested at her home on August 3. Photo: Facebook Leslie McCulloch and Rebekka Rae White. A Kelowna man wanted on a Canada-wide arrest warrant was found at a Langley restaurant by police on Sunday. Leslie McCulloch pleaded guilty in 2017 to drug trafficking and production charges, relating to acetylfentanyl that was found in seized powder at a West Kelowna auto restoration company. The business was raided by police in March 2016, and the counterfeit-prescription-drug lab operating inside was shut down. Police say they found eight kilograms of a powder they suspected to be fentanyl and 1,300 pills. McCulloch was released on bail to get his affairs in order before sentencing, but he skipped his bail and his whereabouts were unknown. Kelowna RCMP Cpl. Jesse ODonaghey says a team of local officers deployed to the Lower Mainland in search of McCulloch, who also goes by Alexander Lester Kreed. At 1:22 p.m. on Sunday, a contingent of covert surveillance RCMP officers from the drug section tracked down and arrested McCulloch inside a restaurant on the 6000 block of 200th Street. McCulloch was arrested without any incident by our team of plainclothes officers, said ODonaghey. In March, McCulloch was featured on Kelowna's Most Wanted and a cash reward had been offered for information about his whereabouts. He remains in custody and he is expected to appear in court on Monday. French tourists described by police as 'sweaty' have been caught with about $50,000 worth of cannabis in their car. A member of the public patrolling the community walked past the vehicle on Earl Street in Queenstown, on New Zealand's South Island, at 2am on Sunday. They found the car, belonging to two French nationals, had a 'distinct smell of cannabis coming from it' and reported it to police, the NZ Herald reported. French tourists described by police as 'sweaty' were caught with about $50,000 worth of cannabis (pictured) in their car After inspecting the car, police seized 2.43kg of marijuana, which was separated into one ounce bags. This amount of cannabis is estimated to have a street value of about $50,000. The male owners of the vehicle, aged 27 and 23, were described by police as being 'pretty clammy'. 'They didn't say much and they were sweaty,' Sergeant Steve Watt said. 'The car certainly did smell of cannabis and a search was invoked,' Sergeant Watt said. The male owners of the vehicle, aged 27 and 23, were described by police as being 'pretty clammy' and are expected to face Queenstown District Court (pictured) on Monday 'It was very unexpected - a seizure like that's not commonplace in Queenstown,' Sergeant Watt said. He said the police officers were surprised they located such a big quantity of cannabis, as they hadn't seen anything like it in the area before. Both men face charges of possession of cannabis for the purpose of supplying and possession of utensils and are expected to face Queenstown District Court on Monday. A young nurse who almost died after eating an Aldi Easter chocolate has been savagely trolled online. Kayley Drummond, who is allergic to dairy, misread the brand name Dairy Fine as dairy free before she ate a chocolate bunny. The 20-year-old from Melbourne had an anaphylactic shock and was rushed to hospital where she spent Easter Sunday night fighting for her life. After recovering, she launched a campaign to change the 'misleading' packaging - but not everyone sympathised with her plight. Kayley Drummond (pictured), who is allergic to dairy, misread the brand name Dairy Fine as dairy free before she ate a chocolate bunny This is the brand of bunny chocolate that the nurse misread as saying 'dairy free' Before long, her message inbox was flooded with 'hateful and nasty comments' from keyboard warriors blaming her for misreading the packet. On Monday she hit back at the trolls, saying she always takes care. 'The people who know me personally know how careful I am with my allergies,' she told 7NEWS.com.au. 'I find it very interesting that people are attacking someone who made an honest and easy mistake that could've cost me or someone else their life. 'But I'm also glad it was me who copped the backlash because I'm strong enough to brush it off.' After eating the bunny, the nurse was rushed by ambulance to hospital, where she spent the night in intensive care. Doctors gave her doses of adrenaline to help reduce the swelling in her throat. The 20-year-old (pictured) had an anaphylactic shock and was rushed to hospital where she recovered before launching a campaign to change to 'misleading' packaging CEO of Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia Maria Said told Daily Mail Australia that while Aldi is making efforts to expand their range of allergy-free products, it needs to make the writing on the packaging clearer. 'When you look at the font, color and the italics in writing on cellophane or foil, it's not clear that it's not allergy free,' she said. 'So many people have made mistakes and there have been so many near misses.' Ms Said suggested Aldi should keep the brand Dairy Fine but consider changing the wording. She said that people with allergies need to read the ingredients list when they purchase food. Aldi said it would refer the case to the health and safety authority. Some members of the Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia Facebook group rushed to the German supermarket giant's defense and called out Kayley for not checking the ingredients list. 'Aldi are definitely not at fault. If you have allergies that are that bad it could land you in hospital, you read all labels and ingredients not skim over the brand name,' one user wrote. 'It's your responsibility to read all labels even the one that are allergen free in case they haven't labelled it correctly. Dairy fine looks nothing like dairyfree', wrote another. A spokesperson for ALDI said: 'We have been in touch with the customer and can confirm this is an isolated incident with no other reports to our customer service department. 'The product is labelled with an allergen statement in bold, which clearly states CONTAINS MILK. We always recommend customers check our product labelling for a full list of ingredients if they have any food allergies or intolerances.' A Kansas elementary school teacher has been caught on camera kicking a five-year-old kindergarten student and aggressively grabbing the child during library class. Teacher Crystal Smith was caught on surveillance footage at Bluejacket Flint elementary school in Shawnee kicking a toddler who was hiding in a bookshelf in the library on February 21. In the clip the teacher can be seen approaching the young girl and grabbing her arm to get her out of the cubby hole then kicking her back as the girl laid sprawled on the ground. The girl reported she was hit to her homeroom teacher who failed to report it to the school's administration. Kansas teacher Crystal Smith (left in black) was fired after she was caught on camera kicking and aggressively grabbing a five-year-old kindergarten student (pictured in pink hiding in a bookshelf at the library) When the girl refused to exit the bookshelf Smith kicked the child in the back. The incident took place on February 21 at Bluejacket Flint Elementary school in Shawnee, Kansas The teacher grabbed the girl to get her off the floor, leaving her with a red mark on her arm When the girl's mother picked her up from school and asked how her day was, the child responded, 'I don't like my teacher. She's really mean. She hit me on my arm.' Her mother then noticed a large red mark on the child's arm. Outraged the mother called the school principal to learn about what happened. Then the mother met with Crystal Smith, the teacher accused of hitting the girl. But Smith diverted blame to the child for the welt. 'Im not surprised she has some marks on her. She was crawling in the bookshelf. She has a red spot on her arm. And Im not surprised because she shoved herself into that bookshelfI mean, she kicked me a couple of times..' Smith said. Unsatisfied, the mother demanded for video of the incident. The school confirmed the next day there was video, but more than a week passed before the video was released to the mother. When the girl's mother picked her up from school and asked how her day was, the child responded, 'I don't like my teacher. She's really mean. She hit me on my arm', showing a red mark on her arm as proof The girl's outraged mother called the school principal to learn about what happened and demanded to see video of the incident after Smith denied hurting the child Smith claimed that the girl gave herself the red mark on her arm by crawling around in the bookshelf A closer look: This zoomed in shot showed the moment Smith kicked the child in the back Then the teacher grabbed the child to bring her off the floor 'I can't really even put it into words. I hurt for my child, and I was just angry that someone could do that,' the little girl's mother said upon seeing the video 'When I saw the video it was heartbreaking, because everything she said, she sat at the same table as me and just lied about everything ... she lied to me. She lied to everyone else. She was almost really convincing,' the mother said to KCTV5. Contrary to Smith's claims, the video shows the little girl refusing to get in the line with her peers and crawling into the bookshelf. After the class leaves the library, the teacher returns and finds the girl in the bookshelf. Smith then grabs the child by the arm, drags her to the ground, and gives her rough kick in the back. 'I can't really even put it into words. I hurt for my child, and I was just angry that someone could do that,' the mother said. Now she worries about what other children may have been hurt behind closed doors. Following an investigation, Smith was fired from the school on March 25 Smith was put on leave pending the end of an investigation and was officially terminated on March 25. Following the shocking incident, the Shawnee Mission School District issued a statement. 'The Shawnee Mission School District was deeply distressed by the actions shown in the video. We take our responsibility to keep our children safe extremely seriously, and as parents and educators, we are heartbroken whenever a child is not treated with love and respect. As soon as we discovered what happened, we acted to remove the teacher from contact with students, and proceeded immediately to terminate that teacher,' the statement said. The Johnson County District Attorney's Office is also reviewing the case to determine whether to press charges. A man who was abused by the co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival when he was 13 has revealed how he confronted the filmmaker 26 years later and told of how he secretly recorded him admitting to the abuse. Sean Escobar, 38, has spoken out publicly for the first time about being abused by Sterling Van Wagenen, now 71, in Utah back in 1993. In an interview with the New York Times, Escobar said he sat down with Van Wagenen in September and put his iPhone in a nearby pot plant to secretly record the confrontation. Details of the abuse only became public in February after Escobar gave the recording to a website that serves as a watchdog for The Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon church. Sean Escobar, 38, has spoken out publicly for the first time about being abused by Sterling Van Wagenen, now 71, in Utah back in 1993 Speaking of the moment he confronted his abuser, Escobar said: 'It was like sending me back to my childhood. I was terrified. 'All my life this has bothered me about Sterling. It would haunt me.' While Van Wagenen has not been charged with abusing Escobar, he was arrested this month for allegedly sexually abusing a young girl. Escobar said Van Wagenen abused him in 1993 when he was sleeping over the filmmaker's house in Salt Lake City. He was friends with two of Van Wagenen's sons and lived just three doors down. At the time, they were all members of the Mormon church. Escobar said he was sleeping on a couch in the basement when he woke to find Van Wagenen's hand in his pants stroking his genitals. He said he tried to stir twice in the hope that Van Wagenen would stop and leave. When he didn't stop, Escobar said he jumped up and locked himself in the bathroom. He said he stayed in the bathroom all night with Van Wagenen's cat. 'There was this big orange cat that got locked in the bathroom with me. I just pet the cat all night,' he said. Escobar said he called his mother in the morning to come get him and he immediately told her what happened as they drove away. 'I just remember my mom. It just looked like she'd seen a ghost. She just turned white,' he said. Escobar said Van Wagenen abused him in 1993 when he was sleeping over the filmmaker's house in Salt Lake City. He was friends with two of Van Wagenen's sons and lived just three doors down Van Wagenen told his therapist what he had done to Escobar and subsequently went to the local sheriff's office to report that he had sexually and inappropriately touched the boy. He denied reaching into Escobar's pants though. No charges were filed because Escobar's parents didn't want to pursue the case. They have since said they were trying to protest their son from enduring a trial and bullying. His parents reported the abuse to an elder at the church and Van Wagenen was disciplined with a two-year partial exclusion. Escobar, who now has four young children with his wife, said the effects of the abuse haven't gone away. He feared that Van Wagenen may potentially have had other victims and started reaching out to his family members to seek reassurance. Van Wagenen's daughter suggested that Escobar should sit down with his abuser to get closure. Escobar said that when they did meet, Van Wagenen apologized and vowed that he hadn't ever done it to anyone else. 'I've never considered myself a pedophile,' Van Wagenen said in the recording. 'That one instance was so horrifying to me. And I've carried the awareness of that -not to the degree that you have, for sure - but I've carried the awareness of that.' Escobar repeatedly questioned whether he had done the right thing after making the recording public. Van Wagenen resigned from his part-time instructor position at the University of Utah's Film and Media Arts Department in February after being placed on administrative leave. He has not been charged in Escobar's case but he was charged earlier this month with sexual abusing a young girl. Van Wagenen accused of inappropriately touching the girl on two occasions between 2013 and 2015. The alleged abuse occurred in two northern Utah cities when the girl was between the ages of 7 and 9. Van Wagenen co-founded Sundance Film Festival with Robert Redford and was the Sundance Institute's founding executive director The case was reported to police by child protective services after the girl told her parents about the alleged abuse. She spoke out after hearing the recording, according to Escobar. 'This young girl, the other victim, is a hero to me. I helped her, and she helped me,' Escobar said. Van Wagenen, who posted $75,000 bail, is scheduled to be in court on May 2 for a scheduling hearing. He has not yet entered a plea to one count of felony sexual abuse of a child. Van Wagenen co-founded Sundance Film Festival with Robert Redford and was the Sundance Institute's founding executive director, according to his biography page on the University of Utah website. Van Wagenen produced the 1985 film, 'The Trip to Bountiful,' a story of an elderly woman who longs to return to her home that earned the late actress Geraldine Page an Oscar for her starring performance. He also directed the 1992 film 'Alan & Naomi' about the trauma of the Holocaust on children and was a producer of the 1991 move 'Convicts' starring Robert Duvall and James Earl Jones. More recently, he was a director of the 2009 documentary called 'Learning from the Light: The Vision of I.M. Pei' about a well-known architect and an executive director of the 2018 historical tale 'Jane and Emma' about a black woman's friendship with the wife of Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints. The church-owned Brigham Young University in Utah employed Van Wagenen as a film instructor from 1993 to 1999, and he was director of content for its broadcasting arm, BYUtv, from 2007-2010, university spokeswoman Carri Jenkins said. The school received no reports of sexual misconduct from his time there, Jenkins said. Van Wagenen also periodically worked for the church as a producer and director for many years on a variety of projects, including temple videos, said church spokesman Eric Hawkins said. The church wasn't aware of any of Van Wagenen's alleged behaviors until recently and reported them to authorities, Hawkins said. He declined to say if Van Wagenen has been kicked out of the faith, citing church policy to keep personal matters private. The church considers child abuse to be among the most serious sins and that anyone who commits the act should be held accountable, Hawkins said. Three children - including a toddler - have been injured in a freak accident when the jumping castle they were in was picked up by a strong gust of wind. The children were using the jumping castle at a fair in Bullsbrook, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia, on Sunday afternoon. A two-year-old boy fell from the castle as it went flying through the air and had to be rushed to hospital, the West Australian reported. Scroll down for video Three children - including a toddler - have been injured in a freak accident when the jumping castle (pictured) they were in was picked up by a strong gust of wind The children were using the jumping castle at a fair in Bullsbrook, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia, on Sunday afternoon Witness Ashleigh Hort told 7 News there was pandemonium at the fair after the jumping castle flew into the air. 'People [were] in shock, kids screaming and yeah it was horrible,' she said. 'Everyone was chasing after it I guess because there were kids on it, and it was deflating and they had to search through it to find the children.' Former police officer and Labor candidate Kim Travers was 50m away from the jumping castle when it flew into the air, and she described the scene as 'very distressing'. 'The children, fortunately, fell from the bouncy castle safely into the paddock and the services, who were on the scene, rushed over to see if the castle and kids were safe,' she said. A St John Ambulance spokesman told Daily Mail Australia two children were taken to hospital while another was treated at the scene. Penny Jean Newton, 58, was arrested and charged with animal cruelty after authorities seized 452 rabbits from her Texas home in March A Texas teacher has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty after authorities seized more than 450 rabbits from her home. Penny Jean Newton, 58, of Kaufman, Texas, was charged with one count of cruelty to non-livestock animals and failing to provide care after turning herself in to authorities Thursday, according to inForney.com. A warrant had been issued for her arrest the previous week. The misdemeanor charge stemmed from the Kaufman County Sheriff's Office and SPCA of Texas' removal of 452 rabbits from her home on March 6. In a Facebook post, the SPCA of Texas wrote that someone had suggested the organization perform a welfare check at the home, which they carried out on March 4. Authorities said they found the rabbits inside filthy cages in a barn-like structure The rabbits were said to have appeared to have a variety of medical issues, including long nails, hair loss, missing ears, missing eyes, wounds, matted fur and injured limbs During the visit, they found the rabbits inside a barn-like structure that had been covered with tarps and other materials. The animals were inside crates, some of which were stacked on top of each other. Many of the cages contained multiple rabbits and were filled with feces, hair, dirt and debris. The rabbits were said to have had minimal access to food or water. 'The rabbits appear to have various medical issues, including long nails, hair loss, missing ears, missing eyes, wounds, matted fur and injured limbs,' the SPCA of Texas noted. The rabbits were said to have been lacking appropriate access to food and water Many of the cages were said to have contained multiple rabbits, including litters of bunnies Newton was a teacher with the Forney Independent School District and had once won an award for teacher of the year at a local high school The organization noted that it had spoken with the rabbits' owners and told them they needed to bring the animals' living conditions into Texas Health & Safety Code compliance. The SPCA of Texas then returned to the home two days later, on March 6, at which point they found that the conditions remained the same. The owners then surrendered the animals to the organization's care. About 33 of the rabbits have since given birth to over 200 babies, a SPCA spokesperson told inForney.com Authorities said that this was not the first time that animals had been seized from Newton's property. In July 2013, they said that they had 166 Rabbits, 36 guinea pigs, 12 goats, five cats, one dog and one bull from the home. Newton previously posted this picture of rabbits she had for sale on Facebook. Their living conditions seem to be a far cry from the condition of the rabbits authorities found Newton a one time Teacher of the Year at Forney High School is awaiting arraignment. Bond has not been set for her yet. School district officals told the news site Friday that Newton no longer works for the Forney Independent School District. The SPCA of Texas expects that the rabbits will be available for adoption once they are healthy enough and have been spayed or neutered. Animal rescue groups from across the country have volunteered to look after some of the rabbits in the meantime, while others remain at adoption centers and foster homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The SPCA of Texas posted a list of items that people can buy to donate to help take care of the rabbits, noting that they are in particular need of blankets, but could also use heating pads, dog treats, and snuggle safes too. Advertisement From the outside it looked like a nondescript tent. But inside, it was a different story altogether. Canberra's Groovin The Moo festival was allowed to conduct pill testing for revellers for the second year running this weekend, potentially saving the lives as seven after the drugs they were going to take were found to have dodgy drugs cut with potentially fatal chemicals. It sounds like the kind of place where tensions run high as young men and women dice with death as they learn whether or not they have killer pills. But the vibe inside is calm, with groups of friends coming inside together to get their drugs examined - and they are even given lollies and condoms as they wait. A reveller named Jordie was outspoken regarding her support of pill testing, and made a fashion statement to support her beliefs A look inside the pill testing facility showed the space where doctors and chemists would check samples of patron's drugs to identify the primary substances Patrons who wanted to participate in the trial were asked to place their phones in a safe, and sign a waiver before proceeding HOW DID PILL TESTING WORK AT GROOVIN THE MOO? Step 1: Find and enter the nondescript tent Step 2: Sign a waiver and lock all recording devices or technology in safe Step 3: Answer a series of instructions asked by a doctor - including what you think is in your pills Step 4: Sacrifice pills to be weighed and measured Step 5: Offer a sample of the drug, from a small amount up to half Step 6: Examiners put the sample through sophisticated technology which matches the chemicals in the sample to a list of 30,000 products in the database Step 7: Results were almost instantaneous. Take the results to a doctor, who goes through information regarding the particular drug you had sampled Step 8: Speak with a councilor and volunteer regarding any questions or queries Advertisement While police did search revellers as they entered the festival, they steered well clear of the testing facility and didn't target people on the way out. Taking a different approach to the heavy-handed nature of New South Wales Police seemed to work, with scores of people going inside the tent throughout the day. The facility wasn't easy to find at first as it wasn't signposted and was wedged between two Red Frog facilities and the medical tent. But as the festival warmed up, festival goers dressed in colourful and racy outfits lined up for up to 10 minutes to get into the tent. In all, 234 participants tested 171 drug samples. While MDMA was the most prominent substance identified, volunteers said other drugs were also tested throughout the day, including cocaine, ketamine and LSD. Seven dangerous substances containing the potentially deadly synthetic stimulant N-Ethylpentylone were identified, with all patrons involved telling staff and volunteers they purchased the drugs under the impression it was MDMA. All seven patrons chose to use the amnesty bin to get rid of the drugs when they learned the truth - a step in the right direction, according to volunteers in the tent. Inside the tent, volunteers celebrated the small successes, and saw the seven pills that were thrown out as examples of pill testing not only working, but saving lives. But multiple festival goers throughout the day complained about the lack of signage indicating where the tent could be found. Instead, Red Frog volunteers at the farther tent were able to offer assistance, and pointed willing patrons in the right direction, back toward the entrance of the venue and through a blacked-out tarp-covered fence. Police patrolled the grounds of Canberra's Groovin The Moo festival in droves, but the vibe of the day was more at ease than festivals of late, with patrons comforted by the presence of pill testing and volunteers who placed public safety above all else A tray of condoms sits next to a tray of heart shaped lollypops in the pill testing facilities during a media walk through ahead of Groovin the Moo 2019 Samples of the drugs were measured and weighed before the testing continued. All results were recorded for future reference Once rounding the corner, they were greeted by a cheerful woman in an all black uniform. She was guarding the door to the facility and chatting with a couple of groups who had already found their way in. A 20-year-old woman named Sophie holding four capsules containing what she believed to be MDMA in her hand also chatted to everybody in the line, asking the volunteer a host of questions regarding drug taking and the procedure once inside the tent. She was particularly concerned with whether the process would be the same as last year, and told those gathered her pills from 2018 had tested positive for MDMA. The volunteer answered all of Sophie's questions and provided about 12 people in the line water bottles, lollipops and red frog lollies. Volunteers and security throughout the event were assisting patrons back toward medical tents to receive treatment A sample of the substance was scraped off or poured out of the pill, capsule or bag and onto a sophisticated machine She made it very clear the area was a safe space, where anonymity was required of all patrons and safety was the primary goal. A few people in the line expressed their concerns about police waiting for them on their way out of the facility. But she explained police at the festival had acknowledged the importance of patrons getting home safe, and promised they wouldn't be targeting people leaving the tent. 'While our message first and foremost is not to take illicit substances at all, ACT Policing is committed to harm minimisation initiatives such as pill testing and we are actively engaged with the ACT government and other stakeholders,' an ACT police spokesman said. She was right. Police appeared to avoid approaching the perimeters of the facility, and they didn't appear to have to enter the tent once during the day. Some revellers in the line said they were shocked to see it was 'almost as if police didn't know the tent was here'. The tent was decked out with information regarding the safe use of drugs and overdose information. Revellers could also take home pamphlets Doctors and chemists then took one of Sophie's capsules and unscrewed the two parts. They asked how much she was willing to sacrifice for the sample, and what she thought the drug was The volunteer then began the process of explaining why phones needed to be confiscated once inside. Again, she reiterated the importance of anonymity and the need for a safe space. People were also only able to enter the tent with the friendship group they arrived with. By about 3pm, there was a decent backlog to test pills and speak with a professional. Patrons were waiting outside for about 10 minutes, chatting to the volunteer. She emphasised the importance of hydration and gave everybody tips to check their friend's tongues throughout the day. If they were white, she said to encourage them to drink more water. One of the festival goers, a young man named Campbell said he witnessed somebody die at FOMO festival. He said the lack of shade and free water facilities at the facility may have contributed to the girl's death, and again reiterated his support of pill testing. A pair of friends were seen holding hands as they made their way through the crowded festival grounds Seven young revellers could have died at a music festival in Canberra because their MDMA capsules were laced with a deadly toxin that has already claimed other young lives (pictured: a Groovin the Moo attendee's drug capsules before being tested) While the revellers were quick to tell the volunteer they felt safer with the facility, she reminded them no matter the outcome inside the tent, everyone is responsible for what they put in their body and to be sensible. After the short wait and brief information session, the patrons were invited inside the testing tent. Within moments, phones were taken and put into a safe. A bag number was given to one person in the group, who was responsible for collecting the phones at the end of the process. A doctor and volunteer then gave the group a quick rundown of the procedure and pointed out information sheets located on the wall of a divider separating the information room to the testing room. Next to the information at about 3pm were three red cards. It had previously been identified that drugs were separated into three categories; red, yellow and white. Next to the information at about 3pm were three red cards. It had previously been identified that drugs were separated into three categories; red, yellow and white Yellow indicates the drug is not what the patron thought it was, while white means the drug was accurately described by the patron on arrival. A red result meant the drug contained potentially deadly additives such as N-Ethylpentylone - a stimulant which was present in seven samples at Sunday's festival by mid-afternoon. The three red cards were associated with three samples of N-Ethylpentylone which had already been identified and disposed of. Daily Mail Australia later learned another four samples were found as the night went on. In 2018, they found two samples of the drug all day. The group inside the tent were then provided a unique identifier number, which they were told to keep on their person all day in case they experienced an adverse reaction to the pills. The group inside the tent were then provided a unique identifier number, which they were told to keep on their person all day in case they experienced an adverse reaction to the pills By nightfall, many of the revellers had decided to stop dancing and rest ahead of the headline acts final performances If that happened, first responders would be able to call the pill testing tent and recite the number on the card. Doctors could then give an accurate description of what pills had been consumed. Knowing what a person has ingested saves time and can be the difference between life and death. Doctors and chemists then took one of Sophie's capsules and unscrewed the two parts. They asked how much she was willing to sacrifice for the sample, and what she thought the drug was. She told them she was happy to sacrifice enough to get an accurate reading, and said she was under the impression the drug was MDMA. Sophie told Daily Mail Australia she was surprised when the results came back with an 85 per cent purity reading. The pill contained primarily MDMA, and no other substances were identified to have been significant. A doctor told the group the testing process scans the chemicals of the drug and compares it with more than 30,000 samples in the system to identify any matches. As day turned to night, more people turned to the Red Frogs tents volunteers for support and to keep them out of the cold WHAT IS N-ETHYLPENTYLONE - N-ethyl pentylone was found in seven drug samples at GTM on Sunday - The drug may cause convulsions, paranoia and may result in death - It emerged around 2016 in the United States - It's been linked to a number of overdose deaths and mass-casualty incidents all over the world - It's part of the 'bath salts' (cathinone) family of stimulants - The prevalence of the new drug in Australia is unknown outside of drug testing services at festivals - It's been known as a phenomenon known as 'mass casualty overdoses', where 10-20 people drop simultaneously - It's often sold as a white or coloured powder and looks just like MDMA but can be three times more potent Advertisement He then went through the process of warning against drug use. He particularly focused on the harms and risks associated with consuming MDMA, especially in high doses or pure forms. He reminded Sophie and her group the best way to keep safe was to not consume drugs at all, and to listen to their own bodies and seek help should they need it. Councillors and volunteers then took over as another group made their way through the testing facility. They had set up a 'chill out zone', kitted out with beanbags, lollies, water and information sheets. They councillors were provided Sophie's results and spoke with the group about any concerns or questions they may have had, before providing lollipops and sugary treats and leading them to the exit. The group were reminded they could come back at any time for more information and all phones were returned, before they were ushered out of the same entrance they came in through. While seven samples of N-Ethylpentylone were located, organisers saw the responsible decision-making of potential users who threw out the drugs as a positive outcome. N-Ethylpentylone is often mis-sold as MDMA or ecstasy and has been linked to multiple deaths according to the World Health Organization. 'The pilot was again overwhelmingly successful by any measure but particularly by doing everything possible to keep our kids safe,' Pill Testing Australia's Gino Vumbaca said. Bill Maher accused House Rep. Adam Schiff of stalking President Trump after Special Counsel Robert Mueller found there was no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 elections. Schiff, the powerful Democrat who heads the House Intelligence Committee, appeared on Mahers Friday night weekly television talk show Real Time on HBO. Maher asked Schiff about what the Democrats planned to do about Trump after Muellers report concluded there was no conspiracy to collude with Russia. Schiff, who has made frequent appearances alleging criminal wrongdoing by the president and his campaign, told Maher he did not believe it was realistic to believe that Mueller would indict Trump. House Rep. Adam Schiff (left), the Democrat from California, appeared on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher on Friday Maher said Schiff was 'stalking' President Trump after Special Counsel Robert Mueller submitted his report Those who did expect the special counsel to indict the president were being unrealistic in their expectations, according to Schiff. Schiff, however, repeated his view that Trump was unfit for the presidency because Russians were engaged in a systemic effort to interfere in our election - something that the Trump campaign welcomed, embrace, and made full use of. He accused Trump of obstructing Muellers investigation while covering up his campaigns contacts with Russians. But Maher pressed Schiff on Muellers conclusions. But this was our big gun, the Real Time host told Schiff. Now it just looks like youre stalking him. I think in the eyes of the people who dont follow it that closely, which is most of the country, heres the thing about Bob Mueller: hes the last thing in America that left and right agreed on. Left and right basically agreed, this is a guy of honor, this is an honest guy, an honest broker, whatever he says goes The fact that he was like ummIf you couldnt impeach before, how are you going to impeach after? Or should you? Schiff appeared surprised by Mahers stalking comment. He told the host: Im not there yet on impeachment. I may get there - he may get me there - but heres the awful dilemma that we face: if we dont impeach him, that sends a message that this kind of conduct - this obstruction of justice, this kind of willing use of the help of a foreign adversary, all the lies and cover-up - that this is non-impeachable. Mueller found there was no evidence that Trump and his campaign colluded with Russia during the 2016 elections At the same time, if we do impeach him, and he is acquitted, as he would likely be acquitted, then the message is: those are non-impeachable offenses. Schiff added: At the end of the day, Bill, there is only one way to deal with the problem whether we impeach him or not, and that is to vote his ass out of office. Maher then asked Schiff, who is usually on television to talk about the Russia investigation, to detail his policy views. I dont have a clue what you think about health care - Ive never heard it, Maher told Schiff. I dont know whether youre for Medicare for all or improved Obamacare or get a chicken. I dont know what. Schiff said he advised Democratic candidates running for office not to discuss the Russia investigation. What I urge the candidates and I urge our nominees to talk about it is, how are you going to help American people put bread on the table? he said. How are you going to help them provide for a secure retirement in an environment when people dont stay in the same job their whole life? When asked which Democratic candidate he supports for the nomination, Schiff replied: Ill tell you who Im behind in 2020, and Im behind them heart and soul: any living adult 2020. Anyone who gets the nomination, we all need to get behind. The doctor who rushed to perform CPR at the scene of the California synagogue shooting fainted when he realized the victim he was attempting to revive was his wife. Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, died on Saturday in the shooting spree where 19-year-old gunman John T. Earnest opened fire at Chabad of Poway Synagogue during a Passover service. After shots rang out, worshipers called her husband Dr. Howard Kaye to help victims. He began to perform CPR on her, and when it dawned on him the victim was his wife, he fainted from shock according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. She died while saving her rabbi's life, throwing herself in between Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein and Earnest. 'Hes laying on the floor next to his wife. And then the daughter comes out screaming. It was the most heart-wrenching sight I could have seen,' Rabbi Goldstein recalled to the New York Post. Scroll down for video Dr. Howard Kaye rushed to perform CPR on victims of the California synagogue shooting on Saturday and fainted when he realized the woman he was trying to revive was his wife Lori Gilbert-Kaye. Kaye pictured left with wife Lori and their daughter Hannah, 22 Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, (left) died while trying to protect Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein (right) on Saturday when a gunman stormed into Congregation Chabad in Poway during a Passover service 'Lori took the bullet for all of us. She didnt deserve to die,' Goldstein said. 'She was the kindest person I have ever known and the community has ever known. We're in such shock'. Kaye is survived by her husband and 22-year-old daughter Hannah. According to Goldstein's sister-in-law, Kaye's daughter Hannah had gotten married just two weeks ago. 'We were dancing with her two weeks ago,' Chana Goldstein said to the outlet. Kaye was a founding member of the congregation and was friends with the rabbi for 25 years. She attended the service that day to say a Kaddish prayer for her mother who passed away in November. She was the only fatal victim in the horror attack. Three others were injured - Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, 57; Noya Dahan, 8; and Almog Peretz, 34, who was visiting from Israel. By Sunday morning, all three of those victims were discharged from the hospital. 'God picked her to die to send a message because shes such an incredible person,' her friend Dr. Ronneet Lev said to the Union-Tribune. 'He took her for a higher purpose to send this message to fight antisemitism.' After shots rang out at the synagogue, worshipers called her husband Dr. Howard Kaye (above with daughter) to help victims and he performed CPR on Lori after she was hit Kaye is survived by her husband and 22-year-old daughter Hannah, who reportedly got married just two weeks ago Kaye saved her rabbi's life by jumping in between him and the gunman 'She didn't die a senseless death,' Lev said to CNN. 'She died advertising the problem we have with anti-Semitism and to bring good to this world. ... If God put an angel on this planet, it would have been Lori.' Rabbi Goldstein hailed Lori as 'the ultimate woman of kindness' after she saved his life. 'Lori and I have known each other for over 25 years. She was one of the pioneering members of our congregation. She is not just a member, she's an activist. She personified ultimate of kindness and generosity,' he said Saturday night to CNN's Brisn Stelter. 'She's one of those people who are always there to be able to help others in their time of need. When people are diagnosed with cancer, she would be dragging them to appointments and would bring flowers to cheer people up and bake Shabbat challah just to bring the family some happiness. Eight-year-old girl Noya Dahan was another victim in the shooting. She hit by shrapnel and was wounded in one leg and in the face and transferred to a children's hospital Noya pictured Sunday after she was dismissed from the hospital riding on the shoulders of her father Israel Dahan at a candlelight vigil for the victims of the Chabad of Poway synagogue shooting Injured: Almog Peretz, 34, was visiting family in the area for the Passover holiday from Israel and was hit by shrapnel in the attack 'She was the ultimate woman of kindness and it's unfathomable, why this beautiful, beautiful, wonderful human being would be shot down,' he added. Eight-year-old Noya Dahan was among the three injured victims. She was with her two sisters at the service and was injured by shrapnel, suffering a wound to the leg and the face. 'We're shocked, it's a little bit scary. We're all over the place,' her father Israel Dahan said early Sunday. The family had moved from Israel eight years ago in search of a safer life after Israel and his wife were injured by rockets. '(We were) under the impression that everything is good here. Today we noticed his is not even close to be regular life,' Dahan said. Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein pictured speaking at a news conference on Sunday with bandages on his hands after he was shot in the fingers on Saturday Community members and congregants attend a candlelight vigil for the victim of the Chabad of Poway Synagogue shooting on Sunday in Ponway, California Rabbi Goldstein continued preaching on Sunday saying that Jews would not be intimidated by the 'senseless hate' of antisemitism Many shed tears at the vigil for the loss of Lori Kaye and the three injured victims Rabbi Goldstein hailed Lori as 'the ultimate woman of kindness' after she saved his life Almog Peretz is the uncle of little Noya and was hit by shrapnel as he was trying to protect his niece. He was visiting from Israel for Passover and attended the service with some friends. Gunman: John T. Earnest, 19, was taken into custody without incident on Saturday after he opened fire at the synagogue, killing one and injuring three others before he fled the scene He saw the gunman point his rifle towards the children and then opened the doors of the congregation, yelling for the kids to get out and helped bring them to a nearby home to hide. Many lives were saved in the shooting because the gunman's rifle jammed, according to Lev. A GoFundMe page has been created to raise funds for the Chabad synagogue following the shooting and by Sunday evening reached over $64,000, more than half the $118,000 goal. Gunman John T. Earnest opened fire with an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle then fled and retreated into a vehicle after an armed off-duty Border Patrol agency returned fire at the shooter. He later called the police on himself and surrendered. Irate parents have hit out at a New Mexico elementary school after a letter was sent home banning students from wearing hoodies. Students at Sunrise Elementary in Chaparral, El Paso, Texas, last week received the note warning them not to arrive to school in 'hoodies coats or other non-weather appropriate clothing.' However, the new clothing rule has been met with confusion after parents asked the school to clarify what constituted a hoodie. Irate parents have hit out at Sunrise Elementary in Chaparral, El Paso, Texas, after receiving a letter banning students from wearing hoodies The letter sent out by Sunrise Elementary warned that those wearing hoodies would have the item of clothing confiscated The letter sent out to parents and students stated that those wearing the item of clothing would have it confiscated. The letter read: 'Dear Sunrise parents, Beginning on Thursday, April 25, 2019 Sunrise Elementary is asking parents or guardians to not send students with hoodies coats or other non-weather appropriate clothing. 'Students have been told they will have their hoodie taken away if they bring them to school. Thank you for your cooperation.' Describing the moment she found out about the ban, parent at Sunrise Elementary Ashley Cortinas, told ABC7 News: 'I was so mad. I was fuming!' Ms Cortinas later asked the principal of the elementary to explain why she had taken the decision to ban the item of clothing. Parent Ashley Cortinas described the moment she read the letter and told ABC7 News: 'I was so mad. I was fuming!' The elementary school in Texas sent out the notice to all parents and students on April 25 The parent added: 'She said, 'Yes I'm just afraid of heat exhaustion. I do not want kids collapsing on my field. I see them coming in and they are red cheeks sweaty flushed and I'm afraid of heat stroke.' However parents feel that the explanation is confusing and that the school needs to clarify the difference between hoodies and sweaters. The Gadsden Independent School District said in a statement that the new policy does allow students to wear that clothing in the morning hours, which normally has chilly temperatures. Photo: The Canadian Press An appeals court has denied Bill Cosby's latest effort to be released from prison on bail while he fights his sex-assault conviction. Lawyers for the 81-year-old comedian had renewed their bail motion in a filing last week with Pennsylvania Superior Court. They say Cosby is likely to have his conviction overturned because of trial errors. The defence complained that Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill hasn't yet issued a post-trial opinion explaining key trial decisions the defence plans to challenge on appeal. They include O'Neill's decision to let five other accusers testify. The appeals court has turned down the bail motion in a one-line order issued Monday. Cosby is serving a three- to 10-year prison term for drugging and molesting a woman at his estate near Philadelphia in 2004. Michael Avenatti pleaded not guilty Monday to three dozen criminal charges accusing him of stealing a total of $12million from clients, cheating on his taxes and lying to investigators - after branding himself 'one of the biggest enemies' of President Donald Trump. When asked to enter a plea in federal court in Santa Ana, California, Avenatti, 48, told the judge, 'Not guilty to all charges.' He declined to comment after the hearing and referred reporters to an earlier statement he gave about the right to be presumed innocent. Avenatti rose to fame representing porn actress Stormy Daniels in her legal battles against alleged erstwhile lover, President Donald Trump. Scroll down for video Attorney Michael Avenatti gets into an SUV after his arraignment Monday, April 29, 2019, in Santa Ana, California, where he pleaded no guilty to all 36 charges Before Monday's hearing, Avenatti released this statement asking to be presumed innocent and taking a potshot at his foes, Donald Trump and his son Don Jr He was indicted earlier this month on 36 counts in California, including wire and bank fraud. His trial is scheduled to start June 25. Avenatti makes an initial appearance on charges of bank and wire fraud as he arrives at federal court in Santa Ana on April 1 Prosecutors have said Avenatti embezzled settlement funds and proceeds from other matters he handled for five clients and doled out small portions, sometimes labeling them as advances to prevent thefts from being discovered. One of the alleged victims is Geoffrey Ernest Johnson, a mentally ill paraplegic who won a $4million settlement from Los Angeles County in 2015 stemming from his jailhouse suicide attempts. Prosecutors said Avenatti hid the settlement from him for years and spent the money himself on his coffee business, Global Baristas US, and race car team. A grand jury indictment claimed that in 2017, Avenatti received $2.75million in a separate case but hid that from his client too. The next day, he allegedly spent $2.5million of the money on a private plane. In one case, he allegedly lied about already wiring a client $4million, saying he had done it when he had not. Avenatti also is accused of failing to file personal tax returns since 2010 and depositing millions of dollars into his personal bank accounts. THE CHARGES AGAINST AVENATTI CALIFORNIA 10 counts of wire fraud Avenatti allegedly committed wire fraud by lying to five clients about their settlements from cases he represented them in. The total sum of the money he allegedly misappropriated is $12million. He is accused of not only hiding their payments from them but spending the money himself on private planes, repaying the IRS and funding his own businesses between 2015 and 2017. 19 counts of tax fraud Avenatti has not filed personal income tax returns since 2010, it is claimed. Between 2015 and 2017, his coffee company Global Baristas US, did not pay $3.2million in federal payroll taxes. More than $2million of that figure was withheld from staff pay checks and spent by Avenatti himself, it is alleged. 2 counts of bank fraud The two bank fraud charges relate to the original indictment and claims he submitted bogus financial information to obtain three loans totaling $4.1 million from The Peoples Bank in Mississippi. The bogus information included a tax return that had never been sent to the IRS and him overstating his law firm's resources when it was on the brink of bankruptcy. One said his firm, Eagan Avenatti, had more than $500,000 in an operating account when it only had $43,000, it is claimed. 4 counts bankruptcy fraud Three of the bankruptcy fraud charges allege that Avenatti submitted, under penalty of perjury, monthly operating reports that failed to report all of the firms accounts receivable in 2017. Avenatti is charged with falsely testifying under oath during a June 2017 bankruptcy hearing by denying the firm had received any fees related to a lawsuit when Eagan Avenatti had actually received more than $1.3 million Maximum sentence: 335 years in prison New York case 1 count conspiracy to transmit interstate communications with intent to extort 1 count of conspiracy to commit extortion 1 count of one count of transmission of interstate communications with intent to extort 1 count of extortion Avenatti allegedly attempted to extort Nike by saying he had information which incriminated it in a pay-for-play college basketball scandal this year. He allegedly told the company that he would conduct an internal investigation for a $25million fee instead of exposing it. Nike reported him. Maximum sentence: 47 years in prison Advertisement He also failed to file returns, it is claimed, for his law firms, Eagan Avenatti and Avenatti & Associates. Not only did not not file his own returns but he allegedly stole $2.4million in taxes from the paychecks of employees of his coffee business. He withheld it from them, claiming they were going to the IRS, but never sent the money, it is claimed. The lawyer, who is free on $300,000 bond, has denied the charges, saying he had made powerful enemies and would plead not guilty and fight the case. 'The right to a presumption of innocence and the right to a jury trial are two fundamental rights that our founding fathers demanded when this country was formed over 200 years ago,' he said in a statement before Monday's hearing. Ghosted: Stormy Daniels said last month that she was not surprised her former lawyer had been arrested and that they had parted ways Initially, Avenatti said he would represent himself on Monday after telling the judge he was finalizing an agreement with a private attorney. The judge asked a public defender to stand in and represent him solely for Monday's arraignment. If convicted of all 36 counts against him in the California case, the 48-year-old attorney could spend the rest of his life in prison. Avenatti was arrested in March in New York in a separate case alleging he demanded more than $20million to stay quiet about claims he planned to reveal about Nike paying high school athletes. He has denied wrongdoing in that case as well. The charges are a blow to a legal career for Avenatti that took off after he represented Daniels in her lawsuit to break a confidentiality agreement with Trump to stay mum about an affair they allegedly had, which the married president has denied. Avenatti became one of Trump's leading adversaries, attacking him on cable news programs and Twitter. At one point, Avenatti considered challenging Trump in the 2020 elections. Daniels, who fired Avenatti as her lawyer last month after accusing him of dishonesty, has said she was 'saddened but not shocked' by his arrest. A teenage girl who tried to hang herself from a tree in a moment of despair has met a hero policewoman for the first time since she saved her life. The last time Jazz Thornton, then just 19, saw West Auckland officer Meika Campbell she was strapped to a hospital bed in July 2015 angry she wasn't dead. Constable Campbell put her number in her phone and insisted she text her the next day and let her know she was ok. 'I believe in you,' she told her. Jazz Thornton, 24, (right) tracked down West Auckland police officer Meika Campbell (left) almost four years after the cop saved her from a suicide attempt 'I was really done with life at that point and really believed that everyone would be better with me gone,' Ms Thornton said (pictured a few months before her July 2015 suicide attempt Now 24, Ms Thornton is an anti-suicide advocate who has told her story and those of other suicide survivors to thousands of people around the world. Almost four years after the night she almost took her own life, she decided to track down Constable Campbell and thank her in person at her police station. 'I was really emotional. We hugged and I thanked her for saving me that night and tell her everything I've done since is thanks to her,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'She told me she was so proud of me and she always knew that I would "do great things". 'We talked about that night she saved me and how I was so angry and upset. That I couldn't see any way out but that she kept telling me that I would make it through and one day help other people.' Now 24, Ms Thornton (pictured with Harry and Meghan) is an anti-suicide advocate who has told her story and those of other suicide survivors to thousands of people around the world Ms Thornton with New Zealand Prime Minister Jessica Ardern (left) at a function Ms Thornton recalled how Constable Campbell stayed with her for hours after wrestling her out of the tree, even after he shift ended. 'If she hadn't gone above and beyond for me that night, I would have been back in that tree days later,' she said. 'I was really done with life at that point and really believed that everyone would be better with me gone. 'To see Constable Campbell crying as she held and and then for her to follow up made my mind go "why does she care?" and "if a person who doesn't even know me is willing to say all of this and stay with me, then maybe people do care?"' Ms Thornton shared a selfie of the pair smiling inside the police station, with the hero officer dressed in her uniform for another day on the job. 'The last time I saw her we looked very different - It was her wrestling me down from a tree, her holding me in the back of the police car,' she said. 'It was me crying my heart out angry I was still alive and saying I can't do this anymore.' Ms Thornton said the pair planned to keep in contact and she hoped Constable Campbell could play a role in her work in the future The photo was taken just before Ms Thornton flew to Britain for the release of her TV series Jessica's Tree, about her friend Jess who took her own life. 'I got to sit and thank her for everything, telling her of all I get to do now,' she said. 'I got to tell her of the series I directed, the lives we have impacted, the countries I have visited, the thousands of people I have got to speak to and all of the incredible things that have happened since.' Ms Thornton said the pair planned to keep in contact and she hoped Constable Campbell could play a role in her work in the future. 'She sat with me in my darkest hour, and now we get to sit sharing stories of the people we both get to impart hope into through different ways,' she said. 'Thank you Constable Campbell for playing part in saving my life that night. For going above and beyond, for caring, for speaking hope and for choosing to see a person above an illness. You are the definition of a hero.' Their meeting came a year after Ms Thornton wrote a touching open letter reliving the night of her suicide attempt and thanking the officer for saving her life. 'In July 2015, I believed that life was not worth living. I had run out of my house down to the local park and begun to start the process of taking my life,' she began. Ms Thornton a year earlier penned a touching letter to the officer who cut her down from a tree and gave her the strength to reach her 21st birthday 'It was late, dark and cold as I thought back on my life and everything that had happened and how much I had messed up. 'With tears streaming down my face, I text out my final goodbye.' Ms Thornton said she told the police she was on her way to the park to commit suicide because she didn't want a stranger to have to discover her dead body. She said she was moments away from suicide when she saw flashing lights coming towards her. 'Afraid that they would come across me before I was dead, I took a step out and jumped,' she said. 'My jacket caught on a branch making a sound and suddenly I felt hands holding me up against the trunk of the tree. 'Those hands were yours. You held me there while I resisted, you called for backup and attempted to calm me down.' When the officer eventually had to leave Jazz' side, she promised she would visit her again to make sure she was okay It was in the back of the police car Jazz (left) said Constable Campbell, who she credits with saving her life, sat with her and gave her the strength she needed to go on Ms Thornton said she was cut from the tree and carried to the back of the police car 'kicking and crying'. It was in the back of the police car she said Constable Campbell, who she credits with saving her life, sat with her and gave her the strength she needed to go on. 'You came around the other side and sat with me, putting your arms around me while I cried my heart out,' she said. 'I eventually looked up and saw tears streaming down your face as you told me of the future I could have.' When the ambulance arrived to take her to hospital, Jazz said the constable refused to leave her side. 'I eventually looked up and saw tears streaming down your face as you told me of the future I could have,' Jazz said When she arrived at hospital, Jazz said the officer stayed with her as she suffered crippling grief. 'I was scared, I hated myself and couldn't express the emotions I was feeling,' she said. When the officer eventually left her side, she promised she would visit her again to make sure she was okay. Ms Thornton recalled the officer telling her 'you need to make it to your 21st birthday and if you can do that for me, I will come and find you on that day to say happy birthday'. Jazz (left) recalled the officer telling her 'you need to make it to your 21st birthday and if you can do that for me, I will come and find you on that day to say happy birthday' Jazz (pictured) said the policewoman went 'over and beyond' her job requirements 'Some time passed and I had hit my 21st birthday. By this stage, I had forgotten of your promise. But you hadn't,' she said. 'You came to my house and knocked on my door just to say happy birthday. To celebrate the fact I was still alive and fighting.' Ms Thornton said the policewoman went 'over and beyond' her job requirements. 'Thank you Constable Campbell for not only physically saving my life that night, but for speaking hope, for sitting with me, crying with me and seeing a future for me that at that point, I couldn't see,' she said. Ms Thornton, who is now the co-founder of not-for-profit mental health organisation Voices of Hope, credited Constable Campbell for everything she achieved since that night in July 2015. 'Everything I now get to do, every video I create, talk I give or mental health campaign I organise would not have happened had you not stepped in that night,' Jazz (centre) said 'Everything I now get to do, every video I create, talk I give or mental health campaign I organise would not have happened had you not stepped in that night,' she said. 'Thank you for putting your life on the line for our country and while doing so, saving mine.' For confidential support call the Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on: 13 11 14 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 A Labor candidate has been dumped after a string of bizarre social media posts - including sharing an anti-Semitic rant on Facebook. Wayne Kurnoth, who was set to run for the party in the Northern Territory, has been given the boot by Labor after it was revealed that he shared a video by controversial British lecturer David Icke. In the clip, Icke claims that the world is being run by shape-shifting Jewish lizards. Labor candidate Wayne Kurnoth (pictured above) has been dumped after controversy over a series of his social media posts Mr Kurnoth shared an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory video by British lecturer David Icke (pictured above) on Facebook Mr Kurnoth shared the conspiracy theory - in which Icke also alleged that the Rothschild banking family are controlling the world - on his Facebook page in December 2015, according to The Australian. Mr Kurnoth was already under pressure after being caught posting an image of Malcolm Turnbull beheading ABC journalist Emma Alberici, and making offensive remarks about former MP Natasha Griggs. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten confirmed Mr Kurnoth would be dropped, despite resisting pressure to disendorse him last week. 'I don't think he should be our candidate any more and I understand that it is in train for him to step down,' Mr Shorten told reporters in Perth. 'I hope that (Clive) Palmer is willing to do something about the 20 candidates that he's got with constitutional eligibility clouds over their head, and I hope that (Scott) Morrison can show the same certainty of purpose that I've just displayed.' On Friday, Mr Shorten publicly slapped down his 'stupid' candidate, but refused to cut him adrift. NT LABOR Senate candidate Wayne Kurnoth (pictured left) has resigned after it was revealed he shared an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory that claims the world is being run by a secret society of Jewish shapeshifting lizards by British lecturer David Icke in December 2015. Instead, he called on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to take action in relation to the Liberal candidate for McNamara, who was forced to apologise for posting an emoji referring to his wife Chloe Shorten as a pig. Mr Kurnoth's name will remain on the Northern Territory ballot paper because the tickets have already been printed. Earlier this year, conspiracy theorist Icke was banned from entering Australia after Labor campaigned to prevent him from bringing his speaking tour to the country. The Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee warned Attorney General William Barr that he may be subpoenaed to appear before the panel if he does not accept the terms of his testimony on the Russia investigations this week. 'The witness is not going to tell the committee how to conduct its hearing, period,' House Rep. Jerrold Nadler told CNN on Sunday. Earlier on Sunday, the Justice Department informed the House Judiciary Committee that Barr may not attend a Thursday hearing to review special counsel Robert Mueller's report. The DOJ objects to the hearing's format, according to a Democratic senior committee aide, because the panel plans to allow the committee's lawyers from both sides to question Barr after the traditional round of questioning by lawmakers. Justice officials also told the committee that they are opposed to the panel's plan to go into a closed session if members want to discuss redacted portions of Mueller's report. When Nadler was asked on Sunday what the committee would do if Barr refuses to comply, the New York congressman replied: 'Then we will have to subpoena him, and we will have to use whatever means we can to enforce the subpoena.' Attorney General William Barr might be a no-show at a scheduled May 2 House hearing on the Mueller report House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler, a New York Democrat, wants committee lawyers to be allowed to grill Barr a practice that would be unusual but not unprecedented Rep. Jerry Nadler on AG Barr: "The witness is not going to tell the committee how to conduct its hearing, period." https://t.co/JSffhof1xn pic.twitter.com/N4C4IKGYy2 The Hill (@thehill) April 29, 2019 The aide who spoke to the Associated Press requested anonymity to discuss confidential communications with the DOJ, which declined to comment on the dispute. Barr is scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday and the House panel on Thursday. The GOP-led Senate committee is expected to have normal rounds of member questioning without allowed staff attorneys to participate. It is unusual for committee counsels to question a witness, but committees can generally make their own rules and other panels have made similar exceptions. In a confirmation hearing for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh last year, for example, Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee hired an outside prosecutor to question a witness who had accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault. The current dispute comes as tensions have escalated sharply between House Democrats and the Trump administration over full access to Mueller's report and government witnesses who have defied congressional subpoenas to testify. Democrats have been eagerly anticipating the hearing with Barr as they try to build on Mueller's findings with their own investigations into the president. House Democrats have subpoenaed the Justice Department for the unredacted version of the Mueller report and underlying material gathered from the investigation. In response, the Justice Department has said they will make the full report, minus grand jury material, available to a limited group of members - an offer that Democrats have so far refused. The dispute could eventually end up in court. Special Counsel Robert Mueller sent the Justice Department a report that Barr was forced to partially redact, and Democrats on the Judiciary Committee want the freedom to see what's under the black boxes by taking the May 2 hearing into 'closed session' A spokeswoman for the top Republican on the committee, Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia, noted that Barr's testimony is voluntary and criticized the Democrats for not reading the full report. 'Democrats have yet to prove their demands are anything but abusive and illogical in light of the transparency and good faith the attorney general has shown our committee,' Jessica Andrews said. Democrats have criticized Barr for drawing his own conclusion that Trump did not obstruct justice after Mueller found he couldn't exonerate the president on that point. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said Barr is involved in a 'staggering public effort' by the Trump administration to put a positive face on Mueller's findings. The current dispute comes as tensions have escalated sharply between House Democrats and the Trump administration over full access to Mueller's report and government witnesses who have defied congressional subpoenas to testify House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, a New York Democrat, has also invited Mueller to testify and subpoenaed former White House counsel Don McGahn. McGahn was a vital witness for Mueller in the report, which recounted the president's outrage over the Mueller investigation and his efforts to curtail it. The White House has asserted it will fight the McGahn subpoena. A Georgia gang leader has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of murder and other charges after he authorized a 15-year-old to kill a former gang member. Jamius Markevious Gunsby, 27, a former leader of LaGrange, Georgia's Bishop Bloods, was sentenced to life in prison plus five years Friday for his involvement in the murder of Quentin Denard Williams, 25, in July 2016. Gunsby was found guilty of guilty of felony murder, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and five violations of the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act, authorities said, according to the LaGrange Daily News. Gang leader Jamius Markevious Gunsby, 27, was sentenced to life in prison plus five years for murder and other charges surrounding the killing of an ex-gang member Quentin Denard Williams, 25 (pictured), was fatally shot in the street in July 2016, supposedly after Gunsby had given his blessing for the murder to prove a point to other gang members Prosecutors said that Gunsby had authorized Jerry Carston, then 15, to shoot and kill Williams, who had decided to quit the gang so that he could get 'legitimate' employment and provide for his children. Jerry Carston, then 15 (pictured), fatally shot Williams after seeking and receiving final authorization from Gunsby. He was sentenced to life in prison plus 45 years in August 2017 Bishop Bloods leaders who outranked Gunsby had apparently given Williams their blessing to leave the gang, but prosecutors said that Gunsby decided he wanted to have Williams killed as a way to send a message to other gang members during a power struggle. Carston was said to have called Gunsby for final authorization prior to fatally shooting Williams at close range multiple times in the street, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Caston was tried and convicted of murder, as well as other gang and weapons charges in August 2017. He was sentenced to life in prison plus 45 years. Gunsby's trial started on April 15 and ended April 24. Authorities said that during Gunsby's trial, a woman was taken into custody after she allegedly took video and pictures of people acting as witnesses for the prosecution. An investigation into that incident is ongoing. A search is underway for a man who vanished more than a week ago after he left the Rabbits Eat Lettuce festival on foot, police say. Bradley Smith, 37, was reported missing after he failed to return to his Nanango home from the music festival in Elbow Valley in Brisbane's south on April 23. An extensive search of the area, including ground and aerial sweeps carried out by police and SES, have failed to locate him. The investigation has been scaled back for a second time following failed searches. Bradley Smith (pictured), 37, went missing after he left a Queensland music festival on April 23 Police say Mr Smith left the Rabbits Eat Music Festival (pictured) on foot and have conducted an extensive search Mr Smith is described as about 175cm with a solid build, fair skin, blue eyes, a beard and long, dark-brown hair usually tied in a pony tail. Festival staff said the 37-year-old left the event and told his mother he would be unreachable. 'His father has said that this is not uncommon behaviour for Brad,' the festival posted on Facebook on April 23. The investigation has been scaled back for the second time on Thursday, following a failed search by police and SES 'We also know that he had a shower and took some boots from a neighbouring party [18km away] on Tuesday, leaving a note apologising and asking for them to contact his mum so that he could pay for them.' Anyone who has interacted with Mr Smith or took photos of him at the festival are urged to contact police. The festival made headlines after a 24-year-old Maleny man and a 22-year-old Nambour woman were found dead in their tent on Easter Monday. Three women assaulted by a serial rapist, who targeted his victims using dating app Tinder, have told a Melbourne court how the attacks have devastated their lives. The brother of a fourth woman, who took her own life earlier this year, spoke of the 'permanent and unforgivable' damage inflicted upon her family. Glenn Antony Hartland, 44, sat at the back of the room for his pre-sentence plea hearing in Victoria's County Court on Monday morning. Glenn Antony Hartland, sobbed into tissues when he admitted he was guilty of raping three women and indecently assaulting a fourth at Victoria's County Court in October 2018 He has pleaded guilty to three charges of rape and one of indecent assault over attacks in Melbourne's eastern suburbs between May 2014 and March 2016. His surviving victims quietly wept and one had to leave the room as their statements were read aloud. Hartland seduced his victims via Tinder and entered intimate relations with them before engaging in forced, non-consensual sex or indecent assault. One victim spoke of how Hartland would combine 'grandiose romantic gestures' and charm with threats of suicide and violent mood swings to control and manipulate his victims. Hartland repeatedly protested his innocence when first caught, only admitting his guilt in Victoria's County Court in October last year. Hartland admitted to raping two women in 2014, indecently assaulting a woman in 2015, and raping another woman in 2016. Hartland initially protested his innocence, telling media outlets he would fight all charges, worried that he would lose his triathlon sponsorship deals. He later admitted he was a rapist The attacks occurred across the Melbourne suburbs of South Yarra, Elwood, St Kilda and Prahran. The serial rapist preyed on his victims via the dating app Tinder where he was known only as 'Dylan' by some. After meeting women on Tinder, Hartland wooed them with charm, a nice suit and interesting jobs. He formed relationships with the victims ranging in duration from six weeks to six months or more. Tinder Rapist Glenn Antony Hartland then-aged 42 found his victims on the dating app Tinder (one of his profiles is pictured above). He established intimate relationships with his victims, but when those relationships ended he would come to their homes and attack them After the relationships ended, Hartland would turn up at the women's homes and attack them, raping three of them. The fourth victim, who was indecently assaulted, sensed something off-key about him when he turned up at her home late one night and she reportedly screamed him out of her apartment building. One of the woman accused Hartland of raping her after a day of drinking not long after they met. 'He's a shape shifter. One minute he's a lawyer, the next he's a pro snowboarder,' said another of his victims. In court on Monday, all three women described themselves as intelligent and strong-willed prior to the abuse. Glenn Antony Hartland watched from the back of the courtroom during his pre-sentence plea hearing as his three surviving victims detailed how the attacks devastated their lives. Hartland's barrister Greg Barnes then told the court that he had spoken with his client after hearing the prosecution's case against him. 'The penny has finally dropped,' Mr Barnes said. 'He's appalled by what he's done.' Mr Barnes said his client had accepted he would 'go to jail for a lengthy period of time' and be a registered sex offender for life. He noted his client's troubled childhood as well as substance abuse and mental health issues. Hartland was born in New Zealand and became a ward of the state by the age of 12 months. After numerous breakdowns with foster families and failed attempts to be reunited with his mother, he moved to Western Australia to be with her in 1981. The hearing continues. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Baby Amiyah (pictured) tragically died last week after succumbing to an undiagnosed neurological issue A Malaysian woman who allegedly tried to blackmail the parents of a dying baby has been labelled a 'disgrace' by the child's heartbroken parents. Siti Nurhidayah Kamal, 24, was refused bail on Monday amid fears she will attempt to flee the country. The mother of two is accused of contacting the parents of 11-month old Amiyah Windross and asking for $1000 for the return of a stolen mobile phone which contained precious photos of their child. Baby Amiyah tragically died last week after succumbing to an undiagnosed neurological issue she fought since the day of her birth. Siti Nurhidayah Kamal (pictured), 24, was charged with trying to blackmail $1,000 from the parents of the dying baby girl. She was refused bail amid fears she will attempt to flee the country Kamal allegedly contacted Jay and Dee Windross (pictured outside Ringwood court on Monday) after they made a desperate public plea for the return of the Samsung Galaxy S8 phone Kamal contacted Jay and Dee Windross last Tuesday after they made a desperate public plea for the return of the Samsung Galaxy S8 phone. Her lawyer, Royce Dekker, said his client intended to plead guilty to the charge of making an unwarranted demand for cash with menace when it is was eventually heard in the County Court of Victoria. 'It's despicable. It's disgusting,' Ms Windross said. 'Why would anyone do that and she knew the position we were in. You could tell by the messages. How could you be so disgraceful?' Kamal allegedly contacted the couple via whatsapp after they made several desperate posts on social media to help them retrieve the phone. The couple believe the phone was stolen from the toilets next to Target at Chadstone Shopping Centre last Saturday week about 5.30pm. 'The hours that we spent holding our daughter, this woman was sitting in her own house demanding money from us,' Ms Windross said outside court. Kamal allegedly contacted the couple via whatsapp after they made several desperate posts on social media to help them retrieve the phone. Her husband is pictured leaving court Ms Windross left her phone in a toilet cubicle at Melbourne's Chadstone Shopping Centre on April 20, and her husband made a desperate plea on social media to have it returned Ms Windross said she felt some relief Kamal had been jailed until her guilty plea (pictured: an emotional Ms Windross outside Ringwoods court) The Ringwood Magistrates' Court heard Kamal and her husband had been working as Uber Eats deliverers earning $120 a day. Mr Dekker said the couple left their children in Malaysia and had been trying to make ends meet when they fell on hard times and couldn't pay the rent. 'They're earning more money than we are,' Ms Windross said. 'They earn more money then we've been living on on one wage each for 11 months and we have had to pay hospital bills, car parking - everything. Mortgage bills. And she's in there crying because they don't earn enough money.' Mr Dekker suggested to the court Kamal could have been released with the three days she had already served in jail and a community based order had the jurisdiction not been moved to the County Court. The court heard Kamal and her husband (pictured leaving court on Monday) had been struggling working as Uber delivery bike riders making $120 a day Melbourne couple Jay and Dee Windross' (pictured) 11-month-old daughter Amiyah had been fighting an 'undiagnosed neurological issue from the day she was born', and died on Wednesday morning He complained the delay in bringing her to justice there - estimated to take about six months - was excessive. Mr Dekker argued his client was no longer a flight risk as she had handed over her passport and had a stable address in Springvale. But Magistrate Jan McLean disagreed and refused bail. Ms Windross said she felt some relief Kamal had been jailed until her guilty plea. 'She will have to suffer the consequences of what she's done,' she said. Mr Windross said Kamal's timing of the scam could not have come at a worse time. Kamal had contacted the couple as they spent their last precious moments with her. A woman tried to exploit the couple's vulnerability by extorting $1000 out of them while their daughter was dying Kamal's busband (pictured centre) did not comment when he left court on Monday after his wife was refused bail Mr Windross said she continued to text him through the night while he had been trying to spend 'every emotional minute' with his child. 'It was a hoax. Not only was it a complete and utter waste of my time, it was interrupting my final moments with my dying daughter,' he wrote on Facebook. Outside court, the couple said they hoped Kamal would receive justice. 'She needs to get everything that (the court) are capable of giving to her. She has children. She has two children that are still alive - I don't have my baby anymore,' Ms Windross said. The couple again urged anyone who had the phone to make contact with them. 'I don't have my baby anymore, I can't take anymore photos of my baby. I don't care who you are,' Ms Windross said. 'Give it back ... you don't have to tell me who you are or where you are. Just put the phone somewhere and let someone know where it is so that I can have it back.' Kamal will reappear in court tomorrow. Kamal (pictured) had contacted the couple as they spent their last precious moments with their dying daughter Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez accused White House counselor Kellyanne Conway of implying that [she is] less Christian by not tweeting about the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka. During an interview with CNNs Jake Tapper on Sunday, Conway hit out at the Democratic freshman congresswoman for not reacting on Twitter to the attacks in Sri Lanka which claimed the lives of more than 250 people and wounded hundreds of others. Conway was responding to Tappers question about President Trumps controversial remarks from August 2017 in which he said there were very fine people on both sides during the Charlottesville riots. I see officials who get a lot of airtime and ink, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, congresswoman, who tweets many times about the mosque but never once about Sri Lanka, Conway said. House Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (left) slammed White House counselor Kellyanne Conway (right) for 'stoking suspicion' about her Christianity Conway hit out at AOC for not tweeting about the Sri Lanka bombings on Easter Sunday. The St. Sebastian's Church is seen above after it was damaged by a suicide bomber on April 21 in Negombo, Sri Lanka CNNs @JakeTapper repeatedly asks WH counselor Kellyanne Conway if President Trump thinks white nationalism is a growing threat around the world, and if she thinks his response on Charlottesville was perfect as he says it was.#CNNSotu https://t.co/E4lg1Zs4X4 pic.twitter.com/whPaAw8yUO CNN (@CNN) April 28, 2019 On Twitter, Ocasio-Cortez accused Conway of stoking suspicions about her Christianity. On Easter I was away from tech visiting my grandmother in Puerto Rico, which continues to suffer from the White Houses incompetent disaster response, the Bronx native tweeted on Sunday. Are you trying to imply that I am less Christian? What was the point of you bringing this up on national TV? You are using this as an excuse to stoke suspicion around my Christianity + faith life, @KellyannePolls. 'Are you trying to imply that I am less Christian?' AOC tweeted at Conway on Sunday The star Democratic lawmaker then slammed the Trump administration's 'incompetent' response to Hurricane Maria, which left more than 3,000 Puerto Ricans dead 'How do you spin ignoring and neglecting the largest mass death of people on American soil in decades?' AOC asked Conway She also defended the use of the term 'Easter worshippers' rather than 'Christians' AOC called on the Trump administration to 'welcome immigrants fleeing religious persecution' Ocasio-Cortez continued her Twitter thread, writing: The Sri Lanka massacre was horrifying. No one should be targeted for their religion. If youre so moved, lets do more to welcome immigrants fleeing religious persecution. Conway also hit out on Twitter at former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton for their reference to Easter worshippers rather than Christians as those targeted in Sri Lanka. Ocasio-Cortez reacted to Conway, saying that the term Easter worshippers is important since Easter is the holiest day of the year for Christians, & to be targeted on Easter highlights how heinous the attack was just as saying yesterdays #SanDiego shooting was on Passover. On Saturday, a gunman attacked a synagogue in Poway, California just outside of San Diego, killing one person and wounding three others. The attack took place as Jewish worshippers were observing the last day of Passover. The disaster response in Puerto Rico is a reference to the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which left more than 3,000 islanders dead and caused more than $90billion worth of damage. A Government minister has told children to stop complaining about exams because 'stress is a part of life'. Education secretary Damian Hinds admitted that exams are 'inherently stressful' but claimed they are good character building. He also said he 'understands' the pressures of exam revision because he still revises before answering questions in the House of Commons. Mr Hinds told the Sunday Times: 'Revision is important. I still revise before questions in the House of Commons. It means I always know that I'm prepared as I can be.' He added: 'Whilst some would remove this pressure from young people's lives, stress and hard work are a part of people's lives. 'Very few people succeed in what they want to do without preparing as well as they can and working hard.' Education secretary Damian Hinds (pictured outside Downing Street on April 8) admitted that exams are 'inherently stressful' but claimed they are good character building and the stress and hard work is part of normal life Testing in schools has been the subject of great debate, with recent figures revealing half of primary school pupils and a third of parents suffer stress and anxiety over school tests. The same study found most parents want to scrap Standard Attainment Tests (SATs), due to take place across the country for seven and 11-year-olds from May 13. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has called for SATs to be scrapped and was applauded by members of the National Education Union's (NEU) at their conference in Liverpool earlier this month. He said: 'We need to prepare children for life, not just for exams. SATs and the regime of extreme pressure testing are giving young children nightmares and leaving them in floods of tears. 'I meet teachers who are totally overworked and overstressed. These are dedicated public servants. It's just wrong.' But in his article for yesterday, Mr Hinds backed GCSEs and A-Levels, saying they give secondary school pupils the chance to 'show what they can do'. Far-right senator Fraser Anning has lashed out at protesters during a press conference discussing the Adani coal mine. In footage shared to the Yelling at Racist Dogs Facebook page, Senator Anning responded to a heckler by calling him a 'filthy animal'. Plain-clothed officers were forced to step in between an unnamed member of the public and the Queensland based senator during a press conference at the West End, in Brisbane, on Monday. Plain-clothing officers were forced to step in between an unnamed member of the public and the Queensland based senator during a press conference The officers have been assigned to protect Senator Anning, The Courier Mail reported. In the footage, a man could be seen hurtling toward Senator Anning and his supporters, shouting insults and obscenities. 'What the f*** are you doing dog, get the f*** out of West End,' the man said. 'Fifty f****** people died in Christchurch does that f****** mean anything to you, you f****** maggot.' In the footage, a man could be seen hurtling toward Senator Anning and his supporters, shouting insults and obscenities Senator Anning did not hesitate in responding to the young man. 'Get going you filthy animal,' he said. His colleague, Paul Taylor, then referred to the man as 'the prince of cowards.' The heckler seemed to be referring to Senator Anning's response to the Christchurch terror attacks. After the March 15 attacks, where 50 Muslim worshippers were gunned down in mosques, the outspoken senator blamed immigration. Senator Fraser Anning said the real cause of bloodshed on New Zealand streets on March 15 is the immigration program He said: 'The real cause of bloodshed on New Zealand streets today is the immigration program which allowed Muslim fanatics to migrate to New Zealand in the first place. 'Let us be clear, while Muslims may have been the victims today, usually they are the perpetrators. World-wide, Muslims are killing people in the name of their faith on an industrial scale. Shortly after he was attacked by 17-year-old Will Connolly, who smashed an egg on the senator's head in response to the comments. Teenage revellers were attacked as they left a 16th birthday party by a gang of gatecrashers who were hiding in nearby bushes. A 14-year-old girl had her phone stolen and was assaulted by a young woman described as being of African appearance at Berwick's Old Cheese Factory, in Melbourne's south-east, just before midnight on Friday, police said. Fearful parents were parked outside with their cars locked after their children contacted them about the incident. A 14-year-old girl was assaulted and her phone stolen by a female offender described to be a youth of African appearance (picured: Old Cheese Factory in Berwick where the attack occurred) One parent, Kerry, told 3AW her 16-year-old son had warned her not to come and pick him up because it was too dangerous. Her son had allegedly told her the suspects looked like they were from a Sudanese gang. 'He was scared for me to go and pick him up. I went but I was scared. My legs were shaking,' she said. 'One parent put her window down a little bit to me and just said ''lock yourself in'' and was crying. 'Her daughter had apparently been attacked inside.' Police say a number of witnesses ran to the aid of the 14-year-old girl after they watched the attacker assault her and try to steal her phone. Luckily another party goer was able to grab the phone back from the woman before she fled. 'Another party goer grabbed the phone from the female who left the area,' a Victoria police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia. 'The victim escorted inside the premises was not injured.' Fearful parents were parked outside the party with their car doors locked after their children told them about the incident (stock image) The investigation is still underway and no arrests or charges have been laid. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A fraudster posing as Hollywood actor Jason Statham tricked a British woman out of thousands of pounds in an online scam. The victim, from Greater Manchester, first received messages from the scammer on Facebook via a fan page dedicated to the star. She thought he was just being friendly and keeping up-to-date with his fan mail, before he asked to add her on WhatsApp. The woman was then bombarded with messages claiming he loved her and wanted to meet her. She was taken in by the fraudster who convinced her into giving him hundreds of thousands of pounds because his 'wages for his latest film had been delayed'. The victim, who wished to remain anonymous, told BBC Radio Manchester she was targeted at her most vulnerable, having recently had to cope with the deaths of her mother and fiance. Actor Jason Statham and model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley at the premiere of The Fate Of The Furious earlier this month The victim, from Greater Manchester, first received messages (recreations of messages pictured) from the scammer on Facebook via a fan page dedicated to the star. But then he started to WhatsApp her, telling her he loved her and asking for money She said: 'I'm quite a strong person but obviously certain things get to you and you let your guard down. 'I don't feel like I was in the right place myself because of what I'd been through'. Some of the messages sent by the fraudster read: 'I really need you to do this for me honey because I can't trust anyone else with my money.' Another said: 'Just send 20k this night and tomorrow you do the same then by Friday it's already done.' The victim claims she felt as though she was building a relationship with the actor after confessed his love for her online. She has not revealed the amount of money she lost, but says it was hundreds of thousands. Greater Manchester Police say they receive around 1,000 reports of fraud in the area every month, with unreported cases meaning the actual figure could be even higher. Detective Constable Craig Moylan, of GMP's Economic Fraud Unit, said: 'We were made aware of this case on Tuesday 13 February 2018, after a report made by the victim to Action Fraud. A fraudster posing as Hollywood actor Jason Statham (pictured at an Oscars Party in Los Angeles in February) tricked a British woman out of thousands of pounds in an online scam 'Over a several months the victim was targeted through an online social media fan page. 'The fraudsters posing as the actor Jason Statham struck up a relationship with the victim and began to groom her online and managed to defraud her out of several hundred thousands of pounds. 'Despite a lengthy and committed investigation, we have sadly been unable to retrieve the victim's funds. 'Over the last 14 months we have worked closely with the victim and provided her with much needed support. 'The devastating impact this ordeal has had on the victim and her family both financially and emotionally does not bear thinking about and should not be underestimated. 'The victim was targeted at the most vulnerable time of her life and clearly the fraudster's greed and selfishness had no bounds. The victim, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was targeted at her most vulnerable, having recently lost her mother and fiance. File image used 'In light of this, I would like to take this opportunity to commend the victim in speaking out; it is a testament to her bravery that she wanted to use her story to warn others about the dangers of online fraud. 'If there's one thing I would like the public to take from this story, it is that fraud is a growing epidemic and something that everyone should be aware of as they carry out their daily lives.' The force's advice on online relationships and fraud reads: 'Most UK dating websites and chatrooms are legitimate, but fraudsters have been known to use them to steal people's money. 'Dating and romance scammers lower their target's defences by building an online relationship, then asking for larger and larger sums of money. 'Well-meaning men and women have both fallen victim to this.' Today the Daily Mail revealed how banks are failing to block payments into fraudsters' accounts up to two months after being alerted about them by previous victims. NatWest and HSBC allowed transfers to be made into the accounts eight weeks after they had been used when fleecing victims of thousands of pounds in a tax scam. A woman who is convinced she almost hit a puma with her car says she fears for the safety of her neighbours. Juliearna Kavanagh, from Picton, in New Zealand, was driving home on the SH1 from Invercargill on Friday night when what the massive black cat creature jumped out in front of her vehicle. Ms Kavanagh was travelling with her partner Warren Lewis and said they were both left badly shaken by the incident. The hotel owner said she had no doubts it was a Puma that jumped across the front of her car as she was driving home from Invercagill in New Zealand Ms Kavanagh, who runs a wine tour company, said she fears that the mysterious cat could hurt a child if it continues to roam free. 'I couldn't live with myself if I'd kept quiet and then it attacked a small child or livestock,' Ms Kavanagh told the NZ Herald. 'If that was a feral cat, it's a feral cat on steroids. Curiosity killed the cat but it's not the cat I'm worried about.' Juliearna Kavanagh (left) with her partner Warren Lewis (right) said she fears for the safety of children in the area after spotting a giant cat Pumas are not native to New Zealand but there have been a number of sightings of large cats dating back to the 1900s. A pregnant puma escaped also escaped from a circus on the country's South Island in Lyttleton Harbour. Ms Kavanagh said she contacted the police and the Ministry of Primary Industries about the encounter. Hundreds of AirAsia passengers landed in Perth over the weekend only to discover their luggage was still in the Denpasar airport in Bali. The airline said bags were left in Bali due to weight restrictions which reportedly affected three separate flights. Some passengers are still waiting for information about their lost luggage two days later, Perth Now reported. Hundreds of AirAsia passengers landed in Perth to discover their luggage was still in the Denpasar airport in Bali One flight, QZ 544, which landed on Saturday night in Perth saw most passengers go home without their luggage. An AirAsia spokesman confirmed to Daily Mail Australia some bags had been unloaded from aircraft's prior to take off due to weight restrictions. In the event of poor weather, including when there is a risk of volcanic activity, aircrafts are often required to carry additional fuel. 'This is in case they are required to enter into holding patterns or divert to other destinations,' the spokesman said. 'In the interest of safety, our captain made the decision to load more fuel shortly before takeoff. As a result of the extra weight, a small number of guests bags remained in Bali. 'We understand this is frustrating, but our main priority was to ensure everyone got to Perth safely and on time. The remaining bags arrived in Perth on the next flight and are in the process of being delivered to those affected.' This is the death-defying moment a group of women scale the inside of a huge dried-up well to collect a small bucket of water. In a display of sheer courage, one determined lady performs a 'tightrope-style' walk around the rim of the well before climbing down into it on near-invisible steps. The footage was taken in a village in the Nashik District of western India. The area is believed to have been experiencing problems from drought on-and-off for three years. Out of desperation for clean drinking water, women are having to make the hazardous descent as the water source dries up further. After making it down much of the way of tiny metal steps, the women in the video then has to navigate the outcrops of rock in order to get close enough to lower her cannister down. After performing a 'tightrope-style' walk around the rim of the well, the women begins a long climb to the bottom for water As other women's cannisters clang down the sides of the well, it creates a weird drum-roll noise that matches the precarious situation the women finds herself in. She makes the last part of the journey by holding onto a thin rope held from above, safely reaching the wet floor of the well. Having made it down without an accident, other women begin to make the scary climb, abseiling on thin ropes as empty plastic bottles hurtle down to the water next to them. The women begins to collect water from the clearly depleted water source. The area is believed to have suffered droughts on-and-off for three years Bhagwan Madhe, an activist with a local non-profit organisation Shramajeevi Sanghathana, shot the video of the women making the climb in Badewadi village on April 20. Madhe said the region has been experiencing severe water problems for the last three years and that government officials have failed to address the crisis. 'Most women are risking their lives to get water and luckily no accident has taken place so far,' he added. Other women make the climb in the video after seeing the first women's successful attempt With many parts of India are reeling from a severe drought, women in rural villages are risking their lives to fetch water for their families. Water sources have virtually dried up in 25 villages of Trimbakeshwar Taluka in Nashik District of western India, so many women are forced to make the treacherous descent down the walls to draw water at the bottom. If Jack and Jill thought getting up the hill was hard, then this is a completely different task. Boris Johnson today begged voters to ignore the Brexit chaos at Westminster and back the Conservatives as the party faces a battering from the electorate this week. The favourite to replace Theresa May has asked people going to the polls on Thursday to back 'hard-working Tory councillors' despite their anger over 'our current dismal failure to leave the EU'. Analysis by Tory election expert Rob Hayward yesterday predicted the Conservatives are on course to lose more than 800 council seats - but some senior Tories fear the party could lose more than 1,000 of the 4,628 seats it is defending if voters decide to stay at home in protest at the failure to leave the EU. Former minister Priti Patel warned last night the 'the mood is dark' on the doorstep - and last week a Conservative candidate in Colchester was beaten so badly she thought she had been stabbed. Mr Johnson said: 'I think [the voters] know how much good they do and how much we all rely on them. Boris Johnson, pictured campaigning in Walsall this weekend, has urged voters not to punish the Tories in local elections over Brexit The former Foreign Secretary spoke out as experts predicted that the Tories could lose 800 or more council seats The Conservatives are heading for their worst local election defeat in more than 20 years as voters and activists prepare to punish Theresa May (pictured today) over Brexit 'So much depends on their efficiency and responsiveness and capacity of those councillors. They can make all the difference for many families between misery and contentment. Jacob Rees-Mogg: Voting for Farage will soon give Corbyn the keys to No 10 Jacob Rees-Mogg today warned Tories moving to the Brexit Party will eventually let Jeremy Corbyn into Downing Street. The Brexiteer said any Tory MPs or councillors who votes for Nigel Farage's party must be axed. He said: 'I greatly respect Nigel Farage and I fully understand what my sister Annunziata is doing in supporting them but I don't think it's the right way to do it. 'If we get to a General Election with the votes split between the Conservative party and the Brexit Party, all that does is let Jeremy Corbyn in who doesn't deliver Brexit at all because the Labour party is quite hostile to it. 'So what we need to do is ultimately reunite the Conservative party - but that's a little way off at the moment.' Advertisement 'That is why it matters so much who we elect on Thursday and that is why I hope people will vote for the councils that deliver the best services for the best value; and that means the Conservatives.' He added in his Daily Telegraph column: 'We have many superb and public-spirited people working in local government, and we should trust them now with more responsibility and accountability for the vast budgets that they spend.' The Conservatives are heading for their worst local election defeat in more than 20 years as voters and activists prepare to punish Theresa May over Brexit. The party's deputy chairman Helen Whately acknowledged there was 'a lot of anger' over the party's failure to deliver Brexit. Mrs Whately told Sky News: 'The local elections are going to be difficult. People see it as the opportunity to send a protest and that could well hit the figures for us. 'I feel sorry for councillors who are standing and it is really important to remind people that this is about your local services and who you want in local government.' A heavy defeat is likely to set off a fresh wave of demands for Mrs May to name a date for her departure. The PM has yet to respond to a formal request from the 1922 Committee of Tory MPs to set out a departure 'timetable' to allow for the election of a new leader. Downing Street is planning a fightback, with Tory whips telling MPs they hope to bring back key Brexit legislation in the hope of showing Mrs May can still deliver on her promise to lead the UK out of the EU. Lord Hayward, a former Conservative MP, said the Tories face their worst drubbing since 1995 when Tony Blair crushed John Major's divided government and the Conservatives lost more than 2,000 seats. He said: 'This was always going to be difficult because the seats the Conservatives are defending were won on a very good night for them in 2015. But the results are unquestionably going to be worse because of the current situation. 'There was a noticeable dip when the Prime Minister agreed to delay Brexit. That has calmed down a bit because there has been less debate about Brexit in the last fortnight. But at best, the Tories are at the crest of a trough.' If the results are as bad as forecast it will be the worst result for any governing party since 2003 when Mr Blair lost more than 1,100 seats following the Iraq War. Some 8,374 council seats are up for grabs in England and 460 in Northern Ireland on Thursday. Analysis by Tory election expert Rob Hayward (right) yesterday predicted the Conservatives are on course to lose more than 800 council seats as deputy chairman Helen Whately (left) acknowledged there was 'a lot of anger' over the party's failure to deliver Brexit The seats were last contested in 2015, on the same day that David Cameron delivered a surprise Tory win in the General Election. Mrs May could find relief in the fact that Tory voters have few places to go. Ukip, which secured 13 per cent of the vote in 2015, is contesting fewer than one in six seats while neither the Brexit Party nor Change UK field candidates as they focus on next month's European elections. The analysis by Lord Hayward suggests that the Liberal Democrats will be the main beneficiaries, with Sir Vince Cable's party on course to pick up more than 500 seats. 'It is counter-intuitive, but you could see some Tory Brexit supporters voting Lib Dem to register a protest vote against the establishment,' he said. Labour is set to gain around 300 seats. Ed Costelloe, chairman of the group Conservative Grassroots, said many Tory councillors were feeling 'very nervous' about the way Brexit was dominating conversations on the doorstep. 'People just want to talk about Brexit and the position of the Prime Minister and don't focus on local issue,' he said. Party Treasurer Sir Mick Davis is said to be in 'complete despair' over the Brexit crisis, with donations drying up. Sir Mick was yesterday reported to have told one donor he had been 'deserted by both Remain and Leave donors and therefore I am unable to run CCHQ and ensure we are capable of fighting and winning elections.' Police have stepped up security surrounding Prince Hisahito, the grandson of the outgoing Japanese emperor, after a two-bladed object was found by his school desk. Officials from the Ochanomizu University Junior High School reported finding two kitchen knives, painted pink and taped to each end of a stick and placed by his desk, The Ashai Shimbun reported on Friday. Desks at the prestigious school, attended by the 12-year-old royal who is the only male grandchild of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, have their names written on them, making the prince's table easy to find. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department say security footage showed a middle-aged man entering the school shortly before the object was discovered. Police have stepped up security surrounding Prince Hisahito (centre with his parents Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko) after a two bladed 'weapon' was found at his school desk on Friday He was dressed in blue and wearing a helmet and identified himself as a construction worker to staff. Prince Hisahito was reported to be in class at another part of the building at the time. Ochanomizu University' president Kimiko Murofushi said the school will review it's security following the discovery. 'We deeply apologize to have caused the great concern to everyone with regards to the incident at Ochanomizu University Junior High School.' The discovery comes Prince Hisahito's grandfather, Emperor Akihito's abdication from the Chrysanthemum Throne, on Tuesday (Emperor Akihito with Empress Michiko) 'Ochanomizu University will review security measures urgently, in coordination with the junior high school, and work to secure its safety so that this kind of incident will never happen again.' This comes ahead of Prince Hisahito's grandfather's abdication from the Chrysanthemum Throne, on Tuesday. Emperor Akihito abdication will be the first in 200 years. The new emperor will be Prince Hisahito's uncle, Crown Prince Naruhito who will be crowned as Japan's 126th emperor on Wednesday. This will make the young prince second in line to the throne behind his father Prince Akishino. Nicholas G. Muscat is only 19 but he is already worth $100,000 and is well on the way to owning his own home. The teenager, from Canberra, has a $40,000 property deposit at the ready, and is already planning his retirement after fast becoming a self-made entrepreneur. With no financial help from his parents, Mr Muscat started what's slowly becoming an empire by reselling products for more than what he paid for them. Muscat says one of his sources of income comes from purchasing products at a wholesale price, then reselling them to consumers for sometimes triple the price. Nicholas G. Muscat is already well on his way to buying his own home, and has a net worth of $100,000 He told Daily Mail Australia that he finds out what is in demand by accessing data from the Google Trends website. He resells anything from watches to jewellery and even back braces. The 19-year-old made a threefold profit on back braces which he bought for $6 which he then shipped over from China and resold for $18. He also advises people to focus more on making passive income rather than active. Muscat explains that an active income is where people make money from work while a passive income is making cash from investments or a YouTube video. With no financial help from his parents, Mr Muscat started a money making empire from an early age 'A dollar of passive income is worth about five dollars of active income,' Muscat said he's shifting his focus towards passive. Mr Muscat also uses strategic - but completely legal - match betting which can earn him up to $600 a day. He says that even newbies to match betting can make up to $4,000 a week using all the start-up bonuses on offer. It works by using free bets offered from bookies, which can sometimes be up to $500 worth, and betting on all competitors in order to guarantee a win. He says if he averaged out how much he makes a day on bets it would equate to at least 200-300 dollars, and even more on weekends. Muscat says that because not a lot of people know about the offers, it's a more viable option to make big money. He says the magic of earning money this way is that wins aren't taxed, and he takes part in the somewhat foolproof moneymaking scheme almost everyday. While Muscat doesn't work the typical 9-5 hours, all of his businesses allow him to work remotely, and that betting can often take up a whole day. Muscat says one of his sources of income comes from purchasing products at a wholesale price, then reselling them to consumers for sometimes triple the price 'It's very intricate, it's hard because there's lots of different things that influence it,' he says. 'I've got a very innate drive, I just work 24/7 and it doesn't feel like work.' Muscat - who excelled in his year 12 exams with a 90 ATAR score - said he looks up to the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs, and planned to work in special forces to challenge himself as far as he could. 'I wanted to (work) in defence but I couldn't, so I said what else is going to allow me to truly push myself, and the only other way I could see that is to go into business,' he said. Muscat's dos and don'ts for making money Don't trust most of what you read and see online Don't always follow conventional advice as it's often outdated Don't aim to only make active income Don't try to start a business in an over saturated market Do utlise compound interest wherever possible Do track your earnings and expenses Do ave to invest and not to save Do aim to make passive income - anything that keeps making you money after you've stopped working Advertisement Mr Muscat also started the website Aussie Money Media, which he uses to teach other Australians how they can work smarter to make their own hefty profits. He says this was inspired by his modest upbringing in Bowen Mountain in the Hawkesbury in New South Wales. 'Growing up in a single person household with three kids and $40,000 a year (income), it's what inspired me to start the website so I can share what I know with other people,' he told Daily Mail Australia. He says his frugality growing up has motivated him to work harder to achieve his financial goals. Muscat lives by the principles of the FIRE movement, (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and earns as much as he can while spending as little as possible, to set him up for his future. Muscat says it's 'phenomenal' the money he's been able to make, but sharing his expertise with other people for free is what makes him feel fulfilled. 'It's not just about money, once you get a certain amount of money it stops mattering.' And his experience seems to be working, Muscat receives up to 30 messages a day from people asking for advice, and thanking him for helping them. Despite coming from humble beginnings, Muscat is now on the verge of purchasing his first investment property - which he has set aside $40,000 for and plans to rent out His YouTube channel has already amassed more 1,500 subscribers, which Muscat says is a lot considering how niche his market is in a relatively small country Australia. Muscat also makes money from from companies through a system called affiliate marketing, where he promotes products he likes and uses to his YouTube audience. He will review anything from finance software to banks and credit cards to make commission from his promotions, but thrives on his honesty in his reviews. In just three weeks, his YouTube channel has already amassed more 1,500 subscribers Despite coming from humble beginnings, Muscat is now on the verge of purchasing his first investment property - which he has set aside $40,000 for and plans to rent out. But despite his early success, his frugality which was ingrained into him as a child has followed him into adulthood. His life is not one of excess which you might expect from a 19-year-old with tens of thousands of dollars, he rents a room in a share-house, doesn't eat out of buy fancy clothes, and drives a car worth $900. Muscat lives off just $450 a week including his rent, but is about to make the move to Sydney where his cost of living will rise. His goal for the future is to live a 'nomad laptop lifestyle,' which will allow him to work anywhere around the world. Experts have claimed the Banksy-style graffiti marked with Extinction Rebellion's logo that appeared near London's Marble Arch last week was 'certainly' him. A stencil image of a young girl holding an object with the environment activists' logo on it appeared at Marble Arch in central London on Friday morning. It came just hours after Extinction Rebellion's 'closing ceremony' took place there on Thursday evening when members praised each other for imposing almost two weeks of chaos on the capital with their protests. Banksy, famed for keeping his identity a secret, has not confirmed he was responsible for the artwork - but dealers who have sold his pieces say they are 'certain' he did it. They also claimed it could be worth more than 1million if it can be removed. Street art bearing all the hallmarks of a Banksy piece appeared in London at the base of Extinction Rebellion's recent protests in Marble Arch Andrew Tetley, a dealer who has sold several Banksy pieces, told the Evening Standard:I think it is virtually a certainty it's him. 'I would suggest its value is well over 1 million, especially as it's classic Banksy - commentary on current political issues in a way only he can.' John Brandler, who recently bought Banksy's Seasons Greetings mural that appeared on a garage wall in Port Talbot, Wales, agreed. The Essex-based dealer told the newspaper: 'I'm certain it's him. If I saw this in a museum or gallery anywhere I would expect the label to be Banksy. Mr Brandler added that it if proved to be legitimate, it would be worth less than other pieces, because it has text on it - meaning not everyone will understand. Banksy, famed for keeping his identity a secret, has not confirmed he was responsible for the artwork in Marble Arch - but dealers who have sold his pieces say they are 'certain' he did it The graffiti features an image of a child holding an Extinction Rebellion sign next to a small plant dug in the ground, with the words: 'From this moment despair ends and tactics begin.' If it is proved to be by the Bristol-based street art legend, it would mean him putting his weight behind Extinction Rebellion and their demonstrations. The location of the graffiti appeared at one of XR's main campsites - with others including Parliament Square and Waterloo Bridge. Banksy is known for his commentary on social and political issues. His latest work, called Devolved Parliament, shows a scene from the House of Commons with chimpanzees in the place of politicians. It went on display at the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery last month to mark 'Brexit Day', when the UK had hoped to leave the European Union on March 29. It was completed in 2009 but only displayed to the public this year. It came just hours after Extinction Rebellion's 'closing ceremony' took place there on Thursday evening when members praised each other for imposing almost two weeks of chaos on the capital with their protests Demonstrators gathered at Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park on Thursday evening for the event marking an end to the current wave of blockades in the capital In 2009, Banksy said of Devolved Parliament: 'You paint 100 chimpanzees and they still call you a guerrilla artist.' It was first shown at Bristol Museum in 2009 as part of the Banksy vs Bristol Museum exhibition. The work was then purchased by an unnamed collector, who has loaned it to the museum to mark a decade since its unveiling. On Thursday evening Extinction Rebellion protestors gathered in their thousands to mark the end of their near two-week demonstrations. His latest work, called Devolved Parliament, shows a scene from the House of Commons with chimpanzees in the place of politicians They agreed to 'pause' their non-violent disruption, but warned politicians could expect 'more action soon' if they don't agree to their demands on climate change. Demonstrators gathered at Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park yesterday evening for the event marking an end to the current wave of blockades in the capital. Skeena Rathor, vision co-ordinator for XR, welcomed the 'rebels' to the event which was billed as a 'closing ceremony' by the group. She described the crowd of hundreds of people sitting on the grass as 'beautiful beings', adding: 'This is our pause ceremony. Welcome to the beginning of our pause.' The sister of Sri Lanka's suspected terrorist mastermind has revealed that up to 18 members of her family have died or gone missing since the Easter bombings. Mohamed Hashim Mathaniya has seen her relatives targeted by police raids since her brother Zahran Hashim blew himself up on April 21 after allegedly plotting the attacks. Zahran's father and two brothers died in a shootout on Friday, in which at least six children died, while Mathaniya's brother-in-law has also been killed. Nearly 10,000 soldiers have been deployed to carry out searches and hunt down members of two local Islamist groups believed to have carried out the attack. Mastermind: Police believe that Zahran Hashim, pictured, masterminded and was one of the nine suicide bombers in the attacks on Easter Sunday which killed 253 people Speaking to CNN, Mathaniya said: 'Five men went missing after the attacks. They were my three brothers, my father, and my sister's husband. 'It did not hit me until I saw the bodies of the men and women. When they said six children, I thought whether they could be the people related to me.' She said seven children had been at the terrorist safe house in Sainthamaruthu which was stormed by security forces two days ago. Zahran's brothers Zainee Hashim, Rilwan Hashim and their father Mohamed Hashim were among at least 15 people killed in the gun battle with the military on Friday. The three appeared in a video calling for all-out war against non-believers, which has circulated widely on social media. In the video, Rilwan Hashim is seen calling for 'jihad' or holy war, while children cry in the background. 'We will destroy these non-believers to protect this land and therefore we need to do jihad,' Rilwan says in the video. Evidence: A police officer displays detonators and other bomb making materials recovered from one of the security raids in Sri Lanka in the wake of the attacks 'We need to teach a proper lesson for these non-believers who have been destroying Muslims.' Zahran's wife and daughter are in hospital with life-threatening injuries after the raid, Mathaniya said. Authorities believe Zahran, the founder of Islamist group National Thawheedh Jamaath (NTJ), masterminded and was one of the nine suicide bombers in the attacks on Easter Sunday which killed 253 people. On Saturday the government banned the NTJ under new emergency laws. Today the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka urged the government to crack down on Islamists 'as if on war footing'. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the archbishop of Colombo, warned that worshippers would take the law into their own hands if further attacks are not prevented. Mourning: Sri Lankans pray in the street near St Anthony's Shrine, one of the bombing targets, yesterday - one week on from the attacks Two men had moved into the three-room rented house in the Sainthamaruthu area of Kalmunai, days before the Easter Sunday attacks, according to police. After evening prayers on Friday, a group of men from the local Hijra Mosque came to the house to question the occupants. When one man brandished an assault rifle, the men fled, alerting police who arrived shortly afterwards. Authorities have detained more than 100 people, including foreigners from Syria and Egypt since the April 21 bombings. On Sunday police in the eastern town of Kattankudy raided a mosque founded by Zahran which was believed to be an NTJ headquarters. Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who wrote critically of the kingdom's policies and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Turkish officials say a 15-men team tortured, killed and dismembered the writer, while Saudi Arabia says he died in a 'fistfight.' Here are some key moments in the slaying of the Washington Post columnist: BEFORE HIS DISAPPEARANCE September 2017: The Post publishes the first column by Khashoggi in its newspaper, in which the former royal court insider and longtime journalist writes about going into a self-imposed exile in the U.S. over the rise of Prince Mohammed. His following columns criticize the prince and the kingdom's direction. September 28, 2018: Over a year after the Post published his first column, Khashoggi visits the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, seeking documents in order to get married. He's later told to return October 2, his fiancee Hatice Cengiz says. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says a plan or a 'road map' to kill Khashoggi was devised in Saudi Arabia during this time. September 29: Khashoggi travels to London and speaks at a conference. October 1: Khashoggi returns to Istanbul. At around 4.30pm, a three-person Saudi team arrives in Istanbul on a scheduled flight, checks in to their hotels then visits the consulate, according to Erdogan. The Turkish president says another group of officials from the consulate travel to a forest in Istanbul's outskirts and to the nearby city of Yalova on a 'reconnaissance' trip. Jamal Khashoggi (right) arriving at the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul on October 2 THE DAY OF HIS DISAPPEARANCE 3.28am, October 2: A private jet arrives at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport carrying some members of what Turkish media will refer to as a 15-member Saudi 'assassination squad.' Other members of the team arrive by two commercial flights in the afternoon. Erdogan says the team includes Saudi security and intelligence officials and a forensics expert. They meet at the Saudi Consulate. One of the first things they do is to dismantle a hard disk connected to the consulate's camera system, the president says. 11.50am: Khashoggi is called to confirm his appointment at the consulate later that day, Erdogan says. 1.14pm: Surveillance footage later leaked to Turkish media shows Khashoggi walking into the main entrance of the Saudi Consulate. No footage made public ever shows him leaving. His fiancee waits outside, pacing for hours. 3.07pm: Surveillance footage shows vehicles with diplomatic license plates leaving the Saudi Consulate for the consul general's home some 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away. 5.50pm: Khashoggi's fiancee alerts authorities, saying he may have been forcibly detained inside the consulate or that something bad may have happened to him, according to Erdogan. 7pm: A private plane from Saudi Arabia carries six members of the alleged Saudi squad from Istanbul to Cairo, the next day returning to Riyadh. 11pm: Seven members of the alleged Saudi squad leave on another private jet to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which the next day returns to Riyadh. Two others leave by commercial flights. Erdogan confirms reports that a 'body double' - a man wearing Khashoggi's clothes, glasses and a beard - leaves the consulate building for Riyadh with another person on a scheduled flight later that day. CCTV images showed a a private jet alleged to have been used by a group of Saudi men suspected of being involved in Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death INITIAL REACTION October 3: Khashoggi's fiancee and the Post go public with his disappearance. Saudi Arabia says Khashoggi visited the consulate and exited shortly thereafter. Turkish officials suggest Khashoggi might still be in the consulate. Prince Mohammed tells Bloomberg: 'We have nothing to hide.' October 4: Saudi Arabia says on its state-run news agency that the consulate is carrying out 'follow-up procedures and coordination with the Turkish local authorities to uncover the circumstances of the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi after he left the consulate building.' October 5: The Post prints a blank column in its newspaper in solidarity with Khashoggi, headlined: 'A missing voice.' October 6: The Post, citing anonymous Turkish officials, reports Khashoggi may have been killed in the consulate in a 'preplanned murder' by a Saudi team. October 7: A friend of Khashoggi tells the AP that officials told him the writer was killed at the consulate. The consulate rejects what it calls 'baseless allegations.' October 8: Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Turkey is summoned over Khashoggi's disappearance and alleged killing. LEAKED FOOTAGE October 9: Turkey says it will search the Saudi Consulate as a picture of Khashoggi walking into the diplomatic post surfaces. October 10: Surveillance footage is leaked of Khashoggi and the alleged Saudi squad that killed him. Khashoggi's fiancee asks President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump for help. October 11: Turkish media describes Saudi squad as including royal guards, intelligence officers, soldiers and an autopsy expert. Trump calls Khashoggi's disappearance a 'bad situation' and promises to get to the bottom of it. October 12: Trump again pledges to find out what happened to Khashoggi. October 13: A pro-government newspaper reports that Turkish officials have an audio recording of Khashoggi's alleged killing from his Apple Watch, but details in the report come into question. INTERNATIONAL UPROAR October 14: Trump says that 'we're going to get to the bottom of it, and there will be severe punishment' if Saudi Arabia is involved. The kingdom responds with a blistering attack against those who threaten it, as the manager of a Saudi-owned satellite news channel suggests the country could retaliate through its oil exports. The Saudi stock exchange plunges as much as 7 percent at one point. Khashoggi (pictured), went missing after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul October 15: A Turkish forensics team enters and searches the Saudi Consulate, an extraordinary development as such diplomatic posts are considered sovereign soil. Trump suggests after a call with Saudi King Salman that 'rogue killers' could be responsible for Khashoggi's alleged slaying. Trump says Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to the Mideast over the case. Meanwhile, business leaders say they won't attend an economic summit in the kingdom that's the brainchild of Prince Mohammed. October 16: A high-level Turkish official tells the AP that 'certain evidence' was found in the Saudi Consulate proving Khashoggi was killed there. Pompeo arrives for meetings in Saudi Arabia with King Salman and Prince Mohammed. Meanwhile, Trump compares the case to the appointment of now-Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing, saying: 'Here we go again with you're guilty until proven innocent.' October 17: Pompeo meets with Turkey's president and foreign minister in the Turkish capital, Ankara. Turkish police search the official residence of Saudi Arabia's consul general in Istanbul and conduct a second sweep of the consulate. October 18: A leaked surveillance photograph shows a member of Prince Mohammed's entourage walked into the consulate just before Khashoggi vanished there. October 20: Saudi Arabia for the first time acknowledges Khashoggi was killed in the consulate, claiming he was slain in a 'fistfight.' The claim draws immediate skepticism from the kingdom's Western allies, particularly in the U.S. Congress. October 22: A report says a member of Prince Mohammed's entourage made four calls to the royal's office around the time Khashoggi was killed. Police search a vehicle belonging to the Saudi consulate parked at an underground garage in Istanbul. CCTV emerges showing a Saudi intelligence officer dressed in a fake beard and Jamal Khashoggi's clothes and glasses on the day he went missing. October 23: Erdogan says Saudi officials murdered Khashoggi after plotting his death for days, demanding that Saudi Arabia reveal the identities of all involved. October 25: Changing their story again, Saudi prosecutors say Khashoggi's killing was a premeditated crime. November 2: Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claims the order to kill Khashoggi came from the highest levels of the Saudi government. Earlier the same day, Yasin Aktay, a ruling party adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said he believed the body had to have been dissolved in acid. November 4: Khashoggi's sons Salah and Abdullah Khashoggi issue appeal for his remains to be returned so that he may be buried in Saudi Arabia. November 10: President Erdogan says Turkey gave the audio recordings linked to the murder to 'Saudi Arabia, to Washington, to the Germans, to the French, to the British'. November 13: Turkish media reports that the luggage carried by the Saudi 'hit squad' included scissors, defibrillators and syringes that may have been used against Khashoggi. November 15: Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor announces that he is seeking the death penalty for five out of 11 suspects charged in the murder. Shalaan al-Shalaan said the person who had ordered the killing was the head of the negotiating team sent to repatriate him, and exonerated Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. On the same day, the U.S. Treasury announces sanctions against 17 Saudi officials, including the Consul General in Turkey, Mohammed Alotaibi. November 16: A CIA assessment reported in the Washington Post finds that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the assassination. November 18: Germany bans 18 Saudi nationals believed to be connected to the murder from entering Europe's border-free Schengen zone. Berlin also announces it has as halted previously approved arms exports to Saudi Arabia amid the fallout. Australian literary giant Les Murray has died aged 80. As one of the nation's most celebrated poets, he published more than 30 volumes of work and won countless literary awards including the Grace Level Prize, the Petrarch Prize and the prestigious T.S. Eliot Prize. He passed away at a nursing home in Taree on the New South Wales mid north coast on Monday after a long illness, his agent confirmed. In 1999 he was awarded the Queens Gold Medal for Poetry. Legendary Australian poet Les Murray died on the NSW mid north coast on Monday, aged 80 His publisher Black Inc released a statement on its website describing Murray as 'frequently hilarious and always his own man'. 'We mourn his boundless creativity, as well as his original vision,'the statement read. 'His poetry created a vernacular republic for Australia, a place where our language is preserved and renewed.' From An Absolutely Ordinary Rainbow to Waiting for the Past, his is an unequalled body of Australian writing. His Collected Poems gathers that work together for the years to come. The publisher added it would cherish its dealings with him. Legendary Australian poet Les Murray won countless literary awards for his work 'He would talk with anyone, was endlessly curious and a figure of immense integrity and intelligence. We celebrate his work and mourn his passing,' the statement read. He was born in Nabiac on the NSW mid north coast before moving to Bunyah with his parents. His time in the Australian bush and Bunyah specifically featured prominently in his poetry and was known as the 'Bard of Bunyah'. His mother tragically died from an ectopic pregnancy when he was 12. According to The Steel, one of his angriest and most moving poems, her death may have been avoided if the local doctor hadn't initially refused to authorise an ambulance. Les Murray has been remembered as 'frequently hilarious and always his own man' Despite an interrupted schooling, he made it to Sydney University, where he didn't quite finish a degree. He dropped out for a time with a nervous breakdown. He hung out with other future writers like Geoffrey Lehmann and Clive James, wrote poetry and read voraciously. He was also a natural linguist, which enabled him to get a job as a translator at the Australian National University. Mr Murray published his first book of poetry, which was a joint collection with Mr Lehmann, in 1965. He took his family to Britain and Europe in 1967 for two years and on his return to Sydney finally completed his arts degree while having his first sole-authored collection, The Weatherboard Cathedral, published. Mr Murray was editor of Poetry Australia from 1973 until 1980. He's survived by his five children and wife of 57 years, Valerie. Advertisement These are the haunting mugshots of the male criminals condemned to Pentonville Prison in London in the mid-nineteenth century - the most severe and feared of the Victorian prisons. At the time, Pentonville was the most famous of the Victorian separate system jails. Prisoners were forbidden to speak to each other, forced to wear masks whilst exercising and were kept alone in their cells for weeks. It was believed that the silence and boredom would enable offenders to reflect on their crimes - but it instead led to increased rates of suicide and mental health problems amongst prisoners in Pentonville. The harrowing mugshots were taken between February to July 1877. Although the mugshots carry no information about the crimes that got them incarcerated, the portraits reveal the grisly and hardened faces of the men sent to Pentonville - which remains a high profile and controversial prison to this day. George Wood (left) was admitted on April 25, 1877 and George Harris (right) entered Pentonville prison on February 9, 1877. Pentonville was designed by Royal Engineer Sir Joshua Ebb in 1840 Henry Goddard (left) was admitted on March 9, 1877. Thomas Jones (right) was incarcerated on April 23, 1877. Inmates were made to hold the seams of their shirts in mugshots so officers would be able to identify them by any possible hand tattoos they may have John Gallagher (left) entered the prison on February 26, 1877. Samuel Franklin (right) was admitted on April 23, 1877. The layout of the prison meant that inmates were visible to staff at all times. There was a central hall with five radiating wings Patrick Gerrard (left) entered the prison on March 3, 1877. William Williamson (right) was locked up on May 7, 1877. Prison staff used the 'separate system' which saw each prisoner given their own cell John Sullivan (left) entered the prison on March 9, 1877. James Gayon (right) was admitted on February 9, 1877. Pentonville could house up to 520 inmates. The cost of housing an inmate was 15 shillings a week, roughly 340 today Charles Coward entered the prison on February 26, 1877. Alexander Pinkerton was admitted on April 27, 1877. Prisoners were forbidden to speak to each other, forced to wear masks whilst exercising and were kept alone in their cells for weeks Patrick McClean (left) entered the prison on March 8, 1877. William Stanton (right) entered on April 25, 1877. Prisoners were made to visit chapel everyday and sit in separate cubicles which the inmates referred to as 'coffins' Robert Jardine was locked up on April 25, 1877. Alex Seitch entered on March 5, 1877. Because of conditions of living at the prisons, a report noted that 'for every 60,000 persons imprisoned in Pentonville there were 220 cases of insanity, 210 cases of delusion, and 40 suicides' Alfred Brawley entered on April 23, 1877. George Bensey was locked up on March 9, 1877. Pentonville became the model for British prisons; a further 54 were built to similar designs over six years and hundreds throughout the British Empire William Dodd entered the prison on March 5, 1877. Edward Evans was incarcerated on February 28, 1877. Crumbling Pentonville now holds 1,215 inmates in a 175-year-old jail designed for under 900 men and has the highest number of seriously disturbed prisoners of any local prison in the UK A mother who accused her three-year-old son of injuries that led to her baby daughter's death has been jailed. Halle Marie Murry, 25, from Fort Worth, Texas, blamed the death of six-week-old Acelyn Lailani Rogers on her son after telling doctors she had found her child lying lifeless on the floor. However on Sunday the mother was arrested by local authorities at her workplace and has now been charged with capital murder. On the afternoon of January 14 Murry rushed her children to Harris Methodist Southwest Hospital, telling medical staff that she had awoken from from her sleep to find her son stood over her daughter's motionless body. Halle Marie Murry, 25, from Fort Worth, Texas, told authorities that she saw her son standing over her six-week-old daughter Acelyn Lailani Rogers' motionless body Upon discovering the full extent of the baby's injuries doctors rushed Acelyn to Cook Childrens Medical Center. After the doctor treating the infant told the mother that the injuries were one of the worst fractures he had seen and that 'no way a 3-year-old could have caused this amount of damage' the mother was spotted going back to her home for unknown reasons. An affidavit, written by crimes against children Detective C. West, and seen by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reads: 'Halle had access to her apartment prior to officers being able to secure the scene. 'It wasnt until after she realized her initial story about how the injuries may have happened were questioned, that she gave inconsistent statements as to what she actually did at the apartment prior to officers securing the scene.' Upon returning to the hospital Murry was heard giving varying accounts of why she had returned to her apartment. The mother initially took her children to Harris Methodist Southwest Hospital in Texas where doctors tried to save the baby After an autopsy confirmed that the infant had died of multiple fractures caused by repeated blows to the head Murry was arrested and sent to Tarrant County Jail. (Stock image) Following her daughter's death, Murry continued to accuse her son of the injuries. She told Sergeant. C. Hendrix that she found her son, who she also described as rough, lying over her daughter with a metal fidget spinner and insisted that the shape of her baby's injuries matched that of the solid object. Detective West continued: 'She stated how bad her 3-year-old has acted in the past by describing him hitting Acelyn with objects, slapping, biting, kicking and spitting.' An autopsy carried out on Acelyn, who was pronounced dead on the same day, later confirmed that the infant had died of multiple fractures caused by repeated blows to the head. Three days after the baby's death a drug screening by Child Protective Services also revealed that Murry and her son had tested positive for cocaine. Murry is now being kept in Tarrant County Jail and her son was taken into state custody. Advertisement This amorous lion's unwelcome advances only won him a slap in the face from an unamused lioness. Wildlife photographer Paras Chandaria captured the fierce spat between the two big cats after the male crossed a river to pursue the female on the plains outside the Kenyan capital Nairobi. 'The female lion was much smaller than the male but her attitude and her massive sharp paws threw the male lion backwards,' he said. 'These pictures show attitude matters! It was a special moment, where you could see even the king was scrapping for safety.' Me-ouch: A lioness lashes out at a would-be mate who approached her at a Kenyan game reserve, driving off the larger male Claws out: The lion and lioness get into a scrap on the plains at a game reserve outside the Kenyan capital Nairobi Wildlife photographer Paras Chandaria snapped the big cat spat outside Nairobi, saying: 'These pictures show attitude matters!' Fierce: the female lion strikes an aggressive pose and bares her fangs at the 'king of the jungle', who takes fright and backs off A lioness lashes out at a would-be mate who approached her at a game reserve outside Nairobi, driving off the larger male Love cats: The amorous lion appraches the reticent female at a game park outside the Kenyan capital Nairobi A family friendly pub has come under for demolishing its playground for children and replacing it with an iPad station. The Sandringham Hotel, known as the Sandy, in Melbourne, made the changes to the pub's dining area to address complaints about noise from the playground. But some customers have posted reviews saying they were unimpressed with the renovations. The Sangrinham Hotel (pictured), known as The Sandy, has replaced its children's playground with an iPad station Many customers have written reviews online unimpressed at the new renovations in the dining area 'Only disappointment was the kids playground being replaced by 10 tablets/iPads on a long table like come on guys this is the opposite [of] what we should be teaching our kids,' one customer wrote. 'Please consider adding a small play area for the younger kids.' Another wrote: 'I am all about renovation but unfortunately not a fan of this one, the kids play area (such a drawcard for young families) has been railroaded in favour of an iPad corner for kids, actually a horrifying idea if you think about it!' 'We went there as we thought there was a kids playground, unfortunately they've removed that now,' one added. The Sandy manager Erson Carbajosa told the Bayside Leader the playground was replaced with iPads to attract 'new customers'. 'We've had people complaining about not having a kids' area but things change,' Mr Carbajosa said. He said children also had the option of colouring sheets, apart from the iPads. The pub's manager said the changes were in response to complaints of too much noise made from the playground (stock image) Despite the criticism, a number of customers reacted positively to the pub's new look. 'After renovation Sandy is more attractive as a place to stop and have a drink or something to eat,' one wrote. 'Newly renovated bar/ restaurant looked really good,' another wrote. Daily Mail Australia has contacted The Sandy for further comment. Jeremy Corbyn's MPs will meet today to heap more pressure on him to back a second referendum as Labour and the Tories start a fifth week of Brexit talks. The Labour leader is still pushing back despite the Peoples Vote campaign, union chiefs and the head of Momentum all demanding a confirmatory vote on any EU deal. The Parliamentary Labour Party of its 229 MPs will meet at 6pm in Westminster to discuss the issue. And tomorrow the party's national executive committee (NEC) will sign off Labours European election manifesto with a row raging over whether a second referendum should be on leaflets. Mr Corbyn is resisting new poll but his deputy Tom Watson tweeted went over his head last night and tweeted to his 300,000 followers: 'Labour member or supporter? Please let your reps on the NEC know if you want them to support a confirmatory ballot on a Brexit deal in our euro manifesto'. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn poses for a selfie with Lucinda Robinson, Shaz Nawaz and Katia Yurgutene during campaigning in Peterborough as he faces pressure to back a second referendum Tom Watson tweeted to his 300,000 followers last night that they should press Labour to back a second referendum Chancellor Philip Hammond will be at the Whitehall Brexit talks with his counterpart John McDonnell today but so far there has been no breakthrough that would take Britain out of the EU. Labour's business spokesman, Rebecca Long-Bailey, yesterday suggested the party's call for a second referendum would not apply if it did a deal with Theresa May Both their parties facing internal pressures ahead of European elections with the Tories fearing the May 23 poll could result in an electoral mauling for Theresa May if she has not been able to deliver the Brexit that Britons voted for almost three years ago. The contest is also forcing Labour to clarify its position on a second referendum, with Jeremy Corbyn and the party's National Executive Committee under pressure from MPs and MEPs to back a vote on any Brexit deal. Senior Tories have said they still hope the elections - and the threat posed by Nigel Farage's Brexit Party - can be avoided if a compromise deal can get through Parliament before polling day, allowing the contest to be cancelled. But Labour has played down the prospects of a breakthrough in the cross-party talks, accusing Mrs May of refusing to change her Brexit red lines. Shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey hit back at claims from the Conservatives that her side has been stalling, saying: 'We're certainly not dragging our heels.' Further talks are expected between the two sides on Monday afternoon and the Labour frontbencher said: 'I think the discussions so far have been productive, they've gone into a lot of detail, there seems to be a willingness on both sides to move towards some form of consensus.' But she told Sky News: 'As yet we haven't seen the Government move on any of their red lines, we're having further discussions this week and hopefully we'll see some movement.' Ms Long-Bailey will join shadow chancellor John McDonnell, shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer, shadow environment secretary Sue Hayman and senior aides in talks with Government counterparts on Monday. The party's deputy leader Tom Watson went over Jeremy Corbyn's head to urge activists to lobby for a second poll. He appealed to campaigners to lobby members of the party's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) ahead of a meeting which will decide whether to make a manifesto commitment to a 'confirmatory' referendum in next month's European Parliament elections. Mr Watson published details of NEC members and told his 300,000 Twitter followers: 'Please let your reps on the NEC know if you want them to support a confirmatory ballot on a Brexit deal.' He was backed by Momentum chief Jon Lansman, who said: 'Surely we can all agree a confirmatory vote.' The idea of a second referendum is opposed by senior members of Mr Corbyn's inner circle, who fear it would enrage party supporters who backed Brexit. Labour's communities spokesman Andrew Gwynne also played down the need for a second poll, telling the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: 'I want to ensure that we avoid a bad Tory Brexit or a No Deal scenario.' The shadow cabinet will meet tomorrow to agree a position ahead of the publication of the party's manifesto next week. A furious couple who say their 286,000 new-build is like 'Fawlty Towers' have hung a giant sign from the front of their house to warn off other buyers. Mother-of-two Faye Douglas, 40, and husband Neil, 38, bought the four-bedroom home on the Persimmon development in Droitwich, Worcestershire, last June. They made the purchase after the birth of their twin boys to give them a 'forever home' to grow up in. But Mrs Douglas claims their lives have become a living nightmare after the house was allegedly left strewn with 30 faults - including wonky walls and doors, and windows that don't open properly. Faye Douglas, 40, and husband Neil, 38, have hung a giant sign from the front of their house to warn off other buyers The furious parents said they were 'taking a stand' by hanging up the sign which warned others potential buyers of 'huge snags and appalling aftercare' The couple purchased the 286,000 home after the birth of their twin boys, Cilleon and Casseon, to give them a 'forever home' to grow up in The fed-up couple decided to take matters into their own hands and hang the 6ft by 2ft sign on the property. It reads: 'Don't buy a home here until you've spoken to us. Huge snags and appalling aftercare!' Mrs Douglas, a part-time teacher, said: 'We wanted to enjoy a family home but it's just been an absolute nightmare.' 'We've been here for nearly a year and they've done nothing. The house should never have been signed off in this state. We regret buying it, it's got so many faults. But the couple (pictured inspecting the walls with spirit level) say the four-bedroom property has had more than 30 faults despite being a year old Mrs Douglas (pointing to painted-over cracks in the ceiling), a part-time teacher, said the home should've 'never been signed off in this state' and claims Permission development have offered the family no help 'We bought the house as a family home. The idea was after all the stress of the boys being born we wanted to move forward and have positivity but it's been anything but. 'The house is like Fawlty towers. It would be a lovely house if it was put right. We haven't even been able to put a picture up. 'We've had sleepless nights, arguments and loads of stress.' The couple moved into the house in June 2018 after the birth of their sons Cilleon and Casseon, now two. Mrs Douglas said some of the faults included walls that aren't adequately plastered,faulty doors or windows and misaligned walls The couple say the paint is starting to flake and the entire home needs re-plastering and decorating. Pictured: Mr Douglas highlights one of the 'maligned' walls with a spirit level Mrs Douglas alleges that the house has 30 different faults including walls that aren't adequately plastered, none of the doors or windows being able to open, and some of the walls being misaligned. The couple decided to put the sign up earlier in April to make a point to the company behind the site, Persimmon. Mrs Douglas said: 'I'm not trying to wallow. The reason I got the sign is to make a stand and make a point. They probably think I'm bonkers. 'I did it to get one up on them. I'm frustrated and angry and I feel like they're like cowboys.' Mrs Douglas added that she knew that the house was full of faults soon after they moved. Mrs Douglas (pointing to a wall that she's had to re-plaster herself) admitted people 'probably think I'm bonkers', but revealed she wanted to take a stand against the 'cowboy' property developer The mother-of-two revealed she's been battling with Permission to fix the issues (pictured holding up letters from the property developer) She said: 'When we stopped to look we saw that the wall was misaligned and that there were other things wrong too. 'Some of the brickwork is as straight as a pensioners tooth. The whole house needs re-plastering and decorating. 'Even the paint is starting to flake. We paid 1,800 to have flooring put in and it's been badly cut. 'The woodwork and timber-work is poor quality and the workmanship in general is careless. The couple pin up the sign on their one-year-old home as a warning to other potential buyers The woodwork and timber-work is poor quality and the workmanship in general is careless,' Mrs Douglas (peering over her 'wonky' fence) fumed 'Every window will have to be taken out to be straightened. 'The kitchen cupboards are all wonky and the granite unit hasn't been fitted properly either. 'It's not worth what we paid for at all.' A spokesman for Persimmon Homes said: 'We tried our very best to address the customer's concerns over a number of months. However Persimmon felt it would be better for the customer to have an independent NHBC resolution and we are more than happy to comply with their findings.' Dog meat has been discovered on sale in Shanghai restaurants just days before the city hosts the 2019 World Dog Show. Animal rights campaigners said 22 dogs had been rescued from a slaughterhouse after three restaurants in the Chinese city were found to be offering dog meat soup. One of the restaurants offered several dog meat dishes on its menu and also advertised the product in its window. The dogs, including a poodle and a French bulldog, are suspected to be stolen pets, according to Humane Society International. Captive: A dog peers out from a pink-coloured cage at the slaughterhouse in China where animal rights activists discovered 22 of them in Treatment: One of the dogs is given veterinary care at a shelter in northern China after they were rescued from slaughter in Xuzhou On the menu: A restaurant in Shanghai, only 12 miles from the venue for the 2019 World Dog Show, which offered dog meat on its menu A sign at the restaurant said the meat was supplied by slaughterhouses in Xuzhou city in Jiangsu. When HSI activists travelled there they found 22 dogs cowering in the corner after they had seen their fellow animals beaten to death. After finding evidence they were stolen - including discarded collars - they managed to negotiate the animals' release and save them from slaughter. Activists said the dogs 'were clearly terrified, but they all responded to human kindness and sought our comfort' - another sign they had once been pets. The freed dogs were taken to an animal shelter in northern China for veterinary care before they are put up for adoption. The dog show, which begins tomorrow, bills itself as a 'joyful gathering for dog lovers and lovely dogs across the world'. Scared: The dogs look at the activists who had come to the slaughterhouse. Rescuers said the dogs 'were clearly terrified, but they all responded to human kindness and sought our comfort' Trapped: The captive dogs look up at their rescuers in the slaughterhouse, which was advertised by one of the restaurants selling dog meat Haircut: A dog is shaved at the facility in northern China following its rescue by activists who suspect many of the animals were stolen pets Terror: A small dog cowers inside a cage after it was found by activists, who said the animals had seen their cage mates beaten to death Care: Two rescue workers treat a black dog following its rescue from the slaughterhouse, just days before Shanghai hosts the 2019 World Dog Show Scared: Two of the dogs - believed to be stolen pets because of a nearby pile of dog collars and the way they behaved towards their rescuers - are seen in their cage The shelter is planning an adoption event for local dog lovers and some of the rescued animals will be flown to the United States to help them find loving homes. Dr Peter Li of HSI said: 'This investigation exposes the horrifying way that millions of China's dogs are abused for the meat trade while others are pampered for the pet trade. 'The slaughter operation where the 22 terrified dogs were rescued could easily have supplied the Shanghai restaurant that claimed to get its dog meat from Xuzhou. 'Most of the rescued dogs are small, lap-dog breeds typical of pets in China, and the activists found a pile of collars in the corner of the slaughterhouse, so there is every likelihood that these dogs were stolen pets. 'It's a double standard that enrages many dog lovers throughout China, who are frustrated at how this illegal trade is allowed to continue. On sale: A restaurant which sells dog meat and which advertises the dog processing plant where they claim their dog meat comes from Packed in: The cages at the slaughterhouse are kept close together as one of the dogs appears to eat or drink from a bowl Captivity: Two of the dogs stay close to each other inside a cage, at the slaughterhouse where they were to be killed and turned into dog meat soup Safety: A dog sits on a surface as it is treated at a shelter, which is planning to put some of the animals up for adoption in China and have others flown to the United States Behind bars: A light-coloured dog peers out from its cage as rescuers find the 22 animals 'Most people in China don't eat dogs, and the World Dog Show is a prime example of a growing, younger, and more affluent Chinese population who love their canine companions and despise the dog thieves who steal their friends for the meat trade. 'It also demonstrates the huge economic benefit to China of this booming pet care industry, versus a dog meat trade that acts as a stain on China's reputation. 'We urge China to act to end its brutal dog meat trade.' Later in the year the 11th annual Yulin Dog Meat Festival is expected to take place in southern China. The notorious event sees thousands of dogs and cats driven across the country on the back of slaughter trucks to be killed and eaten, according to activists. Cowering in the corner: The animals huddle together against two walls after seeing their fellow dogs slaughtered to be turned into meat Miserable: The animals are kept in dingy conditions with dirty walls and floor Looking up: Two of the dogs peer out of the top of their cage at the slaughterhouse in China Treatment: A dog wearing a guard around its neck is treated in southern China after its rescue An Australian woman found dead in her London flat and the British graphic designer accused of her murder were just months away from being married. The body of Amy Parsons, 35, originally from Melbourne, was discovered by police in the fifth-floor apartment in Whitechapel about 1.30pm BST on Friday. Roderick Deakin-White, 37, was hours later charged with her murder and will appear in Thames Magistrates' Court on Monday. Just days earlier they were happily sharing an Easter meal and bottles of white wine with family as they planned the couple's long-awaited wedding. Amy Parsons, 35, (third from right) enjoyed an Easter meal and bottles of white wine with her fiance Roderick Deakin-White, 37, (second from right) along with Rod's father (left) mother Christine (right) brother Ed (second from left) and Ed's partner Despite reports that their relationship had been under strain, there is no sign anything was wrong as the couple enjoyed the unseasonably warm British weather just a week ago. Ms Parsons returned to Melbourne in January to celebrate her engagement with her mother Leonie and father Michael, and catch up with old friends. The couple had been dating for close to a decade and Ms Parsons had moved to London in March 2012 to start a new life with him. She started work at Old Mutual as an executive assistant, having worked in the same role for AXA Australian back in Melbourne. Just days later, Deakin-White (left) was arrested after Ms Parsons' (right) body was found at their fifth-floor apartment at about 1.30pm on Friday Ms Parsons with her father Michael and mother Leonie during a 2016 visit Ms Parsons' sister Eve (right) was already in the British capital, having settled there in late 2011 after months of travelling and now lives with her same-sex partner Her sister Eve, also an executive assistant, was already in the British capital, having settled there in late 2011 after months of travelling and now lives with her same-sex partner. The families were close and had known each other since at least 2007. The Parsons sisters and their mother were visiting Dunstable, Bedfordshire, as part of a world tour from Australia to Singapore, Europe, and North America. Deakin-White's mother Christine still lives in Dunstable where she and Ed have run Deakin-White estate agents since 2016. Ms Deakin-White is battling cancer and on Wednesday shared curry lunch with her husband, Ed, and Ed's partner after a chemotherapy session. Ms Deakin-White is battling cancer and on Wednesday shared curry lunch with her husband (left), Ed, and Ed's partner (far right) after a chemotherapy session The families were close and knew each other since at least 2007 when Deakin-White's brother Ed (right) visited a pub with Ms Parsons and her mother (pictured) Ms Parsons and Deakin-White (right) celebrate Father's Day last year with his brother Ed (left) and their parents A family gathering of the Deakin-White family along with Ms Parsons (right) in 2017 By 2011, Ms Parsons and her beau were travelling by themselves to Hong Kong and other far-flung locales where Deakin-White indulged in his love of photography. Members of both families, particularly the two mothers, regularly comment on each others' Facebook pages with plenty of cross-continental banter and loving words. 'Such a beaut photo!' Leonie commented on a photo of Ms Deakin-White and her husband last year. A year earlier she complimented a promotional photo for the estate agent business. Ms Deakin-White in 2017 remarked to a friend that she had scraped together some cash for her son and prospective daughter-in-law to buy a nice meal on a visit to Melbourne. Friends of the couple were shocked to learn of Ms Parsons death, particularly that it was allegedly at the hands of Mr Deakin-White. By 2011, Ms Parsons and her beau were travelling by themselves to Hong Kong (pictured) and other far-flung locales where Deakin-White indulged in his love of photography Roderick Deakin-White and Amy Parsons. She was found dead at the couple's home in Whitechapel, east London Roderick Deakin-White (pictured with Amy Parsons) has been described as 'really helpful' by a friend Deakin-White was described by neighbours at the east London apartment complex as 'really nice' and 'always willing to help'. One described Deakin-White known as 'Rod' as the 'local handyman'. Sam Broughton said Deakin-White, who calls himself a freelance 'motion graphic designer' who has worked for the Royal Opera House, was 'really helpful' and 'always there if you needed something fixed'. 'Rod helped me when our flat flooded. He was the local handyman, the helpful guy to go to in the building,' he said. 'We never hung out and chatted or anything, but he was always willing to help. He seemed like a really nice guy. 'I was out at the time it happened, but when I came back there was a bunch of police here they didn't tell us much. I actually texted Rod to find out what happened but never got a reply.' Deakin-White (left) with his parents and Ms Parson on a bridge in London in 2013 Australian Amy Parsons (pictured) was found at their fifth-floor London apartment about 1.30pm on Friday Chi Building in Whitechapel, east London, where Amy Parsons lived with her partner Roderick Deakin-White Two-bedroom apartments in the seven-storey Chi building in Whitechapel sell for about 620,000. The grey and orange building can be accessed only with an electronic fob, while many of the flats have balconies. Within walking distance of the Tower of London and the Old Spitalfields Market, the building is located just a few minutes' walk from Shadwell station and just half a mile from Bank, Tower Hill and Wapping. The bustling area is full of hip restaurants and bars, vintage shops and galleries and is on the doorstep of trendy Shoreditch. Another resident of the block said Deakin-White had come to help her with her internet connection and heating when she was having problems. The woman, who did not wish to be named, said: 'The last time I spoke to him was about a month ago. Labor unions have expressed concern over Amazon's decision to move to one-day shipping, saying it may put too much strain on warehouse workers. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union said in a statement Friday that it worries the increased workload could 'put workers lives in jeopardy', as they are forced to work faster to meet demand. 'With two-day Prime shipping, Amazon fulfillment workers currently face speeds of 200-300 orders per hour in 12-hour shifts. They struggle already to maintain that pace,' RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum said. Scroll down for video Amazon has come under fire in the past for the treatment of its workers. Pictured: An Amazon warehouse in Orlando, Florida. 'If Amazon plans to effectively double the speed, it must also address existing workforce needs and ensure its workers are safe. Increasing fulfillment speeds means they need to hire more workers, under more sustainable speeds that don't put workers' lives in jeopardy.' The RWDSU has long been a critic of Amazon's workplace practices and a backer of unionization at Amazon warehouses. Amazon, however, hit back at the RWDSU calling the concerns 'misguided and self-serving'. Dave Clark, senior vice president of Amazon Worldwide Operations, said the company has used 20 years of business experience to build 'a positive, safe environment in their facilities'. 'This enables Amazon to deliver orders faster and more efficiently not by working harder but by working smarter based on decades of process improvement and innovation,' he said in the statement. A woman works at a distrubiton station at the 855,000-square-foot Amazon fulfillment center in Staten Island Last month, it was reported that emergency workers were called to Amazon warehouses across the United States at least 189 times for suicide threats and mental health breakdowns between 2013 and 2018. Audio from 911 calls, obtained by The Daily Beast at the time, contain the shocking descriptions of several suicide attempts. Some of the Amazon workers are heard describing co-workers as having suicidal thoughts, overdosing and attempting to cut themselves with box cutters. The reports came from all over the country, including Twinsburg, Ohio; Hebron, Kentucky; Joliet, Illinois and Chester, Virginia, to name just a few. Amazon has made headlines on several occasions regarding the company's 'hellish' working conditions. The report says that the 911 calls came from 46 warehouses in 17 states. That total is roughly a quarter of the sorting and fulfillment centers that make up the company's U.S. network. Auction house Christie's has insisted that Leonardo Da Vinci was the true creator of the world's most expensive painting Salvator Mundi, amid doubts about its origins. The portrait of Jesus was sold for $450million in New York and acquired by the Saudi royal family in 2017. But experts have warned of 'telling details', including a poorly-drawn finger, suggesting it was made by Da Vinci's workshop and not by the painter himself. The row has intensified as Italy and France prepare to mark the 500th anniversary of Da Vinci's death on Thursday. Disputed: The painting Salvator Mundi, a portrait of Jesus dating to around 1500, has been the subject of scepticism by art experts who believe it may not be genuine Da Vinci work A Christie's spokesman said: 'We stand by the thorough research and scholarship that led to the attribution of this painting in 2010. 'No new discussion or speculation since the 2017 sale at Christie's has caused us to revisit its position.' But many art experts remain unconvinced of the painting's authenticity. 'Certain details are very telling,' said Jacques Franck, a specialist in Da Vinci's technique. Highlighting the painting's poor depiction of a finger, he said some elements of the painting were 'anatomically impossible'. At the time the canvas was painted in around 1500, Da Vinci had his workshop complete certain paintings because he himself had very little time, he said. Auction: Bidding representatives react after Salvator Mundi is sold for $450million at Christie's in New York in November 2017 Daniel Salvatore Schiffer, another Da Vinci expert, also believes the painting was not done by the Italian master. 'When you analyse the details, nothing is by Leonardo, it doesn't have his spirit.' Ben Lewis, an art historian who wrote 'The Last Leonardo' said London's National Gallery, which exhibited the painting in 2011, had not taken on board the advice of five experts who were sent to authenticate the painting. Although two of them believed it was authentic, another didn't, and the others were unsure. But the painting was presented at the exhibition as a genuine work by Leonardo da Vinci. But Diane Modestini, who worked on the restoration of the painting from 2005, said she did not understand the controversy, insisting that 'Leonardo da Vinci painted it'. The painting has not been displayed in public since the auction in New York in November 2017. It was due to go on display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi in September last year, but its unveiling was postponed without explanation. The artwork, said to be by Leonardo Da Vinci (pictured left), was acquired in 2017, apparently in the name of Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman (pictured right) Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism apparently 'acquired' the painting after it was purchased by the UAE's close ally, Saudi Arabia. The buyer was reported to be Saudi prince Badr ben Abdallah, acting in the name of powerful crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. Prince Badr was appointed to head the kingdom's culture ministry in a government shakeup in June. According to information service Artprice, a public display has been blocked on religious grounds by clerics at Al-Azhar university in Cairo. Jesus is seen as a prophet in Islam, which prohibits any physical depiction of God. But the picture portrays him as a saviour and thus a deity. The Louvre in Paris has asked Abu Dhabi for the painting to be given on loan ahead of a Da Vinci exhibition later this year, but has received no response. The French and Italian Presidents will travel to the Loire Valley on Thursday to mark Da Vinci's death there in 1519. Steven Sarandon Barnes, 28, was arrested over the weekend on charges including first-degree rape and chemical endangerment of a child An Alabama man is accused of brutally raping a five-year-old girl, who was hospitalized and underwent surgery following the attack. Steven Sarandon Barnes, 28, was arrested over the weekend on charges including first-degree rape and chemical endangerment of a child. During his initial court appearance on Monday, prosecutors added a count of aggravated child abuse to Barnes' charges. His bond amount was raised from $106,000 to more than $10million. 'I would grant no bond in the case if I could,' Judge Glenn Goggans said from the bench. 'But the law doesnt allow for no bond in a non-capital case.' Millbrook Police Chief P.K. Johnson says authorities responded on Thursday to a Prattville hospital for a report of a sexually assaulted child. He says she underwent surgery, and he believed the girl was in stable condition as of Saturday. 'I will say that this is one of the worst cases that I've seen in my 31 years in law enforcement,' Johnson said. 'Anybody who would do this to a child is a complete and total danger to the society and does not need to be roaming about the community where children are at large,' District Attorney Randall Houston told the Montgomery Advertiser. 'This is one sick b*****d who I hope never sees the light of day. We'll do everything we can to make that happen.' Barnes (pictured left and right in a old mugshot), who has a young son of his own, is accused of raping a 5-year-old girl so badly she required surgery Police began investigating the assault after the girl was taken to Prattville Baptist Hospital on Thursday. Due to the seriousness of her injuries, the victim had to be transferred to the Children's Hospital in Birmingham, where she underwent surgery. Authorities identified Barnes as the suspect and later arrested him in the 400 block of Deatsville Highway, in the neighborhood where the attack happened. Barnes has a prior criminal record that includes a marijuana possession charge. Social media posts suggest that he has a young son of his own. A two-year-old boy was almost boiled alive after accidentally falling into a cooking pot of scalding-hot water in Ukraine. Little Ivan Maletych is fighting for his life after he suffered horrific burns to 70 per cent of his body in the village of Susidovychi in southern Ukraine's Lviv Oblast region. A heartbreaking picture taken by a charity volunteer shows Ivan lying on the bed covered in bandages after being hospitalised. The incident is said to have occurred when the boy's mother Ivanna Maletych was going to wash some clothes. Ivan Maletych, two, is fighting for his life after he suffered horrific burns to 70 per cent of his body in the village of Susidovychi in southern Ukraine's Lviv Oblast region. A heartbreaking picture shows him lying on a hospital bed, covered in bandages The mother added, 'My heart is broken and I cannot forgive myself for what happened' (Ivan pictured on her phone before the accident) She heated water in a 40 litres (35 quarts) cooking pot then put it on the floor in the kitchen in her house and went to a grocery shop to buy some bread, reports say. Mother-of-four Mrs Maletych said to local media: 'Ivan was playing in the house while his elder brother was watching cartoons. 'I think he entered the kitchen and accidentally fell into the cooking pot of boiling water. 'My husband was in the courtyard near the house. He heard screams and rushed to our son.' In the kitchen Mr Maletych immediately realised what had happened. He took Ivan's clothes off and doused the child with cold water, the mother said. Ivan was rushed to the city of Lviv, the capital of the region, and admitted to the intensive care unit. He was diagnosed with severe burns to 70 per cent of his body including fourth-degree burns. Ivanna Maletych, who is in the hospital with her son, said: 'I am constantly in the hospital with my son. Doctors say nothing on his chances of survival The incident is said to have occurred when the boy's mother Ivanna Maletych was going to wash some clothes. She heated water in a 40 litre cooking pot then put it on the floor in the kitchen in her house and went to a grocery shop to buy some bread, reports say Doctors from the Lviv Burn Centre hospital are battling to save the boy's life but have not speculated on his chances of survival Victor Pyzhevsky, the head deputy of the hospital's emergency department, said: 'The boy is in a critical condition. He is receiving mechanical ventilation' A picture taken in the hospital shows Ivan lying on the bed covered in bandages soaked with blood. Doctors from the Lviv Burn Centre hospital are battling to save the boy's life but have not speculated on his chances of survival. Victor Pyzhevsky, the head deputy of the hospital's emergency department, said: 'The boy is in a critical condition. He is receiving mechanical ventilation.' Ivanna Maletych, who is in the hospital with her son, said: 'I am constantly in the hospital with my son. 'Doctors say nothing on his chances of survival. 'My heart is broken and I cannot forgive myself for what happened.' Police are treating the case as an accident. Drug dealer Jack O'Donnell has been jailed for eight years for killing a woman in a motorbike crash as he fled police A drug dealer who crashed into and killed a grandmother as he fled police on a motorbike has been jailed for eight years. Jack O'Donnell ignored a red light as he rode off in Cambridge in February and ploughed into 67-year-old Lesley Bello-Hernandez as she used a pedestrian crossing. Mrs Bello-Hernandez died at the scene from catastrophic head injuries. In a tragic coincidence, her daughter had also been seriously injured in a crash at the same spot a decade earlier. Cambridge Crown Court heard that police in an unmarked patrol car pulled up behind O'Donnell, who had his girlfriend riding pillion, on the afternoon of 13 February. He rode off at twice the 20mph speed limit, but police did not pursue him. O'Donnell then rode through a red light at temporary roadworks, where Mrs Bello-Hernandez was crossing. He slammed into French teacher Mrs Bello-Hernandez, who died shortly afterward. O'Donnell was arrested at the scene, where 26 wraps of class A drugs were recovered. Mrs Bello-Hernandez died at the scene, just yards from where her daughter had been injured in a separate crash years earlier The drugs, a mixture of cocaine and heroin, were examined and found to have a street value of 260. O'Donnell previously pleaded guilty to charges of causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by driving a vehicle while unlicensed and uninsured, and two charges of possession with intent to supply class A drugs. He has now been sentenced to eight years at Cambridge Crown Court. He was also disqualified from driving for nine years. Speaking after the case, PC Kevin Drury, said: 'This was a heartbreaking case which has left Mrs Bello-Hernandez's family devastated. 'The manner of O'Donnell's driving that day killed a 67-year-old woman who was simply crossing the road at the green light. 'It takes a matter of seconds for a situation to change and for the consequences to become fatal. There is absolutely no excuse to ever drive in the way O'Donnell did that day.' Police are investigating after three Chinese tourists were filmed destroying an ancient stalactite formation in north China. Surveillance footage of the incident at the Yishui Underground Gallery in Shandong province shows the unruly visitors smashing the million-year-old limestone formation with a large rock before breaking a piece off each. The three men, all in their 50s, walked away with the broken pieces of rare dripstones as souvenirs, according to Chinese reports. Surveillance footage of the incident at the Yishui Underground Gallery in Shandong province on April 21 shows the unruly visitors smashing the million-year-old limestone formation with a large rock before breaking a piece off each The footage shows one of the men was walking along the cave's main path before spotting the dripstone at about 2:10pm. He then picked up a large rock and started smashing the limestone The damaged section of the stalactite in the cave attraction. The destroyed section took nature about one million years to form, according to Yang Feng, the manager of the site Staff members of the cave attraction called police on April 21 and the men are yet to be found, according to China Youth Daily. 'The three men thought the dripstones were very beautiful and damaged them. The destroyed piece was about 10cm wide and 20cm long,' Yang Feng, the manager of the Yishui Underground Gallery told video news site Pear. The entire piece of stalactite exhibit, titled 'A Pair of Lovebirds', took nature about four million years to form, Yang said. The part that was snapped off alone took about one million years to form, he added. 'The three men thought the dripstones were very beautiful and damaged them. The destroyed piece was about 10cm wide and 20cm long,' said Yang As the three walked further along the attraction, they damaged another section of the cave Staff members of the cave attraction called police on April 21 and the men are yet to be found The footage shows one of the men was walking along the cave's main path before spotting the dripstone at about 2:10pm. He then picked up a large rock and started smashing the limestone. When he wasn't able to break it off, he turned to hit a different section, which broke off after one strike. He then showed it to his friends, who hurried and copied his act of vandalism. They ended up breaking off two pieces of the formation each. Yang said as the three walked further along the attraction, they damaged another crystallised section of the cave. Yang says it takes a painstakingly long period of time for the stalactite to be formed, produced by the the precipitation of minerals from water dripping through the cave ceiling Social media users were quick to condemn the men with one comment suggesting tourists should be banned for the bad behaviour. Above, police investigating the damaged section He said it takes a painstakingly long period of time for the stalactite to be formed, produced by the the precipitation of minerals from water dripping through the cave ceiling and restoration is not an option. Chinese social media users were quick to condemn the men with one comment suggesting tourists should be banned for the bad behaviour. 'Tourists spots should hang up their pictures at the entrance!' one user said. 'They should be thrown in jail to let everyone know the consequences of such uncivilised behaviour!' The picturesque Yishui Underground Gallery, with a total length of 6.6 kilometres (4.2 miles), was discovered by villagers in 1999, according to reports Each formation has been given monikers according to animals they are said to resemble, such as 'dragon flying in the sky', turtle scouting the sea', and eagle over the mountains' Yishui is home to hundreds of natural karst caves and is known as the largest karst cave cluster in terms of scale in north China The picturesque Yishui Underground Gallery, with a total length of 6.6 kilometres (4.2 miles), was discovered by villagers in 1999, according to reports. Each formation has been given monikers according to animals they are said to resemble, such as 'dragon flying in the sky', turtle scouting the sea', and eagle over the mountains'. Yishui is home to hundreds of natural karst caves and is known as the largest karst cave cluster in terms of scale in north China. The caves range in length from several hundred meters to nearly 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), according to China Daily. Wealthy residents living on a luxury waterfront estate have blasted swingers for using exclusive homes for their raucous sex parties. The Hope Island estate, on Queensland's Gold Coast, contains two properties which are reportedly being used by groups of swingers. Well-heeled couples are paying the owners of multimillion-dollar homes up to $50 a head to get into the saucy events. Pictures from one house shows several lavish bedrooms, a game of Twister set up in the living area and a basket full of lube and condoms on a bedside table. Last week a resident took a photograph of one of the alleged swingers party showing two naked women standing on a balcony surrounded by a group of men. Scroll down for video This online advertisement for a sex party lists the location as Hope Island and says patrons must come dressed in leather and sexy lingerie Residents in the area said they were fed up with the parties and labelled it 'absolutely ridiculous' and 'disgusting' Residents say they can't even park in their driveways as up to 80 people at a time rock up to the wild sex parties. Another known swingers' house is located just down the road, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin. One resident said: 'It's absolutely ridiculous, disgusting. 'These are low-life people doing it.' One resident from the affluent suburb told Daily Mail Australia they saw people dressed up as dragons and jesters to on their way to one of the sex parties. 'As long as the bloke in the jester suit doesn't ever come out the place and again and scare the sh*t out of me I'm cool,' he said. The man said the party was clearly visible from the street but added that he didn't mind swingers in the area. Last week a resident took a photograph of one alleged swingers party showing two naked women surrounded by a group of men for all the world to see The Hope Island estate is home to multi-million dollar water front homes and residents are not happy about the swingers parties He said that people who were bothered about it were just looking to complain about something. 'You would have to be nosy Nancy to see it,' he said, adding that the balcony could only be seen on the water. 'Doesn't fuss me too much. Whatever goes on behind closed doors or in your back yard usually stays there. Prying neighbours cop an eyeful... then that's their fault,' he said. Illegal immigrants are avoiding deportation because 'poorly trained, overworked' Home Office staff are putting them on flights without a security escort, whistleblowers have claimed. Foreign nationals being sent home are reportedly being placed on planes alone, before causing disruption which then can lead to pilots refusing to take off with them aboard. This means that some flights then have to be 'abandoned', sources at the Government department told the Guardian. A Boeing 767 was grounded and the 60 people on board were removed after protesters targeted Stansted Airport in 2017. Several were eventually not deported One whistleblower told the paper the use of escort staff on flights was 'erratic'. 'One of the main reasons planned deportations don't go ahead is because a poorly trained, overworked caseworker has gambled that an applicant with a history of kicking off on planes, won't do it again, so doesn't give them an escort,' they claimed. 'But then they do kick off and the deportation has to be abandoned.' The claim is among a slew of criticism of the Home Office's working systems, including incentivising staff to reject asylum applications and poor training for those interviewing applicants. The flights taking people refused the right to remain in Britain back to their countries of origin have proved highly controversial and have been targeted by protesters. In February 15 protesters who targeted a flight at Stansted Airport in Essex, forcing a plane carrying 60 deportees to stay in on the ground, avoided jail sentences. The militants, known as the 'Stansted 15', were convicted last year using an aviation law passed after the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 when a jury agreed their actions to stop the Boeing 767 could have caused catastrophe. They cut through metal fencing and then held themselves together by using piping to create 'lock boxes' filled with expanding building foam to stop a deportation flight taking off for Africa in March 2017. The disruption cost Stansted 1million in delays - money they have no hope of getting back - and the 60 people due for deportation had to be removed from the plane. But they were given a mixture of suspended sentences and community orders. Passengers helped Ahmed get kicked off the plane as he resisted being deported by the Home Office after serving a prison sentence for gang rape Ahmed, 29, was one of a gang of rapists who brutally assaulted a young girl. The 16-year-old victim was gang-raped after being targeted in London's West End Protests have prevented serious criminals from being legally deported. In October last year the deportation of Somalian Yaqub Ahmed was dramatically halted after airline passengers staged a mutiny on a flight due to leave Heathrow bound for Istanbul. It was later revealed the 29-year-old was a convicted rapist jailed for a 2007 gang attack on a 16-year-old stranger after she became separated from her friends during a night out in London's Leicester Square, Officials escorting him on a Turkish Airlines flight were forced to abandon his deportation when around a dozen holidaymakers who felt sorry for him angrily intervened shortly before take-off. He was seen thanking those on board for their support as they cheered and applauded, with one person heard declaring: 'You're free, man!' A Home Office spokesperson said: 'We do not comment on specific operational matters.' Jason Shaun Farrell has been charged with murdering 22-year-old Sammy Lee Lodwig A man charged with the murder of a young woman in South Wales has been named by police. Jason Shaun Farrell, 49, was arrested after Sammy Lee Lodwig, 22, was found dead in a pool of blood outside her home in Swansea. Armed police surrounded the terraced house where Sammy Lee lived with her dog Rocky after her body was discovered at 2am last Tuesday. Farrell was later remanded in custody and will appear before the city's magistrates today. South Wales Police are still appealing for information about the alleged murder which has left a community in shock. Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Darren George from South Wales Police said: 'I would like to thank those who have already provided information in relation to this murder investigation. 'While a person has been charged, I am still keen to hear from anyone else with information which might be relevant.' Police want to hear from anyone in Carlton Terrace and Mansel Street, Swansea between 4pm last Monday and 4am on Tuesday. Sammy Lee Lodwig died outside her home in Swansea last Tuesday Detective Chief inspector George added: 'At this moment in time we are not looking for anyone else in connection with this matter.' Sammy Lee's family are being supported by specially trained officers. Her sister Miakala said in a tribute: 'I loved my sister more that life itself. She has been taken from me and my family too early. 'She was my little pocket rocket who loved animals, especially her dog Rocky. She will always remain in my heart. 'Words cannot express how I feel at this time, I just want my baby girl back, my shooting star.' Sammy Lee's black and white Staffordshire bull terrier is being looked after by friends. Police on the terraced street where Miss Lodwig was found dead last week Chanelle Jones, one of Sammy Lee's Facebook friends posted a message saying: 'Such a young beautiful girl! RIP. Gone but not forgotten. Such a cruel world.' A friend, who didn't want to be named, said: 'Sammy Lee was larger than life, fun-loving and a bit of a party girl. 'She had lots of friends who are shocked and heartbroken by what's happened.' Brian Davies, 64, who lives nearby said: 'It happened in a quiet street - I just feel sorry for the girl and her family.' This is the shocking moment a girl clambers over the counter in a KFC and assaults a fast food worker moments after a food fight broke out. Footage shows a pair of girls rowing with the female member of staff before throwing items at her. The worker then retaliates and throws objects back at them while one of them shouts 'Are you stupid? Are you stupid? Are you f***ing stupid?' A girl wearing a tan hoodie and blue jeans then climbs over the counter and pushes the woman. A row broke out at a KFC in Birmingham beginning with a food fight between two girls and a female member of staff, who are pictured throwing items at each other left and right The staff member then appears to hit one of the girls in the face with an object, pictured The girl, wearing a light jumper and blue jeans, then clambers over the counter to attack the staff worker She pushes the staff member then drags her by the hair to the floor and the two disappear from view. A voice can be heard shouting 'Who the f*** are you kidding? You s**g' while a male member of staff watches on and tries to keep the peace with the other customers. It is believed the incident took place in the KFC restaurant in Chelmsley Wood, Birmingham. The clip has been circulating on social media since Sunday is the fight is believed to have happened recently. Social media users condemned the customer's attack on the KFC employee. One user wrote: 'Can't lie the employees isn't getting paid enough to put up with these types of situations.' Another said: 'TRASH. She didn't come to work to get violated by some girls'. A KFC spokesperson said: 'We have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to violence against our staff and were shocked to hear about what happened. We'll be helping the local police with their investigation and supporting the team members who were affected.' MailOnline has contacted West Midlands Police for comment. A campaign to stop spoilers ruining Avengers: Endgame failed to help one bunch of fans watching the three-hour epic in Thailand. Hundreds of fans were left drenched after fire sprinklers on the ceiling began to shower moviegoers with an hour remaining of the film in Ratchaburi. Soaked audiences left without knowing the ending to the 22-film saga as they were ushered out of the venue. Hundreds of Avengers fans in Ratchaburi, Thailand were left drenched after fire sprinklers on the ceiling began to shower moviegoers with an hour remaining of the final film Avengers: Endgame Theatre workers blamed sprinklers which were triggered by a heat wave sweeping across the nation, causing temperatures to hit 40c. Staff say the heat made the water system's pipes and valves expand, causing the sensors to react. Meanwhile disappointed customers were offered free tickets to watch the film again. Avengers fan Wittawat Hanvanich, 30, said that he was disappointed but that he would return to find out the ending. 'I'm disappointed by what happened. The cinema should learn to control their water systems. But they dealt with the situation and we can go back to see the film again.' Soaked audiences left without knowing the ending to the 22-film saga as they were ushered out of the venue Avengers fan Wittawat Hanvanich, 30, said he was the cinema was unable to control their water system. He added: 'I don't know what happened so I'll need to find the time to visit again' 'I was enjoying watching Avengers. There was still an hour until the end. I don't know what happened so I'll need to find the time to visit again. I was what after.' Avengers: Endgame has grossed $1.2 billion worldwide since it's debut on April 26, smashing records set by the previous installment Avengers: Infinity War. Stars of the film such as Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth and Scarlett Johansson backed an online campaign '#dontspoilendgame' after the film was leaked online ahead of its highly anticipated release. Disappointed customers were offered free tickets to watch the film again Advertisement A remarkable new collection of photographs has revealed a glimpse into one of the world's most mysterious, war-torn countries and the faces of the generation which will help decide its future. Pieter-Jan De Pue spent seven years in Afghanistan capturing images of its people and culture, with a particular focus on the country's children and the effect that years of continuous war has had on them. Many of the pictures display jarring contrasts of the innocence of childhood juxtaposed with the realities of war: A group of youngsters struggle to hold real rifles, rather than toys; two boys build castles out of spent tank shells; children play games while clambering over Soviet-era tanks. Photographer Pieter-Jan De Pue spent seven years in Afghanistan photographing its people and culture, including the children who will help decide its future. Pictured are (left to right) Mohammed Isa, Gholam Nasir, Khyrgyz Baj, Ali Barsh, Fais Mohammed, Band Ali,Deh Khan and Askar Khan, seen with their rifles in Badakhshan province, winter 2014 A group of Khyrgyz children are building a castle withempty Russian cartridges and shells inside a former Soviet army outpost. The remains of the former outpost became one of the main filming locations for The Land of the Enlightened, a film which De Pue directed alongside his picture projects Two Sisters pictured holding hands in a corn field near their home in Daikundi province. De Pue said that, while war has changed large parts of the country including the capital Kabul, out in the countryside much had remained unchanged from photos he remembers seeing of the country in the 1980s A group of Kuchi boys are stripping pieces of metal from former Soviet tanks, abandoned by the Red Army and later used again by the Mudjaheddin under the command of Ahmad Shah Massoud in their fight for control over the plains of Shomali A disabled Kuchi boy digs out an anti-tank mine in a former Soviet mine field. Nearby Bagram air base was the main hub of the Soviet Army during the Soviet-Afghan war in the 1980s, before it became the largest air base of the US Army in 2001 A Khyrgyz girl is seen doing the laundry in Badakhshan province. The Khyrgyz are a ethic Turkic group that are centered in Kyrgyzstan but are present in at least eight other countries, with a small population of around 1,000 in Afghanistan Children who have collected empty bullet casings are trading the brass for other items at the US Army observation post in Bari Alai, Kunar province. Here, they are pictured bartering with an Afghan soldier for water A group of boys returning home after having been working at a stone-bakery site on the outskirts of Kabul in the summer of 2010. While this is a moment of relative peace, these children have never known an Afghanistan that was not at war Robinat, the daughter of mountain guide Malang Darya who helped De Pue along his travels, is seen harvesting wheat in Qasideh village, Badakhshan province 'I was touched by seeing 'the other Afghanistan' which is scarred by a war that has been going on for more than forty years,' he explained. 'Therefore it was a great shock for me when I first ended up in Afghanistan that, in spite of the war and the quickly changing Kabul, there was so much preserved on the countryside of what I had encountered through the photos by [Roland and Sabrina Michaud, who photographed the country in the 1980s]. 'The war left its traces, both in the scenery and in the people who lived in the most remote areas. 'Of course the risk of stepping on a land mine or of running into Taliban militia created a different atmosphere than before the war. 'But just like the Michauds half a century ago I was impressed by space and time, I discovered another way of thinking with the inhabitants and experienced a distinct spirituality. 'In Afghanistan you can see a simplicity, a simplicity that is simply beautiful.' The photographs were published as thousands of prominent Afghans gathered in the capital Kabul for talks on how to approach peace negotiations with the Taliban. President Ashraf Ghani hopes to showcase unity at the four-day meeting - known as Loya Jirga - that brings together politicians, tribal elders and others. An exhausted Afghan border guard is returning from a borderpatrol near the Afghan - Chinese border. Afghanistan shares a very short land border with China, in the far east of the country, at the end of the Wakhan Corridor. The border is crossed at a single point, Wakhjir Pass, which is thought to have formed part of the old Silk Road A unit of the Afghan army waits for an air-lift from Camp Clark to their operation zone beside the Pakistani border. Afghanistan's longest border is shared Pakistan, running through tribal hill areas that have long been a stronghold for Islamist fighters and their supporters Workers helping to build a new road on behalf of French NGO Madera wait in line to receive their salaries in Taywarrah district, Ghor province, in winter 2008. Since 2002, more than $126billion has been assigned to help rebuild Afghanistan by the US alone in the hopes of transforming the country into a stable democracy, but efforts have largely failed A bed is installed on a location where a summer nomad village should be located. Because the village was relocated for an unknown reason, a bed - complete with blankets and a pillow - was left behind by the group so that visitors unaware of the move would have a place to stay Members of a remote Afghan community receive help to dig a new well in a project implemented by French NGO Madera. The organisation has been working in Afghanistan since 1988 to support tribal communities and empower them to advance themselves and provide for those living within their own territories The hands of a young Waghi shepherd working in the Wakhan corridor, in Badakhshan province, are seen in winter 2012 A young Khyrgyz girl watches unknown guests arriving to her settlement at Ghash Kosh summer camp, in the Wakhan corridor, Badakhshan province, some time in summer 2007 Pieter-Jan De Pue, inspired by the photographs of Roland and Sabrina Michaud, who visited Afghanistan in the 1980s, spent seven years in the country capturing the lives and culture of its people for a photo series and a film But Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, his partner in a unity government brokered by the United States after a bitterly disputed election in 2014, heads a list of no-shows. Ghani's peace envoy Omar Daudzai said they had expected about 2,500 attendees but more than 3,200 gathered for the first day of the Loya Jirga, which ends on Thursday. They delegates will be divided into groups and committees and discuss negotiating points for future talks with the Taliban. "We are all here to talk about the framework of peace talks with the Taliban ... reaching a sustainable peace is very important to us," said Ghani in his welcome address to delegates. Waving a copy of Afghanistan's constitution, Ghani lauded it as the most Islamic of constitutions - an apparent message to the Taliban who have suggested they want to negotiate articles within the charter, without specifying. In several rounds of talks with the Taliban, U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has narrowed the gaps on a deal under which U.S. forces would withdraw in return for guarantees that Afghanistan not revert to a haven for international terrorists. But Khalilzad has struggled to get Afghans to agree on a roadmap for the country's future. The Taliban have refused to directly talk to Kabul representatives, viewing the government as a U.S. puppet. Pieter-Jan De Pue's Kings of Afghanistan: Wars and Dreams in the Land of the Enlightened, published by Lannoo, is available here. Lauren Lane was last seen in Bolton yesterday Police are 'extremely concerned' about a 16-year-old girl who disappeared yesterday evening. Lauren Lane was last seen in the Kearsley area of Bolton, Greater Manchester, at around 8pm on Sunday. Greater Manchester Police have launched an urgent appeal to find the teenager, who is from the Little Hulton area of Salford. GMP said: 'Lauren Lane, 16 years, from Little Hulton was last seen in the Kearsley area around 20:00 on 28/04. 'She is described as a white female, 5'7', slim build, long brown hair and is wearing a Superdry coat. 'We are extremely concerned about Lauren.' Social media users haveshared their concerns over the missing girl. Responding to the police appeal, one Facebook user said: 'Shared in Flixton, pray for her safe return.' Greater Manchester Police have launched an urgent appeal to find the teenager, who is from the Little Hulton area of Salford (stock image) Another said: 'Hope she's home safe and sound soon.' A third said: 'Hope you find your daughter soon safe and, well, it's every parent's nightmare. 'Good luck, hope you find her soon, safe and well.' Anyone who sees Lauren or knows where she might be should call 999 quoting log 2349 28/04. A married politician has been covertly filmed at a strip club making lewd remarks and touching dancers. Steve Dickson was One Nation's candidate for a Queensland Senate seat and Pauline Hanson's right-hand man. He has been filmed inside a Washington DC strip club groping dancers and making derogatory comments about women. The footage was originally taken as part of an Al Jazeera investigation into One Nation but was later obtained by A Current Affair. Mr Dickson resigned from the party on Tuesday morning after the strip club video was revealed, the Today Show reported. Scroll down for video Hidden camera footage of prominent politician Steve Dickson (pictured) inside a strip club is set to rock the upcoming election Senate candidate Steve Dickson was filmed inside a Washington DC strip club groping dancers and saying derogatory things about women 'I think white women **** a whole lot better, they know what they are doing, Asian chicks don't,' Mr Dickson is recorded saying. 'I've done more Asians than I know what to do with.' Among other things the footage shows Mr Dickson groping the breasts of one dancer before going to the stage and putting money into the underwear of another. Steve Dickson is running on a platform of family values, describing himself as a 'family man' He is also overheard making comments about some of the women, calling one dancer a 'b****', 9 News reported. 'I've asked her, she said she wants to come home and suck my d***,' he says of one dancer as she finishes a lap dance. It was revealed the man filming him was Rodger Muller, the undercover reporter who also filmed the pair as they met with NRA representatives. In March Mr Dickson and One Nation chief-of-staff James Ashby were filmed by Al Jazeera discussing covert plans with American gun lobbyists to legalise assault rifles in Australia. After the piece was aired One Nation party leader Pauline Hanson called a press conference to throw her support behind Mr Dickson as a good family man. Mr Dickson was filmed describing gun control as a 'poison' and saying his party could 'change Australia' if it were given money. It was revealed the man filming him was Rodger Muller, the undercover reporter who also filmed the pair as they met with NRA representatives He said Australian gun law is important in the context of a global battle for gun rights. 'If we don't change things, people are going to be looking at Australia and go "Well, it's OK for them to go down the path of not having guns, it's OK for them to go down that politically-correct path," he said. 'And it's like a poison - it will poison us all unless we stop it.' Mr Dickson has been running on a platform of family values, identifying himself as a 'family man'. His website describes him as a happily married man with two grown sons. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Dickson's office and is awaiting comment. After the Al Jazeera piece was aired One Nation party leader Pauline Hanson called a press conference to throw her support behind Mr Dickson as a good family man Amber Lewis is charged with making a false report to law enforcement, second-degree possession of marijuana and chemical endangerment of a child An Alabama woman who dialed 911 in an attempt to frame her cheating husband for burglary wound up being arrested herself on drugs charges. Amber Lewis, 33, from Millbrook, called the police at around 9am on Wednesday April 24 to report a burglar in her home. But when officers arrived they not only found no evidence of an intruder, but discovered what appeared to be marijuana, cocaine and other drugs all over the property - including in the couple's five-year-old child's bedroom. Police believe the phone call was a stunt planned by Lewis in order to get revenge on her husband for having an affair, according to a press release cited by the Montgomery Advertiser. But the failed hoax resulted in Lewis herself being charged with making a false report to law enforcement, second-degree possession of marijuana and chemical endangerment of a child. 'Your guess is as good as mine... What her goal was, I have no idea,' Millbrook Police Chief PK Johnson told the Montgomery Advertiser. When officers arrived at Lewis' home on Wednesday morning, they were met with a 'pervasive odor' of marijuana. Lewis and an as yet unidentified woman told police they did not know who was inside. Officers secured the home but found no intruder - only a 'pervasive odor' of marijuana. They then located the drug, along with cocaine and other narcotics, throughout the house. These were submitted to the Department of Forensic Science for testing (file image) It was only after police secured the house they discovered the 'burglar' was Lewis' husband, and the 911 report had been false. Johnson told the Advertiser that Lewis' husband and friend also face charges relating to the incident - the husband for drug possession and the woman for allegedly lying to police. At the time of the hoax call, Millbrook Fire Department were responding to a fire at a local school, and Johnson said although this turned out to be a minor incident - it should serve as warning to anyone considering wasting police time. 'Our officers were absolutely furious, and they should be. Our resources were compromised and lives were unnecessarily placed in jeopardy. That is never acceptable,' he said in a statement. 'Bottom line: You lie to the police, you go to jail.' A man accused of marrying four women in four states and swindling them out of tens of thousands of dollars pleaded guilty on Monday to bigamy charges in New Hampshire - but he won't go to jail if he stays out of trouble for the next five years. Michael Middleton, 43, nicknamed by police 'the Cupid of Chaos,' married Katherine Lashley in Georgia in 2006, Kassandra Shipley in Alabama in 2011 and Alice Grant in New Hampshire in 2013. That led to the bigamy charge in New Hampshire, but according to court documents, he also married a fourth woman, then-25-year-old Ashley Climer, who is developmentally disabled, in Kentucky in 2016. Scroll down for video Cupid of Chaos: Notorious bigamist Michael Middleton pleads guilty in Strafford County Superior Court in Dover, New Hampshire on Monday As part of his plea deal, Middleton, 43, will avoid jail time if he behaves for the next five years Middleton's New Hampshire wife, Alice Grant (left), wrote in her impact statement that being married to him has turned her from a compassionate person to someone with a 'not-my-problem' attitude Prosecutors say he used the marriages to gain access to the women's assets. including $20,000 from his New Hampshire wife, Alice Grant. In court Monday, Assistant Strafford County Attorney Michael Rotman read a statement from Grant, who blamed Middleton for her transformation from a compassionate person to someone with a 'not-my-problem' attitude. She said she was 'satisfied' that he was facing consequences for his actions. 'When we got married six years ago, what I thought I had found in him was a life partner, someone that I could face life's ups and downs with, someone my children could look up to,' Grant wrote. 'Instead I got six years of pain and misery as I tried to free myself from the prison of his lies and manipulations.' His Kentucky wife, Ashley Climer, previously told the station NBC4i that she had a baby with Middleton and that he allegedly forged her signature and put their daughter up for adoption in Missouri last year. Middleton's Kentucky wife, Ashley Climer, previously said she married him a month after meeting him on Facebook in March 2016 Climer, who is developmentally disabled, claimed that Middleton forged her signature and put their baby daughter (pictured above after birth) up for adoption in 2018 Climer broke down in tears when she spoke about her relationship with Middleton to NBC4i in February Middleton was arrested in Ohio in February, after Alice Grant called a number that belonged to a woman claiming to be Middleton's wife, which then prompted her to contact the authorities and accuse her husband of fraud. He also has faced domestic violence charges in Maine stemming from a 2014 arrest. As part of his 12-month suspended sentence, Middleton was ordered to undergo screenings for domestic abuse and substance abuse, and comply with any recommended counseling or programs. After the hearing, Middleton was asked if he was sorry for his actions. He told reporters he felt 'compassion and understanding' for his New Hampshire wife, Grant, after hearing her letter. 'It was a good outcome,' he said. 'I hope to move forward with my life and everything, and abide by everything that was handed down to me.' Five people including a priest have died in an apparent jihadist attack on a church in Burkina Faso. Gunmen on motorbikes entered the church in the town of Silgadji near Djibo, the capital of Soum province, and opened fire near the end of Sunday's service. The priest, named as Pierre Ouedraogo, and two of his sons are said to have been killed in the attack. The attackers then fled to the north towards the country's border with Mali, according to BBC Africa. 'Unidentified armed individuals have attacked the Protestant church in Silgadji killing four members of the congregation and the pastor. At least two other people are missing,' a security source told AFP. A map showing where the attack took place in Burkina Faso. The attackers reportedly fled north to Mali after opening fire at a church on Sunday Five people including a priest were killed in an attack on a church Burkina Faso, which has seen a surge in killings blamed on jihadists (file photo, a woman cycles in Ouahigouya) A member of the church said: 'The attack happened around 1pm, just as the faithful were leaving the church at the end of the service. 'The attackers were on motorbikes. They fired in the air before aiming at the members of the congregation.' German Chancellor Angela Merkel is due to visit the country later this week. Sunday's assault in the small northern town was the first on a church in the impoverished west African nation. Burkina Faso has seen a surge in killings blamed on jihadists. The attacks started in the north of the country before targeting the capital Ouagadougou and other regions, notably the east of the country. Former colonial ruler France has deployed some 4,500 troops in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad in a mission codenamed Barkhane to help local forces try to flush out jihadist groups. In February, a Spanish priest, Father Cesar Fernandez, was killed in a raid attributed to jihadists in Nohao in the centre of the country. People ride bicycles and motorbikes around the United Nations roundabout in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, which has experienced a series of attacks (file photo) Violent organisations include the Ansarul Islam group, the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM) and Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. Burkina Faso is part of the vast Sahel region, which has turned into a hotbed of violent extremism and lawlessness since chaos engulfed Libya in 2011. Despite international efforts to create a transnational anti-jihadist military operation, named the G5 Sahel force, the situation is getting worse. A report submitted to the UN Security Council last year warned that security had 'deteriorated rapidly over the last six months' in the area between Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, with attacks spreading to eastern Burkina Faso. According to an official report in September, 229 people had been killed in Islamist attacks in Burkina Faso since 2015, and the number has increased since then. The growing boldness of jihadist fighters in the former French colony reflects the government's apparent inability to protect its citizens. A woman who stole a top in north China was arrested by police after she returned to the shop the same day to exchange sizes. The 53-year-old woman grabbed an XXXXL-sized top from a clothing stand at a busy fair in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia on Friday morning and went back to the shop minutes later to ask for a smaller size. However, the owner recognised the piece of clothing and that he hadn't sold it to anyone that morning. He immediately called police, according to Chinese reports. A woman who stole a top in Inner Mongolia, north China was arrested by police on April 26 after she returned o the shop the same day to exchange sizes The 53-year-old woman grabbed a red XXXXL-sized top from a clothing stand at a busy fair in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia and went back to the shop minutes later to ask for a smaller size While the shop owner was tending to other customers, the woman grabbed the red top and placed it into her backpack before walking away, according to New Northern Paper. She left the fair premises and tried on the XXXXL top, which turned to to be too big on her. The woman then returned to the stand, pretended to be a customer and asked the owner to give her a smaller size. However, the owner caught her lying as he said top hadn't been sold to anyone the entire morning, the report said. However, the owner caught her lying as he said top hadn't been sold to anyone yet 'The top was XXXXL. If I hadn't gone back and ask for an exchange, I wouldn't have been caught,' the defiant woman told police after admitting to her crimes Dramatic footage of the arrest shows the woman struggling and resisting police officers in front of a shocked crowd near the fair. She was eventually detained for 10 days As soon as he confronted the woman, she flew into a rage and slapped him twice across the face, prompting him to alert police. Dramatic footage of the arrest shows the woman struggling and resisting police officers in front of a shocked crowd near the fair. The woman, surnamed Pang, told police that she stole the top because she was out of cash at the time. 'The top was XXXXL. If I hadn't gone back and ask for an exchange, I wouldn't have been caught,' the defiant woman told police after admitting to her crimes. The woman was detained for 10 days, according to the report. A New Jersey police officer was critically injured in a hit-and-run while attending a roadside incident last Thursday night. Camden County Police Officer Joseph Mair, 28, was struck by a taxi which had been involved in a crash in Camden, New Jersey last week. According to authorities, Mair was attending the scene of the crash and had just got out of his patrol car when the cab plowed into him - causing severe injuries to his hips and legs. Scroll down for video Mair was 'critically injured' after attending a roadside incident on Thursday night last week, just two weeks after saving four men from a burning wreck Mair's vehicle after the hit-and-run on Thursday night last week. Camden County Police posted a shocking picture of his wrecked cruiser Mair was rushed to the intensive care unit in a 'critical' condition and is still in the intensive care unit. Just two weeks earlier Mair won praise police chiefs after saving four men from a terrifying truck inferno by the side of the road. Officials last week honored the officers who saved the men from the fiery wreck and released body camera footage showing the harrowing rescue. Police spokesman Dan Keashen said: 'His actions are synonymous with service before self. He does not hesitate to put himself in harm's way.' After slamming into the officer and his cruiser last Thursday night, the cab was said to have crashed at a vacant property. Dramatic bodycam footage released last week shows Mair and other officers frantically working to save four men from a burning wreck on April 7 No charges were immediately announced against the driver. The cab driver and a passenger were not seriously hurt. 'Last wks fire rescue hero Ofc Mair, was critically injured by a fleeing hit/run suspect last night,' Camden County Police tweeted. 'Hearing a crash nearby, he exited his veh to invest & was struck. Has significant injuries to hips/legs as he was ran over by the suspect's tires. Still in ICU.' 'Last wks fire rescue hero Ofc Mair, was critically injured by a fleeing hit/run suspect last night. Hearing a crash nearby, he exited his veh to invest & was struck. Has significant injuries to hips/legs as he was ran over by the suspect's tires. Still in ICU.' Indonesian President Joko Widodo has taken the decision to move the capital from Jakarta to a yet-to-be chosen city less at risk from natural disasters. Planning Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro announced the 'important decision' taken by 'Jokowi', as the president is known, on Monday April 29. Jakarta, which is home to around ten million people, is one of the world's fastest sinking cities. Parts of the capital have sunk eight feet in the past decade and half of the city is now below sea level. The location of the new capital is not yet decided, but Mr Bambang said the president was focusing on the east of the country which spreads across a vast archipelago. President Joko Widodo greets supporters at the Grand Indonesia Mall in Jakarta on April 20 2019 President Joko Widodo talks with Vice-President Jusuf Kalla before Monday's meeting on relocating the capital The plan chimes with Mr Widodo's pledge ahead of the April 17 presidential election to bring more economic development to regions outside the island of Java, where Jakarta is located and where 60 per cent of the country's population lives. 'We want to think in a visionary way for the progress of this country and moving the capital requires thorough and detailed preparation,' Mr Widodo reportedly told a cabinet meeting. Jakarta is also at risk from volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and frequent flooding. Residents walk through floodwaters in Jakarta on April 26, 2019 after several areas were affected by heavy rainfall The move could take up to 10 years to complete, Mr Bambang said. He added that the presidnet had asked the finance ministry to explore models for financing the project that include private investment. Earlier this year the state news agency Antara reported the city of Palangka Raya in the northern island of Borneo was among the contenders for the new capital. A rescue team evacuates a resident from a flooded neighborhood in Jakarta, on April 26, 2019 Jakarta is a mega-city with ten million inhabitants inside the official city limits and 30 million more in the greater metrpolitan area. Mr Bambang said the annual cost to the economy from traffic congestion in the capital came to 100 trillion rupiah (5.4 billion). Moving the Indonesian the capital from Jarkarta has been mooted at least since the time of the country's first president Sukarno, and even under Dutch colonial rule. Norwegian fisherman have discovered a beluga whale wearing a tight harness with a camera attachment - sparking speculation the animal belongs to the Russian Navy. The crew worked together to release the animal from the straps on Saturday. One of the fisherman told Norway's state broadcaster NRK they jumped into the freezing water to help the animal. He said: 'When I was lying in the water, he came all the way up to the side, and I managed to reach the front buckle and open it.' Fisherman have freed a beluga whale off the coast of Norway wearing a tight harness believed to belong to the Russian Navy, on Saturday Norway's Directorate of Fisheries also shared photos of the whale with straps around its body on social media around. 'White whale off the Finnmarkkysten coast that had tight straps fastened around the body is free,' the caption read. 'Crew from the Fisheries Directorate's Sea Service are trained to release whales from ropes and fishing gear and, together with the local fisherman Joar Hesten, they managed to liberate the whale.' Inspector Joergen Ree Wiig of the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, who was at the scene, said the harness was branded with 'equipment of St. Petersburg' and featured a mount for an action camera. This has prompted speculation the animal may have escaped from a Russian military facility. Audun Rikardsen, an arctic and marine biology professor at the department of arctic the Arctic University of Norway, also spoke to the Norwegian national broadcaster Russian Navy keeping whales in captivity. 'We know that in Russia they have had domestic whales in captivity and also that some of these have apparently been released. Then they often seek out boats.' Meanwhile, Russia has dismissed claims its 'spy whale' had been caught snooping on the fishing vessels of a NATO country despite the Defence Ministry in Moscow previously admitting to experiments using these mammals for espionage. Inspector Joergen Ree Wiig of the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, who was at the scene (pictured with the whale), said the harness was branded with 'equipment of St. Petersburg' and featured a mount for an action camera This has prompted speculation the animal may have escaped from a Russian military facility, which has been reported on in the past (harness pictured) 'If this whale comes from Russia and there is great reason to believe it then it is not Russian scientists, but rather the navy that has done this,' claimed Martin Biuw of the Institute of Marine Research in Norway. There was no immediate official comment from Moscow but there appeared a bid to deny and ridicule the use of whales as underwater conscripts. 'The Norwegians would, perhaps, want to see a GRU (military intelligence) officer's identity card attached to the (whale),' said Viktor Baranets, a retired colonel cited by Moskovsky Komsomolets. He accused Norway and the rest of Scandinavia of 'paranoia that sees either our nuclear submarine or our divers in each floating log'. Conceding it came from Russia, he claimed the whale was probably from a civilian research institute in St Petersburg. Russia has dismissed claims its 'spy whale' had been caught snooping on the fishing vessels of a NATO country. 'The Norwegians would, perhaps, want to see a GRU (military intelligence) officer's identity card attached to the (whale),' said retired colonel Viktor Baranets (pictured) But two years ago the Russian Defence Ministry's one TV station Zvezda revealed a programme experimenting with whales for military purposes. The aim was to use the sea mammals or underwater warfare roles including potentially killing intruders, it stated A Twitter campaign also appeared to denigrate the claims that the whale may have had military uses. 'A GoPro can work for a maximum of an hour in cold water. Can a white whale replace the battery and flash drive? What's the point of putting such a useless camera on it?' one comment read. Another ridiculed the Norwegian claims saying: 'The white whale could have easily bought this equipment in any military equipment shop.' But two years ago the Russian Defence Ministry's one TV station Zvezda revealed a programme experimenting with whales for military purposes. The aim was to use the sea mammals or underwater warfare roles including potentially killing intruders, it stated. The work was done alongside Russia's attempts to deploy seals and dolphins for military purposes. The work was done alongside Russia's attempts to deploy seals and dolphins for military purposes. It was reported last year that the Russian Academy of Scientists awarded an honour for 'outstanding research' for experiments involving sea mammals It was reported last year that the Russian Academy of Scientists awarded an honour for 'outstanding research' for experiments involving sea mammals. Experiments were undertaken to assess whether white whales could be used to 'guard entrances to naval bases' in polar regions and 'assist deep water divers and if necessary kill any strangers who enter their territory', according to the TV Zvezda report. 'It was mainly about white whales with highly sensitive sonars,' stated the story. 'It was planned that white whales could be on duty at the entrances to naval bases. 'But (they) turned to be very delicate animals - they easily got ill after long swimming in cold polar waters.' The whales reportedly failed to obey commands as well as seals, claimed the Russian military. Experiments were undertaken to assess whether white whales could be used to 'guard entrances to naval bases' in polar regions and 'assist deep water divers and if necessary kill any strangers who enter their territory', according to the TV Zvezda report Blue-nosed dolphins also underwent military training. Seals - known as the 'whiskered warriors' - are seen as 'very strong with good guarding reactions This raises the question whether a whale undergoing training escaped from its commanders - or, perhaps, suggests the tests using whales were more successful than the Zvezda report let on. Blue-nosed dolphins also underwent military training. Seals - known as the 'whiskered warriors' - are seen as 'very strong with good guarding reactions. 'Even after a one year break in training the seal will keep all oral commands in its memory,' stated the TV report. Seals 'can locate mines and lift objects from deep waters,' explained Zvezda, which said research was conducted at Murmansk Sea Biology Research Institute in the Arctic. 'It is enough to show an object to a seal and it will find it at the bottom. The seal can be actively in touch with a diver - it can bring up a tool or carry away something. 'It can distinguish 'his' diver from a stranger. If the seal receives a special signal, it can block or kill the underwater saboteur.' An open tender shows the Defence Ministry in 2016 bought five bottle-nosed dolphins aged between three and five During the Cold War, scientists also worked with dolphins and whales seeking to deploy them against the West. Some were trained to attack enemy divers with special knives or pistols fixed to their heads Bearded seals have come out on top as 'special forces' underwater combatants in northern conditions, it was reported in Russia. Scientist Gennady Matishov said they had high 'professionalism', and humans are seen as happier to deal with seals than - for example - sea lions. Yet seals are also known to become distracted and males may disappear if they decide to chase a female. An open tender shows the Defence Ministry in 2016 bought five bottle-nosed dolphins aged between three and five. Combat seals even have names - Buzya, Shlyopa, Zmey, Rada, Sonya, Fes, Veta, Tabita and Selena are stationed close to Polyarny - a key base of the Russian nuclear submarine fleet in the Arctic. Putin's pinniped unit is part of the Russian naval command, and the mammals train twice a day. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, a deployment of underwater mammals in the Black Sea included 62 bottle-nose dolphins, six sea lions, around ten seals and two white whales 'We are working with grey and Greenland seals,' said Dmitry Ishkulov, deputy head of the Murmansk Marine Biological Institute. 'They eat a lot less than whales, it is easier to look after them, and to transport and train them.' It takes about a year and a half to train the seal soldiers. Scientist Alexander Zaytsev said: 'If need be, seals can be used for assault. Seals' teeth are no worse than dogs, their claws are 8-10 centimetres long.' Some seals are trained to check pipelines for leaks by carrying cameras on their backs so repairs can be carried out swiftly Others are seen as useful in spotting for potential terrorist attacks and coached in how to 'destroy an enemy', possibly attacking explosives to a warship. While some of them are trained to detect 'alien objects in the water', including mine-hunting, or to take tools to divers carrying out underwater repairs. 'Today it is often said that it is better to work with robots. But in many areas animals are a lot better value than any device,' said Dr Zaytsev. The US Navy is known to use sea animals such as dolphins to search for missing people at sea and to hunt for mines (Pictured: Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class and dolphin handler Elizabeth Jache pouring water on her dolphin) Dolphins are also enlisted to find and lift objects from the sea floor (Pictured: Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Aaron Nutt assigned to the Navy Marine Mammals program as a dolphin handler) The US Navy is known to use sea animals to search for missing people at sea, to hunt for mines, and find and lift objects from the sea floor. Vladimir Putin has re-opened old Soviet military bases in the Arctic has he claims the right to exploit vast energy resources in the polar region. During the Cold War, scientists also worked with dolphins and whales seeking to deploy them against the West. Some were trained to attack enemy divers with special knives or pistols fixed to their heads. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, a deployment of underwater mammals in the Black Sea included 62 bottle-nose dolphins, six sea lions, around ten seals and two white whales. Vitaly Varganov, a former director of the Sevastopol military dolphinarium, said: 'We kept the animals working, six dolphins were on duty every day. 'They scanned the territory and in case of danger they pushed an alarm pedal. 'During training dolphins showed a nearly 100 per cent success rate.' An airline has been accused of sexism for featuring a cartoon of a woman in a figure-hugging dress in its in-flight safety information. Laura Watkin, 38, was flying from Larnaca in Cyprus to Luton, Bedfordshire on April 25 when she saw a curvy female illustration on Wizz Air's safety cards. Ms Watkin, from Derbyshire, bemoaned the safety cartoon online, tweeting at the airline: 'Really Wizz Air?! Surely the bare legs would result in serious chafing on the emergency slide?' Laura Watkin, 38, was flying from Larnaca in Cyprus to Luton, Bedfordshire, when she saw a curvy female illustration on Wizz Air's safety cards (pictured) Ms Watkin tweeted at the Hungarian-owned airline accusing it of 'everyday sexism' The disgruntled science teacher branded the imagery 'sexualised' and 'unnecessary', and ended the post with the hashtags '#jobsforwomen', '#everydaysexism', '#bodycon' and '#stereotype'. Ms Watkin added: 'I took the photo as I was surprised the illustrator and the airline thought it appropriate or necessary to emphasise the figure of the passenger regardless of gender. Ms Watkin said: 'It felt like a sexualised image for no reason' 'It felt like a sexualised image for no reason.' Hungarian-owned Wizz Air flies out of Luton and Gatwick, with destinations including Budapest, Bucharest, Barcelona, Paris, Dubai, Tenerife and Stockholm. Wizz Air offers flights for as little as 50 for a round trip to popular 18-30 holiday destination Budapest. Another airline, Norwegian Air, recently came under fire after it was revealed they force female flight attendants to wear high heels unless they have a doctor's note, as well as foundation, moisturiser and eye makeup. British airline Virgin Atlantic got rid of their rules which forced all female cabin crew to wear makeup last March. Wizz Air has previously been embroiled in a discrimination row. In 2015, the Romanian National Council for Combating Discrimination ruled that the airline discriminated against its workers after 19 employees were stopped from forming a trade union. The disgruntled science teacher branded the imagery 'sexualised' and 'unnecessary', and ended the post with the hashtags '#jobsforwomen', '#everydaysexism', '#bodycon' and '#stereotype' (file image of Wizz Air plane) And it has also suffered criticism from customers. Over the years Wizz Air passengers disappointed with their in-flight experience created a website called 'wizzairsucks.com' to document their woes. Data from airline regulator Civil Aviation Authority labelled Wizz Air the worst UK airline for flight delays in 2017. Wizz Air were approached for comment on the cartoons. Amelia Oxenford, 21, pictured, has been found guilty of assaulting boyfriend Alex Buttigieg with an empty wine bottle and broken glass A young woman violently attacked her boyfriend with a wine bottle while naked during a furious row at a London hotel. Amelia Oxenford, 21, had been out drinking all night with Alex Buttigieg before they went to the Ascot Hyde Park Hotel in Bayswater. CCTV footage from the three-star hotel showed her 'lunging at him' while naked in the corridor, before throwing an empty wine bottle at him. Oxenford, of Cambridgeshire, later smashed a glass in their room and cut him across the nose with a shard, while she also broke his spectacles during the fracas. The pair had been together nine months before splitting up, only to reunite a month later. But City of London Magistrates' Court heard they argued because Oxenford had seen another man during their time apart, with the pair's heated row eventually spilling into the corridor. CCTV footage from the hotel - which had to be pixelated - showed her 'lunging at him' while naked in the corridor, while she also threw an empty wine bottle at him. The pair ended up locked out of their room but continued to argue after getting back in with a spare key, leading to Oxenford attacking Mr Buttigieg with the broken glass. When police arrived they saw Mr Buttigieg nursing a one-inch cut to his bleeding nose with a tissue, describing him as 'shocked' and 'rambling' as he unsuccessfully tried to stop the flow of blood. Prosecutor Trevor Green said Oxenford's relationship with the other man while the couple was apart was the catalyst for the brawl. Oxenford, pictured, later slashed her boyfriend across the face with a broken glass as the row continued inside their room Oxenford, left and right, and Mr Buttigieg were even locked out of their room at one point during the row at the hotel The 21-year-old, pictured centre outside court, will return on Thursday to learn her sentence CCTV footage showing Oxenford, left and right, during the row had to be pixelated to spare her modesty He said: 'This resulted in Ms Oxenford pushing him into the corridor and on the CCTV she can ben seen naked and lunging at the victim. 'He said she threw an empty bottle of wine at him and there was a brief tussle when she reached out for the spectacles on his face and one of the arms were snapped off.' When police arrived they heard the former Bournemouth University student shouting inside the room that she was going to harm herself and jump out of the window and when the door was opened to officers she was only wearing a bra. The court heard one officer said: 'She was agitated, under the influence of alcohol, she was drunk. She was slurring her words and there was an overwhelming smell of alcohol on her breath. 'He said she came at him, punching him and picked up the piece of glass and swiped it at him, causing the cut.' The court heard Oxenford, pictured, and her boyfriend had consumed two bottles of wine on the night of the row as well as cocktails The former Bournemouth University student, pictured left and right, told the court she was a 'good citizen' and had never committed a crime The 21-year-old, centre, rowed with Mr Buttigieg because she saw another man while they had split up for a month. She told the court her boyfriend had been 'aggressive' and believed she was 'defending herself' Police said Oxenford, pictured, was 'agitated' and there was an 'overwhelming smell of alcohol on her breath' when they arrived The row took place at the Ascot Hyde Park Hotel in Bayswater, pictured centre, in January Oxenford, who works at a veterinary centre, told the court the couple began drinking early and had a bottle of wine during the train journey to London and another during dinner, while she had four more cocktails that night. She said: 'I can't remember a lot of what happened, but I do remember Alex shouting at me and pinning me down to the bed. 'I was terrified and vulnerable and he was very aggressive. 'I have a good job and work hard and like to think I'm a good citizen. I've never committed a crime. 'I felt like I was defending myself in all honesty and felt he did hit me as well.' Oxenford, of Royston, Cambridgeshire was convicted of assaulting Mr Buttigieg on January 16 and causing 300 worth of criminal damage to his spectacles. She was bailed for sentencing on May 2. Oxenford, of Royston, Cambridgeshire, was convicted of assault and criminal damage after breaking her boyfriend's spectacles during the attack This is the dramatic moment a heroic police officer sprints across the tracks to save a blind woman who was disorientated and standing in the way as a tram came towards her. The incident took place with seconds to spare at Villarejo station in the city of Granada in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. In the video, a blind woman, who has not been named, can be seen standing in the middle of the tram tracks and appears to be disorientated. A police officer sprints across the tracks after spotting a confused blind woman standing in the way of an oncoming tram She uses a cane to feel for her whereabouts but appears confused and cannot locate the platform at the edge of the tracks. A police officer, who had seen her as he was in his patrol car, then starts running towards her. Just as the officer reaches the tracks, a tram can be seen makings its way around a corner just a few metres from the blind woman. The cop manages to reach the woman and leads her off the tracks just before the tram reaches them. The woman is pulled to the platform with seconds to spare as the tram pulls in to the Granada station The Spanish National Organisation for the Blind shared the video and thanked the police for their actions. Local police also shared the video and said: 'Even though not all heroes wear capes, in this case, the man who runs, wears the uniform of the local police of Granada. The video has so far been viewed more than 73,000 times with many praising the incredible actions of the officer. Local media report the blind woman was not injured in the incident. Polish protesters are sharing pictures of themselves eating bananas after an artwork of a woman eating the fruit was removed from a gallery. The National Museum of Warsaw has censored a 1973 video by artist Natalia LL showing a naked young woman eating a banana in suggestive fashion. Authorities say the images are 'obscene' and potentially harmful to young children, citing complaints from parents. But protesters have ridiculed the ban as narrow-minded and a case of censorship, taking to Twitter and Facebook to share images of themselves with bananas. Banned: This 1973 video by artist Natalia LL, showing a naked young women eating a banana in a suggestive manner, has been banned from a gallery in Warsaw And hundreds gathered in front of the state-run museum today for a collective banana-eating protest. One protester using the #bananaselfie hashtag said: 'Art is the home of various messages and symbols. Not everyone has to applaud, but it must be respected.' The artwork's removal from the gallery came after director Jerzy Miziolek was summoned to the Ministry of Culture. The director told Warsaw newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza: 'This is the National Museum and some subject matter in the field of gender should not be explicitly shown. A man with bananas demonstrates with others outside Warsaw's National Museum, Poland A crowd gathered outside the Polish museum as part of a protest against what they call censorship Bananas were handed out to protesters as part of a campaign against the removal of the art piece Reaction: One woman holds a banana up to her head (left) while another puts two pieces of the fruit among her hair curlers (right) One woman who attended the protest wore 'danger' tape in the style of a bandanna around her forehead as she bit in to a banana Protesters chatted as they ate their bananas outside Warsaw's National Museum earlier today Protests: Social media users in Poland have posted pictures of themselves holding bananas in unlikely poses (above) after the video was banned from the national museum Police officers were offered bananas by protesters keen to involve those guarding the site Rebellion: Two women hold up pieces of fruit as part of the #bananaselfie protest against the perceived censorship of art by eliminating the 1973 video 'We have had a number of complaints. Many people have been writing emails to us, and the gallery is visited by a whole bunch of young people aged 13, 12 and under.' He said the mother of a primary school pupil had written to the museum to complain about her son's 'trauma' at seeing the images. The work, entitled Consumer Art, shows models 'delighting in bananas, frankfurters or ice-cream'. Some of Natalia LL's work had previously been censored under the Communist regime, according to Culture.pl. Gone to their heads: One woman holds three bananas on top of her head (left) while another holds a half-eaten banana to the camera (right) as part of the protest Creative: One user put a glasses and hat on top of a banana to make it look like a person (left) while another included their dog in their protest picture (right) Another of the protesters - sporting a Superman tattoo - holds a banana to his mouth (left) while another eats the fruit hands-free (right) According to the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw the 'seemingly innocent activity acquires a strongly erotic edge' in the video. It was removed from the Gallery of the 20th and 21st Centuries after the outcry. The culture ministry has denied exerting political pressure on the museum to remove the video images. Fears of censorship in Poland led lobby group Freedom House to change the status of Polish media from 'Free' to 'Partly Free' in 2016. The group said the ruling Law and Justice party had 'sought to control the media as part of a broader push to weaken checks and balances and silence independent voices'. Earlier this year Brussels launched legal action against Poland that alleges recent justice laws undermine the independence of the country's judges. The EU said disciplinary measures for judges contained in a 2017 law on the Supreme Court of Poland seem designed 'to systematically subject judges to the political control of the executive.' This hedgehog may be the cutest 'criminal' you've seen. A trending social media video shows the tiny animal seemingly trying to escape from a police station in eastern China with dozens of cherries on its spines. Police officers in the city of Xuancheng said they 'caught the suspected thief' as it was stealing the fruit in its courtyard Friday morning. Not your usual cherry picker! The tiny animal slowly makes its way out of the police station in Xuancheng, eastern China, last Friday with dozens of ripe cherries stuck on its back Xuancheng police joked on Twitter-like Weibo that the 'fugitive' had completely ignored officers' 'warning' after being spotted eating cherries off the ground. One officer, named Lin Yang, told BJ News that he and his colleagues saw the hedgehog gorging on the ripe fruit and found it 'so cute'. Therefore they picked some more cherries from the trees and gave them to the animal. 'But, with us around, it was too scared to eat,' officer Lin told the media outlet. So cute it's criminal! Police said said they had 'caught the suspected thief' as it was stealing the fruit in its courtyard. So they picked some more cherries from the trees and gave them to it Police officers ended up putting the cherries on the animal's back so 'it could take a doggy bag home'. They filmed the footage which say said showed the animal 'fleeing to escape punishment'. All of the cherries rolled off the hedgehog's back before the animal could make its way out of the station, officers added. The video and pictures have gone viral in China since police released them on Friday. One officer, named Lin Yang, said he and his colleagues saw the hedgehog found it 'so cute' A trending topic has been set up on Weibo and has been viewed more than 140 million times as of writing. Amused by the clip, web users have left more than 15,000 comments. One of them gushed: 'The little hedgehog is too adorable.' Another wrote a reply from the animal's perspective: 'I have been very careful and stopped after taking every step. Why [do the cherries] keep falling? How can I explain this to my wife when I get back home?' A third web user chimed in: 'Every time a cherry falls down, [it] would stop and hesitate if it should pick it up and eat it.' Social media giants will meet with Government ministers and the Samaritans at a summit today over plans to rid the internet of self-harm videos and other content. Health Secretary Matt Hancock will ask tech giants to commit to developing ways that might identify and tackle harmful content, including that which promotes suicide. The behind-closed-doors meeting in Whitehall comes three weeks after the Government announced plans to make tech giants and social networks more accountable for harmful material online. Facebook, Google, Snapchat and Instagram will all sent representatives. The will be the second involving social media companies, but will mark the first time the Samaritans have been involved. The maiden summit in February resulted in Instagram agreeing to ban graphic images of self-harm from its platform. Speaking ahead of the latest meeting, Mr Hancock said: 'I want the UK to be the safest place to be online and give parents the confidence to know their children are safe when they use social media. 'As set out in our Online Harms white paper, the Government will legislate to tackle harmful content online, but we will also work with social media companies to act now. 'I was very encouraged at our last summit that social media companies agreed normalising or glamorising of eating disorders, suicide and self-harm on social media platforms is never acceptable and the proliferation of this material is causing real harm. 'We have made good progress working with companies to take proper steps to improve the safety of their platforms, but we're clear there is more to be done. 'So I am delighted to announce this world-leading partnership, which will see us team up with Samaritans to enable social media companies to go further in achieving our goal of making the UK the safest place to be online.' Representatives from social media giants Facebook, Google, Snapchat and Instagram have been summoned to a behind-closed-doors meeting today in London Mr Hancock said: 'I want the UK to be the safest place to be online and give parents the confidence to know their children are safe when they use social media' Social media companies and the Government have been under pressure to act following the death of 14-year-old Molly Russell in 2017. The schoolgirl's family found material relating to depression and suicide when they looked at her Instagram account following her death. In a statement, a spokesman for Facebook, which also owns Instagram, said: 'The safety of people, especially young people, using our platforms is our top priority and we are continually investing in ways to ensure everyone on Facebook and Instagram has a positive experience. 'Most recently, as part of an ongoing review with experts, we have updated our policies around suicide, self-harm and eating disorder content so that more will be removed. 'We also continue to invest in our team of 30,000 people working in safety and security, as well as technology, to tackle harmful content. We support the new initiative from the Government and the Samaritans, and look forward to our ongoing work with industry to find more ways to keep people safe online.' Ruth Sutherland, chief executive of the Samaritans, said: 'The internet has evolved rapidly to be a force for good and a new forum to connect with others. 'However, there has been a worrying growth of dangerous online content which is an urgent issue to combat and something we cannot solve alone. 'There is no black and white solution that protects the public from content on self-harm and suicide, as they are such specific and complex issues. 'That is why we need to work together with tech platforms to identify and remove harmful content whilst being extremely mindful that sharing certain content can be an important source of support for some. 'This partnership marks a collective commitment to learn more about the issues, build knowledge through research and insights from users and implement changes that can ultimately save lives.' The Online Harms white paper sets out a new statutory duty of care to make companies take more responsibility for the safety of their users and tackle harm caused by content or activity on their services. Compliance with this duty of care will be overseen and enforced by an independent regulator. Failure to fulfil this duty of care will result in enforcement action such as a company fine or individual liability on senior management. Theresa May still has no plans to meet Jeremy Corbyn to try to break the deadlock over Britain's failure to leave the EU as Brussels hit out at the inaction today and said: 'We are on a Brexit break'. Downing Street has denied claims Mrs May is now running a 'zombie Government' despite confirming a Commons vote on her deal has still not been pencilled in and no Queen's Speech is planned either. Donald Tusk has urged the Prime Minister and MPs not to 'waste time' after they agreed to another Brexit delay until Halloween this year. And today the European Commission's spokesman said: 'It is universally known we are in Brexit break, there is nothing else we can do, there is nothing else we can say'. Brexit meetings with Labour remain 'serious but 'challenging' but the Government has not found a way forward despite talks entering a fifth week, Mrs May's spokesman said today. But he PM 'stands ready' to meet Mr Corbyn if it helps get a deal over the line but there are 'no plans' to hold that summit, he said. Theresa May returns to No 10 today as her spokesman was forced to deny she is now running a 'zombie Government' While Mrs May was in Downing Street, French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Angela Merkel met in Berlin before a meeting with Western Balkans leaders The leaders were all smiles in the German capital this afternoon, after an EU spokesman had earlier said the bloc was on a 'Brexit break' because of British inaction Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington and Chancellor Philip Hammond were expected to take part in talks with Labour's team, led by Shadow Chancellor to try and end the Brexit impasse on Monday. Theresa May is reportedly scrambling to find legislation which will delay the Queen's Speech for fear that the Government will be unable to pass it Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay is also expected to attend the meeting, along with Environment Secretary Michael Gove and Chief Whip Julian Smith. Theresa May is reportedly scrambling to find legislation which will delay the Queen's Speech for fear that the Government will be unable to pass it. It is understood that the Prime Minister is attempting to put off the speech until the autumn, according to the Times. If she is unable to push through the Queen's Speech and start a new parliamentary term, it could prove fatal to her premiership. The current parliamentary session is already on course to be the longest in post-war history. Her spokesman said: 'The current session is obviously an extended session to allow us to deliver on Brexit. The work to secure Brexit is ongoing'. Mrs May is yet to bring the withdrawal agreement bill before MPs in case they refuse to swallow it and she is forced to end the parliamentary session. Instead, the paper reported that Downing Street has drawn up a list of uncontroversial legislation to keep MPs occupied and to justify extending the two-year session beyond June. One example is a bill to change the tax treatment of sporting testimonials and another is to increase the maximum sentences for cruelty against animals. The current parliamentary session is already on course to be the longest in post-war history (Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May pictured at the State Opening of Parliament in 2017) Talks with Labour about a possible compromise that would enable the party to back her deal are ongoing but have produced little so far (from left, Shadow Environment Secretary Sue Hayman, Shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer, Shadow Business Secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey and Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell) Bills on domestic violence and the restoration of Parliament are also thought to be under consideration to fill the Commons timetable. Mrs May is understood to be reluctant to introduce the withdrawal agreement bill while there is still a chance MPs will vote it down and while she lacks Labour support. Talks with Labour about a possible compromise that would enable the party to back her deal are ongoing but have produced little so far. A Downing Street spokesman declined to comment. A coalition of rural organisations is calling on Michael Gove to launch an investigation A coalition of rural organisations is calling on Michael Gove to launch an investigation into Natural England's decision to revoke a licence to shoot 16 species of bird. Bodies including the British Association of Shooting and Conservation (BASC), Countryside Alliance and the National Gamekeepers Organisation penned an open letter to the Environment Secretary. Other signatories included the Moorland Association, the National Farmers' Union and Game Farmers' Association. They complained that the decision to revoke the licences that previously allowed them to freely shoot birds such as carrion crows, wood pigeons, magpies and Canada geese had left them in chaos. The decision was taken by Natural England, the body advising the Government on managing the natural environment, after they were threatened with legal action by environmentalists. Wild Justice - whose directors include BBC presenter Chris Packham - sought a judicial review of the licences, which Natural England ultimately decided not to fight believing they would lose. As a result, three general licences for controlling wild birds were revoked on April 23 to be replaced by individual licences. By Friday, only a new licence allowing the killing of carrion crows had been issued. Chris Packham makes a speech on top of a bus stop during the Extinction Rebellion demonstration on Waterloo Bridge, April 21 The issue was catapulted to national attention after the bodies of two dead crows were hung from Mr Packham's gate two days after Natural England's decision. BASC condemned the attack on the presenter's home but claim the new licensing rules are causing havoc at one of the busiest times of the farming calendar. The letter read: 'This sudden legal change has caused enormous problems and concern for everyone reliant on general licences, and their withdrawal has come at the worst possible time of year, when lambs, young crops, and nesting birds including curlew and lapwing, are all in most need of protection from marauding ''pest'' birds.' It added the decision had left people in rural industries 'concerned and angry', adding: 'It has been a disastrous episode, appallingly mismanaged by Natural England.' It concluded: 'As secretary of state for the department to which Natural England is contracted as the current licensing authority, you are asked to undertake a full investigation as to who made what decisions, when, and why. TV wildlife presenter Chris Packham was targetted by vandals who strung up two dead birds on the gate of his country home 'Your department needs to determine what changes may be necessary going forward, to ensure this sort of disaster is never repeated.' A spokesman for BACS said all the signatories had been willing to contribute to a consultation on the licences, and had expected any such consultation to conclude by autumn this year. He said: 'Faith in Natural England has absolutely nose-dived.' He added that the 16 bird species covered by the general licence were not shot for sport but for pest control, and that even Wild Justice had been surprised by the speed of the decision. Naturalist Mark Avery, who is one of Wild Justice's directors, wrote on his blog that the group was campaigning for Natural England to ensure legal loopholes were closed when a new licensing system was introduced in January 2020. 'Our legal case for judicial review called for Natural England to admit the illegality of the (now former) licensing system and to undertake not to introduce a similarly unlawful system on 1 January 2020 when the current (now former) licensing ran out,' he said. A spokeswoman for Defra said: 'As the Government's independent adviser, Natural England has made clear it took the difficult but unavoidable decision to change the bird control licensing system as a result of the legal challenge by Wild Justice. 'They're working as quickly as possible to issue new licences. There's no ban and people who need to control birds before all the new licences are available can obtain an individual licence.' A woman has been left seriously hurt after she was shot by a medieval cannon in Germany on Sunday. The 23-year-old was loading the weapon at a fairground in Mindelheim, Bavaria, as part of rehearsals for an event to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of Emperor Maximilian. Police believe the weapon accidentally fired as she was working on it, hitting her in the hand. A 23-year-old German woman was rushed to hospital on Sunday after she was accidentally shot in the hand with a cannon (file image) An air ambulance had to be called and she was rushed to a nearby clinic where medics managed to save her arm, The Local reports. The Confederation of Upper Swabian Landsknechts, which represents actors involved in historical reenactments, said around 350 people were present when the accident happened. Investigators say the woman held the proper licence to be using the cannon, and don't suspect foul play. Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I died in January 1519 in Wels, Austria, though the exact cause of his death is not known. He had aimed during his lifetime to unite all of western Europe, and while he ultimately failed, he laid the foundation for the Habsburg family to become the dominant force in European for years to come. By the time of his death his grandson, Charles, was ruler of Spain under the combined crowns of Leon and Castile and would later succeed him. President Donald Trump offered praise to Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein Monday, who was injured in the mass shooting at a synagogue in California, calling him a 'great guy' who wanted to 'help others.' His warm words came after Goldstein complimented the president on his condolence call, calling Trump 'gracious and generous with his words' in a 50-minute conversation between the two men on Sunday. 'I spoke at length yesterday to Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, Chabad of Poway, where I extended my warmest condolences to him and all affected by the shooting in California. What a great guy. He had a least one finger blown off, and all he wanted to do is help others. Very special!,' Trump wrote on Twitter Monday morning. President Donald Trump offered praise to Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein Monday, who was injured in the mass shooting at a synagogue in California Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein (C), who was shot in the hands, led his congregation outside and continued preaching until the emergency services arrived at the Chabad of Poway Synagogue in Poway, California After the gunman fled the Chabad of Poway synagogue, the wounded Goldstein wrapped his bloodied hand in a prayer shawl, stood on a chair and addressed the congregation. He lost his his right index finger despite a four-hour operation to try to save it. Goldstein told MSNBC's Kasie Hunt that Trump was comforting in their phone call Sunday. 'I've never spoken to a president before. He was so gracious and generous with his words. Exceedingly comforting to me, to my community, and he spoke to me like a friend, like a buddy, and I didn't realize I'm talking to the president of the United States of America,' he said. 'He is just exceedingly kind and sensitive and we spoke for close to 50 minutes. I thought to myself, for the president of the United States of America to take time out of his day, 50 minutes to talk to me about the issues at hand, was just absolutely incredible and admirable,' he added. Goldstein, 57, told reporters in a press conference on Sunday that he received the call at home and was amazed to hear the White House secretary on the line. He said the president, whose son-in-law Jared Kushner and daughter Ivanka are Jewish, talked of his love of Israel. 'He spoke about his love of peace and Judaism and Israel,' Goldstein said. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Monday the president is looking at ways to make people feel safer in churches. 'We have to call out this type of anti-semetic behavior, racism, bigotry. We have to call it out. We have to call it out by name. We have to continue to identify it. And make sure that people know it is evil and look at it right in the face call it exactly that. And again, anything that we can do. Certainly I know the president and the administration are looking at ways that people feel safer in schools, in churches, across this country,' she said on 'Fox & Friends.' The shooting came only days after former Vice President Joe Biden highlighted Trump's 2017 remarks about the neo-Nazi march in Charlottesville, Virginia that left a counter-protester dead. Trump at the time said that 'there were very fine people on both sides' of the protest which was against the removal of a Confederate-era statue - part of the criticism Trump has faced in his responses to the hate crimes. After Biden on Thursday brought up the comment when announcing his presidential bid, Trump doubled down, saying he had phrased his 2017 remarks 'perfectly.' Biden is scheduled to speak in Pittsburgh on Monday afternoon. The shooting came only days after former Vice President Joe Biden highlighted Trump's 2017 remarks about the neo-Nazi march in Charlottesville, Virginia Sanders pushed back against allegations the president uses inflammatory rhetoric. 'I don't think anything we could be further from the truth. We have a president that has a heart for people. Why he ran, became president. He cares about people, he cares about this country. He wants to see it succeed on every single level. Words like that are not helpful to this process at all, looking for how we can actually change people's hearts. I think matters. The president has condemned not only this act but all acts of evil an hatred and racism and bigotry and we will continue to do that. And again, I think that is a outrageous statement and something that is complete misrepresentation of who the president is and what he is trying to do in his administration,' she said. The Saturday attack - where 60-year-old Lori Kaye was killed and three people were wounded, came exactly six months after a mass shooting in at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. Police identified the shooter as John Earnest, 19, who had posted angry anti-Jewish remarks online just before the shooting and claimed he was behind the arson of another mosque in the area weeks earlier. According to San Diego County Sheriff's Department records, Earnest faces one charge of murder and three of attempted murder, and will appear before a judge to be formally indicted on May 1. The attack raised new questions about a nationwide rise in anti-Semitism and in hate crimes generally - and about President Trump's often controversial response to them. People gathering on a street corner hold signs in support of the victims of the Chabad of Poway synagogue shooting Flowers and signs sit at a memorial across the street from the Chabad of Poway synagogue Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein lost his lost his his right index finger in the shooting, where one person died and three others were wounded Goldstein recounted the attack to reporters, saying he was finalizing his sermon when he heard a loud bang and stopped in his tracks. 'I turn around and I see a sight that I -- indescribable. Here is a young man standing with a rifle, pointing right at me,' he said. 'And I look at him. He had sunglasses on, I couldn't see his eyes, I couldn't see his soul. I froze.' The rabbi saw children were still playing in the banquet hall and rushed to get them out -- including his own four-year-old granddaughter. He was joined in this effort by Almog Peretz, who Goldstein said was a Israeli 'war veteran.' Peretz 'ran into the banquet hall, gathered more children, he got a bullet in his leg, risking himself to save the children.' It was then that the shooter's assault weapon jammed, creating an opening for others to jump in, said Goldstein. Two others attempted to stop Earnest from fleeing: US army veteran Oscar Stewart, who tried to tackle him, and off-duty Border Patrol officer Jonathan Morales, who Goldstein said shot at the shooter's car. 'I've been told that I may have saved some lives -- I never thought about that I think...I just did what I did,' Stewart told reporters. 'I'm not a hero or anything, I just did it.' Heavily armed San Diego police officers approach a house thought to be the home of 19 year-old John T. Earnest, who is a suspect in the shooting of several people in a Poway synagogue Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, right, is hugged as he leaves a news conference at the Chabad of Poway synagogue After the shooter had fled, Goldstein returned to the lobby to find Kaye unconscious. He led his congregation outside and continued preaching until the emergency services arrived. 'I got up there and just spoke from my heart, giving everyone the courage,' he told NBC. On Saturday, the president told a rally that the 'evil of anti-Semitism and hate' must be overcome. 'Our entire nation mourns the loss of life, prays for the wounded and stands in solidarity with the Jewish community,' Trump said in Wisconsin. 'We forcefully condemn the evils of anti-Semitism and hate, which must be defeated.' He praised law enforcement's 'incredible response' and singled out the off-duty Border Patrol agent who 'bravely returned fire and helped disrupt the attack and saved so many lives.' Human rights groups say recent years have seen the biggest rise in anti-Semitic incidents in decades while some critics say Trump's rhetoric has played a part. Trump has forged an exceptionally close relationship to Israel and its current prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. But critics blame him for stoking racial hatred with comments about Muslims and Latino immigrants. NHS nurse Grace Chukwu, 38, was allowed to stay home while a jury unravelled her part in a 10-person scam that robbed people of thousands of pounds. Two women found guilty of being part of a gang of 10 fraudsters who swindled people out of thousands on the internet were allowed to stay at home during their 10million child to look after their children. NHS nurse Grace Chukwu, 38, and her friend Queen Chukwuka, 32, were found guilty of possessing criminal property after a complex five-month trial that involved eight other defendants and cost the taxpayer millions. But in an unprecedented move by the judge, both women, of Loughton, Essex, were allowed to stay at home with their children while the jury was left to unravel their scam. Blackfriars Crown Court heard how mother-of-four Chukwuka had 350,000 of laundered money in her bank account when she and the other nine defendants, all originally from Nigeria, were arrested. Her friend Chukwu, a mother-of-three, had spent the money she got from the scam on a show collection to 'rival Imelda Marcos', their trial was told. The scam targeted people by emailing them with viruses that if they opened them would steal their personal details. Other parts of the money were swindled by the gang using dating sites to trick people out of their money. Mrs Chukwu was married to businessman Andrew Chukwu (left), 35, and together they led a 'lavish lifestyle', spending 90,000 on private education for their three children. Emmanuel Chukwuka (right) was part of the 10-man gang It is believed to be the first time in UK legal history defendants have been given permission to avoid turning up to a crown court trial for reasons other than health. The court heard Chukwu was married to businessman Andrew Chukwu, 35, and together they led a 'lavish lifestyle' on the proceeds of the swindle, spending 90,000 on private education for their three children. Bonaventure Chukwuka was found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud, conspiracy to conceal criminal property and possessing a mobile phone in prison When arrested at their 860,000 home, Mr Chukwu, claimed he ran a legitimate business with a yearly turn-over of just 16,840. But investigators found Rolex and Cartier watches alongside his wife's vast collection of designer shoes from brands that included Jimmy Choo, Gucci and Dior. Grace Chukwu was still absent from her sentencing hearing today, which will conclude on Thursday, but she is expected to attend court tomorrow. Queen Chukwuka appeared in the dock with her hair tied back. Prosecutor John Hardy told the court: 'The range and quantum was in this case infinite and the Crown's position is if the conspiracy not been interrupted there is no telling how long it would have endured.' 'Although the mechanics of the frauds vary in their details, the means by which they were committed are all more or less the same. 'Those means involve the use of a large number of mobile telephones and laptop computers and similar devices. Chukwu is said to have been found with a shoe collection to 'rival Imelda Marcos' (pictured) after taking money from an elaborate internet scam 'Put another way, these are frauds which could not have been carried out in the way that they were before the age of the internet, and in particular, before the age of internet banking. 'The money laundering charges relate to mule accounts used in order for the fraudster to make off with the money.' One of the victims targeted by the gang was Liberal peer Lord Wrigglesworth, who lost 88,000. Mr Hardy said Andrew Chukwu's business was not highly profitable - according to his accounts. Lord Wrigglesworth (pictured) was targeted by the gang of fraudsters, which Andrew Chukwu and his wife Grace were members of 'His tax returns for the tax years 2014-2015 and 2016-2017 show a self-employed turnover of 16,840 and 16,684. 'Of course, there was extra income, since his wife, Grace Chukwu, the tenth defendant worked full time as an NHS hospital nurse. 'You do not need me to tell you that working as a nurse in the NHS is an admirable occupation. 'But nor do you need me to tell you it is not, never has been, and cannot be the road to wealth and riches. 'And these meagre incomes come nowhere near to explaining the lavish lifestyle which Andrew Chukwu and his wife enjoyed. 'When their home address was searched, aside from the paperwork relating to school fees, expensive watches including Rolexes and Cartiers were found, a large collection of shoes almost enough to rival that of the late Imelda Marcos was found, some with receipts showing they cost over 500 and there were receipts for high end shopping in stores such as Harrods. What were the verdicts? Andrew Chukwu, of Loughton, Essex, denied but was found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and conspiracy to conceal criminal property. Grace Chukwu, of the same address, denied but was found guilty of possessing criminal property. Emmanuel Chukwuka, 26, and Christian Chukwuka, 38, of Basildon, Essex, both denied but were found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and conspiracy to conceal criminal property. Christian Chukwuka was found guilty of both charges. Bonaventure Chukwuka, of Loughton, Essex, denied but was found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation, conspiracy to conceal criminal property and possessing a mobile telephone in prison. Queen Chukwuka, of the same address, denied but was found guilty of possessing criminal property. Nadeem Abbasi, 48, of Wembley, north London, admitted conspiracy to conceal criminal property. Mohammad Rahman, 31, of the same address, denied but was found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and conspiracy to conceal criminal property. Mansoor Zaman, 27, of Charlton, southeast London, denied but was found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and conspiracy to conceal criminal property. Advertisement Mr Hardy said Queen Chukwuka's highest annual income, shown on her tax return form, was just 2,590.41 in the tax year 2014/15. But she recently earned 21,000 a year working for a company called Bon Concept LTD, and is listed as a director of that company. Between January 2015 and December 2017 Queen Chukwuka, received cash deposits into her Barclays current account totalling 134,097.10, including cash from her husband Bonaventure Chukwuka, 41. 'That comes as no surprise, since, between December 2017 and his on 26 January this year, Bonaventure Chukwuka received in his Nigerian bank accounts an eye-watering 587,566.28 some of which he transferred further to Queen Chukwuka,' Mr Hardy said. 'Queen Chukwuka says that she believed that Bonaventure Chukwuka operated a money transfer business. There is a rather sad ambiguity to this - too right he did. 'The trouble is, no one could have sensibly thought it legitimate, nor sufficient to support their lavish style, which included amongst other things, a hire purchase deal for a Mercedes for which she was paying, and private school fees for their children.' Andrew Chukwu, of Loughton, Essex, denied but was found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and conspiracy to conceal criminal property. Grace Chukwu, of the same address, denied but was found guilty of possessing criminal property. Emmanuel Chukwuka, 26, and Christian Chukwuka, 38, of Basildon, Essex, both denied but were found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and conspiracy to conceal criminal property. Christian Chukwuka was found guilty of both charges. Bonaventure Chukwuka, of Loughton, Essex, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation, conspiracy to conceal criminal property and possessing a mobile telephone in prison. Queen Chukwuka, of the same address, denied but was found guilty of possessing criminal property. All 10 of the gang members, originally from Nigeria, are facing prison after being found guilty of a series of fraud and possessing stolen property charges Nadeem Abbasi, 48, of Wembley, north London, admitted conspiracy to conceal criminal property. Mohammad Rahman, 31, of the same address, denied but was found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and conspiracy to conceal criminal property. Mansoor Zaman, 27, of Charlton, southeast London, denied but was found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and conspiracy to conceal criminal property. The convictions came in March after a trial lasting more than five months and costing the taxpayer millions of pounds. Judge Michael Simon has said he will pass sentence on Thursday 2 May after hearing defence mitigation. The hearing continues. The Brady Bunch star Maureen McCormick is upset over anti-vaccination advocates using an episode of the 1970s sitcom to make light of the recent measles outbreak. In an episode titled, 'Is There a Doctor in the House?' McCormick's character, Marcia, came down sick with measles and quipped, 'If you have to get sick, sure can't beat the measles.' McCormick, 62, is now upset that the lighthearted portrayal of the viral disease, which she said doesn't match reality, is being touted by anti-vaxxers as evidence that concern over the illness is overblown. 'I think it's really wrong when people use people's images today to promote whatever they want to promote and the person's image they're using they haven't asked or they have no idea where they stand on the issue,' McCormick told NPR, adding, 'As a mother, my daughter was vaccinated.' Scroll down for video The Brady Bunch star Maureen McCormick is upset over anti-vaccination advocates using an episode of the 1970s sitcom to make light of a recent measles outbreak across the U.S. A meme from the show (pictured) features McCormick's character of Marcia saying, 'If you have to get sick, sure can't beat the measles' But McCormick, who had her daughter vaccinated, said the show's portrayal did not comport with reality, and that 'having the measles was not a fun thing' The U.S. is currently experiencing the largest outbreak of the measles in over a decade, surpassing the previous high of 667 cases reported five years ago, in 2014. There have been 704 reported cases of measles in the U.S. this year in 22 states, through April 26, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). A total of nine percent of those cases have resulted in hospitalizations. An outbreak is defined by the CDC as three or more reported cases, with the U.S. currently experiencing outbreaks in New York City and Rockland County in the state of New York, as well as in New Jersey, Michigan, and California's Butte County. The U.S. is currently experiencing the largest outbreak of the measles in over a decade, surpassing the previous high of 667 cases reported five years ago, in 2014. There have been 704 reported cases of measles in the U.S. this year in 22 states, through April 26, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as shown in this chart In an early episode of the series which ran from 1969-1974, The Brady Bunch portrays the sickness as no big deal, when Peter (Christopher Knight) gets sent home from school with the measles. Carol Brady (Florence Henderson) calls her husband, Mike (Robert Reed), and tells him Peter has 'a slight temperature, a lot of dots and a great big smile,' thanks to having a few days off from school to recover. Later, after Marcia, played by McCormick, catches the measles from her siblings she says, 'If you have to get sick, sure can't beat the measles,' while the four oldest Brady children play Monopoly on one of their beds. In an early episode of the series which ran from 1969-1974, The Brady Bunch portrays the sickness as no big deal at all, when Peter (Christopher Knight, right) gets sent home from school with the measles. Carol Brady (Florence Henderson, center) calls her husband and tells him Peter has 'a slight temperature, a lot of dots and a great big smile,' thanks to having a few days off from school to recover Later, after Marcia played by McCormick catches the measles from her siblings she says, 'If you have to get sick, sure can't beat the measles,' while the four oldest Brady children play Monopoly on one of their beds That moment has turned into a meme, shared by people who oppose vaccinating children. Dr. Toni Bark, who has fashioned herself as an expert on the anti-vaccination movement by testifying in court and at public hearings across the country in promotion of the agenda, has cited the show to support her stance. 'You stayed home like The Brady Bunch show. You stayed home. You didn't go to the doctor,' Bark has said. 'We never said, "Oh my God, your kid could die. Oh my God, this is a deadly disease." It's become that.' Other memes have also circulated, using the episode as fodder for the movement. Other memes have also circulated, using the episode as fodder for the movement Measles in the US A vaccine against the measles first became available in 1963. Prior to that, the Centers for Disease Control estimated that nearly all children had the virus by age 15. During that time, a total of 3 to 4 million people in the United States were infected each year. Among reported cases each of those years, it's estimated 400 to 500 people died and 1,000 suffered encephalitis (swelling of the brain). Approximately 48,000, or 1.2-1.6 percent, were hospitalized during that time. In 1978, CDC set a goal to eliminate measles from the United States by 1982. In 1989, doctors realized a second does of a measles vaccine was more effective at preventing the virus. Measles was declared eliminated from the US in 2000, measured by an absence of continuous disease transmission for more than 12 months. Though measles is generally not deadly by itself, complications can lead to hospitalization. At least one person infected as part of the current US outbreak wound up in a coma due to complications. A total of 9 percent of the 704 cases reported in the US so far this year have led to hospitalization. Doctors are now recommending people born between 1957 and 1989 get a second does of vaccination against measles. Source: CDC , NBC-LA Advertisement But McCormick said the cheery disposition of the Bradys in the episode doesn't match reality. 'Having the measles was not a fun thing,' she said. 'I remember it spread through my family.' Most of the people who contract measles will be fine after the virus runs its course, but complications can arise. 'There is no specific medicine to treat the measles virus. Most of the time, people with measles will get better on their own,' according to the New York City Department of Health. A vaccine first became available against the measles in 1963. In the ten years leading up to that medical development, the (CDC) estimates that nearly all children contracted the virus by the age of 15, and a total of 3 to 4 million people in the United States were infected each year. Among reported cases each of those years, it's estimated 400 to 500 people died, 48,000 were hospitalized, and 1,000 suffered encephalitis (swelling of the brain). When the episode of The Brady Bunch dealing with the measles came out in 1969, the CDC reported more than 25,000 measles cases and 41 deaths. In 1989, doctors realized that a second dose of the measles vaccine boosted immunity. 'The first dose is about 93-percent effective at preventing the illness,' pediatrican Dr. Daniel Lichtmann told NBC-LA. He noted that the second dose boosts immunity to 97 percent. Many children in school after that time have already been required to get a booster shot to vaccinate against measles. That shot would have been combined with vaccines against Mumps and Rubella and referred to as an MMR shot, as explained by the CDC. LIchtman has recommended that people born between 1957 and 1989 get their immunity checked with a blood test to determine whether they are in need of vaccination against measles, or simply get the shot to be safe. The son of Sherwood Schwartz, who created the show and passed away in 2011, said his father would also be upset that the show is being used to promote an anti-vaccination agenda. 'Dad would be sorry, because he believed in vaccination, had all of his kids vaccinated,' Lloyd J. Schwartz said. There have been 390 confirmed cases of measles in Brooklyn and Queens since October through April 24, NYC DOH said. THE DEBUNKED SCIENCE USED IN ANTI-VAXXER BOOKS There are countless books that make anecdotal links between autism and vaccination, but they are all rooted on one now-debunked study. The 'scientific' root of the movement comes from a 1998 paper led by the now-infamous Andrew Wakefield - who has been dating Elle Macpherson. Wakefield's research suggested that the MMR (measles mumps and rubella) vaccine 'triggers' autism in children. In the scientific community, the backlash was swift and clear. Scores of scientists published their own studies in response, pointing out the poor quality of the study - for example, problems with the sampling, and unethical funding. Plus, most children develop the first signs of autism around the same age that they would get the MMR vaccine: between 12 and 18 months. Scientists pointed out there was no reason to think that shots caused autism - what Wakefield found was nothing more than a coincidence of timing. The Lancet, the journal that published the study, ultimately retracted it. But Wakefield's now-debunked research made headlines, and anti-vaccination sentiments spread like wildfire among some communities. Advertisement On April 9, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a state of emergency, instituting required vaccinations in Williamsburg, a neighborhood in the outer borough of Brooklyn, where many of the city's measles cases have occurred. Pursuant to New York Senate emergency laws, individuals who do not comply with the required vaccinations could be fined up to $1,000 or spend six months in jail. In the case of the outbreak currently underway in New York City, some 29 people have been hospitalized, NPR reported. Six of those individuals were placed in intensive care and two people who have contracted the virus in recent weeks have been pregnant women, which adds additional risks. One flight attendant who contracted measles on a flight from NYC to Tel Aviv wound up in a coma from measles complications. Civil rights attorney Michael Sussman told DailyMail.com earlier this month that the number of measles cases does not rise to the level of declaring a state of emergency. Sussman said de Blasio's order unlawfully targets religious groups like the predominantly Orthodox Jewish community of Williamsburg. Sussman recently filed a lawsuit against the order in Brooklyn federal court. How a judge will rule on the case will depend on how deadly that person believes an outbreak of the measles might be, according to public health law experts. New York City's Law Department spokeserson Nicholas Paolucci said: 'We had to take this additional action to fulfill our obligation to ensure that individuals do not continue to put the health of others at risk, the New York Post reported. He added, 'The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the right of states and localities to mandate vaccines to stop outbreaks.' Pope Francis has urged hairdressers not to gossip with their customers as they go about their jobs. The 82-year-old pontiff warned Christian barbers and stylists that the 'temptation of chatter easily creeps into your work environment'. He advised visiting hairdressers, hairstylists and beauticians at the Vatican to 'practise your profession in a Christian style'. While cutting their customers' hair they should be 'treating them with kindness and courtesy, and always offering them a good word and encouragement,' he said. Pope Francis, pictured today at the Vatican, warned Christian barbers and stylists that the 'temptation of chatter easily creeps into your work environment' 'Each of you, in your professional work, can always act with righteousness, thus making a positive contribution to the common good of society,' Francis said. Francis said the cosmetologists should be guided by their patron saint, Martino de Porres, a 16th-century barber-surgeon from Peru. Martino was a barber-surgeon in Lima, an ancient trade which covered everything from haircuts to amputations and bloodletting. His purported miracles include levitation, being in two places at once, instant cures, and an ability to communicate with animals. The saint was born in Lima in 1579, died there in 1639 and was declared a saint by Pope John XXIII in 1962. Francis, pictured right with Togo's President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe Eyadema (left) at the Vatican today, urged hairdressers to cut out the gossip during their work He is also the patron saint of mixed-race people, innkeepers and public health workers. Francis previously opened a barber shop and washrooms for the homeless in St Peter's Square in Vatican City, in 2015. The salon service, paid for by donations and the sale of papal blessings, was the idea of the Pope's chief alms-giver, Monsignor Konrad Krajewski. He was moved to act after a homeless man turned down an invitation to dinner at the Vatican because he was embarrassed about his smell. At the opening in 2015 each 'homeless pilgrim' received a kit including a towel, change of underwear, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, razor and shaving cream. The friend of a woman who died in a head-on collision posted a video to Snapchat of her final moments. Shania McNeill, from Queensland, crashed her pink Suzuki into a Nissan Micra on Richmond Road in Berkshire Park, in Sydney's west, on Sunday just before 1.15am. She was killed in the accident while her two passengers - Faeda Hunter and Hazel Wildman - and two occupants of the other car were all injured. Police are investigating the video filmed inside Ms McNeill's car, which shows her mucking about behind the wheel before one of her friends screams 'Shania!' The 21-year-old looks towards the road in open-mouthed horror before turning back and smiling. She then waves at the person filming to direct the camera back towards the road before the footage cuts out. A man, named only as Mr Fuller, was travelling on Richmond Road on Sunday moments before the crash. He told the Daily Telegraph that he had been driving when a car deliberately swerved towards him. 'The first car closest to me moved over onto my side of the road. It was a violent swerve towards me... quite intentional,' he said. 'I moved out of the way and it seemed to take a second swipe at me.' The Snapchat footage was uploaded and viewed by up to 50 people around the time Ms McNeill crashed, The Daily Telegraph reported. Police are investigating a Snapchat video filmed inside Ms McNeill's (left and right) Suzuki, which records records one of her friends squealing before one yells 'Shania!' The 21-year-old was captured open-mouthed as she looked at the road before smiling at the camera and directing her sight back at the road Officers driving along Richmond Road noticed bystanders helping people out of the two destroyed vehicles. Ms McNeill and her two passengers, who are aged 20 and 23, were freed from the wreckage before a passing police officer performed CPR on her. Tragically Ms McNeill died before paramedics arrived. Ms Wildman took a selfie of herself and Ms Hunter recovering in hospital on Monday, just one day after her friend was brutally killed in the car crash. In the image both women are wearing neck braces and are hooked up to medical machines. Ms Wildman's face looks bloody and covered in cuts. Hazel Wildman (left) and Faeda Hunter (right) take a selfie in hospital just one day after their friend Shania McNeill was killed in a horror car crash Two men from the other vehicle, a 61-year-old driver and a 39-year-old passenger, were taken to hospital. One was taken to Westmead Hospital in a serious but stable condition and the second man suffered non-life threatening injuries. The devastated family and friends of Ms McNeill have paid tribute to her 'beautiful soul' online. Ms McNeill's housemate and friend Rachel Macefield said that she was one of a kind and had 'brought light to my life'. 'In such a short amount of time she has put such a big impact on me and my whole family and anyone that knew her. She was honestly just a beautiful soul.' Brexiteer plans to break the Brexit deadlock using 'alternative arrangements' for the Irish border are 'pie in the sky' and will not work, a former head of the World Trade Organisation said today. Pascal Lamy, who led the transnational business organisation for eight years, clashed with Iain Duncan Smith after the former Tory leader suggested that removing the contentious border backstop would solve the current impasse between London and Brussels. The two clashed in a flamboyant confrontation on the BBC's Politics Live in which a demonstrative Mr Lamy name-checked Margaret Thatcher as he said that leaving the single market came with negative consequences. He rolled his eyes and gestured flamboyantly as Mr Duncan Smith, a member of the hardline European Research Group of Tory backbenchers, said: 'The truth is you could get this deal through if the EU and the UK were prepared to agree to the alternative arrangements on the Irish border which allowed you to have no fixed border. 'Now these have been worked through, they have been proposed but the Government has never put them to them (the EU). I spent two hours talking with Mr (Michel) Barnier the other day, they all know this is where it is going to have to be, because the existing backstop does not work in practice.' Mr Lamy laughed before replying: 'With respect I was director general of the WTO for eight years of my life, which has something to do with customs procedures. 'This notion that exiting the internal market implies no border on Ireland is pie in the sky. 'There is no way that you can exit the internal market without a border.' Former WTO boss Pascal Lamy made clear his thoughts about Iain Duncan Smith's views on 'alternative arrangements' that Brexiteers want to implement on the Irish border Mr Lamy also rolled his eyes as Mr Duncan Smith, also a former Work and Pensions Secretary, said: 'I never said it (Brexit) was going to be simple but ... it could have been a lot easier. Mr Lamy said that Theresa may, pictured returning to Downing Street today was guilty of 'rushing in' to discussions on the terms of the UK's divorce from the EU under pressure from Brexiteers Despite repeated attempts by Brexiteers to present alternative arrangements for the Irish border involving technology to perform customs checks elsewhere, the EU had refused to reopen the Withdrawal Agreement. And Downing St has accepted that it is not going to happen. Mr Lamy also rolled his eyes as Mr Duncan Smith, also a former Work and Pensions Secretary, said: 'I never said it (Brexit) was going to be simple but ... it could have been a lot easier.' Mr Lamy had earlier claimed the current Brexit impasse is a result of Theresa May 'rushing in' to discussions on the terms of the UK's divorce from the EU. Instead she should have insisted that they should take place in parallel with trade talks which will take 'years and years', he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. He added: 'My view is that we may have made the wrong choice in deciding that we would negotiate first the Withdrawal Agreement - which is a sort of divorce agreement - and then the rest.' Mrs May's Government initially argued that the issues of withdrawal and future relations should be negotiated together, but swiftly folded in 2016 as Brussels insisted the divorce must be settled first. 'She was in a hurry, she was under huge pressure from Boris Johnson, Brexiters and the rest and she said 'Brexit is Brexit, we will Brexit' and they rushed into this first stage without understanding that this huge unclarity on the next stage would have a big bearing on the discussion,' said Mr Lamy. 'I know full well from experience that negotiating a trade agreement takes years and years, so I understand why they couldn't wait for that in order to Brexit for those of the British public who wanted to Brexit rapidly.' It was now time for the EU to offer 'clarity' on future relations to allay the fears of both Brexiters and Remainers that the UK will be 'cheated', he said. Both sides should seek a 'totally open trade relationship', retaining as much as possible of current arrangements, he added. Notorious mob boss James 'Whitey' Bulger suffered from severe chest pains and was referred to see an outside heart doctor by a Florida prison nurse nearly eight months before his transfer to a West Virginia prison where he was brutally murdered. Despite the recommendation from the nurse, Bulger refused to see a heart specialist, according to Charles Lockett, the former warden of the Federal Correctional Complex in Coleman, Florida. 'Quite frankly, I think he wanted to die,' Lockett told NBC News. 'I think whatever issues he had, he had come to peace with them.' Lockett explained that it was the encounter with the nurse that prompted Bulger's transfer from the Federal Correctional Complex in Coleman, Florida. Once the nurse informed her supervisor that Bulger should be removed from the prison and taken to a local hospital due to multiple health conditions, he reportedly threatened her in February 2018. Bulger had been suffering from aortic stenosis, high blood pressure and prostate bladder issues. Scroll down for video Whitey Bulger's Florida prison warden, Charles Lockett (left), says the crime boss (right) refused to see a doctor for severe chest pains ahead of his transfer to a West Virginia prison where he was murdered Bulger's death certificate was released on Thursday. He died minutes after he was attacked by inmates at USP Hazelton in West Virginia and was pronounced dead at 8.21am on October 30 'She pressed him to go see the doctor, and he got mad about it,' Lockett said. 'He told her point blank, "I know people. I still have connections back home".' Fearing for the nurse's safety, Bulger was placed in solitary confinement where he stayed for nearly eight months before he was transferred to a different prison. Last November it was revealed that Bulger wrote several letters to a friend that detailed how his health was rapidly declining and how he wanted to die peacefully before his transfer. The letters were written to former convict Charlie Hopkins, 86, and Bulger revealed how he had a series of heart attacks and blackouts while at the Coleman prison. One letter from Bulger, written while he was at the Florida prison, read: 'I prefer to stay here and hope to get a peaceful death.' In another letter, from July 10, 2017, he detailed a heart attack he suffered, speaking about how he could barely breathe and had to be helped to a doctor. The same letter also revealed how medical staff wanted to transfer Bulger to a local hospital - but the former gangster refused to be shackled to a bed. Bulger was no longer strong enough to walk and was even relying on a wheelchair to move around. Officials at the Florida prison attempted to transfer him to a medical facility in April 2018, where he would receive round-the-clock care. The transfer request was denied, however, and a few months later authorities said Bulger's health had improved significantly. Despite his apparent ill-health and years at prisons with medical care facilities, Bulger was transferred. Bulger was pronounced dead at 8.21am on October 30 after the 89-year-old was brutally beaten to death by inmates in his cell at U.S. Penitentiary Hazelton in West Virginia less than 24 hours after he was transferred to the facility. His death certificate was released on Thursday. The document, filed in Suffolk Superior Court, lists the cause of death as 'blunt force injuries to the head' and shows he died within minutes of being attacked by inmates. Officials said the inmates beat the wheelchair-bound Bulger with a lock in a sock, tried to gouge the mobster's eyes out with a shiv and attempted to cut out his tongue. His body was found wrapped in a sheet 12 hours later by prison officers, who said the gangster was hardly recognizable. Although an official motive has not been released, prison officials believe mob retaliation was behind the attack because Bulger became an informant and ratted out other mobsters, according to TMZ. Six months after Bulger's murder, no one has been charged in connection with his death. A potential suspect is Fotios 'Freddy' Geas, a Massachusetts hitman who hates 'rats'. Bulger's transfer is now being investigated by the US Attorney's Office in the Northern District of West Virginia and the FBI who want to know why Bulger, a longtime FBI informant, was placed in general population alongside Massachusetts organized crime figures Six months after Bulger's murder, no one has been charged in connection with his death at USP Hazelton (above) in West Virginia Bulger was the notorious head of the Irish mob who led a decades-long reign of terror in south Boston from the 70s to 90s. He was on America's Most Wanted Fugitive list for years while on the run. He was finally captured in 2011 living in Santa Monica. In 2013 he was convicted for a slew of crimes, including at least 11 murders and was sentenced to life behind bars. His attorney J.W. Carney Jr blamed his death on prison officials. He said Bulger 'was sentenced to life in prison, but as a result of decisions by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, that sentence has been changed to the death penalty'. Family members are also suspicious of Bulger's death. His brother, John Bulger, said he doesn't understand how his sibling ended up in a penitentiary like Hazelton. 'There are a lot of things that are kind of suspicious,' John Bulger told NBC News. 'He was supposed to go to a medical center and all of a sudden he gets transferred to an institution in West Virginia and no one seems to know why he went there.' Bulger's transfer is now being investigated by the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Northern District of West Virginia and the FBI who want to know why Bulger, a longtime FBI informant, was placed in general population alongside Massachusetts organized crime figures. Prison officials claim that Bulger wanted to be with the general population at Hazelton. Lockett said he was also told that Bulger asked to be in a housing unit with the other inmates rather than placed in protective custody, according to NBC. 'He demanded to be out in general population,' Lockett said. In November 2018 Bulger was buried at St Joseph's Cemetery in Boston. Bulger was the notorious head of the Irish mob who led a decades-long reign of terror in south Boston from the 70s to 90s Bulger was buried in St Joseph's Cemetery in the West Roxbury area of Boston Helen Estella, from Doncaster, (pictured with her husband) claims her son Leo suffered a 'meltdown' due to the way he was treated, with airport staff even calling police A mother has branded Ryanair a 'disgrace' after claiming airport staff stopped her 15-year-old autistic son from taking a flight and tried to charge a 25 carry-on fee for a comfort doll. Helen Estella, from Doncaster, claims her son Leo suffered a 'meltdown' due to the way he was treated, with airport staff even calling police. Leo, who was travelling with his carer, had been scheduled to travel on a UK-bound flight from Alicante airport on Saturday evening. She claimed staff demanded payment for his doll because it was classed as hand luggage. Ms Estella says Leo - who has a mental capacity of a three-year-old - became 'distressed' when they refused to let him have his doll, with four or five police officers called to the scene as the row escalated. She claims the officers 'physically touched' the teenager causing him to have 'a huge autistic meltdown' and he was then prevented from boarding the flight. Ryanair said today that all assistance at the airport had been provided by staff from Alicante Airport. A spokesman also rejected the claim that Leo and his carer were denied boarding, and said the carer had taken the decision not to board the flight at passport control. Ms Estella described the traumatic incident on Facebook, where other users slammed Ryanair Leo had to be taken to the airport doctor and given medication and because Ryanair didn't offer an alternative flight until Tuesday his carer was forced to buy new tickets on Jet2. Ms Estella also claims she'd requested special assistance for Leo but had been refused 'because he can walk' and she blasted the company's 'ignorant actions' - saying his carer had even been wearing a Lanyard which is used to alert airport staff to a non-visible disability. Writing on Facebook, Ms Estella said: 'My poor Leo is at Alicante airport and they wanted to charge to take his doll on board.. he has had a huge autistic meltdown and they have brought 5 police to him and refused to let him on the flight! 'He is now petrified and stuck in Alicante.. Shame on you Ryanair you are a disgrace!! His carer requested special assistance but Ryanair declined it because he can walk!!!.. 'NOT ALL DISABILITIES ARE VISIBLE YOU UTTER IDIOTS!!!! utter disgrace.' She later posted a picture of Leo and his doll on their way home, saying that if staff had 'any autism awareness they would have know this would always escalate to a meltdown'. Leo had to be taken to the airport doctor and given medication and because Ryanair didn't offer an alternative flight until Tuesday his carer was forced to buy new tickets on a Jet2 flight, where he was helped by staff (pictured with the comfort doll) Ms Estella also praised Jet2's staff for treating him with 'kindness, dignity and respect' Ms Estella also praised Jet2's staff for treating him with 'kindness, dignity and respect', saying that 'autistic children need extra processing time not Spanish Police threatening him with injections!' The 'ignorant actions of Ryanair and ground staff escalated this situation', she added. Her comments, which have shared more than 61,000 times on Facebook, prompted social-media users to offer their support. One wrote: 'Ryanair compassion caring and common decency cost nothing is that why you have none?' Another added: ' Ryanair cheap flights but cheap customer services Should be hit with a massive fine for this disgusting discrimination Give them a taste of their own medicine of fining passengers Who fly with them for extra luggage etc'. Ryanair said: 'This teenage passenger and his carer were provided with special assistance by Alicante airport after checking in. (All such assistance in Alicante is provided by the Airport Authority). 'At passport control, the teenager became agitated and aggressive towards his carer and the carer took the decision not to travel. The passengers were then taken to the airport medical assistance team where the upset passenger received sedation. 'As these two passengers never arrived at the Ryanair Boarding gate, their luggage was offloaded at the request of Alicante passport control staff, who advised Ryanair's gate agents that they had decided not to travel. 'These two passengers did not arrive at the boarding gate, and therefore, they were not "denied boarding" and neither were they charged for any hand luggage.' Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke announced a $5 trillion plan to fight climate change, in his first detailed policy rollout to date. O'Rourke, whose Iowa rollout in March grew criticism for being light on specifics, said on his campaign website that 80 per cent of the funds would go toward research in order to 'rapidly achieve net-zero emissions while growing our economy.' He is calling for net zero emissions by 2050 and getting halfway there by 2030 a similar goal but with a lengthier timetable than Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, whose 'green new deal' calls for reaching zero emissions within a decade. O'Rourke says the plan is needed to keep Earth from sliding past the point of no return in less than a generation. The former Texas congressman unveiled his proposal on Monday from California's Yosemite National Park, a dramatic backdrop for a move he hopes can jumpstart a campaign that began to much national fanfare but has seen some of that luster fade in recent weeks. The plan calls for increasing taxes on 'corporations and the wealthiest among us' and 'ending the tens of billions of dollars of tax breaks currently given to fossil fuel companies' while offering federal grants to encourage innovative improvements in housing and transportation. Democratic presidential candidate and former Texas congressman Beto O'Rourke visited Yosemite National Park and unveiled his $5 trillion plan to combat climate change However the revenue provisions he mentions lack detail. O'Rourke claims it will be paid for by 'structural changes' to the tax code dealign with corporations and ending oil company tax breaks. O'Rourke tweeted Monday: 'Climate change is the greatest threat we face. And we won't solve it with half measures or half the country. It will take all of us. That's why I just announced an historic, ambitious plan to meet this challenge and invest in our communities.' His caution against 'half measures' comes even as even as one of his plan's central features calls for reducing carbon emissions by half by 2030. Beto O'Rourke visits Yosemite National Park to talk about his historic climate action plan O'Rourke snaps a selfie at Yosemite National Park on a day he unveiled his climate plan The plan includes $1.5 trillion in direct federal funding, while seeking to incentivize an additional $3.5 trillion from states, private capital and other sources over 10 years to improve aging infrastructure nationwide and to take 'significant actions to defend communities' preparing for intensified floods, droughts, hurricanes, fires and other natural disasters fueled by a changing climate. Like others in the packed field of Democrats seeking the White House, O'Rourke promised to sign climate change-fighting executive orders on the first day of his presidency - including rejoining the 2016 Paris Agreement, from which President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. O'Rourke cautioned against 'half-measures' to combat climate change The plan is O'Rourke's most detailed proposal to date Like the plan proposed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), O'Rourke is calling for steep reductions in carbon emissions 'Climate change is the greatest threat we face,' O'Rourke tweeted And, aligning with the Green New Deal , an ambitious but long-shot initiative backed by some of the most liberal Democrats in Congress, O'Rourke's proposal calls on the U.S. to guarantee net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, while promising to reach half that goal in just the next 11 years. 'This is the most ambitious climate plan in the history of the United States,' O'Rourke said on a video from Yosemite that he posted on Twitter. He has for weeks warned that the U.S. and the world only have a few years to act before damage to the climate becomes nearly irreversible, and he called the issue his top priority. O'Rourke's plan will find a receptive audience in California. The state has set a goal of generating 100 percent of its electricity from noncarbon sources by 2045 and achieving 'carbon neutrality,' meaning it takes as much carbon dioxide out of the air as it emits. The announcement comes amid O'Rourke's first visit as a presidential candidate to California, a state that's experiencing more destructive and deadlier wildfires due in part to climate change. A blaze last summer caused a partial shutdown of Yosemite, and O'Rourke on Sunday met privately with firefighters in Mariposa County who battled it for weeks. Shunning the lucrative fundraisers that commonly bring presidential contenders to California, O'Rourke drove hours from San Francisco, where he held a town hall on Sunday, to Mariposa, home to fewer than 20,000 people and, in the 2016 presidential primary, only about 6,000 voters. Democratic presidential candidate and former Texas congressman Beto O'Rourke speaks at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, during a campaign stop Friday, April 26, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) Former congressman and Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke answers questions during a presidential forum held by She The People on the Texas State University campus Wednesday, April 24, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke) He was similarly encountering few voters on his early morning walking tour of Yosemite, designed to learn about the effects of climate change on the park, 1,200 square miles (3,100 square kilometers) known globally for breathtaking waterfalls and giant sequoia trees. He then planned to drive to the Central Valley to meet with college students, a staple of his campaign. The trip is consistent with the do-it-yourself campaign style that gave O'Rourke an unorthodox credibility with supporters in Texas and beyond. Californians contributed more than $5.5 million to his unsuccessful Senate bid last fall, second only to Texans in giving to the campaign. The state's big donor bases in Silicon Valley and Hollywood often function as ATMs for presidential hopefuls, and candidates such as Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and California Sen. Kamala Harris are already tapping in. Former Vice President Joe Biden, who entered the race Thursday, has planned two fundraisers in May. 'It is unusual to come to California, where there are so many Democratic donors, and decide not to raise money,' said Rose Kapolczynski, who managed former U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer's campaigns. 'Maybe he's doing so well online that he thinks he can not raise money on this trip and try to make a point of wanting to talk to people instead.' O'Rourke opened his campaign last month to large crowds in key early states such as Iowa and New Hampshire but also in battleground areas that included Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio, as well as solid early fundraising . But, as the initial curiosity surrounding the onetime punk rock guitarist has subsided, O'Rourke has seen some of the buzz around his upstart campaign die down. He may be hoping his I'll-campaign-anywhere style is novel enough to sprawling California to gain fresh buzz. The state moved its 2020 presidential primary to March with the goal of gaining more sway in the nominating contest. But with nearly 40 million people to reach in California alone, breaking through is tough for any candidate. 'We're the black hole of politics,' said Bob Mulholland, a Democratic National Committee member from Northern California who is supporting Harris. 'Almost anything you do in this state, no one notices.' President Donald Trump on Monday accused New York state officials of trying to 'take down' the National Rifle Association as the powerful gun rights group faces internal divisions and allegations of financial improprieties. The president also warned the group, which provided critical support to his 2016 campaign, to 'get it's act together' after sensational bickering among its leaders and new legal woes for the powerful gun lobby. New York's attorney general, Letitia James, said on Saturday her office has launched an investigation related to the NRA, and she has issued subpoenas as part of the investigation, but declined to comment further. The New York Times reported the probe relates to the group's tax-exempt status. President Donald Trump is greeted by Chris Cox (L) and Wayne LaPierre (R), executive vice president and CEO of the National Rifle Association (NRA), at the NRA annual meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S., April 26, 2019. Trump tweeted Monday the group is 'under siege' and should 'get its act together' 'The NRA is under siege by (New York Governor Andrew) Cuomo and the New York State A.G., who are illegally using the State's legal apparatus to take down and destroy this very important organization, & others. It must get its act together quickly, stop the internal fighting, & get back to GREATNESS - FAST!' Trump said in a Twitter post. The president followed up with another tweet bashing his home state's high tax rates and 'oppression.' 'People are fleeing New York State because of high taxes and yes, even oppression of sorts. They didn't even put up a fight against SALT - could have won,' he wrote, referencing a provision in the tax law he signed capping property tax deductions that hammered states like New York with high property taxes. Trump said New York State prosecutors were trying to 'destroy' the organization Trump urged the group to leave his home state of New York 'So much litigation. The NRA should leave and fight from the outside of this very difficult to deal with (unfair) State!' Trump wrote. Representatives from the governor and attorney general's office did not immediately return calls seeking comment. Retired U.S. Marine Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North said on Saturday he will step down as president of the NRA, adding he was being forced out because of his allegations that NRA leaders engaged in financial improprieties. His departure came after NRA Chief Executive Wayne LaPierre accused North of trying to oust him by threatening to release 'damaging' information about him, according to a letter from LaPierre to NRA board members that was published by the Wall Street Journal on Friday. President Donald Trump is applauded by Wayne LaPierre (L), executive vice president and CEO of the NRA, during the NRA-ILA's Leadership Forum at the 146th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits on April 28, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia President Donald Trump on Twitter told the NRA to 'stop the internal fighting' The NRA, with more than 5 million members, is the most powerful and well-connected gun lobby in the United States. It has worked closely with legislators to protect firearms manufacturers from liability for gun violence and pushed a ban on U.S. health officials from promoting gun control. NRA officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. NRA Chief Executive Wayne LaPierre accused North of trying to oust him from his leadership role. LaPierre wrote a letter Thursday that was published by the Wall Street Journal on Friday that said North was threatening to release 'damaging' information about him. North, 75, was a pivotal figure in the Iran-Contra affair involving secret sales of arms to Iran by Republican President Ronald Reagan's administration and the unlawful diversion of the proceeds to Nicaraguan rebels. Evan Downey of Gallipolis, Ohio looks over a rifle display in the exhibition hall at the National Rifle Association Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, Saturday, April 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) A gun enthusiast look over the display of Beretta pistols in the exhibition hall at the National Rifle Association Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, Saturday, April 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Oliver North speaks at the National Rifle Association event before it was announced he will be leaving the group Nation Rifle Association Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre speaks at the NRA Annual Meeting of Members in Indianapolis, Saturday, April 27, 2019. On Saturday, retired Lt. Col. Oliver North announced that he will not serve a second term as president of the NRA amid inner turmoil in the gun-rights group The angry dispute among the NRA's leadership spilled into the open last week. Some of it involved the group's lawsuit against PR firm Ackerman McQueen that has banked millions providing services to the pro-gun group. The lawsuit charges the firm has refused to hand over financial records. The suit brought attention to the $1 million contract North has with the firm to produce his show 'American Heroes,' although it only produced a handful in the last year. The NRA paid the firm $40 million in 2017, according to the Associated Press. North was convicted of obstructing Congress during the 1989 Iran Contra scandal. Jon Bayliss, 42, accused his local Tesco in Truro, Cornwall, of 'having a laugh' after discovering his breakfast ciabatta barely contained enough calories to get to lunchtime An outraged Tesco customer has taken the supermarket to task after his all-day breakfast ciabatta contained barely enough calories to get him to lunchtime. Jon Baylis accused the Tesco in Truro, Cornwall, of 'having a laugh' on discovering the 2.75 snack contained half a sausage, miniature 'rashers' of bacon and a few fragments of egg. The average man needs around 2,500 calories a day and Mr Baylis's 'all day' roll is unlikely to have contained more than 500 calories. The 42-year-old mental health worker bought the ciabatta at his local store on Thursday. He posted on Tesco's community page the same day to say: 'All day breakfast in ciabatta with half a sausage and hardly anything else. '2.75 - you having a laugh?' Tesco were quick to respond to the post online, writing: 'I'm sorry you are disappointed with the all day breakfast you purchased. 'I'd like to log this to feed back to the Cafe Manager.' The 2.75 snack contained half a sausage, miniature 'rashers' of bacon and a few fragments of egg Speaking today, Mr Baylis explained how he 'couldn't believe' what he had bought. He said: 'I was running late so wanted to grab a bite to eat as I can't leave the building. 'I was walking through Tesco in Truro seeing what took my fancy when I saw the hot food counter and they were putting out fresh all-day breakfasts. 'Once I got to work, I took a bite and all I got was bun. 'I couldn't believe it but also had a chuckle to myself.' Unappetising food from Tesco cafes nationwide have gone viral already this year. Mr Baylis took to Facebook to complain to Tesco about his disappointing breakfast In January, an eggs benedict which was described as a 'monstrosity' served up by the cafe in Wigan racked up more than 17,000 likes. Hesketh Thomas paid 5 for two congealed poached eggs on top of processed ham which had English muffins apparently buried underneath. When asked if the meal was actually on the menu she said: 'Alarm bells were ringing when they said they didn't know if they still make them, but yes on their menu at 5.' Last year, Asda cafe's 2.50 bacon roll was slammed as Reddit users described the snack as 'abysmal' and 'depressing'. One user said the sandwich was made with 'stale bread and cold bacon' and he would have had to pay extra for butter. The post received over 440 comments mocking it with some pointing out that buying the ingredients for a bacon sandwich in the store would have been less than half the price of the ones sold in the cafe. A British zookeeper has shared a fond reunion with an elephant he cared for more than 30 years ago. Peter Adamson was instantly recognised by his old friend Kirsty, an Asian elephant who lived at a Glasgow zoo in the 1970s and 1980s. Mr Adamson was a keeper at Calderpark Zoo and looked after Kirsty during the early 1970s, before she moved away in 1987. He had lost track of her when she left Scotland but recently discovered that she had moved to Germany and arranged to go and visit her. Back in the day: Peter Adams with the elephant Kirsty at Glasgow's Calderpark Zoo in the 1980s. Kirsty moved away in 1987 but the pair have been reunited more than 30 years later Good to see you: Peter Adamson is reunited with Kirsty, who zookeepers said recognised the Scotsman by the sound of his voice, at Neunkirchen Zoo in Germany The two shared a warm hug at their reunion in Germany as Mr Adamson stroked the elephant and Kirsty curled her trunk around him. Mr Adamson said: 'Of course, I was wondering if there was any truth to the phrase "elephants never forget". 'That she allowed me to get close and accepted me was a very emotional experience for me. I will always keep that memory in my heart.' Zookeepers said the elephant had probably recognised her former minder by the sound of his voice. Happy reunion: The Scottish zookeeper is delighted as Kirsty the elephant wraps her trunk around him after she recognised his voice from more than 30 years ago Best friends: Kirsty and Md Adamson in the 1980s when the former zookeeper revisited the elephant The Scotsman said he will try to visit Kirsty as much as possible now he knows where she lives. Kirsty, born in 1967, has been living in Neunkirchen Zoo in the western state of Saarland since 2005. After leaving Glasgow she had moved to Chester in north-west England where she met her female companion Judy for the first time. The pair later moved to Dublin where they lived together from 1994 until 2005 until finally being shipped to Germany. Happy family: Mr Adamson with Kirsty and others who attended the reunion at Neunkirchen zoo Eye to eye: Mr Adamson gets a close-up look at the animal he used to care for but had not seen for more than three decaces 'After a colourful life with several moves around European zoos she has found her retirement retreat with us,' her current zookeepers said. The zoo's website describes her as 'intelligent and willing to learn' but also 'dominant over members of her species'. Mr Adamson had found Kirsty's whereabouts by searching online and made contact with the German zookeepers through friends in the city of Trier, the zoo said. Calderpark Zoo closed in August 2003 after running up huge debts. The White House says it will reveal its immigration overhaul in the 'next couple of weeks' but said Monday that it is 'still in the process of figuring out all the details' of President Trump's sanctuary city proposal. Trump claimed in a weekend interview that his administration is releasing immigrants 'into sanctuary cities almost exclusively.' However, press secretary Sarah Sanders did not have not details to share with DailyMail.com on Monday morning. 'We're in the process of figuring out all the details on how that would work. The priorities are making sure that it's done safely and expeditiously. But we're in the process of moving forward on that front,' she said. Trump claimed in a weekend interview that his administration releasing immigration 'into sanctuary cities almost exclusively' but Sarah Sanders did not have not details to share with DailyMail.com on Monday morning at the White House The president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, said a week ago on Tuesday that he would turn his immigration reform draft into Trump by this week. It is expected to focus on the legal immigration and the president's desire to move to a merit-based system. Sanders said Monday on Fox News, 'We're still working through that process. I expect that to be over the next couple of weeks that plan will be rolled out. In the meantime we're still calling on Congress to help us fix some of the immediate things that could be done.' Trump meets this Tuesday with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. A spokesman for Pelosi said in response to a request for comment that is a meeting she 'requested on infrastructure' after DailyMail.com asked about the possibility the leaders will discuss immigration and Trump's sanctuary cities plan. Sanders indicated to reporters after her appearance on Fox News that the topic of immigration is likely to come up. 'The primary focus of that is infrastructure but certainly wouldn't be surprised if immigration isn't discussed, as well. Two very big topics,' Sanders said after her Fox interview. 'We really do have a crisis at the border. In fact it is inhumane for us to ignore it longer.' Trump's spokeswoman said the number of unaccompanied children crossing the border is 'skyrocketing,' as are the number of individuals being 'smuggled and taken advantage of, exploited' and Democrats will hopefully have a 'new willingness' to help Trump address it. 'We'd like to see that happen tomorrow,' she stated during a gaggle with reporters outside the White House. Trump's meeting with Pelosi and Schumer will be his first since a immigration blow-up earlier this year that preceded his national emergency declaration. San Francisco is Pelosi's home city, and the sanctuary cities proposal takes aim at Democratic congressional districts. In an interview with Maria Bartiromo that aired Sunday on Fox News, the president said his administration has already begun sending illegal immigrants to cities that promote themselves as safe havens for migrants without papers. 'Were releasing them into sanctuary cities almost exclusively. You know, sanctuary cities want them. But once we started releasing them, they didnt want them. So, you know, they want them they talk they talk a good game but once you start saying "OK, congratulations, here are some," and they dont want them. And they fight very hard,' he said. 'So, the whole sanctuary city thing is a big scam.' Trump said 'people are pouring up because our economy is so good' and U.S. immigration 'laws are so bad.' 'We have things nobody in their right mind would have,' he said. 'Were trying to get rid of them, the Democrats wont do it. We need some Democrat votes. Were unanimous with the Republicans but we need some Democrat votes and they go out of their way to allow these people to come in.' Trump said the existing laws are 'incompetent' and the people who made 'hate our country.' Trump's meeting with Pelosi and Schumer will be his first since a immigration blow-up earlier this year that preceded Trump's national emergency declaration The Republican president also claimed that family separation drove the numbers down, but it was an inhumane policy, and so he ended it. 'We go out and we stop the separation. The problem is you have 10 times more people coming up with their families. Its like Disneyland now. You know, before youd get separated so people would say lets not go up,' he argued. Trump added: 'Now you dont get separated and, you know, while that sounds nice and all, what happens is you have - literally you have 10 times more families coming up because theyre not going to be separated from their children.' He opined that it's 'just incentive that is obviously a disaster' for the country and said he'd be deporting people faster if he wasn't required to register illegal immigrants and give them due process. 'Another country just says sorry, you cant come into our country and they walk them out. In our country you have to bring them to court, you have to have Perry Mason involved, I mean, you know, its all legal,' he complained. The president claimed in extensive remarks on the topic that migrants and their lawyers are abusing the system. 'Every time they catch a cold they try and blame Border Patrol. Its a disgrace whats going on and it -- it could be solved in -- in 15 minutes if the Democrats would give us the votes, it would be over,' he insisted. Trump meets Tuesday with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer to discuss infrastructure and immigration Trump told Bartiromo, 'We don't need a court system.' He said the country needs a wall to protect the border. 'Were going to have all the infrastructure soon, Ill have the wall up, I mean by the end of the next year most of the wall is going to be up,' he said. Apprehensions at the border have jumped significantly since this time last year. They have been nearly twice as high some months of the current fiscal year, and in March U.S. Customs and Border Patrol says 103,492 people were processed. That's more than more than double the number individuals that CBP says it processed in March of 2017 50,347. Of those, 8,975 were unaccompanied minors. Typically, the number of immigrants arriving at the border jumps in the warmer months, which means the influx is historically about to climb. He claimed that the administration is building 'bigger storage areas' to hold all the migrants that are coming over. 'Now we could only hold so much with these massive storage areas and we can only hold so much, so were building bigger storage areas. What we need is new laws that dont allow this so when somebody comes in we say sorry, you got to go out,' he said. Trump said Sunday that he's working on immigration package with Sen. Lindsey Graham. He did not say what's in it but said it would prioritize merit-based workers. 'They have skills, they have talent. We have people coming in under these crazy laws that I mean under these crazy laws that I mean if they if they need welfare or if they need hand outs in the next 50 years, they theyre almost incentivized,' he said. 'Those are the people that were supposed to be taking and we take as few as possible of them, Ill tell you.' Jared Kushner said Tuesday at Time 100 event that he'd submit his immigration plan to the president by this week Kushner previewed the plan at a Time 100 summit last Tuesday. He said he'd submit it to Trump by this week. He said he solicited senior White House adviser and immigration hawk Stephen Miller's input, as well as Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers Kevin Hassett's. 'And I say that If that if I can get Stephen Miller and Kevin Hassett to agree on an immigration plan, then Middle East peace will be easy by comparison,' he joked, making reference to another big issue he's working on for the president. Initially, the White House official was working almost exclusively on the Middle East peace deal and his Office of American Innovation. Kushner noted at the summit that immigration wasn't a topic he came to D.C. to work on but his father-in-law asked him to take it on. 'I do believe that the president's position on immigration has been maybe defined by his opponents by what he's against as opposed to what he's for,' he said. 'What I've done is I've tried to put together a very detailed proposal for him.' He said the first issue he looked at as he put it together was border security, including a wall or a barrier. Kushner said he'd spent a lot of time with border security professionals, learning what option be most effective. 'We want to protect our country's humanitarian values. We want to make sure we're reunifying families, and we want to do this in a way that allows our country to be competitive long term,' he said. 'And my hope is we can really do something that unifies people around what we're for on immigration.' He says he is still working on the guest worker component of it. He suggested it could be tacked on after he turns in his draft proposal to Trump. Kushner said 'the president's been involved very much so' and he will present the plan 'probably the end of this week, next week' to his father-in-law. 'And then he'll make some changes, likely, and then he'll decide what he wants to do with it, when he wants to do with it,' he said. He acknowledged, 'It's very, very complicated, but it's a very interesting issue, and if we can solve it, I do think its a critical component for America's long-term competitive advantage.' Before the on-stage interview, the president said, 'The Wall is being rapidly built!' He encouraged his supporters to watch Kushner after it had concluded, saying it was a 'great' performance by the senior official who is also related to him through his marriage to Trump's elder daughter Ivanka. 'Nice to have extraordinarily smart people serving our Country!' the president tweeted. Vince Vasile was the first person to reach Wong after the crane collapsed on Saturday A man who tried to save one of the victims of the Seattle crane collapse wanted the teen's parents to know that she was not alone in her final moments. Vince Vasile was the first person to reach Sarah Wong after a crane that was on top of an under-construction Google building crashed onto a busy downtown street. Wong, a 19-year-old freshman at Seattle Pacific University, was one of four people killed in the tragic accident. Vasile was waiting for the light to change on Mercer Street when the crane collapsed and crashed into the car behind him. 'I just close my eyes and I keep seeing the crane falling behind my truck,' Vasile, who was driving his children at the time, told KOMO. A man who tried to save Sarah Wong, one of the victims of the Seattle crane collapse, wanted the teen's parents to know that she was not alone in her final moments Wong, a freshman at Seattle Pacific University, was one of four people killed in the horrific crane collapse in downtown Seattle on Saturday 'And the truck moving and the clouds of dusts. And hearing all of the sirens and everybody screaming and yelling.' Vasile pulled his truck over and then ran out to see two men carrying the driver of the car that had been behind him. He rushed to the car and first saw a woman who was trapped in her seat belt in the backseat. It was another Seattle Pacific University student who had been sitting next to Wong. 'I asked her if she was okay. And she was like "Yeah, yeah". I was like "Are you hurt in any way?" and she's like "No, I'm just trapped. I'm trapped,"' Vasile recalled. 'There was a guy walking by and I was like "I need a knife". And he just happened to have a knife. Cut it and pulled her out and that's when I saw Sarah.' Vasile said Wong was still conscious when he saw her, before first responders arrived on the scene and told him to get back. The crane fell from a building on Google's new Seattle campus and came crashing down onto one of the city's busiest streets (pictured) 'I just wanted to make sure Sarah's parents and family knew that she wasn't alone,' he said. 'In her final moments that I was there with her, she didn't seem to be in any pain.' Vasile said that, as a father, he knew he needed to stay with Wong. 'I would hope that if my daughter was in that situation, that someone would stay with her for as long as they could,' he added. Vasile now hopes that he will one day be able to meet Wong's friend who survived the crash and make sure that she is okay. Seattle Pacific University said in a statement that the other student was unharmed but remains 'deeply shaken by the accident and the loss of Sarah'. Vasile said Wong was still conscious when he saw her, before first responders arrived on the scene and told him to get back Seattle Pacific University confirmed Wong's death with a statement and photo posted to its Facebook page on Sunday Wong, who was from South Pasadena, California, intended to major in nursing and had lived on campus. 'We are deeply saddened to confirm that one of our students passed away in the crane accident in Seattle on April 27,' SPU said in a statement on Sunday. 'While we grieve the sudden and tragic loss of our precious student, we draw comfort from each other, our strong community of faith, and God's presence with us in times of sorrow.' 'We ask that the community join us in praying for Sarah's family and friends during this difficult time.' Cody Sugai, one of Wong's classmates, said she was known for being outgoing and warm. 'I want to remember how loving and caring a person she was,' he told KOMO. 'She shows that love to everyone and a joy that is infectious to people. She was someone who really loved people.' Two of the victims killed in the accident were experienced ironworkers who were disassembling the crane, according to their unions. Andrew Yoder, a 31-year-old from Seattle, was described as a young father. Two of victims killed in the accident were experienced ironworkers who were disassembling the crane. One of those men, Andrew Yoder, was a 31-year-old from Seattle who was described as a young father Yoder (pictured top, second from left) was a Marine. Friends on social media said he was also a devout Christian His colleague Travis Corbet, 33, was a fellow Marine from Portland who was recently married. Samantha Corbet revealed she and Corbet had just tied the knot in June and were a month away from their honeymoon. 'The past 24 hours have been the worst in my entire life,' she told KATU. 'I haven't slept, I haven't ate. I can barely process what's happening.' Samantha and Corbet, who lived in Oregon City, were together for seven years. They had plans to soon start a family together. 'He was the love of my life,' she said. 'He was the best person I've ever met. There's no one else like him.' Samantha said her husband served five years in the US Marine Corps before he became an ironworker. Corbet put Samantha through nursing school and loved to spoil their two dogs,' she added. Travis Corbet, 33, is the third victim who has been identified from the Seattle crane collapse Corbet, an ironworker, was helping take down the crane when it toppled from a new Google building and crashed into a busy downtown Seattle street. He's pictured here at a past job Corbet had just gotten married in June. His wife Samantha (pictured together) revealed they were just a month away from celebrating their honeymoon Samantha drove from Oregon City to the crash site on Saturday night to try and get closure, but said it didn't help. 'I know he would want me to be strong, but it's really hard to not feel sad and lost and scared and angry at the whole situation,' she added. 'I'm mad that this happened. I want him back because he was the best partner I could ask for and I'll never find someone like him.' 'We were the best match for each other and it saddens me and angers me that he's gone and I have to do it without him.' The third man who died in the accident was, like Wong, traveling in a car at the time of the accident. The King County Medical Examiner's Office will release the names of all four victims on Monday. The crane at the South Lake Union project collapsed on Mercer Street shortly before 3.30pm and crushed six cars below on Saturday. Horrifying dashcam video captured the moment the crane came crashing down as cars were driving directly below in Seattle on Saturday afternoon The crane at the South Lake Union project collapsed on Mercer Street near Interstate 5 shortly before 3.30pm on Saturday It remains unclear what caused the crane to collapse. Three people - including a mother and her baby - were also injured and taken to Harborview Medical Center. Another person inside a damaged car was treated at the scene and not transported to hospital. The 25-year-old mother and her four-month-old daughter suffered non-life threatening injuries. A 27-year-old man was also evaluated for non-life threatening injuries. Horrifying video of the collapse emerged on Sunday, capturing the moment in toppled from the Google building and into Mercer Street. Emergency crews work at the scene of a construction crane collapse. Two of the vehicles crushed by the crane are seen Blake Haner stands near the scene of the accident with flowers a for those killed in the construction crane collapse A separate timelapse video was filmed just moments earlier and showed the crane swaying dangerously in the wind. Deyan Cashmere and his father Eric, who both work in construction in Australia, decided to start filming after spotting the leaning crane. 'I thought it was going to fall. It was at an angle. It wasn't standing upright,' Deyan told the Seattle Times. About five minutes after taking the video, the pair said they heard a huge crash and knew immediately it was the crane. They gave copies of the video to police who are investigating the incident. The Washington Department of Labor & Industries has formally opened an investigation into general contractor GLY, Northwest Tower Crane Service Inc, Omega Rigging and Machinery Moving Inc, and Morrow Equipment Co LLC. The last of 30 hammerhead sharks kept in Europe's largest aquarium has died. Nausicaa National Sea Centre, in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, first introduced the sharks to the park after they were brought over from Australia back in 2011, followed by another batch in 2018. The remaining shark reportedly died from a fungal infection, the same that caused the deaths of 29 other hammerheads at the aquarium since exhibiting them eight years ago. Nausicaa is still investigating the causes for the early shark deaths. Scientists say can live 20 to 30 years in the wild, and even less in captivity. All 30 hammerhead sharks in Nausicaa National Sea Centre have died as a result of a fungal infection at Nausicaa National Sea Centre in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France The deaths of the sharks, which are considered endangered species, caused an outcry among animal protection groups across the nation. The sharks were supposed to be living in a tank that cost the sea centre over 2million to build. Sea Shepherd France is suing the attraction for 'serious mistreatment' of the sharks and 'breaches of environmental law'. French animal protection charity 30 Million Friends branded the tragedy 'shameful' in a Facebook post. Nausicaa defended their collection of the hammerheads, saying it is vital for protecting an animal at high risk of extinction. Nausicaa National Sea Centre, in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, first introduced the sharks to the park after they were brought over from Australia back in 2011, followed by another batch in 2018 Sea Shepherd France is suing the attraction for 'serious mistreatment' of the sharks and 'breaches of environmental law' '100 million (sharks) are killed each year for their fins,' which are a prized delicacy in much of Asia, aquarium director Philippe Vallette said last week. 'If we want to increase our knowledge, we have to be able to observe them 24 hours a day. You can't do that in the ocean,' he said. In a statement on Facebook, the owners of Nausicaa dismissed claims the animals were mistreated and praised their aquarium team were 'professionalism' and 'dedication' to caring for the remaining shark. 'The presence of the hammerheads at Nausicaa was intended to make our visitors acquainted with the beauty and fragility of this animal, to get to know it better and observe its behaviour in order to learn to protect it better in its natural environment. A 100-year-old man died on Sunday morning after the car he was being chaperoned in collided with two stationary vehicles who had both stopped to allow a family of birds to cross, The Florida Highway Patrol revealed. A BMW and Toyota were said to have been stopped in the left lane of Wickham Road, in Brevard County, to let a group of sandhill cranes cross when 39-year-old Suzanne Clarke crashed into the back of them. According to authorities, Clark who is paraplegic was driving in the parallel lane when she spotted the birds crossing last-minute and attempted to swerve out of the way. Veering into the left hand lane, she inadvertently crashed her specially adapted Chrysler into the two stationary cars. Clarks passenger, her 100-year-old father father Robert Schantz, suffered serious injuries in the crash, including a severe leg trauma. He was rushed to Holmes Regional Medical Center where he later died. A BMW and Toyota were said to have been stopped in the left lane of Wickham Road (above), in Brevard County, to let a group of sandhill cranes cross the road, when 39-year-old Suzanne Clarke crashed into the back of them Clark and the driver of the BMW, 63-year-old Brian Giantonio, were also badly hurt in the collision. Deliece White, 63, who had been driving the Toyota only suffered minor injuries, officials say. None of the sandhill cranes were said to have been hurt in the accident (file photo) All three of the drivers were taken to Health First Viera Hospital and treated for their injuries. Doctors say they expect all of three of them to make a full recovery. In my 25 years, I've heard of people stopping for turtles or cows, but I've never seen this, a fatality involving Sandhill cranes, said Florida Highway Patrol Lieutenant. Kim Montes to Florida Today. Montes said her department is conducting a full investigation into the crash. She added that none of the cranes were hurt in the incident. President Donald Trump has lied more than 10,000 times since taking office, according to an analysis by Washington Post fact checkers published Monday. The fact-checker database, which rates Trump's false or misleading assertions on a scale from one to five Pinocchios, claims that in the last seven months the president has lied an average of 23 times per day. There was a sharp increase in false claims during the time of the 2018 midterm elections, throughout the duration of the partial government shutdown and ahead and following the release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia report. During the first 601 days in office, the Post tracked that the president had made 5,000 false or misleading claims, and had more than doubled that just 226 days later. The Washington Post fact checkers found President Donald Trump has lied 10,111 times as of Saturday following his rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin Trump had an increase in false or misleading claims, according to the analysis, during the 2018 midterm elections, partial government shutdown and release of Robert Mueller's report 'In the first 100 days, Trump averaged less than five claims a day, which would have added up to about 7,000 claims in a four-year presidential term,' the Post noted while recognizing the spike in false claims due to the midterms, shutdown and Mueller report. As of Saturday, including Trump's rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the Post tracked 10,111 untrue or misleading claims in the president's 828 days in office. The count includes claims the president has made at rallies, press gaggles, interviews, speeches and posts on Twitter. From April 25-27, Trump made 171 false or misleading claims on Twitter, according to the analysis. Glenn Kessler, the fact checker responsible for the database on Trump's claims, says that Mueller didn't actually find 'no collusion' during his investigation, like the president has asserted. Trump tweeted, and said publicly, several times that Mueller's report found there was no collusion and no obstruction. Glenn Kessler, a fact checker with the Post, said that those claims are not true because Mueller's report was inconclusive on whether Trump obstructed justice Trump says he is fully exonerated by Mueller's Russia report 'What he [Trump] keeps saying is the Mueller report found no obstruction. That's not true,' Kessler told CNN on Monday. 'The Mueller report outlined five to ten instances that could be grounds for obstruction. It said a sitting president is not indicted for obstruction, so Mueller left it to Congress. To run around and say he had total exoneration, which he likes to say, is not correct.' Attorney General Bill Barr released a redacted version of Mueller's report earlier this month. The report did not find any evidence that Trump's campaign or administration had conspired with the Russian government to influence the 2016 elections. However, the report was inconclusive on whether Trump obstructed justice throughout the duration of the investigation. Kessler, as well as Democrat lawmakers, claim that the ten instances Mueller outlined that could potentially be grounds for obstruction, do fully prove the president obstructed justice. Democrats in Congress are using those ten instances in the report to re-up claims for impeaching the president. Trump has claimed several times that Mueller found no obstruction and no collusion, and therefore says he is fully exonerated. A ban on trendy sneakers and tradie workwear at a swanky new pub has been given the boot. Nike wearing patrons are now welcome back at the newly opened The Marsden Brewhouse in Sydney's north-west following a massive public backlash over its previously strict dress code. A sign at the hotel entrance of its 'house police dress regulations' previously stated patrons wearing trendy and expensive Nike TNs and Air Maxes would be refused entry, on top of facial tattoos, gang related tattoos, offensive clothing and 'satchels/manbags and bumbag for males'. Tradie workwear such a high-vis clothing and work boots were also banned, along with thongs and slides after 6pm. The recently opened The Marsden Brewhouse has come under from from angry locals Angry locals took to the hotel's Facebook page to express their disgust over the sign, which was believed to have implemented by a staff member. 'Just make sure no children or family members are wearing their brand new Nike Air Max or Nike TN sneakers that cost every parent a fortune as you will be refused entry and apparently and labelled a thug/criminal,' one person posted. Another one added 'Wow. You forget that these guys who wears these clothing items might be the guys that built your stupid building. Stereotyping. Just cause they wear it don't mean they in a gang or affiliated.' Another described the sign as 'discrimination 100 per cent'. 'If Nikes aren't acceptable well then shouldn't ALL RUNNERS be banned? So does this open the door to wear thongs or maybe Crocs. LOL Just cause you have a face tatt doesn't represent or mean you're a bikie. ' Another added: 'To disallow a top quality brand is ridiculous. They are not cheap shoes to buy (anywhere between $150-$300). Cant believe you would stop whole family coming in for dinner if one of their children has these Nikes on! Think you should change your dress codes.' The hotel dress code has since been abolished after the sign sparked public backlash But among the overwhelming backlash was some support. 'No Nikes means no morons. I applaud you for making sure you only attract respectable patrons. Keep up the good work. I look forward to dining there soon,' one man posted. A previous patron added: 'Ill be returning again. Glad there is a strict dress code.' The $45 million hotel is owned by the Laundy family, whose multi-million dollar pub empire is valued at $500 million. Family patriarch Arthur Laundy abolished the pub's dress code as soon it was brought to his attention, saying it was a mistake. A ban on Nike Air Max 2 sneakers (pictured) had the hotel on the wrong foot with patrons 'When I found out about it this morning, it was pulled down immediately,' Mr Laundy told radio station 2GB on Monday. 'I have no idea who put it up there, evidently I've since found out. There are some of the guys, the guys who wear their caps back to front, 'eshays' have been around the front of the hotel, just being intimidating.'' Mr Laundy stressed his pub was a 'family hotel' where everyone is welcome. 'As far as dress codes go, as long as they're reasonably dressed, I have no problems with dress codes. I own a lot of hotels, I don't have dress codes in any of those. As long as you've got your daks'on, you can come in.' It's not the first time The Marsden Brewhouse has sparked controversy since opening four weeks ago. Owned by the Laundys, family patriarch Arthur Laundy (pictured) abolished the ban as soon as he became aware of the sign on Monday The Marsden Park pub was forced apologise before it even opened after the menu came under fire from Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia. 'Please be advised that we do not allow alterations to our menu,' a disclaimer stated at the bottom of the menu. 'Our menu contains nuts, gluten & other allergens, please take this into consideration.' It recently revealed Mr Laundy's sons are gearing up to take over the pub empire from their father, whose's now 78. Former Liberal Party MP Craig Laundy is set to take over with the reigns with help of his playboy brother Stuart, who's famous for winning Sophie Monk's heart on The Bachelorette. A machete-wielding teenager who viciously attacked a disabled pensioner during a shocking 24-hour robbery spree has been jailed for four years. Leon Norman, 19, went on the terrifying rampage with the 24-inch long blade in Birmingham on December 27 last year. A court heard how he first approached a 73-year-old woman with a knife and demanded she hand over the keys to the Vauxhall Corsa she had just parked. Leon Norman, 19, went on a rampage with a 24-inch long blade across Birmingham on December 27 last year The brave victim tried to defend herself by hitting the violent teen with her walking stick outside the Swan Shopping Centre in the Yardley area of the city. But Norman then grabbed her and pushed her to the floor causing her to hit her head before taking the keys and getting in her car. Within 24 hours, he had also threatened staff in two shops with a machete and attacked a postman in order to gain the keys to his van. He initially approached a 73-year-old pensioner with a knife in an effort to steal her adapted Vauxhall Corsa. Norman then went on to threaten staff at two newsagents with a machete Norman, of no fixed address, was later caught by police and pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery, attempted robbery and affray at Birmingham Crown Court. On Friday he was jailed for four years for robbing the elderly woman, three years for attempted robbery, three years for robbery on the postman and 22 months for affray - all to run concurrently. The court heard Norman began the first of four violent attacks at around 9am when he approached the pensioner after she parked her specially-adapted mobility car. She tried to pull him from the vehicle but Norman was too strong and pushed her away causing her to fall again. Thinking he had got away with the Corsa, Norman sped off but hit a kerb, leaving the car undrivable. He then jumped into a white BMW 3 series that was following. Less than 24 hours later, Norman was refused a sale of cigarettes at a Costcutters store in Small Heath, Birmingham. The court heard he became verbally abusive to a shop worker and returned seconds later with a machete and smashed the glass door of the shop. He then travelled four miles up the road to a newsagent in Chelmsley Wood where he again brandished a machete and threatened the shop worker. The shop worker pressed his panic alarm as Norman smashed the Perspex screen surrounding the till area and ran from the shop. Norman has now been jailed for his machete-wielding spree and was sentenced to four years in prison at Birmingham Crown Court Within the hour, Norman travelled to Whittington Oval, Lea Hall, and set upon his next victim, a postman. The postman, who was collecting mail from a post box, was approached by Norman and another man, who demanded the keys to his van. He attempted to defend himself but dropped the keys after being punched by both offenders. Detective Sergeant Tom Lyons, from West Midlands Police CID, said after the case: 'Norman is a dangerous man who targeted several people within in short amount of time, including a vulnerable woman. 'Thanks to members of the public who were able to provide information on his whereabouts, Norman was arrested and will now face time behind bars.' Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 29) -- Local firm Udenna Corp. has inked a $5.4-billion investment deal with state-owned China Telecommunications Corp. (Chinatel), formalizing the foreign company's foray into the Philippines as third mobile service provider. Udenna unit Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. said the agreement was inked on April 25 in Beijing, China. "This landmark investment agreement solidifies the Philippine government's commitment to improving the countrys telecommunications industry through the entry of a new telco operator that would challenge the dominance of the two giant incumbents amid persistent calls from consumers for improved services," Chelsea said in a disclosure on Monday. Chinatel has teamed up with Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy through his company Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company, Inc. (Mislatel) and has been named as provisional new major player in November 2018. The consortium is made up of Mislatel, Udenna, Chelsea Logistics, and Chinatel. Mislatel secured a franchise to operate from Congress in 1998. They are expected to improve competition as they go against Smart Communications and Globe Telecom, following President Rodrigo Duterte's order to break this duopoly in the telecommunications market. Uy signed the agreement together with Chinatel chairman Ke Ruiwen, according to a disclosure filed Monday. Tares his deal is part of the business agreements signed during the President's visit to China last week, which are cumulatively worth $12 billion. Filipino businessmen accompanied Duterte for the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Shares at Chelsea traded at P5.88 as of Monday morning trade, up 9.5 percent from Friday's closing rate. Advertisement Shame is a driving force in sex education in many parts of America, where students are often taught that the value of a person particularly young girls is measured in how many sexual partners they have had. The U.S. doesn't have a uniform standard for sex education, and the lack of federal policy has led to a patchwork of inconsistent curricula from one state and even from one school district to the next. Currently, 24 states and Washington D.C. have mandated that sex education be taught in public schools - however teachings can vary within all 50 states, often down to the individual school district. Only 13 states require that any sexual lessons must be medically accurate, according to the Washington D.C.-based Guttmacher Institute. Some 37 states shared $90 million in federal funding in 2017 for abstinence only education, according to one report. In addition, 26 states require teachers to stress abstinence if sex education is taught at all, while 11 must cover the topic. Experts note that all sex education even that which covers birth control and different sexual identities promotes abstinence as the best choice. This map illustrates where in America sex education is mandatory - and the states where it is legally required to be medically accurate. Currently, 24 states and Washington D.C. have mandated that sex education be taught in public schools. Only 13 states require that the information taught must be medically accurate. Source: Guttmacher Institute However, it is typically the abstinence-only courses where the shame is often introduced through a number of examples that imply a person is used up and worthless once they've had multiple sexual partners. The most common versions of these teachings liken a sexually experienced person to a chewed up piece of gum, a piece of tape that has lost its stickiness and a cup that multiple people have spit into. These methods are 'not effective, they're not healthy and they're not positive,' said Peter Scales, a psychologist who focuses on child and family issues, including the positive development of children and youth. 'Shame is paralyzing. It is not motivating - that's the problem,' he told DailyMail.com, noting that there can be long-term psychological anguish from teaching children shame around sexuality. The issue is timely, as abstinence-only advocate Valerie Huber was earlier this year named the Trump administration's new senior policy advisor for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Global Affairs. This map illustrates which states stress, cover and don't require abstinence to be part of sex education. Some 26 states require teachers to stress abstinence if sex education is taught at all, while 11 must cover the topic. Experts note that all sex education even that which covers birth control and family planning methods promote abstinence as the best choice. Source: Guttmacher Institute Huber has publicly stated that abstinence-only education is the best method for ending abortion in America, and in her new role will decide who will receive federal family planning funds a new approach compared to prior years, when such decisions were made by a group of officials, POLITICO first reported. Huber previously found the National Abstinence Educators Association, now known as Ascend, and some experts anticipate that she will be pushing for more abstinence-only education in U.S. schools, which could include shame-inducing curricula. 'The gum thing or the spit in the cup thing ... suggests that you're worthless,' Scales said. 'Now you're tarnished or you can never be good again. You're this awful human being at the core.' Kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart has spoken publicly about the pain that such lessons caused her while she was still in captivity and suffering sexual violence at age 14. In 2014 she gave a speech at Johns Hopkins University, where she shared the story of how a teacher had told her classroom that, 'when you engage in sex that's like getting chewed, and then if you do that lots of times you're going to become like an old piece of gum. And who's going to want you after that?' 'For me, I thought, 'Oh my gosh, I'm that chewed up piece of gum,'' Smart said. 'Nobody rechews a piece of gum. You throw it away. That's how easy it is to feel like you have no longer have worth, you no longer have value.' Another, similar metaphor is an example in which the lecturer brings up a volunteer student (often a male) to illustrate having sex for the first time by sticking a piece of tape on his arm that represents a female sexual partner. The tape is then removed when the couple 'breaks up' and reattached to other students' arms, each time less sticky and thus less bonded to the each new partner. Valerie Huber was earlier this year named the Trump administration's new senior policy advisor for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Global Affairs 'This is what happens when we have multiple partners before we get married; we give up our ability to bond,' said Shelly Donahue, who has created a national abstinence curriculum that has been taught in 48 states and 7 foreign countries, in a YouTube video illustrating the technique. Donahue did not immediately respond to requests for comment from DailyMail.com. Another popular tactic that has been taught around the country has the teacher hold up a glass of clear water for a room full of students. The glass is then passed among the (typically male) students, and each one is asked to spit into the glass. By the end of the demonstration, the clear glass of water is a cloudy, disgusting mess that is compared to a clean, clear glass of unsullied water. 'Which one of these girls would you want,' the instructor typically asks. 'The pure one or the one who has had multiple partners before marriage?' Elizabeth Schroeder, a New Jersey-based expert in sexuality education and youth development said these messages are 'misleading,' 'problematic' and send the message that 'boys will be boys' and that 'it's up to girls to be "good girls."' 'Young girls are being shamed the most, and yet they are not the only ones hearing those messages,' she told DailyMail.com. 'How on earth do you think we continue to have toxic masculinity and gender roles played out where people disrespect each other? Folks are absolutely internalizing these messages.' US State Department official Robert Strayer said the involvement of the Chinese tech giant Huawei poses an 'unacceptable risk' to security The UK risks being cut out of the loop by American spies if it uses Huawei technology for its 5G mobile network, a senior US official warned today. Robert Strayer, the deputy assistant secretary for cyber security at the State Department, said any involvement of the Chinese tech giant poses an 'unacceptable risk'. Describing the seriousness of the problem for the US Mr Strayer said today: 'What we really have here is a loaded gun'. And Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said that Britain should be wary about embracing Chinese firms because they are legally obliged to help their country's spies. The comments came after Theresa May was reported to have given the green light to the involvement of Huawei in 'non core' elements of the UK network. This leak from a top-secret meeting sparked a high-level probe which could see ministers forced to give civil servants access to their mobile phones to determine where it came from. China has urged Britain to ignore nay-saying from America. 'It is the United States' position that putting Huawei or untrustworthy vendors in any part of the 5G telecommunications network is a risk,' Mr Strayer said in briefing today. 'Having potentially compromised equipment and software provided by vendors in any part of that network is an unacceptable risk. 'It is our position in the United States that there is no way that we can effectively mitigate the risk of having an untrustworthy vendor in the edge of the network.' The decision to let Huawei help with the 5G network has infuriated many in government, in the security services and in US intelligence circles Mr Strayer said the United States would have to reassess its intelligence-sharing relationship with any country which allowed Huawei access to its 5G network. Jeremy Hunt says Britain should be wary about embracing Chinese firms because they are obliged to help the country's spies 'If other countries allow untrusted vendors to build out and and become the vendors for their 5G networks, we will have to reassess the ability for us to share information and be interconnected with them in the ways that we are today,' he said. 'Exactly how that will be done will depend on the risk of the equipment that is put into the networks.' China's ambassador in London has moved to reassure the Government over Huawei spying concerns as he defended the tech giant's 'good track record on security'. Liu Xioming urged the UK to ignore supposed scaremongering from its allies and act independently by pressing ahead with the 5G communications network which will be partly built by Huawei. In what will be viewed as a slap down to the United States, which has shut out the Shenzhen-based company from its telecoms grid, the Beijing diplomat impelled Theresa May to resist 'protectionism'. 'Countries of global influence, like the UK, make decisions independently and in accordance with their national interests,' Mr Liu wrote in the Sunday Telegraph. 'When it comes to the establishment of the new 5G network, the UK is in the position to do the same again by resisting pressure, working to avoid interruptions and making the right decision independently based on its national interests and in line with its need for long-term development.' His intervention comes at the end of a week which has seen a string of cabinet ministers furiously scrambled to deny that they leaked concerns about Huawei from a confidential National Security Council meeting. But Mr Liu, although admitting that the technology was not 'perfect', suggested that fears surrounding the tech titan are unfounded. He said: 'Huawei has had a good track record on security over the years, having taken the initiative to invest in a Cyber Security Evaluation Centre which employs an all-British monitoring team. 'The company has been working hard to improve its technology and to enhance the security and reliability of its equipment.' Liu Xioming urged the UK to ignore scaremongering from its allies and act independently by pressing ahead with the 5G communications network which will be partly built by Huawei Some of the UK's closest allies have blocked Huawei from work on their own networks because of security concerns, some of which were reportedly raised by Cabinet ministers present at the NSC meeting about the firm's involvement. Who is on the National Security Council? A government document published earlier this month states that the National Security Council consists of: The Prime Minister Theresa May Minister for the Cabinet Office David Lidington The Chancellor Philip Hammond Home Secretary Sajid Javid Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson Business Secretary Greg Clark International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt Attorney General Geoffrey Cox The council is chaired by the National Security Adviser, Mark Sedwill. Other Cabinet ministers attend as required, as to the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nicholas Carter, and heads of Intelligence Agencies MI5 and MI6 also attend when required. Advertisement The leaks to the Daily Telegraph has triggered a Whitehall inquiry spearheaded by Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill to root out the culprit. Ministers and aides were reportedly issued questionnaires requiring them to explain where they were in the hours following Tuesday's NSC meeting. The spotlight was on the five ministers who were said to have voiced objections to the Huawei decision - Home Secretary Sajid Javid, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox. MPs were quick to link the leak to the manoeuvrings around the Tory leadership, with whoever was responsible hoping to burnish their credentials for being tough on China. All five, however, have either publicly denied being the guilty party or let it be known through aides that they were not responsible. Also present at the meeting were David Lidington, the Cabinet Office Minister and Mrs May's de facto deputy, Chancellor Philip Hammond, Business Secretary Greg Clark and Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright. Much of the anger around the leak from the NSC - where ministers are briefed by the heads of the intelligence agencies, MI5, MI6 and GCHQ - reflects concern among MPs and officials that it could damage intelligence-sharing with key partners such as the US. Some MPs have called for the matter to be referred to the police or for MI5 investigators to be brought in, amid concerns that conventional Whitehall leak inquiries have a poor track record of finding the culprit. Up to 21 students have killed themselves in the last week in India after an IT glitch led to them failing their exams. The victims, from Telangana state, include at least one boy who threw himself in front of a train and another girl who burned herself to death, local media reports. Ministers have admitted there were 'major failings' with a new IT system used to grade the papers and that human error played a part as well. At least 21 Indian pupils have killed themselves in a week after 'major failings' with an IT system designed to grade their papers meant they failed key exams (stock image) Pupils who had previously done well in exams told CNN-News 18 that this year their marks were reduced to single-digits, meaning they failed overall. Politicians have begged students not to harm themselves if they believe their result has been affected, while offering re-marking free of charge. But concerns have been raised because the same private firm that marked the original tests - Globearena - will play a role in the re-marking. Hundreds of parents and pupils have since taken to the streets to protest. One parent told News 18: 'In first year, my son topped the exams, but now his marks are in single digits. I dont know what to do. 'I have assured him that everything will be sorted out. But what if he too harms himself?' Almost 1million students took the exams in Telangana state last month with more than 300,000 deemed to have failed under the new system (stock image) In total, almost 1million pupils took exams in the state and out of those, more than 300,000 were found to have failed. While ministers say that only a small percentage of those who failed were affected by the errors, they conceded that the failure rate marked an increase on last year. The number of exam-related suicides is also the highest in four years. Speaking directly to pupils, Chief Minister Chandrashekhar Rao urged them not to do anything rash. He said: 'Failing in examination does not amount to failing in life. Life is precious. Even if one fails in the examination, there will be plenty of opportunities.' Pictured: Angharad Roberts, 38, outside court A former hospital doctor whose life spiralled out of control following a relationship breakdown has been jailed for one year after stealing perfume. Angharad Roberts, 38, qualified as a nurse in 2002 before going on to get her medical degree, and she worked at Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny, south Wales, but lost her job after turning to alcohol. Cardiff Crown Court heard Roberts' life hit the rails when she started drinking following a relationship breakdown. Last year Roberts admitted two counts of burglary after raiding a bar and hotel and stealing a 78-can haul of cider before carrying it off in a wheelie bin while intoxicated. Judge Neil Bidder had spared her jail for the cider incident after hearing how Roberts had worked as a dedicated NHS doctor before turning to drink - and said he hoped she could return to work as a medic. Judge Bidder had said he was 'taking a risk' by not sending her to prison, telling her: 'You have not been struck off the register - it is not inconceivable that, if you turned your life around, maybe you can practice medicine again still.' Roberts, from Cardiff, has 34 previous offences and was in breach of two suspended sentences. Prosecutor Emma Harris said the doctor was spotted 'acting suspiciously' on CCTV at a John Lewis store on December 4 last year. Judge Neil Bidder QC previously spared Roberts jail last year for stealing cider from a bar and breaking into a hotel She picked up perfume gifts set and tried to remove the security tags before making her way to the exit, and was caught with 153 worth of items. She told police she was planning to sell them to buy food, Christmas presents and pay off a drugs debt. After previously sparing Roberts prison, Judge Neil Bidder QC has now jailed her for one year, saying: 'Your time has, I am afraid, run out.' Roberts had an impressive academic record and qualified as a nurse before completing a medical degree to become a hospital doctor David Pinnell, defending, said Roberts was late to court because she wanted to collect her methadone script. He said: 'The path to complete abstinence can be a very rocky path indeed.' The court heard Roberts was using controlled drugs and 'self-medicating' with cocaine. Judge Neil Bidder QC said: 'I told her very clearly on the last occasion that she must completely cooperate with the drug rehabilitation requirement.' Roberts had an impressive academic record and qualified as a nurse before completing a medical degree to become a hospital doctor. Cardiff Crown Court had previously heard the breakdown of her relationship with her ex-partner and father of two of her children led her life to 'disintegrate into addiction and crime'. Judge Bidder had previously told her: 'In my judgement there is still an option that can get you away from drugs. 'It is clear you are a person of capability but your relationship broke down and you turned to drink and you lost employment.' A JetBlue flight from the Dominican Republic to New York City was delayed and quarantined on Sunday night after an Orthodox Jewish boy with mosquito bites was 'unfairly profiled as having measles'. JetBlue Flight 410 landed at the John F. Kennedy International Airport from Santo Domingo around 9pm. The plane was held at the terminal due to reports of a child possibly having measles. According to NBC, the Port Authority temporarily quarantined the plane while the passengers got checked out. A video of the incident shows a medic and an officer walking up to passengers and making sure none of them had measles. A JetBlue flight from the Dominican Republic to New York City was delayed and quarantined Sunday night after an Orthodox Jewish boy with mosquito bites was 'unfairly profiled as having measles'. An officer and a medic are seen making sure no passengers had measles Reports of a possible case of measles stemmed from an Orthodox Jewish boy's mosquito bites being mistaken for the virus. Passengers from the plane are seen at baggage claim Sunday night In the clip, a crew member is heard making an announcement about the incident. 'We thought we might have an issue of concern and the Port Authority wanted to check it out before we entered the terminal with a whole bunch of people. It turns out everything is just fine,' the crew member is heard saying. Reports of a possible case of measles stemmed from the boy's mosquito bites being mistaken for the virus, allied to concern of outbreaks of the disease within the Orthodox Jewish community in New York. A Passover program director told NBC that he organized the trip for Orthodox families and said JetBlue crews unfairly profiled the boy as having measles. But one passenger said that the medic 'looked at the kid and decided that it was probably mosquito bites'. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday that 704 measles cases had been reported this year nationwide, with nearly 400 cases confirmed in New York alone. Due to these alarming numbers, the Port Authority said in a statement that the flight quarantine was done out of an abundance of caution. Following the quarantine, customers deplaned normally. Measles has reappeared, particularly in close-knit and religious communities, and its rise trails growing anti-vaccination sentiments among Americans. Cases have now been reported in 22 states, but hotbeds in New York, Washington and Oregon continue to contribute the greatest numbers of new cases each week. A Passover program director said he organized the trip for Orthodox families and said JetBlue crews (file image) profiled the boy as having measles In New York, measles has spread in Orthodox Jewish communities where some believe that a vaccine constitutes a foreign body. 'Outbreaks in New York City and state are the largest ... the longer they continue, the greater the chance measles will once again get a foothold in the United States,' said Dr Nancy Messonier. In an effort to stem the spread, New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio recently declared a state of emergency requiring everyone of all ages in the zip codes hit by the measles outbreaks there to get vaccinated. The mayor's declaration was met with a lawsuit filed by Orthodox parents, which he defeated last week. Most of the current cases were imported by international travelers, but all of those visitors to the US were old enough to have been vaccinated. These travelers have primarily come from Israel, Ukraine and the Philippines. One such traveler also spread the virus to Detroit, Michigan. The Washington state outbreak has now been declared over, after hitting 72 people. Dr Messonier confirmed that not all of the 704 people who have been diagnosed with measles are un-vaccinated. The CDC said Monday that 704 measles cases have been reported this year in US. This graphic depicts the number of cases up until April 19 She explained that in places where there are 'extreme disease pressures, we know that there can be vaccine failures'. Anyone who received both doses of the MMR vaccine after 1967 should be protected against measles. Those who were born before 1957 are believed to been exposed to the disease already. Health officials say that so far they haven't seen signs that immunity is waning, but urge everyone to speak to their health care providers and check their shot records. Although one state outbreak has been declared over, health officials said they do expect more cases to be reported in the days to come. The measles virus is highly contagious and can cause blindness, deafness, brain damage or death. It is currently spreading in outbreaks in many parts of the world. According to the World Health Organization, 95 per cent of a population needs to be vaccinated to provide 'herd immunity,' a form of indirect protection that prevents infection in people too young or sick to be vaccinated. US public health officials have blamed the current outbreak in part on rising rates of vaccine skepticism that have reduced measles immunity in certain communities. According to the World Health Organization, 95 per cent of a population needs to be vaccinated (file image of the vaccine) to provide 'herd immunity,' a form of indirect protection that prevents infection in people too young or sick to be vaccinated For travelers visiting outbreak areas abroad, the CDC recommends adults consider getting another dose of MMR unless they have proof of receiving two prior doses, take a blood test showing immunity, or were born before 1957. In general, the CDC says two doses of the measles vaccine should provide 97 per cent protection; one dose should offer 93 per cent protection. This has occurred even in adults with two documented doses of the vaccine, said Dr Michael Phillips, chief epidemiologist at NYU Langone Health, which serves parts of New York City, a hot spot in the US outbreak. He said in kids, 'the vaccine is really effective,' but in some adults, memory T-cells, which recognize and attack germs, do not fight the virus as effectively as they once did. Rapid blood tests are available that can detect whether a person is immune based on the level of measles antibodies, but the tests are not 100 per cent reliable. Adults who have any doubt about their immunity should get another dose, Schaffner said: 'It's safe. There's no downside risk. Just roll up your sleeve.' A bungling workman has replaced a bench overlooking one of Britain's best sea views the wrong way around. Residents in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight were left stunned when the new wooden seat which peered over the seaside resort's quaint beach was installed back to front. Instead of the beautiful English Channel sea view thousands of people have admired over the last century, those sitting on the bench found themselves facing a row of houses. A bungling workman replaced this bench in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight the wrong way around Residents have been left even more puzzled to discover the bench has been fitted at a wonky angle Residents were left even more puzzled when they discovered the new bench was fitted on a wonky angle. The Isle of Wight's road network firm, Island Roads, admitted the Shore Hill bench was reinstalled incorrectly as a result of 'human error'. Now the PFI contractors have rotated the bench to its original position - but it remains on a slope. People have since been spotted laughing at the bench and some witty Isle of Wight residents have mocked the gaffe by taking out a protractor to measure the angle. Island Roads said after the blunder: 'Unfortunately, the bench was incorrectly sited due to human error. 'We apologise for this and have reinstalled the bench correctly.' Instead of the beautiful English Channel sea view thousands of people have admired over the last century, those sitting on the bench found themselves facing this row of houses Social media users joked that it was the wrong way around to take selfies with the sea in the background Social media users poked fun at the blunder, with Jenny Harding saying: 'Where the heck is common sense?' Alvina Gould joked: 'Is it so you can take a selfie?' Tom Norman added: 'Who thinks "oh look a lovely sea view, but sod that I want to sit and watch the road?"' Ventnor is popular with tourists in summer hoping to enjoy the Isle of Wight coastline. The seaside town, one of Britain's most famous Victorian health resorts, offers exceptional views out across the Channel. Jeremy Hunt donned a battle helmet as he took the wheel of a Royal Marines boat in West Africa today. The Foreign Secretary, one of the front runners in the race to replace Theresa May, took to the water with British forces and their Senegalese counterparts off the capital, Dakar. Politicians love to look tough when there is an election coming and Mr Hunt also posed with a machine gun on the second day of a six-day trip to Africa with the goal of boosting trade and diplomatic links as the UK seeks post-Brexit allies. Wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and tan chino trousers he took the wheel of the rigid inflatable boat (RIB) during the demonstration by the marines. The week-long trip, on which he is being accompanied by his wife Lucia, takes in five countries - Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Kenya. On what is his first trip to Africa as Foreign Secretary, Mr Hunt will seek to increase the UK's presence in French-speaking parts of the continent where it has previously played a more minor role. Mr Hunt took the wheel during a demonstration of marine skills of Dakar in Senegal today on the second day of a six-day trip to Africa Wearing shades he also posed with a deck-mounted machine gun aboard a naval vessel in the West African nation With the UK set to leave the European Union, Mr Hunt said he wanted to work 'within and alongside' African nations to tackle international threats and forge new opportunities. As part of the drive to expand British influence, the UK is funding a new almost 4 million English language programme in French and Portuguese-speaking countries aimed at reaching 7.5 million young people a year. The English Connects programme will be launched by Mr Hunt in Senegal's capital Dakar. The Foreign Secretary will also announce an agreement between the two governments, committing to strengthening trade and economic co-operation with up to 750million available from UK Export Finance to support British firms trading with Senegal. Mr Hunt is being accompanied in Africa by his wife Lucia Mr Hunt will seek to increase the UK's presence in French-speaking parts of the continent - like Senegal - where it has previously played a more minor role Mr Hunt also met Senegal president Macky Sall, presenting him with a hat during their meeting in Dakar Mr Hunt said: 'Africa is a continent growing at an extraordinary rate, full of transformative potential. Mr Hunt steered the fast-moving craft while dressed in safety clothing including a helmet and life jacket 'In a future where Britain is no longer a member of the EU, I want us to work within and alongside African nations to make sure, together, we combat the threats we all face, and capitalise on the opportunities open to people wherever they live. 'To do this, I want to set out the stall for the UK to be the new partner of choice across Africa.' The UK has already announced the opening of new embassies in Francophone Niger and Chad and officials said they would also 'expand our footprint' in Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali and Mauritania. The English Connects language programme will begin in Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire and Mali before expanding to cover Niger, Cameroon, Gabon, Guinea, Djibouti, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola. It is backed by 1.5million of British Council funding and 2.4million of Foreign Office money over two years to 2021. Moses Anibaba, the British Council's regional director for Sub-Saharan Africa, said: 'I cannot think of a better time for the UK and Africa to be forging new connections based on mutual interest and prospects. 'English Connects is a groundbreaking, innovative programme that responds to the high demand for English in non-Anglophone countries in Africa, and helps fulfil the aspirations and potential of young Africans.' Roy Griffiths, a deputy head teacher at Lincoln Cathedral School, was accused of indecently assaulting a pupil in 1969, but went to keep his job until 1970 when another boy made abuse claims against him Church of England leaders allegedly 'turned a blind eye' to child abuse claims against a teacher who was allowed to move to an Anglican school in Papua New Guinea despite facing child sex assault claims, an investigation has revealed. Roy Griffiths, a deputy head teacher at Lincoln Cathedral School, was accused of indecently assaulting a pupil in 1969, but remained employed until 1970 when another boy made abuse claims against him. He stayed at the school for at least two further months and was able to move to a job at an Anglican school in Papua New Guinea. The late Rt Revd Kenneth Riches, former Bishop of Lincoln, knew about the case from the first complaint. Neither Lincoln Cathedral School nor Lincoln Diocese informed the police at the time and they only heard 45 years later, BBC Panorama found. Griffiths admitted abusing six boys at Lincoln Cathedral School last year, and was sentenced to six years and seven months in prison. One of Roy Griffiths' victims, who now lives in Canada, told Panorama: 'It should have been dealt with right away, and the Church should have instructed the police... and they didn't. They just turned a blind eye and moved on.' Lincolnshire Police and Lincoln Diocese investigated 25 people over alleged abuse, from a list of 53 names which were passed to officers, with three cases leading to convictions. The BBC said some of the names could have been referred years earlier as part of the Church of England's national Past Cases Review, which examined tens of thousands of church records in 2008 and 2009 to discover whether abuse cases had slipped through the net. The late Rt Revd Kenneth Riches, former Bishop of Lincoln, knew about the case from the first complaint. He is seen on the far right of this undated photo. None of the other people pictured are relevant to the Panorama investigation Not all of the names on the list related to child abuse allegations. Detective Superintendent Rick Hatton, who leads the ongoing investigation, named Operation Redstone, told a Panorama programme being broadcast at 8.30pm tonight: 'We whittled it down to about 25 names whereby we either knew that they'd committed offences or there was some issue around risk to members of the public from them. 'There was the ongoing concern that actually those people were working with children. Potentially there was still a risk. 'Just because they are what we call non-recent cases, doesn't make them any less serious. 'In fact it makes them more serious because they weren't dealt with at the time, so there's a risk from the offender ongoing.' The programme will claim two former Lincoln Diocese bishops were made aware of abuse concerns at the time, but failed to act. Panorama will also claim the former Bishop of Lincoln, Rt Revd Robert Hardy, was informed that his director of education had 'touched up' a female, but that it was a one-off incident. The bishop did not contact the woman or her family to discover more, and John Bailey was allowed to continue working at the diocese for another six years. In an interview, one of Bailey's victims said he had become friends with her family. She told Panorama: 'He would take the opportunity to come upstairs when I was in bed if they were playing cards downstairs and he would touch me under my clothes while I was in bed between my legs. 'It went on from when I was four 'til when I was 11. And it happened quite frequently.' In 2017, Bailey admitted abusing three girls and was sentenced to six years in prison. Bishop Hardy told Panorama no-one had contacted him to make a comment or complaint about John Bailey, and if they had done, he would have investigated it. Lincolnshire Police and Lincoln Diocese investigated 25 people over alleged abuse, from a list of 53 names which were passed to officers, with three cases leading to convictions He also said that when Bailey was appointed director of education there was no indication of misdemeanour in his past. The Rt Revd Nicholas Chamberlain, Bishop of Grantham and now lead bishop on safeguarding for the Diocese of Lincoln, told BBC Panorama: 'The Diocese of Lincoln wishes to acknowledge that past matters have not been handled well. 'The diocese is committed to learn from its mistakes. I am very sorry that it took so long for justice to be served. 'Our safeguarding team have developed an effective partnership with Lincolnshire Police, working together on Operation Redstone. 'Together they have worked tirelessly to ensure that convictions were secured where possible and where this was not an option, that risk was managed appropriately.' He added: 'Every effort is being made to ensure that safeguarding is part of the DNA of the Diocese of Lincoln.' BBC Panorama: Scandal In The Church Of England is on BBC1 at 8.30pm tonight. A mother and father watched helplessly as their two-year-old son turned blue as medical staff desperately tried to revive him after a long wait in the emergency department. Isaiah was rushed to Dandenong Hospital in Victoria in an ambulance with his parents Kathryn and Shadrach in September of last year. On arrival the boy, who struggling to breathe and had a fever, was required to wait in the emergency waiting room as his mother pleaded with the nurses to start treatment on her son. Isaiah was rushed to Dandenong Hospital in Victoria in an ambulance with his parents Kathryn and Shadrach in September of last year after he had problems with breathing and a fever 'It was such a long wait in emergency, it felt like forever waiting in the waiting room for Isaiah to be seen,' Kathryn said to Nine News. Hospital staff started performing CPR on the boy but he was not able to be saved. 'I didn't even get to say goodbye to him, he just lay there with a blood tear coming out,' she said. The mother, who has since given birth to a baby girl, said she does not want this tragedy to happen to anyone else. Isaiah's mother Kathryn pleaded with the nurses to start treatment on her son during the 'long wait' in the emergency room Although investigations into the cause of Isaiah's death are not yet complete, long wait times are a concerning issue in public hospitals and the Australian Medical Association said it is getting worse. 'Emergency treatment times for "urgent" patients have gone backwards in most States and Territories. None have performed substantially better than last year,' President Dr Tony Bartone said in the public hospital report card. He said the situation should be incrementally improving every year - not declining and called on both sides of the federal government to improve funding. Investigations in to the cause of the boy's death at Dandenong Hospital in Victoria are still on going 'Our public hospitals need clear and transparent long-term funding arrangements, above and beyond the current formulas,' he said. The national body has blamed the rise in wait times on an increase in population paired with inadequate and inefficient funding strategies for public hospitals. 'This is not what our rapidly growing and ageing population deserves. It is certainly not a base to provide the level and amount of care needed for the increasing complex conditions the community will face in coming years,' Dr Bartone said. A suspected double rapist told bed and breakfast staff he was going to bring 'two girls' to stay with him, it is claimed. The attacker asked to book Room 15 at the Phoenix Lodge guest house in Watford, Hertfordshire, telling the manager he wanted a double room for two nights on Thursday before signing the register book. Saad Sayah, 42, who works at the bed and breakfast, described the suspect as a 'normal guy' who spoke with a London accent. He told The Sun: 'He came in to rent a room and was asking how much it would be to book one for two nights. Pictured: A CCTV image of the suspect, said to have a distinctive stomach tattoo that says 'bobbie' The attacker asked to book Room 15 at the Phoenix Lodge guest house in Watford, Hertfordshire, telling the manager he wanted a double room for two nights on Thursday before signing the register book 'He said ''I've got two girls with me'' and said he would be bringing them with him.' Police said the two women had been in the car while the suspected attacker went into the bed and breakfast. Roughly an hour-and-a-half later, one of the women, who was said by a witness to be pregnant, escaped from the car on Osbourne Road and managed to seek help at a nearby shop after she smashed a bottle of vodka over the kidnapper's head. She was said to have been bleeding profusely from her hand when she rushed into the Watford shop, revealing she had been kidnapped and managed to escape - and that another woman was still in the car. As the women escaped, two builders were reported to have heroically chased off the rapist after they heard the women screaming. The car he was driving is said to have been a silver or grey Ford S-Max people carrier with false registration plates (pictured) Romanian workers Ion, 21, and Marcel, 40, said they had been working when they heard the cries for help. Ion said one of the women was on her feet, being pulled by the hair, before he intervened. Detectives investigating the incident released CCTV images of the suspect as he attempted to book a hotel. Officers say the suspect has a distinctive tattoo of the name 'bobbie' on his stomach. On Sunday police arrested a 33-year-old man on suspicion of conspiracy to rape and took him into custody at a west London police station - but the hunt for the rapist continues. The first woman was abducted from a street in Chingford at approximately 12.30am on Thursday, and the second woman was taken from a street in Edgware at 12.15pm. Police said the two women had been in the car while the suspected attacker went into the bed and breakfast The suspect drove the women to the hotel and attempted to book a room around 1pm, but left the premises when this was unavailable. Police said that at around 2.30pm a struggle between the women and the suspect took place in Osborne Road, Watford and both women managed to escape. The suspect has been described as a white man of muscular build, aged in his late 20s or early 30s, with a bald head or shaved blond hair and a light-coloured short beard. The car he was driving is said to have been a silver or grey Ford S-Max people carrier with false registration plates. Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin, who leads the investigation, said: 'Our investigation into these appalling crimes is making good process and my team continue to work extremely hard but we urgently need the help of the public to identify and trace this man.' The women were said to have been left traumatised from the horrific incident - and are receiving support from specialist officers. A Met Police spokesperson said: 'The investigation, into what officers are treating as two random but linked attacks, is being led by officers from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, supported by other specialist and local officers as well as Hertfordshire Police. 'Since the offences were committed, detectives have been working around the clock to get as much information as possible about the suspect and offences. 'Anyone who can help is asked to call the incident room on 0208 785 8244 or 999 quoting CAD 3041/25Apr, or tweet @MetCC and or Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.' A Tory ERG Spartan risked Theresa May's wrath today after admitting he can 'well understand' why Conservative supporters might back Nigel Farage's Brexit Party. Backbench MP Michael Fabricant said when Britain goes to the polls for the European election on May 23 it will become a second referendum for angry Eurosceptics. But with Tory HQ threatening expulsion to rebels, Mr Fabricant, who has compared his party leader Theresa May to Hitler's appeaser Neville Chamberlain, insists he will still be voting Tory. He tweeted: 'In the Euro Elections while I will support and campaign for the #Conservatives and our great MEPs, I can well understand why many will choose to vote for the Brexit Party as a protest against the failure to deliver March 29. Almost a 2nd Referendum/People's Vote'. Tory MPs and councillors have been warned by bosses they will be thrown out of the party if they back Nigel Farage's party in the European elections. Conservative MP Michael Fabricant today admitted he understands why Tories will vote for the Brexit Party in the May Euro elections The Brexit Party has surged into the lead in the race for the European Elections after a top pollster predicted Nigel Farage's new party could win its first election Mr Fabricant's tweet said that May 23 it will become a second referendum for Brexiteers who want to show their anger The Conservatives fear the electorate will lose more than half of their 19 MEPs while the Brexit Party could secure as many as 28 seats. Mr Farage, pictured yesterday, looks set to clear up at the Euro elections Dozens of Tory MPs have indicated privately they will vote for Mr Farage, while some, including the MP for Telford Lucy Allan, have offered their support in public. In an effort to dampen down the revolt the Conservative Party board sent an sternly-worded email to activists, which was seen by The Sunday Times. This read: 'All party members, including elected representatives at all levels, are expected to fully support the party in all elections. Campaigning for or endorsement of any other political party is incompatible with membership of the party... The board will not hesitate to enforce these rules.' Downing Street is also urging Tory leadership rivals to stop jostling to succeed Mrs May until the Prime Minister has secured Commons approval for her Brexit deal. Chief Whip Julian Smith is begging the main contenders to 'lay down their arms' in the national interest and concentrate instead on persuading diehard Brexit 'Spartans' to back Mrs May's deal and avert the humiliation of being forced to contest the European elections next month. Jacob Rees-Mogg: Voting for Farage will soon give Corbyn the keys to No 10 Jacob Rees-Mogg today warned Tories moving to the Brexit Party will eventually let Jeremy Corbyn into Downing Street. The Brexiteer said any Tory MPs or councillors who votes for Nigel Farage's party must be axed. He said: 'I greatly respect Nigel Farage and I fully understand what my sister Annunziata is doing in supporting them but I don't think it's the right way to do it. 'If we get to a General Election with the votes split between the Conservative party and the Brexit Party, all that does is let Jeremy Corbyn in who doesn't deliver Brexit at all because the Labour party is quite hostile to it. 'So what we need to do is ultimately reunite the Conservative party - but that's a little way off at the moment.' Advertisement Mr Smith, who has arranged a series of one-to-one meetings with the contenders over the coming days, is prioritising Brexiteers such as Boris Johnson and Dominic Raab, who he believes stand the best chance of persuading the 'Spartans' to drop their opposition. Leading party figures took to politics shows today to say they understood the frustration of grassroots members and activists, which will be tested first at Thursday's local election. Tory deputy chairwoman Helen Whately admitted the local elections 'are going to be a difficult night for us' after predictions her party could lose a thousand councillors amid anger over Brexit. Elections will take place at 248 councils in England and Ms Whately admitted the contests in England were a chance to 'kick the Government' and said she had seen 'more anger than before' on the doorstep. Speaking to Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday, she said: 'I think there's no doubt that it's going to be a difficult night for us.' She said it was down to the fact the seats which are up for grabs this time round were last contested in 2015, the 'high point' for her party. Meanwhile, Conservative Party Chairman Brandon Lewis said acknowledged the 'huge frustration' among activists but begged for their support. He said the focus was on getting a Brexit deal through Parliament which would allow the UK to avoid the May 23 vote. 'Our first priority is to not have to fight the European elections,' he told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show. 'I think we should be looking to do everything we can to respect that 2016 referendum. 'If and when we are at the point where we know we are definitely fighting those European elections then we will take some decisions about that.' He played down reports about donors deserting the party, insisting that 2018 had been a 'record peacetime fundraising year'. But he added: 'I don't deny the frustration people in our party have over where we are on Brexit. I share that frustration, I want to get this done so we don't fight those European elections.' This is the moment a wife who wanted a divorce is run over and stabbed to death by her jealous husband right in front of a security guard who shoots him dead. The incident took place outside the state governor's official residence in the city of Guadalajara in the western Mexican state of Jalisco and was filmed by a CCTV camera. According to local media, the husband, who had been reported for aggressive behaviour towards his wife on two previous occasions, attacked her because she was in the process of divorcing him. The victim, Vanessa Gaytan Ochoa, was on her way to work when she noticed her estranged husband following in a car behind. Reports said that she called her lawyer who told her to go to the nearby Casa Jalisco where Governor Enrique Alfaro was holding a meeting on state security. She took a taxi to the official residence and was in the process of explaining the situation to a security guard at the entrance when her husband, Irwin Emanuel Ramirez Barajas, reportedly attacked her. The terrifying moment Vanessa Gaytan Ochoa was run down by her estranged husband Irwin Ramirez in the Mexican city of Guadalajara In the CCTV footage, Ochoa is seen talking to an official at the entrance to the governor's residence as a speeding silver car suddenly approaches and rams into the woman and checkpoint booth. The young woman gets up from the strong impact, but her husband comes running at her with a knife and appears to stab her in the neck area. Meanwhile, the security guard appears with his gun drawn and seems to shoot several times. According to local media, both the husband and wife were rushed to hospital. Sadly, Ochoa reportedly died of her injuries while her husband succumbed to the bullet wounds he sustained from the guard. Irwin Emanuel Ramirez Barajas, who Ms Ochoa was divorcing after alleging threatening behaviour, runs to stab his wie in the neck as she climbs to her feet after he ran her down A security guard at the state governor's office appears to shoot Irwin Ramirez Barajas after he ran over and fatally stabbed his estranged wife Vanessa Gaytan Ochoa The couple was said to be in the process of divorcing and the victim had reported Ramirez Barajas to the police for aggressive behaviour in 2017 and in February this year. Meanwhile, residents have staged a demonstration outside the governor's residence to demand justice. They reportedly read out a statement where they called it 'unacceptable' that a woman who had reported her husband to the authorities was murdered outside the state building. Climate change protesters who brought parts of central London to a standstill for days, costing millions of pounds and causing long delays for commuters hailed city mayor Sadiq Khan after they met today. Members of Extinction Rebellion, who brought 10 days of disruption to the capital, said Mr Khan 'accepts he must be a bold champion of climate action' after they met at City Hall on Monday afternoon. It is the first of a series of meetings that demonstrators, hundreds of whom were arrested during days of demonstrations, will hold with senior politicians. They are due to meet Environment Secretary Michael Gove tomorrow to discuss their concerns. The protesters tweeted: 'The Mayor of London accepts he must be a bold champion of climate action and will set up a meeting to explore a Citizens' Assembly. 'We welcome this and look forward to decisive action on ecological collapse and climate breakdown. 'We look forward to our meeting with Michael Gove tomorrow...' Mayor of London Sadiq Khan met Farhana Yamin and Sam Knights of Extinction Rebellion at City Hall in London this afternoon The climate change protesters said the meeting had gone well and looked forward to meeting Michael Gove tomorrow Ahead of the meeting Mr Khan called for 'an urgent step change in the way we think and act in order to tackle climate change'. In an op-ed for the Mirror he said: 'In the last few months, we have seen a growing momentum behind this cause from the youth climate strikes, to the Extinction Rebellion protests across London and the inspirational campaigner, Greta Thunberg, urging political leaders around the world to take bold action to help avert the catastrophic impact of climate change. 'I support the democratic right to peaceful and lawful protest, but the recent protests, some of which were unlawful, placed an enormous burden on our already overstretched and under resourced police. 'They also had a big impact on some of Londons communities and businesses. 'However, I share the protesters passion about tackling climate change and I absolutely agree that we need to do much more as a country, and fast.' Members of Extinction Rebellion will call on Mr Gove to back their demands to declare a climate emergency and commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2025. The group will also meet with shadow chancellor John McDonnell on Tuesday. Extinction rebellion's campaign of street protests and roadblocks led to 1,130 arrests over Easter as they blocked locations including Parliament Square and Oxford Circus At some of the protest sites, like in Hyde park and Marble Arch there was an almost carnival atmosphere An artwork which appears to be by street artist Banksy appeared near the former location of the Extinction Rebellion camp in Marble Arch after they had left During the campaign of street protests and roadblocks which saw 1,130 arrests over Easter, Mr Gove said that it was 'appropriate' for Extinction Rebellion to raise awareness of climate issues, but said some of their tactics were 'over the top'. He made clear then that he was ready to meet the protesters, saying: 'The point's been made, let's now have a serious conversation collectively about how we deal with this situation.' And he attended a meeting in Parliament with 16-year-old Swedish protester Greta Thunberg, the inspiration for the global School Strike for Climate, telling her he felt 'a sense of responsibility and guilt' because his generation had not done enough to deal with the issue. 'The time to act is now, the challenge could not be clearer, Greta you have been heard,' Mr Gove told the teenager. Extinction Rebellion said that this week's meeting was 'Michael Gove's opportunity to show he's ready to act on the climate and ecological emergency'. Although the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs described the meeting as 'private', the campaigners said they would film it and make the footage public. Mr Khan suffered a backlash on social media after declaring that London should return to 'business as usual' after the protests. Banners were produced with the slogan: Business as Usual = Death. A Government spokesman said: 'We can confirm a private meeting will be held between the Environment Secretary, (Committee on Climate Change chairman) Lord Deben and representatives from Extinction Rebellion. 'We know the impact climate change is having on our environment and welcome discussions on how we can tackle it.' Four suspected terrorists have been arrested in France after police say they foiled an 'extremely violent' attack on security forces. Three adults and a teenager - who was serving probation after being convicted of trying to travel to Syria to join ISIS in 2017 - were arrested on Friday last week. The Paris prosecutor's office said the attack was due to be carried out 'in the coming days' as the city braces for May Day yellow vest protests that will leave forces stretched. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said three adult men and a teenager who was already on probation for trying to travel to Syria were arrested last week on suspicion of plotting an attack The three adult men also have a history of criminal behaviour though it is not directly related to terrorism, sources close to the investigation said. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner told reporters on Monday that 'we had sufficient evidence to lead us to believe that a major attack was being planned.' The attack would have targeted security personnel and been 'extremely violent', Mr Castaner added. A police source said the four suspects had been arrested on suspicion of acquiring weapons 'with a view to committing a terrorist act'. France has been on high alert since the start of a wave of jihadist attacks began in 2015, leaving more than 250 people dead, with ISIS urging followers to target soldiers and police in France. Despite the collapse of the terror group's self-proclaimed 'caliphate' in Iraq and Syria last month, the threat of further attacks inspired by the group remains high. The group had acquired weapons for their 'extremely violent' attack and were planning to target security services, sources closed to the investigation said (file image) A series of bomb attack in Sri Lanka killed at least 250 on Easter Sunday, targeting Christians and foreign tourists. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack and a video has since emerged showing the bombers pledging allegiance to the group and its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. European security chiefs have warned of a new wave of attacks on the continent from ISIS sleeper cells, operating independently of the main group. Kurdish forces fighting ISIS in Syria have also cautioned that the terror group is far from defeated - despite the collapse of its so-called Caliphate - and the battle is simply entering a new phase. At the end of March, two men, one which psychiatric problems, were indicted in Paris on suspicion of planning an attack on a school or a police officer. A plastic surgery fan has gone to extreme lengths to achieve the perfect stomach - with a fake six-pack. Pangpaparn Ounvilai, 24, from Thailand has undergone a bizarre cosmetic procedure that involves liposuction to remove fat from parts of the stomach that later reveals the natural abdominal lines. Mr Ounvilai, who has had several surgeries in the past, forked 3,000 to have his stomach muscles enhanced because exercise could not give him the body he wanted. Pangpaparn Ounvilai, 24, (pictured) has undergone a bizarre procedure to get a six pack. He paid 3,000 to ave his stomach muscles enhanced because exercise could not give him the body he wanted After what appear his period of recovery, Mr Ounvilai flaunted his new body in a photo shoot by the sea The procedure involves liposuction to remove fat from specific parts of the stomach that later reveals the natural abdominal lines He said: 'I have been working out for many years but I want to my abs line to be more defined, so I did the surgery.' 'It will make my body always look good even though I will gain a little fat. I am happy this way,' he added. Surgical expert Atittayapa Photiya revealed pictures showing Mr Ounvilai during and before the surgery. Ahead of the operation a photo shows the surgeon marking out individual abdomen muscles on his flat stomach, while another image during the surgery shows him on on the operation table with objects in his torso. A photo ahead of the operation a photo shows the surgeon marking out individual abdomen muscles on his flat stomach Another another image during the surgery shows him on on the operation table with objects in his torso Post surgery he can be seen with bandages covering the wounds from where the incisions where made during the operation. He even took a selfie showing his body wrapped up While recovering, a faint sign of abs can be seen on his torso which appears covered in band aids and scars Scars appear visible on Mr Ounvilai abs during his recovery. Mr Ounvilai said: 'I have been working out for many years but I want to my abs line to be more defined, so I did the surgery' Post surgery he can be seen with bandages covering the wounds from where the incisions where made during recovering. After what appear to be weeks of resting, Mr Ounvilai flaunted his new body in a photo shoot by the sea. Six pack surgery has been increasing in popularity for the last four years in Thailand, which also attracts many tourists flying to the country for the surgery. On of the bizarre enhancements offered by another Thai clinic is a penis whitening procedure for image conscious men. The father of a student who died after a street assault has claimed authorities showed him 'no respect' by not informing him of a court hearing in which three girls admitted attacking his daughter. Mariam Moustafa, 18, suffered a stroke which left her in a coma after the attack in Nottingham on February 20 last year and died almost a month later on March 14. Six teenage girls have now admitted to their part in the street attack on Egyptian engineering student Mariam Moustafa which left her in a coma on February 20 last year, it can now be reported. Six had been charged with the offence of affray but three had denied the charge in October and were due to stand trial last week. The 18-year-old suffered a stroke 10 hours after the incident in Nottingham and died almost a month later But Mariah Fraser, 19, Britania Hunter, 18, and a 16-year-old girl, admitted their part in the attack before Judge Gregory Dickinson QC on April 16. Three other teenage girls, two aged 17 and one aged 18 admitted affray at Nottingham Youth Court last year. The 18-year-old Egyptian student's father, Mohamed Moustafa said he was not informed of the recent hearing, describing it as 'another failure in the case of our daughter'. The case can be reported today after restrictions were lifted by District Judge Timothy Spruce. Ms Moustafa was punched several times during a confrontation with a group of women near a bus stop in Parliament Street at 8pm. The teenager got on a bus at the scene near the Victoria Centre shopping precinct but was followed by the same group, who it is claimed were threatening and abusive towards her. She was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in the city and then transferred to Nottingham City Hospital where she was treated until her death. The student's father, Mohamed Moustafa, said he was not informed of the recent hearing, describing it as 'another failure in the case of our daughter'. The family's legal representative said an official complaint has been made to authorities. Mr Moustafa, 51, said: 'We were not informed or advised in any way, shape, or form that there was a hearing on that day. 'As a family we are entitled to know everything regarding our daughter's case beforehand and not after. 'We should have been informed of that hearing date and time and we should have been given the opportunity to attend the hearing. This very simple right was taken from us. Ms Moustafa was punched several times during a confrontation with a group of women near a bus stop in Parliament Street, Nottingham, at 8pm on February 20 'This is not the first mistake. A lot of mistakes happened with Mariam from the very first day and now it is just normal. Mistakes, mistakes, mistakes with Mariam. 'I believe it is not fair at all - because it is my daughter.' Mr Moustafa described her daughter as 'very kind' and 'like an angel' after she was attacked. The attack caused uproar in Egypt and the country's embassy had called on those responsible to be 'brought to justice swiftly'. After the final guilty pleas were entered, the teenager's family also expressed their anger at the level of charges the six defendants faced. Mr Moustafa described affray as 'very weak' - insisting there was 'strong evidence' the defendants should have been tried on more serious charges. He said: 'We are very disappointed with the charges pressed against the defendants. 'It was not and is not what we expected. It's unfair and unjust to charge those whom killed or, at least by their actions, led to (Mariam's) death with such minor offences. 'It is very weak. It is not fair at all. 'From the first day I was very upset about the charge. Affray - it's nothing. Months before her death Mariam Moustafa took to Youtube to explain how her heart condition had left her 'scared' to go to college or leave the house. Miss Moustafa's sister Mallak previously told The BBC how Mariam had been born with half a heart and suffered a heart condition 'We had a big hope that the CPS would be more aware that the attack happened at 7.45pm and the cause of death, the stroke, happened at 10am, which is just over 12 hours. But once more we were let down. 'I'm sorry, the charge is very stupid, very weak. It's not strong enough.' Mariam's father said he was told about the final guilty pleas by his solicitor shortly after the hearing on April 16, rather than before. He continued: 'For respect, for the people who lost their daughter... they should have informed me. It is not fair at all. Mariah Fraser, 19, one of the attackers that caused Mariam Moustafa, 18, to fall into a coma after the attack in Nottingham on 20 February and later die of a stroke 'I'm very upset. All these mistakes - nobody respects me and my family. This is another failure in the case of our daughter. The solicitor representing the family of engineering student Mariam Moustafa has said he 'completely disagrees' with not being informed about a court hearing in which three girls admitted attacking her. Dr Emad Abo-Houssin, the legal representative for the 18-year-old's father Mohamed and mother Nessrin Abu Elenein, said it 'should have been our choice, not a choice that was made for us'. Speaking to the Press Association, Dr Abo-Houssin said: 'I received a call on Tuesday April 16 from the leader of the investigation in Mariam's case. 'She has advised me that the three girls who had pleaded not guilty had now changed their plea and they entered a guilty plea to the court on that day. Therefore there would be no trial on April 23, the trial had been cancelled. Her father, Mohamed Moustafa, (seen with his partner, Nessrin Abu-Elenein, 42) said he was not informed of the recent hearing, describing it as 'another failure in the case of our daughter' 'I advised the family of that on the same day. However, neither me nor the family were aware that there would be a hearing that day. 'We did not know that - that there would be a hearing and pleas would be entered on that day. 'The CPS did not contact us so we were not aware of the hearing. We were made aware of it after the guilty pleas were entered rather than before. In the graphic video Ms Moustafa is punched several times during a confrontation with a group of women near a bus stop in Parliament Street, Nottingham 'I have explained that to the family and the family are really disappointed. 'Myself, I am disappointed. I completely disagree with what happened. I'm not very happy with that. 'I therefore have submitted an official complaint regarding that because... we should have been informed and we should have been given the opportunity if the family would like to attend or not. 'That should have been our choice, not a choice that was made for us.' A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said: 'We have worked closely with the police to make sure Mr Moustafa has been kept updated throughout this process and are deeply sorry this didn't happen on this particular occasion. We have contacted him to offer a full explanation. 'We were preparing for trial in this case, two of the three guilty pleas were unexpected and we informed the family immediately. 'We have also met with Mr Moustafa to explain the charge of affray, the CPS can only charge if the evidential stage of our tests for prosecution are met. Our thoughts remain with her family.' Fraser, Hunter, and the four other teenagers will be sentenced on a date to be fixed. This is the horrific moment a 74-year-old man was gored to death in a tragedy at a bull-running festival in Spain. The pensioner was watching the traditional Toro Embolao event in Vejer, in Cadiz, when the 1,150-pound animal set upon him. The victim, named as local resident Juan Jose Varo, tried to climb to safety by scaling a nearby wall but was knocked down into the path of the bull. Despite desperate attempts to lure it away, the bull came back and attacked the pensioner two further times and left him with fatal wounds. Desperation: The pensioner (pictured behind the bull, wearing the deeper blue jumper with his feet nearer the ground) tries to escape the rampaging animal by climbing up a wall It was several more minutes before medical help could reach the injured man while the bull was tempted away from the scene. Fellow spectators managed to pull him behind a barrier and out of the bull's path but the attacks left him with a punctured lung and several broken ribs and vertebrae. He was rushed to hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit but did not recover from his multiple injuries. A spokesman for the local council said it was an unfortunate accident as the man who died usually watched the bull run from behind the barriers. The bulls used in the festival have 'balls' attached to the tip of their horns in a bid to protect spectators if they are charged at. The bull lunges at Mr Varo, smashing him with its horns as he lies helplessly on the ground Injured: Spectators behind the barrier drag the wounded man away from the animal as helpers try to lure the bull away from the crowd However, the event is still fraught with danger because of the enormous size and weight of the animals. Paramedics at the scene also had to treat a woman who fainted at the scene of the incident and another man who was injured by the same bull. He needed seven stitches. The festival has been celebrated in the hill-top town since 1976 and involves the running of two bulls through the streets of the town. It is watched by thousands of people and is considered a major tourist attraction for Vejer. Bull-running festivals are a popular part of Spanish culture but animal campaigners say they are cruel and want them banned. International development consultant Peter Davis tried to meet underage girls online A government adviser who worked in international development overseas tried to meet young girls online when he returned to the UK. Peter Davis, 52, went on chatrooms looking for girls and, in one message, said '13 would be the perfect girlfriend age'. He travelled back and forth to Nigeria in 2017 but, at the same time, was caught trying to meet underage girls in Britain. Davis, of Fritwell, Oxfordshire, messaged two people he thought were 13 year old girls, but who were actually undercover police officers. Oxford Crown Court heard asked one to share pictures of herself via ChatAvenue.com and sent her a photo which he falsely claimed was himself. He then messaged an officer he thought was a young girl suggesting he would get her a ring so that she could 'pretend to be his teen wife'. He said he could get a cottage for them to meet in and asked for 'naughty pics', the court heard. Davis avoided jail at Oxford Crown Court after a judge found his references 'compelling' Davis was eventually arrested at his Oxfordshire home and told police he had been 'very silly'. He changed his name to Peter Harris in January. Last week he admitted two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child but avoided jail, instead getting a community service order. Judge Ian Pringle said the character references he had seen for Davis were 'some of the most compelling I've ever read.' The judge added that he had to weigh up the lack of previous offences against the explicit content of the messages. Davis changed his name by deed poll James Harris to try to keep his crimes secret Defence barrister Michael Phillips also claimed Davis should be shown mercy because he risked his life to work overseas. Prosecutor Alex Bull said the first online exchange with an undercover officer using the name 'Livvy' was in May 2017 on the site ChatAvenue.com when Davis said he was looking for a girlfriend. 'Livvy' said she was only 13 and asked if that was too young and he replied: 'Not at all, 13 would be the perfect girlfriend age.' He exchanged more messages with another officer using the name 'Chelsea' in October 2017 when he asked for 'naughty pics'. Davis, who lives with his girlfriend in Fritwell, Oxfordshire, will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years, must pay prosecution costs of 340, and will have to do 180 hours of unpaid work. He changed his name by deed poll in January to James Harris to try to keep his crimes secret. Last night a DfID spokesman confirmed Davis had worked as a consultant after his arrest. But he was a sub-contractor and civil servants had not been told of the situation, he said. An inquiry has begun. The CEO of Boeing defended the company's safety record on Monday and declined to take more than partial blame for two deadly crashes of 737 Max that killed 346 people. Addressing shareholders, Chairman and CEO Dennis Muilenburg said that the company has nearly finished an update that 'will make the airplane even safer' and took reporters' questions for the first time since accidents involving the 737 Max in Indonesia and Ethiopia that plunged Boeing into its deepest crisis in years. Muilenburg said that Boeing followed the same design and certification process it has always used to build safe planes, and he denied that the Max was rushed to market. 'As in most accidents, there are a chain of events that occurred,' he said, referring to the Lion Air crash on October 29 and the March 10 crash of an Ethiopian Airlines Max. 'It's not correct to attribute that to any single item.' He was also asked whether he will resign, which he said he as no plans to do. Boeing Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg defended the company's safety record and declined to take any more than partial blame for two deadly crashes of its best-selling plane, the now-grounded Boeing 737 Max. Muilenburg is pictured at a news conference after the company's annual shareholders meeting at the Field Museum in Chicago, on Monday The news conference, held after Boeing's annual meeting in Chicago, came amid questions about the Max, which has been grounded worldwide since mid-March. Southwest Airlines said over the weekend that Boeing did not disclose that a safety feature on the 737 - an indicator to warn pilots about the kind of sensor failure that has been linked to both accidents - was turned off on the Max. Southwest said it found out only after the Lion Air crash. Published reports said that federal regulators and congressional investigators are examining safety allegations relating to the Max that were raised by about a dozen purported whistleblowers. And the pilots' union at American Airlines said Boeing's proposal for additional pilot training on the Max doesn't go far enough. For instance, the union for American Airlines pilots wants, at a minimum, mandatory additional training to include video demonstrations of how to respond to failures of systems on the plane. The annual meeting came six months to the day since the Lion Air crash. Muilenburg told shareholders that Boeing is close to completing an upgrade to flight software on the Max 'that will ensure accidents like these never happen again.' The annual meeting came six months to the day since the Lion Air crash in the Karawang Bay, West Java, occurred on October 29. A search missing is shown being carried out at the site of the crash on October 30 In the brief news conference that followed, Muilenburg said - as he has several times before - that the accidents resulted from a 'chain of events' that included the erroneous activation of flight software known as MCAS. This picture taken at the Tanjung Priok Jakarta port on October 30, 2018 shows Indonesian people examining debris of the ill-fated Lion Air flight JT 610 in Jakarta In the brief news conference that followed, Muilenburg said - as he has several times before - that the accidents resulted from a 'chain of events' that included the erroneous activation of flight software known as MCAS. Boeing has conceded that in both accidents, MCAS was triggered by faulty readings from a single sensor that pushed the planes' noses down. 'We know this is a link in both accidents that we can break. That's a software update that we know how to do ... this will make the airplane even safer,' Muilenburg said. Muilenburg took six questions from reporters before leaving with reporters still questioning him, including one who pointed to the deaths of 346 people and urged the CEO to take more questions. Besides the software update, Boeing will present the Federal Aviation Administration with a plan for training pilots on changes to MCAS. The company is pushing for training that can be done on tablet computers and, if airlines want to offer it, additional time in flight simulators when pilots are due for periodic retraining. Accidents involving the Boeing 737 Max in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed a total of 346 people. Wreckage is shown on March 11 piled at the crash scene of the March 10 Ethiopian Airlines flight crash near Bishoftu, Ethiopia Pieces of the wreckage of an Ethiopia Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft are shown piled at the crash site near Bishoftu, Ethiopia, on March 13, three days after the crash Southwest Airlines said over the weekend that Boeing did not disclose that a safety feature on the 737 - an indicator to warn pilots about the kind of sensor failure that has been linked to both accidents - was turned off on the Max. In this file photo taken on March 28, 2019, Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are parked on the tarmac after being grounded at the Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, California Muilenburg took six questions from reporters, including whether he will resign, which he said he has no intention of doing. Muilenburg is pictured in Chicago on Monday A requirement for training in simulators would further delay the return of the Max because of the relatively small number of flight simulators. The union for American Airlines pilots wants mandatory additional training on checklists for responding to certain emergencies. 'Not every pilot that goes out there and flies is a Boeing test pilot,' said Dennis Tajer, a 737 pilot and spokesman for the pilots' union at American. 'The responsibility to train those men and women doesn't rest just with the airlines, it rests with Boeing and the FAA too. If something happens anywhere in the world, it affects all of us.' During the one-hour annual meeting, shareholders elected all 13 company-backed board nominees, including newcomer Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor who lobbied for a Boeing plant there, and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Several shareholder resolutions were defeated, including one to name an independent chairman whenever possible instead of letting the CEO hold both jobs. A chairman-CEO 'is not always a bad thing, but at times of crisis it's hardly ever a good idea,' said Matt Brubaker, CEO of business-strategy consultant FMG Leading, who was not involved in the debate. 'The place they are in now, they need the scrutiny of an inwardly focused CEO to drive change.' President Donald Trump attacked Joe Biden on Monday, hours before the former vice president made his first campaign stop and after he won a crucial endorsement from a powerful union. 'Sleepy Joe Biden is having his first rally in the Great State of Pennsylvania. He obviously doesn't know that Pennsylvania is having one of the best economic years in its history, with lowest unemployment EVER, a now thriving Steel Industry (that was dead) & great future!,' Trump wrote on Twitter Monday morning. The president also claimed he's in office because of Biden and former President Barack Obama. In it to win it: Joe Biden is taking on Trump directly - and before he spoke in Pittsburgh the president unleashed on twitter against the Democrats' new apparent frontrunner 'The Media (Fake News) is pushing Sleepy Joe hard. Funny, I'm only here because of Biden & Obama. They didn't do the job and now you have Trump, who is getting it done - big time!,' Trump wrote on Twitter. And then he claimed union membership supports him even if its leadership does not, charging its leaders with ripping off workers. 'I'll never get the support of Dues Crazy union leadership, those people who rip-off their membership with ridiculously high dues, medical and other expenses while being paid a fortune. But the members love Trump. They look at our record economy, tax & reg cuts, military etc. WIN!,' he noted. 'The Dues Sucking firefighters leadership will always support Democrats, even though the membership wants me. Some things never change!,' he added. Biden is seen as one of the biggest threats to Trump's re-election efforts - and Monday's tweets suggest the president believes that himself. In the RealClearPolitics polling average of Biden vs. Trump, the former vice president leads by 7.5 points. The four-tweet blast comes ahead of Biden's first campaign stop Monday here in Pittsburgh - in a state Trump took from the Democrats in the 2016 election. Before then, a Republican hadn't won Pennsylvania in more than 20 years. Biden is also seen as one of the president's strongest rivals for the blue-collar voters in the Rust Belt states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin - a voting block that helped Trump win the Oval Office. Setting Biden off to a strong start is an endorsement which came Monday from the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), a powerful union which sat out the 2016 presidential race entirely. Union president Harold Schaitberger praised Biden as an advocate for the middle class. 'Joe's a lot like our firefighters. He's a problem solver who cares deeply about America and committed to making our country better. He's one of the staunchest advocates for working families. He knows that a strong middle class means a strong America,' Schaitberger said in their video endorsement of Biden. 'And we know as president he will stand up for all the patriotic Americans who want nothing more than to earn a decent wage, send their kids to college, have affordable healthcare and a decent and secure retirement.' Schaitberger also told MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' that Biden 'has the ability to speak to those workers, particularly in the states that are key in the next presidential election to be able to connect with them.' Those voters didn't feel the same connection to Hillary Clinton, he claimed. 'Quite frankly that they did not feel connected to the democratic nominee in 2016,' Schaitberger said. 'Those votes are key in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa. Joe Biden is genuine and has the ability to connect and touch and speak to those workers and those voters and bring them back from where many of them did migrate in 2016.' President Donald Trump slammed Joe Biden with multiple hits on Monday International Association of Firefighter (IAFF) president Harold Schaitberger praised Biden as an advocate for the middle class And United Steelworkers are expected to be out in force for Biden on Monday, another powerful force in Pennsylvania politics. Biden's bigger aim is winning back Pennsylvania for Democrats. In 2016, President Trump became the first Republican to win the state in more than 20 years and Democrats want the Keystone state back in their corner. It also indicates the former vice president - who is competing among a field of 20 for the Democratic nomination - sees Trump, not other Democrats, as his foremost opponent. Pennsylvania votes late in the Democratic primary calendar but is crucial to winning the White House in the general election. And 61 percent of registered voters in the state believe it's time to elect a new president, according to a Franklin & Marshall College poll taken in March. Biden, with his ties to unions, is seen as one of the strongest bets to turn the rust belt states - Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ohio - back to Democrats, an appeal said to have Republicans worried. 'Obviously we have to go back and win Michigan again, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin,' Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale said Sunday on 'Face the Nation.' The president is expected to make the country's strong economy one of his main arguments for re-election. In addition to pushing it in his tweets on Monday, his former 2016 Pennsylvania strategist, David Urban, credited Trump for the strong economy in an op-ed he wrote for the Philadelphia Inquirer, the biggest paper in the state. 'No matter how hard the Democrats try to spin the facts, President Trump's tax law has resulted in more money staying in the pockets of Pennsylvanians something they'll not forget when they head to the polls in 2020,' Urban noted. Biden returns to Pennsylvania on May 18 with a large rally in Philadelphia. A 60-year-old woman's uterus has reportedly slipped out of place and protruded out of her vagina after she had a vigorous dancing session. A doctor from the Chinese city of Xuzhou told reporters that the patient came to her crying as she felt a chunk of her flesh had 'dropped out of body' while she was dancing in public. Upon examination, the doctor discovered that the woman's womb had slipped down and poked out entirely, according to reports. The patient in Xuzhou, China, suspected she might have danced too hard on a public square, causing her womb to fall out. However, the doctor said the theory was unlikely (file photo) The unidentified patient recently went to the Maternal and Child Health Centre in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, for medical assistance, reported Chinese video news site Pear. She told Dr Song Hongjuan, a supervisor at the hospital, that she was terrified after feeling something falling out of her vagina when she was boogying on a public square during a work out session. She feared that she might have a tumour. She also told Dr Song that her uterus had slipped down and poked out 'a little' in the past. But it had not poked out whole like this time. Dr Song Hongjuan from the Maternal and Child Health Centre in Xuzhou (pictured) told Chinese video news site Pear that the horrified patient recently came to see her in tears The 60-year-old woman suffered from uterine prolapse, a condition that sees the womb slipping towards, or into, the vagina. It is a common issue to women after childbirth The doctor explained that the pensioner suffered from uterine prolapse, a condition that sees the womb slipping towards, or into, the vagina. The patient claimed that she might have danced too hard, which caused her uterus to protrude from her vagina. However, Dr Song said that theory was unlikely. Instead, she believed that the uterus had been weakened from childbirth - a common issue mothers face. Dr Song told reporters that the patient had received surgery and was on way to recovery Dr Song suspected that the patient had given birth to a big baby when she was young and suffered from uterine prolapse from childbirth. The condition had never been treated and likely worsened as she grew older. The doctor urged new mothers to start exercising their pelvic floor muscles after giving birth. She also advised women not to leave constipation, chronic coughs and allergic rhinitis untreated because all these conditions could cause harm to one's pelvic floor muscles. Dr Song told reporters that she and her team had perform surgery on the patient and she was on way to recovery. Former Vice President Joe Biden earned the endorsement of the powerful firefighters union ahead of his first formal campaign stop here on Monday and the wrath of President Donald Trump, who claimed the love of the members even without the seal of approval from its leadership. Biden's first stop is on friendly-territory: a native of Scranton he's long identified with the people of Pennsylvania and with the blue-collar voters of the Rust Belt who are the back bones of unions. He'll speak to supporters at a union hall in the neighborhood of Lawrenceville, which has seen an economic resurgence in recent years. Those blue-collar voters are the same ones who helped Trump win the White House three years ago and Biden will kick off his plan to win them over with a speech focused on the economy and middle class. Former Vice President Joe Biden earned the endorsement of the powerful firefighters union Setting him off to a strong start is an endorsement from the International Association of Firefighter (IAFF), a powerful union who sat out the 2016 presidential race. Union president Harold Schaitberger praised Biden as an advocate for the middle class. 'Joes a lot like our firefighters. Hes a problem solver who cares deeply about America and committed to making our country better. He's one of the staunchest advocates for working families. He knows that a strong middle class means a strong America. And we know as president he will stand up for all the patriotic Americans who want nothing more than to earn a decent wage, send their kids to college, have affordable healthcare and a decent and secure retirement,' Schaitberger said in their video endorsement of Biden. 'I couldn't be more proud to have the International Association of Fire Fighters on my team. Unions built the middle class in this country - and as President, I'll fight to strengthen them and grow the backbone of this country,' Biden wrote on Twitter. International Association of Firefighter (IAFF) president Harold Schaitberger praised Biden as an advocate for the middle class The former vice president spoke to the group in Washington D.C. in March - part of a series of speeches to labor groups before he formally announced his 2020 presidential campaign. As union members shouted 'run Joe run,' Biden told them: 'Save it a little longer, I may need it in a few weeks.' He also spoke to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in April and supported 31,000 Stop & Shop striking workers in New England with an April stop in Dorchester, Mass. And United Steelworkers are expected to be out in force for Biden on Monday, another powerful force in Pennsylvania politics. While his courting labor on Monday, Biden's bigger aim is winning back Pennsylvania for Democrats. In 2016, President Trump became the first Republican to win the state in more than 20 years and Democrats want the Keystone state back in their corner. It also indicates the former vice president - who is competing among a field of 20 for the Democratic nomination - sees Trump as his foremost opponent. Pennsylvania votes late in the Democratic primary calendar but is crucial to winning the White House in the general election. And 61 percent of registered voters believe it's time to elect a new president, according to a Franklin & Marshall College poll taken in March. Biden, with his ties to unions, is seen as one of the strongest bets to turn the rust belt states - Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ohio - back to Democrats, an appeal said to have Republicans worried. He'll return to Pennsylvania on May 18 with a large rally in Philadelphia. 'Obviously we have to go back and win Michigan again, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin,' Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale said Sunday on 'Face the Nation.' President Donald Trump went after Biden hard in a twitter rant on Monday Schaitberger also told MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' that Biden 'has the ability to speak to those workers, particularly in the states that are key in the next presidential election to be able to connect with them.' Those voters didn't feel the same connection to Hillary Clinton, he claimed. 'Quite frankly that they did not feel connected to the democratic nominee in 2016,' Schaitberger said. 'Those votes are key in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa. Joe Biden is genuine and has the ability to connect and touch and speak to those workers and those voters and bring them back from where many of them did migrate in 2016.' In the RealClearPolitics polling average of Biden vs. Trump, the former vice president leads by 7.5 points. And Trump went against Biden hard Monday. 'Sleepy Joe Biden is having his first rally in the Great State of Pennsylvania. He obviously doesnt know that Pennsylvania is having one of the best economic years in its history, with lowest unemployment EVER, a now thriving Steel Industry (that was dead) & great future!,' Trump wrote on Twitter Monday morning. The president also claimed he's in office because of Biden and former President Barack Obama. 'The Media (Fake News) is pushing Sleepy Joe hard. Funny, Im only here because of Biden & Obama. They didnt do the job and now you have Trump, who is getting it done - big time!,' Trump wrote on Twitter. And then he claimed union membership supports him even if its leadership does not, charging leaders with ripping off workers. 'Ill never get the support of Dues Crazy union leadership, those people who rip-off their membership with ridiculously high dues, medical and other expenses while being paid a fortune. But the members love Trump. They look at our record economy, tax & reg cuts, military etc. WIN!,' he noted. 'The Dues Sucking firefighters leadership will always support Democrats, even though the membership wants me. Some things never change!,' he added. President Donald Trump signaled Monday that he's ready for an onslaught from Democrats this week on Capitol Hill, where his attorney general is scheduled to testify twice. Democrats have summoned Attorney General William Barr for hearings in both chambers. They intend to probe him on the contents of the Mueller report and his refusal to give them an unredeacted version. Justice says that Barr may not comply with a demand to sit before them a second time this week for a House Judiciary Committee grilling on Thursday. The committee's chairman, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, says that Barr won't 'dictate' the terms of his appearances. Trump jumped in the melee with a Monday morning tweet that builds on his argument that special counsel Robert Mueller's report should be testimony enough. Attorney General William Barr might be a no-show at a scheduled May 2 House hearing on the Mueller report 'Bob Mueller was a great HERO to the Radical Left Democrats. Now that the Mueller Report is finished, with a finding of NO COLLUSION & NO OBSTRUCTION (based on a review of Report by our highly respected A.G.), the Dems are going around saying, Bob who, sorry, dont know the man," he said. His spokeswoman said House Democrats are acting 'childish' as she spoke to reporters outside the White House. Democrats are also seeking a session with former White House counsel Don McGahn, who can speak to acts they will try to prove were obstructive to the investigation into election meddling. Nadler pushed back on Barr's demands on Sunday, saying, The witness is not going to tell the committee how to conduct its hearing. Period.' Judiciary Democrat Cedric Richmond said Sunday that Trump 'attempted to collude' with Russia and 'attempted to obstruct justice, at the least.' He said he matters should be reviewed by his committee. 'We have not heard from this president under oath. So the best person we can hear from is Attorney General Barr to find out why, one, his summary, a Cliff Notes version was so different from the facts and two, why won't he just release the unredacted report?' he said on 'Face the Nation.' House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler, a New York Democrat, says that witnesses don't get to decide how hearings are conducted Justice says that Barr may not comply with a demand to sit before them a second time this week for a House Judiciary Committee grilling on Thursday Democrats are demanding testimony from Barr on Wednesday in the Senate and Thursday in the House. Both hearings will be conducted by the body's Judiciary committee and its members. Barr will be in friendlier territory in the Senate, where GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham is top dog. The senator is a pal of Trump's and golfed with him on Sunday. Before their game, the South Carolina senator appeared on 'Face the Nation' to decry claims that Trump obstructed justice. 'I think the idea that this president obstructed justice is absurd. He turned over a million documents to the special counsel,' he said. 'Almost everybody around him testified. I can't think of one thing that President Trump did to stop Mueller from doing his job.' Graham said he'd 'heard all I need to really know' about Trump's bad deeds. 'Now I want to look and find out how all this happened,' he said on the CBS News program. The Republican insisted that testimony in Mueller report from McGahn that it was his belief that the president wanted him to have the special counsel fired doesn't matter. 'I think it's just all theater. It doesn't matter. I don't care what he said to Don McGahn. It's what he did,' he said. 'If you're going to look at every president who pops off at his staff and you know, ask him to do something that's maybe crazy, then we won't have any presidents.' Special Counsel Robert Mueller sent the Justice Department a report that Barr was forced to partially redact, and Democrats on the Judiciary Committee want the freedom to see what's under the black boxes by taking the May 2 hearing into 'closed session' Graham said he will not call Mueller as a witness he doesn't feel the need to 're-litigate' the probe that took nearly two years to conduct. 'I'm not going to re-litigate it. I don't know how clear I can be, Margaret. It's over for me. He didn't collude with the Russians, obstruction of justice in this situation is absurd. I fought hard as hell to make sure Mueller could do his job, I introduced legislation to make sure he couldn't be fired. It's over,' he said. Lawmakers have never seen the entire Mueller report, though. DOJ is refusing to make it available to to them. Justice offered to let congressional leaders and certain committee heads take a look, after House Democrats subpoenaed the report. Democrats are taking an all or nothing approach and want the full document to be made available to all lawmakers and preferably the public or nothing at all. They also want to see the underlying evidence that Mueller relied on to make his assessment that no on in the Trump campaign colluded with Russia and materials that could help inform their views on obstruction of justice. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told journalists Monday that Democrats' behavior is 'outrageous' and legislators 'are asking for things they know they cant have.' 'Frankly, they're just acting really childish,' she asserted. A missing mother is feared to be one of two women found dead 'in a freezer' in an east London flat. Police made the gruesome find after they were called to a ground floor flat in a residential block in Canning Town on Friday morning, responding to a welfare check. It is believed one of the bodies could be mother-of-two Mary Jane Mustafa, 38, who disappeared last May and was a friend of the resident in the flat, according to neighbours. The flat is said to be the home of a registered sex offender who has vanished and not been since before police arrived. The Met Police has refused to say whether they are hunting for the resident or if he even forms part of their investigation. A murder probe has been launched but no arrests have been made so far, with police experts are still trying to establish the identities and ages of the two people killed. Police experts are still trying to establish the identities and ages of the two people killed, but it is feared that one could be missing mother-of-two, Mary Jane Mustafa from Canning Town When approached last night by Mail Online, Ms Mustafa's family said police had not been in contact with them and they still hope that she will return home after being missing for a year The flat is said to be the home of a registered sex offender, although no details have been given of any potential suspects A police forensics tent has been put in the back garden of the property in Canning Town A police source said: 'The bodies were found in the freezer inside the flat apparently. 'There were two victims. One of them is understood to have been on the Missing Persons list for quite some time. 'The man whose flat it is understood to be a registered sex offender.' The last time Ms Mustafa was seen alive was with 3 on a journey to a shop in May 2018. However, when approached last night by Mail Online, her family said the police had not been in contact with them and they still have hope that she will return home. Ms Mustafa, a 38-year-old mother, went missing a year ago. She was last seen on a London bus Her niece Hazel Ozulku wrote on Facebook last night: 'There is no need to think negative at this point because we still believe she is fine and she will come home.' Her sister Zeynep Mustafa Sukan wrote: 'When are you coming home, sis? I miss you like you wouldn't believe!' A missing persons investigation was launched last year into the disappearance of Ms Mustafa, originally from Cyprus. In January, her cousin Ayse Hussain urged anyone with information to come forward. She said: 'She's missed her own birthday, her daughter's birthday and now Christmas. 'I've been looking after her kids now and then, and I took her daughter Christmas shopping to keep her distracted. We just say mum has gone to sort herself out and say she'll be back soon. 'Her daughter has just started secondary school and her son is 19.' Police made the gruesome find after they were called to a ground floor flat in a residential block in Canning Town on Friday morning. Police pictured at the scene with forensics officers Police outside residential address on Vandome Close, E16, where two bodies have been found Forensics officers bag unknown items outside the property which is occupied by 'sex offender' Some neighbours in the area said that Ms Mustafa was known to be friends with a convicted sex offender that lived in the block. They added that by the time police turned up on Friday, the man had disappeared from the property. Scotland Yard said they were called to the property shortly before midday on Friday by someone worried about the resident of the flat. A police spokesman said: 'Officers subsequently gained entry and discovered two bodies dead at the scene. 'The bodies are believed to be those of two females. We are working to carry out formal identification and trace next of kin. 'Post-mortem examinations will be held in due course. The investigation is being led by the Homicide and Major Crime Command. 'There have been no arrests at this stage and inquiries continue.' 'Post-mortem examinations will be held in due course. The investigation is being led by the Homicide and Major Crime Command,' police said. Forensic officers pictured leaving the flat 'The bodies are believed to be those of two females. We are working to carry out formal identification and trace next of kin,' police said A neighbour claimed to know the suspect, dubbing him a 'scumbag'. 'He used to have parties in his flat where he'd bring a lot of girls and there's be a lot of noise,' the neighbour said. 'Sometimes you'd hear shouting and arguing and you'd wonder what was going on down there. 'I last saw him last Thursday when I confronted him about taking money off a 90-year-old friend of mine. 'He looked worried and said to me 'now is not a good time'. 'There was a woman with him, who I think was his carer because he had all sorts of health problems. A police cordon remains in place at a flat in east London where two bodies were found Forensics officers seen leaving the building with a camera and lighting equipment 'She looked visibly shaken and was shaking her head and crossing herself in a religious way. 'Now that I've found out that two bodies were discovered in his flat, it all makes sense. ' A woman visiting the murder scene just after 6pm tonight said she feared at first that her aunt, who lives at number 60, could have been one of the murder victims because she lives in the red brick two storey building. She said: 'I couldn't tell you anything about what's happened. 'I just came to check on my aunt who lives here. 'I've had her mum on the phone too. 'When we saw the news we were worried it was her. But, thank God, she's okay.' The bodies were found in a property in this cul-de-sac in Canning Town on Friday A woman who lives on the ground floor flat of the council block to the right of the murder scene said she used to hear the man drinking outside with others. She said: 'I used to hear them drinking outside, but that is all I know.' Another neighbour, who gave only the name 'Jake', said the man who lived in the flat would often invite women with drug addictions to stay with him temporarily. He said: 'He and his mates would take girls back to the flat, sometimes they'd stay round there for days. 'There would be loud noises from all night parties.' There were also suggestions one of the victims had been reported missing from home some time ago as police went house-to-house in the area on Saturday asking residents questions. A neighbour claimed to know the suspect, dubbing him a 'scumbag'. Police pictured at scene One resident of the block of flats, who did not want to be named, said he had only just found out about two bodies being found. 'I'm astonished, it's a little community,' he said. 'We're all tight-knit around here, everybody knows everybody.' Scotland Yard last night said it was still working on identifying the victims and would not comment on claims made by locals. A post-mortem examination will be carried out in due course, the force said. Yesterday, forensics officers were seen carrying sealed evidence bags out of the flat as a police officer stood guarding the entrance to the block. The glass in the building's front door had been covered up to prevent people seeing inside. Met Commander Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Tucker said: 'The launch of any murder investigation is naturally of concern to the local community and we have borough officers in the area supporting colleagues from the Homicide and Major Crime Command as they investigate the full circumstances. 'A crime scene is in place and we would encourage anyone with information about what may have happened at this premises to contact police on 101, quoting CAD 4303/26APR.' A Philadelphia cop was arrested after helping his girlfriend steal her brother's dog - it has been revealed. Angel Lopez, 30, travelled to the man's house in Bushwick, Brooklyn at 5:30 a.m. Thursday to steal the Maltese dog and even put him in a chokehold when he refused to give it up. Lopez was said to have been wearing his uniform complete with shield, cuffs and gun during the shocking incident - according to a complaint in Brooklyn Criminal Court. Angel Lopez, 30, travelled to the man's house in Bushwick, Brooklyn at 5:30 a.m. Thursday to steal the Maltese dog Lopez was said to have screamed 'Where is the dog? I want the dog!' as he shoved the man several times, the complaint says. He also allegedly told the man: 'If you hit me, I am going to arrest you for assaulting an officer.' The complaint then claims Lopez punched the man in the head and the victim grabbed the dog in an attempt to head for the door. But Lopez and his girlfriend allegedly put the man in a chokehold, police said, while the woman wrested the Maltese from him and left. The cop was arrested on Friday and charged with a dozen misdemeanors including robbery, assault and coercion through his public position. Lopez was then released on his own recognizance after a court appearance Saturday, and is due back in court June 28. His girlfriend is still believed to have the dog and has yet to be arrested. Philadelphia police suspended him for 30 days, with the intent to dismiss him from the department, Police Commissioner Richard Ross told the Philadelphia Inquirer. 'It's so very unfortunate that someone will give up a good job for something that's so ridiculous,' Ross told the paper. President Donald Trump said the New York Times has not apologized to him for running a political cartoon that pictured him in a yarmulke being led by a dachshund dog with the face of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 'The New York Times has apologized for the terrible Anti-Semitic Cartoon, but they haven't apologized to me for this or all of the Fake and Corrupt news they print on a daily basis,' Trump tweeted Monday. 'They have reached the lowest level of 'journalism,' and certainly a low point in @nytimes history!' The Times ran the cartoon on Thursday in print, and on Saturday apologized for the cartoon, which it said 'included anti-Semitic tropes' and admitted was 'offensive' and 'an error of judgment to publish it.' A blue Star of David is seen dangling from Netanyahu's 'collar' while Trump, portrayed as a blind man, holds the leash. President Donald Trump said the New York Times has not reached out to him to apologize for running an anti-Semitic cartoon The Times ran the cartoon on Thursday, which depicts President Trump as a blind man wearing a yarmulke being led by a 'guide dog' with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's face Trump said that the Times, which he often calls 'fake news,' has reached the 'lowest level of journalism' by running the political cartoon The newspaper said the cartoon was provided by the New York Times News Service and Syndicate and has been deleted. 'We are deeply sorry for the publication of an anti-Semitic political cartoon last Thursday in the print edition of The New York Times that circulates outside of the United States, and we are committed to making sure nothing like this happens again,' the Times Opinion section tweeted in a statement Saturday. 'Such imagery is always dangerous, and at a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise worldwide, it's all the more unacceptable,' the statement continued. 'We have investigated how this happened and learned that, because of a faulty process, a single editor working without adequate oversight downloaded the syndicated cartoon and made the decision to include it on the Opinion page.' Trump often criticizes the Times, calling the publication 'fake news,' and blasting them for its leftist bias. He said the Times reached a 'low point' in publishing the cartoon and then not apologizing to him. 'Disgusting. I have no words for flagrant anti-Semitism on display here,' Trump's eldest son Donald Trump Jr., tweeted Saturday. 'Imagine this was in something other than a leftist newspaper?' 'The image was offensive, and it was an error of judgment to publish it,' the Times said Saturday in a statement addressing the image In response to the continued outrage, the Times Opinion team issued another statement on Sunday that had a more explicit apology New York Times op-ed columnist Bret Stephens blasted his paper for the cartoon on Sunday Jewish organizations continued to voice anger at the publication. The American Jewish Committee slammed the Times, saying that it printed a cartoon 'that would not have looked out of place on a white supremacist website'. 'Apology not accepted,' the AJC tweeted in response to the Times' clarification on Saturday. 'What does this say about your processes or your decision makers? How are you fixing it?' The AJC then tweeted: 'Naked antisemitism such as in this image is not 'an error of judgment. We have to wonder if the @nytimes editors would've published a similar cartoon depicting any other country or people.' The cartoon was drawn by political cartoonist Antonio Moreira Antunes of the Lisbon, Portugal-based newspaper Expresso. Times columnist Bret Stephens wrote a piece titled 'A Despicable Cartoon in The Times,' which blasted his employer over the cartoon. The media's 'torrential criticism of Israel' and 'mainstreaming of anti-Zionism' has desensitized people to its 'inherent bigotry,' Stephens wrote. 'I have now been with The Times for two years and I'm certain that the charge that the institution is in any way anti-Semitic is a calumny,' Stephens writes. 'But the publication of the cartoon isn't just an 'error of judgment. The paper owes the Israeli prime minister an apology.' Stephens continued. 'It owes itself some serious reflection as to how it came to publish that cartoon - and how its publication came, to many longtime readers, as a shock but not a surprise.' The cartoon was intended as a criticism of the Trump administration's perceived pro-Israel bias. Palestinian leaders have said Trump cannot be an honest broker for peace after he broke with long-standing U.S. policy and recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2017 and moved the American embassy to the city last May. Trump also established a precedent by recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau that Israel captured from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War. Theresa May was warned today not to make students 'the victims of Brexit' as a major row broke out over plans to hike university tuition fees for EU students. Currently EU nationals pay the same as British citizens but proposals are reportedly being drawn up to treat them the same as all other non-Britons from the 2020-2021 academic year. They face having to pay considerably more to attend English universities, under proposals by Education Secretary Damian Hinds, BuzzFeed News has reported. Chancellor Philip Hammond and business secretary Greg Clark, another former universities minister, are said by Buzzfeed to be against the policy, which is supported by Brexiteers. Labour and student representatives vented fury at the idea and the European Parliament's Brexit co-ordintor wrote to Theresa May today warning her not to 'deprive our youth of opportunities'. Guy Verhofstadt said: 'Young people must not be the victims of Brexit.' Students from EU countries reportedly face having to pay considerably more to attend English universities, under proposals by Education Secretary Damian Hinds The reports prompted an angry response from Brussels, with a warning not to let Brexit affect young people Mr Verhofstadt had earlier warned that Brussels 'will never accept' the increase in fees, suggesting a possible tit-for-tat increase from EU states The change - which would apply whether or not there is a Brexit deal - would result in students from the EU paying fees in line with other overseas undergraduates. People starting courses in 2019-20 will be eligible for the same fee rates as UK students, the Government has announced. Universities minister Chris Skidmore declined to comment on the leak today, saying 'no decision has yet been made on the continued access to student finance for EU students.' But he added that the UK needs to attract 'global talent, not just from the EU', telling MPs: 'The Government has already committed for the 19/20 academic year that there will be home fee status for EU students; for the 2020/21 academic year we will be making announcements on this very shortly. 'I think it is also important to recognise that the number of EU students has risen since 2017 by 3.8 per cent. 'We want to ensure, as a Government, that we are doing our best to attract the best and the brightest internationally.' Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner told the Commons: 'We've all read in the leaked reports that the Secretary of State plans to withdraw the home fee status for EU nationals from 2020 onwards. 'The minister can't confirm today its policy, so when will universities get the certainty they need to plan for their future? 'Has his department carried out any assessment of how many EU students would no longer study here as a result of this change?' Amatey Doku, vice-president for higher education at the National Union of Students said: 'This leaked policy announcement is a backwards step for the UK higher education sector, sending out the worst message to our EU partners and shutting out many talented students from our world class educational institutions.' Mr Doku, a supporter of the pro-EU For Our Future's Sake group, said: 'This isn't 'Project Fear' about no deal, this is the reality of the Government's strategy to try to close our world-class educational institutions to the rest of the world. 'Both EU students now and in the future, as well as the entirety of the UK, will be the victims of this and it's why students across the UK back a public vote on any agreed Brexit deal.' A one-year-old girl died on Saturday after she was bitten by a Rottweiler at her home in Henderson, Nevada. The four-year-old dog, belonging to a family friend, left the toddler with life-threatening injuries after the attack at around 8am. Investigators said the infant was rushed to Henderson Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. A one-year-old baby girl was bitten by a Rottweiler on Saturday at a home (pictured) in Henderson, Nevada. The girl was rushed to a Nevada hospital but succumbed to her injuries a short time later According to police statement, animal control officers took custody of the Rottweiler (file image). The dog was euthanized at the request of the owner Details of the baby's injuries were not released. According to police statement, animal control officers took custody of the Rottweiler. The dog was euthanized at the request of the owner. Authorities have not said what prompted the attack, but according to the family's neighbor, Michael Seed, the dog didn't have any aggressive tendencies. Seed told Fox 5 that the dog has 'never really been aggressive'. 'I've never heard it bark. It's been there numerous times.' Authorities have not said what prompted the attack, but according to the family's neighbor, Michael Seed (pictured), the dog didn't have any aggressive tendencies The baby's grandfather told the station that he is heartbroken and in shock. He confirmed that the family was at home at the time of the attack, but he's not sure what happened. The man said his granddaughter has always been around large dogs and had been around the one that bit her multiple times. An adult male Rottweiler can be anywhere from 110 to 130 pounds. Females are usually between 77 and 110 pounds. Avengers fans were filmed charging a cinema to get their hands on tickets for the new Endgame movie. Hundreds of people in the city of Dhaka, Bangladesh, were filmed running in a stampede towards a cinema. The clip starts by focusing on the crowds surrounding the centre doors, then pivots to capture a man running through a water feature to be the first in line. Scroll down for video Hundreds of people in the city of Dhaka, Bangladesh, were filmed running in a stampede towards a cinema to get their hands on tickets for the new Avengers movie Endgame. One man, pictured above on the left, gets his feet wet by running through a water feature Another man behind him wades through the water and gets his jeans wet as he rushes to get in the queue. Scores of people are then seen joining the queue from the sides, before even more people are seen running down the street to join the line. But in a comical twist, this isn't only a cinema. It is a shopping centre in Dhaka, with the cinema located on the eighth floor. The clip starts by focusing on the crowds surrounding the centre doors, then pivots to capture a man running through a water feature to be the first in line. Hundreds of people are captured in a rush towards the complex When the film was first released on Friday, the local Dhaka Tribune reported that one student had arrived at 8am to see it and had found that tickets were already sold out. The student told the newspaper that he hoped to get tickets for a showing held three days later. The amusing clip shows the Bashundhara City shopping complex being bombarded with people. At the end of the clip, one woman is captured slowly walking down the street, oblivious to what is going on. Chad Gurney, 19, from Saffron Lane, Leicester, was jailed for 13 years today for the attempted murder of a man he met on Grindr A teenager who wrote a murder manual and tried to kill a man he met on gay dating app Grindr has been jailed for 13 years. Chad Gurney, 19, listed eight ways he wanted to commit the offence - including slitting a man's throat with scissors. He met his victim through Grindr and they had consensual sex in a park near Aylestone Leisure Centre in Leicester on July 29. Gurney tried to stab his victim at around 8.10pm but only inflicted minor injuries to his neck. He tried to stab him a second time but his victim dodged it and fled. Two-and-a-half hours later, Gurney handed himself into Euston Street police station and the murder booklet was seized at his home in Saffron Lane, Leicester. He was found guilty of attempted murder after a trial at Leicester Crown Court in February and was jailed today for 13 years with an additional five on licence following his release. Jurors heard officers found a 'planning a murder' notebook, along with a diary containing thoughts of murderous intent stashed at his home. A spokesman for Leicestershire Police said: 'When being interviewed by officers Gurney also admitted he had twice made plans to kill somebody. 'On one occasion he followed someone over a bridge and was going to attack him from behind but was unable to go through with it. Gurney was found guilty of attempted murder after a trial at Leicester Crown Court (pictured). He had tried to stab the man twice but could only inflict minor injuries before the victim escaped 'The second time he planned to lure someone to a disused building but the person never showed up to the location. 'In Gurney's diary he also talked about having already murdered someone but when questioned told officers this was a lie. 'Officers have conducted preliminary searches in relation to this which have proved negative.' The rabbi who was injured during the horrific Passover shooting at a San Diego synagogue has revealed the moment he came face to face with the gunman. Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein was preparing to lead a service on Saturday when John Earnest, 19, burst into the Chabad of Poway and opened fire, police said. 'As I turned around, I saw the face of this murderer, this terrorist,' Goldstein told CBS News. Goldstein said he wanted to look the murderer 'in the face' so that he could impart something 'to the rest of the world'. Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein ,who was injured during the horrific Passover shooting at a San Diego synagogue on Saturday, has recalled the moment he looked the gunman in the face Goldstein was shot in both hands, losing an index finger in the shooting at Chabad of Poway on Saturday. He spoke at a press conference outside of the synagogue on Sunday 'What is that?' asked CBS News correspondent David Begnaud. 'To change,' Goldstein replied. 'It's time for a change. It's not just anti-Semitism. It's all type of bigotry. We have lost our soul.' Goldstein was shot in both hands, losing an index finger in the shooting but coming out alive. His beloved friend Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, was not so lucky. Witnesses, including eight-year-old Noya Dahan, revealed that Gilbert-Kaye jumped in front of Goldstein to save the rabbi. 'The last thing she could've done is save the rabbi and that's what she did,' Dahan told CBS News. Goldstein revealed on Sunday that just moments after the shooting, he wrapped his bloody fingers in a prayer shawl, went outside, and got up on a chair to address his congregation 'We are a Jewish nation that will stand tall!' he told them. 'We will not let anyone or anything take us down! Terrorism like this will not take us down!' Goldstein underwent hours of surgery but his right index finger could not be saved 'She went in front of the rabbi and instead of the rabbi, she died.' Dahan, who suffered shrapnel wounds to her leg and face, hid by herself after the gunman opened fire. 'I knew that something was wrong because it wasn't adding up to me, because I heard loud sounds,' she recalled. 'It was very, very scary, and I'm not supposed to go through this stuff.' Almog Peretz, Dahan's uncle, was trying to help his niece and the other children at the synagogue get to safety when he was shot in the leg. 'I got to the back and I put all the kids inside the house, inside one room,' Peretz recalled. Goldstein credited Lori Kaye-Gilbert, who as killed in the shooting, for saving his own life Goldstein said he believed Gilbert-Kaye died to protect the entire congregation on that horrific day. They are pictured here together Dahan said she wanted to help but at the same time knew she had to run. Despite the traumatic experience, the brave girl said she plans to return to the synagogue. 'I am probably going to be afraid, but I am still going to go and probably watch out for anything,' she said. Goldstein revealed on Sunday that just moments after the shooting, he wrapped his bloody fingers in a prayer shawl, went outside, and got up on a chair to address his congregation. 'We are a Jewish nation that will stand tall!' he told them. 'We will not let anyone or anything take us down! Terrorism like this will not take us down!' Goldstein said he believed Gilbert-Kaye died to protect the entire congregation on that horrific day. 'Lori took the bullet for all of us,' he said. 'She died to protect all of us. She didn't deserve to die. She's such a kind, sweet-hearted, just a good human being. She doesn't deserve to die right in front of my eyes.' Witnesses, including eight-year-old Noya Dahan (pictured), revealed that Gilbert-Kaye jumped in front of Goldstein to save the rabbi Dahan, who suffered shrapnel wounds to her leg and face, hid by herself after the gunman opened fire. She is pictured here in the hospital after the shooting 'This is her legacy,' he continued. 'It could have been so much worse. If the sequence of events didn't happen the way they happened, it could have been a much worse massacre.' Goldstein said he had just walked into the banquet hall of the synagogue to wash his hands when he first heard a loud 'bang'. He initially thought Gilbert-Kaye had fallen. He then walked back to the lobby and saw Earnest. 'I turn around and I see a sight that I - undescribable,' he continued. 'Here is a young man standing with a rifle, pointing right at me. And I look at him. He had sunglasses on, I couldn't see his eyes, I couldn't see his soul. I froze.' Goldstein was concerned about Gilbert-Kaye. But just as he tried to check on her, more shots rang out and he held up his hands to protect himself. Dahan rides on the shoulders of her father, Israel Dahan, at a candlelight vigil held for victims of the Chabad of Poway synagogue shooting on Sunday Almog Peretz (pictured), Dahan's uncle, was trying to help his niece and the other children at the synagogue get to safety when he was shot in the leg Peretz is seen here recalling the moment he came face to face with the shooter on Saturday 'Could have gone right through my chest,' he said. 'Could have gone right through my heart. Both fingers.' Goldstein then turned around and realized there were children, including his four-year-old granddaughter, playing in the banquet hall. He and Peretz sprung into action, gathering them together and yelling at the children to get out. Gilbert-Kaye had been at the synagogue to pay tribute to her mother, who recently died It was then that the assault weapon wielded by Earnest jammed, creating an opening for others to jump in, said Goldstein. That included US Army veteran Oscar Stewart, who had heard the gunfire while he was praying inside the synagogue. Stewart, 51, rushed into the lobby and screamed for everybody to get down. He then shouted 'I'm gonna kill you!' at Earnest, who began to flee. The former Army sergeant chased Earnest into the parking lot, where the gunman leaped into his Honda. Stewart banged on the side of Earnest's car and the shooter dropped his rifle to start the ignition. Gilbert-Kaye's husband, Dr Howard Kaye, tried to save her before he fainted. Their 22-year-old daugher Hannah found them both on the floor (all pictured together) At that exact moment Jonathan Morales, an off-duty Border Patrol agent, shot four bullets into the car as Earnest sped off into the distance. 'I've been told that I may have saved some lives. I never thought about that. I just did what I did,' Stewart told reporters. 'I'm not a hero or anything, I just did it.' 'I thank God that he gave me the courage to do what I did.' After the shooter had left, Goldstein returned to the lobby to find Gilbert-Kaye unconscious. 'And her dear husband, a brother to me, is trying to resuscitate her. And he faints and he's lying there on the floor next to his wife,' Goldstein recalled. 'And then the daughter Hannah comes out screaming, "Daddy and Mommy, what's going on?'" 'It's the most heart-wrenching sight I could have seen.' An Upstate New York woman has been arrested and charged after authorities said she asked a 911 operator how to kill her boyfriend. Zelda L. Cotton, 54, is accused of attacking a 76-year-old man on Saturday in Tonawanda, New York, Buffalo News reported. Cotton is said to have struck the man multiple times before calling a 911 dispatcher for advice on how to finish the job. Authorities said the man was not injured in the altercation. Zelda L. Cotton, 54, is accused of attacking her 76-year-old boyfriend on Saturday in Tonawanda, New York, then calling 911 to ask how to kill him after her attempts proved unsuccessful. A file photo of a Town of Tonawanda police patrol SUV is shown Town of Tonawanda police said Cotton struck the man five times with a 'VCR tape.' She's also said to have attempted to hit him with a leaf blower battery. Cotton, who lives on Delaware Street, was intoxicated when she was taken into custody, police said. The incident occurred at a home on Williams Street. Cotton was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of an elderly person. She was also charged with criminal possession of a weapon. She is currently being held on $5,000 bail. The Town of Tonawanda Police Department did not immediately return DailyMail.com's message seeking additional information about the incident. John Ramsey will be opening up about the days after the death of his daughter JonBenet in an interview with Dr Oz on Tuesday. In a preview of that interview obtained by DailyMail.com, he speaks about the moment he learned that the murder investigation had identified a suspect in the case - him. 'It was a day or two after and we had gone to a friend's house to stay, and I got a call from a fella that worked for me,' John tells Dr. Oz. 'And he said, "John, I got a call from inside the system." He didn't say who, and the message was: "Tell John to get the best defense attorney he can get his hands on because they're going after him, they think he killed his daughter."' John says he was in a state disbelief after hearing the news, unaware that this accusation would trail him for the next decade. Scroll down for video Bludgeoned beauty queen: John Ramsey speaks about how he was alerted to the fact that he was suspected of murdering his daughter JonBenet (above weeks before her death) in a new interview John says he was in a state disbelief after hearing the news, unaware that this accusation would trail him for the next decade The interview follows John's recent appearance on the A&E special Hunting JonBenet's Killer: The Untold Story, in which the bereaved father also shared new images of his late daughter. Among the images is one of JonBenet smiling as she looks up at the camera, taken at her Colorado home on Christmas Eve of 1996. That is the last known photo of JonBenet, who just a few hours later was murdered inside her own home while her parents and brother slept in their rooms just a few feet away from the six-year-old child beauty queen. The special also featured age-progression imagery that allowed viewers to see what JonBenet would look like today. She would be 28, but her father said that her personally cannot imagine JonBenet growing old. 'In my mind she's still my 6-year-old little girl, that's how I remember her,' said John. John, who lost his oldest daughter to a car accident just four years before JonBenet's death, revealed that he still feels blessed in spite of those tragedies. 'It's going well,' he replied when asked how his life is going these days. 'My kids are healthy and grandkids are healthy so you have to look at what's good in your life and be thankful for it.' He confessed however that on occasion he allows himself to wonder how things would be if JonBenet had not been taken away from him at such a young age. John also spoke about the moment he and wife Patsy were cleared by investigators 12 years after JonBenet's death, and two years after Patsy passed away from cancer. 'I figure Patsy knew that from whatever vantage point she had in heaven,' said John about his wife not being there for the news. 'And my mind frame was, OK, let's get on with finding the killer.' John also said on the special that he never once thought his son Burke was responsible for he death of his sister. The family is pictured in a December 1993 holiday photo. JonBenet died in December 1996 Burke sued CBS after the network aired The Case Of: JonBenet Ramsey, which concluded with investigators revealing that after extensive research into the events that happened on the night of the murder they believed Burke Ramsey was responsible for killing his sister. He recently settled that case after demanding damages of $750million from the network. The body of JonBenet was found bludgeoned and strangled in her basement hours after she was reported missing on Christmas morning. She was covered by a white blanket with a nylon cord around her neck, her wrists bound above her head and her mouth covered by duct tape. John and Patsy had called police to report her kidnapping and said they found a note demanding a ransom of $118,000 for her safe return, which instructed them not to contact the authorities. Despite this, police arrived to their home shortly after in clearly marked vehicles. John and Patsy would remain the primary suspects in their daughter's death for more than a decade, and it was not until 2008 that police finally cleared them of any wrongdoing. Patsy was suspected by members of the public of being the murderer after reports emerged that handwriting on the ransom note was similar to her own, but after she willingly provided a sample to police it was determined she did not write the note. Many also suspected someone in the family, as they claimed there were no footprints in the snow around the house. John - who was briefly linked to Natalee Holloway's mother Beth in 2007 and remarried in 2011 to Jan Rousseaux - has discussed in the past how he lost his millions after the death of JonBenet when he decided to move the family out of Boulder and back to Atlanta, not realizing the stigma that would be placed on him by the public and how difficult that would make it for him to obtain a job. It took threats of cracked heads, merciless memes, and even a chime-in from Chrissy Teigen, but the feud between 50 Cent and producer Randall Emmett is finally over. The rapper had been on a social media warpath against Emmett and his fiancee, Vanderpump Rules star Lala Kent, over a $1million loan. 50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III, launched a public attack on Emmett on Friday and demanded that he pay back the six-year-old loan. Emmett, who repeatedly pleaded to be left alone and claimed he was going to the hospital from stress over the feud, finally wired the rapper all the money on Monday. It took threats of cracked heads, merciless memes, and even a chime-in from Chrissy Teigen, but the feud between 50 Cent and producer Randall Emmett, along with his fiancee Lala Kent (pictured together right), is finally over 50 Cent launched a public attack on Emmett and demanded that he pay back a $1million loan (the pair are pictured together at a past award show) The pair's row boiled to the surface on Friday after 50 Cent shared a clip of Kent, 28, talking to her co-star about the first time she had sex with Randall. 'I let him hit it the first time and we were inseparable; he would just send me, like, really expensive gifts,' Kent, who got engaged to Emmett last fall, tells castmate Stassi Schroeder in the clip. 'The first night we banged, I got a car the next day. He was like, "Do you want a Range Rover?"' 50 Cent, 43, made fun of Kent in his Instagram caption, writing: '10 seconds left in the 4 quarter h*** are Winning. Do you want A range rover, yes, b**** yassss. Then just run out and s*** a d***. LOL smh.' Kent was quick to respond in the comments, telling 50 Cent she was 'disgusted'. 'We've sat up at dinners solo with you, you showing mad love, while begging Rand to put one of your new talentless b*****s in a film, and this is how you come for me? On the gram?' Emmett, who repeatedly pleaded to be left alone and claimed he was going to the hospital from the stress of the feud, finally paid the rapper on Monday afternoon 50 Cent was unswayed by Emmett's claims of health issues, even posting this photo of Emmett standing in a medical facility with a number of devices strapped to his chest 'She swears she's a thug from south side Jamaica queens & she's up in here watching Bravo,' Kent added, hitting back at the rapper. 'Someone has forgotten where they come from. Coming for me on the gram!? I smell fish coming from fifty's direction.' That only seemed to fuel the flames as 50 Cent began sharing grabs of his text exchanges with Emmett, who paid $250,000 of the $1million loan on Friday. 'I said I'm sorry fofty,' Emmett wrote, misspelling the rapper's name. 'I'm heading to emergency room. I'm not doing well. Please don't text me anymore. I'm sorry for everything.' 'This is too much for me. I'm so hurt and not feeling well. This is very bad for me on all levels going to ER to make sure not having heart attack. Please fifty no more.' But 50 Cent was unswayed, writing 'get the f**k out of here Randell'. 'You f****g loser, did you tell her you owed me a million dollar over 6 years. Keep playing with me and get ya f*****g head cracked in front of everybody.' 50 Cent also posted a meme of late Sanford and Son star Redd Foxx mimicking having a heart attack with text of Emmett's claim he was headed to the emergency room for a check-up And his meme onslaught against the producer continued as he repeatedly warned Emmett to pay him back by Monday In yet another meme, 50 Cent photostopped his head on every star in the Vaderpump Rules cast photo and changed the show's title to 'FOFTY CENT RULES' 50 Cent ramped up his social media attack on Emmett on Sunday, warning the producer he had one day to clear the debt. 'Your not gonna die before Monday @randallemmettfilms go ahead knock your self out. LOL,' he wrote, sharing a photo of Emmett standing in a medical facility with a number of devices strapped to his chest. 'You should have gave me my money,' 50 Cent wrote, adding, 'What the f*** is really going on LOL.' 50 Cent even created $32 T-shirts for his G-Unit brand that read 'I'm sorry Fofty' and are still available online for purchase. He also shared before and after shots of Emmett's Wikipedia page, showing the introduction had been changed to how he owed 50 Cent 'a million by Monday, or else'. 50 Cent created $32 T-shirts for his G-Unit brand that read 'I'm sorry Fofty' and are still available online for purchase He also shared before and after shots of Emmett's Wikipedia page, showing the introduction had been changed to how he owed 50 Cent 'a million by Monday, or else' On Sunday, in celebration of the night's Game of Thrones episode, 50 Cent shared a meme showing him sitting on the Iron Throne with the words "Monday is Coming." In yet another meme, 50 Cent photostopped his head on every star in the Vaderpump Rules cast photo and changed the show's title to 'FOFTY CENT RULES'. Meanwhile, Kent continued to hit back at 50 Cent to defend Emmett, claiming in an Instagram story that the rapper was being blatantly misogynistic toward her. The reality TV star claimed that 50 Cent's posting of the Vanderpump Rules clip was done 'to diminish the validity of the #MeToo movement,' urging her followers not to be quiet in similar situations. 'That I will not stand for,' she said. 'If you have been affected by a man like 50, do not be quiet. We're not going to be silenced. I have your back.' 'We need to let these f*****s know that they are not safe. Because once they think they've silenced us, we're all f****d.' The pair's row boiled to the surface on Friday after 50 Cent shared a clip of Kent, 28, talking to her co-star about the first time she had sex with Randall He repeatedly shared Emmett's pleas for forgiveness, revealing the producer had even asked him to be in his upcoming wedding to Kent The ongoing feud caught the attention of Bravo superfan Chrissy Teigen, who tweeted: 'I never want 50 Cent to be mad at me' In response, 50 Cent reposted the clip with the caption: 'Hey how is the Range Rover? There's no difference between Harvey Weinstein and Randel Emmett! This is reality, not reality TV.' The ongoing feud caught the attention of Bravo superfan Chrissy Teigen, who tweeted: 'I never want 50 Cent to be mad at me'. 'Please love me, fofty,' she added, using Emmett's typo of the rapper's name. 50 Cent couldn't help but share screenshots of the tweets from one of his most famous fans, writing: 'I love you @chrissyteigen & john, these people just keep trying me.' As the feud neared its inevitable end, the rapper shared yet another text exchange from Emmett. As the feud neared its inevitable end, the rapper shared yet another text exchange from Emmett, who finally paid him back on Monday afternoon 'Fif I agree to all the terms can you please stop posting,' he wrote. 'Money will be there in the am.' 'You made this f*****g mess, when the money hits the accounts everything comes down,' the rapper shot back. The next day 50 Cent texted Emmett once again after he received the money in full. 'Ok I just got the wire a*****e,' he wrote. 'Back to my regular scheduled program.' The rapper then took to Instagram to reveal Emmett had finally paid him back, saying he now has no problem with the producer. 'In fact, I'm wishing him and his family a very blessed day,' he wrote. 'Positive vibes now guys. LOL.' Everything about the feud has since been wiped from both 50 Cent and Kent's Instagrams. But the memes - and the birth of 'fofty' - will surely last forever. The jury has been discharged in the case against Ramanodge Unmathallegadoo, 51, who was accused of murdering his ex-wife with a crossbow The jury trying a jilted husband accused of murdering his heavily pregnant ex-wife after shooting her with a crossbow was discharged today. Ramanodge Unmathallegadoo, 51, was said to have spent more than a year gathering weapons and planning to kill Devi Unmathallegadoo, 35, who was fatally wounded at her home in Ilford, east London, on November 12. The jury retired to consider its verdicts last Wednesday but Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC today discharged them from further deliberations for legal reasons that cannot be reported. Unmathallegadoo, of no fixed address, will have a retrial from November 4 - which is expected to last two weeks. Unmathallegadoo has previously claimed he took two crossbows to ex-wife Devi's house as a 'deterrent' while he confronted her new husband Imtiaz Muhammad. Devi's parents had arranged her marriage to Unmathallegadoo when she was 16, but the relationship 'was not a happy one' and they separated in 2012. She began a relationship with Mr Muhammad, who had decorated the couple's kitchen. At the time of her death, Devi was living with Mr Muhammad, and the two were 'eagerly expecting the imminent arrival' of their child. Ramanodge Unmathallegadoo, 51, claimed he took two crossbows to ex-wife Devi's (pictured) home in Ilford, east London, as a 'deterrent' while he confronted her new husband Imtiaz Muhammad Devi was eight months pregnant and the bolt narrowly missed her unborn baby, who was safely delivered via Caesarean section (pictured) Unmathallegadoo had told an Old Bailey jury he was unhappy about Mr Muhammad 'forcing' his daughter to live as a Muslim. After being surprised while hiding in the shed, Unmathallegadoo claimed he chased Mr Muhammad through the house. He insisted one of the crossbows 'just went' as he checked the safety catch while aiming at the banister to stop Mr Muhammad as he and Devi fled upstairs. Devi had split from Unmathallegadoo and moved on with Imtiaz Muhammad (pictured) Unmathallegadoo has told jurors he was 'horrified' at discovering he had mortally wounded Devi, by then using the Islamic married name Sana Muhammad. But prosecutors have claimed he spent a year planning the murders of Devi, Mr Muhammad and her unborn child and amassed a terrifying cache of weapons and restraints to help him complete the 'mission'. Jurors have heard how he meticulously jotted down the comings and goings from the home and identified the shed as an ideal vantage point to watch the house. The scene of the alleged murder in Ilford, east London, on 12 November. Unmathallegadoo, of no fixed address, will have a retrial from November 4 - which is expected to last two weeks But rather than wait for the perfect time to strike as intended, Unmathallegadoo allegedly had to execute the plan as best he could after being disturbed. Wielding two crossbows, jurors heard he chased Mr Muhammad into the kitchen before firing into the mother-of-five's stomach as she fled upstairs. The 18-inch hunting bolt pierced her heart but 'miraculously missed' her unborn child who survived following an emergency caesarean section. Unmathallegadoo denied murder and attempted child destruction, claiming he accidentally pulled the trigger while aiming for the banister to stop Mr Muhammad as he ran upstairs. The 25-year-old man who allegedly murdered seven people including his parents and a 12-year-old girl in Tennessee avoided jail in 2017 after setting his neighbor's house on fire. Michael Cummins, 25, has now been accused of killing his parents, David Cummins, 51, and Clara Cummins, 44, his uncle, Charles Hosale, 45, a woman believed to be Hosale's girlfriend and 43-year-old Rachel McGlothlin-Pee at a home on Charles Brown Road. McGlothlin-Pee's 12-year-old daughter Sapphire and her mother Marsha Nuckols, 64, were also found dead at the property. The seventh victim, Shirley Fehrle, 69, was killed at her home nearby on Luby Brown Road. Authorities do not believe she was related to the suspect. He is currently on probation for setting his neighbor's house on fire in September 2017, according to documents filed in Sumner County Criminal Court. David Cummins, 51, and Clara Cummins, 44, were among the seven victims allegedly murdered by their son Michael on Saturday night in Westmoreland, Tennessee The alleged shooter's uncle, Charlie Hosale, and a woman believed to be his partner, Rachel McGlothlin-Pee, were also killed during the violent rampage across two homes in Sumner County, police say. Hosale and McGlothlin-Pee are pictured together in a Facebook photo Michael Cummins, 25, (above) was arrested shortly after the string of seven slayings Rachel McGlothlin-Pee's 12-year-old daughter Sapphire was also killed He was sentenced to 10 years in prison but placed on 10 years of probation last summer by a Sumner County judge after he pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated arson and aggravated assault in the attack at a home in the 1100 block of Charles Brown Road. At the time of his arrest Cummins allegedly told police: 'If I get out of jail, I'll go there and do it again. When I get out, I'll finish the job.' Authorities identified the seven victims of Saturday night's rampage at a press conference Monday morning where Sumner County District Attorney Ray Whitley called the it one of 'the most horrific cases' he has ever investigated. Cummins' grandmother reportedly survived the attack at the first location and was taken to the hospital in critical condition, officials said. Police have not revealed how each of the victims were killed but local media reports indicated that they were all shot as Cummins was armed at the time of his arrest. No motive in the attack has been reported, though the suspect has a long, court-documented history of mental health issues. Authorities identified the seven victims at a press conference Monday morning where Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch (left) described the slayings as 'gruesome' and 'complex' Cummins is currently on probation for setting his neighbor's house on fire in September 2017, according to Sumner County court records. The suspect is seen above in Facebook photos This weekend's gruesome string of slayings was uncovered after officers responded to a 911 call from a family member and found four people deceased and one critically injured at the Charles Brown Road home. Fehrle's body was found a short time later at her home as investigators indicated that she had been carjacked. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed on Sunday that two more bodies were found at the Charles Brown Road home. Cummins was arrested on Saturday night after being shot following an hourslong manhunt a mile away from one of the Sumner County crime scenes, TBI spokesman Josh DeVine said. DeVine said he produced weapons when officers tracked him down, which resulted in him being shot at least once and taken to hospital. Authorities have not yet said what kind of weapon was used and DeVine said Sunday he had no additional information. CONTINUING: @TBIJoshDeVine details more on the capture & shooting of Michael Cummins, the person of interest in the killings of five people found dead Saturday in Sumner County. @WKRN pic.twitter.com/J3zdIa6k9K Josh Breslow, REALTOR (@JoshBreslowTN) April 28, 2019 Authorities in rural Tennessee captured Cummins during a manhunt that was prompted by the discovery of several bodies in two homes The five killings appeared to have occurred late afternoon on Saturday in two locations Cummins was captured after an hourslong manhunt after police found him cowering in a muddy creek about a mile from where one of the shootings occurred. DeVine said at least one officer shot Cummins when he emerged from the woods. He is believed to have produced multiple weapons and the situation escalated. He was then taken to a hospital for treatment for what are believed to be injuries that are not life threatening, DeVine said. Neighbors expressed their shock and sadness as news of the killings began to filter through the town. Bill Heyes told News Channel 5: 'I'm not as shocked as I should be, I've been waiting for this guy to get caught for a while. 'He's done a bunch of trouble, we kind of all saw it coming, not this, but we saw something coming.' Meanwhile a family member set up a GoFundMe account to help pay funeral expenses for David and Clara Cummins and shared pictures of the some of the victims. The home on Charles Brown Road where six of the seven bodies were discovered is seen above TBI agents and forensics are continuing to work to piece together relevant evidence into the murders that took place and are interviewing family members and neighbors who knew Cummins. WROC-TV reported that he has a lengthy criminal background in Sumner County with signs of escalating violence. He was first arrested in December 2012 for violation of an order of protection and simple possession of drugs. He was released about a month later on time served. In August 2013, he was arrested again for domestic assault and sentenced to 150 days in jail. A few years later, in 2017, Cummins was arrested in Sumner County three more times. In February 2017, he was charged with theft under $1,000 and evading arrest. Police records indicate he posted bond. Later in June, he served nearly two months in jail for robbery, domestic assault and violation of probation for the theft charge. His arrest for arson came just after his release from jail. This is the sickening moment a man launches a vile tirade of racist abuse at a black taxi driver, punching him several times and claiming to be a police officer. The unprovoked Easter Sunday attack started when the two were riding in the taxi in Dublin, Ireland and the drunk passenger asked the driver, understood to be originally from Africa, what his favourite position was. He said he didn't understand the question and suddenly the passenger flew off the handle, calling him a 'n*****' in an attack that shocked Ireland and further afield. The drunk passenger took off his seat belt before firing several punches at the taxi driver The driver, Samuel Johnson, who lives in the Blanchardstown area of Ireland's capital, has since spoken out saying he 'didn't know what to think' after the passenger grabbed hold of his steering wheel and falsely claimed to be a police officer. The attack only ended when the suspect, seemingly in an attempt to fight with the driver, jumped out of the taxi and requested that the driver follow him. Mr Johnson drove off without being paid. He told The Star: 'I didn't know what was going on. I tried to defend myself, hide my eyes, my face, my head. Mr Johnson, believed to be from Africa originally, was able to largely fend off the drunk man 'As a taxi driver we are not allowed to retaliate so I tried to protect myself.' Mr Johnson went straight home after the attack but said he's now back at work. It has now been revealed that the suspect handed himself into Irish police after a friend sent him a video of his behaviour after CCTV dash cam footage went viral. Derek Devoy, who established Taxi Watch, a suicide prevention service run by his taxi drivers shared the shocking footage in a bid to identify the man, who is now believed to hail from Kerry, in south west Ireland. The man contacted Mr Devoy who accompanied him to Malahide Garda station. The suspect made a statement. The man made several attempts to attack Mr Johnson, who is now believed to be back at work Mr Devoy told the Irish Mirror that if the man doesn't 'get made an example out of', it would be a 'kick in the teeth.' He added: 'I was sad for the fella [taxi driver] and I thought this f***er should be caught. 'Not one person identified him, nobody acknowledged who he was. Then he [the passenger] contacted me and said he woke up last Saturday morning and someone had sent him the video, a friend of his. 'He said he remembers bits of it, but he didn't know how bad it was. And he can't even stomach to look at the video, he's absolutely disgusted with himself and very embarrassed.' Gardi confirmed they have spoken to the man and have asked any other possible witnesses to come forward. Police in Dublin have spoken with the suspect after he handed himself in to a station in the city A spokesman said: 'A suspect in the case has presented themselves at a north Dublin Garda station and gardai are following a definite line of enquiry.' Joe Herron, president of the Irish Taxi Drivers' Federation, condemned the attack. 'All I can say about it is that it's absolutely horrific to watch. A message has to be sent by gardai that this isn't acceptable behaviour. 'First of all, a man was attacked as he was trying to do his job. And secondly, there is absolutely no place for that kind of racist language in our society.' Vincent Kearns, chief executive of Xpert Taxis, has worked as a taxi driver and was vice president of the National Taxi Drivers Union. He told the Irish Independent that incidents like this were not uncommon for taxi drivers. 'It's horrific. It's a difficult one to handle. I spent most of my life as a taxi representative, the head of a union and even now I run a taxi company with over 500 drivers. 'If I get a driver, whether it be a Nigerian driver or an Indian driver, someone who is easily identifiable by race as not being Irish, I ask them if they have ever suffered any type of racial abuse. The majority of them say, 'nothing too serious, but yes'. 'There are no statistics on how frequently this type of abuse happens, but I can tell you, it's frequent enough. I've certainly heard of many cases of it,' he said. A family in Arizona are accusing staff at their 15-month-old daughter's day care of failing to protect their child after she came home last week covered in bite marks from a classmate. Rocio Enriquez, of Maricopa, says the incident involving her daughter, Mila, took place on her second day at Sunrise Preschools last Thursday. According to Enriquez and her husband, Rylee Umstead, school staff informed them that Mila was bitten 'just a couple of times' when they went to pick her up. Scroll down for video A couple from Maricopa, Arizona, say their 15-month-old daughter, Mila, came home from her day care last Thursday with eight bite marks on her back (pictured) Rocio Enriquez (left) and her husband, Rylee Umstead (right), say their child was repeatedly bitten by another toddler inside a classroom where just four kids were present The incident took place at Sunrise Preschools in Maricopa, Arizona (pictured) But when the couple brought the toddler home and examined her, they counted eight red bite marks on her back. I lifted up her shirt just a little bit and it freaked me out, Umstead told Azfamily.com. I froze up, just shocked. When the furious Enriquez confronted the day care administration, she was reportedly told that there were four children in the classroom with one teacher, who at one point was busy changing a baby's diaper. Officials at the school told the parents that the biting attack took place over the course of 30 seconds. She had to have screamed multiple times, Enriquez said of her child in an interview with Fox10. Why is the child paying the consequences when it should be the teacher? Enriquez questioned why the teacher did not stop the other child from harming her daughter after the first bite. You can justify one bite mark. But eight? Thats some negligence, she said. The mother suggested that young Mila has been traumatized by the painful experience. Shes gotten to the point where she doesnt want anyone to lift her shirt up, she said. She freaks out. The couple said their daughter is now afraid to let anyone lift her shirt up The child who inflicted these injuries on Mila (left and right) was expelled, while the teacher was in the room has been suspended without pay On Sunday, Sunday Preschools, which operates locations through Arizona, released a lengthy statement acknowledging the incident with Mila and repeatedly apologizing for what had happened. According to the statement from company president Dana Vela, the teacher on whose watch the biting happened has been suspended without pay, and the toddler who bit Mila was expelled due to the 'severity' of the incident. This should not have happened, Vela wrote. This incident was heartbreaking and unacceptable and we are working diligently to ensure it does not happen again. Vela went on to reassure her clients that the day care is reviewing all of its policies and procedures 'to do everything possible to keep this from happening again.' Shelley Long is perhaps best known for her role as the intellectual barmaid on the 1980's TV sitcom Cheers, passing out beers and unsolicited advice at the raucous Boston bar where 'everybody knows your name.' Three decades after leaving the iconic show, DailyMailTV spotted the 69-year old actress enjoying a drink with a male friend at famed Pacific Palisades hotspot Hank's on Saturday afternoon. Shelley and her friend were out window shopping on the cloudy day, an eyewitness tells DailyMailTV. 'No one seemed to recognize her, and I think she liked it that way. She was wearing a fun 'Jimmy Carter For President' shirt and carrying her dog while her friend carried her purse and shopping bags.' Three decades after leaving the iconic show, DailyMailTV spotted the 69-year old actress Shelley Long enjoying a drink with a male friend at famed Pacific Palisades hotspot Hank's on Saturday afternoon 'No one seemed to recognize her, and I think she liked it that way,' said an eyewitness. She was wearing a fun 'Jimmy Carter For President' shirt and carrying her dog while her friend carried her purse and shopping bags' Shelley is perhaps best known for her role as the intellectual barmaid on the 1980's TV sitcom Cheers, passing out beers and unsolicited advice at the raucous Boston bar where 'everybody knows your name.' While her male companion enjoyed a beer, Shelley stuck to a glass of water and kept her dog on her lap during the hour-long chat When they passed the Kitson Los Angeles 'pop-up' store at the boutique PaliSkates she pointed and chuckled at a 'Fake News Editor' message tee in the window. Once at Hank's, the staff quickly brought out a little bowl of water for her Chihuahua and she softly thanked them for their thoughtfulness. Shelley has lived in a $1.3 million condo in the upscale West Los Angeles enclave of Pacific Palisades, California, since divorcing her second husband Bruce Tyson in 2004. But according to locals, she is rarely seen out enjoying the local businesses. While her male companion enjoyed a beer, Shelley stuck to a glass of water and kept her dog on her lap during the hour-long chat. Hank's is a local hangout that attracts A-list celebs and serves up comfort food along with craft cocktails, as well as an extensive beer and wine list. Other celebrities who live in the family friendly Pacific Palisades include Kate Hudson, Goldie Hawn, Diane Keaton, Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Larry David, and Tom Hanks. Afterwards, Shelley carried her tiny Chihuahua dog back to the street so he could relieve himself, while her friend got his car to take her back home. Shelley recently reunited with the cast of her hit 1989 film Troop Beverly Hills to honor its thirtieth anniversary When they passed the Kitson Los Angeles 'pop-up' store at the boutique PaliSkates she pointed and chuckled at a 'Fake News Editor' message tee in the window. Shelley recently reunited with the cast of her hit 1989 film Troop Beverly Hills to honor its thirtieth anniversary. She has also starred in Nightshift (1982), The Money Pit (1986) with Tom Hanks, and played iconic TV mom Carol Brady in The Brady Bunch Movie (1995) and A Very Brady Sequel (1996) among many other projects. But it's her Emmy winning role as the tightly wound waitress Diane Chambers on Cheers (1982-1987) which has endeared her to the public. Her character's on-again, off-again romance with former Red Sox relief pitcher Sam Malone (played by fellow Emmy winner Ted Danson) kept the show on the top of the ratings chart year after year. Shelley Long left after five years with the show, believing her character had run its course. 'It was fun to see her being waiting on at the local watering hole here in Pacific Palisades,' says our eyewitness, 'I think that unlike the Cheers bar, she liked that around here, no one seemed to know her name!' Ravinder Gidar who part-owns the Tooting care home run by Gold Care Consultancy Ltd A pensioner died when she set herself on fire at a care home partly owned by a major Tory party donor, a court heard. Rosina McDonald, 78, had been left with two lighters and was being treated with a highly flammable skin cream at the Wood House Care Home in Laurel Close, Tooting, southwest London. The care home was run by Gold Care Consultancy Ltd owned by Ravinder and Sukhvinder Gidar and the firm had breached fire safety regulations. Ravinder Gidar has previously attended exclusive party events organised by David Cameron and Jeremy Hunt and donated 50,000 to the Tories in 2013. Two years before the Tooting fire a blaze ripped through Burrows House in Penge on October 14 2013 a care home run by GCH Ltd, another company of which both brothers are directors. Six residents had to be rescued after the fire destroyed the ground floor of the care home. In November 2016 GCH Ltd was forced to pay a 30,000 fine and 10,000 by a court in costs for the fire after it was found to have flaunted key fire safety regulations. Two care workers at Wood House were doing their rounds when they heard screaming and crying coming from Mrs McDonalds room on January 28, 2015. Prosecutor Emma Collins said: Upon opening the door they saw flames and black smoke went out into the corridor. It was after that point that the fire alarm was activated in the hallway. The care workers saw that the old lady was on fire. Ravinder Gidar has previously attended exclusive party events organised by David Cameron and Jeremy Hunt and donated 50,000 to the Tories in 2013 Ms Collins said: She appeared disoriented and was moving around the room. Because of the smoke the carers were unable to get into the room but they were able to beckon her out of it. One care worker took off her cardigan and used it to put out the elderly lady. The other ran to call 999. By the time the ambulance and fire brigade arrived Ms McDonald had sustained full or partial burns on 50 per cent of her body. She died from her injuries the following day. When firemen entered her room to fight the flames they found a lighter on top of her bed. Ms McDonald was a smoker who was in possession of two lighters in her room as well as highly flammable paraffin ointment which she applied for a skin condition. The lighter which was the source of the fire had been modified in a manner which made it even more dangerous. Ms McDonalds cigarettes were kept in a separate part of the building where she would go to collect them and smoke outside during the day and that it is not known what she was using the lighter for at the time of the fire. Her nightwear had become soaked in the flammable ointment from previous applications. Ravinder Gidar was interviewed under caution and told the police Gold Care Holdings Ltd had spent 400,000 improving fire precautions at their home since the blaze. He explained that Gold Care now had a policy of no lighters being present on any residents since 2016. He explained that the fire alarms were the responsibility of the landlords Meridian housing and he had written to them requesting that they be replaced and updated. The court heard that while the fire alarm in Ms McDonalds room had recently been tested and found to be functioning it was not set off by the fire. Paul Spencer, defending Gold Care Consultancy, said: This was a truly tragic event and it is an event which should never have occurred. Anybody reading the prosecution bundle cant be anything other than touched by what occurred. He added: Many moisturising creams for skin conditions are based on flammable components. The Fire Brigade says that 15 people have died in fires caused by flammable skin creams. Many of the providers involved in the prescription of these creams have overlooked this. This is something the defendant really has had to review. Gold Care Consultancy Ltd admitted failure to make a suitable and satisfactory assessment of fire safety risks and failure to make general fire precautions. The court heard Gold Care Consultancy Ltd is linked to Gold Care Holdings Ltd which runs 21 other care homes under the name Gold Care Homes. Ravinder Gidar and Sukhvinder Gidar are directors of both companies. Mr Spencer told the court that his clients would be paying any fine out of their own pocket and that the issue of companies being linked together was a tricky one. Gold Care Consultancy Ltd admitted three charges of breaching health and safety regulations, including failing to make a suitable and satisfactory assessment of fire safety risks. Sentencing was adjourned until May 3. A staffing and recruitment company has apologized after posting a job listing which said the ideal candidate would be 'preferably Caucasian'. Cynet systems posted the ad earlier this month on LinkedIn. It was for a mid-level account manager to work in Tampa, Florida, and asked for someone who was 'preferably Caucasian who has good technical background'. Cynet Systems posted the job ad for a mid-level account manager on LinkedIn The listing was picked up by a Twitter user who called the company out on the racist requirement The ad was picked up by a Twitter user who shared it online and slammed the company for its racist requirements. 'Uh, hey, Cynet systems - what's with this? 'Your job listing for a mid-senior level business development position's top qualification is "Preferably Caucasian" 'How could you POSSIBLY think that's okay?' she said. It apologized afterwards saying that the people responsible had been fired. It has not offered an explanation for why they posted it in the first place. 'We understand why some may have been upset seeing this listing, because we were too. Cynet apologized in a tweet and the company told DailyMail.com it was 'upset' by the ad but it has not explained why it was ever written Another job listing on the company's website asked for a 'female candidate only' in the notes section 'It is a long-standing policy for our company to refuse any request to list jobs only seeking candidates of any specific ethnicity, gender, or other inappropriate restrictions, and we will turn clients down if they demand requirements of this type be included,' a spokesman said. The company did not respond to questions about a different job ad, posted for an account manager in Herndon, Virginia, which included the note: 'Female candidate only.' The wording of that job listing, which is on the company's website, has now been changed. The company is based in Virginia but operates across the country. An appeals court denied on Monday Bill Cosby's latest effort to be released from prison on bail while he fights his sex-assault conviction. Lawyers for the 81-year-old sexual predator had renewed their bail motion in a filing last week with Pennsylvania Superior Court. His attorneys claim that Cosby is likely to have his conviction overturned because of trial errors. Andrew Wyatt on Cosby's defense team said he wasn't surprised by the order denying the bail motion. An appeals court has denied 81-year-old sexual predator Bill Cosby's latest effort to be released from prison on bail while he fights his sex-assault conviction in Pennsylvania Superior Court. Cosby is pictured on September 25 being taken out of the Montgomery County Courthouse to state prison in shackles after being Sentenced to 3 to 10 years in prison for the 2004 sexual assault of Andrea Constand Cosby's (pictured) defense team isn't surprised by the order on Monday denying the bail motion, which his spokesperson said was filed to point out that Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill hasn't yet issued a post-trial opinion explaining key trial decisions. That opinion must be entered before Cosby can pursue his appeal The filing was largely intended to point out that Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill has not yet issued a post-trial opinion explaining key trial decisions, Wyatt said. Judge O'Neill's decision to let five other accusers testify at last year's trial is among those that will be addressed in the opinion. The opinion must be filed before Cosby can pursue his appeal. There is no deadline for judges to file their opinions, and some spend many months on them in complex cases. Cosby is serving a three- to 10-year prison term for drugging and molesting Andrea Constand in 2004 at his Pennsylvania mansion. Cosby was found guilty in April last year of administering an intoxicant, rendering his victim unconscious and penetrating her without consent, each of which amount to aggravated indecent assault. It was the only criminal case to arise from a barrage of allegations from more than 60 women who said Cosby drugged and molested them over five decades but whose stories were often disbelieved or ignored years before the #MeToo movement put a spotlight on sexual misconduct by powerful men. Cosby was found guilty in April of last year of drugging and molesting Andrea Constand (pictured) in 2004 at his Pennsylvania mansion. At his sentencing in September he was officially designated a sexually violent predator It was accusations against disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein that broke in October of 2017 that preceded a social media campaign using the hashtag #MeToo, which gave impetus for women to share their own stories of sexual harassment and assault. Before that, the 'Me Too' movement was initiated offline by Tarana Burke, a New York City-based civil rights activist, who first used the term in 2006 in her work to raise awareness of the pervasiveness of sexual abuse and assault in society. Cosby was officially designated a sexually violent predator at this sentencing in September. A 13-year-old girl who died days after being involved in a fight while walking home from school was killed by a brain tumor, according to her autopsy. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences said Monday that Kashala Francis died of complications from pilocytic astrocytoma, the most common childhood brain tumor. The autopsy didn't list any contributing factors in her death. Kashala Francis, 13, died in Texas on Wednesday morning, just days after she was involved in a school fight. An autopsy has now confirmed her cause of death was a brain tumor Francis died in hospital on April 24 just six days after she was attacked as she walked home from Attucks Middle School by two of her classmates. The assault was captured on cellphone video. Her mother, Mamie Jackson, told KTRK that a girl had kicked Francis in the head during the fracas. Jackson said Kashala came home that afternoon bearing a bruise on her face, but reassured her she was otherwise unharmed. Two days later, on April 20, the young teen appeared to be delusional. The next day, Jackson said her daughter grew weak and repeatedly complained of a strong headache. Screenshots from a cellphone show the teen lying on the ground and having her hair pulled by another girl Jackson said she was away at the time but rushed home on April 21, to find her daughter laying down and repeating to her, 'Mama, my head hurt.' She immediately called 911, but by the time paramedics responded, her daughter Kashla had slipped into unconsciousness. She never woke up. She was rushed to Texas Children's Hospital, where Jackson said doctors discovered a large, previously undiagnosed tumor in the back of her head and fluid building in the brain. Francis remained on life support in a coma for the next three days until she passed away on April 24. Mamie Jackson (left and with her daughter, right) said her daughter, Kashala, complained of a headache three days before she died on April 24 Francis was a student at Attucks Middle School but the fight happened off campus Both the Houston Police Department and the city's education officials have launched investigations into the fight last week. Police spokesman Jodi Silva says the case will be referred to the agency's major assaults and family violence division to see if charges related to the fight could be filed. 'The district is aware that several Attucks Middle School students were involved in an off-campus altercation on Thursday,' the Houston Independent School District said in a statement. 'HISD is gathering information and cooperating with the Houston Police Department in its investigation.' A brawl which broke out at a Florida Wendy's restaurant on Thursday after an argument between a male member of staff and two female customers escalated into violence. A witness who filmed the clip told reporters the fight broke out at the North Palm Beach restaurant when the employee confronted the women about cursing loudly inside the restaurant, demanding that they leave. The pair reportedly responded by yelling at the male employee. Before long the three of them were slapping and throwing punches at each other, according to the witness. A brawl which broke out at a Florida Wendy's restaurant on Thursday after an argument between a male member of staff and two female customers escalated into violence The male employee responded by picking up a chair and throwing it at the second woman The second woman dodged and through another chair back at her male attacker 'Slaps, punches, pushing and tugging from all involved. At some point a bottle of cleaning solution was used as a weapon and ended up on the floor,' the filmer told Newsflare. The clip starts in the middle of the fracas after the male employee grabs one of the women by her dreadlocks, violently flinging her left and right. The other woman tries to help her companion by hitting the employee with a dining tray before throwing it at him. Customers sitting in the dining area were forced to flee to avoid getting hit. He responds by picking up a chair and throwing it at the woman, who dodges before throwing another chair back at him. 'You can't come out here and put your hands on a female!' one of the women shouted during the video. The woman later picked up another chair, preparing to throw it before changing her mind and setting it down in the middle of the floor The male employee retreated behind the restaurant counter as the two women yelled at him and asked for his name. Other employees eventually got the women to calm down and leave before police arrived. The male employee was taken into custody 'I'll shoot you dead in your f*cking sh*t!' her counterpart added. 'Oh yeah?' the male employee said. 'HELL yeah, n*gga! ... You pulled my hair like a b***h!' the second woman replied. The woman who threw the first chair picked up another preparing to throw it before thinking better of it and setting it down in the middle of the floor. The male employee walked back behind the restaurant counter and remained mostly silent as other employees eventually calmed the two female combatants, who left the scene before police arrived. Palm Beach County sheriff deputies reportedly took the male employee into custody. An MMA fighter found a lasting way to propose to his girlfriend when he had the big question tattooed onto his knee with two boxes marked 'yes' and 'no' - and then returned to the shop to have a check mark on the 'yes' box after she accepted. Vince Murdock, 28, knew he had met the one soon after meeting girlfriend Kira Feightner, 25, in March 2017 and began to think of unique ways he could ask her to marry him. Murdock, a professional MMA fighter, had the idea to have the words 'will you marry me?' etched onto his left knee while sitting in a tattoo artist's chair in May 2018. The athlete, from Antelope, California, told DailyMail.com how he managed to conceal his tattoo beneath kinesio tape for four months and dodged Feightner's questions by blaming a knee injury for the cover-up. After a two-month stint fighting in Australia, Murdock asked Feightner, an office manager, to accompany him on a hike in El Dorado, California, last September with some friends. Vince Murdock, 28, proposed to his girlfriend Kira Feightner, 25, last September by getting 'will you marry me?' tattooed onto his knee in May 2018 The athlete, from Antelope, California, told DailyMail.com how he managed to conceal his tattoo beneath kinesio tape for four months. After she accepted his proposal, they returned to the tattoo parlor to check the 'yes' box The fighter found a picturesque spot and asked Feightner to finally rip off the adhesive tape before he dropped onto one knee. Murdock said: 'I knew right at the beginning that Kira was the one. I knew she deserved a really special proposal. 'For me I could do it anywhere but I knew it was important to her that it was memorable and special. 'I was wracking my brain trying to come up with something great and I was in the chair getting another tattoo when I thought of it. 'I thought it would be cool to get a tattoo that said 'will you marry me' with a box to check 'Yes' or 'No'. 'I was thinking about where I would ask her that would be meaningful. Dinner didn't seem appropriate. 'We both love the outdoors and hiking. My friend mentioned this spot where there's a waterfall and just crazy cool scenery. It felt like the right spot. 'I was incredibly nervous. We were hiking for about a half an hour and I was looking for the perfect spot. I was building up the courage to ask her and then I would chicken out.' After a two-month fighting stint in Australia, Murdock asked Feightner, an office manager, to accompany him on a hike in El Dorado, California, last September with some friends Murdock said: 'I knew right at the beginning that Kira was the one. I knew she deserved a really special proposal. For me I could do it anywhere but I knew it was important to her that it was memorable and special' 'Eventually I just told Kira that the spot we were at was perfect for the picture. I had a really great speech prepared but I forgot everything. 'I told her to rip the tape off my knee and she didn't even hear me. I had to repeat myself. Eventually I screamed ''Rip off the tape!'' It was very manly. 'When she ripped it off, I don't even think she saw the tattoo. 'I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me and thankfully she said yes.' Feightner added: 'His proposal blew me away. He loves tattoos so this proposal really falls into place for him. It was so memorable. 'I was honestly so surprised and excited.' Murdock said he fretted when Feightner would ask questions about his bandage cover-up and ultimately foil his plan. She explained: 'I didn't know he had gotten a tattoo. He had his leg bandaged up but he kept telling me it was for an injury. 'I was curious and I asked a bunch of times but he told me it was wrapped for sore muscles.' Murdock said: 'I knew right at the beginning that Kira was the one. I knew she deserved a really special proposal. For me I could do it anywhere but I knew it was important to her that it was memorable and special' Murdock said he can't wait to wed Feightner in summer 2020 but says there won't be another tattoo in store Murdock said: 'Every so often she asked me: ''Are you going to wear that forever?'' 'She would poke at it sometimes and I would get nervous but it's super strong tape that adheres to the skin for seven days. 'I was also away in Australia for two months so as much as I missed her I didn't have to worry about it there.' The couple visited Murdock's tattoo artist two weeks after the proposal to place a tick mark in the 'yes' box. Murdock said he can't wait to wed Feightner in summer 2020 but says there won't be another tattoo in store. Murdock said: 'I love everything about Kira. I love her energy. She's incredibly upbeat and positive. She never speaks ill of anyone and she's just wonderful. 'I feel like I have one first place at the county fair. She's a genuine person that you always want to see smile. I can't wait to marry her.' Feightner added: 'I will treasure the video forever. The week after the proposal I watched it so many times and I cried. 'The fact that he will have the tattoo forever is so special.' A U.S. Army veteran who converted to Islam and discussed launching various terror attacks throughout Southern California was arrested as he plotted to bomb a white supremacist rally as retribution for the New Zealand mosque attacks. Mark Domingo, an infantryman who served a combat stint in Afghanistan, was arrested on Friday after visiting a park in Long Beach, Los Angeles, where authorities said he planned to plant home-made explosive devices made with nail-filled pressure cookers in advance of a Nazi rally scheduled on Sunday. The 26-year-old, who was arrested on a charge of providing material support to terrorists, had allegedly been planning to 'manufacture and use a weapon of mass destruction in order to commit mass murder' since March. Domingo allegedly supported violent jihad and spoke about becoming a martyr and of pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group if it established a presence in the United States. Prosecutors said Monday that Mark Domingo, 26, was arrested on Friday for planning to plant a bomb at a Nazi rally Sunday in Long Beach. Domingo allegedly told an FBI informant that he wanted to kill LAPD officers and set off more explosives along freeways in Los Angeles Mark Domingo was an infantryman who served a combat stint in Afghanistan. He is pictured left in 2012 taking an Afghan man's fingerprints as part of the military's effort to gather biometric data on the residents Investigators said Domingo posted an online message March 3 that said 'America needs another Vegas event,' an apparent reference to the 2017 mass shooting that killed 59. He allegedly said it would spark civil unrest to weaken 'America by giving them a taste of the terror they gladly spread all over the world.' After Domingo began to discuss seeking revenge for the March 15 attacks that killed 50 people at New Zealand mosques, a confidential informant who has worked with the FBI since 2013 began chatting with him about his plans. 'There must be retribution,' he allegedly wrote in one online post about the New Zealand mosque attack. 'I feel like I should make a Christian's life miserable tomorrow for our fallen bros (and) sis in New Zealand... maybe a Jew's life... they shed our blood... no Muslim should have to experience this, a message needs to be sent,' he wrote in another post. Domingo (pictured), an infantryman who served in Afghanistan, has been charged with providing material support to terrorists Domingo said he had an assault rifle, semi-automatic rifle and several magazines of ammunition. He discussed picking off Jews walking to synagogue, shooting police officers or attacking a church or military base, according to investigators. He allegedly made references at different points to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and 2017 shooting rampage at a Las Vegas country music concert. When the informant asked him how he planned to carry out violence without getting caught, court records said Domingo replied: 'Martyrdom, bro.' At another point, Domingo reaffirmed that he was 'not afraid to die a martyr'. He also allegedly discussed killing a neighbor he was upset with as a prelude to broader violence. He later also allegedly contemplated bombing the Santa Monica Pier because a summer attack on the crowded tourist spot would maximize casualties because people wouldn't be able to escape the blast in the enclosed space. Eventually, he settled on the idea of planting an improvised explosive device that would be remotely triggered or detonated by a timer at a white supremacist event, investigators said. The confidential informant connected him with a purported bomb maker who was actually an undercover police officer. Domingo bought 8 pounds of three inch nails that were long enough to puncture internal organs and provided them to the bomb maker. The resulting contraption contained only inert materials, authorities said. White nationalists never showed up to the planned event in Bluff Park, but a large group of counter protesters (pictured) demonstrated Domingo allegedly had plans to plant the bomb at a Nazi rally on Sunday in Long Beach He allegedly told the informant that he thought about blowing up popular attraction, Santa Monica Pier (pictured above) If he survived the planned bombing, Domingo allegedly discussed launching further attacks on the Long Beach Port or on a train. The plot was thwarted just two days ahead of the event, investigators said, when an FBI SWAT team arrested Domingo after he was given the pressure cookers and surveyed Bluff Park in Long Beach, where the rally was supposed to happen. White nationalists, however, never showed up at the park Sunday. Instead, a large group of counter protesters demonstrated for peace. As part of the plot, Domingo asked the informant to find a bomb-maker and get them to write down the instructions and 'ingredients'. 'I'll be honest. I'm smart in history but I failed chemistry. Science is not my forte... If he doesn't want to make it, don't force him,' he allegedly told the informant. 'But ask him how. Details... F**king to the letter details. Ask him.' Domingo noted that they would have to buy the bomb elements little by little from various hardware stores. 'You can't buy these ingredients en masse, you know that... because that's more suspicious than buying guns,' he said. 'The average person can make explosives... It's not easy but it's not hard. If they put the time into it, everyone can make explosives. But obviously... they don't want to because, you know, why would you? Only a terrorist would want to, right?' Domingo, who allegedly arrived at one meeting with the informant armed with an AK-47-style assault weapon, said he wanted to specifically make an improvised explosive device to detonate at the crowded rally. 'Even a small IED would do damage in a crowd... You're looking at at least 20 people dead, maybe even 30 people injured. I think if we go the IED route we are going to storm,' he said. FBI Special Agent in Charge Ryan Young briefs the media beside photos of a suspect arrested in connection with an alleged terror plot targetting Southern California sites After Domingo provided the nails to the undercover operative for use in the construction of the bomb, Domingo sent a message on Thursday indicating that the operation was to proceed, according to the affidavit. On Friday night, the undercover operative delivered multiple inert devices, which Domingo believed were weapons of mass destruction. Domingo was arrested after inspecting the devices and visiting the planned site of the rally to scout the best location to place explosives to cause the greatest casualties. Domingo could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison if convicted. 'This investigation successfully disrupted a very real threat posed by a trained combat soldier who repeatedly stated he wanted to cause the maximum number of casualties,' U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna said. 'Protecting Americans from terror attacks is the number one priority of the Justice Department, and anyone who plots to use a weapon of mass destruction will be held to account.' The news of Domingo's alleged domestic terror plot comes less than 48 hours after John Earnest, 19, was arrested for allegedly shooting dead one woman and injuring three others at a synagogue in San Diego. Earnest was identified by police as the gunman who burst into the Chabad of Poway near San Diego on Saturday, the last day of Passover, and opened fire with an assault-style rifle. About 100 congregants were worshiping when the gunman killed Lori Kaye, 60, and wounded the synagogue's rabbi, Yishoel Goldstein; eight-year-old Noya Dahan; and her uncle Almog Peretz. A Russian orthodox priest rowing 5,500 miles from New Zealand to Chile has made contact with two Chilean pilots in the middle of the Southern Ocean. Fedor Konyukhov, 67, left Dunedin, New Zealand's port city, on December 6, 2018, for the mammoth journey, by row boat, to Chile's Cape Horn. Still 460 miles from the Cape Horn coast the rower has had to battle heavy storms most days of his journey. And last week, after 114 days without seeing a plane or another boat, Mr Konyukhov spoke with pilots from the Chilean Naval Aviation as they circled above him. Scroll down for video. Fedor Konyukhov, 67, left Dunedin, New Zealand's port city, on December 6, 2018, for the mammoth journey, by row boat, to Chile's Cape Horn Last week, after 114 days without seeing a plane or another boat, Mr Konyukhov spoke with pilots from the Chilean Naval Aviation as they circled above him Around two and a half hours before the visit the command of Armada de Chile in Punta Arenas told Mr Konyukhow to be ready to light a white flare when he heard the sound of an approaching plane. Mr Konyukhow has been keeping in contact with the rest of the world through two satellite phones, a stationary phone and an Iridium Go - a portable satellite hotspot that can connect phones to the internet. He said: 'Before I heard the sound of an approaching aircraft, an alarm was triggered on board a sound alert on the echo responder. Mr Konjukhow has been keeping in contact with the rest of the world through two satellite phones, a stationary phone and an Iridium Go - a portable satellite hotspot that can connect phones to the internet 'I climbed on to the deck, heard the sound of an airplane, and a plane suddenly emerged from behind the clouds. 'The weather was cloudy with drizzle. The airplane did not notice me from its first approach and flew by. As we agreed, I lit a white flare.' And while the airplane circled miles above his rowing boat the pilot spoke to him over a radio to ask if he had all the food and water he needed. Kitted out with a kitchen, sleeping area and 200 days worth of provisions the nine-metre long ocean rowing boat, known as the AKROS, has been Mr Konyukhov's home for the last four months. It has floor heating systems in the sleeping compartment and is powered by wind and solar panels. He added: 'The airplane noticed me on the second lap, turned towards me flying exactly at me with its landing-taxiing lights on. 'Pilots called me on the radio on channel 16. We talked for a few minutes. They asked about my state of health, how much food and water I have, and how long would it take for me to reach Cape Horn according to my calculations. 'In the end, the plane waved its wings and the pilots wished me a safe trip on the way to Cape Horn.' And Mr Konyukhov admitted these were the first people he had seen from the moment he left New Zealand, and the first time he'd seen a plane in 141 days. He said: 'These pilots were highly skilled to fly in such weather that far into the Southern Ocean. I have huge respect for such professionalism.' In his attempt to become the first person to circumnavigate the southern hemisphere in a row boat he has already broken two records. He completed the longest journey across the Southern Ocean in a row boat after 62 days. The previous record was 59 days - set by Frenchman Joseph Le Guen. And he celebrated his 67th birthday at sea on December 12, 2018, meaning he is now the oldest solo ocean rower in the world. The Southern Ocean is notoriously difficult to row through with a cyclonic motion of storms driving wind and waves northwards from the continent of Antarctica. Mr Konyukhov is one of the greatest living adventurers - he has scaled Mount Everest twice, climbed the highest peaks on each continent, and trekked on foot to both the North and South Poles. Born into a family of fishermen, he was just 15 when he crossed a section of the Black Sea in a row boat. And in 2014 he successfully rowed more than 10,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean from Chile to Australia in 160 days. The parents of the alleged 19-year-old California synagogue shooter have released a statement condemning the attack, which killed one and left three others injured. John Earnest's family released the statement on Monday, two days after he allegedly burst into the Chabad of Poway synagogue in San Diego on Passover. Earnest has since been charged with one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder. Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, was killed in the attack. Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, Noya Dohan, eight, and her uncle Almog Peretz, 34, were all injured. 'We are shocked and deeply saddened by the terrible attack on the Chabad of Poway synagogue. But our sadness pales in comparison to the grief and anguish our son has caused for so many innocent people,' the statement from his parents begins. The parents of the shooter, teacher John Earnest and his wife are seen above. 'We are shocked and deeply saddened by the terrible attack on the Chabad of Poway synagogue. But our sadness pales in comparison to the grief and anguish our son has caused for so many innocent people,' the statement from his parents begins Alleged synagogue shooter John Earnest (2nd from left) is seen with father John Earnest in a photo from his father's Facebook page Earnest's parents revealed that his actions were 'informed by people we do not know, and ideas we do not hold'. The 19-year-old is seen center in a photo with his mother 'He has killed and injured the faithful who were gathered in a sacred place on a sacred day. To our great shame, he is now part of the history of evil that has been perpetrated on Jewish people for centuries.' Earnest's parents revealed that his actions were 'informed by people we do not know, and ideas we do not hold'. 'Like our other five children, he was raised in a family, a faith, and a community that all rejected hate and taught that love must be the move for everything we do,' they continued. 'How our son was attracted to such darkness is a terrifying mystery to us, though we are confident that law enforcement will uncover many details of the path that he took to this evil and despicable act.' Earnest's parents added that they are cooperating with investigators and asked for privacy. Earnest's family released the statement on Monday, two days after he allegedly burst into the Chabad of Poway synagogue in San Diego on Passover. He is seen above with his father Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, was killed in the attack. Witnesses said she was shot while trying to protect Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who was injured in the attack Gilbert-Kaye's husband and daughter were also at the synagogue at the time of the attack. The husband tried to save her with CPR before he fainted from shock 'Our heavy hearts will forever go out to the victims and survivors,' they wrote. 'Our thanks go to the first responders who prevented even greater loss of life and the well-wishers who have supported us. And we pray for peace.' The family of John Earnest, the alleged 19-year-old California synagogue shooter have released a statement condemning the attack, which killed one and left three others injured Public records show that Earnest's father is a high school teacher and the president of an orthodox Presbyterian church in Escondido. A manifesto posted online shortly before the attack revealed that the shooting was motivated by a hatred of Jewish people. It also took credit for a separate attack on an Escondido mosque last month. Earnest allegedly claimed he tried to burn down the Dar-ul-Arqam mosque in Escondido on March 24, adding that he spray-painted the message 'For Brenton Tarrant' in the parking lot of the mosque. Tarrant has been accused of killing 50 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand in March, a week before the arson attack in Escondido. Authorities at the time said the suspect had left a message in graffiti in the mosque's parking lot that referenced the New Zealand shooting. The manifesto author wrote that he was carrying out the attack on the synagogue because he was a good Christian. 'My god understands why I did what I did,' it read, according to The Jerusalem Post. Goldstein (pictured on Sunday) lost his right index finger in the attack after the gunman shot both of his hands Noya Dohan, eight, was injured by shrapnel in the shooting. She witnessed the moment Kaye-Gilbert saved the rabbi Dohan's uncle Almog Peretz, 34, was shot in the leg while trying to save children in the synagogue on Saturday. He is pictured here in the hospital after the shooting San Diego county sheriff deputies stand in front of the Chabad of Poway synagogue, Sunday The author claimed that Jewish people were responsible for the murder of Christ and now control the media and economy. 'Every Jew young and old has contributed to these,' it reads. 'For these crimes they deserve nothing but hell. I will send them there.' The manifesto author also revealed he believed that he would be freed from prison and promised to 'continue the fight'. In the 4,000-word manifesto, the author described himself as a 19-year-old nursing student and native of California. Earnest was a student at California State University, San Marcos. 'If you told me even six months ago that I would do this I would have been surprised,' the author wrote. Piuctured is the car that was allegedly used by Earnest to flee the shooting on Saturday Earnest's father is seen being interviewed by police. Public records show that the father is a high school teacher and the president of an orthodox Presbyterian church in Escondido Heavily armed San Diego police officers approach Earnest's home following the shooting 'I'm just a normal dude who wanted to have a family, help and heal people, and play piano.' He wrote that he was inspired by the Christchurch attack, revealing that Tarrant was his 'catalyst'. The author also references the shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue exactly six months to the day before the Poway attack, as well as the suspect in that case, Robert Bowers. Both Bowers and Tarrant are in custody. Like Tarrant in his own writings, the manifesto author states that his end goal is to prompt the US government to begin confiscating guns, predicting that a civil war will ensue. The author said he had been planning the attack for four weeks. Saturday's shooting unfolded during services on the last day of Passover. There are believed to have been about 100 people inside the synagogue at the time of the attack. Three people died Monday when a helicopter crashed on a street in suburban Honolulu, officials said. The crash occurred in Kailua, a town of 50,000 people about a 30-minute drive from downtown Honolulu. Witnesses claimed they saw the helicopter plummet to the ground and then explode into a ball of flames. Three people died Monday when a helicopter crashed on a street in suburban Honolulu, officials said. The aircraft 'smashed into pieces' as it plummeted to the ground and wreckage landed in people's gardens, (pictured) A body is seen being taken away from the crash site as three people were believed to have been on board the helicopter when it plummeted to the ground The aircraft, which was a four-seat Robinson R44, came down on Oneawa Street about at about 9am on Monday morning. A woman who was driving on a street where a helicopter crashed she looked up to see fire as the aircraft fall to the ground in front of her. Melissa Solomon said Monday she thought the area was being bombed or an airplane had fallen. She said she had turned onto another street because she was afraid pieces would fall on her car. She pulled over and called 911 but couldn't get through. She then drove back and could see it was a helicopter with people at the scene who appeared to be helping. The Honolulu Fire Department confirmed three people died and they have not yet released the identity of those who died. According to the FAA, the chopper was owned by a helicopter tour company, Novictor Helicopters, officials confirmed. A resident says he heard the fatal crash of a helicopter then saw a ball of fire in a road when he ran from his house in suburban Honolulu. Wreckage from the aircraft can be seen on Oneawa Street with debris landing in peoples' gardens Leleo Knappenberger told Hawaii News Now that his mother heard the helicopter flying over the house, making a strange noise. He said the aircraft was 'all smashed to pieces.' Drivers and nearby residents also rushed to the site in the hope that someone on board had survived. Some homeowners pulled out garden hoses to start to put out the blaze as wreckage landed in some of their gardens nearby. 'I just wanted to make sure I could do whatever I could to help someone if they needed help,' said witness Tehani Alo. Emergency services attend the scene of the crash which occurred at 9 am on Oneawa Street in a town called Kailua, which is a 30 - minute drive from Honolulu Leleo Knappenberger told Hawaii News Now that his mother heard the helicopter flying over the house, making a strange noise. He said the aircraft was 'all smashed to pieces' She said she saw the helicopter spinning out of control before it came crashing down. 'It sounded like hell landing,' she said. Witness Adrian Kozuki, who lives nearby, told Hawaii News Now that he in his backyard when the crash happened. 'I heard the helicopter in the air and all of a sudden I heard a pop, like a blast kind of thing,' he said. Then, within 15 seconds, he said he could see smoke coming out. The crash sent debris onto nearby homes, properties and cars. At least one car was significantly damaged when a fuel tank landed on its hood. Some homeowners pulled out garden hoses to start to put out the blaze as wreckage landed in some of their gardens nearby, damaging parked cars, (pictured) The aircraft, which was a four-seat Robinson R44, was owned by a helicopter tour company, Novictor Helicopters Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor claimed the circumstances of the morning crash remained unknown. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating at the crash site. Former President Barack Obama stayed at a rented beachfront vacation home in the town during the winter holidays when he was president. The crash site was on a two-lane road amid one and two-story homes. The road connects the commercial center of town with residential areas. Kailua is home to a Marine Corps base. In recent years the town has become a popular destination for tourists to go to the beach, hike and shop. A Florida man has been arrested after he allegedly molested an eight-year-old girl while he was her counselor at an after-school program for low-income children. 'Dante' Mobley, 35, has been charged with lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under the age of 12. Mobley allegedly molested the girl from May 2011 to August 2012 at the Boys and Girls Club in DeLand when she was eight and nine years old. The girl, who is now about 16 and reported Mobley in May 2018, told police that Mobley would rub himself against her and over her clothes until he ejaculated. 'Dante' Mobley, 35, has been arrested after he allegedly molested an eight-year-old girl while he was her counselor at an after-school program for low-income children in Florida Mobley (pictured bein arrested on Monday) allegedly molested the girl from May 2011 to August 2012 at the Boys and Girls Club in DeLand when she was eight and nine years old She said the counselor also made her sit on his lap during field trips and propositioned her to have oral sex. A warrant for Mobley's arrest was issued on Monday. He was booked into custody at the Flagler County Jail around 12.15pm and is being held without bond. Mobley was released from prison in 2018 after serving nearly five years for the statutory rape of a 14-year-old girl in a van. He's a registered sex offender and was serving 10 years probation at the time of his most recent arrest. The counselor had worked at the Boys and Girls Club from December 2009 to January 2013. His official title was youth development professional and he was in charge of helping students with their homework, organizing games, and prompting physical fitness. Mobley, 35, has been charged with lewd and lascivious molestation on a child under the age of 12. He was released from prison just last year after serving five years for statutory rape Mobley was fired after parents reported that he was telling girls at the club that they would make good exotic dancers some day, according to FlaglerLive. Joe Sullivan, the chief professional officer of the club, said the Florida Department of Children and Families were investigating Mobley last spring. 'They turned that over to the sheriff's office,' he added. 'We've cooperated with it, but we had no record or complaints about him other than the fact that parents came to us and told us he made some inappropriate comments to their daughters.' Authorities said Mobley 'eventually provided a confession' during the nearly year-long investigation. Mobley now faces us to 30 years in prison for the first-degree felony. Sullivan maintained that the Boys and Girls club was still a safe place for children. 'I'm in my 27th year, and this is the first time we've had an allegation like this,' he said. 'But we take this very seriously, only one is too many.' 'The safety of kids is our most important thing, and if we fell down on the job one time this is something we can never let happen again, and let's see where the investigation goes.' Grandparents in America are increasingly having to step up and raise their grandchildren because their own kids are in the grip of opioid addiction, according to U.S. Census data. Researchers found a correlation between the states with the higher rates of opioid prescription and those with high rates of grandparents caring for the next generation revealing a new layer to the complex crisis that was declared a national emergency in 2017. The dual situations are concentrated in the South: Mississippi had the highest rate of grandparents as primary caregivers (2.9 percent), followed by Arkansas (2.2 percent), Louisiana (2.2 percent), Alabama (2.2 percent) and Kentucky (2.1 percent). Meanwhile, Alabama, had the highest prescribing rate, at 121 per 100 residents, followed by Arkansas (114.6), Tennessee (107.5), Mississippi (105.6) and Louisiana (98.1). This map illustrates the rate at which opioids are prescribed in each state. Source: U.S. Census Bureau Not many grandparents anticipate starting over as a parent with their grandchild, and it presents a number of challenges for people who are often already out of the workforce and living on a limited budget. Sometimes the grandparents step in with the hope that their child will get help for their addiction and resume parenting. Other times, a grandparent has no choice because the parent has died of an overdose or is incarcerated. More than a third (34 percent) of children who entered the foster care system were removed from their homes due to parental substance abuse in 2016, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 'It's really, really prevalent,' said Lori Erion, who runs a Dayton, Ohio-area support group called Families of Addicts. 'It's happening all over the place.' Her organization has recently added two monthly meetings dedicated to supporting grandparents raising grandchildren. 'You're really not mentally and physically equipped to keep up with youngsters,' Erion told DailyMail.com. 'I have to wonder what's going to happen to the futures of these kids if they're not able to get out and do what younger families do.' Nationwide there are 7.2 million grandparents living with their grandchildren, and more than 2.5 million are responsible for their grandchildren's basic needs - which can be a challenge when they haven't obtained formal custody of the children, Erioin said. 'If they don't have complete custody they aren't able to enroll them in school, they aren't able to take them to the doctor's. They technically don't have rights to that kid,' she said. This map illustrates the percentage of grandparents who are raising grandchildren in each state, with a marked correlation to the previous map illustrating opioid prescription rates. Source: U.S. Census Bureau Either way, the financial strain is palpable. 'Grandparents never really planned on raising another set of children,' Erion said. 'Financially it's a huge burden.' A 2013 report published in Marriage and Family Review that examined grandparents caring for grandchildren in rural Montana, found that for many, 'retirement became a distant or unreachable goal,' according to The Washington Post. 'For grandparents still in the workforce, or simply needing respite care, the cost of child care was shocking,' the report said. 'Although many grandparents anticipated child care costs, the current rates were much higher than when they had parented for the first time.' 'They've really sacrificed their later years to raise these kids,' Erion said. 'They do it lovingly, I haven't met one grandparent who doesn't ... But I know it's a huge sacrifice.' This chart illustrates opiate prescribing trends in the U.S. from 2000-2017, illustrating a sharp increase in the amount of Oxycodone and hydrocodone doled out in the early 2000s, followed by a decline since 2012 More than 115 Americans die each day of opioid overdoses, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Nearly two-thirds of Americans (63 percent) believe the government spends too little on drug rehabilitation an attitude increasingly embraced by white Americans as addiction becomes viewed more as a disease and less as a personal failing that primarily affects minorities, according to the General Social Survey. It represents a 50 percent increase since 2012 when just 42 percent of Americans felt that way, according to a DailyMail.com analysis of the GSS - a comprehensive poll that has tracked American attitudes and beliefs since 1972. The share of all Americans who would like to see more spending on rehabilitation is now approaching the peak of 1990 during the height of the crack epidemic when 65 percent said the government spent too little on rehabilitation. The former State Department Special Representative for North Korea said Monday that he believes President Donald Trump signed off on an agreement to pay North Korea for the 'care' and release of Otto Warmbier. Joseph Yun told CNN on Monday that he signed the $2 million agreement in 2017 with the approval of then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to get the American student back to the U.S. from North Korean custody. 'As soon as North Korea side told me that this bill for $2 million would have to be paid ... I contacted my boss then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson,' Yun said, noting that Tillerson 'got back to me very quickly thereafter to say yes, go ahead and sign.' Warmier became ill while in North Korean custody and was returned to the U.S. in a comatose state he died a few days later. Former State Department Special Representative for North Korea Joseph Yun said he signed a $2 million agreement, with approval from then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, for the release of now-deceased American student Otto Warmbier Warmbier was arrested in 2015 for taking propaganda from the wall of a North Korean hotel when he was visiting to celebrate New Years Eve while he was studying abroad in Hong Kong. He mysteriously fell int o a coma on the day that he was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor in North Korea President Donald Trump tweeted on Friday that he didn't pay North Korea for Warmbier's release. There are conflicting reports on whether the $2 million bill has been paid Trump said Friday his administration had not paid North Korea ransom for Warmbier. 'No money was paid to North Korea for Otto Warmbier, not two Million Dollars, not anything else,' Trump wrote Friday. Yun said he was under the impression that President Donald Trump was aware of Tillerson's decision and gave him the go-ahead to direct Yun to sign the $2 million agreement. 'That was my understanding. I never asked him, but that was my understanding,' the former special representative said when asked if he thought Tillerson had Trump's approval. Warmbier was arrested in North Korea in 2015 while completing a study abroad program in Hong Kong. He was part of a group that included ten other Americans who were celebrating New Year's Eve in Pyongyang, North Korea. The student took down a propaganda poster from the wall of his hotel, which he planned to take home as a souvenir from his trip to the totalitarian nation. Shortly after, he was arrested at the airport in Pyongyang, and confessed on North Korean television six weeks into his detention that he took the poster. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison with hard labor. Yun said he was under the impression that Trump knew about the $2 million agreement Warmbier died days after he was released into US custody in 2017. An Ohio coroner said Warmbier died from a lack of oxygen and blood to the brain. Pyongyang blamed botulism and ingestion of a sleeping pill and dismissed torture claims Warmbier's parents, Fred and Cindy, were recognized during Trump's State of the Union address in 2018. Fred Warmbier said that he had not been informed about any hospital bill and that it sounded like a 'ransom' for his late son Trump and Kim have had two bilateral, in-person meetings including one in June 2018 The U.S. State Department said at the time North Korea arrested Warmbier to make a political statement. Trump has been highly critical of former President Barack Obama for negotiating and paying for the release of hostages. 'This is not the Obama Administration that paid 1.8 Billion Dollars for four hostages, or gave five terroist hostages plus, who soon went back to battle, for traitor Sgt. Bergdahl!' Trump wrote on Twitter. Obama agreed to release five prisoners as a condition of the Taliban's release of former Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl in 2014, and, in a separate transaction agreed to a 10-figure payout to Iran for the release of Americans in Tehran's custody. Yun, now a CNN contributor, said he does not know if the Trump administration plans to pay the $2 million he pledged to North Korea, but believes the US should carry out their end of the arrangement. White House national security adviser John Bolton corroborated Yun's account when he told Fox News on Sunday that Yun signed a pledge to pay $2 million for Warmbier's release. Bolton said that the U.S. has not made any payments yet. Warmbier's father, Fred Warmbier, told the Washington Post, which was the first outlet to report on Yun's agreement on Thursday, that he did not have any knowledge of the bill. He also said the agreement sounded like a 'ransom' request for his late son. Trump made it clear that he has no intention to pay the $2 million, and cited his track record as 'the greatest hostage negotiator.' '"President Donald J. Trump is the greatest hostage negotiator that I know of in the history of the United States. 20 hostages, many in impossible circumstances, have been released in last two years. No money was paid." Cheif Hostage Negotiator, USA!' Trump wrote. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told Dailymail.com that the author of the quote is 'Robert O'Brien, the Administration's Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs.' Going forward. Is there a more gum-chewingly irritating phrase in the English language? Once the reserve of middle management Daleks, this vacuous expression has permeated everyday life. Yesterday, Chris Skidmore uttered the phrase going forward during education questions at least 15 times. Is there a more gum-chewingly irritating phrase in the English language than 'going forward'? Once the reserve of middle management Daleks, this vacuous expression has permeated everyday life He may well have said it more but I only began counting halfway through the session. Several times, he repeated it in one sentence. Thats Chris Skidmore, the Government spokesman for higher education. Back when Michael Gove was in charge, there was an exciting buzz about the education department. Despite growling opposition at every turn educationalists, unions, those other amoeba-like recalcitrants he called The Blob, and the BBC there was a gutsy drive to end years of depressing under-achievement in state schools. But when David Cameron bafflingly shuffled the Govester off to the Whips Office, the department beat a limp retreat into lifeless mediocrity. A Blob of its own, you might say. Its currently under the charge of Damian Hinds, a listless creature from the hospitality industry who, like career politico Skidmore, appears wedded to corporate patter. At one point yesterday, he referred to upward trends and something called learning goals. Meanwhile, his other underlings, dome-headed Nick Gibb and croaky Anne Milton, hardly inspire confidence. If this lot were a bowling attack, batsmen would itching to get out to the middle and swing the willow. David Davies (Con Monmouth) gave Hinds an opportunity to offer a tough lesson to schools which allow pupils to bunk off and take part in climate change demonstrations. Yet Hinds said he was delighted when young people take an active interest in these incredibly important issues. Drip! We were then told about permanent exclusions another daft piece of jargon. Once, pupils were expelled. Now, theyre permanently excluded. The reason for the change of language is unclear. Yesterday, Chris Skidmore uttered the phrase going forward during education questions at least 15 times. Several times, he repeated it in one sentence. Thats Chris Skidmore, the Government spokesman for higher education (pictured) Perhaps expelled is too harsh a word for childrens sensibilities. Or the authorities feel it lessens the blow for serial class disruptives or budding young arsonists who have been advised not to return to school property. Sir Nicholas Soames (Con Mid Sussex) demanded an increase in language teaching in schools and he didnt mean lessons in gobbledegook. It is vital, said Sir Nicholas, we prepare pupils properly for the post-Brexit world. No word, incidentally, on whether Sir Nicholas has mastered a foreign tongue though dining companions attest hes never had trouble deciphering the lower end of the wine list at Wiltons in Londons Clubland. This query prompted an interesting follow-up from Greg Hands (Con Chelsea and Fulham) who drew attention to a particular lack of interest in learning German. Barely 3,000 pupils sat German A Level last year. So few, Hands pointed out, that the exam could have been sat in Westminster Hall. Labours education spokesman, Angela Rayner, had a quiet session. She had an urgent question up her sleeve for later in the afternoon on the cost of EU students tuition fees, which she had already told newspapers that a Labour government would not raise. At one point yesterday, Skidmore referred to upward trends and something called learning goals' in yet another example of the 'Dalek' language invading the House of Commons But as is so often the case with Labour, there was no explanation as to how they would pay for it. In a rare flash of panache, Skidmore warned his opponent not to make promises which would likely lead to disappointment later. Rayner sat back down sulkily. She lacks eloquence, but colleagues can hardly doubt her passion. I couldnt help notice a red Labour rose tattooed on her right ankle. Cherry-nosed Sir Edward Leigh (Con Gainsborough) got rather cross while demanding to know what happened to a Government pledge to build more Catholic free schools. Hinds insisted the commitment remained in place. So where are they? barked Sir Edward. Hinds made a few bear with gestures. Oh dear. Squabbling with your own benches. Lets hope this is not an upward trend going forward. The dead body of a six-year-old boy who went missing from his Apple Valley, California home more than two weeks ago may have been hidden dumpster by his mother and her twin sister, local authorities announced Monday. Investigators spent the day digging through garbage at Victorville landfill, located about nine miles away from the home of the missing Duke Flores, after receiving a tip about where the boy's body had been placed. 'Detectives are now working with personnel at the landfill in hopes of recovering his body. Any updates will be released as they become available,' the department said in a Monday morning tweet. Duke's mother Jackee Contreras, 29, and her twin sister, Jennifer Contreras, have been charged with murder since their Saturday arrest. Six-year-old Duke Flores Investigators received a tip Monday that the boy's body was put in a dumpster They now believe his Duke's corpse may have ended up in Victorville landfill about nine miles away from his Cherokee Avenue home Police began looking into what happened to Duke on Thursday after his grandmother, Lydia Gutierrez, told them she hadn't seen the boy for 10 days, according to KTLA. His mother told deputies who did a welfare check at her home that she had not seen Duke for two weeks. The police returned to the home the next day and charged Jackee with child neglect for not report her son had disappeared. Investigators searched the area with K9 units, but they couldn't find Duke. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's office wouldn't confirm why detectives believe the boy is dead. The boy's father was said to be very ill and unaware of what happened to his son. On Thursday deputies from the Apple Valley Police Department responded to a residence on Cherokee Avenue following the request for a welfare check from Duke's grandmother. Upon arrival, his mother, Jackee Contreras told deputies that Duke had not been seen for two weeks Some of Duke's other family members told reporters at a candlelight vigil on Friday that the boy is autistic and they still believe he's just missing, not dead. 'We're not believe that. That could be just what they're saying,' Duke's great aunt Lydia Gutierrez told KTLA. The child's godfather, Juan Contreras, said he didn't believe Jackee Contreras would harm her son. 'That's her pride and joy,' Juan Contreras said. Duke's grandmother, Lydia Gutierrez (pictured), said she hadn't seen Duke in 10 days. 'I just want to find him,' Gutierrez said through tears Family members have organized their own search teams as they desperately try and find Duke Authorities are asking anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact the Specialized Investigations Division, Detective Narcie Sousa at (909) 387-3589 or Sheriff's dispatch at (909) 387-8313. Massachusetts prosecutors said a 17-year-old boy decapitated a classmate two years ago because he suspected he was romantically involved with his girlfriend at the time. The girl, Leilany Dejesus, who is now 18, testified on Monday that Mathew Borges was consumed by rage and jealousy when he saw her talk with Lee Manuel Viloria-Paulino at Lawrence High School in the Boston suburb of Lawrence. Dejesus shed tears as she described how Borges would scold her for talking to Viloria-Paulino. Borges accused her of flirting with Viloria-Paulino, she testified. She said that Borges was so angry that at one point the school dean had to escort him from the cafeteria, WBTS-TV reported. Borges was 15 years old when he allegedly killed fellow student Viloria-Paulino, beheaded him, cut off his hands, and then dumped his remains in the Merrimack River in November 2016. Scroll down for video The trial of Mathew Borges (above), 17, got underway Monday in Lawrence, Massachusetts Leilany Dejesus, 18, Borges' ex-girlfriend, took the witness stand. She shed tears as she described how Borges flew into a rage when he saw her talking to Viloria-Paulino Viloria-Paulino, 16, and Borges went to the riverbank to smoke pot. His family reported him missing the next day, according to WCVB-TV. Viloria-Paulinos body was found in December 2016 by a woman walking her dog, according to MassLive. During opening statements of the trial on Monday, James Gubitose, the Essex County assistant district attorney, read a text message that Borges allegedly sent to a female friend. I think of killing someone and I smirk, the text message read. Borges (seen left during his arraignment in December 2016) allegedly killed and beheaded Lee Manuel Viloria-Paulino (right) in November 2016 Borges is seen left in an undated file photo. Viloria-Paulino is seen right Borges allegedly beheaded and then dismembered Viloria-Paulino near a Massachusetts riverbank in November 2016 Viloria-Paulino's family watched the first day of the trial in Lawrence, Massachusetts on Monday Its all I think about everyday but I control myself...I like the sound of it - the idea of causing pain in someone getting in my way or causing me pain. Prosecutors say that Borges told other teens who were later interviewed by police: I killed him. Hes dead. Borges is allegedly seen on surveillance video walking toward the river with Viloria-Paulino on the night of his death. Prosecutors said that while Borges and Viloria-Paulino were out by the river, a group of four of Borges friends broke into Viloria-Paulinos home. The teens allegedly told police that Borges planned to kill Viloria-Paulino. Prosecutors allege that a note found by investigators reveals how Borges planned to carry out the crime. Go chill with him in his crib alone... bring duffel bag, wear bags on shoes, wear clothes you don't care about, the note allegedly read. Viloria-Paulino's body was found near the Merrimack River in December 2016. Investigators are seen in the above image at the crime scene in December 2016 But Borges attorney, Ed Hayden, said the text messages and the note cited by prosecutors do not prove that his client is a killer. Hayden said that Borges broke into Viloria-Paulinos home, but he did not kill him. 'There is no murder weapon, there is no tools to dismember a body, there are no fingerprints, there is no blood, there is no DNA,' Hayden told WBZ-TV. The text messages that prosecutors cited were loaded with the f-bomb the n-word weed and sex. Thats what that group chat was about, Hayden said. In these thousands of texts and messages there is no evidence that Matthew killed Lee. Anything incriminating is referring to the house break. There is nothing in all these messages. Borges is being tried as an adult for first-degree murder. The heartbroken sister of a 25-year-old man who has been accused of murdering their parents, uncle, and four other people, has told DailyMail.com she believes he is responsible for the killings. An emotional Crystal Cummins has revealed what little she knows about the shootings that have shattered her family and the small community of Westmoreland in in Tennessee. The 22-year-old's brother Michael Cummins was arrested on Saturday night after police found seven victims at two crime scenes in the small town. 'I lost everyone and they won't tell me anything,' Crystal said of police who are working to unravel the details surrounding one of the deadliest crime spree's in the state's history. Her voice was thick with anguish as she said: 'It's obvious that he had to have done it. He was the only person who was there who didn't die besides my granny.' Scroll down for video David Cummins, 51, and Clara Cummins, 44, were among the seven victims allegedly murdered by their son Michael in Westmoreland, Tennessee The alleged shooter's uncle, Charlie Hosale, and a woman believed to be his partner, Rachel McGlothlin-Pee, were also killed during the violent rampage across two homes in Sumner County, police say. Hosale and McGlothlin-Pee are pictured together in a Facebook photo Rachel McGlothlin-Pee's 12-year-old daughter Sapphire (pictured left) was also killed along with Rachel's mom Marsha Elizabeth Nuckols, 64 Michael Cummins, 25, (above) was arrested shortly after the string of seven slayings She added: 'Truly in my heart I believe he had something to do with it. 'I can't imagine my brother doing that to his own family. He had to have.' Crystal said she sensed something was wrong last week after she hadn't heard from her parents, David Cummins, 51, and Clara Cummins, 44, for a couple days. 'I called my mom on Thursday, no answer, called by granny, no answer, called my dad, no answer, called my uncle Charlie, no answer. I thought maybe they were sick so I stopped calling,' she said. When Saturday rolled around and they still weren't answering, one of Clara's sister's went over to the house where they all lived on Charles Brown Road. She forced open the locked door and discovered the first of six bodies that would eventually be found inside the house. At a press conference Monday morning authorities identified the victims as Crystal's parents, her uncle Charles Hosale, 45, his longtime girlfriend Rachel McGlothlin-Pee, 43, her 12-year-old daughter Sapphire and her mother Marsha Nuckols. Rachel McGlothlin-Pee is seen above in photos shared to Facebook. She was killed along with her 12-year-old daughter Sapphire and her mother Marsha Nuckols Sapphire who was among those killed is pictured above in an older photo shared to Facebook Sapphire is pictured above. A GoFundMe has been set up for funeral expenses for Marsha, Rachel and Sapphire which has raised more than $900 so far A seventh victim, Shirley Fehrle, 69, was killed at her home nearby on Luby Brown Road after Michael Cummins allegedly stole her car. A GoFundMe has been set up for funeral expenses for Marsha, Rachel and Sapphire which has raised more than $900 so far. Crystal's grandmother was found beaten within an inch of her life at the home and is currently in the hospital in critical condition. 'I'm thankful that at least she made it,' Crystal said. Authorities identified the seven victims at a press conference Monday morning where Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director David Rausch (left) described the slayings as 'gruesome' and 'complex' Crystal said her older brother had been 'acting crazy since he got out of jail back in January, so I kind of steered clear of him lately.' 'My mom was trying to take him to a mental place but he didn't want to go and he wouldn't take his medication,' she said, noting that Michael was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 'and something else' as a child. She explained: 'My mom and my dad and my uncle helped him out so many times. He got everything he needed and wanted from them.' Crystal said the last time she saw her brother was about a week ago and that he was 'going up and down the road taking his shirt off and talking to himself, screaming out'. Michael has a seven-year-old daughter whose mother hasn't allowed him to have contact for the last year, Crystal said. 'His little girl she don't understand,' she added. 'I have to be strong for my son. I can't tell him what happened and I don't know what happened. 'He's been asking to go over there [to the grandmother's house] but I can't bring him there. He loved to play with all of them. 'I want to know what happened but I also don't know if I could handle it.' Cummins is currently on probation for setting his neighbor's house on fire in September 2017, according to Sumner County court records. The suspect is seen above in Facebook photos Authorities identified the seven victims at a press conference Monday morning where Sumner County District Attorney Ray Whitley called the it one of 'the most horrific cases' he has ever investigated. Police have not revealed how each of the victims were killed but local media reports indicated that they were all shot as Cummins was armed at the time of his arrest. Authorities say he was seen wearing a bloodstained shirt and told acquaintances he was saving a bullet for himself, according to an affidavit filed with a warrant for his arrest. No motive in the attack has been reported, though the suspect has a long, court-documented history of mental health issues. WROC-TV reported that he has a lengthy criminal background in Sumner County with signs of escalating violence. He was first arrested in December 2012 for violation of an order of protection and simple possession of drugs. He was released about a month later on time served. In August 2013, he was arrested again for domestic assault and sentenced to 150 days in jail. A few years later, in 2017, Cummins was arrested in Sumner County three more times. In February 2017, he was charged with theft under $1,000 and evading arrest. Police records indicate he posted bond. Later in June, he served nearly two months in jail for robbery, domestic assault and violation of probation for the theft charge. After his release from jail in 2017, he set fire his neighbor's house, according to documents filed in Sumner County Criminal Court. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison but placed on 10 years of probation last summer by a Sumner County judge after he pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated arson and aggravated assault in the attack at a home in the 1100 block of Charles Brown Road. At the time of his arrest Cummins allegedly told police: 'If I get out of jail, I'll go there and do it again. When I get out, I'll finish the job.' This weekend's gruesome string of slayings was uncovered after officers responded to a 911 call from a family member and found four people deceased and one critically injured at the Charles Brown Road home. Fehrle's body was found a short time later at her home and investigators indicated that she had been carjacked. CONTINUING: @TBIJoshDeVine details more on the capture & shooting of Michael Cummins, the person of interest in the killings of five people found dead Saturday in Sumner County. @WKRN pic.twitter.com/J3zdIa6k9K Josh Breslow (@JoshBreslowWKRN) April 28, 2019 Authorities in rural Tennessee captured Cummins during a manhunt that was prompted by the discovery of several bodies in two homes The seven victims were killed in two locations and Cummins was arrested on Saturday Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed on Sunday that two more bodies were found at the Charles Brown Road home. Cummins was captured after an hourslong manhunt after police found him cowering in a muddy creek about a mile from where one of the shootings occurred. DeVine said at least one officer shot Cummins when he emerged from the woods. He is believed to have produced multiple weapons and the situation escalated. He was then taken to a hospital for treatment for what are believed to be injuries that are not life threatening, DeVine said. A family member set up a GoFundMe account to help cover funeral expenses for David and Clara Cummins and shared pictures of the some of the victims. TBI agents and forensics are continuing to work to piece together relevant evidence into the murders that took place and are interviewing family members and neighbors who knew Cummins. The home on Charles Brown Road where six of the seven bodies were discovered is seen above Radio DJ Mark Radcliffe has told how tumours the size of a 'walnut' and an 'apple' were removed from his neck in his battle against cancer. The presenter stunned listeners last October when he announced on air he was stopping his show to receive treatment. The 60-year-old said he discovered the cancerous lump on his neck after shaving his beard off while on holiday with his wife Bella. Mr Radcliffe, who hosted the BBC Radio 2 Folk Show, said he would be taking time off for treatment for 'cancerous tongue and lymph node issues' which had been diagnosed a month earlier. He told the Mirror: 'I'd had a beard for a while and thought, ''oh it's too hipster, everyone has a beard now. I'll go clean shaven'' and as I took it off I noticed something on my neck. 'I thought it was probably a swollen lymph gland but when we got home I went to my GP, who sent me for an ultrasound. DJ Mark Radcliffe discovered a cancerous tumour on his neck after shaving his beard off while on holiday with his wife BBC Radio 2 Folk Show host Mark Radcliffe announced on air last October he would be taking some time off for treatment for 'cancerous tongue and lymph node issues' 'I found myself seeing a specialist for a biopsy and being told I had a cancerous growth in my neck.' He was on holiday with his family last July in Polzeath, Cornwall, when he discovered the lump, reports the Mirror. Mr Radcliffe told how tumours were removed from the back of his tongue, lymph nodes and neck. He added: 'They took a walnut-sized thing from deep down on the back of my tongue. 'Then from my neck, which was the secondary in the lymph nodes, they took something the size of an apple. 'My wife Bella said, ''an apple and a walnut? That's practically a Waldorf salad''.' Announcing his diagnosis last October, he told listeners: 'Now - here's a thing - I'm sad to say that I've got some cancerous tongue and lymph node issues and so, as I'm sure you'll understand, I'm going to be disappearing for a while to get that all sorted out. 'It's all been caught very early and so everything should be fine.' Mr Radcliffe, also a BBC Radio 6 Music presenter, went on: 'All being well I'll be back in action in the new year - or sooner if I feel well enough - but I will be back, you can depend on it. Mark Radcliffe with fellow broadcaster Stuart Maconie presenting their afternoon show on BBC Radio 6 Music Mark Radcliffe with colleague Stuart Maconie (pictured left) and rock star Robert Plant (centre) DJ Mark Radcliffe and his daughters at the Legoland Discovery Centre opening in March 2017 Fans and presenters gave their support to the popular broadcaster Mark Radcliffe who took time off work to get treatment for cancer 'I just can't say exactly when that will be. So you won't hear from me for a while now and therefore... well... Merry Christmas I guess. Life eh?' Fans reacted with an outpouring of support online for the popular DJ, who is an avid Manchester City fan. Fellow presenters have allow tweeted their support with Claudia Winkleman saying: 'Sending so much love' and Simon Mayo saying 'Hey get well soon Mark! Look forward to your full recovery.' Mark Radcliffe at the BBC 6 Music Festival at the Barrowland Ballroom, in Glasgow, in March 2017 The Folk Show was presented by Ricky Ross for a few weeks before Mr Radcliffe began recording the show again in January. After his surgery, Mr Radcliffe underwent an intensive six-week course of radiotherapy and two rounds of chemotherapy. He then started live presenting the 6Music weekend breakfast show with Stuart Maconie again. Mr Radcliffe was born in Bolton in 1958 and attended the Bolton School before studying English and American Studies at Manchester in 1979. He joined the BBC Manchester in 1986 and produced Radio One and Two Programmes including 'The Organist Entertains.' The 60-year-old, who is married and has three daughters, presented a variety of shows on BBC Radio One with Marc Riley. Their stage names were Marc and Lard and they presented a late night show in 1995 called The Graveyard Shift which featured a mix of comedy sketches, live readings, and regular contributors such as noted film critic Mark Kermode. In 1997 he briefly presented the flagship Radio One breakfast show with Marc Riley and then moved to afternoon show winning three Sony Awards. As well as being a popular broadcaster, Mr Radcliffe was also part of a spoof band called The Shirehorses who released two albums and appeared at Glastonbury in 1997. The musician also made three albums with folk rock band The Family Mahone as well as being a mainstay of the BBC's Glastonbury coverage. He left Radio 1 and moved to Radio 2 in 2004 and in 2005 he published his first novel called Northern Sky. He has also released a book of memoirs in 2009 called 'Thank You For The Days.' In 2011 he moved to afternoons with Stuart Maconie on Radio 6 Music and in 2013 started presenting the Radio 2 Folk Show. Mr Radcliffe is supporting North West Cancer Researchs head and neck cancer campaign #SpeakOut, which launched today. To find out more about the symptoms of head and neck cancer as well as support the North West Cancer Research's #SpeakOut campaign visit nwcr.org. A Georgia teacher has been charged with sexually assaulting a teenage student. Kristin Davenport, 26, was charged on Thursday. She is a teacher at Northside High School in Columbus, Georgia. Police have not revealed details of her alleged crime, including whether or not the teenager was male or female. They arrested her after receiving an anonymous tip about their relationship. Kristin Davenport, 26, was charged on Thursday. She is a teacher at Northside High School in Columbus, Georgia Davenport is being held in custody on a single count of sexual assault against persons in custody. She is the third teacher who has been arrested in the school district in just a week. The others are substitute teachers whose alleged crimes are child molestation and battery. Alexander White was charged with child molestation and enticing children. He is a substitute teacher at Hardaway High School. Victoria Cothran, a substitute at Midland Middle School, was arrested for battery after having a 'meltdown' towards a student there, NBC reports. Davenport is due in court on Tuesday. She has not yet entered a plea. According to her social media accounts, she is single. Davenport is a teacher at Northside High School in Columbus, Georgia One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has accepted the resignation of the party's Queensland leader and Senate candidate Steve Dickson after he was caught on camera groping strippers and making derogatory comments about women. Dickson resigned from the party on Tuesday after more footage from an Al Jazeera sting was made public, following on from video released last month which showed him meeting with officials from the U.S. National Rifle Association. 'White women **** a whole lot better, they know what they are doing, Asian chicks don't,' Mr Dickson was recorded saying in the footage aired on Monday. 'I've done more Asians than I know what to do with.' The footage showed Mr Dickson groping the breasts of one dancer before putting money into the underwear of another. 'I've asked her, she said she wants to come home and suck my d***,' he said while receiving a lap dance. Senator Hanson said she was 'shocked and disappointed' after seeing the footage - captured by Al Jazeera journalists as part of their investigation into the party - and has accepted Mr Dickson's resignation. The new footage came weeks after footage showed Mr Dickson and One Nation official James Ashby meeting with an Australian gun lobbyist who was really an Al Jazeera journalist. The undercover journalist and One Nation heavyweights went to the US where they met with officials from the National Rifle Association in the United States, toured gun shops and a gun show. In that footage the One Nation officials discussed how money from gun rights lobbyists could be used in Australia. 'I have asked for the [full] vision to be released,' Sen. Hanson said on Tuesday while denying they had ever solicited an NRA donation. Steve Dickson, One Nation's candidate for a Queensland Senate seat and Senator Hanson's right-hand man, resigned from the party after secretly-filmed video of him at a strip club (pictured) Senator Hanson (pictured) said she was 'shocked and disappointed' after seeing the footage While Sen. Hanson stood by Mr Dixon after the initial video was released, she said his comments in the strip club footage were too much to tolerate. 'I have always spoken very highly of Steve Dickson, but the footage I saw last night cannot be ignored or condoned,' she said. 'I am both a mother of three boys and the only female leader of a political party in this country. 'I wouldn't tolerate my own children behaving this way towards women and I cannot, and will not, condone my own candidates dealing with women in this fashion either. 'Steve's language and behaviour was unacceptable and does not meet my expectations nor the greater public's expectation of a person who is standing for public office.' Senator Hanson said she was not worried about more footage from the Al Jazeera investigation being released. 'This is something I knew nothing about... I'm not impressed, I'm not happy about it, and I've made that quite clear. I'm upset... Steve is a family man... he is deeply upset by this. 'I'm not going to judge him any further, it is a family matter.' She said she hoped voters would consider her party's record before the scandal when casting their ballots during next month's federal election. 'My job now is to continue to fight for the Australian people,' she said. Mr Dickson (pictured) resigned from the party on Tuesday morning after the strip club video was revealed Senate candidate Steve Dickson was filmed inside a Washington DC strip club groping dancers and saying derogatory things about women In a statement, Mr Dickson apologised to his wife Debbie, Senator Hanson and the Australian public. 'The footage shown does not reflect the person I am. It shows a person who was drunk and not in control of his actions and I take full responsibility for allowing that to happen,' he said. 'I am also deeply remorseful for my disrespectful comments towards women. I found the footage difficult to watch as my words and actions under intoxication and in that environment, are not a true reflection of myself.' After the Al Jazeera piece was aired One Nation party leader Pauline Hanson called a press conference to throw her support behind Mr Dickson as a good family man In March, Mr Dickson was filmed describing gun control as a 'poison' and saying his party could 'change Australia' if it were given money. He said Australian gun law is important in the context of a global battle for gun rights. 'If we don't change things, people are going to be looking at Australia and go 'Well, it's OK for them to go down the path of not having guns, it's OK for them to go down that politically-correct path,' he said. 'And it's like a poison - it will poison us all unless we stop it.' Mr Dickson has been running on a platform of family values, identifying himself as a 'family man'. His website describes him as a happily married man with two grown sons. Grenfell Tower in North Kensington, London. The slogan reads 'Forever in our Hearts Families of the Grenfell Tower victims are in revolt over the Governments handling of plans to build a memorial there. They have accused ministers of sidelining them in the debate over what should happen to what is now the sacred gravesite of their loved ones. In an excoriating letter, signed by at least 14 of the 38 bereaved families, they also accuse the Government of failing to show them due respect in its handling of the West London site, where 72 died in a blaze in 2017. They vowed to boycott and demonstrate against any plans to railroad ownership and management of this land. Some also raised fears that the site could be land-banked to be developed for profit in the future. The Government says its plans give considerable weight to the voice of the bereaved when deciding what to do with the site. It has asked those who lost relatives to apply to join a commission which will produce a proposal for a memorial and say who should own and manage the land. Relatives have been asked to vie for one of five places on the commission by putting their name forward for a vote. The commission which will have no executive authority will also have three spots for survivors, two for local residents, and an undisclosed number of relevant public authority representatives. But families said it was insulting to have to take part in an election to decide what should happen to the site, where the ashes of their relatives still lie. Shah Aghlani, whose mother and aunt died, said: Why should a bereaved person have to be elected to decide what happens to their loved one? We are not running for Parliament. We just want to make sure the right thing is done. I cannot permit the Government to hand over the ashes of my loved ones to a body we dont recognise. If I feel the deceased have been disrespected, the first thing you will see after memorial day is me with a chisel taking it down. Shah Aghlani (C), whose mother and aunt died, said: Why should a bereaved person have to be elected to decide what happens to their loved one?' The Government says its plans give considerable weight to the voice of the bereaved when deciding what to do with the site (pictured during the devastating fire in 2017) In their letter to Nick Hurd, the Home Office minister with responsibility for Grenfell, the 14 families supported the idea of having a national memorial. But they added: The site needs to be sanctified and respected as it is where our family members died in the most horrific manner... We, the next of kin, should be properly included at every level of decision making. Nabil Choucair, one of the signatories who lost six family members, expressed fury that the Government would give as much weight to the views of a local resident of the tower as to an individual who lost someone in the fire. If they are going to make us as equal as each other, then me and all the family I lost are for nothing. What have they lost compared to what we have lost? he said. Nabil Choucair, one of the signatories who lost six family members, expressed fury that the Government would give as much weight to the views of a local resident of the tower as to an individual who lost someone in the fire Mr Choucair has lobbied the Government to bring all the next of kin together to canvass their views about the memorial and the voting system. But in a letter to him, Mr Hurd refused to do so because of the incredible sensitivities around this issue, after taking advice from clinical professionals. He said ministers would proceed with plans to hold a vote for representatives because only a small number of bereaved families had raised objections. The Ministry of Housing said it was committed to ensuring the community is at the heart of deciding a fitting memorial and categorically denied any plans to land-bank the site. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein turned in his letter of resignation Monday, thanking President Trump and even complimenting his private 'courtesy' despite the president going after him publicly during the Mueller probe. Rosenstein was in the role of acting attorney general when he named Special Counsel Robert Mueller to head the Russia probe a move that would infuriate President Trump for two years and put his job on the line. During one peak of his rage, the president retweeted an image that included Mueller and Rosenstein among a group of officials pictured behind bars. 'Now that Russia collusion is a proven lie, when do the trials for treason begin?' said the tweet. Deputy U.S. Attorney General Rod Rosenstein resigned his post, effective May 11, in a letter that thanked President Trump and also pointed to the importance of the rule of law Scroll down for Rosenstein's full letter The tweet also showed former President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton, Comey, Hillary Clinton, and others pictured behind bars. The president also fumed when it was revealed Rosenstein had mentioned wearing a wire during private top-level Justice Department conversations during the tumultuous period after the firing of FBI James Comey. Rosenstein played a role in that matter as well, drafting a letter that Trump used to justify the firing that became a central feature of Mueller's obstruction of justice probe of the president. The Washington Post reported this week that Rosenstein shared his angst to former Chief of Staff John Kelly following the report that he had discussed wearing a wire. 'I can go. Im ready to go. I can resign. But I dont want to go out with a tweet,' he said, a source told the paper. 'I am grateful to you for the opportunity to serve; for the courtesy and humor you often display in our personal conversations; and for the goals you set in your inaugural address,' Rosenstein wrote the president. ALL IN GOOD FUN: Rosenstein thanked President Trump 'for the courtesy and humor you often display in our personal conversations' Rosenstein joined Attorney General William Barr in the decision not to prosecute Trump, Barr said Rosenstein wrote a letter the president used to justify the firing of FBI Director James Comey President Trump went after Rosenstein in several tweets ''The rule of law is the foundation of America,' Rosenstein wrote in his resignation letter Rosenstein's letter concluded with a lengthy passage about the rule of law and the importance of non-partisan enforcement of the nation's laws. 'The rule of law is the foundation of America. It secures our freedom, allows our citizens to flourish, and enables our nation to serve as a model of liberty and justice for all,' Rosenstein wrote. Although he does not tie the passage to current events, it follows his last significant act as deputy AG signing on to a decision by Attorney General William Barr not to prosecute Trump for obstruction of justice. Barr announced the decision in his letter to Congress two days after receiving the Mueller report. Democrats howled at the decision, which Trump used to complain the report was a 'complete and total exoneration' of him, before it had yet been made public. Rosenstein also stood with Barr when he spoke publicly about the report on the day of its release, when Barr said there was no evidence Trump or other Americans 'colluded' with the Russians. Barr also added a statement that backed up the president on potential obstruction even as the Mueller report ran through detailed examinations of 10 examples of where the president may have committed obstruction. Rosenstein thanked President Trump for his courtesy and defended the importance of the rule of law in his resignation letter, submitted Monday Rosenstein wrote a scathing letter that Trump used to justify the firing of FBI Director James Comey '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,' said Barr. Rosenstein wrote: 'At the Department of Justice, we stand watch over what Attorney General Robert Jackson called 'the inner ramparts of our society the Constitution, its guarantees, our freedoms and the supremacy of law.' He said the department 'bears a special responsibility to avoid partisanship. Political considerations may influence policy choices, but neutral principles must drive decisions about individual cases.' He added: 'We enforce the law without fear or favor because credible evidence is not partisan, and truth is not determined by opinion polls. We ignore fleeting distractions and focus our attention on the things that matter, because a republic that endures is not governed by the news cycle.' Mueller devoted considerable resources to untangling whether Trump sought to thwart the probe of him being carried out by the special counsel and federal prosecutors. In April 2018, Trump tweeted: 'Much of the bad blood with Russia is caused by the Fake & Corrupt Russia Investigation, headed up by the all Democrat loyalists, or people that worked for Obama. Mueller is most conflicted of all (except Rosenstein who signed FISA & Comey letter). No Collusion, so they go crazy!' In a February 2019 tweet, Trump wrote: 'Wow, so many lies by now disgraced acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe. He was fired for lying, and now his story gets even more deranged. He and Rod Rosenstein, who was hired by Jeff Sessions (another beauty), look like they were planning a very illegal act, and got caught....' But Trump also took to Twitter to deny a Washington Post report that he referred privately to former AG Jeff Sessions as 'Mr. Magoo' and Rosenstein as 'Mr. Peepers.' Trump added: 'There are no such people and dont know these characters.' Rosenstein was also on hand for another key moment of the Mueller probe, announcing the indictments of 13 Russians who hacked Democratic emails and operated as part of a St. Petersburg-based troll farm. He made only a brief mention of Russian election interference in his letter. 'Our nation is safer, our elections are more secure, and our citizens are better informed about covert foreign influence efforts and schemes to commit fraud, steal intellectual property, and launch cyberattacks,' he wrote. READ ROD ROSENSTEIN'S FULL RESIGNATION LETTER TO TRUMP Dear Mr. President: The Department of Justice made rapid progress in achieving the Administration's law enforcement priorities - reducing violent crime, curtailing opioid abuse, protecting consumers, improving immigration enforcement, and building confidence in the police while preserving national security and strengthening federal efforts in other areas. We staffed the Department of Justice and the US. Attorneys' Offices with skilled and principled leaders devoted to the values that make America great. By consulting stakeholders, implementing constructive policies, reducing bureaucracy. and using results~driven management, we maximized the public benefit of our $28 billion budget. Productivity rose, and crime fell. Our nation is safer, our elections are more secure, and our citizens are better informed about covert foreign influence efforts and schemes to commit fraud, steal intellectual property, and launch cyberattacks. We also pursued illegal leaks, investigated credible allegations of employee misconduct, and accommodated congressional oversight without compromising law enforcement interests. I commend our 115,000 employees for their accomplishments and their devotion to duty. As Thomas Paine wrote, 'Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigues of supporting it.' The median tenure of a Deputy Attorney General is 16 months, and few serve longer than two years. As I submit my resignation effective on May 11, I am grateful to you for the opportunity to serve; for the courtesy and humor you often display in our personal conversations; and for the goals you set in your inaugural address: patriotism, unity, safety, education, and prosperity, because 'a nation exists to serve its citizens.' The Department of Justice pursues those goals while operating in accordance with the rule of law. The rule of law is the foundation of America. It secures our freedom, allows our citizens to flourish, and enables our nation to serve as a model of liberty and justice for all. At the Department of Justice, we stand watch over what Attorney General Robert Jackson called 'the inner ramparts of our society the Constitution, its guarantees, our freedoms and the supremacy of law.' As a result, the Department bears a special responsibility to avoid partisanship. Political considerations may influence policy choices, but neutral principles must drive decisions about individual cases. In 1940, Jackson explained that government lawyers 'must at times risk ourselves and our records to defend our legal processes from discredit, and to maintain a dispassionate, disinterested, and impartial enforcement of the law.' Facing 'corrosive skepticism and cynicism concerning the administration of justice' in 1975, Edward Levi urged us to 'make clear by word and deed that our law is not an instrument of partisan purpose used in ways which are careless of the higher values within us all.' In 2001, John Ashcroft called for 'a professional Justice Department free from politics uncompromisingly fair defined by integrity and dedicated to upholding the rule of law.' We enforce the law without fear or favor because credible evidence is not partisan, and truth is not determined by opinion polls. We ignore fleeting distractions and focus our attention on the things that matter, because a republic that endures is not governed by the news cycle. We keep the faith, we follow the rules, and we always put America first. Sincerely, Rod J. Rosenstein Advertisement A French man has allegedly filmed a woman while she was in a toilet cubicle at an inner-city Sydney bar. The woman noticed a mobile phone that seemed to be recording her under the dividing wall between cubicles in the women's toilets at a bar on Oxford Street in Darlinghurst at 1am on Saturday. She called out and banged on the wall before looking over to find a man holding a mobile phone. A French man allegedly filmed a woman while she was in a toilet cubicle at a bar on Oxford Street (pictured) in Darlinghurst at 1am on Saturday. Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting any of the bars pictured were involved She told hotel security about what happened and police were called. The Frenchman attempted to get away but security caught him and he was arrested by police. 'During a search of the man, police located a mobile phone and cannabis,' a NSW Police spokesman said. The woman noticed a mobile phone that seemed to be recording under the cubicle wall. She banged on the wall before looking over to find a man holding a mobile phone (stock image) The alleged perpetrator was charged with intentionally recording an intimate image without consent and possessing a prohibited drug. He was granted conditional bail at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday to re-appear at court on a later date. The man is due to appear at South Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday. Michael Adebowale plans to seek a prisoner-swap deal to Lagos' Kirikiri jail One of the men who hacked soldier Lee Rigby to death in 2013 is making a bid to serve out the rest of his sentence in a Nigerian jail with a VIP wing. Michael Adebowale and Michael Adebolajo killed the fusilier near his barracks in Woolwich, South East London and the former was given 45 years in jail for his part in the bloody attack. The 37-year-old is currently holed in in HMP Wakefield, otherwise known as Monster Mansion - but he wants to return to his parent's native land. Adebowale has even written to immigration experts asking for their advice, according to The Sun. Last night a source told the paper: 'Michael hates Wakefield. It's stuffed full of lags who see him as a top target. 'He thinks he can spend the rest of his sentence in Africa.' It was also reported that Adebowale plans to seek a prisoner-swap deal to Lagos' Kirikiri jail where then-Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also agreed to pay for a new 700,000 wing in 2014. Soldier Lee Rigby who was killed by Michael Adebowale and Michael Adebolajo in 2013 Michael Adebowale and Michael Adebolajo (pictured) killed the fusilier near his barracks in Woolwich, South East London in 2013 Since then, some lags have been able to go there to serve out their sentences but Adebowale's chances seem destined to fail as he wasn't born in the West African country. Mr Rigby's mother Lynn reacted to the news, branding it an insult to her son. She said: 'This is a disgrace and an insult to Lee. I'm sure he doesn't like Wakefield Prison but he has the luxury of being alive unlike my son who he stole from me. 'He should serve his sentence here and not try to exploit the law for a cushier life.' Lee Rigby's killer Michael Adebowale wants a switch to this cushy jail in Lagos, Nigeria General view of Wakefield Prison where the killer is currently holed up and trying to leave Barely a day goes by when we are not reminded of the parlous state of Britains system of care for the elderly. At a time when medical advances mean many are living into deep old age, the finances of local authorities charged with providing it have become ever more precarious. Former Tory minister Damian Green, a long-time confidant of the Prime Minister, deserves credit for daring to raise the idea of a surcharge to National Insurance contributions to fund the system. Barely a day goes by when we are not reminded of the parlous state of Britains system of care for the elderly For the question of how to pay for our creaking social care system has become, after Brexit, the most toxic subject in British politics. It was a major issue in two recent General Election campaigns, and a Green Paper which the Government promised would show the way forward has been delayed many times with ministers insisting it will be published at the earliest opportunity. Pilloried At the last General Election, the Tories campaign was severely damaged by its cack-handed presentation of social care reform plans. Their proposal meant that only 100,000 of a pensioners total wealth, including savings and property, would be protected from long-term care costs. The plan was branded a dementia tax by Labour and embarrassingly withdrawn. This followed the 2010 General Election campaign when Labour wanted a 20,000 compulsory levy to fund a national care service they were pilloried by the Tories, who called it a death tax. At a time when medical advances mean many are living into deep old age, the finances of local authorities charged with providing it have become ever more precarious Pressure on the social care system has increased massively as result of the growing number of elderly people and the fact that many care homes have closed (at least 735 since 2016) or been taken over by private equity firms which charge bigger fees. Among the most serious consequences is that too many people end up in hospital. They ought to be better cared for and more comfortable in their own homes, with visiting carers, or in private or local authority residential care. In the last year, I, like many of my fellow baby boomers, have experienced the problem while helping elderly relatives. First, in a modern residential home in South Wales, I watched compassionate young staff some locals and others foreign-born provide loving, 24-hour care to my mother-in-law as she faded away with cancer. Fortunately, because she had been careful with her finances, she was able to pay her way in a private nursing home. My other experience of the system, on the South Coast, showed that similar high-quality care can be provided by local authorities. In this case, the council supplied the money for us to look after my father at home. Carers would arrive breathless from visits to other patients. The system seemed to be dreadfully overstretched and carers given too many appointments for the hours in the day. But they remained unfailingly professional. I was almost brought to tears when a young carer who had looked after my father turned up on his 103rd birthday, unannounced, with a bunch of flowers and a card, and sat holding his hand. The humanity and professionalism of such people impressed me at every turn. Yet they are struggling to provide the care they should and want to because of a deep-seated funding shortage, which is getting worse. Politicians have been aware of the problem since a Royal Commission on Long-Term Care reported in 1999. But successive governments Tory and Labour, including those with big parliamentary majorities have shown disgraceful cowardice and backed away from reform. Had Tony Blair, Gordon Brown or David Cameron shown the guts to tackle the issue of long-term care, the crisis that now shames us as a civilised nation and the worlds fifth richest economy might have been solved for good. If, for instance, ministers in the late Nineties had decided that everyone over the age of, say, 45, should be enrolled automatically in a long- term care-insurance plan managed in the private sector we would have had a system that could afford basic provision for the entire country. And Damian Green himself had the opportunity do something as Work and Pensions Secretary. Instead, we are left with a patchy, unreliable system that stands as an indictment of the failure of the political class. Of course, the genuinely poor should always receive free care. But the way the system works is grossly unfair. It cant be right that someone who has diligently built up a modest nest egg of more than 23,250 and who may still own their home has to pay out of their savings for care which, in some cases, can be as much as 1,500 per week. Conundrum Yet others who have recklessly frittered away their money and not saved dont have to pay a penny for their care when they are old. So whats the answer to this troubling and deeply inequitable conundrum? Damian Greens proposal for a 1 per cent surcharge on National Insurance for people aged over 50 is an admirable start, but doesnt go far enough. Former Tory minister Damian Green, a long-time confidant of the Prime Minister, deserves credit for daring to raise the idea of a surcharge to National Insurance contributions to fund the system I believe that everyone over 40 should be encouraged to pay into a social care insurance scheme. Until that generation reaches retirement, there would be a transition period in which those over pensionable age could contribute more either by continuing to pay National Insurance, if still in work, or being means-tested for benefits such as the winter fuel allowance and public transport concessions. There is a successful model for this in the way that private-sector employees automatically enrol in workplace pensions. More than ten million are saving into such schemes, which will generate 17 billion of extra savings by 2019-20. A further possibility, favoured by former Tory pensions minister Baroness Altmann, is for long-term care Isas held by the State, which would offer tax-free investments for people to save for their care. Backlash One thing, though, is absolutely clear: doing nothing is not an option. The Government is trying to end the system under which central government makes grants to local authorities to cover social care. Instead, it wants councils to raise the money through council tax and business rates. This is a piecemeal solution and would create further problems. Councils would be spending up to half their revenue on social care by 2035. Meanwhile, in the private sector, nursing home managers claim they are struggling as a result of factors including having to pay higher wages after former chancellor George Osbornes introduction of the national living wage. This is a shabby excuse. The truth is that the private equity cowboys who rode into the care sector in the hope of making big profits have concluded that what once looked like an easy money-making venture is no longer profitable. As for the Government, we still await its Green Paper on long-term care. Sadly, history suggests that yet again any imaginative ideas will be killed by endless wrangling by politicians who are pathetically too fearful of a backlash at the ballot box to come up with a radical system that works. Damian Greens blueprint is a start. But it does nothing to prevent more care homes closing; qualified carers leaving the profession; hospital beds being blocked; and elderly people, whove worked hard all their lives, seeing the savings they hoped to leave to their children draining unnecessarily away. Theresa May was last night warned she will face an unprecedented confidence vote from Tory activists unless she agrees to step down within weeks. Andrew Sharpe, head of the partys voluntary wing, is understood to have delivered the ultimatum during talks with Mrs May in No 10. Mr Sharpe, chairman of the Conservatives national convention and deputy chairman of the partys ruling board, is said to have warned the Prime Minister that disquiet in Tory ranks means he now has no choice but to call an emergency general meeting (EGM) of activists next month to discuss her future. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at church, as Brexit turmoil continues, near High Wycombe, Sunday April 28 Under party rules, such a meeting must be convened if the chairmen of more than 65 Tory associations demand one. Mr Sharpe told Mrs May more than 70 chairmen had now written voicing no confidence in her following her failure to take Britain out of the EU on time. The vote means Mrs May becomes the first prime minister in 185 years to suffer a similar emergency grassroots poll. Any vote would not be binding because activists do not have the power to topple the party leader. But, with MPs also demanding she name a date for her departure, it would pile pressure on Mrs May to quit. Downing Street last night confirmed the Prime Minister had met Mr Sharpe, who was seen entering No 10 with a letter, which he left with Mrs May. Mrs May wont oversee the Queens Speech The Queens Speech will not be presided over by Theresa May, it emerged last night. The parliamentary set-piece outlining the Governments legislative agenda had been expected this summer. But Downing Street signalled yesterday that the next speech will be delayed until a Brexit deal has been passed, after which Mrs May has pledged to stand down as Prime Minister. A Whitehall source told the BBCs Newsnight: It is very unlikely Theresa May will preside over a substantive Queens Speech. It will be for the next prime minister to set out their substantive agenda for the next phase of policymaking. The last Queens Speech was in June 2017, when an extended two-year parliamentary session was introduced in order to deal with Brexit. But ministers fear that, with the DUP opposed to Mrs Mays Brexit deal, they could struggle to pass a Queens Speech potentially heralding the collapse of the Government. Asked when the next Queens Speech would be, the Prime Ministers spokesman said the Government was focused on passing the withdrawal bill, which implements the Brexit deal with the EU. He said: That is part of the current Queens Speech cycle. Advertisement Mr Sharpe did not respond to phone calls. But a senior Tory said: The threshold for an EGM has been passed and so Andrew has given the PM formal notice that one will now be held. It was inevitable. Dinah Glover, chairman of the London East Area Conservatives, said there was despair in the party at Mrs Mays approach to Brexit. Under Tory rules, the national convention must give 28 days notice of an EGM, meaning it cannot be held until the end of next month, after the May 23 European Parliament elections, which are expected to be a disaster for the party. The EGM will involve the partys 800 highest-ranking officers, including local constituency chairmen. Mr Sharpes intervention comes a week after the 1922 Committee of Tory MPs called on Mrs May to set out a timetable for her departure. Mrs May has promised to step aside when her Brexit deal is approved by Parliament. But with doubts growing over how long that could take and Brexit delayed until the end of October her critics are now demanding that she name a date for her exit regardless of whether or not her deal has been approved. Mrs May faced a formal confidence vote from Tory MPs on December 12. She won the vote by 200 to 117, a margin of victory of 83. The partys existing rules state that if a leader wins, no vote of confidence shall be called for a period of at least 12 months, meaning she cannot be challenged until December. But MPs angry at the failure to leave the EU and Mrs Mays talks with Jeremy Corbyn on a soft Brexit deal are calling on her to go. It came as sources warned talks may fall apart today if Labour activists force Mr Corbyn to agree to a second referendum in all circumstances. Theresa May attends Morning Prayers at her local church near High Wycombe, north west of London with her husband Philip Labours National Executive Committee is meeting today to agree a manifesto for the European Parliament elections. The Labour leader is under intense pressure from Remainers in his party to include a commitment to a confirmatory referendum on any Brexit deal. A senior Tory source said: If they commit to a confirmatory referendum on anything they agree with us, then it is going to be very difficult to continue. Families targeted by yobs should not have to pay to report crimes to the police, the Victims' Commissioner said yesterday. Baroness Newlove condemned the 15p fee charged by phone firms for every call to the police 101 non-emergency number. 'Why should there be a charge when 999 calls are free?' she said. Helen Newlove released a major report yesterday saying that families suffer in silence because police and councils routinely ignore gangs of yobs. She said 'depressingly little' had changed since her husband Garry was killed by drunken thugs outside their home in 2007. Baroness Newlove said it was 'infuriating' that loutish behaviour was dismissed as low-level crime Nearly four in ten people endured or witnessed antisocial behaviour in the last year the highest level on record according to the latest annual crime survey for England and Wales. Baroness Newlove said it was 'infuriating' that loutish behaviour including intimidation, drug-dealing, vandalism, drunken rowdiness and verbal abuse was dismissed as low-level crime. She said it was instead 'sustained and remorseless bullying and harassment'. Her report said it was a struggle to make public bodies understand the seriousness of antisocial behaviour and give support to victims. It found that: The authorities 'failed to appreciate' the cumulative impact of persistent nuisance on victims, instead treating each incident in isolation and ignoring the underlying causes; Victims were passed from one agency to another, leaving them feeling as if 'no one is listening'; Lengthy delays when calling the 'not fit for purpose' 101 non-emergency number deterred those targeted from reporting incidents; Only 3 per cent of people knew about the community trigger a mechanism that compels the authorities to investigate when three separate incidents are reported within six months; Victims fear being labelled a 'grass' if they report incidents; Cuts to neighbourhood policing meant fewer opportunities for victims to report problems face to face. Garry Newlove, Baroness Newlove's husband, was beaten to death by a gang of yobs outside the couple's home in 2007 The withering 44-page report warned that repeated failure to tackle the problem had led to an escalation in serious violence and was often fuelled by county lines gangs. Last week figures showed knife crime had reached record levels, with an average of 112 offences a day. Offences reported to the police in 'Wild West Britain' reached a 15-year high with 5.8million offences last year. Baroness Newlove said it seemed implausible that 12 years after the death of her husband in Warrington, Cheshire, she was still raising the issue of antisocial behaviour. She said: 'The feedback from victims is that, all too often, they feel they are being persistently targeted by their perpetrators, and yet persistently ignored by those with the power to prevent and intervene. 'Their experience can be like living a nightmare. Antisocial behaviour is often downplayed as a petty, low-level crime.' She told the Daily Telegraph that charging for 101 calls was fundamentally wrong. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Sir Ed Davey said: 'By slashing community police, ministers have surrendered to the gangs and enabled a surge in antisocial behaviour ruining the lives of people up and down our country.' A Local Government Association spokesman said: 'Councils know people look to them to tackle the antisocial behaviour which can make a law-abiding resident's life hell or blight an entire neighbourhood. 'It's a role they take extremely seriously but one which is being made increasingly challenging as a result of losing 60p out of every 1 they had from government to spend on services in the past decade.' A Government spokesman said it was 'committed to tackling antisocial behaviour and ensuring victims get the response they deserve'. Rising temperatures are hitting Britain and some cities are now far warmer than they were in the 20th century, reveals a study of historical weather records across the UK. As a result, many parts of the UK have already exceeded the 2.9F (1.6C) target cap for temperature increases laid out in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. The cities of Oxford, Sheffield and Durham were among those whose past weather observations were analysed as part of the research. The study was conducted by University of Reading climatologist Ed Hawkins, who has been leading a citizen-powered effort to digitise archived weather records. Scroll down for video Oxford (pictured) had an average temperature in 2018 that was around 2.7F (1.5C) higher than the city's average over the 20th century Oxford, Sheffield and Durham have seen annual temperatures rise by up to 2.9F (1.6C) above their 20th century averages, Professor Hawkins found. Oxford's average temperature in 2018 was around 2.7F (1.5C) higher than the city's average over the 20th century. The same rise in average temperatures could be seen in Durham in the previous year. 'Its a long-term trend and takes off from the 1980s. In 2018 UK temperatures were about 1.6C above the average for the [20th] century.' 'The amount of greenhouse gases entering the air has risen inexorably and is still rising,' he said. 'Temperatures will keep rising too.' The rising temperatures found in this study are well above the average global temperature increase of 1.8F (1C) since the start of the industrial revolution, back in 1760 and also higher than the temperature targets set out in the Paris Climate Agreement. Much of the historical weather record, which dates back as far as 1859, has been difficult for modern climate scientists and meteorologists to access and study because it has not yet been digitised. Professor Hawkins has been leading a citizen science project, Weather Rescue, that has been entering considerable volumes of 'lost' weather observations into a computer database that scientists around the globe can easily access. In his recent work, Professor Hawkins analysed temperature records taken by five of Britain's longest-operating weather stations, which are based in Oxford, Sheffield, Durham, Armagh and Stornoway. 'Through the 20th century you see more frequent warm years in these towns,' Professor Hawkins told The Times. The above-average temperature increases detected by Professor Hawkins are due, in part, to the UK's physical location near Europe as well as its latitude. The further a country lies from the equator, the greater the temperature increases that it experienced. Professor Hawkins analysed temperature records taken by five of Britain's longest-operating weather stations, which are based in Oxford, Sheffield, Durham, Armagh and Stornoway In January, councillors in Oxford unanimously voted to declare that the city was facing a climate emergency, alongside opposing the development of an expressway to connect Oxford with Cambridge. 'We need to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030,' Green Party group leader Craig Simmons, who proposed the motion to declare the state of emergency, told the Oxford Mail. 'We have a duty to ourselves, our residents, businesses and to the wider world to not only declare a climate emergency but to deliver real change,' he added. Oxford councillor Tom Landell Mills, of the Liberal Democrats, told the Times that the effects of the warming climate are becoming evident. 'In Oxford daffodils are flowering several weeks earlier and we are seeing little egrets a small heron that never used to fly north of France,' he said. Although the weather stations in the study record urban temperatures, Professor Hawkins says that rising temperatures are affecting entire regions. Britain's temperature logs are long-established and predate most other records from across the globe. In Oxford, for example, the Radcliffe Observatory began daily temperature readings in 1773. Professor Hawkins is presenting his research in a lecture to the Royal Society on April 30, 2019. According to the Times, Professor Hawkins will also be putting forward a controversial opinion on the Scottish scientist James Watt suggesting that Watt was the individual at the root of man-made climate change. 'Ever since he invented the modern steam engine, the amount of greenhouse gases entering the air has kept on rising,' Hawkins has said. The oldest surviving footprint of humans in the Americas has been found, scientists claim in a new study. A single footprint, discovered in Chile, was found which dates back 15,600 years. Originally excavated in 2010, researchers have now ruled out animals and have confirmed that it belongs to an male adult human. Scientists say the fossil could provide new insights into the human colonisation of Patagonia, the sparsely populated region shared by Chile and Argentina. The oldest surviving footprint of humans in the Americas has been found in Chile, Scientists claim in a new study. The ancient footprint is pictured, having formed cracks due to drying out after being removed from its original site The footprint was found at the Pilauco excavation site in the city of Osorno in south-central Chile where scientists have been digging since 2007. Scientists think it is a straight down imprint that belongs to a barefooted adult human who was of 'light body weight'. It was discovered alongside fossil bones and tools and its date was established by using radiocarbon dating of organic plant material also present. To establish whether its owner was human or animal, scientists performed foot printing test by stepping into similar soil - with moisture added back in - at different angles and pressures. The reconstruction used three different human barefoot print-makers with similar foot size but different height and weight. They were able to establish that the original soil - around 15,600 years ago - was likely well saturated with water. Based on features such as foot arch, the size of the print, and the width-ratio between the ball of the foot and the lack third segment, scientists were able to conclude the print came from a human male around 22 pounds (10kg) lighter than one of their print makers. The print was also likely buried fast by layers of soil after it was made, which allowed it to be preserved it to this day. Given that the measured depth of the area it was excavated, it may have been buried and compressed by more than three meters of sediment, making it less distinct than it was originally. Based on foot printing tests they conducted, scientists think the print come from a straight down step that belongs to a barefooted adult human who was of 'light body weight'. The diagram shows the different type of prints could be made - with different angles and pressure The single footprint found in Chile is thought to be a 15,600-year old imprint. The picture shows how the footprint looked at the original site of discovery, before the sediment dried out after being removed for studying Dr Karen Moreno, a palaeontologist with the Universidad Austral, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, who has overseen the studies, said researchers had also found bones of animals near the site, including those of primitive elephants, but determined that the footprint was evidence of human presence. Dr Moreno said this was the first evidence of humans in the Americas older than 12,000 years. To establish if the footprint's owner was human and how it was made, scientists performed foot printing tests on soil at different soil moisture levels and with different foot angles and pressures. They compared these to the excavated specimen to determine its original state She said: 'Little by little in South America we're starting to find sites with evidence of human presence, but this is this oldest in the Americas,' she said. The footprint was first discovered in 2010 by a student at the Universidad Austral of Chile. Scientists then worked for years to rule out the possibility that the print may have belonged to some other species of animal, and to determine the fossil's estimated age. The research group has worked for over ten years to rule out the possibility that the print may have belonged to some other species of animal, and to determine the fossil's estimated age. Line of Duty fans have asked Amazon's Alexa voice assistant about the identity of the mysterious 'H' so many times that the devices are now quipping back. Videos have emerged online of fans asking Alexa to unmask the corrupt cop atthe centre of the show's plot but the device refuses, saying she's 'too scared' or 'can't be bothered'. The identity of 'H' has plagued viewers throughout the series but the big reveal will identify the corrupt police officer at the top of the organised crime chain who has been pulling the strings. The question has plagued viewers of Line of Duty (pictured) throughout the series but the big reveal will identify the corrupt police officer at the top of the organised crime chain who has been pulling the strings Social media user, Daniel Smith, was among those who could not bear to wait. he filmed himself asking his Alexa: 'Who is H?' The exasperated device replied: 'Honestly, I can't be bothered to talk about this anymore. 'Too many people are asking me who H is.' Gareth Evans, from Aberdare, Helen England, from North Tipperary, Teresa Rodmell, from Milton Keynes and Ollie Charles, from London, all asked the same question but got a more sinister response. Alexa replied: 'I know who H is, but I'm too scared to tell you.' Social media user, Daniel Smith, was among those who could not bear to wait. he filmed himself asking his Alexa: 'Who is H?' The exasperated device replied: 'Honestly, I can't be bothered to talk about this anymore Twitter user @bongbrummie replied to a video from Line of Duty actor Tomi May saying: 'We need this Alexa Echo to be interrogated by an Echo Plus or above' Even Line of Duty actor Tomi May, who plays villain Miroslav in the series, posted a video on his Twitter account of him taking part in the social media trend. He tweeted: 'Just to clarify #Alexa' The video shows the actor asking his own device, in character: 'Alexa, who is H?' She said: 'I know who H is, but I'm too scared to tell you.' Tomi replied: 'That's right, because we get Ryan to slit your throat.' Twitter user @bongbrummie replied: 'We need this Alexa Echo to be interrogated by an Echo Plus or above.' The Birmingham-born actor tagged fellow star, Gregory Piper, who plays troubled kid turned OCG member Ryan Pilkington. Part of the world's largest ice shelf is melting 10 times faster than expected due to the sea warming around it, research shows. The Ross Ice Shelf, a floating slab of Antarctic ice the size of France which juts into the ocean, is more vulnerable to global warming than previously thought. The finding suggests that surface water heated by the sun also plays a crucial role in melting ice as well their exposure to warm deep ocean water, as is often thought. Scroll down for video Part of the world's largest ice shelf is melting 10 times faster than expected due to the sea warming around it, research shows. The discovery suggests that the Ross Ice Shelf is more vulnerable to global warming than previously thought. Looking at data over the course of four years, the researchers found that this water flowed under the ice shelf, causing melt rates to almost triple in the summer. Loss of ice shelves removes a barrier to glaciers transporting water to the ocean, allowing sea levels to rise. The team, from Cambridge University, spent several years investigating how the Ross Ice Shelf's north-west sector interacted with the ocean beneath it. Former Cambridge scientist Doctor Craig Stewart, now at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) said: 'The stability of ice shelves is generally thought to be related to their exposure to warm deep ocean water. However, he and his team found that solar heated surface water also plays a 'crucial role' in melting ice shelves. The team took measurements of temperature, salinity, melt rate and ocean currents using instruments passed through a 850 feet (260-metre) borehole. Four years' worth of data were also collected from an oceanographic mooring installed under the ice shelf. In addition, a custom-made radar system was employed to survey the changing thickness of the ice. The instruments showed that surface water heated by the sun flowed into the cavity under the ice shelf, causing melt rates almost to triple in the summer. The finding suggests that surface water heated by the sun also plays a crucial role in melting ice as well their exposure to warm deep ocean water, as is often thought. Looking at data over the course of four years, the researchers found that this water flowed under the ice shelf Doctor Stewart added: 'Climate change is likely to result in less sea ice, and higher surface ocean temperatures in the Ross Sea, suggesting that melt rates in this region will increase in the future.' Dr Poul Christoffersen, from Cambridge University, pointed out that collapsing ice shelves can double or triple the speed at which glaciers flow to the ocean. 'The difference here is the sheer size of the Ross Ice Shelf, which is over 100 times larger than the ice shelves we've already seen disappear,' he said. 'The observations we made at the front of the ice shelf have direct implications for many large glaciers that flow into the ice shelf, some as far as 900 kilometres (559 miles) away.' The findings are published in the latest issue of the journal Nature Geoscience. Humans care more about an endangered animal if it is cute because their big eyes and soft features trigger our paternal instincts and our desire to protect them. Giant pandas, often on adverts and as the logo for the WWF, receive widespread attention and publicity in their fight for survival while many animals do not. The Chinese giant salamander, the largest amphibian in the world, is not as cute and receives almost no attention - despite being one of the rarest creatures in the world. It weighs as much as an adult human, has slimy brown skin, a giant mouth curled to a gormless grin and beady eyes. Its appearance alone causes it to receive far less attention than its bamboo-eating compatriot. Scroll down for video Giant pandas (pictured) , often seen on adverts and as the logo for the WWF, receive widespread attention and publicity in their fight for survival while many animals do not. The dark rings around pandas' eyes triggered humans nurturing instincts Size, intelligence, behaviour, rarity, how closely an animal resembles the human form all play a part in our reaction to various endangered creatures. 'One of the biggest factors is 'cuteness': physical characteristics such as big eyes and soft features that elicit our parental instincts because they remind us of human infants,' Hal Herzog, emeritus professor at West Carolina University's Department of Psychology, told AFP. An expert in human-animal relationships, Professor Herzog said the dark rings around pandas' eyes triggered humans nurturing instincts. 'Compare that to the Chinese giant salamander,' he said. 'Google it. It looks like a six-foot-long, 150-pound bag of brown slime with beady little eyes.' The salamanders are a vital part of their ecosystem, just as worms are essential to soil health around the steams and lakes they live in -- which is just about everywhere. Yet, like maggots, rats and snakes, the main instinct they inspire in humans is revulsion. According to Professor Graham Davey, a specialist in phobias from the University of Sussex's School of Psychology, we learn to revile certain creatures at a young age. 'Disgust is a learned emotion. Babies are not born with it... it's probably transmitted socially, culturally and within families,' he said. Some animals are reviled due to their resemblance to 'primary disgusting things' such as mucus or faeces, Professor Davey said, while others are perceived -- rightly or wrongly - to pose a direct danger to the beholder. 'In terms of threat to humankind, disease and illness are bigger than being attacked by an animal,' he said. This might explain why most of us don't find lions and bears repellant - they are covered with the same type of soft fur that coat cuddly toys for children, even if it might be better to avoid one in real life. As with most things, popular culture has a huge effect on how society perceives animals. Whereas the movie 'Free Willy' prompted a wave of sympathy for the protection of endangered orcas, 'Arachnophobia' hardly helped spiders' cause. Even the depiction of fictional creatures can have a knock-on effect on public perception towards certain animals. The Chinese giant salamander (pictured), the largest amphibian in the world, is not cute as it weighs as much as an adult human, has slimy brown skin, a giant mouth curled to a gormless grin and small eyes. It is also one of the world's most endangered species but receives far less attention than its bamboo-eating compatriot Take the main being in 'Alien', for example. 'Seeing the one from the first film that had that mucus-y drawl dripping from the alien's mouth... sensitises people to disgusting things,' Davey said. Nor is it just the public at large who are liable to 'speciesism', or discrimination against other species in favour of our own. A study in 2017 found a strong correlation between society's preferred animals and those most studied in scientific research. 'Maybe that's because it's easier to get money' to study well-known animals, said Frederic Legendre, a researcher at France's National History Museum. And popular species make money in return, according to Christo Fabricius from WWF - a conservation group indelibly linked to its panda logo. 'Reptiles, for example, are not very marketable,' he said. Not that favouring certain cute or charismatic species is necessarily a bad thing for conservation. 'When we protect an iconic species, we protect their habitat and therefore all the organisms within it also benefit,' said Dr Legendre. But such species can become a victim of their own popularity. One recent study suggested that a 'virtual' presence of wild animals such as elephants and tigers - be that on computer screens, T-shirts or in children's books - can fool people into thinking they are more common in the wild than they really are. The populations of most megafauna - from hippos to giraffes and gorillas - remain in peril. Then there's the risk of poaching. The rarer the species 'the more value they provide for traditional medicine, for trophy hunting, and therefore they are poached more often,' said Franck Courchamp, an ecologist at France's National Centre for Scientific Research. So the next time you see a picture of a Giant Chinese Salamander, remember that there's more to saving Earth's wild species than looks. Facebook announced Monday its first research grants to academics studying the impact of social media on elections. In an unprecedented move, the firm will open its data to some 60 researchers from 30 academic institutions across 11 countries, as it looks to use the results to prevent future manipulation of social platforms. Facebook began the research initiative last year after revelations of foreign influence campaigns on the 2016 US election and the Brexit vote in Britain. Scroll down for video Facebook will open its data to some 60 researchers from 30 academic institutions across 11 countries, as it looks to use the results to prevent future manipulation of social platforms It began soliciting proposals last year, and on Monday unveiled its first research grants. They were selected under a review process by the Social Science Research Council and the independent group Social Science One. 'To assure the independence of the research and the researchers, Facebook did not play any role in the selection of the individuals or their projects and will have no role in directing the findings or conclusions of the research,' said a blog post by Facebook executives Elliot Schrage and Chaya Nayak. 'We hope this initiative will deepen public understanding of the role social media has on elections and democracy and help Facebook and other companies improve their products and practices.' The researchers will be granted access to Facebook's internal data through a 'first-of-its-kind data sharing infrastructure to provide researchers access to Facebook data in a secure manner that protects people's privacy,' Schrage and Nayak wrote. Academics will be able to view which websites users linked out to between January 2017 and February 2019, as well as data from Crowdtangle, a tool used by publishers that shows them how content is being posted on Facebook. Pictured is one of the anti-Trump memes produced by a fake account and shared on Facebook. In the study, academics will be able to view what sites users linked out to during the election 'Some of these steps include building a process to remove personally identifiable information from the data set and only allowing researcher access to the data set through a secure portal,' he added. Gary King and Nathaniel Persily of Social Science One said in a statement the researchers will seek to move swiftly to help social networks improve their security and integrity. 'The urgency of this research cannot be overstated," they wrote. 'Elections in India are already underway, the European Parliamentary elections will take place in short order, and the US presidential primary campaigns have begun in earnest. Concerns about disinformation, polarization, political advertising, and the role of platforms in the information ecosystem have not diminished. If anything, they have heightened.' Some of the research groups cited are based at Northeastern University, Ohio State University and New York University and Virginia Tech University in the United States. Others include France's Institute of Political Studies; National Chengchi University in Taiwan; Italy's Universita di Urbino Carlo Bo; University of Sao Paulo in Brazil; Germany's Technical University of Munich; the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands; and Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. Advertisement An explorer completed an epic 1,250-mile backpacking trek from the tip of Cornwall to the top of Scotland - to celebrate his 70th birthday. John Sutcliffe hiked from Cape Cornwall to Cape Wrath, carrying 18kg of camping equipment and clothing and taking in some of the UK's most remote and wildest parts. During his daring 106-day walk, which included a few rest days, the former geologist spent almost every night camping in the wild, save for the occasional night of luxury in a B&B. Explorer John Sutcliffe, who celebrated his 70th birthday by embarking on a 1,250-mile backpacking trek from the tip of Cornwall to the top of Scotland. He's pictured here leaving Hadrian's Wall John started his journey next to the granite gateway of Cape Cornwall. The trek took him 106 days to complete John had to carry all of his equipment on his back during the trip. He is pictured on Day One after pitching up his tent for the first time at Portheras Cove in Cornwall Just four days into his trip, John stumbled across Godrevy Point in Cornwall and snapped this charming image of seals on the shore John, who lives in North Yorkshire, planned his journey as an alternative to the standard John O'Groats to Land's End trip. He is pictured here at Godrevy Point in Cornwall on Day Four Home for the night on Day Six was an ancient iron mine, pictured, at the north end of Penhale Sands in Cornwall John, who lives in North Yorkshire, planned his journey as an alternative to the standard John O'Groats to Land's End route - which is actually 380 miles shorter than his trip. And now he has shared his diaries and inspiring photos from the trek in a fascinating new book, Cape to Cape. The book chronicles his experiences of the kindness of strangers, as well as the unforgiving nature of the British weather. John said: 'I wanted to set myself a challenge ahead of my 70th birthday, and as a geologist by trade, was keen to explore some of the most interesting and challenging terrain in the country. 'The idea for the walk evolved during a conversation over 40 years ago, and it took a huge amount of preparation and planning finding the right kit and plotting the route in fine detail before I left home. Most nights of the trip saw John camp in the wilds. He is pictured here on Day Nine making a cup of hot chocolate after pitching his tent in a graveyard in Blisland While heading towards Launceston, John came across a wedding party taking pictures in front of the town hall. He wrote in his book how he couldn't resist photobombing one of them On day 13 of the journey, John came across this quaint brick bridge that dated back to medieval times just outside Launceston John poses for a photo while resting against a bridge that crosses the River Teign near Chagford in Devon. Day 15 One of the most stunning shots that John captured was this one, taken on Macmillan Way West on the Quantock Hills near Ivyton Farm on day 21 of the journey 'I would love to think that my experience can inspire others young or old to explore the wild, unspoiled parts of our country, spending a night or two under canvas in the company of rustling creatures of the night it is an eye-opening experience!' John's journey began in April 2014 at Cape Cornwall, where he followed the cliffs before heading inland, across the remote moors of Dartmoor and Exmoor and on to the marshy Somerset Levels. The explorer then followed the path of the England/Wales border to Shropshire and then headed for the limestone dales of Derbyshire. He then traversed the Pennine Way for 250 miles to the Scottish Borders. John took this picture of the rather epic Severn Bridge as he approached it on Day 30 On Day 50, John captured this stunning shot looking down to the hamlet of Crowden in Derbyshire. This marked the start of the South Pennines section of the journey Locks on Rochdale Canal, Day 52. The canal opened in 1794 but it stopped being used to transport goods in large volumes in 1840, when the railway arrived The dramatic glaciated 'U' valley High Cup Nick in Cumbria, which John reached on day 58 John said: 'I wanted to set myself a challenge ahead of my 70th birthday, and as a geologist by trade, was keen to explore some of the most interesting and challenging terrain in the country.' He is pictured here at the Scottish Border at Clennell Street, on top of the Cheviot Hills, on Day 65 The Camusnagaul ferry over Loch Linnhe sea loch to the Ardgour Peninsula - the only bit John didn't walk. Day 82 The 370ft Falls of Glomach in Ross-shire pictured on Day 90. It is one of Britain's highest waterfalls As well as camping in his tent, John also relied on the bothy network, shelters that are free for passers-by to use. He is pictured here at a bothy on the Killilan Estate in the Highlands. Day 91 Stormy weather in Strath na Sealga while approaching Shenavall on Day 96 Looking down on Glencoul, with Eas a' Chual Aluinn, Britain's highest waterfall, in the distance. It has a sheer drop of 658ft. Day 103 After traversing the Southern Uplands of Scotland and the Pentland Hills hidden gems that many walkers overlook he then followed the West Highland Way to Fort William where he clocked up 1,000 miles and took a brief pause for his mothers 100th birthday. Celebrations over, he then set out across the rugged and wonderfully remote North West Highlands of Ardgour, Knoydart, Torridon and Sutherland, exploring the bothy network (a bothy is a rudimentary shelter that passers-by can use for free) along the Cape Wrath Trail and pitting himself against the elements with the onset of Hurricane Bertha. After completing his journey, it then took John four times as long to write a book about his experiences as it did to complete the walk, because he had to refer back to his three notebooks, GPS tracking data and hundreds of hours of digital voice recordings he made along the way. John builds a fire in order to ward off the midges at a campsite near Loch Stack on Day 103 A beautiful sunrise at Strathchailleach Bothy on Day 106. What you can't see is the cloud of midges that followed John as he set off Almost there on Day 106. Striding across ankle-deep heather to Cape Wrath Cape Wrath lighthouse pictured on Day 106. John said: 'There was no crowd of people to wave me on as I crossed the finishing line... just wheeling seagulls too engrossed with their soaring to notice our arrival' He also had to wade through 1,750 images he had snapped to illustrate the route. Cape to Cape can be ordered from Vertebrate Publishing and is available from selected bookshops and internet retailers, priced at 17.99. To read more about the trek's route and to download GPX files that show exactly which paths and trails John followed, visit www.johnsutcliffe.net. Hes also included a full list of the trekking gear and supplies he carried on his back, over moors, and mountains. Advertisement An RAF radar technician has captured the wild, desolate and beautiful landscapes of the Falkland Islands in stunning drone footage. Paul Bromham, 38, from Swansea, Wales, started filming during his time-off while hiking. His edited video shows the sharp contrast in scenery from vast white stone runs (sometimes called stone rivers) to rolling boggy mounds and mountains areas as well as penguin-speckled white-sand beaches. One of the stunning shots captured by RAF radar technician Paul Bromham in the Falkland Islands. This dramatic image shows fascinating Gypsy Cove While standing on Gypsy Cove, Paul was able to capture this fascinating image of Magellanic penguins, which breed there Incredible views: Paul stands on rocky Mount Kent, notable for its incredible 'stone runs' The capital of the Falkland Islands is Port Stanley, pictured. The buildings there are known for having different coloured roofs The revealing shots take viewers through sections of Mount Kent to the archipelago's capital, Port Stanley, and Gypsy Cove - a distance of around 20 miles. He filmed from December until earlier this month on the remote islands, located at 51 degrees south and around 400 miles off South America. The islands comprise two main islands and 776 smaller islands and cover 4,700 square miles. They are host to five different penguin species, seals, sea lions, dolphins, whales and more. Paul, who has previously visited the islands, was thrilled to be able to capture footage that shows off the unique spots. Paul filmed from December until earlier this month on the remote islands, located 400 miles off the coast of South America RAF technician Paul said: 'The white sandy beaches are teeming with wildlife like penguins, dolphins, seals and whales' The stunning drone footage was captured when Paul had time off from his job. He would hike across the islands to get the best shots He said: 'Literally as soon as I'd step out I'd be greeted with these epic landscapes, completely desolate, rugged, rock-strewn and wild. 'I'd hike from peak to peak and launch the drone when the wind permitted. 'The contrasts between the coast and the inland areas are incredible, the white sandy beaches, teeming with wildlife like penguins, dolphins, seals and whales, and then the inland areas so sparse and barren, no trees, just rocks, but no less stunning! Paul is pictured walking among the rocky landscape of Mount Kent, which is in the east of the islands Paul explained: 'The inland areas are so sparse and barren, no trees, just rocks, but they are no less stunning!' The islands comprise two main islands and 776 smaller islands and cover 4,700 square miles. Above is an aerial view of Mount Kent 'I think the landscapes are incredibly emotive, the gigantic stone rivers, the treeless, windswept peaks, the jagged rock-spine formations all really give you a sense of the ancient primal forces that carved and shaped the Falkland islands.' The Falklands remains a British Overseas Territory but are self-governed with a population of 2,500 in the capital and a further 1,600 military personnel and civilians. Paul added: 'I'd been to the Falklands once before so I wasn't surprised at how beautiful it was, but I was better equipped this time to capture it and show people. The Falklands remains a British Overseas Territory but are self-governed with a population of 2,500 in the capital Port Stanley, pictured Port Stanley, pictured, is twinned with Whitby in North Yorkshire, and Airdrie in North Lanarkshire Paul said: 'I sincerely feel privileged to have been and experienced the Falkland Islands. I understand that not many people will ever get the opportunity to visit due to its remoteness and inaccessibility' 'So far the reaction to the video has been positive, especially from my RAF colleagues who have been themselves. I'm sure it brings back memories of their experience of the Falklands Islands. 'I sincerely feel privileged to have been and experienced the Falkland Islands. 'I understand that not many people will ever get the opportunity to visit due to its remoteness and inaccessibility. 'My only regret is that I didn't get to see more of it.' She dumped the needy and possessive Ivan Krslovic on Thursday's episode of Bachelor in Paradise. And Tenille Favios has wasted no time moving on with fellow contestant Nathan Favro, sharing a passionate kiss with him on Sunday night. Reflecting on their blossoming romance, the 25-year-old air hostess told TV Week on Monday that she can 'see a future' with Nathan, 23. 'He's much more attractive in person!' Bachelor in Paradise's Tenille Favios says she 'can see a future' with Nathan Favro after their steamy date. Pictured on Sunday night's episode Tenille added: 'We get along really well and have the same thought process when it comes to relationships. 'I remember meeting him and thinking, "Oh my God, he's much more attractive in person".' Tenille added that she 'had her eye on' Nathan ever since arriving in Paradise. Kindred spirits: 'We get along really well and have the same thought process when it comes to relationships,' Tenille (left) told TV Week on Monday. Pictured right: Nathan Favro Tenille and Nathan kissed during Sunday's episode, much to the disappointment of Ivan, who was struggling to move past being rejected. At one stage, a female producer stepped in to remind Ivan that 'it is a dating show' and he can't control who Tenille goes on dates with. Before the rose ceremony, Nathan acknowledged that 'Ivan feels threatened by me'. Sorry, buddy! Tenille and Nathan kissed during Sunday's episode, much to the disappointment of Ivan Krslovic (right), who was struggling to move past being rejected He's been replaced! Tenille eventually gave Nathan her rose, leaving Ivan without a partner 'There's the potential there for Tenille and I to really hit it off. It's definitely time for Ivan to take a step back from Tenille and let her explore all of her options,' he added. Tenille eventually gave Nathan her rose, leaving Ivan without a partner. He was then eliminated from the competition. As he walked the lonely path out of the Fijian villa, Ivan said bitterly: 'Nathan's going to blow it and that's the brutal truth.' Bachelor in Paradise continues Monday at 7:30pm on Channel 10 She is currently starring as Judy Bernly in the West End hit 9 to 5. And Amber Davies displayed her musical theatre prowess again on Sunday as she left the Adelphi Theatre in London following her judging duties at the West End Eurovision contest. The reality starlet, 22, turned heads in a glitzy silver mini-dress which accentuated her petite frame with aplomb. Glitz: Amber Davies displayed her musical theatre prowess again on Sunday as she left the Adelphi Theatre in London following her judging duties at the West End Eurovision contest The Love Island star's glittering look featured a plunging neckline which highlighted her decolletage and drew attention to her narrow waist. The ITV2 darling paired her statement dress with barely there YSL heels and carried a black quilted handbag for the occasion. She tucked her golden locks behind her ears and finished off her look with dramatic eye makeup and a nude lip. Sleek: The reality starlet, 22, turned heads in a glitzy silver mini-dress which accentuated her petite frame with aplomb Glam: The Welsh beauty arrived at the annual extravaganza alongside choreographer Wayne Sleep, carrying her quilted handbag with silver chain detailing Earlier in the evening, the Welsh beauty arrived at the annual extravaganza alongside choreographer Wayne Sleep, carrying her quilted handbag with silver chain detailing. The theatre luvvie looked dashing in a pair of black trousers, monochrome print jumper and a metallic blazer as he posed for photos with Amber. Amber was one of four celebrity judges at the charity competition, alongside Wayne Sleep, Bonnie Langford and Tim Vincent. Pals: Amber Davies linked arms with a friend as she crossed the road ahead of the Adelphi Theatre in London Glitzy: The theatre luvvie looked dashing in a pair of black trousers, monochrome print jumper and a metallic blazer as he posed for photos with Amber Also spotted arriving at the event were Britain's Eurovision host Graham Norton and Dancing on Ice star Matt Evers. Judges Bonnie and Tim were also seen making their way to the Adelphi Theatre - which is currently the home of Katharine McPhee's hit show Waitress. West End Eurovision pits seven of London's most popular shows against each other as they perform original Eurovision songs in the hopes of winning one of four coveted trophies. Judges: Bonnie Langford and Tim Vincent were also seen making their way to the Adelphi Theatre - which is currently the home of Katharine McPhee's hit show Waitress Charity: All the proceeds from the event were donated to the Make A Difference Trust This year's contestants included the cast of Aladdin, Everybodys Talking About Jamie, Follies, Mamma Mia, Only Fools and Horses, The Phantom of the Opera and Wicked. The evening also saw performances from Eurovision star Dana International and a preview of the UK's Eurovision entry for 2019 - Michael Rice with Bigger Than Us. All the proceeds from the event were donated to the Make A Difference Trust. Inspiration: Jamie Campbell, who was the inspiration behind West End show Everybody's Talking About Jamie, attended the star-studded event in drag alongside DOI's Matt Evers He is currently enjoying a relationship with Vogue fashion director, Christine Centenera. And it appears that the brunette beauty's incredible sense of style is rubbing off on Joel Edgerton. The actor and director looked effortlessly cool as he arrived to the Dreamland screening at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on Saturday. Her style has rubbed off on him! Joel Edgerton looked effortlessly cool in a designer outfit as he arrived at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York on Satu The 44-year-old exuded style in a navy and white ensemble, which he teamed with a trendy flat cap and a pair of iconic Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses. The Boy Erased star made a fashionable entrance in a white cotton T-shirt layered underneath an oversized navy jacket. He teamed his look with midnight blue slouch trousers, tucked into a pair of tan work boots. Joel added several earthy accessories to his outfit, including a brown beaded necklace, a ring and layers of leather cord bracelets. Arriving in style: The 44-year-old exuded style in a navy-and-white ensemble, which he teamed with a trendy flat cap and a pair of iconic Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses Australian actor: Joel appeared to pay homage to his Aussie roots as he was seen giving onlookers an enthusiastic thumbs up hand gesture during his appearance on Saturday The actor appeared to garner an abundance of attention from fans who were waiting at the red carpet event, and he was spotted waving to the crowd several times. He showered them with adoration, posing for a happy snap with one male attendee. The LA-based star recently returned home to the US after he enjoyed a trip to Dublin, Ireland with his Vogue fashion director girlfriend, Christine in mid-April. Popular: The actor appeared to garner an abundance of attention from fans who were waiting at the red carpet event Happy snap! He showered them with adoration, posing for a happy snap with one male attendee The smitten couple put on a rare PDA for onlookers as they were seen holding hands while they departed the luxurious Merrion hotel in Ireland's capital. Joel and his brunette lady love first sparked romance rumours last year, when they were pictured hugging in Sydney. Soon after, the pair were spotted having dinner together in London, UK. Jetsetter: The LA-based star recently returned home to the US after he enjoyed a trip to Dublin, Ireland with his Vogue fashion director girlfriend Christine in mid-April In mid-February this year, Joel stepped out to support Christine at her Wardrobe.NYC concept store opening in the Big Apple. The Loving star recently told The Daily Telegraph that he plans to spend more time in his native Australia in the future. 'My focus next is about what I can make at home so that I can celebrate two of my favourite things: being at home and making stuff so that I am not always away,' he said. She endured an unforgettable roller coaster ride in her search for lasting romance on Married At First Sight this year. So it is no surprise newly single Jessika Power has turned down the chance to appear 'on another reality dating series', following her shock split from Dan Webb. Daily Mail Australia understands the show in question is the upcoming series of Love Island. From MAFS to Mallorca! Jessika Power is rumoured to be joining Love Island after being approached to star on 'another dating series 'I am flattered, but my hunt for love right now is on hold as I'm hurt,' the 27-year-old told the latest issue of New Idea. However, Jessika says she has left the door open, adding 'if the opportunity is still there in the future it may be something I will consider.' The blonde recently denied persistent rumours she 'hooked up' with Love Island star Eden Dally. Another shot at romance! Daily Mail Australia understands the show in question is the upcoming series of Love Island In February, photos surfaced emerged of the pair looking cosy on a night out. The following month, last year's Married At First Sight star, Dean Wells, claimed that Jessika and Eden had a brief fling after she filmed her season late last year. Telv Williams, who also starred in Dean's season, later insisted that the supposed hook up between Jessika and Eden 'absolutely happened'. Did they? It comes after Jessika denied persistent rumours she 'hooked up' with Love Island star Eden Dally. The hunk is pictured with ex-girlfriend Erin Barnett Jessika has since claimed that allegations she hooked up with Eden, who's is dating her MAFS co-star Cyrell Paule, are 'completely fabricated, untrue and highly defamatory'. She added: 'Eden is a respectable guy and we are and only have been friends.' But last week, Jessika raised eyebrows when she showed up to support the Love Island star at a Mr World Australia event in Melbourne. What's going on? In February, photos surfaced emerged of the pair looking cosy on a night out Olivia Newton-John, 70, was forced to address vicious rumours about her health back in January. And on Monday, the Grease star said that in hindsight, it was rather 'strange' to read reports that she was dying. Speaking on the Today show, the Hollywood icon, who is in the midst of treating stage 4 breast cancer, said she's doing 'great' and is optimistic about her recovery. 'I'm still here and doing great': Olivia Newton-John (pictured on the Today show on Monday), 70, has revealed it was 'strange' to read vicious rumours that she was dead in January 'It's a very strange feeling to read that you're dead,' she said of the rumours, which were started by Radar Online. '...So I thought well I've got to make light of this because this is just going to continue on and get worse and worse so that's when I did the video saying the reports of my death were greatly exaggerated... I'm still here and doing great. 'I'm doing really well. In fact I just had some tests done and I'm doing great thank you... My dream is that we'll see an end to cancer in my lifetime.' 'It's a very strange feeling to read that you're dead': In January, Radar Online claimed the Grease star was clinging to life as she battles cancer for a third time. However, the report was completely false. Pictured in 2018 Earlier this year, Olivia shut down bizarre claims that she was on her deathbed. 'I just want to say that the rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated!' she said in a Facebook video. 'I am doing great! I want to wish you all the happiest and healthiest 2019 that is possible. Thank you all for your incredible love and support.' Fake news: Earlier this year, Olivia shut down bizarre claims that she was on her deathbed. 'I just want to say that the rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated!' she said in a Facebook video In May 2017, Olivia was diagnosed with breast cancer for a third time, more than 20 years after her first diagnosis. She also secretly battled breast cancer for a second time back in 2013. Olivia announced her devastating cancer diagnosis in 2017 after she was forced to postpone her tour dates in Canada and the U.S. Support: Olivia is pictured with her husband John Easterling at the Rome Film Festival in 2011 After believing her back pain was due to sciatica, doctors later confirmed that her breast cancer had metastasized to her sacrum as a tumour was found at the base of her spine. Olivia was first treated for breast cancer in 1992, at the age of 43. She underwent a partial mastectomy, chemotherapy and breast reconstruction. In 2013, the same year she secretly battled cancer for a second time, she tragically lost her sister Rona Newton-John to brain cancer. Close bond: Olivia is pictured with her daughter Chloe Lattanzi, whose father is U.S. actor Matthew Lattanzi, on April 1, 2016 in Los Angeles Olivia has previously spoken of the importance of medical marijuana in her cancer treatment and has campaigned for Australia to relax its drug laws. 'It's an important part of treatment, and it should be available,' she told The Sunday Telegraph in 2017. Olivia's daughter Chloe Lattanzi grows marijuana legally on a farm in Oregon, USA. Her husband-of-11-years, businessman and environmentalist John Easterling, has also been growing the plant to support his wife's recovery. Cassandra Wood announced her secret romance with Tyson Davis on Sunday night, just minutes after Richie Strahan dumped her on Bachelor in Paradise. And it looks like Cassandra, 24, doesn't fancy reuniting with Richie, 33, for the cast reunion episode, which is being filmed in Sydney on Monday night. On Sunday afternoon, the accounting student fled to Bali with her rugby union player beau, effectively ruling her out of the 'After The Finale Rose' special. Trouble in Paradise! Cassandra Wood (right) has fled the country with new boyfriend Tyson Davis (left) to avoid a showdown with Richie Strahan at Monday's after-show taping Cassandra's no-show at the reunion, which airs later this week, will surely disappoint fans who snapped up tickets to the live studio taping. The event is being billed as a 'juicy tell-all special' with 'all your Paradise favourites' - but this is clearly not the case if Cassandra has decided to skip it. Bachelor in Paradise was filmed in Fiji last year and a lot has happened in Cass' life since then - including the fact she's found love. How disappointing! Cassandra's no-show at the reunion, which airs later this week, will surely disappoint fans who snapped up tickets to the live studio taping Debrief: The event is being billed as a 'juicy tell-all special' with 'all your Paradise favourites' After Sunday's episode aired, Cassandra announced on Instagram: 'I can gladly say I'm the happiest I've ever been.' In her post, Cassandra revealed that she first met the Warringah player in 2017, before reconnecting with him after she returned from Paradise in December. During her last episode, Cassandra broke down in tears when Richie decided to dump her and quit the show altogether. Moving on! Bachelor in Paradise was filmed in Fiji last year and a lot has happened in Cassandra's life since then - including the fact she's found love. Pictured with Tyson in Bali We're off! Cassandra flew to Bali on Sunday, just hours before her last episode of Paradise aired Explaining his decision, Richie said: 'You're in Sydney. I'm in Perth... It's probably the biggest thing that's playing on my mind. 'But I have gone down this avenue before and I know how hard this would be and I know it's going to potentially do a lot of damage. Not just to you, Cass, but to me as well. 'It's so cliche to say, "It's not you, it's me". But it's not me and it's not you.' Dumped! During Sunday's episode, Cassandra broke down in tears when Richie Strahan (pictured) decided to end their relationship. The series was filmed in December last year A tearful Cassandra responded: 'I feel like a lot's changed for you from [earlier] today to now...' Realising how much he'd hurt her feelings, Richie responded: 'I thought the right thing for me to do is to leave Paradise and let us go. I'm so sorry.' Bachelor in Paradise continues Monday at 7:30pm on Channel 10 She appears as Lucille Anderson in the BBC hit series Call the Midwife. But Leonie Elliott was barely recognisable as the reserved character as she arrived at the Screen Nation Film and TV Awards in London on Sunday. The actress, 31, cut a glamorous figure in a statement deep purple metallic dress - which was sleeveless on one side and fell to her wrist on the other. Glam: Leonie Elliott, 31, cut a glamorous figure in a statement deep purple metallic dress by Zeynep Kartal as she arrived at the Screen Nation Film and TV Awards in London on Sunday She paired the mini dress with strappy peep-toe heels and carried a compact black clutch bag as she arrived at the five-star May Fair hotel. The beauty wore her raven locks in their tight natural curls and opted to showcase her natural good looks with minimal make up. Leonie was introduced to the beloved BBC show in season seven when her character Lucille arrived at Nonnatus House from Taunton, where she had completed her training. Guess who? The actress was barely recognisable as her Call the Midwife character Lucille Anderson (Pictured right) at the event Beauty: The actress wore her raven locks in their natural tight curls and opted to showcase her natural good looks with minimal make up The midwife had travelled from her home in Mandeville, Jamaica to England in 1960 to train as a nurse after an early career as a librarian. She has since become a staple in the East End and is good friends with fan favourites Trixie Franklin (Helen George) and Valerie Dyer (Jennifer Kirby). Leonie previously told YOU Magazine how the parallels between herself and her character Lucille are greater than they appear. Lucille who takes centre stage in the upcoming eighth season, set in 1964 hails from Mandeville, the same parish of Jamaica as Leonie's own grandparents did in the late 1950s. Newcomer: Leonie was introduced to BBC One show Call the Midwife in season seven when her character Lucille arrived at Nonnatus House from Taunton (Pictured with Jennifer Kirby as Valerie Dyer) Character: The midwife had travelled from her home in Mandeville, Jamaica to England in 1960 to train as a nurse after an early career as a librarian Like them, she was part of the Windrush generation of Caribbean immigrants who answered a call to come and help staff the NHS and other public services after the Second World War. It was recently revealed that the Home Office had tried to deport many of this group for not having their paperwork in order, despite their having settled in Britain many decades ago, usually arriving on their parents' passports. 'It was shocking to me,' says Leonie. 'I thought it was very unfair to expect people to have proof of every year they've been here, especially when they were asked to come to England. 'Lucille is a great ambassador for that generation, though; she is resilient and helpful and has such a sensitive soul.' Co-stars: Leonie Elliott as Lucille with castmates Charlotte Ritchie, Helen George and Jennifer Kirby Leonie added that she wanted to represent a Caribbean midwife in 'all her glory' - and not just focus on the racism she encounters. She said: 'I wanted to represent a Caribbean midwife in all her glory. Even though Lucille experiences racism, I didnt want just that to be her story. 'I love that shes so compassionate and empathetic.' And, speaking of the future of her Call the Midwife character, Leonie revealed we 'may see a bit more of Lucilles personal life' yet. She said: 'We dont have the pill yet. We will see more backstreet abortions and those are some of the most harrowing scenes. 'I often want to cry after filming an emotional scene, but you cant afford to lose it completely. I come off set every day thinking, "Women are amazing," when you look at what we have had to deal with'. Parallels: Leonie previously told YOU Magazine how the parallels between herself and her character Lucille are greater than they appear Oti Mabuse has said she would rather dance than take the place of Dame Darcey Bussell on the Strictly Come Dancing panel. Dame Darcey has announced that she will not return for the next series of Strictly, sparking speculation as to who will replace her. But speaking as she prepares to hit the road for the Strictly Professionals UK tour, hot favourite Oti, 28, said she would prefer to continue her choreography and performance work, and not become a judge. Definitely not: Oti isnists she will not be replacing Dame Darcey Bussell on the Strictly Come Dancing panel as she prepares to hit the road for the Strictly Professionals UK tour 'I love being a dancer and I enjoy creating and choreographing and I think I love that part more,' she told the latest edition of HELLO! 'Strictly is the biggest show on television so it's a big deal for anyone who gets it. They need to know what they are doing.' Oti described Dame Darcey as "an incredible dancer" and a special influence on the show. All over: Dame Darcey has announced that she will not return for the next series of Strictly, sparking speculation as to who will replace her (L-R: Strictly judges Bruno Tonioli, Shirley Ballas, Darcey Bussell and Craig Revel Horwood) She added that her replacement will need to fill the same supportive role as the departing judge. 'What she brought to Strictly was so special. Her replacement has to be completely different from what we have had, but someone who has the nurturing nature of Darcey.' Speaking on the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show two weeks previously she quashed bookmakers' predictions that she was pegged to take the role of judge following the ballet legend's quit announcement. Not happening: But hot favourite Oti, 28, said she would prefer to continue her choreography and performance work, and not become a judge The South African beauty confessed: 'I think I would absolutely miss [dancing] and that part of it. 'I think the Strictly audience is just like no were not ready to let her gobut you know I love dancing I love coming to the rehearsals I love being a part of the group its a really special group to be a part of.' The full interview can be read in Hello magazine out now. Strictly The Professionals UK Tour runs from May 3 to June 2. She unveiled her glamorous new blunt bob cut this weekend. And on Sunday, Australian actress Naomi Watts put it on full display when she hit the red carpet for the premiere of her new film, Luce, at the the Tribeca Film Festival in her adopted hometown of New York City. The 50-year old star owned her new hair transformation while donning a chic looking black floral dress. Shining star: Naomi Watts hit the red carpet for the premiere of her new film, Luce, at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on Sunday Adding to its eye appeal, the number had sheer fabric in the arms and shoulder regions, giving a hint of her toned petite figure. It also wrapped around the neck and was cinched at the waist to help showcase her womanly curves. She matched it with a pair of white-pointed ankle boots and, at one point, threw a black tuxedo blazer over her shoulders for an extra dose of cool. The new blunt bob style went perfectly with the look and bold red lipstick. Elegant: The acclaimed actress owned her new hair transformation while donning a chic looking black floral dress and white-pointed ankle boots Extra dose of cool: At one point, Watts threw a black tuxedo blazer over her shoulders Happy days: She looked incredible in the ensemble as she headed out After posing solo under the spotlight of the red carpet, the Mulholland Drive star was joined by Luce director Julius Onah and a number of her co-stars. The cast includes Kelvin Harrison Jr., Octavia Spencer, Tim Roth, Brian Bradley, Andrea Bang, Norbert Leo Butz, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Noah Gaynor, Omar Brunson and Christopher Mann. The racial drama tells the story of a former child soldier from Eritrea, which is in East Africa, who's adopted by white parents and naturalized in America. Though he becomes a star student and athlete at his Virginia high school, his status gets threatened when a teacher becomes alarmed by his political views in a homework assignment. : Watts snuggled up next to Luce director Julius Onah Sharing the spotlight: Marsha Stephanie Blake, Tim Roth, , Julius Onah, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Naomi Watts, Andrea Bang Noah Gaynor all gathered on red carpet A vision: She was lighting up the red carpet in style Most recently, Watts finished shooting two new films: the drama Once Upon A Time In Staten Island and the science fiction action flick Boss Level. She's now gearing up to star in the highly-anticipated prequel to HBO's massive hit Game of Thrones. The series, The Long Night, will begin filming early this summer. Naomi has two children with her ex-partner Liev Schreiber, 50, sons Alexander Pete, 10, and Samuel Kai, nine. Sunday, Sunday: The Aussie actress was spotted on her way to the premiere looking elegant Post prep: The actress appeared relaxed and refreshed after getting her make-up done Lacy and lovely: She flashed her bra from beneath the sheer ensemble These boots are made for walking! Naomi has two children with her ex-partner Liev Schreiber, 50, sons Alexander Pete, 10, and Samuel Kai, nine He's a familiar face to Channel 10 viewers, having spent more than two decades with the network. But it seems weatherman Tim Bailey may have had a little extra help maintaining his youthful appearance over the years. According to Woman's Day, the 56-year-old has seemingly undergone Botox injections to smooth out his facial wrinkles. Has Tim Bailey been getting Botox? The popular TV weatherman, 56, displays wrinkle-free skin in recent photos, as a celebrity surgeon claims he may have gone under the needle American cosmetic surgeon Dave E. David, M.D. told the magazine that Tim has likely paid a visit to his local cosmetic specialist. 'It looks like he's had a Botox on his forehead and to get rid of his crow's feet' he said. Dr David also observed that Tim may have undergone 'fillers on his smile to make him look more youthful.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted Tim Bailey for comment. Disappearing wrinkles! American cosmetic surgeon Dave E. David, M.D. told Woman's Day that Tim (pictured) has likely paid a visit to his local cosmetic specialist At aged 19, Tim landed a job at Sydney's then-popular 2Day FM radio station, where he reported the weather along with surf and snow updates. It didn't take long for him to become a household name thanks to his handsome looks and charming personality. In the past, he was the subject of speculation over his 'real age', with social media users claiming he was 10 years older. Heartthrob: At aged 19, Tim landed a job at Sydney's then-popular 2Day FM radio station, where he reported the weather along with surf and snow updates In 2017, he was forced to set the record straight. 'People ask me as much about my age as they do about the weather, which is a lot!' he told News.com.au, before confirming his real age at the time was 54. The confusion about Tim's age apparently started from a newspaper misprint years ago that has 'snowballed' into a running joke. Aziz Ansari has announced his first tour of Australia since sexual misconduct claims were levelled against him last year and prompted him to flee from the spotlight. The U.S. comedian, writer and producer will perform his 'Road To Nowhere' show at the Palais Theatre in Melbourne on June 3 and the Sydney Opera House on June 4. The Golden Globe-winning actor, 36, who last performed in Australia in 2012, is said to address the accusations during his 'internationally sold-out' tour. Scroll down for video Comeback: Aziz Ansari will bring his stand-up comedy tour 'Road To Nowhere' to Australia - months after he finally addressed sexual misconduct claims. Pictured on August 18, 2015 Tickets for the Melbourne and Sydney shows go on sale at 10am AEST on Wednesday, May 1 on the Live Nation website. Live Nation members can order pre-sale tickets from 10am on Tuesday, April 30 until 9am on Wednesday, May 1. In February, Ansari finally addressed the sexual misconduct claims made against him the previous year. The Parks and Recreation star had been keeping a low profile since a 24-year-old photographer had accused him of repeatedly pressuring her to have sex when they went on a date in September 2017. Tour dates: The U.S. comedian, writer and producer will perform his 'Road To Nowhere' show at the Palais Theatre in Melbourne on June 3 and the Sydney Opera House on June 4 'It's a terrifying thing to talk about': In February, Ansari finally addressed the sexual misconduct claims made against him the previous year He addressed the claims during a pop-up show in New York in February, saying he hadn't spoken about the ordeal because he wanted to process it and find the right words to say in response. 'It's a terrifying thing to talk about,' he said to the crowd of 200 people. About 18,000 signed up to get a seat his show at the Village Underground. No filming was allowed inside and guests placed their phones in locked pouches. Top secret: About 18,000 signed up to get a seat at his show at the Village Underground in NYC. No filming was allowed inside and guests placed their phones in locked pouches 'There were times I felt really upset and humiliated and embarrassed, and ultimately I just felt terrible this person felt this way,' he said, according to Vulture. 'But you know, after a year, how I feel about it is, I hope it was a step forward. It made me think about a lot, and I hope I've become a better person.' Ansari added that, in the wake of the scandal, a friend told him he was forced to rethink every date he had ever been on. 'If that has made not just me but other guys think about this, and just be more thoughtful and aware and willing to go that extra mile, and make sure someone else is comfortable in that moment, that's a good thing,' he said. Allegations: Ansari (second from right) was one of the most popular faces in comedy but fled from public view after the news website Babe published in January 2018 the account of an anonymous New York photographer who claimed he repeatedly pressured her to have sex The allegations made the young comedian fear for his career. 'There was a moment where I was scared that I'd never be able to do this again,' he said on stage. Ansari revealed that he would always close out his stand-up shows by saying, 'Thanks so much!', but didn't really mean it. It was just the protocol. 'But now, I really mean it on a different level. You canceled whatever you were supposed to do tonight, and you came out in the cold, and you waited in line, and you put your phone in a stupid pouch,' he said. 'You did all this s**t just to hear me talk for an hour and some change, and it means the world to me, so thank you so much.' Ansari was one of the most popular faces in comedy but fled from public view after the news website Babe published in January 2018 the account of an anonymous New York photographer. The woman said she met Ansari at an after-party for the Emmys in Los Angeles on September 17, 2017 and they bonded over having the same type of camera. The following week they went on a date that started off with him ignoring her drink choice and allegedly escalated into him repeatedly pressuring her to have sex. She took the stage at Dublin's National Concert Hall on Saturday night to discuss her memoir Brave. And during the interview with journalist Sam Baker as part of the venues Words+Ideas series, Rose McGowan doubled down on her harsh view of Tinseltown. 'Hollywood was a pile of sexist bull****,' she told the audience, according to the Irish Times. Shared her story: Rose McGowan was in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday night where she took the stage at the city's National Concert Hall to talk about her memoir Brave The #MeToo activist went on to talk about some of her experiences that supported her opinion. The Irish Times reported that she spoke about a casting note she got for an audition for an Adam Sandler movie in which it was suggested she show up wearing a push-up bra and leggings. She also recalled posing for a 2007 Rolling Stone cover wearing nothing but a belt of bullets. However, the Charmed star did not mention Harvey Weinstein. She was one of the first women to publicly accuse the disgraced movie mogul sexual misconduct when she alleged he raped her. At the end of the evening, McGowan, 45, was given a standing ovation. She told the audience, according to the Irish Times: 'Its been a hard couple of years.... There were some times in the last year and a half that I didnt feel like I was going to survive it, to tell you the truth. But Im here and Im with you and Im happy.' Harsh words: The actress and #MeToo activist, who's 45, told the audience in Ireland's capital that 'Hollywood was a pile of sexist bull****' Experiences: The former Charmed star told the audience: 'Its been a hard couple of years.... There were some times in the last year and a half that I didnt feel like I was going to survive it' Back in late March, the actress shared that it was her dogs who 'saved her life' during her time in Hollywood. In an interview with Psychologies magazine, she said that she's in 'a healthier place' now that she is 'outside' Hollywood. 'It feels like a new era, which is both scary and thrilling - I get to live my life for me now,' she explained. The Jawbreaker star spoke about enjoying the 'simple' things in life such as reading, traveling and being around animals. 'Dogs make me happy too. I'd say the dogs I had when I was in Hollywood saved my life,' McGowan said. As for 'ruffling feathers' or being outspoken, she had no qualms about her forthrightness. 'I don't see the harm in telling the truth... To others it's scary but I guess that's what being brave is all about,' she said. 'It makes people uncomfortable but I think it's OK to be uncomfortable for a bit. It doesn't mean you're that way forever,' she added. 'If you're wearing a bra that's too tight, you take it off and you're comfortable again.' Furry friends: In March, McGowan shared that it was her dogs who 'saved her life' during her time in Hollywood and that she's in 'a healthier place' now that she is 'outside' Tinseltown 50 Cent is on the social media warpath. The 43-year-old rapper has been embroiled in a feud with Vanderpump Rules' Lala Kent, 28, and her producer fiance Randall Emmett, 48, over an outstanding loan he made to Emmett. The rapper was back on social media Sunday looking to embarrass Emmett with a series of posts after repeated warnings of retribution if he didn't pay back the loan, which 50 Cent said was at $1 million until Emmett paid him $250,000. The latest: 50 Cent, 43, was back on social media Sunday looking to embarrass producer Randall Emmett over a $1 million loan he said he has yet to repay in full. The actor was snapped in NYC earlier this year, and posted this shot of Emmett standing in a medical facility The In da Club rapper, whose real name is Curtis James Jackson III, made repeated references to Emmett's claims he was suffering heart attack symptoms in a text exchange he had previously posted to Instagram. On Sunday, 50 Cent posted a meme of late Sanford and Son star Redd Foxx mimicking having a heart attack with text of Emmett's claim he was headed to the emergency room for a check-up. 'You should have gave me my money,' 50 Cent wrote, adding, 'What the f*** is really going on LOL.' He subsequently posted a shot of Emmett standing in a medical facility with a number of devices strapped to his chest hooked into a monitor. Out and about: Emmett was snapped in LA earlier this month at a film premiere Upset: 50 Cent posted a meme of late Sanford and Son star Redd Foxx mimicking having a heart attack with text of Emmett's claim he was headed to the emergency room for a check-up 50 Cent - who previously demanded the producer make good on his debt by Monday - wrote, 'Your not gonna die before Monday @randallemmettfilms go ahead knock your self out. LOL.' He subsequently posted before and after shots of Emmett's Wikipedia page, which was apparently locked after people edited it to reflect the details of the dispute. The row boiled to the surface Friday after 50 Cent took to Instagram with a clip of Kent, 28, from her Bravo show revealing to castmate Stassi Schroeder that after they made love for the first time, Emmett bought her a Range Rover. 'I let him hit it the first time and we were inseparable; he would just send me, like, really expensive gifts,' Kent, who got engaged to Emmett last fall, said in the clip. 'The first night we banged, I got a car the next day. He was like, "Do you want a Range Rover?"' Mockery: 50 Cent subsequently posted before and after shots of Emmett's Wikipedia page, which was apparently locked after people edited it to reflect the details of the dispute Gaining steam: Chrissy Teigen noticed the rapper's weekend social activity, to which he expressed his exhaustion with the issue In response to the video, the Candy Shop rapper wrote, '10 seconds left in the 4 quarter h*** are Winning. Do you want A range rover, yes, b**** yassss. Then just run out and s*** a d***. LOL smh.' Kent slipped in a plug for the show in her pointed response toward the musical artist. 'She swears she's a thug from south side Jamaica queens & she's up in here watching Bravo,' she wrote on social media. 'Someone has forgotten where they come from. Coming for me on the gram!? I smell fish coming from fifty's direction. 'Vanderpump Rules airs Monday's at 9/8C, only by @bravotv. I got the strap.' The rapper subsequently posted screengrabs of discussions he had with Emmett, who he works with on his series, Power. After 50 Cent complained he mistook his 'kindness for weakness,' Emmett told the rapper he was having immediate health problems and headed to a nearby emergency room, asking, 'Please fifty no more.' 50 Cent brushed off his request, warning him, 'Keep playing with me and get ya f***ing head cracked in front of everybody.' Row: 50 Cent took to Instagram with a clip of Kent from her Bravo show revealing to castmate Stassi Schroeder that after they made love for the first time, Emmett bought her a Range Rover Deadline: The rapper posted a selfie Emmett snapped at an award show in which he was in the background, writing, 'Money by Monday Randall' Back-and-forth: The rapper shared his text exchange with the producer 50 Cent - who later said Emmett paid him back $250,000 of the tab Friday - said in the text chain that he made the loan to Emmett six years ago, as insiders told TMZ that he gave Emmett gave him the producer gig as a means to repay him. He posted a selfie Emmett snapped at an award show in which he was in the background, writing, 'Money by Monday Randall' with the caption, 'Look at this fool taking selfies, you better get me my money fool.' The feud continued into Saturday evening as Kent said in a social media clip that the rapper was being blatantly misogynistic in his commentary on the situation in regards to her relationship with Emmett. She said that his earlier posting of the Vanderpump Rules clip was done 'to diminish the validity of the #MeToo movement,' urging her followers not to be quiet in situations as such. 50 Cent reposted the clip with the caption: 'Hey how is the Range Rover? Theres no difference between Harvey Weinstein and Randel Emmett! This is reality, not reality TV. Bravo B**** @bravo. Kent in February praised Emmett as 'the most incredible human in the world' while speaking to Us. 'Like, I have to pinch myself that he's mine because I'm like, "What did I do right in my short lifetime to get someone who supports everything I do, even when I may mess up?" He's totally there to pick me up and get me back on my feet.' She famously revealed in 2013 that Russell Crowe told her to 'f**k off' when she approached the Gladiators star as a starstruck young actress. And Rebel Wilson has now admitted the 55-year-old actor was much kinder to her when they crossed paths on the Hollywood circuit years later. The Pitch Perfect 3 actress, 39, confessed that Russell warmly hugged her and jokingly whispered in her ear, 'I thought I told you to f**k off' during their second meeting. Cheeky! Rebel Wilson has revealed Russell Crowe hugged her and jokingly whispered expletives in her ear... years after yelling at her to 'f**k off' when she was a starstruck young actress Russell was initially brash to Rebel when she approached Nicole Kidman, who he was dining with, at a Sydney restaurant. Rebel had wanted to thank Nicole for making her one of 16 actors at the Australian Theatre for Young People offered a scholarship through the actress' scheme. Recalling how Russell shut her down, Rebel told Nova's Fitzy and Wippa on Monday: 'He was having dinner with Nicole Kidman. 'I went up to their table I was about to say something, but before I could get a word in, he just yelled "f**k off". I was shocked at the ferocity of it and I left.' Oh dear: Russell was initially brash to Rebel when she approached Nicole Kidman, who he was dining with, at a Sydney restaurant Bit much! She recalled: 'I went up to their table I was about to say something, but before I could get a word in, he just yelled "f**k off". I was shocked at the ferocity of it and I left'. Pictured, Nicole Kidman Rebel went on to say: 'I told that story at a talk show in America [The Tonight Show] and then I ran into Russell in real life. 'He hugged me and then he whispered in my ear, "I thought I told you to f**k off". And I was like, thats funny.' Rebel also made reference to the Gladiators star in her new comedy, The Hustle, with Anne Hathaway. Good sense of humour! Rebel went on: 'I told that story at a talk show in America [The Tonight Show] and then I ran into Russell in real life. He hugged me and then he whispered in my ear, "I thought I told you to f**k off" ' The Sydney-born star explained that in one of her improv scenes with Anne, she suggested The Devil Wears Prada actress call her a 'big-titted Russell Crowe'. 'I insulted Anne a lot in that film and she didnt have many back so I gave her that one,' Rebel told Fitzy and Wippa. 'Thats not really an insult. I think thats a compliment.' Jessica Alba is absolutely over-the-moon with her exotic birthday celebration in the western Moroccan city of Marrakech. And the LA's Finest star has given her 15.3 million Instagram followers a glimpse at her romantic getaway with husband Cash Warren, compliments of fashion giant Dior, who extended the invite. 'The beauty, the colors, the incense, orange blossom, spices and most importantly the people in Morocco -it's almost too much beauty to absorb,' she gushed in the caption of a series of gorgeous photos and video clips. 'Everything weve experienced in #marrakech has been Incredible! Epic bday!' Romantic: Jessica Alba celebrated her 38th birthday with husband Cash Warren in Morocco For her big night, the now 38-year old beauty stunned in a light brown-patterned Dior dress that looked to be a prefect match for the incredible setting. The piece accentuated her chest with dark brown trim, that was also lined along the lower part of the design. She also had a stylish scarf over her right shoulder and pulled her long brown tresses back into a bun. The night included taking in some local dance performances, an intimate dinner for two and a birthday cake and song with some locals. Humbled: The actress shared her gratitude and love to her family, friends and colleagues as she posed in her Dior dress Gorgeous: The couple enjoyed an amazing birthday dinner together in Marrakech The lovebirds In one photo, the humbled and appreciative actress shared a passionate kiss with her husband in front of an amazing door front. 'Thank you for all the bday wishes... Im so grateful for so many things,' she wrote before turning her love and attention to Warren and their three children. 'My that walk outside of my body Honor, Haven and Hayes. My person @cash_warren that brings out the best in me and sees my potential often before I do.' She added: 'My incredible family who support me through thick and thin and always have my back no matter what. My homies who are my chosen family. I love you all so very much.' Mysterious: The actress shared a number of video clips that showcased her enjoying the sights Blown away! One video showed The LA's Finest star taking in a dance performance Lovely: The mother-of-three also did a classic twirl to show off her eye-catching number She even gave thanks to the team that helps run The Honest Company, which she founded in 2011 with Brian Lee, Sean Kane, Christopher Gavigan. 'My @honest family Im humbled by your integrity and dedication to our brand. All the people and places Ive been able to connect with and experience through my 38 years!' As of 2017 the company was valued at just below $1 billion. Alba and Warren have been married since 2008. They share three children together: daughters Honor, 10, Haven, seven, and one-year old son Hayes. Sweet: Alba flashed a bashful look when people joined in to sing happy birthday Look of love: The couple have been married since 2008 Bachelor in Paradise producers decided to crudely censor one of the female contestants' backsides on Sunday night's episode. During a scene that aired early in the program, Tenille Favios relaxed on a beach towel while Alex Nation and Bill Goldsmith watched her from nearby. The lower half of Tenille's buttocks were covered with a black bar in post-production, something that has not been done previously on the show. Bottoms up! Bachelor in Paradise producers decided to crudely censor one of the female contestants' backsides on Sunday night's episode. Pictured: Tenille Favios It's unclear why producers decided to cover Tenille's buttocks, as she has previously been shown on camera in revealing G-string bikinis. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel 10 for comment. The U.S. version of Bachelor in Paradise, which has aired on ABC since 2014, is also known to occasionally censor women's bottoms. Checking her out! During a scene that aired early in the program, Tenille Favios relaxed on a beach towel while Alex Nation and Bill Goldsmith watched her from nearby. Her buttocks were covered with a black bar, something that has not been done previously on the show Precedent: The U.S. version of Bachelor in Paradise, which has aired on ABC since 2014, is also known to occasionally censor women's bottoms 'WTF was with that black box?' Several fans remarked on the bizarre censorship on Twitter It comes after several viewers suggested last week that the female Bachelor in Paradise stars should dress more conservatively. 'Are bikini wedgies considered hot now?' an outraged fan wrote on Twitter after Thursday's episode. Another tweeted: 'Do women no longer wear bikinis that actually cover their bottom?' 'Are bikini wedgies considered hot now?' It comes after several viewers suggested last week that the female Bachelor in Paradise stars should dress more conservatively. Pictured: Tenille 'They look extremely uncomfortable': After Thursday night's episode, one viewer wrote on Twitter, 'Are bikini wedgies considered hot now?' A similar comment read: 'When did wearing one's bikini bottoms literally up one's butt crack become a thing?' One fan wondered if the bikinis were getting 'smaller and smaller as the episodes go on', while another tweeted: 'Next we will see them just wearing a leaf!' However, there were also plenty of viewers who defended the Bachelor contestants' right to wear cheeky swimwear. Too far? On Thursday's episode, several of the women wore tiny bikini bottoms that exposed their bare buttocks. Pictured left: Tenille, and right: Alisha Aitken-Radburn Bottoms up! The skimpy swimwear was particularly obvious when the women lined up to greet Canadian intruder Daniel Maguire (far left) upon his arrival at the resort Strip show: One viewer wondered if the bikinis were getting 'smaller and smaller as the episodes go on', while another tweeted: 'Next we will see them just wearing a leaf!' What will Bill Shorten say? Alisha, who works for the NSW Labor Party, flaunted her pert derriere in white G-string bottoms as she greeted Daniel One supportive fan tweeted: 'Not sure why women are... snarkily judging the women's bikini bottoms? I think anyone can wear what they like.' Another wrote: 'I am jealous of Tenille's body confidence because I can't wear bikini bottoms like that'. Even Bachelor in Paradise host Osher Gunsberg weighed in on the controversy, saying that he doesn't know what all the fuss is about. No judgement here! However, there were also plenty of viewers who defended the Bachelor contestants' right to wear cheeky swimwear. Pictured: Alisha and Daniel Inspirational: One fan tweeted, 'I am jealous of Tenille's body confidence because I can't wear bikini bottoms like that'. Pictured: Tenille Fashion police: 'Not sure why women are... snarkily judging the women's bikini bottoms? I think anyone can wear what they like,' wrote a supportive viewer He tweeted: 'I don't understand why so many people are so confronted by bikinis on this show. If that's what they want to wear, isn't that okay?' On Thursday's episode of Bachelor in Paradise, several female contestants wore tiny bikini bottoms that exposed their bare buttocks. This was particularly obvious when Tenille and Alisha Aitken-Radburn greeted Canadian intruder Daniel Maguire upon his arrival at the resort. Osh's take: Even Bachelor in Paradise host Osher Gunsberg (pictured) weighed in on the controversy last week, saying that he doesn't know what all the fuss is about He was spotted packing on the PDA with his new girlfriend, Jessica Williamson, on the beach last week. And Mike Gunner hasn't been shy about flaunting their romance on social media either, as he recently gushed about the bikini model on Instagram. The MAFS star, 44, proved he had well and truly moved on from 'ex-wife' Heidi Latcham by commenting, 'Wow... she looks gorgeous,' below several modelling photos of Jessica shared by her management company. New couple alert! MAFS' Mike Gunner has been caught leaving flirty comments below Jessica Williamson's modelling photos (pictured). It's understood the pair are now dating Jessica, who is believed to be a fly-in, fly-out truck driver as well as a model, was pictured kissing Mike on the Gold Coast's Main Beach last week. 'They were all over each other!' an onlooker told Woman's Day. 'He was really affectionate with her and she was loving it. You could tell they had genuine chemistry.' Mike's latest romance comes after he was linked to Casey Stewart, the daughter of The World's Hottest Grandma, Gina Stewart. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Gina said that Mike had 'disrespected' her eldest daughter by refusing to publicly acknowledge their relationship. Moving on! Mike (left) was seen passionately kissing Jessica (right) on the Gold Coast's Main Beach last week 'The bottom line is, Mike dated my daughter for six weeks and he needs to come clean, be honest and treat women respectfully - especially young women, and especially if he's giving relationship advice on his podcast,' she said. Gina said she understood Mike was under a strict contract with Channel Nine and was banned from speaking about his private life, but she nonetheless thought he could have handled the situation better. 'I know Mike was under contract and at first he had to deny it,' she said. 'But I feel like he should have told the truth once the show was over and said, "Yes, I did date her for six weeks, but the relationship collapsed under the stress of the media leaks."' Woman of mystery! Jessica is believed to be a fly-in, fly-out truck driver as well as a model Passionate display: The Gold Coast-based model was pictured holding hands with Mike and kissing him on the beach Mike was previously criticised for 'gaslighting' Heidi Latcham throughout their journey on Married At First Sight. The pair's relationship abruptly fell apart just two days after the radio announcer moved to the Gold Coast to live with him following their final vows. It's understood they are no longer on speaking terms. What's the truth? It comes after The World's Hottest Grandma Gina Stewart (left) slammed Mike (right) after he refused to acknowledge the fact he dated her daughter Casey It's been three weeks since Dan Webb sensationally dumped Jessika Power. And it seems that the controversial Married At First Sight star is far from heartbroken, as she has moved on with new love interest, Ash Dudman. Daily Mail Australia can reveal that Jessika, 27, has been growing close to the Adelaide-based disability support worker in recent weeks. EXCLUSIVE: Moving on from Dan Webb! MAFS' Jessika Power's new love interest has been revealed as tattooed disability support worker Ash Dudman The potential new couple have been flirting up a storm on Instagram, with Ash even sharing a gushing post about the beauty to his 20,000 followers. 'Jess is nothing but kind, funny, loving and caring. And not to mention a personality to die for,' Ash publicly declared. Appearing equally as besotted, Jessika commented in response: 'This post has got me smiling like a little girl.' Starting slow! Daily Mail Australia can reveal that Jess has been growing close to Adelaide-based Ash in recent weeks - but they are yet to meet face-to-face 'Kind, funny and loving': The potential new couple have been flirting up a storm on Instagram, with Ash even sharing a gushing post about the beauty to his 20,000 followers on Sunday Could he be the one? Appearing equally as besotted, Jessika commented in response: 'This post has got me smiling like a little girl' When approached for comment, Jessika explained that while the pair have been chatting non-stop, they are yet to meet face-to-face. The beauty confirmed that Ash is not her boyfriend and 'just a friend' for now, but they have planned to meet up as soon as their conflicting schedules allow it. Jessika recently moved to Brisbane but is currently recovering from cosmetic work in Melbourne, whereas Ash works full time in Adelaide. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ash for comment. Love is in the air! The beauty confirmed that Ash is not her boyfriend and 'just a friend' for now, but they have planned to meet up as soon as their conflicting schedules allow it The possibility of a new relationship will surely delight Jessika, who opened up to New Idea on Monday about her split from Dan Webb. 'I've been in a dark place,' Jessika bravely admitted. 'He blocked me on Instagram and ghosted me - his mum even said that he loved me... then he just changes how he feels.' Dan ended things with Jessika after the the pair clashed in an explosive post-finale interview on Talking Married in April. 'I've been in a dark place': The possibility of a new relationship will surely delight Jessika, who opened up to New Idea on Monday about her split from Dan Webb Roxy Jacenko is reportedly struggling to deal with the vandalism of her PR offices, despite putting on a brave face in public. The 39-year-old's Sweaty Betty offices in Paddington were targeted on Tuesday, when the words 'Roxy is a c**t' were spray-painted across the white building. And sources close to her have claimed the attacks - which also include paint bombing and faeces being smeared on her front door - have 'hit a raw nerve'. Claims: Roxy Jacenko is reportedly struggling to deal with the vandalism of her PR offices, despite putting on a brave face in public 'Behind the scenes, some of her closest associates say the latest attack has hit a raw nerve,' a source told the Sydney Morning Herald. Roxy dismissed the claims as 'absolute rubbish' when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. It comes after the blonde businesswoman told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday that 'she can 'handle herself in a situation' and people should not underestimate her just because she has 'blonde hair and big boobs'. Attack: The 39-year-old's Sweaty Betty offices in Paddington were targeted on Tuesday, when the words 'Roxy is a c**t' were spray-painted across the white building Oh dear: Sources claimed: 'Behind the scenes, some of her closest associates say the latest attack has hit a raw nerve' 'I may have blonde hair and big boobs, but believe me Ive weathered a hell of a lot worse and I can handle myself in a situation - just call Me Jenny from the Block!! Dont be fooled by the appearance!' she said. Police were called to Roxy's offices after vandals egged the building and spray-painted obscenities across it and around other areas in the Eastern Suburbs area. Roxy has said she has a 'good idea' who the identity of the senseless vandals. 'Yes, I do have a good idea of who both of the perpetrators are,' the PR maven told Daily Mail Australia. Vandals also sprayed 'Roxy Jacenko is a crook' on the traffic barrier near Syd Einfeld Drive in Bondi Junction, as well as on a barrier near Oatley Road. Defiant: It comes after she said she's not scared after vandals personally targeted her Roxy went on to say she would be offering $5,000 to anyone who could give information that could lead to a criminal conviction. 'I am personally offering a $5K reward for information provided to the police or myself that leads to a successful conviction of them.' On Thursday, Roxy was defiant following the vandalism with the PR maven hitting out at those responsible on her Instagram account. 'Clearly [it] was in the hope of causing me some kind of humiliation or embarrassment,' she said, characterising the actions of the vandals. Following the incident, a police spokesman confirmed to Daily Mail Australia an investigation in underway after graffiti targeting Roxy was found in Paddington, Bondi and Malabar. Second attack: In 2017, police were called to investigate after the building was vandalised at least three times with 'foul-smelling sludge' and ink-injected eggs In 2017, the Sweaty Betty PR head office underwent a $1.4million renovation, complete with 27 workstations, three showrooms and a 12-person meeting room. The graffiti this week is just the latest in a string of attacks that have occurred since Roxy moved into 7-13 Elizabeth Street two years ago. In 2017, police were called to investigate after the building was vandalised at least three times with 'foul-smelling sludge' and ink-injected eggs. Roxy previously said she suspected the culprit was likely 'someone close to home'. There are endless discussions to be had now that Episode Three of Game of Thrones' final season has finally aired. And while there was plenty to tweet about from beginning to end, one grievance was common throughout social media. Many viewers complained about the amount of darkness during Sunday night's episode and shared a number of GIFs about their experience. What can you see? Jon Snow was caught looking into the darkness at many points throughout the episode Fans across the globe took to social media with hilarious posts about the unexpected darkness. 'If you can't see what's going on then is it really happening,' queried @MollyJongFast. @MG_gumbercules shared a square black post with the words, 'Hands down my favorite scene from tonight's episode of #GOT #GameofThrones.' 'I would like to personally thank drogon and rhaegal for providing us with the only source of light to actually see anything this episode,' shared @vazquez_ac over photos of a dragon shooting fire into the coming White Walker army. Common criticism: Fans across the globe took to social media with hilarious posts about the unexpected darkness. 'If you can't see what's going on then is it really happening,' queried @MollyJongFast My old friend: @MG_gumbercules shared a square black post with the words, 'Hands down my favorite scene from tonight's episode of #GOT #GameofThrones Dragons alight: 'I would like to personally thank drogon and rhaegal for providing us with the only source of light to actually see anything this episode,' shared @vazquez_ac over photos of a dragon shooting fire into the coming White Walker army SpongeBob made an appearance in one GIF, with the words, 'This isn't your everyday darkness, this is.... Advanced Darkness.' Another GIF found Futurama's Philip J. Fry squinting, with a caption saying, 'Me trying to see what's happening.' 'I can't see a damn thing,' wrote @ananavarro over a picture of a competition television judge making binoculars over her eyes. @excyujimehello wondered, 'So are we supposed to bring night vision lens or something?' Another GIF found a picture of a woman, bent over trying to see in the distance with 'Everyone,' written over top. Anyone out there? SpongeBob made an appearance in one GIF, with the words, 'This isn't your everyday darkness, this is.... Advanced Darkness Squinting: Another GIF found Futurama's Philip J. Fry squinting, with a caption saying, 'Me trying to see what's happening' Binoculars: 'I can't see a damn thing,' wrote @ananavarro over a picture of a competition television judge making binoculars over her eyes Where are the goggles? @excyujimehello wondered, 'So are we supposed to bring night vision lens or something?' Can you make it out? Another GIF found a picture of a woman, bent over trying to see in the distance with 'Everyone,' written over top Nonetheless, Episode Three will remain one of the most cherished in Game of Thrones legacy. A variety of the series' biggest characters met their fate, while shocking moments were planted throughout. The next Episode of Game of Thrones will premiere on HBO Sunday, May 5, at 9pm ET. Rapper Mystikal spent a year-and-a-half behind bars in Louisiana on rape charges before being released on $3 million bail in February. Some two months on, and the New Orleans native returned to the big stage for his first major performance at Funk Fest in Orlando, Florida Saturday night. Afterwards the 48-year old was fired up over the gig and the support he's gotten from fans. 'Wooo I made it. Sometimes you have to climb up a high hill,' he said in the moments after the show in a video posted on TMZ. He's back! Mystikal returned to the stage for his first major performance since being released on bail after serving 18 months in prison on rape charges The rapper (real name Michael Lawrence Tyler) added, 'To get down back to the valley, then going back up.' 'Enjoy life man, that's all. While excitedly swaying from side to side in a backstage area, he ended the short clip by giving thanks to fans: 'Man, thank y'all for the love - for real... the greatest supporters you can find.' Working it: The New Orleans rapper rocked Funk Fest in Orlando, Florida Saturday night Fired up! 'Man, thank y'all for the love - for real... the greatest supporters you can find,' Mystikal said in a video posted on TMZ Mystikal's attorneys were able to put together the $3 million needed for his release through an advance on a new recording deal, plus donations from friends and family. The Move Over B***h rapper had been locked up since August 2017 after a woman came forward claiming he raped her in 2016 at a casino where he was performing. The case is expected to go to trial in May. Earlier this month, he avoided jail time in a separate case by settling a nearly $3 million tax debt. The US government had sued the rapper back in 2017, accusing him of failing to pay back taxes, penalties and interest for years: 1997 to 2002, 2007, 2008 and 2011-2013. Close call: Earlier this month, the rapper avoided jail time in a separate case by settling a nearly $3 million tax debt Initially, he blamed his record label and team for not paying his taxes and that he had only learned of his taxes not being handled in 2003. Mystikal has previously served prison time for tax fraud. The wordsmith rose to fame in the early 1990s, with his successful self-titled album released in 1994 by New Orleans label Big Boy Records The rapper is also best known for his 2000 hit Shake Ya A**, which peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. Kourtney Kardashian eagerly jumped in the mud while pursuing happiness in Bali on Sunday's episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians. The 40-year-old reality star opened the episode on the beach with her son Mason, nine, after a blowout fight with her younger sister Khloe, 34. Kourtney after making up with Khloe was looking to improve her personal relationships in Bali and asked Mason what she could do to be a better mother. Embracing nature: Kourtney Kardashian jumped in the mud while pursuing happiness in Bali on Sunday's episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians 'Be a little less strict. Maybe tighten up the curse words. And maybe stop looking at stuff on Instagram,' Mason quickly offered up. 'The fact that Mason is now telling me that I'm not present, I need to take a moment and really look inside of myself,' Kourtney said in a confessional. The family had a group dinner and Khloe said she was looking forward to connecting to 'the other side' in Bali. Kim, 38, agreed with her and said she was eager to soak it all in. Mud wrestling: The 40-year-old reality star wrestled in the mud with her little sister Kim, 38 First in: Kourtney was the first to jump in the mud during the family vacation in Bali Khloe suggested bringing their extra food to the village and her family teased her by stealing her idea. Kourtney and Khloe went on a tour with translator Wayan Rachman who shared their philosophical approach. 'We have a system where everybody takes part. It's our responsibility to help others, because it's also helping you,' Wayan told them. Beach swing: Mason at the start of the episode gave his mother some tips Better person: Kourtney vowed to make herself a better person during the family vacation 'That's so beautiful,' Khloe said. Wayan explained they believe three things cause happiness in daily life: relationships with each other, with nature and spiritually with God. Kourtney took it to heart and decided to pursue the three pillars of happiness. She went to a healer guru named Mas Joko with ex-boyfriend Scott Disick, 35, after Khloe and Kim visited him. Guru visit: Kim and Khloe were looking forward to the spiritual side of Bali and visiting with healers The healer used a straw as he sucked Khloe's knee and asked for a clip of Kim's hair to help with her stomach acid. 'It's, like, extensions,' Kim told the guru before cutting a small piece. The guru however told Kourtney and Scott that they were soulmates and were two old souls in a previous life. First session: Khloe first went with Kim to a healer guru named Mas Joko Knee suck: The healer used a straw to suck at Khloe knee Hair clip: Kim was asked for a hair clipping but told the guru she was wearing extensions 'I wonder who we were?,' Kourtney said. The guru said one of them was the son of a minister of a kingdom and the other was the child of a high official in another kingdom. 'And you went into a relationship. It caused problems. There was a tragedy that happened. After the tragedy, that bond was broken. You came back here in this life that's why you are here in this room together with us,' a translator told them. Past life: Kourtney and Scott Disick were told they were soulmates by the guru Prayer offering: The guru offered a prayer for Scott and Kourtney They were offered the chance for a prayer if they desired a 'certain type of future'. Scott explained how they were together and had three children before splitting three years ago. He asked for a prayer to 'protect our relationship' as they co-parent together. Protection prayer: Scott asked for a prayer to protect their relationship A producer asked Kourtney if she believed in soulmates. 'Yeah,' she responded. Kourtney then went to a water temple to connect with God by taking part in a ceremony. Soulmates question: A producer asked Kourtney if she believed in soulmates and she replied, 'Yeah' She said her last task was to embrace nature. 'What better way to be in the earth,' she said in a confessional. She wasted no time running into the mud. Nature time: Kourtney jumped in the mud as the third pillar of her pursuit of happiness Bird head: A bird rested on top of Kourtney's head 'She loves the weirdest things,' Kim said in a confessional. Kourtney wrestled in the mud with men and coaxed her family members to join her. She got Kim into the mud and they wrestled together. Family affair: Kim joined her sister in the mud 'I fully connected with nature here,' Kourtney said in a confessional. Kim and Khloe went to another healter named Ratu who looked the part with a hair bun, heavy jewelry and thick beard. He used burping as part of his healing and it was too much for them. Another try: Khloe and Kim tried again with a second healer named Ratu Healer looks: Ratu looked the part with a hair bun and beard 'If there's one thing I can't handle, it's burping,' Kim said. Ratu covered them in big scarfs and the sisters again were left disappointed. Wayan then arranged for Kim and Khloe to meet a third guru named Jeno. Covered up: Kim and Khloe were covered up during the healing ceremony Khloe was initially skeptical of the blind palm reader who told Kim that her second son due in May will be her late father Robert reincarnated. The psychic through an interpreter also read Khloe's palm shortly after it was reported in April 2018 that her boyfriend Tristan Thompson had been cheating on her while she was pregnant. 'Sometimes people love you, but you feel sad. But there is something that is hurting you in your mind and you felt a traumatic experience. You can not forget that. Sometimes you don't trust the person you're with now,' Jeno told Khloe. Soulmate talk: Scott and Kourtney later talked about being soulmates Cute kiss: Reign gave a kiss to a local in Bali The comments rang true for Khloe who was still with Tristan at the time She said: "Ever since what's happened with Tristan and I, nobody knows I fight an inner battle with myself in regards to what is the best thing to do for my relationship and for me.' Khloe added: 'This woman is spot on with me and it's kind of freaking me out.' Third healer: Jeno, a blind palm reader, met with Khloe and Kim as they tried again Second son: The guru told Kim that her second son due in May will be her father reincarnated Although Khloe would eventually split with Tristan earlier this year after it was revealed he had kissed Kyle Jenner's best friend Jordyn Woods, at the time last October she was unsure what to do. She added at the time: "It's hard to, you know, gain the trust back. You wonder like will it ever be the same. "Will you ever really get back to where you were prior to this whole cheating scandal? So I'm really just trying to reevaluate what is important to me and really make the right decision.' Feeling fear: The psychic through an interpreter also read Khloe's palm shortly after it was reported in April 2018 that her boyfriend Tristan Thompson had been cheating on her Rang true: Khloe listened as the guru told her, ''Sometimes people love you, but you feel sad' Kourtney, Kim and Khloe after returning from Bali took part in a Victoria's Secret-themed Halloween photoshoot with sisters Kendall and Kylie. They all wore large angels wings as they strutted down a hallway and also walked side-by-side together. Keeping Up With The Kardashians will return next week on the E! network. Angel wings: Kendall Jenner showed her experience with wing during a photoshoot with her sisters Halloween special: Kylie also wore wings for the Halloween photoshoot Good times: Khloe also was ready for the photoshoot She's one of the hopefuls on this year's season of MasterChef, but despite her sunny demeanour, Huda has seen her share of tragedy. In an interview with TV WEEK magazine on Monday, the 34-year-old revealed she lost her older sister when she was just 16. Then, when Huda was 18, her family arranged for her to marry her late sister's husband, Abdulmunem. Scroll down for video Family secrets: She's one of the hopefuls on this year's season of MasterChef, but despite her sunny demeanour, Huda has seen her share of tragedy 'It was awkward and I didn't know if it was the right thing to do, but I was young,' she told TV WEEK. 'My parents knew he was a good man and it's the traditional way of marriage [in Arab culture].' Huda - who was born in Saudi Arabia - explained her sister, Zainab was just 18 when she died tragically while pregnant. Loss: In an interview with TV WEEK magazine on Monday, the 34-year-old revealed she lost her older sister when she was just 16 Huda said Zainab had been rushed to hospital during her her second trimester, but sadly neither she or the baby survived. And she admitted she only found out the details surrounding her sister's death a few years ago, with her family never explaining what had happened to her. Despite the tragedy, Huda said she has been happily married to her husband for over 15 years, and the couple are parents to three children. Getting married: When Huda was 18, her family arranged for her to marry her late sister's husband, Abdulmunem 'It was awkward and I didn't know if it was the right thing to do, but I was young,' she told TV WEEK of marrying her late sister's husband She even described her marriage to Abdulmunem as a 'gift' from her late sister. In a teaser video for the new season of MasterChef last week, Huda spoke about what had inspired her to appear on the hit cooking show. 'I grew up in a culture where it's male dominating... I want to represent the power of women,' she confessed. She stars in the independent movie Buffaloed as a hustler who'll doing anything to get out of Buffalo, New York. And on Saturday night, Zoey Deutch made a glamorous appearance at the Tribeca Film Festival in Manhattan. The actress, who also serves as one of the producers of the dramatic comedy, dazzled in an strapless red gown. Gorgeous: Zoey Deutch made a glamorous appearance at the Tribeca Film Festival in Manhattan on Saturday night at the premiere for her independent film Buffaloed Her gown had off-the-shoulder drop sleeves and was gathered under the bust with a large off-center red bow. Deutch, 24, added a pair of pointed toe red heels and wore her shoulder-length blunt cut bob sleekly styled. The daughter of Back To The Future star Lea Thompson has been acting professionally since she was 15 and is currently filming Ryan Murphy's star-studded musical comedy series for Netflix called The Politician. Spotlight: The actress, who serves as one of the producers of the dramatic comedy, dazzled in a red gown with off-the-shoulder drop sleeves which she wore with a pair of red heels Big night: Also walking the red carpet at the premiere was Deutch's co-star Judy Greer, 43, who wore an eye-catching patterned full-length dress with a ruffled collar Also walking the red carpet at the premiere was Deutch's co-star Judy Greer. Greer, 43, wore an eye-catching multi-colored patterned full-length dress. It had a ruffled collar and was cinched at the waist with a matching belt. The actress wore her blonde hair piled on top of her head and added large gold hoop earrings. On hand, too, were the film's director Tanya Wexler and writer/producer Brian Sacca. Girl power: Greer and Deutch posed for photos with the film's director Tanya Wexler Group shot: On hand, too, was writer and producer Brian Sacca Daniel Craig has revealed he would back a woman replacing him as James Bond when he departs the franchise. Asked about who could replace him in the iconic role, which has previously been played by Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan, Daniel said the part should be broadened. He told Entertainment Tonight: 'I think that everybody should be considered. Also for women and for African-Americans, there should be great parts anyway, across the board.' Future: Daniel Craig has revealed he would back a woman replacing him as James Bond when he departs the franchise (pictured in April 2019) The actor, 51, also said the womanising secret agent could be portrayed differently in future films, citing changing societal attitudes. Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge was recruited to help pen the script for Bond 25, which is expected to hit screens on April 8, 2020. It comes after former Bond girl Madeline Smith said she also thinks the character could one day be played by a woman. Speaking on This Morning, she said: 'I cannot see any reason why ultimately, a woman, a lady, a girl, cannot play the James Bond character. Talent: Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge was recruited to help pen the script for Bond 25, which is expected to hit screens on April 8, 2020 (pictured in January 2019) 'What would a woman bring to the role? Sensitivity. Sex. I don't necessarily advocate having a woman... but times have changed. Women play a far greater role now.' However, James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli previously told how she believes the character will stay as male in the future. Speaking to The Guardian, she said: 'Bond is male. He's a male character. He was written as a male and I think he'll probably stay as a male. 'And that's fine. We don't have to turn male characters into women. Let's just create more female characters and make the story fit those female characters.' Daniel said: 'I think that everybody should be considered. Also for women and for African-Americans, there should be great parts anyway, across the board' (pictured in 2012) Oscar winner and Bohemian Rhapsody star Rami Malek, who will play the villain in Bond 25, also spoke from New York, where he is filming the final season of Mr Robot. He said: 'Ultimately villains are so great in Ian Fleming's novels. You go back to that instinctually, [you] go back to those books and decipher what makes them worthy adversaries for Bond. 'I am still working on that to be quite honest, but I have no doubt I am going to give him a run for his money.' Character: The actor, 51, also said the womanising secret agent could be portrayed differently in future films, citing changing societal attitudes (pictured in 2006) Also joining the cast are Dali Benssalah, Lashana Lynch, Ana De Armas as Paloma, David Dencik and Billy Magnussen. Ralph Fiennes (M), Lea Seydoux (Dr Madeleine Swann), Ben Whishaw (Q), Rory Kinnear (Bill Tanner) and Jeffrey Wright (Felix Leiter) will all return for Bond 25. In Bond 25, the agent has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica but his peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology. He made an explosive return to EastEnders after a decade-long absence amid mum Jean Slater's ovarian cancer diagnosis. And Sean Slater's return is not without drama, as tensions between himself and former love rival Jack Branning are set to escalate this week with a furious bust-up in a graveyard. In scenes due to air this week on the BBC soap, Sean (Rob Kazinsky) enrages Jack (Scott Maslen) with his return to the Square, before the policeman realises Sean doesn't know his ex wife Roxy Mitchell is dead. Bust-up: Tensions between Sean Slater and former love rival Jack Branning are set to escalate this week on EastEnders as the soap teases a furious bust-up in a graveyard Taking him to the graveyard to break the tragic news, Jack blames Roxy for Ronnie's death and the pair come to blows leading to punches flying. The soap previously teased a dramatic trailer which saw Sean breaking down at the grave of Roxy following the furious bust-up. The teaser clip began 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 was exactly the case, with Stacey and their mum Jean left stunned by his appearance after not clocking eyes on him for 10 years. Fists flying: Taking him the graveyard to break the tragic news, Jack blames Roxy for Ronnie's death and the pair come to blows leading to punches flying 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'. 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. Furious row: The soap previously teased a dramatic trailer which saw Sean breaking down at the grave of Roxy following the furious bust-up 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. 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.' He's back! As Sean makes a shock return to the Square, Jack is enraged by his behaviour but soon realises he does not not that his ex wife Roxy Mitchell is dead 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 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. 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 closed with Sean saying 'forgive me'. Welcome home: Stacey and their mum Jean are left stunned by his appearance after not clocking eyes on him for 10 years 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 Fans were treated with the exciting return of the Walford bad boy this week, and they won't have to wait long until drama escalates. The character of Sean was first introduced to the soap in December 2005 but Rob didn't make his first appearance in the show until August 2006. He made a brief exit from the soap for two months in March 2007 but he was back in the May and he didn't leave Albert Square until May 2008. EastEnders boss Kate Oates revealed the reason behind Sean's return has a lot to do with Jean's harrowing exit cancer storyline. 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' 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 told Digital Spy earlier this year: 'It's a lot to do with Jean's story. I talked before about looking at Jean's mental health through the lens of her physical health. Obviously we know that Stacey has been in touch with Sean...' The TV boss explained she had to talk to Rob quite a lot before she was able to convince him to make a comeback to Albert Square. She said: 'Rob has had a great deal of input in his return story. We spoke quite a lot before I convinced him to come back and he was giving me ideas and I was able to bring them back to the team. 'They were really strong and really thoughtful. He's a very considered actor and he thinks a lot about that character, and that's why I'm really excited to work with him.' EastEnders continues Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays on BBC One. (CNN) After a barrage of criticism, the New York Times said Sunday it was deeply sorry about publishing an anti-Semitic cartoon depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a dog on a leash held by a blind U.S. President Donald Trump. It is promising "significant changes" in its decision making process in the wake of the embarrassment. The cartoon appeared in the opinion section of the international print edition of the paper next to a column by Thomas Friedman about immigration. The Times apology came Sunday afternoon after it issued an earlier statement saying it was wrong to run a cartoon that contained "anti-Semitic tropes." But that statement did not contain any apology. The new statement said: "We are deeply sorry for the publication of an anti-Semitic political cartoon last Thursday in the print edition of The New York Times that circulates outside of the United States, and we are committed to making sure nothing like this happens again." "Such imagery is always dangerous, and at a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise worldwide, it's all the more unacceptable," it continued. The paper said the decision to run the syndicated cartoon was made by a single editor working without adequate oversight. "The matter remains under review, and we are evaluating our internal processes and training," said the statement. "We anticipate significant changes." Critics had said the Times' first statement was inadequate. "The image was offensive, and it was an error of judgment to publish it. It was provided by The New York Times News Service and Syndicate, which has since deleted it," said the initial statement from the Times, which it disclosed in a tweet and said would appear in the print edition of the paper on Monday. "Apology not accepted. How many New York Times editors looked at a cartoon that would not have looked out of place on a white supremacist website and thought it met the paper's editorial standards? What does this say about your processes or your decision makers? How are you fixing it?" tweeted the American Jewish Committee. David Harris, the CEO of the AJC, also condemned the Times and its lack of a full apology. "No, 'apology' isn't adequate. Rather, [the New York Times] owes readers an explanation of how this happened after all, decision to print it involved more than one person & what it says about the paper's view of Israel & Jews," he wrote in one tweet. "While #Antisemitism is rising...synagogues are attacked & Jews killed...democratic #Israel is demonized...& Jewish institutions are forced to bolster security...The 'paper of record' pours oil on the fire," he said in another. Most staffers who work in the United States for The Times did not know about the image in the international editions until they read about the editor's note on Saturday, according to three Times staffers who requested anonymity. They were alarmed to see the image in the first place -- and dismayed that the initial explanation was so feeble. The cartoon, and the Times' attitude towards Israel, was criticized in a column posted Sunday by Bret Stephens, one of the paper's op-ed columnists. He said he is certain that the Times is not guilty of institutional anti-Semitism. But he said the cartoon was a sign of the Times ongoing criticism of Zionism and the Israeli government. "The almost torrential criticism of Israel and the mainstreaming of anti-Zionism, including by this paper, ...has become so common that people have been desensitized to its inherent bigotry," he wrote. And he argued that "anti-Zionism is all but indistinguishable from anti-Semitism in practice and often in intent, however much progressives try to deny this." The cartoon and the initial lack of apology was also criticized by White House counselor Kellyanne Conway in an appearance on "State of the Union" on CNN on Sunday. "This anti-Semitic cartoon which I'm not even going to describe the particulars because it is so odious and offensive, they didn't even apologize for it," she said Sunday morning ahead of the Times' second statement. "Apologies usually include words like regret, sorry and apologize. They didn't do that." CNN host Jake Tapper agreed with her statement. And the cartoon, and the Times response, also came under criticism on Reliable Sources on CNN on Sunday. "We're talking about normalizing hate speech. The New York Times only aids in that when it publishes cartoons and gives this meek, silly little statement of 'regret' about it," said Elaina Plott, White House correspondent for The Atlantic, as she used her fingers to indicate quote marks around the word regret. She said it's important for the Times to be far more transparent and to issue a detailed statement about how the mistake to run the cartoon was made. This story was first published on CNN.com "New York Times says it is 'deeply sorry' for running anti-Semitic cartoon" Sir Mick Jagger has paid tribute to his late partner L'Wren Scott on what would have been her 55th birthday. Taking to Instagram on Sunday, The Rolling Stones star, 75, shared a radiant throwback snap of the fashion designer, alongside the caption: 'Happy birthday LWren'. The musician's touching post comes just weeks after he underwent a life-saving heart valve replacement surgery, causing him to postpone his No Filter North American tour. Heart-warming: Sir Mick Jagger shared a touching tribute to his late partner L'Wren Scott on what would have been her 55th birthday (pictured together in November 2012) Stylist L'Wren - who was in a relationship with the rocker for over a decade - was found dead in her New York flat while Mick was on tour with his legendary band The Rolling Stones in March 2014. L'Wren - real name Laura Bambrough - established a successful high-end fashion label, which served as a favourite among A-list celebrities such as Madonna, Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman, and Naomi Campbell. However, following the news of her death, it emerged her business had been experiencing financial problems. Sweet Thing hitmaker Mick is currently in a relationship with dancer Melanie Hamrick, 32, and with whom he shares son Deveraux, two. Touching: Taking to Instagram on Sunday, The Rolling Stones star, 75, shared a radiant throwback snap of the fashion designer, alongside the caption: 'Happy birthday LWren' It was later revealed that had first met backstage at a Rolling Stones concert in Tokyo on March 2014, two weeks before Scott's death. In 2014, Mick was diagnosed with acute traumatic stress disorder in the wake of LWren Scotts death, court papers revealed. Shortly after her death, the belter posted a statement on his loss to his official website. The Kent native said: 'I am still struggling to understand how my lover and best friend could end her life in this tragic way.' Favoured: L'Wren - real name Laura Bambrough - established a successful high-end fashion label, which was a favourite among stars such as Madonna, Nicole Kidman, and Naomi Campbell (pictured with model Naomi in May 2010) 'We spent many wonderful years together and had made a great life for our selves. She had great presence and her talent was much admired, not least by me.' 'I have been touched by the tributes that people have paid to her and also the personal messages of support that I have received. I will never forget her Mick.' Earlier this month, Mick underwent an intensive heart surgery using a technique pioneered by a French cardiologist. New love: Sweet Thing hitmaker Mick is currently in a relationship with dancer Melanie Hamrick, 32, and with whom he shares son Deveraux, two (pictured together on February 10) His surgery method, transcatherter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR, allows surgeons to swap a patient's cardiac valves without resorting to open heart surgery and cracking open their chests. As a result, recovery times are far quicker. The technique used by medics in New York was pioneered by Professor Alain Cribier. He said: 'I am not especially a fan of the Rolling Stones but I am pleased with the outcome. What is moving is to think about all the patients who have benefited from the procedure.' Following the surgery, Mick thanked his many fans for the messages of good will. He wrote on Instagram: 'I'm feeling much better now and on the mend.' Under the knife: Earlier this month, the musician underwent a life-saving heart valve replacement surgery, causing him to postpone his No Filter North American tour (pictured in June 2018) 'I'm feeling much better now and on the mend': Following the surgery, the songwriter thanked his many fans for the messages of good will During their postponement announcement in March, a statement from his management read: 'Unfortunately today the Rolling Stones have had to announce the postponement of their upcoming US/Canda tour dates... 'We apologise for any inconvenience this causes those who have tickets to shows but wish to reassure fans to hold onto these existing tickets, as they will be valid for the rescheduled dates, which will be announced shortly... 'Mick has been advised by doctors that he cannot go on tour at this time, as he needs medical treatment. The doctors have advised Mick that he is expected to make a complete recovery so that he can get back on stage as soon as possible.' For confidential support in the UK, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see samaritans.org for details. She recently enjoyed a luxurious family holiday to Bahamas' five-star resort Atlantis. And Tamara Ecclestone, 34, showcased her radiant sun-kissed glow in a soft green dress as she arrived to a photoshoot with her five-year-old daughter Sophia on Sunday. The socialite looked effortlessly glamorous in her tea-length floral print dress as she arrived to the shoot for her brand Fifi and Friends in Battersea. Stepping out: Tamara Ecclestone, 34, showcased her radiant sun-kissed glow in a soft green dress as she arrived to a photoshoot with her five-year-old daughter Sophia on Sunday The ITV2 star's stylish garment highlighted her svelte frame with it's complementing ruched fabric across the torso and skirt while the plunging neckline accentuated her cleavage. Reality star Tamara wrapped up for the occasion in a matching mint green duster coat as she teetered into the venue in her sky-high silver heels. The TV darling continued her glamorous appearance by working her brunette locks into a voluminous curl and sporting a glowing beauty look. Looking absolutely adorable, Tamara's daughter Sophia donned a white tulle dress, complete with a matching cardigan and sweet silver pumps with butterfly detailing around the heel. Picture perfect: The socialite looked effortlessly glamorous in her tea-length floral print dress as she arrived to the shoot for her brand Fifi and Friends in Battersea Getting chic done: The ITV2 star's stylish garment highlighted her svelte frame with it's complementing ruched fabric across the torso and skirt while the plunging neckline accentuated her cleavage Earlier this month, Tamara and Fifi enjoyed a stay at one of their favourite destinations, the Atlantis in the Bahamas alongside husband Jay Rutland, 38. Meanwhile, Tamara recently spoke exclusively to MailOnline about life in the Ecclestone-Rutland household. The star gushed about her beloved daughter and her decision to breastfeed her until recently - which has long caused controversy. Walk this way: Reality star Tamara wrapped up for the occasion in a matching mint green duster coat as she teetered into the venue in her sky-high silver heels Glowing: The TV darling continued her glamorous appearance by working her brunette locks into a voluminous curl and sporting a glowing beauty look Sweet: Looking absolutely adorable, Tamara's daughter Sophia donned a white tulle dress, complete with a matching cardigan and sweet silver pumps with butterfly detailing around the heel She said: 'The first time it happened we were breastfeeding on the beach with no one around and I said to Jay take a picture and there was this huge uproar and people fighting and getting aggressive about a picture!... 'When that happened I knew every time I did this it would happen but I was not going to let that stop me so I continued... 'There was such a circus around it so I thought... let me use this platform. People messaged me saying I gave them confidence to stand up to people asking them to stop and people came up to me and told me their stories.' Back to it: Earlier this month, Tamara and Fifi enjoyed a stay at one of their favourite destinations, the Atlantis in the Bahamas alongside husband Jay Rutland, 38 Earlier this year, Tamara reportedly told Strictly Come Dancing producers she would 'love' to come on board now that her daughter Sophia, five, is older. A source told The Sun: 'Tamara has been on producers' lists before, but she wasn't in a position to do it. Now her daughter is older she feels its something she would love to do. 'She looks great and is from a fascinating background. She would undoubtedly be the richest person theyve ever had on the show by a country mile.' ITV will not be airing the Britain's Got Talent audition for dancer Jack Saunders, after he tragically took his own life last month. The Mirror report that the show has decided not to show the audition of Jack's dance group, who have since decided to withdraw from the competition. Jack, 25, was part of a five-man troupe, Green Force Five, that made it through to the semi-finals of the new series but before the show aired Jack's family confirmed he died on March 17. Tragic: Britain's Got Talent will not be airing dancer Jack Saunders' (pictured with Cheryl Cole) audition after he took his own life last month The group last week decided to withdraw from the show in the wake of Jack's death. A spokesperson for BGT said: 'Green Force 5 have made the decision to withdraw from Britain's Got Talent and this is fully supported by Jack's family. Our thoughts, of course, remain focussed on Jack's family and friends.' Jack's mother, Sandra, 53, paid a moving tribute to the promising young dancer from the family home in Uxbridge, west London last month. Talent: Jack already had a successful dancing career, prior to his audition on Britain's Got Talent. He had traveled to countries including Las Vegas, India and Barcelona to perform Loss: At just 18-years-of-age, Jack (pictured) was the youngest paid dancer to perform at the London Olympics ceremony, before also that year reaching the Got to Dance finals with Unity UK She told The Mirror: 'We don't know why he did it, he didn't leave a note. He did not have depression. 'Suicide can happen to anyone at any time. People can't believe Jack is gone. We are the same. 'I want people to know that this can happen to any family. There is no stereotype it doesn't have to be a manic depressive who has shown signs of mental health problems.' Loved: Jack's mother, Sandra, 53, paid a moving tribute to the promising young dancer from the family home in Uxbridge, west London (Mr Saunders is pictured with Niall Horan) Jack already had a successful dancing career, prior to his audition on Britain's Got Talent. He had traveled to countries including Las Vegas, India and Barcelona to perform. And at just 18-years-of-age was the youngest paid dancer to perform at the London Olympics ceremony, before also that year reaching the Got to Dance finals with Unity UK. His mother described him as 'a kind soul', saying he was 'always focused on others to make sure they were OK'. His sister, Kayla Williams, 28, said: 'Suicide awareness is getting better but there is still a bit of a stigma, but it can happen to anyone. 'The message we want to share about Jack's death is how important it is to talk to people, and tell people how great they are. A spokesman for Britain's Got Talent said: 'Our thoughts and condolences are with Jack's family and friends during this difficult and devastating time.' If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article then you can call the Samaritans on 116 123, alternatively you can visit the website at by clicking here. Rami Malek has revealed that he wouldn't have landed his roles in Bohemian Rhapsody or upcoming Bond 25 without his ground-breaking part in drama Mr Robot. The Oscar-winning actor made the comments during Tribeca Talks: A Farewell to Mr Robot at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival alongside Mr Robot showrunner Sam Esmail as well as cast members Christian Slater and Carly Chaikin on Sunday. The 37-year-old star said that the USA Network series gave him the platform to showcase his acting ability during the chat held at Spring Studios in Tribeca in New York. Candid: Rami Malek has revealed that he wouldn't have landed his roles in Bohemian Rhapsody or upcoming Bond 25 without his ground-breaking part in Mr Robot He said of his Oscar winning role in Bohemian Rhapsody and his thrilling new part as 007's nemesis in the upcoming Bond 25: 'They just wouldn't have happened this way without this role, this show and this group. 'I had done some things I thought were special in the past, and they still are, but this showput me in a position where people could see what I was capable of doing.' The award-winning actor, who is of Egyptian descent, admitted his didn't have high hopes for landing the part of Elliot Anderson, a cybersecurity engineer and hacker who has social anxiety disorder and clinical depression, due to his Middle Eastern heritage. After Esmail explained that Rami's ethnicity wasn't a factor in landing the part, the star said his Mr Robot role helped him break away from stereotypical portraits of Arab men. Showcase: The 37-year-old star said that the USA Network series gave him the platform to showcase his acting ability during the chat held at Spring Studios in Tribeca in New York Shaken, not stirred: Last week, it was revealed that Rami was taking on the role of the suave Secret Service agent's latest nemesis Role: Rami plays Elliot Anderson, a cybersecurity engineer and hacker who has social anxiety disorder and clinical depression, in Mr Robot He lamented: 'I had played a pharaoh in Night at the Museum, I'd done a few terrorist roles prior to that, and I at some point put my foot down and said "Thats gonna be it for that." 'It was a great decision. I would get offers of that nature, and you always want to work as an actor, but you realize that's not worth it. I'm not representing myself or the community well, and I'm capitulating to an idea of what this culture is like.' His comments come after it was recently announced that he is taking on the role of the suave Secret Service agent James Bond's latest nemesis. Rami promised he 'won't give Mr Bond an easy ride' in the explosive next chapter of the franchise, as he appeared live via videolink during a cast Q&A at Goldeneye - Ian Fleming's estate on Oracabessa bay on the northern coastline of Jamaica. Thankful: He said of his Oscar winning role in Bohemian Rhapsody and his thrilling new part as 007's nemesis in the upcoming Bond 25: 'They just wouldn't have happened this way without this role, this show and this group' Gratitude: The award-winning actor, who is of Egyptian descent, admitted his didn't have high hopes for landing the part of Eliot Anderson during the audition process due to his Middle Eastern heritage Breaking the mould: After Esmail explained that Rami's ethnicity wasn't a factor in landing the part, the star said his Mr Robot role helped him break away from stereotypical portraits of Arab men Catching up: The Oscar-winning actor made the comments during Tribeca Talks: A Farewell to Mr Robot at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival alongside Mr Robot showrunner Sam Esmail as well as cast members Christian Slater and Carly Chaikin on Sunday Speaking via videolink from New York City, he said: 'Hi everyone, this is Rami Malek and Im not jealous one bit that youre all in the absolutely stunning setting of Ian Flemings iconic Caribbean home Goldeneye, on the island of Jamaica. 'No, not at all. Im stuck here in New York in production, but I am very much looking forward to joining the whole cast and crew so very soon. Adding: 'I promise you all I will be making sure Mr. Bond does not have an easy ride of it in this, his 25th outing. I cant wait to see you all soon. Cheers.' Also joining the cast are Dali Benssalah, Lashana Lynch, Ana De Armas, David Dencik and Billy Magnussen. New role: His comments come after it was recently announced that he is taking on the role of the suave Secret Service agent James Bond's latest nemesis She's been showcasing her sensational style while promoting her latest movie, The Hustle, around the globe. And Anne Hathaway, 36, continued to dazzle the fashion brigade as she attended a photocall for the comedy at the St. Regis Hotel in New York alongside her co-star Rebel Wilson, 39, on Sunday. The Oscar-winning actress stunned in a sheer black polka dot top, which boasted a daring bustier underneath, at the cinematic event. Picture perfect: Anne Hathaway, 36, continued to dazzle the fashion brigade as she attended a photocall for the comedy at the St. Regis Hotel in New York on Sunday She teamed her high-fashion garment with a pair of high-waisted leather trousers that featured button detail across the midriff and pockets. The Ocean's 8 star added inches to her petite frame with a pair of pointed patent leather stilettos and accessorised her look with a gold watch. The American beauty worked her brunette tresses into a undone updo and added a pop of colour with a bold red lip. Anne was joined at the event by her co-star and producer Rebel, who turned heads in a hot pink blazer for the event. Picture perfect: The American beauty worked her brunette tresses into a undone updo Pink to make 'em wink: Anne was joined at the event by her co-star and producer Rebel Wilson, who turned heads in a hot pink blazer for the event The Australian star layered the blazer over a black shirt with matching suit trousers while her curly blonde locks framed her face. The acting duo star in crimecomedy, The Hustle, a gender-swapped remake of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, which originally starred Steve Martin and Michael Caine as con men. Anne's appearance comes after the star admitted she big plans in place for when her little boy is grown, admitting in a candid interview with ITV's Lorraine that she'll spend 'the back half of my life completely sloshed.' Anne was asked about her headline-grabbing decision to ditch the booze during the chat with Christine Lampard, explaining she'll cut back until her son is 18 in order to savour her 'precious' time with him. Spot the difference: The Oscar-winning actress stunned in a sheer black polka dot top, which boasted a daring bustier underneath, at the cinematic event Red alert: Anne added a pop of colour to her ensemble with a bold red lip Star power: Anne stars in crimecomedy The Hustle, a gender-swapped remake of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, with Rebel Asked whether she would be teetotal for 18 years, she explained: 'I intend for it to be true. So far it's only been true for half a year, I have 17 and a half years to go for it to be true.' Anne added that she initially tried to combine some boozy nights with mothering but she found the hangovers too much to take. 'I tried not to but it was just undeniable in the end. Being with him, the time I have with him is really precious,' she said of her son. 'And I do leave a lot for work and I found my time with was getting impacted, not necessary by the drinking, as I never went out of control around him. But I hate to say it as you get older the hangovers get really bad.' On a mission: The film originally starred Steve Martin and Michael Caine as con men - but Anne and Rebel have taken their place Drink up: Anne's appearance comes after the star admitted she big plans in place for when her little boy is grown, admitting in a candid interview that she'll spend 'the back half of my life completely sloshed' 'I had to make a choice and I chose mornings. Isn't that annoying? Isn't that horrible? I'm really irritated by how well it's going.' But while the Oscar-winner is living the booze-free life now, when Jonathan, who she shares with husband Adam Shulman, is in college, she has big plans to make up for lost time. 'The plan is, I'm only going to do it for the time, I'm going to raise a proper, good human being, get him off to college then move to a vineyard and spend the back half of my life completely sloshed, happy, sun-drenched, that's the plan!' she laughed. Suzi Taylor's boyfriend, Jonathan Gregory Kelly was last week hospitalised in Brisbane with a mystery illness. And the 47-year-old former Block star has now revealed her 36-year-old boyfriend has just endured his fourth surgery. Suzi, who has been keeping fans updated on Jonathan's recovery process, took to Instagram on Monday to share a candid snap of her man recovering in hospital following the procedure. 'Lots of pain and tears': The Block's Suzi Taylor shared a heartbreaking snap of boyfriend Jonathon in hospital recovering from his fourth surgery on Monday night as he recovers from mystery illness '4th operation done. Lots of pain and tears,' she wrote next to the heartbreaking snap. 'Fingers crossed and every prayer in the world Jonathan has finally won this battle.' In the photo, Jonathan can be seen lying in a bed with tubes connected to him, as medical staff work around him. New romance: Suzi has been keeping her fans updated on Jonathan's condition via Instagram Suzi first revealed her boyfriend had been admitted to hospital with a post on Instagram last Thursday. 'Two days ago my gorgeous bf was rushed to hospital and had emergency surgery,' she captioned a photo of Jonathan again in hospital. 'Please remember to tell your loved ones how much you care for them everyday. Life is precious.' Falling ill: Suzi first revealed her boyfriend had been admitted to hospital with a post on Instagram last Thursday Suzi only recently debuted her much younger boyfriend on social media, sharing a photo of him cuddling her dog earlier this month. On Sunday, she shared a photo of herself lying in the hospital bed alongside her beau. 'Who say's hospital beds are only made for one. Jonathan is my Muhammad Ali.. #fighter #braveheart #myhero,' she captioned it. 'Who says they're only made for one': Suzi appears to have spent the night in her boyfriend's hospital bed as he recovered from surgery Also last week, Suzi shared another picture of Jonathan in a hospital bed, recovering from what she described as an 'invasive surgery'. 'Today Jonathan had his second operation... a much more invasive surgery then [sic] the first,' she captioned it. She continued: 'Medical staff at the Mater were so quick to respond they literally saved his life. Tomorrow he will be having surgery again. Through all of this Jonathan has not once complained. Operation: Earlier this week, Suzie shared this picture of Jonathan in a hospital bed, writing: 'Today Jonathan had his second operation... a much more invasive surgery then the first' 'He makes the nurses 'giggle & blush'... the surgeons laugh... and everyone smile. I love him.' Suzi became a tabloid fixture after her controversial appearance on The Block in 2015. But four years later, the former Penthouse model is happier than ever and living her best life in Queensland. 'Life has come full circle!' Suzi is living in a mansion four years after her controversial appearance on The Block Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia this month, Suzi revealed: 'My life has come full circle with the help of being loved.' Jonathan owns a large commercial landscaping business that services multinational companies. Friends say Jonathan is Suzi's 'saviour' because he brought happiness and stability into her life after a tumultuous few years in the spotlight. They left fans concerned earlier this week after briefly unfollowing each other on Instagram. But everybody's favourite reality TV couple, MAFS' Cyrell Paule and Love Island's Eden Dally, were very much an item as they attended the launch of entrepreneur Michael Jacobsen's new book in Sydney on Monday. Cyrell flaunted her trim figure in a white knee-high dress and complemented her look with a pair of black high heels. What split rumours? MAFS' Cyrell Paule and boyfriend Eden Dally proved they're stronger than ever as they cosied up at a book launch in Sydney on Monday Eden meanwhile opted for the same matching checkered suit he wore to Cyrell's co-stars Cameron Merchant and Jules Robinson's engagement party earlier this month. During the proceedings, the pair had a back-to-school moment as they sat locked in concentration while flipping through the pages of Michael's book, titled Entrepreneurs, Mavericks and Empire Builders. At one point Eden, who was crowned Mr World Australia last week, appeared to take lead at the high-brow event as he shared a joke with fellow attendees. Swotting up: The celebrity pair caught the eye again on Monday as they appeared at a book launch event at Sydney's University of Technology Bookworms: The pair had a back-to-school moment as they sat locked in concentration while reading Michael Jacobsen's book Entrepreneurs, Mavericks and Empire Builders Also in attendance for the event was high-profile entrepreneur Anthony Bell. He opted for an understated look with a pair of cream-coloured trousers and dark suit jacket. Bell and Jacobsen are set to co-host Nothing Ventured, a Your Money series where the pair will sit down with business tycoons to discuss the path to their success. The celebrity accountant made headlines earlier this year when it was reported footy star Sam Burgess was living with him after splitting from partner Phoebe. Star of the show: At one point Eden, who was crowned Mr World Australia last week, appeared to take lead at the high-brow event as he shared a joke with fellow attendees Eye-raising: Their loved-up public appearance comes after they both made eyebrow-raising moves suggesting the couple might have hit the first bump in their relationship Cyrell and Eden's loved-up public appearance comes after they both made eyebrow-raising moves suggesting the couple might have hit the first bump in their relationship. The two abruptly unfollowed each other on Saturday, but Eden later told Daily Mail Australia he wasn't aware of what happened. Shortly after releasing his statement, Eden and Cyrell began following each other again. She announced her pregnancy two months ago. And Kate Mara looked positively radiant as she enjoyed an outing with husband Jamie Bell in Los Angeles on Sunday. The House Of Cards actress, 36, seemed in good spirits on the stroll, seemingly on her way to a birthday party as she toted a gift bag. Radiant: She announced her pregnancy two months ago. And Kate Mara looked positively radiant as she enjoyed an outing with husband Jamie Bell in Los Angeles on Sunday Kate's pregnancy curves where sheathed by a black maxi dress with a crochet trim that she layered beneath a leather jacket. Her natural beauty and radiant pregnancy glow were highlighted by donning minimal make-up, whilst her glossy locks were styled in loose waves. Jamie, 33, also kept things simple on the outing as he teamed a navy hoodie with jeans. On the move: Jamie, 33, also kept things simple on the outing as he teamed a navy hoodie with jeans whilst he clutched a colourful jumper Kate and Jamie have not disclosed when their baby is due, but announced they were expecting their first child in February. The pair co-starred in Fantastic Four in 2015 and began dating later that year. They got engaged in January 2017 and married that July, making Kate a step-mother to Jamie's son from his previous marriage to Evan Rachel Wood, 31. Kate will soon appear in a new TV movie titled, A Teacher. Jamie can next be seen in the musical drama Rocketman, based on the life of Sir Elton John. Taron Egerton will portray Elton while Jamie will play his longtime songwriter Bernie Taupin. Rocketman, also starring Richard Madden as Elton's manager, John Reid, and Bryce Dallas Howard as his mother, Sheila Eileen Dwight, is scheduled for release on May 24 in the UK and May 31 in the US. Advertisement Daniel Craig is back as James Bond, with the actor's first day of filming on the 25th 007 movie beginning in Jamaica on Monday. The British actor was seen on set, four days after the film's cast and plot details were unveiled in a live stream from Goldeneye - Ian Fleming's estate on Oracabessa bay on the northern coastline of Jamaica. Daniel, 51, was looking as suave as ever for his first day on his last outing as Bond, as he shot scenes alongside co-star Jeffrey Wright, who plays James' old friend Felix from the CIA, and his younger stunt double, Jean-Charles Rousseau. Bond's back: Daniel Craig was seen on the Bond 25 set for the first time on Monday, shooting scenes in Jamaica in what will be his last outing as 007 The latest film sees Bond living a tranquil live in Jamaica after leaving active service before Felix turns up asking for help in a mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist. The mission turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology. Daniel and Jeffrey, who starred together in 2006's Casino Royale, looked in great spirits as they caught up on set while an action shot was set up in the middle of a crowded market. Dressed in a black shirt, jeans and shades, Daniel was looking as suave as ever, although was sporting a few more grey hairs. Spot the difference: Daniel's very handsome stunt double was also spotted on set in the same outfit as the Bond actor Reunited: Daniel, 51, shot scenes alongside co-star Jeffrey Wright, who plays James' old friend Felix from the CIA, with the two actors previously working together on Casino Royale 007 reporting for duty: Dressed in a black shirt, jeans and shades, Daniel was looking as suave as ever, although was sporting a few more grey hairs Huge production: The cast and crew took over a small street with a fleet of cars Nice ride: In a sign of his more laid-back life in Jamaica, Bond appears to have swapped his flash Aston Martin for a battered blue Land Rover, with Daniel seen taking the driver's seat for one shot Craig's handsome stunt double Jean-Charles Rousseau caught a few eyes as he got in the driver's seat of the Land Rover for the more dangerous scenes. The Frenchman, thought to be in his 30s, grew up adoring the James Bond series and 'dreaming' of being in American action films like The Terminator and Die Hard. His Hollywood resume include Jason Bourne, Fast and Furious 6 and Mission Impossible 6. In a sign of his more laid-back life in Jamaica, Bond appears to have swapped his flash Aston Martin for a battered open-top Land Rover Defender, with Daniel seen taking the driver's seat for one shot. The car was rigged with cameras to capture the drive down a traffic-clogged street, while the actor's stunt double Jean-Charles was also seen in the car for some takes. Jean-Charles is no stranger to getting behind the wheel on film, having worked as stunt doubles for Paul Walker in Fast & The Furious 6 and for Scott Eastwood in Overdrive. He also worked alongside Daniel in the most recent 007 film, Spectre. There was no sign of the recently announced new castmembers on set on Monday. Oscar winner and Bohemian Rhapsody star Rami Malek has been brought on board to play the villain in Bond 25. Also joining the cast are Dali Benssalah, Lashana Lynch, Ana De Armas as Paloma, David Dencik and Billy Magnussen. Ralph Fiennes (M), Lea Seydoux (Dr Madeleine Swann), Ben Whishaw (Q) and Rory Kinnear (Bill Tanner) will all return for the movie. Behind the scenes Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge has been recruited to help pen the script. Star: Daniel was surrounded by crew members as they set up an action sequence in the hot Jamaican sunshine Retired life: In place of 007's sharp suits, the out of service spy was dressed in a laid back look of jeans and shades Good to see you! Daniel and Jeffrey looked in great spirits after first walking together on Casino Royale 13 years ago On a mission: The brief plot details released by the production reveal that Jeffrey's character Felix seeks out Bond in Jamaica to help on a mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist Rami revealed on Thursday he is busy working in New York on the final series of his show Mr Robot, but will be flying out to film scenes soon. Speaking via videolink from NYC, Rami, 37, said: 'Hi everyone, this is Rami Malek and I'm not jealous one bit that you're all in the absolutely stunning setting of Ian Fleming's iconic Caribbean home Goldeneye, on the island of Jamaica. 'No, not at all. I'm stuck here in New York in production, but I am very much looking forward to joining the whole cast and crew so very soon. I promise you all I will be making sure Mr. Bond does not have an easy ride of it in this, his 25th outing. I can't wait to see you all soon. Cheers.' In the driver's seat: Daniel's stunt double looked brooding as he took a seat in the Land Rover at one point Turning heads: Daniel drove past a group of extras outside a row of shops as the cameras rolled on his first day Helping hand: A hair and makeup artist was on hand to make sure Bond was looking his best before action was called As well as Jamaica, filming will take place in Norway, Pinewood Studios, locations around London along with Matera, Italy. The film - scheduled for release on April 8, 2020 - will be Daniel's fifth outing as 007 and will be released five years after the 24th Bond film, Spectre. The film will be Craig's final appearance as Bond, having previously starred in Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015). Where's the Aston Martin? The actor looked in the zone as he confidently drove around the set Long journey ahead:As well as Jamaica, filming will take place in Norway, Pinewood Studios, locations around London along with Matera, Italy Solo: There was no sign of any of the new cast members on set, with Oscar winner and Bohemian Rhapsody star Rami Malek announced as the film's villain last week Bond 25 has reportedly been operating under the working title Shatterhand, a reference to the original Ian Fleming novels where Bond and his nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, first appeared. Blofeld used the alias Dr Guntram Shatterhand in the 1964 novel You Only Live Twice, which follows Bond to Japan where he finds his arch- enemy living under that name, hinting at the setting and basis of the new film. Last month filming got underway on Bond 25 in Nittedal, Norway, where a mysterious, theatrically masked gunman was seen stumbling in pursuit of a terrified young girl as she fled across the ice. On board: Daniel was vocal about his reluctance to take on the iconic role one more time but has been persuaded Happy to be back! In 2015, he sensationally revealed 'I would rather slash my wrists than play James Bond again' but Daniel looked in good spirits on set Back as Bond: Speculation is rife as to who will take over from Daniel after Bond 25 is released next Spring Cameramen tracked the pair during what appeared to be a dramatic scene, filmed in a large clearing surrounded by pine trees. In Spectre, Bond was last seen driving into the sunset with sultry psychologist Swann after apprehending perennial nemesis Ernst Stavro Blofeld. The film, which divided critics, delved into his past as he traced the origins of a mysterious ring, only to discover it belongs to a global terrorist organisation led by childhood friend Franz Oberhauser - the son of Bond's legal guardian. Hot and bothered: Daniel and the production will be filming in Jamaica for key scenes before jetting off around the world Final outing: Daniel was sporting dashing grey flecks in his hair and a hint of stubble to play the retired spy Look who's back: Jeffrey, who has had key roles in TV hits Westworld and Boardwalk Empire, is back as CIA agent Felix Driving: Daniel took the wheel of the open-top Land Rover Defender for scenes shot around a busy market Seeing double: Daniel and his stunt double were seen discussing a scene with a crew member during a break Originally thought dead, Oberhauser, played by Christoph Waltz, had instead masterminded the criminal group under the alias of Blofeld - his mother's maiden name - with the objective of killing Bond. While filming has begun it has been alleged by Page Six that there is already trouble behind the scenes of the hotly anticipated movie as the cast are raring to film, but don't appear to have a full script to work from. With only a brief synopsis of the plot unveiled so far, a source has suggested that 'the rest of the script is still being worked over'. 'They don't have a script, there's no title, it is nearly five years since the last Bond. It starts with a retired Bond living in wedded bliss, but the rest of the script is still being worked over,' alleges the insider. Cool: Daniel seemed at ease in the blue Land Rover, despite being used to driving more flash cars Blending in: As well as driving Daniel also filmed scenes walking through a crowded market in the Jamaican town Advertisement James Bond's handsome French body double has got pulses racing on the first day of filming the new 007 film in Jamaica. Daniel Craig, 51, was seen out and about on set of the 25th Bond film today, looking suave in a black shirt, light denim jeans and sunglasses. But it was his noticeably younger stunt double who garnered the most attention. French stuntman Jean-Charles Rousseau, who also starred in the last Bond film Spectre, as well as Mission Impossible, Jason Bourne and Doc Martin, has the same light brown hair, broad stature and rugged features as his better-known doppelganger. Bond 25 is believed to be his biggest role to date, and while his Instagram profile highlights his daredevil stunts and death-defying skills, the hunk gives away scant detail about his personal life, and there is little evidence to suggest that he might have a love interest. Spot the difference: Daniel Craig's very handsome stunt double, Frenchman Jean-Charles Rousseau, was spotted on set of the first day of filming of Bond 25 in Jamaica In the driver's seat: Daniel's stunt double looked brooding as he took a seat in the Land Rover at one point French stuntman Jean-Charles Rousseau (pictured) also did stunts for the last Bond film, Spectre, and has also starred in Mission Impossible and the Jason Bourne movie The Frenchman, thought to be in his 30s, grew up in Compiegne, northern France, adoring the James Bond series and 'dreaming' of being in American action films like The Terminator and Die Hard. The dramatic fight sequences that involved the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis and Piers Brosnan inspired him to go into Hollywood. As a boy, he planned and choreographed scenes with his friends - and as he got older, he began filming them and making his own movies. The adrenaline junkie spent two decades training in judo and boxing, BMX racing, wake-boarding, skydiving, motocross and rollerskating, parkour, fencing and martial arts: wing chin, American Kenpo, and fencing. Now living in Paris, his dedication paid off in 2015 when he was cast as a stuntman in the James Bond film Spectre, directed by Sam Mendes. 'I was so happy to have Daniel Craig knock me down and slam a door in my face,' he said at the time. After years in mainly French television and cinema his Hollywood resume now includes Jason Bourne, Fast and Furious 6 and Mission Impossible 6. He was even nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for his stunt work in Jason Bourne in 2017, and again for his role in Mission Impossible: Fallout earlier this year. Risky business: Stunt double Jean-Charles Rousseau is pictured hanging from a viaduct on set for a film in the Parisian suburb of Gif-Sur-Yvette Jean-Charles is pictured beaming outside a screening for the last Bond film, Spectre, after performing daredevil stunts in it Craig, star of the last four Bond films, was seen on set, four days after the film's cast and plot details were unveiled in a live stream from Goldeneye - Ian Fleming's estate on Oracabessa bay on the northern coastline of Jamaica. He shot scenes alongside co-star Jeffrey Wright, who plays James' old friend Felix from the CIA, and his younger stunt double. The latest film sees Bond living a tranquil live in Jamaica after leaving active service before Felix turns up asking for help in a mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist. The mission turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology. Daniel and Jeffrey, who starred together in 2006's Casino Royale, looked in great spirits as they caught up on set while an action shot was set up in the middle of a crowded market. Dressed in a black shirt, jeans and shades, Daniel was looking as suave as ever, although was sporting a few more grey hairs. Bond's back: Daniel Craig was seen on the Bond 25 set for the first time on Monday, shooting scenes in Jamaica in what will be his last outing as 007 007 reporting for duty: Dressed in a black shirt, jeans and shades, Daniel was looking as suave as ever, although was sporting a few more grey hairs Reunited: Daniel, 51, shot scenes alongside co-star Jeffrey Wright, who plays James' old friend Felix from the CIA, with the two actors previously working together on Casino Royale In a sign of his more laid-back life in Jamaica, Bond appears to have swapped his flash Aston Martin for a battered open-top Land Rover Defender, with Daniel seen taking the driver's seat for one shot. The car was rigged with cameras to capture the drive down a traffic-clogged street, while the actor's younger stunt double was also seen in the car for some takes. There was no sign of the recently announced new cast members on set on Monday. Oscar winner and Bohemian Rhapsody star Rami Malek has been brought on board to play the villain in Bond 25. Huge production: The cast and crew took over a small street with a fleet of cars Nice ride: In a sign of his more laid-back life in Jamaica, Bond appears to have swapped his flash Aston Martin for a battered blue Land Rover, with Daniel seen taking the driver's seat for one shot Also joining the cast are Dali Benssalah, Lashana Lynch, Ana De Armas as Paloma, David Dencik and Billy Magnussen. Ralph Fiennes (M), Lea Seydoux (Dr Madeleine Swann), Ben Whishaw (Q) and Rory Kinnear (Bill Tanner) will all return for the movie. Behind the scenes Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge has been recruited to help pen the script. Star: Daniel was surrounded by crew members as they set up an action sequence in the hot Jamaican sunshine Retired life: In place of 007's sharp suits, the out of service spy was dressed in a laid back look of jeans and shades Good to see you! Daniel and Jeffrey looked in great spirits after first walking together on Casino Royale 13 years ago On a mission: The brief plot details released by the production reveal that Jeffrey's character Felix seeks out Bond in Jamaica to help on a mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist Rami revealed on Thursday he is busy working in New York on the final series of his show Mr Robot, but will be flying out to film scenes soon. Speaking via videolink from NYC, Rami, 37, said: 'Hi everyone, this is Rami Malek and I'm not jealous one bit that you're all in the absolutely stunning setting of Ian Fleming's iconic Caribbean home Goldeneye, on the island of Jamaica. 'No, not at all. I'm stuck here in New York in production, but I am very much looking forward to joining the whole cast and crew so very soon. I promise you all I will be making sure Mr. Bond does not have an easy ride of it in this, his 25th outing. I can't wait to see you all soon. Cheers.' Turning heads: Daniel drove past a group of extras outside a row of shops as the cameras rolled on his first day Helping hand: A hair and makeup artist was on hand to make sure Bond was looking his best before action was called As well as Jamaica, filming will take place in Norway, Pinewood Studios, locations around London along with Matera, Italy. The film - scheduled for release on April 8, 2020 - will be Daniel's fifth outing as 007 and will be released five years after the 24th Bond film, Spectre. The film will be Craig's final appearance as Bond, having previously starred in Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015). Where's the Aston Martin? The actor looked in the zone as he confidently drove around the set Long journey ahead:As well as Jamaica, filming will take place in Norway, Pinewood Studios, locations around London along with Matera, Italy Solo: There was no sign of any of the new cast members on set, with Oscar winner and Bohemian Rhapsody star Rami Malek announced as the film's villain last week Bond 25 has reportedly been operating under the working title Shatterhand, a reference to the original Ian Fleming novels where Bond and his nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, first appeared. Blofeld used the alias Dr Guntram Shatterhand in the 1964 novel You Only Live Twice, which follows Bond to Japan where he finds his arch- enemy living under that name, hinting at the setting and basis of the new film. Last month filming got underway on Bond 25 in Nittedal, Norway, where a mysterious, theatrically masked gunman was seen stumbling in pursuit of a terrified young girl as she fled across the ice. On board: Daniel was vocal about his reluctance to take on the iconic role one more time but has been persuaded Happy to be back! In 2015, he sensationally revealed 'I would rather slash my wrists than play James Bond again' but Daniel looked in good spirits on set Back as Bond: Speculation is rife as to who will take over from Daniel after Bond 25 is released next Spring Cameramen tracked the pair during what appeared to be a dramatic scene, filmed in a large clearing surrounded by pine trees. In Spectre, Bond was last seen driving into the sunset with sultry psychologist Swann after apprehending perennial nemesis Ernst Stavro Blofeld. The film, which divided critics, delved into his past as he traced the origins of a mysterious ring, only to discover it belongs to a global terrorist organisation led by childhood friend Franz Oberhauser - the son of Bond's legal guardian. Hot and bothered: Daniel and the production will be filming in Jamaica for key scenes before jetting off around the world Final outing: Daniel was sporting dashing grey flecks in his hair and a hint of stubble to play the retired spy Look who's back: Jeffrey, who has had key roles in TV hits Westworld and Boardwalk Empire, is back as CIA agent Felix Driving: Daniel took the wheel of the open-top Land Rover Defender for scenes shot around a busy market Seeing double: Daniel and his stunt double were seen discussing a scene with a crew member during a break Originally thought dead, Oberhauser, played by Christoph Waltz, had instead masterminded the criminal group under the alias of Blofeld - his mother's maiden name - with the objective of killing Bond. While filming has begun it has been alleged by Page Six that there is already trouble behind the scenes of the hotly anticipated movie as the cast are raring to film, but don't appear to have a solid script to work from. With only a brief synopsis of the plot unveiled so far, a source has suggested that 'the rest of the script is still being worked over'. 'They don't have a script, there's no title, it is nearly five years since the last Bond. It starts with a retired Bond living in wedded bliss, but the rest of the script is still being worked over,' alleges the insider. Cool: Daniel seemed at ease in the blue Land Rover, despite being used to driving more flash cars Blending in: As well as driving Daniel also filmed scenes walking through a crowded market Driving the saucing trend are millennials, who developed their taste buds eating out, often in ethnic restaurants, and turn to condiments for an affordable way to replicate those flavors at home, said Conagra CEO Sean Connolly. The hope is to cater to those who grew up on Chipotle and Sriracha, he said. CAUTION: MASSIVE SPOILERS AHEAD. Some of Game of Thrones fans were left unimpressed when Sophie Turner posted a spoiler for the show's latest episode on Instagram. Game of Thrones season eight episode three aired in the US on HBO on Sunday night and featured a bloody battle sequence. The action sequence inevitably brought about some deaths with Sophie, who plays Sansa Stark, posting about one to social media after the episode aired. Surprised: Some of Game of Thrones fans were left unimpressed when Sophie Turner posted a spoiler for the show's latest episode on Instagram While American audiences got to watch the action unfold at 9pm on Sunday night, the episode didn't air until 2am in GMT on Sky Atlantic, meaning most British fans will not see the episode until it airs again tonight. Sophie posted a tribute to Theon (Alfie Allen) who was killed by Night King (Vladimir Furdik) after protecting Bran (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) all episode. Sharing a still from the character's final moment, Sophie wrote: To Alfie and to Theon. Youre a good man. Bran said 'you're a good man' to Theon just before he faced certain death by charging at the White Walkers. Plot: Game of Thrones season eight episode three aired in the US on HBO on Sunday night and featured a bloody battle sequence (pictured with Maisie Williams, who is wearing a Coach dress, in April 2019) Some fans who have yet to see the episode were not pleased with Sophie's post. One user wrote: 'Thanks for the spoilers. Couldn't watch it last night cause I went to bed like a normal human being (3am it released here). Could you just not spoil anything for like 3 days atleast?' Another said: 'Really Sophie, spoilers...no. People from all over the world watch the show, so not everyone can see it at the same time [that] you do.' Another wrote: 'This is not fair Sophie. Cmon! Now I know something about Theon and I [haven't] seen the episode yet.' Spoiler: Sophie posted a tribute to Theon (Alfie Allen) who was killed by Night King (Vladimir Furdik) after protecting Bran (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) all episode Speaking out: Viewers had their say over Sophie hinting at the plot reveal However other viewers defended the actress and said there was nothing wrong with her post. One viewer wrote: 'Are people really that incapable of staying off social media until they've seen the thing they don't want spoilt? 'No one is allowed to discuss anything until we know every person has seen it? The biggest episode of one of the biggest shows in history and no one can discuss it?' Game of Thrones season 8, episode 4 airs next Sunday and Monday on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV. Game of Thrones star Isaac Hemstead Wright has revealed what his future acting plans are. Following his portrayal as Bran Stark on the hit show for eight years, the 20-year-old actor revealed he wants something 'lighthearted'. 'I want to do something in a different kind of world, something light-hearted would be fun after this,' he told The Daily Telegraph Confidential on Monday. 'Something light-hearted would be fun after this': Game of Thrones star Isaac Hemstead Wright revealed his future acting plans while speaking to The Daily Telegraph Confidential on Monday. Pictured in July, 2014 Isaac is also planning on returning to his studies in neuroscience at the University of Birmingham. He revealed he had put his studying on hold to focus on his acting career and role on Game of Thrones. 'For ages, between going to school and being on Game Of Thrones, I haven't had much time to fit anything else in,' Isaac confessed to the publication. 'For ages, between going to school and being on Game Of Thrones, I haven't had much time to fit anything else in,' Isaac confessed to the publication. Pictured as Bran Stark on the hit show 'I want to do something in a different kind of world, something light-hearted would be fun after this,' he said 'So this is the time now where I can kind of find my style and find what kind of projects appeal to me. It comes after Isaac accidentally revealed the location of the cast's upcoming reunion party while speaking to 2Day FM's Grant, Ed and Ash on Monday. The location was mentioned by accident after Ash quizzed Isaac about a possible cast reunion party on the famed party island. 'That's so funny that you mention that because they were literally talking about taking a trip to Ibiza later this year,' he laughed. Big reunion! It comes after Isaac said the cast had just recently talking about meeting in Ibiza for a cast party reunion later this year 'Well are you going to go?' Ash asked while Isaac replied: 'I don't know, maybe, I shouldn't have said that out loud now, what an idiot. Everyone's going to turn up now.' Meanwhile, Isaac has starred in Game of Thrones since its premiere episode back in 2011. The eighth and final season of the HBO fantasy drama is currently airing across the world, drawing record-breaking audiences. Revealed too much? The star back-peddled, telling 2Day FM's Grant, Ed and Ash that 'I shouldn't have said that out loud now, what an idiot. Everyone's going to turn up now' They became engaged during a luxury holiday in Fiji last week. And on Monday The Bachelor's Laura Byrne and Matty Johnson thanked his fans for showing their support following the announcement. Taking to Instagram, Matty shared a new throwback photo of the loved-up pair basking in the glow of their happy news on the beach in Fiji. Happy couple: On Monday The Bachelor's Laura Byrne and Matty Johnson thanked well-wishers following their announcement 'Thank you so much for all the love yesterday and today,' he wrote in an Instagram photo. 'One of the unique parts of our relationship is that we share some of our biggest and most important moments with those of you who follow us.' Laura wore her hair up in a bun while sporting a leopard print top, while Matty gave an open-mouthed grin to celebrate the happy occasion. 'You are my favourite everything': Heavily pregnant Laura Byrne and Matty Johnson (both pictured) announced their engagement during their surprise Fijian babymoon on Sunday The pair revealed over the weekend their engagement while enjoying a 'babymoon' holiday before the birth of their first child. Announcing the engagement on Sunday, Matty shared a video to Instagram of the moment the pair became engaged on the beach. Standing on the shore in a slip dress, Laura giggles and covers her mouth as Matty goes down on one knee in the sand. Moving moment! On Sunday night, Matty shared a video of the moment the pair became engaged on the beach She said yes! Laura showed off the sparkler, featuring a gold band, large pear-shaped diamond surrounded by smaller stones, and custom made by Larsen Jewellery The pair kiss and hug with the sun setting in the background - while the waves lapped at their bare feet. Overjoyed, the former reality star, dressed in a white cotton shirt and matching jeans, throws his arms around his love as she gazes at her ring. Matty captioned the video: 'There's absolutely no one else I'd rather grow old and senile with. I can't wait to start a family together and now I can't wait to be your husband!' They have been staying at the five-star Six Senses Fiji resort - documenting every step of their trip on Instagram. The couple met on the fifth season of The Bachelor Australia in 2017 and are expecting their first child in two months' time. She was spotted with a remarkably plump pout earlier this month. Yet Pixie Geldof appeared to have returned to her usual look on Sunday as she was spotted enjoying a day of fun and frolics with her husband George Barnett in LA. The 28-year-old model was having a truly magical time as she was spotted on the rides at the The Wizarding World of Harry Potter within the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park before strolling through the fake set. Woohoo! Yet Pixie Geldof appeared to have returned to normal on Sunday as she was spotted enjoying a day of fun and frolics with her husband George Barnett in Los Angeles Pixie looked sensational for the outing as she went for Americana chic in a denim waistcoat and loose-fitting jeans paired with a long-sleeved top. She scraped her bleached tresses into a chignon at the nape of her neck which was pulled from a centre parting to help display her pretty features. Adding in a pair of over-sized orange glasses, Pixie, whose father is rock legend Bob Geldof, rounded out the edgy style for which she is well-known. Earlier this month, debuted a very plump pout when she was pictured on a shopping trip in Los Angeles yet she smoothed down by the time she hit the theme park. Changing faces: She was spotted with a remarkably plump pout earlier this month (left) yet her look has calmed down ever since (right) Happy days: The 28-year-old model was having a truly magical time as she was spotted on the rides at the The Wizarding World of Harry Potter within the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park before strolling through the fake set Pixie and George tied the knot in June 2017 in a lavish ceremony in Majorca, with Pixie arriving at her nuptials in a bus. Close friends Alexa Chung and Daisy Lowe were bridesmaids and guests including Louis Tomlinson and Nick Grimshaw. Better known for her modelling, Pixie has also fronted band Violet and released debut album, I'm Yours in November 2016. In an interview with The Guardian: 'What it did was give me something to focus on. It was the best thing for me. Not the music itself so much, but the doing something, something that wasnt sitting in my house staring in the corners.' Checking the sights: Pixie and George tied the knot in June 2017 in a lavish ceremony in Majorca, with Pixie arriving at her nuptials in a bus Her song Twin Thing is about her late sister Peaches, who passed away in 2014, aged 25 following a heroin overdose. The siblings were born 18 months apart and the lyrics read: ' Wish Id known you like my own skin/ So I could feel the hurt that you were in/ Wish we had that twin thing.' She told The Irish Times: 'It was unspoken that we knew it was quite precious and it was unspoken that we would work on it until it was perfect. 'There was a second where I wasnt going to put it on the record and then I realised that there had been people who had written songs that have helped me very much, and people that have made me feel connected when Ive felt very unconnected.' She's paved a successful fitness career since leaving TOWIE in 2013. And Lucy Mecklenburgh looked sensational as she showed off the results of her new workout programme, Beach Body with Lucy, with an untouched bikini photoshoot in Portugal. The reality star, 27, showcased her toned figure in a collection of stunning swimwear designs as she posed up a storm on the golden sand. Wow: Lucy Mecklenburgh looked sensational as she showed off the results of her new workout programme, Beach Body with Lucy, with an untouched bikini photoshoot in Portugal For one look, Lucy wore an off-the-shoulder black and white dotted ruffled bikini, from Figleaves, as she sat on the sandy floor with her legs playfully in the air. A different swimwear ensemble saw the fitness star showcase her tiny waist in a blue plunging bikini which she teamed with a floral chiffon shawl draped on her shoulders. Other looks saw Lucy in a pink striped swimsuit, which showed off her peachy posterior, while a different item was a multi-coloured patterned design and another snakeskin. Beach babe: The reality star, 27, showcased her toned figure in a collection of stunning swimwear designs as she posed up a storm on the golden sand Gorgeous: For one look, Lucy wore Figleaves Sorrento spot bikini which has an off-the-shoulder top and matching ruffled bottoms Work it: A different swimwear ensemble saw the fitness star showcase her tiny waist in a multicoloured patterned skimpy swimsuit The star styled her cropped brunette locks into a texture tousled hairdo which she swept to one side, she added a slick of glamorous make-up. The untouched photoshoot was part of her Beach Body with Lucy fitness programme, which launched on Monday. Lucy was also joined on the beach by her PT and co-founder, Cecilia Harris, of Results with Lucy platform, which the new programmed will be available on. Wow: Other looks saw Lucy in a pink striped swimsuit, which showed off her peachy posterior, while a different item was a multi-coloured patterned design and another snakeskin Peachy: Lucy was also joined on the beach by her PT and co-founder, Cecilia Harris, of Results with Lucy platform, which the new programmed will be available on Fun in the sun: Lucy's new Beach Body six-week course is a 'beach body for everybody' programme as the brunette beauty wants to help all women, no matter what their shape or size The reality star also posed for pictures with Results with Lucy members for the untouched photoshoot as they modelled neutral coloured gym clothes. Lucy's new Beach Body six-week course is a 'beach body for everybody' programme as the brunette beauty wants to help all women, no matter what their shape or size, feel confident and happy about putting on their swimwear this Summer. The fitness app will consist of three filmed workouts per week, plus one additional live workout class per week that will be streamed through the Results with Lucy website - it is designed to fit into busy lifestyles. Talking about the new programme, Lucy said: 'I am so excited to be launching the new Beach Body with Lucy programme. Results with Lucy: The reality star also posed for pictures with Results with Lucy members for the untouched photoshoot as they modelled neutral coloured gym clothes Workout: The fitness app will consist of three filmed workouts per week, plus one additional live workout class per week that will be streamed through the Results with Lucy website 'We want all our ladies to feel their very best and we believe the Beach Body with Lucy workouts, plus the support they will receive from the Results with Lucy online community will help them achieve their own personal fitness goals come summer. 'This programme is not designed with one body type in mind. We want every woman, no matter what their size or shape, to feel confident and exciting about slipping into their swimwear this summer!' While personal trainer Cecilia added: 'Over the course of the six weeks we want to keep everyone taking part in the Beach Body with Lucy programme on their toes and so the workouts will always vary. 'Members can expect a mix of Legs, Bums & Tums, HIIT and Full-Body so get ready to sweat!' Exciting times: Lucy has got quite the year ahead of her after she and her boyfriend Ryan Thomas hinted they could get engaged this year Lucy has got quite the year ahead of her after she and her boyfriend Ryan Thomas hinted they could get engaged this year. In an interview with OK! magazine in late 2018, Ryan said: 'Shes always dropping hints about what she wants to happen. I think Lucy wants me to propose next year!' Lucy added: 'Youd better get saving because I want a really heavy left hand! 'I wouldnt waste my time with someone if I didnt believe we were on the same page about children and getting married. I know we both want the same things in the future.' Beach Body with Lucy is a six-week fitness programme priced at 19.99 a month and available as part of the Fitness, Food & Mindset membership. Chris Rock was having fun with a meme on Twitter over the weekend. The 54-year-old Grown Ups actor made a joke about the late Whitney Houston's drug use. Soon after the songbird's ex Bobby Brown shared that he was not happy with the remark. 'I thought you was a friend of the family,' said the 50-year-old rapper best known for such Eighties hit songs as My Prerogative. Trying to make his followers chuckle: Chris Rock got into trouble for bringing up Whitney Houston in a meme over the weekend The fuss began when Rock joked that he hates being in meetings when an email would have done the trick. The exact note read, 'Me sitting in a meeting that could've been an email.' The comedian also shared a photo of a bored-looking Whitney with sunglasses on and a multicolored blazer. Uh-Oh: While the first post was funny, his follow up comment dug deeper. He added, 'Hurry up I got crack to smoke' The image was most likely taken from an old TV interview when she was in her twenties. That was not the offensive part. What bothered Brown was the note that followed from Rock: 'Hurry up I got crack to smoke.' Bobby was not pleased! Brown wrote to Chris that he thought he was a 'friend' of the family Ha ha: Chris is known for poking fun at other stars. Here he is seen at the 50th NAACP Image Awards at Dolby Theatre in LA in March Whitney drowned in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills at age 48 in 2012. She was 'acutely intoxicated from cocaine' at the time, it was noted in her autopsy report and it was added she was clearly a 'longtime user.' Brown reacted strongly to the insult. 'During this time of women empowerment you chose to use your time to try and humiliate our QUEEN!!!' he stated. They go way back: In 2000 Chris supported Bobby, asking for him to be freed from a correctional facility And he added, 'I thought you was a friend of the family.' Rock's followers were also not happy about the rude comment. One said it was 'tasteless' while others trashed Chris for not being funny. Rock then deleted the post. Bobby and Whitney were wed from 1992 until 2007 and together they had daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, who died in 2015. Like her mother, she was found dead in a bathtub. Wild times: Bobby and Whitney were wed from 1992 until 2007 and together they had daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, who died in 2015. Seen in 2003 in Las Vegas Houston's struggles with drugs were well know as she went in and out of rehab. Diane Sawyer even asked her point black during an interview in 2002 if she did drugs and Whitney said no, adding 'crack is whack.' Bobby was often blamed for her fondness for getting high. But she always defended him. 'When you love, you love. I mean, do you stop loving somebody because you have different images? You know, Bobby and I basically come from the same place,' she told Rolling Stone in 1993. 'You see somebody, and you deal with their image, that's their image. It's part of them, it's not the whole picture. I am not always in a sequined gown. I am nobody's angel. I can get down and dirty. I can get raunchy.' Rock seems to like making fun of other celebrities. At the 2019 NAACP Image Awards last week he joked about Jussie Smollett's attack in Chicago and insisted he wanted nothing to do with the Empire actor. Royal duties took a back seat as Olivia Colman made a welcome appearance at a fundraising event in London's Knightsbridge on Monday evening. The Oscar winning actress will return to TV as Queen Elizabeth II when the forthcoming third season of historical drama The Crown airs on Netflix. But filming commitments on behalf of the hugely popular show, which charts the Queen's rise to power as head of the British monarchy, were put to one side while Olivia, 45, paid a visit to renowned auction house Bonhams. Star turn: Royal duties took a back seat as Olivia Colman made a welcome appearance at a fundraising event in London's Knightsbridge on Monday evening The star was making an appearance at the Art for Eve reception as the charity kicks off the third year of its arts fundraising programme, which has so far raised more than 400,000. Posing for photos as she made her way inside, Olivia looked typically elegant in a tasteful white evening dress and black leather boots. The actress added to her understated look with a stylish camel coat, while a distinctive black lather handbag proved to be her only visible accessory. Here she comes: Filming commitments on behalf of The Crown were put to one side while Olivia paid a visit to renowned auction house Bonhams for the Art for Eve reception Looking good: Posing for photos as she made her way inside, Olivia looked typically elegant in a tasteful white evening dress and black leather boots In good company: She was joined by guests including Jo Brand at the Art for Eve fundraising reception on Monday Other stars attending the event included comedienne Jo Brand, fashion entrepreneur Noelle Reno and reality star Megan Barton-Hanson, who will soon strip off for The All New Monty 2019: Who Bares Wins on behalf of cancer awareness. The Eve Appeal is currently the only UK charity raising funds for research into all five gynaecological cancers womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal. Monday's reception will be be followed by an auction on May 2, during which guests can bid on 13 lots including artworks by the likes of Grayson Perry, Bambi, Julian Opie and Patrick Hughes. Cheers! Olivia raised a glass as she mingled with guests at the event as the charity kicks off the third year of its arts fundraising programme In attendance: Other stars attending the event included reality star Megan Barton-Hanson (R) and fashion entrepreneur Noelle Reno (L) Getting involved: Deborah James (L) and Natalie Rushdie (R) made their presence felt at the Knightsbridge event Wonderful in white: Natalie looked absolutely stunning in a flowing white dress which flattered her sensational figure with its V-shaped neckline and frilled hemline Let's talk: Olivia and Jo shared a joke as they chatted outside the venue on Monday Don't mind me: The Oscar winner beamed after making an exit, with fellow guest Jo close behind Olivia is currently hard at work on the new series of The Crown, which covers the period from 1964-1970 when the Queen's son Charles was between the ages of 16 and 22. She will join Tobias Menzies, who plays Prince Phillip, and Helena Bonham Carter, who plays Princess Margaret, with the cast reenacting pivotal royal moments from the past 50 years. These include Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles (Emerald Fennell) flirting at a polo match in 1975, and the future king's investiture ceremony in 1969. Busy: Olivia is currently hard at work on the new series of The Crown, which covers the period from 1964-1970 when the Queen's son Charles was between the ages of 16 and 22 Jennifer 'JWoww' Farley penned a scathing message about her estranged husband Roger Matthews on social media Sunday but has since deleted the post. The 33-year-old star called out her soon-to-be ex-husband for apparently wanting to 'rage' during the time he was supposed to be with their two children Meilani, four, and Greyson, two. Her barbed comments seemingly came in response to a post Roger shared on social media from a 'rare dad night out' while his kids were in the care of someone else. Taking issue: Jenni 'JWoww' Farley posted a now-deleted angry message on social media Sunday directed at her estranged husband Roger after he went out with friends to 'rage' and left their children in the care of others 'Had this night planned for a few months now,' Roger captioned a video on social media. 'Kids are enjoying a sleepover with my best friends kids @fitmom_meg and Dads going to see @louiedevito tonight with some 20 year friends @jamiemalloy35 @dannycars13 @maximillian143 @aimeedanger @chrissyjules.' Adding: 'Rare dad night out. Leeeeeeets goo.' The post included a selfie video that the father of two shot from the car of a big group heading for a night out where Roger was seated next to another woman. Taking a night off: Roger shared a video with friends on their way out for the night and explained in the caption that his two children were having a sleepover with his best friend In response: Jenni slammed Roger for wanting 'to rage' when he should have been with his children in her Instagram story Sunday but deleted the post The couple's two children were supposed to be with Mathews for the weekend, according to Jenni, while she was away with her new boyfriend in Florida. 'When you find out on Wednesday your kids will be with someone other than their father over the weekend because he wants to rage during HIS time because it's been planned "for months,"' the mother of two vented on social media. She added some rolling eyes emojis to the post and added: 'Loving all your "dad posts," Please keep over posting really shows how "involved you are."' 'When you find out on Wednesday your kids will be with someone other than their father over the weekend because he wants to rage during HIS time because it's been planned "for months,"' the mother of two vented on social media. Drama: Jenni and Roger have had an acrimonious split since announcing that they were separating in 2018 These now-deleted comments came as Jenni spent a short vacation with her new boyfriend pro-wrestler Zack Clayton Carpinello, 24. On Saturday the Jersey Shore star gave fans a glimpse into their relationship during a trip to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida. The loved-up couple posed happily in one pic taken at the amusement park, that the Jersey Shore star captioned 'Best day ever @universalorlando'. 'I'm extremely happy for her,' Roger Mathews said in a statement to E! News about the couple's new relationship. Away: The Jersey Shore star's now-deleted comments came as she was away on a short vacation with her new boyfriend pro-wrestler Zack Clayton Carpinello, 24 The truck driver's 'happiness' might be short lived as this recent dispute between child care on social media is the latest in a long list of drama for the pair. When Jenni and Roger split last September after three years of marriage, they initially seemed to be on good terms, seen spending time as a family and even reuniting to celebrate what would have been their third anniversary together. But things soured in December when Jennifer filed for a restraining order against her ex. Happy? Roger had initially told E! News that he was supportive of Jenni's new relationship but these latest social media shots at each other might call that into question About a month after, she took to her personal website to accuse Mathews of physical and emotional abuse. The reality star explained her intent in a later statement to People, sharing: 'In light of the recent accusations, I would like to clarify one point: I did not post the message to Roger to cause him any upset. 'My intention was to protect our children and to liberate myself from all of the pain I had endured for so many years, to finally be free from the abuse and now look into the future more positively for the sake of the kids.' Her Twitter header featured a snap of her and her best friend Jordyn Woods' shoot for the Kylie X Jordyn lip kit collection. And on Monday, Kylie Jenner seemingly threw shade at Jordyn after she replaced the image of the two of them - with a close up of herself. The 21-year-old entrepreneur and Jordyn, a model, had been best friends since middle school - until Jordyn, 21, was caught kissing Khloe Kardashian's baby daddy and boyfriend at the time - Tristan Thompson, 28. New year, new Twitter header: n Monday, Kylie Jenner seemingly threw shade at Jordyn after she replaced the image of the two of them - with a close up of herself The former image for Kylie's Twitter header featured the Kylie Cosmetics founder posing with Jordyn - all in promotion of their collection for her makeup label - Kylie X Jordyn. The new image is in promotion of Kylie's new eyebrow collection for Kylie Cosmetics, which launched on Monday. Kylie and Jordyn don't appear to be following each other on Twitter, but they do follow each other on Instagram. The drama started in February when reports surfaced that she and Tristan had hooked up but during an interview with Jada Pinkett Smith on Red Table Table, she clarified and also admitted that it was just a kiss - and that he kissed her with no tongue. Happier times: The 21-year-old entrepreneur and Jordyn, a model, had been best friends since middle school - until Jordyn, 21, was caught kissing Khloe Kardashian's baby daddy and boyfriend at the time - Tristan Thompson, 28; pictured together on August 29, 2018 in West Hollywood Out with the old: Her old Twitter header featured a snap of her and her best friend Jordyn Woods' shoot for the Kylie X Jordyn lip kit collection During the sit down with Jada at a mansion for Red Table Talk on Facebook, Jordyn admitted to kissing Tristan but said it was not 'intimate.' Jordyn admitted she had gone to a party at his house with friends after a night out of partying and drinking. She addressed prior reports that she was blackout drunk when the hook-up happened, maintaining that there was alcohol involved and she was drunk but still conscious. When things were good: The drama started in February when reports surfaced that she and Tristan had hooked up but during an interview with Jada Pinkett Smith on Red Table Table, she clarified and also admitted that it was just a kiss - and that he kissed her with no tongue; pictured on June 21, 2018 in Paris, France Jordyn explained: 'I was not tipsy, I was drunk but I was not beyond the point of recollection. I knew where I was.' She said she stayed over at his house with other friends. When Jada asked her if she slept with Tristan she said no and offered to do a lie detector test. Jordyn said she left his house the morning after - which she said was the time that he kissed her - as she left. The Life Of Kylie star said, 'On the way out he did kiss me. No passion, no nothing, he just kissed me... No tongue kiss, no making out.' Going public: Jordyn Woods broke down in tears as she spoke out about her involvement in the Tristan Thompson scandal during an appearance on Jada Pinkett Smith's Red Table Talk Her side of the story: Jordyn said she left his house the morning after - which she said was the time that he kissed her She said: 'I'm no homewrecker. I would never try to hurt someone's home especially someone that I love and someone that has a beautiful daughter. 'I would never try to steal someone's man, I don't need your situation. I really just hurt so many people by not telling the truth.' She continued: 'No I'm not the reason that Khloe and Tristan aren't together, now this situation may have made it harder to want to be with him and I understand that but I know I'm not the reason.' Kylie made Jordyn a star by having Khloe cast her as a Good American model and also casting her as a sidekick on Life Of Kylie. She also had a makeup line with Kylie for Kylie Cosmetics - called KYLIE X JORDYN. Jordyn and Kylie were best friends since middle school; she lived at Kylie's home but moved out after the scandal broke. When they were happy: Jordyn added, 'I'm no homewrecker.' And she added she is not the reason Khloe and Tristan are no longer together She is now living with her mother, Elizabeth Woods. At the time the scandal dropped, Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner and Kourtney Kardashian all unfollowed Tristan and Jordyn; Khloe unfollowed them both after the Red Table talk interview. Khloe and Tristan broke up for good; they stayed together last year despite his cheating scandal. They have a daughter named True, who was born April 14, 2018. Fans thought Kylie was throwing shade at Jordyn when the prices of the lip kit collection for Kylie X Jordyn had gone on sale with a huge discount. She later clarified in a New York Times interview that it was just bad timing: 'This is just not my character. I would never do something like that and when I saw it, I was like, thrown back. Jordyn knows I didn't actually put it on sale.' The past: She also had a makeup line with Kylie for Kylie Cosmetics - called KYLIE X JORDYN According to Us Weekly, Kylie and Jordyn will be friends again. The magazine's insider said: 'Jordyn and Kylie will always share a special bond and they'll rekindle their friendship slowly, but it looks like it's going to take some time and healing.' Their source said that the mother of one has been spending time with close friend Stass Karanikolaou, as well as people like Heather Sanders and her make up artist Ariel Tejada. Their insider said earlier this month that Kylie 'was devastated by the news about Jordyn and still isn't over the situation.' Adding: 'Even though she's out and about with friends like Heather and spending time with her team like Ariel, they aren't the same as Jordyn,' noting that she 'was like a sister' to Kylie. Meanwhile, Khloe, 34, appeared to also throw some shade at Jordyn on Monday on her Instagram stories. The mother of True posted three quotes, with one of them seemingly pointing at Jordyn. The quote read: 'A moment of silence for those who hate us but can't unfriend us because they are afraid of not knowing what's happening in our lives.' Another read: ''Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don't belong.' The final quote she shared was: 'My only goal in life right now is to be happy. Genuinely. Intensely, and consistently happy, regardless of what that looks like to others.' Interesting: The mother of True posted three quotes, with one of them seemingly pointing at Jordyn They have officially been together for one year. And Paris Jackson shared a sweet and sentimental note on Instagram to celebrate her anniversary to boyfriend Gabriel Glenn. The 21-year-old model posted a variety of pictures along with the sweet letter to her Soundflowers bandmate and beau. Happy couple: Paris Jackson shared a sweet and sentimental note on Instagram to celebrate her one year anniversary to boyfriend Gabriel Glenn The photos shared by Paris showed the couple fully enamored with one another as the kissed, played music and smiled alongside one another. In the caption she wrote, 'Youre the light of my life. thank you for making me the happiest and luckiest girl in the world.' The daughter of late pop star Michael Jackson added, 'Happy anniversary baby (heart emoji) cant wait for another trip around the sun.' Jamming: The 21-year-old model posted a variety of pictures along with the sweet letter to her Soundflowers bandmate and beau Intimate: The photos shared by Paris showed the couple fully enamored with one another as the kissed, played music and smiled alongside one another. Happy anniversary baby (heart emoji) cant wait for another trip around the sun' Paris and Gabriel formed their band The Soundflowers in June 2018, but, at the time, their relationship status remained unknown. It wasn't until January of 2019 that the couple officially announced their relationship, openly showing their love for one another with passionate public displays of affection. While things seem to be stable in her private life, she has had a tough start to the year. Fun and games: In the caption she wrote, 'Youre the light of my life. thank you for making me the happiest and luckiest girl in the world Since last month, Paris has been fiercely denying rumors that she was hospitalized after attempting to take her own life. LAPD public information officer Tony Im alleged to People: 'At about 7:28 a.m., officers responded to the 7200 block of Hillside for an ambulance attempt suicide. The victim was transported to a local hospital.' After TMZ tweeted on March 16: 'Paris Jackson Hospitalized After Attempted Suicide' over an article alleging as much, she replied: 'f*** you f***ing liars'. Peck on the cheek: Paris and Gabriel formed their band The Soundflowers in June 2018, but, at the time, their relationship status remained unknown Characters: It wasn't until January of 2019 that the couple officially announced their relationship, openly showing their love for one another with passionate public displays of affection Sources later confirmed to DailyMail.com that the King of Pop's daughter had been 'partying' very hard and cut herself with kitchen scissors after she had gotten out of control. The insiders claimed that Jackson continued to act wild once in the hospital and doctors wanted to hold her but her family agreed to send her to rehab in order to secure her release. Paris, however, told friends that she didn't think she needed any sort of treatment. At issue is an alert that tells pilots if a sensor called an "angle of attack" indicator is transmitting bad data about the pitch of a plane's nose. The sensor's alerts had been operational in previous versions of the 737 but were switched off in the 737 Max. He's a BAFTA winning actor with a seriously impressive acting CV to his name. And, David Tennant proved every inch the doting dad as he supported his fledgling actor son Ty, 17, on the green carpet at Tolkien's UK premiere at Curzon Mayfair in London on Monday, as the teen revealed his father's career advice to MailOnline. David's adopted son makes his film debut playing a young Christopher Wiseman in the biopic, alongside big-name actors Nicholas Hoult and Lily Collins. Doting dad: David Tennant proved every inch the doting dad as he supported his actor son Ty, 17, on the green carpet at Tolkien's UK premiere at Curzon Mayfair in London on Monday Dr Who star David slipped into a tailored navy suit for the occasion, teaming the sleek two-piece with a purple shirt and tie. Ty cut a stylish figure in a black tiger print suit, with shiny lapel edging and slim fit trousers. Completing his edgy look, the teenage thespian opted for a high-necked collarless shirt. Ty stepped out in Doc Martins and added the finishing touches to his ensemble with a smattering of statement silver rings. Dad's advice: During their outing the teen revealed his father's career advice to MailOnline Dapper: Dr Who star David slipped into a tailored navy suit for the occasion, teaming the sleek two-piece with a purple shirt and tie Happy chaps: David's close relationship with his son was clear to see Quizzed about whether he has been giving acting tips from his father before filming Tolkien, Tyler admitted to MailOnline: 'I got tips from everyone. 'I'm so young in my career and I'm still learning a lot and I'm so lucky to have these people around me who know the industry very well. 'And they're just very inspirational so that's something I can really thrive on. Just having these people who know their stuff.' Tyler did, however, reveal that his father had imparted specific words of wisdom for how the aspiring star should conduct himself on film sets. Quirky: Ty cut a stylish figure in a black tiger print suit, with shiny lapel edging and slim fit trousers Dapper: Completing his edgy look, the teen thespian opted for a high-necked collarless shirt Cute couple: Ty was joined by his girlfriend Lola Thatcher, 17, 'Never be late. Always be on time. Don't skip the lunch queue so you don't look like a bit of an idiot, and just be kind and friendly and know your lines.' When asked if he would ever follow in his father's footsteps and be the next Dr Who, the budding actor admitted the prospect had never crossed his mind. He said: 'Ooh that's a tricky one, I've weirdly never thought about it but who knows I'm just gonna leave it like that.' In March 2012 Scottish actor David Tennant revealed he had become a 'double dad' after adopting his wife Georgia Moffett's son Tyler a year earlier. A star in the making: David's adopted son makes his film debut playing a young Christopher Wiseman in the biopic, alongside big-name actors Nicholas Hoult and Lily Collins Fun times: David and Ty joked around together, laughing and smiling at the premiere The former Doctor Who told Absolute Radio at the time: 'My baby is almost a year old and I adopted my wife's boy last year as well so I became a father twice in six months - that's got to be something of a record hasn't it?' Georgia gave birth to Tyler in 2002, when she was just 17. She brought him up alone and has never publicly revealed who the father is. David, 48, and Georgia, 34, are also parents to Olive, eight, Wilfred, five and Doris, four. The pair married in a romantic ceremony on New Year's Eve in 2011 after meeting when Georgia played the actor's daughter in Doctor Who. Mental health services for young and indigenous people will receive a boost of more than $42 million if the coalition wins the federal election. Prime Minister Scott Morrison's campaign enters its third day on Saturday, which marks five weeks until the May 18 poll. The Morrison camp is remaining tight-lipped about where it will head in a bid to avoid protesters or a clash with Labor's plans. After committing $461 million in last week's federal budget, the coalition is promising a further $22.5 million to boost its youth mental health and suicide prevention strategy. The commitment includes $12.5 million to make mental health services for indigenous people more effective. The other $10 million will be aimed at digital tools for mental health issues affecting young people including anxiety, depression, sleep problems, substance abuse, suicide and relationship difficulties. "I want every young person in Australia to know that they are not alone and that we are committed to doing everything we can to support their mental health and wellbeing," Mr Morrison said. "Not just as a prime minister but as a parent, I am going to do whatever it takes and whatever we can to break the curse of youth suicide in our country and ensure young people get the support they need." The government is also pledging $19.6 million through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy to prevent indigenous youth suicide, particularly in WA's Kimberley region. In February, Coroner Ros Fogliani described the situation in the Kimberley as dire after handing down findings of an inquest into 13 youth suicides in less than four years. Friday marked the first full day of campaigning, with Mr Morrison visiting a small business in western Sydney. He also spent time at a road upgrade in Penrith, with both locations within the Labor-held marginal seat of Lindsay. WHAT THEY SAID ON DAY 11 OF THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN THE BEST LINE "This has been a bedrock of our family ever since we moved here, many years ago." - Scott Morrison leaving his Sutherland Shire church after the Easter Sunday service. THE BEST LINE (NOT) "I'm in the fight of my life." - Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young on her chances at the May 18 election, ignoring the Easter Sunday campaign truce between Mr Morrison and Bill Shorten. PRIME MINISTER SCOTT MORRISON "Today is all about hope and that's what we've been celebrating this morning on Easter Sunday." - Leaving church with his family. LABOR LEADER BILL SHORTEN "For many, Easter is a time that carries deep meaning. It is a time for worship, for reflection, and a special opportunity for families to come together." - His Easter message. REAL PEOPLE "We just treat them like every other family." - Brad Bonhomme, senior pastor at Mr Morrison's Pentecostal church. THE SUPPORT CAST "This is just the latest in a long line of scandals and shonkiness in relation to the way the Murray-Darling Basin has been managed." - Senator Hanson-Young continuing her call for a royal commission into the coalition's management of the Basin plan. -- "I am absolutely disturbed that the Australian government has been dealing with a company that is domiciled in a tax haven." Centre Alliance Senator Rex Patrick on the company involved in an $80 million water purchase under the Murray-Darling Basin plan. It's said that religion and politics shouldn't mix and on Easter Sunday even Australia's federal leaders seemed to agree. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten paused their campaigns on Good Friday and again on Sunday, joining thousands around the country in attending church. The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies commended the party leaders for the Easter armistice during the federal election campaign. "It is totally appropriate that we have a "quiet day", for this is the day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the culmination of the events of Easter," Archbishop Davies said in a statement on Sunday. "I hope Australians will take advantage of the Easter holiday not just as a time of rest but also a time to think about the implications of the resurrection of Jesus for each of us personally." On Sunday morning the prime minister visited his Pentecostal church in Sutherland in Sydney's south. Church elders greeted the nearly 1000 faithful with hugs, compliments and "Happy Easter! Happy Resurrection Sunday" as they arrived at Horizon Church's communion service. Inside, three rows from the front and with wife Jenny by his side, the prime minister sang and clapped to the opening number celebrating a glorious day. "Today is a reminder of the great hope and the reason for that hope is the reason we celebrate today," Mr Morrison told reporters in Sydney. "It's a very special time for me and my family but I know for people around the country and frankly all around the world." Mr Shorten started his Sunday at a suburban Brisbane church, joined by his wife Chloe and their three children Georgette, Rupert and Clementine. The family wandered to St Andrew's in Indooroopilly, stopping briefly to offer the media their Easter blessings, before joining about 100 parishioners for mass. Bill, Chloe, and Clementine Shorten released a brief Easter message ahead of the Anglican church service. "We wish you and your loved ones all the best this Easter," Mr Shorten said. "For many, Easter is a time that carries deep meaning. It is a time for worship, for reflection, and a special opportunity for families to come together." In his sermon on Sunday, Uniting Church Reverend Alistair Macrae chose to focus on the hope provided through God's defeat of death, seen in the resurrection of Jesus. "Not a hope that is blind to the presence of evil, suffering and injustice in the world. But the hope that the power of love and justice will ultimately prevail," Rev Macrae told those gathered at Wesley Church in Melbourne's CBD. "It is this dogged hope that encourages many people to persist in working for a fairer world even in the face of hostility or indifference." In a homily for Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday, the Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne Peter A. Comensoli also explored the hope of Jesus' resurrection. "This is what makes Christ's resurrection a joy and hope: it's not what his resurrected body might look like that matters; it's what his resurrected presence gives to us," Archbishop Comensoli wrote. "As shattered and as wounded as our local church can seem at this time, and as belittled as Christianity is among the cynical elites of today, the Risen Lord, in his gloriously resurrected body, is still inviting us to share in his life and to walk with him." A "bad batch" of illicit pills has seen 12 people rushed to an Adelaide hospital, prompting a warning from doctors. The average Saturday night sees one or two drug-related presentations at Royal Adelaide Hospital, emergency physician and clinical toxicologist Sam Alfred said. But the emergency department had a "very unusual increase" over a 24-hour period. "We had 12 people, who reported that they had taken recreational drugs in tablet form, present to the emergency department with significant toxicity as a consequence of their drug use," Dr Alfred said in a statement on Sunday. The patients were found collapsed or unconscious before being taken to hospital on Saturday with agitation, nausea or vomiting, and exhibiting behavioural disturbances. None of the 12 patients died and all have since been discharged but the spike has doctors concerned about an "increased risk" for drug takers. "We are warning South Australians of the potential bad batch and remind them it is unsafe to take any type of recreational or illegal drugs," Dr Alfred said. "Our concern as health practitioners is patient safety." Dr Alfred urged anyone concerned after taking drugs to attend hospital straight away. SA Health and SA Police have been notified of the spike. Authorities are working to confirm if any Australians were caught up in the Easter Day bomb blasts at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka that killed more than 100 people and wounded hundreds more. Prime Minister Scott Morrison says information coming from Sri Lanka is "inconclusive" and details are sparse but 138 people are reportedly dead and 400 are wounded. Nine foreigners are reportedly among the dead from the blasts at three churches and three hotels; Shanri-La Colombo, Kingsbury Hotel and Cinnamon Grand Colombo. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is working to find out if any Australians are involved. "Following several bomb blasts in Sri Lanka, the Australian High Commission in Colombo is making urgent enquiries with local authorities to determine the welfare of any Australians affected," a DFAT spokeswoman said in a statement to AAP on Sunday. The spokeswoman said anyone concerned about friends and family in Sri Lanka should contact their loved-ones directly and, if that fails, contact DFAT. "I'm sure the information will become even more sickeningly real," Mr Morrison told reporters at Kirribilli House in Sydney on Sunday. "The devastating nature of this horrific attack on innocent lives, simply going about their day, going to worship on the holiest of days of the Christian calendar, is just absolutely devastating." He offered prayers and support to Sri Lankans in Australia and abroad. He and opposition leader Bill Shorten are being briefed by DFAT particularly about information relating to Australians in Sri Lanka. The motivation behind the attack and identity of the attackers remains unclear, Mr Morrison said. "We do know that innocent lives have been stolen once again," he said. There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the attacks in a country which was at war for decades with Tamil separatists until 2009 during which bomb blasts in the capital were common. Labor has launched an attack on a Liberal-National Senate candidate who suggested subsidising child care for three year olds was a conspiracy to boost government control of child-raising. Gerard Rennick, who is in the winnable third position on the LNP's Queensland ticket, also called for a dramatic cut in company tax rates and cast doubt over Russia's involvement in a chemical attack in the UK last year. Mr Rennick reportedly made the child care comments on Facebook in response to the opposition's pledge last year to extend subsidised child care to three-year-olds. "The cynic in me suggests this is another attempt by Labor to strengthen the role the state has in raising a child at the expense of the parents," he wrote. Labor's campaign spokesman Jim Chalmers said the comments showed the Liberals were "spectacularly out of touch". "These guys are from another planet," he told reporters in Logan on Monday. Mr Chalmers accused Mr Rennick of wanting to pay for a tax cut for the top end of town by cutting early education, which the LNP candidate thought was a conspiracy. "This isn't some fringe character in the Liberal Party, this is a guy who is in a winnable position on the Senate ticket," the Labor frontbencher said. "Malcolm Turnbull was absolutely right to say the extreme right-wing of the Liberal Party has taken over." Mr Rennick has also backed away from an earlier statement in which he said a company tax rate of 12 per cent and a withholding tax rate of 15 per cent would combat tax avoidance. "Definitely not 12 per cent and 15 per cent. I'm not into racing to the bottom," he told the ABC. "30 per cent and 25 per cent are low enough for the time being," he added, referring to the rates currently legislated under the Coalition." In October last year, Mr Rennick told The Australian he took "with a grain a salt" the British government's finding that Russian agents were responsible for Salisbury chemical weapons attack. Pauline Hanson has denied man-made climate change is happening, arguing "fear mongering" is behind global concerns about the environment. The One Nation leader said the same shifts in climate that caused the extinction of dinosaurs are behind changes the world is experiencing today. "This has been man-made, this fear mongering about climate change," Senator Hanson told Nine's Today on Tuesday. "If climate change is happening it is not because man is causing it to happen." The Queensland senator claimed volcanic eruptions and oceans caused more carbon emissions than man-made pollution. "There has been changes. What happened to the dinosaurs, how did they die off? Humans didn't create it," she said. "We have volcano eruptions that actually spew out more carbon emissions and even the oceans do." Senator Hanson said there was "no scientific fact" about the impact climate change was having on Queensland - despite a wealth of credible, peer-reviewed research on the topic. "There's no peer review of these scientists," she said. Senator Hanson also appeared to question the Bureau of Meteorology's climate data, hot on the heels of an LNP Senate candidate doing the same. "They haven't released the true facts and figures as far as temperature changes over the years. They've fiddled with facts and figures," the One Nation leader said. Gerard Rennick, who is in the Queensland LNP's winnable third position, last month accused the weather bureau of rewriting weather records to fit in with the "global warming agenda". "Our public servants are out of control," he said on Facebook. The bureau has strongly rejected the allegations, pointing to the nation's leading statisticians and mathematicians' support for their methods. Anyone who dramatically changes the Anzac biscuit recipe or tries to cash in on the commemoration of the Anzacs could face jail or huge fines, a veterans' body has warned. The word Anzac - or any word resembling it - cannot be used for commercial purposes without permission from the federal veterans' affairs minister. RSL NSW president James Brown said a lot of different companies had used Anzac to boost sales on or around April 25. "We've had people doing Anzac-related cocktail nights, a plastic surgeon a couple of years ago offered an Anzac special," he told Seven's Sunrise on Tuesday. "That needs to be strictly policed not only by officials but the public as well. "If you're going to a pub in their advertising on Anzac Day and they are not donating to a veterans' charity, ask why and choose (to go) somewhere else." Serious breaches of the Anzac law can be punished with up to 12 months' jail. Fines of up to $10,200 for a person and $51,000 for a company can also be imposed. "The Department of Veterans' Affairs controls the use of the word so no one profits off a day that is meant to commemorate the memory of people who sacrificed for this country," Mr Brown said. DVA says applications for Anzac biscuits are normally approved, provided the product generally conforms to the traditional recipe and shape and are referred to as 'Anzac biscuits' or 'Anzac slice'. "Referring to these products as 'Anzac Cookies' is generally not approved, due to the non-Australian overtones," the department says on its website. The Adani coal mine is a litmus test of Australia's capacity to act as an intelligent nation capable of grasping the dire effects of climate change, former Greens leader Bob Brown says. Mr Brown will leave Brisbane on Tuesday, bound for Queensland's coal country, and expects his Stop Adani Convoy to receive a warm welcome in communities fearful of vast job losses as the Great Barrier Reef dies in a warming world. The convoy, which aims to derail Adani's plans for a new coal mine in Queensland's Galilee Basin, drew thousands of people to a protest in Brisbane on Monday. An elected Labor government would launch an inquiry into the federal government's $10 billion Melbourne to Brisbane inland rail line. Labor's infrastructure spokesman Anthony Albanese says the opposition supports the project but wants to put the blowtorch on the route selection process and financing arrangements. "This is appalling. The government has botched this from day one," he told 2GB on Tuesday. "It is very clear the government has failed to consult properly. It's very clear that there are real issues with the route going through prime agricultural land, that the locals aren't being listened to." Farmers across in NSW and Queensland are among those who have raised concerns about the lack of transparency associated with picking the route. The 1700km project includes upgrades to 1100km of existing track and is mooted to start operating in 2024/25. Mr Albanese said the government's route stopped 38km short of Brisbane port rather than extending through a major urban area at considerable extra expense in order to "bodgy up" the commercial viability of the project. Inland rail is funded by an off budget equity injection into the Australian Rail Track Corporation, a model which requires net economic benefit to Australia. A Shorten Labor government's inquiry would be led by an "eminent Australian" who would get access to Infrastructure Australia and other departments, including Finance and Treasury. "We need to get it right and at the moment very clearly we are not getting it right," Mr Albanese said. The auditor-general will review all taxpayer-funded water purchases since 2008 as the coalition looks to ease pressure over a controversial buyback worth almost $80 million. Water has been in the spotlight since questions re-emerged about then-water minister Barnaby Joyce's role in approving the 2017 purchase of 28.7 gigalitres from Eastern Australia Agriculture. "This morning I have written to the auditor-general of the Australian National Audit Office to ask him to review all water purchases from 2008 onward to make sure the community can continue to have confidence in the Murray-Darling Basin Plan," Agriculture Minister David Littleproud told reporters in Tamworth on Tuesday. Labor has branded embattled Queensland Nationals MP George Christensen the laziest politician in Australia over his frequent trips to the Philippines. Mr Christensen spent 294 days in the southeast Asian nation during a four-year period, putting him under pressure from critics who accuse him of not doing his job. Asked what he thought Mr Christensen was doing overseas, Labor leader Bill Shorten said: "That is one of the questions of the ages - the member for Manila." Labor's northern Australia spokesman Jason Clare said Mr Christensen had put ads in local papers after Cyclone Debbie to create the false impression he was working. "This bloke has to be the laziest politician in Australia," Mr Clare told reporters in Gladstone. "I don't know about you but if you take 294 days off on holidays in four years, I don't think you deserve to keep your job." Mr Christensen's partner lives in the Philippines and he has not disputed the amount of time he has spent in the country, but insists his travel was within the rules. The outspoken Queenslander has referred $3000 of taxpayer-funded connecting flights within Australia to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority. He is under fire in his marginal seat of Dawson, which he holds with a notional margin of 3.4 per cent ahead of the May 18 election. "He has lied to the people of Dawson," Mr Clare said. "What I think would be just is if the people of Dawson in a couple of weeks time send George Christensen on a permanent holiday - that's what he deserves." AAP FactCheck Investigation: Is unemployment in the Townsville region twice the national average, with youth unemployment above 17 per cent, while one in five youths are jobless? The Statement "We are almost double the national unemployment average, our youth unemployment is over 17 per cent, one in five young people in this city doesn't have a job." Labor MP for Herbert Cathy O'Toole. April 22, 2019. The Verdict Mostly True - Mostly accurate, but there is a minor error or problem. The Analysis Cathy O'Toole the ALP MP for the north Queensland seat of Herbert is urging fellow politicians to support the opening of mining and jobs in the Galilee Basin, to assist voters in her area, and especially young voters, who are struggling to get work. AAP FactCheck examined Ms O'Toole's claim that her area has almost double the national unemployment, youth unemployment above 17 per cent and one in five youths jobless. [1] Ms O'Toole holds Herbert by just 37 votes and a margin of 0.02 per cent, making it the most marginal electorate in Australia. [2] Herbert takes in the city of Townsville and predominantly its northern surrounds plus Magnetic and Palm Islands. [3] It has 104,815 enrolled voters and a population of 189,429. [4] [5] According to Population Australia 2019 figures, the main employment industry is public administration and safety, accounting for 19.7 per cent of jobs. Only 3.5 per cent of jobs are engaged in mining. [4] As a result, unemployment and especially youth unemployment in Herbert is a major issue in the 2019 federal election campaign. [2] According to 2019 Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia's national unemployment average is 5.0 per cent. [6] According to the federal Department of Jobs and Small Business Labour Market Information from February 2019, Townsville's unemployment average is 8.0 per cent. [7] Based on these figures, AAP FactCheck found Ms O'Toole's first claim that her area had "almost double" the national unemployment average to be false. The true figure is 1.6 times the national rate of unemployment. Regarding youth unemployment, Queensland government Statistician's Office data shows the Townsville region's youth unemployment was 17.3 per cent in December 2018. [8] Based on this data AAP FactCheck found Ms O'Toole's second claim that the area had a youth unemployment rate "above" 17 per cent to be true. Young unemployed people in Australia are generally classified as being aged from 15-24 years. [9] ABS data shows there were 30,545 Townsville citizens aged between 15-24 in 2017. [10] Of this 15-24 age group, 17.3 per cent are unemployed according to Queensland government Statistician's Office data. That is equivalent to 5284 people, which is close to Ms O'Toole's claim of one in five out of work. The true figure is one in 5.78 people out of work. AAP FactCheck found Ms O'Toole's third claim that one in five Townsville young people are without work to be mostly true. AAP FactCheck concludes Ms O'Toole's three claims to be "somewhat true" overall. Her first claim the area had "almost double" the national unemployment average was false. Her second claim her area had a youth unemployment rate "above" 17 per cent was true. Her third claim that Townsville had one in five jobless is also true. The Verdict Mostly True - Mostly accurate, but there is a minor error or problem. The References 1. 'Herbert MP Cathy O'Toole demands three local state MPs sign Galilee Basin pledge', by Madura McCormack. Townsville Bulletin. April 22, 2019: https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/herbert-mp-cathy-otoole-demands-three-local-state-mps-sign-galilee-basin-pledge/news-story/20f16d10f3b57fb326501c2d61a9e79f 2. 'The seats to watch in the 2019 federal election: Herbert, held by Cathy O'Toole', by Claire Bickers. The Courier Mail. February 13, 2019: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/federal-election/the-seats-to-watch-in-the-2019-federal-election-herbert-held-by-cathy-otoole/news-story/1ba42dbc79ab9d876a94124cc25c38e4 3. 'Commonwealth Electoral Division of Herbert (Qld)'. Australian Electoral Commission. December 15, 2009: https://www.aec.gov.au/Elections/federal_elections/2010/profiles/qld/herbert.htm 4. 'Population Australia, Townsville population 2019': http://www.population.net.au/townsville-population/ 5. 'Ms Cathy O'Toole MP Member for Herbert, Queensland', Parliament of Australia: https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=249908 6. 'Trend unemployment rate steady at 5.0%'. ABS. March 21, 2019: https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/lookup/6202.0Media%20Release1Feb%202019 7. 'Labor Market Information Port. Townsville Unemployment Rate, February 2004 - February 2019'. Department of Jobs and Small Business. April 8, 2019: http://lmip.gov.au/default.aspx?LMIP/EmploymentRegion/QLD/Townsville/UnemploymentRateTimeSeries 8. 'Regional youth unemployment, December 2018' Queensland Government Statistician's Office. January 31, 2019: http://www.qgso.qld.gov.au/products/reports/reg-youth-unemployment/reg-youth-unemployment-201812.pdf 9. 'Youth unemployment statistics: a quick guide'. Parliament of Australia. May 31, 2018: https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp1718/Quick_Guides/YthUnemployment 10. 'Townsville (C) (LGA) (37010). Population and People'. Australian Bureau of Statistics. November 9, 2018: https://itt.abs.gov.au/itt/r.jsp?RegionSummaryion=37010&dataset=ABS_REGIONAL_LGA2017&geoconcept=LGA_2017&maplayerid=LGA2017&measure=MEASURE&datasetASGS=ABS_REGIONAL_ASGS2016&datasetLGA=ABS_REGIONAL_LGA2017ionLGA=LGA_2017ionASGS=ASGS_2016 WHAT THEY SAID ON DAY 13 OF THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN THE BEST LINE "This is about us continuing to act as an agile government." - Agriculture Minister David Littleproud harks back to a favourite Malcolm Turnbull phrase in announcing an audit of water buybacks PRIME MINISTER SCOTT MORRISON "Bill Shorten is the godfather of GetUp." - On the activist group campaigning against Adani in Queensland. "I notice Bill Shorten may be vanishing from their election material, but I tell you what, if you vote for one of Bill Shorten's candidates he won't vanish as prime minister." - The electoral commission doesn't partake in wizardry. LABOR LEADER BILL SHORTEN "There is only one person who has been resurrected and I won't compare Clive Palmer to him." - On Palmer's surge of support in marginal seats. "The LNP has got a factory at an undisclosed location where they can find candidates so out of touch with the real world it is remarkable." - On a LNP Senate candidate who accused the Bureau of Meteorology of rewriting weather records to fit in with global warming. REAL PEOPLE "I think he'll sneak in. I don't like Labor." - Retired business owner John Quirk THE SUPPORT CAST "Everyone except for Barnaby Joyce knows his career peaked with the Pistol and Boo deportation." - Labor's Brendan O'Connor casts his mind back to the Barnaby v Johnny Depp dog dilemma. "My judgment is that in the first stages of the campaign Scott Morrison has gained ground." - Former prime minister John Howard Queensland man Rick Thorburn will face a judge-only trial for his charge of raping a girl aged under 12. Thorburn is accused of raping a girl aged under 12 while working at a daycare centre south of Brisbane. Earlier this month Thorburn was also committed to the Beenleigh District Court on other charges which included attempting to rape another girl aged under 12, as well as nine indecent treatment charges allegedly relating to incidents between July 2015 to April 2016. On Tuesday prosecutors had the case adjourned to May 7 to give them time to organise all offences into one indictment. In a hearing in August last year Thorburn's lawyers argued he would not be able to get a fair trial with a jury for the daycare rape allegations, and so he should face a judge-only trial. Prosecutors submitted juries should be able to focus on the facts of the trial to form a verdict. They conceded that moving the trial to the Brisbane District Court could "dilute" the pool of potentially compromised jurors. The judge who heard the matter at the time reserved their decision. On Tuesday Beenleigh court registry staff confirmed Thorburn has been granted a judge-only trial. A trial date has not been set. Up to 6000 people are expected at the Dawn Service and march in Darwin on Thursday, where Anzac Day holds special significance. The Top End capital was bombed by the Japanese in 1942 in the largest ever foreign attack on mainland Australia, resulting in the deaths of about 240 people. Darwin's Dawn Service starts at 6am at the cenotaph on cliffs overlooking Darwin harbour and the Timor Sea, from where Japanese aircraft emerged to carry out the bombing of ships and port facilities. A highlight during this year's march would be a flyover from air force jets, helicopers and tigers and a "surprise, which would be pretty speccy", Darwin RSL president Stephen Gloster said. Darwin is a military town, with a strong contingent of Australian and US forces and the army band participating in the Dawn Service and march from 9am. The most senior member of the Air Force in the NT, wing commander Steven Parsons is guest speaker at the Dawn Service. This year's Anzac Day services are the first since Darwin's only RSL veterans' clubhouse was destroyed by fire last June. The clubhouse will be rebuilt but this year year's Anzac Day fixtures, such as the 5am "gunfire" and reunion breakfasts at 5am and 7am will be held at the Hotel Darwin pub instead. "There will be 5000-6000 there, no worries, the number of people from Darwin that get up and go to watch the Dawn Service and pack the streets for the march is incredible for a small place," Mr Gloster told AAP. "It is the biggest shutdown of the city each year." Other events include a mass at St Marys Cathedral at 7.30am and two-up at Hotel Darwin, the Deck Bar and Pint Club. Dawn services and marches are also being held in Alice Springs, Katherine and other towns around the Northern Territory. Australia's oldest living Victoria Cross recipient, who risked his life to save 40 men in Vietnam, will join this year's Anzac Day commemorations in Adelaide. Keith Payne VC AM, 85, received Australia's highest military honour for rescuing fellow soldiers while under enemy fire and suffering his own injuries during the Battle of Ben Het in 1969. Mr Payne will join thousands of other veterans, serving personnel and descendants on the annual commemorative march from the National War Memorial on North Terrace to the Cross of Sacrifice in North Adelaide. The march will follow the city's dawn service, also held at the memorial, where more than 10,000 people are expected to gather from 6am. On the 100th year since the signing of the Versailles peace agreement, chair of the RSL Anzac Day committee Ian Smith said the day's focus would be on people. "Anzac Day is not about winning battles, it is about honouring and commemorating the service and sacrifice of the nearly 103,000 young Australians who have died in the service of our country," he said. Mr Smith said many Australians still have a connection to service men and women and the city's dawn service offers an opportunity to reflect. "The atmosphere of the dawn service - held mostly in the dark without the distractions of everyday life - deepens the contemplative spirit and it ends with dawn, a new day," he said. Mr Smith will deliver an address at the service, which he said would focus on the service of the migrant community to the Australian Defence Force. A new artificial intelligence (AI) centre of excellence will be tasked with preventing another "robodebt" disaster if Labor wins the federal election. The AI centre will be based in Melbourne with a $3 million commitment from Labor and $1 million from the Victorian government. Labor's digital technology spokesman Ed Husic said the centre will devise a strategy for ethical use of artificial intelligence in Australian government and business. "The application of tech within government and decision-making processes is a smart thing - if it can make decisions quicker, more efficiently, great," he told reporters in Melbourne on Tuesday. "But systems have to get designed by someone, you have to think through the end-to-end process." The Centrelink "robodebt" system attracted severe criticism for demanding payment for old debts, despite many people not actually owing money to the government. Some had payments cut unfairly, while others went through a bureaucratic nightmare trying to get false debts removed. "Robodebt is a classic case of where a system was set up where the thinking hadn't been done early on," Mr Husic said. "What would happen if a decision went wrong and how would an ordinary person be able to make contact with someone to get that corrected?" Mr Husic said the centre's mission will be to help avoid the "dumb decisions" that occur with badly-designed AI, and he flagged laws to tackle bad behaviour from businesses. "You just can't expect that if you have the ethical framework in place that businesses will always make the right decision," he said. "Law will have to be there in those cases where things don't operate the way you want it to." Bronte Pollard gets goosebumps each time he recites The Ode so delivering it atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge for an Anzac Day dawn service will be particularly memorable. "I've said to my family it's a bit of a double bucket list," the Navy veteran told AAP. "(It'll be) very special." A small group of bridge climbers will attend the intimate service 134 metres above the harbour, with all proceeds going to RSL DefenceCare - the professional services arm of RSL NSW. Mr Pollard said the Ode - the fourth verse of the poem For the Fallen - is very powerful and explains the history of Australians serving in all conquests. "It gives me goosebumps every time I say it out loud," he said. Mr Pollard, who served between 1982 and 1990, says Anzac Day is a time in which he reflects on service, including that of former colleagues and five members of his family. "I've lost friends that joined around the same time (1982) ... and everyone knows someone who has passed in active operations." At ground level, thousands of people are expected to gather around the Cenotaph in Martin Place for the 4.15am dawn service. It's been held in the same spot since 1927 when five veterans noticed an elderly lady laying flowers at the monument and joined her in prayer. From 9am, more than 16,000 serving and ex-service personnel are expected to march down Elizabeth Street to the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park for a 12.30pm commemoration service. A final sunset service will be held at 5pm at the Cenotaph again. From 2.30pm, extra buses and trains will begin running across Sydney and some CBD roads will be shut. Special NSW TrainLink services for the Martin Place dawn service will run on the Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands, South Coast and Newcastle lines. A woman who felt a man put his hand up her dress as she stood at the bar of a popular Melbourne nightspot while out with friends has called for ID scanners to be installed in pubs. Antonia, 28, had been at St Kilda's The Esplanade Hotel when she says a drunk man approached, prompting her boyfriend to tell him to back off and he stumbled away. The man didn't take the hint, making a move while her back was turned. "I was facing the bar and all of a sudden I felt a hand up my dress that grabbed me and I turned around and recognised it was the same person from before," she told reporters on Tuesday of the February 23 grope. "I just got really angry. I started screaming at him just saying 'That is not okay. You can't just touch someone like that against their will. My body is my body'." Antonia said other patrons froze and no one came to her aid before she ran to security personnel, who ejected the man. "I just want to send a message that it is not OK for people to touch you, to take advantage of you and even if it is something that happens in bars quite frequently it shouldn't be happening so much," she said. Antonia, who arrived in Melbourne from America last year, called for ID scanners to be mandatory at all bars to ensure a record of patron names and details. Police have released images and CCTV footage of a Caucasian man, dressed in a white shirt and blue blazer, they want to speak to in regards to the assault. Detective Leading Senior Constable Peita Measham said it was a terrible incident and anyone with information, or who recognised the man, should contact police. Former medic James DeAngelis has commemorated Anzac Day across the globe during his four overseas deployments for the Australian Army. Now that he's a civilian dad, the recently-retired corporal is looking forward to taking part in the dawn service and parade in Brisbane with his kids. "I love Anzac Day; it's a time to come together and acknowledge the sacrifices of the people before us," he told AAP. "It's that one day when we give each other a nod and have a beer." Mr DeAngelis, 28, spent last Anzac Day with US and British troops at Camp Taji in Iraq. "During the dawn service we were formed up in a U-shape and I remember a contingent of American soldiers came down and joined us," he said. "It's always special doing Anzac Day while on operations." Mr DeAngelis said deployment and training exercises can be tough for defence families, and he was looking forward to spending this year with his children. "It'll mean a lot for them - it'll probably end up being a bigger day for them than for me," he said. Brisbane will mark Anzac Day with a dawn service at Anzac Square from 4.28am, which is the time the first boats hit the beach at Anzac Cove on April 25, 1915. A parade along George and Adelaide Streets will follow from 10am. The Elephant Rock dawn service at Currumbin will start at 4.35am, the march at 10.55am and two-up at 1pm. Up north, Townsville residents will surround the town's Cenotaph from 5.20am followed with the march at 9am. In Far North Queensland, Cairns' dawn service will start at 5.30am and the march at 7am. Compensation payments to Australian veterans who were injured and incapacitated during service have become so eroded they are now glaringly inadequate, according to a veterans advocacy group. As Australians prepare to commemorate those who have served, through Anzac Day tributes, a veterans welfare advocacy group has called on the government and opposition to remember 28,000 servicemen and women who have been left struggling with daily life due to their service. Defence force veterans who have been left unable to work receive inadequate compensation payments that fail the community's basic minimum wage benchmark, The Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) Federation of Australia says. The TPI payment is made up of two parts - pain and suffering and economic loss. In a statement released ahead of Anzac Day, the TPI Federation says the pain and suffering component has remained stable but economic loss compensation has been eroded and only rates at approximately 63 per cent of the country's minimum wage. The TPI Federation has accused Prime Minister Scott Morrison of failing to act during the 2019 budget, despite a meeting with veterans in March where he acknowledged they had a compelling case for the restoration of economic loss compensation. Instead, Mr Morrison has agreed to a review of the TPI Federation request, president Pat McCabe says. It will be the fifth review within the last seven years and "the facts, as they have been presented repeatedly, are yet to be altered and are yet to be refuted," Ms McCabe said. Former army corporal Ian Swan, who lives with his wife and two children in Adelaide, says the government has only paid lip service to veterans. "They say one thing and do another, when it comes down to reality they stonewall you," he said. The 54-year-old was deployed to Rwanda following the genocide in the mid 90s where he worked out of a hospital to help survivors. While he escaped physical disability, the mental scars and post-traumatic stress disorder he suffered were crippling. "It's pretty heavy going," he told AAP. Now, he relies on service dog Charlie to keep him distracted and intercept "when things get a bit rough," he says. He tried working for a few years as a bus driver, but Mr Swan said he relied on compensation and had to be frugal in daily life. "You tend to do without yourself to provide for your children," he said. He has joined the TPI Federation's call for increased compensation, saying the government needed to look after veterans properly. The federal government has been contacted for comment. Labor will seek a formal inquiry into taxpayer-funded water buybacks after a government department failed to meet a deadline for documents. Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has asked the auditor-general to look into the controversial $80 million purchase, as well as other purchases dating back to 2008. But Labor frontbencher Tony Burke said the failure of the Agriculture Department to provide documents by the close of business on Tuesday was "not acceptable" and it was now clear an independent inquiry, with coercive powers, into the Eastern Australia Agriculture scandal was needed. The site for a youth detention centre to replace the controversial Don Dale facility will be revealed soon. Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner made the promise as he deals with pressure over the latest disturbance at the troubled site. Seven teenage male inmates climbed onto the roof of the centre on Good Friday and clashed with guards and police before eventually coming down after more than five hours. The Territory Families department said the incident began "when young people started to be aggressive and refused to follow direction during the evening routine" on Friday night. Such incidents - some violent - have occurred regularly over the last year, including a case last November involving inmates attacking a staff member, stealing keys and starting a large fire that burned the facility's school room. The royal commission into youth detention recommended 18 months ago that a plan be produced within three months to close Don Dale. But the opening of a new centre is at least two years away, after the NT government recently scrapped plans for a new centre in an industrial part of Darwin called Pinelands because of opposition by local businesses. "We'll be providing more detail soon about where we're going with that and an alternate centre for detention to the existing centre," Mr Gunner told reporters on Tuesday. "We're obviously very much aware of the need to have a new facility and are carefully doing work in and around that." Law Council of Australia president Arthur Moses criticised the NT government this week, saying unless it acted quickly to replace Don Dale, the federal government should intervene. It was not fit for the detention of children, he said. "If the NT government cannot deliver on its promise to act on the royal commission's recommendations in a timely manner, it is time that the Commonwealth government intervened as it has the constitutional right and moral duty to do so," he said. However Mr Gunner said the government had spent a lot of money making Don Dale - which is a former adult prison - as safe as possible for now. His government was investing heavily in addressing crime, alcohol problems and generational change, he said. "But let's be clear, if you've ended up in Don Dale you've done something wrong and if you are dealing with difficult kids there can be problems," he said. "We have increased and improved training for our staff at Don Dale." The royal commission was ordered after the airing on ABC TV in 2016 of infamous footage of teenagers in the NT - including Aboriginal teen Dylan Voller in a restraint chair- being tear gassed. The NT government has committed $70 million for two new detention centres. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has told members of Darwin's Sri Lankan community to use their various religious faiths to gather, comfort and hug each other following the East Sunday bombings. When the local Sri Lankan Association heard Mr Morrison was flying in to Darwin on Tuesday for the election campaign, they invited him to a service at the Darwin International Buddhist Temple organised following the bombings. At least 290 people were killed and more than 50 injured in the bomb blasts that ripped through churches, luxury hotels and a guesthouse on Easter Sunday. Mr Morrison and NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner listened to Buddhist prayers and chants as well as the Australian and Sri Lankan national anthems. The PM told the crowd on Tuesday he had spoken to Australian father Sudesh Kolonne, who found his wife Manik Suriyaaratchi and their 10-year-old daughter Alexendria dead after a bomb hit the Negombo church they were attending. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe also expressed his "heartfelt thanks" for Australia's response, including the local Sri Lankan diaspora which numbers about 90,000, Mr Morrison said. "We remember Manik and Alexendria and our heart goes out to Sudesh, about this time in Colombo they are both being laid to rest," he said. "I look around at the young children here tonight, the women here this evening and the husbands and fathers. "I think there is a unity of belief in humanity across all of these beliefs, as we seek to respond and absorb the terrible events that have occurred in Sri Lanka. Faith is something that brings the community together, helps us to try and make sense of what is difficult to make sense of, to find peace in moment of violence." The Sri Lankan Association NT president Nishantha Wijesinghe, an eye surgeon, said many Darwin residents knew people that had been hurt or killed because they came from the town's hit by bombs. One of his colleagues at the hospital had a nephew in intensive care. "We are all in shock and can not believe what has happened in the last few days but we have been overwhelmed by calls and messages of condolence from our fellow Australians," he said. AAP FactCheck Investigation: Do one in five senior Australians have none of their own teeth and does one in two suffer from moderate to severe gum disease? The Statement "We know that older Australians, one in five older Australians, have no natural teeth, and one in two suffer from gum disease - moderate to severe." Labor health spokesperson Catherine King. April 28, 2019. The Verdict True - The checkable claims are all true. The Analysis AAP FaceCheck examined the claims by Labor health spokesperson Catherine King that one in five senior Australians have none of their own teeth and one in two suffers from moderate to severe gum disease. [1] Ms King was touting Labor's $2.4 billion Pensioner Dental Plan which targets senior voters by offering up to three million pensioners "free dental" valued at $1000 over two years under Medicare. Labor describes the plan as the next step towards universal access to dental care in Australia. [1] [2] Ms King has held the seat of Ballarat since 2001. At the 2016 election she retained the inland Victorian seat by a margin of 7.4 per cent. The Ballarat electorate extends east towards Melbourne as far as Bacchus Marsh and north-east of Ballarat including Creswick and Daylesford. [3] Ms King's office told AAP FactCheck the source for her claim was the 2018 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report. The AIHW report found that for people aged 15 and over, one in 20 (4.4 per cent) had no natural teeth, For people aged 65, the figure was one in five (19 per cent) . The figures were drawn from self-reported information for the National Dental Telephone Interview Survey in 2013. The report said the proportion of people aged 75 and over who had lost all their teeth had declined from 36 per cent in 1987-88 to 28 per cent in 2010. [4] Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is the inflammation of dental tissue and bone caused by bacteria. According to the same AIWH report, the last National Survey of Adult Oral Health 2004-2006 showed almost one in four Australians (23 per cent) had moderate or severe gum disease, which increased to more than one in two (53 per cent) among people aged 65 and over. [4] Based on figures contained in the report, AAP FactCheck concludes Ms King's claims are true. The Verdict True - The checkable claims are all true. The References 1 'Election race tightens as Labor targets senior votes on dental care', by Samantha Maiden. The New Daily. April 28, 2019: https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/election-2019/2019/04/28/federal-election-2019-race-tightens-as-labor-targets-senior-votes-on-dental-care/ 2: 'Pensioner Dental Plan'. Labor: https://www.alp.org.au/policies/pensioner-dental-plan/ 3: 'Australia Votes. Ballarat'. ABC: https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/federal/2019/guide/ball/ 4: 'Australia's health 2018'. Australian Government. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. June 20, 2018. (page 153-154): https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/7c42913d-295f-4bc9-9c24-4e44eff4a04a/aihw-aus-221.pdf.aspx?inline=true CLIMATE CHANGE * Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he's investing $3.5 billion towards climate policies and will reduce emissions by 26 per cent. He urged Labor leader Bill Shorten to say how much his higher target of 45 per cent would cost the economy. * Shorten said there's a greater cost if action isn't taken, and said the government was shying away from making changes needed in the future. He likened changing attitudes to climate change to attitudes towards businesses no longer pouring chemicals in rivers and using asbestos. TRUST IN POLITICS * Morrison said voters can trust him because he follows through with promises, such as stopping the boats as immigration minister, returning the budget to surplus as treasurer and fixing the GST for WA. * Shorten says Labor will create a national integrity commission, to stamp out corruption in politics. He says all his party's policies are out there for the public to see, and he's got a united, stable team. WAGES * Morrison denied there was a problem with wages increasing, saying they recently rose by 2.3 per cent. His government will cut taxes for punters, he added. * Shorten said people didn't want to be told there wasn't a problem with wages, and that he wants to see them rise. ASYLUM SEEKERS * The PM defended reopening the Christmas Island detention centre, saying the Home Affairs department advised there would be more asylum seekers under the Medevac bill. * Shorten said he convinced his party to support boat turnbacks, and that he wants to end the people smuggling businesses. He also said he doesn't want to see the demonisation of refugees. CLIVE PALMER AND PREFERENCES * The prime minister said Palmer isn't part of his campaign and the government was pursuing him for not paying his workers. Morrison said Labor tried to get the controversial billionaire's preferences. He said the United Australia Party was less dangerous to the country than Labor and the Greens. * Shorten says Palmer is playing a chaotic role in the election campaign, and he should pay his debts rather than on advertising. FRANKING CREDITS * Morrison says older Australians deserve to be paid the tax refund on their share portfolios, because they've paid tax all their life. * Shorten says the tax loophole is unsustainable and Australia can no longer afford paying the "gift" to people. WHAT THEY RESPECT ABOUT EACH OTHER * Morrison said he respects all members of parliament and anyone who serves their country, which extended to Shorten. * Shorten said he respected Morrison for those reasons, as well as his work on mental health. He praised the prime minister for being a man of conviction. Defence Minister Awad Ibn Ouf was sworn in as head of the new military council after ousting Omar al-Bashir Sudanese General Awad Ibn Ouf, who led the overthrow of veteran leader Omar al-Bashir and has emerged as the country's new ruler, is already under US sanctions for his alleged role in the brutal Darfur conflict. In a sombre televised statement on Thursday, Ibn Ouf announced the ouster of Bashir, who ruled the northeast African country with an iron-fist for 30 years before angry protesters brought him down. "I announce as minister of defence the toppling of the regime and detaining its chief in a secure place," Ibn Ouf said. "We have replaced him by a transitional military council for two years and have suspended Sudan's 2005 constitution." Later on Thursday state television announced that Ibn Ouf had been sworn in as head of the military council triggering anger among the protesters. "The regime has conducted a military coup by bringing back the same faces and the same institutions which our people rose up against," the Alliance for Freedom and Change, the group that is leading the protests said in a statement. "We call on our people to continue their sit-in in front of army headquarters and across all regions and in the streets." Protesters remained camped at the army headquarters in the capital for seventh straight day, vowing not to leave until the new military rulers quit. - Career soldier - Born in 1950, Ibn Ouf, a career soldier has been a regime insider and a close aide of Bashir since the former leader came to power in a coup in 1989. A Sudanese boy holds a sign reading in Arabic reading "Don't steal our revolution" as protestors vow to keep up their demos to ensure a civilian government is brought in Ibn Ouf held several top ranking positions in the army as well as in the foreign ministry. He rose through the ranks first to become a commander of the military's artillery division and then to head the army intelligence wing. In 2010 he retired but was brought back five years later as the country's defence minister. In February Bashir made him his first vice president "Awad Ibn Ouf is not only a high-ranking officer of Bashir's old guard, but one of the few in the army to be able to maintain the cohesion between the rival branches of the regime's security apparatus," said Paris-based Sudan analyst, Jerome Tubiana. Between 2010 and 2015, Ibn Ouf served as a counsel in Khartoum's embassy in Cairo and later as ambassador to Muscat. But it is his alleged role in the conflict in Darfur that analysts say might make Western powers wary of dealing with him directly. Analysts say Ibn Ouf, a close aide of Bashir, played a key role in managing the Arab militias like the feared Janjaweed, who have been accused of committing genocide during the initial years of the conflict. The United States put his name on its backlist of Sudanese officers sanctioned for their role in the conflict that has seen his assets blocked by the US treasury since 2007. In May 2007, Washington said Ibn Ouf has been "linked to violence, atrocities and human rights abuses" in Darfur. - 'Palace revolution' - Bashir himself has been indicted for alleged war crimes and genocide in the Darfur conflict, in which according to the United Nations about 300,000 people have been killed and millions displaced. Hundreds of thousands of people still live in sprawling camps across the region. The Sudanese Popular Defence Force, a paramilitary group, has frequently fought on the side of Sudanese armed forces against ethnic minority rebels in Darfur The conflict erupted in 2003 when ethnic black rebels took up arms against Khartoum's Arab-dominated government, accusing it of economic and political marginalisation. Ibn Ouf was as "deeply involved" in the conflict as Bashir himself, said Hollywood actor George Clooney on Thursday. "Removing the leader of a violent, corrupt system without dismantling that system is inadequate," said Clooney, founder of The Sentry Project, which researches illicit money and war crimes in Africa. But analyst Tubiana said the fact that Bashir agreed to go and Ibn Ouf had replaced him showed that it was "a palace revolution, aimed at protecting the regime and preventing the opposition, civilians and non-Islamists ... from taking power". Some analysts say however that Ibn Ouf might not remain for long time as head of the military council. "He's been taking decisions for a long time when it comes to the armed forces, but the task ahead is not going to be easy," said an analyst. "The anger among protesters will be a continuous challenge. For all you know he might not be there for a long time." Protesters vow to do exactly that. "Ibn Ouf is weak, we will ensure he quits," said a protester without revealing his name for security reasons as he prepared for Friday prayers at the army complex. Deadly: The storm flooded central Mozambique and parts of Malawi and Zimbabwe Cyclone Idai which cut a deadly swathe through Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe last month, is expected to cost the three countries more than $2 billion (1.77 billion euros), the World Bank said. "(E)arly estimates point to over US$2.0 billion in recovery costs for the infrastructure and livelihood impacts," it said in a statement issued after a meeting in Washington on Thursday. "To date, about three million people have been affected, with near total damage in the worst affected areas," it said. Idai slammed into the Mozambican port city of Beira on March 14 then continued a deadly path westward towards Zimbabwe. In Mozambique alone, more than 600 people died among the 1.5 million affected. About 344 have been killed in Zimbabwe. Southern Malawi was also drowned in heavy rainfall in an earlier phase of the storm, killing 59. The lender said the cyclone had damaged the infrastructure corridor connecting the Mozambican port of Beira with Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe,"disrupting regional trade and supplies of fuel, wheat and other goods." The UN has appealed for donations of $282 million (251 million euros) to fund emergency assistance for the next three months. The World Bank called for "global collaboration" as recovery and reconstruction gets underway for poor and vulnerable populations "in the face of climate and disaster risk." str-mgu/ri Georgetown University students have approved the creation of a fund that would benefit the descendants of slaves sold by the Jesuit school in the 1800s Students at Georgetown University have approved a fund that would benefit the descendants of slaves sold by the elite Jesuit school in the 1800s. Creation of the reparations fund was approved in a student referendum and the results were announced late Thursday. The Georgetown University Student Association (GUSA) said 2,541 students voted in favor of the measure while 1,304 opposed it. It would levy a $27.20 fee on students each semester to create a fund for the descendants of 272 slaves sold by the university's Jesuit founders in 1838 to pay off debt. The fund would be the first of its kind in the country. It would be administered by a board made up of students and descendants of the slaves to provide money for the education of descendants and other charitable purposes. The results are not binding on the university, which was founded by Jesuits in 1789 and is located in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington. Todd Olson, the school's vice president for student affairs, said the university "values the engagement of our students." "Our students are contributing to an important national conversation and we share their commitment to addressing Georgetown's history with slavery," Olson said in a statement. "We understand that the goals of the student referendum are to honor the 272 enslaved individuals sold by the Maryland Jesuits in 1838," he said. "There are many approaches that enable our community to respond to the legacies of slavery," Olson said. "This student referendum provides valuable insight into student perspectives and will help guide our continued engagement with students, faculty and staff, members of the descendant community, and the Society of Jesus," he added. The Georgetown referendum comes as Democratic candidates for president debate whether the United States should provide compensation to the descendants of African-American slaves. Barack Obama, America's first black president, and 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton did not support compensation for the descendants of slaves. But several 2020 Democratic hopefuls, including Senator Elizabeth Warren and Julian Castro, the former mayor of San Antonio, have come out strongly in favor of reparations. Georgetown University has an undergraduate enrollment of more than 7,000. Tuition for undergraduates in the 2019 fiscal year is $53,520. Toll: Three people on a motorbike carry a cross for a grave in Ebola-hit North Kivu The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed more than 750 people, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Friday, ahead of a key review on the severity of the epidemic. WHO's latest toll for the outbreak declared in eastern DRC last August came as the agency's International Health Regulations emergency committee was meeting in Geneva. In October that committee held off declaring Ebola in DRC "a public health emergency of international concern," but has decided to review the situation amid a series of worrying developments. As of April 9, nearly 1,200 cases of the virus have been reported in the affected provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, with 751 people dead, the WHO said. The Red Cross has said that transmission is accelerating while Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has warned that the international response is failing to bring the epidemic under control. Poor security owing to the presence of armed groups, coupled with resistance of some communities to seeking treatment, has hampered the fight to stem the spread of the disease. WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told reporters in Geneva on Friday that security concerns, including recent attacks on health facilities, has made it impossible to maintain a sustained response. When health workers are unable to get to communities because of unrest, "no people are being vaccinated, there is no treatment (and) people are staying at home and infecting other people." Factfile on the Ebola virus "Now we see that we are regaining that access and it is normal when you start regaining that access that you start seeing those cases that you have not seen when you didn't have access, and that partially explains the rise in numbers," he said. WHO considers defines a public health emergency of international concern as "an extraordinary event" that poses risks to multiple states and requires "a coordinated international response." This is DRC's 10th outbreak of Ebola in 40 years and is the second worst to date. The deadliest was a 2014 epidemic in West Africa which killed more than 10,000 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Palestinian paramedics carry a wounded protester during a demonstration near the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip on April 12, 2019 A Palestinian teenager was shot dead by the Israeli army Friday during renewed clashes on the Gaza border, the health ministry in the Palestinian enclave said. A ministry spokesman said Maysara Abu Shaloof, 15, was "shot in the stomach by the (Israeli) occupation east of Jabalia," referring to a demonstration site in northern Gaza. At least 48 others were taken to hospital with a variety of injuries from clashes at several spots along the border, the ministry said without elaborating. An Israeli army spokesman told AFP that "approximately 7,400 rioters and demonstrators" took part in various incidents along the frontier. "The rioters were hurling rocks and there were several attempts to breach the security fence," he said. "Troops responded with riot dispersal means and fired in accordance with standard operating procedures." He had no comment on any Palestinian casualties. Palestinians in Gaza have for more than a year gathered at least weekly along the border for often-violent protests, calling on Israel to end its blockade of the enclave. Israel says it is protecting its borders and accuses the Islamist movement Hamas which runs Gaza of orchestrating the protests. An AFP correspondent said Friday's protests were smaller than in the past. At least 264 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed by Israeli forces since the protests began. The majority were killed during clashes, though others were hit by tank fire or air strikes. Two Israeli soldiers have been killed over the same period. Honduran migrants gather in the north of the country at the begining of their march to the United States President Donald Trump said Friday he is seriously considering funnelling detained illegal migrants into the self-declared sanctuary cities that oppose his tough immigration policies. Trump's announcement on Twitter reversed a previous White House assurance that the idea -- criticized as political retribution against cities led by opposition Democrats -- had been dropped. "Due to the fact that Democrats are unwilling to change our very dangerous immigration laws, we are indeed, as reported, giving strong considerations to placing Illegal Immigrants in Sanctuary Cities," Trump said. "The Radical Left always seems to have an Open Borders, Open Arms policy -- so this should make them very happy!" he tweeted. The Washington Post earlier revealed the proposal, which would mark a new flashpoint in the ever growing political divide over immigration. Trump has staked his presidency on his insistence that the United States is being overrun by migrants and asylum seekers. But opponents, mostly in the Democratic Party, say his push for building more walls on the Mexican border and his almost daily denunciations of migrants as dangerous criminals border on racism. Citing homeland security officials and leaked emails, the Post said White House officials first broached the plan in November, asking several agencies whether members of a caravan of migrants could be arrested at the border and then bused "to small- and mid-sized sanctuary cities". Sanctuary cities are places where local authorities -- usually Democratic run -- have refused to hand over illegal immigrants for deportation. The White House told the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) that the plan was intended to alleviate a shortage of detention space, but would also send a message to Democrats, the Post said. The suggested policy was pushed back within ICE, with a top official saying it was rife with concerns and noting "there are PR risks as well". After the White House pressed the issue again earlier this year, ICE rebuffed it as "inappropriate." The Post said a White House official and a spokesman for the department of homeland security said the proposal was no longer under consideration. "This was just a suggestion that was floated and rejected, which ended any further discussion," a White House statement said. One of the centers targeted was the constituency of house speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose office on Thursday blasted the plan. "The extent of this administration's cynicism and cruelty cannot be overstated," said Pelosi spokeswoman Ashley Etienne. "Using human beings -- including little children -- as pawns in their warped game to perpetuate fear and demonize immigrants is despicable." Combating illegal immigration is a central plank of Trump's administration and he has expressed increasing frustration at the influx of migrants from Central America, who he often casts as criminals who threaten US security. The number of immigrant detainees in ICE custody has approached 50,000 in recent months, the Post said, an all-time high that has strained the agency's budget. This picture taken on April 12, 2019 shows a smoke plume from an air strike behind a tank and technicals (pickup trucks mounted with turrets) of forces loyal to Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA), during clashes outside Tripoli. The UN wants the "immediate release" and evacuation of refugees and migrants ensnared in the conflict The United Nations issued an urgent call Friday for the "immediate release" and evacuation of refugees and migrants snared in the Libyan conflict. "More than 1,500 refugees and migrants are believed to be trapped in detention centres where hostilities are raging," the UNHCR warned in a statement. "The risks to their lives are growing by the hour. They must be urgently brought to safety. Simply put, this is a matter of life or death," it quoted UN High Commissioner Filippo Grandi as saying. Militia commander Khalifa Haftar has launched an offensive to take Tripoli from the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), intensifying the crisis in the country riven by divisions since the NATO-backed overthrow of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011. Dozens of people have been killed in the past week and more than 300 have been wounded, according to the World Health Organization. Since the conflict escalated last week, "more than 9,500 people have been forced to flee their homes," the UNHCR statement said. Grandi underscored that migrants caught in the crossfire "are people in the most vulnerable and dangerous of circumstances. They have fled conflict or persecution in their own countries only to be trapped as conflict engulfs them again." He pressed countries to respect legal obligations and support ways of ending the detentions, "including humanitarian corridors to evacuate those most vulnerable out of the country." To date, only 150 such migrants have been relocated, from the Ain Zara detention centre to an evacuation site, the UN body said. Another 728 refused to leave the Qasr Bin Ghasheer facility unless they could be ferried out of Libya, it added. Haftar launched his drive towards Tripoli on April 4, and is now engaged in a stand-off with a force loyal to the GNA lead by Faqez al-Sarraj. Rights groups immediately slammed the decision as a blow for thousands of victims in the long-running conflict The International Criminal Court turned down Friday a request to open a war crimes probe in Afghanistan, with the United States hailing a victory for its strong-armed tactic of revoking the chief prosecutor's visa. Rights groups denounced the judges' decision as a blow for thousands of victims in the long-running Afghan conflict and warned it could embolden perpetrators around the world to act with impunity. "The judges decided that an investigation into the situation in Afghanistan at this stage would not serve the interests of justice," the Hague-based court said in a statement. With its limited budget, the court needs to prioritise resources on "activities that would have a better chance to succeed," the judges said. ICC prosecutors in 2006 opened a preliminary investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Afghanistan since 2003. In 2017, chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda asked judges to allow a full-blown probe not only into the Taliban and Afghan soldiers, but also international forces, particularly US troops and members of the Central Intelligence Agency. Angered, President Donald Trump's administration said it would deny visas to any ICC members involved in probing US troops and, last week, it revoked the visa of the Gambian-born Bensouda. "This is a major international victory, not only for these patriots, but for the rule of law," Trump said in a statement. He vowed not to relent on the pressure, saying: "Any attempt to target American, Israeli or allied personnel for prosecution will be met with a swift and vigorous response." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo highlighted that the decision came after his announcement of the visa restrictions and said: "I am glad the court reconsidered its actions." Bensouda, who says that the United States and Afghanistan have taken no steps to properly investigate alleged crimes, offered a measured response, with her office saying it would "analyse the decision and its implications, and consider all available legal remedies." - Intense US pressure - Bensouda said her office would "analyse the decision and its implications" The United States has never joined the ICC and does not recognise its authority over American citizens, saying it poses a threat to national sovereignty and that it has its own robust procedures in place. While former president Barack Obama cooperated in a limited way with the court, notably supporting efforts for accountability in African conflicts, the Trump administration has been unremittingly hostile and has also threatened to seize funds and prosecute in US courts any judges and prosecutors who target Americans or their allies. In the Afghanistan case, judges said Friday that a large number of victims had come forward: some 699 applicants in total made representations on behalf of "several millions of victims". "Notwithstanding the fact that all the relevant requirements are met as regards both jurisdiction and admissibility," they said, "the current circumstances in Afghanistan... make the prospect of a successful investigation and prosecution extremely limited." The judges pointed to the time that had elapsed since the opening of the preliminary probe more than a decade ago, Afghanistan's changing political scene and the "lack of political cooperation" with Bensouda, which was likely to worsen should an investigation proceed. "In the foreseeable absence of additional resources for the coming years in the court's budget, authorising the investigation would result in the prosecution having to reallocate financial and human resources," the judges said. This would "be to the detriment of other scenarios... which appear to have more realistic prospects to lead to trials and thus effectively foster the interests of justice." - 'Blow for victims' - US President Donald Trump, right, and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have moved to pressure the International Criminal Court against actions involving Americans or allies Human rights groups warned that the decision would have repercussions well beyond Afghanistan. It is "a devastating blow for victims who have suffered grave crimes without redress," said Param-Preet Singh, the international justice associate director of Human Rights Watch. "This sends a dangerous message to perpetrators that they can put themselves beyond the reach of the law just by being uncooperative." The American Civil Liberties Union said that the Trump administration had played "a dangerous game." "It is outrageous that victims of war crimes are far less likely to get justice for well-documented atrocities because of the Trump administration's authoritarian efforts to sabotage an investigation before it even started," said Jamil Dakwar, director of the group's human rights program. "No one except the world's most brutal regimes win when we weaken and sabotage international institutions established to fight impunity and hold human rights abusers accountable." The Yasukuni war shrine honours 2.5 million war dead but also World War II criminals Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sunday sent a ritual offering to the controversial Yasukuni war shrine, seen by Asian neighbours as a symbol of Japan's militarist past. The Tokyo shrine honours 2.5 million war dead but also top World War II criminals and has frequently been a source of sour relations with countries that suffered from Japan's military atrocities. The conservative premier sent a sacred "masakaki" tree at the start of an annual spring festival. "The prime minister, the speakers of the upper and lower houses, and the welfare minister" made offerings, said a shrine spokeswoman. Abe last visited the shrine in December 2013 to mark his first year in power, sparking fury in Beijing and Seoul and earning a diplomatic rebuke from close ally the United States. He has since stayed away however as the leaders of both China and Japan attempt to maintain their improving but delicate relations. Abe, the host of this year's G20 summit, wants Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Japan for the first time as a national leader. China gave only muted reactions to Abe's past offerings of masakaki. Authorities have warned visitors in the past that dingoes are wild animals and need to be treated with caution Australia on Sunday ordered a urgent review into the management of dingoes on a popular tourist island after a spate of attacks by the wild dogs this year. The Queensland state government announced the review three days after a father rescued his toddler from a dingo's jaws. The boy had been dragged from a parked campervan in a remote part of Fraser Island off the Queensland coast. The 14-month-old's skull was fractured and he suffered multiple puncture wounds to his neck and head, his parents told national broadcaster ABC. Queensland's Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch said she was bringing forward a review into dingo management on the island. "The management of dingoes on K'gari (Fraser Island) is complex, and the government is committed to supporting a sustainable and healthy dingo population, while minimising the risks to human safety and dingo welfare," she said in a statement. The number of rangers patrolling the island would be boosted, while more efforts would be made to educate visitors about the dangers of dingoes, Enoch added. The attack on the toddler is the third this year on World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island and a popular tourist destination that attracts up to 400,000 visitors each year. Two dingoes were put down in March after a French mother and son were mauled on the island. In January, a six-year-old boy was attacked as he ran up a dune on the island. Authorities have warned visitors in the past that dingoes are wild animals and need to be treated with caution. Native to Australia, dingoes came under the spotlight with the disappearance of baby Azaria Chamberlain at Uluru, or Ayers Rock, in 1980 for which her mother Lindy was convicted of murder and her father, Michael, of being an accessory. The convictions were overturned in 1988 after the chance discovery of a piece of Azaria's clothing near a dingo lair. A court ruling in 2012 found that a dingo snatched their baby from a tent. The Sri Lankan government imposed a state of emergency which gave police and the military special powers to counter militant strikes Sri Lanka began a day of national mourning Tuesday with three minutes of silence to honour more than 300 people killed in suicide bomb blasts that have been blamed on a local Islamist group. Flags were lowered to half mast on government buildings, and people bowed their heads and reflected silently on the violence that has caused international outrage. The silence began at 8:30 am (0300 GMT), the time that the first of six bombs detonated on Sunday morning, unleashing carnage at high-end hotels and churches packed with Easter worshippers. Shortly after the silence was observed, a police spokesman said the toll had risen to 310, with several people dying of their injuries overnight. The first memorial services for the victims, among them dozens of foreigners, were planned for Tuesday, hours after the government imposed a state of emergency and said an Islamist group was behind the violence. At St Anthony's Shrine in Colombo -- where scores died as they gathered for Easter Sunday prayers -- a crowd of a few dozen people held candles and prayed silently, palms pressed together. Some of them struggled to hold back tears and as the three minutes drew to a close, the crowd began to chant prayers. Maps of Sri Lanka and its capital Colombo, marking the locations of a series of suicide bombings on April 21, 2019 Police said that 40 people were now under arrest over the suicide bomb attacks -- the worst atrocity since Sri Lanka's civil war ended a decade ago. The attacks were also the worst ever against the country's small Christian minority, who make up just seven percent of its population of 21 million. Investigators are now hunting for clues on whether the local Islamist group named as the chief suspect -- National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) -- received "international support", said cabinet minister and government spokesman Rajitha Senaratne. The spokesman added that it was not possible for such "a small organisation" to carry out such well coordinated suicide strikes. President Maithripala Sirisena's office said there was intelligence that "international terror groups" were "behind local terrorists" and that he would seek foreign help to investigate. Priests and relatives carry the coffin of a bomb blast victim after a funeral service at St Sebastian's Church in Negombo The state of emergency, which gave police and the military special powers to counter militant strikes, came into force at midnight (1830 GMT Monday). Suspects can be detained without a court order. A second straight night-time curfew was also put in place, but lifted before dawn. Officials are also investigating why more precautions were not taken after an April 11 warning from Sri Lanka's police that a "foreign intelligence agency" had reported the NTJ planned suicide attacks on churches. Senaratne said the warning was not passed on to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe or other top ministers. - Tensions high - Tensions remained high and security heavy after a bomb discovered by police on Monday near one of the targeted churches blew up before police could defuse it. Although there was a powerful blast, no injuries were reported. Tensions remained high and security heavy after a bomb discovered by police on Monday near one of the targeted churches blew up before police could defuse it Police also found 87 bomb detonators at a Colombo bus station. Details have begun to emerge about some of the foreigners killed in the blasts. The United States reported at least four Americans killed -- including a child -- and the Netherlands raised their toll to three. A Danish billionaire lost three of his children in the attacks, a spokesman for his company said. Eight Britons, eight Indians and nationals from Turkey, Australia, France, Japan and Portugal, were also killed, according to Sri Lankan officials and foreign governments. The churches targeted included St Sebastian's in Negombo, north of the capital The suicide bombers hit three Colombo luxury hotels popular with foreign tourists -- the Cinnamon Grand, the Shangri-La and the Kingsbury -- and three churches: two in the Colombo region and one in the eastern city of Batticaloa. Two additional blasts were triggered as security forces carried out raids searching for suspects. Interpol said it was deploying investigators and specialists to Sri Lanka, and the US State Department warned of possible further attacks in a travel advisory. - Memories of civil war - Ethnic and religious violence has plagued Sri Lanka for decades, with a 37-year conflict with Tamil rebels followed by an upswing in recent years in clashes between the Buddhist majority and Muslims. The attacks were also the worst ever against the country's small Christian minority, who make up just seven percent of its population of 21 million Burials were expected to begin for some of the dead on Tuesday. At St Sebastian's, coffins were being brought in individually for services in the run-up to a mass memorial beginning mid-morning. "There are so many bodies that we can't accommodate them all at once," Anthony Jayakody, auxillary bishop of Colombo, told AFP. The attacks have sparked local and international outrage. Two leading Sri Lankan Muslim groups issued statements condemning the attacks, with the All Ceylon Jamiyaathuul Ulama, a council of Muslim theologians, urging the "maximum punishment for everyone involved in these dastardly acts". Samsung's new Galaxy Fold phones are priced at $1,980 Samsung said Monday it was delaying the launch of its folding smartphone after trouble with handsets sent to reviewers. Some reviewers who got their hands on the Galaxy Fold early reported problems with screens breaking. Samsung said it decided to put off this week's planned release of the Fold after some reviews "showed us how the device needs further improvements." The South Korean consumer electronics giant planned to announce a new release date for the Galaxy Fold in the coming weeks. Initial analysis of reported problems with Galaxy Fold screens showed they could be "associated with impact on the top and bottom exposed areas of the hinge," Samsung said. There was also an instance where unspecified "substances" were found inside a Galaxy Fold smartphone with a troubled display, according to the company. "We will take measures to strengthen the display protection," Samsung said. "We will also enhance the guidance on care and use of the display including the protective layer." A handful of US-based reporters were given the flagship Galaxy Fold phones, priced at $1,980, ahead of the model's official release, and they reported screen issues within days of using the devices. Samsung spent nearly eight years developing the Galaxy Fold, which is part of the leading smartphone maker's strategy to propel growth with groundbreaking gadgets. The company essentially gave reviewers a "beta product" without enough information, such as not to peel off a protective coating meant to be permanent, according to independent technology analyst Rob Enderle. "It was all avoidable for a company the size of Samsung," Enderle said. The failure of a "halo product" meant to showcase innovation and quality could tarnish the brand and send buyers to rivals. "If a halo product fails, people don't trust that you build quality stuff," Enderle said. "It can do incredible damage. And Huawei is moving up like a rocket, so this could be good for Huawei." - Surviving life - Creative Strategies analyst Carolina Milanesi told AFP that a Galaxy Fold she reviewed worked fine, performing even in sometimes messy situations that arise in everyday life. She wondered if some problems with smartphones reviewed were due to dust, moisture or other material getting into handsets through small openings at the tops and bottoms of hinges. "If stuff gets in there, it can make its way under the screen," Milanesi said. "There seems to be a kind of real-life test that maybe didn't occur." Testing folding phones in a lab is a much different scenario than challenging them "in the wild" where they need to endure pockets, handbags, greasy food, spilled coffee and more, the analyst noted. Samsung may also need to do more to convey how folding screens warrant more careful handling than stiff displays that have been improved over generations of smartphones. Milanesi did not expect a slight delay in the launch of the Galaxy Fold to be a major setback for Samsung, saying that the model was unlikely to be a big driver of sales given its price and that services or apps are still being adapted to the new type of smartphone. Samsung smartphones tuned to work with super-speedy fifth-generation telecommunications networks are more important to the company's bottom line on the near horizon, according to the analyst. "It is still early days for 5G, but that is the product that is going to make a difference for Samsung this year," Milanesi said. Samsung is the world's biggest smartphone maker, and earlier this month launched the 5G version of its top-end Galaxy S10 device. - Adding to Samsung woes - Despite the recent announcements about its new high-end devices, Samsung has warned of a more than 60 percent plunge in first-quarter operating profit in the face of weakening markets. The firm is also no stranger to device issues. Its reputation suffered a major blow after a damaging worldwide recall of its Galaxy Note 7 devices over exploding batteries in 2016, which cost the firm billions of dollars and shattered its global brand image. Samsung originally planned to release the Galaxy Fold as scheduled on April 26. While Samsung's device was not the first folding handset, the smartphone giant was expected to help spark demand and potentially revive a sector that has been struggling for new innovations. Other folding devices have been introduced by startup Royole and by Chinese-based Huawei. Samsung Electronics is the flagship subsidiary of Samsung Group, by far the biggest of the family-controlled conglomerates that dominate business in the world's 11th-largest economy, and it is crucial to South Korea's economic health. The company has enjoyed record profits in recent years despite a series of setbacks, including the jailing of its de facto chief. The name Big Boss comes from the restaurants mission, which is to empower and motivate people to be their own big boss. Lee said the graffitied exterior and interior of the restaurant is meant to inspire a sense of creativity and comfort. She knows people who suffer from depression and anxiety, and she wants them to know that when life has them down or they dont see a way out of that dark place, Big Boss will be there to encourage them to be brave and to be their own boss, and will add a kick to their life. Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will "soon" meet in Russia, state media in Pyongyang has confirmed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will "soon" visit Russia for his first summit with President Vladimir Putin, state media reported Tuesday, confirming a Kremlin announcement. Kim "will soon pay a visit to the Russian Federation at the invitation" of Putin, North Korea's official KCNA news service said. "They will have talks during this visit," the brief dispatch added. KCNA did not specify when or where the pair would meet. The Kremlin said last week that the pair would meet in Russia "in the second half of April" but provided no further details. They are expected to meet in the eastern Russian port of Vladivostok, possibly on Wednesday or Thursday. It will be the first summit between the leaders of North Korea and Russia since Kim Jong Il -- the current leader's father -- met with Dmitry Medvedev eight years ago. Russia has relatively warm ties with Pyongyang and provides some food aid, and Putin has long expressed his readiness to meet with the regime leader. Their meeting will come less than two months after talks in Hanoi between Kim and US President Donald Trump -- their second summit -- broke up without reaching agreement on the North's nuclear arsenal. Kim has met Chinese President Xi Jinping four times in the space of a year but is now looking for wider international support in the standoff, analysts say. Moscow has already called for international sanctions on the North to be eased, while the US has accused it of trying to help Pyongyang evade some of the measures -- accusations Russia denies. US presidents are traditionally sworn into office with their left hand placed on a copy of the Bible Around half of Americans favor religion playing a greater role in US society, while 18 percent oppose that idea, according to a Pew Research Center study published Monday. Despite there being a separation of church and state, religion plays a significant part in daily US life: the president traditionally is sworn in using a Bible, while "In God We Trust" is printed on bank notes. France, Sweden and the Netherlands, meanwhile, posted almost opposite results: 47 percent, 51 percent and 45 percent respectively were opposed to religion playing a key role in society. Among the 27 countries surveyed in 2018, France (20 percent) and Japan (15 percent) were the countries with the lowest proportion of citizens favoring strengthening religion's role in society. Indonesia (85 percent), Kenya (74 percent) and Tunisia (69 percent) came out as the countries most in favor of a bigger place for religion. The study did not make a distinction between different religions. In the US, the proportion rose to 61 percent among people aged 50 and over, but dropped to 39 percent among 18 to 29-year-olds. The study was carried out with a representative sample of at least 1,000 people in each country. Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un in Vladivostok While North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is wined and dined with Vladimir Putin in Russia this week, around 10,000 of his citizens will be labouring around the country to earn money for his government. Analysts say Kim is looking to strengthen economic links with Moscow with his nuclear negotiations with Washington deadlocked -- and as he seeks a counterbalance to Beijing, currently Pyongyang's key major ally and vital economic lifeline. The pair are expected to meet in the eastern Russian port of Vladivostok, possibly on Wednesday or Thursday, in the first summit between the leaders of North Korea and Russia since Kim Jong Il met with Dmitry Medvedev eight years ago. Labour is one of the North's key exports and sources of cash. It provides workers under contracts with overseas entities, and rights groups say that the government seizes most of their salaries. Their treatment "falls short of international labour standards", Human Rights Watch said in a 2017 report, "with no right to freedom of association or expression, control by minders who limit freedom of movement and access to information from the outside world, long working hours and no right to refuse overtime". Nonetheless some specialists say the assignments are sought after by North Koreans, as once they have fulfilled their duties they have a chance to earn money for themselves. Russia is Pyongyang's second-biggest customer after China, according to the UN, with North Koreans working in mining, logging, textiles and construction, many of them in the country's far east. Elsewhere, others toil in the Middle East. The situation gives Kim and Putin a shared interest in easing the United Nations Security Council sanctions imposed on the North over its banned nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. Under UNSC Resolution 2397, approved in December 2017, "Member States shall repatriate to the DPRK all DPRK nationals earning income in that Member State's jurisdiction... no later than 24 months from the date of adoption of this resolution". In a submission to UN sanctions officials, Russia said the number of North Koreans with valid work permits in the country had fallen by nearly two-thirds in 2018, from just over 30,000 to 11,490. Last week, Pyongyang officials asked Moscow to continue to employ North Korean workers even after the deadline, specialist outlet NK News reported. A UN report said Russian-based firms were continuing ship-to-ship transfers of oil with North Korean vessels, one of the ways Pyongyang seeks to circumvent restrictions on oil. Russia has already called for sanctions to be eased and Ahn Chan-il, a North Korean defector and researcher in Seoul, told AFP: "Moscow probably has long-term plans and goals. "What's most important is having full access to the North's cheap labour, on top of its mineral resources, if ever the existing sanctions are lifted and the North reduces the size of its army thereafter." Immediate sanctions relief was a major demand of the cash-strapped North's when Kim met US President Donald Trump in February for a second summit that ultimately broke down in disagreement over what Pyongyang was prepared to give up in return. - Coal trade - North Korea, which holds most of the peninsula's raw material reserves, was once wealthier than the South, but decades of mismanagement and the demise of its former paymaster the Soviet Union have left it deeply impoverished. China is by far its biggest business partner, accounting for more than 90 percent of its trade according to estimates. North Korean physical exports to Russia were worth just $1.98 million last year, according to International Trade Centre statistics, with musical instruments representing more than 70 percent of it. In the other direction, the North imported $21.6 million-worth of mineral fuels and oil from Russia, out of total imports of $32.1 million. But before the UN started to impose broader sectoral sanctions on the North in 2017, targeting its mineral and foodstuff exports and textile trade, Pyongyang and Moscow had been pursuing a number of joint economic projects. They included restoring and expanding the 54-kilometre railway between the North Korean port of Rajin and Khasan in Russia. Russia already exports coal by sea to China via Rajin -- a business that is specifically exempted from UN sanctions. Moscow has long had its eye on shipping more of its vast hydrocarbon reserves via the Korean peninsula to China and the energy-hungry but resource-poor economies of Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. In 2011, Kim's father Kim Jong Il travelled to Siberia and discussed gas pipeline and power line projects with then Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. Kim died three months after the trip, and no significant progress has been made on the projects. "Russia is in no hurry," said analyst Ahn. "But it is also well aware that if an inter-Korean railway is built and it also somehow gets connected to Russia, they know it will bring development to its underpopulated regions such as Siberia." Falungong members would once congregate in parks in large numbers to practice 'qigong' meditation. Now they meet behind closed doors for fear of repercussions Sitting lotus-style on an apartment floor, two women quietly rotate their arms in front of them -- a rare sight in China where public displays of Falungong meditation have all but disappeared. It is a shadow of the spiritual movement's heyday in China, where the group once boasted more than 70 million followers before it was outlawed in 1999, giving police carte blanche to persecute members. But 20 years on, the group has remained stubbornly persistent, even as practitioners in mainland China continue to face arrests and torture, according to rights groups. Before the crackdown, Falungong members would congregate in parks in large numbers to practise "qigong" meditation. Now they do their slow movement exercises behind closed doors. "It doesn't matter how the Communist Party suppresses (Falungong), I don't think about it too much," one of the women, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the topic, told AFP. "I just do what I want to do," she said. Falungong, which emphasises moral teachings, was once encouraged by Chinese authorities to ease the burden on a creaky health system after it was unveiled in 1992 by Li Hongzhi, who emigrated to the US four years later. But after over 10,000 Falungong members surrounded Communist Party headquarters in central Beijing on April 25, 1999, to protest the detention of some of their members, the government leapt into action. Falungong, which emphasises moral teachings, was once encouraged by Chinese authorities Then-president Jiang Zemin issued orders to eliminate the group, which was later declared an "evil cult" -- a tactic to justify the repression, scholars say. Top officials "see Falungong, first and foremost, as an ideological and political threat", Maria Cheung, a University of Manitoba professor who has researched the movement, told AFP. The demonstration had been the biggest protest in Beijing since the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy sit-in in 1989. - 'Flesh and blood' - Following the protest, Chinese authorities launched a special security bureau known as the "610 office" to suppress and monitor Falungong followers. Practitioners and rights groups have also reported death, torture, and abuse at labour camps. One woman from northern China recounted a traumatic period when her father was pressured by local authorities to beat his younger sister, who was a "very resolute practitioner of Falungong". He was "forced to break his own flesh and blood, resulting in my aunt hating her own brother for many years," she told AFP, shuddering with tears. David Ownby, a history professor at the University of Montreal who has studied Falungong, said cults emerge in China because the officially atheist state has successfully kept traditional religions weak. While Falungong survives underground in mainland China, it has swelled among the Chinese diaspora, as followers have fled overseas in search of asylum "That means that part of the market is open to groups that are not sanctioned," he said. "That is the basic paradox at the heart of the religion policy." A Falungong follower in China, who joined in 2010, told AFP that her dissatisfaction with society and family life turned her towards the spiritual movement. "I thought that maybe a bit of (religious) faith would make me better," she said, adding that she had also been exposed to Buddhism. While Falungong survives underground in mainland China, it has swelled among the Chinese diaspora, as followers have fled overseas in search of asylum. Falungong is practised in over 70 countries, according to Falun Dafa Info Centre, the group's press office. The movement has also turned "hard-edged" over the years, said Ownby, with some academics reporting harassment for calling Falungong a sect or cult. Levi Browde, the centre's executive director, said he believes if harassment has occurred, it is simply an effort by Falungong practitioners "to provide more information to the scholars". - More political stance - It is about "making sure we're not adding momentum to the wave of violence and death that engulfs the lives of Falungong practitioners throughout China", he said. The spiritual movement has also adopted a more political stance in some parts of the world. In Hong Kong, where Falungong activists hand out flyers and try to talk to people -- especially mainland tourists -- the movement has taken on a stridently anti-communist tone. More than 900 Falungong followers were sentenced to prison between January 2013 and June 2016, according to a 2017 report by US-based Freedom House One key slogan, seen on banners and blared through loudspeakers is: "The heavens will destroy the Chinese Communist Party". Zhang Yucheng, a 76-year-old Falungong member who distributes the anti-communism newspaper The Epoch Times to passers-by in Hong Kong, said he did not join the spiritual movement to be a dissident. "I was a Chinese Communist Party member," he said. But when the party decided to "fight against Falungong and started to tell lies", he felt he was left with no choice. "If one continues to tell the truth, they will end up like me, expelled from the party," Zhang added. Beijing's efforts to eliminate Falungong and other groups it deems heretical show no sign of abating, with dedicated "cult prevention and handling" departments active around the country. More than 900 Falungong followers were sentenced to prison between January 2013 and June 2016, according to a 2017 report by US-based Freedom House. This year, posters appeared on public walls in Beijing warning people against cults, with the message: "wipe your eyes and stay awake". The government is "calm on the surface but controlling underneath" said the Falungong follower from northern China. "I don't think they have loosened up." "Whether it's wire-tapping or contacting you time and again," she said, "they still want to control". ewx-burs/lth/fox/jah President Felix Tshisekedi has largely failed to exert his authority, hamstrung by a parliament and local officials in the sway of former leader Joseph Kabila Before his disputed electoral victory in December, DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi promised the people of troubled North Kivu province that he would crack down on rebel and militia groups that terrorise the region. But three months after taking power in a vote mired by fraud allegations, Tshisekedi has struggled to take decisive action. Hamstrung by a parliament and local officials in the sway of former president Joseph Kabila, Tshisekedi has largely failed to exert his authority and combat the vast country's daunting problems. Last week, he issued a strong statement, saying: "I have warned all those actors who manipulate armed groups. The law will apply to them with full force." "All those who are arrested, irrespective of whether they are national or provincial lawmakers, will be brought to justice. And will be sentenced for complicity in killings." But so far it's been mainly words and little action. North Kivu, bordering Lake Kivu and rich in minerals, is one of the regions worst afflicted by violent groups competing for its resources. "With peace everything will be fine, with peace there will be money. With peace, there will be work," said Manasse Mutabesha, a demobilised soldier, as Tshisekedi arrived in the regional capital Goma last week as part of his first tour of the country. At a meeting of a security council including senior military and intelligence officials, the president was told about a recent outbreak of attacks in Goma. "Armed people enter Goma and kill peaceful citizens without being worried by the police or the army," acting Interior Minister Basile Olongo said in the minutes of the meeting. Tshisekedi issued a warning that "crooked politicians" with links to armed groups would not be tolerated, the minister said. - Need to 'strengthen' - Replacing Kabila, who wielded power for 18 turbulent years, at the helm of sub-Saharan Africa's biggest country was always going to be a huge challenge. DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi spoke to people in Beni Tshisekedi, sworn in on January 24, has faced numerous complicating factors. Kabila's Common Front for Congo (FCC) coalition has comfortable majorities in both houses of parliament as well as provincial assemblies. Kabila supporters recently swept gubernatorial elections. Tshisekedi is yet to form a government and is largely working with Kabila's former ministers or intermediaries. Attempts to form a coalition are being closely watched by observers for signs Kabila will continue to maintain a grip on the nation's politics. As the months' pass, the lack of certainty has not helped the unstable security situation in parts of the country. In the city of Beni, the epicentre of a near nine-month-old Ebola outbreak and also in North Kivu province, a notorious militia continues to operate. The ADF, a shadowy Islamist-rooted group that rose in western Uganda in 1995, is active in the border area along with other armed militias. It has been blamed for recruiting and using child soldiers and killing hundreds of civilians since 2014, as well as 22 UN peacekeepers. Alongside officials and military personnel, last week President Felix Tshisekedi visited wounded soldiers at a military clinic at Beni General Hospital The president must strengthen the supervision of "the army, the police, the national intelligence agency," said a spokesman for Beni residents, Janvier Kasairyo. Standing alongside officials and military personnel, last week Tshisekedi visited wounded soldiers at a military clinic at Beni General Hospital. It was a show of support for the army and medical staff, who in recent months have become targets themselves. Last week a World Health Organization doctor was shot dead by local armed militiamen in an attack on a hospital in the nearby city of Butembo -- the latest in a string of assaults on hospital staff. For Tshisekedi, it was a reminder of the immense security challenges he must deal with. The UN last month urged him to act quickly. "The Congolese people's expectations are huge and it is crucial that they not be left waiting for too long, or be disappointed," UN envoy Leila Zerrougui told the Security Council. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) envisages massive investments in maritime, road and rail projects across 65 countries President Xi Jinping will lead a hard sales push at a Beijing summit this week, to corral more countries into a global infrastructure project at the core of China's superpower ambitions and win over those who see a strategic threat. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) envisages massive investments in maritime, road and rail projects across 65 countries from Asia to Europe and Africa that collectively account for 30 percent of global GDP. If fully realised, it could shape the world economic and geopolitical landscape for decades to come. But its scope and ambition have divided Europe, while US officials have called it a "vanity project", and detractors have warned that it is laden with debt risks and opaque deals favouring Chinese firms and labour. Despite the criticism, momentum appears to be on Xi's side, with leaders from 37 countries flocking to Beijing for the three-day summit beginning Thursday. It's the second such event, with an inaugural 2017 summit bringing 29 leaders together. - Italy breaks ranks - China added a key nation to its Belt and Road roster when Italy became the first G7 member to sign on to the project last month. Despite some criticism, momentum appears to be on Xi Jinping's side, with leaders from 37 countries flocking to Beijing for the three-day summit Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte will participate in the summit and Switzerland appears set to sign on with President Ueli Maurer flying to Beijing. Russian President Vladimir Putin and other leaders from Europe, Asia and Africa will also attend, but major EU nations are sending ministers and the United States said it would not have a high-level delegation. Since Xi launched Belt and Road in 2013, China has invested $90 billion in projects while banks have provided between $200 billion and $300 billion in loans, according to Xiao Weiming, a Chinese government official overseeing Belt and Road. Examples of debt trouble abound. Sri Lanka turned over a deep-sea port to China for 99-years after it was unable to repay loans. Pakistan needs an international bailout. And Montenegro has had to make difficult choices after taking on crushing Chinese debt to pay a Chinese company to build a new highway. It has also become an election issue in some countries. Chinese officials say the projects foster development in poor countries and Xiao dismissed "debt trap" warnings as repeating "the same old tune". Foreign Minister Wang Yi denied last week that the project was a "geopolitical tool", though he admitted that "jointly building the Belt and Road is a developing process, it won't happen overnight, and there will inevitably be some troubles." Italy rolled out a red carpet for Xi Jinping in Rome last month and signed a memorandum of understanding on the Belt and Road, with Beijing planning to invest in Italian ports. The NATO member country's ascension drew consternation in Brussels and Washington, and even within the leadership of Rome's ruling coalition -- Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said Italy would be "no-one's colony". - Pushback - For China, the initiative is both a practical solution to economic issues at home and a way to expand its global influence -- a key concern for Xi, who frequently trumpets the goal of a "great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation". For China, the Belt and Road Initiative is both a practical solution to economic issues at home and a way to expand its global influence It "alleviates a lot of the built up excess industrial capacity that results from the Chinese economic model," said James Bowen of the Perth US-Asia Center. "Chinese workers need jobs and China has materials that need to be exported and built out in other countries rather than in China." The World Bank estimates that Belt and Road funded infrastructure could marginally boost trade and officials there say it is offering funding in areas where it is sorely needed. But the money comes as loans instead of aid, requiring countries to pay China back for the massive projects its companies and people build. Pushing back has proved a successful election issue in Asia, including in Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Malaysia, as the trademark infrastructure push is used to whip up fears about eroding sovereignty. In the Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih claimed victory last year on the back of an anti-corruption campaign targeting the opaque deals with Beijing and "China's colonialism". Opposition candidates in Sri Lanka and Malaysia similarly wielded the debt laden deals to victory. The new Malaysian prime minister cancelled some and renegotiated a rail project cutting 30 percent off the price tag. Reporters Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, have been behind bars since their arrest in December 2017 under the Official Secrets Act Myanmar's Supreme Court rejected the latest appeal Tuesday by two Pulitzer-prize winning Reuters journalists who were jailed for seven years on charges linked to their reporting on the Rohingya crisis, as hopes now turn to a presidential pardon. Reporters Wa Lone, 33, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 29, have been behind bars since their arrest in December 2017 under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. They were convicted of possessing classified documents relating to security operations in Rakhine during a brutal military crackdown against Rohingya Muslims that forced some 740,000 to flee over the border into Bangladesh. The initial ruling in September was upheld by the Yangon High Court in January. On Tuesday, the reporters were not at the Supreme Court in the capital Naypyidaw to hear the ruling that once again went against them. Under Myanmar's judicial system, the Reuters journalists could take their appeal back to the Supreme Court judges twice more, but it is unclear whether they will try this option or if they will pin all their hopes on a pardon. "Our appeal was rejected," Khin Maung Zaw told AFP. "They upheld the ruling of the lower court." The Reuters jounalists were convicted of possessing classified documents relating to security operations in Rakhine He added that the reporters had indicated they did not want to continue with the legal process but a final decision had not yet been made. Both of the journalists' wives were at the Supreme Court for the ruling and spoke side-by-side to reporters afterwards. "I'm very upset by the Supreme Court's decision," said Chit Su Win, wife of Kyaw Soe Oo, visibly fighting back tears. "We really hoped our husbands would be released but it hasn't happened." Supporters believe the pair were punished for investigating a massacre of 10 Rohingya in Myanmar's western Rakhine state in September 2017. The story earned the team the Pulitzer, one of the top honours in journalism. Myanmar's armed forces insist the brutal campaign in Rakhine was justified as a means to root out Rohingya militants. But soldiers involved in the massacre investigated by Reuters were jailed. The case against the journalists has become a cause celebre for press freedom. Prominent rights attorney Amal Clooney joined the legal team, and Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were featured on the cover of TIME magazine. But despite global outcry the two remain in Yangon's Insein prison. Both of the journalists' wives were at the Supreme Court for the ruling and spoke side-by-side to reporters afterwards Rights groups and legal experts say the case against the Reuters reporters was riddled with irregularities. A whistleblowing police officer testified during their trial that his superior had ordered his team to trap the reporters in a sting -- testimony the judge chose to ignore. Officer Moe Yan Naing was initially called as a prosecution witness before breaking ranks in court. "Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo did not commit any crime, nor was there any proof that they did," Reuters Chief Counsel Gail Gove said in a statement following Tuesday's ruling. "Instead, they were victims of a police set-up to silence their truthful reporting. We will continue to do all we can to free them as soon as possible." Rights groups have urged Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi to use her influence to secure this, but she has so far refused to intervene. The Tuesday ruling prompted swift condemnation from rights groups, the UN and the US. "The court decision is very disappointing -- it's a hopeless situation for the two journalists and for freedom of speech," said Maung Saungkha, founder of local rights group Athan. The Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights said they were "appalled" by the ruling, while the US embassy in Myanmar said "journalism, satire, peaceful protest, and other forms of legitimate expression should not be crimes in a democratic society." The 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck northwest of Manila on Monday Philippine rescuers raced Tuesday to reach some two dozen people still feared buried under a building near Manila that collapsed a day earlier in a deadly earthquake, as a powerful second tremor hit the nation. The US Geological Survey put the second quake -- on the central island of Samar -- at 6.4 magnitude, stronger than the one that wrought significant damage Monday near the capital in the north. The latest quake sent terrified locals fleeing into the streets, with the authorities reporting 10 injuries -- mostly from falling objects and one person who panicked and injured a leg jumping off a building. "No one started crying, but of course some panicked because it was really strong," said Rey Estrobo, a supervisor at a hotel in Borongan town, near the epicentre. Philippines quakes At the same time, the toll in Monday's quake rose to 16, with most of the fatalities in the worst-hit northern province of Pampanga, national disaster officials said. More than 100 others were injured by falling rubble on Monday, including in Manila, according to police. However, initial reports indicated relatively minor destruction in Samar given the strength of Tuesday's quake, which could be down to differences in ground composition. "The damage is more pronounced if the houses and buildings are built on a foundation of soft soil," seismologist Myla Advincula told AFP, referring to Pampanga's soft sediment. "It enhances the shaking effect." "We're thankful we avoided serious damage compared to Pampanga," regional civil defence chief Henry Torres said, adding damage in Samar was limited to road and building cracks, a collapsed church wall, and a brief power outage. Scores of rescuers in the northern town of Porac spent Tuesday using cranes and jackhammers to peel back the pancaked concrete structure of a four-storey market building where the Red Cross said 24 people were unaccounted for. "Every minute, every second is critical in this rescue," Cris Palcis, a volunteer rescue dog handler, told AFP. "Time is short for the people under the rubble so we have to be quick." The 18th century belfry of the Saint Catherine of Alexandria church in Porac collapsed in the quake Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda told journalists that rescuers could still hear at least one person trapped beneath the rubble, and were digging delicately to avoid accidentally crushing the survivor. Rogelio Pacelo was shopping with his wife and child when the market building collapsed around them, but incredibly they made it out, almost without a scratch. "I thought this only happens in movies. I thought that was the end of the world, it's our end," he told journalists. "I looked for a way out." The quake also damaged several centuries-old churches which were crowded with worshippers in recent days as the majority-Catholic Philippines marked the Easter holiday. - 'Ring of Fire' - Porac-based Father Roland Moraleja said the 18th-century belfry of the Saint Catherine of Alexandria church collapsed in the quake. The quake also damaged several centuries-old churches which were crowded with worshippers in recent days as the majority-Catholic Philippines marked the Easter holiday "It was the only part left from the old church," he told AFP. "The historical value is now gone, but we are hopeful that it will rise again." High-rise buildings in the capital swayed after the tremor struck Monday evening, leaving some with large cracks in their walls. Thousands of travellers were stranded after aviation authorities shut down the secondary Clark Airport, which is located on the site of the former US military installation that lies about an hour's drive north of the capital. It was still closed on Tuesday as officials assessed the heavy damage to the terminal building and some cracking on the air traffic control tower. Monday's quake was centred on the town of Castillejos, about 100 kilometres (62 miles) northwest of Manila, local geologists said. Seismologists put the tremor at 6.3 initially, but subsequently downgraded it to a 6.1 magnitude. The Philippines is in the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches from quake-prone Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin. At least 321 people were killed after suicide bomb blasts ripped through three hotels and three churches as worshippers attended Easter services Devastated relatives collapsed into the arms of bystanders at memorial services Tuesday, as Sri Lanka began burying victims of deadly weekend suicide blasts that claimed over 320 lives. "We haven't felt this sad since the war," said 36-year-old Rashmi Fernando, referring to the civil conflict that ravaged the country until a decade ago. "I lost three cousins in the attack and another one is in ICU," said Fernando, who was attending a service at the heavily damaged St Sebastian's Church in Negombo with her daughters, aged three and eight. "We're here to pay our respects and pray that my injured cousin will recover." At least 321 people were killed by suicide bomb blasts on Sunday that ripped through three hotels and three churches as worshippers attended Easter services. On Tuesday, they were remembered with three minutes of silence that started at 8:30 am (0300 GMT), when the first of the bombs detonated. A steady stream of coffins were brought into St Sebastian's Church in Negombo as relatives looked on Inside St Sebastian's, evidence of the blast was everywhere, with shattered religious statues and smashed pews littering the floor. Services were held in the grounds, where more than a thousand people gathered by mid-morning to remember the victims. The atmosphere was heavy with grief. As the first flower-topped coffin containing the body of a woman was brought in, her elderly husband wept uncontrollably. - Numbered crosses - Some 22 people had been buried in separate coffins by midday Tuesday, laid to rest side-by-side in a sandy patch of church land. Around a dozen cemetery workers and three mechanical diggers toiled tirelessly in the hot sun, excavating more graves for the bodies to come. Against a wall were stacked three crosses, numbered 23, 24, and 25. "We're expecting around 30 bodies to come today," Father Suranga Warnakulasuriya, 32, told AFP. "The situation is so bad. Yesterday I went to a house and there were seven bodies. As a Catholic priest, I have not experienced this kind of situation in my lifetime." Bhashina Kularathna, 16, and her four siblings placed lit candles on top of some of the graves. "We don't know who is buried here but they are all our brothers and sisters," she told AFP. More people are believed to have died in the blast at St Sebastian's than at any of the five other attack sites, with the local hospital receiving more than 100 bodies. - 'It's beyond words' - Memorial services were also held at St Anthony's Shrine in Colombo, also targeted Sunday. Security was tight after another explosive found by police detonated near the church before the bomb squad could defuse it. Black and white banners were hung along the street leading to the church, a symbol of mourning in Sri Lanka. Sadhurshrini Sivakumar, a 16-year-old schoolgirl, said she had come to pay tribute to the victims. A Hindu, she visited the church often because it is near her house. "I liked going to the church, I found it relaxing," she said. "Being here, I feel very sad," she added, "I feel afraid living so nearby." Father Jude Fernando, the church's chief priest for the last five years, was at the scene when the blast happened. "It's beyond words to explain what happened," he said. "It's the first time I heard a sound like that. I saw people screaming, injured, bodies (on the ground)." He said the church had suffered extensive damage and no one would be allowed inside for now. "I urge people to continue to pray," he said. "What we lost we can't get back." Duc Anh played a leading role in the invasion of Cambodia which toppled Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge regime General Le Duc Anh, a Communist party hardliner and former Vietnamese president who led the invasion of Cambodia which led to the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime, has died aged 99. Duc Anh, who was born in 1920, spent much of his life in southern Vietnam, where he joined the communist war effort against the French and then the United States. Duc Anh passed away late Monday "following a long illness," the government and state media announced. He served as president between 1992-1997, championing the continued primacy of the Communist party as Vietnam embarked on sweeping market reforms that spurred remarkable economic growth. In 1995 he became the first Vietnamese head of state to set foot on US soil after the Vietnam War when he attended the 50th anniversary of the United Nations in New York. Educated in the former Soviet Union and blind in one eye, he held various military posts during the Vietnam War. He was one of the "liberators of Saigon" as deputy commander of the offensive that toppled the US-backed South Vietnamese government. He is best remembered for playing a commanding role in the invasion of Cambodia that drove Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge out of Phnom Penh in 1978, earning him the nickname "Tiger of Cambodia". "At the time, the Khmer Rouge had plans to fight their way to Saigon," he told Vietnamese media in 2009. "Without our support... how would the Cambodians have risen up to liberate their own country?" he added. A state funeral is expected to be held for him. Robert Garvey, who studied the art of pizza making for more than 20 years, was a pizza legend before he ever opened a restaurant. He and his wife, Dana Hokin, hosted private pizza parties in their home (many in support of local charities) before finally opening a tiny, 50-seat pizzeria in Streeterville in April 2016 (at the time, I called it a savory slice of pizza heaven). A dispute with the spaces leaseholders in June 2017 led to Garvey being locked out of his own restaurant; it took the couple more than a year to find this location, and 10 months for the build-out. Japan has been on the receiving end of harsh rhetoric from North Korea - and missiles Japan on Tuesday dropped the push to apply "maximum pressure" on North Korea from its official foreign policy, an apparent softening of Tokyo's position as major powers engage with Pyongyang. In last year's "Diplomatic Bluebook", published when tensions on the Korean peninsula were soaring, Japan said it was coordinating efforts with its allies to "maximise pressure on North Korea by all available means." But this language was dropped from this year's edition, drawn up after diplomats had "taken comprehensively into account the latest developments surrounding North Korea", according to chief government spokesman Yoshihide Suga. "There have been major developments in the situation surrounding North Korea in light of events such as the US-North Korea summits in June last year and February," Suga told reporters. Abe, seen as a foreign policy hawk, has also softened his rhetoric towards North Korea, frequently offering to meet leader Kim Jong Un to negotiate the decades-old issue of Japanese civilians kidnapped by the North. "Japan seeks to normalise its relations with North Korea by comprehensively resolving outstanding issues of concern such as the abductions, nuclear and missile issues as well as settling an unfortunate past," Suga said. Tokyo has been one of the most hawkish of the major powers on North Korea and has been on the receiving end of some of Pyongyang's harshest rhetoric -- as well as missiles launched over its territory. Until late 2017, North Korea repeatedly tested missiles that flew towards or over Japan, sparking warnings blared out on loudspeakers and stoking calls for a tough stance against Pyongyang. However, Japan now finds itself battling to keep itself relevant in the fast-moving North Korea issue as Kim expands his diplomatic circle. Kim is now preparing for talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, after multiple meetings with US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and South Korean leader Moon Jae-in. Abe will soon meet Trump at the White House where the issue of North Korea is bound to be on the table. War-hit Syria has reopened its airspace to Qatar Airways Syria's government has agreed to allow planes from regional aviation giant Qatar Airways to fly over the country after eight years of conflict kept its planes at bay. "Transport Minister Ali Hammoud has agreed to allow Qatar Airways to cross Syrian airspace, based on a request from the Qatari civil aviation authority," the ministry said late Monday in a statement. Most airlines stopped flying over Syria after war broke out in 2011, instead taking longer routes to circumvent the war zone. But the conflict has largely wound down in recent years, after major regime advances against rebels and jihadists with Russian military backing since 2015. "The agreement came on the principle of reciprocity, as SyrianAir crosses Qatari airspace and never stopped flying to Doha throughout the war," it said. The use of Syrian airspace would see "increased revenues in hard currency for the benefit of the Syrian state", it added. Qatar, a small Gulf state that has traditionally supported the Syrian opposition, suspended its ties with Damascus after the war broke out. Syria was suspended from the Arab League in November 2011, as the death toll was escalating and several regional powers bet on President Bashar al-Assad's demise. But his regime today controls almost 60 percent of the country. Fellow Gulf states the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have reopened their missions in Damascus. A high-ranking Iraqi official told AFP last year that Baghdad was helping to mediate a restoration of ties between Damascus and Doha. But Qatar, a country in a bitter feud with its Gulf neighbours, in January ruled out the possibility of re-opening an embassy in the Syrian capital. Issad Rebrab is listed by Forbes magazine as Algeria's richest man Algeria's richest man Issad Rebrab has been detained in jail on the public prosecutor's orders, state media reported Tuesday a day after his arrest as part of a corruption probe. The crackdown on alleged graft follows the resignation of veteran president Abdelaziz Bouteflika in early April after weeks of mass protests against his 20-year rule. Rebrab, the 74-year-old chief executive of Algeria's biggest privately-owned conglomerate Cevital, was placed in detention overnight according to the APS news agency. Forbes magazine lists Rebrab as Algeria's richest man and the sixth-wealthiest in Africa, with a net worth of $3.38 billion in 2019. He is "suspected of having made fake statements concerning the transfer of funds to and from abroad," APS reported. He is also suspected of having imported "used equipment" despite enjoying tax and customs breaks made available by authorities for the purchase of new material. Earlier on Monday, Rebrab tweeted that he had gone voluntarily to a police station to discuss "equipment that has been held up at the Algiers port since June 2018". Cevital, which he founded, employs 12,000 people and is active in electronics, steel and food, and in recent years acquired businesses in France. According to Forbes, Cevital also owns one of the largest sugar refineries in the world with the capacity to produce two million tonnes a year. Japan scores poorly on passive smoking, according to the WHO A Japanese university has stopped hiring professors and teachers who light up, officials said Tuesday, as the nation steps up an anti-smoking campaign ahead of the 2020 Olympics. Nagasaki University spokesman Yusuke Takakura told AFP they have "stopped hiring any teaching staff who smoke", although applicants who promise to kick the habit before taking up their post could still be offered employment. The university will also ban smoking entirely on campus from August, opening a clinic for those who cannot give up, said Takakura. "We have reached a conclusion that smokers are not fit for the education sector," the spokesman said, adding that the university had sought legal advice and does not believe the policy contravenes discrimination laws. Local media said it was the first state-run university to introduce such a condition of employment and the move comes after Tokyo's city government passed strict new anti-smoking rules last year ahead of the 2020 Summer Games. Japan has long been an outlier in the developed world, considered a smoker's paradise where lighting up is allowed in many restaurants and bars. Tokyo's new laws ban lighting up at restaurants in the capital, regardless of size. Restaurants can set up separate indoor smoking areas, but customers cannot eat or drink there. Smoking is also banned entirely on school premises from kindergartens to high schools, although space can be set aside outside university and hospital buildings. The World Health Organization has given Japan its lowest rating for efforts to prevent passive smoking, and it even scores poorly in the region compared with countries like China and South Korea. Despite that, tobacco use in Japan has been falling in line with a broader global trend. In the dusty streets of deposed Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir's hometown of Hosh Bannaga residents say it was time for the veteran leader to go Residents of deposed Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir's home village are still coming to terms with his ouster, but most agree that the time had come for him to go. "I'm from his village and I did not benefit from his rule," said Mohamedali Abdel Hamid, a farmer from Hosh Bannaga dressed in a traditional Sudanese robe. The village, on the Nile some 170 kilometres (105 miles) north of Khartoum, was Bashir's childhood home. He was born there on New Year's Day 1944. "Only his family relatives benefitted" from his rule, Hamid told an AFP correspondent who visited the village. "They have cars, farms and cows, but we did not benefit. I don't feel sad that he is gone." In power for three decades, 75-year-old Bashir was ousted on April 11 by the army after months of protests against his iron-fisted rule. A career soldier, he swept to power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989, toppling the elected government of prime minister Sadiq al-Mahdi, who is now chief of Sudan's main opposition National Umma Party and part of the protest movement. One of Africa's longest-serving presidents, Bashir was renowned for his populist touch, insisting on being close to crowds and addressing them in colloquial Sudanese Arabic. But his fate was sealed when the army bowed to the demands of tens of thousands of protesters in Khartoum and elsewhere, nearly four months into demonstrations sparked by a tripling of bread prices. The protests have not extended to Hosh Bannaga's sand strewn streets. But Naseer Ibrahim, another villager, was glad to see the back of Bashir. "Look at the condition of the village -- even the school where he studied was rebuilt only last year after a child fell into a toilet," he said. - '30 years are enough' - Unlike the mud houses of Hosh Bannaga, Bashir's home is a large well-built structure with an internal courtyard Most homes in Hosh Bannaga are made from mud, but Bashir's family residence -- an extended one-storey building with a courtyard -- is one of the village's few well built structures. Most streets amount to sand tracks, while a single road connects the village to the highway leading to Khartoum. Hosh Bannaga has a hospital that provides medical aid to nearby villages, but part of it is still under construction. The village has a community centre for women and children set up by Bashir's first wife, Fatima Khalid. In the scorching heat of the afternoon, most people stay indoors. The village has a small market that sells locally grown vegetables. Located not far from Sudan's famed Meroe pyramids, archaeological relics have often been uncovered around Hosh Bannaga. Ibrahim, who said he is related to Bashir, stated that the longtime leader led a "normal life". "He ate what we all ate. When he used to come for social occasions, he sat with us and talked about his memories from the village," he said. Sudanese protesters have rallied for weeks outside army headquarters in Khartoum and are demanding a civilian government after the ouster of veteran president Omar al-Bashir Bashir "is not corrupt," Ibrahim contended, but as president was responsible for an entourage that was corrupt. "For this (reason) I believe that 30 years is enough" for him to have served in power, Ibrahim added. - 'He deserved to go' - But there are some who were sad to see Bashir go, including Mahmoud Issa. "Yes, there is an economic crisis and people are unable to get essential items, but it is because of the wars," Issa said. Bashir's presidency was marred by several conflicts, including a 1983 to 2005 war that left hundreds of thousands dead and culminated in secession by South Sudan in 2011. A separate deadly conflict also erupted in the western region of Darfur in 2003 when marginalised ethnic rebels took up arms against the Arab-dominated government. In 2011 conflict also broke out in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states between government forces and rebels. "He was forced into these wars, because if you want to preserve the country's unity, you have to use force," Issa ventured. Residents in Omar al-Bashir's hometown say no one benefitted from the 30-year rule of the deposed Sudanese leader except for his family But young villagers like Mohamed, who gave only his first name, were not convinced by Issa's argument. "I believe he deserved to go because he sheltered corrupt people," he said. "We didn't have any protests in Hosh Bannaga ... but if we had one, I would have taken part," added Mohamed. And to reinforce his point, he flashed a "V" for victory sign and yelled "Just fall, that's all," -- a clarion call of the protest movement that finally toppled Hosh Bannaga's most famous son. Members of the New People's Army detonated bombs in a pre-dawn ambush of Philippine soldiers Communist guerillas killed six Philippine soldiers and wounded six others on Tuesday, the military said, in one of the deadliest recent attacks in the country's 50-year-old Maoist insurgency. Members of the New People's Army (NPA) detonated bombs in a pre-dawn ambush of soldiers marching through a mountainous area of central Samar island, triggering a four-hour firefight. "Our troops had received a report that NPA forces were extorting money from residents and so they went there to take action," said regional military spokesman Captain Reynaldo Aragones. Rebel casualties had not been determined, but Colonel Ramon Zagala confirmed the soldiers' deaths to AFP. The 4,000-strong NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has waged a guerrilla campaign that has killed up to 40,000 people since 1969. It marked the 50th anniversary of its founding in March with an assault on a police station that killed three rebels and wounded two police officers. NPA units rarely engage large military units in big firefights, preferring to target poorly equipped provincial police forces or isolated military or paramilitary detachments. Tuesday's attack was among the deadliest launched by the NPA since mid-2017, when President Rodrigo Duterte called off peace talks with the now 50-year-old insurgency. That decision followed a series of NPA attacks that killed six police officers and wounded five of the president's military bodyguards. Decades of peace efforts have come to naught, despite a burst of optimism when Duterte was elected. Talks with his government seemed to initially make progress, but then fell apart amid name-calling and threats from both sides. Various attempts to revive the peace process have continued despite Duterte declaring the effort finished in 2017. Duterte branded the talks dead yet again last month, saying the communists "can maybe talk to the next president of this republic one day". China - a major buyer of Iranian oil - said the US decision to impose sanctions will 'intensify turmoil' in the Middle East China warned Tuesday that the US decision to impose sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil will "intensify turmoil" in the Middle East and in the international energy market. The White House announced Monday it was calling an end to six-month waivers that had exempted several countries -- including major importer China -- from unilateral US sanctions on Iranian oil exports. "China firmly opposes the US implementation of unilateral sanctions and its so-called long-armed jurisdiction," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular press briefing. "The relevant move by the United States will intensify the turmoil in the Middle East and the turmoil in the international energy market." In seeking to reduce Iran's oil exports to zero, the Trump administration is targeting the country's top revenue earner in its latest no-holds-barred move to crush the economy and scale back the clerical regime's influence. Eight governments were initially given the six-month reprieve on oil sanctions that had been imposed last year by the United States. The exemption will now end on May 2. Greece, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan -- have already ended or heavily reduced their purchases from Iran. The other three are China, India and Turkey, with Ankara vowing to defy the US demands. For its part, China will "continue to work in order to safeguard the lawful and legitimate rights of Chinese companies," Geng said. Japan's Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters that Tokyo hopes to "exchange opinions with related Japanese firms and discuss necessary actions to avoid (negative) impact on energy supply in Japan." India's Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan posted to Twitter that New Delhi would receive "additional supplies from other major oil producing countries," adding that refineries were "fully prepared to meet the national demand for petrol,diesel & other Petroleum products." Refiners in South Korea -- which has few natural resources of its own -- have relied heavily on Iranian petroleum, especially oil condensate used to produce petrochemical products. The country imported 2.4 million tonnes of condensate from Iran in the first quarter of this year according to the Korea Petrochemical Industry Association (KPIA), an umbrella industry group, more than 30 percent of its total purchases. Iranian condensate is cheaper than others and has the "best quality", a spokesman for Hanwha Total, one of South Korea's major petrochemical firms, told AFP. "We now have to look for the second-best instead," he said. Different regions produce different mixes of hydrocarbons, added KPIA researcher Choi Hong-jun, so that users' factory equipment is "best suited to processing Iranian condensate. It will cost extra just to adjust it." South Korean experts said the US withdrawal of waivers was long anticipated and companies had prepared back-up plans involving diversified import options including Qatar and Australia. "There will be limited impact," said a trade ministry official in Seoul. But despite Washington's insistence that there will be no more exemptions South Korea's foreign ministry said it would continue its "utmost efforts" to have the waiver extended. The sons of a wealthy Colombo spice trader were among suicide bombers who hit three churches and three luxury hotels, according to investigators Muslim brothers carried out two of the hotel suicide blasts in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, part of a wave of bombings that killed more than 320 people, police sources told AFP Tuesday. The sons of a wealthy Colombo spice trader were among suicide bombers who hit three churches and three luxury hotels, investigators said. An attack on a fourth hotel failed and helped lead police to the Islamist group now blamed for the assault, they added. The brothers, whose names have not been revealed, were in their late twenties and operated their own "family cell", an investigation officer said. The pair were key members of the Islamist National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) group which the government has blamed for the attacks, the official added. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but the government has blamed the NTJ. A minister said Tuesday the bombers may have struck in revenge for attacks on two New Zealand mosques last month which left 50 dead. One brother checked into the Cinnamon Grand hotel and the other the Shangri-La on Saturday. The next morning, at virtually the same time, they went to the hotels' Easter Sunday breakfast buffets and blew up explosives-laden backpacks, the officer said. Another bomb tore through a restaurant at the nearby Kingsbury hotel. Minutes before, similar explosions devastated three churches. Investigators said it was not known whether the brothers were in contact with the other bombers. Another would-be suicide bomber walked into a fourth luxury hotel in Colombo on Sunday, official sources told AFP. "This man had also checked into the hotel the previous day," the source said. - Fourth attacker - It was not known if his explosives failed or he had a change of heart. But after the Shangri-la blast, staff at the unnamed hotel became suspicious and the man was tracked to a lodging near the capital. He blew himself up there when confronted by police, the source said. Two bystanders were also killed. "What we have seen from the CCTV footage is that all the suicide bombers were carrying very heavy backpacks. These appear to be crude devices made locally," the source said. With 321 people confirmed dead, including at least 39 foreign nationals, and over 500 wounded, Sri Lanka has declared a state of emergency and launched a desperate hunt to head off more attacks. At least 40 people were under arrest Tuesday over one of the worst militant strikes ever staged in Asia. The whereabouts of the brothers' parents was unknown. But the blasts had a further impact on the family. One brother gave false identity details when he checked into the hotel, the investigator said. The other gave a real address which led police commandos to their family home in a commercial area of Colombo. - Children killed - "When the Special Task Force went there to investigate, one brother's wife set off explosives killing herself and her two children," the officer said. "It was a single terror cell operated by one family," the investigator said. "They had the cash and the motivation. They operated the cell and it is believed they influenced their extended family." Three police commandos were killed in the blast, and several extended family members are among those in detention. The brothers had been involved in their father's lucrative spice export business, investigators said. A focus of the inquiry will be to find out whether there was a foreign influence in their radicalisation and how the children of such a wealthy family had become involved, an official source said. "What we have gathered so far is that they had indicated to their close family what they were going to do," another senior police officer said. "It looks like they were inspired by foreign terrorist groups, but to what extent they had direct links is still unclear." - Police alert - Sri Lanka police chief Pujith Jayasundara issued an alert on April 11 that the NTJ could launch suicide attacks against churches and other targets. The whereabouts of the NTJ leader, Zahran Hashmi, is also unknown. He was linked to the vandalising of Buddha statues on December 26 at the central town of Mawanella. The local Muslim community had been complaining to authorities about Hashmi since 2017. Residents of the village in the east of the country where he lived had demanded police action against him over his radical comments and acts, community leaders told AFP. "He was a threat to moderate Muslims in the east and we had made several complaints," one Muslim leader told AFP. The police chief's warnings about the NTJ were not passed to top ministers. A separate investigation is underway into why more was not done to stop the brothers and the other attackers. Mountains near the tourist village of Imlil in the High Atlas range, Morocco, where two Scandinavian tourists were murdered in December 2018 Suspected jihadist sympathisers will face trial on May 2 for the murder of two Scandinavian women in Morocco, a defence lawyer told AFP on Tuesday. The killing of Danish student Louisa Vesterager Jespersen, 24, and 28-year-old Norwegian Maren Ueland in December was deemed a "terrorist" act by Moroccan authorities. Twenty-four defendants will face trial -- for charges including promoting terrorism, forming a terrorist cell or causing premeditated harm to persons -- in Sale, a city neighbouring the capital Rabat, according to defence lawyer Saad Sahli. A Spanish-Swiss man who authorities allege subscribed to "extremist ideology" stands accused of helping the four main suspects in the murder, charges he denies. The decapitated bodies of the two victims were found in the High Atlas mountains, where they had been hiking in an area popular with tourists. A video circulated on social media allegedly showed the murder of one of the women, while Rabat's prosecutor has said the four main suspects appeared in separate footage pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group. The accused however had no contact with the jihadist group in conflict zones, according to Morocco's anti-terror chief. The North African country relies heavily on tourism. Foreign visitors were previously targeted in a 2011 bomb blast in Marrakesh which killed 17 people. An attack in 2003 on the financial capital Casablanca left 33 people dead. Myanmar's jade business is notoriously corrupt and poorly regulated More than 50 people are feared killed after a landslide in northern Myanmar engulfed jade miners while they were sleeping, local police said Tuesday, the latest deadly accident in a notoriously dangerous industry. Dozens die each year in landslides caused by jade mining, a notoriously corrupt and poorly regulated industry concentrated near the country's border with China. Local police described a freak accident in Kachin state on Monday night so big it created a huge "mud lake" that buried the miners as well as some 40 vehicles. "Fifty-four people are missing in the mud," a duty officer from Hpakant township police station told AFP, asking not to be named, adding that only two bodies had been recovered so far. "There's no way they (the missing) could have survived." The Ministry of Information confirmed the accident and number of missing, adding that the area was mined by Myanmar Thura Gems and Shwe Nagar Koe Kaung companies. Myanmar Thura Gems director Hla Soe Oo told AFP by phone he was en route to the site but did not have further details. Local media shared images, unverified by AFP, that showed the walls of a mine stretching vertically a couple of hundred metres above a vast pool of mud, revealing only the tops of two yellow excavation vehicles. Hundreds of onlookers gathered nearby, staring at the disaster site and taking photos with their phones. Myanmar's jade business is notoriously corrupt and poorly regulated. Fatal landslides are common in the mines with victims often from impoverished ethnic communities looking for scraps left behind by big firms. A major landslide in November 2015 left more than 100 dead. The jade industry is largely driven by an insatiable demand from neighbouring China. Watchdog Global Witness estimated that it was worth some $31 billion in 2014, although very little reaches state coffers. Northern Myanmar's abundant natural resources -- including jade, timber, gold and amber -- help finance both sides of a decades-long civil war between ethnic Kachin insurgents and the military. The fight to control the mines and the revenues they bring frequently traps local civilians in the middle. A 17-year ceasefire broke down in 2011 and since then more than 100,000 people have been displaced by fighting. On coming to power in 2016, civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi promised to make the peace process with the country's myriad armed groups her top priority -- a pledge that has yet to yield significant results. Bran was waiting in the wood, a bit of cheese in a trap for the Night King. But it seemed like not much of a trap, since only Theon and some rando soldiers were defending him. Theon fought valiantly, of course. He earned a remark of approval from Bran, of course, which made his eyes well up for the 37th (ballpark) and final time, of course. And then he charged the Night King, and, well, RIP Theon Greyjoy, Whatever of His Name, Mid-Life Eunuch, Semi-Stark, He Who Once Was Reek. Id like to say my own eyes are welling, but... The Indonesian navy said the Vietnamese coast guard (L) tried to prevent the apprehension of an illegal fishing boat by ramming its vessel Indonesia has accused the Vietnamese coastguard of ramming one of its vessels to block the interception of a boat fishing illegally, as a senior minister announced a return to sinking foreign trawlers. The clash in the South China Sea at the weekend saw Jakarta summon Vietnam's ambassador on Monday, after the navy detained a dozen Vietnamese fishermen. "The actions taken by the Vietnamese coast guard ship endangered the lives of officers from both countries and is not in accordance with international law or the spirit of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)," Indonesia's foreign ministry said. Jakarta claims the area in the southernmost reaches of the South China Sea as its exclusive economic zone -- waters where a state has the right to exploit resources. The navy said two Vietnamese coast guard ships tried to prevent the apprehension of an illegal fishing boat by ramming its vessel. The fishing boat sank possibly due to an accidental collision, Indonesian authorities said without elaborating. A dozen fishermen were detained and remain in Indonesian custody. Two others escaped detention by jumping into the water. They were picked by the Vietnamese coast guard, which then fled, the navy said. Video circulating on social media purported to show a Vietnamese patrol boat ramming the left side of the Indonesian vessel as the armed navy crew shouted expletives. Indonesia, the world's biggest archipelago nation, has been trying to stop foreign vessels fishing illegally in its territory, claiming it costs the economy billions of dollars annually. It turned to a campaign of blowing up captured foreign boats as a deterrent. Hundreds of detained foreign fishing vessels have been sunk, including many Vietnamese boats -- after the crews were removed -- since 2014, with some blown up in spectacular public displays. The practice was suspended for several months, but Indonesian fisheries minister Susi Pudjiastuti announced on Monday that it would resume this weekend. "On the 4th (of May) we will be sinking 51 boats, mostly from Vietnam!" She did not say if it was in retaliation for the latest diplomatic clash with Vietnam. Two years ago, Indonesia changed the name of the southern part of the South China Sea to the North Natuna Sea in a bid to show its sovereignty. More recently, it inaugurated a new military base in the chain of several hundred small islands to beef up its border defence. The moves have prompted criticism from Beijing whose claims in the sea overlap Indonesia's around the remote Natuna Islands. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says that Russia will still be meddling in US elections in 2050 US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday warned that Russia would seek to interfere in elections for decades ahead and vowed that Washington would try to thwart its efforts. Pompeo was asked if he expected Russia to meddle in next year's US election, after a long-awaited report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller found that Moscow tried to sway the 2016 presidential race to Donald Trump. The top US diplomat said to expect a similar Russian campaign next year but criticized the spotlight inside Washington on the Russian role, which has infuriated President Donald Trump. "It goes without saying, they were a threat to our elections in 1974, too, and they interfered in our elections in the '80s," Pompeo told a forum of The Hill newspaper. "The fact that this town seems shocked by the fact that the Russians don't care for us -- in that case the Soviet Union -- I find stunning," he said. "And we should expect in 2050, the Russians will be at it still." Pompeo, however, said that Trump "has directed us all to be incredibly focused" on countering meddling by Russia as well as other adversaries. The Mueller investigation, which had cast a shadow over Trump since he took office, documented widespread Russian attempts to influence the election but did not find that the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow. Trump has since voiced anger on the rival Democratic Party for challenging him on Russia, insisting that he won on his own merits. Russia denies election interference and accuses the United States of wrongful meddling of its own in the domestic affairs of countries such as Venezuela. Chevron is buying Anadarko Petroleum for $33 billion, energizing its oil and gas drilling capabilities in Texas and the Gulf of Mexico while vaulting itself into a new league. The combined company will remain far behind Exxon Mobil Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell Plc. in market capitalization, but Chevron will jump from being the world's fourth biggest energy producer, to second, according to Wood Mackenzie. "Chevron now joins the ranks of the UltraMajors - and the big three becomes the big four," wrote Roy Martin, senior analyst at Wood Mackenzie, referring to Exxon, Shell and BP. The cash-and-stock deal announced Friday comes as U.S. crude prices have shot up 40% this year. Chevron gets access to Anadarko's liquid natural gas operations in Mozambique and it would control a 75-mile-wide corridor across the Delaware Basin, a region bountiful with natural gas. Oil prices have been on the rise as OPEC members cut production. FILE - In this file photo taken Aug. 19, 2008, the Chevron Genesis Oil Rig Platform is seen in the Gulf of Mexico near New Orleans, La. Chevron will buy Anadarko Petroleum for $33 billion in a cash-and-stock deal as the company seeks to grow stronger in deep water exploration in the gulf and the energy-rich southwest region of Texas called the Permian Basin. The deal, announced Friday, April 12, 2019 arrives with U.S. crude prices up 40% this year. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, file) OPEC said this week that its output had been slashed by more than a half million barrels a day last month to just over 30 million barrels, a level not seen since early 2015. That is largely being driven by the energy powerhouse Saudi Arabia, which last month removed another 324,000 barrels of oil per day from the market. U.S. crude was selling for nearly $65 per barrel Friday. But there are signals that global economic growth is slowing. The acquisition of Anadarko could give Chevron a little more breathing room when crude prices do fall. With savings the companies plan to book and rising cash flow, Chevron said Friday that it will bump up annual stock buybacks to $5 billion, from $4 billion a year, once the transaction is complete. Chevron plans to divest $15 billion to $20 billion in assets between 2020 and 2022, with proceeds used to lower debt and to return additional cash to shareholders, the company said. "This transaction builds strength on strength for Chevron," said Chairman and CEO Michael Wirth. "The combination of Anadarko's premier, high-quality assets with our advantaged portfolio strengthens our leading position in the Permian, builds on our deepwater Gulf of Mexico capabilities and will grow our LNG business." Anadarko shareholders will receive 0.3869 shares of Chevron and $16.25 in cash for each share they own, or $65 per share. Chevron will issue about 200 million shares and pay approximately $8 billion in cash. It will also assume about $15 billion in debt. Chevron Corp. will keep its headquarters in San Ramon, California. Anadarko Petroleum Corp. is based in The Woodlands, Texas. The deal is expected to close in the second half of the year. It still needs approval from shareholders of Anadarko Petroleum Corp. and regulators. Shares of Anadarko jumped 33% Friday, while Chevron's stock fell 5%. The logo for Anadarko Petroleum Corp. appears above a trading post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Friday, April 12, 2019. Energy companies rallied after Chevron said it would pay $33 billion to buy rival Anadarko Petroleum. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) The logos for The Walt Disney Company and Chevron appear above a trading post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Friday, April 12, 2019. Energy companies rallied after Chevron said it would pay $33 billion to buy rival Anadarko Petroleum and Disney surged 12% to an all-time high after it announced plans to offer its own video streaming service. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) PARIS (AP) - Germany and France said Friday they are prepared to take in more than half of the rescued migrants on board a rescue ship in the Mediterranean that has been stranded at sea for nine days. In a tweet, French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said France, along with Germany and some other European countries which he didn't identify, had agreed to welcome migrants out of "solidarity" to allow them to disembark in Valletta, Malta. France, he said, is ready to take in 20 of the migrants on board the Alan Kurdi. Germany's interior ministry later tweeted that Germany was offering to take in up to 22 people. The German humanitarian aid group Sea-Eye had 64 rescued migrants in total on board the boat, including two women who were evacuated from the ship this week for medical reasons. Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has said his country is refusing to allow port access to the ship, saying that the NGO should have headed to Tunisia, the nearest safe port to the rescue spot. Italy has also refused entry. LONDON (AP) - Pro-Brexit British politician Nigel Farage on Friday launched a campaign for an election that may never take place to an institution he routinely insults - the contest for U.K. seats in the European Parliament. Britain was supposed to have left the European Union before the European elections, which take place in late May in every EU nation. But with Britain's Parliament still deadlocked over whether to approve the government's divorce deal with the bloc, EU leaders have postponed the Brexit deadline until Oct. 31. British Prime Minister Theresa May says taking part in this year's European elections three years after the nation voted to leave the EU would be "unthinkable." She still hopes Britain can avoid the U.K.'s May 23 election by leaving the 28-nation bloc before then. But with British lawmakers unwilling to endorse the divorce agreement that May forged with the EU, preparations have begun to fill the 73 U.K. spots in the 751-seat European legislature. Winning candidates from Britain will only get to serve as long as their country remains in the EU. Britain's ruling Conservatives and the opposition Labour party are unenthusiastic about running in the European Parliament election, where they are likely to be punished by disgruntled voters. But pro-Brexit and pro-EU parties are eager to run in a contest seen by many as a way to express their strongly divergent views on the EU. British MEP Nigel Farage speaks during the launch of the Brexit Party's European election campaign, Coventry, England, Friday, April 12, 2019. On Friday, Nigel Farage launched the campaign of his newly formed Brexit Party. The former U.K. Independence Party leader said delays to Brexit were "a willful betrayal of the greatest democratic exercise in the history of this nation." (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) Farage held the first campaign rally of his newly formed Brexit Party, calling delays to Britain's departure from the EU "a willful betrayal of the greatest democratic exercise in the history of this nation." "The fightback begins here," said Farage, who formerly led the U.K. Independence Party and has sat in the European parliament since 1999. Farage was instrumental in helping the Leave side win Britain's 2016 referendum on EU membership, but stepped down as UKIP leader after the referendum. UKIP has since shifted to the far right; its new leader hired anti-Muslim agitator and convicted fraudster Tommy Robinson as an adviser. Farage said he did not want to be a part of a party that promoted "violence, criminal records and thuggery." Other candidates for the Brexit Party include Annunziata Rees-Mogg, sister of pro-Brexit Conservative lawmaker Jacob Rees-Mogg. "I joined the Conservative Party in 1984 and this is not a decision I have made lightly - to leave a party for which I have fought at every election since 1987, from Maggie Thatcher through to Theresa May," she said. "I know which one I'd rather have representing us now." The pro-EU Independent Group, founded by British lawmakers who quit Labour and the Conservatives, has registered to become a political party so it can run in the EU election on a platform calling for a new referendum on Britain's EU membership. After months of acrimonious, indecisive yet cliff-edged wrangling in Parliament over Brexit, U.K. lawmakers began a 10-day Easter break on Friday. May has urged them to "reflect" and use the break to "resolve to find a way through this impasse." Talks continued Friday between senior lawmakers in May's Conservative-led government and the Labour Party in hopes of striking a compromise Brexit deal that can win majority support in Parliament. Several rounds of negotiations over the past week have so far failed to reach a Brexit compromise. Labour economy spokesman John McDonnell said the talks would continue and "we will see by the end of next week how far we have got." ___ Follow AP's full coverage of Brexit at: https://www.apnews.com/Brexit Former U.K. Independence Party leader and MEP Nigel Farage speaks during the launch of the Brexit Party's European election campaign, in Coventry, England, Friday, April 12, 2019. Farage said Friday that delays to Brexit were "a willful betrayal of the greatest democratic exercise in the history of this nation." (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) British MEP Nigel Farage speaks during the launch of the Brexit Party's European election campaign, Coventry, England, Friday, April 12, 2019. On Friday, Nigel Farage launched the campaign of his newly formed Brexit Party. The former U.K. Independence Party leader said delays to Brexit were "a willful betrayal of the greatest democratic exercise in the history of this nation." (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) Annunziata Rees-Mogg speaks during the launch of the Brexit Party's European election campaign, Coventry, England, Friday, April 12, 2019. On Friday, Nigel Farage launched the campaign of his newly formed Brexit Party. The former U.K. Independence Party leader said delays to Brexit were "a willful betrayal of the greatest democratic exercise in the history of this nation." (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) T-shirts and posters are seen on chairs during the launch of the Brexit Party's European election campaign, Coventry, England, Friday, April 12, 2019. On Friday, Nigel Farage launched the campaign of his newly formed Brexit Party. The former U.K. Independence Party leader said delays to Brexit were "a willful betrayal of the greatest democratic exercise in the history of this nation." (AP Photo/Rui Vieira) British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during a media conference at the conclusion of an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, April 11, 2019. European Union leaders on Thursday offered Britain an extension to Brexit that would allow the country to delay its EU departure date until Oct. 31. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) BRUSSELS (AP) - In a decision decried as "deeply flawed" and a "devastating blow for victims," International Criminal Court judges on Friday rejected a request by the court's prosecutor to open an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan and alleged crimes by U.S. forces linked to the conflict. In a lengthy written ruling, judges said an investigation "would not serve the interests of justice" because an investigation and prosecution were unlikely to be successful, as those targeted, including the United States, Afghan authorities and the Taliban, are not expected to cooperate, the court said in a statement. Human Rights Watch slammed the ruling, calling it "a devastating blow for victims who have suffered grave crimes without redress." In a statement released by the White House, the Trump administration hailed the decision not to investigate U.S. personnel as "a major international victory, not only for these patriots, but for the rule of law." The ICC decision does acknowledge that the November 2017 request from Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to open a probe "establishes a reasonable basis to consider that crimes within the ICC jurisdiction have been committed in Afghanistan and that potential cases would be admissible before the Court." In a written reaction, the court's prosecution office said it "will further analyze the decision and its implications, and consider all available legal remedies." FILE - In this Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016, file image, Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda waits for the start of the trial against former Ivory Coast president Laurent Gbagbo at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. Judges at the International Criminal Court have rejected a request by the court's prosecutor to open an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan and alleged crimes by U.S. forces linked to the conflict. In a decision Friday, judges said an investigation "would not serve the interests of justice" because an investigation and prosecution are unlikely to be successful because of a lack of cooperation. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) The decision comes a month after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Washington would revoke or deny visas to ICC staff seeking to investigate alleged war crimes and other abuses committed by U.S. forces in Afghanistan or elsewhere. Bensouda's U.S. visa already has been revoked. In a written statement, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pointed out that the rejection followed those measures: "I am glad the Court reconsidered its actions." Rights groups were not. Patrick Baudouin, president of the International Federation for Human Rights, called the rejection a "dark day for justice" and a "shocking decision, which is based on a deeply flawed reasoning." Bensouda's request to open an investigation said there is information that members of the U.S. military and intelligence agencies "committed acts of torture, cruel treatment, outrages upon personal dignity, rape and sexual violence against conflict-related detainees in Afghanistan and other locations, principally in the 2003-2004 period." She also said that the Taliban and other insurgent groups have killed more than 17,000 civilians since 2009, including some 7,000 targeted killings. She alleged that Afghan security forces have tortured prisoners at government detention centers. Sima Samar, the chair of Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission who lobbied strongly for the investigation, said the decision was a disappointment for victims. In a phone interview from Kabul, she told The Associated Press that it risks emboldening the perpetrators of crimes in Afghanistan, who were "at least a little fearful" of facing justice. "With this decision, people will lose hope of getting justice and they might take revenge, fueling conflict in the country," she said. The court said in a statement that the shifting Afghan political scene since then, the lack of cooperation that prosecutors have received so far and the likelihood that cooperation would diminish further if a full-blown investigation is opened combine to hamper the chances of a successful investigation and prosecutions. Judges said the court needs to "use its resources prioritizing activities that would have better chances to succeed," according to an ICC press release. Human Rights Watch said the ruling establishes a dangerous precedent. "The judges' logic effectively allows states to opt out on their obligation to cooperate with the court's investigation," said Param-Preet Singh, the group's associate international justice director. "This sends a dangerous message to perpetrators that they can put themselves beyond the reach of the law just by being uncooperative." ____ Kathy Gannon in Islamabad and Matthew Lee in Washington, D.C. contributed to this report. -FILE- In this Wednesday, April 4, 2018 image, chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda waits for alleged jihadist leader Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud to enter the court room at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. Judges at the International Criminal Court have rejected a request by the court's prosecutor to open an investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan and alleged crimes by U.S. forces linked to the conflict. In a decision Friday, judges said an investigation "would not serve the interests of justice" because an investigation and prosecution are unlikely to be successful because of a lack of cooperation. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, Pool) WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump said Friday he is considering sending "Illegal Immigrants" to Democratic strongholds - just hours after White House and Homeland Security officials said the idea had been discussed but quickly rejected. "Due to the fact that Democrats are unwilling to change our very dangerous immigration laws, we are indeed, as reported, giving strong considerations to placing Illegal Immigrants in Sanctuary Cities only," Trump tweeted. He added, "The Radical Left always seems to have an Open Borders, Open Arms policy - so this should make them very happy!" Trump's tweets came as critics were criticizing news that the White House had at least twice considered a plan to release detained immigrants into "sanctuary cities." Critics branded the plan, supposedly rejected, as an effort to use migrants as pawns to go after political opponents. "Sanctuary cities" are places where local authorities do not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, denying information or resources that would help ICE round up for deportation people living in the country illegally. They include New York City and San Francisco, home city of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who on Friday called the idea "unworthy of the presidency of the United States and disrespectful of the challenges that we face as a country, as a people, to address who we are - a nation of immigrants." The idea of pressing immigration authorities to embrace the plan was discussed in November and then again in February as the Trump administration struggled with a surge of migrants at the border, according to people who spoke on condition of anonymity to outline private conversations. Department of Homeland Security lawyers quickly rejected the proposal, according to the people, and it was dropped. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in her office at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, April 10, 2019. House Democrats are rounding the first 100 days of their new majority taking stock of their accomplishments, noting the stumbles and marking their place as a frontline of resistance to President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) But not, apparently, by the president, who revived the idea in his tweets. The plan, which was first reported by the Washington Post, is one of many ideas considered by an increasingly frustrated White House in recent months as President Donald Trump has railed against the growing number of Central American migrant families crossing the southern border. Officials say they are running out of options, and have proposed and recycled numerous ideas that have never come to fruition. Trump in recent weeks has discussed the idea of renewing his administration's controversial family separation policy. And he and aides are weighing forcing asylum-seeking families to choose between being detained together as their cases make their way through the courts or sending their children to government-run shelters. There were at least two versions of the sanctuary city plan that were considered, according to one of the people familiar with the effort. One would have moved people who had already been detailed and were being held elsewhere to places with Democratic opponents of the president, while the other would have transported migrants apprehended at the border directly to San Francisco, New York City, Chicago and other spots. Revelation of the idea drew immediate condemnation on Friday from Pelosi and other Democrats. The No. 2 House Democrat, Steny Hoyer of Maryland, criticized the idea of using ICE or any other federal agency "to penalize" or "for political reasons." "That's not the act of a democratic government," he said. And Rep. Bennie Thompson, D- Mississippi, who chairs the House Homeland Security committee, said: "The fact that this idea was even considered - not once but twice - serves as a reminder that the Trump Administration's reckless immigration agenda is not about keeping the country safe, but about partisan politics and wantonly inflicting cruelty. " A Homeland Security spokesperson played down the reported idea, saying it was "floated and rejected, which ended any further discussion." A White House official echoed that language. Former ICE Deputy Director Matt Albence, who on Friday was announced as the agency's acting director, denied that the White House pressured immigration officials to implement the idea. "I was asked my opinion and provided it, and my advice was heeded," he said in a statement. The Department of Health and Human Services said this week that it had started scouting vacant properties that could be turned into facilities for holding migrant children in several cities, including Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Phoenix, and San Antonio. Those facilities would be licensed by each state and likely take several months to be approved and opened, separating them from the rapidly-expanding emergency shelter at Homestead, Florida, and the now-closed tent facility at Tornillo, Texas. The Defense Department has also been reviewing a number of military bases to find a location that can house up to 5,000 unaccompanied migrant children as the U.S. braces for a surge of people crossing the U.S.-Mexico border this spring. Health and Human Services submitted the request for space last month, as Homeland Security leaders warned that tens of thousands of families were crossing the border each month. HHS has traditionally been responsible for providing temporary shelter to unaccompanied migrant children crossing the border. ICE is tasked with arresting people living in the country illegally - including some who have been here for decades. Under the Trump administration, ICE has significantly stepped up arrests, including of people who have no U.S. criminal records. In response, some cities have banished ICE from jails where agents could easily pick up immigration violators. Police in New York, Baltimore and Seattle rarely, if ever, disclose information about when suspected criminals in the U.S. illegally will be released from custody. During his tenure at the Justice Department, Trump's former Attorney General Jeff Sessions went after sanctuary cities, threatening to cut off their federal funding. ICE arrested 32,977 people accused of crimes and 20,464 for immigration violations during the budget year 2018. There were 105,140 arrests of people with criminal convictions and 158,581 arrests overall. The most frequent criminal conviction was for drunken driving, followed by drug and traffic offenses. By comparison, in the last budget year of the Obama administration, there were 94,751 people arrested with convictions, 6,267 arrests of those with pending charges and 9,086 on immigration violations. There were 111,104 arrests overall. ___ Associated Press writers Nomaan Merchant, Lisa Mascaro and Deb Riechmann contributed to this report. FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - A German price-comparison platform says it has filed a suit against Alphabet Inc.'s Google search business on allegations it has abused its dominant position by favoring its own price-comparison service in search results. Berlin-based Idealo GmbH said Friday it had submitted the complaint to the state court in Berlin. Idealo said its suit is based on a 2017 decision by the European Commission to fine Google 2.42 billion euros ($2.74 billion) for giving unfair advantage to its own comparison shopping service in violation of EU competition rules. Google representatives said they hadn't received the suit and could not comment. Margrethe Vestager, the European commission for competition, said March 20 that changes Google had made regarding comparison shopping were "positive developments" but that the commission would "keep monitoring the market." SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Strong winds and more snow hit the Midwest on Friday after a spring storm buried several states in snow and created dangerous travel conditions, while forecasters warned of potential weekend tornadoes in the South. The storm hovering over parts of Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota was the second "bomb cyclone" storm system to hit the region in a month. The storm moved in Thursday, closing highways and knocking out power to tens of thousands of people. It also left behind 25 inches of snow (63.5 centimeters) in northeast South Dakota, where Gov. Kristi Noem closed government offices in most of the state for a third straight day Friday. Parts of Nebraska were buried in more than a foot of snow (30.5 centimeters) and even deeper drifts, thanks to winds gusting to more than 60 mph (96.6 kph). Several snow-packed highways remained closed Friday in Nebraska, and forecasters warned that unseasonably low temperatures would remain through the weekend. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz declared a state of emergency in much of his state, where the Minnesota State Patrol has responded to more than 500 crashes since Wednesday. "It's a mess out here. And that is an understatement," State Patrol Lt. Gordon Shank said late Thursday. In parts of the South, the National Weather Service warned church pastors to have someone monitor the weather during Sunday services amid heightened risk for damaging tornadoes. Snow plows clear Interstate 29 on Thursday, April 11, in Sioux Falls, S.D. Heavy snow and strong winds hammered parts of the central U.S. on Thursday, knocking out power to tens of thousands of people and creating hazardous travel conditions a day after pummeling Colorado. (Briana Sanchez/The Argus Leader via AP) Gusty wind, hail and potentially tornadoes were forecast Saturday in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and western Alabama, according to weather service forecaster Adam Baker. Similar weather was forecast in southern Arkansas and eastern Texas. Local flooding was also possible. Thunderstorms were expected to move into much of Georgia and the rest of Alabama on Sunday, with the possibility of isolated and less severe tornadoes, as well as large hail and damaging winds. "Even a weak tornado that hits the right location can still be pretty devastating," Baker said. The weather service office in Birmingham advised pastors to figure out the safest location for their congregations in case of severe weather, noting that large open rooms such as sanctuaries and auditoriums weren't safe. A series of tornadoes on Palm Sunday in 1994 killed 40 people in Georgia and Alabama, and injured hundreds more. Half the deaths occurred when a tornado struck a rural Alabama church during services, causing the roof to collapse, according to a report about the damage by U.S. weather officials. Waves pound the shoreline at Tettegouche State Park Thursday, April 11, 2019 at Silver Bay, Minn. Wind gusts were up to 50 milers per hour. (Brian Peterson/Star Tribune via AP) David Heinold walks his dog Max through the snow Thursday, April 11, 2019, in Sioux Falls, S.D. Heavy snow and strong winds hammered parts of the central U.S. on Thursday, knocking out power to tens of thousands of people and creating hazardous travel conditions a day after pummeling Colorado. (Briana Sanchez/The Argus Leader via AP) Miguel Leiva shovels his driveway along N. Racine Street during a spring snow storm Thursday, April 11, 2019, in Appleton, Wis. The second major snowstorm in the region in a month left behind hazardous road conditions, wintertime temperatures and snarled traffic in Colorado and Wyoming.(Dan Powers/The Post-Crescent via AP) Icicles hang from a light Thursday, April 11, 2019, in Sioux Falls, S.D. Heavy snow and strong winds hammered parts of the central U.S. on Thursday, knocking out power to tens of thousands of people and creating hazardous travel conditions a day after pummeling Colorado. (Briana Sanchez/The Argus Leader via AP) A tree has fallen to the ground from ice and wind Thursday, April 11, 2019, in Browndale, Minn. A powerful spring snow storm is creating hazardous travel conditions in parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. (Andrew Link/The Rochester Post-Bulletin via AP) Freeborn-Mower Cooperative Services journeyman lineman Nick Rolfing, left, and working foreman Russ Nelson, right, change a ground operating switch to direct power to the City of Brownsdale from a different substation Thursday, April 11, 2019, just south of Browndale, Minn. Power lines feeding the town were knocked down by ice and wind. (Andrew Link/The Rochester Post-Bulletin via AP) A row of power line poles are snapped from ice and wind along Hwy. 56 south of Interstate 90 on Thursday, April 11, 2019, near Browndale, Minn. A powerful spring snow storm is creating hazardous travel conditions in parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. (Andrew Link/The Rochester Post-Bulletin via AP) North Dakota State University student Adam Wiczek, of Andover, Minn., rakes leaves outside the Alpha Gamme Rho fraternity Thursday, April 11, 2019, at the start of a blizzard in Fargo, N.D. Up to a foot of snow was predicted to fall in the city the fraternity members said they wanted to get the last of the leaves off the lawn before the snow piled up. (AP Photo/Dave Kolpack) Tree branches lie on the ground Thursday, April 11, 2019, in Sioux Falls, S.D. Heavy snow and strong winds hammered parts of the central U.S. on Thursday, knocking out power to tens of thousands of people and creating hazardous travel conditions a day after pummeling Colorado. (Briana Sanchez/The Argus Leader via AP) PITTSBURGH (AP) - A prosecutor refused to approve criminal charges Friday against Pittsburgh's 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," Zappala's spokesman, Mike Manko, told the residents Friday. "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 Pittsburgh's 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. Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, surrounded by supporters and family members of Tree of Life synagogue shooting victims, signs three gun-control bills into law, Tuesday, April 9, 2019, at the City-County Building in downtown Pittsburgh. (Steph Chambers/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP) 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 didn't 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." Peduto's spokesman declined to comment Friday. The residents may appeal Zappala's 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 mayor's 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. "He's actually expecting someone to violate the law. This is a travesty of justice." Not so, said Manko, the district attorney's spokesman. "We are not encouraging anyone to sacrifice themselves to authorities," he said. ___ Rubinkam reported from northeastern Pennsylvania. Whether or not there will be superhero team-ups as stuffed with heroes as the Avengers films, Marvel has already announced plans for several stand-alone movies featuring characters introduced in the MCUs current Phase 3 including Spider-Man, Black Panther and Doctor Strange. (While all those characters were turned to dust by the villainous Thanos at the end of last years Avengers: Infinity War, it didnt take a super-psychic to predict theyd be revived in Endgame.) DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - A North Carolina prosecutor is scrapping the death penalty in hopes of scheduling a trial in July for a man charged with killing three young Muslims four years ago. District Attorney Satana DeBerry plans to proceed with a potential life prison sentence to speed up the first-degree murder case against Craig Hicks, she said in a statement posted on Facebook on Thursday. Hicks is accused of bursting into a condo and killing University of North Carolina dental student Deah Barakat, 23; his wife, Yusor Abu-Salha, 21; and her 19-year-old sister Razan Abu-Salha. "Their families have suffered not just the tragic death of three bright, beloved children but the continued delay of the prosecution of their case," DeBerry said. "To insure we are able to bring this case to trial as quickly as possible and help begin the process of healing for the families, I have decided to try this as a noncapital case." DeBerry noted that the womens' father, psychiatrist Mohammad Abu-Salha, testified this week to a congressional hearing on hate crimes. Hicks had expressed hateful comments that the women were wearing head scarves in observance of their faith, he said. Police said in 2015 that Hicks was angered by a dispute over a parking space in their shared complex. "Three beautiful young Americans were brutally murdered and there is no question in our minds that this tragedy was born of bigotry and hate," Dr. Abu-Salha testified Tuesday before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. "And because the climate of bigotry is getting worse, I am gravely worried that more tragedies will happen if action is not taken at all levels of government." Even as he spoke about the details he read in the autopsy reports of his slain daughters and son-in-law, the live chat function on YouTube was disabled because it was overrun by anti-Semitic and white nationalist comments, DeBerry noted. WASHINGTON (AP) - A Washington political consultant initially entangled in the Russia investigation was sentenced Friday to three years of probation for illegal lobbying and skirting the ban on foreign donations to President Donald Trump's inaugural committee. W. Samuel Patten, 47, and prosecutors had asked for leniency, citing his cooperation in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation and other ongoing probes. The sentencing comes as federal prosecutors in New York continue to investigate foreign donations to the Presidential Inaugural Committee and as the Justice Department has been cracking down on foreign lobbying violations. Separately, prosecutors filed charges Thursday against former Obama White House counsel Greg Craig, accusing him of lying to the government to conceal his own work on behalf of the government of Ukraine. Craig denies wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty Friday. In Patten's case, he pleaded guilty to violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act for lobbying on behalf of the Opposition Bloc, a Ukrainian political party. He also admitted to orchestrating a $50,000 straw-donor scheme to purchase tickets from the inaugural committee on behalf of a wealthy Ukrainian client. Federal law bars such committees from accepting foreign donations, a fact Patten has admitted he knew when he violated the law. Later, Patten also misled the Senate intelligence committee about his conduct when asked to provide documents and testimony as part of the panel's investigation of Russian election interference. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said she was most troubled by Patten's lies to the committee and likely would have given him a short prison sentence under other circumstances. W. Samuel Patten, right, with his wife, leaves federal court after being sentenced to three years probation in the Trump Russia Probe case, Friday April 12, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) But she credited him for cooperating with the government and for taking responsibility for his actions, something the judge said "doesn't happen every day in this courtroom." Jackson said Patten's conduct was also "markedly different" from that of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, who carried out a years-long conspiracy to launder money, evade U.S. tax authorities and covertly influence American policy makers on behalf of Ukrainian interests. Jackson imposed a sentence earlier this year that led to Manafort facing about seven years in prison. "There are reasons why your sentence is not going to be like his sentence," she told Patten, as she also imposed a $5,000 fine and 500 hours of community service. Prosecutors didn't fully detail Patten's cooperation or say whether he has helped as part of the inaugural committee investigation. In court papers, Patten's attorney, Stuart Sears, said his client wasn't part of a larger scheme to funnel foreign money to the inaugural committee and isn't a Trump supporter. Patten helped with the Manafort investigation and was slated to testify in his case before the Manafort pleaded guilty last year. The two men shared an associate, Konstantin Kilimnik, who was Patten's business partner and a Manafort co-defendant. The FBI said Kilimnik has ties to Russian intelligence, an allegation he denies. Kilimnik, who lives in Russia, was indicted alongside Manafort on charges of witness tampering but has not appeared in a U.S. court. Craig's case also relates to the Manafort investigation. Manafort was involved in the financing of a report Craig and his law firm authored for the Ukrainian government. The document sought to legitimize the prosecution of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Craig, 74, is accused of misleading the Justice Department about his interactions with reporters and his involvement with a public relations firm in securing news media coverage about the report. Craig, who served as President Barack Obama's first White House counsel and previously defended President Bill Clinton during his Senate trial, denies those allegations. Craig has called the prosecution against him "unprecedented and unjustified." In a tweet Friday, President Donald Trump complained that Craig's case wasn't covered on the front page of The New York Times. Greg Craig laughs as he arrives ahead of his arraignment at federal court in Washington on Friday April 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Greg Craig, left, arrives ahead of his arraignment at federal court in Washington on Friday April 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Greg Craig arrives ahead of his arraignment at federal court in Washington on Friday April 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Gaza's health ministry says Israeli troops have killed a Palestinian teenager during protests along the perimeter fence dividing Israel and Gaza. Maisara Shalouf, 15, was shot in the belly and died in northern Gaza Strip, at one of the protests along the frontier. The ministry added that 30 other Palestinians were injured, without specifying how many were hit with live fire. The weekly demonstrations, backed by Gaza's Hamas rulers, entered their second year this month. They have seen the death of 200 Palestinians and an Israeli soldier. Friday's protests were the first after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared headed to form the next government following Israeli elections. Egypt has brokered a deal to ease Israeli restrictions on Gaza, but the extent of facilitation is yet to be clear. DAYTON, Ohio (AP) - The president of a college Republican group in Ohio has apologized for a fundraising email that referred to Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as a "domestic terrorist." Tom Ferrall is chairman of the Ohio College Republican Federation and a senior at the University of Dayton. He says the email was sent Wednesday without his approval by a third-party fundraising firm he wouldn't name. Ferrall says his organization has severed ties with the firm. He says the email wasn't something he or the organization would ever endorse. Ocasio-Cortez said in a tweet after the email was publicized that such a message "puts me in danger every time." The University of Dayton also said Ferrall improperly used his university mailing address to solicit funds and Ferrall agreed to stop. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A man has pleaded guilty to a felony terroristic threat charge after authorities said he threating to target women in a mass shooting because he couldn't get a girlfriend. Utah prosecutor Chad Grunander tells the Deseret News that 27-year-old Christopher W. Cleary of Denver was in court on Thursday. Police said Cleary wrote on Facebook he was planning to become a mass shooter because he was still a virgin and wanted to kill as many women as possible. He was arrested during a trip to Provo, Utah, on January 19, the same day women's marches were held around the country. Colorado authorities have said he was on probation after stalking and threatening women there. His attorney Dustin Parmley did not immediately return a message seeking comment. RABAT, Morocco (AP) - A Swiss man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by a Moroccan terrorism court for links to Islamic extremists who allegedly killed two Nordic tourists last year. The man, 33, was convicted of charges including "deliberately helping perpetrators of terrorist acts" and training terrorists, according to state news agency MAP. The verdict was Thursday but reported Friday. The online advertising technician, who was arrested in December, has a Moroccan wife, according to a lawyer representing another Swiss suspect in the case. Moroccan prosecutors have filed terrorism charges against 25 individuals suspected of links to the killings. The women tourists, one from Denmark and one from Norway, were found dead in their tent in the Atlas Mountains Dec. 17. Authorities blamed followers of the Islamic State group. MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. (AP) - The Latest on the sentencing of a homeless man in a GoFundMe scam (all times local): 12:15 p.m. A homeless veteran has been sentenced to five years' probation for conspiring with a New Jersey couple to scam GoFundMe donors out of $400,000. Johnny Bobbitt was given the sentence Friday as part of a plea agreement reached with county prosecutors last month. He must meet conditions including inpatient drug treatment and cooperation with prosecutors against his co-defendants. If he violates those conditions, he will be sentenced to five years in prison with no possibility of parole for at least 18 months. Bobbitt made no statement in court. FILE- In this March 8, 2019 file photo, Johnny Bobbitt, left, looks on as his attorney John Keesler and Assistant Prosecutor Andrew McDonnell, right, talk while appearing before Superior Court Judge Christopher Garrenger at the Burlington County Courthouse in Mount Holly, N.J. Bobbitt, who pleaded guilty to taking part in a $400,000 GoFundMe scam with a New Jersey couple, will face sentencing on Friday, April 12. (Elizabeth Robertson/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP) He admitted helping Katelyn McClure and Mark D'Amico, McClure's boyfriend at the time, make up a story in 2017 about Bobbitt giving McClure $20 when she was stranded on a highway in Philadelphia. Prosecutors contend a GoFundMe campaign ostensibly set up to help Bobbitt was a lie intended to enrich all three. McClure and D'Amico allegedly used the money to buy a BMW and take expensive vacations. McClure and Bobbitt have also pleaded guilty to federal charges and await sentencing. D'Amico and McClure were charged last fall in state court with theft and conspiracy but have yet to be indicted by a grand jury. D'Amico has denied wrongdoing. ___ 1:15 a.m. The homeless veteran who admitted to conspiring with a New Jersey couple in a GoFundMe scam that raised more than $400,000 faces sentencing. Johnny Bobbitt is scheduled to appear in court in southern New Jersey Friday morning. He pleaded guilty last month to conspiracy to commit theft by deception and has been accepted into a drug program as part of his plea deal. Prosecutors say Bobbitt and the couple made up a story in 2017 about him giving $20 to help Katelyn McClure when her car ran out of gas. Bobbitt, McClure and McClure's then-boyfriend, Mark D'Amico, garnered more than 14,000 GoFundMe donors. Authorities began investigating last year after Bobbitt sued the couple for allegedly not giving him the money. McClure has pleaded guilty to one federal count of wire fraud conspiracy. ATLANTA (AP) - A man who killed his ex-girlfriend and another woman nearly 25 years ago is the first death row prisoner set to be executed in Georgia this year. Scotty Garnell Morrow, 52, is scheduled to die May 2 at the state prison in Jackson, state Attorney General Chris Carr announced Friday. Morrow was convicted of murder in the fatal shootings of his ex-girlfriend Barbara Ann Young and her friend Tonya Woods at Young's Gainesville home in December 1994. A third woman was also shot but survived. Lawyers for Morrow have said the killings were "spontaneous and emotionally-charged" and that he shouldn't have been sentenced to die. Morrow and Young began dating in June 1994, but she broke up with him that December because of his abusive behavior, according to a Georgia Supreme Court summary of the case. Morrow called Young on Dec. 29, 1994, and she told him to leave her alone, the summary says. Young was in her kitchen with two friends and two of her children, when Morrow showed up a short time later and the pair argued. Woods told Morrow to leave, saying Young didn't want anything to do with him anymore. Morrow yelled at her and pulled out a handgun and began shooting, hitting Woods in the abdomen and severing her spine, the summary says. In this undated photo made available by the Georgia Department of Correction, Scotty Garnell Morrow is seen in custody. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced Friday, April 12, 2019, that 52-year-old Scotty Garnell Morrow is scheduled to die May 2 at the state prison in Jackson. He was convicted of fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend Barbara Ann Young and her friend Tonya Woods at Young's Gainesville home in December 1994. (Georgia Department of Corrections via AP) Morrow also shot Young's other friend, LaToya Horne, in the arm. Young ran from the kitchen. Morrow ran after her and kicked open the door to her bedroom, where he beat her head and face and then followed her into the hallway, grabbed her by the hair and fired a fatal shot into her head, the summary says. Young's 5-year-old son was hiding in a nearby bedroom and saw Morrow kill his mother, the summary says. Morrow then returned to the kitchen, where he fired a fatal shot under Woods' chin and then shot Horne in the face and arm, the summary says. He cut the telephone line and fled. Young and Woods died from their injuries, and Horne was severely wounded but managed to leave the house to seek help. Morrow was arrested within hours. He confessed and the gun used in the killings was found hidden in his yard. Attorneys representing Morrow in post-conviction proceedings challenged the constitutionality of his sentence in a petition filed in federal court in 2012. "The death penalty is rarely sought - let alone obtained - in response to spontaneous and emotionally-charged crimes like that committed by Mr. Morrow," they wrote. When Morrow went to Young's home, he pleaded with her to get back together. He pulled out his gun when Woods mocked him, saying Young had used him for money and companionship while her "real man" was in prison, the petition says. "It was in immediate reaction to Ms. Woods's comments that (Morrow) fired, shooting first at Ms. Woods. The entire crime was complete within moments," Morrow's lawyers wrote. "In short, Mr. Morrow's crime was spontaneous and his mental state at the time of the crime was compromised." His trial attorneys failed to adequately investigate his childhood, so jurors didn't hear about years of abuse and bullying Morrow experienced as a child that left him tormented and unprepared to function in a healthy relationship, his post-conviction attorneys wrote. If his trial attorneys had done a proper investigation, they could have proven that Morrow "was a genuinely nice guy who, because of the psychological pain of his past, snapped," his lawyers argued. Morrow's execution date was set after the Superior Court of Hall County, where he was convicted, filed an order Friday setting a seven-day window for his execution. That window stretches from noon on May 2 to noon on May 9. Georgia uses an injection of compounded pentobarbital, a sedative, to execute condemned prisoners. MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. (AP) - A homeless man was sentenced to five years' probation Friday after admitting last month that he conspired with a couple to scam the public out of $400,000 in donations by concocting a feel-good story about him helping a motorist in distress. Johnny Bobbitt had pleaded guilty in state court to conspiracy to commit theft by deception. Conditions of his sentence include inpatient drug treatment and cooperation with prosecutors against his co-defendants. If he violates those conditions, he will be sentenced to five years in prison with no possibility of parole for at least 18 months. The story of Bobbitt, a homeless military veteran, giving Katelyn McClure $20 when she ran out of gas on a highway in Philadelphia "was designed to pull at the heartstrings of caring, trusting individuals," Burlington County Assistant Prosecutor Andrew McDonnell said in court, adding that the three exhibited "deplorable behavior." Bobbitt, clad in an orange prison jumpsuit, declined to make a statement in court. Prosecutors contend Bobbitt, McClure and McClure's then-boyfriend, Mark D'Amico, made up the story in 2017 and even faked photos of themselves standing on the street at the scene of the purported exchange. Blow-ups of the photos were displayed in court Friday. The trio gained widespread recognition, and more than 14,000 donors contributed through GoFundMe, ostensibly to help Bobbitt. But it was all a scam, Burlington County prosecutors said, intended to enrich the three co-conspirators. Johnny Bobbitt stands in the courtroom during his sentencing hearing at Burlington County Superior Court in Mount Holly, N.J., Friday, April 12, 2019. Bobbitt, the homeless veteran who admitted to conspiring with a New Jersey couple in a GoFundMe scam that raised more than $400,000, was sentenced Friday to five years' probation. (Tim Tai/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP, Pool) GoFundMe has said it refunded the donations. Authorities began investigating last year after Bobbitt sued the couple for allegedly not giving him the money. The couple claimed the cash would be donated to Bobbitt, but New Jersey authorities said the three split the money and spent lavishly, including on a BMW, designer bags and trips to Las Vegas and elsewhere. More than $85,000 in cash was withdrawn at, or near, casinos in Atlantic City, Las Vegas and in Pennsylvania, prosecutors have said. The fraud didn't stop with the GoFundMe page, according to prosecutors. The trio did interview after interview, posed for photos together, revisited the spot where they claimed their first encounter happened and went on "Good Morning America." The Associated Press prominently featured their story. In addition to his state plea, Bobbitt pleaded guilty last month to a federal money laundering conspiracy charge. McClure pleaded guilty to one federal count of wire fraud conspiracy. No sentencing date has been set for either person on those federal charges. D'Amico doesn't face any federal charges. He and McClure were charged last fall in state court with theft and conspiracy but have yet to be indicted by a grand jury. D'Amico has denied wrongdoing. Johnny Bobbitt stands in the courtroom during his sentencing hearing at Burlington County Superior Court in Mount Holly, N.J., Friday, April 12, 2019. Bobbitt, the homeless veteran who admitted to conspiring with a New Jersey couple in a GoFundMe scam that raised more than $400,000, was sentenced Friday to five years' probation. (Tim Tai/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP, Pool) Johnny Bobbitt sits with his attorneys, John Keesler, center, and Stephen P. Hunter, right, during his sentencing hearing at Burlington County Superior Court in Mount Holly, N.J., Friday, April 12, 2019. Bobbitt, the homeless veteran who admitted to conspiring with a New Jersey couple in a GoFundMe scam that raised more than $400,000, was sentenced Friday to five years' probation. (Tim Tai/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP, Pool) Johnny Bobbitt, center, is led away from his attorneys, John Keesler, second from right, and Stephen P. Hunter, following his sentencing hearing at Burlington County Superior Court in Mount Holly, N.J., Friday, April 12, 2019. Bobbitt, the homeless veteran who admitted to conspiring with a New Jersey couple in a GoFundMe scam that raised more than $400,000, was sentenced Friday to five years' probation. (Tim Tai/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP, Pool) FILE- In this March 8, 2019 file photo, Johnny Bobbitt, left, looks on as his attorney John Keesler and Assistant Prosecutor Andrew McDonnell, right, talk while appearing before Superior Court Judge Christopher Garrenger at the Burlington County Courthouse in Mount Holly, N.J. Bobbitt, who pleaded guilty to taking part in a $400,000 GoFundMe scam with a New Jersey couple, will face sentencing on Friday, April 12. (Elizabeth Robertson/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP) ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Europe's human rights watchdog is urging Turkey to respect voters' decisions after electoral authorities blocked some newly elected district mayors from taking office despite winning local elections on March 31. The Council of Europe on Friday also urged Turkey to confirm the final results of the vote in Istanbul, where the opposition candidate apparently has won a tight race after a recount. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party has refused to concede defeat and is preparing to appeal for a rerun of that vote, citing irregularities. Anders Knape, a senior official at the Council of Europe, says "the implementation of the will of the voters has absolute priority in democratic systems." In a controversial decision, Turkey's electoral board has refused to reappoint mayors fired from government positions after a failed coup in 2016. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, rear center, chairs the executive committee of his ruling Justice and Development Party, in Ankara, Turkey, Friday, April 12, 2019. Erdogan's ruling party still appealing the results of the local elections in Istanbul, where the opposition has a razor-thin lead and Erdogan said Wednesday election results in Istanbul should be canceled over irregularities.(Presidential Press Service via AP, Pool) Manila (CNN Philippines Life) On May 13, Filipinos will cast their votes for the 2019 midterm elections. Two weeks prior, 11 senatorial candidates gathered on one stage at the Quadricentennial Pavilion of the University of Santo Tomas to debate their stands on the most pressing issues the country is facing. Of the 11 candidates present, six are from the opposition slate Otso Diretso, including Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, former Bangsamoro Transition committee member Samira Gutoc, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, and former Deputy House Speaker Erin Tanada. Then there are the two Hugpong ng Pagbabago candidates, Senator JV Ejercito and former Bureau of Corrections chief Bato dela Rosa, as well as former DILG Sec. Raffy Alunan, former Biliran Rep. Glenn Chong (who arrives over an hour late to the debate), and Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares. Photo by KITKAT PAJARO Photo by KITKAT PAJARO Outside the Quadricentennial Pavilion, supporters arrive in droves, some already wearing shirts emblazoned with their candidates names, faces, and slogans, others lining up to receive a shirt from campaign organizers. Though colors bleed into one another the white and camo of Alejano, the mint green-wearing youths supporting Diokno, the greys of Batos loyal supporters there is tension brewing. As Glenn Chong supporters clad in white shirts and holding hand fans bearing the image of Imee Marcos pose in front of a man holding a GoPro chanting Glenn Chong! Marcos! Bato! a voice to their left, where Tanada supporters stand, yells Magnanakaw! Hindi tayo bobo! retort several voices from the Chong side. Meanwhile, a group in blue and red, Ejercitos colors, are off to the side, huddled together to strategize how best to show their support despite being outnumbered by the oppositions supporters. *** Photo by JL JAVIER Photo by JL JAVIER Inside the holding area where the candidates await the start of the debate at 5 p.m., things are relatively calm. CNN Philippines President Armie Jarin-Bennett briefs earlybirds Diokno, Alejano, and Macalintal on how they will enter the stage. Gutoc arrives through the back entrance with her mother and a small team comprised mostly of women. Tailing her is a small foreign camera crew. Also with a camera crew is Dela Rosa, who chooses to enter the pavilion from the main entrance, where he is greeted excitedly by his supporters and poses for a few photos. Maca-Romy? Parang pagkain ba, sir? jokes Dela Rosa upon greeting Macalintal and reading his slogan on his vest. When Ejercito arrives, Diokno greets him saying, Ito na yung huling debate natin, no? Salamat at matatapos na. Good luck ah. Photo by JL JAVIER Photo by JL JAVIER Photo by JL JAVIER Photo by JL JAVIER For most of the two-hour waiting period, the candidates make small talk with each other and their companions, read their notes, and silently prepare for the debate. Colmenares, Gutoc, Tanada, and Diokno pose for photos in a corner and greet UST students for a video. Nearly 15 minutes before the show starts, Hilbay arrives, gets his makeup done quickly, and is assisted to get his portrait taken. Gutoc is assisted by her team and her mother in pinning her headscarf on. Tanada asks his companions if his family has been seated already. Lined up to enter the stage, Colmenares jokes that Dela Rosa should go ahead of him. Bato siya eh. Meanwhile, Alunan and Alejano chat about military exercises and skydiving. *** Photo by JL JAVIER Photo by JL JAVIER Photo by JL JAVIER Photo by JL JAVIER The moment the debate begins, the tension among supporters escalates. During the candidates opening statements, loud cheers from each pocket of supporters erupt. Boos and jeers fill the gymnasium when Dela Rosa makes his reminiscent of the first forum where he received backlash from the crowd as well. The issue of China loan deals, Chinese workers in the country, and disputes over the West Philippine Sea takes centerstage. When Alunan and Alejano are called to face off on the topic of debt-trap diplomacy, things get heated. The candidates argue about the release of government documents related to Chinese loan deals. Soon, everyone is on their feet, and Alunan puts himself in the center of the quarreling group to mediate. Photo by KITKAT PAJARO Photo by JL JAVIER Photo by KITKAT PAJARO Photo by JL JAVIER The gymnasium is filled with noise cheers, boos, and laughter all mix together in confusion and excitement. The political circus is on full display, and the crowd is living for it. All smiles, the candidates take their seats again and resume, but the crowd is riled up, and it takes all the effort from the moderators, CNN Philippines anchors Pia Hontiveros-Pagkalinawan and Pinky Webb, to calm them down. Dela Rosa takes most of the hit, with the crowd heckling and booing him, especially when the debate moves on to the topic of the administrations war on drugs. Iiyak na yan! one group chants. Mamamatay tao! shouts a woman. At one point, CNN Philippines Pia Hontiveros has to remind them that during the VP debate three years ago, some members of the audience were escorted out by security for being disruptive. Photo by JL JAVIER Photo by JL JAVIER Photo by JL JAVIER *** Once the show is over, the candidates make their way out of the gymnasium, stopping to pose with fans for photos and videos. Chong greets his loyal supporters by the side of the stage. Hilbay and Diokno fans crowd by the main entrance of the pavilion to wait for Diokno to emerge, after which they take a group photo together. Little by little, the crowd thins, the candidates and their teams and families pack up and ride their vehicles. The Quadricentennial Pavilion is empty once more. The show is over. The race is on. Were it not for the intervention of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who hosted negotiations at City Hall on Friday, it seems likely the strike still would be on. Both sides had staked out seemingly unyielding terms, their positions so far apart that compromise didnt seem possible. When management wants to switch musicians from a beloved pension plan to something riskier, and employees dont wish to relinquish it, wheres the middle ground? NEW YORK (AP) - Much of Ben Platt's debut album "Sing to Me Instead" is inspired by past loves, but he laughs at the notion that he could be pulling a Taylor Swift. Platt says the songs are more about emotions than specifics, so there's no need to give any former boyfriends a heads-up. "I didn't feel the need to give any warnings," he said recently. "Thankfully there's nothing too harmful said about anyone ... I'm sure if these people ever did find out that I had written about them, I'm sure they would agree the emotional experience was what I put across." He does say there was something cathartic about looking back through the lens of music. "I always sort of laughed when Taylor Swift talks about relationships, and she can only move on when she's put it into a song, but there's a real truth to that." The album doesn't just put his exes in the rearview mirror, it also puts distance between Platt and his Tony Award-winning role in "Dear Evan Hansen." Little on the album is reminiscent of the songs from the hit Broadway musical; instead, the "Sing to Me Instead" is a more soulful project. In this March 28, 2019 photo, Ben Platt poses for a portrait in New York to promote his debut album "Sing to Me Instead." (Photo by Brian Ach/Invision/AP) It was important to Platt, that his first album as an artist take him on a different path from the music he performed in his acting roles (He played the nerdy Benji in "Pitch Perfect" and its sequel). "I definitely wanted to make sure it was stylistically and sort of musically what I liked the most and what I love to sing," said Platt, citing James Taylor, Carole King and Donny Hathaway as examples. Anyone coming to see the star when his concert kicks off in May and expecting to get a dose of "Dear Evan Hansen" take note: Platt won't be singing any of that show's songs on his tour. But he hasn't completely left that character behind. Universal Pictures - and Platt's producer dad Marc Platt - have secured the film rights to "Dear Evan Hansen" and he hasn't ruled out reprising the role on the big screen. "I know it's in development and being written. Of course, that would be a wonderful thing I would love to be a part of," he said. In the interim, his next acting role is a much darker character than those he's been most identified with. Platt stars in the upcoming Netflix series "The Politician" from Ryan Murphy, playing a wealthy, morally challenged teen seeking to win an election to secure his spot at Harvard. Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Lange and Zoey Deutch also star. Platt said Murphy sought him out for the role after seeing him in "Dear Evan Hansen." "He said, 'You were this open book, this sweet, empathetic, very easy to root for (character). And I would like you to now play someone who is conniving and sociopathic and has a lot of hubris and is kind of a brat. I want to challenge you to just turn completely on its head,'" Platt recalls. "I was like, 'What more could you ask for as an actor?" In this March 28, 2019 photo, Ben Platt poses for a portrait in New York to promote his debut album "Sing to Me Instead." (Photo by Brian Ach/Invision/AP) In this March 28, 2019 photo, Ben Platt poses for a portrait in New York to promote his debut album "Sing to Me Instead." (Photo by Brian Ach/Invision/AP) WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. gave Argentina on Friday 5,600 newly declassified documents related to human rights abuses committed during the military dictatorship that ruled the South American country between 1976 and 1983. The collection comes from 16 agencies and adds to the nearly 50,000 pages of documents already delivered as part of The Argentina Declassification Project , the largest government-to-government declassification effort in U.S. history. During a ceremony at the National Archives Building, United States archivist David Ferriero handed several hard drives of scanned documents to Argentine Minister of Justice German Garavano. Garavano later told reporters that the documents include details such as names of perpetrators and victims that may help Argentina's judicial system close at least some of the 400 pending investigations into 30,000 people disappeared by the dictatorship. The latest records mark the fourth and final release by the U.S. government of documents pertaining to the period. The review process, which began in 2002, gained traction with requests by Argentine President Mauricio Macri to former U.S. President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump. A total of 380 US government staff from all the 16 agencies that participated devoted 3,200 hours identifying and reviewing relevant records, according to John Powers, associate director of the information security oversight office at the National Archives. Powers said that only 3% of the released records are redacted and that only 1% of all documents related to the issue have not been turned over. Carlos Osorio, an analyst with the nongovernmental organization National Security Archive, said the project represents a "new model of declassification diplomacy" and "stands as a uniquely valuable contribution to the cause of human rights, the cause of justice and the cause of our fundamental right-to-know." The documents were presented as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo began a four-day Latin America tour that takes him to Chile, Paraguay and Peru. ___ Luis Alonso Lugo on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/luisalonsolugo BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - Months after it flew as far away as Turkey's border with Syria, a griffon vulture from Serbia has come home. The one-year-old female bird named Dobrila from the central Serbian nature reserve of Uvac was flown home Friday in a joint effort by Serbia and Turkey. It is not clear why Dobrila wandered so far away but officials say she was apparently unable to come back home. There are about 500 griffon vultures in the Uvac reserve. The birds are considered a protected species in Serbia. "This is a very important moment for us," said Serbian Environment Minister Goran Trivan. "The most important thing is that she is well." Turkey's ambassador in Serbia Tanju Bilgic explained that Turkish soldiers first found Dobrila in late-2018 near the Syrian border when it was treated by veterinarians and set free. A griffon vulture, named Dobrila looks out from its transporter upon arrival at Belgrade airport, Serbia, Friday, April 12, 2019. Months after it flew as far away as Turkey's border with Syria, a griffon vulture from Serbia has been flown back home by plane back to its natural habitat. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) But, he said, shepherds soon after found the bird suffering from cold, some 120 kilometers (72 miles) away, when it became clear it was unable to fly back. "I am very happy to witness that our operation has been very successful," he said. ORONO, Minn. (AP) - A prominent businessman who once held a stake in the Minnesota Vikings apparently fatally shot his wife before killing himself. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner issued a report Friday that concluded 77-year-old Alexandra Light Jacobs died of multiple gunshot wounds. The medical examiner says 77-year-old Irwin Lawrence Jacobs died of multiple self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Police say their bodies were found Wednesday morning in bed with a gun at their lakefront home in Orono. The family has scheduled a memorial service Monday afternoon at the Lafayette Club on Lake Minnetonka. Irwin Jacobs was part-owner of the Vikings in the 1980s and also owned household products company J.R. Watkins Co. GENEVA (AP) - The Latest on Ebola outbreak in Congo (all times local): 7:20 p.m. The World Health Organization says that while the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Congo is of "deep concern" the situation does not yet warrant being declared a global emergency. Following a meeting of its expert committee on Friday, the U.N. health agency says it remains very worried about the recent spike in Ebola cases and the potential risk of the virus affecting other countries. Congo's health ministry on Thursday reported 1,206 confirmed and probable cases, including 764 deaths, since the outbreak was declared on Aug. 1. The outbreak is occurring close to the borders of Uganda and Rwanda, with South Sudan not far away. ___ 1:40 p.m. A top Red Cross official says he's "more concerned than I have ever been" about the possible regional spread of the Ebola virus in Congo after a recent spike in cases. Emanuele Capobianco spoke by phone ahead of a key World Health Organization meeting in Geneva later Friday about whether to declare the Ebola outbreak in northeastern Congo an international health emergency. Capobianco, head of health and care at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, cited Congolese health ministry statistics announced on Thursday showing 40 new cases over two days this week. He called that rate unprecedented in the current eight-month outbreak. He cites lack of trust about Ebola treatment in the community and insecurity caused by rebel groups that has hurt aid efforts. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - A judge has denied a request from the suspect in last year's Florida high school massacre to seal the identities of jail visitors from prosecutors and the public. Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer said the logs are subject to release under the Public Records Act, without exemptions for defense experts visiting inmates. Nikolas Cruz's attorneys said prosecutors will learn their strategy if they learn which mental health experts are examining him. Scherer's Friday ruling said only the identities are disclosed, and the "mere potential speculation" about visitors will not compromise Cruz's right to a fair trial. The Associated Press and other news outlets argued for the jail records' release. The 20-year-old Cruz faces the death penalty if convicted in the shooting that killed 17 people in February 2018 in Parkland. WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on court appearances of two political consultants in foreign lobbying cases that grew out of the Russia probe (all times local): 1:50 p.m. Former Obama White House counsel Greg Craig has pleaded not guilty to charges of making false statements and concealing information in a federal foreign lobbying investigation spun off from the Russia probe. Craig entered the plea Friday in federal court in Washington a day after he was accused of hiding the details of his work for the Ukrainian government from the Justice Department. The 74-year-old denies the charges and says the prosecution against him is "unprecedented and unjustified." The case intersected with special counsel Robert Mueller's probe because former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was involved in the financing of a report Craig authored for the Ukrainian government. The document sought to legitimize the prosecution of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Greg Craig arrives ahead of his arraignment at federal court in Washington on Friday April 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) __ 10:49 a.m. A Washington political consultant initially entangled in the Russia investigation was sentenced to three years of probation for illegal lobbying and skirting the ban on foreign donations to President Donald Trump's inaugural committee. W. Samuel Patten and prosecutors had asked for leniency citing his cooperation in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation and other ongoing probes. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson imposed the sentence Friday as Mueller has concluded his investigation but federal prosecutors in New York continue to investigate foreign donations to the inaugural committee. Patten has said he wasn't part of a larger scheme to funnel money to the committee. He pleaded guilty to violating the Foreign Agents Registration Act for lobbying on behalf of a Ukrainian political party. He also lied to the Senate intelligence committee. Greg Craig, left, arrives ahead of his arraignment at federal court in Washington on Friday April 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Greg Craig laughs as he arrives ahead of his arraignment at federal court in Washington on Friday April 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) W. Samuel Patten, right, with his wife, leaves federal court after being sentenced to three years probation in the Trump Russia Probe case, Friday April 12, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The police chief at North Carolina's flagship public university is retiring after an investigation found campus police were unprepared for demonstrators who tore down a Confederate memorial last summer. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill said in a statement Friday that Jeff McCracken will leave his position in July after 26 years with the force and 12 years as top law enforcement officer. A report commissioned by state university system officials found that because of miscommunication between police and top administrators, officers failed to install barriers around the Confederate statute nicknamed "Silent Sam" to keep protesters away. The February report found no evidence of a conspiracy to enable the monument's toppling. Opponents called the statue a racist symbol. Supporters considered it a marker of North Carolina and Southern heritage. WASHINGTON (AP) - Melania Trump and Karen Pence will get an up-close look at the military's special operations capabilities when they visit Fort Bragg next week. The White House says the wives of President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence plan a Monday stop at the Fayetteville, North Carolina, installation, home of the Airborne and Army Special Operations. They will tour the base, learn how the military's elite special operators are chosen and trained, and visit with students who attend middle school there. The first lady will also address military personnel and their families. Both women have taken an interest in the military and military families. Mrs. Pence's only son is a Marine. She launched a campaign last year to help military spouses get access to services. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Federal officials this week oversaw the test at a South Carolina prison of a cellphone signal jamming technology that some hope will help combat the threat posed by inmates with smuggled cellphones, officials told The Associated Press. The test took place over the course of five days in a housing unit at Broad River Correctional Institution, a maximum-security prison in Columbia, South Carolina, according to Department of Justice officials. Assistant Attorney General Beth Williams told AP it's the first time federal officials have collaborated with officials at a state prison for such a test. Officials did not release the results of the test, which will be included in a later report to be done by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The test marks progress on the state-level quest to stamp out contraband cellphone use, which officials have long said represents the top security threat within their institutions. Micro-jamming technology was tested last year at a federal prison - where officials said they were able to shut down phone signals inside a prison cell, while devices about 20 feet (6 meters) away worked normally - but a decades-old law says state or local agencies don't have the authority to jam the public airwaves. South Carolina Corrections Director Bryan Stirling, who for years has spoken out on the dangers posed by the devices smuggled into institutions by the thousands, told AP he was recently deputized as a special deputy U.S. Marshal, thus giving him the federal status needed to conduct the jamming test. "I'm very encouraged by what we witnessed at Broad River this week," Stirling told AP on Friday, adding that he's optimistic about federal legislation, introduced last month, that would give state prison officials the ability to jam signals. Prison staff work at Lee Correctional Institution on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, in Bishopville, S.C. A year after seven South Carolina prison inmates died in an insurrection, corrections officials say they've made improvements to the facility that for a night was the scene of some of the agency's worst violence. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard) In 2008, South Carolina officials received a waiver from the Federal Communications Commission to conduct a jamming test at a different maximum-security prison, in a demonstration for media and other officials but not in a prison dorm. Stirling and other state prison directors use other measures - like perimeter netting, monitoring by drone, and scanners - to detect cellphones but advocate a jamming technology that would shut down all signals as the best possible defense. In 2017, Stirling testified at a FCC hearing in Washington alongside Robert Johnson, a former South Carolina corrections officer nearly killed in 2010 in a hit orchestrated by an inmate using an illegal phone. Also that year, an inmate escaped from a maximum-security prison in South Carolina, thanks in part to a smuggled cellphone. In 2018, seven inmates at a maximum-security South Carolina prison were killed in what officials have said was a gang fight over territory and contraband including cellphones. The FCC has shown willingness to work on the issue, holding a field hearing in South Carolina and hosting meetings with members of Congress, prisons officials and stakeholders from the wireless industry. On Friday, Williams said officials are working to ensure prisons have technological options to help them combat the smuggled devices. "It is very difficult to make sure that no contraband gets in," Williams told AP. "We try as hard as we can, but it's really hard to stop everything." ___ Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP NM: Ronnie is such a deeply moral person, even as he does all kinds of immoral things, and thats part of what makes him so interesting. But I also think hes been terrible about recognizing the way his destructive actions (be they directed inward or outward) affect people around him. At the hospital, when Ronnie tells Jada he doesnt want her to feel uncomfortable around him, I love that she straight up calls him out: How exactly should I feel around you, Ronnie? How should anyone who knows what you did feel around you? The women in the neighborhood arent going to let him forget what he did. COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) - When Julian Assange sought asylum at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London in 2012, he was fleeing from sexual assault accusations against him in Sweden. Swedish authorities could still go after the WikiLeaks founder, who was arrested Thursday after Ecuador withdrew its protection and allowed British police to drag him out of the embassy. A closer look at the case: ___ WHAT WERE THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST ASSANGE IN SWEDEN? Swedish prosecutors opened an investigation into Assange after two women accused him of sexual offenses during a 2010 visit to Sweden. Assange denied the claims. He left for Britain in September of that year, and in November, a Stockholm court approved a request to detain Assange for questioning. Swedish police issued an international arrest warrant for him. ___ FILE - In this Dec. 1, 2011, file photo, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange gestures as he speaks during a news conference in central London. The arrest of Assange reignites a debate with no easy answer: Is the former computer hacker and founder of WikiLeaks a journalist or not? His lawyers are quick to characterize the case against him as a threat to all journalists. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File) WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE ACCUSERS? Assange met both women in connection with a lecture on Aug. 14, 2010, in Stockholm. One was involved in organizing an event for Sweden's center-left Social Democratic Party and offered to host Assange at her apartment. The other was in the audience. After Assange had sex with both within a week, they went to police together to seek advice. A police officer who heard their accounts decided there was reason to suspect they were victims of sex crimes and handed the case to a prosecutor. ___ WHEN AND WHY WAS THE SWEDISH CASE CLOSED? In June 2012, Assange sought refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy to avoid arrest, fearing extradition to the United States. In 2015, Swedish prosecutors dropped a case of alleged sexual misconduct when the statute of limitations ran out. That left a rape allegation. Two years later, prosecutors dropped the probe into the rape claim, saying there was no way to detain or charge Assange "in the foreseeable future" because of his protected status inside the embassy. Authorities said it was "no longer proportionate" to maintain the European arrest warrant. After Sweden dropped the case, Assange remained inside the embassy because he was still subject to arrest in Britain for jumping bail. ___ CAN SWEDEN REOPEN THE CASE? Yes. Swedish prosecutors have said the case could be reopened before the statute of limitations for the rape claim ends in August 2020. After Assange's arrest on Thursday, the prosecution's deputy director, Eva-Marie Persson, was tapped to look into a request from a lawyer for one of the accusers to find out whether the case can be reopened. Elisabeth Massi Fritz, the lawyer for the woman who reported being raped by Assange, told The Associated Press that she would "do everything" to have the Swedish case reopened so Assange can be extradited to Sweden and prosecuted. ___ WHAT IS SWEDEN'S DEFINITION OF RAPE? Under the Swedish criminal code, rape is defined as forced sexual intercourse initiated by one or more people without consent but also intercourse and comparable sexual acts against someone incapable of giving consent (fear or unconsciousness, for instance.) In 2018, Sweden passed a new law that criminalizes sex without consent as rape, even when there are no threats, coercion or violence involved. ___ CAN SWEDEN REQUEST HIS EXTRADITION? Yes. Ove Bring, professor emeritus of international law at Stockholm University, said a new European arrest warrant for Assange could be issued, "but we are not there yet." Persson said the case would be reviewed, but that no investigation has resumed and no timetable set. ___ IF SENT TO SWEDEN, DOES ASSANGE RISK EXTRADITION TO THE UNITED STATES? Bring concluded that an extradition to the U.S. is "completely unthinkable" if the person is wanted for "political reasons." The decision would be up to the Swedish government, with input from the prosecution and a veto right given to Sweden's Supreme Court in cases where the requested person does not accept to be extradited. FILE - In this Dec. 16, 2010, file photo, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is seen outside the High Court in central London. The arrest of Assange reignites a debate with no easy answer: Is the former computer hacker and founder of WikiLeaks a journalist or not? His lawyers are quick to characterize the case against him as a threat to all journalists. (Stefan Wermuth/Pool Photo, File) DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A judge has ruled that a groom can go to trial on charges he forced himself on a teenage waitress at his wedding reception. Matthew Aimers, of Willingboro, New Jersey, arrived at court Thursday in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with his new wife at his side. The judge upheld all charges, including indecent assault, indecent exposure, imprisonment of a minor and related offenses in the November conflict at the Northampton Valley Country Club in Richboro. Aimers' attorney, Louis Busico, says his client "denies and rejects" the accusations by the waitress, who is now 18. He says Aimers' wife, Kayla, "150 percent supports him." An affidavit says the waitress had spurned Aimers' advances during the reception. Police allege he followed her into a bathroom and sexually assaulted her. He was taken from the hall in handcuffs after a drunken brawl. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the accuser testified Thursday and that spectators were removed from the courtroom. LONDON (AP) - As a symbol of the woes of Britain's Brexit-era democracy, it could hardly be bettered. Lawmakers had to be sent home in mid-debate last week when water from a burst pipe began gushing into the House of Commons chamber. The image perfectly illustrates Parliament's problem as it tries to solve the puzzle that is Brexit. On the outside, the U.K. institution is resplendent, a world-famous symbol of democracy sitting majestically on the River Thames. On the inside, it's decrepit and increasingly unfit for use. The hidden flaws in Britain's political system have been laid bare - and televised worldwide - since voters chose, almost three years ago, to leave the European Union. Decision-making has ground to a standstill, even as business leaders and residents alike cry out for certainty. Many Britons feel a mix of frustration, fascination and shame at the ongoing political chaos. So do politicians on both sides of the Brexit divide. "I am ashamed to be a member of this Parliament," said pro-EU Liberal Democrat lawmaker Norman Lamb after lawmakers once again failed to find a way forward on Brexit. Bill Cash, a pro-Brexit Conservative, said this week that Britain had been "humiliated" by failing to leave the EU on time. Protestor flags fly opposite the Houses of Parliament in London, Thursday, April 11, 2019. European Union leaders on Thursday offered Britain an extension to Brexit that would allow the country to delay its EU departure date until Oct. 31. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) The last few months in Parliament, as lawmakers repeatedly tried and failed to agree on a roadmap for Britain's departure, have produced close votes, late nights and high drama. It's a political soap opera that has sent the viewership of Parliament's live-streaming website soaring and made an international celebrity of House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, with his bellowing cries of "Orderrrrr" and "The ayes have it!" But all the sound and fury signifies - not much. Britain is no further out the EU door or clearer about its post-Brexit direction than it was at the start of the year. A divorce agreement struck between Prime Minister Theresa May's government and EU late in 2018 lays out the terms of an orderly U.K. departure and promising close future ties. Since January, Parliament has rejected it three times. Pro-Brexit lawmakers won't vote for it because they favor a more definitive break with the bloc. Pro-EU politicians reject it because they think it's a poor substitute for EU membership. Parliament has also voted on other options including leaving without a deal and holding a new referendum on Britain's EU membership. And twice lawmakers have rejected them all. To avoid a chaotic no-deal departure that could devastate an economy already weighed down by Brexit uncertainty, May has twice gone to the EU asking for more time. Despite the bloc's increasing exasperation at Britain, it has twice agreed, delaying Brexit Day first from March 29 to April 12 and then again until Oct. 31. British businesses breathed a sigh of relief, but feared the respite would be temporary unless politicians can resolve a political crisis that been building since the surprise result of the 2016 Brexit referendum. Amid widespread mistrust in politicians, a feeling that had been growing for years, voters opted to leave the EU against the advice of the government, most economists and major business groups. Britain's political system has proven itself ill-equipped to implement the demand. May's Conservative minority government does not have a majority of seats in Parliament - a rare occurrence in Britain - and struggles to deliver its policies. The country's two main parties, Conservatives and the opposition Labour Party, are both internally divided over Brexit and have begun to fray, with more than a dozen lawmakers quitting in recent months to sit as independents. Pro-EU backbench lawmakers have gone to war with the government, seizing control of the parliamentary timetable to hold debates and votes on Brexit. Pro-Brexit Conservatives have demanded that May resign for failing to take Britain out of the EU. In this environment, Parliament's stressed, exhausted politicians and their staff are frankly relieved at the 10-day Easter break that began on Friday. The prime minister has implored them to relax, reflect and come back ready to strike a Brexit compromise. In the meantime, May's government is still holding talks with Labour in hopes of finding common ground. But there are few signs of any emerging consensus. Brexiteers in the Conservative Party are still plotting to remove May and replace her with a more strongly pro-Brexit leader, such as former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. Pro-EU politicians are still hoping to secure a new referendum on Brexit that could deliver a mandate for Britain to stay in the bloc. Labour craves a national election, despite the risk that voters could decide to punish all politicians amid exasperation over the Brexit debacle. There is no end in sight to the Brexit drama, which has left observers around the world scratching their heads - and sometimes chuckling - at Britain's plight. Richard Ashworth, a British member of the European parliament, told EU colleagues that Brexit had had produced "a sad nation, divided like never before, and a House of Commons in crisis." "Let Brexit stand as a cautionary tale to the people of Europe," he warned. But some observers feel sympathy as Britain so publicly struggles with deep, divisive questions about its values and place in the world - questions that are not confined to the U.K. "Parliament is representing the divisions in our county," said Anand Menon, director of the U.K. in a Changing Europe think-tank. "It's brutal. It's horrible. It's inconclusive. It's democratic politics at its most visceral. "Among international observers I speak to, there is a sense of, 'There but for the grace of God go I.'" ___ This story corrects the original date for Brexit to March 29. ___ Follow AP's full coverage of Brexit at: https://www.apnews.com/Brexit An anti-Brexit campaigner holds a sign in front of an EU flag during a protest outside EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, April 10, 2019. European Union leaders meet Wednesday in Brussels for an emergency summit to discuss a new Brexit extension. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) In this handout photo provided by the UK Parliament, Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May delivers her statement in the House of Commons in London, Thursday, April 11, 2019. Granted a Brexit reprieve by the European Union, British Prime Minister Theresa May is urging lawmakers to pause, reflect on the need for compromise _ and then fulfill their "national duty" to approve a Brexit deal and take Britain out of the EU. But there was little sign the U.K.'s divided and exhausted lawmakers had heeded the EU's plea not to waste the six months of extra time. (Jessica Taylor/UK Parliament via AP_ Protestor flags fly opposite the Houses of Parliament in London, Thursday, April 11, 2019. European Union leaders on Thursday offered Britain an extension to Brexit that would allow the country to delay its EU departure date until Oct. 31. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) Anti-Brexit demonstrator Steve Bray stands in front of a banner held by pro-Brexit demonstrators near Parliament in London, Wednesday, April 10, 2019. Just days away from a no-deal Brexit, European Union leaders meet Wednesday to discuss granting the United Kingdom a new delay to its departure from the bloc. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) CHESTER, Pa. (AP) - Cory Burke and Jamiro Monteiro each scored to help the Philadelphia beat the Montreal Impact 3-0 on Saturday for the Union's fourth win in their last five games. Burke stole a lazy pass near midfield and then took a few dribbles before blasting a roller from outside the area just inside the far post to give Philadelphia (4-3-1) a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute. Monteiro, a 25-year old on loan from FC Metz through June, converted from the spot in the 45th for his first MLS goal after Jack Elliott drew a foul conceded by Zakaria Diallo. Alejandro Bedoya tapped in an empty-netter to cap the scoring 57th minute. Montreal (3-3-2) had its three-game unbeaten streak snapped and conceded a goal for the first time since a 7-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City on March 30. Philadelphia's Kai Wagner was shown a straight red card, after video review, in the 90th minute. AMHERST, N.H. (AP) - Some Democratic contenders for president aren't saying whether they would re-open investigations into President Donald Trump if they were to oust him from the White House in 2020. Their reluctance comes as some liberals, including fellow 2020 challenger Sen. Elizabeth Warren, have increased the pressure on Democratic leaders to pursue impeachment following the release of a redacted version of the Mueller report. During recent stops in early-voting states, two U.S. senators in the race and South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg wouldn't say whether they'd press the Justice Department to reopen investigations into Trump. "Well, let's see because when I'm elected president that will still be about two years from now, so ask me that question then," Sen. Kamala Harris of California said Saturday while campaigning in South Carolina. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Buttigieg focused on existing investigations of the president. Campaigning in Nevada on Friday, Booker said it's premature to say whether he would instruct his attorney general to reopen the Trump investigations if he's elected president. "You are talking about January 2021," Booker told reporters in Reno. "We have a lot of investigations that are going on right now." Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., speaks at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority South Central Regional Conference in New Orleans, Friday, April 19, 2019. Harris is tapping into a network of historically black colleges and universities to mobilize her supporters (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Buttigieg echoed that sentiment Friday as he prepared to campaign in New Hampshire this weekend, saying that "it depends what the basis for it is." "It's certainly the case that there are various unanswered questions," he said. "I don't know that that has to happen from a president directing an attorney general to do something, though, because a lot of this just works through the legal system." A voter attending a house party for Warren in New Hampshire on Saturday thanked her for calling for impeachment. However, some Democratic voters are wary of how impeachment could embolden Trump supporters. ___ Associated Press writer Juana Summers in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and Scott Sonner in Reno, Nevada, contributed to this report. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Cory Booker, right, speaks with Astrid Silva, left, and others after a round table with Dreamers and immigrant activists, Saturday, April 20, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) JERUSALEM (AP) - Is the two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict dead? After Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu coasted to another victory in this month's Israeli election, it sure seems that way. On the campaign trail, Netanyahu ruled out Palestinian statehood and for the first time, pledged to begin annexing Jewish settlements in the West Bank. His expected coalition partners, a collection of religious and nationalist parties, also reject Palestinian independence. Even his chief rivals, led by a trio of respected former military chiefs and a charismatic former TV anchorman, barely mentioned the Palestinian issue on the campaign trail and presented a vision of "separation" that falls far short of Palestinian territorial demands. The two Jewish parties that dared to talk openly about peace with the Palestinians captured just 10 seats in the 120-seat parliament, and opinion polls indicate dwindling support for a two-state solution among Jewish Israelis. "The majority of the people in the state of Israel no longer see a two-state solution as an option," said Oded Revivi, the chief foreign envoy for the Yesha settler council, himself an opponent of Palestinian independence. "If we are looking for peace in this region, we will have to look for a different plan from the two-state solution." File - In this Friday, Aug. 13, 2010 file photo, Palestinian women wait near a section of Israel's separation barrier covered in graffiti, one depicting the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, at the Qalandiya checkpoint , between Jerusalem and the West Bank city of Ramallah. Israel's election this month may have dimmed hopes for a two-state solution with the Palestinians as a way of resolving one of the Middle East's most intransigents conflicts. The vote, in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu coasted to another victory, left no doubt that peace talks with the Palestinians won't be on the agenda anytime soon. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, File) For the past 25 years, the international community has supported the establishment of a Palestinian state on the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip - lands captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war - as the best way to ensure peace in the region. The logic is clear. With the number of Arabs living on lands controlled by Israel roughly equal to Jews, and the Arab population growing faster, two-state proponents say a partition of the land is the only way to guarantee Israel's future as a democracy with a strong Jewish majority. The alternative, they say, is either a binational state in which a democratic Israel loses its Jewish character or an apartheid-like entity in which Jews have more rights than Arabs. After decades of fruitless negotiations, each side blames the other for failure. Israel says the Palestinians have rejected generous peace offers and promoted violence and incitement. The Palestinians say the Israeli offers have not been serious and point to Israel's ever-expanding settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, now home to nearly 700,000 Israelis. The ground further shifted after the Hamas militant group took over the Gaza Strip in 2007 and left the Palestinians divided between two governments, with one side - Hamas - opposed to peace with Israel. This ongoing rift is a major obstacle to negotiations with Israel, and has also left many Palestinians disillusioned with their leaders. Since taking office a decade ago, Netanyahu has largely ignored the Palestinian issue, managing the conflict without offering a solution for how two peoples will live together in the future. After clashing with the international community for most of that time, he has found a welcome friend in President Donald Trump, whose Mideast team has shown no indication of supporting Palestinian independence. Tamar Hermann, an expert on Israeli public opinion at the Israel Democracy Institute, said the election results do not necessarily mean that Israelis have given up on peace. Instead, she said the issue just isn't on people's minds. "Most Israelis would say the status quo is preferable to all other options, because Israelis do not pay any price for it," she said. "They don't feel the outcome of the occupation. ... Why change it?" While the two-state prospects seem dim, its proponents still cling to the belief that the sides will ultimately come around, simply because there is no better choice. "Either Israel decides to be an apartheid state with a minority that is governing a majority of Palestinians, or Israel has to realize that there is no other solution but two states," Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh told The Associated Press. "Unfortunately the Israeli prime minister is politically blind about these two facts." Shtayyeh noted the two-state solution continues to enjoy wide international backing. Peace, he insisted, is just a matter of "will" by Israel's leaders. Dan Shapiro, who served as President Barack Obama's ambassador to Israel, said the two-state solution "is certainly getting harder" after the Israeli election but is not dead. Getting there would require leadership changes on both sides, he said, pointing to the historic peace agreement between Israel and Egypt 40 years ago, reached by two leaders who were sworn enemies just two years earlier. "We know what's possible when the right leadership is in place," he said. "So that puts us supporters of it in a mode of trying to keep it alive and viable for the future." That may be a tall task as the Israeli election results appear to reflect a deeper shift in public opinion. According to the Israel Democracy Institute, which conducts monthly surveys of public opinion, support for the two-state solution among Jewish Israelis has plummeted from 69% in 2008, the year before Netanyahu took office, to 47% last year. Just 32% of Israelis between the ages of 18-34 supported a two-state solution in 2018. The institute typically surveys 600 people, with a margin of error of just over 4 percentage points. Attitudes are changing on the Palestinian side as well. Khalil Shikaki, a prominent Palestinian pollster, said 31% of Palestinians seek a single binational state with full equality, a slight increase from a decade ago. His poll surveyed 1,200 people and had a margin of error of 3 percentage points. Although there was no breakdown by age group, Shikaki said the young are "clinging less to the two-state solution because they lost faith in the Palestinian Authority's ability to provide a democratic state" and because the expanding settlements have created a new reality on the ground. Amr Marouf, a 27-year-old restaurant manager in the city of Ramallah, said he maintains his official residence in a village located in the 60% of the West Bank that Israel controls, just in case Israel annexes the territory. That way, he believes, he can gain Israeli citizenship. "I think the one state solution is the only viable solution," he said. "We can be in Israel and ask for equal rights. Otherwise, we will live under military occupation forever." Netanyahu is expected to form his new coalition government by the end of May, and he will come under heavy pressure from his partners to keep his promise to annex Israel's West Bank settlements. Such a step could extinguish any hopes of establishing a viable Palestinian state, particularly if the U.S. supports it. American officials, who have repeatedly sided with Israel, have said nothing against Netanyahu's plan. There is also the Trump administration's long-delayed peace plan, which officials have signaled could finally be released this summer. U.S. officials have said little about the plan, but have indicated it will go heavy on economic assistance to the Palestinians while falling far short of an independent state along the 1967 lines. Shtayyeh said such a plan would be a nonstarter. "This is a financial blackmail, which we reject," he said. ___ Associated Press writer Mohammed Daraghmeh in Ramallah, West Bank, contributed to this report. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - San Francisco's renowned waterfront hosts joggers, admiring tourists and towering condos with impressive views. It could also become the site of a new homeless shelter for up to 200 people. Angry residents have packed public meetings, jeering at city officials and even shouting down Mayor London Breed over the proposal. They say they were blindsided and argue billionaire Twitter executive Jack Dorsey and other tech executives who support the idea should lobby city officials to build a shelter by their homes. The waterfront uproar is among recent examples of strife in an expensive city that is both overwhelmed by tech wealth and passionate about social justice. San Francisco companies Pinterest and Lyft recently went public, and Uber and Slack are coming soon, driving fears that newly minted millionaires will snap up the few family homes left for under $2 million. City Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer fought tears at a testy hearing over a housing density development bill, inviting her critics to visit poor seniors in her district who eat cat food for dinner. Opponents of the bill stood and turned their backs on Supervisor Vallie Brown, who vigorously defended the legislation. And as the city continues to grapple with a housing shortage, the entire Board of Supervisors was roasted on social media this month for rejecting a 63-unit housing project because it would cast shadows over a nearby park in an area with little green space. "We're definitely at the boiling point, whether it's the housing crisis, whether it's quality of life, which is exacerbated by the worst traffic congestion in America, or the affordability crisis," said Supervisor Aaron Peskin. In this Thursday, April 18, 2019 photo, a man rests and reads the Bible while sitting across the street from the proposed site of a homeless shelter in San Francisco. The city of San Francisco, which has too little housing and too many homeless people sleeping in the streets, is teeming with anxiety and vitriol these days. A large new homeless shelter is on track to go up along a scenic waterfront area dotted with high-rise luxury condos, prompting outrage from some residents. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) A March New York Times story about the upcoming IPOs set off frenzied activity among potential homebuyers and a call from City Hall for a hearing on how all that new wealth will affect gentrification and city revenue. Realtor John Townsend had the article on hand as he showed a 1,500-square-foot (139-square-meter) three-bedroom, one-bath condo listed at $1.15 million. He said he had double the traffic the weekend after ride-hailing company Lyft went public in March. The condo, which needed updates, sold above asking price. "You're going to have a period of incredible demand not just from tech, by any means, but by (interest) rates being lowered in the last week," Townsend said. "The real problem is we can't even remotely meet demand." The market for single-family houses under $2 million is going nuts, especially in neighborhoods attractive to millennials and young families, said Realtor Monica Sagullo. The IPOs are "in the back of people's minds, and the people who have to buy are the ones who are going for it - the families that need houses, the double-incomes," she said. A family of four earning $117,400 a year is considered low-income in San Francisco, where the median sale price of a two-bedroom is $1.3 million. Yet every night, the city of 885,000 also has about 4,400 people sleeping unsheltered, in alleys and doorways and tucked away in Golden Gate Park. San Francisco opened its first homeless "navigation center" in 2015 and currently operates six throughout the city. Unlike traditional shelters, the centers allow people to bring pets and don't kick them out in the morning. The proposed navigation center in the Embarcadero is a critical part of the mayor's campaign pledge to open 1,000 new shelter beds by the end of 2020. It would sit in a parking lot owned by the Port of San Francisco. Commissioners are scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether to lease the land to the city. After Breed's plan was announced, opponents started a GoFundMe campaign to fight it, called "Safe Embarcadero for All." Shelter supporters quickly called out the campaign on social media, and a sometimes-nasty battle ensued. The campaign against the shelter has raised $100,000, while the campaign for it, called "SAFER Embarcadero for ALL," is at $175,000, including $25,000 from Twitter's Dorsey and $10,000 each from Salesforce founder Marc Benioff and Twilio chief executive Jeff Lawson. The high-rises surrounding the lot are pricey. A three-bed, three-bath in The Brannan condo towers sold for nearly $2.5 million in February; the monthly dues are $1,200. In the nearby Watermark building, which has a rooftop pool, a two-bed, two-bath condo sold for more than $1.3 million in October - also with monthly dues above $1,000. "It's very hard for people who are not on the very high end of things, in terms of wealth, to feel like they can even make it in San Francisco, or own or commit over the long term to be here, and that creates a lot of anxiety," said Supervisor Matt Haney, who represents the district and supports the shelter plan. Haney, who rents a studio in the dilapidated Tenderloin neighborhood, has introduced legislation requiring each of San Francisco's 11 districts to make space for a homeless shelter. Plenty of supporters of the waterfront proposal, including those who live in the neighborhood, say the shelters are safe and opponents are being heartless. But opponents say a shelter is inappropriate in a neighborhood filled with tourists and children, and not many homeless. They worry about crime and property values and want to know why the navigation centers are not evenly distributed around San Francisco. "Other people in the city casting us as wealthy people who don't like to see the homeless population, it's not true at all," said Wallace Lee, a stay-at-home dad who is leading the opposition. Stacey Reynolds-Peterson has rented a two-bedroom, below-market unit in a building near the proposed shelter since 1991, when the area was full of grim warehouses. Retired because of disability, she puts most of her income toward the $2,700 monthly rent, and is considering moving north because she can't afford San Francisco. "We have homeless people. I see them every day, and they're nice people, but this is going to attract more," she said. "I used to love the city and be proud of the city. Now I'm not anymore. It's dirty, and it's ugly." In this photo taken Monday, April 15, 2019, resident Wallace Lee helps lead the fight against a new homeless shelter during a neighborhood meeting in San Francisco. The city of San Francisco, which has too little housing and too many homeless people sleeping in the streets, is teeming with anxiety and vitriol these days. A large new homeless shelter is on track to go up along a scenic waterfront area dotted with high-rise luxury condos, prompting outrage from some residents. (AP Photo/Janie Har) In this photo taken Thursday, April 18, 2019, cars make their way along the Embarcadero, with the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in the background, across the street from the proposed site of a homeless shelter in San Francisco. The city of San Francisco, which has too little housing and too many homeless people sleeping in the streets, is teeming with anxiety and vitriol these days. A large new homeless shelter is on track to go up along a scenic waterfront area dotted with high-rise luxury condos, prompting outrage from some residents. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) In this photo taken Monday, April 15, 2019, residents voice their opposition to a proposed homeless shelter in their waterfront neighborhood of San Francisco. The renowned waterfront hosts joggers, admiring tourists and towering condos with impressive views. It could also become the site of a new homeless shelter for up to 200 people. (AP Photo/Janie Har) In this photo taken Thursday, April 18, 2019, a man rides a scooter and children play along the Embarcadero across the street from the proposed site of a homeless shelter in San Francisco. The city of San Francisco, which has too little housing and too many homeless people sleeping in the streets, is teeming with anxiety and vitriol these days. A large new homeless shelter is on track to go up along a scenic waterfront area dotted with high-rise luxury condos, prompting outrage from some residents. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) NAYPYITAW, Myanmar (AP) - Myanmar's Supreme Court is to rule Tuesday on the appeal of two Reuters journalists who were sentenced to seven years in prison for their reporting on the military's brutal crackdown on Rohingya Muslims. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo and their colleagues were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting, one of journalism's highest honors, earlier this month. They were arrested in December 2017 and sentenced last September to seven years' imprisonment after being accused of illegally possessing official documents, a violation of the colonial-era Official Secrets Act. They denied the allegation and contended they were framed by police. International rights groups, media freedom organizations, U.N experts and several governments including the United States condemned their conviction as an injustice and an attack on freedom of the press. Their appeal in January to a lower court was rejected on the ground that the lawyers for Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, failed to submit enough evidence to prove they were innocent. Khin Maung Zaw, a lawyer for the two, has said the latest appeal argues that lower court rulings involved errors in judicial procedure. The Myanmar army's brutal counterinsurgency campaign in the western state of Rakhine in response to attacks on security personnel in 2017 drove 700,000 members of the Muslim Rohingya minority to flee to Bangladesh. Reporting on the crackdown is sensitive in Buddhist-dominated Myanmar because of worldwide condemnation of the military's human rights abuses, which it denies. The two reporters had worked on an investigation of the killing of 10 Rohingya villagers in Inn Din village, for which the government last year said seven soldiers were sentenced to up 10 years in prison with hard labor. Investigators working for the U.N.'s top human rights body said last year that genocide charges should be brought against senior Myanmar military officers, while other critics accused the army of ethnic cleansing. Prosecution witnesses at the reporters' trial gave confusing and conflicting testimony, lending weight to the belief that the arrests were a clumsy setup by the government. The reporters' claim that they were framed was supported by surprise testimony from a whistleblower in the police department, Police Capt. Moe Yan Naing. Although summoned as a prosecution witness, he told the court that his superior had arranged for two policemen to meet the reporters at a restaurant and hand over documents described as "important secret papers" in order to entrap them. As a result of his testimony, he was jailed for a year for violating the Police Disciplinary Act and his family was forced to leave their police housing unit. A report released in February by Human Rights Watch noted that expectations of a new era of freedom of expression under the government of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi remain unfulfilled nearly three years after her party ended more than five decades of harsh military rule. It said Suu Kyi's government has failed to roll back many of the legal restrictions imposed by past military regimes on freedom of speech and assembly, and has instead toughened some of those laws and enacted a new measure limiting free speech. Journalists have been some of the most high-profile targets. The report cited a Myanmar freedom of express organization, Athan, as saying that at least 43 journalists have been arrested from when Suu Kyi's government took power in 2016 through last September. In a new case, the online magazine The Irrawaddy reported Monday that it has been sued by the army for its coverage of recent fighting between the government and the Arakan Army ethnic rebel group. It said the suit was filed under Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law, which provides for up to three years in prison for "extorting, coercing, restraining wrongfully, defaming, disturbing, causing undue influence or threatening any person using a telecommunications network." There has been an upsurge of fighting since late last year involving attacks by the Arakan Army, which is aligned with Rakhine state's Buddhist population and seeks autonomy for the region. WASHINGTON (AP) - A House chairman on Monday subpoenaed former White House Counsel Don McGahn as Democratic leaders moved to deepen their investigation of President Donald Trump while bottling up talk among their rank-and-file of impeaching him. Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler was one of six powerful committee leaders making their case on a conference call with other House Democrats late in the day that they are effectively investigating Trump-related matters ranging from potential obstruction to his personal and business taxes. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged divided Democrats to focus on fact-finding rather than the prospect of any impeachment proceedings after the damning details of special counsel Robert Mueller's report. Nadler and the other chairmen made clear they believe Trump did obstruct justice, according to people on the call who weren't authorized to discuss it by name. McGahn would be a star witness for any such case because he refused Trump's demand to set Mueller's firing in motion, according to the report. "The Special Counsel's report, even in redacted form, outlines substantial evidence that President Trump engaged in obstruction and other abuses," Nadler said in a statement released as the conference call got underway. "It now falls to Congress to determine for itself the full scope of the misconduct and to decide what steps to take in the exercise of our duties of oversight, legislation and constitutional accountability." The subpoena angered Republicans even as it functioned as a reassurance to impatient Democrats. FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2018, file photo, White House counsel Don McGahn listens as Supreme court nominee Brett Kavanaugh testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed McGahn for testimony following the release of the report from special counsel Robert Mueller. (Saul Loeb/Pool Photo via AP, File) Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia, the top Republican on the Judiciary panel, pointed out that McGahn sat for 30 hours of interviews with Mueller and said Nadler was asking for some items that he knows cannot be produced. Trump himself insisted he wasn't worried. "Not even a little bit," he said when asked Monday whether he was concerned about impeachment. However, his many tweets seeking to undermine the report's credibility indicate he is hardly shrugging it aside. "Only high crimes and misdemeanors can lead to impeachment," he said Monday on Twitter. "There were no crimes by me (No Collusion, No Obstruction), so you can't impeach. It was the Democrats that committed the crimes, not your Republican President!" On the other end of the scale, Pelosi's approach disappointed some Democrats who are agitating for impeachment proceedings. According to her spokesman, Rep. Val Demings of Florida said she believed the House has enough evidence to begin the process. McGahn was a vital witness for Mueller, recounting the president's outrage over the investigation and his efforts to curtail it. The former White House counsel described, for instance, being called at home by the president on the night of June 17, 2017, and directed to call the Justice Department and say that Mueller had conflicts of interest and should be removed. McGahn declined the command, "deciding that he would resign rather than trigger what he regarded as a potential Saturday Night Massacre," the Mueller report said. Once that episode became public in the news media, the president demanded that McGahn dispute the reports and asked him why he had told Mueller about it and why he had taken notes of their conversations. McGahn refused to back down, the report said. Nadler's announcement was one of several leadership moves aimed at calming a struggle among Democrats to speak with one voice about what to do in light of Mueller's startling account of Trump's repeated efforts to fire him, shut down his probe and get allies to lie. After Mueller's report was released last week, the most prominent of the Democratic freshmen, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, signed on to Rep. Rashida Tlaib's resolution calling for an investigation into Trump's conduct and the question of whether it merits a formal impeachment charge in the House. "Mueller's report is clear in pointing to Congress' responsibility in investigating obstruction of justice by the President," Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. On Monday, Pelosi's letter made clear there was no Democratic disagreement that Trump "at a minimum, engaged in highly unethical and unscrupulous behavior which does not bring honor to the office he holds." But she acknowledged the party's officeholders have a range of views on how to proceed. She counseled them repeatedly to go after facts, not resort to "passion or prejudice" in the intense run-up to the 2020 presidential and congressional elections. She is the de facto leader of her party until Democrats nominate a candidate to challenge Trump, so her words echoed on the presidential campaign trail. "We all firmly agree that we should proceed down a path of finding the truth," Pelosi wrote. "It is also important to know that the facts regarding holding the president accountable can be gained outside of impeachment hearings." As the conference call got underway, Nadler's subpoena announcement was made public, an indication that the facts-first approach was moving ahead. Pelosi, calling from New York City, spoke briefly. Then she put a show of leadership force on the line - six committee chairmen, some of the most powerful people in Congress - to give more details, according to people on the call. Nadler went first. Others who followed were Oversight and Reform Chairman Elijah Cummings, intelligence committee Chairman Adam Schiff, Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel, Financial Services Chairwoman Maxine Water and Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal. The call lasted about 90 minutes and included about 170 Democrats. During a series of town hall events on CNN Monday night, several 2020 Democratic presidential candidates weighed in. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren repeated her call for an impeachment vote, saying that if lawmakers believe the president's actions were appropriate, "they should have to take that vote and live with it." California Sen. Kamala Harris said she believes "Congress should take the steps toward impeachment." Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar said Trump should be held accountable, but she stopped short of calling for impeachment. There's more coming to keep Trump's reported misdeeds in public. Congressional panels are demanding the unredacted version of the Mueller report and its underlying material gathered from the investigation. Attorney General William Barr is expected to testify in the House and Senate next week. Nadler has summoned Mueller to testify next month, though no date has been set. In the face of the intense run-up to the 2020 election, Pelosi implicitly suggested Democrats resist creating episodes like the one in January in which Tlaib was recorded declaring the House would impeach Trump. "We must show the American people we are proceeding free from passion or prejudice, strictly on the presentation of fact," Pelosi wrote. ___ Associated Press Writers Eric Tucker, Mary Clare Jalonick and Will Weissert contributed to this report. ___ Follow Kellman on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/APLaurieKellman President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, April 22, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) CHICAGO (AP) - The mother of a 5-year-old suburban Chicago boy who went missing last week is refusing to cooperate with detectives, police said Monday. JoAnn Cunningham has declined to say anything further to police since her initial report that Andrew "AJ" Freund had disappeared sometime between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, Crystal Lake Deputy Chief Tom Kotlowski said. "She is a valuable resource because she was the last to see Andrew," Kotlowski said, adding that the boy's father, Andrew Freund, has spoken to detectives. Cunningham does not have a listed telephone number and could not be reached for comment. Her attorney, George Kililis, did not immediately return a call for comment on Monday, but late last week he told reporters that Cunningham had been cooperative "until at some point we got the impression that she may be considered a suspect." On Monday, Kotlowski said police K-9 teams have searched the area in and around the house in the heavily wooded community about 50 miles northwest of Chicago, and investigators are confident that the boy did not wander away on foot. Police have said there is no evidence the boy was abducted. A news release Monday said the investigation is "focusing on the residence and the individuals that may have seen or had contact with "AJ" last." JoAnn Cunningham, mother of missing 5-year-old child Andrew "AJ" Freund, stands with her attorney George Killis outside of the Freund home as he speaks on her behalf and pleads with the public to help find AJ on Friday, April 19, 2019 in Crystal Lake, Ill. Crystal Lake police said Friday that they have no indication Andrew "AJ" Freund was abducted. They say canine units only picked up the boy's scent within the residence, which indicates Andrew didn't leave on foot. Police say Andrew's parents last saw him about 9 p.m. Wednesday and reported him missing Thursday when they woke up and couldn't find him in the home. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune via AP) In the days after the boy disappeared, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services said that it has had previous contact with the family - stemming in part from the fact that the boy was born with opiates in his system. DCFS said the boy spent nearly two years in foster care before he was returned to his parents. DCFS had contact twice with the family in 2018 but deemed the allegations of neglect and abuse unfounded. Meanwhile, when the boy disappeared last week, a younger son was placed into DCFS custody. The Northwest Herald reports that Cunningham is trying to regain custody of the younger boy and a hearing at the McHenry County courthouse is scheduled for Tuesday. This undated photo provided by the Crystal Lake, Illinois Police Department shows Andrew "AJ" Freund. Crystal Lake police say the missing boy's Freund's parents last saw him about 9 p.m. Wednesday April 17, 2019. Police say Andrew's parents reported him missing when they woke up Thursday and couldn't find him in their home. Police in the Chicago suburb of Crystal Lake say an FBI team that specializes in missing children is helping them search for the 5-year-old boy. (Crystal Lake Police Department via AP) JoAnn Cunningham, mother of missing 5-year-old child Andrew "AJ" Freund, stands with her attorney George Killis outside of the Freund home as he speaks on her behalf and pleads with the public to help find AJ on Friday, April 19, 2019 in Crystal Lake, Ill. Crystal Lake police said Friday that they have no indication Andrew "AJ" Freund was abducted. They say canine units only picked up the boy's scent within the residence, which indicates Andrew didn't leave on foot. Police say Andrew's parents last saw him about 9 p.m. Wednesday and reported him missing Thursday when they woke up and couldn't find him in the home. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune via AP) Every now and then I crave a dish I tasted in Italy. When the weather turns a bit warmer and fresh herbs and asparagus show up at the market, I make this pasta lightly coated with a silky citrus cream. I've added some thin asparagus and sauteed shrimp to the simple mascarpone lemon sauce to give it my own personal flourish. A sprinkling of fresh tarragon and Italian parsley brings welcome color, and the lemony marinade adds extra depth of flavor to the shrimp. All I can say is my husband and I cannot stop eating this dish; it's that good. This recipe looks a bit long, but if you do what I do, and have all the ingredients chopped and measured out, it only takes a few minutes. I like this sauce because it subtly flavors the pasta and is a fine complement to the shrimp and asparagus. I use mascarpone cheese instead of creme fraiche or whipping cream, because it gives the sauce a creamy, slightly thick texture with a faint cheese flavor. An extra bonus is that it clings beautifully to the pasta with the asparagus and leeks. You could use fresh pasta if you prefer, but I like it with dried De Cecco linguine because the al dente pasta can stand up to the sauce. This is a perfect Sunday brunch, lunch or a light dinner. You can serve it in individual pasta bowls or family style in its pan right on the table. Either way, you'll have a pretty presentation. Linguine with Asparagus, Lemon Cream and Sauteed Shrimp Serves 4 to 6 for a main course For the marinade: 2 tablespoon lemon juice 1 garlic clove, minced 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 pound large shrimp, cleaned and shelled For the pasta: 5 tablespoons olive oil 4 medium leeks, white and light green parts only, cleaned and finely chopped 1 1/4 pound pencil thin asparagus, cleaned, ends cut off and cut into 2-inch pieces 3 medium garlic cloves minced 1 1/2 cups chicken stock Zest of 2 lemons 1/4 cup lemon juice 8 ounces mascarpone, softened Salt and freshly ground black pepper Pinch crushed red pepper flakes 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon 1 tablespoon finely chopped chives 2 tablespoons finely chopped Italian parsley 1 pound dried spaghetti or linguine 2 tablespoons finely chopped chives, for garnish 1. In a medium bowl combine the marinade ingredients. Add the shrimp, and turn to coat them so they are evenly covered. Cover and refrigerate up to two hours ahead of sauteing. 2. In a large saute pan (large enough to hold the pasta), heat 3 tablespoons oil over medium heat, and saute the leeks for 5 to 6 minutes, or until soft and golden brown. Add the asparagus, and saute for 3 minutes, or until the asparagus begin to soften. Add the garlic, and saute another minute. Increase the heat to medium-high, and add the chicken stock. Cook until the asparagus is just cooked through and still bright green, about 3 more minutes. 3. Lower heat and add the lemon zest, juice, mascarpone and salt and pepper, and stir until mascarpone mixture because sauce-like. Add the red pepper flakes, tarragon, chives and parsley, mix to combine, and set aside off the heat. Taste for seasoning. 4. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package (about 9 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain pasta. Transfer pasta to the saute pan with the sauce and using tongs, combine the pasta until completely coated. Taste for seasoning. 5. While the pasta is cooking, in a skillet large enough to fit the shrimp, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil on medium-high heat. Add the shrimp. Saute on each side until lightly the shrimp turns bright pink and just cooked through, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side. 6. Arrange pasta equally in shallow pasta bowls and garnish with the shrimp and chives. Serve immediately. Advance Preparation: This can be made through Step 3 up to two hours ahead, covered and kept at room temperature. While the pasta is cooking, saute the shrimp. (Diane Rossen Worthington is an authority on new American cooking. She is the author of 18 cookbooks, including "Seriously Simple Parties," and a James Beard Award-winning radio show host. You can contact her at www.seriouslysimple.com.) (c) 2019, DIANE ROSSEN WORTHINGTON. DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC. XALAPA, Mexico (AP) - Thirteen people killed in a weekend shooting in Mexico's Gulf coast state of Veracruz appear to have been victims of an act of revenge between criminal groups, authorities said Monday. State prosecutor Jorge Winckler said five or six gunmen entered a packed events hall where a birthday was being celebrated and went directly to the guests at one table. Among the victims at that table was bar owner Julio Cesar Gonzalez Reyna, known as "La Becky," who authorities believe was the target. Witnesses told authorities that just before opening fire one of the attackers said, "You don't mess with this." President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took office Dec. 1 promising to reduce violence, but killings have grown during his four months in office. Homicides in Mexico rose 9.7% in the first quarter of 2019 from a year earlier, reaching 8,493 killings in the first three months of the year, the most on record for the period, according to figures released Monday by the nation's Security Department. Lopez Obrador wants to reduce violence through social programs and a new militarized police force known as the National Guard. He says effects should be felt in about six months. FILE - In this Jan. 2, 2019 file photo, Mexican police climb up a set of stairs of a dilapidated building during a shootout with a group of armed criminals in Acapulco, Mexico. Officials say homicides in Mexico rose by 9.7% in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period of 2018. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Monday, April 22, 2019, that he wants to reduce violence through social programs and a new militarized police force known as the National Guard. (AP Photo/Bernardindo Hernandez, File) Speaking in Veracruz state Monday, Lopez Obrador said that Mexico is "starting to stabilize, so that violence won't continue to grow at the same rate." But, he added, "it's going to take some time." The rate at which homicides are increasing did appear to slow somewhat in March. Homicides were up 11% in January and 16% in February from the previous year, but rose only 2.7% in March. The violence also has reached parts of Mexico that were traditionally more peaceful, like the north-central state of Guanajuato, which has been ravaged by killings by fuel theft gangs and the brutal Jalisco cartel. Homicides in Guanajuato rose 28% in the first quarter, to reach 947. LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - The leader of an armed group that has been detaining asylum-seeking families from Central America near the Mexican border said two years ago that he was training supporters to assassinate Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and billionaire Democratic supporter George Soros, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday. The FBI declined to comment on why it waited to bring charges against Larry Hopkins following a search in 2017 but his arrest follows widespread criticism after videos surfaced of their members carrying firearms and detaining groups of immigrants crossing the border. Members of the group the United Constitutional Patriots say they want to draw attention to immigration violations and assist federal law enforcement in patrolling the border. Hopkins, 69, made an initial appearance in federal court on Monday, two days after the FBI arrested him on charges of possession of firearms by a felon. He was arrested in Sunland Park, New Mexico, a suburb of El Paso, Texas, where his group has been stopping migrants, alerting the Border Patrol and ordering them to wait until agents arrive. He will plead not guilty at a hearing next week in Albuquerque, said Kelly O'Connell, his attorney. He is being held without bond. Hopkins allegedly invited an FBI agent into his home in 2017 and showed him at least nine weapons, including an AK-47 assault rifle and ammunition. According to the complaint, he first told the agent that the weapons belonged to his live-in girlfriend, but then referred to one of the weapons as his. Hopkins told members of the Patriots in 2017 that they "were training to assassinate George Soros, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama, because of these individuals support of Antifa,"or anti-fascists, according to the complaint. Members call Hopkins their "commander" online and in evidence presented to the federal court. A Patriots spokesman, Jim Benvie, dismissed the allegations as "fake news." He posted a video saying that that it may move its base from the Sunland Park to another location because of excessive media attention. "It's a false narrative that we're a bunch of armed lunatics and we're holding kids at gunpoint," Benvie said. Hopkins is barred from possessing weapons because of three felony convictions. According to the FBI he was first convicted of illegal weapons possession in Michigan in 1996, and then again in Klamath County, Oregon, in 2006, along with a charge of impersonating a peace officer. According to a police report in the Oregon case, Hopkins showed two firearms to a group of juveniles and a badge that said "special agent." New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said last week that she was working with state and local police to address the armed groups. "Menacing or threatening migrant families and asylum-seekers is absolutely unacceptable and must cease," she wrote on Twitter. The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico wrote Lujan Grisham and state Attorney General Hector Balderas on Thursday, urging them to investigate the incidents, including what it said was the detention of nearly 300 people on Tuesday near Sunland Park. Armed civilian groups have been a fixture on the border for years, especially when large numbers of migrants come. But, unlike previous times, many of the migrants are children. In the Border Patrol's El Paso sector, 86% of arrests in March were people who came as families or unaccompanied children. ___ Associated Press writer Andrew Selsky contributed reporting from Salem, Oregon. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The remains of a World War II soldier from Oregon who went missing in the final weeks of the Guadalcanal campaign have been positively identified 76 years after he was listed as missing in action, according to the U.S. government. Skeletal remains recovered two years ago on the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific are those of Pfc. Dale W. Ross, according to a statement from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. Ross was born in North Dakota, but moved with his family as a young child to Ashland, Oregon. He was the third of four brothers who fought in WWII. Assigned to the Army's 25th Infantry Division, he was listed as MIA on Jan. 14, 1943, during the final weeks of the Guadalcanal campaign. He was last seen in an area that saw heavy fighting around a Japanese-held hilltop. A search was conducted, but fellow soldiers were unable to locate his remains. On July 14, 1949, based on a lack of information, the U.S. Army determined Ross to be non-recoverable, the statement said. He was 22 at the time he was last seen alive. The other three Ross brothers made it back home, including the oldest, Charles, who served aboard a Navy PT boat in the Solomons and visited Guadalcanal in the vain attempt to learn about his brother Dale's fate. Then, in 2017, a WWII researcher named Donna Esposito was fulfilling a lifelong dream to visit the South Pacific when she traveled to the Solomon Islands. While there, a local man said his neighbor's son had found dog tags and remains believed to be those of an American soldier, according to an Associated Press story on the case in 2017. FILE - In this Aug. 3, 2017, file photo, the dog tags and a Hawaiian pressed penny charm of Pfc. Dale W. Ross are displayed at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. The U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has positively identified skeletal remains recovered two years ago on the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific as those of Pfc. Dale W. Ross, whose surviving family lives in Ashland, Oregon. (Justin Taylan/Pacific Wrecks via AP, File) The man gave her a pressing of the dog tags, which included Ross' name and hometown of Ashland, Oregon, Esposito said in a phone interview Monday from her home in upstate New York. She tracked down his nieces and nephew in southern Oregon, and in August 2017 Esposito returned to Guadalcanal with his nephew, Dale Ross Jr., and one of his nieces, Peggy Freitas. On the island, the family that had the dog tags and several bones handed them over to the Americans, who turned them in to a Pentagon team that was on Guadalcanal searching for U.S. MIAs 75 years after the start of the Solomon Islands campaign. The test results, released publicly on April 18, positively identified what the younger Ross and Freitas already believed to be true - they had finally found their uncle. "I feel just so incredibly happy to finally have this case solved," said Esposito, who lives in upstate New York. "It was an honor to be involved in the reparation of his remains." The younger Ross and Freitas did not respond to emails and phone calls Monday. One of Ross' nieces, Vicki Plankenhorn, of Talent, Oregon, said the family would like to bury his remains in a cemetery where his mother and three other brothers are interred. Ross' mother hoped for years that her son was a prisoner of war, but died without closure, she said. "They're all right there together," she said of the family plot. "He'll be right there with his mom. He'll be home with his family." ____ Associated Press reporter Chris Carola in Albany, New York, contributed to this story. FILE - This 1942 file photo provided by Dale Ross shows his uncle, Pfc. Dale W. Ross, in Hawaii. Ross went missing in the final weeks of the World War II Battle of Guadalcanal. The U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has positively identified skeletal remains recovered two years ago on the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific as those of Pfc. Dale W. Ross, whose surviving family lives in Ashland, Oregon. (Courtesy of Dale Ross via AP, File) PITTSBURGH (AP) - In the world of autonomous vehicles, Pittsburgh, Phoenix and Silicon Valley are bustling hubs of development and testing. But ask those involved in self-driving vehicles when we might actually see them carrying passengers in every city, and you'll get an almost universal answer: Not anytime soon. An optimistic assessment is 10 years. Many others say decades as researchers try to conquer a number of obstacles. That makes Tesla's declarations that it will offer fully autonomous vehicles by the second quarter of next year all the more striking. The company announced its ambitious plans during an investor conference on Monday. But skeptics doubt that Tesla can pull it off. Here are the problems that researchers must overcome to start giving rides without humans behind the wheel: ___ SNOW AND WEATHER In this Dec. 18, 2018, photo, one of the test vehicles from Argo AI, Ford's autonomous vehicle unit, navigates through the strip district near the company offices in Pittsburgh. The people developing self-driving vehicles say it could be anywhere from 10 years to decades before the cars will be carrying passengers in every city. Researchers are trying to conquer a number of obstacles. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) When it's heavy enough to cover the pavement, snow blocks the view of lane lines that vehicle cameras use to find their way. Researchers so far haven't figured out a way around this. That's why much of the testing is done in warm-weather climates such as Arizona and California. Heavy snow, rain, fog and sandstorms can obstruct the view of cameras. Light beams sent out by laser sensors can bounce off snowflakes and think they are obstacles. Radar can see through the weather, but it doesn't show the shape of an object needed for computers to figure out what it is. "It's like losing part of your vision," says Raj Rajkumar, an electrical and computer engineering professor at Carnegie Mellon University. Researchers are working on laser sensors that use a different light beam wavelength to see through snowflakes, said Greg McGuire, director of the MCity autonomous vehicle testing lab at the University of Michigan. Software also is being developed so vehicles can differentiate between real obstacles and snowflakes, rain, fog, and other conditions. But many companies are still trying to master the difficult task of driving on a clear day with steady traction. "Once we are able to have a system reliably perform in those, then we'll start working toward expanding to those more challenging conditions," said Noah Zych, Uber's head of system safety for self-driving cars. In some limited areas that have been mapped in three dimensions, the cars can function in light snow and rain. ___ PAVEMENT LINES AND CURBS Across the globe, roadway marking lines are different, or they may not even exist. Lane lines aren't standardized, so vehicles have to learn how to drive differently in each city. Sometimes there aren't any curbs to help vehicles judge lane width. For instance, in Pittsburgh's industrial "Strip District," where many self-driving vehicles are tested, the city draws lines across the narrow lanes to mark where vehicles should stop for stop signs. Sometimes the lines are so far back and buildings are so close to the street that autonomous cars can't see traffic on the cross street if they stop at the line. One workaround is to program vehicles to stop for the line and creep forward. "Is it better to do a double stop?" asked Pete Rander, president of Argo AI, an autonomous vehicle company in which Ford has invested heavily. "Since intersections vary, it's not that easy." ___ DEALING WITH HUMAN DRIVERS For many years, autonomous vehicles will have to deal with humans who don't always play by the rules. They double-park or walk in front of cars. Recently in Pittsburgh, an Argo backup driver had to take over when his car stopped during a right turn, blocking an intersection when it couldn't immediately decide whether to go around a double-parked delivery truck. "Even if the car might eventually figure something out, it's shared space, and it's socially unacceptable" to block traffic, Rander said. Humans also make eye contact with other drivers to make sure they're looking in the right direction, something still being developed for autonomous vehicles. Add to that the antagonism that some feel toward robots. People have reportedly been harassing Waymo's autonomous test vehicles near Phoenix. The Arizona Republic reported in December that police is suburban Chandler have documented at least 21 cases in the past two years, including a man waiving a gun at a Waymo van and people who slashed tires and threw rocks. One Jeep forced the vans off the road six times. ___ LEFT TURNS Deciding when to turn left in front of oncoming traffic without a green arrow is one of the more difficult tasks for human drivers and one that causes many crashes. Autonomous vehicles have the same trouble. Waymo CEO John Krafcik said in an interview last year that his company's vehicles are still encountering occasional problems at intersections. "I think the things that humans have challenges with, we're challenged with as well," he said. "So sometimes unprotected lefts are super challenging for a human, sometimes they're super challenging for us." ___ CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE The fatal Uber crash near Phoenix last year did more than push the pause button on testing. It also rattled consumers who someday will be asked to ride in self-driving vehicles. Surveys taken after the Uber crash showed that drivers are reluctant to give up control to a computer. One by AAA in March found 71 percent of people are afraid to ride in fully self-driving vehicles. Autonomous vehicle companies are showing test passengers information on screens about where the vehicles are headed and what its sensors are seeing. The more people ride, the more they trust the vehicles, says Waymo's Krafcik. "After they become more and more confident they rarely look at the screens, and they're on their phones or relaxing or sleeping," he said. In this Jan. 4, 2019, photo made with a slow shutter speed, one of the test vehicles from Argo AI, Ford's autonomous vehicle unit, navigates through the strip district near the company offices in Pittsburgh. The people developing self-driving vehicles say it could be anywhere from 10 years to decades before the cars will be carrying passengers in every city. Researchers are trying to conquer a number of obstacles. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) In this Dec. 18, 2018, photo, a sensor and camera array on top of one of the test vehicles from Argo AI, Ford's autonomous vehicle unit, is parked at the company offices in Pittsburgh. In the world of autonomous vehicles, Pittsburgh, Phoenix and Silicon Valley are bustling hubs of development and testing. But ask those involved in self-driving vehicles when we might actually see them carrying passengers in every city, and you'll get an almost universal answer: Not anytime soon. An optimistic assessment is 10 years. Many others say decades as researchers try to conquer a number of obstacles. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) In this Dec. 18, 2018, photo, one of the test vehicles from Argo AI, Ford's autonomous vehicle unit, navigates through the strip district near the company offices in Pittsburgh. In the world of autonomous vehicles, Pittsburgh, Phoenix and Silicon Valley are bustling hubs of development and testing. But ask those involved in self-driving vehicles when we might actually see them carrying passengers in every city, and you'll get an almost universal answer: Not anytime soon. An optimistic assessment is 10 years. Many others say decades as researchers try to conquer a number of obstacles. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) This Dec. 18, 2018, photo shows a sensor and camera array on top of one of the test vehicles from Argo AI, Ford's autonomous vehicle unit, at the company offices in Pittsburgh. In the world of autonomous vehicles, Pittsburgh, Phoenix and Silicon Valley are bustling hubs of development and testing. But ask those involved in self-driving vehicles when we might actually see them carrying passengers in every city, and you'll get an almost universal answer: Not anytime soon. An optimistic assessment is 10 years. Many others say decades as researchers try to conquer a number of obstacles. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) DOVER, Del. (AP) - Firefighters in three states are honoring a U.S. Marine and firefighter who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. A police-escorted funeral procession carrying the remains of Staff Sgt. Christopher Slutman left Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Monday. It travelled through New Jersey and into New York City to a funeral home in the Bronx. Firefighters along the way paid their respects to Slutman, who was a 15-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department. The 43-year old and two other members of a Massachusetts-based Marine Reserve unit were killed on April 8. Slutman is survived by a wife and three daughters. Shannon Slutman, wife of Staff Sgt. Christopher Slutman, reacts as a casket containing her husband's body is moved into a funeral home in the Bronx borough of New York, Monday, April 22, 2019. Firefighters in three states are honoring the U.S. Marine and New York City firefighter who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) A procession escorting the body of Staff Sgt. Christopher Slutman arrives to a funeral home in the Bronx borough of New York, Monday, April 22, 2019. Firefighters in three states are honoring the U.S. Marine and New York City firefighter who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Service personnel prepare for the arrival of the body of Staff Sgt. Christopher Slutman in front of a funeral home in the Bronx borough of New York, Monday, April 22, 2019. Firefighters in three states are honoring the U.S. Marine and New York City firefighter who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Firefighters sweep the street in front of a funeral home expecting the body of Staff Sgt. Christopher Slutman in the Bronx borough of New York, Monday, April 22, 2019. Firefighters in three states are honoring the U.S. Marine and New York City firefighter who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Shannon Slutman, wife of Staff Sgt. Christopher Slutman, watches as a casket containing her husband's body is moved into a funeral home in the Bronx borough of New York, Monday, April 22, 2019. Firefighters in three states are honoring the U.S. Marine and New York City firefighter who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Firefighter, Marines and other service members salute as the body of Staff Sgt. Christopher Slutman is moved into a funeral home in the Bronx borough of New York, Monday, April 22, 2019. Firefighters in three states are honoring the U.S. Marine and New York City firefighter who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Firefighter, Marines and other service members prepare for the arrival of the body of Staff Sgt. Christopher Slutman to a funeral home in the Bronx borough of New York, Monday, April 22, 2019. Firefighters in three states are honoring the U.S. Marine and New York City firefighter who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) People embrace in front of a funeral home preparing to receive the remains of Staff Sgt. Christopher Slutman in the Bronx borough of New York, Monday, April 22, 2019. Firefighters in three states are honoring the U.S. Marine and New York City firefighter who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) MILWAUKEE (AP) - A Wisconsin mother of seven pleaded guilty Monday to trying to plan terrorist attacks on behalf of the Islamic State group by distributing information online on how to make explosives and biological weapons. Waheba Issa Dais (dys) initially pleaded not guilty to two counts of providing material support to terrorists but prosecutors dropped one of the charges in exchange for her guilty plea. Prosecutors say in court documents that Dais, 46, used hacked social media accounts to discuss possible attacks with self-proclaimed members of the IS. She also tried to recruit IS supporters to carry out attacks and provided them with information on making explosives and poisons, according to the documents. Authorities never connected her to any attack plots, but U.S. Attorney Matthew Krueger noted the seriousness of her actions, saying Dais put a lot of information online with instructions on how to harm people. "Nobody will ever know what all she could've inspired," said Krueger, who serves in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. In the hacked social media accounts, the FBI said it found conversations where Dais discussed possible attacks with self-proclaimed IS members. In one case, she suggested using the deadly toxin ricin in a government building or a reservoir somewhere in the U.S., according to the FBI's report. In another instance, she suggested street festivals and summer celebrations as possible targets, the FBI said. FILE - In this this undated photo provided by the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department in Waukesha, Wis., shows Waheba Issa Dais, of Cudahy, Wis. Dais, a Wisconsin mother of seven has agreed to plead guilty to trying to plan terrorist attacks on behalf of the Islamic State by distributing information on making explosives and biological weapons. Federal prosecutors said they'll hold a news conference Monday, April 22, 2019, to discuss her case. (Waukesha County Sheriff's Department via AP, File) Dais was born in Jerusalem and was married to a U.S. citizen when she arrived in Chicago in 1992, according to the FBI. They divorced in 2003 and Dais remained in the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident. She was living in Cudahy, a city just south of Milwaukee. Dais faces up to 20 years in prison when she is sentenced Sept. 12, although the plea agreement said her punishment could be more lenient because she accepted responsibility for her actions. However, the judge will ultimately decide the sentence. Also Monday in a separate case, prosecutors announced that a Milwaukee man pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting an attempt to provide material support to the IS. In that case, prosecutors said Yosvany Padilla-Conde, a Cuban national, made videos swearing allegiance to the IS and stating his intent to travel with another Wisconsin man to the Middle East. Padilla-Conde thought he was sending the videos to an Islamic State recruiter, but it was actually an undercover FBI agent. Padilla-Conde's co-conspirator, Jason Ludke, was convicted last year and is already incarcerated. Padilla-Conde faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced Aug. 7. "These cases demonstrate the continuing and evolving threat posed by foreign terrorist organizations," Krueger said. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Animal rights groups filed a federal lawsuit Monday challenging a new Iowa law that makes it a trespass crime to conduct undercover investigations at livestock farms, a measure the Legislature approved just weeks after a federal judge struck down a similar law. The latest bill was approved by the Senate and House on March 12 and signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds two days later. It creates a trespass charge for those who use deception to gain access to a farm to cause physical or economic harm, with a penalty of up to a year in jail. It also allows for a conspiracy charge that carries a similar penalty. Iowa lawmakers passed the new law just two months after a federal judge struck down a law they passed in 2012 that the court concluded violated free-speech rights. That law made it a fraud crime to lie to get a job at a farm to do undercover investigations. The ruling is on appeal to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The latest lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Des Moines claims the new law, which became effective the day Reynolds signed it, violates constitutional free speech and due process rights and is unconstitutionally vague and overly broad. The Animal Legal Defense Fund, Iowa Citizens For Community Improvement, Bailing Out Benji, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Center for Food Safety ask a judge to prevent the state from enforcing the law and to strike it down as unconstitutional. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa is providing legal assistance in the case. The lawsuit names Reynolds, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and the county prosecutor in Montgomery County, the site of an egg farm where PETA would conduct an undercover investigation in response to a 2017 whistleblower complaint. "It's important for Iowans because these are core and fundamental free speech rights," said ACLU Iowa attorney Rita Bettis Austen. "It's also important for Iowans because the actual violations that are documented through these undercover efforts, whether conditions inside puppy mills or abusive violations of labor rights for the least powerful Iowa workers who are in these Iowa ag facilities, simply wouldn't get covered. They wouldn't even be known except for these undercover investigative methods." Sen. Ken Rozenboom, the Republican who managed the new law on the Senate floor, has said it is more narrowly focused than the 2012 law. Rozenboom, a hog farmer, argued during Senate debate that "agriculture in Iowa deserves protection from those who would intentionally use deceptive practices to distort public perception of best practices to safely and responsibly produce food." "I wish they'd find something better to do than defend liars and people that misrepresent the truth," he said Monday. He said the bill also serves as an important safeguard against spreading foreign animal diseases that would bring Iowa agriculture to its knees. Reynolds said in a statement that she's committed to protecting Iowa farmers. "We are working with the attorney general's office to ensure this legislation that supports farmers is upheld," she said. The groups say their inability to conduct undercover investigations in Iowa allows agricultural enterprises in Iowa to keep hidden from public scrutiny food safety, labor, and animal welfare issues. The animal rights groups also say the new law applies to the states estimated 250 puppy mills, facilities that breed large numbers of dogs for the pet trade, some of which have been found to allow dogs to suffer in abusive conditions. ___ Follow David Pitt on Twitter: https://twitter.com/davepitt TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas' new Democratic governor on Monday vetoed a measure that would require clinics and doctors to tell their patients about a disputed treatment to stop a medication abortion after a woman has taken the first of two pills. The action by Gov. Laura Kelly, an abortion-rights supporter, sets up a confrontation with a Republican-controlled Legislature that has had solid anti-abortion majorities for more than two decades. Supporters of the abortion "reversal" bill appeared to have the two-thirds majorities needed in both chambers to override Kelly's veto once lawmakers return on May 1 from a weekslong break. Abortion opponents contend the bill ensures that women who harbor doubts about ending their pregnancies will learn that they can stop a medication abortion by taking the hormone progesterone. Abortion-rights supporters say the proposal would force doctors to provide dubious information to their patients. Kelly said such a requirement would interfere with the relationship between patients and their physicians. "This unwarranted legislation will create confusion and could be harmful to women's health," Kelly said. "The practice of medicine should be left to licensed health professionals, not elected officials." Kansans for Life, the state's most influential anti-abortion group, immediately promised an attempt to override the veto. Senate President Susan Wagle, a conservative Wichita Republican, tweeted that the bill would allow women "to make an informed decision about their pregnancy." Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly speaks to reporters, Monday, April 22, 2019, at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kansas. Kelly has vetoed a bill that would require clinics to tell patients that a medication abortion can be stopped after they take the first of two pills. (AP Photo/John Hanna) "Women seeking abortion must not be denied current medical information that can save their babies," said Mary Kay Culp, Kansans for Life's executive director. Seven states with Republican governors have enacted such laws, starting with Arkansas in 2015, and Oklahoma's GOP-controlled Legislature recently approved a measure. Kelly was elected last year and took office in January after the state imposed a raft of new abortion restrictions under her Republican predecessors. Kelly's veto came after other states, including Kentucky, Mississippi and Ohio, have moved to ban abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected, as early as the sixth week of pregnancy. But Kansans for Life has long favored an incremental approach and restrictions that it believes will survive court challenges. Medication abortions using Mifepristone, also known as RU-486, are the most common way of terminating a pregnancy in Kansas, accounting for 61% of the total last year, according to statistics from the state health department. Supporters of "reversal" laws cite a 2018 study led by an anti-abortion doctor and medical school professor in California and note that progesterone has been used for decades to prevent miscarriages. "If they didn't know they could change their mind and all of a sudden they had a change of heart and they wanted to, we would want them to know that, that's available to them," said House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, another GOP conservative from Wichita. "It absolutely saves a life, and that's important to us." Abortion-rights supporters have said that study is flawed and that progesterone's use for reversing a medical abortion hasn't been adequately tested. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has disputed the usefulness of the procedure. Kelly said in her veto message that the bill would create a mandate "that is not adequately supported by medical science." "Requiring doctors to provide unscientific and unproven information violates the private relationship between women and their medical providers," said Julie Burkhart, founder and CEO of the Trust Women Foundation, which operates a clinic providing abortions in Wichita. Under the Kansas legislation, an abortion clinic would have to display a sign with the abortion reversal notice, and the physician would have to tell a patient in writing that a medication abortion can be reversed. A clinic that failed to post a sign could be fined $10,000, and a doctor who failed to notify a patient could be charged with a misdemeanor for a first offense and a felony for a second. ___ Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and other state Democrats are criticizing a conservative state representative for appearing to support spying on political opponents. The Guardian newspaper reported Saturday it had obtained the contents of chats involving Republican Rep. Matt Shea, of Spokane Valley, and three other men proposing to confront leftists with a variety of tactics, including violence, surveillance and intimidation. The chats on the messaging app Signal took place in the days leading up to a supposed left-wing revolt in November 2017. The revolt never occurred. Shea turned around and walked away when asked for a comment at the state Capitol in Olympia on Monday. He also did not respond to a telephone message and email sent by The Associated Press. All of the men used screen aliases. The Guardian said it confirmed the identity of those in the chat, including Shea, by cross-checking phone numbers attached to the Signal accounts. Apart from violence, the men extensively discussed tactics of surveillance and intimidation. In response to a request in the chat for background checks on Spokane residents, Shea volunteered to help, going on to name three individuals, the newspaper reported. Democratic Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib decried Shea on Twitter, saying, "Obtaining background checks on people for the purpose of planning violence against them is a crime, and even offering to do so is clearly 100% unacceptable in the Legislature." Washington State Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, walks off the House floor to attend a caucus meeting, Monday, April 22, 2019, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Gov. Jay Inslee and other Democrats in Washington state are a criticizing Shea for appearing to support spying on political opponents, after The Guardian newspaper reported Saturday it had obtained the contents of messaging chats involving Shea and three other men discussing the topic. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) "I call on House Republicans to do the right thing and eject Matt Shea from their caucus," Habib wrote this weekend. Inslee, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, said Monday that Shea's behavior had crossed a line. "He participated in conversations that advocated for violence against those with dissenting opinions," Inslee said. "He is actively conspiring with others to surveil and target political activists." The state Democratic Party called for Republicans to expel Shea. "You don't have to be a student of history to recognize the dangers that people like Matt Shea pose to our hard-won democracy," Democratic chair Tina Podlodowski said Monday, adding Shea "crossed the decency line for most Washingtonians years ago." House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox, R-Yelm, said Monday that Shea himself did not make any threats of violence in his chats. Wilcox declined to condemn Shea's remarks regarding background checks, saying he "would want to understand a little more about the conversation." Shea, who represents a deeply conservative district, has served in the state House since 2008, and has embraced far-right conspiracy theories, mingled with militia groups and visited right-wing activists who seized a wildlife refuge in Oregon in 2016. The six-term legislator and military veteran came to international attention in 2018 after a document he authored laid out a "biblical basis for war" against people who practiced same-sex marriage and abortion and instructed: "If they do not yield, kill all males." Shea lost some political donors and was stripped of his role as chair of the Republican caucus after that controversy. But he has since introduced bills to criminalize abortion and roll back gun laws. Last summer, Shea lashed out at the media at a gun-rights rally by calling journalists "dirty, godless, hateful people." He has also pushed for eastern Washington to secede from the rest of the state and create a 51st state called Liberty. ___ Associated Press journalist Tom James contributed from Olympia, Washington. Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane, speaks Tuesday, April 9, 2019, on the House floor at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash., as lawmakers continued to work through the final month of the regular session of the Legislature. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Washington State Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, center, reads at his desk on the floor of the House, Monday, April 22, 2019, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash., as others leave the floor for a caucus meeting. Gov. Jay Inslee and other Democrats in Washington state are a criticizing Shea for appearing to support spying on political opponents, after The Guardian newspaper reported Saturday it had obtained the contents of messaging chats involving Shea and three other men discussing the topic. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Four conservation groups have asked a judge to block a Trump administration plan allowing drilling, mining and other activities in seven Western states they say will harm sage grouse. Western Watersheds Project and other groups asked for the injunction in U.S. District Court in Idaho late last week for Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, California and Oregon. The groups in March sued Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service over changes to land-management plans involving sage grouse. The March action supplemented a 2016 lawsuit that said a 2015 federal plan put forward by the President Barack Obama inadequately protected sage grouse. The groups say the plan put forward by President Donald Trump weakens protections further. "Defendants falsely assert that the 2019 BLM plan amendments build upon the 2015 plans, but in truth they rescind or weaken numerous 2015 plan measures," the request for the injunction states. The U.S. Department of Justice, which defends federal agencies in lawsuits, acknowledged on Monday receiving an emailed inquiry from The Associated Press about the injunction request but didn't respond further. File - This April 10, 2014 file photo shows a male sage grouse trying to impress a group of hens, at left, near the base of the Rattlesnake Range in southwest Natrona County, Wyo. Four conservation groups have asked a judge to block a Trump administration plan allowing drilling, mining and other activities in seven western states they say will harm sage grouse. Western Watersheds Project and other groups asked for the injunction in U.S. District Court in Idaho late last week for Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, California and Oregon. (Alan Rogers/The Casper Star-Tribune via AP, File) Millions of sage grouse, a chicken-sized bird that relies on sagebrush, once roamed the West, but development, livestock grazing and wildfires have reduced the bird's population to fewer than 500,000. Most of the bird's habitat - sagebrush steppe - is on land administered by the BLM. The birds are found in 11 states from the Dakotas to California. The 2015 sage grouse plans are widely considered to have stopped the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from listing sage grouse under the Endangered Species Act. There are concerns that further declines in sage grouse populations could cause the bird to again be considered for federal protections. "Sage grouse are an American icon that will be irreparably harmed by the wanton destruction of sagebrush habitats that the recent amendments allow," Erik Molvar of Western Watersheds Project said in a statement. For Americans who fell in love with the England of buttered scones and Agatha Christie, a visit today can be jarring. London has become a city of vaping millennials and unfortunate skyscrapers, while even provincial capitals such as York have embraced Colonel Sanders and BabyGap. It's a better place, on balance, than when my wife and I lived there 35 years ago more vibrant and open-minded. Yet even so, one sometimes yearns for the postcard version, the England of tea and tweeds. And so we found ourselves one foggy night in the North Yorkshire village of Kettlewell, sipping a pint of Tetley's at the King's Head pub and drying our boots before a Tudor fireplace as wide as a two-car garage. We had come to the Yorkshire Dales for a quintessential English holiday walking in a quintessentially English locale. North Yorkshire is a place of breathtaking beauty, a landscape of deep, winding river valleys and high rolling fells the green hillsides so steep that even horses step carefully, the crests so high that their rounded tops disappear into wisps of fog. It's the most beautiful place in England, for my money, and one of the prettiest spots on Earth. It's also a place of great continuity, where sheep have grazed the same meadows for 300 years and an inn can stay in the same family for four generations. If the American West is the landscape of opportunity the unknown around every corner then Yorkshire is the landscape of history, a place that wraps you in tradition and enfolds you in comforting familiarity. Because we wanted to see several towns in just a few days, we chose a "sherpa" travel service. They give you a walking itinerary, book your accommodations and then ferry your luggage from one inn to the next while you are out testing yourself against nature. Our package called for three days of hiking, about 11 miles a day, along the beautiful valley known as Wharfedale. (The word "dale" is derived from Old English and Norse words for "valley.") Thus on Day 2, fortified by an English breakfast of poached eggs, broiled tomato, bacon, beans, smoked salmon, black pudding, tea, coffee, sausages and toast with marmalade, we set out from Kettlewell to ascend Yew Cogar Scar, a high, wooded fell that rises just east of town. Mist shrouded the valley as we set out, lending the woods a hint of mystery and coating every mossy rock with a dripping wet that put us in mind of woodland fairies and Tolkien's Frodo Baggins. About halfway up the hillside we stopped in a tiny bower to catch our breath. We took swigs from the water bottle and tightened our bootlaces, both of us silently thinking: "Nine more hours of this?" But the summit rewarded our exertions. The fog had cleared so that, looking west, we could see clear across the valley of the River Wharfe to the vast hillside on the far side, its green meadows quilted by gray stone walls and dotted with white sheep. Turning east, we could see our path zigzagging down a long hillside of rusty bracken and descending into Littondale, a valley of stone-built villages and Norman churches. After an easy descent, we made our way into Arncliffe (from the Norse for Eagle's Cliff), a tiny village straight out of Emily Bronte. Though it consists of little more than a modest green, a church and a clutch of fieldstone houses, it is home to a well known 18th-century pub, the Falcon. At tiny tables around a coal fire, we refueled with a Ploughman's Lunch and cauliflower soup while the barman and his aunt debated Brexit. By midafternoon we had gained the summit of a second fell, this one more windswept and lonely. Although Yorkshire's valley bottoms are green and friendly, the fell tops can be desolate places where you have only the sheep for company, and sometimes even they desert you. After a three-hour hike along the ridgeline we arrived at the head of a dramatic, boulder-strewn ravine that descended steeply to the lip to Malham Cove, a spectacular limestone gorge that climbs 260 feet from the valley floor. From there, a footpath led into the village of Malham and our accommodation for the night, Beck Hall, an elegant 18th-century stone cottage with king-size bathtubs and a sign that read: "Dogs and muddy boots welcome." One test of a good vacation is the question: Would we do it again? If that means heading back to Yorkshire for more hiking, we would do it in a minute. If that means using a sherpa service, the answer is not so clear. On balance we were happy with the company we chose, Contours Walking Holidays. The itinerary was well designed, including some of the Dales' most picturesque sights, and the accommodations, except for one rather drab B&B, were beautiful and comfortable. If we had a nagging complaint, it was with the daily sheet of hiking instructions. Each day's packet came with a page or two of detailed directions ("There is a clear path to follow marked by obvious stiles, toward the left-hand side of the limestone outcrop on the horizon"). Except that the grassy paths weren't always clear, the stiles weren't always obvious, and distant landmarks could be decidedly ambiguous. More than once we found ourselves at the edge of a meadow, utterly flummoxed about how to cross it and quite unsure whether our destination was just around the corner or another four hours away. After the first day, my wife downloaded an Ordinance Survey app onto her iPhone, which proved invaluable at moments of doubt. Then, too, budget-minded travelers should consider the cost. We paid about $900 for a package that included four nights' accommodation, with breakfasts so hearty they doubled for lunch, as well as a packet of maps, a useful introduction to hiking in the Dales and the luggage transfers. It's true that hiring an expert can bring peace of mind. On the other hand, if you have some familiarity with Yorkshire, you could save money by booking your own accommodations, mapping your own walks and using one town as a base for day hikes. Tiny Malham (population 238) is a popular hiking destination because of nearby scenic features such as Malham Cove and Gordale Scar. It lies at the confluence of several excellent footpaths and has several inns as well as a working smithy where the blacksmith gives demonstrations and sells her wares. Nearby Grassington, the metropolis of the region with a population of 1,100, has hotels, provisioners, hiking outfitters, gift shops and innumerable teashops lining a pretty village green. One afternoon outside Grassington, hopelessly lost near a beautiful limestone ravine called Conistone Dib, we encountered an English couple who were happy to give us directions. We fell in with them on the trail for a couple of miles and they explained that they had been coming to Yorkshire every year for more than a decade. My first thought: Every year? Wouldn't it get boring? By the time our third day's hike was finished and we were packing for home, that skepticism had been swept aside by a deep infatuation with the Dales. Would I do it again? I'd go back tomorrow. MADRID (AP) - Four contenders to become the next Spanish prime minister exchanged heated attacks Monday night while slipping in campaign pledges during the first of two televised live debates heading into the weekend general election. The debate on Spanish public television and the second on Tuesday on a private broadcaster are seen as key in mobilizing nearly one-third of voters who polls say remain undecided. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialist Party is leading voting predictions in its bid to stay in office but short of a majority to form a government alone. But he refused to say which party or parties he might consider for a governing coalition if the Socialists win the voting in Sunday's election. The question was repeatedly raised by the leader of the far-left Unidas Podemos party, Pablo Iglesias, who 10 months ago backed Sanchez's party in a no-confidence motion that removed the administration of the conservative Popular Party and put the Socialists in power. Sanchez said only that he would prefer for the Socialists to win an "ample majority" and then have some independent "prestigious" ministers in his Cabinet. He also criticized the center-right Citizens party for urging voters to elect a "sanitary cordon" to isolate the Socialist party, saying Citizens is seeking a right-wing government, even if that requires the backing of the far-right Vox party. People watch a live televised general election debate between four main candidates, as one of them, Spain acting Primer Minister Pedro Sanchez of Socialist Party, smiles, in Pamplona, Spain, Monday April 22, 2019. The debate is the first of two televised debates after Spain's electoral board barred the far-right Vox party from participating because it has no presence in the country's parliament. Spain goes to the polls next April 28. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) "The only alternative to the three right-wings is the Socialist party," Sanchez argued. He said a Popular Party-Citizens government would put "the extreme right at the wheels," referring to the political coalition that late last year ousted the Socialists from power in Spain's most populous region, Andalusia. Vox, the surging national-populist party, was left out of the television debates after Spain's electoral board ruled that other smaller parties would also need to be invited in line with the parliament that emerged from the last elections. Most polls predict the Socialists and Unidas Podemos will emerge with the biggest block of seats but fall short of the 176 needed for a majority in the 350-member lower house of parliament. If that proves accurate, the left-wing coalition would need to seek support from smaller parties, including Basque and Catalan nationalists. Catalonia's attempt to secede from Spain in 2017 has opened the gravest political crisis in decades. The separatist defiance has also prompted the rise of Spanish nationalism, giving wings to Vox, the party that could get around 11% of the votes, according to a mid-March poll by CIS, the country's official polling institute. The 90-minute debate allowed the four party leaders to share some of their proposals for boosting economic growth, modifying taxes and repairing the country's failing pension system. But it focused on testing the candidates' rhetoric abilities. Albert Rivera of the Citizens party struck a surprise note by attacking his most likely partner in any conservative coalition government, reminding Pablo Casado how his Popular Party had been tainted by years of political scandals. In response, Casado said he was chosen as his party's president "to turn a page on what could have happened in past times." Nearly 37 million Spaniards are eligible to vote in Sunday's election, the third in less than four years as a result of the recent fragmentation and polarization of politics in Spain. People watch a live televised general election debate between four main candidates, left to right, Pablo Casado of Popular Party, Spain acting Primer Minister Pedro Sanchez of Socialist Party, Albert Rivera of Citizen's Party and Pablo Iglesias of Podemos Party, in Pamplona, Spain, Monday April 22, 2019. The debate is the first of two televised debates after Spain's electoral board barred the far-right Vox party from participating because it has no presence in the country's parliament. Spain goes to the polls next April 28. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) - A St. Louis County judge on Monday refused to lower bail for a former Catholic priest who was previously imprisoned and labeled sexually violent. Fred Lenczycki, 74, of suburban Chicago, was charged in February with two counts of sodomy for allegedly abusing two boys in the early 1990s at a north St. Louis County parish. He is jailed on $500,000 cash-only bond but was seeking an unspecified reduction. Lenczycki has admitted abusing up to 30 boys in Illinois, Missouri and California over 25 years, according to court and church files. He was removed from the ministry in 2002, when he was charged with sexually abusing three boys at a church in Hinsdale, Illinois, in the 1980s. The victims told authorities that "Father Fred" repeatedly molested them, often using the pretense of swaddling them in "Baby Jesus" costumes for pageants that never took place. He pleaded guilty in 2004 and was sentenced to five years in prison. In 2008, a year before his release from prison, he became the first U.S. priest to be labeled sexually violent when he was committed under Illinois' Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act. St. Louis County Circuit Judge Gloria Clark Reno was expected to hear testimony from the two alleged Missouri victims, Chris Gensler III, now 37, and Ron Kanady, 38, at a hearing Monday. But prior to the hearing, officials with the Illinois agency that monitors Lenczycki and others classified as sexually violent said it would not be responsible for transporting him to court from his Chicago-area home. Assistant prosecutor Melissa Price Smith said that if Lenczycki had to take public transportation to St. Louis without supervision, he could be in contact with children. Based largely on the logistical concern, Reno denied the bond reduction. Defense attorney Matthew Radefeld said Lenczycki is seeking a re-evaluation to clear himself from the Illinois sexually violent person listing. In the St. Louis County case, charging documents allege that from 1991 through 1994, Lenczycki repeatedly grabbed one boy's genitals and tried to force another boy to expose himself. "I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulder," Kanady said after the judge's ruling Monday. Gensler called the ruling "a blessing from God and a step in the right direction for kids who could be exposed to him." Victims of clergy sexual abuse have demanded more accountability and transparency from the Catholic church since last year, when a Pennsylvania report detailed seven decades of child sexual abuse by more than 300 predator priests. The Vatican convened a sexual abuse summit in February to hear the testimony of several victims. In addition to the criminal cases, Lenczycki is named in several lawsuits. PHOENIX (AP) - Charges were dismissed against three students involved in a protest of U.S. Border Patrol agents at the University of Arizona that was captured on video. The case was dismissed Friday at the request of prosecutors after they after learned the university will conduct an administrative investigation into the March 19 protest in Tucson, said Amelia Cramer, chief deputy for the Pima County Attorney's Office, noting the students could face punishments if they're found to have violated the university's code of conduct. The video shows a student standing in a hallway as two Border Patrols agents spoke inside a classroom to a student law-enforcement club, which had invited the agents to speak. The protester repeatedly referred to the Border Patrol as the "murder patrol." "This is supposed to be a safe space for students, but they allow an extension of the KKK into campus," said the student, who later declined an invitation to join the group inside the classroom. Other students later joined in the chants of "murder patrol" as the agents walked out of the classroom and were followed to parking garage where they left in an SUV. The video footage sparked anger among members of the union that represents Border Patrol agents. A few days later, the university announced that two students were being charged with interference with the peaceful conduct of an educational institution for their role in the protest. The third student was later charged. FILE - This April 10, 2019, file photo shows supporters of three University of Arizona students who were charged with a misdemeanor for their part in a protest of two Border Patrol agents on the university's Tucson campus. The charges were dismissed Friday at the request of prosecutors after they learned the university will conduct an administrative investigation into the March 19 protest in Tucson. (Tim Stellar/Arizona Daily Star via AP, file) Supporters say the three students - Denisse Moreno Melchor, Mariel Alexandra Bustamante and Marianna Ariel Coles-Curtis - had free speech rights to protest the agents' presence. They started an online campaign to drop the case and staged demonstrations in Tucson. A protest planned for Monday outside Pima County Consolidated Justice Court, where the three were scheduled to be arraigned, has been called off. In separate interviews Monday, the three students attributed the dismissal to pressure that their supporters put on authorities, including a flood of phone calls to the county attorney's office. Bustamante said she believes the charges were a response from pressure that the Border Patrol union put on the university. "It seems like they wanted to make an example of us," Bustamante said. The Tucson chapter of the Border Patrol union didn't immediately respond to phone calls for comment on Monday. The three students also said they were concerned about the university's administrative investigation. They were under the impression that Dean of Students Office wasn't going to conduct an investigation. "What we heard from the dean of students is that they weren't going to investigate us internally," Moreno Melchor said. Cramer pointed out the misdemeanor charges lodged against the three students had been filed by the University of Arizona Police Department, not prosecutors. The university's police department declined to comment on the dismissal. University spokesman Chris Sigurdson said in a statement that the university respects the county attorney's decision to dismiss the case. "The university is moving forward with the dean of students' process review of the incident per our policies," Sigurdson said. ___ Follow Jacques Billeaud at twitter.com/jacquesbilleaud. Philadelphia city government can require that contractor Catholic Social Services does not discriminate against same-sex couples in its foster care program, a federal appeals court ruled Monday. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the city after it stopped placing children with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's agency because it would not permit same-sex couples to serve as foster parents. The court ruled the city did not target the agency because of its religious beliefs but acted only to enforce its own nondiscrimination policy in the face of what seemed to be a clear violation. "The city stands on firm ground in requiring its contractors to abide by its non-discrimination policies when administering public services," wrote Circuit Court Judge Thomas Ambro for the three-judge panel. Catholic Social Services sought an order requiring Philadelphia to renew its contract as a foster care agency and had argued the city's actions violated the U.S. Constitution's guarantee of the right to freely practice one's religion. The Washington, D.C.-based law firm that represents Catholic Social Services in the matter said the city's policy has prevented dozens of families who want to take in children from doing so for nearly a year. Asked about a possible appeal, a spokesman said legal options were being reviewed. "We're disappointed that the court decided to let the city place politics above the needs of kids and the rights of parents, but we will continue this fight," said Lori Windham, a lawyer for Catholic Social Services. Philadelphia Human Services commissioner Cynthia Figeroa said the decision will help the city best serve children under its care. "We want all individuals who are able to provide safe, loving and welcoming homes to consider fostering," Figeroa said. The Catholic Social Services policy came to the city's attention in March 2018, when a reporter with The Philadelphia Inquirer asked about it, Ambro wrote. He said Catholic Social Services won't certify same-sex married couples because of religious principles, nor will it allow unmarried cohabitating couples to foster children under its program. It only allows married or single people in the program, and considers same-sex couples to be unmarried. The agency disclosed at a hearing in the case that it also required prospective foster parents to obtain a "pastoral letter" from a religious figure of any faith or denomination that said the parents were actively religious, attending services and the like. After the city objected, arguing that it violated their contract and the U.S. Constitution's provision against establishment of religion, the agency said it would no longer require the pastoral letter. Philadelphia instituted a "placement hold" that has kept Catholic Social Services from placing additional children with foster parents. The Inquirer reported that Catholic Social Services placed about 260 kids in 2017. A city spokesman said Human Services has contracts with 29 agencies to license foster homes for just over 5,000 children. RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - Avianca Brasil canceled more than 1,045 domestic flights this week because it has to return 18 aircraft to leasing agencies. Brazil's National Aviation Agency said the planes needed to be returned Monday to avoid affecting Holy Week holiday passengers. Customers can either get refunds for canceled flights or rebook through partner airlines. Avianca Brasil declined to say how many planes it has left. But the G1 news portal reports that the airline has just seven planes still in its fleet. On April 1, the airline canceled several international routes from Sao Paulo to New York, Miami and Santiago, Chile. Avianca Brasil filed for bankruptcy in December after failing to pay leases on its aircraft. The airline, formerly known as Ocean Air, has licensed the name Avianca since 2010 from Colombian carrier Avianca Holdings SA. They are separate companies with the same owners: brothers German and Jose Efromovich. The latter is being investigated for allegedly failing to pay airport fees in Salvador airport in northeastern Brazil. A company representative from Avianca's headquarters in Colombia stressed that the Brazilian company is independent from Avianca Holdings group, both operationally and financially. The company said in a statement that flights operated by Avianca Holdings SA from hubs in Bogota and Lima, Peru, to destinations in Brazil will not be affected by the Avianca Brasil cancellations. NEW YORK (AP) - Viji Devadas hasn't heard from her nephew in Sri Lanka on her family WhatsApp chat group since he reached out just after the Easter Sunday bomb blasts that tore apart churches and hotels and killed hundreds in the South Asian nation. It's unsettling, but she knows he's ok, and the Sri Lankan government's decision to block most social media, citing concern over "false news reports," makes sense to her. In "one way, it's good because so many rumors and so many things, everybody gets scared," said Devadas, whose family runs a restaurant named after the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, in a tiny strip of New York's Staten Island borough known as "Little Sri Lanka." At the same time, she hoped it wouldn't be in place for long, since "people like to see what's going on and happening." The block on social media including Facebook and its WhatsApp and Instagram services was announced by the Sri Lankan government's official news portal, which cited the spread of misinformation online. The NetBlocks observatory said it detected an intentional blackout of the popular platforms, as well as YouTube, Snapchat and Viber. Twitter appeared unaffected. Officials likely feared that the spread of inflammatory content could provoke more bloodshed in Sri Lanka, a Buddhist-majority island nation that has large Hindu, Muslim and Christian minorities and a long history of ethnic and sectarian conflict. At least 290 people were killed and 500 people injured in the bombings. That made sense to Devadas. The government doesn't "want to get new rumors, they don't want to get riots," she said. Dhannitha Meemanage, from Sri Lanka, bags cashews in his family's grocery store, in New York's Staten Island's "Little Sri Lanka" community, Monday, April 22, 2019. Sri Lanka's abrupt shutdown of social media sites in the wake of the string of deadly Easter Sunday terror attacks has left worried friends and relatives in places like "Little Sri Lanka" in the dark. Meemanage, turned to old-fashioned means of getting news about loved ones after the attack, a landline phone. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) James Moses agreed. "I think it's a good thing, what they have done because ... a lot of people give misinformation, and spread that which is not accurate," said the Sri Lankan immigrant, who also lives on Staten Island. "I see sometimes hatred, violence ... put up on social media. That's not going to help anybody. That's going to be really a mess." The decision by Sri Lankan authorities to flick the off switch on most social media after the attacks was a lightning fast reaction that also reflects accumulated distrust in the capability of American internet companies to control harmful content. It wasn't the first time Sri Lanka has blocked social media. The government imposed a weeklong ban in March 2018 because of concerns that WhatsApp and other platforms were being used to fan anti-Muslim violence in the country's central region. Ivan Sigal, head of the internet and journalism advocacy organization Global Voices, said the country's rapid action after Sunday's attack was a "telling moment." "A few years ago we'd be using these platforms to help each other and coordinating assistance. Now we view them as a threat," he wrote on Twitter. "If I were Facebook and WhatsApp I'd take a moment to ask myself where I'd gone wrong," he added. "Cannot think of a clearer signal for lack of platform trust." In the past, blocking social media would have been seen as "outrageous censorship," Sigal said, highlighting the shift in attitudes toward social media sites. "Now we think of it as essential duty of care, to protect ourselves from threat." Sri Lanka's defense ministry said the shutdown would extend until the government wraps up its investigation into the bomb blasts. Sri Lanka's U.N. ambassador, Amrith Rohan Perera, said in a statement Monday that the blocks aim "to prevent speculative and mischievous attempts to spread rumors." He also cautioned expatriates to use social media responsibly to support one another but not to inadvertently spread "panic and mistrust." NetBlocks, however, said post-attack blackouts can be ineffective. "What we've seen is that when social media is shut down, it creates a vacuum of information that's readily exploited by other parties," said Alp Toker, executive director of the London-based group. "It can add to the sense of fear and can cause panic." "That's going to be a problem for people trying to communicate with friends and family," Toker said. Some internet users are circumventing the social media blocks by using a virtual private network, which masks the location of a computer, Toker said. An analysis by Sri Lankan researcher and author Yudhanjaya Wijeratne of thousands of Facebook posts made during last year's ban found that many Sri Lankans simply found ways around it. Others, like Staten Island resident Dhannitha Meemanage, turned to old-fashioned means of getting news about loved ones after Sunday's attack - a landline phone. "Everything is shut down because of this problem," he said as he bagged cashews in his family's grocery story in Little Sri Lanka. __ Associated Press writers Matt O'Brien, Stephen Wright and Jennifer Peltz contributed to this report. NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Body camera footage shows a white Louisiana police officer fatally shooting an African American man who threatened a store clerk with a lethal-looking BB gun, prompting the man's family to renew calls for legal action against the officer. Video of the fatal encounter, obtained by The Associated Press, shows a short but harrowing pursuit in which Juston Landry is shot five times while running away from Officer Jonathan D. Landrum of the Lake Charles Police Department. Landry, 26, can be heard telling the officer several times he's carrying a BB gun. But he ignores Landrum's repeated commands to throw the gun to the ground while darting across a highway and gas station parking lot. Calcasieu Parish District Attorney John DeRosier showed snippets of the body camera footage at a press conference this month in which he announced a grand jury declined to charge Landrum in the Jan. 11 shooting. The nearly nine-minute clip obtained by the AP has not previously been made public. Derrick Kee, an attorney for Landry's family, said the footage amounts to a "murder on camera," adding he is considering asking the U.S. Justice Department to investigate the shooting. The family also intends to file a lawsuit seeking damages for Landry's death. "There is nowhere in America where a citizen gets to shoot someone who is that far away and running away even farther," Kee told the AP. "It was well known in our community that Juston suffered from mental illness, and you can't deal with the mentally ill in the same manner as other people." In this Jan. 11, 2019, image made from a Lake Charles Police Department body camera, officer Jonathan D. Landrum aims a gun at Juston Landry, who he fatally shot, in Lake Charles, La. Video of the fatal encounter, obtained by The Associated Press, shows a short but harrowing pursuit in which Landry, carrying a BB gun, is shot five times while running away from Landrum. (Lake Charles Police Department via AP) The shooting followed a 911 call in which a gas station clerk reported that Landry threatened him with a firearm. The video shows Landrum encountering Landry minutes later walking along U.S. Highway 171. Landrum parked his police car, drew his service weapon, and began shouting, "Show me your hands!" Landry disregarded the commands and, after running across the highway, turned in Landrum's direction and raised what he insisted was a BB gun. Landrum told Landry to "throw it down" and opened fire as Landry continues to flee. Landrum later told the Louisiana State Police that Landry pointed the gun in his direction. He said he believed "deadly force was needed," a state police report says, "due to Landry's previous threat to the store clerk, his failure to comply with commands ... and the threat he felt towards himself and the public." Landry was shot five times: near his right ear, near his right wrist, twice in the side and once in the back, police said. He was pronounced dead at a Lake Charles hospital. The officer was placed on administrative leave after the shooting but is expected to rejoin the force. His attorney did not return messages seeking comment. Landrum has been with the police department more than three years and has received a number of awards. The department named him Officer of the Year in 2018, a distinction his supervisors said he deserved due to his work ethic and "intensely proactive mindset," according to police department records. DeRosier, the district attorney, said Landry's BB gun was virtually indistinguishable from a Ruger 9mm, particularly "in a dimly lit area at 1 a.m." He stopped short of saying the body camera footage shows Landry pointing the gun directly at the policeman. "But it shows him raising the gun and placing it in the general direction of the officer," DeRosier said in an interview. "The officer's eyes are better than the video. He can see a little bit more." A witness to the shooting, whose name was not released, told authorities Landry looked like he had something resembling a gun in his hand. "It looked like he was getting ready to pull the trigger," said the witness, who saw the pursuit unfold from his hotel room. Landrum was "within his legal right" to open fire given the threat Landry posed, said Joseph Giacalone, a former New York City police detective and adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. "It can be seen as reasonable at that point," said Giacalone, who reviewed the footage at the AP's request. The grand jury considered several charges against Landrum but declined to indict him on any counts. The decision devastated Landry's family, Kee said. "It was extremely disappointing," Kee said. "The greatest coping mechanism they have is hope." Landry had a long history of mental illness - including bipolar disorder - and violence toward family members and had been hospitalized several times between 2010 and 2018, according to the state police report. DeRosier called Landry's death a "tragic event," saying he had been "failed" by members of the community, his own family, and the local criminal justice system, which failed to hold Landry accountable for ditching mental health court and not complying with the terms of his probation. "It was kind of the perfect storm," DeRosier told the AP in a telephone interview. "Only one person absolutely, positively knew that he was carrying a toy gun. Why didn't he drop it?" ___ Mustian reported from New Orleans and New York. WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump is falsely suggesting that the people "closest" to him weren't called to testify before special counsel Robert Mueller and his team because investigators didn't want to hear the "good things" those people would want to share about the president. Plenty of people close to Trump, or who worked closely with him, were interviewed by investigators or invited to do so. TRUMP: "Isn't it amazing that the people who were closest to me, by far, and knew the Campaign better than anyone, were never even called to testify before Mueller. The reason is that the 18 Angry Democrats knew they would all say 'NO COLLUSION' and only very good things!" Tweet on Monday. THE FACTS: The president is wrong on multiple counts here. Plenty of people close to him, including in his own family, interviewed with Mueller's team or were at least asked to appear. And of those who did, some said not very good things about their interactions with the president. Among the advisers and aides who spoke with Mueller was his former White House counsel, Don McGahn, who extensively detailed Trump's outrage at the investigation and his efforts to curtail it. McGahn told Mueller's team how Trump called him at home and urged him to press the Justice Department to fire the special counsel, then told him to deny that the entire episode had taken place once it became public. Others who were interviewed by Mueller include two former White House chiefs of staff, Reince Priebus and John Kelly, former White House communications director Hope Hicks, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders and former strategist Steve Bannon. President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, April 22, 2019, during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal lawyer who once said he was so close to the president that he'd "take a bullet" for him, also cooperated with Mueller and delivered unflattering details. Mueller certainly wanted to hear from Trump's family too, even if not all relatives were eager to cooperate. His oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., declined to be voluntarily interviewed by investigators, according to Mueller's report. Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, spoke multiple times to Mueller's team. And one of the president's daughters, Ivanka Trump, provided information through an attorney. The White House has not yet said to whom Trump was referring in his tweet. ___ Find AP Fact Checks at http://apne.ws/2kbx8bd and follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheck PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona ended a decade of resistance to restrictions on using a cellphone while driving when Gov. Doug Ducey signed a law Monday outlawing holding a phone behind the wheel. It is now the 48th state to ban texting and the 18th to ban hand-held phone use while driving, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Bills to restrict phone use while driving have been introduced for years but haven't advanced amid concerns by Republican lawmakers about creating a "nanny state" that overregulates behavior. The death of a police officer hit by a distracted driver last winter, heartbreaking stories from others who lost loved ones in car crashes linked to cellphone use, and a wave of restrictions enacted by local governments across the state convinced lawmakers the time was ripe for change. "Let's send a message that that text message can wait. It's not worth your life," the Republican governor said before signing the bill. Ducey said momentum changed thanks in large part to the advocacy of Toni Townsend, whose son, Salt River tribal police officer Clayton Townsend, was killed in January while he was standing next to a vehicle he'd stopped on a Scottsdale freeway. Authorities said the driver who hit him was texting his wife. Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, middle, smiles after signing into law a bill regarding distracted driving as he is joined by legislators, like bill sponsor Kate Brophy McGee, left, R-Phoenix, members of law enforcement and family members of victims of distracted drivers, during a ceremony at the Arizona Capitol Monday, April 22, 2019, in Phoenix. Arizona becomes the 48th state to ban texting and the 18th to ban any hand-held phone use while driving. Officers can begin issuing warnings immediately and can write tickets in 2021. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) "I think everyone just saw this as such an avoidable death," Ducey said. "And when someone comes down and speaks with the power and passion of a mom on behalf of a fallen son, how could they not deliver it to the governor's desk?" Ducey signed the bill surrounded by Townsend's relatives and others who lost a relative to distracted driving. Officers can issue warnings immediately and can write tickets starting in 2021, though the more than two dozen cities, towns and counties with their own restrictions on phone use can continue to enforce their laws in the meantime. Lawmakers hope the delay will give people time to learn about the new law before they're subjected to fines ranging from $75 to $250. "There is a law that's been signed into effect, but we need to change our behaviors today," Toni Townsend said. "We don't have to wait for the law. A lot of lives can be saved. We're educating starting today." Ducey declined to say whether he'll sign a second bill approved last week that strengthens Arizona's existing distracted driving law, allowing officers to make a stop for any action unrelated to driving that creates an immediate hazard. It was proposed as an alternative to restricting cellphone use that wouldn't specifically target a driver's behavior, which some Republicans found more palatable. The Arizona law leaves Montana and Missouri as the only states that do not ban texting for anyone driving, though Missouri does for drivers 21 and younger. Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, seated, smiles as he gets a pat on the shoulder from bill sponsor Sen. Kate Brophy McGee, third from left, R-Phoenix, as the governor signs into law a distracted driving bill during a ceremony at the Arizona Capitol Monday, April 22, 2019, in Phoenix. Arizona becomes the 48th state to ban texting and the 18th to ban any hand-held phone use while driving. Officers can begin issuing warnings immediately and can write tickets in 2021. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signs into law a distracted driving bill at a signing ceremony at the Arizona Capitol Monday, April 22, 2019, in Phoenix. Arizona becomes the 48th state to ban texting and the 18th to ban any hand-held phone use while driving. Officers can begin issuing warnings immediately and can write tickets in 2021. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signs into law a distracted driving bill during a signing ceremony at the Arizona Capitol Monday, April 22, 2019, in Phoenix. Arizona becomes the 48th state to ban texting and the 18th to ban any hand-held phone use while driving. Officers can begin issuing warnings immediately and can write tickets in 2021. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Aiden Hall holds a photo of his grandfather Tom Hall, a victim of a distracted driver, as he stands with other family members who lost loved ones linked to distracted driving, at a bill signing ceremony for a law against distracted driving at the Arizona Capitol Monday, April 22, 2019, in Phoenix. Arizona becomes the 48th state to ban texting and the 18th to ban any hand-held phone use while driving. Officers can begin issuing warnings immediately and can write tickets in 2021. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea on Tuesday confirmed that leader Kim Jong Un will soon visit Russia to meet with President Vladimir Putin. The summit would come at a crucial moment for tenuous diplomacy meant to rid the North of its nuclear arsenal, following a recent North Korean weapons test that likely signals Kim's growing frustration with deadlocked negotiations with Washington. The North's state-run Korean Central News Agency released a terse, two-sentence statement that announced Kim "will soon pay a visit to the Russian Federation," and that he and Putin "will have talks." A date for the meeting was not immediately released, and it wasn't clear if Kim would fly or take his armored train. There are some indications that the meeting will be held in the far-eastern port of Vladivostok, not too far from Russia's border with the North. The Kremlin said in a brief statement last week that Kim will visit Russia "in the second half of April," but gave no further details. Russia is interested in gaining broader access to North Korea's mineral resources, including rare metals. Pyongyang covets Russia's electricity supplies and wants to attract Russian investment to modernize its dilapidated industrial plants, railways and other infrastructure. Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump have had two summits, but the latest, in Vietnam in February, collapsed because North Korea wanted more sanctions relief than Washington was willing to give for the amount of disarmament offered by Pyongyang. As the standoff continued, the North last week announced that it had tested what it called a new type of "tactical guided weapon." While unlikely to be a prohibited test of a medium- or long-range ballistic missile that could scuttle the negotiations, the announcement signaled the North's growing disappointment with the diplomatic breakdown - and its apparent willingness to turn back to the kinds of missile tests that in 2017 had many in Asia fearing war. The North also demanded that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo be removed from the talks, and on Saturday criticized White House national security adviser John Bolton for calling on North Korea to show more evidence of its disarmament commitment before a possible third leaders' summit. My heart goes out to anyone who has to go through that, she said. When someone you love is out there, you dont know if they are being held captive or if someones abusing them. You lose sleep. You dont eat. Youre too busy thinking and overthinking. Youre constantly trying to get a solution to your problem. TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) - A federal appeals court has ruled that a New Jersey condominium association violated women's rights by setting separate swimming hours for male and female residents. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the schedule adopted by A Country Place's condominium association was "plainly unequal in its allotment of favorable swimming times." The Lakewood condominium complex, which serves people 55 or older, restricts swimming by gender at certain times in accord with Jewish law that prohibits men and women from bathing together. Orthodox Jewish residents made up about two thirds of residents, but several non-Orthodox homeowners sued in 2016 after being fined $50 each after refusing to abide by the rules. A judge ruled in January that the separate swim hours weren't discriminatory because they applied to both sexes equally, but the appeals court overturned that decision Monday. Under the rules, men and women were only allowed in the pool together for two hours on weekdays and all day Saturday, when, the court noted, "Orthodox residents would not go swimming on the Jewish Sabbath." The association said it allocated roughly the same number of hours for men and women, but the court said women were only able to swim for about 3 hours on weeknight evenings compared to 16 hours for men. "Women with regular-hour jobs thus have little access to the pool during the work week, and the schedule appears to reflect particular assumptions about the roles of men and women," Judge Thomas Ambro wrote for the court majority. An attorney for the plaintiffs, Jose Roman, told the Asbury Park Press that his clients were "very happy that the court saw the case our way, that it was discriminatory based on gender." An attorney for the condominium association didn't immediately return an email seeking comment. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California could become one of the first states to outlaw racial discrimination because of hairstyles - such as braids and dreadlocks - in a move aimed at challenging long-held standards of professionalism in the workplace. The California Senate voted 37-0 on Monday to approve a bill that would update the state's anti-discrimination law so that the term "race" includes "traits historically associated with race." Federal and state laws ban discrimination based on religious hairstyles and head coverings. But federal courts have not extended those protections more broadly because of race, ruling that because hairstyle was a choice, companies could require workers to follow certain standards as a condition of employment. Sen. Holly Mitchell, a Los Angeles Democrat, said the bill was necessary to challenge "Eurocentric standards of beauty" that have dominated professional dress codes. "And so even though African Americans were no longer explicitly excluded from the workplace, black features and mannerisms remain unacceptable," she said. Mitchell said these grooming policies often disproportionately affected African Americans, who would have to spend lots of money on expensive products to alter their hair. That thinking was most recently challenged in 2010, when a black woman, Chastity Jones, successfully applied for a job at an Alabama insurance company. But the company later rescinded the job offer because Jones wore her hair in dreadlocks and refused to remove them. At the time, the company's grooming policy required employees "to be dressed and groomed in a manner that projects a professional and businesslike image." The company's human resources manager, who is white, told Jones dreadlocks "tend to get messy," according to court documents. In 2016, a federal appeals court sided with the company, ruling dreadlocks were not an unchangeable characteristic of race. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal, which allowed the ruling to stand. But state and local governments could be changing that. Earlier this year, the New York City Human Rights Commission clarified that the city's anti-discrimination laws do cover hairstyles. California's proposal, if it becomes law, could prompt other states to follow. No one spoke against the bill on Monday, but Mitchell said some people worry her proposal would result in a multitude of frivolous claims or that it could prevent companies from requiring workers to wear hairnets or other protective coverings. "By clarifying that hair texture and hairstyles are tied to racial identity, this bill actually helps makes employers aware of traits that have been historically excluded and helps them create grooming policies foster inclusion and diversity," Mitchell said. The measure now heads to the state Assembly. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Latest on abortion bills moving through the Tennessee General Assembly (all times local): 7 p.m. A proposal that would effectively outlaw most abortions in Tennessee if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade is headed to the governor's desk. State lawmakers in both the House and Senate overwhelmingly advanced the legislation on Monday, with just a handful of Democrats voting against. Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota and South Dakota have similar laws on the books triggering abortion bans in the event the nation's high court overturns the 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Kentucky and Missouri are considering enacting such bills this year. A so-called trigger ban that would take effect if the high court overturns Roe v. Wade includes exceptions only for medical emergencies and not for rape or incest. Doctors who violate the law would face a felony charge. ___ 6:25 p.m. The Tennessee Senate has rejected a push to revive a bill this year to ban abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, as early as six weeks into pregnancy. The GOP-led chamber cast a voice vote against Republican Sen. Mark Pody's motion Monday. Earlier this month, a Senate committee agreed to review the issue this summer and consider it next year. The "fetal heartbeat ban" measure already passed the House. Senate leaders said the bill raised too many legal concerns. Some Republicans touted their anti-abortion views Monday but expressed concerns about what could happen during likely legal challenges. GOP Senate Speaker Randy McNally said Pody's motion would bypass the committee system, putting the entire process at risk. Pody said the rules are meant to serve senators and aren't their masters. CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago prosecutor whose office handled the Jussie Smollett case has received death threats in the wake of the dismissal of charges against the "Empire" actor. The Chicago Sun-Times reports chief of staff to Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx confirmed Monday the prosecutor's "physical safety" has been threatened in the wake of the Smollett case. Jennifer Ballard Croft said a number of the threats "contained racially-charged language." Ballard Croft says the threats came in the form of emails and calls but declined to provide additional details. Smollett was charged with lying to police about being the victim of a racist, homophobic attack in January. Charges were dropped last month. Ballard Croft said some people have voiced displeasure about the outcome, while others have been threatening and forwarded for investigation. ___ FILE - In this March 26, 2019, file photo, actor Jussie Smollett smiles and waves to supporters before leaving Cook County Court after his charges were dropped in Chicago. Text messages show the Chicago prosecutor whose office handled the case of "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett told her top deputy that Smollett was a "washed up celeb" who was overcharged. The office of Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx released thousands of documents from the investigation late Tuesday, April 16, 2019, in response to media requests. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty, File) Information from: Chicago Sun-Times, http://chicago.suntimes.com/ SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea confirmed Tuesday that leader Kim Jong Un will soon visit Russia to meet with President Vladimir Putin in a summit that comes at a crucial moment for tenuous diplomacy meant to rid the North of its nuclear arsenal. North Korea has so far not gotten what it wants most from the recent flurry of high-level summitry between Kim and various world leaders - namely, relief from crushing international sanctions. There are fears that a recent North Korean weapon test and a series of jibes at Washington over deadlocked nuclear negotiations mean that Pyongyang may again return to the nuclear and long-range missile tests that had many in Asia fearing war in 2017. The North's state-run Korean Central News Agency released a terse, two-sentence statement saying Kim "will soon pay a visit to the Russian Federation," and that he and Putin "will have talks." A date for the meeting was not released, and it wasn't clear if Kim would fly or take his armored train. There are some indications the meeting will be held this week in the far-eastern port of Vladivostok, not too far from Russia's border with the North. The Kremlin said in a brief statement last week that Kim will visit Russia "in the second half of April," but gave no further details. It's not clear how - or even if - Putin will push the stalled nuclear talks along, and the visit may have more to do with each nation's economic interests. Russia is interested in gaining broader access to North Korea's mineral resources, including rare metals. Pyongyang, for its part, covets Russia's electricity supplies and wants to attract Russian investment to modernize its dilapidated industrial plants, railways and other infrastructure. Kim and President Donald Trump have had two summits, but the latest, in Vietnam in February, collapsed because North Korea wanted more sanctions relief than Washington was willing to give for the amount of disarmament offered by Pyongyang. A man passes by a TV screen showing images of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. North Korea confirmed Tuesday that Kim will soon visit Russia to meet with Putin in a summit that comes at a crucial moment for tenuous diplomacy meant to rid the North of its nuclear arsenal. The screen reads: "Kim Jong Un visits Russia soon." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) For a leader often perceived by foreign media as isolated, Kim has had a remarkable string of summits, meeting with the leaders and other senior officials of South Korea, China, Vietnam and Singapore. He has also sent his deputies to Washington and received Trump's lieutenants in Pyongyang as part of nuclear talks. But Kim's patience appears to be wearing thin. The North last week announced that it had tested what it called a new type of "tactical guided weapon." While unlikely to be a prohibited test of a medium- or long-range ballistic missile that could scuttle the negotiations, the announcement signaled the North's growing disappointment with the diplomatic breakdown. The North also demanded that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo be removed from the talks, and on Saturday criticized White House national security adviser John Bolton for calling on North Korea to show more evidence of its disarmament commitment before a possible third leaders' summit. People watch a TV screen showing images of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. North Korea confirmed Tuesday that Kim will soon visit Russia to meet with Putin in a summit that comes at a crucial moment for tenuous diplomacy meant to rid the North of its nuclear arsenal. The Korean letters on the screen read:: "Kim Jong Un plans to visit Russia ." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) In this March 2, 2019, photo, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un prepares to depart Dong Dang railway station in Dong Dang, Vietnamese border town. North Korea on Tuesday, April 23, confirmed that Kim will soon visit Russia to meet with President Vladimir Putin. The summit would come at a crucial moment for tenuous diplomacy meant to rid the North of its nuclear arsenal, following a recent North Korean weapons test that likely signals Kim's growing frustration with deadlocked negotiations with Washington. (AP Photo/Minh Hoang) NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A proposal that would effectively outlaw most abortions in Tennessee if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade is headed to the governor's desk. State lawmakers in both the House and Senate overwhelmingly advanced the legislation on Monday, with just a handful of Democrats voting against. The legislation is expected to be signed into law after newly elected GOP Gov. Bill Lee has repeatedly promised to support any bill that limits abortion in Tennessee. "When Roe v. Wade is overturned, we'll be able to determine abortion policies in place in Tennessee," said Rep. Susan Lynn, a Republican from Old Hickory and one of the bill's sponsors. "We will return to a pro-life policy in this state." Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota and South Dakota have similar laws on the books triggering abortion bans if the nation's high court overturns the landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Kentucky and Missouri are considering enacting such bills this year. Tennessee's effort is part of a national push to enact sweeping abortion bans across the country in the event Roe V. Wade is overturned by the nation's highest court with the help of President Donald Trump's latest two appointees. "We don't have to apologize today. We have science on our side to say 'that's a life,'" said Rep. Andy Holt, a Republican from Dresden, who moments before joked he had a "minor in reproduction." Holt later clarified his comments, saying he has six children with his wife currently pregnant with their seventh. The so-called trigger ban would take effect within 30 days if the high court overturns Roe v. Wade. It includes exceptions for medical emergencies only, not for rape or incest. Doctors who violate the law would face a felony charge under the ban. Supporters of the bill argued against adding the rape or incest exemption by explaining the language in bill that would ban abortion mirrors Tennessee's original abortion prohibition before the court handed down its ruling legalizing the procedure across the nation. However, Lynn added that lawmakers were free to bring a bill in future legislative sessions if they wanted to add further exemptions. Opponents countered that women should not be forced to potentially complete a pregnancy that was a product of rape or incest. Furthermore, some argued that their attempt to include rape and incest exemptions was blocked in the Senate earlier Monday. "What we know about a ban on abortion is that it doesn't stop abortions, it stops safe abortions," said Rep. Gloria Johnson, a Democrat from Knoxville. "Let me be frank ... this is an issue of equality. If women are not allowed to be in control of their own health, decisions then you don't believe women are equal." Before voting on the trigger ban, the Tennessee Senate rejected a last-minute push Monday to revive a bill to ban abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, as early as six weeks into pregnancy. A Senate committee had already agreed earlier this year to review the issue this summer and consider it next year. While the "fetal heartbeat ban" measure already passed the House, Senate leaders said the bill raised too many legal concerns. Some Republicans continued to tout their anti-abortion views Monday but ultimately expressed concerns about what could happen during likely legal challenges. WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - Three crewmen aboard a helicopter that crashed off the New Zealand coast while on a rescue mission were found alive on a remote island Tuesday after they were missing overnight. Rescue Coordination Centre spokesman Mark Dittmer said the men were found shortly before noon in their survival suits walking along a beach on uninhabited Auckland Island, some 500 kilometers (311 miles) southwest of the town of Invercargill where they'd left from 16 hours earlier. He said the crew had some injuries and were being flown by helicopter to a hospital in Invercargill. The wreckage of the helicopter was found in the water near a neighboring island. Dittmer said that while they don't yet know all the details of what happened, it appears the helicopter crashed in the ocean near the islands and that the crew's survival suits, also known as dry suits, helped them survive the frigid and stormy waters. He said it's standard practice for crews to wear such suits while on rescue missions. The helicopter left Monday evening to evacuate a person aboard a fishing boat who needed urgent medical attention, said rescue center duty manager Kevin Banaghan. On board were a pilot, a crew member and a paramedic. He said the final contact with the helicopter was at 7:37 p.m. Monday, and it disappeared from radar tracking about 10 minutes later. He said there was no distress call and that the crew didn't activate their emergency beacons, which worried rescuers. He said the water was about 11 degrees Celsius (52 Fahrenheit) at the time, and that the helicopter also contained a life raft. An Air Force P-3 Orion plane used its radar to search for the missing crew overnight without success, Banaghan said. But then a fishing boat found a side door from the helicopter Tuesday morning in relatively good condition, he said, raising hopes that the impact of the crash hadn't been too severe. Other helicopters and fishing boats joined in the search. Dittmer said that one of those in the search party who found the trio was Sir Richard Hayes, who owns the helicopter company the pilot and crewman work for, Southern Lakes Helicopters. The paramedic works for the St John medical organization. Pauline Buchanan, a St John district operations manager, said it's pleased the men have been found alive and well and that the paramedic has been receiving medical treatment. "His family feel a huge relief and is looking forward to being reunited with their husband and father later tonight," Buchanan said in a statement. Rescuers said the person on the fishing boat who prompted the evacuation attempt was also being transported to a hospital. PORAC, Philippines (AP) - A new powerful earthquake hit the central Philippines on Tuesday, a day after a magnitude 6.1 quake rattled the country's north and left at least 16 people dead, including in a collapsed supermarket, where rescuers scrambled to find survivors. The U.S. Geological Survey put the magnitude of Tuesday's quake at 6.4, while the local seismology agency said it was 6.5. The quake was centered near San Julian town in Eastern Samar province and prompted residents to dash out of houses and office workers to scamper to safety. There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage from the new quake. Classes and office work were suspended in San Julian, where cracks on roads and small buildings and a church were reported. Power was deliberately cut as a precaution in the quake's aftermath, officials said. Meanwhile, rescuers worked overnight to recover bodies in the rubble of a supermarket that crashed down in Monday's quake, which damaged other buildings and an airport in the northern Philippines. The bodies of five victims were pulled from Chuzon Supermarket and seven other villagers died due to collapsed house walls in hard-hit Porac town in Pampanga province, north of Manila, said Ricardo Jalad, who heads the government's disaster-response agency. Damaged St. Catherine church is seen following a 6.1 magnitude earthquake that also caused the collapse of a commercial building in Porac township, Pampanga province, north of Manila, Philippines, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. The strong earthquake struck the northern Philippines Monday trapping some people in a collapsed building, damaged an airport terminal and knocked out power in at least one province, officials said. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) An Associated Press photographer saw seven people, including at least one dead, being pulled out by rescuers from the pile of concrete, twisted metal and wood overnight. Red Cross volunteers, army troops, police and villagers used four cranes, crow bars and sniffer dogs to look for the missing, some of whom were still yelling for help Monday night. Authorities inserted a large orange tube into the rubble to blow in oxygen in the hope of helping people still pinned there to breathe. On Tuesday morning, rescuers pulled out a man alive, sparking cheers and applause. "We're all very happy, many clapped their hands in relief because we're still finding survivors after several hours," Porac Councilor Maynard Lapid said by phone from the scene, adding that another victim was expected to be pulled out alive soon. Jalad said at least 15 people died in Pampanga province, including those who perished in Porac town. The quake damaged houses, roads, bridges, Roman Catholic churches and an international airport terminal at Clark Freeport, a former American air base, in Pampanga. A state of calamity was declared in Porac to allow contingency funds to be released faster. A child died in a landslide in nearby Zambales province, officials said. At least 14 people remained missing in the rice-growing agricultural region, most of them in the rubble of the collapsed supermarket in Porac, while 81 others were injured, according to the government's disaster-response agency. The four-story building housing the supermarket crashed down when the quake shook Pampanga as well as several other provinces and Manila, the Philippines' capital, on the main northern island of Luzon. More than 400 aftershocks have been recorded, mostly unfelt. The U.S. Geological Survey's preliminary estimate is that more than 49 million people were exposed to some shaking from the earthquake, with more than 14 million people likely to feel moderate shaking or more. Clark airport was closed temporarily because of damaged check-in counters, ceilings and parts of the departure area, airport official Jaime Melo said, adding that seven people were slightly injured and more than 100 flights were canceled. In Manila, thousands of office workers dashed out of buildings in panic, some wearing hard hats, and residents ran out of houses as the ground shook. Many described the ground movement like sea waves. A traffic-prone Manila street was partially closed after a college building was damaged by the quake and appeared to tilt slightly sideways toward an adjacent building, officials said. Many schools and government offices, including courts, in the densely packed Manila metropolis were closed Tuesday to allow inspections of their buildings. Philippine seismologists said the back-to-back quakes in the last two days were unrelated and caused by different local faults. One of the world's most disaster-prone countries, the Philippines has frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions because it lies on the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire," a seismically active arc of volcanos and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. A magnitude 7.7 quake killed nearly 2,000 people in the northern Philippines in 1990. ___ Associated Press writer Jim Gomez in Manila contributed to this report. The damage of St. Catherine church, with its headless statue, is seen following a 6.1 magnitude earthquake that also caused the collapse of a commercial building in Porac township, Pampanga province, north of Manila, Philippines, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. The strong earthquake struck the northern Philippines Monday trapping some people in a collapsed building, damaged an airport terminal and knocked out power in at least one province, officials said. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) The damage of St. Catherine church following a 6.1 magnitude earthquake that also caused the collapse of a commercial building, is seen in Porac township, Pampanga province, north of Manila, Philippines, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. The strong earthquake struck the northern Philippines Monday trapping some people in a collapsed building, damaged an airport terminal and knocked out power in at least one province, officials said. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) Rescuers carry an earthquake survivor after being pulled out from the rubble of a commercial building following a 6.1 magnitude earthquake in Porac township, Pampanga province, north of Manila, Philippines, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. The strong earthquake struck the northern Philippines Monday trapping some people in a collapsed building, damaged an airport terminal and knocked out power in at least one province, officials said. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) A bell is seen below after a 6.1 magnitude earthquake toppled the belfry of St. Catherine church in Porac township, Pampanga province north of Manila, Philippines, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. The strong earthquake struck the northern Philippines Monday trapping some people in a collapsed building, damaged an airport terminal and knocked out power in at least one province, officials said. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) Residents look at the damaged St. Catherine church following a 6.1 magnitude earthquake in Porac township, Pampanga province, north of Manila, Philippines, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. The strong earthquake struck the northern Philippines Monday trapping some people in a collapsed building, damaged an airport terminal and knocked out power in at least one province, officials said. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) A lit candle is seen in the middle aisle of the damage of St. Catherine church following a 6.1 magnitude earthquake is seen in Porac township, Pampanga province, north of Manila, Philippines Tuesday, April 23, 2019. The strong earthquake struck the northern Philippines Monday trapping some people in a collapsed building, damaged an airport terminal and knocked out power in at least one province, officials said. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) Another survivor is pulled from the rubble of a commercial building more than 15 hours after Monday's 6.1 magnitude earthquake in Porac township, Pampanga province, north of Manila, Philippines, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. The strong earthquake struck the northern Philippines Monday trapping some people in a collapsed building, damaged an airport terminal and knocked out power in at least one province, officials said. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) Residents watch as rescuers continue to search for survivors following Monday's 6.1 magnitude earthquake that caused the collapse of a commercial building in Porac township, Pampanga province, north of Manila, Philippines, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. The strong earthquake struck the northern Philippines Monday trapping some people in a collapsed building, damaged an airport terminal and knocked out power in at least one province, officials said. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) Residents watch as rescuers continue to search for survivors following Monday's 6.1 magnitude earthquake that caused the collapse of a commercial building in Porac township, Pampanga province, north of Manila, Philippines, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. The strong earthquake struck the northern Philippines Monday trapping some people in a collapsed building, damaged an airport terminal and knocked out power in at least one province, officials said. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) NAYPYITAW, Myanmar (AP) - Myanmar's Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the final appeal of two Reuters journalists and upheld seven-year prison sentences for their reporting on the military's brutal crackdown on Rohingya Muslims. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo earlier this month shared with their colleagues the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting, one of journalism's highest honors. The reporters were arrested in December 2017 and sentenced last September after being accused of illegally possessing official documents, a violation of a colonial-era law. The court did not given a reason for its decision, which was quickly decried by rights advocates. "Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo should never have been arrested, much less prosecuted, for doing their jobs as investigative journalists," said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for New York-based Human Rights Watch. "Sadly, when it comes to media freedom, both Myanmar's military and the civilian government seem equally determined to extinguish any ability to question their misrule and rights violations." Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who are being held in a prison in Yangon, were not present for the ruling, but their wives were. Kyaw Soe Oo's wife, Chit Su, broke down in tears when the ruling was read. "Both he and I hoped for the best," Chit Su told reporters. "I am terribly sad for this decision." FILE - In this Sept. 3, 2018, combination file photo, Reuters journalists Kyaw Soe Oo, left, and Wa Lone, are handcuffed as they are escorted by police out of a court in Yangon, Myanmar. Myanmar's Supreme Court on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, rejected the final appeal of the two Reuters journalists and upheld seven-year prison sentences for their reporting on the military's brutal crackdown on Rohingya Muslims. They earlier this month shared with their colleagues the Pulitzer Prize for international reporting, one of journalism's highest honors. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw, File) Wa Lone, 32, and Kyaw Soe Oo, 28, had denied the charges against them and contended they were framed by police. International rights groups, media freedom organizations, U.N experts and several governments condemned their conviction as an injustice and an attack on freedom of the press. "Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo did not commit any crime, nor was there any proof that they did," Gail Gove, Reuters chief counsel, said in a statement after the ruling. "Instead, they were victims of a police setup to silence their truthful reporting. We will continue to do all we can to free them as soon as possible." Khin Maung Zaw, a lawyer for the two, said the pair could still seek their freedom by petitioning the president's office or the legislature. President Win Myint could reduce the sentence, order a retrial or have them released. Legislative action for a retrial would be a lengthier, more complicated process. "I am greatly disappointed by the decision of the court because it damaged very much our country's prestige and our right of information and press freedom," Khin Maung Zaw said. "But I'm not losing hope completely, because all the whole world is on our side. So, as I always said, the case was lost, but the cause was won throughout the whole world. " Myanmar's military launched a brutal counterinsurgency campaign in the western state of Rakhine in 2017, driving more than 700,000 members of the Muslim Rohingya minority to flee to Bangladesh. The Reuters reporters had worked on an investigation of the killing of 10 Rohingya villagers in Inn Din village, for which the government last year said seven soldiers were sentenced to up 10 years in prison with hard labor. Investigators working for the U.N.'s top human rights body said last year that genocide charges should be brought against senior Myanmar military officers, while other critics accused the army of ethnic cleansing. The military has denied committing human rights abuses and says its campaign was a response to a series of attacks on security personnel by Rohingya insurgents. Many in Buddhist-dominated Myanmar supported the military and bristled at worldwide condemnation of the military's alleged wrongdoing. The U.S. Embassy in Myanmar, citing other recent rulings against a filmmaker and a theater troupe, said the decision was "deeply disappointing." "Journalism, satire, peaceful protest, and other forms of legitimate expression should not be crimes in a democratic society," it said in a statement. The reporters' claim that they were framed was supported by surprise testimony from a whistleblower in the police department, Police Capt. Moe Yan Naing, who told the court that his superior had arranged for two policemen to meet the reporters and hand over documents described as "important secret papers" in order to entrap them. As a result of his testimony, Moe Yan Naing was jailed for a year for violating the Police Disciplinary Act and his family was forced to leave their police housing unit. A report released in February by Human Rights Watch noted that expectations of a new era of freedom of expression under the government of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi remained unfulfilled nearly three years after her party ended more than five decades of harsh military rule. The military, however, remains powerful and controls key ministries that are not under civilian oversight, such as defense and internal security. The report said her government has failed to roll back many of the legal restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly, and has instead toughened some of those laws and enacted a new measure limiting free speech. Journalists have been some of the most high-profile targets. The report cited a Myanmar freedom of expression organization, Athan, as saying that at least 43 journalists had been arrested from when Suu Kyi's government took power in 2016 through last September. In a new case, the online magazine The Irrawaddy reported Monday that it has been sued by the army for its coverage of recent fighting between the government and the Arakan Army ethnic rebel group. It said the suit was filed under Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law, which provides for up to three years in prison for "extorting, coercing, restraining wrongfully, defaming, disturbing, causing undue influence or threatening any person using a telecommunications network." There has been an upsurge of fighting since late last year involving attacks by the Arakan Army, which is aligned with Rakhine state's Buddhist population and seeks autonomy for the region. Pan Ei Mon, wife of Reuters journalist Wa Lone, talks to journalists as she leaves the Supreme Court in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. Myanmar's Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the final appeal of two Reuters journalists and upheld seven-year prison sentences for their reporting on the military's brutal crackdown on Rohingya Muslims. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo) Chit Su Win, wife of Reuters journalist Kyaw Soe Oo, talks to journalists as she leaves the Supreme Court in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. Myanmar's Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the final appeal of two Reuters journalists and upheld seven-year prison sentences for their reporting on the military's brutal crackdown on Rohingya Muslims. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo) Chit Su Win, wife of Reuters journalist Kyaw Soe Oo, talks to journalists as she leaves the Supreme Court in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. Myanmar's Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the final appeal of two Reuters journalists and upheld seven-year prison sentences for their reporting on the military's brutal crackdown on Rohingya Muslims. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo) MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - When Sen. Kamala Harris made her first trip to New Hampshire, she attracted an enthusiastic crowd of more than 1,000 people who braved a treacherous February snowstorm to see the person vying to become America's first black female president. But as the California senator returns to the state this week, she's in a more challenging position. The number of Democratic presidential candidates has swelled to nearly 20 since her first visit. Some of the spotlight has shifted away from Harris, with attention being lavished recently on Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana. Former Vice President Joe Biden's expected entry into the race this week will further reshape the contest. But Harris faces a more fundamental hurdle in New Hampshire: skepticism from some over whether she's fully committed to courting voters in the nation's first primary state. Democrats here famously expect intimate, regular access to candidates. For now, they say they aren't getting that from Harris and are warning her to take the state more seriously. "I don't think she's been there as much as she should be," said Peter Hoe Burling, a former Democratic committeeman in New Hampshire. "Yes, I understand it is outrageous how New Hampshire presumes to expect the presence of a person running for president, but we do. We're very good at evaluating the character and programs that individual candidates bring." Some of Harris' rivals are outpacing her in the Granite State. Since the beginning of the year, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of neighboring Massachusetts has made nine trips to New Hampshire. Former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke has been here twice. Buttigieg has made five trips and New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has made four. As she returns, Harris is sharing the spotlight with other White House hopefuls, a sign of how it's becoming increasingly difficult to break through the crowded field. FILE - In this April 19, 2019, photo, Democratic presidential Candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., speaks at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority South Central Regional Conference in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is campaigning in the state, too, his second New Hampshire visit this year. Harris and Sanders were among the five candidates participating in back-to-back town halls in Manchester that aired on CNN Monday night. Harris backers rejected the notion that she's paying too little attention to New Hampshire. An aide to Harris, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss strategy, said her campaign has paid special attention to mobilizing students at colleges and universities across New Hampshire. On Tuesday, she is holding town halls at Keene State and Dartmouth College. She's also raising money on behalf of New Hampshire Democrats. On her first trip here, Harris held a private meeting with Joyce Craig, the mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire's largest city. When Craig formally announced her re-election bid, Harris emailed her list of supporters to cultivate donations to Craig's campaign. Harris has also sent fundraising emails for New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Rep. Chris Pappas, among others. On Monday, she signed onto a petition led by Shaheen condemning a state law requiring college students to be permanent New Hampshire residents in order to vote. She's hired an in-state staff that includes veterans of New Hampshire politics, including campaign director Craig Brown and political director Meredith Shevitz. Harris spokesman Ian Sams noted that Hillary Clinton made the first Granite State swing of her 2016 campaign four years ago this week. While Clinton ultimately won her party's nomination, it was Sanders who won New Hampshire - with a commanding 60% of the vote. Harris is aware of the issue. Her February appearance - her first-ever to New Hampshire - drew a large crowd to Portsmouth's historic South Church, where she told attendees that she wanted to address the "elephant in the room." "I intend to compete in New Hampshire," Harris said. "I intend to spend time here. I intend to shake every hand I possibly can." Crowds cheered for her support of "Medicare for All" and the Green New Deal, as well as her support for replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day. She also said she supports changing laws to allow same-day voter registration and to make Election Day a national holiday. But the day after the trip, Harris told "The Daily Show" host Trevor Noah that the first question she received from in-state media was about whether she planned to compete in the state. "And what no one said, but the inference was, well, the demographic of New Hampshire is not who you are in terms of your race," Harris told Noah. The reporter who asked the question has said it was not motivated by demographics, but the exchange has sparked a local debate. If Harris "thinks she's going to win New Hampshire, you have to show up," said Atinuke Cahill, 69, adding that the California Democrat needs to "prove that she wants New Hampshire voters." Lindy Hamilton, 21, said that while New Hampshire is "overwhelmingly white," she thinks Harris "still has a fighting chance." "As a woman of color I definitely think that there are stops against us, and she definitely is at a disadvantage because of that," said Hamilton, who is co-president of the University of New Hampshire College Democrats. "But I think she could definitely still rise above it. I think it's definitely possible for her to win." The debate over Harris' commitment to New Hampshire hasn't dampened curiosity about her among voters. Every election cycle, 68-year-old Gayle Esterly said, there seems to be a discussion of "why New Hampshire? Why Iowa? Because they're very white and not representative of the whole country." "Maybe some people would have preconceived notions of who the people in New Hampshire are. We're just people," she said. "We want to know what she has to say. She has as good a shot as anybody else." __ Summers reported from Washington. Under an agreement signed last month, two insurers agreed to pay $13.5 million on behalf of the village and its police, according to records of the settlement provided by the National Registry of Exonerations. The village itself agreed to pay $200,000 and a private polygraph examiner who allegedly tested Abernathy after his arrest is on the hook for $1,000, the records show. MANILA, Philippines (AP) - The Latest on powerful earthquakes in the Philippines (all times local): 2 p.m. The U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude 6.3 earthquake has hit the central Philippines, a day after 6.1 quake hit the country's north and killed at least 11 people. The new quake hit Tuesday afternoon and was centered 13 kilometers (8 miles) east of Tutubigan in the country's central region. The quake was relatively deep at 70.2 kilometers (43 miles). A supermarket crashed down in Monday's powerful earthquake, which damaged buildings and an airport in the northern Philippines. The death toll is now 11, with more missing. ___ Residents watch as rescuers continue to search for survivors following Monday's 6.1 magnitude earthquake that caused the collapse of a commercial building in Porac township, Pampanga province, north of Manila, Philippines, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. The strong earthquake struck the northern Philippines Monday trapping some people in a collapsed building, damaged an airport terminal and knocked out power in at least one province, officials said. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) 10:30 a.m. Officials say rescuers have found more bodies overnight in the rubble of a supermarket that crashed down in a powerful earthquake that damaged buildings and an airport in the northern Philippines. The death toll is now 11, and 24 people are missing. Mayor Condralito dela Cruz said the bodies of four victims were pulled from Chuzon Supermarket in the town of Porac. Rescuers used cranes, crowbars and sniffer dogs to look for people in the rubble, some of whom were yelling for help. Authorities inserted a tube to blow in oxygen in the hope of helping people pinned there to breathe. On Tuesday morning, rescuers pulled out a man alive, sparking cheers. A Porac councilor told The Associated Press another victim was expected to be pulled out alive soon. AL-HOL, Syria (AP) - They came from around the world, four women drawn to the Islamic State group's "caliphate." They said it was out of misguided religious faith or naivety or youthful rebellion, but whatever the reason, they tied their lives to a group that became notorious for its atrocities. Now after the militants' defeat, they say they made a mistake and are pleading to come home. They are among tens of thousands of Syrian, Iraqi and foreign women and children who belonged to the caliphate now held in camps in northern Syria overseen by the U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Many remain die-hard supporters of IS. Inside the camps, they have tried to recreate the caliphate. Some women have re-formed units of the militants' feared religious police, the "Hisba," and enforce rules and punishments on other residents. The four women interviewed by The Associated Press at al-Hol and Roj camps insisted they had not been active IS members, and they all said their husbands were not fighters. Those denials and much in their accounts could not be independently confirmed. "How could I have been so stupid, and so blind?" Kimberly Polman, a 46-year-old Canadian woman, said of her decision to join the caliphate. To many, their expressions of regret likely ring hollow or self-serving. Travelling to the caliphate, the women joined a group whose atrocities were well known, including sex enslavement of Yazidi women, mass killings and grotesque punishments of rule-breakers, ranging from public shootings to beheadings and hurling from rooftops. In this Sunday, March 31, 2019, photo, women line up for aid supplies at Al-Hol camp in Hassakeh province, Syria. The camp is past full capacity, with more than 70,000 residents from former Islamic State-held areas in Syria. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) Their pleas to return home point to the question of what to do with the men and women who joined the caliphate. The SDF complains it is being forced to shoulder the burden of dealing with them. Governments around the world are reluctant to take back their nationals. Some are focusing on repatriating children and not the parents. Current Belgian policy, for example, is to bring back children under 10. "Up to today our priority remains to return these kids because they are the victims, so to speak, of the radical choices made by their parents," said Karl Lagatie, deputy spokesman of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Samira, a 31-year-old Belgian woman, is in the camp with her 2-year-old son after fleeing the caliphate in January 2018 along with her husband, a French citizen she met in Syria. Samira said that back home when she was young, she drank alcohol and went dancing at clubs. Then "I wanted to change my life. I found Islam." She came to believe IS propaganda that the only place one could be a proper Muslim was in the caliphate, so she travelled there. "It was very stupid," she said. She spoke on condition her full name not be used for fear of drawing trouble for her family back home. Soon after arriving, she said she began trying to escape. "I hate them," she said of IS, also known by its Arabic acronym Daesh. "They sold us a dream, but it was an open prison" Europe's leaders, she said, should realize "we are not all criminals, that we all have the right to a second chance. What we saw with Daesh was a lesson to us and allowed us to gain perspective on the extremists." Aliya, a 24-year-old Indonesian, said her path to IS began after a boyfriend broke up with her. Brokenhearted, she threw herself into religion and "to make up for" her past, she went far to a hard-line direction, watching IS sermons. "They said when you make hijra (migration to the caliphate), all your sins are cleared," she said. She too spoke on condition her full name not be used for fear of harassment of her family. She reached Syria in 2016 with her new husband, an Algerian she had met on route in Turkey. Soon after, they had a son. But they quickly realized their mistake and tried unsuccessfully to escape, she said. Finally in late 2017, IS allowed her and her son to leave - but not her husband. She believes he is now held by the SDF. Her parents are trying to convince Indonesian officials to allow her home. "I hope for a second chance. I was young," Aliya said. "I joined ISIS, but that doesn't mean I killed (anyone) ... I just planned to live there. I couldn't even slaughter a chicken." Gailon Lawson, a 45-year-old from Trinidad and Tobago, said she converted to Islam and married a man in her home Caribbean island. Only days after they married, he took her to Syria. "I just followed my husband," she said. She brought her son, who was 12 at the time. She and her husband divorced not long after. She said her biggest concern over the next years was keeping her son from being enlisted as a fighter. He was arrested three times by IS for refusing conscription, she said. During the fighting at IS's last pocket at Baghouz, she dressed her son as a woman in robes and a veil, and they escaped. The Kurdish forces imprisoned her son and she hasn't heard from him in a month. Polman, the Canadian, came to the caliphate to join her new husband, a man she knew only from online. They soon divorced. She worked in a hospital in the town of Tabqa, helping treat children wounded in the fighting. "I saw an incredible number of children die," she said. She said she broke down after failing to revive a dying 4-month-old. She said she came to blame the bloodshed on the militants she had joined. "When I think about my life," she wrote. "I feel so badly that I think I don't deserve a future. I shouldn't have trusted." ___ Associated Press writers Michael C. Corder in Brussels, Sarah El Deeb in Beirut, Soyini Grey in Trinidad and Lori Hinnant in Paris, and Khabat Abbas and Solin Emin in northern Syria contributed to this story. In this Wednesday, March 27, 2019, photo, Amira, a Belgian national, poses for a portrait at Camp Roj, in north Syria. She said she came to believe Islamic State propaganda that Europe would never accept Muslims and only in the caliphate could one be a proper member of the faith. "It was very stupid, I know," she said. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) In this March 31, 2019 photo, children peer from the gate that closes off the section for foreign families who live in the Islamic State group's so-called caliphate, at Al-Hol camp in Hassakeh province, Syria. Al-Hol camp is home to 73,000 people who streamed out of the Islamic State group's last pockets, including the village of Baghouz, the final site to fall to the SDF in March. Nearly the entire population of the camp is women or children, since most men were taken for screening by the SDF to determine if they were fighters. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) In this March 27, 2019, photo, Samira from Belgium walks with her son at Camp Roj in north Syria. She traveled to Syria, where Islamic State militants brought suitors for marriage. Samira chose a French citizen, Karam El-Harchaoui. Her husband now imprisoned for IS ties, she is trying to get home to Belgium. "What we saw with Daesh was a lesson to us and allowed us to gain perspective on the extremists. All we want is to reintegrate in our society," she said, using an Arabic acronym for IS. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) In this March 26, 2019, photo, Aliya, a 24 year-old Indonesian national, poses for a portrait with her son, Yahya, at Camp Roj in north Syria. Aliya said that back home she grew up in a conservative Muslim family but was not herself practicing. Then her boyfriend broke up with her and, brokenhearted, she threw herself into religion. To "make up for" her past, she said she went far to a hard-line direction, watching videos of IS sermons. "I believed they were the real Islamic state ... They said when you make hijra (migration to the caliphate), all your sins are cleared," she said. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) In this March 31, 2019, photo, Gailon Lawson, from Trinidad and Tobago, poses for a portrait at Al-Hol camp in Hassakeh province, Syria. Lawson said she began to regret her decision even before she reached the "caliphate." The night she crossed with her then 12-year-old son and her new husband into Syria in 2014, people had to dash across in the darkness to evade Turkish border guards. "I saw people running, and that's when I realized it was a mistake," the 45-year-old Lawson said. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) In this Sunday, March 31, 2019, photo, women line up for aid supplies at Al-Hol camp in Hassakeh province, Syria. The camp is past full capacity, with more than 70,000 residents from former Islamic State-held areas in Syria. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) In this Wednesday, April 3, 2019, photo, Kimberly Gwen Polman, a Canadian national, reads a letter at camp Roj in Syria. Polman came to the Islamic State's caliphate to join her new husband, a man she knew only from online. She wants to return to Canada, saying she is not safe in the camp because she has spoken out against IS. "I feel so badly that I think I don't deserve a future. I shouldn't have trusted." (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) In this Sunday, March 31, 2019, photo, women speak to guards at the gate that closes off the section for foreign families who lived in the Islamic State's so-called caliphate, at Al-Hol camp in Hassakeh province, Syria. Al-Hol camp is home to 73,000 people who streamed out of the Islamic State group's last pockets, including the village of Baghouz, the final site to fall to the SDF in March. Nearly the entire population of the camp is women or children, since most men were taken for screening by the SDF to determine if they were fighters. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) FILE - In this March 14, 2019, file photo, Women and their children who left the besieged Islamic State-held village of Baghouz, Syria, scramble over a rocky hillside to be checked by U.S-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. Some women who travelled across the world to join the Islamic State group's "caliphate" are pleading to return home, expressing regret and saying they were deceived by the militants' propaganda. Their pleas point to the thorny issues of what to do with the tens of thousands of former IS members left after the fall of the militants. Governments have been reluctant to allow their nationals back. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File) In this March 31, 2019, photo, women purchase goods from the back of a truck in the marketplace at Al-Hol camp, near Hassakeh, Syria. Al-Hol camp is home to 73,000 people who streamed out of the Islamic State group's last pockets, including the village of Baghouz, the final site to fall to the SDF in March. Nearly the entire population of the camp is women or children, since most men were taken for screening by the SDF to determine if they were fighters. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) BERLIN (AP) - Austria's vice chancellor said Tuesday that a member of his party will resign after penning a poem that compared migrants to rats, drawing widespread criticism and angering Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache said Christian Schilcher will leave the anti-migration Freedom Party and resign as deputy mayor of Braunau am Inn, the Austria Press Agency reported. The town on the German border was the birthplace of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. The ditty titled "The Town Rat" appeared in a local publication of the Freedom Party in Braunau. It warned against mixing cultures and drew strong criticism from the center-left opposition. Kurz, a conservative who has governed Austria with the Freedom Party as his coalition partner since late 2017, demanded Monday that its branch in Upper Austria province distance itself from the poem. He said that "the choice of words is abhorrent, inhuman and deeply racist." A top official with the Freedom Party's regional branch, Erwin Schreiner, later Monday said that "the allegory of rat and human is historically loaded, and so tasteless and to be rejected." Schreiner said the fact that the author himself wrote from the perspective of a rat "doesn't make things significantly better" but also argued that the poem was "ultimately a failed attempt to address a serious issue in verse form." The poem said that "just as we live down here, other rats who (came) as guests or migrants, including the ones we didn't know, must share our way of life! Or get out of here fast!" Strache said Schilcher, who said on Monday that he had meant to be provocative but not to hurt anyone, was resigning of his own accord "to prevent damage to the party." He said the deputy mayor's behavior was not in accordance with the Freedom Party's principles. LONDON (AP) - The Northern Ireland Police Service said Tuesday they have arrested a woman under the Terrorism Act in connection with the slaying of journalist Lyra McKee. The arrest of the 57-year-old under the Terrorism Act came as an Irish Republican Army splinter group admitted that one of its "volunteers" killed journalist McKee, who was shot dead while reporting on rioting in Londonderry. In a statement issued Tuesday to the Irish News, the New IRA offered "full and sincere" apologies to McKee's family and friends. The group said the 29-year-old journalist was killed during Thursday night's unrest "while standing beside enemy forces" - a reference to the police. The IRA and most other militant groups have disarmed since Northern Ireland's 1998 peace accord. The New IRA has been formed from splinter groups opposed to the peace process. Authorities believe one person pulled the trigger during the chaotic rioting that began Thursday night but had organizational support. In this undated family photo made available Friday April 19, 2019, issued by Northern Ireland Police, showing journalist Lyra McKee who was shot and killed when guns were fired during clashes with police Thursday night April 18, 2019, in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Police are investigating the shooting death of 29-year-old McKee, during street violence Thursday night.(Family photo/PSNI via AP) 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. The New IRA group rejects the peace agreement. The riot followed a pattern familiar to those who lived through the worst years of violence in Northern Ireland. Police arrived in the city's Creggan neighborhood to search for weapons and dissidents. They were barraged with gasoline bombs and other flying objects before someone wearing a black mask appeared, fired some shots and fled. No police were struck by the bullets, but McKee - who had been trying to film the riot on her phone - was hit. The journalist was rushed to a nearby hospital in a police car but died. A woman reacts as she stops to pay her respects at the scene Saturday April 20, 2019, in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, where 29-year old journalist Lyra McKee was fatally shot. Police in Northern Ireland on Saturday arrested two teenagers in connection with the fatal shooting of investigative journalist Lyra McKee was shot and killed during rioting Thursday night. (Brian Lawless/PA via AP) LONDON (AP) - The Latest on the killing of a journalist in Northern Ireland (all times local): 8:50 a.m. The Northern Ireland Police Service says they have arrested a woman under the Terrorism Act in the slaying of journalist Lyra McKee. The 57-year-old woman was arrested Tuesday under the terrorism act. An Irish Republican Army splinter group earlier admitted that one of its "volunteers" killed McKee, who was shot dead while reporting on rioting in Londonderry. In a statement issued Tuesday to the Irish News, the New IRA offered "full and sincere" apologies to McKee's family and friends. A woman reacts as she stops to pay her respects at the scene Saturday April 20, 2019, in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, where 29-year old journalist Lyra McKee was fatally shot. Police in Northern Ireland on Saturday arrested two teenagers in connection with the fatal shooting of investigative journalist Lyra McKee was shot and killed during rioting Thursday night. (Brian Lawless/PA via AP) The group said the 29-year-old journalist was killed during Thursday night's unrest "while standing beside enemy forces" - a reference to the police. The IRA and most other militant groups have disarmed since Northern Ireland's 1998 peace accord. The New IRA has been formed from splinter groups opposed to the peace process. ___ 7:45 a.m. An Irish Republican Army splinter group has admitted that one of its "volunteers" killed journalist Lyra McKee, who was shot dead while reporting on rioting in Londonderry. In a statement issued Tuesday to the Irish News, the New IRA offered "full and sincere" apologies to McKee's family and friends. The group said the 29-year-old journalist was killed during Thursday night's unrest "while standing beside enemy forces" - a reference to the police. No one has been charged. Two teenagers arrested over the shooting were released without charge on Sunday. The IRA and most other militant groups have disarmed since Northern Ireland's 1998 peace accord. The New IRA has been formed from small splinter groups opposed to the peace process and has carried out sporadic bombings and shootings. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iranian lawmakers on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a bill that labels all U.S. military forces as terrorist, state TV reported, a day after Washington ratcheted up pressure on Tehran by announcing that no country would any longer be exempt from U.S. sanctions if it continues to buy Iranian oil. The bill is a step further from the one last week, when lawmakers approved labelling just U.S. troops in the Middle East as terrorist, in response to the U.S. terrorism designation for Iran's Revolutionary Guard earlier this month. The Trump administration re-imposed sanctions on Iran, including on its energy sector, last November, after pulling America out of the landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. The U.S. designation against Iran's Revolutionary Guard - the first-ever for an entire division of another government - added another layer of sanctions to the powerful paramilitary force, making it a crime under U.S. jurisdiction to provide the guard with material support. On Monday, President Donald Trump decided to do away with waivers as part of the administration's "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran that aims to eliminate all of its revenue from oil exports that the U.S. says funds destabilizing activity throughout the Mideast and beyond. Hours before Trump's announcement, Iran reiterated its long-running threat to close the Strait of Hormuz if it's prevented from using the crucial waterway in the Persian Gulf through which about a third of all oil traded at sea passes. The U.S. Navy has in the past accused Iranian patrol boats of harassing American warships in the waterway. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a news conference on Monday, April 22, 2019, at the Department of State in Washington. (AP Photo/Sait Serkan Gurbuz) Iran's Foreign Ministry promptly brushed off Trump's move to stop the oil waivers, saying the Islamic Republic "basically has not seen and does not see any worth and validity for the waivers." But on Tuesday, 173 out of 215 lawmakers at the parliament session in Tehran voted for the new bill. Only four voted against while the rest abstained; the chamber has 290 seats. The bill confirms Iran's earlier label of the U.S. Central Command, also known as CENTCOM, and all its forces as terrorist. Any military and non-military help, including logistics support, to CENTCOM that can be detrimental to the Revolutionary Guard will be considered a terrorist action, the semi-official ISNA news agency said. The bill also demands the Iranian government take unspecified action against other governments that formally back the U.S. designation. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Israel have all supported the Trump administration's designation. The lawmakers also requested Iran's intelligence agency provide a list of all CENTCOM commanders within three months so that Iran's judiciary can prosecute them in absentia as terrorists. The bill requires final approval by Iran's constitutional watchdog to become law. Other than underscoring Iran's defiance, it's unclear what impact the bill could actually have, either in the Persian Gulf or beyond. The Revolutionary Guard has forces and wields influence in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen, and is in charge of Iranian missiles that have U.S. bases in their range. PARIS (AP) - Investigating judges have ordered that former Prime Minister Francois Fillon and his wife stand trial on corruption charges, a judicial official said on Tuesday. Fillon, who served as prime minister under President Nicolas Sarkozy from 2007 to 2012, was at one point the front-runner in France's 2017 presidential race. But he saw his bid unravel over allegations he paid his wife Penelope and two of their children more than 1 million euros ($1.1 million) from 1981 to 2013 for jobs as parliamentary aides that involved no sustained work. The judicial official confirmed a report in Le Monde newspaper that the couple will stand trial. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the case publicly. According to Le Monde, Marc Joulaud, who replaced Fillon as a lawmaker in the National Assembly while Fillon served as prime minister, will also stand trial for misuse of public funds. Fillon has denied wrongdoing, contending the allegations were a smear campaign to undo his presidential bid. He was handed preliminary charges in March 2017, including for misuse of public funds and improper declaration of assets. His wife was also charged that year with misuse of public funds, receiving money from a misuse of company assets and receiving money from a fraud. FILE - In this Jan. 29, 2017 file photo, conservative presidential candidate Francois Fillon and his wife Penelope attend a campaign meeting in Paris. A French judicial official says investigating judges have requested that former Prime Minister Francois Fillon and his wife stand trial on corruption charges. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File) Fillon kept on running for president despite the corruption investigation, which he denounced as "political assassination." From the start of 2017, when the investigation began, Fillon had to limit his campaign events to rallies and a few visits under high security to avoid anti-corruption protesters shouting "Fillon in prison!" The 2017 election was won by Emmanuel Macron, a young upstart centrist. Fillon had served five times as a government official under two previous presidents, Francois Mitterrand and Jacques Chirac. In 1981, Fillon was elected to parliament for the first time, representing Sable-sur-Sarthe, a small town in rural western France. At 27, he was the youngest lawmaker in the lower house of parliament, the National Assembly. Your daily look at late breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. SRI LANKA SAYS BOMBINGS RETALIATION FOR NEW ZEALAND ATTACK The toll from coordinated bombings at churches, luxury hotels and other sites now stands at more than 320 people dead and 500 injured; Security chiefs were warned of impending attacks. 2. MILITANTS HAD MADE INCENDIARY THREATS The purported leader of an Islamic extremist group blamed for the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka that killed over 300 had called for non-Muslims to be "eliminated." 3. CANDIDATES DEBATE IMPEACHMENT, TAXES, COLLEGE TUITION Clergymen carry coffins for burial during a funeral service for Easter Sunday bomb blast victims at St. Sebastian Church in Negombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe) Five leading Democratic presidential contenders clashed in a series of prime-time town hall meetings that exposed deep divisions in a party desperate to end the Trump presidency. 4. REMORSEFUL FEMALE MEMBERS OF ISLAMIC STATE GROUP Women from Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia and Belgium interviewed by the AP said joining IS was a disastrous mistake. 5. PULITZER PRIZE WINNERS LOSE LEGAL BATTLE Myanmar's Supreme Court has rejected the final appeal of two Reuters journalists and upheld seven-year prison sentences for their reporting on the military's brutal crackdown on Rohingya Muslims. 6. PACIFIC NATION HIT BY ANOTHER TREMOR A new powerful earthquake has hit the central Philippines, a day after a magnitude 6.1 quake rattled the country's north and left at least 16 people dead. 7. WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO KNOW The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments over the Trump administration's plan to ask about citizenship on the 2020 census. 8. IRA SPLINTER GROUP SAYS "VOLUNTEER" KILLED NORTHERN IRELAND JOURNALIST The New IRA apologized for the shooting as police have arrested a 57-year-old woman in connection with the slaying. 9. PYONGYANG MAY TURN TO MOSCOW FOR ECONOMIC BOOST When North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he will have a strong desire to notch a win after the failure of his second summit with President Trump. 10. THEY DON'T WANT THEIR MONEY California legislators have considered a plan intended to encourage more banks to do business with marijuana companies that have been frozen out of thousands of financial institutions. A soldier stands guard during a funeral service attended by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith for Easter Sunday bomb blast victims at St. Sebastian Church in Negombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe) In this Wednesday, April 3, 2019, photo, Kimberly Gwen Polman, a Canadian national, reads a letter at camp Roj in Syria. Polman came to the Islamic State's caliphate to join her new husband, a man she knew only from online. She wants to return to Canada, saying she is not safe in the camp because she has spoken out against IS. "I feel so badly that I think I don't deserve a future. I shouldn't have trusted." (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) Pan Ei Mon, right, wife of Reuters journalist Wa Lone, talks to journalists as she leaves the Supreme Court along with Chit Su Win, left, wife of Reuters journalist Kyaw Soe Oo, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. Myanmar's Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the final appeal of two Reuters journalists and upheld seven-year prison sentences for their reporting on the military's brutal crackdown on Rohingya Muslims.(AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo) WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Teachers from across Poland gathered in Warsaw on Tuesday to demand higher wages in a dispute that is emerging as another political fissure in a deeply divided society. The protest in front of the Education Ministry comes on the 16th day of a strike that has closed most Polish schools. There have been rallies since the strike started April 8, but Tuesday's was the largest, with teachers arriving by bus from across the country. Organizers said demonstrations were being held in a total of 22 towns and cities. At Tuesday's protest, the head of Polish Teachers' Union, Slawomir Broniarz, vowed to fight on "for teachers' dignity." One banner said "Let closed schools open people's eyes." Many carried signs of a black exclamation point to signal urgency. The teachers' strike has emerged as the latest battlefront in a country riven between conservatives and liberals. The divide has played out in frequent demonstrations in recent years over abortion rights and the ruling party's takeover of the court system and state media. The dispute pits teachers and their supporters against a populist government that is increasing social spending on families, pensioners and farmers but which says it cannot accommodate the teachers' demand for a 30% raise. According to opinion polls, it remains the country's most popular party, suggesting that it is emerging unscathed from the standoff. Poland has long ranked high in international education rankings, but teachers say standards are falling as low wages push good people out of the profession, with higher paying jobs in the private sector luring them away in a booming economy. Teachers from across Poland gather in Warsaw, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. The teachers demand higher wages in a long-running dispute that is emerging as another fissure in a deeply divided society. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) Many are furious that a major educational overhaul by the ruling Law and Justice party, which has included the elimination of middle schools, has added to their work load while wages remain low. The government's supporters accuse the roughly 500,000 striking teachers of playing politics, noting how anti-government activist groups have rallied to their cause. They accuse the teachers of using children as a political tool by shutting down the schools during end-of-year exams, including university entrance exams. In an Easter sermon, Gdansk Archbishop Slawoj Leszek Glodz accused the striking teachers of using the children as "hostages" and said the teachers were damaging the "sensitivity and idealism" of the young people. Teachers earn from around 1,800 zlotys to 3,000 zlotys ($470 to $780) a month, depending on experience. The government is offering 15% raises starting in September and a smaller pay hike next year for an increase in the number of teaching hours. But the teachers' union says teachers are already working an average of 47 hours per week and have rejected the government's offer. Many denounce what they see as hypocrisy and insensitivity by the authorities. An aide to the president has said teachers could increase their income instead by having babies, thus qualifying for a program of cash handouts for children that the government is expanding. The speaker of the Senate, Stanislaw Karczewski, who earns nearly 20,000 zlotys ($5,200) a month, said teachers should work for ideals, not money. "We actually do work for our ideals, but you also can't live from ideals alone," Patryk Utowka, a 29-year-old elementary school teacher, said during the Warsaw protest, describing the movement as a demand for dignity and respect for the profession. Utowka said he already works 50 hours a week when he adds up teaching, preparation, grading, meetings with parents and bureaucratic duties, and that the idea of increasing teaching hours was offensive. "There is a huge bitterness that you can see here that the government is not responding to our requests," Utowka said. Teachers from across Poland gather in Warsaw, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. The teachers demand higher wages in a long-running dispute that is emerging as another fissure in a deeply divided society. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) Teachers from across Poland gather in Warsaw, Tuesday, April 23, 2019. The teachers demand higher wages in a long-running dispute that is emerging as another fissure in a deeply divided society. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) NEW DELHI (AP) - India said Tuesday it will buy crude oil from other major oil producing countries in view of the United States' decision this week to end waivers that allowed it to buy Iranian oil without facing U.S. sanctions. External Affairs Ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said the Indian government would continue to work with partner nations, including the United States, to find ways to protect India's energy and economic security interests. India bought 23.6 million tons of Iranian oil in the financial year ending in March 2019, said Y.K Baweja, India's Petroleum Ministry spokesman. He did not give details of India's plans after the U.S. waiver ends on May 2. Iran was the third largest oil supplier for India after Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Imports account for more than 80% of India's oil needs. In November, the U.S. granted a six-month waiver to India and seven other countries to continue importing oil from Iran. Washington decided to eliminate all Iranian oil revenue, which it says funds destabilizing activity throughout the Middle East and beyond. The sanctions would choke off more than $50 billion a year in Iranian income, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in Washington on Monday. In reviewing the photos of Powell taken after the incident, Steiner testified that the bruises on his forehead and swelling of his eye, lip and jaw could not have been caused by strikes of an open palm. In addition, an open hand would not have even been able to reach the fractured bone suffered by Powell between his nose and an eye, he said. LONDON (AP) - The Latest on Britain's exit from the European Union (all times local): 12:45 p.m. The sister of leading Brexit supporter Boris Johnson is running for the European Parliament for a British pro-EU party. Journalist Rachel Johnson is among candidates for Change U.K., a newly formed party founded by former Conservative and Labour Party politicians. Britain is set to take part in the European Parliament elections on May 23 because it has not left the EU, almost three years after voters backed Brexit in a referendum. The government wants to avoid U.K. participation, but that can only happen if Parliament ratifies a divorce deal by May 22 - an unlikely prospect. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives with her husband Philip to attend an Easter Sunday church service near her Maidenhead constituency, south England, Sunday April 21, 2019. (Steve Parsons/PA via AP) Former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson quit the government last year in opposition to Prime Minister Theresa May's plans to keep close economic ties with the EU after Brexit. With departure now stalled, he is a favorite to replace May as party leader among pro-Brexit Conservatives. ___ 8 a.m. British Prime Minister Theresa May is facing new pressure from her restive Conservative Party to resign as lawmakers return to Parliament - and to Brexit wrangling - after an 11-day Easter break. Britain's EU exit, due to take place last month, has been delayed as the government tries to win Parliament's backing for a divorce deal with the bloc. Talks on a compromise agreement are resuming Tuesday between May's government and the main opposition Labour Party. But there are few signs the gap between the two sides is closing. Anger is growing among Conservative lawmakers and officials over the delay to Brexit and May's bid for compromise. Pro-Brexit Conservative lawmaker Nigel Evans says calls for May's departure are "growing into a clamor" and she should resign "as soon as possible." EASTPOINTE, Mich. (AP) - The mother of two boys who, along with another child, died in an accidental Detroit-area house fire has been ordered to stand trial on child abuse charges . The Macomb Daily reports that Judge Carl Gerds of the 38th District Court ruled recently after hearing testimony and reviewing arguments from 29-year-old Amber Swain's attorney John Dakmak and prosecutors. Dakmak said the children had been home alone in Eastpointe for about 85 minutes when the fire struck in March 2018 . He disputed arguments from prosecutors that Swain was reckless because she couldn't have foreseen that her home would burn down "during the short time frame." Records say an electrical malfunction caused the fire. The dead included Swain's 8- and 9-year-old sons and a 4-year-old cousin. Swain returns to court Monday. ___ Information from: The Macomb Daily, http://www.macombdaily.com COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) - Catholic leaders canceled Sunday Masses indefinitely across Sri Lanka and officials urged Muslims to stay home for Friday prayers in an extraordinary call by the clergy to curtail worship as fear of more attacks plagued the island nation after the deadly suicide bombings on Easter. Shops were closed, streets were empty and heavy security patrols continued across the country despite police saying the alleged mastermind of the attacks that killed over 250 people had died in one of the suicide blasts. Those Sri Lankans who did venture out spoke about the fear encompassing daily life at a level unseen since a long civil war ended a decade ago. Many are angry that the government, paralyzed by internal disputes, hadn't acted on intelligence obtained weeks before Easter that warned of the attacks. On Friday night, Sri Lanka's military said its soldiers in the eastern part of the country engaged in a gunbattle with suspects believed to be linked to the attacks, and police announced a 24-hour curfew until further notice in the Muslim-dominated area where the shooting took place. Continuing government confusion in its investigation - from drastically lowering the death toll to misidentifying a Brown University student as a militant - only added to the public's worries. "Everyone is nervous," said Abdullah Mohammed, a 48-year-old Muslim in Colombo. "Not just the Muslims. Buddhists, Christians, Hindus - everybody's nervous." A Sri Lankan soldier stands guard at the damaged St. Anthony's Church or Shrine in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, April 26, 2019. Priests have allowed journalists inside St. Anthony's Church in Sri Lanka for the first time since it was targeted in a series of Islamic State-claimed suicide bombings that killed over 250 people. Broken glass littered the sanctuary's damaged pews and blood stained the floor. Shoes left by panicked worshippers remained in the darkened church, and broken bottles of holy water lay on the floor. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) Officials from the police to the prime minister say militants remain on the loose and have access to explosives. That has led to increased security at shrines, churches, temples and mosques across the multiethnic country of 21 million off the southern coast of India. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith told journalists that church officials had seen a leaked security document describing Roman Catholic churches and other denominations as a major target. Ranjith, who is the archbishop of Colombo, asked the faithful across Sri Lanka to stay home for their own safety. "We don't want repetitions," Ranjith said. It was an extraordinary request for a Catholic clergyman to make, as churches often remain a refuge. It came on the day that priests allowed journalists inside one of the bombed churches, St. Anthony's Shrine in Colombo, where broken glass littered a blood-stained floor. Giovanni Maria Vian, a church historian and emeritus editor of the Vatican newspaper, said he believed it was the first time the church had canceled Masses across a country for security reasons. The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka also warned the public to stay away from places of worship over the weekend, a stark alert underlining that authorities believe that attackers remain at large. Authorities told Muslims to worship at home rather than attend communal Friday prayers that are the most important religious service of the week, but several mosques held services anyway. At a mosque in Colombo, police armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles stood guard outside for hundreds of worshippers as the imam inside and others wept while praying to Allah to help their country. The Easter attackers are "not Muslims. This is not Islam. This is an animal," said Akurana Muhandramlage Jamaldeen Mohamed Jayfer, the chairman of the mosque. "We don't have a word (strong enough) to curse them." Sri Lanka's government, crippled from a long political crisis between the president and prime minister last year, promised swift action to capture militants still at large. President Maithripala Sirisena said about 140 people had been identified as having links to the Islamic State group. A "major search operation has been undertaken," Sirisena said. "Every household in the country will be checked." On Friday night, soldiers raiding a house in Sri Lanka's Eastern Province fought a gunbattle with suspected militants linked to the bombings, said military spokesman Brig. Sumith Atapattu. After a couple of hours, he said soldiers were "engaged in a clearing operation," adding that some casualties were possible. In the same area, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said officers acting on information from intelligence officials found 150 sticks of blasting gelatin and 100,000 small metal balls, as well as a van and clothing suspected to be used by those involved in the Easter attack. Suicide bomb vests often are packed with such balls to increase the shrapnel in the explosion, making them even deadlier. Earlier Friday, police confirmed the militant group's leader, Mohamed Zahran, died in the suicide bombing at the Shangri-La Hotel, one of six hotels and churches attacked. Zahran appeared in an Islamic State video claiming responsibility for the coordinated assault, and authorities in both Sri Lanka and Australia confirmed links between IS and the attack. Police said investigators had determined that the assailants' military training was provided by someone they called "Army Mohideen," and that weapons training had taken place overseas and at locations in Sri Lanka's Eastern Province. Police said they arrested the operator of a copper factory who had helped Mohideen make improvised explosive devices and purchase empty cartridges sold by the Sri Lankan military as scrap copper. On Thursday night, Sri Lanka's Health Ministry drastically reduced its estimated death toll from the bombings. A statement said "approximately" 253 people had been killed, nearly one-third lower than an earlier police estimate of 359 dead. The discrepancy was not immediately explained, but it fit a pattern of confused reports by Sri Lankan officials that have muddled the investigation. On Friday, police apologized to a Brown University student and a human rights activist after they posted her picture to Twitter and erroneously identified her as a wanted militant. The police then deleted their Twitter account. ___ Associated Press writers Krishan Francis in Colombo and Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia, contributed to this report. A Sri Lankan catholic priest stands near broken glass in front St. Anthony's Church in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, April 26, 2019. Priests have allowed journalists inside St. Anthony's Church in Sri Lanka for the first time since it was targeted in a series of Islamic State-claimed suicide bombings that killed over 250 people. Broken glass littered the sanctuary's damaged pews and blood stained the floor. Shoes left by panicked worshippers remained in the darkened church, and broken bottles of holy water lay on the floor. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) In this Thursday, April 25, 2019 photo, sunlight steams in from gaping holes, as a surveyor works at St. Sebastian's Church, where a suicide bomber blew himself up on Easter Sunday in Negombo, north of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Nearly a week later, the smell of death is everywhere, though the bodies are long gone. Yet somehow, there's a beauty to St. Sebastian's, a neighborhood church in a Catholic enclave north of Sri Lanka's capital. You can see the beauty in the broken stained-glass windows. It's there in the little statues that refused to fall over, and despite the swarms of police and soldiers who seem to be everywhere now in the streets of the seaside town of Negombo. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) A Sri Lankan Army soldier stands guard in front St. Anthony's Church in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, April 26, 2019. Priests have allowed journalists inside St. Anthony's Church in Sri Lanka for the first time since it was targeted in a series of Islamic State-claimed suicide bombings that killed over 250 people. Broken glass littered the sanctuary's damaged pews and blood stained the floor. Shoes left by panicked worshippers remained in the darkened church, and broken bottles of holy water lay on the floor. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) The archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith addresses a press conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, April 26, 2019. The archbishop said that there will be no Sunday Masses until further notice after the Easter bombings in Sri Lanka. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) In this Thursday, April 25, 2019 photo, a statue of St. Jude stands on a wall speckled with fragments of shrapnel at St. Sebastian's Church in Negombo, north of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Nearly a week later, the smell of death is everywhere, though the bodies are long gone. Yet somehow, there's a beauty to St. Sebastian's, a neighborhood church in a Catholic enclave north of Sri Lanka's capital, where a man calmly walked in during Easter services with a heavy backpack and blew himself up. It's there in the little statues that refused to fall over, and despite the swarms of police and soldiers who seem to be everywhere now in the streets of the seaside town of Negombo. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) In this Thursday, April 25, 2019 photo, Catholic priests walk outside St. Sebastian's Church, where a suicide bomber blew himself up on Easter Sunday in Negombo, north of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Nearly a week later, the smell of death is everywhere, though the bodies are long gone. From inside, you see destruction wherever you look. But from outside the church, if you ignore the police tape and if you're standing far enough away, you might think nothing had happened there at all. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) A Muslim volunteer assigned to spot unfamiliar visitors looks at a man ahead of Friday prayers in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, April 26, 2019. Religious leaders cancelled large public gatherings amid warnings of more attacks, along with retaliatory sectarian violence in Sri Lanka though some still held communal Friday prayers at mosques. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe) Sri Lankan Muslims leave after offering Friday prayers in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, April 26, 2019. Across Colombo, there was a visible increase of security as authorities warned of another attack and pursued suspects that could have access to explosives. Authorities had told Muslims to pray at home rather than attend communal Friday prayers that are the most important religious service for the faithful. At one mosque in Colombo where prayers were still held, police armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles stood guard outside. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) Muslim men arrive as others pray at a mosque in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, April 26, 2019. Religious leaders cancelled large public gatherings amid warnings of more attacks, along with retaliatory sectarian violence in Sri Lanka though some still held communal Friday prayers at mosques. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe) Muslim men gather outside a mosque in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, April 26, 2019. Sri Lanka's president has appealed to the island nation not to view its minority Muslim community as terrorists in the wake of Easter Sunday attacks that officials say were carried out by a local Muslim extremist group.. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe) A Muslim woman walks outside a Mosque in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, April 26, 2019. Religious leaders cancelled large public gatherings amid warnings of more attacks, along with retaliatory sectarian violence in Sri Lanka though some still planned to hold communal Friday prayers at mosques. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe) A Muslim man points to prayer timings inside a mosque in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, April 26, 2019. Religious leaders cancelled large public gatherings amid warnings of more attacks, along with retaliatory sectarian violence in Sri Lanka though some still planned to hold communal Friday prayers at mosques. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe) Sri Lankan policeman patrol in a Muslim neighborhood before Friday prayers in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Friday, April 26, 2019. Across Colombo, there was a visible increase of security as authorities warned of another attack and pursued suspects that could have access to explosives. Authorities had told Muslims to pray at home rather than attend communal Friday prayers that are the most important religious service for the faithful. At one mosque in Colombo where prayers were still held, police armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles stood guard outside. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) WASHINGTON (AP) - Should Joe Biden apologize to Anita Hill? One Democrat running for president says yes, but not everyone agrees. Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton says the former vice president should apologize for the way Hill was treated during confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Moulton said Hill "was treated terribly" when she testified to Biden's committee in 1991 that Thomas had sexually harassed her. Moulton added: "I think he should apologize." Biden said on NBC he was sorry "for the way she got treated" but added that, "I don't think I treated her badly." Sen. Lindsey Graham said Biden's led a "good life" and should not start apologizing now "for all the policy positions and decisions he's made." The South Carolina Republican said on CBS: That would be "disappointing." Former Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is shown after appearing on ABC's "The View", Friday, April 26, 2019 in New York. Biden says he has no plans to limit himself to one term if he's elected president in 2020. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez) Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., speaks to the media during a a campaign event at Liberty House in Manchester, N.H., Tuesday, April 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Cheryl Senter) Cross-party negotiations to try to break the Brexit deadlock were continuing in Whitehall on Friday, as Parliament began its delayed Easter holiday. Theresa Mays effective deputy David Lidington and Environment Secretary Michael Gove were taking part in the talks for the Government side, while shadow chancellor John McDonnell was representing Labour. The Prime Minister made clear on Thursday she intends to bring her Brexit deal back to the Commons for a fourth time after EU leaders agreed to extend the Article 50 withdrawal process to October 31. Mrs May met briefly with Jeremy Corbyn at Westminster when they agreed to continue efforts to find a common way forward. No 10 is still hoping they can get a deal through Parliament in time to avoid the need for Britain to vote in elections to the European Parliament on May 23. Environment Secretary Michael Gove arrives at the Cabinet Office (Kirsty OConnor/PA) The UK is now formally on track to hold elections, having informed the European authorities ahead of Fridays deadline that it would be taking part in the ballots occurring across the continent from May 23-26. However, it is possible for the vote to be cancelled right up to the day before polling if a withdrawal deal is agreed by MPs. (PA Graphics) Preparations for the polls were stepping up a gear, with Nigel Farage launching his new Brexit Party in Coventry. The former Ukip leader said the existing parties should fear the electorate who feel betrayed by the failure to deliver EU withdrawal almost three years after the 2016 referendum. Mr Farage told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: We have been betrayed and the fightback begins today. What were trying to do is launch a revolution in British politics and realign the party structure. During exchanges in the Commons on Thursday, Mr Corbyn warned the Prime Minister she had to be prepared to compromise if the talks were to stand any chance of success. Mrs May, however, is under growing pressure from Tory Brexiteers furious at the latest extension after she had promised repeatedly Britain would be out of the EU by March 29 the original Brexit date. In the Commons, she brushed off a call for her resignation by the veteran Eurosceptic Sir Bill Cash who accused her of an abject surrender to Brussels. Jeremy Corbyn has warned Theresa May she must make compromises if the talks are to succeed (House of Commons/PA) With the Commons having risen for a shortened Easter recess, Downing Street will be hoping for some respite as MPs return to their constituencies. However, there was further anger among Tory Brexiteers after it emerged the Government had shelved emergency planning for a no-deal Brexit following the latest extension. It includes the dismantling of Operation Brock on the M20 in Kent to deal with potential lorry tailbacks from Dover caused by the need for new customs checks. The decision was taken on Thursday at a meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill, according to a leaked email seen by Sky News. The message said to have been sent to all civil servants in an unnamed front line Brexit department said the suspension was taking place with immediate effect. Downing Street said departments were taking sensible decisions about the timing of their no-deal preparations following the agreement by EU leaders to extend the Article 50 withdrawal process to October 31. Sheer spite, I regret to say. Very sad. Officials have worked exceptionally hard to deliver our preparedness and deserve better https://t.co/eWxBADM4ue Steve Baker MP FRSA (@SteveBakerHW) April 11, 2019 The Government has committed 4 billion to no-deal preparations, but some MPs believe the latest delay shows Mrs May was never prepared to countenance leaving without a deal. Former Brexit minister Steve Baker, who is now deputy chairman of the pro-Brexit European Research Group, accused the Government of acting out of sheer spite. Officials have worked exceptionally hard to deliver our preparedness and deserve better, he tweeted. A Downing Street spokesman said: In light of this weeks developments, departments will make sensible decisions about the timing and pace at which some of this work is progressing given that the date we leave the EU has changed, but we will absolutely continue to make all necessary preparations. A judge has dismissed a legal challenge brought by asylum seekers at the centre of an eviction row in Glasgow. Accommodation provider Serco announced plans to issue lock-change notices to tenants refused refugee status last July. The Home Office contractor said it was forced to act after paying for housing for up to 300 asylum seekers in Glasgow who had been denied the right to remain in the UK. Two women a Kurdish Iraqi national and a Kurdish Iranian launched a legal challenge against Serco and the Home Secretary, arguing their eviction would be unlawful without a court order. On Friday, Court of Session judge Lord Tyre ruled the arguments were not sound and dismissed the cases. He said in the judgment: I am not persuaded that there is anything in either of the pursuers cases requiring proof before answer. The lock changes announced last July met with protest in Glasgow (Andrew Milligan/PA) On the contrary I am satisfied that neither of the pursuers has made out a relevant case for any of the orders sought. It was revealed in January that Serco had lost the Home Office contract in Scotland, which will be delivered by Mears Group after September. A Serco spokesman said: In August 2018 we said that we unreservedly welcomed the legal challenge as it would enable all parties to clarify what was at that point an untested area of Scottish law. Today we have that clarity, and we are pleased that the Court of Session has confirmed our views on the legal position. Serco will not be taking any immediate action as a consequence of this decision, but will now discuss with the Home Office, Glasgow City Council and our other partners how best to proceed, given that there continues to be a very significant number of people in Glasgow whose claim for asylum has been refused by the UK Government and who are continuing to receive the benefit of free accommodation, paid for by Serco, some for months, even years. GLC statement on Ali and Rashidi v. Serco Ltd and others: https://t.co/XjMLVjiovH Govan Law Centre (@GovanLawCentre) April 12, 2019 Govan Law Centre, which represents the women, said: We will take time to carefully consider Lord Tyres judgment and meet with our clients to discuss their best options. We are very disappointed for our clients, and also for asylum seekers across Glasgow who have been threatened with lock-change evictions. Mike Dailly, solicitor advocate at the centre, said any asylum seeker threatened with a lock-change eviction in Scotland would need to challenge the decision by lodging an urgent appeal to the First Tier Immigration Tribunal. He said: The practicalities of people being able to do so are challenging and not always straight-forward, and Govan Law Centre hopes to explore these serious challenges with partner agencies in Glasgow. A Home Office spokeswoman said: The Home Office takes the well-being of asylum seekers and the local communities in which they live extremely seriously. We have and will continue to work closely with local authorities and partners to ensure that those who have no right to be in the UK leave their accommodation in a safe and secure way. We are working with Glasgow City Council to agree and implement a support advice referral process for those at risk of potential eviction. The Scottish Government said it will study the judgment closely, with Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell insisting it is not acceptable the current asylum system results in people being left destitute and homeless in the country where they have sought refuge. Ms Campbell said: We need a sustainable long-term solution to this issue. The new accommodation contract is the perfect opportunity for that to happen and I will be raising this issue again with the Home Office now we have the outcome of this case. In the meantime, I welcome forthcoming discussions between Glasgow City Council, Serco and the Home Office on a way forward. This should seek to build on the work of the Glasgow Asylum Taskforce and ensure that appropriate support is in place for all asylum seekers reaching the end of the process. A woman has spent a portion of her university loan to pay for free sanitary products for students who cannot afford them. Daisy Wakefield, a drawing and print student at the University of the West of England (UWE) Bristol, spent 100 on 40 hand-decorated boxes of tampons, which she is distributing on campus. The 22-year-old said she took action after her university failed to cover the cost itself. Announcing the project on Instagram, she wrote: After many emails saying Ill get back to you or Im not sure, Im tired of UWE Bristol not addressing the crisis that is period poverty in the UK. I, Daisy Wakefield, have been forced to take matters into my own hands by supplying free sanitary products on all UWE Bristol campuses. Ms Wakefield also posted a time-lapse video of six hours she spent packaging the boxes to put in the university bathrooms. A woman spent a portion of her university loan to pay for free sanitary products for students who cannot afford them (Betka82/Getty Images) She told Press Association: My message is ultimately to destigmatise period poverty and menstruation as a whole. As a society we have been told to be quiet about our periods. Its no wonder people feel they cant speak up about suffering with period poverty when so many cant even talk about their period. In a statement, UWE Bristol said: Period poverty is a global issue and were pleased UWE Bristol students are passionately advocating for change. The university does not currently supply free sanitary products on campus, though we would be pleased to meet with students to understand if there is an emerging need for this. Chancellor Philip Hammond announced during Marchs Spring Statement that the Government will fund a scheme to provide free sanitary products in secondary schools from September this year. This follows the NHS pledge to make tampons and sanitary towels available to patients on request from summer this year. Commenting on the Governments promise, Labour MP Dawn Butler said: This is a victory for all those who have campaigned for an end to period poverty. Its a disgrace that period poverty exists in the sixth richest country in the world. Today I asked @hmtreasury Ministers to take a human rights approach and provide universal free access to sanitary products so we can put a real end to #periodpoverty. pic.twitter.com/ovn6HYH2ML Janet Daby MP (@JanetDaby) April 9, 2019 Ms Wakefields project comes after years of campaigning for an end to period poverty from charities including Bloody Good Period, which supplies sanitary products for refugees and asylum seekers in London and Leeds. Liberal Democrat spokeswoman Layla Moran said: It is appalling that students and campaigners such as Daisy Wakefield are having to take matters into their own hands to ensure that no woman misses out on education because of period poverty. Research from childrens charity Plan International UK found that one in 10 girls cannot afford to buy menstrual products. A separate survey found that more than 137,700 children in the UK have missed school because of period poverty. Ms Wakefield said: We need to look at the success of universities such as; Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Exeter, who provide free sanitary products and look at how its supported their students. Thousands of bikers have taken to the streets of central London to protest against the prosecution of a soldier who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. Organisers claim as many as 11,000 bikers met on Park Lane on Friday afternoon, before riding through London to Parliament Square and on to Trafalgar Square. The protesters, many of whom are armed forces veterans themselves, oppose the prosecution of an unnamed soldier, known only as Soldier F. Soldier F is to be charged with murdering two people after troops opened fire on civil rights demonstrators in Londonderry in January 1972, on what became known as Bloody Sunday. Some relatives of the 13 killed have campaigned for their prosecution, while others argue that Soldier F should not face trial. Motorcyclists ride past the Cenotaph in London (Kirsty OConnor/PA) The protest, which also saw around 80 bikers ride to the Stormont parliament building in Belfast, was conceived in March when Harry Wragg, 56, posted a video on Facebook, calling for Soldier F not to be prosecuted. He claimed a form of immunity was given to paramilitaries as a result of the peace process concessions he insisted should be extended to British soldiers who served. A number of biker groups from around the UK welcomed Mr Wraggs suggestion of a procession of motorbikes in London to protest against Soldier Fs prosecution. The protesters wore leather jackets with patches that showed their biker group, and many veterans bore the insignia of their former regiments. Bikers came from across the UK on Friday morning, with some travelling to London from Newcastle, South Wales, Leicester and Kent. They brought flags that read: We stand with Soldier F. Protest riders carried flags through the streets (John Stillwell/PA) Park Lane was blocked on Friday afternoon by riders queuing to take part in the procession. The bikers engine revving attracted a crowd to watch the ride begin, at 1.30pm. The protest travelled from Park Lane through Victoria, across Vauxhall Bridge, back across the Thames at Westminster Bridge and into Parliament Square. Protesters then rode along Parliament Street and Whitehall and passed the Cenotaph, finishing in Trafalgar Square. Speaking to the Press Association, Mr Wragg said: I had a bit of a rant on Facebook saying how disgusting it was really, over Soldier F. I made a statement saying what about a few of us riding to London, to make a noisy protest? There are 11,000-plus bikes. Weve just come together. And the best thing for me is that its combined services. Another group of riders massed outside the Stormont buildings in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) Theres loads of banter between the RAF, the Navy, the Army and the Marines, and weve turned up as one. Ive been truly moved this week. Alan Coates, 47, who owns a motorcycle shop in Hull, joined the protest against the prosecution, which he said was bang out of order. I dont know the guy, I dont know his name, Ive never served in the armed forces, he said. Ive shut my business for the day, come all the way down from Hull purely to show my support. Theres no greater thing a man can do than lay his life on the line for his country, for people he doesnt know. Some of those taking part were themselves ex servicemen (Kirsty OConnor/PA) So people who dont know him now are down here essentially showing him that he has our support and the Government are bang out of order. All these people here are here to support this man who has done nothing wrong in the eyes of the people. He did his job, as many others did, yet hes being persecuted for what they call a crime. Soldier F will face charges for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick ODonnell. The Ministry of Defence said the charges have been brought by the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service, which is independent of the Government. A Government spokesman said: We are indebted to the soldiers who served with courage and distinction to bring peace to Northern Ireland. Although the decision to prosecute was taken by the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service, which is independent from Government, we will offer full legal and pastoral support to the individual affected. IRA evidence at the Birmingham bombings inquest has raised hopes republicans could shed light on a mass shooting in Northern Ireland, a coroner has said. A former Provisional recently named four people he claimed were involved in the Midlands pub attacks in 1974. The Kingsmill inquest is examining the shooting dead of 10 men by republicans in South Armagh at the height of the Troubles in 1976. The coroner, Judge Brian Sherrard, said: It has given me some cause for hope, perhaps, that the Birmingham inquest was the recipient of such valuableinformation. I am at a loss as to how those who would engage in this type of activity would not wish to take the same approach to this inquest. No one has ever been convicted of the killings. Colin Worton, whose brother Kenneth died at Kingsmill said the relatives were always led to believe the IRA had gone away (Michael McHugh/PA). Relatives of the victims want a dead suspect whose identity has been protected to be named and that is the subject of legal discussions. The coroner appealed for any individual or organisation involved in the killings to come forward, including those who performed operational or organisational roles. The textile workers were shot when their minibus was ambushed outside the village of Kingsmill on their way home from work. Those on board were asked their religion, and the only Catholic was ordered to run away. The killers, who had hidden in hedges, forced the 11 remaining men to line up outside the van before opening fire. Alan Black was the sole survivor. Colin Worton, whose brother Kenneth was one of those who died, said: Here again we are on a different planet because we were always led to believe the IRA had gone away but now we understand they are still intact whenever they came back and give information into the Birmingham court. Why are they not doing it on this side of the water? I dont know. He said nobody had the power to make people come forward. Mr Worton said the dead suspects should be named even if nobody from the IRA volunteered information. It shouldnt be terrorist-led, this inquiry. We shouldnt be beholden on them. The security forces know each and every one that took part. In his evidence to the Birmingham inquests, the then IRA head of intelligence in Ireland, Kieran Conway, described the victims deaths as accidental, in an IRA operation that went badly wrong. Towards the end of evidence at the hearings a former IRA member named four people he claimed were involved in the bombings. The man, identified in court only as Witness O, said he had been authorised to give the names by the current head of the IRA in Dublin. It was the week when Brexit was delayed again and when voters had to get their heads around the idea theyd be electing MEPs to join a European Parliament which they voted to leave almost three years ago. So what has happened and what will happen next? Days to go 202, if the UK leaves on the new Brexit deadline of October 31. However, if the UK ratifies the Withdrawal Agreement before then, it would leave on the first day of the following month, meaning Brexit could conceivably be 50, 80, 111, 142 or 172 days away. Or it could be extended again for an unknown number of days. What happened this week? Cross-party talks designed to break the Brexit deadlock seemed to run into the sand at the start of the week, with Labour complaining that Theresa May was not willing to shift from her red lines. Monday saw the passage in double-quick time of Yvette Coopers bill to block a no-deal Brexit. This in turn forced a vote on Tuesday approving the Prime Ministers decision to ask for an extension to the Article 50 talks process. Theresa May shares a humorous moment with EU leaders at the Brussels summit (Olivier Hoslet via AP) In Brussels on Wednesday, Mrs Mays request for a short extension to June 30 was rejected by leaders of the remaining 27 states, but European Council president Donald Tusks proposal of a year-long delay was also turned down after stiff resistance from Frances Emmanuel Macron. Instead, a compromise extension to October 31 was agreed, with the option for the UK to leave earlier if it ratifies the Withdrawal Agreement. The deal was denounced as a humiliation by some Brexiteers and led to calls for Mrs Mays resignation from her own backbenches in a Commons debate on Thursday. What happens next? Parliament has gone into recess until April 23, giving MPs a much-needed respite from constant Brexit debates and late-night votes. But cross-party talks continue between the Government and Labour in the hunt for a consensus solution. PA Graphics Good week Emmanuel Macron The French President was alone among EU leaders in demanding a short extension to the Article 50 process at Wednesdays emergency summit. He warned that allowing the UK to remain for month after month could prove disruptive to the European project and his own plans for reform. The compromise solution reached in the early hours fell well short of the long extension favoured by Germanys Angela Merkel. Emmanuel Macron argued successfully against a year-long extension to Brexit (Olivier Matthys/AP) Bad week European Research Group Having blocked Theresa Mays Withdrawal Agreement on three occasions and seen the totemic date of March 29 pass with the UK still in the EU, the Leave-backing Tories of the ERG saw their dream of independence slip away further into the future. Mrs May left no doubt she blames them for stopping Brexit happening, and Daniel Kawczynski quit the group, claiming a hardcore element of unicorn dreamers were endangering Brexit. Quote of the week Does my Right Honorable Friend appreciate the anger that her abject surrender last night has generated across the country? Will she resign? Veteran eurosceptic Conservative MP Sir William Cash, in the House of Commons after the Prime Minister reported back from the Brussels summit. I have just asked the Prime Minister to resign. pic.twitter.com/sw2rEuCNBY Bill Cash (@BillCashMP) April 11, 2019 Tweet of the week We now face the farce of EU elections nearly three years after the British people voted to leave. The Government has ditched every major commitment it has made to the country. We must change course and deliver what the people voted for. Boris Johnson, stopping just short of launching his bid for the Conservative leadership. We now face the farce of EU elections nearly three years after the British people voted to leave. The Government has ditched every major commitment it has made to the country. We must change course and deliver what the people voted for. pic.twitter.com/L9AZFLar4d Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 11, 2019 Word of the week Halloween The date chosen for the next Brexit deadline was an inauspicious one for Theresa May, but a gift to headline writers and cartoonists, who went to town with references to the PMs nightmare extension and the trick or treat deal. A man, who did not want to be identified but said he was the friend waiting for a ride from Snerling, paced near the crime scene tape and repeated, He was just picking me up from work. The two had known each other for more than a decade, he said, remembering Snerling as a decent man and an outstanding father. The Scottish Greens say they are hopeful of ousting Ukip to secure their first MEP following a tremendous lift from an Edinburgh by-election. SNP candidate Rob Munn won the Leith Walk ward from Labour, but the largest swing in the vote saw the Greens come second, pushing Labour into third. Green candidate Lorna Slater won 25.5% of first preference votes up 5.8% from 2017 741 behind the SNP, although the gap narrowed to 256 votes in the final round of the count. Green candidate @lornagreens has come a strong second in the capital's Leith Walk by-election, overtaking Labour in the contest which was won, as expected, by the SNP's Rob Munn. The Green share of first preferences was 25.5%, the highest-ever for Greens in the ward. pic.twitter.com/btbGVDrfbF Edinburgh Greens (@EdinburghGreens) April 11, 2019 Scottish Green Party co-convener Patrick Harvie said the result gives him confidence that the party can secure its first MEP at the European Parliament elections in May. Mr Harvie said: The result in Leith Walk is a tremendous lift for Greens ahead of European elections and huge credit goes to the brilliant Lorna Slater who ran a superb campaign. Its clear that theres strong support for our inspiring vision for rebuilding democracy, locally and across Europe, so that we can tackle the climate crisis, lift people out of poverty and create a welcoming society which rejects far-right populism. Patrick Harvie said the Leith Walk by-election gives the Greens confidence about securing their first MEP (Andrew Milligan/PA) At the last European elections, Greens narrowly missed out on our first Scottish MEP to an extremist Ukip candidate whose campaign was flooded with cash and who was given a hugely disproportionate media platform. By making the positive case for Scotlands place in Europe, were determined that wont happen again. A strong Green showing in the #leithwalk by election. Great work by @lornagreens and the @EdinburghGreens team! https://t.co/cOnCPf5UAz Patrick Harvie (@patrickharvie) April 12, 2019 The UK looks set to participate in the European elections following the six-month extension to Article 50 granted by the EU. Earlier this week, the UK Government tabled an order enabling elections to the European Parliament to be held in Britain if the country has not left the EU by the time they take place next month. The Day of Poll Order sets the date for the elections on May 23, but the Cabinet Office said they would automatically be cancelled if the UK left before then. European elections are held every five years, with the UK electing 73 MEPs to sit in the 751-member Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg. Scotland elects six MEPs through proportional representation and in the 2014 election two SNP and two Labour representatives were chosen along with one Conservative and one Ukip MEP. JJ Abrams has said Carrie Fishers Leia will live on in Star Wars: Episode IX which has been called Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker. The director said he was able to integrate unused scenes of Leia from The Force Awakens into the story. Speaking at the Star Wars Celebration event in Chicago, Abrams said having a CG character, recasting or just having her disappear were not options. Every generation has a legend. Watch the brand-new teaser for Star Wars: #EpisodeIX. pic.twitter.com/fWMS13ekdZ Star Wars (@starwars) April 12, 2019 Fisher died in December 2016, after shooting had finished on The Last Jedi, and her character is alive in the last shot of the film. It has been a lingering question as to how the final instalment in the new trilogy would handle Fishers passing. Abrams said that Leia lives in the film in a way that is mindblowing to him. Carrie Fisher died in December 2016 (Ian West/PA) The director also said Star Wars Episode IX does not pick up immediately after the events of The Last Jedi. He said some time has gone by since the events of the last film and teased that it will be an adventure that the group goes on together. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy also reiterated that Episode IX will close out the newest trilogy and the nine-film Skywalker saga that began in 1977. Watford boss Javi Gracia insists his players will not have one eye on the FA Cup final when they host Arsenal on Monday. The Hornets will be back at Wembley on May 18 to face Manchester City after their dramatic 3-2 extra-time win over Wolves last weekend. Gracia gave his players three days off following their semi-final exertions but he has no intention of rotating his squad for Premier League duty with seventh spot still up for grabs. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, the Spaniard said: I try to choose the best players for the next game. I am only thinking about trying to win the next game. I dont want to think any further. I think we had time to recover. The players had three days off and they were ready to start preparing for the next game. We have enough time as we play on Monday. I think its good for us to have more time to recover and prepare for Monday. We have good professionals and with these players, it is easy as they know the next game is very important. Javi Gracia guided Watford to the FA Cup final. (John Walton/PA) We dont have only one final we have seven finals. All of them are focused on the next game. Full-back Jose Holebas will miss out against the Gunners after he suffered a hamstring injury at Wembley. The mother of a severely epileptic child has said she is overjoyed to have her confiscated medical cannabis returned after negotiating bureaucratic trauma. Emma Appleby received the supply of cannabis oils for nine-year-old daughter Teagan, who suffers up to 300 seizures a day, from the Government on Friday. Border Force seized the items, which cost 4,600, as campaigner Mrs Appleby and her partner Lee landed at Southend Airport in Essex on Saturday after visiting the Netherlands. Happy to say that Teagan Appleby's cannabis-based medicine has arrived and is ready to be collected. We are working hard across government to ensure we get these medicines to those who need them Matt Hancock (@MattHancock) April 12, 2019 The family, from Aylesham near Dover, had flown out on Thursday and had the medicine prescribed by a paediatric neurologist in Rotterdam. But, after it was seized, they had to obtain a prescription from a specialist UK consultant. Mrs Appleby said: This has been one of the most stressful weeks of my life, and life caring for a child with intractable epilepsy is plenty stressful enough. We only went to Holland out of sheer desperation. Wed fought for months to get access to medical cannabis in this country but were blocked at every turn even though its now legal here. Teagan Appleby (Family/PA) But overjoyed as I am, my heart goes out to those other families with severely epileptic children who are in the depths of despair. Neither I, nor they, should be put through this bureaucratic trauma. The system just isnt working. Teagan suffers from rare chromosomal disorder Isodicentric 15 as well as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe case of epilepsy. Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted on Friday: Happy to say that Teagan Applebys cannabis-based medicine has arrived and is ready to be collected. We are working hard across government to ensure we get these medicines to those who need them. Emma Appleby (left), Lee Moore and their daughter Teagan (Stefan Rousseau/PA) The law in the UK was changed last November to make access to medical cannabis legal but parents have been struggling to secure prescriptions, in part due to reluctance within the medical community. NHS England guidance says it expects that cannabis-based products for medicinal use should only be prescribed for indications where there is clear published evidence of benefit and in patients where there is a clinical need which cannot be met by a licensed medicine and where established treatment options have been exhausted. Mr Hancock said in the Commons last month that his heart goes out to parents experiencing anguish over difficulties in obtaining medicinal cannabis. He said he is working to unblock some of the challenges in the system but, ultimately, these things need to be clinician-led. Mrs Appleby added she wanted Mr Hancock to follow through on his recent supportive words and unblock the system. She said: Those with the power to sort this need to, and fast. Extinction Rebellion protesters have continued their campaign for action on climate change in the centre of London. Protesters have disrupted traffic in Oxford Circus and Waterloo Bridge, with dozens of police officers being drafted in to help the Met cope. Police have been trying to confine the protests to one site in London, at Marble Arch, but they have ignored the threat of arrest and continued to block other sites. Police speak to an Extinction Rebellion demonstrator on Waterloo Bridge. (Victoria Jones/PA) One protester glued himself to the underside of a truck on Waterloo Bridge. (Victoria Jones/PA) The Met said people were only allowed to demonstrate at Marble Arch and anyone refusing to leave other protest sites would be arrested. (Yui Mok/PA) People watch from the National Theatre as police monitor the ongoing demonstration. (Victoria Jones/PA) Hay bales were used to block traffic by protesters. (Victoria Jones/PA) A dog with an Extinction Rebellion sticker joins demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge. (Victoria Jones/PA) Some protesters arrived in colourful costumes. (Victoria Jones/PA) Police follow a lorry as it tows away the Extinction Rebellion movements `Tell the Truth boat. (Yui Mok/PA) Several demonstrators have been arrested. (Victoria Jones/PA) Theresa May has used her Easter message to offer support to Christians around the world who face huge danger because of their faith. The Prime Minister said we must stand up for the right of everyone, no matter what their religion to follow their beliefs. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn used his Easter message to say Christs experiences as a refugee are still familiar to us today, and the current migration crisis is a moral test for politicians. One of the greatest moral challenges of our time is the refugee crisis And at Easter we're reminded of the teachings of Jesus, a refugee, whose parents were forced to flee their home. I wish everyone in Britain and across the world a happy Easter. pic.twitter.com/lFo5vAHo0h Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) April 21, 2019 Mrs May uses her message to say she will spend Easter giving thanks in church, but for many Christians around the world, such simple acts of faith can bring huge danger. She said: Churches have been attacked. Christians murdered. Families forced to flee their homes. That is why the Government has launched a global review into the persecution of Christians. Prime Minister Theresa May, pictured with husband Philip, said everyone of faith should be allowed to follow their beliefs in safety (Steve Parsons/PA) We must stand up for the right of everyone, no matter what their religion, to practise their faith in peace. Mr Corbyn used his message to compare the suffering endured by Jesus during his life to the challenges faced by refugees today. He accused the Government of failing to take in child refugees and criticised Home Secretary Sajid Javids handling of the cross-Channel migrant boats over the winter. He said Jesus was a refugee whose parents were forced to flee their home because of a campaign of terror by a dictator, King Herod. From everyone at Labour, were wishing you a very happy Easter! #Easter pic.twitter.com/C91WDjkBXS The Labour Party (@UKLabour) April 21, 2019 Mr Corbyn said: Jesus went on to know what it was to be ostracised, rejected and tortured. A family forced to flee their homeland for fear of persecution. Sadly, this is still so familiar to us today. There are 68 million refugees across the world, more people than have ever before been forced to flee persecution, war and abject poverty. The refugee crisis is a moral test. Jesus taught us to respect refugees. He himself said welcome the stranger. And the Bible says the foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. In Britain, we have a proud history of providing a safe refuge to those in need. But this Government refuses to meet our legal obligations to child refugees in Europe as required by the Dubs Amendment. At the end of last year as refugees tried to cross the Channel, Sajid Javid threatened to deploy the Navy. But in response, the Bishop of Dover said it is crucial that we all remember we are dealing with human beings here. He said churches are leading the way in offering support to refugees, adding we can learn from Christian values and offer the hand of friendship to welcome those in need. Happy Easter! The risen Jesus is our source of hope the empty tomb says God's loving purposes can never be defeated. He is risen. Hallelujah! pic.twitter.com/TJ1VX1eggD Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) April 21, 2019 The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, used his message to say the resurrection of Jesus showed injustice and oppression dont have the last word. The risen Jesus is the one who makes our broken lives whole, the archbishop said. The British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka has condemned evil attacks which have killed more than 100 people in the country on Easter Sunday. Three churches and three hotels in the country were the site of near-simultaneous blasts, with two suspected to be caused by suicide bombers. Reports from Colombo say 138 people have died while more than 500 are in hospital. James Dauris said he was in Colombo with his family at a church service which was cut short by the attacks. The Easter Day service my family and I were at in Colombo today was cut short following explosions in churches and hotels. Our prayers for the victims of these evil attacks, and for their families. Our thoughts are with the medical staff, police and all involved in the response. James Dauris (@JamesDauris) April 21, 2019 He tweeted: Our prayers for the victims of these evil attacks, and for their families. Our thoughts are with the medical staff, police and all involved in the response. Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was deeply shocked and saddened by the horrifying attacks. (PA Graphics) He added: To target those gathered for worship on Easter Sunday is particularly wicked. My prayers are with the victims and their families, and with those assisting in the response. Im deeply shocked and saddened by the horrifying attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka today. To target those gathered for worship on Easter Sunday is particularly wicked. My prayers are with the victims and their families, and with those assisting in the response. https://t.co/a8UaOLFviv Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) April 21, 2019 Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner wrote: Shocked and saddened by news of church and hotel bombings in Sri Lanka. Profound condolences to those who suffered in this terrorist attack, another attack on innocent people, truly awful news. Her Labour colleague Mary Creagh posted on Twitter: Sickening #EasterSunday #SriLanka terrorist attacks on churches & hotels. Terrible to target Christians celebrating our greatest feast day. My prayers are with victims, their families & everyone caught up in this cruel violence. Jess Phillips, MP for Birmingham Yardley, wrote: To target Christians on this their most sacred day is evil. Sending love to Sri Lankans caught in this terror. A Sri Lankan elderly woman is helped near St Anthonys Shrine after a blast (Eranga Jayawardena/AP) Brexit minister James Cleverly wrote: Sad and shocking news from Sri Lanka. My thoughts are with the Sri Lankan community both here in the UK and around the world and to those who have lost friends or family in these terrible attacks. A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: We are aware of reports of a number of explosions in Sri Lanka, including Colombo, and we are urgently seeking information from the local authorities. British nationals in Sri Lanka should follow the instructions of the local authorities and check FCO travel advice for updates. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have sent birthday wishes to the Queen as she turns 93. This year, the monarch who is Head of the Church of England sees her birthday coincide with Easter Sunday, the most important day in the Christian calendar. Harry and Meghan were among those wishing her well, writing on Instagram: Happy Birthday Your Majesty, Maam, Granny. Wishing you the most wonderful day! Harry & Meghan. Elizabeth II, who has a strong faith, usually celebrates Easter at Windsor Castle by joining members of her family at a service in St Georges Chapel. At Buckingham Palace, the Band of the Irish Guards will perform a rendition of Happy Birthday in her honour on the forecourt as part of the Changing of the Guard ceremony. April 21 the day the Queen was born is the first of the monarchs two birthdays. The Queen at the Easter Mattins Service at St Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle in 2018 (Tolga Akmen/PA) She also has an official one on the second Saturday in June each year, which is commemorated with the Trooping the Colour parade. Gun salutes are also fired as a mark of respect to the Queen on her special day but never on a Sunday, so this year they will be delayed by one day. The Queen and the royal family during the Trooping the Colour celebrations last year (Yui Mok/PA) On Monday, the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery will ride their horses and gun carriages past Buckingham Palace en route to Hyde Park to stage a 41 Gun Royal Salute at noon. A 62-gun salute will also be performed by the Honourable Artillery Company at the Tower of London at 1pm the same day. (PA Graphics) The Queen traditionally spends a month-long residence at Windsor Castle, known as Easter Court, each year. Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was born at 2.40am on April 21 1926, the first child of the then Duke and Duchess of York, at 17 Bruton Street, the Mayfair home of her mothers parents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore. The Duke and Duchess of York with their daughter Princess Elizabeth at her christening in 1926 (PA) She was never expected to be Queen when she was born, but the abdication of her uncle Edward VIII in 1936 put her father George VI on the throne, and changed her destiny. Queen Elizabeth and King George VI with Princess Elizabeth, who had not long become the heiress presumptive, and Princess Margaret in 1937 (PA) Elizabeth II, who has been monarch for more than 67 years, is Head of State, the Armed Forces and the Commonwealth, and has been married to the Duke of Edinburgh for more than 71 years. The Queen and Philip on board the Spirit of Chartwell during the Diamond Jubilee River Pageant in 2012 (John Stillwell/PA) She became Britains longest-reigning monarch, passing her great-great grandmother Queen Victorias record, in September 2015. With the death of 88-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand in 2016, the Queen now holds the record for the worlds longest reigning living monarch. Scots living abroad could have difficulty in bringing family members with them if they choose to return to Scotland after Brexit, according to the Scottish Government. UK Government proposals published earlier this month outlined that UK nationals will be able to return to the country with their children and other close family members under existing rules until March 29 2022. After that date, the UK Government says that family members will be able to return to the UK by applying through applicable UK Immigration Rules. However, concerns have been raised over a planned skills-based immigration system, announced in December last year, which is designed to replace freedom of movement. As part of proposals, a threshold of 30,000 would be set for skilled workers, a scheme which the UK Government claims will favour experience and talent over nationality. There have been calls for the threshold to be lowered in order to come into line with the average annual wage in Scotland, estimated to be around 24,000. The Scottish Government has warned that proposals by the UK Government could make it more difficult to bring family members to the UK (Steve Parsons/PA) The independent Expert Advisory Group on Migration and Population has warned that @GOVUK immigration plans would have a disproportionate effect on Scotlands hospitality, manufacturing and social care sectors. Read the report https://t.co/OvZwwyU89f pic.twitter.com/knPDLf4PIc Scottish Government (@scotgov) February 28, 2019 The Scottish Governments migration minister Ben Macpherson said that UK citizens living in the EU deserve guarantees from the UK Government about their rights to return home with family members if and when the UK leaves the EU. The Stay in Scotland campaign launched by the First Minister earlier this month made clear how much the Scottish Government values the contributions made by EU citizens living and working in Scotland, he said. Of course the negative consequences of the UK Governments planned exit from the EU also extend to the rights of UK citizens living in other member states and I am particularly concerned about the implications for those who hope to return to Scotland with their families in the future. Under UK Government proposals, due to come into effect in 2022, someone with a non-UK national spouse and children will no longer be allowed to return to Scotland with his or her family unless strict financial thresholds are met. This is unfair. I do not accept that someones ability to return to Scotland should be judged through arbitrary financial requirements, that do not take into account individual and often compassionate circumstances. The UK Government must seriously reconsider their proposals. Scots who want to return to Scotland from elsewhere in the EU should be able to bring their families with them, no matter how much they earn. A spokesman for the Home Office said: The UK has a proud history of being open and welcoming this will not change after the UK leaves the EU. We understand that families need to be able to plan with confidence which is why we have put in place a three-year transition period after which family reunion rights for all UK nationals in the UK and abroad will be aligned. To understand the specific needs of the whole of the UK, we are engaging with stakeholders, business, the Scottish Government and the public throughout 2019 before the system is finalised. Police are appealing for information after a collision between two cars in Aberdeenshire left a 77-year-old woman with serious injuries. The incident, which took place at around 9.20 am on Saturday, involved a grey Citroen C1 and a silver Rover 75 estate. The vehicles were on the A90 Aberdeen to Fraserburgh road, near to a junction with the A952 at Cortes, when they collided. Witness appeal road traffic collision A90 Aberdeen to Fraserburgh road at its junction with the A952 at Cortes, Aberdeenshire that occurred about 9.20 am on Saturday 20 April 2019.https://t.co/9tVz4yt1AT North East Police (@NorthEPolice) April 21, 2019 A 77-year-old woman, who was driving the Citroen, was injured and taken by ambulance to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where she remains in a serious condition, while the driver of the Rover was uninjured. A spokesman for Police Scotland said: Police Scotland are appealing for witnesses following a serious road traffic collision on the A90 Aberdeen to Fraserburgh road at its junction with the A952 at Cortes, Aberdeenshire. Anyone who witnessed the collision or who saw either car beforehand is urged to contact Police Scotland. He was lucky in love, married for 56 years to his wife, Peggy, until her death in 2010. He had a lucrative career in manufacturing, which allowed him to provide for the couples nine children. Theyre grown now with families of their own, giving Dwyer a fulfilling role as family patriarch. He has volunteered, traveled the globe extensively and served in the Army. A lawyer and her two children were among the eight British victims of the Sri Lanka terror attacks, her husband has confirmed. Anita Nicholson, son Alex, 14, and daughter Annabel, 11, were having breakfast at the Shangri-La hotel in Colombo when one of the seven suicide bombers struck. Mrs Nicholsons husband Ben confirmed they had been killed in a statement on Monday afternoon. He said: Anita was a wonderful, perfect wife and a brilliant, loving and inspirational mother to our two wonderful children. Alex and Annabel were the most amazing, intelligent, talented and thoughtful children and Anita and I were immensely proud of them both and looking forward to seeing them develop into adulthood. They shared with their mother the priceless ability to light up any room they entered and bring joy to the lives of all they came into contact with. Local media reported Mr Nicholson desperately searching for his family after the blast. He thanked Sri Lankan medics, the British High Commission and holiday company Adhvan Tours for helping him over the past 36 hours. He said all three would have died instantly with no pain. The family had been visiting Sri Lanka for a holiday from their home in Singapore. Mrs Nicholson worked for mining and metals company Anglo American, while Mr Nicholson is a partner with law firm Kennedys. Sadly, we can now confirm that at least 8 British Nationals were killed in yesterdays horrific attacks in #Srilanka. Our deepest condolences go to all those who lost loved ones and have been affected by this tragedy. UK in Sri Lanka (@UKinSriLanka) April 22, 2019 Also among the dead were retired firefighter Bill Harrop and his wife, GP Sally Bradley, from Manchester. The couple had been on holiday when they were caught in the Cinnamon Grand attack. Dr Bradleys brother, former Labour MP Lord Keith Bradley, said: She was truly a bright light in many peoples lives. The light may have been cruelly distinguished for no reason or justification, but she will always live in our hearts and the memories she provided will be forever cherished. I, and my family, will miss her more than words can articulate. Assistant County Fire Officer Dave Keelan, of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, paid tribute to his former colleague. He said: Bill served here for 30 years, retiring at the end of 2012. He was a much-loved and respected colleague and friend. He will be greatly missed. Londoner Matthew Linsey, 60, told the Times his daughter Amelie, 15, and son Daniel, 19, were killed in the Table One cafe of the Shangri-La Hotel on the last day of their holiday. He said: Amelie was really fun. She was smart, beautiful. Very loving, very caring, understanding. She cared about her family and her friends. And the same with Danny. They were born in Britain but had dual US-UK citizenship because their father, an investor in emerging markets, was born in the US. No group has claimed the attacks, but Sri Lankan officials have named little-known Islamic extremist organisation National Thowfeek Jamaath. The seven suicide bombers were all Sri Lankan citizens but the group is believed to have links with foreign terrorist networks. At least 290 people were killed in the explosions and more than 500 were wounded. (PA Graphics) Twenty-four people have since been arrested in a series of raids. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the UK would offer Sri Lanka support in the days to come. He said the terrorist attacks were absolutely devastating and despicable and for this to happen on Easter Day is something that will shake people around the world, of all faiths and none, to the core. Some intelligence officers were aware of this incidence. Therefore there was a delay in action. What my father heard was also from an intelligence officer. Serious action need to be taken as to why this warning was ignored. I was in Badulla last night pic.twitter.com/ssJyItJF1x Harin Fernando (@fernandoharin) April 21, 2019 One line of inquiry will be what intelligence services knew about the attack, with telecommunications minister Harin Fernando tweeting: Some intelligence officers were aware of this incidence. Therefore there was a delay in action. What my father heard was also from an intelligence officer. Serious action need to be taken as to why this warning was ignored. Firefighters near St Anthonys Shrine (Eranga Jayawardena/AP) In Colombo, St Anthonys Shrine and the Cinnamon Grand, Shangri-La and Kingsbury hotels were targeted in the first wave of explosions shortly before 9am local time, as worshippers attended morning services and tourists enjoyed their breakfasts. At around the same time, explosions were also reported at St Sebastians Church in Negombo and at Zion Church in the eastern town of Batticaloa. Relatives bury three victims at St Sebastian Church in Negombo (Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP) A few hours later, two more blasts occurred just outside Colombo, one of them at a guesthouse, where two people were killed, and the other near an overpass. Three police officers were killed during a search at a suspected safe house on the outskirts of Colombo when its occupants apparently detonated explosives to prevent arrest A Sri Lankan Police officer inspects a blast spot at the Shangri-La hotel in Colombo (Chamila Karunarathne/AP) Hampstead and Kilburn MP Tulip Siddiq said she had lost a relative in the attacks. She posted on Twitter: Its all so devastating. Hope everyone is keeping safe. Solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. I lost a relative today in the Sri Lanka attacks. Its all so devastating. Hope everyone is keeping safe. Solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. Tulip Siddiq (@TulipSiddiq) April 21, 2019 Prime Minister Theresa May said the Easter Sunday massacre was truly appalling, adding: No-one should ever have to practise their faith in fear. The Queen offered her condolences to the Sri Lankan people on Monday, saying: I pay tribute to the medical and emergency services who are providing support to those who have been injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with all Sri Lankans at this difficult time. Union flags on Downing Street and the Foreign Office building are due to be flown at half mast on Tuesday in mourning for the victims of the attack, the FCO said on Monday evening. A curfew was imposed on Sunday night and social media use was also restricted by authorities, which claimed the move was to prevent the spread of false information. Sri Lankas prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe condemned the cowardly attacks on our people. I strongly condemn the cowardly attacks on our people today. I call upon all Sri Lankans during this tragic time to remain united and strong. Please avoid propagating unverified reports and speculation. The government is taking immediate steps to contain this situation. Ranil Wickremesinghe (@RW_UNP) April 21, 2019 Britons caught up in the carnage described the horrific scenes in Colombo. After the blast at the Cinnamon Grand, NHS doctor Julian Emmanuel, from Surrey, told The Sun: Ive never seen such utter devastation. He added: My children and wife are traumatised by what they saw today. We will never forget this. We will always remember Easter Sunday for this reason now. Kieran Arasaratnam, a professor at Imperial College London Business School, was staying at the Shangri-La. Everyone just started to panic, it was total chaos, he told the BBC. I looked to the room on the right and theres blood everywhere. Everyone was running and a lot of people just dont know what was going on. People had blood on their shirt and there was someone carrying a girl to the ambulance. The walls and the floor were covered in blood. Nisanga Mayadunne who studied at the University of London, according to her Facebook profile and her mother Shantha, a TV chef, were also reported to be among the dead. Ms Mayadunne posted a photo of her family eating breakfast in the Shangri-La on Easter Sunday. Anders Holch Povlsen and his wife Anne Holch Povlsen (Olufson Jonas/Ritzau Scanpix/AP) It emerged on Monday morning that Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen lost three of his four children in the attacks. Mr Holch Povlsen is the largest stakeholder in online fashion retailer Asos and is believed to be the largest private landowner in Scotland after buying a string of estates. A spokesman for the businessman asked for the familys privacy to be respected. Britons in Sri Lanka who need help were urged to call the High Commission in Colombo on +94 11 5390639, while people in the UK worried about friends or family should call the Foreign Office on 020 7008 1500. Firefighters are tackling a large wildfire near a wind farm in Moray. Crews were alerted to the blaze near Pauls Hill wind farm, close to Aberlour, at 2.58pm on Monday. The blaze is on three fronts, with one front now stretching for six miles. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said it has sent nine fire appliances and two water carriers to the scene. Two wildfire units, a command support unit and a welfare unit have also been dispatched to the area. A service spokesman confirmed the incident was ongoing on Monday evening, and said crews were being assisted by estate workers. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has sent a number of units to the scene (Jane Barlow/PA) There are no reports of any casualties. Our crews have worked tirelessly to tackle a large number of significant wildfires across Scotland this #Easter weekend There remains an extreme risk of wildfire across the country in the coming days, with temperatures remaining high and moisture levels low... (1/2) pic.twitter.com/Hjh4A7RcFi Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (@fire_scot) April 22, 2019 Meanwhile, fire crews have been tackling a large grass fire in the west of Scotland. Nine fire engines were sent to the scene near Bonhill, West Dunbartonshire, after the alarm was raised at around 5.30pm on Monday. A spokeswoman said: The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service remains in attendance. The incidents come on the day Scotland recorded its warmest Easter Monday on record. The mercury reached 24.2C at Kinlochewe in Wester Ross shortly after 4pm. The SFRS has issued a warning to the public about the dangers of wildfires. It said on Twitter: Our crews have worked tirelessly to tackle a large number of significant wildfires across Scotland this #Easter weekend. There remains an extreme risk of wildfire across the country in the coming days, with temperatures remaining high and moisture levels low. We encourage everyone who is enjoying the countryside during this period of extreme danger to exercise caution and be aware of how easily fires can start and spread. Theresa May is set to chair a meeting of her top ministerial team as MPs return to Westminster following the Easter break. The Prime Minister will convene her Cabinet on Tuesday morning while cross-party talks between the Government and the Labour Party will resume in a fresh bid to break the Brexit impasse. (PA Graphics) Ministerial discussions are expected in the afternoon, with Mrs Mays de facto deputy David Lidington, Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay and chief whip Julian Smith representing the Government. Elsewhere Change UK the Independent Group will launch its European election campaign in Bristol, and Nigel Farages Brexit Party will unveil its latest tranche of candidates in London. The Brexit Party will unveil its latest tranche of candidates (Andrew Matthews/PA) On Monday it emerged the PM could face an unprecedented vote of confidence in her leadership after 70 local Conservative association chiefs signed a petition in support of a poll. They called for an extraordinary general meeting of the National Conservative Convention to discuss the Prime Ministers leadership of the party, the Telegraph reported. A non-binding vote is expected to be held at the meeting, which would if it showed a lack of confidence put pressure on the 1922 Committee of Tory MPs to find a way of forcibly removing the PM from office. Mrs May has come under heavy criticism for her handling of the Brexit process, but survived a vote of confidence by her MPs in December. A new poll found Boris Johnson is the favourite to replace Mrs May (Brian Lawless/PA) Under party rules a year has to pass before another vote can be called, but an extraordinary general meeting must be held if more than 65 local associations demand one through a petition, the paper said. Elsewhere a new poll found former foreign secretary Boris Johnson is the favourite to replace Mrs May as Conservative leader among the partys grassroots. Almost a third of party members 32.4% backed the pro-Brexit Tory to take over the helm of the party, up by 10 points in the last month. Ex-Brexit secretary Dominic Raab was second with 14.7%, according to the poll of 1,128 panel members by the Conservative Home website. Environment Secretary Michael Gove, who also supported the Leave campaign, came third, ahead of Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Home Secretary Sajid Javid. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is to visit Russia and meet President Vladimir Putin, state media has said. The Korean Central News Agency released a statement on Tuesday saying Mr Kim would soon pay a visit to the Russian Federation at Mr Putins invitation. A date for the meeting was not immediately released. There are some indications that the meeting will be held in the far-eastern port of Vladivostok, not too far from Russias border with the North. Vladimir Putin (Alexei Druzhinin/Sputnik/Kremlin Pool Photo/AP) The Kremlin said in a brief statement that Mr Kim would visit Russia in the second half of April, but gave no further details. Moscow is interested in gaining broader access to North Koreas mineral resources, including rare metals. Pyongyang needs Russias electricity supplies and wants to attract Russian investment to modernise its Soviet-built industrial plants, railways and other infrastructure. Mr Kim and US president Donald Trump have had two summits, but the latest, in Vietnam in February, collapsed because North Korea wanted more sanctions relief than Washington was willing to give for the amount of disarmament offered by Pyongyang. As the standoff continued, the North last week announced that it had tested what it called a new type of tactical guided weapon. While it is unlikely to be a prohibited test of a medium or long-range ballistic missile that could scuttle the negotiations the announcement signalled the Norths growing disappointment with the diplomatic breakdown and its apparent willingness to turn back to the kinds of missile tests that in 2017 had many in Asia fearing war. The North also demanded that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo be removed from the talks, and on Saturday criticised White House national security adviser John Bolton for calling on North Korea to show more evidence of its disarmament commitment before a possible third leaders summit. Edinburgh has become the first Scottish institution to win University Challenge in more than 35 years. The University of Edinburgh overcame St Edmund Hall, Oxford by 155 points to 140 in the final of the TV quiz show broadcast on Monday. The four-strong team of Matt Booth, Marco Malusa, Max Fitz-James and Robbie Campbell Hewson lifted the trophy to give Edinburgh its first win since the series began in 1962. Novelist and former University Challenge contestant Sebastian Faulks presented the winning team with their prize. Huge congratulations to our #UniversityChallenge team - the first Edinburgh team to win the competition! https://t.co/zTLOmpIoPy pic.twitter.com/6KuRyIeLNz The University of Edinburgh (@EdinburghUni) April 22, 2019 The last Scottish university to win the grand final of the BBC show was Dundee in 1983. Professor Peter Mathieson, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, said: I would like to send my personal congratulations to the University of Edinburgh team for this fantastic achievement. Edinburghs oldest university has triumphed in the popular TV quiz show (Jane Barlow/PA) The standards set in University Challenge are incredibly high. Its a huge tribute to the students involved to have beaten off very tough competition from some of the sharpest minds in UK universities and won the final. University Challenge is a real television institution and everyone associated with the university should be justifiably proud of what the team has achieved. Police have said they have a robust plan in place ahead of a proposed climate change protest in Parliament Square. The demonstration on Tuesday which coincides with the first day Parliament is sitting following the Easter recess is the latest action by Extinction Rebellion (XR) protesters in the capital. More than 1,000 people have been arrested during climate change protests which started on Monday April 15. The action has seen Waterloo Bridge and Oxford Circus blocked and a die in at the Natural History Museum. Among the campaigners demands is for the Government to declare a climate emergency, and members of XR have previously suggested temporarily ending disruptive tactics to focus on political negotiations as the campaign enters a second week. Conditions have been imposed on a planned demonstration by #ExtinctionRebellion in Parliament Square #Westminster on Tues, 23 Apr. https://t.co/aoGn9Q0Rt2 pic.twitter.com/Zao64g3Vxl Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) April 22, 2019 Activists are expected to walk from Marble Arch to Parliament Square on Tuesday morning, arriving outside Parliament at around 10am, organisers said. Scotland Yard has said protesters at Parliament Square must leave a designated area by 11.59pm on Tuesday and warned: Any organiser or person taking part in the protest failing to comply with these conditions or inciting others not to comply with them will be committing an offence and will be liable to arrest. The force added: A robust policing plan will be in place for the demonstration. Meanwhile, Swedish schoolgirl Greta Thunberg, who has inspired international youth climate strikes, has invited party leaders to a meeting in the House of Commons. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg will address a meeting in Portcullis House (Victoria Jones/PA) The 16-year-old Nobel Peace Prize nominee is expected to meet the leaders at around 11.30am on Tuesday before giving a speech at a meeting in Portcullis House at around 2pm. Miss Thunberg, who has Aspergers, told an XR protest in London that the world is now facing an existential crisis, blaming politicians for years of inaction. On Easter Monday, at least 100 protesters laid down under the blue whale skeleton at the Natural History Museum in a stunt organisers called a die in. Some protesters, wearing red face paint, veils and robes, remained to give a performance to classical music on the steps beneath the skeleton. Extinction Rebellion protesters lying down inside the Natural History Museum (Laura Parnaby/PA) The Metropolitan Police said 1,065 people had been arrested in connection with the demonstrations by 10am on Monday, while 53 of those had been charged. Olympic gold medallist Etienne Stott was one of the activists arrested as police moved to clear Waterloo Bridge on Sunday evening. The London 2012 canoe slalom champion was carried from the bridge by four officers at around 8.30pm as he shouted about the ecological crisis. The Open University (OU) is marking 50 years since it was established, having welcomed more than 200,000 students from Scotland. In 1969 the institution was granted its Royal Charter as a means to provide access to higher education without the need for entrance qualifications. Today the university, founded by Lochgellys Jennie Lee, has 16,500 students from across Scotland. Susan Stewart, director of the OU in Scotland, said: The OU is for all, all of the time not some, some of the time. Theres no such thing as a typical OU student, but what they all have in common is lots going on in their lives. The OU gives students the flexibility they need to study at a time and place that suits them, developing the skills they need not just to adapt but thrive in an economy increasingly driven by technological change. That has been the OUs greatest strength for 50 years and will continue to be for the next 50. Founder of the Open University, Jennie Lee (The Open University) OU students in Scotland have an average new undergraduate age of 27, while the eldest is 92. Almost two-thirds receive the Scottish Governments Part-Time Fee Grant, which waives fees for students earning under 25,000. This is despite the fact that 74% of OU students in Scotland study alongside full-time or part-time work. Carol Hunter, from Dunfermline, who is studying Social Sciences with the OU, said: I went to a traditional university straight after school and it didnt work out for me. Later, I went to college, where I discovered it was possible to transfer my college study to the OU. Flexible learning with the OU provides a balance between my studies and personal life: I can learn, work full-time and be there for my three young children. I dont think I could do that anywhere else. The Scottish Government must provide greater clarity over the purpose of standardised assessments in schools, MSPs have indicated. Holyroods Education and Skills Committee has been considering evidence from stakeholders over the use of Scottish National Standardised Assessments (SNSAs), which are completed by children online. The assessments are taken by students in state primary schools in primary one, primary four, primary seven and in secondary three. In its report published on Tuesday, the committee raised concerns over differing views they had heard on the use of SNSAs. MSPs highlighted that there appeared to be inconsistencies between stakeholders regarding their understanding of how and why SNSAs are used. On 6 February, @MrMcEnaney set out to @tavishscott and the Committee how he believed SSLN could be used. His submission, and all others on SNSAs, can be found on our web page: https://t.co/31gHQwfhJ2 pic.twitter.com/uNqQ0KSaZT Education, Children and Young People Committee (@SP_ECYP) February 17, 2019 The committee notes in its findings that the word confusion was often used during evidence sessions. The Committee indicated that there must be greater clarity over the use of SNSAs (Ben Birchall/PA) The Scottish Government has been asked by the Committee to give clearer guidance on the role of the assessments and urged them to reassure parents, pupils and teachers that the SNSAs are not high stakes. Committee Convener, Clare Adamson MSP said: There has been a lot of media and political attention regarding the introduction of SNSA and our Committee agreed to undertake an inquiry on the evidence base for their introduction as well as exploring why the decision was taken to move away from the Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy. We also wanted to explore international comparisons to understand similar and differing approaches used elsewhere. We heard differing evidence from stakeholders as to their understanding of the purpose and reason for introduction and have asked the Government to clarify their intended use in Scottish Education. A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: We will consider the recommendations in full and respond in due course. Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Tavish Scott suggested the committees report could pave the way for SNSAs to be scrapped. This report shows that there was no evidence for the imposition of testing in Scotlands youngest school children, said Mr Scott. The assessments were poorly thought through and badly implemented. This all-party report paves the way for primary tests to be scrapped altogether. The Scottish Government should have used teacher experience to inform their education policy to begin with. Instead, ministers created policies to match their speeches. The effect of their policy was an afterthought to that most dangerous political approach the need to be seen to be doing something. The least the government can do at this point is listen to teachers and scrap these assessments. State schools in Scotland are cutting the number of exams pupils are allowed to sit, creating a real danger of an attainment gap with private schools, a study showed. The number of National 4 and 5 tests that schoolchildren can sit has reduced sharply, according to research by think tank Reform Scotland. A minority of Scottish state schools allow pupils to sit more than six exams, with some only offering five subjects, compared to independent schools that typically continue to offer eight or nine. Children whose parents can afford to send them to private school or move within another schools catchment area will be unaffected by this unintended consequence of the Curriculum for Excellence, director of Reform Scotland Chris Deerin said. Calling for the Scottish Government to urgently address the situation, Mr Deerin added: We are in real danger of opening up a new type of attainment gap in Scotland one where children who are allowed to sit eight or nine National 4s or 5s will have a distinct advantage over those restricted to five or six, regardless of the latters ability. The schools cutting the number of exams on offer are typically those serving our more deprived communities, further limiting the life opportunities of children who may already be disadvantaged. Reform Scotland say the Curriculum for Excellence risks opening an attainment gap due to a drop in exams state school pupils can sit (Gareth Fuller/PA) Freedom of Information requests by the group revealed that, in 2016, all schools in Edinburgh, East Dunbartonshire and Dumfries and Galloway offered eight exams; now no schools in either East Dunbartonshire or Dumfries and Galloway offer eight, and the limit in Edinburgh varies between six and eight. The implementation of the Curriculum for Excellence by the Scottish Government has been blamed for the reduction in available subjects, which critics say shows the hallmark of poor management. Chair of the Commission on School Reform and one of the authors of Curriculum for Excellence Keir Bloomer said: One of the purposes of CfE was to broaden pupils education, but instead the way in which it is being implemented is narrowing it significantly. There is ample opportunity for pupils to combine practical and academic options when they are enabled to sit nine, eight, or even seven exams, but when we narrow it down to six or five there is very little room for manoeuvre. Reducing the number of subject options is not a government policy. It has come about by accident; the unintended consequence of ill-conceived advice. This is the hallmark of poor management. This is a lose-lose. A Scottish Government spokeswoman defended the Curriculum for Excellence, claiming it provides significant flexibility and allows schools to have the freedom to design a bespoke three-year senior phase of a range of courses and qualifications tailored to meet the needs of the young people at the school. She added: What matters is the qualifications and awards that pupils leave school with, and not only what they study in S4. Almost two-thirds now leave school in S6, and last year a record proportion went on to positive destinations including work, training or further study. Young people also now have opportunities to study towards a much broader range of qualifications, not just at school, but also at college and through apprenticeships. Scottish Conservative shadow education secretary Liz Smith said: This is yet further confirmation of the very serious reduction in subject choice which is affecting so many pupils across Scotland. It is a disgrace that the SNP has allowed this situation to develop, most especially when the evidence shows it hits hardest for those in the more deprived communities where the attainment gap is already a major issue. The UKs three biggest mobile operators are failing to offer their customers satisfactory service despite often costing more than smaller rivals, a watchdog has found. Vodafone was rated the worst network in the country in the Which? mobile satisfaction survey after only managing one-star ratings for customer service, value for money and technical support. One in five Vodafone customers (18%) reported poor customer service, including complaints handling and the way their queries were dealt with, while 13% said the firms technical support was poor and 19% rated it as poor value for money. Source: Which? EE, the UKs largest mobile network, also continues to rank among the worst providers, with 13% of its customers rating it as poor value for money, and just a quarter (27%) giving it a good or excellent rating for technical support. Some 10% of O2 customers said the company provided poor value for money. Three achieved the highest customer score among the big four networks for the fourth year running, despite receiving average scores in most categories. However, 80% of Three customers rated their provider as good or excellent value for money. Of the 13 providers included in the survey, customers mostly rated smaller virtual networks those that lease spectrum from the main operators more highly, with Which? finding that they were usually cheaper for both sim-only and certain contract deals. Sim-only deals were on average 31% or more than 3 a month more expensive with one of the big four providers than with one of the smaller virtual networks. The combined average monthly contract price for an iPhone XS was 18% or 10 more expensive with Vodafone, O2, EE and Three. Which? singled out giffgaff as a provider popular with its customers, with 80% paying less than 10 for their sim-only contract and 95% rating the firm as good or excellent on value for money. From July, all mobile customers will be able to switch provider by text message and firms will be banned from charging for notice-periods running after the switch date, a practice that is currently costing those caught paying for old and new services at the same time around 10 million in total each year. Natalie Hitchins, Which? head of home products and services, said: The continuing reign of smaller networks over the big players goes to show exactly how important customer support and value for money are to mobile users. If you think you are paying too much or are not getting the level of service you expect from your provider you should shop around for a better deal you might find you save yourself some money and probably a lot of grief too. Vodafone said: We are sorry that Which? members arent as happy as they could be with our service and are working hard to understand the issue and what more we can do. An EE spokeswoman said: Were ranked top by OpenSignal for mobile experience in the UK, which is supported by other independent reports from Ofcom and RootMetrics. Ofcoms latest figures also show that EE receives among the fewest complaints in the mobile industry, as weve continued to invest in the UKs best customer service. Which? surveyed 6,135 members in February. Officer Donald Scott is one of the founding members of the honor guard and now serves as its coordinator. Scott said the guard began in 1998 to honor fallen officers in a way more consistent with the military, which also honors members killed in the line of duty and their families, also referred to as Gold Star families. A leading health professor has accused Public Health England (PHE) of ignoring mounting evidence on the harmful effects of e-cigarettes. Martin McKee, professor of European Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said the UK was out of step with other parts of the world when it came to messages around the safety of vaping. He said San Francisco had adopted a sensible policy in moving to ban e-cigarettes until their health effects are fully evaluated by the US government. The US has also launched a drive to warn teenagers of the dangers of nicotine addiction from vaping. Prof McKees comments were echoed by Dr Aaron Scott, from the University of Birmingham, who urged caution over e-cigarette use after his research showed they damaged lung tissue. In an interview with the Press Association, Prof McKee said PHE seems to be doing everything it can to promote e-cigarettes and was choosing to ignore warnings over the risks. Health experts have accused Public Health England of ignoring evidence on the effects of e-cigarettes (PA) He said: The nicotine in e-cigarettes is not a harmless drug and then there all these other things such as flavourings that are inhaled. We havent had e-cigarettes for long enough to know the true effects. But when we look at the evidence we do have, theres enough grounds for serious concerns. Given the short-term effects on lung function and cardiovascular effects, there is enough evidence to say we should be very, very careful. PHE has campaigned for cigarette smokers to switch to e-cigarettes, and has said they are 95% less harmful than tobacco smoking a figure disputed by many health experts including Prof McKee. He said PHE had failed to adequately show that e-cigarettes are an effective quitting aid and was ignoring evidence that they cause damage in their own right. He said: First of all, youve got to show that theyre safe. New products shouldnt be introduced without showing that to be the case. Its not whether e-cigarettes are safer than cigarettes, its whether they are actually safe. Then, if they are going to be demonstrated as a quitting aid, youve got to demonstrate that they are really a quitting aid and that they are at least as safe as or better than other products. But that has not been done. There is not the evidence at the population level that they are a useful quitting aid. He said PHE was turning a blind eye to increasing evidence that youngsters are trying vaping and are attracted to e-cigarette brands and marketing. A report published by PHE in February said that regular use of e-cigarettes among young people remains low. But its figures showed that the number of UK children and teenagers trying vaping has doubled in recent years. Some 15.9% of children aged 11 to 18 reported having tried vaping, according to 2018 data, a rise from 8.1% in 2014. The proportion who said they had never tried e-cigarettes fell from 91.5% in 2014 to 83.4% in 2018. Prof McKee said there was a worrying trend of e-cigarettes clearly being made attractive to youngsters. It is now very clear these products are being pushed very hard to children, he said. This creates an entirely avoidable risk of a new generation that will be addicted to nicotine. He warned that youngsters could become hooked on Juul, an e-cigarette that has been blamed in the US for creating nicotine addiction in children, and which was introduced to the UK market last summer. Why would British children be any different to American children in that respect?, he said. Prok McKee also called for tighter regulation of the whole e-cigarette market. I think e-cigarettes should be regulated as medicines which means youve got to demonstrate that they are safe and effective, he said. Its as simple as that. And he attacked voluntary codes of conduct adopted by the e-cigarette industry, adding: Nobody in public health should take voluntary codes of conduct at all seriously. Theres loads of research showing that voluntary agreements dont work. He continued: Tobacco firms are doing a lot of brand stretching here. They are promoting products that look very much like cigarettes with similar colours, logos and names. The firms are trying to become socially acceptable. They have been internation pariahs and now theyre trying to present themselves as part of the solution. Prof McKee said the position held by PHE was untenable in the long run. He said: We are hugely out of step with the rest of world. I think a small group of individuals in England have been able to devote a lot of effort to take forward the agenda here. Dr Aaron Scott, from the University of Birminghams Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, has published a paper in the journal Thorax, funded by the British Lung Foundation, showing that vaporised e-liquid fluid has a similar effect on the lungs and body as seen in regular cigarette smokers. He told the Press Association: We dont know what the long-term data is but we have shown that its cytotoxic and its pro-inflammatory, just like cigarette smoke is over the short-term. He said it was difficult to get funding for long-term studies because PHE want to push the message that they (e-cigarettes) are not harmful. He said long-term studies were needed so people could make their own decision based on national data rather than this 95% supposition. He added: We only have evidence for short-term and in the short-term its definitely harmful. Dr Scott said it was understandable that PHE wanted to put out its strongest message possible that e-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking. But he added: I think we should be more cautious. Theyve advocated for less regulation of e-cigarettes to make it easier for people to take up these devices and I dont agree with that. He added: You can go into a pound store anywhere in the country and buy e-cigarette liquid for 1. You can do that with very little regulation, so its very easy for example for kids to get that, its very accessible. Professor John Newton, director of health improvement at PHE, said: While research on e-cigarettes continues to emerge we must act on what the current evidence tells us. There is widespread academic and clinical consensus that while not without risk, vaping is far less harmful than smoking. This view is held by many across the world, including the Royal College of Physicians, Cancer Research UK, the British Medical Association and the National Academy of Sciences in the US. There is no situation where it would be better for your health to continue smoking rather than switching completely to vaping. Prof Newton said PHE was alert to the risks and the UK had taken a careful approach to maximise the opportunities that e-cigarettes present to help more smokers quit. An estimated 1 in 4 patients in acute hospital beds in England are smokers. This presents a unique opportunity to offer smoking cessation advice. Read our #PHEHealthMatters blog to find out what can be done: https://t.co/E0ygK6Kkc6 pic.twitter.com/vHD5FYIDHY UK Health Security Agency (@UKHSA) April 17, 2019 He added: The UK has some of the worlds strictest e-cigarette regulations including advertising restrictions, minimum age of sale and maximum nicotine content. Approaches similar to ours have been adopted by Canada and New Zealand, both of whom had previously banned e-cigarettes. There is strong evidence that vaping is highly effective in helping smokers quit. Regular e-cigarette use among young people remains low and almost entirely confined to those who smoke or have quit, while smoking rates continue to fall. The current evidence does not support the concern that e-cigarettes are a route into smoking among young people. Almost half of the Scottish Governments major infrastructure projects have suffered delays, according to the latest figures. Prisons, schools and health centres are among the projects to have been pushed back, with 25 out of 55 plans delayed. The SNP Government has been criticised after the release of Marchs Infrastructure Investment Plan data showing that flagship projects are now up to two years behind schedule. New and updated prisons at HMP Glasgow and Greenock have been delayed by one and two years respectively, pushing their expected completion date back to 2024. The redevelopment of Royal Edinburgh Hospital Campus is also delayed by more than a year and is not expected to be finished until 2022, according to the Scottish Governments report. Scottish Labour spokesman for transport, infrastructure and connectivity Colin Smyth said: Its not just the trains the SNP cant run on the time major infrastructure projects have been pushed back under this Government. Infrastructure investment should be what is powering our economy from the ground up, creating good quality direct jobs, further work in the supply chain and ultimately better public services. But under the SNP, projects are too often behind schedule and handed to companies who arent delivering good-quality work. Labour would ensure public contracts and major projects deliver best value for the taxpayer and a better deal for working people. Welcoming the release of the Infrastructure Investment Plan last Wednesday, Infrastructure Secretary Michael Matheson said that more than 1.4 billion was invested in infrastructure projects opened across Scotland in 2018-19. Mr Matheson cited the V&A Museum in Dundee, electrification of 62 miles (100km) of single-track line from Dunblane through Stirling and Alloa, and 19 new schools as projects delivered in the last year. The V&A in Dundee (Jane Barlow/PA) He added: Looking ahead, the Scottish Governments 5 billion commitment to infrastructure investment in 2019-20 will support 50,000 affordable new homes, delivery of the extension of early learning and childcare, new roads and railways, electric vehicles and delivery of superfast broadband across Scotland. As part of this, our pipeline report shows Scottish Government-procured projects with a value of almost 3.1 billion are estimated to be in construction across Scotland during 2019-20. A Scottish Government spokesman said: We have a proven track record of successfully delivering major infrastructure projects, including major road improvements to the M8, M73 and M74, the Queensferry Crossing, which came in 245 million under budget, and the new Dumfries and Galloway Royal infirmary. While its not uncommon to encounter challenges when delivering such a large number of ambitious projects of this size, scale and complexity, we have made excellent progress on our infrastructure plan, with further significant projects set to be completed this year. Our current infrastructure investment programme includes record investment in improving road and rail infrastructure, which is creating jobs, helping businesses, and supporting sustainable economic growth across Scotland. The New IRA has admitted responsibility for the murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Londonderry. Miss McKee, 29, died as a result of injuries sustained when she was shot on the Creggan estate on April 18. In a statement given to The Irish News using a recognised code word, the group offered full and sincere apologies to her family and friends. The New IRA is an amalgam of armed groups opposed to the peace process and it recently claimed responsibility for parcel bombs sent to London and Glasgow in March. Police 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. The statement said: On Thursday night following an incursion on the Creggan by heavily armed British crown forces which provoked rioting, the IRA deployed our volunteers to engage. 29-year-old journalist Lyra McKee who was shot and killed (Kevin Cooper/Amnesty) We have instructed our volunteers to take the utmost care in future when engaging the enemy, and put in place measures to help ensure this. In the course of attacking the enemy Lyra McKee was tragically killed while standing beside enemy forces. The IRA offer our full and sincere apologies to the partner, family and friends of Lyra McKee for her death. Police have arrested 40 suspects in the Sri Lanka attacks, including the driver of a van allegedly used by suicide bombers and the owner of a house where some of them lived, officials said. Sri Lankas president gave the military a wider berth to detain and arrest suspects on Tuesday powers that were used during the 26-year civil war but withdrawn when it ended in 2009. The death toll from Sundays attacks rose to 310, police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said. On Tuesday, which president Maithripala Sirisena declared a day of mourning, Sri Lankan authorities planned to brief foreign diplomats and receive assistance from the FBI and other foreign intelligence-gathering agencies after officials disclosed on Monday that warnings had been received weeks ago of the possibility of an attack by the radical Muslim group blamed for the bloodshed. Relatives place flowers after the burial of three victims of the attacks (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe) The six near-simultaneous attacks on three churches and three luxury hotels, along with three related blasts later on Sunday, were the South Asian island nations deadliest violence in a decade. The government blocked most social media to curtail false information. Even after an overnight, nationwide curfew was lifted, the streets of central Colombo remained mostly deserted and shops closed as armed soldiers stood guard. Prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he feared the massacre could unleash instability and he vowed to vest all necessary powers with the defence forces to act against those responsible. In an indication of the tensions, three explosions caused panic but apparently no injuries on Monday as police were defusing bombs inside a van parked near one of the stricken churches. Dozens of detonators were discovered near Colombos main bus depot, but officials declined to say whether they were linked to the attacks. International intelligence agencies had warned that the little-known group, National Thowfeek Jamaath, was planning attacks, but word apparently did not reach the prime ministers office until after the massacre, exposing the continuing political turmoil in the highest levels of the Sri Lankan government. Health minister Rajitha Senaratne said the warnings started on April 4, the defence ministry wrote to the police chief with information that included the groups name and and police wrote on April 11 to the heads of security of the judiciary and diplomatic security division. Where the Easter Sunday explosions took place (PA Graphics) Mr Sirisena, who was out of the country on Sunday, had ousted Mr Wickremesinghe in October and dissolved the Cabinet. The Supreme Court reversed his actions, but the prime minister has not been allowed into meetings of the Security Council since October, leaving him and his government in the dark about the intelligence. It was not immediately clear what action, if any, was taken after the threats. Authorities said they knew where the group trained and had safe houses, but did not identify any of the suicide bombers, whose bodies were recovered, or the two dozen other suspects taken into custody. All the bombers were Sri Lankans, but authorities said they strongly suspected foreign links, Mr Senaratne said. Also unclear was a motive. The history of Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka, a country of 21 million including large Hindu, Muslim and Christian minorities, is rife with ethnic and sectarian conflict. In the 26-year civil war, the Tamil Tigers, a powerful rebel army known for using suicide bombers, was finally crushed by the government in 2009 but had little history of targeting Christians. Anti-Muslim bigotry fed by Buddhist nationalists has swept the country recently, but there is no history of Islamic militancy. Its small Christian community has seen only scattered incidents of harassment. Two of the stricken churches are Catholic and one Protestant. The three hotels and one of the churches, St Anthonys Shrine, are frequented by foreigners. Investigators at the scene of a suicide bombing at St Sebastian Church in Negombo, Sri Lanka (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe) Tourism minister John Amaratunga said 39 foreigners were killed, although the foreign ministry gave the figure as 31. The reason for the discrepancy was not clear, but some victims were dual nationals. India and Britain have each confirmed eight dead. The US State Department confirmed that at least four Americans were dead and several seriously wounded. Others were confirmed to be from Bangladesh, China, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey and Australia. The six near-simultaneous blasts were set off on Sunday morning at St Anthonys and the Cinnamon Grand, Shangri-La and Kingsbury hotels in Colombo, as well as the two churches outside Colombo. The military confirmed two other related blasts, one near an overpass and another at a guesthouse where two people were killed. A ninth blast, which killed three police officers, was set off by occupants of a safe house trying to evade arrest, authorities said. The New IRA which has accepted responsibility for the murder of journalist Lyra McKee 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. A man signs a book of condolence for Pc Ronan Kerr (PA) It is strongest in Londonderry, north and west Belfast, Strabane and other pockets in Co Tyrone, and Lurgan in Co Armagh. 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 package bombs posted to targets in London and Glasgow in March. Firefighters have worked through the night tackling a large wildfire near a wind farm in Moray. Around 30 firefighters are at the scene of the blaze, which broke out near Pauls Hill wind farm, close to Aberlour, at 2.58pm on Monday. At the height of the incident, nine fire appliances and two water carriers were at the scene but this had been scaled back to six appliances by Tuesday morning. The blaze covers an area of six miles by two miles. Our crews have worked tirelessly to tackle a large number of significant wildfires across Scotland this #Easter weekend There remains an extreme risk of wildfire across the country in the coming days, with temperatures remaining high and moisture levels low... (1/2) pic.twitter.com/Hjh4A7RcFi Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (@fire_scot) April 22, 2019 There are no reports of any casualties. Fire crews have also been tackling a large grass fire in the west of Scotland. Firefighters have been tackling a wildfire in Moray (Niall Carson/PA) Nine fire engines were sent to the scene near Bonhill, West Dunbartonshire, after the alarm was raised at around 5.30pm on Monday. One fire engine remained at the scene on Tuesday morning. The incidents came on the day that Scotland recorded its warmest Easter Monday on record. The mercury reached 24.2C (75.6F) at Kinlochewe in Wester Ross shortly after 4pm. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a warning to the public about the dangers of wildfires. It said on Twitter: Our crews have worked tirelessly to tackle a large number of significant wildfires across Scotland this #Easter weekend. There remains an extreme risk of wildfire across the country in the coming days, with temperatures remaining high and moisture levels low. We encourage everyone who is enjoying the countryside during this period of extreme danger to exercise caution and be aware of how easily fires can start and spread. Donald Trumps long-awaited state visit to the UK is expected to be announced on Tuesday, sources have said. The US Presidents official trip could be scheduled for early June, according to reports, and follows a working visit he made to Britain last summer with his wife Melania. Prime Minister Theresa May was widely criticised for offering such a controversial figure the honour of a state visit just days into his presidency when she met Mr Trump for the first time in the White House in January 2017. The state visit was expected that year but no date was set. The US leaders 2018 trip to the UK had many of the trappings of a state visit, including a meeting with the Queen at Windsor Castle. The presidents visit is likely to draw demonstrations in the same way as his July 2018 trip and security is expected to be high. Donald Trump and his wife Melania will take part in a state banquet as part of the visit (Chris Jackson/PA) The organisation Stand Up To Trump said campaigners had pledged to mobilise huge numbers in response to rumours of a state visit. Member Sabby Dhalu claimed the US leader is the worlds number one racist, warmonger and misogynist. A formal state visit to Britain in June must be met with widespread opposition, she said. All those that value peace and hope for a better world for the many must take to the streets and say clearly that Donald Trump is not welcome here. Mr Trump reportedly told Mrs May in 2017 that he would not come to Britain for his state visit until he is sure of getting a better reception. The president will be hosted by the Queen at either Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle and the visit is likely to follow the traditional format of an official open-air welcome, featuring prestigious British regiments, lunch with the Queen and a state banquet. State visits normally last three days, and once the ceremonial elements with the Queen have been completed, visiting heads of state follow an itinerary that reflects their own interests and political aims. Around the time of the visit, Mr Trump is reportedly due to travel to Europe and attend commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. House of Commons Speaker John Bercow said a request for a state visit from the US leader would be considered in the usual way, but did not say whether a request had yet been received. A spokeswoman for the Speakers Office said: Should a request be made to address the Houses of Parliament, it will be considered in the usual way. Nicola Sturgeon is expected to give a statement to the Scottish Parliament about plans for Scottish independence on Wednesday. The First Minister is reported to have requested time to address parliament during Wednesday afternoon about Scotlands future and a potential independence referendum. Ms Sturgeon said in January that she would set out her timetable for another vote in a matter of weeks, but remained tight-lipped in light of ongoing Brexit uncertainty at Westminster. Before the parliaments recess, Ms Sturgeon revealed that she would set out her plans for a second Scottish independence referendum after this phase of the Brexit negotiations. With the EU granting a six-month extension of Article 50, the First Minister is now expected to elaborate on the SNPs plans ahead of the partys conference at the weekend. A Scottish Parliament spokesman said that, if the First Minister had requested the opportunity to address MSPs, any rescheduling to Wednesdays business would be confirmed by lunchtime on Tuesday. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is believed to have requested the chance to give a statement to the Scottish Parliament about plans for Scottish Independence (Andrew Milligan/PA) On Tuesday morning Ms Sturgeon was meeting with cabinet colleagues and no one from her office could be reached for comment. A Scottish Government spokesman said: The First Minister has made clear she will update the Scottish Parliament after the Easter recess. Asked what Theresa Mays response would be if Nicola Sturgeon used a speech on Wednesday to call for a Section 30 order to pave the way for a second independence referendum, the Prime Ministers official spokesman told a regular Westminster media briefing: You know the Prime Ministers position on that and it has not changed. First and foremost, lets wait and see what the First Minister says. Latest polling from December, published on the impartial What Scotland Thinks website, suggests another referendum would be 51% to 45% in favour of no to independence. Sri Lankas state minister of defence has said the Easter attack on churches, hotels and other sites in the South Asian nation was carried out in retaliation for the shooting massacre at two New Zealand mosques last month, according to a statement. The minister, Ruwan Wijewardene, told Parliament the government possessed information that the series of bombings in and outside of Colombo that killed more than 300 people were carried out by an Islamic fundamentalist group in response to the Christchurch attacks. He did not provide evidence of explain the source of the information. Mr Wijewardene blamed weakness within Sri Lankas security apparatus for failing to prevent the nine bombings at churches, luxury hotels and other sites. By now it has been established that the intelligence units were aware of this attack and a group of responsible people were informed about the impending attack, he said. Investigators at the scene of a suicide bombing at St Sebastian Church in Negombo (Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP) However, this information has been circulated among only a few officials. As Sri Lankas leaders wrangled the aftermath of an apparent homegrown militant attack and massive intelligence failure, security was heightened on Tuesday for a national day of mourning and the military was employing powers to make arrests it last used when the devastating civil war ended in 2009. The six near-simultaneous attacks on three churches and three luxury hotels and three related blasts later Sunday were the South Asian island nations deadliest violence in a decade. Mr Wijewardene said the death toll from the attack now stood at 321 people, with 500 wounded. Word from international intelligence agencies that a local group was planning attacks apparently did not reach the prime ministers office until after the massacre, exposing the continuing political turmoil in the highest levels of the Sri Lankan government. On April 11, Priyalal Disanayaka, Sri Lankas deputy inspector general of police, signed a letter addressed to the directors of four Sri Lankan security agencies, warning them that a local group was planning a suicide attack in the country. An investigator at the scene of a suicide bombing (Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP) The intelligence report attached to his letter, which has circulated widely on social media, named the group allegedly plotting the attack, National Towheed Jamaar, said it was led by Zahran Hashmi, and was targeting some important churches in a suicide terrorist attack that was planned to take place shortly. The report named six individuals likely to be involved in the plot. On Monday, Sri Lankas health minister held up a copy of the intelligence report while describing its contents, spurring questions about what Sri Lanka police had done to protect the public from an attack. Among the 40 people arrested on suspicion of links to the bombings were the driver of a van allegedly used by the suicide bombers and the owner of a house where some of them lived. Heightened security was evident an international airport outside the capital where security personnel walked explosive-sniffing dogs and checked car boots and questioned drivers on roads nearby. Police also ordered that anyone leaving a parked car unattended on the street must put a note with their phone number on the windscreen, and post officers were not accepting pre-wrapped parcels. A block on most social media since the attacks has left a vacuum of information, fuelling confusion and giving little reassurance the danger had passed. Even after an overnight curfew was lifted, the streets of central Colombo were mostly deserted Tuesday and shops closed as armed soldiers stood guard. Sri Lankan authorities also Tuesday planned to brief foreign diplomats and receive assistance from the FBI and other foreign intelligence-gathering agencies. The countrys prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he feared the massacre could unleash instability and he vowed to vest all necessary powers with the defence forces to act against those responsible. Authorities said they knew where the group trained and had safe houses, but did not identify any of the seven suicide bombers, whose bodies were recovered, or the other suspects taken into custody. All seven bombers were Sri Lankans, but authorities said they strongly suspected foreign links. Also unclear was a motive. Catholic nuns attend a funeral service in Sri Lanka (Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP) The history of Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka, a country of 21 million including large Hindu, Muslim and Christian minorities, is rife with ethnic and sectarian conflict. In the 26-year civil war, the Tamil Tigers, a powerful rebel army known for using suicide bombers, was finally crushed by the government in 2009 but had little history of targeting Christians. Anti-Muslim bigotry fed by Buddhist nationalists has swept the country recently, but there is no history of Islamic militancy. Its small Christian community has seen only scattered incidents of harassment. The office of New Zealands prime minister said she was aware of the comments linking Sri Lankas Easter bombings to the mosque attacks in Christchurch, though it has not seen any intelligence upon which such an assessment might be based. Jacinda Arderns office also added that it understood the Sri Lankan investigation into the attack is in its early stages. Investigating judges have ordered that former prime minister Francois Fillon and his wife stand trial on corruption charges. Fillon, who at one point was the front-runner in Frances 2017 presidential race, saw his bid unravel over allegations he paid his wife Penelope, who comes from Wales, and two of their children more than one million euros over many years for jobs as parliamentary aides that involved no sustained work. A judicial official confirmed a report in Le Monde newspaper that the couple will stand trial. Francois Fillon during a press conference at Downing Street (PA) Fillon has denied wrongdoing, contending the allegations were a smear campaign to undo his presidential bid. The scandal damaged Fillons bid for the presidency and in the end he was eliminated in the first round. In the deciding round centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron, whose campaign to break the traditional left-right divide received a huge boost after Fillons problems emerged, won the keys to the Elysee. Fillon was handed preliminary charges in March 2017, including for misuse of public funds and improper declaration of assets. His wife, from Abergavenny, was also charged that year with misuse of public funds, receiving money from a misuse of company assets and receiving money from a fraud. Fillon kept on running for president despite the corruption investigation, which he denounced as political assassination. The Elysee Palace (Christophe Petit Tesson/Pool/AP) From the start of 2017, when the investigation began, Fillon had to limit his campaign events to rallies and a few visits under high security to avoid anti-corruption protesters shouting Fillon in prison! Fillon had served five times as a government official under two previous presidents, Francois Mitterrand and Jacques Chirac. In 1981, Fillon was elected to parliament for the first time, representing Sable-sur-Sarthe, a small town in rural western France. At 27, he was the youngest politician in the lower house of parliament, the National Assembly. Manila (CNN Philippines Life) As a Manileno, when I think of local street food, my mind immediately goes to the usual tusok-tusok: fish balls, kikiam, tokwa, quek-quek, betamax, isaw. The list goes on forever. Yet Netflixs new show, Street Food, presents something entirely different. The documentary series explores the street foods of nine different countries across Asia, including (to much fanfare) the Philippines. Episode nine, however, focuses solely on the province of Cebu, venturing from the city of Talisay where lechon vendors abound, to the sleepy coastal town of Cordova. Instead of umbrella-topped fish ball carts parked on busy sidestreets, the episode opens with a seaside shack at dawn. An elderly man awakens as fishermen begin their morning routine, waiting for them to return with a fresh batch of bakasi small, slithering reef eels that will be cooked in a sour stew and served to dozens of visitors each day. Unlike many food documentaries, Street Food is neither history lesson nor recipe guide. Its focal point is on people mostly self-taught culinary maestros whove transformed and uplifted their communities with food. It reflects who we are as a nation: people whose survival rests on creativity, resourcefulness, and grit. Episode nine of Street Food brings audiences around the province of Cebu, from the city of Talisay, where lechon vendors abound, to the sleepy coastal town of Cordova. Photo courtesy of NETFLIX The economics of the street food [in Cebu] is they are cooking street food to survive, says Myke Tatung Sarthou, a Cebuano chef who guided the shows production team around Cebu and who appears in the episode. They're trying to feed their family. Theyre feeding people who have to eat in that particular situation. Sarthou shares that this is in contrast to how street food in Manila is more or less industrialized fish balls and the like are manufactured in commissaries and bought in frozen packs at the supermarket. Over lunch, we got the opportunity to chat with Sarthou at Toyo Eatery, which was recently dubbed one of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants. Here, we also met the Cebuano food heroes and got a taste of their iconic dishes through reinterpretations done by Toyos team of chefs. Wanting to provide more for his family as well as bring more tourists to their community, Entoy Escabas popularized nilarang na bakasi, which are reef eels cooked in a sour stew akin to sinigang. Photo courtesy of NETFLIX Nilarang na bakasi. Photo courtesy of NETFLIX For the four culinary maestros Entoy Escabas, Leslie Enjambre, Ian Secong, and Rubilyn Manayon their businesses were born out of either a need to provide for their families or a dream to elevate the food for which theyre known. There is a clear sense of community, of nurturing and helping one another to thrive in the face of uncontrollable circumstances. Escabas is the clear hero of the story, who popularized nilarang na bakasi, which are reef eels cooked in a sour stew akin to sinigang. Bakasi are abundant in the coastal town of Cordova, and Escabas, wanting to provide more for his family as well as bring more tourists to their community, concocted his now famous dish. In the show, he says a road was built just so people could make it out to his seaside carinderia. Meanwhile, for Secong, there was no need for invention, but rather innovation. His restaurant, Azul, puts a spin on a way of eating that is popular among Cebus poor. Tuslob-buwa, or brain gravy, is often served on the side of the road in places like Pasil one of the poorest barangays in the province. Its a bubbling gravy made of pigs brain (leftovers from the litsunan) and sauteed garlic and onions in which people dip puso hanging rice wrapped in coconut leaves. Azul serves tuslob-buwa shabu-shabu style, where a group of friends can bond over cooking and dipping in the Pinoy fondue. Tuslob-buwa is a bubbling gravy made of pigs brain (leftovers from the litsunan) and sauteed garlic and onions in which people dip puso hanging rice wrapped in coconut leaves. Photo courtesy of NETFLIX Everyone in Cebu eats puso, especially the poor. It is cheap, portable, and when accompanied by any viand sold on the streets makes a meal. In places like Pasil, street food is not just merienda, it is a means of survival for both seller and buyer. Herein lies the heart of the story, and is evident in the other episodes as well. Netflixs Street Food is similar to other food shows where you get to travel to exciting cities without leaving the comfort of your home. Its where you learn about the history and culture of other people. Yet the similarities stop there, for Street Food is an exploration not just of a citys food, but of the conditions that have pushed people into creating dishes by only using the cheapest, most readily available ingredients. [The show presents] street food that exists in the social fabric... Kasi if you go to the provinces, ganun talaga yung dynamic na nagluluto ka para mapakain mo yung pamilya mo, says Sarthou. A countrys food can tell you a lot about its people. It can reveal their history, their personalities, their priorities. Weve long known that our lumpia, pancit, and siomai speak of the years weve spent trading with China prior to our colonization. We know our menudo, afritada, and adobo come from the 300 years we spent under Spanish rule. Maybe its time we paid attention to the stories our street food could tell us. *** Street Food is out on Netflix April 26. For him its going to be a nightmare and I dont want him to beat himself up about it because hes going to see it every time he closes his eyes. My heart is breaking for him, too, because I know how badly he feels but he shouldnt; he tried to go back again for her. Nobody would help him, she said, adding he already was on fire when he made it out of the car. A senior Conservative backbencher has called on Theresa May to announce her resignation to allow a contest to choose her replacement to begin straight away. Nigel Evans, the joint executive secretary of the backbench Tory 1922 Committee, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that calls for the Prime Ministers removal had become a clamour and he would be delighted if she announced plans to quit today. His comments came as Mrs May prepared to chair a meeting of her top ministerial team as MPs return to Westminster following the Easter break. The Prime Minister convened her Cabinet on Tuesday morning as cross-party talks between the Government and the Labour Party were set to resume in a fresh bid to break the Brexit impasse. Ministerial discussions are expected in the afternoon, with Mrs Mays de facto deputy David Lidington, Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay and chief whip Julian Smith representing the Government. Elsewhere, Change UK the Independent Group is launching its European election campaign in Bristol, and Nigel Farages Brexit Party is unveiling its latest tranche of candidates in London. The Brexit Party will unveil its latest tranche of candidates (Andrew Matthews/PA) Ribble Valley MP Mr Evans told Today he had reflected on the situation over the Easter break and said the severe problems over Brexit meant Mrs May had to go as soon as possible. He said: I hope she does accept the fact the call for her resignation now is growing into a clamour. And he added: To be honest, I would be delighted if she announced today she was announcing her resignation and we could then have an orderly election to choose a new leader of the Conservative Party. (PA Graphics) But prisons minister Rory Stewart backed Mrs May as our best hope of resolving Brexit. He told Today that the problem is not the Prime Minister, the problem is Brexit. Mr Stewart said: I think she is doing a very, very important job and she needs to get the first stage of Brexit done (PA Graphics) The idea somehow that some new, fresh leader with extraordinary charm and nimble feet would be able to suddenly get the deal across the line is mistaken. Its nothing to do with the individual, it is that people disagree deeply over Brexit. On Monday, it emerged the PM could face an unprecedented vote of confidence in her leadership after 70 local Conservative association chiefs signed a petition in support of a poll. They called for an extraordinary general meeting of the National Conservative Convention to discuss the Prime Ministers leadership of the party, The Telegraph reported. A non-binding vote is expected to be held at the meeting, which would if it showed a lack of confidence put pressure on the 1922 Committee of Tory MPs to find a way of forcibly removing the PM from office. Mrs May has come under heavy criticism for her handling of the Brexit process, but survived a vote of confidence by her MPs in December. A new poll found Boris Johnson is the favourite to replace Mrs May (Brian Lawless/PA) Under party rules, a year has to pass before another vote can be called, but an extraordinary general meeting must be held if more than 65 local associations demand one through a petition, the paper said. Elsewhere, a new poll found former foreign secretary Boris Johnson is the favourite to replace Mrs May as Conservative leader among the partys grassroots. Almost a third of party members 32.4% backed the pro-Brexit Tory to take over the helm of the party, up by 10 points in the last month. Ex-Brexit secretary Dominic Raab was second with 14.7%, according to the poll of 1,128 panel members by the Conservative Home website. Environment Secretary Michael Gove, who also supported the Leave campaign, came third, ahead of Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Home Secretary Sajid Javid. It was not reasonable or necessary for officers to Taser a man outside a pub in Stirlingshire last year, a police watchdog has concluded. A report by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) said six officers went to the bar in Quakerfield, Bannockburn, in September to arrest a 28-year-old man. He was wanted in connection with an alleged assault on two people earlier that day. After an officer took hold of the man and started escorting him towards the pub door, he ran off and was chased by five officers. The PIRC report found there was no evidence officers had informed the man he was under arrest. During the chase, the man is said to have become aggressive and threatening towards the police officers and on a number of occasions challenged them to a fight. Around 500 specially trained officers were given training in the use of Tasers before being deployed from June last year (Andrew Milligan/PA) He then challenged the officers again in a nearby car park and refused to get down on the ground. When moving towards one of the authorised firearms officers (AFOs) on the scene, the officer discharged PAVA spray an incapacitant spray similar to pepper spray at the man, which struck him on the face. Despite this, the man managed to jump over a wall and run back towards the pub. He was again chased by the officers but before reaching the pub the man stopped and bent down. Officers told the man to stop what he was doing and get down on the ground but he again challenged them to a fight. One of the officers then discharged PAVA spray, which again struck the man on the face. The PIRC report concluded that at that point, the discharge of the PAVA spray was necessary to try to arrest the man without injury to himself or the officers. Witnesses described the man as being disorientated, rubbing his eyes and walking backwards away from the police officers. The man was then seen walking backwards with his hands outstretched and his palms facing the officers in front of him. A specially trained officer (STO) who had chased the man drew her Taser and warned him she had the device. She then approached him and touched him on the shoulder, which caused him to jerk his right arm up and backwards, before discharging the Taser at the man before he was arrested. The PIRC report said the man did not appear to be posing an imminent threat to officers at the time the Taser was discharged and in the circumstances, the use of Taser was not reasonable, proportionate or necessary. Additionally, the report found an officer who was standing immediately behind the man was at risk of being struck by the Taser barbs. The man was arrested, charged with a number of offences and later convicted. The investigation was carried out following the training of 500 STOs in the use of Tasers and their subsequent deployment from June 2018. PIRC recommended the officer who discharged the Taser receives refresher training, as well as that all officers involved in the incident are reminded of arrest procedures and the need to inform people when they have been placed under arrest. Chief Superintendent Thom McLoughlin said: All STOs receive rigorous training before they are deployed with Taser and every discharge is referred to the PIRC for independent scrutiny. Our officers face increasing threats of violence from people and on this occasion were challenged to a fight by an aggressive suspect. Equipping officers in the heart of local police divisions with Taser helps keep their colleagues, and ultimately the public, safe and is in line with forces throughout the UK. While learning has been identified on this occasion, Police Scotland is committed to supporting our officers who make difficult, split-second, decisions on a daily basis. A Labour MP has apologised after sharing a video which he mistakenly claimed was of Israeli soldiers beating up Palestinian children for the fun of it. Grahame Morris was widely criticised when he used Twitter to post the footage, saying that it depicted an attack by the Israeli army, which he described as the best financed, best trained, best equipped army in the world. But the video is thought to have actually been shot in 2015, and is said to show a Guatemalan soldier, rather than an Israeli one, dressed in camouflage beating a young boy against a wall. The only marvelous thing here are your lies. These are not IDF soldiers. Apologies would be in order. https://t.co/ImIY9nD8lX Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 22, 2019 The error prompted the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Twitter account to accuse Mr Morris of spreading lies and call for an apology. Meanwhile, the Jewish Leadership Council tweeted that he had chosen hostility and the spreading of fake news over sincerity and accuracy, adding that the message reflected a hatred of Israel. Around 24 hours after posting the footage on Monday, the MP, who represents Easington in County Durham and currently has more than 29,000 followers on the social networking site, apologised for the error, which he said demonstrates the dangers of fake news online. MP Grahame Morris has apologised for the error (Owen Humphreys/PA) I am sorry for sharing a post which purports to show the IDF hurting children but it was in fact the Guatemalan Army. My error demonstrates the dangers of fake news online and I will be more diligent in future in checking my sources. Grahame Morris (@grahamemorris) April 23, 2019 Sharing the video from another Twitter account, Mr Morriss now-deleted tweet, which prompted hundreds of responses, read: Marvellous, absolutely marvellous the Israeli Army, the best financed, best trained, best equipped army in the world caught on camera beating up Palestinian children for the fun of it. May God forgive them. What would Jim Royle say on an Easter Monday. The message prompted a wave of responses from users who said the footage was not of IDF soldiers and was actually filmed in Guatemala. The IDF account itself told Mr Morris: The only marvelous thing here are your lies. Grahame Morriss half-hearted apology is something we have seen far too often when people are exposed for their hatred of Israel. Rather than apologising unequivocally and promising to do better, he has chosen hostility and the spreading of fake news over sincerity and accuracy. pic.twitter.com/B6SHTAb8df Jewish Leadership Council (@JLC_uk) April 23, 2019 These are not IDF soldiers. Apologies would be in order. James Felton, a TV and radio comedy writer, was also quick to call out the MP on his mistake, saying: Youre an MP and should know better. Mr Felton tweeted: Im sure youve been told this hundreds of times, but thats not where this footage is from. Israeli soldiers have done plenty of bad things, theres no need to use untrue things like this. Delete and correct. I'm sure you've been told this hundreds of times, but that's not where this footage is from. Israeli soldiers have done plenty of bad things, there's no need to use untrue things like this. Delete and correct.https://t.co/IxHH5oAV58 James Felton (@JimMFelton) April 22, 2019 Youre an MP and should know better by the way. In his apology, Mr Morris said: I am sorry for sharing a post which purports to show the IDF hurting children but it was in fact the Guatemalan Army. My error demonstrates the dangers of fake news online and I will be more diligent in future in checking my sources. Responding to the apology, the Jewish Leadership Council tweeted: Grahame Morriss half-hearted apology is something we have seen far too often when people are exposed for their hatred of Israel. Rather than apologising unequivocally and promising to do better, he has chosen hostility and the spreading of fake news over sincerity and accuracy. Mr Morris has been MP for Easington since 2010. Boris Johnsons sister Rachel is to stand as a European election candidate for Change UK, the pro-remain party set up by The Independent Group. Ms Johnson, who will stand in the South West region, appeared at an event to launch the partys election campaign in Bristol. She was joined on stage by the partys MPs and other candidates including former BBC Newsnight presenter Gavin Esler. Former BBC journalist Gavin Esler during the launch (Rod Minchin/PA) Heidi Allen, interim leader, said 3,700 people had offered to stand for Change UK The Independent Group in the European elections. She described the candidates as from every corner of the UK and from all walks of life. We are here to say we stand ready, she said. These elections are a chance to send the clearest possible message we demand a Peoples Vote and the right to campaign to remain in the European Union. We are not afraid to say it as clearly as that. She added: This is no rebel alliance this is the home of the remain alliance. Mr Esler, who has more than 40 years experience in television and radio journalism, will stand in London. He slammed Nigel Farage and Jacob Rees-Mogg, MP for North East Somerset, as pretend men of the people. Anna Soubry addressing supporters (Rod Minchin/PA) The candidate, who has not previously been a member of a political party, described them as the posers of Brexit who were selling the same old snake oil. They claim to speak for the people they do not, Mr Esler said. They stole our patriotism and I want it back. Mr Esler said he was seriously worried about the future of Britain. Our political system is a joke. It is a worldwide joke, he told the event. They are laughing at us not with us, at us. It is broken. This country cannot possibly be strong abroad when it is weak at home. We all know any version of Brexit will make us poorer as a country. The owner of the BiFab manufacturing yards has called for tighter regulations on offshore wind developers and manufacturers to help prevent it missing out on vital contracts. It wants to ensure developers stick to commitments in UK Government contracts on proportions of work to carried out in Scotland and for regulation to exclude any firms not abiding by state aid rules. DF Barnes, a subsidiary of Canadian Firm JV Driver, acquired BiFabs three yards at Arnish on Lewis and Burntisland and Methil in Fife last year in a Scottish Government-backed rescue package. Previously, 1,400 people were employed across the sites but MSPs were told now 30 people are employed in Fife and 85 in Arnish, up from the seven part-time jobs offered at the takeover. BiFab director Bill Elkington told Holyroods Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee so far no bids for offshore wind contracts a key source of business for the sites had been successful. He said on one main project, the Kincardine floating offshore wind development, his firm was outbid by Spanish state-owned firm Navantia. BiFabs yard in Methil in Fife requires new contracts to help boost the workforce (Andrew Milligan/PA) It runs at a 35% revenue loss and he questioned how this adheres to state aid rules. Right now were quite concerned about competing against businesses that lose money, Mr Elkington said. He said Scottish taxpayers subsidise the UK Governments Contract for Difference for offshore wind, which he said include commitments to a proportion of work being carried out in Scotland but theres nothing to hold (developers) to that. Mr Elkington said elsewhere companies are punished for breaching that type of commitment, with one developer in Canada fined 150 million Canadian dollars (86.3 million). Scotland and the UK Government is doing a fantastic job of bringing in wind development and actually lowering the cost of wind (energy) with the 8GW thats been installed and yet on some of these projects they are getting no direct benefit on the infrastructure, he said. And that really is a travesty that needs to be addressed through either regulation or government intervention of some sort. He added: Id recommend controlling who is bidding and if they are not living up to the requirements of state aid they should be excluded from it, and then we would have a bunch of people back to work. GMBs Peter Welsh said the Marine Scotland planning consent for the Kincardine project refers to a commitment to the construction of substructures which was expected to be undertaken within a Scottish port. Unites Pat Raffertysaid: We seem to be abiding by them (European laws) but it seems to be getting ignored by the Spanish and elsewhere. We were told about Scotland being the new Saudi Arabia for renewables. I think if we continue in the way that we are in terms of how these contracts are getting awarded then we certainly are not going to be the Saudia Arabia of renewables. They will be getting built in Saudi Arabia and shipped across here. And thats something that we need to try to make sure does not happen. Labours Jackie Baillie said: The dogs in the street know theres state aid breaches in Spain why arent we doing the same as happens in Spain to create that level playing field? Andy McDonald from Scottish Enterprise said the organisation is not in a position to breach state aid rules. Pleased to be able to help the Scottish Parliament's @SP_Economy committee in its hearing on the future of BiFab and the offshore wind supply chain this morning pic.twitter.com/nPXa2TYKHK Scottish Renewables (@ScotRenew) April 23, 2019 Nick Sharpe, of Scottish Renewables, said historic under-investment in UK yards compared to Europe had enabled them to provide round the clock fabricated steel manufacturing to a quality and cost that at the moment we are just not capable of, by and large. He added: There are certainly things that can be done here and the issues are fixable. Scores of climate protesters have gathered outside Parliament and vowed to put pressure on politicians returning to work after the Easter recess. Extinction Rebellion (XR) members assembled in Parliament Square on Tuesday at around noon as influential 16-year-old activist Greta Thunberg was meeting party leaders including Jeremy Corbyn and Caroline Lucas in the Commons just yards away. Campaigners are urging the Government to declare a climate emergency as protests enter a second week. Activist Jay Monk, 49, said the demo was a signal of a renewed push to have politicians answer the groups demands. Dozens of police officers lined the fringes of the demonstration with Scotland Yard earlier saying it had a robust policing plan in place. The force has warned demonstrators they must leave a designated area by 11.59pm or be liable to arrest. More than 10,000 Met officers have been deployed on the protest supported by 350 officers from neighbouring forceshttps://t.co/9j0iXXw7xf Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) April 23, 2019 More than 1,000 people have been arrested during XR protests which started on April 15, while more than 10,000 police officers have been deployed. The action has seen Waterloo Bridge and Oxford Circus blocked and a die in at the Natural History Museum. Elsewhere, activists have glued themselves to trains, and some could even be seen perching in hammocks up trees overlooking Parliament Square on Tuesday. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg meets leaders of the UK political parties at the House of Commons in Westminster (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Swedish schoolgirl Miss Thunberg, who has inspired international youth climate strikes, previously told an XR protest in London that humanity faces an existential crisis. The Nobel Peace Prize nominee, who has Aspergers, is also expected to make a speech at a meeting in Portcullis House at around 2pm. Theresa May was empty chaired at her round-table discussion in the House of Commons. Miss Thunberg met Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Liberal Democrat Sir Vince Cable, Green MP Caroline Lucas and the Westminster leaders of the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru, Ian Blackford and Liz Saville Roberts. A seat was left empty for Mrs May (Stefan Rousseau/PA) A place at the table was left free for Mrs May, with a sign bearing her name, but she did not attend. The Prime Minister was instead chairing Cabinet in 10 Downing Street. Student Jade Edwards, from Worcestershire, said: If they listen to her thats a great step forward for the planet and everything that lives in it. Philip McMaster, bearded and wearing red robes as part of a character he calls Sustaina Claus, called on politicians to engage with XR. The Canadian former teacher said: We have given authority to them. That is why they are in power. Now they need to act for the best interests of our children. Members of XR have previously indicated temporarily ending disruptive tactics to focus on political negotiations. Protester Steve Jones, 53, suggested some of the disruption may be relaxed if the group was granted meaningful discussions with the Government. Extinction Rebellion protesters at Parliament Square (Kirsty OConnor/PA) The Metropolitan Police said 1,065 people had been arrested in connection with the demonstrations by 10am on Tuesday, while 71 of those had been charged. Three people have been charged by British Transport Police in connection with the protests. A Scotland Yard spokesman said: This number of arrests is unprecedented, and is diverting officers from their vital duty of tackling crime and keeping London safe. But they will continue to arrest those who occupy illegal protest sites and refuse to stop causing widespread disruption to the communities of London. Extinction Rebellion protesters lying down inside the Natural History Museum (Laura Parnaby/PA) Meanwhile, several people accused of public order offences linked to the protests are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court. On Easter Monday, at least 100 protesters laid down under the blue whale skeleton at the Natural History Museum in a stunt organisers called a die in. Some protesters, wearing red face paint, veils and robes, remained to give a performance to classical music on the steps beneath the skeleton. Nigel Farage has vowed to target Labour heartlands with his new Brexit Party. The former Ukip leader was in Westminster to launch another slate of Brexit Party candidates, including Claire Fox, a former member of the Revolutionary Communist Party. Vowing to campaign in Labour heartlands of south Wales, the Midlands and the north of England, Mr Farage said he had set his sights on Labour voters. Speaking at a campaign event to announce five new candidates, Mr Farage said the party was already doing very well with Conservative supporters. He said: There are five million people that voted for Jeremy Corbyn and voted for Brexit as well, and thats going to be our task. I think we will go on squeezing the Conservatives and squeezing Ukip down to virtually nothing. Were going to go after that Labour vote in a very big way. Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage arrives at the Shoreham Aircraft Museum (PA) Attacking rival new pro-Remain party Change UK as Continuity UK, Mr Farage said his candidates were the ones who would revolutionise and modernise politics. Ms Fox was introduced as a free speech campaigner and author, and said she would be standing in solidarity with the Leave voters whose voices have been traduced and trashed. James Glancy, a Royal Marine veteran, said he was compelled to stand because he felt politicians were undermining democracy and our leadership is humiliating the British public on the international stage. Former charity boss Matthew Patten said he believed the Brexit Party would help the country regain its confidence in the future. Former nurse Christina Jordan claimed Remain-supporting MPs had been blocking Brexit and hysterical MPs call Brexiteers Nazi appeasers, adding they are driving us at a cost of 100 million into European elections and want us to pat them on the back. Smoked salmon producer Lance Foreman was the final candidate, who said his past experience as a special adviser for former trade secretary Peter Lilley had shown him only political obsessives could be successful in Westminster. He added: To be honest, I found the transition from politics to oily fish was quite straightforward. Nigel Farage speaks to media as her arrives in Shoreham ahead of a Brexit Party rally at Brighton City Airport (Gareth Fuller/PA) However, Mr Farage was less enthusiastic when asked what he could personally offer working-class voters, with his private school education and background in stockbroking. I was never in banking, next question, he said. When pressed, he said: I did have a private school education you cant choose your parents, you cant choose your name. Mine called me Nigel and weve got a female candidate with an even more difficult name. The things that unite people across the spectrums, across the classes, across the racial divide, and indeed across the religious divide as well, and it is a belief that nation state democracy is the right way to live your life. A proposal that would effectively outlaw most abortions in Tennessee if the US Supreme Court overturns the historic 1973 decision legalising the procedure has been passed by state politicians. Now it needs to be approved by the states governor. State politicians in both the House and Senate overwhelmingly advanced the legislation, with just a handful of Democrats voting against. Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota and South Dakota have similar laws on the books triggering abortion bans. Pro-choice supporters in Utah (Rick Bowmer/AP) The trigger for such a ban would be for the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that made legal abortion nationwide. Kentucky and Missouri are considering enacting such bills this year. The so-called trigger ban in Tennessee that would take effect if the court overturns Roe v. Wade includes exceptions only for medical emergencies and not for rape or incest. Doctors who violate the law would face a felony charge. April 29 (Reuters) - The United States so far this year has recorded 695 cases of measles in 22 states, its largest outbreak since public health officials in 2000 declared the disease eradicated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC on Monday is due to release updated figures on the number of cases recorded so far this year. Here are key facts about the outbreak: * Public health officials blame the measles resurgence on the spread of misinformation about vaccines. A vocal fringe of parents opposes vaccines, believing, contrary to scientific studies, that ingredients in them can cause autism. * The largest outbreaks are concentrated in Orthodox Jewish communities in New York City's Williamsburg neighborhood, where some 390 cases have been confirmed, and Rockland County north of New York City, which has recorded 201 cases. Those figures include infections from last year and are not directly comparable to the CDC numbers. * Other outbreaks have been reported in Washington state, New Jersey, California's Butte County and Michigan. * The disease is highly contagious and can be fatal, killing one or two of every 1,000 children who contract it, according to the CDC. It can also cause permanent hearing loss or intellectual disabilities. It poses the greatest risk to unvaccinated young children. * The United States' 2000 declaration that measles was eradicated meant that the disease was no longer present in the country year round. Measles remains common in some countries in Europe, Asia and Africa, and unvaccinated travelers to those countries can bring it back to the United States. The current outbreaks are believed to trace back to visits to Israel and Ukraine. * New York City officials said some 21,000 people have received the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine in affected areas since the outbreak began in October. The city has begun fining unvaccinated adults. * Lawmakers in Oregon, California and Washington state are considering bills to eliminate nonmedical exemptions that allowed unvaccinated children to attend public schools. * In order to achieve herd immunity that protects those unable to get the measles vaccine, such as infants and people with compromised immune systems, 90% to 95% of the population needs to be vaccinated. Sources: U.S. CDC, World Health Organization, public health offices in New York State and City, Washington state, California and Michigan (Reporting by Scott Malone Editing by Bill Berkrot) If shes going to get the result that Im looking for, I dont think theres any need for my petition, he said after LeRoy Martin Jr., presiding judge of Circuit Courts Criminal Division, let him formally withdraw the petition earlier Monday. I just hope the right thing will be done for the people of Cook County. By James Oliphant PITTSBURGH, April 29 (Reuters) - Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will hold his first event as a presidential candidate in Pittsburgh on Monday, speaking before union members whose endorsements may be key in the primary race. Biden, who joined the 2020 Democratic race last week, is counting on organized labor to comprise a significant part of his support, but despite his longstanding ties to unions, it may not be that easy. The Democratic field now features 20 contenders, many of whom are making furtive bids for backing by labor. (Graphic: https://tmsnrt.rs/2Ff62ZC) "This may be the most pro-union group of candidates weve seen in decades making it tougher for any one candidate to line up significant union support," said Steve Rosenthal, a former political director for the AFL-CIO who is advising unions on their 2020 strategies. Biden, 76, has long styled himself as a champion of blue-collar workers, but his record as a U.S. senator and his two terms serving as former President Barack Obamas No. 2 may complicate his efforts to draw union voters. As a senator from Delaware, Biden supported the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which has become a sore point with unions that blame it for jobs going overseas. As vice president, he was part of an administration that promulgated labor-friendly regulatory policies, but also pushed through trade deals with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea over the objections of several unions and many other Democrats. A massive 12-nation trade deal backed by Obama and Biden, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, was opposed by labor and became an issue in the 2016 presidential race, when Donald Trump, then the Republican presidential nominee, used it to criticize Democratic policies. Once Trump became president, he pulled the United States out of the TPP, which went into effect last year. His administration currently is advocating for Congress to pass a negotiated replacement for NAFTA, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Even as Biden was preparing for his Pittsburgh launch, six other Democratic candidates on Saturday addressed union members at an event in Las Vegas, pledging support for policies such as a $15 federal minimum wage. Labor unions have indicated that, with the sprawling Democratic field, they have the luxury to choose candidates who tailor policies to their specific goals. "Working people are heading into this election with a high bar," said John Weber, a spokesman for the AFL-CIO in Washington. "Your trade policy shouldnt be about reducing the collateral damage of harmful corporate trade deals. It should be about replacing them with agreements that actually strengthen working families." In Pittsburgh, Biden will address the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and is expected to lay out his vision for bolstering the nations middle class. After that, he will head off on a campaign trip to the early voting state of Iowa. While organized labor has lost political clout with the decline of industrial jobs in America, it remains a key Democratic constituency, valued for its capacity to mobilize voters. At this juncture, Biden may have to worry most about U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, who, along with Biden, sits atop public opinion polls concerning the 2020 field. Sanders, a progressive who consistently has railed against free-trade agreements, showed surprising strength among rank-and-file union members during his 2016 presidential primary challenge to Hillary Clinton even though she received the formal endorsement of most national unions. That divide within unions between Clinton and Sanders is one reason, Rosenthal said, why some unions this time may wait deep into the primary process before endorsing a candidate - or may not endorse one at all. "Because so many unions rushed to endorse Secretary Clinton in 2016, there will likely be a much more thorough process, including more rank-and-file input from some unions this cycle," he said. To be sure, Biden can rely on some measure of union support. He was warmly received in speeches earlier this year to the electrical workers and firefighters unions. The firefighters union is expected to endorse him soon. (Reporting by James Oliphant; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) By Duncan Miriri NAIROBI, April 29 (Reuters) - Equity Group, Kenya's second biggest bank by assets, on Monday signed a partnership agreement with telecoms operator Safaricom to expand their digital financial businesses. Safaricom owns M-Pesa mobile financial services and Equity has been trying to compete against it by developing its own digital financial platforms. The two companies had already teamed up nine years ago to launch the world's first mobile banking application, M-Kesho. But this failed when the two groups fought over commission-sharing and other issues. Both companies had learnt valuable lessons from that experience, their CEOs said. "We were young and not very experienced. We are now more experienced and hopefully wiser," James Mwangi, Equity Group's chief executive, told a joint news conference. He said Equity Bank had also realised it needed a partnership with Safaricom, whose 31 million users, dwarf Equity's 14 million customers, 99 percent of whom are also Safaricom subscribers. "(This is) a humble acceptance that Equity is a subset of Safaricom," he said, adding the two might open up their distribution network to each other in the future. Safaricom and Equity would start by revamping the M-Kesho banking application, Safaricom's CEO Bob Collymore said. "The first thing is a refresh of M-Kesho. The product still has 20,000 customers but no advertising and no marketing so that is the first thing," he said at the news conference. He said the deal would also offer Safaricom opportunities for regional expansion, since Equity has thriving banking operations in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). M-Pesa is not present in most of those markets like Uganda. Collymore, who has helped to build Safaricom into East Africa's most profitable company, thanks to M-Pesa, plans to step down in August for health reasons, sources have told Reuters. The two companies did not give details on the structure of the partnership. Safaricom, which is 35 percent owned South Africa's Vodacom, controls about 62 percent of Kenya's mobile market, with 30 million subscribers. Britain's Vodafone has a 5 percent stake and the Kenyan government 35 percent. Apart from revamping M-Kesho, both companies will explore other areas of partnership to enhance credit access for young people and rural communities, they said, adding the scope of the partnerships would be driven by customer demand. "It is not from an internal, backroom or boardroom conversation ... we will listen to Kenyans and our customers," Mwangi said. (Reporting by Duncan Miriri. Editing by Jane Merriman) By Vladimir Soldatkin MOSCOW, April 29 (Reuters) - Russian gas producer Gazprom doubled its annual net profit last year, led by record sales to Europe despite pressure on EU states to diversify away from Russian energy imports. Gazprom is also working on contingency plans in case the undersea Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline to Germany is delayed and talks on a new gas transit deal with Ukraine fall through, a spokesman said after the company released its annual results on Monday. Gazprom is a lynchpin of Russia's commodity-dependent economy with its sales accounting for over 5 percent of the country's $1.6 trillion annual gross domestic product. The Kremlin-controlled gas producer's exports to European countries and Turkey reached almost 202 billion cubic metres (bcm) last year, even though the European Commission has called for EU states to reduce their reliance on Russian energy amid wider political tensions. However, Gazprom has said that its exports to Europe have declined so far this year, partly due to warmer weather. The company, which reported a net profit of 1.456 trillion roubles ($23 billion) for 2018, has been going through an unprecedented management reshuffle. It saw exports boss Alexander Medvedev and Andrey Kruglov, who oversaw the company's finances, leave the company. Alexei Miller, who is close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, is still at the company's helm. The reasons behind the high-profile departures have not been revealed. Some analysts and sources have pointed to internal infighting and poor results of some of the company's units, namely Gazprom Marketing & Trading. Gas sales to Europe account for almost 70 percent of Gazprom's gas revenue. A company official told a conference call following the results that Gazprom still aims to export over 200 bcm of gas this year. CONTINGENCY PLANS Gazprom's share of the European gas market rose to a record high 36.7 percent last year from 34.7 percent in 2017. Its main supply route to Europe is via Ukraine, which has strained relations with Moscow following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. Mikhail Malgin from Gazprom's exporting arm, Gazpromexport, told the conference call that the company has been working on a back-up plan and is filling up its storage facilities in Europe in case its transit capacity is hit. Gazprom's gas transit deal with Ukraine is effective only until Jan. 1, 2020, while its plans to double the 55 bcm capacity of the current Nord Stream gas pipeline by the end of this year have been under threat due to Europe's concerns over its dependency on energy flows from Moscow. "We have been actively pumping (gas into the storages), indeed, using our capacity... we have been working on building reserves," he said. Gazprom's own storage capacity in Europe stands at over 5 bcm. The company said its total revenue rose to 8.22 trillion roubles last year from 6.55 trillion in 2017. ($1 = 64.4950 roubles) (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin and Maria Grabar; writing by Vladimir Soldatkin and Maria Tsvetkova; editing by Jason Neely and Susan Fenton) By James Oliphant PITTSBURGH, April 29 (Reuters) - Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden made clear on Monday at his first event as a presidential candidate that he stands ready to battle President Donald Trump for the support of the blue-collar workers who were key to Trump's election in 2016. Speaking before a welcoming crowd of union workers in Pittsburgh, Biden seemed at times to look past a Democratic nominating contest that promises to be arduous and toward a direct confrontation with Trump in the November 2020 general election. "I make no apologies. I am a union man," Biden told a crowd that included members of the Teamsters, steelworkers, firefighters and teachers unions. "The country wasn't built by Wall Street bankers, CEOs and hedge fund managers, it was built by you." Biden, 76, who served two terms as vice president to former President Barack Obama, echoed other Democrats in the field who have criticized the U.S. economy for benefiting the wealthy at the expense of the middle class and working poor. "Everybody knows it. The middle class is hurting," Biden said. "The stock market is roaring, but you don't feel it." Earlier in the day, Biden, who is counting on support from organized labor as a key component of his presidential bid, received an endorsement from the International Association of Firefighters, which boasts a membership of 300,000. That prompted a Twitter burst from Trump, who in 2016 demonstrated strong appeal to union workers dissatisfied with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. In a series of tweets, Trump said that while leaders of the firefighters and other unions would endorse Democrats in the 2020 race, "the members love Trump." Biden soon fired back on Twitter: "I'm sick of this president badmouthing unions." Pennsylvania was a critical battleground for both parties in 2016, and Trump's narrow win in the state edged him toward his surprise victory. Western Pennsylvania, a union stronghold, is filled with the kind of white, blue-collar voters who once voted Democratic but supported Trump in 2016. Biden said that was the reason he was kicking off his campaign in Pittsburgh, the one-time U.S. steel capital. "Quite frankly folks, if I am going to be able to beat Donald Trump in 2020, it's going to happen here," he told the crowd at the union hall. Before Biden can face off with the Republican president, he must outlast a Democratic field that features 19 other candidates, no sure thing in a party that has moved away from Biden's centrism and toward a more liberal, progressive tilt. Biden left Pittsburgh after the speech to begin a campaign swing through Iowa and South Carolina, key early states in the presidential nomination contest. LABOR-FRIENDLY FIELD Union support is crucial to Biden's chances, but it is by no means automatic. "I'm keeping my mind open. It's very early, and there are a lot of players in the game," said Colleen Wooten, 54, of Wall, Pennsylvania, who works for the United Steelworkers. "Everybody in the union is tired of hearing promises about bringing work back," she said. "We need to start seeing action." While organized labor has lost political clout with the decline of industrial jobs in the United States, it remains a key Democratic constituency, valued for its capacity to mobilize voters. Labor unions have indicated that given the sprawling Democratic field, they have the luxury to choose candidates who tailor policies to their specific goals. "This may be the most pro-union group of candidates weve seen in decades, making it tougher for any one candidate to line up significant union support," said Steve Rosenthal, a former political director for the AFL-CIO labor federation, who is advising unions on their 2020 strategies. At this juncture, Biden may have to worry most about U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, who, along with Biden, sits atop the 2020 Democratic field in opinion polls. Sanders, a progressive who consistently has railed against free-trade agreements, showed surprising strength among rank-and-file union members during his 2016 presidential primary challenge to Clinton even though she received the formal endorsement of most national unions. Biden's record as a U.S. senator and vice president could complicate his efforts to draw union voters. As a senator from Delaware, Biden supported the North American Free Trade Agreement, which has become a sore point with unions that blame it for jobs leaving the country. As Obama's No. 2, he was part of an administration that promulgated labor-friendly regulatory policies but also pushed through trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea over the objections of several unions and many other Democrats. A 12-nation trade deal backed by Obama and Biden, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, was opposed by labor and became an issue in the 2016 presidential race, when Trump, then the Republican presidential nominee, used it to criticize Democratic policies. As president, Trump pulled the United States out of the pact. (Reporting by James Oliphant; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Alistair Bell and Peter Cooney) If Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes back to power on May 23, which of the two factors would have played a bigger role the Balakot air-strike against Pakistan or the payment of money under various schemes to citizens from the government directly into their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), besides the effective monitoring of delivery of welfare schemes with the help of geo-tagged pictures of the beneficiaries? The BJP government has made the welfare scheme world way more transparent. (Source: Reuters) Most would believe Balakot to be a bigger factor. But a close scrutiny reveals an equally important factor could be the other two good governance measures which have made the Modi government popular among the common masses. 1. Modis Jan Dhan bank accounts made DBT a success DBT as a tool to remove middlemen from obstructing the delivery of money and schemes to citizens was mooted by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2013-2014 however, it was the Modi government which made it a powerful weapon to sweep aside middlemen from the delivery path by opening over 32 crore bank accounts under the Jan Dhan scheme of financial inclusion. Without bank accounts, Jan Dhan was just not possible. As much as 58% of India's population was outside the banking structure when Modi came to power. Today, it has reached almost 100%. Figures explain the story further. When Modi came to the PMO, DBT was applicable to just 27-odd schemes and only around three crore people were being covered under it. But today, payment through DBT is being made in 439 schemes a 15-fold rise and a mindboggling 55 crore individuals are receiving payments through DBT in various schemes and programmes, apart from their government pensions which, in effect, covers the countrys entire population if one considers their families also as beneficiaries. Narendra Modi's govt has taken several steps to ensure benefits of government schemes reach the right person. (Source: Reuters) The other clincher for the BJP is the innovation in monitoring implementation of government schemes through geo-tagged pictures photos taken by mobile phone cameras by lower-level government employees implementing the schemes. A geo-tagged picture virtually nullifies the possibility of any manipulation in delivery of schemes by lower-level personnel implementing these on the ground as it shows the photo of the beneficiary and the date, time and place of the photo. 2. DBT has saved crores for the nation by wiping out ghost beneficiaries This has made the biggest difference to the last-mile delivery of schemes such as the PMs housing schemes for the homeless, under which the government has ensured 1.50 crore homes for the rural and urban poor. Picture geo-tagging as a tool was devised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself and is seen as a great innovation in monitoring. Nilesh Valmiki, a scheduled caste taxi driver in Mumbai, a native of Telangana, said: This online payment (DBT) has made a world of difference to common people. Earlier, when we went to get the cheque against the money or benefit due to us from the government, the clerks making the payment would often ask for bribes which sometimes ran even up to 20% of the total amount due. Significantly, an increase in the payment for people through DBT became possible only because of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Jan Dhan scheme launched in 2014 under the scheme, the government has opened over 32 crore bank accounts in the name of account-less, mostly poor, people. Rajvir Singh, another taxi driver in Delhi, originally from Himachal Pradesh. His brother has built a house for his family with the money from the PM Rural Housing Scheme, appreciates the geo-tagging of pictures as a monitoring tool. Three pictures of Rajvir Singh's brother were taken of him with the house by those who were monitoring the construction of the house with government money one picture of him with the land on which he was going to build the house, another when the house construction came to the plinth level, and finally, one picture with the completed house. These three photos were then put as soon as they were taken on the Gramin Awaas App, which tracks the implementation of the rural housing scheme. The geo-tagging of pictures has worked well for the PM Rural Housing Scheme. (Source: gujarat.gov.in) Geo-tagging and other transparency-aiding measures in the PM Gramin Awas Yojana have made it possible to track the actual housing beneficiaries in any part of the country with just a few clicks on a computer on the seventh click, one comes across the actual beneficiary with his/her photo and house, whether the area is the far-flung Andaman and Nicobar Islands or an equally distant Ladakh. Bhupendra Yadav, BJP general secretary who has studied Modis schemes and policies, says, These two measures have left a lasting impact on the people as they feel there is transparency till the grassroots level. And the transparency in last-mile delivery of various schemes that DBT and geo-tagging pics have brought are two major points of our campaign at the booth level. In fact, the BJP has acquired the date of the beneficiaries from the Modi government and entered it into the partys database so that the actual beneficiaries are tracked and convinced about the BJPs success in good governance and concern for the poor and the common people. Says an economist associated with the PMO: DBT and Geo-tagging are part of the biggest ever exercise in Indias fight against poverty. The last mile delivery of Government schemes was never above 50 per cent in the country. The Modi Government has taken it above 80% and in some cases like the housing scheme above 90%. This is a great performance and shows the Prime Ministers vision as well as his commitment as an administrator. 3. Modi govt has changed the paradigm of governance The biggest thing that DBT, which is again based on Aadhaar card identity verification, has done is that it has wiped out fake and ghost claimants, who were pocketing government money by manipulating documents to pose as claimants. The number of such fake and ghost claimants and beneficiaries across a series of schemes ran into lakhs but they were wiped out in one stroke with the help of Aadhar identification. This includes a host of schemes like pensions for the old-aged, widows and the disabled, MGNREGA payments, PAHAL (LPG subsidy) and scholarships. Under MNREGA, savings on such accounts is reportedly almost 10% of the total money disbursed while the number of duplicate, fake of ineligible claimants was reportedly over four lakh each in PAHAL and pension schemes and apparently over seven lakh in various scholarships and fellowships. The total money disbursed to citizens through DBT is nearly Rs 7 lakh crore in the past five years. The wiping out of fake claimants also sent a strong message to middlemen and corrupt officials to get their act together much to the liking of actual beneficiaries. The DBT scheme is based on Aadhaar data. (Source: Reuters) Economist Surjit Bhalla has said: By effectively using DBT and mooting the concept of geo-tagged picture monitoring of schemes, PM Modi has changed the paradigm of governance. Another barometer of the impact of DBT is the increase in the total number of eligible beneficiaries under it. In 2013-2014, the number was 10 crore which has now increased to 121 crore. Eligible beneficiaries include those who have received or are receiving payment through DBT under more than one scheme. If one considers individual beneficiaries, then the number has increased from around three to over 55 crore individuals in the past five years. 4. There are pitfalls but also their solutions The payment under DBT is under two different modes. One, where direct money due to the beneficiary like in the case of a pension is paid in his/her account, while in the second mode, which is called in-kind, the beneficiary gets subsidy amount in their account while s/he has to buy the commodity by making the full payment, like in the case of the cooking gas kit under the subsidised Ujjwala scheme. But there is a third mode which is called the composite mode which covers both cash and in-kind schemes. DBT under cash covers 300 schemes at the moment while in-kind covers 71. On the other hand, under composite schemes, the number is 75. According to Harinesh Pandya, secretary of Janpath, an Ahmedabad-based federation of 225 voluntary organisations, working for rural development in diverse areas, the massive spread of DBT has indeed struck a chord with the people in the rural areas because people just cant believe that they are getting money in their bank accounts without having to pay any bribes to secure the payment like before. However, he says while the DBT is almost fool-proof in urban areas, in rural areas, there is still a 10 to 15% manipulation where sarpanchs or village leaders take a part of the payment due to illiterate and thereby helpless people, by keeping their cashbooks and getting the payment on their (beneficiarys) signatures. Pandya, who has inspired many voluntary organisations, says: A way to make this system totally fool-proof is enacting a strong anti-corruption law to punish manipulators. The second step is introducing biometric systems at points of actual delivery. Clearly, DBT and geo-tagging could be vote clinchers for the BJP and could propel the party to power. Also read: Shalini Yadav: 'PM Modi should lose in Varanasi. It's overflowing with garbage, people don't even have drinking water' Allianz SE, together with its subsidiaries, provides property-casualty insurance, life/health insurance, and asset management products and services worldwide. The company's Property-Casualty segment offers various insurance products, including motor liability and own damage, accident, general liability, fire and property, legal expense, credit, and travel to private and corporate customers. Its Life/Health segment provides a range of life and health insurance products on an individual and a group basis, such as annuities, endowment and term insurance, and unit-linked and investment-oriented products, as well as private and supplemental health, and long-term care insurance products. The company's Asset Management segment offers institutional and retail asset management products and services to third-party investors comprising equity and fixed income funds, and multi-assets; and alternative investment products comprising infrastructure debt/equity, real assets, liquid alternatives, and solutions. Its Corporate and Other segment provides banking services for retail clients, as well as digital investment management services. Allianz SE was founded in 1890 and is headquartered in Munich, Germany. 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. In the original call in Wadsworth on Nov. 2, 2018, a woman reported a burglary in progress and Lake County authorities arrived in time to witness a man steal a car that was warming up in a nearby driveway. He tried to drive away but crashed into a tree, Covelli said, which is when the deputies and Dax approached the man, later identified as a 23-year-old with an active warrant for escape. The following companies are subsidiares of Masco: A&J Gummers, Airex 3 LLC, Arrow Fastener, BEHR PAINTS IT! INC., BSI Holdings, Behr (Beijing) Paint Company Limited, Behr Paint (Beijing) Commercial Co. Ltd., Behr Process, Behr Process Canada Ltd., Behr Process Corporation, Behr Process Paints (India) Private Limited, Behr Sales LLC, BrassCraft Manufacturing Company, Brasstech Inc., Bristan, Bristan Group Limited, Cambrian Windows, ColorAxis Inc., Davenport Insulation Group, Delta Faucet (China) Co. Ltd., Delta Faucet Company, Delta Faucet Company India Private Limited, Delta Faucet Company Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Delta Faucet Company of Tennessee, Diversified Cabinet Distributors Inc., Duraflex, Duraflex Limited, Erickson Framing, Glass Idromassaggio, Guy Evans Inc., Hans Grohe Pte. Ltd., Hansgrohe, Hansgrohe A.B., Hansgrohe A/S, Hansgrohe AG, Hansgrohe Armature Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Hansgrohe B.V., Hansgrohe Brasil Metals Santitarios Ltda., Hansgrohe CS s.r.o., Hansgrohe Deutschland Vertriebs GmbH, Hansgrohe Handelsges.mbH, Hansgrohe Inc., Hansgrohe India Private Ltd., Hansgrohe International GmbH, Hansgrohe Japan K.K, Hansgrohe Kft., Hansgrohe Ltd., Hansgrohe N.V., Hansgrohe Pty Ltd, Hansgrohe S. de R. L. de C. V., Hansgrohe S. a r.l., Hansgrohe S.A., Hansgrohe S.A.U., Hansgrohe SA (Pty) Ltd., Hansgrohe SE, Hansgrohe Sanitary Products (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Hansgrohe Sanitary Products W.L.L., Hansgrohe Sp. z.o.o., Hansgrohe Wasselonne S.A., Hansgrohe d.o.o., Hansgrohe ooo, Hansgrohe s.r.l., Hot Spring Spa Australasia Pty Ltd, Hot Spring Spas New Zealand Limited, Huppe B.V., Huppe Belgium S.A., Huppe GmbH, Huppe Insaat Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S., Huppe S. a r.l., Huppe S.L., Huppe Spolka z.o.o., Huppe s.r.o., IDI Group inc, Inrecon, Jet Acquisition LLC, Kichler Lighting LLC, L.D. Kichler Lighting Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Landex of Wisconsin Inc., Liberty Hardware Asia Co. Ltd., Liberty Hardware Mfg. Corp., Liberty Hardware Retail & Design Services LLC, Masco Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Masco Building Products Corp., Masco Cabinetry Hong Kong Limited, Masco Canada Limited, Masco Capital Corporation, Masco Chile Limitada, Masco Corporation Limited, Masco Corporation of Indiana, Masco Europe Inc., Masco Europe S. a r.l., Masco Europe SCS, Masco Framing Corp., Masco Germany Holding GmbH, Masco HD Support Services LLC, Masco Home Products Private Limited, Masco Home Products S.a r.l., Masco Retail Sales Support Inc., Masco Singapore Pte. Ltd., Masco WM Support Services LLC, Mascomex S.A. de C.V., Masterchem Industries, Masterchem Industries LLC, Mercury Plastics LLC, Milgard Manufacturing, Mill's Pride, Mirolin Industries Corp., My Service Center Inc., NCFII Holdings Inc., Newport Brass, Oz Acquisition LLC, Peerless Sales Corporation, SCE Unlimited, Service Partners, Shanghai Hansgrohe International Trading Co. Ltd., SmarTap, SmarTap A.Y. Ltd., Tapicerias Pacifico SA de CV, Tempered Products Inc., Texwood Industries, The Faucet-Queens, The GMU Group, The L.D. Kichler Co., Tvilum, Vapor Technologies Inc., Vapor Technologies Shenzhen Co. Ltd., Watkins Distribution UK Limited, Watkins Europe BVBA, Watkins Manufacturing Corporation, and Wellness Marketing Corporation. Novan, Inc., a clinical development-stage biotechnology company, provides nitric oxide-based therapies to treat dermatological and oncovirus-mediated diseases. Its clinical stage dermatology drug candidates include SB204, a topical monotherapy for the treatment of acne vulgaris; SB206, a topical anti-viral gel for the treatment of viral skin infections; SB208, a topical broad-spectrum anti-fungal gel for the treatment of fungal infections of the skin and nails, including athlete's foot and fungal nail infections; and SB414, a topical cream-based gel product candidate for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. The company also develops SB207, an anti-viral product candidate for the treatment of external genital warts; WH602, a nitric oxide-containing intravaginal gel to treat high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV); WH504, a non-gel formulation product candidate to treat high-risk HPV; and SB019 for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Novan, Inc. has a license agreement with Sato Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; and a strategic alliance with Orion Corporation. The company was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina. Read More Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides investment management and advisory, investment product underwriting and distribution, and shareholder services administration to mutual funds, and institutional and separately managed accounts in the United States. The company acts as an investment adviser for institutional and other private investors, and provides sub advisory services to other investment companies; and underwrites and distributes registered open-end mutual fund portfolios. It also offers fee-based asset allocation investment advisory products to advisors channel customers; distributes business partners' variable annuity products, and retirement and life insurance products to advisors channel customers; and sells life insurance and disability products underwritten by various carriers. The company distributes investment products through its wholesale channel comprising other broker/dealers, various retirement platforms, and registered investment advisors, as well as through independent financial advisors; and markets investment advisory services to institutional investors directly or through consultants. Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. was founded in 1937 and is based in Overland Park, Kansas. Read More Vitamin Shoppe, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a omni-channel specialty retailer and contract manufacturer of nutritional products in the United States and internationally. It operates in two segments, Retail and Manufacturing. The company provides custom manufacturing and private labeling services for vitamin, mineral, and supplement products, as well as develops and markets own branded products. It offers vitamins, minerals, herbs, specialty supplements, sports nutrition products, and other health and wellness products of approximately 900 brands, such as own brands comprising The Vitamin Shoppe, BodyTech, True Athlete, Mytrition, plnt, ProBioCare, Next Step, and Betancourt Nutrition; and national brands, including Optimum Nutrition, Cellucor, Garden of Life, Quest Nutrition, Solaray, Solgar, Megafood, and Nature's Way. The company sells its products through Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements retail stores, as well as through its vitaminshoppe.com Website. As of November 7, 2018, it operated 775 company-operated retail stores under the Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements retail banners. It also operates franchise stores. The company was formerly known as VS Holdings, Inc. and changed its name to Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. in November 2009. Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Secaucus, New Jersey. Read More Acacia Mining plc, together with its subsidiaries, mines, processes, and sells gold in Africa. The company has three gold mines in north-west Tanzania, including Bulyanhulu, Buzwagi, and North Mara; and a portfolio of exploration projects at various stages of development in Tanzania, Kenya, Burkina Faso, and Mali. It also produces co-products, such as copper and silver. The company was formerly known as African Barrick Gold plc and changed its name to Acacia Mining plc in November 2014. The company was incorporated in 2010 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Acacia Mining plc is a subsidiary of Barrick Gold Corporation. Read More I think my whole school knows that I have terrorist tendencies, which is not good at all, Daoud wrote in August 2012 to one undercover FBI analyst who was posing as an Islamic man living in Saudi Arabia. Right now Im supposed to be ... marking a new identify as a peaceful Muslim. So I have to stop talking so much about it, or at least in school. Otherwise I might get reported. The Boeing Co. is an aerospace company, which engages in the manufacture of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. It operates through the following segments: Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space and Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital. The Commercial Airplanes segment includes the development, production, and market of commercial jet aircraft and provides fleet support services, principally to the commercial airline industry worldwide. The Defense, Space and Security segment refers to the research, development, production and modification of manned and unmanned military aircraft and weapons systems for global strike, including fighter and combat rotorcraft aircraft and missile systems; global mobility, including tanker, rotorcraft and tilt-rotor aircraft; and airborne surveillance and reconnaissance, including command and control, battle management and airborne anti-submarine aircraft. The Global Services segment provides services to commercial and defense customers. The Boeing Capital segment seeks to ensure that Boeing customers have the financing they need to buy and take delivery of their Boeing product and manages overall financing exposure. T Read More Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells petrochemical products in the People's Republic of China. It operates through five segments: Synthetic Fibers, Resins and Plastics, Intermediate Petrochemicals, Petroleum Products, and Trading of Petrochemical Products. The Synthetic Fibers segment produces polyesters, acrylic fibers, and carbon fibers that are primarily used in the textile and apparel industries. The Resins and Plastics segment produces polyester chips that are used to produce polyester fibers, coating, and containers; polyethylene resins and plastics, which are used to produce insulated cables and mulching films, as well as molded products, such as housewares and toys; and polypropylene resins that are used for films and sheets, as well as molded products, such as housewares, toys, consumer electronics, and automobile parts; and PVA granules. The Intermediate Petrochemicals segment produces p-xylene, benzene, and ethylene oxide, which are used as raw materials in the production of other petrochemicals, resins, plastics, and synthetic fibers. The Petroleum Products segment operates crude oil refinery facilities used to produce refined gasoline, fuel, diesel oil, heavy oil, and liquefied petroleum gas. The Trading of Petrochemical Products segment is involved in the import and export of petrochemical products. The company was founded in 1972 and is based in Shanghai, the People's Republic of China. Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Company Limited is a subsidiary of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation. Read More SunTrust Banks, Inc. operates as the holding company for SunTrust Bank that provides various financial services for consumers, businesses, corporations, institutions, and not-for-profit entities in the United States. It operates in two segments, Consumer and Wholesale. The Consumer segment provides deposits and payments; home equity and personal credit lines; auto, student, and other lending products; credit cards; discount/online and full-service brokerage products; professional investment advisory products and services; and trust services, as well as family office solutions. This segment also offers residential mortgage products in the secondary market. The Wholesale segment provides capital markets solutions, including advisory, capital raising, and financial risk management; asset-based financing solutions, such as securitizations, asset-based lending, equipment financing, and structured real estate arrangements; cash management services and auto dealer financing solutions; investment banking solutions; and credit and deposit, fee-based product offering, multi-family agency lending, advisory, commercial mortgage brokerage, and tailored financing and equity investment solutions. This segment also offers treasury and payment solutions, such as operating various electronic and paper payment types, which comprise card, wire transfer, automated clearing house, check, and cash; and provides services clients to manage their accounts online. The company offers its products and services through a network of traditional and in-store branches, automated teller machines, Internet, mobile, and telephone banking channels. As of December 31, 2018, it operated 1,218 full-service banking offices located in Florida, Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, South Carolina, and the District of Columbia. SunTrust Banks, Inc. was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Read More 10 minutes ago What Should You Invest in During the New Year? Investing Strategies for 2022 Going into the new year, you may wonder what you should invest in: artificial intelligence, cyclical stocks, health care? A combination of these or something else entirely? It's a great question. Read Article You never see Deserie without seeing her kids, she said. Even when she had clients and she had to do their hair, shed take her kids right with her. She didnt let anyone else watch her kids. Koninklijke Philips N.V. is the Netherlands-based health technology company. The Company's segments include Personal Health businesses, Diagnosis & Treatment businesses, Connected Care & Health Informatics businesses, HealthTech Other and Legacy Items. The Personal Health businesses segment is engaged in the health continuum, delivering integrated, connected solutions that support healthier lifestyles and those living with chronic disease. The Diagnosis & Treatment businesses segment delivers precision medicine and treatment, and therapy. The Connected Care & Health Informatics businesses segment provides consumers, care givers and clinicians with digital solutions that facilitate care by enabling precision medicine and population health management. The HealthTech Other segment comprises such items, as innovation, emerging businesses, royalties, among others. The Legacy Items segment consists mainly of separation costs, legacy legal items, legacy pension costs, among others. Read More There is not enough analysis data for Just Eat. 5.0 Community Rank Outperform Votes Just Eat has received 946 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Just Eat has received 249 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Just Eat has received 79.16% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Just Eat and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe JE will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe JE will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next Tate was also once convicted in 2002 murder case and sentenced to 50 years in prison, records show, only to have that conviction reversed on appeal. But he later pleaded guilty to various charges related to the case and was re-sentenced to more than 20 years in prison, records show. But at sentencing, a judge gave him credit for more than 15 years of time he served behind bars after his initial conviction. Kibo Energy PLC, together with its subsidiaries, explores for and develops energy projects in Sub Saharan Africa and the United Kingdom. The company holds a 100% interest in the Mbeya Coal to Power project located in Songwe Regio, Tanzania. It also holds an 85% interest in the Mabesekwa Coal Independent Power Project located in Botswana; and 65% interest in the Benga Power Plant Project located in the Tete province of Mozambique. In addition, the company owns a 100% interest in the Bordersley power plant located near Birmingham. Further, it engages in power generation and treasury businesses. Kibo Energy PLC has a collaboration agreement with ESS Tech Inc. to develop energy storage solutions. The company was formerly known as Kibo Mining Plc and changed its name to Kibo Energy PLC in July 2018. Kibo Energy PLC was founded in 2008 and is based in Galway, Ireland. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Moody's: Administracion de Calificadoras S.A. de C.V., BlackBox Logic, Bureau van Dijk EP DMCC, Bureau van Dijk Editions Electroniques S.A.S., Bureau van Dijk Editions Electroniques SRL, Bureau van Dijk Editions Electroniques Sarl, Bureau van Dijk Edizioni Elettroniche S.p.a, Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing AB, Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing ApS, Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing B.V., Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing Beijing Co. Ltd., Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing GmbH, Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing Hong Kong Limited, Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing Inc., Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing K.K., Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing LLC, Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing Ltd., Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing Pte. Ltd., Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing Pty. Ltd., Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing S.A. de C.V., Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing Unipessoal Lda., Bureau van Dijk Electroniq Publishing S.A. (Pty) Ltd, Bureau van Dijk Publicaciones Electronicas S.A., Bureau van Dijk Publicacao Eletronica Ltda., DVBS Inc., Equilibrium (Chile) Holding SpA, Ethical Investment Research Services (EIRIS) Limited, Fermat International SA, Four Twenty Seven, Four Twenty Seven France SAS, Four Twenty Seven Inc., GGYAXIS Inc., Gilliland Gold Young Consulting Inc., ICRA Lanka Limited, ICRA Limited, ICRA Nepal Limited, ICRA Online Limited, KIS Pricing Inc., Korea Investors Service, Korea Investors Service Inc., Lewtan Technologies Inc., MIS Asset Holdings Inc., MIS Quality Management Corp., MIS Support Center Private Limited, MIS Support Services CR Sociedad de Responsabilidad Ltda., Midroog Ltd., Moody's (China) Limited, Moody's (Japan) K.K., Moody's (UK) Limited, Moody's America Latina Ltda., Moody's Analytics (DIFC) Limited, Moody's Analytics (India) Private Limited, Moody's Analytics (Malaysia) Sdn.Bhd., Moody's Analytics (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Moody's Analytics Australia Pty. Ltd., Moody's Analytics Canada Inc., Moody's Analytics Czech Republic s.r.o., Moody's Analytics Deutschland GmbH, Moody's Analytics Global Education (Canada) Inc., Moody's Analytics Holdings (UK) Limited, Moody's Analytics Hong Kong Ltd., Moody's Analytics International Licensing Gmbh, Moody's Analytics Ireland Limited, Moody's Analytics Japan K.K., Moody's Analytics Knowledge Services (Jersey) Limited, Moody's Analytics Knowledge Services (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Moody's Analytics Knowledge Services Holdings (Mauritius) Limited, Moody's Analytics Knowledge Services Research (Mauritius) Limited, Moody's Analytics Korea Co. Ltd, Moody's Analytics SAS, Moody's Analytics Singapore Pte Ltd., Moody's Analytics Technical Services (Hong Kong) Ltd., Moody's Analytics Technical Services (UK) Limited, Moody's Analytics UK Limited, Moody's Analytics do Brazil Solucoes para Gerenciamento de Risco de Credito Ltda, Moody's Asia Pacific Limited, Moody's Asia-Pacific Group (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Moody's Canada Inc., Moody's Canada LP, Moody's China (B.V.I.) Limited, Moody's Company Holdings (BVI) I Limited, Moody's Company Hong Kong Limited, Moody's Credit Ratings (China) Limited, Moody's Deutschland GmbH, Moody's EMEA Financing (Cyprus) Limited, Moody's EMEA Holdings Limited, Moody's Eastern Europe LLC, Moody's Equilibrium I (BVI) Holding Corporation, Moody's Equilibrium II (BVI) Holding Corporation, Moody's Finance (BVI) Limited, Moody's Financing (BVI) Limited, Moody's Financing (Cyprus) Limited, Moody's France SAS, Moody's Group (BVI) Limited, Moody's Group (Holdings) Unlimited, Moody's Group Australia Pty Ltd, Moody's Group Cyprus Limited, Moody's Group Deutschland GmbH, Moody's Group Finance Limited, Moody's Group France SAS, Moody's Group Holdings (BVI) Limited, Moody's Group Japan G.K., Moody's Group NL B.V., Moody's Group UK Limited, Moody's Holdings (B.V.I.) Limited, Moody's Holdings Limited, Moody's Holdings NL B.V., Moody's Indonesia (B.V.I) Limited, Moody's Information Consulting (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Moody's International (UK) Limited, Moody's International Holdings (Cyprus) Limited, Moody's Investment Company India Private Limited, Moody's Investors Service (BVI) Limited, Moody's Investors Service (Beijing) Ltd., Moody's Investors Service (Korea) Inc., Moody's Investors Service (Nordics) AB, Moody's Investors Service Cyprus Limited, Moody's Investors Service EMEA Limited, Moody's Investors Service Espana S.A., Moody's Investors Service Hong Kong Limited, Moody's Investors Service India Private Limited, Moody's Investors Service Limited, Moody's Investors Service Middle East Limited, Moody's Investors Service Pty Limited, Moody's Investors Service Singapore Pte. Ltd., Moody's Investors Service South Africa (Pty) Limited, Moody's Israel Holdings Inc., Moody's Italia S.r.l., Moody's Latin America Agente de Calificacion de Riesgo S.A., Moody's Latin America Holding Corp., Moody's Lithuania UAB, Moody's Local PA Calificadora de Riesgo S.A., Moody's Local PE Clasificadora de Riesgo S.A, Moody's Mauritius Holdings Limited, Moody's Risk Assessments Limited, Moody's SF Japan K.K., Moody's Shared Services India Private Limited, Moody's Shared Services UK Limited, Moody's Singapore Pte Ltd, Moody's South Africa (B.V.I.) Ltd., Moody's de Mexico S.A. de C.V. I.C.V, Moodys Advisors Inc., Moodys Analytics Inc., Moodys Analytics Knowledge Services Solutions (US) Inc., Moodys Analytics Solutions LLC, Moodys Assurance Company Inc., Moodys Assureco Inc., Moodys Capital Markets Research Inc., Moodys Group Holdings Inc., Moodys Holdings LLC, Moodys International LLC, Moodys Investors Service Inc., Moodys Overseas Holdings Inc., Moodys Risk Assessments Holdings LLC, Moodys Risk Assessments Inc., Moodys Shared Services Inc., Nile 1 Limited, Nile 2 Limited, Nile 3 Limited, Nile 4 Limited, Nile 5 Limited, Omega Performance, Omega Performance Corp./S.C.C. A Rendement Omega, Omega Performance Corporation, Omega Performance Corporation Pty. Limited, Omega Performance NZ Limited, Omega Performance Pte. Ltd., PT ICRA Indonesia, Pragati Development Consulting Services Limited, RBA International, Reis, Reis Inc., Reis Services LLC, Risk First (Holdings) Limited, Risk First (IP) Limited, Risk First Enterprise Limited, Risk First Group Limited, Risk First Inc., Risk First Limited, Risk First Management Services Limited, Skyval Holdings LLP, Skyval Limited, The Moodys Foundation, Vigeo, Vigeo Belgium NV, Vigeo Eiris, Vigeo Eiris Canada Inc., Vigeo Eiris Chile SpA, Vigeo Eiris Hong Kong Limited, Vigeo Eiris USA LLC, Vigeo Group, Vigeo Italia S.r.l, Yellow Maple Holding B.V., Yellow Maple I B.V., Yellow Maple II B.V., and Zephus Ltd.. Morguard North American Residential Real Estate Investment Trust (the Trust) is a real estate investment trust (REIT). The Trust's investment objectives are to generate stable and growing cash distributions on a tax-efficient basis; enhance the value of the REIT's assets and maximize long-term Unit value through active asset and property management, and expand the asset base of the REIT and increase adjusted funds from operations per Unit primarily through acquisitions and improvement of its properties through targeted deployed capital expenditures. The Trust owns multi-suite residential rental properties in Canada and the United States. The Trust owns interest in a portfolio of over 10 Canadian residential apartment buildings and approximately 30 residential walk-up garden communities in the United States, consisting of over 13,470 residential suites that are located in Alberta, Ontario, Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and North Carolina. Read More I have reached out and congratulated Rossana and her team: they ran a hell of a race, Mell said. I wish her the very best as she moves into the position. I will do what I can to ensure a cooperative transition, and my office will provide any assistance she might need to hit the ground running. Oil States International, Inc. engages in the provision of specialty products and services to drilling, completion, subsea, production, and infrastructure sectors of the oil and gas industry. It operates through the following segments: Well Site Services, Downhole Technologies and Offshore or Manufactured Products. The Well Site Services segment consists of completion and drilling services such equipment and services that are used to drill for, establish, and maintain the flow of oil and natural gas from a well throughout its life cycle focuses on completion-focused equipment and services as well as land drilling services. The Downhole Technologies segment provides oil and gas perforation systems and downhole tools in support of completion, intervention, wireline and abandonment operations. The Offshore or Manufactured Products segment designs, manufactures, and markets capital equipment utilized on floating production systems, subsea pipeline infrastructure, and offshore drilling rigs and vessels, along with short-cycle and other products. The company was founded in July 1995 and is headquartered in Houston, TX. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Procter & Gamble: "Procter & Gamble Services" LLC, "Procter & Gamble" LLC, Agile Pursuits, Agile Pursuits Franchising, Arbora, Arbora & Ausonia, Arborinvest, Billie, Braun (Shanghai) Co., Braun GmbH, Braun-Gillette Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG, Celtic Insurance Company, Compania Procter & Gamble Mexico, Compania Quimica S.A., Corporativo Procter & Gamble, Cosmetic Products Pty. Ltd., Detergent Products B.V., Detergent Products SARL, Detergenti S.A., Eurocos Cosmetic GmbH, FPG Oleochemicals Sdn. Bhd., Fameccanica Data S.p.A., Fameccanica Industria e Comercio Do Brasil LTDA., Fameccanica Machinery (Shanghai) Co., Fater S.p.A., Fountain Square Music Publishing Co., Gillette (China) Ltd., Gillette (Shanghai) Ltd., Gillette Aesop Ltd., Gillette Australia Pty. Ltd., Gillette Canada Holdings, Gillette Commercial Operations North America, Gillette Diversified Operations Pvt. Ltd., Gillette Egypt S.A.E., Gillette Group UK Ltd, Gillette Gruppe Deutschland GmbH & Co. oHG, Gillette Holding Company LLC, Gillette Holding GmbH, Gillette India Limited, Gillette Industries Ltd., Gillette International B.V., Gillette Latin America Holding B.V., Gillette Management LLC, Gillette Nova Scotia Company, Gillette Pakistan Limited, Gillette Poland International Sp. z.o.o., Gillette Poland S.A., Gillette U.K. Limited, Gillette del Uruguay, Giorgio Beverly Hills Inc., Hyginett KFT, Industries Marocaines Modernes SA, LLC "Procter & Gamble Novomoskovsk", LLL "Procter & Gamble Distributorskaya Compania", Laboratorios Vicks, Liberty Street Music Publishing Company, Limited Liability Company 'Procter & Gamble Trading Ukraine', Limited Liability Company with foreign investments Procter & and Gamble Ukraine, MDVIP, MERCK KGAA NPV, Marcvenca Inversiones, Modern Industries Company - Dammam, Modern Products Company - Jeddah, New Chapter, New Chapter Canada Inc., Olay LLC, Oral-B Laboratories, P&G Distribution Morocco SAS, P&G Hair Care Holding, P&G Industrial Peru S.R.L., P&G Innovation Godo Kaisha, P&G Israel M.D.O. Ltd., P&G K.K., P&G Northeast Asia Pte. Ltd., P&G Prestige Godo Kaisha, P&G Prestige Service GmbH, P&G South African Trading (Pty.) Ltd., PGT Health Care (Zhejiang) Limited, PGT Healthcare LLP, PPI ZAO, PT Procter & Gamble Home Products Indonesia, PT Procter & Gamble Operations Indonesia, Phase II Holdings Corporation, Procter & Gamble (Chengdu) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Sales Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (East Africa) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Egypt) Manufacturing Company, Procter & Gamble (Enterprise Fund) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Consumer Products Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Enterprise Management Service Company Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Health & Beauty Care) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Jiangsu) Ltd. China, Procter & Gamble (L&CP) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Procter & Gamble (Manufacturing) Ireland Limited, Procter & Gamble (Shanghai) International Trade Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Acquisition GmbH, Procter & Gamble Administration GmbH, Procter & Gamble Algeria EURL, Procter & Gamble Amazon Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Amiens S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Argentina SRL, Procter & Gamble Asia Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Australia Proprietary Limited, Procter & Gamble Azerbaijan Services LLC, Procter & Gamble Bangladesh Private Ltd., Procter & Gamble Blois S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Brazil Holdings B.V., Procter & Gamble Bulgaria EOOD, Procter & Gamble Business Services Canada Company, Procter & Gamble Canada Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Chile , Procter & Gamble Chile Limitada, Procter & Gamble Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Commercial LLC, Procter & Gamble Commercial de Cuba S.A., Procter & Gamble Czech Republic s.r.o., Procter & Gamble DS Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Danmark ApS, Procter & Gamble Detergent (Beijing) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Deuttschland GmbH, Procter & Gamble Distributing (Philippines) Inc., Procter & Gamble Distributing New Zealand Limited, Procter & Gamble Distribution Company (Europe) BVBA, Procter & Gamble Distribution S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Eastern Europe, Procter & Gamble Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Procter & Gamble Egypt, Procter & Gamble Egypt Distribution, Procter & Gamble Egypt Holding, Procter & Gamble Egypt Supplies, Procter & Gamble Energy Company LLC, Procter & Gamble Espana, Procter & Gamble Europe SA, Procter & Gamble Export Operations SARL, Procter & Gamble Exportadora e Importadora Ltda., Procter & Gamble Exports, Procter & Gamble Fabricacao e Comercio Ltda., Procter & Gamble Far East, Procter & Gamble Finance (U.K.) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Holding Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Management S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Financial Investments LLP, Procter & Gamble Financial Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Financial Services S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Finland OY, Procter & Gamble France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH, Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH & Co. Operations oHG, Procter & Gamble GmbH, Procter & Gamble Grundstucks-und Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, Procter & Gamble Gulf FZE, Procter & Gamble Hair Care, Procter & Gamble Hellas Ltd., Procter & Gamble Holding (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Holding France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Holding GmbH, Procter & Gamble Holding S.r.l., Procter & Gamble Holdings (UK) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Home Products Private Limited, Procter & Gamble Hong Kong Limited, Procter & Gamble Hungary Wholesale Trading Partnership (KKT), Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care Limited, Procter & Gamble Inc., Procter & Gamble India Holdings, Procter & Gamble Indochina Limited Company, Procter & Gamble Industrial - 2012 C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Industrial S.C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Costa Rica, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Guatemala, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Panama, Procter & Gamble International Operations Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble International Operations SA, Procter & Gamble International Operations SA-ROHQ, Procter & Gamble International S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Investment Company (UK) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Investment GmbH, Procter & Gamble Italia, Procter & Gamble Japan K.K., Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan Distribution LLP, Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan LLP, Procter & Gamble Korea, Procter & Gamble Korea S&D Co., Procter & Gamble Lanka Private Ltd. Sri Lanka, Procter & Gamble Leasing LLC, Procter & Gamble Levant S.A.L., Procter & Gamble Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Belgium N.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Berlin GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing SA (Pty) Ltd, Procter & Gamble Marketing Romania SRL, Procter & Gamble Marketing and Services doo, Procter & Gamble Maroc SA, Procter & Gamble Mataro, Procter & Gamble Mexico Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Mexico Inc., Procter & Gamble Middle East FZE, Procter & Gamble Nederland B.V., Procter & Gamble Netherlands Investments B.V., Procter & Gamble Netherlands Services B.V., Procter & Gamble Nigeria Limited, Procter & Gamble Nordic, Procter & Gamble Norge AS, Procter & Gamble Operations Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Overseas India B.V., Procter & Gamble Overseas Ltd., Procter & Gamble Pakistan (Private) Limited, Procter & Gamble Partnership LLP, Procter & Gamble Peru S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals France SAS, Procter & Gamble Philippines, Procter & Gamble Polska Sp. z o.o, Procter & Gamble Portugal - Produtos De Consumo, Procter & Gamble Product Supply (U.K.) Limited U.K., Procter & Gamble Production GmbH, Procter & Gamble Productions, Procter & Gamble Productos de Consumo, Procter & Gamble RHD, Procter & Gamble RSC Regional Service Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Retail Services BVBA, Procter & Gamble S.r.l., Procter & Gamble SA (Pty) Ltd, Procter & Gamble Satis ve Dagitim Ltd. Sti., Procter & Gamble Seine S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Service GmbH, Procter & Gamble Services (Switzerland) SA, Procter & Gamble Services Company N.V., Procter & Gamble Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Share Incentive Plan Trustee Ltd., Procter & Gamble South America Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Spol. s.r.o. (Ltd.), Procter & Gamble Sports and Social Club Ltd., Procter & Gamble Sverige AB, Procter & Gamble Switzerland SARL, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Limited, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Sales Company Limited, Procter & Gamble Technical Centres Limited, Procter & Gamble Technology (Beijing) Co., Procter & Gamble Trading (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Tuketim Mallari Sanayii A.S., Procter & Gamble UK, Procter & Gamble UK Group Holdings Ltd, Procter & Gamble UK Parent Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Universal Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Verwaltungs GmbH, Procter & Gamble Vietnam, Procter & Gamble d.o.o. za trgovinu, Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.C.A., Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.R.L., Procter & Gamble do Brasil S/A, Procter & Gamble do Brazil, Procter & Gamble do Nordeste S/A, Procter & Gamble-Rakona s.r.o., Progam Realty & Development Corporation, Redmond Products, Richardson-Vicks Real Estate Inc., Richardson-Vicks do Brasil Quimica e Farmaceutica Ltda, Riverfront Music Publishing Co., Rosemount LLC, SPD Development Company Limited, SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH, Scannon S.A.S., Series Acquisition B.V., Shulton, Surfac S.R.L., Sycamore Productions, TAOS - FL, TAOS Retail, Tambrands Inc., Temple Trees Impex & Investment Private Limited, The Art of Shaving - FL, The Dover Wipes Company, The Gillette Company, The Gillette Company LLC, The Gillette co., The Procter & Gamble Distributing LLC, The Procter & Gamble GBS Company, The Procter & Gamble Global Finance Company, The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company, The Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company, The Procter & Gamble U.S. Business Services Company, This is L., US CD LLC, Vidal Sassoon (Shanghai) Academy, Vidal Sassoon Co., WEBA Betriebsrenten-Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Walker & Company Brands, and iMFLUX Inc.. Greene King plc operates as a pub retailer and brewer in the United Kingdom. The company operates through three segments: Pub Company, Pub Partners, and Brewing & Brands. Its brands include Greene King Local Pubs, Hungry Horse, Flaming Grill, Farmhouse Inns, and Chef & Brewer. The company is also involved in brewing, marketing, and selling beer under the Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen, Abbot Ale, and Belhaven Best brands. In addition, Greene King plc engages in the employment, financing, pension trustee, and property businesses. As of April 30, 2018, it operated 2,855 managed, tenanted, leased, and franchised pubs, restaurants, and hotels. Greene King plc was founded in 1799 and is headquartered in Bury St Edmunds, the United Kingdom. Read More TC Energy Corporation operates as an energy infrastructure company in North America. It operates through Canadian Natural Gas Pipelines, U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines, Mexico Natural Gas Pipelines, Liquids Pipelines, and Power and Storage segments. The company builds and operates 93,400 km network of natural gas pipelines, which transports natural gas from supply basins to local distribution companies, power generation plants, industrial facilities, interconnecting pipelines, LNG export terminals, and other businesses. It also has regulated natural gas storage facilities with a total working gas capacity of 535 billion cubic feet. In addition, it has approximately 4,900 km liquids pipeline system that connects Alberta crude oil supplies to refining markets in Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, and the U.S. Gulf Coast. Further, the company owns or has interests in seven power generation facilities with a combined capacity of approximately 4,200 megawatts that are powered by natural gas and nuclear fuel sources located in Alberta, Ontario, QuAbec, and New Brunswick; and owns and operates approximately 118 billion cubic feet of non-regulated natural gas storage capacity in Alberta. The company was formerly known as TransCanada Corporation and changed its name to TC Energy Corporation in May 2019. TC Energy Corporation was incorporated in 1951 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More The U.S. attorney's office said Stenger sought to "secretly use his official position to enrich himself through soliciting and accepting campaign contributions from individuals and their companies in exchange for favorable official action, and for individuals and their companies to enrich themselves and their companies by secretly obtaining favorable action for themselves and for their companies, through corrupt means." In Northbrook, a man coughs and coughs from his chronic bacterial infection. He cannot afford the $950 co-pay for the inhaled antibiotic he needs. This same antibiotic, Tobramycin, sits unused in a Bolingbrook womans fridge. She received monthly deliveries for her chronic infection but recovered before opening the latest box of her medication. Because she no longer needs it, she will need to destroy the antibiotic. Even though both are patients at the same clinic, in Illinois there is no legal way to get that essential antibiotic from the patient who no longer needs it to the one who desperately does. Since the first kidney transplant in 1954, organ transplantation has evolved to become an integral part of standard medical care. Thousands of transplants are performed in the U.S. each year to treat a variety of conditions, from heart and kidney failure to lung disease. However, despite advances in recent decades that have made transplant a potentially life-saving option for more patients, there is one significant hurdle still to overcome: the organ shortage. The supply of organs continues to be far less than the demand. Sadly, almost two dozen eligible patients die each day waiting for the right organs to become available. Donor lungs are particularly hard to come by. Only around 15 percent of lungs donated are actually viable for transplant. This is because, compared to the kidneys or liver, lungs are more difficult to harvest; they are more vulnerable to injury and infection; and they deteriorate rapidly outside of the body, so theres a tight window for transplant. Lungs typically are only viable for six hours after harvesting from the donor. However, new technology is expanding this window and helping maintain or even improve the quality of donated lungs. Advances in organ procurement Atkins work group is focusing on policy, how to define equity and metrics. The division also is working to draft an equity policy. Atkins said the School Board will make that policy, but the committees recommendations could be a component of it. We have to keep in mind that equity is not an event, she said. Charlene Green, manager of Charlottesvilles Office of Human Rights, is a member of the work group on family communication and community engagement. She told School Board members at the April 11 meeting that building trust and relationships with the community will be key to the committees work and sending the message that this time will be different. Green said shes been part of many efforts over the years to address issues relating to equity and diversity. When he finally was returned home, he was jerking violently and howling, and completely unresponsive to [the familys] efforts to comfort him, according to court documents. North Korea says he fell ill from eating pork and spinach, and also had an allergic reaction to sedatives that were administered. Experts at the U.S.-based civil trial against North Korea, in which that country did not participate, testified that Mr. Warmbiers injuries were consistent with torture. The Warmbier family declined an autopsy after he was flown home to die, and so no conclusive cause has been determined. Now it appears that the U.S. was expected to pay North Korea for his care even though the regime was responsible either indirectly or, almost certainly, directly for his death. An emergency medical doctor who made the urgent trip to North Korea in 2017 says that, regardless of what caused Mr. Warmbier to suffer such horrendous damage, he appears to have been treated well by hospital staff. I commend the writer for her letter to the editor of April 19 headlined Trump shouldnt be the issue (The Daily Progress). Her letter was the only instance that I had yet read in public print that did not attempt to distort the meaning of President Trumps comments regarding the Unite the Right rally. I agree that it is ridiculous to think that the president meant that there were fine people in the extreme-right neo-Nazis or extreme-left Antifa. Any objective analysis would make it obvious that the fine people to whom he was referring were the peaceful individuals on either side of the discussion as to whether the statues should be removed. I, like many others, do not support Trumps personal attacks on opponents and his too frequent, coarse and abusive rhetoric. I also do not support the efforts by those who dislike him to distort the intent of his words, in order to display them in the most negative manner. Of immediate concern is how DCFS weighs the risks to children against the departments desire to keep families intact. Smith told lawmakers during a budget hearing Friday that he supports the policy of keeping children with their parents when they can provide a safe, nurturing environment. But he said case workers will be better trained, and the agency will work more closely with the court system, to determine whether kids should be placed with a family member or in foster care. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 29) The Chinese government is keeping its lines open when it comes to ironing out challenges arising from its maritime dispute with the Philippines, Malacanang said Monday. The specifics of the sea row were not discussed during President Rodrigo Dutertes latest visit to Beijing, but his spokesperson Salvador Panelo said China remains open to negotiations. Panelo said the chief executive only mentioned that there have been irritants and challenges arising from the arbitral ruling, which recognized the Philippines' sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea. Ang binanggit ni Presidente (what the President mentioned was), the 'irritants'-- it refers to everything there. From the presence of the ships, from the alleged harassment, lahat 'yun (all of it). The irritants, Panelo told reporters in his media briefing. Both sides repeated their previous position on the matter. And they both agree that whatever irritants, challenges, pag-usapan natin sa (it can be resolved through) negotiation, he added. Duterte and other government officials visited Beijing last week to attend the Belt and Road Forum, where 19 deals were inked between the Philippine and Chinese business delegations. The Palace earlier said the West Philippine Sea issue was discussed during Dutertes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the latter emphasizing that the Philippines remains as an ally of China. READ: Duterte calls for peaceful use of seas Meanwhile, Panelo also dismissed detractors claims that the President displays a soft stance on China. Hindi siya soft, assertive nga siya eh, Panelo said. [Translation: Hes not soft, hes actually assertive.] What is important is the President is very assertive on our principled stand that that territory is ours. Critics of the President have called him out for his cosy relations with Beijing despite China's aggressive behaviour in the disputed South China Sea, where it has built artificial islands, destroyed coral reefs, prevented Filipinos from fishing and where more than 200 Chinese vessels have swarmed around the Philippine-occupied Pag-asa Island. Duterte has also been criticized for setting aside the Philippines' 2016 victory at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in a case Manila filed against China for its actions within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone. And nobody or not enough bodies, or maybe not enough of the right people cares about the bullet that pierced Lori Kaye as she protected her rabbi in California, or the stray one that took out a 14-year-old from Gary, or the one that felled the mom from Chicago and left her boys motherless, or the spray of them that turned a Baltimore cookout into a bloodbath, or the ones that claimed those souls in Tennessee. Former President Jimmy Carter doesn't suffer fools too easily. At 94, he's still calling out America's descent into the madness of perpetual war, something he avoided during his entire 1977-81 presidency. Commenting on how China is catching up and will inevitably pass the U.S. in economic growth and power, Carter lays our decline in stark terms: The U.S. is the most warlike nation in the history of the world. China, he argues correctly, hasn't been at war with anyone since 1979, allowing it to invest trillions in infrastructure and economic growth rather than America with its endless, murderous wars, with more on the horizon in places like Iran and Venezuela. China now has 18,000 miles of high-speed rails; the U.S. has zilch. Carter argues that if we'd have invested just half of the trillions squandered on war in rebuilding America, "We'd have high-speed rails, wed have bridges that arent collapsing, wed have roads that are maintained properly. Our education system would be as good as that of, say, South Korea or Hong Kong. In most child deaths investigated by DCFS, parents or their paramours are the thugs. By the time DCFS starts showing up for well-being checks, the parents know how to game the system. Many of them are addicts. They are conniving. They are manipulative. While plenty of adults failed AJ, no one failed him more than his mother and his father, Andrew Freund Sr. and JoAnn Cunningham, both now facing murder charges. They are accused of beating the child to death and burying his body in a shallow grave days before reporting him missing. Cavanagh first developed his comedy skills as a child. I was the fifth of six children and the way that I got attention was through humor, he said. He further developed his talents at an all-girls Catholic high school where he taught religion and shared some wacky advice. As another year marked 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 staffs 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 step 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 event 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 Showcased at the ongoing 2019 Indonesia International Motor Show. The mid-life refreshed model gets minor changes inside out. India launch expected in the coming months. Should remain mechanically unchanged in India like the Indonesia-spec model. Honda has added some mild refreshments to the BR-V in the guise of a mid-life facelift four years after its global debut. Showcased at the 2019 Indonesia International Motor Show, the updates on the 2019 Honda BR-V are numerous but quite subtle. The Honda BR-V facelift does away with the chrome and brings in blacked out finishing for the slightly updated grille and the newly designed bumper with sharper fog lamp enclosures. The projector headlamps now get LED daytime running lamps. The updated side skirts, new 16-inch machine-finished alloy wheels and sharply redesigned rear bumper complete the aesthetic updates to its exterior. On the inside, the features count remains largely the same on the Indonesia-spec model compared to the BR-V sold in India. The leather seats, door pads and gear knob get red accents and contrast stitching with a new red and black leatherette upholstery. The second row now gets an adjustable headrest for the middle passenger as well. The capacitive touchscreen infotainment unit is now a shade bigger from 7-inches to 8-inches. However, the India-spec model should offer the 7-inch Digipad 2 system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support as seen on the Jazz and Amaze. As youd expect, the engines on offer remain unchanged and the Honda BR-V facelift in Indonesia continues to be powered by a 1.5-litre petrol with a choice of a 6-speed manual and CVT transmission, same as India. Moreover, Honda also offers a similar capacity diesel engine as well on the BR-V in India. Overall, the updated BR-V should remain as is when it is launched here. With the introduction of the mid-life refreshed BR-V in India, we expect Honda to launch the updated model in the country in the coming months. Based on the now discontinued Mobilio, the Honda BR-V competes primarily with the Mahindra Marazzo. Launched last year, the better equipped Mahindra has easily outsold the Honda so far. While the Marazzo retails around 3000 units monthly, the BR-V retails in sub-500 units. The facelift, however, might help it improve its numbers marginally. Disclaimer: This article has not been edited by Deccan Chronicle and is taken from a syndicated feed. Photos: CarDekho. National Aviators Guild (NAG) sought to expedite the binding bid date for the Jet Airways stake to "preserve" enterprise value of the airline. Mumbai: The National Aviator's Guild (NAG), which represents pilots of the grounded carrier Jet Airways, Saturday requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "direct" the airline's lender State Bank of India to release one month's salary of all the employees. In a late evening e-mail to the prime minister, the guild also sought government's directive to "stop de-registration" of the airline's aircraft, which are now being leased by other domestic carriers. "We urge you to direct SBI to release a month's salary to all employees on an urgent and humane basis. We don't want to see a repeat of the human tragedy which unfolded post the Kingfisher Airlines demise," said NAG president Karan Chopra in the e-mail. Thousands of employees of Kingfisher lost over eight months' salary after the airline went bust in October 2012. The guild also sought to expedite the binding bid date for the Jet Airways stake to "preserve" enterprise value of the airline. It also urged the government to ascertain if there was a "premeditated conspiracy" to delay bid declaration or any other "illegal move" was afoot to allow those who have bid as individual entities to team up as a consortium now. On Friday, Jet Airways chief executive Vinay Dube had said there was no commitment on the part of stakeholders on paying salaries. The airline has not paid March salaries to its over 20,000 employees. Jet ceased operations on April 17. The airline suspended operations after the SBI-led consortium of lenders rejected its demand of a Rs 983-crore lifeline to help carry out operations and pay salaries. The palmolein imported from Nepal is of Indonesian and Malaysian origin and soybean oil is of South American origin, routed through Nepal by flouting the 'Rules of Origin' for getting the duty exemption for such imports, SOPA said. (Photo: File) New Delhi: To protect domestic market, industry body SOPA on Monday demanded that the government curb illegal import of refined soybean oil and palmolein from Nepal at zero customs duty under a concession granted to least developed countries in the SAARC region. India meets over 70 per cent of its domestic edible oil demand through imports. The country imports 15-16 million tonne of vegetable oils (edible and non-edible) annually. However, goods exported to India by five least developed SAARC countries are fully exempt from customs duty. In a representation to the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, the Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) said taking advantage of the exemption, the import of palm and soybean oils has started from Nepal at zero duty in "substantial quantities". The industry body expressed concern that the large imports from Nepal are causing loss to the exchequer and also harming the industry and farmers. SOPA also demanded that the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBITC) impose safeguard measures to protect the domestic industry. "We would request you (CBITC) to kindly restrict the imports from Nepal only to those edible oils which are produced there and the 'Rules of Origin' should be strictly enforced for all imports at zero duty," SOPA said in the letter. The palmolein imported from Nepal is of Indonesian and Malaysian origin and soybean oil is of South American origin, routed through Nepal by flouting the 'Rules of Origin' for getting the duty exemption for such imports, it said. Further, Nepal has no production of soybean and has a very small capacity for crushing imported soybean. Nepal does not produce any palm oil, it added. At current tariff value of USD 573 per tonne for refined palmolein, SOPA said the amount of customs duty being evaded is Rs 19,968 per tonne. Similarly, the duty on refined soybean oil is Rs 25,195 per tonne. The loss to the exchequer because of this duty evasion would be huge. Also, the imported soybean oil is being sold Rs 5,000 per tonne cheaper when compared with indigenous soybean oil and this puts the industry at a financial loss which it cannot bear, it added. SOPA also mentioned that the import duty on edible oils was increased by the government to ensure a remunerative price to farmers and encourage them to produce more oilseeds, and consequently reduce the country's import dependency of edible oils. It was even more evident as Officer Marco Gomez, one of the five police officers shot that day, pointed out to a sea of blue in the first five rows of the center section at the Paramount Theatre, and declared that the award he had just been given is not mine, its yours. The realty firm has an outstanding debt of nearly Rs 9,800 crore. New Delhi: As its bid to acquire Jaypee Infratech got rejected by lenders, state-owned NBCC has written to the interim resolution professional (IRP) that the company is interested in taking over Jaypee group firm and its offer should be considered on merit. NBCC, which is also completing some projects of Amrapali group on the Supreme Court's direction, said its offer safeguards the interests of bankers as well as homebuyers. In its meeting on April 26, a committee of creditors (CoC) decided not to consider NBCC's bid as it was subject to approval of various government authorities. NBCC had in the meeting sought some time to take all the necessary approvals. However, the lenders decided to put on vote on April 30 the offer of Suraksha Realty-led consortium and not that of NBCC. In a letter to Jaypee Infratech's IRP Anuj Jain, NBCC has said it is very much interested in acquiring bankruptcy-bound Jaypee Infratech and its resolution plan should be considered on merit. NBCC had informed to the lenders during the meet on April 26 that the company was in process of seeking government approvals and it should be given some time before the voting could be carried out on its plan, the letter said. "NBCC continues to be very interested in the resolution process and accord the interest of the homebuyers, utmost priority," the letter said. NBCC said it entered into the insolvency proceedings of Jaypee Infratech to provide relief to over 20,000 homebuyers. To protect financial creditors interest, NBCC said it has offered Rs 5,000 crore worth land as well as 100 per cent equity of Yamuna Expressway, which is the only cash generating asset with Jaypee Infratech. "We are confident that our proposal will safeguard the interest of the homebuyers and the lenders. Therefore, we request the CoC to consider our proposal on merit," NBCC said in the letter. Meanwhile, business conglomerate Adani Group had also recently expressed interest to bid for Jaypee Infratech. However, lenders are unlikely to seek Adani's offer until this round of insolvency proceedings gets completed. Crisis-hit Jaypee Group's promoters too have made a fresh attempt to retain control over its realty arm Jaypee Infratech by seeking the support of homebuyers for its debt resolution plan under the IBC. Jaypee Group Chairman Manoj Gaur has promised to infuse Rs 2,000 crore to complete apartments over the next four years. The group had submitted a Rs 10,000-crore plan before lenders in April 2018 as well, but the same was not accepted. In 2017, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) admitted the application by an IDBI Bank-led consortium seeking resolution of Jaypee Infratech. Anuj Jain was appointed the IRP to oversee the company's operations and undertake insolvency proceedings. 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's direction. The realty firm has an outstanding debt of nearly Rs 9,800 crore. Jaypee Group's flagship firm Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL) had submitted Rs 750 crore in the registry of the Supreme Court for the refund to buyers and the amount is lying with the NCLT. Jaypee Infratech is a subsidiary of JAL. Trumps remarks triggered a sell-off, putting at least a temporary ceiling on a 40 per cent price rally since the start of the year. The rally had gained momentum in April after Trump tightened sanctions against Iran by ending all exemptions previously granted to that major buyers. London: Oil prices fell on Monday, extending the Friday decline that halted a weeks-long rally, after President Donald Trump demanded that producer club OPEC raise output to soften the impact of US sanctions against Iran. Brent crude futures were down 48 cents, or 0.7 per cent, at $71.67 a barrel by 11:00 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI ) crude futures lost 24 cents, or 0.4 per cent, to $63.06. Both benchmarks fell by about 3 per cent in the previous session. Trump on Friday said that he told the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to lower oil prices. Gasoline prices are coming down. I called up OPEC, I said youve got to bring them down. Youve got to bring them down, Trump told reporters. Spoke to Saudi Arabia and others about increasing oil flow. All are in agreement, the president later tweeted. Trumps remarks triggered a sell-off, putting at least a temporary ceiling on a 40 per cent price rally since the start of the year. The rally had gained momentum in April after Trump tightened sanctions against Iran by ending all exemptions previously granted to that major buyers. US sanctions on Venezuela are also working to tighten global supply as fighting in Libya threatens to curb output there as well. We are dealing with a market that's not actually short of supply but is short due to politically-motivated action, and we know how quickly that can be turned around if necessary, Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen told Reuters. Being a bear in the market is a very lonely place now. Reuters Armed with seven smartphone manufacturing plants across four campuses, Xiaomi, at present, has a combined manufacturing capacity of up to three smartphones per second during operating hours, top company officials said. Kolkata: Xiaomi, Indias number one smartphone brand and number one smart TV brand, is extremely bullish on the growth of smartphone market in India. And in order to tap this fast growing market, the company, on one hand is bringing in newer models with new features and on the other, adding on to its manufacturing capacities. Xiaomi is the leading smartphone brand from the stable of Hongkong Stock Exchange-listed Xiaomi Corp, which initially used to rely on online channels, has been increasingly moving towards offline sales, that is retail sales through physical outlets. Armed with seven smartphone manufacturing plants across four campuses, Xiaomi, at present, has a combined manufacturing capacity of up to three smartphones per second during operating hours, top company officials said. Quite significantly, the company is laying utmost thrust on localization as well. As high as 99 per cent of the smartphones, which are sold in India, are now manufactured in India. More than 20,000 operators are employed across these plants, out of which over 95 per cent are women employees. Nearly 65 per cent of the value of the smartphone is sourced locally, highlighting the company's greater localization commitments, said Raghu Reddy, Head of Category and Online Sales, Xiaomi India, who was here in connection with the roll out of all-new Redmi Y3 and Redmi 7 from the Xiaomi's stable in Kolkata. Redmi Y3 offers a powerful selfie experience through its 32MP camera and the new all rounder Redmi 7, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 serves as a major upgrade to the Redmi smartphone. With these incredible features, both Redmi Y3 and Redmi 7 are a perfect package bringing the best of innovative technology of great quality at a truly honest pricing to our Mi Fans in Kolkata. Adding to our product portfolio, we are also excited to introduce our own UPI payment solution app, Mi Pay. Mi Pay enables millions of our Mi Fans to engage in digital transactions offering innovative digital payment solutions to all consumers," said Reddy. 'Chief negotiators from both the countries will hold the fifth round of negotiations for the agreement in August,' the official said. New Delhi: India and Peru will hold their next round of negotiations for proposed free trade agreement (FTA), aimed at boosting two-way commerce and investments, here in August, an official said. 'Chief negotiators from both the countries will hold the fifth round of negotiations for the agreement in August,' the official said. In an FTA, two trading partners significantly reduce or eliminate duties on most of the goods traded between them besides relaxing norms and rules to promote trade in services and increase bilateral investments. In the fourth round of talks, senior officials of both the sides deliberated upon issues such as customs procedures, trade facilitation, market access for goods and movement of professionals. The fourth round was held between March 11 and 15 this year in Lima, Peru. The main chapters of the agreement include trade in services, movement of professionals, investments, dispute settlement, technical barriers to trade, trade remedies, rules of origin of goods, customs procedures and trade facilitation. With growing uncertainties in its traditional markets, including the US and Europe, India is looking to enhance engagements with other regions such as Africa, South America and Central Asia. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) said Peru holds enormous opportunities for domestic exports. "South America has huge trade potential. The agreement would help boost exports between the two countries," FIEO President Ganesh Kumar Gupta said. Peru ranked third among export destinations for India in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. The bilateral trade between the nations increased to USD 3.13 billion in 2017-18 from USD 1.77 billion in the previous fiscal. Among the top-10 commodities that India exports to Peru are motor vehicles, cars, auto components, tyres, dyes, products of iron and steel, cotton yarn and fabrics. While the imports include bulk minerals and ores, gold, fertilisers, aluminium, coffee, crude oil and zinc. Indian tourism sector is likely to grow at 6.7 per cent per annum to reach Rs 35 lakh crore. New Delhi: The government should take steps such as rationalising GST rate for hotels and incentivising private participation to boost the tourism sector as it holds huge potential to push economic growth and job creation, a report on Monday said. Enlisting the measures, a FICCI-Yes Bank Report titled 'India Inbound Tourism: Unlocking the Opportunities' said that by 2029, the Indian tourism sector is likely to grow at 6.7 per cent per annum to reach Rs 35 lakh crore. Among the 14 measures suggested by the report, the other steps include creation of the National Tourism Authority and Advisory Council, release of tourism competitiveness index, greater coordination at state level and creation of land bank repository. "GST applicable on hotels varies according to the room tariff. Rooms with tariff Rs 2,500-7,500 per night attract a rate of 18 per cent and rooms with tariff of Rs 7,500 and above per night attract a rate of 28 per cent. "This makes the premium/ luxury hotels and resorts in India among the most taxed in the world, higher than cities such as New York, London and Paris," it added. It said higher taxes on hotels make the segment less competitive as compared to other Asian peers. "It is recommended to reduce GST with a ceiling of 18 per cent on hotel rooms to make the segment more competitive," it said. The report said availability of a suitable land parcel is the preliminary step for assessment towards development of a tourism project. Seeking relaxation in visa regime, it suggested that India should work with other member countries of BIMSTEC, SAARC and ASEAN to offer 'Combined Visa. "Such visa will result in conversion of stopovers to short-haul visits and will also add India on itinerary of tourists on long visits to the South Asian region," it said. It also said there is an urgent need to focus towards development of quality accommodation infrastructure across the region to unlock the true potential of the country's northeaster region. Further, the report said the tourism sector generated 26.7 million jobs in 2018 and by 2029, it is expected to provide employment to nearly 53 million people, directly and indirectly. The direct equity investments for a few are limited to unlisted companies, including those owned by their families. New Delhi: Fixed deposits and tax-free bonds seem to be among the most favoured financial investments for the political leaders fighting the Lok Sabha polls, while mutual funds and stocks also adorn the portfolios of many and some even have got shares of long-defunct firms like Kingfisher Airlines. Shares of Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), the countrys most valued company with a market capitalistion of over Rs 8.82 trillion, can be found in the portfolios of several leaders, while stocks and mutual fund units of the firms from younger brother Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group are also a common sight, as per disclosures made in election affidavits of the contestants. However, some top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi have no stock market or mutual fund exposure at all and their financial savings are limited to deposits in banks, tax-free bonds, insurance policies and instruments like National Savings Certificate. The direct equity investments for a few are limited to unlisted companies, including those owned by their families. BJP President Amit Shah has disclosed a long list of listed and unlisted shares in his name and in the name of his spouse. The listed shares in his name, totalling over Rs 17.5 crore, include companies from Aditya Birla Group, Bajaj, L&T, Tata and both Reliance groups, as also several PSUs. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has disclosed equity holding in Young Indian and investments in several mutual funds. The portfolio of his mother and senior party leader Sonia Gandhi includes equity shares of Young Indian and Maruti Technical Services Pvt Ltd and mutual fund units of HDFC, Kotak, Motilal Oswal and Reliance MF. Nationalist Congress Partys Supriya Sule, daughter of veteran leader Sharad Pawar, has got unlisted shares worth over Rs 1 crore and listed shares worth over Rs 6 crore, besides some mutual funds. The listed shares include those of Adani Group firms, the two Reliance groups, several Tata firms and even Kingfisher Airlines as also of some other companies from the erstwhile UB Group, including United Spirits which was sold by defaulter businessman Vijay Mallya to global liquor giant Diageo Plc. Kingfisher shares have long been delisted from the stock exchanges, though they quoted at above Rs 300 apiece once. The stocks eventually slipped below Rs 1 and trading was eventually suspended in 2014-end after mounting troubles for the erstwhile luxury airline had led to its closure. Union minister and BJP candidate from Nagpur Nitin Gadkari has equity shares of Purti Power and Sugar Ltd, among other investments. Poonam Mahajan, BJP candidate from Mumbai North Central, has disclosed listed equity investments by her spouse in Kingfisher Airlines, as also in Reliance Industries, TCS, Vodafone Idea Cellular and Reliance Power. Her Congress rival Priya Dutt has listed several mutual fund and portfolio schemes totalling about Rs 14.92 crore, while the listed shares disclosed in the name of her spouse include Reliance Industries, Reliance Infra and Reliance Power. Congress candidate from Mumbai South, Murli Deora, has disclosed multiple bonds, structured market products, PMS account, mutual funds and FMPs (fixed maturity plans). Actress-turned-politician Urmila Matondkar, Congress candidate from Mumbai North, has disclosed Rs 28.28 crore worth investment in shares, bonds and mutual funds and PMS (portfolio management service) investments worth about Rs 6 crore, but the individual stocks/units were not disclosed. Jaya Prada, another former actress and the BJP candidate from Rampur in Uttar Pradesh, has also disclosed investments in some listed companies such as Energy Development Company Ltd (which has got her political mentor Amar Singh as a promoter), Coal India, HDFC Bank, ITC, MCX and Reliance Industries. Actor-politician Raj Babbar, the Congress candidate from Fatehpur Sikri, has investments in IL&FS Transportation Networks Ltd. Among other Uttar Pradesh candidates, Union minister and BJP leader Satyapal Singh has disclosed investments worth Rs 1.5 lakh in mutual funds and bonds in his name and some equity shares held by his spouse including of Reliance Capital and Reliance Industries. Another union minister V K Singh and his spouse have also invested in various mutual funds. Many Deutsche Bank customers threatened to cut ties with Germanys largest bank should the deal go through, said the people, asking not to be named because the details havent been publicly disclosed. Clients who had business with both banks were worried about going from two credit providers to one, a senior Deutsche Bank executive said. Fierce resistance from corporate clients dealt a key blow to Deutsche Bank AGs deal talks with Commerzbank AG, according to people familiar with the matter. Many Deutsche Bank customers threatened to cut ties with Germanys largest bank should the deal go through, said the people, asking not to be named because the details havent been publicly disclosed. Clients who had business with both banks were worried about going from two credit providers to one, a senior Deutsche Bank executive said. Chief Executive Officer Christian Sewing knew early on that many of his most important clients didnt like the idea of its takeover of Commerzbank, according to the people. Some board members of large German corporations even told him so at Davos, when speculation about the deal started heating up. Still, the backlash that ensued after formal talks were announced in mid-March was intense, the people said. In the end, the figures just didnt stack up. The expected revenue loss would have compounded the chronic difficulties of Deutsche to grow its revenue base, Filippo Alloatti, a senior credit analyst with Hermes Investment Management, wrote in a note last week. For the deal, that may have been the straw that broke the camels back, he wrote. Much of Germanys Mittelstandthe backbone of Europes largest economystill hadnt forgotten their experience during the last financial crisis, when international and domestic lenders pulled the plug on lines of credit. With the German economy slowing down and worries about Brexit and a potential trade war, the privately held midsized companies werent keen on having all their eggs in one basket with a larger German bank. Bloomberg Mumbai: Superstar Hrithik Roshan who has been hailed for his dancing skills, ever since his debut film released, has finally revealed his personal dance numbers. In an interview, Hrithik Roshan shared, "It is tough to choose just one favourite song of mine to dance to. But my top favourites are Deva Shree Ganesha (Agneepath; 2012), Dhoom Again (Dhoom 2; 2006), Bang Bang (Bang Bang; 2014) and Ek Pal Ka Jeena (Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai; 2000)." Speaking about how important dance has been in Hrithik's life, the actor expressed, "I feel dance is a very powerful medium to draw people towards physical fitness. There was a time in my life when the doctors had told me that I will never be able to dance again. I danced my way through that phase, too (smiles). Dancing is a great way to stay fit. It helps you burn calories, strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, and also keeps one upbeat and happy. I have also introduced my mom and kids to it and they love it." Hrithik Roshan, also spoke about his icon's from whom he has sought inspiration and said, "I have always been a huge fan of Michael Jackson, Shammi Kapoor and Govinda. Each of their dancing styles is different from the other. I have grown up imitating their styles in front of the mirror. If you had the choice to do a dance-off with any person living or dead, who would it be? Maybe not a dance-off, but I would have loved to share the stage with the legendary Michael Jackson. I have been a huge fan of his since childhood and he is the reason I started dancing." Hrithik Roshan who has earlier delivered stellar performances essaying varied characters across genres has yet again given the testimony of his versatility. The posters of the film added to the excitement of Super 30 as Hrithik Roshan posed with 30 kids who play his students. Releasing on 26th July 2019, Hrithik Roshan's upcoming next is one of the most awaited films of the year. Model Hailey Bieber was in a mood to give trolls a taste of their medicine. The 22-year-old diva was recently targeted by the keyboard army for getting toned after coming back from a vacation. According to eonline.com, Hailey had gone to Bahamas with husband Justin Bieber for a low key vacation and posted pictures on social media. However, people commented how her skin colour had changed and she didnt look very nice. Hailey posted a picture, getting back at the trolls in a sarcastic manner. She posted a picture of herself in bed and wrote, So today the internet is mad at me for getting too tanned!shoot! Ill do my best not to get so much sun next time Im on a vacation! (sic) Tamil audiences always lap up well made movies on children like Kakka Muttai, Pasanga series and Goli Soda. Now, director Rajvel Krishnaa is filming another movie on kids titled Pizhai. Veterans Charle whom we saw recently in an alluring role in Vellai Pookkal, Mime Gopi and George play the parents with Kakka Muttai Ramesh, Appa Nasath and new boy Gokul playing their wards. Speaking to DC, Rajvel says, Pizhai is about three boys whose parents are coolies and daily labourers at a granite stone quarry. Though the poor parents want to educate them, the boys are in no mood to attend school and they indulge in petty thieving. After a certain stage, they run away from the village with the misconception of making it big in the city. How they end up working as bonded labours at a hotel and land in a quandary forms the rest. The movie imparts a larger message about the importance of education. The film is extensively shot in virgin locations of Chennai, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Kandigai, Sholingar, Tiruttani and Chitoor. An employee told officials that he did not report the statement because he believed Martin was making "off the wall" statements. The employee said he knew Martin kept a gun in his car, but he had never seen Martin bring the gun into the warehouse. Heres more evidence of the popularity of Telugu cinema and its actors. Well known Hollywood actor Bill Duke of Predator and Commando fame has expressed that he wants to act with Mahesh Babu in a spy film. He even invited Mahesh Babu and director A.R. Murugadoss to lunch to discuss about the international project. @ARMurugadoss @urstrulyMahesh When you come to #LosAngeles, Stop by #DTLA for Lunch to discuss collaborating on International #SpyMovie. Thanks to my team @BigMediaCEO & @BigMediaAgency & @WE2Incubators &@WE2LAIncubator for all the great work on line (sic) tweeted Duke, while inviting director Paidipalli Vamshi to also join the lunch discussion. The current study provides strong and definitive evidence of the anthropocentric origin of these sites, because the archaeological excavations uncovered early Holocene human burials. (Photo: Representational/Pixabay) Washington: The researchers have suggested that humans settled in southwestern Amazonia are much older than previously thought. "These groups of people were hunter-gatherers; however, our data show that they were beginning to deplete their local resources and establish territorial behaviours, perhaps driving them to begin domesticating plants such as sweet potatoes, cassava, peanuts and chilli peppers as a way to acquire food." The archaeological team conducted its study on three forest islands. "These islands are elevated above the surrounding savanna, so they do not flood during the rainy season. We believe people were using these sites recurrently as seasonal camps, particularly during the long rainy seasons when most of the Llanos de Moxos become floodedn," said Capriles. The team's excavations of the forest islands revealed human skeletons that had been intentionally buried in a manner unlike that of typical hunter-gatherers and instead were more akin to the behaviours of complex societies, characterised by political hierarchy and the production of food, according to the details published in the journal of Science Advances. "If these were highly mobile hunter-gatherers you would not expect for them to bury their dead in specific places; instead, they would leave their dead wherever they died," said Capriles. Capriles noted that it is rare to find human or even archaeological remains that predate the use of fired pottery in the region. "The soils tend to be very acidic, which often makes the preservation of organic remains very poor. Also, organic matter deteriorates quickly in tropical environments and this region completely lacks any type of rock for making stone tools, so even those are not available to study," he said. According to Umberto Lombardo, at the University of Bern, when the researchers first published their discovery of these archaeological sites in 2013, they had to base their conclusions on indirect evidence, mostly geochemical analyses, rather than direct evidence such as artifacts. "Because of the lack of direct evidence, many archaeologists were sceptical about our findings. They did not really believe that those forest islands were early Holocene archaeological sites. The current study provides strong and definitive evidence of the anthropocentric origin of these sites, because the archaeological excavations uncovered early Holocene human burials. These are the definitive proof of the antiquity and origin of these sites," said earth scientist, Lombardo. Capriles noted that the human bones on these forest islands were preserved despite the poor conditions because they were encased within middens or trash heaps containing abundant fragments of shell, animal bones and other organic remains. Because the human bones were fossilised, the team was unable to date them directly using radiocarbon dating. Instead, they used radiocarbon dating of associated charcoal and shell as a proxy for estimating the time range that the sites were occupied. "This paper represents the first step in the effort to learn more about the people who inhabited southwestern Amazonia for thousands of years but we know nothing about," said Lombardo. Capriles added, "Are the people we found direct predecessors of those later, more complex societies? There are still questions to be answered and we hope to do so in future research." Washington: Diplomats from 130 nations gather in Paris from Monday to validate a grim UN assessment of the state of Nature and lay the groundwork for an 11th-hour rescue plan for life on Earth. A 44-page, draft "Summary for Policy Makers" obtained by AFP catalogues the 1001 ways in which our species has plundered the planet and damaged its capacity to renew the resources upon which we depend, starting with breathable air, drinkable water and productive soil. The impact of humanity's expanding footprint and appetites have been devastating. Up to a million species face extinction, many within decades, according to the report, and three-quarters of Earth's land surface has been "severely altered". A third of ocean fish stocks are in decline, and the rest, barring a few, are harvested at the very edge of sustainability. A dramatic die-off of pollinating insects, especially bees, threatens essential crops valued at half-a-trillion dollars annually. Twenty 10-year targets adopted in 2010 under the United Nation's biodiversity treaty to expand protected areas, slow species and forest loss, and reduce pollution will, with one or two exceptions, fail badly. Based on an underlying report that draws from 400 experts and weighs in at 1,800 pages, the executive summary has to be vetted line-by-line by diplomats, with scientists at their elbow. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) document, once approved, will be released on May 6. Historically, conservation biology has focused on the plight of pandas, polar bears and a multitude of less "charismatic" animals and plants that humanity is harvesting, eating, crowding or poisoning into oblivion. But in the last two decades, the focus has shifted back to us. "Up to now, we have talked about the importance of biodiversity mostly from an environmental perspective," Robert Watson, chairman of the UN-mandated body that compiled the report, told AFP. "Now we are saying that Nature is crucial for food production, for pure water, for medicines and even social cohesion." Forests and oceans, for example, soak up half of the planet-warming greenhouse gases we spew into the atmosphere. If they didn't, Earth might already be locked into an unliveable future of runaway global warming. And yet, an area of tropical forest five times the size of England has been destroyed since 2014, mainly to service the global demand for beef, biofuels, soy beans and palm oil. "The recent IPCC report shows to what extent climate change threatens biodiversity," said Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and a main architect of the Paris Agreement, referring to the UN's climate science panel. "And the upcoming IPBES report, as important for humanity will show these two problems have overlapping solutions." That overlap, she added, begins with agriculture, which accounts for at least a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions. Set up in 2012, the IPBES synthesises published science for policymakers in the same way the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) does on climate. London: Rebel Wilson says she believes as a public figure, there is a "responsibility" on her to promote body positivity and she takes that role "seriously". The actor said she wants to dispel the "negative perceptions" about what women must look like. "I take my responsibility seriously that way. I want to do everything I can to present a positive, intelligent image for women who should be proud of their spirit and energy, which will ultimately overcome any negative perceptions about how women are expected to look," Wilson told Heat magazine. The 39-year-old actor said she does not want people to be ashamed of their looks and instead be comfortable with their "self-image". "There's a lot of pressure on women, especially younger women, to conform to the thin body image. Not everyone can be that way and no one should be ashamed of how they look or suffer bullying and other forms of abuse because of their size and shape. "I'm a very unique case in Hollywood because there are very few women who look like me and are working a lot in movies. So if women - and young women in particular - can see me in interesting roles, being brave and bold and having fun in life, that can be a big help and help their self-image and self-respect," Wilson said. PTI The investigation began after doctors at Taluk Hospital Cherthala who checked up the body raised doubts about the reason for death. Alappuzha: Police on Sunday held the mother over the mysterious death of a one-and-half-year-old baby girl in Pattanakkad here. It said the interrogation of Athira of Kollampally Colony was continuing till late evening but refused to divulge details. The baby, Adhisha, was found dead at home on Saturday. The post-mortem report revealed that the death was due to suffocation. However, the motive is unclear. The investigation began after doctors at Taluk Hospital Cherthala who checked up the body raised doubts about the reason for death. The parents failed to provide a convincing answer to queries of doctors who found no visible injuries. The mother had told doctors she found the kid dead as she returned to the room where the baby fell asleep. Meanwhile, the mother-in-law told police that she used to torture the child and was a strange character. The child was healthy until the incident. Police also said that Sharon, the father, had a criminal background. He was arrested last month for assaulting his mother-in-law. All the micro-markets in Chennai recorded a marginal decline in occupancy in FY18, while average rates marginally increased during the year. CHENNAI: Chennai has been among the top five Indian cities that has witnessed an addition in hotel rooms. Across the country the number of hotel rooms is anticipated to surge to 3.33 million through 2023 from a meager 18,000 in 1995/96. As of December 2018, India's accommodation segment had 2.72 million options. All these room options are across traditional chains, new-age hotel chains, independent /unbranded hotels and alternate accommodation like guesthouses and home stays, reveals 'The Ultimate Indian Travel & Hospitality Report' complied by Hotelivate in association with CAPA and WTTC India Initiative. Looking at the major markets analysed as per CARE ratings, Kolkata saw the highest increase in supply (20.7%) in FY18, adding to the relatively small base of hotels, followed by Chennai (10.5%) and Ahmedabad (8.9%). Nearly 85 % of the room demand in Chennai comes from business travellers. Demand in CBD area comes mainly from BFSI and PSU companies, IT/ITeS companies drive demand in the OMR region. Proximity to electronics and the auto industry players in and around the Sriperumbudur area, makes hotels near airport area attractive for business travellers, the report says. The metro also enjoys demand from other major business sectors including manufacturing, port and port-related activities, government and embassies, etc along with a growing MICE demand base owing to the recent expansion of room inventories including large-scale meeting facilities in the city. Despite an increase of about 10.6 % in supply in FY18, the market continued on its path to recovery with room rates registering a y-o-y growth of about 2.2% during the year. The city witnessed the opening of new hotels, including the Novotel & Ibis Chennai OMR. All the micro-markets in Chennai recorded a marginal decline in occupancy in FY18, while average rates marginally increased during the year. Only about 1,000 rooms are expected to be added to Chennai market in the next five years. Vijayawada: YSR Congress has alleged that Telugu Desam was responsible for the poor financial condition of AP State due to the increase in debts to Rs 2,00,000 crore. It alleged that AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu took loans at high interest violating norms and paid bills to contractors associated with the TD. YSRC leader C. Ramach-andraiah, claimed that there was nothing wrong about Chief Secretary L.V. Subramanyam reviewing financial sanctions. Mr Ramachandraiah also lamented that AP State was heading towards insolvency due to payments by Mr Naidu to his contractors and therefore the state was unable to pay salaries for April to its employees. He said the questions by the opposition about the misuse of funds in the TD government were being answered by stock broker C. Kutumba Rao instead of finance minister Yanamala Ramakris-hunudu. He pointed out that Mr Kutumba Rao was not part of the TD government. He said that since there was no information about the spending of Rs 2 lakh crore loan, the CS was conducting reviews about the funds. TD scams about misuse of funds would come to light with the reviews. That is why Mr Naidu and other TD leaders are opposing the CS reviews, he said. Turmeric farmers protest in Varanasi after the EC refused to register their nomination for the upcoming elections. Hyderabad: Out of 45 turmeric farmers who set out from Nizamabad district, only 15 could file their nomination papers for the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh on Monday, from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is contesting The farmers alleged that local police and Election Commission officials did not allow all of them to file their nomination and staged a dharna before the office of the returning officer. The 45 had gone to file their papers to protest against the non-constitution of the Turmeric Board in Nizamabad and the unremunerative prices they are getting for their produce. They thought contesting from the constituency where the Prime Minister was contesting would provide them a national platform. Speaking to mediapersons in Varanasi, the farmers said the BJP leaders and police had threatened the locals who had come forward to support them. Because of this, the farmers were not able to get proposers from among the locals. EC officials rejected the nominations of 35 farmers as there are no proposers. They said that to threaten them, Intelligence Bureau officials had conducted raids at the Silk City lodge where the farmers were stayed to browbeat them. Earlier, 180 turmeric and red jowar farmers had filed their nomination papers for the April 11 elections to the Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency. Hyderabad: Three Telangana students scored Top 10 All India ranks in the Joint Entrance Examination-Mains exam, the most from any state. Shubani Srivastava from Delhi was the top ranker in the results released by the National Testing Agency (NTA). State topper Battepati Karthikeya secured all-India fifth, followed by Adelly Sai Kiran from Siddipet at No. 7 and K. Vishwanth of Suryapet at No. 8. Karthikeya is from Nellore but took the exam in Hyderabad. Konda Renu from Andhra Pradesh was ranked ninth. Aqua farmer B. Suresh Naidu, the father of Karthikeya, said his son was a bright student but never expected he would achieve such a high rank. He always made our life easier with his skills, he even secured free education from Class 8. Sai Kiran is the son of government school teacher A. Dayanand and aims to do his computer science engineering from IIT-Mumbai. Hard work always pays. I had dedicated a minimum of 13 hours a day to students and it worked, he said. Adelly Sai Kiran Vishwant is the son of another government teacher, Mr K. Gurumurthy. What more can I expect from my son? He is a silent warrior and a committed learner, Mr Gurumurthy said. Vishwanth has set his eyes on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. All three toppers were from the Narayana group. Dr Sindhu Narayana, managing director said, "Despite of changes in the exam pattern, our students could crack it." She said the group had developed a feature called N-learning which trained the students in online mock tests daily. The exams were conducted in January and April. For candidates who appeared in both tests, the best of two scores was counted. Out of 6,08,440 candidates who took both tests, 2,97,932 improved their performance. Religious philosophies, personal choice, and the misplaced belief that improved hygiene conditions do not cause disease have caused people to stay away from vaccination programmes. (Representational Image) Hyderabad: Vaccine hesitancy has become a global health threat and the World Medical Association is alarmed at preliminary reports from different parts of the world that show a 300 per cent increase in cases of measles in the first three months of 2019. The preliminary data shows a drastic increase in the number of measles case compared to 2018, with major outbreaks in Congo, Ethiopia, Georgia, Madagascar, Myanmar, Philippines, Sudan, Thailand, US, and Tunisia. Clusters of unvaccinated people have been found in the US, Thailand and Tunisia, which is also contributing to the fast spread of the disease. Misconceptions about vaccination that have grown from the adverse effects experienced by a small number of the population, and which has not been tackled aggressively by public health officials, has led to this phenomenon, according to the World Medical Associations initial assessment. Religious philosophies, personal choice, and the misplaced belief that improved hygiene conditions do not cause disease have caused people to stay away from vaccination programmes. Paediatrician Dr Hima Bindu Singh, says vaccines are important to provide immunity against the disease. The immunity is 98 to 99 per cent in most cases and there can be a one per cent chance to get the disease. And even if that happens, the effect on the body is not very high. The complications of lifelong disability, brain damage, blindness or hearing loss or any other complication is avoided (with vaccination). Hence its main goal is to assist in saving life and the impact (of the vaccine) is not very severe." With more people travelling globally, unvaccinated individuals are becoming carriers of the disease from one region to another. The schedule for children in other countries too is not followed and most places the vaccines are not in the government schedule for immunizations. Measles was completely controlled till the year 2000. In 2014, the number of cases peaked, showing lapses in the system. In 2017, the World Health Organisation found that there were 1,10,000 deaths due to measles. Dr Altaf Naseen says vaccines have proved effective in preventing measles and hence it is important that confidence in them is maintained and for this reason, during mass vaccination drives, it is very important to monitor. Any adverse effect during that time is found to cause a major impact and it leads to negative thoughts about vaccines. WMA has stated that vaccines and immunisation are safe and effective and it is important to spread this message to people across all sections of society. Vaccine development and administration have been the most significant intervention to eradicate infectious diseases and influence global health. As far as Pry can tell, Masden and his wife Irene Virginia, who died in 1979, lived in Aurora and had no children of their own. She did have kids from a previous marriage, although Pry could find no names or addresses for them. He also learned Masdens mother was born in Batavia in 1891, so it is possible that because the family lived in the Fox Valley so long there could still be descendants here. As per reports from the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, in 2018 there were 433 cases of malaria in BBMP limits Summer showers in Bengaluru mean mosquitoes and a sharp spike in diseases like malaria and chikungunya. 433 cases were registered in BBMP limits in 2018 although, without adequate data from the private healthcare sector, the number might be even higher. BBMP has begun its routine fogging across the city but with the rain leaving stagnant pools everywhere, areas that are water-logged or overgrown need to be cleared as well, reports Aknisree Karthik.pril showers are a relief to Bengalureans from the heat of summer, but they also bring with them the menace of mosquitoes, which seem to proliferate in rain and after dark. Those living near water bodies like lakes and ponds and also storm water drains and open spaces like parks and playgrounds are the most affected as these places are safe havens for mosquitoes to multiply. The uncleared garbage piles in the city too are a breeding ground for the winged menace, which bring with them the threat of malaria, dengue and chikungunya, compounding the troubles of the people . Complained Ms Shruthi, a home-maker from Hanumanthnagar, Once the sun sets, we have no option but to close all the windows in our house and turn on the mosquito repellants as the open ground nearby has become an excellent breeding ground for mosquitoes. The situation appears to be no different in Chalwadipalya, where a storm water drain is the culprit. Said Ms Lavanya, a resident, Without mosquito coils and mats, our lives would be hell here. We cannot stay for even an hour without these repellants as our house is situated next to a storm water drain. Although the BBMP claims to carry out regular fogging, the people are not convinced its doing its job. We dont know when the last time fogging was carried out in our area. Many meat shops here do not give their waste to the empanelled vendors, but just dump it in the open where it attracts lots of flies and mosquitoes, grumbled Mr Hafeez, a shamiana dealer near Chiklalbagh. Ask a BBMP official and he puts the onus on the people themselves to make the city free of mosquitoes. They must keep their premises clean and free from any water-logging, he suggested, noting that the recent rain had left water stagnating in many areas where mosquitoes were now breeding freely. While observing that the rainy season sees a spike in the number of cases of malaria, chikungunya and dengue in the city, he claims the BBMP is doing its duty of fogging and creating awareness among people on how to keep their surroundings free of mosquitoes and save themselves from these diseases. Not enough data from pvt sector: BBMP That malaria continues to stalk the city is evident from the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, which reported 433 cases in Bengaluru last year, mostly from private hospitals. But the figure could be more as not all of the nearly 4,000 private health facilities in the city share their data with the BBMP, according to its officers. They complain that this defeats the very purpose of its health wing as if it doesnt have the full data it cannot take the required preventive measures to contain the spread of the disease, which can be fatal sometimes. With many malaria cases being treated in private hospitals , which dont always bother to share the numbers with us, the BBMP cannot do proper planning to tackle the diseases, rued one officer, pointing out that under the rules, all healthcare centres including hospitals, testing centres and labs were required to send their reports to the BBMPs Public Health Information and Epidemiological Cell. The city was very proactive in tackling H1N1 cases as the private hospitals were told to immediately report them and when they did, we didnt waste any time in dealing with them. But this is not the case with malaria, he added sadly, suggesting that healthcare facilities should be sensitized to ways of dealing with malaria and also slapped with fines if they still did not fall in line by reporting the cases of malaria, chikungunya, and dengue to the authorities concerned. 433 cases in 2018 During questioning, police came across another case of sexual assault and murder of an 18-year-old girl who had gone missing around 45 days ago. (Representational Image) Hyderabad: Even as residents of Hazipur are yet to recover from the alleged rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl, the body of another girl student, who had been missing for 45 days, was found in the same abandoned well on Monday where the first victim was found. Bommalaramaram police suspects that the offender is a psychotic sexual offender who could be involved in more offences. Two days ago, the police recovered the body of the 14-year-old girl from the abandoned well. The girl, a Hazipur local, went missing on Thursday while returning from school at Keesara after attending a special class. While investigating the case, police reportedly picked up a suspect hailing from Keesara. During questioning, police came across another case of sexual assault and murder of an 18-year-old girl who had gone missing around 45 days ago. Police teams along with a dog squad and Clues team rushed to the same well and exhumed the body of T. Manisha, 18. The body was in a decomposed state and her college bag was found beside the body. Manisha, a graduate student in a private college in Keesara, went missing from March 15. She had told her parents that she would be visiting a relatives house, but did not return. Her parents who thought that she had left the house did not lodge a complaint. Scores of villagers gathered at the spot on learning about Manishas body being found. Police exhumed the body and identified it as that of Manisha with the help of the ID card, Aadhar card and other documents that were present in her college bag, that was buried right beside her body. Locals demanded immediate execution of the suspect who is believed to have committed sexual assaults and serial murders of minor girls in the village. Speaking to the media, Bhongir DCP K. Narayana Reddy said, Manisha was missing for the last 45 to 50 days. Her parents did not lodge a complaint with police. During investigation, her body was found today in the well. It has been exhumed. The girl was identified based on the documents recovered from her bag. He said the accused appeared to be a psychotic sexual offender. We suspect that the girl was sexually assaulted by the suspect. Her bones and viscera are being sent for analysis to the Forensic Science Laboratory and a DNA test will also also be performed, he said. Meanwhile, reports emerged that the police picked up a suspect from the same village. The suspect works as a lift mechanic and is a resident of Keesara. Police is tight-lipped about the reports and said that they have not arrested any person in connection with the case and investigation is still on. The investigation of the serial murder cases has been handed over to Bhongir assistant commissioner of police N. Bhujanga Rao on Monday. Rachakonda police commissioner Mahesh Bhagwat said, The investigation of both murder cases of the 14-year-old and Manisha are going in the right direction. The investigation has been given to ACP Bhongir Bhujanga Rao. Bommalaramaram SI Venkatesh has been placed under suspension for his neglect of duties. According to latest information available, intensify into a severe cyclonic storm later in the day and into a very severe cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours. (Representional Image) Vijayawada: Cyclone Fani lay less than 1,000 km from the south AP coast on Monday, amid indications that it could head towards the Odisha coast after May 1. According to latest information available, intensify into a severe cyclonic storm later in the day and into a very severe cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours. At that stage it will be carrying winds of 180 kmph. The IMD said Cyclone Fani was likely move northwestwards till May 1 and thereafter curve north-northeastwards towards the Odisha coast. On Monday, Cyclone Fani lay 620 km east-northeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), 810 km east-southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and 950 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam. In Vijayawada, Chief Secretary L.V. Subrahmanyam reviewed the situation with the departments concerned and briefed Union Cabinet secretary P.K. Sinha. He said the government had made arrangements to update the people on the movement of the cyclone by using social media. He said control rooms had been started in the nine coastal districts of the state. Personnel were making public announcements through drums beating in the coastal villages to alert the people. Kidnapped minor boy Madesh (standing in forefront and draped in checked shirt and jeans trouser) reunited with his family. (Photo:DC) Krishnagiri: More details are coming out of the sordid episode of tribal boys from Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts sold to become bonded labour. This may sound incredible, but true. A boy who was kidnapped by agents of the bonded labour system and later handed over to police by his abductors themselves under societal pressure, has alleged that he was sold for Rs 6,000, as though that is the worth of human life here. It was a trauma for 12-year-old tribal boy K. Madesh of Kottaiyur Kollai tribal colony in Bettamugilalam village of Denkannikottai taluk in Krishnagiri district who went missing a week ago. Fight over the boy missing issue between the victim's father C. Kattikhan (45) and his relatives J. Byrappa (48) of Perunkadu village, near Marandahalli of Dharmapuri, his son B. Chinnapayan @ Madesh and Byrappas younger brother J. Madhappan @ Siddhan (45) has highlighted the plight of village minor boys sent to work under bonded labour system. The boy alleged that he was taken from his village by Madhappan @ Siddhan, his wife Kenchamma (35) and another person. They transported him in a two-wheeler to Perungadu village, near Marandahalli of Dharmapuri district. They asked me to accompany them and took me to the house of Byrappas second wife Madhamma (stays at Perungadu) and then I was handed over to him, Madesh cried. Madhappan and his wife Kenchamma left me in the custody of Byrappa and promised to return and take me home but they never turned up, he added in tears. The tribal boy also alleged that his first abductors had sold him for a sum of Rs 6,000 to Byrappa who later shifted him to Yeshwanthpura, near Bengaluru in neighbouring Karnataka and where his first wife Rudhramma stays. Another such case was also reported in this tribal colony at Kottaiyur Kollai. Shockingly, the victim was none other than the 13-year-old Rudhran, son of Madhappan and Kenchamma, former bonded labour and now doubted as agents recruiting people for the slavery system. Kenchamma admitted that her son was sent with Byrappa who is the elder brother of her husband. The couple was quietly paid Rs 15,000 by Byrappa. In 2018, Madhappa, his wife Kenchamma (35), their nine children including seven girls were after great effort rescued from bonded labour by an NGO working for this cause. However, in a twist of fate, Madhappa and his wife Kenchamma had forgotten their miserable past as bonded workers once and joined with Byrappa to operate as brokers to recruit people for the slavery system, alleged a source familiar with the development. That is the tragedy of rural interiors of Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts today. SPS RESPONSE: However, the Krishnagiri district superintendent of police Sri Bandi Ganghadar, in a statement on Monday has denied reports of minor tribal boys kidnapped and sold for cash to be pushed into bonded labour. Sri Gangadhar said that the enquiry conducted by the government officials has proved no such occurrences in the village as reported in the media. He also said that the villagers have assured to cooperate with the police and revenue department if they come across any such inhuman incidents in any of their villages. BJP leaders and activists stage a dharna in front of the collectorate in Karimnagar on Monday, demanding that the government solve the Inter Board problems and release ex gratia for the families of the students who committed suicide. They also demanded that the software company responsible for fiasco be punished. (DC) Karimnagar: In view of the Chalo Intermediate Board call given by the opposition parties to protest in front of the Inter Board in Hyderabad, the district police officials arrested the senior leaders of the Congress along with their supporters in Karimnagar son Monday. Police arrested the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee, working president and former MP, Ponnam Prabhakar, in Hyderabad while participating in the dharna at the Intermediate Board along with his supporters. Criticising the Telangana government and police over the arrests, Mr Ponnam alleged that from Sunday night, the TRS, by using its political and police power, was arresting many Congress leaders along with other leaders of opposition parties illegally across the state. Instead of doing justice to the Inter students, the TRS was trying to suppress the movement and voice of opposition parties by arresting the opposition leader killing democracy in the state. Referring to the illegal arrests of the Congress leaders who were contesting in the parishad elections, Mr Ponnam demanded that the government release them immediately as the parishad polls were going to be held in a few days. Meanwhile, the police put senior leader and MLC, T. Jeevan Reddy and his supporters under house arrest in Jagtial. Condemning the statement by the TRS working president, K.T. Rama Rao, saying he did not know about Globerana Company Pvt. Ltd., Mr Jeevan Reddy said, It is surprising that Mr Rama Rao, who boasted on a number of occasions that he is an expert in having knowledge about various IT and software companies, did not know Globarena which belongs to one of his close associates. Is this the way you want to rule the state and achieve Bangaru Telangana? Will you treat your children in the same manner, do you not have any responsibility regarding the future of the students, was a question he posed to Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao. Mr Jeevan Reddy said that the public and leaders of the opposition were very well aware of what was going on behind the scenes and demanded that Chief Minister Chandrasekhar Rao take criminal action immediately against Globarena and arrest the persons who were responsible for the Inter exam results fiasco along with issuing orders for a judicial enquiry. The Congress spokesperson, Komatireddy Narendar Reddy, City President Karra Rajashekar, Uppara Ravi, Kareem Bhayee, Ponnam Srinivas, Veeragoni Srinivas Mulugu Prakash, Uyyala Srinivas, Venkat Reddy and Bonala Srinivas were among those who were arrested by the police. About 12.79 crore people were eligible for voting in the fourth phase. With this round, polling has been completed in 374 seats out of 543. New Delhi: Incidents of violence in West Bengal and Odisha that left a Congress worker dead and EVM glitches were reported in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls on Monday which saw 64 per cent turnout in 72 seats across nine states. The stakes are high for the BJP which had won 56 of these 72 constituencies in the 2014 polls. About 12.79 crore people were eligible for voting in the fourth phase. With this round, polling has been completed in 374 seats out of 543. According to a senior police officer, violence was reported from several places in six parliamentary seats in Odisha, where the turnout was 64.05 per cent. A Congress worker was stabbed to death in Balikuda-Erasama area of Jagatsinghpur seat while he was returning from a polling booth. The victim, Lachman Behera, had recently quit the BJD to join the Congress, the official said. Clashes between supporters of the ruling BJD and the BJP were reported from Jajpur Kendrapara and Balasore Lok Sabha seats amid allegations poll rigging. Technical glitches in EVMs delayed polling in 60 booths, but it resumed after the snags were rectified. During a mock-poll in Madhya Pradesh, electronic voting machines (EVMs) were replaced at 207 polling booths as some glitches were found. EVMs were also replaced at 106 polling booths after the voting began, according to officials. Polling was peaceful in Rajasthan, with tribal dominated seat of Banswara recording the highest voting percentage at 72.34, followed by Barmer which recorded 72.21 per cent voting, according to state election officials. Nearly 55.86 per cent voting was recorded in Maharashtra (17 seats), 59.02 per cent Bihar (five seats) and 64.38 per cent Jharkhand (3 seats), according to data provided by the Election Commission. In Kulgam district of Anantnag constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, 10.5 per cent polling was recorded, amid isolated incidents of stone pelting. This was the second of the three-phase polling in the sensitive seat. Billionaires and Bollywood stars lined up outside polling stations along with the common folks in Mumbai. Mr Peddireddy demanded the farmers to unite to save seed independence. He also demanded to an inquiry on the soft drinks produced by PepsiCo and its anti-farmer policies. Vijayawada: Farmers, agriculture workers and tenant farmers associations on Monday jointly organised a protest at Lenin Centre against PepsiCo for moving court against potato farmers. The leaders condemned the demand of PepsiCo that nine potato farmers from Gujarat pay up to 1.05 crore each for growing a specific variety of potato that the company has registered. P. Peddireddy of the Farmers Association demanded the company immediately and without preconditions withdraw its court case. He said that if the government or the courts allow such a demand by a corporate company, the entire Indian farming community will be impacts. All of us would suffer from such cases like the one PepsiCo has initiated against some farmers in future, he said. Mr Peddireddy demanded the farmers to unite to save seed independence. He also demanded to an inquiry on the soft drinks produced by PepsiCo and its anti-farmer policies. AP Tenant Farmers Association leader P. Jamalaiah and others were present. In Barabani, BJP candidate from Asansol and Union minister minister Babul Supriyos vehicle was vandalised allegedly by Trinamul workers outside a polling station while in Dubrajpur area central security forces personnel reportedly opened fire in the air to disperse irate people who attacked them when they were barred from entering the booths with mobile phones. (Photo: ANI) New Delhi: Incidents of violence in West Bengal and Odisha that left a Congress worker dead and EVM glitches were reported in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls on Monday which saw 64 per cent turnout in 72 seats across nine states. In the heartland states, where the BJP had won 30 out of 32 seats in 2014, 67.73 per cent turnout was recorded in Rajasthan (13 seats), 58.56 per cent in Uttar Pradesh (13 seats) and 67.09 per cent in Madhya Pradesh (6 seats), according to the Election Commission. West Bengal recorded a high turnout at 76.66 in the eight seats though clashes broke out between supporters of Trinamul and BJP in Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Suri areas of Birbhum seat, leaving several people injured. In Barabani, BJP candidate from Asansol and Union minister minister Babul Supriyos vehicle was vandalised allegedly by Trinamul workers outside a polling station while in Dubrajpur area central security forces personnel reportedly opened fire in the air to disperse irate people who attacked them when they were barred from entering the booths with mobile phones. An FIR was registered against Mr Supriyo for allegedly getting into an argument with polling officials, an election official said. The ruling Trinamul and the BJP accused each other of intimidating voters in the state, which has seen violence in all previous three phases despite stepped up central forces deployment. A Congress worker was stabbed to death in Balikuda-Erasama area of Jagatsinghpur seat while he was returning from a polling booth. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. Thrikkakara assistant commissioner Stewart Keeler said all those identified from the mobile phone and CCTV visuals are in custody. Kochi: The special investigation team brought all the seven accused of brutally assaulting three young men on a Kallada Travels bus for evidence collection here on Sunday after getting their custody. They were individually taken to the spot near the Vyttila office of the bus operator, collected evidence and recorded their statements. Thrikkakara assistant commissioner Stewart Keeler said all those identified from the mobile phone and CCTV visuals are in custody. "The evidence collection is part of the primary round of investigation. The remaining accused, if any, will be traced and arrested in the coming days. More details cannot be divulged as the investigation is underway," he said. He also confirmed that police had not given a clean chit to its owner Suresh Kallada. The cops had recorded his statement after summoning to the Assistant Commissioner Office, Thrikkakara. Meanwhile, sources said that the probe team had received pieces of evidence against five more involved in the April 21 incident. The passengers - Ajayaghosh, Sachin and Ashkar - of the Bangalore-bound inter-state bus from Thiruvananthapuram were beaten up for allegedly questioning the delay in arranging an alternate vehicle after it broke down near Karuvatta, Haripad. When the bus reached Vyttila in Ernakulam early morning, the bus employees from its unit here barged in and started beating them up. The whole incident came to light after another passenger recorded it and shared on social media. Sreerampur: Addressing a rally here on Monday Prime Minister Narendra Modi lashed out at the state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and said that the TMC lawmakers expressed disgrace towards the party. "Forty TMC MLAs are in touch with me, all its lawmakers will desert the party once BJP wins polls," said Modi in a rally at West Bengal. Modi also attacked the TMC chief for 'not allowing the people of West Bengal to go and caste their vote'. He said, "TMC goons are preventing people from casting votes." Speaking about the accusations by the Oppositions, Modi said, "Earlier only Modi was abused, now even EVMs are. Opposition's campaign revolves around abusing Modi. If you remove these abuses, nothing will be left." Mocking Banerjee for often losing her cool as she was "sensing defeat", Modi said she cannot even dream of becoming the prime minister. "With just a handful of seats, 'Didi' you can't reach Delhi. Delhi is far away. Going to Delhi is just an excuse. Her real intention is to politically establish her nephew," he said. Banerjee's nephew Abhishek is a sitting MP from Diamond Harbour and the TMC candidate for the seat. Violence marred the first few hours of polling in West Bengal, where the fourth phase of elections is underway in eight Lok Sabha constituencies. According to a senior election official, clashes broke out between the supporters of rival parties in Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Siuri areas of Birbhum seat, injuring several people on the two sides. According to reports, Supriyo had a tiff with polling officials inside a booth, following which TMC supporters attacked his vehicle. A total of 1,34,56,491 electorate is set to decide the fate of 68 candidates Monday in the eight constituencies -- Baharampur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat (SC), Burdwan East (SC), Burdwan-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur (SC) and Birbhum. The EC has deployed 580 companies of central forces to man over 98 per cent of the polling booths in these constituencies to ensure free and fair polling. The counting of votes will be done on May 23. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. Moon Moon Sen suggested that violence in Bengal has reduced from the days of Communist Party of India (M) rule suggesting that political clashes take place across India and not just in Bengal. (Photo: ANI) Asansol: Trinamool Congress (TMC) Asansol candidate Moon Moon Sen has attributed her oblivion about the clashes which erupted in Asansol to bed tea which was served late to her. "They gave me my bed tea very late so I woke up very late. What can I say? I really don't know," Moon Moon Sen, actor-turned-politician, told NDTV. Politically charged West Bengal has witnessed gruesome political violence this election season. On Monday, clashes erupted between BJP and TMC workers in Asansol. The incumbent lawmaker from Asansol, BJPs Babul Supriyo, was attacked in the morning. His car was vandalized in the violence. He has alleged that TMC workers captured polling booths and did not allow people to vote. Moon Moon Sen suggested that violence in Bengal has reduced from the days of Communist Party of India (M) rule. She also said political clashes take place across India and not just in Bengal. When asked about the allegations of violence made by Babul Supriyo, she shut it down and walked off saying, "I don't want to hear his name. Bas (that's it)." Moon Moon Sen had a stunning political victory in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections when she defeated the CPI(M) strongman Basudeb Acharia from Bankura. In this election, she is contesting from Asansol against BJPs candidate Babul Supriyo. New Delhi: Amid reports of violence during fourth phase of polling in West Bengal, the BJP Monday approached the Election Commission complaining that TMC workers have "hijacked democracy in the state" and again demanded deployment of central forces in all polling booths there. A BJP delegation, which includes Union Ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Vijay Goel, and the party's media in-charge Anil Baluni, met the top officials of the poll panel here and submitted a memorandum in this regard. "The ruling Trinamool Congress workers have hijacked democracy in the state and are indulging in violence. They are being supported by the local machinery and we demand deployment of central forces in all polling booths," Naqvi said. The BJP also expressed concern about "no action" been taken against Congress president Rahul Gandhi who has been making "baseless allegations" against BJP chief Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Talking to reporters after meeting the poll panel officials, Naqvi accused Gandhi of continuously making false allegations and derogatory statements against Shah and Modi. He said the BJP has also demanded action against Madhya Pradesh government officials who are "working as Congress agents". The party also accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and AAP's Lok Sabha candidate Atishi Marlena of seeking votes by making provocative religious statements and demanded action against them. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. Sunny Deol was accompanied by his brother and actor Bobby Deol. (Photo: Twitter/ ANI) New Delhi: Actor-turned-BJP candidate Sunny Deol filed his nomination from Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency on Monday. Deol was accompanied by his brother and actor Bobby Deol. Before filing his nomination, Deol paid a visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar and offered prayers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met Deol on Sunday and posted a photo of the meeting along with a message on Twitter stating that he was impressed with Deols passion for a better India. What struck me about Sunny Deol is his humility and deep passion for a better India. Happy to have met him today. We are all rooting for his victory in Gurdaspur! We both agree - Hindustan zindabad tha, hai aur rahega, the Prime Minister had tweeted. Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency was earlier represented by actor Vinod Khanna who won from here four times - 1998, 1999, 2004 and 2014 - on a BJP ticket. Deol, who joined BJP on April 23, has already come under electoral crosshairs with party's rival Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh terming him a filmi fauji. Sunny Deol is a filmi fauji, while I am a real fauji. Captain Amarinder Singh had said in Gurdaspur on Friday. The actor held his first roadshow in Rajasthans Barmer on Saturday. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. According to reports, Supriyo had a tiff with polling officials inside a booth, following which TMC supporters attacked his vehicle. (Photo: Twitter/ ANI) Kolkata: Violence marred the first few hours of polling in West Bengal, where the fourth phase of elections is underway in eight Lok Sabha constituencies. According to a senior election official, clashes broke out between the supporters of rival parties in Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Siuri areas of Birbhum seat, injuring several people on the two sides. In Dubrajpur area of the constituency, voters allegedly engaged in a scuffle with the central forces when they were barred from entering the booths with mobile phones. Security personnel reportedly opened fire in the air to control the mob, following which polling was stalled in the booths, the official said. The state election office has also received reports of violence from Jemua and Barabani areas of Bardhaman East constituency, he maintained. "In Barabani, BJP candidate and central minister Babul Supriyo's vehicle was vandalised allegedly by TMC workers outside a polling station, while in Jemua, voters fled from a polling station after being threatened by miscreants," he told PTI. According to reports, Supriyo had a tiff with polling officials inside a booth, following which TMC supporters attacked his vehicle. "Polling was peaceful in the first two hours. However, news of clashes started surfacing thereafter. We have sought reports from each of these places. Our officials are monitoring the situation and taking proper measures to conduct the election in a free and fair manner," he said. In Birbhum constituency, the Election Commission has show-caused BJP candidate Dudh Kumar Mondal after he was seen talking over a mobile phone inside a polling booth, just before casting his ballot, the official said, adding that the presiding officer of the station has been removed. Notably, the poll panel has put TMC's Birbhum president Anubrata Mondal under scanner after poll workers complained that they feel "threatened" by his presence. A total of 1,34,56,491 electorate is set to decide the fate of 68 candidates Monday in the eight constituencies -- Baharampur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat (SC), Burdwan East (SC), Burdwan-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur (SC) and Birbhum. The EC has deployed 580 companies of central forces to man over 98 per cent of the polling booths in these constituencies to ensure free and fair polling. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Sunday asked whether wives of BJP party leaders sell their jewellery to bear the party's excessive election expenses. (Photo: File) Chhindwara: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Sunday asked whether wives of BJP party leaders sell their jewellery to bear the party's excessive election expenses. "I want to ask Modi Ji - the money spent on MP Assembly elections and his plane rides, the money being spent on the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, from where do they (BJP leaders) get the money? Are the wives of BJP leaders selling their jewellery to bear the expenses of elections?" Kamal Nath told reporters here. The MP Chief Minister has been frequently figuring, directly or indirectly, in speeches of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his election rallies. Earlier this month, the Central Board of Direct Taxes had claimed that unaccounted wealth of around Rs 281 crore was recovered in raids carried out by the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax department at premises linked to close associates of Kamal Nath. After visiting Simariya Hanuman Temple with his son Nakul Nath here, he said that he was a religious person but did not "misuse" it in elections. "We all are religious but we don't use or misuse religion. We don't bring religion on the political platform," Kamal Nath said. He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of trying to divide the society on religious lines during the elections. The Chief Minister slammed the saffron party for fielding Malegaon blast accused Pragya Singh Thakur from the Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency. The Congress leader said, "By declaring Sadhvi Pragya as its candidate, BJP is trying to send a message that it is the contractor of Hindutva. The BJP does not have a tender of Hindu religion." While Kamal Nath is seeking election to the state Assembly from Chhindwara seat, his son Nakul is Congress candidate from Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat. Both Chhindwara Assembly and Chhindwara parliamentary constituencies vote on April 29. Counting of votes will take place on May 19. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday lauded Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav for fielding dismissed Border Security Force constable Tej Bahadur Yadav against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi. The former BSF constable was dismissed in 2017 after he posted a video online complaining about the food served to the troops. Lauding the SP chief, Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi, "On one hand there is a person who risked his life for the country and lost his job to fight for the rights of jawans, while on the other hand there is this person who fired a jawan who raised his voice and asks votes over martyred soldiers." Tej Bahadur Yadav will be contesting the Lok Sabha election as a candidate of the grand alliance - Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Samajwadi Party (SP) and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). He will be challenging Modi in Varanasi constituency of Uttar Pradesh, an SP leader said. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. Banerjee, whose party was accused of unleashing a reign of terror during the panchayat polls, insisted that it was her party men who were killed during the elections in 2018. (Photo: File) Khejuri/Tamluk: Accusing the BJP of doling out money to buy votes in the general election, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee said her party will request the poll panel to seek an account of expenditure at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rallies. Banerjee also demanded that PM Modi's candidature from Varanasi be cancelled, claiming that he has written "does not know" on many counts in his affidavit. Addressing election rallies in East Midnapore, she said, "We will ask the Election Commission (EC) to keep an account of the spendings in the prime minister's public meetings. If the EC can seek details of expenditure from others, why not from him?" The chief minister also alleged that BJP is doling out thousands of rupees to lure people to its rallies, while also buying votes. Taking her diatribe against the prime minister to his home front, she claimed that "all throughout his life, PM Modi never respected his mother or his wife. "You shy away from giving your wife her due respect, what respect will you give to the people?" the CM said. Maintaining that she has seen PM Modi's affidavit in his nomination papers, Banerjee said, "The PM has written that he does not know about his wife's movable and immovable assets. I don't like making such comments, but the level he has stooped to forced me to speak out," the TMC boss said. She urged the EC to carry out an investigation into the expenditure of PM Modi's "colourful rally" in the holy town of Varanasi before filing his nomination. "This election is not (a test) for Mamata Banerjee, but for you (Modi). It is time for you to answer what you have done in five years," she said, insisting that the prime minister was busy touring the world during his tenure. Maintaining that PM Modi is worse than Muhammed bin Tughlaq, the 14th century sultan of Delhi, she said that the sudden demonetisation of high-value currency notes in November 2016 caused immense hardship to people, be it a housewife, farmer, worker or a small businessman. Drawing from Marx's famous statement "religion is the opium of the masses", she said, "The BJP is using religion as opium to divert the attention of people from the non-performance of its government at the Centre. She, however, did not mince her words when it came to targeting the Left parties in the state. "Those who wore red shirts earlier are now donning saffron kurtas in West Bengal," the TMC chief said, indicating that many BJP workers in the state are former CPI(M) cadres. The CM also iterated that PM Modi will ensure that there was no further election in the country if re-elected to power. She charged the poll panel with "doing the bidding of the BJP". Banerjee, whose party was accused of unleashing a reign of terror during the panchayat polls, insisted that it was her party men who were killed during the elections in 2018. 'When Modiji had taken oath as prime minister for the first time on May 26, 2014, he had said his government will not be for any religion or individual,' said Adityanath. (Photo: File) Pratapgarh: No one is being allowed to play with the country's security under the Modi government, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said Monday. "In the five years of the Modi government, be it the issue of national security or internal security or the (economic) growth, the development is being seen everywhere. No one is being allowed to play with the security of the country today," the chief minister said, addressing an election meeting here. "When Modiji had taken oath as prime minister for the first time on May 26, 2014, he had said his government will not be for any religion or individual," said Adityanath. "He had said his government will work for the poor, farmers, women, youths and all sections of the society. Had the previous governments any concern for the poor, the bank accounts for them (the poor) would not have been opened after Modi came to power. "Rajiv Gandhi used to say when 100 rupees are sent (from the Centre), only 10 rupees reach the poor. The power brokers used to snatch the poor's share but it is not so now. Whatever is given by the government is directly deposited in their bank accounts," said the chief minister. He said the local industry based on amla fruit is being taken up under the 'one-district one-product' scheme of the state government and will also get branding. Speaking of his government's work, he said anti-Romeo squads have been set up for the safety and security of girls and laws have been framed to deal with land mafias. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. Indore: Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and senior BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan Monday said Congress chief Rahul Gandhi would fulfil Mahatma Gandhi's post-Independence wish that the country's oldest party be dissolved. He also accused the Congress chief of "breaking a record" of lying and levelling "wrong allegations" against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing a rally in Indore, he said, "After India attained Independence, Mahatma Gandhi had said the Congress should be dissolved. I feel this work (dissolution) will be accomplished at the hands of Rahul Gandhi." He further claimed that the Congress chief had to apologise in the Supreme Court for his "chowkidar chor hai" remark, adding that the opposition did not have a leader to take on Modi. He also took a swipe at former chief minister and Congress' Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate Digvijaya Singh for inviting former JNU students' union president and CPI Begusarai Lok Sabha contestant Kanhaiya Kumar for campaigning. Singh had announced Sunday that Kumar would seek votes for him on May 8-9 in Bhopal, where he is pitted against BJP candidate and Malegaon blast case accused Pragya Singh Thakur. "The Congress president Rahul Gandhi's guru Digvijaya Singh calls Osama bin Laden, Osamaji and stands with terrorists. When he did not get anyone for electioneering, he has invited Kanhaiya Kumar, who is facing trial in a sedition case," Chouhan said. "The Congress speaks the language of terrorists and supports traitors. The party wants to do away with the sedition law," he told the gathering. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. The one tactic taking potshots at Modi, whether with chowkidar chor hai or Hitler Babu has not been abandoned by the opposition. (Photo: FIle) New Delhi: South India completed polling in the third phase and a large chunk of central and east India finished polling by the fourth phase. While in most southern states there was no apparent BJP or Modi wave as in 2014. In Karnataka, however, Narendra Modi was still considered the most popular candidate for Prime Minister. Rahul Gandhi was not even seen as an option as against Modi even among Congress and JDS supporters. In Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana too if there was one person who was discussed the most whether negatively or positively for Prime Minister post-2019, it was Narendra Modi. Senior Congress leaders in Karnataka have spoken about Rahul Gandhi several times but it was restricted only to the media. However, there was literally no mention of the Congress partys prime ministerial candidate in their rallies and road shows The Gowda family led Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) contested this election that gave mixed signals. The forever hyper-emotional Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy (HDK) batted way above his weight. He even claimed that if they win enough seats, his father could be Prime Minister or advisor to the Prime Minister. That is of course if Rahul Gandhi became Prime Minister. His son is on a weak wicket in Mandya though the party pulled out all stops to defeat independent candidate Sumalatha who was backed by the BJP. They called, cajoled and pleaded with members of the Vokkaliga community to which the Gowda family belongs to ensure Nikhils victory. The party has made it a prestigous battle and the BJP was also hell-bent on seeing that the Gowda grandsons Nikhil and Prajwal (Revannas son) lose from Mandya and Hassan respectively. Deve Gowda who vacated his seat in Hassan for his grandson has pinned his hopes on the people of Tumkur to elect him to the Lok Sabha yet again. In an interview to ANI in which the 86 year old veteran spoke about being betrayed by almost all, he said that it was finally a request by Farooq Abdullah that convinced him that he had a lot to contribute to the nation and he should not call it quits to electoral politics. He spoke less of his son and more about himself during this election. The media in Karnataka has been relentless in its criticism of Chief Minister HDK. He, too, lashes out at the media in every interaction. Victimhood in the Gowda family runs deep and wide. To stay in the news cycle and to irritate the media further HDK attacks Modi in every press conference. The strategy is clear- if you make an outrageous comment about Modi, you can be certain that it will go viral on all kind of social media. Otherwise, the CM is generally the butt of all jokes and derision. The media in North Karnataka where he is extremely unpopular stakes out hours in front of his hotel in the midday sun to ask him questions about his past unfulfilled promises. HDK brushes them aside as compulsions of the coalition, non-cooperation from Delhi and that the media is biased. When I asked him why he makes bizarre comments like Modi uses wax and facials to appear fair and lovely and that is why the media focuses attention on him, HDK replies why else do BJP workers tell people to vote by seeing Modis shining face? BJP picked its candidates in Karnataka keeping in mind their support base, pull among young voters, ability to make fiery speeches, their strong ideological loyalties and caste make up of the constituency. Prahlad Joshis late-night meeting in a village in Dharwar had barely 30-40 people but he spoke as if there were hundreds who were listening in. The speech was peppered with references to Balakot and Pulwama. I had presumed that a village which did not have running water, no pucca road, very few pucca houses and just a few of them had naked bulbs hanging inside the house would hardly respond to national security in speeches. But there was laughter and applause at the references to Pakistan and Rahul Gandhis demand for proof of strikes. HDK in his speech in North Karnataka made a remark that Modis Balakot strike only burnt trees. There was silence in the audience, with even his party workers managing weak smiles. The reason is not difficult. There are families in this region who have sent their sons to the armed forces and feel affronted about any reference even mildly derogatory about anything to do with the armed forces. The Congress partys Siddaramiah leads the pack in poking fun at Modi. He uses tu uska usne and disrespectful language while referring to the Prime Minister. Siddaramiah still behaves like he is Chief Minister, not having vacated the residence of CM in Bengaluru. In Bangalore South, the Congress candidate BK Hariprasad too did not bother to speak about his rival the young Tejasvi Surya. He instead said made it very clear that his battle was with PM Modi and what PM Modi would do if elected again and how the people must choose against him. On the ground, in Karnataka there is an annoyance with the coalition government and that has probably led to negative voting for the JDS and Congress. In some areas, the Congress candidates barely stepped out into the rural areas to campaign. There were hardly any posters or door to door campaigning. The BJP, on the other hand, was assisted by the hundreds of thousands of RSS karyakartas whose only mission was winning. The only factor that they found difficult in winning the battle were caste barriers among voters. Almost all Non Resident Indians (NRIs) who had come to vote in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are Modi fans. It could either be that the overseas BJP organisations are very effective or like a millionaire banker who from Singapore says, making sure Modi gets a second term is a goal. He and his friends went to Varanasi to take part in Modis roadshow after casting their votes in their respective states. From Karnataka, I headed to Odisha where the Modi wave is negligible. The BJP is hoping to make an impact in the state this time which has been the stronghold of Naveen Patnaik of the BJD for 19 years. Here there are huge banners and hoardings of the BJP and almost cheek by jowl there are those of Naveen babu as well. Here local issues dominate the polls. Patnaik campaigns from his luxury bus, coming out rarely and addressing very few public meetings. His failing health is a topic of discussion and WhatsApp forwards but he is revered among the poor. The blood battle in Kendrapada, his father's constituency where bitter rival and former BJD and now BJP candidate Baijayant Panda wants to stem the BJD tide is in the central focus of all TV channels. Simultaneous polls have made it a tough choice for Odisha - loyalty for Naveen Patnaik who made the state his home and never left though he was an outsider or pick Modi who has promised development for Eastern India. Violence between workers of both parties has marred the generally dignified manner in which electioneering has been conducted in the state so far. To stay on the message during the long and exhausting month and a half of electioneering is the biggest challenge for political parties. The prime players have to sound convincing in their interactions and speeches to the voters. The one tactic taking potshots at Modi, whether with chowkidar chor hai or Hitler Babu has not been abandoned by the opposition. In the tech industry, roughly 80% are men and 20% are female, so were trying to make gender equity, he said. I wanted the girls to be able to see themselves working for companies like these. A Trinamool Congress (TMC) delegation led by party MP Shukhendu Shekhar Roy on Monday sought time from Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) West Bengal in connection with BJP leader and Union Minister Babul Supriyo's alleged altercation with the polling officer and violence caused during polling in Asansol Lok Sabha seat. (Photo: File) Kolkata: A Trinamool Congress (TMC) delegation led by party MP Shukhendu Shekhar Roy on Monday sought time from Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) West Bengal in connection with BJP leader and Union Minister Babul Supriyo's alleged altercation with the polling officer and violence caused during polling in Asansol Lok Sabha seat. ECs response is awaited. Meanwhile, clashes erupted between BJP and TMC workers in Nalhati city in Birbhum district. During the scuffle, a BJP supporter sustained an injury on his head. Security forces resorted to lathi-charge on Monday at a polling station in Asansol parliamentary constituency after clashes erupted between TMC and BJP supporters over allegations of electoral malpractices. There were reports of altercations between supporters of TMC, BJP and CPI (M) from several polling booths in the constituency. A BJP delegation which will include Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Vijay Goel and Anil Baluni, is scheduled to meet the Election Commission of India (ECI) in Delhi today over the issue of poll-related violence in West Bengal. Supriyo had an altercation with polling officers and TMC cadres at a booth, alleging that supporters of Mamata Banerjee-led party were capturing polling stations and not letting voters to cast their ballot. Supriyo is pitted against Trinamool Congress Moon Moon Sen from the Asansol seat. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. Dholpur: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that the his party will provide 22 lakh government jobs to people if voted to power following the ongoing elections. "I do not promise 2 crore jobs from this stage. I talked about NYAY and lakhs of people would get employed. When we form the government, I can guarantee that Congress will give 22 lakh government jobs," Gandhi said while addressing a poll rally here. "I will not say 2 crore jobs, will speak the truth of 22 lakh jobs. In 10 lakh Panchayats, youths can be employed," he said. Speaking further, Gandhi said: "Through demonetisation, he (Narendra Modi) took money from your pockets and he rolled out Gabbar Singh Tax and took youre your remaining money as well. "People stopped purchasing and as a result companies were forced to shut down that led to unemployment," he added. The Congress president reiterated his poll promise of NYAY in which the party will give Rs 72,000 to 20 per cent of poor whose income is under Rs 12,000 if voted to power. "NYAY scheme money will into the bank accounts of 5 crore women. Two separate India will not be created here. If Narendra Modi can deposit crore of money in bank accounts of Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi then Congress will deposit money in 5 crore people," he said. Speaking further about his party's vision, Gandhi said: "Our government will spend crores of rupees on education, health. Your children will get a better education because this is your money, not Anil Ambani, Mehul Choksi." Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. Hyderabad: The agitation by Opposition parties against the state government for its failure in conducting the Intermediate exams properly has entered its tenth day. Some 23 students committed suicide when the results, some of them said to be erroneous, showed they had failed. On Monday, Opposition parties demanded the dismissal of education minister G. Jagadish Reddy. TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Telangana Jana Sena president M. Kodandaram, Communist Party of India state secretary Chada Venkata Reddy, Telangana Telugu Desam president L. Ramana and others condemned the police for putting opposition leaders under house arrest. Opposition parties also criticised former IT minister and TRS working president K.T. Rama Rao for saying on Twitter that he knew nothing about Globarena, the company being held responsible for the goof-up in the exam results. AICC secretary and former MP, V Hanumantha Rao challenged Mr Rama Rao to swear before the goddesses of the Peddamma temple that he knows nothing about the company. He said he would be waiting there at 12 noon to see if Mr Rama Rao came to the temple. Senior Congress politician J. Geetha Reddy said that the all-party dharna or sit-in at the TS Board of Intermediate Education office was a success. She said that there is no democracy in the state. The negligence of the state government caused the exam results fiasco, she alleged. The Kadiam Srihari committee had held that Globarena did not have the capacity to handle the Intermediate results and data collection, so why did the state government give this job to the company, Ms Reddy asked. She has demanded the dismissal of the education minister, a criminal case to be booked against Globarena, and Rs 50 lakh ex gratia to be paid to each family of the students who committed suicide. Former Congress minister Mohammed Ali Shabbir was arrested by the Jubilee Hills police early this morning and prevented from participating in the dharna at the Intermediate Board office. He too demanded action against the education minister, the secretary of the Intermediate Board Ashok and Globarena, and police cases and arrests of all concerned persons. An Indian-origin Japanese man who is known as Yogi has been elected to Tokyos Edogawa Ward Assembly. The 41-year-old YOGENDRA PURANIK became the first Indian to win an election in Japan. Mr Puranik, a naturalised Japanese, secured 6,477 votes, the fifth-highest of the 226,561 valid ballots cast on April 21. He initially joined Jisedai wo ninau kai (Organisation for the next generation) and later joined the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP). He contested elections from the CDP, which is the largest Opposition party now. Mr Puranik first arrived in Japan in 1997 as a university student and returned two years later. In 2001, he went back to Japan to work as an engineer. Later, he worked for a bank and other companies and has resided in Edogawa ward since 2005. He felt his ties strengthened with Japan after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster while visiting the affected areas to cook curry with Indian friends from Edogawa ward to share with the victims. Were you always interested in contesting elections? Around three years ago, my ward (Edogawa) started a Little India programme which was going in the wrong direction. I requested the ward to talk to the community, rethink their objectives and make them practical. However, that did not work. That made me realise that I should not be sitting outside, complaining or requesting but should join politics and make the changes. Why did you choose to contest elections in Japan? Since 15 years, I have been living in Edogawa, Tokyo. I grew here as a professional and as a parent as well. I have actively worked here in local social organisations, PTA, etc. Though Edogawa is a great place to live, I thought it needed some practical changes for the next generations. There were some issues that made me realise that I should get in the system and make the changes that I wish to see in society. The long-pending issues were the unavailability of creches and kindergartens, downgrading of education in public schools, less job opportunities and insufficient services for the elderly. The numbers of foreigners, including Indians, living in Edogawa are high and the authorities have not taken any concrete steps towards the betterment of their lives. Not enough initiatives have been taken to bridge the gap between the foreigners and the Japanese. Speaking about infrastructure in Edogawa, it is very old and does not have any multi-purpose infra with offices, restaurants, cinemas, etc. How are Indian elections different from the ones in Japan? The elections in Japan are very systematic. In Japan, even a newcomer is offered enough explanation to enter politics or to contest elections. There is a lot of documentation, minute control of funds and the campaign is done in a gentlemans spirit. Here, all candidates respect each other and there is no garbage throwing. The Japanese police are always on alert and they keep a check that no candidate breaks the rules. However, home and personal visits are not allowed during the campaign. Volunteers in Japan cannot work for free. Being an Indian origin, was it difficult to contest elections? If yes, then how? Till the last minute, I was not sure how many people would vote for me. My participation, however, in local organisations, active volunteering in the Indian community, my restaurants and my Edogawa Indian Culture Centre gave me solid touch with the citizens. Also, I think my speeches played an important role to convince the public. Overall, being an Indian-origin Japanese was not easy but my guide, sitting MP Akihiro Hatsushika, the team and everyone did a fantastic job. In future, are you willing to come to India and be a part of Indian politics? As of now, coming back is not on the cards. I do not consider myself as a politician. I wish to look it as an improvements officer job and work on development as a process. I am not going into the Assembly to play politics. What are your views on Indian politics? Indian politics is not transparent at all, and we are not seeing any aggressive changes. I feel more can be done and can be achieved. According to you, in what ways can being a banker help you in your political journey? For me, a bankers job is and will be special. A banker safeguards peoples money with utmost care, following strict compliance and being process-oriented. As a legislator, I wish to bring that culture into my work. What are your political ambitions? Big changes ask for bigger roles. I would like to contest for the post of mayor in the next term. However, before that I must do enough for Edogawa. With the 2019 Lok Sabha elections now going on, what do you think of Prime Minister Narendra Modi? Who do you see as our next PM? I do not associate myself with a person. I associate myself to efforts. As of now, we do not have so many good options for the post of Prime Minister. If Narendra Modi is re-elected, I wish he takes us to the next stage from a practical perspective, in the sense what people really want and in a transparent way. There is so much to be done. The drive to give Germany a bigger role in space comes as European, Asian and US companies stake out ground in an evolving segment that promises contracts for everything from exploration to mining of outer-space resources. Facing tough competition from China, the United States and even tiny Luxembourg, Germany is racing to draft new laws and attract private investment to secure a slice of an emerging space market that could be worth $1 trillion (774.2 billion pounds) a year by the 2040s. The drive to give Germany a bigger role in space comes as European, Asian and US companies stake out ground in an evolving segment that promises contracts for everything from exploration to mining of outer-space resources. Firms likely to benefit from any future spending rise in Germany include Airbus, which co-owns the maker of Europes Ariane space rockets, and Bremen-based OHB. The new legislation would limit financial and legal liabilities of private companies should accidents happen in orbit, set standards for space operations and offer incentives for new projects, the German economy ministry told Reuters. The ministrys aerospace and space commissioner, Thomas Jarzombek, could submit the laws to parliament later this year. The move comes as companies and trade groups press for German authorities to establish a regulatory framework for the lucrative new market to encourage private investment. We are sounding the alarm that Germany and Europe are falling behind in space vis-a-vis China and the United States, Dirk Hoke, defence and space chief at Franco-German-led aerospace group Airbus, told Reuters. Were at a critical juncture to ensure we stay in the top league. Germany is Europes economic powerhouse and the worlds fourth-largest economy. However it had just the worlds seventh-largest national space budget in 2018, an estimated $1.1 billion, just over half the amount generated by fifth-placed France, according to preliminary data from Paris-based research firm Euroconsult. The figure, which excludes contributions to pan-European programmes, is dwarfed by the United States - by far the largest spender on space at almost $40 billion. Ironically, American space ambitions could offer a lifeline. Hoke said a new lunar Gateway programme backed by US space agency NASA offered a chance for Germany and others in Europe to stake a claim to a key role in the market. In my view, it is hugely important that we participate as equal partners so that we are primed to develop and build technologies for such a gateway, he said. The programme involves designing and developing a small spaceship that will orbit the Moon and serve as a temporary home for astronauts and as a base for work on the moons surface and, later, missions to Mars. NASA had aimed to finish the Gateway by 2026, but Washington is now aiming to put humans back on the Moon by 2024, which could lead to an accelerated schedule. Even before then, Germany is facing a brain-drain as companies worldwide ponder how to extract minerals from asteroids and water from the moon within a decade. Some companies are already considering moving to Luxembourg, which has taken a lead in Europe by enacting laws to limit liabilities and ease restrictions on mining operations. It has also set up a 100-million-euro ($112 million)investment fund for projects. Its a global market. We have our customers and we will keep them, even if we have to run the company from somewhere else, said Walter Ballheimer, CEO of German Orbital Systems, a Berlin-based start-up that builds small satellites. Germany was overtaken a long time ago, he said. But its not too late. If they are courageous enough and adopt a clear space policy ... then we can still have a piece of the cake that we should have as a leading export nation. Two other heads of small German space companies told Reuters they were considering leaving the country. LEAN SPACE LAW But Germany is not standing still. Space commissioner Jarzombek is working with trade groups, companies and other experts to draft the space laws, and plans to submit it them parliament sometime after September. We are aiming for a lean basic law that is open to the future, said a spokeswoman for Jarzombek and the economy ministry. A national space law should focus above all on incentives and make it possible for the German space industry to play a bigger role in global developments. Berlin is also pressing the United Nations to set standards for mining of the Moon, asteroids and other objects in space. The United States passed a law in 2015 that encouraged private companies to undertake mining work beyond Earth, and gives its firms the right to claim resources they may one day be able to extract from celestial bodies. Jarzombek helped secure a 269-million-euro increase in planned funding for the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2020-2023. But Germanys total space funding, which includes ESA and national programmes, is not expected to rise in that period. It edged slightly lower to 1.57 billion euros in 2019. The 18-member ESA oversees cooperation on space exploration and launches, but individual countries have their own research and interests, funded outside the ESA budget. Matthias Wachter, aerospace expert at the BDI German Federation of Industry, said advances in space were crucial for future technologies such as autonomous driving. Germany is limping behind, he said. Any spending plans would have to contend with rising budget pressures and an economic slowdown. Germany is in its 10th year of expansion, but only narrowly avoided recession last year. Senior executives from Deutsche Bank and Munich Re and others met in Berlin this month to brainstorm ways to fund and insure new space projects. One problem is Germanys conservative approach to investment and financing as entrepreneurs seek capital, said Sebastian Straube, CEO of investment firm Interstellar Ventures. Straube is building a 100-million-euro investment fund that will fund projects. He is also working with companies like rail operator Deutsche Bahn to encourage them to support new ventures that build applications taking advantage of increased access to space through satellites in low-earth orbit. SPACEX BATTLE Marco Fuchs, CEO of satellite builder OHB, said Germany needed bigger increases in national space funding to pay for pioneering developments, citing growing competition worldwide. The company carried out a privately funded commercial mission with China to orbit the moon in 2014, and teamed up this year with Israel Aerospace Industries to offer the commercial delivery of payloads to the lunar surface for ESA. OHB is a key player in the battle between Europes new Ariane 6 rocket and the Falcon 9 built by Elon Musks SpaceX to launch the first of two new OHB spy satellites, called Georg, for Germanys foreign intelligence agency in 2022. The contract, worth tens of millions of dollars, is drawing political attention after SpaceX and Ariane traded barbs about access to each others markets, which could presage a transatlantic trade dispute in coming years. OHB and the German government are expected to select the winner by late 2020, and Fuchs said the decision would be based on many factors, including launch dates and available budgets. In the end, its always a question of the price - or a political decision, he said. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Xiaomi India VP Manu Jain met up with Qualcomms executives and in a tweet teased that a new Xiaomi handset would be launched soon in India and it will be powered by a Snapdragon 730 or 730G chipset. As per a report by GSMArena, the tweet doesnt explicitly what handset will be announced but hints indirectly at a Snapdragon 700 series chipset that was announced a couple of weeks ago namely the Snapdragon 730 and 730G. These chipsets are built on the 8nm process that aids in efficiency. The report states that this could be the Xiaomi Mi A3, a handset thats expected to feature a triple rear camera setup, a Snapdragon 730 SoC and a 4000mAh battery. As of now details on the triple cameras arent yet available but rumours suggest that it will come with a 48MP primary sensor, a 13MP camera and an 8MP shooter. The last two mentioned cameras are in all likelihood an ultra-wide shooter and a telephoto sensor. Other reports suggest that the Mi A3 will come with an OLED display with support for an in-display fingerprint sensor. The report ends by stating that as of now theres no word yet available on pricing or by when it will actually launch. If reports are anything to go by then we could see it being introduced first in China before making its way to India. Disclaimer: The above report is completely based on online rumours and leaks from the respective sources. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Deccan Chronicle and/or other staff and contributors to this website. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. 'There could be another wave of attacks,' the head of ministerial security division (MSD), a unit of the police, said in a letter to lawmakers and other security sections. (Photo: AFP I Reuters) Sri Lankan security officials have warned that the Islamist militants behind Easter Sundays deadly suicide bombings were planning more attacks imminently, using a van and bombers disguised in military uniforms. There could be another wave of attacks, the head of ministerial security division (MSD), a unit of the police, said in a letter to lawmakers and other security sections, seen by Reuters on Monday. The relevant information further notes that persons dressed in military uniforms and using a van could be involved in the attacks, the letter said. It said the militants were targeting five locations for attacks on Sunday or Monday. There were no attacks on Sunday, and security across Sri Lanka has been ramped up, with scores of suspected Islamists arrested since the April 21 attacks on hotels and churches that killed over 250 people, including 40 foreign nationals. Authorities suspect members of two little known groups - National Thawheedh Jamaath (NTJ) and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim - of carrying out those attacks, though Islamic State has claimed responsibility. Sri Lankas government lifted the curfew on Sunday night for the first time since the bombings, but in the capital Colombo police conducted random body checks and searches. The letter said one of the fresh targets was in Batticaloa, a city on the East coast where 27 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack on a church. The location of the other targets was not mentioned. Two cabinet ministers and two opposition lawmakers confirmed to Reuters that they were aware of the latest security alert. We have been informed about this by the MSD, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said. The month-and-a-half clean-up campaign is supported by a number of governmental and non-governmental agencies. Kathmandu: A total of 3,000 kilogrammes of solid waste has been collected from Mt Everest since April 14 when Nepal launched an ambitious clean-up campaign aimed at bringing back tonnes of trash from the world's highest peak, which has lately turned into a garbage dump. The 45-day 'Everest Cleaning Campaign', led by Solukhumbu district's Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality began on April 14 with the Nepali new year and aims to collect nearly 10,000 kilogrammes of garbage from Mt Everest. Dandu Raj Ghimire, Director General of Department of Tourism, informed at a press conference on Sunday that of the 3,000-kilogramme garbage collected so far, 2,000 kilogrammes had been sent to Okhaldhunga while the remaining 1,000 kilogrammes were brought to Kathmandu using Nepali Army helicopters for disposal. Our team has now reached the Everest Base Camp for the cleaning campaign Ghimire was quoted as saying by The Himalayan Times. Under this campaign we will be collecting around 5,000-kg of garbage from Base Camp area, while 2,000-kg of garbage will be collected from the South Col region and around 3,000-kg will be collected from Camp II and Camp III area, he said. Mallya drew parallels between the plight of his collapsed airline and that of Jet Airways, India's leading private airline which grounded to a halt earlier this month amid a mounting cash crunch. (Photo: File) London: Embattled liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya took to social media on Monday to lament the collapse of Jet Airways and repeated his offer of a "100 per cent payback" for state-owned Indian banks to cover his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines' debt. The 63-year-old former Kingfisher Airlines (KFA) boss is currently appealing against his extradition order from the UK to India to face charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to an alleged Rs 9,000 crores. Mallya drew parallels between the plight of his collapsed airline and that of Jet Airways, India's leading private airline which grounded to a halt earlier this month amid a mounting cash crunch. "Several Indian airlines collapsed sadly including KFA. Now the previously unthinkable has happened with the collapse of Jet," Mallya said on Twitter on Monday. "Genuine business failures. But I am criminally charged by CBI/ED despite offering 100% payback. Wonder why only me," he questioned. His latest Twitter statements echo some of his previous social media interventions on the issue, claiming that his offer to pay back the debt owed by his now-defunct airline had been rebuffed by the banks and the Indian government. "Watched TV debate on the sad collapse of Jet which included unpaid employees and Industry veterans. Important issues on unemployment and suffering, security available to banks, prospects of revival etc. Here I am offering 100% payback of KFA loans which Banks won't take. Why?" he said. Mallya, who remains on bail on an extradition warrant executed by Scotland Yard in April 2017, is undergoing a UK High Court appeals process against his extradition order signed off by UK home secretary Sajid Javid in February. He has been allocated July 2 as the date for a brief hearing to convince a High Court judge that he should be given permission to proceed to a full-blown appeal against Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot's Westminster Magistrates' Court ruling last December in favour of his extradition to India. The judge had concluded there was "clear evidence of dispersal and misapplication of the loan funds" and accepted a prima facie case of fraud and a conspiracy to launder money against Mallya, as presented by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on behalf of the Indian authorities. Meanwhile, the businessman also faces a flurry of other legal cases in UK courts related to a worldwide freezing order and a threat of foreclosure of one of his homes in central London. Sri Lankan soldiers stand guard outside a closed church in Colombo on April 28, 2019, a week after a series of bomb blasts targeting churches and luxury hotels on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka.(Photo: AFP) Colombo: Sirisena said he was using emergency powers to ban any form of face covering in public. The restriction will take effect from Monday, his office said in a statement. "The ban is to ensure national security... No one should obscure their faces to make identification difficult," the statement said. It came days after local Islamic clerics urged Muslim women not to cover their faces amid fears of a backlash after the bombings carried out by jihadists affiliated to ISIS. Muslims in the majority Buddhist nation account for about 10 per cent of its 21 million population. Most Sri Lankan Muslims practise a liberal form of the religion and only a small number of women wear the niqab. For certain invasive species, catching infestation early pays off AMHERST, Mass. - An international research team led by invasion ecologist Bethany Bradley at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has conducted the first global meta-analysis of the characteristics and size of invasive alien species' impacts on native species as invaders become more abundant. For example, as alien garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) invades forest understory in New England, the number of native sugar maple seedlings declines, and invasive purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) in New England wetlands is linked to a decline in the abundance of native red-winged blackbirds and song sparrows, Bradley says. Elsewhere, predatory invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) introduced in Caribbean waters leads to a rapid decline in the abundance of native coral reef fish, and invading Burmese python (Python bivittatus) in the Everglades has caused dramatic losses of natives such as opossum, fox and bobcats. Bradley says, "What surprised me most was the magnitude of some of these effects. Invasive animal pests, like Emerald Ash Borer or lionfish, cause nearly a 50 percent decline in native populations. That's the average case - on average, invasive pests will cut the populations of native species in half if we don't prevent or control those invasions." The associate professor of environmental conservation adds, "Our principal finding is that if the invasive species is at a higher trophic level, that is, they are likely eating the native species, then just a few invasive individuals can cause a sharp decline in native populations. Once those invaders reach higher abundance, the damage has long ago been done. This has big implications for management," she says. "Early detection becomes critical." They report that impacts depend strongly on the invasives' position in the food chain, known as trophic level. Invasive species at higher trophic levels have a strongly non-linear effect on native species with the greatest impacts occurring early in the invasion, while invasive species at the same trophic level have a negative, linear effect on native species. Reporting in "Latest Articles" in the current online issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Bradley and colleagues analyzed findings from 1,258 case studies from 201 research papers. One goal was to understand generally how impacts accumulate during an invasion in order to support evidence-based management, Bradley says. "We know that invasive species have negative impacts, but past meta-analyses have only looked at studies where invaders were absent vs. present," Bradley says. Without information on the slope and magnitude of the impacts, she adds, "we don't know the slope of the relationship, whether it's linear or non-linear, or if there's a sharp decline of native species early or late in the infestation. These are the questions we looked at." For native species faced with an invader at the same trophic level, where the two are likely competing for resources, Bradley says, "We see a strong negative linear response," but no sharp initial decline. She adds, "As you increase invasive species' abundance, the native species decline in abundance and in community diversity. The management implications are that if you control the invasion at any point, it's a win for ecosystems." In the situation where an invader enters at a lower trophic level than the native species, results were unclear, Bradley says. "It could be creating new resources or it could compete against resources that the natives need. It's not clear whether the effects will be positive or negative, unless you're talking about terrestrial plants. Invasive plants are likely to have negative effects on native insects." Based on these and their additional assessment of impacts across different habitats - marine, freshwater or terrestrial - and for invasive animals vs. invasive plants, the authors found that "increasing the abundance of invasive alien species has pronounced negative impacts on native species populations and communities." Further, the fact that rapid declines in native species' populations can occur at initial stages of the invasion process, they say, "highlights the increasing need for early detection and rapid response (EDRR) to new invasive alien species," especially for animal pests. They point out that EDRR is cost-effective and "the only point at which eradication is feasible." "Avoiding the ecological impacts of invasive species will require a much stronger commitment to proactive policies designed to prevent novel introductions as well as increased management targeting the early stages of invasion." Bradley points out that adopting EDRR requires that natural resource managers spend more time monitoring for new invasive species. But, "our manager colleagues are telling us that they are only able to spend about 10% of their time monitoring for new species because they don't have enough resources to monitor and still manage existing invasions," Bradley says. "That's simply not enough." She adds, "Now that we know that impact and abundance are so closely related, we can use abundance as a proxy for impact. If I observe a large infestation of an invasive species, I can make a pretty good guess as to the magnitude of the ecological impact on native species." ### For this work, which was initiated at a working group supported by the Albert and Elaine Borchard Foundation, Bradley and UMass Amherst colleagues collaborated with others at the University of New Hampshire; the universities of California, Riverside and Irvine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, the universities of Liverpool and Exeter, U.K., France's Universite de Picardie Jules Verne and Spain's Estacion Biologica de Donana. This story has been published on: 2019-04-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 29) Senatorial candidates from the opposition coalition Otso Diretso spoke against the alleged abuse of power by President Rodrigo Duterte and other elected and appointed officials. Samira Gutoc, a former member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission who resigned in protest after Duterte made a rape joke, said Saturday the President abused the power granted to him with his policies and threatening statements against journalists, women, and the people of Mindanao. "There is an overstretch of power when martial law is declared on one part of the country in Mindanao. There is overstretch of power when journalists are arrested. There is an overstretch of power when local governments are afraid to host the Otso Diretso in their locations. There is overstretch of power when there is fear and judges are killed, lawyers are killed, civilians are afraid to go out in the streets... There is an overstretch of power when we do not question his rape jokes and statements against women," the Marawi civic leader said at the CNN Philippines Senatorial Debate. Related: Samira Gutoc calls for DILG, Comelec intervention amid fears of local leaders to host opposition bets Otso Diretso candidate Erin Tanada said the Senate's stand to keep mum on the thousands of what he said were extrajudicial killings conducted by the police under the Duterte administration's war against drugs is indicative of abuse of power. He also slammed Duterte for using the fear tactic in carrying out his policies. "There's abuse of power when the Senate keeps quiet as the killings continue and (does) not have investigations. There's abuse of power when the President uses fear to conduct his policies in the country. There's abuse of power when you use the pork barrel as a means to buy votes of congressmen and of senators," he said. Meanwhile, Senate hopeful Romy Macalintal said the power given to the country's public officials under the Constitution is not excessive, however, the problem lies with how the power is executed. He gave as example of the unprecedented ouster of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno in May 2018 through a quo warranto case. "Ang problema natin, grave abuse of the exercise of these powers. Kapag nagkaroon ng pang-aabuso sa katungkulan, yan ang dapat nating ipinaglalaban. Grave abuse of power, paano mo matatanggal sa Korte Suprema ang isang Chief Justice ganung wala naman katibayan na maaari siyang matanggal sa pamamagitan ng isang quo warranto proceedings... So it is not really enumerating the powers but understanding if the powers are being abused by the powers of authorities," he said. The Army has trained a number of dogs for mine detection, drug and explosive sniffing among others. (Representational Photo) Colombo: A woman in Sri Lanka has gifted her five German Shepherd dogs to the Army for explosive detection training in the wake of the massive Easter Sunday bombings. Dr Shiru Wijemanne, a lecturer in an international open university, gifted the canines to be used for emergencies, Colombo Page reported. The five German Shepherd dogs of a single family, including parent dogs in the age of two years and others of six months in age, were handed over to Brigadier A N Amarasekara at her residence in Narahenpita area here. She said that she was impressed with the role the Army was playing in detection of explosives and drugs. The dogs are to be trained in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Squadron of the Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE) within a few weeks before they are tasked with specific roles, the Army said. The Army has trained a number of dogs for mine detection, drug and explosive sniffing among others. Nine suicide bombers carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on the Easter Sunday, killing 253 people. The Islamic State claimed the attacks, but the government has blamed local Islamist extremist group National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) for the attacks. Sri Lanka on Saturday banned the NTJ and a splinter group linked to the ISIS. A total of 106 suspects, including a Tamil medium teacher and a school principal, have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday blasts. According to Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry, the number of foreign nationals who have been identified as killed remained at 40, including 11 from India. Wipro Consumer Care on Monday announced that it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire Splash Corporation, a Philippines-based personal care company for an undisclosed sum. The company said that this transaction would help strengthen the Wipro consumer portfolio in the personal care space and would build on their South East Asian footprint. Talking about the acquisition, Vineet Agarwal, CEO, Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting and Executive director, Wipro enterprises said, "This is our 11th acquisition in the consumer line range, and the ninth in the personal care space specifically. It gives us an entry into the Philippines, where we have a very small presence presently. Splash works in categories we understand and do well in. They have 15 % of their market share outside the Philipines. We hope that it would help us strengthen our position in countries across South East Asia. As part of the deal, we will also be acquiring their manufacturing plant, that will be our 16 manufacturing unit. Rolando Hortaleza, the CEO and founder of Splash Corporation will stay on as a consultant. We will also get the chance to tap into the potential of a 300 plus team that knows the product and the country well." Splash is the largest local Filipino personal care player that recorded revenues of $80 million last year. The company's personal care brands include SkinWhite(soaps and body lotions), Maxi-peel(exfoliants), Vitress(hair conditioners). "This acquisition enables us to grow Wipro brands in the Philippines by leveraging Splash's distribution strength. Splash brands are not only strong in the Philippines, but also in international markets such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, the Middle East, and Nigeria," Nagendra Arya, Regional Director (East Asia, Africa, and Europe), Wipro Consumer care said in a statement. Wipro Consumer Care's recent big-ticket acquisitions include Yardley, LD Waxson Unza Holdings and Zhongshan among others. The company also bought a minority stake in domestic consumer products firm Happily Unmarried Marketing for the Ustraa personal care range. Following in the trend of the first three phases of the Lok Sabha elections 2019, Google India is paying homage to the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha Elections by displaying an inked finger in its doodle. The doodle opens up to a page that displays the process of voting in the elections. Election FAQ: First-time voter? Here's how to vote Over 12.79 crore people in nine states are eligible to vote this time. A toal of 961 candidates will be contesting in the fourth phase of polling in 71 Lok Sabha constituencies. The key contestants in the fourth phase of elections include Kanhaiya Kumar from the Communist Party of India (CPI), who will be taking on Union Minister Giriraj Singh in Begusarai, Bihar. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath's son, Nakul, will be contesting from Chhindwara, a constituency in which Kamal Nath himself won a record nine times. Babul Supriyo of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), Urmila Matondkar of the Congress are the other key candidates who will be taking part in the fourth phase of the elections. The remaining phases of the Lok Sabha elections will be conducted on May 6, 12 and 19, while the results will be declared on May 23. New Delhis neighbourhood township of Sonipat was one of the epicentres of the February 2016 violent Jat quota agitation that took many lives. The scars of ugly violence are still alive in the minds of people three years later. This will be one of the determining factors in consolidating the non-Jat votes not just in the Sonipat constituency but in other parts of the state as well, especially in the Jat-dominated pockets. Properties of non-Jats were systematically targeted, restaurants were burnt down, and commercial establishments looted by goons who created mayhem on the streets with scant regards for law for days together. The state was held to ransom by the mob with the state administration and police machinery looking the other way. Properties of a sitting BJP minister in Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattars cabinet too wasnt spared. Besides the dominant Jat community, Sonipat Lok Sabha seat has nearly 1.9 lakh Brahmins, over a lakh Punjabis and nearly 80,000 from the Baniya community. The Jat quota agitation was the biggest failure of the Khattar government. Yet, Khattar is turning things to his advantage by asking voters to punish the perpetrators of the violence and arson. In his rally speech, he indirectly blamed Hooda for the chaos. Hoodas former political adviser Prof Virender was arrested on charges of instigating violence during the agitation. Joblessness, lack of avenues and poor infrastructure remain a major issue in this constituency. Interestingly, while the BJPs campaign strategy is centred mostly around Modi, the rhetoric by Congress leaders is not so much around their party president Rahul Gandhi. In Sonipat, Khattar took a dig at Hooda saying Congress leaders were hesitant to use Rahuls name in the poll narrative apprehensive that it would be counter-productive. Hooda retorted saying the BJP was only talking of Modi in Haryana as there was little by the Khattar government to show in the name of performance. No one is being allowed to play with the country's security under the Modi government, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Monday. "In the five years of the Modi government, be it the issue of national security or internal security or the (economic) growth, the development is being seen everywhere. No one is being allowed to play with the security of the country today," the chief minister said, addressing an election meeting here. "When Modiji had taken oath as prime minister for the first time on May 26, 2014, he had said his government will not be for any religion or individual," said Adityanath. "He had said his government will work for the poor, farmers, women, youths and all sections of the society. Had the previous governments any concern for the poor, the bank accounts for them (the poor) would not have been opened after Modi came to power. "Rajiv Gandhi used to say when 100 rupees are sent (from the Centre), only 10 rupees reach the poor. The power brokers used to snatch the poor's share but it is not so now. Whatever is given by the government is directly deposited in their bank accounts," said the chief minister. He said the local industry based on amla fruit is being taken up under the 'one-district one-product' scheme of the state government and will also get branding. Speaking of his government's work, he said anti-Romeo squads have been set up for the safety and security of girls and laws have been framed to deal with land mafias. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the probe of a failed fidayeen (suicide) attack attempted by the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen on a convoy of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway near Banihal on March 30. Inspector General of Police, NIA, Alok Mittal confirmed this. On March 30, at about 10.15 am, a Santro car loaded with explosives hit a CRPF bus in Banihal while the convoy was moving from Srinagar to Jammu. The bus suffered minor damages while the CRPF personnel had a narrow escape. The Jammu and Kashmir police said massive amounts of explosives were found at the blast site around the car, including 50 gelatin sticks, urea, ammonium nitrate, two LPG cylinders, one Improvised Explosive Device (IED), and an un-exploded IED inside. Police had arrested Owais Ameen, a resident of Shopian in south Kashmir, within 36 hours of the incident and claimed that he was a fidayeen belonging to Hizbul. During interrogation, he confessed to his crime. He is a resident of Shopian. This appeared to be a fidayeen (suicide attack) and as per our investigation till now, he belongs to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, police said. However, state police chief Dilbagh Singh later said that the trigger mechanism was not perfect and the blast was minor. Earlier, on February 14, in one of the worst casualties suffered by the security forces during peacetime operations, 40 CRPF personnel were killed and several others wounded when a fidayeen bomber rammed his vehicle packed with explosives into a paramilitary bus on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway in Pulwama. Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) claimed responsibility for the attack and released a video clip of the suicide bomber, Adil Ahmed Dar, which it claimed was shot before the young man carried out the attack. In the video, Dar can be seen brandishing rifles and standing in front of the Jaish banners. Since then, the government has reserved the highway exclusively for transportation of security forces twice a week until the end of May, to eliminate the possibility of suicide attacks during the ongoing poll process. The National Investigation Agency on Monday arrested a man, who is a follower of Sri Lankan Easter bombing mastermind Zahran Hashim, on the charge of conspiring to carry out a suicide attack in Kerala, an NIA spokesperson said. The spokesperson said 29-year-old Riyas A, also known as Riyas Aboobacker or Abu Dujana, a resident of Palakkad, was picked up on Sunday in connection with the ISIS module case. During interrogation, Riyas disclosed that he has been following speeches/videos of Hashim for more than a year and has also followed the speeches of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. He admitted that he wanted to carry out a suicide attack in Kerala, the spokesperson said. During interrogation, he has disclosed that he has been in online contact with absconding accused Abdul Rashid Abdulla, aka Abu Isa, for a long time and has been following his audio clips including the clip which he had circulated on social media platform instigating others to carry out terror attacks in India. He revealed that he was also having online chat with Abdul Khayoom, aka Abu Khalid, (accused in Valapattanam ISIS case) who was believed to be in Syria. NIA earlier received inputs that a group of four persons has been in contact with some of the accused viz Abdul Rashid, Ashfaq Majeed, Abdul Khayoom etc who had already migrated to Afghanistan and Syria. After verification, NIA carried out searches at three places (two in Kasaragod and one in Palakkad District) on Sunday. Three group members have been interrogated for their ISIS links and their plans. The Kasargod ISIS module case was registered in July 2016 following the disappearance of 15 youths from Kasargod and their subsequent migration to ISIS (14 persons to Afghanistan and one person to Syria). Riyas will be produced before an NIA court in Kochi on Wednesday, the spokesman added. Cyclones are deadly weather events that cause severe damage to life and property. And so, the naming of cyclones might seem insensitive or juvenile. The purpose behind naming cyclones, however, is to distinguish one cyclone from another. The practice of naming cyclones dates back several centuries when cyclones were usually named after Roman Catholic saints. The Padre-Ruiz Hurricane of 1834 for instance, was named after a recently deceased Catholic saint in the Dominican Republic. The San Felipe Hurricane of 1876 is another example of a cyclone named after a Catholic priest. During 1944, the United States Army Air Forces forecasters at the Saipan Weather Center started naming storms or hurricanes after their wives or girlfriends. The United States Weather Bureau, however, dismissed the idea of naming Atlantic hurricanes as they felt that the idea was silly and inappropriate. During August and September 1950, three tropical cyclones occurred simultaneously and impacted the United States, which led to confusion within the media and the public and that's when the practice of naming cyclones in public statements came into existence. The practice of using women's names to name cyclones was officially adopted in 1953. The US Weather Service adopted a new phonetic alphabet from A to W leaving out a few letters. Protests against the usage of female names eventually led to changes in naming to include men as well. The names of cyclones in the Atlantic and Pacific regions are recirculated every six years. The only exception is when a storm claims lives or results in huge property damage, in which case the name is retired. Presently, cyclones are named by various meteorological bodies based on the coordinates on which the storm is formed. These include the United States National Hurricane Centre, United States Central Pacific Hurricane Centre, Japan Meteorological Agency, Mauritius Meteorological Services, Fiji Meteorological Services, Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics, Papua New Guinea National Weather Service and the Indian Meteorological Department. The process of naming cyclones is slightly different in the Indian Ocean belt. In 2004, eight Asain countries came together and contributed a set of names to be used for naming cyclones in the future. Cyclone Fani, which is expected to bring heavy rainfall to the Indian coast this year was named by Bangladesh. The next cyclone will be named Vayu, a name contributed by India. RADNOR The township Zoning Hearing Board agreed to a request from a lawyer for Villanova University and a township solicitor to delay a hearing regarding a dispute with the township over the schools stadium lights but only until June 20, rather than July as requested. Peter Nelson, a township solicitor, said at the April 25 meeting that the township and Villanova are trying to work out an agreement. Also, the issue is expected to be before the board of commissioners at its May 20 meeting, he said. At a December Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Jack Larkin said a 1980 ZHB decision conflicts with a 2006 BOC resolution on the stadium lights and the township would like the ZHB to enforce its 1980 decision. That decision permitted the university to have six 100-foot-tall light standards, rather than 50-foot standards, allowing the lights to be on Monday through Thursday evenings from 6 to 10 p.m. The 2006 resolution said the lights should be reduced to no more than 50-foot standards after 9 p.m. and off at midnight. Township Manager Robert Zienkowski said at that time that he is working with Villanova to try to get the lights turned down at 9:30 p.m. as university officials agreed to in 2012. Last fall, they pushed back the shut-off time until 10:30 p.m. Meanwhile, residents complain that lights from the stadium sent glares into their houses, particularly their bedrooms, making it difficult to sleep. The Zoning Hearing Board has had Villanovas appeal of an enforcement letter from Kevin Kochanski, township zoning officer, on its agenda since December. Board Member William Martin questioned the need for the ZHB to grant further continuances, noting, We settled with North Korea in less time. Two residents of the Old Oaks neighborhood across Lancaster Avenue from the stadium were unhappy with the delay. Theyre fixated on hours of operation, said Martin Caulfield. The issue is a trespassing issue on light pollution into these neighborhoods. Technology is available to keep the light from leaving the universitys property, he said. The continuance is just allowing (them) to continue with light pollution regardless of time of day. It is not hours of operation; it is light pollution that you are addressing. Annmarie Hessman also complained that the appeal has dragged on continuously. But she also feared that a summer hearing would prevent many concerned residents from attending and commenting. She suggested it be postponed until September when people are back from vacation. I understand the neighbors frustration regarding the Zoning Hearing Board granting multiple continuances for the stadium light appeal, said Commissioner Sean Farhy. As I have previously stated, I believe that this is a good thing as the township and Villanova University can hopefully reach a settlement that all parties can live with. The initial deal that was struck back in 1980 was done too quickly and with zero input from the neighbors. Many Old Oaks neighbors have had to live with this light pollution for almost 40 years. This second time around, my focus is for a settlement to benefit the neighbors and to get it done right and with transparency. Those residents have conveyed to me that they are firm on a couple key issues, so Villanova holds all the cards when it comes to making the necessary changes, he added. Its most likely going to come down to Villanova keeping their pledge of being a good neighbor by correcting their light spillage and honoring their hours of operation. If a settlement can be reached, which I believe it can, I would like to see Villanova make a formal presentation to the residents prior to the board of commissioners acceptance of a settlement. SALT LAKE CITY The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed that the dangerous kissing bug" is spreading throughout the United States. Last week, the CDC confirmed that a Delaware girl was bitten on the face by the bug, which is typically found in the South. The critters, called triatomine bugs, can spread Chagas disease, which can be dangerous but hard to contract. According to the CDC, the disease spreads when the bug "poops on or near a person while it is feeding on (their) blood, usually when the person is sleeping. The disease spreads "when poop is accidentally rubbed into the bite wound or into a mucous membrane (for example, the eye or mouth), and the parasite enters the body, according to the CDC. There have been reports of the bug in several Southern and Western states, including Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada, the CDC reports. The Delaware girls case was reported in July 2018 when the family asked health officials to identify the insect that bit her on the face, Today.com reports. The bug reportedly bit her when she was watching television. A California mom says she was also bitten by the bug but didnt even feel it. A large bump appeared on her neck one day and she thought she was bitten by a spider or mosquito, according to Fox News. She didnt realize until later that the deadly bug had bitten her. She went for testing and found that she had contracted Chagas. Relatively few Americans could recount the details of French President Emmanuel Macrons proposed economic reforms, which he unveiled Thursday. Still fewer actually care. But Macron taught one lesson every American should care about: listening matters. The first-term president has spent the past 90 days convening his great national debate after yellow jacket protesters began occupying street corners to rally against high taxes and express their dissatisfaction with out-of-touch French elites. Their visibility forced a reaction from Macron. He could have hunkered down in his gilded office and lambasted the crowd. He could have whipped up some supporters and entrenched a political battle of insults and identify politics. Instead, he traveled the country, spending 92 hours listening to objections in public debates and amassing 2 million comments from run-of-the-mill citizens. Only in France, noted The Economist, would the response to a social rebellion have been a three-month-long national conversation. Well, why not in America? Theres plenty to listen to here concerns over education costs, student debt, housing prices, health care, immigration and the growing divide at the intersection of religion and LGBT activists. Unfortunately, the country doesnt use its ears as much as its mouth, and the mantra of retreat and tweet is not the answer. Were confident no one would like to hear politicians talk more. But who wouldnt appreciate feeling heard and understood? When outgoing President Barack Obama designated millions of acres in southern Utah as the Bears Ears National Monument, locals expressed their anger, not because they didnt love the land but because nobody consulted them in the process. Similarly, the Trump administration seems to have listened to a few advisers who champion economic tariffs. Had they listened to the rural farmers now injured by the policy, the response may have been different. And the principle applies just as much to would-be office holders. With the entrance of former vice president Joe Biden, the makeup of the 2020 presidential race looks solidified. Will candidates listen on the campaign trail, or will they care more about outdoing their opponents by offering lavish policy proposals? Historically, the answer favors the latter, but any candidate who truly wants to gain the hearts of voters will humbly listen to regular folks. The difference between Macrons deliberate community debates and a candidates campaign stop at a local diner is a matter of intent. Currying voters favor is not the same thing as seeking to understand others and craft solutions. Whether in business, politics or in the home, listening is the leaders greatest tool. For the coming weeks episode of Therefore, What? Deseret News opinion editor Boyd Matheson spoke with longtime director of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square Mack Wilberg on how he gets more than 300 voices to sing in harmony. His answer: They listen louder than they sing. PHOENIX It's not just Democratic-leaning states at risk of losing federal money and clout in Congress if the Supreme Court says the upcoming census can include a citizenship question. Fast-growing Arizona, Florida and Texas all have large groups of immigrants, especially Hispanics, who might choose to sit out the census, but are led by Republicans who seem unconcerned about the potential for an undercount and the resulting loss of representation in Congress. The divide between blue and red states with large immigrant populations is stark as both prepare for a census that could ask about citizenship for the first time in 70 years. Republican lawmakers in several states with large immigrant populations praised the Trump administration for fighting to include the question and wondered whether immigrants should even be included in the count. Florida state Sen. Joe Gruters, who also is chairman of the state Republican Party, said he wasn't worried about the potential consequences of an undercount. "I don't care," he said. "It's the right decision, and I fully support the president and what he's trying to do." He expects Florida will still pick up at least one seat because of rapid growth. The U.S. Supreme Court will decide soon whether to uphold the Trump administration's plan to ask about citizenship on census forms. There appeared to be a clear divide between the court's liberal and conservative justices in arguments in the case this past week, with conservatives holding a 5-4 majority. Federal law requires people to complete the census accurately and fully. But Ceridwen Cherry, a lawyer on the American Civil Liberties Union's voting rights project, said including a citizenship question could contaminate the form for many people and result in an undercount. "If a citizenship question is added, immigrants and those who live in households that contain noncitizens are going to be more likely to not respond to the census at all," she said, "or respond and leave off noncitizens from the form." The concern among certain immigrant groups particularly Hispanics and Muslims is driven by the Trump administration's oftentimes harsh rhetoric about immigration and fears that it will share the census data with immigration authorities. When an advisory committee asked the U.S. Census Bureau about that worry last year, officials responded by saying that breaking census confidentiality is a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison. Opponents of the citizenship question point to a study by George Washington University political scientist Chris Warshaw, who found that two or three states are likely to end up with fewer congressional seats than they otherwise would have because of a citizenship question. The most likely in that category are Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, New York and Texas. On the other side, he said a citizenship question would make it more likely for Idaho or Montana to gain a seat and Minnesota or Ohio to avoid losing one. Nine states would have lost population since the last census if not for international immigration, according to an Associated Press analysis of a Census Bureau population estimate. In Michigan, a political swing state, the concern is that it could discourage participation among the large Arab American community. Hassan Jaber, a former census advisory board member, is critical of the administration's citizenship question and of a decision against adding a Middle East-North Africa classification to the 2020 census. He said including the citizenship question could affect federal funding for programs and services related to food, health and education. But he's more troubled by the message it sends to Arab Americans and others. "The Trump administration's effort to suppress this recognition of this community sends signals of being unwelcome and to politicize the census ... and turn it against minority groups," said Jaber, CEO of ACCESS, a Detroit-area social services organization. "It's really something that becomes much bigger than just the data on Arab Americans." Matt Barreto, a UCLA professor who submitted testimony in court cases about the citizenship question, did polling that showed 7.1% to 9.7% of the population might skip the census if it's added. He also found that nearly half of Californians don't trust the Trump administration to keep the citizenship information out of the hands of other government agencies. "The administration wanted a citizenship question to hurt California. In the end, they're going to end up hurting conservative states and counties," said Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum. Conservatives generally support adding the citizenship question, even if it might suppress the total population count in their state. "If we would be entitled to another congressional seat, the question is, should we be entitled to it because we have more non-citizens living here that are not voters, or shouldn't be voters?" said Arizona Senate President Karen Fann. Arizona Republican lawmaker John Fillmore said he's not concerned about the fallout. He said he believes the state's explosive growth will ensure it doesn't lose clout. "I do not believe Arizona's going to lose a House seat in any way shape or form," he said. In Texas, Republican state Rep. Phil King said there is bipartisan agreement that everyone should be counted. He said the state is likely to pick up seats in Congress because of its rapid population growth, but it will be a close call to determine how many. "What we've got to do as a state is just make sure that we have programs in place that strongly encourage everybody to respond to the census and to know that it's safe and OK to do that," said King, who is chairman of the House redistricting committee. Texas Civil Rights Project spokesman Zenen Jaimes Perez said the organization has not had any coordination with the state on making sure Hispanic communities are counted. Perez said the group has worked with city officials in Austin, Houston and San Antonio to host community forums about the census and the importance of filling it out. Census data is used to divide the 435 U.S. House seats between 50 states and determine their clout in the Electoral College. It's also used to draw state legislative district maps and divvy up federal funding to states, cities and counties. About half the states have created "complete count" commissions to coordinate grassroots efforts designed to convince people to complete their census forms, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Republican Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona, who supports the citizenship question on the census, this month created a complete count committee to work on outreach. He said the state stands to lose an estimated $887 in federal funding each year for every person who skips the count. Ducey said the group will include people with expertise in reaching out to rural areas, tribes, universities, apartment dwellers, faith organizations, veterans and community organizations. Lawmakers are considering spending $5 million on the effort, a proposal that cleared the Senate nearly unanimously. Ducey told Capitol Media Services earlier this month that asking about citizenship is "a fair question" to "get a handle of who's here, who's a citizen and who's not." His spokesman, Patrick Ptak, declined to comment on the prospect of not gaining a House seat but said the census is a priority for the governor's office. Persuading people to respond to the Census requires explaining how it's linked to funding for schools, hospitals and other services and making them know it would be illegal for the census to share individual information, said Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. "An army of lawyers will be ready in the worst-case scenario that there is some kind of nefarious action taken around census confidentiality," Gupta said. ___ Mulvihill reported from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. ___ Associated Press writers Brendan Farrington in Tallahassee, Florida, Jeff Karoub in Detroit and Clarice Silber in Austin, Texas, contributed to this report. Jack Shu, of California, hikes with other history buffs at the Golden Spike National Historic Site near Corinne, Box Elder County, on Sunday, April 28, 2019. The hike commemorated the 150th anniversary of immigrant railroad workers laying 10 miles of track in one day for the first transcontinental railroad. Silas Walker, Deseret News Jack Shu, of California, and Pascal Lui point to the date on a sign at the Golden Spike National Historic Site near Corinne, Box Elder County, on Sunday, April 28, 2019. About 30 people went on a hike to commemorate the 150th anniversary of immigrant railroad workers laying 10 miles of track in one day for the first transcontinental railroad. Both Shu and Lui share a birthday on April 28th as well. Silas Walker, Deseret News Pascal Lui and June Artizada commemorate the 150th anniversary of immigrant railroad workers laying 10 miles of track in one day for the first transcontinental railroad during a hike at the Golden Spike National Historic Site near Corinne, Box Elder County, on Sunday, April 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News Jimmy Kwan and Jack Shu hike with about 30 other people at the Golden Spike National Historic Site near Corinne, Box Elder County, on Sunday, April 28, 2019. The hike commemorated the 150th anniversary of immigrant railroad workers laying 10 miles of track in one day for the first transcontinental railroad. Silas Walker, Deseret News Jack Shu, of California, gives instructions to other hikers at the Golden Spike National Historic Site near Corinne, Box Elder County, on Sunday, April 28, 2019 About 30 people went on a hike to commemorate the 150th anniversary of immigrant railroad workers laying 10 miles of track in one day for the first transcontinental railroad. Silas Walker, Deseret News History buffs from California and Utah commemorate the 150th anniversary of immigrant railroad workers laying 10 miles of track in one day for the first transcontinental railroad during a hike at the Golden Spike National Historic Site near Corinne, Box Elder County, on Sunday, April 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News A calf runs in front of history buffs from California and Utah on a hike at the Golden Spike National Historic Site near Corinne, Box Elder County, on Sunday, April 28, 2019. The hike commemorated the 150th anniversary of immigrant railroad workers laying 10 miles of track in one day for the first transcontinental railroad. Silas Walker, Deseret News History buffs from California and Utah commemorate the 150th anniversary of immigrant railroad workers laying 10 miles of track in one day for the first transcontinental railroad during a hike at the Golden Spike National Historic Site near Corinne, Box Elder County, on Sunday, April 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News History buffs from California and Utah commemorate the 150th anniversary of immigrant railroad workers laying 10 miles of track in one day for the first transcontinental railroad during a hike at the Golden Spike National Historic Site near Corinne, Box Elder County, on Sunday, April 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News History buffs from California and Utah commemorate the 150th anniversary of immigrant railroad workers laying 10 miles of track in one day for the first transcontinental railroad during a hike at the Golden Spike National Historic Site near Corinne, Box Elder County, on Sunday, April 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News Jack Shu, of California, hikes with John Jackson and about 30 others at the Golden Spike National Historic Site near Corinne, Box Elder County, on Sunday, April 28, 2019. The hike commemorated the 150th anniversary of immigrant railroad workers laying 10 miles of track in one day for the first transcontinental railroad. Silas Walker, Deseret News La La Brown, 16, and her sister, Mei-Mei Brown,14 hike with their family and others at the Golden Spike National Historic Site near Corinne, Box Elder County, on Sunday, April 28, 2019. The hike commemorated the 150th anniversary of immigrant railroad workers laying 10 miles of track in one day for the first transcontinental railroad. Silas Walker, Deseret News History buffs from California and Utah commemorate the 150th anniversary of immigrant railroad workers laying 10 miles of track in one day for the first transcontinental railroad during a hike at the Golden Spike National Historic Site near Corinne, Box Elder County, on Sunday, April 28, 2019. Silas Walker, Deseret News Jack Shu, of California, hikes with other history buffs at the Golden Spike National Historic Site near Corinne, Box Elder County, on Sunday, April 28, 2019. The hike commemorated the 150th anniversary of immigrant railroad workers laying 10 miles of track in one day for the first transcontinental railroad. Silas Walker, Deseret News A hiker takes a photo at the Golden Spike National Historic Site near Corinne, Box Elder County, on Sunday, April 28, 2019. About 30 people went on a hike to commemorate the 150th anniversary of immigrant railroad workers laying 10 miles of track in one day for the first transcontinental railroad. Silas Walker, Deseret News Jack Shu, of California, gives instructions to other hikers at the Golden Spike National Historic Site near Corinne, Box Elder County, on Sunday, April 28, 2019. The hike commemorated the 150th anniversary of immigrant railroad workers laying 10 miles of track in one day for the first transcontinental railroad. Silas Walker, Deseret News History buffs from California and Utah stop for lunch during a hike at the Golden Spike National Historic Site in Corinne on Sunday, April 28, 2019. The hike commemorated the 150th anniversary of immigrant railroad workers laying 10 miles of track in one day for the first transcontinental railroad. Silas Walker, Deseret News SALT LAKE CITY After 45 years of what his wife, Willene, thought was a stop on the way to somewhere else, the Rev. France Davis will retire as pastor of Calvary Baptist Church at the end of the year. "I just thought he was here for a little while and then we were on our way to Georgia," she said. "This is where God put him, and I made a commitment to God that I would not be a stumbling block in his way because I don't have a heaven or a hell to put anybody in." Hundreds of family, friends, civic and religious leaders and congregants celebrated the Rev. Davis' impending retirement with words and song at a joyous service Sunday. The theme of the meeting was "45 years of amazing service, amazing humility, amazing sacrifice, amazing grace." Although he won't be preaching at Calvary Baptist every Sunday, the Rev. Davis, 72, will continue touch lives with his writing, teaching and mentoring. He said he might even fill in at churches that don't have pastors. "I'm still in good health. I can't see. I can't hear. My taste buds are about gone. But I've got strong legs and a strong voice," he said. Born in rural Gough, Georgia, the Rev. Davis moved to Salt Lake City as a teaching fellow and graduate student at the University of Utah in 1972. He has been the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church since 1974. He was a faculty member at the U. in communication and ethnic studies, retiring in 2014. Earlier, the Rev. Davis participated in the civil rights campaigns of Martin Luther King Jr. He decided to devote his life's work to ministry after taking part in the March on Washington in 1963, and the Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights march in 1965. "I think he's a state treasure," said Ronald Coleman, chairman of the Calvary trustee board and a retired U. professor who has known the Rev. Davis since 1973. "He's represented us in a variety of venues around the world, and he's brought a sense of community and recognition that we're all God's children in a way in which we need more." Coleman said the Rev. Davis is a person people could count on. "If you were sick and he knew it, he'd be there without asking," he said. "He makes you want to be a better person." The Rev. Davis will be the U. commencement speaker next week. "What a remarkable leader for this community, inspiring so may students from all backgrounds that a college education is possible," said U. President Ruth Watkins, who attended the afternoon service. "He has been steady advocate, supporter and ally of higher education in Utah." During the service, the Rev. Davis recognized members from various denominations in the audience, including the young Rabbi Sam Spector of Congregation Kol Ami in Salt Lake City. The pastor recently visited the synagogue. "Their hope for your retirement plan is that you'll be the next rabbi of Kol Ami," he said, drawing raucous laughter and applause. "Amen," the Rev. Davis said, adding the Salt Lake police chief recently made him an officer with a badge and an ID card. "Anybody else want to make me anything? I'll be the president of the LDS Church," he said to even louder laughter and clapping. "I hope y'all tell President (Russell M.) Nelson I was joking," the Rev. Davis said to the Latter-day Saint contingent in the crowd. The Rev. Davis said Calvary Baptist has worked well with other denominations over the years, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but has not compromised its beliefs. "We thrive because we agree to disagree with the predominant religion about our theological beliefs, and then to work together in the areas that we have in common," he said. One of those areas, he said, was the construction of housing for veterans. While the Rev. Davis said he has plenty to keep him busy in retirement, Willene Davis wants him to have some fun with his children and grandchildren. "I'm going to show him how to enjoy himself," she told the congregation. "Yes, pastor, we're going to Disneyland." SALT LAKE CITY A woman became wedged in a narrow slot canyon Sunday night in Garfield County, prompting a long rescue effort that ended early Monday. A group of seven people from the Denver area, ranging in age from 20 to 60, began hiking a slot canyon called Sandthrax located in the Leprechaun Canyon area near Boulder, Garfield County, on Sunday. Garfield County sheriff's spokeswoman Denise Dastrup said the canyon, which requires rappelling in some spots, is difficult and not for beginners. "They were not prepared at all for this kind of a hike. Very amateur in hiking. Probably shouldn't have been in this canyon. Probably should have studied it out a little more," she said. At some point, a woman in the group became stuck while hiking in a narrow part of the canyon. One man was able to get around the woman and hike out for help, while the others were stuck behind their friend, Dastrup said. The man who was able to hike out was able to flag down a motorist who gave him a ride into Hanksville, Wayne County, where authorities were notified about 9 p.m. Search and rescue crews from Garfield and Wayne counties were assembled as well as the Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter. Dastrup did not immediately know how long the woman was stuck or what time she was freed. She said deputies who participated in the rescue were still driving home Monday. After she was freed, the woman was flown by helicopter to Moab Regional Hospital to be treated for hypothermia and other minor injuries, Dastrup said. The helicopter then returned to help the others, who were not injured, get out of the canyon. HILL AIR FORCE BASE Erin Mcanlay, 35, was married all of three weeks last September when her husband, Master Sgt. Jacques Mcanlay, received orders to deploy on a seven-month mission to the Middle East with his unit at Hill Air Force Base. A former Air Force employee herself, she knew the chances of such a separation was possible when she took her vows, but having to endure a prolonged period away from her new spouse would be a test for both of them. "Honestly, it's been hard but we (would) talk every day and we (would) video-chat every day so that's been super helpful. A lot of people aren't as fortunate," she said. "We've been really lucky that we've been able to stay in contact and have that throughout this time." She noted being a spouse is a different experience than when as a co-worker she welcomed people home from deployment. This time was much more emotional. "It was definitely harder. When you're the co-worker, you're like, 'I gotta pick up the slack (because) they're not there,'" Mcanlay explained. "But when it's your husband and they're not home, everything falls on your shoulders and they're half a world away and want to support you from there." She said the availability of technology to support daily communication was key in bridging the distance created by the physical separation, but they still missed each other a lot. "It kind of comes in waves," she said. While the distance was an issue at times, they were able to do things to strengthen their marital bonds by doing Bible reading plans together, praying together and building solid communication in their time apart, she added. "With technology nowadays, we felt like we were together even though we were separated and thousands of miles apart," said Master Sgt. Jacques Mcanlay. On Monday, 128 members of the 729th Air Control Squadron returned home from a seven-month deployment in support of operations that contributed to the defeat of the ISIS caliphate in Syria, a news release states. Our mission is to deploy on short notice to anywhere in the world and provide combatant commanders with persistent 24/7 battle management command and control of joint air operations, said 729th Commander Lt. Col. Jeffrey Digsby. We are extremely proud of our men and women who have performed their duties flawlessly, and we are excited to have them back. During the deployment, members provided aircraft control and air surveillance across 1.1 million square miles of airspace over U.S. Air Force Central Command in the region, explained Col. John Bartoli, commander of the 552nd Air Control Group, the parent command for the 729th. He said the unit from Hill Air Force Base included surveillance technicians, weapons directors, and datalink experts tasked with directing tactical execution of the military air component for the mission. ... when it's your husband and they're not home, everything falls on your shoulders and they're half a world away and want to support you from there. Erin Mcanlay, 35, whose husband deployed on a seven-month mission to the Middle East He noted that maintenance personnel in various specialties including radar, radio, cyber transport, power production and vehicles worked around the clock to maintain the squadrons equipment in several locations across the theater to keep the operation fully mission capable. "It was a very wide-ranging mission (with) a lot of facets to it very complicated. The one thing that is always necessary is the need to manage air support and air space in support of whatever is going on over there on the ground," he said. "They managed the air space and made sure that air support in all its forms and fashions were at the right place at the right time to support whatever (U.S. Central Command) needed done in the region."' The unit deploys regularly, Bartoli said, typically with new members involved each time. He said despite the relative youth pervasive within the unit, the members "crushed it" while on this last assignment. "Measuring success is difficult and it's probably more art than science," he explained. "We've heard from commanders on the ground and in the air that the support they've gotten from the 729th has been exceptional." He explained this particular mission was "high stakes" due to the nature of its purpose to defeat the Islamic state terrorist organization. Taking down a caliphate requires forcibly gaining control of territory taken over by ISIS, he said. This latest mission was able to accomplish much of the goal of retaking large sections of the previously enemy-controlled territory, he added. "There has been an entire allied (multination) effort that has nibbled away and pounded away at the ISIS caliphate to take away their territory, degrade their combat capability and to force them back into a mode where they are more a traditional kind of insurgency," Bartolti explained. "It's a very wide-ranging, complex effort that spans multiple countries. Every time ground forces needed air power to influence the battlefield, the 729th made sure that air power was in the right space at the right time doing the right things to contribute substantively to the degradation of ISIS." SPANISH FORK A Colorado man who claimed he didn't know what was in the car he was driving was arrested Saturday after deputies found an estimated 100 pounds of marijuana inside. Christopher Bradley Page, 25, of Colorado Springs, was booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of drug possession with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a restricted person, theft by receiving stolen property and having an expired vehicle registration. Page was pulled over Saturday night by a Utah County sheriff's deputy for the expired registration, according to a police affidavit. Page claimed he had just purchased the vehicle. He said he was from Colorado and was in town to buy car parts, the report states. "I smelled marijuana inside of the car and saw large bags that were covered up with a sleeping bag," the deputy wrote in the report. "He told me that I could check his car to make sure that the only thing he had in the car was a marijuana pipe but no marijuana. I did check the car and found a large amount of marijuana." The deputy found an estimated 100 pounds of marijuana in vacuum-sealed bags as well as a "handgun that was loaded and ready to fire," the report states. The gun was listed as stolen out of Oklahoma. Page told the deputy that "he didn't know what he was transporting but that whatever it was he was going to be paid when he delivered it to Colorado," according to the report. "Christopher does not have a criminal history. He was transporting a large amount of marijuana from Utah to Colorado with a stolen firearm to make money," the report states. SALT LAKE CITY Utah has a long-held reputation as the fraud capital of the United States, mostly based on anecdotal evidence. But a nationwide Ponzi scheme database that Florida attorney Jordan Maglich compiled offers proof that the ignominious label appears deserved. Utah had the sixth most Ponzi schemes among all states from 2008 to 2018, despite ranking 31st in population, according to ponzitracker.com. Only California, Florida, New York, Texas and Illinois, in that order, had more. When Salt Lake attorney Mark Pugsley ran a per-capita analysis of the numbers, Utah topped the list for the most Ponzi schemes and it's not even close. Pugsley found Utah has 1.35 Ponzi schemes per 100,000 people. Florida is the next highest state at 0.51 per 100,000 people, nearly two-thirds lower. "This is a question people have been asking for a long time, 'Is Utah really that bad?'" he said. "This for the first time gives us some quantifiable basis to say yes, we are that bad. Not only are we bad, but we're way worse than anyone else by a long shot." Overall, Utah investors lost over $1.5 billion in those scams over those 10 years. The number does not include other affinity frauds and investment scams which Pugsley estimates account for another $500 million in losses to Utah residents. Also, removing the massive $17 billion Bernie Madoff scam in New York, Utah has the highest loss per capita of $502 per person, more than double the next highest state. Including Madoff pushes the per-capita loss in New York to $1,093. Maglich, who represents court-appointed receivers in fraud cases, compiled the database using publicly available news sources over a 10-year period, generally including schemes of $1 million or higher. He started the website in 2011 to warn people about the scams. Utah, he said, isn't the state people would think of as ranking sixth in the number of Ponzi schemes, right behind some of the most populous states in the country. "I think that's one of the biggest surprises or takeaways from this accumulation of data," Maglich said. "Unfortunately, the data bears it out." The database only includes those identified as Ponzi schemes. Maglich found 42 in Utah in the past 10 years. Given all the other white collar fraud that occurs in Utah, it understates the volume of financial scams in the state. Pugsley, who blogs about Utah fraud, said there's no clear answer as to why fraud is more rampant in Utah than in other states. But after helping people recover losses from investment fraud for 25 years, he said he's learned that Utahns are simply too trusting, particularly when the person soliciting an investment is in their Latter-day Saint ward or shares their religious affiliation. Though commonly called "affinity fraud," it's more of a way for con artists to market their scams to people in their communities. They exploit their close personal relationships, whether it's in business or more likely through neighborhood or religious associations. Maglich said many perpetrate the scheme by getting the blessing or participation of those who share their faith and use it as a distribution and solicitation network. Pugsley said Latter-day Saints are taught to trust their feelings, but while that might be a valid basis for religious decisions, it's not for business decisions. He also said he found people who believe if they're using the money for good, God would protect it. The new Ponzi scheme data comes amid two of the largest cases in Utah history. Federal authorities last fall accused Rust Rare Coin and its owners of running a $200 million Ponzi scheme. The case is pending. Next month, a federal judge will sentence Claud R. "Rick" Koerber for a $100 million Ponzi scam. Prosecutors say Koerber preyed on many fellow members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to take investors for $100 million. "Koerbers crimes are emblematic of the fraud that occurs here in Utah," according to a sentencing memorandum in which prosecutors are seeking a 20-year prison sentence in the case. One victim wrote to the court: "Rick used neighborhood friends, political figures and religious leaders to gain other peoples trust. Rick used these people to validate that he was (an) honest person and a good person. Rick also emphasized his positions within the church as validation that he was a trustworthy and sincere person." Another wrote: "Many of these individuals, (Koerber included), were members of the predominant religious organization in the area, noted for a standard of honesty and trustworthiness. Some held high positions. Whether intentional or not, this association lent confidence in and validity to Koerbers programs. Our dad does not deal deceitfully and doesnt expect it in others. This experience has taken the wind out of his sails." Those stories aren't unusual in Utah. They happen all too often, fueling the state's reputation as the fraud capital of the United States. In 2011, Marquet International, a business investigation firm, placed Utah at No. 5 for what it called a "Ponzi propensity ratio." The FBI ranked Salt Lake City fourth in the country among Ponzi scheme hot spots in 2010 and more recently called it one of the top five states for white collar crime. The Wall Street Journal named Salt Lake City the "Fraud Capital of America" in a 2015 story. Utah is the only state with a dedicated regional U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission office that services no other location. The state's fraud epidemic has reached such significant proportions that state lawmakers a few years ago created the nations first white collar crime offender registry, which includes photos, names and aliases of Utah fraudsters. Subscriber content preview PORTLAND (AP) TriMet is moving forward with an estimated $200 million light-rail project to extend Red Line trains into Hillsboro and bring more reliable service to and from Portland International Airport. The Oregonian/Oregon live reports that by the end of April, TriMet will apply for funding through the Federal Transit Administration. If approved, the federal government would be expected to contribute $100 million toward the project. . . . Subscriber content preview SEATTLE A small commercial building is planned at 2616 E. Cherry St. The prior owner, a metalsmith, sold the 2,700-square-foot property earlier this month for $700,000. The buyer, Juniper Investors LLC, lists its address at a downtown law firm. Prior to the sale, Cone Architecture submitted an early redevelopment plan for a four-story commercial building with two surface parking stalls. . . . Chelsea boots have quickly become a must-have in the leisure wardrobe of any discerning gent. Whether for a wintery weekend or a casual dinner, theyre the ultimate shoe when it comes to style and versatility. And with an illustrious ancestry extending back to the British monarchy, its no surprise that theyre so well-loved today. Originally invented as riding boots, the style was later popularised by the Beatles and became a mainstay of the British mod movement in the 1960s. Since then, the boots appeal has broadened even further with a huge variety of both fabrications and price points. Here, we explain how to wear Chelsea boots as well as how to select the perfect pair thatll take you from a weekend getaway to a night on the town and back again. How To Wear Chelsea Boots With Jeans Chelsea boots and jeans are a recipe for a classic, laid back look. Easy to throw on after work for drinks or dinner, a pair of these boots in a dark brown or black will instantly elevate a pair of indigo jeans and a casual shirt. For the best effect, make sure that the jeans are slim cut (not skinny) as this will allow the top section of the boot to sit comfortably under the hem without getting squashed. Pair this with a white chambray button-down shirt from the likes of Brooks Brothers or Ralph Lauren and a matching belt for an easy but elegant outfit. If your style skews a little more to the likes of Yeezy, suede Chelsea boots can add a hint of polish to distressed denim like nothing else. Pair this with a fitted plain tee-shirt in khaki and a black bomber jacket for a more sophisticated take on street style. How To Wear Chelsea Boots With A Suit Harking back to the fitted suits and pointy boots of the 60s, Chelsea boots arent just for weekend larks and after hours. Indeed, choose your pair well and this shoe may well take you from the office to the bar and then some. However, when pairing boots with a suit, there are two key pointers to follow. Firstly, if youre planning on pairing a suit with boots, bring them along when youre having your trousers hemmed. Because Chelseas sit higher on your foot than a standard Derby or Brogue might, the hem needs to be shorter in order to avoid multiple breaks at the front of your pants. Secondly, not all Chelsea boots are suit-worthy. Look for styles that have a structured upper. These will look more in keeping with suiting and also prevent you from looking like youve schlepped into the office in last nights kicks. The likes of Loakes and R.M. Williams are great places to start and, if looked after, are well worth the investment. How To Wear Chelsea Boots With Chinos More dressed-up than jeans but less formal than a suit, chinos and Chelsea boots scream sophistication. The trick here, is understanding fit and layering with the right pieces. Above all else, steer clear of chinos that grip to your calves. This has the unfortunate effect of making you look like youve continuously skipped leg day. Instead, opt for a pair of slim cut chinos that fit comfortably over the boots upper. Styles in beige, navy and khaki are great foundations for any casual wardrobe and youll be able to wear them all year round. When it comes to choosing your top half, casual shirts are a good bet. To add some personal flare, look for bold colours in checks and stripes that will add a point of interest to the outfit. Pair this with a half-zip jumper or a quilted jacket in the cooler months for an effortless look. How To Wear Chelsea Boots With A Winter Coat Chelsea boots are perfect for winter, adding that extra layer of warmth and keeping the wet weather out of your socks. This being the case, youll likely be pairing them with a winter coat at some point. As a rule, if Im wearing a collared shirt, Ill opt for a more structured wool coat in either a navy or camel. Suitsupply have a great selection as do retailers like Harrolds or Mr. Porter. Look for either mid-thigh, single breasted styles or pea coats if youre vertically challenged. Alternatively, if youre going for a more casual look with jeans and a tee for example look at layering a light wash denim jacket or gilet over a chunky knit sweater. This has the appeal of being both rustic and supremely comfortable. How To Look After & Store Chelsea Boots Chelsea boots can come with a hefty price-tag particularly if youre going for an iconic label like Australias very own R.M. Williams. This being the case, knowing how to look after your boots is a must. Above all else, leather Chelsea boots need to stay hydrated. Like with any leather product, when it dries out, its more susceptible to cracking. We suggest using a hydrating cream a few times throughout the year and this keeps them supple and adds a good level of sheen. If youve got a suede pair, a good shoe brush will keep them looking fresh will also help budge any stubborn stains. Finally, we cant stress the importance of re-soling enough. If you purchase a pair with leather soles, its highly recommended that you head down to the local cobbler and get at Topy sole applied. This is a thin piece of rubber that goes over the ball of the shoe and will extend its lifetime significantly. Read Next GE's WMC Mortgage unit files for bankruptcy General Electric Co on Tuesday put the remaining of its WMC Mortgage unit into bankruptcy, 11 days after it paid $1.5 billion in fine over defective subprime mortgages issued by WMC before the 2008 financial crisis. The bankruptcy process would bring finality amidst the rising threat of claims over WMC, which has but limited cash of $175,000, WMC chief executive Mark Asdourian said in a filing with the US bankruptcy court in Wilmington, Delaware. General Electrics GE Capital unit bought WMC in 2004, which had since originated more than $65 billion of mortgage loans from 2005 to 2007. It halted originations in 2007 because of the collapse of the US housing and financial markets. WMC sold most of its assets that December to DLJ Capital. Tuesdays filing is part of GEs effort to address liabilities incurred through many years of expansion under the earlier management, while improving profitability and cash flow. This filing is another important step in the de-risking of GE Capital, a GE spokeswoman said in a statement about WMCs bankruptcy. GE and GE Capital are not part of the filing and the case has no adverse impact on our business operations. WMC said the bankruptcy would help it complete a $198 million settlement over its packaging in 2006 of 5,000 mortgage loans into securities sold to investors. It said that would resolve the last of 14 lawsuits it faced over residential mortgage-backed securities, following $870 million of settlements of the other 13 lawsuits. The $1.5 billion civil settlement on 12 April resolved US Department of Justice claims that GE concealed the poor quality of WMCs loans and WMCs lax fraud controls. GE did not admit wrongdoing. EU Commission extends review deadline for Thyssen, Tata Steel deal The European Commission has extended the deadline for reviewing the planned joint venture deal between ThyssenKrupp and Tata Steel by 7 working days until 17 June, its website showed on Friday. Tata Steel and ThyssenKrupp had proposed to combine their steel European operations, which would form the regions second-biggest steelmaker. Tata has proposed to sell its Welsh steel plant to get the merger with German steelmaker ThyssenKrupp approved by the European Commission. Tata has offered to sell the Trostre plant in Llanelli to satisfy regulatory concerns that the merger could result in reduced competition in the sector. However, the hiving off of The Trostre plant raises questions about the future of the plant that produce steel packaging such as cans and tins and its 700 workers. According to reports, both Tata Steel and ThyssenKrupp will have to sell some of their assets to get approval from European agencies as the joint venture company will end up holding more than a specified market share in some of their business areas Even after one-and-half-year of efforts, the joint venture deal between Tata Steel Europe and German steelmaker Thyssenkrupp AG has not been completed. Both companies have offered to sell assets in Belgium, Spain and the UK to win antitrust approval. The two companies proposed divesting two automotive steel plants in Spain and Belgium. The companies may sell a UK steel operation, but plan to keep the main Port Talbot mill, according to a Bloomberg report. A BBC report, meanwhile, said Tata Steel could sell one of its Welsh plants to get approval for the proposed merger. The Trostre steel plant in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, could be sold to get the approval from European Commission (EC). The plant employs 650 people and produces steel packaging for Tata Steel. The joint venture could have over 50 per cent of the steel packaging market in Europe. While the steel industry in Europe that has emerged from a crippling crisis in 2015 with the loss of thousands of jobs, still faces challenges of competition, which has now been compounded by the uncertainty associated with the Brexit process. NIA probing Sri Lankan attacker's Kerala links The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids on the houses of four persons in Kasaragode and Palakkad districts in Kerala and are questioning three of them suspected to have connections with the Easter Sunday attackers in Sri Lanka. The NIA is said to have recovered incriminating evidence during raids at their homes on Sunday. The three are believed to have been in touch with some of the people who left the state to join the international terror group. Sources said the probe agency is also trying to establish if they have links with those involved in the 21 April suicide bomb attacks in Sri Lanka. The NIA, which is on the trail of ISIS recruitments from Kerala, raided the houses in Kasargode and Palakkad after evidence emerged that the targets of their probe had persistently tailed Zahara Hashim, the main accused in Sri Lanka bombing, on social media. The NIA is carrying out the investigations as part of an international probe into the Easter Day suicide bombings in Sri Lanka. State police sources said law enforcement agencies across the world, including the NIA and the FBI, have been trying to follow the digital trail left behind by Hashim on social media, which he zealously used as a platform to recruit persons to his global jihadist alliance. While the NIA so far has no concrete evidence to nail the suspects, investigations into the purported affiliates of the Hashim-led terror outfit National Towheeth Jamaat (NTJ) revealed a nascent plot to unleash terror in India as well. Zaharan Hashim, the terror mastermind, had travelled widely in India and is expected to have contacts and places within the country. NIA agents swooped on the houses of the potential suspects at Kaliyangad and Nayanmarmoola in Kasargode and Adavumaram and Muthalamad in Palakkad on Sunday. While the details of the inspections remained confidential, the agency has summoned the persons to their office in Kochi for further questioning. NIA also fears a connection between the attacks in Sri Lanka and radical activity in India, especially in the coastal states, in South India, including Kerala, due mainly to the sizeable Tamil population whose security concerns often get mired in the post-LTTE Sri Lankan politics. Sri Lanka braces for fresh attacks by `uniformed' militants Security officials in Sri Lanka have warned that the Islamist militant group that carried out the Easter Sunday suicide bombings are now planning fresh attacks and that they could appear in military uniforms. A week after the devastating Easter Sunday bombings, Sri Lanka has completely banned all face veils, including the burqa. President Maithripala Sirisena made the announcement late on Sunday in a press release. According to the release, any form of face cover that will hinder the identification of a person is banned under emergency regulations. President Maithripala Sirisena took this decision to further support the ongoing security and help the armed forces to easily identify the identity of any wanted perpetrators, the release added. Securities also warned of a fresh wave of terror attack by the militants. There could be another wave of attacks, the head of ministerial security division (MSD), a unit of the police, said in a letter to parliament and other officials. The relevant information further notes that persons dressed in military uniforms and using a van could be involved in the attacks. There were no attacks on Sunday, and security across Sri Lanka has been ramped up, with scores of suspected Islamists arrested since the 21 April attacks on hotels and churches that killed more than 250 people, including 40 foreign nationals. Authorities suspect members of two little known groups - National Thawheedh Jamaath (NTJ) and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim - of carrying out the Easter attacks, though Islamic State has claimed responsibility. In India, police said they had raided the homes of three people in the southern state of Kerala, close to Sri Lanka, in connection with their links to Islamic State. They did not say if there was any connection to the attacks in Sri Lanka. India opens market for Brazilian chicken products: report India has allowed a Brazilian poultry firms to sell products here, after it allowed frozen chicken legs from the US into the country, a move that would jeopardise business prospects for domestic poultry farmers. JBS, the largest meat processor in Brazil, is set to introduce its chicken products, including thighs and leg quarters, in the Indian market soon through its subsidiary Seara. Seara is reported to have received approval from authorities to sell its chicken products in the country. Domestic poultry firms fear that they may have to close business if the flow from overseas continues unabated. India had lost a protracted dispute at the WTO to the US with regard to poultry imports. Per the latest DGCIS (Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics) data, Poultry product imports into the country rose to 797.73 tonnes, valued at $5.45 million (Rs37 crore) for the April-January 2018-19 period. In the previous financial year, poultry imports stood at 572 tonnes valued at $4.17 million (Rs26.87 crore). Interestingly, poultry imports from the US increased the most, at 136.92 tonnes valued at $1.2 million, in April-January 2018-19, as against 0.01 tonnes in the previous year. Poultry farmers in India are demanding higher tariffs on maize imports to tide over short supplies as also a higher bound duty on chicken product imports to protect domestic farmers. Indias per capita meat consumption, according to Compound Livestock Feed Manufacturers Association, is set to grow to 5.98 kg by 2025 from 3.35 kg in 2017 with the population rising and income levels growing. What Design Can Do Mexico City will be launched on 6 May with an opening ceremony at Palacio de Bellas Artes, followed by a two-day conference festival hosted at Fronton Mexico from 7-8 May. The line-up includes over 50 visionary speakers from around the globe, addressing themes such as The Resilient City, looking at architecture that has the ability to remain functional during natural disasters; Designing Activism, highlighting the significance of social, political, economic and environmental protests; New Creative Leadership; Creating Cultural Identity; Humanising Immigrants and Food Will Pacify Us. Independent candidate in the European elections Peter Casey believes he will top the poll in the Midlands North West constituency on May 24. Donegal-based Casey was in south Donegal on Monday afternoon and in an interview with the Donegal Democrat said he is not only confident of getting elected but says he will top the poll. One of 17 candidates in the race for four seats, he said he thought there was room for two independents, but he thinks he can come in ahead of fellow independent candidate, Luke Ming Flanagan who topped the poll last time out in 2014. Mr Casey said: I cant afford to just come fourth in this, there is absolutely no way I am going to let Ming Flanagan top the poll. Asked if a strong performance in Donegal was key to his election, he said: A bad Donegal would make it very tough. He said its vital that Donegal has a strong voice in Europe: Look we come last in almost every metric and we need to reverse that - we need to give our young people in Donegal and across the country real hope that they can stay in Ireland, find work and build a future. "I spoke to students across Donegal recently and I asked them where they saw themselves when they completed second level and the majority of them said they felt their future would not be in Donegal," he said. Irish Water has been demanded to appear before county councillors to explain the ongoing disruption to water supply in parts of west Donegal. In the latest disruption homes and businesses in Falcaragh Falcarragh, Gortahork and parts of Gaoth Dobhair were without water for three days due to a burst on the rising main between the reservoir and the water treatment plants at Ardsbeg. Officials have been called on to attend the Glenties municipal district by Sinn Fein councillor John Sheamais O Fearraigh to provide answers over ongoing disruption to water services in the region. Over the weekend homes and businesses in several parts of Gaoth Dobhair, Falcarragh and Gortahork were again without water or experienced disruption to their supply, he said. This is simply not acceptable and these ongoing outages are greatly inconveniencing and impacting on householders throughout the region, many of whom have been experiencing service disruptions for weeks now. This situation is also costing local businesses hundreds of euro to lost trade as some businesses, such as hairdressers and cafes in particular, have had little option over recent weeks but to close on several occasions owing to inadequate supply. These business owners are paying rates and commercial water charges and they deserve to enjoy access to quality and adequate water services, yet the fact that they are being forced to close because of water outages is not good enough. As many people will be aware, I have previously called on Irish Water to urgently carry out remedial works and to complete a local pipe replacement programme in a bid to resolve this issue, however, householders and businesses cannot be forced to put up with these outages for much longer. Evidently, there is a need for Irish Water to commit to fast-tracking this plan while also introducing measures to ensure that residents and businesses have access to a clean, safe, reliable water supply in the interim. As chairperson of the Glenties Municipal District, I am now demanding that officials from the utility appear before the next sitting of council in order to field questions from the elected members and to outline what action Irish Water is going to take to immediately resolve this unacceptable situation, he said. The centennial is trying to come up with a way that we can honor the past, educate and tell peoples stories, Bullinger said. As we thought through all this, we thought about naming a building after somebody, but Mayor Bruce Grantham came up with the idea that we should do a time capsule because it would encompass history, educate, inform and we can participate going into the future -- people will know about what happened in the past, which will help them out. He came up with the idea of the time capsule because it allows us to capture a moment in time in 2019 that 100 years from now, people can come back and read about what life was like. Were doing something completely different than anybody else. No surprise Republican legislators are against the graduated income tax proposed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Today's Republicans seem to be anti anything put forth by Democrats. But I have noticed that they never seem to have any concrete ideas of their own. What are their ideas for solving Illinois' fiscal problems. They go with the standard vague lines of cutting waste and needless spending without offering specifics; fixing the pension funding crisis that's been with us for over 30 years through both Republican and Democrat administrations but without the how to accomplish this. Pritzker ran on the idea of a graduated income tax. Perhaps this is what the people want. A pre-event dinner will be catered by Po Folks at Hillcrest Baptist Church on Friday, May 3, from 5:30-7 p.m., tickets are available online. Adults $12, children ages 4-12 are $8, and children 3 and under eat free. A free continental breakfast will be available prior to the bike ride and run events at First United Methodist Church starting at 6 a.m. and Mellow Mushroom will provide pizzas afterwards. Please help the Lions Club serve your community and enjoy a Saturday outing the entire family can take part in. The Enterprise Lions Club supports many worthy organizations and is committed to ensuring that people have access to vision care; therefore, the funds generated by registration fees for the BW100 run will go directly to Alabama Lions Sight in Birmingham to provide eye exams and other vision care for those who could not otherwise afford the care. The Club provides funds, through the Coffee County Family Services, for eye exams and glasses for local residents, some of whom may also need referral to the Birmingham hospital for more specialized treatment. These services cost qualified folks nothing. In addition, the Club donates to Camp Seale-Harris, a camp for children with diabetes; the Enterprise Christian Youth Camp; the Coffee County Youth Leadership Program; Special Olympics; Camp Win Shape, and the Enterprise Public Library. The Club awards a scholarship each spring to a deserving EHS senior. In conjunction with the Wiregrass Wounded Veterans Committee, the Club also supports wounded veterans, recently having completed the construction of a handicap-accessible cabin on Fort Rucker. The Club cannot meet these challenges without the help of the community. Therefore, We Serve thanks to financial support. Your participation in BW100 ride or run gives you an opportunity to help the service continue. We do have part-time and full-time jobs, and we work with their schedules. We know theyre in school, and were constantly scheduling around this test or that test, Glover said. Were always hiring for these patient care techs, and thats something these students can do. Our ultimate goal for them is to advance their career and get out of that entry level job. This can get them the experience they need to ultimately get into those roles. Recently, 11 DTC students passed their patient care technician certification tests, Meigs said. For Delvick McKay, City of Dothans personnel director, the fair offered a chance to encourage students to pursue careers in government, which provide security and good benefits. We are the fourth-largest employer in this region, so we have a vested interest to create the kind of workforce thats going to sustain our city operations for years to come, he said. (We) also give kids the exposure they need to look at government as a viable career option. Certainly we want them to get educated and live their dreams but also (there are) opportunities in their own community. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has granted $24 million to West Florida Electric Cooperative, which provides electricity to a large area of the Panhandle, for its Hurricane Michael response. The award highlights several full reimbursements FEMA awarded to various Panhandle entities, the agency announced Monday. Minimum federal reimbursements cover 75 percent of applicable recovery costs. Meteorologists recently relabeled Michael a Category 5 storm with 160 mph maximum sustained winds in a report documenting the storms impacts. Michael made landfall near Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida, on Oct. 10, 2018. The FEMA funds reimburse West Florida Electric for its actions following the storm, including clearing of debris along the rights-of-way and temporary power restoration. FEMA approved $1.28 million to the Jackson County government for its immediate response to Hurricane Michael including search and rescue efforts, evacuations, shelter operations, and installation of emergency road signs. FEMA also awarded $22.5 million to the School Board of Bay County and another $1.7 million to the City of Callaway, a Panama City suburb. FEMA made the funds available through its public assistance program. Iconic Newspapers, which includes the Offaly Express and Leinster Express, is hiring an advertising assistant at their planning and service desk in Portlaoise. The position offers an attractive salary package in a modern office space in the heart of Portlaoise. If you have a good knowledge of/or interest in print and digital media and advertising, possess excellent organisational skills and can work effectively to tight deadlines, you could thrive in this key role within the Iconic Media team in Portlaoise. Iconic Group is rapidly developing its product portfolio in Ireland and now publishes 20 weekly newspapers and 23 local news websites. It has a vast presence across the country. Youll join our small but highly effective advertising team focusing on two core areas: Planning working with Editorial and Advertising Managers to ensure space is planned and effectively utilised to optimise both editorial and advertising content. This planning process culminates on the day of print and the team is responsible for ensuring all categories of advertising including Classified, BMD, Features and Services are optimized. This is a time-critical period and requires a lot of manual intervention from the page planner. Production The team book their adverts onto our bespoke Gemstone system. The Planning & Service Desk team is responsible for checking that all information is correct before sending it to the advert make-up team. To succeed youll be extremely organised and able to work in a fast paced environment. The ability to operate to tight deadlines is very important and you should have a good knowledge of Microsoft office and be happy to work well within a small team. If you can provide the enthusiasm and interest in print and digital advertising, full training can be provided. To apply, please email your CV to ckelly@iconicnews.ie Contribute to SDG goals On the occasion Rector of IHE Delft, Professor Eddy Moors, addressed all participants and said: 'Water crises are a severe risk in the world and we need your help to share the knowledge to enable the water sector to make a step forward to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)." Moors concluded by urging the graduates to keep in touch with IHE Delft, "so we can learn and improve ourselves from your experiences in the future. With the group that is here, we will make a next step in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It is now time to put into practice what you have learned". The graduates join the IHE Delft alumni family of over 23,000 alumni across the globe. Byline: Karen Reddington, President, Asia Pacific, FedEx Express Traditionally, small businesses began in ones backyard selling to friends and neighbours. As these small businesses grew and ventured abroad, they would have sought out markets close by or those which were culturally similar before going beyond. But the Internet and e-commerce has made the world smaller and far-away markets more accessible. Its not surprising that a new generation of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are leapfrogging the domestic-first mentality and targeting international consumers from the very start. These are the SMEs that are born global. Typically helmed by younger founders who are well-travelled, Internet-savvy and comfortable with social media, these SMEs have identified a customer need and focus on getting their product to the consumers wherever they are. These shifting trade trends are reflected in FedEx Express Asia Pacific SME research report[1]. For the first time, the proportion of SMEs that export beyond Asia Pacific exceeds those who export to markets within the region. Overall, the number of SMEs exporting beyond Asia Pacific is up 254% over four years. These inter-regional transactions now account for more than half (53%) of export revenues, compared to 42% in 2016. Global exports have become more valuable too: the average annual revenue generated by exports beyond the region is US$641,000, 13 percent higher than the comparable average value of exports within the region. Looking for opportunities To the APAC SMEs, the world is their oyster. Instead of putting all their eggs in one basket, they are choosing to diversify their export markets instead. With Central and South Asia opening up and consumers purchasing more, this region has emerged as the single most important destination outside the core Asia Pacific region for APAC SMEs. Almost two in five (37%) APAC SMEs are exporting there. Europe is a close second (33%) while the North America is the third most important market, at 24%. The United States may be the worlds most important economy but its also a highly competitive market that attracts the big players. The SMEs, however, are good at spotting underserved niche areas where big players have yet to enter, making Central and South Asia a natural draw for them. In the same way that the Internet and e-commerce have made it easier for SMEs to export across borders, the same factors have also made it less cumbersome for them to import from further afield. At the same time, import patterns are reflecting a similar shift toward globalization. Almost half (46%) of APAC SMEs are sourcing beyond domestic markets. Of these, 68% import from within APAC, while 62% import from other regions, up from just 26% three years ago. This trend is set to grow as SMEs believe that importing from other markets helps reduce their production costs and increase end-product quality. As technology continues to empower a borderless world, APAC SMEs are increasingly going to find it easier go global. ___ [1]Global is the New Local: The Changing International Trade Patterns of Small Businesses in Asia Pacific, a commissioned research study conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of FedEx Express, July 2018. Karen Reddington, President, Asia Pacific, FedEx Express Reach key decision makers with sales-ready leads that shorten your sales process. Move the needle by delivering funnel qualified leads to your sales team. Learn more The ramp-up to Apples Worldwide Developers Conference this June has begun, with reports circulating about the goodies the company will include in the next generation of its desktop and mobile operating systems. The latest revelations include macOS support for the iPad as an auxiliary display, and iOS support for multiple windows within apps. There are a number of third-party products on the market to add an iPad as a second display for a Mac, but the feature will become native to Apples desktops and laptops with the next version of macOS, version 10.15, according to 9to5Mac. The feature, referred to internally as sidecar, reportedly can be accessed by hovering a Macs cursor over the green button to maximize a window in macOS. Hovering will reveal a menu with options for making the window fullscreen, tiling it, or moving it to an external display or an iPad, where it will appear in fullscreen mode. Its a smart idea, said Lauren Guenveur, a senior research analyst at IDC, a market research company in Framingham, Mass. For those of us who travel, its quite annoying to have just one small screen, she told TechNewsWorld. Even with a 13-inch iPad, its hard to achieve total productivity with that machine. While the iPad is connected to a Mac, Apple Pencil can be used with the tablet, making the iPad a stand-in for a tablet accessory, 9to5Mac also noted. New Undo An array of new features will appear in the next edition of Apples mobile operating system, iOS 13. iPad applications will be able to function in multiple windows opened simultaneously, 9to5Mac reported. Each window can contain sheets. At first, the sheets are attached to a portion of the screen, but they can be detached with a drag gesture and moved around the screen like cards. They also can be dragged onto each other to form a deck. To get rid of a card , the user can virtually fling it away. Both the iPad and iPhone will get a dark mode, which already is supported by macOS. The system-wide dark mode can be enabled through iOS settings. It includes a high-contrast option. A new undo and redo gesture will be part of the new iOS repertoire, 9to5Mac noted. When a user enters text on the iPad, a three-finger tap on the keyboard area will activate the feature. Moving left or right will undo and redo actions interactively. A D V E R T I S E M E N T The first time the keyboard is displayed after installing the new version of iOS, a tutorial will appear explaining the new feature, which is probably a good idea given the recent track record of iOS. One of the complaints about iOS 12 was, while it had a lot of new features, they werent always the most intuitive, Guenveur said. Improved Mail Mail in the new iOS also will be better, 9to5Mac reported. For example, users will be able to organize messages into categories marketing, purchases, travel and such which will be searchable. A read later bin also will be available. Another gesture has been added to the OS so multiple items can be selected in tables or collections. Using multiple fingers, the items in the list or collection can be selected easily. Collaboration in third-party, document-based apps may be introduced in the new iOS. In addition, Safari for iOS 13 has been tweaked so that on the iPad, it automatically will ask for the desktop version of websites. Some websites, most notably YouTube, will send an iPhone version of a site to an iPad, even though the tablet can handle a desktop rendering of a site. Other new features 9to5Mac identified: Addition of a font-management panel to add fonts to a device; A redesigned Reminders app; A new high volume HUD; and Better Hey, Siri rejection, so it better distinguishes between speech and noise. Pushing Productivity The reported new features of iOS 13 aim to make the iPad a better tablet, as well as a better computer, said Patrick Moorhead, principal analyst at Moor Insights and Strategy, a technology analyst and advisory firm in Austin, Texas. They indicate to me Apple is wanting to make the iPad more of a personal computer, he told TechNewsWorld. The new features will appeal to anyone who values improving their productivity, Moorhead added. At least for the iPad Pro, Apple is always going to push the productivity story, IDCs Guenveur said. One of the reasons Apple introduced the iPad Air which has a larger screen than the basic iPad and a faster processor was to encourage movement to its higher-end tablets, she pointed out. By placing something between an iPad Pro and an iPad, it has something thats for content consumption but can also be seen as a productive machine, Guenveur explained. Dueling Tablets As powerful as Apple has made its Pro version of the iPad, though, for many people it still seems to lack the productivity allure of a laptop. What really hampers the iPad Pro although they added a host of features with iOS 12 was that iOS is still a very mobile operating system, Guenveur said. For some folks, even though it is powerful device, iOS 12 just didnt provide the support needed for it to be a full productivity machine. One of the reasons Microsofts Surface Pro tablet has a productivity edge over the iPad Pro is Windows, she said. Where the Surface Pro shines is Windows 10, which is a fully fledged operating system with a desktop. Apple provides a better tablet experience, but Microsoft delivers better productivity, and neither of them have figured out how to do both well, Guenveur added. One is always going to be more of a tablet. One is always going to be more of a computer. For Apple, the answer to the productivity challenge may lie in macOS. I think theyre going to continue to tweak iOS and add macOS features to it, Guenveur said. If you compare the iPad Pro to some of the laptops that Apple released last year, the iPad Pro was far more powerful, so it makes sense to focus on iOS and bring in useful features from macOS. 5: Priority recommendations that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has implemented since March 2018. Those actions relate to chemical standards, nonpoint water pollution and water pollution assessment. There are, however, 14 priority recommendations that the agency has not acted on. (Government Accountability Office) News Briefs PFAS Groundwater Cleanup Standards The EPA published draft guidance for responding to groundwater contamination from toxic PFAS chemicals. The guidance covers the two most-studied of the thousands of PFAS compounds: PFOA and PFOS. It sets contamination levels that would trigger additional investigation and establishes goals for groundwater cleanup. The cleanup goals are based on the EPA's health advisory of 70 parts per trillion. The EPA "expects" that parties responsible for the contamination will address PFOA and PFOS levels above that. This applies in states that do not have their own cleanup standards, which can be more strict. However, stricter state standards are no guarantee of action. The Air Force has claimed sovereign immunity from Michigan's 12 parts per trillion limit where groundwater discharges to surface water. Public comments are being accepted for 45 days after publication in the Federal Register. PFAS Cleanup Request A Republican senator and two Democratic colleagues asked a watchdog agency to investigate the government's response to PFAS contamination. In a letter, Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE), Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Gary Peters (D-MI) requested that the Government Accountability Office answer a number of questions, among them: The estimated cost to the federal government of cleaning up PFAS contamination in water supplies where the government is the drinking water provider Actions that agencies have taken to reduce the federal government's financial liability Research that is needed to understand human health effects Progress the Defense Department has made in finding non-toxic alternatives for firefighting foam, which is a source of contamination Hydropower Licensing Change Federal energy regulators finalized rules that will quicken the permitting process for certain new hydropower projects. Final decisions for projects will be issued no more than two years after a completed application is submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The new rules apply to existing dams that do not currently generate power and to pumped storage projects. The change was ordered by Congress last year. In context: U.S. Hydropower Grows By Going Small (Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC)Thousands of Christians from Jerusalem and beyond marched on 14 April from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem's Old City, following in the footsteps of Jesus on Palm Sunday in 2019. When thousands of Christians from Jerusalem and beyond marched from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem's Old City, following in the footsteps of Jesus on Palm Sunday, their procession was accompanied by Ecumenical Accompaniers. "Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to love, and may peace be in our hearts," said Rev. Gabrielle Zander from the Augusta Victoria Church in an opening word of prayer. He preached as participants in the World Council of Churches' Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (WCC-EAPPI) gathered in Saint Anne's Basilica in Jerusalem in mid-April. Since 2002, groups of Ecumenical Accompaniers (EAs) has provided protective international presence to local communities, documenting human rights violations, and gathering eyewitness stories of life under occupation stories that they can bring back to share in their home contexts. At Saint Anne's, the mid-April ceremony saw one group of EAs pass on the challenges of their ministry to another. Some of the EAs have now spent three months in the Holy Land, others have just arrived. But they all share the same ministry of witness, of accompaniment, of service. ST ANNE'S MONASTERY "As humans, God created us with many differences, and these differences have created tension, conflict and misunderstandings" reflected Rev. Dave Sullivan on behalf of the Missionaries of Africa of St Anne's Monastery and Basilica. "But God's dream is for us to all live in harmony. Different, but in harmony." "Jesus taught us that 'blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons and daughters of God' those who make peace, those who foster dialogue," Sullivan continued. "Each of you is blessed, as you have given up your time, your energy, and your resources, to make your contribution towards peace." "During your time here, you will not resolve all the problems. But you are here, to make your contribution to God's dream of peace," he said. Through a symbolic candlelight ceremony, the group of outgoing EAs then passed on the light of peace, as the responsibility of the EAs' witness now falls onto new shoulders. "May you walk with kindness, hope, patience and love so that you are blessed and are a blessing to all," the group of outgoing EAs said. "We accept the challenge to live and witness as EAs," the new group responded. And while one group now moves back to their respective home contexts to share what they have seen, heard and experienced, the new EAs have already begun their service in the field. Thousands of Christians from Jerusalem and beyond marched on April 14 from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem's Old City, following in the footsteps of Jesus on Palm Sunday. EAs were onsite throughout the day, accompanying the procession as it marched through the city. "Passing on the candles, passing on the responsibility to work for peace, and to communicate with the people here, was a very emotional experience," said one of the outgoing EAs, from Argentina. "I think we have being doing great work, and we try to leave everything now in a way that they can help strengthen the work more and more." Outgoing EAs lit candles before stepping out of the Saint Anne's Basilica, ready to head home. "I appreciated what was said," an incoming EA from Finland added. "And even though I am not really a very religious person, I still felt during the handover ceremony that it was real. It was real for me." Since 2002, the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine in Israel provides a continuous presence of 25-30 Ecumenical Accompaniers, with a vision of just peace for all people in the Holy Land. For three months, EAs accompany local communities, offering protective presence, collecting documentation, and witnessing daily struggles and hopes. They do it for shepherds in the Jordan Valley, school children at risk of settler harassment, people passing through checkpoints in the separation barrier, or communities under threat of demolition. On April 18, we published No Seat at the Roundtable , an editorial in our school newspaper on being denied entry to a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in our hometown of Lexington, Ky. Our editorial focused on the fact that we were denied entry as students to an event that was about students education. Even though it was an open-press event, we werent allowed in because we hadnt RSVPdsomething we didnt know we were supposed to do. We invite you to read our piece, but for us this story is now about something even bigger. On April 19, the Lexington Herald-Leader, our local paper, reported on our editorial . Three days later, we heard the news that The Washington Post published its own piece about our experience. In the moment, it was hard to wrap our heads around the attention we were receiving. The piece went viral, with more than 12,000 hits on our website in seven days. We reached a wider audience than we ever imagined. A few days later, we were still trying to process that we had been recognized by The Washington Post when we received word via Twitter that CNN covered our editorial as well. Sitting in Abigails driveway, our heads spinning in disbelief, we saw on Apple News that USA Today wrote about our experience. We couldnt believe it. That night, we spoke with Olivias parents about our accomplishments, and the heights we had reached. We discussed the ups and downs of the day, relaying all that we could remember. It felt as though the entire week had been crammed into one day; it was all such a blur. We are grateful for our unexpected national and international platform, but this experience has had its highs and lows. We were excited to spread our message, but we have been saddened to find that most of the media outlets who covered our story sidestepped us. We feel our story may have been co-opted to create a narrative we did not intend. The headlines in much of the media coverage used words like bashing, blast, and slam, suggesting that we were attacking DeVos. We did not want our editorial to be partisan in any way or make it appear as though we meant harm. These publications misconstrued our words. We just wanted to relay our experience of trying to emphasize what happens all too often to students: Were shut out of conversations when it comes to discussion about whats best for us. We want our seat at the table. While we are extremely grateful to the media organizations that picked up our story, we dont know if they fully got our message. Through all of the hype, our firsthand account hasnt been put into context. Getting the facts about our experience out to the world and getting people to hear our story was our goal. None of the publications asked to meet us or discuss our issues. It was yet another instance where we were denied our voice. And we still havent gotten an answer to the questions our editorial asked: Why did a roundtable discussion on education require an invitation, and why were no public school educators invited? The U.S. Department of Education described the event as a conversation on education freedom and the importance of giving every student in Kentucky the opportunity to access the education option that works best for them. We understand that many believe we as students do not have the same power that adults do. Although we are young journalists, we have the same passion as professional journalists. The adults in power are doing exactly the opposite of what we intended, which was to use our voice. As a result, we havent been able to control our own narrative. Its important for adults to remember that we have things we want to say, and maybe they should consider the fact that the faults in education are because no one asks us what actually works for us. But not all adults didnt listen to us. The campus that hosted the eventthe Bluegrass Community and Technical Collegecalled us and met with us to discuss our experience. We met with the colleges president and a member of the schools communication team. (We hope theyre considering our suggestion that they no longer agree to hold these types of closed events on their campus.) We even received an encouraging message from 2009 Pulitzer Prize editorial writing winner Mark Mahoney. With help from other groups in the community such as The Kentucky Coalition for Open Government who answered our questions about open meetings law, we were able to update our story. Lexington Herald-Leader reporter Valarie Honeycutt-Spears shared contact information for the U.S. Secretary of Educations office to help us update. We are humbled for being told that we have inspired so many people. Knowing that our words have made such an impact is mind-blowing. However, our position hasnt changed. We are still longing for a voice for students and any stakeholders in public education. Amid the teacher strikes and activism that roiled the nation last fall, school districts in California, Colorado, and Washington signed labor contracts they now say they cannot afford. In order to avoid budget deficits as a result of negotiated increases in teacher salaries and overall school spending, administrators in districts as large as Los Angeles and as small as Puyallup, Wash., say they will have to lay off hundreds of teachers and central office staff, increase class sizes, shutter after-school programs, and take other actions they warn will have devastating academic effects for years to come. Such moves, announced during emotionally charged board meetings in recent weeks as districts craft their budgets for next school year, have sparked infighting and sour feelings as teachers, staff, and administrators trade blame for the financial fallout. Puyallup Superintendent Timothy Yeomans warned in a tersely worded statement to community members that hundreds of employees will be laid off in the coming months as a direct result of the recently negotiated contract. This can be difficult when the reality is not a message anyone wants to hear, he said. We communicated clearly last September that this would be our reality, and we are facing it now. Administrators are blaming the severity of this years round of layoffs partly on union leaders who they say did not believe them when they warned that their demands for increased pay and lower class sizes would ultimately break the budget. Some have also criticized state lawmakers for failing to rescue them. Teacher activists say administrators are lying to the public about their budget scenarios, pitting them against their colleagues and hiding pockets of cash in order to protect central office jobs and administrators high pay. Taxpayer groups and anti-union groups have accused district administrators on blogs and in public forums of being poor stewards of public money. Feeling the Effects The impacts are immediate and severe in some cases. Denver has laid off more than 150 central office staff positions to free up more than $17 million to pay for teacher pay raises negotiated in February. Several districts across Washington state that experienced strikes last fall, including Puyallup, Spokane, and Tacoma, are hoping the states legislature will restructure its taxes to provide millions more in local revenue to avoid looming budget cuts. The issue was still unresolved as of late last week. Student activists in Oakland, Calif., walked out of class and packed a school board meeting in March to protest more than $22 million in budget cuts, the result of a negotiation that ended a days-long teacher strike in February. A county audit in Los Angeles says that the district risks insolvency after it signed a contract to end a six-day strike in January. That district will ask voters this June to raise their taxes by $500 million annually for 12 years to bail them out. And the district in Sacramento, Calif., is at risk of state takeover because of a teachers union contract it signed in 2017 that has left it financially insolvent. While the spats over the impact teacher strikes will have on budget cuts have been especially acute in recent weeks, experts say district administrators across the country frequently overpromise at the negotiation table because of a confluence of factors including the bad timing of negotiation season, the fluidity of districts budgets, and mistrust at the bargaining table. In addition, teacher strikes, a more frequent tactic in the last two years amid widespread agreement that teachers are underpaid, can have devastating academic and financial consequences for districts. Administrators often scramble to do everything in their power to end them. Sometimes, the ultimate goal is to get the teachers back into the classroom where the kids are, said Todd A. DeMitchell, an education professor at the University of New Hampshire who once negotiated as a district administrator and now studies teacher negotiations. You have kids that are not in school, and parents are upset and so they go to politicians and say, Get something done. I cant take off work to deal with this. While both sides are typically asked to price out pay increases and other costs, those close to recent negotiations say teacher unions are increasingly distrustful of administrators cost calculations. The issue of trust is central to any type of collective bargaining agreement, said DeMitchell. Compounding the problem, districts are projecting out costs over the next several years and attempting to factor in several unpredictable scenarios: A district could suddenly lose thousands of students over the summer, or a governors budget request could be rejected by the legislature, for example. And negotiation season often takes place before the legislative session is over with and before districts have a good sense of how much money theyre going to get from the state. Devil in the Details In order to end a years-long school funding court case, Washingtons legislature last year upended its tax structure to provide more than $2 billion in additional funding for schools. In the process, lawmakers scrapped the statewide pay scale for teachers, forcing every district last fall to renegotiate their contracts. The surge of cash from the state, coupled with wall-to-wall local media coverage of the court case, amped up teachers expectations in negotiations, teachers and district administrators concede. But district administrators told teachers during negotiations last year that while the financial scenario looks healthy now, districts lose millions of dollars when the state caps local tax revenue this summer. Teachers accused administrators of lying and denying teachers what they deserve. In 13 districts, they went on strike, delaying the start of the 2018-19 school year for several days Our pay had fallen far behind other states despite our booming [local] economy with Boeing, Starbucks, and Amazon, so the need for pay raises was very real, said Rich Wood, a spokesman for the Washington Education Association, the states teachers union. We spent years and years and years talking about teacher pay raises, and it was finally time to pay up. In order to end those strikes, administrators ceded to many of the teachers demands, in hopes that the legislature this spring would provide them with more relief. But, as of last week, that relief has yet to come. Spokanes district, according to local media reports, will have to lay off one out of every 12 employees. In Puyallup, where administrators say they will have to lay off 120 teachers, the teachers union this month handed to the board a vote of no confidence in the superintendent. We can do the math, said Karen McNamara, the Puyallup teachers union president who argues the cuts could come from other parts of the budget. We went after just what our district had been given. We didnt want to bankrupt our district. We wanted to be given what our district had been given for us. In Los Angeles, the negotiations in January had come to a standstill when district administrators said they couldnt afford to meet teachers demands to increase pay by six percent, decrease class sizes, and add more services for students such as health and mental health. Teachers pointed to the last several years when district leaders bragged to the public about a $1.8 billion surplus and a savings account that amounted to another $1 billion. But district leaders cited audits that said because of declining student enrollment and skyrocketing pension costs, the district faced a fiscal cliff in coming years. Teachers went on strike for more than six days, drawing nationwide attention. The district eventually gave in and provided much of what teachers had demanded, amounting to more than $800 million in increased costs. In order to make ends meet, district leaders have begged the governor to lower the districts pension costs, and also decided to go to voters to ask for an increase in parcel taxes in June. If the ballot measure failsit requires more than two-thirds approval ratingthe 600,000-student district says it will have to lay off hundreds of employees and increase class sizes. Business Pushes Back The district is now being blasted by the business community. In a brochure to be mailed to residents next month, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce says: District bureaucrats and defenders of the failed status quo want taxpayers to bail out a school district with a history of red ink, appalling education results, declining enrollment, runaway administrative hiring and exploding retirement and health care costs. The bad blood from such contentious deals and subsequent layoffs can linger for years, said DeMitchell, the contract negotiation expert. Day-to-day working conditions can becomes more strenuous, and trust further eroded. If you gave away money you dont have, he said, thats not a good bargain. A Loon balloon with a base station. The company, which belongs to Google, will cooperate with HPASMobile, a subsidiary of Softbank, which relies on drones. Together they want to bring the Internet and 5G from the stratosphere to all regions of the world. Google and Softbank invest in flying base stations: From the outside atmosphere, they are supposed to connect remote regions to the Internet and provide 5G connections. "Currently, half the world's population has no access to the Internet, and we cannot ignore this fact," says Junichi Miyakawa, CTO of Softbank and CEO of HAPSMobile. This gap could be closed by stationing base stations at about 20 km altitude in the Sratosphere. Both Google's Loon and HAPSMobile have set themselves the task of developing such systems. Loon emerged from the research department of Alphabet, Google's parent company, and has been working for ten years to bring base stations into the stratosphere using balloons. The first commercial test will start this year in Kenya. HAPSMobile relies on drones, unmanned aerial vehicles known as High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (HAPS). The company is currently developing a drone that is 80 meters long and powered by solar energy. Commercialization is expected to start in 2020. HAPSMobile belongs to Softbank and is a spin-off of AeroVironment, a manufacturer of drones that owns ten percent of the company. The idea of stationing base stations in the stratosphere is not entirely new. They are high enough there to cover all regions, but are well below conventional satellite orbits. Latency problems therefore do not play a major role, an advantage in 5G communication and for IoT. According to Google and Softbank, in order for the idea to be accepted in reality, standardization is necessary, which they want to advance through cooperation as well as the necessary regulations. "By bringing our technologies together, we are accelerating the construction of global networks in the stratosphere," said Junichi Miyakawa and Alastair Westgarth, CEO of HAPSmobile, in a joint statement. HAPSmobile is investing $125 million in Loon. Conversely, Loon has the option to invest $125 million in HAPSmobile. In detail, both companies want to adapt their equipment in such a way that balloons and drones can be equipped with it, which works on the basis of the same ITU frequency bands and can communicate with each other. In addition, they want to jointly set up ground stations that are compatible with the systems of both companies. Through an alliance to be formed, they want to cooperate with the relevant regulatory authorities worldwide. Such a network working in the upper atmosphere could provide all regions of the world with access to the Internet, regardless of soil conditions and other existing infrastructures. Loon has already gained some experience in this area: Its communications systems are already over 30 million km high and have connected hundreds of thousands of users around the world, according to Loon. 1. Poor sense of smell associated with nearly 50 percent higher risk for death in 10 years Dementia, Parkinson disease, and weight loss are possible drivers, but about 70 percent of the higher mortality not explained Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M18-0775 Editorial: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M19-1013 Free Summary for Patients: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/P19-0005 URLs go live when the embargo lifts Poor sense of smell may be an early warning for poor health in older age that goes beyond neurodegenerative diseases. In fact, dementia or Parkinson disease explained only 22 percent of the higher death risk and weight loss 6 percent, leaving more than 70 percent of the higher mortality associated with poor sense of smell unexplained. Findings from a prospective cohort study are published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Many studies with 5 years or less of follow up have shown an independent association between olfactory impairment and increased all-cause mortality among older adults. However, these studies did not examine whether there are differences by race or sex or the factors that might explain the relationship. Researchers from Michigan State University studied more than 2,000 adults aged 71 to 82 years to determine the relationship between poor sense of smell and mortality and to investigate potential explanations for the connection. Participants completed a Brief Smell Identification Test (BSIT) of 12 common odors and were asked to identify each odor from 1 of 4 options. Each correct response was given a point. Using the BSIT scores, the researchers classified the participants as having good, moderate, or poor sense of smell. The researchers found that poor olfaction was associated with 46 percent higher mortality at year 10 and 30 percent higher mortality at year 13 compared with good olfaction. The association was robust and could not be explained by measured confounders, such as demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and comorbid conditions. Furthermore, the association was present in both men and women and in both black and white participants, suggesting broad generalizability. The association, however, was largely limited to participants who reported good-to-excellent health at study baseline, suggesting poor sense of smell may be an early and sensitive marker for unrecognized deteriorating health among older adults. The authors of an accompanying editorial from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine note that many older adults are unaware that their sense of smell is declining and they are rarely screened for poor olfaction in clinical practice. The authors hope that this study will inform whether and how assessment of smell should be incorporated into routine exams for older adults. Media contact: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Lauren Evans at laevans@acponline.org. To speak with the lead author, Honglei Chen, MD, PhD [hchen@epi.msu.edu], please contact Sarina Gleason at Sarina.Gleason@cabs.msu.edu. 2. Patients give high rating to convenience and quality of primary care video visits Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M18-3081 URLs go live when the embargo lifts A survey of patients participating in primary care video visits found that patients gave the encounters high marks for convenience and quality of care. Such visits have the potential to improve patient access to care. Findings from a brief research report are published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Real-time patient-provider video visits have the potential to engage patients by allowing them to access a clinical encounter without arranging transportation, taking time off from work, or spending time in a waiting room. Although millions of U.S. patients have used direct-to-consumer telemedicine services, evidence is limited from large-scale implementation that is integrated with ongoing health care delivery and providers in community primary care. Researchers from Kaiser Permanente Division of Research surveyed 1,274 adults who had a scheduled video visit with a primary care provider in September through December 2015 to assess their in-person visit barriers, technology access and experience, visit experience, and sociodemographic characteristics. The participants scheduled primary care video visits with their own physicians (whom they also could see in-person) and reported that they valued the convenience and quality of the video visits and that they strengthened their patient-provider relationship. Patients who had to take time off from work or other responsibilities for an in-person visit reported more often that the video visit reduced their in-person visits. According to the researchers, video telemedicine may be a transformative tool in increasing patient-centered access to health care. Media contact: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Lauren Evans at laevans@acponline.org. To interview the lead author, Mary E. Reed, DrPH, please contact Janet Byron at Janet.L.Byron@kp.org or Heather Platisha at Hplatisha@webershandwick.com. 3. Physicians should be prepared for questions and concerns related to DTC genetic test results Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M18-2356 URLs go live when the embargo lifts Consumers looking to make critical decisions, such as family planning, based on the results of direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing may need guidance to determine what actions to take, or not take, based on their results. A DTC genetic test case scenario designed to educate physicians for this increasingly likely occurrence is published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing is becoming increasingly popular, and clinicians should be prepared to provide guidance to their patients when presented with results from these tests. To do so, physicians need to be able to communicate to patients about what the results of these tests mean, and what they do not mean. Authors from Columbia University presented a case scenario of a couple using 23andMe to test for specific disease risks before starting a family. According to the authors, these patients need to be careful about how they interpret their results. DTC tests can provide genetic information to a much broader audience than might otherwise be reached because of difficulties assessing clinical genetic testing, but they are not diagnostic and offer information on a limited number of genes and diseases. In addition, their findings may have limited value and sensitivity for patients who are not of European or Ashkenazi Jewish descent. The authors note that the positive predictive value of many 23andMe genetic tests is limited because risk is often modified by interacting genes, environment, lifestyle, and family history, which are not included in the risk predictions. Patients need to be aware of these limitations and should be referred to a genetic counselor or another qualified provider who can take their individual characteristics into consideration within the context of their findings. Media contact: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Lauren Evans at laevans@acponline.org. To interview the lead author, Wendy K. Chung, MD, PhD, please contact Lucky Tran at lt2549@cumc.columbia.edu. 4. Mavacamten shows promise for treating patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M18-3016 URLs go live when the embargo lifts Data from Phase 2 of the PIONEER-HCM study shows that mavacamten may reduce left ventricular outflow tract gradient and improve exercise capacity and symptoms in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Findings from an open-label, nonrandomized, phase 2 trial are published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Mavacamten, an orally administered small-molecule modulator of cardiac myosin, targets underlying biomechanical abnormalities in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Earlier phase 1 studies of healthy volunteers and patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy showed a favorable safety profile and informed dose selection in phase 2. Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University and four other academic centers (Duke University Medical Center, Yale New Haven Hospital, Mayo Clinic, and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania) studied 21 symptomatic patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to characterize the effect of mavacamten on left ventricular outflow tract gradient. They found that after 12 weeks of treatment, mavacamten reduced mean postexercise left ventricular outflow tract gradient from 103 mm Hg at baseline to 19 mm Hg with an associated improvement in exercise capacity and symptoms. The resting left ventricular ejecting fraction was also intentionally reduced. The most common adverse events related to treatment were decreased left ventricular ejection fraction at higher plasma concentrations and atrial fibrillation. If confirmed in larger studies, these data suggest a potential role for mavacamten in treatment of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Media contact: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Lauren Evans at laevans@acponline.org. To speak with the lead author, Stephen B. Heitner, MD, please contact Kate Natoli at gellerk@ohsu.edu. Also New in this issue: The Chylomicronemia Syndrome Is Most Often Multifactorial: A Narrative Review of Causes and Treatment Alan Chait, MD, and Robert H. Eckel, MD Review Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M19-0203 Precision Medicine in Internal Medicine Krzysztof Kiryluk, MD, MS; David B. Goldstein, PhD; John W. Rowe, MD; Ali G. Gharavi, MD; Ronald Wapner, MD; and Wendy K. Chung, MD, PhD Precision Medicine Abstract: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M18-0425 Editorial: http://annals.org/aim/article/doi/10.7326/M19-1034 ### Small stellar systems like dwarf galaxies are suggested to be the main building blocks of our Galaxy. However, it is unclear how many and what kind of stars in our Galaxy are originated from satellite dwarf galaxies. An international team led by ZHAO Gang, a professor from the National Astronomical Observatories of Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC) discovered a chemically peculiar star accreted from a disrupted dwarf galaxy. According to results obtained through the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) and Subaru telescope, the star has an unusually low amount of magnesium which is the eighth most abundant element in the universe. Meanwhile it contains an excessive amount of heavy elements, such as europium, gold, and uranium. The team reported their findings online in Nature Astronomy on April 29th, 2019. "Stars preserve chemical information of its birth site. We can distinguish stars formed in the Milky Way from stars formed in dwarf galaxies based on their chemical abundances," says ZHAO who is also the corresponding author of the paper. The chemical composition of this star that the authors discovered suggests it is originated from a dwarf galaxy which was disrupted by interaction with the Milky Way. The data was obtained by LAMOST, a spectroscopic survey telescope that is capable to take 4,000 spectra in a single exposure. So far LAMOST has obtained more than 8 million stellar spectra for studies of the formation of the Milky Way. "The massive spectra provided by the LAMOST survey give us a great opportunity to find chemically peculiar stars," says XING Qianfan, Ph.D., first author of this paper. This type of stars can be used to explore the chemical evolution of different stellar systems. XING continues, "This newly discovered star with large excesses of heavy elements provides a window for exploring the chemical evolution of disrupted dwarf galaxies. The star formation in dwarf galaxies is relatively slow comparing to larger galaxies, leading to chemical differences among their stellar populations. For instance, the magnesium to iron (Mg/Fe) abundance ratios in stars of dwarf galaxies currently found around the Milky Way are much smaller than those in the majority of stars in the Milky Way." "This is the first discovery of a star having a very low amount of magnesium and an excessive amount of heavy elements," says co-author LI Haining, Ph.D. The extreme enhancement of heavy elements of this star suggests this dwarf galaxy was affected by high-yield rapid neutron-capture process (r-process), the dominant process through which elements heavier than iron are formed. Such process may happen during mergers of binary neutron stars in the dwarf galaxy. "The discovery of this chemically peculiar star is a good start of chemical identification of stars accreted from dwarf galaxies. Such stars will be good tracers for exploring the assemble history of the Milky Way," says ZHAO. ### This study is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. About NAOC: The National Astronomical Observatories of Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC) was officially founded in April 2001 through the merger of observatories, stations and research center under Chinese Academy of Sciences. It is headquartered in Beijing and has four subordinate units across the country: the Yunnan Observatory (YNAO), the Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics and Technology (NIAOT), the Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory (XAO) and the Changchun Observatory. NAOC conducts cutting-edge astronomical studies, and operates major national facilities including The Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopy Telescope (LAMOST), the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) etc. NAOC's main research involves cosmological large-scale structures, the formation and evolution of galaxies and stars, high-energy astrophysics, solar magnetism and activity, lunar and deep space exploration, and astronomical instrumentation. NAOC has seven major research divisions in the areas of optical astronomy, radio astronomy, galaxies and cosmology, space science, solar physics, lunar and deep space exploration, and applications in astronomy. New Statistical Technique Finds La Nina Years More Favorable for Mountain Snowpack Than El Nino Years When there are multiple factors at play in a situation that is itself changing, such as an El Nino winter in a changing climate, how can scientists figure out what is causing what? Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed an advanced statistical method for quantifying and visualizing changes in environmental systems and easily picking out the driving factor. In a new study published in the journal Climate Dynamics, they used their new technique to look at California winters. "A lot of people will describe a winter by how rainy or how cold it was," said lead author John P. O'Brien, a graduate student research assistant at Berkeley Lab. "Instead of asking each question individually, what we're doing is interrogating both at the same time as a function of some large-scale climate forcing, such as El Nino." The new method allows researchers to account for variables whose statistics change over time - in this case, changes caused by El Nino/La Nina. They found that in northern California, La Nina and El Nino conditions result in nearly equivalent amounts of winter precipitation. However, La Nina winters tend to be much colder, resulting in conditions more favorable for increased mountain snowpack. So from a summer water supply perspective, contrary to common belief, La Nina winters may in fact be preferable to El Nino winters. The same, however, did not hold true for southern California. Read more about the CASCADE Scientific Focus Area here. Unique Synthetic Antibodies Show Promise for Improved Disease and Toxin Detection Scientists have invented a new "synthetic antibody" that could make screening for diseases easier and less expensive than current go-to methods. Writing in the journal Nano Letters, a team led by Markita Landry of Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley describes how peptoids - synthetically produced molecules, first created by Ron Zuckermann at Berkeley Lab's Molecular Foundry, that are similar to protein-building peptides - and tiny cylinders of carbon atoms known as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) can be combined to selectively bind a target protein. The resulting nanoparticle assembly fluoresces under near-infrared fluorescence microscopy, thus allowing for target protein quantification just like a biologically derived antibody. The researchers demonstrated that their peptoid-SWNT assemblies remain stably bound to their target when tested in samples with a wide range of pH, salt concentrations, and temperatures; and when exposed to various protein-digesting enzymes - conditions no conventional antibodies could be expected to function in. "This new platform encourages us to look to synthetic chemistry and nanomaterials science to create molecules that bind biological markers for diseases like cancer or viral infections," said Landry. "The stability of purely synthetic recognition elements could facilitate easier disease diagnosis. They could also have safety applications by detecting hazardous chemicals in water or food." Exploring New Ways to Control Thermal Radiation Planck's Law, which describes electromagnetic radiation from heated bodies, forms the basis of quantum theory. However, with the advent of micro- and nanotechnology, it is easy to fabricate materials where Planck's Law will not hold. In a study published in Nature Communications, researchers at Berkeley Lab set out to explore how deviations from Planck's Law could impact energy-related technologies based on nano- and micro-structured geometries. "Nobody has explored the relative behavior of nano-geometries, particularly anisotropic nano-geometries--nanostructures that are rectangular in cross-section--in this way," said Ravi Prasher, one of the authors. Imagine a thermal storage material that converts electricity to heat and then radiates it to a photovoltaic cell to get the electricity back when desired. The radiative emitter from the thermal storage could be made from nanostructures to maximize the performance. The team of researchers from Berkeley Lab and UC San Diego used the radiation models available at Berkeley Lab's Molecular Foundry to model the thermal radiation from rectangular nanoribbons of silica glass, a polar dielectric material. Practical applications for this early-stage energy conversion are important for many renewable energy applications, such as concentrated solar electricity production, water desalination, thermochemical reactions, water heating, and thermal storage. Read the full story here. ### New research presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Glasgow, Scotland (28 April - 1 May) reveals that a quarter of patients have never had their body mass index (BMI) recorded by their GP. The study is by Kath Williamson and Professor Mike Lean of the Department of Human Nutrition and Dr Amy Nimegeer of the Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, UK. Providing effective and correctly targeted weight management services, including those aimed at the remission of type 2 diabetes relies on having accurate and up to date BMI data. National survey data shows that 29% of Scottish people are classed as obese (BMI of above 30kg/m2). The Quality and Outcomes Framework in the UK* aimed to incentivise BMI recording of BMI, especially for people with obesity. Despite this need, previous research has demonstrated significant under reporting, with only 37% of UK adults having had their BMI recorded in the last year and 79% having had their BMI ever recorded. The extent of routine BMI recording and documentation in Scottish primary care has not been previously researched. In this new study, the authors conducted a review of the health records of 77,591 adults aged 16 years and over from 12 general practices covering a broadly socioeconomically representative sample of the Scottish population. The BMI fields of records were searched for any BMI recording, with a specific interest in any measurements taken during the previous 2 years. The researchers found that a BMI had ever been recorded in 75% of individuals, while less than a third (31%) of patients had a recent BMI measurement (that was less than 2 years old). Up to date BMI recording rates also varied significantly across practices from 20% to 42%, although the team did note a marked increase in recording rates over the 2-year review period. For those with a BMI recording in the previous 2 years, they were split into the following BMI categories: less than 18.5 (underweight): 2%; 18.5-24.9 (normal weight) 27%; 25-29.9 (overweight) 33%; 30-39.9 (obesity grades I and II) 31%; and 40+ (severe obesity) 7%. In the two highest BMI categories the figures were greater than those in the 2017 Scottish Health Survey (26% and 3% respectively), as well as the 2017 Health Survey England (25% and 4% respectively), suggesting that both obesity and severe obesity rates may be higher than previously thought. The authors conclude: "More complete current routine BMI data is required for accurate planning and provision of weight management services. Underreporting may hinder stated public health aims of early detection and intervention of type 2 diabetes. It is important to monitor the quality of data in electronic health records given their increasing use as a source in research and to estimate variation between real life prevalence rates and national health survey rates." ### Lugano, Switzerland, 30 April 2019 - Breast cancer in young women is characterised by more aggressive biological features as compared to those arising in older patients but outcomes are good when guideline-recommended treatments are given, according to ESMO Spokesperson Dr. Matteo Lambertini from IRCCS Policlinico San Martino Hospital - University of Genoa, Italy, commenting on results of two studies presented during the ESMO Breast Cancer Congress 2019, 2-4 May 2019 in Berlin, Germany. (1) Young age per se is not a reason to give more intensive treatment highlighted Lambertini: "Women under 40 years of age tend to be diagnosed with more aggressive breast cancer types - for example their tumours are more likely to be triple negative and HER2 positive. Despite this, survival and local recurrence rates are similar to those of the general population of breast cancer patients provided they receive appropriate treatment." The aggressiveness of the tumour The aggressiveness of tumours is illustrated in a study from Portugal in 207 patients under 35 years. (2) Of all breast cancers, 5% occur in women under 35, making it the most common cancer in women of this age group. Regarding tumour subtypes, 20% were triple negative, 28% HER2 positive, and 4% luminal A versus 67% luminal B, confirming the higher percentages of more aggressive tumour subtypes in young women. After a median follow-up of 53.5 months, 85% of women were alive, 26 patients had developed metastases and three a local recurrence. Study author Dr. Ines F. Eiriz, of the Hospital Prof. Doutor Fernando Fonseca, Amadora, Portugal, said: "Disease-free survival was longest in women with hormone receptor positive tumours, followed by those with HER2 positive disease, and lastly those with triple negative breast cancer. The median survival of patients without metastases was 130 months compared to 37 months for those with metastatic disease." (3) The recurrence of the tumour A Swiss study looking at breast cancer recurrence in 359 women aged 50 years or younger, showed that during a median follow-up of 45.6 months, 14 patients developed local recurrence, six developed distant metastases, and nine developed both. (4) The median time to recurrence was 31 months. The three- and five-year risks for local recurrence were 4.7% and 9.5%, respectively. Rates of disease free survival were 94.3% and 91.2% at three and five years, respectively. The rate of overall survival at five years was 93%. Study author Dr. Simona Cima, of the IOSI - Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland, said: "Most recurrences in these patients were local rather than metastatic. Our study is ongoing, and the next step is to identify predictors of local recurrence. For example, we will examine the likelihood of local recurrence according to HER2 and triple negative status." Lambertini said: "It's not true that being diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age means poorer survival or higher chances of the cancer coming back, and these studies further confirm that. Proper guideline-recommended treatments should be given to all breast cancer patients regardless of their age. Special attention should be paid in these women on the potential side effects of anticancer therapies including the risk of infertility." ### Notes to Editors Please make sure to use the official name of the meeting in your reports: ESMO Breast Cancer Congress 2019 Official Congress Hashtag: #ESMOBreast19 Disclaimer This press release contains information provided by the authors of the highlighted abstracts and reflects the content of these abstracts. It does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ESMO who cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the data. Commentators quoted in the press release are required to comply with the ESMO Declaration of Interests policy and the ESMO Code of Conduct. References 1 ESMO Breast Cancer Congress: https://www.esmo.org/Conferences/ESMO-Breast-Cancer-2019 2 Abstract 101P_PR 'Breast Cancer in Young Women - a multi-center 10-year experience' will be presented by Ines F. Eiriz during the Poster Display session on Friday 3 May, 12:15 to 13:00 (CEST) in the Exhibition area. Annals of Oncology, Volume 30, 2019 Supplement 3, doi:10.1093/annonc/mdz095 3 The data in the press release are the final data reported at the ESMO Breast Cancer Congress 2019 and are updated from the initial abstract 4 Abstract 102P_PR 'Breast cancer early recurrences in young women' will be presented by Simona Cima during the Poster Display session on Friday 3 May, 12:15 to 13:00 (CEST) in the Exhibition area. Annals of Oncology, Volume 30, 2019 Supplement 3, doi:10.1093/annonc/mdz095 About the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) ESMO is the leading professional organisation for medical oncology. With more than 20,000 members representing oncology professionals from over 150 countries worldwide, ESMO is the society of reference for oncology education and information. ESMO is committed to offer the best care to people with cancer, through fostering integrated cancer care, supporting oncologists in their professional development, and advocating for sustainable cancer care worldwide.Visit http://www.esmo.org 101P_PR - Breast Cancer in Young Women - a multi-center 10-year experience I.F. Eiriz1, N.G. Pereira2, M.T. Neves3, M.V. Batista1, T.C. Tomas1, S. Braga4 1Unidade Clinica Autonoma de Oncologia, Hospital Prof. Doutor Fernando Fonseca, Lisboa, Portugal, 2Unidade Funcional de Oncologia, Centro Hospitalar Barreiro Montijo, Lisboa, Portugal, 3Servico de Oncologia, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental, Lisboa, Portugal, 4Unidade Clinica Autonoma de Oncologia, Hospital Prof. Doutor Fernando Fonseca, Hospital de Vila Franca de Xira, Hospitais CUF Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal Background: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer diagnosed in adult young women in Europe. Although rare (<5% before 35 years), it is one of the leading causes of death in this age group. The aim of this study is to characterize a cohort of young women regarding incidence, tumor stage, biology, treatment and survival. Methods: We present a retrospective multi-center study of women less than 35 years old, diagnosed with breast cancer between 2008 and 2017. A total of 207 patients from 5 centers were included. Thirty five were excluded: 27 due to lack of data, 1 due to two different synchronous tumors and 7 had ductal in situ carcinoma. Data was analyzed using IBM SPPS statistics. Results: Median age was 31 years and ductal invasive carcinoma was the most frequent histologic subtype (91%). In the analysis of tumor subtype: 4% of tumors were luminal A, 20% luminal B HER2 positive, 47% luminal B HER2 negative, 8% HER2 positive (hormone receptor negative) and 20% triple negative. Forty eight percent of patients were diagnosed with early breast cancer, 45% were locally advanced and 6% had de novo metastatic cancer. Thirty nine percent of patients were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) and pathological complete response was obtained in 12%. Eighty three percent of patients were treated with adjuvant systemic therapy (CT or endocrine therapy), 18% exclusively with endocrine therapy. The median follow-up time was 53,5 months. Metastatic disease developed in 37 patients: 7 patients with bone metastasis only, 17 with both bone and visceral metastasis and 14 patients with central nervous system in addition to bone and visceral disease. The median survival of metastatic patients was 16,5 months. Local recurrence occurred in 3 patients with a median time of 27 months. Eighty five percent of these women are alive. Conclusions: As expected, frequency of HER2 positive and triple negative tumors is increased in this age group, and the frequency of locally advanced and de novo metastatic disease is more prevalent. The median survival of metastatic patients is low in this age group as is the median survival. Due to more aggressive biology, initial staging and survival, the group of very young women with breast cancer deserves special treatment approaches. Legal entity responsible for the study: Ines Fernandes Eiriz Funding: Has not received any funding Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest. 102P_PR - Breast cancer early recurrences in young women S. Cima, E.K. Cekani, M. Valli, A. Richetti Radiation Oncology, IOSI - Ospedale Regionale Bellinzona e Valli, Bellinzona, Switzerland Background: Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer in women worldwide, with more aggressive clinical behavior and poor outcomes in younger patients. This is to their increased risk of presenting with biologically aggressive types of cancer and at more advanced stage. Many studies have attempted to identify risk factors for local recurrence and distant metastases. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze rates of recurrence in young patients with breast cancer treated at Ticino Breast Unit. Methods: We analyzed medical records of 381 women less than or equal to 50 years old, with stage I-III invasive breast cancer, treated with curative intent, from 2010 to 2017. Demographics, tumor biology, type of surgery, neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy, site of recurrence, time of recurrence and survival were assessed. Overall survival (OS) was defined as the time period from diagnosis to death from any cause. Disease-free survival (DFS) was defined as the time period from surgery to the first loco regional recurrence and/or metastases. Survival curves were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The median age at the time of diagnosis was 45 years (range 23 to 50 years). The median follow-up was 45.6 months (range 1 to 105 months). Twenty-two patients (5.8%) were lost to follow-up. Tumor relapse occurred in 29 cases (7.6%), among which 9 patients died. Fourteen patients (3.7%) developed a loco-regional recurrence, 6 patients (1.6%) developed distant metastases and 9 patients (2.4%) loco-regional plus distant metastases. The most common site of loco-regional failure was the omolateral breast (11 patients). Two patients developed a second tumor in the contralateral breast. The median interval to recurrence was 31 months (range 3 to 87 months). The 3-year and 5-year risk for loco-regional recurrence was 4.7% and 9.5% respectively. The 3-years and 5-year DFS was 94.3% and 91.2% respectively. The 5-years OS was 93.3%. Conclusions: Loco-regional recurrence and distant metastases rates of our population do not differ from those published in literature. Further analysis is needed to recognize biological and clinical risk factors for recurrence, with the aim of identifying prognostic models and addressing therapies. Legal entity responsible for the study: Radiation oncology clinic Funding: Has not received any funding Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest. Lugano, Switzerland, 30 April 2019 - Continuous chemotherapy shows greater benefit in patients with advanced breast cancer by both improving survival and maintaining quality of life compared to intermittent scheduling, according to analyses of the Stop&Go study presented at the ESMO Breast Cancer Congress 2019, 2-4 May, Berlin, Germany. (1,2,3) The phase III study randomised 420 patients with advanced HER2-negative breast cancer to either an intermittent schedule (four cycles - 'treatment holiday' - another four cycles) or a continuous schedule comprised of the same eight cycles administered consecutively. Both first line treatment (paclitaxel plus bevacizumab) and second line treatment (capecitabine or non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin) followed these schedules. These analyses report on secondary endpoints from the Stop&Go study, with the main endpoint for second-line being progression-free survival (PFS). Dr Frans Erdkamp from Zuyderland Medical Center - Sittard-Geleen, Netherlands, presented findings related to the survival benefits of continuous scheduling in both first- and second-line chemotherapy compared to intermittent therapy. "Our main focus in this analysis was on the efficacy of second-line treatment, although, interestingly, the updated overall survival results showed that for the whole population (those who received first line only, or first and second lines of treatment) the survival was better with continuous treatment as well," said Dr Erdkamp. Patients who started second line treatment (n=270; 131 vs. 139 in intermittent vs. continuous arms) demonstrated a median PFS in second line of 3.5 vs. 5.0 months respectively, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.04 (95%CI 0.69-1.57). The median combined first- and second-line PFS for this population was 14.6 vs. 16.6 months with a HR of 1.59 (95%CI 1.04 - 2.45). The quality of life results were presented by Dr Anouk Claessens, also from Zuyderland Medical Center - Sittard-Geleen, Netherlands. "In clinical practice, we see considerable variation in treatment strategies, so felt it would be helpful to conduct a trial investigating the effect on quality of life of scheduling with modern agents." Claessens hypothesised that treatment holidays incorporated into scheduling would benefit quality of life. Quality of life was measured every 12 weeks during treatment and follow-up, using RAND-36 questionnaires specifically chosen for their relevance to normal life. The course of both the physical and mental quality of life scores for each sequencing arm were monitored and the difference in course was estimated between arms. Median follow-up was 11.3 months. "With the physical quality of life scores, we saw a linear decline in the intermittent arm causing a clinically meaningful difference of 5.68 points at 24 months (p <0.001), while scores in the continuous arm stabilised after a decline of 3.5 points at 12 months," reported Claessens. "Comparison of the course of quality of life between the treatment arms (showed the maximum differences were not statistically significant but there was a trend for more favourable scores in the continuous arm," added the researcher. "Based on our findings, you could hypothesise that the benefits of a continuous approach might be independent of the investigated treatment line and might apply to other lines of treatment as well," said Claessens. "The challenge for clinical practice is to use agents that are well tolerated and can be continued for a prolonged period without interruptions," she added. Co-investigator, Dr Monique Bos, from Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands, remarked: "We were a little surprised at the findings running contrary to our hypothesis. In explaining therapy schedules to patients we tend to suggest that a 'holiday', by nature of the word, might be beneficial, but this was not the case." Commenting on the results, Professor Nadia Harbeck from the University of Munich (LMU), Germany, said: "Both studies con-firm the current national and international guidelines (4) that chemotherapy, preferentially monotherapy - at least after first line, should be given continuously, as long as it is well tolerated and effective. Until now, we've only had evidence from older studies, with regimens no longer used, indicating that continuous chemotherapy in metastatic disease is better than shorter. The new Stop&Go data confirm these older data also with more modern regimens." "The result that continuous chemotherapy is not at all associated with worse quality of life is clinically meaningful," said Harbeck. "and further highlights the importance of preferring to administer chemotherapy continuously for benefiting the most our patients with advanced disease". ### Notes to Editors Please make sure to use the official name of the meeting in your reports: ESMO Breast Cancer Congress 2019 Official Congress Hashtag: #ESMOBreast19 Disclaimer This press release contains information provided by the authors of the highlighted abstracts and reflects the content of these abstracts. It does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ESMO who cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the data. Commentators quoted in the press release are required to comply with the ESMO Declaration of Interests policy and the ESMO Code of Conduct. References 1 ESMO Breast Cancer Congress: https://www.esmo.org/Conferences/ESMO-Breast-Cancer-2019 2 Abstract 158P_PR 'Intermittent versus continuous chemotherapy beyond first-line for patients with HER2-negative advanced breast cancer (BOOG 2010-02)' will be presented by Anouk Claessens during the Poster Display session on Friday 3 May, 12:15 to 13:00 (CEST) in the Exhibition area. Annals of Oncology, Volume 30, 2019 Supplement 3, doi:10.1093/annonc/mdz095 3 Abstract 159P_PR 'Influence on quality of life of chemotherapy scheduling for patients with advanced HER2-negative breast cancer' will be presented by Anouk Claessens during the Poster Display session on Friday 3 May, 12:15 to 13:00 (CEST) in the Exhibition area. Annals of Oncology, Volume 30, 2019 Supplement 3, doi:10.1093/annonc/mdz095 4 4th ESO-ESMO International Consensus Guidelines for Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC 4): https://www.esmo.org/Guidelines/Breast-Cancer/4th-ESO-ESMO-International-Consensus-Guidelines-for-Advanced-Breast-Cancer-ABC-4 About the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) ESMO is the leading professional organisation for medical oncology. With more than 20,000 members representing oncology professionals from over 150 countries worldwide, ESMO is the society of reference for oncology education and information. ESMO is committed to offer the best care to people with cancer, through fostering integrated cancer care, supporting oncologists in their professional development, and advocating for sustainable cancer care worldwide.Visit http://www.esmo.org 158P_PR - Intermittent versus continuous chemotherapy beyond first-line for patients with HER2-negative advanced breast cancer (BOOG 2010-02) F.L.G. Erdkamp1, A.K.M. Claessens1, M. Lopez-Yurda2, J.M. Bouma3, H. van Tinteren2, J.M. Rademaker-Lakhai4, A.H. Honkoop5, H. de Graaf6, V.C.G. Tjan-Heijnen7, M.M.E.M. Bos8 1Internal Medicine - Oncology, Zuyderland Medical Center - Sittard-Geleen, Sittard-Geleen, Netherlands, 2Biometrics, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 3Trial registration, Comprehensive Cancer Centre the Netherlands, Rotterdam, Netherlands, 4BOOG study center, Dutch Breast Cancer Re-search Group, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 5Medical Oncology, Isala Klinieken, Zwolle, Netherlands, 6Medical Oncology, Medical Center Leeuwarden, Leeuwarden, Netherlands, 7Medical Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Center+ (MUMC+), Maastricht, Netherlands, 8Medical oncology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands Background: This study investigates efficacy and safety of intermittent versus continuous scheduling of chemotherapy over two treatment lines for patients within the Stop & Go trial. Methods: Participants were randomized to two sets of four cycles (intermittent) or eight consecutive cycles (continuous) of chemotherapy in two treatment lines. First-line consisted of paclitaxel plus bevacizumab, second-line of capecitabine or non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin. The primary endpoint of the present study was progression-free survival (PFS) of second-line treatment. Results: Characteristics at randomization were well-balanced. Patients with a good baseline performance status, only non-visceral metastasis, longer disease-free-interval, and HR-positive disease more often started second-line study treatment. For patients who started second line study treatment (n=270; 131 vs. 139 in intermittent vs. continuous arm) median PFS in second-line was respectively 3.5 vs. 5.0 months with a Hazard Ratio (HR) of 1.04 (95%CI 0.69-1.57), and median OS in second-line was 10.6 vs.12.0 months, with a HR of 1.64 (95%CI 1.08 - 2.48). The median combined first- and second-line PFS for this population was 14.6 vs. 16.6 months with a HR of 1.59 (95%CI 1.04 - 2.45), and median OS measured from randomization was 20.3 vs. 23.0 months with a HR of 1.93 (95%CI 1.26 - 2.95). For all randomized patients (n=420) median combined first- and second-line PFS was 12.7 vs. 13.9 months, with a HR of 1.21 (95%CI 0.9 - 1.63), and OS measured from randomization was 17.1 vs. 20.9 months with a HR of 1.37 (95%CI 1.03 - 1.54) for intermittent vs. continuous scheduling respectively. Selected baseline characteristics and first-line PFS duration were not significantly associated with second-line PFS in exploratory analyses. However, patients with longer first-line PFS more often started second-line study treatment (odds ratio 2.13; 95%CI 1.20 - 3.78) compared to patients with shorter first-line PFS. Details on safety will be presented at the meeting. Conclusions: In conclusion, considering the overall survival benefits of continuous scheduling in both first- and second-line chemotherapy, we recommend this strategy for treatment of advanced breast cancer. Clinical trial identification: EudraCT 2010-021519-18; BOOG 2010-02. Legal entity responsible for the study: Dutch Breast Cancer Research Group (BOOG) Funding: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, The Netherlands TEVA Nederland, B.V. Disclosure: F.L.G. Erdkamp: Has received honoraria from Roche and Novartis and has a consulting / advisory role for these companies. V.C.G. Tjan-Heijnen: Honoraria from E. Lilly and Pfizer. Funding for her institution from E. Lilly, Roche, Eisai, Pfizer and Novartis. Travel expenses from E. Lilly, Pfizer, Novartis, and Roche. A consulting or advisory role for E. Lilly, Pfizer, and Roche. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest. 159P_PR - Influence on quality of life of chemotherapy scheduling for patients with advanced HER2-negative breast cancer A.K.M. Claessens1, R. Timman2, J.J. Busschbach2, J.M. Bouma3, J.M. Rademaker-Lakhai4, F.L.G. Erd-kamp1, V.C.G. Tjan-Heijnen5, M.M.E.M. Bos6 1Internal Medicine - Oncology, Zuyderland Medical Center - Sittard-Geleen, Sittard-Geleen, Netherlands, 2Psychiatry, section of Medical Psychology & Psychotherapy, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotter-dam, Netherlands, 3Trial registation, Comprehensive Cancer Centre the Netherlands, Rotterdam, Nether-lands, 4BOOG study center, Dutch Breast Cancer Research Group, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 5Medical Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC), Maastricht, Netherlands, 6Medical oncology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands Background: The phase III Stop&Go study randomized patients with advanced breast cancer to two times four intermittent cycles or to eight continuous cycles of first- and second-line chemotherapy, yielding inferior overall survival (OS) with intermittent scheduling. Here we report on the prospectively planned quality of life (QoL) analyses. Methods: QoL was measured by RAND-36 questionnaires every 12 weeks during study treatment and fol-low-up. Physical and mental component scores were calculated and presented as T-scores with a mean of 50 and a standard deviation (SD) of 10 for the normal population, with higher scores representing better QoL. All patients who responded to baseline questionnaires with sufficient valid data were included. The primary objective was to describe the course of physical and mental QoL for both treatment arms, and to estimate differences in changes from baseline in physical and mental QoL between arms. These differences were estimated longitudinally with multilevel linear regression analyses with a follow up period of 30 months. An effect size of 0.5 SD (5 points) was considered clinically meaningful. Results: A total of 398 patients were included with a median follow-up of 11.3 months (IQR 5.6 - 22.2). Mean baseline scores were 37.9 and 38.3 for physical, and 44.7 and 42.5 for mental QoL for intermittent and continuous treatment respectively. Physical QoL declined linearly in the intermittent arm causing a clinically meaningful difference of 5.68 points at 24 months (p <0.001), while scores in the continuous arm stabilized after a decline of 3.5 points at 12 months. Conversely, mental QoL was fairly stable and even improved by 1.86 (p=0.012) and 2.53 points (p=0.001) at 12 months for intermittent and continuous treatment. When comparing the arms for both components in changes from baseline, the maximum differences were 3.11 points (p=0.069) for physical and 3.32 points (p=0.057) for mental scores, both measured at 30 months and in favor of continuous treatment. Conclusions: Intermittent chemotherapy was less effective and showed a trend for worse impact on QoL compared to continuous chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer. Clinical trial identification: EudraCT 2010-021519-18; BOOG 2010-02. Legal entity responsible for the study: Dutch Breast Cancer Research Group (BOOG) Funding: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, The Netherlands TEVA Nederland, B.V. Disclosure: F.L.G. Erdkamp: Has received honoraria from Roche and Novartis and has a consulting / advi-sory role for these companies. V.C.G. Tjan-Heijnen: Honoraria from E. Lilly and Pfizer. Funding for her institution from E. Lilly, Roche, Eisai, Pfizer and Novartis. Travel expenses from E. Lilly, Pfizer, Novartis, and Roche. A consulting or advisory role for E. Lilly, Pfizer, and Roche. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest. Lugano, Switzerland, 30 April 2019 - A global survey of HER2 testing has raised questions about how resources should be spent on potentially lifesaving HER2 targeted therapies for breast cancer, especially in poorer countries. The results were presented at the ESMO Breast Cancer Congress 2019, Berlin, 2-4 May 2019. (1,2) The ONCOLLEGE-001 internet-based survey of HER2 testing in 45 countries has highlighted major access and affordability issues in low and middle income countries (LMICs), with some issues extending to upper middle income countries (UMIC) too. (3) "Even when HER2 testing was available, it was too expensive and inaccessible for many women, suggesting that governments need better information to set planning priorities for investing in infrastructure, testing and treatment," said study author, Dr Sara Altuna, Department of Medical Oncology, Unidad Oncologica Venezuela CA and Oncomedica CA, Caracas, Venezuela. In the survey, 42% of respondents from UMICs and 34% from LMICs reported that HER2 testing was available only in a private setting or abroad, compared to 5% of those working in high income countries (HICs). Thirty per cent of LMIC respondents reported significant affordability issues related to HER2 testing, compared to 12% of respondents from UMICs and none from HICs. "You can have the microscopes, the antibodies and probes and the certified laboratories, but if patients cannot afford the tests or do not have insurance, they won't be done," added Altuna. HER2 testing is needed to identify the 15-20% of women with breast cancer who have HER2-positive disease, so they can receive anti-HER2 treatment with trastuzumab - which has been on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines since 2015 - and other HER2 targeted therapies. (4) Commenting for ESMO, Dr Fatima Cardoso, Director of the Breast Unit of the Champalimaud Clinical Center in Lisbon, Portugal, explained that in recent decades HER2-targeted therapies have transformed the outcomes for women with this sub-group of breast cancer from the worst to some of the best. "Without accurate, high quality HER2 testing, women with HER2-positive tumours may miss out on potentially lifesaving treatment. There is also a risk that women with HER2-negative tumours may be exposed to the toxicity and unnecessary expense of HER2 treatment they don't need. We don't want to spend resources on treating tumours that won't respond to HER2 targeted therapies," she said. Cardoso pointed to the lack of basic pathology services in some low income countries, with women undergoing mastectomy for benign breast lumps because biopsy services were not available to make the diagnosis before surgery. She also questioned the wisdom of spending resources on HER2 testing in countries where anti-HER2 therapy is unavailable or unaffordable. "Testing and treatment must go hand in hand. If you have access to anti-HER2 treatment, it makes sense to spend money on testing. But if you already know there is no access to treatment, it is debatable whether to use resources for HER2 testing. Let's first focus on ensuring that treatment is available as recommended by the WHO, by ESMO's and other international guidelines, for both primary and metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer," she said. "ONCOLLEGE-001 is an important study in raising awareness of the heterogeneity of availability and quality of HER2 testing. The results probably underestimate the access and affordability problems facing many patients, and not just in medium and low income countries. But they remind us of the need for clinicians, regulators and governments to work together in addressing these inequalities," said Cardoso. An ongoing ONCOLLEGE-001 analysis is investigating global prioritisation and access to anti-HER2 medicines, and, as Altuna concludes, such research demonstrates the value of international cooperation: "We have shown it is possible to create a network of clinicians from very different countries to share practice and experiences and paint a picture of what is really happening in breast cancer care around the globe, so we can identify where improvements are most needed." ### Notes to Editors Please make sure to use the official name of the meeting in your reports: ESMO Breast Cancer Congress 2019 Official Congress Hashtag: #ESMOBreast19 Disclaimer This press release contains information provided by the authors of the highlighted abstracts and reflects the content of these abstracts. It does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ESMO who cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the data. Commentators quoted in the press release are required to comply with the ESMO Declaration of Interests policy and the ESMO Code of Conduct. References 1 ESMO Breast Cancer Congress: https://www.esmo.org/Conferences/ESMO-Breast-Cancer-2019 2 Abstract 42P_PR 'Painting the global picture of HER-2 testing for breast cancer. The ONCOLLEGE-001 survey study' will be presented by Dario Trapani during the Poster Display Session on Friday 3 May 2019, 12:15-13:00 (CEST) in the Exhibition area. Annals of Oncology, Volume 30, 2019 Supplement 3, doi:10.1093/annonc/mdz095 3 As defined by the World Bank: https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519 4 World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines: https://www.who.int/medicines/publications/essentialmedicines/en/ About the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) ESMO is the leading professional organisation for medical oncology. With more than 20,000 members representing oncology professionals from over 150 countries worldwide, ESMO is the society of reference for oncology education and information. ESMO is committed to offer the best care to people with cancer, through fostering integrated cancer care, supporting oncologists in their professional development, and advocating for sustainable cancer care worldwide.Visit http://www.esmo.org 42P_PR - Painting the global picture of HER2-testing for breast cancer. The ONCOLLEGE-001 survey study S.C. Altuna1, C. Lengyel2, D. Trapani3, E.M. Elfaham4, S. Hussain5, A. Petrillo6, K. El Bairi7, S.A. Mazher8, B.S. Habeeb9, S.Z. Khan10 1 Department of Medical Oncology, Unidad Oncologica Venezuela C.A. and Oncomedica C.A, Caracas, Venezuela, 2Head and Neck Surgery, National Institute of Oncology Hungary, Budapest, Hungary, 3Department of haematology and oncology, new drug development, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, Milan, Italy, 4Department of Clinical Oncology, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt, 5Department of Oncology, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 6Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli (UOC), Napoli, Italy, 7Cancer Biomarkers Working Group, Mohamed Ist University, Oujda, Morocco, 8Department of Oncology, Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock, Little Rock, USA, 9Medical Oncology Department, Shaqlawa Teaching Hospital, Erbil, Iraq, 10Department of Clinical Oncology, Binor Cancer Hospital, Bannu, Pakistan Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women and the leading cause of cancer-related death. HER2 is overexpressed in approximately 15-20% of BCs. HER2 expression is not only a prognostic biomarker but a predictive biomarker of response to HER2 targeted therapies. The ONCOLLEGE-001 project addresses the distribution & disparities of HER2-testing (H2T) methods (IHC or in situ hybridization (ISH), which may use either fluorescent (FISH), chromogenic (CISH) or silver (SISH) detection method) in breast cancer, with the aim of painting the global picture (GP). Methods: A simple, internet-based survey was developed by the international ONCOLLEGE (ONC) working group and the questionnaire was sent to 227 oncology providers by email, was shared on medical social networks (using snowballing as a multiplier effect of promotion and diffusion). Data were analysed per country-income (World Bank groupings) and WHO Regions. Responders authorized for the use of the data. Results: 210 providers responded, across 45 countries (27% from high-income HIC; 35% upper-middle UMIC; 38% lower-middle and low, LMICs; 50% in the Eastern Mediterranean Region), mostly medical and clinical oncologist (58%; 20%) from research hospitals (52%) and public non-teaching (17%) or private institutions (17%). H2T was available only in private setting or abroad in 5%, 42% and 34% of HIC, UMIC and LMICs responders' institutions. Only IHC (no ISH) may be performed as H2T in 7% & 9.4% of UMIC & LMICs. FISH (54%) and CISH+FISH (14%) were the most common ISH H2T. IHC and ISH were available within 14 days (55%; 29%) and 28 days (38%; 44%) with no dramatic income-restricted patterns of delay. 30% of the responders from LMICs reported affordability issues related to H2T, more for ISH, related to out of pocket expenses and exposure to catastrophic health expenditure, compared to 12% of UMIC and none for HIC (full reimbursement). Conclusions: The GP of H2T provided by the ONC networking painted a heterogeneous picture, with disparities related to the availability of appropriate cancer testing and affordability with high risk of financial toxicity in the diagnostic phase. An ongoing further analysis addresses also the prioritization and access to HER2 medicines in our ONCOLLEGE-001 project. Legal entity responsible for the study: All the authors approved the draft Funding: Has not received any funding Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest. Milan, Italy: A comparison of three types of radiotherapy for children's brain tumours suggests that a type of proton therapy called pencil beam scanning offers the best hope of preserving cognitive functions. The study, presented at the ESTRO 38 conference, shows that this new form of radiotherapy delivers the lowest doses of radiation to the temporal lobes and hippocampus, areas of the brain important in functions like memory. The study was presented by Laura Toussaint, a PhD student at the department of Medical Physics, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. She said: "Brain tumours are the second most common type of cancer in children. Survival rates have increased in recent decades and currently 75% of children diagnosed with a brain tumour will be alive five years later. "Alongside surgery and chemotherapy, radiotherapy plays an important role in treating brain tumours in children, but we need to protect children's developing brains from any unnecessary radiation. The more we learn about how to effectively target brain tumours while minimising the dose to other parts of the brain, the better we can preserve children's cognitive abilities and quality of life after treatment." Ms Toussaint and her colleagues carried out detailed studies of ten different children treated for brain tumours. Each child had been diagnosed with a type of cancer called craniopharyngioma, centrally located in their brain. For each child, they planned treatments with each of the three types of radiotherapy: volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), double scattering proton therapy (DSPT) or pencil beam scanning proton therapy (PBS). All three are advanced radiotherapy treatments but DSPT and PBS are both types of proton therapy, which research suggests is better at targeting the tumour more precisely while sparing the surrounding tissues. However, they require expensive specific equipment, which is not yet available in all hospital. PBS is an especially precise form of radiotherapy that delivers treatment via a very narrow proton beam. Previous research has shown that radiation doses to particular areas of the brain, including the temporal lobes and hippocampus, have an impact on children's cognitive outcomes, specifically in memory functions. Ms Toussaint and her colleagues used these existing data to select 30 structures in the children's brains to study. The researchers used CT and MRI scans to precisely locate the structures in each of the children's brains. Then they compared the three treatment plans for each child to see which type of treatment was better at sparing those 30 structures from radiation, categorising the dose to each structure as high, medium or low. They found that the doses to the temporal lobe were lower with the PBS treatment, compared to both the DSPT and VMAT treatments. They found, for example, that 41% of the left hippocampus volume was receiving low doses of radiation with the DSPT plans, while being spared with the PBS treatment. Using the existing data on the impacts of radiation to these regions of the brain, the researchers predict that the proton therapies, particularly the PBS treatment, would result in less impairment of the children's memory function. Ms Toussaint said: "We have looked at three types of radiotherapy, which all aim to successfully treat brain tumours while doing as little damage to children's brains as possible. What we found was that pencil beam scanning proton therapy seems to be by far the best at avoiding parts of the brain that are important in children's memory. The next step would be to confirm this finding with clinical research in patients. "The use of proton therapy has been expanding rapidly over the last decade and is becoming more and more available for cancer patients, especially for children. This also means that more research can take place." There are around 25 proton therapy centres operating in Europe and another 19 are under construction or planned. Professor Umberto Ricardi, President of ESTRO and head of the Department of Oncology at the University of Turin, Italy, who was not involved in the research, said: "The aim of radiotherapy is to effectively treat cancer while causing as little damage as possible to the rest of the body. This aim could not be more important than when we are treating children's brains. Proton therapy is already being used in some hospitals to treat brain tumours in children, but this study offers evidence of the benefits it might bring in terms of protecting cognitive functions and quality of life. We hope this work will lead to more research in this vital area." ### In Sao Paulo City, Brazil, the Tiete River is polluted by a vast amount of waste, mainly domestic sewage, but the farther it runs into the interior the better the quality of its water becomes. It is much less murky at Barra Bonita, 294 km from Sao Paulo, and transparent at Buritama (546 km). A study by Brazilian researchers at Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) in Presidente Prudente and Sao Jose dos Campos shows that this change in water quality as the river crosses the state is due to filtration by a series of dams along the way. The 1,100 km Tiete rises near the coast, passes through the state capital and flows on to Sao Paulo's western border, where it joins the Parana, a tributary of the Plata. The Barra Bonita reservoir retains part of the algae that feed on nitrogen and phosphorus in the sewage. With fewer of these organisms, the river flows through the turbines and on to the next set of dams, where it is filtered again. As the study shows, filtration of the Tiete by this series of dams allows more light into the water, which is oxygenated and converts more organic matter from pollutants into inorganic matter, eventually becoming transparent. The study was part of a project supported by Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP. The results were published in the journal Water. "We demonstrate that Tiete water quality steadily improves thanks to this reservoir cascade, with exposure to pollution from domestic sewage decreasing as the river flows away from the state capital," said Enner Herenio de Alcantara, a professor at UNESP in Sao Jose dos Campos and one of the authors of the study. "From one reservoir to the next, the composition of the organic and inorganic matter in the river changes. This affects light absorption in each reservoir," Alcantara told. The researchers analyzed the light absorption characteristics of the water in four of the six reservoirs that comprise the Tiete dam cascade: Barra Bonita, Bariri, Ibitinga and Nova-Avanhandava. These reservoirs account for more than 90% of the hydropower generated by the cascade. Chemical composition and turbidity vary in accordance with the type of contamination. Barra Bonita and Bariri are eutrophic - full of algae, hypoxic and murky. Ibitinga (349 km from Sao Paulo City) is mesotrophic, hosting a medium amount of vegetation and with moderately clear water. Nova-Avanhandava reservoir at Buritama is oligotrophic, with low algal production and transparent water. The researchers analyzed water samples collected during fieldwork to measure the levels of organic and inorganic particulate matter. Their findings show that Barra Bonita reservoir contains a large volume of algae (phytoplankton), while high levels of dissolved organic carbon are characteristic of Bariri and Ibitinga. These two reservoirs also displayed high variability of particle composition between organic and inorganic within any given year, depending on the period, in accordance with changes in light absorption measured during the analysis. Inorganic matter - minerals and non-carbonated compounds - predominates in the downstream portion of Nova Avanhandava. These materials absorb light at different wavelengths. Absorption varies in intensity depending on the concentration of optically active components present in the water. As well as absorbing light, they also scatter it. The balance between the amount of light absorbed and the amount scattered by these materials is reflected in the variations in the color of the Tiete's water. Phytoplankton, for example, absorb more energy in the blue and red wavelengths, and much less in the green, causing more scattering at this wavelength. This is why the water in reservoirs with large amounts of phytoplankton is dark green, the researchers explained. "We found that the reservoirs' total light absorption capacity reflected the level of pollution fairly accurately. The vigorous phytoplankton growth due to intense eutrophication interfered most with light absorption in the reservoirs closest to Sao Paulo, for example," Alcantara said. Satellite monitoring The results of the study will contribute to the development of new mathematical and statistical models that can be used to estimate and monitor water quality in the Tiete cascading reservoir system via satellite imaging, Alcantara added. Because of the variability of light absorption in these reservoirs, a mathematical model has yet to be developed to assure precise measurement of water quality parameters for the entire system. "The reservoirs contain high levels of pollution, with large amounts of aquatic plants, for example, so the signals recorded by the sensor on Landsat-8 in space become saturated. As a result, the model eventually falters and supplies incorrect information," he explained. Landsat-8 is the eighth satellite in the NASA-USGS Landsat Earth observation program, and the seventh to reach orbit successfully. The on-board sensor for its Operational Land Imager (OLI) enables it to record images at different wavelengths. The organic and inorganic materials present on or near the reservoir surface reflect solar radiation back to the sensor at specific wavelengths. As a result, their distribution in the reservoir can be estimated using these images. When the mathematical model for variations in light absorption is applied to the surface reflectance parameters obtained from the images, it is possible to estimate the levels of organic and inorganic matter in the water, and hence its transparency. "The Landsat program has produced images since the 1970s. Once we've validated the mathematical model developed by our group, we'll be able to obtain water quality indicators for the entire Tiete reservoir system in the past 40 years or so," Alcantara said. "On this basis it will be possible to understand the process of deterioration in the Tiete's water quality during recent decades." ### About Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) The Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) is a public institution with the mission of supporting scientific research in all fields of knowledge by awarding scholarships, fellowships and grants to investigators linked with higher education and research institutions in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. FAPESP is aware that the very best research can only be done by working with the best researchers internationally. Therefore, it has established partnerships with funding agencies, higher education, private companies, and research organizations in other countries known for the quality of their research and has been encouraging scientists funded by its grants to further develop their international collaboration. You can learn more about FAPESP at http://www.fapesp.br/en and visit FAPESP news agency at http://www.agencia.fapesp.br/en to keep updated with the latest scientific breakthroughs FAPESP helps achieve through its many programs, awards and research centers. You may also subscribe to FAPESP news agency at http://agencia.fapesp.br/subscribe. Bottom Line: Cognitively normal adults with elevated levels of the biomarker amyloid-, which is associated with increased risk of developing Alzheimer disease, were interviewed as part of this study that examined attitudes toward physician-assisted death. Authors: Emily A. Largent, J.D., Ph.D., R.N., University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, and coauthors (doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.0797) ### Editor's Note: The article includes conflict of interest and funding/support disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc. Embed this link to provide your readers free access to the full-text article: This link will be live at the embargo time https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2731580?guestAccessKey=b4a9d16c-b597-4e5e-a15c-93272ff63cf9&utm_source=For_The_Media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_content=tfl&utm_term=042919 West Coast farms produce more than 90 percent of the broccoli consumed in the United States. With production mainly in California, and concentrated in Monterey County, this creates a food security issue, especially in light of California droughts in recent years, and long supply chains to the East Coast, according to Phillip Coles, professor of practice in management at Lehigh. Because of this, in 2010, Cornell University-with funding from the U. S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture through the Specialty Crops Research Initiative-began The Eastern Broccoli Project in an effort to create a high quality, year-round supply of Eastern-grown broccoli. The project was approved for an additional $5 million in USDA funding to fund the effort for another five years. As part of the project, plant breeders at Cornell are developing strains of broccoli that can be grown successfully on the East Coast, the caveat being the new broccoli strains grown on the East Coast continue to have slightly different quality characteristics. Coles, along with researchers from Cornell and the University of California, Davis, tested whether buyers would accept local, East Coast broccoli varieties, which do not have the bud and head uniformity and other quality traits exhibited by California-grown broccoli. East Coast summers-hot and humid-have been proven to cause structural abnormalities in broccoli: uneven bud growth, uneven bud size and uneven heads are a result of temperatures that exceed 86 degrees, typical during the summer months on the East Coast. "There is much research on consumer willingness to pay for local produce, but very little on buyer sentiment concerning locally grown produce," said Coles, lead author on a recently published study, "Produce Buyer Quality Requirements to Form an Eastern Broccoli Industry"). Social, health and economic concerns have driven the demand for locally grown food exponentially. Local food sales in the United States grew from $5 billion to $12 billion between 2008 and 2014, according to food industry research firm Packaged Facts. Much of this growth was through smaller natural food sellers and farmer's markets, but most produce is sold through larger outlets and the authors wanted to evaluate the sentiment of buyers, the gatekeepers to the majority of produce consumers, towards purchasing local produce. The researchers theorized that locally grown produce would be a strong enough compensatory attribute, that buyers would overlook an East Coast grown broccoli of lower quality. They found that to not be true. Wholesale buyers and standard supermarkets on the East Coast expect broccoli to look familiar. For the research, published last month in the Journal of Food Distribution Research, Coles and his co-authors surveyed 27 wholesale and retail buyers from the East Coast who represented companies selling roughly 50 percent of total grocery sales to determine their preferences for various quality characteristics and preference for local broccoli. Buyers at natural food stores were more forgiving of quality overall, accepting local broccoli produce with slightly different color or flower-bud size, but still required the same high quality standards for local and non-local broccoli. "People eat with their eyes," Coles said. Both groups favored broccoli with dark green color, uniform heads and beads, small bead size and short stems, regardless of whether the produce was produced locally. "Buyers have a strong interest in locally grown and East Coast broccoli," said Coles. "But they require the same high quality produce as broccoli from California." Despite the unwillingness of buyers to compromise on quality standards, the research demonstrates an opportunity for local East Coast growers. "East Coast growers who would like to market their produce as locally grown will benefit from this research," said Coles. Because natural food stores tend to be smaller and are more forgiving of quality overall, Coles and his colleagues recommend growers approach them first to market their broccoli. This would allow them to start on a smaller scale before ramping up production by selling into a smaller, more forgiving market, before attempting to sell to larger produce retailers. ### Following four expeditions in the Arctic Ocean and satellite data analysis, a team of Russian climate scientists featuring MIPT researchers described the ocean's "seasonal memory." This refers to a mechanism explaining how atmospheric circulation has caused the ice in the Eurasian Arctic to melt faster than in the American Arctic in the 21st century. The paper was published in the journal Atmosphere. Global warming affects the Arctic more than other regions on the planet. Each year, the ice cover retreats slightly closer to the North Pole. Since an ever smaller area of the Arctic Ocean is covered with ice, which serves as a mirror reflecting sunlight, the seawater captures more heat. This vicious circle causes even more ice to melt. Climate scientists predict that by the end of the 21st century, the entire ice cover in the Arctic may become seasonal, melting every summer. The Arctic does not lose ice uniformly. According to the researchers, different seasonal patterns are at play depending on region: From the early 2000s, the ice cover in the Eurasian Arctic has been shrinking even in the winter period, while the American region only lost ice in the summer. "This discrepancy stems from the way air circulates in the Arctic," explains study co-author Mikhail Varentsov, a climate scientist at MSU, the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of RAS, and Russia's climate agency Hydrometcenter. "Late September is when there's the least ice in most years. That's when the ocean actively accumulates solar energy as heat. But if cold air comes in from the pole or Greenland, it absorbs some of the heat. Conversely, an inflow of warm air from the continent causes the ocean to heat even more." The team refers to this mechanism as seasonal memory, because the winter ice cover responds to the atmospheric conditions in the previous summer. The trend in the 21st century has been for air currents to slow down ocean heating in the American and speed up in the Eurasian Arctic. In the latter region, this led to ice forming weeks "behind schedule" and maxing out at a smaller thickness and area. To report and explain Arctic climate change in detail, the researchers measured water temperature and composition at various depths, as well as air temperature and humidity, wind, and air-sea interaction parameters in two polar regions (figure 1). The team monitored hundreds of such characteristics during four expeditions in the Arctic Ocean in the August and September of 2003, 2005, 2013, and 2015. The study is part of the NABOSproject, a major international effort to study the Arctic climate launched in 2002. Besides direct observations, publicly available data from other studies was analyzed, including satellite measurements of ice cover area. "It's not just that the ice cover area is shrinking. For the past 30 years, the proportion of ice surviving one melting season or more has been diminishing. This so-called multiyear ice is thicker than first-year ice and has a different structure. When it partially melts in the summer, thaw water carries away the saline, leaving air pockets behind. Such thick porous ice provides increased thermal insulation, preventing ocean heating," points out Elena Khavina, a doctoral student at the Ocean Heat and Fluid Dynamics Department, MIPT. By gradually transitioning toward seasonal ice cover, the Arctic opens up for more commercial activities. For example, cargo shipping is easier with less and thinner ice. In the 20th century, freight ships following the Northeast Passage required icebreaker support in any season. By gradually phasing out icebreakers where they are no longer needed, shipping cargo will become ever easier and cheaper. However, climate change also upsets the balance of the ecosystem. For one thing, polar bears and seals need ice for rest and hunting. Moreover, plankton might start reproducing uncontrollably as the upper ocean heats up. ### The paper reported in this story was co-written by researchers from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute in St. Petersburg, Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU), A.M. Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), the Hydrometeorological Research Center of the Russian Federation (Hydrometcenter), and the Institute of Geography, RAS. The study would not have been possible without the international research project NABOS, funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (U.S.), as well as without the support of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research and the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 29) Heads should roll every time a power plant goes into unplanned shutdown which causes brownouts, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said. I really feel that these plants should be penalized. At the end, it's the consumer that bears all the consequences, the disturbances, Gatchalian told CNN Philippines The Source. Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Energy Affairs, said rotating brownouts in parts of Luzon has been caused by six power plants reporting forced outages in recent weeks, limiting supply to the Luzon grid amid growing demand for electricity. These plants supply about 1,800 megawatts to the grid, which the senator said is equal to 15 to 20 percent of the area's needs. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines implements rotating brownouts during red alert status due to a lack of power reserves. Of course, the plants will argue that its (forced outage) normal and part of operations, but I really feel the plants can do better. In the past, lahat ng mga planta is all government-owned, binigay sa private sector kasi we felt at that time that they can do better. They should do better because if they are saying that they cannot control these forced outages and we cannot do anything about it, then youre not better than what the previous set-up is. The Senate body staged an inquiry last week into the recent supply problems in the Luzon grid, which triggered yellow and even red alerts that prompted brownouts in Metro Manila and nearby areas. Gatchalian pointed out that there is available technology to predict problems in a power plants operations, which will then help reduce cases of forced outages. Reforms planned by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission also need to be implemented. We need to compel these plants to keep investing in technology, into software that will predict all of these and lower down the occurrences of forced outages, he added. The reforms were looking at maglagay ng penalty so that these plants will feel the pain and invest in technology. Gatchalian said energy authorities pointed to thin power reserves and forced outages among power plants as the culprit, noting that supply will likely remain scarce. The bottomline is we have to brace ourselves for more brownouts in the next few weeks until the rainy season, the senator added, although noting that authorities assured there will be ample power supply on May 13, election day. Meanwhile, Gatchalian said the Energy Virtual One Stop Shop law will help fast-track the creation of new power plants, which are needed to keep up with the steadily-rising demand for electricity. The law, which will reduce the four-year wait to secure a permit to build a new plant, is awaiting the issuance of implementing rules from the DOE. Another proposal pending in the Senate eyes to reduce utility bills by using the Malampaya fund to pay off debts incurred by the defunct National Power Corp., which are currently being passed on to consumers. Indeed, the upcoming Summer of 69 as it has since been immortalized in song may have been one of the most memorable of the last half of the past century. So much so that ABC television has allotted a prime-time slot recalling the events of the year on Tuesday nights. BALTIMORE - A new study aims to validate the pediatric version of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score in the emergency department (ED) setting as a predictor of mortality in all patients and patients with suspected infection. Findings from the study will be presented during the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2019 Meeting, taking place on April 24 - May 1 in Baltimore. In adult Sepsis-3, sepsis is defined as a Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score greater than or equal to 2 plus suspected infection. A pediatric version (pSOFA) was derived among pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients. "Our study is the first evaluation of pSOFA and Sepsis-3 outside of the PICU setting in a broad, multi-centered cohort of children seeking emergency care," said Frances Balamuth, MD, PhD, MSCE, one of the authors of the study. "We found that hospital mortality is a very rare outcome in this setting due to the diverse population that seek care in the ED and differentiating it from prior areas of pSOFA study. We found that pSOFA in the ED has face validity in that we observed increasing mortality with increasing pSOFA scores in both the ED population overall, and in those with sepsis according to Sepsis-3 definitions. Interestingly, we found that an ED pSOFA score of greater than or equal to 2 had poor sensitivity for predicting in hospital death, and not surprisingly had better test characteristics in those with suspected infection compared to the ED population overall." This study involved a retrospective observational study in seven U.S. children's hospitals using the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) Registry from January 1, 2012 through -March 31, 2018. It included all ED visits for patients less than 18 years. There were 3,087,746 ED visits during the study period. The pSOFA scores ranged from 0 to 14, with median (IQR) of 0 (0, 0). There were 88,916 (2.9%) visits with pSOFA greater than or equal to 2. Visits with pSOFA greater than or equal to 2 had increased risk of death (RR 31.8 (95% CI 28.5, 35.7) and longer median length of stay (LOS) (116 [41, 358] versus 41 [20, 85] hours, p<0.001) compared to those with pSOFA <2. Increasing pSOFA scores were associated with increased hospital mortality. The pSOFA had fair discrimination for hospital mortality with AUROC 0.79 (95% CI 0.77, 0.81). There were 490,314 patients with suspected infection, of which 30,339 (6.2%) had sepsis, and 154 (0.03%) had septic shock. In these categories, hospital mortality was 0%, 0.8%, and 5.8% respectively; and median hospital LOS was 45, 83 and 164 hours, respectively. The pSOFA had increased discrimination for hospital mortality among patients with suspected infection (AUROC 0.86 [95% CI 0.84, 0.88]). The study evaluated the pSOFA score in a large, multicenter sample of pediatric ED visits. The pSOFA greater than or equal to 2 was uncommon but associated with increased mortality. The pSOFA had fair discrimination for in-hospital mortality among all ED visits; and improved discrimination among patients with suspected infection. Dr. Balamuth continued, "Because the pSOFA score incorporates laboratory values as components of the score, and many children in the ED setting appropriately do not undergo laboratory testing, the pSOFA score likely has limited utility in improving initial clinician sensitivity for mortality risk in children with possible infections. Additional risk stratification tools are needed that are specifically designed for improving sensitivity for the 'needle in the haystack' problem of finding pediatric severe sepsis in the emergency setting." Dr. Balamuth will present findings from "Validation of the Pediatric Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score and Evaluation of Sepsis-3 Definitions in the Pediatric Emergency Department" on Sunday, April 28 at 3:30 p.m. EDT. Reporters interested in an interview with Dr. Balamuth should contact PAS2019@piercom.com. Please note that only the abstracts are being presented at the meeting. In some cases, the researchers may have additional data to share with media. The PAS 2019 Meeting brings together thousands of pediatricians and other health care providers to improve the health and well-being of children worldwide. For more information about the PAS 2019 Meeting, please visit http://www.pas-meeting.org. ### About the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting The Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting brings together thousands of pediatricians and other health care providers united by a common mission: to improve the health and well-being of children worldwide. This international gathering includes pediatric researchers, leaders in pediatric academics, clinical care providers and community practitioners. Presentations cover issues of interest to generalists as well as topics critical to a wide array of specialty and sub-specialty areas. The PAS Meeting will be the premier North American scholarly child health meeting. The PAS Meeting is produced through a partnership of four pediatric organizations that are leaders in the advancement of pediatric research and child advocacy: American Pediatric Society, Society for Pediatric Research, Academic Pediatric Association and American Academy of Pediatrics. For more information, please visit http://www.pas-meeting.org. Follow us on Twitter @PASMeeting and #PAS2019, and like us on Facebook. Abstract: Validation of the Pediatric Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score and Evaluation of Sepsis-3 Definitions in the Pediatric Emergency Department Background: In adult Sepsis-3, sepsis is defined as a Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score greater than or equal to 2 plus suspected infection. A pediatric version (pSOFA) was derived among PICU patients. Objective: Our aims were to validate the pSOFA score in the emergency department (ED) setting as a predictor of mortality in 1) all patients; and 2) patients with suspected infection. Design/Methods: Retrospective observational study in 7 US children's hospitals using the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN) Registry from 1/1/12-3/31/18. We included all ED visits for patients <18 years. Using only ED data, pSOFA components (cardiovascular, respiratory, hematologic, hepatic, renal, neurologic) were assigned a score from 0 to 4. We compared hospital length of stay (LOS) and mortality for visits with ED pSOFA greater than or equal to 2 and <2 and calculated discrimination for mortality using area under the ROC curve (AUROC). Within the subset with suspected infection, defined by any infectious testing during the ED visit, we determined the LOS and mortality for sepsis (suspected infection + pSOFA greater than or equal to 2) and septic shock (suspected infection + vasoactive infusion + serum lactate >2 mg/dL). Results: There were 3,076,500 ED visits during the study period. pSOFA scores ranged 0 to 14, with median (IQR) of 0 (0, 0). There were 88,986 (2.9%) visits with pSOFA greater than or equal to 2. Visits with pSOFA greater than or equal to 2 had increased risk of death (RR 31.8 (95% CI 28.5, 35.7) and longer median LOS (54 [IQR] vs 39 [IQR] hours, p<0.001) compared to those with pSOFA <2. Increasing pSOFA scores were associated with increased hospital mortality. pSOFA had fair discrimination for hospital mortality with AUROC 0.77 (95% CI 0.75, 0.78); test characteristics in Table 1. There were 490,388 patients with suspected infection, of which 30,366 (6.2%) had sepsis, and 154 (0.03%) had septic shock. In these categories, hospital mortality was 0%, 0.9%, and 5.8% respectively; and median hospital LOS was 45, 83, and 164 hours, respectively. pSOFA had increased discrimination for hospital mortality among patients with suspected infection (AUROC 0.86 [95% CI 0.84, 0.88]). Conclusion(s): We evaluated the pSOFA score in a large, multicenter sample of pediatric ED visits. pSOFA greater than or equal to 2 was uncommon but associated with increased mortality. pSOFA had fair discrimination for in-hospital mortality among all ED visits; and improved discrimination among patients with suspected infection. Authors: Frances Balamuth, Halden Scott, Scott Weiss, Michael Webb, James Chamberlain, Lalit Bajaj, Holly Depinet, Larry Cook, Norma Jean Simon, Sara J. Davies Deakyne, Robert Grundmeier, Elizabeth Alpern Authors/Institutions: F. Balamuth, Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine andChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, UNITED STATES|H. Scott, L. Bajaj, Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, UNITED STATES|S.L. Weiss, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, UNITED STATES|N.E. Simon, E. Alpern, Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, UNITED STATES|M. Webb, L. Cook, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, UNITED STATES|J. Chamberlain, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, UNITED STATES|H. Depinet, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, UNITED STATES|R.W. Grundmeier, Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, UNITED STATES|S.J. Deakyne Davies, Research Informatics & Analytics, Analytics Resource Center, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, UNITED STATES BALTIMORE - Electronic vapor product (EVP) usage among U.S. high school students is associated with a higher likelihood of engagement in nine out of 10 sexual risk behaviors, according to a new study which analyzed data from the 2017 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey. A related study found that adolescent EVP use is associated with a higher likelihood of engagement in several substance-use behaviors. Findings from the studies will be presented during the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2019 Meeting, taking place on April 24 - May 1 in Baltimore. According to the Centers for Disease Control, EVPs remain the most popular tobacco product among U.S. high school students, and current EVP usage in this population increased nonlinearly since 2016. "Vaping has reached epidemic proportions among U.S. youth," said Andrew Adesman, MD, senior investigator of the study. "Our study not only expanded upon previous studies examining teen vaping and drug use, but we also investigated novel associations between vaping and various sexual risk behaviors. In this analysis of a nationally representative sample of U.S. teens, we found that vaping was associated with engagement in sexual risk behaviors such as early sexual debut and alcohol use before sex." In 2017, 6.5% of U.S. high school students used only EVPs in the past 30 days, 2.8% used only cigarettes, and 6.5% used both products. EVP use only and dual use were associated with a greater likelihood of engagement in nine of 10 sexual risk behaviors compared to non-users. Prevalence proportions did not significantly differ between EVP-only users and dual-users for seven of 10 behaviors. Past 30-day EVP use at any frequency was also associated with a higher likelihood of engaging for nearly all risk behaviors examined. Occasional EVP users were similarly likely as frequent and daily users to engage in all 10 risk behaviors. Past research has shown that high school EVP users are more likely to engage in certain risk behaviors. However, the association of current EVP usage and EVP usage frequency with specific alcohol and drug-related risk behaviors has not been studied using a recent national sample. The study found that cigarette, EVP and dual use were associated with greater likelihood of engaging in 12 of 13 substance-use behaviors compared to non-users. Dual-users were more likely than EVP-only users to engage in 12 of 13 behaviors. Past 30-day EVP use at any frequency was also associated with higher likelihood of engaging in nearly all risk behaviors examined. Occasional EVP users were similarly likely as frequent and daily users to engage in 11 of 13 behaviors. "We found that vaping was associated with a wide variety of substance-use risk behaviors, ranging from prescription pain medicine misuse to binge drinking," said Devyn Rigsby, principal investigator of the study. "Somewhat surprisingly, for the majority of substance-use risk behaviors examined, we found no difference in the likelihood of engagement in these behaviors when comparing teens who vaped occasionally, frequently or daily." Dr. Adesman added, "Although vaping was strongly associated with many substance-use and sexual risk behaviors, we were surprised that, in general, teens who vape only occasionally were no less likely to engage in these risk behaviors than teens who vape frequently. Initiatives to reduce youth substance use and youth engagement in risky sexual behaviors should include efforts to reduce teen vaping at all frequency levels." Rigsby will present findings from "Electronic Vapor Product Usage and Sexual Risk Behavior in U.S. Adolescents: Data from the 2017 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey" on Saturday, April 27 at 1:15 p.m. EDT. Findings from "Electronic Vapor Product Usage and Alcohol- & Drug-Related Risk Behaviors in U.S. Adolescents: Data from the 2017 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey" will be presented on Saturday, April 27 at 5:45 p.m. EDT. Reporters interested in an interview with Dr. Adesman or Ms. Rigsby should contact PAS2019@piercom.com. Please note that only the abstracts are being presented at the meeting. In some cases, the researchers may have additional data to share with media. The PAS 2019 Meeting brings together thousands of pediatricians and other health care providers to improve the health and well-being of children worldwide. For more information about the PAS 2019 Meeting, please visit http://www.pas-meeting.org. ### About the Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting The Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting brings together thousands of pediatricians and other health care providers united by a common mission: to improve the health and well-being of children worldwide. This international gathering includes pediatric researchers, leaders in pediatric academics, clinical care providers and community practitioners. Presentations cover issues of interest to generalists as well as topics critical to a wide array of specialty and sub-specialty areas. The PAS Meeting will be the premier North American scholarly child health meeting. The PAS Meeting is produced through a partnership of four pediatric organizations that are leaders in the advancement of pediatric research and child advocacy: American Pediatric Society, Society for Pediatric Research, Academic Pediatric Association and American Academy of Pediatrics. For more information, please visit http://www.pas-meeting.org. Follow us on Twitter @PASMeeting and #PAS2019, and like us on Facebook. --- Abstract: Electronic Vapor Product Usage and Sexual Risk Behavior in U.S. Adolescents: Data from the 2017 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey Background: According to the 2017 National Youth Tobacco Survey, electronic vapor products (EVPs) remain the most popular tobacco product among U.S. high school (HS) students, and current EVP usage in this population increased nonlinearly since 2016. Prior studies have linked adolescent EVP usage with greater likelihood of engagement in other risk behaviors. However, there is a lack of current research regarding the association of EVP usage and EVP usage frequency with specific sexual risk behaviors. Objective: To examine, in a nationally representative sample of U.S. HS students, how current cigarette, EVP, and dual usage as well as EVP usage frequency are related to specific sexual risk behaviors in U.S. adolescents. Design/Methods: Respondents (N=12,667) of the 2017 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) were categorized by previous 30-day EVP and cigarette usage into one of four groups: nonuse, cigarette only, EVP only, or dual use. Separately, respondents were categorized by 30-day EVP usage frequency: 0, 1-9, 10-29, or 30 days. Ten sexual risk behaviors were identified as dependent variables. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) were calculated using multivariable modified Poisson regression to determine associations between sexual risk behaviors and both current EVP/cigarette usage and current EVP usage frequency among U.S. adolescents (Tables 1 & 2). Linear contrasts were conducted to compare aPRs across usage categories. Results: In 2017, 6.5% of U.S. HS students used only EVPs in the past 30 days, 2.8% used only cigarettes, and 6.5% used both products. EVP use only and dual use were associated with greater likelihood of engagement in 9 of 10 sexual risk behaviors compared to non-users. Prevalence proportions did not significantly differ between EVP-only users and dual-users for 7 of 10 behaviors. Past 30-day EVP use at any frequency was also associated with higher likelihood of engaging for nearly all risk behaviors examined. Occasional EVP users were similarly likely as frequent and daily users to engage in all 10 risk behaviors. Authors: Devyn Rigsby, Sarah Keim, Ruth Milanaik, Andrew Adesman --- Abstract: Electronic Vapor Product Usage and Alcohol- & Drug-Related Risk Behaviors in U.S. Adolescents: Data from the 2017 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey Background: According to the Centers for Disease Control, electronic vapor products (EVPs) remained the most utilized tobacco product among U.S. high school (HS) students in 2017, and EVP usage in this population increased from 2016. Past research has shown that HS EVP users are more likely to engage in certain risk behaviors. However, association of current EVP usage and EVP usage frequency with specific alcohol- & drug-related risk behaviors has not been studied using a recent national sample. Objective: To assess how current EVP, cigarette, and dual-product usage as well as EVP usage frequency are related to alcohol- & drug-related risk behaviors in a nationally representative sample of U.S. HS students. Design/Methods: Respondents (N=12,667) of the 2017 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) were categorized by previous 30-day EVP and cigarette usage into one of four groups: nonuse, cigarette only, EVP only, or dual use. Separately, respondents were categorized by 30-day EVP usage frequency: 0, 1-9, 10-29, or 30 days. Thirteen substance-use behaviors were selected as dependent variables. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) were calculated using multivariable modified Poisson regression to determine associations between outcome behaviors and both current EVP/cigarette usage and EVP usage frequency (Tables 1 & 2). Linear contrasts were conducted to compare aPRs across usage categories. Results: In 2017, 6.5% of U.S. HS students used only EVPs in the past 30 days, 2.8% used only cigarettes, and 6.5% used both products. Cigarette, EVP, and dual use were associated with greater likelihood of engaging in 12 of 13 substance-use behaviors compared to non-users. Dual-users were more likely than EVP-only users to engage in 12 of 13 behaviors. Past 30-day EVP use at any frequency was also associated with higher likelihood of engaging in nearly all risk behaviors examined. Occasional EVP users were similarly likely as frequent and daily users to engage in 11 of 13 behaviors. Conclusions: Adolescent EVP use, with or without concurrent cigarette smoking, is associated with a higher likelihood of engagement in several substance-use behaviors. Prevalence of risk behaviors is generally greater for dual users than EVP-only users, but prevalence proportions do not significantly differ among occasional, frequent, or daily EVP users for most behaviors. Authors: Devyn Rigsby, Sarah Keim, Andrew Adesman Federally-sponsored science plays a more significant role in bringing together stakeholders and facilitating environmental governance debates than all other types of research, according to an international team of researchers. The researchers examined the role of federal government-sponsored research in the environmental rule-making process, specifically the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's proposal in 2012 to regulate hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, on federal and tribal lands. The researchers found that stakeholders cited federal government-sponsored research more often than industry knowledge, trade group knowledge, and academic research. The researchers report their results in April 29 issue of the Annals of the American Association of Geographers. "Different stakeholders who have different perceptions about whether hydraulic fracturing is good or bad use government research as a key tool to argue for or against their position," said Jennifer Baka, assistant professor of geography at Penn State. Stakeholders weighing in on the matter during public comment periods referenced two government-sponsored studies in particular -- the 2011 Secretary of Energy Advisory Board (SEAB) report on responsible shale gas development in the United States, and the Environmental Protection Agency's study examining the potential risks to drinking water from fracking. "The hydraulic fracturing debate is so polarized," said Baka. "You have these hardcore views for or against it, but reality is a shade of grey. We found that the central object stakeholders were using to form their opinions was federal government-sponsored research." Stakeholders view government research as being more neutral and credible than studies sponsored by industry or environmental nongovernmental organizations. The SEAB and EPA studies allowed stakeholders to debate how best to regulate fracking. This discussion reduced the polarization seen in the public comments. Supporters of the Bureau of Land Management proposal pointed to the studies as evidence that the country needs a federal effort to implement environmental regulations, while opponents viewed it as an example of government overreach. "Stakeholders are arguing about the interpretation of the analysis," Baka said. "But nonetheless they are coming together to talk about the research." The researchers also examined how knowledge of hydraulic fracturing shapes and is shaped by the regulatory process. "One of the key controversies of hydraulic fracturing is how disclosure of fracking fluids should take place," Baka said. "My team is studying why we have settled on disclosure and what is in the fluids as the key area of controversy as opposed to other potential environmental risks." One way the regulatory landscape has shaped the controversy and knowledge of fracking is through the trade secret exemption. The trade secret exemption allows companies to forgo disclosing company knowledge, to encourage innovation and experimentation without the risk of a competitor ripping off their product design. Hydraulic fracturing companies have used the exemption to limit the amount of information they must disclose to the public about what is in the fracking fluids. The trade secret exemption also prevents the government from acquiring this knowledge. There have been efforts at the state level to access this information, but there is variation across the states about how to do so. When asked what role the federal government should play in this regulatory landscape, stakeholders pointed to the government's ability to fund research projects and facilitate debates. The results of the study highlight the potential implications of slashing federal research budgets. Under President Donald Trump, the administration has proposed decreasing the EPA's budget by more than 31 percent. Doing so would create a knowledge vacuum, and stakeholders say that no viable alternative exists. "The federal government has deeper pockets and can marshal tremendous resources that no state can," Baka said. "It can fund this research, convene these multi-stakeholder commissions and truly put out a product that can inform debates. It plays an important role in the discussion of what we want our future energy landscape to look like." ### Other members of the research team include Arielle Hesse, Penn State alumna and postdoctoral research fellow in geography, Trinity College Dublin; Erika Weinthal, Lee Hill Snowdon Professor of Environmental Policy, Duke University; and Karen Bakker, professor of geography and Canada Research Chair in Political Ecology, University of British Columbia. The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada supported this study. Various metastable structures are usually found in the phase diagram of most materials. Some structures can only exist under high temperature or high pressure conditions, while others have not yet been predicted to be in the established phase diagrams. The experimental detection of these structures is a big challenge. The inner cavities of carbon nanotubes have been adopted by the research group led by Prof. Jinying Zhang from Xi'an Jiaotong University to produce and stabilize the metastable structures from high pressure or high temperature to ambient conditions. The carbon nanotubes serve as reaction vessels and growth templates to produce metastable structures due to the size effects and special physical and chemical environments of carbon nanotubes. The special nano-space of the carbon nanotube provides high-pressure conditions for material reactions. The pressure is related to the carbon nanotube inner diameters and the matching of the nanotube walls with the encapsulated materials. The carbon nanotube walls simultaneously isolate the as-produced structures from the surrounding environments. The pressure and size effects of the carbon nanotubes stabilize the as-produced metastable structures to ambient conditions. The pressure produced by the carbon nanotubes to the encapsulated materials can reach as high as 60 GPa, resulting in the synthesis of metastable structures from the high pressure areas of phase diagram and new structures out of the phase diagram. The and phases are usually observed by silver iodides at ambient conditions. The phase structures will transform into phase with increasing temperature. The tetragonal, rock-salt, and potassium hydroxide-like phases are detected subsequently with increasing pressures. The silver iodides have been encapsulated into two different types of carbon nanotubes. One is multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with inner diameters of 4 to 8 nm and the other is single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with inner diameters of about 1.4 nm. Two different metastable silver iodide structures, including rock-salt and helix structures, have been produced and stabilized into ambient conditions by using the special nano-cavities of carbon nanotubes. The rock-salt phase is usually observed at pressure between 400 MPa and 11.3 GPa in the phase diagram, while the helix structure has not yet predicted in the phase diagram of silver iodides. The successful synthesis and stabilization of rock-salt and helix structures to ambient conditions by using carbon nanotube nanoreactors provide a new path to the synthesis and application of metastable structures from extreme conditions. ### This research received funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21771143). J. Zhang is supported by the Cyrus Tang Foundation through Tang Scholar Program. See the article: Hongyang Huang, Jinying Zhang, Yifan Zhang, Chengcheng Fu, Jialiang Huang, Yonghong Cheng, Chunming Niu, Xinluo Zhao and Hisanori Shinohara Rock-salt and helix structures of silver iodides under ambient conditions Natl Sci Rev (April 2019) doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwz041 https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwz041 The National Science Review is the first comprehensive scholarly journal released in English in China that is aimed at linking the country's rapidly advancing community of scientists with the global frontiers of science and technology. The journal also aims to shine a worldwide spotlight on scientific research advances across China. Chemical reactions are involving directional migration of electrons and charged intermediates, depending on the redox potentials of different reactive sites. The chemical energy can be converted into electrical energy when the chemical reactions are occurred in fuel cell devices. However, restricted by the high energy barriers of chemical reactions, numerous chemical reactions have to be performed under harsh conditions or in the presence catalysts by changing the reaction paths, even though the Gibbs free energy is much less than zero. Recently, a new kind of integrated catalyst system, denoted as nanomicrocell catalysts, was developed, which opened a new window for development of highly efficient catalysts by markedly reducing the energy barriers of chemical reactions. This work was reported in Science Bulletin (2019, 64, 385-390), entitled "Reducing energy barriers of chemical reactions with a nanomicrocell catalyst consisting of integrated active sites in conductive matrices" by Chuan-De Wu et al. from Zhejiang University. Inspired by the natural phenomena, such as steel corrosion, the authors proposed a new kind of integrated catalyst system, denoted as nanomicrocell catalysts, consisting of different redox-active sites with different oxidation-reduction potentials and catalytic properties immobilized on conductive matrices. Similar to traditional fuel cells, the nanomicrocell catalyst system integrates paired anodes and cathodes that are connected by nanosized conductive matrices, which could significantly improve the catalytic efficiency in chemical reactions. The authors prepared a nanomicrocell catalyst, consisting of boron-and-nitrogen co-doped carbon nanodots (denoted as BNCDs) and immobilized Pd species by coordinating with N atoms, to study the catalytic properties of the proof-of-concept catalyst system. In the nanomicrocell catalyst, BNCDs were used as conductive matrices, immobilized Pd species on N sites as anode and electron-deficient B atoms as cathode. The authors selected catalytic hydrogenation of benzaldehyde as a model reaction to study the roles of different constituent elements in the catalyst system on the catalytic properties. Detailed experimental results showed that the catalytic properties of the nanomicrocell catalyst in hydrogenation of benzaldehyde are highly depending on the selective adsorption and catalytic activation of different reactants by different redox-active electrodes, and transportation efficiency of electrons and charge carriers. According to the results obtained in this work, the nanomicrocell catalyst system provides a new perspective to illustrate many difficultly understood phenomena in catalytic reactions, and opens up a new window for the designed synthesis of advanced catalysts to improve the catalytic properties by markedly reducing chemical reaction energy barriers. The nanomicrocell catalyst system also provides new way for development of inhibitory catalysts to decelerate chemical reactions in corrosion protection field, and preparation of efficient electrocatalysts and photocatalysts. ### This work was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (21373180, 21525312 and 21872122). See the article: Guo-Peng Zhan, Chuan-De Wu. Reducing energy barriers of chemical reactions with a nanomicrocell catalyst consisting of integrated active sites in conductive matrices. Science Bulletin, 2019, 64(6): 385-390 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scib.2019.02.004 Researchers have mapped the activity of individual neurons deep in the brain during sleep and exploration of novel objects in male and female mice. The study, published in JNeurosci, suggests these cells may facilitate memory formation. Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) neurons are active during rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep, when dreaming -- and perhaps memory consolidation -- occurs. Carlos Blanco, Priyattam Shiromani, and colleagues at the Medical University of South Carolina and Yale University School of Medicine report 70 percent of MCH neurons that were strongly activated during REM sleep were also active when mice explored interesting objects like a binder clip or a bottle cap. By recording the activity of pairs of MCH neurons, the researchers revealed a pattern of single -cell activity that could be used to compare the function of this network across different states of health and disease. Additionally, because all vertebrates have these cells, future studies of MCH neurons in animals beyond mammals and birds may identify REM sleep in diverse species. ### Manuscript title: Dynamic Network Activation of Hypothalamic MCH Neurons in REM Sleep and Exploratory Behavior Please contact media@sfn.org for full-text PDF and to join SfN's journals media list. About JNeurosci JNeurosci, the Society for Neuroscience's first journal, was launched in 1981 as a means to communicate the findings of the highest quality neuroscience research to the growing field. Today, the journal remains committed to publishing cutting-edge neuroscience that will have an immediate and lasting scientific impact, while responding to authors' changing publishing needs, representing breadth of the field and diversity in authorship. About The Society for Neuroscience The Society for Neuroscience is the world's largest organization of scientists and physicians devoted to understanding the brain and nervous system. The nonprofit organization, founded in 1969, now has nearly 37,000 members in more than 90 countries and over 130 chapters worldwide. A Saint Louis University researcher has received a grant to study the pathways from chronic prescription opioid use to new onset mood disorder. Jeffrey Scherrer, Ph.D., a professor in Family and Community Medicine, received $3,254,485 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). "We hope our findings will inform pain management and safe opioid prescribing for patients with chronic, non-cancer pain," Scherrer said. The grant will build upon Scherrer's previous findings that indicate a new period of opioid analgesic use lasting beyond 30 days is associated with increased risk of new-onset depression. In several previous studies controlling for pain, researchers found long-term (more than 90 days) opioid analgesic use is associated with increased risk for depression and impairs depression treatment and recovery. This project collects data from 1,500 patients using prescription opioids to identify factors that may increase the risk of opioid-related depression. Data collection will occur at three sites across the United States. The study will collect baseline, six month and 12-month measures of pain, functioning, psychiatric and substance abuse disorders, sleep, social support and quality of life. Participants will also be asked to complete a brief monthly survey to measure rapid changes in pain, opioid use and depression. "We found that patients with depression were 22 percent more likely to develop treatment-resistant depression with opioid use of 31-90 days and 49 percent more likely if they used opioids for more than 90 days," Scherrer said. "The consistency of our findings, replication in VA and in private sector patients and rigorous control for pain support the theory that opioid analgesic use is likely a risk factor for depression." In multiple studies with robust control for confounding, including pain severity, longer opioid analgesic use predicted new onset depression in patients who were on average 50 years old with no recent history of depression, no evidence of opioid misuse and no recent history of opioid analgesic use. A prospective study is needed to advance research, Scherrer says, due in part to the limitations of medical record data. The records lack lifetime histories of mood disorders and other risk factors, including substance abuse disorder and trauma exposure. The records also fail to provide good measures of functional impairment, sleep quality and social support. "The electronic medical records do not contain prospective data on the sequence of pain, opioid analgesic use and depression symptom development," Scherrer said. "Our key objectives are first to determine if patients with a prior history of depression are most likely to develop a new episode following prescription opioid use." Scherrer also wants to determine if opioid-related adverse outcomes, such as opioid misuse and sleep apnea that occur after long-term opioid use subsequently contribute to new onset depression. "Next we want to expand on the limited knowledge about depression that was available in the medical record," he said. "Our goal is to determine if chronic opioid use leads to major depressive episodes or to symptom clusters that look like depression, such as anhedonia, vital exhaustion, apathy and dysthymia." Lastly, the study will seek to determine the characteristics of depression most strongly related to whether patients with mild depression have the same risk for misuse as those with severe depression and comorbid anxiety disorders. ### This study is supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1R01DA043811-01A1. Established in 1836, Saint Louis University School of Medicine has the distinction of awarding the first medical degree west of the Mississippi River. The school educates physicians and biomedical scientists, conducts medical research, and provides health care on a local, national and international level. Research at the school seeks new cures and treatments in five key areas: cancer, liver disease, heart/lung disease, aging and brain disease, and infectious diseases. SUTD worked with an international team of researchers to develop glutathione fluorescent probes based on the discovery of Twisted Intramolecular Charge Shuttle (TICS) Charge transfer and separation is a fundamental process in the energy conversion that powers life on earth. Besides being used in solar cells and photocatalyst, this process is even in photosynthesis as it enables energy conversion by harvesting light and then transferring and converting into chemical energy. However, deeper understanding of charge transfer and separation at a molecular level continues to be a challenge as this process is very quick - light absorption induced charge transfer and separation takes place over a few femtoseconds to a few picoseconds. An international team of researchers from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), Chinese Academy of Science, Pohang University of Science and Technology and Vanderbilt University, overcame this challenge by using fluorescence in their model systems and studying the change in fluorescence output - intensity, lifetime and wavelength, etc - and discovered a new charge transfer and separation process, Twisted Intramolecular Charge Shuttle (TICS). In TICS molecules, the charge donor and acceptor fragments dynamically switch roles after absorbing light and experiencing a structural twisting, thus exhibit a 'charge shuttle' phenomenon. TICS' unique bidirectional, role switching process differentiates TICS from a similar process' unidirectional charge transfer mechanism named the Twisted Intramolecular Charge Transfer (TICT). While TICT has facilitated the development of many functional materials and devices such as bright and photostable fluorophores, dark quenchers, viscosity sensors and polarity sensors, TICS paves a new avenue for chemists to construct unique and useful fluorescent probes in a wide range of chemical families of fluorophores. For instance, the research team constructed TICS fluorescent probes which can be used to detect glutathione, an antioxidant found in plants and animals that is essential in removing many toxic chemicals in biological cells. Similarly, another type of specifically constructed TICS based probe would be able to detect phosgene, a colourless and highly toxic gas that was used as a chemical weapon agent during World War I, which could potentially be used in terrorist attacks. SUTD's Assistant Professor Liu Xiaogang explained how the research team developed TICS based glutathione fluorescent probes and their efforts to transform the dye chemistry from trial-and-error into molecular engineering. "Research in this area of study has often been based on trial-and-error. At SUTD, where design is a key component in our research strategy, we made sure to take on a design-centric approach in our research process. We first analysed chemical big data and spotted a pattern between molecular structures and fluorescent properties. After understanding this TICS process, we then designed a probe to prove this concept," said Assistant Professor Liu. ### The paper, entitled 'A Photoexcitation Induced Twisted Intramolecular Charge Shuttle (TICS)', has been published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition, a leading journal in the area of general chemistry. CLEVELAND -- Physician-researchers at the 2019 Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting in Baltimore presented their process of how from 2014 to 2017 they made their NICU a center of excellence for increasing the admission body temperature of their very low birth weight babies to greater than 36 degrees In several years preceding 2014, the medical staff of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital and UH MacDonald Women's Hospital in Cleveland faced the problem of having almost 24 percent of VLBW (Very Low Birth Weight <1500 gms) babies of having a temperature of less than 36 degrees at the time of NICU admission. VLBW neonates are vulnerable to cold stress, which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Temperatures less than 36 degrees C are defined as hypothermic for these fragile babies by the World Health Organization. UH began quality improvement initiatives in 2014 to improve the temperatures. Four thousand babies are delivered annually at UH MacDonald Women's Hospital; 150 of them VLBW neonates. VLBW babies are transferred to the 82-bed Level IV NICU next door in UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital. The team's goal was to decrease the rate of NICU admission hypothermia for all inborn VLBW neonates from 24 percent to less than five percent in five years. They met their goal through a model for improvement quality initiative, through a comprehensive Key Driver Diagram (KDD) and several cycles of Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSAs). For example, they minimized heat loss in the delivery room, during resuscitation and transfer to the NICU, among other measures. Their results: 97.5 percent reduction of hypothermia (temperature less than 36 degrees) over a period of four years, from 24 percent to 0.6 percent in the VLBW babies. Ongoing work continues at the hospitals to sustain these measures. ### The authors from UH Rainbow are Rebecca Walsh, MD, Ana Paula Duarte Ribeiro, MD, Melissa Grathwol, RNC-NIC BSN, under leadership of Monika Bhola, MD. They are also on the faculty of the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Others authors on the poster are Kimberly Larson, MD from Children's Hospital Oakland, and Christopher Stryker, MD, from MidAtlantic Neonatology Associates, Goryeb Children's Hospital in Morristown, NJ , who were also part of this initiative during their neonatal fellowship at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital About UH Rainbow Babies & Children's UH Rainbow Babies & Children's offers the most expansive pediatric care network in Northeast Ohio, with more than 740,000 annual patient encounters at 131 service locations. The vast network includes nationally-ranked UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital -- Cleveland's only full-service, freestanding children's hospital with a medical staff of more than 745 physicians and Northern Ohio's only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center - along with a primary care network of more than 200 pediatric and family medicine providers at 83 offices, inpatient care, pediatric emergency services, urgent care centers, surgery centers, medical and surgical specialty clinics, and advanced newborn and maternal/fetal medicine services. Learn more at Rainbow.org. About University Hospitals / Cleveland, Ohio Founded in 1866, University Hospitals serves the needs of patients through an integrated network of 18 hospitals, more than 50 health centers and outpatient facilities, and 200 physician offices in 16 counties throughout northern Ohio. The system's flagship academic medical center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, located in Cleveland's University Circle, is affiliated with Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. The main campus also includes University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, ranked among the top children's hospitals in the nation; University Hospitals MacDonald Women's Hospital, Ohio's only hospital for women; University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, a high-volume national referral center for complex cardiovascular procedures; and University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, part of the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. UH is home to some of the most prestigious clinical and research programs in the nation, including cancer, pediatrics, women's health, orthopedics, radiology, neuroscience, cardiology and cardiovascular surgery, digestive health, transplantation and urology. UH Cleveland Medical Center is perennially among the highest performers in national ranking surveys, including "America's Best Hospitals" from U.S. News & World Report. UH is also home to Harrington Discovery Institute at University Hospitals - part of The Harrington Project for Discovery & Development. UH is one of the largest employers in Northeast Ohio with 28,000 physicians and employees. Advancing the Science of Health and the Art of Compassion is UH's vision for benefitting its patients into the future, and the organization's unwavering mission is To Heal. To Teach. To Discover. Follow UH on Facebook @UniversityHospitals and Twitter @UHhospitals. For more information, visit UHhospitals.org About Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine For more information about Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, please visit: case.edu/medicine. The Lillian Jean Kaplan International Prize is the most prestigious award in the polycystic kidney disease field. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Bradley K. Yoder, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, has been awarded with a Lillian Jean Kaplan International Prize for Advancement for his significant research in the polycystic kidney field. The Lillian Jean Kaplan International Prize is the most prestigious prize in the polycystic kidney disease field, and it recognizes individuals whose scientific work results in tangible achievement toward improving the knowledge and treatment of the disease. York Pei, M.D., a professor of medicine at the University of Toronto, also was awarded a Kaplan Prize. Yoder and Pei will each receive a $50,000 prize award, a sculpture and a citation depicting their work. Both also were honorary lecturers this month at the World Congress of Nephrology in Melbourne, Australia. Andy Betts, CEO of the Kansas City, Missouri-based PKD Foundation, presented the awards during the congress. "I am extremely honored to be included among such a prestigious group of investigators," Yoder said, "and I would like thank the Kaplan family for continued support of the PKD Research Foundation and of this award mechanism." "In reality," said Yoder, "the recognition of these accomplishments should be given to the large number of students and fellows that have worked in my laboratory over the past 20 years. Their efforts have led to some remarkable and unexpected discoveries into the basic cellular mechanisms that underlie this disorder. Hopefully, in the near future, with continued advances, we will be able to find better approaches to slow progression or even preventing cyst formation." Polycystic kidney disease, or PKD, is one of the most common life-threatening disorders in the world, affecting 12.4 million people. It is a chronic, genetic disease, characterized by uncontrolled growth of cysts in the kidneys and other organs that can lead to kidney failure. As of today, there is no known cure and only one known treatment to slow the decline of the disease. "Dr. Yoder's research over the past two decades has focused on ascertaining the function of the primary cilium in multiple tissues and during development," the PKD Foundation noted, "with a long-standing interest in how loss of cilia function contributes to cyst development in the kidney." "His recent research has uncovered roles for primary cilia in regulating innate immune responses following renal injury that accelerates cyst progression. His group is pushing new frontiers using genetically engineered mouse models to analyze cilia-mediated sensory and signaling activities in vivo in live kidneys through intravital imaging approaches." At UAB, Yoder holds the UAHSF Endowed Chair in Biomedical Research. Pei's research focuses on genetic, genomic, clinical and translational research, and he has made a significant contribution to advance diagnosis, prognosis and development of novel treatment in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. "The pioneering studies of these researchers provide great hope for the future for all PKD patients," Betts said. The Lillian Jean Kaplan International Prize was established by the PKD Foundation and the International Society of Nephrology, through the generosity of Thomas Kaplan. It honors the memory of Kaplan's mother, Lillian Jean Kaplan, who had PKD and died in 2002. The mission of the prize is to stimulate research leading to a PKD treatment and cure, generate momentum in the PKD field, and enhance public awareness of PKD. Since 2002, Kaplan has given more than $4.5 million to the PKD Foundation. ### This is about that chemical spill in Beach Park. It shouldnt take a year to investigate this because most of those tanks are delivered by a fertilizer company to the farmers at their fields or wherever theyre going to go to, and then they move them around. So maybe you should go after the people that sell that stuff and check to see if they annually check their tanks, their valves and everything. But to have a year on this, this is ridiculous. This sounds like our court systems. Get with it before something else happens. Tiny tomato plants developed at the University of California, Riverside, could one day feed astronauts on the International Space Station. The plants have minimal leaves and stems but still produce a normal amount of fruit, making them a potentially productive crop for cultivation anywhere with limited soil and natural resources. Now, with a grant from the NASA-funded Translational Research Institute for Space Health, UCR researchers will tweak the tomatoes to make them also uniquely suited to growing in space. Dubbed Small Plants for spACe Expeditions, or SPACE, plants by the researchers, the technology could be applied to other plants to develop a suite of crops for agriculture on the International Space Station and future space colonies. Robert Jinkerson, an assistant professor of chemical and environmental engineering in the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering and Martha Orozco-Cardenas, director of the Plant Transformation Research Center in the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, will use the two-year $800,000 grant to continue to reduce the size of the miniature plants, engineer them for enhanced photosynthesis, grow them in a container that mimics conditions on the International Space Station, analyze the fruit's nutritional content, and conduct taste tests. Orozco-Cardenas originally used CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology to shrink the size of ordinary tomato plants and reduce the ratio of leaves and stems to fruit. "For several years I have been studying the family of genes involved in DNA repair, early response to stress, cell division, differentiation, and growth in plants. It was very exciting to see how a single base change in one of the genes can have such an impact on plant growth and development," she said. By 2050, there will be nine billion people on the planet, but arable land is decreasing. Global food production will need to double to meet the food needs by then. Climate change complicates the problem more. "My goal has always been to develop crops that could feed a growing global population on less farmland," Orozco-Cardenas said. Most fruit and vegetable plants produce more inedible leaves and stems, known as biomass, than edible fruit or vegetables. Small plants with more edible parts than biomass could produce large quantities of food on small plots and indoor spaces such as vertical urban farms. However, vertical farming systems tend to grow leafy greens because they have trouble supporting larger fruiting plants like tomatoes. In addition to their small size, the UC Riverside tiny tomatoes minimize resource and energy consumption by producing fruit more quickly than conventional plants. The traits that make the tomatoes suitable for growing in vertical urban farms on Earth, with a few small tweaks, could also make them suitable for growing on the International Space Station, where astronauts yearn for fresh fruit and vegetables. "When I first saw those tiny tomatoes growing in Martha's lab, I just knew we had to get them onto the space station," Jinkerson said. One necessary modification is to increase the rate of photosynthesis which allows the plants to produce oxygen and convert carbon dioxide into food. Enhanced photosynthesis will help replace carbon dioxide in space station air with fresh oxygen, improving the air quality and sustainability of human life in space. These gene editing approaches can also be applied to many other crops for use here on Earth that could help feed the growing population and also bring humans one step closer to permanent settlements in space. "Most plant research has already focused on optimizing crops for growth outside in fields, opening up a lot of opportunities to engineer plants for built environments like in space or greenhouses," said Jinkerson. ### CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Freshmen from low-income families who received Illinois Promise loan-replacement grants at the University of Illinois were significantly more likely to graduate within five years compared with peers of similar family incomes who did not qualify for the program, a new study found. Susan Gershenfeld, the study's lead author, compared five-year graduation rates among 207 students who received I-Promise grants and an equal number of low-income peers who did not meet the criteria to receive the grants. All of the students initially enrolled as freshmen at the U. of I. in academic years 2007-09. I-Promise grants are intended to cover the gap between other financial aid and the cost of education - including tuition, fees, room and board, books and supplies - for up to four continuous years. Students who receive I-Promise grants typically have the greatest financial need of any students on campus. To qualify for the program, among other criteria, students and their parents or legal guardian must be Illinois residents with family incomes at or below the federal poverty level, have an expected family contribution of zero to the child's education and have assets of less than $50,000, excluding the family home. The study used institutional data on full-time, first-time students who received I-Promise grants and other low-income students who came close to meeting the criteria but did not qualify for a grant. Using a statistical technique called propensity score matching, Gershenfeld matched each grant recipient with a peer who did not receive a grant. "There is no statistical difference between I-Promise students and the comparison group of low-income students based on the financial eligibility criteria," Gershenfeld said. "The analysis also extensively controlled for various demographic and academic variables." On average, the largest amount of financial aid awarded to students in both groups was scholarships. About 89% of each I-Promise student's financial aid package was nonloans, versus 73% for students in the other group. "It's not like the I-Promise students had full support and the other low-income students had nothing in their financial aid package - they each had quite a lot," Gershenfeld said. "So the real difference was the assurance that if the I-Promise students lived up to their part of the bargain and made satisfactory academic progress, the university would provide the grant for four years. And we found that these students did indeed graduate at higher rates than other low-income students." The data indicated that 76.3% of the I-Promise students graduated within five years compared with 67.1% of students in the other group - a statistically significant difference, Gershenfeld said. By contrast, the overall five-year graduation rate at the U. of I. during the same period averaged 81.8%, according to the study. During the time period studied, base tuition and fees for in-state students ranged from $11,130 to $12,528. Including room, board, books, supplies and other expenses, the total cost of attendance was estimated to be $23,150 to $25,656. The I-Promise students had a gap of 13.8% between their financial aid and college costs, while students in the comparison group had a 24.6% gap. About 80% of the freshmen, sophomores and juniors surveyed between 2008-12 said obtaining an I-Promise grant was "absolutely essential" or "very important" in their decision to attend Illinois. While numerous states and localities have implemented varying forms of college promise programs to broaden access to higher education and help students minimize debt, no studies have examined how such programs affect graduation rates among students who come from poverty, Gershenfeld said. The current study provides evidence that loan-replacement grants significantly boost college completion rates among low-income students, said Gershenfeld, who was the founding director of the I-Promise program. Illinois was the third public university to implement such a program - after the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and the University of Virginia - when it founded the I-Promise program in 2005. I-Promise is funded by supplemental institutional aid with contributions from foundations, corporations and individual donors. The paper, published recently in the Review of Higher Education, was co-written by social work professor Min Zhan and education policy, organization and leadership professor Denice Ward Hood. Gershenfeld, who conducted the research for her doctoral degree in social work at Illinois, is establishing a nonprofit called FirstGen Ahead to assist first-generation students in transitioning from college to career. ### Five years after it was created to serve children and adolescents in Quebec, the TRICEPS team at CHU Sainte-Justice has demonstrated the feasibility of setting up a research program in pediatric oncology precision medicine, as described in a recent article published in the JAMA Network Open journal. On average, 300 children and adolescents die of cancer each year in Canada, a number that is all the more shocking when seen in terms of 15,000 years of life lost annually. Even though advances in modern medicine have made it possible to radically reduce the mortality rate of the various pediatric cancers, progress has stagnated over the past 20 years; some 20% of childhood and adolescent cancers defy existing treatments and prove fatal. In fact, cancer remains the leading disease-related cause of death in children. The challenge taken up by TRICEPS. In 2014, CHU Sainte-Justine launched the TRICEPS project to combat these refractory cancers. The project identifies therapeutic alternatives for children and adolescents for whom standard treatment does not work (refractory cancer) or who suffer a relapse. Following an evaluation of its feasibility, the TRICEPS project, in collaboration with other pediatric oncology centres in Quebec, has been opened up to all these children and adolescents in Quebec. One of the keys to this precision medicine program is to bring together teams and leading experts from these institutions who are known for their excellence in pediatric care, to intervene very quickly with these children whose days are often numbered. "The importance of genomic profiling in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric cancers is reflected in the World Health Organization's recent decision to classify these tumours by the genetic alterations within them, rather than by broad tumour type," says Daniel Sinnett, Scientific Director of the TRICEPS Program, a professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Universite de Montreal and holder of the Francois-Karl Viau Research Chair in Pediatric Oncogenomics at CHU Sainte-Justine. He adds: "Targeted therapies are likely to be more effective when combined with specific abnormalities in tumour cells. Our results show that precision medicine for pediatric tumours can now be a reality." To date, 84 patients have been enrolled in the study, including patients with hematological, solid and brain tumours. In 87% of patients, the study identified genomic anomalies that allowed for better patient management, either through better follow-up of residual disease, reclassification of the disease, or through the application of targeted therapy or to guide treatment and identify options for future personalized targeted therapy. These therapeutic alternatives are referred to as "personalized" because the proposed actions will be different for each patient, since the alterations may be different from one cancer to another and from one person to another for the same type of cancer. The discoveries can lead to a so-called "targeted" therapy because it specifically seeks to block (or bypass) the action of genes that cause cancer progression. Toward the future These encouraging results are motivating the TRICEPS team, whose greatest ambition is to see this treatment option offered to all young patients whose cancer is resistant to treatment and even more broadly to all young patients who have been diagnosed. It will then be possible to foresee a better future for children and adolescents with cancer that is difficult to treat. ### About CHU Sainte-Justine Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre is the largest mother-child hospital in Canada. It is a member of Universite de Montreal's extended excellence-in-health network (RUIS). Sainte-Justine has 5,457 employees, including 1,532 nurses and nursing assistants; 1,000 other healthcare professionals; 520 physicians, dentists and pharmacists; 822 residents and over 204 researchers; 411 volunteers; and 4,416 interns and students in a wide range of disciplines. CHU Sainte-Justine has 484 beds, including 67 at the Centre de readaptation Marie Enfant (CRME), the only exclusively pediatric rehabilitation centre in Quebec. The World Health Organization has recognized CHU Sainte-Justine as a "health promoting hospital." AMHERST, Mass. - An international research team led by invasion ecologist Bethany Bradley at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has conducted the first global meta-analysis of the characteristics and size of invasive alien species' impacts on native species as invaders become more abundant. For example, as alien garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) invades forest understory in New England, the number of native sugar maple seedlings declines, and invasive purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) in New England wetlands is linked to a decline in the abundance of native red-winged blackbirds and song sparrows, Bradley says. Elsewhere, predatory invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) introduced in Caribbean waters leads to a rapid decline in the abundance of native coral reef fish, and invading Burmese python (Python bivittatus) in the Everglades has caused dramatic losses of natives such as opossum, fox and bobcats. Bradley says, "What surprised me most was the magnitude of some of these effects. Invasive animal pests, like Emerald Ash Borer or lionfish, cause nearly a 50 percent decline in native populations. That's the average case - on average, invasive pests will cut the populations of native species in half if we don't prevent or control those invasions." The associate professor of environmental conservation adds, "Our principal finding is that if the invasive species is at a higher trophic level, that is, they are likely eating the native species, then just a few invasive individuals can cause a sharp decline in native populations. Once those invaders reach higher abundance, the damage has long ago been done. This has big implications for management," she says. "Early detection becomes critical." They report that impacts depend strongly on the invasives' position in the food chain, known as trophic level. Invasive species at higher trophic levels have a strongly non-linear effect on native species with the greatest impacts occurring early in the invasion, while invasive species at the same trophic level have a negative, linear effect on native species. Reporting in "Latest Articles" in the current online issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Bradley and colleagues analyzed findings from 1,258 case studies from 201 research papers. One goal was to understand generally how impacts accumulate during an invasion in order to support evidence-based management, Bradley says. "We know that invasive species have negative impacts, but past meta-analyses have only looked at studies where invaders were absent vs. present," Bradley says. Without information on the slope and magnitude of the impacts, she adds, "we don't know the slope of the relationship, whether it's linear or non-linear, or if there's a sharp decline of native species early or late in the infestation. These are the questions we looked at." For native species faced with an invader at the same trophic level, where the two are likely competing for resources, Bradley says, "We see a strong negative linear response," but no sharp initial decline. She adds, "As you increase invasive species' abundance, the native species decline in abundance and in community diversity. The management implications are that if you control the invasion at any point, it's a win for ecosystems." In the situation where an invader enters at a lower trophic level than the native species, results were unclear, Bradley says. "It could be creating new resources or it could compete against resources that the natives need. It's not clear whether the effects will be positive or negative, unless you're talking about terrestrial plants. Invasive plants are likely to have negative effects on native insects." Based on these and their additional assessment of impacts across different habitats - marine, freshwater or terrestrial - and for invasive animals vs. invasive plants, the authors found that "increasing the abundance of invasive alien species has pronounced negative impacts on native species populations and communities." Further, the fact that rapid declines in native species' populations can occur at initial stages of the invasion process, they say, "highlights the increasing need for early detection and rapid response (EDRR) to new invasive alien species," especially for animal pests. They point out that EDRR is cost-effective and "the only point at which eradication is feasible." "Avoiding the ecological impacts of invasive species will require a much stronger commitment to proactive policies designed to prevent novel introductions as well as increased management targeting the early stages of invasion." Bradley points out that adopting EDRR requires that natural resource managers spend more time monitoring for new invasive species. But, "our manager colleagues are telling us that they are only able to spend about 10% of their time monitoring for new species because they don't have enough resources to monitor and still manage existing invasions," Bradley says. "That's simply not enough." She adds, "Now that we know that impact and abundance are so closely related, we can use abundance as a proxy for impact. If I observe a large infestation of an invasive species, I can make a pretty good guess as to the magnitude of the ecological impact on native species." ### For this work, which was initiated at a working group supported by the Albert and Elaine Borchard Foundation, Bradley and UMass Amherst colleagues collaborated with others at the University of New Hampshire; the universities of California, Riverside and Irvine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, the universities of Liverpool and Exeter, U.K., France's Universite de Picardie Jules Verne and Spain's Estacion Biologica de Donana. An interdisciplinary research team from communications, anthropology, and political science will study Russian disinformation campaigns in three former Soviet republics as part of a $1.6 million Minerva research grant awarded through the United States Department of Defense. UT researchers were one of only 12 academic groups nationwide selected for the prestigious Minerva Research Initiative awards this year. The research team for the project consists of faculty members from five departments: Maureen Taylor (advertising and public relations), Catherine Luther (journalism and electronic media), Suzie Allard (information sciences), Michael Fitzgerald and Brandon Prins (political science), and Alex Bentley (anthropology). Also closely involved in the project are Natalie Rice, research associate for the College of Communication and Information's Center for Information and Communication Studies, and Oleg Manaev, global security fellow at the UT Institute of Nuclear Security. "The study will monitor and analyze the content of Russian information warfare and measure the effectiveness the tactics have in shaping opinion in Eastern European nations Georgia, Ukraine, and Belarus," said Taylor, director of the School of Advertising and Public relations and principal investigator for the study. The research will include a close inspection of both traditional media and popular social media platforms, including Russian-language local news media in the Baltics, Facebook, Twitter, and Vkontake, a Russian online social media and social networking service. Onsite public opinion polling and focus group testing will be conducted in cooperation with the Independent Institute for Socio-Economic and Political Studies (IISEPS), a Lithuania-based research center with more than 25 years of experience in research in the former Soviet Union countries, and Baltic Surveys. Each team member brings specific expertise to the project and all will contribute to analysis of data collected: Maureen Taylor oversees the research and conducts the monitoring and evaluation for the grant. Catherine Luther provides expertise in the areas of international and intercultural communication and political psychology for data evaluation purposes. Suzie Allard provides knowledge of information flows across media platforms and adds expertise to foster interdisciplinary collaboration in the research team. Michael Fitzgerald, a Cold War expert and researcher of Russian and post-Soviet politics and government, provides context for the project, especially the efforts of Vladimir Putin's regime to use mass communication in the service of its national security and foreign policies. Brandon Prins will use the collected data to model relationships between propaganda and opinion and evaluate how Russian disinformation campaigns further political and social conflict. Alex Bentley, who teaches the graduate class Big Data Social Sciences, will analyze social media data to study how propaganda and disinformation are deployed and shared in the United States. He will be supported by postdoctoral scholar Damian Ruck. Natalie Rice, whose dissertation work provided a foundation for understanding traditional media in former Soviet republics, is the project manager. Oleg Manaev, an expert on Soviet propaganda, serves as the lead liaison with international partners. "The project is significant because it not only measures Russian propaganda, but also assesses how this propaganda shapes public opinion," said Prins, professor of political science. "We want to model the relationships between propaganda and opinion and evaluate how disinformation campaigns upset democratic institutions." The three countries selected for the project are increasingly the targets of propaganda campaigns. "There is evidence that the selected countries are serving as testing grounds for Russian media tactics designed to influence public opinion and collective behavior with the goal of employing them against Russia's political rivals such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany," said Luther, director of the School of Journalism and Electronic Media. The vision for the research project grew out of Rice's doctoral dissertation. Rice studies Russian propaganda, and the project extends this work by adding social media tracking and creating a mechanism to measure the effects of both traditional and social media. The project began in April 2019 and will last through March 2024. After the project concludes, researchers plan to study foreign disinformation campaigns in Asia and Oceania. The Minerva Research Initiative was started in 2008 by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and is a Department of Defense-sponsored, university-based social science research program. The goal of Minerva is to "improve the department's understanding of the social, cultural, behavioral, and political forces that shape the regions of the world." The results of the research are unclassified and intended to be of widespread importance. ### CONTACT: Brian Canever (865-974-0937, bcanever@utk.edu) 'One of the greatest curiosities is how the universe was formed and how life started. And this weirdo particle showed us something we didn't know before.' The study of a tiny grain of stardust -- older than our solar system -- is shining new light on how planetary systems are formed. The microbe-sized extraterrestrial particle, which originated from a nova explosion more than 4.5 billion years ago, was discovered inside a meteorite collected in Antarctica by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Alongside planetary scientists at the University of Arizona (UA), the grain was studied last year at the atomic-level by University of Toronto Engineering professor Jane Howe while she was a senior scientist at Hitachi High Technologies. "This grain is presolar. It originated before the formation of the sun. It's just amazing to analyze such an anomaly," says Howe. Using advanced ion and electron microscopes, Howe and the researchers observed the arrangement of carbon atoms and its variants, known as carbon isotope anomalies, and discovered the presolar graphite grain contained oxygen-rich silicates -- something they did not expect to see. The researchers' observation gives new insights into the conditions of a dying star. It also contradicts the scientific hypothesis that the two types of stardust material, oxygen- and carbon-rich -- which are presolar building blocks in the formation of a solar system -- could not form in the same nova outburst, under the same conditions. The international collaboration, which includes Howe, planetary scientists, astronomers and material scientists at UA, Washington University in St. Louis, Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Spain, and Hitachi High Technologies in the U.S. and Japan, published their findings today in Nature Astronomy. "Sometimes research is about satisfying your curiosity. One of the greatest curiosities is how the universe was formed and how life started," says Howe. "And this weirdo particle showed us something we didn't know before." Howe, who joined U of T Engineering in January 2019, is currently using her electron microscopy expertise to study materials to advance renewable energy, and also plans to expand her work to include meteoritic materials science research. "I thought this research project was really exciting, and I'm a curious person by nature. At the time, it was just part of my job assignment, but now it's starting to become part of my research portfolio," says Howe. Howe hopes to further her collaboration with researchers at UA. In addition, she recently began a collaboration with U of T Professor Kim Tait at the Department of Earth Sciences, who is also the senior curator of mineralogy at the Royal Ontario Museum to study its collection of meteorites. And, in September 2023 when the UA-led NASA OSIRIS-Rex mission returns to Earth after taking samples of carbon-rich asteroid, Bennu, Howe will be among the team of Canadian researchers to analyze its samples. "This kind of research, it's part of a much larger debate of how life started on Earth. We all care about who we are and where we came from," says Howe. "I'm so excited to be part of advancing our knowledge in this." ### April 29, 2019 -- Over 11 field seasons, between 1999 and 2010, ornithologist Cagan Sekercioglu trekked through the forests and coffee fields of Costa Rica to study how tropical birds were faring in a changing agricultural landscape. Through painstaking banding of individual birds, Sekercioglu asked whether the expansion of coffee plantations is reducing tropical bird biodiversity. The answer, published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is no. And yes. Sun coffee plantations are able to host a surprising number of bird species, even more if the plantation has some tree cover. But the plantations are not enough to maintain bird biodiversity. "It's two sides of a coin," Sekercioglu says. "These tropical agricultural habitats that are mostly deforested still maintain large numbers of tropical species. Even small patches of trees can make a difference and help some species. But the flip side of the coin is, in the long term, most of these species are still declining." The only way The seeds of this project were planted in 1996 when Sekercioglu, then an undergraduate at Harvard University, was studying the effects of logging on tropical bird communities in Uganda. "I wanted to continue that research in grad school," he says, "but I wanted something long term. Not just a quick snapshot, but a multiyear study where I could look at long-term population change." Such long-term studies are rare, partially because of the research timeline of a typical graduate student. Doctoral students in biology may be able to collect four years of data before compiling their research into a dissertation to complete their degree. But Sekercioglu wanted more than four years. To get the long-term trends he wanted, he needed at least six years. Ten would be even better. With the blessing of his doctoral advisory committee at Stanford University, Sekercioglu set out for Costa Rica in 1999 for the first of 11 field seasons. Between 1999 and 2010, he and his team set up stations in both protected forests and in coffee plantations where he and colleagues would extend nearly invisible nets. The "mist nets" allowed the researchers to temporarily capture birds and affix an ankle band, or check for an existing band, before releasing the bird. Banding allows each bird to be individually identifiable--an essential element of fine-grained population surveys. "These are small, often secretive songbirds we're talking about," Sekercioglu says. "You need the bird banding. It's labor intensive, but there's really no substitute." After earning his doctorate in 2003, Sekercioglu remained at Stanford, first as a postdoctoral scholar and then as a senior research scientist, to keep the Costa Rica project going. Over the years, with the support of his co-authors Gretchen Daily, Paul Ehrlich, Chase Mendenhall and Federico Oviedo-Brenes, he and his colleagues mist netted 57,307 birds from 265 species in 19 different study sites--all by hand. In 2009, after securing a position at the University of Utah, he wrapped up his field work in Costa Rica before moving to his current lab in Salt Lake City in 2010. Diversity can be deceiving In Sekercioglu's new paper, he and his co-authors present their results. First, some definitions of the land types in the study: Coffee plantations with less than 10% tree cover are referred to as "open coffee." Coffee plantations with 10% to 20% tree cover are called "shaded coffee" in the study. Sekercioglu points out that shaded coffee is not the same as certified shade coffee, which grows under a canopy of native primary forest trees. The other sites are collectively referred to as "forest" sites, though this encompasses fragmentary forests, narrow corridors of forest that run along rivers and protected forest land. The two protected areas are of vastly different sizes: The Las Cruces Forest Reserve has an area of 250 hectares--about one square mile. That's smaller than the University of Utah campus. La Amistad International Park, on the other hand, has an area of 400,000 hectares--around 1,500 square miles, which is a little smaller than Rhode Island. That size difference is important. The results of the study are a mix of bad news and good news. Let's start with some bad news. Over the study period, 61% more bird populations declined as remained stable or grew, and this trend held in all study sites except those in the large La Amistad International Park. "If you really want to conserve the native tropical forest bird community," Sekercioglu says, "there's really no replacement for big forest reserves like La Amistad. You really need at least 1,000 hectares (3.86 square miles) native primary forest. So, there's no replacement for that." Now some good news. Coffee plantations host nearly as many bird species as forests, with 230 species recorded in forest sites and 185 recorded in coffee sites. But just looking at the number of species can hide some bad news--species richness isn't always descriptive of how diverse an ecosystem really is, or a habitat's value for conservation. "These plantations get spillover species from the nearby intact rainforest," Sekercioglu says. "That adds to the richness." Other species present in the coffee plantations include those that prefer open habitat as well as those who can inhabit a variety of habitats. "Their populations are not declining," he adds. "In fact, many have globally increasing populations. But a lot of the species missing from these coffee plantations are the most sensitive specialist species. Any study of the conservation value of a habitat has to look at the details of the community composition and not just the sheer number of species detected." The coffee plantations redeem themselves, somewhat, with a little bit of good news to end on. The researchers found that shaded plantations (again, not shade coffee, just shaded--to be clear) with an average of about 13% tree cover hosted double the number of forest specialist birds and half the number of open-habitat birds compared with plantations with only an average of 7% tree cover. In other words, a small increase in tree cover results in a significant increase in bird habitat. Are shaded coffee plantations an answer to the threat of deforestation? "No" Sekercioglu says. "In the long term, by themselves, they are not enough to preserve tropical biodiversity. We need a combination of agricultural areas with as much tree cover as possible and extensive primary forest reserves." Painting a long-term picture Despite the labor-intensive nature of a bird banding study and the relative rarity of such a long-term project, an undertaking like this is necessary to get a more accurate picture of bird population compositions and trends. "These days it would be very hard to do a study like this," Sekercioglu says. A "snapshot study" might have concluded, for example, that the number of bird species in the Las Cruces Forest Reserve indicated a healthy forest, when in fact Sekercioglu's study found more than three-fifths of the bird species in decline. "Short-term studies that focus just on species richness are likely to provide a rosier picture of the community health and the conservation status of these species than the reality," he says. ### Sekercioglu's co-authors were Chase D. Mendenhall of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Federico Oviedo-Brenes of the Organization for Tropical Studies, Joshua J. Horns of the University of Utah and Paul R. Ehrlich and Gretchen C. Daily of Stanford University. The study was supported by grants from the Moore Family Foundation, the National Geographic Society, the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Winslow Foundation. Find this release, photos and an infographic here: http://unews.utah.edu/costa-rica-coffee-birds/ Once published, the full study can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1802732116 Shade coffee Sekercioglu says that certified shade-grown coffee plantations are the best for bird biodiversity and species health. He can say that with authority--he's traveled to the Kaffa province in Ethiopia from which coffee got its name, where he discovered the world's bird friendliest coffee. There, where indigenous coffee plants grow beneath canopies of native trees, Sekercioglu and his team recorded all the same species in traditional shade coffee plantations that they had also mist netted in large forest reserves. Shade-grown coffee plantations produce smaller yields than sun coffee plantations, but shade-grown coffee farms are the "gold standard" for friendliness to birds. Several programs exist for certifying shade-grown coffee, with the Bird-Friendly Coffee certification from the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center maintaining the highest standards. Everywhere you look, people are looking at screens. In the decade since smartphones have become ubiquitous, we now have a feeling almost as common as the smartphones themselves: being sucked into that black hole of staring at those specific apps -- you know which ones they are -- and then a half an hour has gone by before you realize it. Researchers at the University of Washington conducted in-depth interviews to learn why we compulsively check our phones. They found a series of triggers, common across age groups, that start and end habitual smartphone use. The team also explored user-generated solutions to end undesirable phone use. The results will be presented May 7 at the 2019 ACM CHI conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems in Glasgow, Scotland. "For a couple of years I've been looking at people's experiences with smartphones and listening to them talk about their frustration with the way they engage with their phones," said co-author Alexis Hiniker, an assistant professor at the UW's Information School. "But on the flip side, when we ask people what they find meaningful about their phone use, nobody says, 'Oh, nothing.' Everyone can point to experiences with their phone that have personal and persistent meaning. "That is very motivating for me. The solution is not to get rid of this technology; it provides enormous value. So the question is: How do we support that value without bringing along all the baggage?" Hiniker and her team interviewed three groups of smartphone users: high school students, college students and adults who have graduated from college. The 39 subjects were smartphone users in the Seattle area between the ages of 14 and 64. Interviews started with background questions and a "think aloud" demonstration in which participants walked through the apps on their phone. Interviewers would then ask more in-depth questions about the apps participants pointed out as most likely to lead to compulsive behavior. "We were hoping to get a holistic view into the behaviors of the participants," said first author Jonathan Tran, a UW undergraduate studying human centered design and engineering. In general, interviewees had four common triggers for starting to compulsively use their phones: During unoccupied moments, like waiting for a friend to show up, Before or during tedious and repetitive tasks When in socially awkward situations When they anticipated getting a message or notification The group also had common triggers that ended their compulsive phone use: Competing demands from the real world, like meeting up with a friend or needing to drive somewhere Realizing they had been on their phone for a half an hour Coming across content they'd already seen The team was surprised to find that the triggers were the same across age groups. "This doesn't mean that teens use their phones the same way adults do. But I think this compulsive itch to turn back to your phone plays out the same way across all these groups," Hiniker said. "People talked about everything in the same terms: The high school students would say 'Anytime I have a dead moment, if I have one minute between classes I pull out my phone.' And the adults would say 'Anytime I have one dead moment, if I have one minute between seeing patients at work I pull out my phone.'" The researchers asked participants to identify something about their behavior they would like to change and then draw an idea on paper for how the phone could help them achieve it. "Many of the participants sketched 'lockout' mechanisms, where the phone would essentially prevent them from using it for a certain period of time," Tran said. "But participants mentioned how although they feel bad about their behavior, they didn't really feel bad enough to utilize their sketched solutions. There was some ambivalence." To the team, this finding pointed to a more nuanced idea behind people's relationships to their phones. "If the phone weren't valuable at all, then sure, the lockout mechanism would work great. We could just stop having phones, and the problem would be solved," Hiniker said. "But that's not really the case." Instead, the researchers saw that participants found meaning in a diverse set of experiences, particularly when apps let them connect to the real world. One participant talked about how a meme generator helped her interact with her sister because they meme tagged each other all the time. Another participant mentioned that the Kindle app let her connect with her father who was reading the same books. "People describe it as an economic calculation," Hiniker said. "Like, 'How much time do I spend with this app and how much of that time is actually invested in something lasting that transcends this specific moment of use?' Some experiences promote a lot of compulsive use, and that dilutes the time people spend on activities that are meaningful." When it comes to designing the next wave of smartphones, Hiniker recommends that designers shift away from system-wide lockout mechanisms. Instead, apps should let users be in control of their own engagement. And people should decide whether an app is worth their time. "People have a pretty good sense of what matters to them." Hiniker said. "They can try to tailor what's on their phone to support the things that they find meaningful." ### Additional co-authors are Katherine Yang, a UW undergraduate studying human centered design and engineering, and Katie Davis, a professor in the UW's iSchool. For more information, contact Hiniker at alexisr@uw.edu. Posted online at: http://www.washington.edu/news/2019/04/29/patterns-of-compulsive-smartphone-use PDF/Images available (if clicking the link doesn't work, copy and paste it into browser): https://drive.google.com/open?id=18e2QM1Kn02yIjW-FZJp9fc6jeO4b6fgB New Haven, Conn. - For more than a century, scientists have squabbled over how the Earth's moon formed. But researchers at Yale and in Japan say they may have the answer. Many theorists believe a Mars-sized object slammed into the early Earth, and material dislodged from that collision formed the basis of the moon. When this idea was tested in computer simulations, it turned out that the moon would be made primarily from the impacting object. Yet the opposite is true; we know from analyzing rocks brought back from Apollo missions that the moon consists mainly of material from Earth. A new study published April 29 in Nature Geoscience, co-authored by Yale geophysicist Shun-ichiro Karato, offers an explanation. The key, Karato says, is that the early, proto-Earth -- about 50 million years after the formation of the Sun -- was covered by a sea of hot magma, while the impacting object was likely made of solid material. Karato and his collaborators set out to test a new model, based on the collision of a proto-Earth covered with an ocean of magma and a solid impacting object. The model showed that after the collision, the magma is heated much more than solids from the impacting object. The magma then expands in volume and goes into orbit to form the moon, the researchers say. This explains why there is much more Earth material in the moon's makeup. Previous models did not account for the different degree of heating between the proto-Earth silicate and the impactor. "In our model, about 80% of the moon is made of proto-Earth materials," said Karato, who has conducted extensive research on the chemical properties of proto-Earth magma. "In most of the previous models, about 80% of the moon is made of the impactor. This is a big difference." Karato said the new model confirms previous theories about how the moon formed, without the need to propose unconventional collision conditions -- something theorists have had to do until now. For the study, Karato led the research into the compression of molten silicate. A group from the Tokyo Institute of Technology and the RIKEN Center for Computational Science developed a computational model to predict how material from the collision became the moon. ### The first author of the study is Natsuki Hosono of RIKEN. Additional co-authors are Junichiro Makino and Takayuki Saitoh. this news is not available Liberals and many in the media are distraught that the president continually attacks "Psycho" Joe Scarborough, the New York Times, CNN, MSNBC and other liberal-oriented news outlets. Maybe they should Google "Obama and Fox News" and recall how upset President Obama was with the one media outlet that consistently opposed his agenda and questioned many of his presidential decisions. Remember, Obama had trouble with just one. I wonder how President Obama would have reacted if every media outlet but one reacted to his every move or comment with negativity and criticism. Sure, some criticism of a sitting president is always to be expected, but what's happening with the media versus Trump reminds me of the way the Chicago sports writers sometimes gang up to attack young players with such venom that they are forced to leave Chicago for successful careers elsewhere. I don't care who you are, even if you're president of the United States, it must be really hard to face the daily barrage of hatred and venom spewed by many of today's reporters. With all the talk about government health plans, one issue which is now getting attention is long-term care. Most Americans are unaware that a government partnership program is available in most states which can provide American families with additional asset protection from the tremendously high costs of long-term care. "We hear some presidential candidates talk about universal health care including long-term care. That is not going to happen but there is a government plan which many people can take advantage of and that is the Long-Term Care Partnership Program," said Matt McCann, a nationally known speaker, and Long-Term Care Insurance specialist. Speaking in Phoenix, McCann said most states participate in providing consumers additional dollar-for-dollar asset protection when they purchase a qualified Long-Term Care Insurance policy. The program is a joint federal-state program which allows a person to shelter part of their estate equal to the amount their Long-Term Care policy paid in benefits and still qualify for Medicaid's long-term care benefit. Normally, a person must have little or no assets in order to access the Medicaid long-term care benefit. "This is really a game changer for the middle class and the upper middle class. It gives them the peace-of-mind knowing they will always have access to their choice of quality long-term care services and supports without risking their life savings. Since these policies are custom designed, you can purchase a smaller plan protecting all or a large portion of a person's savings at a very affordable price," McCann said. The Obama administration toyed with the idea of long-term care when they put together their "Obamacare" program. However, administration actuaries at the Department of Health and Human Services urged the White House to drop the idea because of cost and the White House heeded the advice. McCann noted that a few states, most recently the State of Washington, have toyed with a tax funded long-term care program. The Washington program adds a payroll tax to provide people with one year of home care. "That is hardly long-term care and is also not a real solution. It is, better than nothing and a good foundation if you do have a Long-Term Care Insurance policy. If you have a partnership policy not only do you have access to your choice of care in the setting you desire but you get the asset protection as well," McCann explained. McCann said more American's should be aware of the benefits of an affordable Long-Term Care Partnership policy. Premiums are based, in part, on age at application, health, and the amount of benefits requested. He suggests working with a qualified Long-Term Care Insurance specialist, like himself, who help shop and design an affordable plan based on their needs. McCann suggests starting your online research before seeking quotes. Consumers can learn more at: https://mccannltc.net/resources/faq. On the site there is a link to obtain free quotes from all the major companies. Another key research item is to understand the current and future costs of long-term care services in your state or the state you plan to retire to in the future. Plus, you need to know if the state participates in the federal/state long-term care partnership program. You can find this information, including available tax incentives, here: https://www.ltcnews.com/resources/state-information. With over 20 years of experience, McCann assists people nationwide with his unique process where people get to speak with him on the phone while they view his computer screen on their own computer. In his process, he will ask numerous questions about an individual's health, family history, and retirement plans. This way he can shop the many companies available to find the best coverage at the best value. One of my primary objectives will be to determine if coverage for long-term care is appropriate for the person or couple and if so, is a partnership plan is a right way to address the financial costs and burdens of aging. He works with the major companies in the industry and understands both traditional and asset-based plans. "Today's technology allows a specialist, like me, to help consumers, and their financial advisors if they are involved, to find the right plan. If your insurance agent or financial advisor just emailed you quotes without discussing this in detail you better find someone else," he said. McCann says the best time to plan is prior to retirement. He says premiums are very affordable for most people, especially in their 40s and 50s. However, he notes you can find coverage at older ages as well but it is key to work with a specialist to find the right plan at the best value. Yasmin Navarro practiced for months leading up to Sunday, when she and seven other young ladies in long, ruffled blue dresses performed a synchronized routine on horseback, including paired spins they mercifully executed without colliding in the center of the Rancho del Charro arena. It felt good, said Navarro, 22. It was good excitement, hearing all the people cheer for you. The escaramuza an all-female equestrian sport was one of the most popular events of A Day in Old Mexico & Charreada, the Mexican-style rodeo that closes out Fiesta every year. The sun beat down on the South Side arena from a neon-blue sky brushed with wispy clouds, but the heat didnt discourage more than 3,000 people from showing up Sunday afternoon. The Asociacion de Charros de San Antonio sponsors the event. Patti Stewart, 62, had been coming to the charreada for about eight years and thought Sundays crowd was bigger than usual. She called the event Fiestas best-kept secret. Its full of tradition, she said. It makes you feel like youre in Mexico. Nora Perez, 35, attended the charreada for the first time, bringing her husband, Jose, and their two daughters, 5-year-old Jaslyn and 2-year-old Ayliana. The family is of Mexican descent, Nora Perez said. We have a Mexican culture, so we wanted to introduce that to them, she said, before gasping along with the crowd as a charro fell off a bull, which harmlessly head-butted him. Jaslyn watched raptly, wearing a Fiesta flower crown. I love this place, she said. I love how they did the tricks. The charros events included cala de caballo, or horse reining, and piales en el lienzo, roping a horses hind leg to bring it to heel. Charreada started in the 19th century as a competition between haciendas to demonstrate which household could best control and maintain livestock, said Mario Villasenor, 48, a longtime member of the Asociacion de Charros board of directors. Its all different, the attire, from the shirt to the chaps to the saddle, the reins, its all Mexican, Villasenor said. The hat. Charros wear their sombreros as helmets, Villasenor said. The wide brim, called the aleton, will hit the ground first if a charro falls off his horse, he said. Sundays charros were all men from age 18 to late 40s, Villasenor said. The escaramuzas ranged in age from 11 to 22. The escaramuza routine also included several crosses, when the eight riders galloped across the arena in pairs from different directions without crashing in the middle. After the women performed, a mother walked up to Navarro and asked, in Spanish, how she could sign her daughter up for escaramuza lessons. Navarro directed her to Jimmy Ayala, the trainer, and the woman sped away. The escaramuza team, Las Coronelas de San Antonio, heads to Zacatecas, Mexico, on Wednesday to compete with the same routine. Late next month, theyll also be in the state finals. They won a competition last April in Toluca, Mexico, on borrowed horses, Ayala said. Its basically like synchronized swimming, Ayala said. The routine is precise. The girls work hard. Alia Malik covers several school districts and the Alamo Colleges District in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | amalik@express-news.net | Twitter: @AliaAtSAEN For nearly six minutes, every eye in the St. George Episcopal Schools gym was fixed on the floor, tracking a chain of 32,000 dominoes toppling, one by one. Each of the flat little dotted tiles, stacked in towers, arranged in spirals and lined up into words and designs across the gym, represented a dollar raised by students for their sister school, St. Benoit in Mombin Crochu, Haiti. St. George, a school in the North Side suburb of Castle Hills with about 500 students, first partnered with St. Benoit in 2010 through the Episcopal Diocese of Haitis Partnership Program. In the years since, faculty members have traveled to Haiti to help with campus projects, built relationships with the community and watched students steadily increase fundraising through the annual Chain of Love event. On ExpressNews.com: St. George students set up 15,000 dominoes in 8th annual event Before the chain reaction began, middle school students formed a chain of their own, standing guard around the gym floor to prevent anyone from inadvertently knocking over any of the dominoes too early. The buzz in the gym went silent for a moment when Jois Goursse Celestin, rector of St. Benoit, knelt to tap the first domino. Celestin, who is visiting San Antonio for the first time this week, said money raised by St. George students has gone to support buildings, tuition and supplies for the St. Benoit school and church community. In addition to attending the Chain of Love event, his trip was an opportunity to meet with the St. George community and share what we are together, he said. On their trips to Mombin Crochu, congregants and school staff from St. George have helped paint classrooms, build latrines and distribute supplies, showing our bonds of friendship and spending a lot of time together, said Keith Earle, St. Georges director of music and fine arts, who also leads the partnership. He said the sustained relationship between the communities teaches students about effective mission and giving, because theyre able to see the long-term effects of the partnership rather than walking away after a short time. Fourteen years ago, the schools first Chain of Love raised about $3,500, said Jessica Leibowitz, its director of communications. This years total of more than $32,000 was a record. Seventy-two middle school students joined Team Domino this year, leading the fundraising, publicity and setup. Top hits: Get San Antonio Express-News stories sent directly to your inbox Eighth graders Kaia Pham, Megan Mollica and Macie Lin designed the finale, a four-foot tall tower of multicolored dominoes. It didnt quite go as planned, due to a misplaced mousetrap whose snapping was supposed to trigger the rest. The tower toppled dramatically when they ran over to knock it down at the end. Its a good feeling that youre giving back, Mollica said. Other students were assigned to lay out different parts of the chain, including a cross, outlines of the shapes of Texas and Haiti connected by a heart, and a wall that read sister school and drew gasps from the crowd when it collapsed as planned. When I see what you are doing here for people in Haiti, I tell myself, What a wonderful thing if the world can do what you are just doing here, Celestin told the student body before the toppling began. What I see here is love. Imagine a world with love, a world without hunger, a world without war, and just love, and this is what you are doing here. LTeitz@express-news.net Mayor Tom Poynton, in remarks after breakfast at Paulus Park, said, People who wonder why Arbor Day is important only have to look at the destruction of, and long- term damage that (emerald ash borer) has had on the environment to realize that trees cant be taken for granted and that we all need to learn more about trees and the role that they play in the environment. A former Texas State University student who FBI agents claimed was plotting mass violence has agreed to plead guilty to a child exploitation charge. Court records indicate Benjamin J. Bogard, 20, of New Braunfels, has reached a deal with federal prosecutors, who in an effort to keep him jailed without bond had put on a case that seemed to focus largely on the domestic terrorism investigation the FBI opened on him. Agents with the FBIs Joint Terrorism Task Force testified at his bail hearing in February that Bogard created disturbing videos in which he allegedly embraced white supremacy, said he wanted to kill minorities, discussed obtaining a chemical substance to make a bomb and implied he might commit a mass shooting. On ExpressNews.com: Ex-Texas State student eyed in domestic terrorism investigation in San Antonio The agents contend Bogard dropped out of Texas State before the fall 2018 semester began and could have engaged in mass violence had they not stepped in and arrested him on a child pornography charge over images that were found on his cellphone. U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Bemporad had granted him release on bond, but Bogard never went free. Prosecutors appealed and Senior U.S. District Judge David Ezra put the bond on hold and was to have a hearing two weeks ago to see whether the hold should remain, but then canceled the hearing upon being informed that the case might be resolved, records show. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson then filed a court document called a felony information which is generally filed in advance of a guilty plea changing the child porn charge to possession of obscene visual representations of the sexual assault of children. Ezra also issued an order sending the case back to Bemporad so he can hold the plea hearing. The plea agreement is filed under seal. On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio judge blocks the release of ex-college student accused of preparing for mass violence A plea hearing is expected to take place Wednesday. His lawyer, Michael Morris, did not return a call seeking comment. Bogard came to the attention of the FBI in early November after a Crime Stoppers tipster in Albany, N.Y., reported posts on an Instagram account and other social media from someone who appeared to be a member of the neo-Nazi group, Atomwaffen Division, an FBI counterterrorism agent testified. In one post on the Instagram account, the user is seen firing a shotgun in a wooded area with a mask of a skull covering half his face. Agents traced the Instagram account to Bogard and he agreed to turn over his cellphone, an FBI agent testified, and after analyzing its contents, agents found a trove of other videos, online chats and postings on other social media accounts that made the agents even more concerned. At the bail hearing, Morris downplayed the posts and videos, noting that Bogard allegedly made nonsensical statements allegiance to Adolf Hitler while at the same time praising Allah and never followed through on any of the violent rhetoric. He also claimed the allegations about the postings had nothing to do with the child porn charge. Guillermo Contreras covers federal courts in San Antonio and international legal issues. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | gcontreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland Editors note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the American Civil Rights Union as one of the plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit over an effort by the state of Texas to remove non-citizens from the voting rolls. The ACRU was not involved in the litigation in any way. The error has been corrected. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery approved a settlement Monday that the state reached with civil rights groups to halt the effort to purge tens of thousands of suspected noncitizens from the voter rolls. The deal signed Friday puts an end to three separate lawsuits filed by civil rights groups that included the League of United Latin American Citizens, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union. The suits alleged the states program unlawfully targeted immigrants who had become naturalized U.S. citizens. The state will also pay $450,000 to lawyers for the groups to cover costs and fees. Its not perfect ... but were pretty happy, LULACs chief legal counsel, Luis Vera, told the judge. Assistant Attorney General Patrick Sweeten told Biery that the state noted the judges previous instructions to try to come up with potential agreement offers, and we reached an out-of-court deal. According to the settlement, interim Secretary of State David Whitley will rescind his offices Jan. 25 advisory, which announced the purge to county elections administrators, and advise them to take no further action on any data files that the office sent them in connection with that advisory. Whitleys office will also tell elections administrators that any voter who received a notice that their voter registration status was in question shall be sent a new written notice that they are still registered to vote and that their voter registration status is no longer in question. This comes just in time ... so those affected will be able to participate in this weekends elections without impediment, said Nina Perales, MALDEFs vice president of litigation. Whitleys office used drivers license data from the Texas Department of Public Safety and, after comparing it with voter rolls, wrongly concluded that 98,000 Texans who were registered to vote were noncitizens and that about 58,000 had voted in previous elections. On ExpressNews.com: State hedges on claim that voters on list arent citizens Some local elections administrators after receiving the Jan. 25 advisory and a list of suspected noncitizens from Whitleys office immediately sent out notices telling voters on the list that they would be removed from the rolls if they didnt provide proof of citizenship within 30 days. Other administrators investigated the information the state provided and found discrepancies in the data. At a hearing in February before Biery, a top official in Whitleys office admitted that the state used flawed information to roll out the initiative and overstated the numbers by tens of thousands of people who were actually naturalized citizens. The deal was a relief to Julie Hilberg, a naturalized citizen from England and plaintiff. She received a letter from local elections officials in Atascosa County instructing her to provide proof of citizenship. I think its a great day for voters in Texas, especially naturalized citizens, said Hilberg, the Democratic Partys chair in Atascosa County. We can now rest assured that were not going to be purged from the rolls or be discriminated against. Guillermo Contreras covers federal courts in San Antonio and international legal issues. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | gcontreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland The Texas House on Monday approved a bill that would reduce the criminal penalty for possessing small amounts of marijuana. The House voted 98-43 in favor of House Bill 63, which would make possession of less than one ounce of marijuana a class C misdemeanor, punishable with a fine of up to $500 and no jail time. Under existing laws, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana can lead to a jail sentence of up to 6 months. The bill by state Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, initially called for entirely decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, but Moody amended it in a compromise with the Republican majority. Although this compromise isnt as far as I would like to go, Im not going to sacrifice the good for the perfect, Moody said when introducing his amendment to the bill. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said in a gubernatorial debate last year he would consider signing a bill that decreased the penalty for marijuana possession to a class C misdemeanor. However, the legislation could stall in the Texas Senate, which is controlled by Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who has indicated he wont favor any loosening of marijuana laws neither in criminal court nor for medicinal purposes. Texas Take: Get the latest news on Texas politics sent directly to your inbox every weekday Patrick is strongly opposed to weakening any laws against marijuana [and] remains wary of the various medicinal use proposals that could become a vehicle for expanding access to this drug, he said in a statement to the Texas Tribune last month. Patricks staff did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. The amendment was worth making for the same reason every change Ive made to that bill for the past 6 years has been worth making: it advances the conversation to get the results that we want for people, Moody said. That result is not wasting taxpayer resources, law enforcement resources, prosecutor resources, on these low-level offenses and eliminating collateral consequences for what are mostly young offenders. The most vocal opposition during debate Monday came from Rep. Cecil Bell Jr., R-Magnolia, who called marijuana a gateway drug. I just want to be clear to this body, if you vote for this, youre voting to legalize marijuana, Bell said. For subscribers: Police groups decry Texas push for marijuana decriminalization Moody said he thinks his bill would have passed the House in its original form, but that would have been the end of the conversation this session, after the bill was sent to the Senate. My goal isnt just to have a conversation about it on the House floor, my goal is to pass this bill, Moody said. Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston and chairman of H.B. 63s likely next stop, the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, said he is not sure how the Senate or his committee will handle the bill. Sen. Jose Rodriguezs Senate companion to Moodys bill has been yet to have a hearing in the Criminal Justice Committee as Whitmire waited to see how the House would proceed. Its unknown at this stage, but its getting late, with less than a month remaining in the legislative session, Whitmire said. Despite the bills uncertain future in the Senate, H.B. 63 gathered bipartisan support in the House and marks the furthest any bill reducing penalties for marijuana possession has progressed in the Texas Legislature. I remember when I first filed this bill, I think back in 2003, I couldnt even get a hearing and people around here basically asked me what I had been smoking, said Rep. Harold Dutton Jr., D-Houston. Back in the 1960s, The Association was known for such hits as Along Comes Mary, Cherish, Windy and Never My Love. Jim Yester, who helped create the groups smooth harmonies and pop-oriented sound, sang lead on Along Comes Mary. It was a social protest song, says Yester, of the 1966 tune (that hit No. 7) in which Mary refers to marijuana. Among its lyrics: Along comes Mary, does she want to set them free, let them see reality. Yester says the song wasnt saying Lets go smoke. Rather, it was protesting the unequal treatment between booze and other drugs. Alcohol was legal then and marijuana, which is less potent, Yester says, was not. The guy who wrote it (Tandyn Almer) was the last of the Kerouac generation. I do it as a reading before I sing it. It blows people away to hear the words spoken. Along Comes Mary is among the songs The Association will perform at Mohegan Suns Wolf Den on Sunday, May 12. Weve been there several times and its always great fun, says Yester, who shared more in a phone chat. Yester said the band will do all its hits because obviously, thats what people want, along with some lesser known tunes from their catalog, plus a couple tribute songs to other groups that were big at the time. We do a tribute to The Mamas & the Papas. We did more shows with them than any other group, and we got to be great friends. When The Association first started touring, it opened for bands such as The Four Tops and The Beach Boys. Friendships developed there, as well. Yester said the concert includes a medley of tunes from the movie, The Big Chill, including Wouldnt It Be Nice, My Girl, Heard It Through the Grapevine, Bad Moon Rising and more. We rip right through it. People love it. More Information Mohegan Sun Wolf Den. 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville. Sunday, May 12, 7 p.m. Free. 888-226-7711, mohegansun.com See More Collapse The Association also has a video intro it presents at venues where that technology is available. He said he wasnt sure if theyd be able to do it at the Wolf Den, but if so, its something fans seem to enjoy very much. We do a lot of humor in our show and the feedback we get is that people love to hear the stories. Its family-oriented; everybody can come. We have fun with it. Its almost a joke in itself that we have that much fun and get paid for it. Yester didnt want to say which stories he and his band mates will tell, but he did share that Cherish was not written about a certain someone, as far as he knows, and that Windy, by Ruthann Friedman, was originally about a guy. She was a girlfriend of ours; she wrote avant-garde songs... he said. She went to San Francisco one weekend and came back with this tune about a guy who was a free spirit. Yester said Friedman told the band they could change it to make it about a girl. We played it for our producer. It ran up the chart real quick. British author Malcolm C. Searles discusses the bands 50-plus year history in his 2018 book, The Association Cherish. Yester said it was neat to read, and he learned a few things, too, about his band mates careers before The Association. Yester said he especially loves to hear from fans who say attending the bands live show made them feel like a teenager again. lkoonz@newstimes.com; Twitter: @LindaTKoonz ANSONIA While the signs outside the Big Y Supermarket downtown seek a tenant, the Massachusetts-based chain said no decision on that stores future have been made. The landlord was preemptive in putting this out, Claire D'Amour-Daley, Big Ys vice president of corporate communications, said Monday. He jumped the gun. We have made no decision and are still weighing all options on that location. Friday, city officials and Alan Schwartz, whose Glen Equities owns the shopping center, said a new tenant is being sought for the 65,000 square foot space. Big Y has anchored the shopping center since it opened in 1996. The center also includes Bobs, a clothing and footwear store and Marshals/Home Goods. For the past two, years Big Y has been renovating a former Walmart store on New Haven Avenue in Derby into a Big Y World Class Market. The company hopes to open that store in November. The sign seeking a new tenant was the impetus for word that the local supermarket was closing. D'Amour-Daley said there are still three and a half years left on the stores lease in the Ansona Plaza Shopping Center, 403 Main St. She also said the recent Stop and Shop strike closing brought new customers into the local Big Y stores. We are in constant contact with the owners who conveyed similar information all along, but they indicated recently that they were working to secure a new tenant, said Sheila OMalley, the citys economic development director. It may be that Big Y is waiting to see how that market will do. We continue to work with the owners to assist in any way that we can with anyone wishing to come to that Plaza. Ultimately it will be the tenant's decision. However she said she was encouraged by Big Ys saying they have not yet reached a decision on the site. They have been a great neighbor and wonderful employer, and we hope they stay, OMalley said. The city remains committed to the owner, tenants and the residents. I think the stores and restaurants that line Main Street demonstrate they believe in our downtown. The new World Class Markets opening on Route 34 in Derby and the Boston Post Road in Milford mean we dont anticipate any job losses regardless of whether the Ansonia stores tenancy is short or long-lived, she said. The Ansonia store is about three and a half miles from the new Derby location and about four miles from the Big Y World Class Market on Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton. Rumors of the Ansonia store closing have been around since October 2017 when Big Y completed a major renovation at the Ansonia store and then announced plans to open in Derby. On Friday, several shoppers said the loss of the downtown Ansonia store would be a hardship for the people who walk to the store as well as the new downtown tenants the city is hoping to lure into apartments. We love the convenience of a grocer along Main Street, OMalley said Monday. It's easy and accessible for our residents and neighboring communities, but retail is also always a good option. Everybody needs to be patient, Ansonia Mayor David Cassetti said Friday. If there is a change, Alan Schwartz has assured me hell have someone in there. We are working with him. A new supermarket would fit in perfectly there. Schwartz did not respond immediately to an email for comment Monday. Im fine with the way things happened, Chirico said. I dont think we need to be involved. It was their decision and theirs alone. If they had needed something that would have been a decision changer, then I would have expected them to reach out to us. That was never the case. WASHINGTON After the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, a group of 26 bicyclists created a tradition of riding from Newtown to Washington D.C. each spring to promote gun control. But not this year. This year Newtowns Team 26 has a different destination the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pa., where about six months ago, 11 people died and seven were wounded as they worshiped. We rode to Washington six years in a row and during that period of time, Congress has remained paralyzed and has not done anything to make our communities safer, said Monte Frank, an attorney who organized the Team 26 rides. The teams focus now is to ride through communities to promote activism with the expectation that Washington will follow as the culture changes and people are calling for safe communities, said Frank, who ran unsuccessfully as an independent for lieutenant governor last year. He said Team 26, named after the 26 victims of the Newtown shooting, is modeling its campaign after the civil rights and LGTB movements, which pressured politicians to move to outlaw discrimination. As the riders approached Philadelphia Saturday, they learned of another shooting - at the Chabad of Poway synagogue in San Diego, Calif., that resulted in the death of one woman the wounding of a rabbi and two others. It rocked us to the core, Frank said. He said his mother is a Holocaust victim and he had always heard the phrase never again. Unfortunately, thats becoming yet again, Frank said. Shortly after the cyclists arrived in Baltimore, the journeys halfway point, eight people were shot, one fatally, in a neighborhood in the western part of the city. On Monday, Team 26 held a press conference with Baltimores acting mayor, Jack Young and members of the city council to denounce the violence. We are with you 100 percent, said Baltimore City Council Vice President Sharon Green Middleton. The Newtown shooting on Dec. 14, 2012 , which claimed the lives of 20 first graders and six educators, opened a new chapter in the battle over gun control, spawning a number of new organizations ready to do battle with the National Rifle Association and other militant gun rights groups. Sandy Hook Promise was among the first. But unlike organizations born of the Newtown massacre, including the Newtown Action Alliance and Moms Demand Action, which push for changes in gun laws, Sandy Hook Promise has become more focused on developing school safety programs and training students to recognize and report warning signs among classmates. Team 26, seeks to promote cultural change, riding through Peekskill, N.Y, Morristown and Trenton, N.J., and Philadelphia, Pa., as well as Delaware and Baltimore since Friday. Still ahead are 300 more miles through the Allegheny Mountains to Gettysburg and many small towns on the way to Pittsburgh, which the team hopes to reach on Thursday. Everywhere we stop, we are embraced, Frank said. States taking the lead While the Newtown bicyclists are ignoring Washington D.C. this year, the House of Representative, in Democratic hands since last years midterm elections, has approved several gun measures for the first time in decades. One would lengthen the time the FBI has to conduct a background check of potential gun buyers. Another would expand those background checks to sales at gun shows and between individuals on the internet. As part of its reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, the U.S. House also voted to lower the criminal threshold to bar someone from buying a gun to include misdemeanor convictions of domestic abuse or stalking charges. Current law applies to felony convictions. But the U.S. Senate, still under GOP control, is not expected to approve any of these House-passed measures. So, the focus of many gun control groups has been on state capitols, where they have scored a number of successes. States enacted more than three times as many gun control laws in 2018 as in 2017. But the NRA, which is in the midst of a leadership struggle and beset by accusations of self-dealing and poor management, is far from toothless. And when Team 26 reaches Pittsburgh this week, it will be embroiled in a legal struggle with the NRA. Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto mayor signed legislation earlier this month restricting the use of assault-style weapons in the city. But supporters of the legislation are facing tough resistance from gun rights advocates who say the city doesnt have the authority to issue such a ban and the NRA has filed a lawsuit on behalf of some Pittsburgh residents. We are behind the mayor of Pittsburgh, and against attempts to preempt the new gun law, Frank said. Team 26 riders were buffeted by cold rains and strong headwinds on their trip south to Baltimore. Frank said that the hard ride is symbolic of the struggle for gun control. As far as a return to Washington D.C. by Team 26, Monte said thats always possible. When Congress acts, well come down and have a nice celebration, he said. Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media BRIDGEPORT St. Vincents Medical Center will host a no-cost public stroke education seminar and screening for patients and families from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Topics will include hypertension in stroke, risk factor reduction, life after stroke and recipe for a healthy lifestyle. The event will take place at St. Vincents Medical Center in the Hawley Conference Center, located in the Elizabeth M. Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport. Lunch will be provided and parking will be validated for all seminar guests. Contributed photo FAIRFIELD The fifth grade at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School spent last week at Natures Classroom in Andover, CT. Fifth grade teachers, Colleen Fallon and Paul Piorek, collaborated to offer this program which enhances the STEM curriculum with environmental science in a living laboratory. The week-long field trip was non-stop learning: hands-on activities, team building, nature hikes, quarry exploration, botany experiments and dissection, campfire sessions. Students come away with a deep appreciation for the natural world, a feeling of independence, and camaraderie with each other that continues as they return home and transition into middle school. FAIRFIELD The seventh annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event shut down the Post Road in downtown Fairfield Saturday morning as more than a thousand supporters marched in an effort to raise awareness and show support for those affected by sexual abuse and violence. Rainy skies turned blue as supporters, whose numbers continue to grow each year, gathered in full force at the Fairfield train station off Mill Plain Road for the 9 a.m kickoff. This event raises awareness and also vital funds for the Center for Family Justice. We are excited to be here at our seventh Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, said event host Debra Greenwood, President/CEO at the Center for Family Justice. We have a wonderful turnout of high school students, college students, community leaders, police enforcement and a lot of our state and local leadership. The Center for Family Justice, Inc. brings all domestic, sexual and child abuse services (crisis intervention, police, prosecutors, civil/legal providers, and counseling) under one roof at its headquarters in Bridgeport. Together, it states, we work to break the violence by helping those in crisis restore their lives. The Center has for 12 decades provided free, confidential, bilingual crisis services in Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull. It is the comprehensive services our partners are providing that are streamlining the road to healing and self-sufficiency. State Sen. Tony Hwang, an event speaker said, Walk a Mile is an annual reminder for men to champion the fight against domestic violence. It was also impressive to see participants from all ages and genders embrace the call to end violence. I was especially encouraged to see students from local colleges and high schools join in the awareness walk. These men will lead by example future changes on societal norms and expectation for the better. The Center for Family Justice White Ribbon Task Force, a group of men committed to ending gender-based violence; highlight their show of support and solidarity with victims and survivors, by walking the mile from the train station to Town Hall along the Post Road, literally in her shoes high heeled womens shoes (many of which are red). Joining Greenwood were many additional notable supporters including event chair, former Fairfield police chief, Director of Public Safety & Government Affairs at Sacred Heart University Gary MacNamara. Your presence is your impact, we want to give everybody here a round of applause today, said MacNamara. Our message is pretty simple; its that we as specifically men and boys can help prevent sexual assault and sexual violence against women. Its a pretty clear message which we are sending to the community today in and around Fairfield. This group works hard to send that message. Thank you all for coming. Fairfield Police Chief Chris Lyddy also spoke and thanked participants for coming and helping to deliver the important message. We are certainly going to wake up the Town of Fairfield this morning. Id like to thank Chief Salvatore from Monroe, Chief Lombardo from Trumbull, and Chief Tim Shaw from Easton for coming. This cannot be done without all of you here, said MacNamara, who named the Center for Family Justice, law enforcement and significant community leaders. With us today is the first selectman of Fairfield Michael Tetreau, first selectman for the Town of Trumbull Vicki Tesoro, and first selectman for the Town of Monroe Ken Kellogg, State Senator Tony Hwang, State Representative Brenda Kupchick, State Representative Crisitn McCarthy-Vahey and Tom Flynn, chairman of the Board of Finance. The president of Sacred Heart University Dr. Petillo is here, members from Fairfield University and University of Bridgeport are as well. You can see from starting out seven years ago to where we are now we are getting the message across to the people that can effect change. In addition to raising awareness, this annual event is an important fundraiser for the the Center for Family Justice, allowing the Center to continue to do the vital work they do, providing crisis and supportive services to adults and children impacted by domestic and sexual violence. More than 1,300 attendees supported last years Walk and attendance is believed to have swelled this year. Its so inspiring to watch the number of supporters grow each year, said State Rep. Brenda Kupchick. Kudos to Deb Greenwood, Gary MacNamara and all the staff at the Center for the amazing work they do every day for the victims of violence. Proceeds of todays Walk are going to Camp Hope America, Camp Hope Connecticut, added Greenwood. The Camp Hope National Director from San Diego, John Hamilton, attended and in a show of support, walked the mile in high heeled shoes through Fairfields downtown area. The biggest statement is that every single constituency is represented here, said First Selectman Mike Tetreau. We have young, we have old, we have different towns, elected officials and presidents of universities. I just want to thank you all for coming out. Nothing makes a better statement about how special Fairfield is and also how special our community is when we all come together. Thank you to Deb Greenwood and her team for keeping us on the forefront. We can all make a difference. The Walk was sponsored by the Aquarion water company. This is an important event in the community, said Bruce Silverstone, vice president of corporate communications. It supports the fight against domestic violence and sexual abuse. Todays event led by the folks at the Center for Family Justice shows what great importance this has in the community, there are about 1,000 people here supporting this event and Aquarion is just delighted to help support this. What a tremendous turnout today, said State Rep. Crisitin McCarthy-Vahey. Everyone in the community has come together to support the efforts for the Center for Family Justice. Its an issue we need to be talking about, we need to understand that sexual assault and domestic violence happens in all communities everywhere and we need to work together to combat it. This is a great opportunity for our students to come together for a great cause, agreed Tommy de Quesada, Principal at Fairfield Prep. The Center has a 24-hour crisis hotline and as part of their mission and educates approximately 4,000 members of the community each year about the issues of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse, as well as teaching thousands of children and teens about building healthy relationships, bullying prevention and dating violence.. For more information, visit www.CenterForFamilyJustice.org. A national cattle show with a total prize fund of over 25,000 returns for its second year at the UK Dairy Dairy in September. The National Brown Swiss Show makes its second appears at the dairy trade event, which takes place on 11 September at the International Centre in Telford, Shropshire. Alongside the National Holstein Show and the National Ayrshire Show, the show offers visitors a display of cattle competing for a prize fund of over 25,000. Classes will also take place throughout the day for Dairy Shorthorn, Guernsey and Jersey cattle breeds. And this year, Robbie Radel from Queensland, Australia will travel to the UK to judge Brown Swiss classes. Robbie is a fourth-generation dairy farmer and stud breeder. His stud is the oldest Illawarra stud in Queenstown. He also produces his own label milk, which he delivers to a 300km radius of the farm. Robbie was privileged to attend the Mondial Brune 2016 (World Brown Swiss Congress) as a keynote speaker as well as judge at Sydney Royal, Adelaide Royal and Toowoomba Royal shows. A highlight of his showing career is breeding and exhibiting the only Brown Swiss animal to ever win interbreed Champion at the Royal Show Australia. UK Brown Swiss Cattle Society Chairman, Jonathan Lochhead, said the Brown Swiss Cattle Society is 'honoured' to welcome Robbie Radel to the UK in September to judge the National Show. We support our 150 members across the UK and Ireland in improving the Brown Swiss breed, he said. The society publishes The Chimes magazine, maintains a genealogical record of the breed through the herdbook and promotes breeders and owners. Mr Lochhead added: The Brown Swiss dairy cows desirable cattle, characterised by ease of management, quality milk production and longevity and we look forward to showcasing them at UK Dairy Day. Originating from the Alpine regions of Europe, the Brown Swiss breed has successfully travelled to all corners of the world and adapted as one of the leading breeds of a milking cow, particularly where the primary market for milk is the manufacture of cheese. Brown Swiss adapt to any climate or environment conditions, being noted for their resistance to extremes in temperatures. They are renowned for their natural grazing instinct and efficient conversion of forage. Entry for cattle exhibitors will be free following renewal, for a second year, of the cattle infrastructure sponsorship package by NWF Agriculture. Peers have called for the establishment of a new Rural Strategy because communities in the countryside have been 'ignored' by successive governments. A report by the House of Lords Committee says the government must develop a new agenda for the rural economy to address challenges and realise the potential of rural economies. It highlights that with a range of rural businesses and initiatives, and new sectors growing fast, rural economies are increasingly 'diverse, dynamic and vibrant'. But successive governments have 'underrated' the contribution rural economies can make to the nations prosperity and well-being, the group of peers say. Governments have applied policies largely devised for urban and suburban economies which are often 'inappropriate' for rural England which has led to challenges. These include lack of affordable housing, reduced transport, mismatch of business opportunities and an inadequate IT infrastructure. 'Re-energised rural proofing' The report's proposals have 3 linked elements: a coherent rural strategy, re-energised rural proofing and a place based approach which reflects the diversity of the countryside and the capabilities and knowledge of those who live and work there. The reports recommendations also include measures to improve rural connectivity, business support, the planning system, training arrangement, service provision such as health and education and much more. Comparing the development of the envisaged Rural Strategy with that for the recent industrial strategy, the committee stresses while government must take the lead, there must be involvement and buy-in from local government and other public bodies. Lord Foster of Bath, Chairman of the Committee, said that rural communities and the economies in them have been 'ignored and underrated for too long'. We must act now to reverse this trend, but we can no longer allow the clear inequalities between the urban and rural to continue unchecked. A rural strategy would address challenges and realise potential in struggling and under-performing areas, and all vibrant and thriving areas to develop further. Doing nothing is not an option, he said. 'Growing urban and rural divide' The 'one size fits all' policy approach has left the countryside 'lacking', according to the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents around 30,000 rural landowners and businesses. The group highlighted how rural housing, employment and skills, broadband and mobile connectivity, as well as access to key services such as banks, healthcare, schools and shops, were all being left behind urban areas. CLA President Tim Breitmeyer said: These are all issues which have fuelled a growing urban/rural divide and which can only be solved through planning and funding systems that proactively deliver on the three objectives of sustainable development economy, community and the environment. More specifically, the report proposes to ring fence part of the shared prosperity fund for rural communities, critical for a fair deal for the countryside. He added: In addition, it says that Ofcom should introduce rural roaming, encourage operators to share masts, and support sustainable development in rural villages through the planning rules. 'Listen to the voice of rural Britain' The Countryside Alliance stressed that delivering a strong economy, increased productivity and thriving communities cannot be achieved without recognising the 'vital role' the countryside has to play. It calls for the government to review the rural impact of business rates and relief schemes, and calls on Ofcom to review the broadband Universal Service Obligation to assess whether targets for download and upload speeds are able to sustain rural life and business. Countryside Alliance Head of Policy, Sarah Lee, commented: Once again we have a report from the House of Lords that calls for a radical rethink on how the government views and supports rural communities. It is now time for the government to move away from one size policy fits all and sit up and listen to the voice of rural Britain. The government needs to ensure that there is a deep understanding of the unique challenges the countryside faces and that starts with delivering on its commitment to deliver rural proofing, she said. Several rural groups have criticised and denounced the unknown persons who left dead crows to hang outside Chris Packham's home. The BBC television presenter posted the picture on social media showing two dead crows hanging outside his Hampshire house. On the tweet, he said the police and his lawyers have been informed of the incident. This was my gate this morning (it was vandalised) @HantsPolice & lawyers have been informed . So @BASCnews @NFUtweets @CAupdates @FarmersWeekly @Gameandwildlife @NaturalEngland can I ask you to comment on whether you condone this . Serious request - replies expected . Please RT pic.twitter.com/8sVDyn4bSW Chris Packham (@ChrisGPackham) 25 April 2019 The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) responded to the post, saying that the group 'absolutely condemns' such behaviour. We are clear there is no place for illegality in the countryside, BASC said. The group then went on to ask: Will you also condemn the illegal behaviour of those who target legitimate rural businesses, such as those who release pheasants from game farms? The National Farmers' Union (NFU) condemned the incident, saying it was 'completely unacceptable'. Meanwhile, Natural England took to social media to say it doesn't 'condone this type of behaviour'. Hello @ChrisGPackham - of course we don't condone this type of behaviour, it's never justified no matter how strongly people feel about an issue. https://t.co/O3D2ZthJul Natural England (@NaturalEngland) April 25, 2019 It comes as Packham and his group Wild Justice supported a judicial review into Natural England's general licences, which allow farmers, landowners and other groups to shoot and control wild birds. Natural England was determined not to fight Wild Justice, believing it would lose. Instead, the statutory board revoked three general licences for controlling certain wild birds. But farm bodies have complained at the move as it comes at a particularly sensitive time when new-born lambs need protecting from crows, crops need protecting from pigeons, and dozens of red-listed species need protection from corvids. A new general licence was released on Friday 26 April, but it only permits farmers, landowners and others to control carrion crows. The National Gamekeepers Organisation (NGO) criticised Natural England for issuing out a general licence which is hurried, botched and completely unfit for purpose. In cohousing, residents have their own private spaces but also share living rooms, dining rooms or other spaces, as well as some resources like tools. The intent is to make it easier for residents to meet, socialize and find child or elder care. Ormat Technologies, Inc. operates as a holding company. The firm engages in the provision of geothermal and recovered energy power business. It operates through the following segments: Electricity, Product and Energy Storage. The Electricity segment focuses in the sale of electricity from the company's power plants pursuant to PPAs. The Product segment involves in the manufacture, including design and development, of turbines and power units for the supply of electrical energy and in the associated construction of power plants utilizing the power units manufactured by the company to supply energy from geothermal fields and other alternative energy sources. The Energy Storage segment consists of battery energy storage systems as a service and management of curtailable customer loads under contracts with U.S. retail energy providers and directly with large commercial and industrial customers. The company was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Reno, NV. Read More After paying obeisance at the Golden Temple and Durgiana Temple in Amritsar in the wee hours of the morning, Sunny Deol filed his nomination papers from the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat in Punjab on BJP ticket and was accompanied by his brother Bobby Deol. Sporting a yellow turban and a blue shirt, the actor is pitted against sitting MP and Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar, AAP's Peter Masih and PDA's Lal Chand in electoral fight from Gurdaspur seat. Sunny Deol's father Dharmendra took to Twitter and asked voters to bless his son and make him victorious at the polls. ''We seek your support and it will be your victory. This victory will be of brothers ond sisters of my Punjab. It (victory) will be of India's beautiful part of Gurdaspur.'' After filling his nomination papers, Sunny Deol will be addressing a rally at PDA ground in Gurdaspur. Senior leadership of the BJP and the SAD will also be present in the rally. After the rally, he will leave for Mumbai for casting his vote. Currently, the Gurdaspur constituency is represented by Congress MP Sunil Jakhar, who won the seat in the 2017 bypoll, which was necessitated after the death of Vinod Khanna in April that year. The Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat had been represented by late actor Vinod Khanna for four times - 1998, 1999, 2004 and 2014. Jakhar had defeated BJP candidate Swaran Salaria by a whopping margin of 1,93,219. Punjab BJP chief and Rajya Sabha MP Shwait Mailk, Haryana finance minister and party's election incharge of Punjab Capt Abhimanyu and Akali leader Gurbachan Singh Babehali also accompanied Deol. Deol will be addressing a rally at PUDA ground in Gurdaspur later in the day. Senior leadership of BJP and SAD will also be present at the rally. A Fan Threw Her Bra At Nick Jonas In Front Of Priyanka Chopra & Her Reaction Is UNEXPECTED! (Inputs From PTI) NGK, the film for which the Suriya fans and the entire Tamil film audiences are waiting for would be gracing the big screens next month. According to the reports, the Suriya starrer, directed by Selvaraghavan will be releasing in the theatres on May 31, 2019. The teaser of NGK that released a couple of months ago had created a wave among the Tamil movie audiences.Now, the team has come up with the much-awaited trailer of the movie. As announced, NGK trailer has hit the online circuits at 7:30 PM. The trailer of the film is fabulous and Suriya & Selvaraghavan promise a very intense movie with politics as its core backdrop. The trailer hasn't given out much about the storyline of the movie but still it keeps guessing the audiences about the various possibilities. Watch NGK trailer here. Yuvan Shankar Raja has handled the music department of Suriya's NGK. There are reports doing the rounds that both Selvaraghavan and Yuvan Shankar Raja will be coming LIVE on Facebook today (April 29, 2019), in connection with the trailer and audio launch. There are huge expectations on the audio of NGK as well. Selvaraghavan and Yuvan Shankar Raja combo are expected to come out with yet another blockbuster album in the form of NGK. ALSO READ: Suriya 39 Announcement: Suriya To Join Hands With This Director; Anirudh To Score Music Oviya and Arav, who were the contestants of the Bigg Boss Tamil Season 1, enjoyed a new found fan base after their stint on the show. In fact, the one-sided love relationship and some of the events that led to Oviya's self exit from the house were among the key events of the show. However, even after the completion of the show, Oviya and Arav were seen together. This had further led to widespread rumours that they are in a relationship. Still, neither Oviya nor Arav have openly spoken about such a commitment. Now, the rumours and doubts regarding their alleged love affair have cropped up. Oviya, the actress is celebrating her birthday today and the birthday party was attended by Arav as well. A still featuring Oviya and Arav has been sent out by the actress herself. The photos sent out by the actress have gone viral within no time. With this, rumours have surfaced yet again that they are indeed in a romantic relationship. Special thanks to each and everyone who took the time to wish me a happy birthday!! it was truly amazing..!! pic.twitter.com/L46Z08rNtZ Oviyaa (@OviyaaSweetz) April 29, 2019 However, Ovita's birthday celebration party was attended by other friends as well. Gayathri Raghuram, who was a part of Bigg Boss 1 Tamil show, had attended the event. On the work front, Oviya's most recent release Kanchana 3 has turned out to be one of the huge blockbusters of recent times. Arav will be next seen in the film Raja Bheema. Im really impressed by our students awareness of the ability to see their role and how they can monitor and help their friends, Damewood said. Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc / Index: AIM / Epic: EOG / Sector: Oil & Gas 29 April 2019 Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc ('Europa' or 'the Company') Wressle Planning Inquiry Date Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc, the UK and Ireland focused oil and gas exploration, development and production company, notes today's update from Egdon Resources ('Egdon') advising that the Planning Inspectorate has now set the commencement date of the planning inquiry to hear an appeal against the refusal of planning consent for the development of the Wressle oil field by North Lincolnshire Council's Planning Committee on 28 November 2018. The public inquiry will commence on 5 November 2019 with the hearing expected to last up to six days at a venue which has yet to be confirmed. The Planning Inspector will be Mr. Phillip Ware. The Wressle oil field was discovered in 2014 by the Wressle-1 well. During testing, a total of 710 barrels of oil equivalent per day were recovered from three separate reservoirs, the Ashover Grit, the Wingfield Flags and the Penistone Flags. In September 2016, a Competent Person's Report provided independent estimates of reserves and contingent and prospective oil and gas resources for the Wressle discovery of 2.15 million stock tank barrels classified as discovered (2P+2C). Europa has a 30% working interest in licence PEDL 180 in the East Midlands which holds the Wressle oil discovery, alongside Egdon (operator, 30%), Union Jack Oil (27.5%), and Humber Oil & Gas Limited (12.5%) (together 'the Partners'). Europa's CEO, Hugh Mackay, said: "Recommended for approval by the Council's Planning Officer and supported by an expert third party review undertaken on behalf of the Council, the Partners are not alone in believing the new proposals for the development of Wressle comprehensively address all the points raised by the Planning Inspector in the original appeal. At a proposed initial gross rate of 500bopd, Wressle has the potential to more than double Europa's existing production to over 200bopd which, with Brent currently trading above US$70 per barrel, would generate a significant revenue stream for the Company. We are therefore keen to bring this discovery online at the earliest opportunity and with this in mind we are looking forward to the public inquiry in November." Qualified Person Review This release has been reviewed by Hugh Mackay, Chief Executive of Europa, who is a petroleum geologist with over 30 years' experience in petroleum exploration and a member of the Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain, American Association of Petroleum Geologists and Fellow of the Geological Society. Mr Mackay has consented to the inclusion of the technical information in this release in the form and context in which it appears. The information communicated in this announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014. * * ENDS * * For further information please visit www.europaoil.com or contact: Hugh Mackay Europa + 44 (0) 20 7224 3770 Phil Greenhalgh Europa + 44 (0) 20 7224 3770 Matt Goode finnCap Ltd + 44 (0) 20 7220 0500 Simon Hicks finnCap Ltd + 44 (0) 20 7220 0500 Camille Gochez finnCap Ltd + 44 (0) 20 7220 0500 Frank Buhagiar St Brides Partners Ltd + 44 (0) 20 7236 1177 Juliet Earl St Brides Partners Ltd + 44 (0) 20 7236 1177 Notes Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc has a diversified portfolio of multi-stage hydrocarbon assets that includes production, exploration and development interests, in countries that are politically stable, have transparent licensing processes, and offer attractive terms. In 2018 Europa produced 94 boepd. Its highly prospective exploration projects include the Wressle development in the UK (targeting production start-up in 2019 at 500 bopd gross) and six licences offshore Ireland with the potential to host gross mean un-risked prospective resources of 6.4 billion barrels oil equivalent and 1.5 tcf gas across all six licences. Evaluation of hydrocarbon volumes has been assessed in accordance with 2018 Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS) prepared by the Oil and Gas Reserves Committee of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and reviewed and jointly sponsored by the World Petroleum Council (WPC), the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers (SPEE), the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), the Society of Petrophysicists and Well Log Analysts (SPWLA) and the European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers (EAGE). SINGAPORE / ACCESSWIRE / April 29, 2019 / Jadestone Energy Inc. (AIM:JSE, TSXV:JSE) ("Jadestone" or the "Company"), an independent oil and gas production company focused on the Asia Pacific region, is pleased to announce that two of its wholly-owned subsidiaries have signed a Heads of Agreement ("HOA") with Petrovietnam, relating to gas sales from the Nam Du and U Minh gas fields (Jadestone 70%1 working interest, and operator) in block 46/07 and block 51, respectively, offshore Southwest Vietnam. The HOA covers all discovered resources from the Nam Du and U Minh fields, and establishes a mutually agreeable framework for gas sales, priced at the wellhead, and delivered to a tie-in point at a nearby existing pipeline. The agreed daily contract quantity ("DCQ") is established as 80 mmcf/d, targeting a minimum plateau period of 55 months. In addition to the DCQ, the HOA specifies certain take-or-pay provisions, in addition to a pricing formula in principle, all of which will be finalised in the ultimate gas sales and purchase agreement ("GSPA"). The parties intend to negotiate an initial wellhead price, in accordance with the agreed pricing formula, following the availability of updated cost data for the development, expected post summer 2019. The spirit of the HOA captures a negotiated price outcome that will be competitive, while providing Jadestone with an appropriate full cycle investment return. The parties are targeting GSPA signing and field development sanction before the end of 2019. Paul Blakeley, President and CEO commented: "Signing a Heads of Agreement with Petrovietnam marks a significant milestone in our commercial negotiations, as we look to develop the Nam Du and U Minh gas fields. With key terms now broadly agreed, we can now press forward with the project activities that should lead to a development decision being taken later this year. This will realise a significant portion of the long-term value of the Company's Southwest Vietnam Assets, delivering growth towards our target of 30,000boepd by 2023, as well as significant cash flow and value, with first gas anticipated in late 2021." The Nam Du and U Minh fields contain 2C resources of 171.3 bscf of gas (119.9 bscf net to Jadestone, based on a 70% working interest1) and 1.6 mm bbls of liquids (1.1 mm bbls net to Jadestone), evaluated by ERCE as of December 2017. As specified in the outline development plan, approved in May 2018, the Company intends to commercialise the fields as a stand-alone development, utilising existing infrastructure which provides feedstock for a 1.5GW onshore power complex, and an adjacent 800,000 tonne/year fertiliser plant. 1Jadestone's working interest will increase to 100%, following registration of Petrovietnam's relinquishment of its 30% working interest in block 46/07 and block 51 - Ends - Enquiries Jadestone Energy Inc. +65 6324 0359 (Singapore) Paul Blakeley, President and CEO +1 403 975 6752 (Canada) Dan Young, CFO ir@jadestone-energy.com Robin Martin, Investor Relations Manager Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited (Nomad, Joint Broker) +44 (0) 20 7710 7600 (UK) Callum Stewart Nicholas Rhodes Ashton Clanfield BMO Capital Markets Limited (Joint Broker) +44 (0) 20 7236 1010 (UK) Thomas Rider Jeremy Low Thomas Hughes Camarco (Public Relations Advisor) + 44 (0) 203 757 4980 (UK) Billy Clegg jadestone@camarco.co.uk James Crothers Jadestone Energy Inc. is an independent oil and gas company focused on the Asia Pacific region. It has a balanced, low risk, full cycle portfolio of development, production and exploration assets in Australia, Vietnam and the Philippines. The Company has a 100% operated working interest in Stag, offshore Australia, and a 100% legal and beneficial interest in the Montara assets, and a 99% legal, subject to regulatory approval, and beneficial right, title, and interest in the associated production licences AC/L7 and AC/L8 (the "Montara Titles"). The remaining 1% legal interest in the Montara Titles is being held on trust by the seller, in favour of the Company, until Australian regulatory approvals relating to the transfer of operatorship of the Montara assets are obtained. Both the Stag and Montara assets include oil producing fields, with further development and exploration potential. The Company has a 100% operated working interest (subject to registration of PVEP's withdrawal) in two gas development blocks in Southwest Vietnam and is partnered with Total in the Philippines where it holds a 25% working interest in the SC56 exploration block. Led by an experienced management team with a track record of delivery, who were core to the successful growth of Talisman's business in Asia, the Company is pursuing an acquisition strategy focused on growth and creating value through identifying, acquiring, developing and operating assets throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Jadestone Energy Inc. is currently listed on the TSXV and AIM. The Company is headquartered in Singapore. For further information on Jadestone please visit www.jadestone-energy.com. Cautionary statements Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements and information (collectively "forward-looking statements"), within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation, as well as other applicable international securities laws. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are forward-looking and not historical facts. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by statements that express, or involve discussions as to expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of phrases such as "will likely result", "are expected to", "will continue", "is anticipated", "is targeting", "estimated", "intend", "plan", "guidance", "objective", "projection", "aim", "goals", "target", "schedules", and "outlook"). In particular, forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to statements regarding final terms of the GSPA, including price, targeted timing for GSPA signing and Field Development Sanction, and anticipated first production date. Because actual results or outcomes could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements, investors should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, which contribute to the possibility that the predicted outcomes will not occur. Some of these risks, uncertainties and other factors are similar to those faced by other oil and gas companies and some are unique to Jadestone. The forward-looking information contained in this news release speaks only as of the date hereof. The Company does not assume any obligation to publicly update the information, except as may be required pursuant to applicable laws. This announcement contains inside information as defined in Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation No. 596/2014 and is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of that Regulation. The technical information contained in this announcement has been prepared in accordance with the March 2007 guidelines endorsed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers, World Petroleum Congress, American Association of Petroleum Geologists and Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers Petroleum Resource Management System. Henning Hoeyland of Jadestone Energy Inc., a Subsurface Manager with a Masters degree in Petroleum Engineering who has been involved in the energy industry for more than 17 years, has read and approved the exploration and appraisal disclosure in this regulatory announcement. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Glossary 2C resources unrisked best estimate scenario of contingent resources 2P reserves sum of proved and probable reserves, denotes the best estimate scenario of reserves bscf billion standard cubic feet GW gigawatt mmbbls millions of barrels of oil mmcf/d million cubic feet per day This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com. SOURCE: Jadestone Energy Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/543278/Jadestone-Energy-Inc-Announces-Heads-of-Agreement-for-Vietnam-Gas-Sales BERN, Switzerland, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A memorandum of understanding of bilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative framework was signed between President of the Swiss Confederation Ueli Maurer and China at the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which just concluded. Echoing the move, the 2019 Shenzhen International Culture Week & Promotion of "CityPlus" Platform kicked off in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, on April 29. The southern Chinese city deeply impressed the world with its orientation toward innovation and design and the willingness to promote openness, cooperation and development. At the event, Shenzhen City of Design Promotion Office (SZCDPO) and Shenzhen Foundation for International Exchange and Cooperation introduced the City of Design and the "CityPlus" platform, respectively, and a distinct exhibition promoting Shenzhen Design Award for Young Talents, which is for outstanding new creative designs, was held. "Innovative and dynamic, Shenzhen represented an enchanting metropolis of global fame," said Christoph Ammann, deputy governor of the Canton of Bern, expressing hope that both parties would expand exchanges in economy, culture, science and technology and other areas. Authoritative figures of the business, political, cultural and educational communities have shown interest in the designs present on site and looked forward to deeper cooperation with Shenzhen on more fronts. As China's first City of Design recognized by UNESCO, Shenzhen is offering global talents of innovation and design a broad platform to grow professionally. Tommaso Masera from Italy has started working in Shenzhen since 2007 as a designer. He was impressed by the Shenzhen Design Exhibition during the 2018 Shenzhen Design Week. "As Italy was the guest country of honor last year, I attended the event as an exhibitor of the Italian pavilion and got exposed to the latest technologies and production techniques. Besides, with the enabling atmosphere of design here, I have launched two watch brands," said Mr. Masera. Home to approximately 13,000 design institutions, Shenzhen grabs a larger Chinese market share in graphic design, industrial design, interior design and fashion design. For seven consecutive years the city has ranked first in China in terms of the number of enterprises winning the Red Dot Design Award and the iF Product Design Award. Such major events as the International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF), the Shenzhen Design Week & Global Design Award and the HK-SZ Design Biennale have emerged as shinning "brand names" of Shenzhen. "Shenzhen values the growth of the design industry, which is endowed with a solid foundation and a sound environment that ensure rapid development. Going ahead, the city is set to expand exchange and cooperation with the global design community for win-win results," Dr. Han Wangxi, head of SZCDPO, addressed at the promotion. Shenzhen and Bern have seen increased exchanges and cooperation not just on the government level, but in the business sector. To deepen the already close ties, both parties send business delegations to each other's annual major events, including Switzerland's Baselworld and the Shenzhen-hosted ICIF and High-Tech Fair. According to Li Xiaogan, director of Shenzhen Association for International Culture Exchanges, the Swiss event reminds him once again that the two cities have much to complement each other, be it in design and environmental protection, or intellectual property protection and city management. A bright future for bilateral cooperation is thus ensured. Li expressed hope that both parties would further mutually beneficial cooperation in personnel training, fashion design and cultural tourism so as to achieve win-win progress. Issued from the 74th Conference of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations in Berlin, Germany: All pilots represented by APLA in Argentina will be on strike as of 30 April 2019. Reasons for the strike: Avianca Argentina is not paying salaries and has reduced their fleet. Andes Airlines has reduced their fleet and is paying salaries only in instalments. LATAM Argentina reduced their fleet and has closed several operational bases throughout the country. Aerolineas Argentinas is reducing their widebody fleet, and suspending international routes in favour of foreign companies. The current aviation policy of the Argentinian government fosters division between workers and encourages the unionisation of low cost carrier pilots by companies instead of allowing them to join a nationally representative pilot association. This is a direct attempt to reduce the power of representation of the Air Line Pilots Association (APLA). The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA) pledges its full support to all APLA Argentina pilots on strike to protect their job security and working conditions in Argentina. Note to Editors: The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations represents more than 100,000 pilots in nearly 100 countries around the globe. The mission of IFALPA is to promote the highest level of aviation safety worldwide and to be the global advocate of the piloting profession; providing representation, services and support to both our members and the aviation industry. Federation website www.ifalpa.org 2019 The International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations It may not be offered of sale or used commercially. All reprints must credit IFALPA. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190429005267/en/ Contacts: Emily Bitting, IFALPA Senior Communications Specialist emilybitting@ifalpa.org Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 29, 2019) - AXMIN Inc. (TSXV: AXM) ("AXMIN" or the "Company") AXMIN releases highlights from its Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2018, which has been filed on SEDAR (amounts are in U.S. dollars). 2018 highlights Financial: Revenue of $1.5 million (2017: $1.6 million); Net Income of $1.5 million (2017: $1.2 million); Shareholder Equity $0.9 million (2017: deficit $1.2 million) Cash balance of $1.0 million (2017: $1.1 million); Operational: Senegal with Teranga Gold Corporation (Teranga) NSR royalty from Teranga for the Gora Deposit was largely unchanged at $1.5 million from $1.6 million the previous year. Work at Gora is now completed, but as of December 2018 there was remaining ore in stockpile to be processed by Teranga. AXMIN holds an additional 16 properties in conjunction with Teranga subject to future development with no further capital participation contribution required from AXMIN. AXMIN staff are in discussions with Teranga regarding progress on developing other properties in which AXMIN has an interest. The Central African Republic (CAR) AXMIN is delighted with the progress made in the Central African Republic to establish a lasting peace that will bring stability and development to the country. The Company is looking forward to being back on site and working at its Passendro gold asset near Ndassima in the near future. AXMIN has appointed Mr Lifei Jiang as CEO of the two subsidiary companies of AXMIN in the CAR in preparation for our imminent return to operations. Mr Jiang benefits from a great deal of experience in mining and construction projects in Africa. He has worked for and with large Chinese state-owned enterprises and is very familiar with the laws and regulations in our jurisdiction. Commenting on the annual results, Ms. Lucy Yan AXMIN's chairman, said: "During the past year AXMIN has made excellent progress on many fronts. Internally, we have resolved a long-standing account payable and now benefit from a clean balance sheet with positive Shareholder Equity. We are pleased with the revenue we have received from the Gora deposit in conjunction with Teranga and look forward to future target properties being developed. "In the CAR, we have seen positive steps taken by all of the stakeholders in the CAR with active support from international organizations such as the African Union and the United Nations as well as the neighboring countries to the CAR. We look forward to a continuation of this trend and a security solution to be implemented in Ndassima. "In my report in January, I presented the way forward for AXMIN in 2019 building on the strong results in 2018. I am happy to confirm that we are on track to deliver the key milestones highlighted in my report. The appointment of Mr Jiang as CEO of Somio Toungou S.A and of Aurafrique SARL is a key development that will enable our successful development of the Passendro gold asset. We have also already identified and commenced dialog with several potential strategic partners to assist with developing our assets before even commencing the formal selection process. "Also, as I stated in my January report the Company will be more communicative with the market going forward. AXMIN looks forward to updating its shareholders and the financial markets as a whole with operational developments in the CAR in the near future." This press release should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited annual report and accounts for the year ended December 31, 2018, together with its annual information form and management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2018, all of which are available from the Company's website and on SEDAR. We seek Safe Harbor. About AXMIN AXMIN is a Canadian exploration and development company with a strong focus on central and West Africa. AXMIN is positioned to grow in value as it progresses its Passendro Gold Project towards development and builds on its project pipeline focusing on transitioning from an explorer to producer. For more information regarding AXMIN visit our website at www.axmininc.com. Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/axmininc. This press release includes certain "Forward-Looking Statements." All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein, including without limitation, statements regarding future plans and objectives of AXMIN; and statements regarding the ability to develop and achieve production at Passendro are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from AXMIN's expectations have been disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in AXMIN's documents filed from time-to-time with the TSX Venture Exchange and other regulatory authorities. AXMIN disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether resulting from new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Lucy Yan CEO and Chairman ceo@axmininc.com General Enquiries David de Jongh Weill Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary david@axmininc.com +65 9781 8281 Investor Relations ir@axmininc.com www.axmininc.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44378 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 29, 2019) - Advantagewon Oil Corp., (CSE: AOC), (OTCQB: ANTGF), (the "Corporation", "Advantagewon", "AOC") announced today that it had completed the horizontal radial jet drilling with V2H USA Inc., ("V2H") on the second well of the two well programme whereby the Corporation provided and prepared two of the Corporation's existing wells for V2H's Radial Jet Drilling service. On this second well, three horizontal bores were drilled radially with the water jet technology with penetrations of 42, 32, and 22 feet horizontally into the Poth "B" sand. Oil shows were observed as these horizontal bores were drilled. The Poth "B" was proved to be oil charged, as announced via press release on October 31, 2018. The well is currently still pumping off the water used for the horizontal water jet drilling, and is showing an increasing oil cut as the water is being recovered. With a total of 96 feet of reservoir penetrated horizontally as compared to the conventional perforations in the nearby first Poth "B" well, the Corporation anticipates significantly higher oil deliverability from this well. The Corporation believes that the production potential of this well will be between 8 and 15 bopd. Once the water is fully recovered, the Corporation will be in a position to accurately announce the barrels per day deliverability from this well. Operations to follow will include moving and installing production equipment to the new well that the Corporation completed drilling on April 3rd, 2019. Please refer to the Corporation's press release dated April 3rd, 2019 for more information on this well. Once the equipment is in place, the Corporation will commence production testing on this well. The Corporation will also work on finalizing the equipment installation and production testing of the first V2H well. Please refer to the Corporation's press release dated April 8th, 2019 for more information on this well. About Advantagewon Oil Corp. Advantagewon is focused on building consistent cash flow from low cost, low risk oil wells in the State of Texas. AOC applies specialized expertise to increase oil recovery from 10-15% to up to 75% for each well. Once the enhanced recovery strategy is successfully applied, AOC will repeat the process throughout the oil pool to maximize output and minimize cost and risk. Advantagewon's common shares are listed on the OTC Markets in the United States and on the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") in Canada. Advantagewon is a member of the CSE Composite Index (CSE:AOC). For more information please visit www.aoc-oil.com. For further information please contact: Mr. Charles Dove CEO & Director Advantagewon Oil Corp. T: (403) 815-2440 E: charles.dove@aoc-oil.com W: www.aoc-oil.com Mr. Paul Haber Chairman & Director Advantagewon Oil Corp. T: (416) 318-6501 E: paul.haber@aoc-oil.com W: www.aoc-oil.com Mr. Frank Kordy Secretary & Director Advantagewon Oil Corp. T: (647) 466-4037 E: frank.kordy@aoc-oil.com W: www.aoc-oil.com Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made as of the date of this document and the Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation. Although Management believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such. Neither CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. - 30 - To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44381 Sudbury, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 29, 2019) - Transition Metals Corp (TSXV: XTM) ("Transition", "the Company") is pleased to announce it has received assay results from the previously disclosed drill program (see XTM press release dated February 12, 2019) conducted by North American Palladium Ltd. (NAP), on the Sunday Lake Platinum-Palladium Project located 25 km north of Thunder Bay, Ontario. NAP holds an option to earn up to a 75% interest in the property from Impala Platinum Holdings Limited (Implats) and XTM holds a 25% free carried interest through to the completion of a Feasibility Study. Highlights: Thickest and highest grade intersection encountered to date on the property reported in hole SL-19-026 that returned 41.20 m @ 5.51 g/t PGM (3.22 g/t Pt, 2.08 g/t Pd, 0.21 g/t Au) and 0.57% Cu including a high grade section of 15.80 m @ 9.11 g/t PGM (5.42 g/t Pt, 3.35 g/t Pd, 0.34 g/t Au) and 0.88% Cu. (3.22 g/t Pt, 2.08 g/t Pd, 0.21 g/t Au) and including a high grade section of (5.42 g/t Pt, 3.35 g/t Pd, 0.34 g/t Au) Hole SL-19-29 intersected 61.00 m @ 2.20 g/t PGM (1.20 g/t Pt, 0.80 g/t Pd, 0.15 g/t Au) including 8.17m @ 5.44 g/t PGM (3.20 g/t Pt, 2.00 g/t Pd, 0.33 g/t Au) . (1.20 g/t Pt, 0.80 g/t Pd, 0.15 g/t Au) including (3.20 g/t Pt, 2.00 g/t Pd, 0.33 g/t Au) Drilling has confirmed extensive PGM and base metal sulfide mineralization located along the lower part of the Sunday Lake intrusion (the "SLI") that is modelled by NAP as a near-continuous blanket with a north-south extent of approximately 1.5 km and an east-west extent of 900 metres. High-grade PGM mineralization associated with the basal contact of the SLI can be successfully targeted using surface and borehole geophysics. Numerous high-quality targets remain to be tested. Results are sourced from a NAP news release dated April 29, 2019. Please refer to that release for the full information regarding the drill program. Commenting on the results, Company CEO and President Scott McLean, P.Geo. stated: "We've had tremendous exploration success at Sunday Lake since drilling the discovery hole in 2013. These recent drill results provided by Option Partner NAP, are the best reported to date, and comparable in overall grade to what is currently being mined by NAP at its nearby Lac Des Illes mine and mill complex. Mr. McLean continued: "This successful drilling is an excellent example of the upside of the project generator business model employed by Transition. The Company discovered the PGM-Ni-Cu mineralization through a strategic alliance partnership with Implats. The Company now owns a 25% free carried interest in the current joint venture through to the completion of a Feasibility Study without any funding risk. We commend NAP for the breakthrough they have made in their exploration targeting strategies. We think that the same approach can be applied effectively to explore the Company's 100% owned Saturday Night Project, located in a similar geological environment 16 km to the west." Quote from Jim Gallagher, President and CEO of North American Palladium "We continue to expand the PGM zone at Sunday Lake. This is currently our most advanced regional exploration project and represents our best bluesky opportunity and a key element in our long-term strategy of building an inventory of high-quality PGM assets in the Thunder Bay region." (see NAP news release dated April 29, 2019). The Company will host a webcast on Tuesday April 30th at 10am EST to discuss the results. Please register for the webcast by following this link https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6961584657955478017 The Sunday Lake Project is held by Joint Venture Partners, Transition and Implats. NAP holds the right to acquire Implats' 75% ownership in the Sunday Lake Project by completing work commitments totaling $4.5M and making cash payments of $3.5M over a five-year period. (see XTM's Press Release dated June 21, 2017 for details). Without any further expenses, Transition retains a 25% free carried interest in the project through to the completion of a Feasibility Study. Exploration Program Diamond Drilling For the period spanning February 2019 to April 2019, NAP has completed a total of 7,300m in six holes on the Sunday Lake Project. Results from the six holes are presented in Table 1. Table 1: Assay results for the 2019 Sunday Lake exploration drilling program. Hole # From (m) To (m) Length (m) Pt g/t Pd g/t Au g/t Cu wt% Ni wt% 3E g/t SL-19-025 1013.00 1027.80 14.80 1.33 0.90 0.10 0.29 0.10 2.33 including 1020.00 1022.30 2.30 2.47 1.48 0.16 0.48 0.15 4.11 and 1026.20 1027.80 1.60 2.95 1.93 0.30 0.70 0.06 5.18 SL-19-026 1392.00 1433.20 41.20 3.22 2.08 0.21 0.57 0.19 5.51 including 1417.40 1433.20 15.80 5.42 3.35 0.34 0.88 0.24 9.11 with 1418.85 1427.15 8.30 7.67 4.97 0.42 1.23 0.32 13.06 and 1425.24 1427.15 1.91 9.29 7.12 0.58 1.56 0.36 16.98 and 1425.24 1425.90 0.66 9.90 9.30 0.63 1.66 0.42 19.80 SL-19-027 857.00 875.55 18.55 0.36 0.21 0.04 0.11 0.06 0.61 SL-19-028 Drilled in the footwall and did not encounter the Sunday Lake intrusion SL-19-029 1405.00 1466.00 61.00 1.20 0.80 0.15 0.22 0.15 2.20 including 1433.00 1465.00 32.00 1.90 1.20 0.23 0.33 0.18 3.35 including 1443.00 1449.00 6.00 2.90 1.90 0.34 0.55 0.28 5.15 and 1454.00 1465.00 11.00 2.70 1.70 0.30 0.46 0.18 4.75 including 1455.46 1463.63 8.17 3.20 2.00 0.33 0.51 0.20 5.44 and 1461.00 1463.00 2.00 3.50 2.20 0.35 0.64 0.19 5.97 SL-19-030 1067.39 1088.00 20.61 1.04 0.76 0.07 0.33 0.11 1.87 including 1067.39 1079.00 11.61 0.79 0.59 0.06 0.18 0.10 1.45 and 1082.5 1088.00 5.50 2.05 1.50 0.12 0.83 0.17 3.67 Note: Reported interval length are estimated as being between 80% and 90% of true width of the intersected sulphide mineralization. 3E includes Pt, Pd and Au. Figure 1: Plan-view image of the cumulative conductivity model derived from the Q4 2018 MT survey. Current and previous drill hole collar locations are shown together with section lines referenced in Figures 2 and 3. Areas of higher conductivity are indicated by hotter colours. Source - North American Palladium, April 29, 2019. To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2766/44382_ed9e442d34a71977_002full.jpg Figure 2: Longitudinal section A-A' showing the thickness variability of the SLI stratigraphy and the PGM Zone as denoted by green bars on hole traces. Source - North American Palladium, April 29, 2019. To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2766/44382_ed9e442d34a71977_003full.jpg Figure 3: Oblique south to north section B-B' showing the thickness variability of the SLI stratigraphy and the PGM Zone as denoted by green bars on hole traces.Source - North American Palladium, April 29, 2019. To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2766/44382_ed9e442d34a71977_004full.jpg About the Sunday Lake Property The Sunday Lake PGM Project is located 25 km north of Thunder Bay in Jacques Township and approximately 60 km south of NAP Lac Des Iles Mine-Mill Complex. The mine has been operational for more than 25 years with established infrastructure including an underground mine, surface pits, a 15,000 tpd mill and year-round access. Measured and Indicated Resources inclusive of Proven and Probable Reserves for the Lac Des Iles Mine were estimated at 72.98 Mt grading 2.51 g/t 3E (2.14 g/t Pd, 0.21 g/t Pt, 0.16 g/t Au) (North American Palladium Ltd., Technical Report, October 2018). The property hosts the Sunday Lake intrusion (SLI) which is part of the Proterozoic Mid-Continental Rift (MCR) magmatic event that produced the Eagle nickel deposit (Lundin Mining) in Michigan and the Tamarack (Rio Tinto - Talon Resources) and Duluth Complex (Antofagasta Plc) magmatic sulphide deposits in Minnesota. The Company's 100% owned Saturday Night Project is located 16 km to the west of Sunday Lake and hosts mineralization and geology similar to Sunday Lake. Based on the results at Sunday Lake, the Company aggressively considering ways to advance this prospective project. Qualified Person The technical elements of this press release have been approved by Mr. Grant Mourre, P.Geo. (APGO), a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. The analyses reported in this news release were performed by ALS Global in Vancouver, British Columbia. NAP's rigorous internal quality control and quality assurance protocols are described in detail in NAP's current Technical Report for its Lac des Iles mine (October 2018 - available on SEDAR). About Transition Metals Corp Transition Metals Corp (TSXV: XTM) is a Canadian-based, multi-commodity project generator that specializes in converting new exploration ideas into Canadian discoveries. The award-winning team of geoscientists has extensive exploration experience in established, emerging and historic mining camps and actively develops and tests new ideas for discovering mineralization in places that others have not looked, which often allows the company to acquire properties inexpensively. The team is rigorous in its fieldwork and combines traditional techniques with newer ones to help unearth compelling prospects and drill targets. Transition uses the project generator business model to acquire and advance multiple exploration projects simultaneously, thereby maximizing shareholder exposure to discovery and capital gain. Joint venture partners earn an interest in the projects by funding a portion of higher-risk drilling and exploration, allowing Transition to conserve capital and minimize shareholder's equity dilution. The Company has an expanding portfolio that currently includes more than 25 gold, copper, nickel and platinum projects primarily in Ontario, Nunavut, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Saskatchewan. Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Information Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "plans", "proposes", "estimates", "intends", "expects", "believes", "may", "will" and include without limitation, statements regarding estimated capital and operating costs, expected production timeline, benefits of updated development plans, foreign exchange assumptions and regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, metal prices, competition, risks inherent in the mining industry, and regulatory risks. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Further information is available at www.transitionmetalscorp.com or by contacting: Scott McLean President and CEO Transition Metals Corp. Tel: (705) 669-1777 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44382 Regulatory News: The Axway (Paris:AXW) Combined Shareholders' meeting will be held on Wednesday June, the 5th 2019, at 14.30 Paris Time Etoile Business Center 21-25 rue Balzac, 75008 Paris (NEW LOCATION Follow the Axway General Meeting 2019 on https://investors.axway.com/en/shareholders-and-investors/shareholders-meeting Disclaimer This document is a translation into English of the original French press release. It is not a binding document. In the event of a conflict in interpretation, reference should be made to the French version, which is the authentic text. About Axway Axway (Euronext: AXW.PA), as a software company, unlocks digital experiences by connecting individuals, systems, businesses and customer ecosystems with digital infrastructure solutions. AMPLIFY, Axway's hybrid integration platform, connects data from any device anywhere, expands collaboration, fuels millions of apps and supplies real-time analytics to build customer experience networks. From idea to execution, Axway's expertise in API management, secure file exchange and B2B/EDI integration have solved the toughest data challenges for more than 11,000 organizations in 100 countries. To learn more, visit http://www.investors.axway.com/en or Axway IR mobile App available on Apple Store Android. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190429005537/en/ Contacts: Axway Investor Relations: Arthur Carli +33 (0)1 47 17 24 65 acarli@axway.com Press Relations: Sylvie Podetti +33 (0)1 47 17 22 40 spodetti@axway.com Regulatory News: New geographical segmentation: following the acquisition of Ciplan in Brazil, the Group has adjusted the geographical structure of its internal reporting used by Senior Management to monitor and measure the Group's economic performance. Vicat (Paris:VCT) will report its figures, as of the publication of the first-quarter 2019 sales, based on the following six regions: France Europe (excluding France), combining Switzerland and Italy Americas, made up of the United States and Brazil Asia, encompassing India and Kazakhstan Mediterranean, consisting of Turkey and Egypt Africa, comprising Senegal, Mali and Mauritania First-time adoption of IFRS 16: the Group has adopted the full retrospective approach at the transition date. The main impacts of the first application of IFRS16 on equity as at January 1, 2018 and on the 2018 annual and interim consolidated financial statements are presented below. In order to compare the Group's future performance with that of 2018 in each of these new regions, the 2018 quarterly sales, half-year and full-year results are presented below on a pro forma basis (excluding Brazil), after taking into account the application of IFRS16. 1. First-time adoption of IFRS 16 1.1 Consolidated statement of financial position: reconciliation from reported to restated figures at 30 June and 31 December 2018 Consolidated statement of financial position ASSETS (in thousands of euros) 31/12/2017 restated Restatements IFRS 16 31/12/2017 published 30/06/2018 restated Restatements IFRS 16 30/06/2018 published 31/12/2018 restated Restatements IFRS 16 31/12/2018 published NON CURRENT ASSETS Goodwill 1 006 987 1 006 987 1 005 213 1 005 213 1 006 753 1 006 753 Other intangible assets 117 959 117 959 112 950 112 950 118 316 118 316 Rights of use relating to leases 200 725 200 725 0 202 542 202 542 0 223 792 223 792 0 Property, plant and equipment 1 837 759 1 837 759 1 800 464 1 800 464 1 806 040 1 806 040 Investment properties 16 240 16 240 15 735 15 735 15 491 15 491 Investments in associated companies 40 696 40 696 42 358 42 358 53 044 53 044 Deferred tax assets 98 603 2 970 95 633 119 328 3 340 115 988 93 394 3 848 89 546 Receivables and other non current financial assets 77 557 77 557 108 424 108 424 152 831 152 831 Total non current assets 3 396 526 203 695 3 192 831 3 407 014 205 882 3 201 132 3 469 661 227 640 3 242 021 CURRENT ASSETS Inventories and work in progress 351 303 351 303 341 166 341 166 385 133 385 133 Trade and other accounts 408 092 408 092 493 708 493 708 407 085 407 085 Current tax assets 45 001 45 001 49 555 49 555 42 215 42 215 Other receivables 174 251 174 251 194 636 (43) 194 679 142 745 (59) 142 804 Cash and cash equivalents 265 364 265 364 278 227 278 227 314 633 314 633 Total current assets 1 244 011 0 1 244 011 1 357 292 (43) 1 357 335 1 291 811 (59) 1 291 870 TOTAL ASSETS 4 640 537 203 695 4 436 842 4 764 306 205 839 4 558 467 4 761 472 227 581 4 533 891 LIABILITIES (in thousands of euros) 31/12/2017 restated Restatements IFRS 16 31/12/2017 published 30/06/2018 restated Restatements IFRS 16 30/06/2018 published 31/12/2018 restated Restatements IFRS 16 31/12/2018 published SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Share capital 179 600 179 600 179 600 179 600 179 600 179 600 Additional paid in capital 11 207 11 207 11 207 11 207 11 207 11 207 Consolidated reserves 1 976 285 (9 028) 1 985 313 1 922 354 (10 022) 1 932 376 2 068 460 (11 671) 2 080 131 Shareholders' equity 2 167 092 (9 028) 2 176 120 2 113 161 (10 022) 2 123 183 2 259 267 (11 671) 2 270 938 Minority interests 233 369 (73) 233 442 215 428 (37) 215 465 221 474 (26) 221 500 Shareholders' equity and minority interests 2 400 461 (9 101) 2 409 562 2 328 589 (10 059) 2 338 648 2 480 741 (11 697) 2 492 438 NON CURRENT LIABILITIES Provisions for pensions and other post employment benefits 115 084 115 084 114 271 114 271 118 344 118 344 Other provisions 70 703 70 703 107 685 107 685 70 757 70 757 Financial debts and put options 928 403 928 403 1 042 986 (163) 1 043 149 882 203 (141) 882 344 Lease liabilities 166 596 166 596 0 168 532 168 532 0 193 306 193 306 0 Deferred tax liabilities 182 291 (150) 182 441 166 571 (117) 166 688 181 392 (210) 181 602 Other non current liabilities 1 398 1 398 1 292 1 292 5 365 90 5 275 Total non current liabilities 1 464 475 166 446 1 298 029 1 601 337 168 252 1 433 085 1 451 367 193 045 1 258 322 CURRENT LIABILITIES Provisions 8 738 8 738 8 175 8 175 9 604 9 604 Financial debts and put options at less than one year 138 499 138 499 149 935 (45) 149 980 153 516 (45) 153 561 Lease liabilities at less than one year 46 350 46 350 0 48 227 48 227 0 47 048 47 048 0 Trade and other accounts payable 328 450 328 450 337 336 (536) 337 872 358 753 (441) 359 194 Current taxes payable 41 188 41 188 37 800 37 800 38 273 38 273 Other liabilities 212 376 212 376 252 907 252 907 222 170 (329) 222 499 Total current liabilities 775 601 46 350 729 251 834 380 47 646 786 734 829 364 46 233 783 131 Total liabilities 2 240 076 212 796 2 027 280 2 435 717 215 898 2 219 819 2 280 731 239 278 2 041 453 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 4 640 537 203 695 4 436 842 4 764 306 205 839 4 558 467 4 761 472 227 581 4 533 891 1.2 Consolidated income statement: reconciliation from reported to restated figures for H1 2018 and FY 2018 Consolidated income statement (in thousands of euros) 30/06/2018 restated Restatements IFRS 16 30/06/2018 published 31/12/2018 restated Restatements IFRS 16 31/12/2018 published Sales 1 281 261 1 281 261 2 582 465 2 582 465 Goods and services purchased (834 071) 27 565 (861 636) (1 644 858) 57 802 (1 702 660) Added value 447 190 27 565 419 625 937 607 57 802 879 805 Personnel costs (213 458) (213 458) (428 963) (428 963) Taxes (34 508) (34 508) (59 431) (59 431) Gross operating income 199 224 27 565 171 659 449 213 57 802 391 411 Depreciation, amortization and provisions (117 220) (24 354) (92 866) (236 075) (51 981) (184 094) Other income and expenses 19 650 19 650 35 698 35 698 Operating income 101 654 3 211 98 443 248 836 5 821 243 015 Cost of net financial debt (15 177) (4 164) (11 013) (29 359) (8 772) (20 587) Other financial income 7 091 7 091 20 024 20 024 Other financial expenses (7 814) (7 814) (18 708) (18 708) Net financial income (expense) (15 900) (4 164) (11 736) (28 043) (8 772) (19 271) Earnings from associated companies 2 070 2 070 3 737 3 737 Profit (loss) before tax 87 824 (953) 88 777 224 530 (2 951) 227 481 Income tax (26 739) 243 (26 982) (65 867) 790 (66 657) Consolidated net income 61 085 (710) 61 795 158 663 (2 161) 160 824 Portion attributable to minority interests 2 949 37 2 912 9 781 52 9 729 Portion attributable to the Group 58 136 (747) 58 883 148 882 (2 213) 151 095 EBITDA 224 343 27 565 196 778 492 318 57 802 434 516 EBIT 106 996 3 212 103 784 255 059 5 821 249 238 Cash flow from operations 171 289 23 401 147 888 387 476 49 034 338 442 Earnings per share (in euros) Basic and diluted Group share of net earnings per share 1,29 -0,02 1,31 3,32 -0,05 3,37 1.3 Statement of comprehensive income: reconciliation from reported to restated figures for H1 2018 and FY 2018 Consolidated statement of comprehensive income (in thousands of euros) 30/06/2018 restated Restatements IFRS 16 30/06/2018 published 31/12/2018 restated Restatements IFRS 16 31/12/2018 published Consolidated net income 61 085 (710) 61 795 158 663 (2 161) 160 824 Other comprehensive income items Items not recycled to profit or loss : Remeasurement of the net defined benefit liability 4 536 4 536 6 289 6 289 Tax on non-recycled items (1 165) (1 165) (1 613) (1 613) Items recycled to profit or loss : Net income from change in translation differences (46 158) (250) (45 908) (61 365) (437) (60 928) Cash flow hedge instruments (3 594) (3 594) 759 759 Tax on recycled items 928 928 (197) (197) Other comprehensive income (after tax) (45 453) (250) (45 203) (56 127) (437) (55 690) Total comprehensive income 15 632 (960) 16 592 102 536 (2 598) 105 134 Portion attributable to minority interests (7 003) 35 (7 038) (2 454) 46 (2 500) Portion attributable to the Group 22 635 (995) 23 630 104 990 (2 644) 107 634 1.4 Statement of cash flow: reconciliation from reported to restated figures for H1 2018 and FY 2018 Consolidated statement of cash flow (in thousands of euros) 30/06/2018 restated Restatements IFRS 16 30/06/2018 published 31/12/2018 restated Restatements IFRS 16 31/12/2018 published Cash flows from operating activities Consolidated net income 61 085 (710) 61 795 158 663 (2 161) 160 824 Earnings from associated companies (2 070) (2 070) (3 737) (3 737) Dividends received from associated companies 1 346 1 346 2 492 2 492 Elimination of non cash and non operating items 0 0 - depreciation, amortization and provisions 112 540 24 354 88 186 233 671 51 981 181 690 - deferred taxes 1 571 (243) 1 814 4 720 (790) 5 510 - net (gain) loss from disposal of assets (3 454) (3 454) (8 582) (8 582) - unrealized fair value gains and losses 157 157 353 353 - other 114 114 (108) (108) Cash flows from operating activities 171 289 23 401 147 888 387 472 49 030 338 442 Change in working capital requirement (61 082) (61 082) (5 394) (5 394) Net cash flows from operating activities 110 207 23 401 86 806 382 078 49 030 333 048 Cash flows from investing activities Outflows linked to acquisitions of non-current assets - property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (78 402) (78 402) (180 224) (180 224) - financial investments (21 608) (21 608) (28 469) (28 469) Inflows linked to disposals of non-current assets - property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 4 529 4 529 14 049 14 049 - financial investments 4 983 4 983 3 939 3 939 Impact of changes in consolidation scope (12 984) (12 984) (22 686) (22 686) Net cash flows from investing activities (103 482) 0 (103 482) (213 391) 0 (213 391) Cash flows from financing activities Dividends paids (76 872) (76 872) (72 976) (72 976) Increases in capital 0 0 Proceeds from borrowings 126 976 126 976 114 838 114 838 Repayments of borrowings (47 464) (23 401) (24 063) (226 824) (49 030) (177 794) Repayments of lease liabilities 0 0 0 0 Acquisitions of treasury shares (16 153) (16 153) (927) (927) Disposals or allocations of treasury shares 17 658 17 658 68 876 68 876 Net cash flows from financing activities 4 145 (23 401) 27 546 (117 013) (49 030) (67 983) Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates (8 676) (8 676) (9 766) (9 766) Change in cah position 2 194 0 2 194 41 908 0 41 908 Net cash and cash equivalents opening balance 220 058 220 058 220 058 220 058 Net cash and cash equivalents closing balance 222 252 222 252 261 969 261 969 1.5 Statement of changes in consolidated equity: reconciliation from reported to restated figures at 30 June 2018 Statement of changes in consolidated equity (in thousands of euros) Capital Additional paid in capital Treasury shares Consolidated reserves Translation reserves Share-holders' equity Minority interests Total share-holders' equity and minority interests At January 1, 2018 published 179 600 11 207 (60 714) 2 406 371 (360 344) 2 176 120 233 442 2 409 562 Restatements IFRS16 1/01/2018 (9 028) (9 028) (72) (9 100) At January 1, 2018 restated 179 600 11 207 (60 714) 2 397 343 (360 344) 2 167 092 233 370 2 400 462 Half-year consolidated net income 58 883 58 883 2 912 61 795 Restatements IFRS16 on the half-year consolidated net income (747) (747) 37 (710) Other comprehensive income (75) (35 179) (35 254) (9 950) (45 204) Restatements IFRS16 on the other comprehensive income (247) (247) (2) (249) Total comprehensive income 58 808 (35 179) 23 629 (7 038) 16 591 Restatements IFRS16 on the total comprehensive income (747) (247) (994) 35 (959) Total comprehensive income restated 58 061 (35 426) 22 635 (7 003) 15 632 Dividends paids (66 375) (66 375) (6 696) (73 071) Net change in treasury shares 1 979 (352) 1 627 1 627 Changes in consolidation scope and additional acquisitions (10 884) (10 884) (4 806) (15 690) Other changes (934) (934) 563 (371) At June 30, 2018 published 179 600 11 207 (58 735) 2 386 634 (395 523) 2 123 183 215 465 2 338 648 Restatements IFRS16 at June 30, 2018 (9 775) (247) (10 022) (37) (10 059) At June 30, 2018 restated 179 600 11 207 (58 735) 2 376 859 (395 770) 2 113 161 215 428 2 328 589 1.6 Statement of changes in consolidated equity: reconciliation from reported to restated figures at 31 December 2018 Statement of changes in consolidated equity (in thousands of euros) Capital Additional paid in capital Treasury shares Consolidated reserves Translation reserves Share-holders' equity Minority interests Total share-holders' equity and minority interests At January 1, 2018 published 179 600 11 207 (60 714) 2 406 371 (360 344) 2 176 120 233 442 2 409 562 Restatements IFRS16 1/01/2018 (9 028) (9 028) (72) (9 100) At January 1, 2018 restated 179 600 11 207 (60 714) 2 397 343 (360 344) 2 167 092 233 370 2 400 462 Consolidated net income 151 095 151 095 9 729 160 824 Restatements IFRS16 on the consolidated net income (2 212) (2 212) 51 (2 161) Other comprehensive income (3 888) (39 573) (43 461) (12 229) (55 690) Restatements IFRS16 on the other comprehensive income (431) (431) (5) (436) Total comprehensive income 147 207 (39 573) 107 634 (2 500) 105 134 Restatements IFRS16 on the total comprehensive income (2 212) (431) (2 643) 46 (2 597) Total comprehensive income restated 144 995 (40 004) 104 991 (2 454) 102 537 Dividends paids (66 180) (66 180) (6 765) (72 945) Net change in treasury shares 4 570 (3 397) 1 173 1 173 Changes in consolidation scope and additional acquisitions (10 880) (10 880) (4 806) (15 686) Other changes 63 071 63 071 2 129 65 200 At December 31, 2018 published 179 600 11 207 (56 144) 2 536 192 (399 917) 2 270 938 221 500 2 492 438 Restatements IFRS16 at December 31, 2018 (11 240) (431) (11 671) (26) (11 697) At December 31, 2018 restated 179 600 11 207 (56 144) 2 524 952 (400 348) 2 259 267 221 474 2 480 741 2. New geographical segmentation 2.1 Quarterly consolidated sales in 2018 In thousands of euros Q1 2018 Q1 2017 % change % change (const. scope and exch. rates) France 208,481 195,954 +6.4% +5.9% Europe (excluding France) 73,688 80,388 -8.3% -1.9% Americas (excluding Brazil) 87,004 83,918 +3.7% +19.7% Asia 94,078 78,570 +19.7% +33.3% Mediterranean 49,019 52,084 -5.9% +11.5% Africa 60,508 60,261 +0.4% +1.4% Total 572,777 551,174 3.9% +10.8% In thousands of euros Q2 2018 Q2 2017 % change % change (const. scope and exch. rates) France 264,336 248,376 +6.4% +6.4% Europe (excluding France) 110,469 116,279 -5.0% +1.4% Americas (excluding Brazil) 106,648 107,918 -1.2% +7.6% Asia 105,437 94,456 +11.6% +26.1% Mediterranean 60,297 73,006 -17.4% +5.9% Africa 61,296 56,473 +8.5% +8.8% Total 708,484 696,507 +1.7% +8.6% In thousands of euros Q3 2018 Q3 2017 % change % change (const. scope and exch. rates) France 236,085 220,888 +6.9% +6.9% Europe (excluding France) 108,051 117,884 -8.3% -9.9% Americas (excluding Brazil) 112,909 104,673 +7.9% +9.5% Asia 106,389 97,276 +9.4% +9.5% Mediterranean 51,259 78,230 -34.5% +9.1% Africa 50,961 53,953 -5.5% +6.2% Total 665,654 672,903 -1.1% +4.0% In thousands of euros Q4 2018 Q4 2017 % change % change (const. scope and exch. rates) France 241,054 225,201 +7.0% +7.0% Europe (excluding France) 97,968 95,524 +2.6% -1.6% Americas (excluding Brazil) 97,702 96,395 +1.4% -2.6% Asia 93,144 93,213 -0.1% +7.3% Mediterranean 43,063 76,455 -43.7% -26.7% Africa 62,619 56,090 +11.6% +11.5% Total 635,550 642,879 -1.1% +0.7% 2.2 2018 operational sales by business 2018 In thousands of euros Cement Concrete Aggregates Other Products and Services Inter-sector eliminations Consolidated sales France 378,986 479,131 280,794 -188,955 949,956 Europe (excluding France) 153,019 158,356 124,898 -46,096 390,176 Americas (excluding Brazil) 217,353 248,498 0 -61,588 404,263 Asia 390,296 5,896 7,797 -4,941 399,048 Mediterranean 162,001 66,825 18,304 -43,493 203,638 Africa 184,092 51,461 0 -170 235,384 Operational sales 1,485,748 1,010,167 431,793 -345,243 2,582,465 Inter-sector eliminations -233,538 -19,932 -91,773 345,243 Consolidated sales 1,252,210 990,235 340,020 0 2,582,465 2.3 2018 EBITDA (after first-time adoption of IFRS 16) In thousands of euros H1 2018 H2 2018 2018 France 74,643 100,692 175,335 Europe (excluding France) 39,132 56,819 95,952 Americas (excluding Brazil) 40,324 43,123 83,447 Asia 32,335 44,256 76,591 Mediterranean 13,853 1,899 15,752 Africa 24,056 21,190 45,247 Total 224,343 267,980 492,323 2.4 2018 EBIT (after first-time adoption of IFRS 16) In thousands of euros H1 2018 H2 2018 2018 France 34,359 59,271 93,630 Europe (excluding France) 21,840 39,147 60,986 Americas (excluding Brazil) 20,955 24,996 45,950 Asia 15,971 26,236 42,207 Mediterranean 4,447 -6,975 -2,528 Africa 9,425 5,388 14,812 Total 106,996 148,063 255,059 2.5 2018 Operating profit (after first-time adoption of IFRS 16) In thousands of euros H1 2018 H2 2018 2018 France 34,460 59,655 94,115 Europe (excluding France) 18,683 38,517 57,201 Americas (excluding Brazil) 20,955 24,996 45,950 Asia 16,016 26,242 42,258 Mediterranean 2,740 -6,633 -3,894 Africa 8,799 4,407 13,206 Total 101,653 147,183 248,837 3. Definition of alternative performance measures (APMs): Performance at constant scope and exchange rates is used to determine the organic growth trend in P&L items between two periods and to compare them by eliminating the impact of exchange rate fluctuations and changes in the scope of consolidation. It is calculated by applying exchange rates and the scope of consolidation from the prior period to figures for the current period. is used to determine the organic growth trend in P&L items between two periods and to compare them by eliminating the impact of exchange rate fluctuations and changes in the scope of consolidation. It is calculated by applying exchange rates and the scope of consolidation from the prior period to figures for the current period. A geographical (or a business) segment's operational sales are the sales posted by the geographical (or business) segment in question less intra-region (or intra-segment) sales. are the sales posted by the geographical (or business) segment in question less intra-region (or intra-segment) sales. Value-added : value of production less consumption of materials used in the production process. : value of production less consumption of materials used in the production process. Gross operating income : value-added, less staff costs, taxes and duties (other than on income and deferred taxes) plus operating subsidies : value-added, less staff costs, taxes and duties (other than on income and deferred taxes) plus operating subsidies EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization): sum of gross operating income and other income and expenses on ongoing business. (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization): sum of gross operating income and other income and expenses on ongoing business. EBIT (earnings before interest and tax): EBITDA less net depreciation, amortisation, additions to provisions and impairment losses on ongoing business. (earnings before interest and tax): EBITDA less net depreciation, amortisation, additions to provisions and impairment losses on ongoing business. Cash flow : net income before net non-cash expenses (i.e. predominantly depreciation, amortisation, additions to provisions and impairment losses, deferred taxes, gains and losses on disposals and fair value adjustments). : net income before net non-cash expenses (i.e. predominantly depreciation, amortisation, additions to provisions and impairment losses, deferred taxes, gains and losses on disposals and fair value adjustments). Free cash flow: net operating cash flow after deducting capital expenditure net of disposals. net operating cash flow after deducting capital expenditure net of disposals. Net debt represents gross debt (consisting of the outstanding amount of borrowings from investors and credit institutions, residual financial liabilities under finance leases, any other borrowings and financial liabilities excluding options to sell and bank overdrafts), net of cash and cash equivalents, including remeasured hedging derivatives and debt. represents gross debt (consisting of the outstanding amount of borrowings from investors and credit institutions, residual financial liabilities under finance leases, any other borrowings and financial liabilities excluding options to sell and bank overdrafts), net of cash and cash equivalents, including remeasured hedging derivatives and debt. Gearing is a ratio reflecting a company's financial structure calculated as net debt/consolidated equity. is a ratio reflecting a company's financial structure calculated as net debt/consolidated equity. Leverage is a ratio reflecting a company's profitability, which is calculated as net debt/consolidated EBITDA. Next report: first-quarter 2019 sales after the close on 6 May 2019. ABOUT VICAT The Vicat Group has over 9,000 employees working in three core divisions, Cement, Concrete Aggregates and Other Products Services, which generated consolidated sales of 2,582 million in 2018. The Group operates in twelve countries: France, Switzerland, Italy, the United States, Turkey, Egypt, Senegal, Mali, Mauritania, Kazakhstan, India and Brazil. Over 63% of its sales are generated outside France. The Vicat Group is the heir to an industrial tradition dating back to 1817, when Louis Vicat invented artificial cement. Founded in 1853, the Vicat Group now operates three core lines of business: Cement, Ready-Mixed Concrete and Aggregates, as well as related activities. Important information: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements do not constitute forecasts regarding results or any other performance indicator, but rather trends or targets. These statements are by their nature subject to risks and uncertainties as described in the Company's annual report available on its website (www.vicat.fr). These statements do not reflect the future performance of the Company, which may differ significantly. The Company does not undertake to provide updates of these statements. Further information about Vicat is available from its website (www.vicat.fr). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190429005586/en/ Contacts: Investor relations contact: Stephane Bisseuil: Tel: +33 (0)1 58 86 86 05 stephane.bisseuil@vicat.fr Press contacts: Alizee Remaud: Tel: +33 (0)1 58 86 86 26 alizee.remaud@tbwa-corporate.com Michael Gurland, Joshis attorney, said he didnt think it was fair, given what Joshi had done to help many of his patients, among other reasons, to make him the sacrificial lamb for the opioid crisis. The European Investment Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares The European Investment Trust plc ("the Company") The Company announces that on 29 April 2019 it purchased the following number of its ordinary shares of 25 pence each on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. Ordinary Shares: Date of purchase: 29 April 2019 Number of ordinary shares purchased: 10,000 Lowest price per share 827.0p Highest price per share 827.0p The Company intends to cancel the purchased shares. Following the above transaction, the Company has 40,259,369 ordinary shares in issue. Each of the Company's shares carries one vote. Accordingly, the total number of voting rights of the Company is 40,259,369. 29 April 2019 LEI: 213800QNN9EHZ4SC1R12 Enquiries: Kenneth J Greig Edinburgh Partners AIFM Limited Tel: 0131 270 3800 The Company's registered office address is: Beaufort House 51 New North Road Exeter EX4 4EP Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 29, 2019) - Dunnedin Ventures Inc. (TSXV: DVI) (the "Company" or "Dunnedin") today announced that it has closed a non-brokered private placement of non flow-through units (each, a "NFT Unit") and flow-through units (each, a "FT Unit") for gross proceeds of $1,482,050 (the "Offering"). The Company has issued 11,458,999 NFT Units at a price of $0.075 per share and 5,534,448 FT Units at a price of $0.1125 per share through the Offering. Each Unit consists of one common share and one-half-of-one common share purchase warrant entitling the holder to acquire an additional common share at a price of $0.15 for a period of twenty-four months. The common share purchase warrants issued as part of the Units are subject to accelerated expiry in the event the common shares of the Company trade on the TSX Venture Exchange at a closing price of $0.25 or more for twenty consecutive trading days. Claudia Tornquist, President of Dunnedin, said: "Dunnedin's team is looking forward to kicking off a busy exploration season on several fronts, and we are now fully funded for this work. Over the winter months we have expanded our project portfolio through two acquisitions in the copper porphyry space, MPD and Mohave, to add to our existing copper project, Trapper. This means we now have additional opportunities over and above our Kahuna diamond project in Nunavut and are in a position to explore throughout the year. We will start within weeks with an exploration program at the formerly drilled and recently consolidated MPD in southern BC, which we are confident presents an excellent opportunity for discovery." In connection with the closing of the placement the Company paid finders' fees of $34,496 and issued 451,240 common share purchase warrants exercisable to acquire common shares of the Company (each, a "Finders Warrant") to eligible parties who introduced subscribers to the placement. All securities issued in connection with the private placement are subject to a four-month-and-one-day statutory hold period from the date of issue, expiring on September 2, 2019. Proceeds of the Offering will be used to fund the Company's exploration program on the MPD copper porphyry project in British Columbia and for general corporate purposes. Dunnedin is also pleased to report that Patrick McAndless, B.Sc. P.Geo, has joined the Company as Technical Advisor. Patrick is a former Director of Dunnedin Ventures, and an industry awarded explorationist and recognized copper porphyry expert with over 45 years of industry experience and a track record of discovery. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious BC and Yukon Chamber of Mines H. H. "Spud" Huestis Award for excellence in prospecting and mineral exploration. The Company has granted Mr. McAndless 50,000 stock options, exercisable at $0.075 per share for five years from the date of issuance. The Company also announces that Chris Taylor will move from his position as CEO to be Chairman of the board of Dunnedin. Claudia Tornquist will be assuming the role of CEO in addition to the President role. Steven Krause who has been a director of the Company since November 2018 will be appointed as lead independent director. "I would like to welcome Patrick as a strategic advisor to Dunnedin," said Tornquist. "He is a leading expert in copper porphyry exploration and well connected in the industry. Dunnedin is fortunate to attract an advisor of Patrick's caliber and will benefit greatly from his wealth of experience. The new structure of Dunnedin's board will strengthen the Company as we continue to grow. I am looking forward to working with Chris in his capacity as Chairman where Dunnedin will continue to benefit from his experience and support. I am extremely pleased that Steven has taken on the additional responsibility of lead independent director." For further information please contact Mr. Knox Henderson, Investor Relations, at 604-551-2360 or khenderson@dunnedinventures.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors Dunnedin Ventures Inc. Claudia Tornquist President About Dunnedin Ventures Inc. Dunnedin Ventures is advancing copper porphyry projects in Canada and the USA; and the Kahuna diamond project in Nunavut, Canada. Dunnedin's porphyry assets all present known mineral discoveries with the potential to hold large-scale deposits. They include the Trapper copper-gold porphyry project in the northern Golden Triangle region of British Columbia, and the MPD copper-gold porphyry project in the prolific Quesnel Trough in south-central British Columbia. In March 2019, Dunnedin entered into a letter of intent to acquire the Mohave copper-molybdenum-silver porphyry project near the world-class Bagdad mine in Arizona. The advanced-stage Kahuna diamond project in Nunavut hosts a high-grade, near surface inferred diamond resource and numerous kimberlite pipe targets. Dunnedin holds diamond interests in 1,664 km2 of mineral tenure located 26 kilometres from Rankin Inlet and adjacent to Agnico Eagle's Meliadine gold mine. Dunnedin's exploration is aimed at the discovery of diamondiferous kimberlite pipes, working with its advisor and largest shareholder Dr. Chuck Fipke. Based in Vancouver, Dunnedin is backed by a world-renowned team of exploration experts with decades of combined exploration experience and significant capital market strength. Dunnedin is part of the Discovery Group of companies led by John Robins, one of the most successful mining entrepreneurs in Canada. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Statements included in this announcement, including statements concerning our plans, intentions and expectations, which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements may be identified by words including "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "expects" and similar expressions. The Company cautions readers that forward-looking statements, including without limitation those relating to the Company's future operations and business prospects, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44388 (In United States dollars, except where noted otherwise) VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- First Quantum Minerals Ltd. ("First Quantum" or "the Company") (TSX: FM) today reported comparative earnings1 of $95 million ($0.14 per share1), net earnings1 attributable to shareholders of the Company of $53 million ($0.08 per share) and cash flows from operating activities of $159 million ($0.23 per share1) for the three months ended March 31, 2019 ("Q1"). SUMMARY: Stable Operational Results; Delivering on Expectation 136,969 tonnes of copper 2 produced including 25 tonnes of pre-commercial production at Cobre Panama. produced including 25 tonnes of pre-commercial production at Cobre Panama. Sentinel delivered another strong quarter with copper production of 57,716 tonnes, a 15% increase from Q1 2018, a record for Q1. Kansanshi production was impacted by the planned processing of lower grade oxide ore and lower throughput. Q1 unit cost of copper production 3 : All-in sustaining cost ("AISC") = $1.77 per pound; Cash cost ("C1") = $1.34 per pound; Total cost ("C3") = $2.21 per pound. : All-in sustaining cost ("AISC") = per pound; Cash cost ("C1") = per pound; Total cost ("C3") = per pound. Generated Strong Earnings and Cash Flow Generated net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Company 1 of $53 million and comparative earnings 1 of $95 million or $0.14 per share. of and comparative earnings of or per share. $159 million of cash flows from operating activities ( $0.23 per share 3 ) during the quarter. of cash flows from operating activities ( per share ) during the quarter. Ended the quarter with $850 million in net unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, $520 million of committed undrawn facilities and was in full compliance with all financial covenants. in net unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, of committed undrawn facilities and was in full compliance with all financial covenants. Improved Liquidity; Extended Debt Maturities Secured a new $2.7 billion Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility replacing the existing $1.5 billion Revolving Credit Facility. The new Facility comprises a $1.5 billion Term Loan Facility and a $1.2 billion Revolving Credit Facility, maturing on December 31 , 2022. The financing includes revised financial covenants, extends debt maturities, and improves financial flexibility through added liquidity. Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility replacing the existing Revolving Credit Facility. The new Facility comprises a Term Loan Facility and a Revolving Credit Facility, maturing on , 2022. The financing includes revised financial covenants, extends debt maturities, and improves financial flexibility through added liquidity. On March 27, 2019 , $821 million of the senior notes due February 2021 were redeemed at a price of 101.75 plus accrued interest. , of the senior notes due were redeemed at a price of 101.75 plus accrued interest. Significant Milestones Achieved at Cobre Panama; Ramp-up on Schedule First ore was introduced to the mill and 25 tonnes of copper concentrate was produced during the quarter. The project remains on schedule to deliver between 140,000 - 175,000 tonnes in 2019 with approximately 80% of total production expected in the second half of the year and is expected to be running at an annualized rate of 72 million tonnes per year by year end. Power station construction and commissioning is now complete. Ore commissioning of the first process plant train was completed. Construction and lining of the Semi-Autogenous Grinding ("SAG") mills 1 and 2 and ball mills 1, 2 and 3. Other On January 23, 2019 , the Company announced a land slippage at Las Cruces, and the immediate suspension of production. On February 1, 2019 the Company announced the production resumed at the processing plant with the processing of lower grade stockpiled ore which is expected to continue while the necessary regulatory approvals are obtained to begin the mining of Phase 6, an area unaffected by the incident. Las Cruces is expected to produce 45,000 tonnes of copper in 2019 and 2020. , the Company announced a land slippage at Las Cruces, and the immediate suspension of production. On the Company announced the production resumed at the processing plant with the processing of lower grade stockpiled ore which is expected to continue while the necessary regulatory approvals are obtained to begin the mining of Phase 6, an area unaffected by the incident. Las Cruces is expected to produce 45,000 tonnes of copper in 2019 and 2020. Further to the changes to the mining tax regime that were enacted January 1, 2019 , the Minister of Finance of Zambia also announced the abolition of value-added-tax ("VAT") and the proposed introduction of a non-refundable sales tax at rates of 9% and 16% for local goods and services, and imported goods and services, respectively. The Government of the Republic of Zambia has confirmed that they plan for the sales tax to be effective July 1, 2019 , but this is subject to the required laws being passed and implemented. CEO'S COMMENTS "It has been gratifying to see the successful start-up of our Cobre Panama project. As ramp-up progresses, Cobre Panama will allow us to deliver on our stated objectives of increased geographic diversification and increased copper production. We are now realizing the benefits of good design and quality assurance in construction. It is especially rewarding to see our plans for environmental management functioning as intended, and the meaningful partnerships we have built with local communities are already playing an integral role in the operation of Cobre Panama," commented Philip Pascall, Chairman and CEO. "Our first quarter financial results reflect solid operational performance despite the rainy season in Zambia and lower production from Las Cruces resulting from the land slippage early in the year. We expect operational results to improve through 2019 as the ramp-up at Cobre Panama accelerates. In the coming years, we will be able to deliver on our commitment to deleveraging our balance sheet. The refinancing announced earlier in the year was a step towards improving liquidity and pushing out maturities. We will continue this effort throughout the year with further progress expected in 2020 as Cobre Panama starts to meaningfully contribute to cash flow. We will also consolidate work done on our project pipeline to enable future growth." Mr. Pascall concluded. OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS Three months ended March 31 (U.S. dollars where applicable) 2019 2018 COPPER - Production2 (tonnes) 136,969 145,358 - Sales4 (tonnes) 130,262 138,021 - Cost of production3: o AISC (per lb) $1.77 $1.72 o C1 (per lb) $1.34 $1.27 o C3 (per lb) $2.21 $2.16 - Realized price (per lb) $2.79 $2.74 GOLD - Production (ounces) 49,357 45,929 - Sales (ounces) 46,790 48,815 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Three months ended March 31 (U.S. dollars millions, except where noted otherwise) 2019 2018 Sales revenues 857 885 Gross profit 185 181 Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders of the Company1 53 47 Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share $0.08 $0.07 Comparative EBITDA1 368 363 Comparative earnings (loss)1 95 49 Comparative earnings (loss) per share1 $0.14 $0.07 Cash flow from operating activities 159 796 Cash flow from operating activities per share1 $0.23 $1.16 1 Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders of the Company has been adjusted to exclude items which are not reflective of underlying performance to arrive at comparative earnings (loss). Comparative earnings (loss), comparative earnings (loss) per share, comparative EBITDA and cash flows per share are not measures recognized under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. The Company has disclosed these measures to assist with the understanding of results and to provide further financial information about the results to investors. Refer to the "Regulatory Disclosures" section in the MD&A for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 for further information. 2 Production is presented on a copper contained basis, and is presented prior to processing through the Kansanshi smelter. Production includes 25 tonnes of pre-commercial production from Cobre Panama, which is not including in earnings or C1, C3 or AISC calculations. 3AISC, C1 and C3 costs per pound are not recognized under IFRS. Refer to the "Regulatory Disclosures" section in the MD&A for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 for further information. C1, C3 and AISC costs exclude third-party concentrate purchased at Kansanshi. 4Copper sales exclude the sale of copper anode produced from third-party concentrate purchased at Kansanshi. Sales of copper anode attributable to third-party concentrate purchases were 1,182 tonnes for the three months March 31, 2019. CONFERENCE CALL & WEBCAST Conference call and webcast details are as follows: Date: April 30, 2019 Time: 9:00 am (EDT); 2:00 pm (BST); 6:00 am (PDT) Webcast: www.first-quantum.com Dial in: North America (toll free): (877) 291-4570 North America and international: (647) 788-4919 United Kingdom (toll free): 0-800-051-7107 Replay: Available from noon (EDT) on April 30, 2019 until 11:59 pm (EST) on May 21, 2019. North America (toll free): (800) 585-8367 North America and international: (416) 621-4642 Passcode: 4757109 COMPLETE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS The complete consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 are available at www.first-quantum.com and should be read in conjunction with this news release. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of First Quantum Minerals Ltd. G. Clive Newall President CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements include estimates, forecasts and statements as to the Company's expectations of production and sales volumes, and expected timing of completion of project development at Cobre Panama and Enterprise and are subject to the impact of ore grades on future production, the potential of production disruptions (including at Cobre Las Cruces as a result of the land slippage in January 2019), capital expenditure and mine production costs, the outcome of mine permitting, other required permitting, the outcome of legal proceedings which involve the Company, information with respect to the future price of copper, gold, silver, nickel, zinc, pyrite, cobalt, iron and sulphuric acid, estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, First Quantum's exploration and development program, estimated future expenses, exploration and development capital requirements, the Company's hedging policy, and goals and strategies. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about continuing production at all operating facilities, the price of copper, gold, nickel, zinc, pyrite, cobalt, iron and sulphuric acid, anticipated costs and expenditures and the ability to achieve the Company's goals. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to, future production volumes and costs, the temporary or permanent closure of uneconomic operations, costs for inputs such as oil, power and sulphur, political stability in Zambia, Peru, Mauritania, Finland, Spain, Turkey, Panama, Argentina and Australia, adverse weather conditions in Zambia, Finland, Spain, Turkey, Mauritania and Panama, labour disruptions, potential social and environmental challenges, power supply, mechanical failures, water supply, procurement and delivery of parts and supplies to the operations, and the production of off-spec material. See the Company's Annual Information Form for additional information on risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to the forward-looking statements and information. Although the Company has attempted to identify factors that would cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those disclosed in the forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause actual results, performances, achievements or events not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Also, many of these factors are beyond First Quantum's control. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to reissue or update forward-looking statements or information as a result of new information or events after the date hereof except as may be required by law. All forward-looking statements and information made herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. Visit our website at www.first-quantum.com; North American contact: Lisa Doddridge, Director, Investor Relations, Tel: (416) 361-3752, Toll free: 1 (888) 688-6577, E-Mail: lisa.doddridge@fqml.com; United Kingdom contact: Clive Newall, President, Tel: +44 7802 721663, E-Mail: clive.newall@fqml.com NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 29, 2019 / Bexil Corporation (OTC PINK: BXLC) today reported its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2018. Bexil recorded a net loss attributable to Bexil shareholders of $1.27 million or $1.43 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to net income attributable to Bexil shareholders of $1.90 million or $2.02 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company's book value per share attributable to Bexil shareholders at December 31, 2018 was $20.77, based on shareholders' equity attributable to Bexil shareholders of approximately $18.0 million and 867,728 shares issued and outstanding, a per share decrease of 5.0% from $21.96 per share a year earlier. 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders Bexil's 2019 annual meeting of stockholders will be held at 11 Hanover Square, 12th Floor, New York, New York on June 5, 2019 at 11:30 a.m., local time. Stockholders of record at the close of business on April 30, 2019 are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting. After the formal business of the meeting is concluded, company executives will make a presentation of financial results and business developments and respond to questions. To access the annual meeting and presentation by conference call, please dial 1-267-930-4000, Access Code: 373-498-588#. The Company's combined Notice of 2019 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement and 2018 Annual Report, including audited financial statements, is available on www.Bexil.com. About Bexil Corporation Bexil is primarily engaged through a subsidiary in investment management. To learn more about Bexil, including Rule 15c2-11 information, please visit www.Bexil.com. Safe Harbor Note This release contains certain 'forward looking statements' made pursuant to the 'safe harbor' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Bexil, which may cause the Company's actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Investors should carefully consider the risks, uncertainties and other factors, together with all of the other information included in the Company's Annual Report, at http://www.bexil.com/cautionary-language.html, and similar information. The forward looking statements made herein are only made as of the date of this release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. The Company views book value per share, a non-GAAP financial measure, as an important indicator of financial performance. Presented in conjunction with other financial information, the combined presentation can enhance an investor's understanding of the Company's underlying financial condition and results from operations. The definition of book value as presented in this press release is shareholders' equity attributable to Bexil shareholders divided by currently issued and outstanding shares. Contact: Thomas O'Malley Chief Financial Officer 1-212-785-0900 tomalley@bexil.com www.Bexil.com SOURCE: Bexil Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/543400/Bexil-Corporation-Reports-2018-Financial-Results-and-Announces-Annual-Meeting-and-Conference-Call Abbotsford, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 29, 2019) -Gatekeeper Systems Inc. (TSXV: GSI) ('Gatekeeper' or the 'Company'), a leading provider of video surveillance systems developed to protect people while in transit, today reported its financial results for the three and six months ended February 28, 2019. Financial Highlights for Second Quarter Revenue for the three months ended February 28, 2019 was $2,698,819, an increase of 118% when compared to $1,237,320 in the same period in the previous year, and the highest second-quarter revenue in the Company's history; Revenue for the six-month period was $4,538,297, an increase of 70% when compared to $2,667,219 in the same period in the previous year, and the highest first-half revenue in the Company's history; Gross profit during the three and six months ended February 28, 2019 was $1,142,129 and $2,053,415, respectively, which compares to $635,693 and $1,403,612, respectively in the same prior year comparable periods; Net loss for the quarter was $0.01 per share which compares to a net loss of $0.01 per share for the same period in the previous year; As at February 28, 2019 the Company had working capital of $5,179,418, no long-term debt, and approximately 87.6 million shares outstanding. Operational Highlights for Second Quarter Expanded Gatekeeper USA operations with new fleet vehicles to support the growing transit business in the Eastern USA and relating to South East Pennsylvania Transportation Authority ("SEPTA") Supplied and installed Crash Worthy Memory Modules integrated with video systems for SEPTA trains; Received SEPTA extension contract for service and maintenance of video systems; Expanded transit business with new contract for Illinois Jackson County Mass Transit District; Received first order for the Company's new Community Observation Protection System (COPS); Received order to supply school bus video systems to Sunrise Bus Company, a leading Student Transportation Provider in the Northeast and Midwest USA; Received order for integrated school bus video and wireless system from Cook Illinois Corporation which operates more than 2,000 buses and ranks as the sixth largest bus contractor in the US; Commenced shipments of the Company's new SP25 10 Mega Pixel stop arm camera system for capturing stop arm violations in multiple lanes; Delivered SP25 stop arm cameras to Dekalb County Central United School District in Midwest United States; Expanded demo systems of SP25 10 mega pixel stop arm camera system to multiple school districts across Midwest including Indiana; Expanded business in North East USA with contract award for SP25 stop arm camera systems to largest school district in Delaware; Received new order from BusWest, a leading Thomas Built Buses dealership in California; and Introduced new high definition windshield mount dashcam with wireless and driver monitoring capability fully integrated with Gatekeeper's hosted enterprise software. Management Commentary Doug Dyment, President and CEO commented, "We are extremely pleased with our fiscal Q2 results, which marks the second consecutive quarter of record-breaking revenues. It's very encouraging to see this top line revenue growth, which is a direct result of the investments we made in our business over the past year as we positioned for expansion and growth. We added key new customer relationships during the quarter and strengthened our business relationship with SEPTA, who is our cornerstone customer in our transit business. We are also witnessing increasing interest from the school bus market, as customers seek safety solutions for school children." SEPTA During the second quarter, the Company announced a new purchase order from SEPTA which included an extension of its service contract, as well as innovative safety and security solutions which the Company has branded as Community Observation Protection System ("COPS"). COPS is a mobile, video-based, security system designed to provide real-time video information for special events and problem areas within a city. During the quarter, the Company prepared high-definition video rail recorders for commercialization, which meet specific rail requirements including EN1055, and is capable of recording up to 24 high definitions cameras. The Company has also developed high density crash hardened memory module for securing video and data in the event of train crashes. The use of video to provide safety and security for passengers, as well as operational assistance, is becoming more common in the design of train communications systems. Protecting this data in the event of train derailments can assist The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) during accident investigations. The Company is on schedule to complete installation of its first related contract with SEPTA prior to the 2019 fiscal year end. SEPTA has become a cornerstone customer for the Company, following the Company's strategic expansion into the transit market. In April 2018, the Company acquired Delaware-based assets which enabled the SEPTA relationship. The Company subsequently announced additional SEPTA orders that total more than C$7 million and expects most of these orders to be invoiced during the Company's 2019 fiscal year which ends August 31, 2019. SEPTA is a regional public transportation authority that operates bus, rapid transit, commuter rail, light rail, and electric trolley bus services for nearly 4 million people in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. SEPTA is one of the largest transit authorities in the United States, providing over 300 million passenger rides annually on over 3,600 vehicles, which includes approximately 970 trains. SEPTA has rapidly embraced video evidence as protection against injury and damages claims. SP25 School Bus Vision Technology During the quarter the Company began shipping SP25 School Bus Vision systems, which have 10-megapixel dual-camera systems for multi-lane viewing license plate capture capability, a high-speed license plate tag reader, and cellular network compatibility ready for remote, and auto downloading of stop-arm violations. The Company has received increasing interest from school districts regarding the use of video evidence to help protect school children, following the tragic deaths of several school children who have been struck within the past six months by vehicles illegally passing school buses in various states. The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services estimates that there are more than 15 million school bus stop-arm violations per year in the United States alone. The Company is actively marketing its new SP25 product line and is supportive of the social movements and state legislation changes that increase awareness and address the safety concerns for schoolchildren. Ambulance and First Responder Market The Company has been testing a new video system solution designed for the ambulance market to help medical personal protect themselves against liability as well as provide better care to patients. Several projects are ongoing and the company is optimistic that the current results of proof of concepts will result in near-term revenue. Summary of Financial Results and Information Three months ended Six months ended February 28, 2019 February 28, 2018 February 28, 2019 February 28, 2018 Revenue $ 2,698,819 $ 1,237,320 $ 4,536,297 $ 2,667,219 Cost of Sales $ 1,556,690 $ 601,627 $ 2,484,882 $ 1,263,607 Gross Profit $ 1,142,129 $ 635,693 $ 2,053,882 $ 1,403,612 Gross Margin 42% 51% 45% 53% Expenses $ 1,565,750 $ 1,120,036 $ 3,230,010 $ 2,325,967 Operating Loss $ (423,621 ) $ (484,344 ) $ (1,176,595 ) $ (919,655 ) Net Loss for the period $ (455,525 ) $ (499,124 ) $ (1,142,904 ) $ (839,839 ) Loss per share $ (0.01 ) $ (0.01 ) $ (0.01 ) $ (0.01 ) February 28, August 31, February 28, 2019 2018 2018 Total Assets $ 6,949,394 $ 7,894,272 $ 7,721,264 Total Liabilities $ 996,829 $ 873,817 $ 375,299 Total Shareholders' Equity $ 5,952,565 $ 7,020,455 $ 7,345,965 Full details of the financial reports and operating results for the three and six months ended February 28, 2019 are described in the Company's condensed interim consolidated financial statements with accompanying notes and related Management's Discussion and Analysis, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. About Gatekeeper Systems Inc. Gatekeeper provides wireless high-resolution video security and safety solutions for in-transit applications, including school buses, municipal transit, first response, and the military. The Company offers wireless live-streaming video surveillance, video analytics, driver monitoring, and incident management solutions to help protect school children, public transit users, and employees on the move. The Company has unique photo enforcement and auto-ticketing solutions to deter stop-arm violations and protect school children. Gatekeeper has installed over 100,000 video devices for more than 3,500 customers throughout North America. www.gatekeeper-systems.com On behalf of the Board, Douglas Dyment President & CEO Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements and are subject to important risks, uncertainties and assumptions, both general and specific, which give rise to the possibility that actual results or events could differ materially from our expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. As a result, we cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. For more exhaustive information on these risks and uncertainties, the reader should refer to the risk factors described in the management's discussion and analysis for the period ended February 28, 2019. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent our expectations as of the date hereof. We disclaim any intention and assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are presented for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to obtain a better understanding of our anticipated operating environment. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company undertakes no obligations to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur, unless required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44393 CASTLE ROCK, CO / ACCESSWIRE / April 29, 2019 / Riot Blockchain, Inc. (RIOT) (the 'Company') announced today that, effective at 9:00 a.m., New York City time on April 29, 2019, the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') declared effective the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Number 333-230290), as amended (the 'Registration Statement'), filed by the Company for the resale of the common shares underlying the rights issued in connection with the January 28, 2019 convertible notes private placement first reported by the Company on February 1, 2019 (the 'Private Placement'). The Private Placement included, among other provisions, a requirement that the underlying common shares be registered for resale with the SEC and, with this notice of effectiveness, that requirement has been fulfilled. Any description of the Private Placement and the Company's obligations thereunder in the foregoing is entirely qualified by reference to the exhibits to the Company's current report on Form 8-K dated February 1, 2019, which, along with all of our SEC filings, is available at https://ir.riotblockchain.com/all-sec-filings. This press release is not an offer to sell or exchange any securities of the Company, nor is it the solicitation of an offer to sell or exchange any securities of the Company. The Company will only offer to sell or exchange its securities to the public by filing a prospectus or prospectus supplement to the Registration Statement with the SEC. About Riot Blockchain Riot Blockchain is focused on building, operating, and supporting blockchain technologies. Its primary operations consist of cryptocurrency mining, targeted development of exchange platforms, along with other investments within the sector. For more information, visit: http://www.RiotBlockchain.com/. Investor Notice Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks, uncertainties and forward-looking statements described under "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of our most recent Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on April 2, 2019, as amended by Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A filed on April 23, 2019, as well as those risk factors disclosed in periodic and current reports we file with the SEC. If any of these risks were to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations would likely suffer. In that event, the value of our securities could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment. The risks and uncertainties we describe are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. In addition, our past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results in the future. See "Safe Harbor" below. Safe Harbor The information provided in this press release may include forward-looking statements relating to future events or the future financial performance of the Company. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "will," "potential," "hope" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations of the Company and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties. Detailed information regarding factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by statements in this press release relating to the Company may be found in the Company's periodic and current filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the factors described in the sections entitled "Risk Factors", copies of which may be obtained from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Media Contact: PR@RiotBlockchain.com IR@RiotBlockchain.com SOURCE: Riot Blockchain, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/543411/Riot-Blockchain-Announces-Effectiveness-of-Registration-Statement-for-the-Resale-of-Shares-Underlying-the-January-2019-Private-Placement DUBAI (Reuters) - The real estate affiliate of billionaire investor Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc said on Sunday it will expand its brokerage operations into the Middle East by opening an office in Dubai. DUBAI (Reuters) - The real estate affiliate of billionaire investor Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc said on Sunday it will expand its brokerage operations into the Middle East by opening an office in Dubai. It said it also plans to open a second United Arab Emirates office in Abu Dhabi "within a year". Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Gulf Properties will be led by Chairman Ihsan Husein Al Marzouqi and Chief Executive Officer Phil Sheridan, a company statement said. They will have a team of 30 advisers and support staff. "Dubai has been a top priority for our network's global expansion as it represents innovation among world leaders and is a top global center for trade, logistics, tourism and finance," said Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chairman, Gino Blefari. The company's expansion into Dubai comes despite a downturn which has seen property prices fall by more than a quarter from a peak in mid-2014, hurting earnings of the emirate's top developers and forcing construction and engineering firms to cut jobs and halt expansion plans. S&P Global Ratings said in February Dubai residential property prices will fall another 5-10 percent this year due to a continued gap between supply and demand, before steadying in 2020. House prices in the highly diversified economy of Dubai in 2009-2010 plunged more than 50 percent from their peak. This forced Dubai to seek a $20 billion bailout from oil-rich Abu Dhabi to escape a debt crisis, which had threatened to force some state-linked companies to default on billions of dollars of debt. (Reporting by Tuqa Khalid; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By David Ljunggren OTTAWA (Reuters) - The leaders of Canada and Japan on Sunday touted the benefits of a Pacific trade deal that U.S. President Donald Trump walked away from and said the pact should serve as a model for future agreements. By David Ljunggren OTTAWA (Reuters) - The leaders of Canada and Japan on Sunday touted the benefits of a Pacific trade deal that U.S. President Donald Trump walked away from and said the pact should serve as a model for future agreements. The landmark 11-country trade deal, a revamped version of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), came into force last December. It does not include the United States, which pulled out of talks on the initial TPP in 2017. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said exports of some beef products from Canada to Japan had increased nearly threefold under the deal, formally known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). "(This deal) has benefited tremendously Canadian citizens, Japanese citizens and businesses and indeed people throughout the region," he told a news conference after talks with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. "(That) stands in stark contrast with the United States withdrawal ... continuing to move forward on freer more open trade, according to the rules we can all agree on, is something we need more in the world," he said. Trump, whose administration is working on a bilateral free trade deal with Japan, said on Friday after meeting Abe that an agreement could be reached next month. Both men, however, made clear they differed in some areas with Trump citing Japanese tariffs on American agricultural products and Abe bringing up U.S. tariffs on Japanese autos. Abe said the CPTPP "should be a model going forward," describing it as a meaningful way "to disseminate a 21st century type of free and fair rules-based (trade)." Abe, speaking through an interpreter, told the news conference that Canada and Japan would work to expand the number of nations inside the CPTPP. (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Bill Trott) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. InterGlobe Hotels was established in 2004 for development of the 'ibis' network of hotels in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh New Delhi: InterGlobe Hotels, a joint venture between InterGlobe Enterprises and global hospitality major Accor Hotels, plans to invest around Rs 700 crore to add six hotels in India by 2022, a top company official said. The company currently has 19 hotels across the country under 'Ibis' brand with 3,559 rooms. "By 2022 we will have up to 25 hotels in India. We will be adding 6 more hotels in the country. We will be investing around Rs 700 crore for this expansion," InterGlobe Hotels President and CEO J B Singh told PTI. The new hotels will come up at Bengaluru, Mumbai, Thane and Goa. With the addition of these six hotels, we will be adding around 980 roooms, he added. InterGlobe Hotels has already invested around Rs 2,000 crore in the portfolio of 'Ibis' hotels so far, Singh said. When asked about the strategy the company follows for expansion, he said; "In our system of development, we look at almost 200 opportunities in a year where we can invest, but we have our own criteria for investment. We focus on the cities and locations where we want to be present". Secondly the company also follows the strategy of densifying presence in the cities where we are already present, he added. On being asked how the InterGlobe Hotels will fund the expansion, Singh said: "It will be through a mix of debt and equity. Around 50 percent will be equity and 50 percent will be debt". Highlighting the need for more hotel rooms in the country, Singh said, "There is a huge need for more hotel rooms at the rate the economy is growing. There is vacuum in the mid-market segment. Opportunity here is enormous". InterGlobe Hotels was established in 2004 for development of the 'ibis' network of hotels in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. While Accor owns 40 percent stake in the JV, InterGlobe Enterprises has a 60 per cent stake, Singh said. Jet Airways pilots revealed why they continued to nurture hope and refuse to look for a job elsewhere even as their future with the airline is uncertain Jet Airways will once again soar to the skies, said its pilots even as the cash-strapped airline is waiting for a bidder. After flying for 25 years, Jet announced grounding of its fleet after its lenders declined interim funding of Rs 400 crore. Jet Airways owes over Rs 8,400 crore to banks. The SBI-led lenders' consortium of Jet Airways is trying to recover their dues through the sale of the airline. SBI Caps, the merchant banking arm of SBI, is currently shortlisting the investors. The shortlisted bidders - Etihad Airways, TPG Capital, Indigo Partners and National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) - have to submit their final bids by 10 May, according to a report in The Economic Times. Speaking to Firstpost, Jet Airways pilots revealed why they continue to nurture hope and refuse to look for a job elsewhere even as their future with the airline is uncertain. What stood out prominently in the conversation was the pilots sense of pride in working for Jet Airways. It is Indias best airline that even people living abroad chose over other foreign airlines while flying to India. We still are the best, they said. Few pilots (most of them wanted to remain anonymous) shared their views and angst about their jobs and the future of the airline. Captain Vikram (name changed) joined the airline 24 years ago after working for Vayudoot and said that he is nearing retirement. I want to sign off my career by flying Jet Airways, he said. I was one of the first few commanders of the Boeing 737. I have had fantastic growth in my career here. From being a trainee pilot for the 737, to becoming an examiner on 737, opportunities on Airbus 340s, and then Airbus 330, to holding management positionscareer growth opportunities have been plenty, said Vikram, with pride in his voice. Echoing Captain Vikram, Captain Sarvesh K Gupta, said that when he joined the airline, it had 7 aircraft. Flying for Jet Airways was Guptas first job and he wants to stick around as long as Jet Airways has a chance to become airborne again citing its professionalism a reason why airline crew and its guests too are shocked by the turn of events. We had impeccable training, our safety records are the best, our services to our guests from booking a ticket, exiting our aircraft, we offer the best services and there is a comfort level for the guests. You can send your child unaccompanied and be ensure that he/she will be taken care of even if the aircraft had an exigency, he said. Jet Airways has been grappling with financial woes that resulted in the full-service carrier delaying payment of salaries to staff, including pilots. The airline posted a loss of Rs 1,261 crore in the three months ended September. The Naresh Goyal-controlled private carrier has been reporting losses since the last three successive quarters. Since Jet Airways suspended all operations on 17 April, after its lenders rejected its plea for emergency funding, it has lost all its aircraft, and also some of its slots to other rival airlines. With operations halted, as many as 440 slots of the airline are lying vacant at Delhi and Mumbai airports which will be allocated to other airlines in a transparent manner, a senior official said last week. Naresh Goyal did his best, say employees The airline has had a few takers like Tatas, for instance, which in November last year made a bid to buy a controlling stake in Jet Airways, but wanted the exit of the airline's then existing promoters, the Naresh Goyal family. Goyal stepped down from the board of Jet Airways on 25 March. Shares of Jet Airways jumped over 15 percent after media report claiming Goyal had agreed to reduce his stake. Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi-based strategic partner of Jet has 24 percent pre-dilution stake while Goyal has a 20 percent stake. Jet has an accumulated loss of about Rs 920 crore. The airlines future might have been different if Goyal had exited early, say analysts. Captain Karan Chopra of National Aviator's Guild (NAG), We would be looking at a different Jet Airways now if Goyal had exited early. Our value would not have depleted. Chopra is a Boeing 777 commander with 19 years of experience as a pilot, and also heads the NAG, the union representing pilots of Jet Airways. However, Chopra felt it was too simplistic a solution to believe Goyal would throw in the towel without putting up a fight. He reasoned, it is not right to expect Goyal to easily give up his share in the airline he founded. When the airline was doing well for 24 years, the Goyal business model was hailed as one of the best, but when the airline was facing financial difficulties, the same model was blamed for the loss. This is akin to blaming Virat Kohli for India losing a match, said Chopra. Conspiracy theory Chopra points out three reasons as to why he felt the airline started its descent less than a year ago till it hit the ground and had to suspend operations in April 2019. The Air Sahara deal, struck in January 2007 for $500 million that got Jet Airways Sahara's international routes and some aircraft, was a bad deal which Goyal realised soon. From the time we started declaring losses, the airlines future was slowly on a descent. The balance sheet did not reflect operational profits but non-operational profits. Operational profit was hit with high fuel costs, dollar rates, ticket fares because of intense competition from low-cost airlines. Even if we offered low-cost tickets, our overhead as a full-service airline was 25 percent to 30 percent higher than other airlines, he said. Another issue was the airline management overlooked its manpower increase. The number of staff we had was unnecessary. It is a mix of mismanagement and leakages we could not plug, said Chopra. Some pilots hinted at a conspiracy to bring the airline down. From operating over 120 aircraft a month ago to none now, it seems a bit too much to believe that this is coincidental to lack of finances, said a pilot. There is much more here than merits the eye. SBI said it would lend money if Naresh Goyal stepped down and then when the latter did, the bank-led consortium changed its mind. SpiceJet was given funds by the government when it ceased operations in December 2014. Why cant the same be done with Jet Airways, asked a pilot. Another issue was of management slip-ups. Captain Gupta said, internally we have not had the best management. If operations and training are not taken care of well, any airline can bleed to death. Our cost control measures were not good, but there is a smell of foul play with the way things are panning out. It needs to be investigated, he said. Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy in a letter to the civil aviation minister Suresh Prabhu said Jet Airways should be merged with Air India not only to ensure that air services are not restricted but also to enable Air India to recover its former premier position, the Mint reported. Merge Jet Airways with Air India: Subramanian Swamy https://t.co/jiOOGKcay6 Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) April 25, 2019 Chopra sent a letter on behalf of NAG to the prime minister last week. In the letter, he urged the Prime Minister to intervene in the matter and order a probe to establish whether a larger conspiracy was at play, or of any collusion between SBI and Etihad, as the only one decimated here, has been the employees and Jet Airways at large. Chopra pointed out that with Naresh Goyal no longer in the helm and SBI not willing to give funds, the airline employees have no choice but to go to the government to ask for funds. We are not expecting SBI to run the airline but we would be flying now if they had come to our aid. Now, we have lost the airline, slots and pilots too. But a large majority of us are still here as we are hopeful that there will be a buyer for the airline, he said. NBCC said it entered into the insolvency proceedings of Jaypee Infratech to provide relief to over 20,000 home buyers. New Delhi: As its bid to acquire Jaypee Infratech got rejected by lenders, state-owned NBCC has written to the interim resolution professional (IRP) that the company is interested in taking over Jaypee group firm and its offer should be considered on merit. NBCC, which is also completing some projects of Amrapali group on the Supreme Court's direction, said its offer safeguards the interests of bankers as well as home buyers. In its meeting on 26 April, a committee of creditors (CoC) decided not to consider NBCC's bid as it was subject to approval of various government authorities. NBCC had in the meeting sought some time to take all the necessary approvals. However, the lenders decided to put on vote on April 30 the offer of Suraksha Realty-led consortium and not that of NBCC. In a letter to Jaypee Infratech's IRP Anuj Jain, NBCC has said it is very much interested in acquiring bankruptcy-bound Jaypee Infratech and its resolution plan should be considered on merit. NBCC had informed to the lenders during the meet on 26 April that the company was in process of seeking government approvals and it should be given some time before the voting could be carried out on its plan, the letter said. "NBCC continues to be very interested in the resolution process and accord the interest of the homebuyers, utmost priority," the letter said. NBCC said it entered into the insolvency proceedings of Jaypee Infratech to provide relief to over 20,000 home buyers. To protect financial creditors interest, NBCC said it has offered Rs 5,000 crore worth land as well as 100 per cent equity of Yamuna Expressway, which is the only cash generating asset with Jaypee Infratech. "We are confident that our proposal will safeguard the interest of the homebuyers and the lenders. Therefore, we request the CoC to consider our proposal on merit," NBCC said in the letter. Meanwhile, business conglomerate Adani Group had also recently expressed interest to bid for Jaypee Infratech. However, lenders are unlikely to seek Adani's offer until this round of insolvency proceedings gets completed. Crisis-hit Jaypee Group's promoters too have made a fresh attempt to retain control over its realty arm Jaypee Infratech by seeking the support of homebuyers for its debt resolution plan under the IBC. Jaypee Group Chairman Manoj Gaur has promised to infuse Rs 2,000 crore to complete apartments over the next four years. The group had submitted a Rs 10,000-crore plan before lenders in April 2018 as well, but the same was not accepted. In 2017, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) admitted the application by an IDBI Bank-led consortium seeking resolution of Jaypee Infratech. Anuj Jain was appointed the IRP to oversee the company's operations and undertake insolvency proceedings. 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's direction. The realty firm has an outstanding debt of nearly Rs 9,800 crore. Jaypee Group's flagship firm Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL) had submitted Rs 750 crore in the registry of the Supreme Court for the refund to buyers and the amount is lying with the NCLT. Jaypee Infratech is a subsidiary of JAL. Several consumers have filed complaints through a mobile app -Iris Peridot - that GST was charged by small restaurants but the eatery neither deposited taxes with the government nor filed GST returns New Delhi: GST officers are working out a mechanism to deal with non-payment of taxes by a large number of small restaurants and B2C entities which are collecting taxes from customers but not depositing the levy with the government. Several consumers have filed complaints through a mobile app -Iris Peridot - that GST was charged by small restaurants but the eatery neither deposited taxes with the government nor filed GST returns. Many customers have downloaded the Iris Peridot app, developed by a GST Suvidha Provider, allowing them to scan the unique GST Identification Number (GSTIN) of a business and find out whether the returns have been filed by the entity. Complaints of consumers about non-filing of returns by the entities which are charging Goods and Services Tax (GST) are being forwarded on a real-time basis to the tax department for further action. Small businesses with an annual turnover of up to Rs 1.50 crore can opt for the composition scheme and file returns quarterly. However, such businesses are not allowed to charge GST from consumers and are required to print on their invoice that they are under the composition scheme and hence not supposed to charge GST on supplies. Under the composition scheme, traders and manufacturers pay 1 percent GST on their turnover, while restaurants and service providers pay 5 percent and 6 percent taxes respectively. "We have received several complaints from consumers with regard to charging of GST by entities who have not been filing returns. Some customers have also flagged the issue of charging of GST by small local restaurants who otherwise would be under the composition scheme," an official told PTI. As the number of complaints is very large, the tax department is developing a mechanism to find out the quantum of possible tax evasion and refer them to field offices for follow-up actions. "In absence of sufficient manpower to deal with such huge number of complaints with relatively small tax implication, it has become an administrative nightmare for the department," the official said, adding similar complaints have also started coming in against small B2C entities dealing in hardware, sanitary ware, furniture, electrical goods. PwC India Partner and Leader (Indirect Tax) Pratik Jain said tax evasion at B2C level remains a big concern for the government. "To achieve over 20 percent projected growth in GST collection in current fiscal, it's important that evasion in B2C segment significantly reduces. Governments across the globe are trying to find ways to incentivise consumers to help in creating a more compliant eco-system, which we need to explore as well. Also the tax policy should be aligned to check tax evasion," Jain said. Jain further said restricting input credits for restaurants and real estate sector may disincentivise the businesses to come in the tax chain and such policies need to be carefully reviewed. EY Tax Partner Abhishek Jain said, "with significant growth in GST collections envisaged in this Financial Year, the focus of the government would be to plug GST leakages". For 2019-20, the government proposes to collect Rs 6.10 lakh crore from Central GST and Rs 1.01 lakh crore as compensation cess. The Integrated GST balance has been pegged at Rs 50,000 crore. The Central GST collection in 2018-19 fiscal was Rs 4.25 lakh crore, while compensation cess was over Rs 97,000 crore. Naresh Goyal, the biological parent of Jet Airways is now a minority shareholder with about 20% stake Jet Airways, whose wings have been flailing for a long time, is now a quasi-nationalised entity with banks led by State Bank of India (SBI) getting to control 50.5 percent of its equity. Some 114 million shares were issued to them a couple of weeks ago at a deep-discount price of Re 1 per share as mandated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) norms for conversion of loans into equity when the defaulting borrowers net worth is in the negative. Naresh Goyal, the biological parent of Jet, is now a minority shareholder with about 20 percent stake. Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi based strategic partner of Jet retain its 24 percent pre-dilution stake in Jet but is ready to pump in more when the market price of the shares nosedive to Rs 150 per share. Jet has an accumulated loss of about Rs 920 crore. While many in the know have questioned the wisdom of the consortium of banks led by SBI taking up the reins of an airline, the banks argument is they are only interim Popes and would soon find a suitor, may be Etihad itself, to which the shares would be offloaded. Critics aver that this is a pipe dream and the SBI-led consortium has jumped from fire to frying pan by converting a portion of their debts (undisclosed) into equity. Airlines fortunes have been plummeting in India thanks to fierce competition and mounting fuel bills. Meanwhile, employees of Jet Airways have become emboldened to ask SBI to release at least one month of their salary out of six months salary reportedly in arrears. And why not? SBI and PNB---the two of the equity-for-debt enthusiasts who have gone overboard to the extent of offering to buyout the other banks loans to Jethave after all sent out the signal that they are now not the snapping-at-the-heels lenders but benign, caring investors as well. This dual rolelender-cum-investorhas made SBI in the public eye the savior of the beleaguered Jet Airways, come what may. In other words, the public perception is far from going for the jugular to recover their dues, banks would handle Jet Airways with kid-gloves so that it can be nursed back to health and suitors dont spurn it. Therefore, the first step in this new worldview is keeping the employees happy. The employees see in SBI a new parent now that Naresh Goyal has been banished from the corner office. It is like a child taking liberties with its father. If my organisation is unable to pay my salary, isnt it your duty to pay up as a parent, seems to be their suave argument. And with elections in high gear, the government might again succumb to their emotional blackmail and ask SBI to give further loans so as to enable Jet Airways pay off some of the salary arrears. Remember the SBI-led consortium did not want to throw good money after bad which is why it embraced the conversion route but then conversion has morphed it into a parental role from which it cannot shy away. Banks have truly painted themselves into a corner. Others might follow suit. Suppliers like IOC might not lag behind. Lessors of planes might also put similar pressure. Banks may not be able to parry them off because unless Jet Airways takes wings again there is no hope of attracting suitors and ultimately unloading the equity stakes besides recovering the un-converted portion of the loans. Banks would have been better off had Jet Airways gone to National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). It would not have been their lot to find a suitor for the airline. It would not have been the SBIs lot to pump in money now that the mantlelof parent is upon it. Controlling stake in a losing company is not something to be coveted. But the banks have committed this cardinal sin. In the event, while their equity investments would earn them nothing for a long time, their loan exposure is bound to mount. Dual rolelender cum investoris a recipe for disaster. (The author is a senior columnist and tweets @smurlidharan) Vistara currently has Airbus A320 in its narrow body fleet and for wide body, it has placed firm order for six Boeing 787 Dreamliner 787-9 and has four of them on option, the report said. Vistara, the Tata-SIA Airlines joint venture, is expected to induct some of the Boeing 737 aircraft in its fleet which were previously owned by the temporarily grounded Jet Airways, said media reports. According to The Times of India, the full-service carrier reportedly interviewed a few B737 pilots of Jet Airways and offered to take them on board besides planning to induct some of the Boeing 737s to increase its fleet strength. Vistara currently has Airbus A320 in its narrowbody fleet and for wide-body, it has placed a firm order for six Boeing 787 Dreamliner 787-9 and has four of them on option, the report said. As part of expanding its network, Vistara is reportedly planning to increase its staff strength and will conduct the recruitment process this week in Mumbai, said a Moneycontrol report. "Vistara will undertake a short differences training for pilots, crew and engineers to comply with its standards and will be in operation soon," the report said quoting a senior industry executive. Early this month, Vistara had announced the addition of 14 new flights in the domestic network, starting 7 April. The proposed additional services were on Bengaluru, Kolkata and Hyderabad from Mumbai besides on the Hyderabad-Pune routes to meet the demand during the peak travel season in the April-July period. Last month, Vistara got the government approval to fly on international routes. Civil aviation secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola said that Vistara had been authorised to mount international flights now. The airline may launch its inaugural international flight to Colombo in a couple of months, a PTI report said. Early last month, Vistara Airlines had announced to start daily flights from Dibrugarh in Assam to Bagdogra in West Bengal from 3 April this year. Moreover, from 3 April, the airline stated that the same aircraft would then head to Delhi daily, making it a Dibrugarh-Delhi flight via Bagdogra. In February this year, The Tata-SIA joint venture and Japan Airlines announced a codeshare pact from 28 February, making it the fourth such tie-ups for the youngest full-service domestic carrier, said a PTI report. Vistara already has similar tie-ups with British Airways, Singapore Airlines and its subsidiary and SilkAir. Vistara and the Japanese flag carrier already have an interline/through check-in partnership and the two airlines had signed an initial agreement in September 2017 to pursue commercial opportunities together, Vistara said in a statement Friday. With PTI inputs Fixed deposits and tax-free bonds seem to be among the most favoured financial investments for the political leaders fighting the 2019 Lok Sabha polls New Delhi: Fixed deposits and tax-free bonds seem to be among the most favoured financial investments for the political leaders fighting the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, while mutual funds and stocks also adorn the portfolios of many and some even have got shares of long-defunct firms like Kingfisher Airlines. Shares of Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), the country's most valued company with a market capitalisation of over Rs 8.82 lakh crore, can be found in the portfolios of several leaders, while stocks and mutual fund units of the firms from younger brother Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group are also a common sight, as per disclosures made in election affidavits of the contestants. However, some top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi have no stock market or mutual fund exposure at all and their financial savings are limited to deposits in banks, tax-free bonds, insurance policies and instruments like National Savings Certificate. The direct equity investments for a few are limited to unlisted companies, including those owned by their families. BJP President Amit Shah has disclosed a long list of listed and unlisted shares in his name and in the name of his spouse. The listed shares in his name, totalling over Rs 17.5 crore, include companies from Aditya Birla Group, Bajaj, L&T, Tata and both Reliance groups, as also several PSUs. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has disclosed equity holding in Young Indian and investments in several mutual funds. The portfolio of his mother and senior party leader Sonia Gandhi includes equity shares of Young Indian and Maruti Technical Services Pvt Ltd and mutual fund units of HDFC, Kotak, Motilal Oswal and Reliance MF. NCP's Supriya Sule, daughter of veteran leader Sharad Pawar, has got unlisted shares worth over Rs 1 crore and listed shares worth over Rs 6 crore, besides some mutual funds. The listed shares include those of Adani Group firms, the two Reliance groups, several Tata firms and even Kingfisher Airlines as also of some other companies from the erstwhile UB Group, including United Spirits which was sold by defaulter businessman Vijay Mallya to global liquor giant Diageo Plc. Kingfisher shares have long been delisted from the stock exchanges, though they quoted at above Rs 300 apiece once. The stocks eventually slipped below Re 1 and trading was eventually suspended in 2014-end after mounting troubles for the erstwhile luxury airline had led to its closure. Union minister and BJP candidate from Nagpur Nitin Gadkari has equity shares of Purti Power and Sugar Ltd, among other investments. Poonam Mahajan, BJP candidate from Mumbai North Central, has disclosed listed equity investments by her spouse in Kingfisher Airlines, as also in Reliance Industries, TCS, Vodafone Idea Cellular and Reliance Power. Her Congress rival Priya Dutt has listed several mutual fund and portfolio schemes totalling about Rs 14.92 crore, while the listed shares disclosed in the name of her spouse include Reliance Industries, Reliance Infra and Reliance Power. Congress candidate from Mumbai South, Murli Deora, has disclosed multiple bonds, structured market products, PMS account, mutual funds and FMPs (fixed maturity plans). Actress-turned-politician Urmila Matondkar, Congress candidate from Mumbai North, has disclosed Rs 28.28 crore worth investment in shares, bonds and mutual funds and PMS (portfolio management service) investments worth about Rs 6 crore, but the individual stocks/units were not disclosed. Jaya Prada, another former actress and the BJP candidate from Rampur in Uttar Pradesh, has also disclosed investments in some listed companies such as Energy Development Company Ltd (which has got her political mentor Amar Singh as a promoter), Coal India, HDFC Bank, ITC, MCX and Reliance Industries. Actor-politician Raj Babbar, the Congress candidate from Fatehpur Sikri, has investments in IL&FS Transportation Networks Ltd. Among other Uttar Pradesh candidates, Union minister and BJP leader Satyapal Singh has disclosed investments worth Rs 1.5 lakh in mutual funds and bonds in his name and some equity shares held by his spouse including of Reliance Capital and Reliance Industries. Another union minister V K Singh and his spouse have also invested in various mutual funds. (Disclaimer: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd which publishes Firstpost) At least five fire engines, a Quick Response Vehicle, one ambulance and several Fire Brigade personnel have reached the site for dousing operations, an official said. Mumbai: A fire broke out in a ground-plus-one building housing a Big Bazaar outlet in the city's Matunga West area on Monday afternoon, an official said. At least five fire engines, a Quick Response Vehicle, one ambulance and several Fire Brigade personnel have reached the site for dousing operations, he said. All the people who were inside the store at the time of the fire managed to rush out to safety and no casualty has been reported as yet, he added. Firefighting operations were continuing, he said. The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBOSE) has declared the Class 10 board exam result on its official website hpbose.org. HPBOSE 10th Result 2019 | The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBOSE) declared the Class 10 board exam result on Monday, 29 April. Students can check the official website hpbose.org for their scores. Candidates can log in to the website with their roll number mentioned on their admit card and see their scores once they are declared. The Himachal Pradesh board conducted the Class 10 exams from 7 March to 29 March. Follow LIVE updates here Around 1 lakh students were registered for the exam and are expected to check their results on Monday. In 2018, the HPBOSE Class 10 result was declared on 3 May and the overall pass percentage was 66.15 percent. Students are advised to keep their roll number and other details ready to login to check their results. Steps to check HPBOSE Class 10 results on official website: Step 1: Log on to the website Step 2: Click on the 'results' link on the homepage Step 3: Select the HPBOSE Class 10 link Step 4: Select the 'search' button once you log in. Step 5: Once the results are displayed, take a print out for future reference. HPBOSE had declared the Class 12 results on 23 April. Over 95,492 students appeared for Class 12 exams, of which, 62.01 percent passed. A total of 16,121 students have to appear for compartment exams. A total of 49136 boys appeared for the exam, of which 28,375 passed. Girls outshone boys this year, too, with 30,574 of the 45,784 girls who registered passing. Violence marred the first few hours of polling in West Bengal, where the fourth phase of elections is underway in eight Lok Sabha constituencies Kolkata: Violence marred the first few hours of polling in West Bengal, where the fourth phase of elections is underway in eight Lok Sabha constituencies. According to senior election official, clashes broke out between the supporters of rival parties in Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Siuri areas of Birbhum seat, injuring several people on the two sides. In Dubrajpur area of the constituency, voters allegedly engaged in a scuffle with the central forces when they were barred from entering the booths with mobile phones. Security personnel reportedly opened fire in the air to control the mob, following which polling was stalled in the booths, the official said. The state election office has also received reports of violence from Jemua and Barabani areas of Bardhaman East constituency, he maintained. "In Barabani, BJP candidate and central minister Babul Supriyo's vehicle was vandalised allegedly by TMC workers outside a polling station, while in Jemua, voters fled from a polling station after being threatened by miscreants," he told PTI. According to reports, Supriyo had a tiff with polling officials inside a booth, following which TMC supporters attacked his vehicle. "Polling was peaceful in the first two hours. However, news of clashes started surfacing thereafter. We have sought reports from each of these places. Our officials are monitoring the situation and taking proper measures to conduct the election in a free and fair manner," he said. In Birbhum constituency, the Election Commission has show-caused BJP candidate Dudh Kumar Mondal after he was seen talking over a mobile phone inside a polling booth, just before casting his ballot, the official said, adding that the presiding officer of the station has been removed. Notably, the poll panel has put TMC's Birbhum president Anubrata Mondal under scanner after poll workers complained that they feel "threatened" by his presence. A total of 1,34,56,491 electorate is set decide the fate of 68 candidates Monday in the eight constituencies - Baharampur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat (SC), Burdwan East (SC), Burdwan-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur (SC) and Birbhum. The EC has deployed 580 companies of central forces to man over 98 per cent of the polling booths in these constituencies to ensure free and fair polling. To vote in any election, it is mandatory to have an election ID card and the electoral rolls must have your name, which can now be added online, as well. Phase 7 of the Lok Sabha election 2019 will be held today, on Sunday, 19 May, with as many as 59 Lok Sabha constituencies across seven states going to polls. The electorate will vote in all parliamentary constituencies in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, along with the Union Territory of Chandigarh. In Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, voting will take place in a few Lok Sabha constituencies. The Election Commission had announced the dates on 10 March, kick-starting a mega electoral battle where the BJP will pitch for a re-election of the Modi government amid the Opposition's efforts for a united fight to unseat it. The first six phases were held on 11 April, 18 April, 23 April, 29 April, 6 May and 12 May. Phase 7 is on Sunday, 19 May. Nearly 90 crore voters will choose their representatives in Parliament from 543 Lok Sabha seats. Here is how to check whether your name is on the voter list: Step 1: Visit the National Voters' Service portal on www.nvsp.in Step 2: Select the option at the top left that says 'Search Your Name in Electoral Roll' Step 3: You can choose between options: "Search by EPIC number" or "Search by details", to verify if your name on the portal Step 4: Select the 'Search by the EPIC number' and enter your details and hit the 'Search' button Step 5: Your details will appear in the search result at the bottom of the webpage Step 6: If it does not, that means you're name's most likely missing from the electoral list Step 7: You can also opt for 'Search by Details'. The portal will ask you to enter information such as name, age, DoB, state, sex and district Step 8: Fill in the details and if your name appears, that means you eligible to vote in your area The Election Commission of India published the electoral roll on its website on 31 January. And as long as you're mentioned in the electoral rolls, you can show any identity card such as voter's card or Aadhaar to cast your ballot. The last phase in the seven-stage Lok Sabha elections 2019 will be held today, on 19 May, with 59 Lok Sabha constituencies across nine states set to vote. The seventh and the last phase of Lok Sabha elections 2019 will be held on Sunday (19 May), with as many as 59 Lok Sabha constituencies across six states and a Union Territory scheduled to vote. This Lok Sabha election, nearly 90 crore voters will cast their ballots till 19 May the last phase with the results on 23 May. Of the lot, nearly 1.5 crore voters are in the age group of 18 to 19, which means they will be voting for the very first time this election. The most basic unit of the electoral process in India is the polling station, where eligible citizens go to vote for their preferred candidate. For the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission has made arrangements for over 10 lakh polling booths across the 543 parliamentary constituencies in India. Here is a step-by-step guide to finding your polling booth ahead of the voting: Step 1: Go to the National Voters Service Portal website. Step 2: On the extreme right hand side of the website, under 'Citizen Information', click on 'Booth, AC, PC'. Step 3: Users will be redirected to a page with two tabs 'Search by Details' and 'Search by EPIC Number'. Either option can be used to find the polling station. Step 4: In the 'Search by Details' tab, users have to provide details such as their name, their father or husband's name, gender and date of birth or age before choosing their state, district and Assembly/ Lok Sabha constituency from a drop-down menu. Step 5 (optional): Alternatively, users can also choose to locate the geographical details on a map. Once done, they can complete the process by entering the captcha text and clicking search. Step 6: In the 'Search by EPIC Number' tab, users have to enter their EPIC (Election Photo Identity Card) number, choose the state where their Lok Sabha constituency is located from the drop-down list and then enter the mandatory captcha text. After submitting the required information in either tab, users can get the exact address of their polling station. The information box also includes a "view details" button, that redirects users to a page with additional details, such as part name, part number and serial number. Voters can also find the name and number of the Booth Level Officer, District Election Officer and the Electoral Roll Registration Officer. The tumultuous political year for Portage began with Republican Mayor James Snyder being removed from office by state statute after being convicted on two federal corruption charges in February. He was followed in the mayors office by Councilwoman Sue Lynch, D-At large, who was city council president and according to Indiana law, became the next mayor until a Republican caucus was held to name the mayor that would fill in for the remainder of this year. The Election Commission has launched a Voter Helpline app, the 1950 voter helpline and nvsp.in to help voters check their polling station and contact details of booth level, electoral registration officers and district officers. Around 90 crore people are eligible to vote in the seven-phase Lok Sabha Election 2019 that begun on 11 April, which is nearly the combined population of the whole of Europe and Brazil. About 432 million of these voters are women. With a view to ensure a smooth Lok Sabha election and Assembly elections (Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh), the Election Commission of India strengthened its toll-free voter helpline 1950 in February 2019 making it easy for voters to get authentic information about their voter registration. Voters enrolled in the electoral roll can check details of their personal information, polling station where they have to go to vote on polling day and contact details of booth-level officers, electoral registration officers and district election officers by using the voter helpline mobile app, or by visiting the nvsp.in portal or by calling 1950 helpline. Electors can also call the helpline to register any election-related complaint between 8 am and 8 pm in Hindi or English on all working days. The callers identity is kept anonymous. Services through SMS can also be availed by citizens by sending SMS without any cost to 1950. Here is the list of services that can be availed on SMS and the format to send SMS to 1950: To check your details in the electoral roll: Send an SMS in the format spacespace<0> (for reply in English) or <1> (for reply in the regional language) To get address of polling station where you are needed to to cast vote: SEND an SMS in the format: space To fetch the contact details of Booth Level Officers, Electoral Registration Officers and District Election Officers: Send an SMS in the format space In India's garment sector, which is estimated to be the second-largest employer in the country, the state of Karnataka plays an especially important role. 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. *** Bengaluru: In India's garment sector, which is estimated to be the second-largest employer in the country after agriculture, Karnataka plays an especially important role. It is responsible for 20 percent of the national garment production and 8 percent of all Indian garment exports. Home to roughly 1,200 garment factories, employing 5,00,000 workers (80 percent of whom are women), its workforce for a long time was mainly migrant women from neighbouring villages and tribal areas of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. However, over the last few years, a new recruiting trend has emerged. Large numbers of women workers in their late teens and early twenties are being brought to the garment factories from northern and eastern states like Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam and Madhya Pradesh under government-sponsored schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana or Skill India. For women at these workplaces, the struggle is real, even for local women who have the advantages of language and mobility. So migrant women from the north and east of the country are doubly vulnerable to exploitation in an industry that is plagued with low or delayed salaries as well as physical and mental harassment at work. With barely 3 percent of the workforce unionised, thanks to strict rules in the companies against joining unions, bringing companies to task for violating labour laws remains an uphill task. And thanks to the high attrition rates in the industry, women are more likely to quit their jobs and move to another company rather than take on the management. The fragmented workforce also means politicos give these women a wide berth, despite there being regular strikes and protests. Senior activist and state general secretary of the All India Democratic Womens Association Gowramma says, Elections dont affect labourers much. Sometimes, the owner of a factory or his son are contesting, and they ask the employees to vote for them, promising better treatment, wages and other things if they win. But the state of the industry shows that most promises remain unfulfilled. The past term has been a mixed bag for these workers. In 2016, the Union governments special package of Rs 6,000 crore for the textile and apparel industry which was publicised as leading to an increase of $30 billion in exports as well as the creation of one crore jobs over the next three years introduced flexible labour norms to increase productivity. Workers' unions across India condemned the changes in labour norms as anti-worker. One of the changes makes Provident Fund optional for employees earning less than Rs 15,000 a month, which comprises the majority of workers in Bengalurus garment hub. This led to one of the largest organic protests witnessed in the industry in recent times. Over one lakh workers, overwhelmingly women, had staged a massive protest in the city, clogging up arterial roads and bringing the nations attention to their plight. The specific trigger was the Union governments decision to block workers from withdrawing a portion of the Employee Provident Fund until they turn 58. That decision has since been undone in response to the protests. This year, for the first time in 40 years, the state government has allocated money for the industry in its budget. Presented by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy for 2019-20 fiscal, the budget allotted funds for housing, skill development, and accident compensation for the labourers Rs 50 crore for a rent-based housing scheme, Rs 10 crore for childcare centres and accident compensation, and Rs 37.5 crore for skill development and apprentice training for 25,000 SC/ST women workers. These measures have filled the industrys workforce with some hope. A workforce pushed to the brink Recently, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry came up with a Worker Housing Scheme for Textiles and Garment Workers. The document explained the need for such a scheme by citing some of the most pressing problems the industry is facing the number of women workers in the garment industry is the highest in India compared to any other sector, and migration of workers has brought along its own set of problems. It added that many were forced, under different circumstances, to return to their hometowns despite wanting to continue working, and this had resulted in heavy monthly attrition of 8 to 10 percent, which in turn had burdened the industry and country with extra costs. Mother of two, Latha M (39), says, I worked in a garment factory in Uttarahalli, Bengaluru, for three years. I had to walk for 15 minutes and then take a bus. Transportation expenses cut into my meagre salary of Rs 4,800 a month. I was paid Rs 120 for overtime and Rs 100 if I had 100 percent attendance. So I pushed myself and didnt miss work, no matter what. My wages were never raised even after putting in so much work; only workload mounted, so much that it finally took a toll on my health, and I had to take a weeks leave. When I resumed work, I was sacked. Those really were the worst days of my life... Lakshmi Bavge, an activist who has been fighting for labourers and womens rights, says, One of the biggest problems workers in the informal sector face is gender-based violence. Women are harassed and abused verbally, physically, and mentally, and taken for granted. Also, wages are less and not paid on time. On June 19, 2018, Rukmini, president of the Garment Labour Union (GLU) along with workers in Bengaluru had protested for a week, demanding an increase in the minimum wages from Rs 8,500 to Rs 18,000 per month. GLU had also met then CM Siddaramaiah, but the government claimed it couldnt pay such a high amount. On 12 March this year, a 36-year-old garment worker at Texport Apparels LLP, Peenya 4th stage, was assaulted at her workplace by the general manager and a few others. More than 200 of her colleagues had then protested against the assaulters. Theyd also alleged that the Rajagopalnagar police had refused to register a case. Only after the Karnataka Garment Workers' Union (KOOGU) had stepped in that the cops had filed a case against the general manager, Shashi Kumar Shetty. A garment worker who was part of the protest says, We have been complaining about the harassment and putting letters in the complaint boxes inside the factory. Letters pile up, sometimes as many as 200; no one bothers to check them or respond, and they disappear after a few days. My friends and I were beaten up with helmets; we were scared we would lose our jobs, but we protested until action was taken. We are going through hell, says another. Nagalakshmi Bai, the chairperson of the Karnataka State Womens Commission, visited the factory and spoke to the women, later suspending the assaulters for three months and initiating an inquiry. However, MV Sagar, general manager (Human Resources), Texport Apparels LLP, says, It wasnt an issue of harassment, just a work-related problem. The woman was refusing to take instructions from her manager. When you work in hell KOOGU member Poornima says, Problems women are facing in the garments and informal sectors are endless. These sectors are made up of 80 to 85 percent women labourers, and the rest are men, most of whom are supervisors or managers. Thats where it starts working under men who dont understand women. There are countless incidents of sexual harassment, and most dont even come to light. The mental and physical abuse and stress are too much for any woman to tolerate for long. I have also seen and heard of men clicking pictures of women employees at the workplace." "There isnt any Internal Complaint Committee in place; where there is one, its members scare women into keeping quiet by threatening to fire them. In many factories, there is no toilet or clean drinking water facilities. For workers here, there are no sick leaves, government holidays or compensatory offs. Its high time all these issues are solved by putting good management in place, giving proper training to the managers, and holding seminars and workshops on womens rights. A minimum wage scheme should be followed; big brands like H&M and GAP say they pay a minimum wage of Rs 18,000, but they dont. Broken by illiteracy, lured by easy money. Why, then, have so many women taken up work in the garment and textile industry, and why do so many continue to stay put in the face of extreme torture? Gowramma explains, This is the easiest job for the uneducated, and it also has on-the-job training. So its a popular choice for someone going through financial troubles and having many mouths to feed women who are poor, women who have alcoholic husbands and face other domestic issues, and even widows and teenagers who have old parents to care for. She adds that not only are the women workers treated like doormats, they are also molested on a regular basis. There's even prostitution in this industry. Young and pretty girls who join are pimped out to buyers; threatened with job loss, they do as they are asked. Also, most factories dont have canteens, and workers are forced to eat by the roadside. Many employers dont allow women to go to washrooms either to avoid wasting time, says Gowramma. Rowdies and others who work for the local MLAs even attack union members and social workers who help such women and labourers. A reality check President of the Garment and Textile Workers Union (GATWU) Prathibha R says, So far, no party has done anything for garment workers. During a 2015 joint survey by the Centre for Workers Management and GATWU, the Union found that the wages paid to the workers were extremely low. In 2018, the Congress government had promised a wage hike from Rs 7,700 to Rs 12,000. A draft notification was brought out last February but was cancelled later. Besides low wages, transportation expenses is another serious problem. The government must give us bus services. We have conducted many awareness campaigns among the workers, especially to ensure their demands reach political parties and local netas. It remains to be seen when all this bears fruit. A member of GATWU says, Representatives of GATWU and other unions had met the CM in January 2019 to present their demands housing, transportation facilities, and scholarships for the workers children. The Budget has covered only one. Wed told the CM that the workers who stayed in rural areas were spending 10 to 15 percent of their wages on transportation, demanding that the state bear 45 percent of that cost. But the government has been silent on it as well as scholarships. Social activists along with GLU, GATWU, KOOGU, and Bangalore District Garment Workers Union are, nonetheless, keeping the fight alive, actively engaging to improve awareness levels, addressing problems, protesting, and raising their voice for the exploited workforce. The author is a Bengaluru-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters Great change comes from taking great responsibilities. So nowhere is this truer than one of the world's largest functioning democracies - India. We are just getting past the halfway point in the Lok Sabha Elections - 2019 with polling completed in 303 of 543 seats, but the uncertainty of voter turnout still hangs in the air. Maybe it's the heat, the fact that polling stations could be miles away from home or the fact that there are no provisions to help the aged and those with disabilities get to the polling stations. Or that a considerable portion of the population still lives below the poverty line and can be easily swayed to vote for whoever promises them the most benefits. However, heres where you - the informed, self-actualised voter - must step in. Instead of getting caught up in complaining about lousy roads and water problems, perhaps this time around you can decide to get to your polling station and push that voting button to take your nation into an exciting future. The voter turnout in the third phase, which covered 117 constituencies across 15 states, was 65.61% as compared to 66% polling during the 2014 general elections. While this meant that close to half the population didnt vote in 2014, this year allows us to affect real change. Leave the wishful thinking behind and let's explore why casting your vote is the most important thing you can do for your country today. Every vote is a chance for change: It can be tempting to hide behind the common consensus of what difference will it make? or when everyone does it, so will I. But, we can all agree, this is not how our best leaders thought, and thats why great change became possible. This year how about being the change we wish to see in the world, setting an example for friends, relatives and those younger than you instead. Exercise your right, own your responsibility The governance of our country is based on two things - the right to a free and fair election and the fact that everything in the constitution is of, by and for the people of this democratic nation. This means every person has power and exercising your vote means using your power for good, for progress and above all to protect the rights of generations to come. Because finally, it is we the people hold the power of choosing leaders that represent us. The fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2019 is upon us with as many as 72 Lok Sabha constituencies across nine states scheduled to vote. Of the 43 crore registered women voters, this year has already seen record turn out in the first two phases. We hope this momentum continues. another heartening fact - close to 1.5 crore of the total 90 crore voter base is in the age group of 18-19 years will be voting for the very first time this election. With results due on May 23rd, the window of opportunity for change growers ever smaller and only makes every single vote that much more precious. The only constant is change and the future will still have problems and challenges, but now is the time to come together as a nation and show up to support the candidates we believe in. Lets be the generation that fought for democracy at one of the most critical junctures in election history - today - 2019! Button Dabao Desh Banao is a Network18 initiative, presented by RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, urging every Indian to VOTE in the ongoing general elections. Follow the conversation on social media using the hashtag #ButtonDabaoDeshBanao. This is a partnered post. A Quantum Leap in the Wrong Direction? claims it moves away from partisan debates that resort to propaganda and provide no answers and that the authors rely on an assessment of available official data and other reputable information, and thereby, let the facts speak for themselves. When demonetisation struck, I reached out to some of the best-educated fellow Indians I knew bankers and economists to ask if I was missing something. From the outset, the decision sounded like a disaster to me. But nearly each and every one of them defended the move. It was only after a few months of confronting its real implications that I saw them change their minds. One of the discomfiting features of Narendra Modis time as Prime Minister has been the willingness of educated Indians to ignore everything they know to hop on to the bandwagon. Until Modi came along, people in my ambit were of two kinds: the apolitical, who couldnt care less, and the cynical, who had little faith in politicians. These last were always ready to read critiques of politicians, and knew government was often a complex and dysfunctional mess. They were wary of promises and cautious in their hopes. They didnt readily believe tall claims of development, progress or transformation. Perhaps it is Modis genius for political marketing that turned our skeptical, highly-educated Indian into one who is ready to defend the government by repeating its propaganda. Since when did educated Indians start to blindly believe anything a politician or a political party says? Where has the skeptical citizenry vanished? While the vanishing of skepticism amongst educated Indians may seem like a problem of the privileged, it is nevertheless important. Because when all the political posturing and marketing is done, there has to be a final accounting of what actually happened. If those of us who have enjoyed the privilege of education fail to conduct this final accounting, and continue to put our money and propaganda efforts in service of false messiahs, then India is truly under threat. A Quantum Leap in the Wrong Direction? is a book that claims to provide us with just this kind of accounting. The summary at the back claims the book moves away from partisan debates that resort to propaganda and provide no answers and that the authors rely on an assessment of available official data and other reputable information, and thereby, let the facts speak for themselves. These claims are backed by the editors, a group of young scholars including Rohit Azad, who teaches Economics at JNU, Shouvik Chakraborty, a researcher at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst), Srinivas Ramani, an associate editor at The Hindu, and Dipa Sinha, who teaches at the Ambedkar University, Delhi. Further weight is added by a foreword by Jayati Ghosh, and the fact that the book was launched by a prestigious panel including Amartya Sen. Strong and well-founded critique The collection contains 14 essays by 17 contributors. The topics covered include pretty much everything the government has made claims about, and that we, the citizens, would be interested in. This includes the crises in banking, agriculture and employment; it looks at primary and secondary education, health, womens welfare, the environment, and the rights of minorities and Dalits; and has essays on the NDAs record against corruption, its policies on Aadhaar, its foreign policy and record on national security, and its impact on the public sphere. The two biggest policy interventions of the regime demonetisation and the implementation of GST are present across these chapters, as both had an impact on several of these themes. The data points it brings up skewer the propaganda of the ruling party, and dismantle its attempts to hide its failures. The most notorious case of this is the withholding and subsequent leaking of the NSSO 2017-2018 survey data on unemployment. The chapter on employment by Subhanil Chowdhury in this book, while mentioning the leaked data, does not rely upon it to make its case. Instead, it presents data from other credible sources the Labour Bureaus annual and quarterly surveys (which have been discontinued by the NDA since 2016, but present data for the first two years) and the Annual Survey of Industries. For data from 2016 onwards, it turns to the Center for Monitoring the Indian Economy (CMIE). Those who argue that there is no data to show the Modi governments failures on the count of employment will do well to read this chapter. The Labour Bureau data shows that the number of people employed declined by 70 lakhs between 2013 and 2015. The ASI data shows that NDAs employment generation record in its first two years was worse than either the UPA regime in the formal sector. The CMIE data shows a decline not only in total number of people employed between 2016 and 2018, but also shows a fall in the number of people looking for work a clear sign of pessimism with regards to the job market. When it comes to agriculture, Arindam Banerjee and Ishan Anands chapter exposes the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), an insurance scheme supposed to benefit farmers. Instead, the scheme has funnelled record profits to insurance companies, with premiums rising by 348 percent, prompting farmers to exit the programme in droves. In the first year of PMFBY, a Government study showed that insurance companies secured profits of more than 7,300 crores. (Though the chapter does not point it out, it is important to note that there may come a point when larger crop failures may lead to losses for these same firms, making their profits into reserves for future claims, though the jump in premiums may prevent that from ever occurring.) Meanwhile, agrarian distress only grows more acute, with real rural wages showing very poor growth. Spending on education has hit the lowest mark in a decade as a percentage of GDP under the NDA. Allocations to the Ministry of Women and Child Development have also been stubbornly lower than the UPA, in spite of tall claims of working for women. Similarly, the chapter on health shows the Union governments spending on health as a percentage of GDP has declined under Modi, with sharp cuts in the successful National Health Mission and Integrated Child Development Services programs. Meanwhile, money has been funnelled into the Ayushman Bharat insurance scheme, which itself is likelier to benefit private profit-seeking companies. Studies have shown that these government-financed health insurance schemes actually end up raising rather than lowering out-of-pocket costs for the poor even if their insurance claims are accepted. but not a fair evaluation. Unfortunately, while the book is a powerful critique of the government, with assertions backed by credible data, its claim of giving the regime a fair evaluation is hard to support. Instead, it is better to see the book as a prosecutions argument pointing out all the ways in which the government has failed. Some areas in which the government seems to have performed better than previous regimes like in the case of construction of roads have not been discussed at all. Other achievements, like the founding of the International Solar Alliance, have only received a brief mention, without going into details. The details included in the chapter on installed solar capacity are used to characterise India as a laggard behind China, USA and Japan but no mention has been made of the fact that the pace has picked up considerably from before, and that ranking fifth in installed solar capacity in the world is not a failure it is an achievement. Equally surprising is that the data mentioned on installed solar capacity uses a cut-off point for 2017, when the chapter itself makes mentions of news items as late as November 2018; by this time, 2018 H1 numbers, which are pretty good for the NDA, were out. A simple Google search led me to international clean energy consultancy Mercoms solar project tracker, with more details and a more balanced analysis than the chapter provided on this count. I must point out that the same chapter, on Environment, has some vital and credible details on the failures of the regime. This includes a rise in the number of polluted rivers from 302 to 351 in data released by the Government, in spite of all the Namami Gange posturing, and a dramatic fall in Indias rank in Yales Environment Performance Index from 155 to 177 out of 178 countries. While the other data that I cross-checked in the book was accurate, I also came across an error in Chapter 1, which its author has acknowledged and promised to correct. The error had to do with the figures of the delay in implementation of central sector projects. It is always a good practice, but I would recommend careful readers to use the book as a starting point and to look at the data for themselves. This is also important to mention because the graphs and charts are sometimes poor in quality, with hard-to-decipher variations in monochrome shades and missing legends and explanations for parameters. Fortunately, the sources are clearly mentioned, so everything can be independently verified, something we see too rarely in this age of Whatsapp debates. One small step towards a more informed citizenry I would have liked the book more had it been more clear about its true aim, which was to point out where the current regime fell short. I would have been even happier had it been a truly comprehensive analysis of the governments performance. My own studies into the measurement of governance have shown that it is no easy thing. For one, the government is much more complex than the PM would have us believe it is emphatically not one man making decisions. Some of those decisions are likely to be good. If we do not take note of good decisions, we will not learn how to recognise them when they are made. It is this ignorance of what actually constitutes good governance that has led to this pass, where a PM can claim nothing has been done before he came to power. Doing harm to the country is easy for regimes, by taking unilateral decisions like demonetisation. It is much harder to build institutions and frame good policies; it takes sound planning, and years of amendment of those plans when faced with challenges in implementation; and it takes active monitoring. Showing some of these processes would have helped to more completely educate citizens on what to look for. It would have also given the book more credibility amongst those who are now inclined to dismissing academics and journalists as urban naxals. Politicians eschew nuance because they are there to hoodwink citizens; books like this, in my opinion, should contain an abundance of it. After all, when all the dust has settled, and the politicians we passionately worship today have vanished from the public consciousness, the full truth, the extent to which we can present it, will be what matters. The 2019 Lok Sabha election has been the most vituperative the country has witnessed with nationalism and security issues forming its cornerstone The 2019 Lok Sabha election has been the most vituperative the country has witnessed with nationalism and security issues forming its cornerstone. Has this hyperbole impacted the armed forces especially when Prime Minister Narendra Modi's election campaign took off following the Balakot air strike and was succeeded by the launch of the anti-missile A-SAT expected to increase the country's deterrence capabilities. Apprehension about this excessive amount of hyper-nationalism the nation has witnessed has had its impact on the armed forces also because 150 retired veterans sent off a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind expressing concern over this politicisation. Major-General SG Vombatkere (retd) who had coordinated this effort believed this was done to "request the president to advise all political parties not to use the army in furtherance of their political agenda" as this would affect the apolitical character of the army and thereby adversely impact national security. The Balakot air strike against the backdrop of the Pulwama terror attack has continued to form one of the cornerstones in this long drawn-out election. It is expected that the ruling party will take credit for this military action, but the nastiness of the rhetoric being used across all political classes is alarming. On Monday, BJP president Amit Shah at an election rally claimed both "the Congress and Pakistan were upset at the Balakot air strike. Were the terrorists' Rahul's cousins?" Colonel Shivdan Singh (retd) feels this criticism against the ruling dispensation is unfair. "Every government in the past has been highlighting its achievements. In 1971, Indira Gandhi did the same thing following the war to liberate Bangladesh. Many of the signatories of this letter are undoubtedly senior officers but lending their signature to this letter reflects their frustration. Many of them were hankering for a governorship or an ambassadorship and since they have been denied this by the present government, they have blindly signed this letter," said Singh. There are others who believe that the manner in which the Rafale debate has played out resulting in the Congress name-calling the prime minister. 'Chowkidar chor hai' has seen the morale of the armed forces dip. Finally, it was left to the prime minister to go public and state that instead of making such allegations, "there should be a debate over why controversies have been created over defence deals since Independence". Modi insisted this was being done deliberately to weaken the army. "Should I worry that they are making personal attacks on me or whether my country's needs should be met?" the prime minister asked. This is a point of view reinforced by the BJP that believes such slogans are deliberately aimed at politicisation of the forces. Other veterans refuse to wade into this debate. Lieutenant-General Inder Verma (retd), who was military secretary during the Kargil War, is emphatic in his emphasis that "the Indian Army is apolitical. It has always been apolitical and it will remain so in the future. We owe our allegiance to the Constitution and not to any political party." But Lieutenant-General Zameeruddin Shah (retd), author of the book Sarkari Mussalman believes the excessive hyper-nationalistic rhetoric being vented in this electoral campaign is indeed affecting the armed forces. Shah cites his own example where his former retired army colleagues have gone to the extent on social media of telling him that since he belongs to the minority community, he should go and live in Pakistan. "The cloak has been shed. A large number of retired officers have become communalised, including some of my own colleagues. I am very disappointed. I have retaliated and shown my anger at their comments asking them how they had the guts to tell me to move out of my country," said Shah indignantly. The fielding of the Malegaon blast-accused Pragya Singh Thakur is but one example of taking this hate crescendo to higher decibel levels especially since the local BJP leadership in Bhopal is known to have opposed her candidature. Defending the selection by the RSS of a candidate who is out on bail on terrorism charges, Modi told a TV channel, "One woman, that too a sadhvi was humiliated in such a manner. In Amethi, they (Congress) have a candidate (Rahul Gandhi) who is out on bail, in Raebareli, they have a candidate (Sonia Gandhi) who is out on bail, but there is no debate on that. But if the candidate from Bhopal is out on bail, there is so much outcry. How can this go on?" After her nomination, Thakur muddied the waters by stating that the ATS chief Hemant Karkare died in a terrorist attack because she had cursed him. Julio Rebeiro, chairman of the Retired IPS Association slammed her remarks saying Karkare had been one of the finest IPS officers and Thakur's remarks would hardly go down well with the present crop of serving police officers. Maharashtra minister Pankaja Munde, contesting elections from the Jalna Lok Sabha constituency in Maharashtra, also made a vituperative attack against Rahul for having questioned the air strike in Balakot. Munde said, "Rahul Gandhi should be tied to a bomb and then blasted off to Pakistan." "Given that two of his family members, grandmother Indira and father Rajiv Gandhi, met with such violent ends minister, Munde would be expected to have shown greater sensitivity," said woman activist Sujata Madhok closely associated with Saheli. "The role of the Nehru-Gandhi family in the development of modern India is undeniable. I am shocked that the Election Commission did not take her to task for this remark," said Madhok. Major-General Ashok Mehta (retd) believes governmental interference in the appointment of the chief of armed forces is another example of politicisation. "The armed forces follow the principle of seniority but General Bipin Rawat superseded two senior officers and the rumour then was that the reason for his appointment was because he hailed from Garhwal as did the NSA chief Ajit Doval. Now the same thing is happening in the appointment of the next navy chief. Why are we deviating from the principle of seniority? The three chiefs of the armed forces should have the guts to raise this issue before the defence minister," said Mehta. The Congress has also adopted an increasingly aggressive stance with Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala describing Modi as a "habitual offender in credit seeking for the valour and sacrifice of our armed forces". If all these thrusts and counter thrusts were not bad enough, Modi raised the pitch at an election rally in Barmar stating that India was no longer scared of Pakistans nuclear threats. "Every other day they used to say we have the nuclear button, we have the nuclear button. What do we have then? Have we kept it for Diwali?" asked Modi. Dr A Gopalakrishnan, former chairman of the Indian Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, believes the prime minister should have refrained from dragging nuclear issues into the heat and dust of electoral matters. "It is far too serious a matter to be discussed in an election rally. One would have expected better from a prime minister. If the use of a tactile nuclear weapon can result in the death of around 1,000 people, the devastation caused by nuclear weapons is beyond imagination," said Dr Gopalakrishnan. Air-Vice Marshal Kapil Kak (retd) also feels nuclear weapons should be kept out of elections. Kak also expressed his concern at the 'coarseness' of the language being used in this election. "The armed forces must not be brought into the political battlefield. Nor does any political party have the right to claim credit for any military action," he said. Kak further believed that the increasing emphasis on nationalism by the ruling party was resulting in the increasing "militarisation of our society. We are girding up the entire country for a non-existent challenge (against Pakistan)" going on to state that India was much more statesmanlike when it came to its relationship with China. "Instead of bread-and-butter issues being the cornerstone of this elections, we have taken up with the rhetoric of nationalism and hyper-security. There is a major agrarian crisis that has reached a distressful situation even in the prime minister's own state of Gujarat, which has seen the failure of cotton and groundnut crops. But these issues have been totally bypassed," said Kak. BJP ideologue Sheshadri Chari, editor of Organiser, refuses to make much of the letter sent by armed forces veterans to the president. "Is there any particular instance (of politicisation) that they have referred to in their letter? If so, we could have taken action on it. But that is not the case. Regarding Modi taking up the Balakot air strike issue what do you expect him to do, keep quiet? The Opposition parties are taking their criticism too far. If government was using army officers during their campaign, this criticism would have some validity but this is not the case." On the whole issue of hyper-nationalism, he felt it was a question of interpretation. "The ruling party has one interpretation of it, the Opposition has another interpretation," said Chari. Strategic expert Pravin Sawhney, editor of Force magazine believes it is the present government that has made terrorism a key issue in its campaign. "What in the past were described as low-level counter-terrorism operations have been taken out of the closet and given a high-profile title like 'surgical strikes'. To generate so much publicity around it will impact the forces," Sawhney stated. Professor Happymon Jacob of JNU, whose recent book titled Line on Fire: Ceasefire Violations and India-Pakistan Escalation Dynamics explores how the increasing incidents of violence at the LoC are clearly linked to the increasing language of hate and abuse being used by India and Pakistan. "Between 2004 and 2008, there were between four and seven violations along the LoC. The reason for this was because both nations were conducting a comprehensive dialogue on Kashmir while in 2018, when vitriolic levels had risen to a crescendo, there were 2,500 violations along the LoC," said Jacob. "When our prime minister says he has given complete independence to the armed forces, he believes things will not spin out of control. He does this to offset the criticism about the political class not doing enough to stem the violence. But when a leader says Mooh-tod jawab doonga, the media and the soldiers and officers pick this up as they do the vitriol that they see every day on our TV studios. The army is no longer insulated from politics as it used to be. Obviously, it too will be influenced by this negative rhetoric," said Jacob. Jacob saw this first-hand in the course of the 85 interviews he did with officers and soldiers from across the LoC where the excesses of the Kargil War had been embedded in the historical memory of soldiers from both the Indian and Pakistani armies. Jacob claimed, "The issue of security has become the biggest rallying cry in the country. The corollary to this is that violence has its political utility. Firing is being done on both sides of the border and this is a culmination of several factors. If the peace process is on, there is no firing and when there is no peace, we are witness to this toxic cocktail of heightened nationalism." Chari, on his part, claimed that some amount of rhetoric is bound to creep into a political campaign especially "since Modi has to wear the hat of a political propagandist". He has to do this in order to win at the hustings, he said. The BJP and Congress had expressed fears about bogus voting in Kerala's Kannur district before the election orchestrated by the CPM. Web cameras were set up at 1,841 of the 1,857 polling stations in Keralas northern district of Kannur, notorious for political violence, to ensure free and fair elections. Yet the live webcast of the polling process from the booths did not deter party workers from resorting to bogus voting in some constituencies in the southern state. A video aired by Malayalam news channel Mathrubhumi showed at least six instances of bogus voting by workers of ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) at polling booth 19 at Pilathara at the Kalliyaseri segment in Kannur district. This segment falls under the neighboring Kasaragod Lok Sabha constituency. The video shows two women from other booths casting votes at Pilathara and another casting her vote twice in the booth. One of two is a CPM local body member. The visuals obtained from the webcasting stream also showed a CPM leader standing inside the polling booth and directing voters during polling. This is only tip of the iceberg. Large-scale bogus voting has taken place in several polling booths in Kannur and Kasargod constituencies. We are gathering evidence, including video footage, to take up the matter with the concerned authorities, said Satheeshan Pacheni, Kannur district president of the Congress. He said they will approach the Election Commission with all the evidence within a couple of days. The party will approach the Supreme Court if the election authority does not take satisfactory action. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Mullappally Ramachandran has already demanded re-polling at all booths where more than 90 percent votes were cast. Pacheni added that electoral malpractices were mostly reported from Kannur district, which shares Assembly segments with Kasargod and Vatakara constituencies. He said that the party had brought several instances of bogus voting to the notice of election officials, including the district returning officers, but none of them took any action to prevent further such illegal acts. Complaints regarding bogus voting in the two northern constituencies assumes political significance since the CPM had won the two seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha election by a narrow margin. While the party retained the Kasargod seat by a margin of 6,921 votes, it wrested Kannur from the Congress by 6,566 votes. Congress Kannur candidate K Sudhakaran said that fake votes had been polled at 94 booths in the Taliparamba, Azhikode and Dharmadam Assembly segments of the constituency, which incidentally recorded the highest polling percentage of 82.8 percent in the Lok Sabha election in Kerala. Rajmohan Unnithan, the Congress candidate from Kasargod, said there was widespread fake voting in the Payyannur and Kalliaseri Assembly segments, which fall under Kannur district. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged that CPM workers had cast around 5,000 bogus votes in Kasargod constituency alone. Adoor Prakash, the Congress candidate from Attingal in Thiruvananthapuram district, alleged large-scale double voting in the constituency, which is a CPM stronghold. Before voting, he had lodged a complaint about discrepancies in 1.12 lakh identity cards issued to voters in Attingal. The Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party had also expressed fears about bogus voting in Kannur district before the election. The Grand Old Party had filed a petition at the Kerala High Court seeking measures to prevent this illegality. The Election Commission had placed 65 percent of the 3,621 web cameras used in the state in Kannur alone on the high court's direction to ensure free and fair elections. However, these cameras failed to prevent the electoral malpractices. Congress booth agents at some of these polling stations alleged that CPM workers had manipulated the cameras and thrown them out of the booths to pave way for the bogus voting. U Ramachandran, the Congress polling agent at Pilathara, said the electoral roll he had with him was torn up, and he was forced to leave the booth when he tried to stop such an incident. Rafeeq, another Congress agent at Booth 18 at Pilathara, said CPM workers had threatened him when he refused to leave the booth. He said he was ultimately forced to leave the booth at 1 pm. Congress leaders claimed polling at several booths in Kannur district were deliberately delayed to facilitate bogus voting. Sudhakaran said voting at some booths in Kannur continued till 11 pm even though no glitches in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were reported from these booths. Complaints about bogus voting have come up during most elections in Kannur, but this is the first time visuals supported these claims. Therefore, Congress leaders are hopeful that their complaints this time will be taken up seriously. Although several cases were registered in the past, none of those involved in the fake voting have been prosecuted, so far. Curiously, the police have omitted the names of those who cast the bogus votes whenever they filed the chargesheets in these cases. A glaring case in this regard is related to 25 bogus votes cast at the Eruvessy booth in Kannur district during the 2014 Lok Sabha election. The chargesheet that the police recently filed in this case contains the names of only five officials present at the polling booths. The police justified the exclusion of the bogus voters, saying investigators could not identify them. The Kannur district Congress chief said the party was gearing up for a legal battle to ensure that no one dares to sabotage the election in future. "Bogus voting is a common practice in Kannur and Kasaragod. We want to bring an end to this highly undemocratic practice, he added. However, the Election Commission has taken serious note of the media reports on bogus voting. Chief Electoral Officer Teekaram Meena has sought immediate reports from the district electoral officers regarding these complaints. He said he will initiate legal and criminal procedures against the concerned officials if the allegations are found true. The Kannur district electoral officer has reportedly submitted his report confirming bogus voting. Reports said he had based his report on the basis of the feedback he had received from the webcasting operators, who said the videos aired by the media were genuine. Meanwhile, the CPM has sought to defend itself, claiming that the purported bogus votes were open votes. Party Kannur secretary EP Jayarajan said the instances shown in the videos were those of open votes cast with officials' permission. However, he refused to comment on the failure of the officials in complying with the guidelines for open voting. Jayarajan said the allegations against the party were baseless, and the Congress was raising the matter out of fear of electoral defeat. "Since we have not done anything wrong. we are ready for any investigation," he added. East states Lok Sabha Election voting LIVE updates: Amid clashes, 52.91 percent polling was reported in West Bengal till 3 pm. In Odisha, the polling percentage was 35.79 percent. Auto refresh feeds In West Bengal, eight constituencies Baharampur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat (SC), Bardhaman East (SC), Bardhaman-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur (SC), Birbhum will vote. While in Odisha, six seats Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur are voting. West Bengal and Odisha to got to polls today Prominent candidates in the fourth phase are BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda, who is seeking re-election from Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat and BJP's Pratap Sarangi from Balasore Lok Sabha constituency. The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has fielded actor-turned Rajya Sabha MP Anubhav Mohanty against Baijayant Panda. Whereas, in Asansol, Union minister and BJP sitting MP Babul Supriyo will contest against TMC's celebrity candidate Moon Moon Sen. The CPM has nominated Gouranga Chatterjee and the Congress Biswarup Mondal for the seat. And in the Bolpur (SC) seat, TMC's Asit Kumar Mal will contest against Ramprasad Das of the BJP. The CPM has fielded Ramchandra Dome and the Congress, Abhijit Saha. Ranaghat (SC) will see TMC's Rupali Biswas locking horns with BJP's Jagannath Sarkar. Congress has nominated Minati Biswas and the CPM Rama Biswas. In the Burdwan East (SC) seat, TMC's Sunil Kumar Mondal will contest against Paresh Chandra Das of the BJP. The Congress has fielded Siddhartha Majumdar and the CPM Iswar Chandra Das. The TMC has fielded Apurba Sarkar (David) against the Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in the Baharampur seat. Whereas, in Krishnagar, it has fielded Mahua Moitra against BJP's Kalyan Chaubey, a footballer. The Congress has nominated Intaj Ali Shah and the CPM Shantanu Jha. In the 2014 elections, Jena had secured 4,33,768 votes against Sarangi, who managed to get 2,91,943. The Balasore seat will witness a triangular fight between the Congress, BJP and BJD. Sitting BJD MP Rabindra Kumar Jena will fight against BJPs Pratap Sarangi and Navajyoti Patnaik, son of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Niranjan Patnaik. Voting will be held for six Lok Sabha and 41 assembly seats of Odisha , where the BJP, the Congress and the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) are in the hunt. Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha seats and 41 assembly segments coming under these six constituencies will also go to polls simultaneously. Prominent among the hopefuls include BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda (Kendrapara LS seat) and state Congress president Niranjan Patnaik (Bhandaripokhari assembly seat). Polling to be held in 41 Assembly seats as well More than a crore voters to decide fate of 68 contestants today Voting is yet to begin at booth number 286/184 and 286/185 in Bolpur after a glitch in EVM was detected, ANI reported. Voting yet to begin in two booths in Bolpur as EVM malfunctions However, the BJP aims to wrest the seat from the BJD and create history. The saffron party, too, has taken this contest equally seriously. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has addressed an election rally in Kendrapara. Other top BJP leaders at the central and state levels have also appealed to people to vote for Baijayant Panda. Kendrapara has been voting against the Congress since 1957. The BJD has been winning here since 1998. The seat sent Naveen Patnaiks father Biju Patnaik thrice to Parliament in 1977, 1980 and 1984. No candidate opposing the Patnaik family has won the seat for almost the last fifty years. Will BJP's Baijayant Panda be able to wrestle out BJD stronghold Kendrapara? At Durgapur's Jemua village which comes under Asansol Lok Sabha constituency, booth number 222, 223, 224, 225 and 226 don't have any deployment of central forces. The villagers, therefore, have boycotted polling in wake of lack of security. Even though the West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) announced 100 percent security cover across all booths in Asansol, five booths don't have central forces manning them. BJP has alleged that several booths have been hijacked by TMC cadres in Chapra under the Nadia districts. Fresh clashes have also been reported between BJP and TMC workers in the region. Congress has alleged that its polling agents are not being allowed to enter the booth at Krishnanatha College, which is part of the Berhampore LS constituency. Senior party leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhary reached the spot amid claims of non-deployment of central force. On the other hand, voters in Jemua Bhadubala Bidyapith, part of the BardhamanDurgapur (Lok Sabha constituency) have also boycotted polls over the non-deployment of central forces. Earlier, on Sunday night, a TMC supporter sustained injuries while making a crude bomb, along with three others in Krishnanagar. A Crude bomb was found near a polling booth in Nadia's Shantipur, part of Ranaghat parliamentary constituency. Central forces have beefed up security and a bomb disposal squad is at the site. At the Berhampore Union Christian College booth number 6, part of the Berhampore LS seat, two men reportedly TMC workers were found attempting to rig polling. The Berhampore police arrested one of them. Meanwhile, Congress and BJP leaders reportedly arrived at the booth and protested against the incident. EVM malfunctioning was reported from Birbhum and Bolpur. Voting was stalled at many polling stations in Suri due to EVM glitch. Rampurhat in Bolpur most affected. Meanwhile, BJP has claimed that TMC workers are allegedly disturbing the polling process at booth number 34-37, which are part of the Krishnanagar LS constituency. No security personnel are present at the polling stations despite fight breaking out between BJP, TMC cadre. BJP candidate from Asansol Babul Supriyo says he will ensure central forces reach polling booths BJP candidate from Asansol LS constituency Babul Supriyo's car was vandalised after he was leaving one of the booths post inspection over reports of alleged violence between BJP and TMC workers and lack of security. In Kendrapara, EVM Malfunction delayed voting at booth no. 226 & 128 in Aul, while voters of Mayurbhanj LS seat also faced similar problems. Polling has been delayed in various booths in Odisha due to problems with EVMs. According to sources, in the Bhadrak Lok Sabha constituency, polling was delayed at booth number 71, 183, 198, 220. At booth no. 125 and 129 in Pandeshwar block of Asansol, local residents are protesting for deployment of central forces. After two hours, a few TMC workers tried to vote. However, BJP and CPM workers engaged in a brawl with the TMC cadre. The police had to resort to lathicharge to diffuse the situation which resulted in injuries to people. Voting was halted, thereby, Meanwhile, in Baharampore, the state police reached a polling booth amidst reports of booth capturing. Whereas, at booth no. 82 in Asansol voting hasnt begun due to EVM malfunction. At Kaligati booth in Birbhum (booth no. 205 and 207) also, voting hasnt begun due to EVM malfunction. Even as Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhary has blamed TMC of booth capturing, TMC has alleged that Choudhary is indulged in creating a ruckus with the help of goons. Meanwhile, TMC men were caught red-handed in Raniganj, a part of Asansol Lok Sabha Constituency trying to capture booth no. 169, 113 and 218. Locals protested against the clashes between BJP and TMC workers which ensued after the incident came to light. More poll violence reported in Asansol as BJP, TMC workers clash, police resort to lathicharge Rigging was alleged at Ranaghat Uttar Purab Assembly segment (89)'s booth number 47 and 49. In Chakdaha Assembly segment (91), TMC goons did not allow people to vote in ward number 2 and 9. Meanwhile, a bomb was found in Dakghar Radha Rani School polling station in Santipur. BJP delegation from Delhi including Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Vijay Goel and Anil Baluni will meet Election Commission on Monday over the issue of poll-related violence during phase four voting in West Bengal. BJP delegation to meet EC in Delhi over poll violence in West Bengal Many women in Asansol's Barabani alleged that they were not allowed to cast their vote having entered the polling booth. They alleged that TMC workers were present inside the booth and forcefully made them press them the EVM button despite their choice. Women allege forced voting in Asansol, claim they were made to press particular button by TMC workers The Rampurhat Dakhalbari booth which is a part of the Birbhum Lok Sabha constituency was allegedly captured by TMC goons. No one was allowed to enter for two hours as TMC men remained inside the booth. Locals and a BJP polling agent reached out to the police. However, IC Abu Salem of Rampurhat police station only came after TMC men had left the booth. Election Commission issues showcause notice to BJPs Birbhum candidate Dudhkumar Mondal for using a phone inside the polling booth. Massive clashes were reported between BJP and TMC workers at booth no. 217 in Nanoor, part of the Bolpur Lok Sabha constituency. Reportedly, an Aaj Tak reporter, Manogya Lohiwal was allegedly beaten up by TMC men in Asansol. Police resorted to lathicharge in order to disperse the crowd at Salar Talitpur area under Baharampur Lok Sabha constituency after polling-related violence was reported from the area. Supriyo alleged that in Jamuria Assembly booth no. 171, 223, 224, 199, TMC workers were standing near EVMs and influencing voters. He also alleged that booth no. 215, 216, 217 were captured in Dakshinkhanda GP, Raniganj. In Nalhati's Habispur village, BJP supporters were allegedly stopped by TMC workers from casting vote. BJP and TMC supporters thereby engaged in a scuffle. One BJP supporter was seriously injured in the incident and villagers were spotted protesting outside the booth. CRPF rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. Locals even claimed that there have been bombings around the booth A violent clash was reported among the villagers and some party supporters at booth no-209 at Sukarpada in the Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency. As soon as sitting MP Baijayant Panda who is now contesting on a BJP ticket arrived at the polling booth, many villagers questioned him for his absence in the area as an MP for 10 years. A scuffle soon broke out between Panda supporters and BJD supporters. While Panda was not harmed, his supporters and BJD supporters clashed with each other. Panda fled the scene and termed the incident as BJD-supported violence. Violence breaks out in Kendrapara as Jay Panda reaches the booth A West Bengal BJP delegation led by Jay Prakash Majumdar and Vice-President Sishir Bajoria, member, Election Committee will meet the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal. The meeting is to lodge a complaint against massive rigging and discrepancies in voting in the fourth phase of elections in the state, the BJP said. The Odisha Chief Electoral Office has ensured setting up of many model polling booths in the state to encourage voters to come in good numbers by providing better amenities at the centre. Red carpet, balloons, wheelchairs, waiting space, drinking water and other facilities are present in these booths for the voters. In the picture is a Model Polling booth in Duhuria area under the Kendrapara LS constituency. Model booths set up in Odisha to encourage people to come out and vote Bardhaman Purba BJP candidate Paresh Chnadra Das's car was vandalised in Kalna allegedly by TMC goons. Das filed a police complaint against TMC workers against the alleged vandalism. Meanwhile, CRPF personnel opened fire at the crowd in booth 284 and 259 at Dubrajpur, part of Birbhum seat leading to massive tension in the area. In Birbhum LS constituency, TMC men allegedly captured three booths in Rampurhat. Villagers claimed they were beaten up by TMC men and female voters were threatened of molestation. Villagers feared coming out and protested within the village. Voter turnout in Odisha sunk during the afternoon as temperature soared. Many booths like Kapeleswar in the Kendrapara town and Kendrapara Lok Sabha segment saw barely seven to eight voters even though the region had a good turnout in the morning when voting started. At Booth no. 162 in Nakasi Para area of West Bengal's Baharampur, BJP's convoy was allegedly attacked by TMC cadres leaving seven injured including BJP convenor Shantanu Dey. Dey told that his polling agent was beaten up by TMC men. They didnt receive any help from central security forces. The TMC cadres at booth no. 122 in Mangalkot's Majigram area, under the Bolpur Lok Sabha constituency, were accused smelling voters' fingers to know which party did they cast their vote for as party workers had put two different ittars (perfume) on the EVM machine to illegally identify the voting choice of people. The TMC workers were also accused of physically abusing people who apparently didn't vote for their party. The polling observer was informed about the incident. TMC workers tamper with EVM to identify voting pattern, thrash people who they fear haven't voted for party Meanwhile, West Bengal TMC wrote to EC as CRPF forces opened fire at polling booths in Dubrajpur, part of Birbhum LS seat. They also filed a complaint against BJP for breaking the Model Code of Conduct. TMC files complaint with EC against open-firing by CRPF in Birbhum West Bengal election voting latest update 66.46% voting recorded in West Bengal till 5 pm Here is the constituency-wise break-up of voter turnout in the state: West Bengal election voting latest update BJP writes to EC seeking re-polling in some polling booths In a letter to the Election Commission, the BJP has pointed out incidents of violence against its leaders Babul Supriyo and Paresh Chandra Das, blaming the "TMC party goons" for these incidents despite the presence of security personnel in the state. BJP hit out at the EC for its slow resolution time of complaints and said that security personnel arrived at some booths at 10 am instead of 7 am. They demanded re-polling in Chapra in Krishnanagar constituency, Chakdah in Ranaghat constituency, Barabani and Pandaweshwar in Asansol constituency and all booths in Birbhum. Input by A Ghose West Bengal election voting latest update 76.47% voting recorded in West Bengal till 6 pm Here is the constituency-wise break-up of voter turnout in the state: Odisha election voting latest update 64.05% voting recorded in Odisha till 6 pm Here is the constituency-wise break-up of voter turnout in the state: West Bengal election voting latest update Police complaint registered against unknown persons for vandalising Babul Suriyo's car Over the written complaint of ASI Emdadul Haque of Barabani Police Station, a specific case against unknown persons regarding the incident in which the glass of Babul Supriyos car was broken in Asansol, has been registered. Input by A Ghose West Bengal election voting latest update An elderly man was carried by his family member to a polling station at Berhampore in Murshidabad. (PTI) West Bengal election voting latest update BJP polling agent brutally beaten up at Asansol polling booth The BJP polling agent was brutally beaten up at booth number 79 at Mahua Dangal School, which is a part of the Asansol Lok Sabha constituency. Two more people, named Pramod Biswakarma and Rajesh Verma, were injured. The injured are undergoing treatment at the Asansol Government Hospital. Input by A Ghose Odisha election voting latest update 64.05% voting recorded in Odisha till 7 pm Here is the constituency-wise break-up of voter turnout in the state: West Bengal election voting latest update 76.59% voting recorded in West Bengal till 7 pm Here is the constituency-wise break-up of voter turnout in the state: Moon Moon Sen, TMC candidate from Asansol: I have not met my seniors yet and when we will sit together I will know where and why violence took place. Thoda toh hoga hi har jagah hota hai. Violence is much less now compared to before. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/yJMkdgqnVA West Bengal election voting latest update Violence is much less now as compared to before, says TMC candidate from Asansol Moon Moon Sen East states Lok Sabha Election voting Updates: Amid clashes, 52.91 percent polling was reported in West Bengal till 3 pm. In Odisha, the polling percentage was 35.79 percent. The TMC cadres in Mangalkot's Majigram area, under the Bolpur Lok Sabha constituency, were accused smelling voters' fingers to know which party did they cast their vote for as party workers had put two different ittars (perfume) on the EVM machine to illegally identify the voting choice of people. The TMC workers were also accused of physically abusing people who apparently didn't vote for their party. The polling observer was informed about the incident. In another instance, TMC polling agents were caught casting votes and influencing voters inside booth at Khanji QA Azim High School under the Ketugram Police Station of Bardhaman Purba constituency. Central forces were deployed but despite their deployment, the workers were caught casting proxy votes. By noon, West Bengal had recorded 35.10 percent polling, whereas Odisha registered 19.67 percent voter turnout. A violent clash was reported among the villagers and some party supporters at booth no-209 at Sukarpada in the Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency. As soon as sitting MP Baijayant Panda who is now contesting on a BJP ticket arrived at the polling booth, many villagers questioned him for his absence in the area as an MP for 10 years. A scuffle soon broke out between Panda supporters and BJD supporters. In West Bengal, a bomb exploded near a booth at Haldapara Madda under the Beharmpur Lok Sabha constituency even as poll violence continued in various parts of the state. BJP MP Babul Supriyo alleged that the Trinamool Congress is trying to influence voters and have stationed their people at booth numbers 171, 199, 223 and 224 in Jamuria constituency. Meanwhile, police resorted to lathicharge in order to disperse the crowd at Salar Talitpur area under Beharampur Lok Sabha constituency after polling-related violence was reported from the area. BJP's BaijayantPanda visited booths in Kendrapara amid reports of rigging. He alleged that authorities have received around 14-15 complaints of disturbance and attempts of booth rigging at various polling stations in Odisha. Meanwhile, a delegation of top BJP leaders from Delhi including Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Vijay Goel and Anil Baluni will meet Election Commission on Monday over the issue of poll-related violence during phase four voting in West Bengal as fresh clashes broke out between TMC and BJP workers in Asansol. By 10 am, West Bengal had recorded 16.89 percent polling despite repeated instances of violence being reported from various regions. Whereas, Odisha saw 8.34 percent voter turnout in phase four of Lok Sabha election 2019. BJP candidate from West Bengal's Asansol Babul Supriyo has said that he will ensure that central forces reach all polling stations in the constituency as reports come in of violence in the region with voters boycotting voting over fears of security. Supriyo's car was vandalised after he was leaving post talking to reporters alleging threats by TMC workers. Meanwhile, BJP has claimed that TMC workers are allegedly disturbing the polling process at booth number 34-37, which are part of the Krishnanagar LS constituency. No security personnel are present at the polling stations despite fight breaking out between BJP, TMC cadre. A Crude bomb was found near a polling booth in West Bengal's Nadia's Shantipur, part of Ranaghat parliamentary constituency. Central forces have beefed up security and a bomb disposal squad is at the site. Meanwhile, clashes have been reported between BJP and TMC workers in Krishnanagar. On the other hand, voters in Jemua Bhadubala Bidyapith, part of the BardhamanDurgapur (Lok Sabha constituency) have also boycotted polls over the non-deployment of central forces. The BJP has alleged that several booths have been hijacked by TMC cadres in West Bengal's Chapra under the Nadia district. Fresh clashes have also been reported between BJP and TMC workers in the region. Meanwhile, voting is yet to begin at booth number 286/184 and 286/185 in Bolpur after a glitch in EVM was detected, ANI reported. In Odisha's Balasore Lok Sabha seat, the BJP has pitted its firebrand leader Pratap Sarangi against sitting BJD MP Rabindra Jena. The Congress has fielded OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik's son Nabajyoti Patnaik in Balasore. Nine states will go for polling in the fourth phase of the 2019 general election to elect representatives on 72 parliamentary constituencies on Monday, 29 April. States which are voting in the phase four are Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir. The electorate in Odisha will also vote in the Legislative Assembly election in the Assembly constituencies that fall under the respective parliamentary constituencies. In West Bengal, eight constituencies Baharampur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat (SC), Bardhaman East (SC), Bardhaman-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur (SC), Birbhum will vote. While in Odisha, six seats Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur are voting. An electorate of 1,34,56,491 in eight West Bengal Lok Sabha constituencies will decide the fate of 68 candidates in the fray. All the eight seats will see a four-cornered contest between the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the BJP, the Congress and the Left Front. The campaign for the eight parliamentary seats that came to an end on Saturday evening, saw roadshows and poll meetings by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath. The TMC has fielded Apurba Sarkar (David) against the Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in the Baharampur seat. The Left Front constituent RSP has nominated Id Mohammad, while the BJP has named Krishna Joyardar. In Krishnagar, the TMC has fielded Mahua Moitra against BJP's Kalyan Chaubey, a footballer. The Congress has nominated Intaj Ali Shah and the CPM Shantanu Jha. Ranaghat (SC) will see TMC's Rupali Biswas locking horns with BJP's Jagannath Sarkar. Congress has nominated Minati Biswas and the CPM Rama Biswas. In the Burdwan East (SC) seat, TMC's Sunil Kumar Mondal will contest against Paresh Chandra Das of the BJP. The Congress has fielded Siddhartha Majumdar and the CPM Iswar Chandra Das. Mamtaz Sanghamita is the TMC candidate from the Burdwan-Durgapur seat against BJP's SS Ahluwalia. The Congress has nominated Ranajit Mukherjee and the CPM named Abhas Ray Chaudhuri. In Asansol, Union minister and BJP sitting MP Babul Supriyo will contest against TMC's celebrity candidate Moon Moon Sen. The CPM has nominated Gouranga Chatterjee and the Congress Biswarup Mondal for the seat. In the Bolpur (SC) seat, TMC's Asit Kumar Mal will contest against Ramprasad Das of the BJP. The CPM has fielded Ramchandra Dome and the Congress, Abhijit Saha. Celebrity candidate Satabdi Roy is the TMC name from the Birbhum seat against BJP's Dudh Kumar Mondal. The Congress has nominated Imam Hossain and the CPM named Rezaul Karim for the seat. Arrangements are in place to ensure free and fair voting in over 10,000 booths in the fourth phase of polls for six Lok Sabha and 41 Assembly seats in Odisha, a senior poll official said. This will be the final phase of polling in Odisha, except for Patkura Assembly seat, where voting is scheduled to be held on 19 May following the death of the BJD candidate. Over 95.14 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in 10,792 booths to decide the fate of 388 candidates in the fourth phase. Of the 95,14,883 lakh electorate, 46,05,694 are women and 615 belong to the third gender. The fourth phase polling will decide the electoral fate of 388 candidates 52 in six Lok Sabha seats and 336 in 41 Assembly constituencies. Prominent candidates in the fourth phase are BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda, who is seeking re-election from Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat and BJP's Pratap Sarangi from Balasore Lok Sabha constituency. The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has fielded actor-turned Rajya Sabha MP Anubhav Mohanty against Baijayant Panda. In Balasore Lok Sabha seat, the BJP has pitted its firebrand leader Pratap Sarangi against sitting BJD MP Rabindra Jena. The Congress has fielded OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik's son Nabajyoti Patnaik in Balasore. Apart from several state ministers, OPCC chief Niranjan Patnaik is also in the race. He is contesting from Bhandaripokhari Assembly seat. While the first and second phase polls were held on 11 April and 18 April respectively, the third phase was held on 23 April. The counting of votes will take place on 23 May. In Bundelkhand, all villages are segregated into upper cast and lower caste sections Kaithi (Hamirpur): The lanes became narrower and filthier toward Kainthi village's Harijan Basti. Harijan, a term coined by Mahatma Gandhi to refer to the untouchables or lower castes, also known as Dalits, and basti meaning a colony. The term was deemed derogatory and patronising and was replaced with Dalit although it is not an official term and not accepted by many in and out of the community but in villages in India, such changes mean nothing. In Bundelkhand, for example, all villages are segregated into upper cast and lower caste sections. There's a queue outside the only tap in Kaithi's Harijan Basti. Men in towels and vests sit patiently waiting for the queue to move, for their turn at the tap. Prabhu Dayal, a 24-year-old, is waiting, too, chewing at the stem of a neem tree disinterestedly. "Five taps were allocated in this village. But all of them went to the village. We got just one. There are around 400 people in this basti. You tell me if one one tap is enough," he says belligerently. "One tap is obviously not enough. In the mornings, before the men and women set out for the fields, and in the afternoons when they come back, there's a huge rush at the tap. There are frequent fights too. Whatever taps are allocated, are always installed in the village. This happens every year," he adds. "When we saw so many taps were allocated for the village, we were very hopeful that at least one more will come our way. But none came," Sanjay Kumar, a 23-year-old resident of the colony says, adding that when they complain to the village head, he says they have enough taps. "He says one tap is enough for you people," Kumar says, "What do you want more taps for?" Owing to the upper-caste, lower-caste divide, the villagers cannot even step into the main village for water. Not even in an emergency. "Some time ago, one of us had gone over to fill water from a government tap near a pandit's house. They abused him and threw his utensils away saying you are a lower caste person, you cannot fill water here," Dayal says. "Even if its a government tap, it becomes their property and the village head is upper caste too, so he takes their side," he adds. This non-access to development schemes affects Dalit women and children too. "We have no facilities for pregnant women. In emergencies, the ambulance takes an hour to come. The local healthcare workers keep turning us away, go here, go there. We keep filling up forms. But nothing happens. No one is willing to explain or tell us anything," Rashor Kumar says. The Harijan Basti in the neighbouring village of Badanpura, too, suffers from the same problem of scarcity of water and taps. "What do you want to know? Take a look around and you will know yourself," a resident says, pointing at the mound of trash, a dried-out hand pump, and a general air of despondency. He wears the same look of despondency that hovers over these colonies in the region. "There was one tap that also doesn't have any water. Can you see any other taps here?" When you start walking towards the so-called Harijan Bastis, the continuing oppression of the community through successive governments at the Centre hits you in the gut. The oppression and inequalities are especially stark in the villages as resources are less and among those lesser resources, the Dalits are on the receiving end of almost none. The development indicators in these villages will put the country's development indicators to shame. While it is true that the evils of caste cannot be wiped away overnight, the fact that caste is still determining allocation of development resources and schemes should shame and concern India in equal measure. The condition of Dalits have remained the same through successive governments in India. According to reports, more than 20 percent of Dalits do not have access to safe drinking water and 48.4 percent of Dalit villages are denied access to water sources. When it comes to sanitation, only 10 percent of Dalit households have access to it as compared to 27 percent for non-Dalits. Dalits are dependent on the kindness of so-called upper caste villagers for their access to basic facilities. "Dalit women stand in separate queues near the bore well to fetch water till the non-Dalits finish fetching water. Dalits are not entitled, nor allowed to use taps and wells located in the non-Dalit area. Dalit villages are not provided water for several days in case the Dalits show resentment to existing practices of discrimination," a 2012 report by the National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights had said. In Bundelkhand, which has the highest population of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes at 30 percent, and sends four of the 80 MPs that make up the Lower House of Parliament, the inequalities are starker. Tap water is available to only 8.6 percent of SC families and 4 percent ST families. "The difference in the provisioning of tap water is stark reflecting how and where SC and STs live, and it becomes obvious that people belonging to non-SC and non-ST communities seem to be better provisioned in basic amenities," the Bundelkhand Human Development report had said. Access to electricity, too, in the region is better for non SC/ST households. "In case of all three basic amenities drinking water, electricity and toilets, SC and ST households are worse off than the average in the region, which itself is very low," the report had said. The residents of Kaithi's Harijan Basti especially the younger generation are angry and they are not hiding it anymore. They have had enough of being relegated to a corner. They have had enough of being pariahs. "We want real change, not just empty promises. By change, we mean we do not want to have to beg for our rights," Dayal says. "We are discriminated against because of our caste. Look at the condition of our village. There is a cleaner but he refuses to clean here," he adds. Sanitation is a huge problem in Bundelkhand villages. But in these colonies, it is even more so. There are mounds of leaves, mixed with muddy water stacked in every corner, walking paths overrun with sludgy water from blocked drains; cow dung everywhere and dank smells hang heavy in the air. In every Harijan Basti in Bundelkhand, the same injustices tick away like a time bomb that might just explode at the ballots on Monday. "All government schemes are usurped by the upper caste people. We see the leaders only during election. People come here, have tea in the main village and go away. We are surprised you actually walked into this village to talk to us," Kumar says. This simmering discontent in a state that sends the largest number of lawmakers to the Indian Parliament might prove to be expensive for the BJP government. In 2014, the BJP's landslide win owed much to the fact that it won 71 of the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh. It also won almost half the 84 Lok Sabha seats reserved for Dalits all across the country. However, five years later, after a spate of violent incidents and continuing oppression and non-access to their rights, the community is cornered, but also eager to fight back. According to official estimates, more than 40,000 crimes against Scheduled Castes were reported in 2016. There were several reports of community members being beaten up or attacked by higher caste people, an Amnesty International report from 2017-18 said. "Activists said that at least 90 Dalits employed as manual scavengers died during the year while cleaning sewers, despite the practice being prohibited. Many of those killed were illegally employed by government agencies," the report said. If 2014 brought a ray of hope for one of India's most persecuted minority communities, by 2019, much of that hope has been dashed. "No one wants us to progress, to have a better life, to live with dignity," Dayal says, "But do they think we will always remain subjugated?" He seems somewhat startled by his own question. It is a challenge, a warning and an epiphany that the time has come for India's downtrodden to rise. The author is a multi-award wining independent journalist based in New Delhi. She tweets @nilanjanab Follow all the latest updates from the Lok Sabha election here Voters who haven't received their voter slip can check their name on the electoral roll and download their photo voter slip from the portal nvsp.in. Voting for the seven-phase Lok Sabha Election 2019 in India began on 11 April, with Phase 7 scheduled for Sunday, 19 May. There are nearly 90 crore people registered as voters, of which 1.5 crore are between the ages of 18 and 19. But before exercising their franchise, voters must check if their names have appeared in the voters' list, and download the voter slip, which needs to be presented along with a photo identity card at your polling station to vote in the upcoming election. If your name does not appear in the voters' list, the polling booth officials will not allow you to cast your vote. Usually, voter slips (which serve as proof that your name exists in the electoral roll) are made available to voters' by various political parties. But what if you haven't received yours yet? The Election Commission offers voters the facility to check their name on the electoral roll and download their photo voter slip from the portal nvsp.in. Every voter is required to carry their photo voter slip along with their voter identification card (also known as Electors Photo Identity Card or EPIC or Voter's ID) that is issued by the Election Commission of India (EC) or other approved photo identity proofs. Here are the steps to download your voter slip: Step 1. Visit the official website of the National Voter Services Portal's - nvsp.in Step 2. Click on 'Search Your Name in Electoral Roll' option Step 3. Fill in your credentials Step 4. Press the 'search' button Step 5. Your name will appear at the bottom of the page Step 6. Click on view details and the page will be directed to your voter slip. Step 7. Click on Print Voter Information' at the bottom of your voter slip and take a print out. In case your name does not appear after the first three steps, it is likely that you are not eligible to vote in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The ongoing election is being held for 543 seats at nearly 10 lakh polling booths across the country, while the counting of votes will take place on 23 May. Full details of timing, schedule and list of constituencies is available here. Click here for complete coverage of Lok Sabha Election 2019 Click here for complete coverage of Assembly Elections 2019 Lok Sabha Election 2019 Phase 4 Voting LIVE Updates: The Election Commission (EC) issued a show-cause notice to Union minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh for his communal remarks. The EC said, prima facie, Singh has violated provisions of the model code and directions of the Supreme Court which had said that religion cannot be used while making statements during campaigning. He has been given 24 hours to respond to the notice. Auto refresh feeds Across 72 constituencies in nine states, more than 12 crore voters will exercise their franchise on Monday during the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha election. Elections will be held in five seats in Bihar, one in Jammu and Kashmir, three in Jharkhand, six in Madhya Pradesh, 17 in Maharashtra, six in Odisha, 13 in Rajasthan, 13 in Uttar Pradesh and eight in West Bengal. In most constituencies, polling booths will be open between 7 am and 6 pm. More than 1.4 lakh polling booths have been set up across the country and special security arrangements have been made at sensitive booths. After the bloody poll violence marred voting in 3 phases of elections, Election Commission has deployed an unprecedented 561 companies of central forces for the fourth phase of elections in Bengal's eight seats. Central forces are deployed across 98.8 percent of the total polling booth premises set up in the state. The saffron party had cornered all but two of the total 54 seats in 2014, but it appeared to have ceded space to the Congress in last year's Assembly polls. The party is counting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal charsima to retain its vote share. The contest in Phase 4 will be interesting to watch as Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the two states in Hindi heartland which the BJP lost to Congress recently, will begin polling in this phase. Today's Google Doodle is dedicated to the fourth phase of India's mammoth general election. Depicting an inked finger in place of the second 'O' in Google, a click on the logo takes us to a search page with detailed bullet points on the voting procedure. The electoral fortunes of several star candidates will be decided in this phase, including six Union ministers. Mumbai's six Lok Sabha constituencies will be among 17 that go to the polls in the fourth phase of 2019 elections today. With voting in areas that include the country's commercial-glamour capital, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, a world-famous pilgrimage centre, and some of the most backward tribal hamlets, Maharashtra will conclude polling today. As polling enters the final phase, the Mumbai South constituency will see an intense battle between Shiv Senas sitting MP Arvind Sawant and Congresss newly appointed Mumbai chief Milind Deora. Even before the polling could cmmense, a few early bird voters had already queued up at the booths to cast their vote. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday morning urged voters in fourth phase of Lok Sabha to come out in large numbers to vote. He also made a special appeal to first time voters. While the chief minister, a nine-time MP from the area, is contesting an Assembly bypoll, Nakul Nath is hoping to get elected to the Lok Sabha from Chhindwara, named after the wild date palm tree known as Chhind. Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh's new power centre is witnessing a unique father-son electoral show with Chief Minister Kamal Nath and his son Nakul in the fray, hoping to boost not just the Congress but also strike roots as deep as the tree from where this region takes its name. Meanwhile, these are not the only reports of disturbance coming from the constituency. The BJP has alleged that TMC cadres have captured several booths and are not allowing polling agents of other parties to enter. Allegedly one TMC supporter sustained serious injuries while making a crude bomb in West Bengal's krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency. Three others were also injured in the explosion. The incident occured a day ahead of poll on late Sunday night. At Durgapur's Jemua village booth number 222, 223, 224, 225 and 226 don't have central force deployed there. They come under Asansol Lok Sabha constituency. Villagers have boycotted polling, demanding that central forces be deployed at their polling stations or they will not cast their votes. Even after CEO announcing 100% cover of central forces across all booths in Asansol, five booths don't have central forces manning them. Kirti Azad is now in Congress and he has been given a ticket in Jharkhand. Darbhanga has substantial votes of Muslims and RJD is eyeing on this population. Apart from Muslims, Yadav and lower caste voters are expected to turn for RJD. RJD had won the Darbhanga seat in 1998 and 2004 general election with a Muslim candidate but lost the seat to BJP's Kirti Azad in 2009 general election. This time RJD has fielded its veteran leader, Abdul Bari Siddiqui. Siddiqui has been the Finance minister in Mahagathbandhan government. JD(U) has fielded Gopal Ji Thakur. Clashes erupted outside Jhamuria polling booth in Asansol where voters have alleged that serious electoral malpractices at the booth. CNN-News18 reported that the sitting MP from the constituency Babul Supriyo had an altercation with the polling officers and the TMC cadre. Supriyo apparently misbehaved with the presiding officer and TMC polling agent. Meanwhile, the other side alleged said that some voters were forced to turn back from the booth without casting their vote. More details on this are awaited. In Jajpur, similar problems reported from booth no 115 of Dharmasala, booth no 110 of Bari & booth no 96 of Jajpur. Voting delayed due to EVM glitches in booth no 219, 268 in Kakatpur, booth no 42, 66 of Nimapara, booth no 214 in Paradip, booths no 5 and 203 in Ulumara and Natakata panchayats respectively. Voting also delayed due to EVM glitches in booth no 138 under Balikuda-Erasama constituency in Jagatsinghpur LS constituency. Like the second and third phase, voting in various booths in Odisha is being delayed due to problems in EVMs. According to sources, in Bhadrak Lok Sabha Constituency, polling was delayed at booth numbers 71, 183, 198, 220; in Bhandaripokhari Assembly Constituency booth no 222, 244, 245, 54, 243 under Dhamnagar Assembly segment, Booth no 2, 46, 208,50 of Soro MLA constituency, booth no 119, 109, 110 of Simulia, booth no 69,114,116 of Basudevpur, Chandbali (booth no 216, 14, 239) in Bhadrak due to EVM glitches. Supreme Court has agreed to hear plea of Congress MP Sushmita Dev alleging violation of Model Code of Conduct by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. Dev has sought necessary directions to the Election Commission to take a decision on the complaints filed against Modi and Shah over alleged violations of electoral laws. Reports have emerged that an EVM machine was forcefully taken away from a polling station by miscreants in Birbhum's Dubrajpur area. This is the latest in series of poll malpractices being reported from West Bengal. Some women voters in Barabani area of Asansol alleged that the TMC cadre were forcing them to vote for their party, while in Ranaghat constituency, some miscreants have blocked voters from casting their vote. Reports state that around 400 voters were not allowed to enter a polling booth at Mirzapur's Benldanga Thana area, which falls under the Baharampur Lok Sabha Constituency. Unidentified men stopped them from entering the booth and casting their vote. There are allegations that several of these voters were attacked last night as well, while a few houses in the village were vandalised. Police denied naming any political party. Locals claim it is the result of a clash between Congress and TMC. As many as 127 complaints of EVM malfunctioning have been registered at a helpline started by Congress, claims the party. Complaints of booth capturing have also come been reported at Jhaltapatan, booth number 67 in Jodhpur, and booth number 224 of Barmer. Congress leaders have filed complaints to the respective collectors. Aides of former BJP leader and present JD(U) spokesperson Lalan Singh have allegedly captured booth number 313 in Lakhisarai, which is a part of Munger Lok Sabha constituency. No one is being allowed to enter the booth, say reports. Congress candidate from Jhalawar, Pramod Sharma, has accused Dushyant Singh, son of former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje, of threatening people at polling booths, reports India Today. Actor and BJP candidate Sunny Deol, Monday paid obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar ahead of filling his nomination papers from the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat. Sporting a navy blue turban and wearing a blue shirt, the 62-year-old offered prayers at the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple. He also offered prayers at the Durgiana Temple. In the first leg, Anantnag district voted during the third phase of the general elections on 23 April, with a low turnout of 13.61 percent. The state government has suspended the mobile Internet service in central and south Kashmir last night. All the 433 polling booths in Kulgam district have been designated as hypersensitive. "We are not voting because it means nothing for us," Abrara Ahmad, a resident of Yaripora said. "We even dont know who has stood up in elections." Yaripora is infested with militancy and the streets were deserted on Monday morning. Kulgam, which is going to polls in the second of the three-phase polls for the Anantnag parliamentary constituency, is among the four most volatile districts in south Kashmir. Overall voting turnout in Kulgam (which comes under Anantnag LS seat) was an abysmal .36 percent till 11.46 am. Polling began in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir amid stringent security arrangements as the voting in the second leg of the three-phase schedule for the Lok Sabha seat would decide the fate of 18 candidates, including former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti. We are not voting because it means nothing for us: Kulgam voters Kulgam assembly segment has the highest number of 98,298 voters (51,051 males, 46,818 females, 455 service voters and 4 transgender voters) while Noorabad has the lowest 77,171 electors, including 40,093 males, 36,886 females, 188 service voters and 4 transgender voters. Voters prefer to stay indoors in Kulgam district. The highest voter turnout was recorded from the National Conference bastion of Noorabad assembly segment at 8.50 percent while the overall percentage. As many as 4,509 people cast their vote in Noorabad, 4,459 people cast vote in Devsar, 528 people cast vote in Kulgam and only 292 people cast vote in Home Shalibugh assembly segment. Amid poll boycott, clashes erupted on Monday between youth and government forces at Qoimoh and Bugam areas of south Kashmir's Kulgam district where polling is being held for Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency. Rising Kashmir reported that the local youth pelted stones at the polling booth, after which swung into action and fired tear gas shells at the protesting mob. Trinamool Congress polling agent at booth number 136 in Natundanga High School, in Burdwan-Durgapur Lok Sabha constituency, was seen voting for women voters on behalf of them. Subodh Ruidas, TMC's polling agent, was seen accompanying women voters into the EVM room and even pressing the button on their behalf. Cricketer-turned-politician Sidhu also rejected the BJP's charge that no development has taken place in the country in the last 70 years. He said that the country made everything from a needle to an aircraft during this period. Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu has claimed that he would quit politics if Congress chief Rahul Gandhi loses the Lok Sabha election from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi faces a tough fight from Smriti Irani in the family bastion, from where he had defeated her in 2014 as well. A BJP delegation from Delhi including Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Vijay Goel and Anil Baluni met the Election Commission on Monday over the issue of poll-related violence during phase four voting in West Bengal. The panel also raised the issue of Congress leaders making 'derogatory statements' against the prime minister. Counterintuitively, the TMC had also asked the poll panel for time to make an appointment, about alleged poll code violations by the BJP. Voter turnout in the three parliamentary constituencies of Jharkhand that have gone for polling in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha Election 2019 has picked up with Chatra recording 29.12 percent, Lohardaga 28.78 percent and Palamu 29.57 percent till 12 pm. In Hardoi, booth number 234 in Sandila has not witnessed any voter since morning. The villagers are boycotting the polls owing to non development. The Sandila area is infamous in India for its traditional prostitution and has seen lack of development because politicians do not want to go there. Paramilitary troops allegedly resorted to aerial firing at a poll booth in Birbhum's Dubrajpur to control a violent crowd. The firing took place after TMC workers allegedly tried to enter the booth with their mobile phones. The people were claiming that they were never informed that they cannot carry mobile phones to the booth. Expressing regret for attributing the chowkidar chor hai slogan to the top court, Gandhi in his affidavit said he had no intention of dragging the court into the political arena, and claimed that the petitioner, BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi, was seeking political mileage under the pretext of contempt proceedings. Facing a contempt notice for his remarks in the Rafale deal case, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has filed a fresh affidavit in the Supreme Court but has refused to apologise once again. Addresing a rally in Srirampur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lashed out at TMC over poll violence. "Don't betray democracy. Didi, you, your workers, and your gang of goons, no matter who must violence you resort to, the people of West Bengal have made up their mind. The results will be out on 23 May, it will be 'phir ek bar Modi sarkar' (Once again, Modi government). Today whoever is aspiring to be a prime minister, their main agenda is to oust Modi. BJP's saying is that we will get rid of corruption and this mahamilawati says oust Modi. BJP says make India free of terrorism, yet didi and her allies want to oust Modi. BJP wants to double farmers income and give home to all poor by 2022. Yet they're saying 'Modi ko hatao'. PM says it will be 'phir ek bar, Modi sarkar' on 23 May On Mamata Banerjee's remark of sending him sweets filled with rocks, he said, "She wants to feed us rasgullas made of soil and stones. If Modi gets rasgulla made of the soil of West Bengal, that that will be as good as prasad for him. The more rasgullas you send, the more people will be saved from being hit by them by your goons." "TMC goons are trying to stop people from voting. They are attacking BJP workers, not allowing them to have speeches. But people in the villages are reaching polling booths. There is only one voice and one dream visible among the voters and that is 'chupe chap, kamal chap'. When the results will be out, and lotus will bloom everywhere.," said Narendra Modi at a rally in West Bengal's Srirampur. Samajwadi Party fielded former BSF jawan Tej Bahadur from Varanasi, withdrawing the name of its earlier candidate Shalini Yadav from the constituency. Bahadur had triggered uproar in 2017 over his videos on the "substandard food" served to soldiers on social media. The Election Commission has ordered the police to register FIRs against BJP candidates Dudh Kumar Mondal (Birbhum) and Kalyan Chaubey (Krishnanagar). Both these candidates were caught speaking on the phone while being inside the booth. Allegations of vote rigging have also been levelled against both of them. TMC has written to the Election Commission over the alleged "firing by central forces personnel inside a polling booth in Dubrajpur in Birbhum parliamentary constituency". Letter states, "Central forces have created a reign of terror in minds of voters and have also urged the voters to cast their vote for BJP." The AAP nominee had on Sunday written to the EC seeking a 72-hour campaign ban against the cricketer-turned-politician for carrying out a road show without permission. AAP's East Delhi candidate Atishi wrote to the Election Commission seeking registration of FIR against her BJP rival Gautam Gambhir over his alleged violation of the poll code by distributing pamphlets without details such as printer's name. Two voters sustained minor injuries when the ceiling fan at the Bijdua polling booth in Jalaun fell on them. Trinamool Congress workers have been accused of stalling the polling process in Nadia part of Krishnanagar LS constituency. They allegedly didn't let BJP's polling agent was not allowed to sit in the booth and stopped people from voting in the 162 number booth in Nakasi Para area. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed at a West Bengal rally that 40 TMC MLAs were in touch with him, TMC leader Derek O'Brien said the party will complain to the Election Commission and charge Modi with horse-trading. Voting has been stopped for the past hour due to EVM malfunctioning at booth 374 in Rasoolabad of Kanpur Dehat. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has written to Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha over the alleged "booth capturing by BJP". According to ANI, the BJD said in its letter to the CEO, "BJP goons conducted booth capturing in 12 booths of Bari Assembly constituency under Jajpur parliamentary constituency while the polling was going on today (Monday)." BJP and TMC cadres involved in a violent clash in West Medinipur. A clash broke out as BJP's Ghatal candidate former IPS offiial Bharti Ghosh came to visit the area. A few TMC supporters allegedly eve-teased her and passed lewd remarks. In reaction to which this, the clash broke out. The Election Commission directed the police to register FIR against Union minister and BJP's Asansol candidate Babul Supriyo for allegedly trespassing into booth number 199 and threatening a polling agent and an officer. It also claimed the police issued warning notes to "a large number" of SP supporters in the constituency, from where Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple is contesting, asking them to remain inside their houses after casting their own votes. Opposition Samajwadi Party Monday urged the Election Commission to remove Uttar Pardesh's police chief OP Singh from the post, alleging he was "favouring" the ruling BJP and trying to influence elections. The party also alleged that in at at least two polling booths in Kannauj the VVPAT machine showed the voting for the BJP when the ballot was cast for the SP. The BJP met the EC to place its demand that repolling be conducted in Chapra in Krishnanagar constituency, Chakdah in Ranaghat constituency, Barabani, Asansol, Pandaweshwar in Asansol constituency, and all booths in Birbhum. A BJP polling agent brutally beaten up at booth number 79 at Mahua Dangal School in Asansol. Two others, identified as Pramod Biswakarma and Rajesh Verma, were also injured. The three have been admitted to Asansol government hospital. Addressing the rally in Begusarai, Singh had said in Hindi, "Those who cannot say Vande Mataram or cannot respect the motherland, the nation will never forgive them. My ancestors died at the Simaria Ghat and did not need a grave but you need three handspans of space." Taking suo motu cognizance, the Begusarai district administration in Bihar had on 25 April booked Singh for violating the Model Code of Conduct and the Representation of the People Act by making controversial remarks against Muslims at a rally on 24 April, where BJP president Amit Shah was also present. The EC said, prima facie, Singh has violated provisions of the model code and directions of the Supreme Court which had said that religion cannot be used while making statements during campaigning. He has been given 24 hours to respond to the notice. The overall turnout is estimated to be 59.14 percent at 6 pm. Addressing the rally in Begusarai, Singh had said in Hindi, "Those who cannot say Vande Mataram or cannot respect the motherland, the nation will never forgive them. My ancestors died at the Simaria Ghat and did not need a grave but you need three handspans of space." Taking suo motu cognizance, the Begusarai district administration in Bihar had on 25 April booked Singh for violating the Model Code of Conduct and the Representation of the People Act by making controversial remarks against Muslims at a rally on 24 April, where BJP president Amit Shah was also present. The EC said, prima facie, Singh has violated provisions of the model code and directions of the Supreme Court which had said that religion cannot be used while making statements during campaigning. He has been given 24 hours to respond to the notice. Bollywood actors Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol cast their vote in Vile Parle in Mumbai. Sunny Deol is contesting the election on a BJP ticket from Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat in Punjab. Moon Moon Sen, TMC candidate from Asansol: I have not met my seniors yet and when we will sit together I will know where and why violence took place. Thoda toh hoga hi har jagah hota hai. Violence is much less now compared to before. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/yJMkdgqnVA On a day when a number of violent incidents were reported in West Bengal during the fourth phase of polls, TMC candidate from Asansol and veteran actor Moon Moon Sen said, "Thoda toh hoga hi har jagah hota hai (Some amount of violence is witnessed everywhere). Violence is much less now compared to before." The overall turnout for this phase is estimated to be 61.26 percent. "The Congress has unleashed a demonic culture of looting the nation's resources for filling their own pockets, which has done enough harm to the nation and it should be stopped at once", he said, campaigning for the BJP's candidate Jamyang Tsering Namgyal in Ladakh parliamentary seat, which is primarily Buddhist-dominated. Addressing rallies at Nyoma in Changthang region near the Line of Actual Control in Leh, the minister of state for home said in the 72 years of independence, Congress enjoyed power for 60 years but the party did not manage to do anything for the common man. Union minister Kiren Rijiju lashed out at the Congress on Monday for "decades of criminal injustice" to the people of Ladakh. The complainant alleged, "In complete disregard to the electoral processes and norms and in order to wrongfully give advantage to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), in which her husband is the national convener, the accused is deliberately and intentionally maintaining her name in the electoral roll at two different places." While one identity card is from Uttra Pradesh's Ghaziabad parliamentary constituency, the another is from Chandni Chowk, Khuranna alleged in his petition. In view of Cyclone Fani, Odisha chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi directed Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) to keep close watch over the situation and asked concerned departments to stay in all preparedness to deal with any possible strike of the cyclone, according to ANI. The Hindu reported that EC has told the Odisha government to ensure security of EVM strong rooms in view of the cyclone. Lok Sabha Election 2019 Phase 4 Voting Latest Updates: The Election Commission (EC) issued a show-cause notice to Union minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh for his communal remarks. The EC said, prima facie, Singh has violated provisions of the model code and directions of the Supreme Court which had said that religion cannot be used while making statements during campaigning. He has been given 24 hours to respond to the notice. Opposition Samajwadi Party Monday urged the Election Commission to remove Uttar Pardesh's police chief OP Singh from the post, alleging he was "favouring" the ruling BJP and trying to influence elections. The party also alleged that in at at least two polling booths in Kannauj the VVPAT machine showed the voting for the BJP when the ballot was cast for the SP. The Election Commission directed the police to register FIR against Union minister and BJP's Asansol candidate Babul Supriyo for allegedly trespassing into booth number 199 and threatening a polling agent and an officer. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed at a West Bengal rally that 40 TMC MLAs were in touch with him, TMC leader Derek O'Brien saidthe party will complain to the Election Commission and charge Modi with horse-trading. The Election Commission has ordered the police to register FIRs against BJP candidates Dudh Kumar Mondal (Birbhum) and Kalyan Chaubey (Krishnanagar). Both these candidates were caught speaking on the phone while being inside the booth. Allegations of vote rigging have also been levelled against both of them. Samajwadi Party fielded former BSF jawan Tej Bahadur from Varanasi, withdrawing the name of its earlier candidate Shalini Yadav from the constituency. Bahadur had triggered uproar in 2017 over his videos on the "substandard food" served to soldiers on social media. Addressing a rally in Srirampur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lashed out at TMC over poll violence as he reacted to Mamata Banerjee's remark of sending him sweets filled with rocks. "She wants to feed us rasgullas made of soil and stones. If Modi gets rasgulla made of the soil of West Bengal, that that will be as good as prasad for him. The more rasgullas you send, the more people will be saved from being hit by them by your goons," he said. Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu has claimed that he would quit politics if Congress chief Rahul Gandhi loses the Lok Sabha election from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi faces a tough fight from Smriti Irani in the family bastion, from where he had defeated her in 2014 as well. Cricketer-turned-politician Sidhu also rejected the BJP's charge that no development has taken place in the country in the last 70 years. He said that the country made everything from a needle to an aircraft during this period. Paramilitary troops allegedly resorted to aerial firing at a poll booth in Birbhum's Dubrajpur to control a violent crowd. The firing took place after TMC workers allegedly tried to enter the booth with their mobile phones. The people were claiming that they were never informed that they cannot carry mobile phones to the booth. A BJP delegation from Delhi including Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Vijay Goel and Anil Baluni met the Election Commission on Monday over the issue of poll-related violence during phase four voting in West Bengal. The panel also raised the issue of Congress leaders making 'derogatory statements' against the prime minister. Counterintuitively, the TMC had also asked the poll panel for time to make an appointment, about alleged poll code violations by the BJP. Amid poll boycott, clashes erupted on Monday between youth and government forces at Qoimoh and Bugam areas of south Kashmir's Kulgam district where polling is being held for Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency. Rising Kashmir reported that the local youth pelted stones at the polling booth, after which swung into action and fired tear gas shells at the protesting mob Overall voting turnout in Kulgam (which comes under Anantnag LS seat) was an abysmal .36 percent till 11.46 am. Polling began in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir amid stringent security arrangements as the voting in the second leg of the three-phase schedule for the Lok Sabha seat would decide the fate of 18 candidates, including former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti. "We are not voting because it means nothing for us," Abrara Ahmad, a resident of Yaripora said. "We even dont know who has stood up in elections." Yaripora is infested with militancy and the streets were deserted on Monday morning. Kulgam, which is going to polls in the second of the three-phase polls for the Anantnag parliamentary constituency, is among the four most volatile districts in south Kashmir. The car of union minister Babul Supriyo, the BJP candidate in Asansol, was vandalized outside a polling station after a fight erupted between BJP and Trinamool Congress workers. SC agrees to hear plea of Cong MP Sushmita Dev alleging violation of Model Code of Conduct by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. The BJP will be raising the issue of violence on poll day today with the Election Commission after clashes broke out at several polling booths in Bengal's Asansol. Complaints of booth capture were also reported from some booths, after which BJP's Babul Supriyo had a heated argument with the poll officials. EVM machines at Maulana Azad School in Jodhpur and at the Chaupasani Housing Board in the same city were reported to be faulty early on Monday, resulting in protests by voters. Voting was stopped for almost half an hour at booth number 19 in Dungarpur, a part of the Udaipur Lok Sabha constituency. The EVM machine had reportedly stopped working after the mock polls. Voting was started again after the machine was fixed. Voting was delayed by about half an hour at booth number 98 and by one hour at booth number 130 of Raniwada due to EVM malfunctions. Voting is yet to begin at booth numbers 189 and 196 of Chhibramau area in Kannauj, after glitches in EVM were detected. BJP's Babul Supriyo had a verbal duel with polling officers after he visited a polling booth in Asansol over complaints of booth capture and ensuing clashes. "I will myself take the central forces to that polling station. It is very good that people in West Bengal are aware&they want central forces so that they can cast their vote. This is why Mamata Banerjee is scared," Supriyo said. Even after CEO announcing 100 percent cover of central forces across all booths in Asansol, five booths don't have central forces manning them. At Durgapur's Jemua village booth number 222, 223, 224, 225 and 226 don't have central force deployed there. They come under Asansol Lok Sabha constituency. Villagers have boycotted polling, demanding that central forces be deployed at their polling stations or they will not cast their votes. After the bloody poll violence marred voting in 3 phases of elections, Election Commission has deployed an unprecedented 561 companies of central forces for the fourth phase of elections in Bengal's eight seats. Central forces are deployed across 98.8 percent of the total polling booth premises set up in the state. Meanwhile, BJP has alleged booth capture by "TMC goons" at several booths in Chapra and Krishnanagar. With the fourth phase, the Parliamentary election has now moved towards the Ganga region from the land of Jats and Yadavs. The fourth phase is crucial for the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance because it will be a test of transfer of votes. According to the ground reports, the gathbandhan is not likely to get Yadav votes in areas where Mayawati has fielded her candidates, presumably due to caste ego issues. Industrialist Anil Ambani, BJP candidate Poonam Mahajan and actor Rekha were among early voters in Maximum city Mumbai. Meanwhile, voters could also be seen lining up to cast vote in Mumbai South and East constituencies An energetic campaign boosted by his image of being a trenchant critic of the Modi government has propelled CPI's Kanhaiya Kumar into the centre stage of electoral contest in Begusarai seat but many see his rising graph posing a bigger threat to the opposition RJD than the ruling BJP. The BJP supporters in Begusarai assert that the appeal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains a big draw for voters, while the opposition's alliance is hoping to counter it with its social arithmetic at several places. The contest in Phase 4 will be interesting to watch as Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the two states in Hindi heartland which the BJP lost to Congress recently, will begin polling in this phase. The saffron party had cornered all but two of the total 54 seats in 2014, but it appeared to have ceded space to the Congress in last year's Assembly polls. The party is counting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal charsima to retain its vote share. Polling will be held on Monday for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha election in 72 parliamentary constituencies spread across nine states. The stakes are high for the ruling BJP and its allies as it had swept 56 of these seats in 2014, leaving just two for the Congress and the rest for other Opposition parties such as the Trinamool Congress (six) and the Biju Janata Dal (six). Voting will take place in 17 seats in Maharashtra, 13 each in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, eight in West Bengal, six each in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, five in Bihar, three in Jharkhand and a part of the Anantnag constituency in Jammu and Kashmir. Election in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, where the BJP had cornered all but two of the total 54 seats in 2014, will begin in this phase. The Congress appeared to make a comeback, forming the governments in the states after last year's Assembly polls. In the first three phases, voting has been held in 302 Lok Sabha constituencies, and 168 more seats will go to polls in the last three phases. The fate of 961 candidates, including Union ministers Giriraj Singh, Subhash Bhamre, SS Ahluwalia and Babul Supriyo of the BJP and former Union ministers Salman Khurshid and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury of the Congress, will be decided by about 12.79 core voters in the fourth phase. Among other key contestants in the fray are Kanhaiya Kumar (CPI), Baijayant Panda (BJP), Urmila Matondkar (Congress), Dimple Yadav (Samajwadi Party), Satabdi Roy (TMC) and Milind Deora (Congress). The Election Commission has set up 1.40 lakh polling booths/stations and has made elaborate security arrangements. In Maharashtra, where election will come to end with this phase, the opposition Congress is facing a tough task of reclaiming its lost base in north Maharashtra and Mumbai, while the NCP is trying to get a foothold in Thane district and Western Maharashtra. The BJP and its ally Shiv Sena had won all 17 seats in 2014. Union minister Subhash Bhamre, and Congress leaders Milind Deora and Urmila Matondkar are among the 323 candidates in the fray in this phase. Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot's son, a member of erstwhile Jaipur royal family and two Union ministers, are among 115 candidates whose fate will be decided on Monday. Jodhpur became one of the most talked about seats in the Congress-ruled state where Gehlot did massive campaigning for his son Vaibhav, pitted against sitting MP and Union minister of state Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. In Rajasthan, where the BJP had won all the seats in 2014, the Congress appeared to make a comeback, forming the government in the state with a narrow majority after last year's Assembly polls. In Uttar Pradesh, most of these 13 seats are seeing a direct fight between the BJP and SP-BSP alliance with Kannauj being a matter of prestige for the SP. In 2014, the BJP won 12 of these 13 seats in the state. Only Kannauj, won by the Samajwadi Party, defied the Modi wave that year among them. Former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav's wife Dimple is seeking re-election from Kannauj. The Congress has a good presence in at least three of the constituencies Unnao (Annu Tandon), Farrukhabad (Salman Khurshid) and Kanpur (Sriprakash Jaiswal). In West Bengal, all the eight seats, which are spread across four districts, will see a four-cornered contest between Trinamool Congress, BJP, Congress and the Left Front. In Odisha, where the state's ruling BJD won all six seats, the BJP is making concerted efforts to bag a few seats. Prominent among the hopefuls include BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda (Kendrapara), who quit the BJD to join the party recently. Polling will also be held in 41 Assembly seats in Odisha in this phase. In Bihar, the BJP and its allies are looking to retain all the five seats in the face of a spirited fight put up by the RJD-Congress alliance. The cynosure of all eyes in this phase, however, is the Begusarai seat which will witness an electrifying contest between the political Left and the Right with CPI debutant Kanhaiya Kumar taking on firebrand BJP leader Giriraj Singh. In all the six seats in Madhya Pradesh, a direct fight between the Congress and the BJP is on the cards. The state's new power centre is witnessing a unique father-son electoral show with Chief Minister Kamal Nath and his son Nakul in the fray, hoping to boost not just the Congress but also strike roots as deep as the tree from where this region takes its name. While the chief minister, a nine-time MP from the area, is contesting an Assembly bypoll, Nakul Nath is hoping to get elected to the Lok Sabha from Chhindwara, named after the wild date palm tree known as Chhind. Over 45.26 lakh voters will decide the fate of 59 candidates in the first phase of polls for three Lok Sabha constituencies in Jharkhand. Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Sudarshan Bhagat is seeking re-election from the Lohardaga (ST) seat. Polling will also be held in Kulgam district, which is part of Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency. Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency is spread over four districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama with 16 Assembly segments. The Lok Sabha polls to this constituency are being held in three phases due to security reasons. Election to 542 Lok Sabha seats is being conducted in seven phases between 11 April and 19 May. Election in Vellore constituency in Tamil Nadu has been cancelled following excess use of money power. Results will be declared on 23 May. With inputs from PTI Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 29) Malacanang has offered a 10-million reward to fasttrack the arrest of a former anti-narcotics police officer who tagged President Rodrigo Duterte's ex-foreign adviser in the drug trade, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Monday. "P10M bounty confirmed, but I'm not privy to where it will be sourced. the amount is certainly much larger than what the DOJ could offer," he said in a text message to reporters, referring to Eduardo Acierto Guevarra said his team is focused on going after Acierto's coddlers and protectors. Earlier this month, a Manila court ordered the arrest of Acierto and other former government officials over the controversial multibillion-peso illegal drug shipment that slipped past Customs in 2018. Acierto, former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency deputy director general for administration Ismael Fajardo Jr, and former Customs intelligence officer Jimmy Guban were tagged by the National Bureau of Investigation as "core conspirators" in facilitating the entry of more than 13 billion worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) concealed in magnetic lifters at the Manila International Container Port in June. Authorities seized the shipment in August. The three were also included in President Rodrigo Duterte's "special report" which revealed names of government officials supposedly involved in the illegal drug trade. Acierto in March made rounds when he tagged former presidential economic adviser Michael Yang as part of the drug trade. Both Malacanang and Duterte earlier cleared Yang of such links. I think talk is over. Its time for action. I think we are very close to our pavilion being in danger, he said, adding that while the park is open, some of that is at your own risk because of the erosion. Police and fire officials are concerned that if someone is drowning in the lake, first responders wont be able to get to them because the walkway to the lake is gone. In a tweet, Yogi Adityanath said, 'Temperatures are high, take care of yourself but definitely cast your vote...every single vote of yours help formation of the government' Lucknow: With the mercury steadily rising, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other senior leaders on Monday appealed to the electorate not to bogged down by soaring temperatures and exercise their franchise. Polling is underway in 13 constituencies of Uttar Pradesh on Monday. In a tweet, Adityanath said, "Temperatures are high, take care of yourself but definitely cast your vote...every single vote of yours help formation of the government." "For a prosperous and strong Bharat, for a strong and decisive government, for fulfilling a dream, come out of houses today and vote. Remember, first voting and then breakfast," he said. BSP president Mayawati also took to twitter to exhort people to vote. "Polling is taking place for the fourth phase of election for the 17th Lok Sabha. It is an appeal to voters to first discharge their duty of casting votes. This effort of theirs is important for their welfare and interest," the former UP chief minister said. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav tweeted "Today's election will prove to be decisive for days to come." "For the safety of democracy, get united to vote by discharging your duties and rights as a citizen in the fourth phase of the process of mahaparivartan," Yadav said in a tweet. In a related tweet, he said,"Today is a celebration of democracy and every single vote is taking the country ahead towards progress." Kulgam district recorded a 7.5 percent voter turnout till 2 pm. The highest votes were cast in Noorabad, the National Conference bastion 11,854 (15.5 percent), followed by Devsar 11,870 (13 percent). Meanwhile, 1,313 (1.3 percent) votes were cast in Kulgam and the lowest turnout was witnessed in Hom Shalibugh where 591 (0.8 percent) votes were cast till 2 pm Redwani, Kulgam: A pack of wild dogs waited outside and inside polling booth number 60. Paramilitary soldiers and polling staff were also present, but there wasn't a polling agent in sight. The booth in Redwani, one of the worst militancy-affected areas of Kulgam district in south Kashmir, had no visitors. Not even a single person turned to vote. A visible-frustrated paramilitary troop from Bengaluru deployed recently for the Lok Sabha election manned the gate. He shooed the dogs away hoping someone would turn up, but instead of voters, the dogs returned 10 minutes. The stench of a complete boycott hung heavy in the air. The soldier wondered what was happening. "Why is no one coming to vote?" he asked this reporter, "Is there a curfew? Are there militants living nearby?" There was, in fact, no curfew, but a strike call given by the Joint Resistance Leadership, an amalgam of separatists groups. Kulgam district recorded a 7.5 percent voter turnout till 2 pm. The highest votes were cast in Noorabad, the National Conference bastion 11,854 (15.5 percent), followed by Devsar 11,870 (13 percent). Meanwhile, 1,313 (1.3 percent) votes were cast in Kulgam and the lowest turnout was witnessed in Hom Shalibugh where 591 (0.8 percent) votes were cast till 2 pm. The Redwani-D polling booth has 822 registered voters, but till 2 pm, not even a single voter had turned up to vote. In the nearby polling both of Redwani-59, there are 873 registered, but this booth too saw the same outcome, and there were no polling agents either. The Election Commission of India's (ECI) decision to conduct phase-wise polling for restive Anantnag parliamentary constituency on the state police's request made clear sense on Sunday evening when reports of clashes and a grenade attack on a polling booth came from Kulgam, barely hours before it would go for the second-phase of polling for the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat. On Monday, four people were injured after government forces fired pellets at protesters in Kulgam district. By daybreak, the defiance became obvious, as deserted streets and desolated polling booths ringed with security cover made it certain that this restive zone of south Kashmir, where security forces had to set up new military installations in recent times to counter the ground defiance, only lived up to its image. The restive Khudwani village that witnessed a wave of protests, clashes and encounters after popular militant commander Burhan Wani's killing in July 2016 wore a deserted look. A total of 2,562 voters were registered to cast their ballot inside Shemford School. By 8.45 am, however, no one had turned up to ink their respective fingers. "Nobody is polling here," Rameez, a fresh-faced college-goer, said while hinting at the pervasive deserted nature of his village. "We aren't sellouts. Our brothers have laid down their lives to end ruthless Indian occupation in Kashmir. Those polling will only strengthen this ugly occupation that is killing and torturing us every day." The remarks clearly reflected the deep-seated anger on the ground. A similar sentiment was palpable in another restive Kulgam village called Qaimoh, where the polling booth was stoned by angry youths. The government forces had to fire teargas shells and pellets to disperse the crowd. Only one vote had been cast inside the Government Higher Secondary School. A total of 3,900 people are registered to vote here. Kulgam not only fiercely protested during the 2016 protests, but also sent dozens of its youngsters to militant ranks. Almost two years later, most of those youngsters have become tombstones on the grim landscape of Kulgam. Perhaps this was the reason why Kulgam, despite carrying the reputation of being a melting pot housing multiple ideologies, had only polled less than one percent of the over-3.45 lakh electorate in the first two hours of polling on Monday. The boycott dominated in the belt that still carries the remnants of the largely-extinct Marxist ideology footprints in Kashmir, with veteran Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, the card-carrying comrade still holding its ground in the district. In Noorabad and Devsar areas, however, large queues of voters had turned up to exercise their franchise. Much of the polling was propelled by the pro-India party pockets there. The voting in the second leg of polling for the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat will decide the fate of 18 candidates, including former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, JKPCC chief GA Mir, the judge-turned-politician Hassnain Masoodi of the National Conference and BJP's Sofi Yousuf. Given the security sensitivity involved in the district, polling ended at 4 pm, instead of the usual 6 pm. The timing was changed following a request by the state police to the ECI. This, in turn, makes the sullen situation clear in Kulgam, which comprises four Assembly segments of Kulgam, Devsar, Noorabad and Hom Shalibugh. Other than Kulgam, Anantnag Lok Sabha seat comprises three other Assembly segments Anantnag, Kulgam and Shopian. The Lok Sabha polls to this constituency are being held in three phases due to security reasons. Anantnag district went to polls on 23 April, while voting in Pulwama and Shopian districts will take place on 6 May. In the first leg, Anantnag district voted (during the third phase of the General Election on April 23) with a low turnout of 13.61 percent. "We are not taking any chances with the security in the poll-bound areas today," said a senior police officer, "Given the recent history of the district, it's indeed a challenge for all of us to ensure peaceful polling here." This is the reason all 433 polling booths in Kulgam district have been designated as hypersensitive. Polling stations for migrant Kashmiri Pandits have been set up at Jammu, Udhampur and New Delhi. After the 2016 protests kept the district on the edge, the government had to cancel bypolls in April 2017 for fear of violence from the southern pockets like Kulgam. That seething sense of defiance has since then compounded, forcing political parties to go for low-key and indoor public meetings. "New Delhi is only flogging the dead horse of democracy in Kulgam today," said Shabnam Ara, a political science student from Kulgam town, "It understands well that there are no takers for such farcical exercises here anymore and yet, it are desperate to conduct this military exercise and in doing so, conveniently undermining the ground situation. How long will these rulers keep their people in the dark about Kashmir?" Follow all the latest Lok Sabha election updates here Three constituencies in Madhya Pradesh are hot seats that will be watched closely as the state votes in Phase 4 of the Lok Sabha election today. Although the Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency has garnered all the limelight this election in Madhya Pradesh after the BJP fielded Sadhvi Pragya Thakur as its candidate, three other constituencies in the state are hot seats that will be watched closely as the state goes to polls in Phase 4 on Monday. Of six constituencies that will vote on Monday, Chhindwara, Balaghat and Jabalpur will have special focus of the poll pundits for various reasons. Chhindwara will witness Chief Minister Kamal Nath's son contesting for the seat from where his father was elected nine times. Balaghat, on the other hand, is a Naxal-affected district of the state, and given the Naxal violence ahead of the elections in the neighbouring state of Chhattisgarh, this constituency will be on high security alert. Jabalpur constituency, in the meanwhile, will see a tough contest between state BJP president Rakesh Singh and Congress candidate Vivek Tankha a known name in the legal fraternity. The other constituencies of the state voting on 29 April are Sidhi, Shahdol and Mandla. Chhindwara Chhindwara has gained a unique distinction of being the only constituency in Madhya Pradesh from where both the father and son are contesting. While Kamal Nath, who is also a nine-time Lok Sabha MP from Chhindwara since 1980 with a break of two years, will be contesting for the first time in the Assembly bypolls on 29 April, his son Nakul Nath is a Congress nominee for the Lok Sabha polls, in place of his father. Both father and son are campaigning together on the development plank. Nakul Nath, making his debut, has been pitted against BJPs tribal leader and former MLA Nathan Shah Kavreti. He has been promising to continue the development work started by his father in his constituency. Chhindwara has been a family turf of the Naths for almost four decades. Kamal Nath got defeated only once in 1997 by-election against former chief minister and BJP leader Sundar Lal Patwa. Prior to it, in 1996, his wife Alka Nath contested on his behalf and won. After that, there was no looking back for Nath. After his becoming chief minister, Kamal Nath, needs to qualify as an MLA within six months from the date of becoming chief minister. The Assembly bypoll was necessitated after Congress MLA Deepak Saksena vacated the seat for him. BJP has fielded a young leader of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) Vivek Sahu against him. As Union minister, Nath had brought development by setting up industries and skill-development centres in Chhindwara district, which is close to Nagpur. However, many locals and the Opposition allege lack of employment opportunity in the constituency. Chhindwara model of development is being discussed all over. As former Union minister for commerce and industries, and also surface transport, Kamal Nath did a lot of development for his constituency. And this will go both in his and his sons favour, Abhilash Khandekar, political commentator and senior journalist, who has been covering central Indian politics for nearly three decades, told Firstpost. Balaghat Tribal district Balaghat is affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE). A sensitive constituency in terms of Naxalism, Balaghat shares border with the states of Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, where Maoist insurgency is at its peak in districts such as Bastar and Gadchiroli respectively. Though Balaghat hasnt witnessed Maoist ambush or triggering of blasts in recent times despite increase in movement of the ultra Left cadre in the past one year, it is used more as a safe hideout by Maoists, who after causing disturbances in Bastar and Gadchiroli, move to this district. With heavy deployment of central paramilitary forces, the security is very tight, especially in two Assembly segments tribal-dominated Baihar and Lanji, which are dominated by Lodhi community and this has become a challenging task for the administration to conduct polling peacefully. With the BJP rejecting the candidature of the sitting MP Bodh Singh Bhagat and giving ticket to former state minster Dhal Singh Bisen, the party is facing rebellion at the local level. Bhagat, whos popular in the constituency, is now contesting as an independent candidate, enjoying a large support base. He has also invoked the names of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi to garner support in his favour. Congress has fielded Madhu Bhagat, who like Dhal Singh, Bodh Singh and Madhu, is from the Pawar community. The BSP candidate Kankar Munjare is a veteran leader and enjoys good support among Lodhi community, which is the second largest in the district. Due to the SP-BSP alliance, he will also get the benefit of traditional BSP votes. Four leaders in the fray have made the contest in this copper-rich constituency with Malajkhand as Asias deepest and largest copper mines not only different from the past but tough as well. Jabalpur Jabalpur, a British-era town (now city) in the Mahakoshal region of the state, with army cantonment and Ordnance factories, will witness a clash of two heavyweights three-term BJP MP and state president Rakesh Singh and head of AICC legal cell and former additional Solicitor General, Vivek Tankha. The contest will be tougher, unlike in 2014 as theres dissent from within a section of state BJP against Singh and allegations of no major development in the region. Residents of Jabalpur who had attended Prime Minister Naredra Modis public rally said that during his address, the prime minister didnt name Singh. Modiji said when you cast your vote, remember you are voting for me...your vote goes to me. He didnt name Rakesh Singh anywhere. If Singh loses, it wont be due to Congress, but due to the BJP itself. Here theres anger within a section of BJP against Singh, a Jabalpur-based lawyer told Firstpost. Also known as the cultural capital (Sanskaardhaani)' of Madhya Pradesh, Jabalpur according to the local population failed to get any major development projects in the last 15 years of Rakesh Singh as MP. Out of four urban Assembly seats, three are with the Congress; similarly, out of four rural Assembly seats in this constituency, three are with the BJP. Congress Vivek Tankha who was one of the youngest advocate generals of Madhya Pradesh has been active in rural areas right from the beginning. Theres widespread complaint against Rakesh Singh for not doing much for his constituency. Despite being a parliamentarian for three terms and also a state BJP chief, he failed to bring any major project in this region. Congress is likely to gain from its victory in the Assembly election, added Khandekar, the author of Shivraj Singh and Rise of Madhya Pradesh. Importance of Sidhi This election will also provide an opportunity to Congress candidate Ajay Singh, also known as Rahul Bhaiyya, from Sidhi constituency to revive his fortune. The stakes are high for this former Leader of Opposition in Madhya Pradesh Assembly, whos the son of stalwart Congress leader and former chief minister and Union HRD minister Arjun Singh. He lost Lok Sabha polls in 2014 from Satna and Assembly election in 2018 from his home turf Churhat. Its going to be a make-or-break election from Singh this time as he has been fielded against the BJPs sitting MP Riti Pathak. The states of Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh voted in the first phase of their general elections, with three, twelve and six seats going to the polls respectively. The fourth phase of the 17th Lok Sabha elections was held on Monday across 71 parliamentary seats from the states of Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Just like the third phase, West Bengal recorded the maximum voter turnout among all the states that went to polls. The eight seats in West Bengal saw a turnout of over 76 percent till 6 pm. Madhya Pradesh recorded the second highest voting percentage in the fourth phase at close to 66 percent. Maharashtra once again saw a poor voter turnout. The 17 seats in the state witnessed an average of just a little above 50 percent voter turnout as of 6 pm. Voting concluded in Maharashtra with this phase, with its final 17 seats going for elections. This included high-profile constituencies like Mumbai South, from where Congress leader and former MP Milind Deora is contesting, and Mumbai North Central, that is witnessing a clash between incumbent BJP MP Poonam Mahajan and Congress Priya Dutt. Both Mahajan and Dutt are daughters of prominent figures Pramod Mahajan and Sunil Dutt. Bollywood celebrities like Kareena Kapoor-Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan showed up with their families to vote. While voting was carried out peacefully across the state, the Election Commission received at least 30 complaints of EVM malfunctioning, primarily from Dhule and Nandurbar constituencies. The states of Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh voted in the first phase of their general elections, with three, twelve and six seats going to the polls respectively. The remaining seats in these states have been spread across the final three phases. Constituencies in Rajasthan recorded a voting turnout of 62.82 percent, while the figure in Jharkhand was 63.42 percent. Calls for boycott Reminiscent of the 2018 state Assembly elections, several villages across Rajasthan called for a boycott of the general elections, citing lack of infrastructural development. Some of them included Sodawas, Khanpur under Jhalawar Lok Sabha seat and Mahamandir in Jodhpur. By 9 am, the Election Commission had already received 88 complaints of EVM malfunctioning in Rajasthan. Authorities reached the locations to replace the machines and resumed voting. Clashes between rival parties regarding voter intimidation and complaints of fake voting also took place in Barmer, Raniwad and Sirohi. In Barmer, three people were injured in such clashes and were rushed to the hospital. In Jharkhands first phase, voting was carried out peacefully, according to L Khyangte, chief election officer. However, allegations of missing voters cropped up at a polling booth in Sisai, under Lohardaga constituency. Based on inputs, about 50 names were left off the voting list. These included several individuals who had voted in the previous state and general elections held in 2014. Madhya Pradesh, like Rajasthan, saw several villages boycotting the elections. Across Lok Sabha constituencies Dindori and Shahdol, a looming water crisis and lack of canals were put forward as reasons for boycott. In Sidhi, lack of infrastructural development pushed residents to boycott voting in this election. Across these regions, villagers refused to step out and exercise their franchise until their demands were fulfilled. In villages where a call for boycott was put forward, polling officers were sent to the spot in an attempt to persuade voters. Jammu and Kashmir witnessed low voter turnout at its only seat, Kulgam, in Anantnag. At a polling booth in Yaripora, only 13 out of 2,300 turned up. Similarly, several polling booths recorded zero voting even till afternoon. A stray incident of stone-pelting took place as well. However, no injuries were reported. A polling percentage of 9.79 percent was recorded in Kulgam by 6 pm. West Bengal, sticking to its trend from the last three phases, saw sporadic incidents of violence taking place across its seven seats that went to vote today primarily in Asansol and Birbhum Lok Sabha constituencies. Clashes between Congress, BJP and TMC workers over allegations of booth capturing, rigging, and using intimidation and physical violence against voters led to several injuries. The clashes required the immediate intervention by the CRPF personnel deployed on the ground. BJPs Babul Supriyo, incumbent MP from Asansol, alleged mass rigging across voting booths in Jamuria and Raniganj. The EC also received several notices from the TMC and BJP, each accusing the other of violating the model code of conduct. Odisha, which sent six seats for election today, witnessed minor bursts of violence in Kendrapara between BJD and BJP supporters. Due to the clashes, two BJP workers suffered injuries. In another incident, a Congress worker, Lachman Behera, was allegedly stabbed to death in Noliasahi, in Balikuda-Erasama, after voting. EVM malfunctioning was also reported from Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur and Mayurbhanj constituencies, where voting was delayed by more than an hour. Jajpur, Mayurbhanj and Kendrapara also saw a call for election boycott by voters. In Sukinda Assembly seat, under Jajpur Lok Sabha constituency, voters boycotted polls as they complained of the district administrations inefficiency and inaction in shifting them from the Kalinganagar industrial area. Three polling officials were also suspended after being caught on a CCTV camera influencing voters in Jajpur. Odisha recorded 64 percent polling by 6 pm. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar witnessed EVM malfunctioning, scattered incidents of clashes and calls for election boycott. EVM malfunctioning was reported in Uttar Pradeshs Kannauj, Hamirpur, Kanpur and Shahjahanpur, among others. Bihar reported technical glitches in Lakhimpur Dariyapur, under Ujiarpur Lok Sabha seat. Clashes were reported between rival party supporters in Shahjahanpur, Kannauj, Lakhisarai and Munger in Uttar Pradesh. However, no major injuries were reported in these regions. People disappointed over poor infrastructure boycotted elections in Bihars Samastipur and Uttar Pradeshs Hardoi and Farrukhabad. Bihar recorded 57.71 percent polling, while Uttar Pradesh saw a 54.16 percent turnout till 6 pm. Elections officers among 5 dead Some individuals, including election officers, lost their lives at polling booths today. In Jodhpur, Shaitan Singh, a booth-level officer in Setrawa village, died after slipping down a staircase while on duty. Suresh Chand Paliwal, another polling official deployed at Vallabh Nagar polling station in Udaipur, died while on duty. He fainted at the polling station and after being rushed to MB hospital in Udaipur city, was declared dead by doctors. A woman passed away right after casting her vote in Rajasthan's Rajsamand constituency. Bheem Sub-Division's SDM Suman Sonal said that Badnam Bai, resident of Bahar village, visited the polling booth at 9:30 am. She reportedly started feeling uneasy right after voting and was declared dead after being rushed to the hospital. One Ompal Singh, a resident of Baghauli village in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, died while waiting in line to vote. Similarly, at booth 61 in Darbhanga Lok Sabha seat, Bihar, 70-year-old Reetlal Ray suffered a heart attack while on his way to vote. A polling official, Sagarika Nayak, was hospitalised after she fell sick, reportedly due to heat exhaustion in Soro, under Balasore Lok Sabha constituency. She has been admitted to the Community Health Centre in Soro. With inputs from Bibhuti Mohapatra, Ashwin Aghor and A Ghose (The author is a Hyderabad-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.com) Follow updates on the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha Election 2019 here Conducting polls in an ethnically and geographically diverse country like India is a herculean task, requiring extensive preparations. India is in the midst of electing its 17th Lok Sabha. The general elections are being held in seven phases between 11 April and 19 May, 2019. The counting of votes will take place on 23 May. At least 900 million voters will exercise their franchise this time, making it the worlds biggest election till date. Meanwhile, election campaigning is in full swing across the country with candidates belonging to different political parties hitting the campaign trail. Ultimately, 543 candidates will emerge successful in the Lok Sabha elections as per the First Past The Poll (FPTP) system. Conducting an election in an ethnically and geographically diverse country like India is a herculean task, requiring extensive preparations to keep the electoral processes up and running. Articles 324 to 329 in the Indian Constitution deal with the electoral system in India. The Constitution gives Parliament the power to create laws dealing with elections to the Parliament and state assemblies. In this regard, the Representation of the People Act, 1950 serves as one of the two legislation for the smooth conduct of elections in India the other being the 1951 Act of the same name. Determines total seats in Parliament, assemblies This Act was enacted by the Provisional Parliament in 1950 just months after the Constitution came into effect. The Act is divided into eight Parts and four Schedules. Part II of the Act deals with the allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha and the state Legislative Assemblies, the delimitation process for constituencies as well as the allocation of seats in the Legislative Councils in different states. As far as the delimitation process is concerned, Section 4 in Part II of the Act empowers the Delimitation Commission to draw the boundaries of parliamentary constituencies. However, states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Assam, Nagaland and Jharkhand are excluded from delimitation. This particular Section was amended in 2008 after the last delimitation process. Section 7(1A) of the Act reserves 12 seats for the Bhutia-Lecha community, two seats for the Scheduled Castes and one seat for the Sanghas in the Sikkim Assembly. Section 7(1B) also states the number of seats reserved for the Scheduled Tribes in the Assemblies of Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. The first Schedule lays down the number of Lok Sabha seats for every state, while the second Schedule enumerates the total Assembly seats in each state. The third Schedule gives a break-up of the total seats in the Legislative Councils of seven states. The Act also states that Tamil Nadu has 78 seats in its Legislative Council. However, the Upper House has not been revived in the state since its abolition in 1986. Act mandates regular updating of electoral rolls Part IIA lays down the different polling officers who are required for smooth conduct of polling across the country. This part of the Act specifically mandates the Election Commission to nominate in consultation with the concerned state a number of key officers. They include the Chief Electoral Officer, who heads the electoral machinery in a state, District Election Officer, who is responsible for the preparation and revision of the electoral rolls for constituencies within the district, Electoral Registration Officer, who is responsible for revising the electoral roll in a constituency, and the Assistant Electoral Registration Officer, who assists the ERO. Part IIB of the Act states that the electoral roll for a Parliamentary Constituency will consist of electoral rolls for all Assembly Constituencies that come under it, except in the case of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territories, which do not have a legislature. Part III of the Act lays down the qualifications for registering a voter along with the conditions that can bar someone from voting. As per the Act, a person needs to be above the age of 18 years on the qualifying date and an ordinary resident of India to be able to register as a voter. However, a person shall be disqualified from registering in the electoral rolls if he or she is not a citizen of India. People of unsound mind as well as those disqualified from voting under the provisions of any law relating to corrupt practices and other offences in connection with elections are also barred from registering their name in the electoral roll. After a 2010 amendment to the Act, Indian citizens living in foreign countries, commonly known as Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), are also eligible to vote in the place of residence which is mentioned in their passports. The Act specifies that the electoral rolls in every Assembly Constituency need to be revised from time to time. It also lays down the process of inclusion of names as well as correction of other details in the electoral roll. Moreover, the Electoral Registration Officer plays a key role in accepting applications for inclusion or correction in the electoral roll. Notably, the Act makes it clear that a citizen can only be registered in the electoral roll of one Assembly Constituency at a given point of time. Part V of the Act also bestows certain rule-making powers to the Centre. However, since 1998, the Election Commission has been demanding that the powers be transferred to them. Moreover, if any electoral officer is found guilty of not performing duties relating to the electoral roll, he or she may be imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three months but which may extend to two years and with fine. Phase 4 of polling covers a total of 71 constituencies across nine states including a part of Jammu and Kashmir. As a number of major states gear up for yet another phase of voting, Google is back with a doodle which we've seen feature on all polling days so far. The doodle doesn't feature anything too fancy but aims to address general queries that a voter might have in mind before one sets out to the nearest polling booth. These general FAQs include when to vote, where to vote, how to vote, how to get your name on the voters' list, and all other such similar question. (For live updates, analysis on all the happenings related to phase 4 of voting today, you can head to our live blog) When you click on the doodle, it leads you to a quick guide on 'How to vote' during these Indian general elections, 2019. It has information on the voting process at the polling booth, details of voter helpline in case a citizen finds that their name is not on the voting list, finding out where to vote, and the dates for the voting days for different regions. Do note, you can only vote if your name appears in the Voter List aka Electoral Roll. You can also refer to our Election Search Engine. The 2019 Indian general elections began on 11 April with votings scheduled to take place in seven phases across the country. The stage is now set for the fourth phase of polling which includes 71 constituencies across nine states with Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan witnessing the first round and Maharashtra and Odisha registering the final round of polling. Apart from these three states, the states which are voting today include Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir. Apart from the technical glitches in voting machines, there cases of blatant violation of Model Code of Conduct during the Lok Sabha election's fourth phase. As nine states went to polls in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Monday, incidents of EVM malfunctioning surfaced again and delayed the voting process by some hours in many Lok Sabha constituencies. Apart from the technical glitches in voting machines, blatant violation of Model Code of Conduct by party workers and candidates also disrupted the polling process in several states. EVM malfunction derails voting in states In Uttar Pradesh, voting stopped for at least an hour due to EVM malfunctions at booth 374 in Rasoolabad of Kanpur Dehat. Similar incidents were reported from other areas as well. Senior Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Arvind Kumar Singh wrote a letter to the Election Commission apprising it about a defunct EVM at booth 175 in Kannauj. As many as 127 complaints of faulty EVMs were registered in the earlier part of the day at the helpline started by Congress in Rajasthan, which kept increasing until voting came to a close. Voting was delayed by half an hour at booth number 98 in Jalore and by one hour at booth number 130 of Raniwada due to EVM malfunction. The EVM malfunctioning not only troubled voters in the morning, but also towards the end of the voting time. In Pali Lok Sabha constituencys booth number 156 in Vinayakpura, the EVM developed a technical snag which resulted in delay in polling. Even after a lot of struggle, election officials could not fix the problem and had to later change the machine. In Swaroopganjs booth number 112, voters complained of continuous beep sound from the EVM which led to a huge queue outside the polling station. Polling was delayed in various booths in Odisha due to problems with EVMs. According to sources, polling was delayed at booth numbers 71, 183, 198 and 220 in Bhandaripokhari Assembly constituency, booth numbers 222, 244, 245, 54 and 243 under Dhamnagar Assembly segment, booth numbers 2, 46, 208 and 50 of Soro Assembly constituency, booth numbers 119, 109 and 110 of Simulia, booth numbers 69, 114 and 116 of Basudevpur, Chandbali, and booth numbers 216, 14 and 239 in the Bhadrak Lok Sabha seat due to EVM glitches. Voting was delayed due to EVM glitches in Kakatpur, Nimapara, Paradip and Balikuda-Erasama Assembly segments under Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha seat, Dharmasala and Bari under Jajpur Lok Sabha constituency, Kendrapara, Aul, Mahanga and Rajnagar under Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency, while voters in Mayurbhanj Lok Sabha seat faced similar problems as EVM glitches were reported at several booths in Baripada, Bangiriposi, Badasahi, and Saraskana Assembly constituencies. Inefficiency and intimidation Complaints of booth capturing have also come out from Rajasthans Jhalrapatan, booth number 67 in Jodhpur Lok Sabha constituency, and booth number 224 of Barmer Lok Sabha constituency. Congress leaders filed complaints with the district Collectors. A man broke the ballot unit at Harsani polling booth in Barmer Lok Sabha constituency as he was upset with the delay in polling. He said he had to wait for a long time in a queue because of an EVM malfunction. Officials replaced the unit, after which polling continued. In Chittorgarh Lok Sabha constituency, two booth-level officers, Harish Rote and Mukesh Jain, have received notices for not making the necessary arrangements at booth numbers 79 and 80. Arrangements for drinking water were immediately made after instructions were received from district election officer Shyam Singh Rajpurohit. In West Bengal, Babul Supriyo who is BJPs candidate from Asansol LS constituency, alleged mass booth rigging in Jamuria Assembly booth numbers 171, 199, 223, 224. Many women in Asansol's Barabani alleged that they were not allowed to cast their vote despite having entered the polling booth. In Ranaghat Lok Sabha constituency, rigging was alleged at Ranaghat Uttar Purab Assembly segment (89)'s booth numbers 47 and 49. In Chakdaha Assembly segment (91) in the same constituency, TMC goons did not allow people to vote in ward number 2 and 9. Meanwhile, a bomb was found in Dakghar Radha Rani School polling station in Santipur. The Rampurhat Dakhalbari booth which is a part of the Birbhum Lok Sabha constituency, was allegedly captured by TMC goons. No one was allowed to enter for two hours as TMC men remained inside the booth. Locals and a BJP polling agent reached out to the police. However, inspector in-charge Abu Salem of Rampurhat police station only came after TMC men had left the booth. In Jharkhand, around 50 names were found missing from voters' list at the Girls Middle School in Sisai, part of Lohardaga Lok Sabha constituency. Iltap Hussain and Majeed Khan are among the two in the list who had voted earlier, but find their names missing in this years lists. Income Tax officials in the state raided the AK International Hotel in the presence of DDC Vijay Jadhav and SDO Megha Bharadwaj at 3 am this morning and seized 16 lakh from the room of Gopal Sahu, who is the Congress candidate from Hazaribagh. Hazaribagh goes for polling in the fifth phase of the election on 6 May. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) wrote to Chief Electoral Officer Odisha over alleged "booth capturing by BJP". The letter stated, "BJP goons conducted booth capturing in 12 booths of Bari Assembly constituency under Jajpur parliamentary constituency while the polling was going on today." The rule breakers In an incident of election officials allegedly influencing voters in Jajpur LS segment of Odisha, the district Collector has suspended three polling officials. Dhirendra Tripathy, Baikuntha Mallick and Janardan Prusty have been suspended for attempting to affect voter decision in the ongoing elections, which was recorded on CCTV. The three above personnel were seen moving to polling compartment, which is against the norms. Excluding the voter, no one can go to the polling compartment, the CEO said. While Prusty is the fourth polling officer of booth number 196 in Sukinda, Tripathy and Mallick are presiding officers of booth numbers 135 and 191 in Binjharpur, said Kumar, adding that disciplinary action will be taken against these officials. Villagers in Rajasthan's Sirohi allege the Booth Level Officer (BLO) was asking voters to vote for a specific party at booth number 113 in Swaroopganj in Jalore Lok Sabha constituency. Tehsildar Brijesh Gupta and the police reached the spot and the BLO was immediately changed. A woman in the Dateli village of Lakhimpur in the Kheri Lok Sabha constituency in the state alleged that the returning officer had asked her to press the button of BJP's symbol. The returning officer, Pradeep Kumar, was suspended immediately. A vehicle with the Congress candidate for Jodhpur, Vaibhav Gehlot, entered a polling booth in Jodhpur. BJP candidate Gajendra Singh Shekhawat expressed objection over the car with posters of Vaibhav Gehlot. This incident took place at Bhagwasiya School Booth. In West Bengal, the EC ordered the police to register FIRs against BJP candidates Dudh Kumar Mondal and Kalyan Chaubey for speaking on the phone inside polling booths. Mondal and Chaubey are fighting from Birbhum and Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituencies respectively. The two leaders have also been accused of rigging votes.The EC has issued a show-cause notice to Mondal in this regard. Baharampur sitting MP and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury reportedly caught an outsider inside the polling booth no. 122. As soon as he spotted the man, the man was gheraoed by Congress supporters and a clash broke out. No police or central force personnel were present at the booth. Proxy voting, dime a dozen Chohtan police in Barmer Lok Sabha constituency in Rajasthan has lodged a case against 10 people who tried to cast fake votes. Circle officer Ajeet Singh confirmed the report. Police said that polling agent Mula Ram had lodged a case against 10 people who forced him to allow fake voting at Sherpura polling station under Chohtan police station area in Barmer. He alleged that when he protested against the fake voting, the accused beat him up. On basis of the complaint, police have lodged the case under Sections 143, 341, 323, 452, 365 and 511 of the IPC. Trinamool Congress polling agents were caught casting votes and influencing voters inside a booth at Khanji QA Azim High School under the Ketugram Police Station of Bardhaman Purba constituency. Central forces were deployed but despite their deployment, the workers were caught casting proxy votes. A TMC polling agent, Subodh Ruidas, was seen voting for women voters at booth number 136 in Natundanga High School, part of BardhamanDurgapur Lok Sabha constituency. Speaking to reporters at the Kolkata airport, Special Observer from the EC, Ajay Nayak, said that if a re-election is needed, it will be considered. On being asked about the incidents of violence and firing, he said he is looking into the matter. With inputs from Bibhuti Mohapatra, A Ghose, Mukesh Mathrani and Rajendra Sharma (The author is Bengaluru-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.com) Follow updates on the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha Election 2019 here Mocking Banerjee for often losing her cool as she was 'sensing defeat', Modi said she cannot even dream of becoming the prime minister. Sreerampur (West Bengal): Making a sensational claim in the middle of the general election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday said 40 TMC MLAs were in touch with him and will desert their party once the BJP wins the poll. He also accused TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee of nepotism, insisting she wants to politically establish her nephew in West Bengal. Modi also assailed her over her prime ministerial ambitions, saying "Didi, Dilli door hai (Delhi is far away)." "Didi, even your MLAs will desert you when the results of this election are out. Your 40 MLAs are in touch with me and all your MLAs will desert you once the BJP wins the election. Political ground has slipped from under your feet," Modi told an election rally in Sreerampur, targeting the West Bengal chief minister. Mocking Banerjee for often losing her cool as she was "sensing defeat", Modi said she cannot even dream of becoming the prime minister. "With just a handful of seats, 'Didi' you can't reach Delhi. Delhi is far away. Going to Delhi is just an excuse. Her real intention is to politically establish her nephew," he said. Banerjee's nephew Abhishek is a sitting MP from Diamond Harbour and the TMC candidate for the seat. Modi alleged that TMC "goons" are trying to prevent people from voting and attacking BJP workers. He claimed BJP leaders were not being allowed to campaign freely. "Mamata didi your army of goons is trying to stop the people from casting their votes. Mamata didi, democracy offered you the position you occupy now. Don't betray democracy. The people of West Bengal have made up their mind," he said, claiming that across Bengal there is a desire to defeat the TMC. The prime minister's remarks came in the wake of reports of violence during the fourth phase of polling in eight Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal. Giving the slogan of "Chup Chap, BJP te chhap" (cast your vote silently for the BJP), Modi took a dig at Banerjee for her comments that the people of Bengal will, instead of votes, offer him rosogollas made of clay with stones inside. "It will be like 'prasad' for me. I will be honoured to have rosogollas that are made of the soil of the sacred land of Bengal. The land of Ram Krishna Pramahansa, Swami Vivekananda, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Rabindranath Tagore," he said. Citing Banerjee, Modi said he would also be happy to have the stones that the West Bengal leader said would be inside the clay rosogollas as it will bring down the number of stones being used by "Mamatadi's goons" to attack people. "I would like to thank her in advance for proposing to send stone-filled rosogollas. It would at least save a few hundred people of this state from being hurt," he said. Miffed over Modi's disclosure during a televised interview that she gifts him kurtas and sweets every year, a combative Banerjee had said last week that the people of Bengal will offer him rosogollas made of clay with stone fillings instead of votes that will break all his teeth. Maintaining that the state has already seen three political ideologies -Naampanthi (people who rule by using the name of family), Vaampanthi (Leftist), Daam aur Damanpanthi (people who rule through corruption and oppression)-- Modi said time has come for it to adopt "Vikaspanthi" (people wedded to the ideology of development) represented by the BJP. "We don't need to give you the example of 'Naampanthi'," Modi said in an apparent reference to Congress party and the Gandhi family. "We have seen three decades of Left rule that was full of violence and misgovernance. The foreign ideology, which has been discarded by the entire world. The third is 'Daam aur Damanpnathi' regime of the Trinamool Congress which is ruling by using money and muscle power, and has turned Bengal into killing fields," Modi alleged. He also raked up the contentious issues of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), which the TMC is vehemently opposing. Modi, however, said refugees need not worry as after returning to power the BJP will first bring the CAB in Parliament and then implement the NRC across the country to weed out infiltrators. "We will weed out each and every infiltrator from the country. We will first pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill to ensure that refugees get citizenship and then NRC will be brought to throw out infiltrators," he asserted. Lashing out at opposition parties for questioning the credibility of EVMs, Modi said his rivals have moved on from abusing him to criticising EVMs, as they face "imminent defeat". "Earlier only Modi was abused, now even EVMs are being abused. The opposition is doing so as it faces imminent defeat," he said. In Bihar's Samastipur, the public boycotted voting due to the closure of the Rameshwar Jute Mill Lucknow/Jaipur/Bhopal: For many voters in the Hindi heartland, the fourth phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections seemed less like a democratic festival and more of an occasion to voice their grievances by staying away from polling booths. As voters across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh demonstrated their anguish over lack of development by agitating in front of polling booths, election officials rushed to try to convince them otherwise. In Rajasthan, which saw boycott calls during the Assembly elections in December 2018, voters in Jhalawar-Baran, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Pali constituencies, irked with the lack of basic amenities such as roads and water, decided to keep away from the polls. The electorate of Kolwa village in Dag Assembly segment of Jhalawar-Baran constituency and Bhagwanpura village under Khanpur Assembly segment of the same constituency boycotted the election. These voters expressed their resentment over the forgotten promise of constructing roads to their villages. Appeals from the tehsildar and other polling officials did not move the villagers at least until noon. Around the same time, Khanpur sub-divisional magistrate Pramod Kumar Singhvi was attempting to convince the sway the electorate at Bhagwanpura polling booth, who had the same complaint: no road connectivity to their village. Several women from Khatik community of the Mahamandir area in Jodhpur, lamenting the scarcity of drinking water over the past month, boycotted polling after they were unable to meet Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot at the booth he was casting his vote at. The women began protesting vociferously and the police had to intervene. A similar problem with potable water led voters from Kotadi village in Fatehgarh Tehsil of Jaisalmer to sit outside booth 262. In Dhurasani village under Pali Lok Sabha constituency, not one vote was cast. Villagers just sat outside the booth. Our village is not registered with the revenue department, so we don't get budget and there is no developmental work allotted by the government. There was a booth in the village earlier, now they have removed that as well. That is why we have boycotted the election, said one villager. Sitting BJP MLA from Pali, Shobha Chouhan, attempted to sway the villagers. People aren't ready to vote because their demands have not been fulfilled. I am trying to convince them by explaining the benefits of voting, Chouhan said. Anand Kumar, Chief Election Officer, Rajasthan said he asked district election officers to contact those calling for a boycott. The government has to take action (on the issue). I am not here to resolve their issues. We can pursue them. Our officers are asking them to vote because this is the only way they can influence the government. Ultimately, the government must explain why something was not constructed. We are trying our best. In some areas of Baran, voting has started, the CEO said. Water woes In Madhya Pradesh, water woes and unavailability of banking facilities led voters to boycott polls in Dindori and Sidhi Lok Sabha seats. Dindori sub-divisional magistrate Rishabh Jain reached polling booth 59 located at Amthera village in Shahpura Assembly segment, where not a single vote was cast until noon. The people of Dindori have been demanding that a canal be constructed to bring water from Bilgada dam, around two kilometres from the village. Jain ultimately succeeded in convincing the villagers to exercise their franchise. However, voters from Karigadahari village also boycotted the polls over the water crisis. As many as five polling booths witnessed huge protests. The village sarpanch said they would vote only when the canal is built. District election officer (DEO) Surabhi Gupta said officials had convinced villagers at most booths. "Polling is going smoothly at all booths. It was affected at some booths early in the morning due to protests, Gupta said. Despite repeated attempts, Dindori MP Faggan Singh Kulaste remained unavailable for comment. At Bandhwabada polling booth under Shahdol constituency, the boycott call saw a mixed response. Eight hundred of the 1,500 voters sat in protest and refused to vote for any candidate. One said, We have been going from pillar to post with our demand, but leaders and officials have ignored us, As many as 25 villagers have lost 250 acres of land over construction of the Bandhwabada dam and have not received compensation. We will vote only after authorities reassure us. Shahdol MP Gyan Singh said, I'm not aware about the incident. Voting is [a] right of any citizen and I ask them to exercise their rights. DEO Lalit Dahima claimed the situation is under control, adding that he sent a team of officials to assure the villagers that action would be taken. As of now, we can not fulfill their demand due to the Model Code of Conduct. Villagers are casting their votes," Dahima claimed. Another village in Shahdol constituency, Badi Ghoghri, announced boycott over alleged police inaction in the murder of a Kauslin Singh, a villager who was killed in March. A team of election officials was sent to persuade voters. In Uttar Pradesh, too, some among the electorate thought boycotting polls a wiser way to protest against their elected representatives. The booth in Sandila's Khutaina village under Hardoi Lok Sabha constituency did not see a single voter turn up until 1 pm. Villagers, citing a lack of development, boycotted the polls. Even the SDM could not convince the villagers. Hardoi DSP Nagesh Kumar Mishra was sent to Sandila. The SDM and the block development officer have sent me along with the PWD authorities to assure the villagers that their demands will be met, but they do not believe in these assurances and are not ready to participate in this festival of democracy, Mishra said. A similar absence of developmental works in Chikma village saw the villagers boycotting polls. Kayamganj tehsildar rushed to convince them to vote. Protesting against the lack of roads and other basic facilities, residents of Mustak Nagar in Jalaun Lok Sabha constituency, refused to vote. Kheri Lok Sabha constituency also witnessed several boycotts over poor or no roads, and lack of healthcare, among other issues. In Gola tehsil, two villages with around 1,000 voters each boycotted the polls. Kheri election official Shailendra Singh said that reports of boycott came from two areas and SDMs were sent to convince people to not abstain from their right to participate in democracy. Under Unnao constituency, reports of boycott came from villages under Safipur tehsil. Sarpanch of Dhullowa village said shifting of the booth six kilometres away to Sikanderpur was why they were boycotting the polls. Our repeated requests to keep a booth closer to the village were ignored, he said. In Barati Khera village of Hassanganj, poor condition of roads, scarcity of water and electricity forced voters to call for a boycott, but District Magistrate Devendra Kumar Pandey, along with the SP, succeeded in convincing them to cast their votes. Pandey said the villagers have a genuine concern about sanctioned developmental works that have not been completed. We have taken cognisance and assured the villagers that these works will be executed as per plan. We have also instructed officials to prepare a list of beneficiaries who have been left out of any government schemes, so that they can access the rightful aid, Pandey added. Even in Bihars Samastipur Lok Sabha seat, the public boycotted voting due to the closure of Rameshwar Jute Mill. However, it remains to be seen if this act of defiance from voters amid the fervour of democratic festival will have any impact on politicos. The authors are freelance writers and members of 101Reporters.com It is important for us to learn the cultural significance of this beautiful music and we will remember it whenever we see it again, Giannakopoulis said. The information the group gave us today about the meaning and history was awesome. In his affidavit in the Supreme Court, Rahul Gandhi clarified that he did not intend to disrepute the top court by bringing it into the political battle. New Delhi: Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday filed his reply before the Supreme Court in connection with a contempt case against him for his chowkidar chor hai remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rahul, in his todays affidavit filed before a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, reiterated his stand but did not apologise and expressed only regret for his comment. The answering Respondent (Rahul) has not done nor remotely intended to do anything to lower the majesty of this Honble Court in any manner whatsoever, the reply read. In his reply filed against the contempt petition against him, the Congress president said, The answering Respondents (Rahul Gandhi) brief statement to the mediawalas was made in this context of and during hectic political campaigning without having seen, read or analysed the order at that stage. Rahul clarified that he did not intend to disrepute the top court by bringing it into the political battle. It is clarified that the answering Respondent did not have the slightest or remotest intention, desire or even thought process, to bring the court into the political arena or bring it into disrepute or attribute to it deliberately or willfully that which the court had not said or meant, he said. He added that consideration of the review petition on merits gave rise to an impression in his mind that the court found sufficient grounds to re-examine the matter, in view of the fact that the review petition had raised serious issues about the concealment of information by the government. Accusing Lekhi of filing the petition for political gains, Gandhi said, Although the words of the specific statements attributed to the answering Respondent are available in the public domain and are largely not controvertedit is the meaning, interpretation, implication and effect of the words which are deliberately sought to be distorted and made tendentious by the petitioner for political purposes, the reply stated. The fresh affidavit filed before the bench also comprising justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna comes while the court was hearing a plea filed by BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi. In her plea, Lekhi had alleged that Rahul made contemptuous remarks in connection with the court's order on the admissibility of a certain document in the Rafale deal. The contempt petition accused Gandhi of misquoting the order when he said the apex court had accepted that 'chowkidar' (a reference to Prime Minister Modi), is a "chor' (thief). The apex court also ruled that it will hear this petition filed by Lekhi along with the pending review petition against the verdict in Rafale case on April 30. Earlier, the Supreme Court had issued a formal contempt notice against Gandhi for claiming that the court said Chowkidar Chor Hai while hearing the admissibility of some documents in the fighter jet scam recently. The top court had on April 10 dismissed the Centre's preliminary objections claiming "privilege" over three Rafale documents cited in petitions seeking review of the December 14 verdict on the fighter deal. In a unanimous judgement, the court had allowed the admissibility of the three documents and said the review pleas will be heard on merits. Dinesh Sharma said in order to regain the falling health of the party, the Samajwadi Party chief should learn from developmental works done by the BJP, and elections should be contested on the basis on developmental activities. Lucknow: Taking a swipe at the Samajwadi Party, deputy Uttar Pradesh chief minister Dinesh Sharma on Monday said efforts made by Akhilesh Yadav to safeguard the political health of the SP are "failing" and his party is in dire need of a "political health tonic". Sharma also dubbed the SP-BSP tie up as an "unnatural alliance, which will taste defeat similar to the one in 2017." "When a person is physically weak, he needs a (health) tonic. Similarly, when a political party become weak politically, it needs a political health tonic. If anybody needs it the most today, then it is the Samajwadi Party," Sharma told PTI here in an interview. Sharpening his attack on the SP, the deputy chief minister said, "In 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections they had aligned with the Congress, which was itself a weak party from the political point of view. They suffered a humiliating defeat in Uttar Pradesh polls. Now, they have forged an alliance with the BSP, which had failed to open its account in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. I feel efforts made by Akhileshji to safeguard the political health (of his party) are failing." Sharma said in order to regain the falling health of the party, the "SP chief should learn from developmental works done by the BJP, and elections should be contested on the basis on developmental activities". "Instead of resorting to divisive politics based on caste and sect, whose days are gone, time has come to repose faith in 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'," he said. Sharma also took a jibe at Congress leader Shatrughan Singh for his recent 'Jinnah' remarks. He said, "Objections were raised when flags of Muslim League were waved during nomination of Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad. Now, the way in which Shatrughan Sinha has eulogised Jinnah, make sit amply clear that this Congress is the 'Congress of Jinnah' and 'not the Congress of Mahatma Gandhi'. "The leaders of the Congress must read the history of India's freedom struggle. This new Congress is ridiculing dreams of Mahatma Gandhi," he charged. The deputy chief minister said people can do anything, but "they should not at least associate themselves with enemies of the country". Referring to the SP-BSP-RLD alliance, Sharma said, "There is growing disappointment among SP, BSP and Congress after the first three phases of polls in the state. In the 2017 UP Assembly elections, there was an alliance between two boys, and now one boy has been replaced with a bua. This new alliance is getting the external support from the other boy (apparently referring to Rahul Gandhi)." He also observed that this is "an unnatural alliance, which will taste defeat similar to the one in 2017." Maintaining that there is "no vacancy for the Prime Minister's post till 2024", Sharma said, "It is laughable that those who are contesting on 10 seats, 37 or 38 Lok Sabha seats, are dreaming for the PM's post. To them, I want to say that there is no vacancy for the prime minister's post till 2024. In this era of no vacancy, the opposition will only face despair (hatasha) and disappointment (nirasha)." The Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister said leaders like Sharad Pawar, Chandrababu Naidu and Mayawati, who are eyeing the Prime Minister's post are unable to muster courage to contest polls. Exuding confidence that the BJP will be winning more seats in the coming phases, Sharma said, "The way in which the opposition is crying foul over EVM malfunctioning, makes it clear that they (opposition) have got hint of defeat." Sunny Deol reminded voters in Gurdaspur of the patriotic character he played in Gadar and referred to his 'dhai kilo ka haath' from another movie as the BJP candidate Monday filed his nomination papers for the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat Gurdaspur: Sunny Deol reminded voters in Gurdaspur of the patriotic character he played in Gadar and referred to his "dhai kilo ka haath" from another movie as the BJP candidate Monday filed his nomination papers for the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat. At a rally attended by Union ministers VK Singh, Jitendra Singh and minister Vijay Sampla, the Bollywood actor made a brief four-minute speech in which he called himself a patriot who does not know much about politics. "Mere Gurdaspur walo, Sat Sri Akal," he addressed the crowd in Punjabi, asking them how they were faring in the scorching heat. "Eh dhai kilo da hathh je kise te penda hai, tan oh uthda nahin, utth jaanda hai," he said, recalling what his character had mouthed in the 1993 movie Damini anybody who gets hit by his two-and-a-half-kilo fist is dead. Deol said he gets this strength from the people. At the meeting, held before the filing of the papers, a supporter presented him with a hand pump a reminder of the Gadar scene in which Deol uproots a similar pump from the ground. Before ending his speech, Deol said, "Hindustan Zindabad, Zindabad hai, Zindabad rahega" again a piece of dialogue from Gadar. Deol, who is a Jat Sikh, wore a yellow turban. He was accompanied by his actor-brother Bobby Deol when he filed his papers, and their father, veteran actor Dharmendra tweeted his support. Kavita Khanna, who had openly expressed disappointment with the party for not fielding her from the seat once held by her late husband Vinod Khanna, was at the rally to express support. Another ticket-aspirant Swaran Salaria was also present. Thanking the people of Gurdaspur, Deol said, I am here because you invited me. My father told me that you stay in the heart of each person in Punjab son, go there and they will shower you with love. I want to tell you that I love you a lot, he said. He acknowledged that he is a novice in politics. Look, I do not know much about politics but I am a patriot, he said. I have come here to connect with you because I want our Punjab and our country to scale new heights, he said. All of you join me and we will fight together, and win this battle, he said. Deol said he sought the people's support so that Modi returns as prime minister. If you make me victorious then Modiji will win and you will also win, he said. I am saying from my heart that whatever you need, I will fulfil that. I belong to you and will never go anywhere else, he said. The ruling Congress in Punjab had earlier targeted him, saying he will "disappear" once the elections are over. Punjab BJP chief Shwait Malik, Haryana finance minister and party's election in-charge for Punjab Abhimanyu, former Punjab BJP chief Kamal Sharma and Akali Dal leaders Nirmal Singh Kahlon and Gurbachan Singh Babehali also attended the meeting. Deol is pitted against sitting MP and Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, Aam Aadmi Party's Peter Masih and People's Democratic Alliance's Lal Chand in Gurdaspur. Jakhar won the seat in a 2017 bye-election, necessitated by the death of Vinod Khanna in April that year. The actor had represented the seat four-times, in 1998, 1999, 2004 and 2014. Before filing his papers in Gurdaspur, Deol offered prayers at the Golden Temple and the Durgiana Temple in Amritsar. Monday was the last day for filing nominations for polling which be held on May 19, the last phase of voting in the Lok Sabha elections. Earlier Dharmendra asked the people of Gurdaspur to back his son, saying his victory will be that of the people of my Punjab. It looks like a tough choice for Unnao residents this year as they haplessly recite that voting this election is a majburi (compulsion) Editor's Note: As UP heads into Lok Sabha Election 2019, Firstpost surveys one of its most influential vote blocs: the farming community; the focus of this multi-article series of reported pieces is the agrarian crisis that has struck India's most populous state. *** Unnao: The afternoon sun is past its peak, but the gusts of hot wind have forced a few farmers to wait out another couple of hours at a nearby shop before they resume cutting the ripened wheat crop in their fields. And since its poll season, conversations turn easily towards politics over bidi and chivda (puffed rice flakes). "Trishanku mukabla hai bhaiya yaha toh," a wise elderly farmer weighs in after a few pro-BJP voices finish elaborating on a 'decisive Narendra Modi wave' across the nation. "Tum ladko ka kaun bharosa jidhar ki hava dekhbo udhare beh jabo magar pakke log pratyashi bhaanp ke button dabaat hain (The opinion of the youth favours the loudest but the older generation gives the candidate a thought before they cast their vote)," Sampat Thakur opines authoritatively before the focus can shift away from him in the cacophony of voices. Sampat sums up the three major candidates in fray most succinctly for us. "Annu Tandon is a good candidate, but unfortunately, she is from the Congress. We no longer trust the Congress," Sampat says before explaining how the villagers feel indebted to her for her charitable work in the district and for helping the poor "bas urrin hone ke liye gaon vale vote dedenge magar vo jeetengi nahi (she will get some votes in villages but she wont win)." "Rahi baat baba ki (Sitting MP from the region, BJP's Sakshi Maharaj) toh baba hain bekar jhagda lagane ki baat karte hain magar kya kare bhoole nahi hain ki Atal [Bihari Vajpayee] ji ki sarkar ek seat se gir gayi thi, isi maare log de denge unko vote (Sakshi Maharaj is a useless candidate, he only divides the society but people here remember that Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government lost out because of one seat. That's why they will give him votes)." "Aur dusre Maharaj (Samajwadi Party's Arun Kumar Shukla also known as Anna Maharaj) ko to koi janbe nahi karta hain yaha, vo khali chunavi mausam mein hi dikhte hain. (And the other Maharaj only turns up during election season; no one knows him)." It looks like a tough choice for Unnao residents this year as they haplessly recite that voting this election is a majburi (compulsion). Congress candidate Tandon belongs to an old influential family from Unnao and is generally liked by people in the region owing to the welfare work done by the charitable trust named after her late father, the Sri Hriday Narain Charitable Trust. Some villagers also recount how she makes it a point to send gifts for the wedding of any poor man's daughter, for which she receives an invite. Her close corporate links with Reliance Industries Limited are an encouraging sign for people in rural areas. That their candidate is a trustee at the Reliance-owned Observer Research Foundation, generates hope among locals of projects being funded by Reliance's CSR wing. However, people moodily recite the 'breach of trust' committed by the Congress during its 60-year-long rule. "Congress raj mein Unnao Lucknow ka sautela bhai tha... aur Kanpur se to matra 18 kilometre ki duri hai fir bhi vikas yaha aate aate rasta bhul jata tha sadke kharab thi shayad isliye (During Congress rule, Unnao was treated like (capital) Lucknow's step brother; the (industrial town) Kanpur too is just 18 kilometres from here, yet development never reached us Maybe because the roads were poor)," rues farmer Bhagwati Sharma. Sharma says that most of the work done here, including building roads, a trauma centre, highways etc was done under BJP, Samajwadi Party or BSP governments, even though they didn't bother to push the development work along at the right pace. He says he would have voted for Tandon if she belonged to any other party but the Congress. "Gram Sadak Yojna benefited greatly under Atal ji, that's when roads reached our village. But the local contractors bungled the funds; that's why the roads broke very quickly and even repair work was shoddy if you compare our roads to those even 10 kilometre away in Kanpur or Lucknow. Former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav also repaired some, but the quality of work in the last two years of his government was not good. Mayawati did a lot of work too. Our village Nihalpur was recognised as Ambedkar Gaon under her due to the substantial SC population and development was done. But she was not re-elected," says Sunder Lal. Lal is all praise for Modi's flagship Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojna, under which he has received cash support worth Rs 4,000 so far. He is also impressed by the 100 telephone hotline for police patrol vehicles and mobile ambulances, and credits both Akhilesh and incumbent chief minister Yogi Adityanath for formulating and subsequently improving the schemes. However, Lal says he cannot recall any such substantial change under the 10-year Congress rule, or even before that when the party was dominant in the state. "They did bring in MGNREGA which was a good scheme. But there was much corruption in that scheme and the true benefits didn't reach us," says Lal. Likewise, traditional supporters of the Samajwadi Party and BSP aren't too excited about voting for the alliance's candidate now that the two parties are contesting polls together. Raghuveer Kumar, a Kurmi which comes under Other Backward Castes has traditionally voted for the Samajwadi Party, but this year he accepts he is slightly averse to Shukla's candidature. "They chose Puja Pal, a good candidate, and an OBC leader, and I was happy. But now they have sidelined her and fielded a Brahmin. The BJP, meanwhile, has respected the fact that the district needs an OBC candidate because we are present in huge numbers," Raghuveer says. He also thinks that Modi has done a good job in "teaching Pakistan a lesson". "The OBCs constitute the largest group in the district, yet no party thought of fielding an OBC candidate except the BJP. Pal would have been a strong candidate but the Samajwadi Party sidelined her for reasons best known to it," says Succha Singh. Media reports claim that Pal was withdrawn as a candidate because of some "technical difficulties". Locals too tell a story that all of Pal's documents were in the name of her late husband Raju Pal, who was murdered in Prayagraj due to political rivalry. However, recently she had married another Kurmi leader and changed her surname. This could have led to the cancellation of her candidature on technical grounds. Another farmer, Pappu Gond, a Dalit, says that Mayawati has made it difficult for him by supporting the Samajwadi Party candidate, a Brahmin, who has betrayed her not once but twice. "Behen ji humare liye devta hain, hum bhule nahi hain guest house kaand. Behen ji ne sab bhul ke is Shukla ko ticket bhi diya tha par isne dobara unse dhokha kiya," says Pappu. Shukla holds the reputation of being one of the most powerful land mafias in Lucknow, and he is also allegedly the leader who led the assault against Mayawati in the infamous guest house scandal of the 1990s. He was fielded on a BSP ticket in 2009 from Unnao but was later expelled for anti-party activities. Sakshi Maharaj's candidature, meanwhile, is another curious case in itself. In his election affidavit, Maharaj details 34 cases against him, ranging from promoting enmity, criminal intimidation, robbery, dacoity, murder, forgery, cheating and criminal breach of trust. He has twice been accused of rape. Although he has never been convicted, cognisance has been taken in at least eight cases against him. A garage owner to whom Firstpost spoke, who is also a local BJP worker, admitted that it was difficult to ask for votes in his name because even Lodhis (the OBC caste to which the BJP candidate belongs) do not like him. "We focus on the work done by Modi ji and ask people to vote for the Lotus." Sripal Shukla, a vocal BJP supporter also states that he was surprised when the BJP bowed to his demands after his threatening letter that the party won't win the seat if it doesn't field him again. "To be honest, if we go by local issues, Sakshi Maharaj shouldn't get a single vote at least from the upper caste. He has been saying vile things against us and has tried to create enmity between different strata of society. But we want Modi to get another chance. And this is the election that will decide our prime minister," Shukla says. "Had Modi ji fielded a scarecrow we would have voted for him, we will vote for the sanyasi too because Modi should be the prime minister," says Tarun Pal, another BJP supporter. More topical issues like joblessness, demonetisation and GST, which are hyped by the Opposition do touch a raw nerve with people in Unnao, but most BJP supporters are more forgiving in retrospect. Uttam Singh, the son of a farmer in Bicchiya village says he lost his job at a tannery in Lucknow, which was forced to cut staff after the Yogi government strengthened pollution norms under the Nirmal Ganga project and ahead of the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. He now helps out at his father's farm for eight out of twelve months and picks up odd jobs or works at mango farms of more prosperous farmers between the two crop seasons. However, he vouches for Modi's policies, asserting that short term pains will eventually result in something far greater when the prime minister is done implementing his vision. Almost all the farmers to whom Firstpost spoke in four villages of Unnao also complain about the destruction caused by stray cattle ever since the BJP came to power in the state in 2017. But most are not ready to blame the party for the menace. "This anna pratha (the practice of abandoning cattle when past milking age) existed in Akhilesh's time too. But people from Kanpur and Uttar Pradesh would come at night and take them away to slaughterhouses. After the BJP came, that has stopped," says Brahmdutt Sharma. "We cannot blame everything on the government. When the farmer earns through the animal for a large part of its life, why does it expect the government to feed it when it gets old? We know these strays are from within the village, but what do we say to each other and create tension with our own brethren? This is our own doing," Sharma says. But Pappu, a traditional Mayawati supporter who dislikes the alliance's candidate gives less credit to the BJP government. "Rozgar dene aaye the, ulta chheen liye, upar se ye bhi Dalit virodhi hi hain. Aur Congress to aur badi manuvadi party hai. Dekhenge button dabate samay hi mann banayenge kisko vote dena hai jab netao ne koi upay hi nahi chhoda hai (BJP promised to generate jobs but even took away the ones we already held. Plus they are anti-Dalits. Congress is even worse in its upper-caste mentality. Ill make up my mind in the polling booth because no party has given us a good choice)," he sighs. tech2 News Staff Update: Apple's VP of worldwide marketing Phil Schiller has addressed concerns over the app bans. In a mail sent to MacRumours, Schiller explains that the New York Times report did not "share our complete statement." He states that Apple banned the apps to protect children from harm because the apps could be used to violate their privacy and security. The apps that were banned used a feature called MDM or Mobile Device Management which gives third-parties control over your phone. This is apparently an enterprise-only feature meant and not meant for the average developer or Apple customer. Apps using MDM have full access to a user's location, mail accounts, camera and network use, browsing history, etc. Such apps could also be misused to install malicious apps. Apple has reportedly decided to edge out apps on its App Store that function as competitors to its Screen Time feature, announced by Apple alongside iOS 12 in 2018. As per a report by The New York Times, Apple, over the past year, removed or restricted at least 11 of the 17 most popular screen time tracking and parental control apps on the App Store. Teaming up with app data firm Sensor Tower, the report interviewed developers, a number of which suggested that Apple is trying to push iOS device users into using only Apple's own apps such as Screen Time. Apple reportedly ordered developers to remove key features from their Screen Time-like apps or take them down entirely from the App Store. Apple is said to have justified its actions by saying that the apps violated policies such as using public APIs in an unapproved manner. However, the timing of the demands are suspect though, as some of these apps (namely, OurPact and Mobicip) have already been downloaded more than a million times. Mobicip chief Suren Ramasubbu told the New York Times that Apple required their company to change the app within 30 days or face removal from the App Store. After multiple messages seeking clarification and the submission of a revised app, Mobicip was ultimately removed from the App Store. Responding to the allegations Apple spokeswoman Tammy Levine told the publication, We treat all apps the same, including those that compete with our own services. Our incentive is to have a vibrant app ecosystem that provides consumers access to as many quality apps as possible, she added. This is not the first time that Apple has seemingly given its own offerings an unfair advantage over third-party apps. Spotify recently filed an antitrust complaint against Apple over the alleged preferential treatment for its own music streaming service. For those wondering, Apple's Screen Time app keeps a track of how much time iOS device owners spend on their devices and on specific apps. However, the feature is said to be less granular compared to competitors - a reason why a sizable number of users flock to third-party Screen-Time like apps. tech2 News Staff Apples surprise settlement with Qualcomm over what was shaping up to be one of the largest lawsuits in history raised more questions than it answered. Even more perplexing was the timing of Intels announcement that it would be backing out of the 5G game, effectively handing over the 5G world to arch-rival Qualcomm. With time, a few more details of the behind-the-scenes of the deal are being revealed. The latest peek comes in the form of a report in The Telegraph which states that Apple poached Intels lead engineer on the 5G project, Umashankar Thyagrajan. This is the same engineer who helped develop the 4G modem found in Apples 2018 iPhones. Apple Insider notes that Apple was unhappy with the pace of 5G development at Intel and needed a supplier soon. Apple has always felt it necessary to have full control over its hardware and software ecosystem and the hiring of Thyagrajan is ample indication of the fact that Apple is intent on building its own 5G modem. Other reports have suggested that Apple was deliberately trying to undermine Qualcomms licensing policies by causing financial damage to Qualcomm and by deliberately licensing cheap patents to make Qualcomms fees seem excessive. tech2 News Staff OnePlus announced that the upcoming OnePlus 7 Pro has been given an A+ Top Tier Display Rating from independent display research lab DisplayMate. The rating suggests the yet-to-be-released OnePlus 7 Pro to have one of the best smartphone displays in the market. OnePlus says that the OnePlus 7 Pro scored exceptionally well across every parameter when it came to colour accuracy, brightness, contrast accuracy and pixel density. Users will have the freedom to adjust the displays colour gamut and temperature according to their own preferences. Further details about the testing and results havent been published yet. According to OnePlus, DisplayMate Technologies will publish the Display Technology Shoot-Out article during the launch event of the phone on 14 May. The launch event is happening in Bangalore at 8.15 pm and it will be livestreamed on its YouTube channel for those who cant attend. Apart from the DisplayMate rating, the OnePlus 7 Pro also received the Safety for Eyes certification from VDE Testing and Certification Institute. This certification suggests that the smartphone display is able to better filter out harmful blue lights. tech2 News Staff Following the terrible mass shootings in New Zealand at two mosques, Felix Kjellberg aka PewDiePie got involved in a controversy after the terrorist named him before the massacre. The terror attack that resulted in 50 casualties was livestreamed by the terrorist on Facebook. Before murdering the innocent victims, the attacker used the Subscribe to PewDiePie meme in the livestream. For those unaware, the Subscribe to PewDiePie meme started off as feud between PewDiePie, the most subscribed YouTube creator at that time, and T-Series, an Indian music studio which was gaining subscribers astronomically. The meme became quite popular and it was used not only across the internet, but it was also referenced at physical locations, one of them being in the context of vandalism. It soon became a fight between an individual content creator and a big company. Subscribe to PewDiePie began appearing at the end of several videos on YouTube itself and the community showed immense support for the little guy going up against an entire corporation. However, as soon as the meme was referenced by the terrorist in the livestream, people started disassociating themselves from it. Right after the incident, Felix had tweeted out (tweet doesnt exist anymore) that he was sickened to have his name used by the attacker. And now, considering how out of control the meme went, Felix took to YouTube to address the issue, calling an end to use the meme. Felix said in the video, To have my name associated with something so unspeakably vile has affected me in more ways than Ive let shown. I just didnt want to address it right away, and I didnt want to give the terrorist more attention. I didnt want to make it about me, because I dont think it has anything to do with me. To put it plainly, I didnt want hate to win. But its clear to me now the Subscribe to PewDiePie movement should have ended then. Apart from being referenced by the attacker, the meme was also used to deface a World War II memorial in New York, as reported by The Verge. This isnt the first time Felix has been involved in a controversy. Towards the end of the video, he requested all his subscribers and viewers that when his channel reaches 100 million subscribers, he wants it to be seen as a positive milestone rather than a competition. Ameya Dalvi At the time of publishing this article, Realme 3 Pro sale on Flipkart remains an hour away. If you happen to read it post that, probably the next sale is a week away. Either way, this article will serve you well in case you are thinking of buying the Realme 3 Pro (Review) but arent yet sure if thats the best option for you. Yes, the latest from Realme is a good all-round device that wouldnt disappoint most users looking for a smartphone in that budget. But it isnt the one phone to rule them all. So its always good to have options to choose from; alternatives that cater to different needs. Here are five such phones you should look at closely before investing in a Realme 3 Pro. Before you proceed, you may want to browse through my quick take on the latest Realme device. Redmi Note 7 Pro Pretty obvious, isnt it? The very phone that Realme 3 Pro was born to compete with. The glass-clad Redmi Note 7 Pro (review) is pleasing to the eye and protected against scratches by Gorilla Glass 5 at the front as well as at the back, something that the Realme phone cant brag about. A 6.3-inch Full HD+ display with a drop notch does a good job. It has a new Snapdragon 675 SoC that is marginally faster than the Snapdragon 710 found on the Realme 3 Pro in most tasks except gaming. Its not far behind in gaming either. It is available in two variants 4 GB RAM with 64 GB storage and 6 GB RAM with 128 GB internal storage, that are priced exactly the same as its Redmi counterpart. The 4,000 mAh battery lasts a day of standard usage comfortably but Xiaomi doesnt include a fast charger in the bundle. The major talking point of the Redmi Note 7 Pro and where it scores over the Realme 3 Pro is its 48 MP rear camera with a Sony IMX586 sensor. Like some of the flagship devices from other brands, it uses pixel binning technology that combines details from 4 pixels into one that provides more light data and helps retain finer detail in captured images. It is arguably the best phone for low light photography in this budget. Theres a 5 MP depth-sensing camera too for bokeh shots and a 13 MP AI-assisted front camera for selfies. On the OS front, the new Xiaomi device runs the latest Android Pie out of the box with MIUI 10 layer on top. However, it isnt as clean and pleasant as the new ColorOS 6.0 on the 3 Pro. Redmi Note 7 Pro price in India: Rs 13,999 for 4 GB RAM/64 GB storage; Rs 16,999 for 6 GB RAM/128 GB storage Poco F1 If you are looking at raw processing power in this budget, there is none better than the Poco F1 (review). This handset from Xiaomis sub-brand is powered by a flagship Snapdragon 845 SoC and its the only one with that chipset that sells under Rs 20,000 in India. In terms of pure performance, it offers unmatched value for money. But it is not perfect in every other aspect. For instance, the design is fairly generic and nowhere as appealing as that of the Realme 3 Pro. The 12 MP + 5 MP dual camera setup at the back does a comparable job in decent lighting with the Realme scoring better in low light, courtesy of its Nightscape mode. It runs Android Oreo 8.1 with a Poco launcher, which is a definite improvement over MIUI. Other than Qualcomms flagship SoC, the base variant of the phone comes bundled with 6 GB RAM and 64 GB storage. The storage can be further expanded up to 256 GB using a microSD card. You get a bright 6.2-inch Full HD+ notched display and a 4,000 mAh battery that provides sufficient juice for a days usage. If you are a performance buff or a gamer who isnt too picky about design or camera output, the Poco F1 is the right choice for you. It lets you play PUBG Mobile and other popular games smoothly at highest settings in this budget. Poco F1 price in India: Rs 19,999 6 GB RAM/64 GB storage Honor Play Huaweis sub-brand, Honor had ideas similar to Poco when they released the Honor Play (review) with their then flagship Kirin 970 SoC under Rs 20,000. The performance is comparable to a Snapdragon 845 in many areas, though it doesnt go past it. Unlike Poco F1, the Honor Play has a metal (Aluminium) body and an elegant design. It has a slightly larger 6.3-inch Full HD+ notched display and a 3,750 mAh battery. It ran Android Oreo 8.1 with EMUI 8.2 on top at launch but received an Android 9 Pie update earlier this year. Photography is handled by 16 MP + 2 MP dual rear cameras, while theres a 16 MP sensor at the front for selfies. The cameras do a decent job but not better than those on the Realme 3 Pro. It comes with 6 GB RAM and 64 GB internal storage that can be expanded further with a microSD card. The Kirin 970 chip along with Huaweis GPU Turbo technology provides enough processing muscle in gaming and other resource-intensive tasks. The price of the phone has just dropped well under Rs 20,000 on Amazon and wouldnt be a bad idea for mobile gamers to grab one before the stocks run out. Honor Play price in India: Rs 14,999 for 4 GB RAM/64 GB storage; Rs 16,999 6 GB RAM/64 GB storage Samsung Galaxy A50 One of the recent launches from Samsung, the Galaxy A50 (review) is a solid all-round phone in terms of display, design, features and performance. It was launched in order to counter Xiaomi and Realmes dominance in the mid-range segment. You get arguably the best displays in this budget with a 6.4-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED screen with a tiny drop notch, or Infinity U display as the company likes to call it. Its not just sharp but the colour accuracy is excellent too. The phone is powered by Samsungs new mid-range Exynos 9610 SoC, which is comparable to a Snapdragon 660, and you get 4 GB RAM and 64 GB (expandable) storage. The 4,000 mAh battery easily goes beyond a day of moderate usage. You get the latest Android 9 Pie OS with Samsungs new OneUI on top, which is a big improvement over its predecessor, Experience UI. The Galaxy A50 boasts of a triple-camera setup that includes a 25 MP primary sensor, an 8 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5 MP depth sensor. The ultra-wide lens on the phone offers a 123-degree field of view. The camera output is pretty good for the segment but dont expect miracles. All in all, Galaxy A50 is a solid offering under Rs 20,000 and though not the best performer of the lot, it is ideal for the brand-conscious users or those who do not prefer Chinese brands. Samsung Galaxy A50 price in India: Rs 19,990 for 4 GB RAM/64 GB storage Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 (review) may not be as powerful as the Realme 3 Pro or the first three phones in this list, but it does offer something that none of those phones can boast of stock Android UI. To make things even better, Asus has recently started rolling out Android 9 Pie update for the same. The phone is powered by the competent Snapdragon 660 SoC and after the recent price drop, one can get the 6 GB RAM variant with 64 GB internal storage well under 15K. The design is aesthetically pleasing with a 6.26-inch Full HD+ notched display up front and a glossy back similar to the Realme 3 Pro. The phones standout feature is its mammoth 5,000 mAh battery that lasts a day and a half to two provided there's moderate usage. The camera department is handled by 12 MP + 5 MP dual rear cameras clicking good pictures in bright conditions and with acceptable quality for the segment in low light. The portrait mode here does an excellent job with accurate edge detection. The 13 MP front camera takes pretty good selfies too. Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 price in India: Rs 11,999 for 4 GB RAM/64 GB storage; Rs 13,999 for 6 GB RAM/64 GB storage tech2 News Staff Christina Koch is expected to set a record for the longest NASA space mission by a woman when she completes her 11-month stay on the International Space Station (ISS). She will break the record set by astronaut Peggy Whitson (288 days). She is scheduled to remain in orbit until February 2020. "It's an honour to follow in Peggy's footsteps," Koch was quoted as saying by NASA. She arrived on board the space station on 14 March to begin research activities as part of the Expedition 59 crew. Men and women react differently in space. Koch's 11-month is meant to help researchers study the effects of long-duration spaceflight on a woman. Koch's planned stay is just short of the longest single spaceflight by a NASA astronaut, Scott Kelly, who had stayed on board for 340 days during his one-year mission in 2015-16. All the data NASA currently has is for male astronauts as they have spent the most amount of time in space. This study becomes imperative as Koch's mission is in preparation for NASA's human mission to the Moon or Mars. "Christina's extended mission will provide additional data for NASA's 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 NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, US. This news comes at a time when an all-woman spacewalk had to be cancelled, on 29 March, as there were not enough spacesuits available. Both the female astronauts wore size medium, however, there was only one suit available. After serious backlash, NASA released a statement saying that they had more than one suit on-board, they just did not have enough time to resize it to fit before the walk. Weve seen your tweets about spacesuit availability for Fridays spacewalk. To clarify, we have more than 1 medium size spacesuit torso aboard, but to stay on schedule with @Space_Station upgrades, its safer & faster to change spacewalker assignments than reconfigure spacesuits. pic.twitter.com/tPisBHaF2p NASA (@NASA) March 26, 2019 NASA last month accepted a challenge from the Donald Trump administration to return humans to the Moon by 2024, four years ahead of the US space agencys earlier set target. Jim Bridenstine, NASA administrator said, This time, when we go to the Moon, we will stay. And then we will use what we learn on the Moon to take the next giant leap sending astronauts to Mars. You are here: Arts Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Sunday visited the exhibition of recently returned Chinese artifacts from Italy at the National Museum of China. The exhibition, titled "The Journey Back Home," showcases more than 700 pieces of returned Chinese artifacts including a painted pottery pot from the Western Han Dynasty (202 B.C.-8 A.D.) and a colored camel pottery figurine from the Tang Dynasty (618-907). China and Italy have formed a close friendship through long-standing economic, trade and cultural exchanges, laid a solid foundation for cooperation, which facilitated the return of the cultural relics, said Conte. China and Italy should further strengthen cultural exchanges and promote the relations between the two peoples, he added. China and Italy exchanged related certificates for returning 796 Chinese cultural relics on March 23. This batch of Chinese artifacts arrived in Beijing on April 10. This was the largest return of lost Chinese cultural relics in nearly 20 years, according to Luo Shugang, China's minister of Culture and Tourism. The exhibition started on April 24 and will remain open until June 30. Over 6,500 people were told to quickly leave their homes near Montreal late on Saturday and early Sunday after floodwaters breached a dike in rain-soaked eastern Canada. Montreal: Over 6,500 people were told to quickly leave their homes near Montreal late on Saturday and early Sunday after floodwaters breached a dike in rain-soaked eastern Canada. The evacuations came as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for increased measures to make infrastructure "climate resilient." The flooding across Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick "highlights how important it is that we fight climate change, that we adapt and mitigate the impacts of more extreme weather events," he said. According to the latest government data, nearly 8,000 people have been forced from their homes in Quebec more than in 2017, during what was then the area's worst flooding in half a century. The barrier protecting Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, just west of Montreal, gave way on Saturday night, causing a surge of water of up to 1.5 metres to crash through the area. "We didn't have time to do anything, the water rose while were chatting, I just had time to take my medication," one resident told public broadcaster Radio-Canada. Hundreds of policemen, firefighters and soldiers helped evacuate nearly 2,600 homes in the area, a provincial police spokesman said. "It's going very well. Thankfully no one was injured, no one is missing," Sergeant Daniel Thibodeau said. Around 1,700 soldiers have been deployed to the hardest-hit regions and Montreal and Ottawa declared states of emergency last week. In Fredericton, New Brunswick, crews have been busy hauling away driftwood and debris as waters start to recede. More than 400 households were flooded in the province, and the main highway connecting to the rest of Canada remained closed. In Ottawa, a bridge connecting the capital to Gatineau, Quebec was closed and 18 residents fled their flooded homes. Trudeau was in the Ottawa area on Saturday for a briefing from emergency management officials where he helped to fill sandbags with his young son. JERUSALEM (Reuters) - For one family caught up in the California synagogue shooting, a move from Israel to the United States in search of a safer life has been a journey 'from fire to fire'. Israel Dahan and three of his five children were at Sabbath services at Congregation Chabad in Poway, near San Diego, on Saturday when a gunman opened fire, killing a woman and wounding three others in what local authorities deemed a hate crime. Dahan, speaking on Israel Radio on Sunday, said his family was no stranger to violence, having lived in Israel in Sderot, a town on the Gaza border that has been a frequent target of Palestinian rocket attacks JERUSALEM (Reuters) - For one family caught up in the California synagogue shooting, a move from Israel to the United States in search of a safer life has been a journey "from fire to fire". Israel Dahan and three of his five children were at Sabbath services at Congregation Chabad in Poway, near San Diego, on Saturday when a gunman opened fire, killing a woman and wounding three others in what local authorities deemed a hate crime. Dahan, speaking on Israel Radio on Sunday, said his family was no stranger to violence, having lived in Israel in Sderot, a town on the Gaza border that has been a frequent target of Palestinian rocket attacks. "We came from fire to fire," he said. "We left Sderot because of the shelling. My house was hit several times. My mother's house, my mother-in-law's house were hit several times. I was also wounded several times ... we wanted to move far away." Dahan's eight-year-old daughter, Noya, was wounded in the synagogue shooting, on the last day of Passover, as was his brother-in-law. "I began to shout that people should flee," Dahan said about the initial moments of the attack. "Thank God his gun jammed." Authorities identified the alleged gunman as a 19-year-old San Diego resident and said his weapon apparently malfunctioned after the first rounds he fired. Dahan said his family had been living in Poway for the past three years - and that it was not the first time they had been the victim of a hate crime. In 2015, the Dahans were residing in Mira Mesa, about 10 miles (16 km) from Poway, when swastikas were daubed on their house and vehicle during the Passover holiday. A local news report at the time said the family moved to the United States in 2014 seeking a safer environment for their children. "But that's life," Dahan said, recalling the swastika incident and how he had briefly locked eyes with the synagogue assailant. Asked whether he regretted their move from Israel, he said: "No. We love America ... It can happen anywhere - in any mall, and in any hospital and in any family gathering and in any place. We are strong. We were born to be strong." (Writing by Jeffrey Heller; Editing by Dale Hudson) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Will Dunham WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Centrist Republican Richard Lugar, a soft-spoken foreign policy powerhouse who championed nuclear nonproliferation during 36 years in the U.S. Senate, died on Sunday at age 87. By Will Dunham WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Centrist Republican Richard Lugar, a soft-spoken foreign policy powerhouse who championed nuclear nonproliferation during 36 years in the U.S. Senate, died on Sunday at age 87. The Lugar Center, a Washington-based nonprofit, said in statement that he died peacefully at the Inova Fairfax Heart and Vascular Institute in Virginia due to complications from CIDP, a chronic neurological disorder. Lugar, a professorial Midwesterner known for his keen intellect and mild demeanor, served as mayor of Indianapolis from 1968 to 1975 before his long stint in the Senate from 1977 to 2013. He was the longest-serving senator ever from Indiana. Lugar was an influential Republican voice on foreign policy. Lugar, a former Rhodes scholar and an avid runner into his 70s, served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and also headed the Agriculture Committee. He unsuccessfully sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1996. His political career ended when he sought nomination for a seventh six-year Senate term in 2012 but was challenged by the Republican Party's right and beaten by a candidate backed by the conservative tea party movement, which did not like Lugar's willingness to make bipartisan compromises. As a senator, Lugar sought to curb the spread of nuclear weapons globally. His greatest achievement, forged alongside centrist Democratic Senator Sam Nunn, was a law under which the United States paid for the dismantling and elimination of the nuclear weapons in the former Soviet Union as well as chemical and biological arms. The 1991 measure was intended to keep nuclear weapons in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan from falling into the hands of hostile countries or extremist groups. Under the program, about 7,600 nuclear warheads were deactivated, 2,300 missiles destroyed and 24 nuclear weapons storage sites secured by the time Lugar's Senate career ended. He was 80 years old and the senior most Republican in the Senate when he left the Senate in January 2013. After leaving politics, he founded the Lugar Center, which is focused on global issues such as weapons proliferation, food supply, foreign aid and governance. "Governance requires adaptation to shifting circumstances," Lugar said in 2012 in his final speech on the Senate floor. "It often requires finding common ground with Americans who have a different vision than your own. It requires leaders who believe ... that their first responsibility to their constituents is to apply their best judgment." He said Republicans "must be willing to suspend reflexive opposition that serves no purpose but to limit their own role in strategic questions and render cooperation impossible." 'NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE' Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the top Senate Republican during Lugar's final years in Congress, praised him in 2012 as the "model of the public servant." "He's earned the respect and admiration of everyone who ever crossed his path," McConnell said on the Senate floor. "I assure you, in the world of politics, that's nothing short of a miracle." Lugar lost his first run for the Senate in 1974 against incumbent Democrat Birch Bayh, but two years later defeated another incumbent Democrat, Senator Vance Hartke. He was re-elected in 1982, 1988, 1994, 2000 and 2006. In seeking re-election in 2012, Lugar was beaten in the Republican primary by Richard Mourdock, Indiana's state treasurer and a favorite of the conservative Tea Party movement. Mourdock lost in the general election to Democratic U.S. congressman Joe Donnelly after the Republican nominee said in a debate that if a woman became pregnant in a rape, it was "something that God intended to happen." In the Senate, Lugar amassed a largely conservative voting record, but was willing to side with Democrats when his political convictions differed from the views of his party. He voted in 1986 to override Republican President Ronald Reagan's veto of a bill to impose economic sanctions on South Africa during its racist apartheid era. He played a key role in persuading Reagan in 1986 to end support for Philippines leader Ferdinand Marcos, leading to Marcos's peaceful ouster. In 2007, Lugar criticized Republican President George W. Bush's handling of the Iraq war, which began in 2003, particularly the stumbling U.S. efforts to stabilize and rebuild the country. Lugar's 1996 bid for the Republican presidential nomination focused on a president's role in leading the world toward a future secure from nuclear threats. But his stiff campaign style and refusal to conform to sound-bite themes doomed his chances and he dropped out early in the race. Born in Indianapolis on April 4, 1932, Lugar attended Pembroke College at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. He served in the Navy from 1957 to 1960, working as an intelligence officer. He married his wife, Charlene, in 1956. They had four sons. (Reporting by Will Dunham; Additional reporting by Vicki Allen; Editing by Bill Trott and Lisa Shumaker) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Democratic chairman of a congressional committee has put off holding a former White House security clearance chief in contempt until after the panel interviews him about decisions made on some of President Donald Trump's advisers. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Democratic chairman of a congressional committee has put off holding a former White House security clearance chief in contempt until after the panel interviews him about decisions made on some of President Donald Trump's advisers. The House Oversight and Government Reform committee voted last week to subpoena Carl Kline over whistleblower allegations that the Trump administration inappropriately reversed career officials decisions to deny some advisers security clearances. Congressional sources said the aides included Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner. Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings said in a letter to Kline on Saturday that he would be allowed to have lawyers present for an interview with committee members on Wednesday. However, he said the scope of questioning will not be limited, as the White House and Kline's lawyer had requested, according to the letter released by the committee. "You will be expected to answer all of the committee's questions, including questions about specific White House officials and allegations of retaliation against the whistleblower," Cummings said. "If you answer all of these questions, there would be no need for the committee to pursue contempt against you in the future." Tricia Newbold, a career security official at the White House for 18 years, has said the Trump administration overruled security experts to give questionable security clearances to more than two dozen people. Cummings warned Kline that, even though the White House ordered him not to appear before the committee, "That is not a valid legal reason to defy a congressional subpoena." The Republican Trump vowed last week to resist every subpoena from House Democrats investigating his administration and to fight any effort by them to impeach him. (Reporting by Mark Hosenball and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Bill Trott) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. (Reuters) - A suspect in the murders of five people in rural Tennessee was shot and captured by police on Saturday, ending an hours-long manhunt triggered by the discovery of the bodies in two separate homes. Michael Cummins, 25, was in custody after suffering non-life-threatening injuries, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a statement. The search began on Saturday evening after an emergency call led police to four bodies in a home in Sumner County, about 25 miles northeast of Nashville along the Kentucky border (Reuters) - A suspect in the murders of five people in rural Tennessee was shot and captured by police on Saturday, ending an hours-long manhunt triggered by the discovery of the bodies in two separate homes. Michael Cummins, 25, was in custody after suffering non-life-threatening injuries, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a statement. The search began on Saturday evening after an emergency call led police to four bodies in a home in Sumner County, about 25 miles northeast of Nashville along the Kentucky border. Another body was found in a nearby home, and authorities acquired information that suggested Cummins as the prime suspect in both cases, the bureau said. Using aircraft, authorities spotted someone in a creek bed around a mile from the first scene. One officer fired at Cummins, wounding him. No officers were injured. It was not immediately clear what relationship, if any, Cummins had to the victims. (Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Nirmala Sitharaman is currently in Kyrgyzstan on a three-day visit to attend the SCO meet, along with holding bilaterals with a handful of other member-countries on the summit's sidelines Bishkek: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a bilateral meeting with her Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' Meet on Monday. The two sides discussed regional and bilateral security issues during the meeting. The defence minister is currently in Kyrgyzstan on a three-day visit to attend the SCO meet, along with holding bilaterals with a handful of other member-countries on the summit's sidelines. She is scheduled to attend the SCO ministerial meeting later on Monday. The eight member-states will discuss ways to increase cooperation in combating terrorism, among other issues, during the meet. The current SCO meeting is being held in the run-up to the SCO summit, which is expected to take place from 14-15 June this year. In 2018, India participated in the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting for the first time. Speaking at that meeting, Sitharaman had highlighted Indias keen interest in developing an expanded partnership with the broader Eurasian region. In 2018, India for the first time participated in the SCO defence exercises. The joint exercise was conducted by the Central Military Commission of Russia at Chebarkul, Chelyabinsk. The exercise involved tactical level operations in an international counterinsurgency or counter-terrorism environment under the SCO Charter. (This April 27 story amends the word 'gonna' to 'going to' in quotes in paragraphs 2 and 9) CAIRO (Reuters) - U.S. Central Command chief General Kenneth McKenzie said on Saturday the United States would deploy the necessary resources to counter any dangerous actions by Iran, Sky News Arabia reported (This April 27 story amends the word "gonna" to "going to" in quotes in paragraphs 2 and 9) CAIRO (Reuters) - U.S. Central Command chief General Kenneth McKenzie said on Saturday the United States would deploy the necessary resources to counter any dangerous actions by Iran, Sky News Arabia reported. "We're going to continue to reach out to our partners and friends in the region to ensure that we make common cause against the threat of Iran," McKenzie, on an official visit to the Gulf region, was quoted as saying by Sky News Arabia. "I believe we'll have the resources necessary to deter Iran from taking actions that will be dangerous," he said, according to a transcript released by the Abu Dhabi-based channel. "We will be able to respond effectively." Tensions between Tehran and Washington have risen since the Trump administration last year withdrew from an international nuclear deal with Iran and began ratcheting up sanctions. Earlier this month, the United States blacklisted Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards. Washington on Monday demanded buyers of Iranian oil stop purchases by May or face sanctions, ending six months of waivers which allowed Iran's eight biggest buyers, most of them in Asia, to continue importing limited volumes. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and some senior military commanders have threatened to disrupt oil shipments from Gulf countries if Washington tries to strangle Tehran oil exports. McKenzie also said a reduction of U.S. troops in Syria would be done cautiously. "On the long term, we're going to reduce our forces in Syria, we recognize that, that's the guidance in which we are operating. That will be something that we will look at very carefully as we go forward," the general said. President Donald Trump had ordered the withdrawal of U.S. troops Syria in December after he said they had defeated Islamic State militants in Syria. In February, a senior administration official said the United States will leave about 400 U.S. troops split between two different regions of Syria. McKenzie also said he was confident that the U.S. is going to have "a long term presence in Iraq, focused on the counter-terror mission." (Reporting by Hesham Hajali in Cairo and Stanley Carvalho in Abu Dhabi; Writing by Rania El Gamal; Editing by Alexandra Hudson and Ros Russell) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The results raise the spectre of another period of instability for Spain, with Pedro Sanchez depending on alliances with hostile rivals in an environment that has soured since Catalonia's failed secession bid in 2017. Madrid: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialists have won the snap elections without the necessary majority to govern solo in a fragmented political landscape marked by the far-right's entry into parliament. The results raise the spectre of another period of instability for Spain, with Sanchez depending on alliances with hostile rivals in an environment that has soured since Catalonia's failed secession bid in 2017. A significant development was the rise of the ultra-nationalist Vox party, which garnered just over 10 percent of the vote in a country that has had no far-right party to speak of since the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975. Sanchez's Socialist Party (PSOE) got 123 lawmakers out of 350, or close to 29 percent of votes, short of an absolute majority but much better than the 85 seats it got in 2016. "The Socialists have won the general election and with it the future has won and the past has lost," he told cheering supporters from the balcony of the party's headquarters in Madrid, claiming victory late Sunday. The big loser was the conservative Popular Party (PP), which bagged 66 seats compared to 137 in the previous election that saw it govern Spain with a minority government. Possible alliances Sanchez, who came to power in June after ousting conservative prime minister Mariano Rajoy in a no-confidence vote, could seek to forge alliances with far-left Podemos and smaller groupings like Catalan separatist parties, as he had done over the past 10 months. He could also try to cosy up to centre-right Ciudadanos, which won 57 seats. Together, they would form an absolute majority but voters from both parties would likely frown on such a move. "I hope Sanchez won't reach an agreement with Ciudadanos, I want a left-wing government," 51-year-old Esther Lopez, said at the Socialist Party headquarters, wearing earrings marked "PSOE." Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera, built his campaign on disparaging Sanchez, criticising his attempts to negotiate with Catalan separatist parties in a bid to ease a secession crisis in the northeastern region. In an editorial on Monday, Madrid daily El Mundo called on Sanchez to "reach out to Rivera and consider forming a moderate government, which would undoubtedly go down well in Europe, to ensure the stability" of the country. Far-right emergence The crisis in Catalonia was precisely what fuelled Vox's meteoric rise from the outer margins of politics to the national scene, after gaining nearly 11 percent of votes in December regional polls in southern Andalusia. Founded by Santiago Abascal, a disgruntled former PP member, it will now take 24 seats in the national parliament. This is less than what opinion polls had predicted. "I thought Vox would get way more votes, with this result Vox won't have any weight in parliament as no one supports them. We needed more seats," said Maria Bonilla Ortega, a 22-year-old philosophy student in central Madrid, a Spanish flag draped around her shoulders. Abascal was more optimistic: "We can tell Spain with complete calm that Vox has come to stay," he told cheering supporters. After a tense campaign, voter turnout was high at 75.76 percent, up from 66.48 percent in 2016, election authorities said. Catalonia shadow With a strong stance against feminism and illegal immigration, Vox stood out with ultra-nationalist rhetoric advocating the "defence of the Spanish nation to the end" and a hard line against separatists in Catalonia. The region in northeastern Spain was the scene of a secession attempt in 2017 that sparked the country's biggest political crisis in decades and caused major concern in Europe. The issue has continued to cast a pall over Spanish politics. Sanchez was forced to call Sunday's elections after Catalan pro-independence lawmakers in the national parliament, angered at the trial of their leaders in Madrid, refused to give him the support he needed for his 2019 budget. Right-wing parties for their part lambasted Sanchez, at the head of a minority government, for talking with separatists who still govern the region, accusing him of cosying up to those who tried to break up Spain. That controversy is likely to continue as two Catalan separatist parties gained even more lawmakers in the national parliament than they did in 2016, up to 22 from 17. The five separatists elected are in jail and currently being tried at Spain's Supreme Court. In a sign of the impact the crisis had on voters, Dolores Palomo, a 48-year-old domestic worker, said she had always voted for the socialists but cast her ballot for Ciudadanos this time at a polling station in Hospitalet de Llobregat, near Barcelona. The reason? Sanchez "is a puppet of the separatists," she said. Sri Lanka police raided the headquarters of a hardline Islamist group founded by the suspected ringleader behind the Easter suicide bombings of churches and hotels, a Reuters witness said, as Sunday mass was cancelled due to fears of further attacks. Colombo/Kattankudy: Sri Lankan police raided the headquarters of a hardline Islamist group founded by the suspected ringleader behind the Easter suicide bombings of churches and hotels, a Reuters witness said, as Sunday mass was cancelled due to fears of further attacks. Armed police in the town of Kattankudy searched the headquarters of the National Tawheed Jamaat (NTJ) and detained one man at the premises, a Reuters reporter at the scene said. Police did not comment. On Saturday, the government banned the NTJ under new emergency laws. The authorities believe Zahran Hashim, the founder of NTJ, masterminded and was one of the nine suicide bombers in the attacks on Easter Sunday which killed 253 people. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks. Police suspect the bombings were carried out by two local Islamist groups, including the one established by Zahran. Around 10,000 soldiers have been deployed around the island as the authorities hunt for more suspects. Police sources told Reuters on Sunday that Zahrans father and two brothers had been killed two days earlier in a gun battle with security forces. A relative identified the three men in a video circulating on social media calling for war against non-Muslims. The Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Ranjith, who had asked churches to suspend Sunday mass due to security fears, delivered a televised special sermon from a chapel at his home. The service was attended by President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former president Mahinda Rajapaksa. The archbishop said earlier this week that he had seen an internal security document warning of further attacks on churches. We cannot kill someone in the name of God ... It is a great tragedy that happened, the archbishop said in his sermon. We extend our hand of friendship and fraternity to all our brothers and sisters of whatever class, society or religion that differentiates us. The archbishop and political leaders then lit candles to commemorate the victims. Most of those killed in the Easter Sunday attacks were Sri Lankans. The dead also included 40 foreigners, including British, U.S., Australian, Turkish, Indian, Chinese, Danish, Dutch and Portuguese nationals. Police believe that radical Muslim preacher Zahran led the NTJ or a splinter faction to mount the attacks in Colombo as well as on a church in Batticaloa in the east. The authorities have named the other group suspected of involvement as Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim. Neither group were well known before the attacks but the government has come under heavy criticism for not heeding intelligence warnings of the bombings, including one from Indias spy service hours before the attacks. On Friday, Sirisena said the government led by premier Wickremesinghe should take responsibility for the attacks and that prior information warning of attacks was not shared with him. Gun battle More than 100 people, including foreigners from Syria and Egypt, have been detained for questioning over the Easter attacks. The Sri Lankan military said at least 15 people were killed during a fierce gun battle with Islamist militants on the east coast on Friday, including six children. In an apparent reference to the three men, Islamic State said on Sunday that three of its members had clashed with Sri Lankan police for several hours on Friday before detonating their explosive vests. It did not name them. The groups news agency Amaq said 17 policemen were killed or injured in that battle. It did not give any evidence. Sri Lankas 22 million population is majority Buddhist and includes minority Christians, Muslims and Hindus. At the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo where one of the bombs went off last Sunday, Buddhist monks, some as young as 10 and senior clergy, performed rituals in a tribute to the victims. Easily-available chemicals, including nail-polish remover, a common disinfectant and sulfuric acid were used by jihadists in Sri Lanka to manufacture the explosive used in the Easter Sunday suicide attacks which claimed over 25o lives, intelligence sources with access to forensic test results have told Firspost. New Delhi: Easily-available chemicals, including nail-polish remover, a common disinfectant and sulfuric acid were used by Sri Lankan jihadists to manufacture the explosive used in the Easter Sunday suicide attacks which claimed over 250 lives, intelligence sources with access to forensic test results have told Firspost. The results of the forensic tests have heightened fears among the intelligence community that Indian jihadists who fought with the Islamic State could have acquired similar skills, the sources said. Islamic State engineers in Iraq and Syria are known to have set up industrial-scale operations to produce Triacetone Triphosphate, also known as TATP, while hundreds of cadre were given classes in manufacturing the explosive. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) last year had said that they had recovered TATP ingredients from the home of Abdullah bin Ahmed al-Amoodi, one of the five Hyderabad residents alleged to have been preparing to bomb targets in the city. Led by preacher Mohammad Zahran Hashim, who advocated the killing of all non-Muslims and the setting up of an Islamic State in Lanka, the Sri Lanka terror cell had stockpiled chemicals at a safe-house in Wanathawilluwa, which investigators believe were meant to bomb Buddhist monuments in the city of Anuradhapura. Following the seizure of the supplies in a police raid early this year, though, a fresh stockpile was put together in Sainthamaruthu, near Hashims home-town. Fifteen people three women, six children, and Hashims father, Mohamed Hashim, and brothers Zainee Hashim, Rilwan Hashim were killed during a police raid in Sainthamaruthu which was carried out soon after the stockpile was discovered. Fabrication of the explosive devices, sources close to the investigation say, was carried out at Colossus Copper, a factory owned by suicide-bomber Inshaf Ibrahim. Ibrahim and his brother and fellow suicide-bomber, Ilham Ibrahim, were sons of Sri Lanka spice magnate Mohammad Yusuf Ibrahim. Mohammed Mohiudeen, a former Sri Lankan army soldier now held by authorities, is believed to have played a key role in fabricating the explosive devices, along with a so-far-unnamed cell member who trained in Syria. Australia and United Kingdom-educated aerospace engineer Abdul Lathief Jameel Mohamed, who blew himself up at the Tropical Inn Hotell in Dehiwela, is also believed to have provided technical knowledge for the bomb-making process. Sri Lanka police have been conducting house-to-house searches searching for explosive material in the eastern part of the country, a Sri Lanka-based government source said. "Fisherfolk routinely use dynamite to stun fish," the official said, "there are large stockpiles in almost every village along the coast." TATP, or C9H18O6, has been used for a string of terrorist attacks, including the 2005 suicide-bomb strikes on Londons mass transit system, and the Islamic State's 2015 strike in Paris, and its 2016 strike on Brussels. In order to make TATP, terrorists must mix precise quantities of acetone, oxygenated water and sulphuric, hydrochloric or nitric acid together. The process yields white crystals, which are packed together with metal shrapnel for maximum lethality, and then set off with a detonatora thin metal tube linked to two electrical wires which can cause a spark. "Theres some risk in the process," an Indian military officer familiar with explosives said, "especially at the stage of mixing the acid with the other ingredients, which generates heat and can cause a dangerous fire." "But once youve learned the art, the officer said, its just half an hours work. TATP is hard to detect, dogs or electronic sniffer devices usually target nitrogen-containing explosives. The possibility of TATP being prepared on-board flights gave rise to restrictions on carrying liquids in hand luggage at airports. The southern Chinese city of Shenzhen on Saturday opened a one-month exhibition of photos by Marc Riboud, one of the first European photographers to visit the People's Republic of China after its founding in 1949. The exhibition "La Chine de Marc Riboud" featuring 36 works by the late French photographer is being held at Luohu Art Museum. Riboud is best known for his extensive reports on China and Asia. Between 1957 and 2010, he traveled to China over 20 times, using cameras to capture the enormous and dynamic changes in China. Shenzhen, a pioneer in China's reform and opening-up, has figured prominently in Riboud's China photos. Riboud took his first pictures at the age of 14 using a small vest pocket Kodak that his father gave him on his birthday. Studying engineering, he switched to photo journalism at 30 and became in 1976 the president of Magnum agency, an international photographic cooperative. Riboud received many awards, including Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sony World Photography Awards in 2009. He died from a long disease in 2016 at the age of 93. A number of French-themed exhibitions and festive activities have been scheduled in China for this year, which marks the 55th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties. Polish people read less than many other Europeans, but efforts to improve the country's network of public libraries can help change. About one in two Poles read a book in the last year, according to Eurobarometer, the EU's public opinion research institution. People in Eastern and Southern Europe generally read less than those in Nordic countries (in Sweden, 90 percent of people read a book in the last 12 months), but Poland fares worse than even some of its Central European and Baltic neighbours. Among the reasons quoted by analysts are the education system, which does little to encourage reading while burdening kids with too much homework, and the underfinancing of public institutions which promote reading. But this can be changed through the efforts to extend the country's library network. Poland has a nationwide system of public libraries, which originated in the early 20th century and developed in the later part of the century. The network is big and reaches villages, small towns and all neighbourhoods of big cities. In capital Warsaw alone, there are 185 branches of neighbourhood libraries, affiliated to 18 bigger libraries belonging to each of the city's districts. In the Mazowsze region where Warsaw lies, there are over 600 such library branches. In all of Poland, there are close to 8,000 public libraries. But the system has been struggling since the end of the last century, with capitalism coming access to culture from many alternative sources. At the same time, public institutions like the libraries were initially left underfunded, especially in the early period of transition to capitalism. As a result, access to culture has become dependent on financial status. In the last decade, however, people facing rising costs realized that borrowing books or movies and reading newspapers in the reading rooms of libraries could help keep their budgets under control. And the state has got more involved in trying to salvage and develop the public library system. "We don't have an easy task. People from the capital city, where there is a rich cultural life, don't have to make special efforts to take part in it. In these conditions, the offer of the library has to be very attractive, innovative and obviously free as well as answer to the real needs of various social groups," Miroslawa Majewska, the director of the Zygmunt Jan Rumel library in the South Praga district of Warsaw, writes in an article about the activities of the library she runs. Located in an unassuming grey building crammed among high blocks of flats and parked cars, the Rumel library organizes a whole array of cultural activities in addition to lending books: there are reading and foreign language clubs for children and seniors, special services for people with disabilities, music performances and book talks. About 80,000 people use the South Praga libraries every year, Sylwia Alicka, the head of the Foreign Language Collection department in the Rumel library, told Xinhua. Given that the total population of the area is 178,000, this means almost half of the residents in the district have used one of the services of the local public library. "I could practically live inside this library," jokes 35-year old Teresa Badila while sipping a coffee from the vending machine in the library's lobby. "I come here to work on my computer in the reading room, and in the afternoons we often come with the kids to play for a bit and take some new books home. I'm trying to teach them English." Public libraries like the Rumel survive on a combination of municipal funds, grants and readers' support. "There is never too much money for new purchases of books," Sylwia Alicka says. "For sure, libraries need more funds for educational and cultural activities." In March this year, Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage Piotr Glinski, announced an additional investment of 20 million zloty (about 5 million U.S. dollars) for the renovation of public libraries in the country. "This is a drop in the ocean," Glinski said. The extra money is part of a larger four-year national programme to support readership among Poles, which makes over 400 million zloty (100 million U.S. dollars) available for public libraries in the form of grants. The biggest beneficiaries of these efforts are potentially those Poles who, were it not for the public libraries, would be discriminated in their access to culture because of their financial situation or other reasons, such as disabilities. "All libraries, not just the neighbourhood ones, are very important, because they are open places. They can be used by anyone, no matter where they come from, their world views, their financial means," Alicka says. "It's all for free. To get the same books for my kids in the nearby bookstore, it would be so expensive. Not to mention I'd have to buy a fancy juice or something so that they can play with the toys there," Badila, the library user, told Xinhua. An exhibition of Chinese armorial porcelain mainly commissioned by the Irish in the 18th century, the first of its kind in Ireland, opened in the country's southern city of Waterford on Saturday afternoon, attracting hundreds of local Chinese porcelain lovers. Entitled "For All the Tea in China", the exhibition displayed more than 100 porcelain items commissioned from China by the wealthy Irish families between 1700 and 1825. They include teacups, saucers, teapots, dishes, dessert plates, custard cups and bowls. Each of the beautifully-decorated pieces is emblazoned with the arms of an affluent Irish family to signal their good taste, refinement, and most important of all their social status, said Eamonn McEneaney, Director of Waterford Museum of Treasures which organized the exhibition. According to Eamonn, the 18th century trade in armorial porcelain was a by-product of the trade in tea from China, a beverage that became very fashionable after 1660 when Catherine of Braganza wife of King Charles II popularized the drink among the ruling class in both England and Ireland. "Only the very wealthy had the resources and patience to commission such luxury items that could take up to three years to arrive in wooden sailing ships at the docks in Ireland, for delivery onwards to the commissioning client," said Eamonn, adding that the exhibition won't become possible if not due to the generous support of the collector David Synnott and his family members. David Synnott, a 78-year-old Irish British, comes from an Irish family whose ancestors once owned almost 4 percent of the land of County Wexford in Ireland by 1649, according to local historical records. "It took me almost 23 years to have collected all these remarkable Chinese armorial pieces," said David, who declined to disclose how much it had cost him for these collections. "There were only two men who collected Chinese armorial porcelain in the market in Ireland when I developed an interest in such things," said David, adding that the other man later left the business because of the lack of money. All the Chinese armorial porcelain items collected by David Synnott are now on a 10-year-loan free of charge to Bishop's Palace Museum, one of the three famous museums run by Waterford Museum of Treasures in the Waterford Viking Triangle area, a historical and tourist site in the city. "We want to share these beautiful Chinese artifacts with the public and contribute a bit to Waterford as a cultural capital of Ireland's Ancient East," said Juliette Hartmann, daughter of David Synnott, at the opening ceremony of the exhibition which was held inside the elegant 18th century Large Room, formerly known as the Grand Banqueting Room, of Waterford City Hall. The exhibition was inaugurated by Louise Richardson, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. She is a native of Waterford County and also a patron of our clock and watch museum, said Eamonn. An estimated 200 people including local officials and officials from the cultural section of the Chinese embassy in Ireland attended the ceremony. The opening ceremony was followed by a lecture of a British expert on Chinese armorial porcelain and an afternoon tea party during which participants were encouraged to bring their own favourite porcelain teacups and saucers to enjoy the Chinese tea. After rumors and patent earlier this year, the Motorola Razr (2019), the companys first foldable smartphone has surfaced in press shots on weibo in China. This shows resemblance to the iconic Razr handset, but this has display on the top and the bottom half that expands to reveal a large screen. The hinge is clearly visibly, and there is also a Motorola logo on the back. This resembles the patent. This shows a unique box with razr branding on the top. The box contents reveals a charging dock and also a USB Type-C to 3.5mm converter, so the phone wont feature a 3.5mm audio jack. Earlier rumor revealed that the phone will launch in the US exclusively on Verizon at a $1500 price tag. We still dont have any of the specifications of the smartphone. Via Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) and AbbVie (NYSE:ABBV) rank as two of the largest and most successful drugmakers on the planet. The two companies are leaders in therapeutic areas including immunology and oncology. Pfizer and AbbVie also consistently pay out some of the most attractive dividends in the healthcare industry. But which of these two big pharma stocks is the better choice for long-term investors? Here's how Pfizer and AbbVie compare in several key categories. Current products You'd have to give Pfizer's current product lineup the advantage in sheer numbers. The company claims 10 blockbuster drugs compared with only three for AbbVie. On the other hand, AbbVie's immunology drug Humira ranks as the best-selling drug in the world with $19.9 billion in sales last year -- three times as much as Pfizer's best-selling product. There's also a big difference in how much growth each company's current lineup is delivering. Pfizer's blood thinner Eliquis, breast cancer drug Ibrance, and immunology drug Xeljanz continue to generate strong sales growth. However, the pharma company also faces headwinds, with sliding sales of several other key drugs, notably including Enbrel and Viagra. Pfizer will soon have another problem on its hands. Lyrica, which pulled in sales of more than $4.6 billion last year, loses patent exclusivity this year. AbbVie's lineup includes a couple of cancer drugs with fast-growing sales -- Imbruvica and Venclexta. The company also has a rising star with endometriosis drug Orilissa and a solid blockbuster with hepatitis C virus (HCV) drug Mavyret. However, AbbVie also faces serious challenges for Humira, which currently generates more than 60% of the company's total revenue. Biosimilars to Humira are already on the market in Europe and are quickly taking away market share from AbbVie's blockbuster drug. The company anticipates biosimilar rivals in the U.S. beginning in 2023. Pipeline Pfizer wins again on the number of programs in its pipeline. The big drugmaker's pipeline includes close to 100 programs, with more than 30 of those programs in late-stage clinical studies or awaiting regulatory approval. AbbVie has more than 50 programs in its pipeline. Sixteen are currently in late-stage studies or awaiting regulatory approval. But you could argue that AbbVie beats Pfizer when it comes to the quality of its late-stage candidates. AbbVie's immunology drugs risankizumab and upadacitinib are expected to be major blockbusters. The company should also enjoy stronger growth for Venclexta if it picks up additional approved indications. In addition, AbbVie has a promising early-stage pipeline that some investors might easily overlook. In particular, the company has high expectations for several immunology and solid tumor candidates. Dividend Both Pfizer and AbbVie have great dividends. Pfizer's dividend yield currently stands at 3.4%. But AbbVie's dividend yields 5.3%. AbbVie also has the more impressive track record of dividend increases. The company has boosted its dividend payout by 168% since being spun off from Abbott Labs in 2013. Pfizer increased its dividend by 50% during the same period. Valuation Pfizer's valuation appears to be quite attractive. Its shares currently trade at less than 13 times expected earnings. That's definitely on the low end of the drugmaker's historical range. However, AbbVie stock looks to be an even greater bargain. Shares trade at roughly 8.4 times expected earnings, which is also very low for the company compared with its historical valuation. Better buy I think both Pfizer and AbbVie are great picks for long-term investors. Pfizer should be in a position to deliver solid growth after it moves past the near-term headwinds from Lyrica's loss of patent exclusivity. The stock should be able to deliver attractive total returns over the long run. But if I had to choose between these two big pharma stocks, I'd go with AbbVie. While the company faces challenges for Humira, I like the growth prospects for Imbruvica, Venclexta, and Orilissa. I'm also optimistic about the chances of success for AbbVie's top pipeline candidates. With an exceptionally strong dividend added to its solid growth opportunities, AbbVie is the better buy, in my view. Private companies enter the public markets full of promise. Unfortunately, many fail to live up to the initial hype. However, some far exceed expectations by enriching their investors from day one and never looking back. Three upcoming IPOs that currently look intriguing thanks to their long-term upside are Saudi Aramco, Slack Technologies, and Beyond Meat. Here's why these three Motley Fool contributors think investors should add them to their watchlists. The biggest IPO in history could soon happen Matt DiLallo (Saudi Aramco): Saudi Arabia has been talking about taking its oil company, Saudi Aramco, public since 2016. The Middle Eastern nation only wants to sell a small 5% slice of its oil behemoth. However, it's seeking a jaw-dropping $2 trillion valuation for the company, meaning it could potentially haul in $100 billion in the IPO, making it the largest one in history. However, the market balked at that value, due in part to oil price volatility and an unclear picture of how much oil the kingdom has in reserve. The country has started addressing those concerns as it continues prepping for an IPO. For starters, it's working with other members of OPEC as well as non-members like Russia to prop up oil prices. Meanwhile, it has started opening its books. An independent audit, for example, confirmed that it controls more than 260 billion barrels of oil reserves. Saudi Aramco also recently provided a glimpse at its financials, reporting that it recorded $111.1 billion in net income last year. That was more than the combined profits of Apple, Google, and ExxonMobil. Saudi Aramco highlighted its financials so it could raise $10 billion in debt to fund the acquisition of a 70% stake in Saudi chemicals company Sabic. Demand for that debt was exceptionally high, which bodes well for interest in an eventual IPO. These moves set the company up to eventually complete its long-delayed IPO. As things currently stand, Saudi Aramco could go public by 2021. Given its sheer size, profitability, and importance to the oil market, this is one IPO all investors should add to their watchlists. Fast growth, big losses Tim Green (Slack Technologies): Many high-profile, fast-growing, money-losing private tech companies have chosen 2019 for their public market debuts. Slack, a provider of messaging and collaboration software aimed at replacing email, will join that list in the coming weeks. Slack will eschew a traditional IPO, instead opting for a direct listing where existing shareholders can sell their shares to the public. Slack won't be issuing any new shares, and it won't be receiving any proceeds. Slack is growing very quickly. Revenue more than doubled in 2017 to $220.5 million, then nearly doubled again in 2018 to $400.5 million. The company's software is popular, and that popularity prompted Microsoft to launch a similar offering, Teams, back in 2017. Competition hasn't slowed down Slack's growth rate, although it may make it tougher to turn a profit. Like many young software-as-a-service companies, Slack is nowhere near profitable. The company booked a net loss of $140 million in 2018, and it posted a free cash flow loss of nearly $100 million. Costs are growing more slowly than revenue, which is a good thing, but don't expect the red ink to subside anytime soon. Slack was valued at $7.1 billion the last time it raised money, and more recent private transactions have valued the company at around $16 billion. The latter valuation would put Slack's price-to-sales ratio at 40. Investing in Slack at that price doesn't make much sense. But if the public markets rough up the stock, sending the valuation to more reasonable levels, Slack could start to look interesting to growth investors. On the path to profits Maxx Chatsko (Beyond Meat): This plant-based meat company is doing good for the planet by lowering the carbon footprint of protein consumption and is on the path to profits. According to the start-up's S1 filing, the business generated $87.9 million in revenue and a gross profit of $17.5 million in 2018, compared to just $16.2 million in revenue and a gross loss of $6.3 million in 2016. That growth has been fueled by greater distribution of its products, including the fastest new-product launch in the history of restaurants such as TGI Fridays and A&W Canada. Beyond Meat products are now in 12,000 locations in the United States and Canada. While Beyond Meat posted an operating loss of $28 million in 2018, about the same as the year before, continuing its rapid expansion should deliver the business to profitability soon enough. Considering it started this year with $54 million in cash and cash equivalents and expects to raise as much as $211 million from its IPO (no date has been set), it will have plenty of capital to stomach (shrinking) losses and plow into growth. Individual investors with a long-term mindset might feel pretty good about staking a position in the company at its market debut. A new documentary film by British filmmaker Arthur Jones will hit Chinese theaters this year to reveal the untold story of six Chinese survivors on the doomed ocean liner Titanic, which sank more than a hundred years ago. "The Six: The Untold Story of RMS Titanic's Chinese Passengers" was promoted at an annual national conference held in Shenyang, Liaoning province where executives from film studios and theater chains nationwide convened to promote future releases in China. A new poster of "The Six" was released. The documentary will take audiences on a journey to discover how the six Chinese passengers survived after the huge ship they were on sank. Since the sinking of the British passenger liner Titanic in 1912, experts have been trying to uncover the truth behind the tragedy. According to public records, Titanic was the largest ship afloat at the time, but it sank in the North Atlantic Ocean in the early morning hours of April 15, 1912, after it collided with an iceberg during its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City. There were an estimated 2,224 passengers and crew on board the ship, and more than 1,500 died. Its survivors, along with the mystery that shrouded the disaster, became legends that countless books and movies have told over the decades. One of the more memorable ones, "Titanic,"which was directed by James Cameron in 1997, became one of the highest-grossing epic films of all time. But out of over 700 survivors of the Titanic disaster, the six Chinese survivors were the only ones who didn't have a chance to share their experiences. "The Six" tells their stories and it's also expected that Chinese audiences will feel a greater affinity to them since they share a similar culture and nationality. The film will follow the lives of the six Chinese passengers after they survived the disaster, and meticulously piece together their unheard and forgotten stories. According to historical evidence as well as personal accounts that Jones' team collected a total of eight Chinese men worked on cargo ships traveling between China and Europe. The men boarded the Titanic in England on a single ticket which listed eight names. They all worked as stokers who tended to the steamship's furnace, and stayed in the third-class cabin. Among them, Lee Ling and Len Lam died in the disaster, and the names of the six survivors were Lee Bing, Fang Lang, Chang Chip, Ah Lam, Chung Foo and Ling Hee. Fang Lang was found on a piece of floating wreckage, while the others made it onto lifeboats. Four of the men shared a lifeboat with Joseph Bruce Ismay, the owner of Titanic. However, when the six survivors finally arrived in the United States, the discriminatory Chinese Exclusion Act, which was in force at the time, forced them to leave the country within 24 hours. Since then the Chinese survivors had disappeared from history books and their absence left many unanswered questions. In order to trace the survivors' descendants, Jones and his team went to the United States, Britain, Canada, Cuba and several other countries and eventually located some of the men. Jones, who has been living and working in China for over 20 years, worked with Steven Schwankert, the lead researcher and historian for the film. Both men had begun making the film since 2015 and trying to piece together the forgotten truth of one of the deadliest commercial peacetime maritime disasters in modern history. The film is scheduled for release in 2019. Trade experts have said third-party market cooperation has become a new bright spot in the Belt and Road Initiative and will continue to bolster the B&R development and win-win outcomes. Gao Yan, head of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said such collaboration offered a new way for China and developed countries to jointly pursue the Belt and Road Initiative. "It allows businesses of the two sides to give full play to their advantages and helps deliver mutual benefits," Gao said. Third-party market cooperation brings together the industrial strength of China and advanced technologies of developed countries to better satisfy the development demand of countries and regions along the routes of the Belt and Road. Progress has been made in the area with a series of outcomes, Gao said, citing cooperation funds set up for investment in third-party countries. The upgrades of hydropower stations conducted by Chinese and Germany companies in Brazil and the construction of Hinkley Point C nuclear power station financed by Chinese and French companies in Britain have been considered exemplary in B&R third-party market cooperation. China has expanded third-party market cooperation with countries including France, Italy, Spain, Japan and Portugal. Wei Jianguo, vice president of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, said third-party market cooperation was still a new cooperative model and more should be made for further improvement. "As there is not enough successful and replicable experience, continued efforts should be made by businesses to grope for feasible approaches and by governments to improve mechanisms," Wei said. The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, aims at building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road trade routes to seek common development and prosperity. The Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation concluded Saturday, with a total of 283 items of practical outcomes. The three-day forum has drawn about 5,000 participants from more than 150 countries and 90 international organizations, including nearly 40 heads of state and government. Blink Fitness Moves into New Underserved Markets Across Eastern Seaboard National low-cost, high-value fitness franchise, Blink Fitness collaborates with local husband and wife duo to develop nine locations in Virginia and Jacksonville, Florida April 29, 2019 // Franchising.com // NEW YORK, NY - On the move again, Blink Fitness is rapidly accelerating its growth into major markets across the United States. Blink, which focuses on how exercise makes you feel rather than exclusively on how it makes you look, is set to break into new metropolitan areas across the Eastern Seaboard with the signing of a nine-gym agreement. The agreement inked with entrepreneurial couple Carlos and Laura Gavidia calls for three locations in Virginia Beach and six gyms in Jacksonville, Florida. The first gym is slated to open summer 2019 in Virginia Beach. This will be the first time Blink breaks ground in each of these markets. We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to bring Blink to Virginia Beach and Jacksonville, said Carlos Gavidia. In a time when health is the new wealth, there is an increasing demand for a premium-quality yet accessible gym for everyone. Blink satisfies this demand and exceeds expectations on what it means to be a gym. Carlos had a successful 25 years in the credit card industry, where he developed a business from scratch before selling it to Goldman Sachs and private equity in 2014. Not without her own entrepreneurial spirit, Laura began her career in residential and commercial interior design, working on model home design before moving onto custom home building. Laura played a role in Carlos credit card company, and the couple got a taste of working together in business. After five years of retirement and traveling, the couple desired a chance to work together again and alongside their 21-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter. Blink Fitness is a great brand from top to bottom. The leadership, the mission and the premium experience at an affordable price is the perfect combination, added Laura. We also wanted to use our experience to start a business with our kids. Blink is the perfect fit with this idea as it incorporates a healthy lifestyle along with business sense to create a well-rounded experience to pass onto our children in their own lives. Blink offers a special place for any community that it enters. The gym offers a truly unique experience to its members, based on a company philosophy of Mood Above Muscle, which celebrates the positive feelings you get from exercise rather than just the physical benefits. This comes to life in each gym through a commitment to providing modern and colorful design, elevated customer service, relentless focus on cleanliness, energizing music and confidence-boosting training programs. Blink has always been forward-thinking when it comes to creating rewarding experiences for members and franchisees, alike. Offering opportunities for entrepreneurs, like Carlos and Laura, to create their own legacies has been one of the most rewarding aspects of Blinks franchise opportunity, said Todd Magazine, CEO of Blink. We are so excited to see what the Gavidia family will accomplish in the future and are confident they will deliver the quality standards for Blinks Feel Good Experience as they develop Blink in Virginia and Florida. About Blink Fitness Through its revolutionary philosophy of Mood Above Muscle, Blink Fitness, a premium-quality, value-based fitness brand, celebrates the positive feeling you get from exercise, not just the physical benefits. Blink has 100 locations open or in development throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California and Massachusetts. Blink has twice ranked in the top 500 of the Inc. 5000 list, was recognized as one of the top health clubs by Club Industry, and selected as the best budget chain by Men's Health. Blink Fitness has franchise opportunities available nationwide with a focus on the following markets: Atlanta, Phoenix, Seattle, Portland, Albuquerque, Louisville, St. Louis, Kansas City and cities throughout North and South Carolina. For more information about Blink, visit blinkfitness.com. Connect with Blink: Instagram: @BlinkFitness Facebook: BlinkFitness Twitter: @BlinkFitness To take a drone tour of a Blink Fitness gym: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxlw_CF1sdY&list=PLBvN9RO1VzoA-tQR6zuh1MOMzizaty9p4]. Media Contact: Cami Fannin Franchise Elevator PR (847) 239-8169 cfannin@franchiseelevator.com SOURCE Blink Fitness ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Signarama Announces North American Expansion Into Quebec, Canada Strategy Unifies Canada Under Master License Partners Anas Saltaji and Salekh Al Around MONTREAL, QC, April 29, 2019 /24-7PressRelease/ - Signarama, the world's largest sign franchise, has announced its expansion into Quebec, Canada's largest province by area - and a territory nearly three times the size of Texas. This strategic move unifies Canada under Master License Partners (MLP) Anas Saltaji and Salekh Al Around, and increases the brand's growth and strength across North America. Saltaji and Al Around are not new to the Signarama brand, with master license agreements already in place throughout Canada and in the United Kingdom. This expansion into Quebec enhances their partnership in the predominantly French-speaking province of more than eight million inhabitants. This strategic plan now incorporates Canada under one support system. Saltaji is also the partner for Venture X in Mississauga, Canada. "We are very pleased to have proven development partners expand into the Quebec market," said International Director Tipton Shonkwiler. "Anas and Salekh's teams have done a great job leveraging the assets and resources Signarama offers to strategically scale the brand and provide Canada with exceptional service options." Signarama is the premier provider of a wide range of sign products and services. With more than three decades experience and more than 800 locations around the world, Signarama is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of a rapidly growing sign industry. "Unifying our efforts in Canada to now include the country's largest province is a large part of our growth strategy and adds to our Master License Partnership covering the U.K., as well as other Master License roles for Signarama's sister brand, Venture X. We look forward to providing support and opportunities throughout the country," says Anas Saltaji. "Bringing Canada and the U.K. under one leader is a significant strategic move for our brand," said A.J. Titus, president of Signarama. "In the future, we plan to capitalize on similar growth models, for example, working with our Master License Partner in the Philippines to scale the brand throughout that country, while we also continue our global expansion in Latin America (Brazil), Central Europe (Germany and Switzerland), and Asia (Japan), which are key markets based on their robust economies and the overall emergence of new startups." The continued emphasis on global expansion comes as the Signarama brand celebrates more three decades as a family-owned-and-operated franchise opportunity. About Signarama Signarama, the world's largest sign franchise, offers branding and messaging solutions in addition to comprehensive sign and graphic services to consumers and commercial customers from business signs, vehicle wraps, and digital signs, to advertising and marketing services. Signarama is part of a successful group of affiliated companies and brands under the United Franchise Group (UFG) and has been under the leadership of the original founder for more than 30 years. As part of the $49-billion-plus worldwide sign market, Signarama has been at the forefront of the sign industry for more than two decades. Signarama was recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as part of the Franchise 500 list and a Top Global Franchise list in 2019. With over 800 locations in 60 countries, the company expects to have more than 1,500 locations worldwide by the end of 2020. For more information, visit SignaramaFranchise.com. About United Franchise Group Led by Founder and CEO Ray Titus, United Franchise Group is home to a variety of internationally recognized brands including Signarama, Fully Promoted, Experimax, Jon Smith Subs, Venture X, SuperGreen Solutions, Transworld Business Advisors, Accurate Franchising, Network Lead Exchange, and The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill. With more than three decades in the franchising industry, and 1,600 franchisees in 80 countries throughout the world, United Franchise Group offers unprecedented leadership and solid business opportunities for entrepreneurs. Media Contact: Victoria Segovia Ink Link Marketing Voice: 305-631-2283 SOURCE Signarama ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Wayback Burgers Hosts Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Fundraiser and Milkshake Contest Shake Lovers Can Vote on Milkshake Flavors to Determine New Limited-Time Offer Menu Item April 29, 2019 // Franchising.com // CHESHIRE, Conn., - Wayback Burgers, Americas Favorite Hometown Burger Joint and one of the nations fastest-growing burger franchises, recently hosted a national fundraiser with its nonprofit partner, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), and is seeking votes for its milkshake contest. The contest was announced on March 26, the day of the most-recent BGCA fundraiser, in which Wayback Burgers and its guests raised $15,685.79 for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. With the contest, Boys & Girls Club members across the country were encouraged to submit their own milkshake recipes. Now that all flavors have been submitted, Wayback Burgers has narrowed them down and decided on semi-finalist milkshake flavor winners. The semi-finalist shake flavors and corresponding clubs are: Boys & Girls Club of Chester (in Florida) - Campfire Dream Caring People Alliance at R.W. Brown Community Center (in Pennsylvania) - Caramel Cinnamon Toast Crunch Chapman Boys & Girls Clubs (in Pennsylvania) - Key Lime Pie We are very proud to be partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, says John Eucalitto, CEO of Wayback Burgers. This shake contest has been very exciting, and we are happy to support an organization that is working hard to reach out and help our nations children excel in school and in life. So, go vote for your favorite flavor! All three new and exciting flavors are featured on Wayback Burgers website, and guests can vote for which shake they most want to try. Wayback Burgers milkshakes are made the old-fashioned way: by hand, using only milk and hand-dipped ice cream. Wayback Burgers will announce the winning flavor on May 15, and the winning club will be awarded a $5,000 prize. The restaurant will then debut the winning milkshake flavor as a limited-time offer in August. Wayback Burgers has pledged to raise at least $100,000 for the BGCA within the first year of their partnership. With a grand total of $123,845.35 raised thus far, Wayback Burgers has already exceeded that minimum number and hopes to break $150,000 by June 30, 2019. In just the first quarter of 2019 alone, Wayback Burgers raised $51,256.79. After school programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America make a real difference in the lives of so many children across the country, says Patrick Conlin, Senior Vice President of Wayback Burgers. Through our partnership with this amazing organization, we are helping to ensure they have the resources they need to have a successful school year. Every day, the Boys & Girls Clubs help prepare todays youth for a great future, and thats a wonderful thing. For more information on Wayback Burgers and all partnerships/promotions, please visit their website https://waybackburgers.com/ and social media profiles Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For more information on the Wayback Burgers franchise opportunity, please visit https://franchise.waybackburgers.com/. About Wayback Burgers Founded in 1991 in Newark, Delaware, Wayback Burgers is a Connecticut-based fast-casual franchise with a reputation for cooked-to-order burgers and thick, hand-dipped milkshakes, served in an environment that hearkens back to a simpler place and time when customer service meant something and everyone felt the warmth of the community. Wayback Burgers currently operates in 30 states with over 166 locations nationally and internationally in Argentina, Brunei, Sudan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. Through its executed master franchise agreements, Wayback Burgers plans to open in 38 provinces/countries in the Middle East, Northern Africa, South Africa, Argentina, Pakistan, Brunei, Bangladesh, Ireland, Alberta, Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada and the Netherlands, with a pending letter of intent sent out to Germany. For more information about Wayback Burgers, please go to https://waybackburgers.com/. For franchising information about Wayback Burgers, please go to https://franchise.waybackburgers.com/. Media Contacts: Graham Chapman 919-459-8157 gchapman@919marketing.com Patrick Conlin 203-649-3387 pconlin@waybackburgers.com SOURCE Wayback Burgers ### Add to Request List Added Request Information Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus W.W. Monk Sanford III has retired from P, Lancaster/Sunbelt Farm of the Year, and Agribusiness Environment awards. He has also served on multiple boards of directors, including the Maryland Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative, the Orange-Madison Cooperative, and the Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA). WoodSpring Suites has opened one of its extended-stay locations at 1006 Corporate Dr. in Quantico. It is the second one in the Fredericksburg area. The other is at 1455 Carl D. Silver Parkway in Fredericksburg. Choice Hotels International, Inc. acquired WoodSpring Suites in 2018. There are around 240 WoodSpring Suites in 35 states. Davenport and Company LLC is pleased to announce that Eden L. Coltrane has been promoted to Vice President, Client Services and John S. Jack Poland has been promoted to Associate Vice President, Investments. Robert Chambers of Orange County, has been elected to the Farm Credit of the Virginias board of directors by its customer-owners. This role will allow Chambers to aid FCV in providing financing to rural, homeowners, farmers and landowners in 96 counties in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. Data centers can be a building or space within a building that houses the computer systems, servers and related equipment to store and provide round-the-clock access to information. They often face high personal property taxes because of their significant volume of up-to-date computer equipment. The code of Virginia already allows for certain categories of personal property to be taxed or assessed on a different basis from others. The commissioners signed a Memorandum of Understanding to set a uniform depreciation rate for data center equipment, which they have the authority to do. The MOU also called for a new tax classification for data centers of $1.25 per $100 of assessed valuation of business property, which each localitys leaders would have to vote on. Thats lower than existing rates. Staffords, for example, is $5.49. Fredericksburgs is $3.40. Boards of supervisors in Caroline, Stafford and Spotsylvania have approved the $1.25 tax rate, and Fredericksburgs City Council followed suit with the first of two votes April 23. The second and final vote is expected May 14, and the rate would take effect July 1. Trying to find used equipment so they could expand was proving difficult for the owners of 1781 Brewing Co. in Spotsylvania County. The rapid rise of craft breweries around the country meant much of the supply already had been snapped up, said cofounder Harry Pagan. He and cofounder Branden Pallen finally found some stainless steel fermenting tanks stored in a barn in Tacoma, Wash. They were 25 years old, analog and covered in cobwebs. The owner just wanted to get rid of them, so the business partners shipped the equipment to the brewery. No one knew if it was going to work when it got here, said Pagan, but we were going to make it work. Luckily for them, they just had to clean the tanks and replace a few parts. Soon 1781 Brewing Co. was able to increase its production from 100 barrels of beer in 2017, its first year of operation, to 270 barrels in 2018. That earned the brewery a spot on the Brewers Associations recent list of the 50 Fastest Growing U.S. Craft Breweries in 2018. It came in 13th, and was the only Virginia craft brewery to make the trade groups list. You are here: Business The credit metrics of a majority of Chinese property developers will continue to improve over the next 12-18 months, according to a report from global ratings agency Moody's. Of 62 developers rated by Moody's, 40 saw their credit metrics improve slightly in 2018, and the trend will continue in the coming months, bolstered by disciplined spending on land, the report said. "Many large and mid-size developers have lowered their sales growth targets for 2019, which will reduce their need to make debt-funded land purchases," said Cedric Lai, a Moody's vice president and senior analyst. The 40 companies' ratio of weighted-average revenue to adjusted debt will increase to 73% in 2019 from 63% in 2018, according to the report. The improvement will come even as developers' sales growth slows and profit margins contract. China's property sector has cooled in recent years after runaway home prices fueled speculation and triggered government curbs aimed at preventing asset bubbles. Earlier this month, a meeting held by the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee reiterated that the country should stick to the principle that "housing is for living in, not speculation." While the old building had 250 items on permanent display, the new one has 550. There are nearly 15,000 more in storage. Though the Confederate museum had tried to expand its depiction of history, showcasing contributions of women and enslaved people, it was tethered to a traditional presentation: North and South, slavery and freedom. "We want to get away from the mythmaking and back to history," said Coleman, who helped lead the creation of the new institution. The new galleries show women as well as people of Native American, Asian and Hispanic descent, and free and enslaved black people, alongside the usual white male generals. Many of the photographs have been colorized in an attempt to bring them to life. The result is surprising, like seeing modern people cast back into historical settings. An imposing, wall-sized photograph in one gallery shows eight of Virginia's members of Congress from the postwar 1870s - and all of them are black. They gaze across the room at an iconic painting of Lee and Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson in their last encounter. Joe Trigg, who attended with his wife, Maureen, said it was a sort of homecoming for them, as the couple used to live right across the street from North Stafford High. They now live in Spotsylvania County. Its our first time to this, but it seems really great, he said, noting that many people come in a group, something that makes it all more fun. One new group of attendees this year was from Sunrise Senior Living near Fort Belvoir. Joe DeCola, executive director of the retirement community made up exclusively of retired military officers, said his son goes to North Stafford High School. I learned through him about this event and was glad to bring a group down to take part in it, said DeCola, noting that his wife, Deb, is one of the event volunteers. Grace Machi, a junior at North Stafford High School, said she was looking forward to the event, and thinks its an interesting way to create a unique sort of community. Kevin Odlum, who teaches leadership at the high school, said that he sees it as a way for the young people to interact with residents who are older and have a range of experiences to share. Chinese technology giant Huawei and Telecom Cambodia on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 5G cooperation in Cambodia, according to a press release from Huawei Technologies (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Huawei's Vice President Li Jin'ge witnessed the signing ceremony, which was held in Beijing. Hun Sen is in Beijing to attend the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation which concluded on Saturday. "Huawei believes that 2019 will be the first year of Cambodia's 5G development," the release said. "The two sides will join hands together for creating a good ecosystem for Cambodia's 5G development and help Cambodia become a 5G pioneer in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region." Huawei is willing to bring the latest 5G technology and products and to share 5G global practical experience to Cambodia, it said, adding that the tech giant is also committed to improving the level of Cambodia's digital infrastructure, building digital Cambodia and bracing for the Industrial 4.0 Revolution. The release said that so far, Huawei has harvested 40 5G commercial contracts worldwide in the 5G field. Prior to the signing ceremony, Hun Sen met with Li, and both sides had in-depth exchanges about the development of Cambodia's digital economy and digital transformation. During the meeting, Hun Sen said Cambodia hopes to make full use of the latest technologies to improve the Internet speed, according to the release. At some point during the Days Gone campaign, you are going to need to visit Rogue Camp. The issue here is that the place is swarming with Infestation nests, with six in total being located at the camp. Your best bet is to head there during the day, and clear out all the nests while the Freakers are sleeping. Be warned though, there is still a high Freaker population in the area, and this place is also prone to visits from Marauders. The good news is that there is a gas pump here, so if you are running low on gas for your bike remember to fuel up before you leave. Rogue Camp Infestation Locations All six of the Rogue Camp Infestation locations are marked in red on the map above. Three of them are spread out among the buildings on the edge of town. These are all quite easy to take out; the real danger comes from the potentially high amount of Freakers that seem to enjoy hanging out in this area. The last three are all concentrated in the gas station at the back end of the town. This spot is really dangerous, as the building itself can be flooded with Freakers. Id suggest heading up there on foot, your bike is a bit too loud and will draw a lot of attention from the Freakers. After that, take out as many as you can from Stealth, then whack the rest to death with your favorite melee weapon. After that, it is just a matter of burning out the nests and dealing with whatever Freakers manage to crawl out of them. The city of Albany's water quality report shows no violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act last year. The report, which covers Albany, Millersburg and the Dumbeck Lane Water District, was released in compliance with requirements set out by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The city released the report last week. In 2018, Albanys drinking water met or exceeded all state and federal standards for safe drinking water, Public Works Operation Director Chris Bailey wrote in a message accompanying the report. Bailey said the city took thousands of water samples over the year, analyzing the 90 different regulated contaminants in the citys drinking water, ranging from chlorine and copper to lead and acids. The number of samples, she said, was not unusual, but the staff did contend with additional precautions last year after Salem reported cyanotoxins in its drinking water in May and deemed it unsafe for public consumption. The harmful toxin was the result of an algae bloom in Detroit Reservoir on the North Santiam River. Albany draws its water from the main stem of the Santiam River after the North and South rivers combine, prompting the city to begin testing its water for cyanotoxins. According to the water quality report, the city sampled both raw and treated water on May 30 and continued to sample the water through October. The Oregon Health Authority has since mandated ongoing monitoring for cyanotoxins in public drinking water. Our water treatment staff responded to new requirements from the state to ensure public water systems were protected against this contaminant and I am proud to report that Albanys water was, and remains, safe to drink, Bailey said. The city uses two facilities to treat the water before it reaches residents. A Source Water Assessment was updated in January to include the Santiam River waters that flow to the Albany-Millersburg treatment plant. According to the water quality report, the January assessment concluded that the water may be susceptible to contamination from sediments and microbiological sources. The water quality report noted that these sources could sometimes be from the use of pesticides or herbicides. These chemicals often run off from agricultural or residential property and make their way into the water. Albany has occasionally found very low levels of common pesticides in our raw water sampling, far below any levels that would impact human health, the report stated. While the concentrations of these chemicals are very low, we would prefer not to find them at all and encourage anyone using pesticides or herbicides to follow label directions, avoid spraying along the banks of the canal or other waterways, and store chemicals away from surface water. Because Albanys water is highly treated, the report stated, impacts to the water quality from potential contaminants were not likely. Bailey said the Albany-Millersburg treatment plant uses membrane technology to filter river water and is designed to produce up to 12 million gallons of water per day. The Vine Street plant uses mixed-media filter technology that filters water from the Santiam-Albany Canal and produces up to 16 million gallons of water a day. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Kate Porsche is the economic development manager for the Corvallis-Benton County Economic Development Office, where she recently succeeded the retiring Tom Nelson. Porsche, 47, has plenty of experience in the mid-valley economic scene, including a long stretch with the city of Albany. Her counterpoint in Albany, 37-year-old Seth Sherry, has been in that position for about 18 months, but his experience includes a stint with the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments. With both Porsche and Sherry relative newcomers in their current positions, we thought it made sense to bring them together on a recent sunny afternoon to talk about their jobs, the state of economic development in the mid-valley and common misconceptions about what they do. The following transcript has been edited for clarity and length; a somewhat longer version appears online. Mid-Valley InBusiness: The mid-valley has seemingly dozens of organizations that are devoted to business and economic development chambers of commerce, the Small Business Development Center at Linn-Benton Community College, the Oregon State University Advantage Accelerator, Oregon RAIN the list goes on. In this economic ecosystem, what's the role that governmental economic development managers play? Seth Sherry: (T)here's a lot of roles that we play, but in the realm of all the other people who support aspects of economic development, Kate and I both often talk about our role as a resource hub. ... (We) shoulder the responsibility to understand what the ... different people who play in the economic development space can contribute and when it makes maybe more sense for an outfit, for a company, for a person, to be talking with one person as opposed to another ... and which resources might be most useful to them at their particular growth stage in their business. That's certainly one role that we play. Kate Porsche: ... I've always seen our roles as being the hub in the middle of a spoked wheel, that we're here to help connect the businesses in our communities with the resources that they need. ... I think one of the exciting things that's happening right now is the collaboration that's occurring, regionally, to my way of thinking is stronger than it's ever been. ... Working together to think about these challenges regionally, I think, is beneficial to everybody. InBusiness: This idea that the mid-valley has what amounts to a regional economy has not always been greeted with open arms. What has changed? Sherry: There's been a renewed energy in economic development in some respects and there's been a lot of new people come into the space in the last several years, myself included. ... It seems to me that there's a strong desire from the practitioner standpoint to have a really open line of communication, to share resources and information and opportunities with one other, which I can't say didn't exist before, but it certainly exists now. ... I don't get the sense that most of the people charged with working in this space are being overly protective of their turf but recognize the reality that, if Lebanon's doing well, it's good for us, and vice versa. Porsche: ... There are certainly differences between Benton County and Linn County and Albany and Corvallis and different parts of rural Linn County and different parts of rural Benton County. But there are a number of issues that all of the communities in the mid-Willamette Valley region face, like for example, wetlands. Rather than reinventing the wheels for each community, that's an easy example of coming together and working together to try to create a solution that's going to work for everybody. ... Sherry: ... You mentioned rural Linn and Benton counties as well as the metro centers, Albany and Corvallis. Each one of those communities has unique things that set them apart. And so when I think about working with a company to stay, grow or expand or come to our area, their view is not bound by the municipal boundaries. It's what's going to be here for my employees, what are the other amenities that we can enjoy, what's our access look like to skilled workforces from Linn-Benton Community College and Oregon State University and all those things. We have to think about it from a work-shed and a living-shed angle, and not just municipalities or we're going to miss opportunities. InBusiness: Are there things that Albany can teach Corvallis and Benton County about economic development and vice versa? Porsche: It's interesting, having worked in both communities. I'm tickled and very thrilled that Corvallis voters passed the urban renewal district and supported the grass-roots effort coming out of South Corvallis. That to me is a prime example that Albany can teach, just the power of the use of urban renewal as a tool for community development, for housing, for job creation. I think Albany is a poster child for success in that realm. Sherry: Something else that I really took note of early on is how much effort that Corvallis and the OSU community had put into supporting entrepreneurs and startups. There is room for growth there in Albany, both in terms of brick-and-mortar support, coworking spaces and things like that and a stronger presence with some of the organizations that support entrepreneurs. ... (N)early all of those organizations the Willamette Innovators Network and the OSU Accelerator and RAIN and SBDC and the Foundry have all been absolutely excited and willing to have more of a presence in Albany. We've already had, in the last six months, four of five events around entrepreneurs and startup support that were largely put on with our support from these Corvallis-based entities, which aren't bound to be in Corvallis necessarily, but they have been traditionally. There's an exciting opportunity there, I think. InBusiness: Kate, from your standpoint, has the attitude toward economic development in Corvallis and Benton County changed over the years you've been working in the mid-valley? Porsche: I think it has. ... I think my view on Corvallis is the notion that economic development is and should be a balance of the community's goals, which are slightly different than Albany's goals. Each community has values that are intrinsic and really important to them. But you can have your cake and eat it too. We can talk about job creation in Corvallis and Benton County that has a focus on sustainability, on equity. It can be both. They're not mutually exclusive. And I've wondered if maybe in the past, there were some folks who heard the words "economic development" and thought, you know, smokestacks, low-paying jobs, and it doesn't have to be that way. We're talking about taking emerging technologies and companies that come from the university or Linn-Benton and cultivating them here, growing our own, keeping local money local in our communities, which I think is something that everybody can agree with. InBusiness: What are the most common misconceptions about your jobs? Sherry: You just highlighted a great one, and that's the definition of economic development. That's a very nebulous term. I've joked with Kate before and others, that sometimes when I'm traveling, I just tell people that I'm an architect so I don't have to explain what economic development is. But there are very rigid definitions and very fluid definitions of what it is and depending on where people come in or what their values or interests are in things that touch economic development, that definition changes rapidly. Porsche: And I would say one specific misconception: I think perhaps economic development of old really had a focus on recruitment. It just is not a large focus, at least of my job and the way that we work. Sherry: Same here. Porsche: Yes, we answer the inquiries that come in from the state, and yes, we're excited to talk to them about what Corvallis and Benton County have to offer. But really what we're focused on is supporting our existing businesses, creating those connections like we talked about for our entrepreneurs and cultivating young companies and keeping them here and healthy and growing in our community. Sherry: I echo that 100 percent, Kate. I think we maybe have a little bit more focus on the recruitment side. But I was trained in something called a capital accounting framework, which sounds very nerdy, but it's the idea that economic development is about wealth creation. It's not about just jobs or just wages alone. ... Porsche: I think the other maybe not a misconception, but it's something that I talk about a lot is that while our work is primarily focused on the economic development side ... economic development and community development are inexorably linked. Founders and owners of businesses or young entrepreneurs want to have their businesses in communities that are healthy and vital and have cool downtowns and great restaurants and arts and nature and good parks and good education. It all ties together. InBusiness: Is there such a thing as a typical day at the office, or is one of the appeals of the job that there's no such animal? Porsche: I think the latter, which is the beauty of it. Sherry: Me too. Porsche: It's development deals, it's problem-solving, it's collaboration and coordination. Sherry: And just really great relationship-building. That's one of the things I love about it so much is getting to meet so many interesting people, seeing what makes them tick. And if we're able to help them get closer to what they want to do in their lives, that is so exciting and fulfilling. InBusiness: In five years, what are the sorts of things that will tell you personally that you're being successful in your jobs? Porsche: For my work in Corvallis, a big one would be seeing projects start to come to fruition that will help South Corvallis realize its vision, which is so exciting and I got to experience that in Albany. ... I think another one for me, is I'd like to see Corvallis and Benton County work on creating a stronger inventory of industrial space and that could be even some cool maker space or some flex space. ... Sherry: That's a big one for us too, the physical space aspect of it. It's sort of a tough nut to crack, particularly when we talk about these mid- and smaller-size spaces, these 1,500- to 2,500-square-foot spaces where you're really talking about the incubation of a smaller company that may be spinning off out of OSU or even technology being developed at our National Energy Technology Lab in Albany that may be a great fit here in the valley. One of our big focuses is not only to support the startup and creation of these companies but how to have the physical space for them to grow and stay instead of following the venture capital to somewhere else. ... For my five-year goals, one thing I think is really exciting about this work is it's taking years of community input and visioning and then making that our purpose and bringing that vision to pass. ... We're here to help a community vision come into play. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 29) Malacanang on Monday shrugged off concerns on the rehabilitation of Marawi, saying the restoration of the war-torn city is still pushing through. Critics have questioned President Rodrigo Dutertes earlier statement that he would be leaving the citys full restoration to affluent businessmen in the area. In his media briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo clarified the government will prioritize residents in the May 2017 siege, especially those left without homes. Diba nasira yung mga negosyante yung mga building doon, ang sinasabi niya, gumastos din kayo. Hindi naman pwedeng kami lang ang gagastos dyan. Uunahin namin syempre ang taongbayan diyan, Panelo told reporters. [Translation: The buildings of some businessmen were knocked down, right? What the President is saying is that they should also spend for the restoration. We cannot be the only ones spending there. Of course, the governments priority is the people.] The priority is the people there, hindi yung negosyo ng mga businessman, kasi may pera naman sila eh (not the businesses, because they have the money), he added. On Tuesday, Duterte had said he doesnt think he should be spending for the building of Marawi. "Hindi ako maggagasta ng ano. Maraming pera ang mga tao diyan. Every Maranao there is a businessman. Kasali na 'yung shabu, may pera sila," the President said in a situation briefing in Pampanga. [Translation: I will not spend anything, the people there have the money. Every Maranao there is a businessman. Count the shabu trade, they have the money.] This prompted several groups, and even Vice President Leni Robredo, to question the state of funds set aside for rehabilitation. More than 900 terrorists, 47 civilians and 165 government troops were killed during the May 2017 siege. Some 300,000 residents were displaced, while houses and buildings were turned to rubble. The government has set aside 67.99 billion for the city's comprehensive rehabilitation. As of February, the Finance Department said over 40 billion has been raised through concessional loans as well as international grants. Task Force Bangon Marawi earlier said authorities hope to complete the rehabilitation by December 2021. China will hold a gathering to mark the centenary of the May Fourth Movement at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will attend the event and deliver an important speech. The event will be broadcast live by China Media Group and on www.xinhuanet.com. It will also be rebroadcast simultaneously on major news websites including people.com.cn, cctv.com and china.com.cn as well as on news apps run by People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency and China Central Television. Unprecedented demand for Khalids Free Spirit Tour has seen his Auckland show sell out, prompting Illusive Presents, Frontier Touring and AEG Presents to announce a second and final show. The second Auckland show will take place on Wednesday 20 November at Spark Arena. The tour kicks off in Auckland, before crossing the Tasman for shows in Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne, Ballarat, Adelaide and Sydney. Tickets to the new shows will go on sale on Friday 3 May at 2pm local time. You can also win tickets by listening to George FM Breakfast at 7am all next week. Khalid is one of the defining artists of his generation, and his New Zealand shows are not to be missed. Dont miss out on tickets to this additional show! KHALID - FREE SPIRIT TOUR NEW ZEALAND NOVEMBER 2019 Presented by Illusive Presents, Frontier Touring and AEG Presents GENERAL PUBLIC ON SALE Begins: Friday 3 May 2pm Wednesday 20 November Spark Arena | Auckland, NZ All Ages ticketmaster.co.nz | 0800 111 999 Thursday 21 November Spark Arena | Auckland, NZ SOLD OUT British electronic hip-hop artist The Streets is returning to New Zealand for a pair of shows. Also known as Mike Skinner, The Streets will head to The Auckland Town Hall and Wellington's Michael Fowler Centre in July. The Streets are best known for their success in the 2000s with cult hits like 'Fit But You Know It' and 'Dry Your Eyes'. Shocking details of how a former student from a top Chinese university allegedly killed his mother in 2015and then kept her rotting corpse from being discovered as he evaded the police for nearly four yearssurfaced after his arrest on April 20. The man, now 24, managed to keep his whereabouts under the radar with the help of more than 30 ID cards and was finally caught with the assistance of the latest crime-fighting technologyfacial recognition. Wu Xieyu, from Fujian province, was detained on April 20 at an airport in the Chongqing municipality when he went to see his friend off at around 4 a.m. He was caught on surveillance equipment four times while waiting to pass security checks at an airport entrance. The system alerted police officers at the airport when the images reached a 98 percent match with pictures of the man in a database for fugitives, ThePaper.cn reported on Sunday. When the former Peking University student was detained, he was carrying more than 30 ID cards he had purchased online, Beijing News reported. "It's very likely that the ID cards he purchased had been reported lost and were later obtained by illegal ID dealers," said Dai Peng, head of the investigation department at Chinese People's Public Security University, on Sunday. "Those ID cards are still active and can still be used, which is indeed a system flaw. "Now, facial recognition technology has been adopted to fix the flaw, which means using an ID card alone cannot get people past security at airports or checking into hotels. The technology also led to Wu's arrest. Using ID cards of others to carry out criminal activities in China has already become very difficult and will become more so in the future." Dai added that public security forces have been fighting illegal sales of IDs. The market will also certainly decline as more biological information is used for confirming people's identities, he said. In March 2016, the Fuzhou police in Fujian province offered a 50,000 yuan ($7,430) reward for information leading to the arrest of Wu, who was a suspect in the murder of his mother, Xie Tianqin. Her body was found on Feb. 14, 2016, in her apartment in the faculty dormitory of a middle school in Fuzhou. She was believed to have been murdered by her son after they had a confrontation on July 11, 2015, according to police sources. Wu allegedly sealed off the room after the murder, wrapped the corpse with layers of plastic and used activated carbon to absorb the smell. He also installed surveillance cameras in the room and connected them to his computer so as to keep an eye on things. Using the excuse of going to the United States to further his studies, Wu managed to borrow more than 1 million yuan in his mother's name after her death, police said. While on the run, he stayed in Shanghai and Chongqing, as well as in Fujian and Henan provinces, and also spent a large amount of money on prostitution and buying lottery tickets, Beijing News reported. Wu managed to keep his mother's death a secret by telling people she was staying with him in the U.S. until his uncle finally became suspicious. The Chongqing and Fujian police could not be reached for comment on Sunday. New Motorola RAZR retail package leak suggest a foldable display design News oi-Vivek Motorola is now owned by Lenovo It looks like Samsung postponed the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Fold, the first foldable smartphone from the Korean smartphone giant due to some issues related to the display quality. It looks like, Motorola will be the first company to officially launch the foldable smartphone, as the all-new foldable smartphone, New Motorola RAZR retail box spotted online. Companies like Samsung, Alcatel, Huawei, FlexiPie have already showcased their foldable smartphone prototypes, and the Lenovo owned Motorola is the latest brand to join the elite group. With the recent incident with the Galaxy Fold review units, Motorola is most likely to take extra care to make sure that the smartphone does not break or malfuction under day to day usage conditions. Retail package contents According to the leaked renders, the retail package of the New Motorola RAZR comes with a phone, charger, data cable, earphones, a couple of adapters, and a carry case. Unlike the Samsung Galaxy Fold, which opens up as a tablet, the New Motorola RAZR is more compact in design and opens up as a smartphone, rather than a tablet. Considering the size, it will be effortless to carry the Motorola RAZR, compared to a typical smartphone with 6+ inch screen size. iPhone X like notch Consider the rendered image of the New Motorola RAZR; the smartphone has an iPhone XS style notch on the top with a thick chin on the bottom. Other than these two parameters, the smartphone has an almost display-like design. Looking at the lock screen, the New RAZR is expected to run on stock Android OS, similar to other Motorola android smartphones. As of now, there is no information about the specifications of the New Motorola RAZR. Considering the leaks and speculations, the device is most likely to offer mid-tier specs sheet, similar to other mid-tier Android smartphones. The smartphone is expected to cost upwards $500 and stay tuned to GizBot to learn more about the New Motorola RAZR. 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 Samsung Galaxy Note10 Pro will use a massive 4500 mAh battery with fast charging News oi-Vivek Galaxy Note10 Pro is expected to support 5G network There are multiple rumors that Samsung will launch at least four models under the Samsung Galaxy Note 10. Now, there is an almost official confirmation that the Galaxy Note 10 Pro will come with a massive 4500 mAh battery, identical to the one found on the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G. Another report suggests that the Galaxy Note10 Pro will support 27W fast charging via USB type C port, and the company will include a fast charger inside the retail package. The Galaxy Note10 Pro will come with a model number SM-N975, and the smartphone. The 4500 mAh battery comes with the following serial number EB-BN975ABU. As the "Pro" version is expected to pack-in top of the line specs with flagship grade hardware, a 4500 mAh battery will offer better battery backup, compared to the 4000 mAh battery on the Galaxy Note9. Galaxy Note10 Pro possible specs The Samsung Galaxy Note10 Pro is expected to feature a 6.5-inch or 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with QHD+ resolution, protected by 2.5D curved tempered glass with an Infinity-O notch on the top to house the selfie camera. The smartphone will be available with either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 or the Exynos 9820 SoC in select markets. In India, the company will most probably launch the Exynos variant. The base variant is expected to offer at least 8 GB of RAM, which might go up to 12 GB on the high-end variant along with up to 1 TB of internal storage. The smartphone is most likely to feature a quad camera setup with a ToF sensor, super wide angle lens, telephoto lens, and a standard camera sensor, similar to the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G. Just like every other Note smartphone from Samsung, the Galaxy Note10 and the Note10 Pro will come with a new and improved S-Pen with added functionalities. 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 Working closely with Indian telcos on 5G readiness: MediaTek News oi-Priyanka Dua MediaTek and Nokia have recently announced the completion of first wave 5G interoperability testing between the Helio M70 5G modem and Nokia AirScale 5G Base Station. To strengthen its foothold in the chipmaking business, Taiwanese fabless semiconductor company MediaTek is gearing up to launch a 5G-enabled chipset in India by the end of 2019. "We are focusing on AI and 5G and we will launch that chipset by the end of this year,". Anku Jain, Managing Director, MediaTek India said. "We are also working with Indian telecom operators, and equipment vendors on 5G readiness," Jain told Gizbot in an interaction. As for the 5G chipset, Helio M70 is a multimode chipset with 2G/3G/4G/5G-enabled support. It supports 5G radio (NR), along with the standalone (SA) and non-standalone (NSA) network architectures, sub-6GHz frequency band, high power user equipment (HPUE), and other key 5G technologies. It's designed in compliance with the 3GPP Rel-15 with new specifications like 5 Gbps data rate. The MediaTek Helio M70 baseband chipset supports LTE and 5G dual connectivity (EN-DC) while also ensuring that mobile devices are backward compatible with 4G/3G/2G in the absence of 5G networks. In fact, MediaTek and Nokia have recently announced the completion of first wave 5G interoperability testing between the Helio M70 5G modem and Nokia AirScale 5G Base Station. Besides, the company has also announced its collaboration with 5G component suppliers and device makers like include Oppo, Vivo and top tier RF suppliers, including Skyworks, Qorvo and Murata to deliver a complete, standards-based and optimized 5G solution. Best Mobiles in India The police in Shanghai Pudong New Area and a top surgeon exchanged mutual expressions of remorse after a doctor was handcuffed and forcibly removed from Renji hospital following a dispute with the husband of a wheelchair-bound patient. The police said the husband, identified by his surname, Han, fractured a rib in the incident, and Zhao Xiaojing, the doctor, was slightly injured. Zhao, a well-known thoracic surgeon in China, said the patient and her husband did not make an appointment and tried to force their way into his consultation room several times when he was seeing other patients. After police were called and the couple were taken to the police station for investigation, Zhao rejected a police order to leave the hospital and go to the station to help finish the investigation. Zhao refused, saying he had "patients to treat and meetings", the police said. Zhao told officers that he had to take care of his patients first and would go to the police station at the end of the day. But the police rejected his offer. When officers tried to force the defiant doctor to leave, another scuffle ensued, and the officers finally handcuffed Zhao and forcibly removed him from the building. When the incident was reported in the media, members of the public wondered online whether the doctor had been shown due respect by the police. Police said the couple tried to visit the doctor at the agreed time on Wednesday afternoon, and that the surgeon had said he would see the wheelchair-bound woman on Wednesday afternoon out of sympathy, though she failed to make an appointment, which usually needs to be done a month in advance. A short video posted on Sina Weibo showed a medical worker jostling with a police officer. The incident drew attention from celebrities including actor Hu Ge and internet personality Wang Sicong. Many raised their eyebrows on the police officers' use of force on a medical expert who tried to maintain order at the hospital. Others said the surgeon should not have challenged the police order. In a statement published online on Saturday, the Chinese Medical Doctor Association called for more respect toward medical professionals and said a doctor-patient conflict at a hospital should not be handled as a typical civil dispute. In an interview with ThePaper.cn, Huang Bo, director of the Tangqiao police station, said the complicated environment posed a challenge to how officers could do their job in a civilized and effective way. "If the officers could control their emotions and have enough patience to wait for the doctor to finish his job, or to handle the case in a delicate and thoughtful way, it wouldn't escalate into a physical conflict with the doctor or even using handcuffs on him," Huang said. Zhao said the incident has helped him understand the procedures of a police officer's routine job. "Both parties could have done better to avoid the conflict," he said. "I will be on high alert against such incidents in the future. I should have reported to the hospital management or police when the patients tried to enter the consultation room in the first place." Renji Hospital declined to comment on Sunday, while the police had yet to announce a decision on whether the surgeon or the patient would be subject to a penalty. Tickets go on sale to the public today to see the biggest ever historical table top war game. Tickets go on sale to the public today for the biggest ever historical table top war game. The event, in Glasgow, will replay the Battle of Waterloo, one of the most epic and decisive battles in history, in aid of the charity for military veterans, Waterloo Uncovered. Around 22,000 28mm figures will be fielded on purpose-built tables at the University of Glasgow, recreating the 1815 Belgium battlefield for the one-off charity event called The Great Game: Waterloo Replayed Many of the figures are being fielded by around 100 players from all over the world, who, along with a group of veterans of more recent wars, will come together for a spectacular re-match of the famous battle which marked the final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte. More of these mini-soldiers are being provided by veterans groups, students and members of the public who have volunteered to take part in painting clubs leading up to the war game in June. Among those who have been painting for this ambitious undertaking are pupils from Clydebank High School and veterans who attend The Erskine Reid Macewen Activity Centre in Bishopton. The painting club has allowed both the pupils and veterans to learn new skills to help them paint intricate detailing on the miniature infantry, cavalry and artillery figures. The 28mm high armies are historically accurate to the detailing on the uniforms and weaponry used in the battle from scabbards to muskets. Paul Hamilton, History Teacher at Clydebank High School, said: This has been a special undertaking for us and we are delighted to be involved. Waterloo was a pivotal and key historical event in world history. The Great Game and its painting clubs are therefore a fantastic way to engage and spark discussions on everything from the battle itself to its two iconic leaders Napoleon and of course the Duke of Wellington, who somewhat bizarrely for us living in the west of Scotland is renowned for a statue and a certain traffic cone. Evonne McCord, Activities Coordinator at The Erskine Reid Macewen Activity Centre and a Royal Engineers Reserves Veteran who will be taking part in The Great Game, said: The veterans at the Erskine Reid Macewen Activity Centre are delighted to be taking part in this event, we have been working on the models for a number of months now and enjoying the experience of being part of history. We are particularly excited to see the age range of participants and our model making group are reassured that the hobby is safe with the number of young people who have shown interest. The project has reminded the veterans of the sense of teamwork they experienced in the military, everyone working together towards a goal and supporting each other along the way. We look forward to the main event in June. Virtually every battalion, regiment and battery which took part in the real Battle of Waterloo will be represented in The Great Game. The thousands of infantry, cavalry and artillery figures that are needed for the one-off event will be fielded on unique tables on the ground floor of the Kelvin Gallery in the University. These will recreate the battlefield in great detail with miniature farms and villages recreated in the same amazing detail as the thousands of model soldiers. Professor Tony Pollard, who is lead academic and a field director for Waterloo Uncovered and Professor of Conflict History and Archaeology at the University of Glasgow, said: This is an incredibly exciting undertaking for us as academics and for our history and archaeology students at Glasgow. We have been absolutely blown away by the enthusiasm that there is for this project. I want to thank the many individuals, groups, students, veterans and fellow academics for making this all possible. We are so looking forward to welcoming the public in June to the Great Game at the University of Glasgow. Professor Pollard added: One of my own ambitions with the Great Game is that we open up war gaming to a wider audience, most especially children. Kids love playing games, most commonly on computers, but war gaming with model figures has great educational benefits, from learning about the uniforms, equipment and military organisation through painting to the strategy and tactics of battle when playing. Ive started using it as a teaching tool in my history classes at the University of Glasgow, and I am sure it could have wider applications in schools all sorts of scenarios can be war gamed, from disaster management to how to run an economy. Its all to play for. The Waterloo Uncovered charity combines world-class archaeology with a support programme for veterans and military community, and all the profits from The Great Game event will be going to the charity to help support its important work. Uniquely, the Great Game will not merely be played by war gamers, but it will also involve Serving Personnel and Veterans who will be attached to experienced war gamers. This is in line with the philosophy of Waterloo Uncovered. Mark Evans, Coldstream Guards Veteran, co-founder and CEO of Waterloo Uncovered, said: Waterloo Uncovered is incredibly proud to be involved in, and the inspiration behind, such an exciting event! When we started our veterans off on painting model soldiers as an evening activity on the Waterloo Uncovered summer excavation, we could hardly have known how it would take off, transforming into this world record attempt! The combination of academic interest and output, veteran care and support, and sheer ambition encapsulates the whole Waterloo Uncovered project. I can't wait to see the results of the battle... We are already seeing the positive results the project is having on the students and veterans who are participating. The Battle of Waterloo, which took place in Belgium on June 18, 1815, marked the final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte, who conquered much of Europe in the early 19th century. Waterloo Uncovered is a charity which has been excavating on the Waterloo battlefield since 2015. It is an archaeology project involving military veterans and serving personnel who have been injured or are suffering from PTSD.Working in partnership with some of Europes top universities including the University of Glasgow, and through the unique perspective of a team comprised of archaeologists, veterans, and serving soldiers, Waterloo Uncovered aims to understand war and its impact on people - and to educate the public about it. The Great Game: Waterloo Replayed - This one-off charity event is a joint venture between the University of Glasgow and Waterloo Uncovered. It takes place on the 15 to 16 June 2019 at the University of Glasgow, which will be the largest ever historical war game in 28mm. A series of other war games, illustrating the military history of Britain, will be staged in the extensive balcony area that projects from all four walls of the Kelvin Gallery hall. This balcony will also allow a unique overview of the huge battle in progress below. You can follow the Great Game progress on Twitter @Waterloo Replay For more information contact Aine Allardyce in the University of Glasgow Communications and Public Affairs Office on 0141 330 7126 or email aine.allardyce@glasgow.ac.uk Public tickets to attend and see The Great Game: Waterloo Replayed should be booked on-line to avoid disappointment as there will be limited tickets available on the day. Tickets for Great Game: Waterloo Replayed on 15 and 16 June 2019 at the University of Glasgow can be found here Photos - credit Martin Shields and Great Game: Waterloo Replayed. Spain PM wins snap elections marked by far-right emergence Iran Press TV Sun Apr 28, 2019 09:41PM With nearly all votes counted, Spain's socialist prime minister wins snap elections on Sunday but without the necessary majority to govern as far-right party Vox prepares to enter parliament for the first time since the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975. The results raise the specter of another period of instability for Spain since the end of two-party politics, with Pedro Sanchez having to forge alliances with hostile rivals in an environment that has soured since Catalonia's failed secession bid in 2017. The most significant new development is the emergence of far-right party Vox in a country that has had no far-right party to speak of since the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975. With over 60 percent of votes counted, Sanchez's Socialist Party had gained 124 lawmakers out of 350, or more than 29 percent of votes, still far from an absolute majority. That means Sanchez will have to forge agreements with far-left Podemos and possibly smaller groupings like Catalan separatist parties, as he did over the past 10 months. The partial results, meanwhile, show the conservative Popular Party (PP) getting a drubbing and the three right-wing parties competing in the elections failing to gain enough votes to form a majority. After a tense campaign, voter turnout was high -- more than 75 percent -- up from 66.48 percent at the same time in 2016, election authorities said. Far-right emergence The emergence of Vox at a national level comes after it burst onto the scene in December regional polls in southern Andalusia, gaining nearly 11 percent of votes. Founded by a disgruntled former member of the PP, partial results give it 23 seats in the national parliament. Chronic instability? Sanchez would rather not have to rely once again on Catalan separatist lawmakers in the national parliament, given right-wing parties' accusations that he cosied up with the "enemies of Spain" during his time in government. But he may have no choice. A possible alliance with Ciudadanos has not been ruled out, even if the party's leader Albert Rivera has made "chasing" the socialists from power a "national urgency". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan army, opposition agree on joint civilian-military council: Sources Iran Press TV Sun Apr 28, 2019 07:46AM Sudan's military rulers and protest leaders have agreed on the formation of a joint civilian-military council that would lead a transition from three decades of autocratic rule by Omar al-Bashir. "We agreed on a joint council between the civilian and the military," one of the leaders of the protest campaign, Ahmed al-Rabia, told AFP on Saturday. "We are now in consultation about what percentage of the council should be represented by civilians and how much by the military," he added. The joint civilian-military council is meant to be a "sovereign ruling body" that will help establish a transitional civilian administration, according to sources close to the opposition alliance. The agreement on the council's formation is regarded as a major breakthrough in talks between the two sides since the current military leadership has so far refused to hand over power to a civilian administration. Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC), a 10-member body which ousted and arrested Bashir after months-long protests on April 11, has declared that it will rule for up to two years ahead of general elections in the Northeast African country. Opposition groups and protesters, in their thousands, have remained encamped outside the military headquarters in the capital Khartoum since the ouster, calling for the army rulers to step down. "I'm happy with the outcome of the talks. Other protesters too will be happy," said protester Ahmed Najdi, who has regularly camped outside the army complex over the past weeks. "We are still waiting for the final composition of the joint council." Protest leaders have vowed to continue organizing sit-ins and other rallies as part of a widening campaign to confront the junta and push for the transfer of power to a civilian rule. The protests in Sudan broke out on December 19, 2018, in the face of a government decision to triple the price of bread. They quickly turned into a mass movement against the ruling regime, and finally led to Bashir's fall. Bashir, who ruled over Sudan for 30 years, had taken power in a coup in 1989. The 75-year-old was overthrown after 16 weeks of protests and is being held along with other former officials at Khartoum's Kobar prison. Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over his alleged role in genocide in the Darfur region. He denies having had a role. Sudan's top opposition leader Sadiq al-Mahdi has called for the country to "immediately" join the Hague-based court which has indicted Bashir. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Afghanistan To Hold Loya Jirga Grand Assembly To Discuss Peace Talks By RFE/RL April 28, 2019 Afghanistan is scheduled on April 29 to convene a rare Loya Jirga -- a traditional gathering of elders, religious scholars, and prominent Afghans -- with more than 2,000 people from across the country having been invited to discuss U.S.-led peace efforts. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's Special Envoy Omar Daudzai said on April 28 that the Loya Jirga will provide the ground for "intra-Afghan talks" with the Taliban. Several high-ranking officials, including Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, have refused to participate in the four-day gathering. Abdullah boycotted the Loya Jirga on the grounds that his team had not been consulted prior to the decision to hold the assembly. Daudzai said negotiations are under way to convince Abdullah and others to attend the Loya Jirga, which would lay out the government's negotiating position for future talks with the Taliban. On April 27, Ghani held a meeting with U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who is trying to find a peaceful resolution to the 17-year war. "Both sides once again emphasized an intra-Afghan dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban, led by the Afghan government," Ghani's office said in a statement. The comments came a day after the United States, Russia, and China said in a joint statement that they have agreed on the goal of withdrawing foreign forces from Afghanistan and to seek an "inclusive Afghan-led" peace process. Khalilzad has been engaged in a series of talks with the Taliban in Qatar as he looks to bring the extremist group into peace negotiations with the government in Kabul. Taliban negotiators have so far refused to negotiate with the government, calling it a puppet of the West, and have insisted on the withdrawal of foreign forces before talks with Kabul can begin. Khalilzad is on a multination tour of the region and is scheduled to visit Qatar -- the usual site for negotiations with representatives of the Taliban militants. The United States has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan as part of a NATO-led mission, known as Resolute Support, that is training and assisting the Afghan government's security forces in their battle against Taliban fighters and extremist groups such as Islamic State and Al-Qaeda. With reporting by tolonews.com, AFP, AP, and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-to- hold-loya-jirga-grand-assembly-to-discuss -peace-talks/29908268.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 Sudanese Opposition, Military Agreed to Create Joint Council Reports Sputnik News 04:41 28.04.2019 CAIRO (Sputnik) The Sudanese opposition coalition and the Transitional Military Council (TMC) reached an agreement on creating a joint transitional council, local media reported. According to the Sky News Arabia broadcaster, the number of members of the new council is unknown. The opposition reportedly proposed to include eight civilian and seven military delegates to the body, while the military want to have seven out of 10 delegates in the council. The negotiations are going to resume on Sunday. Earlier it was reported that representatives of the opposition Sudanese Forces of the Declaration of Freedom and Change and the country's Transitional Military Council (TMC) had reached, during their talks, tacit agreement to focus on specific provisions of the road map on power transition to civilian structures. Following four months of anti-governmental protests, a military coup happened in Sudan on 11 April. President Omar Bashir, who had been in power for 30 years, was overthrown and then imprisoned. The TMC came to power and pledged to hold a new election within two years. However, the opposition did not approve this plan and called on the TMC to immediately hand over power to civilian structures. Meanwhile, protesters continue taking to the streets demanding better living standards, the rule of law and prosecution of corrupt representatives of the former government. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Maduro Says Venezuela Now Free of 'US Ministry of Colonies' Sputnik News 04:27 28.04.2019(updated 06:11 28.04.2019) CARACAS (Sputnik) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro described the country's withdrawal from the Organization of the American States (OAS) as a liberation from the "US ministry of colonies." On Saturday, the nation's foreign minister, Jorge Arreaza, said that Venezuela was officially no longer a part of the OAS. "We became free of the US ministry of colonies, a tool of interference as well as disrespect for democratic principles and international law. Our Bolivarian and independent Motherland says 'Goodbye' to the OAS," Maduro wrote on his Twitter page on Saturday. Maduro announced the decision to leave the bloc in 2017, supporting immediate withdrawal of the country from the OAS, although the procedure usually takes two years. The OAS does not recognize Maduro's new presidential term that began on 10 January. Official Withdrawing Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said on Saturday that Venezuela is officially no longer a part of the Organization of the American States. "From today [Saturday], the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela does not belong to the OAS, we have met all the deadlines and fulfilled the will of the Venezuelan people," Arreaza said during a march of government supporters in Caracas. Commenting on the recent US sanctions against him, Arreaza said that his only bank account was an account in a Venezuelan state bank, to which his salary was transferred. On Friday, the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on Arreaza and Venezuelan Judge Carol Padilla. In his speech at the United Nations earlier this week the top diplomat slammed the United States for its alleged efforts to dominate the United Nations and denounced the US call on other members of the organization to recognize the government of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido who has proclaimed himself the country's interim president. The United States has targeted Venezuelan officials and businesses with multiple sanctions in recent months amid its campaign to force Maduro from power. Venezuela is currently facing a dire economic and political crisis with opposition leader Juan Guaido having proclaimed himself as the country's interim president. The move was recognized by the United States and over 50 other nations, while Maduro described it as an attempt at a US-orchestrated coup. China, Russia, Bolivia, Turkey and numerous other nations recognize Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela. The OAS is a continental organisation founded in 1948 to ensure regional solidarity and cooperation among its member states. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN appeals for international support as flood waters rise in wake of second Mozambique cyclone 28 April 2019 - With Mozambique and Comoros battling heavy rains and raging flood waters in the wake of Cyclone Kenneth the second major storm to hit southern Africa in the past six weeks the United Nations and its humanitarian partners are supporting national authorities in assessing needs and providing help. UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Sunday that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is appealing to the international community for additional resources, critically needed to fund the response to the twin tragedies in the immediate, medium- and longer-term. "The Secretary-General is deeply saddened at reports of loss of lives and destruction in Mozambique and Comoros as a result of tropical cyclone Kenneth, six weeks after Cyclone Idai made landfall in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe," the Spokesman said in a statement. The UN chief also extended his condolences and solidarity to the families of the victims and to the governments and peoples of Mozambique and Comoros. In a flash update earlier Sunday, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said the cyclone, with powerful winds that ripped the roofs off homes, caused the death of at least five people in Mozambique's Pemba city, Macomia district and on Ibo Island, according to Government reports. Some 3,500 homes in Comoros have been totally or partially destroyed and there are reports of electrical outages, road blockages and at least one bridge collapse, according to WFP. The UN and its partners have been in the region since late March, after Cyclone Idai made landfall near Beira City in central Mozambique. The long-lived cyclone continued across land as a Tropical Storm and hit eastern Zimbabwe, southeastern Malawi and parts of Madagascar with heavy rains and strong winds. Last Friday, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock lamented that Cyclone Idai had devastated central Mozambique, killing more than 600 people, unleashing a cholera epidemic, wiping out crops in the country's breadbasket, forcing a million people to rely on food assistance to survive, and causing massive destruction of homes, schools and infrastructure in one of the world's poorest countries. He stressed that Cyclone Kenneth marks the first time two cyclones have made landfall in Mozambique during the same season, further stressing the Government's limited resources. Malawi and Zimbabwe are also expected to experience heavy rains and flooding caused by Cyclone Kenneth. "Cyclone Kenneth may require a major new humanitarian operation at the same time that the ongoing Cyclone Idai response targeting three million people in three countries remains critically underfunded," said Mr. Lowcock, adding: "The families whose lives have been turned upside down by these climate-related disasters urgently need the generosity of the international community to survive over the coming months." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 5 Killed as Cyclone Kenneth Slams Into Mozambique By VOA News April 28, 2019 Authorites in Mozambique have urged citizens to "seek higher ground" to avoid the flooding and mudslides that are sure to come in the aftermath of Cyclone Kenneth. Prime Minister Carlos Do Rosario said the death toll from Kenneth stands at five. Mozambique's National Institute of Disaster Management said Kenneth has destroyed more than 3,000 houses and displaced more than 18,000 people. The government said most of the homes on the Mozambican island of Ibo, home to about 6,000 people, were destroyed. "Ninety-five percent of the homes on Ibo have been destroyed -- not only roofs blowing off, but down to the ground," Kevin Record, an Ibo hotel owner, told CNN. "The situation remains dire." The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the international community to provide support for short, medium, and long term needs of affected communities. "The Secretary-General is deeply saddened at reports of loss of lives and destruction in Mozambique and Comoros as a result of tropical cyclone Kenneth, six weeks after Cyclone Idai made landfall in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe," Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the secretary-general, said in a statement Sunday. Kenneth is the second cyclone to hit the southern African country within six weeks. Cyclone Kenneth made landfall Thursday, with sustained winds of 220 kilometers per hour, prompting aid group warnings of massive flooding and mudslides that could put nearly 700,000 people in southern Africa at risk. Emergency workers arrived Saturday morning in Pemba, a port town and the capital of the country's Cabo Delgado Province, to assess the damage. . After an assessment was done in the province's Macomia district, Daw Mohamed of the global humanitarian aid group CARE said, "The entire area is a scene of vast destruction," and that people were in need of food, water and shelter. In addition to heavy damage in the Macomia community, aid groups said the communities of Quissanga and Mocimboa da Praia were also of great concern. Aid agencies said they continued to struggle to reach victims amid the heavy downpours and that rescuers were hindered by damaged infrastructure, poor communications and the lack of transportation. "We need a lot of support," said Captain Kleber Castro, who is with a Brazilian team assisting with the rescue efforts. "If you can help us, we need support from helicopters." Before reaching Mozambique, Kenneth swept over the island nation of Comoros, killing three people. Kenneth pounded Mozambique barely a month after Cyclone Idai struck the country, killing more than 1,000 people in Mozambique and in neighboring Zimbabwe and Malawi. The U.N. labeled Idai as "one of the deadliest storms on record in the southern hemisphere." This is the first time in recorded history that Mozambique has been hit by two cyclones in one season, further raising concerns about climate change. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Shou Xiaoli: Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to the press conference. April 26 this year was the 19th World Intellectual Property Day. China's protection of intellectual property has received great public attention. Today, we have invited Mr. Shen Changyu, director of the National Intellectual Property Administration, to introduce China's efforts to protect intellectual property in 2018, and answer some of your questions. Also with us today are Mr. Zhao Gang, vice director of the National Intellectual Property Administration, and Mr. Yu Cike, director of the Copyright Administration under the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. Now, Mr. Shen will give us a brief introduction. Shen Changyu: Thank you, Ms. Shou. Good morning, everyone. First, I wish to thank the State Council Information Office and all our friends from the press for having shown understanding and support for the work on intellectual property rights over all these years. General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, April 26, 2019. In his speech, Xi announced a series of major reforms and opening-up measures that China will take, stressing that China will intensify its efforts to enhance international cooperation in the protection of intellectual property. According to Xi, China will spare no effort to foster a business environment that respects the value of knowledge, fully improve the legal framework for protecting intellectual property and step up law enforcement. It will also enhance protection of the lawful rights and interests of foreign intellectual property owners, stop forced technology transfers, improve protection of trade secrets, and crack down hard on violations of intellectual property in accordance with the law. Xi's remarks further convey China's stance and attitude toward its efforts to fully protect intellectual property in accordance with the law to the international community. His remarks also provide principles and guidance for the development of China's intellectual property rights, which will be fully studied, grasped and put into practice. Now, I will give you a brief introduction on the development of China's intellectual property rights in 2018. In 2018, the CPC Central Committee and State Council elevated IPR protection to an level of importance that is unprecedented. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2018 that IPR protection is the centerpiece of the system for improving property rights protection, and it would provide the biggest boost to enhancing the competitiveness of the Chinese economy. The State Council has made a series of important decisions on IPR protection. Over the past year, the departments of the Chinese government and local authorities have worked to implement a series of important decisions on IPR by the CPC Central Committee and State Council, so as to move faster to transform China into a country that is strong on intellectual property rights, and to ensure new progress can be made in all works. First, we made stable efforts to transform China into a country that is strong on intellectual property rights. We earnestly implemented last year's plan on deepening the national IPR strategy and building China into a country that is strong on IPR. We started to formulate the Outline of the National Intellectual Property Strategy for 2035. We completed an evaluation of the implementation of the current version of the Outline of the National Intellectual Property Strategy as well as a mid-term evaluation on the plan for IPR protection and utilization in the 13th Five-year Plan Period (2016-2020). We also restructured the National Intellectual Property Administration, which is now also responsible for the administrative adjudication of patents, trademarks and geographical indications, while affairs related to copyrights are now administered by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. The quality and efficiency of IPR examination continues to rise: The examination process for trademark registration has been cut to six months, and for high-quality patents the process has been cut by 10%. A total of 5.86 billion yuan in patent application fees was exempted or reduced over the past year. A national appeal court for IPR cases was inaugurated at China's Supreme People's Court so as to better strengthen IPR protection and management. Second, the protection of intellectual property rights has been comprehensively strengthened. The draft amendment to the Patent Law passed the first review of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. The draft established a punitive compensation system for infringement and has greatly increased infringement costs. We have been actively promoting the revision of the Copyright Law and initiated the revision of the Trademark Law. The Regulation on Patent Agency and the Regulations on the Protection of New Varieties of Plants were revised. The Action Plan for the "Internet Plus" Intellectual Property Protection was formulated. A total of 38 ministries and commissions have carried out joint punishment for serious discredit conducts in the field of intellectual property (patents). The administrative law enforcement of intellectual property rights continued to strengthen, with 77,000 patent administrative law enforcement cases being handled, up 15.9% year-over-year. Altogether 31,000 trademark violation cases were investigated and handled, with a total case value of 550 million yuan. 2,500 infringement and piracy cases were filed and investigated. 3.77 million pieces of pirated products were seized, and 1.85 million infringing links were deleted. Customs at all levels detained altogether 44,550 batches of infringing goods. The number of infringing goods was 23.18 million, with a total worth of 200 million yuan. The courts of all levels received 301,279 first instance IPR cases, up 41.13% year-over-year. The public security organs of all levels registered nearly 28,000 cases of infringement and counterfeit crimes. Of them, 19,000 cases were solved, and 28,000 suspects were arrested. The case value amounts to 9.87 billion yuan. The procuratorates of all levels approved the arrest of more than 5,600 people who were involved in more than 3,300 IPR infringement cases. More than 4,400 cases involving more than 8,300 people were brought to public prosecution. Third, the amount and quality of intellectual property creations have risen. We further implement the patent quality improvement project and trademark brand strategy, and severely crack down on non-normal patent applications and trademark preemptive registration and hoarding behaviors. The number of domestic invention patents (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) reached 1.6 million pieces, an increase of 18.1% year-on-year. The ownership number of invention patents per 10,000 population reached 11.5 pieces, and the number of Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) international patent applications received and processed was 55,000, a year-on-year increase of 9%. The number of valid domestic trademark registrations reached 18.05 million, a year-on-year increase of 32.8%. The number of applications for international trademarks registration according to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks was 6,594, a year-on-year increase of 37.1%. A total of 2,380 geographical indication products and 4,867 registered geographical indication trademarks were approved. A total of 1,990 new varieties of agricultural plants and 405 new varieties of forestry plants were awarded, an increase of 34% and 153.1% respectively. The number of registrations of works and computer software copyrights reached 2.35 million and 1.1 million, an increase of 17.48% and 48.22% respectively. According to the Global Innovation Index 2018 Report published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), China ranked 17th in the world and became the only middle-income economy to enter the top 20. Fourth, the use of IPR has been greatly improved and is now more efficient. We have improved the national public service platform for the trading of IPR and launched IPR trading systems in 16 major cities. We have rolled out a set of measures to use IPR to promote the innovative development of private enterprises. The fund raised by pledging patents and trademarks totaled 122.4 billion yuan, up 12.3% year-over-year. We issued 40 golden awards to patents and external designs, and 20 golden awards to copyrights. We checked 8,179 enterprises for their use of geographic indication in products with a total output value of 1 trillion yuan. From 2016 to 2018, the export of IPR royalties reached US$11.51 billion, achieving the goal set in the 13th Five-Year Plan ahead of schedule. Fifth, we have deepened the international cooperation on intellectual property rights. We hosted the 2018 High-level Conference on Intellectual Property for Countries along the Belt and Road, took an active part in multilateral activities under the framework of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the World Trade Organization. We have also enhanced cooperation with international organizations such as the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, and improved international rules regarding intellectual property rights. Together with the WIPO, we established a Technology and Innovation Support Center. We tried to promote an earlier implementation of the Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances, as 23 countries have either ratified or joined the treaty. We held the Global IP Protection and Innovation Development Conference during the first China International Import Expo. The number of China's partners in the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program has increased to 28. China's valid patents have also been officially registered in Cambodia, and the results of our patent examination are recognized in Laos. The above is the development of China's intellectual property rights in 2018. Now I'm ready to take your questions. Thank you. Shou Xiaoli: The floor is now open to questions. Please identify your media outlet before asking questions. World military spending grows to $1.8 trillion, new SIPRI data Press Release, 29 April 2019 For immediate release (Stockholm, 29 April 2019) Total world military expenditure rose to $1822 billion in 2018, representing an increase of 2.6 per cent from 2017, according to new data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The five biggest spenders in 2018 were the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, India and France, which together accounted for 60 per cent of global military spending. Military spending by the USA increased for the first time since 2010, while spending by China grew for the 24th consecutive year. The comprehensive annual update of the SIPRI Military Expenditure Database is accessible from today at www.sipri.org. Total global military spending rose for the second consecutive year in 2018, to the highest level since 1988the first year for which consistent global data is available. World spending is now 76 per cent higher than the post-cold war low in 1998.* World military spending in 2018 represented 2.1 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP) or $239 per person. In 2018 the USA and China accounted for half of the world's military spending, says Dr Nan Tian, a researcher with the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure (AMEX) programme. The higher level of world military expenditure in 2018 is mainly the result of significant increases in spending by these two countries. The USA and China lead increase in world military expenditure US military spending grewfor the first time since 2010by 4.6 per cent, to reach $649 billion in 2018. The USA remained by far the largest spender in the world, and spent almost as much on its military in 2018 as the next eight largest-spending countries combined. The increase in US spending was driven by the implementation from 2017 of new arms procurement programmes under the Trump administration,' says Dr Aude Fleurant, the director of the SIPRI AMEX programme. China, the second-largest spender in the world, increased its military expenditure by 5.0 per cent to $250 billion in 2018. This was the 24th consecutive year of increase in Chinese military expenditure. Its spending in 2018 was almost 10 times higher than in 1994, and accounted for 14 per cent of world military spending. Growth in Chinese military spending tracks the country's overall economic growth,' says Tian. China has allocated 1.9 per cent of its GDP to the military every year since 2013.' Three decades of growth in military spending in Asia and Oceania Military expenditure in Asia and Oceania has risen every year since 1988. At $507 billion, military spending in the region accounted for 28 per cent of the global total in 2018, compared with just 9.0 per cent in 1988. In 2018 India increased its military spending by 3.1 per cent to $66.5 billion. Military expenditure by Pakistan grew by 11 per cent (the same level of growth as in 2017), to reach $11.4 billion in 2018. South Korean military expenditure was $43.1 billion in 2018an increase of 5.1 per cent compared with 2017 and the highest annual increase since 2005. The tensions between countries in Asia as well as between China and the USA are major drivers for the continuing growth of military spending in the region,' says Siemon Wezeman, a senior researcher with the SIPRI AMEX programme. Increases in Central and East European countries Several countries in Central and Eastern Europe made large increases in their military expenditure in 2018. Spending by Poland rose by 8.9 per cent in 2018 to $11.6 billion, while Ukraine's spending was up by 21 per cent to $4.8 billion. Spending by Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania also grew (ranging from 18 per cent to 24 per cent) in 2018. The increases in Central and Eastern Europe are largely due to growing perceptions of a threat from Russia,' said Pieter Wezeman, a senior researcher with the SIPRI AMEX programme. This is despite the fact that Russian military spending has fallen for the past two years.' At $61.4 billion, Russian military spending was the sixth highest in the world in 2018. Its spending decreased by 3.5 per cent compared with 2017. Other notable developments - Military spending in South America rose by 3.1 per cent in 2018. This was mainly due to the increase in Brazilian spending (by 5.1 per cent), the second increase in as many years. - Military expenditure in Africa fell by 8.4 per cent in 2018, the fourth consecutive annual decrease since the peak in spending in 2014. There were major decreases in spending by Algeria (6.1 per cent), Angola (18 per cent) and Sudan (49 per cent). - Military spending by states in the Middle East for which data is available fell by 1.9 per cent in 2018. - Total military expenditure by all 29 North Atlantic Treaty Organization members was $963 billion in 2018, which accounted for 53 per cent of world spending. - The largest absolute increase in spending in 2018 was by the USA ($27.8 billion), while the biggest decrease was by Saudi Arabia ($4.6 billion). - Military spending in Turkey increased by 24 per cent in 2018 to $19.0 billion, the highest annual percentage increase among the world's top 15 military spenders. - Six of the 10 countries with the highest military burden (military spending as a proportion of GDP) in the world in 2018 are in the Middle East: Saudi Arabia (8.8 per cent of GDP), Oman (8.2 per cent), Kuwait (5.1 per cent), Lebanon (5.0 per cent), Jordan (4.7 per cent) and Israel (4.3 per cent). * All percentage changes are expressed in real terms (constant 2017 prices). For editors SIPRI monitors developments in military expenditure worldwide and maintains the most comprehensive, consistent and extensive data source available on military expenditure. Military expenditure refers to all government spending on current military forces and activities, including salaries and benefits, operational expenses, arms and equipment purchases, military construction, research and development, and central administration, command and support. SIPRI therefore discourages the use of terms such as arms spending' when referring to military expenditure, as spending on armaments is usually only a minority of the total. For information or interview requests contact Alexandra Manolache ( alexandra.manolache@sipri.org, +46 766 286 133) or Stephanie Blenckner (blenckner@sipri.org, +46 8 655 97 47). NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah will eventually prevail over US sanctions: Official Iran Press TV Sun Apr 28, 2019 02:33PM A high-ranking Hezbollah official says the United States has slapped economic sanctions against the Lebanese resistance movement due to its bitter defeats from the group, stressing that Hezbollah will finally emerge victorious over the punitive measures. Speaking at a ceremony in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh, Vice President of the Executive Council of Hezbollah Sheikh Ali Damoush said Hezbollah will confront the US-led sanctions, and its enemies will definitely fail to achieve their goals. "Hezbollah, which owes national and moral duties to defend and protect Lebanon against the aggression of the Zionist regime (of Israel), is also responsible for safeguarding the rights and interests of the Lebanese nation and helping prevent economic collapse in the country," Damoush said. He added, "The Lebanese resistance movement is targeted by financial sanctions, because it continues to thwart US-Israeli plots in the (Middle East) region. The US, Zionists and their allies have failed in military confrontations with Hezbollah, have fallen short in their psychological war to tarnish the group's image, and gained not much from designating the Lebanese group a terrorist group." Damoush said the strategy of imposing sanctions will not succeed in the face of the strategy of stability and patience, and strong will of Lebanese resistance fighters and Lebanese people, who have managed to thwart enemies' plots over the past decades. "Lebanon will not be the arena in which the (the United States of) America can achieve its political objectives. Lebanon has been and will remain to be the place for victories of Hezbollah, and decline in the American role in the region," the senior Hezbollah official said. In late October 2018, US President Donald Trump's administration imposed a new round of sanctions on Hezbollah, targeting individuals and international organizations that do business with the group. "Over the past year, we have levied the highest sanctions ever imposed on Hezbollah, in a single year, by far. Just a few moments ago, I signed legislation imposing even more hard-hitting sanctions on Hezbollah to further starve them of their funds. And they are starving for them," Trump said during an event in Washington, DC, that marked the 35th anniversary of an attack on US marine barracks in the Lebanese capital of Beirut. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Two Main Suspects in Sri Lanka Terror Attacks Detained - Reports Sputnik News 11:38 28.04.2019(updated 12:22 28.04.2019) The police previously stated that at least 20 suspects had been arrested in recent days in connection with the Easter bombings earlier this month that claimed the lives of more than 250 people and wounded 500 others. News portal Ada Derana reported, citing police that two brothers, who are the main suspects behind the series of explosions have been detained in the area of Nawalapitya. They have been identified as Mohamed Saadik Abdul Haq and Mohamed Saahid Abdul Haq. They have been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Sri Lankan Police. According to the news portal, Nawalapitiya Police received a tip-off that the brothers had been hiding in a shop belonging to a relative. The shop's owner was also arrested, as well as a van driver who brought the brothers to the area after the attack. On 21 April, numerous blasts hit Sri Lankan churches and hotels, leaving at least 253 people dead across the country. The government blamed a local and purportedly Daesh-linked* terrorist group, Thowheeth Jama'ath for the attacks. Following police raids and clashes with the militants, officers have found the bodies of at least 15 people, including 6 minors, in a hideout belonging to suspects. * Daesh (ISIL/ISIS/IS/Islamic State) is a terrorist organisation banned in Russia Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sri Lankan Police Enter HQ of Group Blamed for Easter Attacks By VOA News April 28, 2019 Sri Lankan police entered the headquarters Sunday of the terrorist group believed to be behind the deadly Easter Sunday explosions at churches and luxury hotels that killed more than 250 people. A day after Colombo declared National Towheed Jamaath (NTJ) a terror group, armed police in the town of Kattankudy in eastern Sri Lanka entered the organization's main mosque. On Saturday, President Maithripala Sirisena formally outlawed two Islamist extremist groups suspected of carrying out the Easter attacks. Sirisena used his emergency powers to ban NTJ and another group, Jamathei Millathu Ibrahim (JMI). Security officials said the NTJ was believed to have been the main group behind the Easter attacks. Officials said they were prohibited by law from banning the little known groups earlier due to the lack of firm evidence against them. Catholic churches in Sri Lanka were shuttered Sunday in the aftermath of the attack. The faithful, however, were able to watch a televised broadcast of a Mass. "This is a time questions such as, does God truly love us, does He have compassion towards us," Ranjith said in the Mass on television. President Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe attended the Mass in a small chapel at the cardinal's residence. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Easter Sunday explosions. The terrorist group also says it was their men who blew themselves up in a clash with Sri Lankan security forces Saturday that killed fifteen people, including six children. An IS statement said that "after exhausting their ammunition," the men "detonated on them their explosive belts." In another development, Sri Lankan police say they arrested two "most wanted" suspects in connection with the Easter Sunday blasts. Police say the men were arrested in the central region of Nawaapitiya. Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said officers found a cache of 150 gelignite sticks, an Islamic State uniform, steel pellets, a drone, a laptop computer, as well as a van thought to be used during the Easter attacks. On Friday, thousands of Sri Lankan security personnel were deployed across the country to places of worship, as Muslims answered the call to prayer. Security forces combed the country, tracking down what they say are dozens of local militants with links to the Islamic State terror group. Sri Lanka's police chief Pujith Jayasundara resigned Friday because of the security failures around the attacks. A day earlier, Defense Secretary Hemasriri Fernando quit in the wake of the bombings, heeding calls from Sri Lanka's president for his resignation. Sirisena had called on Fernando and Jayasundara to step down after he promised in a televised address to take stern action against officials who did not share with him the intelligence alerts that came from India days prior to the bombing of churches and luxury hotels. As the government faces an outpouring of public anger over the failure to heed the warnings, senior officials admit it has been a "major lapse." Fernando said that there had been no failure on his own part, but he resigned to take responsibility for the failures of some institutions he headed, Reuters reported. Reports say Indian intelligence agencies sent out several warnings to Sri Lanka, and that Indian security agencies had gathered details about the Islamic militant group suspected of carrying out the attacks. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Xi hails progress achieved in BRI cooperation Global Times By Li Ruohan and Li Xuanmin Source:Global Times Published: 2019/4/27 22:48:40 Fruitful results show initiative enters new phase of high-quality devt Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated that the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative should focus on high quality and sustainability so that the platform would yield more beneficial results to the world. Xi made the remarks during a press conference at the closing of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing on Saturday. The BRF, which was held from Thursday to Saturday, attracted 5,000 participants from more than 150 countries and 90 international organizations. A total of 283 items of practical outcomes were achieved during the three-day forum and cooperation agreements worth more than $64 billion were signed at a CEO conference Thursday. A joint communique released after a leaders' roundtable meeting at the forum on Saturday stressed that cooperation of BRI should be open, green and clean, and based on extensive consultations, joint efforts, shared and mutual benefits. Chinese analysts said that the results show that the BRI has entered a new phase that focuses on practical and high-quality implementation of projects. The communique and President Xi's speeches also demonstrate that China does listen to suggestions from partners and is proactively improving BRI projects according to their needs, Huo Jianguo, vice chairman of the China Society for World Trade Organization Studies, told the Global Times. It also shows China's commitment to following international rules and regulations to achieve long-term and mutually beneficial results for BRI projects, said Huo. Participants agreed that the forum is an important platform for multilateral cooperation, and should be held on a regular basis, Xi said. In the joint communique, participants said that they look forward to the third BRF. It's a very important opportunity for opinion leaders and decision makers to get together to share their views and agree on the common ground for further steps of cooperation and development, said Massimo Bagnasco, vice president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. For Mansoor Lari, CEO of the India's Silk Route Trade and Industry Development Cooperation, the BRF has given a roadmap for the company to focus on an aggressive market promotion to increase exporting Indian products to China and to facilitate the participation of Indian small- and medium-sized enterprises. He said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with Chinese partners to promote AI and block chain synergies. Sushil K. Lamsal, deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of Nepal, called the second BRF a "historic event" as it provides guideposts and priorities for the future trajectory of BRI cooperation. "Our two countries have already agreed to enhance such cooperation under the rubric of trans-Himalayan connectivity networks. So, I believe there's a bright future for bilateral cooperation under this landmark initiative," said Lamsal. Global benefits So far, more than 150 countries and international organizations have signed BRI cooperation documents with China. From 2013 to 2018, trade between China and other Belt and Road countries surpassed $6 trillion, and China's investment in those countries exceeds $90 billion. Because of the cooperation under the BRI, eastern Africa has its own expressway, the Maldives has its first inter-island bridge, Belarus can produce cars and the number of freight trains between China and Europe is on the rise, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a press conference in March. The BRI is a very important and positive initiative which China is offering to the world. It greatly contributes to global peace and stability, said Sigfrido Reyes, president of the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of El Salvador. Through increased trade connectivity, investment and technological exchanges, many countries in the world could benefit from the initiative, said Reyes. "We could accelerate our development via BRI platforms as well," he said. "In our country, there is an infrastructure deficit to fill, such as building more ports, airports, railways and highways. And we also need to increase our digital connectivity," Reyes told the Global Times. "The purpose of these activities is to mitigate poverty, create new and high-quality jobs. And at the same time, we also need to tackle problems like climate change and managing natural resources," he said. In the month leading up to the forum, Italy and Luxembourg became the latest European countries to sign BRI cooperation documents. Twenty-two European countries had signed BRI cooperation documents with China. Amedeo Scarpa, director of the Italy Trade Agency in Beijing, told the Global Times that the economic systems of China and Italy are very complementary. "BRI could facilitate and further boost this growing and promising trade and business cooperation between Italy and China," said Scarpa. "We expect economic and trade opportunities to benefit from this renewed climate of strategic collaboration," said Scarpa. Not a political tool When asked whether they think China is seeking global hegemony through the initiative, BRF attendees stressed that as the world seeks new ways to address challenges such as climate change, poverty and illnesses, China should not be blamed for offering proposals or solutions. BRI emphasizes incorporation, not confrontation, Reyes said. "And in the end, it will benefit not only China, but also the international community, and I would never expect anything but a large contribution from China's leadership to further address the current global challenges," Reyes said. Bagnasco noted that with the rise of protectionism, China has a great opportunity to assume leadership on many global issues - such as climate change - within the framework of existing multilateral institutions. It can also help work toward much needed WTO reforms, as it has agreed to do along with the EU, through the EU-China Joint Working Group, Bagnasco noted. Reyes said he doesn't share the concerns of the alleged debt trap issue of BRI. "China has put a lot of effort and resources to make this initiative a reality, and that includes providing favorable financing terms for developing countries." Reyes noted that he was also impressed with China's commitment to the initiative's transparency. "Every project should be closely scrutinized, not only in this initiative. That is the rule for every project in the world. I think this is a very important message to corporations that these initiatives should be an initiative free from corruption," said Reyes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lawmakers Back US-N. Korea Talks; Analyst Questions Strategy By Natalie Liu April 27, 2019 As Kim Jong Un returns from a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, questions linger as to the diplomatic support Kim garnered from Putin, and what will happen next in negotiations between Pyongyang and Washington. Meanwhile, a long-time observer of politics on the Korean Peninsula urges Washington and Seoul to re-examine the assumption underlying their strategy toward North Korea. In interviews with U.S. lawmakers, one thing is clear: U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have some bipartisan support in their dealings with Pyongyang. Ami Bera, a Democrat who represents California's 7th congressional district and sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, says he supports Trump's decision to walk away from his second meeting with Kim held in Vietnam, as well as his willingness to engage in direct dialogue with Pyongyang. Let America decide who's on our team "I don't think we'll be telling Chairman Kim who he should send. I think it's appropriate for President Trump to decide who's going to negotiate on our side," Bera said about North Korea's wish that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not lead future negotiations. Mike Kelly, a Republican from Pennsylvania who sits on the House Ways and Means Committee, said Pompeo "knows what he's doing, knows what his mission is, and is 100% supportive" of Trump's strategy, adding "this is a guy who graduated No. 1 in his class at West Point," instead of someone who "just walked in" without any background or knowledge about "how things work." Bera and Kelly, along with four other members of Congress, recently visited South Korea as co-chairs of the Congressional Study Group on Korea. No distance between Washington and Seoul Both told VOA they believe there is "no distance" between Seoul and Washington in dealing with North Korea, and they were reassured, after speaking with South Korea's defense minister and U.S. commanders, that troop preparedness was "at the high level they've always been at." Kelly said he saw overwhelming support of Trump in South Korea, both in how he has dealt with Pyongyang and in his administration's approach to the Asia Pacific region that is alarmed by China's rise and long-term ambitions. It is a region the U.S. can't afford to "walk away and become a secondary player," he said. A North Korea economic miracle? Kelly and Bera said their trip reminded them of the success the country has achieved in just a few decades through the hard work of the Korean people, with help from the United States. "Can you replicate that in the North?" Bera asked. While acknowledging North Korea may be starting from "a more difficult point," he thinks it's certainly possible. The Korean Peninsula's natural resources reside mostly in the north, which affords North Korea potential advantages in trade and commerce. However, in order to capitalize on these resources and harness the opportunity presented, authorities in Pyongyang will have to take a different approach "for it to work," Kelly said. As for talks between Washington and Pyongyang, Bera thinks a lot needs to happen "at the staff level." He said there needs to be a lot of preparation before a third summit between Trump and Kim, including making sure "there is a mutually agreed upon goal of denuclearization" and a framework that supports the goal. 'Kim will never give up nuclear weapons' Such a framework doesn't exist yet because the North Korean leader harbors no serious intent to give up nuclear weapons, said David Maxwell, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies who specializes on national security. "If he was serious (about denuclearization), he would have allowed working level negotiations to take place, he would have allowed development of a framework, process, and timeline for denuclearization," Maxwell told VOA. Maxwell thinks the basic premise that guides U.S. and South Korea's current strategy toward Pyongyang is the assumption that "Kim can be co-opted or coerced into denuclearizing" and that the North Korean leader "will prioritize economic development over the retention of nuclear weapons." Maxwell questions the validity of this assumption. While acknowledging "none of us can know for sure what Kim Jong Un really intends and what he will do," based on "historical record and Kim's demonstrated action (or in this case non-action)," Maxwell thinks Pyongyang's intent is to split the alliance between Washington and Seoul and get U.S. forces off the peninsula "as he believes the presence of U.S. forces provides (South Korea) access to U.S. nuclear weapons, even if there have not been any nuclear weapons in South Korea since 1991." Maxwell believes the U.S. should be "preparing for a Plan B that is based on Kim failing to denuclearize." Team America "One of the things I really and most enjoy about being on the Foreign Affairs Committee is generally we have a bipartisan relationship," Congressman Bera said. "Often we have differences on domestic issues and sometimes behind closed doors we'll have vibrant dialogues on issues, but in general, those differences stop at the water's edge when we approach the outside world." "If we don't look at ourselves as Team America, as opposed to a Red Team or a Blue Team, it sends the worst message" to potential adversaries, Kelly said. Kelly added that he and Bera don't agree on everything. "I think I'm more over the top for President Trump than Ami is," he said. "I get that; I'm sure when President Obama was in office, I think he was a bigger fan than I was." The fact that lawmakers can "have different opinions and still come together and do the right things for the right reasons," Kelly said, "is the beauty of it." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Documents Show Indonesia Released Banned N. Korean Coal By Ham Ji-ha, Christy Lee April 27, 2019 Indonesia has released seized North Korean coal in apparent violation of U.N. sanctions, posing a challenge to U.S.-led international efforts to crack down on Pyongyang's sanctions evasion, according to U.N.monitors and court documents. The North Korean vessel Wise Honest, owned by Korea Songi Shipping Co. of Pyongyang, set sail toward Indonesia after loading about $3 million worth of coal from North Korean Nampo Port in March 2018. Indonesia detained the ship the next month when it entered the country's territorial waters without turning on its identification transponder or obtaining clearance from its port of destination, a U.N. Security Council report said in March. The vessel was sailing under Sierra Leonean and North Korean flags, with registrations from both countries. The ship captain, Kim Chung Son of North Korea, was charged with using a false flag. U.N. sanctions monitors "informed Indonesia [and Indonesian brokers who were involved in the transshipment of the coal] that the 26,500 tons of coal [on the Wise Honest] should be seized according to the [U.N.] resolutions and that the brokers may not see the coal," the U.N. report said. In 2017, the Security Council passed resolutions banning North Korea from exporting coal, one of its most valuable export commodities, and conducting ship-to-ship transfers of goods. Permission to sell coal According to court documents that VOA Korean service obtained, the Indonesian Balikpapan District Court, the district where the vessel was ordered to remain anchored, last November allowed Indonesian broker Eko Setyamoko to sell the coal as he requested. The documents showed that the coal was initially confiscated temporarily as evidence until a judge ruled on its status. When considering the release of the coal to be sold, the court cited the Certification of Origin issued by Russia, which stated the coal as Russian and Setyamoko as its owner. But according to the U.N., the coal was loaded from a North Korean port. The court dismissed charges against the ship's captain and returned to coal to Setyamoko in February 2019. Afterward, coal was transferred to another ship, the Dong Thanh, owned by a Vietnamese company and sailing under a Panamanian flag. The Dong Thanh left Indonesia in April, but Malaysian authorities later interdicted it, ordering it not to leave Malaysian territorial waters while investigations were underway. Before the ship reached Malaysian waters, Malaysian authorities said there were "clear instructions from our government regarding matters involving [North Korea]. As for the vessel, she will be directed to anchor upon arrival" while investigations proceeded. 'Active investigation' Hugh Griffith, coordinator of the U.N. Panel of Experts on North Korea, which monitors sanctions, told VOA's Korean service last week that "the panel is pursuing an active investigation on the Wise Honest coal shipment and all companies, individuals and other actors involved, whether witting or unwitting, in the illegal activities and any subsequent sanctions evasion." Joshua Stanton, a Washington attorney who helped draft the North Korean Sanctions Enforcement Act in 2016, thinks Indonesia should have seized the coal. "If the ship is involved in smuggling, the coal has to be seized," said Stanton. "That's an obligation. They should not release the coal. The coal should have been seized and not returned." He added, "And by [returning the coal], they violated the resolutions." Matthew Ha, a research associate at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a national security and foreign policy research group in Washington, also pointed out that the U.N. member states are letting North Korea slip away and use deceptive and illicit shipping practices to continue evade sanctions. North Korea is known to use false flags or "flags of convenience" to disguise the identity of its vessels, and the registration services of governments that provide North Korea with false flags "are doing a poor job of investigating whose ships they are registering," said Stanton. Ha said, "The manipulation or disablement of a vessel's automatic identification system (AIS) is another consistent challenge for cracking down on Pyongyang's ship-to-ship transfer schemes." AIS is an internationally accepted maritime safety and navigation system that uses a ship's transponder to identify its position, speed and charted course. Authority to punish Stanton said, "The United States has legal authority to punish the ports" that do not fully comply with their obligations to inspect the cargo of a ship that floats from port to port with its transponders switched off. North Korea also often registers its ships through shell companies and front companies operating in Hong Kong, and "the Hong Kong authorities have been completely lax in any kind of due diligence to verify that the companies they're registering have legitimate business purposes," said Stanton. Ha said these practices show "a clear example of the lack of political will from some nations." A U.S. official told VOA's Korean service that the U.S. is "aware of this case" involving the Wise Honest. The U.S. issued an advisory on addressing North Korea's illicit shipping practices in March, stating, "The U.S. government recommends that all parties involved in the shipping industry and related commercial entities be aware of the practices set out in this advisory in order to implement appropriate controls to identify North Korea's illicit shipping practices." VOA's Indonesian service contributed to this report, which originated in VOA's Korean service. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kremlin Spokesman Praises Kim as 'Professional, Well-Trained' Leader Sputnik News 15:44 28.04.2019(updated 19:16 28.04.2019) PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY (Sputnik) - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un proved to be a professional and well-trained head of state during his recent expanded-format talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Russian Far East, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday. "Frankly speaking, the North Korean leader proved to be a highly professional and well-trained head of state during [talks in] expanded format He is aware of all the details related to bilateral projects or prospective bilateral projects that can be launched after UN sanctions and other restrictions, which are currently in place and which significantly damage the development of our bilateral cooperation, are lifted," Peskov said during the "Moscow. Kremlin. Putin" program aired by the Rossiya-1 TV channel. The spokesman further praised Kim's "vivid reactions" and the fact that the North Korean leader had his own stand on everything. "He conveys the impression of being quite an experienced, well-educated and very balanced leader," Peskov added. Peskov also stressed that North Korea bordered with Russia and was therefore included in Moscow's area of interests, but not of the United States'. "North Korea is a border country for us, we have a common border. And when we deal with North Korea, we deal with our own region, and when the Americans deal with North Korea, they deal with our region," the spokesman said. Both Putin and Kim were satisfied with the meeting. While Kim assessed the talks as a "very substantive tete-a-tete exchange of views on the issues of mutual interest and pressing issues," Putin described the North Korean leader as "quite an open person." Putin and Kim held their first-ever meeting in the Russian Far Eastern city of Vladivostok on Thursday. After a private conversation, which lasted around two hours, talks in expanded format were held, with participation of Russian and North Korean delegations. The discussion focused on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the bilateral relations, including the possibility to construct new power lines and oil and gas pipelines coming from Russia to North Korea. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bolton: US Ignored $2 Million Bill from North Korea By Ken Bredemeier April 28, 2019 The U.S. signed a document agreeing to pay North Korea $2 million for the medical care of American Otto Warmbier who had been detained by Pyongyang, U.S. national security adviser John Bolton said Sunday, but then ignored the bill and never paid it. "It is very clear to me from my looking into it in the past few days that nobody was paid," Bolton told Fox News Sunday. "That is clear." Bolton was confirming news accounts in recent days that North Korea demanded the money when it released Warmbier, a comatose college student, to U.S. authorities nearly two years ago so he could be returned to the United States. He died days later. Warmbier was a University of Virginia student visiting North Korea when he was jailed in January 2016, sentenced to 15 years for trying to steal a propaganda banner from his hotel. The mainland China travel company that arranged Warmbier's trip, Young Pioneer Tours, specializes in "destinations your mother would rather you stay away from," according to its website. It describes itself as "safe and fun." Photos from the company's website and Facebook page show selfies of happy, smiling, young Westerners in Pyongyang. North Korean officials said Warmbier fell into a coma the night he was sentenced in March 2016, The Washington Post reported. Doctors have not identified the cause of his brain damage, and say they did not see evidence of him being beaten. At their last meeting in Hanoi in February, President Donald Trump said he accepted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's claim not to have known what had happened to Warmbier in prison, despite the case being extraordinarily sensitive. "I will take him at his word," Trump said. Following Warmbier's sentencing, the North Koreans did not tell U.S. officials until June 2017 that he had been unconscious for 15 months. The Washington Post said news of Warmbier's condition sparked a frantic effort to get him home. The effort was led by the State Department's point man on North Korea at the time, Joseph Yun, who signed the agreement to pay the money. Trump has sought to get Kim to agree to end North Korea's nuclear weapons development program, but talks between the two leaders collapsed in Hanoi after Kim agreed at a summit in Singapore a year ago to move toward denuclearization. Bolton said Trump is willing to meet a third time with Kim. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran denies asking for meeting with US ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sat / 27 April 2019 / 16:26 Tehran (ISNA) Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Seyyed Abbas Mousavi has dismissed claims by certain foreign media outlets about Iran's request for negotiation with the United States and the beginning of Tehran's talks with Riyadh, describing them as "inaccurate and unfounded". In a Saturday statement, Mousavi emphasized that Iran has made no request for talks with the United States, and in the case of Saudi Arabia, there is no negotiation underway between the two countries, except on Hajj issues that the two sides have agreed to separate from their bilateral political issues. "The policy declared and implemented by the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding its neighbours is totally clear and based on mutual respect, good and peaceful neighbourliness, cooperation and dialogue," added Mousavi. "All neighbours of Iran that look at regional and global developments and facts realistically are among the priorities of the Islamic Republic for constructive relations with mutual respect." He further noted that from Iran's point of view, Saudi Arabia is an important country in the region, which has been moved in the wrong direction over the past years with an unconstructive approach, and this has caused many disasters and crises in the region. The spokesman expressed hope that the Saudi officials would return to an honest and benevolent approach towards the people of the region. "Definitely in that case, as always, the Islamic Republic will be ready to interact with the [Arab] country within the framework of regional and mutual cooperation." End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Luohu held a workshop regarding a plan to integrate development of Shenzhen Railway Station and Luohu Port Area on April 26. The district wants to take advantage of the strategic opportunity of the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to strengthen cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. The plan to promote the integration of Shenzhen Railway Station and the Luohu Port Area is aimed at creating a world-class landmark, a new engine of growth for the urban development of Luohu as well as a new symbol of Shenzhen. In his speech at the opening ceremony, Song Yan, a member of the Standing Committee of Luohu District Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said the workshop should discuss the results of the earlier consultations on the planned integration and start planning work as a whole. The upgrading, renovating and integrating of the two areas should be expedited, so as to usher in a new stage of cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong for Luohu, he stressed. Zhao Penglin, former director of rail traffic of Shenzhen, and Zhou Jin, chief engineer of Shenzhen planning and land development center, jointly presided over the workshops opening ceremony. Zhao, who is also a special consultant for Xiong'an New Area, a national development strategy in North Chinas Hebei province, was appointed as chief consultant for the Luohu work, responsible for coordinating relevant efforts related to technology. Song believed engaging Zhao in the work would bring about new opportunities to accelerate the transformation of the work from vision to reality. After the ceremony, six design institutes and companies specialized in city planning and rail traffic design already selected for projects related to the work reported their plans and answered questions from experts and officials. There were heated discussions on the role of the regional hub, relations between Shenzhen and Hong Kong and urban renewal on the sidelines of the meeting. On the basis of the discussion, the design institutes and companies and relevant government departments will now draw on the proposals made by workshop participants to create a workable plan. U.S. Central Command Chief Has 'Resources Necessary' To Deter Iran By RFE/RL April 27, 2019 U.S. Central Command chief General Kenneth McKenzie says the United States has the "resources necessary" to deter Iran from taking any "dangerous" actions in the Gulf region. McKenzie told Sky News Arabia during an official visit to the region on April 27 that Washington would work with allies in the Gulf to present a united front against Tehran. "We're going to continue to reach out to our partners and friends in the region to ensure that we make common cause against the threat of Iran," McKenzie was quoted by Sky News Arabia as saying, according to a transcript released by the Abu Dhabi-based channel. "I believe we'll have the resources necessary to deter Iran from taking actions that will be dangerous. We will be able to respond effectively," he added. Washington has been stepping up the political and economic pressure on Tehran since President Donald Trump took office in January 2017. Trump in May 2018 announced Washington's withdrawal from the landmark 2015 nuclear pact and reimposed sanctions on Tehran that had been eased as terms of the accord. Trump asserted that Iran had not lived up to the "spirit" of the pact by continuing to development nuclear weapons and financing extremist violence in the region. Tehran has denied the allegations. Trump has also demanded nations stop purchasing Iranian oil or face sanctions as he attempts to force Tehran's crude exports to zero, further hitting the country's economy and currency. In early April, the United States designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). Washington will continue to increase financial pressure and raise the costs on Iran "for its support of terrorist activity," Trump said in a statement on April 8. In his Gulf comments, McKenzie also spoke on U.S. troop levels in Syria, where they have been supporting a Kurdish-led rebel group in its fight against Islamic State (IS) militants and the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad. Trump initially said all 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria would immediately be withdrawn, but the president and military officials have backed off those comments. "On the long term, we're going reduce our forces in Syria," McKenzie said. "We recognize that, that's the guidance in which we are operating. That will be something that we will look at very carefully as we go forward," the general said. McKenzie assumed Central Command leadership from from General Joseph Votel in late March. With reporting by Reuters and Sky News Arabia Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-commander-has- resources-to-deter-iran-dangerous- actions/29907712.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 Iranian Commander Says Navy Could Shut Down Strait Of Hormuz If Needed By RFE/RL's Radio Farda April 27, 2019 The Iranian army's chief of staff says Tehran could close the vital Strait of Hormuz if "hostilities reach a level where this cannot be avoided." Major General Mohammad Baqeri said in Tehran on April 28 that Iran does not "intend" to shut down the vital international oil route, but said "if our oil does not pass, the oil of others shall not pass the Strait of Hormuz either." "Currently, all vessels and navy ships must answer questions from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps' Navy," said Baqeri. "U.S. warships also have responded to questions and we have not had a problem." Most of the shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, which goes through the Persian Gulf, are within Oman's territorial waters. Baqeri's comments come one day after U.S. Central Command chief General Kenneth McKenzie says the United States has the "resources necessary" to deter Iran from taking any "dangerous" actions in the Persian Gulf region. McKenzie told Sky News Arabia during an official visit to the region on April 27 that Washington would work with allies in the Gulf to present a united front against Tehran. "We're going to continue to reach out to our partners and friends in the region to ensure that we make common cause against the threat of Iran," McKenzie was quoted by Sky News Arabia as saying, according to a transcript released by the Abu Dhabi-based channel. "I believe we'll have the resources necessary to deter Iran from taking actions that will be dangerous. We will be able to respond effectively," he added. Washington has been stepping up the political and economic pressure on Tehran since President Donald Trump took office in January 2017. Trump in May 2018 announced Washington's withdrawal from the landmark 2015 nuclear pact and reimposed sanctions on Tehran that had been eased as terms of the accord. Trump asserted that Iran had not lived up to the "spirit" of the pact by continuing to development nuclear weapons and financing extremist violence in the region. Tehran has denied the allegations. Trump has also demanded nations stop purchasing Iranian oil or face sanctions as he attempts to force Tehran's crude exports to zero, further hitting the country's economy and currency. In early April, the United States designated IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). Washington will continue to increase financial pressure and raise the costs on Iran "for its support of terrorist activity," Trump said in a statement on April 8. With reporting by Reuters, Mizan news agency, and Sky News Arabia Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-suggests- quitting-nuclear-treaty-after-u-s-tightens -sanctions/29908567.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 Envoy terms JCPOA as result of Iran's successful diplomacy IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, April 28, IRNA -- Iranian Ambassador to France described Iran's nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as the result of a successful, efficient and effective diplomacy in a complicated issue. Speaking in a meeting with students of Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po), Bahram Qasemi said the importance of the JCPOA is clear for the United Nations, the European Union and the Security Council as a historic achievement. He further termed the JCPOA as a historic and effective achievement which was agreed by long-standing talks among UNSC member states and also with German. Iranian deal showed that diplomacy is the art of overcoming some problems to prevent war and tension, he added. The diplomat also said that the result of two-year intensive talks was not only success for Iran but a victory for world policy in multilateralism context. Unfortunately, the new US administration changed its approach to address international issues and not only unilaterally withdrew from Iran nuclear deal but in an unprecedented act encourages other countries to violate international commitments and threatens to impose unilateral sanctions for the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions, he noted. Qasemi went on to say that Iran has implemented all its commitments under the JCPOA which has also been confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Meanwhile, the European countries have become committed to pave the way for implementation of the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX) to benefit Iran of the economic advantages of the JCPOA. This is while Iran expects Europe to implement INSTEX more rapidly. The European side has not so far been able to implement its commitments as were predicted in the JCPOA, he said adding that European countries' rapid steps will be regarded as a serious criterion for Iran's policies. Elsewhere in his remarks, Qasemi elaborated on measures taken by Iran to establish stability in the region, to fight terrorism and to maintain cooperation with other countries. On May 8, 2018, Trump withdrew from the JCPOA, which was condemned by other parties to the 2015 agreement. INSTEX was adopted by foreign ministers of the European trio on the sidelines of a European Union summit in the Romanian capital Bucharest on January 1. INSTEX has been registered at the address of France's Economy and Finance Ministry in Paris. German banker Per Fischer has been chosen for a period of six months to run it. Also, a senior UK diplomat is expected to head the Supervisory Board. Earlier, INSTEX president Per Fischer visited Iran to hold talks with Iranian stakeholders in a bid to work out details of the payment channel. Trump's choice has faced opposition of the international community; namely Russia, China, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Union Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini. This is while earlier, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) underlined the fact that Iran has complied with its commitments under the JCPOA. Emphasizing the fact that the agency will continue to verify the non-diversion of nuclear material declared by Iran under its NPT Safeguards Agreement, the IAEA chief said, 'The implementation in Iran of the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, Additional Protocol, and additional transparency measures under the JCPOA amounts to the most robust verification system in existence any here in the world.' 9376**1424 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran not after closing Strait of Hormuz: Military chief IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, April 28, IRNA -- Closing the Strait of Hormuz is not on the agenda of Iran's Armed Forces who are providing the security of the critical waterway, Iranian military chief of staff Major General Mohammad Baqeri said on Sunday. He made the remarks on the sidelines of the 3rd conference of Iran's police commanders and senior officers. 'We want to keep the strategic Strait of Hormuz open since a huge amount of goods and oil from various countries, including Iran, pass through the strait and Iran's Armed Forces are responsible for providing the security in the strait,' Major General Mohammad Baqeri said. The Iranian Government announced that Iran does not want to close the Strait of Hormuz, he told reporters. 'However if the enemies intensify their hostility, we have the ability to do so,' the official noted. 'Today, all ships and warships from region and outside the region should respond to the Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps (IRGC) in the Strait of Hormuz, and the American warships have so far had responded to IRGC investigations without any problem,' Baqeri said. According to International Law of the Sea, the warships passing through Iranian territorial waters have to deliver valid papers to Iranian Navy forces. 9156**1416 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Europeans not fulfill their JCPOA commitments: Iran's ambassador to France ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sun / 28 April 2019 / 15:51 Tehran (ISNA) Iran's ambassador to France said, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is the result of a successful, efficient and influential diplomacy in a complicated and difficult issue, which is valuable for United Nation, European Union and Security Council as a historical achievement. Iranian ambassador to France, Bahram Qassemi told some of Master's degree students of International Security in Paris Institute of Political Studies, "JCPOA is a historical and very influential achievement which was reached after long attempts and negotiations between the member states of Security Council and Germany with Iran, showing that diplomacy is the art of overcoming some problems to avoid war and tension". "The result of two years of compressed talks was not only a success for Iran, but also for world's politics in multilateralism," he added. "Unfortunately, with the change of US administration and as the new government came to office, it changed its approach on the world's issues and adopted unilateral policies and not only it withdrew from JCPOA, but also, in an unprecedented measure, it encourages other countries to violate the international commitments and threatens them with unilateral sanctions, if they observe UN Security Council resolutions," Qassemi said. He also insisted that the European sides of Iran's nuclear deal have not still fulfilled their commitments as it was expected in JCPOA. Therefore, the fast actions of some European countries would be a serious and determining factor for Iran's policies and their behavior is being closely observed. The ambassador also explained Iran's actions to secure regional stability, fight against terrorism and its cooperation with other countries. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address "If Iran's oil not to pass through Strait of Hormuz, others' oil won't pass either" ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sun / 28 April 2019 / 14:58 Tehran (ISNA) - Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri stressed that if Iran's oil is not to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, other countries' oil won't pass through the strait either. On the sidelines of the 23rd General Conference of Commanders, Heads and Chiefs of Law Enforcement Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran, regarding the latest condition of the two abducted border security troops of Iran, General Bagheri told reporters, "Two of our colleagues are captured by Pakistani gangsters and we continue to work on the issue. The Pakistani Prime Minister also made some promises regarding the issue, during his visit to Iran which must be fulfilled". On the issue of the terrorist attack against the armed forces' bus on Khash road, the Iranian General said, "Several agents of the incident have been arrested and some others fled to the neighboring country. The accusations of the detainees have been filed and investigations are underway". The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces also commented on Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' announcement that it lays decision-making on the Hormoz Strait up to the armed forces, saying, "The superior officials have discussed the issue and we are the executors of the orders". "Our ships are passing through the strait like the ships of other countries, but if someone intends to put the security of the Hormoz Strait on danger, we will certainly respond. Besides, if our oil doesn't pass through the strait, definitely, other countries' oil won't pass through it as well. We don't intend to close the Hormoz Strait, unless the actions of enemies force us to do so," he added. The official stressed that all American ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz have so far remained answerable to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as the force in charge of security in the strategic waterway despite Washington's latest wave of hostile measures against the Iranian nation. General Bagheri noted that no change has so far been reported in the conduct of US warships, commercial vessels and oil tankers, and they have up until now been responding to the IRGC's questions as usual while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address B-team targeting Iranians with economic terror, war: Iran FM Iran Press TV Sun Apr 28, 2019 05:51PM Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has slammed contradictory approaches pursued by US National Security Adviser John Bolton and what he calls "the B-Team," saying they are targeting the Iranian nation with "economic terrorism." "While @AmbJohnBolton and the #B_Team say the Iranian people 'deserve better', they've admitted to targeting them with #EconomicTerrorism," Zarif said in a post on his official Twitter account on Sunday. The Iranian foreign minister added that what the B-Team is doing by targeting the Iranian nation with "economic terrorism -- and even war --" is a delusional pursuit of "regime-change," questioning whether US President Donald Trump would let them realize their dreams of another "Forever War." The hawkish "B-team" is comprised of US National Security Adviser John Bolton, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Speaking in a question-and-answer session at the Asia Society in New York on Wednesday, the Iranian foreign minister said the "B-team" is trying "to push Iran to take action" as a pretext for "crazy" and "adventurous" US actions. "President Trump has a plan, but he's being lured into not a plan but a trap," Zarif said, adding, "It will cost another $7 trillion and even a greater disaster." Also in an interview recorded on Friday, which was aired on Fox News on Sunday, the Iranian foreign minister said all measures adopted by the administration of President Trump in dealing with Iran conveyed a message that "the United States is not reliable." "Maybe he [Trump] believes in America first, but America cannot be first in a globally insecure environment," Zarif told the "FOX NEWS SUNDAY". "We all need to work together in a global environment that is safe and you can only live in a safe global environment if you respect yourself by respecting your signature," he added. He once again emphasized that the B-Team seeks to "lure" the US into a confrontation with Iran that Trump himself does not want. "They have all shown an interest in dragging the United States into a conflict," Zarif said of Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates plus White House National Security advisor. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NPT withdrawal an option after US sanctions re-imposed: Iran FM Iran Press TV Sun Apr 28, 2019 01:09PM Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Tehran is weighing various options, including leaving the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), in response to the re-imposition of sanctions by the administration of US President Donald Trump. "There are many options available to the Islamic Republic and the country's officials are considering them," Zarif said in an interview with the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) on Sunday, adding that according to the type of action that Iran would take, "leaving the Non-Proliferation Treaty" is one of those options. US President Donald Trump withdrew Washington in May 2018 from the multilateral nuclear accord, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was reached between Iran and six world powers in 2015. Afterwards, Washington re-imposed unilateral sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the deal. Last November, the US enforced sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic's banking and energy sector. However, it granted waivers to the eight major importers of Iran's oil, fearing market instability. The Trump administration said in a statement on April 22 that, in a bid to reduce Iran's oil exports to zero, buyers of Iranian oil must stop purchases by May 1 or face sanctions. The move ended six months of waivers which allowed Iran's eight biggest buyers, Turkey, China, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, to continue importing limited volumes. "The United States, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates ... along with our friends and allies, are committed to ensuring that global oil markets remain adequately supplied," the White House statement said, adding, "We have agreed to take timely action to assure that global demand is met as all Iranian oil is removed from the market." Elsewhere in his remarks, Zarif said Iran has never welcomed sanctions over the past 40 years, but adopted measures to counter them. "The JCPOA showed that sanctions could be removed through negotiations," the top Iranian diplomat said, emphasizing that the Islamic Republic has never violated its commitments, but it was the opposite side, particularly the Americans, who did not live up to their undertakings. The Islamic Republic has succeeded in resisting pressures by relying on its own nation, he said, adding that despite the US pressure, Iranians have reinforced their unity while the government is also duty-bound to ease pressures resulting from sanctions. In an exclusive interview with Reuters on Wednesday, Zarif said Iran will do its utmost to export oil after the US tightened its sanctions against the country, stressing that the Islamic Republic, which has been the target of cruel American bans for decades, has gained much experience in going around such restrictive measures. "I mean there are always ways of going around the sanctions. We have a PhD in that area," he said during his trip to New York. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US ships still responsive to IRGC in Strait of Hormuz: Top Iranian cmdr. Iran Press TV Sun Apr 28, 2019 09:47AM Iran's top military commander says all American ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz have so far remained answerable to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as the force in charge of security in the strategic waterway despite Washington's latest wave of hostile measures against the Iranian nation. Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri told reporters on Sunday that no change has so far been reported in the conduct of US warships, commercial vessels and oil tankers, and they have up until now been responding to the IRGC's questions as usual while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz He said Iran wants the strait through which nearly one-third of all oil traded by sea passes to remain open and secure, warning that the country will not allow anyone to destabilize the waters. "As oil and commodities of other countries are passing through the Strait of Hormuz, ours are also moving through it," said Baqeri. Iran "will definitely confront anyone who attempts to destabilize the Strait of Hormuz, and if our crude is not to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, others' [crude] will not pass either." The Iranian commander explained, "This does not mean [that we are going to] close the Strait of Hormuz. We do not intend to shut it unless the enemies' hostile acts will leave us with no other option. We will be fully capable of closing it on that day." Earlier this week, the White House once again took aim at Iran's oil sector, ending six months of waivers which allowed Tehran's eight largest customers to continue importing limited volumes. It threatened the buyers of Iranian oil with sanctions if they fail to stop their purchases by May 1, in a move that quickly sent global crude prices to their highest levels since last November. Iran has said it may close the Strait of Hormuz if prevented from using the waterway, which links crude producers in the Middle East to markets in Europe, Asia Pacific, North America and beyond. In a recent interview with Reuters, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that Iran was "not going to take any action" should the US continue observing the rules of engagement. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IRGC surveillance drone films US warships in Persian Gulf Iran Press TV Sun Apr 28, 2019 07:18AM Iranian media have released high-quality footage that shows a surveillance drone belonging to the elite Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) flying over an American aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf and capturing images of the aircraft parked on its deck. The video, which was released Saturday by Iran's Tasnim News Agency, shows a domestically-built Ababil-III drone operated by the IRGC's Navy capturing close-up shots from above USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. Besides the aircraft carrier, a destroyer and another, apparently logistical, vessel were also filmed. The footage, the agency said, "bears special features not seen in videos previously [captured and] released of these vessels." The report added, "The IRGC's Navy maintains [surveillance] command over all terrorist US forces in the region, including the Persian Gulf, and closely monitors their movements." The report did not specify the date of the footage, which emerged a month after the IRGC's Aerospace Division held offensive-combat drone exercises in the Persian Gulf region, involving dozens of RQ-170 stealth unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which Iran has manufactured based on a model of a US Sentinel drone it captured unharmed in 2011. The IRGC's display of its surveillance power comes weeks after the US, in a highly contentious and unprecedented measure, labeled the elite Iranian military force a "foreign terrorist organization." In a counter-measure, Tehran designated all US forces in the region terrorists. Washington then moved to tighten its oil sanctions against the Islamic Republic and prevent other countries from buying Iranian crude. Iran has, however, said Washington's dream of cutting its oil sales to "zero" will never come true because the country knows well how to go around the American sanctions. The IRGC has also said that Iran may close the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf through which nearly one-third of all oil traded by sea pass if it is prevented from using the waterway. The US began its military build-up in the strategic waters in the 1980s in support of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, who had launched a deadly war on Iran. In 1988, USS Vincennes shot down an Iranian passenger plane, which had just taken off from the southern Iranian coastal city of Bandar Abbas. The attack killed all 290 on board using two missiles. US officials later claimed their warship had mistaken the jetliner for an attacking Iranian F-14 plane Washington's military build-up in the Persian Gulf prompted Iran's defense forces to boost their presence in the strategic waters to counter potential American acts of aggression. The history of the IRGC's maritime presence has seen it confronting and capturing trespassing British and American marines. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Seventeen people who had been convicted of poisoning and selling wild birds were ordered to pay punitive damages of nearly 22 million yuan (about 3.3 million U.S. dollars) in a separate public interest litigation in eastern China's Jiangsu Province. According to the people's procuratorate in the city of Taizhou, 13 convicts, who poisoned a total 24,065 wild birds in October and November of 2016 in the city of Lianyungang, were ordered to compensate for the loss of ecological resources up to 21.7 million yuan. The 13 people were sentenced to imprisonment from six months to two years and fined from 1,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan in August 2018. The four other people, who sold and processed poisonous birds to restaurant-goers, were ordered to pay a fine 10 times the amount of their illegal gains, totaling 22,500 yuan. All the defendants were ordered to make a public apology in the media. The procuratorate said the birds, including some precious and state protected ones, were identified to be worth over 7 million yuan. Lianyungang is an important stop on the route for migrating birds. The culprits mixed carbofuran, a highly toxic pesticide, with bird food before scattering in a field. The poisoned birds were then frozen for sale. About 1,500 birds had been consumed before the trial. The procuratorate said their acts have caused damages to wildlife ecological resources and consumers' health and therefore should be punished in civil court in addition to criminal liabilities. CENTCOM chief suggests readiness to deter unspecific Iran action Iran Press TV Sun Apr 28, 2019 01:34AM Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM) has reportedly implied his forces possess essential resources to deter what he claimed as "dangerous" actions by Iran, further insisting on "long-term presence" of US forces in Iraq. "I believe we'll have the resources necessary to deter Iran from taking actions that will be dangerous," said General Kenneth McKenzie on Saturday, as quoted by Sky News Arabia, based in the Persian Gulf kingdom of United Arab Emirates (UAE). "We will be able to respond effectively," he added during a visit to the Persian Gulf region without pointing to a specific threat. "We're gonna continue to reach out to our partners and friends in the region to ensure that we make common cause against the threat of Iran," McKenzie was further quoted as saying by the local TV network, partly owned by the Saudi-allied Abu Dhabi Emirate ruling family. The development came amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran after the hawkish administration of US President Donald Trump took the extraordinary step earlier this month of labeling a key part of Iranian military forces the Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps (IRGC) -- as "a foreign terrorist organization." The move sparked global outrage with many countries slamming it as unreasonable. Critics within the US have also warned the Trump administration about potential consequences of the move for American troops stationed throughout the Middle East region. Following Trump's move to blacklist the IRGC, Iran reciprocated the bizarre measure by designating the CENTCOM -- the portion of the US military responsible for protecting American interests in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa -- as a terrorist organization. Senior IRGC commander Brigadier General Hossein Salami reacted to Trump's blacklisting of the elite force by blasting the move as a "foolish" decision, insisting that the US itself was a major sponsor of terrorism that has persistently supported torture around the globe while making deceptive claims about safeguarding "democracy." Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif further responded to the US move by warning the United Nations that Washington and its "puppet regimes" bear full responsibility for Trump's "dangerous" decision. The warning was communicated in separate letters to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council, insisting that the move violated all sorts of international boundaries. US aims for 'long-term presence' in Iraq Meanwhile, the CENTCOM commander also expressed confidence that American military forces are going to maintain "a long term presence in Iraq focused on the counter-terror mission," without elaborating. The remarks came despite heavy criticism recently expressed by high-level Iraqi officials and community leaders against remarks by the US president and other senior officials about plans to use Iraq's territory to undermine rising Iranian influence in the country and the region. 'Long-term' US troop withdrawal from Syria McKenzie further pointed to planned reduction of US forces in Syria, noting that it would be done cautiously, according to the report by Sky News Arabia. "On the long term, we're gonna reduce our forces in Syria, we recognize that, that's the guidance in which we are operating. That will be something that we will look at very carefully as we go forward," said the US general. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran Suggests Leaving NPT Nuclear Treaty Possible if US Tightens Sanctions - FM Sputnik News 09:06 28.04.2019(updated 09:38 28.04.2019) Earlier in April relations between Washington and Tehran deteriorated after the US formally blacklisted the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military unit as a foreign terrorist group, with Iran responding by first designating the US Central Command and then the entire US military as terrorists. According to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, withdrawing from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (commonly known as the NPT) is one of Tehran's options amid the escalation of US sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic. "The Islamic Republic's choices are numerous, and the country's authorities are considering them, and leaving NPT (nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) is one of them", state-run IRIB's website quoted the minister as saying. He also announced his plan to visit North Korea, as both countries have to stand against the restrictions, introduced by Washington. The NPT, which entered into force in 1970, and extended indefinitely in 1995, aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, encouraging the peaceful use of nuclear energy and nuclear disarmament. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Airstrikes by forces of renegade Libyan general kill 4 in Tripoli Iran Press TV Sun Apr 28, 2019 02:28PM A series of aerial raids by renegade Libyan general Khalifa Haftar's so-called Libyan National Army (LNA) has killed at least four people and wounded 20 others in Libya's capital, Tripoli. The internationally-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA), which is seated in Tripoli, said on Sunday that the casualties had been caused by airstrikes that targeted residential neighborhoods in Tripoli the night before. Tripoli residents said they heard the roar of airplanes and heavy explosions between 11:00 p.m. and midnight local time. Amin al-Hachemi, a spokesman for the GNA's Healthy Ministry, warned that the death toll could increase "in the coming hours." A pro-GNA military source told AFP the victims were civilians. "Most of the strikes hit areas in the [residential] district of Abou Slim... None hit military targets," the source said. Mohanad Younes, a GNA spokesman, accused Haftar of using foreign planes to carry out the airstrikes. "This criminal conceals his failures and those of his soldiers at the gates of Tripoli by resorting to foreign aviation to hit unarmed civilians in the city," Younes wrote on a Facebook page. The GNA, while internationally recognized, has been unable to exercise state powers over the entire Libyan territory, where militia groups have been active since an uprising against the then-dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Another major power faction that lays a claim to power is based in the city of Tobruk, in Libya's east. It has its own quasi-army, led by the self-styled Haftar. The general is supported by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. He launched a deadly campaign to invade and conquer Tripoli on April 4, in what seems to be an attempt to unseat the GNA. Fierce fighting has been ongoing on the southern edges of the capital since then, as armed forces and militia loyal to the GNA have been fighting back. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has recently said that intensified fighting for control of Tripoli was turning the densely-populated residential areas of Tripoli into "battlefields." According to a toll released Wednesday by the World Health Organization (WHO), at least 278 people have been killed and more than 1,300 wounded in the clashes since the offensive began. Over 35,000 people have been forced to leave their homes, according to the United Nations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Haftar forces send warship to oil port for first time Iran Press TV Sun Apr 28, 2019 10:27AM Forces loyal to Libya's rebel General Khalifa Haftar have dispatched a warship to the oil port of Ras Lanuf for the first time and carried out airstrikes against the capital, Tripoli. Haftar has been waging a deadly campaign since April 4 to seize Tripoli from troops aligned to Libya's UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA). The offensive has exacerbated chaos in Libya since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, threatening to plunge the country into a full-blown civil war. Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) has almost two-thirds of the country and all oilfields under its control amid support from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt. He also enjoys support of some Western countries, including France and Italy, because they believe he holds the future keys to Libya's oil spigots. On Saturday, the LNA confirmed that it had sent a warship to the eastern Ras Lanuf oil port, after days of unconfirmed rumors of a foreign navy ship having been sighted. LNA spokesman Ahmed Mismari told reporters that his forces had sent the Alkarama patrol vessel to Libya's key Oil Crescent region as part of a "training mission" to visit the operations room and to secure oil facilities. Haftar has repeatedly sought to take over oil exports from state oil firm NOC which is based in Tripoli and has sought to stay out of the conflict between the two parallel governments in Libya. NOC gives export proceeds to the central bank which mainly works with the Tripoli government but also pays some public servants in LNA-controlled eastern Libya. According to a UN report, the LNA last year had received the patrol vessel, which was previously owned by a firm with a postal address in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Supporters of the Tripoli government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj have also blamed UAE drones for airstrikes on the capital. The UAE and Egypt have helped Haftar in the past with airstrikes and provided his forces with military equipment such as helicopters, even building an air base, UN reports have said. Late on Saturday, airstrikes hit the capital where anti-aircraft fire was heard afterwards. Haftar's offensive to seize Tripoli, however, has hit a brick wall and the Tripoli forces have pushed back the LNA on the ground in some southern suburbs in recent days. Since Gaddafi's ouster in 2011, Libya has been divided mostly between two main rivaling powers, one linked with Haftar in the eastern city of Tobruk, and the other in Tripoli. Gaddafi's ouster in the wake of a popular revolt and then NATO's military intervention has created a huge power vacuum, leading to chaos and the emergence of numerous militant outfits, including the Daesh terrorist group. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Libyan GNA Claims Foreign-Owned Warplanes Behind Strikes on Tripoli Sputnik News 22:02 28.04.2019(updated 22:42 28.04.2019) On 4 April, General Khalifa Haftar, whose forces control Eastern Libya, announced the first phase of an offensive intended to gain control of forces loyal to Tripoli, prompting the mobilisation of the defense. In response, armed forces loyal to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) launched a military op against the LNA. According to the Tripoli-based Libyan government, cited by Libya Observer, the country's Presidential Council has evidence that foreign aircraft were involved in a drone attack on Tripoli that took place on Saturday evening, noting that an investigation is underway in coordination with the United Nations. Addressing a news conference in Tunis with his counterpart, Libyan Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha noted that the accuracy of the airstrikes on Tripoli points to the warplanes being part of an arsenal belonging to only two Arab countries, allegedly referring to either the United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia. Separately, Bashagha called out France for backing General Khalifa Haftar, urging the European country to stand with the democratic values it claims to prioritize. "The war in Tripoli now was not started by our government but we found ourselves in a position where we must defend democracy and civil state", Bashagha added. He said that the forces of "warlord Khalifa Haftar" have revived the terrorist groups, adding that "no party can brag about fighting terrorism to us, we know all about it and we did it numerous times". "Haftar is from the school of Gaddafi regime and has the same mentality. He is the only one who doesn't want to end Libya's crises", he added. The official made derogatory remarks over the silence of the international community on the Tripoli airstrikes, specifying that there would not be dialogue with Haftar, but with the eastern population, forecasting a new roadmap for a resolution of the crisis in the country. Libyan National Army spokesman Ahmed Mismari is reported to have claimed that Haftar had announced the start of the second stage of the offensive on Tripoli after the completion of the first, launched 4 April in a bid to drive out of the city what the former referred to as terrorist forces. In response, armed forces loyal to the Tripoli-based GNA kicked off a military op to counter the LNAefforts. The longstanding civil conflict in the country has led to the absence of a central government, with the country's eastern and western parts governed by two separate groups. The Tobruk-based parliament, elected in 2014 and backed by the Libyan National Army, exerts control over the east of Libya, while the Government of National Accord, established in 2015, controls parts that lie west of Tripoli. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Haftar's Forces Reportedly Sent Warship to Secure Oil Export Port Sputnik News 17:06 28.04.2019 Forces from the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by General Khalifa Haftar and in control of the country's east have been besieging Tripoli, the capital of the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in control of Libya's west, since 4 April. The Libyan National Army (LNA) has sent an Alkarama patrol vessel to the port of Ras Lanuf, part of the country's key Oil Crescent region and one of the world's crucial maritime oil export points, Press TV reported. According to LNA spokesman Ahmed Mismari, the warship was deployed as part of a "training mission" and to secure local oil facilities. National Oil Corporation earlier issued a warning that a recent escalation in fighting between the groups in the country threatens oil production rates in the nation. The escalation was sparked by LNA General Khalifa Haftar's announcement of an attack on the Government of National Accord's capital Tripoli on 4 April 2019. The oil trade in the country divided by the civil war is operated by the National Oil Corporation (NOC), which tries to position itself as a neutral side in a conflict between the LNA and the Government of National Accord (GNA), operating across the entire country, sending the profits to the Tripoli-based central bank, but also a portion to public servants in the LNA-controlled lands. Ever since Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was murdered by militants supported by NATO forces in 2011, the country has been torn apart by fighting among various groups. The two most prominent of them are the LNA, led by general Haftar controlling Libya's east, and GNA, supported by the UN and seated in Tripoli country's official capital. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Escalated Clashes in Libya Pose Threat to Oil Production National Oil Corp. Sputnik News 04:49 28.04.2019(updated 05:13 28.04.2019) CAIRO (Sputnik) The escalated hostilities in Libya may result in reduction of oil production and fuel shortages in the country, Chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC) Mustafa Sanalla said. "The latest outbreak of hostilities, however, pose a serious threat to our operations, production and the national economy. Non-essential staff living and working near conflict areas have been ordered to stay at home. Possible fuel shortages will also impact both the civilian population and NOC operations. The corporation is gravely concerned about the threat to national energy infrastructure and attempts to use NOC facilities and equipment for military purposes," Sanalla said on Saturday, as quoted by a NOC statement. He called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the country. At the same time, NOC said its income had increased by 20 percent in March. "National Oil Corporation (NOC) recorded March income of over 1.5 billion USD from sales of crude oil and derived products, in addition to taxes and royalties received from concession contracts a monthly increase of approximately 270 million USD (+20%). Improved March revenues were largely attributable to the end of the three-month armed blockade and lifting of force majeure at the Sharara oil field on March 4, 2019," the statement said. For years, Libya has been split between two governments: the eastern part of the country is controlled by the parliament elected in 2014 and backed by the Libyan National Army (LNA) that is headed by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, while the UN-backed Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) governs Libya's western parts. Earlier in April, Haftar ordered an offensive to retake Tripoli from the GNA-backed forces. The LNA has already recaptured a number of settlements on its way to the capital, including Tripoli International Airport, located around 20 miles away from the capital. The forces loyal to the GNA announced a counteroffensive, dubbed Volcano of Rage, to repel the National Army. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Not Sharing Any Info on Pak's Alleged Use of F-16 in India Dogfight Reports Sputnik News 15:48 28.04.2019(updated 15:49 28.04.2019) India has accused Pakistan of violating a fighter jet sale deal with the United States, claiming that Islamabad had downed an Indian warplane using an F-16 in late February that was allegedly acquired under a "fight against terrorism" programme. The United States has refused to share any information with India after New Delhi suggested that Pakistan had scrambled a US-made F-16 fighter jet in a 27 February dogfight over the Line of Control. "Soon after we were informed by the Indian side about Pakistan using F-16 aircraft on February 27, we informed the Indians that we will not be sharing any information on the subject as it is a bilateral matter between the US and Pakistan", an American official told The Sunday Express on condition of anonymity. According to the source, the US would come up with the same response if a third party were to ask for information about any military equipment deployed by India. "If a third country tomorrow wants information about the C130 or C17 or Apaches that the IAF uses, our answer would be the same. It is a bilateral matter between India and the US", the official added. The source continued by saying that India failed to present any evidence to corroborate its accusations against Pakistan, and the only thing the US has seen was "what was presented in the Indian media". The Indian side has claimed that it had downed a Pakistan Air Force F-16 and displayed fragments of an AMRAAM medium-range missile that was recovered in the Indian-administered part of Kashmir, alleging that they had been launched by a US-made jet. In addition, New Delhi has called on Washington to start an investigation into Pakistan's alleged use of F-16s, claiming that there were eyewitnesses and electronic evidence. "Evidence of the use of Amraam Missile, which can only be deployed on the F-16 with Pakistan, has also been shown to the media. We have asked the United States to also examine whether the use of F-16 against India is in accordance with the terms and conditions of sale", Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told reporters in early March. Pakistan, for its part, has strongly denied the allegations, insisting that it has not lost any aircraft. "As regards how to use F-16, in what context (they) were used or not because at that point of time our entire Air Force was airborne it remains between Pakistan and the US to see how the MOUs regarding the use of F-16 have adhered to or otherwise", Pakistan Army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor was cited as saying. Historically tense relations between India and Pakistan hit another low after Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e Mohammad allegedly claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a convoy with Indian security forces on 14 February that killed 40 troops. In the wake of the attack, New Delhi accused Islamabad of harbouring terrorists something which was flatly denied by Pakistan as "unsubstantiated". In response, the IAF conducted air strikes against a suspected Jaish-e Mohammad training camp in Pakistan's Balakot, reportedly eliminating a number of facilities and fighters on 26 February. The following day, Pakistan announced it had brought down two Indian aircraft over the Kashmir border and captured an Indian pilot, who was released a few days later in what Islamabad described as a "peace gesture". The Indian Air Force, in turn, confirmed the loss of only one of its warplanes and claimed that its MiG-21 Bison jet had shot down a Pakistani F-17 during an aerial combat, while the Pakistani side insisted that it never dispatched US-built fighter jets or sustained any losses. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia open to possible new arms control pacts with US: Kremlin aide Iran Press TV Sun Apr 28, 2019 03:35PM A Russian official says Moscow is open to the possibility of negotiating new arms control agreements with Washington, but the United States should first honor the existing ones, shortly after a report said US President Donald Trump seeks a new deal with Moscow and Beijing. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said in an interview with Russian state TV, broadcast on Sunday, that "serious negotiations" were also needed for any new arms deals. "Firstly, what exists already (by way of arms control agreements) needs to be honored," Ushakov said, adding, "We are also ready for new ones, but for that, serious negotiations are needed, and unfortunately so far, nobody has embarked on any." The Russian presidential aide was speaking after The Washington Post reported on Thursday that Trump had ordered his administration to prepare a push for a trilateral arms deal involving both China and Russia. According to unnamed administration officials, the initiative is "still in its earliest stages." The CNN reported a day later that the White House was conducting intense inter-agency talks to develop options for Trump for "a grand nuclear deal" with the two Eastern powerhouses. Trump has already started a process of withdrawal from a Cold War-era arms treaty with Russia, namely the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered reciprocation. On Friday, Trump also announced that he would be pulling the US out of a global treaty that sets global standards for regulating transfers of conventional arms. That agreement, known as the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), was signed by former President Barack Obama in 2013, but has been opposed by the American National Rifle Association (NRA) and other conservative pro-gun groups. Trump has formerly threatened that if no deal is reached with Russia and China, the US would "outspend and out-innovate all others by far." The Washington Post report said, however, that the American president ordered the internal deliberations for a new deal with the two countries "after bristling at the cost of a 21st-century nuclear arms race." Apart from the US's unilateral pullout from the INF, matters such as the Ukrainian crisis, the war in Syria, and the allegations of Russian interference in the US presidential poll in 2016 have kept relations between Washington and Moscow tense. The US is also involved in a trade standoff with China. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'It took me one call': Trump brags how he made King Salman pay more for US military support Iran Press TV Sun Apr 28, 2019 03:39PM US President Donald Trump has boasted to his supporters about a bizarre phone call with Saudi Arabia's King Salman, where he made the monarch pay more money in exchange for the military support that the kingdom receives from Washington. Addressing a large "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Trump said on Saturday that he would like to keep Saudi Arabia as a close partner because of the Riyadh regime's extravagant purchases from American companies. "They [Saudis] have nothing but cash, right?" he told the exuberant crowd. "They buy a lot from us, $450 billion they bought." "You had people wanting to cut off Saudi Arabia... I don't want to lose them," he said, referring to bipartisan demands in Washington to punish Riyadh for the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi last October. It's unclear where Trump drew the $450 billion figure, a reference that he had repeated before. Asked to explain his decision to ignore Saudi's conduct in Khashoggi's murder, Trump said in October that he didn't want to lose "a million jobs" as well as a mega deal that was "really $450 billion if you include other than military." The phone call The American head of state then described a recent phone conversation he had with King Salman, in which he basically forced Saudi king to reach deeper in his pockets in order to pay for military protection from the US. "We lose $4.5 billion on a country to defend them, and they're rich," Trump said. "So I called them. I said: listen, no good. They were in a state of shock because they've never got a call like this in 25 years, right," he told a cheering audience. "I said we're losing $4.5 billion every year, we can't do this anymore. This is crazy. He [Salman] got very upset, angry, said this is not fair. I said, of course, this is fair. He said we'll give you $500 million more ... I said I want more. We argued. So they paid us more than $500 million for one phone call, it took me one call." Shocked by the conversation, Salman asked Trump why he called him because "nobody had made such a call," Trump further bragged. "That's because they were stupid!" the American head of state said of his predecessors. 'Milk cow' Before his presidency, Trump described Saudi Arabia as "a milk cow" which would be slaughtered when its milk runs out. Last September, Trump said he had told King Salman that Riyadh has "trillions of dollars" and could pay its military bills. "I love Saudi Arabia. They are great, King Salman, I spoke with him this morning. I said, king, you have got trillions of dollars. Without us, who knows what's going to happen. .... With us they are totally safe. But we don't get what we should be getting," he said. Trump further threatened to end what he claimed to be subsidies for the Saudi military. "We are subsidizing their military. I said let me ask you a question. Why are we subsidizing the military it's one thing if a country is in deep trouble and in danger," he noted. "I said 'Saudi Arabia, you are rich, you have got to pay for your military. You have got to pay for your military, sorry'." The President continued his berating remarks in October 2018, told a cheering crowd of supporters at a rally in Southaven, Mississippi, that Saudi King Salman would not last in power unless the US provided military support for the Arab kingdom. "We protect Saudi Arabia. Would you say they're rich? And I love the King, King Salman. But I said 'King we're protecting you you might not be there for two weeks without us you have to pay for your military,'" Trump said. In an attempt to save face, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said back then that Riyadh "will pay nothing" to the United States for the kingdom's "security." "Actually we will pay nothing for our security. We believe that all the armaments we have from the United States of America are paid for, it's not free armament," said the young prince. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A total of 4,329 people from Taiwan have taken the national judicial examination and the unified qualification exam for legal professionals on the mainland, with 415 of them having passed the exams, according to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) Sunday. And 5,164 and 601 residents from Hong Kong and Macao have also sat the exams since 2004, with 440 Hong Kong examinees and 42 Macao examinees passing the exams. China held its first unified qualification exam for legal professionals in September last year as a result of a reform of the former national judicial examination, which was held annually from 2002 to 2017. In last year's exam, 174 examinees from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan passed the exam, some of whom received their qualification certificates at presentation ceremonies Saturday and Sunday in the southern cities of Shenzhen and Xiamen. Administrative organs in justice will continue to implement and improve the system for the qualification exam for legal professionals, and provide people from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan with more convenience and quality services for signing up for the exam, said MOJ. US-Backed Syrian Forces Form Armenian Unit By Sirwan Kajjo April 27, 2019 U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) this week announced the establishment of a new force made up of ethnic Armenians. The SDF is a Kurdish-led multiethnic military alliance that played a key role in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) terror group in Syria. The SDF liberated the last IS stronghold of Baghuz in eastern Syria last month and now controls more than one third of Syria's territory. "We will follow the path of our martyrs and resist until all the [ethnic] components of the north and east of Syria are free and build a decentralized Syria," said Masis Mutanian, commander of the new Armenian force, during remarks at the announcement ceremony on Wednesday. "It is time to form a real Armenian military force in Syria," Mutanian added. First Armenian force This is the first all-Armenian military force in Syria since the beginning of the country's civil war in 2011. Ethnic Armenians made up nearly two percent of Syria's prewar population of 23 million, with a significant percentage living in the Kurdish-majority northeast. Their number, however, has dramatically declined since the beginning to the Syrian war as many fled the violence to resettle in Armenia and European countries. Throughout the war, Syrian Armenians have largely remained neutral. But some sided with the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, arguing that al-Assad is better than other alternatives. Signal to Assad Forming an official Armenian force is a signal the SDF is sending to the Syrian regime, some analysts said. "By mobilizing an Armenian brigade, the SDF is pronouncing to Assad that it is here to stay and that one of Syria's most vulnerable communities recognizes that fact by joining up with the SDF," said Nicholas Heras, a Syria expert at the Center for a New American Security in Washington. He told VOA that "Syria's Armenians are part of a vulnerable community that goes with the status quo to protect itself, which for most of the war has meant going with Assad." 'Terrorist organization' The new Armenian force was launched on April 24, the day Armenians throughout the worlds commemorated the 104th anniversary of the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Turks. Some pro-government media outlets in Turkey described the new force as a 'terrorist organization.' Turkey views the People's Protection Units (YPG), the main force within SDF, as part of the Turkey-based Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been engaged in deadly conflict with Turkish military for more than three decades. Ankara also opposes Washington's continued partnership with the SDF, demanding the U.S. stop supporting the Kurdish-led group. Safe zone U.S. and Turkish officials have been holding talks on a proposal for a safe zone along Syria-Turkey border. But there remains major differences over the details according to a Washington Post report Thursday. "The U.S. effort to get Turkey to reach an arrangement with the SDF in northern and eastern Syria is moving at a glacial pace," analyst Heras said. Turkey has repeatedly threatened to carry out an offensive in SDF-held territory, particularly after the U.S. declared that it would withdraw most of its 2,000 troops from northeast Syria. "For now, the U.S. team cannot get concessions from either side because both Turkey and the SDF view the situation as a zero-sum, existential battle," said Heras. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US-backed SDF militants open fire on protesters in Syria's Dayr al-Zawr Iran Press TV Sun Apr 28, 2019 01:31PM US-sponsored and Kurdish-led militants from the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have opened fire for the second straight day at people protesting their atrocious activities and demanding their withdrawal from Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr. Local sources, requesting not to be named, told Syria's official news agency SANA that hundreds of people took to the streets in the towns of al-Busayrah, Masheikh, al-Tayyana as well as Tell al-Daman, al-Namliyah and Tayyeb Al Faall villages on Sunday in a public show of dissent over the presence of US-backed forces, rising cases of abduction and assassination in their areas and plunder of Syria's oil wealth by the US-sponsored militants. The protesters closed the main roads to their areas, burning tires and demanding the expulsion of SDF militants from their hometowns. The sources added that the Kurdish militants fired indiscriminately at demonstrators in al-Tayyana to disperse the protest. There were no immediate reports about possible casualties. On Saturday, dozens of people staged demonstrations in the towns of al-Shuhayl, al-Sour and al-Hissan as well as Mweileh village against the presence of SDF militants in their areas. Local residents, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Kurdish-led forces opened fire on protesters in Hissan, injuring a number of them. The SDF illegally transports Dayr al-Zawr's crude oil to neighboring Hasakeh province in Syria's northeast, a move that has angered local people. The United States has long been providing the SDF, a Kurdish alliance, with arms and militants, calling them a key partner in the purported fight against the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group. Many observers, however, see the support in the context of Washington's plans to carve out a foothold in the Arab country. Such support has also angered Washington's NATO ally, Turkey, which views militants of the People's Protection Units (YPG), the backbone of the SDF, as a terrorist organization tied to the homegrown Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The PKK has been engaged in a destructive war inside Turkey for decades. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US-led coalition killed over 1600 civilians in Syria's Raqqa: Rights groups Iran Press TV Sun Apr 28, 2019 02:21AM The US-led military coalition to purportedly fight the Daesh (ISIL) terrorists in Syria, has killed more than 1,600 civilians in the country's northern city of Raqqa during months of airstrikes that led to eviction of the foreign-backed militants, two UK-based rights groups said, noting that the figure reflects hundreds more than the number claimed by the mainly Western coalition. Amnesty International (AI) and Airwars declared in a joint statement on Thursday that the new toll figure was obtained after the "most comprehensive investigation into civilian deaths in a modern conflict," AP reported Friday. This is while the US-led military force claimed last month that only 1,257 civilians were killed in their bombardments of Daesh targets over four years in both Syria and Iraq. "We continue to employ thorough and deliberate targeting and strike processes to minimize the impact of our operations on civilian populations and infrastructure," the coalition stated. A rival, US-backed Syrian terrorist group captured Raqqa in October 2017 after a four-month battle. Meanwhile, the United Nations estimates that more than 10,000 buildings, or 80 percent of the city, were destroyed during the campaign. "Coalition forces razed Raqqa, but they cannot erase the truth. Amnesty International and Airwars call upon the Coalition forces to end their denial about the shocking scale of civilian deaths and destruction caused by their offensive in Raqqa," the two groups said in their latest statement. In June of last year, another AI report estimated that hundreds of civilians were killed in Raqqa, while the Airwars emphasized that it has evidence of 1,400 fatalities. The statement said AI's innovative "Strike Trackers" project also identified when each of the more than 11,000 destroyed buildings in Raqqa was hit. More than 3,000 digital activists in 124 countries took part, analyzing a total of more than 2 million satellite image frames, it added. "The Coalition needs to fully investigate what went wrong at Raqqa and learn from those lessons, to prevent inflicting such tremendous suffering on civilians caught in future military operations," Airwars Director Chris Woods further underlined. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Tsai thanks U.S. for continued support of Taiwan ROC Central News Agency 2019/04/28 18:05:53 Taipei, April 28 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen () on Sunday expressed gratitude to the United States government for continuing to make arms sales to Taiwan and for its cooperation in helping Taiwan bolster its self-defense capabilities. In a meeting with an American delegation led by Senators Chris Coons and Maggie Hassan, Tsai noted that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA). Citing U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Tsai said that for four decades the TRA has bolstered the relationship between America and Taiwan, based on their shared values of democracy, freedom, security and human rights. Tsai also expressed gratitude for the U.S. Congress' staunch bipartisan support for improving relations between the U.S. and Taiwan. In particular, Coons, along with senators from both parties, introduced the Taiwan Assurance Act of 2019, which backs Taiwan's participation in international organizations, calls for opening dialogue towards a Taiwan-U.S. free trade agreement and emphasizes that Taiwan is a vital part of the U.S. Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy, she noted. The act also directs the U.S. secretary of defense to work to include Taiwan in bilateral and multilateral military training exercises, she added, thanking Coon for his efforts. The solid security partnership between Taiwan and the U.S. is vital to regional peace and stability and is in their best interests in the Indo-Pacific region, Tsai said. She said Taiwan and the U.S. can bolster their partnership, based on the existing solid foundation, and work together to become a force for good in the region and in the world. "Taiwan is already ready, willing and able to contribute more to the international community," the president said. On his part, Coons said his delegation's visit to Taiwan was not aimed at trying to change the status quo or creating any political disputes but rather was meant to cement Taiwan-U.S. ties. He said his discussions with President Tsai would include issues such as intellectual property rights, Taiwan-U.S. economic development and regional security. Hassan, meanwhile, said the main purpose of the visit was to promote people-to-people understanding and advance the relationship between Taiwan and the U.S. At a time when Taiwan and the U.S. are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the TRA, it is important to reiterate the importance of the act and the U.S.' "one China" policy, she said. (By Yeh Su-ping and Evelyn Kao) Enditem/pc NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Don't Waste Your Time,' Zelenskiy Tells Putin After Citizenship Offer To Ukrainians By RFE/RL April 28, 2019 Ukraine's President-elect Volodymyr Zelenskiy has told Moscow "not to waste time trying to lure Ukrainian citizens with Russian passports," after Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow could ease the process of granting Russian citizenship to Ukrainians. Ukrainians understand that Russian citizenship means "the right to be arrested for peaceful protests," and "the right not to have free and competitive elections," Zelenskiy wrote in a Facebook post on April 27. "It's the right to basically forget all rights and freedoms," he wrote. "Ukraine's difference, in particular, is in the fact that we, Ukrainians, have freedom of speech in our country, free media and Internet," Zelenskiy wrote. Zelenskiy went on to say that "Ukrainians are free people in a free country" and that they "should not be talked to in the language of threats and military and economic pressure." Zelenskiy, however, pointed out that he was ready for negotiations with Russia. He said that "the real normalization will only take place after de-occupation of both Donbas and Crimea." Moscow seized control of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and fomented unrest in the Donbas. The conflict in eastern Ukraine has killed some 13,000 people and continues despite a cease-fire and peace deal known as the Minsk Accords. Russia denies involvement in the conflict despite what Kyiv and Western governments say is incontrovertible evidence that it has provided weapons, troops, and other support to the separatists in the region. Putin on April 24 signed a decree simplifying the procedure for people living in parts of eastern Ukraine held by Russia-backed separatists to obtain Russian citizenship. Despite strong criticism by Kyiv and the West, Putin went further on April 27 saying that his administration was considering a plan to ease the process of granting Russian citizenship to all Ukrainians, not only to those in eastern Ukraine. "In general, we are thinking of giving our citizenship, in a simplified manner, to the citizens of Ukraine," Putin said at a summit in Beijing. Putin has not congratulated Zelenskiy on his victory following his landslide win in the April 21 vote. Shortly after Putin's decree was published on the Kremlin website on April 24, Ukraine's foreign minister called it "aggression and interference" in Kyiv's affairs. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv posted on Twitter that the decree was "absurd and destabilizing" and reaffirmed "our strong support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity." Zelenskiy issued a statement on April 24 condemning Russia as an "occupying state" and an "aggressor country that is waging war against Ukraine." He called for "increased diplomatic and sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/don-t-waste-your-time- zelenskiy-tells-putin-after-citizenship-offer- to-ukrainians/29908335.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 English French Rueil-Malmaison, 29 April 2019 VINCI Construction Grands Projets awarded a wastewater treatment plant in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnams economic capital Contract worth 200 million The consortium consisting of VINCI Construction Grands Projets (50% share and lead contractor) and Acciona Agua S.A. (50%) won the contract for the design-build portion of phase 1 for the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe wastewater treatment plant, in Ho Chi Minh City. The design-build portion of the contract is set to take five years for completion, including the starting-up process and acceptance of works. The project also calls for operating and maintaining the facility for a five-year period. This wastewater treatment plant project, which is financed by the World Bank, is worth 200 million (170 million for the design-build portion and 30 million for operation and maintenance). With a peak capacity of 34,000 cubic metres per hour, it will include a pumping station, biological treatment, disinfection, sludge treatment, odour treatment as well as connection to the citys sewage system. The plant, which will treat wastewater from the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Basin, will be an essential part of Ho Chi Minh Citys second environmental plan and will benefit more than a million residents. The project will include the hiring of up to 800 local labourers at peak periods. Also, nearly 25,000 hours of training are planned to ensure everyones safety at the worksite as well as the structures quality. This new contract bolsters VINCI Constructions presence in Vietnam, where the Group, through its subsidiaries VINCI Construction Grands Projets and Bessac, Soletanche Freyssinets subsidiary specialized in microtunnelling, is currently carrying out a design-build project for a 10-kilometre treated-water transfer pipeline that will supply drinking water to the centre of Ho Chi Minh City. VINCI Construction Grands Projets has provided support to Vietnam on numerous sanitation projects in the cities of Thai Nguyen and Hoi An in 2016, Vung Tau in 2013, and Ha Dong in 2008. PRESS CONTACT VINCI Press Department Tel: +33 (0)1 47 16 31 82 media.relations@vinci.com About VINCI VINCI is a global player in concessions and contracting, employing close to 210,000 people in some 100 countries. We design, finance, build and operate infrastructure and facilities that help improve daily life and mobility for all. Because we believe in all-round performance, above and beyond economic and financial results, we are committed to operating in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. And because our projects are in the public interest, we consider that reaching out to all our stakeholders and engaging in dialogue with them is essential in the conduct of our business activities. VINCIs goal is to create long-term value for its customers, shareholders, employees, and partners and for society at large. www.vinci.com About VINCI Construction VINCI Construction, a global player and European leader, is active on five continents, with more than 70,000 employees and 700 companies generating revenue of 14.2 billion in 2018. Structured according to an integrated model, the company has the capacity to intervene over the entire life cycle of a structure (finance, design, construction, maintenance) in eight sectors: buildings, functional structures, transport infrastructure, hydraulic engineering, renewable and nuclear energy, the environment, oil and gas sector, and mines. www.vinci-construction.com Attachment Lithuanian English Equity of INVL Technology and the Company's net asset value as of 31 March 2019 was EUR 27.69 mln or EUR 2.27 per share. At the end of 2018, these figures were EUR 28.02 million and EUR 2.30 respectively. Investments of the Company into managed companies amounted to EUR 24 million at the end of March 2019 and EUR 24.23 mln at the end of 2018. The net loss of the Company for 3 months of 2019 was EUR 331 thousand; the net loss of the Company for 3 months of 2018 amounted to EUR 460 thousand. Additional information: The equity of INVL Technology, a company that invests in IT businesses, was EUR 27.7 million, or EUR 2.27 per share, at the end of the first quarter of this year, and decreased 1.2% from the start of the year. The companys equity at the end of 2018 was EUR 28 million, or EUR 2.3 per share. The value of the companys investments in the businesses it owns was EUR 24 million at the end of March, down 0.9% from the start of the year (from EUR 24.2 million at the end of 2018). The companys net loss for the first quarter was EUR 0.3 million, less than last years loss of EUR 0.46 million for the same period. Meanwhile, INVL Technologys net asset value at the end of the first quarter this year was EUR 27.7 million and its NAV per share was EUR 2.2746. While market cycles also influenced start-of-the-year results, most of the businesses we own began the year increasing their revenue and improving their EBITDA, said Kazimieras Tonkunas, INVL Technologys managing partner. Assessment of the businesses aggregated non-consolidated revenues in the first quarter shows this year they grew nearly 59% compared to the same period last year, to EUR 7.8 million. Based on the published unaudited first-quarter companies results, NRD Companies, which operates in the area of business climate improvement and e-governance, had revenue of EUR 1.7 million in the first quarter this year, or 18.5% more than in the same period last year, while its EBITDA was a negative EUR 3 000 (versus a positive EUR 105 000 in the first quarter last year). The first-quarter revenues of BAIP and Acena, which belong to the IT services and software group company Novian, increased 2.2 times compared to the same period of 2018 to EUR 4.25 million, while their EBITDA was EUR 128 000 (versus a negative EUR 46 000 in the first quarter last year). Algoritmu Sistemoss revenue in the first quarter was EUR 0.48 million and compared to the same period last year fell 9%. The companys EBITDA for the period was a negative EUR 63 000; in the same period last year it was a negative EUR 36 000. The Andmevara companies revenue for the first quarter was EUR 0.3 million and increased 23.3% from the same period last year. Their EBITDA was a negative EUR 50 000, versus a negative EUR 61 000 in the first quarter of 2018. NRD CS, which belongs to the cybersecurity group, achieved revenue of EUR 0.76 million in the first quarter of 2019, increasing it 2.5 times compared to the first quarter of 2018. Its EBITDA was EUR 0.14 million, compared to a negative EUR 80 000 in the same period last year. Moreover, at the start of April this year INVL Technology acquired the Norwegian company Zissor, which provides media monitoring and digitization software development and services, for EUR 0.62 million. The transaction was completed through the company Novian, which owns 100% of the shares of Zissor. It is thought that the acquisition will enable the Novian group to strengthen its position on the Scandinavian markets and will also bring synergies with other INVL Technology group businesses, first of all Andmevara of Estonia. The person authorized to provide additional information: Kazimieras Tonkunas INVL Technology Managing Partner E-mail k.tonkunas@invltechnology.lt Attachment FORT WORTH, Texas and CALGARY, Alberta, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (TSX: BDI) Black Diamond Group Limited (Black Diamond Group or the Company), a leading provider of modular space solutions and workforce accommodations, is pleased to announce that the Companys US Workforce Solutions business unit has been awarded a $20 million rental contract. The contract has the Company supplying 1,584 beds to support the reconstruction of Paradise, California, where one of the largest fires in state history devastated the town and local infrastructure. The initial term of the contract is for a minimum of nine months, with an option to extend, and includes transportation costs. We are pleased to be one of many supporters in the massive undertaking that is to clean-up and rebuild the town of Paradise. Our team is expected to rapidly supply a large contingent of dormitories that will be used to help house the workforce in the clean-up effort, said Trevor Haynes, President and CEO of Black Diamond Group. The contract highlights the Companys continued focus on industry and geographic diversification, while also allowing the Company to capitalize on meaningful operating leverage in the Workforce Solutions business unit with no requirement for incremental capital investment. About Black Diamond Group Black Diamond Group rents and sells space rental solutions and modular workforce accommodations to business customers in Canada, the United States and Australia. The Company also provides specialized field rentals to the oil and gas industries of Canada and the United States. In addition, Black Diamond Group provides turnkey lodging services, as well as a host of related services that include transportation, installation, dismantling, repairs, maintenance and ancillary equipment rentals. From twenty-two locations, the Company serves multiple sectors including oil and gas, mining, power, construction, engineering, military, government and education. Black Diamond Group has two core business units: Modular Space Solutions and Workforce Solutions. Learn more at www.blackdiamondgroup.com. For investor inquiries, please contact Jason Zhang at 403-206-4739 or investor@blackdiamondgroup.com. To sign up for news alerts please go to https://www.blackdiamondgroup.com/investor-centre/news-alerts-subscription Reader Advisory Forward-Looking Statements Certain information in this news release contains forward-looking statements including the timing of the deployment of equipment and associated revenue, the potential contribution from the contract, the terms of the contracts and future business prospects and opportunities. With respect to the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, Black Diamond has made assumptions, regarding among other things: the level of demand for workforce accommodation in the regions mentioned, and that counterparties to contracts will perform the contracts as written. Although Black Diamond believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, and the assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are made, are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations or assumptions will prove to be correct. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Black Diamond's control including, without limitation, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, fluctuation of commodity prices, environmental risks, industry competition, availability of qualified personnel and Management, stock market volatility and timely and cost effective access to sufficient capital from internal and external sources. As a consequence, actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that the forgoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect Black Diamond's operations and financial results are included in Black Diamond's most recent annual information form and other reports on file with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the SEDAR website (www.sedar.com) and at Black Diamond's website (www.blackdiamondgroup.com). Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and Black Diamond does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. English Latvian JSC Olainfarm has won the International World Health Organization (WHO) tender for the supply of anti-tuberculosis agent PASS sodium in 2019 - 2020. Based on the results of the tender, WHO and Latvian pharmaceutical company Olainfarm has signed a contract for the delivery of this medicine for more than 3 million euros. The first delivery of PASS sodium will take place already in April. We are proud to be a cooperation partner with WHO for almost 10 years, proving the high quality of Olainfarm's medicines. The safety of raw materials, high evaluation of the product quality, compliance with delivery terms and long-term positive cooperation experience are the criteria that has allowed Olainfarm to re-win the WHO tender for delivery of this anti-tuberculosis drug also in 2019 and 2020, underscores Lauris Macijevskis, the Chairman of the Management Board of JSC Olainfarm. The PASS sodium salt was one of the 15 most sold Olainfarm products in 2018. Besides the WHO, Olainfarm supplies Pass sodium salt also to specialized clinical centers in the Baltic States, international NGO Doctors without borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres), and export to Moldova. The PASS sodium is one of the best-known anti-tuberculosis agents in the world and has been widely used by WHO to treat tuberculosis in developing countries in Asia and Africa. Olainfarm has been producing this medicine since 2001, but since 2011 the company has qualified as a WHO partner in the anti-tuberculosis program, regularly participating in WHO procurement tenders. The first effective tuberculosis medicines were developed in the 1940s. In Western Europe and North America, cases of tuberculosis are very rare, but a large part of the world still has to deal with it every day. As evident from the WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2018 , there were about 10 million tuberculosis patients worldwide in 2017. 30 countries with the highest prevalence of tuberculosis accounted for 87% of all cases. Thanks to massive anti-tuberculosis initiatives implemented in the long term, the number of new diagnoses worldwide has been shrinking by an average of 2% annually; the 2020 target is to reduce the number of new cases by 4-5% every year. JSC Olainfarm is one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in Latvia with 45 years of experience in production of medication and chemical and pharmaceutical products. A basic principle of company's operations is to produce reliable and effective top- quality products for Latvia and the rest of the world. Products made by the Group are being exported to more than 60 countries worldwide, including the Baltics, Russia, other CIS, Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia. Information prepared by: Dublin, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market to 2027 - Global Analysis and Forecasts By Product, Application End User and Geography" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Remote Patient Monitoring market is expected to reach US$ 1,544.94 Mn in 2027 from US$ 712.21 Mn in 2018. The market is estimated to grow with a CAGR of 9.3% from 2019-2027. The growth of the Remote Patient Monitoring market is primarily attributed to the factors such as increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, rising geriatric population and rising awareness regarding healthcare. However, factors such as unaddressed regulatory concerns and security and privacy concern about patient health data are likely to pose a negative impact on the market growth. On the other hand, growth opportunities in emerging regions is likely to have a positive impact on the growth of the global remote Patient Monitoring market in the coming years. With a rise in cases of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension, there has been a rise in awareness regarding one's health. Also, in recent days, there has been a significant rise in the number of individuals suffering from heart related disorders. These factors have led to increase in the importance of maintaining health among the population in the developed as well as the developing nations. The demand for various health monitoring devices for maintain track of health status has increased significantly in the recent years. Also, there has been a rise in number of speciality clinics and home healthcare business in countries such as, US, India, Canada. Asia Pacific is anticipated to offer significant growth opportunity during the forecast period, due to an increase in the disposable income as well as the rate of urbanization in the leading economies such as Japan, China and India. Global remote patient monitoring devices market, based on the end user was segmented into hospitals & clinics, ambulatory care centers and home healthcare. In 2018, the hospitals & clinics segment held the largest share of the market, by end user, owing to well-established and presence of advanced healthcare infrastructure, growing concerns about health and rising investment in the healthcare sector. Whereas, the home healthcare segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the coming years owing to growing awareness towards home healthcare is influencing positively on the growth of this segment in the near future. Some of the major primary and secondary sources for Remote Patient Monitoring included in the report are Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USFDA, Biotelemetry and Patient Monitoring Journal, Journal of Patient Care, China Food & Drug Administration, contract research organizations, and among others. Key Topics Covered: 1. Introduction 2. Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market - Key Takeaways 3. Research Methodology 4. Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market - Market Landscape 4.1 Overview 4.2 Pest Analysis 5. Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market - Key Market Dynamics 5.1 Key Market Drivers 5.1.1 Rising Prevalence of Chronic Diseases 5.1.2 Increasing Geriatric Population 5.1.3 Rising Awareness Regarding Healthcare 5.2 Key Market Challenges 5.2.1 Unaddressed Regulatory Concerns 5.2.2 Security and Privacy Concerns 5.3 Key Market Opportunities 5.3.1 Rising Demand For Home-Based Treatments 5.3.2 Expansion of Healthcare Facilities In Remote Locations 5.4 Future Trends 5.4.1 Remote Monitoring To Replace Patients' Routine Visits In the Near Future 5.5 Impact Analysis 6. Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market - Global Analysis 6.1 Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market Revenue Forecasts and Analysis 6.2 Global Remote Patient Monitoring Market, by Geography - Forecasts and Analysis 6.3 Performance of Key Players 6.3.1 Medtronic 6.3.2 Koninklijke Philips N.V. 6.4 Expert Opinions 7. Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market Analysis - By Product 7.1 Overview 7.2 Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market by Product, 2018 & 2027 (%) 7.3 Vital Sign Monitors Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market 7.3.1 Overview 7.3.2 Global Vital Sign Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market Revenue and Forecasts To 2027 (US$ Mn) 7.3.3 Pulse Oximeter Market 7.3.3.1 Pulse Oximeter Market Revenue and Forecasts To 2027 (US$ Mn) 7.3.3.2 Table-Top/Bedside Pulse Oximeters Market 7.3.3.3 Hand-Held Pulse Oximeters Market 7.3.3.4 Wrist-Worn Pulse Oximeters Market 7.3.4 Blood Pressure Monitors Market 7.3.4.2 Mercury Blood Pressure Monitors Market 7.3.4.3 Aneroid Blood Pressure Monitors Market 7.3.4.4 Digital Blood Pressure Monitors Market 7.3.4.5 Blood Pressure Instrument Accessories Market 7.3.5 Temperature Monitoring Devices 7.3.5.2 Mercury Filled Thermometers Market 7.3.5.3 Digital Thermometers Market 7.3.5.4 Infrared Thermometers Market 7.3.5.5 Liquid Crystal Thermometer Market 7.3.5.6 Temperature Monitoring Device Accessories Market 7.4 Special Monitors Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market 7.4.1 Overview 7.4.2 Anaesthesia Monitor Market 7.4.3 Blood Glucose Monitor 7.4.4 Cardiac Rhythm Monitor 7.4.5 Respiratory Monitor 7.4.6 Others Special Monitor 8. Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market Analysis - By Application 8.1 Overview 8.2 Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market, by Application 2018 & 2027 (%) 8.3 Cardiovascular Diseases Treatment Market 8.4 Cancer Treatment Market 8.5 Sleep Disorder Treatment Market 8.6 Diabetes Treatment Market 8.7 Weight Management & Fitness Monitoring Market 9. Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market Analysis - By End User 9.1 Overview 9.2 Global Remote Patient Monitoring Devices Market, by End User 2018 & 2027 (%) 9.3 Hospitals & Clinics Market 9.4 Ambulatory Care Centers Market 9.5 Home Healthcare Market Companies Mentioned Koninklijke Philips N.V. Medtronic Nihon Kohden Corporation Welch Allyn General Electric Company Omron Healthcare, Inc Masimo Abbott Boston Scientific Corporation LifeWatch For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/49tgcv Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. An event commemorating the 100th anniversary of the May Fourth Movement was held in Yizhuang, Beijing's Daxing district, on April 29. The May Fourth Movement was a political, cultural, and anti-imperialist movement started by students in Beijing on May 4, 1919. The movement marked the first historical instance of China's proletariat stepping onto the national stage. The Communist Youth League (CYL) of Yizhuang township committee commended 44 young volunteers and awarded the title of "Youth Civilization Demonstration Post" to 33 winners at Mondays event. Last year, the CYL Yizhuang township committee organized more than 200 volunteer service activities related to key jobs in the Daxing district and Yizhuang township governments. High achievers were commended and the winners of honorary titles were selected from the participants of these activities. The event also witnessed the forming of a partnership in the field of CYL organizational construction among the CYL Yizhuang township committee, Central Conservatory of Music, China Agricultural University, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Beijing government affairs administrative bureau. Some CYL members and children from Yizhuang staged artistic performances as well in honor of the event, through which the CYL Yizhuang township committee encouraged young people to carry on the spirit of the May Fourth Movement and to play an active role in the development of Yizhuang, a high-tech development zone in the nation's capital. PHOENIX, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- More than 135,000 EPCOR water customers in Arizona will see savings when they receive $4 million in refunds as a result of federal corporate tax cut savings on their May 2019 bill. We are extremely pleased to deliver more than $4 million in savings to our Arizona water customers, and its important to us that we put this into effect immediately, said Joe Gysel, President of EPCOR USA, Arizonas largest regulated water utility. Our customers deserve to share in the savings generated by federal tax reform. It's positive for them, for their communities and for our state. On March 28, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) approved EPCORs request to refund $4 million in tax reform savings collected between January 2018 and March 2019 to the companys residential and commercial water customers. The one-time credits will vary according to customer classification, meter size, and EPCOR service district. A detailed list is available under Rates & Tariffs on epcor.com. Most residential water customers have 5/8, 3/4 or 1-inch meters: Regulated utilities are required to collect local, state and Federal taxes as part of the service provided to customers. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 passed into law in December 2017, reducing the corporate tax rate from 35 to 21 percent. However, current rates for EPCORs Arizona water customers were set by the ACC prior to December 2017 at the previously higher tax rate. EPCORs Arizona wastewater customers already received $1.1 million in tax savings in 2018. For further information, please contact: Rebecca Stenholm Director, Public & Government Affairs EPCOR USA O 623.445.2424 C 602.390.5662 rstenholm@epcor.com About EPCOR USA Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, EPCOR USAs wholly owned subsidiaries build, own and operate water and wastewater and natural gas facilities and infrastructure in the southwestern United States. EPCOR USA provides water, wastewater and natural gas service to approximately 665,000 customers across 44 communities and 15 counties in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. About EPCOR Utilities Inc. EPCOR, through its subsidiaries, builds, owns and operates electrical, natural gas and water transmission and distribution networks, water and wastewater treatment facilities, sanitary and stormwater systems, and infrastructure in Canada and the United States. The company also provides electricity, natural gas and water products and services to residential and commercial customers. EPCOR, headquartered in Edmonton, is an Alberta Top 70 employer. EPCORs website address is www.epcor.com. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/00416479-d138-4d04-8f9b-5360ce43034b VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scorpio Gold Corporation (Scorpio Gold or the Company) (TSX-V: SGN) is pleased to announce the closing of its non-brokered private placement offering (the Private Placement) of secured subordinated convertible debentures (each, a Debenture) for gross proceeds of up to US$7,000,000. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Private Placement for the repayment of a bridge loan in the principal amount of US$3,000,000 in connection with the completion of the buyout transaction, as announced in the Companys press release dated March 6, 2018, and for general working capital purposes. Prior to the completion of the Private Placement, the Company also completed a consolidation of its common shares, as more particularly described below. Private Placement Brian Lock, the interim CEO and a director of the Company, states The Company is extremely pleased that the investors participating in the Private Placement are supporting Scorpio Gold with a view on future developments and operations at our two gold mines in Nevada. Scorpio Gold is now debt free, owns 100% of all its assets, has over C$6 million in working capital and has definitive plans to return to full precious metal production once project financing for the new process plant at its Mineral Ridge Mine is obtained. Each Debenture has an issue price of US$1,000, a term of three years from the date of issuance and will bear interest at a rate of 10% per annum, payable semi-annually, which, subject to regulatory approval, may be paid in common shares of the Company (Shares) at the option of the Company or the holder of the Debenture. The Debentures will be secured by a security interest subordinate to all existing and future senior indebtedness of the Company, including any future senior indebtedness in connection with the construction of a new processing plant at the Mineral Ridge Project. Each Debenture is convertible into Shares at the option of the holder at any time prior to maturity at a conversion price of US$0.08 per Share (the Conversion Price), which is equivalent to 12,500 Shares for each US$1,000 principal amount of Debentures, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. Debentures must be converted in minimum amounts of US$1,000. The Company will have the option on maturity, subject to regulatory approval, to repay any portion of the principal amount of the Debentures in cash, if there is no default under the terms of the Debentures, or by issuing and delivering to the holders of the Debentures such number of Shares equal to the principal amount of the Debenture divided by the Conversion Price. The Debentures and Shares issued upon conversion thereof will be subject to a four month hold period from the date of issuance of the Debentures in accordance with applicable securities laws and, if required, the policies of the Exchange. A finders fee equal to 2.5% of the principal amount of Debentures issued to subscribers introduced to the Company by an arms length finder has been paid in Debentures to such finder in connection with the Private Placement. The securities being offered have not been, and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), or any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent of such registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer for sale of, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, the securities, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is not permitted, including, but not limited to, the United States (United States and U.S. person are defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act). Consolidation The Company announced that further to its press release dated January 28, 2019, the Companys consolidation (the Consolidation) of its common shares was completed effective April 15, 2019 (the Effective Date) on the basis of one (1) new post-Consolidation common share for every two (2) pre-Consolidation common shares (the Ratio). As a result of the Consolidation, the number of issued and outstanding common shares of the Company was reduced from 124,948,235 pre-Consolidation common shares to 62,474,118 post-Consolidation common shares. The Companys name and trading symbol remain unchanged. No fractional post-Consolidation common shares will be issued pursuant to the Consolidation. Where the Consolidation would otherwise result in a shareholder of the Company being entitled to a fractional common share, the number of post-Consolidation common shares issued to such shareholder shall be rounded up to the next greater whole number of common shares if the fractional entitlement is equal to or greater than 0.5 and shall be rounded down to the lesser whole number if the fractional entitlement is less than 0.5. In calculating such fractional common shares, all common shares held by a beneficial holder shall be aggregated. The number of common shares issuable under any of the Companys outstanding warrants or stock options will be adjusted proportionately upon completion of the Consolidation. Registered shareholders must submit their respective share certificate(s) representing pre-Consolidation common shares to the Companys transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company of Canada, 510 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3A8, to receive share certificates representing their post-Consolidation common shares. Until so surrendered, each share certificate representing pre-Consolidation common shares will represent the number of whole post-Consolidation common shares to which the holder is entitled as a result of the Consolidation. Shareholders holding their common shares through a bank, broker or other nominee should note that banks, brokers or other nominees may have different procedures for processing the Consolidation than those put in place by the Company and Computershare Trust Company of Canada. Accordingly, shareholders who hold common shares with banks, brokers or other nominees and have questions in this regard are encouraged to contact such persons. Pre-Consolidation common shares held under DRS Advices will be automatically adjusted, in accordance with the Ratio, to reflect the number of post-Consolidated common shares. About Scorpio Gold Corporation Scorpio Gold holds a 100% interest in the producing Mineral Ridge gold mining operation located in Esmeralda County, Nevada. Mineral Ridge is a conventional open pit mining and heap leach operation. Mining at Mineral Ridge was suspended in November 2017; however, the Company continues to generate limited revenues from residual but diminishing recoveries from the leach pads. Scorpio Gold also holds a 100% interest in the advanced exploration-stage Goldwedge property in Manhattan, Nevada with a fully permitted underground mine and 400 ton per day mill facility. The Goldwedge mill facility has been placed on a care and maintenance basis and can be restarted immediately when needed. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD SCORPIO GOLD CORPORATION Brian Lock, Interim CEO For further information contact: Brian Lock, Director and Interim Chief Executive Officer Tel: (604) 889-2543 Email: block@scorpiogold.com or czerga@scorpiogold.com Website: www.scorpiogold.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The Company relies on litigation protection for "forward-looking" statements. This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Companys current expectations and estimates. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as plan, expect, project, intend, believe, anticipate, estimate, suggest, indicate and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions may or will occur, and include, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds of the Private Placement, future project financing of a process plant for Mineral Ridge and the Company producing precious metals in the future. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements, including risks relating to operation of a gold mine, including the availability of cash flows or financing to meet the Companys ongoing financial obligations; the inability of the Company to re-finance its long-term debt obligations; unanticipated changes in the mineral content of materials being mined; unanticipated changes in recovery rates; changes in project parameters; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; the failure of contracted parties to perform; availability of skilled labour and the impact of labour disputes; obtaining the required permits to expand and extend mining activities; delays in obtaining governmental approvals; changes in metals prices; unanticipated changes in key management personnel; changes in general economic conditions; other risks of the mining industry and those risk factors outlined in the Companys Management Discussion and Analysis as filed on SEDAR. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. English French BBA validates Nemaska Lithium's cost-to-complete estimate. The Corporations proactive approach to project management echoes the reports recommendations. QUEBEC CITY, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nemaska Lithium Inc. (Nemaska Lithium or the "Corporation") (TSX: NMX) (OTCQX: NMKEF) (Frankfurt: N0T) is pleased to announce that an external and independent audit conducted, at the request and under the supervision of the Board of Directors Special Committee, by multidisciplinary Canadian engineering firm BBA, has validated Nemaska Lithiums internal cost-to-complete construction assessment as of February 13, 2019, based on the information that was then available to the Corporation. Following the February 13, 2019 project update , the Corporation retained BBA as Owners Engineer to perform an independent audit of the quantitative estimate of the expected project CAPEX and a validation of the estimate class as of that date. This audit also comprises a qualitative assessment of the Project Execution Plan (PEP) and recommendations for potential improvements. BBA's independent cost assessment is slightly lower than the Corporations prior cost-to-complete internal estimate as of February 13, 2019 and therefore validates the Corporations conclusion that additional net funds of approximately $375 million are required to meet the cost to complete drawdown conditions provided in the streaming agreement with Orion Mine Finance and the senior secured bonds. BBA also confirms that the Corporation has acted diligently to implement the necessary internal changes and assigned the appropriate supplementary resources in order to strengthen control over construction activities and optimize its existing resources pending the completion of the required additional financing or any other available strategic alternative. "The decision to appoint a third-party to review our internal reassessment was the first of many actions that were undertaken for a more prudent approach to conducting our project construction. We are pleased to confirm that the Corporation has already proactively implemented a number of BBAs recommendations while others are in the process of being implemented. We are resolutely looking towards the future to achieve our goal of completing construction and entering into commercial production as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the quality of our spodumene concentrate and lithium hydroxide product continues to be noticed and recognized globally." said Guy Bourassa, President and CEO of Nemaska Lithium. A series of measures implemented to improve control over construction activities In addition to bringing in new, seasoned experts to the construction project team, the Corporation has streamlined and improved its project control processes. It has fully internalized the entire project contract and procurement management function and is currently evaluating agreements with suppliers to ensure that contracting strategies are adapted to the current reduced pace of construction. Previously, a portion of these responsibilities were contracted to an external firm. In-house expertise has also been enhanced with the appointment of specialist engineers in key positions for project delivery in Whabouchi and detailed engineering oversight in Shawinigan. Finally, a new risk assessment exercise for the completion of the project was launched in collaboration with external peers to identify, anticipate and limit potential consequences of any unforeseen events on project execution. We believe our revised construction and project execution plan, which factors the current reduced construction pace, allows us to advance our detailed engineering work and improve our planning and cost control, in order to be ready when the funds will be available. We are proud to see all our team members and partners join forces to advance the project. We are working diligently to meet the objectives set forth in our plan," added Robert Beaulieu, Vice President, Operations & Construction of Nemaska Lithium. Next Steps As previously announced on March 25, 2019 , Clarksons Platou Securities and National Bank Financial have been mandated by the Corporation to lead a dual-track financing action plan equity raise and/or consider M&A opportunities to carry the project through the production stage at the mine and the electrochemical plant. The independent BBA Audit Report is an important data point and key validation of Nemaska Lithiums financial requirements and internal controls to complete the project. The financing/strategic process is ongoing and various parties are currently involved at different stages. The Management Team is actively working with the qualified persons in charge of updating the NI 43-101 Technical Report Feasibility Study on the Whabouchi Lithium Mine and Shawinigan Electrochemical Plant, which is expected to be filed during the month of June 2019. Nemaska Lithium intends to hold its quarterly construction update call in the second half of the month of May 2019, in line with the filing of its quarterly financial statements. About Nemaska Lithium Nemaska Lithium Inc. is a developing chemical company whose activities will be vertically integrated, from spodumene mining to the commercialization of high-purity lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate. These lithium salts are mainly destined for the fast-growing lithium-ion battery market, which is driven by the increasing demand for electric vehicles and energy storage worldwide. With its products and processes, the Corporation intends to facilitate access to green energy, for the benefit of humanity. The Corporation will be operating the Whabouchi mine in Quebec, Canada, one of the richest lithium spodumene deposits in the world, both in volume and grade. The spodumene concentrate produced at the Whabouchi mine will be processed at the Shawinigan plant using a unique membrane electrolysis process for which the Corporation holds several patents. The Corporation is a member of the S&P/TSX SmallCap Index, S&P/TSX Global Mining Index, S&P/TSX Global Base Metals Index, S&P/TSX Equal Weight Global Base Metals Index, and the MSCI Canada Small Cap Index. For more information, visit www.nemaskalithium.com or twitter.com/Nemaska Lithium . About BBA BBA has been providing a wide range of consulting engineering services for nearly 40 years. Its engineering, environmental and commissioning experts team up to quickly and accurately pinpoint the needs of industrial and institutional clients. The firms expertise is recognized in the fields of energy, mining and metals, biofuels and oil and gas. With 12 offices across Canada to provide clients with local support and field presence, BBA is recognized for providing some of the industrys most innovative, sustainable and reliable solutions. www.bba.ca. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release including, but not limited to, those relating to preserve cash on hand and to obtain the additional capital required to enable the Corporation to complete construction, the estimated additional costs to complete the construction of the Whabouchi mine and the Shawinigan plant, the ability to meet funding and other conditions under the streaming agreement and the senior secured bonds, the expected unfolding of construction and commissioning, the ability to adapt agreements with suppliers and contracting strategies to the current or ultimate pace of construction as well as the anticipated start of production at the Whabouchi mine and Shawinigan plant sites, constitute forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws and are based on expectations and projections as of the date of this press release. Certain important assumptions by the Corporation in making forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the obtaining of the additional capital required in a timely fashion to fulfill the conditions precedent to receive the remaining proceeds from the project financing being the second tranche payment under the Streaming facility and the Bonds offering proceeds. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, those related to (i) the ability of the Corporation to implement BBAs recommendations, (ii) the outcome of BBAs recommendations, (iii) the outcome of the new risk assessment exercise, (iv) the ability of the Corporation to secure additional funds or identify any available strategic alternative, (v) the ability of the Corporation to meet funding and other conditions under the Streaming agreement and the senior secured bonds, (vi) the outcome of the evaluation of several options that would enable existing and new shareholders and project partners to provide funding, (vii) the ability of the Corporation to complete the mine construction and the Shawinigan facility and restart construction at full pace within a timeline in order for estimated additional net funds of about $375 million financing to be sufficient, (viii) the outcome of the internalization of the project contract and procurement management function, (ix) the project execution plan allowing the Corporation to improve planning and cost control, and (x) generally, the above About Nemaska Lithium paragraph which essentially describes the Corporations outlook. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the time of this press release. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Corporation as of the time of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can directly or indirectly affect, and could cause, actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that additional funding or any other strategic alternatives can be available, that the estimated net funds of $375 million required to complete the project and to reach commercial production will be sufficient depending on the construction timeline and any related delays, that the Corporation will meet conditions under the streaming facility and the bonds in light of rights of secured creditors thereunder and that the Whabouchi mine and/or the electrochemical plant in Shawinigan will be commissioned and will begin production, as future events could differ materially what is currently anticipated by the Corporation. For greater certainty, any delay to secure the required additional financing or other available strategic alternative may impact the construction timeline and previously estimated required funds to complete construction. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions do not reflect future experience. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about managements expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important risk factors and future events could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates, assumptions and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those made in our other filings with the securities regulators of Canada including, but not limited to, the cautionary statements made in the Risk Factors section of the Corporations Annual Information Form dated October 10, 2018, and the Risk Exposure and Management section of the Corporations quarterly Management Discussion & Analysis. The Corporation cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive, and new, unforeseeable risks may arise from time to time. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law. Further information regarding Nemaska Lithium is available in the SEDAR database ( www.sedar.com ) and on the Corporations website at: www.nemaskalithium.com . FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: English French MONTREAL, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xebec Adsorption Inc. (TSXV: XBC) (OTC: XEBEF) (Xebec), a global provider of renewable natural gas (RNG) solutions, is pleased to note that the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced a new initiative on March 1st 2019, to use biogas to partially replace coal in rural areas. China plans to produce 30 billion cubic meters of biogas from agricultural waste and manure by 2030, part of a wider measure to reduce the domestic coal consumption in rural regions by 50 megatonnes. In order to achieve this target, China will need to build approximately 3,000 to 4,000 upgrading facilities over the next 10 years, requiring investments of CDN$7 to 10 billion. Xebec has been active in this developing market for over 10 years and is now adding several new facilities to its existing installations, which also serve as excellent reference sites for future customers. One example is a facility located in Malaysia that upgrades biogas from Palm Oil Mill Effluents (POME) into RNG using Xebecs biogas upgrading system. The plant is in Sabah, a State of Malaysia located in the north eastern part of Borneo. In China, Xebec is commissioning another upgrading system, specifically a Waste Water Treatment Plant in the City of Suzhou (Jiangsu Province). It processes 1250 NCMH of biogas from a mix of kitchen, landscaping and leachate waste into RNG which is injected as pure biomethane into the local town gas grid. With plants operating in Korea, China, Malaysia, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Canada and the United States, Xebec is proud to play an ever bigger part in helping to decarbonize our future through renewable gases while providing a revenue source for end users such as gas utilities and the public sector. Quotes: "The market conditions for renewable natural gas and hydrogen purification equipment remain strong across all our operating geographies, but China offers unique opportunities given the governments aggressive renewable energy targets. Xebec China is well established and is becoming a key contributor in both the hydrogen and RNG space." Kurt Sorschak, President and CEO, Xebec Adsorption Inc. Related links: https://www.xebecinc.com https://asian-power.com/environment/news/china-eyes-biogas-coal-alternative-in-rural-areas For more information: Xebec Adsorption Inc. Sandi Murphy, Director, Investor Relations and Marketing +1 450.979.8718 smurphy@xebecinc.com About Xebec Adsorption Inc. Xebec Adsorption Inc. is a global provider of gas generation, purification and filtration solutions for the industrial, energy and renewables marketplace. Its customers range from small to multi-national corporations and governments looking to reduce their carbon footprints. Headquartered in Montreal (QC), Xebec designs, engineers and manufactures innovative and transformative products, and has more than 1,500 customers worldwide. With two manufacturing facilities in Montreal and Shanghai, as well as a sales and distribution network in North America, Europe, and Asia, Xebec trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol XBC. For additional information on the company, its products and services, visit Xebec at xebecinc.com . Cautionary Statement Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements, and subject to risks and uncertainties. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as plans, seeks, expects, estimates, intends, anticipates, believes, could, might, likely or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results may, will, could, would, might, will be taken, occur, be achieved or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements, including statements concerning future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses and future prospects as well as the expectations of management of Xebec with respect to information regarding the business and the expansion and growth of Xebec operations, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic factors and uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements, including the relevant assumptions and risks factors set out in Xebec's public documents, including in the most recent annual management discussion and analysis and annual information form, filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Furthermore, should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, the uncertain and unpredictable condition of global economy, Xebecs capacity to generate revenue growth, limited number of customers, and other factors. Although Xebec believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, Xebec disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/35e39044-57e8-4408-a6c6-74c9b182da19 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7b7cc90c-c2f3-4977-b3b1-3afec3036105 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7f9d1c93-d704-4804-8083-2d3a7c33cbcb http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1b75b9aa-9475-4ada-ae25-b0db1a3d021e http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2e75b8c3-492b-4fee-99c6-0644b3c132f5 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chakana Copper Corp. (TSX-V: PERU; OTCQB: CHKKF; FWB: 1ZX) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement pursuant to which Gold Fields Nazca Holdings Inc., a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Gold Fields Limited (Gold Fields) has agreed to subscribe for and purchase 15,686,275 common shares of the Company (the Chakana Shares), representing 16.14% of the outstanding Chakana Shares, at a price of CDN$0.51 per Chakana Share for total gross proceeds of CDN$8,000,000 (the Financing). No commissions or fees are being paid in connection with the Gold Fields investment. Gold Fields, the 7th largest gold producer in the world by production*, is a globally diversified gold company with seven operating mines (and a joint venture on an operating mine) in Australia, Ghana, Peru and South Africa, and a total attributable annual gold-equivalent production of approximately 2.2 million ounces. It has attributable gold Mineral Reserves of around 49 million ounces and gold Mineral Resources of around 104 million ounces. Attributable copper Mineral Reserves total 764 million pounds and Mineral Resources of 4,881 million pounds. Gold Fields operates the Cerro Corona mine located in northern Peru. On closing of the Financing, Gold Fields (through its wholly-owned subsidiary) will be granted certain rights pursuant to the terms of an investment agreement, exercisable for as long as Gold Fields owns more than 10.0% of the common shares of Chakana (calculated in accordance with the terms of the Investment Agreement). These rights include: (a) a right to set up a Technical Advisory Panel to review and provide input on Chakanas exploration program, (b) a pre-emptive right to participate in any future proposed equity offering of Chakana in order to maintain its pro-rata interest, and (c) the right to increase their equity position to match that of another mining company in a future equity financing should that occur. No board representation, right of first refusal, or joint venture rights are being granted to Gold Fields pursuant to the Financing. We are extremely pleased to welcome Gold Fields as a strategic investor in Chakana. Gold Fields investment validates the potential of the Soledad project, and their technical and operational expertise in Peru will help us unlock that potential, stated David Kelley, President and CEO of Chakana. Upon closing, we will be well funded to execute an aggressive drilling program to test the multitude of targets we have on the property and produce an initial resource on several breccia pipes. All securities issued in the Financing will be subject to a statutory four month hold period. The Financing is subject to a number of conditions, including, without limitation, receipt of all regulatory approvals, including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The net proceeds of the Financing will be used to advance the exploration and development of the Company's Soledad copper-gold-silver project in Central Peru. *Source; http://www.goldfields.com/pdf/investors/fact-sheets/2018.pdf This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described in this news release in the United States. Such securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), or any state securities laws, and, accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of persons in the United States or "U.S. Persons", as such term is defined in Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act, unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from such registration requirements. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD (signed) David Kelley David Kelley President and CEO For further information contact: Michelle Borromeo, Manager Corporate Communications Phone: 604-715-6845 Email: mborromeo@chakanacopper.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange (the Exchange) nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Completion of the Financing is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, Exchange approval. There can be no assurance that the Financing will be completed as proposed or within in the timeframe disclosed herein or at all. This news release contains forward-looking statements, including relating to the completion of the Financing and the use of the net proceeds therefrom, and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. As a result, the Company cannot guarantee that the Financing will be completed on the term disclosed herein or at all. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not intend to update any of the included forward-looking statements except as required by Canadian securities laws. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES TORONTO, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canada House Wellness Group Inc. (CSE: CHV) (Canada House or the Company), a fully integrated medical cannabis company, announced today that it has signed a lease agreement for its licensed Cannabis Dispensary in Southeast Edmonton, Alberta and received a Major Development Permit to begin construction. Canada Houses first recreational dispensary will be conveniently located adjacent to the Companys existing medical cannabis location. According to a recent report by the CBC, Alberta pot smokers are expected to spend about $940 million on legal weed by 2024, with the province becoming Canada's second-largest market for cannabis behind Ontario. U.S.-based research firms BDS Analytics and Arcview Market Research said in a new report Albertans spent about $216 million on medical and retail cannabis last year. The forecast predicts demand will more than quadruple in the next five years. By the end of February, there were 75 retail cannabis stores operating in Alberta, 24 of which are in Calgary. The provinces stores have combined to sell $33 million worth of legal marijuana since October 17, 2018. This is yet another positive step forward toward executing on our business plans and achieving our revenue and profit targets for fiscal 2020 and beyond, said Michael Orrbrooke, Canada Houses newly appointed Chief Revenue Officer. Conveniently located in Southeast Edmonton we look forward to serving the local community with an exceptional customer experience and a wide variety of Cannabis products and accessories available in the market, added Orrbrooke. A core philosophy of our business is delivering premium cannabis and quality care across all of our business lines, added Canada House CEO Chris Churchill-Smith. Our Edmonton dispensary provides us the opportunity to apply our expertise gained through Canada House Clinics, as a pioneer in cannabinoid therapy service offerings, in the recreational cannabis marketplace to offer premium products that are attuned to the specific desires of recreational consumers. Canada House Wellness Group Inc. Canada House is an experienced, integrated medical cannabis company providing patient-specific cannabinoid therapy, products and services through its clinics and licensed producer. Canada House is the parent company of Canada House Clinics Inc., Knalysis Technologies and Abba Medix Corp. For more information please visit www.canadahouse.ca or www.sedar.com. For further information, please contact: Boom Capital Markets Steve Low 647-620-5101 steve@boomcapitalmarkets.com Canada House Wellness Group Inc. Chris Churchill-Smith, CEO 514-313-0102 chris.smith@canadahouse.ca Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information. This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements that relate to, among other things, the Companys clinic, production and technology businesses, its future plans, the Companys markets, objectives, goals, strategies, intentions, beliefs, expectations and estimates, and can generally be identified by the use of words such as may, will, could, should, would, likely, possible, expect, intend, estimate, anticipate, believe, plan, objective and continue (or the negative thereof) and words and expressions of similar import. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Certain material factors or assumptions are applied in making forward-looking statements, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Material assumptions used to develop forward-looking information in this news release include, among other things, the regulations related to cannabis use under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations and the act respecting cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts, passed by the Canadian Federal government, making cannabis legal for recreational use by October 17, 2018; Company liquidity and capital resources, including the availability of additional capital resources to fund its activities; level of competition; the ability to adapt products and services to the changing market; the ability to attract and retain key executives; and the ability to execute strategic plans. Additional information about material factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations and about material factors or assumptions applied in making forward-looking statements may be found in the Companys most recent annual and interim Managements Discussion and Analysis under Risk and Uncertainties as well as in other public disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements contained in this document, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Los Angeles, CA, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Edlio, LLC., a leading provider of community engagement solutions for K-12 public, private and charter schools, announced a strategic partnership with APSRC. APSRC is a service-oriented, nonprofit membership organization that offers support, technical assistance, and training to charter schools and rural school districts across Arkansas. Edlio, for over 19 years, has focused exclusively on K-12 education communities, and we understand the challenges that school leaders face daily. Built for K-12 communities by the experts in education, our content management system (CMS) is an easy-to-use software platform for designing an engaging district or school website while enabling streamlined web-based processes and communications. We are pleased to welcome Edlio as an APSRC partner, said Trent Saracini, Instructional Technology Specialist. Edlios focus on K-12 communities aligns with our vision, and we look forward to their contribution to solving community engagement challenges for our state. Trent continues, Part of our announcement to APSRC members is an invitation to a webinar scheduled 2:00 CST on April 30th. To learn more about the partnership and about Edlio, please register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/adfe0c3763ffe62d7510d14dfea9e911 We are excited to be a part of the APSRC community, said Ali Arsan, CEO of Edlio. I believe in the mission of the Arkansas Public School Resource Center and look to foster collaboration between its schools to drive engagement between administrators, teachers, parents and students. About APSRC The mission of the Arkansas Public School Resource Center is to support the improvement of public education by providing advocacy services on behalf of public schools with a special emphasis on charter schools and rural districts. APSRC is a service-oriented, nonprofit membership organization that offers technical support, resources and training. Our full-time and highly trained staff provide assistance in five main areas: Legal Services Financial Analysis and Management Teaching and Learning Technology Communications Membership in APSRC is open to charter schools, rural school districts, educational cooperatives and educationally related entities and businesses. About Edlio, LLC. Edlio makes communicating with parents simpler. Powering 10,000 school and district websites in North America is Edlio's own easy-to-use content management system (CMS). And their Parent Engagement App, Sangha, is a gamechanger for personalized school-to-home communication. With offices in Los Angeles, Mountain View, Austin, Chicago, Mexico City, and Vancouver, BC, Edlio knows what schools need to succeed. For more information about Edlio, visit Edlio.com, or follow Edlio on their blog, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. COVINGTON, La. and THE WOODLANDS, Texas, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LLOG Exploration Offshore, L.L.C. (LLOG or the Company) and Repsol E&P USA Inc. (Repsol) today announced the signing of an Asset Exchange and Joint Participation Agreement in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. The agreement provides for the drilling of a delineation well at Repsols Leon discovery and covers Keathley Canyon blocks 642, 643, 686 and 687. In addition, Repsol will acquire an interest in the LLOG-operated discovery Moccasin in Keathley Canyon 736. Leon is a discovery drilled by Repsol in late 2014 on Keathley Canyon block 642 and is located about 200 miles offshore Louisiana in approximately 6,000 feet of water. The discovery well was drilled to a total depth of about 32,000 feet and encountered nearly 500 feet of high quality net oil pay in multiple sands in the Lower Tertiary formation but has not yet been fully delineated. The new agreement with LLOG provides for the drilling of a delineation well this coming summer which will be operated by LLOG. LLOG will have a 33% working interest in the well while Repsol will have a 50% working interest. Following the scheduled delineation drilling, potential development options will be evaluated for this field. Moccasin is a discovery made on Keathley Canyon 736 in 2011 in over 6,500 feet of water. The discovery well was drilled to a total depth of over 31,000 feet finding nearly 400 feet of net oil in the Lower Tertiary. LLOG subsequently licensed the block in a 2017 Lease Sale. Moccasin and Leon are less than 20 miles apart which provides the opportunity for co-development. LLOG will retain a 31.35% working interest in the field and Repsol will acquire a 30% interest in Moccasin. Currently, LLOG and Repsol are joint owners in the ongoing development of the Buckskin discovery which is located on Keathley Canyon blocks 785, 828, 829, 830, 871 and 872 in approximately 6,800 feet of water. The initial phase of this large-scale, deepwater project consists of two development wells which were drilled to approximately 29,000 feet, also targeting the Lower Tertiary formation. First production from Buckskin is expected in mid 2019. LLOG is the operator of Buckskin. Philip LeJeune, President and CEO of LLOG, commented, We are extremely pleased to sign a significant agreement with Repsol, a highly respected international multi-energy company. We have worked well together at Buckskin and the delineation of the potentially significant discoveries at Leon and Moccasin is another perfect match for the deepwater technical knowledge and development expertise that both our companies possess. These highly prospective deepwater discoveries are in close proximity and are targeting the same Lower Tertiary formation that we are exploiting at Buckskin. We look forward to working together with Repsol on other future deepwater developments in the Gulf of Mexico and greatly value our strong working relationship. 2019 is a truly exciting year for LLOG as we pursue a number of significant deepwater Gulf of Mexico development projects. Tomas Garcia Blanco, Repsols Upstream Executive Managing Director, commented, We have established a solid relationship with LLOG in the projects we have undertaken together so far, finding efficient and smart solutions to address hydrocarbons exploration and development projects in the Gulf of Mexico. This new project takes our collaboration to a new level. We believe we have the perfect alliance to develop assets with an efficient mindset, turning challenges into opportunities that create value for our stakeholders. About the Company LLOG Exploration Company, L.L.C. is one of the largest privately-owned exploration and production companies in the United States. LLOGs corporate headquarters is in Covington, Louisiana, and the Company has an office in Houston, Texas. For additional information, please contact Rick Fowler at rickf@llog.com or visit the Companys website at www.llog.com . About Repsol Repsol is a global multi-energy company with activity throughout the energy value chain, including exploration, production, refining, chemicals, trading, retail sales and new energy. Repsol has upstream activity in 25 countries and produces 700,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. Repsol has one of Europes most efficient refining systems, capable of processing over one million barrels of crude oil daily. It distributes and sells fuels and lubricants through its more than 4,700 service stations in Spain, Portugal, Peru, Italy and Mexico. In addition, it is the largest player in Spains liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market. Boston, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Pao Arts Center is pleased to showcase the exhibit Looking at Power and Privilege curated by Julio S. Flores, Associate Professor in the Visual Media Arts Department at Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC). The BHCC Visual Media Arts Faculty Show is on view from April 10 to May 18, 2019. Looking at Power and Privilege explores the extant tension and structural limitations of the concepts of power and privilege as they are commonly perceived in historically determined meanings and contemporary, socially conscious interrogations. The works in the show are intended to both expand and challenge awareness of current issues, institutions, and individualized paradigms that restrict, impair, or otherwise confine equity, justice, and liberty, both locally and globally. Through their distinct technical skill and conceptual fluency, each artist celebrates individual form and personal interpretation. No one subject, medium, technique, or style is duplicated or subjected to a confrontational hierarchy; each artist has chosen to engage in an often uncomfortable dialogue between diverging perspectives and potent expressions/experiences of power and privilege. The show features twelve Visual and Media Arts Department faculty members from BHCC. Cynthia Woo, Director of Pao Arts Center shares, Pao Arts Center has been a partnership between BCNC and BHCC in bringing creativity, culture, and education to this community. This is a great way to make more visible the work of BHCC and their faculty at the Pao Arts Center by showcasing their work. Opening Reception:Thursday, May 2, 6 - 8 p.m.Pao Arts Center, 99 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02111 About the Pao Arts Center: BCNCs Pao Arts Center is Chinatowns first community-based arts, culture, and education center and adds a new and unique Asian American and Asian immigrant cultural space to the landscape of Boston. Opened in May 2017, the Pao Arts Center sits on a historically significant parcel of land where hundreds of Chinatown residents were displaced in the 1960s in order to build a highway on-ramp. The reclamation of this land as a place to celebrate and explore Asian culture represents a powerful shift towards community-oriented development in the face of rapidly expanding gentrification. Developed in partnership with Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC), the Pao Arts Center also hosts a variety of BHCC classes, performances, and a multimedia language lab that will be open to the public. For more information: Pao Arts Center About BHCC: Bunker Hill Community College is the largest community college in Massachusetts, enrolling approximately 19,000 students annually. BHCC has two campuses in Charlestown and Chelsea, three satellite locations and a number of instructional centers throughout the Greater Boston area. BHCC is one of the most diverse institutions of higher education in Massachusetts. Sixty-five percent of the students are people of color and more than half of BHCC's students are women. The College also enrolls nearly 1,000 international students who come from 100 countries and speak more than 75 languages. ### Attachment DELRAY BEACH, Fla., April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Exactus Inc. (OTCQB: EXDI) (the Company), an emerging company pursuing seed to consumer opportunities in the hemp-derived Cannabidiol (CBD) market, is pleased to announce that it has received an independent fairness opinion from Scalar, LLC (Scalar) in connection with the Companys acquisition of two operating farms located in Southwest Oregon, as reported in the Companys March 11 press release. Scalar is a nationwide business valuation firm engaged in valuation services for tax, financial reporting, transaction advisory, and litigation consulting, which is regularly engaged in providing transaction advisory valuation services in connection with mergers and acquisitions. The Companys Board of Directors selected Scalar to render the fairness opinion on the basis of Scalars experience in similar transactions, its reputation in the professional services community and its familiarity with the Company and its business. The fairness opinion confirms and concludes that the transaction consideration to be incurred by the Company in connection with the acquisition is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Company. In arriving at its opinion, Scalar performed a valuation analysis. Scalar employed traditional valuation methods including market, income, and cost valuation approaches, and relied on financial projections and forecasts prepared and provided by the Company. Through its majority-owned subsidiary Exactus One World, LLC (One World), the Company expects to produce over 500,000 pounds of agricultural biomass in the highly coveted Illinois and Rogue Valleys of Oregon. During March 2019 the Company secured genetics (seeds) from Oregon CBD and commenced planting in April 2019. The fairness opinion was based in part on the Companys One World forecast for its first harvest expected in approximately five to six months. Below is an excerpt from the Companys 2019-2021 Forecast: (000s) 2019 2020 2021 Total Revenue 32,557 65,113 95,288 Cost of Sales 3,540 7,081 10,362 Net Income 21,462 43,149 63,319 Business Update - 1. Expansion: During March 2019 Exactus, Inc. acquired a majority interest in two industrial hemp farms, totaling approximately 200 leased acres, from highly regarded hemp farmers located in Southwest Oregon. Ceed2Med, LLC, a shareholder and supplier to the Company, developed the farms at the request of the Company so the Company can produce its own CBD biomass, isolate and distillate in 2019 and thereafter. The minority holders are experienced farmers who have successfully produced industrial hemp with Ceed2Med in Southwest Oregon. The Company has acquired proprietary genetics (seeds) from Oregon CBD, a recognized leader in hemp genetics. The seeds purchased have at least a two year history of successful production in Oregon. Planting activities have commenced, with the starting mix and seed planting in the Companys greenhouses, which will yield seedlings in approximately 30 days. Irrigation and soil preparation are complete and seedling to soil transplanting is expected to commence in approximately 30 days. 2. Production and Manufacturing: During April 2019, the Company delivered raw materials (isolate and distillate) and began oversight of product development at two locations. 3. Wholesale and Retail: During April 2019, the Company initiated discussions with pharmacy and physician groups and commenced direct sales to several customers. 4. E-Commerce: An e-commerce platform is in development and is planned to launch in second quarter. 5. Branding: The Company has hired an internal senior director of marketing and has engaged an outside agency to develop its own Exactus branded product lines (tinctures, creams, gel caps, water) as well as to assist with white label/private label orders. The brand is expected to launch in May 2019 including initial lines and SKUs. 6. New Product Development: The Company is investigating a broad based number of proprietary CBD derived products and technology applications for introduction into the marketplace over the next several quarters. Philip Young, CEO of Exactus said, At Exactus our focus is to carry our business forward with our farming efforts forming a broad platform. Our mission is to take responsibility all the way through the value chain to consumable products marketed directly by us and our partners. Our farm based business model allows us to control the quality of our products throughout the supply chain to the Exactus label and white label finished products. Industry data demonstrates that our profit yield should be many multiples over the value inherent in the recently completed valuation model, which merely assumes sale of harvested and dried biomass. Taking the farm product to the consumer is our plan. Young concluded saying, Circumstance may arise where we may be able to sell biomass (for example hemp 'flower' can sell for up to $500/lb and is highly coveted as a consumer product in its own right as are 'pre-rolls'), in addition to isolate or distillate. Neither will become our core business, as we plan to principally focus on developing avenues for sales directly to consumers, yielding far superior revenues than would be the case merely from selling biomass, isolate or distillate to others. The development of proprietary formulations for tinctures, gel caps and topical lotions are expected to put Exactus in a strong position to build significant customer loyalty by adhering to our core mission; to be recognized as the most trusted, transparent CBD company committed to quality and purity in every product. Emiliano Aloi, President of Exactus commented, Through a combination of carefully selecting the genetics from renowned Oregon CBD, partnering with experienced farms who have previously utilized these genetics in the region which is known to generate successful hemp crops with high CBD percentages, we believe we have created an excellent platform for successful harvests in 2019 and beyond. Although agriculture is an uncertain science, we are highly confident. We are currently in the process of building out two proprietary drying facilities in which we will not only have the resources capable of handling the capacity of our own harvest, we will be able to create an additional income stream by providing a service to a number of farmers that reside in the region. We continue to explore opportunities to acquire extraction and production assets to complete our plans to fully-integrate. Our fields have been completely prepped for planting, the planting crews and equipment are in place and are ready to transfer our seedlings to ground in the next month. We are very excited and expect amazing harvests this year and in the future. For information about Exactus, their products and availability, please call 804-205-5036 or email, ir@exactusinc.com. About Exactus: Exactus Inc., is pursuing opportunities in hemp derived Cannabidiol, which is more commonly referred to as CBD. Industrial hemp is a type of cannabis plant containing less than 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the psychoactive component of the cannabis plant. Industrial hemp is cultivated for the plants seed, fiber, and extracts. After 40 years of prohibition, the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, known as the 2018 Farm Bill, legalized hemp on the federal level. Hemp production will be regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the states. As a result, Hemp has generally been removed from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). A potential risk of growing hemp in the United States is that the entire crop must be destroyed if it tests at a THC percentage greater than 0.3%. For more information about Exactus: www.exactusinc.com. Investor Notice Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks, uncertainties and forward-looking statements described under "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of our most recent Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 29, 2019 and under the heading Risk Factors in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 14, 2019, and in other periodic and current reports we file with the SEC. If any of these risks were to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations would likely suffer. In that event, the value of our securities could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment. The risks and uncertainties we describe are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. In addition, our past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results in the future. See "Safe Harbor" below. Safe Harbor - Forward Looking Statements The information provided in this press release may include forward-looking statements relating to future events or the future financial performance of the Company. Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "will," "potential," "hope" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations of the Company and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties. Detailed information regarding factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by statements in this press release relating to the Company may be found in the Company's periodic and current filings with the SEC, including the factors described in the sections entitled "Risk Factors", copies of which may be obtained from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company does not intend to correct or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Company contact: Andrew Johnson Chief Strategy Officer Exactus Inc. 509-999-9695 ir@exactusinc.com English French 2018 annual results Implementation of the NEWWAY 2021 plan Strategic acquisition in Latin America In thousands of euros Consolidated accounts 2018 2017 Revenue 6 515 9 138 Gross margin % of revenue 4 201 64.5% 6 151 67.3% Operating revenue 823 574 Operating expenses - 8 901 - 7 571 Operating income - 3 878 - 845 Net income - 4 124 - 965 Spineways Board of Directors, at a meeting held on 26 April 2019 chaired by Stephane Le Roux, closed the 2018 annual accounts. The Groups statutory auditors audited said accounts and their reports are being prepared. A reorganization that automatically had an adverse impact on the 2018 accounts SPINEWAY confirms 2018 revenue of 6.5M (-29%) resulting from a sharp drop in US sales following the liquidation of the main distributor, now generating only 5% of the groups revenue (compared with 40% last year). Outside the US, the Groups activity was of 6.2M, up 14% compared with 2017. In line with the first half of the year, the annual accounts reflect this drop in activity and bear the effects of the reorganization of the US subsidiary during the second half of the year. The Operating income was therefore at - 3.9M, including in particular the posting of some provisions for end-of-shelf-life inventory (0.6M) and the unpaid invoices from the US distributor that has ceased its activity (0.4M). In addition, as the Groupe recruited a new CEO for its US subsidiary, it bore the expenses for two on-site US teams over the last quarter. As of 2019, the US subsidiary should show a significant decrease in personnel expenses. Also, in order to support the changes in its product lines, Spineway kept up its R&D expenses, which amounted to 1.3M in 2018 (19% of 2018 revenue) and allowed it to benefit from a refundable tax credit of 0.4M for the financial year. After these exceptional expenses, net income amounted to -4.1M. During the course of the financial year, the Group strengthened its financial structure by signing, in July 2018, a financing agreement for the issuance of OCEANE (bonds convertible into new and/or existing shares) with warrants representing a maximum of 14.5M. To date, the Group has issued five tranches of OCEANE, representing a total of 5.5M. The conversion of the OCEANE issued during the 2018 financial year made it possible to boost the Groups equity capital, which was of 946k at the end of December, which included the financial years losses. The Groups net debt amounted to 4.1M, with 77% representing short-term debts. Future prospects During the first quarter of 2019, Spineway generated a revenue of 1.3M, compared with 1.8M the previous year (-28%). This level of activity reflects, in particular, the Groups new marketing policy to focus on the more profitable countries. Spineways revenue in Europe remains stable at 387k, while recording a slight progress in MEA/India (+8%). In Latin America, Spineway voluntarily offset some deliveries in order to limit its trade receivables. Furthermore, in line with its strategic plan to improve profitability, Spineway decided to lower its structural costs and, during the second quarter of 2019, began efforts to decrease its workforce in France by approximately 20%. At the AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) Annual Meeting in Las Vegas last March, the US teams were able to make promising contacts and test the interest of surgeons and distributors in the Groups product lines: Mont-Blanc Evo, as well as the Mont-Blanc MIS line. Fully reorganized and with top-tier logistical support services (24-hour delivery, real-time inventory tracking, etc.), Spineways US subsidiary should begin seeing the results of its prospecting efforts by the second half of 2019. Change in scope initiated as part of the implementation of the Newway 2021 plan Early 2019, Spineway presented its new strategic plan, Newway 2021, which targets double-digit annual growth and a return to profitability in the long term. The latter goal focuses on three key directions: New marketing policy in order to improve product/country profitability (Japan, USA, Europe, etc.). in order to improve product/country profitability (Japan, USA, Europe, etc.). Evolving product lines toward premium positioning in order to reposition the Groups products on a more profitable market (Mini-Invasive MIS product line). Namely, a new generation of Mont Blanc pedicle screws, the Mont Blanc Evo product line, was presented at the Eurospine Conference in Barcelona at the end of 2018. in order to reposition the Groups products on a more profitable market (Mini-Invasive MIS product line). Namely, a new generation of Mont Blanc pedicle screws, the Mont Blanc Evo product line, was presented at the Eurospine Conference in Barcelona at the end of 2018. Targeted partnerships in order to accelerate development on its more profitable markets or strengthen its positions in areas it is already present. On March 20th, in accordance with the strategic plan, Spineway announced that it had entered into a promise of sale1 by which it will acquire an equity stake (first a majority interest, then a 100% interest in fine) in a hospital group that manages private hospitals in Latin America and Africa. This Group owns three hospitals based in Colombia (500 beds, 2 450 employees and performing approximately 36 000 operations per year) and a network of hospitals in Africa (209 beds). It generated a total revenue of over 73M in 2018. This equity investment is tied to the mid-September implementation of a partnership agreement that should allow accord Spineway to significantly improve its sales in the area. Furthermore, this vertical integration should result in a new group that will be recognized in the health field, with an original business model, and should provide Spineway with unique development opportunities. The transaction is subject to the meeting of all the usual conditions precedent, in particular audit requirements, which are currently in progress. SPINEWAY IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE PEA-PME (EQUITY SAVINGS PLANS FOR SMES) Find out all about Spineway at www.spineway.com The annual accounts will be available on the companys website on 30 April 2019, after market closes. This press release has been prepared in both English and French. In case of discrepancies, the French version shall prevail. Spineway designs, manufactures and markets innovative implants and surgical instruments for treating severe disorders of the spinal column. Spineway has an international network of over 50 independent distributors and 90% of its revenue comes from exports. Spineway, which is eligible for investment through FCPIs (French unit trusts specializing in innovation), has received the OSEO Excellence award since 2011 and has won the Deloitte Fast 50 award (2011). Rhone Alpes INPI Patent Innovation award (2013) INPI Talent award (2015). ISIN: FR0011398874 - ALSPW Contacts: Spineway Shareholder-services line Available Tuesday through Thursday (10 a.m. 12 p.m.) +33 (0)811 045 555 Aelium Finance et Communication Investor relations Solene Kennis spineway@aelium.fr 1 Bilateral agreement to sell and purchase subject to conditions precedent with a unilateral selling option. Attachment Atlanta, GA, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acuity Brands, Inc. (AYI: NYSE) announced today plans to work exclusively with OLEDWorks, a leading manufacturer of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) lighting technology, on an expanded product portfolio of OLED luminaires. Acuity Brands, using OLEDWorks technology, intends to develop a series of affordable and innovative OLED luminaires for architectural lighting applications. OLEDs are a thin sheet of light that create a gentle and diffuse illumination that is calm, soft and comfortable to view. Their ultra-thin form offers excellent visual quality and they are a natural fit for interior applications that can help enhance the occupant experience and the aesthetics of the space itself. We have worked with OLEDWorks and their OLED technology for years, and weve found it to be the superior OLED technology in the market. Were excited about our collaboration, said Rick Earlywine, Acuity Brands Lighting Senior Vice President, Architectural Lighting Solutions. Over time, we see an advent of even higher luminance OLED panels and more form factor choices that will create interesting options for specifiers to light architectural spaces. This is a major step forward in forging new paths for OLED lighting. Acuity Brands has been able to anticipate trends in the general lighting industry, and it was an early adopter of incorporating OLED technology for luminaires, capitalizing on the unique benefits OLEDs offer, said Dave DeJoy, CEO of OLEDWorks. They continue to be the leader in developing and delivering innovative, impactful lighting solutions. We are proud to be a partner with Acuity and look forward to advancing OLED lighting technology together. We bring to the table our innovative manufacturing facilities in Rochester, NY and Aachen, Germany, coupled with an exceptional concentration of pioneering OLED talent and proven technology advances in research and development. Acuity Brands will be showcasing the Olessence Slim luminaire from Peerless, a new OLED product featuring OLEDWorks technology, at the 2019 LIGHTFAIRO International trade show, May 21-23, in Philadelphia, PA (Booth #1201). Olessence Slim luminaires balance OLED and LED lighting technologies to maximize beauty and performance in lighting while optimizing energy savings and cost. About Acuity Brands Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is the North American market leader and one of the worlds leading providers of lighting and building management solutions. With fiscal year 2018 net sales of $3.7 billion, Acuity Brands currently employs approximately 12,000 associates and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia with operations throughout North America, and in Europe and Asia. The Companys products and solutions are sold under various brands, including Lithonia Lighting, Holophane, Aculux, American Electric Lighting, Antique Street Lamps, Atrius, DGLogik, Distech Controls, DTL, eldoLED, Gotham, Healthcare Lighting, Hydrel, Indy, IOTA, Juno, Lucid, Mark Architectural Lighting, nLight, Peerless, RELOC Wiring, ROAM, Sensor Switch, Sunoptics and Winona Lighting. Visit us at www.acuitybrands.com About OLEDWorks OLEDWorks is a global leader in the development and production of innovative organic light-emitting diode (OLED) lighting solutions. Founded in 2010 in Rochester NY by many of the original pioneers in the OLED industry, OLEDWorks creates reliable, beautiful and cost-effective OLED light engines that inspire architects, designers and manufacturers around the world. By producing the worlds best performing OLED panels and combining rapid product innovation, OLEDWorks simplifies and enriches your illuminated space. Free from blue light hazards, OLED is the healthy and beautiful light solution. Sustainable and environmentally responsible, OLEDWorks OLED light engines enhance the well-being of our world and its inhabitants. www.oledworks.com # # # # Media Contacts: Neil Egan Director, Communications Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc. Neil.Egan@acuitybrands.com 770-860-2957 Ashley Romano Director of Marketing OLEDWorks ARomano@oledworks.com 585-645-9168 English French SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canada is home to several high-performing, internationally renowned research facilities. The researchers working in these labs are tackling areas of discovery and applied research that are helping to power our economic and scientific productivity, which ultimately benefits all Canadians. Thats why the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, today announced an additional $160 million through the Canada Foundation for Innovations (CFI) Major Science Initiatives Fund. This funding stems from a Budget 2018 commitment that included an historic $4 billion investment in the people and places powering science and research in Canada. Todays announcement includes close to $40 million to support cutting-edge collaborative international research at seven Canadian facilities that are national in scope: The Canadian Light Source is a national research facility of the University of Saskatchewan and the only synchrotron in Canada, producing the brightest light in the country to conduct innovative health, agriculture, environment, and advanced materials research. is a national research facility of the University of Saskatchewan and the only synchrotron in Canada, producing the brightest light in the country to conduct innovative health, agriculture, environment, and advanced materials research. VIDO-InterVac (Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre) is a global leader in infectious disease research and vaccine development, combating dangerous pathogens in both animals and humans. (Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre) is a global leader in infectious disease research and vaccine development, combating dangerous pathogens in both animals and humans. Ocean Networks Canada delivers open data from all three Canadian coasts in real-time via the Internet to assess the state of the ocean and better understand the dynamics from beneath the seafloor up to the atmosphere. Its headquarters are at the University of Victoria. delivers open data from all three Canadian coasts in real-time via the Internet to assess the state of the ocean and better understand the dynamics from beneath the seafloor up to the atmosphere. Its headquarters are at the University of Victoria. SNOLAB is an underground science laboratory specializing in neutrino and dark matter physics. Located two kilometres underground in a mine near Sudbury, Ontario, the facility allows scientists to study the make-up of the universe. is an underground science laboratory specializing in neutrino and dark matter physics. Located two kilometres underground in a mine near Sudbury, Ontario, the facility allows scientists to study the make-up of the universe. The research icebreaker, CCGS Amundsen , gives Canadian researchers and their collaborators unprecedented access to the Arctic Ocean. It is based out of the Universite Laval in Quebec City. , gives Canadian researchers and their collaborators unprecedented access to the Arctic Ocean. It is based out of the Universite Laval in Quebec City. Ocean Tracking Network is a global monitoring network that focuses on sustainable oceans management and aquatic species, headquartered at Dalhousie University. is a global monitoring network that focuses on sustainable oceans management and aquatic species, headquartered at Dalhousie University. Canadas National Design Network provides researchers with access to products and services for designing, prototyping and testing their ideas. Quotes These leading research facilities help position Canada as a top destination for world-class research and allow our researchers to make fantastic discoveries, strengthen Canadas social fabric and international competitiveness, and help train the next generation of our highly skilled workforce. The Honourable Kirsty Duncan , Minister of Science and Sport Canadas support for Major Science Initiatives ensures excellence in leading-edge research and places us on the world stage as we contribute to solutions for national and global issues. Roseann OReilly Runte , President and CEO This significant increase in federal funding for the largest of Canadas scientific facilities is crucial to Canadas success as a global leader in innovation and discovery. With two of the seven facilities, the University of Saskatchewan is well supported in its ambitions to be the university the world needs through cutting-edge research that improves human and animal health, agriculture, and the environment. Peter Stoicheff , President of the University of Saskatchewan Quick Facts Budget 2018 set aside $763 million over five years for the CFI, and ongoing funding of up to $462 million per year starting in 2023-24. This permanent funding will put cutting-edge infrastructure in the hands of our researchers and students to ensure they can make discoveries and innovate. The $160 million aligns closely with recommendation 6.10 of Canadas Fundamental Science Review . . The seven facilities are receiving close to $40 million ending March 31, 2020. Quick links Canada Foundation for Innovation Major Science Initiatives Fund Related products Government of Canada investing in Canadian researchers to make world-class discoveries March 13, 2019 March 13, 2019 A full list of the funded projects and stories about the facilities are available online at Innovation.ca . For updates, follow us on Twitter @InnovationCA and subscribe to our YouTube channel for videos about the CFI and its many transformative research projects. Contacts Olivia Carey Media Relations and Social Media Officer Canada Foundation for Innovation O: 613-943-2580 C: 613-447-1723 olivia.carey@innovation.ca Media Relations Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada 343-291-1777 ic.mediarelations-mediasrelations.ic@canada.ca Daniele Medlej Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Science and Sport 343-291-4204 daniele.medlej@canada.ca About the Canada Foundation for Innovation For more than 20 years, the CFI has been giving researchers the tools they need to think big and innovate. And a robust innovation system translates into jobs and new enterprises, better health, cleaner environments and, ultimately, vibrant communities. By investing in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment in Canadas universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research institutions, the CFI also helps to attract and retain the worlds top talent, to train the next generation of researchers and to support world-class research that strengthens the economy and improves the quality of life for all Canadians. English Dutch Regulated Information Inside Information Nyrstar: Overwhelming support for Recapitalisation and Extension of Phase 2 Longstop Date 29 April 2019 at 21:00 CEST Introduction On 15 April 2019, Nyrstar NV (Nyrstar or the Company, and, together with its subsidiaries, the Group) announced (the 15 April Announcement) that it had entered into a lock-up agreement for the recapitalisation of the Group with representatives of its key financial creditor groups (the Lock-Up Agreement). For further details of the terms of the recapitalisation, please refer to the 15 April Announcement. All capitalised terms in this announcement shall have the meanings given to them in the 15 April Announcement unless otherwise defined. Overwhelming support for the Lock-Up Agreement Nyrstar is pleased to announce that it has received overwhelming support from its key financial creditor groups for the Recapitalisation Terms. As at the date of this announcement, formal consents to the Lock-Up Agreement have been received from: Over 87% of aggregate outstanding principal amount under the 2019 Notes Over 73% of aggregate outstanding principal amount under the 2024 Notes (together over 79% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount under the 2019 Notes and the 2024 Notes) Over 87% of aggregate outstanding principal amount under the Convertible Bonds (together with the 2024 Notes and the 2019 Notes, the Notes and the Noteholders). In addition, more than 75% of the lenders under the 600m Revolving Structured Commodity Trade Finance are understood to have formally consented to or received credit approval to enter into the Lock-Up Agreement. Various lenders under the Groups Unsecured Facilities (bilateral and prepayment facilities) have already acceded to the Lock-Up Agreement and a number of other lenders have also indicated their support and intention to accede to the Lock-Up Agreement following completion of customary internal credit committee processes. Extension of the Phase 2 Longstop Date The Lock-Up Agreement provides that the requisite majorities of creditors under the affected financing arrangements need to have acceded to the Lock-Up Agreement by 29 April 2019 or such later date, up to 7 May 2019, as may be agreed by Nyrstar, Trafigura, the Bank Co-ordinating Committee and an ad-hoc group of Noteholders. To allow completion of certain lenders credit approval processes and for remaining relevant creditors to accede to the Lock-up Agreement, Nyrstar announces that it has been agreed that the Phase 2 Longstop Date is extended to 11.59 p.m. (London time) on 7 May 2019. For Noteholders, Nyrstar also notes the previous announcement that 11.59 p.m. (London time) on 7 May is the extended deadline by when Notes are required to be locked-up for the relevant Noteholders to receive the 150 bps fee on implementation of the recapitalisation (see the announcements dated 15 and 25 April 2019 for more details). 2019/2024 Notes Consent Solicitations update On 15 April 2019, Nyrstar commenced two consent solicitations to request, among other things, a temporary waiver for the duration of the period ending on the earlier of the termination of the Lock-Up Agreement and 31 August 2019 of any defaults or events of default arising as a result of Nyrstars failure to pay the March 2019 coupon under the 2019 Notes and the 2024 Notes (the Consent Solicitation). This requires a 90% consent level for each of those Notes. Nyrstar has, as at the date of this announcement, received consents from noteholders representing around 84% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the 2019 Notes and around 88% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the 2024 Notes. Nyrstar encourages all remaining Noteholders to consent so that the requisite threshold of 90% can be reached quickly. As announced by Nyrstar on 25 April 2019, the Consent Solicitation process expires on 7 May 2019. Conclusion Nyrstar encourages all relevant creditors to accede to the Lock-Up Agreement and, where relevant, to consent to the above Consent Solicitation as soon as possible and before 11.59pm (London time) 7 May 2019. Nyrstar will provide further updates as appropriate in due course and Nyrstar thanks its stakeholders for their on-going support in relation to its Capital Structure Review. Lucid contact details regarding the Lock-Up Agreement and the Consent Solicitation A copy of the Lock-Up Agreement and additional details about acceding to the Lock-Up Agreement and voting on the Consent Solicitation can be obtained from Lucid: Sunjeeve Patel / Victor Parzyjagla Website: www.lucid-is.com/nyrstar Telephone: + 44 20 7704 0880 Email: nyrstar@lucid-is.com About Nyrstar Nyrstar is a global multi-metals business, with a market leading position in zinc and lead, and growing positions in other base and precious metals, which are essential resources that are fuelling the rapid urbanisation and industrialisation of our changing world. Nyrstar has mining, smelting and other operations located in Europe, the Americas and Australia and employs approximately 4,100 people. Nyrstar is incorporated in Belgium and has its corporate office in Switzerland. Nyrstar is listed on Euronext Brussels under the symbol NYR. For further information please visit the Nyrstar website: www.nyrstar.com. For further information contact: Anthony Simms Head of Investor Relations T: +41 44 745 8157 M: +41 79 722 2152 anthony.simms@nyrstar.com Franziska Morroni Head of Communications T: +41 44 745 8295 M: +41 79 719 2342 franziska.morroni@nyrstar.com Attachment Washington, D.C., April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Organic Trade Associations export promotion program closed the first quarter of 2019 with a flourish, and is beginning the second quarter in an equally robust way. The Organic Trade Association has been opening up new markets for U.S. organic products for nearly 20 years through our participation in the U.S. Department of Agricultures Market Access Program (MAP), said Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association. The worlds appetite for organic just keeps on growing, and the U.S. industry can go a long way to filling that demand if we help the sector make the right connections. With new funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Organic Trade Association will lead a team this week to Toronto to participate in SIAL Canada -- Canadas biggest food trade show of the year, and one of North Americas largest gatherings of food industry professionals from around the world. The huge show draws over 15,000 buyers from more than 60 countries. We are thrilled to be leading a team for the first time at this important show, said Alexis Carey, Manager of International Trade for the Organic Trade Association. Not only will buyers from all over the world be attending, but Canada is our Number 1 export market for organic. Canadian consumers are looking for that USDA Organic label, and more than half of U.S. organic exports are now shipped to Canada. Were eager to introduce them to more U.S. organic products. The Organic Trade Association was awarded funding from two separate USDA programs for 2019. The annual Market Access Program funding was $883,593 for 2019, the largest award the association has received in its almost two decades as an official cooperator in USDAs flagship program to promote American agricultural products in global markets. A new program introduced in the fall of 2018, the Agricultural Trade Promotion (ATP) program, began as part of the funding assistance given by the U.S. government to those affected by retaliatory tariffs. The Organic Trade Association was awarded $547,085 to carry out market promotion activities in Mexico, Canada, the Middle East, and Asia. Big wins in first quarter Although release of the MAP/ATP grant funding allocations was delayed due to the late passage of the 2018 Farm Bill and the 35-day government shutdown, the Organic Trade Association clocked in a busy and fruitful first quarter of international programming. In February, the association led a 14-member team of organic businesses to Germany to participate in BioFach, the largest trade show in the world for organic products. Half of the team was new to the event, and four of those participants were new to any Organic Trade Association-sponsored international event. The American organic team was enthusiastically welcomed by the international buyers, and the team reported projected sales of over $4.9 million as a direct result of their participation in BioFach. The diversity of commodities as well as new and return participants to our booth were a strong achievement this year as we build new companies into our export programming, said Carey. Our team ranged from a maker of organic Kombucha to spices and ingredient companies. With more than 3,200 exhibitors from 98 countries and 51,000-plus attendees, BioFach offers abundant opportunities for U.S. organic suppliers to meet with buyers from not just Europe, but from all over the world, said Carey. In early March, the Organic Trade Association was in Japan conducting its first activity as part of its Agricultural Trade Promotion program funding. Six organic exhibitors with products ranging from organic grains and lentils to BBQ sauce participated in the huge FoodEx Japan trade show. Projected sales racked up at the show: an impressive total of $4.5 million-plus with $30,000 in onsite sales. FoodEx Japan was a massive success, especially considering five out of our six participants were new to the show, said Carey. Japan is a crucial market in Asia with increasing demand for organic products. Second quarter off to quick start The Organic Trade Association team members travelling to Toronto for SIAL Canada represent a wide array of organic products, ranging from organic poultry and organic seasonings to organic legumes and organic sprouted flours. Timeless Seeds, a Montana company that sells organic heirloom varieties of grains and legumes, will be going to SIAL Canada for the first time. Matthew Leardini, General Manager of the company, says participating in global trade shows wouldnt be possible without some help: The Organic Trade Associations support and the USDA funds have provided the means for us to participate in various international shows to promote and sell Montana-origin organic lentils and heirloom grains into the world market--an opportunity we would financially not otherwise be able to have. Also on the calendar for this quarter is the large Seoul Food and Hotel show in late May. For the fourth year, the Organic Trade Association will be escorting a team to this largest trade show in Korea. It will be the first time at the show for half the team, where they will have access to key buyers from across Asia. Plans already in gear for third quarter Looking even further ahead, the third quarter will also get off to a fast start. In July, the Organic Trade Association will host its first-ever buyers mission at the fourth-annual Organic Produce Summit on July 10th in Monterey, California. This cant-miss event for the organic produce sector is the only event in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to bringing together organic fresh produce growers, shippers and processors with retailer and buying organizations from across the globe. The Organic Trade Association will be hosting a half-dozen international buyers from Mexico and the Pacific Rim countries at the summit. This buyers mission is especially important because Mexico and the Pacific Rim countries are among the U.S.s largest trading partners for fresh produce. In addition, it will give leading produce retailers in the U.S. the opportunity to meet with buyers from major foreign retailers. The coordinated one-on-one meetings provide a space separate from the summit activities where buyers and suppliers have dedicated time to discuss potential export partnerships. The membership of the Organic Trade Associations provides the bulk of U.S. organic exports. The market promotion activities administered by the association are open to the entire organic industry, not just association members. For more information or to sign-up for activities, visit https://www.ota.com/resources/global-market-opportunities. The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. OTA is the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing over 9,500 organic businesses across 50 states. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers' associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTAs Board of Directors is democratically elected by its members. OTA's mission is to promote and protect ORGANIC with a unifying voice that serves and engages its diverse members from farm to marketplace. Attachment MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Horizon National Corporation (NYSE:FHN) today announced that it has been named to Fortunes annual list of the 60 Best Workplaces in Finance and Insurance . Employees anonymous responses to a survey coordinated by Great Place to Work determined the rankings. First Horizon ranked #20 in the Large Companies category. First Horizons workplace culture is our vision and philosophy of putting employees first and providing them with the benefits, tools and resources necessary to support them and their families needs, said John Daniel, chief human resources officer at First Horizon. We are honored to be named one of the nations top workplaces, particularly since the rankings are based on feedback from current employees. To determine the 2019 Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance, Great Place to Work analyzed anonymous survey feedback from more than 726,000 employees working in the Financial Services & Insurance industry in the United States. Companies with 1,000 employees or more were considered for the Large Companies category. First Horizon is consistently recognized for its strong corporate culture and employee benefits. Earlier this year, First Horizon was named a top company for executive women by the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE). It has also been honored by Forbes, Working Mother, and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, among others. To learn more about First Horizon, please visit careers.firsthorizon.com . About First Horizon First Horizon National Corp. (NYSE:FHN) provides financial services through its Capital Bank, First Tennessee Bank, FTB Advisors, and FTN Financial businesses. The banking subsidiary was founded in 1864, has the 14th oldest national bank charter in the country and the largest deposit market share in Tennessee. The company operates more than 250 bank locations across the Southeast and 28 FTN Financial offices across the U.S. FTB Advisors wealth management group has more than 300 financial professionals and about $4.8 billion in assets under management. FTN Financial is a capital markets industry leader in fixed income sales, trading and strategies for institutional customers in the U.S. and abroad. The company has been ranked by American Banker magazine among the Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. banks and as one of the nations best employers by the National Association for Female Executives and Fortune magazine. More information is available at www.FirstHorizon.com . FHN-G VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atico Mining Corporation (the Company or Atico) (TSX.V: ATY | OTC: ATCMF) is pleased to announce the end of the labor strike at its El Roble mine in Colombia. The Company has resumed all operations and re-initiated its diamond drill exploration program on the 6,300-ha land package. It is expected that operations will reach normal levels within the following hours. Throughout the remainder of the year, the Company will make every operational effort to make up for as much lost production as possible. 2019 Adjusted Guidance Due to the union negotiations and the strike at the El Roble Mine, the Company is adjusting the annual guidance as follows: 2019 Adjusted Production and Cost Guidance Previous New Copper (000s pounds) 20,000 to 21,000 17,000 to 18,000 Gold (ounces) 10,200 to 10,700 9,000 to 9,700 C1 Cash Cost ($US)(1) $1.50 to $1.55 $1.55 to $1.60 Note: Please see Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this release. C1 cash cost per pound of payable copper produced net of by-product credits and selling costs. El Roble Mine The El Roble mine is a high grade, underground copper and gold mine with nominal processing plant capacity of 850 tonnes per day, located in the Department of Choco in Colombia. Its commercial product is a copper-gold concentrate. Since obtaining control of the mine on November 22, 2013, Atico has upgraded the operation from a historical nominal capacity of 400 tonnes per day. El Roble has Proven and Probable reserves of 1.47 million tonnes grading 3.40% copper and 1.88 g/t gold, at a cut-off grade of 1.93% copper equivalent as of June 30th, 2018. Mineralization is open at depth and along strike and the Company plans to further test the limits of the deposit. On the larger land package, the Company has identified a prospective stratigraphic contact between volcanic rocks and black and grey pelagic sediments and cherts that has been traced by Atico geologists for ten kilometers. This contact has been determined to be an important control on volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) mineralization on which Atico has identified numerous target areas prospective for VMS type mineralization occurrence, which is the focus of the current surface drill program at El Roble. Qualified Person Mr. Thomas Kelly (SME Registered Member 1696580), advisor to the Company and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 standards, is responsible for ensuring that the technical information contained in this news release is an accurate summary of the original reports and data provided to or developed by Atico. About Atico Mining Corporation Atico is a growth-oriented Company, focused on exploring, developing and mining copper and gold projects in Latin America. The Company operates the El Roble mine and is pursuing additional acquisition opportunities. For more information, please visit www.aticomining.com . ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Fernando E. Ganoza CEO Atico Mining Corporation Trading symbols: TSX.V: ATY | OTC: ATCMF Investor Relations Igor Dutina Tel: +1.604.633.9022 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The securities being offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, or to, or for the account or benefit of, a "U.S. person" (as defined in Regulation S of the U.S. Securities Act) unless pursuant to an exemption therefrom. This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company in any jurisdiction. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements This announcement includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation the use of net proceeds, are forward-looking statements. Forward- looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties and are based on certain factors and assumptions. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Companys expectations include uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; uncertainty of estimates of capital and operating costs; the need to obtain additional financing to maintain its interest in and/or explore and develop the Companys mineral projects; uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones for the Companys mineral projects; and other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading Risk Factors in the prospectus of the Company dated March 2, 2012 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com Non-GAAP Financial Measures The items marked with a "(1)" are alternative performance measures and readers should refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2018 as filed on SEDAR and as available on the Company's website for further details. Toronto, Ontario, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Flowr Corporation (TSX.V: FLWR; OTC: FLWPF) (Flowr or the Company), a Canadian Licensed Producer and global leader in premium cannabis R&D and innovation, today provided a corporate update on various matters. Details are as follows: Private Placement Flowr intends to complete a non-brokered private placement of up to 2,400,000 common shares of Flowr at a price of C$6.25 per common share for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$15 million (the Private Placement). The Company expects to use the proceeds of the Private Placement for general working capital purposes, including for the funding of construction of certain operations of Holigen Holdings Limited (Holigen). Holigen is a European-based cannabis company in the process of developing large-scale GMP-compliant cultivation facilities in Portugal and Australia that are expected to provide medical cannabis products, ingredients, and plants and seeds to markets globally. Investors participating in the Private Placement, and investing an aggregate of approximately C$3,600,000, include Flowr CEO Vinay Tolia, Chairman, Steve Klein, through Core Flow Canada Holdings Inc. (Core Flow), as well as individual members of Flowrs Board of Directors (Board), including new Board member Don Duet. The participation of Flowrs senior management team and Board members demonstrates their long-term commitment to Flowrs corporate strategy and business model. Closing of the Private Placement is expected to occur on or about May 10, 2019, but is at the discretion of the Company (the Closing Date). The Company will announce the outcome of the Private Placement after closing in a subsequent press release. As of the date of this press release, management and Board members currently own or exercise control over 60% of the securities interests of Flowr (taking into account the Companys 87,045,352 issued and outstanding common shares and 43,950,000 securities held by certain shareholders in a subsidiary of the Company that are convertible into common shares of Flowr for no additional consideration). Through leading each round of financing for the Company, Core Flow has a strong conviction in Flowrs edge in designing and constructing highly efficient facilities and producing high quality cannabis products, said Steve Klein. Moreover, Flowr is building a company, from its management team to cultivators, that I believe is second to none." Pricing of the Private Placement was determined by the Board based on the closing price for the common shares on the date prior to announcement of the Private Placement and in compliance with regulatory policies. All common shares issued under the Private Placement will be delivered from Canada and are subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day from the Closing Date. The Private Placement is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The common shares have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Holigen Investment Portugal Through its investment, Flowr is supporting Holigens proposed 45 million investment in Portugal to produce medicinal cannabis outdoors and generate 200 jobs over the next four years. Holigens first installation in Portugal is under construction in Sintra, with 21,500 square feet for cultivation, processing, GMP manufacturing and R&D operations. Holigen has been granted a cultivation license for its Sintra indoor facility which now has mother plants growing and in development. In addition, the GMP extraction and packaging areas in the Sintra facility have been completed and the extraction equipment is in place and undergoing testing. The GMP manufacturing inspection for Sintras indoor facility is scheduled and expected to occur in June 2019. In addition, this year, Holigen expects to initiate the installation of one of the largest outdoor cannabis cultivation facilities for cannabis sativa (THC) in the world in Aljustrel, Portugal, which will have a combined production, transformation and R&D area of more than 7,000,000 square feet. Holigens Aljustrel site is now security fenced and is expected to be ready for inspection by the Portuguese authorities in May 2019. This project has been designated a Project of National Interest by the Portuguese government, which ensures special handling and prioritization by government agencies and access to low cost financing. Australia In Australia, Holigen has been licensed by the Office of Drug Control (ODC) to cultivate and manufacture medicinal cannabis products, and was granted Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for labelling, secondary packaging and release for supply in November 2018. Holigen is on track to have its full manufacturing facility in Australia inspected to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) later this year. Subject to available financing, Phase 1 construction at the Australian facility is expected to be finalized in the second half of this year in preparation for an ODC inspection, and Phase 2 construction is expected be completed by August 2019. Upon completion of construction, inspections, permitting and licensing, Holigen expects to start manufacturing in Australia by the end of this year. As Holigen continues to progress through its licensing process in Portugal and Australia, it has also been granted cannabis clone import permits from Flowr as well as seed, tissue culture and seedling import permits in Europe and Australia. Holigen, through partnerships it has and is developing, has access to pharmaceutical distribution in over 35 countries across Europe and the southern hemisphere (excluding South America), including a distribution partner that has approximately 170 client wholesale and distribution outlets and is experienced in international importing and exporting of certain medicines. Holigen also has a highly skilled team in place with extensive experience in the pharmaceutical, distribution and construction industry, including senior engineers in the opiate industry (cultivation and extraction), senior GMP specialists, senior regulatory pharmacists experienced in dealing with European regulations and pharmacopeia, and senior construction executives. Further to the announcement made by the Company on December 20, 2018, Flowr is in the process of closing its 19.8% interest in Holigen and is evaluating a further acquisition and/or investment into Holigen. The Company provides no assurances that a transaction with Holigen will be completed as proposed or at all. Board and Management Update Flowr also announced changes to its Board of Directors and the addition of Thierry Elmaleh, as Head of Capital Markets. Current Board member Rishi Shah has stepped down as Lead Independent Director, and current Board member Karen Basian will replace him in the role. Don Duet, former Partner, Head of Global Technology Division, Goldman Sachs, will be filling Mr. Shahs Board seat, and will join the Audit Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Human Resources and Compensation Committee, the latter of which he will Chair. Additionally, Tom Flow has decided to transition from his role as Co-CEO and Board member to the position of Founder and Managing Partner, enabling him to better focus his time on Flowrs operations (including the ramp up of Holigens business), as the Company continues to focus on scaling its operations globally. I can speak for the entire Board of Directors in expressing our gratitude to Rishi and Tom for their many valuable contributions to our companys governance. We believe that Dons appointment highlights our continued focus on governance and assembling a Board with diverse skillsets. We are also excited to have Tom back in a role that better utilizes his passion and expertise on our global operational initiatives, as we pursue our goal of growing cannabis of the highest possible quality, said Mr. Tolia. Mr. Tolia continued, with the addition of Thierry on our team, we also believe we are well positioned to continue executing on our capital markets strategy, as Flowr grows and gains additional exposure to the investment community. About New Board Member and Head of Capital Markets Don Duet Over his nearly 30-year career at Goldman Sachs, Mr. Duet ran the banks Technology Division, helping lead investments in emerging companies including Square, Docker and Barefoot Networks. Mr. Duet currently serves as Senior Advisor to McKinsey & Company and as an Advisory Board Member to Centana Growth Partners, a growth equity firm. He graduated from Marist College with a degree in Computer Science. Thierry Elmaleh Mr. Elmaleh brings 15 years of progressively more senior leadership experience in capital markets to Flowr. Most recently, Mr. Elmaleh was a Managing Director in the Trading Products division at BMO Capital Markets, which was the first Canadian Schedule 1 Bank to provide investment banking services to the cannabis sector. Prior to joining BMO, Mr. Elmaleh led the buildout of Susquehannas US equity and derivatives business in Canada, was a Vice President in Institutional Equity Sales at Bank of America Merrill Lynch & began his career as an investment banking analyst at TD Securities. Mr. Elmaleh has an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto and a BA in Economics from McGill University. Grant of Equity Incentives In addition, Flowr also announced today that the Board has approved the granting of an aggregate of 615,000 incentive stock options (the Options) and aggregate of 100,000 restricted share units (the RSUs) to certain officers of the Company. The Options are exercisable at a price of CAD$5.93 per share for a period of five years. The Options will vest either: (i) in equal proportion on a monthly basis over a period of thirty-six months, with the first monthly vesting to occur on March 31, 2019, with each subsequent vesting to occur on each of the following thirty-five (35) subsequent one (1) month anniversaries of that date; or (ii) as to thirty-three and one-third percent (33%) on each anniversary of the date of commencement of employment for the applicable officer. The RSUs will vest as to thirty-three and one-third percent (33%) on each anniversary of the date of commencement of employment for the applicable officer. About The Flowr Corporation Flowr, through its subsidiaries, holds a cannabis production and sales license granted by Health Canada. With a head office in Toronto and a production facility in Kelowna, BC, Flowr builds and operates large-scale, GMP-designed cultivation facilities utilizing its own growing systems. Flowrs investment in research and development along with its sense of craftsmanship and a spirit of innovation is expected to enable it to provide premium-quality cannabis that appeals to the adult-use recreational market and addresses specific patient needs in the medicinal market. For more information, visit www.flowr.ca. Follow Flowr on Twitter: @FlowrCanada; Facebook: Flowr Canada; Instagram: @flowrcanada; and LinkedIn: The Flowr Corporation. On behalf of The Flowr Corporation: Vinay Tolia CEO and Director Forward-Looking Information This press release includes forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws regarding Flowr, Holigen and their respective businesses, which may include, but are not limited to: the Private Placement, including the size of the Private Placement, dilution, use of proceeds, closing date and required approvals, statements with respect to Core Flows conviction in Flowrs edge in designing and constructing highly efficient facilities and producing high quality cannabis products, Core Flows views on Flowr building a company that is second to none, the transactions described herein, statements with respect to Holigen developing large-scale GMP compliant cultivation facilities that will provide medical cannabis products, ingredients, plants and seeds to markets globally, Holigens markets, Holigen having the ability to raise and invest 45 million into Portugal, Holigen producing cannabis outdoors and generating 200 jobs over the next four years, the production capacity of Holigen, the scale of Holigen, including with respect to Holigen having one of the largest outdoor cultivation facilities for cannabis sativa, the status of Holigens licensing and inspection process, including the timing of receipt of all required licenses and the timing of all inspection, the partnerships Holigen is forming with distributors globally, including the partnership with the distributor described herein, Holigens facilities, Holigen seeking to have GMP compliant facilities, the dates for inspections and final granting of licenses for Holigens facilities and properties, the completion and operational dates for Holigens facilities and properties, including the timing thereof, the production capacity of such facilities and properties, the extraction of dried flower at Holigens facilities, the designation of Holigens Portuguese projects being a Project of National Interest, which allows special handling and prioritization by government agencies and access to low cost financing, the completion of construction of Holigens facilities in Australia, including each phase of completion and the timing thereof, the timing in which Holigen expects to begin manufacturing products in each of its facilities, the closing of Flowrs 19.8% interest in Holigen, including the timing thereof, the Company evaluating a further acquisition and/or investment into Holigen, the Company continuing to focus on scaling its operations globally and pursuing its goal of growing cannabis at the highest possible quality, Mr. Duets and Mr. Elmalehs appointment, including the appointment of Mr. Duet highlighting Flows focus on governance and diverse skillsets, Mr. Elmalehs enabling Flowr to be better positioned to execute on its capital markets strategy, Flowrs investment in research and development along with its sense of craftsmanship and spirit of innovation enabling it to provide premium-quality cannabis that appeals to the adult-use market and addresses specific patient needs in the medicinal market and other factors. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as potential, plans, is expected, expects, scheduled, intends, contemplates, anticipates, believes, proposes or variations (including negative and grammatical variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Such statements are based on the current expectations of Flowrs management and are based on assumptions and subject to risks and uncertainties. Although Flowrs management believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur by certain specified dates or at all and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Flowr, including risks relating to the failure to obtain regulatory approvals, the failure to complete the transactions described herein, including as a result of certain conditions not being satisfied, the failure to complete the Private Placement or a reduction in the amount of the Private Placement, which could result in lack of funds available to Flowr for further development and/or result in Flowr having to raise capital by alternative means on less favourable terms, the dilution to shareholders as a result of the Private Placement, Flowr not using the proceeds of the Private Placement as described herein, the closing of the Private Placement being delayed, Flowr not having an edge in designing and constructing highly efficient facilities and producing high quality cannabis products, which could result in Flowr losing a competitive advantage over its peers, Flowr not building a company that is second to none, Holigens inability to develop large-scale GMP compliant cultivation facilities that will provide medical cannabis products, ingredients, plants and seeds to markets globally, which could have a significant impact on Flowrs investment in Holigen, Holigen not having access to the markets described herein, Holigen not being able to raise and invest 45 million into Portugal, which would significantly delay Holigens business plans, and materially impact Flowrs investment in Holigen, Holigen being unable to produce jobs at the scale described herein, which would materially impact its status with as a Project of National Interest and materially affect Holigens ability to grow, the production capacity and scale of Holigen being significantly less than projected herein, competitors having larger facilities and sites than Holigen, which could create an oversupply of the markets that Holigen is targeting, Holigen failing to obtain the licenses and permits described herein or being delayed in obtaining them, which could materially impact the timing of operations, business, financial condition and Flowrs investment in Holigen, the inspections described herein not being completed or being delayed, which could materially impact the timing of operations, business, financial condition and Flowrs investment in Holigen, Holigen not being able to form the partnerships described herein with distributors globally, Holigens partnership with the distributor described herein being terminated, risks associated with Holigens facilities, Holigen not completing its facilities and properties, or being delayed in completing them, which could have a martial adverse impact the timing of operations, business, financial condition and Flowrs investment in Holigen, Holigens projects not being designated or losing status as a Project of National Interest, which would impact or result in the loss of the special handling and prioritization by government agencies and access to low cost financing for these projects, Flowrs not closing its 19.8% interest in Holigen, which would result in a loss of Flowrs investment in Holigen, the Company not completing a further acquisition and/or investment into Holigen, the Company not being able to scale its operations globally and not being able to pursue its goal of growing cannabis at the highest possible quality, which could materially impact Flowrs business, financial condition and operations, Mr. Duet not bringing a set of diverse skills and/or governance skills to Flowr, Mr. Elmalehs not enabling Flowr to be better positioned to execute on its capital markets strategy, risks relating to the use of Flowrs or Holigens products, risks relating to the markets in which Flowr and Holigen operate and/or distribute their respective products, possible failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the transactions described herein, the reliance on information provided by Holigen about its business and plans, the inability of Holigen to complete its licensing process or construct its facilities or properties as a result of a lack of funding, the cost of production of Holigen being more than expected, resulting in lower earnings, Holigen not having one of the largest cultivation facilities, or competitors being able to construct and operate comparable facilities and properties, Portugal and Flowr failing to provide Holigen with the climate, workforce and cultivation expertise, as applicable, to produce one of the lowest cost cultivation operations, Holigen not being able to export low-cost cannabis and not having direct access to EU markets and global markets, which would materially impact revenues and earnings, Flowrs industry leading cultivation expertise and partnership with Holigen not enabling Flowr to gain exposure to the European and Australian markets, Holigen not being able to construct and license GMP compliant facilities, which could impact the ability to sell products where such compliance is required, the combination of Holigen and Flowr failing to create a worldwide leader in production, the production capacity of such facilities and properties not being achieved, which could materially impact the value of Holigen, the inability to extract dried flower at Holigens facilities, the relationship between Flowr and Holigen failing to create a leading cannabis franchise in Europe and Australia, Holigens inability to develop medical cannabis brands, leveraging its distribution partnerships, or evaluating alternative product lines, the partnership between Flowr and Holigen not benefiting Holigen in executing on the licenses it holds and is obtaining, Holigen failing to participate in the Australian governments export strategy or being delayed in participating in such opportunity, Holigen and Flowr not being in a unique position to act as a true medical cannabis multinational, Holigens inability to grow the amount of cannabis described herein, which could adversely impact revenues, the fact that the facilities described herein may not include all the elements described in this press release, which could adversely impact the partnership described herein, Flowr not being able to sustain its competitive advantage in cultivation and being unable to remain at the forefront of industry innovation, whether as a result of failed construction of the facilities described herein or otherwise, Flowr not being able to meet demand or fulfill purchase orders, which could materially impact revenues and its relationships with purchasers, Flowr requiring additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations or assist Holigen with its licensing and construction projects, and such financing may not be available when needed or on terms and conditions acceptable to the Company, new laws or regulations adversely affecting the Companys business and results of operations, results of operation activities and development of projects, project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, the inability of Flowrs products to be high quality, the inability of Flowr to produce and distribute premium, high quality products, the inability to supply products or any delay in such supply, Flowrs securities, the inability to generate cash flows, revenues and/or stable margins, the inability to grow organically, risks associated with fluctuations in exchange rates (including, without limitation, fluctuations in currencies), the cannabis industry and the regulation thereof, the failure to comply with applicable laws, risks relating to partnership arrangements, possible failure to realize the anticipated benefits of partnership arrangements, product launches (including, without limitation, unsuccessful product launches), the inability to launch products, Flowr not being able to provide premium quality cannabis that appeals to the adult-use market and addresses specific patient needs in the medicinal market, the failure to obtain regulatory approvals, economic factors, market conditions, risks associated with the acquisition and/or launch of products, the equity and debt markets generally, risks associated with growth and competition (including, without limitation, with respect to Flowrs and Holigens products), general economic and stock market conditions, risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Flowrs filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators and many other factors beyond the control of Flowr. Although Flowr has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. No forward-looking information can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made and Flowr undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. CONTACT INFORMATION: U.S. MEDIA: Tim Streeb, ICR 1-646-677-1800 tim.streeb@icrinc.com CANADIAN MEDIA: Rebecca Brown, Crowns Agency 1-647-456-5599 rebecca@crowns.agency INVESTOR RELATIONS: Raphael Gross, ICR 1-203-682-8253 raphael.gross@icrinc.com Bram Judd The Flowr Corporation 1-647-483-7065 ext. 1520 bram@flowr.ca NEW ORLEANS, April 29, 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: Weight Watchers International, Inc. (WTW) Class Period: 5/4/2018 - 2/26/2019 Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: May 3, 2019 SECURITIES FRAUD To learn more, visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nasdaqgs-wtw/ American Renal Associates Holdings, Inc. (ARA) Class Period: 8/10/2016 - 3/27/2019 Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: May 27, 2019 SECURITIES FRAUD To learn more, visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-ara/ Amyris, Inc. (AMRS) Class Period: 3/15/2018 - 3/19/2019 Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: June 3, 2019 SECURITIES FRAUD To learn more, visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nasdaqgs-amrs/ Apple Inc. (AAPL) Class Period: 11/2/2018 - 1/2/2019 Lead Plaintiff Motion Deadline: June 17, 2019 SECURITIES FRAUD To learn more, visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nasdaqgs-aapl/ 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 TORONTO, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Galane Gold Ltd. (Galane Gold or the Company) (TSX-V: GG; OTCQB: GGGOF) is pleased to announce the release of its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2018. All amounts are in United States dollars unless otherwise indicated. A copy of the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and the corresponding Managements Discussion and Analysis will be available under the Companys profile on www.sedar.com . 2018 Highlights For the third consecutive year, the Company has increased its production and cash balance, and reduced its operating cash cost (1) compared to the previous year. compared to the previous year. Produced 35,527 ounces of gold at the Mupane property at a head grade of 1.97 g/t (2017 29,354 ounces at a head grade of 1.75 g/t and 2016 26,783 ounces at a head grade of 1.29 g/t). Production at Tau in 2018 was 400,078 tonnes at a head grade of 3.03 grams per tonne (g/t) (2017 365,425 tonnes at a head grade of 2.71 g/t and 2016 206,591 tonnes at a head grade of 3.05 g/t). Operating cash cost (1) of $928 per ounce for the year (2017 - $933 and 2016 - $965). of $928 per ounce for the year (2017 - $933 and 2016 - $965). Cash balance of $4.2 million (2017 - $2.6 million and 2016 - $0.8 million). Galane Gold CEO, Nick Brodie commented: As I stated in the 2017 year end press release, I expected the results in 2018 to be an improvement on the previous two years and they have been. We have once again seen an increase in ounces produced at Tau, an increase in the Companys cash balance and a reduction in operating cash costs per ounce. 2019 is expected to be a consolidation of the hard work done over the last three years with a modest contraction in production as we progress deeper into the Tau mineralized-body. With production now started at Galaxy and operations ramping up, we expect to show year-over-year production increases for the next several years. Outlook(2) Mupane Property The Company completed an updated three year mine plan for the Mupane Property in 2018 which provides the guide for the Companys short term goals and long term strategy(3). The Company intends to utilize the following resources during 2019: Tau It is estimated that the Company will process approximately 408,000 tonnes at an average grade of 2.27 g/t. The Company intends to continue exploration to further expand the potential resource as reported in the press release of October 5, 2017, and May 1, 2018 (4) . . Low Grade Stockpiles It is estimated that the Company will process approximately 231,000 tonnes of low grade stockpile at an average grade of 0.77 g/t, which is located at the run-of-mine pad at the processing plant. Monarch slimes dump It is estimated that the Company will process approximately 243,000 tonnes of tailings and slimes at an average grade of 0.86 g/t, which is located at the Monarch mine, approximately 53 kilometres from the Mupane processing plant. The Mupane Property mine plan is subject to change according to the prevailing gold price(3). The Company will adopt the appropriate plan for the prevailing gold price environment(3). Galaxy Property With the re-commencement of the Galaxy project underway following the completion of the secured loan facility with Barak Fund SPC Limited (the Barak Facility) in October 2018, the first drawdown of funds from the Barak Facility in February 2019, and mining of its first ore and production of its first concentrate in April 2019, the Company is targeting to produce 12,500 tonnes of concentrate in 2019, containing approximately 9,000 ounces of payable gold. To achieve this outcome the Company will be processing approximately 170,000 tonnes of material from various sources including the Princeton underground and historic tailings facilities. The Company is targeting an increase in capacity of the Galaxy processing plant to 30,000 tonnes per month(5) and annual production to over 25,000 ounces of gold at a cash cost per ounce of less than US$800(1)(6). During the implementation of the first phase, the Company expects to complete a study on the second expansion phase with the objective of increasing the capacity at the Galaxy processing plant to 60,000 tonnes per month and decreasing the cash cost per ounce with increased economies of scale. Information of a technical and scientific nature that forms the basis of the disclosure in the press release has been prepared and approved by Kevin Crossling Pr. Sci. Nat., MAusIMM. and Business Development Manager for Galane Gold, and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Project (NI 43-101). Mr. Crossling has verified the technical and scientific data disclosed herein and has conducted appropriate verification on the underlying data. About Galane Gold Galane Gold is an un-hedged gold producer and explorer with mining operations and exploration tenements in Botswana and South Africa. Galane Gold is a public company and its shares are quoted on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol GG and the OTCQB under the symbol GGGOF. Galane Golds management team is comprised of senior mining professionals with extensive experience in managing mining and processing operations and large-scale exploration programmes. Galane Gold is committed to operating at world-class standards and is focused on the safety of its employees, respecting the environment, and contributing to the communities in which it operates. Notes: (1) Total operating cash cost is a non-GAAP measure. Refer to Supplemental Information to Managements Discussion and Analysis in the Companys Managements Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2018, for reconciliation to measures reported in the Companys financial statements. (2) This is forward-looking information and is based on a number of assumptions. See Cautionary Notes. (3) The decisions to update the mine plan are based on internal reporting by the Company and not based on an independent feasibility study or pre-feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. While there is increased uncertainty and economic and technical risks associated with the Companys production decision to proceed without an independent feasibility study, the Company has been mining underground at the Tau property for the past three years, it carried out its own internal study based on its historic mining to support the new mine plan and, as a result, it believes it has sufficient knowledge to manage the risks associated with that decision. (4) Based on a technical report in respect of the Mupane property entitled "Independent Technical Report on the Mupane Gold Mine" dated May 10, 2011 (the Mupane Technical Report), a copy of which is available under the Companys profile on www.sedar.com. The Mupane Technical Report was prepared by MSA Geoservices (Pty) Ltd. on behalf of Carlaw Capital III Corp. The potential extension of Tau has not been incorporated into the existing resource model found in the Mupane Technical Report. There has yet to be sufficient exploration on the potential expansion to extrapolate that it extends beyond the current mined area. (5) The Company is not basing its decision to expand the throughput capacity of the Galaxy mines processing plant to 30,000 tonnes per month on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability of production at such levels, and as a result there is increased uncertainty and there are multiple technical and economic risks of failure which are associated with producing at such plants throughput capacity. These risks, among others, include areas that are analyzed in more detail in a feasibility study, such as applying economic analysis to resources and reserves, more detailed metallurgy and a number of specialized studies in areas such as mining and recovery methods, market analysis, and environmental and community impacts. (6) Based on a technical report entitled A Technical Report on the Galaxy Gold Mine, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa which was issued January 4, 2016 with an effective date of September 1, 2015 (the Galaxy Technical Report), a copy of which is available under the Companys profile on www.sedar.com. The Galaxy Technical Report was prepared by Minxcon (Pty) Ltd and approved by Daniel van Heerden, B Eng (Min.), MCom (Bus. Admin.), Pr. Eng., FSAIMM, AMMSA, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. The Galaxy Technical Report satisfies the requirements to be a pre-feasibility study. Cash cost per ounce is a non-GAAP measure. See Supplemental Information to Managements Discussion and Analysis. Cautionary Notes Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those regarding the Companys future financial position and results of operations, strategy, proposed acquisitions, plans, objectives, goals and targets, and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words believe, expect, aim, intend, plan, continue, will, may, would, anticipate, estimate, forecast, predict, project, seek, should or similar expressions or the negative thereof, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Companys expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Additional factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially include, but are not limited to: the Companys dependence on two mineral projects; gold price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Companys mining activities in Botswana and South Africa; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to the Companys exploration, development and mining activities being situated in Botswana and South Africa; risks relating to reliance on the Companys management team and outside contractors; risks regarding mineral resources and reserves; the Companys inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks arising from the Companys fair value estimates with respect to the carrying amount of mineral interests; mining tax regimes; risks arising from holding derivative instruments; the Companys need to replace reserves depleted by production; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; lack of infrastructure; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; health risks in Africa; the Companys interactions with surrounding communities and artisanal miners; the Companys ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; risks related to restarting production; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; development of the Companys exploration properties into commercially viable mines; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; risks related to the market perception of junior gold companies; and litigation risk. Management provides forward-looking statements because it believes they provide useful information to investors when considering their investment objectives and cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and other cautionary statements or factors contained herein, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law. Estimates set out above under Outlook in respect of the Tau mineralized-body, low grade stockpiles and the Galaxy project are preliminary in nature and include inferred mineral resources. There is no certainty that such estimates will be realized. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. Inferred mineral resources are estimated on limited information not sufficient to verify geological and grade continuity or to allow technical and economic parameters to be applied. Inferred mineral resources are too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them to enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that mineral resources can be upgraded to mineral reserves through continued exploration. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. MELBOURNE, Australia, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HIGHLIGHTS Construction and commissioning of three commercial-scale ion-exchange metal recovery and water purification plants nearing completion in DRC, Australia and Oman Clean TeQ Sunrise front end engineering and design progressing steadily with approximately 20% complete Market conditions remain favourable for EV battery materials nickel was the best performing base metal on the LME in Q1 2019 Mr Shawn Wang appointed as non-executive director About Clean TeQ Holdings Limited Our vision is to empower the clean revolution by providing specialty materials and clean solutions to a range of industries using our proprietary Clean-iX continuous ion exchange technology. Clean TeQ Sunrise The Clean TeQ Sunrise Project is an advanced nickel, cobalt and scandium project in New South Wales which, when combined with our proprietary continuous ion-exchange processing technology, provides Clean TeQ with the opportunity to become a leading global supplier of nickel and cobalt sulphate to the lithium-ion battery industry. The Project also positions Clean TeQ to provide significant quantities of low cost scandium for production of the next generation of lightweight aluminium alloys for key transportation markets. Clean TeQ Water Clean TeQs water division delivers cost effective water treatment solutions to the power, mining, oil and gas and municipal industries using our proprietary technologies, including Continuous Ionic Filtration & Exchange (CIF) and DeSALx. These technologies are designed to cope with the most demanding waters to provide best in class performance in water recovery and operability. CLEAN TEQ SUNRISE NICKEL COBALT SCANDIUM PROJECT During the quarter, Clean TeQ Holdings Limited (Clean TeQ or the Company) continued to advance the development of the Clean TeQ Sunrise Project (Clean TeQ Sunrise or Project) in New South Wales. MARKET UPDATE Investor appetite for exposure to battery materials remains strong, in spite of the sharp decline in the cobalt price over the past six months. Specific feedback from investor meetings in North America over Q1 2019 has been very positive, as has the increased interest from the global auto OEM sector to secure long-term supply arrangements. These meetings have confirmed that, within the global market for battery cathode material supply, Clean TeQ Sunrise stands out as the most advanced development project, capable of bringing significant new nickel and cobalt supply to the electric vehicle (EV) market: Definitive Feasibility Study complete, demonstrating robust economics and long (+40 years) mine life Fully permitted with all key approvals in place including Development Consent and Environmental Impact Statement Mining Leases granted Critical water supply obtained via +3.2 GLpa ground water allocation Excellent regional infrastructure in place including existing road, rail and power infrastructure in close proximity Initial binding offtake contract secured with Beijing Easpring for tonnages representing approximately 20% of forecast production in years 1-5, with strong demand for the balance from a number of counterparties Metallurgical Corporation of China Ltd ( MCC ) (constructor/operator/co-owner of the Ramu nickel/cobalt laterite project in PNG) appointed as key project delivery partner with front end engineering ( FEED ) and design underway ) (constructor/operator/co-owner of the Ramu nickel/cobalt laterite project in PNG) appointed as key project delivery partner with front end engineering ( ) and design underway Strong technical team engaged in Perth engineering hub and locally in Parkes and the Central West of NSW While spot cobalt prices have fallen over the past six months as a result of supply growth from the DRC, Clean TeQ remains strongly of the view that, even with the trend to cobalt thrifting in battery cathodes, the cobalt market will experience long-term structural deficits, with an increasing proportion of global supply originating from the DRC. In the nickel market, the supply challenge is significantly greater. Overall, nickel supply growth in recent years has been dominated by the expansion of nickel pig iron (NPI) production for stainless steel, and NPIs share of supply is expected to keep growing. Meanwhile, supply of battery-appropriate Class I nickel feedstock has been limited by a decade of low nickel prices and lack of new ore discoveries (traditional sulphide resources). Class I nickel production represents less than half of current global market supply and approximately half of that is already committed to end uses other than batteries. As cathode chemistries become increasingly nickel rich, there is an absence of development-ready projects able to produce Class 1 nickel to respond to increasing EV demand. Even with higher nickel prices, the lead-time to development of new nickel capacity is often substantially longer than for most other commodities. Nickel was the best performing LME base metal over the quarter, increasing 22% from US$4.81/lb (US$10,605/t) to US$5.85/lb (US$12,897/t) with a significant reduction in LME nickel inventories, down to 5-year lows. Electric vehicle demand growth continues to surprise on the upside. In 2018 over 2 million pure electric vehicles were produced globally, with just over half that number manufactured in China. That represents a 67% YOY growth rate (with China expanding at 80% YOY)1. Importantly, progressive reductions in Chinese EV subsidies has seen minimal impact on Chinas EV sales growth. In almost all major global economies, government policy is mandating the progressive transition to electric vehicles, prompting unprecedented investment in the battery and automotive supply chains. At a forecast rate of growth for cell manufacturing capacity of circa 100GWh pa, the equivalent of two to three Sunrise projects will need to be brought online in each year over the next decade to supply the nickel and cobalt units needed just for EV demand. Market commentators and expert forecasters maintain strongly bullish outlooks for nickel as a result of the emerging electric vehicle industry. For example2: Ken Hoffman, leader of the McKinsey EV battery materials research group, concurred that Ramu has been a phenomenal success that battery companies hope can be replicated. But if it cannot...this industry is going to be in serious trouble, he said. From the EV standpoint, there is a lot of concern...but you dont see that sense of urgency from many senior mine managers who want the nickel price to be over $20,000 a tonne before committing to any big investment, he said. Nickel prices on the London Metal Exchange are currently trading at just over $13,000 a tonne. When you talk to the battery companies and the auto companies, they are petrified about supply because they dont see it coming on line, Hoffman said. As Sunrise represents one of the only near-term options to supply large incremental volumes of nickel and cobalt into the rapidly growing battery market we continue to see strong ongoing interest in the project from the auto, battery and materials sectors for both offtake and investment. PROJECT WORKS FEED work continues to proceed with Clean TeQs key project delivery partner, MCC. As part of the collaboration plan with MCC, integration of MCCs and Clean TeQs engineering teams has now been completed, with personnel from both organisations now co-located in the Perth project office and Beijing respectively. Overall, FEED progress is running slightly behind plan at approximately 20% complete but is still scheduled to be finished in Q3 2019. A key output to be provided by MCC through the FEED phase is an update and finalisation of the fixed-price EPC price and contract for the construction of the Sunrise processing plant. In addition, the Company continues to work with MCC to prepare an update to the overall project delivery schedule, including project construction, plant commissioning and first production. Although a revised project execution schedule has not yet been determined, it is expected that the target dates for FID and first production will be subject to some delay as a result of the revised schedule. The Company will provide an update to the market as soon as the new project schedule has been determined. Clean TeQ is also planning to engage a Tier 1 global engineering and project management contractor to support the owners team through the FEED phase and into the project delivery phase, including overseeing the construction of associated non-MCC/EPC infrastructure and facilities. Tendering for the preferred contractor is well underway. Key early works completed during the quarter included the surveying of the water pipeline route. The water pipeline will be constructed within the road reserve from the Clean TeQ Sunrise borefield, located near Bedgerabong, to the project site which is adjacent to Fifield. Engineering of the water pipeline is also underway. Completion of engineering will allow the detailed pipeline route to be finalised and necessary access approvals gained from local government authorities. Other early works underway included renovations to the Parkes office ahead of the April move-in date and Sunrise site preparation (security fencing, vegetation management and telecommunications). Given the anticipated delay to the overall project delivery schedule, the Company has elected to defer some of the higher cost components of the early works packages including ordering and laying of the planned water pipeline and the transportation and installation of the construction camp. Rather than completing all planned early works in advance of the required timeframe, the higher cost packages will be deferred to align with the new overall project delivery schedule, once it is determined. Figure 1 Renovations underway at the Parkes office. http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/18d0e42e-ebb6-435d-8133-7e0fc19b01b4 Deferring these early works is a financially prudent approach that will allow Clean TeQ to maintain a significantly higher cash buffer while financing discussions remain ongoing. Early works activities which are currently underway including planning, engineering and progressing permitting and land access arrangements will continue through to completion. The NSW Environment Protection Authority issues environment protection licences (EPL) to the owners or operators of various industrial premises. In January 2019 Clean TeQ Sunrise received an EPL - a significant milestone - which covers the construction phase of Clean TeQ Sunrise. COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT Clean TeQ engages proactively with our local communities in the Sunrise project area. Clean TeQ is committed to maintaining ongoing dialogue and transparency with all stakeholders and enjoys the strong support of local communities, as well as regional and state governments. A range of forums have been established to enable positive community engagement including a formal Community Consultative Committee (CCC) and a more informal, travelling Coffee Cart. Local schools are invited to partner with the coffee cart program, with proceeds used for education initiatives such as the purchase of student iPads. Clean TeQ is also supporting student Breakfast Clubs at a number of schools in the region. Figure 2a Clean TeQ community engagement activities http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/22a18c2b-16d0-44e2-92f5-6fbf94384d48 Figure 2b Clean TeQ community engagement activities http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/52c1e79b-0533-40e6-8218-51dedf1a40bb Following the execution of the Voluntary Planning Agreement in December 2018 with the Shire Councils of Lachlan, Parkes and Forbes, the first payments totalling $400,000 were made in January to the Councils. On 7 February 2019 the NSW Minister for Resources, Energy, Utilities and the Arts launched The NSW Minerals Strategy, designed to unlock NSWs underground mineral wealth. The strategy includes initiatives to streamline approvals to unlock NSWs large resource base of strategic metals including nickel, cobalt and scandium. The Minister noted, From nickel to scandium, cobalt to zinc, magnesium, titanium and more we are blessed with huge untapped resources we want to take advantage of those deposits. This strategy positions NSW as an essential supplier to meet growing global demand for metals used in the advanced technologies of today and tomorrow. This strategy clearly signals that NSW is very much open for business when it comes to socially and environmentally responsible metal exploration and extraction. PROJECT FINANCING Clean TeQ is actively engaging with a number of project financiers and potential offtake/joint venture partners in order to secure an equity financing package for the project. The drive for end-users to secure high-quality, long-term supply of nickel and cobalt sulphates remains strong. Automotive OEMs continue to make headlines with announcements of new investments in EV production, and governments remain supportive with policies supportive of emissions reduction and EV adoption. Discussions on debt financing with the mandated lead arranger (MLA) banks are also advancing. The MLAs have provided indicative best efforts undertakings to provide a total of up to US$500 million of the total financing facilities. Although the size of the actual total debt funding package is yet to be determined, the Company is targeting a significantly larger total debt funding package being syndicated out to the wider bank market at least 50% of the total funding requirement for the project. In particular, we have seen strong additional interest from Chinese debt providers since the announcement of MCC as the key project delivery partner for the project. CLEAN TEQ WATER Clean TeQ Water is focused on completing key projects in Australia, Oman, DRC and China, with excellent progress over the past quarter. At the Fosterville Gold Mine in Victoria, Clean TeQ was engaged to design, supply and commission a 2 million litre-per-day Clean TeQ DeSALx mine water treatment plant. The plant is designed to deliver a sustainable water management solution by treating mine process water for reuse in the mine operations. With construction now complete, Clean TeQ Water personnel are currently on site to finalize installation and prepare for plant commissioning over the coming months. Figure 3 - Clean TeQ plant installation at Fosterville Gold Mine, Victoria http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4421a440-cd44-47a7-9d6b-fa2d8ed07d12 In Oman, engineering, delivery and construction of the Clean TeQ waste water treatment plant delivered in partnership with Multotec Process Equipment Ptd Ltd (Multotec) has been completed. The final commissioning phase will commence later this year when the customer begins delivering waste water to the CIF plant for treatment. Figure 4 Clean TeQ CIF plant constructed and awaiting commissioning in Oman http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5e9fc223-7c5e-49e7-8563-ac59762a6afb In the DRC, Clean TeQ has been engaged to design and construct a Continuous Resin-In-Column (cLX) Ion Exchange plant to treat up to 20 million litres-per-day of a raffinate stream, removing contaminant metals and improving the quality and environmental rank of the raffinate, prior to further processing. All construction was completed during the quarter with hot commissioning commencing. Initial tests showed that the cLX plant was performing well, exceeding design expectations. However, an accidental uncontrolled release by the mine owner/operator of very high-pressure water from the main plant into the cLX system resulted in some damage being caused to the Clean TeQ plant, taking it offline. The damage is currently being repaired with some additional modifications being installed upstream of the cLX plant to prevent a similar event occurring again. Expectations are for a restart of the plant over the coming weeks. Figure 5 Clean TeQ Continuous Resin-In-Column Ion Exchange plant in DRC http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4cedcef8-c5b1-45de-abdb-765993b5cc27 The successful delivery and commissioning of these three plants demonstrates the efficacy of Clean TeQs suite of proprietary ion exchange technologies and their versatility for metal extraction and waste water treatment. As commercial scale plants, the facilities provide a valuable platform from which to rapidly grow Clean TeQ Water. The waste water treatment plant being delivered via a joint venture between Clean TeQ and Jinzhong Hoyo Municipal Urban Investment & Construction Co., Ltd, remains in the detailed design and permitting phase. During the quarter, Clean TeQ was advised that it was the preferred technical solution for the design and construction of a recycled water re-use plant at the Cleveland Bay Purification Plant in Townsville. Commercial negotiations between the parties are ongoing. Final award of a contract will be subject to a range of conditions including agreement on commercial terms and financing. Figure 6 Clean TeQ Continuous Resin-In-Column Ion Exchange plant in DRC http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cc481f1b-169a-4aea-9b72-f003034e1109 TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT Clean TeQs technology development team continues to advance its work in the development of graphene oxide nanofiltration membranes and adsorbents, as well as ongoing development of the CIF technology for water treatment applications. NEMATIQ JOINT VENTURE In late-2018, Clean TeQ and Ionic Industries established a joint venture company NematiQ Pty Ltd (NematiQ) to pursue in partnership the development of graphene oxide (GeO) membranes for water treatment applications. All documentation for the various commercial agreements and technology licences have now been finalised, and NematiQs work program has commenced. Over the past two years, Clean TeQ and Ionic have successfully developed a process to manufacture high purity graphene oxide (GeO) that can be applied to a membrane support to create a highly efficient graphene nanofiltration membrane (GeO-Membrane). Significantly, the GeO-Membrane manufacturing process has been demonstrated on commercial scale industrial equipment. Figure 7 The Monash/NematiQ/Clean TeQ team with the graphene oxide printer at the NematiQ facility in Notting Hill, Victoria http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a80a1b09-c6d5-4e27-af9b-cb7ed125f1e6 NematiQ has established a factory and office premises in Notting Hill, adjacent to the existing Clean TeQ head office and laboratory. From this facility, NematiQ is focused on optimising its proprietary process for refining graphite oxide raw material into graphene oxide, which is used to form the filtration layer of the GeO-Membrane. A plant for the manufacture of high purity graphene oxide has been designed and installed at NematiQs premises, with graphene oxide produced by the facility to be used for larger scale manufacture of graphene oxide membranes. The ultimate goals of the NematiQ work programs are to: Confirm the technical process and cost effectiveness of ion exchange for refining of the raw material graphite oxide into high purity GeO. This process has been successfully completed; Demonstrate the GeO layering process at commercial scale using a specialised process developed and patented by Monash University and licensed to NematiQ. Activities currently underway; and, Refine the printing process to demonstrate the ability to produce GeO membranes at commercial scale with the appropriate physical properties, flow rates and filtering capability. In water purification applications, graphene oxide membranes have the potential to offer distinct operational advantages over the current polymer nanofiltration membranes, providing a significant commercial opportunity should the technology prove successful. Figure 8 Dr Sam Martin and Dr Sebastian Hernandez holding a graphene oxide membrane produced on an industrial-scale printer at the NematiQ facility in Notting Hill, Victoria http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6e6fb01a-f469-463e-acad-ca9440ad366e The benefits of graphene oxide nanofiltration membranes when compared to conventional nanofiltration membranes include higher flux (flow rates) and lower propensity to fouling. These benefits have the potential to deliver lower operating costs, longer membrane life and lower maintenance costs. CORPORATE In early-March, Clean TeQ announced the appointment of Shawn Wang to the Board as a Non-Executive Director, replacing Li Binghan who has resigned. Mr Wang is the Head of Business Development and Investment at Pengxin International Mining Co. Ltd (Pengxin Mining), one of Clean TeQs largest shareholders. At the end of the quarter, the Companys cash balance was A$100 million. For more information about Clean TeQ contact: Ben Stockdale, CFO and Investor Relations (Australia) +61 3 9797 6700 Evan Young, Investor Relations (North America) +1 647 808 2141 FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements in this Quarterly Activities Report constitute forward-looking statements or forward looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, the Clean TeQ Sunrise Project, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as may, would, could, will, intend, expect, believe, plan, anticipate, estimate, scheduled, forecast, predict and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the Companys current expectations regarding future events, performance and results, and speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Activities Report. Statements in this Quarterly Activities Report that constitute forward-looking statements or information include but are not limited to, statements regarding: the completion of the FEED phase and project financing; the timing and commencement of construction at the Project; the making of a final investment decision in 2019; finalisation of product offtake agreements; and anticipated construction and/or completion of the various Clean TeQ Water projects. Readers are cautioned that actual results may vary from those presented. All such forward-looking information and statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by Clean TeQs management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believe are appropriate in the circumstances. These statements, however, are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward looking information or statements including, but not limited to, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts to perform as agreed; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure, or delays in the development of infrastructure, and the failure of exploration programs or other studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued studies, development or operations. Other important factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements also include those described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recently filed Annual Information Form available under its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Activities Report are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this Quarterly Activities Report and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this Quarterly Activities Report. ASX/TSX: CLQ OTCQX: CTEQF Corporate Information: Ordinary shares: 746.3M Unlisted options: 12.8M Performance rights: 8.3M Cash at bank: A$100M Co-Chairmen Robert Friedland Jiang Zhaobai Chief Executive Officer Sam Riggall Non-Executive Directors Judith Downes Eric Finlayson Ian Knight Stefanie Loader Mike Spreadborough Shawn Wang Company Secretary Melanie Leydin Contact Details: 12/21 Howleys Rd Notting Hill VIC 3168 P: +61(0)3 9797 6700 F: +61(0)3 9706 8344 E: info@cleanteq.com W: www.cleanteq.com 1 Global Energy Storage & Electric Vehicles AllianceBernstein L.P. 11 February 2019 2 Reuters 11 April 2019 A PDF accompanying this announcement is available at http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/6a8acde6-821f-4e93-85cc-6f128b8becf2 For Jesse Jackson, higher gas prices are making him reconsider whether to travel far from home as summer approaches. It definitely makes you think of summer activities, Jackson, who lives in northern Virginia, said while fueling up his vehicle Sunday at Pilot Travel Center in east Danville. You want to stay local. Gas prices are up in Danville and across the rest of the country, with the average price of a gallon at $2.88 as of Sunday, according to AAA.com. Thats 20 cents higher than a month ago, 8 cents more than at this time last year and 4 cents higher than just a week ago. Compared to the state and national averages, Danvilles prices are lower. While a gallon of gas was $2.59 at most stations along Piney Forest Road and Riverside Drive on Sunday, the states overall average was a nickel higher at $2.64. North Carolinas average was $2.73 a gallon. According to AAA, consumer demand for gasoline remains strong as stocks decline, driving up prices. The website pointed to other factors contributing to the rise: a switch to more expensive summer blend gasoline and decreased production due to maintenance at refineries across the country. As a result, American motorists should expect increased pump prices as demand remains robust and stocks dwindle, according to AAA.com. Also, higher crude prices from OPECs and its partners production reduction agreement and tighter U.S. enforcement of its crude export sanctions against Iran will increase prices, according to AAA.com. Some customers who spoke to the Danville Register & Bee took the elevated gas prices in stride, especially those from out of the state. Im up here because its cheaper, Jeffrey Baynes, who lives in Rockingham County, North Carolina, said while filling up his car at Sheetz on Riverside Drive. Baynes, who attends church in Danville, gases up his vehicle in the city every Sunday, he said. A gallon of gas is $2.75 in North Carolina, he added. At Sheetz, it was 21 cents cheaper at $2.54. Danville resident Jathon Florence was indifferent to the increased prices. However, he said a hike to about $3 could affect his driving habits if it were to happen. It probably will, Florence said of whether that would cause him to drive less. Amber Hargrove, of Dearborn, Michigan, said the gas prices in her home state are always ridiculous. The average in that state was $2.87 a gallon Sunday, according to AAA.com. Michigan is one of the highest states, she said at Sheetz, adding that gas in Danville is much cheaper. Hargrove, who visits relatives in Danville twice a year, said she has noticed a significant hike in gas prices in the city. This is the highest Ive ever seen it here, she said. One man, who would not give his name, expressed trepidation at the increased prices. Its getting up there, said the man, who lives in Lynchburg and works in South Boston. I dont have much of a choice but to drive. Im hoping it doesnt get closer to $3. He added that the higher prices will affect his vacation plans. Its definitely something Ill start to think about when I do travel, he said. Geoff Gottbrecht, who lives in Charlottesville, said the gas seems cheaper to him because he remembers the astronomical prices from about a decade ago. Two dollars still feels cheap, he said while pumping has at Pilot Travel Center. Im thinking about when it was high 10 years ago $4 or $5. The highest recorded average price for a gallon of gas in the U.S. was $4.11 on July 17, 2008, according to AAA.com. John Crane reports for the Danville Register & Bee. Contact him at jcrane@registerbee.com or (434) 791-7987. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 29) One person was killed in a fire that hit a condominium in Paranaque City Monday afternoon, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said. Fire officials said the victim is a female, but did not disclose her identity. Fire broke out at the 22-storey Pacific Coast Tower in Barangay Tambo at 12:21 pm. Fire officials raised the highest alarm at 12:30 pm, and fire out was declared at 5:22 pm. There is no information yet on the status of the residents and employees, and the cause of fire. This is a developing story. So Joe Biden is in. Hes not millennial, not female, not a member of a racial minority. Thats a problem for him, sayeth much of the so-called liberal media. The problem, however, may be the media. Bidens foothold in the Democratic Party wasnt a problem right after the election of Donald Trump, when Stephen Colbert put Biden on the show to comfort a heartbroken constituency. Colberts young audience went wild for him as the embodiment of a decent brand of politics. We all know that Biden long ago held positions not deemed racially woke by more modern standards. However, they did not deter Americas first African American president from making Biden his running mate. Bidens traditional views of women may be dated on some counts, but they also include nice things, such as being faithful to ones wife. Meanwhile, hes campaigned for scores of female candidates. One of the most absurd assumptions pushed by news outlets that should know better is that Biden isnt a liberal. His challenge this time, The Washington Post reports, will be to wrestle control of a party that has been energized by many demographics to which Biden does not belong. First on the list was liberals. Advocating for a stronger Obamacare or plans for expanding Medicare are all liberal positions. Some are more radical than others, but liberal is not synonymous with radical. Importantly, politicians who can make their liberal ideas sound mainstream are the ones who win general elections. The villain here is conformism more than bias. Always hovering over reporters is The Story that keeps the herd running along the same track. In a mostly friendly 60 Minutes interview, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was asked about the conflicts within the House Democratic Caucus. It looks as if it youre its fractured, Lesley Stahl said in reference to The Story. She talked of conflicts between the moderates and the progressives and wings in the Party, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on one side. Thats like five people, Pelosi responded. No, Stahl came back, the progressive group is more than five. A frustrated Pelosi felt obliged to note, Im a progressive. For decades, San Francisco liberal was practically Pelosis first name. Now all of a sudden, she has to defend herself and other Democrats as liberals all because a handful of new reps elected in super safe Democratic districts have redefined them for a docile media. Suppose AOC were to lead even 10 radicals. Ten out of 235 House Democrats is hardly a schism. Some 43 of the new Democratic members won in Republican districts. Not long ago, the Affordable Care Act was considered radical. A preference to merely strengthen it should not be cause for eviction from the progressive home. A liberal media obsessed with social media lends skewed importance to those who are good at it. How many democratic socialists are there in the caucus? Two. The Republican-biased media is, of course, happy to pass on The Story that the far left the cliche is energized base now runs the Democratic Party. Nearly every poll shows Democrats are most energized about nominating whoever could most easily defeat Donald Trump. Face it. Conflict draws readers, which is why reporters of all political bents like to put strife at the center of their stories. Sometimes they accurately portray reality. But very often, they blatantly exploit emotions. Braver members of the liberal media should loudly question the received wisdom, starting with who qualifies as a liberal. As for the others, perhaps its time to retire some of the stories they keep repeating to themselves. Harrop is a syndicated columnist. Email her at fharrop@gmail.com of follow her on Twitter @FromaHarrop. Vancouver, April 29, 2019 - Cabral Gold Inc. (TSXV: CBR) (OTC Pink: CBGZF) ("Cabral" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the 2019 drilling program and a review of the historic drill data at its MG and Central deposits at the Cuiu Cuiu Project, Para State, Brazil. Highlights Of the 9 high grade targets at Cuiu Cuiu selected for drilling beginning in January of this year, results have been previously released from the Machichie and Machichie East targets and returned up to 3.4m @ 36.9 g/t gold. The results reported here are from the third and fourth targets. Results are pending on five other targets At the Seis Irmaos (Six Brothers) target, a single hole (CC187-19) tested an E-W magnetic low, located less than 300m south of MG (Figures 1 and 2) and intersected 0.7m @ 12.7 g/t gold in a quartz vein with strong pyritic alteration from 62.0-62.7m Results were received from three holes which tested a structurally complex area within the MG deposit (Figures 1 and 2). CC185-19 cut 40.9m @ 0.8 g/t gold from 101.4 to 142.3m, including 10.1m @ 1.3 g/t gold from 101.4 to 111.5m. The intercept occurs approximately 200m up-dip from a historic deeper intercept in hole CC101-10, which returned 25m @ 2.3 g/t Au from 396.0m to 421.0m, including; 1.5m @ 14.0 g/t gold, 0.8m @ 11.3 g/t gold, and 1m @ 9.3 g/t gold A review of the historic drill data at Cuiu Cuiu was completed and was designed to re-assess, review, and interpret the existing high-grade drill results from the Central and MG deposits (Figure 1) with the goal of delimiting high-grade mineable zones within the low-grade resources. Drilling from 2006 through 2012 cut abundant high-grade gold intercepts displaying grades and widths typical of many operating underground deposits. Nearly 60 intercepts returning over 10 g/t gold occur at MG and Central (Figures 2 and 3, and Tables 1, 2 and 3); the highest grade intercepts at each deposit were 0.5m @ 264.9 g/t gold and 0.5m @ 100.9 g/t gold, respectively. Most of these intercepts occur where drilling is wide-spaced Seis Irmaos (Six Brothers) The Seis Irmaos target is located approximately 300m south of the MG deposit which is one of two main deposits currently known at Cuiu Cuiu (Figures 1 and 2). The MG deposit contains Inferred resources of 8.6MMt @ 1.45 g/t gold (0.4MMoz of gold). The Seis Irmaos target is the third of nine targets to be tested as part of the 2019 drill program, has never been previously drill tested and is characterised by a magnetic low and a number of high grade surface samples ranging from 17 to 55 g/t gold. A coincident gold-in-auger sample anomaly is also evident on surface. A single hole (CC187-19) was completed on this target to a depth of 148m and intersected 0.7m @ 12.7 g/t gold in a quartz vein with strong pyritic alteration from 62.0-62.7m (Figure 2). This represents a new high-grade structure within close proximity to the MG deposit and will require follow up drilling. MG Target Three holes (CC-184-19, CC185-19 and CC186-19) were drilled with oriented core at the MG target (Figures 1 and 2), testing a structurally complex area wherein historic drilling encountered high grades (e.g. CC104-10 cut 0.5m @ 264.9 g/t gold, CC69-10 which cut 0.5m @ 154.5 g/t gold and CC101-10 which cut 0.8m @ 20.6g/t gold. Of the three recent holes, only one, CC185-19 cut significant mineralization and returned 40.9m @ 0.8 g/t gold from 101.4 to 142.3m, including 10.1m @ 1.4 g/t gold from 101.4 to 111.5m. The intercept occurs approximately 200m up-dip from a historic deeper intercept in hole CC101-10, which returned 25m @ 2.3 g/t Au from 396.0m to 421.0m including; 1.5m @ 14.0 g/t gold, 0.8m @ 11.3 g/t gold, and 1m @ 9.3 g/t gold. There are a number of high-grade zones evident within the MG resource as discussed below. While the three 2019 holes did not encounter high-grade values, the oriented core provided important data suggesting high-grade, steep north-dipping mineralization may be partly controlled by crosscutting structures. Further work will be required in order to better constrain the continuity of such zones. Figure 1: Location of mineralized zones (yellow) and resources (red) in the core Cuiu Cuiu area. To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3900/44377_a11bda089435e97b_002full.jpg Figure 2: Location drill holes in the Seis Irmaos (Six Brothers) target and the MG review areas, with total field magnetic background. Boxes labeled A, B, and C denote areas within MG where historic high-grade gold intercepts occur (See Table 1). To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3900/44377_a11bda089435e97b_003full.jpg Figure 3: Location diamond drill holes in Central review areas, with total field magnetic background. Boxes labeled A through H denote areas where historic high-grade gold intercepts occur. (see Tables 2 and 3). To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3900/44377_a11bda089435e97b_004full.jpg Re-Assessing Historic High-grade Results at MG and Central From 2006 to 2012, Magellan Minerals Ltd. ("Magellan") evaluated the bulk-tonnage gold potential of the Cuiu Cuiu property, and successfully identified four deposits including Central, MG, Central North and JB (Figure 1). Cabral Gold is currently focused on discovering high-grade resources, based on the premise of that lower capital and higher grades could potentially lead to greater economic returns with shorter payback periods. There are already two operating high-grade underground gold mines in the region. Existing bulk-tonnage resources at MG and Central were defined using wide-spaced, long drill holes, typically 50 to 100m apart, and predominately only one hole per section. Wireframes were designed to capture the bulk low-grade resources using a cut off of just 0.35 g/t gold. Despite the wide spacing of the historic drilling, Magellan cut abundant high-grade gold intercepts displaying grades and widths typical of many operating underground deposits. At MG, 18 samples exceeded 10 g/t gold, including six samples which exceeded 1 oz/t, while at Central, 34 samples exceeded 10 g/t gold, including 12 samples exceeding 1 oz/t (Tables 1, 2 and 3, Figures 2 and 3). These high-grade results were not targeted in the former drill programs. Moreover, with the existing drill spacing these higher grade results were not easily correlated. Hence, they were not segregated into separate high-grade domains within the recent resource estimate, and some were subject to impactful top-end cuts. Given Cabral Gold's stated focus on evaluating the high-grade gold potential of the Cuiu Cuiu project, the Company has initiated a fulsome review of all available data to re-evaluate the high-grade potential of both MG and Central in order to design an appropriate drill program to delimit the high-grade mineralization and incorporate those results in future resource estimates and economic studies. Whilst this work is ongoing, the preliminary conclusions are presented below. MG High Grade Review Cabral's MG deposit (Figures 1, and 2) is located within an east-trending magnetic low. It has been traced by diamond drilling for 2.2km along strike, and from surface to a maximum depth of 360m. At least three focus points with subdued magnetic response are present, forming pod-like "cells" 500-600m along strike. Magnetic susceptibility readings on the core indicate that magnetic destruction is associated with alteration and gold mineralization. The MG deposit was discovered, and drilled by Magellan Minerals Ltd. from 2008 to 2011. Just 35 holes totaling 9,261m currently define the deposit. Sections were wide-spaced (approximately 50 to over 100m apart) and most sections had just one hole. The focus at that time was on identifying low-grade potentially bulk-tonnage gold deposits. One of the best intercepts from that campaign was in DDH CC69-10, which returned 112.0m @ 1.7 g/t gold, from 72m down hole (including 2.0m @ 53.9 g/t gold, 1.5m @ 3.5 g/t gold, 4.0m @ 3.3 g/t gold, and 5.5m @ 4.6 g/t gold. It is the only hole drilled on that section. No infill drilling was done to assess the high-grade potential of the deposit, although there were 18 samples higher than 10g/t Au, including 6 samples exceeding 1.0 oz/t, the highest being 0.5m @ 264.9 g/t gold (Table 2). Cabral announced an updated NI 43-101 Inferred Resource for the MG deposit (8.6MM tonnes grading 1.45 g/t Au, for 0.4MM ounces) calculated by Micon International Ltd ("Micon") on June 7, 2018. The resource used wireframes based on the previous bulk tonnage exploration campaign from 2008 through 2011. The MG resource is surrounded by a broad, low-grade, red-rock alteration halo, in places nearly 100m wide. It is characterized by weak to strong microcline (kspar) and/or hematite replacement of plagioclase, and by chlorite replacement of amphiboles and biotite within diorite. These red rocks show little to no deformation. Within the broader red-rock alteration zone, are east-trending higher-grade narrower, vertical to steep north dipping, laterally and vertically continuous strong grey alteration zones. These are characterized by distinctly low magnetic rocks, with silicification, chloritization, sericitization and sulphidation, which overprint, to various degrees, the red-rock alteration. In many places the alteration is so intense it masks the original igneous and deformation textures. The grey zones formed the core of most of the nine current wireframe zones, but those wireframes also included some of the low-grade mineralized red-rock alteration. Micon also incorporated a low-grade domain between and encompassing the higher-grade zones which included red-rock alteration, fresh rock and minor undefined grey zones. Top cuts used in the Micon resource estimate were of 2 g/t gold for the surrounding low-grade red-rock alteration zone, and 10 to 20 g/t gold for the main grey zones, based largely on statistical analysis. This had a significant impact on resource grade and contained ounces. For example, the highest grade sample, 264.9 g/t gold was not included within one of the grey wireframe zones and was cut to 2g/t gold within a 2m composite. The current drill density is insufficient to confidently interpret and correlate very high-grade results from hole to hole, or section to section, or to definitively determine any plunges or structural controls. In the months following the completion of the Micon resource estimate in June 2018, diamond drill core was relogged, geophysical data was reprocessed, and geological studies have prompted a review of the previous interpretation. This program is ongoing, but to date has led to the following key observations: 1) highest grades are associated with quartz stringers, veining and flooding with abundant pyrite, 2) mineralization appears to dip slightly less than 80 degrees north, such that most of the high-grade samples lie along a tighter E-W trending central corridor when projected to surface, 3) highest grade mineralization is more common in structurally complex areas, and there is a suggestion of a conjugate set of cross structures (NW and NE) which might impact distribution of the higher grade east-trending mineralized zones. Recent drilling utilized oriented core further supports this hypothesis. Higher-grade intercepts occur in three areas, labeled A, B and C on Figure 2. Details of high-grade intercepts are provided in Table 1. Additional drilling will be required to tighten spacing to potentially correlate higher grade intercepts, particularly where "ponding" and oblique structures are interpreted. Central and Central North High Grade Review Cabral's Central and Central North deposits (Figures 1 and 3) are located within a northwest-trending magnetic low corridor, that has been traced by diamond drilling for 2.3km along strike, and from surface to a maximum depth of 435m. The region is structurally complex with mineralization primarily controlled by northeast-trending broad structural corridors (over 200m wide), interpreted to have been modified by east-trending and southwest-trending rotational faults. Magnetic susceptibility readings on the core indicate that magnetic destruction is associated with alteration and gold mineralization; however, background magnetics in this region are much lower than MG, thus the signature is far more subtle. Central was discovered, and drilled by Magellan Minerals Ltd. from 2006 to 2011. 76 holes, totaling, 23,191m, were drilled in the Central/Central North corridor. Sections were very wide-spaced (in places over 200m, but more commonly 100m apart (50m in the core area) and most sections just had one hole. Focus at that time was on identifying low-grade potentially bulk-tonnage gold deposits. One of the best intercepts from that earlier bulk-tonnage campaign was in DDH CC13-07. It returned 156m @ 2.2 g/t gold over 156m, from 37m, including: 1.6m @ 5.8 g/t gold, 9.1m @ 17.5 g/t gold, 2m @ 8.4 g/t gold, 1m @ 13.5 g/t gold, 2m @ 40.8 g/t gold, and 0.8m @ 5.8 g/t gold. There is only part of one off-section hole up-dip or down-dip of the higher grade intervals on the section. As was the case at MG, very little infill drilling has been done to assess the high-grade potential of the Central-Central North corridor, although there were 34 samples higher than 10 g/t gold, and 12 samples exceeding 1 oz/t, the highest being 0.5m @ 100.9 g/t gold (Tables 2 and 3). Cabral announced updated NI 43-101 Resources calculated by Micon for the Central and Central North deposits on June 7, 2018. The resources used wireframes based on the previous bulk tonnage exploration campaigned from 2006 through 2011. Central was defined over a strike length of 1.2km to a maximum depth of 420m, containing Indicated Resources of 5.9MM tonnes grading 0.9 g/t gold (0.17MM ounces), and Inferred Resources of 8.7MM tonnes grading 1.13 g/t gold (0.31MM ounces). Central North was defined over a strike length of 0.5km to a depth of 380m, containing Inferred Resources of 0.17MM tonnes grading 0.71 g/t gold (0.04MM ounces). Alteration and deformation intensity at Central is much stronger than at MG but in general, the mineralized zones are surrounded by a broad, low-grade, red-rock and/or dark chloritic alteration halo that in places is several hundred metres wide. As at MG, the red-rock alteration is characterized by weak to strong microcline (kspar) and/or hematite replacement of plagioclase and by chlorite replacement of amphiboles and biotite within various intrusive rocks. Deformation within these plutonic rocks ranges from little to none, to highly brecciated and foliated. Within the broader alteration zone, are a number of styles of alteration associated with higher-grade mineralization which formed the core of most of the current wireframe zones. However, those wireframes also included some of the low-grade mineralized alteration halo. Micon also incorporated a low-grade domain between and encompassing the higher-grade zones which included lower-grade alteration, fresh rock and minor undefined higher grade zones. A total of 11 mineralized zones were wireframed at Central, and four at Central North. The highest gold grades are mainly associated with 1) quartz veining and flooding with abundant pyrite, 2) strongly chloritized, silicified, sulphidized breccias and mylonites, and 3) margins of mafic and felsic dykes. Top cuts used in the Micon resource estimate were of 3g/t for the surrounding low-grade alteration zone, and 10 to 20 g/t for the main mineralized zones, based largely on statistical analysis. This had a significant impact on resource grade and contained ounces of gold. No top cuts were required at Central North. The current drill density is again insufficient to confidently interpret the 34 very high-grade intercepts (Tables 2 and 3), and correlate those very high-grade results from hole to hole, or section to section, nor to definitively determine any plunges or structural controls. Of the 29 holes intersecting high grades, 13 had one or more other holes drilled up-dip or down-dip on the same section, some of which were nearly 400m down hole, or nearly 350m deep. Reprocessing of the project's ground and aerial magnetic, and ground IP datasets, and review of the geological data suggested that the distribution and orientation of generally northwest-trending mineralization is partly controlled by penecontemporaneous east and southeast trending cross structures, which define and separate northwest-trending mineralized blocks. A total of eight areas contain very high-grade intervals that are labeled from A to H in Figure 3. High-grade intercepts for these holes are provided in Tables 2 and 3. Additional drilling will be required to tighten spacing, and to potentially correlate higher-grade intercepts at Central. Alan Carter, President & CEO stated: "We continue to be encouraged by the drill results from the reconnaissance drill program at Cuiu Cuiu and look forward to receiving the results on the remaining targets that were tested as part of the reconnaissance drill program, which commenced in January 2019. In addition, our detailed review of the historic drill data has revealed a number of discrete high-grade zones within the lower grade mineralized envelopes at both the Central and MG deposits which lend further support to the presence of numerous high grade zones at Cuiu Cuiu." Table 1: High grade historic drill intercepts at MG. Areas labeled A through C are shown on Figure 2. To view an enhanced version of Table 1 please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3900/44377_a11bda089435e97b_005full.jpg Table 2: High-grade historic Central historic drill intercepts (Northeast Sections). Blocks labeled A through H are indicated on Figure 3. To view an enhanced version of Table 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3900/44377_a11bda089435e97b_006full.jpg Table 3: High-grade historic Central drill intercepts (Northwest sections). All of these holes are in block D shown in Figure 3. To view an enhanced version of Table 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3900/44377_a11bda089435e97b_007full.jpg Proactive Investors LLC The Company wishes to announce that, subject to regulatory approval, it has extended an existing agreement with Proactive Investors LLC. ("Proactive Investors") pursuant to which Proactive Investors provides editorial coverage of the Company's activities and developments and assists the Company in creating video content. The extended agreement will run through March 2020 at a cost of $13,500. Proactive Investors have no present interest, direct or indirect, in Cabral or its securities. Proactive Investors is a multi-media news organization, investor portal and events management business with offices in New York, Sydney, Toronto, London and Vancouver. Market Making Services Inc The Company also wishes to announce that, subject to regulatory approval, it has retained Market Making Services Inc. ("MMS") to provide market making services in accordance with the policies and guidelines of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). MMS will trade the securities of Cabral on the TSXV for the purpose of maintaining an orderly market and to provide liquidity of Cabral's common shares. For these services Cabral will pay MMS $5,000 per month for a minimum three-month term, payable in advance, and renewable every month thereafter. Each party will have an option to cancel after the initial three-month term with 30 days advance notice. The Company and MMS act at arm's length. MMS will not be paid any shares, options, or performance related guarantees by Cabral or any other related party. The capital used for market making will be provided by MMS. Mr. James Connor is the principal of MMS and has worked in the financial industry for over 20 years. He has extensive experience as a liability trader having worked for such firms as CIBC, Credit Suisse, Merrill Lynch, and Cormark Securities and also as a coverage trader covering some of the largest institutional investors in North America. James started MMS with the primary purpose of providing capital market services to publicly traded companies. About Cabral Gold Inc. The Company is a junior resource company and is engaged in the identification, exploration and development of mineral properties, with a primary focus on gold properties located in Brazil. The Company owns the Cuiu Cuiu gold project located in the Tapajos Region within the state of Para in northern Brazil. The Tapajos Gold Province is the site of the largest gold rush in Brazil's history. Cuiu Cuiu was the largest garimpo in the Tapajos and produced an estimate 2Moz of placer gold historically. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: "Alan Carter" President and Chief Executive Officer Cabral Gold Inc. Tel: 604.676.5660 Email: info@cabralgold.com www.cabralgold.com Dr. Adrian McArthur, B.Sc. Hons, PhD. FAusIMM., a consultant to the Company as well as a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, supervised the preparation of the technical information in this news release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking Statements This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). The use of the words "will", "expected" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. This news release contains forward-looking statements and assumptions pertaining to the following: strategic plans and future operations, and results of exploration. Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. The Company believes the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. Notes Gold analysis has been conducted by SGS method FAA505 (fire assay of 50g charge), with higher grade samples checked by FAA525. Analytical quality is monitored by certified references and blanks. Until dispatch, samples are stored in the company's supervised exploration office. The samples are couriered to the assay laboratory using a commercial contractor. Pulps and rejects are returned to the Company and archived. Drilling results are reported as down-hole length weighted intersections. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44377 In August 2016, 35 percent of the respondents in a Monmouth University poll said they had an unfavorable view ofDonald Trump and Hillary Clinton, shattering the previous record in comparable polls, 9 percent in 1992. With the first state presidential primaries and caucuses just nine months away, it's a good time to reflect on how our current presidential nominating system managed to produce two such disliked nominees -- and what states and political parties might do to prevent a repeat.A major overhaul is overdue for two major reasons, starting with voter turnout. In 2016, nearly three of every four eligible Americans failed to vote in their state's presidential primary or caucus. Only in New Hampshire, where 52 percent of eligible citizens voted, did more eligible voters turn out than not. While turnout in pivotal states ranged from 20 percent in New York to 37 percent in Ohio, it was so low elsewhere you wonder if voters had forgotten there even was a presidential race: 8 percent in Minnesota and Nevada, 6 percent in Maine and just 4 percent in North Dakota.The second problem is reflected in this fact: In 2016, most primary and caucus participants cast their ballots for candidates other than Trump or Clinton. Trump, for example, pulled off wins in a dozen states where he received 42 percent or less of the votes cast. Of the 38 Republican primaries and caucuses held prior to May 1, Trump won majority votes in just six. The vote-splintering problem that bedeviled Republican candidates in 2016 could prove even worse for Democrats in 2020, given that party's already crowded presidential field. It's entirely plausible that the winners in key initial contests might end up getting no more than 20 percent of the total votes cast.What can be done about these two problems? The simplest way to boost turnout is to jettison party-controlled caucuses, which tend to attract only the most passionate of party activists, in favor of state-run, taxpayer-financed primary elections. Six states -- Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Nebraska, Utah and Washington -- have done that for 2020, and Maine is likely to follow suit.Switching from a caucus to a primary election can boost turnout in an exponential fashion, from single digits to as much as 50 percent. But given the importance of these contests, turnout can -- and should -- be far higher still. Oregon's pioneering experience since 1996 shows one way to do this: Skip the traditional polling place and just mail every eligible voter a ballot While the median turnout rate for 2016's 38 presidential primary elections was just under 40 percent, in Oregon's May 15 primary 61 percent of eligible Republicans and nearly 70 percent of eligible Democrats cast ballots. These numbers are even more impressive considering that by mid-May of that year both parties' nominations were considered mathematically wrapped up.In the 2020 primary cycle, Oregon will no longer be alone in this approach. At least two other states, Colorado and Washington, will also use this "vote at home" system (which will include hundreds of drop sites and vote centers for voters who prefer the "in person" experience of returning their ballots over simply dropping them in a mailbox).Minnesota will hold its primary on March 3, along with a dozen other Super Tuesday states, and Secretary of State Steve Simon is urging a vote-at-home approach, in part because it would cost millions less than a traditional polling-place election. Simon also flags another problem this would solve: the challenge of convincing the state's 30,000 election judges, many of whom spend their winters out of state, to show up for duty.Weather is hardly a trivial consideration. Between early February and late April 2020, more than half of America's voters will be asked to cast presidential-preference ballots. The blizzards, flooding, tornados and other weather disasters ravaging various states this spring suggest that the weather could have a far more powerful influence on next spring's voter turnout than anything dreamed up by Russian cyber-attackers.And what about vote-splintering? Here it's worth looking at the "ranked-choice voting" (RCV) system that Maine voters approved in 2016, and which was used successfully in 2018 for the first time in a statewide general election.RCV (sometimes referred to as an "instant-runoff" system) allows voters to choose their most preferred candidate while also indicating their ranked order of preferences for others on the ballot. This avoids the "spoiler effect" -- think Ralph Nader in the 2000 Florida presidential election. Beyond that, it would give convention delegates and journalists, as well as voters, a far better sense of which candidates have the broadest potential appeal regardless of their showings in primaries and caucuses.Combining these two innovations, vote-at-home ballot delivery and ranked-choice voting, would be especially powerful, promising to vastly boost turnout while yielding far more insight into voters' true preferences. Taxpayers would save millions. Voters wouldn't need to brave the elements, or be sidelined by sick kids or conflicting work schedules, to go stand in line at a polling place. Instead, they could sit at their kitchen tables, carefully pondering all the candidates to decide who they think might be best, good enough -- or utterly unacceptable -- as our next president. When Living on the Streets Is a Crime Who Gets to Use Public Space? Jerry Burton has lived in a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood here for the past few months, in an orange tent pitched on a sidewalk. He and the other homeless campers on the block Burton proudly calls the encampment Jerr-E-Ville, and has declared himself the unofficial mayor are defying the citys urban camping ban, which means they are always bracing for a visit from the police.A caseworker from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is trying to find permanent housing for the 57-year-old Marine Corps veteran whose tent is surrounded by his belongings neatly arranged in small plastic bags. In the meantime, Burton is hoping that Denver voters next week will overturn the citys camping ban, thanks to an initiative he and others petitioned to get on the ballot.The ballot question, dubbed the Right to Survive, would declare that everyone has the right to rest, eat and shelter in public places without being harassed. Supporters say it would shield people experiencing homelessness from unfair citations and arrests.But business, environmental and social service organizations fear it would proliferate dangerous encampments in parks and on sidewalks without helping to house people.I find Initiative 300 to be one of the most frightening and heinous initiatives that Ive witnessed in my career, said Jeff Shoemaker, a former Republican state representative and executive director of the Greenway Foundation, a nonprofit that works to revitalize the South Platte River and its tributaries.The Denver initiative is the latest front in a campaign advocates for homeless people have been waging at the state level for years. Lawmakers in California, Oregon and Colorado have repeatedly introduced bills that, by articulating a right to rest, would override local ordinances that penalize people for living in public spaces. Lawmakers in Washington state proposed similar legislation this year. None of the bills passed.So Denver Homeless Out Loud, an advocacy group that backed the Colorado legislation, decided to take the issue to voters. If the first-of-its-kind Right to Survive ballot initiative is successful a late January/early February poll taken by the opposition campaign suggested it could be approved its supporters are likely to try to pass similar initiatives elsewhere in Colorado and across the West.If it passes, we hopefully may not have to run another statewide initiative, said Democratic Rep. Jovan Melton, sponsor of the Colorado Right to Rest bill. We may be able to go just city by city to deal with this.About 552,000 people in the United States are living on the street, in emergency shelters or in transitional housing, according to the latest count from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Most people experiencing homelessness are clustered in expensive cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Seattle.Cities nationwide have laws on the books intended to keep destitute people moving and out of sight. One-third of 187 cities surveyed by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, a Washington, D.C., nonprofit, prohibit camping in public. About a quarter of cities surveyed prohibit sleeping in certain public places, and almost half prohibit sitting or lying down in public.Even if a person is just sitting outside or sleeping in a clean tent, they can be told to either move on or be issued a fine, said Tristia Bauman, a senior attorney at the law center. Even those activities are treated as public health and safety threats, when they are not.The Denver City Council in 2012 passed an urban camping ordinance that prohibits people from pitching tarps and tents or even covering themselves with a blanket in public places. Other city ordinances ban aggressive panhandling, public urination, and sitting or lying down in a public right of way, among other activities.Other Colorado cities have passed similar laws, said Nantiya Ruan, a law professor at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. In our largest cities, we disproportionately cite and jail those who are homeless for these types of ordinances, and it costs the city a lot of money to do so, she said.But enforcement is spotty. Denver police officers typically tell people violating the camping ban to move rather than throwing them in jail. Under the ordinance, police officers are required to give offenders a warning and try to connect them to assistance, such as addiction treatment, before making an arrest.The camping ban still has an effect, said Terese Howard, an organizer for Denver Homeless Out Loud.The impact is a lot of sleep deprivation, its a lot of stress and mental health struggle, for constantly not knowing where you can go; its physical health problems, she said. Its safety risks, people being raped and assaulted after being forced to move into unsafe areas.Many people have no choice but to sleep outside, Howard said, because the city of Denver doesnt have enough shelter beds for the estimated 3,445 people who need them.Even when beds are available, theyre not open to everyone. People cant enter shelters when theyre drunk, high or have alcohol or drugs with them. And some people dont want to stay in a noisy, crowded shelter, separated from their partner and their pets.Sitting in the sunshine outside Impact Humanity, a Denver store that gives away clothes, a young man with sandy hair who declined to share his name said hes been homeless for two years and prefers to sleep outside in good weather.On winter nights, he said, homeless people may have to trespass to curl up in a sheltered place, such as an abandoned stairwell. I notice a lot of people who freeze to death you cant just throw up a tent and all the gear it takes to stay warm, he said.Debbie Hyatt, 67, was also waiting for her turn to enter the store. She sat under an awning that cast a cool shadow on the pavement, shaping her nails with a pink nail file. She said she sleeps in a shelter now but slept on the sidewalk for a while after getting bedbugs from a shelter mattress.Sleeping outside isnt ideal for anybody, she said. And it could be safer. There needs to be a designated ground area, she said, protected from dangers such as cars skidding off the curb.The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty and other legal aid groups have successfully sued various cities to change policies that disproportionately affect people experiencing homelessness.For instance, Denver recently pledged to give homeless people more notice prior to cleaning up camps and to offer more storage lockers, toilets and trash cans as part of a settlement in a class-action lawsuit brought on behalf of the citys homeless population.But when advocates take their civil rights arguments to state lawmakers, they face serious opposition. The Western Regional Advocacy Project (WRAP), a San Francisco-based organization, has tried and failed for almost a decade to get right to rest legislation passed.City leaders, law enforcement and business groups have pushed back every time, said Paul Boden, WRAPs executive director. In Colorado, Rep. Melton said, his Right to Rest bill was opposed by city leaders who didnt want the state to interfere with their ordinances.The political fight in Denver, if anything, has been fiercer than the state battles that preceded it. The campaign against Initiative 300 has raised over $1.5 million, about 19 times the amount raised by the campaign backing the initiative.The opposing campaign, funded primarily by business groups such as the National Association of Realtors and the Downtown Denver Partnership, says the initiative would stop the city from enforcing laws that protect public safety without helping people access housing.We do not believe this policy helps support those experiencing homelessness or the broader community, said Tami Door, president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership, in an emailed statement. We know that we can do better and believe we must work to expand upon services that support the dignity of people who are experiencing homelessness in our community.The measure would supersede a host of local ordinances, including park curfews, according to city officials interpretation of the broadly worded measure. The city says it could make police officers, park rangers and outreach workers reluctant to help people living on the street, as doing so could be considered harassment.The ordinance also could make it more difficult for city staff to address health threats such as hepatitis A, rodents, feces, urine and discarded needles, the city said.Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has said he doesnt support either the Right to Survive initiative, or the state Right to Rest bill.Trash discarded by homeless people is already a problem along the South Platte River, said Shoemaker of the Greenway Foundation. Before taking kids on outdoor excursions, he said, members of his education team scour the area for drug paraphernalia and human waste. An explosion of encampments in the city would further threaten the rivers health, he said.Denvers Right to Survive initiative has even been criticized by groups that supported the Colorado Right to Rest bill.I wouldnt necessarily say that were opposed to the measure, because we understand the need for this conversation, said Cathy Alderman, vice president of communications and public policy for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, a housing, health care and supportive services provider.But her organization worries that the initiatives language is vague, and that it doesnt allocate resources to address homelessness. If it does pass theres still no additional resources put into the system to make sure we dont have the need for something like Right to Survive, she said.Ruan, the law professor, said courts would decide how to interpret the statute and noted that after six months the city council could step in to modify it. It can be corrected by the city council, but it will force them to do something about this issue, Ruan said of the councilmembers.Howard, of Denver Homeless Out Loud, said concerns about human waste and trash are distinct from the camping ban. Absolutely, theres a desperate need for porta-potties, for trash services, and so on, she said. But thats true regardless of whether we have the right to sleep or not.People who live on the streets dont want the city to be overwhelmed with trash, either. I dont know how comfortable I feel about the parks turning into wastelands and dumps and stuff, said the sandy-haired young man outside Impact Humanity. Maybe the city could do more to clean things up, he suggested.They also want permanent solutions. Hopefully, they will build housing that people can afford, Burton said.Regardless of the May 7 election result, the people behind the initiative and the state bills like it say theyll keep fighting. We understand that were going to hear no. And were really good at getting our asses kicked, WRAPs Boden said. But were going to keep coming back. 'I don't think it's over' Abortion law spurred decision Kansas' long, bitter fight over abortion entered an intense new phase Friday after the state Supreme Court ruled that women have the right to end a pregnancy.The court found for the first time that the Kansas Constitution -- in addition to the U.S. Constitution -- protects the right to an abortion. Republican lawmakers vowed to pursue an amendment to overturn the decision.In a frequently plain-spoken opinion, the justices said a woman's rights under the state constitution allow her "to make her own decisions regarding her body ... decisions that include whether to continue a pregnancy."The potential consequences of the decision are sweeping for a state that has often been at the center of the struggle over abortion for 30 years, from the Summer of Mercy protests to the murder of abortion doctor George Tiller.The 6-1 majority opinion means that unless the state constitution is changed, abortion will remain legal in Kansas even if abortion rights are one day overturned at the federal level.It also means additional scrutiny for abortion restrictions approved by Kansas lawmakers in recent years.And it threatens to upend the final days of the legislative session. Anti-abortion lawmakers are expected to try hard to advance an amendment to change the constitution."I think this puts a whole load on the pro-life movement," said Mark Gietzen, who heads the Wichita-based Kansas Coalition for Life and organizes a daily protest at the Trust Women clinic, which provides abortions. "We have to now do an amendment to the constitution. There's no other choice."House Speaker Ron Ryckman, an Olathe Republican, said his chamber is working to develop a solution that allows voters to decide "whether Kansas continues as a pro-life state or becomes a pro-abortion state."Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican, said nowhere in the state constitution is there a "right to the violent act of abortion." She labeled the Supreme Court as liberal and activists and said the justices "showed just how out of touch they are with Kansas values."Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, whose office defended the law, called the implications of the ruling "breathtaking" and said it "foreshadows an ever-expanding role for Kansas courts in public policy questions that for the first 158 years of state history were reserved for Kansans to settle through the democratic process."Democrats and abortion rights supporters welcomed the decision. The Supreme Court had effectively drawn a line in the sand in favor of abortion rights."This sends a strong signal to our legislators that they can no longer use politically motivated and medically unnecessary restrictions to block women from the health care they need and deserve," said Rachel Sweet, Planned Parenthood's regional director of public policy and organizing.Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat and abortion rights supporter, said in a statement that while federal law had long guaranteed the right of women to make their own healthcare decisions, "I'm pleased that the Kansas Supreme Court's decision now conclusively respects and recognizes that right under Kansas law as well."Kansas joins nine other states with constitutions that have been interpreted to protect abortion rights. Court rulings in West Virginia and Tennessee have also affirmed the right to an abortion but their constitutions were later amended.Abortion rights opponents have had an easy time in recent years summoning big majorities in the Kansas Legislature to approve fresh restrictions. But a constitutional amendment needs to clear a high bar: two-thirds support from both the House and the Senate, followed by majority approval from voters statewide.Lawmakers would set the date of the statewide election, and Kelly wouldn't be able to veto the amendment."I don't think it's over. I don't think this is the final word. I certainly hope and pray that we don't go back to those dark days," Rep. Susan Humphries, a Wichita Republican, said.Questions emerged Friday over how quickly lawmakers could advance an amendment. Gietzen said it would be "humanly impossible" to get a constitutional amendment through the Legislature in the final days of 2019 session. Lawmakers resume their work on May 1 and typically adjourn in May.But he said the organizational work will start now so the amendment could be ready for the Legislature next year and passed in time for the 2020 election ballot."2019 has to be grass-roots (organizing)," Gietzen said. "It's where it has to start, with the people. We're still a government of the people, not the government of a misguided court."A proposed amendment would almost certainly trigger an intense debate among Kansans, with both sides campaigning aggressively in the months and weeks leading up to the vote.Before the federal Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, states had the power to decide whether to allow abortion. Approval of the amendment would mean the Legislature could ban abortion in Kansas if the federal decision is ever overturned.Both abortion rights supporters and opponents believe the U.S. Supreme Court is more likely to reverse Roe now than in the past because conservatives have a clear majority with the addition of Justice Brett Kavanaugh.Julie Burkhart, the founder and chief executive of Trust Women, said she doesn't think an effort to amend the state constitution would succeed, even if lawmakers have enough support to send it to voters. While anti-abortion groups hold enormous power at the Statehouse, polls have shown the majority of Kansans don't want to ban abortion, she said."I just don't see that the people of this state hold those beliefs," she said.According to a Fox News voter analysis of the 2018 Kansas governor's race, 54 percent of voters said abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while 46 percent said it should be illegal in all or most cases.Friday's decision stemmed from a 2015 law banning dilation and evacuation, a common procedure in second-trimester abortions that involves using surgical tools to remove the fetus. Opponents call it a "dismemberment abortion."The ban -- the first of its kind to be passed by any state -- has not gone into effect during litigation. The Supreme Court on Friday kept an injunction in place and told a lower court to reevaluate the law based on its decision.The Supreme Court's majority opinion found that section 1 of the Kansas Constitution's Bill of Rights protects every person's natural "right of personal autonomy" and that includes a woman's right to choose an abortion."Today we hold our Kansas Constitution's drafters' and ratifiers' proclamation of natural rights applies to pregnant women. This proclamation protects the right to decide whether to continue a pregnancy," the justices said in the court's unsigned majority opinion.Justice Caleb Stegall, in his dissent, said the court was issuing its "most significant and far-reaching decision" ever."The majority's decision is so consequential because it fundamentally alters the structure of our government to magnify the power of the state -- all while using that power to arbitrarily grant a regulatory reprieve to the judicially privileged act of abortion," Stegall wrote. "In the process, the majority abandons the original public meaning of section 1 of the Kansas Constitution Bill of Rights and paints the interest in unborn life championed by millions of Kansans as rooted in an ugly prejudice."The decision will cast a shadow over an expected to push to override Kelly's veto of a bill that would require abortion clinics to tell women about how to potentially reverse a medication abortion. It also may open other restrictions on abortion, such as font and type size requirements for information provided in abortion clinics, to new legal challenges.The court's decision -- spurred by a lawsuit from physicians Herbert Hodes and Traci Nauser -- was one of the most-anticipated decisions in recent Kansas history. The justices took more than two years to issue an opinion after holding oral arguments in March 2017.The Center for Reproductive Rights filed the lawsuit in 2015 on behalf of the physicians, who work at the Center for Women's Health in Overland Park. The suit argued the law illegally interfered with the right to an abortion and that Kansas couldn't ban dilation and evacuation abortions because of previous U.S. Supreme Court rulings.The case reached the state Supreme Court after a lower-court judge ruled the state constitution protects the right to an abortion. The Kansas Court of Appeals upheld that ruling after an effective tie. Seven judges sided with the state and seven sided with the doctors, though one issued a separate concurring opinion.The law was a centerpiece anti-abortion achievement for Sam Brownback, who signed numerous anti-abortion bills during his time as governor. A spokeswoman for Brownback didn't respond to a request for comment Friday. The Olympic Green in Beijing daily reminds its visitors of the success of the 2008 Olympic and Para-Olympic Games. But since the end of the 2008 Games, the Olympic Park has played host to other significant events as well. The Olympic Green Convention Center, for instance, was transformed into the National Convention Center (CNCC), which regularly hosts high level conferences, including the first Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation in May 2017, and the second BRF last week. On the sunny morning of April 26, colorful spring flowers outlined the CNCC as participants from around the world arrived to the opening ceremony of the BRF. Heads of state, presidents of international organizations, diplomats, officials, CEOs, academics, experts and journalists were among the distinguished guests. President Xi Jinping delivered the keynote address, signaling continuity and passion for improvement and enrichment, principally concerning green development and transparency. Two years after the first BRF, he talked about an expanding network of connectivity including six corridors, different routes, multiple countries and ports. Notably, he emphasized, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) does not compete with other regional models proposed either by countries or international organizations, but complements them. The scale of BRI is larger than any of those regional models, however. This means China's responsibility becomes critical especially in relation to emerging or weak economies. Xi referred, inter alia, to the significance of infrastructure projects that "help countries fully leverage their resource endowment" and "better integrate into the global supply." An idea that was initiated in China has transcended its borders to impact the larger world by creating growth and shared prosperity. It is gradually developing to become the most successful global integration scheme in past decades. A recent study of the World Bank Group demonstrated that the GDP will increase by up to 3.4% for participating countries in BRI and by up to 2.9% for the world. As Xi reiterated, the BRI remains an inclusive project: even countries that have not joined may have the chance to do so in the future, in order to benefit by trade in an era of rising protectionism. While the West suspiciously eyes China's role in the world, the Chinese president spoke about the need to meet people's desire for a better life. This is a vision for the future that is appealing for younger generations suffering from poverty and unemployment. In the coming years, China will support extensive collaboration among social organizations to carry out livelihood projects. Xi also clarified that trade surplus is not an end in itself for his country, thus conveying a message to other countries that they might boost their exports to China. Of course, such increases cannot happen automatically. But China is interested in importing quality agricultural and manufacturing products, as well as services. It is now the turn of interested countries in the EU for instance to grasp this opportunity to develop efficient marketing strategies. The second China International Import Expo, taking place this November, should provide a useful platform. Having placed an emphasis on developing original research for several years, China is becoming a colossus of innovation. The building of the digital Silk Road, which is making real contributions to cyber-connectivity, highlights this advancement. China will finance exchange programs including for women, young people and individuals with disabilities to learn about this technological miracle and share findings back home. Against this backdrop, the framework for protecting the intellectual property rights of companies will be strengthened. In his speech, the Chinese president underscored that this commitment should reassure foreign companies of secure conditions. Moreover, the Chinese government is well aware of the Western argument related to the so-called "debt trap" in some regions along the BRI routes. But Xi addressed this as well, stating that China has formulated specific principles for the development of the BRI, and has published debt sustainability frameworks to facilitate financing cooperation. If countries hosting Chinese investments or receiving Chinese loans default on those loans, everyone stands to lose. Economic stability in each country safeguards the viability of all deals and agreements. Last but not least, President Xi's speech reflected the nature of international cooperation he envisages. This is to be based on multilateralism and in line with UN guidelines. The preservation of peace must be and is the utmost goal; it could not be otherwise. The opening ceremony of the second BRF fittingly was given in a spot that historically embodies Olympic Ideals, signifying that these very ideals are and will continue to be respected. George N. Tzogopoulos is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/GeorgeNTzogopoulos.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. If you would like to contribute, please contact us at opinion@china.org.cn. After many votes and multiple vetoes, Massachusetts lawmakers have finally lifted the "cap on kids," which denies additional welfare benefits for children born while a family is already receiving welfare."Lifting the Cap on Kids will make a critical difference in the lives of 8,700 of the lowest income children in Massachusetts," said Deborah Harris of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute in a statement. "With today's vote, Massachusetts has affirmed the dignity and humanity of every child."The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday voted 37-3 to override Gov. Charlie Baker's veto and lift the cap. The House previously voted on April 10, by a 155-1 vote, to override Baker's veto.The cap lift will become law retroactive to Jan. 1, 2019."Sixth time was the charm, but really this is a day when people came together from all around the state," said Sen. Sal DiDomenico, D-Everett.The administration has until Sept. 1 to put the policy in place and make sure families are getting back payments as well as the additional money going forward.A single mother with two children, one of whom was born while the family was on welfare, will see her monthly payment increase from $491 to $593."We are thrilled that our Commonwealth has repealed the cruel and unjust family cap," said Jacquelynne Bowman, executive director of Greater Boston Legal Services, in a statement. "This is an important step in helping Massachusetts act on the promise of supporting very low-income families to meet their children's basic needs."Welfare benefits are based on family size. Many states instituted caps around the time of federal welfare reform in 1996 to discourage women on welfare from having more children.Advocates for repealing the cap say women do not decide whether to have a child based on a $100 monthly addition to their welfare check, and the entire family suffers with less money.There are an estimated 8,700 children in Massachusetts who were born to families receiving welfare payments, so their families' benefits do not reflect their birth.Massachusetts had been one of 16 states to still have a family cap. It is now the ninth state to repeal one.The Democratic-led Legislature voted to lift the cap as part of the state budget last year. But Baker, a Republican, would not sign the provision, instead returning it to the Legislature and asking them to make a change regarding what income would be counted in determining a family's eligibility for benefits. The Legislature declined to make the change -- which would have denied welfare benefits to an estimated 5,200 children with a disabled parent. But the session ended before they had time to override Baker's veto.This year, lawmakers again voted for a bill to lift the cap and sent it back to Baker. Baker again vetoed the bill, asking for a broader set of welfare reforms.This time, the Legislature had enough time to easily override his veto and enact the policy."This is a day that we can all say, we made a difference in people's lives," DiDomenico said, "and our children are going to benefit from this." Mississippi spends one-sixth of its funding for welfare, a program reserved for the most vulnerable residents, on a college scholarship program benefiting thousands of middle class families.In January and February, Mississippi Today published an investigation into state financial aid, which detailed an outdated program plagued by a lack of awareness surrounding need-based scholarships and barriers to aid for the neediest citizens, such as adult learners and low-income families.Adding to doubts about how the state doles out financial aid dollars is the little-known fact that Mississippi reported almost half of all state-funded scholarships it awarded in 2017 as welfare spending.In 1996, at the height of welfare reform, Congress created Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, a safety net program that replaced the previous cash assistance entitlement program called Aid to Families with Dependent Children.Instead of an entitlement, the federal government block granted this new pot of welfare dollars $31.1 billion total in 2017 to states, giving the local governments broad discretion on how to spend them. A federal judge has temporarily blocked the enforcement of a state law that prohibits government agencies in Texas from doing business with contractors who are boycotting Israel.U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman issued an injunction Thursday against the law, saying it threatens to suppress unpopular ideas and manipulates the public debate through coercion rather than persuasion."This the First Amendment does not allow," he wrote.The order came in a case brought by Bahia Amawi, a speech pathologist who was told she could only continue her contract work with Pflugerville ISD if she promised not to boycott Israel. Amawi, who conducted bilingual and early childhood evaluations for the district, refused to sign the addendum to her contract. As a result, she was told that she couldn't be paid, and the district terminated her contract on Sept. 17. She sued in December.This is a complete victory of the First Amendment against Texass attempts to suppress speech in support of Palestine, said Gadeir Abbas, an attorney for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which filed suit on Amawi's behalf. More importantly, its a complete victory for all Texans, to engage in political speech without government censorship.The order will stand while litigation proceeds in the case.Texas has had the anti-boycott law regarding Israel on its books since 2017. It prohibits all state agencies from signing contracts with, and certain public funds from investing in, companies that boycott Israel. When he signed the bill into law, Gov. Greg Abbott proclaimed Israel an important ally."Anti-Israel policies are anti-Texas policies," he wrote at the time.The Texas Attorney General's Office, which is defending the law and Pflugerville ISD in the case, said Friday that it would appeal the judge's order."We're disappointed with the ruling essentially requiring government to do business with discriminatory companies," said Marc Rylander, communications director for the attorney general's office. Gov. Jared Polis signed a bill Thursday preventing people accused of many low-level offenses such as petty, traffic or most municipal charges from being jailed because they cant pay their cash bail.That also means people currently locked up in Colorado on those types of charges, who are unable to pay their bail, must be released. At least one county believes there are several people being held in their facility who might be eligible.If you are thinking about putting someone in jail right now for a low-level offense and putting cash bail on them for $100 or $200 or $300, you cant do it anymore, said state Rep. Leslie Herod, a Denver Democrat.Some of those minor offenses could include: having an open container, trespassing and/or shoplifting less than $50 worth of goods. There are exceptions carved out for people accused of a traffic offense involving death or injury, operating a vehicle after circumventing a device meant to check a drivers blood-alcohol level, or eluding a police officer. Days after a judge and court officer were arrested on charges they helped a man evade immigration authorities, advocates are filing a lawsuit against Immigration and Customs Enforcement's practice of arresting people at local courthouses.The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office announced a group of prosecutors, public defenders and community groups plan to file a lawsuit on Monday over courthouses arrests, arguing the arrests deter victims and witnesses from cooperating with law enforcement on local criminal cases."Prosecutors are forced to abandon cases because many victims and witnesses are deterred from appearing in court. The policy also makes it more difficult to obtain defendants' appearance[s] in court," District Attorney Marian Ryan wrote in a joint statement with Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins.District Attorney Rachael Rollins told her staff to notify her office if they see immigration agents arresting or questioning people inside courthouses, but what happens after?Lawyers for Civil Rights Director Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, Committee for Public Counsel Services' Immigration Impact Unit Director Wendy Wayne and Chelsea Collaborative Executive Director Gladys Vega also signed onto the joint statement.An announcement will be made about the lawsuit at 11 a.m. Monday at Goodwin Procter's Boston office.Public defenders, local prosecutors and immigrant activists began voicing concerns about ICE agents making arrests at local courthouses after President Donald Trump took office. Thomas D. Homan, then acting director of ICE, issued a directive in January 2018 stating that courthouses are fair game for immigration enforcement, unlike schools, churches and hospitals, which are considered "sensitive locations" under ICE policy.ICE says making arrests at courthouses ensures that agents can locate and detain people facing immigration violations in a place that screens civilians for weapons. The agency also argues that in some parts of the country, conducting enforcement at courthouses is one of the only options if local law enforcement does not cooperate with ICE agents.Joseph was under investigation for helping a defendant avoid detention by an immigration enforcement agent in Newton District Court.Lawyers for Civil Rights has informally tracked ICE arrests at courthouses in Massachusetts in hopes of understanding how prevalent the practice is. Espinoza-Madrigal told MassLive in March that his organization had documented more than 100 arrests in the past year by ICE agents. One of those include the arrest of an undocumented 21-year-old Cape Verdean man in a Boston courthouse in January.The arrests comes days after Newton District Judge Shelley Joseph and recently retired Trial Court Officer Wesley MacGregor were charged with obstruction over the handling of a case against Jose Medina-Perez, who was facing drug charges in Newton. Medina-Perez had an outstanding warrant for drunk driving in Pennsylvania and was wanted by ICE.When a plainclothes ICE agent showed up to Medina-Perez's arraignment in Newton District Court, Joseph allegedly ordered the agent out of the courtroom and ordered the courtroom recorder turned off. Prosecutors say she released Medina-Perez without bail and instructed MacGregor to take him to the downstairs lockup while keeping the ICE agent locked out.MacGregor allegedly let Medina-Perez out the back door.While all eyes are on the indictments, House Republicans have spent the last two years trying to pass legislation to increase cooperation between ICE and local law enforcement.The charges stirred controversy in the Greater Boston area as politicians, public safety officials and activists weighed in. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy called the arrests an unnecessary, political attack, while Gov. Charlie Baker supported the Supreme Judicial Court's decision to suspend Joseph without pay.Rollins, who releases her policy objectives in a memo in March, said her office will take immigration status into account when charging and sentencing as even misdemeanor convictions could get someone flagged by immigration agents. She also asked assistant district attorneys, witness advocates or other employees to notify her if they see ICE agents arresting people scheduled to appear in court or asking them about their immigration status. President Donald Trump is targeting his home state on Twitter, encouraging the National Rifle Association to leave New York over "oppression of sorts.""The NRA is under siege by Cuomo and the New York State A.G., who are illegally using the State's legal apparatus to take down and destroy this very important organization, & others. It must get its act together quickly, stop the internal fighting, & get back to GREATNESS -- FAST!" Trump tweeted Monday morning."....People are fleeing New York State because of high taxes and yes, even oppression of sorts. They didn't even put up a fight against SALT -- could have won. So much litigation. The NRA should leave and fight from the outside of this very difficult to deal with (unfair) State!"The tweets came after New York State Attorney General Letitia James launched an investigation into the NRA's nonprofit status and issued subpoenas over the weekend into the finances of the gun owners' group. James vowed during her AG campaign last year to probe whether the NRA complies with state not-for-profit rules.Trump has frequently clashed with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, accusing him of pushing residents out of the state with "poorly run government." Cuomo and his team have called Trump "the great divider in chief," calling his "worldview trapped in 1988" while criticizing the Republican tax plan known as SALT.James has also drawn the ire of Trump with multiple state investigations into the president and his businesses. Subpoenas issued last month sought information on loan applications, mortgages, and lines of credit for transactions including Trump's failed bid to buy the Buffalo Bills in 2014.Meanwhile, the NRA is in turmoil as famed Iran-Contra figure Oliver North announced Saturday that he would not serve a second term as the NRA's president. According to CNN, North tried to remove longtime NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre over allegations of financial misconduct, including the improper use of $200,000 of NRA funds to purchase clothing from a vendor.Trump and Vice President Mike Pence both spoke at the NRA's annual convention on Friday, vowing to fight for gun rights and encouraging the group to rally behind their 2020 re-election bid."It's under assault," he claimed of the Second Amendment. "But not while we're here."According to the Associated Press, Trump announced Friday that he would revoke the United States' status as a signatory of the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty, which regulates the multibillion-dollar global arms trade in conventional weapons, from small arms to battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships. The NRA opposed the pact signed by President Barack Obama in 2013, but it has never been ratified by U.S. lawmakers."Under my administration, we will never surrender American sovereignty to anyone," Trump said, before signing a document on stage directing the Senate to halt the ratification process. "We will never allow foreign diplomats to trample on your Second Amendment freedom." The cloud is a powerful tool for driving digital transformation, but risks abound at every step of the journey. Public-sector IT leaders must assess where they stand in the cloud adoption curve and plan how to optimize their infrastructure costs. (TNS) Sen. Marco Rubio confirmed Friday there was an intrusion into Florida's elections systems by hackers in 2016, according toRubio, R-Fla., would not say who was behind the hacking, saying he was constrained by his position on the Senate Intelligence Committee, but the redacted version of the Mueller report released April 18 stated the FBI believes "at least one Florida county" was infiltrated with malicious software sent out by Russian intelligence agents.Rubio's statement contradicts the Florida secretary of state's office, which maintained last week that its elections systems weren't hacked. Secretary Laurel Lee also said at the time that the FBI hadn't told the state which county they believe was compromised.Rubio said the information was discovered through an intelligence operation, not a criminal investigation,"Everybody has been told what it is they need to do to protect themselves from the intrusion," Rubio told the. "I don't believe the specific victims of the intrusion have been notified. The concern was that in a number of counties across the country, there are a couple of people with the attitude of: 'We've got this; we don't need your help. We don't think we need to do what you are telling us we need to do.'"The hackers, were "in a position" to change voter roll information, he told the, but it didn't appear they did.Last year, then-Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., warned that Russians had gained access to Florida voter data but declined to identify which county or counties had been penetrated, saying the information was classified. No other officials backed up Nelson's claim, including Rubio, and his opponent, Gov. Rick Scott, and national Republicans attacked Nelson for what GOP campaign emails called his "alarming claims" and "extremely reckless behavior."Rubio did warn repeatedly in 2016 that "state election systems are potentially vulnerable to Russian cyberattacks."Gov. Ron DeSantis had said at a press conference in Orlando last week that he didn't believe any breach would have affected vote totals.But in Miami on Thursday, according to Politico, he was critical of the FBI, telling reporters, "They won't tell us which county it was, are you kidding me? Why would you have not said something immediately?"DeSantis and now Sen. Scott, who defeated Nelson, will meet with the FBI in coming weeks to discuss the Russian hacking attempts on Florida counties in 2016.Scott's office said the FBI has reached out to him and is working on scheduling a briefing in the next few weeks. DeSantis' office said no date has yet been set.The report stated that in November 2016, Russian intelligence officials "sent spearphishing emails to over 120 email accounts used by Florida county officials responsible for administering the 2016 U.S. election."The emails contained an attached Word document with malicious "Trojan" software that would have permitted Russian intelligence to access the infected computer. But none of the 52 Florida counties that had contracts with VR Systems, the Tallahassee company that was allegedly impersonated, has admitted to opening that document.Volusia County elections supervisor Lisa Lewis said Thursday the office opened one of the infected emails in 2016, but not the infected attachment. Broward County Supervisor Peter Antonacci said this week the county received the email, but it was quarantined by anti-virus software and officials wouldn't have had the opportunity to open the attachment.staff writer Anthony Man contributed to this report. Q: Im singing a hymn in church on Sunday, one my great-aunt used to play on the piano, Brighten the Corner Where You Are. A line of the chorus is Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar. Im curious about the meaning of across the bar, since Im assuming it has nothing to do with serving alcohol. A: The bar in the expression is a sandbar, an obstruction thats dangerous to cross in a boat. The chorus of that hymn is an injunction to do a good deed, to help someone whos at sea (figuratively speaking) and needs guidance to get safely home. The word bar in this sense is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as a bank of sand, silt, etc., across the mouth of a river or harbour, which obstructs navigation. The noun has been used in this way since the late 16th century. The OEDs earliest example shows that ships were careful to give these obstacles a wide berth. The citation is from a 1587 edition of Holinsheds Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland: The port or hauen [haven] of Dublin is a barred hauen, and no great ships doo lie in a certeine rode without the barre. (The term barred haven had been used since the mid-1500s to mean a harbor protected by a sandbar or silt bank.) Subsequent OED citations for this use of bar are from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, including one from a 1720 issue of the London Gazette: Three Ships were lost upon the Bar. But the most famous example is found in Tennysons poem Crossing the Bar (1889). The poet likens dying to being swept from harbor to sea, and uses bar as a metaphor for the crossing over from life to death. Here are the final two stanzas: Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For tho from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crost the bar. In a literal rather than a poetic sense, crossing the bar was so dangerous that in the 19th century bar boats (those less likely to founder on sandbars) were used to offload cargo, attempt rescues, and so on. The OEDs earliest example for such boats is from 1857, but weve found several earlier uses. This one is from a newspaper article about an Australian swimmer who was carried out to sea: The bar boat was put off to his assistance, but on its arrival at the breakers no appearance of the lad was to be discovered. (Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, Feb. 21, 1839. The boy was found alive two days later, eight miles down shore.) And this example refers to a shipwreck that was narrowly averted: This accident has shown the great importance of having a good bar-boat and boats crew inside this harbour. (Sydney Morning Herald, Feb. 1, 1848.) Weve written before on our blog about the etymology and various uses of the noun and verb bar, if youd like to know more. As for the hymn your great-aunt used to enjoy, Brighten the Corner Where You Are, the words (by Ina Duley Ogden) and music (Charles H. Gabriel) were copyrighted in 1913. It was recorded by Homer Rodeheaver for the Victor Talking Machine Company in 1915 and published both as sheet music and in hymn collections. Thanks to YouTube, you can listen to the original 78 recording played on a 1920 Victrola. Help support the Grammarphobia Blog with your donation. And check out our books about the English language. Flash Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Sunday met with the visiting president of the Italian Senate Maria Elisabetta Casellati over the Gulf crisis and the means to boost bilateral cooperation, official Qatar News Agency reported. During the meeting, Sheikh Tamim and Casellati highlighted the friendly ties binding Qatar and Italy and reviewed a host of regional and international issues of mutual interest. They also discussed the repercussions of the ongoing Gulf crisis on the security in the Middle East region. Casellati voiced Italy's support for settling the crisis via political dialogue and diplomatic means, urging an end to the regional blockade imposed on Qatar. Since mid-2017, an embargo against Qatar has been imposed by an Arab quartet of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, which accuses Qatar of supporting terrorism, a charge Doha has repeatedly denied. Casellati's visit to Qatar comes fewer than a month after a visit by Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to Doha, where he discussed with Sheikh Tamim the means to cement bilateral ties in the fields of defense, economy and investment as well as developments in Libya. You are here: World Flash At least two civilians were killed, following a roadside mine blast in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province on Sunday, an official said. The blast happened at about 1:30 p.m. local time in Dand district's Kalantar area of the troubled province, where the mine, planted by armed militants, struck a tractor of locals, leaving two civilians dead on the spot, Jamal Nasir Barekzai, the provincial police spokesman told Xinhua. Barekzai blamed Taliban militants for planting the mine to terrorize people. Taliban militants, fighting government forces and largely relying on suicide and roadside bombings, have yet to claim responsibility. Flash The British public will this week be given its first chance to give their verdict on the Conservative government, with the latest opinion poll Sunday delivering bad news for Prime Minister Theresa May. Local council elections on Thursday, seen traditionally as a litmus test for an incumbent administration, could see the Conservatives losing as many as 1,000 town hall seats, according to some studies. But in a new poll Sunday for the Observer newspaper pollsters Opinium, results show that in a general election the public have given Jeremy Corbyn's main opposition Labour Party a seven-point lead. Opinium put Labour on 33 percent and May's Conservatives on 26 percent, while the newly formed Brexit party headed by Nigel Farage in third place on 17 percent. The Brexit party was only launched earlier this month by Farage, co-founder and former leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), already attracting support from some big name politicians. Farage, who serves as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), backed away from front line politics after 2016 referendum when Britain voted to leave the European Union. UKIP had been established specifically to campaign for Britain's departure from the bloc. Better news for Farage, but grim for May, is that the Opinium poll puts Labour and the Brexit Party neck-and-neck on 28 points when voters were asked how they would vote should elections for the European Parliament take place on May 23. The Conservatives are on 14 points, and the minority Liberal Democrats on seven points alongside Change UK, the other new political party formed by a group of disenchanted MPs who resigned from the Labour and Conservative Parties. The EU have insisted that Britain must take part in the European Parliament elections if no Brexit deal is reached with Brussels by early May. The Opinium poll also found more than half the public (55 percent) now believe Britain should never have held the EU referendum as it has been so difficult to agree a deal. Nearly half of voters polled by Opinium thought May should resign either once the Brexit withdrawal agreement has been passed or sooner, with only 14 percent believing she should continue as prime minister and lead the second phase of the Brexit negotiations before resigning. Politician Brandon Lewis, chairman of the Conservative Party, said he understood the huge frustration of party members over Brexit. "I fully appreciate the huge frustration that particularly our members and councilors have that we haven't left the EU yet and we might have to fight these elections at all" He said in a Sunday morning television interview that the Conservatives are still hoping to avoid the European parliament elections by the British parliament approving a Brexit deal. "I hope that between now and the European election polling day on May 23, if we have to have those elections, over the next few weeks I hope that Conservative members, colleagues, volunteers, activists will come to want to not just vote for, but campaign for Conservatives to get elected, because ultimately Conservative representation is better than any other party," he said. The big fear at Conservative headquarters is that many loyal supporters will punish the party by supporting Brexit Party candidates in EU elections. A leaked email to Conservative activists, obtained by the Sunday Times newspaper, said: "All party members, including elected representatives at all levels, are expected to fully support the party in all elections. Brussels has given Britain until Oct. 31 to strike a withdrawal deal, but so far May has failed to win support in the House of Commons for her plan. Talks between the two main parties, the Conservatives and Labour, have so far failed to reach any consensus on a potential plan to pave the way for Britain to leave the EU. BP, Nouryon (formerly AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals), and the Port of Rotterdam will collaborate to explore the opportunity of making green hydrogen via water electrolysis for BPs refinery in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, which has the potential for significant reductions in CO 2 emissions. BPs Rotterdam refinery. The refinery currently uses hydrogen made from hydrocarbons to desulfurize products. Replacing this entirely with green hydrogen produced from water using renewable energy could potentially result in a reduction of 350,000 tons of CO 2 emissions per year based on current circumstances. The parties have signed a memorandum of understanding to study the feasibility of a 250-megawatt water electrolysis facility to produce up to 45,000 tons of green hydrogen yearly using renewable energy. It would be the largest of its kind in Europe. Nouryon would build and operate the facility based on its leadership position in sustainable electrochemistry. The Port of Rotterdam would facilitate local infrastructure and investigate options for further development of a green hydrogen hub in the area. The partners intend to take a final investment decision on the project in 2022. BP is committed to advance a low carbon future. We have committed to reduce emissions in our operations, improve our products to help customers reduce their emissions and create low carbon businesses. The use of green hydrogen, made from water with renewable energy, has the potential to deliver significant emissions reductions at Rotterdam. Working with Nouryon and the Port of Rotterdam will allow us to explore and fully understand the technical, operational and financial dimensions of this potential opportunity. Ruben Beens, CEO of BP Netherlands In March, BP established a $100-million fund for projects that will deliver new greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions in its Upstream oil and gas operations. The new Upstream Carbon Fund will provide significant further support to BPs work generating sustainable greenhouse gas emissions reductions in its operations. In April 2018, BP set clear, near-term and specific targets aimed at reducing its emissions and advancing the energy transition, including achieving 3.5 million tonnes of sustainable GHG emissions reductions across the BP Group from 2016 to 2025 and targeting a methane intensity of 0.2%. The Upstream Carbon Fund will be in addition to the $500 million that BP invests in low carbon activities each year, including investment in venturing activities and into its significant alternative energy business. BP is also a founding member of the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative, which brings together 13 of the worlds largest energy companies and has set up a $1-billion investment fund to address methane emissions and other issues. Semcon has taken part in developing the cloud solution for Flypulses autonomous drone system, which is used in many different projects. The autonomous drone can fly out of sight and covers around 10 miles with a load of 1 kg. All drone films and photographs are streamed directly to an operator who then has an overview of the selected area. The operator can also stop and zoom in as required. By using a cloud solution, the company can get a total picture of its drones and using a map view can easily adapt and create new operations. Today, many electricity companiesfor example, one of FlyPulses customersuse leased helicopters to inspect overhead power lines. With autonomous drones, the job is done more effectively, for less money and with considerably less risk. It is clear that we are at the beginning of a major step in technological development. The possibilities are infinite. In addition, we are able to add AI to the autonomous drones so they can draw their own conclusions and decisions, based on what is being filmed. Mikael Wiktorell, Project Manager and Software Developer at Semcon The drone system developed by FlyPulse has been used in many projects, from transporting medicines to people on the islands in Lake Victoria in Tanzania, to being used by emergency services as a basis for decision on turning out. FlyPulse is a company from Innovatum Startup in Trollhattan which specializes in drone development. In 1991, a cyclone began striking the South Asian country of Bangladesh; it ended up killing more than 138,000 people, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In 1992, a jury in Simi Valley, Calif., acquitted four Los Angeles police officers of almost all state charges in the videotaped beating of motorist Rodney King; the verdicts were followed by rioting in Los Angeles resulting in 55 deaths. In 2000, tens of thousands of angry Cuban-Americans marched peacefully through Miamis Little Havana, protesting the raid in which armed federal agents yanked 6-year-old Elian Gonzalez from the home of relatives. In 2008, Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama denounced his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, for what he termed divisive and destructive remarks on race. ABINGDON, Va. A Virginia doctor accused of running an illegal pill mill is headed to trial. Joel Smithers, who lives in Greensboro, North Carolina, is charged with illegally prescribing thousands of doses of potent and addictive painkillers from his medical practice in Martinsville, Virginia. A federal judge last week refused to appoint a new defense attorney for Smithers or to postpone the trial, which starts Monday in Abingdon. The judge noted that Smithers repeatedly has admitted that he has not traveled to Virginia to review materials disclosed by prosecutors or to meet with his attorney. Smithers is charged in an 862-count indictment with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, maintaining a place for unlawfully distributing controlled substances, and dispensing controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose. Smithers has maintained his innocence. May 24 Elon University: Elon overhauled its graduation ceremony this year with a new format and a new day of the week. Commencement exercises for all undergraduates will start at 8:45 a.m. outside in Scott Plaza on campus. Al Drago, an alumnus and photojournalist, will speak. The main commencement event will be followed by two separate diploma ceremonies both at the Schar Center. The ceremony for arts and sciences and education graduates will start at 11:30 a.m., followed by the ceremony for business and communications graduates at 3:30 p.m. (Tickets are required for both Schar Center events.) Baccalaureate will be at 3 p.m. May 23 at Alumni Gym. The Rev. Jennifer Bailey, founder and executive director of the Faith Matters Network in Nashville, will speak. Flash Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari said in Beijing that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is offering new opportunities for Nepal, and that she hopes Chinese investors and enterprises can invest more in Nepal. Bhandari arrived in China for a state visit and attended the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. She made the remarks at the 2019 China-Nepal Economic and Trade Forum held on Sunday. Nepal signed up to join the Belt and Road Initiative in 2017. In her speech, Bhandari said that Nepal lacks the material resources and technology to develop its economy, and therefore needs the support of its neighbors including China. In a report the Nepalese embassy in China published at the Sunday forum, the country projects that it needs US$86 billion of investment in the next five years to transition from a least developed country to a developing country by 2022, and become a middle-income country by 2030. Bhandari said that Nepal adopted a new constitution in 2015, and the country now enjoys a pro-business environment and political stability that can ensure investment security. China is Nepal's largest source of foreign direct investment and its second largest trading partner. According to the embassy publication, the two countries in 2018 marked a trade volume of US$1.29 billion. China's total foreign trade reached about US$4.5 trillion last year. Other Nepalese officials participating in Sunday's forum were also keen to promote trade with China and courting investment. Maha Prasad Adhikari, CEO of the Investment Board of Nepal, gave a briefing about Nepal's investment policies to business leaders at the forum. He also listed the areas where Nepal aims to attract investment: energy, transportation, tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, information and communications technology, health, mines and minerals, education, and banking and finance. Several major deals are expected to be signed between Nepal and China during Bhandari's visit, according to earlier reports by Nepalese media. After painful losses, the state has finally gotten an economic win. "A world-class company has taken notice of the way we do things. This company could have gone anywhere in the world, but they chose North Carolina," said Machelle Sanders, North Carolina's Secretary of Commerce. Thats not a big deal in small amounts. And its not necessarily disastrous even in large amounts if the good we purchase lasts a long time and has resale value, such as a house. But large-scale borrowing to fund large-scale consumption is foolish. The temptation is particularly strong, and the consequences particularly grave, in government. Those who make the initial decision, the politicians, can get credit for what gets funded without getting personal blame years or decades later for the taxes or foregone expenditures required to pay off the resulting debts. And because governments dont face the same competitive pressures that private institutions do, they are more likely to use borrowed money either for questionable capital projects or for expenditures that are unquestionably consumption. Generally speaking, states and localities are less guilty than Washington is. Their rules require that operating budgets be balanced every year, which limits (but does not fully preclude) the use of public debt for consumption. Moreover, bonds that pledge the full faith and credit of state and local governments often require voter approval by referendum, which again serves as a brake, however imperfect, on reckless borrowing. Mayor Buttigieg says hes a gay Christian. As a Christian I believe the Bible which defines homosexuality as sin, something to be repentant of, not something to be flaunted, praised or politicized. The Bible says marriage is between a man & a woman not two men, not two women. To spend any time listening to the Trump faithful is to live in perpetual cognitive dissonance. It is to hear Melania complain about cyber bullies or Don Jr. lament the loss of civility and to marvel at their ability to maintain straight faces. And yes, one feels the same when Graham questions Buttigiegs faith after defending Trumps. But one also feels something else: a too-familiar sense of Christianity white, conservative Christianity, at least once again standing athwart onrushing change with its hand up yelling, Stop! They did it when Martin Luther King preached of his dream, when Betty Friedan decided shed had enough, when Harvey Milk demanded the right to be. They are doing it again now. And you have to wonder: Dont they ever get tired of being wrong? Dont they ever get tired of being the last ones to get it? What if Candidate Barack Obamas campaign staff had secret meetings with Russians during the 2008 election? How would people, especially Republicans, have reacted? What if Obama had called for Russia to find Sarah Palins emails? What would the Republican response be to Obama attempting to set up a secret non-government back channel for communicating with the Russian government? And what if Obama had paid off two women whom he had sex with to keep them quiet before the 2008 election? Think he would have been elected anyway? We didnt know about any of these things prior to the election of Trump. The voters had a right to know this before the 2016 election. After his election and while serving as president, what if Obama stood beside Russian President Vladimir Putin at Helsinki and said he believed Putin rather than U.S. intelligence agencies? What if he said he thought North Koreas Kim Jong Un was a good man and believed him when he said he would denuclearize. How would Republicans have acted? Ohl said individuals born before 1958 are immune from measles because they likely came down with it growing up. Measles can be prevented by the combination measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. Ohl said it is important for anyone 12 months or older to be vaccinated. The two-vaccine format in place since 1989 has proven to be about 97% effective. For those born between 1958 and 1989, the estimate is that they are about 90 percent protected through the one-shot vaccine regimen they went through. Ohl said it is advisable to consider getting a second measles vaccine to be safe, rather than sorry, particularly if you are planning to go into parts of the U.S. where there have been outbreaks, such as New York City, Los Angeles or Washington state, or countries with outbreaks. Unless there is an outbreak, you can wait for your next scheduled visit to a health care provider to get the vaccine shot, Ohl said. Ohl said it is advisable for parents with children between ages 1 and 4 who have had just one vaccine shot to get a second shot before going to areas with an outbreak even though the second shot wont count toward fulfilling school-enrollment requirements for a shot at age 4. STAMFORD Perkins Eastman has designed some of Stamfords best-known office and residential buildings. Now, it has turned its attention to familiar territory its own local base. At its new home at 677 Washington Blvd., the architectural firm is leading the interior redesign and ushering in a new era of tenants in an approximately 700,000-square-foot property formerly occupied by banking giant UBS. The undertaking reflects PEs confidence in the turnaround of a site that languished for two years as the citys largest office vacancy and its reinforced commitment to a city where it has operated for some 20 years. Its been a fantastic space for us, Mark Creedon, PEs co-managing principal of the Stamford offices, said in an interview last week at 677 Washington. Underlying that is how well it functions for us. Making the move PE moved last October to 677 Washington, transferring from offices a few blocks away at 422 Summer St. The firm has undertaken a long list of Connecticut projects, across a range of industries. Its Stamford portfolio includes the downtown Canterbury Green office-and-apartment complex; the University of Connecticuts main downtown building; the 75 Tresser apartment tower, down the street from 677 Washington; the Metro Green apartment building in the South End; and the Shippan Landing office campus in the Shippan section. Before PEs arrival, 677 Washington had stood vacant for about two years. UBS vacated the building when it moved its downsized local offices across the street to 600 Washington Blvd., which also houses the Americas headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland. To help reposition the property for new tenants, PE was recruited by Manhattan-based commercial real estate firm George Comfort & Sons, which joined 677 Washingtons ownership team in early 2018. George Comforts other Stamford properties include Shippan Landing. In 677 Washingtons 13-story office tower, PE has designed the new ground-floor lobby, cafe on the same level and upper-floor lobbies. The challenge is how do you position it to be a multi-tenant building and do it in a way that helps the building ownership bring tenants in? Creedon said. It has to be exciting, current and something that will stand the test of time. PEs own offices on the towers ground level cover about 13,000 square feet, taking over a space formerly occupied by a Mortons steakhouse, which closed in 2014. About 55 PE employees work in a hub that encompasses, on one side, a studio with work stations looking out on the adjacent Metro-North Railroad train station and Interstate 95. The other side contains a large conference room and other meeting spaces. Being next to the train station allows staff to commute by train here, as well as (allowing) prospective employees to get here easily for interviews and recruiting, Creedon said. In total, about 1,000 work for PE. In addition to its Stamford and Manhattan offices, it has locations in cities including Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., and, abroad, in cities such as Dubai, Mumbai, Shanghai and Toronto. More arrivals Other companies are set to soon join PE at 677 Washington. Professional-services firm KPMG plans to relocate its Stamford offices later this year, from 3001 Summer St. The company will take about 40,000 square feet at its new address, several commercial real estate firms have reported. Last month, WWE announced that it would move its headquarters by early 2021. At 677 Washington, WWE would take 415,000 square feet. It would run production operations throughout the propertys seven-story pavilion, which once housed a massive UBS trading floor, and occupy four floors in the office tower. Counting PE, KPMG and WWE, 677 Washington is more than 70 percent leased. With the WWE deal and the leases with KPMG and Perkins Eastman, we see that George Comfort was able to bring its message to the market about the buildings potential, Greg Frisoli, Stamford-based executive managing director for commercial real estate firm Newmark Knight Frank, said in a recent interview. The building has been ripe for leasing. Its just that there were some issues with its debt and ownership. Down the street from 677 Washington and adjacent to the Metro-North station, cable-and-internet giant Charter Communications is building a new headquarters at 406 Washington Blvd. I see this area as becoming a hub and link to the downtown, Creedon said. I think well see more diversity of tenancy in the building. Its a great place to be. pschott@stamfordadvocate.com; 203-964-2236; twitter: @paulschott This weekends shooting at a synagogue in California continues what one local religious organization called the disturbing trend of attacks on Jews and places of worship around the world. Local religious leaders condemned a Saturday shooting at Chabad of Poway in Poway, Calif., near San Diego, that killed one and injured three others. The shooting is being investigated as a hate crime and occurred on the last day of Passover. Leaders at Congregation Bnai Israel in Bridgeport said they were deeply saddened and pained by the shooting. Jews and people of all faiths should be able to enter their synagogues and houses of worship without fear of deadly violence and hate, read a Facebook post from the synagogue. We will do all we can to pray for those killed and injured in this terrible incident. Saturdays shooting came six months after 11 people were killed in a massacre at Pittsburghs Tree of Life synagogue. That attack was the deadliest on the Jewish community in the United States. There is little doubt that once again we are reminded of the troubling and heartbreaking rise in anti-Semitism and hate locally and worldwide, Diane Sloyer, CEO of the United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan and Darien, said in a statement. It is also a result of and inevitable outcome of the language of hate that has become all too familiar in our society and has resulted in similar attacks on Jews, Muslims and Christians worldwide. The shooting also comes about a week after more than 250 people were killed on Easter Sunday in bombings at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka. Last month, 50 people were gunned down at two mosques in New Zealand. In 2015, nine people were shot and killed at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. This trend of gun violence in places of worship is disturbing, the Jewish Federation of Western Connecticut said. We stand with Chabad of Poway and our hearts are broken, the organization said on Facebook. Local synagogues heightened security in the wake of the October shooting in Pittsburgh. This is an attack on all of us, Rabbi Joseph I. Eisenbach, who leads Chabad Lubavitch of Northwest CT in Litchfield, said in an email. Congregation Bnai Israel in Bridgeport asked the citys police department to be at the synagogues religious school hours on Sunday. In the wake of these recent assaults, local leaders need to stand against hatred, the Anti-Defamation League of Connecticut said. This shooting is a reminder of the enduring virulence of anti-Semitism, the organization said in a statement. It must serve as a call to action for us as a society to deal once and for all with this hate. People of all faiths should not have to live in fear of going to their house of worship. The Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven is holding an event at 1 p.m. May 5 to honor victims of the Holocaust and the shootings in Pittsburgh and Poway. We are alarmed by the escalating string of attacks on houses of worship and the continued, increasing tide of anti-Semitic and hate incidents overall, read a release issued Sunday by the Federation. All places of worship for all faiths should be prayerful, peaceful and free from violence. At 5 p.m. Sunday, the United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan and Darien also planned an event to combat hate and honor Holocaust Remembrance Day We remain committed to fighting hate and will rededicate ourselves to building understanding, tolerance and care for our neighbors, Sloyer said. The Muslim Coalition of Connecticut also condemned the latest attack. We offer our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the slain, and we pray for those who were injured, the coalition said in a statement. We stand firmly in solidarity with the Jewish community in Poway and throughout our nation. Police are investigating a claim the shooter made in an online manifesto that he set fire last month to a mosque in Escondido, Calif. That claim demonstrated how racist ideology threatens diverse communities, the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut said. The Muslim community has also been under attack locally and around the country recently. On Friday, a man deliberately drove into pedestrians in California because he thought some of them were Muslim. The FBI is also investigating after a man threatened last month to burn Muhammad Islamic Center of Greater Hartford, according to WNPR. The Muslim Coalition of Connecticut calls on all people to stand together to oppose hatred and violence against any group of people and urges the redoubling of efforts to promote knowledge, understanding, and respect for all, the organization said. Eisenbach encouraged the community to light Shabbat candles on Friday in honor of Lori Gilbert-Kaye, who was killed in the shooting. The synagogue is offering free Shabbat Candle Lighting kits to all. Those interested should contact office@chabadNW.org with their name and address for a free kit to be mailed. Let's cover the entire Northwest CT and let us bring light and love into the world to combat this senseless darkness and evil, Eisenbach said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. GREENWICH More than 140 volunteers were honored at the Annual Greenwich Hospital Auxiliary Luncheon as the hospital recognized and thanked the women and men who provide more than 46,000 hours of service a year. Norman G. Roth, president and chief executive officer, said volunteers play a key role in providing an exceptional patient experience at the hospital. I want to express my deepest gratitude for all that you do, each and every day, to make Greenwich Hospital number one in patient care and patient safety. You are what makes our hospital a place where patients feel welcome and safe, Roth told the audience at the Greenwich Country Club on April 12 for the luncheon. Sharon Gallagher-Klass, auxiliary president, also thanked the volunteers. The auxiliary includes more than 500 adult and youth volunteers who serve at the main hospital campus on Perryridge Road, at the Smilow Cancer Hospitals Greenwich Hospital Campus at Lafayette Place, and at the Greenwich Hospital Thrift Shop on Hamilton Avenue. Several volunteers shared stories of their experiences. Brandon McClean began volunteering as a high school student to earn community service hours and learn about the healthcare field. Now a college student, McClean continues volunteering because of the sense of family and comradery that the hospital staff and volunteers provide. Forty-year veteran Miki Mikols Cottell began volunteering to reconnect with the Greenwich community after relocating. The personal satisfaction and team work among the hospital staff keeps her coming back year after year, she said. Stacey Green, director of Volunteer Services, spoke about the bond that volunteers develop with patients, families and hospital staff. Volunteers come to healthcare organizations to help patients and to give back to their community. But what keeps them coming back is the personal connections they make with the patients and the way they are embraced by Greenwich Hospital, said Green. Greenwich Hospital, a member of Yale New Haven Health, is a 206-bed community hospital and a major academic affiliate of Yale School of Medicine. For more information, visit GreenwichHospital.org. As the new president of the board for At Home in Greenwich Inc., Elizabeth Betsy Parker will lead the organization as it begins its 11th year. This nonprofit membership organization creates a small, vibrant community that offers social and cultural outlets and a safety net providing quality referrals for those older adults in Greenwich who choose to remain at home as they age. Also, Alan Gunzberg, president of the Lions Club Foundation of Greenwich, recently presented a donation to At Home in Greenwich Executive Director Lise Jameson. For more information on At Home, call 203-422-2342 or visit athomeingreenwich.org. On April 25 at the Belle Haven Club in Greenwich, Audubon Connecticut hosted its Environmental Leadership Awards dinner to honor two individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the conservation of birds, other wildlife and their habitats. Audubon Connecticut recognized Thomas E. Lovejoy with the prestigious Environmental Leadership Award. Lovejoy is a world-renowned conservation biologist who coined the term biological diversity during his nearly five decades of work in the tropical rain forests of the Brazilian Amazon. His quote If you take care of birds, you take care of most of the environmental problems in the world was a launchpad for 2018s Year of the Bird collaboration among the National Audubon Society, National Geographic, BirdLife International, and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Greenwich native Camille Broderick was presented with the Katie OBrien Lifetime Achievement Award for the passion and dedication she has brought to Audubon, volunteering as a teacher naturalist at the Audubon Center in Greenwich, serving on the centers board of directors and chairing its education committee. Audubon Connecticut, a state office of the nonprofit National Audubon Society, protects birds and the places they need, using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. To learn more about the local organization, visit www.ct.audubon.org. Flash China on Monday urged the United States to respect China's sovereignty and stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks in response to a recent statement by a U.S. Department of State spokesperson, reportedly expressing "disappointment" over the decision by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government to indict and imprison several organizers of the 2014 illegal "Occupy Central" movement and said the U.S. will follow closely the proposed amendments to the HKSAR's Fugitive Offenders Ordinance. "China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes relevant remarks of the U.S. Department of State spokesperson, which disregard the facts and laws," Geng told a press briefing. Geng said that the illegal "Occupy Central" movement inflicted severe damage on Hong Kong's rule of law, social order, economy and people's livelihood. "Bringing criminal behavior to justice according to law, as a due component of maintaining the rule of law, is widely supported by Hong Kong society." "The amendments to laws including the Ordinance are necessary measures taken by Hong Kong to cooperate with other regions and countries in fugitives handover," he said, adding that the moves were also aimed at jointly cracking down on crimes and maintaining the rule of law, to prevent Hong Kong from becoming a "crime haven." Geng said U.S. arbitrary comments and blame on Hong Kong's affairs were a "brutal interference" in the internal affairs of China and the HKSAR. "We urge the U.S. to respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, as well as the 'judicial independence' repeatedly professed by the U.S. side, and stop meddling in Hong Kong's affairs in any form," the spokesperson stressed. GREENWICH After the weekend shooting at a San Diego-area synagogue, Rabbi Yossi Deren from the Chabad of Greenwich hopped on a plane and flew across the country to check on a longtime friend and fellow rabbi. When Deren arrived in California, Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who had been shot in the hand in the attack on Chabad of Poway, jumped up and gave him a hug. The two rabbis shared a greeting, exchanging words from the prophets. Man must help his fellow, Goldstein said. And Deren responded by saying, And brother must give strength to his brother. The two longtime friends had time for only a brief visit, but it was a meaningful one. The Chabad movement around the world is a very tight-knit organization, Deren said Monday. Many of the rabbis went to school together in it. You make a lot of friends there. On Saturday, the shooter entered the synagogue in California during preparations for the end of Passover services. Two other people were injured in the shooting, and Lori-Gilbert Kay was killed after witnesses said she put herself between the shooter and Goldstein, possibly saving the rabbis life. Her funeral services were held Monday. During the shooting, Goldstein tried to shield himself from the bullets, was hit in the hands and lost a finger. He tried to continue the services even after being shot. A day later, Deren said his friend was in both physical and mental pain. The shooting suspect has been identified as 19-year-old John Earnest, who reportedly posted an online manifesto praising the recent mass murder in New Zealand in which two mosques were attacked. Earnest also reportedly took credit for a recent arson at a California mosque, but he has not been charged in the fire. The shooting occurred on the sixth-month anniversary of the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, where 11 people were killed and seven more injured. Deren returned Monday to Greenwich from his visit, hoping to make a difference at locally as incidents of hatred and bigotry seem to be increasing globally. The rabbi said the problems weigh heavily on him, with increased instances of anti-Semitism. But Deren said the issues touch on all faiths because it is about how man treats his fellow man. This is not about Chabad, Deren said. This is not about people being murdered while they are in bible study at their church. This is not about people being murdered while going to their mosque. Its about an entire society where we are raising children who can turn into monsters who are capable of committing acts like these and are capable of going to their schools and killing their classmates, he said. You look at this and you have to ask, What have we done? We have to have a response for this. Deren wants to work locally on an effective response. He had intended to call Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei on Monday, but Tesei reached out to him first, expressing his deepest regrets and offering his full support. One idea that Deren said he supports is offering youth a chance for quiet meditation every day in school. Citing his support for the Constitutional separation of church and state, the rabbi said it would not be mandated prayer but rather a chance for young people to reflect. I think it will do a lot of good, Deren said. No policies have been proposed, but Deren said he hopes to meet with local clergy from all faiths as well as with civic leaders. Tesei said he will meet with the Greenwich Police Department and local clergy to discuss security issues. Police monitor the community after such incidents, but Tesei said he wanted to see more done. This kind of violence points to a very real problem and one we are not taking lightly, Tesei said. For the longer term, Tesei said he absolutely supported the type of effort Deren is advocating for. The first selectman said he is proud of Greenwichs diversity and how the community comes together. He said mass shootings show the deep-seated hatred in some people as well as the need for more mental health care in the community. There needs to be a broader effort, Tesei said. During his visit to Poway, Deren said he met with the congregants and saw the blood-soaked floor of the synagogue. He called it a heart-wrenching scene, but the rabbi added that the community is hurt and afraid but also strong in the face of the tragedy. Deren said he spoke to a woman who lives near the synagogue who is not Jewish but who has grown close to the people who attend services there. The woman, who was in tears, had brought a friend and they were standing near the synagogue together with the congregation. Deren said he has seen similar support from believers and nonbelievers of all kinds across the world. It is inspiring to see so many people coming together after something like this, Deren said. The way others have rallied to support the community sets a very powerful example for all of us. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com GREENWICH In early 2017, Chris and Rachel Franco began to sketch out how they would restore a historic but dilapidated boatyard that they had acquired in Riverside, along the banks of Longmeadow Creek. They had worked before on historic renovations, but this would be a very formidable job indeed. The old boatyard, part of a once-thriving maritime enterprise based on the abundant shellfish beds in the waters off Greenwich, was in a very bad state. There was a bad smell in the upstairs living quarters, and the property exuded a sense of impending collapse. Two years later, the old Riverside home, complete with new businesses that harken to its past, is thriving. Youve got to be fearless sometimes, Chris Franco said with a smile, now that the restoration project has been completed, and the old boatyard brought back to life in every way possible. The propertys historic look and feel has been preserved, as well as its commercial heritage. A home-office is located downstairs, and a three-bedroom residence is upstairs. The Boatyard, as the Francos have christened the site, will sell marine artworks by Greenwich artist Peter Arguimbau. Canoes and kayaks will be sold from The Boatyard, as well ship models. The restoration took about a year, and it drew on Chris Francos previous work as a builder and developer of older homes. I have to admit its an unusual project, he said, as workers put some of the finishing touches on the site, which is now used as office space for the husband-and-wife team. All of my projects have significant historical preservation aspects to them, because thats what I really like, the builder said. Its also great to be able repurpose these buildings and make them work - for the community, and for the way people want to live in them. And be economically viable. The work required a deep analysis of the property and how all the parts fit together piers, moorings and accessory structures. It was like putting together a puzzle, Franco said, so a coherent whole emerged from the parts. The hardest part was figuring it out - none of the work, honestly, was particularly difficult, he said. There were all these pre-existing structures here, and to make it work, to make it all look good and feel good, and utilize those assets, was the challenge. Once we figured it out, the work was pretty straightforward. The first order of business was to put on a new roof and install cedar shingles on the house, which was the headquarters of the Lockwood oyster fleet. The old barn-red color scheme was retained. Franco said the goal was to retain and preserve the central elements of the main house, and that was accomplished. The old gambrel roof was retained, as well as a Richardsonian Arch, a half-circle structure popularized by a Boston architect who brought the Romanesque style to New England architecture. Franco added windows to take advantage of the view of Longmeadow Creek, reputed to have been a favored destination for rum-runners in the Prohibition Era. On the inside, the Francos wanted a nautical feel, without sailing too far in the direction of kitsch. So we have these blue-gray floors, kind of shiny, that look like water, he said. A paint shade called hale-navy, was used across the home. We tried to get a the feeling of a nautical color scheme, but in a sophisticated way, the builder said. The flooring also employed a high-gloss epoxy that mimics the feel of calm waters. We tried put in new material that will stand the test of time, but stay very true to the building that was here, Franco said. The builders office is decorated with some eclectic touches, like an old desk adorned with dragon heads he picked up 20 years ago, apparently made in the East Indies. He also has an antique model ship from 1883, The Enchantress, an Americas Cup winner. The old ship models were often made in pairs, one for the owner, one for the boat-builder, and the other Enchantress is in the model room at the New York Yacht Club. The gallery space is adorned by a rugged desk, harvested from wood at Arguimbaus backcountry barn. The Boatyard will sell Old Town canoes, made in Maine. The Francos found an Old Town advertising display in The Boatyards attic, and put it on display. It astonished the sales reps from the Maine canoe company when they spotted the collectors item at the Riverside home-office. From the street, Franco wanted to give The Boatyard some curb appeal, as it functions as a gateway to Riverside. The way it relates to the streetscape is interesting. I realized that the fence would be a big architectural feature. The property is very long, and there was no definition between where the road began and ended. So I wanted a great fence - its a great structure, and it deserved to have something really special. The way it worked out in front, Im really pleased, Franco said of the white picket fence. The main entrance to the home was another aspect of the puzzle that Franco worked out in detail. A visitor opens a mahogany door, and is greeted by an Arguimbau painting of a 1901 Americas Cup race. The fact that the painting is right there when you walk in, its pretty exceptional, he said. The Boatyard lies right on the water, and the Francos have a Boston Whaler they dock there. They also built a little sandy beach alongside the property, a bit of whimsy in white sand. Why not put in some sand and make it a little beach? he said. The couple cleaned up the property and did extensive landscaping removing the debris, and opening up the view, was quite dramatic, said the builder. Rachel Franco said the project was one that drew extensive community interest. Renovating a historic and beloved structure is always kind of stressful. You want to meet expectations. Im really happy that it worked out, she said, while taking a break in her home office. The couple moved into the office about a month ago, and they plan to eventually make it their residence. Chris Franco said its his favorite project to date. Its a beloved building, and its very familiar, he said. Now it looks the way it should. It was with a sense of fulfillment that the Francos finally moved in. Formerly a bit of a scary place, as Chris Franco described parts of the old Boatyard, it is now vibrant, busy, comfortable and modern. I felt grateful to be able to be here, said Franco. Its a great spot. GREENWICH When Richard Granoff moved into a home in a gracious old neighborhood in central Greenwich 25 years ago, he had big plans. He would renovate and expand the modest old structure to raise a family. But it would also be a design workshop where he could experiment and develop his professional skills to work, as a showcase of his abilities as an architect. Granoff was a young architect who had worked on the design of trendy Manhattan restaurants such as Vong and Nobu, and he was later drawn to the Rock Ridge neighborhood of town, noted for its dramatic stoney outcroppings and traditional architecture. A house on Witherell Drive seemed just right. I loved the neighborhood and it was the cheapest house in Rock Ridge, he recalled. The architect was especially smitten with a Stonehenge-like array of big rocks in the backyard, formed by nature through the ages. This is the ridge of rocks that Rock Ridge is named after. I was told that by some of the old-timers when I moved in, he said. The house was a modest 1926 carriage house, only 1,800 square feet. Granoff loved the setting, as well as the potential it offered: Over 25 years, Ive done a series of at least a half-dozen major projects, and a dozen normal projects. So in essence, this house has been my laboratory for 25 years as an architect. Granoff decided to go with a traditional style on the exterior of his expanded home, with a more modern sensibility on the inside. He went with the shingle-style of architecture a style that was often used to clad summer mansions in places like Newport and Southampton in the late 1800s. Rock Ridge is a classic Greenwich neighborhood, and I did feel shingle style can fit into a traditional context, the architect said. Its a shingle-style house, but I call it a neo-shingle style in that its a little edgier, a little more modern. The shingle-style can also handle big windows, Granoff said, and he put in overscale windows to take in the spellbinding topography of the site, as well as dozens of specimen trees planted around the property. The very large windows captures the views of the spectacular wooded site, and the rocky outcroppings, he says. It was an enormous undertaking, given the challenges of the site. It was a huge amount of grading, building retraining walls and drainage, Granoff said. The landscaping was easy, the hardscaping wasnt. On the inside, the comfortable and spacious home reflects Granoffs years of attention to design details and experimentation, as well as his own personal tastes. Take the fireplace in the living room a massive column of masonry. The fireplace was inspired by classic, Old World fireplaces. The stone is Pocono Boulder, theyre river stones. Theres a smooth finish, and they have a lot of purple in them purple is my favorite color. Granoff and his wife, Jill, have an extensive art collection, and the homeowners took special care to create the right kind of lighting and ambience to showcase their Modernist pieces. The paint scheme was deliberately muted. Its intentionally a neutral scheme. Its China white, and it highlights the very colorful art collection. The art is the shining star, the architect said, and each piece is complemented by specific lighting. I learned lighting design from restaurants, which is very important. Im a lighting-design freak now, he says. He takes time to show off one of his favorite gadgets, a small task light embedded into a nozzle in the kitchen sink. Thats the coolest thing I had to buy one, Granoff said with a laugh. Theres a large wine cellar very similar to the kind used in the restaurant trade and an exercise room and ample space for a kids. I like to think its a really family-friendly house, and great for entertaining, the architect says. Granoff is known locally for the Chase bank branch next door to the Greenwich Library; the renovation of an old post office into the Restoration Hardware off Greenwich Avenue; and numerous residential projects around the region. As someone who keeps a busy schedule, he also serves in a number of charitable, civic and educational organizations. He preserved the old carriage house and installed its front door in the main residence he built alongside it I love old buildings, he says emphatically. His professional office is located in the old Connecticut Light & Power building on Railroad Avenue, a 1928 Art Deco structure that he restored with a mix of modern and traditional elements. He also embraces new challenges, and that means putting his house at 9 Witherell Drive on the market. The architect plans to build a new waterfront home in Old Greenwich, an exciting prospect for him. I do enjoy new challenges. My wife says I always need a personal project going on, and a waterfront house is a big one. Were doing something new a new beginning, Granoff says, and he wanted to explore a new design aesthetic. Its going to be very modern its where my career is now. But hell always have a good feeling about the old family home in Rock Ridge, a laboratory that came with a lifetime of memories. The listing is being handled through Edward Mortimer at Sothebys International Realty. GREENWICH Anna and Martin Waters own the oldest home in Greenwich, and to hear them describe it, one of the coziest. While it is rich in history, it happens to be a great place to call home. Its got a great feeling to it, said Anna Waters, who helped preserve the structure in Old Greenwich that was built in the 1640s. Its warm and homey, said her husband, Martin Waters. The Waters family, and the Greenwich Point Conservancy, were honored by the Greenwich Historical Society on Sunday afternoon for the preservation of the old saltbox residence inhabited by the earliest European settlers to the region. Built by Elizabeth and Robert Feake, it was later sold to another Greenwich founder, Jeffrey Ferris. The old wooden building was preserved and renovated through a careful restoration, and it now serves as a comfortable home office and family space. The Waters family built a new home, incorporating the old The Feake-Ferris House into the redesign of their property. For their efforts, they were given a preservation leadership award at a ceremony at Greenwich Country Club, where four other notable structures in Greenwich were presented with landmark plaques. The executive director of the Greenwich Historical Society, Debra Mecky, called the co-existence of the new and the old at the Feake-Ferris site on Shore Road a successful balance. The historical society has been granting landmark plaques to historically significant homes and structures for 32 years. The event is intended to serve a wider purpose, said the chairwoman of the landmarks program, Robin Kencel. Its important, because its a chance to educate the public about the fabric of history that we have in Greenwich, she said. The historical society bestowed landmark plaques on two town-owned structures, Greenwich Town Hall and the World War I Memorial on Greenwich Avenue. First Selectman Peter Tesei said Town Hall was a good choice, both for its architecture and how it is used. It really is a symbol of our citizen democracy, he said, And when I look at Town Hall, I see stability, strength and accommodation. Town Hall was built in 1925 in the Georgian Revival style and served as a high school until 1970. The World War I Memorial was designed by noted architect and painter Charles Platt. Two residences were also honored, the Arthur and Ida Rinke House in Old Greenwich; and the Paul Schwarz House in central Greenwich. They were cited for their design excellence and their value in preserving Greenwichs unique architectural legacy, according to the society. The Paul Schwarz House, built in 1903, was designed by architects Henry Pelton. The Arthur and Ida Rinke House was designed in the classic Tudor style popular in the 1920s. Illness prevented a keynote address by preservation architect Joseph Pell Lombardi. In his place, another architect, David Scott Parker, gave a talk about preservation work. Scott Parker designed the rest stops on the Merritt Parkway, to recreate their appearance when they were built in the 1930s, and he carried out the re-design of the Historical Society campus in Cos Cob. He described the many different approaches toward living in the past. President Donald Trump's strongest case for reelection remains the country's healthy economy, but the potency of that issue for him is complicated by a widespread belief that the economy mainly benefits people already in power, a Washington Post-ABC News poll finds. The result previews a fresh wave of populism that could reshape yet another presidential campaign with about 18 months to go before voters decide whether to return Trump to the White House. This sentiment runs the deepest among Democratic and independent registered voters, but also exists among a significant slice of Republicans. About 8 in 10 Democrats and more than 6 in 10 independents say the country's economic system gives an advantage to those already in power, while nearly a third of Republicans share that view. The survey finds broad dissatisfaction with the country's economic and political systems. Overall, 60 percent of all voters say the country's economic system mainly benefits those in power, while 72 percent say the same for the nation's political structures. The polling results in many ways echo the populist fervor that swept Trump to an unlikely victory over more than a dozen Republican challengers in the 2016 presidential primary campaign and an improbable win over Democrat Hillary Clinton that November. But the findings show that, ahead of 2020, the sentiment is also animating Democrats. The message of economic populism is carried most prominently in the Democratic presidential field by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who since his unsuccessful 2016 campaign has pushed the party leftward on a range of issues, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who has proposed ideas such as a massive student loan forgiveness program and free tuition at public colleges paid for by taxing the rich. Trump's own party, meanwhile, appears largely satisfied with the existing economic system. In the Post-ABC poll, nearly two-thirds of Republican voters say the economic system works mainly to benefit all Americans, as opposed to just those in power. Of four issues that were at the core of Trump's first presidential campaign - the economy, illegal immigration, health care and trade - only the economy appears to be a clear asset for the president. The survey finds that 42 percent of registered voters say Trump's handling of the economy makes them more likely to vote for him in 2020, while 32 percent say it makes them less likely to support him. Independents similarly give Trump a positive grade on his management of the economy by a 10-point margin. Among Republicans, the economy is the clearest positive motivator to reelect Trump, with 78 percent of GOP voters saying it makes them more likely to back him. Under the Trump presidency, the U.S. economy has faced a spate of positive news, including an unemployment rate that has ticked downward since his inauguration in January 2017. The rate was 4.8 percent then, but that figure now stands at 3.8 percent. Congressional Republicans have credited the 2017 tax law and the Trump administration's rollback of government regulations for the economic growth - accomplishments GOP lawmakers promote while playing down the president's personal behavior and controversial remarks. "The employment rate for Wisconsin workers has reached historic - it has never been this low before ever, ever, ever - think of that," Trump said Saturday at a campaign rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin. "We're now the number one economy anywhere in the world, and it's not even close." Trump does not fare as well in his handling of immigration and health care, two polarizing issues that have dealt him notable defeats. On illegal immigration, 42 percent of voters say Trump's handling of the issue makes them less likely to reelect him, while 34 percent say it makes them more likely. Twenty-two percent say the issue does not factor in their decision. Trump rose to the top of the 2016 Republican presidential field with hard-line immigration stances - with a border wall as the centerpiece of his message - and has championed an aggressive crackdown on illegal migration and tougher standards for asylum seekers arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border. But Congress has repeatedly turned down Trump's demand for a border wall, prompting him to issue an emergency declaration to access federal money. The matter is now being litigated in the courts. Trump also has entertained significant measures to reduce the number of migrants apprehended at the border - a figure that topped 103,000 in March and marked the highest one-month total in more than 10 years. He vowed to close down the entire border until backing off the threat days later, and Trump has said he is considering sending undocumented immigrants to various sanctuary cities nationwide - a move that his administration has said is costly and legally dubious. "I'm proud to tell you that was actually my sick idea," Trump said in Green Bay of his idea. Law enforcement officials in sanctuary cities decline to cooperate with federal immigration authorities on public-safety grounds. Trump's handling of health care appears to be a bigger liability in his reelection bid, with 38 percent of voters saying it is a mark against him, compared to 25 percent who say it's a reason to vote for him. Republicans are comparatively less enthused about Trump's handling of health care than they are about other issues, with less than half - or 46 percent - of GOP voters saying his management of the issue makes them more likely to vote for him. After an unsuccessful attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act marred the first year of his presidency, Trump abruptly announced last month that he wanted to revive that push, much to the dismay of many congressional Republicans. He ditched that effort almost as quickly as he floated it, saying he would rather hold a vote after the November 2020 election. Among independents, Trump's handling of health care is a negative attribute by an 11-point margin (36 percent to 25 percent). Immigration and health care are also the biggest motivating factors for Democrats. Almost three-quarters of Democratic voters said Trump's handling of illegal immigration makes them less likely to back him for a second term, while 69 percent say the same for his management of health care. Voters are about evenly divided on the president's handling of another top priority - international trade - with 34 percent saying that his management of the issue makes them more likely to support him in 2020 and 36 percent saying it makes them more apt to oppose him. Overall, Trump faces a higher hurdle to reelection than his predecessors, with 54 percent of voters disapproving of his job performance and 52 percent saying they will definitely not support him. Although that level of opposition is four points lower than it was in January, when the country was mired in a partial government shutdown for which Trump bore the brunt of the blame, it is still somewhat higher than the level of opposition President Barack Obama faced during his first term, which topped out at 47 percent of voters. The poll finds that 30 percent of registered voters say they will definitely support Trump's reelection bid, while 14 percent say they will consider supporting him. Despite Trump's negative margin on this question, voters aren't yet sold on backing his eventual Democratic opponent. Just about one-third of voters who say they will not vote for Trump say they will definitely support the Democratic candidate, while about two-thirds in this group say they are "waiting to see" whom Democrats select as the party's nominee. One trait shared by both Democrats and Republicans in the Post-ABC poll is a high interest in participating in the 2020 election, even 18 months out. Of registered voters, 85 percent say they are certain they will vote. That level of interest nearly matches the high point weeks before the 2016 presidential election and it follows last fall's midterm election, which had the highest turnout for a nonpresidential election in more than a century, fueled by increased participation across demographic groups. The enthusiasm between the parties is about equal, with 89 percent of Republican-leaning registered voters saying they are certain they will vote, compared to 86 percent of Democratic-leaning voters. The Post-ABC poll was conducted by telephone April 22-25 among a random national sample of 1,001 adults, with 65 percent reached on cellphones and 35 percent on landlines. The margin of sampling error among 865 registered voters is plus or minus four percentage points. - - - The Washington Post's Emily Guskin contributed to this report. Samsung's Galaxy A50 is gaining a lot of traction lately and owners can now benefit from the latest OTA update that just arrived in India. It focuses on the camera, fingerprint reader and Bixby. The new software version is A505FDDU1ASD6 and it's 666MB big. It brings a couple of new camera features like narrow 68-degree field of view for the front-facing camera, more background effects for the Live Focus mode and beauty video mode for the front and back cameras. More importantly, the firmware update addresses the under-display fingerprint scanner issues that some users are having. The new software should make unlocking faster and more reliable. The update also adds Bixby Routine feature that's available on higher tier Galaxy phones and lastly - call and message continuity. This means that you can answer calls and respond to texts from other compatible devices signed with your Samsung account. The software bundles Google's April security patch too and will roll-out in stages so it might take some time before it arrives in your country. Via A bunch of new phones debuted this week, but none of them managed to gain enough traction to seriously stir up our most popular phones' ranking. In fact, only two made the chart and they only took the final two spots - the Lenovo Z6 Pro is ninth, while the Redmi Y3 is tenth. On top we get the Samsung Galaxy A50, which has a comfortable gap to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 in second and the Galaxy A70 in third. The Huawei P30 Pro slid to fourth, while last week's runner-up Samsung Galaxy A80 is down in fifth. The Huawei P30 lite and the Redmi Note 7 Pro retain sixth and seventh for the third week in a row, while the Samsung Galaxy A60 used its market release to jump up eight. The three phones to miss out this time around are the Samsung duo of Galaxy S10+ and Galaxy A30 as well as the Huawei P30. Haiti - Justice : Acceleration of the processing of files to the PAP prosecution On Friday, the Caribe Convention Center hosted the 2019 Forum of the Court of First Instance (TPI) of Port-au-Prince. This Forum brought together more than 100 participants, most of the judicial actors of the jurisdictions of Port-au-Prince and Croix-des-Bouquets: seating judges, magistrates of the public prosecutor's office, justices of the peace, clerks, clerks prosecutors, lawyers, officials of the Directorate of Penitentiary Administration (DAP) and investigation officers of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) as well as members of human rights organizations. This forum, designed under the leadership of the national authorities, which received technical and financial support from Minujusth, focused on the state of prolonged pre-trial detention in the jurisdiction, the immediate appearance, the management of evidence and the mechanisms put in place to increase audiences. The discussions focused in particular on the good practices identified, the difficulties encountered and the solutions to be applied, with a view to intensifying ongoing efforts and improving the efficiency of the jurisdiction. Since January 2019, there has been a revitalization of judicial activities at the TPI in Port-au-Prince, characterized in particular by the intensification of real-time processing of cases at the public prosecutor's office, the setting of quotas of cases to be dealt with by the magistrates, the organization continuous criminal hearings without jury assistance and habeas corpus appeals (Note). Thus, the monthly average of court files processed the day of their receipt by the Procuratorate of Port-au-Prince has increased by 150% in the last 18 months. A total of 910 of the 1,701 cases received by the public prosecutor since December 2017 have been processed in real time. A particularly notable development during the first three months of the year, during which 315 files were managed. In addition, 2,764 cases of prisoners in pre-trial detention were taken care of by the Legal Assistance Offices (BAL) between May 2018 and April 2019. With regard to detention centers, between October 2017 and April 2019, the number of prisoners in pre-trial detention increased by 8% at the Port-au-Prince Civil Prison (from 3,818 in November 2017 to 3,520 in April 2019 ) and 43% at the Rehabilitation Center for Minors in Conflict with the Law (Cermicol, from 96 to 67). In addition, the number of women prisoners in pre-trial detention extended to Cabaret Women Prison dropped by 10% between December 2018 and April 2019, from 216 to 193. NOTE :Habeas corpus, more precisely "Habeas corpus ad subjiciendum et recipiendum", is a legal concept that sets out a fundamental freedom, that of not being imprisoned without trial, the opposite of arbitrariness that allows anyone to stop without valid reason. HL/ S/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Only 11% of Haitians are banked "46% of adults aged 15 and over are financially excluded and only 11% of the population is banked in 2018," reveals the financial inclusion study "FinScope Haiti 2018", the results of which were presented, on Wednesday April 24, 2019, at the Karibe Convention Center, as part of the 9th edition of the International Finance Summit. The Grenadieres invited to the South Ladies Cup 2019 The Grenadieres U-20 are invited to France for the second time, to participate in the South Ladies Cup (8 to 18 May 2019). The Haitian selection will leave the country on April 30 to France. As part of their preparation, our Grenadieres will face May 5 at the Auguste Delaune stadium, in friendly match the women's team of FF Issy-les-Moulineaux (D2) where two Haitian Batcheba and Kethna Louis. Combining CFI - AmCham Haiti Friday morning the Center for Investment Facilitation (CFI) and members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Haiti (AmCham Haiti) met to strengthen the links between AmCham - Haiti and the CFI for the benefit of the construction sector. Festival of games of chance To celebrate its 92nd year of existence, the Haitian State Lottery (LEH), announces the "Aza Festival" dedicated to gambling, to be held in the square of Canape-Vert (Port-au-Prince), May 1, 2019. The program includes, among other things, LEH screenings and panel discussions, the various games of chance operating in the country and the way to bet online, said Margareth Fortune, Director General of the LEH, adding that a gastronomic and craft fair will also be held during this Festival. Conference on content regulation on the net On Tuesday, April 30, Ms. Salwa Toko, President of the National Council of Digital Technology in France, will host alongside Jean-Marie Altema a conference titled "The regulation of content on the net" at 10:00 am at Quisqueya University. Haiti at the Bogota Book Fair The National Book Directorate (DNL) participates in the FILBO 2019, the International Book Fair of Bogota (Colombia) from April 24 to May 6, 2019. HL/ HaitiLibre Published on 2019/04/28 | Source LG Household and Health Care on Thursday said it acquired an American cosmetics company to expand its foothold in the U.S. Advertisement LG signed a deal to buy 100 percent stakes of private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management and beauty company New Avon for US$125 million. New Avon is a privately held company of global beauty giant Avon Products, which has been in business for over 130 years. With the acquisition of New Avon, which has sales networks in Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S and earned total revenue of W700 billion last year, LG aims to explore new market opportunities after its success in China (US$1=W1,163). "The U.S. is the world's largest market for beauty products, worth about W50 trillion a year", said an LG spokesman. LG posted record sales of W1.87 trillion in the first quarter of this year, thanks to the huge success of its high-end cosmetics brands -- Whoo, Su:m and OHUI. Combined sales of these three brands reached W798.9 trillion, up 30.7 percent from the same period of last year. "Overseas sales increased by 35 percent compared to a year ago. Our marketing strategy to focus on high-end products in China, instead of cheaper brands, worked well", the spokesman said. Montana Highway Patrol troopers measure the scene of a crash Sunday in Havre. A high-speed chase of a Hyundai Sonata reported stolen on Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation led to its crash with an Inifinity QVX SUV, killing the driver of the Sonata and leading to the hospitalization of a woman also in that car and the man driving the SUV. Editors note: This corrects the spelling of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania. A high-speed chase early Sunday morning of a vehicle reported stolen lead to a two-vehicle crash, killing the driver of the 2017 Hyundai Sonata reported stolen and the hospitalization of a passenger in that vehicle and the driver of the other. Havre Assistant Chief of Police Jason Barkus said Sunday that officers were pursuing the vehicle reported stolen when at 4:09 a.m. Sunday, while it was westbound on First Street, it crashed into an eastbound vehicle near the intersection of First Street and 14th Avenue. Montana Highway Patrol reports that the driver of the Sonata, listed by Havre police as a 26-year-old Havre man, was pronounced dead at the scene. Hill County Sheriff and Coroner Jamieson Ross said this morning that the name of the driver is being withheld pending notification of relatives. The passenger of the Sonata, a 20-year-old Billings woman, was transported to Northern Montana Hospital. The driver of the eastbound Infinity QX80 SUV, a 29-year-old Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, man, also was taken to the hospital. A press release from Havre Police Department issued this morning said officers located the Sonata, earlier reported stolen on Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation, traveling on the 400 Block of 14th Avenue about 3:55 a.m. Sunday. The officer used sirens and emergency lights to try to stop the vehicle, but the driver accelerated at a high rate of speed to evade the officer. The driver headed eastbound on U.S. Highway 2 in wet driving conditions and very little traffic. The officer requested assistance from the Hill and Blaine county sheriff's offices, the release said. As officers approached Blaine County, they lost sight of the Sonata and ended the pursuit, the release said. An officer was stationed at the east end of Havre. At 4:08 a.m., the officer saw the Sonata headed west into Havre at a high rate of speed, and started the pursuit, the release said. The Sonata continued at a high rate of speed and the officer was unable to catch up, the release said. As it approached the intersection of 14th Avenue and First Street, the Sonata collided with the Infinity SUV in the 1300 Block of First Street. The Havre Police officer immediately began assisting the people in the vehicles, the release said. The investigation has been turned over to the Highway Patrol, the release said. Highway Patrol reported Sunday that speed was a factor in the crash, and drugs and alcohol have not been ruled out as factors. Torgerson's representative Sherry Brewster, far left, Andrew Bartel of 406 Agronomy, far right, and PAS Club advisors Brianna Bernhardt, top left, and Tom Welch, top right, and Montana State University-Northern PAS Club members pose for a photograph with jackets Torgerson's donated to the club members. Press release Montana farm implement dealer Torgerson's has again provided new jackets for members of Montana State University-Northern's Professional Agricultural Student Club - PAS - members. PAS is a leadership and career development organization serving college agriculture students. Northern has had an active PAS Club for almost 40 years and members participate in a number of activities on campus and in the community. Five PAS members were able to attend this year's National PAS Conference in Loveland, Colorado, in March and compete in leadership and knowledge competitions, interact with agriculture students from throughout the U.S. and network with agriculture industry and business professionals. MSU-Northern and its PAS Club members said they are very appreciative of Torgerson's for supporting their club and for donating the jackets. "Uniting Education and Industry in Support of Agriculture" is the National PAS motto and this donation is an excellent example of a Montana agribusiness supporting the growth of agriculture's next generation. From American Red Cross Theres no way to predict when or where an accident will happen. Thats why the American Red Cross needs donors to give blood during Trauma Awareness Month this May and throughout the year to help ensure that trauma centers are prepared the moment an injured patient arrives. In December 2017, Jeff Gosliga was rushed to the hospital following a car accident. To treat his serious injuries, he needed 11 units of blood about the amount of blood in an average adults body. I never had reason to think a lot about blood, where it came from or how it arrived at hospitals; my accident changed all of that, Gosliga said. It was touch-and-go for a while, and because the blood that I needed was available, Im here today. I am so grateful to all of the volunteer blood donors who give of themselves so generously. I will never forget them or take blood donation for granted again. Donors of all blood types are urged to give now to help meet the needs of trauma patients and others with serious medical conditions. Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS, 1-800-733-2767. In thanks, all those who come to donate blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross May 1 through June 10 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. Restrictions apply; see http://www.amazon.com/gc-legal/. More information and details are available at http://www/RedCrossBlood.org/Together/. When every second matters Major traumas can quickly deplete a hospitals blood supply. By giving blood, platelets or plasma regularly, donors can help ensure that enough blood is on the shelves for patients when every second matters. In trauma situations, when theres no time to check a patients blood type, emergency personnel reach for type O negative red blood cells and type AB plasma because they can be transfused to patients of any blood type. Less than 7 percent of the population has type O negative blood, and only about 4 percent of the population has type AB blood. Upcoming blood donation opportunities Chinook May 7, 12:30 to 6 p.m., Wallner Hall, 330 Ohio Harlem May 8, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Fort Belknap Hospital, Rural Route 1 Havre May 6, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., St. Jude Parish Center, 440 7th Ave. May 7, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Northern Montana Hospital, 30 13th St. May 9, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Triangle Communications, 2121 U.S. Hwy 2 NW May 9, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bullhook Community Health Center, 521 4th St. Chester May 2, 1 to 6 p.m., Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Main and Madison How to donate blood Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS, 1-800-733-2767, to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or drivers license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states 16 with parental consent where allowed by state law weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App. The family, with great sorrow, regrets to announce the death of Cynthia "Cindy" Ann Tibbetts March 30, 2019, at the age of 64, in Calgary, Alberta, where she had lived for 20 years. Cindy was born in Havre, Montana, to Howard L. Tibbetts and Alvera V. (Philippi) Wickstrom, April 19, 1954, the eldest of four children. Cindy attended Havre schools and Northern Montana College, graduating Nursing College with a nursing degree. With a desire to teach, she pursued her master's degree at Montana State University. She then went on to receive her doctorate in adult education so that she was able to pass along the knowledge and compassion she had in her nursing career. Cindy met Terry Ceynar in high school and they later married and from this union was born Edelene, her only child. They later divorced and Cindy married Robert (Bob) Martin in Havre and was married until his death in 1998. She then moved to Calgary, Alberta, and married John Fraser, where she taught Nursing at Athabasca University, South Campus, the fulfillment of a life-long passion. John and Cindy created a wonderful life together in Calgary with many friends and much laughter and love. John's family welcomed Cindy's into their own immediately. Cindy and John were fun and loving grandparents to Edelene and Creig's twin sons, Wesley and Davis. "Those boys" were a great part of their shared happiness and provided (and will still provide) lots of good humor to all. The boys will be lucky to have "Grandpa John" in their lives. Cindy enjoyed life and she possessed an infectious smile and laugh. She loved getting together with family and friends and the family and friends loved getting together with her. She was beautiful, brilliant, hilarious and feisty. She will be missed greatly. She was preceded in death by her father, Howard Tibbetts and youngest brother, Charles Tibbetts. She is survived by her husband, John Fraser of Calgary; daughter, Edelene(Creig) Ohman, and grandsons, Wesley and Davis of Boise, ID; her mother Alvera Wickstrom of Havre; her sister, Debra (Jim) Thompson of Katy, TX; and her brother John (Kristine Christensen) of Havre, MT; nephews, Kevin, Eric Tibbetts (Andrew) and niece, Rosalind (Jay) Chedotal of Katy, TX. A celebration of life will be held in Calgary, May 31, 2019, at 2 p.m., McInnis & Holloway Funeral Home, and a graveside burial service in Havre, MT, on July 27, 2019, at 2 p.m. at Highland Cemetery, coordinated by Holland and Bonine. The family welcomes anyone who would like to share their memories of Cindy at either event to recognize her wonderful life. In lieu of flowers, please donate to either of the following (each provide exceptional loving care to their patients and will honor her memory): Tom Baker Cancer Centre with the designation: Enhance patient care at Alberta centres; or St. Luke's Health Foundation, Boise, ID with the designation: Children's Hospital. Both can be found on-line or donations facilitated by family members. News Release April 29, 2019 Contact information Southwest Minnesota nurse honored with CDC Childhood Immunization Champion award Gloria Tobias from Countryside Public Health recognized as part of National Infant Immunization Week Gloria Tobias, RN, PHN, of Madison, Minn. has been named a 2019 CDC Childhood Immunization Champion for her dedication to promoting childhood immunization in Minnesota. As the disease prevention and control coordinator for Countryside Public Health, Tobias has been a trusted immunization resource for clinic staff, hospitals, child care facilities, school nurses and parents for more than 30 years. In her role, Tobias works with her team to identify pockets of low childhood immunization rates and implement strategies to raise rates. In 2017, she led an effort to identify children who did not have at least one dose of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine documented in the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC). She reached out to these families to provide education and resources about MMR vaccine as other areas of the state experienced a measles outbreak. Gloria embodies what an immunization champion is supposed to be, from her perseverance to her intelligence to her compassion, said Kristen Ehresmann, director of the MDH Infectious Disease Division. We know what an asset she is at the local level in helping to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases, so it is great to see her receiving this national recognition. Tobias dedication has helped the five southwestern Minnesota counties served by Countryside Public Health to maintain high immunization rates for the primary childhood immunization series that protects children from 14 serious diseases by age 2. She consistently makes sure staff are up to date on the latest immunization recommendations and best practices. Along with her day-to-day work, Tobias is also a long-time member of the Minnesota Department of Healths Minnesota Immunization Practices Advisory Committee. She and other members of the committee offer feedback to the MDH Immunization Program so they can collectively work to protect all Minnesotans from vaccine-preventable diseases. Protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases stems from a personal connection for Tobias. Her husbands sister died from polio in the 1950s at 10 years old. Tobias said that when she talks to others about the importance of immunization, she shares that she never got to meet her sister-in-law, so they understand the true impact these diseases can have. Gloria is dedicated and committed to the health of the entire state in her immunization and disease prevention work,said Elizabeth Auch, administrator, Countryside Public Health. We are so proud to have her on our team. Each year during National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the CDC Foundation honor health professionals and community leaders from around the country with the CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Awards. These awards acknowledge the outstanding efforts of people who strive to ensure that children in their communities are fully immunized. CDC Childhood Immunization Champions were selected from a pool of health professionals, coalition members, community advocates and other immunization leaders. State immunization programs coordinated the nomination process and submitted nominees to CDC. One winner was selected in each of the participating states and the District of Columbia. -MDH- Doug Schultz MDH Communications 651-201-4993 doug.schultz@state.mn.us Too often, this disease is categorized as imaginary, said Ron Davis, PhD, professor of biochemistry and of genetics. When individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome seek help from a doctor, they may undergo a series of tests that check liver, kidney and heart function, as well as blood and immune cell counts, Davis said. All these different tests would normally guide the doctor toward one illness or another, but for chronic fatigue syndrome patients, the results all come back normal, he said. The problem, he said, is that theyre not looking deep enough. Now, Davis; Rahim Esfandyarpour, PhD, a former Stanford research associate; and their colleagues have devised a blood-based test that successfully identified participants in a study with chronic fatigue syndrome. The test, which is still in a pilot phase, is based on how a persons immune cells respond to stress. With blood samples from 40 people 20 with chronic fatigue syndrome and 20 without the test yielded precise results, accurately flagging all chronic fatigue syndrome patients and none of the healthy individuals. The diagnostic platform could even help identify possible drugs to treat chronic fatigue syndrome. By exposing the participants blood samples to drug candidates and rerunning the diagnostic test, the scientists could potentially see whether the drug improved the immune cells response. Already, the team is using the platform to screen for potential drugs they hope can help people with chronic fatigue syndrome down the line. A paper describing the research findings was published online April 29 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Davis is the senior author. Esfandyarpour, who is now on the faculty of the University of California-Irvine, is the lead author. Providing the proof The diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome, when it actually is diagnosed, is based on symptoms exhaustion, sensitivity to light and unexplained pain, among other things and it comes only after other disease possibilities have been eliminated. It is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis and designated by the acronym ME/CFS. Its estimated that 2 million people in the United States have chronic fatigue syndrome, but thats a rough guess, Davis said, and its likely much higher. For Davis, the quest to find scientific evidence of the malady is personal. It comes from a desire to help his son, who has suffered from ME/CFS for about a decade. In fact, it was a biological clue that Davis first spotted in his son that led him and Esfandyarpour to develop the new diagnostic tool. We clearly see a difference in the way healthy and chronic fatigue syndrome immune cells process stress. The approach, of which Esfandyarpour led the development, employs a nanoelectronic assay, which is a test that measures changes in miniscule amounts of energy as a proxy for the health of immune cells and blood plasma. The diagnostic technology contains thousands of electrodes that create an electrical current, as well as chambers to hold simplified blood samples composed of immune cells and plasma. Inside the chambers, the immune cells and plasma interfere with the current, changing its flow from one end to another. The change in electrical activity is directly correlated with the health of the sample. The idea is to stress the samples from both healthy and ill patients using salt, and then compare how each sample affects the flow of the electrical current. Changes in the current indicate changes in the cell: the bigger the change in current, the bigger the change on a cellular level. A big change is not a good thing; its a sign that the cells and plasma are flailing under stress and incapable of processing it properly. All of the blood samples from ME/CFS patients created a clear spike in the test, whereas those from healthy controls returned data that was on a relatively even keel. We dont know exactly why the cells and plasma are acting this way, or even what theyre doing, Davis said. But there is scientific evidence that this disease is not a fabrication of a patients mind. We clearly see a difference in the way healthy and chronic fatigue syndrome immune cells process stress. Now, Esfandyarpour and Davis are expanding their work to confirm the findings in a larger cohort of participants. Doubling up In addition to diagnosing ME/CFS, the researchers are also harnessing the platform to screen for drug-based treatments, since currently the options are slim. Using the nanoelectronics assay, we can add controlled doses of many different potentially therapeutic drugs to the patients blood samples and run the diagnostic test again, Esfandyarpour said. If the blood samples taken from those with ME/CFS still respond poorly to stress and generate a spike in electrical current, then the drug likely didnt work. If, however, a drug seems to mitigate the jump in electrical activity, that could mean it is helping the immune cells and plasma better process stress. So far, the team has already found a candidate drug that seems to restore healthy function to immune cells and plasma when tested in the assay. The drug, while successful in the assay, is not currently being used in people with ME/CFS, but Davis and Esfandyarpour are hopeful that they can test their finding in a clinical trial in the future. All of the drugs being tested are either already approved by the Food and Drug Administration or will soon be broadly accessible to the public, which is key to fast access and dissemination should any of these compounds pan out. Davis is a member of Stanford Bio-X, the Stanford Cancer Institute and the Stanford Maternal & Child Health Research Institute. Other Stanford authors of the study are research scientists Neda Nemat-Gorgani and Julie Wilhelmy and research assistant, Alex Kashi. The study was funded by the Open Medicine Foundation. Davis is the director of the foundations scientific advisory board. Stanfords departments of Genetics and of Biochemistry also supported the work. We're a family of seven living in Georgia where Andrew's working as a professor at GSU. You can read more about us here A COMPANY which was effectively fired from enforcing the car park at Townlands Memorial Hospital in Henley was told this week to leave with immediate effect. Smart Parking lost its contract at the hospital off York Road in August but remained while a successor was found. On Wednesday, the company was told to remove its equipment, including cameras and signs, and leave. NHS Property Services, which owns the site, is negotiating a contract with a national car parking management provider to run all health service car parks across the country. It will employ an interim provider for the Townlands car park until a deal has been agreed. A spokesman for NHS Property Services said: We can confirm that Smart Parking will be vacating Townlands Memorial Hospital with immediate effect and will be removing their equipment from the hospital site. In the meantime, NHS Property Services is working with a different car parking management contractor to provide an interim solution, while we finalise and announce our national long-term provider. We are hopeful of having the new long-term solution in place soon, which will be developed in conjunction with stakeholders to ensure parking is in the interest of patients, staff, and visitors. Smart Parking had faced repeated calls to be sacked from Townlands following scores of complaints by patients and their relatives about unfair fines, as highlighted by the Henley Standards Not Very Smart Parking campaign. Smart had already lost its contract to monitor the car park for the neighbouring Bell and Hart surgeries following scores of similar complaints. In August the then health minister Stephen Barclay announced that a new nationwide contractor would be appointed and Townlands would be transferred to it in due course. Smart Parking uses automatic number plate recognition cameras to log vehicles using the hospital car park. Visitors have to enter their car registration number using a keypad at reception to receive free parking but many patients, some of them elderly, were issued with parking fines of up to 160 despite following the rules. Smart was fired from a similar arrangement at Aldershot Centre for Health in May and from Westgate Park shopping centre in Basildon earlier this year. Valerie Moncur, whose husband Alastair was fined after visiting the hospital in March last year, said she was pleased to see Smart go. The couple, from Sonning, parked in a disabled space, displaying their blue badge, and stayed at the hospital for about half an hour to test some hearing aids as they were leaving for a cruise the next day. Two weeks later, they received a penalty notice. Mrs Moncur said: Frankly it put us off using Townlands a bit. We may start going back now. AN elderly man died less than three months after suffering a fall in a Henley car park, a inquest heard. Andrew Finlay, 74, suffered a subdural haematoma brought on by the fall and two subsequent ones he had in hospital. He died at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading on September 21 last year. Mr Finlay, a former RAF engineering officer who had also worked for IBM, moved to Henley in 2001. He was involved in a number of community groups, including he Henley Volunteer Bureau, the Royal British Legion, St Marys Church and choir, the Henley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, the Henley Choral Society and the City Barge Boat Club. He also took part in a number of bicycle rides from London to Paris and Brussels to Lausanne which raised about 15,000 for the Poppy Appeal. Reading Coroners Court heard that Mr Finlay had a history of falls and had a high alcohol intake. He was admitted to the hospital after falling over in the Kings Road car park in Henley in the evening of July 2. He lost consciousness before passers-by called an ambulance, which took him to the bhospital, where he was admitted. Almost exactly a week later, he suffered a fall at the hospital and then on July 15 he fell again in a toilet. Coroner Alison McCormick read a statement from the family, which questioned why a man who was at risk of falling fell twice in hospital. The inquest heard that while he was in hospital Mr Finlay started to have problems with his short-term memory and began to refuse food and drink, eventually losing the ability to feed himself. He had suffered a suspected head injury in his fall on July 2, which was confirmed by a CT scan. However his condition was said to improve over the next few days. He was independently mobile and would take himself to the toilet with a walking frame and was hoping to be discharged in time to attend the Henley Royal Regatta. Then he fell again on July 9. A CT scan showed he had suffered bleeding on the right side of his brain and he was referred to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Elderly care consultant Dr Hannah Johnson said: It may not necessarily have been a consequence of it [the fall]. It is difficult to know. It may have been in relation to that. The inquest heard that Mr Finlay may have been trying to get out of bed but he was supposed to have bed rails to prevent an accident. A falls assessment had been carried out and he was deemed to be at risk and in need of the rails. However, it was not clear if they were attached to his bed because certain parts of the records were missing. Erin Jarvis, a modern matron at the hospital, said: I do wonder whether or not, because he was mobilising independently, the bed rails had stopped being used. Miss McCormick said: It seems perhaps sometimes they were and sometimes they werent. Immediately after the fall, Mr Finlays score on the Glasgow Coma Scale, which records a persons consciousness, was reduced but it later returned to a normal level. Then on July 15 Mr Finlay fell in the toilet when he was unsupervised. This time he fell on to his knees. A CT scan showed no further bleeding on the brain but in the days afterwards he became confused and delirious. Dr Johnson said this could have been due to low sodium levels as a result of the bleeding on the brain. The coroner asked if anything was done to restore Mr Finlays sodium level. Dr Johnson replied: There is not a particular treatment, which is why to the family it may not look like we were doing anything. He was on anti-depressants and that can contribute to low sodium levels, so that was stopped. He did pick up a little bit because at one stage we were talking about rehabilitation. It was his difficulty in following commands which meant they didnt feel he would progress particularly well in rehab. Mr Finlays daughter Sarah Weller, who attended the hearing with her brother John, said: I suppose the question is why why did he fall over when he was at risk of fall? Ms Jarvis replied that it was desirable to respect patients privacy and help them regain their independence. She said most patients were unlikely to want care at all hours and the balance between care and patient dignity had to be respected. Miss McCormick recorded a verdict that Mr Finlay died from a subdural haematoma caused by the falls on July 2 and July 9 and that both were accidents. A car park attendant who stole 1,400 from his employer had been on the job for only two weeks when he was caught "dipping his fingers in the till", a court heard. Robert Brennan (23) stole the cash from a safe and pay station to fund his gambling problem. He intended to repay the money but "lost it all". Judge Michael Walsh adjourned the case for payment of compensation. Brennan, of Coultry Place, Ballymun, pleaded guilty to theft. Dublin District Court heard the accused was working at the Q car park on Schoolhouse Lane in the south city centre last January 16. The premises was a multi- storey off Kildare Street, and Brennan had joined only two weeks previously. He stole 405 from the safe in the staff office and 1,000 from a pay station. He later attended Pearse Street Garda Station and told gardai he had a gambling problem and had intended to return the money but lost it all. Music Brennan had never got into trouble before, his solicitor Murrough O'Rourke said. He accepted it was very serious to steal from your employer, and Brennan had decided to "face the music", made a full statement to gardai and pleaded guilty. Around 640 had been deducted from earnings when he was let go from the job, so he had already paid part compensation. Brennan had been lucky enough to get another job in another firm since, said Mr O'Rourke. He has apologised, was very anxious to pay the rest of the money back and asked the judge to adjourn the case to give him time to do that. Judge Walsh said the offence involved a "breach of trust and honesty". "He was only two weeks in the job and he was dipping his fingers in the till," the judge said. "The best expression of remorse is to pay this back." Adjourning the case to July 8, he said it merited a custodial sentence and would be in "for review" on that date. Brennan was remanded on continuing bail. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has branded the people responsible for the murder of journalist Lyra McKee as "cowards" and "cartoon" republicans. Mr Martin spoke out against the New IRA as members of his party gathered at Arbour Hill cemetery for its annual commemoration of the 1916 Rising. He told the gathering that "nothing is more disrespectful of 1916" than for blinkered, unrepresentative and fanatical groups to claim any connection to the rising and the national revolution which it began. He spoke out after the Irish and British governments announced renewed talks aimed at restoring the power-sharing Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly. The talks move came after Ms McKee (29) was murdered by the New IRA as she observed rioting in Derry's Creggan estate on April 18. Contempt Mr Martin said the murder of Ms McKee "is the responsibility of those involved alone". He added that it is the "sick and inevitable outcome of fundamentalists who no matter how often they wave the Tricolour have nothing but contempt for the Irish people and for... democratic republicanism. "These people are cowards who hide behind masks and act out a cartoon vision of republican activism. And yet they cause great harm," he said. He denounced how the New IRA intimidates people who are going about their daily lives, murder "the legitimate forces of law and order" and attack democratic institutions. "As we saw so tragically on the streets of Derry on the eve of Good Friday 2019, to them a journalist serving the public interest is simply collateral damage. We have to be resolute in fighting these groups," he said. "We must challenge them at every opportunity and must hold them to account for their behaviour." Mr Martin said Fianna Fail welcomes the announcement of renewed talks but added: "Clearly Sinn Fein and the DUP have deep problems with how they deal with each other". Separately, the priest who challenged politicians at Ms McKee's funeral said he needed to hear more from them than complaints about difficulties. Fr Martin Magill told the BBC he had "pleasant" conversations with both Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald and DUP leader Arlene Foster after the funeral but both spoke of "difficulties" they saw ahead. He said: "I need to hear more than just difficulties. I need to hear determination. We know there are problems. But we've got to work through those." Mary Coll and sister Jacqueline Connolly are campaigning in the wake of the murder of Clodagh Murdered Clodagh Hawe's family have inspired a growing number of victims of domestic and sexual abuse to admit they have been subjected to coercive control, rape crisis workers have reported. Ms Hawe's mother Mary Coll and her sister Jacqueline Connolly gave a powerful interview on Claire Byrne Live on RTE One in February, a month after legislation made coercive control an offence. In that interview, the women discussed the issue and the duty for Irish society to become familiar with the risk facing those in unhealthy relationships. Since then, the number of callers to the Rape Crisis Centre saying they have also been victims of such damaging control has grown. Silent Ms Hawe (39) was murdered with her children - Liam (13)Niall (11) and Ryan (six) - by her husband, Alan Hawe (40) on August 29, 2016, near Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan. The killer then took his own life. Expand Close Clodagh Hawe / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Clodagh Hawe In the RTE One interview, Ms Coll said of Hawe: "There was a control element. He had this silent presence. "He could stand five feet away but you would know that he was in control." Rape Crisis Centre chief executive Noeline Blackwell told the Herald: "Regarding calls in relation to sex offences, definitely for many of the callers, they are victims of coercive control. "When we look at rape cases, we do get calls on coercive control and this is so firmly in the context of domestic violence. But given we are only at the end of April, it will take time to build up evidence and cases for the people saying they are victims of coercive control. "It's about a pattern of behaviour but we do not have statistics after such a short period." Ms Blackwell said right up until the introduction of the legislation, survivors had realised they were suffering as a result of control but it could not be pinned down as a crime. Now under the Domestic Violence Act 2018, a pattern of intimidation or humiliation involving psychological or emotional abuse is an offence. Barring orders can be used more quickly, and safety orders are also available. Ms Blackwell welcomed an additional 1.5m in funding for services supporting domestic and sexual violence survivors from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. This funding represented a 10pc increase in funding to services at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, as well as others. However, Cliona Saidlear, executive director of the Rape Crisis Network Ireland, who represents centres across Ireland, said she believed some facilities may actually have suffered "cuts" rather than increases in funding. "A 10pc blanket increase in funding is poor practice," she said, explaining that each centre has different needs "There's queries around this funding - is it Tusla's budget for 2019 or the minister's budget?" Ms Saidlear added that each centre arranged its budgets with Tusla prior to Children's Minister Kathe rine Zappone's announcement. "It's a doozy politically," Ms Saidlear said. "For us, it feels amateurish and offensive. Each of the centres will have had extensive negotiations with Tusla on their budgets, so the minister has overridden all of that with this announcement. "Is the minister's word on this the last word, or is that with Tusla?" A Tusla spokesman said the minister's announcement was in addition to the funding which was already being provided by Tusla. "Funding allocations for 2019 - separate to the 10pc funding announced by the department - are the subject of ongoing, continual discussions between Tusla and the service provider and are subject to continual change throughout the year." A Department of Children and Youth Affairs spokesman said: "In 2019, Tusla is providing 25.3m in funding to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services, an increase of 1.5m over 2018 funding. The 10pc increase in core funding to the 16 rape crisis centres in 2019 is based on the previous core funding provided to these centres." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 28) The Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief rejected the tag by a labor group that called the agency anti-worker due to its alleged human rights violations on Monday. PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde called the Kilusang Mayo Uno's allegation propaganda, further accusing the militant labor group of corrupting the minds of workers to instigate strikes and rallies. Binabaliktad lahat nila [Theyre reversing the situation] Propaganda ito eh[This is propaganda]. Its the conditioning of the minds, he described during a media briefing. He reversed the blame on the KMU, saying they are the cause of joblessness among Filipinos. Bakit ba umaalis ang mga investor sa atin? Papasukin ng KMU papasukin na yan iinstigate ng union and then magrarally sila. Yung investor mawawalan ng gana, uuwi sa kanila. Sino mawawalan ng trabaho? E di yung mga kapwang Pilipino natin, Albayalde said. [Translation: Why do investors shy away from us? The KMU will enter companies and instigate unions and hold rallies. The investors will be turned off and will return to their countries. Who will lose jobs? Our fellow Filipinos.] The KMU released a statement on Friday linking the PNP to a matrix of personalities allegedly responsible for attacking workers rights. Also among the tagged names and agencies were President Rodrigo Duterte, the military and Malacanang officials. The personalities and agencies in these matrix are colluding to perpetrate schemes and policies against Filipino workers and peoples. Duterte and his cohorts deserve our disgust, outrage and protests, said Lito Ustarez, KMU Vice Chairperson. The KMU came out with its diagram after Malacanang released a matrix of media personalities allegedly involved in a plot to oust Duterte. Journalists and media groups named in the supposed intelligence report shared by a foreign government have denied the allegations and called them hilarious and another ploy to harrass journalists. The PNP chief maintained the anti-labor accusation is mere speculation. He argued it is not enough for groups to call out his personnel without revealing any specific offenses. These are all general terms. Napakadaling sabihin [Because its easy to say] O the PNP, the AFP [are] violating human rights. What rights? Give specifics! Nasaan? [Where?] Albayalde asked. In the PNPs latest count, more than 5,000 people have died from Oplan Tokhang, the polices flagship anti-drug campaign. The exchange comes just days before the labor group is set to hold rallies for Labor Day on Wednesday. The PNP said it will deploy 3,000 officers in Metro Manila to secure areas during the protests. The measles virus is highly contagious and can stay airborne or live on surfaces for up to two hours. People recently infected with measles may not have any symptoms of illness, but can transmit the virus for about five days before the typical measles rash appears. While the outbreak investigation is currently centered in East Tennessee, the department asks that all Tennesseans be aware of the symptoms of measles, which includes fever, runny nose, body aches, watery eyes and white spots in the mouth. Several days after symptoms begin, a red, spotty rash typically begins on the face and spreads over the body, according to the release. Symptoms may develop any time during the 21 days following exposure to the illness. Nearly one in three measles patients will develop ear infections, diarrhea or pneumonia. Measles can be fatal in approximately one to two out of every 1,000 cases, according to the release. All Tennesseans are urged to ensure they are up-to date on the Measles, Mumps and Rubella, or MMR, vaccine, which is extremely effective in preventing infection, according to the Tennessee Department of Health. Waynesboro and Washington Township part ways in first due fire service The borough said that Washington Township has accounted for 45% of the total service area. RICHMOND, Va. Richard Oultons U.S. flag the one that stirred controversy and earned him national headlines when he pledged to fly it despite a judges order more than 15 years ago has returned once again to a towering flagpole in his front yard in the Wyndham neighborhood in western Henrico County in Virginia. Ordered by a judge to take the flagpole down in 2003 because it violated homeowner association rules, a revamped homeowners association has given him a green light. Its been a 50-year fight actually because I wanted to fly a flag on my property ever since I came from Vietnam, Oulton said Saturday at a celebration in his yard for the flag raising. Oultons battle with the Wyndham Homeowners Association over his right to erect a flagpole in his front yard began in 1999. He appealed as high as the Virginia and U.S. supreme courts, both of which declined to interfere with the ruling ordering him to remove the pole. Police in Hickory and Conover will now have the power to enforce state gambling laws at skill games businesses following a ruling by a judge. In a ruling signed Friday, Mecklenburg County Superior Court Judge George Bell partially rejected a request from gaming company Fun Arcade LLC for a preliminary injunction. The company was seeking the injunction to prevent police in Hickory and Conover from enforcing gambling laws at the businesses before a trial. Attorneys for both the company and the cities appeared in court to argue their cases on April 22. Bell found that two of the gaming systems in Fun Arcades businesses - electronic sweepstakes and Fusion promotional kiosk systems - are illegal slot machines. However, Bell found that the fish games were not slot machines and issued a preliminary injunction for those games. Bell said in the ruling that nothing in this order shall prohibit law enforcement from enforcing the law with respect to (Fun Arcades) establishments and ensuring compliance under (the law). NEW DELHI: Indian security agencies suspect that the recent terror attack in Sri Lanka was financed by a Pakistan-based drug cartel. Drug smugglers based in Pakistan have been using the Sri Lankan sea route for the last seven years to export drugs to Europe after a clamp down on the Central Asian and Russian drug routes. According to Indian sleuths, drugs are boarded on boats and shipping vessels from Karachi and transferred to Sri Lanka. Smuggling via sea runs lesser risk and the high seas provide a relatively easy route to a transit or recipient country, a source said. Money generated from drug sales was used to finance terror activities and encourage extremist ideologies in eastern Sri Lanka at the behest of ISI, according to the source. Mahinda Rajapaksas regime had also turned a blind eye to activities in the Pakistan high commission in Colombo. Security experts allege that Lankan security apparatus engaged in a civil war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam ignored the rise of extremism in the eastern part of the nation. An espionage ring busted in 2014 in Chennai found that it was controlled by a Pakistan diplomat with links to ISI. Two suspects identified as Mohamed Saleem (43) and Sri Lankan national Mohamed Sakir Hussain were convicted in the case by a special NIA court in 2018. According to NIA, the two had arrived in Chennai to carry out terrorist acts as per instructions from their handler in the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo, Amir Zubair Siddiqui. The two were arrested by Tamil Nadu police . Apart from India, Morocco too shared intelligence information to help Lanka in identifying the nine bombers and their handlers belonging to ISIS, ET has learnt. Morocco shared the information less than 48 hours after theattacks with Colombo and New Delhi. Morocco has one of the most successful records incounter-terrorismand de-radicalisation. Last year, the head of Moroccos Central Bureau of Legal Investigation, Abdelhak Khiame, had said Moroccansecurity servicesdismantled 183 terrorist cells in the country that were planning 361 devastating terrorist projects. Over 3,000 people were arrested by Moroccan authorities in the past decade. ISIS had on Tuesday claimed responsibility for the Lankan bombing. Source: The Economic Times The past four years have been stellar for consumer growth in India, but the next five to 10 years will be even more interesting. This phase will see a slew of insurgents (now being called challenger brands) forcing larger incumbents to adapt. The rise in the consumer growth story will be supported by millions of first-time rural consumers and guided by the fourth industrial revolution. With increased data penetration, a rise in the per capita e-commerce spends, millennials willingness to consume more and the rise of inclusive insurgent brands, the consumer landscape in India will evolve. A decade ago, insurgent brands were not part of your weekly or monthly shopping list. But, today, these very brands have been able to disrupt industries traditionally dominated by their larger counterparts. They have done this by capturing a disproportionately high share of growth, delivering value by redefining the costing benchmarks for their category and, in some cases, by even disrupting the profit pool. Incumbent (a term derived from politics) brands are established players in their category and include both large multinationals as well as Indian corporations that have dominated the domestic consumer landscape for the past 30 years or more (eg, Dabur, ITC, HUL, P&G, Coca Cola, Pepsi, etc). The aggressive pace of growth among the insurgent brands makes us think that these are no less than Davids to the incumbent Goliaths. Furthermore, it is the strategy of nichefication (identifying unserved gaps) of categories and delighting customers that aid these insurgents. The Indian insurgent brands have two things in common. One, not only are they embedded with millennial culture in their DNA, but are also are driven by their consumption needs. They understand the needs, wants and problems of Indias rising middle class. Two, they are able to inspire consumer advocacy by delivering a competitive consumer proposition using eye-catching consumer-centric marketing campaigns that enhance the recall value of their brands. Their goal is to nudge the consumers to refer to their brand while addressing a product category. The growth of insurgent brands has been possible due a host of factors: The reliance on contract manufacturing, effective deployment of digital technology for micro-targeting consumers and the increased accessibility of venture capital. These factors have contributed in reducing the barriers to entry and providing young brands with opportunities. The further rise of insurgents will rest on five key growth drivers. 1) Indias rising young middle class gives these brands a large consumer base keen to experiment and explore. 2) The growth of the digital natives with increased data consumption and the e-commerce revolution allows brands to expand without relying on large, expensive above-the-line marketing campaigns. 3) The behavioural impact of living a life using a smartphone. 4) The third digital revolution that will primarily be focused on rural India. 5) The evolution of consumer attitudes as purchasing power parity and aspirations meet an equilibrium Though the rise of insurgent brands will redefine the way Indians consume, they might also be a catalyst for tackling Indias unemployment puzzle. Insurgent brands, with venture funding, tend to attract an experienced talent pool to tackle the incumbents. Insurgent brands are also paving the way for growth by creating blue collar jobs and setting the foundation for the development of the gig economy as Indian brands redefine the way they do business and achieve scale. Sales, warehouse operations, packaging, customer relationship management and support functions will employ a large section of the labour force that did not have access to these jobs in the past. This being said, the incumbent brands are here to stay and will create value for their shareholders. But they need to understand and accept changes in the consumer. Being open to digital media, getting focused on e-commerce, stepping away from traditional marketing and achieving localised tastes are critical. Additionally, as insurgent brands emerge and engage consumers over the incumbent ones, the latter could employ mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activities] to get a stronghold in a segment that an insurgent might have secured a niche in. The synergy between incumbents and insurgents could be huge as leveraging of the distribution and marketing knowhow of a larger player could serve the insurgent very well. However, the key question still remains: Will David be able to give Goliath a tough fight in the coming decade? And, will the incumbent brands be able adapt to consumer tastes to retain the market share that the insurgent brands had disrupted? Coca-Colas entry into jal jeera, Danones third India stint with the investment in Epigamia and the relaunch of HULs ayurvedic brand, Ayush, to counter Patanjalis growth, along with its acquisition of the Indulekha haircare brand, show us how insurgents and incumbents are innovatively working towards increasing their market share. The next few years will be a most exciting time in the consumer goods space in India. Entrepreneurs, investors, consumers, and both insurgents and incumbents will need to adapt and evolve quickly to capture the huge opportunity both in rural and urban India. Shahan Sud is an investment banking professional. Arjun Vaidya is the CEO, Dr Vaidyas: New Age Ayurveda The views expressed are personal Aesops fable, War and his bride, describes the marriage of Greek Gods. As each God got married one by one, Polemos, the God of war and violence, was among the last remaining bachelor. Hubris was the only one remaining too because she was not picked by any other God. Polemos, however, fell madly in love with his bride and followed her wherever she went. Hence, Aesop warned his listeners, never to let Hubris come to nations or cities because when she does, war and violence will follow. The terror attacks in Sri Lanka endorse the timelessness of Aesops wisdom. Sri Lanka is no stranger to terrorism having witnessed a civil war for over 25 years, put down with draconian force, barely a decade ago. Their security forces are battle hardened with many of the senior echelons having personally participated in the war against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), one of the most formidable separatist organisations of the world. Sri Lankas intelligence prowess is among the better ones in the region, especially for a country of that size, primarily because of the extensive training and aid provided by India, Israel, and other countries. Those agencies had given specific information regarding the impending attacks several days ago. And yet, ISIS, a completely new player to the Sri Lankan theatre, managed to execute a strike that not only ranks as the deadliest of recent years in terms of body count but probably the most effective attack on the economy of a nation that relies heavily on tourism. While Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe acknowledged an inexcusable intelligence failure, it is worth asking why such critical early warnings fall through the cracks. The sad answer is that it is the very presence of such cracks which enable enemies of the State. Executing multiple and simultaneous attacks on high-value targets, speaks volumes about the preparation and capability levels of the assaulting teams. Not only do they have to find several committed men willing to kill themselves, but also to reconnoitre targets, coordinate planning, procure explosives all the while maintaining the highest degree of operational secrecy. It is well known in counterterrorism that every additional target or person added to the operation, increases the risk of exposure by a great deal. And yet, despite the relatively small size of the country and the capability of the Sri Lankan security, this entire operation went on and was not acted upon until its devastating execution. Prime Minister Wickremesinghes allegation that neither he nor his cabinet was informed about the intelligence warnings is a direct castigation of President Maithripala Sirisena, who is also the defence minister. And testimony of the bitter infighting among Sri Lankas political leadership in recent years. After the suppression of the LTTE, the Sri Lankan leadership took its eyes off the ball, and was blindsided to the sense of persecution and alienation among its minorities which was leveraged by vested interests. Feuds among the top leadership are often the reason why the right hand does not know what the left does. Ironically, terror outfits across the world often have better collaboration than establishments caught in their own power struggles. But more important, it is the nature of these power struggles that should be worrying the entire region. Increasingly, sectarian polarisation seems to be the epicentre of seeking mandates in many nations. Not just traditional hawks, but even Nobel Peace laureates like Aung San Suu Kyi, are succumbing to the pressure of sectarianism and condoning ethnic intimidation and alienation under their watch. There is a spate of organised attacks across the region whose core is polarisation. While this might lead to short-term gains, as they seem to, suppression of minority dissent by violence has never ever been achieved anywhere in the world. The Sri Lankan establishment, like any country reeling under a terror attack, will be tempted to follow a familiar playbook. Its leadership and security forces will go into overdrive. Blame will be attributed and accountability will be shifted. Curfews will be followed by crackdowns, brutal reprisals, and an iron hand approach, much of which will be to compensate for what was clearly a leadership failure. The problem is that most of that iron grip will be felt by an innocent populace, which will be caught between the devil and the deep sea. Many will be afflicted, ostracised and devastated for the sole fault of having the wrong surname or belonging to a certain community. But this trite playbook will create yet another generation of individuals who prefer an avenging death to real or perceived persecution. And the cycle will go on, paradoxically playing right into the hands of the ISIS, who rely on the heavy handedness of the state and witch-hunting by the majority community, to swell their cadres and perpetuate violence. Those in hubris must beware that eventually war never spares either hubristic nations or its leaders. Raghu Raman is a former CEO, NATGRID The views expressed are personal The first three rounds of the 2019 Parliamentary election are over but these did not witness either a pro-Modi or anti-Modi wave. There are reasons why the election so far has been without a wave. The first evidence is in the turnout: compared to the 2014 election. The same constituencies have seen a moderate or lower turnout in the first three rounds. The overall turnout in the first phase was 69.5%, merely 1.5% more than the last Lok Sabha election. The second phase witnessed a turnout of 69.4%, which was more or less the same as in the 2014 poll. The third phase saw a turnout of 67.8%, which was 1.8% higher than the 2014 election. A wave election normally sees a higher turnout, as was the case in 1977; it witnessed a 5% increase in voting compared to the previous Lok Sabha elections held in 1971. Similarly, compared to the 1980 Lok Sabha election, the turnout in the 1984 one went up by 8%. The 2014 Lok Sabha election saw an 8% increase in turnout compared to the 2009 one. For the 2019 polls, the first three rounds have witnessed virtually no change in the overall turnout, though there may be some constituency-level variance. The findings of the CSDS pre-poll survey gave an indication that supporters of non-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) units have of a lower enthusiasm for voting in the ongoing elections. Since the regional parties have larger support bases among the socially marginalised communities who are far less vocal compared to the upper caste voters we did not see any wave in the early rounds, simply because many of the states going to the poll were regional party strongholds. The BJP voters showed far more enthusiasm about voting on election day. It is likely that the supporters of regional parties, though less vocal but committed, turned out to vote as they always do irrespective of the electoral prospects of their party of choice. It is unlikely that those who voted for regional parties and the Congress in respective states during the 2014 Modi wave would not have voted for their parties in 2019. The same applies to BJP voters as well the loyal supporters of the party will have voted for it in 2019 as they did in 2014. WATCH: Analysis | Congress star power vs BJP-Sena arithmetic in bellwether Mumbai The electoral wave seems to be missing in the first three round also because of the nature of the electoral contest in these rounds. In states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh or Telangana, where the BJP is not the principal political party, the contest is largely between the regional parties. There are some other states such as Uttar Pradesh (UP), Bihar, Maharashtra and Karnataka where the BJP is the principal contestant, but the regional parties have managed to form an alliance against it. These alliances have posed a challenge for the BJP, although in different degrees. The challenge to the BJP from similar alliances of regional parties is far more in UP than in Bihar or Maharashtra. The turnout figures in these states also indicate more or less a status quo in 2019 compared to 2014. There are states like West Bengal and Odisha where the BJP hopes to make inroads, but is still facing strong resistance from the Trinamool Congress and the Biju Janata Dal respectively. Its the resistance from regional parties in many of the states which polled in the first three rounds that has resulted in a situation where no Modi wave was visible. But it may still be slightly early to conclude that the 2019 election will end as one without a wave. Patterns might change when states such as Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh go to the polls as these states will witness a bipolar contest between the Congress and the BJP, or eastern UP, where leaders like Narendra Modi or Akhilesh Yadav are in the fray. We should not forget that the coming phases will witness elections in high-profile constituencies like Varanasi, Amethi, Azamgarh, Bhopal and Begusarai. The electoral contest in these constituencies might generate a wave similar to the one we witnessed in 2014. The only difference could be that while there was only a pro-Modi wave in 2014, in the current election, one should not rule out the possibility of witnessing a strong anti-Modi sentiment. The constituencies going to the polls in the next rounds will hold the key. Sanjay Kumar is director, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies The views expressed are personal Actors Akshay Kumar and Kiara Advani have begun shooting for the Hindi remake of Tamil horror-comedy Kanchana, titled Laaxmi Bomb. The film will be directed by actor-filmmaker Raghava Lawrencce, who is still basking in the success of his latest film Kanchana 3, fourth part of the series. Raghava Lawrencce shared pictures on Sunday with Kiara Advani, Akshay Kumar and producer Shabinaa Khan. On Sunday, Lawrencce took to Twitter and wrote: Hi dear friends and fans. Shooting of Hindi remake of Kanchana starring the great Akshay Kumar sir has began. Need all your blessings. Laaxmi Bomb. Lawrencce also shared pictures with Akshay, Kiara and producer Shabinaa Khan. In the film, Akshay plays a character that is possessed by a ghost of a transgender. Kiara Advani has been signed as the leading lady. Also read: Priyanka Chopra, Parineeti Chopra attend a girls night out at Isha Ambanis house, tease Alia Bhatt for missing the fun. See pic The industry grapevine is that megastar Amitabh Bachchan has been roped in to play the role of a transgender, which was essayed by Sarath Kumar in the original. According to a report in Mumbai Mirror, Tusshar Kapoor will also star in the film. It will be interesting to see how brand Kanchana, which cemented Lawrencces career as a filmmaker, will be received by Bollywood audiences. Also read: Priyanka Chopra, Parineeti Chopra attend a girls night out at Isha Ambanis house, tease Alia Bhatt for missing the fun. See pic Kanchana 3 has struck gold at the box-office, despite being panned by critics. In its first week worldwide, the film has minted 100 crore. Released simultaneously in Telugu and Hindi, Kanchana 3 has worked big time with the masses. Kanchana 3, which heavily borrows all the popular horror tropes from its predecessors, is centered on its protagonist Raghava, who will scream and run for life at the mere mention of the word ghost. Akshay has his hands full with projects -- apart from Laaxmi Bomb, he also has Good News (with Kareena Kapoor), Housefull 4 and Mission Mangal. His last film, Kesari, was a mega hit and has made an estimated 204.33 crore in worldwide collection. Follow @htshowbiz for more Actor Priyanka Chopra is in India and is having a blast hanging around with her girl gang and prepping for her brothers wedding. The former Miss World visited friend Isha Ambanis new house and shared a picture as they tried their hands at home-made ice cream. Priyanka posted a picture on her Instagram account and captioned it, Making home made ice cream! Thank you to the hostess with the mostest. @_iiishmagish love u! Your home is amazing! I wish you love and laughter always. Heres to many more girls nights! @aliaabhatt u Missed the madness by minutes! Love all u ladies! Actor Alia Bhatt also seems to have attended the get-together which also had Parineeti Chopra and Anant Ambanis rumoured girlfriend Radhika Merchant in attendance. Parineeti also responded to the picture saying, BEST NIGHT EVER!! Priyanka also casted her vote in the general elections on Monday and encouraged her fans to do the same. She shared a boomerang video in her Instagram stories with the caption, Who is coming out to vote with me today Mumbai?? She also shared a selfie confirming her vote by flaunting the ink mark on her finger and wrote, This is the moment that matters.... Every vote is a voice that counts. Also read: Nick Jonas, Priyanka Chopras romance inspires Jonas Brothers new single, I Believe The actor is in Mumbai for the wedding of her brother Siddharth Chopra who is set to tie the knot with fiance Ishita Kumar soon. The wedding will reportedly be followed by a grand reception on April 30. She had recently shared pictures from a family dinner and her fun time with Parineeti and their new dog who they named Bailey Chopra. On the work front, Priyanka has just confirmed her new Hollywood project with Mindy Kaling. The film will revolve around a big fat Indian wedding and will reportedly shot in India. Follow @htshowbiz for more Its been a bittersweet but excellent weekend for the Starks of the fantasy and sci-fi world those in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) and in Westeros. The MCU yet again made history when Avengers: Endgame became the largest ever film of the already massive franchise, making upwards of 150 crore in India alone on its opening weekend. The film has finally wrapped up the Infinity Saga story that has spanned 11 years, 22 movies, and more superheroes than one can realistically keep count of. As Disney gets set to launch Phase 4 of this extremely lucrative franchise, Avengers: Endgame was as much a reset film as a goodbye film. But like all franchises that do well, it is unlikely that anything is really and truly gone; and with Disney having acquired 20th Century Fox, it brings within its ambit other massively successful franchises such as the X-Men, opening the door to the possibility of more, and more interesting, crossover films in the same genre. In spite of erratic timelines across movies, sometimes inconsistent character arcs, and confusing storylines across films and phases, the characters and stories of MCUs Infinity Saga will always be the thing that made such massive possibilities come true. The saga began in 2008 with Iron Man, which turned the then prevalent idea of the secret identity superhero on its head; paving the way for superheroes such as Thor and Starlord snarky, know-all, adventurer/scientist/rich guy unafraid of embracing his identity. After having floundered a bit with race and gender politics, the MCU appears to now have made room in the franchise for superheroes of literally every hue and shape. And even after more than a decade, interest in this brand of storytelling continues to remain massive across television, cinemas, and comic books. If Avengers: Endgame is any indication, public interest in the genre has never been greater. Even as the market is saturated with superhero, CGI action films with all their attending marketing and merchandising, this is an interesting moment in the history of the genre. Has interest peaked or is there still more popularity to come? Will the stories continue to rely on tried and tested tropes or will this popularity encourage them to take more risks with storytelling and formats? Phase 4 of the MCU will tell. The second Belt and Road Forum (BRF) concluded in Beijing last Saturday. The signature foreign policy move of Chinese President, Xi Jinping, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is a massive undertaking in which Beijing provides loans to other countries for various kinds of projects ranging from connectivity to energy. The overland part (the belt) and the maritime part (the road) together aim to connect Asia, Africa and Europe into a large economic entity that works to Chinas advantage. Over time, the BRI has faced mounting international criticism. China used the second BRF to address them. Since its inception in 2013, a number of countries have jumped onto the BRI bandwagon. The primary reason: High demand for capital, especially in emerging economies with massive infrastructure deficit. But there are other factors. A number of state leaders use the BRI to funnel money into projects to boost their political appeal. The die was cast. With the money directed on political logic, several projects failed to generate revenues that could repay the loans. With labour and key input materials imported from China, the BRI projects didnt really uplift local economies. Several environmental and human rights issues too cropped up. India, which sat out of the inaugural BRF in 2017 mainly on sovereignty grounds BRI projects in Pakistan pass through disputed territory in Kashmir began to raise a number of these issues. Gradually, other countries, including the US, joined the chorus of criticism. The joint communique issued on Saturday specifically addresses all the controversial aspects of the BRI. It pledges respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all the states involved. The communique talks about extensive consultations, shared and mutual benefits, importance of the rule of law, openness, transparency, inclusiveness and level playing field. All the cooperation under BRI, the communique notes, will be open, green and clean and will pursue high standard, people-centred and sustainable development. It is difficult to find a fault with anything in this statement. Execution, of course, is a completely different matter. If China wants this communique to be taken seriously, it should transform the BRI into a genuinely multilateral initiative despite the pretence of multilateralism, it is still a collection of strictly bilateral arrangements and allow the collective weight of other countries to be reflected in drawing up a charter of rules for BRI projects. Out of the 53, 388 female candidates, 34, 348 passed Out of the 53, 388 female candidates, 34, 348 passed in HP Board 10th result making a total pass percent of 64.33 Girls outscore boys with a gap of 7% Pass percentage of girls is 64.33 against the boys pass percentage of 57.48 Atharv Thakur secures first position with 98.71% Atharv Thakur secures first position in state with 98.71%. Paras, Dhruv Sharna, Ridhi Sharma secure 2nd rank by securing 98.57%. 60.79 is the pass percentage this year This year the pass percentage is 60.79. Last year it was 63.39 67K Students clear the HP Board 10th exam Out of the 111980 students who has taken the exam 67319 candidates passed. HPBoSE HP Board 10th results declared Himachal Pradesh Board has declared the HPBoSE 10th exam results. Candidates can check their results online at hpbose.org HPBoSE officials arrive. Results to be out now Secretary Harish Gajju and Chairman addressing press conference. He will now release the results HPBoSE HP Board 10th results shortly, officials yet to arrive Himachal Pradesh Board officials are yet to arrive at the press conference. Board officials will release the result in the conference. Where to check Himachal Pradesh 10th result Students who have appeared in the exam can check their results at hpbose.org. The result will be out at 12 noon. Last year 1.9 Lakh candidates had appeared for HP Board 10th exam Last year, 109, 678 students appeared in Class 10 exams, out of which 68,946 passed with an overall pass percentage of 63.39%. The number of students who got compartment was 15,214. 10K employees of HP Board were engaged in exam duty Around 10,000 employees were engaged in the examination duties. To curb mass copying all the examination centers were equipped with close circuit Television (CCTV) cameras. HP Board exam was conducted from March 7 to 20 Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBoSE) exam was conducted from March 7 to March 20, 2019 Over 1 lakh candidates are waiting for their result Around 1.2 lakh candidates who had appeared for the HPBOSE HP Board 10th exam 2019 are anxiously waiting for their results. The Himanchal Board result will be declared at 12 noon today HPBoSE will release the HP Board 10th result today HPBoSE will release the HP Board 10th result today at 12 noon. 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 The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBoSE) declared the results of Class 10 exams on Monday. Atharv Thakur has bagged the first position with 98.71% marks. Paras, Dhruv Sharna, Ridhi Sharma are joint second with 98.57% marks. Komal Zinta and Sakshi are joint third with 98.43% marks. Ruchira Singh, Mannat Rana are joint fourth with 98.29% marks. Kritika Thakur, Lokeshwari are joint fifth with 98% marks. Out of 39 students in top ten merit list, 28 are girls and 11 are boys. The pass percentage for girls is 64.33% and for boys it is 57.48%. 60.79% students have passed the Himachal Pradesh Board class 10 exams. The number of students who appeared for Class 10 exams in 2019 was 1,11,980, out of which, 67,319 passed. Last year the pass percentage was 63.39%. A total of 6,395 students have got compartment. The last date for rechecking and revaluation is May 13. More than 1.22 lakh students had appeared for the HP board Class 10 exams, conducted by Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBoSE) from March 7 to March 20, 2019. Of the total, 1,11,977 appeared in regular mode while 10,414 appeared through State Open School (SOS). Follow LIVE UPDATES of HPBoSE HP Board Class10th Result 2019 here Board had set up total 1980 examination centres across the state for regular candidates. Around 10,000 employees will be engaged in the examination duties. To curb mass copying all the examination centers were equipped with close circuit Television (CCTV) cameras. Last year, 109, 678 students appeared in Class 10 exams, out of which 68,946 passed with an overall pass percentage of 63.39%. The number of students who got compartment was 15,214. Students who have appeared in the exam can check their results at hpbose.org To check the results click on the link for class 10th results. Key in the required details and submit. Take a printout of your results and save it on your computer too. The HP board declared the Class 12 board exam results recently. Out of 95,492 students who appeared in the exam, 58,949 passed, which was a pass percentage of 62.01%. The number of students who have got compartment was 16,102. Out of 49, 136 male candidates who appeared, 28,375 passed. Out of 45,784 female candidates, 30, 574 passed. Girls performed better than boys in arts and commerce, while boys excelled in science. Lucknow students are eagerly looking forward to JEE main results for the second examination held in April, the result of which is expected to be announced soon. Ashwin Baranwal (17), student of GD Goenka Public School had scored 99.50 percentile in the January 2019 examination. He sounded relaxed about the April result. I have done well in January 2019. If I do well in April exam, I will be happy, he said. Ashwin is more focused for JEE Advanced to be held on May 27. He said he will prefer institute over stream. The brand IIY is more important than stream. I have not yet made my mind as which stream I should puruse, said Ashwin. Sajal Nigam (18), a student of Study Hall had scored 98.249 percentile in January exam and is confident that he would do even better in April examination. I was happy after writing the April examination. I was better prepared this time. I stayed focused and studied hard, he said. Sajal is now concentrating for JEE Mains to be held next month. It is the JEE Advanced that will decide our future,: he said. Both these students welcomed the decision of giving two attempts to students so they may improvise on their tally. Sachin Jethanandani (18), a student of City Montesso School, Gomti Nagar branch said after tallying the answer key he is expected to score 287 marks. Last time in January he could score 243. Alongside JEE, I will also appear for BITS Aptitude Test to be held on May 21. Though I will prefer, IIT Kanpur or Delhi and computer science is my natural choice, he said. In January 2019, Himanshu Gaurav Singh of Gorakhpur and Naman Gupta of Kanpur were among the 15 students in the country who scored 100 percentile in JEE Mains (January 2019) examination, the result of which was declared by National Testing Agency (NTA). Both Himanshu and Naman had said this was just the first hurdle. Only 45 universities in China are qualified to teach MBBS degrees in English and are authorised to admit foreign students including those from India, the Chinese ministry of education (MoE) has said, warning that teaching MBBS courses under a bilingual curriculum in English and Chinese is strictly prohibited. The MoE statement comes ahead of the 2019 admission season when thousands of Indians students are expected to apply to medical colleges across China. Schools not listed (in the list of 45 universities) shall not recruit undergraduate students majoring in clinical medicine (teaching in English) to come to China, but only undergraduate students majoring in clinical medicine taught in Chinese, the MoE statement said. It added: ...the training standards (studying outside the list of 45 universities) shall not be lower than the standard for those of undergraduate students majoring in clinical medicine in China. Bilingual Teaching teaching mode to recruit foreign students in MBBS is strictly prohibited, the MoE statement said. The list of the universities can be seen at the MoE website in English. It is also listed below. What the statement means is that outside of the 45 universities, foreign students will be taught medicine in Chinese; Indian students should be ready to learn Chinese while studying medicine, and receive their degree in Chinese - and not in English. In 2018, the number of Indian students studying medicine in China had crossed 21,000-mark, the highest for India since China allowed foreign students to study the subject here in 2003. The number of Indian medical students has been rising rapidly in China in the last couple of years: More than 7,000 Indians have been rushing to China annually to study medicine since 2016. HT, however, has learned that more than 8,000 Indian medical students are currently enrolled in some 216 universities in China that are not - under MoE regulations - authorised to hand out MBBS degrees in English. Instead, they could even end-up receiving a degree in traditional Chinese medicine or TCM at the end of their five-to-six year course. Over the years, there have been several cases in which students from India have been misled into believing that they will get MBBS degrees in English from these 200-plus universities. Many Indian students - outside the 45 universities - end up holding a TCM degree, which would not have given them any clinical exposure and little knowledge of modern medicine. A major reason for Indian students flocking to China to study medicine is that it costs less to get a degree in medicine here than in India. It usually costs between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 5 lakh annually in the listed 45 universities; in the remaining 216 universities, the rates are cheaper at Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh every year. The Indian embassy said in a statement on Monday that it has been receiving queries from ...prospective Indian students and their parents with respect to studying MBBS in China and colleges in China which are authorised to impart MBBS courses to foreign students. Prospective students are advised to note carefully that only these 45 Chinese Universities are authorised to admit international students for an MBBS degree in English, the statement added. Heres the full list: University: (no of international students) Jilin University: 62 (school year 2018-2019 was 100, 38 fewer) Chinese Medical University: 100 Dalian Medical University: 100 Capital Medical University: 100 Tianjin Medical University: 100 Shandong University: 78 (school year 2018-2019 100, 22 fewer) Fudan University: 100 Xinjiang Medical University: 100 Nanjing Medical University: 100 Jiangsu University: 100 Wenzhou Medical University: 100 Wenzhou Medical University (Overseas Schools): 50 Zhejiang University: 100 Wuhan University: 100 Huazhong University of Science and Technology: 100 Xian Jiaotong University: 100 Southern Medical University: 100 Jinan University: 100 Guangxi Medical University: 100 Sichuan University: 100 Chongqing Medical University: 100 Harbin Medical University: 60 Beihua University: 40 Jinzhou Medical University: 60 Qingdao University: 60 Hebei Medical University: 60 Ningxia Medical University: 60 Tongji University: 60 Shihezi University: 60 Southeast University: 60 Yangzhou University: 60 Nantong University: 60 Suzhou University: 60 Ningbo University: 60 Fujian Medical University: 60 Anhui Medical University: 60 Xuzhou Medical College: 60 Three Gorges University: 20 Zhengzhou University: 60 Guangzhou Medical University: 60 Sun Yat-sen University: 60 Shantou University: 20 (school year 2018-2019 was 60, 40 fewer) Kunming Medical University: 60 North Sichuan Medical College: 40 Southwest Medical University: 60 Xiamen University: 60 TN SSLC Result 2019: The result day is out. TN 10th result of around 10 lakh students has been declared today at 9:30 AM. The Directorate of Government Examinations (DGE) Tamil Nadud eclared the Tamil Nadu Board 10th Results 2019 on the official websites of Tamil Nadu DGE. Follow live updates of Tamil Nadu 10th Result 2019 here. Tamil Nadu 10th Result 2019: STEPS TO CHECK Result Visit the official websites of Tamil Nadu DGE at tnresults.nic.in, dge.tn.gov.in, dge1.tn.nic.in. Heres the direct link to check Tamil Nadu Board 10th Results 2019. Click on the link that reads download TN SSLC Result Key in your registration number, roll number Your results will be displayed on the screen Download and take its print out for further reference. Tamil Nadu Board 10th Results 2019: HOW TO CHECK YOUR RESULT ON MOBILE Visit the official websites of Tamil Nadu Board at tnresults.nic.in, dge.tn.gov.in, dge1.tn.nic.in. on your mobile. Click on the link flashing on the homepage that read- Tamil Nadu Board 10th Results 2019 If you face any difficulty in accessing the homepage, go to your settings option on Google Chrome.You will get an option of DESKTOP SITE. The desktop site option is given to convert your smartphone browser into computer- like browser. The mobile browser sometimes is unable to open few sites. However, when you switch to the desktop site option you will be able to use it just like your computer. Touch the check box to switch in to Desktop friendly site. After you click on the Check box, your mobile browser will be desktop friendly and you will be able to access the website of Tamil Nadu Board. Then, a login page will open Fill in your Roll number and Roll Code Click on Submit Your result will be displayed on screen Candidates will be able to check their scores online but they will have to download their provisional mark sheets only through school between May 2 and 6. Students who are not satisfied with their scores can apply for re-evaluation of papers from May 2 to 4, 2019. Students will have to apply for it through their schools.The application fee for re-totalling for language papers including English is 305 while for other papers it is 205. The results of HSC examination were declared on April 19 in the state. The overall pass percentage was 91.3%. The pass percentage for boys was 88.57% and for girls it was 93.64%. Among districts, Tiruppur stood first with a pass percentage of 95.37%, Erode was on the second place with a pass percentage of 95.23% and Perambalur district was at the third place with a pass percentage of 95.15%. A 10-year-old boy, kidnapped on late Saturday night from his home in Modinagar, was found murdered around eight kilometers away in Niwari on Sunday. Police suspect Aditya Bansal, the only son of a businessman, was kidnapped for ransom and later murdered as the suspects feared he would reveal their identities. According to the police complaint, Aditya, a class VI student, was playing with his friends and cousins outside his house at Manavtapuri locality when two men on a motorcycle arrived and kidnapped him at around 8pm. The police said that Adityas body was recovered from the fields near the forensic science laboratory in Niwari on Sunday morning. It seems he was strangled. It seems to be a case of kidnapping for ransom. During initial investigation, we came to know that the boy did not resist the kidnapping, which means that they were likely known to the boy. It is suspected that the kidnappers told the boy that they will be taking him to his fathers shop nearby, said Neeraj Kumar Jadaun, superintendent of police (rural). The FIR was lodged by the boys uncle around 3am on Sunday after searches by his family and police failed. They were told by the children who were with Aditya that he was taken by the motorcyclists. The police launched a search late night and on Sunday morning as well but the boy could not be traced. We were also expecting calls to his family but no ransom call was received. We suspect that the kidnappers killed him after fearing that their identities will be revealed, the SP said. Police said that they were scanning CCTV footage from the locality and have picked up several persons for questioning on Sunday afternoon. The boys autopsy was also conducted. The boy died due to strangulation and also had a small injury to his leg, said an officer from the district health department. At a time when an acute heatwave has affected more than half the country, the water level in Indias major reservoirs and river basins has fallen to 21% of its average for the last 10 years, pushing thousands of villages across western, central and southern India towards a possible water crisis. According to data released by the Central Water Commission (CWC) on Friday, the water level in reservoirs in Maharashtra was 40% less than normal, in Gujarat - 29%, in Uttar Pradesh - 37%, in Andhra Pradesh - 84%, in Telangana - 28%, in Tamil Nadu - 19%, in Rajasthan - 6%, and 4% lower than normal in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The CWC data also shows that, except the Indus, the Narmada, and the west-bound rivers of the south, the water level in all the river basins is less than the average of the last 10 years the worst affected are Kutch, Tapi and Sabarmati in Gujarat; Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery in southern India, and the Mahanadi from Chhattisgarh to Odisha in eastern India. The CWC monitors 12 major river basins, and the average water level of the past 10 years is classified as normal. When the water level in river basins and reservoirs is much below normal, it indicates the low availability of water for drinking, irrigation and livestock. This can also impact the agriculture output in states where farmers grow three crops a year. Experts suggested the situation may be more worrying than the data suggests. A large number of small dams in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat are almost dead. This data is not captured by CWC, which monitors only big reservoirs, said a former CWC chairperson. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the pre-monsoon rainfall from March to April critical to agriculture in several parts of the country has recorded a 27% deficit. An analysis by scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar, suggests that about half of the country is in the grip of a drought. About 16% of the countrys 50% population is facing extraordinary or gruesome drought, said the IITs associate professor, Vimal Mishra, in a statement issued on April 24. He added that the worst is yet to come, with the severity of drought likely to intensify in May and June. Mishra said that Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, parts of the north-east, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Telangana are the worst hit by the present heat wave. These states are home to 500 million people, almost 40% of the countrys population, he said. The IMD declares a heatwave for a station if the temperature crosses 40 degrees Celsius for two consecutive days in the plains, 37 degrees Celsius in coastal areas, and 30 degrees Celsius in hilly terrain. Two Gujarat government officials said that deficit rains last monsoon (27 percentage points below average) and almost no rainfall in the last 45 days have started taking toll on the arid parts of the state even as the summer is yet to peak. Rural parts of districts, mostly in west and north Gujarat, are staring at a drought-like situation with Kutch the worst-hit, one of the officials cited above said. I get fodder from distribution centres started by the government for ~2 per kg but getting water is a challenge now. We get drinking water from tankers, which now come twice a week, said Revabhai Rabari of Abari village in Kutch district. Jina Bharwad, who lives in outskirts of Bhuj city, said: There is drinking water for us. But not much is available for our cattle. For the same reason, I have sent my all four animals to a government-run cattle home. Gujarats biggest district spread across nearly 46,000 sq km, Kutch was proclaimed scarcity hit by the state government last October, and the designation was extended for six months this January. In Maharashtra, the Marathwada and Vidarbha region are facing a drought-like situation, according to the state government. Farmers such as 75-year-old Bhagwat Pawar, who has seen the 1972 drought that affected about 50 million people and killed over 100,000, described the ongoing drought as one of the worst. The impact of the drought will be felt after April 29, once all the phases of voting get over, said Ashok Tangade of Jagar Pratisthan, the NGO working with cane cutters in Beed district. As of now, candidates are ensuring supply of water through tankers and camps for cattle. In Madhya Pradesh, 119 urban local bodies (ULB) out of 378 and about 4,000 villages out of about 12,000 are facing a water shortage. Of the ULBs, 273 are getting water supply daily, while 99 are drawing water every other day, 14 urban bodies are getting water after an interval of two days, and ULBs after three days, government officials said. There are only 10 urban bodies which are getting water at the interval of two or three days. Since all the urban bodies are getting water through regular power supply or tankers, there is no water crisis in the state, principal secretary, urban administration, Sanjay Dubey, said. At present, there are only seven habitats where we are transporting water to people. We are monitoring the water supply daily and taking feedback from each and every affected village or panchayat. Hand-pump maintenance work has been outsourced in 170 of 313 blocks. Power of administrative approval for repair work of schemes up to ~20 lakh has been given to the district collector, said Sanjay Shukla, Madhya Pradeshs principal secretary, public health engineering. According to IMD, 2019 is an El Nino year in the 135 years between 1880 and 2014, around 90% of all evolving El Nino years recorded below normal rainfall, and 65% experienced droughts, according to Skymet weather data. El Nino, little child in Spanish, refers to large-scale ocean-atmosphere climate interaction linked to a periodic warming in sea surface temperatures that negatively impacts the south-western monsoon. Six of the worst droughts in the country since 1871 have been triggered by El Nino the most recent being in 2009, when 58% of countrys 514 meteorological districts received scanty rainfall. The last major El Nino event, which ended in 2016, lasted for two years and caused heatwaves all around the world and in India. (With inputs from Surendra P Gangan in Mumbai, Hiral Dave in Ahmedabad, and Ranjan in Bhopal) A major fire broke out at a chemical factory in South West Delhis Naraina area on Monday. Around 30 fire tenders have been rushed to the spot. No casualty has been reported yet. The fire broke out at a factory in Naraina Industrial Area, near Payal cinema. The fire was reported around 11:30 am Monday. Delhis chief fire officer Atul Garg and other officials are at the spot. Visual of the fire: More details awaited. Almost two months after the US Supreme Court ruled in their favour by lifting the immunity enjoyed by international organisations from being sued in the US, fisherfolk in Gujarats Mundra are preparing for another legal battle. Celebrations over the February 27 victory have given way to collecting funds, gathering evidence and doing more research to back a fresh lawsuit against the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector lending arm of the World Bank. Mundra fisherfolk want IFC to compensate them for the environmental destruction and loss of livelihood they allege was caused by a Tata Power plant funded by the Washington-based organisation; they also want corrective measures put in place to repair the damage. The SC verdict has cleared the decks for them to sue IFC in the District Court of Columbia, which means they will have to wage a legal battle all over again, after spending four years on it the first time around. We are working on taking the case to the lower court within a few weeks...We are trying to collect data on how much we incurred in losses since the plant started its operations, said Bharat Patel, general secretary of the Machimaar Adhikaar Sangharsh Samiti (MASS), which has been spearheading the cause of Mundras fishing families. The association was one of the plaintiffs that challenged IFCs immunity from being sued in the US. The District Court ruled in July 2015 that the International Organisations Immunities Act (IOIA), 1945, granted IFC absolute immunity from being sued; an appeals court upheld the verdict in IFCs favour in July 2017, forcing the plaintiffs to move the US Supreme Court. They had first filed a case against the IFC in the District Court of Columbia in April 2015. Vindication came in February 2019, when the US Supreme Court ruled, IFC was entitled under the IOIA only to the limited or restrictive immunity that foreign governments currently enjoy and not absolute immunity from suits. As they prepare for a renewed fight against IFC, the fisherfolk are up against a potential financial crunch. We are trying to collect funds to get a team of lawyers from the United States to come, visit our farms and the marine areas surrounding the plant for observation and evidence gathering. But it is hard to come by that much amount of money since we are a small, donor-based association, Patel said. He estimates that they need a minimum of 2 lakh to 3 lakh to support the travel and a week-long stay for two lawyers. US-based NGP Earths Rights International (ERI) provided MASS free legal assistance in the US and its lawyers would be fighting the case on behalf of the Mundra residents once again. These kind of cases take a very long time. We cant predict how long. World Bank could appeal against an unfavourable judgement, said Marco Simons, general counsel of ERI. Tata Group maintains there is no truth to the allegations of environmental destruction and loss of livelihood. It said the firm had complied with all the environmental norms and met the stringent recommendations of IFC and other lenders so as to comply with international guidelines. A World Bank spokesperson said the organisation would not comment on the specifics of the issue. We respect the SC ruling, and we will continue to deliver on our mission to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity, the spokesperson told HT. In the wake of the National Investigation Agencys (NIA) crackdown on sleeper cells of terror outfit Islamic State in South India following the serial bombings in Sri Lanka, intelligence agencies are collecting details of 150 youth who have gone missing from Kerala over the last few years, a senior intelligence official said. A Salafi centre in Kozhikkode is under the scanner and agencies are collecting details of some youth who went to Yemen for religious studies in last three years, he said. We have information that more than 50 people have gone to Yemen for religious studies in last couple of years. Though they cant be dubbed terrorists, possibilities of radicalization are there, said a senior state intelligence official tracking fundamentalist outfits in north Kerala. Since India does not have diplomatic relation with war-torn country most of them have slipped out through Iran and other middle-east countries, he said. Keralas middle-east connection is exposing some of the youngsters to outfits like the IS, he said. There are at least 18 lakh people from Kerala employed in Gulf countries. State police and intelligence agencies are on their toes after reports surfaced that one of the architects of Easter bombing in Lanka, Zaharain Hashim, had visited Kerala. The NIA had detained three persons for questioning on Sunday but officials said they could not establish their direct links with the National Toweeth Jamaat (NTJ), suspected to have masterminded the terror attacks in Lanka. At least a dozen others and some Islamic religious schools are also under surveillance amid reports that some outfits from South India funded NTJ activities in Lanka. Officials said radical activities in Lanka had impacted Kerala in the past also. An IS mastermind had recruited two groups of people from Kasargode and Kannur in 2016 and helped them to move to Syria and Afghanistan through a safe house in Colombo. Out of 21 missing from north Kerala, six have died in different places. Parents of some of those missing from north Kerala, who reportedly joined the Islamic State three years ago said their children used to go to Sri Lanka regularly on the pretext of doing business and to attend religious classes. My daughter Nimisha (alias Fathima) and son-in-law had visited Sri Lanka many times. When I asked about this, I was told they were planning to start carpet business, said Bindhu Sampath, mother of Nimisha who is missing. After a trip to Lanka my son started growing long beard and wearing long white gowns. We were initially happy thinking that he was leading a religious life. But we were mistaken. He cut TV cables to our house saying it was un-Islamic and started questioning social gathering and other functions, said P Abdul Rehman, father of Hafisuddin who was reportedly killed during a drone attack in Afghanistan. Like him, many parents said if the Sir Lankan connection was probed properly the recent tragedy might have been averted. Some women who accompanied their husbands along with their little children to join the IS, are keen to come back, say relatives. They are in contact with family members through the encrypted social network Telegram. But family members refuse to approach police fearing harassment and swear that most women were unaware of their husbands intentions and accompanied them after being told that they were going to the Haj pilgrimage. The state police suspect more than 100 youth from north Kerala have gone missing from middle eastern countries where they were working and in most cases parents keep quiet fearing police harassment. Police have advised many parents to report missing cases so as to contain the scourge effectively. We dont have any mechanism to check activities of those working in the Gulf. It is easy for them to slip out. Only family members can keep a track on them, said another senior police officer in north Kerala. Most of the parents of missing 21 said they reported the issue to the police immediately to check any such further incidents and they disowned their children for bringing disrepute to the country. But Islamic scholars say that these were isolated incidents and it is wrong to tarnish the entire community citing such unfortunate incidents. Community elders are keeping a close watch to isolate such forces. Kerala is a progressive society and Muslims are part of it. Drawing unnecessary parallels will create a fear psychosis among community members, said Islamic scholar Aashraf Kadakkal, also a professor at Kerala University. He cited the example of Padanna in north Kerala where nine out of 21 missing belonged to this village. We floated an organisation called Sahora. We meet regularly to conduct mehfils, book-reading and cultural programmes. The sleepy village is fighting hard to shake off its tag of a terror nursery. Women also participate in large numbers, a first of its sort in these parts. Not a single incident has been reported from here after the disappearance of 21 people three years ago, said P Hashim, a native of Padanna village. Four people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in grenade attacks and planting explosives in Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama district, the Jammu and Kashmir police said on Monday. Police superintendent Tahir Saleem Khan identified three of the accused as Murtaza, Aqib and Irfan-ul-Haq. He added the four were a part of a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) module involved in terror activities in Pulwamas Tral and Awantipora areas. The identity of fourth accused was not immediately revealed. Pulwama has been the focus of anti-insurgency operations in the state since 40 paramilitary troopers were killed in a car bomb attack there on February 14. Khan said Murtaza was arrested following a specific input, and a Chinese pistol, two magazines and eight pistol rounds were recovered from him. The duo [Murtaza and Aqib] has been involved in arranging transport and logistics for the JeM terrorists, who are involved in firing on a civilian and injuring him critically, he said. Khan said Irfan-ul-Haq has also been in contact with the JeM and obtained grenades from them. He lobbed a grenade on Central Reserve Police Force Camp, Awantipora, and has been operating various WhatsApp groups and transferring, sharing incriminating material with some outside the country, Khan said. On Sunday, police said it arrested three JeM operatives two days after they were involved in an attack on a police post in Srinagar on Friday. A constable was injured in the attack. As many as 64.97% of the 9.5 million eligible voters turned out to vote for the last of Odishas six Lok Sabha and 41 assembly seats in the fourth phase of the ongoing assembly elections. With this, all the 21 parliamentary and 147 assembly constituencies have polled in the state. There were reports of violence and EVM and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) glitches. The region that went to polls on Monday is considered a stronghold of the ruling Biju Janata Dal, which had won all six Lok Sabha and 37 of the 42 assembly seats in the 2014 elections. But this time, the Bharatiya Janata Party, hopes to make a dent, as it had performed well in the local body elections in 2017. The most high-profile contest was fought in the Kendrapara constituency, where four-time MP Baijayant Jay Panda was contesting on a BJP ticket against Odia actor Anubhav Mohanty, the BJD candidate. Once family friends, Panda and chief minister Naveen Patnaik had a fallout last year with Panda quitting BJD. A BJP workers arm was fractured after BJD workers allegedly attacked him at a booth in Balasore, according to BJPs Balasore District president. BJD and Congress workers clashed at a polling booth in Basudevpur, according to election officials. A BJP polling agent was injured after BJD workers attacked him at a booth Jajpur Parliamentary constituency, alleged BJP spokesman Sameer Mohanty. In Basta, one Hari Dehury died of sunstroke while he waiting for his turn to vote while EVM and VVPAT glitches were reported from more than 100 polling booths. Odishas CEO, Surendra Kumar, said he has seen reports about the violence and sought detailed information from district election officers. Polling officer BK Deo of a booth in Nimapara assembly constituency was dismissed from polling duty for allegedly influencing voters to vote for a specific party. Deo, who was reportedly thrashed by voters, was later arrested. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged people to break the voting record of the previous three rounds as polling in 72 seats across the country started in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha election. Another phase of the General Elections begins today. I hope those voting today do so in large numbers and break the voting records of the previous three phases, Prime Minister Modi tweeted. A special appeal to young voters to head to the polling booth and exercise their franchise, he wrote. WATCH| Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Watch out for these big fights in Phase 4 Millions of voters in nine states will vote on Monday to seal the fate of 961 candidates in the fray in 72 Lok Sabha seats, mostly in the state under the Hindi belt, during the fourth of the countrys seven-phase electoral exercise. The Election Commission has set up 140,852 polling booths and made elaborate security arrangements for the safety of the 128 million people voting on Monday. Polling is underway in 17 seats in Maharashtra, 13 each in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, eight seats in West Bengal, six each in Odisha and Madhya Pradesh, five in Bihar, three in Jharkhand and one seat in Jammu and Kashmir. In 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party won 45 of the 72 seats going to polls on Monday. Its allies won another 11 seats. The Congresss tally was just two. In 2009, the BJP-Congress breakup in these seats was 9-29. The votes will be counted on May 23. Glitches in electronic voting machines were reported from several places as voting for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections began on Monday. EVM glitches were reported from Unnao, Hardoi and Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. EVMs had to be changed at five polling booths in Unnao and two in Hardoi. In Kannauj, at two booths EVMs sent as replacements also malfunctioned. Samajwadi Party MLC Arvind Yadav said he will write to the Election Commission about EVMs not working.There were protests by people in Rawatpur and Kalyanpur against malfunctioning of EVMs. Voting was delayed at booth number 162 of Malad West in Mumbai after a glitch in EVM was detected, news agency ANI reported. Follow live updates here In Rajasthan, there were 30 complaints about EVMs within the first 40 minutes of polling, which started at 7am, as voters queued outside booths in the 13 or the 25 constituencies of the desert state. An EVM in booth number 42 stopped working in Deoli under the Tonk-Sawai Madhopur constituency resulting in a delay in voting. Reports about a glitch in an EVM in Ajmer districts Bhinai also came in. Also read: BJP, Congress try to strike caste balance in Rajasthan Polling is underway in 17 seats in Maharashtra, 13 each in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, eight seats in West Bengal, six each in Odisha and Madhya Pradesh, five in Bihar, three in Jharkhand and one seat in Jammu and Kashmir. The votes will be counted on May 23. Congresss Lucknow candidate Acharya Pramod Krishnam on Sunday attacked the BJP on the Ram temple issue and said he would initiate negotiations for the temple construction once the elections were over. A matter of faith cannot be resolved by courts. Negotiations can sort them out. I will initiate negotiations on the issue after the elections. The countrys unity and integrity cant be compromised for such issues. It (the solution) should be amicable, said Krishnam, himself a seer, at a press conference at the Congress state headquarters here. Krishnam had contested the 2014 Lok Sabha election from Sambhal in west UP on the Congress ticket. He is the head of Kalki Peeth in Sambhal. Attacking the BJP on the Ayodhya issue, he said: The BJP promised Ram temple construction and resorted to propaganda on it. The party even sought support from people, but did nothing. The previous BJP government at the centre had said that it did not have a majority and will make the temple once they form a majority government. Now, they had a majority government both at the centre and the state, but they did not do it (build the temple). Lakhs of people want to see Ram temple in Ayodhya. Krishnam attacked the union home minister over the condition of Lucknow. After campaigning in the city for nine days, I am shocked to see the condition of the internal crossings, streets and markets. Some areas like Raj Bhawan area or CM residence area, or Vidhan Sabha Marg are fine, but the condition of the rest of the city is deplorable. Krishnam said: Lucknow doesnt look like the constituency of the union home minister. I had imagined that the interiors of Lucknow must have turned very nice. Most of my previous visits to Lucknow were from the airport to some venue, he said. But now I understand the sewage system is the biggest problem; so is the drinking water as 60% of people are forced to drink contaminated water. Encroachments are another menace and police are aiding it; garbage management and disposal is a problem. The Congress is winning. If I win this seat, I will work to sort out all such problems and make Lucknow a better city, he said. Pakistans military on Monday contended the Indian air strike in Balakot in February had not resulted in loss of lives or damage to infrastructure even as it warned New Delhi not to test Islamabads resolve. Addressing a news conference at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, chief military spokesman Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor repeated his offer to facilitate Indian journalists if they wished to visit Balakot to see the truth. The Indian government has said it struck a Jaish-e-Mohammed facility at Balakot in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province on February 26 in retaliation for the February 14 suicide bombing by JeM at Pulwama that killed 40 troops. Pakistan, in turn, retaliated with air strikes along the Line of Control on February 27, which triggered an aerial engagement in which an Indian jet was shot down and its pilot captured. Ghafoor contended India has been repeatedly lying and Pakistan has not responded. For the past two months, India has told uncountable lies. As a responsible country, we have not responded to their lies, he said. He reiterated that the state of Pakistan wasnt linked to the Pulwama attack and that Prime Minister Imran Khan had called for an investigation based on evidence as well as dialogue. Despite Indias contention that only one of its jets was downed on February 27, Ghafoor again claimed two jets were shot down. He also dismissed Indias contention that a Pakistani F-16 was shot down. Ghafoor also said India shouldnt test Pakistans resolve as the situation on the ground has changed since the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh from East Pakistan. This is not 1971, it is not that force or those circumstances, he said, adding Pakistan has been engaged in a continuous struggle for support to the Kashmiris. He said kinetic operations had been conducted to kill terrorists and dismantle their facilities. Today we can say with conviction and evidence that any kind of organised terrorist infrastructure is not present in Pakistan, he said. The states will and capacity is also based on financial capability. While we were conducting kinetic operations, we had to deal with threats on our eastern border at least three times, he added. Ghafoor said Pakistan plans to bring under state control more than 30,000 madrassas as part of a drive to mainstream them. An Islamic education will continue to be provided but there will be no hate speech, he said, adding seminaries will come under the purview of education ministry. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Rescue teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are continuing the search operation to trace three persons missing since Sunday after their boat capsized during a storm in the reservoir of Mapithel dam in Kamjong district of Manipur. So far there is no report of any recovery, said an official of NDRF when contacted on phone on Monday. The dam is 17 km east of Imphal. There were 12 picnickers in two boats when the storm raged across the state around 4pm on Sunday. Both the boats capsized. Locals rescued nine others but S Rajib (35), S Romen (29) and N Rani (19) from Ningthoukhong Kha-Khunou village in Bishnupur district, could not be traced. The search operation was initiated by state police and SDRF teams on Sunday. Later, a 22 member NDRF team from its 12 battalion from Arunachal Pradesh joined the operations. The storm damaged many houses, educational institutions, uprooted trees, electric poles and disturbed power supply. On Monday, Chief Minister N Biren Singh accompanied by Manipurs Director General of Police LM Khaute along with other senior officials visited the Mapithel dam to inspect the search operations. The job of a police officer is far from easy. They brave every kind of hurdle to perform their job assiduously. However, a recent video shows something that may be harder than their regular job. Posted on April 27, the video has gathered more than 28,000 likes on Twitter - and still counting. Why? It shows a little kid crying as he tries to stop his policeman dad from leaving for the work. Filled with emotion, the video shows the policeman consoling the child by saying Beta, jaldi aa jaunga, jane de beta. This is the toughest part of the police job. Due to long and erratic duty hours most of the police officers have to face this situation. Do watch. pic.twitter.com/aDOVpVZ879 Arun Bothra (@arunbothra) April 28, 2019 The moving video has struck a chord with netizens. While some have related to the kids sentiment, many others have praised the police force. Here are some of the comments: So proud of our men & women in uniform. And their families. The backbone of our democracy. GAURAV C SAWANT (@gauravcsawant) April 28, 2019 Hats off to the families of our policemen too The-Lying-Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) April 28, 2019 Heart Touching Sir Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) April 28, 2019 Very caring and affectionate child. He must have received this much of love from his father as well and he is reciprocating. () JK Martha (@jkmartha_2018) April 28, 2019 What to say when Duty Vs Life J Gopikrishnan (@jgopikrishnan70) April 28, 2019 So the video is sweet. Lets celebrate the daughter-father bond! Lets understand the pain of any working father (not merely because he is wearing police uniform) NEERAJ BHATT (@neebhatt) April 28, 2019 Very hard to handling this situation salut our police officer Bibhab Kanungo (@BibhabKanungo) April 28, 2019 The video was shared by Twitter user Arun Bothra. His bio on the micro-blogging site states that he too is a cop hailing from Bhubaneswar, Odisha. While replying to a Twitter user who commented on his tweet, he said that the policeman in the video is a Head Constable. Bothra added that he shared the video as a senior police officer & concerned citizen. What do you think of this video? Nearly fifty per cent polling was recorded till 4 pm on Monday for elections to 72 seats across nine states in the fourth phase of 2019 Lok Sabha elections amid PM Modis appeal for record voting and reports of EVM glitches and clashes from several areas. The Election Commission website reported 49.62 per cent voter turnout till 4 pm even as long queues of voters waited outside booths across states to cast their votes. WATCH: Analysis | Congress star power vs BJP-Sena arithmetic in bellwether Mumbai In Mumbai, celebrities and industrialists were seen rubbing shoulders with commoners while queuing up to vote for Mumbais six urban seats. Among early voters were Anil Ambani, actors Priyanka Chopra, Rekha , Sunjay Dutt, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, BJP MP Paresh Rawal, Milind Deora and rival candidates from Mumbai North Central constituency Poonam Mahajan and Priya Dutt. Follow live updates here Mumbai seats, known for low turnout in Lok Sabah polls, recorded 53% voting in 2014, which was an improvement from 41% of 2009. In West Bengal, where the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress is facing its toughest challenge against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), BJP candidate Babul Supriyos car was vandalised There were also reports of clash between Trinamool workers and security personnel in the state, where eight seats are voting today.. In phase three, one person had died in political clashes while the car of CPI(M) candidate Md Salim was attacked in Islampur during the second round. As in earlier phases, this time too Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted urging voters to break record of previous three phases. Home minister Rajnath Singh also appealed to the voters saying: Your vote will help shaping of a New India. Among those who voted early were politicians Vasundhara Raje, Giriraj Singh of the BJP, Congresss Kamal Nath, CPIs Kanhaiya Kumar and former Mumbai top cop Julio Riberio. Long queues were seen outside booths in Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh with complaints of malfunctioning EVMs reported from several booths in Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Unlike the previous phase, when Jammu and Kashmirs Anantnag recorded 0% polling in the first two hours, on Monday voters turned up early at several booths. Monday is the second round of voting in Anantnag, which is scheduled go to polls in three phases. With this phase, polling ends in Maharashtra and Odisha, while the process starts in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. Twenty-six seats in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are also voting in this phase. These three states have seats going to polls in each of the seven phases in the 2019 elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has high stakes in this phase. Of the 72 seats voting today, it won 45 in 2014. Its allies won another 11 seats. The Congresss tally was just two. In 2009, the BJP-Congress breakup in these seats was 9-29. Seventeen seats in Maharashtra are voting on Monday, which is the largest among the states going to polls in the fourth phase. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won all of these seats in 2014, an increase of 11 seats from its 2009 tally. Among the 19 seats that will vote in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the BJP won 18 in 2014. While polling in Rajasthan will end in the fifth phase, Madhya Pradesh will vote in four phases beginning on Monday. Asansol, one of the two seats which the BJP won on its own in West Bengal in 2014, is among the eight seats which will go to polls on Monday. The All India Trinamool Congress currently holds six out of the eight seats which will vote on Monday. The BJP will also try and defend 12 out of 13 seats in the constituencies going to polls in UP. Repeating this performance will not be an easy task given the fact that the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party have an alliance this time. The fourth and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra is the most important one for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv Sena alliance as it had won all 17 seats that go to polls on Monday, in the 2014 elections. Although the combine is unlikely to retain all constituencies, it has pulled out all stops in trying to retain most of them. Most of the 17 constituencies, including six in Mumbai, are in urban areas where the BJP and Sena enjoy good support. While the two parties proved their dominance in Mumbai in the 2017 civic elections, Sena is the dominant force in Thane and Kalyan. In this backdrop, the saffron alliance is looking to retaining most of the 10 seats in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Political observers, however, feel amid the waning of the Modi wave, it would be difficult for the alliance to match their 2014 performance. The saffron combine has, according to popular perception, performed fairly when it comes to urban infrastructure, owing to ongoing Metro projects, proposed coastal road and Mumbai Trans -Harbour Link, among others. Also Read | Lok Sabha election 2019: In phase 4, political heirs and actors in fray in Maharashtra Mumbai is likely to witness a close fight in at least three to four constituencies. In Mumbai South, sitting Sena MP Arvind Sawant faces a tough fight against city Congress president Milind Deora. Mumbai North Central will see a close contest between sitting BJP MP Poonam Mahajan and Congresss Priya Dutt. Sanjay Dina Patil (NCP) and Manoj Kotak (BJP) are locked in a neck-to-neck fight in Mumbai North East. In Mumbai South Central, Sena MP Rahul Shewale and Congress candidate Eknath Gaikwad are fighting it out. The contest is interesting in the other two seats too. Actor-turned-politician Urmila Matondkar (Congress) has put up a challenge before BJPs Gopal Shetty who had won the 2014 elections by more than 4.75 lakh votes. In Mumbai North West, the fight is between sitting Sena MP Gajanan Kirtikar and Congresss Sanjay Nirupam. Another interesting fight would be in Maval, where NCP chief Sharad Pawars grand-nephew Parth is locked in an electoral battle with sitting Sena MP Shrirang Barne. Also Read | A look at blockbuster fights in Phase 4 of Lok Sabha elections 2019 It is obvious that our alliance is likely to suffer more losses in rural areas and to make up for that, the focus was on urban seats. Congress had a lack of influential campaigning and an efficient organisational set-up in Mumbai, while its ally NCP does not have any presence in the city. This would help us win most of the seats in Mumbai, said a BJP leader, on condition of anonymity. The leader admitted that in western and north Maharashtra, the opposition has posed a serious challenge. Nandurbar, Dhule, Maval and Dindori are the seats that can witness a reversal of results. Nandurbar, Dindori have significance presence of tribal voters who are unhappy with the ruling parties over reservation issues. Political analyst Pratap Asbe said although BJP-Sena will have an edge over the opposition in MMR, it wont retain all seats. It would not be a cakewalk for the ruling combine, as there is no Modi wave this time. It may lose a couple of seats, including Mumbai South and North East , while the margin in other seats will reduce. Congress could not give its 100% and failed to organise rallies by Rahul or Priyanka Gandhi and this will affect them badly.,he said. Like in the three earlier phases, we will perform well in the fourth phase by winning all 17 seats. This phase, particularly, will prove the end of the Congress-NCP combine in the regions going to polls. We will once again prove our mettle in Mumbai and its suburbs, said Atul Bhatkhalkar, BJP MLA and spokesperson. Congress leader and former state chief Manikrao Thakre said they hope for victory in at least 10 of the 17 seats. Congress will win at least six seats, including Dhule, Nandurbar, while NCP has better chances of winning Mumbai North East, both seats in Nashik and Maval, he said. Lok Sabha elections 2019 Phase 4: All you need to know Actor-turned-politician Moon Moon Sen, the Trinamool Congress candidate against BJPs Babul Supriyo, was unaware of clashes in her Asanol constituency as she woke up late on the day votes were being polled to decide her fate. They gave me my bed tea very late so I woke up very late. What can I say? I really dont know, Moon Moon Sen,65, said according to news channel NDTV. Clashes erupted in West Bengals Asansol constituency with reports of the sitting MP Babul Supriyos car being vandalised on Monday, the fourth phase of polling for 72 seats across 9 states. Also Watch: Analysis I Violence mars W.B voting; and can BJP score in Mamatas turf? Babul Supriyo accused the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal of playing dirty tricks. They want to confine me at a single place. I have to move to other places. Even those residing in buildings in front of the polling station could not cast their votes, Supriyo said. When asked Asked about Babul Supriyos allegations, Moon Moon Sen said: Dont say his name please. I wont talk then, NDTV reported A BJP delegation will meet the Election Commission later on Monday over the poll violence in Bengal. In 2014, Babul Supriyo had defeated Dola Sen (Trinamool Congress) by 70,480 votes. Moon Moon Sen won the Bankura Lok Sabha seat in 2014. Violence was reported from several places in West Bengal during the first three phases. One person died in political clashes during the third phase while the car of CPI(M) candidate Md Salim was attacked in Islampur during the second round. In perhaps one of his fiercest attacks on West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday claimed that once the results of the Lok Sabha elections are out on May 23, the TMC lawmakers in the state would desert the party to join the BJP. Didi, on May 23, when the results will be declared, the lotus will bloom everywhere and your MLAs will leave you. Even today, didi, 40 of your MLAs are in contact with me, Modi said at a rally in Serampore in Bengal. Modi said that Mamata Banerjee was sensing defeat and thus was losing her cool. He said that she couldnt even dream of becoming the prime minister. With just a handful of seats, Didi, you cant reach Delhi. Delhi is far away. Going to Delhi is just an excuse. Her real intention is to politically establish her nephew, he said. His reference was to Abhishek, Mamata Banerjees nephew, who is a sitting MP from Diamond Harbour and is also the TMC candidate for the seat. This is not the first time that the PM has attacked the West Bengal chief minister. Modi, who has referred to Banerjee as speed-breaker didi, has during his previous rallies accused her of stalling all development projects in the state. WATCH: Analysis I Violence mars W.B voting; and can BJP score in Mamatas turf? At a rally in West Bengals Cooch Behar, Modi had accused her of supporting people who wanted two prime ministers for India. She is now aiding such people who want two Prime Ministers in India. Can you imagine this? Didi, your companions are openly claiming that India should have two Prime Ministers, Modi had said, in an apparent reference to the unity rally organised by Mamata Banerjee which had been attended by the leaders of more than 20 opposition parties. Also read: PM Modi doesnt respect his mother, how can he respect India: Mamata The West Bengal chief minister has not been holding back in her attacks on the PM either. She has, at different rallies, referred to him as expiry babu, claiming that Modis tenure as prime minister was about to end but he is not mentally prepared for going out of power. She had also accused him of ruling India by decree of fear after the Income Tax department raids at Kanimozhis residence earlier this month. Bollywood actor and BJPs Gurdaspur candidate Sunny Deol will file his nomination on Monday. Later, the actor-turned politician will address a rally at PUDA ground on Tibri Road in Gurdaspur town. The rally will also be addressed by Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, Punjab BJP president Shwait Malik, Jitendra Singh from the Prime Minister Office and former Union minister Gen VK Singh (retd), Gurdaspur BJP president BK Mittal said. Besides, Deols father and veteran actor Dharmendra and his younger brother Bobby Deol will also be present. Mittal said four-time Gurdaspur MP late Vinod Khannas wife Kavita Khanna and Swarn Salaria, who were aspirants for party ticket, will also join the rally. Deol arrived in Amritsar by air on Sunday afternoon after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. At the Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport, he was received by Shwait Malik. Mittal claimed there was a great enthusiasm among the people, especially the youth of parliamentary constituency, over Deol entering the poll fray. Gurdaspur senior superintendent of police (SSP) Swarndeep Singh said elaborate security arrangements were made for the rally. The battle between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress in West Bengals Asansol and beyond reached the Election Commission in Delhi with the two parties blaming each other for poll violence in the fourth phase of voting. There were several reports of clashes in the early hours of polling. In Birbhum Lok Sabha constituency, news agency PTI said clashes had broken out between supporters of rival parties in Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Siuri areas. Election officials said isolated cases of violence had been reported in the state that has witnessed over 52 per cent polling so far. WATCH: Analysis I Violence mars W.B voting; and can BJP score in Mamatas turf? A jawan of the central police forces later had to fire once in the air in Poduma area Dubrajpur under Birbhum constituency to control the situation after villagers threw stones at the security personnel, according to reports. In its representation to the Election Commission in Delhi, the Trinamool said the firing was designed to scare voters. Eight seats in south Bengal, considered the bastion of the ruling Trinamool Congress and chief minister Mamata Banerjee, are voting in this phase. The Trinamool holds six of the eight seats, the other two were won by BJPs Babul Supriyo (Asansol) and the Congresss Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Baharampur) in 2014. The BJP repeated Union minister Babul Supriyo from Asansol. He is pitted against film star Sreemati Dev Varma, better known as Moon Moon Sen, who has been moved from the Bankura seat that she had won in 2014. Long before his party filed a formal complaint in Delhi, BJP leaders such as Babul Supriyo posted several photographs and videos on social media that accused local officials of colluding with Bengals ruling Trinamool Congress leaders. In one widely-circulated video, two men were spotted approaching people as they stood near the voting machine. The BJP said it looked like they were checking who the people had voted. In many other places, Babul Supriyo said Trinamool supporters had prevented his partys agents from reaching the polling stations. His car was also vandalised during voting, allegedly by Trinamool supporters outside a polling station in Barabani. A BJP leader said Babul Supriyo had intervened to ensure that his polling agent could enter the polling station. When he was coming out, Trinamool workers surrounded his car and started pelting stones. The rear glass of the car was broken, a BJP leader told IANS. Supriyo said strong-arm tactics was an effort by the ruling party to tie him down. We have got information of polling agents not being allowed in a number of booths. But how many booths can I visit? he said, asserting that he would nevertheless keep up the effort to reach as many places as possible. Rajasthan will go to polls for the first time in the ongoing seven-phase general elections, with 13 of its 25 Lok Sabha seats up for grabs on Monday. The high-profile seats of Barmer, Nagaur, Jodhpur and Rajsamand will be among the parliamentary constituencies that will vote in the fourth phase of the 17th general election. In Barmer, the Congress has fielded Bharatiya Janata Party founder-member and former Union minister Jaswant Singhs son Manvendra Singh. Manvendra was the sitting MLA from Sheo assembly constituency in Barmer district, and joined the Congress prior to the assembly elections held in the state in December 2018. He was fielded as the Congress candidate from Jhalarapatan assembly constituency, the home turf of former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, but lost. The Congress has now fielded Manvendra as its Lok Sabha candidate from Barmer, while BJP had fielded former MLA from Baytoo, Kailash Choudhary. Jodhpur will witness a prestige fight between chief minister Ashok Gehlots son Vaibhav, who will make his electoral debut, pitted against Union minister and sitting MP Gajendra Shekhawat. Vaibhav Gehlot is not the only high-profile politician son in the electoral fray. In Jhalawar-Baran, former chief minister Vasundhara Rajes son Dushyant Singh will contest against Congresss Pramod Sharma. Singh has been Jhalawar-Baran MP since 2004. A member of the erstwhile royal family of Jaipur and former BJP MLA from Sawai Madhopur, Diya Kumari, has been fielded from Rajsamand. Congress has fielded Devkinandan Gurjar. The BJP, which won all 25 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan in 2014, suffered losses in the recent assembly elections. While the party may be able to put that down to anti-incumbency the state usually alternates between the two national parties they will be banking on Prime Minister Narendra Modis work for electoral gains this time. In turn, the Congress, hot on the heels of the assembly election win, will look to reap dividends from its poll promise of Nyay, a minimum income guarantee scheme for the bottom 20% of the poor in the country, and the 33% reservation for women in government jobs . Political analyst Narayan Bareth said both the BJP and Congress waged an aggressive campaign in the state. The BJP has tried to conduct the Lok Sabha campaign till now along the lines of the presidential election in the US. It is campaigning on three issues candidate is immaterial, [vote for] Narendra Modi; Congresss lack of work in the last 70 years; and nationalism. (In turn) Congress (has used) traditional and modern ways of campaigning. Actor-turned-politician Sunny Deol filed nomination from the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat on Monday. Addressing a rally in his constituency, Sunny Deol promised to be always there for the people. I dont know much about politics but I am patriot, he said. The popular Bollywood actor paid a visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar and offered prayers hours before filing nomination. His father Dharmendra also tweeted in his support. We are asking for your support. If you support us, the victory will be yours. The victory will be of my brother and sisters of Punjab and the beautiful Gurdaspur. Earlier in 2004, Dharmendra had also represented BJP from Bikaner Lok Sabha constituency and won the seat. Also Watch | Sunny Deols first roadshow as BJP neta, Gadar dialogues boom in background Dharmendras wife Hema Malini is a member of the BJP and sitting MP from Mathura. Deol was inducted into the party on April 23 in New Delhi in the presence of Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal. After joining the party, Deol had said that he was looking forward to working with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. My work will do the talking, he had asserted. PM Modi also met Deol on Sunday and posted a photo of the meeting along with a message on Twitter stating that he was impressed with Deols passion for a better India. What struck me about Sunny Deol is his humility and deep passion for a better India. Happy to have met him today. We are all rooting for his victory in Gurdaspur! We both agree - Hindustan zindabad tha, hai aur rahega, the Prime Minister said in a tweet. Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency was earlier represented by actor Vinod Khanna who had won from here four times - 1998, 1999, 2004 and 2014 - on a BJP ticket. Deol has already come under electoral crosshairs with partys rival Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh terming him a filmi fauji. Sunny Deol is a filmi fauji, while I am a real fauji. Captain Amarinder Singh had said in Gurdaspur on Friday. The actor held his first roadshow in Rajasthans Barmer on Saturday. Elections in Punjab will be held on May 19 in the last phase for all 13 seats. The counting of votes will begin on May 23. (with ANI inputs) Violent clashes and political bickering in West Bengal overshadowed the fourth phase of the national elections on Monday as an estimated 80 million people cast their votes for 72 seats that largely represented strongholds of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies. The voter turnout across nine states that went to the polls on Monday stood at 63.42% at 10pm, according to the Election Commissions official app. The highest turnout was reported from Bengal, where eight seats went to the polls (76.72%) and the lowest in Jammu and Kashmir, where the second of the three-phase polling for the sensitive Anantnag seat was held (9.79%). The figures are provisional and likely to be updated because people were seen in queues outside polling booths till well after sunset. In 2014, the BJP and its allies won 56 of these seats, leaving just two for the Congress. The fate of a large number of high-profile candidates such as Union ministers Giriraj Singh (Begusarai), Subhash Bhamre (Dhule), SS Ahluwalia (Burdwan-Durgapur) and Babul Supriyo (Asansol) was sealed. Baijayant Jay Panda (Kendrapara), Urmila Matondkar (Mumbai north) and Dimple Yadav (Kannauj) were also in the contention in the latest phase on Monday. Later in the day, a comment by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally in southern Bengals Serampore that 40 Trinamool Congress lawmakers were in touch with him also ratcheted up the political temperature, with the regional party saying it will approach the EC on charges of horse trading. One person died and several had been injured in violence in the previous phase of election in West Bengal last week. With Mondays polling, the elections have entered the Trinamool stronghold of south Bengal, which holds the bulk of the states 42 seats that the BJP is eyeing to offset possible losses in northern and western India, and which Banerjee requires for a wider national profile after the results are announced on May 23. The poll watchdog deployed additional forces to cover around 98% of all booths in the battleground eastern state but violence broke out as soon as polls opened at 7am on Monday with the ruling TMC and the opposition BJP and Congress trading charges of voter intimidation. Places such as Nalhati (Birbhum), Nanoor (Bolpur), Barabani (Asansol) and Suri (Birbhum) saw pitched battles between political workers involving knives and long sticks. In Berhampore, Congress candidate and incumbent MP Adhir Chowdhury alleged he was forced to chase away some people who allegedly came to cast fake votes in KN College. Tension gripped Benadaha village in Murshidabad district, a Congress stronghold, when crude bombs were hurled allegedly to terrorise voters. Congress has a big vote bank in Berhampore but I didnt find central forces personnel in many booths, alleged Chowdhury. In Birbhum districts Kandihi, a central force personnel fired in the air inside the booth after villagers allegedly stormed the booth over a quarrel over mobile phones deposited before entering the polling booth. It triggered a political slugfest. I have heard that the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) fired inside a boothCRPF personnel can be deputed outside booths, but they do not have the right to lathicharge or fire, chief minister Mamata Banerjee told a rally hours later. She also alleged the firing was a ploy to rig the polls by the BJP with the help of central forces. Leaders from the saffron party dismissed the charge, and pointed to scuffles and violence at Asansol, where sitting MP Babul Supriyos car was vandalised allegedly by stone-throwingTrinamool Congress supporters, but the minister escaped unharmed with only the rear glass of the vehicle being damaged. The EC has directed the state police to register an FIR against Supriyo for allegedly trespassing into polling booth number 199 and threatening a polling agent and an officer. The BJP leader alleged that his polling agents were not being allowed entry. They are trying to stop me. But they wont be able to stop me like this. I will move to ensure that BJP agents are allowed, Supriyo said before leaving the area. Trinamool workers hit back, saying Supriyo and his men had manhandled them, with the EC seeking a detailed report on the matter. In Asansol-Durgapur, police and central force personnel baton-charged a section of the villagers, who demanded they wont allow polling to begin till central forces are deployed in sufficient numbers. In Hadispur village in Nalhati (under Birbhum constituency) three of our villagers were injured after TMC supporters attacked them, alleged BJP candidate Dudhkumar Mondal. Anubrata Mondal, the Birbhum Trinamool strongman, hit back, saying, Five TMC supporters were injured when BJP workers attacked them in Kamardanga village under Sadaipur police station in Birbhum constituency. As the day progressed, focus shifted to Modis rally in Serampore, where he warned Banerjee that her MLAs will abandon her after the results of the Lok Sabha polls were out, claiming that 40 of them were already in touch with him. When the lotus will bloom all over Bengal after May 23, Didi (Banerjee), you will see that your MLAs will also abandon you and run away. Forty of your MLAs are in touch with me even today, Modi said. It will be tough for you to save yourself. You have cheated the people of Bengal, he added. Taking to Twitter, Trinamool spokesperson Derek OBrien called Modi Expiry Babu PM and said his party will take up the Prime Ministers remark with the Election Commission. Expiry Babu PM, lets get this straight. Nobody will go with you. Not even one councillor. Are you election campaigning or horse trading! Your expiry date is near. Today, we are complaining to the Election Commission. Charging you with horse trading. #LokSabhaElection2019, he tweeted. The BJP also said it will approach the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, demanding a re-poll in the entire Birbhum Lok Sabha constituency and in a number of polling stations of Asansol, Krishnanagar and Ranaghat seats over allegations of voter intimidation. Glitches in EVMs were reported from several constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh as soon as the polling process started. In some constituencies, while the machines were immediately changed, the replacement caused long delays in some other areas, said election commission officials. In UP, the Samajwadi Party claimed that votes given to it had been credited to the BJP in two polling booths. In Uttar Pradesh, EVM problems were reported from most of the 13 constituencies going to the polls with the maximum number of complaints from Kannauj, from where Dimple Yadav, wife of Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, is fighting to retain her seat. Voting was delayed for over two hours at two polling booths of Kannauj. In the first hour of polling, as many as 74 booths reported EVM malfunctions in UP and the number shot up to 100 within the first two hours. By 2pm, about 274 EVMs were reported to have malfunctioned. Shiv Sena Member of Parliament Arvind Sawant and Congress candidate Milind Deora slugged it out in Mumbai South which registered 50.34% voting on Monday. Mumbai South was one of the remaining 17 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra that went to polls on April 29; the state, which has 48 seats has already seen voting in the past three phases of the ongoing seven-phased general elections. Voters complained of missing names and malfunctioning EVMs. No incident of violence was reported. Among the six assembly seats that are part of Mumbai South, the Shiv Sena tends to fare well in Shivadi and Worli while the Congress may do well in Byculla and Mumbadevi. The deciding vote may go to upscale Malabar Hill assembly segment. The area has strong Bharatiya Janata Party presence and voted in favour of the saffron combine in 2014. Whether Malabar Hill continues to support the BJP or responds to Deoras appeal to make south Mumbai business friendly will have impact on the outcome of the election. Reliance Industries Limited chairman Mukesh Ambani had endorsed Deoras candidature last week. In a video shared by Deora on his Twitter handle, Ambani, also a South Mumbai resident, described him as the man for South Mumbai. The Congress used to enjoy stronghold in the constituency as Deoras father Murli Deora was four-term MP from the seat. Milind Deora too is a two-time MP from the constituency before being defeated by Sawant in 2014. In the Muslim-dominated Bhendi Bazaar area of the constituency, 27 families of Zainabia building had to return without casting their vote on Monday as they could not find their names in the voters list. A large number of Kolis (fishermen) from Worli boycotted polling protesting against the coastal road project along the west coast of the city. The entire Koliwada has about 63,000 voters. The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued notices on Monday to two Union ministers, Giriraj Singh and Maneka Gandhi, and filed an FIR against a third, Babul Supriyo. Singh was asked to reply to a show cause notice in the next 24 hours, after the Bihar Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) took cognisance of a video clip of Singhs speech at Begusarai, where he is fighting to retain his seat, on April 24. In the clip, Singh is heard as purportedly saying, ..those who cannot say Vande Mataram, those who cannot worship their motherland, the nation will not forgive them. Girirajs father-grandfather died and were cremated in Simariya Ghat where they became one with the soil. And, you need three arm-lengths of land. The EC also issued a notice to Gandhi, days after it barred the women and child development minister from campaigning for 48 hours, for allegedly threatening Muslims of consequences if they did not vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The poll watchdog said in its notice that it strongly condemns the comments made by her, and warned her against repeating any such words in the future. The EC also said that it directed an FIR to be registered against Supriyo for allegedly trespassing into booth number 199 and threatening a polling agent and an officer. The state CEO said around 9:15 am, Supriyo went to booth no 199 in Asansol, where he is the sitting MP, with his security guards complaining that his agent was not allowed in. An FIR was earlier filed against Supriyo for playing a theme song banned by the EC. When the in-charge of the booth CRPF officer protested the entry of the security guards inside the booth, he pushed him physically and entered the booth along with his security guards, read the report. EC officials said that some Trinamool Congress supporters saw the commotion and allegedly threw a stone at Supriyos car, breaking his windshield. Another FIR has been filed against unknown people for this. An FIR was later filed against him under sections 125 (Promoting enmity between classes in connection with election) and 123A (corrupt practices) of the Representation of the People Act, as well as several sections of the Indian Penal Code. Singh, Gandhi or Supriyo were not available for comment. The notices came on a day the Trinamool Congress and BJP approached the EC to complain about alleged violations by each other. The Trinamool complained about BJP candidates allegedly breaking the Model Code of Conduct and about the saffron party indulging in horse trading, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said 40 lawmakers of the regional party were in touch with him. The BJP, on the other hand, went to the EC to demand deployment of additional security personnel in West Bengal due to poll-related violence. A BJP delegation, including Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Vijay Goel and Anil Baluni, went to meet the Chief Election Commissioner over poll-related violence in West Bengal. Workers of the Trinamool Congress have now hijacked democracy and are indulging in violence. They have the support of the local machinery. We demand the deployment of more central forces in the state, Naqvi told reporters. The TMC said the central forces and the BJP were acting in connivance to stop free and fair elections. The central forces, in a motivated and pre-conceived manner, have resorted to firing within the polling booth thereby creating a fear in the mind of the voters so that they are restrained from casting their votes. At Muraroi, Birbhum, the Central Forces are once again entering inside the polling booths where actual voting is taking place and obstructing the voters from casting their vote, the TMCs memorandum read. Though women were given a cold shoulder during allotment of tickets for Lok Sabha elections in Haryana, they are leading from the front on the campaign trail in the state. Political parties too are realising their importance, especially for reaching out to women voters in the state. Most women campaigners are family members of candidates and are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that their win. Chitra leads father, Nirmal Singhs chariot in Kurukshetra Chitra Sarwara is campaigning for her father, Congress Kurukshetra candidate Nirmal Sharma. (HT Photo ) Chitra Sarwara, daughter of Congress candidate Nirmal Singh, has been camping in Kurukshetra ever since her father filed his papers from the constituency. Accompanied by former MP Naveen Jindal, Chitra, who is the general secretary and social-media in-charge of Mahila Congress, covers a dozen villages every day, reaching out to women voters and asking them to vote for her father. Considered to be the political heir of Nirmal Singh, she begins her campaign at around 7 in the morning and goes on till 9pm. Arjun Chautalas mother, aunt reach Kurukshetra Though Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) did not field any women this time, it has realised the importance of women campaigners. After declaring Arjun Chautala, grandson of INLD supremo OP Chautala, as the candidate for Kurukshetra, the party brought in his mother, Kanta, and aunts Sunaina and Sunita to campaign for him. Kanta Chautala (in blue suit) , INLD candidate Arjun Chautalas mother, campaigning for her son. (HT Photo ) The three women have covered a number of villagers, seeking votes for Arjun and lashing out at his opponents and rivals. Though I am not in politics, I have come to seek votes for my son, she says. In a veiled attack on her estranged nephews Dushyant and Digvijay, she says, Some people will come to mislead you in the name of late Devi Lal but you should know that INLD is the only party which is following his footprints. Wife, mayor daughter campaign for BJPs Sanjay Bhatia Anju Bhatia, wife of BJPs Karnal candidate Sanjay Bhatia, along with daughter and Panipat mayor Avneet Kaur, has been campaigning extensively in the urban areas of Panipat and Karnal. Accompanied by the partys Gurgaon womens cell secretary Suman Chug, they have been holding door-to-door campaigns. In the past one week, Anju has covered Karnal, Panipat, Nilokheri, Taraori and Ghraunda. Ask her if the extreme heat conditions make it difficult for candidates and their supporters to carry out the campaign, she says, We forget the burning sun from we see the love we get from the people. Kuldeep Sharmas wife helps take campaign forward Similarly, Neelam Sharma, wife of Congress Karnal candidate Kuldeep Sharma, has also been going door-to-door, seeking votes to ensure her husbands win. Though Sharmas campaign was delayed due to delay in allotment of ticket, Neelam has extended a helping hand to him for covering the constituency. Accompanied by their son, Chanakya, Neelam has covered about 20 villages in Ghraunda and Karnal assembly segments in the past two days. People associated with Sharmas campaign say that Neelams participation in the campaigning is likely to help a great deal as he is currently lagging behind due to delay in allotment of ticket. In Hisar, 3 MLAs battle it out for their sons In Hisar, Congresss Hansi MLA Renuka Bishnoi, Uchana MLA Prem Lata and Dabwali MLA Naina Chautala are campaigning for their children who are pitted against each other. While Renukas son Bhavya is fighting his first election, Prem Latas son Brijendra Singh quit his bureaucratic career after the BJP gave him a ticket. Nainas son Dushyant, who is the sitting MP from Hisar, is seeking re-election from the seat. Kiran Chaudhary comes out to support daughter Congress Legislature Party leader Kiran Chaudhary, whose daughter Shruti is fighting from the Bhiwani-Mahendergarh seat, has been canvassing in the scorching heat for the past several days. She minces no words while taking on the opponents. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Kiran says, Sitting MP Dharambir has failed to bring any development while my daughter solved the water problem of Ahirwal region. She was the one who introduced this constituency under NCR region. Asha Hooda, wife of former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and mother of Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda, is dividing her time between Sonepat and Rohtak and canvassing for the father-son duo. Two-time MP and Congress candidate from Shimla parliamentary constituency, Dhani Ram Shandil on Sunday accused his Bharatiya Janta Partys (BJP) rival Suresh Kashyap of lying and challenged him for an open debate over the issue of granting tribal status to Hatti community of Sirmaur in Himachal Pradesh. Accusing BJP of spreading lies, Shandil claimed that demand for the special status was raised by Congress alone and both during the UPA and the NDA tenure. In 2014, Rajnath Singh himself agreed at a campaign rally in Solan that the issue of Hatti community was pending at the Centre and will be resolved. However, after BJP came into power, they completely ignored the issue and have raised the same again to woo voters Shandil said. The states ruling BJP has dropped its two-time MP Virender Kashyap as there was anger among the 2.50 lakh-odd voters belonging to the Hatti community who are settled largely in the trans-Giri area of Sirmaur over his failure to come out with a detailed action plan on granting them tribal status, a demand pending for five decades. However, promising speedy implementation, BJP candidate Kashyap said he will take up the issue to its logical conclusion once voted to power. Meanwhile, Shandil also lashed out at BJP-led-state and central government over the issue of construction of 69 national highways in the state, saying that no groundwork has been done and the scheme has been limited to papers. Both are candidates, who belong to the Koli community covered under the Scheduled Castes category, are aiming guns loaded with political salvoes and firing at each other. One is a retired Colonel of the Indian Army, while another is former Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Indian Air Force. Interestingly, both Kashyap and Shandil rarely trade personal barbs and harp more on infrastructure and tourism development and countrys security agenda, a political observer said. I am a fauji (soldier) and hes also a fauji. But there is difference of opinion among both of us. He belongs to a party that questions Indias surgical strikes and air strikes, Kashyap said. He said the Congress had also questioned the evidence of the strikes and was compromising with the security of the country. Undeterred, a well-mannered Shandil said: It is not the Congress but the BJP which is politicising the air strike and trying to get a political mileage out of it. I am seeking re-election on the basis of my past performance as a two-time MP vis-a-vis BJP MPs last two stints from this seat, Shandil said. Firing potshots, Kashyap said being an ex-serviceman Shandil has to make his stand clear on abolition of AFSPA and the Sedition Act as mentioned in the Congress manifesto. (With agency inputs) Begusarai, which witnessed a three-cornered contest, recorded a voter turnout of 62.73% in Bihar during the fourth phase Lok Sabha polls on Monday. Begusarai was one of the five Lok Sabha seats that went to polls on April 29; the state, which has 40 seats has already seen voting for 14 seats in the past three phases of the ongoing general elections. The remaining 21 will go to polls over the next three phases of the seven-phased elections, which end on May 19. A video of a poll official holding the hand of an old person to exercise his franchise surfaced on Monday. Bihar chief electoral officer, HR Srinivasa, however, ruled out any foul play. Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Rashtriya Lok Samta Party and Hindustani Awam Morcha are in a grand alliance in the state. Their candidate Tanveer Hasan on Monday slammed Communist Party of India candidate Kanhaiya Kumar, the former president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University students union. Union minister Giriraj Singh, who was served notices from the Election Commission for using religion in his campaign speeches, was the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate. Begusarai fell vacant a few months ago following the death of the incumbent Bhola Singh in October 2018. Film personalities, activists and stand up comics came to Begusarai to campaign for Kumar, including Swara Bhaskar, Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, and Prakash Raj. Begusarai has 1.94 million voters in seven assembly constituencies of which two are considered to be CPI stronghold. Begusarai was once considered to be a Left bastion. Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan spoke to Rajeev Jayaswal about the different strategies for the Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Odisha, the performance of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government, the Bharatiya Janata Partys agenda for the state, and his chief ministerial aspirations. Edited excerpts: You have waged a two-front war in Odisha: the Lok Sabha elections, and the assembly polls. For the former, the Modi factor may have an appeal. But how do you convince local voters for assembly seats where the incumbent CM has been like a cult figure? You are right that [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi is the single largest factor that drives the BJP ahead of any political party in the state. Modi implies making development reach every household. Poor, women, SC [scheculed castes], ST [scheduled tribes], youth all see in Modi, a person who has delivered more than last 70 years of democracy and development in his five year tenure. The people of Odisha are voting for Modi at the Centre. But at the same time, the last 19 years of BJDs incapability and inefficiency and utter failure in ensuring basic minimum needs have made Odisha voters not only dissatisfied but also angry against Naveen Raj [reference to chief minister Naveen Patnaiks tenure]. People have seen the crumbling of decades-long Left governments in Bengal and Tripura. Odisha will show similar pattern in 2019. Last Wednesday, Naveen Patnaik invited Modi to attend his swearing-in ceremony when the BJD forms the next government in the state. One thing is for certain the Odisha CM is totally disconnected from ground realities. Being nestled among a handful of bureaucrats, he has gone farther from ground reality. People are voting for change. On the CM inviting the PM to his swearing-in, I have already said that, as former CM, Naveen babu will be invited to sit beside PM Modi when the new BJP government of Odisha will replace his. The BJDs poll agenda is development it has the social development plan, KALIA (Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation) to showcase. What is your offer to the people of Odisha? Perhaps you have not gone through the CMs campaign speeches and their official advertisements. The BJDs poll agenda is an only an anti-Centre plank. Neither the CM is saying what they have done in past 19 years, nor what their agenda would be for the next five years. KALIA was a pre-poll gimmick. They are yet to make public who the 40 lakh beneficiaries of the KALIA Yojana are. They are also unable to make public the list of 25 lakh people they wish to transfer KALIA money to. They had to withdraw the list from the website as names of close family members of Naveens cabinet, like Niranjan Pujari and Bikram Arukh, were there. What has PM Modis government at the Centre done in the last five years that would prompt the people of Odisha to go with the BJP? PM Modi and the BJP are celebrating development in the last five years with the people of Odisha. Forty lakh women have been given free Ujjwala connections. The state government could make only 55 lakh toilets though money was available to cover all households without toilets. After 70 years of Independence, more than 20 lakh households could be provided electricity under the Soubhagya scheme. Jan Dhan accounts and Mudra loans are Modis brand of empowering people. We have made adequate resources available for the development of Odisha. We have allocated more than two lakh crores [14th Finance Commission] as compared to around 96 thousand crores under the previous government [13th Finance Commission]. While in last five years of the UPA [United progressive Alliance], the allocation for railways was less than ~5,000 crores, it has reached a staggering ~27,000 crores under Modi. The 4,500km of national highways have been doubled to close to 10,000km . While the 415km Digha to Gopalpur coastal highway has been sanctioned, the Odisha government has become a stumbling block. The only fear of Naveen babus bureaucratic leadership is if all these projects get implemented, Modis popularity will skyrocket. This we have communicated with people of Odisha. The people will respond to this and abandon Naveen babu. You have inducted several BJD leaders into the BJP before polls. The BJD says that many of them were their rejects. Was it because BJP did not have a strong leadership base in Odisha? Scan through the list of 117 MLAs that the BJD has in the current assembly. More than 40 sitting MLAs are from a non-Janata Dal background either from the Congress, BJP or Left. Many of the MLAs once pelted stones at Biju babu [former CM Biju Patnaik] and garlanded his statue with shoes. Just check how many BJP leaders have been lured to BJD and given tickets. Why was it necessary for a party who has governed the state for last two decades? They have become weak and we have emerged s tronger. Thats why people from other parties are joining the BJP. It appears that the Odisha contest is about my development versus your development ... Is Naveen babu talking about development? Modi implies making development reach at every doorstep. Naveen babu implies taking bribes from poor beneficiaries, looting poor people by promoting dubious chit fund companies. As the court in its observation has said, through mining and mega kickbacks in looting huge mineral resources of Odisha, Naveen babu stands for corruption and loot while Modi stands with the poor people of Odisha. Despite the BJDs commitment of providing pucca houses to all, more than 40 lakh households continue to be homeless or living in thatched houses. In todays summer, you will see hundreds of our mothers and sisters are walking miles to collect drinking water. There are no doctors in hospitals. There is a huge rise in crime against women; minor girls are the most vulnerable and even in secured ST residential campuses, there are reports of pregnancies. What will your party do differently for Odisha? We have declared our agenda of governance through our Sankalpa Patra. We will ensure, by 2022, pucca houses with absolute ownership, and 24x7 piped drinking water supply and electricity. Those houses will also have toilets and gas connections. We will ensure at least one job or income opportunity to every household of Odisha. In the first session of the state assembly, will bring legislation to hang the rapists of minor girls. We will ensure the arrest of chit fund scamsters and the mining mafia. The states huge resources 480km coastline, forest and water resources, mineral resources, tourism potential, industry and food processing will make Odisha the centre of business activity of South-east Asia. If the BJP wins, am I talking to the future CM of Odisha? I am karyakarta of my party. I never ever imagined I will be a union minister handling key economic and youth issues. The party will decide who will be CM. I will be content with whatever responsibility party gives me, including organisational work in small state like Manipur. Let Modis double engine government be there in Odisha. The rest are non-issues. Chief minister Ashok Gehlot spoke to Vinod Sharma about the Jodhpur constituency where his son Vaibhav is a candidate, the Congresss poll plank in Rajasthan, and the Nuclear button, among other issues. Edited excerpts: If Vaibhav does not win the electoral battle in Jodhpur, it could have grave implications for your chief ministership. How do you react to this perception? My mission is to keep the Congresss flag aloft in my country, my state, and my district. I am not working for personal interest, Im working in the interest of the party. I have spent most of my life doing that. Ill spend the rest of my life doing it. Thats my goal, thats the essence of our Mission 25 in Rajasthan. Is the fight in Jodhpur between Vaibhav and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Gajendra Singh, or is it between Ashok Gehlot and Narendra Modi? Ive been asking [Prime Minister] Modi and the BJP to fight on issues that affect people. Thats the democratic way. They must tell what their achievements are and what they want to do in future. But they arent discussing that. Theyre raking up nationalism, the Ram temple and our armys actions against Pakistan. Their game is to win through a polarised vote. Im confident their plan wont work this time in Rajasthan and across India. What is the Congresss poll plank here? Vikas (development). Even my critics agree that I have brought development since I first became an MP from Jodhpur in the 1980s. Besides bringing water from the Indira Gandhi canal, Ive set up broad-gauge rail lines, AIIMS [All India Institute of Medical Sciences], IIT [Indian Institute of Technology], NIFT [National Institute of Fashion Technology] and universities of law, ayurveda and agriculture. But people tend to vote on social identities. Ive heard that the Rajputs here are with Gajendra. Your appeal among them is limited. It is an unfortunate reality that after seven decades of Independence, weve such rampant casteism. But theres also a percentage of voters across communities whose decisions arent driven by caste and other allegiances. The BJP says the Congress is soft on terrorism and, in the past, it did not allow the army to go after Pakistan. Whats your counter to these charges? I only laugh at their thinking; the manner in which they debate issues. They first imagine and then answer their baseless questions in a comical manner. For example their claim of India being scared of Pakistans atomic button under the Congress rule. No prime minister has ever used or should use the kind of language Modi has used. No responsible world nuclear power has talked in this manner. Modis comments show his lack of experience in such sensitive matters. Indias nuclear testing site, Pokhran, is in the Jodhpur Lok Sabha constituency. Tests were conducted during Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayees time. From the popular standpoint, how do you perceive Modis warning to Pakistan that the nuclear button isnt for Diwali fireworks? My 40 years experience in politics is twice that of Modis. He should have remembered that a 69% vote [share] was against him when he became PM, with a 31 % vote [share]. Had he been wiser, he would have taken others along, be it Ashok Gehlot, Sonia Gandhi, Dr Manmohan Singh, Sitaram Yechury, D Raja, Ghulam Nabi Azad or Mayawati. That way, hed have benefitted from the experience of others, including his seniors. But he was carried away by his bloated self-image, his 56-inch chest. But what about Pokhran? Modi and I are almost the same age. When I was four years old, in 1954, Pandit [Jawaharlal] Nehru laid the foundations of our nuclear capability. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre was set up in 1967. In 1974, Indira Gandhi got the countrys first nuclear test done at Pokhran, known as Pokhran 1. In 1998, Vajpayee ordered Pokhran 2 which was followed by Pakistans N-tests. What is Modi being arrogant about? We are talking about nuclear bombs, not any harmless firecracker. Till date, nobody supports the American action of dropping nuclear bombs in Japan [in 1945]. Modi wants to mislead public opinion by resorting to rhetoric rather than speaking responsibly about Indias nuclear power status. The PMs job is to educate the people, not lead them astray. The big question is how well will the Congress do in states where its in direct contest with the BJP? How many seats will you win in Rajasthan, where the BJP won all 25 LS seats in 2014? In 2014, the people were misled by Modis achche din [good days] promise and the assurance of bringing home the black money stashed abroad. Not a penny has been brought in the past five years. His promise of two crore jobs for the youth has also been a pipe dream. Fuel prices have risen... the pink revolution [meat export] he claimed to contain has risen. He hasnt delivered on any of his promises. Thats why hes hiding behind nationalism. Hes seeking to replicate the history of rise of dictatorships amid such ruin, by whipping up war hysteria. The people, especially the youth, must understand that this doesnt bode well for their own and Indias future. But what kind of results are you expecting? People have always voted fairly, be it in the times of Indira, Rajiv Gandhi or Vajpayee. Indira was defeated [after the Emergency], but was returned to power. Vajpayees India Shining and Feel Good planks failed. Our people are silently wise, even if theyre not adequately literate. I have faith in the electorates common sense. Im optimistic about a wave in our favour. How many seats will you win? As of today, I think we can cross the figure of 15 [out of 25]. Whats in your favour? The BJPs non-performance, their jumle baazi [tall talk]. Moreover, Rahul Gandhis rallies here have got good response. Modi and BJP president Amit Shah have targeted you in their campaigns here, especially on the Pakistan question. They attacked me even when I was in-charge of the Gujarat assembly elections. They alleged that as chief minister of Rajasthan earlier, I had denied Gujarat its share of water. I ask them what they have to say about it while asking for votes in my state? As CM, I defended the interests of my state. They came to Jodhpur out of revenge to settle scores with me. And theyve spoken of Pakistan... If Modi is PM, Im also an elected CM. The language he used for me is an insult to the seven crore people of Rajasthan. By accusing me of speaking on behalf of Pakistan, he brought down the majesty of the office he holds. Voting began at 7 am for 72 seats across nine states in the fourth phase of 2019 general elections today. With this phase, polling ends in Maharashtra and Odisha, while the process starts in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. Twenty-six seats in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are also voting in this phase. These three states have seats going to polls in each of the seven phases in the 2019 elections. As in earlier phases, this time too Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted urging voters to break record of previous three phases. Home minister Rajnath Singh also appealed to the voters saying: Your vote will help shaping of a New India. The first hour of voting saw many celebrites, industrialists and politicians queuing up to exercise their franchise. Among them were industrialist Anil Ambani, actors Priyanka Chopra, Rekha , Sunjay Dutt, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das and politicians Vasundhara Raje and Giriraj Singh. Long queues were seen outside booths in Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh with complaints of malfunctioning EVMs reported from several booths in Rajasthan. Follow live updates here The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has high stakes in this phase. Of the 72 seats going to polls, it won 45 in 2014. Its allies won another 11 seats. The Congresss tally was just two. In 2009, the BJP-Congress breakup in these seats was 9-29. Seventeen seats in Maharashtra will vote on Monday, which is the largest among the states going to polls in the fourth phase. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won all of these seats in 2014, an increase of 11 seats from its 2009 tally. Among the 19 seats that will vote in the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, the BJP won 18 in 2014. Extrapolated results from the 2018 assembly elections show that the Congress wrested six of these seats from the BJP. While polling in Rajasthan will end in the fifth phase, Madhya Pradesh will vote in four phases beginning on Monday. Asansol, one of the two seats which the BJP won on its own in West Bengal in 2014, is among the eight seats which will go to polls on Monday. The All India Trinamool Congress currently holds six out of the eight seats which will vote on Monday. The BJP will also try and defend 12 out of 13 seats in the constituencies going to polls in UP. Repeating this performance will not be an easy task given the fact that the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party have an alliance this time. Voting will also take place on Monday in parts of the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, which is scheduled go to polls in three phases, Monday being the second. BJP president Amit Shah Monday accused the Opposition of giving tickets to bahubalis (strongmen) in Uttar Pradesh, asserting that their presence will not have any impact as the Yogi Adityanath government has been acting tough against them. He also reiterated that the BJP government, after coming to power, will scrap Article 370 of the Constitution which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing an election meeting in Pratapgarh, Shah said, We want to remove Article 370 from Kashmir, but Rahul Gandhi does not want this... when Modijis government comes back in power, it (Article 370) will be abrogated. Attacking the Opposition on the issue of Kashmir, he said, Omar Abdullah says there should be another PM for Kashmir... his friends are Mayawati, Akhilesh and Rahul Gandhi... all these together want to separate Kashmir from India. In Jaunpur, the BJP leader said his party will never indulge in vote bank politics nor compromise with the security of the country, but Rahul, Akhilesh and Mayawati can do anything for votes. Shah alleged that goons of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP) used to work as land mafias, but ever since the anti-land mafia squads were set up by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, encroachment of land has stopped. The people from the grand adulteration have given tickets to bahubalis in Uttar Pradesh, but such strongmen do not have an impact here, he said addressing rallies in Chitrakoot and Pratapgarh districts. The BJP has been referring to the Opposition alliance as mahamilavati (grand adulteration). The mahamilavatis are not able to understand yet that Uttar Pradesh has changed... Now, it is the Yogi government that is at the helm, Shah said. Now, the strongmen have no impact here. Ab bahubalion ko ulta latka kar seedha kar diya jata hai (Now, the musclemen are set right by hanging them upside down), he said. The BJP president also termed Congress chief Rahul Gandhi the mahamilavati leader of the grand alliance. If temperatures in country increase, he (Rahul) takes leave and goes out of the country.... Even his mother (Sonia Gandhi) is not able to find him, he said, adding Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not taken leave in 20 years. Shah accused BSP supremo Mayawati and SP president Akhilesh Yadav of making similar speeches of working for the poor. For 25 years, the people of Uttar Pradesh gave them opportunity, but they did nothing for the poor, he said. You gave one chance to Modi ji. When he became the prime minister, he worked for the poor and benefitted them with many schemes in the past five years, he said. Listing the works undertaken by the Modi government, the BJP leader said a defence corridor and expressway, linking Jhansi to Etawah, will help in the development of the Bundelkhand region. He said there was mourning only at two places when the IAF air strikes were carried out-- one in Pakistan and the other in the offices of Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi. Shah also alleged that the guru of Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, is of the view that action should not be taken against terrorists, rather they should be engaged in dialogue. He said his party will oust intruders by bringing in the National Register of Citizens (NRC). The BJP chief said the SP, BSP and Congress only talked about a backward caste commission, but did nothing for getting it recognition. He added Modi hailed from the most backward caste and so was working for the poor. There had been talks about giving reservation to the poor among unreserved categories. The Modi government extended it without touching the quota of backwards, Shah said. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.) The last 17 of Maharashtras 48 Lok Sabha seats will vote on Monday, with political heavyweights, their family members, and Marathi and Hindi film actors in the fray. Squabbles between alliance partners Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Maharshtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackerays anti-BJP campaigning in the state have made this an eventful election so far. Last year, the Shiv Sena decided to go it alone in all future polls, but in February this year, the party made a U-turn by announcing an alliance with the BJP. A seat-sharing deal, under which the Sena would contest 23 seats and the BJP, 25, was sealed. The alliance, which is 25 years old, is currently in power in Mahrashtra. State elections will be held later this year. In the 2014 elections, the alliance won 41 of 48 seats (The BJP lost one seat in a bypoll held for Bhandara-Gondia seat in 2018). It remains to be seen whether the alliance will repeat its performance. Of the constituencies going to polls, 12 are in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), which includes Mumbai city, Thane and Palgarh. In Mumbai north, actor Urmila Matondkar, who joined the Congress earlier this month, faces BJP MP Gopal Shetty. In 2014, Shetty had defeated then sitting MP Sanjay Nirupam by 446,000 votes. In Mumbai north central, Poonam Mahajan, the BJP youth wing president, confronts Congress Priya Dutt, whom she defeated by a margin of over 160,000 votes in 2014. In Mumbai south, Milind Deora of the Congress who was recently endorsed by industrialist Mukesh Ambani is taking on sitting Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant. In a surprise move, the BJP dropped Kirit Somaiya although the sitting MP of Mumbai north east defeated incumbent Sanjay Dina Patil, of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), in 2014 by over 300,000 votes. Although his party is not in the fray in any seat, MNS Raj Thackeray has been holding election rallies especially in Maratha-dominated constituencies, exhorting people to not vote for the BJP. However, Thackeray cousin to Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray does not seek votes for the Congress-NCP alliance. Political analyst Pratap Aasbe said the seats up for grabs in the fourth phase are the most significant because heavyweights are in the race. It seems difficult for BJP-Sena combine to retain all the six seats of Mumbai, he said. 64% voter turnout in Phase 4 of Lok Sabha elections 2019 A voter turnout of 64 percent was recorded in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls on Monday, the Election Commission said. Voting was held in 72 parliamentary constituencies spread across nine states in this phase. Nearly 66 per cent turnout was recorded in the third phase of Lok Sabha polls in which voting was held in 116 seats. In the first two phases, polling was conducted in 91 and 95 seats on April 11 and April 18 respectively. Election to 543 seats across the country is being held in seven phases. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. The poll percentage in Bihar was 58.92%, 9.79% in Jammu and Kashmir, 63.77% in Jharkhand, 66.52% in Madhya Pradesh, 55.88% in Maharashtra, 64.05% in Odisha, 66.44% in Rajasthan, 55.57% in Uttar Pradesh, and 76.59% in West Bengal. 1.91 first time voters: EC The total number of first-time voters in the seven phases of 2019 Lok Sabha elections is 1.91 crore., which is 20% more than that it in 2014, said EC while addressing a press conference after the fourth phase of polling. Mumbais first-time voters seek to make indelible mark A large number of first-time voters came out to cast their ballots Monday in Mumbai, marking their formal participation in choosing the next government in the worlds largest democracy. According to the Election Commission (EC) data, Maharashtra has over 1.19 crore voters who fall in the age group of 18-19 years and are eligible to exercise their franchise in the Lok Sabha polls for the first time. Enthusiasm was palpable among first-time electors, who openly expressed their views about candidates in the fray and whom they voted for. At 6 pm, 60% voter turnout in Phase 4 Till 6 pm, the voter turnout in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections 2019 was 59.62%. The poll percentage in Bihar was 53.67%, 9.79% in Jammu and Kashmir, 63.77% in Jharkhand, 65.86% in Madhya Pradesh, 52.03% in Maharashtra, 64.05% in Odisha, 63.58% in Rajasthan, 53.34% in Uttar Pradesh, and 76.59% in West Bengal. Congress approaches EC over EVM snags, NCP says something fishy The Congress Monday made 30 complaints to the Election Commission about alleged glitches in EVMs across the 17 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra where polling is underway. A majority of the complaints came in from Dhule and Nandurbar, the party said, prompting ally NCPs state chief Jayant Patil to claim that something was fishy in the two seats. Complaints have been made to Election Commissioner, Chief Electoral Officer and other authorities concerned via e-mail, the Congress said in a statement. Patil too said that complaints were coming in from several seats where election is being held, and questioned if the Electronic Voting Machine glitches were being caused deliberately. 59% voter turnout till 5 pm Till 5 pm, the voter turnout in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections 2019 was 59.01%. The poll percentage in Bihar was 53.67%, 9.98% in Jammu and Kashmir, 63.40% in Jharkhand, 65.77% in Madhya Pradesh, 50.70% in Maharashtra, 64.05% in Odisha, 62.73% in Rajasthan, 52.90% in Uttar Pradesh, and 76.47% in West Bengal. Dog, best companion-turned into-campaigner, detained A dog with pro-BJP stickers on its body was detained alongwith his master in north Maharashtras Nandurbar town where polling for the Lok Sabha elections took place Monday. Eknath Motiram Chaudhary (65), resident of Navnathnagar area, was spotted with his dog near Andhare hospital Monday afternoon. The dogs body was found covered with stickers bearing the BJPs symbol and the message Modi Lao, Desh Bachao (Vote for Modi and save the country), a local police official said. As the polling was underway, police had received a complaint about the dog and his master who were roaming around the town, he said. In Kannauj, SP alleges VVPAT shows lotus when cycle button pressed Opposition Samajwadi Party Monday urged the Election Commission to remove Uttar Pardeshs police chief OP Singh from the post, alleging he was favouring the ruling BJP and trying to influence elections, reported news agency PTI. The party also alleged that in at least two polling booths in Kannauj the Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machine showed the voting for the BJP when the ballot was cast for the SP. It also claimed the police issued warning notes to a large number of SP supporters in the constituency, from where Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadavs wife Dimple is contesting, asking them to remain inside their houses after casting their own votes. Party leader Dharmendra Yadav said Director General of Police OP Singh was misusing government machinery to help the BJP. We demanded from the EC to remove him immediately, he told reporters in Lucknow. 62% voter turnout in Rajasthan till 5 pm The voter turnout in Rajasthan stood at 61.96% till 5pm in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections 2019. 121 polling booths in Jharkhand managed by women Women power was on full display in Jharkhand during the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls with 121 polling booths being managed by women on Monday. Of the 6,072 polling booths in the fourth phase, 121 were exclusively managed by women. There were 46 all-women polling booths in Palamau, 33 in Chatra and 42 in Lohardaga. At these booths, all polling staff, security personnel and other officials were women, an official said. Jharkhand is voting for three Maoist-affected parliamentary seats, spread over six districts. More than 40 per cent of the booths are located in sensitive areas. BJP urges EC to deploy central forces in all polling booths of West Bengal The BJP approached the Election Commission on Monday complaining that TMC workers have hijacked democracy in West Bengal and creating ruckus during voting, and again demanded deployment of central forces in all polling booths in the state. Following reports of a clash between the ruling Trinamool Congress and BJP workers outside a booth in Asansols Barabani, and vandalism of the vehicle of Union Minister and sitting MP Babul Supriyo, a BJP delegation met top officials of the poll panel in New Delhi. The delegation included Union Ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Vijay Goel, and the partys media in-charge Anil Baluni. After meeting the poll panel officials, Naqvi told reporters, The ruling Trinamool Congress workers have hijacked democracy in the state and are indulging in violence. They are being supported by the local machinery and we demand deployment of central forces in all polling booths in the state. Naqvi also expressed concern over no action been taken against Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his baseless allegations against BJP chief Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and said a memorandum in this regard has been submitted to the Election Commission. In Maharashtra, booths decked up for better polling experience Balloons and colourful rangolis welcomed voters at some of the polling booths across the 17 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra where polling is underway in the fourth and final phase Monday. As part of an initiative by the Election Commission of India to make polling a pleasant experience, certain booths were selected in every Lok Sabha constituency for decoration with local help. The whole idea is to make voting a pleasant experience. We cannot put pandals due to several restrictions, but using colours and rangolis would bring some relief to voters, who wait for hours in scorching heat to exercise their right, an ECI official said. Voting is underway at Nandurbar, Dhule, Dindori, Nashik, Palghar, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Thane, Mumbai-North, Mumbai-North West, Mumbai-North East, Mumbai-North Central, Mumbai-South Central, Mumbai- South, Maval, Shirur and Shirdi. 49% voter turnout till 4 pm Till 4pm, the voter turnout in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections 2019 was 49.62%. The poll percentage in Bihar was 44.23%, 8.42% in Jammu and Kashmir, 56.37% in Jharkhand, 55.33% in Madhya Pradesh, 41.15% in Maharashtra, 51.54% in Odisha, 54.21% in Rajasthan, 44.16% in Uttar Pradesh, and 66.01% in West Bengal. Over 43% voter turnout in Uttar Pradesh till 3 pm An estimated 43.91 voter turnout was recorded till 3 pm in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies of Uttar Pradesh Monday as polling for the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in the state was underway. Seats where the polling is underway in the state are Shahjahanpur (SC), Kheri, Hardoi (SC), Misrikh (SC), Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah (SC), Kannauj, Kanpur, Akbarpur, Jalaun (SC), Jhansi and Hamirpur. Over 43% voting in Madhya Pradesh till 2 pm Around 43.82 per cent turnout was recorded in the fourth phase of polling for the six Lok Sabha seats and one Assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh till 1 p.m. on Monday, the Voter Turnout App data of Election Commission showed. Maoist-affected Balaghat district, which is voting under high security, recorded the highest 46.32 per cent voter turnout. It was followed by 46.05 per cent polling in Mandla, 45.89 per cent polling in Chhindwara, 45.88 per cent polling in Shahdol, 44.39 per cent polling in Jabalpur and 34.95 per cent polling in Sidhi. There were also reports of malfunctioning EVMs from some places and both the EVMs as well as the VVPATs were replaced. Some 1.05 crore electorate are eligible to vote in this phase. A total of 108 candidates are trying their luck in this phase in the state, including a maximum of 26 from Sidhi, followed by 23 from Balaghat, 22 from Jabalpur, 14 from Chhindwara, 13 from Shahdol and 10 from Mandla. Rajasthan records 52.97 per cent voter turnout till 3 pm Rajasthan Monday recorded about 53 percent voter turn out till 3 pm from among its 2.57 crore electorates in the ongoing polling for 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state, said officials. Barmer, the states largest parliamentary constituency area-wise, witnessed the highest turnout at 60.36 percent till 3 pm. The second highest voter turnout after Barmer was reported from tribal population-dominated seat Banswara, where 57.63 per cent electors cast their votes till 3 pm. In Barmer, where former External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singhs son Manvendra Singh, a former BJP MLA, is contesting election as a Congress candidate against BJPs Kailash Chaudhary, voters lined up before polling booths, braving scorching sun with the temperature hovering at around 42 degree Celsius. The constituency covers entire Barmer and half of Jaisalmer district and is located on Indo-Pak border in western Rajasthan. Villagers flocked to polling booths in groups and looked for shed near polling booths. 9% cast ballot in Kulgam dist till 3pm With just an hour left for polls to close, less than nine percent of 3.45 lakh electorate Monday exercised their franchise in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir -- part of Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency -- amidst stringent security arrangements and isolated incidents of stone-pelting near polling stations, officials said. The voting in the second leg of three-phased schedule for the Lok Sabha seat would decide the fate of 18 candidates, including former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti. The overall poll percentage in the Kulgam district till 3.00 pm was 8.42 per cent, the officials said in Srinagar, reported news agency PTI. SP alleges VVPAT shows lotus when cycle button pressed Opposition Samajwadi Party Monday urged the Election Commission to remove Uttar Pardeshs police chief OP Singh from the post alleging he was favouring the ruling BJP and affecting elections. The party also alleged that in at at least two polling booths the Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail machine showed the voting for the BJP when the ballot was cast for the SP. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadavs wife Dimpal is contesting from the constituency. Party leader Dharmendra Yadav said the Director General of Police was misusing government machinery to help the BJP. We demanded from the EC to remove him immediately, Yadav told reporters Over 40% polling in Bihar till 2 pm Ignoring heatwave like conditions, 40.08 per cent voting was recorded in Bihars five Lok Sabha seats till 2 p.m. on Monday, an official said. Voting started at 7 am in Begusarai, Ujiarpur, Darbhanga, Munger and Samastipur constituencies. Long queues were seen at polling booths in rural as well as urban pockets of these constituencies despite heatwave-like conditions, the official said. 7.5 % voting in Anantnag Lok Sabha seat till 2 pm 7.5 per cent voter turnout was recorded on Monday until 2 p.m. in the second and penultimate phase of voting in the troubled Anantnag Lok Sabha seat in Jammu and Kashmir. Officials said 6.7 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 1 p.m. in Kulgam district where four segments of Kulgam, Noorabad, Devsar and Homshalibugh went to vote. Congress leader Jitin Prasadas sister find her vote is already cast Former union Minister Jitin Prasada said on Monday that his sister was unable to vote because her vote had already been cast by the time she reached the polling booth in the Dhaurhara Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh. When my sister went to the polling booth, she found her name had been ticked and the presiding officer told her that vote had been cast. This is how fake voting is taking place, he said. Actor Ranbir Kapoor casts his vote in Mumbais Bandra Actor Ranbir Kapoor cast his vote at a polling booth in Mumbais Bandra. Three poll staffers die in Madhya Pradesh Three government employees, including a woman, engaged in poll duty died in separate incidents in Madhya Pradesh, an official said on Monday. Law and order is state subject: Mamata Banerjee condemns police firing in Bengal Condemning firing by a central force personnel inside a booth, Mamata Banerjee said in a public meeting, I have heard that central force personnel have entered a booth in Dubrajpur and opened fire. Law and order is a state subject. They cannot do it. Police allegedly fired in the air in Poduma area Dubrajpur in Birbhum constituency to bring the situation under control after villagers threw stones at the security personnel. The bullet hit a wall of the polling station. 38.63% voter turnout recorded in phase 4 of Lok Sabha polls till 2 pm 38.63% voter turnout has been recorded in phase 4 of Lok Sabha polls till 2 pm. Sachin Tendulkar casts vote in Mumbais Bandra Sachin Tendulkar, his wife Anjali Tendulkar, daughter Sara Tendulkar and son Arjun Tendulkar cast their votes at polling center number 203 in Mumbais Bandra. Sara Tendulkar and Arjun Tendulkar are first time voters. Mumbai: Sachin Tendulkar, his wife Anjali Tendulkar, daughter Sara Tendulkar, and son Arjun Tendulkar after casting their vote at polling center number 203 in Bandra. Sara Tendulkar and Arjun Tendulkar are first time voters. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/0dNVhNR8mg ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 Bihar records 32.48 per cent voting till 1 PM An estimated 32.48 per cent voters of the 87.74 electorate cast their ballots till 1 PM in Bihar, where polling for five Lok Sabha seats is underway on Monday, an election official said. A total of 66 candidates, including three women nominees, are in the fray from Darbhanga, Ujiarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai and Munger constituencies in the fourth phase of polling in the state. UP leaders ask people to brave sun, come out to vote With the mercury steadily rising, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other senior leaders Monday appealed to the electorate not to bogged down by soaring temperatures and exercise their franchise. Polling is underway in 13 constituencies of Uttar Pradesh on Monday. In a tweet, Adityanath said, Temperatures are high, take care of yourself but definitely cast your vote..every single vote of yours help formation of the government. For a prosperous and strong Bharat, for a strong and decisive government, for fulfilling a dream, come out of houses today and vote. Remember, first voting and then breakfast, he said. BSP president Mayawati also took to twitter to exhort people to vote. Polling is taking place for the fourth phase of election for the 17th Lok Sabha. It is an appeal to voters to first discharge their duty of casting votes. This effort of theirs is important for their welfare and interest, the former UP chief minister said. Salman Khan casts vote in Mumbais Bandra Actor Salman Khan cast his vote at polling booth number 283 in Mumbais Bandra. Maharashtra: Actor Salman Khan casts his vote at polling booth number 283 in Bandra, Mumbai. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/dg7TvYsyQL ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 Ranveer Singh casts vote in Mumbais Bandra Actor Ranveer Singh cast his vote in Mumbais Bandra. Actor Hrithik Roshan and singer Asha Bhosle also cast their votes. Amitabh Bachchan along family cast vote in Mumbais Juhu Amitabh Bachchan along with his family cast vote at Jamnabai Narsee School in Mumbais Juhu. NCPs Sharad Pawar votes in Mumbai, urges people to elect stable govt NCP chief Sharad Pawar pitched for a stable government at the Centre and urged citizens to come out in large numbers to cast their votes as he exercised his democratic right here on Monday. Today is an important day for the country. It is required that a stable government is formed. It is expected that Mumbaikars will not lag behind, and will exercise their voting right by coming out in large numbers and voting decisively, Pawar, the former Union minister, tweeted in Marathi. Hema Malini cast her vote in Mumbais Vile Parle BJPs Lok Sabha candidate from Mathura, Hema Malini and her daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol cast their votes in Mumbais Vile Parle. Mumbai: BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Mathura, Hema Malini and her daughters Esha Deol and Ahana Deol after casting their vote in Vile Parle. pic.twitter.com/tXToH6ek1k ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 Modi wave has overtaken the country: Union minister Piyush Goyal after casting vote Union minister and BJP leader Piyush Goyal cast his vote at Walsingham School, Malabar Hill in Mumbai: This election is now a Tsunami election. North South,East and West, Modi wave has overtaken the country. PM Modi is the tallest leader today in the country,said Goyal after Police fire in the air after villagers pelt stones at them in Bengal Central forces personnel allegedly fired once in the air in Poduma area Dubrajpur in Birbhum constituency to bring the situation under control after villagers threw stones at the security personnel. The bullet hit a wall of the polling station. The incident took place in booth number 259 in Kandihi village. The clash erupted following the reluctance of a few voters to leave their cellphone behind before entering a booth. A few phones deposited with the personnel dropped to the ground triggering a quarrel. This is the first instance of central forces pulling the trigger in the four phases of polling in Bengal. Polling was held up for about 90 minutes after the incident. Kareena Kapoor casts vote Kareena Kapoor, Kangana Ranavat, Prem Chopra, Rekha and Sanjay Duty with wife Manyata casting their votes in Mumbais Bandra. Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray cast vote in Mumbais Gandhi Nagar Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray, his wife Rashmi Thackeray and son Aditya Thackeray cast their vote at a polling booth in Gandhi Nagar, Mumbai. Poonam Mahajan BJPs candidate from Mumbai North Central LS seat was also present. Maharashtra: Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray, his wife Rashmi Thackeray and son Aditya Thackeray after casting their vote at a polling booth in Gandhi Nagar, Mumbai. Poonam Mahajan BJP's candidate from Mumbai North Central LS seat also present. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/vgsQjca0a1 ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar cast their vote in Mumbai Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar cast their vote in Mumbai. Indias film and finance capital took centre stage in the fourth of seven rounds of voting with 72 constituencies across the nation taking part. Final results are to be released on May 23. At least 40,000 police and security personnel were deployed across the city of 20 million people while workers were given a holiday so they could vote for Mumbais six lawmakers. Long queues were waiting when the 10,000 polling stations opened at 7.00am Alleged bogus voting by three in Kerala referred to EC The controversy over two women and a man casting bogus vote in Kannur district of Kerala has been referred to the Election Commission. Since Saturday, after TV channels started airing the visuals of the bogus voting caught on camera in the Kasargod Lok Sabha constituency, the Congress took up the issue before Chief Electoral Officer Tikka Ram Meena. Meena asked for a detailed report from the district collectors of Kannur and Kasargod where these incidents were reported. Kerala voted on April 23 for all 20 Lok Sabha seats. 23.48% voter turnout recorded in phase 4 of Lok Sabha polls till 12 pm 23.48% voter turnout has been recorded in phase 4 of Lok Sabha polls till 12 pm. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has high stakes in this phase. Of the 72 seats voting today, it won 45 in 2014. Its allies won another 11 seats. The Congresss tally was just two. In 2009, the BJP-Congress breakup in these seats was 9-29. TMC to meet EC over illegal action of central forces Trinamool Congress announced (on its official twitter handle) that its Parliamentary delegation will meet the EC at 1:15 pm in Delhi to protest the illegal action of central forces and BJP candidates who allegedly broke the model code of conduct. Earlier in the day, BJP said that a delegation including Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Vijay Goel & Anil Baluni will meet Election Commission today over the issue of poll-related violence during polling in West Bengal. BJP candidate Babul Supriyos car was vandalised during poll related violence in Bengals Asansol on Monday. There were also reports of clash between Trinamool workers and security personnel at a polling booth in Asansol. Also Read | BJP candidate Babul Supriyos car vandalised in Bengal poll violence Erstwhile King of Jodhpur casts vote Erstwhile King of Jodhpur Gaj Singh cast his vote at booth number 127 in Rajasthans Jodhpur. BJPs Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Congress Vaibhav Gehlot are the candidates from the Jodhpur LS constituency. Rajasthan: Erstwhile King of Jodhpur, Gaj Singh casts his vote at booth number 127 in Jodhpur. BJP's Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Congress' Vaibhav Gehlot are two of the candidates from the Jodhpur LS constituency. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/x6VAJ0C1FU ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 Anand Mahindra casts vote in Mumbais Malabar Hill We all have been infected by the virus of progress and growth. Even if a coalition govt comes, it should work towards progress and growth of the country, said Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra after casting his vote in Mumbais Malabar Hill. #Mumbai: Chairman of Mahindra Group, Anand Mahindra after casting his vote in Malabar Hill, says, "We all have been infected by the virus of progress and growth. Even if a coalition govt comes, it should work towards progress and growth of the country." pic.twitter.com/Mcf1q7CmCW ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 20.87 per cent polling in Jharkhand till 11 am An estimated 20.87 per cent of the 45.26 lakh electorate cast their votes till 11 am on Monday in three Lok Sabha constituencies of Jharkhand, in the first phase of elections in the state. Women voters were seen in large numbers at many booths in Lohardaga (ST), Palamu (SC) and Chatra constituencies, where voting began at 7 am, election officials said. People of MP will vote for BJP to teach Congress a lesson: Shivraj Chouhan Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that there were two major issues in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections - National security and welfare of people. Only the leadership of PM Narendra Modi could help create a stable government. The Congress government that came in four months ago in the state has created a chaotic environment in the state and people are also feeling that they have done a mistake by not electing a BJP government. People will surely vote for BJP to teach a lesson to the Congress government in the state, the former Madhya Pradesh CM said. 18.39% voter turnout recorded till 11 am in Maharashtra 18.39% voter turnout recorded on 17 parliamentary constituencies in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, till 11 am. The last 17 of Maharashtras 48 Lok Sabha seats are voting on Monday, with political heavyweights, their family members, and Marathi and Hindi film actors in the fray. Over 21% voting recorded till 11 am in UP An estimated 21.15 per cent voters exercised their franchise till 11 am in 13 constituencies of Uttar Pradesh in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections Monday, reported news agency PTI. Seats where polling is underway are Shahjahanpur (SC), Kheri, Hardoi (SC), Misrikh (SC), Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah (SC), Kannauj, Kanpur, Akbarpur, Jalaun (SC), Jhansi and Hamirpur. Polling in this phase is specially important for the ruling BJP as it is aiming for a clean sweep by winning all 13 seats, including Kannauj which was the only seat the Samajwadi Party had managed to win in 2014. 17% polling in Odisha as EVM glitches mar polling process Voting for the fourth and final phase of polling for 6 Lok Sabha and 41 Assembly constituencies in Odisha began this morning amid reports of technical glitches in Electronic Voting Machines and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPATs) machines leading to severe disruption. Officials in Chief Electoral Officer said 17% of the voters had cast their votes by 11 am. Kangana Ranaut casts vote in Mumbais Khar Actor Kangana Ranaut cast her vote at a polling booth in Mumbais Khar. #Mumbai: Actor Kangana Ranaut after casting her vote at a polling booth in Khar. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/L4nXhMbyvj ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 29.40% voting recorded till 11 am in Rajasthan Over 29 per cent voting was recorded in the first four hours of polling in 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in Rajasthan which began at 7 am on Monday. The Barmar parliamentary constituency recorded the maximum voter turn out of 33.53 per cent, while the overall voting percentage at 11 am was 29.40 per cent, according to the office of the chief electoral officer. Priya Dutt casts vote in Mumbais Bandra Priya Dutt cast her vote at a polling booth at St. Annes High School in Mumbais Bandra for the 4th phase of Lok Sabha elections, She is the Congress candidate from the Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha seat. Poonam Mahajan is the BJP candidate from the constituency. Mumbai: Priya Dutt after casting her vote at a polling booth at St. Anne's High School in Bandra for the 4th phase of #LokSabhaElections2019 She is the Congress candidate from the Mumbai North Central LS seat, Poonam Mahajan is the BJP candidate from the constituency. pic.twitter.com/3Ac7qg9bab ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 First time voter casts vote in Rajasthans Kota despite undergoing ligament tear surgery A first time voter cast his vote in Rajasthans Kota despite undergoing ligament tear surgery. The Congress and BJP are going to face each other again Rajasthan in the Lok Sabha election after the grand old party came back to power following a tight contest in last years assembly polls in one of the key states in the Hindi heartland. In the last general election, the Bharatiya Janata Party won all the 25 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan and in the 2018 November-December assembly poll the Congress bagged 100 out of the 200 state seats and BJP 73. 11% voting recorded in Madhya Pradesh till 10 am Madhya Pradesh recorded around 11.39 per cent voting in the first three hours of polling for the six Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh on Monday till 10 a.m., officials said. In Sidhi, 11.24 per cent voting was recorded, Shahdol saw 11.90 per cent, Jabalpur 10.96 per cent, Madla 10.87 per cent, Balaghat 12.14 and Chhindwara 11.51 per cent. In 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party had won five seats barring Chhindwara, which was won by Congress Kamal Nath. Manish Malhotra, Imran Hashmi, Gulzar cast their votes Fashion designer Manish Malhotra, actor Imran Hashmi and Gulzar cast their votes in Mumbais Bandra. Clashes erupt between BJP workers and CISF jawans in Kanpur Clashes erupted between BJP workers and CISF jawans who stopped them for asking people to vote fpr BJP inside the polling centre. BJP leader Achal Gupta was issued a red notice, which means that he would stay back home. Actor Anupam Kher casts his vote in Mumbais Juhu Actor Anupam Kher cast his vote at polling booth no.235-240 in Mumbais Juhu. #Mumbai: Actor Anupam Kher casts his votes at polling booth no.235-240 in Juhu. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/o7ZGITSzrF ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 Actors Bhagyashree and Sonali Bendre also cast their votes at a polling booth in Vile Parle. #Mumbai: Actors Bhagyashree and Sonali Bendre after casting their votes at a polling booth in Vile Parle. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/cJFwpTtgKA ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 Woman cop helps 80-year-old voter to E-shed polling booth in Mumbais Byculla A woman police officer was seen helping an 80-year-old Indubai Shingar to the polling booth at E-shed in Darukhana, Byculla in Mumbai. Shingar said she cast her vote for the first time 40-45 years ago and has never missed a single election since. E-shed is one of the critical polling stations in Mumbai South. Congress moves SC over alleged poll code violations by PM Modi, Amit Shah Congress MP Sushmita Dev has filed a petition before the Supreme Court, seeking urgent and necessary directions to the Election Commission to take a decision on the complaints filed against PM Modi and BJP President Amit Shah over alleged violations of electoral laws. BJP to meet EC over poll violence during polling in Bengal BJP delegation including Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Vijay Goel & Anil Baluni will meet Election Commission today over the issue of poll-related violence during polling in West Bengal. BJP candidate Babul Supriyos car was vandalised during poll related violence in Bengals Asansol on Monday. There were also reports of clash between Trinamool workers and security personnel at a polling booth in Asansol. EVM glitch in Maharashtras Patlipada An EVM glitch has been reported from Maharashtras Patlipada. The machine was replaced after one hour. However, most of the voters went home after waiting for an hour. Another EVM snag was reported in Mumbais Panvel where an EVM stopped working at Gujarati Shala pool booth. It was replaced in an hour. Woman poll staffer dies of heart attack in Madhya Pradesh A 50-year-old woman poll staffer died after suffering a heart attack ahead of voting in Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat of Madhya Pradesh, an official said on Monday. Sunanda Kotekar, who was deployed at Lodhikheda polling booth in Saunsar area of Chhindwara, felt uneasy on Sunday night, Chief Electoral Officer V L Kantha Rao said. She died of the heart attack even before she could be provided any medical assistance, he added. Actor Dia Mirza casts her vote at Khar Danda polling booth in Mumbai Actor Dia Mirza cast her vote at Khar Danda polling booth in Mumbai. Maharashtra is holding elections in 17 seats in the fourth round of the seven-phased general election on Monday. This phase includes three parliamentary constituencies from western Maharashtra, four from Konkan region, four from north Maharashtra and six seats from Mumbai. Polling in 31 seats has already been held in the first three phases. Also Read | Priyanka Chopra, Anil Ambani among early voters in Mumbai 10.27% voter turnout recorded in phase 4 of Lok Sabha polls till 9am 10.27% voter turnout has been recorded in phase 4 of Lok Sabha polls till 9am across 9 states. 6.82% polling in Maharashtra (17 seats), 11.11% polling in Madhya Pradesh (6 seats), 9% polling in Odisha (6) and 16.90% in West Bengal (8 seats) have been recorded till 9 am in phase 4 of Lok Sabha elections. Amir Khan casts vote at polling booth in Mumbais Bandra Amir Khan with wife Kiran Rao casting their votes at polling booth in Mumbais Bandra. Polling percentage till 9 am in phase 4 of Lok Sabha polls 6.82% polling in Maharashtra (17 seats), 11.11% polling in Madhya Pradesh (6 seats), 9% polling in Odisha (6) and 16.90% in West Bengal (8 seats) have been recorded till 9 am in phase 4 of Lok Sabha elections. Clash erupts between TMC workers and security personnel in Bengal A clash has erupted between TMC workers and QRF and security personnel outside polling booth number 125-129 in Asansol, after disagreement erupted between BJP & CPI(M) workers after TMC workers insisted on polling despite absence of central forces, reported news agency ANI. Markets closed due to elections in Mumbai All major markets, including BSE, National Stock Exchange, forex and money markets are closed Monday due to elections in Mumbai. TMC wants to confine me to a single place: Babul Supriyo They (TMC) want to confine me at a single place. I have to move to other places. Even those residing in buildings in front of the polling station could not cast their votes, alleged Babul Supriyo after his car was vandalised outside a polling booth in Barabani in Asansol Lok Sabha constituency. Union minister Babul Supriyos car vandalised in Asansol Union minister Babul Supriyos car has been vandalised outside a polling station in West Bengals Asansol. Supriyo is the BJP candidate from Asansol. A clash has broken between TMC workers and security personnel at polling booth number 199 in Asansol. A TMC polling agent said, no BJP polling agent was present at the booth. West Bengal: BJP MP candidate from Asansol, Babul Supriyo's car vandalised in Asansol. A TMC polling agent says, there is no BJP polling agent here. pic.twitter.com/kBNmpXCvPD ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 #WATCH Clash between TMC workers and security personnel at polling booth number 199 in Asansol. A TMC polling agent said, 'no BJP polling agent was present at the booth.' BJP MP candidate from Asansol, Babul Supriyo's car was also vandalised outside the polling station. pic.twitter.com/goOmFRG96L ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 Voting yet to begin at a booth in Rajasthans Kannauj due to EVM glitch Voting is yet to begin at booth number 35&435 of Chhibramau area in Kannauj. People waiting in queue at the polling station say, Voting has not started because of a glitch in EVM. The Congress state party control room in Rajasthan has received 140 complaints of EVM malfunctioning so far. #LokSabhaElections2019 : Voting is yet to begin at booth number 35&435 of Chhibramau area in Kannauj. People waiting in queue at the polling station say, "Voting has not started because of a glitch in EVM." pic.twitter.com/CDddeijNOi ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 29, 2019 Police baton charge agitators at a polling booth in Bengals Bardhaman Police baton charged agitators at a polling station in Bardhamans Jemua in Durgapur Lok Sabha constituency in West Bengal. A section of the voters in the polling booth were agitating since morning saying therewill be no polling if sufficient central forces were not deployed. They also alleged that only five central forces personnel were deployed for five booths. Rapid Action force, state police personnel and central force personnel reached the polling station to restore law and order. situation We are confident of winning. Those who are not confident (read Trinamool Congress) are creating trouble, said BJP candidate Babul Supriyo about the agitation. Oldest person in Mumbais Chembur casts her vote Oldest person in Mumbais Chembur Swarnambal Krishnaswamy cast her vote.She is 103 years old. Shankar Mahadevan casts vote at Vashi in Navi Mumbai Singer Shankar Mahadevan along with his wife cast his vote for Lok Sabha Election 2019 at Vashi in Navi Mumbai. Film director Vishal Bharadwaj cast his vote at Andheri. This is the only time in five years when we can bring a change in this country. Everyone should understand the importance of this, Vishal Bhardwaj said after voting in Andheri. Singer Shankar Mahadevan along with his wife cast his vote for Lok Sabha Election 2019 at Vashi in Navi Mumbai ( Bachchan Kumar/HT Photo ) Vishal Bhardwaj casts his vote in Andheri. Photo by ( Satyabrata Tripathy/HT Photo ) Urmila Mataondkar casts vote in Mumbais Bandra Congress MP candidate from Mumbai North, Urmila Mataondkar casted her vote at polling booth number 190 in Bandra. #Mumbai: Congress MP candidate from Mumbai North, Urmila Mataondkar casts her vote at polling booth number 190 in Bandra. pic.twitter.com/caqMEX9Njk ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 EVM glitch in Mumbais Malad West Voting is yet to begin at booth number 162 of Malad West in Mumbai after a glitch in EVM was detected. Earlier, EVM glitches were reported in polling booths in Rajasthans Pali, Deoli, and Bhinai in Ajmer district. Polling suspended at polling station in Asansols Jemua in Bengal Villagers at Asansols Jemua polling booth number 222&226 are boycotting polls citing absence of central forces at the polling station. Polling has been suspended at the polling station as voters are protesting. West Bengal: Villagers boycott polls at Jemua's polling booth number 222&226 in Asansol due to absence of central forces at the polling station. Polling has been suspended at the polling station as voters are protesting. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/ZlelPIKMB0 ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 Kanhaiya Kumar arrives to cast his vote in Bihars Begusarai CPI candidate from Begusarai, Kanhaiya Kumar arrived to cast his vote at a polling centre in the city, says, Those who defame Begusarai will be defeated. He is contesting against BJP leader Giriraj Singh in Begusarai. Kamal Nath casts vote in Shikarpur in MPs Chhindwara Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath has cast his vote at polling booth number 17 in Shikarpur, Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh. #LokSabhaElections2019 :Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath casts his vote at polling booth number 17 in Shikarpur, Chhindwara. pic.twitter.com/4liBH70BYb ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 With 29 seats, and a direct contest between the two national parties, Madhya Pradesh is emerging as the big battleground of Lok Sabha 2019 as polls enter the fourth phase. In 2014, the BJP swept the state winning 27 seats. Four years later, it lost power at the state-level to the Congress. And thus the question that animates voters in MP is whether 2019 will be a repeat of 2014, or a replication of 2018. Every vote is a voice that counts: Priyanka Chopra after casting her vote This is the moment that matters.... Every vote is a voice that counts, tweeted actor Priyanka Chopra after casting her vote in Mumbais Versova. This is the moment that matters.... Every vote is a voice that counts. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/L0AHJLL4uY PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) April 29, 2019 Voters in Chacha village in Rajasthan boycott polling demanding divider on highway The villagers of Chacha village near Pokaran in Rajasthan are boycotting polling demanding a divider on highway. Rajasthan is going to polls for the first time in the ongoing seven-phase general elections, with 13 of its 25 Lok Sabha seats up for grabs on Monday. The high-profile seats of Barmer, Nagaur, Jodhpur and Rajsamand will be among the parliamentary constituencies that will vote in the fourth phase of the 17th general election. Vote to create an Ayushman Bharat: Amit Shah Your vote helps in securing a leadership in realising the dream of a prosperous India. Every poor house, every household gets toilets, electricity, gas and water through your vote. I appeal to the voters of the fourth phase to vote to remove darkness from the lives of millions of countrymen and create an Ayushman Bharat, tweeted BJP chief Amit Shah. Ravi Kishan waits in queue to cast his vote at a polling booth in Goregaon Ravi Kishan was seen waiting in queue to cast his vote at a polling booth in Mumbais Goregaon. #Mumbai: BJP MP candidate from UP's Gorakhpur, Ravi Kishan waits in queue to cast his vote at a polling booth in Goregaon pic.twitter.com/Ji85dcyKNt ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 Water first, vote later: People demonstrate outside polling booth in Rajasthans Tonk Some people are demonstrating outside a polling booth in Tonk with their demand for water. They are saying water first, vote later. Veteran actor Rekha casts her vote at polling booth in Mumbais Bandra Veteran actor Rekha cast her vote at polling booth number 283 in Mumbais Bandra. #Mumbai: Veteran actor Rekha casts her vote at polling booth number 283 in Bandra. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/z14VraA06W ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das waits in queue to cast his vote in Mumbais Peddar road Reserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das was seen waiting in queue to cast his vote at polling booth number 40 & 41 at Peddar Road. #Mumbai: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das waits in queue to cast his vote at polling booth number 40 & 41 at Peddar Road. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/OGJMvQUE6A ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 EVM glitches reported in Rajasthan polling booths EVM glitches have been reported in polling booths in Rajasthans Pali, Deoli, and Bhinai in Ajmer district. 30 complaints of EVM glitch have been reported in 40 minutes. Rajasthan is going to polls for the first time in the ongoing seven-phase general elections, with 13 of its 25 Lok Sabha seats up for grabs on Monday. The high-profile seats of Barmer, Nagaur, Jodhpur and Rajsamand will be among the parliamentary constituencies that will vote in the fourth phase of the 17th general election. Vasundhara Raje, her son cast their vote at Jhalawar Former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje, her son and sitting BJP MP Dushyant Singh cast their vote at a polling booth in Jhalawar. Jodhpur BJP candidate and sitting MP Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has also cast vote along with his family. Rajasthan: Former Rajasthan CM and BJP leader Vasundhara Raje Scindia casts her vote at polling booth number 33 in Jhalawar. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/9iNp9geKtQ ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 Cong candidate in Baharampur constituency alleges district authorities working to help TMC candidate Congress candidate in Baharampur constituency Adhir Chowdhury arrived at a polling station before 7 am so that his partys polling agents could enter the booths. He alleged that the district authorities are working to help the Trinamool Congress candidate. Anil Ambani casts vote at voting centre in Mumbais Cuff Parade Anil Ambani cast his vote at voting centre number 216 at GD Somani School in Mumbais Cuffe Parade. Mumbai: Anil Ambani casts his vote at voting centre number 216 at GD Somani School in Cuffe Parade. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/II9VZJvjmV ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 Giriraj Singh casts his vote at polling booth in Bihars Barahiya Union Minister and sitting MP from Nawada Giriraj Singh cast his vote at polling booth number 33 in Barahiya of Lakhisarai district. Bihar: Union Minister and sitting MP from Nawada, Giriraj Singh, cast his vote at polling booth number 33 in Barahiya of Lakhisarai district. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/babrOKVG36 ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 Your vote will help shaping of a New India: Rajnath Singh The polling for the 4th phase of General Elections begins today. I appeal to the voters to ensure a record turnout. Your vote will not only strengthen the pillars of democracy but it will also help shaping of a New India, tweeted Rajnath Singh. The polling for the 4th phase of General Elections begins today. I appeal to the voters to ensure a record turnout. Your vote will not only strengthen the pillars of democracy but it will also help shaping of a New India. Chowkidar Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 29, 2019 Voters queue outside polling booth in South Mumbai Voters are queuing outside polling booth number 40 and 41 in South Mumbai parliamentary constituency. #Mumbai: Voters queue outside polling booth number 40 & 41 in South Mumbai parliamentary constituency. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/tRnHiTURvo ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 Seventeen seats in Maharashtra will vote on Monday, which is the largest among the states going to polls in the fourth phase. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won all of these seats in 2014, an increase of 11 seats from its 2009 tally. Voters begin to queue up outside polling booth in Kannauj Voters have begun to queue up outside polling booth number 256 in Kannauj. Thirteen parliamentary constituencies in the state go to polls in the fourth phase of general elections. #LokSabhaElections2019 : Voters begin to queue up outside polling booth number 256 in Kannauj. 13 parliamentary constituencies in the state go to polls in the fourth phase of general elections. pic.twitter.com/GWOaBzBAca ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 29, 2019 Break voting records of previous three phases: PMs message to voters Another phase of the General Elections begins today. I hope those voting today do so in large numbers and break the voting records of the previous three phases. A special appeal to young voters to head to the polling booth and exercise their franchise, tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Another phase of the General Elections begins today. I hope those voting today do so in large numbers and break the voting records of the previous three phases. A special appeal to young voters to head to the polling booth and exercise their franchise. Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 29, 2019 Also Read | PM Modi tweets as India votes in phase 4 Rajasthan to go to polls for 1st time in ongoing 7-phase general elections Rajasthan will go to polls for the first time in the ongoing seven-phase general elections, with 13 of its 25 Lok Sabha seats up for grabs on Monday. The high-profile seats of Barmer, Nagaur, Jodhpur and Rajsamand will be among the parliamentary constituencies that will vote in the fourth phase of the 17th general election. First 3 phases have seen polling in 303 of 543 seats in Lok Sabha The first three phases have seen polling in 303 of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha. A total of 963 candidates from across parties in the nine states will be testing their luck. Among these 963 candidates, 210 are facing criminal charges with 158 having serious cases and 12 of them being convicted in criminal cases. Final six out of 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha will go to polls today The final six out of 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha will go to polls on Monday, alongside the remaining 42 out of 142 assembly seats. The Lok Sabha constituencies where polling will be conducted include Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Kendrapara and Jajpur. The region going to the polls is considered a stronghold of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which had won all six Lok Sabha seats and 37 of the 42 assembly seats in the 2014 elections. 17 of Maharashtras 48 Lok Sabha seats to vote today The last 17 of Maharashtras 48 Lok Sabha seats will vote on Monday, with political heavyweights, their family members, and Marathi and Hindi film actors in the fray. Squabbles between alliance partners Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Maharshtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackerays anti-BJP campaigning in the state have made this an eventful election so far. Voting on 72 Lok Sabha seats in phase 4 to begin shortly Seventy-two seats across nine states will go to polls in the fourth phase of 2019 general elections on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the mission mahamilavat of the Opposition is keen to form a khichdi government at the Centre, the strings of which will remain in the hands of the Congress. He was referring to the Oppositions efforts to stitch up state-specific alliances to oust the Centres ruling BJP. Addressing a poll rally in Jamua under the Koderma Lok Sabha seat in support of BJP candidate Annapurna Devi, Modi alleged that the grand alliance of opposition parties does not, at any cost, want a government with absolute majority. The mission mahamilavat [adulteration] wants a khichdi [hotchpotch] government at the Centre, and its strings would remain in the hands of the Congress, as the party knows it cannot form a government on its own under any circumstance, he said. He also accused the Congress of rallying behind parties to destabilise governments. Around two decades ago, a similar mission mahamilavat tried to stop Atal Bihari Vajpayee from becoming the PM... the Congress rallied behind some parties, resulting in change of governments and prime ministers every two-three years, Modi said. As India voted in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Congress president Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on PM Modi over jobs and alleged corruption in the Rafale military jet deal. The Modi government has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the deal for the French aircraft. In Rajasthan, he also talked about the Congresss proposed minimum income guarantee scheme for the poorest. I am not here to lie. Our Nyay scheme will jumpstart the economy... We will deposit Rs 3.60 lakh in five years in bank accounts of five crore women, he said in Dholpurs Sepau town. The Congress has promised to give an annual income support of Rs 72,000 to the poorest 20 per cent families under the scheme if comes to power. In Churu, a group of youngsters wearing T-shirts that highlighted his slogan chowkidar chor hai caught his eye. Gandhi said Modi had promised Rs 15 lakh in the bank accounts of all Indians and asked whether anyone present in the rally has got it. Twenty-nine parliamentary constituencies (PC) of Madhya Pradesh will go to polls in four phases beginning today. In the 2014 elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 27 of these with a vote share of 54%. The Congress won just two seats, down from 12 in 2009 and its lowest in three decades. In terms of vote share, the party was 19 percentage points behind the BJP. The Congress saw a revival in the December 2018 assembly elections by polling nearly as many votes as the BJP and forming the state government after 15 years. Extrapolation of these results at the PC level gives Congress a lead in 12 PCs. In the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, the Congress faces the challenge of retaining its support in select pockets of the state that have historically not been its strongholds but where it performed better in 2018. The election will also test the Congress partys ability to make dent in the BJPs support in other regions of the state where the later has historically been a dominant force. Eleven of the 29 PCs have remained with the BJP since 2008. This includes the Lok Sabha elections of 2009 and 2014 and the state assembly elections of 2008, 2013 and 2018. In case of assembly elections, results have been extrapolated at the PC level. A similar comparison with elections held before 2008 is not possible as the 2008 delimitation changed earlier constituency boundaries. Even as the BJP has historically been stronger in these 11 PCs, it has become vulnerable there over time. In the 2018 state elections, the BJPs victory margin in these 11 PCs was lower than its average victory margin there in the previous four elections. Other than these 11 PCs, there are seven which the BJP has lost only once in the five elections held since 2008. It lost two of them to the Congress in the 2018 assembly elections. In case of the Congress, there is no such PC where it had a lead in all five elections held since 2008. However, there are two PCs where it had a lead in four of these five elections, Guna and Dhar. The Congress party has the highest stake in another nine PCs which have historically been flipping between the two parties. The Congress had a lead in all these PCs in the December 2018 elections, compared to just one in 2014. In terms of vote share in these nine PCs, the Congress had a lead over the BJP by a median average of eight percentage points. Thirteen out of 25 seats in Rajasthan will go to polls today. Since 2004, the party winning the preceding state election in Rajasthan has won a majority of the 25 Lok Sabha seats. Does this mean that the Congress will get ahead of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state in 2019? To be sure, the 2018 assembly elections were really close in Rajasthan. The vote share difference between the two largest parties in the state was the lowest in 2018 in all assembly elections held since 1998. In the 13 seats, which are scheduled for polling today, the Congress was actually behind the BJP in terms of vote share by 2.5 percentage points in the 2018 assembly elections. The BJP would have won 10 of these seats and the Congress three if these results are extrapolated at the parliamentary constituency (PC) level. In the 12 seats which will go to polls in the fifth phase, the Congress is ahead of the BJP by 3.8 percentage points and stands to win nine seats, according to extrapolated assembly results. Two significant changes have, however, taken place in the states politics since the assembly elections last year. One, of the 13 independent MLAs in the Rajasthan assembly, 12 have joined the Congress. The MLAs are Raj Kumar Gaur, Mahadeo Singh, Alok Beniwal, Babulal Nagar, Laxman Meena, Baljeet Yadav, Kanti Prasad, Ramkesh, Suresh Tak, Khushveer Singh, Sanyam Lodha, and Ramila Khadiya. HT had analysed the impact of this move in an earlier story. While the Congress did win the polls, its performance, according to many commentators, was lacklustre since it only got a 0.5 percentage point lead over the BJP in terms of vote share and stopped one short of the halfway mark in the assembly. More recently, Hanuman Beniwal, a former BJP MLA who floated his own party (Rashtriya Loktantrik Party) before the 2018 assembly elections, has formed an alliance with his former party. In the fourth phase, six of the 12 assembly segments held by MLAs who have joined Congress and 21 of the 58 assembly segments Beniwals party contested will go to polls. While the addition of these turncoat votes would have meant an increase in vote share for both the parties, the extrapolated tally changes by only one seat in favour of the Congress in the seats that poll in the fourth phase. Does this mean that the BJP will win most of these 13 seats in 2019 too? The 13 seats going to polls today have followed the assembly elections trend in the 2009 and 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The Congress had a 4.4 percentage point lead over the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in terms of vote share in the 2008 assembly elections in this region. Extrapolating the result to parliamentary constituencies (PC) shows the seat tally would have been 9-4 in favour of the Congress. In the 2009 Lok Sabha election that followed, the Congresss vote share lead over the BJP increased to 11.1 percentage points. The party won 11 of the 13 seats in 2009. A similar trend was also seen in the 2013 assembly election and the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP won all the 13 seats in 2014 and its extrapolated seat tally for 2013 assembly election is also 13. Comparisons of assembly and Lok Sabha results before 2009 cannot be done because constituency boundaries have changed in the 2008 delimitation. However, there is also evidence to the contrary. The remaining 12 seats in the state, which go to polls in the fifth phase, did not follow the trend of the preceding assembly election in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. The extrapolated tally here was 7-4 in favour of the BJP in the 2008 assembly election. This changed to 9-2 in favour of the Congress in the 2009 Lok Sabha election, following the overall trend in the state in the preceding assembly election. (CNN) A silver brandy flask given to a first-class passenger on the Titanic shortly before it sank has sold for 76,000 (around $98,000) at auction. Helen Churchill Candee owned the flask, which was engraved with her family's coat of arms and ominous motto, "Faithful but unfortunate." When disaster struck, Churchill Candee gave the flask to her friend and fellow first-class passenger Edward Kent, telling him: "You stand a better chance of living than I." But Kent perished and his belongings -- including the flask -- were returned to his wife, who subsequently returned the flask to Churchill Candee, who had survived the disaster. "The flask is badly out of shape," the widow wrote in a letter to Churchill Candee, a prolific author and pioneer of women's rights, who had been returning to the United States after her son was injured in an air crash. The flask remained in Churchill Candee's family until 2005, when it was sold by UK-based Henry Aldridge & Son, regarded as a leading authority on all things Titanic. Emerging again for sale this year, the flask attracted bids from around the world by telephone and online. The winning bid came from an unidentified private buyer in Britain. Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge told CNN the firm achieved its expertise in this field "purely by chance," when his father, Alan, did a valuation roadshow some 20 years ago. Now managing director of the business started by his grandfather Henry, Aldridge said: "He got into conversation with a client and it turned out her father was the purchasing officer for the White Star Line (which owned Titanic) and had been at the launch of Titanic in May 1911." The conversation led to the sale of a menu from a lunch held for the launch, fetching far in excess of expectations. The auction house now holds two specialist Titanic sales every year. Its most valuable sale to date was that of the Wallace Hartley violin in 2013, which is believed to have been played in an attempt to calm passengers as the ship sank. It sold for 1.1 million ($1.4 million) including fees. This weekend's Titanic, White Star, Ocean Liner and Travel Memorabilia sale featured 270 items. Among the other highlights was a brass lifeboat plaque inscribed with "SS Titanic" and believed to be from lifeboat 12. Originally bought in the 1960s by a New York antiques dealer from an elderly woman believed to be third-class survivor Margaret Devaney, it sold for 46,000 ($59,000). More than a century on, there remains huge global interest in artifacts from the maritime disaster. "Principally, I think it's the human side of the story," explained Aldridge. "Every man, woman and child on that ship had a story to tell and those stories are told through the memorabilia. "The flask is a prime example of this. On the face of it, it's a fairly unremarkable piece that without this connection might be worth a couple of hundred pounds." But its history and provenance make all the difference, Aldridge said. "We are in a position to say exactly where it's been for the last 107 years and that's quite remarkable." An extremely rare silk postcard posted from the ship fetched 36,000 ($46,500) as part of the auction. It featured Hands Across the Sea, accompanied by the US and Norwegian flags. The card was written onboard the Titanic by third-class passenger Henry Olsen and is postmarked Queenstown 3.45 April 11th. It reads: "Dear Sina, on the way to New York. A very nice boat to travel with, you can imagine. Don't feel anything of the sea, will most likely arrive in New York next Tuesday. Love to everyone at Home. Love Your Henry". Olsen was drowned when the Titanic sank. Aldridge told CNN that it was "likely the most valuable postcard in the world" and added: "These Hands Across the Sea silk postcards are incredibly rare in their own right, but this one is unique in that it was sent from onboard the ship." Among the more unusual items was a biscuit recovered from a lifeboat of RMS Lusitania, which was sunk by a German U-boat off the Irish coast in 1915 and contributed indirectly to the entry of the United States into World War I. The hard tack biscuit, which fetched 5,500 ($7,100), was accompanied by a handwritten letter from a soldier in the Royal Engineers written shortly after the Lusitania sank, describing not only the aftermath in Queenstown, Ireland, but also the story of how he obtained the biscuit. "You will find enclosed a biscuit which I got out of one of the Lusitania's boats at Queenstown. I suppose these biscuits are put in the lifeboats to feed the people aboard her, in case they are a great distance from land or being adrift for many days." This story was first published on CNN.com, "Brandy flask given to Titanic passenger as disaster struck sells for almost $100,000." A day before the last phase of polling in Maharashtra, differences between the Congress and its ally Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) came to the fore on Sunday. While NCP chief Sharad Pawar said administrative experience made West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) chief Mayawati and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu better options for the prime ministership, the Congress insisted they would get adequate seats to form the government with its president Rahul Gandhi as prime minister. Pawar, who has been insisting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is unlikely to return to power, told a television channel on Saturday that Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, too, was a chief minister before becoming PM. Pawar said that experience as chief minister of their respective states could act in the favour of the three leaders he named when discussions arise over who to consider for the top post in the country.Pawar also said Gandhi has already clarified that he was not in the race for prime ministership. Follow live updates for 4th phase of voting in Lok Sabha elections here Pawars remarks have not gone down well with the Congress in the state. It is not clear in what context he has reacted, but it could be his personal opinion. We are sure about getting clear majority in the Lok Sabha polls and our president Rahul Gandhi is our choice for the (PM) post, said Sachin Sawant, Congress general secretary and spokesperson. According to a section of Congress leaders, Pawar is unlikely to support Gandhi for the post, in the same way he had refused to support Sonia Gandhi when Sonia entered politics. Rahul Gandhi has never said that he was not in the race, but Pawar will not accept him easily. Ahead of 2014, he had said openly that in his opinion, Rahul was not mature enough for the post. It cannot be overlooked that he was actively trying for a grand alliance of smaller parties ahead of elections, another Congress leader said. Watch | Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Watch out for these big fights in Phase 4 Political analyst Hemant Desai said the timing behind Pawars statement is important. He has attempted to polarise middle class votes who would not prefer to vote for Rahul Gandhi or his party. By his remarks he has sent out a message that there could be another option if the electorate is determined to throw out the Modi government. The statement could even help Mayawati and Banerjee in their respective states to gain more votes by projecting them as potential PM candidate, Desai said. Pawar was actively involved in forming the grand alliance of opposition parties ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. However, parties led by Banerjee, Mayawati and Naidu have not joined the Congress-led United Progress Alliance (UPA), keeping all possibilities open after the elections. According to political observers, though Pawar has said that he is not in the race for prime ministership, he may make last-ditch attempt if there is a hung parliament. The NCP chiefs statement is also an indication to the three leaders that a broader coalition of opposition parties can be formed after the election, observers said. Even Naidu has clarified that he was not in race, but if the situation permits after the results, he will throw his hat into the ring, a Congress leader said. Also Read | Lok Sabha election 2019: In phase 4, political heirs and actors in fray in Maharashtra In 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) registered its biggest ever victory in Jharkhand, winning 12 out of the 14 seats in the state. The BJP polled 40.7% of the total votes polled, 16.1 percentage points more than what the alliance of Congress, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) could manage. Jharkhand also had assembly elections in November and December 2014. Despite having swept the state in the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP formed an alliance with the All Jharkhand Students Union Party (AJSUP) and won 42 out of the 81 seats in the assembly. Raghubar Das became the first non-tribal chief minister in Jharkhand after the NDAs election victory. While the BJP entered an alliance despite having won the Lok Sabha, the two main opposition parties, JMM and Congress, parted ways. The JMM put up candidates in 79 assembly seats, and the Congress forged a 62-19 seat alliance with the RJD. The combined vote share of the JMM and the Congress-RJD alliance was 34.6%, pretty close to the NDA figure of 35.5%. The opposition seems to have learnt its lessons from the 2014 debacle in the battle for 2019. Jharkhand is probably the only state where the BJP is pitted against a grand alliance. Not only have the Congress, JMM and the RJD joined hands once again, they have also extended their alliance to include the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM), which has a significant vote share in the state. The combined vote share of the opposition alliance comprising the Congress, JMM, RJD and the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (JVM) was 36.9% and 44.8% in the 2014 Lok Sabha and assembly elections. If the votes of these four parties were aggregated at the parliamentary constituency (PC) level, and compared to the vote share of the BJP and the AJSUP, the BJPs tally in 2014 Lok Sabha would have come down to nine instead of 12. An extrapolation of 2014 assembly results shows that the combined vote share of these four parties was more than that of the NDA in 11 PCs. To be sure, there is no guarantee that an electoral alliance of so many parties will be able to ensure perfect transfer of votes in different constituencies. At the same time, there is no guarantee that the BJP would retain its 2014 vote shares that could have been an effect of the Narendra Modi wave. Anecdotal accounts also suggest that there could be significant tribal discontent against the BJPs state government. The exact impact of these factors will only be known on May 23, but it can be said that the BJPs main challenge in Jharkhand will to be cut its losses as much as possible Congress leader Sanjay Jha tweeted on Monday that the indelible ink, applied on the index finger of voters just before casting of vote, can be easily removed amid similar complaints throughout the four phases of Lok Sabha election across the country. Sanjay Jha tweeted a picture his inked finger at 9:52am after he cast his vote in Mumbai, where polling is being held on six Lok Sabha seats along with 16 other parliamentary constituencies in Maharashtra. The Congress leader also urged residents of Mumbai and India to lets move from darkness to sunshine. At 10:38am, he had a picture without the indelible ink on his finger. Follow live updates here S C A N D A L O U S!!! My ink has vanished into the blue within an hour of voting with just a slight application of a nail polish remover. After a friend sent a photo saying her voting ink got easily removed, I am sending mine as proof, Jha tweeted. Dear @ECISVEEP : My ink vanished fairly easily. And I am not the only one, Jha wrote as he also posted a video. Also read: In Tripura, Congress accuses BJP of using artificial fingers, fake ink Jha also retweeted and replied to jewellery designer Farah Khan about the vanishing ink. Dear @ECISVEEP , I just voted 2 hours ago and my ink had also come off easily. How is this possible????? @JhaSanjay I believe yours too came off, Farah Khan, the daughter of actor Sanjay Khan, tweeted. During the first phase of the staggered Lok Sabha election on April 11, many voters across the country had claimed that the indelible ink came off easily. S C A N D A L O U S!!! My ink has vanished into the blue within an hour of voting with just a slight application of a nail polish remover. After a friend sent a photo saying her voting ink got easily removed, I am sending mine as proof. @ECISVEEP @INCIndia pic.twitter.com/lptGd0s0nL Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) April 29, 2019 Ritu Kapur, the founder and chief executive officer of The Quint, tweeted photographs of her finger before and after applying nail polish remover on the ink mark on it. I voted. I got inked. I did not believe the people who said that indelible ink is washing off. So I tried nail polish remover -- and magic -- the mark is gone, she tweeted. A Hindustan Times editor was able to remove his with a wet wipe. There were several tweets tagging @SpokespersonECI with pictures of the index finger without the ink. The poll body, which has ordered 2.6 million bottles of indelible ink from the state-owned Mysore Paints and Varnish Ltd, said the ink used is certified by a central lab. A report was sought from the polling officer and it was found that the phial of the ink was certified by CSIR lab, as per the procedure. We are sending the ink for further test, deputy election commissioner Chandra Bhushan had said on the controversy. Also read: Indelible ink comes off, EVM glitches reported Bhushan also added that the voters could have applied oil or cream on their hands before the ink was applied, which could have led to the ink coming off. An official of Mysore Paints had said it does not comment on social media reports and asked for complaints to be sent by email. It did not respond to an email complaint with a video of the ink being scrubbed off within a couple of minutes. The biggest challenge for residents of Maval and Shirur, the two constituencies which are voting in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections on Monday, will be queueing up to vote in the scorching heat just after a weekend. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Maval and Shirur had witnessed 60 per cent polling and now, political parties have to put in extra efforts to ensure a high turnout in areas favourable to them. Pune and Baramati Lok Sabha seats, which went to polls on April 23, witnessed a considerably low turnout with 49.84 per cent and 61.54 per cent respectively. However, the election officials are optimistic about Maval and Shirur and are expecting a high turnout on Monday even as the mercury is touching new high since past three days. On Sunday, Punes temperature was 43 degree Celsius, almost 5 degree more than the normal. Follow live updates for 4th phase voting here In Maval Lok Sabha seat, 36,858 names have been added into electoral roll and while in Shirur 60,792 names have been added this time. Also, the number of names which have been deleted from the earlier voter list is negligible. Naval Kishore Ram, the Pune district collector, said, We have taken enough measures such as voter awareness campaign in both the constituencies. We have conducted training related to the usage of electronic voting machine (EVM), voter verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines in both the constituencies. Hence, we expect a better turnout on Monday. Also, the number of names which have been deleted from the voters roll in the Maval and Shirur parliamentary constituencies is minimal and therefore, it will not have any impact on the voter turnout, Ram added. Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Urban parts hold key in Maval, Shirur According to election commission officials, 269 names have been deleted in the three assembly constituencies of Maval parliamentary constituency from Pune district. Whereas, 1,664 names have been deleted from the Shirur parliamentary constituency. This will ensure that all the existing voters and new voters are able to vote. Also, help desks will be arranged at all the polling stations to help voters find their names, said Ram. Watch | Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Watch out for these big fights in Phase 4 Maval parliamentary constituency has the largest number of voters in the district. Panvel assembly constituency and Chinchwad assembly constituency have over five lakh names, taking the total of six constituencies to 22.97 lakh. Shirur has 21.73 lakh voters. Meanwhile, the election officials have classified 78 polling stations in the two constituencies as critical ahead of the election day on April 29. Of the 78 critical polling stations, 47 are in Maval, which also has three assembly constituencies from the Raigad district Uran, Panvel and Karjat. The remaining 31 critical stations are in Shirur. On May 12, when 24-year-old transgender woman Nisha votes in the Lok Sabha election, equal treatment for her community will be on top of her mind. Wearing a trendy round pair of sunglasses with mustard colour top tucked in her printed pants, Nisha was attending a transgender community meeting in Kashmere gate on Friday. Politicians should remember that the society does not comprise only of male and female persons. We too exist. We need equal opportunities in education and employment and equal treatment in society, she said. Having left her home in Uttar Pradeshs Meerut city in 2012, she lives with a toli (a group from the hijra community who perform at ceremonies) in Mangolpuri since . Just like any other young good looking woman I too can dream of walking the ramps and hit the silver screen. But, being a transgender its very difficult to even dream. Will any politician promise us equal opportunity? Can we dream at least? said the modelling aspirant. This is the first general election wherein transgender persons are casting their votes under their chosen gender identity after the Supreme Court had declared them as the third gender in 2014. Around 669 transgenders will exercise their franchise in Delhi, compared to 78,49,947 male and 64,21,283 female voters. However, many transgenders are still forced to cast their votes under the male or female category after failing to rectify their gender in the documents. For instance, 18-year-old Dummy will cast her vote as male as she could not change her gender in the documents . Its so disappointing that I cannot vote with the transgender identity. I still have my previous name in all my documents, said Dummy. When asked what will she expect from the new government she said, Recognition. Narrating the story behind her name, she said, Dummy jaise koi murti (like a mannequin). When I had joined an NGO for transgender SPACE at Kashmere Gate, I was very shy. I was scared and quiet most of the time because I had to leave my home at the age of 15. People started to call me dummy. Anjan Joshi, of NGO SPACE, said that most of the transgender voters are still male or female in their documents. There is no proper data available on transgender voters. Most of them are still male or female on paper. The change of gender and name in documents is a very lengthy task that is depriving majority of transgenders from mainstream education as well. The strength of these voters looks still very less and that is why the politicians neglect them in their manifesto and pre-poll promises, said Joshi. Special chief electoral officer Satnam Singh said that the transgender do not require any different documents to register as voters. Anyone who fills the form-6 can register as a voter. One needs to submit a date of birth certificate and residence proof to fill that. There is no requirement of gender proof for registering as voter. A transgender can easily change her/his gender in form 8-A of election commission online, he said. However, they cannot get their name changed on the form. The Delhi election office has also organised a special drive to encourage transgenders to enrol as voters and exercise their franchise. Joshi, however, said that the process is not as easy. Most of transgenders who go to help centres to register as voters are being asked to present documents such as address proof, and sex certification by a government hospital that takes two to three years, she said. Singh, however, said the election commissions help centres also accepts letters from the recognised NGOs and the heads of transgender tolis to change the gender in voter list. A 56-year-old transgender guru, who heads a toli of around 24 other community members in northeast Delhis Kabir Nagar said, I have been voting as a man since forever. Do I even look like a man? Its just I do not have my gender changed in my documents. I do not know about the online option. Madhu and Janasheen, who earn their livelihood by dancing in ceremonies, have managed to get their gender changed on adhaar cards. They will be voting as third gender on May 12. How does it matter even if we vote as transgender? Politicians promise us separate public toilets, free passes in public transports, shelter homes and employment before every elections. But everybody forgets after winning the elections. Though these cards give us confidence, they are not helping us earn, said Janasheen, 30. Nodding her head in affirmation, Madhu, 31, said Forget about everything at least the politicians can ensure us equal treatment in hospitals. Doctors look at us like some aliens whenever we go for treatment. Aliya, another transgender who begs at a streetlight in Dharampuri, said, There are shelter homes for animals but not for us. It clearly shows our importance in the eyes of those running the government. Yesterday, friends and fans of Imtiaz Dharker, the erstwhile Mumbai girl who now lives in London, woke up to headlines in the British press that the graceful poet and artist, whod been born in Pakistan and had once described herself as a Pakistani-Scottish Calvinist Muslim, was set to replace Carol Ann Duffy as Britains new poet laureate. Dharker, whod earlier been married to Literature Lives Anil Dharker, (their daughter is the critically acclaimed, UK-based, film and theatre actress Ayesha Dharker), and had played a prominent part in Mumbais cultural life in the 1980s and 1990s, working at what was then the citys most creative advertising agency Lintas and creating memorable AVs and films (her documentary on Cafe Samovar on the occasion of its 25th anniversary for which she composed a delightful rap song is one such), however, put paid to such notions with her characteristic modesty and gentleness later in the day with A social media post. Thank you all for the flood of good wishes; but I wouldnt take on such a public role even if I was asked (which I havent!) Looking forward to seeing which brave soul follows in Carol Anns footsteps, she wrote. But of course, her admirers were not easily dissuaded from hoping that the lady, whod received the Queens Gold Medal in 2014, would occupy the prestigious role. I thought youd be ideal, was one response. Wish it could be you, but I completely understand, went another, while a third said, Were looking forward to you, brave Pakistani, Scottish, Calvinist, Muslim lady who married into Wales, following Carol Anns footsteps. No pressure tho! Meanwhile, since Duffys tenure ends today, Dharkers friends and fans around the world, as well as the poetry-reading and general populace of Britain, are eagerly awaiting an announcement of the name. If it happens to be Dharkers, it will bode well for India too. The erstwhile Mumbai chi mulgi has not forgotten her former adopted homeland and it occupies a special place in her heart till today. Apparently, in 2014, when shed been invited to take tea with the Queen on being awarded the Queens Gold Medal for Poetry, her audience with Her Majesty had been scheduled for the usual 15 minutes, but had gone on for 45 minutes, as the two ladies had reminisced about India. And if sources are to be believed, especially Nehru who Her Majesty had remembered with great respect. Tweet Talk Heard at South Mumbai kitty party: - Will there be a/c in the booth? - Need to book my hairdressers - This Milind looks like a cool dude, vote for him - Im told vote for NOTA-which party is he from? - No yaaa, wholl go out in this heat? Vote. Vote sensibly. #MumbaikarVoteKar - Industrialist Harsh Goenkas caustic tweet on South Mumbais voting patterns A Pooja Before Poha And Polling Milind Deora and Hema Deora Yesterday was a particularly poignant one in the home of South Mumbai candidate and Congress leader Milind Deora. It was the first time that his father, the charismatic Murli Deora, whod served as mayor of Mumbai, Member of Parliament in the Upper and Lower Houses, and cabinet minister, while also being president of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee for 22 years, would not be around as his son faced the electorate. An emotional Hema Deora, his bridge-champion wife with daughter-in-law film-producer Pooja Shetty Deora, however, did not let this faze them, we are informed. According to sources, the Deora ladies performed their ritual pooja asking for blessings for Milind Deoras successful candidature and then invited members of the Marathi press, who had been camping at their door, for a traditional Maharashtrian breakfast prepared by the Maharashtrian Hema. It was a typical hearty repast with additions of sheera, hot chaha and poha, said a source. What made it even more delightful is that Deoras little daughter was all over the place making her presence felt, before her parents and grandmum left to cast their vote at the New Activity School next door. Incidentally, when we spoke to a source in Deoras camp a little before going to press, he said, The numbers look favourable for us. At Least He Showed Up Naresh Goyal (File Photo) As expected, videos of Naresh Goyal casting his vote in South Mumbai attracted much interest and comment. The founder of the beleaguered Jet Airways, who, along with wife Anitha Goel had exited the airlines board after financial woes grounded the enterprise earlier this month, looked his cheery self, but refused to make any comments. With employees of the airline not having received salaries for over three months and tempers running high Goel was prudent to zip up. But the fact that he showed up to cast his vote and play his part as a responsible citizen, when he could have saved himself the embarrassment of public exposure at a time like this, was not lost on many. When things are so bad for him and he is at the center of so much negative attention, he could have easily skipped voting and saved himself some embarrassment, said one commentator on the ongoing Goel saga that has been attracting headlines and passenger ire. Can one say the same for other high-profile tycoons under similar scrutiny? Theyve all flown away or are in hiding. In the first four months of 2019, the city witnessed at least seven instances of attacks on police officers while on duty. Of these, five were reported in April. From sensitising police personnel on how to deal with citizens to promising the strictest action, police are now undertaking multiple measures to counter these attacks. The first such major incident in recent public memory took place in August 2016, when traffic head constable Vilas Shinde was murdered by two youngsters, after he pulled them up for riding a two-wheeler without a licence at SV Road in Khar (West). Following a lull in 2017, there has been a spate of such attacks since 2018, as per reports. Explaining a probable reason behind the rise in such cases, city-based psychiatrist Sagar Mundada said, A [police] uniform makes no difference to people who are impulsive and lack self-control. When people think they can get away with something, they dont bother who is in front of them. Other psychiatrists have cited intoxication as a cause for such behaviour. Meanwhile, former deputy general of police (DGP) D Sivanandan cited the rising number in pendency of court cases to suggest that citizens no longer fear the law. At least one on-duty cop in the team must be armed as a precaution to avoid such instances from getting out of hand. According to police, the force has now taken to a zero-tolerance policy to crack down on such incidents. From building a watertight case against the accused to alerting the accuseds employer, police officers are being briefed on how to handle such cases. Vinoy Kumar Choubey, joint commissioner of police (law and order), said, These incidents will not be tolerated. Any individual found taking law in their hands will face strictest action. We will ensure that the accused in such cases are arrested and not granted bail for frivolous reasons. Other measures include informing the accuseds employer, writing to concerned authorities to cancel his or her driving licence, and giving an adverse report during background verification for passports and other documents, said a senior officer said. A traffic policeman said staff members have been instructed to take photos or videos of drivers violating traffic rules. Meanwhile, police officers are also working on building a better rapport with the public. Our supervisory officers regularly sensitise their subordinates, the senior officer said. In order to improve police-pubic rapport, sincere efforts should be made right from recruitment. Special workshop should be organised to develop soft skills, particularly with regard to communication, said another former DGP Praveen Dixit. As many as seven cases reported this year On April 24, a father-son duo was booked for allegedly assaulting a traffic policeman at Forjett Street in Tardeo. The accused, Jay Munwani, and his son, Jashan, were entering a one-way street from the wrong side. They beat up the constable after he stopped them and started to enter their vehicle details in the e-challan handset. On April 15, a man allegedly snatched the lathi from constable Pravin Suryavanshi, attached to the Mankhurd police station, and beat him up in a slum area in Sathe Nagar. When a team from the Mankhurd police station arrived at the spot, they found some boys in a scuffle with four on-duty policemen. The boys, however, fled on seeing the cops. On April 13, a police sub-inspector (PSI) and a police constable were allegedly assaulted by two Nigerians at Aarey Colony in Goregaon (East). Both policemen sustained injuries. One of them, Kukudu Ayyaz, 26, was arrested and cocaine worth 2.20 lakh. On April 5, the D N Nagar police arrested three men Samir Shaikh, 23, and his uncles Farooq, 39, and Akbar Shaikh, 42, for allegedly attacking a team of policemen that were accompanying civic officials while clearing hawkers from congested areas On April 2, a TV actor got into a scuffle with staff at a fast food joint in Bandra. After the police arrived, she slapped one of them. She then drove off in her car and crashed into seven vehicles in Santacruz In March, a constable Dilip Salunkhe, 30, sustained multiple injuries while chasing nine youngsters including four minors for rash driving on Pedder Road. He arrested two of them, but while trying to catch the others, one of them crashed into his vehicle. In January, two traffic police officers, including a woman constable, were assaulted by a taxi driver and five others. The on-duty constable, Gyaneshwar Meshram, 45, had asked the taxi driver to stop his vehicle for flouting traffic rules. After getting into an argument with the cop, the accused drove off and returned with five of his accomplices. The six men attacked Meshram as well as a woman constable who intervened in the fight. China and Pakistan have signed an agreement on joint space exploration including manned missions, state media reported late on Monday, adding that the agreement marks a new phase of cooperation between the two all weather allies. The agreement between China and Pakistan was signed in Beijing over the weekend, according to a brief statement released by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) and quoted by the nationalistic tabloid, Global Times. It was signed during the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan who was in Beijing for the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. The two countries signed the agreement Saturday in Beijing, marking that cooperation between the two neighbors in space exploration has entered a new phase, the CNSA statement added. Also read: Pakistan began space programme 8 years before India, but ISRO is galaxies ahead now The official statement did not share details about the agreement but added that Beijing will help develop Islamabads space technology. The agreement will serve as a high-level foundation for cooperation in space science and exploration. Both nations will conduct scientific and technological experiments, astronaut training, along with manned space applications and achievement transformation, said the CNSA statement. The CNSA and the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission will establish a China-Pakistan space committee chaired by top officials from both sides to address future collaborative issues, it added. The news report said that China sent two Pakistan satellites into orbit in 2018. The PRSS-1, Pakistans first optical remote sensing satellite, and the PakTES-1A, a smaller observation craft were both lifted into space by Chinas Long March-2C carrier rocket, the report added. Since Pakistan is Chinas all-weather friend, China is willing to provide know-how to foster Pakistans technological development on the use of outer space, Lan Jianxue, an associate research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Monday. The current agreement signifies that their cooperation is not limited to infrastructure and resources, it also concerns technology and innovation, Lan told the tabloid. China is shoring-up its connectivity projects with Nepal and Myanmar, including a trans-Himalayan network, a cross-border railway venture and an economic corridor under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Nepal-China Trans-Himalayan Multi-dimensional Connectivity Network, including the Nepal-China cross-border railway, have been named under the list of projects under the BRI. The naming of the bilateral projects with Nepal coincided with Beijing dropping the BCIM or the Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar Corridor from the BRI projects list. Instead, China has now named the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor under the BRI, an indication that Beijing will go ahead with infrastructure projects in south Asia bilaterally. Simultaneously, visiting Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari said in Beijing that the BRI is offering new opportunities for Nepal and she hopes Chinese investors and enterprises can invest more in Nepal. China has plans to extend a railway line from Tibet to Kathmandu. The Chinese railway link will eventually be extended to the western tourist city of Pokhara and to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, near the border with India on the southern plains, said media reports in Kathmandu. Also read: Agreements worth over $64 billion signed at BRF meet: Chinese president Xi Jinping According to the Nepalese embassy in Beijing, China is Nepals largest source of foreign direct investment and its second largest trading partner. The trade between the two countries in 2018 was US$1.29 billion, said an embassy publication. It is clear from Chinas approach to projects in south Asia that it will strike bilateral deals with countries in Indias neighbourhood. The new list of projects under the BRI was released over the weekend at the end of the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF). India skipped the forum because of sovereignty concerns over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passing through the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. China now has bilateral projects with Pakistan, Nepal, and Myanmar and is separately building, or pumping in money, into ports, bridges and railway networks in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Maldives. Also read: India stands its ground on Chinas Belt and Road plan, to skip mega meet Until recently, the BCIM was one of the six economic corridors that China had named under the BRI. The BCIM aims to connect southwest Chinas Kunming city with Dhaka in Bangladesh, Mandalay in Myanmar and Kolkata. The BCIM was conceived before President Xi Jinping launched the BRI in 2013 but it was subsequently included among the six major economic and transport corridors under the multi-billion dollar collectivity project. In Chinese academic and expert circles, India has been blamed for the slow progress in the BCIM as New Delhi is said to be apprehensive about the security situation in the northeastern states. In November, China, and Myanmar signed a renegotiated deal to develop a multi-billion dollar deep sea port in Kyaukpyu on the coast of Bay of Bengal, third in Indias neighbourhood. China has already helped build a port in Gwadar in Pakistan and Hambantota in Sri Lanka. It is also funding the development of the Chittagong port in Bangladesh. Located on the western coast of Myanmar in Rakhine state, the scaled-down port, part of a special economic zone (SEZ), when developed will not be far away from a submarine base India is developing on its east coast, close to Vishakhapatnam. Pakistan and IMF began formal talks on Monday over a three-year bailout package for economic reforms. The two sides are discussing the possibility of a $7-$8 billion loan deal, local media reported. According to adviser and spokesman for the finance ministry, Khaqan Najeeb, the IMF delegation would meet officials of the ministry, the Federal Board of Revenue and the State (Central) Bank during its visit to Pakistan. The review mission is expected to analyse economic data and engage in policy level discussions with de facto finance minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, during which terms and conditions of the programme will be determined. If successful, the mission will sign a letter of intent with Pakistan. The IMF team will be briefed over the progress of economic targets and presented with the recommendations for the federal budget for the fiscal year 2019-20. The IMF has been pressing Pakistan to increase its tax-to-GDP ratio to 13.2%. Sources say Pakistan has assured the IMF of raising its tax collection to 12.7% of GDP. Prime Minister Imran Khan had met IMF director Christine Lagarde on Friday on the sidelines of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. The number of deaths caused by the conflict and turmoil in Yemen has soared past the 70,000-figure mark, according to a new report. Data on the disturbed West Asian countrys civil war collected between the start of 2016 and mid-April this year shows 70,200 deaths, according to international political conflict monitor ACLED (Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project). The revelation is disturbing given that up until now, it has largely been reported across the press as well as by the UN that the death toll in Yemen has ranged between 8,000 and 14,000. The ACLED report also says 10,000 people have died in the country in just the last five months, while the death toll this year stands at a staggering 7,600 at least. The report from ACLED, which maps conflicts on a real-time basis, has observed that fatality rates in Yemen have shifted across areas over the past two years. Reported fatalities increased most dramatically in (the regions of) Al Jawf and Hajjah, along with Taiz, Sadah and Ad Dali, the report says. They dropped most significantly in Hodeidah and also in Marib, Sanaa and Al Bayda. The report makes an interesting observation over civilian deaths in Yemen, saying the Saudi-led coalition and its allies are responsible for the highest number of reported civilian fatalities in the country from direct targeting, accounting for more than 4,800 since 2016. In contrast, the Houthi rebels and their allies are responsible for over 1,300 reported civilian fatalities from direct targeting. It means the Saudi-led forces have killed nearly four times more civilians in Yemen than the Houthi bloc has done. Nearly 380 civilian fatalities have been reported this year resulting from direct targeting, the ACLED report says. The war began in 2015 as a power struggle between the internationally recognised government headed by Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi and leaders of the Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah. Both factions claim to form the national government. Hadi and his allies are currently based in the city of Aden, while the opponent camp, the Houthis and their forces, are in control of the capital city of Sanaa. The ACLED report comes two days after the UNDP released a report, Assessing the Impact of War on Development in Yemen, in which it said the conflict has reversed human development in the country by 21 years. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Switch to Hospital Comfort Protocol Causes Horrifying Death News provided by Fr. Kevin Manion April 29, 2019 LOS ANGELES, April 29, 2019 /Christian Newswire/ -- Christian Churches celebrate the Sunday after Easter as Mercy Sunday. The Gospel recounts Jesus greeting his apostles in the upper room and saying to them, "Peace be with you... whose sins you shall forgive are forgiven them." For a retired Catholic priest from San Diego, Fr. Kevin Manion, this year's Mercy Sunday has an added meaning. Fr. Manion spent years caring for his invalid mother. "Today is when mom would have celebrated her 99th birthday." Patricia Ann was hospitalized earlier in the month with pneumonia. To non-medical eyes she began to recover with the medical protocol. On the afternoon of her death, she spoke to family members about returning home. She was supposed to leave the hospital. That afternoon Mrs. Manion told her housekeeper she would pay to take her home. She had been collecting "two dollar" bills in a piggy bank for an emergency. Earlier the hospital physician sought to end the "medical" and begin the "comfort" protocol. This was the doctor's professional opinion. Fr. Manion sensed the doctor's urgency for the "comfort" protocol - the use of a morphine drip to provide his mother comfort. The priest gave his consent. Medical protocol was removed. The new protocol took one hour. Family members witnessed special nurses loading Mrs. Manion with three bags of morphine. Pat saw this as well. She knew what was happening. She pleaded with her son to take her out of the hospital bed. He was helpless, knelling on the floor next to her, and he saw Jesus in agony on the cross. The Lord's Prayer ends with the words, "deliver us from evil." Fr. Manion's mom was euthanized. "Pray for us now, and at the hour of our death." The hour of Patricia's death was evil. Had she lived, Patricia would have been an invaluable witness for a recent "Cause of Sainthood" in the Los Angeles Archdiocese for Fr. Aloysius Ellacuria, CMF. 40 years earlier Mrs. Manion had accompanied Fr. Aloysius on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Fr. Aloysius was designated "Servant of God" by the Vatican Congregation handling sainthood causes. Pat Manion didn't survive to tell her story. Her 5-day hospitalization ended in terror. This Mercy Sunday Fr. Manion prays the Lord's Mercy be with all placed on comfort protocol, and that his mother, Patricia Ann, born this day 99 years ago, rest in peace. SOURCE Fr. Kevin Manion CONTACT: Rev. Kevin Manion, 512-773-5447 Related Links www.aloysius.com Pipeline 29 April 2019 An establishment that offers travelers a home-away-from-home feel with the luxury and services of a hotel. A new kind of traveller has made an appearance in the hospitality industry: the accomplished creative class. Not bound by age or profession, but as they travel the world for work and leisure, they look for places that meet their hospitality needs, personal habits, mindsets and tastes. They look for places that offer a combination of innovative architecture and interior design, intuitive hospitality, a creative environment and a communal feel. The sharing community or ordinary luxury hotels do not longer fulfil their needs, as this often makes them feel unconnected to their destination. One exciting new example of the home-tel is The Levee, a restored Eclectic architecture-style villa built in 1913 that features eight massive apartments with truly luxurious amenities (Molton Brown toiletries, Moroso, Paola Lenti, Baxter) including a five-bedroom duplex penthouse. Located in Tel Aviv's original neighborhood, Neve Tzedek, The Levee offers a 24/7 concierge services that treats guests like they are family with dedicated staff, around-the-clock guest relations available via WhatsApp or SMS, Italian furniture and design pieces, and services that go above and beyond what a normal hotel or Airbnb could offer. The spacious presidential penthouse apartment has two floors and measures 280 square meters in total and is the epitome of privacy. Characterized by its glass contoured master bedroom and enormous terrace, this apartment offers sweeping views across the White City, reaching to the Mediterranean Sea. The grand bathroom features an open shower and stand alone bath with lavish brass and marble finishings. The Levee treats guests like they are family with dedicated staff, around-the-clock concierge, plush furnishings and services that go above and beyond. Appointment 29 April 2019 KASA Hotel Collection announces the appointment of Kai Jockel as Area Manager of KASA Hotel Collection in Mexico. A veteran of the hospitality industry with more than 30 years of experience, Kai will have responsibility for overall operation of the five hotels including the planning and preparation for the four yet to open. Kai's new position with KASA Hotel Collection marks his return to Mexico after 18 years, adding to his more than 10 years in hospitality in Latin America. Kai's vast hospitality background spans the globe, from Croatia to Colombia, and Costa Rica to China. His fluency in German, English and Spanish served him well during such major projects as the opening of the Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, the implementation of a new restaurant concept at the Intercontinental Costa Rica, and in effecting a turnaround in profitability for the Movenpick Resort Al Nawras restaurants. He has managed both boutique and larger hotels, with properties of 100 rooms or less, and more than 800 rooms. He has worked with hotel chains in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Europe including Marriott, Sheraton, Hilton and Starwood. Kai is an expert in property pre-openings, re-openings and positioning, taking responsibility for everything from the initial stages of planning to successful operation and growth. Kai caught the hospitality "bug" as a teenager which led to his becoming an Executive Chef and later enrolling in Hotel Management School. He received degrees granted by the German government in both areas. Since 2014, he has served as an instructor for eCornell, teaching courses focused on Food Service, Marketing and Revenue Management for Cornell University working with the online university for hotel management. Event This one-day conference is the premier European travel event focused on the top marketers, strategists, and technologists in the industry the people creating and defining the future of travel. Skift Forum Europe is unlike any other event in the region because of its laser focus on examining Europe as a bellwether for many of the leading trends in global travel. We chose London because the city is an epicenter of global business, has deep roots in tourism, and remains on the forefront of innovation. Like our flagship Global Forum in New York, Skift Forum Europe brings renowned industry leaders on stage to discuss the region, their companies, and the intersection of their ideas and the latest travel megatrends. You can read coverage or view complete sessions from last year's Skift Forum Europe 2018 in Berlin here. Skift Forum Europe is organized by Press Release 27 April 2019 On 27 March 2019, the Anniversary Edition of the Young Hoteliers Summit (YHS) concluded with high spirits as speakers, partners, and delegates alike commemorated the end of yet another successful summit. Through three days of powerful keynote speeches and inspiring panel discussions, the 10th Edition brought forth, among other key topics, the future of hospitality in the increasingly technology-focused world of today, and the need for hospitality to constantly adapt to these changing needs and expectations. Advertisements Data-analytic trends in the industry were undeniably one of the most important topics of discussion at the summit, as Lyle Worthington, Immediate Past President of HFTP and CIO of The Student Hotel, kicked off the summit emphasizing the need to use data, but also the need to protect data privacy, especially as more hotels seek to offer services as personalized as possible. In the Seizing Top Tech Opportunities panel, Steve Hood, Director of Research of STR, similarly highlighted that data mining and data utilisation is crucial as the vitality in the value of data is set to dramatically shape and change the future of hospitality. The 'High-Touch and High-Tech balance' described how data can be proactively used to improve hospitality services in order to appeal to customers and data could be successfully monetised eventually. Even in the distribution landscape, the Disrupting Distribution panel brought up the role intermediaries like OTAs could have in minimising the gap between independent hotels and chain hotels, by effectively using data and technology on their channels to better reach each individual hotel's target market. Bringing the summit back to the core of hospitality - people, the Hotel Quality Lab panel emphasized the need for hotels to have a strong culture within to foster good teamwork and communication in order to provide the best service. Heleri Rande, F&B Strategist and Consulting Editor at Supper Magazine added that flexibility in 'standards' and 'guidelines' would allow employees to deliver better service by creating their own magic space. In such a people-based industry as hospitality, the need for proper people management was further emphasized not only in the 21st Century Management and Leadership panel, but also the Global Brand Strategy panel, thereby stressing how employees are key to a company's success. Both panels talked about the need for attracting and retaining the right talent in the hospitality labour market. For example, the 21st Century Management and Leadership panel mentioned how critical it is to provide meaningful work to retain talent, to drive their motivation for growth in their career paths. As the hotel market becomes increasingly saturated with numerous hotel brands, Kenneth Hatton, Senior Vice President of Global Development at Belmond also said - to differentiate oneself in a world of sameness, it is essential to offer personalized services that speak to the guests' hearts - and that comes down to every single employee who contributes to this experience. Therefore, in the true spirit of hospitality, taking care of your employees is the first step to exceeding the expectations of your guests. The 10th Edition of YHS was truly an eye-opening one, fuelling food for thought through debating both current and emerging trends of the industry. The summit earned praise from its attendees for its stimulating discussions, insightful speeches, and for simply bringing together like-minded individuals from young aspiring hoteliers to established industry professionals. The YHS team for the 10th Edition is incredibly grateful for all the support the summit has received, and looks forward to continuing this hospitality journey to bring you an exciting 11th Edition in 2020. The 10th Edition of the Young Hoteliers Summit took place at Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne, Switzerland from the 25th to 27th of March 2019. For more information on the panels, schedule, and YHS in general, please visit us at www.yhsglobal.com. For interest in becoming a partner or speaker of the 11th Edition, and for all YHS-related matters, please contact us at [email protected]. About YHS Creating greater networks, building hospitality connections around the world, the Young Hoteliers Summit (YHS) has come a long way since its inauguration in 2010. As the largest student-run summit in the world, YHS brings together aspiring hoteliers from the world's top hospitality institutions, with industry professionals across the globe. This year's edition, 'The Scope of Hospitality: Envisioning - Defining - Succeeding', sought to narrate hospitality success stories and construct a guiding path for aspiring leaders of the industry through exploring various topics from global brand expansion strategies to data mining and collection. Press Release 29 April 2019 Swiss-Belhotel International announced today at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) plans to open seven hotels across the Middle East and North Africa in 2019. These openings highlight the company's growth in the region while marking its debut in destinations such as Muscat, Kuwait City, Makkah and Alexandria. Advertisements Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President, Operations and Development for the Middle East, Africa and India, Swiss-Belhotel International, said, "2019 is a very significant year for us with seven stunning properties lined up for opening in quick succession over the next few months. We are very excited about these openings that will give us access to fabulous new destinations while expanding our presence in existing locations such as Bahrain thus giving greater choice to our guests. These developments are aimed at diversifying our offering in the region while meeting the growing demand for quality accommodation at affordable rates." Laurent added, "For the first time in the Middle East we have introduced brands such as Grand Swiss-Belresort, Swiss-Belsuites, Swiss-Belboutique and Swiss-Belinn. Therefore, each of these properties will be unique in their own way." All of the seven hotels are already in pre-opening stages with Swiss-Belboutique Bneid Al Gar and Swiss-Belinn Doha opening in Q2 of 2019 followed by Swiss-Belsuites Admiral Juffair Bahrain and Swiss-Belinn Airport Muscat opening in Q3 of 2019. Three others namely Swiss-Belhotel Al Aziziyah Makkah, Grand Swiss-Belresort Seef, Bahrain and Swiss-Belresidences Al Sharq will be ready for opening in Q4 of 2019. Laurent stressed, "At Swiss-Belhotel International we are eager to contribute to the ongoing growth and diversification of the region's hospitality sector. Our global footprint, compelling portfolio of diverse brands and strong distribution platforms and loyalty affiliations continue to position us at the forefront of the industry, enabling us to leverage the latest trends to benefit our stakeholders in the region." Press Release 29 April 2019 MCLEAN, Va - For the first time, Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has been recognized in Canada for its outstanding workplace culture with inclusion on Great Place to Work's 2019 List of Best Workplaces in Canada - 1000+ Employees. Hilton is ranked #29 and is the top hospitality company on the list. Advertisements "Our Team Members are the heart and soul of our business, and we are focused on creating an exceptional workplace culture that respects, recognizes and rewards them," said Danny Hughes, Executive Vice President and President, Americas, Hilton. "We're proud to be recognized with this honor for the first time during our milestone 100th year." Hilton Team Members are able to thrive personally and professionally with a variety of industry-leading benefits, including Thrive Sabbatical, global career development opportunities, volunteer programs that support Hilton's corporate responsibility mission, Travel with Purpose, and discounted stays at Hilton properties around the world. Additionally, Hilton has introduced more comfortable and performance-driven wardrobes through a partnership with Under Armour and has redesigned back-of-house spaces with updated restaurants, Wi-Fi access and energizing music. Hilton received this honour after a thorough and independent analysis conducted by Great Place to Work. The list of Best Workplaces in Canada - 1000+ Employees assessed over 400 organizations, with employee feedback representing over 300,000 Canada based employees. To be eligible for this list, organizations must be Great Place to Work Certified in the past year. Great Place to Work determined the best based on employee responses to the Trust Index Employee Survey as well as a Culture Questionnaire. Earlier this year, Hilton was named to the 2019 List of Best Workplaces in Retail and Hospitality in Canada. Press Release 29 April 2019 The objective of the Freddie Awards: reward the airlines and hotel groups for the services of their loyalty's programs. The members expressed their preference and have once again proved their commitment and satisfaction to the Le Club AccorHotels... Discover our awards. Advertisements Le Club AccorHotels proudly received the in the following categories: "Best Hotel Program of the Year" in Europe/Africa. This accolade recognises that, over the past year, we've succeeded in bringing even more to our members: More brands: Fairmont, Raffles, Swissotel, Rixos, Banyan Tree, Angsana, Cassia, HiPark by Adagio. More partners: 12 new partners from a whole host of backgrounds, ranging from airlines (Qatar Airways) to the world of travel (Club Eurostar) and even the lifestyle sector (La Shooting Box). More opportunities to earn points through generous offers and fun competitions. More bespoke, one-of-a-kind experiences: Dream Stays and Elite Experiences all around the globe, offering you a taste of the VIP lifestyle. More commitment to responsibility and social action with Plant for the Planet and Accor Solidarity. "Best Customer Service" in Europe/Africa and the Middle East/Asia/Oceania, thanks to a customer care centre capable of handling queries in 13 different languages. It's always a pleasure and a pride to be rewarded at the Freddie Awards. For the fifth year in a row, these awards highlight the importance and quality of the work done by all our teams, which is true every day in our hotels. Offering ever more unique and unexpected experiences, going beyond simple hotel accommodation and rewarding our members for their loyalty, are our first priorities. With the arrival of ALL, our new lifestyle loyalty program, by the end of 2019, our 54 million members will discover new horizons (to explore) that we are eager to share explained Isabelle Birem, Loyalty SVP - Le Club AccorHotels. Created in 1988, the Freddie Awards give loyalty program members the opportunity to vote for what they consider to be the world's best airline and hotel loyalty programs. Members cast ballots online for their favourite loyalty programs in three separate geographic regions: Europe/Africa, the Middle East/Asia/Oceania & the Americas. Offering a level of flexibility unique to the hospitality sector, Le Club AccorHotels is the only hotel loyalty program to allow its members to use points all around the world with no date or availability restrictions, as well as offering member-only benefits and services at each stage in the customer journey, accessed via the customer account on AccorHotels.com and the mobile app. Press Release 29 April 2019 Setting a new benchmark in the hospitality market, Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the region with hotels across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkey, has won the 'Best Hotel Brand in the Middle East' award for the third consecutive year, and the 'Best Business Hotel in Jordan' award for Amman Rotana at the prestigious Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2019. Advertisements Guy Hutchinson, Acting CEO, Rotana, accepted the honour on behalf of the company at a glittering awards ceremony held in Dubai. Commenting on the award, Guy Hutchinson said: "We have reached a new milestone in our journey as Rotana was named the 'Best Hotel Brand in the Middle East' at the celebrated Business Traveller Middle East Awards for the third year in a row. These coveted accolades are a well-deserved recognition for our unremitting commitment to keeping with our promise of delivering 'Treasured Time' to our guests by pursuing excellence in our service offerings. This achievement will reignite our passion for genuine hospitality and will incentivise us to explore new avenues to continue creating truly remarkable and unforgettable guest experiences at our wide-ranging hotels in the region." With an extensive and diverse portfolio of 65 operating hotels, Rotana operates more than 17,300 keys across 12 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkey. In line with its long-term strategy, the company has planned an ambitious pipeline to deepen and expand its presence in its home market of the UAE and leading markets globally. Between 2019 and 2020, Rotana will open ten new hotels to add more than 2,700 keys to its inventory. No stranger to industry recognition, Rotana has been honoured with nearly 400 prestigious awards to date. Over the last 12 months, the company has won 25 awards, including 16 awards at World Travel Awards Middle East 2018. Hosted by the region's leading travel and hospitality magazine, Business Traveller, the 'Business Traveller Middle East Awards' is now in its eighth year. The awards aimed at celebrating the region's best companies in business travel and hospitality sectors, are voted for by the magazine's readers. Performance 29 April 2019 The Canadian hotel industry reported mostly positive year-over-year results in the three key performance metrics during Q1 2019, according to data from STR. Compared with Q1 2018: Occupancy: -0.5% to 56.7% Average daily rate (ADR): +1.2% to CAD148.68 Revenue per available room (RevPAR): +0.7% to CAD84.24 The absolute ADR and RevPAR levels were the highest for any Q1 in STR's Canada database. A February report from Destination Canada showed that overnight arrivals of international visitors to the country were up 1.0% during the first two months of 2019. STR analysts point to the influx of visitors as a reason for healthy hotel demand (+1.1%), but higher supply (+1.6%) put slight pressure on occupancy levels. In absolute values, March was Canada's top month of the quarter for occupancy (60.5%) and RevPAR (CAD89.86), while February was Canada's top month in Q1 for ADR (CAD149.96). Among the provinces and territories, Prince Edward Island recorded the quarter's largest increases in each of the three key performance metrics: occupancy (+3.2% to 38.1%), ADR (+4.4% to CAD111.74) and RevPAR (+7.8% to CAD42.60). Manitoba experienced the second-highest rise in occupancy (+1.6% to 62.1%). British Columbia saw the second-largest jump in RevPAR (+2.9% to CAD110.25). Newfoundland and Labrador posted the steepest decline in each of the three key performance metrics: occupancy (-5.9% to 38.1%), ADR (-7.4% to CAD120.67) and RevPAR (-12.9% to CAD46.01). 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 The property will mark the first Andaz branded hotel in Dubai and the second in the United Arab Emirates Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced yesterday that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with wasl Asset Management Group for the development of an Andaz branded hotel on the Palm Jumeirah. Occupying prime real estate on the world-famous man-made island, Andaz Dubai The Palm is slated to open in the last quarter of 2019, becoming the first Andaz branded hotel in Dubai and the second Andaz hotel in the United Arab Emirates, joining Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi. Created for the inquisitive-minded traveler, the hotel will offer an inspired local experience and stimulate guests senses through the citys rich culture, heritage and attractions. The property will provide exclusive beachfront admission and easy access to several of Dubais key landmarks including the Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Mall, Marina Mall, Jumeirah Beach and Dubai Marina. HE Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, CEO of wasl Asset Management Group, commented, Andaz Dubai The Palm will provide a standout hospitality experience for guests amidst a location famous for luxury and exclusivity. Due for completion ahead of the EXPO 2020, this new venture with Hyatt will further enriches our portfolio and fosters the provision of exemplary hospitality experiences to Dubais growing tourism market. Hyatt is committed to thoughtfully introducing brands to new places and providing meaningful experiences for each and every guest, said Ludwig Bouldoukian, Hyatts Dubai-based regional vice president of development, Middle East and North Africa. Were excited to introduce the Andaz brand to Dubai and believe that the globally renowned Palm Jumeirah provides the ideal setting to realize this vision. The vibrant luxury property will attract travelers looking to fully immerse themselves in Dubai and engage them through unique programming. The hotel will feature twin 15-story towers inclusive of 217 guestrooms and 116 serviced apartments, each capturing a bespoke design influenced by the colors of Arabia. To add to the areas thriving culinary scene, the hotel will offer four vibrant restaurants as well as a fitness center, spa and meeting facilities. A second property is also under development at urban beachside destination La Mer. Previously announced as Andaz La Mer Dubai, Hyatt Centric La Mer Dubai will mark the first property under the Hyatt Centric brand in the UAE. A full-service lifestyle brand positioned in prime destinations, Hyatt Centric hotels are thoughtfully designed as a launch-pad for exploration and discovery, a perfect fit for socially connected guests who want to live in the now. Hyatt Centric La Mer Dubai is set to open in 2020. The term Hyatt is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates. About Andaz Global in scale while local in perspective, the Andaz brand of luxury lifestyle hotels weaves the sights, sounds, and tastes of each propertys surroundings for a distinct experience. Through thoughtful, unscripted service, Andaz hotels enable guests to go beyond the familiar and satiate their curiosity while immersing them in the spirit of the eclectic culture around them. Seventeen Andaz hotels are currently open: Andaz 5th Avenue and Andaz Wall Street in New York, Andaz San Diego, Andaz West Hollywood, Andaz Napa, Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa, Andaz Savannah, Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market, Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya, Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo, Andaz London Liverpool Street, Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht, Andaz Singapore, Andaz Delhi, Andaz Xintiandi in Shanghai, and Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills. For more information, please visit andaz.com. Follow @Andaz on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and tag photos with #WhenInAndaz. About Hyatt Centric Hyatt Centric is a brand of full-service lifestyle hotels located in prime destinations. Created to connect guests to the heart of the action, Hyatt Centric hotels are thoughtfully designed to enable exploration and discovery, so they never miss a moment of adventure. Each hotel offers social spaces to connect with others in the lobby, meanwhile the bar and restaurant are local hot spots where great conversations, locally inspired food and signature cocktails can be enjoyed. Streamlined modern rooms focus on delivering everything guests want and nothing they dont. A passionately engaged team is there to provide local expertise on the best food, nightlife and activities the destination has to offer. For more information please visit hyattcentric.com. Follow @HyattCentric on Facebook and Instagram, and tag photos with #HyattCentric. About Wasl Hospitality LLC Wasl Hospitality LLC is a subsidiary of Dubai Real Estate Corporation, a public corporation established by the government of Dubai. The Dubai Real Estate Corporation oversees activities pertaining to the former Real Estate Department, Dubai Development Board and Dubai Coast Hospitality, and currently supervises operations of other globally renowned hospitality chains, inclusive of the six existing properties of Hyatt in Dubai. About Hyatt Hotels Corporation Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 19 premier brands. As of December 31, 2018, the Company's portfolio included more than 850 properties in 60 countries across six continents. The Company's purpose to care for people so they can be their best informs its business decisions and growth strategy and is intended to attract and retain top colleagues, build relationships with guests and create value for shareholders. The Company's subsidiaries develop, own, operate, manage, franchise, license or provide services to hotels, resorts, branded residences, vacation ownership properties, and fitness and spa locations, including under the Park Hyatt, Miraval, Grand Hyatt, Alila, Andaz, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Destination, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt, Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Thompson Hotels, Hyatt Centric, Hyatt House, Hyatt Place, Joie de Vivre, tommie, Hyatt Residence Club and Exhale brand names, and operates the World of Hyatt loyalty program that provides distinct benefits and exclusive experiences to its valued members. For more information, please visit . Forward-Looking Statement Forward-Looking Statements in this press release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Our actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as may, could, expect, intend, plan, seek, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential, continue, likely, will, would and variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by us and our management, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the rate and the pace of economic recovery following economic downturns; levels of spending in business and leisure segments as well as consumer confidence; declines in occupancy and average daily rate; the seasonal and cyclical nature of the real estate and hospitality businesses; changes in distribution arrangements, such as through internet travel intermediaries; changes in the tastes and preferences of our customers; the financial condition of, and our relationships with, third-party property owners, franchisees, and hospitality venture partners; the possible inability of third-party owners, franchisees, or development partners to access capital necessary to fund current operations or implement our plans for growth; risks associated with potential acquisitions and dispositions and the introduction of new brand concepts; the timing of acquisitions and dispositions, and our ability to successfully integrate completed acquisitions with existing operations; our ability to successfully execute on our strategy to expand our management and franchising business while at the same time reducing our real estate asset base within targeted timeframes and at expected values; changes in the competitive environment in our industry, including as a result of industry consolidation, and the markets where we operate; our ability to successfully grow the World of Hyatt loyalty program; cyber incidents and information technology failures; and other risks discussed in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which filings are available from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any of our forward-looking statements. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which are made only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any of these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource Located at 26 East Chestnut Street, Holiday Inn Lancaster features a full-service restaurant, The Imperial, and 19,000 square feet of event and meeting space. The 10-story hotel also features a 5,000-square-foot lobby, an indoor swimming pool, a 24-hour sundry shop, guest laundry facilities and a fitness center. InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) last week announced the opening of the 216-room Holiday Inn Lancaster hotel in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The hotel was developed by Meeder Development Corporation of Lancaster and is owned by Square Development LP, a partnership led by John Meeder and Sam Wilsker. Located at 26 East Chestnut Street, Holiday Inn Lancaster features a full-service restaurant, The Imperial, and 19,000 square feet of event and meeting space. The 10-story hotel also features a 5,000-square-foot lobby, an indoor swimming pool, a 24-hour sundry shop, guest laundry facilities and a fitness center. Errol Williams, Global Brand Vice President, Holiday Inn, IHG, commented: Thanks to the long-standing relationships and deep knowledge of the region brought by the team at Meeder Development Corp., were excited to welcome the Holiday Inn brand to historic Lancaster. With flexible guest room design that adapts to travelers needs, multiple workspace options and multi-purpose meetings and events spaces, the Holiday Inn Lancaster hotel provides a destination perfect for Lancasters business and leisure travelers just steps away from the heart of this bustling city. John Meeder, president and founder of Meeder Development Corp., said: The resurgence of historic downtown Lancaster has helped fuel the economic development and tourism to the region, and we look forward to hosting regional, national and international visitors at the new Holiday Inn Lancaster. The hotel will be a welcome addition to all that is happening in our dynamic city, and our new restaurant will tap into the local food scene and be a draw for both local and out-of-town guests. The hotel features the Holiday Inn brands H4 guest room design a flexible solution that adapts to each guests individual needs as they change throughout their stay, allowing them to work or relax wherever and however they want and make the space truly their own. As part of this new design, the guest rooms will include: A welcome nook, which serves as a drop zone for guests to hang their coat, drop their keys and personal belongings and plug in their devices much like they would an entryway or mudroom in their own home. An entirely new room type, the king bed with comfort hideaway, featuring a trundle-type bed, which doubles as a sofa during the day and can pull out into two twin beds at night. The room design is ideal for business travelers, serving as a separate place to work or relax and unwind, and families with kids and teens, giving each member of the family a comfortable place to sleep and play. A new moveable desk and more than five dedicated points of power throughout the room, designed with todays travelers in mind, giving them the ability to work and play anywhere in the room. The hotel, located just two blocks from Lancaster Convention Center, features a new restaurant, The Imperial, with an impressive street-front view on the corner of Queen and Chestnut Streets. The restaurants name pays homage to the historic hotel that stood on the site, where notable figures such as Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt gave speeches. The Imperial restaurant connects directly to the hotels lobby and incorporates over 35 different styles of light fixtures, with 26 original works of art designed by local artist and interior designer, Noelle Turco. The Imperials bright and bold food offering is designed to tap into the local restaurant scene and allow Holiday Inn guests to "eat where the locals eat. Honoring the hotels ties to Lancasters history, 28 historic black and white photos of local buildings and locations were recreated by hand to hang throughout the hotel. The paintings depict the Lancaster Train Station, the old Imperial Bar and Hotel, the Brunswick Hotel and numerous businesses, such as the six movie theaters that were once located at the 100 block of North Queen Street. There are also three full-size hand drawn Sanborn maps showing the location of buildings in Downtown Lancasters 100 block of North Queen Street in 1912. The hotels 19,000 square feet of meeting and event space, The Imperial Ballrooms and Event Spaces, offer the atmosphere, amenities and prime location perfect for meetings, conventions, trade shows, weddings, and other special events in Lancaster. The largest spaces, The Imperial Suite, The Imperial Blue, and Imperial Grande, accommodate 100 to 300 guests and adjoin to a stunning Atrium that is perfect for additional event and pre-function space. Additionally, nine smaller spaces throughout the hotel can be booked for meetings, banquets, or seminars. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource Partnership will give Seera Group (formerly Al Tayyar Travel Group) access to IHGs global portfolio of over 5,600 hotels IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has signed a global partnership agreement with Seera Group, the largest travel and tourism company in the Middle East with a prominent local, regional and international presence. The significant direct connectivity distribution agreement, which was announced at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2019, will provide Seera Group (formerly Al Tayyar Travel Group) with access to IHG's current global portfolio of 15 brands and over 5600 hotels, in more than 100 countries, for the leisure travel category. Seera Group will also have access to automated real-time pricing and inventory across IHG's portfolio. Commenting on the signing, Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, IMEA, IHG, said: "We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Seera Group. IHG has ambitious growth aspirations for the region, and the exciting agreement will allow us to connect with a wider audience of leisure travellers. Leisure travel is a growing category amongst the region's domestic and outbound travellers, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a number of projects initiated under the KSA National Vision 2030. Our global portfolio of well-known brands and hotels, coupled with the partnership, will allow us to be able to bring both greater awareness and choice to the travellers in the region." The agreement will provide IHG with access to Seera Group's extensive regional network of retail branches and call centres, as well as the group's leading consumer travel brand Al-mosafer and its UAE-focused OTA tajawal, strengthening IHG's visibility and sales capabilities. Abdullah Al Dawood, CEO of Seera Group, said: "Our customers remain at the heart of all our transformation, expansion and partnership plans. As IHG has an extensive global footprint and an expansive property portfolio a direct partnership agreement offers competitive rates and last-minute availability on properties world-wide, with the booking experience our customers expect. Seera Group is fast becoming the partner of choice for hotel brands looking to harness the power of the Middle East's travel industry, and with a new partnership, IHG will gain exposure to our offline and online travellers in the region, as we have the largest travel platform in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East; with 180 million online sessions expected for 2019." IHG currently operates 91 hotels across 6 brands in the Middle East, including: InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, voco, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express , Staybridge Suites and voco with a further 37 in the development pipeline due to open within the next three to five years**. **Figures as of December 31st, 2018 Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource Over the past weekend, 50 Cent unleashed the three heads of Cerberus upon producer Randall Emmett and his fiancee Lala Kent, over the former's unpaid debt of one million dollars. These days, it feels as if 50 is a full-time money collector, though Teairra Mari has opted to remain defiant in her "I Ain't Got It" position. Yet with Emmett, 50 employed a rather successful tactic - sending forth a barrage of memes the likes of which the world has never seen. Many of said memes including direct conversation transcripts with Emmett, who continuously begged 50 to call off the public shaming. Yet 50 remained stalwart, claiming that he'd delete them upon receiving his full fee. As Emmett began to feel the burn of 50's assault, he eventually acquiesced and transferred the full amount. In the exchange, which was captured by TMZ, Emmett attempts to bargain with 50 before giving in, prompting 50 to call off the attack and delete all traces from his page. https://www.instagram.com/p/BwkoHpann8g Clearly, 50's efficacy should be respected, and it's likely that Emmett will think twice about crossing the G-Unit legend. Now, "Fofty" has once again set his sights on Teairra, perhaps embolded by his success. Can he really go two-for-two in such a short period of time? 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. For the first time since his release from prison in February, Mystikal returned to the stage to perform, making a surprise appearance on Saturday night at Orlando's Funk Fest. Mystikal was brought out onstage by Doug E. Fesh to perform a set that included Ludacris' "Move Bitch" and his own "Shake Ya Ass" hits. The annual Funk Fest celebration is a highly-anticipated event that hosts a lineup of industry veterans such as Erykah Badu, T.I., and Jeezy among others and marks the southern artist's first major public appearance after spending 18 months in prison on charges of rape and kidnapping. His release came only after he posted a $3 million bond, an amount he came up with after reportedly earning an advance on a brand new recording contract. The charges were brought up against the rapper after a Louisiana woman accused him of sexual assault. Soon after, he would turn himself into police. Since his release, Mystikal and his legal team have called for the charges to be dropped and for the case to be dismissed, rejecting a plea deal in the process. "Based on all of the evidence we have, we strongly believe that an amicable resolution is not only possible but probable as an outcome in this case," said his attorney Joel Pearce in a statement. "Michael Tyler will never be made to return to jail for a crime he didnt commit." They made quite the odd couple in Mexico: the world-famous billionaire and the rising leftist politician. For years, they teamed up on projects and spoke nicely of one another in public. But just as the politician, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, was preparing to move into the presidential palace late last year, his relationship with the billionaire, Carlos Slim, suddenly soured. Mexicos richest man didnt join the presidents business advisory board and AMLO, as the leader is known, began taking shots at one of Slims companies. One potential explanation for the chill: a hand-written note Slim sent in October. As Lopez Obrador was weighing whether to scrap a $13 billion airport being built for Mexico City, Slim reached out to the president with a personal letter making a plea to save the project, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. He argued that the airport could be turned over to the private sector, and offered to take it on himself, said the people, who asked not to be named because the correspondence was private. Slims strong support wasnt a surprise -- he had publicly defended the new hub and talked about the option for a privately run airport, known as a concession -- but the note also proposed that the deal include operations of another airport nearby, Toluca. For Lopez Obrador, who had just staked his winning campaign on a pledge to rein in Mexicos corporate elite, the bold overture didnt go over well, said one of the people. PANCHO VILLA, PROSTITUTES AND SPIES: The U.S. - Mexico border wall's wild origins We know the outcome: Lopez Obrador proceeded with a public referendum on the airport and then canceled the project. Slim, who was heavily invested through construction contracts and a financing vehicle, took a heavy hit. But the note and Lopez Obradors bristling response help provide some insight into the cooling behind a seemingly good relationship that went back almost two decades. Now the president is cozier with another billionaire, mogul Ricardo Salinas. The airport was a big blow for Slim, said Alejandro Schtulmann, who runs the political-risk consultancy EMPRA in Mexico City. For the president, Slim could be of use, but if hes perceived to be in the way, Lopez Obrador will just run him over. Its not personal, its pragmatic utility. While Lopez Obradors press office didnt respond to requests for comment, the Mexican president said Monday in his daily press conference, that he has a good relationship with Slim. I just went for a meal with Carlos Slim last week, it was a good conversation, Lopez Obrador said, without providing additional details. Past History The pair have a history of working together; they teamed up to revamp Mexico Citys historic downtown when Lopez Obrador was mayor in the early 2000s. And in a country where personal connections weigh heavily in politics, the daughter of Lopez Obradors tourism minister is married to Slims eldest son. In a sign of frayed ties, Slim was the only Mexican media mogul missing when the president announced his business advisory board in November. Lopez Obrador said last month that the billionaires energy company was unfairly profiting off unfinished natural gas pipelines. He also said in one of his highly watched daily press conferences that Slim, 79, would be retiring in the coming years. Slims spokesman later expressed more moderate comments. The spokesman, Arturo Elias Ayub, said Friday that there isnt any rift between Slim and the president. To the contrary, Slim is in total agreement with AMLOs top priorities, such as fighting poverty, corruption and improving public safety, he said. Theyre both believers in promoting economic growth via private and foreign investment. Once the worlds richest man, Slim has fallen over the years to No. 10 in the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, with a $58.7 billion fortune. Hes still Mexicos wealthiest person by far. Most of his money has come from telecommunications, but his empire also spreads across construction, banking and mining. The drop in Slims fortune is largely tied to the performance of the Mexican peso, which has fallen about 31 percent since 2013. That same year, a regulatory crackdown from the Mexican government on Slims mobile-phone company, America Movil SAB, squeezed profit margins. Since Lopez Obradors July 1 election, Slims wealth is roughly unchanged, according to the Bloomberg index. In contrast, Salinass fortune has soared 71 percent in that same time. Celebrate Relationship Salinas, the owner of TV Azteca SAB, Mexicos second-largest broadcaster, and retail and banking conglomerate Grupo Elektra SAB, has strategically positioned his businesses and key collaborators to better align with the new government. His Banco Azteca SA is in charge of distributing cards with cash from social assistance programs to millions of citizens. There was no bidding process for that contract, a widely criticized move. The man who led Salinass charity for more than 15 years is now education minister, and Salinas himself was named to the business council that Slim is not on. I celebrate the good relationship, Alejandro Valenzuela, chief executive officer of Banco Azteca, said in an interview at his office in Mexico City. The president saw were the largest Mexican bank and we can help him deliver on these projects. As they say, be in the right time at the right place. As for Slim, it may only be a matter of time before he and Lopez Obrador bridge their differences. Its about whats convenient, Schtulmann said. In the business world, its all about whether youre useful to me or not. FUEL FIX: Sign up to get the energy news you need delivered to your mailbox Walmart and Kroger are deploying robots to scan shelves, mop floors and pack delivery bags, but these companies are also doing something else: lowering their taxes. While politicians promise to protect American workers from immigrant labor, our elected representatives are encouraging employers to develop smarter and stronger machines to replace us. Every time a company lays off a human and buys a robot, they get a tax break under the federal tax code. Robots are becoming more agile, and artificial intelligence is taking on more difficult tasks. Americans, therefore, need to reconsider whether our government should incentivize companies to eliminate jobs. The problem begins with U.S. payroll and employment taxes, which are the largest income source for the federal government. On HoustonChronicle.com: Automation could hollow out the American workforce Employers withhold a portion of our income to pay our personal income taxes, Social Security and Medicare contributions. But realistically, these paycheck deductions tax employers by forcing them to pay higher salaries. Businesses can deduct some of these costs from their income taxes, but under current law, money borrowed and spent on robots garner additional deductions and even tax credits. On balance, the tax code punishes the employment of people while subsidizing automation, according to MIT and Boston University economists in a paper called Artificial Intelligence, Automation and Work. Professors Daron Acemoglu and Pascual Restrepo found that when given a choice between fallible humans and low-performance machines, most employers choose automation just for the tax advantages. Not to mention, the challenges of managing humans make simple machines preferable. Two years ago, Microsoft founder Bill Gates publicly suggested tipping the scales back in the humans direction when he argued that man and machine should be equal before the tax code. Politicians and business leader ridiculed his recommendation at the time. The proposal is gaining ground, though, as robots replace cooks and artificial intelligence replaces accountants. More American workers are beginning to wonder whether they will be next and want protection. In defense of technological progress, I have written often about how industrial revolutions create more new jobs than they eliminate. Older, less-educated workers undoubtedly suffer and face difficulty finding work, but their children typically obtain a higher standard of living. Acemoglu and Restrepo, though, say the artificial intelligence revolution is too fast and too comprehensive and will lead to millions of layoffs without creating enough new jobs. To prevent a violent revolt by unemployed workers, some liberal and conservative economists have begun debating a universal basic income. They propose that in place of social services, the government should issue a check to cover basic food, shelter, clothing and health care. No one would have to work, but those who do would improve their standard of living. Taxing robots could pay for it, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York told the SXSW Interactive Conference in Austin last month. We should not be haunted by the specter of being automated out of work, she said. We should be excited by that. But the reason were not excited by it is because we live in a society where if you dont have a job, you are left to die. And that is, at its core, our problem. An automation tax that creates a comprehensive social safety net sounds like utopia, but the proposal would threaten the U.S. economy and national security, according to Robert Atkinson, president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. When a nations population is stable, economic growth depends on increased worker productivity. Productivity gains typically come from improved technology; therefore, the government should encourage automation, Atkinson wrote this month in calling for more substantial tax credits. On HoustonChronicle.com: To keep ahead of the machines, human workers need better training Technological innovation is especially important as China spends enormous sums on developing artificial intelligence to dominate the global economy. Now is not the time to discourage research and development, Atkinson argues. The robot dilemma facing our nation - arguably the world - is complex. Americans frustrated by machines replacing them have shown their anger at the ballot box. They want politicians to protect their jobs and guarantee an opportunity for the American Dream. The march of technological advancement, though, is unstoppable and fickle. During the 20th century, the U.S. led the world in innovation, but the wrong policies could divert that magic elsewhere. Our governments first responsibility is to its people, but in this case, we need to find an as-yet-unknown middle ground that doesnt advantage machines over people. In a state known for its oil-based booms and busts, Jerry Morales is convinced Midland, Texas, the unofficial capital of the Permian Shale Basin, has a chance to break from the pattern. In the Permian, "we dont say boom anymore," according to Morales, who serves as mayor of the nations fastest growing city. "Were very sustainable. The boom-and-bust era is over." What a difference a year can make. In 2018, Morales sat in the Mulberry Cafe in Midland and talked of a local economy that was "on fire" and out of control because of the oil boom. A year later, sitting in the same cafe, his message is decidedly different. Midland is using a $100 million bond to fix overused roads, and accessing a $180 million regional fund from a new coalition of 20 drillers for other advances, he said. A $50 million water tower has been approved to serve expanding neighborhoods, and a $3 million animal adoption center is in the works for pets left homeless by apartment-dwelling oil workers. Meanwhile, four drillers led by Chevron Corp. have funded a new childcare facility that opened last week. "I dont want Midland to be known as a big mancamp," Morales said. "We are having to think outside the box and truly be urban planners, creating a city and an environment thats inviting for everyone." Tim Fischer The Permian rose from the dead with the advent of fracking a decade ago to become a market beast, producing about a third of U.S. oil as it grew to become one of the worlds most prolific oilfields. In the process, though, local resources were stretched beyond their limits. Now, Morales and others say the region may be settling into adulthood. Employers still struggle to fill jobs in competition with the oilfields, roads are jammed, schools overflow and home prices are sky-high. But local leaders say they have plans and resources set to secure a long-term future. The changes are coming as oil traders and shale executives believe U.S. crude exports -- driven by success in the Permian -- will reach 5 million barrels a day by late 2020, up about 60 percent from last years average. If that target is hit, America will be exporting, on a gross basis, more crude than any country in OPEC, except Saudi Arabia. Even so, the drilling rig count in the Permian sits at almost the same level as a year ago, at 460, according to Baker Hughes. And the number of fracking crews working to complete drilled wells is down 8 percent, according to Primary Vision Inc., a Houston-based data firm. Controlled Expansion Analysts say the breakneck pace of drilling and no-holds-barred development that upended the Permian economy for much of the past decade is now mellowing as entrepreneurial explorers make way for corporate managers. Where wildcatters once ruled, Exxon and Chevron, Americas two biggest energy companies, are quickly becoming the faces of that controlled expansion. Indeed, Chevron is now in a rare-in-the-industry bidding war with Occidental Petroleum Corp. to acquire Anadarko Petroleum Corp. and expand its influence in the region. Although theres probably still a lot of oil to be found, explorers finally have a good handle on where the richest zones lie, meaning theres no longer a scramble to strike the next big discovery. "Were a well-established oilfield; were not an adolescent anymore," said Wesley Burnett, who runs the economic development program for Odessa, 20 miles southwest of Midland. "Theres definitely been some realization of: Man, weve got to do some things differently in order to get to that next level." Tracee Bentley, a former aid to Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, is the chief executive officer of the 20-driller Permian Strategic Partnership, launched in November to help local communities deal with the added stress they bring. Among its members are Chevron Corp., Anadarko Petroleum Corp., ConocoPhillips and Apache Corp. Strategic Partnership The partnership being forged between the oil companies and the local communities is unlike anything achieved elsewhere, Bentley said. "Were literally creating it as we go, which is fun and frightening all at the same time," she said in an interview. "The amount of work can be daunting if you look at the basin as a whole. We really want the Permian to be a place that families call home." Susie Hitchcock-Hall, for one, is impressed by the changes so far. Hitchcock-Hall, a longtime Midland-based candy maker dubbed the "Willy Wonka of West Texas," owns a candy factory in Midland that can safely hold two busloads of children at a time, she said. A giant tin dish on one wall was once used to enter the Guinness World Records for the biggest piece of toffee ever made. It weighed 2,940 pounds. The Permian of today has a different feel to it from the roller coaster rides of the past, she said, and shes impressed the oil companies are chipping in. "Theyve pulled the big dogs in," Hitchcock-Hall said. They have the "wherewithal, and theyre smart." James Durbin Still, even as leaders like Morales hesitate to describe the regions state as being a "boom," there are boomtown reminders everywhere. At Opals Table in downtown Midland, for instance, every seat was taken on a recent Wednesday night as diners noshed on $36 Seared Ahi Tuna Steak and sipped $14 Liquid Gold cocktails. Meanwhile, just outside, city of Midland-owned vehicles tooled around town with a sign on their door advertising "now hiring." The citys unemployment rate was at 2.2 percent in February, compared with 3.8 percent nationally, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Were not going to make anybody move here," said Mitch Jones, who manages the Permian Basin fracking business for BJ Services Inc., one of the biggest providers of completion services in the Permian. "Now if they choose to, well great. It definitely helps if they are local." -- With assistance from Joe Carroll and Rachel Adams-Heard. Restructuring costs stung McDermott International in first quarter but the Houston engineering, procurement and construction company is expected to return to the black with a healthy $6.7 billion in new contracts. In a Monday morning statement, McDermott reported a $70 million loss on $2.2 billion of revenue during the first quarter. The figures translated into a loss of 30 cents per share. McDermott's results were mixed when compared to $35 million profit and earnings per share of 37 cents on $608 million of revenue during the first quarter of 2018. The company's CEO David Dickson attributed the first quarter 2018 loss to $73 million in restructuring, integration and transaction costs but noted that the company holds $6.7 billion worth of new contracts for projects in Texas, Australia, Africa and the Middle East. Earnings: Impairments from three projects sting McDermott Already serving as the general contractor for the Cameron LNG export terminal in Louisiana and the Freeport LNG export terminal southwest of Houston, many of those $6.7 billion in new contracts come the liquefied natural gas industry, which is expected to experience a large build out in 2019. McDermott recently landed contracts for Exxon Mobil's Golden Pass LNG export terminal near Port Arthur as well as offshore natural gas and LNG projects in Africa, the Caribbean, and Australia. The company's first quarter earnings were released on the same day that McDermott completed an underwater project to support the Ichthys LNG export terminal in Western Australia. Procured and delivered at more than $600 million, the project was touted as McDermott 's largest ever subsea contract. Fuel Fix: Get daily energy news headlines in your inbox Founded in 1923, McDermott provides design, engineering and construction services to petrochemical plants, liquefied natural gas plants and offshore oil and natural gas facilities. The company has more than 32,000 employees in 54 nations. The family of John Singleton, the director, producer and screenwriter behind the 1991 film Boyz N the Hood and several other movies, said that they had directed doctors to pull him off life support Monday after he suffered a stroke earlier this month. It is with heavy hearts we announce that our beloved son, father and friend, John Daniel Singleton will be taken off of life support today, said the statement, which was released by Singletons publicist around 10 a.m. Pacific time. This was an agonizing decision, one that our family made, over a number of days, with the careful counsel of Johns doctors. Singleton, 51, a native of South Los Angeles, was nominated for an Oscar for his directing in his debut film Boyz N the Hood, which centered on three teenagers growing up amid violence in his home city. Singleton was in his early 20s and fresh out of film school when he directed the film. He was the first African-American and the youngest person ever to be nominated for the award. He went on to direct more than 10 films and TV series, including the recent FX crime drama Snowfall, about the 1980s crack cocaine epidemic in Los Angeles. His most prominent films after his debut include Poetic Justice (1993), a romantic melodrama starring Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur, and Rosewood (1997), about a historical white mob massacre against a town of black residents in Florida. [John Singleton's Family Fights for Control of His Affairs After Stroke] Singleton has also directed episodes of Empire, American Crime Story and Billions. In 1992, he directed a music video for Michael Jackson's song "Remember the Time," featuring Eddie Murphy, Magic Johnson and Iman. His family members started vying for control of his business affairs after he had a stroke April 17 and was hospitalized in an intensive care unit. His mother, Shelia Ward, filed court papers in Los Angeles last week asking to be appointed temporary conservator, or guardian, saying that her son was scheduled to sign a lucrative settlement agreement around April 30 and would suffer a financial loss if no one could sign on his behalf. Singleton had not signed any health care directive or power of attorney, the papers said. Ward said that Singleton was in a coma, but several of his children disputed her assessment of his medical state and opposed her controlling the medical and financial decision-making. In an email last week, his daughter Cleopatra Singleton said family members were optimistic that he would recover. As news of Singleton's serious condition emerged, actors, producers and directors who had worked with him or been influenced by his work paid tribute. The actor Morris Chesnut, who played one of the teenagers in "Boyz N the Hood," tweeted his well wishes and support. The Oscar-nominated director Ava DuVernay wrote on Twitter that he had helped shape her work. Shonda Rhimes, the television producer behind "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scandal," said that Singleton supported her growth as a young woman trying to break into the industry. Rhimes said in an Instagram post on Friday that she received a phone call from Singleton when she was studying at the University of Southern California, his alma mater. Rhimes said she didn't know Singleton at the time but that he called to offer encouragement because he had heard she was talented. "He told me to keep writing. I never forgot it," Rhimes said. "Praying for him and his family now." This article originally appeared in The New York Times. MINT JULEP 10 mint leaves ounce turbinado syrup 2 ounces bourbon 2 mint sprigs for garnish Powdered sugar Crushed ice Instructions: Place mint leaves and syrup in a julep cup (or old fashioned glass) and lightly muddle. Leave muddler in the glass and add the bourbon, pouring it over the muddler to rinse it off. Stir with muddler to mix. Fill the cup a little more than halfway with crushed ice and stir with a bar spoon 15-20 times. Add more ice to form a dome on top. Place a straw in the cup. Garnish with mint sprigs (press mint to release aroma) tucked into the ice. Dust the mint sprigs with powdered sugar. To make turbinado syrup: Place 1 cup demerara or turbinado sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat and stir until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Transfer to clean jar with lid and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Makes 1 cocktail From Alba Huerta, Julep bar Houston SPARKLING ROSE JULEP 1 ounces Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon ounce Plantation Dark Rum ounce creme de peche de vigne (peach liqueur) ounce mint-infused simple syrup 2 dashes Angostura bitters 2 dashes orange bitters 4 drops rose water Sparkling wine Mint sprigs and rose petals, for garnish Instructions: Combine all ingredients except sparkling wine in a cocktail mixer and stir. Pour into a julep cup or old fashioned glass. Top with crushed ice. Top with sparkling wine and garnish with mint and rose petals. To make mint-infused simple syrup: Combine 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup mint leaves in a small saucepan. Simmer until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let steep. Strain into clean jar with lid, removing mint leaves. Can be stored in refrigerator for 2 weeks. Makes 1 cocktail From mixologist Tommy Flynn for Four Roses KNOB CREEK MINT JULEP 1 parts Knob Creek Bourbon 2 bunches mint 1 part simple syrup 1 splash soda Powdered sugar Instructions: Muddle a few sprigs of mint with syrup and soda in a julep cup or highball glass. Fill with crushed ice. Pour in bourbon. Decorate with additional sprigs of mint. Dust powdered sugar over top for a frosty appearance. Makes 1 cocktail Greg Holloway had a dream, and it involved a beautiful Wolf gas range with a double oven, a gleaming stainless steel kitchen appliance he would use to feed his family and friends. There was just one hitch: The 1960s ranch home he shared with his wife, Bridget Holloway, and their 17-year-old daughter had a small kitchen that, honestly, needed to be completely redone. The Holloways knew that all of their quality family time was spent in the kitchen, cooking, eating, talking and entertaining, so making a commitment to gutting the entire room seemed like a good investment. Youve probably heard this a million times but everyone is always in our kitchen. Always, Bridget said of the home theyve lived in since 2007. The project got under way in July 2017 and finished in November of the same year. Bridget described that room as long and somewhat narrow, way too dark and lacking the functionality they needed. Moving to another home was an option, but the family liked their Memorial neighborhood and didnt want to move. Newer home prices were just too high and townhomes needed too much work. And, with their daughter getting closer to high school graduation, they didnt need a bigger home. My husband is the cook and has always complained about the kitchen we were in, said Bridget, 47 and a lawyer. We started realizing that, functionally, it wasnt working for us anymore in terms of the type of kitchen Greg wanted to cook in and the type of entertaining we were doing. They hired Hahnfeld Partners Contracting and interior designer Katie Davis of Katie Davis Design and transformed their home built for a different family in a different time into their own. The first thing Davis suggested was to demolish the wall that separated the smallish kitchen from the dining room that never got used. That opened up a lot of space that made the kitchen feel much bigger and actually made the dining room a place people were willing to be because it felt like part of the kitchen. To replace an electric cooktop with a big gas range, the room needed to be organized differently. Originally, the sink was in front of a window, the microwave was placed under some cabinets, an electric cooktop ate up part of the counter space and a double oven was built into a wall. A stand-alone refrigerator sat near the ovens. Now the peninsula is gone and the new island has a big white sink and brass lantern-style pendants hanging above. Cabinets now run a longer stretch of the outside of the room, making up for the storage space that was lost when they demolished the wall. They even opened up the ceiling a little to give the room more height, and they applied wood planking painted white for a special ceiling treatment. One thing I love best about it is not assuming the sink goes under the window. What about putting the range under the window? Hes getting the range hes always dreamed of, let him look out the backyard and be entertained by our dogs, Bridget said of Greg, 50 and also a lawyer. The couple get together with friends regularly, so they added a bar in one spot where there used to be a doorway leading into the dining room. We like to entertain we have a group of friends who on Sunday evenings ask whose house are we going to? and not having a bar became an issue. Where do you lay out things for drinks and keep bottles of wine? Bridget asked. It was Katies idea that we could have a pantry on one end and on the other have a small bar area. I didnt realize I had as much crystal as I have, and its nice to be able to display it. The bar is a small part of the room, but its a showstopper, with patterned tile running up the wall and into the back of the glass-front cabinets. It took some convincing for my husband. In fact, I was positive he would not go for it. Ill tell you the reason he did he found out the tile was made in Morocco, Bridget said. We had a fun vacation experience where we spent 24 hours in Morocco and didnt sleep the whole time. The runner in the kitchen is the one thing we bought there, and we carried it on the flight home. Once he heard that, it was OK, because it was something that gave us joy. Bridget said she and her husband knew how they wanted their kitchen to look and function, but they didnt necessarily know what to call anything. Thats where hiring Davis and using Pinterest came in. The Holloways found photos of things they liked and gathered them there to show Davis. In turn, Davis showed options for cabinets, tile, plumbing fixtures, lighting and barstools and the Holloways could say yes, maybe or keep looking. Katie invited full participation by us in terms of these are your options. Lets start with these and well whittle it down, Bridget said. Finding something that both of us will like is not an easy job. When Davis suggested mixing metals in the room nickel for the cabinet hardware and brass for the lighting and plumbing fixtures she had already earned the Holloways complete trust. That was not an issue. Once she said she likes that look, we paid attention to it in (Pinterest) photos, Bridget said. Thank God for Pinterest. I havent been on since we finished the kitchen, but I was on it every day before then. Davis and the Holloways had long conversations about the counters, whether to go with traditional marble or opt for the tougher and easier to take care of quartz or quartzite. Ultimately they decided that they like natural stone and opted for Carrara marble. We had a vision, and they trusted they would get what they wanted out of it, Davis said. Its hard when youre tearing down walls in peoples houses. Its part of the remodeling. You make compromises. You dont get a fancy bar, but you get a nice setup. You dont get a giant pantry, but you get something really functional. Note: This is part of an occasional series of stories that looks at how a homeowner or family transforms a single room in their home. To be considered for this "One Room" feature, write to diane.cowen@chron.com. Growing up in southern Iraq, Ali Al Sudani recalls that life was pretty normal until he became a target. He had three brothers and a sister, went to school and earned a degree in mechanical engineering. But after college, he unexpectedly found himself working as a translator, first for the British forces and then for a Czech-based organization called People in Need. Within a year he transitioned to working as a trainer and project manager, leading workshops about democracy and conflict resolution. And thats when his life took a dangerous turn. I was threatened, and I took those threats very seriously, he said. Several of my friends and colleagues were assassinated. Unless you live in that moment, its very hard to explain the sense of instability. If you walk on the street, you look behind you because you dont know who might assassinate you. His family scattered, with one brother moving to Belgium and another to Australia. Al Sudanis employer moved him to Jordan, where life was safer and more peaceful. However, there was no path for him to become a permanent resident, so he applied to resettle in the United States as a refugee. A year later, in 2009, he was on a plane heading for Houston. On the other side of the world, in northern Wisconsin, the Rev. Gregory Han grew up with an ever-present awareness of his identity. I am the son of an immigrant, he said. My father came to this country from China when he was a teenager. My mothers side of the family has been in America for generations. Im the child of two experiences, two cultures, two ethnicities. Even in his teenage years, Han was fascinated by matters of religion and faith. He focused on American religious history at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., then earned his Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School, where he also met his future bride. They moved to her hometown of Houston so she could attend medical school. I never thought Id live in Texas, Han admits. But he poured himself into his new city, serving as a hospital chaplain, pastoring Presbyterian congregations, and teaching religion, English, and overseeing the chapel program at St. Johns School. For the past 20 years he has built a career at the intersection of religion, education, culture and dialogue. And five years ago, an opportunity arose that brought all of his passions, experience and identity together. Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston is Houstons oldest and largest interfaith social service agency and is now celebrating its 50th year serving the community. The agency has four core programs: Meals on Wheels and AniMeals, Refugee Services, Interfaith Relations and Community Partnerships, and Volunteer Houston. Interfaith Ministries is the largest provider of Meals on Wheels in Texas. Last year it delivered meals each weekday to more than 4,300 homebound seniors and adults with disabilities. AniMeals delivered pet food to more than 1,100 dogs and cats of seniors. The agencys Refugee Services department resettles legal refugees fleeing political, social or religious persecution, while Interfaith Relations and Community Partnerships brings people of diverse beliefs together for dialogue, service and collaboration. Volunteer Houston connects people and their passion to serve non-profit organizations in need. On Good Friday in 2009, Ali Al Sudani began his new life in Houston. He recalls it was crazy humid when a staff member from refugee services picked him up at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and drove him to his new apartment provided by Interfaith Ministries. In the weeks that followed, Al Sudani participated in a number of programs offered by Interfaith Ministries Refugee Services, including career counseling and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. When a staff position in Refugee Services became available, Al Sudanis ESL teacher encouraged him to apply. He got the job and two months after arriving in the United States, he was a case worker for the very organization that helped him get on his feet. Al Sudani worked hard, always putting people first, and quickly earned the respect of his peers. He was promoted to program assistant of refugee services, and within a year, became director of refugee services for Interfaith Ministries. More Information Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston is celebrating its 50th year of service and will honor the occasion at its Tapestry Gala on Tuesday. For information, visit imgh.org. See More Collapse [I was] a refugee from Iraq who was just trying to seek a safe place, Al Sudani said. But when you come here it becomes more than safety. It becomes an opportunity. Thats why with all the challenges were going through, I think America is the best country for refugees and immigrants. In 2014, Al Sudani became a U.S. citizen. Today, he is the senior vice president for programs and chief of staff at Interfaith Ministries, overseeing all of the organizations programs and services. His own experience motivates him every day, a constant reminder of the importance of welcoming strangers, feeding seniors and helping others. Im grateful to be in Houston, he said. I think its a beautiful city, my adopted city. And Im grateful to Interfaith Ministries for giving me this opportunity not only to resettle as a refugee, but to work and give back to the community. Five years ago, the Rev. Gregory Han had an opportunity as well. He joined the staff of Interfaith Ministries as director of interfaith relations, developing programs that promote dialogue and understanding across religious traditions, shepherding relationships between Interfaith Ministries and faith communities, and creating resources that provide accurate information about Greater Houstons religious, cultural and ethnic diversity. Ive been fascinated with religion for 30 years, said Han. But I didnt know I would eventually be working in the most diverse region of the country. I was not expecting that. Among the many programs offered through the organization are monthly opportunities to tour churches, mosques, temples and other houses of worship, as well as Dinner Dialogues where people of diverse backgrounds gather for conversation and a meal. Interfaith Relations also provides speakers for schools, businesses and congregations, and has recently started building an online media library with podcasts and reliable information about numerous religions. Interfaith [endeavors] have sometimes been perceived as a luxury, or just nice, said Han. However, in this day and age, interreligious engagement is no longer a luxury. Learning to dialogue and communicate is no longer a soft skill. These are necessities in an ever-changing world. The newly opened Brigitte and Bashar Kalai Plaza of Respect is another way Interfaith Ministries is reaching out to build bridges of peace and understanding. Located at Interfaith Ministries headquarters, 3303 Main St., in Midtown Houston, the plaza is an outdoor gathering place which honors Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza, Rabbi Samuel Karff and Reverend William A. Lawson for their friendship and partnership in matters of social justice. It was funded in part by a $1 million gift from philanthropists Brigitte and Bashar Kalai, who are Muslim. As Rev. Han and Ali Al Sudani continue their work at Interfaith Ministries, they are simultaneously encouraged by the progress they see, and stretched by the challenges ahead. Theres no blueprint for this work, said Han. So, youre thinking about it constantly. Did we do enough? Who else should we be engaging? What are the complexities of religion and culture we need to be mindful of? We need institutions that serve as social glue, he added. And I think Interfaith Ministries serves as a unique communitywide social conduit that greases the wheels of connection. It makes it easier to honor people who are different than ourselves, and see them as neighbors we can learn from. Al Sudani recalls moments when he encounters families who were in the refugee services program, and learns they are now working and contributing to their community. They are always grateful, he said, and deeply appreciative of the ways Interfaith Ministries helped them. These are the moments that matter to us, Al Sudani said, when we ask ourselves, Are we making a difference? I think we are. Tammy Niemeyer is a staff writer for Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston. Elise Windland was a young child, growing up in Paris, when World War II landed at her front door. She was whisked away to the countryside and temporarily raised by a stranger, while her mother struggled to survive. Her father died in the Auschwitz concentration camp. Its a simple story, Windland said. Its a sad story. Still, she considers herself lucky. I didnt suffer, she said. I didnt go hungry. Instead, she was able to finish school. Eventually, she and her mother were reunited and, as a teen, moved to New York City to be with relatives. Years later, she came to Houston, following her husbands career. While the Holocaust is difficult for her to discuss, Windland wants to keep the conversation going. We have to keep memories alive, hoping that it never happens again, she said. We keep doing the same things. We never learn. We thought that this was the war that would end all wars. Windland will share her remembrances in the upcoming Yom HaShoah program, a day of remembrance for the 6 million Jewish people who died during the Holocaust. The Holocaust Museum Houston is hosting this citywide commemoration 3-5 p.m. May 5 at Beth Yeshuran, 4525 Beechnut. Tobi Cooper is co-chair for the service. Her father was a Holocaust survivor, and she also chairs the Houston Holocaust Survivors and Descendants group at the museum. She said a survivor delivers a short address during Yom HaShoah in Houston. Then, survivors join to light six memorial candles. This year will focus on the Kindertransport, an organized rescue effort by the UK during WWII, which brought about 10,000 Jewish children to safety. Cooper estimates that Houston is home to more than 150 survivors, many of whom were children during the Holocaust. For them, they have no memory of life before the war, she said. Their first memories are of hiding with another family or pretending they werent Jewish. Their childhoods were basically robbed from them. Hearing stories firsthand is a key part of the Yom HaShoah ceremony, Cooper said. Its almost impossible to comprehend 6 million, she said. But this is a story of one and one and one, this family and that family, what they went through. Everyones story is different, and everyone has a story to tell. The Holocaust Museum Houston has worked since its establishment to capture survivors stories on video, museum CEO Kelly J. Zuniga said. Recently, those testimonies have been digitized and made available on the museums website. There are 298 stories in its archives and more are being collected. Remembrance is in our mission statement, Zuniga said. The survivors of Houston were responsible for starting our museum in 1996. Their stories are at our core. Thats what we do every single day here. The museum realizes the power of the story. In fact, the organization participates in the New Dimensions in Testimony initiative from the USC Shoah Foundation. Prerecorded images of Holocaust survivors are able to dialogue and interact with museum visitors though voice recognition technology. You dont forget ever meeting a survivor, Zuniga said. Theyre disappearing. Thats a problem. This is a platform that children will use to see a survivor. Theyre simulating a live experience. Still, she said nothing compares to hearing these histories in person. Its all about stories, she said. And it all begins with education. Cooper agreed. This will be one of the last few years that anyone will be able to hear that first-person testimony, she said. Its so important to hear these stories and learn these lessons. When you see injustice, you have to speak up. The purpose of the citywide Yom HaShoah event is twofold, she added. We try to honor the survivors, she said. And we try to ensure that hatred and bigotry are not allowed to happen again, atrocities like this. The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston will host Zikaron BaSalon or Memories in the Living Room, 7-9 p.m. Wednesday. In total, 16 homes will host survivors and individuals who want to learn and discuss the past. Registration is online at the federations website. Hadas Levy, a member of the Chabad Hasidic movement for the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, said the living-room concept developed in her native Israel in 2010. She said the problem with large ceremonies dedicated to Holocaust remembrance is that they are often too formal. Its hard to connect with the stories, she said. Instead, an event at someones home is a more intimate alternative. The first year, 40 people showed up to one living room to listen to a survivor. Now, more than 50 countries and 750,000 people participate. People are looking for a more personal connection, Levy said. The Holocaust Museum Houston has partnered in offering the event for the past five years, Zuniga said. Each time, more have participated, Levy added. The first time, there were five living rooms. The following year, 12 families opened their homes, she said. In addition to listening to survivor testimonies, attendees join in discussions. Its a way to build community, by bringing everyone together, different age groups, different generations, Levy said. Keeping stories alive is also part of the mission for KAVOD, a nonprofit dedicated to helping Holocaust survivors who are living in poverty. The group is coming to Houston the same weekend of Yom HaShoah. KAVOD provides gift cards from grocery stores and pharmacies to survivors in need of emergency help. Founders Amy and John Pregulman recently helped Houston survivors who were affected by Hurricane Harvey. A lot of survivors lost everything, John said. They didnt have savings. Weve been helping them ever since. A year later, a lot of people are still hurting. John has photographed survivors since 2012, when a friend from high school asked him to help with a project at the Illinois Holocaust Museum. I didnt know what to expect, he said. I thought it would be five to 10 sessions. It ended up being 65 photos in three days, all in the Holocaust Museum with these survivors and hearing their stories. A mission emerged from the experience. John started traveling around the U.S. to capture more photos and stories. He met Amy along the way. The two married and started working together. On one photo session, a survivor offered the couple something to eat. John followed her to the kitchen, where the shelves were practically bare. He learned that she had opted to use her grocery budget to instead pay for fixing her air conditioner. We found that 30 to 35 percent of survivors are living at poverty levels, he said. It was something we couldnt know about and do nothing. In 2015, John and Amy created KAVOD, which means honor in Hebrew. Now, the couple has provided aid to more than 1,200 survivors in 37 cities. Donations total $320,000. In Houston, after Harvey, $5,000 in gifts were made to local survivors. At the same time, John has taken about 945 photos of survivors. Part of our mission is education about the Holocaust and advocating for the survivors, Amy said. Its so important to keep talking, to be a witness and make sure this is at the forefront. John and Amy speak at a number of schools and synagogues throughout the year. They will be in Houston from Friday through May 8, taking photos and sharing their cause. Were doing something to make an impact, Amy said. Theres funding thats in place for survivors. But theres a gap in what they need and whats available. Leah Mueller, coordinator of senior adult services at Jewish Family Service in Houston, looks forward to bringing KAVOD back. She helped the Pregulmans connect with survivors during Harvey. Now, she said KAVOD is trying to reach as many cities as possible. They know that the survivors wont be with us much longer, and they want to honor them by taking their pictures, Mueller said. Its a beautiful project. She will now connect KAVOD to survivors for photos in Houston. Coopers father shared his story numerous times over the years, especially at schools. If we dont tell our story, the story will be forgotten, she said. Its too easy for atrocities to happen again. Its important that we educate the community. This happened in your lifetime. Lindsay Peyton is a writer in Houston. KATTANKUDY, Sri Lanka When the Wahhabis came, with their austere ideology and abundant coffers, the town of Kattankudy yielded fertile ground. In this part of Sri Lanka, faith was often the sole sustaining force during the civil war that raged for nearly three decades. Wahhabism a hard-line strain of Islam blamed for breeding militancy proposed a direct path to God, albeit one that aimed to return the religion to the time of the Prophet Muhammad. It was here in Kattankudys warren of homes decorated with delicate swirls of Arabic calligraphy that Zaharan Hashim, the man accused of masterminding the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka, grew up. And it was here that he preached his ideology, calling for the killing of nonbelievers in Islam and even other Muslims. To be taken over by radicalism, this is not what we want for Kattankudy, said Mohamed Ibraheem Mohamed Jaseem, vice chairman of the towns urban council. We are living in Sri Lanka, not a caliphate. Sri Lankan police say that at least two of the suicide bombers involved in the attacks, which killed at least 250 people, were from Kattankudy. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility. Beginning Friday evening, just down the coast from the town, a raid on a house linked to the Easter bombings turned violent, leaving 15 dead and wounding the wife and child of Zaharan. Some of the dead, thought to include Zaharans brother and other immediate family, blew themselves up as security forces closed in. The Islamic State group also claimed a connection to this shootout. It was in the 1980s that Kattankudy, one of the few almost exclusively Muslim towns in Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka, began blossoming into a center of Islamic life. The town was enriched by Saudi money for mosques and madrassas, work-abroad contracts and university scholarships. But the advent of Wahhabism, with its isolating dogma, has also shaken this multifaith island where minority Muslims have traditionally practiced a more inclusive faith. Birthed in Saudi Arabia, Wahhabisms stern intolerance denigrates not only those who dont believe in Islam but other Muslim sects as well. While Saudi Arabia insists the faith does not call for violence, critics have long blamed the kingdoms mass export of its austere creed for fueling extremism and terrorism abroad. Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and most of the hijackers in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks were from Saudi Arabia, and the Islamic State group used Saudi religious textbooks inside its self-styled caliphate in Syria and Iraq. Today in Kattankudy, stately date palms line the main street, as if this lagoon-filled landscape was a desert oasis. Cafes offer tiny cups of syrupy Middle Eastern coffee along with Sri Lankas famous tea. There are more than 60 mosques in Kattankudy for a population of 45,000, and most now subscribe to conservative strains of Islam, including Wahhabism. At the New Kattankudy Grand Jumma Mosque, designed as a replica of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, one of Islams holiest sites, construction workers are laying intricate blue mosaics as part of the towns mosque-building boom. After the age of 7, everyone must pray five times a day, so we always need more mosques, said M.I.M. Irfan, the mosques secretary. In an appeal to the Muslim community that supported his government, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lankas former president and an unabashed Buddhist nationalist, came to lay the cornerstone of the Kattankudy Grand Jumma Mosque. Saudi diplomats visited, too. The Saudis and others from the Gulf also supported a plan by M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, a Kattankudy native who is now governor of Eastern province, to open an Islamic-inspired university campus in his hometown. But a dearth of land in its densely populated neighborhoods meant that the university, a vast edifice of domes and mosaics that is one of the biggest buildings in the province, is being built farther north. Hizbullah is against reversing regulations that allow Sri Lankan Muslim men to marry children and have multiple wives. Last week, authorities brought him in for questioning in connection with a radical group founded by Zaharan. That group, National Towheed Jamaat, said it severed ties with Zaharan two years ago. The groups prayer space in Kattankudy is modern and under renovation, a glass-sheathed building with expensive speakers waiting to be installed. Less than a block away stands a disused bus from Yeshua Ministries, an evangelical Christian organization. Faith mingles in Sri Lanka but it also can combust. Beginning in 2004, Wahhabi-influenced youth from Kattankudy began attacking Sufis, who practice a mystical form of Islam. Grenades were thrown and swords thrust. Hundreds of Sufis were forced from their homes. Zaharan charged with the anti-Sufi brigade. Although Kattankudys Islamic organizations are horrified by Zaharans militancy and have eschewed violence, most have campaigned for years against Sufis. Those people, it is not Islam, said M.L.M. Nassar, a member of the Federation of Kattankudy Mosques and Muslim Institutions. Its a deviation. During Sri Lankas long civil war, which pitted minority Tamils against the Sinhalese majority, Muslims were sometimes caught in the middle. (Accounting for about 10% of the population, Muslims are considered a distinct ethnic group in Sri Lanka.) Some Tamils, who are mostly Hindus or Christians, considered Muslims to be government collaborators. Some Sinhalese, who tend to be Buddhist, distrusted the fact that Muslims in Sri Lanka speak Tamil and populate some areas where Tamils are clustered. A Buddhist chauvinism popularized by powerful politicians has poisoned relations further. In 1990, at the height of the terror between insurgents from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and a Sri Lankan military accused of slaughtering civilians, worshippers gathered in the evening for prayer at the Meera Grand Jumma Mosque in Kattankudy. It was dark, just another poor town on Sri Lankas Tamil and Muslim-dominated east coast bereft of electricity. Suddenly, gunmen emerged from among the faithful, lobbing grenades and spraying bullets in the sacred space. That night, more than 100 people, many of them children, were killed in attacks on two Kattankudy mosques. The perpetrators were believed to have been Tamil Tigers. Today, the walls of the Meera Grand Jumma Mosque are still pockmarked with bullet scars, a memory of hatred preserved for each generation to ponder. M.L.M. Shamsudeens 13-year-old son was killed in the attack, along with 16 other relatives. He is now a security guard at the mosque where his family was massacred, keeping vigil amid fears after the Easter killings that mosques might be targeted in retribution. Sitting on the mosques veranda, his eyes filled with tears for his son. He welled up again when he thought of what a hometown boy, Zaharan, appears to have unleashed at one church in the nearby city of Batticaloa and at two others in or near the capital Colombo. The talk of jihad emanating from some of Kattankudys hard-line clerics appalled him, he said. Peace finally came to Sri Lanka in 2009. Like so many in the country, Shamsudeen is done with war. We had no weapons to fight back then, he said of the attack that killed his son and other family members. But even if we did, is revenge the best way? Shamsudeen did not answer his own question. He shook his head. Just outside the mosque with its bullet-blemished walls, a soldier paced, his rifle alert, a finger poised on the trigger. This article originally appeared in The New York Times As the country reeled after Saturday's deadly shooting at a synagogue in Poway, California, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Meghan McCain and other prominent conservatives turned a critical eye toward Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., who has been accused by critics of anti-Semitism. "The anti-Semitic Left . . . is getting worse," Cruz tweeted Sunday afternoon, tagging Omar and writing that she "repeated anti-Israel slurs." He added: "Responsible Dems need to say Enough is Enough." Hours earlier, McCain called out Omar during a discussion of the shooting on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos." "When we're having conversations about anti-Semitism, we should be looking at the most extreme on both sides," McCain said. "I would bring up Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and some of her comments that got so much attention." TED CRUZ THE PEACEMAKER? Senator walks a fine line while embracing Trump Over the weekend, social media turned into a new battlefield over Omar's past statements, some of which she has apologized for. Many blasted the congresswoman's critics for coming down on her instead of white nationalism following an attack that left one dead and three injured. Omar's supporters pointed to an online manifesto allegedly written by the shooter, which stated that he was inspired by last October's massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh as well as last month's New Zealand mosque shootings. The document's writer also admitted to recently setting a mosque in Escondido, California, on fire, The Washington Post's Deanna Paul and Katie Mettler reported. Omar, a Somali refugee, is Muslim. "How dare you suggest that @IlhanMN is in some way responsible for the murder of our people when the Poway shooter's manifesto showed his penchant for violent Islamophobia and antisemitism alike," one Twitter user wrote in a message directed at McCain. "We know who is killing us." The outcry started on Saturday after Omar tweeted a message of condolence to the victims of the Poway shooting, writing that her "heart is breaking." "We as a nation must confront the terrifying rise of religious hate and violence," Omar wrote. "Love trumps hate." Though some praised Omar's response, the tweet sparked fierce backlash from others who seized on past criticisms of the congresswoman to undercut her statement. In February, Omar apologized after facing pressure from top Democrats, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for suggesting that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a major Jewish lobbying group, used money to exert control over members of Congress. More recently, she came under fire after she called Trump's senior policy adviser Stephen Miller, who is Jewish, a "white nationalist." On Saturday, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, retweeted a statement from Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., about the shooting in which she wrote, "Anti-Semitism is real in this country and we must not be silent - enough is enough." In his retweet, Roy tagged Omar and the New York Times, which was widely rebuked for publishing a cartoon last week in the opinion pages of its international print edition that many decried as anti-Semitic. The illustration featured a blind Trump wearing a black skullcap being led by a dog drawn with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's face and a Star of David collar. The Times apologized on Sunday. McCain and Cruz similarly criticized Omar in the wake of the tragedy. "In my opinion, Nancy Pelosi wasn't hard enough in her response to [Omar's] trafficking in anti-Semitic language, talking about, 'All about the Benjamins,' and how Jewish people had 'hypnotized' the world," McCain said to Stephanopoulos on Sunday morning. "The View" co-host added that while she agreed that when it comes to rhetoric, Trump "needs to have his feet held to the fire as well, we're talking about it on both sides of the aisle." In his tweet, Cruz also took aim at the Times, retweeting celebrity Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. It didn't take long for the congresswoman to hit back at her detractors. "Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism are two sides of the same bigoted coin," she tweeted Sunday, noting that the shooter allegedly targeted Jews and Muslims. Omar also included a link to a November op-ed she wrote about the rise of hate crimes in the United States. "Let us stand together as Americans in rejecting hate!" she wrote. Omar then homed in on Roy, Cruz and McCain individually. She retweeted a message from IfNotNow, a left-leaning American Jewish activist group, slamming Roy. "The right is weaponizing antisemitism to divide the progressive movement, silence criticism of Israel, and distract from the ways they have emboldened the white nationalists causing the violence," the organization tweeted. CRUZ JOKE FALLS FLAT: What he said after Notre Dame burned riled some In response to Cruz, Omar chastised the Texas senator for not making a public statement directly addressing Saturday's shooting, writing, "Shame on you." Her retort to McCain was shorter. "Oh, bless her heart!" Omar tweeted, sharing a clip of McCain's ABC appearance. Throughout Sunday, Omar's backers also rushed to her defense. "People who burn mosques generally don't 'take cues' from Muslims," a Twitter user wrote. "Ilhan Omar is not a factor here, and if you think she is, you're obscuring the white nationalism that caused this." In a lengthy thread, NBC News reporter Ben Collins called "attempts to push blame" on Omar for the shooter's alleged crimes "untethered to reality." "You will not find Ilhan Omar fans or NY Times cartoon aficionados on 8chan, where the San Diego and New Zealand shooter posted near-identical notes," Collins tweeted. "You'll find people riled up by 'white genocide' through Muslim and Mexican immigration, angry the president isn't doing more." Several people argued that the attack, and crimes like it, should be blamed on white nationalism, while others accused Cruz and McCain of contributing to the atmosphere of violence. British journalist Mehdi Hasan tweeted that "Cruz, like his fellow Republicans, is trying to get @IlhanMN killed." Omar has received many death threats, an amount she said increased earlier this month after Trump targeted her in a tweet about the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Two people were also arrested in April for threatening Omar, including a New York man who vowed to "put a bullet in her [expletive] skull." GALVESTON, Texas (AP) Fans of a near-century-old concrete ship that has been partly submerged in the Houston Ship Channel since 1922 warn it could be fully underwater in a matter of years. The SS Selma launched from Mobile, Alabama, in June 1919. It was abandoned after hitting a reef near Pelican Island that tore an unrepairable 60-foot hole in its hull, The Galveston County Daily News reported . "It's deteriorating, deteriorating greatly," said Ken Cox, the president of the corporation that owns the Selma. "It really, really is in pretty bad shape and could be completely under water within 15 years." The Selma was declared a Texas archaeological landmark in 1993 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. MORNING REPORT | NEWSLETTER: Get all the news you need to start your day in Houston There are no plans in place to arrest the ship's sinking. It was one of 12 World War I pilot ships made from concrete rather than steel because of a metal shortage. The ship was never used during the war. The day it launched was the same day Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles, which formally concluded the war. It was instead used as an oil tanker. After it was scuttled, the Selma sat in the channel for decades until a retired journalist, A. Pat Daniels, bought the ship to preserve its history. Norma Jean Nelson, a member of the Crew of the SS Selma, a group of enthusiasts who annually honor the ship with a party, said she hoped the May 11 celebrations in Galveston to mark 100 years since the ship's launch will raise awareness about the landmark. "It's a part of Galveston history," Nelson said. "I would just like to see her never forgotten. A lot of people know of the Selma, but they don't know the Selma." ___ Information from: The Galveston County Daily News, http://www.galvnews.com Its not a wall and it isnt more boots on the ground, but the Texas Senate on Monday approved a bill that would send millions of dollars of herbicides to the front lines to battle illegal immigration. The Texas Senate passed legislation to send up to $10 million in additional funding to the Texas border to fight Carrizo cane, a weed that can grow 25 feet tall and provides cover for border crossers along the Rio Grande Valley. Its all about border security, said State Sen. Donna Campbell, a New Braunfels Republican. Along the river, Carrizo cane grows in thick clumps, like corn or bamboo, and become a good hiding place for people illegally crossing the border. It is an exceptionally fast growing plant, able to grow about 4 inches per day and reach a mature height of over 25 feet in about a year. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox During a hearing on the bill earlier this month, State Sen. Pete Flores, R-Pleasanton, said even infrared equipment is not effective in picking people out of the brush. Floress district includes hundreds of miles of the Texas border from Eagle Pass to Big Bend National Park. Getting rid of the weed would give border patrol a clear vision of the border along the Rio Grande River, Campbell said. But battling Carrizo cane is easier said than done. Campbell said simply cutting it down makes it come back stronger and thicker. Instead there is an herbicide called imazapyr that can be used against the plant. Its not the first time Texas Legislature has battled Carrizo cane. In 2015 the Legislature set up a program to control Carrizo cane growth through the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, but there was not enough funding with the program to last more than a few months. Environmental groups have objected to aerial spraying of chemicals to eradicate Carrizo cane, and the Mexican government has also expressed concerns in the past. EPA officials have said that imazapyr, which has been in use since 1985, has not been found to pose a risk to people ingesting residue in food or drinking water, including children. The EPA also found risks to birds, mammals, fish, bees, and aquatic insects to be unlikely. In 2008, a pilot program by the U.S. Border Patrol in southern Webb County was suspended after environmental groups objected to the herbicide. Campbells bill would send $10 million for the program over the next two years. But that is contingent on the federal government sending Texas $10 million for the program first. While the bill has cleared the Texas Senate, the issue has not yet had a hearing in the Texas House. The bill must pass both the House and the Senate by the end of May to have a chance to become law. WASHINGTON - M.J. Hegar says she would expect a rarity in politics a civil primary election if U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro or someone else decides to join her in running for the Democrats nomination to challenge Sen. John Cornyn in 2020. She draws on her military background as she suggests how the quest to carry her partys Senate banner might unfold, likening it to a war room with herself and Castro devising a Cornyn takedown strategy. I think it would be a friendly primary, Hegar said in an interview. This isnt about ego, its about mission. Hegar, 43, of Round Rock, an Air Force veteran and former Air National Guard rescue pilot in Afghanistan, last week became the first Texas Democrat of potentially big-race stature to declare an intention to take on Cornyn. Cornyn,a mainstay in Texas politics since the 1990s, has maneuvered to head off a GOP primary contest. For subscribers: Decorated veteran MJ Hegars candidacy brings heat to 2020 Texas Senate race Castro is taking his time to decide on a candidacy, once viewed as such a certainty that people were lining up to vie for the San Antonio congressional seat he has held since 2013. Hegar burst on the scene last year as a different kind of candidate - unbridled and sporting tattoos - and nearly bounced veteran GOP Rep. John Carter from office. She said that she and Castro had spoken very recently but said she is unaware of his intentions. Were staying in touch. I think were both focused on defeating John Cornyn, she said. Cornyn has signaled the type of hard-edged campaign he will embrace, moving swiftly to define the largely unknown Hegar and using social media to portray her as a mystery woman under the sway of non-Texans, leftist thinkers and even vulgar people. For subscribers: Cornyn has $7.4 million in campaign account after big fundraising haul Cornyns campaign referred to her repeatedly on Twitter last week as Hollywood Hegar and highlighted off-color tweets by a supporter, comedian Patton Oswalt. Theres a profane trend among #HollywoodHegars biggest backers and theyre all taking aim at @realDonaldTrump and our conservative values, one the tweets read. Oswalt joined in the fray, referring to Cornyn as a pointless fossil and writing that he would put a nickel in the swear jar. Hegar is making no effort to distance herself from allies. I think it reveals that they are very nervous. I think they see the same kind of data and the same kind of reaction to the launch that were seeing, she said of the Cornyn effort. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox She added: If they allow people to think too hard about the distinction and the contrast between us, they are going to lose. The distinction that Hegar wants to make is between a career politician who takes orders as compared to a working mom whos not afraid to be a disrupter. Profanity is increasingly common in public discourse and Hegars autobiography Shoot Like a Girl: One Woman's Dramatic Fight in Afghanistan and on the Home Front - is full of language as rough as the battlefield. She has remarked that if she had known in 2016 when she was writing the book that she would enter politics she might have used the editing pencil more liberally on words and episodes. In a four-minute video declaring her candidacy, Hegar observed that Beto ORourke nearly won a Texas Senate seat and dropped the F-bomb on live TV. She added: Talk about Texans making its voice heard. But Washington still has a lot of listening to do. Of the ORourke reference, she said in the interview: It wasnt really about naughty language. Its the fact that were having real people step and run for office, stepping outside of this polished, talking-point, career politician environment. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said Monday that the agency's new budget request, which would include a plan to return to the moon by 2024, still is not ready. And yet, he is scheduled to testify in front of a U.S. Senate budget subcommittee Wednesday. Bridenstine was asked about the much-anticipated budget Monday after speaking at the International Academy of Astronautics Planetary Defense Conference in Maryland. The nation has been waiting for the space agency to submit a new budget request to Congress since the middle of March, when Vice President Mike Pence directed NASA to put boot prints on the moon four years earlier than initially planned -- by 2024 instead of 2028 -- using "any means necessary." PENCE: Put Americans on the moon in the next 5 years The announcement did not included any funding or planning. Pence's statement surprised many, especially because President Donald Trump's administration had just released a budget proposal that would cut half-a-billion dollars from NASA's budget for the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1. Since Pence's announcement, Bridenstine has shared some elements of a plan with the Houston Chronicle. It would include help from international partners, commercial companies and the Orion spacecraft-Space Launch System Rocket duo. READ MORE: NASA's plan to put humans on the moon by 2024 is taking shape but will they get the money? But the agency, apparently, still is working out how much money it would need to make this happen. Bridenstine previously told the Chronicle the budget would be ready by early May at the latest. The hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee's subcommittee for commerce, justice, science and related agencies is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. If the hearing (available to watch here) takes place as scheduled, Congress members will no doubt be unhappy with the agency for not having a plan in place. In early April, about two weeks after Pence's moon announcement, Bridenstine testified in front of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. CONGRESS TO NASA: Where is the plan? And its members were irritated that NASA didn't yet have a plan in place. "Rhetoric isn't the same as a credible plan," said U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, a Democrat from Texas and chairwoman of the committee. "Given the absence of an urgent crisis, it would be the height of irresponsibility for the vice president of the United States to direct NASA to land astronauts on the Moon within the next five years without knowing what it will cost, how achievable the schedule is, and how it will impact NASA's other programs." Alex Stuckey writes about NASA and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. iciHaiti - Education : Last tribute to the funeral of Nelton Louis On Saturday, Pierre Josue Agenor Cadet, the Minister of National Education accompanied by the Departmental Director of Education (DDE) of Northeast and several members of his team paid a final tribute to the funeral sung by the former Chief Inspector of the School District Office of Ouanaminthe Nelton Louis. Teacher at the National School of Boys of Fort-Liberte, Pedagogical Advisor of the Regional Center and Inspector of Fort Liberte, Inspector in Vallieres, to Ouanaminthe, Nelton Louis has always shown a constant concern for the job well done. Working to improve the quality of the Haitian education system, he has trained several students promotion to the Normal School in his area. His students remember him as an honest and serious teacher, recalled the Minister Cadet. The members of the Departmental Direction of Education of the North-East accompanied the family of the deceased in the circumstance. IH/ iciHaiti Fishing rights dispute hots up in South Africa April 28,2019 | Source: IOL South Africa's Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries held a two-day summit this week ahead of the 2020 fishing rights allocation as the rights to 12 sectors in the industry are set to expire. Addressing the summit, Minister Senzeni Zokwana said it was important that the sector adopt a mining-type charter that could be used when rights are issued. We need to make sure that fisheries becomes an entity with the requisite skills such that when we issue rights, we are scientific, we are legally correct, we look at our policies, we look at law, the international law of the seas so that we conform to all those, he said. When we talk transformation in the fishing industry we need to be honest in our discussions in order for government to adequately deliver and achieve on this imperative. I invite all those that have resources at their disposal to come forward with workable suggestions on how we can achieve substantive transformation in the sector without collapsing and jeopardising businesses and investments already made. South Africa, as a developing nation, needs to intensively engage with every aspect of economic growth opportunity to achieve prosperity. The oceans economy and more specifically, fisheries, and aquaculture present such opportunity. I urge that each and every one of industry players come to the party to ensure that the transformation agenda in the fishing sector is realised during the 2020 fishing rights allocation process. Small-scale fisheries will play a critical role in addressing food security and unemployment. It is at the best interest of the industry to embrace it and extend a helping hand to them. While the issues around uplifting small-scale fishers is at the heart of many fishing communities, there is very little said in political party manifestos, which community-based organisations say high- lights that their situation is not prioritised. In its manifesto, the ANC gives a broad overview on its approach to growing the ocean economy and talks briefly about finalising fishing quotas in order to support aquaculture and sustainable livelihoods. The EFF leans heavily on bringing in what it calls wide-spread transformation by allocating rights and licences to small-scale and emerging black fishing companies as well as providing subsidies to fishing communities and intensify the development of black participants in areas that include the West Coast. Masifundise Development Trusts director, Naseegh Jaffer, said the way political parties addressed fishing rights issues in their manifesto showed how removed they were from the real challenges. 2019 Independent Media and affiliated companies. All rights reserved Theme(s): Communities and Organisations. Vietnamese fishermen risk foreign waters intrusion despite EU yellow card by Minh Nga April 25,2019 | Source: VNA The fisheries sector in Vietnam is bearing the brunt of the EU yellow card, but desperate Vietnamese fishermen keep trespassing into foreign waters. They risk jail terms, stiff fines and destruction of their boats, but stories of Vietnamese fishing vessels operating in neighboring waters are still coming up frequently, officials said at a meeting in Hanoi Tuesday. In all of 2018 and to date this year, authorities have dealt with 101 cases of Vietnamese intruding into waters of other countries in the region. A total of 163 ships/boats and 1,258 fishermen were detained. In some cases, Vietnamese fishers had violated the rules more than once, Nguyen Quang Hung, deputy head of the Directorate of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said at the meeting. The situation is now most alarming in the waters off Indonesia, Malaysia and Cambodia, Tuoi Tre quoted Bui Trung Dung, Deputy Commander of Vietnam Coast Guard, as saying. In Malaysia, Vietnamese fishermen have even made counterfeit plate numbers for their vessels and been exposed by Malaysian authorities, he said. "In 2017, Indonesia released two groups of Vietnamese fishermen in two different cases of illegal trawling, and it turned out that many of fishermen were violators in both cases," Dung said. In October 2017, the European Commission (EC) applied a "yellow card" warning on seafood from Vietnam after a number of Vietnamese fishing vessels were caught trespassing into other countries waters. The commission informed member countries about Vietnams failure to meet requirements on prevention of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Vietnams fisheries exports have since been subject to intense scrutiny, with all seafood containers being inspected in a process that could take three to four weeks and cost 500 euros ($633) per container. A rejected container can cost an exporter nearly $12,000, and the risk of rejection is high. The EC had initially said it would remove the yellow card last June, and later said it would consider doing so in January this year. To date, this has not happened. Even with a long 3,260 km (2,025 miles) coastline, Vietnam has been running out of near-shore seafood sources and is considering fishing bans in certain places at certain times. Authorities had said earlier this year that the fishing ban was needed to cope with a decline in fisheries caused by overexploitation. The countrys seafood resource is in decline, Nguyen Viet Nghia, deputy head of the Research Institute for Maritime Fisheries under the agriculture ministry, had told local media back then. But some fishermen who have sailed to other countries have said that apart from the decline in the resource, they also face threats from Chinese vessels that are illegally anchored in Vietnams waters for trawling. Worse, the Chinese vessels chase the Vietnamese boats away, cutting off an important seafood source. 1997 VnExpress.net Theme(s): Fishing Craft, Gear and Fishing Methods. (CNN) In the past six weeks, churches, mosques and a synagogue have been targeted in a series of shootings and bombings spanning three countries. On Saturday, a gunman entered a synagogue outside San Diego and opened fire with an "AR-type assault weapon," killing one woman and wounding three other people. The shooting at Chabad of Poway is the latest in a series of deadly attacks targeting places of worship. The gunman shot people as they gathered to celebrate the end of Passover, one of the holiest holidays on the Jewish calendar. Just days earlier, a series of coordinated attacks on Christian churches rocked Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. And last month dozens were killed in an attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. The violence is a grim reminder that prejudice knows no borders and threatens people of different skin colors and religions. In a statement, Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, condemned such attacks and the motives behind them. "Creating divisions between people because of how they pray, what they look like and what they believe is the life's blood of extremists," Greenblatt said. "Faith groups of all kinds must stand up with each other and reject not only the violence, but also the destructive narratives that seek to drive a wedge between them whenever and wherever they arise." San Diego-area synagogue attack According to the San Diego County Sheriff, the shooting happened at 11:23 a.m. local time -- 23 minutes after the synagogue's Passover celebration scheduled for 11 a.m., according to the synagogue's Facebook page. The suspect fled the shooting and then reported his location to 911, according to San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit. The shooter surrendered to a K-9 officer without incident. Though authorities are still investigating the motive behind the attack, the mayor of Poway, Steve Vaus, said he considered it a hate crime "because of statements that were made when the shooter entered." Investigators are also reviewing the suspect's social media posts and an "open letter" he was purported to have written. The congregation was targeted by "someone with hate in their heart ... towards our Jewish community and that just will not stand," Vaus said. Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein was among those injured. "As Americans, we can't cower in the face of the senseless hate that is antisemitism," he said in a statement Sunday. "This horrific event must also raise alarm and concern for the safety of all places of worship and our government needs to continue to step up and help properly secure them. "I pray for healing during this time of pain and grief, and ask that we all do something to add more light to combat this evil darkness, through acts of compassion and loving-kindness." Sri Lanka Easter bombings Last Sunday, as Christians were celebrating Easter, a wave of explosions ripped through Sri Lankan churches and hotels, killing 253 people, according to the county's Ministry of Health. Dozens have been arrested in connection with the attacks as part of a massive, multinational investigation, which remains ongoing. Authorities have spent the past week looking for suspects connected to the bombings. A local extremist group, National Tawheed Jamath, has been blamed for the attacks, though it has not claimed responsibility. ISIS claimed responsibility for the bombings on Tuesday, but did not offer any evidence, and a link between the terror group and National Tawheed Jamath has not been definitively established. Both Christianity and Islam are minority religions in Sri Lanka; each accounts for under 10% of the total population. The vast majority of Sri Lankans identify as Buddhist. J.D. Anthony Jayakody, auxiliary bishop of Colombo, told CNN that he lost sleep over the attacks. "Innocent people who came to pray here ... they sacrificed their life for God." "We never expected such a thing to happen, especially in a place of religious worship," Bishop Anthony said. Christchurch mosque shootings In March, 50 people were killed when an Australian man opened fire on worshipers in two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. The shooter started first at the al Noor Mosque, where he livestreamed the attack on social media. He then drove to the Linwood mosque, where 8 people were killed. The suspect was identified as Brenton Tarrant, 28. Just prior to the shootings, an 87-page manifesto was posted on Twitter and 8chan -- an online messaging board where users sometimes anonymously share extremist messages and celebrate mass shooters. Though it was unsigned, the author of the manifesto claimed to be a 28-year-old man from Australia. It's filled with anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiments, in addition to explanations behind the attack. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern expressed solidarity with the Muslim community and those affected, telling them on a day of reflection that "New Zealand mourns with you." She quoted the Prophet Muhammad: "The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion, and sympathy are just like one body. When any part of the body suffers, the whole body feels pain." "New Zealand mourns with you; we are one," she said. 'Hate has the same DNA' Though the recent attacks have struck different houses of worship, groups like the Council on American Islamic Relations told CNN they stem from the same kind of hate. "Violence comes in many different forms, but hate has the same DNA wherever you see it: whether in the form of ISIS, white supremacy, or genocide, it is the belief that another group is an existential threat to you and your community that often justifies the most unspeakable acts of violence and brutality," Abbas Barzegar, director of research and advocacy for CAIR, told CNN. "In a way, the ideologue or extremist is exposing their own weaknesses and insecurity when they target houses of worship, because not only do they show how cowardly they are for attacking innocent lives, but also that whatever they claim to stand for is so fragile that it can be threatened by the non-violent prayers and rituals of another group," Barzegar said. Bishop Robert W. McElroy of the Catholic Dioceses of San Diego expressed solidarity with his Jewish neighbors in a statement posted to the diocese's Twitter account Sunday, calling the attack "senseless violence." "Houses of worship should be places of peace," McElroy said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 29) The government should be more aggressive in keeping infrastructure-related jobs to Filipinos even for foreign-funded projects to make sure residents can gain from these deals, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) needs to turn more aggressive in terms of reserving new jobs to skilled Filipino workers, as captured by current labor laws. We have to remember that these are loans to be paid by us, the taxpayers, in the future By the end of a certain year, these projects will be owned by the Republic of the Philippines, meaning we should benefit from that, Gatchalian told CNN Philippines The Source. We should also dictate what's good for us, and what's good for our country is new jobs, he added. The Duterte administrations Build, Build, Build initiative seeks to boost economic activity through big-ticket infrastructure, which are funded via a mix of state revenues as well as local and foreign borrowings. The economic team has veered away from the older Public-Private Partnership model in favor of official development assistance (ODA) from foreign governments, the biggest sources of which are China and Japan. Gatchalian said that while some technical jobs will need foreign experts to be brought in, carpenters and equipment operators are readily available in the country. One of the things we want to introduce in any official development assistance loan is we want to put a Filipino worker protection provision there that will strengthen and emphasize that work that can be found here in the Philippines should be limited to Filipinos, the senator said. Alien employment and special working permits given out by the DOLE and the Bureau of Immigration also need to be looked into to weed out illegal foreign workers. The DOLE and Bureau of Immigration should really combine forces to look at this issue or else, we're borrowing but not benefiting, Gatchalian added. The government has so far signed nine ODA loan deals for various big-ticket projects, cumulatively worth over $2 billion. Natural gas production In 2018, the OECD natural gas production increased by 7.4% compared to 2017 and reached a record total production of over 130 bcm in December 2018. OECD Americas OECD Asia Oceania OECD Europe USA Canada Other Americas Australia Other Asia Oceania Netherlands Other EuropeProduction growth 89.198 6.757 -2.913 17.936 -0.906 -4.21 -4.494{"chart":{"type":"bar","height":"50%"},"plotOptions":{"series":{"showInLegend":false,"className":"bordered"},"bar":{"stacking":"normal","dataLabels":{"style":{"text-outline":"none"}}}},"title":{"text":"Natural gas production growth by country (bcm), 2017-18"},"yAxis":{"title":{"text":"bcm"},"min":-60,"max":120,"tickPositions":[-20,0,20,40,60,80,100,120],"reversedStacks":false},"xAxis":{"visible":false},"tooltip":{"valueSuffix":" bcm","valueDecimals":1},"series":[{"id":"OECDA","showInLegend":true,"colorIndex":2},{"id":"OECDAO","showInLegend":true,"colorIndex":6},{"id":"OECDE","showInLegend":true,"colorIndex":0},{"colorIndex":2,"dataLabels":{"enabled":true,"format":"{series.name}"},"linkedTo":"OECDA"},{"colorIndex":2,"dataLabels":{"enabled":true,"format":"{series.name}","rotation":90},"linkedTo":"OECDA"},{"colorIndex":2,"className":"translucent bordered","dataLabels":{"enabled":true,"format":"{series.name}","rotation":90},"linkedTo":"OECDA"},{"colorIndex":6,"dataLabels":{"enabled":true,"format":"{series.name}"},"linkedTo":"OECDAO"},{"colorIndex":6,"className":"translucent bordered","linkedTo":"OECDAO"},{"colorIndex":0,"className":"translucent bordered","dataLabels":{"enabled":true,"format":"{series.name}","rotation":90},"linkedTo":"OECDE"},{"colorIndex":0,"className":"translucent bordered","dataLabels":{"enabled":true,"format":"{series.name}","rotation":90},"linkedTo":"OECDE"}]} Most of the growth was observed in the OECD Americas (+9.3%) and originated from the USA (+11.5%) where the shale revolution broke through. OECD Asia Oceania supplemented the natural gas production increase (+12.9%) as Australia (+15.9%) is still in the process of ramping up the output of the Itchys gas-condensate field in the Browse basin, and should meet full production over the next two years. OECD Europe, however, experienced a 3.6% fall in its natural gas production, following the committment to reduce the exploitation of the Groningen field in the Netherlands ( -9.6%). This is the largest gas field in Europe, but drilling operations and works performed on site led to frequent earthquakes in the region over the past years. OECD Americas OECD Asia Oceania OECD Europe USA Canada Other Americas Australia Other Asia Oceania Norway Other EuropeShare of production 58.61556323 12.95515104 2.342633072 8.856136884 1.270144778 8.577667192 7.382703802{"chart":{"type":"bar","height":"50%"},"plotOptions":{"series":{"showInLegend":false,"className":"bordered"},"bar":{"stacking":"percent"}},"title":{"text":"Contribution to Total OECD natural gas production in 2018 per country"},"yAxis":{"reversedStacks":false,"labels":{"format":"{value}%"}},"xAxis":{"visible":false},"tooltip":{"valueSuffix":"%","valueDecimals":1},"series":[{"id":"OECDA","showInLegend":true,"colorIndex":2},{"id":"OECDAO","showInLegend":true,"colorIndex":6},{"id":"OECDE","showInLegend":true,"colorIndex":0},{"colorIndex":2,"dataLabels":{"enabled":true,"format":"{series.name}"},"linkedTo":"OECDA"},{"colorIndex":2,"dataLabels":{"enabled":true,"format":"{series.name}"},"linkedTo":"OECDA"},{"colorIndex":2,"dataLabels":{"enabled":true,"format":"{series.name}","rotation":90},"linkedTo":"OECDA"},{"colorIndex":6,"dataLabels":{"enabled":true,"format":"{series.name}"},"linkedTo":"OECDAO"},{"colorIndex":6,"linkedTo":"OECDAO"},{"colorIndex":0,"dataLabels":{"enabled":true,"format":"{series.name}","rotation":90},"linkedTo":"OECDE"},{"colorIndex":0,"dataLabels":{"enabled":true,"format":"{series.name}","rotation":90},"linkedTo":"OECDE"}]} The USA, Australia and Canada represent most of the yearly production increase in 2018, with +89 bcm, +18 bcm and +7 bcm of natural gas produced respectively, out of the 101 bcm increase observed at the OECD level. These three countries account for 80.4% of the natural gas production of the OECD area in 2018, from 78.1% in 2017. Natural gas gross deliveries Total OECD natural gas gross deliveries increased by 3.5% in 2018 compared to 2017. Both the OECD Americas and OECD Asia Oceania contributed with growth of 7.5% and 2.9% respectively, while natural gas gross deliveries to OECD Europe shrunk by 3.6%. Most of the growth in the OECD Americas was led by the USA (+10.5%) where 14.5 GW of net natural gas power generation capacity were added in 2018. Additionally, weather conditions in 2018 pushed the natural gas consumption for the power sector with several periods of extreme cold or warm weather, while power generation acounts for one-third of natural gas consumption in the USA. Gross deliveries of which deliveries for power generationOECD Americas (+7.5%) 71.39 United States (+10.5%) 42.03 38.95 {"chart":{"type":"bar","height":"40%"},"plotOptions":{"bar":{"stacking":"normal"}},"title":{"text":"Deliveries growth rate and absolute change in 2018 for OECD Americas"},"yAxis":{"title":{"text":"bcm"},"reversedStacks":false,"max":100},"tooltip":{"valueSuffix":" bcm","valueDecimals":1},"series":[{"colorIndex":2},{"colorIndex":3}]} In OECD Asia Oceania, Korea drove the increase in deliveries of natural gas in 2018 with a 11.9% growth, reflecting the increased natural gas use for electricity and heat generation. Gross deliveries of which deliveries for power generationOECD Asia Oceania (+2.9%) 6.65 Korea (+11.9%) 2.07 3.32 {"chart":{"type":"bar","height":"40%"},"plotOptions":{"bar":{"stacking":"normal"}},"title":{"text":"Deliveries growth rate and absolute change in 2018 for OECD Asia Oceania"},"yAxis":{"title":{"text":"bcm"},"reversedStacks":false,"max":8},"tooltip":{"valueSuffix":" bcm","valueDecimals":1},"series":[{"colorIndex":6},{"colorIndex":9}]} The decrease observed in natural gas deliveries in OECD Europe took place after three years of consecutive growth and was due to the combination of mild weather with above-average temperatures and lower demand in both gas-fueled power generation and energy intensive industries. Gross deliveries of which deliveries for power generationOECD Europe (-3.6%) -19.00 United Kingdom (+1.6%) 3.724 -2.416 Italy (-3.3%) -0.487 -1.996 France (-4.7%) -0.361 -1.652 Spain (-0.3%) 1.190 -1.272 Turkey (-7.4%) -1.746 -2.209 {"chart":{"type":"bar"},"plotOptions":{"bar":{"stacking":"normal"}},"title":{"text":"Deliveries growth rate and absolute change in 2018 for OECD Europe"},"yAxis":{"title":{"text":"bcm"},"reversedStacks":false,"max":5,"min":-20,"tickAmount":6},"tooltip":{"valueSuffix":" bcm","valueDecimals":1},"series":[{"colorIndex":0},{"colorIndex":1}]} Natural gas trade Total OECD imports (entries) of natural gas increased by 0.6% in 2018 compared to 2017, which represents about 6.3 bcm. While both OECD Asia Oceania and OECD Europe increased their imports, by 3.4% and 1.5% respectively, the OECD Americas experienced a contraction of its natural gas imports by 8.0%. From a liquefied natural gas perspective, total OECD imports grew by 5.7%, mostly driven by the continued growth observed in the imports from the USA (+86.1%) and from Australia (+12.1%). Otherwise, there were more moderate increases in imports reported as originating from non-OECD natural gas exporting countries, and for some of them even a fall. This now places the USA - net exporter for the second consecutive year - among the largest LNG exporters, while Qatar remains the main supplier of the OECD overall. Country Qatar Australia Malaysia Nigeria Russia Algeria Indonesia Oman Trinidad and Tobago United States2017 54 46 26 15 13 14 14 10 7 7 2018 57 52 20 16 14 13 12 10 9 13{"chart":{"type":"line","height":"100%"},"plotOptions":{"line":{"marker":{"symbol":"circle","radius":2},"dataLabels":{"enabled":true,"useHTML":true,"format":"{series.name}"}}},"title":{"text":"LNG imports from major suppliers to total OECD in 2017-18."},"legend":{"enabled":false},"yAxis":{"title":{"text":"bcm"}},"tooltip":{"valueSuffix":" bcm"},"xAxis":{"tickPositions":[2017,2018]},"series":[{},{},{},{},{"className":"translucent","dataLabels":{"enabled":false}},{"className":"translucent","dataLabels":{"enabled":false}},{"className":"translucent","dataLabels":{"enabled":false}},{"className":"translucent","dataLabels":{"enabled":false}},{"className":"translucent","dataLabels":{"enabled":false}}]} Total OECD exports (exits) of natural gas went up by 4.4% in 2018 compared to 2017. This growth was supported by all OECD regions and represents about 31 bcm more than in 2017, of which 14 bcm were liquefied natural gas. Overall, in 2018 the OECD area was again a net importer of natural gas, mostly due to the OECD Europe zone, while the OECD Americas is getting less and less dependent on natural gas imports. Notes Before the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force, it took UK companies an average of 60 days to realise they had been the victim of a data breach. One business took 1,320 days to report. Nine out of 10 reports submitted to the Information Commissioner's Office were missing critical details; for instance, the date the breach occurred. A common criticism of European regulation in general one that often appears on the pages of this magazine, in fact is that it purports to solve a problem that didn't previously exist. From providing increased transparency to investors who couldn't care less to forcing banks to shore up obscene amounts of capital that may not even help them with a specific, unknown problem that arises on a given rainy day at some point in the future, many argue that such rules are a mere representation of the tail wagging the dog. But these statistics make that argument difficult in the context of the GDPR. In fact, for data and technology in general, the dog is very clearly in control. Again, for many, their contempt of post-crisis regulation is that it is only capable of preventing future crises if they look exactly like the last one. Huge warehouses of liquid capital won't help banks back on their feet if it's not a capital shortage they're faced with. Yet any self-respecting list or discussion of the biggest risks to global financial stability is not complete without a mention of cybersecurity and the world's vulnerability to the multitude of threats posed by hackers. It's no secret that regulators have long struggled to keep up with the sheer scale of big tech and the accompanying risks. But from the GDPR to competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager's valiant work that saw Google pay Ireland 13 billion in back taxes, European regulators are at least trying to get a handle on it. Arguably the most common refrain on the GDPR in particular is that it's a step into the unknown. Last May it succeeded the 1995 Data Protection Directive, which was drafted when many of Silicon Valley's top executives were still in nappies. Given the progress made in tech over the past 25 years, tackling something new should not be a bad thing. By forcing firms to report data breaches within a set period of time and threatening to hit them where it really hurts, with up to four percent of global turnover at stake, European regulators are leading the way globally in protecting the data of their citizens. Plus, the Commission has already shown it's serious on data protection, and may only just be getting started. In less than a year since implementation more than 200,000 cases have already been reported, and Google leader of the pack, as ever has already been hit with a 50 million fine. Say what you like about EU regulators, but when it comes to facing down one of the most significant threats to economic security, they mean business. 2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQs. Share this article This provocative account of the persecution of the Catholic Church in Mexico in the 1920s and 1930s tells the stories of eight pivotal players. The saints are now honored as martyrs by the Catholic Church, and the sinners were political and military leaders who were accomplices in the persecution. The saintly standouts are Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, whose non-violent demonstrations ended with his death after a day of brutal torture; Archbishop Francisco Orozco y Jimenez, who ran his vast archdiocese from hiding while on the run from the Mexican government; Fr. Toribio Romo Gonzalez, who was shot in his bed one morning simply for being a Catholic priest; and Fr. Miguel Pro, the famous Jesuit who kept slipping through the hands of the military police in Mexico City despite being on the "most wanted" list for sixteen months. The four sinners are Melchor Ocampo, the powerful politician who believed that Catholicism was the cause of Mexico's problems; President Plutarco Elias Calles, the fanatical atheist who brutally persecuted the Church; Jose Reyes Vega, the priest who ignored the orders of his archbishop and became a general in the Cristero army; and Tomas Garrido Canabal, a farmer-turned-politician who became known as the "Scourge of Tabasco". This cast of characters is presented in a compelling narrative of the Cristero War that engages the reader like a gripping novel while it unfolds a largely unknown chapter in the history of America. Second chances are rare on Shark Tank. That's what founder Jason Woods learned after he re-entered the Tank on Sunday's episode of ABC's business reality show. Woods pitched for a second time his electric jet bodyboard Kymera, which the Sharks tore apart in 2013--Daymond John called it the worst pitch he ever heard and Mark Cuban gave Woods some advice while rejecting him. "You're not an entrepreneur, you're a want-trepreneur," Cuban said in 2013. "Find somebody else to run the business but it's not going to be me." Woods did exactly that. Adam Majewski reached out to Woods as his first Shark Tank episode aired, expressing an interest in the product and a vision to build the business. Woods hired him as the project manager, and six years later, brought him into the Tank. Woods and Majewski were seeking $250,000 for 5 percent equity, and a shot at redemption. Woods explained that the Pleasanthill, California-based business was more mature than when he first pitched the Sharks. For starters, the product is fully developed and ready to ship instead of the "garage prototype" the Sharks first saw, Majewski said. Kymera also raised $625,000 through several rounds of funding and Majewski said a large luxury boat maker, which he didn't name, wants to stock the product in 225 of its dealerships. Additionally, Kymera booked $900,000 worth of preorders in the past 12 months and expects to close the year at $2 million in sales. Despite these accolades, the company needed capital to build up its inventory. However, the company's margins--at the time the segment was taped--weren't strong: it cost Kymera about $1,800 to make a $3,500 personal body board, the duo explained. Kevin O'Leary offered $250,000 for a 5 percent stake, and a $500 royalty per unit until $750,000 was recouped. John also tendered an offer: $250,000 for a 10 percent stake. But it was Robert Herjavec who surprised everyone, offering Woods $500,000 for 10 percent equity, rationalizing that it takes more money to compete in the watersports industry. "I love second chances. That's one of the things that makes this country great," Herjavec said as he offered his deal. "Everyone deserves a second chance." In case you missed it, Samsung sent review versions of their new phone, the Galaxy Fold, to media outlets. iFixit managed to get a hold of a device and did what they do. They took it apart and posted what they call a teardown of the device, which revealed some less-than-flattering details about the hinge and screen crease that drew a decent amount of attention. Then, Samsung put pressure on whoever it was that provided the device to iFixit, and the teardown became a takedown. Sure, the review wasn't great for a device Samsung amazingly seemed prepared to ship, but trying to remove the negative press is totally the wrong play. It isn't just because of the Streisand effect. That's the name given to the increase in attention that results from trying to suppress something you don't want people to see. In this case, the takedown certainly generated it's own attention, helping the original information to spread even after it had been removed from iFixit's site. But that's not the only reason it was the wrong play. Let me explain. Companies are notorious for trying to control the narrative around their products and brand as a whole. Tech companies are especially secretive and have been known to go to great lengths to keep new products under wraps and away from prying eyes. That's understandable when you consider how competitive the market is for devices like smartphones. But this wasn't about keeping something a secret. Samsung literally sent out the phones to people for the purpose of reviewing them. It wasn't the existence of the device they wanted to hide. It wasn't even a bad review that they wanted to mitigate against. It was the presence of a few fatal flaws that probably should have been worked out before the foldable phones were FedEx'd all over the place. At this point, it's too late to try to control the story by killing it. I think by now, we all know the internet doesn't work that way. Instead, Samsung should have engaged with the story. It might be counterintuitive but smart businesses learn that the more they engage with the conversation instead of trying to shut it down, the better the narrative goes. Look for a minute at how Apple handled it's Apple Music Subscription free trial blunder. In case you don't remember, back in 2015, Apple wanted to give users a three month free trial of the service, but wasn't going to pay royalties to artists for streaming plays during that time. It turns out that Taylor Swift wasn't having any of it. She wrote an open letter calling for a boycott of the service. #AppleMusic will pay artist for streaming, even during customer's free trial period -- Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015 Apple didn't try to bully Tumblr into taking down her message. Instead, they engaged in the conversation via a series of tweets from Eddy Cue, the executive that oversees Apple's vast services businesses including Apple Music. Two weeks later, Swift's newest album was streaming on iTunes. Apple's response turned out to be not just good PR, but smart business. Imagine if a prominent design or product person from Samsung went public and acknowledged what everyone already knew-- that this was a half-baked product that wasn't ready for public consumption. Maybe they announce that they really appreciated the feedback and were going to work to make it better as a result of the flaws pointed out by iFixit. Then, when it's ready, they were going to send the first product sample back to iFixit to let them post a new teardown of the finished device. The latest episode of Game of Thrones saw one key character return just in time for the big battle of Winterfell. *Major spoilers below you have been warned* The eighth and final seasons new episode titled The Long Night began with an intriguing scene that saw the return of the Red Woman, Melisandre (Carice van Houten). Since her arrival in season two, fans knew she would have an important part to play in the outcome of the series and it turns out she was a vital cog in in the Night Kings defeat at the hands of Arya Stark, a plot twist Maisie Williams was convinced fans would detest. The last we saw of the character, who keeps a youthful appearance thanks to a magical necklace, she was in Dragonstone about to leave for Volantis. She told Varys she would return, though, telling him: I have to die in this strange country, just like you." But, where has she been? Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Show all 7 1 /7 Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Eddison Tollet/Dolorous Edd One of the most loyal and comical characters on the show, Lord Commander Dolorous Edd was stabbed by a wight after saving his fellow Night's Watchman, Samwell Tarly. And now his watch has ended. HBO Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Lyanna Mormont What a legend. Fans were sad to see Lady Mormonth go, but she definitely got one of the most epic deaths in the episode. After refusing to run from a charging wight giant, the dying girl uses a final ounce of strength even as the giant is crushing her body in his hand and stabs him right through the eye. Her death was later confirmed when the Night King raised her as a wight. Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Beric Dondarrion It was a pretty safe bet that Lord Beric, who had died and been resurrected by his loyal friend Thoros of Myr a whopping six times, would meet his final death in this episode, given that Thoros wasnt around to save him anymore. He was stabbed multiple times by wights as he held them off to save Arya and The Hound. HBO Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Theon Greyjoy Theon has enjoyed one of the best character arcs in the history of Game of Thrones. After first appearing on the show as a sycophantic brat at Winterfell, he was kidnapped and tortured into becoming Reek for the amusement of Ramsay Bolton. Once he was rescued, he managed to redeem himself after a long journey back to Winterfell (saving his sister along the way), where he pledged to fight alongside the Starks and protect Bran. He kept his word, fighting off dozens if not hundreds of wights before the Night King and his posse turned up. Bran called him a good man and thanked him, upon which Theon charged at the Night King knowing his death was inevitable. HBO Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell The Night King Technically he was already dead, but the Night King still counts given the entire build-up to episode three had been about destroying him. Right as he reached for his sword to kill Bran, Arya comes out of nowhere and attempts to plunge Littlefingers Valyrian steel dagger into his back. He catches her by the throat, but Arya is too smart for him. She drops the dagger into her free hand and stabs him in the stomach instead, triggering the deaths of all the wights and Wight Walkers the Night King created (literally all of them). HBO Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Melisandre At least fans were prepared for this one. Given her knack for predicting future events, Melisandre saying she would die tonight at the Battle of Winterfell gave fans a pretty good idea of what to expect. Her final prophecy did indeed come true: after she used the power of the Lord of Light to help the Army of the Living, Melisandre walked into the battlefield, removed her magic necklace, and embraced her death. HBO / Helen Sloan Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Ser Jorah Mormont Jorah Mormont had fully redeemed his betrayal of Dany by the end of episode three (some would argue he did when he saved her life back in series six). After she fell from Drogon as he was overwhelmed by wights, Jorah saved her from imminent death and ultimately died of his injuries right as the White Walker army was defeated. It was one of the most moving scenes of the episode, with Dany mourning while Drogon watches over them. While unconfirmed, its no stretch to assume that Melisandre sought help from the Fiery Hand, a group of slave soldiers who guard the red temple of Rhllor a God better known as the Lord of Light. Seeing as members of the religion believe in a messianic figure named the Prince That Was Promised/Azor Ahai, who Melisandre believes is either Daenerys or Jon, she returned to help them in the battle against the Night King. Immediately after arriving at Winterfell, she chants a spell that sets the armys weapons ablaze, assisting them with the fight. The Red Womans arrival also prompts Arya to fulfil her destiny to kill the Night King, something fans are only just realising was revealed in the shows third season. The intense trailer for next weeks episode sees everyone turn their attentions to the Iron Throne and the fate of Cersei Lannister. The final season of Game of Thrones continues every Sunday. Our extensive ranking of every character in the series from worst to best is below. Game of Thrones characters - ranked Show all 70 1 /70 Game of Thrones characters - ranked Game of Thrones characters - ranked 70. Rickon Stark Played by: Art Parkinson : Art Parkinson Easily the most annoying Stark child an impressive feat next to Bran Rickon was at least handed one hell of a death scene: taken out by an arrow courtesy of Ramsay Bolton. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 69. Robin Arryn Played by: Lino Facioli : Lino Facioli Robin Arryn is remembered by most Thrones fans as being the 10-year-old breastfed by his mother (still weird). That's about it. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 68. Renly Baratheon Played by: Gethin Anthony : Gethin Anthony The Rickon of the Baratheon brothers. His claim to the Iron Throne was tenuous, considering his older brother, Stannis, was still alive. When Stannis's shadow monster came to kill him, it was only good news for the show. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 67. Leaf Played by: Kae Alexander : Kae Alexander A lot of mystery may surround Leaf, one of the show's mythical Children of the Forest, but her noble sacrifice to save Bran, Meera and Hodor from a horde of wights robbed her of any worth. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 66. Tommen Baratheon Played by: Dean-Charles Chapman : Dean-Charles Chapman Another boring younger brother. Whereas Joffrey was pure evil, Tommen was innocent and, inevitably, very boring. His cat, Ser Pounce, was an asset to the show. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 65. Lysa Arryn Played by: Kate Dickie : Kate Dickie Lysa, the creepy sister to Catelyn Stark, was first seen with Robin Arryn, her 10-year-old son, latched to her breast. Her death being pushed through the Moon Door couldn't have come sooner. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 64. Benjen Stark Played by: Joseph Mawle/Matteo Elezi : Joseph Mawle/Matteo Elezi Having gone missing in season one, Benjen returned during season six to save his nephew, Bran. The moment was a surprise to TV watchers book readers, however, had long speculated that Coldhands was an undead version of the Stark. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 63. Syrio Forel Played by: Miltos Yerolemou : Miltos Yerolemou The ill-fated Syrio's appearance way back in season one was a formative experience for one Arya Stark (Maisie Williams); he's the one who helped her on her way to becoming the vengeful assassin fans know and love today. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 62. Jeor Mormont Played by: James Cosmo : James Cosmo Father of Jorah Mormont, Jeor was an honourable leader of the Night's Watch perhaps to a fault. After giving Jon Snow the sword Longclaw, Mormont inadvertently showed the Stark bastard that Valerian steel can cut through White Walkers. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 61. Roose Bolton Played by: Michael McElhatton : Michael McElhatton Let's be honest: it's hard to really like as scheming a character as Roose Bolton, the man who orchestrated the violent Red Wedding the most infamous scene in the show's six-year history that saw the death of Robb, Catelyn and Talisa. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 60. Ellaria Sand Played by: Indira Varma : Indira Varma Ellaria Sand may have been a more enticing creation on the page, but in the series, her screen time regrettably amounts to reacting to loved ones being killed off in increasingly awful ways. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 59. Grand Maester Pycell Played by: Julian Glover : Julian Glover The secretly sprightly Pycell had seen a lot of things in his time, but there's an element of "unfulfilled potential" surrounding Glover's character whose late betrayal of Cersei Lannister saw a grisly end to his life of luxury at King's Landing. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 58. Three-Eyed Raven Played by: Max von Sydow : Max von Sydow Perhaps it was the casting of Max von Sydow that heightened anticipation for the Three-Eyed Raven in the series, but the half-hearted story arc left a lot to be desired. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 57. Gilly Played by: Hannah Murray : Hannah Murray Gilly's long journey from Craster's Keep to Winterfell sounds exciting on paper. But, unfortunately, she has been merely a passenger on Sam's journey for far too long. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 56. Daario Naharis Played by: Michael Huisman : Michael Huisman The man who won the heart of Daenerys Targaryen, only to be left behind in Essos. Ed Skrein originally played the character, but was soon replaced after the actor landed a role in Deadpool. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 55. Shae Played by: Sibel Kekilli : Sibel Kekilli Oh Shea. Her ill-fated betrayal sleeping with Tywin (Charles Dance) was a slap in the face not just for lover Tyrion, but the viewer also. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 54. Grey Worm Played by: Jacob Anderson : Jacob Anderson Leader of the Usullied, Grey Worm remains unmoved at all times unless around Missandei. While their romance can be heartwarming, it's hard to invest in two characters who are so wooden. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 53. Talisa Maegyr Played by: Oona Chaplin : Oona Chaplin To be fair to Robb Stark's wife Talisa, should she have avoided being murdered in arguably the most horrific way during the Red Wedding, she would most likely have been higher on this list. Alas. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 52. Shireen Baratheon Played by: Kerry Ingram : Kerry Ingram All the Greyscale-suffering Shireen ever wanted to do was read stories in her chamber, but due to her impressionable power-hungry father, Stannis, she was tragically reduced to ashes after being sacrificed to the Lord of Light. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 51. Viserys Targaryen Played by: Harry Lloyd : Harry Lloyd Viserys wanted the Iron Throne at any cost, giving away his own sister in exchange for an army. Dany, though, had other plans. Her new husband, Khal Drogo, covering Viserys in molten gold made for one of the show's most memorable death scenes. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 50. Maester Luwin Played by: Donald Sumpter : Donald Sumpter The kindly Maester Luwin was one of the nicest characters in the first few seasons, becoming a stand-in father for Bran and Rickon while the Starks endured horrors elsewhere. He was eventually killed when Ramsay Bolton took over Winterfell. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 49. Thoros of Myr Played by: Paul Kaye : Paul Kaye Thoros spent the majority of his time on the show resurrecting Beric and was most recently seen wielding his flaming sword alongside Jon Snow beyond the wall. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 48. Mance Rayder Played by: Ciaran Hinds : Ciaran Hinds Ciaran Hinds brought an intensity to Mance Rayder, a character who would otherwise have got lost in the crowd. As a result, his death at the hands of Melisandre was unexpectedly affecting. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 47. Podrick Payne Played by: Daniel Portman : Daniel Portman Ever loyal, Podrick Payne has become a fan favourite for being surprisingly brave in the face of adversity. He and Brienne of Tarth make an excellent duo. HBO/Helen Sloan Game of Thrones characters - ranked 46. Euron Greyjoy Played by: Pilou Asbk : Pilou Asbk While Euron Greyjoy may have only joined the show in season six, his presence was immediately felt. A wildcard character, Greyjoy's cut-throat, power-hungry nature has proven exciting to watch. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 45. Jaqen H'ghar Played by: Tom Wlaschiha : Tom Wlaschiha Jaqen H'ghar one of the Faceless Men of Braavos had such promise, but ultimately ended up being the one responsible for sapping Arya's story of the energy she'd had seasons before, alongside The Hound (Rory McCann). HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 44. Missandei Played by: Nathalie Emmanuel : Nathalie Emmanuel Missandei has somehow managed to come up trumps within the new world order, being an advisor to Dany. However, her stilted nature can make for some awkward encounters but at least she and Grey Worm are happy together. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 43. Ygritte Played by: Rose Leslie : Rose Leslie Ygritte the Wildling lover of Jon Snow will go down in Thrones lore for providing the series the with oft-quoted famous line: "You know nothing, Jon Snow." Spoken with a northern accent, obviously. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 42. Hot Pie Played by: Ben Hawkey : Ben Hawkey Has an actor ever been more suited to a role? Ben Hawkey, after all, has gone on to run a bakery of his own, even selling Thrones-themed goods. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 41. Walder Frey Played by: David Bradley : David Bradley One of the orchestrators of the Red Wedding, Walder Frey was a lurching, terrifying villain. When Arya unmasks herself and kills the old man, it's a sweet, sweet moment of revenge. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 40. Gendry Baratheon Played by: Joe Dempsie : Joe Dempsie The true heir to the Iron Throne. Gendry may have spent a few seasons rowing out at sea, but his return hints at big things to come for the Baratheon bastard. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 39. Robert Baratheon Played by: Mark Addy : Mark Addy Mark Addy brought a certain gravitas to Robert Baratheon, making him a believably world-weary king. Despite only having a few scenes, his character's presence is still felt on the show thanks to Gendry. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 38. Barristan Selmy Played by: Ian McElhinney : Ian McElhinney After being fired by the Lannisters, Selmy pledged allegiance to Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), bridging the gap between two of the show's key characters. He was also a bloody good warrior. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 37. Yara Greyjoy Played by: Gemma Whelan : Gemma Whelan Lily Allen was initially wanted for the role of Theon's sister. However, she declined: 'I felt uncomfortable because I would have had to go on a horse and he would have touched me up and s***.' Seeing as Allen's brother, Alfie, had already been cast as Theon, it was probably for the best. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 36. Margaery Tyrell Played by: Natalie Dormer : Natalie Dormer Margaery Tyrell was one of Game of Thrones's biggest players, wheedling her way into the Lannister family politics and actually becoming Queen for a spell. Her number was up the moment she made an enemy of Cersei, and her fiery death, while underwhelming, was a huge moment. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 35. Samwell Tarly Played by: John Bradley : John Bradley There's a theory going around that Samwell Tarly, who trains as a maester, is actually the author of the Song of Ice and Fire AKA the book series. In other words, Sam is George RR Martin. Go figure. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 34. Osha Played by: Natalia Tena : Natalia Tena The underused Osha was our very first wildling, an unpredictable knife-wielding danger to the characters we loved. Her subsequent evolution into Stark servant was interestingly played, which made the fact she was sidelined for multiple seasons, before being brought back just to be unceremoniously offed, a travesty. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 33. Ramsay Bolton Played by: Iwan Rheon : Iwan Rheon Ramsey cut off Theon's penis and sent it to the Greyjoy's father. He imprisoned and raped Sansa Stark. He killed Rickon Stark in front of his brother. And Ramsay eventually died by being fed to his own dogs. A terrifying death for a terrible human. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 32. Night King Played by: Richard Brake, Vladimir Furdik : Richard Brake, Vladimir Furdik The embodiment of evil. Why, exactly, the Night King marches South to destroy mankind remains somewhat a mystery. But, whatever the reason, he's a terrifying foe. Winter has, as the Starks say, finally come. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 31. Beric Dondarrion Played by: Richard Dormer : Richard Dormer Beric danced on the outskirts of the series until its third season when he surfaced as the leader of the Brotherhood Without Banners. His introduction paved the way for the Lord of Light's ability to resurrect the dead, a mystical sub-plot that would become very important for Jon Snow. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 30. Bran Stark Played by: Isaac Hempstead Wright : Isaac Hempstead Wright It says a lot that Bran Stark has become marginally more interesting since he sacrificed his personality in favour of becoming the spiritualistic heart of the series. His role in the final season looks set to be a huge one what with the long-standing theory that he could become the fearsome Night King. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 29. Theon Greyjoy Played by: Alfie Allen : Alfie Allen While Theon starts as a cocky kid, after being neutered by Ramsay he becomes the annoyingly weak Reek. Thankfully, Theon comes back around again in the later seasons, but not without us still hating his guts for not saving Sansa sooner. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 28. The High Sparrow Played by: Jonathan Pryce : Jonathan Pryce While at first a seemingly wise old man, the High Sparrow quickly becomes a tactical villain, using his newfound powers under King Tommen to turn King's Landing into his own domain. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 27. The Mountain Played by: Hafor Julius Bjornsson : Hafor Julius Bjornsson The hulking Clegane brother known as The Mountain now a zombie-esque servant to Cersei may not have come face-to-face with lots of characters in the series, but his presence is known by all in Westeros. His biggest moment? Battering poor Oberyn's head into mush. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 26. Khal Drogo Played by: Jason Momoa : Jason Momoa To the world he's now Aquaman, but for a brief time, Jason Momoa was Khal Drogo, the beloved Dothraki husband of his Khaleesi, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke). HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 25. Jon Snow Played by: Kit Harington : Kit Harington Every show needs a hero, and they do not come more obvious than Jon Snow. Rising from discarded bastard to King of the North, his climb has been one of the show's best storylines. A shame, then, that Snow can be such a bland person, doing only what is right and seemingly having no faults. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 24. Stannis Baratheon Played by: Stephen Dillane : Stephen Dillane With his propensity to make tough decisions for the greater good, Stannis could have been a heroic warrior. However, the Baratheon brother's continual fall from grace including sacrificing his own daughter and murdering his own brother were horrendous decisions that eventually doomed him. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 23. Hodor Played by: Kristian Nairn : Kristian Nairn Once you get over the fact that Kristian Nairn was essentially getting paid to repeat the word "Hodor" over and over, it's hard to deny that Bran Stark's protector was a heartwarming addition to the show. His death the breathtaking "Hold the Door" sequence will go down as one of the show's most memorable moments. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 22. Tywin Lannister Played by: Charles Dance : Charles Dance Stannis was a horrible father. His two favourite children became incestuous lovers, and he blamed his youngest for the death of his wife. Without Tywin, though, the Lannister family would not be nearly as riveting as they are to watch. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 21. Tormund Giantsbane Played by: Kristofer Hivju : Kristofer Hivju Tormund has some of the best lines in the series, particularly when expressing his admiration for Brienne. Here's one of the least explicit: "I want to make babies with her. Think of it. Great big monsters. They'll conquer the world!" HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 20. Daenerys Targaryen Played by: Emilia Clarke : Emilia Clarke "Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains, and Mother of Dragons." Every time Dany meets someone new, she forces Missandei to read out her entire CV. I guess everyone would if theirs was as impressive. Dany really has had a great journey to the top a shame she could not have come to Westeros slightly earlier. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 19. Olenna Tyrell Played by: Dianna Rigg : Dianna Rigg Olenna's scenes were always ones to cherish. The Queen of Thorns was as cunning as the best of them and seemed like she could worm her way out of any situation, all from the comfort of her own chair. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 18. Jorah Mormont Played by: Iain Glen : Iain Glen Poor Ser Jorah. Dany may be 25 years younger than him, but that never stopped the disgraced warrior from loving her. He even fought off Grey Scale to fight by her side. If that's not true love, then what is? HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 17. Davos Seaworth Played by: Liam Cunningham : Liam Cunningham Liam Cunningham's performance as the curt Davos Seaworth has quietly been one of the best things about the series since his introduction. As Jon Snow's kingly advisor, he's recently seen himself thrust into the heart of the series and, simply put, Game of Thrones would be a less enjoyable show without him. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 16. Melisandre Played by: Carice van Houten : Carice van Houten Lest we forget that Melisandre is actually a shrivelled old witch who has been manipulating men for hundreds of years. Her faith in the Lord of Light, though, could very well be misplaced. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 15. Oberyn Played by: Pedro Pascal : Pedro Pascal Few shows can bring in characters midway through their run that have such an impact as Oberyn. The Viper quickly became a fan favourite, and his death remains one of the show's most squirm-inducing moments. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 14. Eddard "Ned" Stark Played by: Sean Bean : Sean Bean Killing off a main character during a show's first season was practically unheard of before Game of Thrones. Yet, as dictated by George RR Martin's books, they cut off Sean Bean's head without a second thought, setting the tone for everything to come. No death has impacted the Thrones quite as much since. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 13. Varys Played by: Conleth Hill : Conleth Hill Early on in the series, it was hard to pin down Varys, a slippery eel of a character who has "little birds" fluttering around Westeros, feeding back crucial information. Going into the final season, his true intentions are clear: he's all for Daenerys taking the Iron Throne, even if he doesn't live to see the day (I have to die in this strange country, just like you," Melisandre prophesied last season). HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 12. Bronn Played by: Jerome Flynn : Jerome Flynn Perhaps the show's best wise-cracking side-kick, Bronn only has one loyalty: money. Paired with either of the Lannister lads, Tyrion or Jaime, Bronn makes for excellent company. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 11. Robb Stark Played by: Richard Madden : Richard Madden Before Bodyguard, Richard Madden was the extremely temporary king of Westeros. Robb was a man of honour, trying to bring light to the Thrones universe. He was a likeable presence who ruled with his heart, an act that ultimately saw him die during the infamous Red Wedding in season three. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 10. Brienne of Tarth Played by: Gwendoline Christie : Gwendoline Christie Brienne is a reassuring force of good in a world filled with scheming layabouts. She's also one of the most deadly. Her time on the series has been spent protecting the likes of Renly Baratheon, Catelyn Stark and Jaime Lannister, the latter of which made for an interesting turn as it put her at odds with her loyalty. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 9. Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish Played by: Aidan Gillen : Aidan Gillen There would be no Game of Thrones without Littlefinger. The silver-tongued manipulator had Jon Arryn killed, setting off a snowball that turned into an avalanche. As smart as he may have been, Littlefinger was finally outplayed by his own pupil, Sansa Stark. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 8. Sansa Stark Played by: Sophie Turner : Sophie Turner Sansa has perhaps had the most interesting story arc of any character on Thrones. Beginning as a cliched annoying teenager, she gradually became a stone-cold killer, capable of holding Winterfell and outsmarting even Littlefinger. With any luck, she could sit upon the Iron Throne when the war is over. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 7. Arya Stark Played by: Maisie Williams : Maisie Williams Arya Stark, arguably the greatest character of the first few seasons, was one of the biggest victims of the series overtaking George RR Martin's source material. Her limited screen time, due to being away from the central action, robbed us of classic moments that we're grateful she's been a part of in an otherwise lacklustre season eight. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 6. Sandor "The Hound" Clegane Played by: Rory McCann : Rory McCann From his regular delivery of the phrase"F** the king" to that chicken scene, The Hound is a reckless creation whose high ranking on this list can be attributed to the searing performance from Rory McCann. Most effective when paired with Arya Stark. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 5. Joffrey Baratheon Played by: Jack Gleeson : Jack Gleeson No character has been as hated by the fandom as Joffrey. His wicked ways and disgusting behaviour haunted the show's first four seasons. You never knew what was going to come next: whether he was about to behead your favourite character or start crying to his mother. It made for thrilling television. But, as The Hound says, "F**k the King". HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 4. Catelyn Stark Played by: Michelle Fairley : Michelle Fairley The lady of Winterfell, Catelyn Stark, became the show's honorary lead after the untimely beheading of her husband, Ned (Sean Bean) at the end of season one. As she tried to take control of spiralling events in the second and third run, Thrones was handed its most resilient character. Michelle Fairley's guttural cry of anguish before meeting her tragic end during the Red Wedding will always be the show's most horrific moment. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 3. Jaime Lannister Played by: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau : Nikolaj Coster-Waldau If the characters above Jaime in this list are the show's greatest characters, Jaime is the show's most disarming. The Lannister brother the Kingslayer started the series as a long-haired bad guy of the tallest order, but his humbling over the past few seasons have seen him inch his way into the hearts of viewers. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 2. Tyrion Lannister Played by: Peter Dinklage : Peter Dinklage Blamed for the death of his mother and hated for being a dwarf, Tyrion turned to drink and prostitutes to numb the pain. However, Tyrion has a fierce intellect, capable of outsmarting the toughest enemies (and offering cutting lines that George RR Martin says often take weeks to write). More importantly, despite being betrayed and cast away time and time again, Tyrion selflessly only wants the best for the people of Westeros. A true hero. HBO Game of Thrones characters - ranked 1. Cersei Lannister Played by: Lena Headey : Lena Headey The Mad Queen, alone on the Iron Throne. Cersei has, over the course of seven seasons, seen her three children die, driven her lover/brother away, blown up a church with a half dozen major characters inside, arranged the death of her husband (King Robert) and attempted to have her other brother (Tyrion) killed multiple times. Yet, thanks to Lena Headey's empathetic performance, you still feel sorry for the terrifying Queen of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. As one of the most complicated character to have ever reached television screens, there's no denying her place as the best Thrones character to date. HBO The show will be available on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK. *WARNING: Spoilers for Game of Thrones season eight, episode three* Although most fans would agree that Aryra has proven herself the MVP of the Battle of Winterfell, one of the episodes other most memorable moments arrived courtesy of Lyanna Mormont (Bella Ramsey), the Lady of Bear Island. Having pledged her houses allegiance to the King of the North back in season six, Lyanna continued to prove herself a strong ally during the battle, even laying down her life to defend the castle. Gripped by a giant wight, who crushed her to death, Lyanna still managed to deliver a deadly final blow, stabbing the creature in the eye and killing it. When the Night King brought back the dead as wights, Lyanna was briefly resurrected, but once he was killed by Arya, she was wiped out alongside the rest of the Wights and the White Walkers. Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Show all 7 1 /7 Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Eddison Tollet/Dolorous Edd One of the most loyal and comical characters on the show, Lord Commander Dolorous Edd was stabbed by a wight after saving his fellow Night's Watchman, Samwell Tarly. And now his watch has ended. HBO Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Lyanna Mormont What a legend. Fans were sad to see Lady Mormonth go, but she definitely got one of the most epic deaths in the episode. After refusing to run from a charging wight giant, the dying girl uses a final ounce of strength even as the giant is crushing her body in his hand and stabs him right through the eye. Her death was later confirmed when the Night King raised her as a wight. Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Beric Dondarrion It was a pretty safe bet that Lord Beric, who had died and been resurrected by his loyal friend Thoros of Myr a whopping six times, would meet his final death in this episode, given that Thoros wasnt around to save him anymore. He was stabbed multiple times by wights as he held them off to save Arya and The Hound. HBO Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Theon Greyjoy Theon has enjoyed one of the best character arcs in the history of Game of Thrones. After first appearing on the show as a sycophantic brat at Winterfell, he was kidnapped and tortured into becoming Reek for the amusement of Ramsay Bolton. Once he was rescued, he managed to redeem himself after a long journey back to Winterfell (saving his sister along the way), where he pledged to fight alongside the Starks and protect Bran. He kept his word, fighting off dozens if not hundreds of wights before the Night King and his posse turned up. Bran called him a good man and thanked him, upon which Theon charged at the Night King knowing his death was inevitable. HBO Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell The Night King Technically he was already dead, but the Night King still counts given the entire build-up to episode three had been about destroying him. Right as he reached for his sword to kill Bran, Arya comes out of nowhere and attempts to plunge Littlefingers Valyrian steel dagger into his back. He catches her by the throat, but Arya is too smart for him. She drops the dagger into her free hand and stabs him in the stomach instead, triggering the deaths of all the wights and Wight Walkers the Night King created (literally all of them). HBO Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Melisandre At least fans were prepared for this one. Given her knack for predicting future events, Melisandre saying she would die tonight at the Battle of Winterfell gave fans a pretty good idea of what to expect. Her final prophecy did indeed come true: after she used the power of the Lord of Light to help the Army of the Living, Melisandre walked into the battlefield, removed her magic necklace, and embraced her death. HBO / Helen Sloan Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Ser Jorah Mormont Jorah Mormont had fully redeemed his betrayal of Dany by the end of episode three (some would argue he did when he saved her life back in series six). After she fell from Drogon as he was overwhelmed by wights, Jorah saved her from imminent death and ultimately died of his injuries right as the White Walker army was defeated. It was one of the most moving scenes of the episode, with Dany mourning while Drogon watches over them. Fans may be have been distraught, but they were also impressed by Lyannas heroism on the battlefield. Williams herself has revealed that she was worried fans would feel disappointed by the fact it was Arya who saves the day. The intense trailer for next week's episode sees everyone turn their attentions to the Iron Throne and the fate of Cersei Lannister. The show will be available on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK. Larry King is recovering in hospital after undergoing an angioplasty, according to his official Twitter account. The 85-year-old was reportedly scheduled for an angiogram Thursday when he began to experience angina, a type of chest pain "caused by reduced blood flow to the heart," according to the Mayo Clinic. After arriving at the hospital early to be examined, doctors performed an angioplasty, according to a statement from Ora TV. Following the procedure, King is expected to make a "full recovery". "His doctor successfully performed the angioplasty and inserted stents to reopen the previous bypass from 1987," the network behind Larry King Now said in a statement. "He has been recuperating in the hospital and is scheduled to be released soon. Tonight's the night for Larry King as 25-year reign comes to an end Show all 4 1 /4 Tonight's the night for Larry King as 25-year reign comes to an end Tonight's the night for Larry King as 25-year reign comes to an end 517341.bin AP Tonight's the night for Larry King as 25-year reign comes to an end 517343.bin GETTY IMAGES Tonight's the night for Larry King as 25-year reign comes to an end 517344.bin Tonight's the night for Larry King as 25-year reign comes to an end 517345.bin AP "His doctors expect him to make a full recovery." The TV and radio host previously underwent a quintuple bypass surgery in 1987 after suffering a heart attack. In addition to issues related to his heart health, King previously battled cancer. In 1999, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and in 2017, announced he had been diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer after a routine check-up. At the time, King had surgery to have the mass removed. "They went in through my ribs with a tiny camera and snipped it out," he said, according to People magazine. "I only had a little pain and some shortness of breath but once my speech is back full - and that took about a week - I went right back to work." Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events King also lives with type 2 diabetes, which he has previously said is "controllable". Chinese president Xi Jinping is reportedly a Game of Thrones fan, despite the fact the series is heavily censored in the country. According to the South China Morning Post, the president even referenced the show at a recent meeting with foreign visitors in Beijing. An individual who was present at the meeting claimed Xi said: We must all make sure the world we live in does not descend into the chaotic warring seven kingdoms of Westeros. It was further reported that those in attendance seemed surprised by the reference, although its context was not given. Li Keqiang, Chinas premier, also made a reference to the HBO series at a summit with Central and Eastern European countries in Dubrovnik, Croatia, earlier this month. Dubrovnik is used as a location to film scenes set in Kings Landing. The series is heavily censored in China, with much of the violence and sex scenes edited out, but when a Chinese official was asked whether Xi watched the edited or unedited version, he replied that they watched an even more condensed version to fit their schedules. We call it the diamond version, added the source. Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Show all 7 1 /7 Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Eddison Tollet/Dolorous Edd One of the most loyal and comical characters on the show, Lord Commander Dolorous Edd was stabbed by a wight after saving his fellow Night's Watchman, Samwell Tarly. And now his watch has ended. HBO Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Lyanna Mormont What a legend. Fans were sad to see Lady Mormonth go, but she definitely got one of the most epic deaths in the episode. After refusing to run from a charging wight giant, the dying girl uses a final ounce of strength even as the giant is crushing her body in his hand and stabs him right through the eye. Her death was later confirmed when the Night King raised her as a wight. Helen Sloan/courtesy of HBO Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Beric Dondarrion It was a pretty safe bet that Lord Beric, who had died and been resurrected by his loyal friend Thoros of Myr a whopping six times, would meet his final death in this episode, given that Thoros wasnt around to save him anymore. He was stabbed multiple times by wights as he held them off to save Arya and The Hound. HBO Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Theon Greyjoy Theon has enjoyed one of the best character arcs in the history of Game of Thrones. After first appearing on the show as a sycophantic brat at Winterfell, he was kidnapped and tortured into becoming Reek for the amusement of Ramsay Bolton. Once he was rescued, he managed to redeem himself after a long journey back to Winterfell (saving his sister along the way), where he pledged to fight alongside the Starks and protect Bran. He kept his word, fighting off dozens if not hundreds of wights before the Night King and his posse turned up. Bran called him a good man and thanked him, upon which Theon charged at the Night King knowing his death was inevitable. HBO Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell The Night King Technically he was already dead, but the Night King still counts given the entire build-up to episode three had been about destroying him. Right as he reached for his sword to kill Bran, Arya comes out of nowhere and attempts to plunge Littlefingers Valyrian steel dagger into his back. He catches her by the throat, but Arya is too smart for him. She drops the dagger into her free hand and stabs him in the stomach instead, triggering the deaths of all the wights and Wight Walkers the Night King created (literally all of them). HBO Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Melisandre At least fans were prepared for this one. Given her knack for predicting future events, Melisandre saying she would die tonight at the Battle of Winterfell gave fans a pretty good idea of what to expect. Her final prophecy did indeed come true: after she used the power of the Lord of Light to help the Army of the Living, Melisandre walked into the battlefield, removed her magic necklace, and embraced her death. HBO / Helen Sloan Game of Thrones characters who died in the battle at Winterfell Ser Jorah Mormont Jorah Mormont had fully redeemed his betrayal of Dany by the end of episode three (some would argue he did when he saved her life back in series six). After she fell from Drogon as he was overwhelmed by wights, Jorah saved her from imminent death and ultimately died of his injuries right as the White Walker army was defeated. It was one of the most moving scenes of the episode, with Dany mourning while Drogon watches over them. The trailer for the next episode of season eight the shows final season teases not only the outcome of the big Winterfell battle, but the climactic showdown at Kings Landing. With one fight out of the way and three episodes left to go of the HBO series the characters look set to prepare for what Daenerys is calling the last war. This means that, after two weeks of absence, Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) is back with Euron Greyjoy (Pilou Asbaek) by her side and those who survived the Night King battle will be heading to Kings Landing to remove her from the Iron Throne. Greenpeace activists have climbed aboard an oil rig in the Norwegian Arctic in protest against new oil and gas drilling. Four members of the group climbed onto the West Hercules rig, owned by deepwater drilling company Seadrill. More protesters surrounded the rig in kayaks and others on shore unfurled banners reading people versus oil and ban new oil. The rig is anchored off Hammerfest, continental Europes northernmost town and the site of an Equinor liquefied natural gas plant, Snoehvit. We clearly are in the middle of a climate crisis that cannot take any new oil, so we must show our resistance in any way we can, said Frode Pleym, the head of Greenpeace Norway. Penguin habitats threatened by climate change Show all 9 1 /9 Penguin habitats threatened by climate change Penguin habitats threatened by climate change Gentoo penguins on Ardley Island, Antarctic, where global warming has affected the glaciers that the penguins live on and has brought new species to compete with AFP/Getty Penguin habitats threatened by climate change Gentoo penguins on Ardley Island, Antarctic, where global warming has affected the glaciers that the penguins live on and has brought new species to compete with AFP/Getty Penguin habitats threatened by climate change Gentoo penguins in Cuverville Island, designated as an Important Bird Island. These penguins feed on krill but krill is growing scarcer due to climate change AFP/Getty Penguin habitats threatened by climate change Penguins on Ardley Island, Antarctic, where global warming has affected the glaciers that the penguins live on and has brought new species to compete with AFP/Getty Penguin habitats threatened by climate change Gentoo penguins in Cuverville Island, designated as an Important Bird Island. These penguins feed on krill but krill is growing scarcer due to climate change AFP/Getty Penguin habitats threatened by climate change Chinstrap penguins on King George Island. Global warming has affected the glaciers that the penguins live on and has brought new species to compete with AFP/Getty Penguin habitats threatened by climate change Gentoo penguins in Cuverville Island, designated as an Important Bird Island. These penguins feed on krill but krill is growing scarcer due to climate change AFP/Getty Penguin habitats threatened by climate change A penguin and a seal. Global warming has affected the glaciers that these animals live on and has brought new species to compete with AFP/Getty Penguin habitats threatened by climate change Gentoo penguins on Ardley Island, Antarctic, where global warming has affected the glaciers that the penguins live on and has brought new species to compete with AFP/Getty The activists are from Norway, Sweden and Denmark, the group said, and the four members who scaled the rig carried a banner that read: Stop Drilling in the Arctic in Norwegian. Activist Karianne Andersen said the action is to tell Norways government that if we are to keep our planet liveable for the next few years, then we must stop looking for new oil, the Associated Press reports. The rig is due to drill a well in the Equinor-operated production license 859 in the eastern part of the Barents Sea, some 435 kilometres (270 miles) northeast of the coast of continental Norway. It will be the most northern licence for drilling to ever be granted in Norway. 'Stop Drilling in the Arctic', reads a banner held by Greenpeace activists on the Equinor oil rig (REUTERS) 'Stop Drilling in the Arctic', reads a banner held by Greenpeace activists on the Equinor oil rig (REUTERS) Drilling operations were scheduled to start in early May, but the company has not given a precise start date or said how it could be affected by the protest. The rig owners are following this up, a spokesman for Seadrill said, referring to the Greenpeace protest. Seadrill said it has contacted the police. Our primary concern is the health and safety of all personnel on-board the rig. We will continue to monitor the situation and have notified the local authorities, including the police, the state-owned company said in an email to Reuters. Norway is western Europes largest oil producer and Europes second-largest gas supplier after Russia. Environment secretary Michael Gove should launch a probe into Natural Englands disastrous decision to revoke gun licences to shoot 16 species of bird, a coalition of rural organisations has said. The public bodys move to revoke the licences that previously allowed them to freely shoot pest species such as carrion crows, wood pigeons, magpies and Canada geese had caused enormous problems in the countryside, according to the bodies which include the British Association of Shooting and Conservation (BASC), Countryside Alliance and the National Gamekeepers Organisation. The decision was taken by Natural England after they were threatened with legal action by environmentalists. Wild Justice whose directors include BBC presenter Chris Packham sought a judicial review, which Natural England determined not to fight believing it would lose. The issue was catapulted to national attention earlier this week when two dead crows were hung from Mr Packhams gate following Natural Englands ruling. The Blue Planet Live presenter and his step-daughter posted photos and reported the incident to the police. Endangered and threatened species of Britain Show all 10 1 /10 Endangered and threatened species of Britain Endangered and threatened species of Britain Hedgehog In 1950 there were an estimated 36 million hedgehogs in the UK, there are now only one million Getty/iStock Endangered and threatened species of Britain Hazel dormouse The population of the hazel dormouse is thought to have declined by over one third since 2000. It is threatened by loss of habitat Getty Endangered and threatened species of Britain Red squirrel Famously ravaged by the North American grey squirrel, the red squirrel is nowadays very rare with a population of around 140,000 Getty Endangered and threatened species of Britain Mountain hare The population in Scotland stands at 1% of its 1950 level and only one colony remains in England in the Peak District Getty Endangered and threatened species of Britain Natterjack toad Threatened by the disappearance of their coastal habitats, the natterjack toad is now only found at a handful of site across the UK Getty Endangered and threatened species of Britain Water vole Once found across Britain, the water vole is no longer anywhere to be seen in 90% of waterways Getty Endangered and threatened species of Britain Turtle dove On the Red List of conservation concern, the turtle dove population has declined by 97% since 1970 Getty Endangered and threatened species of Britain Small tortoiseshell butterfly Amid a general decline in butterfly population since records began in the 1970s, the small tortoiseshell saw a 38% drop in population in 2018 Getty Endangered and threatened species of Britain Noble chafer beetle Classed as vulnerable, the noble chafer beetle became increasingly rare throughout the 20th century due to habitat loss. Members of the public are encouraged to report any sightings to the People's Trust for Endangered Species gbhone Endangered and threatened species of Britain Stag beetle Their population is not known but due to habitat loss and other threats they are a protected species. Members of the public are encouraged to report any sightings to the People's Trust for Endangered Species Getty Natural England, the body which advises advising the government on managing the natural environment, revoked three general licences for controlling wild birds on 23 April, to be replaced by individual licences. By late last week, only a new licence allowing the killing of carrion crows had been issued. In an an open letter to Mr Gove demanding an investigation, BASC condemned the recent attack on Mr Packhams home, but claimed the new licensing rules are causing havoc in rural areas at one of the busiest times of the farming calendar. The shooting organisation has argued the 16 bird species covered by the general licence were not shot for sport but for pest control. BBC presenter Chris Packham found dead crows strung up outside his house on Thursday morning (Chris Packham/Twitter) This sudden legal change has caused enormous problems and concern for everyone reliant on general licences, and their withdrawal has come at the worst possible time of year, when lambs, young crops, and nesting birds including curlew and lapwing, are all in most need of protection from marauding pest birds," the letter stated. The decision had left people in rural industries concerned and angry, the letter said, adding: It has been a disastrous episode, appallingly mismanaged by Natural England. It concluded: As secretary of state for the department to which Natural England is contracted as the current licensing authority, you are asked to undertake a full investigation as to who made what decisions, when, and why. Your department needs to determine what changes may be necessary going forward, to ensure this sort of disaster is never repeated. Other signatories included the Moorland Association, the National Farmers' Union and Game Farmers Association. A spokesman for BACS said all the signatories had been willing to contribute to a consultation on the licences, and had expected any such consultation to conclude by autumn this year. Faith in Natural England has absolutely nose-dived. He claimed even Wild Justice had been surprised by the speed of the decision. Mark Avery, one of Wild Justices directors, wrote on his blog that the group was campaigning for Natural England to ensure legal loopholes were closed when a new licensing system was introduced in January 2020. Our legal case for judicial review called for Natural England to admit the illegality of the [now former] licensing system and to undertake not to introduce a similarly unlawful system on 1 January 2020 when the current [now former] licensing ran out," he said. A spokeswoman for Defra said: As the governments independent adviser, Natural England has made clear it took the difficult but unavoidable decision to change the bird control licensing system as a result of the legal challenge by Wild Justice. Theyre working as quickly as possible to issue new licences. Theres no ban and people who need to control birds before all the new licences are available can obtain an individual licence. On Saturday Marian Spain, interim chief executive at Natural England, said: We have been very clear there will be new licences in place in the coming days that cover the vast majority of circumstances covered by the current licences, to ensure landowners can continue to take necessary action, whilst also taking into account the needs of wildlife. Additional reporting by Press Association The worlds largest ice shelf is melting 10 times faster than expected due to solar heating of the surrounding Antarctic Ocean, scientists have warned. The Ross Ice Shelf covers an area roughly the size of France and is several hundred metres thick, with 90 per cent of the ice below sea level. A study by an international team of scientists, carried out over four years, collected data on how the northwest portion of the ice shelf interacts with the ocean beneath it. It found the ice is melting much more rapidly than previously thought, due to inflowing warm water. The stability of ice shelves is generally thought to be related to their exposure to warm deep ocean water, but weve found that solar heated surface water also plays a crucial role in melting ice shelves, said the studys lead author, Dr Craig Stewart from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) in New Zealand, and who conducted the work while a PhD student at the University of Cambridge in the UK. 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Show all 10 1 /10 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A group of emperor penguins face a crack in the sea ice, near McMurdo Station, Antarctica Kira Morris 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Floods destroyed eight bridges and ruined crops such as wheat, maize and peas in the Karimabad valley in northern Pakistan, a mountainous region with many glaciers. In many parts of the world, glaciers have been in retreat, creating dangerously large lakes that can cause devastating flooding when the banks break. Climate change can also increase rainfall in some areas, while bringing drought to others. Hira Ali 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Smoke filled with the carbon that is driving climate change drifts across a field in Colombia. Sandra Rondon 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Amid a flood in Islampur, Jamalpur, Bangladesh, a woman on a raft searches for somewhere dry to take shelter. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable places in the world to sea level rise, which is expected to make tens of millions of people homeless by 2050. Probal Rashid 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Sindh province in Pakistan has experienced a grim mix of two consequences of climate change. Because of climate change either we have floods or not enough water to irrigate our crop and feed our animals, says the photographer. Picture clearly indicates that the extreme drought makes wide cracks in clay. Crops are very difficult to grow. Rizwan Dharejo 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Hanna Petursdottir examines a cave inside the Svinafellsjokull glacier in Iceland, which she said had been growing rapidly. Since 2000, the size of glaciers on Iceland has reduced by 12 per cent. Tom Schifanella 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A river once flowed along the depression in the dry earth of this part of Bangladesh, but it has disappeared amid rising temperatures. Abrar Hossain 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A shepherd moves his herd as he looks for green pasture near the village of Sirohi in Rajasthan, northern India. The region has been badly affected by heatwaves and drought, making local people nervous about further predicted increases in temperature. Riddhima Singh Bhati 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change A factory in China is shrouded by a haze of air pollution. The World Health Organisation has warned such pollution, much of which is from the fossil fuels that cause climate change, is a public health emergency. Leung Ka Wa 10 photographs to show to anyone who doesn't believe in climate change Water levels in reservoirs, like this one in Gers, France, have been getting perilously low in areas across the world affected by drought, forcing authorities to introduce water restrictions. Mahtuf Ikhsan The interactions occurring between the ice and the ocean hundreds of metres below the surface of ice shelves have a direct impact on long-term sea level. The Ross Ice Shelf is a vital natural barrier providing stability to the West Antarctic Ice Sheet by blocking the ice which flows into it from some of the worlds largest glaciers. Previous studies have shown that when ice shelves collapse, the feeding glaciers can speed up by a factor or two or three, said co-author Dr Poul Christoffersen from Cambridges Scott Polar Research Institute. The difference here is the sheer size of the Ross Ice Shelf, which is over one hundred times larger than the ice shelves weve already seen disappear. If the entire West Antarctic Ice Sheet were to melt, it has been estimated the huge volume of water released would contribute 4.8m (16ft) to global sea levels. The team collected the data from an oceanographic mooring installed under the Ross Ice Shelf by team members from NIWA. Using instruments put down through a 260m-deep borehole, the team measured temperature, salinity, melt rates and ocean currents in the cavity under the ice. The instruments on the mooring showed solar-heated surface water flows into the cavity under the ice shelf near Ross Island, causing melt rates to nearly triple during the summer months. Directly in front of the ice shelf is open water. The area, known as the Ross Sea Polynya, absorbs solar heat quickly in summer and this warmer water is influencing melting in the ice shelf cavity, the scientists said. The findings indicate conditions in the ice shelf cavity are more closely related to the surface ocean and atmosphere than previously assumed. This also implies that melt rates near the ice front will respond quickly to changes in the uppermost layer of warmer water in the ocean. Climate change is likely to result in less sea ice and higher surface ocean temperatures in the Ross Sea, suggesting that melt rates in this region will increase in the future, said Dr Stewart. Dr Christoffersen added: The observations we made at the front of the ice shelf have direct implications for many large glaciers that flow into the ice shelf, some as far as 900km away. A charity shop has received a generous donation of designer clothes, collectively worth 50,000. The designer bundle was unveiled in the shop window for the Mind charity shop in Tunbridge Wells, Kent last week. The donation, given to the shop by a regular, unnamed donor, featured costly items of clothing from brands including Prada, Chloe, Gucci, Rupert Sanderson and Erdem, a Canadian label previously worn by the Duchess of Sussex. A Mulberry dress which retails at more than 900 was put on sale at the charity shop for 425, less than half of its original price. Meanwhile, a pink, floral silk skirt by Erdem, which is worth more than 1,100, was put on sale for 245. The designer bundle included items designed by Prada, Gucci and Rupert Sanderson (SWNS) Staff at the Mind charity shop are hoping to raise at least 15,000 for the mental health charity by selling the designer clothing. They explain that many of the items gifted to the store have never been worn, and still have their original price tags attached. "It's fantastic to get all this stuff, it has just caused a huge interest," says shop manager Alison Homewood. "We have had Prada, Gucci, Mulberry, Kate Spade and a lovely houndstooth check Burberry style coat by Gucci which went for more than 400. "It's amazing. We are really, really busy, but we are not complaining." (SWNS (SWNS) Ms Homewood explains that when she received donated items without price tags from the donor, she went on the brands' websites to ascertain how much they usually retail for. "The items came in at the end of last week - it is a regular donor and she donates stuff to us on a regular basis," the shop manager states. Ms Homewood says that while the drop-off of "glamorous, high fashion items" was "exciting", all donations to the charity shop are equally appreciated. "We treat every donor the same. It doesn't matter if they are dropping off one item or 100 items, we are always grateful," she says. "It's fantastic to get all this stuff but it does not detract from the normal donations - the stuff we sell for 5 or 6." Over the past two decades of business, the Mind charity shop has raised more than 2m for charity. For all the latest fashion news, click here. A London restaurant is celebrating 15 years since the release of Mean Girls with a limited-edition pink menu. In honour of the films iconic sentiment, On Wednesdays we wear pink, Twisted London is offering the special menu for one day only - on Wednesday, 1 May. The menu, which has been teased on Instagram and Twitter, will feature items such as a vegan hot dog with crispy onions, pickled red cabbage, and edible glitter. We PROMISE no hot dogs were made out with during the making of this tasty treat, the restaurant wrote on Instagram. Pink fetch cheesy fries made from three cheeses and heart-shaped pink glitter will also be available, as will a colourful cake made of rainbows and smiles and a glittery burger. Mean Girls 15 years on: what is the cast up to now? Show all 13 1 /13 Mean Girls 15 years on: what is the cast up to now? Mean Girls 15 years on: what is the cast up to now? Tina Fey (Ms Norbury) Tina Fey is one of Hollywoods much-loved queens of comedy and the brains behind Mean Girls. She played the films calculus teacher, Ms Norbury a self-proclaimed pusher (no, not of drugs). Fey has since starred in a number of comedies, reuniting with Mean Girls co-star Amy Poehler in Baby Mama (2008) and Sisters (2015). Until 2006, she was head writer for Saturday Night Live, a satirical news and sketch show, which later inspired her sitcom 30 Rock. In 2015, she started a new venture with Robert Carlock, writing Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, which wrapped up its fourth and final season at the beginning of 2019. Fey brought Mean Girls to Broadway in 2018 and remains tight-lipped on whether she would consider writing a sequel. Getty Images Mean Girls 15 years on: what is the cast up to now? Lindsay Lohan (Cady Heron) Lindsay Lohan was in her acting prime when she starred as Mean Girls nerdy-yet-beautiful protagonist, Cady Heron. A couple of teen hits followed, with Lohan playing an aspiring racing driver in Herbie Fully Loaded (2005) and spoilt New Yorker Ashley Albright in Just My Luck (2006). The child stars criminal antics have overshadowed her film career since then, with a DUI and drug charge in 2007, followed by theft and assault allegations in 2011 and 2012. After a series of short TV appearances in 2015, all went quiet on the acting-front until her return to screen as Katerina West in British comedy Sick Note (2018). A short-lived engagement made headlines in 2016, along with a reality TV series and talk of her own private island in 2018. She plays a private detective with a werewolf bloodline in 2019 action thriller Among the Shadows a long way from her Mean Girls days. Mean Girls 15 years on: what is the cast up to now? Rachel McAdams (Regina George) Rachel McAdams seemingly had it all as queen bee Regina George but it was her next film that made her the envy of all teenage girls. Starring opposite heartthrobs Ryan Gosling and James Marsden, she played American sweetheart Allie Hamilton in the ultimate romantic tearjerker, The Notebook (2004). She has become a romcom regular, appearing in The Time Travellers Wife (2009), The Vow (2012) and About Time (2013). Her repertoire is more varied than Nicholas Sparks-esque chick flicks, however. She starred as a woman kidnapped during a flight in the 2005 Wes Craven thriller Red Eye. More recently, she played a journalist investigating child molestation within the Catholic Church (Spotlight, 2015) and tackled homophobia as an Orthodox Jew exploring her sexuality (Disobedience, 2017). McAdams is rumoured to return as Irene Adler in the third instalment of the Sherlock Holmes franchise, due for release 2021. Getty Images for Tribeca Film Fe Mean Girls 15 years on: what is the cast up to now? Amanda Seyfried (Karen Smith) Amanda Seyfried may be all doe eyes and large breasts (that can supposedly predict the weather) as Karen in Mean Girls, but shes taken on her fair share of challenging roles since then. She played a manipulative escort in the erotic thriller Chloe (2009), became a kidnapping victim in Gone (2012), and took on the titular role in Lovelace (2013), a drama documentary exploring the life of porn star Linda Lovelace. Seyfried is best cast as the sweet-natured romcom female lead. She followed McAdams example and landed herself a lead part in Dear John in 2010, a Nicholas Sparks adaptation. Her first big role after Mean Girls was as Sophie in movie musical Mamma Mia! a role she reprised in 2018 in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Seyfried also showed off her killer vocals as Cosette in Les Miserables (2012). She is filming Scoob, an animated film due for release in 2020. Getty Images for Best Friends An Mean Girls 15 years on: what is the cast up to now? Lacey Chabert (Gretchen Wieners) Since Mean Girls, Lacey Chaberts career has been overshadowed by Lohans notoriety and the blockbuster hits of her fellow Plastics, Seyfried and McAdams. Much like Gretchen, she has been sidelined. But Chaberts actually had a fair amount of success as a voice actor. She voiced Eliza Thornberry in TV series The Wild Thornberrys (until 2004), Gwen Stacy in The Spectacular Spiderman between 2008 and 2009 and Meg Griffin in Family Guy as recently as 2012. She fell into the trap of a slasher remake in 2006 with Black Christmas, which cast her as a sorority girl on the run from a killer. Now, shes the poster girl for Hallmark movies, with nearly 20 titles to her name, including the schmaltzy Netflix success A Royal Christmas (2014). Her latest Hallmark project, The Crossword Mysteries: A Puzzle to Die For, was released in March and a series of related films are in pre-production. Getty Images Mean Girls 15 years on: what is the cast up to now? Amy Poehler (Mrs George) Warnings against boob jobs dont come better than the shot of a chihuahua chewing on the anaesthetized nipple of Mrs George in Mean Girls. Amy Poehler has starred in two films with Will Ferrell, playing the brattish Fairchild Van Waldenberg in Blades of Glory (2007) and one half of a criminal couple in caper The House (2017). The comedy actor has voiced a number of feature films, from Snow White in Shrek the Third (2007) to Joy in Inside Out (2015). Poehler has starred in, written and directed countless episodes of the US political satire sitcom Parks and Recreation between 2009 and 2015 and has created quite a storm on Netflix as one of the writers of the Groundhog Day-style series Russian Doll (2019). She stars in and directs the much-anticipated Netflix film Wine Country, due for release this year. Getty Images Mean Girls 15 years on: what is the cast up to now? Jonathan Bennett (Aaron Samuels) Jonathan Bennett broke hearts as Mean Girls smouldering high school jock and hes had a hard time shaking the role since then. Maybe he doesnt want to. In 2018, he appeared as Aaron Samuels in Ariana Grandes music video thank u, next, hes the author of a Mean Girls parody cookbook and he joined Lohan on her reality show in 2019. His pretty boy looks were perfect for roles in Lovewrecked (2005) and Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005). He teamed up with his old co-star Chabert in Elevator Girl (2010), Slightly Single in LA (2013) and Anything is Possible (2013). There have also been a few dark turns with thrillers The Secret Village and Misogynist (both 2013) and Submerged in 2016. Tapping into the current Charles Manson fascination (Tarantinos blockbuster is due for release this year), he has just starred in The Haunting of Sharon Tate with Hilary Duff. Getty Images for Entertainment W Mean Girls 15 years on: what is the cast up to now? Lizzy Caplan (Janis Ian) Lizzy Caplans #TransformationTuesday is pretty astonishing when you look back at Janis Ian wisely, shes chilled out on the eyeliner. Caplan has a few big-budget movies to her name, from Cloverfield (2008) and 127 Hours (2010) to Now You See Me 2 (2016). She joined a stellar female line-up Kirsten Dunst, Rebel Wilson and Isla Fisher for the raucous comedy Bachelorette in 2012. Shes also made a name for herself in television, with titles like True Blood (2008) and New Girl (2012) under her belt. When she was cast as proto-feminist Virginia Johnson in Masters of Sex in 2013, and later became producer in 2015, it represented a change to her usual comedy repertoire. She starred as the notoriously creepy Annie Wilkes (of Misery, 1990) in Stephen Kings psychological horror series for Hulu, Castle Rock (2018), and is rumoured to be working alongside Channing Tatum in the X-Men spin-off Gambit (2020). Getty Images for InStyle Mean Girls 15 years on: what is the cast up to now? Daniel Franzese (Damian) Daniel Franzese stole a lot of laughs as comedy sidekick and almost too gay to function Damian in Mean Girls but some of his more recent projects make for uncomfortable viewing. He starred in slasher flick Kill Theory in 2009 and the brutal 2010 horror I Spit on Your Grave, which follows the revenge story of a writer who was tortured during a cabin retreat. He enjoyed a small role as national guardsman in the Tom Cruise sci-fi thriller War of the Worlds in 2005. Hes been cast in a number of short films and TV series, making a small appearance in the successful Netflix comedy GLOW in 2018. He is currently on his first national stand up tour, Yass Youre Amazing! Getty Images Mean Girls 15 years on: what is the cast up to now? Tim Meadows (Mr Duvall) Tim Meadows is the only original cast member to have reprised his role in Mean Girls 2 (2011), a film that critics didnt even bother rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Much of his success came before 2004, as one of the longest-running cast members of Saturday Night Live during the 1990s. Since then, he has starred in the Adam Sandler films Grown Ups (2010) and Grown Ups 2 (2013), and Jack and Jill (2011). He also appeared in co-star Tina Feys series 30 Rock as Martin Lutherking in 2013 and made a cameo at a baby shower in Amy Schumers 2015 comedy Trainwreck. He has been cast in several long-running US TV shows, playing Mr Glascott in The Goldbergs (2013-18), Caleb in Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2017) and Edmond in Suburgatory (2012-14). He is due to appear in the animated film Saurus City alongside Emma Roberts, which is in pre-production. Getty Images for Venice Family C Mean Girls 15 years on: what is the cast up to now? Neil Flynn (Cadys Dad) Neil Flynn is a primetime TV veteran: he starred as the Janitor in 170 episodes of medical comedy drama Scrubs between 2001 and 2009, and as Mick Heck in 214 episodes of The Middle (until 2018), a sitcom following the lives of a dysfunctional family. He had a big movie moment when he was cast alongside Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett and John Hurt, among others, in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008). He is currently in the NBC comedy Abbys a sitcom shot almost entirely outdoors in front of a live audience. Getty Images for Entertainment W Mean Girls 15 years on: what is the cast up to now? Ana Gasteyer (Cadys Mom) Ana Gasteyer, like Poehler, Fey and Meadows, is Saturday Night Live alum, and appeared on the show up until 2012. She has been cast in a number of popular TV series, from Curb Your Enthusiasm in 2011, to Suburgatory and The Good Wife (both until 2014), and has made one-off appearances in Family Guy (2014), The Mindy Project and Girls (both 2015). She starred in the popular Netflix series and surrealist comedy Lady Dynamite (2016-17) and has been cast in Wine Country, alongside Poehler. Gasteyer is also a jazz singer and released an album titled Im Hip in 2014. Mean Girls 15 years on: what is the cast up to now? Dwayne Hill (Coach Carr) Coach Carr and his questionable teaching methods Dont have sex because you will get pregnant and die! are hard to forget. Dwayne Hill's distinctive voice has landed him a number of voiceover roles since Mean Girls, largely in animated series such as Atomic Betty (2004), Bolts & Blip (2010), and Peg+Cat (2013-17), for which he won an Emmy. He is co-creator of the 2019 drama series Northern Rescue, starring William Baldwin. Getty Images The weird Swedish nutrition bars used in a plot against Regina George will be on the menu as well, in the form of protein bars made from chocolate and coconut. The Mean Girls-inspired menu will only be available through Uber Eats delivery from the restaurants Bethnal Green site. On social media, the various pink offerings have been met with mixed reactions. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events So fetch, one person wrote on Instagram, while another commented: Is there glitter on the fries? No, just no! For some, the thought of drinking tea without sugar might send shivers down their spine. But according to a new study, a spoonful of the sweet stuff isnt necessary for an enjoyable cuppa. At least, that was the result of a month-long analysis by researchers from University College London and the University of Leeds, who examined the tea-drinking habits of 64 men who usually drank theirs sweetened with sugar. Participants were asked to either stop adding sugar to their tea overnight, gradually reduce the amount of sugar they added, or continue drinking sweetened tea as a control group. After four weeks, the researchers found that those who either reduced or stop consuming sugar altogether were still able to enjoy their drink. Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Show all 6 1 /6 Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Six healthy breakfast recipes to try You will need: 1 onion, 1 red pepper, 1 stick of celery, 1 cup of mushrooms, 4 to 6 eggs, 1 habanero chilli (optional), 1 tablespoon of oil, 25g of grated low-fat cheese, 150 ml of skimmed milk, 50g of turkey breast. Add some spinach for an extra boost. Method: 1) Cook your turkey breast so that its ready to add to the mix later on. Best to grill it and then chop it up as its healthier than shallow frying. 2) Meanwhile, heat the oil and add your onion, pepper, chilli, mushrooms and celery to your pan. Cook these for around five minutes until your veg is nice and soft. 3) Whisk your eggs and milk together in a separate bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper. 4) Add the egg mixture, veg, cooked turkey and cheese to a high-sided baking pan or tin and cook in your oven for around 15 minutes at 170C. 1) Cook your turkey breast so that its ready to add to the mix later on. Best to grill it and then chop it up as its healthier than shallow frying. 2) Meanwhile, heat the oil and add your onion, pepper, chilli, mushrooms and celery to your pan. Cook these for around five minutes until your veg is nice and soft. 3) Whisk your eggs and milk together in a separate bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper. 4) Add the egg mixture, veg, cooked turkey and cheese to a high-sided baking pan or tin and cook in your oven for around 15 minutes at 170C. DW Fitness Clubs Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Be careful when you buy your porridge, as some brands will cram a lot of sugar in there. Porridge is a good breakfast option as it is renowned for releasing energy slowly, which means you can get to lunch without suffering from a lull. A great source of fibre, potassium and vitamins, bananas are always a good accompaniment to your morning oats. DW Fitness Clubs Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Ingredients: 2 full eggs, 3 egg whites, asparagus, peppers, 50g of smoked salmon Method 1) Boil your asparagus in water for around five minutes. 2) Meanwhile, mix your eggs and egg whites in a jug, and add a splash of skimmed milk. Chop some peppers up and throw them in too. 3) Once your asparagus is cooked, drain it and chop into smaller chunks. Add these to your egg mixture. 4) Whisk your mixture and season with salt and pepper. 5) Pour the mix into a hot pan with a small knob of butter or a teaspoon of quality olive oil. 6) Cook the omelette for around 90 seconds to two minutes. 7) Once the bottom is cooked, take the pan off the hob and place under the grill for another 30 seconds to a minute in order to cook the top. 8) Serve with your smoked salmon. 1) Boil your asparagus in water for around five minutes. 2) Meanwhile, mix your eggs and egg whites in a jug, and add a splash of skimmed milk. Chop some peppers up and throw them in too. 3) Once your asparagus is cooked, drain it and chop into smaller chunks. Add these to your egg mixture. 4) Whisk your mixture and season with salt and pepper. 5) Pour the mix into a hot pan with a small knob of butter or a teaspoon of quality olive oil. 6) Cook the omelette for around 90 seconds to two minutes. 7) Once the bottom is cooked, take the pan off the hob and place under the grill for another 30 seconds to a minute in order to cook the top. 8) Serve with your smoked salmon. DW Fitness Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Greek yoghurt has vast nutritional benefits. Regardless of where you stand on the superfood debate, Greek yoghurts credentials speak for themselves. A good source of potassium, protein, calcium and essential vitamins, this food forms an ideal base for a healthy breakfast, especially if youre trying to lose weight. DW Fitness Six healthy breakfast recipes to try Eggs Florentine is not only a tasty breakfast, it also carries a hefty nutritional punch, particularly when you throw some spinach into the equation. DW Fitness Six healthy breakfast recipes to try So fast and easy to make, yet so effective. Wholemeal toast can be a good breakfast choice, as long as you are sensible with your toppings. Peanut butter is perfect. A good source of healthy fats, as well as protein and Vitamin E among other nutrients, a liberal spreading of peanut butter can set you up for the day. DW Fitness After the study had finished, 42 per cent of the men in the gradual reduction group stopped adding sugar to their tea, while 36 per cent of those in the overnight group did the same. The studys authors concluded: Excess sugar intake is a public health problem and sugar in beverages contributes substantially to total intake. Reducing sugar intake from beverages may therefore help to reduce overall consumption. While the authors said a larger trial was needed in order to confirm the findings, the added that similar tests could be conducted to reduce sugar intake in other beverages, such as squash. The team presented their findings, which have been peer-reviewed by conference officials, at the European Congress on Obesity in Glasgow on Sunday. Britons consume 700g of sugar per week, which, according to the NHS, equates to an average of 140 teaspoons per person. This far exceeds the recommended daily allowance, which surmounts to 210g per week at 30g/day. Consuming too much sugar can cause tooth decay and weight gain. Tam Fry, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said: Cutting down on table sugar is a very good idea. We get all the sugar we need from other food sources and the researchers findings should come as no surprise. Reducing the sugar gradually, allowing the taste buds to become acclimatised to the new formula, might be less of a sudden shock to the system but, as the study reports, the end result is the same. The bigger trial suggested by the authors may not be necessary either: one of the successes of the imposition of the sugary drinks levy a year ago is that people have already given up drinking six-packs of substantially sweetened colas and switched to buying more of the zero-sugar brands. A tiny, "alien" grain of dust that was created as a long-gone star died has been found by scientists. The tiny speck of stardust was found inside of a chondritic meteorite in Antarctica, having originally been hurled into space by an exploding star that died even before our own sun existed. Little pieces of grain like the new discovery are thought to help create the early mix of materials that helped form the sun and our planets and, eventually, life. But they are rarely seen, because it is so difficult for them to survive the chaos of the beginning of a solar system. Now scientists hope the small and lucky grain could offer an insight into the conditions that helped form everything that surrounds us. "As actual dust from stars, such presolar grains give us insight into the building blocks from which our solar system formed," said Pierre Haenecour, lead author of the new paper published in Nature. "They also provide us with a direct snapshot of the conditions in a star at the time when this grain was formed." Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Show all 30 1 /30 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An image from Nasa's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) shows a 200,000 mile long solar filament ripping through the Sun's corona in September 2013 Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa Celebrates 50 Years of Spacewalking For 50 years, NASA has been "suiting up" for spacewalking. In this 1984 photograph of the first untethered spacewalk, NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless is in the midst of the first "field" tryout of a nitrogen-propelled backpack device called the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Hubble Cosmic Couple The spectacular cosmic pairing of the star Hen 2-427 more commonly known as WR 124 and the nebula M1-67 which surrounds it ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Veil Nebula Supernova Remnant Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled in stunning detail a small section of the Veil Nebula - expanding remains of a massive star that exploded about 8,000 years ago Nasa's most stunning pictures of space The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launch The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, carrying three new astronauts to the International Space Station. It also took caviar, ready for the satellite's inhabitants to celebrate the holidays Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth from the ISS From the International Space Station, Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Terry W. Virts took this photograph of the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Gulf Coast at sunset Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Black Hole Friday Nasa celebrated Black Friday by looking into space instead sharing pictures of black holes Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space NuSTAR X-rays stream off the sun in this image showing observations from by NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, overlaid on a picture taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Cassiopeia A c A false colour image of Cassiopeia A comprised with data from the Spitzer and Hubble Space Telescopes and the Chandra X-Ray observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Orion Capsule splashes down The Orion capsule jetted off into space before heading back a few hours later having proved that it can be used, one day, to carry humans to Mars Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth Observations From Gemini IV in 1965 This photograph of the Florida Straits and Grand Bahama Bank was taken during the Gemini IV mission during orbit no. 19 in 1965. The Gemini IV crew conducted scientific experiments, including photography of Earth's weather and terrain, for the remainder of their four-day mission following Ed White's historic spacewalk on June 3 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Frosty slopes of Mars This image of an area on the surface of Mars, approximately 1.5 by 3 kilometers in size, shows frosted gullies on a south-facing slope within a crater. The image was taken by Nasa's HiRISE camera, which is mounted on its Mars Reconaissance Orbiter Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Yellowstone from space NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman shared this image of Yellowstone via his twitter account Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Saturn This near-infrared color image shows a specular reflection, or sunglint, off of a hydrocarbon lake named Kivu Lacus on Saturn's moon Titan Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Worlds Apart Although Mimas and Pandora, shown here, both orbit Saturn, they are very different moons. Pandora, "small" by moon standards (50 miles or 81 kilometers across) is elongated and irregular in shape. Mimas (246 miles or 396 kilometers across), a "medium-sized" moon, formed into a sphere due to self-gravity imposed by its higher mass Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An X1.6 class solar flare flashes in the middle of the sun in this image taken 10 September, captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy An image of the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy seen in infrared light by the Herschel Space Observatory. Regions of space such as this are where new stars are born from a mixture of elements and cosmic dust Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Mars Rover Spirit Nasa's Mars Rover Spirit took the first picture from Spirit since problems with communications began a week earlier. The image shows the robotic arm extended to the rock called Adirondack Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Morning Aurora From the Space Station Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly captured this photograph of the green lights of the aurora from the International Space Station Nasa/Scott Kelly Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Launch of History - Making STS-41G Mission in 1984 The Space Shuttle Challenger launches from Florida at dawn. On this mission, Kathryn Sullivan became the first U.S. woman to perform a spacewalk and Marc Garneau became the first Canadian in space. The crew of seven was the largest to fly on a spacecraft at that time, and STS-41G was the first flight to include two female astronauts Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Fresh Perspective on an Extraordinary Cluster of Galaxies Galaxy clusters are often described by superlatives. After all, they are huge conglomerations of galaxies, hot gas, and dark matter and represent the largest structures in the Universe held together by gravity Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Sees a Galactic Sunflower The arrangement of the spiral arms in the galaxy Messier 63, seen here in an image from the Nasa Hubble Space Telescope, recall the pattern at the center of a sunflower ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Pluto image Four images from New Horizons Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) were combined with colour data from the Ralph instrument to create this enhanced colour global view of Pluto Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Fresh Crater Near Sirenum Fossae Region of Mars The HiRISE camera aboard Nasa's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter acquired this closeup image of a "fresh" (on a geological scale, though quite old on a human scale) impact crater in the Sirenum Fossae region of Mars. This impact crater appears relatively recent as it has a sharp rim and well-preserved ejecta Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Peers into the Most Crowded Place in the Milky Way This Nasa Hubble Space Telescope image presents the Arches Cluster, the densest known star cluster in the Milky Way NASA & ESA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space An Astronaut's View from Space Nasa astronaut Reid Wiseman tweeted this photo from the International Space Station on 2 September 2014 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Giant Landform on Mars On Mars, we can observe four classes of sandy landforms formed by the wind, or aeolian bedforms: ripples, transverse aeolian ridges, dunes, and what are called draa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Expedition 39 Landing A sokol suit helmet can be seen against the window of the Soyuz TMA-11M capsule shortly after the spacecraft landed with Expedition 39 Commander Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin of Roscosmos, and Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan (NASA/Bill Ingalls) Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Jupiter's Great Red Spot Viewed by Voyager I Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and perhaps the most majestic. Vibrant bands of clouds carried by winds that can exceed 400 mph continuously circle the planet's atmosphere Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Chandra Observatory Sees a Heart in the Darkness This Chandra X-Ray Observatory image of the young star cluster NGC 346 highlights a heart-shaped cloud of 8 million-degree Celsius gas in the central region The grain has been named LAP-149 and is the only known piece of graphite and silicate grains that scientists can trace back to the particular type of stellar explosion that it managed to survive. After being cast out by that eruption, it flew through space and arrived in the area that is now our solar system, getting caught up in a primitive meteorite. Recommended Japan shoots asteroid to reveal origins of solar system Novae like the one that threw out the speck of dust happen when a binary star system includes the core remnant of a dying star known as a white warf, attached to another star that is either a main sequence star or red giant. As the white dwarf fades, it saps away the substance of its bigger companion and once it is big enough, it spews out new chemical elements, deep into space, throwing them across the universe and helping spread entirely new materials to other solar systems. That process has helped take the universe from the hydrogen, helium and lithium that were present when it began to the rich and varied set of elements that surround us today. Without such dispersal, there would be no life, which is made up of out the more complex and newer elements spread in such violent encounters. To understand more about that process, the researchers took the tiny grain and analysed it at the atomic level, using highly developed technology. As they did, they discovered just how alien it was, finding huge amounts of a strange carbon isotope known as 13C. "The carbon isotopic compositions in anything we have ever sampled that came from any planet or body in our solar system varies typically by a factor on the order of 50," said Haenecour. "The 13C we found in LAP-149 is enriched more than 50,000-fold. "These results provide further laboratory evidence that both carbon- and oxygen-rich grains from novae contributed to the building blocks of our solar system." The stars that gave birth to the tiny stardust grains will now be long dead. But by studying how they are made up, scietnists can understand the conditions where they came from, the researchers write in the new paper. "Our find provides us with a glimpse into a process we could never witness on Earth," Haenecour added. "It tells us about how dust grains form and move around inside as they are expelled by the nova. We now know that carbonaceous and silicate dust grains can form in the same nova ejecta, and they get transported across chemically distinct clumps of dust within the ejecta, something that was predicted by models of novae but never found in a specimen." The scientists are unable to tell exactly how old the grain is, because it is not made up of enough atoms. They hope to find new and bigger pieces to try and understand how they helped lead to the formation of our solar system. After more than three decades of work and almost $1bn (750m) in investment, GlaxoSmithKline and its partners are ready to deploy a vaccine for malaria, the mosquito-borne disease that kills almost half a million people each year. The vaccine, developed with the non-profit Path, comes at a critical time and marks a milestone in the battle against the parasite that causes malaria. But the injection is a pioneer, not a panacea: it prevented only about four in 10 malaria cases among children who received four doses in a large study. A pilot program is scheduled to begin this month in Africa to assess the product, which could save tens of thousands of childrens lives, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). After declining for many years, malaria is staging a comeback. The ultimate impact may depend on securing more international funds at a time when countries are increasingly turning inward. Mobilising funding for these major endeavours which do not have a commercial opportunity has been a challenge, and will be an even bigger challenge in the future, says Thomas Breuer, chief medical officer of Glaxos vaccines unit. UK drugmaker Glaxo, which estimates its spending more than $700m on the project, would like to hand over the funding baton to others, according to Breuer. The company says its talking with partners and other groups about financing and rolling out the vaccine after the pilots. Several hundred million dollars more, for instance, will be needed for a manufacturing plant to expand use, according to a December report published in the science journal Nature. The vaccine brings a key new tool beyond mosquito nets, insecticides and drugs in the battle against a disease that the WHO estimates killed 435,000 people in 2017. Children under the age of five in Africa are particularly vulnerable, accounting for about two-thirds of all deaths. A vaccine that is highly efficacious 90 per cent or so thats not in view at this point Mary Hamel, coordinator, WHO With children in some regions getting multiple episodes of malaria in a year, even a partially effective vaccine could have a big impact, Mary Hamel, coordinator of the program for WHO, said in an interview. The pilot is scheduled to start in Malawi next week and expand to Ghana and Kenya next. A decision to make the product more broadly available will likely be made within two to four years, Hamel says. GlaxoSmithKline and its partners are ready to deploy a vaccine for malaria (Getty) A vaccine that is highly efficacious 90 per cent or so thats not in view at this point, she says. But this vaccine getting to where it is shows that a malaria vaccine can be made. It will be a pathfinder. The effort underscores the challenge of developing products for poorer countries that carry costs extending well beyond clinical trials and approvals, says Ashley Birkett, director of Paths Malaria Vaccine Initiative. Theres still another tranche of many, many tens of millions of dollars, possibly hundreds of millions of dollars and many years, before theyre out there being sold, he says. The main hurdle for the malaria vaccine is getting protection to persist for longer, Birkett says. Glaxo is working on a new approach in mid-stage studies that relies on the same basic vaccine formula but involves delaying one of the doses and reducing the amount of the antigen, according to Breuer. Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates, whose foundation has provided financial support for the global fight against malaria, said last year that eradicating the illness will depend on further progress in science and technology, including a technique for editing gene sequences called Crispr. The technology is already being used to breed mosquitoes that spread sterility to deplete their numbers. Can malaria be beaten? Show all 2 1 /2 Can malaria be beaten? Can malaria be beaten? 425851.bin EPA Can malaria be beaten? 425852.bin AP The malaria parasite turns out to have greater genetic diversity than previously believed, compounding the challenge. A 2017 study of more than 600 children from a village in the West African nation of Gabon found that each was infected by a slightly different strain. Resistance to drugs and insecticides, meanwhile, is making efforts to eliminate the disease more difficult. With more than 5,000 genes, its a complicated microbe, and the pursuit of a vaccine has led to numerous dead ends, Hamel says. Early development of the Glaxo shot began around 1984. As the pilot starts in Africa, scientists are looking to the potential next generation of technology. This is the first malaria vaccine, she says, not the last. The Washington Post Britains fracking Commissioner has fracked off, blaming the government for creating a de facto ban on the process. Extracting shale gas by hydraulic fracturing is a controversial business, not least because of the earthquakes that have, on occasion, been created where its been tried but that's far from the only environmental concern. Natascha Engel launched a media broadside at the regulations covering the industry with her resignation from the post of Shale Gas Commissioner, which she announced with a flourish at the weekend. The rules call for the process to be suspended whenever a 0.5 magnitude tremor is detected. Engel, in post for about six months, described this as ridiculously low in a TV interview. She argued that the the industry would struggle to develop if the government refuses to change course, and there is scant sign of that. She went even further in her resignation letter, accusing ministers of pandering to myths and scare stories with the limit while claiming that environmental groups are driving policy. Would that we had the power to do so, they would probably say in response, given the climate emergency the whole planet is facing and the notable lack of action from government in response to a range of other environmental issues that are of real and pressing concern. Examples? How about the mountains of waste we are creating, through non recyclable coffee cups and supermarket packaging. Then theres the governments relaxed approach to weedkillers like Glyphosate, which you can buy at your local DIY chain despite the World Health Organisation declaring it to be a probable cause of cancer and a couple of very big verdicts against in the US. If environmental groups were driving policy, as Engel claims, then why does Britain have such a poor environmental record? Fracking is a controversial process with good reason. Engel rightly says that Britain needs to lower its carbon emissions. Where she and her critics would disagree is over whether fracking is the right way to go about it. The gas it produces still emits carbon into the atmosphere, when there are alternative, and more environmentally friendly, routes that could be pursued. Energy from renewable sources has, for example, developed at a pace that even the most optimistic of observers would have hesitated to predict a few years ago. Engel, who has also worked as an advisor to energy company Ineos following her departure from Parliament in 2017, was appointed with a view to smoothing the somewhat rocky relationship between contractors and local communities. Business news: In pictures Show all 13 1 /13 Business news: In pictures Business news: In pictures Flybe collapses Airline Flybe has collapsed. All future flights on the Exeter-based airline have been cancelled leaving more than 2,300 staff facing an uncertain future, and wrecking the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers. The chief executive, Mark Anderson, said: Europes largest independent regional airline has been unable to overcome significant funding challenges to its business. AFP via Getty Business news: In pictures Future product placement will be 'tailored to individual viewers' Marketing executives say that product placement in films and televison shows on streaming services such as Netflix may be tailored to individuals in future. For instance, if data shows that a viewer is a fan of pepsi, a billboard in the background of a shot would host an advert for pepsi, while for a viewer known to have different tastes it could be for Coca-Cola Paramount Business news: In pictures Corbyn wishes Amazon a happy birthday In a card sent to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on the company's 25th birthday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn writes: "You owe the British people millions in taxes that pay for the public services that we all rely on. Please pay your fair share" Business news: In pictures No deal, no tariffs The government has announced that it would slash almost all tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Notable exceptions include cars and meat, which will see tariffs in place to protect British farmers Getty Business news: In pictures Fingerprint payment NatWest is trialling a new bank card that will allow people to touch their hand to the card when paying rather than typing in a PIN number. The card will work by recognising the user's fingerprint NatWest/PA Wire Business news: In pictures Mahabis bust High-end slipper retailer Mahabis has gone into administration. 2 Jan 2019 Mahabis Business news: In pictures Costa Cola Coca-Cola has paid 3.9bn for Costa Coffee. A cafe chain is a new venture for the global soft drinks giant PA Business news: In pictures RIP Payday Loans A funeral procession for payday loans was held in London on September 2. The future of pay day lenders is in doubt after Wonga, Britain's biggest, went into administration on August 30 PA Business news: In pictures Musk irks investors and directors Elon Musk has concluded that Tesla will remain public. Investors and company directors were angry at Musk for tweeting unexpectedly that he was considering taking Tesla private and share prices had taken a tumble in the following weeks Getty Business news: In pictures Jaguar warning Iconic British car maker Jaguar Land Rover warned on July 5, 2018 that a "bad" Brexit deal could jeopardise planned investment of more than $100 billion, upping corporate pressure as the government heads into crucial talks AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures Spotif-IPO Spotify traded publically for the first time on the New York Stock Exchange on Tuesday. However, the company isn't issuing shares, but rather, shares held by Spotify's private investors will be sold AFP/Getty Business news: In pictures French blue passports The deadline to award a contract to make blue British passports after Brexit has been extended by two weeks following a request by bidder De La Rue. The move comes after anger at the announcement British passports would be produced by Franco-Dutch firm Gemalto when De La Rues contract ends in July. The British firm said Gemalto was chosen only because it undercut the competition, but the UK company also admitted that it was not the cheapest choice in the tendering process. Business news: In pictures Beast from the east economic impact The Beast from the East wiped 4m off of Flybes revenues due to flight cancellations, airport closures and delays, according to the budget airlines estimates. Flybe said it cancelled 994 flights in the three months to 31 March, compared to 372 in the same period last year. She quit with the aim of drawing attention to what she sees as a problem at a time when only Brexit is getting it. The detrimental effects of the paralysis in government caused by the latter can be seen in multiple areas, but this is one in which it may prove to be beneficial. People living in fracking areas will surely feel that way. With Engels Party calling for an outright ban, the point she's trying to make may ultimately be rendered moot anyway. The number of UK businesses in critical financial distress jumped 17 per cent over the year to the end of March, with a significant deterioration seen in the first quarter of 2019 as Brexit uncertainty deepened. Research by insolvency firm Begbies Traynor found that almost half a million businesses one in seven of all UK companies were in significant financial distress in the first three months of 2019. The number of significantly distressed companies in the property sector jumped by 13 per cent to 48,182 for the quarter, from 42,512 in the same period a year ago. Property was the worst-hit sector for the second quarter in a row, and was hurt by people holding off making big purchases including new homes. House prices fell in England for the first time since 2012 in the three months to March 2019, dragged down by London and the southeast. Death of the British high street? The retailers affected Show all 9 1 /9 Death of the British high street? The retailers affected Death of the British high street? The retailers affected Toys 'R' Us Customers shop at a Toys 'R' Us store. The retail chain announced plans to shut all of its US stores, becoming one of the biggest casualties of the retail shakeout amid the rise of e-commerce. The debt-plagued company announced that it has filed a motion for bankruptcy court approval to liquidate its US operations, a move that could hit 33,000 jobs. The UK retailer failed to find a buyer and said their 105 Toys R Us stores would remain open until further notice, with administrators appointed to begin "an orderly wind-down". AFP/Getty Death of the British high street? The retailers affected New Look New Look announced it will shut 60 stores and cut 980 jobs as part of a restructuring plan agreed with its creditors. PA Death of the British high street? The retailers affected Maplin A Maplin store displays closing down notices after the company went into administration. Reuters Death of the British high street? The retailers affected Claire's Accessories (US only) People walk past a Claire's store in downtown Chicago. The chain that has pierced the ears of millions of teens has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The accessories chain said that its stores will remain open as it restructures its debt. AP Death of the British high street? The retailers affected Carpetright Carpetright announced that it has secured 12.5m of emergency funding from one of its largest shareholders and that it is exploring the opportunity of seeking approval for a restructuring plan under which it would slash rents and shut stores to avoid going into administration. Reuters Death of the British high street? The retailers affected MOSS BROS. Suits specialist Moss Bros has reported a drop in earnings and profit in 2017, blaming a tough end to the year and stock shortages which hurt sales. Chief executive Brian Brick said: Going forward, we are planning for an extremely challenging retail environment, not least because of the uncertain consumer environment and significant cost headwinds. PA Death of the British high street? The retailers affected Mothercare Mothercare warned over profits after UK sales plunged in the run-up to Christmas 2017, with consumer spending falling in both stores and online. PA Death of the British high street? The retailers affected House of Fraser The Chinese owner of House of Fraser plans to sell its majority stake in the troubled department-store chain, adding to the upheaval on the UKs shopping streets. Getty Images Death of the British high street? The retailers affected Conviviality - Bargain Booze Bargain Booze owner Conviviality could be heading for administration after failing to secure emergency funding, placing 2,500 jobs at risk. AFP/Getty Brexit has been keeping people from entering the market, according to estate agents, while increased taxes on buy-to-let investments have continued to dampen demand. Julie Palmer, partner at Begbies Traynor, said: Many UK businesses are currently in limbo and deferring major investment decisions. This, combined with consumers holding back on big-ticket purchases, has resulted in increasing significant distress across many sectors. Companies involved in buying, selling and letting properties took the biggest hit, with a 16 per cent rise in the number in significant distress. The construction sector saw a 10 per cent rise to 13,018, while the financial services, leisure and culture industries also suffered. A series of well-known companies, including Debenhams and House of Fraser, have recently gone into administration. Meanwhile, business investment fell for a fourth consecutive quarter in the final three months of 2018 the first time this has happened since the economic downturn of 2008-09. British Gas investors have been urged to revolt over chief executive Iain Conns obscene 2.4m pay check. Shareholders will have a chance next month to block Mr Conns 44 per cent pay rise, which comes as 4,000 British Gas employees are set to be made redundant by next year. Mr Conns pay is equivalent to 120 times that of a worker in British Gas customer service centre. The pay rise was confirmed this month just days after British Gas workers in Leeds and Glasgow were told their sites were under threat of closure due to the latest round of cuts. The company has already shed 5,000 staff since 2015. The GMB union has written to pension funds and other institutional investors in British Gas parent company Centrica, which is to hold its AGM on 13 May. Energy saving options in pictures Show all 4 1 /4 Energy saving options in pictures Energy saving options in pictures Nest Thermostat merges cool tech with neat design Energy saving options in pictures Swan has launched a halogen oven which promises faster cooking as well as energy saving and health benefits Energy saving options in pictures Duette blinds have a climate control insulating action so rooms stay cool in the summer months and warm in the winter Energy saving options in pictures Rainshower has a button on the handle that can be pressed to reduce the water used by 40% British Gas lost 742,000 customers last year and has seen its share price more than halved under Iain Conns leadership, hitting a two-decade low this year. In February, British Gas blamed the governments energy price cap as it warned that profits would be lower than forecast. Britains biggest energy company sought a judicial review of the way regulator Ofgem set the cap, which is designed to protect consumers from rip-off tariffs. British Gas faces becoming one of a number of firms to face shareholder anger at soaring executive pay. Hammerson, which owns shopping centres including the Bullring in Birmingham, has been criticised for handing multimillion pound bonuses to top executives despite the companys share price falling 40 per cent in a year. Justin Bowden, GMB national secretary, called on Centrica shareholders to reject Mr Conns frankly staggering remuneration. GMB has 15,000 members in Centrica, many of whom are themselves shareholders, who are being asked to accept redundancies, cuts to their pensions and a series of largely detrimental changes to their terms and conditions. Ordinary Centrica workers are not being offered 4 per cent pay rises, never mind 44 per cent. The resulting loss of confidence since the announcement of Iain Conns planned rise runs right through the company from top to bottom. From call centre staff earning a 120th of the CEOs pay to the very highest levels of management, [they] are utterly demoralised by the poor judgement and lack of leadership. It is a classic boardroom case of, Do as I say, not as I do. GMB urges shareholders to vote against this obscene pay rise. Shells controversial $1.1bn deal for a Nigerian oil licence included unprecedented terms which may have helped fund an alleged bribery scheme, according to new analysis. The Anglo-Dutch company, along with Italian oil giant Eni, are on trial in Italy over allegations that almost all of the money they paid for the licence funded bribes for Nigerian officials including a former president and various middlemen. Both companies deny wrongdoing. New research by oil consultancy firm Resources for Development found that the terms of the contract meant that Nigeria effectively gave up its share of future revenues from the block. The type of contract, known in the industry as sole risk, is particularly favourable to oil firms and has not been used in Nigeria since the end of military rule 20 years ago. Former oil minister Dan Etete (Reuters) Weve known of allegations of vast bribery in this deal for years, said Barnaby Pace, a campaigner at Global Witness. Now weve learned that Shell and Eni profited unfairly through military-era contract terms meaning that it was Nigerias share of oil that was used to fuel profiteering and payoffs." Analysis of documents including Shell and Enis assessments of the licence shows that the contract terms boosted the value that the oil companies could extract from the block, allowing them to justify paying $1.1bn up front for it. That money then allegedly went to former Nigerian oil minister Dan Etete and was intended for payment to President [Goodluck] Jonathan, members of the government, and other Nigerian public officials, Italian prosecutors say. Italian oil giant Eni is on trial over alleged corruption (Reuters) Research last year by Resources for Development estimated that the terms of the contract could reduce the Nigerian governments revenue from the fields by $5.9bn when compared to a standard oil industry contract which shares revenues between oil companies and the state. Nigerias most senior civil servant in the Department of Petroleum Resources objected strongly to the terms of the deal at the time, calling it highly prejudicial to the interests of the Federal Government. Nigeria is currently pursuing civil claims against Shell and Eni over the deal which they claim the companies engaged in for bribery and unlawful conspiracy to harm the Federal Republic of Nigeria and that they dishonestly assisted corrupt Nigerian government officials. Attorney General Abubakar Malami reportedly suggested that Nigeria could reach a settlement with the companies with a deal including Nigeria re-acquiring a stake in OPL 245. Former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan was allegedly one of the recipients of bribes from the deal (AP) President Buhari reportedly rejected any settlement, ordered a halt to development of the oil block until all issues are resolved and the legal process has run its course. Shell stated that, In line with correct legal process, many of these issues will be considered by the court and we do not wish to interfere with those proceedings. Eni said it was unable to disclose information relevant for the pending proceedings, nor is it otherwise willing to publicly disclose data that are sensitive in nature. A group of NGOs which commissioned the research, Global Witness, HEDA, Re:Common and The Corner House, condemned the contract. Diezani Alison-Madeuke is alleged to have received bribes (ALEXANDER KLEIN/AFP/Getty Images) Olanrewaju Suraju of HEDA said: It is simply unacceptable that Shell and Eni should be allowed to hold on to this scandalous deal. These companies and Nigerian officials agreed a sweetheart deal that deprives Nigeria of money it badly needs to build schools and pay doctors. President Buhari should reject any deal that leaves the OPL 245 oil license with these companies. Nick Hildyard of The Corner House said: Shell and Eni represented their OPL 245 contract as a production sharing system yet it includes no sharing of production for Nigeria. This shockingly poor deal must be cancelled. Antonio Tricarico of Re:Common said: The Italian government is discouraging Nigerian migrants trying to reach Italy by claiming that it will help them at home, but Italys biggest multinational, part owned by the state, is accused of depriving the Nigerian people of billions. The OPL 245 scandal appears to show that Italians are not helping the poorest, but profiting from them." An Ecuadorian lawyer for Julian Assange has filed a complaint alleging diplomatic staff from Ecuador spied on the WikiLeaks founder while he was at the countrys London embassy. The alleged spying uncovered information about Mr Assanges legal defence and medical issues, Carlos Poveda said in the complaint submitted Monday to the attorney generals office in Ecuador. The lawyer claimed diplomats and members of a security firm were involved in surveillance efforts in west London. Mr Assange had enjoyed asylum at the embassy since 2012, but Ecuador evicted him on 11 April. He is now in custody in the UK awaiting sentencing for skipping bail to avoid being sent to Sweden as part of an investigation into a rape allegation. The US is also seeking his extradition after charging him with conspiring to break into a Pentagon computer system. Key moments for Julian Assange Show all 9 1 /9 Key moments for Julian Assange Key moments for Julian Assange The situation today Assange was arrested after Metropolitan Police officers were invited into the Ecuadorian embassy on April 11 2019. How did it come to this? Ruptly TV Key moments for Julian Assange The break Assange shows the front page of the Guardian on July 26 2010, the day that they broke the story of the thousands of military files leaked by WikiLeaks AFP/Getty Key moments for Julian Assange Wanted A warrant for Assange's arrest was issued in August 2010 for counts of rape and molestation in Sweden AFP/Getty Key moments for Julian Assange Ruling The UK's Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that Assange should be extradited to Sweden to face trial Getty Key moments for Julian Assange Sanctuary Following the ruling, Assange was given asylum by the Ecuadorian governement over fears that his human rights would be violated if he were extradited, he has since remained in the embassy in London Getty Key moments for Julian Assange A friend in Pam Friend Pamela Anderson delivers lunch to Assange at the embassy in October 2016. She has since spoken against his arrest Getty Key moments for Julian Assange Arbitrarily detained A UN panel found in 2016 that Assange had been arbitrarily detained and that he had not been able to claim his full right to asylum. It urged Sweden to withdraw the charges against him Getty Key moments for Julian Assange The cat ultimatum Last year, the Ecuadorian embassy threatened to revoke Assange's internet access unless he stopped making political statements online and started taking better care of James, his pet cat. Assange accused Ecuador of violating his rights Reuters Key moments for Julian Assange Arrest Assange was arrested on April 11 2019. Ecuador revoked his asylum status and invited the Metropolitan Police in to the embassy to arrest him. Reuters The British government has previously said the WikiLeaks founder will not face the death penalty if he is extradited to the US. In letters sent last year to Ecuadors president Lenin Moreno, both current foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt and his predecessor Boris Johnson said an extradition would not be ordered unless the home secretary has first received an adequate assurance that the death penalty will not be imposed. The letters were sent before he was stripped of his political asylum and Ecuadorian nationality. Julian Assange's lawyer denies the WikiLeaks founder spread faeces on Eduadorian embassy walls Ecuadors president Lenin Moreno said Mr Assange had been evicted from after repeated violations to international conventions and daily-life protocols, and later called him a spoiled brat who treated his hosts with disrespect. Another of Mr Assanges lawyers recently denied he had smeared excrement on the walls of the Ecuadorian embassy in London, after the claim was made by the nations interior minister Maria Paula Romo. Jennifer Robinson said: Ecuador has been making some pretty outrageous allegations to justify what was an unlawful and extraordinary act in allowing British police to come inside an embassy. Ms Romo said Mr Assanges mental and physical health had deteriorated during his seven-year stay in the embassy. Additional reporting by AP Jeremy Corbyn has been warned that his refusal to commit to a fresh Brexit referendum is causing Labour members to abandon to party in their droves, as its ruling body prepares to meet to decide the party's manifesto for next month's European Parliament elections. A weekly meeting of Labour MPs was told that one constituency party had lost as many as 500 members over the "constructive ambiguity" in party's policy on a Final Say vote. Mr Corbyn is facing mounting pressure to endorse a referendum on any Brexit deal passed by parliament ahead of a crunch meeting of Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC) on Tuesday. Members of the committee will attempt to thrash out the wording of Labour's policy on the matter, amid deep divisions between senior figures in the party. Labour's deputy leader, Tom Watson, is leading calls for the party to endorse a public vote on any deal approved by MPs. That pits him against close allies of Mr Corbyn, who insist that it should only support a referendum on the government's Brexit deal or if one is needed to prevent a no-deal outcome. As divisions on the executive committee spilled into public, Mr Watson urged Labour members to write to his fellow NEC members calling on them to support a Final Say vote. He was backed by the leaders of four of Labour's main trade union affiliates: Unison, the GMB, the TSSA and Usdaw. Labour MPs at the weekly meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) also said the NEC must clearly endorse a second referendum, while two spoke against. Bermondsey and Old Southwark MP Neil Coyle told the meeting his local party had lost hundreds of members over Mr Corbyn's refusal to support another poll in all circumstances. Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Show all 30 1 /30 Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Pro-Brexit leave the European Union supporters attend a rally in Parliament Square after the final leg of the "March to Leave" in London AP Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit The protest march which started on March 16 in Sunderland, north east England, finished on what was the original date for Brexit to happen before the recent extension Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit AP Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit EPA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter sips a can of Stella in protests outside of the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Dedicated anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray and likewise pro-Brexit campaigner Joseph Afrane go head to head near the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A pro-Brexit marching band in Parliament Square Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Remain supporters wave EU flags from a bus in Parliament Square PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter shouts slogans outside parliament EPA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter protests outside parliament Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter protests outside of the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters protest outside of the Houses of Parliament REUTERS Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A pro-Brexit flag is waved in Parliament Square AP Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit The March to Leave nears the Houses of Parliament Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit protester holds a sign outside parliament EPA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters carry the coffin of democracy AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters march outside parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters take part in the March to Leave protest in London PA Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Brexit supporters protest outside parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter holds a sign outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A man holds satirical paintings of politicians Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit An pro-Brexit float on the March to Leave march in London Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit Far-right activist Tommy Robinson addresses protesters outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter outside the Houses of Parliament Reuters Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Tommy Robinson supporter arrives at the Houses of Parliament Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A jogger gestures rudely at a Brexit supporter outside of the Houses of Parliament AFP/Getty Opposing protesters flock to parliament on would be date of Brexit A Brexit supporter outside the Houses of Parliament PA Mr Coyle said: "I've lost 500 members since the peak at the end of 2016. That's not just because Brexit but the vast majority have left because of the European fudge. Members are saying they want us to oppose Brexit full stop, and they want a confirmatory vote as a minimum." He said Labour's "constructive ambiguity" on Europe had led to the formation of The Independent Group and accused Mr Corbyn's team of failing to react to the creation of the new party. The Independent is campaigning for a Final Say vote on any Brexit deal agreed by parliament. 118 Labour MPs and MEPs have now signed a letter urging the NEC to include in the manifesto a "clear commitment" to a public vote on any Brexit deal. The letter says: "We need a message of hope and solidarity, and we need to campaign for it without caveats. To motivate our supporters, and to do the right thing by our members and our policy, a clear commitment to a confirmatory public vote on any Brexit deal must be part of our European election manifesto. "We understand the many different pressures and views within our movement, but without this clear commitment, we fear that our electoral coalition could fall apart." In a separate letter, more than 30 Welsh MPs, assembly members, councillors and trade unionists urged the Welsh NEC representative to "unequivocally" back a manifesto "that includes a confirmatory vote on any Brexit deal agreed in this parliament, with an option to Remain." 'The first was a hopeful decision, the second has got to be an informed decision' Ex-deputy first minister Seamus Mallon calls for second Brexit referendum More than 20 Labour European Parliament candidates also said they would campaign for another referendum regardless of the party's official policy. As pressure mounted on the party leadership to fully endorse a Final Say vote, Mr Watson wrote on Twitter: "Labour member or supporter? Please let your reps on the NEC know if you want them to support a confirmatory ballot on a brexit deal in our Euro manifesto." The comment prompted a backlash from some other NEC members supportive of Mr Corbyn. Claudia Webbe, who chairs the committee's disciplinary panel, told Mr Watson: Our number one priority should be for a democratic socialist Labour government to deliver a sustained and irreversible shift in wealth and power in the UK. Supporting Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party to achieve this to kick out the Tories should be your focus. Another NEC member, Pete Willsman, mockingly compared Mr Watson to Ramsay McDonald, the first Labour prime minister, who became a figure of hate in the party after forming a government of national unity with the Conservatives. Mr Willsman tweeted: "What is the difference between Ramsay MacDonald and Tommy Watson? Answer: the man from Lossiemouth had a firm grasp of loyalty." But Mr Watson was backed by Momentum chairman Jon Lansman, who also sits on the NEC. He wrote on Twitter: "At conference we agreed: 'If the government is confident in negotiating a deal that working people, our economy and communities will benefit from they should not be afraid to put that deal to the public. So surely we too can all agree to a confirmatory vote on any government deal in our manifesto! Independent Minds Q&A session on the Middle East, Trump, Syria and Isis Demands for the party to support a referendum on any Brexit deal were echoed by the general secretaries of four leading trade unions. Unison's Dave Prentis said: The prime ministers deal and a no-deal Brexit would be terrible for the UK, public services and working people. A package that protects peace in Northern Ireland, keeps the UK in a customs union with a close relationship to the single market, and protects future employment rights isnt on the table. Thats why any final proposal must be put back to the country for voters to decide. The GMB's Tim Roache told the Evening Standard: It must be the public who have the final say on Brexit. A grubby political stitch-up to meet the needs of internal Tory party politics, rather than the best interests of our country, wont put this question to bed for a minute, let alone a generation. TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said it was "time for our party to act on the overwhelming wishes of its members ", while Usdaw's Paddy Lillis said: If our politicians are confident that their deal will benefit working people, our economy and communities across the country, then they should not be afraid to put that deal to the public. The US may withhold intelligence from the UK if Theresa Mays government uses Chinese firm Huawei to build its next-generation mobile internet infrastructure, an American official has suggested. It is the United States position that putting Huawei or any other untrustworthy vendor in any part of the 5G telecommunications network is a risk, said Robert Strayer, the deputy assistant secretary for cyber, international communications and information policy at the US state department. If other countries insert and allow untrusted vendors to build out and become the vendors for their 5G networks we will have to reassess the ability for us to share information and be connected with them in the ways that we are today. Exactly how that will be done will depend on the risk of the equipment that is put into the networks. Mr Strayer was speaking during an online press briefing on Monday. 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 His remarks come in the wake of Theresa May reportedly approving plans to have the Chinese company build non-core parts of the UKs 5G communications network. The official said that the US did not distinguish between core and non-core elements and instead believed that there was no safe level of involvement for Huawei. Having potentially compromised equipment and software provided by vendors in any part of that network is an unacceptable risk, he said. It is our position in the United States that there is no way that we can effectively mitigate the risk of having an untrustworthy vendor in the edge of the network. Huaweis role in building the UKs 5G network has divided Westminster in recent weeks. There are concerns about whether the technology giant poses a threat to national security. US intelligence has suggested that Huawei is directly funded by the Chinese security services, according to The Times. In Whitehall an inquiry is under way after details emerged of a highly secretive National Security Council meeting at which Ms May reportedly gave the green light for the Chinese companys involvement. Multiple cabinet ministers were reported to have objected to the Huawei decision, including Jeremy Hunt, Sajid Javid, Gavin Williamson, Liam Fox and Penny Mordaunt. They have all denied providing the details of the meeting. Cabinet ministers have been warned of the possibility of a criminal investigation into the leak. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events On Monday, Jacob Rees-Mogg said the matter of the leak was trivial when compared to the issue of the Chinese companys involvement in the 5G network. The whole story here is not about a leak, its about whether or not were getting into bed with the Chinese company Huawei against the advice of the US and Australians who have decided not to, he told LBC. This is a fundamental issue of national security, whether somebody mentioned it in passing and leaked it is trivial in comparison. The US has banned Huawei from its government networks and Australia and New Zealand have also placed restrictions on the company. Additional reporting by agencies The Queens Speech will be delayed until Brexit is delivered, Theresa May has said despite no sign of a breakthrough at Westminster to end the stalemate. The prime ministers spokesperson said a new session of parliament due to get under way in June would not begin until the withdrawal agreement had been ratified. That is part of the current Queens Speech cycle and we need to finish that work, he said, admitting there was no specific date for a new session. The determination to deliver Brexit first opens up the prospect of no Queens Speech until the autumn at the earliest even if the prime minister survives that long. Although talks with Labour will restart today, both sides are gloomy about progress after trading accusations that neither is prepared to make any meaningful compromises. Recommended Conservatives face losing more than 800 seats in local elections Many at Westminster believe Ms May is desperate to avoid a new Queens Speech for fear that Brexiteer Tories will vote it down to bury the deal they hate and accelerate her departure from No 10. 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 A new session would also require a new negotiation for the Democratic Unionist Party to continue propping up the Tories in power, amid acrimony in relations with the Northern Ireland party. However, delay will open up accusations of a zombie government, because no other major legislation is in the pipeline. The Queens Speech traditionally takes place annually, but a two-year session was announced in June 2017 because of the enormity of carrying out EU withdrawal. Asked if it would be delayed until Brexit was over the line, Ms Mays spokesperson replied: What we are focused on is the withdrawal agreement bill because that is the legislation necessary in order to ratify our withdrawal from the EU. He denied Ms May now led a zombie government, telling journalists: I dont accept that. He pointed to recent announcements on tackling knife crime and protecting children online, as well as the billions of extra investment going into the NHS. However, the government has pulled back from introducing the withdrawal agreement bill, despite that failure ensuring the European parliament elections will go ahead on 23 May. Ms May knows that, without an agreement with Labour, the bill will be thrown out which would force her to begin a new session, with all the dangers that poses. The spokesperson was unable to say that the government would bring any fresh proposals to the talks, or even whether the key controversy of a customs union would be discussed. He refused to set a deadline for abandoning the cross-party effort, amid suspicions it is in neither partys interest to pull the plug, even if no progress is being made. Downing Street is believed to have drawn up a list of second-tier legislation to justify extending the session beyond the original two-year deadline. It is said to include bills to change the tax treatment of sporting testimonials and increase the maximum sentences for cases of animal cruelty. The European Union will never accept a move by Theresa May to raise tuition fees for EU students after Brexit, the European parliaments Brexit chief has said. Guy Verhofstadt said he would write to the prime minister following reports that EU students would be charged full international fees, instead of benefiting from the same rates as UK students as now. No way! Students mustnt be victims of Brexit, Mr Verhofstadt said. I will write to PM May saying we will never accept this. The Brexit coordinator also said nothing should change around the Erasmus programme and added that British students must be able to continue to study in the EU and European students in the UK, as they do now. The European parliament gets a veto over any trade agreements between the EU and other countries, meaning tuition fees could become a bargaining chip in any future trade talks if Mr Verhofstadt follows through on his threat and has support in the legislature. Domestic tuition fees at English universities are 9,250 a year and EU students currently pay the same rate. But international tuition fees are completely unregulated and can be considerably higher, ranging from around 10,000 to 38,000 a year for top courses. Tuition fees are a devolved matter and Scottish students still benefit from free education at Scottish universities. EU students studying in Scotland also currently pay no tuition fees, though English students in Scotland have to pay to study there. The Independent has seen Mr Verhofstadts letter to the prime minister, which expresses concern in relation to recent media reports indicating that the UK government is considering the possibility of a significant raise in the tuition fees for EU students. The letter asks Ms May to alleviate our concerns by confirming that these reports of drastic fee increases are unfounded and confirm that the UK government does not intend to undermine the fruitful reciprocal system that is currently in place. "Leave means leave" - Brexit Betrayal march Show all 15 1 /15 "Leave means leave" - Brexit Betrayal march "Leave means leave" - Brexit Betrayal march Nigel Farage waves from the top deck of the Brexit Betrayal bus on the march from Sunderland to London Reuters "Leave means leave" - Brexit Betrayal march Marchers pass a sign to "Cuckoo Land" in Easington Getty "Leave means leave" - Brexit Betrayal march Marchers plod on near Grangetown, Tyne and Wear Getty "Leave means leave" - Brexit Betrayal march A marcher holds up a blue passport as the march passes Grangetown, Tyne and Wear Getty "Leave means leave" - Brexit Betrayal march Nigel Farage poses for a photo in a pub in Hartlepool Reuters "Leave means leave" - Brexit Betrayal march Nigel Farage pays his respects to Tommy, the statue of a First World War soldier in Seaham, County Durham Getty "Leave means leave" - Brexit Betrayal march An anti-Brexit van has been graffitied in Sunderland on the Brexit Betrayal march Getty "Leave means leave" - Brexit Betrayal march A marcher carries a Union flag reading "Storm Brexit" in Sunderland Getty "Leave means leave" - Brexit Betrayal march A couple push a Save Our Sovereignty trolley through a tunnel in Easington, County Durham during the Brexit Betrayal march Getty "Leave means leave" - Brexit Betrayal march Nigel Farage enjoys a pint with fellow marchers in Hartlepool Getty "Leave means leave" - Brexit Betrayal march A pro-European counter-marcher lets off a smoke grenade with the colours of the EU flag Getty "Leave means leave" - Brexit Betrayal march Nigel Farage leads the march in Easington Getty "Leave means leave" - Brexit Betrayal march Marchers plod on near Easington Getty "Leave means leave" - Brexit Betrayal march Nigel Farage takes part in the Brexit Betrayal march Getty "Leave means leave" - Brexit Betrayal march Nigel Farage poses on the top deck of the Brexit Betrayal bus in Seaham Getty Speaking in Westminster on Monday, Chris Skidmore, the universities minister, said the UK needs to attract global talent, not just from the EU. He added: We want to make sure we have a system that works for all students across the globe. Responding to the reports that higher fees were being considered at the weekend, a Department for Education spokesperson said: Students from the EU make an important contribution to the universities sector and it is a testament to our system that so many students from abroad choose to come and study here. Last year, we announced that students from the European Union starting courses in England in the 2019-20 academic year will continue to be eligible for home fee status, which means they will be charged the same tuition fees as UK students. The government will provide sufficient notice for prospective EU students on fee arrangements ahead of the 2020-21 academic year and subsequent years in the future. A young woman in South Sudan has been beaten to death by her brothers for refusing to marry a suitor who is said to have offered her family 40 cows as dowry. Taban Abel, a state minister in Sudan, said the 20-year-old was punished by her brothers in the town of Yirol in Eastern Lakes State because she turned down a marriage proposal from a suitor her family had chosen. Mr Abel, Minister of Information in Eastern Lakes, told Radio Tamazuj that Nyaluk Magoroks parents forced the girl to marry a man who offered 40 cows to the family as dowry an amount of property or money brought by a bride to her husband on their marriage. He said the man allegedly responsible for the girls death had been arrested to face murder charges adding that the girls father had also been jailed to face the law. The father was [the] one who ordered people to kill his daughter because she refused to get married, he said. He condemned the killing and said forced marriage continues to be a challenge in the state. The official added: This is a barbaric act that needs immediate intervention from the government. This is the second incident of its kind because last year a girl was impregnated and then her father beat her to death. Many families in South Sudan forcibly marry off their daughters for dowry including girls who are under the age of 18. In November 2018, a girl aged between 16 and 17 was forcibly married after a controversial auction on Facebook. Some 52 per cent of South Sudanese girls are married by the time they are 18, according to a 2017 UNICEF study. Article 15 of the South Sudan constitution stipulates that any person of marriageable age has the right to form a family and Article 17 guarantees women and girls the right to consent to marriage. Joan Nyanyuki, Amnesty Internationals Regional Director for East Africa, the Horn and Great Lakes Region, said forcing someone to marry against their will is a clear violation of South Sudans own constitution as well as its international human rights obligations. The marriage and killing are not only illegal, but also inhumane. We call on the government to immediately hold the responsible individuals to account, he added. The patriarchal practice of forcing young girls and women to marry is a cruel manifestation of the large inequality between men and women in South Sudan. Rather than being resourceful and inspirational leaders and members of society, women and girls are treated as communal commodities. Amnesty is calling on the government of South Sudan to take urgent steps to end early, forced and child marriage and make sure those perpetrating this heinous form of gender-based violence and violating the countrys laws are brought to justice. The organisation said women and girls rights must be protected. Judy Gitau, of Equality Now, a non government organisation that aims to promote the rights of women and girls, said: "Women and girls who are subjected to forced and child marriage are already victims of gross violations of their rights, and face the risk of further physical, sexual, and emotional violence. These violations are often visited on the next generation. "South Sudan must end the tradition of selling daughters into marriage and end with finality this cycle of violations. The Co-ordinator for Equality Now's Africa office added: "The government needs to strengthen existing laws aimed at ending child and forced marriages, and engage with local authorities and community leaders to eliminate this form of gender-based violence." A rare baby dolphin has been euthanised after it was found washed up on a Florida beach with a stomach filled with plastic. Researchers said the rough toothed calf was in poor health, emaciated and should have been in a deep water region with its mother. A spokesperson from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said its researchers found two plastic bags and a piece of a balloon inside the animal. The organisation also released photographs of the contents of the dolphins stomach. Although a significant finding, there are many additional factors to consider, such as underlying illness, disease and maternal separation, before a final cause of stranding and death for the dolphin can be determined, a spokesperson for the FWC said. Environment news in pictures Show all 8 1 /8 Environment news in pictures Environment news in pictures Davos 2019: David Attenborough issues stark warning about future of civilisation as he demands practical solutions to combat climate change Sir David Attenborough has issued a stark warning about climate change to business figures gathered in Davos, telling them that "what we do now...will profoundly affect the next few thousand years". On the eve of this year's World Economic Forum, the renowned naturalist told the audience that the worlds of business and politics should "get on with the practical solutions" needed to prevent environmental damage. "As a species we are expert problem solvers. But we've not yet applied ourselves to this problem with the focus it requires. "We can create a world with clean air and water, unlimited energy, and fish stocks that will sustain us well into the future. But to do that, we need a plan," he said. The broadcaster made his speech after receiving a Crystal Award, which is awarded by the forum to "exceptional cultural leaders". AFP/Getty Environment news in pictures At least 60% of wild coffee species face extinction triggered by climate change and disease Two decades of research have revealed that 60 per cent of the worlds coffee species face extinction due to the combined threats of deforestation, disease and climate change. The wild strain of arabica, the most widely consumed coffee on the planet, is among those now recognised as endangered, raising concerns about its long-term survival. These results are worrying for the millions of farmers around the world who depend on the continued survival of coffee for their livelihoods. As conditions for coffee farming become tougher, scientists predict the industry will need to rely on wild varieties to develop more resilient strains Alan Schaller Environment news in pictures Warming Antarctic waters are speeding the rate at which glaciers are melting The Antarctic ice sheet is losing six times as much ice each year as it was in the 1980s and the pace is accelerating, one of the most comprehensive studies of climate change effects on the continent has shown. More than half an inch has been added to global sea levels since 1979, but if current trends continue it will be responsible for metres more in future, the Nasa-funded study found. The international effort used aerial photos, satellite data and climate models dating back to the 1970s across18 Antarctic regions to get the most complete picture to date on the impacts of the changing climate. It found that between 1979 and 1990 Antarctica lost an average of 40 gigatonnes (40 billion tonnes) of its mass each year. Between 2009 and 2017 it lost an average 252 gigatonnes a year. This has added 3.6mm per decade to sea levels, or around 14mm since 1979, the study shows Nasa/Getty Environment news in pictures Greater Manchester to ban fracking, paving way for confrontation with government over controversial industry Greater Manchester is to effectively ban fracking, raising the prospect of fresh confrontation with the government over the controversial industry. All of the regions 10 councils are to implement planning policies which create a presumption against drilling for shale gas in their areas, Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has announced. Campaigners said the move was the latest sign that the tide was turning against fracking, which has been the subject of multiple legal battles across the country. Critics of fracking say it poses environmental and health risks. Drilling at the UKs only operational fracking site, run by Cuadrilla in Lancashire, has repeatedly been halted due to earth tremors. But ministers support the industry and last year unveiled plans to accelerate the development of new drilling sites Ross Wills Environment news in pictures Japan confirms plan to resume commercial whaling in its waters from next year Japan will resume commercial whaling next year for the first time in more than three decades, in a move that has provoked strong criticism from campaigners and the international community. Chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said his nation would leave the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to resume hunting the marine mammals in Japanese waters. However, he stated the activity would be limited to Japans territory and the 200 mile exclusive economic zone along its coasts. This means controversial scientific trips to Antarctica in which Japanese vessels killed hundreds of whales, as well as activity in the northwest Pacific, will stop in 2019 AP Environment news in pictures COP24: Environmental groups criticise morally unacceptable climate deal reached after major Poland summit Diplomats from around the world have agreed a major climate deal after two weeks of United Nations talks in Poland. But climate campaigners warned the deal effectively a set of rules for how to govern the 2015 Paris climate accord agreed between almost 200 countries lacked ambition or a clear promise of enhanced climate action. Activists cautiously welcomed elements of the plan, saying important progress had been made on ensuring that efforts to tackle climate change by individual nations can be measured and compared. But environmental groups were also highly critical of the agreement, warning it lacked ambition and clarity on key issues, including financing for climate projects for developing countries. The COP24 deal, which is aimed at providing firm guidelines for countries on how to transparently report their greenhouse gas emissions and their efforts to reduce them, was confirmed on 15 December, after talks overran Reuters Environment news in pictures Unprecedented changes needed to stop global warming as UN report reveals islands starting to vanish and coral reefs dying Greenhouse gas emissions must be cut almost in half by 2030 to avert global environmental catastrophe, including the total loss of every coral reef, the disappearance of Arctic ice and the destruction of island communities, a landmark UN report has concluded. Drawing on more than 6,000 scientific studies and compiled over two years, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) findings, released this morning, warn enormous and rapid changes to the way everyone on Earth eats, travels and produces energy need to be brought in immediately. Though the scientists behind the report said there is cause for optimism, they recognised the grim reality that nations are currently nowhere near on track to avert disaster AFP/Getty Environment news in pictures Africas three biggest elephant poaching cartels exposed using DNA from illegal ivory shipments DNA taken from massive shipments of ivory has been used to identify the three largest wildlife trafficking gangs operating at the height of Africas elephant poaching epidemic. Ivory tends to be shipped around the world from African ports in bulk, and scientists have used genetic evidence gleaned from intercepted batches to reveal their origins. Led by Dr Samuel Wasser from the University of Washington, they traced a number of these shipments to three cartels operating out of Kenya, Uganda and Togo. Evidence collected by Dr Wasser has already helped convict ivory kingpin Feisal Mohamed Ali, and as his team joins the dots between shipments they plan to shore up the cases against more of the continents most prolific smugglers Art Wolfe This finding highlights the need to reduce single use plastic and to not release balloons into the environment. The mammal was found ashore on Fort Myers beach on 23 April. Bystanders attempted to help the struggling calf but wildlife officials decided to euthanise it at the beach. We made the decision to humanely euthanise on-site, Michelle Kerr, an FWC spokesperson, said. The decision was made because of how poor the animals condition was, according to the Fort Myers News Press. Denise Boyd, an FWC biologist, stayed with the baby calf through the night until the early hours of 24 April. She described the experience as a tough and long night and said the calf was so young it should still have been with mom. Instead the animal had strayed into shallow waters. The animal autopsy, known as a necropsy, revealed that the dolphin was a female and around a year old. A recent study revealed that plastic pollution in the worlds oceans had significantly increased since the 1990s. A report published in January 2019 by the Environmental Audit Committee also suggested that British seas were being treated like a sewer, with a stream of plastics and untreated waste left in the water. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Additional reporting by agencies A poll conducted by ABC suggests the majority of Americans are unwilling to support President Donald Trump in the 2020 election, with healthcare and immigration policy cited as major deciding factors. Released Monday, the poll found 55 per cent of those polled refuse to vote for Mr Trump in 2020, with 40 per cent opposing his re-election based on his handling of healthcare. On immigration, 44 per cent oppose a second term for the president, while 31 per cent support it. A majority of Americans polled - 58 per cent - also believe Mr Trump lied to the public about the Mueller investigation. The poll shows that this thinking may have a considerable impact, with 36 per cent of those polled citing the Mueller report, an edited version of which was released to the public on 18 April, making them likely to oppose Trump in 2020. Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Show all 8 1 /8 Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Mishawaka, Indiana AP Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Washington DC AFP/Getty Images Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy New York Mayor Bill De Blasio speaks in Tornillo, Texas alongside the many other US mayors who have called for detained immigrant children to be reunited with their families AP Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Albuquerque Mayor Tim Kelle leaves a teddy bear as a gift for detained immigrant children in Tornillo, Texas AP Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti leave sandals as gifts for detained immigrant children in Tornillo, Texas AP Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy San Diego, California EPA Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy US embassy, Mexico City AFP/Getty Images Families belong together protests over Trump immigration policy San Diego, California EPA Intended turnout meanwhile appeared "remarkably" high, with 75 per cent of Americans, including 85 per cent of registered voters, saying they are "certain" to vote in the election. The news agency noted that if that level is maintained, it could boost Democratic candidates, many of whose core support groups are "less reliable voters". Also notably, support among Mr Trumps own party showed a slight decrease in the poll - 15 per cent of Republicans said they would "definitely not" support the presidents re-election, with 30 per cent of those identifying as conservative polling the same way. The numbers do not necessarily spell victory for Mr Trumps eventual opponent, however, with only 29 per cent of those polled say theyll definitely support the Democratic opponent in 2020. Deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein has submitted a letter of resignation to Donald Trump, with an effective date of 11 May. Mr Rosensteins resignation comes two weeks after the Justice Department released special counsel Robert Muellers report on Russian meddling in the 2016 election, and the Trump campaigns connection to those efforts. In his letter, Mr Rosenstein thanked the president for the opportunity to serve in the Justice Department over the past 16 months, and noted that most individuals in his position did not last much longer than two years in the post. Mr Rosenstein highlighted several areas that the administration had focused on, including reducing violent crime, curtailing opioid abuse, protecting consumers, improving immigration enforcement and building confidence in the police. He said the administration had seen productivity rise and crime fall. Our nation is safer, our elections more secure, and our citizens are better informed about covert foreign influence efforts and schemes to commit fraud, steal intellectual property and launch cyberattacks, Mr Rosenstein wrote. 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 The outgoing deputy attorney general also wrote about the president personally, saying that Mr Trump was courteous and showed humour during their personal interactions with one another. Mr Rosenstein played a key role in the special counsels investigation, which largely wrapped up its operations last month when Mr Muellers team delivered the document to the Justice Department. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Over much of the nearly two years that the special counsels office ran its investigation, Mr Rosenstein was in charge of oversight for the investigation. Mr Trumps former attorney general, Jeff Sessions, had recused himself from matters related to that investigation since he was involved in Mr Trumps 2016 campaign. Donald Trump has falsely accused Virginia Governor Ralph Northam of supporting the killing of babies, a move labelled dangerous and sickening by Democrats. It is the second time this year that Mr Trump has falsely claimed that Democrat Mr Northam backs mothers being given the choice to execute a baby. Abortion is one of the presidents key issues when it comes to his conservative base, with his administration pushing hard to enact legislation restricting abortion. At a rally in Wisconsin, Mr Trump repeated the incendiary false claim that doctors and mothers were conferring on whether to keep babies alive after birth and then executing them. The baby is born, the mother meets with the doctor, they take care of the baby, Mr Trump said. They wrap the baby beautifully and then the doctor and the mother decide whether they will execute the baby. Referencing Mr Northam, Mr Trump continued: Its incredible, until this crazy man in Virginia said it, nobody thought of it did anyone even think of that? You hear late term [abortion], but this is where the baby is born, its there.. its wrapped and thats it. The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Show all 25 1 /25 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Bernie Sanders The Vermont senator has launched a second bid for president after losing out to Hilary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primaries. He is running on a similar platform of democratic socialist reform Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Joe Biden The former vice president recently faced scrutiny for inappropriate touching of women, but was thought to deal with the criticism well and has since maintained a front runner status in national polling EPA The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Elizabeth Warren The Massachusetts senator is a progressive Democrat, and a major supporter of regulating Wall Street Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Amy Klobuchar Klobuchar is a Minnesota senator who earned praise for her contribution to the Brett Kavanaugh hearings Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Michael Bloomberg Michael Bloomberg, a late addition to the 2020 race, announced his candidacy after months of speculation in November. He has launched a massive ad-buying campaign and issued an apology for the controversial "stop and frisk" programme that adversely impacted minority communities in New York City when he was mayor Getty Images The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Tulsi Gabbard The Hawaii congresswoman announced her candidacy in January, but has faced tough questions on her past comments on LGBT+ rights and her stance on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Pete Buttigieg The centrist Indiana mayor and war veteran would be the first openly LGBT+ president in American history Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Deval Patrick The former Massachusetts governor launched a late 2020 candidacy and received very little reception. With just a few short months until the first voters flock to the polls, the former governor is running as a centrist and believes he can unite the party's various voting blocs AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Beto O'Rourke The former Texas congressman formally launched his bid for the presidency in March. He ran on a progressive platform, stating that the US is driven by "gross differences in opportunity and outcome" AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kamala Harris The former California attorney general was 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 AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Bill De Blasio The New York mayor announced his bid on 16 May 2019. He emerged in 2013 as a leading voice in the left wing of his party but struggled to build a national profile and has suffered a number of political setbacks in his time as mayor AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Steve Bullock The Montana governor announced his bid on 14 May. He stated "We need to defeat Donald Trump in 2020 and defeat the corrupt system that lets campaign money drown out the people's voice, so we can finally make good on the promise of a fair shot for everyone." He also highlighted the fact that he won the governor's seat in a red [Republican] state Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Cory Booker The New Jersey Senator has focused on restoring kindness and civility in American politics throughout his campaign, though he has failed to secure the same level of support and fundraising as several other senators running for the White House in 2020 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Wayne Messam Mayor of the city of Miramar in the Miami metropolitan area, Wayne Messam said he intended 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 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kirsten Gillibrand The New York Senator formally announced her presidential bid in January, saying that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Delaney The Maryland congressman was the first to launch his bid for presidency, making the announcement in 2017 AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Andrew Yang The entrepreneur announced his presidential candidacy by pledging that he would introduce a universal basic income of $1,000 a month to every American over the age of 18 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: 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 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Marianne Williamson The author and spiritual adviser has announced her intention to run for president. She had previously run for congress as an independent in 2014 but was unsuccessful Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Eric Swalwell One of the younger candidates, Swalwell has served on multiple committees in the House of Representatives. He intended to make gun control central to his campaign but dropped out after his team said it was clear there was no path to victory Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Seth Moulton A Massachusetts congressman, Moulton is a former US soldier who is best known for trying to stop Nancy Pelosi from becoming speaker of the house. He dropped out of the race after not polling well in key states Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Jay Inslee Inslee has been governor of Washington since 2013. His bid was centred around climate change AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Hickenlooper The former governor of Colorado aimed to sell himself as an effective leader who was open to compromise, but failed to make a splash on the national stage Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tim Ryan Ohio representative Tim Ryan ran on a campaign that hinged on his working class roots, though his messaging did not appear to resonate with voters Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tom Steyer Democratic presidential hopeful billionaire and philanthropist Tom Steyer is a longtime Democratic donor AFP/Getty Mr Trumps remarks relate to remarks by Mr Northam back in January over Virginia House of Representatives bill 2491, which would roll back a number of requirements over abortions including removing a 24-hour wait period. The furore started when the sponsor of the bill, Democrat Kathy Tran told a House committee that her bill would allow an abortion when a woman is showing signs of labour if a doctor deemed it medically necessary. Ms Tran later said she misspoke in the hearing and that such a move would be illegal. I should have said: Clearly, no, because infanticide is not allowed in Virginia, and what would have happened in that moment would be a live birth. Mr Northam then muddied the waters still further, giving an unclear answer when asked to explain s Trans bill. This is why decisions such as this should be made by providers, physicians, and the mothers and fathers that are involved, Mr Northam told local radio station WTOP. When we talk about third-trimester abortions, he went on, its done in cases where there may be severe deformities. There may be a foetus thats nonviable. If a mother is in labour, I can tell you exactly what would happen, he added. The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if thats what the mother and the family desired, and then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mr Northams remarks were taken as support for infanticide by a number of Virginia Republicans, forcing Mr Northams office into issuing a clarification that said the governor was absolutely not been referring to the killing of babies. The governors comments focused on the tragic and extremely rare case in which a woman with a nonviable pregnancy or severe foetal abnormalities went into labour, a spokesperson said at the time. Mr Trump first falsely accused Mr Northam at a rally in February, with his latest remarks coming days after a federal judge in Washington state granted a nationwide temporary injunction blocking the Trump administration's abortion clinic referral restrictions. The revised regulations to the Title X family planning programme, which had been due to come into force on 3 May, would prohibit taxpayer-funded family planning clinics from talking about abortion with patients or referring patients to abortion providers. The programme serves four million people across the US. Minnesota Democrat Congresswoman Ilhan Omar called Mr Trumps remarks at the rally on Sunday truly dangerous and sickening. Is this deranged President suggesting parents and doctors are working together to commit infanticide? Ms Ilhan tweeted. We have seen religious fanatics bombing clinics and threatening women, this will fan the flame of violence stop the misinformation, she added Donald Trump has claimed people are fleeing New York because of high taxes and ridiculed the state for failing to challenge his 2017 tax legislation. The president attacked officials in his home state during a series of tweets on Monday, declaring New York citizens were subject to oppression of sorts. Mr Trump also said the state didnt even put up a fight against SALT referring to the cap placed on state and local tax deduction, part of the Republican tax bill signed into law by the president in late 2017. The New York native also suggested the state could have won if they had challenged the cap. Previously, there was no limit on the amount of local tax payments citizens in high-tax states could deduct from their federal tax returns. But Mr Trumps 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act introduced a $10,000 (7,700) maximum deduction. The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Show all 25 1 /25 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Bernie Sanders The Vermont senator has launched a second bid for president after losing out to Hilary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primaries. He is running on a similar platform of democratic socialist reform Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Joe Biden The former vice president recently faced scrutiny for inappropriate touching of women, but was thought to deal with the criticism well and has since maintained a front runner status in national polling EPA The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Elizabeth Warren The Massachusetts senator is a progressive Democrat, and a major supporter of regulating Wall Street Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Amy Klobuchar Klobuchar is a Minnesota senator who earned praise for her contribution to the Brett Kavanaugh hearings Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Michael Bloomberg Michael Bloomberg, a late addition to the 2020 race, announced his candidacy after months of speculation in November. He has launched a massive ad-buying campaign and issued an apology for the controversial "stop and frisk" programme that adversely impacted minority communities in New York City when he was mayor Getty Images The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Tulsi Gabbard The Hawaii congresswoman announced her candidacy in January, but has faced tough questions on her past comments on LGBT+ rights and her stance on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Pete Buttigieg The centrist Indiana mayor and war veteran would be the first openly LGBT+ president in American history Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Deval Patrick The former Massachusetts governor launched a late 2020 candidacy and received very little reception. With just a few short months until the first voters flock to the polls, the former governor is running as a centrist and believes he can unite the party's various voting blocs AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Beto O'Rourke The former Texas congressman formally launched his bid for the presidency in March. He ran on a progressive platform, stating that the US is driven by "gross differences in opportunity and outcome" AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kamala Harris The former California attorney general was 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 AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Bill De Blasio The New York mayor announced his bid on 16 May 2019. He emerged in 2013 as a leading voice in the left wing of his party but struggled to build a national profile and has suffered a number of political setbacks in his time as mayor AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Steve Bullock The Montana governor announced his bid on 14 May. He stated "We need to defeat Donald Trump in 2020 and defeat the corrupt system that lets campaign money drown out the people's voice, so we can finally make good on the promise of a fair shot for everyone." He also highlighted the fact that he won the governor's seat in a red [Republican] state Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Cory Booker The New Jersey Senator has focused on restoring kindness and civility in American politics throughout his campaign, though he has failed to secure the same level of support and fundraising as several other senators running for the White House in 2020 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Wayne Messam Mayor of the city of Miramar in the Miami metropolitan area, Wayne Messam said he intended 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 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kirsten Gillibrand The New York Senator formally announced her presidential bid in January, saying that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Delaney The Maryland congressman was the first to launch his bid for presidency, making the announcement in 2017 AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Andrew Yang The entrepreneur announced his presidential candidacy by pledging that he would introduce a universal basic income of $1,000 a month to every American over the age of 18 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: 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 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Marianne Williamson The author and spiritual adviser has announced her intention to run for president. She had previously run for congress as an independent in 2014 but was unsuccessful Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Eric Swalwell One of the younger candidates, Swalwell has served on multiple committees in the House of Representatives. He intended to make gun control central to his campaign but dropped out after his team said it was clear there was no path to victory Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Seth Moulton A Massachusetts congressman, Moulton is a former US soldier who is best known for trying to stop Nancy Pelosi from becoming speaker of the house. He dropped out of the race after not polling well in key states Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Jay Inslee Inslee has been governor of Washington since 2013. His bid was centred around climate change AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Hickenlooper The former governor of Colorado aimed to sell himself as an effective leader who was open to compromise, but failed to make a splash on the national stage Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tim Ryan Ohio representative Tim Ryan ran on a campaign that hinged on his working class roots, though his messaging did not appear to resonate with voters Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tom Steyer Democratic presidential hopeful billionaire and philanthropist Tom Steyer is a longtime Democratic donor AFP/Getty Attacking a wide range of antagonists on Twitter on Monday, including the Democrats and The New York Times, the president claimed the media was pushing Joe Biden and accused US unions of ripping off their members with ridiculously high dues. The 72-year-old president referred to the former vice president as Sleepy Joe, having previously described himself as young compared with the 76-year-old Democratic candidate. Mr Trump also criticised New York governor Andrew Cuomo and New York attorney general Letitia James for trying to take down the National Rifle Association (NRA). Ms James said on Saturday that her office has launched an investigation related to the NRA and she has issued subpoenas, but she declined to comment further. The New York Times reported the probe relates to the groups tax-exempt status. The NRA is under siege by (New York Governor Andrew) Cuomo and the New York State A.G., who are illegally using the States legal apparatus to take down and destroy this very important organization, & others. It must get its act together quickly, stop the internal fighting, & get back to GREATNESS - FAST! Mr Trump said in a Twitter post. The gun lobby group has been in turmoil in recent days. Retired US Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North said on Saturday he would be stepping down as NRA president, claiming he was being forced out because of his allegations that NRA leaders engaged in financial improprieties. His departure came after NRA Chief Executive Wayne LaPierre accused Mr North of trying to oust him by threatening to release damaging information about him, according to a letter from Mr LaPierre to NRA board members published by the Wall Street Journal on Friday. The NRA board is scheduled to meet on Monday to debate next steps, according to media reports. Donald Trump has suggested that the New York Times should really apologise to him personally, after the newspaper issued an apology for printing an anti-semitic cartoon in its international editions. Mr Trump, a man who is known for his disparaging remarks of the media and the New York paper, said on Twitter that the news organisations coverage of him has been slanted and damaging. The New York Times has apologised for the terrible Anti-Semitic Cartoon, but they havent apologised to me for this or all of the Fake and Corrupt news they print on a daily basis. They have reached the lowest level of journalism, and certainly a low point in @nytimes history! he tweeted. The tweet followed after the paper printed a cartoon depicting Mr Trump as a blind man wearing a skull cap, and being led by a dog version of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The cartoon stirred fury internationally, and the paper was forced to issue a rare apology for printing the image. '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 Mr Trump has fostered a tight working relationship with Mr Netanyahu since taking over the Oval Office just over two years ago, giving the Israeli leader several major victories that he has sought for years Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events That included pulling US involvement in the Iran nuclear agreement, and moving the US embassy to Israel into Jerusalem a move that other presidents had notably refused. Donald Trump has lashed out at New York and its governor, blaming his home state for illegally targeting the embattled National Rifle Association. Mr Trumps attack on New York came just after the ouster of former NRA president Oliver North, who had been accused of approving exorbitant payments to law firms, and of financial mismanagement, among other concerns. But for Mr Trump, the culprit was New York governor Andrew Cuomo and the states attorney general, Leticia James, who recently opened an investigation into the NRAs tax-exempt status. The NRA is under siege by Cuomo and the New York State A.G., who are illegally using the States legal apparatus to take down and destroy this very important organisation, & others. It must get its act together quickly, stop the internal fighting, & get back to GREATNESS - FAST! Mr Trump tweeted. He continued, in a follow-up tweet: People are fleeing New York State because of high taxes and yes, even oppression of sorts. They didnt even put up a fight against SALT - could have won. So much litigation. The NRA should leave and fight from the outside of this very difficult to deal with (unfair) State! The NRA was a major booster of Mr Trumps 2016 presidential campaign, and broke its own records for political spending to support the candidate with $30m in expenditures that year to boost his campaign. The president has remained a staunch ally of the NRA since then, and has resisted calls for stronger gun control measures even as a considerable amount of attention has been placed on the issue in the aftermath of the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. President Donald Trump said in a television interview yesterday that ending the practice of separating children from their families at border crossings has been a disaster that has resulted in a surge of people coming into the country illegally, though he overstated the increase as measured by the government. Mr Trump said the practice had served as an effective disincentive for people who wish to enter the country illegally. Now you dont get separated, and while that sounds nice and all, what happens is you have literally you have 10 times as many families coming up because theyre not going to be separated from their children, Trump told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo. Its a disaster. Although US Customs and Border Protection data shows a significant rise in illegal immigration since the family separation practice ended this past June amid a public outcry, it shows that the number of illegal crossings is now six times as high rather than 10 times as high. The interview took place as Ms Bartiromo stood on the southern border, with Trump calling into the show. The US-Mexico border: where the drugs war has soaked the ground blood red Show all 4 1 /4 The US-Mexico border: where the drugs war has soaked the ground blood red The US-Mexico border: where the drugs war has soaked the ground blood red 338460.bin AP The US-Mexico border: where the drugs war has soaked the ground blood red 338459.bin Reuters The US-Mexico border: where the drugs war has soaked the ground blood red 338458.bin Reuters The US-Mexico border: where the drugs war has soaked the ground blood red 338457.bin AFP/Getty Images When they used to separate children, which was done during the Obama administration, with Bush, with us, with everybody, far fewer people would come, Trump said. And weve been on a humane basis, it was pretty bad we go out and we stop the separations. The problem is you have 10 times as many people coming up with their families. Its like Disneyland now. The practice of separating children from their parents was done on a far more limited basis under previous administrations. In most instances, children were separated when federal officials had concerns about their safety while in their parents care. The Trump administration was the first to initiate separations on a widespread basis for the purpose of deterring illegal migration. It implemented a zero tolerance policy last year that separated more than 2,700 children from their parents last spring. Under the practice, adults were taken to immigration jails and were prosecuted for entering the country illegally. Their children were sometimes detained in chain-link holding pens and then sent to shelters overseen by US Department of Health and Human Services. Mr Trump ended the practice in June in the face of condemnation from some Republicans and growing evidence that his administration had not developed a plan to reunite families. Images of children in the chain-link holding pens which were likened to animal cages also prompted public outcry and played a role in ending the separation practice. A federal judge issued a temporary injunction, ordering Trump to reunite families and end the practice, effectively preventing him from reinstituting it. Melania Trump says she was 'blindsided' and 'heartbroken' by family separation policy The controversy generated by the separations and Trumps much publicised move to end the practice is viewed by some as having contributed to the soaring numbers of Central American families crossing the border. Last month, US authorities processed more than 103,000 migrants, the highest number in more than a decade. Waiting times at the ports of entry along the US-Mexico border have risen as the Trump administration diverts officers to handle an influx of immigrants, leaving trucks backed up for hours and industry leaders warning of possible produce shortages and supply-chain interruptions. In his interview, Trump repeated past comments he has made on the topic, including his desire to change immigration laws. We tried to get rid of them; the Democrats wont do it. Trump also credited himself with improving the economy, saying that the downside is that it is fuelling illegal immigration. People are pouring out because our economy is so good...Everyone wants a piece of it, he said, adding that the increase in border crossing is the combination of having a great economy and having the weakest immigration laws anywhere in the world by far. The Washington Post Muslim women have been banned from wearing face veils under an emergency law passed by Sri Lanka's president, days after more than 250 people were killed in series of bombings in the country's capital Colombo. Maithripala Sirisena's office said any garment or item which obstructs the identification of a persons face would be barred. The move follows recent cabinet discussions on face coverings. The government had said it would delay a decision until talks with Islamic clerics could be held, on the advice of prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. A week after the attack on Easter Sunday, the country's Catholic churches remained closed because of security fears. However, Mr Sirisena and Mr Wickremesinghe attended a televised Mass at the residence of Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the archbishop of Colombo. Which countries have banned the burqa? Show all 9 1 /9 Which countries have banned the burqa? Which countries have banned the burqa? France Full-face veils have been banned in public in France since 2011. Punishable by a fine AFP/Getty Which countries have banned the burqa? France There was a further ban in 2016 on burkinis, a full-body swimsuit Reuters Which countries have banned the burqa? Morocco The sale, production and import of the burqa is illegal in Morocco. AFP/Getty Which countries have banned the burqa? Belgium Full-face veils have been banned in public in Belgium since 2011. Punishable by a fine Getty Which countries have banned the burqa? Bulgaria Full-face veils are banned in Bulgaria. Punishable by a fine and benefit sanctions Getty Which countries have banned the burqa? Denmark Full-face veils have been banned in Denmark since 2018. Punishable by a fine AFP/Getty Which countries have banned the burqa? Austria Full-face veils have been banned in Austria's courts and schools since 2017. Punishable by a fine AFP/Getty Which countries have banned the burqa? The Netherlands Full-face veils have been banned in public buildings and on on public transport in the Netherlands since 2016. Punishable by a fine AFP/Getty Which countries have banned the burqa? Sri Lanka Full-face veils have been in banned in Sri Lanka since 2019 AFP/Getty This is a time our hearts are tested by the great destruction that took place last Sunday, Mr Ranjith told those watching across the nation. This is a time questions such as, does God truly love us, does he have compassion towards us, can arise in human hearts. Police said they had arrested 48 suspects over the last 24 hours as checkpoints were mounted by all of Sri Lankas security forces across the country. Among those detained were two men whom authorities recently appealed to the public to locate. Tensions have been running high on the island over the past week, with fears of further attacks as well as dread over possible retaliation against Sri Lankas Muslims. Police entered the main mosque of National Towheed Jamaat (NTJ) in Kattankudy on Sunday afternoon, just a day after authorities declared that it was a terror group. Man prays in the street near St Anthony's Shrine on Sunday, one week on from the attacks (Getty Images) Authorities have banned NTJ over its ties to Mohammed Zahran, the alleged mastermind of the attacks which also left hundreds wounded. Zahran and others wearing masks, had pledged their loyalty to Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi before carrying out the attacks. Later, an officer dispersed journalists waiting outside, saying authorities were conducting a cordon and search operation. Police then left, locking up the mosque just before afternoon prayers were to start. Sri Lankan police raid 'bomb factory' Earlier this week a Sri Lankan parliamentarian proposed a ban on women wearing the burqa. Ashu Marasinghe submitted a motion to parliament stating that the garment, which covers the whole body and the face, was not a traditional Muslim attire and should be outlawed on security grounds. On Friday night, a confrontation with police sparked a firefight with militants in Kalmunai. Sri Lankas military said the gunfire and later suicide blasts killed 15 people, including six children. Isis clater laimed three of the militants who blew themselves up there, identifying the bombers by their noms du guerre as Abu Hammad, Abu Sufyan and Abu al-Qaqa. Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara confirmed a woman and a four-year-old child found wounded after the gunbattle have been identified as Zahrans wife and daughter. The Isis-aligned militants had created a bomb-making factory at the home. Bags of fertiliser, gunpowder and small ball bearings filled boxes. Police found fuels used to make the fire of the blast more lethal. Additional reporting by AP The father and two brothers of the suspected mastermind of the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka have been killed in a gun battle after security forces stormed a house on the countrys east coast. Zahran Hashim, who blew himself up at a hotel in Colombo during the bombings, is believed to have organised the attacks in which at least 250 people were killed. He was also the founder of Islamist group the National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ), which has now been banned. His father and brothers were among 15 people killed on Friday. Zainee Hashim, Rilwan Hashim and their father Mohamed Hashim had appeared in a video circulating on social media calling for all-out war against non-believers. They were shot as troops moved in on their house after a tip-off from locals. As gunmen opened fire at the approaching security forces, three other men in the building detonated bombs, killing themselves along with six children and three women. Three more people died in the shooting. Two people who were inside the house, a woman and a seven-year-old girl believed to be relatives of the men, survived, Reuters reports. Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Show all 38 1 /38 Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Sri Lankan Special Task Force officers raid a house following an explosion in capital Colombo AFP/Getty Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath A blood-spattered statue of Jesus Christ while crime scene officials inspect the site of a bomb blast, as the sun shines through the blown-out roof, inside St Sebastian's Church in Negombo Reuters Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath A police officer inspects the damage after a bombing at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sri Lankan capital Colombo AP Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Sri Lankan soldiers look on inside the St Sebastian's Church at Katuwapitiya in Negombo following a bomb blast during the Easter service AFP/Getty Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath A woman cries next to a coffin of a bomb blast victim. A series of eight devastating bomb blasts ripped through high-end hotels and churches holding Easter services in Sri Lanka on April 21, killing more than 300 people AFP/Getty Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath People who live near the church that was attacked the day before, leave their houses as the military try to defuse a suspected van before it exploded in Colombo Reuters Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Shoes and belongings of victims are collected as evidence at St Sebastian's Church AFP/Getty Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Sri Lankan police were forded to clear an area while Special Task Force Bomb Squad officers inspected the site of an exploded van near a church the day after it was attacked Reuters Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath The Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka following a bombing AFP/Getty Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Queues at the National Blood Bank in Colombo, Sri Lanka after a request for blood to aid in recovery efforts Mr Lavasquabble/Twitter Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Medical response team work to remove dead bodies from the scene of bombings in Sri Lankan capital Colombo AFP/Getty Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Sri Lankan security personnel inspect the debris of a car after it exploded when police tried to defuse a bomb AFP/Getty Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Security personnel work at the scene of a bombing at a church in Batticaloa in Sri Lanka AFP/Getty Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath A woman is helped near St Anthony's Shrine after a blast in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Sunday 21 April 2019. At least 130 people were killed and more than 500 hospitalised after near-simultaneous explosions hit three hotels and three churches on Easter Sunday. AP Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Sri Lankan police officers clear the road as an ambulance drives through carrying injured of church blasts in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Sunday 21 April 2019 AP Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath A Sri Lankan soldier stands guard near a car explosion AFP/Getty Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath A woman prays at St. Sebastian's Church in Negombo AFP/Getty Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Priests stand inside St Anthony's Shrine, Kochchikade church on the outskirts of Colombo after a bombing Reuters Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath A Sri Lankan woman living near St. Anthony's shrine runs for safety with her infant after police found explosive devices in a parked vehicle in Colombo AP Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath People react during a mass for victims, two days after a string of suicide bomb attacks on churches and luxury hotels Reuters Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Security personal react as a device was detonated in a controled explosion in a van near the St Anthony's Church EPA Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Security forces inspect the scene of a bombing at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sri Lankan capital Colombo Getty Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath The Kingsbury hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka after a bombing attack Getty Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath The damaged interior of a church in Negombo, Sri Lanka following a bombing attack Reuters Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Police and security personnel stand guard outside the Shangri-La Hotel in Sri Lankan capital Colombo following a bombing attack EPA Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Debris is seen at St Anthony's Church in this still image from video footage after explosions hit churches and hotels in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 21 April 2019 Derana TV/via Reuters Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Damage inside a church following a bombing attack AP Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath A Sri Lankan Special Task Force officer scales a house during a raid following an explosion in capital Colombo AFP/Getty Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath A general interior view showing damage after an explosion hit St Anthony's Church in Kochchikade, Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Sunday 21 April 2019 EPA Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Priests walk into St Anthony's Shrine Kochchikade church after an explosion in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 21 April 2019 Reuters Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath A Sri Lankan police officer stands outside St Anthony's Shrine in Colombo, Sri Lanka, after a blast on Sunday 21 April 2019 AP Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath A shoe of a victim is seen in front of the St Anthony's Shrine, Kochchikade Church Reuters Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Local and security officials gather at the scene at St Anthony's Church in Kochchikade, Colombo, Sri Lanka EPA Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath An ambulance is seen outside the church premises with gathered security personnel following a blast at St Anthony's Shrine in Kochchikade, Colombo, on Sunday 21 April 2019 AFP/Getty Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Armed policemen patrol the area after an explosion hit at St Anthony's Church in Kochchikade in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 21 April 2019 EPA Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Sri Lankan Army soldiers secure the area around St. Anthony's Shrine after a blast in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday 21 April 2019 AP Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Sri Lankan security personnel keep watch outside the church premises following a blast at the St Anthony's Shrine in Kochchikade, Colombo, on Sunday 21 April 2019 AFP/Getty Sri Lanka: Scene of the bomb attacks and aftermath Police officers inspect the scene after an explosion hit at St Anthony's Church in Kochchikade in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 21 April 2019 EPA According to locals, two men had moved into the three-room rented house in the Sainthamaruthu area of Kalmunai, days before the Easter Sunday attacks. When more people arrived, neighbours grew suspicious, Mohammed Majid, secretary of the Grand Masjid Sainthamaruthu mosque, told Reuters. After evening prayers on Friday, a group of men from the local Hijra mosque came to the house to question the occupants. When one man brandished an assault rifle, the men fled, alerting police, who arrived shortly afterwards. One man was killed after running into the street with a gun to confront police, before a series of explosions came from the house, witnesses said. A police officer inspects the site of a gun battle between troops and suspected Islamist militants (Reuters) A police officer inspects the site of a gun battle between troops and suspected Islamist militants (Reuters) As the investigation into the Easter Sunday attacks continues, Sri Lankan authorities believe more suicide bombers could be planning attacks. So far the focus has been on two domestic groups believed to have been behind the bombings the NTJ and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim. After Fridays violence, police also seized an Isis flag from another property nearby, where locals said they feared further attacks. The country has been on high alert since the Easter Sunday bombings, with nearly 10,000 soldiers deployed across the island to carry out searches and hunt down members of two local Islamist groups believed to have carried out the attack. Authorities have detained more than 100 people, including foreigners from Syria and Egypt, since the 21 April bombings. On Sunday police in the eastern town of Kattankudy raided a mosque founded by Zahran, which doubled up as the headquarters of the Islamist NTJ group. Additional reporting by Reuters The paddle out is surfings most hallowed ritual, a floating memorial ceremony in which mourners join hands and reminisce at sea. On Sunday, surfers paddled out from Australias most famous beach, but this time it was not to remember one of their own. Instead, they were calling attention to a stretch of rich, pristine ocean that they say faces a mortal threat from a plan to open it to natural gas and oil drilling. The gathering, on Bondi Beach in Sydney, was part of a series of protests that have gathered force in recent weeks across Australia in an effort to protect the Great Australian Bight, a haven for some of the worlds most unusual marine life. The proposal by the Norwegian company Equinor to drill in the waters off Australias southern coast has galvanized surfers, including generations of the sports most famous professionals here. Where to go surfing Show all 6 1 /6 Where to go surfing Where to go surfing Close to home Pembrokeshire: East Trewent Farm at Freshwater East is an ideal base Where to go surfing Surf in the city San Sebastian, in northern Spain Where to go surfing Watch and learn The best professional surfers on the planet battle it out on the beaches of southwest France Where to go surfing Get your first break Lamiroy Surf Academy Where to go surfing Surf adventure The cliff-top Soul n Surf in Kerala overlooks the Arabian Sea Where to go surfing Full board Parts of Sumatra in Indonesia retain the original spirit that drew surf pilgrims to Bali in the first place Surfing holds great economic, social and cultural significance in Australia, which has some of the worlds most beautiful, unspoiled coastlines. Today is the day we draw a line in the sand, said Damien Cole, a surfer who led the paddle out from Bondis shore. Were in the midst of a climate emergency, and heres a company working with our federal government to go into one of the most remote and pristine ecosystems, risking everything. As federal elections approach on 18 May, the Equinor proposal is becoming a test of whether Australia is more committed to extraction of natural resources or protection of unspoiled ecosystems, with beaches as a political forum. Recommended The government must listen to the public on climate change Many Australians are already frustrated with the governments failure to curb carbon emissions. Other environmental issues have also roiled the nations politics, including a mining giants recent announcement that it will push ahead with a huge coal project and a political scandal, known as watergate, relating to costly water licenses. The first such event to raise alarms about the Great Australian Bight was held this month at Bells Beach, a renowned surfing spot southwest of Melbourne, and it drew thousands of people. Events on the Gold Coast and in Tasmania have attracted thousands more. I havent seen anything like this before, said Layne Beachley, a former world champion Australian surfer, referring to the scale of the paddle-out protests. To see so many surfers standing up and using their voice and position to let the people in power know were vehemently against this proposal is really powerful, Beachley said. The Bight has been called Australias answer to the Galapagos: a stretch of ocean facing the Antarctic that is home to calving whales and teeming fisheries. The Bights marine environment is starting to be recognised by scientists as part of a Great Southern Reef that rivals the Great Barrier Reef for ecological value. But experts say the Bight also holds one of the worlds great remaining natural gas reserves, and Equinor, a company controlled by the Norwegian government that was once known as Statoil, plans to begin drilling by the end of this year. Equinor changed its name to move away from the word oil as it stresses investments in renewable energy. The plan to extract natural gas still requires approval by Australias offshore oil and gas drilling regulator, and Equinor insists that exploration will be safe. In Australia, the fossil fuel industry has a long history of political connections. And candidates who support the proposal argue that opening the Bight to drilling would create jobs and wealth for decades to come in the struggling post-industrial area of South Australia. But many people fear that the Bight, much of which extends along the state of South Australia, could face catastrophic damage in the event of an oil spill. Last month, Equinor made public its environmental plan, which experts said showed that a major oil spill in the Bight could cause environmental damage along several thousand miles of the southern Australia coast. This escalated local concerns, particularly because the Bights waters which are deep, rough and remote pose an even greater challenge to drilling than those of the Gulf of Mexico, where the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, considered the industrys worst, occurred in 2010. Adding to the worries was a report this month by an international petroleum law expert, Tina Soliman Hunter, which concluded that Equinors proposal was too risky given the remote location, harsh environment and lack of surrounding support infrastructure to deal with an accident. It also faulted Australian regulations for preventing and responding to an oil spill, saying they are less stringent and such drilling would not be permitted under Norwegian law. Equinor is proposing a lesser standard for the Bight than they would propose in the Norwegian Sea, said Ms Soliman Hunter, of the Aberdeen University Centre for Energy Law. In Norway, by contrast, the opposition Labour Party withdrew support this month for oil drilling in the countrys Lofoten Islands, considered an Arctic wonder, creating a significant barrier to exploiting the area. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Those waters are believed to hold significant oil reserves, and the decision represented a drastic shift in policy on fossil fuels, an industry that has made Norway one of the worlds most affluent countries. Surfers who oppose drilling in the Bight plan to take their message to Norway next month by paddling out and protesting in front of the Oslo Opera House. In the meantime, they are calling for the Bight to be listed as a World Heritage site. And surfings biggest names like Mick Fanning, a three-time world champion, and Steph Gilmore, a seven-time world champion have pleaded in an open letter for the Bight to be kept free of drilling. An oil spill in the Bight would be catastrophic, they wrote in the letter last month, adding: The Bight is wild and pristine and should remain that way. The New York TImes A left-wing Catalan party that holds the balance of power after the Spanish elections could insist on an independence referendum and an end to the prosecution of separatist politicians as the price of its support. Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchezs centre-left Socialist Workerss Party (PSOE) topped Sundays contest but needs the support of smaller parties to govern because it did not win an absolute majority. But Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC), which topped the vote in its region to win 15 seats, said that while it was willing to cooperate it would not write a blank cheque for Mr Sanchez. The question is not what ERC will do with the PSOE, but what the PSOE will do with Catalonia, Gabriel Rufian, the ERCs deputy leader in the congress told Catalunya Radio. We will ask for a negotiation that brings together all the forces, that discusses a referendum and laws in order to lift the case against the separatist comrades. The Spanish government has been refusing to hold an official independence referendum for Catalonia, despite a popular separatist movement winning control of the regions local government. After the Catalan administration held a referendum of its own and unilaterally declared independence in 2017, Spains Supreme Court ruled that the move was illegal, and issued orders for the arrest of many pro-independence politicians. One such politician imprisoned for his role in the declaration of independence is Oriol Junqueras the president of the ERC party the socialists must now try and do a deal with. Mr Sanchez is likely to seek the support of Spanish leftist group Podemos but would need the support of at least one smaller regional party to get near an actual majority. PSOE, Podemos and ERC together would give any government a narrow majority to pass budgets. Demonstrators hold banners reading Democracy during a pro-independence rally at Barcelona University Square (EPA) Alternatively the socialists could try to rule as a minority, looking for support in votes on an ad hoc basis. While it is relatively easy for minority governments to gain power under Spains constitution, Mr Sanchez was already forced to call the snap election after regionalist parties refused to back him and his old government in a key vote. Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Show all 9 1 /9 Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures A supporter of Spanish far-right Vox party chants "long live Spain" in a closing event for the election campaign on April 26 AP Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Vox leader Santiago Abascal reacts as the election results are announced AFP/Getty Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Vox leader Santiago Abascal speaks at a rally on election night AFP/Getty Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Supporters of Vox wait for the announcement of the election results in Madrid Reuters Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Supporters of Vox wave flags as leader Santiago Abascal delivers a speech on election night AFP/Getty Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Supporters of Vox celebrate following the election results in Madrid AFP/Getty Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Supporters of Vox wait for the announcement of the election results in Madrid Reuters Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Supporters of Vox wait for the announcement of the election results in Madrid Reuters Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Vox leader Santiago Abascal reacts as the election results are announced Reuters Carmen Calvo, Spains deputy prime minister, said on Monday morning that the PSOE will try a government alone suggesting the socialists would not formally bring other parties into their administration but instead work out and arrangement for confidence votes. Coalitions with other groups, such as the esoteric liberal nationalist Citizens Party, appear to be off the table. That partys leader, Albert Rivera, said during the campaign he would not do a deal with the socialists and has already declared himself leader of the opposition. A grand coalition with the conservative Partido Popular is mathematically possible but politically extremely unlikely, while the right-wing parties Citizens, PP and the far-right Vox do not have enough seats between them as a bloc to form a government. The election of a far-right party to the Spanish parliament on Sunday means that 23 out of 28 EU member states now have right-wing populist, hard Eurosceptic, or far-right parties in their national parliaments. Vox won 10.3 per cent of the vote in the Spanish general election and 24 seats in the Spanish national congress in elections on Sunday, falling short of the larger gains they had hoped for. Ireland, Malta, Portugal, Romania and Croatia are the only countries without such parties defined as being associated with the ENF, EFDD or ECR political groups. Some countries also had unaffiliated parties associated with no particular group at an EU level, but which political scientists judge to be far-right: such as Hungarys Jobbik, or Greeces Golden Dawn. Vox is the first far-right group to gain representation in Spain since the fall of the Franco regime though observers say such politics has long been masked inside the right wing of its large conservative party, the Partido Popular. Recommended Eurosceptic parties would be biggest single group in EU parliament Vox appears to have taken votes off the Partido Popular, which sunk to a historic low result. Although it rejects the far-right label, it has similarities with other such parties, including an anti-immigration focus. The radical right is expected to do well at European parliament elections next month and make significant gains, with the latest official projection showing that they would be the largest political group if they united in a single alliance. Splits and rivalries between the various parties, however, make such an eventuality unlikely, despite efforts by figures such as Italys Matteo Salvini and US campaigner Steve Bannon to bring them together. Despite the likely gains for the far right, continent-wide it has little momentum. Vox scored a lower result than it did in the Andalusian regional elections last year, and most gains for the far-right parties appear to be simply catching up with changes in national parliaments that have emerged since the last EU elections in 2014. Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Show all 9 1 /9 Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures A supporter of Spanish far-right Vox party chants "long live Spain" in a closing event for the election campaign on April 26 AP Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Vox leader Santiago Abascal reacts as the election results are announced AFP/Getty Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Vox leader Santiago Abascal speaks at a rally on election night AFP/Getty Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Supporters of Vox wait for the announcement of the election results in Madrid Reuters Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Supporters of Vox wave flags as leader Santiago Abascal delivers a speech on election night AFP/Getty Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Supporters of Vox celebrate following the election results in Madrid AFP/Getty Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Supporters of Vox wait for the announcement of the election results in Madrid Reuters Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Supporters of Vox wait for the announcement of the election results in Madrid Reuters Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Vox leader Santiago Abascal reacts as the election results are announced Reuters In Germany, for instance, the far-right AfD is polling an average of around 12 per cent slightly less than it won in national elections in 2017, where it made a breakthrough. Other far-right parties have suffered bigger falls. The Danish Peoples Party has been on a downward trend since winning 21 per cent of the vote in 2015 it is now polling around 14 per cent, and has been overtaken in second place by the countrys centre-right liberals. Despite the stagnation and in some cases falling away of such right-wing parties, the fact they can now be found in most parliaments across the EU suggests they may be here to stay even if only in the margins. A harness recovered from an unusually friendly white whale in north Norway may indicate the animal had been trained by the Russian navy as part of a marine mammal special force, experts have said. The beluga whale was first sighted last week in waters off Finnmark Norways most northerly county which borders Russia. We were going to put out our nets when we saw a whale swimming between the boats, 26-year-old fisherman Joar Hesten told Norwegian public broadcaster NRK. Fishers said the whale had repeatedly sought them out, and they spotted it had a harness on which it was apparently trying to rub off against the hulls of their boats. After several failed attempts by the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, Mr Hesten was able to remove the two straps attached to the animal late on Friday. Tragic photos show beached whales Show all 15 1 /15 Tragic photos show beached whales Tragic photos show beached whales A dead sperm whale lies on Hunstanton beach in Norfolk on 5 February 2016 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales Volunteers pour buckets of water over the 80 remaining live pilot whales found stranded on remote Ocean Beach on New Zealand's southern-most Stewart island, 8 January 2003 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales Contractors clear away the body of one of the dead 48ft sperm whales that were washed-up on a beach near Gibraltar Point in Skegness, Lincolnshire in 2016 PA Tragic photos show beached whales People pass by a beached whale at the Pointe de la Torche, near Brest in France on 29 November 2011 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales A woman touches the tail of a large whale carcass on Wattamola Beach at the Royal National Park in Sydney on 25 September 2018 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales Beached humpback whale in California, 2015 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales Dead long fin pilot whales at Hamelin Bay on Australia's west coast on 23 March 2009 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales A 36ft sperm whale lies dead on the beach at Sutton Bridge, in The Wash, off the Lincolnshire coast, where it became stranded in 2004 PA Tragic photos show beached whales A female fin whale opens its mouth as it lies stranded and alive on the beach at Carlyon Bay, Cornwall on 13 August 2012 Getty Tragic photos show beached whales The lower jaw of a dead sperm whale that stranded itself on a beach in Hunstanton, Norfolk on 5 February 2016 Getty Tragic photos show beached whales One of the five sperm whales that were found washed ashore on beaches near Skegness, Lincolnshire over the weekend on 25 January 2016 Getty Tragic photos show beached whales Employees at work to skin the remains of a beached 60ft whale on 25 January 2013 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales Two long-finned pilot whales are stranded on a beach in the northern French city of Calais on 2 November 2015 AFP/Getty Tragic photos show beached whales A sperm whale lies dead after becoming stranded on a beach in Hunstanton, Norfolk on 5 February 2016 Getty Tragic photos show beached whales Crowds gather as a sperm whale lies dead after becoming stranded on a beach in Hunstanton, Norfolk on 5 February 2016 Getty Mr Hesten was accompanied by staff from the directorate and wore a survival suit before leaping into the icy waters near the island of Rolfsoya to try and undo the harness. When I was in the water, it came really close ... and I managed to reach and unfasten the front buckle, he told NRK. The second strap was harder to remove, but Mr Hesten eventually managed to attach a hook to it, and as the whale swam off the harness was pulled free. The fishers recovered the harness, which had the words Equipment of St Petersburg labelled on it. This is not something any Norwegian scientist has been doing. What we think is that this may come from Russia, said Audun Rikardsen, professor at the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology at the University of Tromso. If this whale has this on for a long time, then it is not good for it, he said. We know that in Russia they have had domestic whales in captivity and also that some of these have apparently been released. Then they often seek out boats. Mr Rikardsen contacted Russian researchers who told him the beluga had nothing to do with them. They tell me that most likely is the Russian navy in Murmansk, he said. One of his colleagues in the same field agreed. If this comes from Russia, and there is great reason to believe it, then it is not Russian scientists, but rather the navy that has done this, said Martin Biuw of the Institute of Marine Research. They believe the harness could be used to attach cameras or other instruments. Both the US and Russia trained marine mammals including whales, dolphins, sea lions and seals during the Cold War, Vietnam War and the Iraq War. In the US the Navy Marine Mammal Programme is ongoing and is based in San Diego, California. Animals are trained to detect enemy sea mines, to protect ports and to recover objects from the sea bed. Russia has also been known to have trained underwater mammals for military purposes. Israel has freed two prisoners and sent them back to Syria in what is being described as a goodwill gesture. The move comes after Damascus returned the body of an Israeli soldier killed during a 1982 battle with Syrian forces in Lebanon. The Israeli military said that the two prisoners were transferred to the International Committee of the Red Cross at the crossing in Quneitra the main access point to the Golan Heights. Local Israeli media meanwhile reported that both prisoners had previously requested not be returned to Syria, for fear of persecution. Israel identified the pair as Ahmed Khamis, from Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp south of Damascus, and Zidan Tawil, from the Syrian Druze village of Hader. The names were later confirmed by Syrias official news agency Sana, which said they arrived in Syria on Sunday. Khamis, a member of Palestinian political group Fatah, was jailed in 2005 after crossing over from Syria and trying to attack an Israeli army base. Trump backs Israels annexation of Golan Heights Show all 7 1 /7 Trump backs Israels annexation of Golan Heights Trump backs Israels annexation of Golan Heights An Israeli soldier stands next to signs pointing out distances to different cities on Mount Bental, an observation post in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights Reuters Trump backs Israels annexation of Golan Heights Druze people take part in a rally in Majdal Shams near the ceasefire line between Israel and Syria Reuters Trump backs Israels annexation of Golan Heights Israeli Druzes sit together watching the Syrian side of the Israel-Syria border on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights Reuters Trump backs Israels annexation of Golan Heights A European member of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) using binoculars to look towards the Syrian side of the Golan Heights AFP/Getty Trump backs Israels annexation of Golan Heights A file photo taken on October 19, 1973 shows Israeli Defence Minister General Moshe Dayan (R) looking towards the Syrian side of the Golan Heights, four days after the beginning of the Yom Kippur War AFP/Getty Trump backs Israels annexation of Golan Heights A file photo taken on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on September 5, 2014 shows members of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force Zone (UNDOF) using binoculars to look towards the Syrian side of the Golan Heights AFP/Getty Trump backs Israels annexation of Golan Heights Members of the United Nations peacekeepers standing on a watch tower during a visit by the Israeli Defence Minister in 2018 AFP/Getty Tawil, meanwhile, was jailed in 2008 for drug smuggling. Israel officially denied claims that the release was part of a prisoner swap with Syria, its bitter enemy. Russias Syria envoy, however, said on Friday that Israel agreed to release the Syrians in return for Israeli soldier Zachary Baumels body. Baumel was declared missing in action along with two other Israeli soldiers during a tank battle with Syrian forces in 1982. A Syrian government source told Reuters Damascus had pressured Moscow to secure a prisoner release from Israel after the remains were returned. Sana news agency shared photos of the two men smiling as they arrived into Syria and claimed they had expressed joy at having been freed. However, Israeli media reported that during the course of their trial both men expressed concern about returning to the country, which has been in the grips of a devastating eight-year civil war. Sources told Haaretz newspaper that Khamis instead requested to be sent to the Palestinian city of Hebron where his wife lives. Recommended Netanyahu says Israel will name Golan Heights community after Trump The left-leaning daily also reported that Tawil had claimed he had previously cooperated with Israeli security forces and would therefore be persecuted by Syrian authorities. During the course of his trial, Tawil also apparently claimed the regime had killed his brother, sister-in-law and nephew. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli authorities about these claims. Tzachi Hanegbi, Israels minister of regional cooperation denied claims the two were returned as part of a prisoner swap, but voiced hope that the move may smooth the path for future attempts to recover Israelis lost to the Syrians. If with a gesture like this we leave the Syrians with less of a sour taste, then that is a positive thing, he told Israels Army Radio. Additional reporting by agencies At a time when awareness of the impact of aviation on the environment is rising, British holidaymakers are flying further and often for shorter spells. The Thomas Cook Holiday Report 2019 reveals a surge in bookings for Turkey, which is further from the UK than destinations such as Spain, Portugal and Croatia. Turkey has overtaken Greece to take second place (behind Spain) in the tour operators sales up to the end of February. From Manchester airport, the distance to Antalya in Turkey is 900 miles further than to Alicante in Spain, representing almost two hours additional flying in each direction. Thomas Cook Airlines flight-only bookings to Turkey have shot up 27 per cent compared to last summer, the tour operator says. The switch to Turkey is part of a wider trend away from countries where the currency is the euro. The proportion of holidays sold by Thomas Cook to non-euro destinations, including Turkey, Tunisia and Egypt, has increased by 24 per cent compared with a year ago. Almost half of the firms bookings are now for destinations outside the eurozone. Top 10 world travel destinations Show all 10 1 /10 Top 10 world travel destinations Top 10 world travel destinations 10. Dubai, UAE Results from the TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice awards 2019 Getty Top 10 world travel destinations 9. Marrakech, Morocco Getty Top 10 world travel destinations 8. Istanbul, Turkey Getty Top 10 world travel destinations 7. Barcelona, Spain Getty Top 10 world travel destinations 6. Phuket, Thailand Getty Top 10 world travel destinations 5. Bali, Indonesia Getty Top 10 world travel destinations 4. Crete, Greece Getty Top 10 world travel destinations 3. Rome, Italy Getty Top 10 world travel destinations 2. Paris, France Getty Top 10 world travel destinations 1. London, England Getty Thomas Cook says that trips to Mexico, San Francisco and Las Vegas for less than a week are reaching new heights in popularity. The number of five-night breaks booked in Mexico has risen by 171 per cent, while three-night trips to Las Vegas are up by one-third. Justin Francis, chief executive of Responsible Travel, said: Its disturbing that Thomas Cook customers are flying further and for shorter spells. This is the opposite of what we need to reduce carbon emissions. We need to reduce how much we fly, and taking fewer but longer-duration holidays is one way to do this. Another is swapping a holiday with a flight for one closer to home or by train. (Thomas Cook (Thomas Cook) Thomas Cook Airlines is committed to seeking a 12 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency by 2020. It has removed all plastic stirrers from its planes, and made inflight duty-free bags biodegradable. The holiday report says: Half of Brits are more likely to take a trip to a market to mingle with the locals and support independent businesses than they were a decade ago. Yet the evidence suggests British travellers are increasingly forsaking the opportunity to explore local cafes, bars and restaurants by choosing all-inclusive resorts. The proportion of customers who are paying upfront for all their meals and drinks has risen by three per cent to 66 per cent. All-inclusive deals, which give more security and peace of mind, are also going strong in this unpredictable year, says Thomas Cook. The firm is launching a range of Love Local experiences this summer, such as visiting a banana plantation on the Spanish island of La Palma or exploring a Mayan village in Mexicos Yucatan peninsula. Thomas Cooks chief executive, Peter Fankhauser, said: We know that more and more holidaymakers want to make a positive difference to the destinations they are holidaying in and the people who live there but as an industry, we still have a big job to do to help them achieve this. Thomas Cook ended its Club 18-30 programme last October. It says: The recently-launched range of Cooks Club hotels cater for a healthier, calmer and more sophisticated audience, all at an affordable price. There are options for poolside yoga, nutritious dishes and contemporary cocktails designed by in-house mixologists. One in four package holidays is now bought by travellers in the 18-35 age range, which Thomas Cook says is a near-50 per cent increase in the past five years. Spains third general election in less than four years delivered some big surprises if not exactly shocks, as the centre-left Socialist Party (PSOE) which saw its vote share almost halved in 2015 stormed to victory in yesterdays national contest. A shrewdly-timed snap election campaign, framed largely around the fear of a radicalised right, paid dividends for Pedro Sanchezs formation, returning a 12-point margin aided by high voter participation. The fragmentation of the Spanish right, on the other hand, has led to the collapse of the fortress it created after the countrys transition to democracy, the demise of the Popular Party (PP), and a significant breakthrough for the far-right Vox on the national scene. Although Vox had been expected to make greater gains finally bringing Spain in line with Europes wider lurch to the populist right Sanchezs broad progressive bloc decisively won out. For a country still coming to terms with Francos legacy, and in a contest that saw opponents frame one another as existential threats to the post-Transition settlement, a choice between moderate progressive reform (although posing challenges to Spains territorial unity) and potential regression to the darkest chapter of its recent history was in the end clear. The open-ended nature of this election with surveys indicating record levels of voters undecided before yesterdays ballot reflects in some ways the wild swings in the countrys national polls over the course of the past 5 years. At various points, each of the four biggest parties have surged into the lead ever since the then-insurgent left-wing group Podemos smashed open a two-party system that had largely defined Spains post-Transition regime. The rights result put paid to any notion of a potential comeback opportunity for Spanish bipartisanship last night. Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Show all 9 1 /9 Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures A supporter of Spanish far-right Vox party chants "long live Spain" in a closing event for the election campaign on April 26 AP Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Vox leader Santiago Abascal reacts as the election results are announced AFP/Getty Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Vox leader Santiago Abascal speaks at a rally on election night AFP/Getty Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Supporters of Vox wait for the announcement of the election results in Madrid Reuters Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Supporters of Vox wave flags as leader Santiago Abascal delivers a speech on election night AFP/Getty Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Supporters of Vox celebrate following the election results in Madrid AFP/Getty Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Supporters of Vox wait for the announcement of the election results in Madrid Reuters Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Supporters of Vox wait for the announcement of the election results in Madrid Reuters Far-right Vox party celebrate gains in Spain election: in pictures Vox leader Santiago Abascal reacts as the election results are announced Reuters Hoping to replicate the gains made in Decembers Andalusian regional election, a tripartite right-wing bloc promised to re-apply direct rule in Catalonia and to roll back freedoms in a neoconservative turn on hard-won rights like abortion. Vox itself went further, suggesting it might outlaw left-wing and independence parties, as well as shut down liberal media outlets. In particular, the rights promise of renewed confrontation around the question of Catalan independence ultimately failed to chime with an electorate exhausted by years of protracted conflict and upheaval. The PP, not unlike the PSOE a few years ago, now faces a profound identity crisis as leader of centre-right Ciudadanos (Citizens), Albert Rivera, appeared last night to reject the notion of a centrist coalition with Sanchez. Sensing further collapse of his conservative rivals, Riveras bid to be the hegemon of the right bloc will not have ended there. An important discursive shift has taken place between the post-ideological language of above vs below and neither red nor blue that marked the historic national elections of 2015 and 2016, compared to the renewed confrontation between left and right identity shaping this one. Beyond the heightening of such symbolic conflicts, a seemingly decisive battle took place between the far right and Spains ascendant feminist movement. Podemos MP Pablo Echenique argued before the elections that the female vote was one of the few things that can save this country from a radical right government. The political comeback of Pedro Sanchez may well be studied for years to come. Expelled from his party in a 2016 internal coup, he regained the leadership in dramatic fashion a year later at the end of a primaries campaign that saw him reposition himself leftwards. Last summer, he ousted Mariano Rajoys PP government in a motion of censure and has now pulled off an emphatic win that will consolidate his position both within and outside of his party. Sanchezs PSOE, after barely 9 months of a difficult interim term, now stands among Portugals Socialist Party and Britains Labour Party as anomalies to the trend of post-2008 decline devouring social-democratic formations across the continent. His tactical decision to place Vox at the centre of a campaign which brought it mainstream was viewed as both risky and irresponsible by some critics. His bet has, however, paid off and Spains electoral map now increasingly resembles that of its Iberian neighbour. Doubts remain over a Portuguese-style coalition, though. Amid a broad sense of relief, it is important to note the ambiguities and fundamental negativity of Sanchezs campaign defined more by what he is not than what he is. Abandoning the fight for the progressive 2019 budget which promised a restoration of slashed pensions, rent controls and tax increases on multinationals, among other measures meant he went into this election without a clear programme. Although he has read the priorities of the Spanish electorate astutely, a volatile political climate and the outcome of the Catalan trial signal slippery ground ahead. His base made clear its opposition to a centrist pact last night. In typical style, however, Sanchez kept his cards close to his chest, noting Riveras statement and declaring we do not lay down cordons sanitaires, as they do. In America, both Democrats and Republicans can agree on one thing about our healthcare system: it isnt working. Out of all developed countries, the United States spends the most on healthcare per capita even countries like the UK which have a free national healthcare system. Yet there are still 28.5 million people that are uninsured and unable to get basic treatment. The lack of a cohesive health strategy may well have cost Republicans the House in the 2018 midterm elections, and there can be little doubt that healthcare reform for all Americans will be a primary focus of the 2020 presidential election. Democratic candidate Senator Bernie Sanders has proposed a solution to our out-dated, dysfunctional healthcare reality Medicare-for-all. This single-payer proposition is a dream to a generation of Democrats who believe that healthcare should be approached as a fundamental human right. Many Democratic voters and the vast majority of people in the healthcare sector would agree that theyd like to make universal health coverage happen. But its important to understand the difference between universal healthcare as a concept, and universal healthcare as it could be provided by Medicare-for-all. Universal healthcare coverage would provide all Americans with some form of basic health insurance. It would require everyone to have a healthcare policy, but the government can decide if it wants to pay for that care entirely or pay for part of it and let others, such as commercial insurers, provide the rest. Whether ones insurance is entirely through a government-run program or partially through private insurance company, it doesnt matter. Additionally, people would still pay taxes to the government to help fund Medicare, Medicaid, and the Veterans Administration. Medicare-for-all would also require all Americans to get health insurance, but enrol only through the government, which is a single-payer system. Essentially, people would pay a varied premium to the government for their healthcare, rather than going through a third party such as a private insurance company. On paper, Medicare-for-all might seem like the most effective way to go about solving our healthcare woes. In reality, there are many more complexities that prevent this from being the go-to solution. A study has even shown that once the possible implications of Medicare-for-all are explained, such as delayed medical treatments, increased taxes and changes to the current Medicare program, the majority of people oppose Medicare-for-all. Fox News audience support Sanders Medicare for All proposal The truth is, if we were to elect Bernie Sanders, implement Medicare-for-all and abolish the private healthcare insurance industry, the United States would still pay too much for healthcare. Some projections predict that Medicare-for-all would cost the US over $30 trillion to implement. The only way to make sure every person in the US has healthcare insurance is to change how healthcare is paid for, not who pays for it. Currently, in the United States, the primary payment mechanism for healthcare providers is called fee-for-service. Put simply, for each service a hospital or clinic provides, they are paid a fee for that particular service, hence the name. In this system, the more patients a clinic or doctor provides services to, the more they earn. Currently in the US, providers are paid this fee-for-service by the federal government, commercial insurers and private, not-for-profit health plans. Under today's fee-for-service system, commercial insurers, as well as the federal government, have tried to lower amounts paid to caregivers for each service because healthcare is only becoming more expensive in the United States, and it is thought the only way to solve the problem is to pay less. But this has consequences. Caregivers rely on these fees for their earnings, so they can make a profit only by continuing to provide services to patients. If they dont have enough earnings, they are forced to find more business elsewhere. This results in a never-ending quest to find more patients. The end result is more services (read: expense) at a time when we have more and more people in the US getting older and needing healthcare day by day. An alternative and much more effective solution would be to flip the motives of caregivers. No longer should they be paid to do more testing and surgeries, but to keep people healthy with cheaper, preventative treatments. This payment methodology, called capitation, results in caregivers being paid a smaller amount of money each month per patient assigned to them. The amount received each month is all the provider is paid to provide care for his or her capitated patients. As a result, the provider incentive becomes one of how to keep patients healthy, requiring fewer healthcare services over time. The money that caregivers dont spend on treatment is kept by the practice as profit. Essentially, the government would be giving caregivers an allowance, and the less they spend, the more they get to keep. This would reward healthcare providers for keeping their patients healthy, taking away any incentive to over-charge and over-treat. The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Show all 25 1 /25 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Bernie Sanders The Vermont senator has launched a second bid for president after losing out to Hilary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primaries. He is running on a similar platform of democratic socialist reform Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Joe Biden The former vice president recently faced scrutiny for inappropriate touching of women, but was thought to deal with the criticism well and has since maintained a front runner status in national polling EPA The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Elizabeth Warren The Massachusetts senator is a progressive Democrat, and a major supporter of regulating Wall Street Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Amy Klobuchar Klobuchar is a Minnesota senator who earned praise for her contribution to the Brett Kavanaugh hearings Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Michael Bloomberg Michael Bloomberg, a late addition to the 2020 race, announced his candidacy after months of speculation in November. He has launched a massive ad-buying campaign and issued an apology for the controversial "stop and frisk" programme that adversely impacted minority communities in New York City when he was mayor Getty Images The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 Tulsi Gabbard The Hawaii congresswoman announced her candidacy in January, but has faced tough questions on her past comments on LGBT+ rights and her stance on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Pete Buttigieg The centrist Indiana mayor and war veteran would be the first openly LGBT+ president in American history Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Deval Patrick The former Massachusetts governor launched a late 2020 candidacy and received very little reception. With just a few short months until the first voters flock to the polls, the former governor is running as a centrist and believes he can unite the party's various voting blocs AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Beto O'Rourke The former Texas congressman formally launched his bid for the presidency in March. He ran on a progressive platform, stating that the US is driven by "gross differences in opportunity and outcome" AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kamala Harris The former California attorney general was 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 AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Bill De Blasio The New York mayor announced his bid on 16 May 2019. He emerged in 2013 as a leading voice in the left wing of his party but struggled to build a national profile and has suffered a number of political setbacks in his time as mayor AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Steve Bullock The Montana governor announced his bid on 14 May. He stated "We need to defeat Donald Trump in 2020 and defeat the corrupt system that lets campaign money drown out the people's voice, so we can finally make good on the promise of a fair shot for everyone." He also highlighted the fact that he won the governor's seat in a red [Republican] state Reuters The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Cory Booker The New Jersey Senator has focused on restoring kindness and civility in American politics throughout his campaign, though he has failed to secure the same level of support and fundraising as several other senators running for the White House in 2020 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Wayne Messam Mayor of the city of Miramar in the Miami metropolitan area, Wayne Messam said he intended 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 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Kirsten Gillibrand The New York Senator formally announced her presidential bid in January, saying that healthcare should be a right, not a privilege Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Delaney The Maryland congressman was the first to launch his bid for presidency, making the announcement in 2017 AP The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Andrew Yang The entrepreneur announced his presidential candidacy by pledging that he would introduce a universal basic income of $1,000 a month to every American over the age of 18 Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: 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 The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Marianne Williamson The author and spiritual adviser has announced her intention to run for president. She had previously run for congress as an independent in 2014 but was unsuccessful Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Eric Swalwell One of the younger candidates, Swalwell has served on multiple committees in the House of Representatives. He intended to make gun control central to his campaign but dropped out after his team said it was clear there was no path to victory Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Seth Moulton A Massachusetts congressman, Moulton is a former US soldier who is best known for trying to stop Nancy Pelosi from becoming speaker of the house. He dropped out of the race after not polling well in key states Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Jay Inslee Inslee has been governor of Washington since 2013. His bid was centred around climate change AFP/Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: John Hickenlooper The former governor of Colorado aimed to sell himself as an effective leader who was open to compromise, but failed to make a splash on the national stage Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tim Ryan Ohio representative Tim Ryan ran on a campaign that hinged on his working class roots, though his messaging did not appear to resonate with voters Getty The Democrat challengers to Trump in 2020 DROPPED OUT: Tom Steyer Democratic presidential hopeful billionaire and philanthropist Tom Steyer is a longtime Democratic donor AFP/Getty Some may worry that this might encourage caregivers to not provide expensive treatments or necessary testing in order to pocket the money for themselves. But remember: if they dont provide the necessary preventative treatments and tests in the first place, it is more likely that the patient will come back and cost them more money down the road. In a capitated system, thats bad news. Yes, a capitated payment system will require a lot of collaboration from various industries. But, it will work off our countrys pre-existing infrastructure, saving us much more time and money than if we were to abolish the private insurance industry under Medicare-for-all and implement a single-payer system. This proposed payment plan isnt nearly as sexy as Medicare-for-all, but it would be the most realistic way of making universal healthcare in America a reality. If you believe healthcare is a basic human right, and want to make sure we can actually pay for it, we need to realize that Medicare-for-all isnt the solution to fixing Americas healthcare system. How we pay health care providers is. Gardai have questioned 36 people over the weekend about the purchase of sex. It was made a criminal offence in 2017. Operations were carried out in Dublin, Wexford, Louth and Kildare. A Garda statement said: This operation reinforces An Garda Siochanas commitment to target the demand for prostitution and to protect vulnerable persons, including victims of human trafficking involved in prostitution. Kate McGrew, director of Sex Workers Alliance Ireland, said more women had been prosecuted for so-called brothel keeping, what she termed working together in safety. She added: Sex workers are now forced to work in isolation, which puts them at further risk of violence and exploitation. Shares in AIB were down 3.1pc to 4.08. (Stock image) European shares were on target to close lower yesterday, dragged down by signals that China has put broader stimulus on hold and mixed earnings reports from companies in the United States. The declines came despite strong earnings from firms such as SAP and Credit Suisse. "The market is taking some cues from the slowing of stimulus in China," said Stefan Koopman, Market Economist, eurozone, Rabobank. "For the European markets to get some traction in the upcoming months we really need to depend on what's happening in China." Most major regional bourses were in the red, though the slew of upbeat earnings helping German and Swiss indices advance. Business software company SAP soared to an all-time high and boosted the DAX after the company set ambitious new mid-term targets and as activist investor Elliott Management disclosed a 1.2bn stake in the company. By mid-afternoon, Ireland's Iseq Overall Index had mirrored declines in other European bourses, falling 0.26pc to 6,476. Shares in CRH had advanced 1.1pc as Ireland's biggest company published a solid first-quarter update and said it will commence a 350m share buyback. It has also agreed to sell its European shutters and awnings unit. Shares in AIB were down 3.1pc to 4.08. It held its annual general meeting yesterday. It said that it has had a good start to 2019 but that remuneration remains a key issue for the retention of key personnel. Glanbia saw its shares plunge more than 6.3pc by mid-afternoon to 16.30. It also held its annual general meeting yesterday. It said that while first-quarter revenue jumped 8.4pc, it experienced a double-digit volume decline in its global performance nutrition division. Kicking off the first-quarter balance sheet assessment for banks in Europe, Swiss lender Credit Suisse initially rose 2.5pc after posting a surprise profit but shares fell back later, barely putting them in the black. The UK's Ftse-100 was 0.7pc lower an hour before the close, while Germany's DAX was up 0.5pc. France's CAC-40 was down 0.3pc. In the US, stocks pulled back slightly following Tuesday's record highs. BREXITEER Jacob Rees-Mogg has taken a swipe at former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, suggesting Ireland had a comedian as its leader before the Ukraine. The Conservative MP who has been to the forefront of the Brexit debate hit back at comments made by Mr Ahern over the weekend. Speaking at the Women In Media Conference in Ballybunion, Mr Ahern described Jacob Rees Mogg as a "lovely fella when hes asleep". When asked by MEP Mairead McGuinness "how do you know?", he replied: "When hes awake, he definitely is a strange fish I tell you, in and out of the water." Expand Close Bertie Ahern. Photo: PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Bertie Ahern. Photo: PA "But the reality is he admitted to me he had no idea of what the border was. I think a lot of British politicians thought the border was something up around Dundalk or Newry, and that there was a gate on it. "I mean the idea that it was 460 kilometres across the island and that you could criss cross it to farms and houses, they just didnt know it. "And regards to the fact that lot of these guys went to Oxford, Cambridge and Eton, theyre not very bright. This is the problem." "There is nothing wrong with the backstop," he added. Mr Rees-Mogg responded to the comments on social media today, saying they were quite funny but regrettably untrue. Perhaps Ireland had a comedian as its leader before Ukraine, he said, a reference to the recent election of Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Mr Ahern was not immediately available for comment. The 6pc fall in Glanbia's share price during the week coincided with news that more than a fifth of shareholders had voted against the new remuneration package for chief executive Siobhan Talbot and finance director Mark Garvey. Talbot is in line for a 22pc pay rise under a three-year multimillion euro remuneration package. Tempting and all as it is to link the share price fall with the vote against the pay hike, things don't really work that way in the market. Glanbia said after its annual general meeting that it "noted" the vote against the remuneration package but I'll bet it more than just "noted" the share price fall which was more likely triggered by market disappointment at the trading update issued. The Kilkenny-based group has built up a solid US business with global potential in sports nutrition. It has mopped up a series of acquisitions at chunky prices which have delivered stellar growth as more health-conscious Americans buy protein bars and drink nutritional shakes. But the first quarter trading update showed that without its latest acquisitions, mainly Slimfast, its performance nutritional division declined by 16.5pc. When Slimfast is included, the division showed constant currency revenues up 4.9pc. This was made up of a 3.4pc fall in pricing and a 16.5pc fall in volumes but a 24.8pc increase from Slimfast. Glanbia has got in early to a growing market segment and has very strong positions in an exciting sector. The problem is that its so good, everybody wants a piece of it. Tougher competition, price discounting and the need to constantly innovate and offer new products can take its toll. Glanbia spent $217m buying Think Thin, a US protein bar maker in 2015. In 2017 it bought Amazing Grass, a US firm that makes powder based nutrition products, and Body & Fit, an online seller of performance nutrition goods for 181m. Its big high-profile deal last year was the 350m acquisition of Slimfast. Glanbia has continued to do well in a very competitive consumer market and Slimfast looks like being very successful for it. But the update raises questions about the growth trajectory of some of the other products. Think Thin is being rebranded as just Think. Glanbia attributed some of the volume declines outside of Slimfast to supply chain configurations in non-US markets. The company reiterated its guidance of a 5-8pc growth in adjusted EPS for this year on a constant currency basis. It believes growth is coming in the second half. And Glanbia's nutritionals division more than offset any slowdown elsewhere. In the meantime, the remuneration publicity will be an unwelcome distraction. Some share advisory firms who opposed the remuneration package said it had been benchmarked against the market median in Europe and US. Glanbia claimed that one of these firms, ISS, looked primarily at comparable salaries among client companies in Ireland and Europe. Glanbia itself looked at salaries in Ireland and US in determining pay because 80pc of its earnings are in US dollars. All very well, but remuneration benchmarking is about what a person could earn doing a similar job elsewhere, partially to ensure they are not poached. Having earnings in dollars doesn't really impact the likelihood or not of losing your top executives to US companies. Changes must be made soon to allow fines to be imposed for breaches in competition law, the Fianna Fail spokesperson on Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Billy Kelleher has said. Kelleher, his partys European elections candidate for Ireland South, said the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission still cannot issue fines for breaches of European and Irish competition law. Fines can only be imposed following a criminal conviction in court. He said farmers are among those who point to potentially anti-competitive practices in their sectors. Greater enforcement powers planned in an EU directive are not due to come into force until 2021 and they should be brought in sooner, he said. The CCPC has itself stated that the absence in Ireland of civil or administrative fines for breaches of competition law very significantly undermines the CCPCs ability to combat anti-competitive conduct. As the national competition regulator it is having to operate without the legislative teeth to enforce breaches of competition law and deter anti-competitive behaviour. In contrast, competition regulators in many EU Member States, including France and Denmark, can issue such fines, Kelleher said. It comes as Meat Industry Ireland Chairman Philip Carroll told a recent Oireachtas Agriculture Committee that a number of recent mergers in the beef sector were all cleared by the Competition Authorities at the first hurdle and said that none to his knowledge had restrictions in respect of the ask from competition authorities. He said the recent mergers in the beef sector were analysed not only by the Irish but also by the European competition authorities. "At least three cases in the last two or three years have all been allowed. The view of the Competition Authority was that the concentration result of those particular mergers and takeovers did not have the effect people allege." 'The Department has the data' The IFA has asked the Committee and the Minister for Agriculture to request the intervention of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) to carry out a report on the lack of competition in the beef processing sector. Its Livestock Director Kevin Kinsella said that CCPC, has the responsibility to ensure that we have a competitive market in this country. "Let us undertake this investigation and put it to bed, either deal with it or take it off the table. "We are very clear and specific on that point and we request that this would be part of this committee's ultimate conclusion, that it would deal with this issue. "There is no point in asking farm organisations or farmers whether there is a cartel and whether they have the evidence. "All the figures and all the evidence on this, in terms of looking at the prices and analysing them, are with the authorities that have the power to do that and the authorities that gather that information. "In Ireland, that is the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which has all the data on all of the cattle killed and the price of every animal killed in this country for the past ten years. "The Department has the data," he said. EU Commissioner Phil Hogan will today unveil a new 1bn cheap loan scheme designed to boost the number of young farmers engaged in staying in the business. The move comes amid statistics which show only one in 20 Irish farmers is now under 35, with an average age of 57. Fewer and fewer young people want to work in full-time farming. The Irish young farmer organisation, Macra na Feirme, has welcomed the initiative. Its president James Healy says they have campaigned for a package such as this to help reverse the ageing trend in farming. Mr Hogan said the key issues for young farmers trying to get into the business is access to land, knowledge and training and access to finance. The scheme is already being trialled in France with the agricultural bank, Credit Agricole, and it is hoped the main Irish banks will also engage with the scheme. It is hoped the involvement of commercial lenders will swell the 1bn in "soft loans" from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to a total of 2bn over time. The launch of the scheme today in Brussels will be attended by EIB vice-president, Andrew McDowell, previously an adviser to former Taoiseach Enda Kenny. Mr Hogan will say the initiative is a clear signal to farmers they can face the future with confidence. Support He believes the move follows the example of the MilkFlex scheme launched by Glanbia to help farmers better spread their income over good years and bad. It is the largest ever move by the EIB to help support farming. It is understood that while current lending rates to farmers in Ireland are between 4pc and 6pc, this scheme will offer rates of about 3pc, a vital differential which could make business viable. The terms of the EIB loans will also run up to 15 years. This compares with more usual bank loan terms of between five and seven years. Mr Hogan is expected to urge all member states and the main banks to study the scheme and engage with it as completely as possible. In piloting the project, some 275m has been provided in France and a similar trial in Italy. Ireland's farmer age demographic is very close to the current EU average. Macra na Feirme has long urged a finance scheme targeted at young farmers who it argues find it more difficult to get mainstream loans because of their own lack of capital and other resources. EU figures show 27pc of young farmers were turned down by banks for loans in 2017. The loan rejection average for all farmers is just 9pc. Irish farmer sources say it is hard to get comparable figures for this country because many "applications" are not formalised to get to a point of rejection. But the issue is clearly a hot topic in this country. Mr Healy gave a huge welcome to the new scheme. "We wholeheartedly welcome this development as something we have been looking for over a long period of time. It's a very positive thing also because it is outside of the ordinary CAP envelope and will not take from other farm funds," he added. The Macra president also urged the Irish banks to play their part. "There is a lot of lip service paid to the need to encourage and support young farmers. But we need something more practical than that," he said. Problems are compounded for young farmers who eventually take over from elderly farmers who have understandably avoided investment and modernisation in their declining years on the land. The age profile of Irish farmers also means that up to 50pc of farms do not have a designated successor. Mr Healy said the issue is more urgent in beef farming than it is in dairy where incomes are more reliable. EU Commissioner Phil Hogan will today unveil a new 1bn cheap loan scheme designed to boost the number of young farmers staying in the business. The move comes amid statistics which show that only one in 20 of Irelands 140,000 farmers is now under 35, the average farmer age is 57, and fewer and fewer young people want to engage in full-time farming. The Irish young farmer organisation, Macra na Feirme, has welcomed the initiative. Their president James Healy says they have campaigned for a package such as this to help reverse the ageing trend in farming. Commissioner Hogan said the key issues for young farmers trying to get into the business is access to land; knowledge and training and access to finance. The scheme is already being trialled in France with the agricultural bank, Credit Agricole, and it is hoped that the main Irish banks will also engage with the scheme. The involvement of commercial lenders is hoped will swell the 1bn in soft loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to a total of 2bn over time. The launch of the scheme today in Brussels will be attended by EIB vice-president, Andrew McDowell, previously an adviser to former Taoiseach, Enda Kenny. Mr Hogan will say todays initiative is a clear signal to farmers that they can face the future with confidence. He believes the move follows the example of the MilkFlex scheme launched by Glanbia to help farmers better spread their income over good years and bad. It is the largest ever move by the EIB to help support farming. It is understood that while current lending rates to farmers in Ireland run between 4pc and 6pc, this scheme will offer rates of about 3pc, a vital differential which could make business viable. The terms of the EIB loans will also run up to 15 years. This compares with more usual bank loan terms of between five and seven years. Mr Hogan is expected to urge all member states and the main banks to study the scheme and engage with it as completely as possible. In piloting the project some 275m has been provided in France and a similar trial in Italy. Irelands farmer age structure is very close to the current EU average. Macra na Feirme have long urged a finance scheme targeted at young farmers who they argue are least best fixed to get more mainstream loans because of their own lack of capital and other resources. EU figures show that 27pc of young farmers were turned down by banks for loans in 2017. The loan rejection average for farmers is just 9pc. Irish farmer sources say it is hard to get comparable figures for this country because many applications are not formalised to get to a point of rejection. But the issue is clearly a hot topic in this country. Macra na Feirme president, James Healy, gave a huge welcome to the new scheme. We wholeheartedly welcome this development as something we have been looking for over a long period of time. Its a very positive thing also because it is outside of the ordinary CAP envelope and will not take from other farm funds, Mr Healy said. The Macra president also urged the Irish banks to pay their part in the scheme. There is a lot of lip service paid to the need to encourage and support young farmers. But we need something more practical than that, he added. Problems are compounded for young farmers who eventually take over from elderly farmers who have realistically avoided investment and modernisation in their declining years on the land. The age profile of Irish farmers also means that up to 50pc of farms do not have a designated successor. Mr Healy says the issue is more urgent in beef farming than it is in dairying where income flows are more reliable. But he also warned that the future of Irelands renowned export trade is at risk due to the incomes crisis. Badger setts which cause subsidence to local roads cannot be removed due to restrictions placed on the Department of Agriculture, it was revealed at a recent municipal district meeting. The issue was raised at a meeting of Ballyjamesduff Municipal District, and it transpires that the council will have to commit to ongoing maintenance. Cllr Paddy Smith who tabled a motion calling for the removal of badgers that are causing damage to the local roads. This is an ongoing problem on the Aughawee Road in Kilnaleck. There is a sett of badgers underneath the road. They burrow in causing the road to subside. When that is addressed they burrow in another part causing that to subside, Cllr Smith claimed. The local authority have undertaken work to repair the subsidence. Over the years the council have kept the road in fairly good condition, Cllr Smith told Tuesday's meeting in Ballintemple. There are a number of landowners who have raised the matter with me. Quite a lot of work has been done by the Department of Agriculture in monitoring the badger population. A lot of the badgers have been tested for TB and microchipped and released, expanded the Fine Gael councillor. Badgers are not bad animals. They have remarkable hygiene habits, every morning they take their bedding out of the sett and spread it out on the grass to air it. Cllr Smith contacted the Department of Agriculture to see if there was some way they could address the matter. I asked if they could remove the badgers. Some of them have been moved, but they say that all they can do is cull 10% of the population. Milk tankers The road problem is a particular problem for heavy vehicles that use the roads. The councillor explained that milk tankers use the road every day of the year: It's in quite a bad state at present. We are looking to get the council to repair the road. I have been in contact with the engineer and they are going to examine it. Addressing Cllr Smith's issue Brendan Smith, the Municipal District Manager, confirmed that the Department were limited in terms of the actions they could take with the badger setts. Mr Smith stated that it's not possible to remove badger setts and said the road will be subject to ongoing maintenance. An Post is seeking a 40m loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to fund a modernisation programme to automate its parcel business and replace a third of its diesel fleet with electric vehicles. The loan - part of an 83m package - will also back the development of new financial products for the retail market. State-owned An Post revealed plans earlier this year to introduce 750 electric vehicles to its nationwide fleet. An Post said it is transforming itself into an e-commerce facilitator as the volume of parcels it delivers soars, boosted by online shoppers. Last month, An Post said its revenue rose 7pc as a decline in letter volumes was offset by a 40pc rise in parcel volumes. Its operating profits soared from 8m to 40m. The company is headed by former TV3 boss David McRedmond. Last year, it announced plans to close almost 160 post offices. In a major gaffe in February, the company rebranded a post office in Gurteen, Co Sligo, with its new logo just a week before the outlet was due to close. Mr McRedmond said last month that An Post has been transformed by fixing its core economics and reinvigorating its brand. The company also revealed two new brands: An Post Money and An Post Commerce. The former will provide financial services including loans, current accounts and credit cards. The latter will provide e-commerce solutions to businesses. "The company is undertaking a major modernisation programme that supports its strategic plan for medium and long-term future," noted the EIB, which is assessing the application. "The key constituent parts of the investments are the automation and modernisation of the parcels business, the replacing of one-third of its diesel fleet with electric vehicles, the digitalisation of the entire front-end of the business, as well as the development of new financial products for the retail market and the renewal of post offices." Last year, An Post said it was weighing plans to move its headquarters from the General Post Office on Dublin's O'Connell Street. London-based hedge fund Marshall Wace has taken a 50m (58m) punt against Paddy Power Betfair, betting that shares in the gambling group will fall. The hedge fund, with about $39bn (35bn) of assets under management, has taken a short position on almost 1pc of Paddy Power Betfair's stock, according to Central Bank data. Shares in Paddy Power Betfair are currently trading about 29pc lower than the high of roughly 91 (105) they reached over the past 12 months - in May last year. When investors short a share, they are betting the share price will drop. They borrow the company's shares from other shareholders and can profit if the price falls by buying back shares at a lower price to return them to their original owner. Short positions can turn sour if the share price rises. Paddy Power Betfair saw its underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation fall 5pc to 451m (522m) last year as it shouldered costs associated with its expansion into the United States. The group's revenue rose 7pc to 1.87bn (2.1bn) last year, and said that its Paddy Power brand had continued to retake online market share in the UK. Earlier this month, the UK's Gambling Commission made Paddy Power Betfair remove newly launched products in its stores that the regulator said may undermine the new introduction of reduced stakes on fixed-odds betting terminals. The maximum stakes were slashed from 100 to 2. The Commission said it may also investigate key senior staff at bookmakers responsible for bringing the products to market. Despite challenges in the UK and Australia, Paddy Power Betfair is hoping that the continued legalisation of sportsbetting in the United States could prove a boon for the company. The group believes profits from its US division could hit $600m (538m) within a number of years if more states legalise sportsbetting. Seven have so far done so. In a recent research report, Davy Stockbrokers said the US is "potentially very valuable" for the group, but warned that the pace of regulatory changes there will be a key driver for Paddy Power Betfair. The short position in Paddy Power Betfair revealed by Marshall Wace comes as Barclays raised its price target last week for the gambling group's shares to 68 from 64. Its shares were trading at about 65 in London on Friday. In March this year another hedge fund, US-based, HG Vora Capital Management took a short position in Paddy Power, equal to roughly 1pc of the Irish bookie's total shares, according to Central Bank filings. Marshall Wace made a killing earlier this year after it successfully shorted shares in companies including Marks & Spencer and Ted Baker. Paddy Power Betfair declined to comment on the short position. Developers are planning to build at least 2,800 build-to-rent apartments in Dublin city alone, according to an analysis of applications lodged since the beginning of the year. Big investors have been described as 'cuckoo funds' because they pump money into developments that are not available to purchase by individuals or families. 'Build-to-rent' developments mean that owner-occupiers are essentially locked out of purchasing these properties. These 2,834 proposed units to date, for areas in Dublin city centre, Walkinstown, Stillorgan and out as far as Santry and Dun Laoghaire, are already planned for rental investors even before ground is broken. These proposals lodged with the four local authorities and An Bord Pleanala outline plans for apartment developments ranging from 28 units up to 697. The listed planning applications are indications that investors are increasingly keen to tap into yields in Ireland's rental market. Expand Close Defended the funds: Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe. Photo: PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Defended the funds: Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe. Photo: PA There are several benefits to a developer willing to invest in build-to-rent including: They are not restricted to a maximum of 12 apartments per floor, as with other apartment developments; They can allow for 'significantly' reduced car parking provision; There is 'flexibility' in relation to the provision of storage and private amenity space. An Bord Pleanala received a significant number of fast-track applications and consultations of this kind. The largest of these is a plan to construct 697 build-to-rent apartments at Connolly Station Car Park, Dublin 1. There is also an application for 492 build-to-rent residential units on lands on the Concorde Industrial Estate, Walkinstown, and 265 on the former Dulux factory site. One plan to build 208 apartments on a site at the Old School House, Dun Laoghaire, outlines the intention to provide communal kitchen/dining/living and library spaces at each floor level - and the provision of a lounge/games room, gym and TV/cinema room. However, one development of 28 apartments at Long's Place, Dublin 8, has already been turned down by Dublin City Council. The council said it refused permission because "the significant proportion of single aspect north-facing apartments will result in a sub-standard form of development and is therefore contrary to Residential Quality Standards". The plan to build 55 apartments on Templeogue Road West was also refused by the council because its overall scale, height and bulk would be "visually intrusive and overbearing". Both of these decisions may yet be appealed to An Bord Pleanala. There are proposals to construct 142 build-to-rent properties on a site at Roselawn and Aberdour, Foxrock, and a further 78 apartments at Clonkeen Park in Dun Laoghaire. Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Council has yet to decide on both of these proposals. Dublin City Council has given the green light to a proposal to construct 52 build-to-rent apartments at Poplar Row. The Department of Housing has actively promoted build-to-rent (BTR) to "accelerate the delivery of new housing at a significantly greater scale than at present". "The promotion of BTR development by planning authorities is therefore strongly merited through specific BTR planning and design policies and standards," it said in its report 'Sustainable Urban Housing: Design Standards for New Apartments, Guidelines for Planning Authorities'. Earlier this month, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe came to the defence of the activities of 'cuckoo funds', saying they were the driving force behind apartment units being granted planning permission. Tanaiste Simon Coveney also defended the funds - but conceded the Government will consider taxing them if they continue buying up residential property in bulk. Fianna Fail has re-iterated plans to introduce a new advertising tax on Facebook and Google in Ireland in an effort to fund newspapers and radio stations. The partys spokesman for Communications, Timmy Dooley, said that money coming from the new levy would also go someway to supplementing the TV licence fee He said that because advertising income has rapidly shifted to the two online giants, a levy is now needed to support media services here. We believe that a levy should be extended to digital advertising so that you ensure that the Googles and Facebooks and Twitters make a contribution to the distortion in the market that they have created, Mr Dooley said on Newstalks Between The Lines podcast. Its well recognised that the digital platforms are now hoovering up vast amounts of the commercial revenues that were there to support the independent journalism that existed heretofore. Mr Dooley added that such a levy should be managed by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. We would also look at extending the remit of the BAI so that it would also be charged with doing similar work with the print sector, he said. He said that the current TV licence system should be replaced with a new broadcasting charge attached to every household. Under the current law, an annual TV licence (160) is only legally required if a television set is on the premises. Other screens such as PC monitors or laptops that can access video content online do not require the purchase of a TV licence I would favour the idea of a broadcasting charge that extends to every household, Mr Dooley said. Its not enough to say that just because you dont have a television that youre not consuming journalism or content thats expensive to produce. A lot of people now consume content on iPhones, iPads and laptops. But because the licence is somewhat technology specific, it means theyre able to evade having a licence. I had occasion a while back to speak to a group of students who, I suppose, could be lumped into the category we now call 'millennials'. While their individual views of the world may differ (a little), it did not take long for me to discover that the thing they all had in common was that none possessed a watch. They all had smart phones, but no watches. More recently, I heard that the Swiss flagship watch fair, the 103-year-old Baselworld, was shaken to its core by the news that one of its stalwarts, the Swatch group, would not be an exhibitor this year, and maybe never again. It was clear the magic of Swiss time-keeping, which dates back to the early part of the 16th century, is not what it once was. So a close look at Swatch was an obvious way to help tease out the changes that face one of Europe's most fabled luxury goods industries. The Swiss watch industry was one of the spin-offs of the Protestant Reformation. The reformer, John Calvin, had set his face against jewellery and in response the Geneva gold and silversmiths turned to the manufacture of precision time pieces for their living. Over the centuries the Swiss pretty much cornered the market and by the time the wrist watch was popular, fashionable and collectable, the Swiss watch was the byword for style. That began to change with the arrival of the quartz watch from Seiko in the 1970s when the Swiss struggled to compete. Worried Swiss banks turned to Nicholas Hayek, an engineering consultant, for solutions. In 1983, Hayek proposed a merger between the two largest but financially troubled watch companies. He and other investors purchased the merged companies, renaming them the Swatch Group. Following the merger the new group launched an affordable entry-level colourful plastic cased watch with half of the usual components. They called it Swatch and it was a runaway success. Today, the Swatch group is headquartered in Biel and quoted on the Swiss stock exchange with a market value of 15bn. The company operates in all segments of the watch business, from entry level to luxury. It supplies almost all components for watch-making to third parties in Switzerland. Swatch trades in 50 countries, has 150 production plants in Switzerland, employs 37,000 people with 18 watch brands like Omega, Rado, Longines, Swatch and its children's brand Flix Flax. It is also the largest industrial employer in Switzerland. The Swiss watch industry has had its troubles in the last 50 years, but the arrival in 2015 of the Apple Watch with its technology did not help. Swatch sales fell following the Apple Watch launch. While the Apple Watch has been successful, the company remains reluctant to provide sales figures citing competition reasons. Observers estimate they could be as high as 20 million units. Last year, the entire Swiss watch industry exported 24 million units but at a much higher price point. There is little doubt that the Apple Watch is a disrupter. Last year was a challenging one for the Swatch group, but growth was realised in the luxury and prestige ranges. Revenues of 7.5bn were up 6pc but operating profits were below analysts' estimates as demand weakened in the last quarter. Dividends inched up 6pc. The shares declined last year, from a high of 439 to 274 today. A significant negative for the year was the capacity bottleneck for components, which hindered the sales of some of its luxury brands. Surprisingly, the group anticipates healthy growth this year and is bullish on China. It also expects gains in Japan and the US, with growth drivers being its high-end and luxury category watches and plans to expand its e-commerce presence. Investors still worry that the Swatch entry-level offering is vulnerable to Apple Watch and its luxury brands being at risk of a downturn in the important Chinese market. Swatch is a recovery stock. Nothing in this section should be taken as a recommendation, either explicit or implicit to buy any of the shares mentioned. The shareholder rebellion at Bayer is poised to worsen after its supervisory board ignored an unprecedented no-confidence vote against the leadership of chief executive Werner Baumann. Several top investors of the German chemicals and drugs giant are frustrated with directors' decision to back Mr Baumann and his strategy that led to the $63bn takeover of Monsanto, according to people familiar with the matter. The investors consider the move a sign Bayer is unwilling to address shareholder concerns, the people said, asking not to be identified because the deliberations are private. Bayer now needs to consider an overhaul of the oversight board led by Werner Wenning, take a more forthcoming approach in dealing with litigation in the US and conduct a strategic review - including a potential break-up of the conglomerate into crop science and pharmaceutical companies, they said. At a fractious, 13-hour gathering in Bonn on Friday, more than 55pc of shareholders voted against absolving Mr Baumann and other managers of responsibility for their actions in the takeover of agriculture company Monsanto last year. Bayer has lost 35bn in market value, due in large part to subsequent lawsuits that allege the main ingredient of Roundup - the weedkiller Bayer acquired through Monsanto - causes cancer. The lawsuits have multiplied, totalling 13,400 US cases by April 11. Bayer has vowed to fight in court and said there's no scientific proof glyphosate causes cancer. A Bayer representative declined to comment on investors' call for changes. In an email on Saturday, Mr Baumann sought to reassure employees, saying "we need to maintain our focus on delivering value for our customers", a source said. (Bloomberg) It's the week of Grace Dyas's first show on the main stage at the Abbey and, understandably perhaps, she is a little hard to pin down. Messages go unanswered, arrangements are left dangling, and, eventually, the interview is postponed. When we finally get to sit down, she immediately asks if she can tape the conversation. It's for everyone's protection, she adds, ominously. You can't be too careful. It's unusual behaviour for an interviewee, but such caginess is also understandable. Despite her impressive body of work, and its ambitious scope - this latest piece, It Was Easy (In The End), aims to bring about the end of capitalism in Dublin - Dyas is perhaps best known for igniting what she calls "a grenade" in Dublin theatre circles. In 2017, she wrote a blog about the former director of the Gate theatre, Michael Colgan, in which she accused him of rounding on her at a Dublin Theatre Festival. She alleged that he said: "You've lost so much weight, I'd almost have sex with you." The blog exploded quietly online; it was retweeted thousands of times and, eventually, made its way into the mainstream media here. Other women chimed in with their experiences of dealing with Colgan. Dyas became a sort of poster girl for the Irish version of the MeToo movement and a chastened Colgan eventually published an apology in the Sunday Independent in which he said that his behaviour, while "misjudged", should not be "equated with sexual crimes". In a sense, Dyas had changed everything - new structures were put in place in the Dublin theatre world and the Gate began its own controversial inquiry into Colgan's conduct while he was at the helm of the theatre. But in another sense, life went on, much as before. Colgan, while undoubtedly now enjoying a different kind of renown, quietly continued with his post-retirement work, and Dyas continued her own work: It Was Easy (In The End) is a three-hour attempt to "bring what is happening on the streets of Dublin onto the stage at the Abbey." Audience members are able to come and go during the performance - in order to make the theatre experience less stuffy - and Dyas aims to "break elitism down" and show that "theatre should be accessible, even if you don't have power". Speaking truth to power is something that she agonised over during the Colgan affair in 2017. "There was a back and forth in my mind," she explains. "I thought was it the right thing for me, my life, my family, the sector, and Michael. Ireland is a country where women aren't given the right to bear witness to their own experience, so I had to work hard to say what I was going to say. I was also worried about being sued." Friendship and ambition blurred together in her relationship with Colgan. She found him brilliant company and often sought his advice, she says, but she also figured that socialising with him was a prerequisite for advancement in the theatre world, and, particularly, getting work at the Gate. "I didn't feel it was a necessity to go drinking with him but it was a necessity to go drinking with him to work in the Gate. I went to dinner with him and to lunch with him. I never had a dinner in his house privately, but yeah I went to dinner with him, just the two of us." She had heard reports of Colgan's behaviour, but mostly defended him during this time. It was the Waking the Feminists movement, and what she perceived as his own hypocritical contributions to it, that spurred her to take action that fateful night in the Oak Bar on Parliament Street during the Dublin Theatre Festival, she says. "He wasn't my boss, but he did have a position of power. He was in a professional function with a role as a former board member of the Dublin Theatre Festival. I was an artist presenting a major piece of work within the festival, and within that context he said something sexual." Dyas grew up in Rialto and attended UCD for a semester before making her name in the theatre world. Her first piece, Heroin, debuted in the Dublin Fringe Festival in 2010 and her piece, Not At Home, gave voice to the stories of women travelling for abortions. She was severely bullied in school and "shouted at my whole life." She says it was this background, too, which emboldened her to stand up for herself that night. She "gave as good as I got" and shouted back, but, although she recalls almost forensically what he said, she won't get specific on what she said, beyond what was detailed in the blog. "I responded to everything he was saying to me", she explains. "I don't think there's a recording of it, I don't think anyone made that." She says that what she wanted, at that point, was the directors of the Dublin Theatre Festival to elicit a verbal apology from Colgan, which he should have delivered, in person, to her. She felt that, given Colgan's power, in the industry, this was highly unlikely to happen and that any complaint would get back to him. But given that her complaint was about this lack of proper due process, why, then, did she take Colgan's own due process from him by putting the allegations online where they went viral? "I totally hear you and I've thought about it a lot and examined my conscience. I wondered, have I initiated a way of doing things that is more exposing and more vulnerable for everyone involved? I do think if your intention is to create a process, as mine was, then it's right to do it." Abuse of power is "endemic" in Irish life, she says. But given that, should all employees, or even those working in the same sector, be able to vent online, as she did? "I think it's true to say that there's a risk of most bosses abusing their power." Bullying, she adds is "broad and subjective to the person, that's why structure is important". Video of the Day Has she ever bullied anyone herself, I wonder. "Wow," she begins and takes a breath, before continuing: "(Bullying) is a behaviour that comes up when people are under a lot of stress. Anytime anyone has ever spoken to me about my behaviour that wasn't appropriate I've tried to do everything to put it right." Given that MeToo was about harassment and sexual crimes against women, did she worry about the implications of broadening its scope, in an Irish context, to include bad behaviour? "I feel I had a right to be part of that movement," she responds. "I feel like my experience was worthy of that movement. I took a lot of time to think if I would refer to MeToo in it. I thought the moment empowered me as a woman." Journalist Jon Ronson and others have written about the devastating effects of internet swarming and shaming. Last year the director of one of Stockholm's biggest theatres committed suicide after a wave of MeToo accusations. The situation with Colgan did become a pile on for a time, as week after week, more women came forward and more outlets picked up the story. Did Dyas worry about the effect such public accusations might potentially have? "I had no way to know," she tells me. "I don't know what Michael suffered." She works two jobs, but neither pay, she says. She is living in a friend's place in Milltown with her husband, Martin Sharry, for a few months. At the suggestion of the Rubberbandit's Blindboy, she recently set up a Patreon page, and she says is appealing for people to donate to her - "as little as 4.27 a month". "I struggled a lot at the end of last year," she explained. "I am being paid more for this project at the Abbey than I have been paid in my life before. I want to make a lot of money, that's why I want everyone to come to see my play!" 'It Was Easy (In the End)' opened at the Abbey Theatre on April 26 and runs until May 4, 2019. Tickets from 13, including booking fee, are on sale now from the box office. See: https://www.abbeytheatre.ie Rose Leslie and Kit Harington starred in Game Of Thrones (PA) Kit Harington has said his favourite Game Of Thrones scene featuring his wife Rose Leslie was the one where she died. Leslies character Ygritte was killed off in the fourth series of the fantasy drama. She died in the arms of her love interest Jon Snow, who is played by her real life partner Harington. Expand Close Kit Harington as Jon Snow (HBO/Sky/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kit Harington as Jon Snow (HBO/Sky/PA) The actor told Americas People magazine: I liked her death. I know, it sounds bizarre. I thought she nailed that. He went on: And its the first time in Thrones that slow motion was used and I think its a beautiful, cradling moment as this battle is raging in the background. It was one of those incredible shots. Harington and Leslie confirmed they were an item in early 2016, and tied the knot at a church in Aberdeenshire in 2018. George Clooney is in talks about making a movie about an Irish sculptor's close friendship with the man who assassinated Abraham Lincoln. News of the possible movie about Co Laois man Launt Thompson comes after the Hollywood actor and director made a private Easter journey to Ireland to meet his Irish relatives for the first time. Clooney, who dropped in on relatives in Thompson's home town of Abbeyleix, is looking at telling the tale of Thompson and his friendship with the Booth brothers, John Wilkes Booth and Edwin Booth. John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln, the US president responsible for leading the Union to victory in the Civil War, on Good Friday 1865 at the Ford Theatre in Washington DC. Expand Close John Wilkes Booth / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp John Wilkes Booth The movie is likely to detail the twist of fate which saw his brother Edwin save the life of Lincoln's son Robert, a Harvard student who almost fell from a train. Despite Thompson being world famous early in his life and considered one of the most important post-Civil War sculptors, he died in obscurity and was buried in an unmarked grave until recently. Expand Close President Abraham Lincoln / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp President Abraham Lincoln Born in 1833, he emigrated to the US in 1847 with his widowed mother, who had no means of support in Ireland. They settled near Albany, New York, famous for its artists and sculptors, and Thompson joined their ranks. Despite a worldwide reputation which enabled him to live and work in Italy for several years before returning to New York, he threw away his success and social status because of his drinking problem. He was eventually arrested for vagrancy and died in the State Homeopathic Asylum for the Insane in Middletown, New York in 1894. Video of the Day Abbeyleix man and director of the irishheritagetowns.com website Andy Ring, who met with Clooney last weekend said: "George was very interested in the story of Thompson and the Booths and has asked for the details to be sent to him and his agent which I have now done. "He thought it would make a movie - which is great. For too long this story has been left untold. "When John Wilkes Booth assassinated president Lincoln, he became one of the most infamous figures in American history almost overnight. This rapid fall from grace took quite a toll on his family, especially his brother. Edwin, was one of the most accomplished and successful actors of the era. "When the news of his brother's crime reached him, Edwin, a staunch supporter of Lincoln, was horrified and at first vowed to retire from the stage permanently." After the assassination, Thompson maintained his friendship with the Booths. It was he who was charged with escorting Mrs Booth, the mother of Edwin and John Wilkes, to a train to Philadelphia after the assassination when her daughter fell ill. Nicholas Hoult and Lily Collins are among stars who will gather in London tonight for the premiere of a biopic about the life of author JRR Tolkien. Hoult, 29, stars as The Lord Of The Rings creator, while Collins, 30, plays his romantic partner, muse and future wife Edith Bratt. Anthony Boyle, Patrick Gibson and Tom Glynn-Carney will also attend the launch of the film at the Curzon in Mayfair. The movie was helmed by Finnish director Thomas Dome Karukoski. However, its launch has not been without controversy. Last week the family of the British writer distanced themselves from the feature. They issued a statement which read: The family and the Estate wish to make clear that they did not approve of, authorise or participate in the making of this film. They do not endorse it or its content in any way. Expand Close Lily Collins plays Edith Bratt (Ian West/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lily Collins plays Edith Bratt (Ian West/PA) Tolkien, who was born in South Africa but raised in Birmingham, is widely considered one of the most influential authors ever thanks to his beloved fantasies set in Middle Earth, principally The Hobbit and its epic sequel, The Lord Of The Rings. Hollywood adaptations of his books have grossed billions of pounds worldwide. Video of the Day He died in 1973 aged 81. Tolkien is due to be released in the UK on May 3. A new documentary claims to have uncovered 'new information' regarding the case of Fiona Sinnott, who disappeared without trace in 1998. Fiona was just 19 when she went missing in Wexford. She was last seen leaving her local pub Butler's in Broadway on February 8 that year. At the time she had an 11-month-old daughter, Emma. Despite thousands of hours of investigations by the gardai and her family and even one inspired by a psychic, no sign has ever been found of Fiona since she vanished. In 2005 her case was upgraded to a murder investigation and six people were arrested and released without charge. Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Fiona Sinnott disappeared 20 years ago / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Missing: Fiona Sinnott: True Lives, which will air on Virgin Media One on Wednesday, includes exclusive access to Fiona's medical records, which documentary makers claim "indicates she was a victim of domestic abuse". Also in the documentary, detective Alan Bailey revisits the area where Fiona was last seen and describes the case as one of the most solvable cases in Ireland. The filmmakers have been working with Fiona's family on the programme for the past 18 months and in the film they open up about Fiona and describe her life before her disappearance. They revisit her old home and follow new leads and tip offs in the hope of finally finding the truth and they also share home footage of Fiona for the first time. Fiona's landlord, her friends, and people in the wider community are also interviewed for the documentary. Missing: Fiona Sinnott: True Lives airs on Wednesday, May 1 at 9pm on Virgin Media One. The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin has said it is "frightening" that terrorist violence has returned so quickly to the North and Sri Lanka. At a Mass in St Mary's Pro Cathedral yesterday in memory of the victims of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks in Sri Lanka, Diarmuid Martin said both Sri Lanka and Ireland have both known violence and the joy of an emerging peace. He told the congregation, - which included President Michael D Higgins, members of the 3,000-strong Sri Lankan community here, and Honorary Consul General of Sri Lanka to Ireland, chef Darina Allen - that an attack on a minority is an attack on the entire population. "Men and women of violence betray the deep desire of humanity the world over for a future of peace," he said. Speaking to the Irish Independent, Dr Martin said it was "frightening" that violence could return so quickly to Northern Ireland and Sri Lanka. He added, "To those who think that violence is the answer - it isn't." Meanwhile, speaking in Armagh, Archbishop Eamon Martin said the atrocities in Sri Lanka were a reminder that violence against Christians is increasing. The victim of an alleged IRA man who raped two teenage boys at a republican safe house two decades ago said his dream life was in tatters from the moment the man entered his house. Seamus Marley (45) of Belfield Court, Stillorgan Road, Dublin, had pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to charges of sexual assaulting and anally raping two boys in Co. Louth on dates in the early 1990's. After a six day trial the jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts on a total of six counts of sexual assault and two counts of rape. A character reference from Marley's pastor described him as an excellent Christian with a charitable spirit. During the trial Patrick Gageby SC, prosecuting, told the jury that the two complainants lived in a large home owned by a dedicated republican and that it began to be used as a safe house. Detective Garda Seamus Nolan told Mr Gageby that Marley was one of these guests and that he was welcomed into the family. The older of the two victims woke up one night to find Marley anally raping him. After the incident Marley warned him off telling anyone what had happened and said he could be found dead on a border road. The younger victim was given alcohol by Marley and was groped or masturbated by him on three or four occasions. On another occasion the child awoke to find Marley sucking his penis, Mr Gageby told the court. Counsel said that the victim was later anally raped by Marley in a tent nearby his house. Marley has no previous convictions. The court heard that he is from a large family in Belfast and that his father was murdered by loyalist paramilitaries. In his victim impact statement, which was read out in court, the older victim said he has spent the previous 27 years living in despair and looking over his shoulder. He said he had finally reached the end of the tunnel and was taking his life back. The younger victim, who also read his victim impact statement, said that as the house was beside a graveyard they had quiet neighbours, dead ones. He said that he had learned that it is not the dead we should be afraid of, but the living. He said that Marley preyed on me, groomed me, abused me and raped me. He said the life he had dreamed of was in tatters from the moment Marley entered the house. Marley was always lurking in the back of my mind, the man said. He said in the years subsequent to the abuse he suffered panic attacks and experienced a deep depression so black it was hard to put into words. He said that the fabrication of stories to discredit him made the trial so much harder. John Fitzgerald SC, defending, said that his client has been in a relationship for 16 years and that his partner had been present in court throughout the trial. He handed in a letter from Marley's pastor which described him as being an excellent Christian who possessed a charitable spirit. Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded the man in custody and adjourned the matter for sentencing on Thursday, next. The Co Tyrone-based Western Building Systems (WBS) has initiated legal action in the Commercial Court seeking the final payments due on eight school building projects The building firm at the centre of the school safety controversy is suing the Department of Education for more than 750,000 in overdue payments. The Co Tyrone-based Western Building Systems (WBS) has initiated legal action in the Commercial Court seeking the final payments due on eight school building projects. WBS confirmed to the Irish Independent that it had initiated proceedings recently, but would not comment any further. It is understood that the company is seeking what is known as retention money, a feature of construction contracts that allows for the withholding of a final payment as security for satisfactory performance. It is the latest development in a major dispute between the department and WBS over building and safety standards at a number of schools built by the company. It emerged last month that Education Minister Joe McHugh has initiated 19 legal actions in the Commercial Court, a division of the High Court, against WBS over alleged defects. Last autumn, the Department of Education ordered structural checks at 42 schools built by WBS. Three of the schools closed or partially closed to allow for remediation works, 19 needed external precautionary measures but did not have to close, while 19 required no intervention. The checks followed the discovery of "significant structural issues" at Ardgillan Community College, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, which forced the closure of a section of the school. The structural concerns at Ardgillan came to light during remediation work, which followed a fire safety audit conducted over the previous year in 55 schools, including 30 built by WBS. As a result of the audit, extensive remedial issues, such as inadequate fire protection around emergency escape routes, were identified in at least eight of the 55 schools. A couple opposing efforts to repossess their boutique hotel over a 25m debt have "seriously and wrongly distorted" the result of a seven year legal battle over their situation, the Commercial Court heard. Patrick Halpin and his partner Ann Keane, owners of the "Aberdeen Lodge" hotel in Sandymount, Dublin, had engaged in a high profile media campaign distorting the results of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal decisions which found they should hand over the premises to a receiver, Mr Justice David Barniville was told. They have also paid just 100,000 off their debt despite making some 4m from their hotel business in the last seven years, the court was also told. On Monday, the judge granted receiver Paul McCann permission to bring an application for the attachment and committal to prison of the couple following an attempt last month by Mr McCann's agents to take possession of the property. The application will be heard in four weeks time. Cian Ferriter SC, for the receiver, said they were ordered by the Supreme Court in March 2016 to leave the property. Their overall debt then stood at nearly 24m. The couple then brought proceedings over Mr McCann's appointment which was originally made in 2012 by IBRC before the debt was sold to Goldman Sachs investment banker affiliate Kenmare Property Finance. In July 2016, the High Court dismissed their challenge as a "collateral attack" on the Supreme Court possession decision. An application to commit them to prison for breach of the court order was brought but was adjourned generally pending an appeal by them in relation to the receiver case. As part of that adjournment, they agreed to pay 5,000 per month off the debt. The Court of Appeal granted a stay on the repossession pending determination of their application to the Supreme Court for a further appeal, Mr Ferriter said. On Feb 15 last, the Supreme Court rejected their application. That gave the receiver the immediate right to take possession but he wrote to the couple and gave them a further six weeks to voluntarily leave, Mr Ferriter said. On March 28, the receiver's agents arrived at the hotel to be met with "a barrage of media" with Ms Keane and Mr Halpin making it clear they would not leave, counsel said. They then "embarked on a high profile media campaign and appeared live on the Miriam O'Callaghan show in which they have seriously an wrongly distorted what happened in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal", counsel said. It is now some seven years since the receiver first took legal action against them during which they "have generated over 4m and paid just 100,000", he said. They have also had accommodation for themselves and their two children in the hotel. They are clearly experienced hoteliers and clearly are able to make a living, he said. The receiver had no desire to have them committed to prison but is hoping that by the time the attachment and committal application is heard that "sense may prevail". Ms Keane said she had only received the papers from the receiver over the Easter break and had not been able to get legal representation because "everyone has been on holiday till this morning". She asked for more time than the three-to-four weeks sought by the receiver. Mr Justice Barniville said he was prepared to give her four weeks and said any replying affidavit to the receiver's application should be in the week before. Dorota Lesniak, of Mayeston Court, Finglas, Dublin 11, pictured leaving the Four Courts after she settled her Circuit Civil Court action. Pic: Collins Courts A 34-year-old chamber maid, who alleged she was left to lift hotel mattresses and heavy linen bags unaided, has settled a 60,000 personal injury claim against the hotel where she worked. Dorota Lesniak, of Mayeston Court, Finglas, Dublin 11, claimed she had suffered a low back injury as a result of having to heave bed mattresses and heavy bags of linen as a result of negligence on the part of her employer, Asymmetric Limited which trades as Dublin Central Inn, Talbot Street, Dublin. Barrister Paul Gallagher told Judge Petria McDonnell in the Circuit Civil Court today that Ms Lesniak had settled her claim for an undisclosed sum. Mr Gallagher, who appeared with Anderson Gallagher Solicitors, said the case could be struck out with no order for costs. Expand Close Dorota Lesniak, of Mayeston Court, Finglas, Dublin 11, pictured leaving the Four Courts after she settled her Circuit Civil Court action.Pic: Collins Courts / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Dorota Lesniak, of Mayeston Court, Finglas, Dublin 11, pictured leaving the Four Courts after she settled her Circuit Civil Court action.Pic: Collins Courts Ms Lesniak alleged in her claim that Asymmetric had been negligent and in breach of its duty to provide her with a safe working environment. The hotel had entered a full defence to her allegations. She claimed she had been allowed to carry and drag heavy bags of laundry and lift mattresses and assemble beds which were heavier that what was safe for her to handle. She also alleged that some beds she had to move were without casters. Ms Lesniak also alleged that the company had failed to allow employees to use the lift when carrying out their duties and to ensure it had been kept in working order. She had also allegedly been caused to lift heavy dishwasher baskets containing crockery. She claimed she had developed pain in her lower back and had initially taken painkillers but had been later diagnosed with a back injury. An MRI scan had revealed she had a small disc bulge and tear. Her ability to bend, kneel, squat and lift had been found to have been moderately impaired. Climbing stairs and walking had also been affected. Judge McDonnell struck out the proceedings. Two truck drivers have gone on trial charged with the murder of a Slovakian father of two who was struck with an iron bar during a row at a petrol station in Fermoy, Co Cork in February 2017. Marcin Skrzypezyk (31) and Tomasz Wasowicz (45) were charged with the murder of Ludovit Pasztor on February 21st, 2017, at the Amber Petrol Station, Carrignagroghera, Fermoy. Mr Wasowicz was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm on the same date. The men, who are Polish nationals, went on trial at the Central Court Criminal sitting in Cork. Outlining the case for the State Siobhan Lankford, SC, said that a dispute had broken out between the two accused, Mr Pasztor and his friend Mariusz Osail on the evening of the 21st of February, 2017. Addressing the jury of eight men and four women Miss Lankford said that 40-year-old Ludovit Pasztor went to his friend's house in Fermoy at 2.30pm on February 21st, 2017. Mr Pasztor and his friend Mariusz Osail consumed "a significant amount of alcohol." Between 9.30pm and 9.45pm they went to the Amber Petrol Station in Fermoy and purchased eight cans of Carlsberg. Meanwhile, the court heard the two accused were working for a haulage company at the time. They were complying with tachograph rules which allow individuals to log a certain number of hours driving before requiring them to have a rest period. The two men got out of their trucks to go to the toilet. Mr Pasztor and Mr Osail were passing and heard the pair conversing conversing in Polish so they went over to speak to them. The conversation became acrimonious and Ms Lankford said witnesses would give evidence that there was "argy bargy" or "unhappy words." Mr Pasztor and his friend went back to the house and got two bars from a dismantled trampoline. Miss Lankford say Mr Pasztor and Mr Osail returned to the petrol station. "They took two of these (bars) and went back to the Amber Filling Station with a view to renewing their conversation with the two truckers. They knocked on the door of the truck and the two drivers came out". Miss Langford said that another truck driver would give evidence of witnessing a physical altercation between the four men. Mr Pasztor and Mr Osail were disarmed of their iron bars. Mr Pasztor got hit in the altercation. Mr Osail made a 999 call at 10.15pm and gardai were on the scene at 10.22am. They found two iron bars. One at the scene and one in a field nearby. A stun gun was also found in Mr Wasowiczs truck. Mr Pasztor had moved to Ireland in 2010. He was employed in Kepak Meats in Watergrasshill and later in Silver Pail Dairy in Fermoy. Mr Skrzypezyk, who previously lived in Macroom in Co Cork, and Mr Wasowicz, who previously lived in Portarlington in Co Laois, returned from Poland to answer the charges. The case, which is being presided over by Justice Carmel Stewart, will last for up to three three weeks. A new law criminalising serious offences - including rape and murder - committed abroad by Irish citizens will come into effect today, further bolstering protections for women suffering domestic violence. Under the Criminal Law (Extraterritorial Jurisdiction) Act 2019, citizens who commit specific offences abroad will be liable to be prosecuted under Irish law. Among the offences listed under the new legislation are murder, manslaughter, rape, sexual assault, harassment, coercion and threats to kill, as well as assault causing harm or serious harm. Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said: "We are steadfast in our efforts to combat violence against women and all forms of domestic violence. "This act enables Ireland to effectively tackle these serious crimes at home and abroad." Mr Flanagan said the passing of the law would enable Ireland to ratify the Istanbul Convention on combating violence against women and domestic violence. The act was signed into law by President Michael D Higgins on International Women's Day. Targeted: Scorch marks and a broken window could be seen at a house in Scarlett Crescent, Drogheda. Photo: Caroline Quinn Gardai working in the border are set to back a motion calling for an Armed Support Unit (ASU), operating around the clock, to be established in each of their Garda divisions. Audacious raids on ATM machines near the border as well as the ongoing criminal feud in county Louth are among the reasons why gardai in the Northern region, which comprises the border counties, want the extra armed resource. There are regional ASUs in Louth and Donegal but the GRA representatives in the border region want them to also be based in Sligo/Leitrim and Cavan/Monaghan divisions. At its annual delegate conference, which starts today, the Garda Representative Association (GRA) will debate a motion from the Sligo/Leitrim representative Ray Wims for the 24-hour cover. He said, local detectives are issued with firearms for their personal protection and not to provide the armed support needed for checkpoints or armed and knife incidents. Uniformed gardai are only equipped with anti-stab vests, pepper spray and their batons which he says, is totally insufficient for policing the kinds of incidents now regularly occurring in the Sligo Leitrim Division and Northern Region, so the deployment of appropriate Armed Support Units in each division in the Northern Region is now evaluated as imperative by the GRA Divisional and Regional Committee. Expand Close Targeted: Scorch marks and a broken window could be seen at a house in Scarlett Crescent, Drogheda. Photo: Caroline Quinn / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Targeted: Scorch marks and a broken window could be seen at a house in Scarlett Crescent, Drogheda. Photo: Caroline Quinn In Louth, where the ongoing feud has resulted in high visibility armed patrols for months, CEC member Derek ODonoghue said, frontline members need and deserve more armed cover. Members should go about doing their job, not being compromised, and having the armed resource available anything of the day without constraints. He said gardai in Louth, have dealt with explosives and firearms finds, the threat of ATM thefts - which was prevented in Carlingford, guns being discharged in Dundalk and Drogheda, pipe bombs and petrol bombs and thats only since January this year. In Cavan/Monaghan, where two ATM raids have taken place, CEC representative James Morrisroe said, One only has to look at recent criminal activity in the border region as a whole to realise that it inevitably will be a uniform frontline member that will be first on the scene of many serious incidents. Such incidents can occur at any time of the day or night. Armed units provide invaluable assistance and backup to these members and indeed the public as a whole. Certainly we in the Cavan Monaghan Division will be supporting this motion. Brendan OConnor, from the Donegal division said gardai there also back the motion. The ASU in the Northern Region are an integral part of the policing response to threats posed by feuding criminals in Drogheda, the spate of cross border ATM thefts and the activities of subversive groups in the NorthWest. The challenges are immense and the risks very real to frontline members. He said, the only effective solution is to ensure that armed cover is available in each division. He said the ASU is also called on to provide armed back up at, what appear to be increasing numbers of violent domestic incidents where lives are in danger, mental health related incidents where licensed firearms are a consideration and various planned searches carried out as part of ongoing investigations into drug supply and ordinary criminality. Read More Today, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said that criminal activity on the streets of Drogheda will not be tolerated by him or by the gardai and that additional resources will be deployed to Drogheda and Louth to tackle the situation. Speaking to Radio Kerry, during a visit to Kerry for Citizenship Ceremonies in Killarney on Monday and ahead of the GRA conference that kicks off today, he said that he has been "fully briefed" on the Drogheda situation and has spoken with Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris and members of his senior management team over the weekend about the unfolding situation in Drogheda. "I am concerned about the situation in Drogheda. I visited Drogheda at the turn of the year where I met with local garda leaders, local community leaders and public representatives and I have been fully briefed on the situation. "This type of criminal activity will not be tolerated by gardai or by me as Minister for Justice. I spoke to Commissioner Drew Harris before the weekend and members of his senior management team over the weekend and I am satisfied that every effort is being made," he said. Minister Flanagan said additional resources have already been deployed to Drogheda and the Louth Division and that in the comings weeks, as more gardai come out of Templemore, they will be deployed to the region. A garda operation in underway in Drogheda, known as Operation Stratus, and that this operation is designed to take a small number of people who "seem to have no regard for the law" off the streets. The National Bureau of Criminal investigation (NBCI) from Dublin and the armed response unit are working with local gardai to tackle the situation. Minister Flanagan called on the community in Drogheda to work with gardai in order to ensure that they have the necessary evidence to get those breaking the law off the streets. "I would appeal for the community in Drogheda and Louth to co-operate fully with gardai to ensure the appropriate amount of evidence that is going to be needed to take these people off the streets. A community buy-in is essential in order to ensure that gardai are in a position to assemble the evidence." He said that he understood peoples fears but that the gardai but that he and the gardai were keen to meet the situation in Drogheda "head on" and that they needed the support of the community to do so. Minister Flanagan is also to speak at the GRA conference tomorrow where the issue of garda reforms will be raised. He said that he recent scandals were "particularly bad for gardai" but that there is an appetite for reform and that these reforms would be accelerated to ensure that by 2022, when Ireland will celebration 100 years of An Garda Siochana, that there will be a garda service on a par with "anything in the world". He said the Government had committed "record resources" to the Gardai of 1.7bn to and that more and more numbers are coming out of Templemore to assist gardai on the streets. Minister Flanagan also stated that there was no plans afoot to change Irish Citizenship rules given links that Irish Citizens have had to the Caliphate. He said that the granting of citizenship is done under strict rules. The entire national council of the National Association of General Practitioners (NAGP) has resigned over concerns about internal governance. The organisation was set up in 2013 to represent GPs at a time they were suffering the effects of cuts in medical card and other HSE fees imposed during the recession. In a statement to members last night, NAGP president Dr Maitiu O Tuathail along with other council members said they had all resigned. "At last year's AGM concerns were raised about the governance of the NAGP," said the statement. "Following this, the national council commissioned a governance report from Ampersand, which recommended a new governance structure for the organisation, and we had begun that journey. Subsequently, serious issues of internal governance were brought to the attention of the national council and the directors of the NAGP." The statement added that "significant efforts were made to resolve these issues through a process of renewal, transparency, and accountability". "We regret and apologise to our members, that this was not achieved," it said. "As a result, the national council, whose role is advisory, have tendered their resignation to the directors." Dr Andrew Jordan, one of the NAGP founders, said last night he was disappointed by the move. He said it was premature as a change in structures was due to come before its annual meeting next month. "The organisation is imploding," he said. The 1.7bn hospital, which is currently under construction on the campus of St Jamess Hospital in Dublin, has been seeking to recruit two radiologists in the last year but has not had suitable candidates. Photo: PA The new National Children's Hospital is at risk of becoming "a shiny flagship" with a sub-standard service because it will not be able to attract enough specialist staff, consultants have warned. The 1.7bn hospital, which is currently under construction on the campus of St James's Hospital in Dublin, has been seeking to recruit two radiologists in the last year but has not had suitable candidates, the annual meeting of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) was told. The IMO consultants' committee claimed that it is offering doctors "inferior" terms and conditions because they will be required to work rosters involving shifts. Consultants' committee chairman Dr Clive Kilgallen said: "If they want to change the work routine it needs to be negotiated." Dr Trevor Duffy, a rheumatologist at Connolly Hospital in Dublin, told the meeting it amounted to inferior work conditions. Dr Anthony O'Connor, a Dublin gastroenterologist, warned: "We could see a shining beaming building with a sub-standard service." The first satellite centre for the hospital is to be opened in Connolly Hospital in July. A spokeswoman for the board overseeing the hospital said yesterday that since January 1 this year the three children's hospitals at Crumlin, Temple Street and Tallaght have merged to form Children's Health Ireland (CHI). "This is a major step forward in what will be the biggest clinical transformation ever undertaken in acute paediatric care in Ireland, with the workforces from the three hospitals coming together as one team of 3,370." She said the plan is to open the outpatient and urgent care centre at Connolly in July and the majority of posts have now been filled. "A total of 13 consultant posts are required and are included in the HSE National Service Plan 2019 to support services opening in the new paediatric outpatients and urgent care centre at Connolly. To date 10 of these positions have been filled and recruitment is ongoing for the remaining posts. "There are recruitment challenges nationally, and internationally, in certain specialities such as paediatric radiology and this challenge has been experienced by CHI," she said, adding that contingency plans are being developed for radiology services at the Connolly centre. Gardai have questioned a man after a shocking video of a racist attack on a taxi driver went viral. The footage shows a man racially and physically abusing a taxi driver, and has been shared widely on Twitter over recent days. It is understood the incident was recorded on Easter Sunday night in Dublin. The man - who is sitting in the front passenger seat - is seen shouting "what's your favourite position?" in the face of the driver, before referring to him using a racial slur numerous times. The man then proceeds to attack the driver, referring to him as a "f***ing c***" and punching him on several occasions. The passenger, believed to be from Kerry, can then be seen to remove his seatbelt and accost the driver, requesting that he gets out of the car while claiming to be "a police officer". However, gardai have confirmed the suspect in the case is not a member of the Garda. The video has been shared hundreds of times on social media with the original poster requesting help in identifying the passenger. Derek Devoy, who founded Taxi Watch, a suicide prevention service run by taxi drivers, yesterday said he had been in contact with the man who he believes was the passenger. Mr Devoy confirmed the man was due to go to a Garda station yesterday evening. Gardai later confirmed in a statement that they had questioned a man. "Gardai in Clontarf are investigating the alleged assault of a taxi driver that occurred at approximately 10pm on the Malahide Road, Donnycarney on April 21," the statement said. "A suspect in the case has presented themselves at a north Dublin Garda station and gardai are following a definite line of enquiry. "Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact Clontarf garda station 01 6664800 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111," said a Garda spokesman. Gardai have said that as the investigation is ongoing, they would not be commenting further at this time. Vincent Kearns, chief executive of Xpert Taxis, has worked as a taxi driver and was vice president of the National Taxi Drivers Union. He said that incidents like this were not uncommon for taxi drivers. "It's horrific. It's a difficult one to handle. I spent most of my life as a taxi representative, the head of a union and even now I run a taxi company with over 500 drivers. "If I get a driver, whether it be a Nigerian driver or an Indian driver, someone who is easily identifiable by race as not being Irish, I ask them if they have ever suffered any type of racial abuse. The majority of them say, 'nothing too serious, but yes'. "There are no statistics on how frequently this type of abuse happens, but I can tell you, it's frequent enough. I've certainly heard of many cases of it," he said. The moving testimony of Clodagh Hawe's family on coercive control has led to an increasing number of sexual assault and rape survivors revealing that they too have been victims of this crime. Clodagh's mother Mary Coll and her sister Jacqueline Connolly gave a powerful interview on 'Claire Byrne Live' on RTE in February, a month after legislation made coercive control an offence. Ms Hawe (39) was murdered along with her children, Liam (13), Niall (11) and Ryan (6), by her husband Alan Hawe (40) on August 29, 2016, at their home near Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan. The killer then took his own life. In that watershed interview, Ms Coll said: "There was a control element... he had this silent presence. He could stand five foot away but you would know that he was in control." Since that interview and since the law was introduced in January making coercive control a criminal offence, more callers to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) have reported they have been subjected to such control. Chief executive of the centre, Noeline Blackwell, told the Irish Independent: "Regarding calls in relation to sex offences, definitely for many of the callers, they are victims of coercive control. "When we look at rape cases, we do get calls on coercive control and this is so firmly in the context of domestic violence. "But given we are only at the end of April, it will take time to build up evidence and cases for the people saying they are victims of coercive control," she added. Ms Blackwell said right up until the legislation was introduced in January, survivors had realised they were suffering as a result of control but it could not be pinned down as a crime. Now, under the Domestic Violence Act 2018, a pattern of intimidation or humiliation involving psychological or emotional abuse is an offence. Meanwhile, Ms Blackwell welcomed an additional 1.5m in funding for services supporting domestic and sexual violence survivors. The funds, from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, represented a 10pc increase in funding for the DRCC, Ms Blackwell said. However, Cliona Saidlear, executive director of the Rape Crisis Network Ireland, said she believed some facilities may actually have witnessed "cuts" in their funding. "We're not clear if Minister Zappone's announcement does not constitute a funding cut," she told the Irish Independent. "The minister's announcement was out of the blue, no one was consulted and we don't know what it means for each centre." A Tusla spokesman told the Irish Independent the minister's funding announcement was "in addition to the funding already being provided by Tusla". A department spokesman said: "The 10pc increase in core funding to the 16 rape crisis centres in 2019 is based on the previous core funding provided to these centres in 2016." Murdered: Lyra McKee was shot dead by a New IRA gunman in Derry. Photo: Jess Lowe Photography/Handout via REUTERS A close friend of Lyra McKee has said the latest attempt by the New IRA to justify the journalist's murder and its ongoing terror campaign is "absolute insanity". Victims' campaigner Ann Travers last night condemned the terror group - which 11 days ago fatally shot the 29-year-old writer in Derry - calling it "disgusting and insane". She was speaking after the New IRA army council gave a newspaper interview in which it openly admitted the killing of Ms McKee did not further its "cause". It also said it accepted its gun and bomb attacks would not "defeat" the British army and its deadly campaign would never succeed. However, it said this would not deter it as its actions serve another purpose, it told the 'Sunday Times'. "They are symbolic. They are propaganda. They let the world know there is an ongoing conflict in Northern Ireland," explained a member. Ms Travers, whose 22-year-old sister Mary was shot dead and her magistrate father Tom seriously injured in an IRA gun attack in 1984, said the killers' thinking is deeply warped - particularly as it has acknowledged its deadly campaign is futile. "The fact that they can say that their actions to murder are symbolic shows the measure of their absolute insanity," she said. "It shows a lack of emotion and lack of humanity that they can take a human life like that." The New IRA, which refused to say if it is planning to escalate its gun and bomb campaign, also said it would be "remiss of us not to capitalise on the opportunity" presented by Brexit. "Brexit has forced the IRA to refocus and has underlined how Ireland remains partitioned," it said. "It's put the Border on the agenda again." But Ms Travers dismissed this claim as a blatant and cynical attempt by the New IRA to exploit the current political situation. The group's attempt to absolve itself of her friend's killing by insisting it had not planned an operation in Derry's Creggan area the evening Ms McKee was shot in the head amid a street riot was pathetic, added Ms Travers. "It was our intention to engage with the Crown forces when they started searching houses that led to the death. That poor woman got caught in the street violence," the New IRA spokesman said. Ms Travers said the paramilitary group was deluded as it was armed on the evening in question, ready to kill or wound. "[Lyra's killer] had a gun. What did they think would happen? "They knew that there were neighbours, children and journalists there," she said. "It was nothing more than murder. The use of language like 'Crown forces' shows that they are in a time-warp, like they're back in the 1970s." Ms Travers said she could only agree with the New IRA's admission its apology to Ms McKee's family was "hollow" and nothing it could say would bring comfort to the journalist's loved ones. "Their apology is hollow. They need to put their guns and bombs to rest and hand over Lyra's killer," she said "They need to be brave and accountable, instead of the cowards that they are." She said the New IRA's remarks were deeply hurtful to Ms McKee's family, who continue to grapple with the enormity of her loss. "Lyra's family are very gentle, very private - no doubt these [New IRA comments] will be causing them untold distress. "There was no reason for her death. Lyra had every right to be there that night." Broadcaster Miriam OCallaghan was among those involved in the seventh annual Women in Media conference, where homelessness, journalism and Brexit were among the subjects under discussion. Photos: Domnick Walsh Homelessness campaigner Fr Peter McVerry says he believes more than half a million people are living in a "housing situation causing them serious distress". Speaking at the Women in Media conference in Ballybunion, Co Kerry, Fr McVerry said the housing crisis affects far more than the 10,000 people in emergency accommodation. Those in "distress" include people "living in crowded accommodation, poor quality rented accommodation, and people living in good quality rented accommodation but worried about their rents". Fr McVerry was taking part in a panel discussion on the housing crisis which also featured Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development Damien English, journalist Justine McCarthy and Labour spokesperson on housing Jan O'Sullivan. Fr McVerry said the current crisis came about as successive governments stopped building social housing stock. Building more social housing units needs to be a priority, he said. "We've got to see investment in council housing as just as important as investment in broadband or investment in transport or investment in motorways. Investment in council housing is the only solution for this housing crisis," he said. Fr McVerry warned the Government is heading into "catastrophe", saying some 40,000 mortgages are in arrears, with 28,000 of them owner-occupied. If further housing repossessions occurred, this country "could not cope", he said, and we would be treated to the sight of families staying "in garda stations, in parks and streets". He also called for more action to be taken to address empty houses sighted throughout the country, with greater use of Compulsory Purchase Orders. Labour's Jan O'Sullivan told the conference that when she was junior minister for housing, "under the Troika, we weren't allowed to build houses". The only thing they could do at the time was restore social housing units and get them back in use. "The reality is these things take time," she said. Ms O'Sullivan told the conference a bill is currently working its way through the houses of the Oireachtas which aims to give people living in rented homes greater rights. Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, broadcasters Miriam O'Callaghan, Katie Hannon (who won the Mary Cummins Award for outstanding achievement in journalism last night)and Keelin Shanley, MEP Mairead McGuinness and event sponsor's Vodafone's CEO Anne O'Leary were among those who featured in the discussions over the weekend. (CNN) Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed special counsel Robert Mueller to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, submitted his resignation letter to the White House Monday. It is effective May 11. "We enforce the law without fear or favor because credible evidence is not partisan, and truth is not determined by opinion polls," Rosenstein wrote. "We ignore fleeting distractions and focus our attention on the things that matter, because a republic that endures is not governed by the news cycle." Rosenstein often found himself the target President Donald Trump, especially after hiring Mueller in 2017. Shortly after being confirmed as deputy attorney general, Rosenstein wrote a memo criticizing former FBI Director James Comey amid Comey's investigation into Russia's 2016 actions, which Trump used as part of his reasoning in firing Comey. After Comey was fired, Rosenstein brought Mueller in as special counsel to continue the investigation, and Mueller also looked at the question of obstruction of justice. In the days after Trump fired Comey, Rosenstein discussed wearing a "wire" to record conversations with Trump and recruiting Cabinet members to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office, The New York Times first reported and CNN later confirmed. Earlier this month Rosenstein defended his handling of the Russia investigation and recalled during his Senate confirmation hearing that he had promised to "do it right" and "take it to the appropriate conclusion." "It's not our job to render conclusive factual findings. We just decide whether it is appropriate to file criminal charges," Rosenstein said at an event in New York. On Monday, Rosenstein wrote in his resignation letter to Trump, "We keep the faith, we follow the rules, and we always put America first." This story is breaking and will be updated. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein resigns." Jim Mulligan, President, Garda Representative Association (GRA), left and Pat Ennis General Secretary ahead of his association's annual conference in Killarney on Monday evening. The GRA 2 day conference begins on Tuesday. Photo: Don MacMonagle The body who represent frontline gardai have described the criminals involved in the bitter Drogheda feud as reckless, indiscriminate thugs as they called for more resources to deal with the dispute. The president of the Garda Representative Association (GRA), Jim Mulligan who is an officer based in south Dublin, made the remarks at a press conference at the opening of the association's annual conference in Killarney, Co Kerry, this evening. His comments came after seven firebomb attacks and an attempted gun murder in the past week as the feud in the Co Louth town threatens to spiral out of control. The Garda Representative Association is acutely aware of the need for a better equipped, better trained, more professionalised police force, Mr Mulligan told reporters. Events in Drogheda and elsewhere in Louth, Meath and border counties has brought this need into stark focus in recent days and weeks. We have been making our case for better training, equipment and facilities for a number of years. Regrettably, weve not got the response we were looking for. However, too much is at stake to start playing a blame game. The safety of the public is the number one priority. The people of Drogheda, in particular, need a united front from everyone involved in policing The operational response to these serious crimes is a matter for the Commissioner and the GRA supports any additional measures he may take to crack down on these reckless, indiscriminate thugs, he explained. His comments came as it emerged that rank and file gardai are seeking a 24-hour armed support unit in every division in the country to deal with violent crime including Co Louth where the feud is raging. There are major concerns also that a garda could be shot by one of the organised crime gangs involved in ATM thefts and Garda James Morrisroe of the Northern Garda Division told independent.ie that the criminals involved in this type of crime have no fear of unarmed gardai. IT makes sense for banks to place dye in ATM machines to try halt crime gangs continuing its spate of ATM robberies on both sides of the border, the president of the Garda Representative Association (GRA) has said. Gardai and the PSNI have been frustrated by the recent spate of robberies amid growing public anger. GRA president Jim Mulligan said the spate of ATM robberies were a concern for gardai. Mr Mulligan added that cash-and-transit vans had dye mechanisms attached to deter robberies. Luke and Ryan Hart's father Lance murdered their mother Claire and sister Charlotte in 2016. Below, they speak about how their father was personified as "a nice guy" who "snapped" in the aftermath of the brutal killings in Lincolnshire in England. .... On July 19, 2016, our father killed our mother Claire and our 19-year-old sister Charlotte in broad daylight. He then killed himself. Only five days before, we had broken our mother out of the family house and we had moved to a small rented house five miles away. We had spent our entire lives studying, working and saving to give mum and Charlotte the life they deserved, only to have it stolen from them. In the aftermath of the murders, we witnessed a commentary that described our father as a nice guy who was always caring and good at DIY. One report even stated that the murder of our sister and mother was understandable. The sympathising male angle of the reporting revealed our default societal perspective: we were forced to read of our fathers suicide note rather than the murder note that it was to our mother and sister. The murders were treated as an isolated, random and unpreventable news story for which nothing needed to change. Yet, in the subsequent police investigation it was uncovered that our father had been searching online for reports of men who killed their families for months before he killed ours. He would have seen the media providing these men with a public funeral and justifying their actions. Expand Close Claire Hart / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Claire Hart In fact, victim-blaming and murderer-sympathising headlines are still common. In Ireland, two notable cases echoed our experience, although there are innumerable such instances. Jessica Bowes was brutally attacked by her partner and one report recorded that a mum broke nearly every bone in her face as if she did it all by herself. Clodagh Hawe and her three sons, Liam, Niall and Ryan were murdered by their father. The immediate response quoted Alan as a pillar in the community and a primary school teacher who helped out with the local GAA club. It is no surprise that we do not see cruelty when it is happening given that we continue to deny it after it has happened. It is no coincidence that the media often expresses shock at domestic homicides, highlighting the good character of the killers. This should be proof that the stereotypes are wrong and we need to be willing to have conversations about this. As much as the media represents these murders as incomprehensible, they can be understood. The fact that neighbours can think abusers are great guys but that their families can suffer so much shows how these men, and it is almost overwhelmingly men, control who they abuse. These men kill because they believe they can, in fact they believe they should in order to assert their masculine dominance. The emotional language used in the media betrays the true motivations of men who kill women and children. They are not provoked, they do not snap, they do not lose it. They are calculated and cold-blooded. Expand Close Charlotte Hart / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Charlotte Hart The media portrays a dangerous outside world for women and children, full of perilous dark alleyways and malevolent strangers. However, true danger for women and children is at home, at the hands of their husbands and fathers. 50pc of murdered women are killed by a partner or ex-partner as opposed to only 3pc for men. Men do not randomly kill the women closest to them, these women are targeted because they are perceived as male possessions. Abuse is so widespread, in fact one in four women will suffer it in their lifetime in the UK, that we cannot arrest our way out of domestic abuse. We need to stop it by talking particularly by talking about the abusers use of control this starts with the media. We recognise that significant amounts of education on coercive control are required. In fact, despite living with it for 25 years, the first time we heard of coercive control was when we were sat in the police station, two days after the murders, and saw at a poster that articulated our fathers behavior exactly. Our father had not been explicitly violent towards us but he turned our home into a financial, psychological and emotional prison. Since we did not understand coercive control, at first we could not understand how the murders of Mum and Charlotte had seemed to have come out of nowhere: we had understood domestic abuse to be about violence, but the violence all came at once. However, it was only when we understood domestic abuse to be about control and when we understood murder as the ultimate act of control that we were able to see the truth of our experiences. Suddenly, our fathers actions followed a trend of increasing control over our entire lives. Coercive control is best understood by considering not necessarily what is done to you, but what is taken away. Fundamentally, coercive control is a liberty crime. It is often asked, why didnt she leave? And that question shows how little domestic abuse is understood. Abuse is not supposed to push the victims away, but to force them to stay. Our fathers behavior made us all, but particularly our mother, a socio-economic hostage; slave to his masculine insecurity. When a bomb goes off, the media talk about terrorism in general. But when a domestic homicide happens, the media rarely mention domestic abuse. They focus in on personal family problems and often frame the discussion around male mental health issues. We cannot afford to continue uninformed conversation on abuse any longer. Abuse is a societal problem an order of magnitude more dangerous than terrorism. Over one hundred women are killed by partners or ex-partners each year. It took terrorist between 2006 and 2018 to kill one hundred people. The greatest terrorism is gender based, not religious or ethnic. The media needs to play its role in ending abuse. Visit: www.cocoawareness.co.uk If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article you can contact Womens Aid on their national helpline 1800 341 900. For children, Childline can be contacted for confidential support on 1800 66 66 66 or text Talk to 50101. Independent TD Michael Lowry has said "friendships supersede politics" after he was pictured on the Fine Gael European election trail. The controversial TD's cameo in the campaign poses the latest headache for Fine Gael involving Mr Lowry, who last night tipped one of its candidates to take a European Parliament seat. Mr Lowry often votes with the Fine Gael-led minority Government and has suggested that representations he has made has delivered investment in Tipperary. Leo Varadkar last year confirmed he contacted Mr Lowry to seek his support for the Dail vote where he was elected Taoiseach. But he insisted there is no formal arrangement in place with Mr Lowry in return for his support. Now, Mr Lowry - who was Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications from 1994 to 1996 - has been photographed alongside Fine Gael Ireland South candidate Sean Kelly during his European election campaign. Outgoing MEP and former GAA president Mr Kelly posted the picture among others on social media with the caption: "I'm in Tipperary today to meet everyone and discussing my key priorities for EU Elections 2019." Last night, Mr Lowry said he has a "personal friendship" with Mr Kelly from their work together in the GAA. "I consider him to be one of the best European representatives that Ireland has. I have no doubt that he will be re-elected on merit," Mr Lowry added. He confirmed he intends to vote for Mr Kelly but denied he is canvassing for him. Mr Lowry said "friendships supersede politics" and added that he is friends with other people in the race from both Fine Gael and across the political spectrum. Mr Kelly said he "bumped into" Mr Lowry at the opening of a co-op and that "he wished me the best of luck". The MEP said he has taken photographs with "lots of candidates" including Independent Mattie McGrath and Fianna Fail TD Jackie Cahill. Mr Lowry's links to Mr Kelly sparked a row within Fine Gael during the 2009 European elections after Mr Kelly attended a function to celebrate the former Fine Gael minister's career in politics. This prompted the party hierarchy to speak to Mr Kelly about his ties to Mr Lowry. Last night, Fine Gael did not respond to queries about Mr Lowry's appearance alongside Mr Kelly. Mr Lowry's financial affairs were investigated at the Moriarty Tribunal which examined the awarding in 1995 of the State's second mobile phone licence to businessman Denis O'Brien's Esat Digifone. The tribunal found that the then-communications minister assisted Mr O'Brien in his bid to secure the licence and Mr Lowry's influence was "insidious". Both men have rejected the tribunal's findings. Mr Lowry last night said the tribunal "is in the past". Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin makes his address in front of the commemoration wall at Arbour Hill cemetery. Photo: Gerry Mooney Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has suggested that a referendum on same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland could help break the impasse in the upcoming talks. The Irish and British governments have announced renewed talks aimed at restoring the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly. It came after the murder of journalist Lyra McKee by the New IRA on April 18. Mr Martin was speaking as members of his party gathered at Arbour Hill cemetery for its annual 1916 Rising Commemoration. He said Fianna Fail welcomed the announcement of renewed talks, but added: "Clearly Sinn Fein and the DUP have deep problems with how they deal with each other." The Northern Ireland Executive collapsed more than two years ago in a row over a renewable heat incentive scheme. However, Sinn Fein and the DUP have since clashed over an Irish Language Act for Northern Ireland and same-sex marriage. Expand Close 1916 Rising memorial: Eoin Carroll (9), Charlie McAllister (3), Cillian Devlin (6), Torah Devlin (5) and Conor McMorland (6) with lilies in front of the commemoration wall at Arbour Hill cemetery. Photo: Gerry Mooney / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp 1916 Rising memorial: Eoin Carroll (9), Charlie McAllister (3), Cillian Devlin (6), Torah Devlin (5) and Conor McMorland (6) with lilies in front of the commemoration wall at Arbour Hill cemetery. Photo: Gerry Mooney Mr Martin suggested that one way forward would be for the suspension or limitation of the so-called "petition of concern procedure" in the Assembly. This mechanism has been used by the DUP in the past to block same-sex marriage in the North, which is the only place in the UK where it is not legal. Mr Martin said that alternatively an immediate commitment for a referendum on same-sex marriage that would quickly follow the restoration of the institutions "might be a way out" and could "break the logjam". He said that whatever is done it requires the parties to "move beyond their short-term interests" and return to the kind of leadership shown during the negotiation of the Good Friday Agreement. He said: "In my view, the institutions should never have been collapsed over the heating scandal." Mr Martin said that when such issues arise they should be dealt with "but you don't collapse parliament... that was a fundamental mistake that was made". Fine Gael ministers believe they must press ahead with the 3bn National Broadband Plan (NBP) to avoid a drubbing in the upcoming local and European elections. That is despite a warning by one of the country's most senior civil servants that the project is not value for money and intense Opposition pressure over the controversial rollout of high-speed internet to rural areas. However, amid fears of the impact scrapping the plans now would have on Fine Gael's election prospects, ministers are determined the NBP must go ahead. One senior minister told the Irish Independent that voters are demanding to know when they are getting the long-promised broadband. "They really don't care how much it's going to cost as long as they get it because children can't do their homework... It's needed for everything." They said Fine Gael couldn't afford to take a hit in the local elections if the plan was abandoned after the promises that had been made to rural Ireland. Another minister said the Government is in a scenario where they're "damned if you do and damned if you don't". They said that if the decision is taken that the NBP cost is too much, they will be accused of stalling the project and the "Opposition would get a lot of mileage out of it" during the upcoming elections. They said if it goes ahead the Government will be accused of a cost overrun like the National Children's Hospital. "I think there's no choice but to press ahead," the minister added. Another senior minister said: "Broadband has to happen. It would be like leaving people in the dark and that's unimaginable now. "Let's just get on with it. Fianna Fail will try to make out that it's loads of money - but let's see them tell people it's not happening." It was revealed in the 'Sunday Independent' that Department of Public Expenditure secretary general Robert Watt has told Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe that the NBP should be abandoned. Fianna Fail and Labour have demanded the Government publish the advice it received from public expenditure officials on the costs of the NBP. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin lashed out at what he claimed was "eight years of failure" to deliver broadband to rural Ireland and a "botched" procurement process which sees just one bidder left in the competition. Labour leader Brendan Howlin said that ultimately ministers make decisions but it must be with "complete and frank advice". "We can't go back to what happened in the run-up to economic crash where the Government is only told what they want to hear," he said. A spokesperson for Mr Donohoe said: "The Government will make a transparent decision on this issue." A spokesperson from the Department of Communications said the goal is to deliver broadband to 540,000 premises in rural Ireland. "We have to make sure we do it right. The Government will make its decision on this important issue soon, in the full knowledge of the cost of the project and the alternative options." DUP leader Arlene Foster with Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O'Neill before the funeral service for murdered journalist Lyra McKee at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast. Photo: PA The priest who challenged politicians with his powerful words at the funeral of Lyra McKee has said he wants to hear about "more than just the difficulties" in the upcoming talks in the North. Fr Martin Magill said politicians need to show "determination" and the kind of "doggedness" Ms McKee demonstrated during her journalism career, in the negotiations to restore Northern Ireland's political institutions. His remarks came after he told how he had spoken to both Sinn Fein's Mary Lou McDonald and the DUP's Arlene Foster after the funeral. He said that while he had "pleasant" conversations with the two leaders, both of them told him of the "difficulties" they saw ahead. Fr Magill said: "I need to hear more than just the difficulties. I need to hear determination. "We know there are problems... But we've got to work through those," he said. Fr Magill's eulogy at the funeral of Ms McKee - who was gunned down by the New IRA earlier this month - made headlines around the world. He asked: "Why in God's name does it take the death of the 29-year old woman, with her whole life in front of her, to get to this point?" It resulted in a standing ovation among the congregation with the politicians joining in when they realised those behind them had taken to their feet. Fr Magill told the BBC: "The people, in a sense, really put the pressure on in the cathedral to stand. Obviously the politicians realised; 'Oh goodness, everybody behind us is standing, we need to move' and they literally moved because people had moved." He said he believed it was a metaphor for the talks announced by the British and Irish governments last week. Separately, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin branded those responsible for Ms McKee's murder as "cowards" with a "cartoon vision" of republican activism. He said despite this they "cause great harm", intimidating people going about their daily lives. "We have to be resolute in fighting these groups," Mr Martin said. Warning: Bertie Ahern believes politicians risk a return to violence unless government is restored in the North. Photo: Domnick Walsh Eye Focus Violence will take centre stage in the North unless political leaders "keep at" the talks in a bid to get Stormont back up and running, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has warned. His call on talks was echoed by Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness and UCC's Dr Mary C Murphy who warned that if talks don't happen in a proper forum, people die. The three were on a panel discussing Brexit at the Women in Media Conference in Ballybunion, Co Kerry. The event is sponsored by Vodafone and the discussion was chaired by journalist Sarah Carey. Mr Ahern warned the spree of ATM robberies across the North and Border counties was likely the work of people who wish to buy arms. He also said the New IRA was recruiting people and if politicians don't stay centre stage, violence will take over. Speaking about the murder of journalist Lyra McKee, Mr Ahern said British Prime Minister Theresa May was "visibly moved" at Ms McKee's funeral. This prompted her to move ahead with opening talks between the parties in Northern Ireland, he said. Mr Ahern described the murder of Ms McKee as an "eye-opener for everybody". He said: "I think her funeral and the events around it have been incredibly sad on one side, but a wake-up call on the other, [which] maybe is a good thing. They [the DUP and Sinn Fein] got to the stage where they believed, wrongly in my view, that their own electorate or the electorate generally didn't really care that there were no institutions. "And every time you challenge them in private, you get the same old answer. And just the week before Lyra died, I was up in Belfast. I met the DUP people and I met the Sinn Fein people as well and they were saying 'listen we're not under any pressure'. "That was the difficulty in that they believed there was no pressure on them to actually deal with this. I think there is pressure on them. "Politicians should never allow centre stage to the violence. "If politicians don't keep the talks going, and I don't care if they're successful, they have to keep going, and going and going. You have to keep at it." Meanwhile, Mr Ahern told the conference that Tory Brexiteer Jacob Rees Mogg admitted to him he didn't know what the Irish Border was. He also described Mr Rees Mogg as a "strange fish, in and out of the water" and said he was a "lovely fella when he's asleep". When asked by Mairead McGuinness "how do you know?", he replied: "When he's awake, he definitely is a strange fish I tell you, in and out of the water." "But the reality is he admitted to me he had no idea of what the Border was. I think a lot of British politicians thought the Border was something up around Dundalk or Newry, and that there was a gate on it. "I mean the idea that it was 460km across the island and that you could criss cross it to farms and houses, they just didn't know it. "And regards to the fact that a lot of these guys went to Oxford, Cambridge and Eton, they're not very bright. This is the problem." "There is nothing wrong with the backstop," he added. Mr Ahern said there is a perception that the much-talked-about backstop was a "massive thousand-page document". "The backstop plan is essentially a safety net. If there's no exit deal, it will avoid a hard Border in the Republic. Basically that's all it is," he said, adding it would ensure no tariffs or quotas be applied between the EU and the UK. Mr Ahern has attended several Brexit committees in Westminster, saying the backstop is used as an excuse by politicians there to "have a go". Elsewhere at the conference, RTE broadcaster Katie Hannon was awarded the Mary Cummins award for outstanding achievement, while photographer Valerie O'Sullivan was awarded the Joan Kennelly special media award. Stephen Teap and his wife Irene with their sons Noah and Oscar, pictured on Christmas Eve 2016 just months before she died Vicky Phelan has praised fellow cervical check campaigner Stephen Teap for his "poignant post" about making memories for his young children. Stephen Teap, the Cork father of two young sons who lost his wife Irene to cervical cancer, paid tribute to her on their holiday in Legoland. Expand Close Vicky Phelan. Photo: Fergal Philips / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Vicky Phelan. Photo: Fergal Philips Irene was one of the 221 women caught up in the CervicalCheck controversy. She died in July 2017 having twice been given the all-clear in smear tests carried out in 2010 and 2013. On Friday, her widower Stephen posted a memory on Facebook of the familys trip to Portugal in 2016, which they all thought was a holiday to celebrate her all-clear. He wrote: Very sobering to see this Facebook memory pop up on my timeline today as I sit here with Oscar and Noah in Legoland. This day 3 years ago we were jetting off to Portugal to celebrate what we thought was Irene's victory on beating Cervical Cancer. Amazing how much life can change in such a short space of time. But what I take away from this photo is the importance of #makingmemories, dont waste a second of life, you'll never know when it will be your last, always keep moving forward and every now and then take a little rest. Writing this morning on Twitter, Vicky Phelan said that Mr Teap "offered advice that everyone should follow". "I know that I certainly live by that mantra and am living my life to the full, making memories for my kids," Ms Phelan wrote. An 'abusive' ATM machine has been unveiled to highlight financial abuse in Ireland today. The 'Abusive Teller Machine' was launched by Womens Aid and AIB to show how financial abuse manifests across daily interactions in abusive relationships. According to Womens Aid, financial abuse is a form of domestic violence in which the abuser uses money as a means of controlling their partner. By controlling a persons access to financial resources, the abuser ensures that they will be forced to choose between staying in an abusive relationship or facing extreme poverty. Filmed in AIBs The Lab in Dundrum Shopping Centre in early April, the Abusive Teller Machine, a specially created ATM, was programmed with the kind of controlling questions all too common in financially abusive relationships. As customers attempted to access their money the questions became increasingly intrusive and intimidating before the customer was ultimately denied their money and the reason for their experience revealed. Women's Aid is a leading national organisation that has been working in Ireland to stop domestic violence against women and children since 1974. As a large financial institution in Ireland, AIB wants to ensure that even the most at risk of its customers are cared for and is collaborating with Womens Aid to address the lack of awareness around domestic financial abuse. Speaking on the collaboration, Womens Aid Director Margaret Martin was keen to highlight the prevalence of financial abuse throughout Irish society. Earlier this month, we published our annual impact report which highlighted the level of contacts that we have received in the last 12 months; of the 19,000 contacts, there were over 1500 disclosures of financial abuse from all backgrounds and regions of the country. We know this is just the tip of the iceberg. Expand Close The 'Abusive Teller Machine' / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The 'Abusive Teller Machine' The collaboration will see Womens Aid and AIB work on heightening awareness around financial abuse, with AIB providing training for staff on supporting and referring women who may be affected by financial abuse. You might hate Monday, but you'll love our weekly pick of Ireland's top travel offers... 199pp: Relax in Rome Cassidy Travel has a city break to Rome, departing May 29 with flights and accommodation at the Colony Hotel, from 199pp. 01 969-5550; cassidytravel.ie. 177pp: Bees Knees in Tralee Tralee's four-star Rose Hotel has its own beehives, and it's celebrating with a special offer including two nights' B&B, honey-themed afternoon tea with a cocktail and a 30-minute honeysuckle spa treatment from 354 for two. There's a complimentary jar of honey, too. 066 719-9100; therosehotel.com. 559pp: New York, New York Sunway has a three-night trip to New York next January, including flights and a room at the Roosevelt Hotel, from 559pp based on two sharing. The rate doesn't include daily resort fees. Ref. IV1050919. 01 231-1800; sunway.ie. 1,519: A family ski holiday in Italy Crystal Ski has several family deals on offer for two adults and two kids (under 11), including a January 12th departure to La Thuile. It includes flights, transfers and accommodation at the 3-star, self-catering Planibel Apartments (though not lift passes or equipment hire). 01 653-3500; crystalski.ie. 1,779pp: Kick back in the Caribbean Tropical Sky has expanded its choice of hotels in the British Virgin Islands to include eco-chic resort, the 10-room Cooper Island Beach Club, which is the only accommodation on Cooper Island. Seven night B&B stays, including flights and transfers, start from 1,779pp. 01 664-9999; tropicalsky.ie. NB: All travel deals subject to availability/change. 'My question is simple: Who sets the standards?' Stock photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Whilst anyone with any decent humanity would rightly condemn the killing of Lyra McKee in Derry on Easter Thursday, I am concerned by the action of the company Facebook who deleted the account of the Saoradh political group. My concerns are based around the concept of free speech and the democratic right of political groups to use social media, providing they dont give a platform to hate speech or religious demonisation. If one were to follow the logic of Facebook, then all political groups must adhere to some ritual in giving vent to their political viewpoint which must adhere to some sort of normal standards. My question is simple: Who sets the standards? Surely on the most recent past the company known as Facebook are the last company to call for political correctness! Paul Doran Clondalkin, Dublin 22 Parties in North must change how they campaign for votes The way the main parties in the North approach elections needs to change if there is ever to be a sustainable governing body. The vote for us so the others dont get in mantra must end. Vote for us based on our policies. Damien Carroll Dublin 24 Help us to save others from terrible tragedy of suicide Families and communities throughout our country continue to be blighted by the devastation of suicide. There are no words to accurately describe the fallout resulting from a death by suicide or indeed any tragic death. A mixture of emotions take over your life and its impossible to function normally. The ordinary events of everyday life become meaningless. Life as you know it has changed in the blink of an eye. The sense of hopelessness is overwhelming, but amid all the turmoil there is hope and there is help. Eight years on from losing our son David to suicide we still mourn him and he is always in our thoughts. But life is different now, the bad days are less frequent and the important things in life are clearer now than they ever were. Im not qualified to advise anyone on how to deal with their grief but I do know help is available and sometimes bereavement counselling can be a good place to start. Reading this letter might give encouragement and hope to some family who are now experiencing the rawness of a recent suicide or tragic death and, more importantly, reach out to someone contemplating suicide to seek help. This years Darkness into Light walk in aid of the suicide prevention charity Pieta House takes place at 4.15am on Saturday, May 11. The theme of this years walk is The Power of Hope. Show your support and join the thousands who will walk in the hope of reducing suicide numbers in our country. John Higgins Ballina, Co Mayo Repugnant to associate one religion with terrorism I doubt if Christianophobia or Islamophobia ever exist. Christians lived for centuries side by side with Muslims. How many churches have ever been attacked in Jordan or Palestine (the Holy Land), including the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem where Jesus the Christ was born? None. Historic churches stand there as testament to harmonious coexistence. Yes, some Christians are persecuted in countries like Pakistan, but mainly for social reasons (they look down at them and consider them as a low caste but such practices are un-Islamic in nature). I am proud more than ever of being a Muslim. Extremists are everywhere. Dont you remember the massacre of the entire Nepalese royal family at the hands of the crown prince in 2001? The entire Nepalese monarchy was wiped out (Hindus). More than 100,000 were killed in the Sri Lankan civil wars (Hindus and Buddhists). What about the Rohingya Muslim community? Again, countless Muslim women were raped by mainly Buddhist men. Many children were used in wars as mercenaries, and many of the foreign fighters were/are rapists, drug addicts and of criminal record. It is therefore repugnant to associate any specific religion with terror. Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob London, UK Fine Gael or Fianna Fail can you split the difference? It was always said that a vote for Sinn Fein is a vote for the IRA. Not to be outdone, a vote for Fianna Fail is a vote for Fine Gael. Robert Sullivan Bantry, Co Cork Dancing With The Stars finalist Johnny Ward (31) has described his split from his long-term girlfriend as "sad", but said they will remain good friends. The former Fair City actor broke up with his live-in partner Rachel Tracey about two months ago - another apparent case of the so-called Strictly curse. He confirmed the split over the weekend as he attended the Peter Mark VIP Style Awards with dance partner and good pal Emily Barker. "It is over and it is sad but you know what, we are being grown-up about it," he revealed. "We were together six years and of course it is a struggle. But we remain good friends and I spoke to her this week." Johnny has now moved in with his mum Kathy to support her after she suffered a health setback in the wake of his dad's death in March. He said of his split from Rachel: "It was difficult because we had a car and the dog and we had to sort that out but we are good friends. Expand Close Johnny Ward, Emily Barker at The Marker Hotel, Dublin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Johnny Ward, Emily Barker at The Marker Hotel, Dublin "It was a bad couple of months for me but I get to move back in with my mom. And after the death of my father, that is a real help and comfort to me." Despite the death of Johnny's beloved father John at the start of March, the actor had to continue with the gruelling routine of Dancing With The Stars. He credits dancer Emily, who looked stunning at the Style Awards in a red floor-length gown, for being a rock for him. At the event, she and Johnny were keen to catch up with their DWTS pals including Mairead Ronan, who was there with John Nolan alongside Holly Carpenter and Julien Benson. Johnny and Emily will be reuniting again tomorrow for Today FM's Dance for Cancer, a cause clearly close to his heart. But despite having no shortage of female fans, Johnny says he is not dating anyone right now. "I am not in a position where I'd want to date. It has been a very tough time for me and I am just getting on with things," he said. Meanwhile, he will be reprising his role in Coppers: The Musical when it returns to the Olympia Theatre in July. He plays Dubliner Gino Wilde, who falls for an American girl, played by Michele McGrath. Expand Close Rachel Tracey and Johnny Ward in 2015 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Rachel Tracey and Johnny Ward in 2015 Police in the US have launched an appeal for information after a large plastic cow was stolen from a restaurant. Harold Seltzers Steak House in St Petersburg, Florida, is offering a free meal as a reward to anyone who can help them locate the black and white bovine ornament, which went missing on Saturday. Holy Cow- its Missing! Saturday afternoon at about 3pm, someone stole a large plastic black and white cow from Harold... Posted by St. Petersburg Police Department on Sunday, April 28, 2019 The owners of the restaurant told local police the 12ft by 3ft ((3.7m by 0.9m) plastic cow has great sentimental value. Shes not wearing a collar and is very friendly, the restaurant added in a post on Facebook. St Petersburg Police shared a photo of a model cow, which they said is similar in appearance to the one missing. The theft has been cause for amusement for some on social media, with one Facebook user commenting that police must have been udderly surprised by the theft and another describing the situation as a cowtastrophe. Memorial: A boy holds a candle during a vigil in Colombo in memory of the victims of the Easter attacks. Photo: Thomas Peter/Reuters The father and two brothers of the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday terror attack that killed 253 people in Sri Lanka promised more destruction would follow in a chilling video just before they killed themselves. The trio had blown themselves up last Friday just as police launched a raid on their house in Sainthamaruthu, eastern Sri Lanka, leaving 15 people dead, including six children. "The disbelieving dogs have closed in on us. We pledge to teach a lesson to all those who are trying to destroy us. The right lesson. Very soon," says one of the brothers in the video, Rilwan Hashim, wearing a belt with explosives around his stomach. A battle-scarred man who is blind in one eye with the fingers of his right hand missing bears close resemblance to Mohamed Zahran Hashim, who is believed to be the leader of the terror cell. Zainee Hashim, the younger brother of suspected ring leader Zahran, says his final words to the camera, holding an AK47 rifle in one hand, with a small child, identified as his son, seated on his lap: "The killings won't stop here, even if we are destroyed... you can be sure you will meet more of these attacks in future." The terrorist duo's father, Mohamed Hashim, sitting between his sons, calls the video "the final call". The ominous message is punctuated by crying children in the background, in what seems to be a house filled with youngsters. The trio filmed their final words just before the police and military officers surrounded their hideout last Friday. In the fierce battle that ensued, following a tip-off by the officials of the local mosque and their Muslim neighbours, the three men died. A sister of Zahran confirmed the father and two brothers were killed in the shoot-out. Military spokesman Brig Sumith Atapattu said at least one of the explosions inside the house was "definitely a suicide bombing" that killed 15 people. A woman and a child who survived the explosions but remain in critical condition, were later identified by the police as the wife and child of Zahran. Police still were sifting through the wreckage yesterday, taking fingerprints and video footage. Watermelon rinds and a box of dates were still on the kitchen counter, while four pairs of children's flip-flops were by the front door. But in the main room, where the three men filmed the video, a huge crater had punched a hole in the concrete floor, while bloodstains covered the wall. Sri Lanka has been on high alert since the attacks on Easter Sunday, with nearly 10,000 soldiers deployed across the island to carry out searches and hunt down members of two local Islamist groups believed to have carried out the attack. Authorities have detained more than 100 people, including foreigners from Syria and Egypt since the April 21 bombings. Yesterday, police in the eastern town of Kattankudy raided a mosque founded by Zahran which doubled up as the headquarters of his group, the National Thawheedh Jamaath. ( Daily Telegraph, London) Trevor Mathe is stepping down as chief executive of Auto Trader (Jonathan Cole/Auto Trader/PA) Auto Trader chief executive Trevor Mather is to retire from the top role at the online car dealership, months after leading it into the FTSE 100. Mr Mather, who joined the business as CEO in 2013, led the groups 2.3 billion flotation on the London Stock Exchange in 2015 and has helped its share value rise by more than 70% in the past year. He announced plans to retire from the business by the end of March 2020. The company hailed record growth for the half-year to September 2018 as it saw revenues jump 7% to 176.8 million. Nathan Coe, currently chief operating officer and chief financial officer at the company, will take over at the helm upon Mr Mathers retirement and has been made CEO-designate for the interim period. Mr Coe joined the company in 2007 and was part of its transition from a magazine business to a purely digital company. Expand Close Auto Trader chairman Ed Williams (Jonathan Cole/Auto Trader/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Auto Trader chairman Ed Williams (Jonathan Cole/Auto Trader/PA) Chairman Ed Williams said: Trevor has made a phenomenal contribution to Auto Traders success over the last six years. In addition to leading the hugely successful IPO, he has overseen a period of consistently strong financial results and shareholder returns whilst also working tirelessly to build a unique and values-led culture. The fact that we are able to promote from within to replace him, as well as the other senior roles around him, is clear testament to the strength of the team that he has developed and nurtured. Mr Mather said: It has been the greatest privilege of my career to be at the helm of Auto Trader. Its an outstanding business, and I want to thank every one of the wonderful employees who have helped to create the successful company that it is today. Nathan has effectively been running the business alongside me since 2017. He is more than ready to lead the company and I am proud and lucky to have worked with him. Current operations director Catherine Faiers will be promoted to chief operating officer and join the company board from the start of next month. Ms Faiers joined the business in 2017 after working as COO at upmarket taxi firm Addison Lee, and is responsible for day-to-day operations at the company. Boeing shareholders are meeting six months to the day since the first of two deadly crashes involving the companys 737 Max airliner, and as new questions arise about the aerospace giants handling of the crisis. Southwest Airlines has said it was not told that a safety feature on the Max was turned off until after the first crash. Read More Expand Close Protests outside Boeings annual shareholder meeting in Chicago (Jim Young/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Protests outside Boeings annual shareholder meeting in Chicago (Jim Young/AP) Meanwhile, American Airlines pilots have said Boeings proposed pilot training for new automation on the Max is not good enough. At the meeting Monday in Chicago, chairman and CEO Dennis Muilenburg said Boeing is close to completing an upgrade to flight software on the jet that will ensure accidents like these never happen again. Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, right, is hugged as he leaves a news conference at the Chabad of Poway synagogue (AP) An eight-year-old girl has revealed how she suffered a shrapnel wound in a deadly shooting at a Southern Californian synagogue. Noya Dahan had finished praying and gone to play with other children at Chabad of Poway near San Diego when gunshots rang out. Her uncle grabbed her and the other children, leading them outside to safety as her leg bled from a shrapnel wound. I was scared, really, really scared, said Noya, recalling how the group of children cried out in fear after a gunman entered the synagogue on Saturday morning and started shooting. Expand Close A woman cries during a candlelight vigil held for victims (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A woman cries during a candlelight vigil held for victims (AP) I didnt see my dad. I thought he was dead. The onslaught on the last day of Passover, a Jewish holiday celebrating freedom, wounded Noya, her uncle Almog Peretz and the congregations rabbi. Congregant Lori Kaye, 60, was killed. Authorities said the 19-year-old gunman opened fire as about 100 people were worshipping. The attack came exactly six months after a mass shooting in a Pittsburgh synagogue. Rabbi Yishoel Goldstein said he was preparing for a service when a young man wearing sunglasses appeared in front of him with a rifle. I couldnt see his eyes. I couldnt see his soul, Rabbi Goldstein said. He raised his hands and lost one of his fingers in the shooting. Expand Close A 60-year-old woman was killed in the shooting (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A 60-year-old woman was killed in the shooting (AP) And then, the rabbi said, miraculously the gun jammed. In the moments that followed, Rabbi Goldstein said he wrapped his bloodied hand in a prayer shawl and addressed congregants gathered outside the building, vowing to stay strong in the face of the deadly attack targeting his community. We are a Jewish nation that will stand tall. We will not let anyone take us down. Terrorism like this will not take us down, he recalled telling the community. Authorities said suspect John T Earnest, who was not known to police, may face a hate crime charge in addition to homicide charges when he is arraigned later this week. Police searched Earnests house and said he was also being investigated in connection with an arson attack on a mosque in nearby Escondido, California, on March 24. There were indications an AR-type assault weapon might have malfunctioned after the gunman fired numerous rounds inside, San Diego County Sheriff William Gore said. Update #11 This is the second news release about a deadly #synagogueshooting during Passover services at Chabad of Poway. All road closures have been lifted. There are no media briefings planned for today. pic.twitter.com/pO47ZAvYHz San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) April 28, 2019 An off-duty Border Patrol agent fired at the shooter as he fled, missing him but striking his getaway vehicle, the sheriff said. Shortly after fleeing, Earnest called 911 to report the shooting, San Diego police chief David Nisleit said. When an officer reached him on a road, the suspect pulled over, jumped out of his car with his hands up and was immediately taken into custody, he said. Rabbi Goldstein described Ms Kaye as a pioneering founding member of the congregation and said he was heartbroken by her death. He said the attack could have harmed many more people had the shooter turned towards the sanctuary where so many were praying. Lori took the bullet for all of us, the rabbi said, his hands wrapped in bandages. She didnt deserve to die. He said that Ms Kayes physician husband was called to tend to a wounded worshipper and fainted when he realised it was his wife. Friends described Ms Kaye as giving, warm and attentive to community members on their birthdays and when they were sick. Sheriff Gore said authorities were reviewing Earnests social media posts, including what he described as a manifesto. There was no known threat after Earnest was arrested, but authorities boosted patrols at places of worship on Saturday and again on Sunday as a precaution, police said. A person identifying himself as John Earnest posted an anti-Jewish screed online about an hour before the attack. The poster described himself as a nursing school student and praised the suspects accused of carrying out deadly attacks on mosques in New Zealand last month that killed 50 and at Pittsburghs Tree of Life synagogue on October 27, in which 11 people were killed. US national security adviser John Bolton told Fox News Sunday: It was a hate crime, no doubt about it. He said investigators have not seen any connection between the suspect and other extremist groups. Body: A diver uncovers a suitcase in a man-made lake near the village of Mitsero outside Nicosia. Photo: Petros Karadjias/AP Cypriot investigators hunting for bodies dumped by a suspected serial killer found a suitcase containing the decomposing remains of a woman at the bottom of a man-made lake. The body is believed to be that of one of the victims of a Cypriot military officer who has confessed to killing seven foreign women and girls. The suitcase was weighed down by a concrete block, the chief of Cyprus' Criminal Investigation Department said. Senior Inspector Neophytos Shailos said a coroner who examined the body at the scene said it was in an advanced stage of decomposition. Authorities focused their search on the lake about 32km west of the capital, Nicosia, after the suspect - a 35-year-old army captain - told investigators he put the bodies of three of his victims into suitcases and threw them into the toxic lake, part of a now-defunct copper pyrite mine. Those victims are believed to be Maricar Valtez Arquiola (31), from the Philippines; Florentina Bunea (36), from Romania; and Bunea's eight-year-old daughter, Elena Natalia. Ms Arquiola has been missing since December 2017, while the mother and daughter vanished in September 2016. Insp Shailos said a coroner who carried out a preliminary examination determined the body is of an adult female. The retrieved suitcase is one of two located in the lake. Insp Shailos said authorities wouldn't retrieve the second one immediately, but would continue scouring the lake for the third suitcase. The development is the latest in a rapidly unfolding case that has shocked Cypriots who fear a serial killer has been preying on foreign women who came to work in the east Mediterranean island nation. The case came to light with the April 14 discovery of the bound body of 38-year-old Mary Rose Tiburcio, from the Philippines, down a flooded shaft near the lake. The discovery triggered a homicide investigation that led to the captain's arrest before a second woman's body - thought to be that of 28-year-old Arian Palanas Lozano, also from the Philippines - was found in the mineshaft on April 20. Police said the suspect admitted killing them both and they believe that he also killed Ms Tiburcio's six-year-old daughter, Sierra, who remains missing. The scope of the case expanded when the suspect confessed last Thursday to killing a total of five women and two of their daughters. The suspect, who hasn't been named because he has not been charged yet, also led investigators to a military firing range where the decomposed remains of a woman were discovered down a pit. Officials said the remains could be those of Ashita Khadka Bista, from Nepal. Police initially tracked down the suspect through Ms Tiburcio's computer messages on a dating site. Investigators said the two had had a six-month relationship before Ms Tiburcio and her daughter disappeared in May 2018. A court heard Ms Tiburcio's roommate had pleaded with her not to take along her daughter to a rendezvous with the suspect on the night of her disappearance. But Ms Tiburcio said the suspect insisted that she bring her daughter along so the child could play with his two small children. He faces charges including premeditated murder and kidnapping for alleged crimes dating to September 30, 2016. Police chief Zacharias Chrysostomou has ordered an internal probe to determine whether investigators had failed to properly investigate the women's disappearances, amid public criticism that authorities did little to search for the women when they were reported missing. Spain's governing Socialists won the national election yesterday but will need the backing of smaller parties to stay in power. Meanwhile, a far-right party rode a groundswell of support to enter the lower house of parliament for the first time in four decades, provisional results showed. Voters in Spain had become disillusioned as the country struggled with a recession, austerity cuts, corruption scandals, the divisive Catalan independence demands and a rise in far-right Spanish nationalism. As a result, after having only two main political parties for decades, Spain's political landscape has fragmented into five leading parties. With more than 90pc of ballots counted, the Socialists led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez won nearly 29pc of the vote, capturing 122 seats in the 350-seat Congress of Deputies. The new far-right Vox party made its national breakthrough by capturing about 10pc of the vote, which would give it 24 seats. Vox's success apparently came at the expense of the once-dominant conservative Popular Party, which fell to 65 seats, losing half of its support since the last election in 2016. The conservatives also lost votes to the centre-right Citizens party, which will increase its seats from 32 to 57. "We told you that we were going to begin a reconquering of Spain and that's what we have done," Vox leader Santiago Abascal said, in reference to the 15th-century campaign by the Spanish Catholic kings to end Muslim rule in the Iberian peninsula. Vox general secretary Javier Ortega Smith told supporters that "today is historic" and derided the success of the Socialists. "This is an ephemeral victory, since the left knows that with Vox, their party is over," he added. To remain in office, Mr Sanchez will have to form a governing alliance with smaller parties, including the far-left United We Can. Since he still needs about 15 more seats, Mr Sanchez will have to decide whether he wants to make pacts with Catalan and other separatist parties - a move that would anger many Spaniards, especially nationalist Vox supporters. Pablo Casado, who had steered the Popular Party further to the right to try to stop it from losing votes to Vox, called the ballot the country's "most decisive" in years. Polls only a week ago showed that about one-third of Spain's nearly 37 million voters were still undecided. Turnout in Sunday's vote was around 75pc, up more than eight points since the previous election in 2016. The arrival of Vox in Madrid's national parliament marks a big shift in Spain, where the far right has not played a significant role since General Franco. Signs of support and flowers adorn a post in front of the Chabad of Poway synagogue (Gregory Bull/AP) The FBI says it got tips about a threatening social media post about five minutes before a deadly attack on a synagogue near San Diego, but it was too late to identify the suspect. In a statement to The Associated Press, the FBI said on Monday that it got word about the anonymous post through its tip website and phone line just before Saturdays attack on the Chabad of Poway. Expand Close Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein was injured in the attack (Denis Poroy/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein was injured in the attack (Denis Poroy/AP) The FBI says the tips included a link to the post, but did not offer specific information about its author or the location threatened. The bureau says its employees immediately took action to identify who wrote the post but the shooting took place before they finished. The attack killed one member of the congregation and wounded the rabbi and two others. A 19-year-old man surrendered to police a short time later. Fire has raged through the top floors of a 21-storey residential building in the Philippine capital, killing an elderly woman and injuring five other people. Firefighters battled the blaze at the Pacific Coast Plaza condominium in Paranaque city, Manila, where a woman was found dead in the upper floors. A firefighter was treated for fatigue. Expand Close Fire in the top floors of the 21-storey Pacific Coastal Plaza condominium in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila (Bullit Marquez/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Fire in the top floors of the 21-storey Pacific Coastal Plaza condominium in suburban Paranaque, south of Manila (Bullit Marquez/AP) Investigators will inspect the floors gutted by the fire, which was put under control about three hours after it started. The fire apparently began in or near the rubbish chute that runs from the top to the ground floor, Mayor Edwin Olivarez said. At the height of the fire, dark smoke billowed from the mid-section of the top five floors, leaving a black stain on the white facade of the building, which Mr Olivarez said was built more than two decades ago. Many Chinese citizens have moved into the condominium in recent years, he said. Expand Close A firefighter rescues a dog from the scene (Bullit Marquez/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A firefighter rescues a dog from the scene (Bullit Marquez/AP) Fire officials say more than 100 fires have hit the Philippine capital this summer, more than in the previous year, mostly because of faulty electrical connections and unattended candles and gas lamps. The Philippines has a poor safety record blamed on weak enforcement of regulations and past corruption. A nightclub fire killed 162 people, mostly students celebrating the end of the school year, in suburban Quezon City in the capital in 1996. Many of the victims were unable to escape because the emergency exit was blocked by a new building next door. A white whale found wearing a harness and harassing Norwegian fishing boats last week could have been trained by the Russian navy, marine experts have said. The whale is understood to have been acting strangely and was actively attempting to get at ropes and straps on the boats, with experts believing it may have been used as part of a Russian special ops programme with underwater mammals. The harness, which was removed from the whale, had 'equipment of St Petersburgh' written inside it. Fisherman, Joar Hesten told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that the whale seemed used to human contact. We were going to put out yarn when we saw a whale swimming between the boats. It came over to us, and as it approached, we saw that it had some sort of harness on it," Mr Hesten said. Martin Biuw of Norway's Institute of Marine Research said if this whale comes from Russia and there is great reason to believe it then it is not Russian scientists, but rather the navy that has done this." While marine biology professor at the Arctic University of Norway, Audun Rikardsen also told NRK that Russian researchers said they had nothing to do with them. They tell me that most likely is the Russian navy in Murmansk," he said. "We know that in Russia they have had domestic whales in captivity and also that some of these have apparently been released. Then they often seek out boats," he added. Tales Soares is taken from the catwalk by paramedics. Photo: AP A 26-year-old Brazilian model has collapsed on the catwalk in front of horrified onlookers and died. Tales Soares staggered while turning at the end of the stage during his performance at Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Brazil on Saturday night. The audience had thought his collapse was part of the show until emergency workers rushed onto the stage as he began foaming at the mouth. They were unable to revive him and he was later pronounced dead at a hospital in Sao Paulo. The exact cause of his death remains unclear. The show went on despite Mr Soares's death, with models brandishing handwritten placards on the catwalk with messages such as "Luto" (mourning) and "Amor" (love). Mr Soares was employed by prestigious Brazilian agency Base MGT, which issued a statement denying drugs played a part in his death. Brazilian news websites have been rife with speculation. One reported he had tripped on the straps of his sandals. Another outlet alleged vegetarian food was unavailable and that Mr Soares, who did not eat meat, had therefore not eaten for a long time. Organisers denied that was the case. ( Daily Telegraph, London) Michael Middleton was accused of marrying four women in multiple states (York County Sheriffs Department via AP) A man accused of being married to four women has pleaded guilty to bigamy but will avoid jail time if he behaves for the next five years. Michael Middleton, 43, married a Georgia woman in 2006, an Alabama woman in 2011 and a New Hampshire woman in 2013. That led to the bigamy charge in New Hampshire, but according to court documents, he also married a fourth woman in Kentucky in 2016. Prosecutors in New Hampshire say he used the marriages to gain access to the womens assets. In court on Monday, Assistant Strafford County Attorney Michael Rotman read a statement from Middletons New Hampshire wife, Alicia Grant, who blamed Middleton for her transformation from a compassionate person to someone with a not-my-problem attitude. Expand Close Michael Middleton pleads guilty in Strafford County Superior Court in Dover, N.H., to the charge of bigamy in New Hampshire, Monday, April 29, 2019. He will avoid jail time if he behaves for the next five years. (Deb Cram/Foster's Daily Democrat via AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Michael Middleton pleads guilty in Strafford County Superior Court in Dover, N.H., to the charge of bigamy in New Hampshire, Monday, April 29, 2019. He will avoid jail time if he behaves for the next five years. (Deb Cram/Foster's Daily Democrat via AP) She said she was satisfied that he was facing consequences for his actions. When we got married six years ago, what I thought I had found in him was a life partner, someone that I could face lifes ups and downs with, someone my children could look up to, Ms Grant wrote. Instead I got six years of pain and misery as I tried to free myself from the prison of his lies and manipulations. Middleton was arrested in Ohio in February. He also has faced domestic violence charges in Maine. As part of his 12-month suspended sentence, Middleton was ordered to undergo screenings for domestic abuse and substance abuse, and comply with any recommended counselling or programmes. Neither he nor his attorney spoke at the hearing other than to answer brief questions from the judge. After the hearing, Middleton was asked if he was sorry for his actions. He told reporters he felt compassion and understanding for his New Hampshire wife, Ms Grant, after hearing her letter. It was a good outcome, he said. I hope to move forward with my life and everything, and abide by everything that was handed down to me. The construction crane fell from a building on Googles new Seattle campus (AP) Officials in Washington state are expected to confirm the identities of the four people killed when a construction crane fell from a Seattle building. The King County Medical Examiners office said it would release the names of the female and three males who died on Saturday afternoon when the crane crashed onto one of Seattles busiest streets. Seattle Pacific University said that a first year student was among those killed when the crane fell from a building under construction on Googles new Seattle campus onto Mercer Street. Expand Close Workers clear debris in the wake of the tragedy (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Workers clear debris in the wake of the tragedy (AP) Sarah Wong had intended to major in nursing and lived on campus, the university said. Ms Wong was in a car when the crane fell. All four people had died by the time firefighters arrived Saturday afternoon, fire chief Harold Scoggins said. Two were workers who had been inside the crane while the other two were in a car, fire department spokesman Lance Garland said. While we grieve the sudden and tragic loss of our precious student, we draw comfort from each other, Seattle Pacific said. We ask that the community join us in praying for Sarahs family and friends during this difficult time. The crane struck six cars, and left four other people injured. Expand Close Several people were hurt in the accident (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Several people were hurt in the accident (AP) Frank Kuin, a Montreal-based journalist, was in a Seattle hotel lobby when he heard a big bang and felt the floor shake. He said he initially thought there had been an earthquake. Then he saw motorists leaving their cars on a nearby off ramp and running towards something. Mr Kuin followed them around a corner and saw a chunk of the crane lying on top of cars, including three that were crushed. To imagine what happened to those people who just happened to be driving by was quite shocking, said Mr Kuin, who later took photographs of the scene from his fifth-floor hotel room. Officials do not yet know the cause of the collapse. The tower crane was being disassembled when it fell from the building, according to officials. A 28-year-old man remains in hospital in a satisfactory condition. A mother and her infant were released from hospital on Saturday while a fourth person injured was treated at the scene and released. The deadly collapse is sure to lead to increased scrutiny over the safety of the dozens of cranes that dot the citys skyline. With Amazon, Google and other tech companies increasing their recruitment in Seattle, the city has more cranes building office towers and apartment buildings than any other in the United States. As of January, there were about 60 construction cranes in Seattle. A strike among pilots at Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has entered its fourth day, with the carrier being forced to cancel 1,213 flights on Monday and Tuesday, affecting some 110,000 passengers. The flag carrier of Denmark, Norway and Sweden said more than 170,000 passengers have been affected since the open-ended strike started on Friday. Expand Close Grounded SAS planes at Oslo Gardermoen airport (Ole Berg-Rusten/NTB Scanpix via AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Grounded SAS planes at Oslo Gardermoen airport (Ole Berg-Rusten/NTB Scanpix via AP) The strike began after the collapse of pay negotiations with the SAS Pilot Group, which represents 95% of the companys pilots in the three countries. There is no sign of when talks might resume on a new collective bargaining agreement. SAS CEO Rickard Gustafson has urged the pilots to resume talks. Now we both have to take responsibility and come back to concrete discussions to find solutions that also make the company have a future, even after this conflict, Mr Gustafson told Swedens news agency TT. We have put attractive offers on the table that they have rejected. Having a list of demands that knocks off the feet of our competitiveness just doesnt work, he added. Jacob Pedersen, an analyst with Denmarks Sydbank, said the pilots want their share of company earnings after the carrier posted a profit in the past four years following a cost-saving programme that started in 2012. We all benefit from expanding access to insurance, starting with lower health care costs. When faced with a medical condition, those without insurance often have little choice but to rely on the emergency room, which legally must treat them regardless of ability to pay. The cost of this care is passed on to consumers through higher insurance premiums and higher medical costs for those with insurance. Thats why premiums for people who buy their own health insurance are seven percent lower on average in states that have closed their coverage gap compared to those that havent. Closing the coverage gap is particularly powerful for rural hospitals and communities in North Carolina. Rural hospitals are disproportionately affected when people dont have health insurance. With smaller margins to operate, rural hospitals often struggle to compensate for patients who cant afford to pay for their care. Forty percent of North Carolinas rural hospitals are operating in the red, and five have closed since 2014. We need to close the coverage gap to help keep their doors open. Expanding access to health insurance in North Carolina would provide 12,000 veterans who currently have no insurance access to affordable health care, serve as a critical tool to fight the opioid epidemic, and support childrens health. Charter schools in Cabarrus County were also included in the recently released state report on crime and dropout rates. The N.C. Department of Instruction released its Consolidated Data Report in March, detailing trends from the 2017-18 school year on crime, suspension and dropout rates. Charter schools in Cabarrus County in the report include Carolina International School, Cabarrus Charter Academy, Kannapolis Charter Academy and A.C.E. Academy. The Department of Instruction said the report was created with the goal of gaining new insights by analyzing and reporting these data together. Improvements in school operations can lower crime and suspension rates and make it more likely that children will remain in school, the report says. The data used in this annual report were largely collected in the PowerSchool Incident Management Module. Schools initially entered their data in PowerSchool, and the data was extracted to a state discipline dataset at years end. The report only included suspensions and expulsions for the charter schools. Suspensions and expulsions The sandbox could help achieve a balance between innovation and regulatory frameworks to ensure the orderly development of the fintech sector in India. Last week, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) proposed a regulatory sandbox framework to encourage the growing significance of innovations in financial technology (fintech) in India. The regulatory sandbox will involve temporary relaxation of regulatory norms to provide a secure environment for startups or established firms to test their new products or services on a small group of people before scaling up. It will help the firms, regulators, as well as the customers to understand the viability of new financial innovations at a lower cost for a limited period, without the firms having to undergo a full authorization and licensing process. According to the RBI draft, the products and services, which can be considered for testing under sandbox, include block-chain technologies, mobile technology applications such as retail payments and digital identity, artificial intelligence, as well as machine learning applications. However, entities offering crypto currencies or crypto-asset services, crypto trading, investing or settling or Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) besides several other more traditional financial services will be kept outside the scope of the sandbox. Firms willing to participate in sandbox testing must be incorporated in India, and have a net worth of at least INR 50 lakhs (US$71,575) and should meet the criteria of a startup as per the governments definition. In terms of risks and limitations, the RBI or its regulatory sandbox cannot provide any legal waivers to entities involved in the experiment. Besides, post-sandbox testing, a successful experimenter may still require regulatory approvals before the product, services or technology can be permitted for wider application. According to Niti Aayog the policy think tank of the government, India is one of the fastest growing fintech markets in the world, and industry research has projected that US$1 trillion, or 60 percent of retail and SME credit, will be digitally disbursed by 2029. A global survey ranks the country, with 1218 fintech firms, second in terms of fintech adoption. By introducing a sandbox, the RBI aims to achieve a balance between innovation and regulation to help the fintech sector in India achieve its full potential. The final guidelines for sandbox will be issued in two months. Coming clean: A snapshot of Arizonas energy makeup Cronkite News RED VALLEY Arizona isnt known as a big oil producing state, like Texas and North Dakota, but what oil is produced here is on Navajo land. Arizonas largest oil field, the Dineh-bi-Keyah, also known as the peoples field, has produced 19 million barrels of crude since the deposit was discovered in the 1960s, according to the Environmental Information Administration Capitol Operating Group, based in Louisiana, took over the oil field in 2016. Since then, the operation has shifted from oil to helium drilling. Oil and natural gas rights to land in the Holbrook Basin in particular are a hot commodity for energy developers who see Arizona as the Saudi Arabia of helium Those helium wells come from a reservoir thats deeper than the oil, company president David Burns said. Capitol Operating Group already has converted eight wells from oil to helium, a change that has been positive for the environment, Burns said. Weve reduced emissions, particularly on that field even though they were acceptable previously, they are significantly less than they were before, he said. The company plans to convert two more wells over summer. According to the EIA, oil production at Dineh-bi-Keyah has dropped from a high of 35,000 barrels a month to 1,000. Cronkite News Video by Lillian Donahue: Navajo oil development Arizonas history with oil Arizona became the 30th petroleum-producing state on October 13, 1954, after Shell Oil Co. drilled a natural gas well in Apache County, on the Navajo Reservation. That well began producing 3.6 barrels of oil a day but it wasnt long before competitors joined in. In 1958, the Humble Oil Co. drilled near Shells well, and by 1961, it was its own natural gas well. By 2016, Arizona had 32 oil and natural gas wells Over the past 100 years, more than 1,100 oil and gas exploration wells have been drilled in Arizona. Renewable energy Arizona has few fossil fuel resources, but it does have abundant renewable energy sources, primarily solar, according to the EIA. The state has an average of 299 sunny days a year, ranking second in the nation behind Nevada in total solar generation in 2017. That same year, Arizonas electricity generation from solar energy exceeded generation from hydroelectric power for the first time. The states total installed solar-powered electricity-generating capacity has increased substantially over the past two decades, according to the EIA. Arizona ranks third in the nation in installed solar generating capacity , after California and North Carolina. Theres been a push on the Navajo Nation to move away from fossil fuels altogether and toward renewable energy. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez recently signed a proclamation calling clean energy on the nation a top priority. Rep. Raul Grijalva, a Democrat who represents Tucson, says Congress should help tribal communities go green by pushing legislation to incentivise clean energy on lands like the Navajo Nation. We need to encourage renewables, Grijalva said. We need to assist those nations in being able to look at wind, look at solar, geothermal, etc. According to Capitol Operating Group, well No. 9 was drilled in 1967, and it has slowed production from more than 1,000 barrels of oil a day to 15 barrels a day. Photo by Sarabeth Henne / Cronkite News Challenges to going green Though Arizona is a leader for solar energy, not all Arizonans support renewable energy. In the 2018 general election, voters defeated Prop 127 which would have required Arizona utility companies to get 50% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030. The battle over Prop 127 was one of the most expensive in the states history with more than $60 million spent . And some argued the proposition would spike electric bills. Matthew Benson, a spokesman for Arizonans for Affordable Electricity also known as No on Prop 127 said Arizonans could expect a hefty increase in utility costs if the measure passed. For the typical Arizona family, that means a $1,000 or more in added utility costs over the course of the year, he said, arguing at the time, that low income families and seniors living on fixed incomes would be hit the hardest. The current renewable portfolio standard remains unchanged. That standard, set by the Arizona Corporation Commission, requires the states 16 regulated electricity providers to get 15 percent of their energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar by 2025. On top of pushback for renewables in Arizona, U.S. energy use hit an all time high in 2018 with 80 percent of that energy coming from fossil fuels. This story is part of Elemental: Covering Sustainability, a new multimedia collaboration between Cronkite News Rocky Mountain PBS and PBS SoCal . It originally appeared on Cronkite News and is published via a Creative Commons license Join the Conversation Congress has yet to pass a stand-alone tribal bill since the start of the 116th session but Democrats continue to push some of Indian Country's priorities forward in an otherwise divided political environment. On Monday, the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives is scheduled to pass two Indian bills according to the Majority Leader's Schedule . That brings the total number of stand-alone tribal measures passed by the chamber to four since January. So far, the Republicans who control the Senate have yet to take up any of the pro-tribal legislation or pass any of their own. But it's still early in the session -- during the 115th Congress, it took nearly a year before lawmakers in both chambers were able to send a bill to President Donald Trump The Trump era, however, has not been exactly a boon for tribal interests. Despite the legislative and executive branches of government being under Republican control for two whole years, Indian Country saw far fewer legislative achievements than any in recent history. "He inherited a pretty good situation," attorney Aurene Martin , a citizen of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa who has worked in Indian law and policy for two decades, said at the Wiring the Rez conference earlier this year. "He should have been able to parlay that into great legislative successes," Martin continued , "which he did not do." The Lone Pine In-lieu Fishing Site in Oregon is one of many along the Columbia River where tribal citizens endure substandard living conditions despite being promised access in treaties their ancestors signed with the United States. Photo: Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission #HonorTheTreaties H.R.91 , the Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Act One of the many items that failed to make it across the finish line in the last session of Congress was a bill to improve conditions at treaty fishing sites along the Columbia River. So H.R.91 , the Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Act, is back on the agenda. The bill authorizes the Bureau of Indian Affairs to assess sanitation and safety conditions at those sites in Oregon and Washington . It also authorize the BIA to spend money to make any improvements -- an effort estimated to cost only around $11 million over the next few years, according to the Congressional Budget Office In its cost assessment on S.50 , the companion version of H.R.91, the CBO said the measure "would authorize the appropriation of whatever amounts are necessary to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to assess and improve the sanitation and safety conditions on land held in trust by the United States for the four Columbia River Treaty tribes (the Nez Perce Tribe , the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation , the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation> )." The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs approved S.50 at its first business meeting in January. It has not yet been taken up on by the full Senate but action on the House version puts the measure a lot closer to final passage than most other Indian legislation. H.R.91 is due to be taken up under a suspension of the rules on Monday afternoon, according to the Majority Leader's Schedule . The process is typically used for legislation that is considered non-controversial. The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians land-into-trust site, also known as Camp 4, in Santa Barbara County, California. Photo: Santa Ynez Band Tribal homelands H.R.317 , the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Land Affirmation Act Another measure that failed to make it over the the finish line in the last session was a bill to protect the homelands of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians . The tribe, based in central California, has faced repeated challenges to its land-into-trust applications, most of which have been for small properties. We continue to seek the opportunity to place our Camp 4 property in federal trust through legislation, Chairman Kenneth Kahn said when H.R.317 was introduced in January. We were successful in placing Camp 4 in federal trust through the BIAs administrative process, and were confident that with the progress weve made over the last two years, the legislative process will be just as successful. The tribe, however, has seen its fortunes shift during the Trump administration. After a federal judge in February questioned the manner in which the Camp 4 application was approved in the final days of the Obama era, the new leader of the BIA quickly reaffirmed the prior decision to place the 1,400 acres in trust. A month later, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney had a change of heart. On March 29, she withdrew her prior decision and said the BIA needs more time to assess whether endangered species -- the California condor and the willow flycatcher -- are impacted by the acquisition. No timeline was given for a new decision. As a result, the tribe is stuck in limbo but passage of H.R.317 in the House would resolve the uncertainty by ensuring that the land is placed in trust. Change of Heart: A month after re-approving a land-into-trust application for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, the Trump administration reversed course. According to Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney, more time is needed to review potential impacts on endangered species. Prospects on Capitol Hill, though, remain unclear for reasons that also remain unclear. After a prior version of the bill easily cleared the Republican-controlled House during the 115th Congress, it took six more months before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a hearing on it. That's when a witness from California thanked Sen. Kamala Harris (D-California), for contributing to the slow movement on the bill. Harris, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for president , has a history of challenging tribal land-into-trust applications when she served as attorney general of California. The Senate committee ended up approving the bill but it never came up for a vote in the full chamber even though it was sponsored by a Republican. H.R.317 is sponsored by that same Republican, Rep. Doug LaMalfa of California. H.R.317 is due to be taken up under a suspension of the rules on Monday afternoon, according to the Majority Leader's Schedule . The process is typically used for legislation that is considered non-controversial. Proceedings of the House can be viewed on live.house.gov or on C-SPAN Elsewhere on Capitol Hill Lawmakers are getting back to work after a two-week recess and their schedule is jam-packed. Here's a look at the Indian Country happenings on Capitol Hill. On Tuesday, April 30, the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations is holding a hearing on the controversial reorganization at the Department of the Interior . According to newly-confirmed Secretary David Bernhardt and Assistant Secretary Tara Sweeney, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bureau of Indian Education will be not be included in the controversial initiative but tribes still have questions . Democrats have titled the hearing "No Road Map, No Destination, No Justification: The Implementation and Impacts of the Reorganization of the Department of the Interior." Also on Tuesday, House Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies will take testimony on the Trump administration's fiscal year 2020 budget request for the Bureau of Indian Affairs , the Bureau of Indian Education and Indian trust programs at the BIA. On Wednesday, May 1, the House Committee on Natural Resources is holding markup session . Three bills of interest are on the agenda: H.R.312 , the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation Reaffirmation Act. The bill ensures that the reservation of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is in trust and cannot be challenged in court on the basis of the Carcieri decision. Assuming all three bills are approved during the markup, they can be sent to the full House for a vote. Also on Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs holds a legislative hearing . Three bills are on the agenda: S.279 , the Tribal School Federal Insurance Parity Act. The bill provides employees of tribal grant schools with the ability to participate in federal health and life insurance programs. The hearing is the first step in the legislative process for all three bills. On Thursday, May 2, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee is holding a confirmation hearing for Daniel Jorjani to serve as Solicitor of the Department of the Interior . Jorjani has played a central role in a number of policy setbacks seen by Indian Country in the Trump era, including a unilateral decision to stop processing all land-into-trust applications in Alaska. Join the Conversation Related Stories The theft of Native ancestors and artifacts continues despite laws treating such activities as crimes. Independent journalist Mary Annette Pember examines why some people still think it's acceptable to loot burial grounds and sacred places A recent FBI press release is a reminder that digging up and robbing Native American graves is still considered acceptable by many Americans and barely treated as a crime. Our dead, like butterflies pinned to a collectors board, are treated as stuff for collectors and hobbyists. We are artifacts. On February 27, 2019, the FBI issued a press release and a unique request. The Bureaus Art Crime Team is reaching out to tribes in the United States for help in repatriating approximately 500 sets of human remains looted from Native American burial grounds. The remains were found during a 2014 FBI raid on a vast collection of artifacts and antiquities from around the world held by Don Miller of rural Rush County, Indiana. I covered the 2014 Indiana case as a journalist for Indian Country Today and also covered other cases of illegal Native American artifact and remains hunting and collecting. I continue to be baffled by the complete disrespect white folks have for Native American graves versus the respect they have for those of their own ancestors. Even more baffling to me is the urge to dig up and own the dead anybodys dead. What internal mental process transforms grave-digging into an acceptable hobby? The short answer is racism. Multigenerational, entrenched racism has so thoroughly scrubbed clean the practice of Native American artifact hunting and collecting that it has been normalized and elevated as an acceptable right for the descendants of European settlers. The European settlers who conquered and dominated Native peoples sought to justify their violence by casting us as less than human. This violence continues in the current day, with some portraying us as denizens of a long dead past and others treating us as part of natures fauna. Read More on the Story Join the Conversation Related Stories Securing Our Borders and Our Future Before President Trump took office, the U.S.s southern border was only covered by man-made barriers along roughly a third of the border. These 654 miles of physical barriers are primarily located in California, Arizona, and New Mexico leaving the vast majority of the Texas border wide open. Of the 654 miles of barriers, 300 miles are what is called vehicle fencing, low to the ground and meant for stopping cars, but completely ineffective when it comes to stopping people. The remaining 354 miles are made up of pedestrian fencing, which is designed to specifically prevent people from crossing. The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) reported apprehending more than 361,000 illegal aliens at the southern border in the first six months of Fiscal Year 2019, which is more than a 108 percent increase from the previous year. On March 25, 2019, CBP reported 4,000 apprehensions and encounters the highest number in a single day for more than a decade. Just days later that record was broken again with 4,117 apprehensions and encounters in one day. President Trump remains committed to securing our border and saving American lives. Since taking office in 2017, President Trump, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Department of Defense (DoD) have awarded numerous contracts to replace old, legacy fences and install new physical barriers. By December 2018, DHS had already completed construction on nearly 40 miles of replacement barriers in high target areas such as El Paso, Texas. DHS also awarded contracts for 82 additional miles of physical barriers in areas like the Rio Grande Valley and Yuma, Arizona. In February 2019, construction began to replace 14 miles of old barriers in San Diego. In April 2019, DoD awarded contracts to replace 46 miles of vehicle barriers with 18- to 30-foot-tall pedestrian fencing in New Mexico and replace 11 miles of vehicle barriers and wire-mesh fencing with pedestrian fencing in Arizona. DHS is currently in the process of awarding contracts to construct an additional 55 miles of new barriers. Nancy Pelosis Democrats have proven time and again that they have no interest in securing our southern border and protecting American citizens. On April 23, 2019, at the request of Pelosi, the House of Representatives General Counsel filed a motion asking a federal judge to block President Trump from using DoD funds to build additional border barriers. With record-breaking numbers of CBP apprehensions and encounters on the southern border, it is time for Pelosi Democrats to stop putting politics before people. Every American life is worth safeguarding and I will continue to stand with President Trump in his continued efforts to build the wall and ensure our borders are secure. Markwayne Mullin, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, was first elected to serve the people of Oklahomas Second Congressional District in November 2012. He is currently serving his fourth term in office. Mullin and his wife Christie have five children: Jim, Andrew, Larra, Ivy, and Lynette. The Mullin family currently resides in Westville, Oklahoma on the same family farm where Markwayne was raised. Join the Conversation An Enduring Alliance On April 4, 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty was signed, and the United States entered the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as one of 12 founding member countries. Seven decades later, the transatlantic alliance endures, and it has grown to include 29 countries, pledging still to face aggressors and security threats together. In reflecting on this historic and lasting partnership, it was an honor to recently hear from NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a joint session of the United States Congress . While his address was a sobering reminder of the security threats and difficulties we have experienced alongside our NATO allies, it was encouraging also to remember the steadfast cooperation that has existed all the while in promoting and preserving freedom. As Secretary General Stoltenberg poignantly remarked, The strength of NATO is that despite our differences, we have always been able to unite around our core task. To defend each other. Protect each other. And to keep our people safe. Following the devastating conflict of World War II, NATO allies banded together with the shared commitment to defend against future threats and the shared desire to prevent future conflicts, particularly with the Soviet Union. A partnership which started in the thick of the Cold War, NATO allies remained watchful and ready to defend against potential attacks during the early decades. However, it was not until 2001 that NATO allies invoked Article 5 of its treaty: An armed attack against one or more of themshall be considered an attack against them all. After the heartbreaking September 11 terrorist attacks on our soil, NATO allies quickly came to the aid of the United States. Our treaty allies fought and died alongside us during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, where terrorism had taken root. I am proud that Oklahomas Fourth District has played a part in supporting our NATO allies including the use of Fourth District airspace for training exercises conducted by Sheppard Air Force Base, which hosts the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program. And last year, AWACS aircraft from Tinker Air Force Base were part of one of the biggest NATO exercises in the last 20 years. Although President Trump has rightly put pressure on our NATO allies to contribute two percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) toward defense spending, not all contributions toward NATOs collective mission can be measured in dollars. Aside from military funding and support, countering the unique threats of today requires strong alliances to confront new challenges. Current threats include cyber, hybrid warfare and terrorism, transcending borders and calling for fresh approaches in deterrence. Sharing the burden requires infrastructure investments as well. Certainly, NATO remains a vital component to defending freedom and ultimately ensuring a safer and more peaceful world. While we have disagreements between members, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was indeed right when he said, It is good to have friends. Tom Cole, a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, is serving his eighth term in Congress as the elected representative of Oklahoma's 4th Congressional District. He is recognized as an advocate for taxpayers and small business, a proponent for a strong national defense and a leader in promoting biomedical research. He is considered the foremost expert in the House on issues dealing with Native Americans and tribal governments. He and his wife, Ellen, have one son, Mason, and reside in Moore, Oklahoma. Join the Conversation Disclaimer: If you havent seen the latest episode of Game Of Thrones Season 8 then do not proceed. I repeat: DO NOT PROCEED! twitter For almost 8 seasons and approximately 69 episodes, we had been anticipating the Great War. It finally took place and left everyone awestruck in its wake. To call Episode 3, a fabulous one, would be an understatement. Most of my friends and family are at a loss of words including myself. If this was what made us wait for almost two years, lets just say it was justified. It took them 55 nights to shoot the one hour and twenty two minutes-long episode. It was kind of obvious that there would be mass destruction and many, many deaths. The night was indeed long and full of terrors but our people (Yes, I say our people because they are a part of us now, aren't they?) fought bravely. While some made it out alive, we did lose some bravehearts in the Battle of Winterfell. So, lets take a look at all the martyrs and others who couldnt make it out alive and take pride in the fact that they put up a good show: 1. Edmund Tollett watchers on the wall Cause of death: The first big death of the episode, Dolorous sacrificed his life to save Samwell Tarly. He died after getting stabbed in the back by a walker 2. Lyanna Mormont twitter Cause of death: Probably the most depressing and applause-worthy moment at the same time, little Lyanna tackled a giant and killed him before getting crush to death. 3. Beric Dondarrion thrillist Cause of death: Resurrected for almost 19 times, Berric served his life purpose by saving Aryas life by getting stabbed multiple times. His big sacrifice helped Arya make her big escape. 4. Theon Greyjoy youtube Cause of death: Possibly the only character to have underwent multiple character changes, Theon protected the three-eyed raven aka Bran Stark and locked horns with THE NIGHT KING itself! However, he met his end by getting killed with his own weapon. 5. Ser Jorah Mormont hbo Cause of death: Till his last breath, Ser Jorah protected his queen Daenerys but succumbed to his stab injuries. 6. Melisandre hbo Cause of death: Old age; she gave up her life and took off the necklace because according to her own prophecy, she served her purpose! 7. Most of the Dothrakis twitter They approached the night army with bravado but unfortunately, they got trapped in the stampede and most of them succumbed! *sniffles* SURVIVORS 1. Jon Snow hbo After a confrontation with the Night King, hide and seek play with ice dragon Viserion and battling several wights, Jon made it out alive! 2. Daenerys Stormborn hbo She almost died but it was Ser Jorah who gave up his own life so that his queen could live #TrueAashiq (Okay, my bad) 3. Tyrion Lannister hbo Throughout the episode, there was a scare that Tyrion might not see the light of the day but the Hand of the Queen hid for his dear life and survived 4. Sansa Stark hbo She hung out with Tyrion throughout and escaped death by small margins 5. Arya Stark twitter The man of the match! Literally. After being saved by The Hound and Beric Dondarrion, in a monumental move, Arya saved the day! 6. Samwell Tarly zimbio Edd saved Sam from meeting the old gods and the new. 7. Jaime Lannister and Brienne Of Tarth hbo With their backs against the wall and facing a huge load of wights, this duo escaped death at the right time! Phew! 8. Gendry, Greyworm and Tormond Giantsbane Although, there is no official confirmation, but looks like this trio made it out alive. 9. Others including Lord Varys, Gilly, Davos Seaworth and Missandei lived to tell the tale! Oh and THE NIGHT KING IS DEAD! via GIPHY Warning: Obviously, this article contains major spoilers for season 8 of Game of Thrones. If you havent watched episode three yet, you can read this instead. via GIPHY The long night was indeed very dark (so much that I literally had to adjust the screen a lot of times in order to see clearly as to what was happening) and of course, it was also full of terrors. via GIPHY But still, the Battle of Winterfell, the longest and the best episode of Game of Thrones till date, defied every expectation of greatness in a good way, of course. via GIPHY The Night King, the most terrifying villain in any of the shows ever, is dead and shattered into piece. And you know, the hero who killed him was the someone whose name starts with A, is a four letter word and isnt Aegon. via GIPHY The hero was none other than Arya Stark or should we say Azor Ahai? via GIPHY Arya had a long list of people who she wanted to kill. The Night King was never on the list, but in the end, she saved everyone by just killing one character The Night King. And were sure, Syrio Forel, the master sword-fighter and instructor hired by Eddard Stark to train Arya Stark, would be so proud of her. Twitter What do we tell death?, Melisandre asks Arya as they look at Beric Dondarrion who is now dead again, perhaps for the last time, and she says, Not today. But does killing the Night King prove Arya Stark is Azor Ahai? via GIPHY The prophecy states that Azor Ahai or the prince that was promised will fight the night and restore the peace to land. Thats exactly what Arya Stark did. buzz.ie But then, she wasnt born under a bleeding star or anywhere near salt and smoke, and she didnt even hatch a dragon out of a stone. But these conditions arent fulfilled by any of the other characters too. So, is Arya Stark the Azor Ahai? Or could it be Jaime Lannister? Worlds highest mountain, Mt Everest is reeling under tonnes of plastic and organic waste, that has been lying there for decades, mostly left behind by mountaineers who climb up the peak. The garbage that has collected over the years on the peak has turned the mighty peak into the worlds highest landfill. Acting on the ticking time bomb, Nepal has collected more than 3,000 kilograms of solid waste from Mt Everest since April 14. Nepal launched this ambitious campaign aimed at bringing back tonnes of trash. The 45-day 'Everest Cleaning Campaign', led by Solukhumbu district's Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality began on April 14 with the Nepali new year and aims to collect nearly 10,000 kilogrammes of garbage from Mt Everest. Twitter Out of the garbage collected, 2,000 kg has been sent to Okhaldhunga while the remaining 1,000 kilogrammes were brought to Kathmandu using Nepali Army helicopters for disposal. "Our team has now reached the Everest Base Camp for the cleaning campaign. All the necessary things including food, water and shelter have already been arranged there," Dandu Raj Ghimire, Director General of Department of Tourism, was quoted as saying by The Himalayan Times. Around 5,000-kg of garbage will be collected from the Everest Base Camp, while hile 2,000-kg of garbage will be collected from the South Col region and around 3,000-kg will be collected from Camp II and Camp III area. The team will also bring dead bodies from the treacherous mountains, if they are able to locate any. The team has located four dead bodies while cleaning the base camp so far. thinkstock/Comyan An estimated 23 million Nepalese rupees will be spent on the campaign. Each year, hundreds of climbers and Sherpas climb up Everest leaving behind tonnes of both biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste - including empty oxygen canisters, kitchen waste, beer bottles and faecal matter - on the highest peak, which has lately acquired notoriety as the "world's highest garbage dump". The goal is to restore glory to the mountain. More than 270 election workers in Indonesia have died, primarily due to fatigue-related illnesses caused by long work hours spent on counting millions of ballot papers manually in biggest one-day elections. Over 1,878 workers had fallen ill. The poll body had employed close to seven million people to count and monitor elections in Indonesia. AFP The elections were the first time the country of 260 million people combined the presidential vote with national and regional parliamentary ballots, in order to save money, reported BBC. Close to 80 per cent of the 193 million eligible voters cast their votes in over 8,00,000 polling stations. The staff was overworked and a total of 272 people died due to it. AFP Indonesia's election commission plans to compensate surviving families 36 million rupiah (1,930; $2,500) for every deceased worker - roughly equivalent to one year's pay at minimum wage, according to the Nikkei Asian Review. The election body will conclude voting and announce winners of the presidential and parliamentary elections on May 22. Tired of the state apathy and false promises, the villagers in Odishas Ambapadar village in Kalahandi district decided to collect fund themselves to construct the road. The decision came after the repeated requests made to the administration and governments failed to move the state. The magnitude of the apathy can be judged by a fact that as per the villagers, they have been waiting for construction of a three kilometre road since independence. Youtube/Representational Image The villagers claims to have approached the government several times but their requested were never considered. One of the villagers said that the residents donated Rs 3000 each for the construction of a road. "Whenever we complain about roads to administration we are told how can your village have facilities when the block doesn't have? Hence, we contributed money among ourselves for the construction of the road. We brought a JCB machine for the construction of road," a villager told ANI. AFP/Representational Image "During elections, political leaders come to us for votes and promise to make efforts for the road construction but after polls if forget it, added another villager. A week after serial explosions ripped through Sri Lanka on Easter, the Presidents office on Sunday banned any covering of face to conceal identity even as one of the brothers of two suicide bombers who blew themselves up was arrested by special task force (STF). President Maithripala Sirisena's office said covering the face in order to avoid the identification of a person will be banned with effect from Monday to ensure public safety. Sirisena took the decision under the Emergency Regulations. On the first Sunday after Easter, no mass was held in any church across the country. People either prayed near churches or in homes even as curfew in the country was lifted, barring the areas in Kalmunai, Sammanthurai and Chavalakade. Reuters In a raid carried out in Dematagoda in Colombo, the STF arrested the elder brother of two suicide bombers, Mohamed Ibrahim Ifran Ahmed. Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said at a media briefing that Ahmed was picked up from a house in Mahawila Scheme in Dematagoda. Teams of police and army troops conducted search operations across the country, arresting suspected militants and seizing terror material. A German-manufactured air gun and two swords were seized from Ahmed. Soon after the Easter Sunday bombings, police had taken Ahmeds father, billionaire-spice trader Mohamed Ibrahim, into custody after they found that his two sons, Mohamed Ibrahim Insaf Ahmed and Mohamed Ibrahim Ilham Ahmed, were among those who carried out the attacks that killed 253 people. They had blown themselves up at Cinnamon Grand hotel and Shangri-La Hotel. Two more of Ibrahim's sons were also arrested while another is on the run. According to reports, Ibrahim has nine children. Gunasekara said a woman and child rescued from Sahindamarudu in Ampara district in Sri Lankas Eastern Province after a gun battle with terrorists on Friday have been identified as wife and child of the mastermind of the bombings, Zahran Hashim. AP Abdul Cader Fathima Sadiya and her four-year-old child Mohamed Zahran Ruzaina, who were injured in the shootout, are undergoing treatment at the Ampara Base Hospital, he said. Zahran's sister and brother-in-law had identified the two victims as the masterminds wife and daughter. Fifteen people, including six suicide bombers, six children and three women, were killed in the exchange of fire in Sahindamarudu. Meanwhile, police recovered gemstones worth more than Rs 30 million (Sri Lankan rupee) and currencies from the house which they raided in Dematagoda. During another search in Wanathavilluwa, police recovered six revolvers, a T56 weapon and a stock of ammunition buried in a plot of land. Wandering between two worlds, one dead The other powerless to be Born With nowhere yet to rest my head Like these on earth I wait forlorn - (Matthew Arnold, Stanzas from the Grande Chartreuse) No matter how one wishes to define home, one has to concede that the conceptual understanding of home is underpinned by relying immensely on memory. Can you think of a place to call home without delving into memory? Can home be a place where our presence is preceded by no prior recollections? The people of conflict, born amidst the worlds most long standing land dispute between Palestine-Israel, have a definition that is widely different from this traditional and seemingly normalised understanding of home. They live majority of their life living on a single piece of land feeling displaced, as if they are in exile, away from the place of their true origins, away from their destiny. Ali, a 28 year-old Palestinian PhD scholar, studying at New Delhis Jamia Millia Islamia, calls a small village Al-Khisas, that lies in the district Ashkelon in modern day Israel his home. He has not once stepped foot on that land. If anything, that place is no less than a fable he has grown up listening to from his parents and grandparents. His grandparents migrated to Gaza in 1956, but, having spent more than a quarter of his life in Gaza, he still yearns to go back to his home that now lies under Israeli occupation. I am a refugee here in Gaza, and like all the other Palestinian refugees here, my wish is to one day return back to our land that Israel has unfairly occupied from us. I wish that one day I will be able to take my mother home there one day, says Ali. However, the prospects of him going back to Gaza are slim in the near future. My going back home depends on whether or not the Egyptian border will be open. There could be a situation where I can be left stranded on the border unable to cross over, says Ali. Saif (name changed) is another Palestinian PhD scholar, who originally belongs to Hebron, lying in the West Bank, but migrated to Gaza in 1998 in the face of Israeli occupation. When asked if he too, like Ali, thinks of Gaza as temporary refuge, he replies, I am Palestinian and so whether it Gaza, West Bank or Jerusalem, all are equally my home. I dont differentiate between Palestinian land. If one day hed be able to see free Palestinian land? he says, after a little pause, I think the conflict is too complicated to be resolved in my lifetime, but yes, I cannot stop myself from hoping to see a free Palestine. 29-year old Mufaaz, a Palestinian married to an Indian residing in Delhis Batla House. I have left my home far behind, and though I like my life here in India, the attachment I have with my ancestral land will never cease to be. She says the moment she leaves her hometown is when she realises what all it is worth. Many elderly Palestinians, who had to migrate from their home amidst turmoil owing to Israeli occupation usually express a wish to be buried in the land they once called home after their death. If not that then at least buried under the sand brought from what they consider their homeland, informs Mufaaz. Its the land of my people even though I might never be able to go there, she says. Her 3 year-old-son, Arafat, an Indian by birth who has grown up speaking fluent Hindi while only understanding a bit of Arabic, has developed some sense of his home far away from home. He is yet to embark on his maiden trip to Palestine, will he like his great grandparents also grow up to call their ancestral land his home? How should we grow in other ground? How can we flower in foreign air? -Pass, banners, pass, and bugles, cease; And leave our desert to its peace! - (Matthew Arnold, Stanzas from the Grande Chartreuse) ***** The authors are New Delhi-based freelance contributors. In March 2018, the Olive Ridley turtles made a miraculous comeback to Mumbais Versova Beach after 20 long years. Now, in another effort to save this endangered species, the Indian Coast Guard carried out a rescue mission on April 24, along the maritime boundary with Pakistan. The turtle was unable to move properly as it was entangled in a net. Once the turtle was rescued and checked for injuries, it was released into the Arabian Sea. #WATCH Indian Coast Guard carried out a rescue mission on April 24 along the maritime boundary with Pakistan where they saved a vulnerable and endangered Olive Ridley Turtle entangled in a net at sea and released her into the Arabian Sea. pic.twitter.com/F6l9wUfPn1 ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 The Olive Ridley turtles is an endangered species. They come to the beaches of Odisha every year during the months of November and December, and stay up until April-May for nesting. Human interference in and near their natural habitat has caused some serious trouble for them. According to the website of Indian Coast Guard: The most severe threat faced by the Olive Ridleys is the accidental killing of adult turtles through entanglement in trawl nets and gill nets due to uncontrolled fishing around nesting beaches during their mating season. Over 1.3 lakh turtles are believed to have been killed after being entangled in the nets of mechanised fishing trawlers in the last thirteen years. Kudos to the Indian Coast Guard for having saved the turtle. But, it might be worth reflecting that it is not okay for us to expect others to pick up our mess. Human intervention has razed to the ground, homes of many animals and birds. Its high team we realise that this is not just our planet. There cannot be a more epic crossover in the history of mankind, than the one youre about to see. Have you ever seen Santa Claus dance to a Bollywood song? Not an everyday occurrence, right? Now think about a dozen Santa Claus shaking their bowl-full-of-jelly to the song Bajne de dhadak dhadak from the movie Bajirao Mastani? Actually, you dont have to imagine it, take a look at this (starts at 0:45): Apparently, someone at a Swedish school had a brainwave, when students were asked to prepare a performance for the Christmas show. As per the description on YouTube: Every year before Christmas the Holavedsgymnasiet high school hosts a competition where the graduating classes compete against each other. The class who puts up the best show and gets the most votes by the audience wins. This is the show of TE16 (technical orientation), who won. A special thanks to the guy who is carried in and later is dancing in an orange t-shirt. He is the math teacher of the class! Ranveer Singh aka Bajirao meets Santa Claus now thats what you call a crossover! Were not sure about others, but Ranveer Singh would absolutely love this! In this picture taken on April 28, Indian Christians put candles in the formation of Sri Lanka's map after participating in a peace march to show solidarity with the Sri Lankan victims of last week's serial bombings in Ahmedabad. Sri Lanka's churches remained shut on April 28 forcing Christians to say prayers of grief in private over the Easter suicide attacks that the country's Roman Catholic leader called "an insult to humanity. (Sam Panthaky/AFP/Getty Images) David Adeleke aka Davido has urged the governor of Osun state, Isiaka Oyetola to vacate his seat, having lost the election. The Osun state governorship election tribunal sitting in Abuja had declared Senator Ademola Adeleke(Davidos uncle) of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) winner of the September 2018 election While it ruled that the err in polls which were held one week after the first ballot was null and void. However, Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress(APC) has remained on the seat, many weeks after the tribunal ruled. Davido in a tweet on Monday evening urged Oyetola to accept his loss as Gods will and vacate the seat as it is becoming embarrassing and ridiculous. He tweeted: Oyetola must go this shit is getting embarrassing and ridiculous! U lost your election Sir!! Accept Gods will and Vacate Thank You .. now back to what I was doing https://twitter.com/iam_Davido/status/1122874862421385219?s=19 The Lagos state government has alerted citizens of the circulation of poisonous cowhide, known as ponmo in markets in the state. This warning was given in a statement by Adeola Salako, director of public affairs, Lagos ministry of health. The statement revealed that the state government has arrested three persons in connection with the sale of these poisonous ponmo in Ojo and Iba local government areas of Lagos. According to Salako, the poisonous ponmo were confiscated in large numbers, while samples have been sent to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for tests. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who disclosed this in his office today (Sunday) while reviewing report of preliminary investigation and enforcement carried out on the sale of the toxic ponmo in the areas, stated that the three persons involved have been charged to court, while samples of the confiscated ponmo had been sent to the NAFDAC laboratory for suitability test analysis for human consumption, the statement read. The attention of the state government was said to have been drawn to the activities of traders, who are known to sell poisonous cowhide in different locations in the two local government areas, early in the morning. Preliminary investigations and suspects tracing revealed that the traders were very active in the early hours between the hours 4.00am and 6.00am at various locations such as Volkswagen bus stop, iyana iba, Afolabi Ege Markets, all within Ojo local government and Iba local council areas of the State, he said. Furthermore, a company said to be located at ijedodo area of Iba LCDA was indicted as a source of supply of this toxic Ponmo and has subsequently been put under surveillance. The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Wednesday, May 1st, as a public holiday across the nation to celebrate workers. This was contained in a press release by the minister of Interior, RTD Lt-Gen Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau. Workers across the country can now take Wednesday as a day off and relax. Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Relations and Diaspora Abike Dabiri has informed Nigerians of steps already taken to free Zainab Aliyu. Aliyu was wrongfully arrested in Saudi Arabia for drug trafficking However, investigations in Nigeria revealed that she was innocent as a drug cartel at the airport had planted drug in a bag and tagged her name and particulars to it. The culprits were given away by their WhatsApp messages and have since been arrested. Senator Shehu Sani earlier in a tweet had advised Zainabs parents to send a petition to the National Assembly, which will, in turn, make Senate move urgently for her freedom. Sani had tweeted: If the Parents of Zainab Habibu Aliyu, the Nigerian girl in detention in Saudi Arabia can immediately send a petition to NASS stating her case and innocence, we can move action to highlight her case and demand for urgent action to secure her freedom. The presidential aide in response to the lawmakers tweet said the President has directed the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF to take necessary action and that good progress has been made so far. She notes also that Zainab and two others in the same situation will be brought back home soon. @MBuhari has directed the AGF to ensure justice for Zainub. We intervened immediately Zainubs Dad brought this to our attention. We have made good progress on Zainub and 2 others in the same situation But Senate intervention welcome, she replied. See post Godfather of comedy in Nigeria, Alibaba has called out the Senate after news broke out that Senator Joshua Dariye, still receives his full allowances as Senator and former governor despite being in jail. A few days ago, reports had it that the former Governor of Plateau State now Senator, was among co-sponsors of a bill on the security challenges in Kaduna state on Thursday. Also Read: Most men are useless without sex in their relationships Nigerian gay man Bisi Alimi Senator Joshua Dariye representing Plateau Central senatorial district is currently serving a jail term of 16 years for embezzlement and breach of public trust. Alibaba who called out Senator Dariye after his name reflected in a bill sponsored in the Senate chamber on Instagram; Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister of aviation has expressed his disappointment at Femi Gbajabiamila for seating before a Fulani Islamic Scholar, in the name of the becoming the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Femi Fani-Kayode speaking via Facebook said the Femi Gbajabiamila who sat at the feet of a Muslim cleric isnt the same one he grew up with in old Lagos. What he wrote Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, a Yoruba man and a three-term member of the Federal House of Representatives who wishes to be elected Speaker, sitting at the feet and clinging to the thighs of a Fulani Islamic scholar by the name of Sheik Dahiru Bauchi. Has it really come to this? Do we have to sink to this level? Must we bow before them? Is it not better to die a free man than live a slave? Some have argued that Femi did this because he is a Muslim and that he was merely displaying his deep respect for a northern Muslim cleric. I find this contention, at best, intellectually dishonest and, at worst, specious and disingenuous. It is also a pernicious lie that seeks to mask the bitter truth. The question is whether any leading Fulani politician would ever crawl before, kneel at the feet of and grab the thighs of any Yoruba Muslim cleric or Sheik simply to win his support for any position? I doubt it very much given the fact that Fulani Muslims do not even allow Yoruba clerics to lead prayers in mosques in the north. The Yoruba Muslims in the north are compelled to open their own Yoruba Mosques where they can lead in prayer but they cannot lead in any mosque that the Hausa Fulani attend. This is the case despite the fact that Islam came to the Yorubaland, through the Turkish traders, a good 400 years before it arrived in the northern region of what later became Nigeria through Usman Dan Fodio. I have known Femi for over 40 years and I have always loved and respected him. I still do. And as far as I am concerned politics can never come between us. But the Femi in this picture is not the Femi I knew, loved and grew up within old Lagos. That Femi would NEVER bow or kneel before ANY man for ANY reason. That Femi was a man of honour, self-respect, and dignity who put his family and tribe before anything or anyone else. That Femi was one of the most brilliant minds of the new generation of young political leaders that emerged in the late 90s and that went on to do great things and achieve so much for their people and country. Nothing could intimidate him and no-one could buy him. And neither would he ever beg or crawl before anyone or grab their thighs and knees in desperation. Sadly things appear to have changed. May God deliver us! I still believe that he would make a great Speaker of the House of Reps and that he deserves the position. I do not, however, believe that he ought or need to sell his soul or conscience for it. The Femi that I know is just too big and too good for that! Let us remember the celebrated words of the late Leader of the Yoruba, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He said, Kaka ka dobale fun Gambari ka kuku roju ku (meaning We the Yoruba would rather die than bow down to the Fulani). Those were the words of a courageous man and an insightful leader. How I wish we had more of such leaders in Nigeria today. Shareholders of FCMB Group Plc have commended the Board, Management and Staff of the financial institution for recording another impressive performance in 2018 in spite the challenging macroeconomic and regulatory environment. The commendation was given at the 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Group held on April 26, 2019 in Lagos. At the meeting, the shareholders approved the financial results of FCMB Group and payment of a cash dividend of 14kobo per ordinary share for the year ended December 31, 2018. This translates to a total amount of N2.77 billion. Going by its audited accounts for last year, FCMB Groups profit before tax (PBT) rose by 73% to N18.4 billion as against N11.5 billion in the preceding year. Gross revenue grew to N177.4 billion, an increase of 4.3% compared to the N169.9 billion for the same period in 2017. Net interest income as at the end of 2018 rose by 3% Year-on-Year (YoY) to N72.6 billion. In demonstration of the enhanced confidence of customers in FCMB, deposits also increased by 19% YoY to N821.7 billion while loans and advances stood at N633 billion. Total assets went up by 21% YoY to N1.43 trillion, just as capital adequacy ratio was 15.9%. Commenting on the development and the financial results of the Group, the Chairman of Trusted Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Mukhtar Mukhtar, expressed delight on the increased dividend payment. According to him, This is an excellent result achieved by FCMB Group in a period of low economic activities in the country. I am highly impressed with the Groups balance sheet quality which witnessed a high growth. This shows vigorous policies that have positively impacted on and optimised the balance sheet. Another significant aspect of the performance of FCMB is the growing contributions of the subsidiaries in the profit margin. The 14kobo dividend declaration signals FCMBs commitment to improving the lots of shareholders. On his part, the National Chairman of Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr. Boniface Okezie, said, FCMB and its subsidiaries have done very well in terms of dividend payment and the overall performance, including the loans portfolio which is also encouraging. The fact the Bank has been able to increase its branch network is an indication that it is expanding. I believe that FCMB will build on this performance. Presenting his report, the Chairman of FCMB Group, Mr. Oladipupo Jadesimi, said, In 2018, we continued to move forward on the path of good governance, strengthening and improving our corporate governance structure and bringing it into line with our long-term strategy and the highest international standards. This was in order to increase the confidence of our shareholders, investors and other stakeholders in an environment that is demanding even more transparency. He added that, the Board of Directors, fully engaged and committed to the Groups corporate culture and strategy, has the experience, knowledge, dedication and diversity needed to accomplish our objective of making FCMB one of the leading financial services groups of African origin, helping people and businesses prosper and upholding our adopted of execution, professionalism, innovation and customer focus. Also speaking at the AGM, the Group Chief Executive of FCMB Group Plc, Mr. Ladi Balogun, said, the Commercial and Retail Banking Group (which includes First City Monument Bank Limited, Credit Direct Limited, FCMB (UK) Limited and FCMB Microfinance Bank Limited) grew its profit by 61%, driven by improved performance in our consumer finance business and increase in fees and commissions. Commercial and Retail Banking remain our largest group, contributing 83% of profit. Our banking franchise continued to grow as reflected by a 20% rise in deposits and our customer base also grew by 20% to 4.9 million customers. Mr. Balogun also reported that, the pre-tax profit of our Investment Banking Group (FCMB Capital Markets Limited and CSL Stockbrokers Limited) increased by 24% in 2018. This performance was driven by higher conversion of our investment banking deal pipeline as well as cost efficiencies. Our stockbroking business maintained its position as a top-three player in its sector. The Group Chief Executive informed shareholders, Our Asset & Wealth Management franchise (FCMB Pensions Limited, First City Asset Management Limited and CSL Trustees Limited) increased combined assets under management to over N310 billion (24% increase). In spite the reduction in fees charged by pension fund administrators by the primary regulator, our asset management businesses increased pre-tax profits by 15%. We acquired additional shares in FCMB Pensions Limited (formerly Legacy Pensions Limited) to increase our stake from 88.2% to 91.6% in 2018. He assured shareholders and other stakeholder that 2019 would see continued growth along all key indices for the Group, especially those around profitability, deposits, customer numbers and assets under management A former minister of Aviation, Femi Fami-Kayode took several swipes at the President of France, Emmanuel Macron for describing Africa as uncivilized. Macron had said that the continents problem was lack of civilization and that didnt go down very well with the former Nigerian minister. the problem of Africa is lack of civilization: how can one woman give birth to 6, 7 or 8 children?, Macron was quoted to have said. According to Fami-Kayode, Macron should leave Africa alone, as civilization is not marrying a woman that looks like his grandmother. In a few tweets on Monday, Fani- Kayode also took a swipe some Africans who will condone Macrons insult on Africa and go ahead to hail him. What Fani-Kayode tweeted Pres. @EmmanuelMacron of France said, the problem of Africa is lack of civilization: how can one woman give birth to 6, 7 or 8 children? Is civilization fornicating with your teacher at the age of 15 and marrying a woman that looks like your grandmother. Leave Africa alone! And for those ignorant, self-hating Africans that are prepared to condone @EmmanuelMacrons lack of civilization insult and even commend him for it, I say shame on you! This Jezebel (Mrs. Macron) raped the boy @EmmanuelMacron whilst still married. Her oldest child was his friend in the classroom that she taught! Is there any doubt of the power behind the throne? This wizened woman should have been jailed!- Mr. Joe Thorn. I concur. The police command in the Luweero District, Uganda, has recovered a body of a 22-year-old woman who has been identified as Ashina Namutebi. According to re[orts, the young woman was allegedly hacked to death by her jilted lover Henry Ssebuwufu who himself has committed suicide. Ssebuwufu, 25, reportedly jumped in front of a speeding trailer at Kalule Village on Kampala- Gulu Highway, dying instantly. Preliminary investigations revealed that the couple lived together for sometimes but always had issues. Paul Kangave, Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson, while speaking on the case said the bodies had been handed over to the relatives for burial. Mr Kangave explained that; The body of Namutebi was recovered after police broke into the rented room at Kizito Zone on Thursday evening after a tip-off from relatives and friends who had not seen her yet there was loud music coming from the locked room. When officers got into the room, there were cuts on her body. The body had deep cuts on the neck, head and the back, Mr Kangave added. Ssebuwufu was arrested on April 17, by police on charges of causing bodily harm after he tried to strangle Namutebi following a misunderstanding. She however at Kasana Police Station after Ssebuwufu put pen to paer promising never to assault her again. The police decided to release Ssebuwufu because the case of assault had been withdrawn by his girlfriend who pleaded with police to pardon him, Mr Kangave added. A police source also said; He reportedly told his mother that he had also decided to take his own life. Ms Alice Nassali, a neighbour to Ssebuwufu said; We tried to advise Namutebi to quit the abusive relationship since it was characterised by fights but she didnt take heed. Ssebuwufu kept accusing her of being unfaithful although they were not legally married, Ms Nassali narrates, adding: It is sad that the two are now dead yet their problem could have been sorted if they had sought advice from elders and the authorities in our area. Vanguard Two Chinese construction workers kidnapped in Nigeria have been freed unharmed, two days after being taken hostage, police said Monday. Thisday The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige to inaugurate the Board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) under the chairmanship of Chief Frank Ovie Kokori on or before the 2019 May Day. The Sun Court of Appeal President, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, has relocated the Bayelsa State election petition tribunal to Abuja for security reasons. Daily Times The police say it has arrested Abubakar Ibrahim, 37, the suspected killer of the late traditional ruler of Adara chiefdom, Maiwada Galadima of Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna state Leadership One of two detainees held by Turkey on suspicion of spying for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has committed suicide in the prison, a justice ministry official on Monday said. Daily Trust The chairman-elect of Bwari Area Council, Mr John Gabaya, has expressed optimism that the FCT area councils election tribunal will validate his victory at the March 2019 poll. He called on the incumbent chairman, Musa Dikko, not to waste your time. The Nation Oba Peter Ogungbesan, the Baale of Ora Kingdom in Eredo Local Council Development Area, near Epe, Lagos, has urged the Lagos State Government to boost surveillance in the area. Tribune The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has rejected a move by the Federal Government to use the 2019 personnel verification exercise to forcefully incorporate lecturers into the Integrated Personnel Payroll System (IPPS). A medical doctor seeking employment in a private hospital in Abuja, gave it right back to a potential employer after he was told, hed be paid N70,000 monthly. The young doctor took to Twitter to narrate how he went for an interview and the Chief Medical Director(CMD) told him, his monthly pay will be N70,000 and N500 for food every night he is on call. The doctor said in his tweet, that he asked the CMD if he would accept a N70,000 monthly salary if he were in his shoes And the CMD promptly walked him out of his office, saying he was rude. Kim Foxx, Chicago state attorney has been Subpoenaed over how she handled Hollywood actors case, Jussie Smollet. The top Chicago prosecutor has been severally criticised for how she handled the attack case of Smollett And has now been subpoenaed to appear at a court hearing. The subpoena was given by a retired appellate judge who wants a special prosecutor appointed to look into how the Chicago state attorney dealt with the highly controversial case. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the retired judge Sheila OBrien filed the petition for a special prosecutor, as well as a notice to appear This is to get Jussie to attend Thursdays court hearing. Foxx and Smollett have been asked to produce all original documents in the case in order to ascertain that they have not been altered or destroyed. The retired judge says Foxx misled the public into believing that Smolletts case was handled like any other prosecution and without influence, whereas it was plagued with irregularities. However, the Chicago state attorney has said that she has no problem with an independent investigation. She also defended her decision to drop all 16-count charges against the Empire actor. Kanu who made this known yesterday while addressing Biafrans in Germany said IPOB is a relentless group. In his words; I thank the good people of IPOB for the huge turnout yesterday in Bavaria Munich Germany. Not minding the short notice, you proved your determination to restore Biafra so that we can all return to our beloved homeland. The world is aware that we IPOB are the most organised, peaceful and largest freedom movement on this earth. Biafra shall be free. Our victory over the multitude of the forces of darkness is assured. We are relentless, resolute and determined. The collapse of Nigeria is imminent as the rise of the nation of Biafra is inevitable. All enemies within and without shall be put to shame Kanu stated. A Nigerian man, Clinton Kanu, who wrongfully spent 27 years behind the bars has shared that he is seeking a compensation of N20b from the Federal Government so as to kickstart his life again. According to the now 56-year-old man who was incarcerated in 1992, he said his business and health has been damaged as a result of his incarceration. In his words: When you talk about the damage done to my business and to my health, due to the prisons dirty environment, and a lot of other things that have gone wrong, if I put my losses in billions, I dont think it is out of place. The money is just to make me solve my problems and get back to normal life. I will ask for N20bn compensation, he said. A Young Nigerian woman, Zainab Aliyu who was arrested in Saudi Arabia in December 2018, over drug trafficking has been found to be innocent. Zainab was found to be a victim of an Airport syndicate group that plant hard drugs in the bags and even go as far as tagging an unsuspecting travellers name and particulars to a bag with drugs. The group was arrested after investigations were carried out, and their WhatsApp messages gave them away. The suspects Sani Suleiman, Alhaji Gabari, and Umar Sanda and their Whatsapp conversation on this numbers 080645499791, 08036066448, gave them away. Airport officials led by Mr Adetunji who approached Zainab about her bag has been arrested. Those fingered in the confession are Idris Umar, Sanni Suleiman, Nuhu Adamu, Rhoda Adetunji, Udosen Henry and Sanni Hamisu. However, the lawmaker representing Kaduna Ventral at the Senate, Shehu Sani has advised the parents of the victim to send a petition to the National Assembly, stating her innocence to enable NASS to move a move to action for her case. If the Parents o.f Zainab Habibu Aliyu, the Nigerian girl in detention, in Saudi Arabia can immediately send a petition to NASS stating her case and innocence, we can move action to highlight her case and demand for urgent action to secure her freedom, He wrote via Twitter on Monday morning. Potassium bromide molecules (pink) arrange themselves between the copper substrate (yellow) and the graphene layer (gray). This brings about electrical decoupling. Department of Physics, University of Basel Graphene consists of a layer of carbon atoms just one atom in thickness in a honeycomb pattern and is the subject of intensive worldwide research. Thanks to its high level of flexibility, combined with excellent stability and electrical conductivity, graphene has numerous promising applications particularly in electronic components. Molecules for decoupling Graphene is often produced via a chemical reaction on metallic surfaces in a process known as chemical vapor deposition. The graphene layer and the underlying metal are then electrically coupled, which diminishes some of the special electrical properties of graphene. For use in electronics, the graphene has to be transferred onto insulating substrates in a multistep process, during which there is a risk of damage and contamination. In order to obtain defect-free, pure graphene, it is therefore preferable to decouple the graphene electrically from the metallic substrate and to develop a method that allows easier transfer without damage. The group led by Professor Ernst Meyer from the Department of Physics and the Swiss Nanoscience Institute (SNI) of the University of Basel is investigating ways of incorporating molecules between the graphene layer and the substrate after the chemical deposition process, which leads to this type of decoupling. Altering electrical properties In a study carried out by SNI doctoral student Mathias Schulzendorf, scientists have shown that potassium bromide is ideally suited to this. Potassium bromide is a soluble hydrogen bromide salt. Unlike the chemically similar compound sodium chloride, potassium bromide molecules arrange themselves between the graphene layer and the copper substrate. This was demonstrated by researchers in a variety of scanning probe microscopy studies. Calculations performed by colleagues at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy) explain this phenomenon: It is more energetically advantageous for the system if potassium bromide molecules arrange themselves between the graphene and copper than if they are deposited on the graphene as happens with sodium chloride. The researchers have shown that the intermediate layer of potassium bromide alters the electrical properties of graphene until they correspond to those expected for free graphene. Our work has demonstrated that the graphene and the underlying metal can be decoupled using potassium bromide, bringing us a key step closer to producing clean and defect-free graphene, says project supervisor Dr. Thilo Glatzel, who is a member of Meyers team. Dr. Thilo Glatzel, University of Basel, Department of Physics, Tel. +41 61 207 37 30, Email: thilo.glatzel@unibas.ch Mathias Schulzendorf, Antoine Hinaut, Marcin Kisiel, Res Johr, Remy Pawlak, Paolo Restuccia, Ernst Meyer, Maria Clelia Righi, and Thilo Glatzel Altering the Properties of Graphene on Cu(111) by Intercalation of Potassium Bromide ACS Nano (2019), doi: 10.1021/acsnano.9b00278 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.9b00278 Here we bring you the numbers for the whole enterprise, as well as the figures broken down in terms of AJGs brokerage, risk management, and corporate segments. Overall, the Illinois-headquartered group posted US$351.7 million (around AU$498.4 million) in net earnings for the period an increase from the US$286 million (around AU$405.3 million) reported in the first quarter of 2018. Diluted net earnings per share improved to US$1.77 from last years US$1.48. Meanwhile EBITDAC (net earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortisation, and the change in estimated acquisition earnout payables) for the quarter ended March 31 rose to US$475.4 million from US$379.8 million previously. Revenues before reimbursements reached US$1.96 billion, an amount thats also higher than the US$1.8 billion recorded in the same period in 2018. Per segment, here are the net earnings figures: Brokerage US$309.5 million, up from US$239.2 million Risk management US$16.2 million, up from US$15.9 million Corporate US$26million, down from US$30.9 million We had a fantastic start to 2019 and the team delivered on all four of our operating priorities, noted Gallagher. During the first quarter of 2019, our core brokerage and risk management operations generated excellent total revenue growth, terrific organic revenue growth, outstanding margin expansion, and strong growth from our tuck-in M&A strategy. Most importantly, our unique culture is thriving around the world, demonstrated by our being selected as a World's Most Ethical Company for the eighth year in a row by the Ethisphere Institute. Gross written premium, meanwhile, went up 5.7% from 3.77 billion in 2018 to 3.99 billion this time around. Annualised return on equity (ROE) stood at 9%, which is lower compared to last years 11.2%. Shareholders equity for the period rose 1.7% though, to 6.28 billion. The strong start to 2019 bears witness to the depth of SCORs franchise and the relevance of the groups strategy, commented Kessler. The groups technical profitability is highly satisfactory, as demonstrated respectively by the P&C combined ratio and the Life technical margin. SCOR Global P&C had a net combined ratio of 94.6%, which the French group described as better than its Vision in Action assumption. The SCOR Global Life unit, on the other hand, recorded an excellent technical margin of 7.2%. Both the solvency ratio and the ROE are in line with the targets of the plan, added the CEO. SCOR continues to create long-term value and provides its shareholders with attractive returns, raising the dividend per share to 1.75 subject to approval by todays (April 26) Annual General Meeting. Last Fridays meeting saw the dividend figure get the thumbs up, with payment slated on May 02. Meanwhile the global reinsurer, in an announcement separate from its financial results release, noted: All the resolutions proposed by the board of directors were approved by the general meeting. The resolution proposed by the activist fund CIAM, calling for the removal of Denis Kessler as a director of SCOR, was [overwhelmingly] rejected by more than 74.37% of the votes. The renewal of Augustin Romanets mandate as a director, which CIAM had called on shareholders to oppose, was approved by 84.66% of the votes. The resolutions relating to the remuneration of Denis Kessler, which CIAM had called on shareholders to oppose, were also approved, by 54.46% and 54.56% of the votes. We are delighted to welcome Christophe to Willis Towers Watson and Financial Solutions, Davidson said. He brings a tremendous depth of financial institution knowledge and experience, as well as extensive insurance expertise in our core discipline to continue the growth of our market-leading business. Christophe is a key appointment reflecting our global lines of business approach, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Willis Towers Watson, said Adam Garrard, Willis Towers Watson global lines of business leader. Todays announcement reflects our commitment to investing in significant talent and expertise across the business spectrum, enabling us to continue to provide significant value to our clients. I am truly excited at the prospect and challenge of my new role, having been involved in this business from the client and insurer side of the equation for so many years, and to have the opportunity to build upon the solid foundations of this established and hugely successful global business, Meurier said. Here we bring you the numbers for the whole enterprise, as well as the figures broken down in terms of AJGs brokerage, risk management, and corporate segments. Overall, the Illinois-headquartered group posted $351.7 million in net earnings for the period an increase from the $286 million reported in the first quarter of 2018. Diluted net earnings per share improved to $1.77 from last years $1.48. Meanwhile EBITDAC (net earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, and the change in estimated acquisition earnout payables) for the quarter ended March 31 rose to $475.4 million from $379.8 million previously. Revenues before reimbursements reached $1.96 billion, an amount thats also higher than the $1.8 billion recorded in the same period in 2018. Per segment, here are the net earnings figures: Brokerage $309.5 million, up from $239.2 million Risk management $16.2 million, up from $15.9 million Corporate $26million, down from $30.9 million We had a fantastic start to 2019 and the team delivered on all four of our operating priorities, noted Gallagher. During the first quarter of 2019, our core brokerage and risk management operations generated excellent total revenue growth, terrific organic revenue growth, outstanding margin expansion, and strong growth from our tuck-in M&A strategy. Most importantly, our unique culture is thriving around the world, demonstrated by our being selected as a World's Most Ethical Company for the eighth year in a row by the Ethisphere Institute. The Augusta Police Department says its going to follow best practices outlined by the National Transportation Safety Board in a report on a 2017 pileup during the United Bikers of Maine Toy Run. The report said an unsafe maneuver by a motorcycle rider triggered the chain-reaction crash on Interstate 95 in Augusta. But it also said the police department and United Bikers failed to mitigate the risks of 3,000 motorcycles entering I-95 without supplemental traffic control or state police oversight. Two motorcycle riders were killed and seven people hurt in the pileup in September 2017. Augusta Police Chief Jared Mills said in a statement that the department will work on revising its procedures for handling such events in the future. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Law Enforcement European shareholder activism has suffered a painfully public humiliation. The lesson for investors is clear: Pick your battles. Paris-based investment fund CIAM wanted to split the chairman and CEO roles at French reinsurer SCOR SE, which has been run for 17 years by Denis Kessler. In addition, it tried to prevent the reelection of the companys lead independent director Augustin de Romanet. The specific trigger was Kesslers rejection last year of an unsolicited takeover approach for SCOR from its biggest shareholder, Covea Group, another French insurer. The challenge to Kesslers authority may only have reinforced his dominance. The specific votes on him and Romanet were rejected by 74 percent and 85 percent on Friday. Maybe shareholders were worried that backing CIAM would have led to Kessler quitting with no apparent successor. Either way, the support for the status quo is hard to ignore. CIAM scored one notable victory: Kesslers remuneration met with substantial opposition. Even that was approved by a narrow majority. The activist campaign didnt lack merit. The idea of separating Kesslers role is sensible in principle and would have made it easier to hold a powerful leader to account. SCORs shares languish 9 percent below the 43 euros a share that Covea was dangling, and its possible that the bidder could have been teased up to a higher level had Kessler played the situation differently. Whats more, its not as if CIAM was even seeking to stop Kessler running the companys operations it just wanted him off the board. Senior management pay at SCOR does indeed look excessive. But these factors werent enough to win over the rest of the shareholder base. The reality is the numbers were on Kesslers side. SCOR has outperformed the CAC 40 index of Frances biggest listed companies by almost 300 percent on a total return basis during his tenure. Kessler has fans who remember the dire state of the business when he took over in 2002. There are examples of companies that have performed well despite idiosyncratic governance, until disaster struck. For CIAM, the vote will have to be the end of the beginning rather than the beginning of the end. If theres a consolation for activists, its that it shouldnt be too hard to find other businesses where the governance is poor and the financial results are equally bad. Related: Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM), part of Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, has made two promotions within its specialty binders team in London. Kerry Hall becomes underwriting manager for property while Richard Wheeler becomes senior business and strategic development underwriter. Both promotions take effect immediately. Kerry Hall has been with Liberty Specialty Markets for 10 years, joining from broker PCM Risk Solutions. She will be responsible for managing the property binders team and developing its portfolio of business. Richard Wheeler joined Liberty in 2008 from Argenta. In this newly created role, he will be responsible for the development of coverholder business while ensuring that Libertys brokers and coverholders receive best-in-class service. Both Hall and Wheeler were previously senior underwriters in Liberty Specialty Markets property binders team. Source: Liberty Specialty Markets Topics Excess Surplus London As talks on a Brexit deal fumble on, the uncertainty it has brought is hurting U.K. property firms and the financial services sector. The number of companies classed as being in critical distress, often a precursor to insolvency, rose 17 percent in the first quarter from a year earlier, data compiled by financial adviser Begbies Traynor Group Plc show. It comes even as government figures suggest the economy picked up a little momentum in the first quarter, with GDP unexpectedly expanding in February for a second straight month. Many U.K. businesses are currently in limbo and deferring major investment decisions. This, combined with consumers holding back on big ticket purchases, has resulted in increasing significant distress across many sectors, Julie Palmer, a partner at Begbies Traynor, said in the report. Capital intensive sectors such as construction and property are suffering. Brexit impacted the U.K.s financial services sector as the uncertainty caused some companies to put activities on hold until the final outcome is known, the report said. Begbies Traynor expects stability to return to the industry after a deal with the European Union is signed off as the fundamentals of this sector remain reasonably good. The real estate industry was the hardest hit for the second quarter in a row, with more than 36,000 property brokers facing significant distress, an increase of 16 percent from the same period a year ago. Construction has also suffered, with a 5 percent increase in the number of commercial and domestic building firms affected by the metric. The report went on to say that more than 480,000 businesses in the U.K. faced significant distress at the end of March, the equivalent of 14 percent of all active businesses, which may lead to concerns that the U.K. is facing a broader economic slowdown. This data shows that this economic malaise is spreading to the U.K.s dominant services sector, Palmer said Leisure and hotels industry are being affected by lowest net European Union migration to the U.K. since 2009. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Europe Uk An Ohio aluminum manufacturing company accused of misleading investigators and its parent company after a fatal workplace accident has pleaded guilty to a related federal charge about concealing information on a crime. Extrudex Aluminum in North Jackson this week pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony. Sentencing is scheduled Aug. 1. The Vindicator reports an attorney for Extrudex, Chris Georgalis, declined to comment. One man was killed and another seriously hurt when heavy racks tipped as they were being pushed on a roller conveyor system at the business in 2012. A former plant manager and safety coordinator are accused of covering up safety concerns about the roller system and pressuring other employees to do so after the accident. They have pleaded not guilty to federal charges including obstruction of justice. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Ohio Americans must assume more responsibility for protecting themselves from the rising toll of natural disasters, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency warned. Most people think, I see it on TV, itll never happen to me Im not going to make the time or investment, Pete Gaynor, the acting FEMA administrator, said in an interview at his office at FEMAs Washington headquarters. We havent solved the problem in a significant way. With just five weeks to go until the start of hurricane season, FEMA has made changes to better handle increasingly severe storms, Gaynor said. That includes keeping more supplies in places such as Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Alaska, which can be harder to reach in emergencies. Congress has also given the agency the ability to spend more money preparing communities for disasters, which is cheaper than rebuilding afterward. Were a much more ready agency, a battle-hardened agency, based on those two most recent disaster years, Gaynor said. But he said those changes wont be enough to deal with the effects of increasingly powerful storms. We are just a bridge to safe, secure and sanitary, Gaynor said. We cannot be everything to everyone. This is a partnership. Acting Administrator Gaynor took over as acting administrator in March, assuming control of an agency with almost 10,000 staff and a budget of more than $17 billion. He had been second-in-command under Brock Long, who resigned after leading the agencys efforts in several natural disasters, including its much-criticized responses to the hurricanes that devastated Puerto Rico in 2017. President Donald Trump has nominated another top FEMA official, Jeff Byard, to become the new administrator; Byards nomination has yet to be confirmed by the Senate. The escalating threat from unstable weather means that more people should carry flood insurance, Gaynor said. After Hurricane Harvey struck Houston in August 2017, the average payout in emergency disaster assistance was about $3,000, he said. But for people with flood insurance, the average insurance payout was more than $117,000. Our programs dont make you whole, and thats probably one thing that we need to say more often, Gaynor said. We would like to be more direct with survivors about what their responsibility is. State and local officials also need to do more, Gaynor said, starting with imposing tougher building codes. I know thats hard to do, when your familys owned property for 50 years, to insist on some modification to that property, because it costs money, Gaynor added. But its in everybodys best interests. The cost of disasters is not lessening. Gaynor said one of his key goals was to find the secret sauce of previous public safety campaigns, such as warnings not to smoke or text while driving, and apply that to disaster preparedness. Its going to be a perennial challenge, Gaynor said. To change the culture is hard to do. Gaynors comments echoed arguments made by Long, sometimes in stronger terms. Until we get building codes passed at local and state levels that are meaningful, then were going to continue to see a lot of damage and destruction, Long said during a press conference on Hurricane Michael last October. He also called for people to get insurance and heed evacuation warnings. Were just one part of the formula thats needed in this whole community to stop this madness, Long said. You see this enough in your career, you get ticked off. [Editors note: Bloomberg corrected this article to reflect revised information from FEMA on average payouts after Hurricane Harvey.] Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Hurricane Leadership At least one person has died on Texas roads every day since Nov. 7, 2000. Despite efforts to End the Streak, as the Texas Department of Transportation puts it, the state still leads the nation in traffic deaths. Fatalities did fall about 2% between 2016 and 2017, but more than 3,700 people died in 2017. Bills aimed at making a dent in traffic deaths have gotten mixed results at the Texas Legislature this year. There does seem to be some action on expanded road safety efforts at the Texas Transportation Commission. Last month, the commission heard a presentation from TxDOTs director of engineering and safety operations that indicated the agency may be moving toward a goal of having no traffic fatalities in Texas by the year 2050. Austin adopted a so-called Vision Zero plan in 2016, with the goal of ending deaths and serious injuries on Austins roads by 2025. Other major cities have adopted similar plans, which aim to address the problem through better road design, better enforcement of existing laws and education programs. Washington state was the first to adopt a statewide goal of zero traffic deaths in 2000. Since then, more than half of states have set zero-death goals. But Texas has not. Ive been working on Texas transportation policy for 15 years, said Jay Blazek Crossley, executive director of Farm & City, a nonprofit spearheading a road safety campaign called Vision Zero Texas. I am stunned and confused about the progress we are making. He said hes hopeful the commission will adopt a zero-death goal at its meeting next month. One proposal that has moved along in the process at the Legislature would reduce the default speed limit on neighborhood roads in urban areas. If you look at just kids who are walking and biking, more kids are hurt or killed on 30-mile-an-hour streets than any other type of street, said Blazek Crossley. House Bill 1287, filed by state Rep. Celia Israel, D-Austin, would lower the speed limit on roads that otherwise dont have marked speed limits from 30 miles per hour to 25. This is about saving lives, but its also about saving money, she said. Right now, if a neighborhood wants to lower the speed limit on a street to less than 30 miles per hour, the city needs to do a traffic study. Under this measure, the speed limit in neighborhoods where there are no speed limit signs would automatically be 25 miles per hour without a traffic study. The bill, which has bipartisan support, has made it out of committee. Its still waiting to get on the agenda for debate and a vote in the full House of Representatives. Meanwhile, a law that would ban all use of handheld electronic devices while driving has gotten less support in the Legislature. TxDOT says more than 100,000 crashes involved distracted driving in 2017 which killed 444 people and seriously injured 2,889 others. Senate Bill 43, filed by state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, would crack down on distracted driving by making state law look more like Austins hands-free driving ordinance. Right now, state law outlaws only texting while driving. You can still talk on the phone, fiddle with your GPS, browse the web or do whatever else you want to do as long as youre not using your phone to read, write or send an electronic message. Under SB 43, all uses of an electronic device while driving would be illegal (unless youre using a hands-free device). Your vehicle would have to be stopped outside a travel lane for you to legally use your phone with your hands. But the proposal hasnt even had a committee hearing in the Senate the first step to getting passed. A statewide texting ban was passed only in 2017, so the Legislatures appetite for beefing up the law may not be there quite yet. Another proposal would make a tweak in the state law that requires drivers to give pedestrians the right-of-way. Right now, the law simply says a driver must yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk when theres a walk sign or when there is no traffic light. House Bill 1289 would require drivers to stop and yield for pedestrians legally present in a crosswalk. You have too many people who are just not respecting pedestrians the right of a pedestrian to be in the crosswalk, said Israel, who also proposed this bill. Because youre in a car doesnt give you the right to close in on a pedestrian or hurry up a pedestrian with your car bumper. You have to stop and you have to yield. There doesnt appear to be open opposition to the proposal, but it remains stalled without a committee hearing. Some things in the Legislature are a mystery, Israel said. Theres been movement afoot in road safety circles for years now to get officials to stop using the word accident to refer to traffic crashes. The idea is that accidents are somehow inevitable and that the word doesnt hold anyone accountable for a crash. A New York-based safety group called Transportation Alternatives has a campaign for people to pledge not to use the A-word. The group describes it like this: Before the labor movement, factory owners would say it was an accident when American workers were injured in unsafe conditions. Before the movement to combat drunk driving, intoxicated drivers would say it was an accident when they crashed their cars. Planes dont have accidents. They crash. Cranes dont have accidents. They collapse. And as a society, we expect answers and solutions. Traffic crashes are fixable problems, caused by dangerous streets and unsafe drivers. They are not accidents. Lets stop using the word accident today. House Bill 4243 would change every instance of accident in the Texas Transportation Code to crash. So far, it hasnt had a hearing. This story originally ran in The Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/2019/04/25/texas-traffic-deaths-bills-safety/. The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans and engages with them about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Topics Texas A bipartisan group of Florida Cabinet members and state lawmakers is demanding that U.S. lawmakers pass a disaster-relief package for Hurricane Michael victims. Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and lawmakers said Thursday they were infuriated that Congress had failed to pass relief legislation. It has been over six months since Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida Panhandle as a Category 5 hurricane and its unacceptable that the devastated areas still dont have congressional relief dollars. It is obvious that these communities are stuck in the middle of political games. I will not stand down until Congress takes action to pass a relief bill for recovery efforts. Families and businesses need it, Patronis said in a statement. Patronis and his fellow Florida Cabinet members say partisan politics shouldnt play a role in getting the package passed. The legislation would also aid victims of disasters in Georgia, California, Alaska, North Carolina and Puerto Rico. It cannot be said more clearly or urgently the time for further delay on Hurricane Michael relief is over. Floridians and our fellow Americans are struggling. Congress must pass a strong supplemental disaster relief package immediately upon their return to Washington, Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried said. Every moment the people of Florida and our lands go without federal assistance, the threat of wildfires, future storms, and economic devastation grows. President Trumps opposition to aid to Puerto Rico sparked a standoff with congressional Democrats demanding more aid for the island. Separately, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Florida is getting a $5.8 million federal grant to pay Floridians left unemployed by the hurricane to work in cleanup jobs. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Legislation Florida USA Agribusiness Hurricane Texting while driving would become a primary traffic offense along with talking on a handheld cellphone in school and construction zones under a bill passed by the Florida Senate. The Senates 33-5 vote on Thursday made changes to a House bill passed two days earlier. The bill now goes back to the House. The Senate added the language on school and construction zones. Drivers would have to use hands-free devices if they wanted to talk on their phones in those areas. Under current law, officers can only cite drivers for texting if they are pulled over for some other violation. The bill would allow officers to stop motorists simply for texting or using a handheld phone in prohibited zones. The bill requires reports to guard against racial profiling. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Florida Personal Auto Politics Los Angeles County sued Southern California Edison and parent company Edison International on Thursday to recover more than $100 million in costs and damages from a wind-driven wildfire that may have been sparked by one of the utilitys wires. This legal action is an important and essential step toward accountability and recovery, county Supervisor Sheila Kuehl said. Its the latest lawsuit against SoCal Edison since a fire that started Nov. 8 charred more than 150 square miles, destroyed 1,643 buildings, damaged another 360 structures and killed three people. Numerous homes remain at risk of mudslides. The official cause of the fire remains under investigation but the utility told the state Public Utilities Commission in December that an electrical outage before the fire may have been caused by a guy wire and a jumper wire making contact. Guy wires are used to provide pole support and jumpers connect two energized lines. The fire raced from Ventura County through the western side of Los Angeles County until it was stopped by the ocean on the coast of Malibu. That municipality has said it plans its own lawsuit. The county said its costs and losses include fire suppression, emergency response and recovery efforts, damage to infrastructure and natural resources, loss of tax revenue, among other things. Thousands of county employees were involved in the response. California has experienced its deadliest and largest wildfires in the past two years and utilities have faced increasing scrutiny for their equipments role in sparking blazes, typically during high winds. While the fire raged in Southern California, another fire in the northern part of the state destroyed the town of Paradise in the Sierra Nevada foothills, killing more than 80 people. Los Angeles County is joined in its lawsuit by flood control and fire protection districts. Earlier this month, the brothers of a 73-year-old man who died in the wildfire sued SoCal Edison for wrongful death and negligence. A similar lawsuit against the utility was filed in February by 100 property owners and renters. Related: Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits California Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire wall-street-320x215 The worlds biggest private equity fund has announced plans to become a C corporation as part of a bold new strategy to bolster its stock market valuation. But the first funds to make this move were Ares Management and KKR. The two companies restructured in 2018 to eliminate the deterrent of filing tax returns for investors. We believe the decision to convert will make it significantly easier for both domestic and international investors to own our stock and should drive greater value for all of our shareholders over time, said Stephen Schwarzman, founder of Blackstone. The profits of certain partnership models are taxed at the point of distribution, rather than as corporate income. As a result, the partnership model has traditionally offered a way of keeping taxes lower on such earnings. Investors would put up the cash to help fund operations in exchange for quarterly returns. Such arrangements generally allow entities to pay higher sums at a lower tax rate, but these rewards mean investors must file a 30-page form for the IRS every year. So, many institutional investors avoid partnerships for the sake of convenience. Although the conversion will be effective as of July 1, Blackstone has already seen its share price climb 8.4 percent to $38.95 in pre-market New York trading. If this is anything to go by, the group may have placed its bets well. Why Blackstone has gone for a higher tax rate The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) may have made doing business in the US cheaper as a corporation than ever before, but it was still much more tax-efficient to operate as a partnership. Blackstone may have made its decisions having watched the market for a year. KKR converted from a master limited partnership (MLP) to a corporation on July 1 2018. The company has estimated that it will pay 7% on its income as a result, and the rate will gradually rise to 22% over the next five years. This is after paying 2.8% in US tax in the first quarter of 2018. KKR CEOs Henry Kravis and George Roberts claimed that the conversion was designed to broaden our investor base, simplify our structure and make it easier to invest in our shares. Wall Street tax advisor Robert Willens told International Tax Reviewat the time: A lot of institutional investors were loath to invest in MLPs because it would create more tax headaches. The short-term costs of a massive restructuring of your operations would not be justifiable if the tax structure is not there in the long term and the company wont benefit, he warned. While the corporate tax rate cut from 35% to 21% helped KKR make its decision, the risks might outweigh the rewards for some companies. However, investors responded well to the decision in the case of KKR. The companys shares jumped 8.5% after its conversion went ahead. Apollo, Blackstone and Carlyle watched the move closely. It was clear investors were happy to invest in such a fund once the onerous tax filings associated with the partnership model were out of the way. Blackstone said it was considering its future status in its 10- K filing last month. The company acknowledged that it might have to adopt a new structure if US law changes and the tax advantage of partnerships becomes void. Past legislative proposals would treat certain publically traded partnerships as corporations for federal income tax purposes, Blackstone said on March 1. If similar legislation were enacted and applied to us, we would not qualify as a partnership for US federal income tax purposes. If we were taxed as a corporation our effective tax rate could increase significantly, the company added. Even with more than $500 billion in assets under its management, Blackstone had an effective tax rate of 7.1% in 2018, up from 5.6% in 2016. The group saw its effective rate spike in 2017 after US tax reform first came into force. The partially offset damage was 18%. The exact impact of the [TCJA] is difficult to quantify, but these changes could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition, Blackstone said. The company has plenty of reason to worry about the future of the US tax system. Congress still could still introduce measures to raise the corporate rate, limit interest deductions and raise taxes on carried interest. Nevertheless, this restructure suggests Blackstone is willing to put aside such concerns, at least for the short-term. The material on this site is for financial institutions, professional investors and their professional advisers. It is for information only. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy before using the site. All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws. 2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQ. Share this article April 29, 2019 (Investorideas.com Newswire) CoolBitX, the Taiwan-based blockchain security company and creator of the first mobile hardware wallet for digital assets, today announced an integration with the highly anticipated Binance Chain, a blockchain software system developed by Binance and the community, and its upcoming Binance DEX. The integration will allow Binance DEX users to transfer digital assets to and from CoolBitX's latest hybrid hardware wallet, CoolWallet S (CWS). CWS launched in 2018 and is the world's first credit card-sized hardware wallet for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, XRP, Bitcoin Cash, Horizen, and ERC20 Tokens. The Binance DEX integration enables CWS users to quickly and securely withdraw and exchange digital assets through the decentralized exchange. With no central custody of funds, Binance DEX offers users full control over their assets and private keys, complementing the security provided by a hardware wallet. Desktop browsers can be used to initiate trades, but the CWS is utilized to sign each transaction - minimizing security risks to end users of the exchange. CEO of CoolBitX, Michael Ou said: "Binance is the world's leading digital asset exchange, and we are excited to see their role in the development of Binance DEX. This integration is highly significant for CoolWallet S holders as they will be able to seamlessly and securely transfer crypto on and off the exchange." Decentralized exchanges provide a different balance of security, freedom, and ease-of-use, so that users can have more responsibility and control over their assets. CEO of Binance, Changpeng Zhao said: "The launch of Binance DEX will help to grow the ecosystem and further the adoption of cryptocurrency. We thank CoolBitX for their support and we are excited to offer more freedom of choice to the Binance DEX community." For more information on CoolBitX, please visit https://coolbitx.com. Join the Binance Chain Community Forum at https://community.binance.org/. About CoolBitX Technology Ltd.: CoolBitX Technology Ltd. (CBX) is a Taiwan-based blockchain security company and creator of the first mobile hardware wallet for digital assets. CBX leverages the power of the blockchain to return personal data to the individual and foster a more secure and empowered future. Founded in 2014 by Michael Ou and backed by investors like SBI Holdings and Bitmain, CBX specializes in the manufacturing of U.S.-patented digital asset hardware and developing smart contract platforms for millions of global users. In 2016, CoolBitX introduced its first generation wallet, and released the CoolWallet S in 2018 - the world's first credit card-sized hardware wallet for Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, XRP, Bitcoin Cash, Horizen, and ERC20 Tokens. Currently, CoolBitX is focused on the development of a complete KYC/AML solution that will foster optimal regulatory compliance and greatly improve the reputation and operations of the virtual currency industry at large. For more information on CoolBitX, visit https://coolbitx.com/. About Binance Chain Binance Chain is a blockchain software system developed by Binance and the community. Binance Chain is a community-driven development project with many developers and contributors from all over the world. Binance DEX is the decentralized exchange feature developed on top of the Binance Chain blockchain. https://binance.org/ More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ and tickertagstocknews.com Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp April 29, 2019 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Gregory Beischer, president and CEO of Millrock Resources, speaks with Maurice Jackson of Proven and Probable about the strategic investment his company just received. Maurice Jackson: Joining us today is Gregory Beischer, the president, CEO, and a director of Millrock Resources Inc. (MRO:TSX.V; MLRKF:OTCQX), a premier project generator. Mr. Beischer, welcome to the show. Gregory B.: Thanks very much, Maurice. Maurice Jackson: You have some truly exciting news to provide shareholders, which coincides directly with our last interview regarding Millrock's West Pogo project located in the Goodpaster District of Alaska. Mr. Beischer, before we begin, for first time listeners, who is Millrock Resources? Gregory B.: Millrock is a project generator company. We acquire mineral rights and then we invite other companies to share the risk of the early-stage exploration. We do that from my home base here in Anchorage, Alaska, all over this great state, but also in Sonora State in Mexico and in the Southwest United States. Maurice Jackson: Let's delve into today's press release. Millrock announces strategic investment by EMX Royalty Corporation, Goodpaster District, Alaska. Mr. Beischer, allow me to be the first to say congratulations, sir. Tell us about this strategic investment. Gregory B.: Thanks, Maurice. You and I have talked about this quite a bit over the years. I know that you are personally a shareholder of EMX as am I, and you know that it is a generative exploration company, in whose footsteps Millrock would like to follow. We'd like to have the same success EMX has had. EMX, of course, has made a big discovery, which it capitalized having received fairly recently. I believe it's US$67 million as payment for the project, so a great win for that company. And I know that it is looking for ways to deploy that capital to make even more money, particularly to create royalties, which I believe is a very smart business model, and I think you'll agree with me there. EMX Royalty has been inundated with proposals to help it spend its money. Millrock has been good friends with the EMX folks for quite a while. I know I certainly admire its technical team and abilities. And I hope that that's mutual. We showed EMX the Goodpaster project last December I think it was, and so it takes a while to work through these things, but now we've been able to announce that EMX has invested in Millrock at quite a significant premium to our share price. It paid CA$0.14 for the shares, but in return for that premium, we granted royalties on claims that we have recently staked in the Goodpaster District and upon some claims that we already owned in that emerging gold district in Alaska. This is a win-win for everybody here. I think EMX got what it wanted, which was a new royalty portfolio, and it owns Millrock shares that I think it believes will be worth more one day. So EMX came out of it good, but it also gave Millrock the capital to act on something we've wanted to do for a long time, which was capture a huge land position in the Goodpaster District and to move exploration down the road a little ways. I think both companies come out very well, and I think as shareholders, we're doing well too. Maurice Jackson: Millrock had a number of companies that shared their interest in partnering with you on the West Pogo. Why did Millrock select EMX Royalty as its partner? Gregory B.: Our partnership with EMX has allowed us to acquire a great land position, but we'll still need yet another partner to fund aggressively exploration in this district. So, EMX was the toehold that allowed us to get started, but really, we'll have to find another partner, and, thankfully, we're well underway on that. Maurice Jackson: Now what will be done with the proceeds you currently have from the investment? Gregory B.: Millrock has used a substantial amount already to stake claims. We've amassed in excess of 500 square kilometers of mineral rights, and yeah, it's a big land position, but it's also a very good one. Maurice, you know that four or five years ago, we purchased some remnant claim blocks in the district, but both acquisitions came with fantastic geologic databases of information that probably cost $15 million to create back in the 1990s and early 2000s after the first big surge of exploration after the discovery of the Pogo mine, a great gold mine in the Goodpaster District. So we knew where we wanted to stake, and we've known this for a long time. It was just a matter of having the capital to do so. And our agreement with EMX allowed that to happen. So we've used some of the proceeds to stake the claims. We'll use some of the money also to do some early-stage exploration and attract partners to fund what it really needs, which I really want to do, which is systematic exploration over a series of years on a district scale. We've got a major part of the district staked now. We also have an excellent project, West Pogo, that's just about ready to drill, but my preferred course of action would be to find a partner that will underwrite the work, the systematic, long-term work needed to move the prospect forward to drill readiness and test each and every prospect that we can develop in this huge area. Maurice Jackson: Gregory, for that prospective partner and new shareholder, it may be good for us to share the value proposition we have before us regarding the Goodpaster District, and specifically, Millrock's West Pogo project. Gregory B.: The Goodpaster District has produced gold from placer mines over the years, but it was in 1994 that the Pogo gold mine was first discovered. There was a big surge of exploration activity, and it was really the first time substantial modern exploration occurred in this district. I have the feeling that Goodpaster will become a gold camp of significant proportion one day, maybe even like the Val-d'Or camp of northern Quebec, where I've spent some time. There have been dozens of mines in that camp over a century of operations. I think the Goodpaster will be the same. Pogo's a great mine. The new owner, Northern Star Resources, is doing a great job. It has only owned the mine for about six months, but it seems to be doing an excellent job of tuning up the operation. I think it is going to make a lot of money from it. It's a high-grade mine that produces about 300,000 ounces of gold a year. Millrock would love to discover a deposit like that being mined. And so we view this as we're walking into a gold camp. We've had lots of space to choose our ground, and we've done that, and amassed a major land position with high priority targets on it using our database. The value proposition before us is through exploration and discovery of one or more deposits like the one being mined at the Pogo gold mine. And, in fact, the last time we spoke, we talked about our West Pogo project, aptly named because it's immediately to the west of the Pogo Mine. In fact, it's within sight of the mine itself. And we know that there's been some recent discoveries by the mine operators to the west of the mine, in fact, close to our mutual claim boundary. It's possible that the new discovery it has made comes right onto our claims. So we'd like to do the geophysical surveys needed to image below the surface of the earth, pick drill targets, and then test to see if we've got a gold deposit on our side of the claim boundary. Maurice Jackson: Before we leave, Mr. Beischer, what is the next unanswered question for Millrock Resources, when can we expect an answer and what determines success? Gregory B.: The next question for Millrock is getting a partner on this particular project. We've made a big gamble here, and now we need to capitalize by landing a partner that is willing to fund the kind of exploration we want to do, district-scale exploration to systematically, continuously evaluate the targets, select the very best ones, and to drill them from a position of strong knowledge. And so that's the next question Millrock has to answer, who's the partner and when will you get it? And we're working hard on it. Maurice Jackson: Mr. Beischer. Let me ask you my favorite question, and that is what did I forget to ask? Gregory B.: Well, often when you've chatted with me, Maurice, we talk about the price of gold and how much of a driver it is for the availability of capital for explorers, and gold's been up looking good, now it's down again. I think you probably read a lot of the same things I do, and I think the consensus is gold's going to move substantially higher in the near term. And that certainly helps junior mining companies and the flow of capital into early stage exploration projects. So, I'm hopeful that the price moves up soon. Maurice Jackson: Gregory, for someone listening today who wants to get more information regarding Millrock Resources, please share the contact details. Gregory B.: Sure, you can reach www.millrockresources.com. Melanee Henderson, head of investor relations, may be contacted at mhenderson@millrockresources.com or call 604-638-3164 or 877-217-8978. Maurice Jackson: And as a reminder, Millrock Resources trades on the TSX.V symbol MRO and on the OTCQX symbol MLRKF. Millrock Resources is a sponsor of Proven and Probable, and we are proud shareholders of Millrock Resources for the virtues conveyed in today's message. And last but not least, please visit our website, provenandprobable.com, where we deliver mining insights and bullion sales. You may reach us at contact@provenandprobable.com. Gregory Beischer of Millrock Resources, 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. Disclosure: 1) Gregory Beischer: I, or members of my immediate household or family, own shares of the following companies mentioned in this article: Millrock Resources. I personally am, or members of my immediate household or family are, paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: Millrock Resources. 2) Maurice Jackson: I, or members of my immediate household or family, own shares of the following companies mentioned in this article: Millrock Resources. 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: Millrock Resources is a sponsor of Proven and Probable. Proven and Probable disclosures are listed below. 3) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. 4) 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. 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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. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ and tickertagstocknews.com Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp April 29, 2019 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Ron Struthers of Struthers' Resource Stock Report reviews results from drilling at the company's project, including a drill hole that intersected significant mineralization. I am very surprised at these great, high-grade results for the first drill pass on the first target at Zonte's Cross Hills. Before seeing more details below, or if you skip down lower, come back for some detail on IOCGs. What is an Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) mine? That is a very good and very important question that I have been grappling with and learning about for over a year. IOCGs are rare and often massive in scale. There are not any IOCG mines in Canada, but a few prospects exist. Therefore, junior mining investors have little knowledge about these. What I have learned, with some help from Zonte Metals Inc.'s (ZON:TSX.V) exploration, is that there never seems to be two alike. An explorer cannot use a known deposit effectively as a model, except as a general concept. Some deposits are located in magnetic highs and others peripheral to the magnetic highs. Each IOCG seems to have a different mixture of metals. With Zonte's Cross Hills it looks like mineralization is around or near the oxide zones and contains copper (Cu), silver (Ag) and gold (Au). This is the technical geological definition, as provided by Natural Resources Canada: "IOCG deposits are polymetallic hydrothermal mineral occurrences that contain Cu and economic Au concentrations with potential enrichment in Ag, uranium, rare earth elements, bismuth, cobalt, nickel, niobium, etc., set in abundant low-titanium iron-oxide (magnetite, hematite) gangue minerals or associated alteration sulphide. The sulphide-deficient ore includes native elements and low-sulphur base-metal sulphides and arsenides, such as chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcocite, pyrrhotite and arsenopyrite (Corriveau, 2007; Corriveau and Mumin, 2010). All IOCG deposits are enclosed within regional scale-alteration haloes of intensely iron oxide-alkali-altered metasomatized rocks and breccias." The most well known IOCG example is Olympic Dam in Australia, operated by BHP. It is simply the most massive mineral system in the world. In the past BHP has stated there are 500 years of mining life left and new discoveries could add centuries to this. Currently its proven reserves make it the largest uranium deposit in the world and fourth largest copper deposit, and they have only scratched the known system. These are regional-scale systems and we know that Cross Hills has several more anomalies that exemplify this. For that reason and the large-scale potential of these systems, I am certain the majors are going to soon rush into the Cross Hills area. The best know occurrences in Canada, before Zonte's Cross Hills, are in the Northwest Territories/Great Slave Lake region. It is remote and reserves defined to date are small. Fortune Minerals Ltd.'s(FT:TSX) NICO has 33 million tonnes at 1.02 g/t Au, 0.12% cobalt and 0.04% copper. Sue-Dianne is only 8.4 million tonnes at 0.80% copper with 0.07 g/t Au and 3.2 g/t Ag. There is also the Michelin project in Labrador. These deposits could be bigger, but in recent years it has been difficult to raise exploration funding for projects like these inremote areas. Read more in a 2018, 154-page IOCG publication. Cross Hills is different. It can be worked year-round, has road access, a high-voltage power line through the property and is close to a sea port. The major miners are very aggressively looking for copper and I expect that, before the end of the year, one or more of them will be all over Zonte and the Cross Hills region. Mining giant BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP:NYSE; BHPLF:OTCPK) made a decision in 2016 to raise its annual exploration spending by 29%, allocating nearly all of its $900 million budget to finding new copper deposits to add to a portfolio that includes Escondida in Chile, the world's biggest copper mine, and the Olympic Dam. Zonte Metals: recent price $0.33; entry price $0.15; opinion = strong buy Zonte released the first drill results from the Cross Hills project in Newfoundland, and they definitely surprised me and came back way better than my best expectations. I was expecting lower grades over longer widths, and that any high grade would maybe be 5% or 6% copper and 2 or 3 g/t gold. Zonte expedited assays on parts of drill hole 19-004 based on visual observations in the drill core. Here is a pic of the high-grade intersect. This ran 14.0% Cu, 15.8 g/t Au and 352 g/t within a 0.43 m interval sitting in a 2.76 m interval that averaged 2.89% Cu, 2.65 g/t Au, 73.3 g/t Ag. This drill hole also had some more low-grade intercepts from 204.41 meters to 243 meters. In first pass drilling the idea is to test different parts of the target and different theories. Drill holes 19-001 and 19-002 tested the magnetic highs in the anomalies and only intersected some anomalous copper values. It appears thus far that mineralization is in the transition zone from high to moderate magnetics. Drill hole CH-19-004 was set up to test the eastern side of the Dunns Mountain magnetic anomaly, aiming to pass under the magnetic high, in the 'transition' from high to moderate magnetics. This was the only drill hole targeting the transition zone in the magnetic profile. The company noted a number of discrete visually mineralized intervals were noted throughout a 70-meter interval, between 168 and 243 meters, sitting directly below a magnetic high. The hole was initially drilled to a depth of 204 meters and later deepened to 283 meters copper mineralization was discovered in the last meter of core. This graphic shows the orientation of drill hole 19-004. It went under the small anomaly, the larger one was not tested in this fashion. This high-grade intersect is narrow at just under a half-meter but you don't get numbers like this in the drill cores unless there is a very significant source for this mineralization. This drill program has gone a long way in aiding Zonte in finding this source in the next drill round. Key Points Waiting on results for drill hole 19-003 and 19-005; Very high grade for first results: 14.0% Cu, 15.8 g/t Au and 352 g/t within a 0.43 m interval; Drill sample much higher than any surface samples and system hidden at depth; Fertile IOCG system represents the early stages of defining a new copper belt in Canada; A new copper belt will get the attention from major miners; Zonte controls 25 kilometers of strike length in this new copper belt; Fertile IOGC system means other anomalies yet to be drilled are likely mineralized; Planning for a phase 2 drill program is underway and program expanding; Phase 2 drilling, further testing at Dunns and initial drill tests at Carols Hat or K6 or both; Planned gravity surveys will help pinpoint targets outside and near the magnetic highs. "This is an exciting new discovery for Zonte Metals, adding to our growing portfolio of large- scale mineral opportunities. Early indications show a discovery that has all the geologic signatures of a copper-rich fertile IOCG target and possibly a new copper belt in Canada. The Company controls 25 kilometre strike length of the belt with the Dunns Mountain target located at the northern end. In light of these results Zonte will increase its exploration and drilling program at Cross Hills," states Terry Christopher, president and CEO of Zonte Metals. On the drill map above, drill hole 19-005 looks like it might be crossing some magnetic transition zones and might see some decent numbers. Having been to the property and the Dunns target I can appreciate the sophistication of Mother Nature and her secrets. Hole 19-004 was on the other side of the large Dunns hill from where I looked at the target, and at the time it was not considered an area of interest. My, my, how things can change. The press release also stated: "In preparation for phase 2 drilling at Dunns Mountain, additional geophysics will be carried out including ground magnetics, Induced Polarization (IP) and a gravity survey to first define the area to be tested around drill hole CH-19-004 and secondly aim to identify additional targets along the periphery of the magnetic anomaly. These surveys will also cover the anomalies 2.5 km to the south in the Carols Hat target area. In addition, the Company will complete a deep penetrating IP and gravity surveys, over the K6 target in preparation for phase II drilling. The K6 target sits 12 kilometres south of Dunns Mountain." On the chart, I have been watching the wedge pattern and today we can clearly see a breakout from the wedge to the upside. I expect the stock will move much higher. Normally on breakouts with good news, a stock will go up 3 or 4 days in a row before consolidating. Ron Struthers founded Struthers' Resource Stock Report 23 years ago. The report covers senior and junior companies with ample trading liquidity. He started his Millennium Index of dividend stocks in 2003 - $1,000 invested then was worth over $4,000 end of 2014 and the index returned 26.8% in 2016. He retired from IBM after 30 years in customer service, systems and business analyst, also developing his own charting software. He has expertise in junior start-ups and was a co-founder of Paramount Gold and Silver. Disclosure: 1) Ron Struthers: I, or members of my immediate household or family, own shares of the following companies mentioned in this article: Zonte. I personally am, or members of my immediate household or family are, paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. My company currently has a financial relationship with the following companies mentioned in this article: None. Additional disclosures below. I determined which companies would be included in this article based on my research and understanding of the sector. 2) The following companies mentioned in this article are 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. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports. 5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the interview or the decision to write an article until three business days after the publication of the interview or article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company releases. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own shares of Zonte, a company mentioned in this article. Charts and images provided by the author. Struther's Resource Stock Report: All forecasts and recommendations are based on opinion. Markets change direction with consensus beliefs, which may change at any time and without notice. The author/publisher of this publication has taken every precaution to provide the most accurate information possible. The information & data were obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but because the information & data source are beyond the author's control, no representation or guarantee is made that it is complete or accurate. The reader accepts information on the condition that errors or omissions shall not be made the basis for any claim, demand or cause for action. Because of the ever-changing nature of information & statistics the author/publisher strongly encourages the reader to communicate directly with the company and/or with their personal investment adviser to obtain up to date information. Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results. Any statements non-factual in nature constitute only current opinions, which are subject to change. The author/publisher may or may not have a position in the securities and/or options relating thereto, & may make purchases and/or sales of these securities relating thereto from time to time in the open market or otherwise. Neither the information, nor opinions expressed, shall be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any stock, futures or options contract mentioned herein. The author/publisher of this letter is not a qualified financial adviser & is not acting as such in this publication. (c) Copyright 2019, Struther's Resource Stock Report More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ and tickertagstocknews.com Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp MONTREAL - April 29, 2019 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Xebec Adsorption Inc. (TSXV: XBC) (OTC: XEBEF) ("Xebec"), a global provider of renewable natural gas (RNG) solutions, is pleased to note that the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced a new initiative on March 1st 2019, to use biogas to partially replace coal in rural areas. China plans to produce 30 billion cubic meters of biogas from agricultural waste and manure by 2030, part of a wider measure to reduce the domestic coal consumption in rural regions by 50 megatonnes. In order to achieve this target, China will need to build approximately 3,000 to 4,000 upgrading facilities over the next 10 years, requiring investments of CDN$7 to 10 billion. Xebec has been active in this developing market for over 10 years and is now adding several new facilities to its existing installations, which also serve as excellent reference sites for future customers. One example is a facility located in Malaysia that upgrades biogas from Palm Oil Mill Effluents (POME) into RNG using Xebec's biogas upgrading system. The plant is in Sabah, a State of Malaysia located in the north eastern part of Borneo. In China, Xebec is commissioning another upgrading system, specifically a Waste Water Treatment Plant in the City of Suzhou (Jiangsu Province). It processes 1250 NCMH of biogas from a mix of kitchen, landscaping and leachate waste into RNG which is injected as pure biomethane into the local town gas grid. With plants operating in Korea, China, Malaysia, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Canada and the United States, Xebec is proud to play an ever bigger part in helping to decarbonize our future through renewable gases while providing a revenue source for end users such as gas utilities and the public sector. Quotes: "The market conditions for renewable natural gas and hydrogen purification equipment remain strong across all our operating geographies, but China offers unique opportunities given the government's aggressive renewable energy targets. Xebec China is well established and is becoming a key contributor in both the hydrogen and RNG space." - Kurt Sorschak, President and CEO, Xebec Adsorption Inc. Related links: https://www.xebecinc.com For more information: Xebec Adsorption Inc. Sandi Murphy, Director, Investor Relations and Marketing +1 450.979.8718 smurphy@xebecinc.com About Xebec Adsorption Inc. Xebec Adsorption Inc. is a global provider of gas generation, purification and filtration solutions for the industrial, energy and renewables marketplace. Its customers range from small to multi-national corporations and governments looking to reduce their carbon footprints. Headquartered in Montreal (QC), Xebec designs, engineers and manufactures innovative and transformative products, and has more than 1,500 customers worldwide. With two manufacturing facilities in Montreal and Shanghai, as well as a sales and distribution network in North America, Europe, and Asia, Xebec trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol XBC. For additional information on the company, its products and services, visit Xebec at xebecinc.com. Cautionary Statement Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements, and subject to risks and uncertainties. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "seeks", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "could", "might", "likely" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "will", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved" or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements, including statements concerning future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses and future prospects as well as the expectations of management of Xebec with respect to information regarding the business and the expansion and growth of Xebec operations, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. 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Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp As Bayer management digs in against a growing shareholder rebellion over the acquisition of Monsanto, attention will shift from the German companys headquarters back to US courts. Thats where the German pharma and chemicals giant faces 13,400 lawsuits claiming that Monsantos Roundup weedkiller causes cancer. Even as it fights the cases, the companys shareholders handed chief executive officer Werner Baumann an unprecedented rebuke last week. At a fractious, 13-hour gathering in Bonn on Friday, more than 55% of shareholders voted against absolving Mr Baumann and other managers of responsibility for their actions in the $63bn takeover last year. Bayers board circled the wagons afterward, saying it maintained full confidence in Mr Baumann. Several top investors consider the move a sign that Bayer is unwilling to address shareholder concerns, according to people familiar with the situation. The vote was non-binding, but other German CEOs have lost their jobs even after securing more support than Mr Baumann. Several large investors said, however, that they would prefer the chief to remain in place because a change to Bayers management board could further delay a resolution to the US litigation and any strategic review. Investors want Bayer to consider an overhaul of the board, take a more forthcoming approach in dealing with the US litigation and conduct a sweeping review -- including a potential breakup of the conglomerate into crop science and pharmaceutical companies, said the people familiar with the situation. Managements fate may ultimately lie in the hands of US courts, where Bayer has already lost two Roundup cases and lawsuits are proliferating through multiple channels. In one set of proceedings, a US federal judge this month ordered Bayer to pursue mediation, asking the company to try to settle legal challenges that have wiped more than 35bn off the market value. Separately, a state court in California is hearing a case brought by a couple in their 70s who have cancer. The jury is expected to rule as soon as next month. Bayer denies that Roundup causes cancer and the company has been holding out hope for a court win that would give Mr Baumann some breathing space as the company hones its legal response to the swelling wave of litigation. A third loss, however, could force the company to accelerate talks on a global settlement, which analysts have said could top $5bn. Bloomberg The time is ripe for Cork to be one of the leading sustainable cities in Europe, according to a world-renowned architectural expert. Speaking at the Irish Examiners business breakfast to mark the Cork on the Rise special supplement, Angela Brady said in order for Cork to realise its goal to be a sustainable city, it needs to be led by public consultation. We need to do key things like appreciate the rich value in heritage, which is what gives Cork its history, culture, and identity. That is the unique selling point of Cork. Angela Brady of Brady Mallalieu Architects, speaks at the Irish Examiner Cork on the Rise event. We cannot look back at some of the older fashioned taller building models. You need to look forward to make a sustainable city that is liveable, easy to walk and cycle, and cuts down on cars. If you have a walkable city, you have a liveable city. People get to know their neighbours better, and all that goes with that. The people of Cork are key for public consultation; it cannot be led from the top down. The future is ripe for Cork to be one of the leading sustainable cities in Europe, Ms Brady told the 120 business, political, and community leaders in attendance at the UCC Centre for Executive Education, in the former Cork Savings Bank building on Lapps Quay. Developer Michael OFlynn said while the long-term vision for Cork and Ireland under Project 2040 was a good one, there were tremendous challenges in the short to medium- term. When it comes to housing, we have to face up to the fact that we are nowhere near where we need to be, Mr OFlynn said. Michael OFlynn, OFlynn Group CEO, at the Irish Examiner event at the Cork University Business School. We cannot just take care of the future, because urgent action is needed now, he said. We need a business plan to execute the Cork vision, Mr OFlynn said, with the upcoming challenges of boundary extension bedding down. We cannot lose the opportunity given what is happening on the national stage, because it happens to be coinciding with a boundary change here in Cork. We have to have a serious question about the immediate strategy to get from A to B. I agree with the ultimate strategy, but we have to have a transition along the way, Mr OFlynn said. Tanaiste Simon Coveney speaking at the Irish Examiner Cork on the Rise event. Pictures: David Keane Tanaiste Simon Coveney said the national planning framework was aimed at tackling the utterly dominant Dublin region, which had been the economic model for the past 50 years. We cannot continue to have situations like people moving to Navan and Portlaoise but driving to Dublin for work every day, Mr Coveney said. A directly-elected mayor with a fixed term of office instead of election cycles could provide the sustained drive towards executing the vision for Corks future, Mr Coveney said. Cork City Council chief executive Ann Doherty said that to make Cork a sustainable city to rival international second cities such as Manchester, Barcelona, or Porto, it had to emphasise neighbourhoods and communities with better public transport and ease of access to work. By Jessica Summers and Eamon Quinn The price of crude oil declined after topping $72 a barrel last week as a key Russian pipeline began resuming shipments and global oil flows appeared undisturbed days before tougher US sanctions against Iran kick in. Russia said it solved an oil-contamination problem that halted some shipments to eastern Europe last week. Waivers that allowed China and several other major buyers to purchase Iranian oil will expire May 2, cutting off a significant source of supply. Meanwhile, US president Donald Trump renewed calls on Opec to pump more crude. Were still getting weighed upon by the various commentary from President Trump and the calls on Opec to raise output, said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital, a New York hedge fund focused on energy. Crude touched a six-month high last week after the White House announced the end of sanctions exemptions on Iranian crude. Investors are waiting to see whether Saudi Arabia will ramp up production to make up for any supply shortfalls after Trump said on Twitter he had spoken with suppliers about boosting oil flows and that all are in agreement. The global benchmark Brent crude declined 32c to $71.83 a barrel in London. The US benchmark, West Texas Intermediate slid 38c to $62.92 a barrel in New York. Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih said last week that the worlds biggest oil exporter will cater to customers needs, but doesnt see the need for an immediate response to the Iran situation. Meanwhile, Neil Shearing, group chief economist at Capital Economics in London, said the spike in prices that had brought Brent crude oil up 45% from its lows at the end of last year, will unlikely last. It goes without saying the supply picture remains uncertain, and it seems unlikely that US pressure on Iran is going to abate. But prices are now at a level where US shale production is likely to crank up. And we suspect Opec may raise output targets too. More fundamentally, we dont think the better tone of some of the recent data will herald an upturn in fortunes for the world economy, he said. Bloomberg, Irish Examiner Fiat Chrysler is a house of brands and that ensures it will be one of the few traditional carmakers to survive the disruption the auto industry is facing from the rise of electric and self-driving cars, according to chief executive officer Mike Manley. Mr Manleys vision, like that of his iconic predecessor Sergio Marchionne, is based on the view that distinctive brands such as Jeep, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati give the Italian-American company an advantage over mass volume producers. Mr Manley, 55, who succeeded Marchionne in July a few days before he died, is under pressure to deliver a turnaround of the carmakers unprofitable Asia business and revamp its European one amid massive investments needed to guide Fiat-Chrysler into the era of self-driving electric cars and new mobility services. Im 100% sure that Fiat Chrysler will be able to survive because we are fundamentally a house of brands, Mr Manley said in an interview last month at the companys Turin headquarters for a new biography of Marchionne. In his last sit-down interview in January 2018 at his mansion in Michigan, Mr Marchionne predicted that carmakers have less than a decade to reinvent themselves or risk becoming commodities amid a seismic shift in how vehicles are powered, driven and purchased. The industry will divide into segments, with premium brands managing to hold onto their cachet while mere people-transporters struggle to cope with the onslaught from disruptors like Tesla and Googles Waymo, Mr Marchionne said at the time. He warned that the namesake Fiat brand is the one more at risk of being commoditised inside its portfolio of products. I dont think that we have any brand that will fit into a bland character, Mr Manley said in the interview. He believes the Fiat brand has a future, citing the success of its iconic 500 subcompact, which posted record deliveries after a decade on the market. Our brands have shown they will be able to survive, he said. Pietro Gorlier, who leads Fiat Chrysler in Europe, echoed Mr Manleys outlook in a separate interview for the book at his Mirafiori office in Turin. He sees the Italian brand having a bright future in Europe with its 500 family, which also includes the 500X SUV, and by developing the concept of mobility. At the Geneva car show in March, Fiat unveiled the Centoventi prototype, a battery-powered electric car that can be fully customized by clients and could be Fiats answer for urban mobility services like robo-taxis or ride-hailing services. Mr Manley has signaled in the last few weeks that Fiat Chrysler is open to explore ways to cooperate or even merge with other carmakers. Fresh talks with Peugeot have begun for joint investments, people familiar with the matter have said. When asked if Fiat was holding talks with the French carmaker for a deal, Mr Manley declined to comment. The Fiat Chrysler CEO spoke in a joint interview with chief financial officer Richard Palmer for the book Sergio Marchionne, which is published today in Italian by Sperling & Kupfer. The book revealed that Mr Palmer and Mr Manley were the two candidates that chairman John Elkann had planned to propose to the board of directors July 21, after he discovered that Mr Marchionne was never going to come back after a surgery he underwent few weeks before. In those dramatic hours, Mr Palmer took himself out of the race, clearing the way for the head of Jeep, Fiats most valuable unit. So Mr Elkann proposed Mr Manley, whod led the revival at Jeep, where sales rose to more than 1.6 million in 2018 from 300,000 in 2009. Palmer declined to comment on the matter. Mr Palmer, who stayed on as CFO and was appointed to the board, is working closely with both Manley and Mr Elkann on Fiat Chrysler strategy. He also has a new responsibility for mergers and acquisitions. Mr Palmer said everyone who worked with Mr Marchionne was enriched by the experience. Marchionne didnt think of himself as an executive, he considered himself as a fixer. He hated long decision-making for an issue, he just wanted to solve it, he said. For the CFO, Mr Marchionnes legacy is an inspiration. He used to say that leadership is a privilege and he felt the responsibility for the performance of the team and for all the organisation. Bloomberg May 12 is the deadline for nominations to find Irelands Farming For Nature ambassadors for 2019. The national Farming for Nature Award recognises farmers managing their land and livestock in a way that really benefits nature. The award was developed in 2018 by heritage enthusiasts based in the west of Ireland. One of them, Dr Brendan Dunford of the Burren Programme, said farming is under pressure but so is nature. We believe that, with properly targeted funding and good technical support, farmers can do an awful lot to help our threatened habitats and species, and benefit themselves as a result. We know this from the Burren. He said its important to have inspirational role models and teachers who can lead other farmers. The awardees from 2018 are an amazing and inspirational group of people, and we want to expand this network in 2019. The awards are sponsored by Bord Bia and supported by many organisations, including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the National Rural Network, The National Biodiversity Data Centre, the Irish Farmers Association, and Teagasc. Who can make a nomination? Over 200 accredited professionals in farmland biodiversity are invited to nominate a farmer worthy of recognition for supporting nature. For others who would like to be included in the nominators' list, info@farmingfornature.ie is the contact email address. How do I nominate a farmer for the award? Nominations for 2019 opened March 12 and close on May 12. If you are contacted and invited to make a nomination, you can either fill in the online application form at www.farmingfornature.ie or download an application and send it to info@farmingfornature.ie or by post to Farming for Nature, Burrenbeo Trust, Glebe House, Kinvara, Co Galway. Before you nominate, ask the farmer for permission to nominate them, and let them know that they can expect a follow-up chat with one of the Farming for Nature team. Or if there is someone you feel that should be nominated, you could suggest to your local NPWS ranger or Heritage Officer that this person deserves to be nominated. It is free to enter and to be involved in the awards. Who is to be nominated? The awards are for farmers who: Have made a significant contribution to the protection or enhancement of nature on their farm and/or in their locality. Are farming in a manner that is agriculturally, economically and socially progressive. Have shared their passion with others (through walks, local media, etc). Have a record of engagement with other stakeholders. Were not shortlisted in previous years. See the list on the www.farmingfornature.ie website. Nominations can be for individual farmers or, even better, farm families. Its a great opportunity to demonstrate your respect and admiration for this farmer, to share his/her inspiring story with others, and perhaps encourage other farmers to adopt nature-friendly activities on their land. What happens once the nomination has been submitted? Once the nomination is received, the farmer will be contacted. Then a short description of the farm, with photos, will be put up online, with the farmers permission. The nominator may also be contacted. The farmer may be asked to suggest a farm advisor or someone that could be contacted for further information. All nominations will be reviewed and assessed in line with the listed criteria, and a shortlist of at least 10 farms will be compiled. Judging panel members will visit the shortlisted farms and decide which farms best embody the farming for nature principles and would be good ambassadors. The judges will put forward their top five for an online voting system, so the public can vote for their overall favourite. Each Ambassador will be presented with an award as part of the Burren Winterage School on Sustainable Farming, during the October bank holiday weekend, and the winner of the public vote will be announced. Who will be on the judging panel? The assessment panel includes individuals from the environmental, agricultural and community sector, reflecting the importance of economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable farming (details on www.farmingfornature.ie). What is the award? All Farming for Nature Ambassadors will be invited to the awards ceremony (including dinner, B&B) and will be presented with a beautiful stone plaque and a small cash prize. The winner of the public vote will receive an additional cash prize. A short film will be commissioned on all Farming for Nature Ambassador farms, which farmers can use as they wish. Who has funded this initiative? Most of the work for this initiative is being done on a voluntary basis. However, the Farming for Nature team is very grateful to the key sponsor of the awards, Bord Bias Origin Green Programme, and to the National Rural Network for their support. Why do this? There is widespread awareness of the environmental damage that can be caused by the wrong type of farming. There isnt as much discussion of those that are doing a great job farming for nature. This negative narrative can alienate farmers from nature. Encouraging farmers to feel that they are part of the solution, not just the problem, is the first step in a long journey which will require a lot of financial and technical support, new partnerships and new visions. There are 532 patients waiting on a bed in hospitals around the country this morning. According to the latest Trolley Watch figures from the INMO, 376 patients are waiting in the emergency department, while 147 are in wards elsewhere in the hospital. A special committee of Cork County Council is to look at the possibility of setting up womens refuges and safe houses after an impassioned plea was made by a councillor who described how she was once a victim of domestic abuse. June Murphy was congratulated for her bravery by fellow councillors after she outlined what happened to her and highlighted the need for the local authority to help the increasing number of women who are seeking to escape from domestic abuse. Councillors listened intently at a meeting in County Hall as Ms Murphy provided them with figures she had been provided with from YANA, the North Cork Domestic Violence Project. The figures showed a major increase in the number of people accessing its services from 2015 to last year. Ms Murphy pointed out that Cork is the largest county in Ireland, yet it has no refuge and has to rely on already over-stretched services in the city or as far away as Tralee and Ennis. I can remember when I left with a box of toys and some clothes and went to a womens refuge in Ennis with my son for three months. I cant say how important it is for a woman to get into a safe environment, said Ms Murphy. This could save lives. You cant comprehend how important it is for women and children to access a safe place where they can rebuild their lives. Ms Murphy pleaded with her officials to set up a refuge in the county and work in partnership on the project with YANA and a similar organisation, West Cork Women Against Domestic Violence. Ms Murphy said the local authority has to act fast as the YANA figures speak for themselves. I know its a huge ask. But I believe we as a council can make this happen, she said. Independent councillor Noel Collins said that if it wasnt for the shelter at Edel House in Cork City, many more women would be left out in the cold. Fianna Fail councillor Gobnait Moynihan said that if a woman from Macroom wants to escape an abusive relationship, she is faced with moving herself and her children either to the city or Tralee. This isnt ideal, she said, adding that women want to try and keep some normality in the lives of their children and moving so far away would be uprooting their from their school and friends. I believe we should take a role in this. We should work with stakeholders and explore options. We need to create a destination for these women where they can feel safe, said Fianna Fail councillor Gillian Coughlan. Fianna Fail councillor Mary Rose Desmond said the figures quoted by Ms Murphy were alarming. The council should take a lead on this. We also need to make direct contact with the HSE to see what measures can be taken, she said. Independent councillor Timmy Collins said he admired Ms Murphys courage, as did fellow Independent Danny Collins, who said he was sure that West Cork Women Against Violence would be more than willing to work on any project with the county council. Independent councillor Diarmaid O Cadhla said it might be better to set up a number of safe houses around the county rather than one large shelter. These families also need counselling services and financial support, he said. Mayor of Co Cork Patrick Gerard Murphy, a Fianna Fail councillor, thanked Ms Murphy for sharing her experiences and said the councils housing special purposes committee would look into her request. Committee chairman Seamus McGrath, a Fianna Fail councillor, said he would be happy to take the issue up with Maurice Manning, the councils director of housing. The organisers of a parade are hoping thousands of people will join it in Cork to highlight the poor pay and conditions being endured by members of the Defence Forces. The Respect and Loyalty Parade will be held in Cork city centre on Saturday, May 4, and one of those attending it will be Cathal MacSwiney, grandson of both Cathal Brugha and Terence MacSwiney, who were two iconic leaders in the struggle for independence. It will be the second parade organised by veterans and members of the lobby group WPDF (Wives & Partners of the Defence Forces). The first was held in Dublin last September. Retired regimental sergeant major Noel OCallaghan, who is at the forefront of the campaign, said the parade is being held in Cork in support of the Naval Service and troops at Collins Barracks who are in real crisis. Our Navy have nine ships, of which two are in dry dock due to shortage of sailors. To keep the other seven ships at sea they have to change around crews and have unqualified sailors in specific appointments, the ex-senior NCO claimed. Instead of sorting out the pay, allowances, and contracts not fit for purpose, they (the Department of Defence) are buying another ship, a multi-role vessel for 200m. Mr OCallaghan said the real Minster for Defence, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, is not alone responsible, he is also accountable for the crisis, rather than his junior, Paul Kehoe. On his watch he has let the departments civil servants create a crisis for our Defence Forces, where their operational capability has been greatly affected, he said. Mr OCallaghan said that 166 personnel of all ranks had bailed out before retirement in the first three months of this year, up on the comparable period for 2018. Retention is the key and the key to retention is providing our Defence Forces with wages, allowances, and contracts that give them and their family the same security and stability they give our citizens and our country, he said. The Defence Forces are the lowest paid of all public sector workers. Mervyn Ennis, chairman of Defence Forces Ireland Military Family Forum, which is also heavily involved in organising the parade, said has written to all local and European election candidates in the area have been asked to attend the march. Mr Ennis, who was previously a social working dealing with Defence Forces families, said some Defence Forces families live in poverty; suffer from food, income, fuel, and child poverty. Many of can only dream of owning their our home, and some are currently facing uncertainty about their homes, while others are facing homelessness, Mr Ennis said. The systemic poverty that the poor working conditions create is forcing members to leave in their droves. He pointed out that members of the Defence Forces are not allowed to speak in public, to bargain collectively, or to assemble for protest and so their position is being represented by their families and retired soldiers who have now come together under the Defence Forces Family Military Forum. The poverty and struggle they face is systemic in nature and one that can only be tackled by Government. There can be no more prevarication, Mr Ennis said. Serving members of the Defence Forces are prohibited from marching in such protests. However, RACO, the organisation which represents the officer corps in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, has given its blessing to the march which will start in Grand Parade at noon. Drogheda needs at least 25 more gardai to combat the escalating gang feud says local Fine Gael TD Fergus ODowd. There's fear in the town, there's deep concern, we need and must have more gardai. That's the bottom line, the gardai must have the resources they need, whatever they are, to make sure that these gangs are put away, he told RTE radios Morning Ireland. Mr ODowd explained that two criminal gangs in the town are fighting a war over drugs and territory, placing the entire population of Drogheda at risk. He said he had been told by local gardai that a young girl passing by the Read More: Mr ODowd added that he had a letter from Assistant Garda Commissioner Finbar OBrien acknowledging that the ongoing criminal feud has placed considerable strain on the resources of the Drogheda district and Louth gardai. The fact is there is serious strain, there are not enough gardai. He pointed out that the towns of Drogheda and Dundalk, are basically the same size, but Drogheda has 35 fewer gardai than Dundalk. But they both have serious problems. Dundalk needs that number of gardai and we need it too. I've been speaking to the Minister and he's reassured me that armed gardai are now patrolling the streets of Drogheda and more gardai are on their way. I very much welcome that. People need to be reassured. It's a red line issue for us. Crime must not pay. People must be safe on the streets, you should be able to walk the streets of your town without fear. The problem with the two shooting incidents in Drogheda, the perpetrators were able to cross the town unimpeded by armed gardai or by patrols on our bridges, there are strategic points where there should be and must be interceptability where guards would be ready, willing and able if they're on the streets. Mr ODowd said that if there were eight gardai on a shift, two could be in court while another could be sick, which greatly reduced resources. We need more gardai. We must have them. Ive said that to the Minister. People are worried by this wild west stuff, it drives fear into the heart of all of us. Gardai must be given resources. If they want overtime they must get it. Earlier on Newstalk Breakfast, Padraic Kierans, a former President of Drogheda Chamber of Commerce said that the people of the town are experiencing fear and trepidation and wanted more resources for the Gardai. These individuals have no fear of the rule of law or the gardai. We have a wonderful community, it is unfortunate that this is among us. We saw off Cromwell and King Billy, we will see these off too. Free wifi is being considered for one of West Corks largest towns as part of a new retail and town supports programme. Cork County Council said the new scheme being piloted in Bantry will be launched at a breakfast and networking event in the town on May 15. The scheme will include mentoring, business development, one-to-one website advisory clinics, access to a 2,500 online grant from the Local Enterprise Office, and an opportunity to complete a retail digital marketing e-learning course. The council said it is also considering free wifi for the town and further festival support funding to drive footfall. The launch event will feature speakers from the retail, food and tourism sectors who will discuss the challenges facing their sectors, and how to overcome them. Jean McCabe, of Willow, is the vice-chairwoman of Retail Excellence Ireland, and winner of the Retail Excellence National Store of the Year 2019 title. She will talk about her experience of succeeding as a traditional shop combined with online retailing. Bantry man James Burke of James Burke & Associates, who has worked in the retail and foodservice sectors for over 30 years, will put forward his plan for creating a unique position for Bantry retail and foodservice operators, and Mark Healy, proprietor of The Pantry, Portlaoise, Co Laois, will speak about his experience in developing a successful food-service business in a regional town. The pilot scheme is being driven by mayor of the County of Cork, Patrick Gerard Murphy. He said: Retail and small towns are facing increased challenges from more global competition and online trading. "Bantry was selected for the pilot as a peripheral county town with an important mix of retail, food and tourism. It is vital today to have a cross-platform approach of both store and online, both of which need to be backed up with impeccable customer service something that larger chains do not always offer. Council chief executive, Tim Lucey, said of the 15,000 rated premises in the county, 11,800 are small businesses with a rate bill of 5,000 or less, contributing up to 20m or 15% of the overall county charge: This pilot programme is just a small step to start to assist the further growth of these businesses. A referendum on marriage equality should be held to solve the political impasse in Northern Ireland, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has suggested. Political parties in Northern Ireland are set to enter a new round of talks next week in a bid to break the deadlock, however same-sex marriage which Sinn Fein see as a red line issue remains a thorny and unresolved matter with the DUP vehemently opposed to it. Sinn Fein, the DUP and the other smaller parties are now under renewed pressure to restore the Assembly, which has not sat since 2017, in the wake of the murder of Lyra McKee. Speaking at Fianna Fails annual Easter Rising Commemoration at Arbour Hill, Mr Martin put forward his alternative idea of an immediate commitment to a referendum on marriage equality which he said would break the logjam. That is one option that could be used to move forward. Mr Martin added that his party agrees with the SDLP proposition that the petition of concern be suspended as a basis for the immediate restoration of the assembly and the executive. I think the central trueism that parliaments exist for people to go to to solve problems, not places where you dont go to until problems are solved in advance. An alternative idea, if this would break the logjam, would be an immediate commitment to a referendum on marriage equality which might be a way to deal with the issue. That is one option that could be used to move forward, he said. Sinn Feins negotiating team are due to meet today ahead of the upcoming talks, but party president Mary Lou McDonald has remained firm on their demands around marriage equality and an Irish Language Act. It is now over two years since the late Martin McGuinness resigned from government which triggered the collapse of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Mr Martin said: In my view, the institutions should never have been collapsed over the heating scandal. I think when scandals happen in any political system or within any Government, you deal with the scandal, you have the inquiry but you dont collapse parliament and I think that was a fundamental mistake that was made. That said, the murder of Lyra McKee, the people who carried that out are the ones who are solely responsible. Notwithstanding the political vacuum, there is no excuse for that type of murder. There is an urgent need for the restoration of politics in Northern Ireland and of the parliament and executive so that people have a voice on issues from education to housing to health and I know many decisions have been deferred in the absence of a parliament, he said. The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau is warning about websites offering unsecured loans which seek an upfront fee. Gardai say that a rising number of people are falling victim to scams from fraudulent websites that claim to offer loans without the need for additional documentation. Often, they ask for an advance fee and then never follow through on the loan, leaving the victim out of pocket. Detective Superintendent Michael Cryan told RTE's Morning Ireland that the websites look very sleek and professional, offering unsecured loans which can be processed very quickly and without security. He said these are targeting people who have often been refused loans elsewhere: If it sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is too good to be true." Det Supt Cryan said that people apply for a loan through these websites and very quickly, often within minutes of registering, they will get a phone call telling them that their loan application has been approved: The victim will be asked to send an amount of money to the lender in advance of the loan being given, with various reasons being given for this advance fee." He added that these fees are often described as protection insurance or proof that the victim has the ability to meet loan repayments. Det Supt Cryan said that money is then transferred on the basis that the loans are available for a short time only, with the victim never receiving any additional documents or contact. He said it is difficult to know how many people have been affected by such scams, but that the Gardai and the Central Bank are continuing to investigate the issue. Many of the websites claim to be regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, though this is often not the case and many appear to be hosted abroad rather than registered here, he noted. Update 30/04/19, 6.30pm: Liam Goodwin, who was missing from Dublin, has been located safe and well. The gardai and Liam's family have thanked the public for their assistance. Speaking this morning Chief Superintendent Finbarr Murphy said: "I would like to sincerely thank everyone in Rathcoole and the surrounding community for their wonderful response to our call for assistance this evening in finding Liam. "The people of Rathcoole can be extremely proud of their community and their response this evening. "I also want to thank everyone throughout the country who shared the information on the various social media platforms. "Tonight showed how powerful social media can be when used in the right way." Gardai in Rathcoole, Dublin are seeking help from the public in tracing the whereabouts of 12-year-old Liam Goodwin. Liam Goodwin didn't return home from school Monday and has been missing since 3pm. He was last seen wearing a school uniform: Maroon Holy Family uniform, grey shirt, grey trousers, black Nike runners and was carrying a cobalt blue Super Dry schoolbag. He is described as being 5'9" in height, with sandy colour hair, brown eyes and sallow skin. Gardai and Liams family are very concerned for his welfare and are asking anyone who has seen him or who can assist in locating him is to contact Ballyfermot Garda Station on 01 666 7200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station. Rank-and-file gardai want more armed units to deal with organised crime and the threat posed by the New IRA, as well as better counselling services, more frontline police and improved equipment. The calls will be made when delegates representing nearly 11,000 gardai attend the Garda Representative Association conference which gets underway in Co Kerry tomorrow. The Sligo/Leitrim Garda Division is seeking support from delegates for the establishment of a 24-hour Armed Support Unit in every garda division throughout the country. This call is bound to get significant backing from gardai in border counties in particular, especially following the recent murder of journalist Lyra McKee, 29, in Derry by the New IRA and the increasing threat the dissidents pose amid the turmoil surrounding Brexit. Concerns will also be raised that new structures within the force have actually lead to a decrease in garda numbers on the ground in certain areas. A motion has been tabled highlighting this and seeking Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to carry out an optimal members numbers survey as a matter of urgency. Amid a previous threat of strike action, gardai did receive a pay rise. However, while further pay restoration may not be to the forefront of the conference, a motion for discussion from the Roscommon/Longford Garda Division calls for the GRAs central executive to get pay restored to pre-recession rates. Rental costs have long been an issue for young gardai in particular, especially if they are posted to large urban areas. Members of a Garda division in Dublin are demanding that an allowance be made payable to members attached to stations positioned in or near rent pressure zones. The commissioner will also be asked to immediately equip all garda vehicles with satellite navigation systems with eircode capabilities and with lifejackets and high-powered flashlights so gardai can cope better with all types of emergencies. GRA delegates will also express concern about the lack of action following the publication of the associations Wellbeing Survey last year, which showed high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder among gardai who have attended serious incidents. The Kerry and Tipperary Garda Divisions will highlight the issue and condemn the insufficient counselling service offered to frontline gardai, who are often the first to attend the scene of murders, fatal fires and horrific road crashes. They will call on Mr Harris to introduce a wellbeing policy for all gardai and that the first counselling session be compulsory for any member of the force who has had to attend traumatic incidents. The archaic condition of some Garda stations will also come under the spotlight. The GRAs central executive will call on the commissioner, the OPW and Department of Justice to significantly speed up promised works on new garda stations in Clonmel, Macroom, Sligo and Newcastlewest. The conference will also hear calls for Mr Harris to make the influenza vaccination available to all members of the force, similar to a scheme provided to other frontline services personnel. Gardai are warning the public of an online scam relating to websites offering unsecured loans. Gardai at the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau say a number of websites offering unsecured loans are targeting vulnerable people and people who have had difficulty obtaining loans. They say the fraud is known as Advance Fee Fraud. Gardai say the fraud begins when a victim applies for a loan through a website that offers loans which it is claimed will be processed quickly. They say some websites claim to be regulated by the Central Bank, which is not the case. The victim will then receive communication informing them that the loan application has been approved and details of the amount of the loan and the monthly repayment will be provided. Gardai say the victim is then asked "to send an amount of money to the lender in advance of the loan amount being issued". They say the reasons for the advance fee include: As an up-front fee To pay for Personal Protection Insurance on the loan amount To discharge overseas taxes To show that the victim has the ability to meet the loan repayments Gardai say no loan money is ever received and the advance fee is lost. Gardai have highlighted the warning signs that people can look out for to prevent the scam. They say the warning signs include: The website will claim to offer a fast and easy way to apply for a loan online The loan will be approved very quickly and without checks on identity, the ability to pay or credit rating No hard copy/paper documentation will be required by the lender The lender will ask for a payment of some kind in advance of the loan being given to the applicant The lender will not be authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland although it may claim that it is. Gardai stated that people should never apply for a loan from an entity that is not authorised by the Central Bank and that people should always check beforehand. The register of authorised firms by the Central Bank can be accessed here. The gardai have also warned that in some instances a firm 'clones' details of an authorised entity by taking the details of an authorised entity and claiming to either be that entity or an associated entity. They say information on firms using this method can be found on the Central Banks website. Gardai did warn that there may be scams out there that have not yet come to the attention of the Central Bank. Irelands EU Commissioner Phil Hogan is set to be re-appointed for a second term by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, the Irish Examiner can reveal. Mr Hogan has made it known that he is keen on a chance to continue to serve, and Mr Varadkar is happy for him to do so. No official comment was forthcoming from the Government when contacted by the Irish Examiner and a formal decision is not expected until later in the summer once the local and European elections have concluded. However, it has been established that Mr Hogan is be allowed to continue to serve until 2024 on a yearly salary of 270,000 plus generous pension entitlements. Mr Varadkar is known to have relied on Mr Hogans experience as a source of support in the run up to the Fine Gael leadership contest in 2017 and has spoken positively about him recently. Mr Hogan has indicated that he is open to serving a second five-year term. The former minister said he would be positively disposed to staying in the European Commission. Meanwhile, Health Minister Simon Harris and Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy are expected to be moved from their current portfolios in Taoiseach Leo Varadkars reshuffle. The two rookie ministers have been the focus of significant opposition criticism and Mr Varadkar looks set to take them out of the firing line ahead of an expected general election. Senior Government sources have indicated that any reshuffle will be modest at best and will see a reordering of responsibilities as opposed to people being sacked. Mr Harris is two-and-a-half years in Health and has endured a torrid time given the cost escalations at the National Childrens Hospital and his handling of the ongoing CervicalCheck scandal. Cabinet ministers, speaking to the Irish Examiner, have said Mr Harris has made noises about getting out of Health and sources close to the minister have suggested he is preparing for a change of job. Mr Murphy, who has been the subject of intense criticism as housing minister, is keen to remain on in his job but there is strong talk he will be moved elsewhere. However, the Taoiseach is expected to demote at least one minister and it is understood that super junior minister Mary Mitchell OConnor could make way from Cabinet for junior finance minister Michael Darcy, who is known to be close to Mr Varadkar. Mr Varadkar said at Christmas he would follow the example of his predecessor, Enda Kenny, who performed a reshuffle in 2014 after the mid-term elections. While he later appeared to walk back from that promise, the idea of reshuffling has again emerged with the May 24 elections looming. The victim of an alleged IRA man who raped two teenage boys at a republican safe house two decades ago said his dream life was in tatters from the moment the man entered his house. Seamus Marley (45) of Belfield Court, Stillorgan Road, Dublin, had pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to charges of sexual assaulting and raping two boys in Co Louth on dates in the early 1990's. After a six day trial the jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts on a total of six counts of sexual assault and two counts of rape. A character reference from Marley's pastor described him as an excellent Christian with a charitable spirit. During the trial Patrick Gageby SC, prosecuting, told the jury that the two complainants lived in a large home owned by a dedicated republican and that it began to be used as a safe house. Detective Garda Seamus Nolan told Mr Gageby that Marley was one of these guests and that he was welcomed into the family. It's 'not the dead we should be afraid of, but the living' The older of the two victims woke up one night to find Marley anally raping him. After the incident Marley warned him off telling anyone what had happened and said he could be found dead on a border road. The younger victim was given alcohol by Marley and was molested by him on three or four occasions. On another occasion the child awoke to find Marley molesting him, Mr Gageby told the court. Counsel said that the victim was later anally raped by Marley in a tent nearby his house. Marley has no previous convictions. The court heard that he is from a large family in Belfast and that his father was murdered by loyalist paramilitaries. In his victim impact statement, which was read out in court, the older victim said he has spent the previous 27 years living in despair and looking over his shoulder. He said he had finally reached the end of the tunnel and was taking his life back. The younger victim, who also read his victim impact statement, said that as the house was beside a graveyard they had quiet neighbours...dead ones". He said that he had learned however that it is not the dead we should be afraid of, but the living. He said that Marley preyed on me, groomed me, abused me and raped me. He said the life he had dreamed of was in tatters from the moment Marley entered the house. Marley was always lurking in the back of my mind, the man said. He said in the years subsequent to the abuse he suffered panic attacks and experienced a deep depression so black it was hard to put into words. Sorry for not being 'a better husband' The man said that the fabrication of stories to discredit him made the trial so much harder. He said that if you are right and truthful and keep shouting then eventually someone would listen. He said he loves his parents and does not blame them for what Marley did to him. He apologised to his wife for not being a better husband and thanked her for all she had done for him. The man said he prayed to God that they would grow old together so that he would be able to somewhat pay her back. John Fitzgerald SC, defending, said that his client has been in a relationship for 16 years and that his partner had been present in court throughout the trial. He handed in a letter from Marley's pastor which described him as being an excellent Christian who possessed a charitable spirit. Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded the man in custody and adjourned the matter for sentencing on Thursday next. Extra armed garda resources are to be deployed to Limerick to add to its already enhanced armed personnel focused on fighting organised criminal gangs, senior gardai have confirmed. Chief superintendent Gerry Roche, who heads the entire Limerick Garda Division, said he is building on the drastically improved resources to the city. He said he is to receive two extra armed support units to further complement the two armed support units there. This will bring the number of armed gardai in the division to about 70 and will see a rise in local armed support units personnel from 12 to 18 members. A similar number are attached to armed support units in Cork. Chief Roche said there are about 50 armed gardai in the division, including a significant number attached to the local Special Detective Unit. We are about to launch a third and fourth armed unit in Limerick in the next few weeks. Its the result of a long-term plan. "It takes between six to eight months to select and train gardai for the armed units. Its a tough process, he added. Limerick also has two dedicated intelligence officers, attached to the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), targeting assets bought by people through the proceeds of crime. Only a few years ago, Limerick, similar to the situation in Drogheda, Co Louth, was in the grip of a drug gang war. However, a huge investment in garda resources as well as in disadvantaged communities (previously strongholds of the gangs) led to a long-term cessation in gangland killings, and a dramatic reduction in shooting incidents. Senior gardai and politicians in Limerick, where the gangs have been largely quietened, all agreed that Limerick is an example of how the State should respond to the feuding situation in Drogheda. Prior to the arrival of the armed support units, unformed members in Limerick received firearms training and were put to work on shifts, outside of normal working hours, to ensure there was an armed back-up provided in the event of a serious incident, a senior garda source said. This has since been phased out of Limerick, however, it should be considered as a short-term measure in Drogheda, the source added. John Gilligan, who was mayor of Limerick from 2008-2009, said gardai were completely under-resourced when responding to the feud initially. Things changed for the better, he said, when we got gardai who were armed the same as the people who were selling drugs. An Irish cervical cancer campaigner who lost her life because of medical negligence is due to be remembered at a special lecture in the Netherlands next month. Adrienne Cullen (aged 58) was present for the first lecture in her name at the Universal Medical Centre (UMC), Utrecht, on April 13, 2018. In her own words, she was weak, anaemic and barely able to walk. But she found her inner reserve of steel and made her voice heard clearly and distinctly. She channelled "Spitting Mad Adrienne" and left "Patient Adrienne" behind in order to force changes in the system. Adrienne said that there was audible amazement in the auditorium when she said that no inquiry had been carried out into what had gone wrong in her case. She told the audience that she was probably going to die without knowing precisely what happened. Adrienne publicly criticised the hospital for the manner in which it had handled her case and for their attempts to silence her by demanding a non-disclosure agreement or gagging clause as part of her legal settlement. The journalist, author and editor had successfully sued her hospital, UMC Utrecht, for medical negligence after it lost test results in 2011 that showed she had cervical cancer only to find them again two years later in 2013, by which time her cancer was terminal. Prior to her death on December 31, 2018, Adrienne chose the speaker for the second annual Cullen lecture in Utrecht. It is to be delivered by the CEO of a NHS Trust in the UK all of whose five sites are rated good or outstanding. Andrew Foster CBE, CEO of Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh (WWL) NHS Foundation Trust in the UK, is regarded as one of the most successful and innovative managers in NHS history. WWL NHS Trust has five separate sites and more than 4,500 staff with its core at the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary. Remarkably, especially in the current financial climate, all five are rated by the Care Quality Commission as "Good" or "Outstanding". Apart from his successful management style, Fosters "quality champions" scheme has demonstrated that substantial measurable improvements in patient safety can be achieved at minimal cost and has been implemented in many other hospitals. The idea is that employees at every level are allowed to agree and introduce simple changes they believe are necessary in their own units. It empowers staff and changes the ethos from one of "we'll have to ask upstairs". Foster who is due to retire in October has had a long list of senior management roles over the years, including Director of Policy at the NHS Federation and NHS Director of Human Resources at the UK's Department of Health. Mr Foster said he was honoured to be able to deliver the lecture which takes place on Friday, May 10, at UMC Utrecht. He stated that he feels privileged that Ms Cullen had trusted his vision enough to choose him. I have just finished reading Adriennes book, Deny, Dismiss, Dehumanize: What Happened When I Went to Hospital and I am in awe. I am just sorry we never had the opportunity to meet Meanwhile, in an interview just weeks before she died, Adrienne said that she empathised greatly with the women impacted by the cervical check scandal in Ireland. She said: "They have been robbed of being able to see their children's birthdays. They have been robbed of Christmas photos, of having family holidays. Of seeing their children grow up. We have all lost so many things like that. Peter (her husband) beside me here is losing me. "The big difference between (Vicky Phelan and Emma Mhic Mathuna ) and me is that I don't have children. The horror of being a parent is the idea that you have to leave your children behind you and not know what is going to happen to them. "Or what education they will get? Or what guidance into the future? Money doesn't compensate them for losing their parents. UMCU admitted liability in the Cullen case but Adrienne received compensation of just 545,000. However, this was a huge sum by Dutch standards and represented the biggest payout for medical negligence in the history of the State. She spoke of her belief that gagging clauses continue to perpetuate a culture of silence which allows medical negligence cases to continue unchecked. "We are handed over to the legal departments of hospitals like we are being thrown to the wolves. I will resist against that happening so no other patients are damaged in the future." "What I have achieved in Utrecht isn't nothing, but it is only the first step on a very long journey. It has to be Europe-wide. "There has to be an absolute ban in the EU on using confidentiality clauses which are gagging clauses in contracts between patients and their hospitals because they do not belong there. That would be a very good first step." Tributes have been paid to a Cork nun who was tragically killed in an accident in Birmingham on Friday. Sr Ita Keane was crossing Park Road, Aston in Birmingham when she was struck by a car on Friday afternoon. She was brought to hospital by emergency services but died a short time later. The 74 year-old was originally from the Lower Glanmire Road in Cork city. Sr Ita was a Sister of Mercy at St Mary's Convent in Hunters Hill, Handsworth, Birmingham. Previously, she had been head teacher at a primary school in London before moving to Birmingham. Local councillor Khalid Mahmood paid tribute to Sr Ita as a 'hard-working community member'. Speaking to Birmingham Live, Cllr Mahmood said she worked tirelessly to help children in the community and helped out at St Francis Catholic Primary School. "She looked after local children and local people and also helped with the school next door," he said. "Huge amount of work in the community, she worked tirelessly and beyond her duty. She ran it since 2013 when sister Helen left. She will be hugely missed by the community. We have suffered a great loss. St Mary's Kinnoull Monastery & Retreat also paid tribute to Sr Keane. In a Facebook post, it said, "Please pray for the repose of Sr. Ita Keane, a Sister of Mercy who died tragically in a car accident. Ita was a participant on the Autumn Sabbatical Course 2017. "Our condolences and prayers to her family and Sisters. May she rest in peace." West Midlands Police confirmed that Sr Ita's family were being supported by specialist officers. A spokesperson for the police also said that the driver of the car stopped at the scene and is helping officers with the investigation. Sr Ita is survived by six siblings: Sean, Breda, Patrick and Esther, all of whom live in Cork, Mary, who lives in Limerick, and Mairead, who lives in Cape Cod and tragically lost her husband George on the same day after illness, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and her family of fellow nuns at the Sisters of Mercy. Two teenagers will go on trial tomorrow, having pleaded not guilty to murdering Kildare schoolgirl Anastasia Kriegel, in a case that the judge warned would be upsetting. Ms Kriegels body was discovered at a derelict house in Co Dublin on May 17 last, three days after she was reported missing. The 14-year-old boys were arraigned before the Central Criminal Court today, accused of murdering the schoolgirl at Glenwood House, Laraghcon, Clonee Road, Lucan on May 14 last year. The accused, who cannot be named because they are minors, each pleaded not guilty. One of the boys was further charged with sexually assaulting the 14-year-old in a manner that involved serious violence to her. He also pleaded not guilty to that count. Mr Justice Paul McDermott then swore in a jury to hear the trial. He had told the members of the jury panel to ensure that they didnt have any connection with the case so that they could give an independent assessment of the evidence. He said that the case had been the subject of media attention during the course of its investigation and that they might have heard things in relation to it. If theres any element that you feel would prevent you giving an independent assessment and judgment arising out of any knowledge you have of these alleged events, you should bring that to my attention, he said. So, anyone who feels they had a firm or settled view of whether the accused were guilty or not guilty should not serve. He warned that the details of the events and the nature of the evidence to be adduced could cause upset. They involve young people, and perhaps that makes it more upsetting, he said. Theyre very serious offences. He said it was necessary to name the accused in court but explained that this was effectively a trial of two children. Theyre entitled to the protection of their identity as a matter of law, he said, explaining that it was an offence for anybody to disclose their identities. He also read out a list of what he said was a substantial number of witnesses, who might give evidence. They included several gardai from various stations in Dublin and Kildare, along with officers from the Garda Technical Bureau and a number of forensic scientists. A jury of eight men and four women was then sworn in to hear the trial, which is expected to begin tomorrow and last about six weeks. Intimidation and violence drives local drug markets and enables drug bosses to keep communities insecure, fearful, and subordinate, research shows. The study says drug dealing is seen as a type of work among young people entangled in the trade, who view it as a means to buy consumer goods. The research, conducted by Dr Matt Bowden at Technological University Dublin, says there is hope and that young people are open to finding alternatives. The study, commissioned by the Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign, involved interviews with social workers, youth workers, and drug activists in parts of Dublin. They told Dr Bowden of the normalisation of drug problems in communities. The research found that intimidation, violence, and threats drive the drug economy in these areas. It says drug-related intimidation, including over debts owed, was key to how drug distribution networks were organised. Systemic intimidation is a critical experience for young people and their communities. It says dominant drug dealers appear to rule within communities through the secondary impact of intimidation. These acts result in symbolic domination keeping the community insecure, fearful, and subordinate. This is compounded by what interviewees say is the sense of abandon that working class communities have endured. The report points out that where stable work is unavailable, the drug economy becomes an attractive alternative. It says: The overall sense from the interviews was that people were being drawn into the drug economy because their prospects in the labour market were poor. The study says the practice of giving credit or fronting drugs to young people for redistribution or consumption is seen as a widespread practice. The research says that while males are the primary victims of intimidation, women are not protected from violence. One youth worker said some of the young men lead a frantic existence, caught up in cycles of drug-related offending, debt, temporary exit, and prison time. The report says: They appear to be compelled to have to do a bigger deal to pay fines of debts. Interviewees said there is a difference among the young men now compared to the past presenting as more brash, frantic, and volatile. The report says the drug economy is organised like a network rather than a hierarchy, often involving networks of friends selling to friends. Working through groups of friends, participants pointed out that the drug dealer is not a remote, evil person, but one who is very much integrated and part of local networks, says the report, noting that violence permeates the distribution system and appears to interviewees as indiscriminate and insatiable. The report says young people need to be educated about the economics of the drugs trade, including around credit, which is an economic bond and not an altruistic act. The research says the quality of relationships the young people have with local workers was crucial. Participants underline that young people in this situation are not untouchable and are open to finding alternatives in many cases, it states. The Bookstor at Newmans Mall in Kinsale, Co Cork, is owned by Stuart Gallagher, and run by Helen OConnell and Heather Maiden. The book sells new and second-hand books. We spoke to Helen OConnell. When did the shop open and how did you come to work there? It opened in 2006 and it was sold to the current owner, Stuart Gallagher, in 2011. He kept it running exactly as it was. We had a manager at the time, and she left in 2013. Heather used to do lunchtimes and Id do Saturday mornings; we were both available to work more so we job-share now. Heathers been here over ten years and Im here ten years in December. What did you do before you became a bookseller? I started out doing a two-year bilingual secretarial diploma, then I worked in London, and did Montessori teaching by night there. When I came back to Ireland I opened a nursery school, then I went back to study midwifery in CUMH. I dropped out of that and then wanted a part-time job, the Bookstor came up and that was it, Ive been here since. Im from Dublin originally, I met a Corkman in London. He won, and we ended up in Cork. Kinsale is a busy tourist town, are visitors a big part of your trade? We wouldnt be in business but for tourists and our childrens section. We have one book we sell that our rep from Argosy, the Irish wholesaler, says no other bookshop in Ireland is selling. Its Dead Wake, a book about the Lusitania. Don and Barry, who do the historic stroll of Kinsale, recommend it on their walks and then because people pass the shop on the walk they come in and buy it. And we sell a lot of maps, too the Bord Failte office doesnt sell them any more, so they send people up to us. Our childrens section is huge, and everyone admires it. We love it and we expand it as much as we can. Its threatening to take over the back of the shop but children are encouraged to read by their schools so much now, you hear teacher said to read more, and we think, yay. Non-fiction for children is really big, they love all the reference books. What is local trade like? We have local regulars who are really loyal. Were really busy in the run-up to Christmas. Theres a certain cohort who love coming in on Christmas Eve some people would travel from Fermoy and all sorts of places to Kinsale on Christmas Eve for last-minute shopping. Its manic. People come in to say their sister or cousin will be in and to have the book ready for them theyre wrapped with the name on them, ready to go. How has the business weathered the challenge of online booksellers? Reading off a screen, I think that threat is gone. The Kindle hasnt grown or caught on except for people who travel. Most people miss the cover of a book, the photograph of the author and just having it. In terms of ordering books online, you can be waiting for ages for a book from Amazon, and we can get it in quicker from the wholesalers. We do our best. There are people who get everything on Amazon, it is cheaper, but hopefully it wont dent our sales any more. One of the most extraordinary things ever was when an American girl came into the shop, in her late twenties, and she said, Ive never been in a bookshop before. I nearly cried. It still gets me. How could you get to your late twenties without being in a bookshop? What are your big sellers? The History of Kinsale Harbour by John Thuillier turns over very well. Also Jerome Lordan, who does the harbour cruises, has a book called No Flowers On A Sailors Grave [Shipwrecks of Kinsale and Courtmacsherry]. Anything to do with sailing does well. Ron Holland the yacht designer was over last year and he had a lovely book. The Mr Men leprechaun book is one of our biggest sellers. We have it by the till and it sells an extraordinary amount. What are the rewards of being a bookseller? I enjoy it, in the current consumer climate Id hate to be selling anything else. Its also lovely to work in Kinsale, with people coming in, having a browse and enjoying the shop. There can be days in the summer though when its absolutely glorious outside and nobody comes in because theyre all gone to the beach. With bird numbers plummeting, the insect Armageddon, and climate catastrophe only 12 years away, theres doom and gloom on the wildlife front. But, as TS Eliot said, humankind cannot bear very much reality; we need something to give us hope. There is little positive news to hand, but a report by Katie Sainsbury of Exeter University bucks the apocalyptic trend. Writing in Mammal Review, she and colleagues claim that the status of Great Britains mammalian carnivores has markedly improved since the 1960s. A century ago, pollution habitat destruction and persecution rendered otters virtually extinct in England and Wales. Then, water quality measures revitalised rivers and harmful pesticides were outlawed. Fish numbers rose and otters returned to their former haunts. Hunting them was banned in 1978. Attitudes towards wildlife had changed; Tarka the Otter was voted one of the 100 Greatest Family Films. The elusive pine marten, Sainsburys report notes, also benefited from the 20th Century green enlightenment. Hunted for its fur, this tree-dweller survived only in Scotland. Recovery elsewhere needed a helping hand and Scottish martens were captured and released at key locations in England and Wales. Stoat numbers may have increased, the report says, but their status is uncertain; these little carnivores are almost impossible to census. Britains weasel population seems to be down but polecats have expanded their range throughout southern Britain from refugia in Wales. Badgers have generally increased in population density. Foxes remain widespread but numbers are currently declining. There is great concern, however, for one of Britains most iconic animals; there may be only 200 wildcats left in the Scottish highlands. Interbreeding with domestic cats is depleting their gene-pool. Releasing foreign cats into the Cairngorms may be the only hope of avoiding extinction. Ireland has fewer carnivore species than Britain. We have no wildcats, polecats, or weasels. What people call weasels here are, in fact, stoats. Mammal research has been less extensive but the evidence suggests our wild predators are also holding their own. The otter, classified as near threatened by the IUCN, has never been in trouble in Ireland. This country now holds the densest population of otters in western Europe, wrote UCDs Tom Hayden at the turn of the millennium. As a child during the 1950s, I saw the odd one along the banks of the Shannon. If an otter seized your leg, we believed back then, it wouldnt let go until it heard the bone cracking. Anglers were said to carry cinders in their waders to simulate the cracking sound if an otter attacked. The Irish pine marten story resembles the British one. Dromore Wood in Co Clare was one of the few remaining haunts of Irelands most endangered mammal in the 1950s. We visited this area on the edge of the Burren occasionally, hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive resident, but to no avail. It had the mystique of the Abominable Snowman, a creature much in the news back then, with the attempts to conquest Everest. Against all odds, the marten has expanded its range dramatically in Ireland. According to the Wildlife Service, we had 3,000 to 10,000 of them in 2007. K Sainsbury et al. Recent history, current status, conservation and management of native mammalian carnivore species in Great Britain, Mammal Review 2019. The sustainable travel movement is here to stay, writes Thomas Breathnach. Green tourism, eco-friendly, carbon-footprints. Theyre the travel buzzwords of our generation. However, while many cultural campaigns tend to trend and fade, theres a real stand-out factor when it comes to the sustainable travel movement. The truth is - its here to stay. Today, global tourism accounts for almost 10% of all carbon emissions, meaning the planet has never needed its globetrotters to be more green when they travel. And just like with the food and fashion industries, slow-tourism is now starting to emerge as strong sector - with immersive travel in one area in, country-ticking for Instagram bragging-rights out. Thats not to say you need to staycation in Ireland for life - but whether youre holidaying in Bantry or Bora Bora, little choices can make a big impact. Planes, Trains, Automobiles As islanders, we need to get places but once you do get to your base, consider train travel. While the industry may have gone off the rails with the advent of low-fare airlines, trains are making a comeback - allowing travellers to engage with a world better than flying at 30,000 feet. Need inspiration? Interrail (interrail.eu) offer myriad packages for over 30 countries across Europe - think a month pass for Italy from 95 or for Turkey from 46. Once in your destination, shared bike schemes like Citi Bike in New York or Bycyklen in Copenhagen make a fun way to feel the pulse of a city without fumbling for underground fares. And if you are hiring a motor, Hertz (hertiz.ie) now offer a green fleet of hybrid and electric cars - perhaps a good way to take a test-drive on your next holiday? Choose your Airline Theres no escaping the impact of flying has on the environment, and while the airline industry is largely embracing the green-race, electric jets are not predicted to emerge from the hangars for another decade. Until then - be mindful of your carrier. For Irish consumers, thanks to its modern fleet of Dreamliners and 737s, Norwegian has been voting the most fuel-efficient long-haul airline by the International Council of Clean Transport, with Aer Lingus sitting mid-table and British Airways almost brexiting the standings. There is good news for the majority who fly economy, however - youre actually flying more efficiently than those sipping prosecco in business. Support a greener Ireland According to a 2019 survey by travelcounsellors.ie, 57% of Irish consumers dont consider sustainability when booking a trip - but that pendulum swings when it comes to younger travellers. The point? Irish tourism needs to tap into emerging green trends as much as the consumer needs to support those who do. Fortunately, many Irish regions and businesses are already going the extra (carbon-reduced) mile to protect the environment. The Burren (burren.ie) has positioned itself as perhaps the leading sustainable destination in the country with its own eco-network of tourism businesses. And elsewhere, there are scores of pioneering outfits going green: Ard Nahoo (ardnahoo.com) is a yoga retreat in County Leitrim created with locally salvaged wood, Cool Planet Experience (coolplanetexperience.org) in Wicklow is a new climate change museum for kids, while in Wexford, the stunning Hook Lighthouse attraction (hookheritage.ie) run a zero-plastic policy. Theres immense opportunity for Ireland to harness its potential as the leading eco-friendly destination. After all, we already have the green branding down we just need to own it. Location, location When travelling overseas, consider supporting countries and destinations with strong sustainability game. Norway, for example, is the first country to ban deforestation, Namibia is the only nation in Africa which protects the environment in its constitution, while Costa Rica has almost built its entire tourism industry on the eco-travel niche. But amid all the recent cloud bursts of eco-friendliness, do be aware of greenwashing when it comes to businesses marketing as green with token gestures: sometimes it takes more than not washing your bath towels to really make a difference. Take the Bali Diving Academy in Indonesia who add an genuine element of conservation to their tours by leading underwater and beach plastic clean-ups. (scubali.com). Pack Light Heres a way to save the planet - and your coffers too. Extra baggage increases fuel consumption massively, which explains why we pay for it so handsomely nowadays. And while only M.E.P.s might be expected to get by with emerging laptop bag allowances, perfecting your carry-on technique for European and even long haul getaways is a smart and surprisingly adaptable move. Need the gear? Samsonite (samsonite.ie) now offer a new eco-range of carry-ons and backpacks made from 100% recycled water bottles. For toiletries, soap is your friend. Kilkenny company myskin.ie creates all-natural, durable bars which save you dipping into your hotels micro-bead toiletries when you land. For on the go, invest in the likes of food-containers, bamboo sporks (thats a spoon/fork hybrid) and a re-useable water bottle from thelittlegreenshop.ie. Both Dublin and Cork airports offer hydration stations or water fountains beyond security, so you no longer have to purchase water on the fly. Fair Food From finding a farm-to-table restaurant in New York to opting for meat-free Montag in Berlin, making mindful decisions with your food when travelling can make a world of difference. So whats the recipe? Opting for organic produce, supporting artisan traders and yes, reducing meat, are all effective ways to reduce your footprint. As is shopping local - after all, what better way to immerse yourself in a new area than with a visit to a public market (note: dont forget that tote bag). Vegans need to take stock too. While avocado toast looks great on Instagram, try to opt for fair trade options which are kinder to farmers in what is often a sinister industry. Going dairy-free? Be aware of water-guzzling milk alternatives like almond and soya while at the breakfast buffet - so use oat milk for your granola where possible. The demand for local is even taking off in the skies. Aer Lingus are currently reviewing their menus to increase sustainability, Singapore Airlines launched a new a farm-to-plane agreement with the Aero-Farms company this month while Virgin Atlantic have removed unsustainable ingredients like beef and palm oil from their inflight menus. Love Nature Biodiversity is vital to Mother Natures natural balance, so the planet needs flora and fauna as much as you need a reusable coffee mug. And theres ways to protect that when travelling. Rule of thumb is if youre riding or kissing a creature youre likely to see on National Geographic, youve inched too close. When overseas, avoid buying animal products like sea-shells or exotic feathers, resist the likes of camel-riding and exotic monkey selfies, and dont be that guy on Facebook posing with a tranquillised tiger in India. These practices often have unsavoury back-stories and can fuel an illegal animal trade. Simply put - they aint cool. If you really want to get up close with animals in an impactful way, consider activities like walking rescue dogs in the BARC shelter in Brooklyn (barcshelter.org) or volunteering at an ethical elephant orphanage in Thailand (elephantvalleys.com). If the elephant is painting, chances are youve gone to the wrong one. Go Camping Leave no trace! When it comes to going green, theres no more sustainable holiday than a camping trip - particularly when it comes to pitching up in Ireland. For camping overseas, remember that most airport security wont permit tent poles in your hand- luggage, so youll need to purchase check-in luggage beforehand. But just think what youll save once on terra firma! Camping in Europe opens up a catalogue of otherwise pricey destinations - from sleeping on the foothills of the Swiss Alps (campingjungfrau.ch 18pp) to a cool summer in Scandinavia? Sweden - famous for its right-to-roam freedoms - has such a liberal camping policy, theyve even listed their entire country on Airbnb. You can drop your price filter for the USA, too. Overnighting in epic locations like Yellowstone National Park (nps.gov) costs as little as $15 per night, while new start-up Hipcamp (hipcamp.com) allows you to book dream tenting spots across America from back yards to vineyards. Sustainable travel might not limit your horizons - it could just broaden them! The events preceding the death of journalist Lyra McKee are familiar ones for some young people growing up today in Northern Ireland. Rioting broke out as the police searched houses in Derrys Creggan estate in the run up to Easter. Shots were then fired from the crowd, resulting in McKees death, which is still being investigated. Civilians were the main casualties of Northern Irelands conflict and many remain scarred by its legacies divided space, residual violence and trauma related to the conflict. Areas like Creggan are more affected than most, not only due to disproportionate experiences of violence, injury, bereavement and imprisonment, but long-term historical underinvestment, gaps in essential services and a lack of employment opportunities. Sporadic violence, a lack of trust in the police and the continued presence of dissident paramilitaries are the everyday realities of some communities in Northern Ireland after the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement which marked the end of the period referred to as the Troubles. Research my colleagues and I carried out in 2008 in six communities disproportionately impacted by the conflict, ten years after the Good Friday Agreement, revealed that many felt they had not benefited from the peace dividend. We reported then that violence was still part of everyday life in communities characterised by uncertainty, unease, and a lack of investment. Adults and young people alike reported that dissident paramilitary groups continued to intimidate, physically attack, shoot and exile young people for so-called anti-community behaviour. Other colleagues and I heard similar accounts from youth and community workers, children and young people in research we carried out in 2016. This again revealed that as well as being the primary targets of attack and abuse, some of the so-called agreement generation who grew up after 1998 are still being drawn into violence by self-proclaimed paramilitary groups. Routes into paramilitaries We heard about family and community routes into involvement with dissident groups. Jess* told us shed known about a particular paramilitary organisation since she was young, because here uncle was supposedly involved in it. She explained the intergenerational nature of some pathways: If youre born into an (name of paramilitary organisation) family then like theres a good chance the boys in the family are going to be in the (organisation) as well. Others spoke of the messages learned in communities and the historical relationship between cultural identity, masculinity and violence. Brought up in communities where masculine identity and cultural identity were closely linked, and where violence was a traditional means of expressing and exerting both, such understanding is difficult to erase in one generation. This is particularly the case when powerful adults within communities continue to politicise young men who have restricted means of attaining a sense of identity. Police near the scene where journalist Lyra McKee was shot dead in Derry. Brian Lawless/PA Wire Power and protection Young people recognised that those in their communities who had status, power and money were often linked to dissident groups. This could be an attraction for those living in communities with limited opportunities and some young people feared that children growing up in their community would aspire to mimic these individuals. Yet there is a complex relationship between power and protection. Being involved or linked to dissidents brought a hard man reputation affording protection from other young people. More than this, being involved in an organisation also ensures protection from paramilitaries themselves. For those in debt to paramilitaries fined because of alleged drug dealing, anti-social or criminal behaviour being in could be their only means of protection. Maria told us: There would be a few people that I have known that have been given the choice to either pay their debts they have to paramilitaries, or join up. And they cant afford to pay the money, then they join up because it is either that or they are the ones getting a beating. Search for belonging Those we interviewed for both pieces of research noted that certain children and young people were targeted by paramilitaries to attack the police, acquire information, sell drugs or issue threats to other young people. According to Kevin and Aidan, who had both been subject to attacks from paramilitaries: They get the young ones to go to the march (parades or commemoration events) with them and do their dirty work for them They supply wee ones with petrol for petrol bombing cops and they supply them with paint. Those deemed most vulnerable were those lacking resources, family support and a sense of belonging. Two young men who had been involved in dissident groups in the past spoke of the support and sense of belonging they experienced. Callum had joined to have a family, and Pauls account demonstrated how he was effectively manipulated at a difficult time in his life: I had that much going on in my head with others things They act like your friends more, sort of reeled you in on like a fishing rod. While not downplaying the violent actions of young people who are involved in sectarian behaviours, rioting against the police, and dissident groups, its crucial to recognise there are a range of complex factors involved. The so-called agreement generation live the past in the present surrounded by reminders of the conflict in their communities and families, in divided space, in the daily news and in opposition politics. Like the generation before them, some are affected more than others. While emotions are high in the wake of the shooting of Lyra McKee, this is an opportune time to harness the anger, condemnation and public momentum to ensure that the current generation of children and young people do not become another conflict generation. * Names have been changed to protect the anonymity of the interviewees. This article was written by Siobhan McAlister of Queen's University Belfast. This article is republished from theconversation.com. Read the original article here. Whenever people worship in a public place, they are vulnerable to terrorists and extremists, whether the latter are religiously inspired (they too often are) or not. As sacred spaces, churches, mosques, and synagogues should be safe, but they are not, as recent events have tragically shown. The dreadful, co-ordinated suicide bombings of churches and hotels in Sri Lanka mainly in the capital, Colombo killed 253 people and again focused attention on the central importance of religious freedom. This seemingly straightforward concept is, in reality, very nuanced and controversial. Christians, in particular, have been the targets, though not exclusively, as the killing of 50 people in two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, last month, showed. But Catholic churches were targeted in Sri Lanka. Religious persecution has a very long history, as stories about lions and the Coliseum in Roman times graphically remind us. But since the re-emergence of religion as a political force on the world stage, following 9/11, intolerance of others beliefs if not open hatred of the holders of these beliefs has led to new forms of religious discrimination, oppression, and persecution. According to the non-partisan Pew Research Centre, in Washington DC, Christianity remains the worlds most persecuted religion, though this is hardly acknowledged in the West. Across the globe, Christians are subjected to real and sustained violence because of their faith. As the Rev Giles Fraser, a Church of England parish priest in London and a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4, noted in the aftermath of the Sri Lanka horrors, during the past century, Christianity has been all but driven out of the Middle East, the place of its birth. We are now living through one of the most serious phases of Christian persecution in history and most people refuse to acknowledge it. Christians are regularly persecuted across much of the Muslim world, from Sudan to Pakistan. So, for that matter, are atheists. Christian and Muslim minorities are brutally repressed in China, and, in Myanmar, Muslims are persecuted by Buddhists. Coptic Christians are persecuted in Egypt. The list goes on. Religious tolerance is (a) a relatively recent principle, and (b) not even acknowledged as an ideal outside of the West. Saudi Arabia, for instance, recognises no religion other than the fundamentalist Wahhabi version of Islam that is the state religion. It is in churches, mosques, and synagogues that people usually congregate to exercise a fundamental human right: the right to freedom of religion; religious liberty. Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 10, 1948) states: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance. It is not the exclusive right of any one faith, or of any one church. But, for many centuries, it was. This is because, since the time of the Emperor Constantine, in the fourth century, there was one religion Christianity in the West. In all of Europe, throughout the Holy Roman Empire, Catholicism (because that was the one version of Christianity), with the papacy at its epicentre, prevailed. A cosy alliance between the state (personified by the emperor) and the church resulted. It suited both sides to work together, to become interdependent. The state would sometimes act as an agent of the church by, for instance, enforcing decisions of ecclesiastical courts, such as burning at the stake for heretics; the church, in turn, would lend legitimacy to the state. The notion of a separation of the two, which might even be desirable in certain circumstances, was utterly foreign to both sides. Sri Lankan light candles during a function to express solidarity with all the victims of Easter Sunday attacks, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, April 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) This cosy doctrine was rudely and dramatically challenged by the first of two epochal events: the Reformation, in the early 16th century, which gave rise to the birth of Protestantism. There was no longer one church with overarching authority over all of Europe. Now, there was a rival faith, and several rival churches (the English Reformation, engineered by King Henry VIII, spawned that form of Protestantism known as Anglicanism, with the newly-created Church of England as its mother church). And, henceforth, the Popes no longer spoke for all of Christendom. Hostility between the rival faiths spilled over into the terrible violence of the wars of religion, which scarred Europe for decades and cost the lives of millions. Eventually, a solution of sorts was arrived at through the Treaty of Westphalia, of 1648, which ended the final phase of the religious strife, known as the Thirty Years War. Martin Luthers rebellion of 1517 had directly challenged papal monarchy. Pope Boniface VIII (1294-1303) had claimed jurisdiction for the papacy throughout the whole world in the papal bull of 1302, Unam Sanctam (One Holy (Church). This was a culminating moment in the universal pretensions of the papacy, says Diarmaid MacCulloch, professor of the history of the church at Oxford University. But in the aftermath of a second epochal event the French Revolution of 1789 to 1815 far from seeing an abandonment of these pretensions, they were intensified. The revolution had led not just to the dethronement of Europes most powerful Catholic monarch, Louis XVI, but his execution (January 1793). Little wonder that this appalled and horrified the other Catholic monarchs in Europe, and also the monarch in Rome, known as the pope. By the middle of the 19th century, alarmed by the spreading tide of liberalism unleashed by the French Revolution, Rome decided to act. In 1864, Pope Pius IX issued an encyclical, Quanta Cura (Condemning current errors), to which was attached a Syllabus of Errors, condemning, among other things, the principle that non-Catholics should be given freedom of religion in a Catholic state. Along with religious liberty, Pius IX also condemned liberty of conscience and the separation of church and state, and rejected the proposition that the pope can, and ought to, reconcile himself with progress, liberalism, and modern civilisation. The papacy would cling to the old model of church-state relations stemming from the happy marriage of altar and throne (as historians of Christianity would describe it). For centuries, popes had reiterated the principle, Extra ecclesiam nulla salus (Outside the Church, there is no salvation). An offspring of this was the doctrine that error has no rights. Prior to the Reformation, the principle and the doctrine would go virtually uncontested. In the post-Reformation period, and especially since the Peace of Augsburg, of 1555, which recognised confessional states in both Protestant and Catholic Europe, the situation became much more complicated. According to the formula agreed at Augsburg, the ruler (monarch) determined the religion of the territory he controlled cuius regio, eius religio (whose kingdom, his the religion). The formula provided that in each territory, subjects should follow the religion of their rulers. For Rome, though, and for the papacy, the claim of one true church remained unshaken. It would be buttressed in 1870, when the controversial Syllabus of 1864 was followed by the solemn declaration, at the First Vatican Council, of papal primacy and infallibility. The concept of church-state relations that followed has been well outlined by John W OMalley, of Georgetown University: The basic premise of the teaching was that only truth has a right to freedom, or, put negatively, as it often was, error has no rights. In essence, the teaching boiled down to the following. "First, if the majority of the citizens were Catholics, the State had the duty to profess the Catholic faith and do all it reasonably could to defend and promote it. This meant that, at the same time, it was duty-bound to discourage or even suppress other religions, which might include denying their adherents some civil rights. Second, in certain situations, in order to avoid greater evils, it might be necessary to tolerate other religions and thus allow their free practice. Third, when Catholics are in a minority, the State has the duty, from natural law, to guarantee them full citizenship and free practice of their religion, because the State must foster the pursuit of truth, which the Catholic Church possesses. It wasnt until the 20th century that this doctrine of Church-State relations became unstuck. Theologians in France and the United States, in particular, began to make a case for a revision of this doctrine, in the light of changed political realities. And it was the decision by John F Kennedy to run for the American presidency, in 1960, that would prove pivotal. It was a game-changer. At that time, the prospect of a Catholic being in the White House for the very first time caused great unease, especially within the US Protestant churches. Fears of Rome rule began to be voiced. No Catholic, critics claimed, could be president, because he would have to obey the Church and work for the suppression of all religions, except Catholicism, said Professor OMalley. Shoes left by panicked worshippers remained in the darkened church, and broken bottles of holy water lay on the floor. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) In view of the flare-up of anti-Catholic sentiment during his campaign, Kennedy travelled to Houston, Texas, on September 12, 1960, where he delivered a landmark speech to a large gathering of Baptist ministers. In the course of the 30-minute speech, which was widely praised afterwards, he reaffirmed, in ringing terms, the separation of church and state, decried any mixing of religion and politics, and vowed, if elected, never to let his religious views influence his decisions as president. By 1960, preparations were already underway in Rome for the Second Vatican Council, which had been convened by Pope John XXIII. It would produce a document that would reflect the new thinking that had emerged on religious liberty and its implications for church-state relations. In view of all that had gone before, the concept of religious liberty has only found formal acknowledgement and acceptance within the Catholic Church since 1965, when, on the day before it ended, the Second Vatican Councils Declaration on Religious Liberty was promulgated by Pope Paul VI. The principle architect of this historic declaration, the man who laid the groundwork for it, was the American Jesuit John Courtney Murray. He was well aware that, in 1960, the official Catholic teaching on church-state relations was an obstacle raised during JFKs presidential campaign. In the 1950s, Murray had begun writing about the need for a new approach, more in line with what was required in a modern democratic society, where religious pluralism was a reality. The Catholic Church should be seeking to promote religious liberty, not suppress it. This would eventually land him in trouble with the Holy Office, during the pontificate of Pius XII (later renamed the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith), and, under pressure from that office, his Jesuit superiors instructed him to cease publishing. Murray had written that America has proved, by experience, that political unity and stability are possible without uniformity of religious belief and practice, without the necessity of any governmental restrictions on any religion. His opponents in Rome didnt think this could be reconciled with church teaching that proclaimed there was only one true religion, and thus did not admit freedom of choice. The election of John XXIII, in 1958, and the calling of Vatican II, meant rehabilitation for Murray, and the Pope personally appointed him to the panel of experts for two of the councils great documents: the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, and the Declaration on Religious Liberty. But when the latter came to be debated on the floor of the council, there was still bitter opposition to it. It was seen by some of its opponents as a betrayal of past papal teaching. Prior to the council, popes had vehemently opposed freedom of conscience, religious liberty, and the separation of church and state. The most noteworthy example of this, as we have seen, was Pius XIs Syllabus of Errors, published in 1864. Yet it was another Pope, John XXIII, who, in his 1963 encyclical, Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth) pointed the way forward when he spoke of the human right to worship God according to the dictates of an upright conscience. The declaration itself acknowledged that the right to religious liberty is based on the dignity of the human person. It went on to say, it is agreed, then, that modern man wants to be able to profess his religion freely, in private and in public. The concept of religious liberty is a key element of the doctrine of the separation of church and state, a doctrine that is usually traced back to Thomas Jefferson, who advocated the building of a wall of separation between the two. It is an American creation, but Vatican II very belatedly, some would say, given the Churchs previous history made a hugely important contribution to the modern understanding of it. Lads, whats going on? Have ye forgotten the floodgates? The end of civilisation as we know it? The heavens falling in? Or have ye just lost your bottle, and given up the ghost entirely? Were going to have a divorce referendum in a few weeks time. Assuming the people vote yes, as I hope they will, the Constitution will no longer require a person applying for a divorce to have lived apart from his or her spouse for at least four years. The minimum period of four years of living apart set out in the Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996 will continue to apply, unless and until the Oireachtas changes the law. Thats the language of the Referendum Commission, set up to supervise the voting and to answer all your questions on the issue. To its language, can I add the following: Once the referendum is passed, the Oireachtas will be free to decide the terms on which divorce will be allowed in Ireland. In order to conform with the Constitution as it will then stand, the only things a court will have to consider is (a) if there is no prospect of reconciliation within the marriage, (b) that adequate provision has been made for spouses and children, and (c) that any other law passed by the Oireachtas has been complied with. Talk about the wheel turning full circle. If our existing Constitution had never existed, and we were a progressive, tolerant, live-and-let-live society, this is pretty well precisely the kind of divorce legislation we would have. Give or take a year or two, our Constitution is 80 years old. For 60 of those 80 years, the Constitution said, explicitly and in one syllable, that the circumstances in which you could get a divorce in Ireland were zero. Zilch. Never mind that you might have irreconcilable differences in your marriage. In Ireland it didnt matter if you were married to a serial philanderer, a constant abuser, or someone convicted of a string of serious crimes. Once you were married to that person, no matter what they did, you were married for life in the eyes of Irish law. In the 1980s, after wed had 50 years experience of what an inflexible and sometimes barbaric law that was, we tried to change it, to enable the Oireachtas to provide for the dissolution of a marriage that was irretrievably broken down. We tried, and we ran into the most divisive and bitter campaign any of us had experienced up to that moment. Priests and bishops all over the country told us that we would destroy the family. Organisations were set up to spend hundreds of thousands of pounds campaigning against any change. Families quarrelled on the issue, friends fell out, politicians left their parties. We tried back then, and we failed. Ten years later, we tried again. This time we succeeded, but only just. The responsible minister at the time, Mervyn Taylor, had spent years bringing preparatory legislation through the Dail. The effect of his work was such that by the time we asked the people the question in 1995, nearly everything that could be done to enable people to get out of a broken or abusive marriage had been done. The only thing left was to give people a right to remarry, if that was what they wanted. Mervyn Taylor (and the rest of us) believed the people would only vote for that if the conditions were restrictive and thats where the four year period of separation came from. And again in the nineties, despite now 60 years of experience, that change squeaked through in the face of a bitter and divisive campaign. Hello Divorce, bye-bye Daddy, it said on thousands of posters all over the country. The floodgates will open, thundered the advocates of no change on broadcast after broadcast. As it nearly always used to in those days (less so now, thank goodness), fear almost triumphed in that referendum too. It was always said afterwards that the only reason we won was because it was a sunny day in Dublin and lashed rain in the more conservative west. Whatever the reason, we decided in November 1995 to risk the floodgates in favour of a more reasonable approach to broken marriages. But the floodgates never opened. Eurostat, which gathers the figures across Europe, shows the number of divorces in Ireland in the most recent year available as 0.7 per thousand persons in the population. Thats the lowest in the EU, oddly enough lower even than Malta, which only introduced divorce in 2011. Maybe thats the reason the architects of the floodgates, the predictors of the end of the world, have gone so silent this time. The Iona Institute, for example. You might remember them from virtually all the recent referenda, where they were always on the no side. I remember their leaflet on equal marriage, with the odd title of A Mothers Love is Irreplaceable Vote No. So if youre going to find a reasoned argument or even just a tirade against the next change, youll get it from the Iona Institute. I actually went to their website, wondering what fire and brimstone Id find. But theres nothing. I thought I had found a very detailed legal opinion about the rights of parents in light of the proposed referendum, but as I began to plough through it (it was a struggle) I quickly realised that this was about the 2015 referendum on equal marriage. They have yet to post a single statement on their own website about a referendum thats due to take place in a few weeks time on a subject so dear to their heart. And then I remembered. Of course. Iona are up for marriage and the family. But only heterosexual marriage and heterosexual families. Theyve always been totally opposed to divorce, but theyre probably struggling to figure out how to respond to the idea of a gay couple getting divorced. Thats probably whats stopping them launching their big anti-divorce campaign. Or maybe, just maybe, theres a dawning at last. In all the recent referenda weve had, weve made decisions that enable people to live their own lives, deal with their own dilemmas, express their own love for each other in their own way, trust their own judgments. Weve taken a view that in the difficult personal choices that people sometimes have to make, theres no reason why we should claim to know best. Maybe those who have always claimed to know best whats good for us, and who used to be able to impose that on us with complete authority, have gradually realised it doesnt work any more. Maybe were going to be allowed to make our own judgment this time, without hectoring, without misinformation, without scare-mongering. It might be too soon to say its going to happen that way. Theres still time for a bishop or two to take to the pulpit. But if it did, and if we were allowed to make up our minds this time without the politics of fear, wouldnt that be some change? And wouldnt it be great! Police are investigating after four people were found dead at an apartment complex in Ohio. The discovery came after a man called 911 saying he had returned home to find his wife and family members on the ground and bleeding. Business Yangon Region Govt, HK-Taiwan Consortium Ink Industrial Zone Deal Yangon Region Minister for Planning and Finance U Myint Thaung delivers the opening speech at a press conference at the Yangon Investment Forum 2019. / The Global New Light of Myanmar YANGONThe Yangon regional government will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a consortium of Hong Kong and Taiwan companies next month to develop an international-standard industrial zone in Htantabin Township in the west of the commercial capital. Worth an estimated US$500 million (761.2 billion kyats) the Htantabin Industrial Zone will be implemented on more than 1,000 acres and is expected to create more than 150,000 job opportunities, said Naw Pan Thinzar Myo, Yangon Region Karen ethnic affairs minister, at a press conference on Friday. The regional government and the Hong Kong-Taiwan consortium, Golden Myanmar Investment Co., are scheduled to sign the MoU at the 2nd Yangon Investment Fair on May 10, which will showcase about 80 projects across Yangon Region in an effort to drum up local and foreign investment. It is expected to take about nine years to fully implement the Htantabin Industrial Zone. The MoU is the first to be implemented among 11 industrial zones planned by the Yangon regional government in undeveloped areas on the outskirts of Yangon. At the countrys first Investment Fair in late January, the Yangon government showcased planned international-standard industrial zones in 11 townships: Kungyangon, Kawhmu, Twantay, Thingyan, Kyauktan, Khayan, Thongwa, Taikkyi, Hmawbi, Hlegu and Htantabin. The government hopes the zones will boost development and job opportunities for local people and reduce overcrowding and traffic congestion in the metropolitan area. Naw Pan Thinzar Myo said, Many investors are interested in the industrial zones. Many of them are still in the process of complying with rules and regulations. They are not yet ready to sign an MoU. The regional government also plans to invite investment in the hotel and tourism; digital economy; real estate; and industrial sectors at the 2nd Yangon Investment Fair. According to the Myanmar Investment Commission, Yangon Region received 77 percent of the countrys total foreign investment last year. The top investors were China, Hong Kong and South Korea. Asia Dhaka Jails Myanmar Nationals Linked to 2014 Blast in Burdwan, India Investigators at the scene of the blast to which three Myanmar nationals in Dhaka have been linked to through their connection with a Bangladesh-based Islamist group photographed in Burdwan, India in 2014. / Orissa Post DHAKAA special tribunal in Dhaka sentenced three Myanmar nationals linked to a 2014 blast in Burdwan, India to 10 years imprisonment each for their roles in carrying explosives on Sunday. Special Tribunal-4 Judge Muhammed Rabiul Alam announced the verdict to a packed courtroom in the presence of two of the three convicts. The tribunal also fined the menMuhammed Nur Hossain, 30, and Yasir Arafat, 26, who were on the dock and Omar Karim, 29, who is on the run after securing bail10,000 Bangladeshi Taka (US$119) each. According to investigators all three had previously been residents of Rakhine State. They were Myanmar nationals and linked with an international extremist group, said Muhammad Salahuddin Howlader, assistant public prosecutor at the Dhaka court. He said the convicts had no lawyers but the state engaged state defense for them. No state defense was present during the verdict announcement. According to a First Information Report filed by police at the Lalbagh Police Station in Dhaka on Dec. 1, 2014, Nur Hossain, Yasir Arafat and Omar were arrested the the Lalbagh area for being found with explosives during a raid carried out by the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Nov. 30, 2014. A number of others who avoided arrest during the raid were not named in the charges as their whereabouts remain unknown. Police investigators said in the report that the men were active members of an extremist group and suspected that they had tried to commit sabotage in Bangladesh. The Detective Branchs bomb disposal unit sub-inspector SM Raisul Islam stated in the report that they learnt the three arrested had links to the recent Burdwan explosion [in India]. The arrests were made two months after an explosion in a house in the Khagragarh area of Burdwan in India on Oct. 2, 2014 which left two suspected extremists killed and another injured. The Indian police seized 55 improvised explosive devices, organic explosive compound RDX, wrist watch dials and SIM cards at the scene. Detective Branch investigator Abdul Kader Mia submitted charges against the three accused on March 3, 2015 and charges were formally pressed on July 12, 2015. The court examined nine of the 18 prosecution witnesses before completing concluding the case on April 9 this year. All witnesses were members of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Asia Sri Lanka Raids Headquarters of Hardline Islamist Group Suspected in Church Bombings A police officer stands guard in front of the headquarters of an Islamist group, National Thawheedh Jamaath (NTJ), suspected of being behind the Easter suicide bombings, in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka on April 28, 2019. / REUTERS COLOMBO/KATTANKUDY, Sri LankaSri Lankan police raided the headquarters of a hardline Islamist group founded by the suspected ringleader behind the Easter suicide bombings of churches and hotels, a Reuters witness said, as Sunday mass was cancelled due to fears of further attacks. Armed police in the town of Kattankudy searched the headquarters of the National Thawheedh Jamaath (NTJ) and detained one man at the premises, a Reuters reporter at the scene said. Police did not comment. On Saturday the government banned the NTJ under new emergency laws. The authorities believe Zahran Hashim, the founder of NTJ, masterminded and was one of the nine suicide bombers in the attacks on Easter Sunday which killed 253 people. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks. Police suspect the bombings were carried out by two local Islamist groups, including the one established by Zahran. Around 10,000 soldiers have been deployed around the island as the authorities hunt for more suspects. Police sources told Reuters on Sunday that Zahrans father and two brothers had been killed two days earlier in a gun battle with security forces. A relative identified the three men in a video circulating on social media calling for war against non-Muslims. The Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Ranjith, who had asked churches to suspend Sunday mass due to security fears, delivered a televised special sermon from a chapel at his home. The service was attended by President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former president Mahinda Rajapaksa. The archbishop said earlier this week that he had seen an internal security document warning of further attacks on churches. We cannot kill someone in the name of God It is a great tragedy that happened, the archbishop said in his sermon. We extend our hand of friendship and fraternity to all our brothers and sisters of whatever class, society or religion that differentiates us. The archbishop and political leaders then lit candles to commemorate the victims. Most of those killed in the Easter Sunday attacks were Sri Lankans. The dead also included 40 foreigners, including British, U.S., Australian, Turkish, Indian, Chinese, Danish, Dutch and Portuguese nationals. Police believe that radical Muslim preacher Zahran led the NTJor a splinter factionto mount the attacks in Colombo as well as on a church in Batticaloa in the east. The authorities have named the other group suspected of involvement as Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim. Neither group were well known before the attacks but the government has come under heavy criticism for not heeding intelligence warnings of the bombings, including one from Indias spy service hours before the attacks. On Friday, President Sirisena said the government led by premier Wickremesinghe should take responsibility for the attacks and that prior information warning of attacks was not shared with him. Gun battle More than 100 people, including foreigners from Syria and Egypt, have been detained for questioning for questioning over the Easter attacks. The Sri Lankan military said at least 15 people were killed during a fierce gun battle with Islamist militants on the east coast on Friday, including six children. In an apparent reference to the three men, Islamic State said on Sunday that three of its members had clashed with Sri Lankan police for several hours on Friday before detonating their explosive vests. It did not name them. The groups news agency Amaq said 17 policemen were killed or injured in that battle. It did not give any evidence. Sri Lankas 22 million population is majority Buddhist and includes minority Christians, Muslims and Hindus. At the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo where one of the bombs went off last Sunday, Buddhist monks, some as young as 10 and senior clergy, performed rituals in a tribute to the victims. Burma 2 Child Victims of Mine Explosion in Contaminated Shan State A family of ethnic Ta'ang from northern Shan State. / Lawi Weng / The Irrawaddy Two children were killed and eight others wounded in a bomb blast in Mong Pan Village, Namkhan Township in northern Shan State on Friday, according to local sources. A two-year-old girl and an eight-year-old boy were the victims of a bomb blast which occurred at 6:30 p.m. according to members of the Taang Students and Youth Union (TSYU), an organization which provided assistance to the families affected and transported them to the hospital in Namkham. After we heard the bomb blast, people saw two children had died on the spot and another eight were wounded, Lway Hlar Reang, TSYUs secretary, told The Irrawaddy on Monday. She said that the eight children suffered injuries to their bodies, including to their heads, torsos, feet, and fingers. According to TSYU, the six boys and two girls who received injuries were under the age of eight years old and were playing together in the village after returning from the fields with their families. TSYU said though the area has been largely peaceful in recent years, there was an outbreak of fighting between government and TNLA troops there last year and that an unexploded device may have been left near the village during the skirmish. They (the TNLA and Myanmar Army) did not fight in the village, but they both were based outside the village while they fought each other, said Lway Hlar Reng. The children often played in the area at a pile of used car tires in front of a house in the village, but the families of the victims said a bomb had never exploded there before. Landmines and other explosive devices often detonate in the areas which have seen armed conflict between the Myanmar military and ethnic armed groups in northern Shan State, often resulting in injuries and deaths among innocent local civilians. On International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action which fell on April 4, UNICEF reported that landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) from decades of armed conflict across Myanmar continue to threaten the lives of children and their families every day in nine out the 14 states and regions which are known to be contaminated. The report shows that in 2016 and 2017 combined, 337 casualties were reported, with conflict-stricken States such as Kachin and Shan topping the list. Out of every four casualties, at least one child was injured, and one in four accidents resulted in death. Even though we know that many incidents still go unreported, every second day an accident caused by a landmine happens in Myanmar. Sadly, children and women bear the brunt, said June Kunugi, UNICEFs representative to Myanmar, noting that 43% of those harmed in 2017 alone were women and children. Burma ISIS a Threat to N. Rakhine: Govt Spokesperson A Tatmadaw soldier on security duty in Rakhine State / Kyaw Kha / The Irrawaddy NAYPYITAWThe director general of Myanmars Presidents Office U Zaw Htay has said that Myanmar has been a target of the Islamist militant group ISIS since 2012 when the group shifted its focus to northern Rakhine State after losing its footholds in Syria and Iraq. ISIS mainly nurtured home-grown cells. The terrorists who entered from outside linked and worked with radical elements inside the country, as in the case of Sri Lanka, U Zaw Htay told reporters. Malaysia Police Chief Mohamad Fuzi Harun has also claimed that ISIS is believed to be shifting its focus to southern Philippines and Myanmars Rakhine State for terrorism. The police chief made his statement after ISIS claimed responsibility for a string of bombings in churches and hotels on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka that killed 253 people. Indonesia has warned us [of terrorist attacks] several times as it carries out counter-terrorism as a priority, said U Zaw Htay. While Myanmars government, the military (or Tatmadaw) and security organizations have prioritized preparations against terrorist threats, they are at the same time working to address radicalism inside the country, he said. Many youth refugees, who had to flee Rakhine State for Bangladesh following counter-insurgency operations in the north of the state in 2017 and still cant return to Rakhine, will harbor grievances as time passes, making it easier for ISIS extremists to rally their support, said Rakhine affairs analyst U Maung Maung Soe. I think they will choose to launch suicide bomb attacks like in Sri Lanka rather than establish an ISIS army like in Syria. Therefore, there are reasons that they may use northern Rakhine State to build a foothold, U Maung Maung Soe told The Irrawaddy. An ISIS involvement would be another blow to troubled Rakhine State which is suffering due to clashes between the military and the Arakan Army (AA) while it is also under international pressure, said U Pe Than who is a central executive committee member of the Arakan National Party (ANP). The situation will get worse if religious extremists launch suicide attacks. There are fierce ongoing clashes with the AA, and under such circumstances, if ARSA [the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army] entered [Rakhine], it would be quite difficult to restore stability, said U Pe Than. He suggested that the government makes peace with the AA, which is representing an ethnic group of Myanmar, the Rakhine. If the AA is allowed to be based [in Rakhine] as a border guard or as part of a peace agreement, it will be difficult for ARSA to enter. It is impossible for ARSA to enter if Arakanese (Rakhine) people oppose it, he added. Nearly 300 local civil society organizations in Rakhine released a joint statement on Tuesday calling for dialogue to be used to solve problems between the two sides, rather than using military means. According to their statements, 66 camps have been opened in Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U and Minbya townships for over 34,000 locals displaced by clashes. At a high-level meeting between Myanmars border guard forces and Bangladesh officials held in Naypyitaw on April 9, the two sides agreed to cooperate in crushing the AA and ARSA. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. Analysis Myitsone Dam Flashback The launch ceremony of Myitsone Dam on Dec. 21, 2009 YANGONHad its original construction schedule not been derailed by controversy and public condemnation, leading to its suspension in 2011, the Chinese-backed Myitsone Dam hydropower project near the source of the Irrawaddy River in Kachin State would be operational by now as scheduled. It has been eight years since the suspension. Currently, the project site on the bank of the river is mostly deserted. When it was launched on Dec. 21, 2009, the Myanmar Investment Commission estimated total investment in Myitsone Dam would amount to US$4.3 billion (6.54 trillion kyats). The project was in the middle of construction when it was halted in September 2011. Before the suspension, resettlement at the dam site was finished, and site formation, water supply, electricity and transportation facilities had commenced, according to its Chinese developer, State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC), which was known as China Power Investment (CPI) until 2015. Despite recent pressure from China to resume the dams construction, anti-dam sentiment is still on the rise among the public. Recently, prominent civil society leaders, environmentalists, writers and artists announced that they would launch a one-dollar campaign to collect money from the public to compensate China in exchange for scrapping the project. The campaign clearly reflects how unpopular the project is among Myanmar people. They dont like it because the project near the confluence of the Maykha and Malikha rivers, which gives rise to the Irrawaddy River, would destroy the countrys lifeline waterway, which runs through the country from north to south before emptying into the Andaman Sea. For Myanmar people, the river is the source of their identity because the Irrawaddy valley is the cradle of Myanmar civilization. Furthermore, they fear the dam would disrupt the flow of sediment along river, harming agricultural livelihoods. Plus, the dam site is reportedly seismically unstable; a collapse would have the potential to flood an area twice the size of Singapore. Its interesting to note how such a controversial mega project came into existence. The following is a brief flashback summarizing the development of the Myitsone Dam issue and identifying those involved in the projects inception at a time when Myanmar was under military rule. Beginnings It all started with the Ministry of Electrical Powers hydropower project master plan for the upstream Irrawaddy River basin in Kachin State in late 2005. The plan was initially developed with Yunnan Machinery (Equipment) Export & Import Company (YMEC) and Kunming Hydropower Institute of Design. The plan was scrapped when the ministry was reformed in May of the following year as the Ministry of Electric Power-1 (MOEP-1) for generating electrical power and the Ministry of Electric Power-2 for distribution. Enter the CPI On Oct. 29, 2006, Myanmars then prime minister, the late General Soe Win, left for Nanning, the capital of Guangxi autonomous region in southern China. The visit came three years after he oversaw the bloody attack on then opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyis motorcade in Depayin in upper Myanmar in May 2003, shortly before he assumed the prime minister position. The purpose of the China trip was to attend the Third China-Asean Exposition (CAEXPO) and Summit. Among those he met during a series of meetings in Nanning were officials from China Power Investment (CPI). On Oct. 31, the prime minister officially invited CPI on behalf of the Myanmar government to invest in and develop hydropower projects along major rivers including the Irrawaddy and the Chindwin. After careful consideration, the CPI decided to accept the Myanmar governments invitation to develop hydropower projects in the upstream Irrawaddy River basin, according to the Chinese company. Two months later, on Dec. 28, a CPI delegation led by its vice president, Shi Chengliang, arrived at the office of Electric Power-1 Minister Colonel Zaw Min in Naypyitaw. Among them was CPIs local partner, U.S. sanctions-listed Stephen Law, aka U Htun Myint Naing, managing director of Asia World Company (AWC). He is the son of the late drug lord Lo Hsing Han. The purpose of the visit was to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between MOEP-1 and CPI for the Maykha-Malikha Water Resources Development and Ayeyawaddy (Irrawaddy) Confluence Hydropower Project. Hydro Power Implementation Department director general U Aung Koe Shwe and the vice president of CPIs Department of Planning and Development, Wang Xian Chun, signed the MoU and exchanged documents. State-run newspapers at the time reported that the department and CPI would build a 2,000-MW hydropower project at Chipwe on the Maykha River and a 3,600-MW project near the confluence of the two rivers that form the Irrawaddy River. Eight Projects On April 30, 2007, a groundbreaking ceremony for another project, the 65MW Chipwe Nge hydropower project, was held. According to the governments announcement, the project aimed to provide electricity for seven other projects slated for the Maykha and Malikha rivers near Myitsone. The ceremony was attended by CPI vice president Shi and then Northern Command chief Lieutenant-General Ohn Myint, AWCs Htun Myint Naing and others. In 2011, when military junta chief Snr-Gen. Than Shwe ceded power to a quasi-civilian government led by his subordinates, U Ohn Myint became minister for livestock, fisheries and rural development. As minister he was widely known by his nickname Slapping Ohn Myint for a physical threat to the public he made during his tenure, saying, I can go around and slap anyones face if they insult or oppose the government. A few days later on May 6, a site management office for the Myitsone and Chipwe projects opened in the Kachin State capital, Myitkyina. Environmental Impact Assessment According to International Rivers, CPI funded and commissioned Chinas Changjiang Institute of Survey, Planning, Design and Research (CISPDR) to conduct the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with Myanmar experts from the Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association (BANCA) in the project areas. On Dec. 24, 2008, BANCA and CPI signed an agreement to conduct an EIA. From January to July 2009, Myanmar and Chinese experts conducted the study on the upper Irrawaddy. The report was finalized in October of that year, but BANCA chairman Dr. Htin Hla said BANCAs environmental baseline assessment report and the broader EIA could not be regarded as a perfect observation document because the study was forced to conclude within five months instead of seven due to time constraints faced by the Chinese experts. CPI did not wait for the EIA to be finalized before commencing construction and resettlement. Construction began in December 2009, three months before the final EIA was reportedly made available to CPI from CISPDR in March 2010. International Rivers said parts of the EIA are contradictory to BANCAs findings. MoA Signed in China In March 2009, the Myanmar and Chinese governments reached a framework agreement on hydropower cooperation. According to CPIs Myanmar subsidiary Upstream Ayeyawaddy Confluence Basin Hydropower Co., Ltd (ACHC), both parties expressly supported the CPIs investment and development in the projects. In June, Myanmars State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Vice Chairman cum deputy military chief Vice Senior General Maung Aye and his wife headed to Beijing for a goodwill visit at the invitation of then Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping. SPDC Secretary-1 General Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, Major General Min Aung Hlaing (now the military commander-in-chief) and MOEP-1 Minister Colonel Zaw Min and others joined the delegation. Snr-Gen Maung Aye met with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. On June 16, after their evening meeting in the Eastern Hall of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Snr-Gen Maung Aye and Xi oversaw the signing of two memorandums of agreement (MoAs) and one MoU between Myanmar and China. One of the MoAs concerned hydropower projects in Kachin State. Myanmar Ambassador U Thein Lwin and CPI president Lu Qizhou signed the MoA on behalf of the Department of Hydropower Implementation and CPI for the development, operation and transfer of hydropower projects on Maykha, Malika and Myitsone. Myitsone Project Launched In December 2009, the Myanmar government, CPI Yunnan International Power Investment Co., Ltd. (CPIYN) and Asia World Co., Ltd. entered a joint venture agreement (JVA) on the development of Myitsone Dam Project or Myitsone Hydropower Project. Officials of the two states witnessed the signing of major agreements. Xi paid a one-day visit to Naypyitaw on Dec. 20. During the trip he met with the military juntas Snr-Gen Than Shwe and Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye. Sixteen MoAs, including one for the Kyaukphyu-Yunnan crude oil pipeline project, were signed on the same day in the presence of Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye and Xi. Right after Xis visit, on the next day, Dec. 21, the Myitsone Dam project was launched at the project site, 4.3 miles downstream of the Irrawaddy confluence. Northern Commander Major-General Soe Win, MOEP-1 Minister Colonel Zaw Min, CPI President Lu Qizhou, Yunnan Province Vice Governor Zong Hua and others were present. According to CPIs Myanmar subsidiary Upstream Ayeyawaddy Confluence Basin Hydropower Co., Ltd (ACHA), Myitsone Dam is a 139.5-m high concrete face rock-fill dam with an installed capacity of 6,000 MWmore than 2,000 MW larger than the figure Myanmar announced in 2007. Myanmar would have free use of up to 10 percent of the electricity generated. The franchise period of the project is 50 years, raising concerns among the public that China is taking a heavy-handed approach, as most joint venture projects in the country have a period of 30 years. ACHC, a joint venture established by the Ministry of Electricity and Energy (MOEE), SPIC Yunnan International Power Investment Co., Ltd. (SPICYN) and Asia World Company (AWC), was registered in Naypyitaw on June 18, 2010. According to ACHC, the shareholding ratio between MOEE, SPICYN and AWC is 15, 80 and 5 percent, respectively. Apart from Myitsone Dam on the Irrawaddy River, the company plans to construct seven other hydropower dam projects: Chipwi, Wutsok, Hpizaw, Kawnglanghpu, Renam and Chipwi Nge on the upper reaches of the Maykha River, and Laza on the Malikha River. The total planned installation capacity is about 21,600 MW with a total investment of more than $25 billion. Out of the slated eight projects, only Chipwi Nge has been completed so far and is generating electricity. Most of the rest are in the initial stages and suspended due to public criticism as well as armed conflicts between local ethnic armed groups and government troops in their areas. Criticism and Suspension On January 24, 2011, then Prime Minister U Thein Sein visited the Myitsone Dam site to inspect the progress of the dam, which was 8.5 percent complete. From its inception, the project had been never been popular among local Kachin. The following month saw anti-dam sentiment spread across the country and abroad. To counter the criticism, the MOEP-1 minister, ex-Col. Zaw Minunder the pseudonyms Staff Member of MEPE and Kyaw Min Lupenned two articles on Aug. 9 and 10 in state-run newspapers, saying, I wish they would view the Myitsone Dam reasonably. The next day, Aug. 11, an appeal letter from then opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi urging that the Irrawaddy River be spared kicked the anti-dam movement into high gear. Writing in a private capacity, she asked that more thought and study be put into the project before authorities proceeded with it. While recognizing that large sums of money have already been spent on the realization of the project, we would urge that in the interests of both national and international harmony, concerned parties should reassess the scheme and cooperate to find solutions that would prevent undesirable consequences and thus allay the fears of all who are anxious to protect the Irrawaddy, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said. Exactly one month later, in September, the minister told the media during a press conference that the Myitsone Dam project wouldnt be given up for all the criticism because it was needed for electricity. When asked about the dams negative impact on the environment and residents, the one-time colonel retorted: We need to think which is bigger, the damage to the environment or benefits to our country. We are implementing this project because the benefits are bigger than the anticipated damage to the environment. On Sept. 17, the Myanmar government hosted a workshop in Naypyitaw to discuss the impact of hydropower projects on the Irrawaddy River, with ministers, NGOs and Chinese investment interests represented. The workshop turned into heated argument as the attendees differed on the pros and cons of the project. At the workshop, Minister for Industry-1 and Industry-2 ex-vice admiral Soe Thane, who was also Myanmars Industrial Development Committee chairman and President U Thein Seins aide at the time, favored other upstream dam projects over Myitsone. He later wrote in Myanmars Transformation & U Thein Sein: An Insider Account that he had known that instead of Myitsone, U Thein Sein preferred other hydropower projects upstream, and was in favor of replacing Myitsones 6,000 MW with projects totaling 4,000 MW, thereby reducing the area to be flooded. On Sept. 30, President Thein Sein announced the suspension of the Myitsone Dam in the time of our government, citing the adverse ecological consequences, hydrological risks, the displacement of up to 20,000 people, and the loss of their livelihoods. However, he said later, other dams upstream would continue, as Myanmar was not failing to honor what one friend should do for another. The suspension announcement caught China off guard. CPI President Lu Qizhou told China Daily that the Myanmar side never communicated with them in any way about the suspension. Lu said the presidents decision was very bewildering because U Thein Sein himself had urged CPI to accelerate work on the dam when he inspected it in January as the militarys then prime minister. He warned that a complete halt to construction would lead to a series of legal issues because the two countries had already secured loans to pay for $20 billion worth of hydropower projects in Kachin State. However, Beijings recent efforts to revive the dam have fueled negative sentiment among the Myanmar public. Daw Aung San Suu Kyis government hasnt made public its view on whether the dam should be resumed or terminated. But recent remarks by the State Counselor suggesting that governments ought to respect the deals made by their predecessors have raised public concerns that the dam project is back on track. Unfulfilled Promise While on the campaign trail on Oct. 2, 2015 in Myitkyina, Kachin State, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi told prospective voters that the first thing the NLD would do if it was elected would be to make public the deal between the government and the Chinese firm on the dam. Now, after more than three years in office, her government has yet to publish the contract. Instead, she formed a 20-member commission tasked with evaluating hydropower projects on the Irrawaddy River on Aug. 12, 2016. The commission has produced two reports to date, but the government has yet to make either of them public. After a few years in the wilderness, the Myitsone Dam issue sparked public concerns again this year after Chinese Ambassador Hong Liangs claim, following a visit to Kachin State in late December in 2018, that the Kachin people were not opposed to the dams resumption. It prompted a series of protests in major cities calling for the project to be scrapped. On the other hand, Daw Aung San Suu Kyis government hasnt made public its view on whether the dam should be resumed or terminated. Adding to the publics concerns, the State Counselor suggested in Pyay on March 14 that governments ought to respect the deals made by their predecessors, causing worries that the dam project is back on track. When Daw Aung San Suu Kyi left for Beijing on April 24 to attend the 2nd Belt and Road Summit, many at home believed that Myitsone would be on the agenda during her meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the same day. However, Myanmar Presidents Office spokesperson U Zaw Htay told The Irrawaddy on April 26 that the issue was not discussed during the trip. We wont do any secret dealings [about the dam]. There will be transparency and we will let the public know how we will deal with it, he said. On This Day The Day Myanmars Last Feudal Rulers Gave up Their Power Momeik Saopha signs an agreement relinquishing his feudal powers on April 29, 1959. China's ambassador to the UK has called on the British Government to make "the right decision independently" while choosing equipment suppliers for 5G networks and ignore any external pressure to ban Chinese vendor Huawei Technologies. In an op-ed in the Sunday Telegraph, Liu Xiaoming said that Britain had global influence and should make its decisions in keeping with its national interests. He wrote: When it comes to the establishment of the new 5G network, the UK is in the position to do the same again by resisting pressure, working to avoid interruptions and making the right decision independently based on its national interests and in line with its need for long-term development. Liu's comments are the first official reaction from Beijing after last week's report that British Prime Minister Theresa May had reportedly agreed to let Huawei play a role in the rollout of 5G networks in the UK. The story was based on a leak from the National Security Council and said it had been decided that the Chinese company could contribute antennas and other infrastructure that are not considered to be part of the core network. It also said that five ministers Home Secretary Sajid Javid, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt had raised concerns about Huawei. Liu said that concerns over 5G were not misplaced due to the technology being new. The risks should be taken seriously but risks must not be allowed to incite fear. They can be managed, provided countries and companies work together, he wrote. Huawei has had a good track record on security over the years, having taken the initiative to invest in a Cyber Security Evaluation Centre, which employs an all-British monitoring team. The company has been working hard to improve its technology and to enhance the security and reliability of its equipment. In a related development, Reuters reported that Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte had assured Huawei that it would not face any discrimination when it came to rolling out 5G networks in his country. During a visit to China, where he said he had met Huawei chief executive Ren Zhengfei, Conte said in remarks reported by Sky Italia: "I told him that we have adopted some precautions, some measures to protect our interests that demand very high levels of security... not only from Huawei, but any company entering into the 5G arena." For a number of years, the US has been trying to convince countries it considers allies to avoid using equipment from Chinese companies, Huawei foremost, in 5G networks. But Washington has produced no proof to back up its claims that these products could be used to spy for China. Only Australia and New Zealand have fallen in line with the American dictates, but Wellington has indicated that the initial refusal for telco Spark to use Huawei gear is not the end of the matter. That stance was reiterated by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern during a one-day China visit in April. Earlier this month, Spark Corporate Relations lead Andrew Pirie said the company was still working through what possible mitigations it might be able to provide to address the concerns raised by the General Communications Security Bureau, the country's main spy agency. Huawei sued the US on 7 March, seeking to be reinstated as a telco supplier in the country. Also this month, the technical director of the UK National Cyber Security Centre, Dr Ian Levy, slammed Huawei for its engineering practices, which he characterised as "very, very shoddy". He told the BBC's Panorama program he had yet to be convinced that a remedial program, promised by Huawei to sort out issues that were identified last year, was going to be effective. Huawei has set up a cyber lab in the UK, the Huawei Cyber Security Evaluation Centre. The HCSEC opened in November 2010 and aims to mitigate any perceived risks arising from the use of Huawei equipment in parts of the UK critical national infrastructure. The centre provides security evaluation for a range of products used in the UK telecommunications market. In March, a report from the HCSEC Oversight Board found "concerning issues" in the company's approach to software development, significantly increasing risk to operators and needing ongoing management and mitigation. South Korean behemoth Samsung Electronics has shown it has learnt precisely nothing from the fiasco of its Note7 device , by putting pressure on a website to pull a tear-down of its Galaxy Fold, after the company had to delay the launch of the foldable phone due to a number of issues. Last week, Samsung announced that it would delay the public launch of the Galaxy Fold, a device which costs almost US$2000, after there were reports of the smartphone breaking or showing bulges or blinking screens. The website iFixit, which does tear-downs of devices on a regular basis soon after they are publicly available, had obtained a Galaxy Fold and done a tear-down (archived version here) which found some serious issues with the phone. Under pressure from Samsung, iFixit then announced that it would be removing the tear-down. "We were provided our Galaxy Fold unit by a trusted partner. Samsung has requested, through that partner, that iFixit remove its teardown. We are under no obligation to remove our analysis, legal or otherwise. But out of respect for this partner, whom we consider an ally in making devices more repairable, we are choosing to withdraw our story until we can purchase a Galaxy Fold at retail," the website The company suffered an almighty public relations fiasco when its Galaxy Note7 device began spontaneously combusting; it refused to pull the devices off the market in time, constantly offering excuses for what, in the end, turned out to be an issue with the battery. But memories of that seemed to have evaporated and Samsung has now taken a step which is sure to result in every website in the publishing business giving it a black eye. Some of the issues that iFixit, a highly respected site, found were quite embarrassing: "The mechanics involved in the fold are likely to wear over time, causing stress to hinges and display, necessitating eventual replacement," the site said in its final thoughts on the Galaxy Fold. "The lack of protection and fragility of the main display mean you'll almost certainly be replacing the screen before longa pricey repair. "Battery replacements are possible, but unnecessarily difficultsolvents help, but risk damage to the display supports. "Glued-down glass both front and back means greater risk of breakage, and makes repairs difficult to start." It looks very much like Samsung wanted to be first to market, ahead of Chinese vendor Huawei, which also plans to launch a foldable device. But with Samsung's rush to market with the Note7 having played it false, one would have thought that the South Korean firm would have learnt its lesson. And when things went wrong with the Fold, the wiser option would have been to withdraw it and launch once the issues with the device had been ironed out. You'd have to really wonder which PR company is advising Samsung? And is it the same outfit which presided over the Note7 blow-up? Malicious attackers have used the GitHub code repository for hosting credit card skimmers which are known as Magecart, the security firm Malwarebytes says, adding that new e-commerce websites are being attacked every day. In a blog post, researcher Jerome Segura said in most cases, the code used for skimming written in JavaScript and obfuscated was hosted on servers controlled by the attackers themselves. Most of these servers had domain names mimicking Magento, the e-commerce platform that is the most attacked. Last year, British Airways was attacked with a variant of Magecart as was online retailer Newegg. "However, as we sometimes see in other types of compromises, threat actors can also abuse the resources of legitimate providers, such as code repository GitHub, acquired by Microsoft last year," Segura said. The latest skimmer found by the company was a hex-encoded piece of JavaScript uploaded to GitHub on 20 April by a user who had the moniker momo33333 and had just opened an account with GitHub that very day. Segura posted a number of images of the obfuscated JavaScript, noting that the attacker appeared to be fine-tuning the skimmer after testing. The deobfuscated script shows the exfiltration domain (jquerylol[.]ru) where the stolen data will be sent. Courtesy Malwarebytes He also posted an deobfuscated image of the script, where it was possible to see the domain to which data was being exfiltrated. Segura said the compromised Magento sites would continue to be risk, even if the GitHub-hosted skimmer was taken down. "Indeed, attackers can easily re-infect them in the same manner they initially injected the first one," he said. "It is critical for e-commerce site owners to keep their CMS and its plugins up-to-date, as well as using secure authentication methods. Over the past year, we have identified thousands of sites that are hacked and posing a risk for online shoppers." Commenting on the incident, Peter Blum, vice-president of Technology at Instart, a company that provides cloud services for application performance and security, said: "With the rapid rise of third-party JavaScript code used on websites, it's easier than ever for malicious third parties to gain access to sensitive information such as credit card numbers, address information and even login credentials. "My advice for companies is to take a zero trust model with JavaScript on their sites, starting with a policy to block access by default to any sensitive information entered in Web forms and stored cookies. "From there, you only allow a select set of vetted scripts (usually only your own) to access this sensitive data. And as a result, if this type of skimming code does get on your site, it simply can't access any sensitive information." Cisco has taken the wraps off a family of WiFi 6 access points, roaming technology and developer-community support all to make wireless a solid enterprise equal with the wired world. Best-effort wireless for enterprise customers doesnt cut it any more. Theres been a change in customer expectations that there will be an uninterrupted unplugged experience, said Scott Harrell, senior vice president and general manager of enterprise networking at Cisco. It is now a wireless-first world. Bringing a wireless-first enterprise world together is one of the drivers behind a new family of WiFi 6-based access points (AP) for Ciscos Catalyst and Meraki portfolios. WiFi 6 (802.11ax) is designed for high-density public or private environments. But it also will be beneficial in internet of things (IoT) deployments, and in offices that use bandwidth-hogging applications like videoconferencing. The Cisco Catalyst 9100 family and Meraki MR 45/55 WiFi-6 access points are built on Cisco silicon and communicate via pre-802.1ax protocols. The silicon in these access points now acts a rich sensor providing IT with insights about what is going on the wireless network in real-time, and that enables faster reactions to problems and security concerns, Harrell said. Aside from WiFi 6, the boxes include support for visibility and communications with Zigbee, BLE and Thread protocols. The Catalyst APs support uplink speeds of 2.5 Gbps, in addition to 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps. All speeds are supported on Category 5e cabling for an industry first, as well as 10GBASE-T (IEEE 802.3bz) cabling, Cisco said. Wireless traffic aggregates to wired networks so and the wired network must also evolve. Technology like multi-gigabit Ethernet must be driven into the access layer, which in turn drives higher bandwidth needs at the aggregation and core layers, Harrell said. Handling this influx of wireless traffic was part of the reason Cisco also upgraded its iconic Catalyst 6000 with the Catalyst 9600 this week. The 9600 brings with it support for Cat 6000 features such as support for MPLS, virtual switching and IPv6, while adding or bolstering support for wireless netowrks as well as Intent-based networking (IBN) and security segmentation. The 9600 helps fill out the companys revamped lineup which includes the 9200 family of access switches, the 9500 aggregation switch and 9800 wireless controller. WiFi doesnt exist in a vacuum how it connects to the enterprise and the data center or the Internet is key and in Ciscos case that key is now the 9600 which has been built to handle the increased traffic, said Lee Doyle, principal analyst with Doyle Research. The new 9600 ties in with the recently released Catalyst 9800, which features 40Gbps to 100Gbps performance, depending on the model, hot-patching to simplify updates and eliminate update-related downtime, Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA), policy-based micro- and macro-segmentation and Trustworthy solutions to detect malware on wired or wireless connected devices, Cisco said. All Catalyst 9000 family members support other Cisco products such as DNA Center , which controls automation capabilities, assurance setting, fabric provisioning and policy-based segmentation for enterprise wired and wireless networks. The new APs are pre-standard, but other vendors including Aruba, NetGear and others are also selling pre-standard 802.11ax devices. Cisco getting into the market solidifies the validity of this strategy, said Brandon Butler, a senior research analyst with IDC. Many experts expect the standard to be ratified late this year. We expect to see volume shipments of WiFi 6 products by early next year and it being the de facto WiFi standard by 2022. On top of the APs and 9600 switch, Cisco extended its software development community DevNet to offer WiFi 6 learning labs, sandboxes and developer resources. The Cisco Catalyst and Meraki access platforms are open and programmable all the way down to the chipset level, allowing applications to take advantage of network programmability, Cisco said. Cisco also said it had added more vendors to now include Apple, Samsung, Boingo, Presidio and Intel for its ongoing OpenRoaming project. OpenRoaming, which is in beta promises to let users move seamlessly between wireless networks and LTE without interruption. Three Students Accepted to Oxfords Pembroke Program April 29, 2019 BLOOMINGTON, Ill. Three Illinois Wesleyan University students, Samira Kassem 21 (Mahomet, Ill.), Thao Jenny Le 21 (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam), and Rachel McCarthy 21 (Riverside, Ill.) have been accepted to spend their junior year studying at Pembroke College, University of Oxford. Illinois Wesleyan is one of 13 colleges and universities that send students to the highly selective Pembroke Visiting Student Program. Through this program, students spend one academic year engaging in the traditional English tutorial system through an independent study. They will meet individually or in small groups with Pembroke faculty once or twice a week. Rachel McCarthy '21 For each student, the chance to study at Oxford is a once in a lifetime opportunity to challenge themselves academically and personally. McCarthy, an English-Literature and psychology double major, is embracing this opportunity for growth. Studying at Oxford will undoubtedly change me as a student, a writer, and a person. But at the end of the day, I just hope to continue doing what I love, which is reading and analyzing famous works of literature, McCarthy said. These three students will be completely immersed in the Oxford community. They will live at Pembroke College rooms, wear traditional gowns during University ceremonies and are invited to be involved in all extracurricular activities and societies provided at the college. I applied to the Pembroke Program because I wanted to explore a place that is both rich in history and academically rigorous, explained Le, an economics major. Academically, I was looking forward to challenging myself with the tutorial system at Oxford. For Kassem, a political science major and anthropology minor, this experience embodies a personal philosophy as well. Samira Kassem '21 I have a tattoo on my arm that says be brave and it is my reminder that amazing things come from leaving your comfort zone, Kassem said. Leaving for an entire year is a really big deal, but I hope to gain more confidence in my independence and abilities both academically and beyond. The Pembroke experience is often full of firsts for the accepted students. Living in a foreign country, overseas from home for an entire year can be a daunting task, but these students readily embrace the challenge. I don't think that studying abroad is about being comfortable. I'm looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone to see what I'm really made of, McCarthy said. I'll never have another opportunity like this, to explore a historic campus in a historic city during a historic time in Britain's history, so I plan to just live in the moment and take in all that I can. Thao "Jenny" Le '21 I cannot wait to meet new people from all over the world, as they accept about 30 visiting students including myself, Kassem added. I also have plans to take some mini-trips to other European countries where I cannot wait to experience new food, culture, language and sites. Le echoed similar sentiments. As someone who has never been to Europe before, I cannot wait to expand my cultural and social knowledge with the opportunities to travel around the UK and to different parts of Europe. The Pembroke Program is just one of many options IWU students have for studying abroad. In addition to the Pembroke Program, Le and McCarthy have also been awarded IWU Freeman Asia Internships during the summer of 2019. Since fall of 1996, a select group of Illinois Wesleyan students has had the opportunity to study for the year at Pembroke College, University of Oxford, as part of the Pembroke Visiting Student Program. Pembroke, with a total undergraduate enrollment of just under 400, accepts 35 visiting students annually from only 13 U.S. colleges and universities, including: Barnard, Columbia, Brown, Penn, Cornell, Harvard, Bryn Mawr, Tufts, Duke, Georgetown, Vassar, George Washington and Illinois Wesleyan. By Megan Baker 21 Hillsong UNITED , return with their long-awaited new album (April 26th). Featuring 12 live tracks, Premier worship collective,, return with their long-awaited new album (April 26th). Featuring 12 live tracks, PEOPLE was recorded in Sydney, Australia, which worshippers from around the world can experience thanks to the HD visual film which accompanies this release. With millions of lives impacted spanning many cultural and geographical boundaries, UNITED is comprised of an evolving, eclectic mix of musicians and songwriters led by Joel Houston and Taya Gaukrodger (nee Smith), who are committed to speaking the truth, creating a unique sound and connecting people everywhere with God. The hope for the project is simply understanding the power of music as a means of bringing people together, and letting it serve as a reminder that in our culturethe call to love our neighbour is a revolutionary act that perhaps rings louder now than ever, says Joel Houston. If there's one thing that music can do better than anything else on earth, is its innate ability to unify people. Its the essence at the heart of what UNITED has always been aboutand what we want this project to represent more than anythingbringing people together, from every different walk of life, with all our differing experiences, circumstances, and perspectivesand finding songs that give us reason to sing as individuals with a common voice. Hillsong UNITED is a multi-award-winning, platinum selling artist whose chart successes (repeatedly no. 1 on Billboards Christian charts and up to #5 on Billboard 200) are only bested by the millions of lives theyve impacted across the globe. Reporting over 50 million people singing from the Hillsong catalogue every Sunday, the modest band born from a youth ministry out of local church in Australia, touts a reach of over 10 million across all major social network platforms to date, including 2.1 billion minutes garnered from YouTube viewers. For PEOPLE, UNITED have kept things simple; returning to where it all began. The record is truly all about the people we engage with everyday - those believers are called to reach with the Gospel and to whom we witness Gods unfailing love. The record features three previously released tracks, including As You Find Me, Good Grace and Whole Heart (Hold Me Now). PEOPLE is available now on CD, limited edition vinyl and across digital music platforms. The DVD features the full-length worship experience in HD, with an additional 6 bonus acoustic video performances and 15 language subtitles. (Product code: HMACDDVD355) Album Track List: 1. Ready Or Not 2. Heres To The One 3. Might Sound Wild 4. Whole Heart (Hold Me Now) 5. As You Find Me 6. Clean 7. Starts and Ends 8. Highlands (Song Of Ascent) 9. Holy Ground 10. Another In The Fire 11. Good Grace 12. Echoes (Till We See The Other Side) ### For a better experience on our website and avoid any trouble, we strongly recommand to activate Javascript ( click here ). Hello and welcome to Journal des Palaces You are a communication or the PR manager? Click here You are an applicant? Check out our questions and answers here ! Additional charges arent likely in the death of a man shot and killed by his brother over the weekend, police said today. Fernando Soto, 24, of 601 Stoney Glen Circle was fatally shot by his older brother, Felipe Soto Jr., early Sunday morning, investigators said. The elder Soto, 30, took his brother to the hospital, where he died, police said. Lt. Gregory Dorn said the shooting occurred at Fernando Sotos house and stemmed from a family disturbance. It was unclear whether anyone was at the house besides the two brothers and one other person, 25-year-old Crystal Ann Prim. Dorn said they were having a family cookout Saturday, which carried into the early morning hours on Sunday. Fernando Soto was shot about 2:15 a.m. Winston-Salem police are continuing to investigate the case, Dorn said, but currently the Forsyth County District Attorneys Office is not anticipating filing charges in Fernandos death. Its believed Felipe Soto fired in self-defense, Dorn said. Fernando Soto initiated the fight by making verbal threats, Dorn said, and Felipe Soto ultimately defended himself. The president's constant Twitter barrage also adds to his totals. All told, the president racked up 171 false or misleading claims in just three days, April 25-27. That's more than he made in any single month in the first five months of his presidency. About one-fifth of the president's claims are about immigration issues, a percentage that has grown since the government shutdown over funding for his promised border wall. In fact, his most repeated claim - 160 times - is that his border wall is being built. Congress balked at funding the concrete wall he envisioned, and so he has tried to pitch bollard fencing and repairs of existing barriers as "a wall." Trump's penchant for repeating false claims is demonstrated by the fact that The Fact Checker database has recorded nearly 300 instances when the president has repeated a variation of the same claim at least three times. He also now has earned 21 "Bottomless Pinocchios," claims that have earned Three or Four Pinocchios and which have been repeated at least 20 times. Trump's campaign rallies continue to be a rich source of misstatements and falsehoods, accounting for about 22 percent of the total. The rally in Green Bay on April 27 was little different, with claims that covered a range of issues: There is more than enough evidence in the Mueller report that the president engaged in high crimes and misdemeanors, and the House of Representatives should do its duty and pass articles of impeachment. The reality is, however, that the sniveling cowards of the Senate Republican caucus would not likely convict the president. As long as Donald Trump is the leader of the Republican Party, the only logical conclusion is that each and every office holder or candidate for office with an R behind their name accedes to his leadership and thereby demonstrates unworthiness to deserve a single vote. James McGrath Yadkinville Crime In his April 24 column, The Democrats have only just begun, Cal Thomas writes As for obstruction of justice, how does one obstruct something that is not a crime? Im not sure what he means. President Trump is being accused of obstructing an investigation. Thats a crime. Thomas joins President Trump in not actually being very bright. Bethany Pare Winston-Salem Please submit letters online, with full name, address and telephone number, to Letters@wsjournal.com or mail letters to: The Readers Forum, 418 N. Marshall St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Letters are subject to editing and are limited to 250 words. For more guidelines and advice on writing letters, go to journalnow.com/site/forms/online_services/letter/ Initial hole intersects 118.9 m at 4.12 g/t gold and ends in mineralization THUNDER BAY, ON, April 29, 2019 /CNW/ - Premier Gold Mines Limited (TSX:PG) ("Premier", "the Company") is pleased to announce the discovery of high-grade gold mineralization intersected in the first hole drilled at the Antenna target, located between the historic Cove and McCoy gold/silver open-pit mines where Barrick Gold (TSX:ABX) ("Barrick") Is spending $22.5M to earn a 60% interest in the area surrounding Premier's wholly owned Cove Deposit. Highlights of this discovery include: Discovery of a 118.9 m thick mineralized zone grading 4.12 g/t Au in hole PB19-03R This includes a higher-grade interval assaying 15.74 g/t Au across 6.1 m starting at a depth of 606.6 m A second high-grade interval of 5.96 g/t Au across 33.5 m starting at a depth of 691.9 m including 8.08 g/t Au across 12.2 m PB19-03R is located at the Antenna Target, 800 m southwest of the Helen-Gap deposit The drill hole was lost at a depth of 725.4 m in mineralization grading 5.59 g/t Au leaving the zone open "Premier and Barrick geological teams have worked closely in identifying multiple high-quality targets that will be tested in the current drill program", commented Ewan Downie, President & CEO. "The resulting Antenna discovery consists of mineralization contained entirely within the Favret Formation, a highly receptive and underexplored carbonate host rock at McCoy-Cove. On a grade thickness basis, this drill intercept represents one of the most significant ever drilled on the property and terminated in high-grade mineralization". Table 1 Composites summary from PB19-03R PB19-03R From m To m Intercept m Au g/t Composite 606.6 620.3 13.7 10.06 Included 614.2 620.3 6.1 15.74 Composite 691.9 725.4 33.5 5.96 Included 702.6 714.8 12.2 8.08 Composite Total 606.6 725.4 118.9 4.12 The McCoy-Cove Project property, west of the Battle Mountain-Eureka Trend, hosts four distinct mineralization types including Carlin-style, polymetallic sheeted veins, carbonate replacement (manto), and skarn. The McCoy and Cove gold mines produced some 3.3 million ounces of gold and 110.0 million ounces of silver over a 20-year period between 1986 and 2006. Under Premier's stewardship, current mineral resources at the 100%-owned portion now includes 1.05 million tonnes grading 11.21 g/t Au for 0.34 million ounces of gold (Indicated) and 4.04 million tonnes grading 11.25 g/t Au for 1.32 million ounces of gold (Inferred) as released in a 2018 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). Phase 1 drilling is designed to explore the Favret at wide-spaced sites where initial structural and/or chemical precursors have been identified. Results from this first RC hole at the Antenna target are significant and warrant twinning of the hole with core for further validation and to explore through both the entire Favret and the Dixie Valley lithologies. Given the nature of RC versus core drilling and the variability inherent in structural-controlled deposits, some differences are anticipated between the original and twinned holes. However, a successful validation should not result in a material difference. Figure 1 - McCoy-Cove Phase 1 Target Locations Phase 1 Exploration Program During 2018, an integrated data acquisition program including mapping, rock-chip analysis, soil geochemistry and geophysical reprocessing was undertaken to establish a baseline dataset for further exploration. The joint venture then completed 14 holes and 4,738 m of core drilling in an overall $4.4 million program operated by Premier and funded by Barrick. An initial press release detailing results at McCoy-Cove, was made on October 2, 2018. Exploration results from the joint venture and 100%-owned ground together confirm a greater than 4 km footprint of Carlin-style chemistry at McCoy-Cove. A joint peer review process by the Premier-Barrick teams was conducted in early 2019 which prioritized exploration targets. Each target included in the Phase 1 program was favored for its high-quality profile with the top priorities identified being: Alpha, Windy Point, Saddle South, Antenna, Clara, Beacon and Lighthouse (Figure 1). To date, the 2019 exploration program has completed 4 reverse circulation (RC) drill holes in 2,729 m. The Beacon and Lighthouse areas have shown strong alteration and mineralization (PB19-02R, PB1905R and PG19-03, assay pending). Upcoming targets to be drilled include both Alpha and Windy Point (PB19-06R in progress). The Antenna Discovery The Antenna target is defined as a swarm of northeast-striking, northwest-dipping Eocene dikes and faults between McCoy and Cove (Figure 2). Although many of these features were known to be important primary and secondary controls to mineralization in the Cove and McCoy pits, they had not yet been tested at depth in the newly drilled area, until now. Furthermore, only few drill holes have drilled to sufficient depth to intersect the Favret Fm, the favorable carbonate host rock unit, leaving an extended area for further exploration (see black points in Figure 1 and trace in Figure 2). The nearest drill intercept to go through the host rock formation is located 400 m to the west of PB19-03R. This first drill hole validates the high potential represented by these key geological features on the property. Figure 2 - Longitudinal Section of the Antenna Target Intercept This intercept also contains two higher-grade sections, the first beginning at 614.2 m (2015 ft) hosts 15.74 g/t Au across 6.1 m (20 ft). The second intercept begins at 702.6 m (2305 ft) and hosts 8.08 g/t Au across 12.2 m (40 ft). These two high-grade intercepts (each close to estimated true width) are within a 118.9 m overall interval (390 ft) of mineralization grading 4.12 g/t Au (Table 2). Importantly, hole PB19-03R was lost in mineralization grading 5.59 g/t Au, leaving the final width of the intercept not yet confirmed. A core rig is being mobilized immediately in order to complete this. Table 2 - Initial assay results and associated composites from PB19-03R PB19-03R From m To m Intercept m Au g/t 606.6 608.1 1.5 22.00 608.1 609.6 1.5 3.09 609.6 611.1 1.5 1.05 611.1 612.6 1.5 0.81 612.6 614.2 1.5 0.62 614.2 615.7 1.5 19.80 615.7 617.2 1.5 1.31 617.2 618.7 1.5 30.00 618.7 620.3 1.5 11.85 Composite Total 606.6 620.3 13.7 10.06 Included 614.2 620.3 6.0 15.74 Composite Total 620.3 691.9 71.6 2.12 691.9 693.4 1.5 7.48 693.4 694.9 1.5 4.77 694.9 696.5 1.5 5.15 696.5 698.0 1.5 5.88 698.0 699.5 1.5 3.35 699.5 701.0 1.5 2.84 701.0 702.6 1.5 2.71 702.6 704.1 1.5 14.35 704.1 705.6 1.5 8.08 705.6 707.1 1.5 7.06 707.1 708.7 1.5 6.88 708.7 710.2 1.5 5.45 710.2 711.7 1.5 7.04 711.7 713.2 1.5 7.55 713.2 714.8 1.5 8.19 714.8 716.3 1.5 3.93 716.3 717.8 1.5 3.91 717.8 719.3 1.5 9.44 719.3 720.9 1.5 6.45 720.9 722.4 1.5 3.18 722.4 723.9 1.5 1.91 723.9 725.4 1.5 5.59 Composite Total 691.9 725.4 33.5 5.96 Included 702.6 714.8 12.2 8.08 Composite Total 606.6 725.4 118.9 4.12 Terms of Earn-In Agreement with Barrick In January 2018, Premier entered into an agreement with several wholly-owned subsidiaries of Barrick whereby Barrick holds an option to earn a 60% interest in the exploration portion of the McCoy-Cove Project (the "Joint Venture Property") by spending US$22.5 million in exploration prior to June 30, 2022. Barrick intends to assume the Operator role, exercising their right under the agreement to become Operator of the Joint Venture Property. The "Cove Deposit" portion of the McCoy-Cove Project is retained solely by Premier. The statements contained herein reflect the views of Premier Gold Mines Limited and may not reflect the views of Barrick or its affiliates. Julie-Anais Debreil, Ph. D., P. Geo., is the Qualified Person for the information contained in this press release and is a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43 - 101. Assay samples were sent to ALS Laboratories prep facilities located in Elko, Nevada and Reno, Nevada and analysis was performed at their Vancouver, Canada analytical facility utilizing 30-gram fire assay with an AA finish for Au and ICP-MS 48 elements scan from 4-acid digestion for RC and Core samples. For a complete description of Premier's sample preparation, analytical methods and QA/QC procedures refer to the technical report dated June 29, 2018 (effective date March 31, 2018), entitled "Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Cove Project, Lander County, Nevada" located on Premier's website and at www.sedar.com. Premier Gold Mines Limited is a gold producer with a respected exploration and development pipeline of high-quality precious metal projects in proven, accessible and safe mining jurisdictions in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Premier remains focused on creating a low-cost, mid-tier gold producer through its two producing gold mines - South Arturo and Mercedes - as well as mine development opportunities at McCoy-Cove in Nevada and Hardrock in Ontario. Table 3 - Collar coordinates UTM Project Hole ID North m East m Elevation m Azimuth Dip NAD83 Zone 11 Cove PB19-03R 4464605 481708 1648 135 -80 1 ft = 0.3048 m Cut-off grade at 1 g/t Au This Press Release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements about strategic plans, including future operations, future work programs, capital expenditures, discovery and production of minerals, price of gold and currency exchange rates, timing of geological reports and corporate and technical objectives. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including the risks inherent to the mining industry, adverse economic and market developments and the risks identified in Premier's annual information form under the heading "Risk Factors". There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Premier disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Management team and board enhancements continue as Company prepares to advance the Turnagain project in anticipation of nickel and cobalt demand from electrification of automobiles and renewable energy Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 29, 2019) - Mark Jarvis, CEO of Giga Metals Corp. (TSXV: GIGA) announced today that Anthony Milewski, Chairman and CEO of Cobalt 27 Capital Corp., has been appointed to the Board of Giga Metals. Cobalt 27 owns a 2% NSR on nickel and cobalt in Giga's Turnagain Project in British Columbia. "We are assembling a very strong team at Giga Metals," said Mr. Jarvis. "Anthony has created, in Cobalt 27, the premier battery metals streaming and royalty company. His knowledge of the institutional market and the strategic players in this space is without parallel. We are very excited to welcome him to the Board of Giga Metals." "As battery chemistries continue to evolve, nickel is emerging as one of the most critical basic materials in the lithium ion battery," said Mr. Milewski. "The experience of the nickel industry around HPAL laterite projects has been costly, and the need to develop low CAPEX nickel sulfide deposits with proven technology is acute. Giga Metals has a very large sulphide nickel and cobalt project that we think has an excellent chance of getting developed and built this market cycle. "The Turnagain Project is competitive with the other large class one greenfields nickel projects of the world in terms of world class jurisdiction, project economics, simplicity of processing, low CAPEX relative to HPAL and of the exceptional quality of concentrate that can be produced. It is also of great interest to note that research at the University of British Columbia, partially supported by Giga Metals, shows the real possibility that the Turnagain project could be carbon neutral due to CO2 sequestration in the residue produced during concentration. I envision the team building a carbon neutral and environmentally friendly mine in a world class mining jurisdiction." (Note: comments relating to project economics and Capex are based on the Turnagain Project Preliminary Economic Assessment, prepared by AMC Mining Consultants and dated December 2, 2011. See note * at end of release.) Mr. Milewski is the founder, CEO and Chairman of Cobalt 27. He has served as a member of the LME Cobalt Committee and has deep experience in the mining industry as a director, advisor, founder and investor. In 2016, one of the industry's leading publications, The Mining Journal, named him as a Future Mining Leader. Mr. Milewski was a member of the investment team at Pala Investments Limited. Prior to joining Pala Investments, he worked at Firebird Management LLC. Mr. Milewski previously worked at Renaissance Capital and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in Moscow, where he focused on advisory and transactional work in metals & mining and oil & gas sectors. He has lived and worked in Africa and Russia, including a year as a Fulbright scholar, and has spent considerable time in Central Asia. Mr. Milewski holds a B.A. in Russian history from Brigham Young University, an M.A. in Russian and Central Asian Studies from the University of Washington, and a J.D. from the University of Washington. He holds an LLM from the Russian Academy of Sciences. Resignation of Director Phillip Robinson has resigned from the Board of Giga Metals, effective immediately. Mr. Robinson is a member of the investment team at Pala Investments Limited and has served on the Board of Giga Metals since November 2017. The Company wishes to thank Mr. Robinson for his service. Grant of Incentive Stock Options The Company also announced that pursuant to its Stock Option Plan, approved by the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company will be granting 1,000,000 stock options to various Directors and consultants, exercisable at $0.20 per share, expiring April 29, 2024. About Giga Metal's Turnagain Nickel-Cobalt Project The Turnagain Project hosts the Horsetrail nickel-cobalt deposit, a significant undeveloped nickel-cobalt sulphide deposit, located in British Columbia, Canada. Engineering and metallurgical studies are underway with an objective of advancing the project to the Pre-Feasibility level. Extensive past and current metallurgical work indicates that a clean concentrate grading 18% to 25% nickel is reliably achievable using a very simple "off-the-shelf" comminution and froth flotation process flow sheet. The Turnagain project covers a large, relatively underexplored land package prospective for additional ultramafic-hosted nickel-cobalt discoveries. Turnagain is one of the few projects in a stable jurisdiction that can potentially deliver large quantities of nickel and cobalt to meet the growing needs of the electric vehicle and energy storage markets at a time when many research analysts are projecting there will be shortages in the cobalt and nickel required by battery manufacturers. * Technical information in this press release is based on a Preliminary Economic Assessment that includes the use of inferred resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. The noted assessment results are preliminary in nature and there is no assurance the mining scenarios outlined would ever be realized. The engineering report referred to in this interview uses the terms "measured" "indicated" and "inferred" resources. We advise U.S. investors that while those terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize them. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories would ever be converted to reserves. Technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Martin Vydra, P. Eng., a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101) On behalf of the Board of Directors, "Mark Jarvis" MARK JARVIS, PRESIDENT & CEO GIGA METALS CORPORATION Tel - 604 681 2300 Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information which is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements in this press release include the possibility of finding an offtake partner, that a Pre-Feasibility Study will be completed by the end of 2019 and that the Turnagain project could deliver large quantities of nickel and cobalt. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Risks that could change or prevent these statements from coming to fruition include that geological interpretations based on drilling may change with more detailed information; the availability of labour, equipment, infrastructure and markets for the products produced; and despite the current expected viability of the project, conditions changing such that the minerals on our property cannot be economically mined, or that the required permits to build and operate the envisaged mine cannot be obtained. The forward-looking information contained herein is given as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law. Suite 203 - 700 West Pender St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 1G8 T: 604-681-2300 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. W: www.gigametals.com TORONTO, April 29, 2019 /CNW/ - Guyana Goldfields Inc. (TSX:GUY) (the "Company") today announced that it has reached a settlement with a group of shareholders who had requisitioned a special meeting of the Company's shareholders, including Patrick Sheridan, the Company's former Executive Chair (the "Requisitioning Shareholders"). As part of the settlement, the Company will appoint two experienced mining executives, Alan Pangbourne and Allen Palmiere, to join the Board as independent directors, and two long-serving independent directors will step down. The Company will also implement a succession plan for the role of Chief Executive Officer. "We have reached a constructive outcome with the Requisitioning Shareholders," said Rene Marion, Chair of the Board. "The two new directors will add valuable experience to the Board, allowing all of us to move forward and devote our full attention to the Company's optimization strategy for its Aurora Gold Mine in Guyana." "This agreement coupled with the changes already undertaken by the Company achieve our objective of positive change, specifically reconstituting the Board and management. The new Board and a new CEO will provide the fresh approach needed to optimize operations and enhance shareholder value," said Patrick Sheridan. "I would like to thank all of the shareholders who expressed support for positive change and I am sure I speak for everyone when I say: It's time to get down to work." Board Changes The Board welcomes its two new directors: Mr. Pangbourne has more than 35 years of experience in the mining industry, including open pit and underground operations. Prior to his retirement last year, he was Chief Operating Officer of SSR Mining Inc. Before joining SSR Mining in 2013 he was Vice President Projects, South America , with Kinross Gold Corporation. , with Kinross Gold Corporation. Mr. Palmiere has more than 35 years of operational and financial experience in the mining industry. During his career, he has served as President and CEO of Adriana Resources Inc., CEO and Chair of HudBay Minerals Inc, and Executive Chair of South Africa's Barplats Investment Ltd. Jean-Pierre Chauvin, who joined the Board in 2012, as well as Michael Richings and David Beatty, who joined the Board in 2013, have agreed to step down. The Board warmly thanks them for their tireless service. Mr. Beatty had previously indicated that he would not stand for election at the upcoming shareholder meeting. The Company will nominate, and recommend that shareholders vote FOR, the election of each of the seven directors of the reconstituted Board at the upcoming annual and special meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held on May 22, 2019: Peter Dey Wendy Kei Rene Marion Allen Palmiere Alan Pangbourne Maryse Saint-Laurent Scott Caldwell CEO Succession Plan The Board's CEO succession plan involves the establishment of CEO search committee consisting of independent directors Ms. Saint-Laurent (chair), Mr. Pangbourne and Mr. Marion. The CEO search committee will undertake to identify a new CEO for the Company as soon as practicable and, in any event, within six months. Scott Caldwell has agreed to continue to serve as President and CEO while the search is underway. "I would like to thank the Board for all of their support and guidance over the past few years," said Mr. Caldwell. "In addition, I would like to thank all of the men and women working at the Aurora Mine, Georgetown office and Toronto office for all of their hard work and dedication." The Board expresses its deepest thanks to Mr. Caldwell for his critical role in developing and constructing the Aurora Mine as well as his steady leadership during his years as a director since 2012 and as President and CEO since 2013. Among his many accomplishments are policies that led to training and promoting dozens of local Guyanese employees and that led to, as of last month, one million person-days without a lost-time injury at the Aurora Mine. Other Terms The Requisitioning Shareholders have agreed to immediately withdraw the special meeting requisition previously made by them, and have also agreed to customary standstill provisions extending through to the conclusion of the Company's 2021 annual shareholder meeting. The Company has also agreed to reimburse the Requisitioning Shareholders for reasonable expenses incurred by them during the proxy contest. The Company has separately also agreed with Mr. Sheridan to resolve certain outstanding claims. The full settlement agreement is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR. Advisors The Company's advisors are Borden Ladner Gervais LLP as corporate counsel, RBC Capital Markets and Maxit Capital LP as financial advisors, Longview Communications & Public Affairs as strategic communications advisor, and Laurel Hill Advisory Group as shareholder communications advisor. Stikeman Elliott LLP is acting as counsel to a special committee of independent directors of the Company. Kingsdale Advisors is acting as strategic shareholder, communications and proxy advisor and Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP and Lenczner Slaght Royce Smith Griffin LLP are acting as legal advisors to the Requisitioning Shareholders. About Guyana Goldfields Inc.: Guyana Goldfields Inc. is a Canadian based mid-tier gold producer primarily focused on the exploration, development and operation of gold deposits in Guyana, South America. Forwarding-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Company's optimization strategy and the CEO succession plan. Often, but not always, statements containing forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as "will" or variations of such word, or state that certain actions, events or results "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions of management as of the date such statements are made and are based on various assumptions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, those factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. TORONTO, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North American Palladium Ltd. ("NAP" or the Company") (TSX:PDL) (OTC PINK:PALDF) is pleased to announce new results from the Sunday Lake exploration project (the Project), located 25 km northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario and 60 km south of the Lac des Iles Mill. The Project is focused on an extensive zone of platinum-group metal (PGM) and copper-nickel sulfide mineralization hosted within the lower portions of the Sunday Lake mafic-ultramafic intrusion. Highlights Hole SL-19-026, targeting the strongest conductivity anomaly in the western part of the intrusion, returned the highest-grade multi-metre intersection found to date. The main intersection is 41.2 metres with 3.22 g/t Pt, 2.08 g/t Pd and 0.21 g/t Au (5.51 g/t 3E*), 0.57% Cu and 0.19% Ni. Included in this interval is a 15.8 metre section containing 9.11 g/t 3E with 0.88% Cu and 0.24% Ni that, in turn, contains a 8.30 metre sub-interval grading 13.06 g/t 3E, 1.23% Cu and 0.32% Ni. Hole SL-19-29, a 275 metre step-out from hole SL-19-26, intersected 32.0 metres with 3.35 g/t 3E, including 8.17 metres of 5.44 g/t 3E and 0.51% Cu. Hole SL-19-25, one of three follow-up holes to mineralization discovered last year in the central part of the intrusion, intersected 14.80 metres with 2.33 g/t 3E and 0.29% Cu. Included in this interval are two separate higher-grade sub-intervals: 2.30 metres with 4.11 g/t 3E and 0.48% Cu, and 1.60 metres with 5.18 g/t 3E and 0.70% Cu. Hole SL-19-30, also drilled in the central part of the intrusion, intersected 20.61 metres with 1.87 g/t 3E, including a higher-grade sub-interval of 5.50 metres with 3.67 g/t 3E and 0.83% Cu. Based on new and prior drilling results, the PGM and base metal sulfide mineralization located along the base of the Sunday Lake intrusion (the SLI) is modelled as a near-continuous blanket with a north-south extent of approximately 1.5 km and an east-west extent of 900 metres. The mineralization shows thickening and grade improvement along three or more structures inferred from recent geophysical surveys. *3E = combined Pt, Pd and Au concentrations We continue to expand the PGM Zone at Sunday Lake. This is currently our most advanced regional exploration project and represents our best blue sky opportunity and is a key element in our long-term strategy of building an inventory of high-quality PGM assets in the Thunder Bay region. This strategy is anchored by the LDI Mill, which is uniquely positioned to treat ore from new development projects in this part of Ontario. This large facility could help these projects reduce their capital requirements and improve investment returns, said Jim Gallagher, President and CEO of North American Palladium. Dr. Dave Peck, Vice-President, Exploration at North American Palladium, adds, We are encouraged by the higher PGM grades and base metal sulfide contents observed in drill hole SL-19-026 from the newly-discovered western extension of the Sunday Lake PGM mineralization. The new drill results prove the effectiveness of advanced geophysical methods in detecting this mineralization at significant depths. We have continued to identify promising geophysical targets that warrant testing in the next phase of drilling. Context for the Current Program The Company entered into a Definitive Option Agreement (the Option Agreement) in June 2017 with Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. (Impala) and Transition Metals Corp. (Transition) through a wholly-owned subsidiary. The Option Agreement gives the Company the exclusive right to earn Impalas 75% interest in the Sunday Lake property, with Transition maintaining a 25% free carried interest through to the completion of a Feasibility Study. The SLI is part of the Proterozoic Mid-continent Rift magmatic event that also produced the Eagle nickel deposit in Michigan and the Tamarack and Duluth Complex magmatic sulfide deposits in Minnesota. The SLI is an elliptical body having lateral dimensions of ~1 km2 that is entirely encased in older basement rocks. Depths to the top of the SLI vary from ~200 metres in the north to ~600 metres in the south. The thickness of the SLI ranges from <200 metres on the margins to >800 metres in the centre. Drilling completed on the Project prior to the Companys involvement had delineated a laterally extensive zone of disseminated magmatic sulfide mineralization along the base of the SLI within the eastern part of the intrusion. In 2018, NAPs first drilling program extended the mineralization into the centre of the SLI. So far in 2019, the Company has further extended the mineralization to the western side of the SLI. The SLI magmatic sulfide mineralization typically comprises several percent of sulfide minerals (pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite-pentlandite +/- bornite) that are strongly enriched in precious metals, especially platinum and palladium. The new drilling results suggest that the mineralization is a relatively continuous blanket that extends across the length and width of the intrusion. The mineralization is confirmed to thicken to greater than 40 metres in proximity to conductivity anomalies detected by geophysical surveys completed last year. The sulfides are interpreted to have accumulated adjacent to and within three or more discrete feeder faults to the SLI. The bulk of the known mineralization is hosted by plagioclase-bearing peridotite (Marginal Zone) and, in some areas, by overlying plagioclase-free peridotite (Ultramafic Series). The mineralization locally extends into the underlying basement rocks (Quetico Subprovince metasedimentary units) where discrete massive sulfide veins up to ~20 cm in width have been observed. Given that the mineralization crosses lithological boundaries and is not assignable to any single stratigraphic zone, it was decided to abandon the former name Marginal Zone. For the time being, the magmatic sulfide mineralization in the lower part of the SLI and extending into the immediate footwall will be referred to as the PGM Zone. 2018 Geophysical Results and Q1 2019 Drilling Results In mid-April the Company completed its second drilling program at Sunday Lake. Results from the initial program are reported in the March 27, 2018 news release available on the Companys website. After completion of the initial drill program the Company re-interpreted the 3D geology using both drill hole and geophysical data and performed a surface magnetotelluric (MT) survey over the entire SLI that was designed to detect increased conductivity associated with magmatic sulfide mineralization to significant depths. The current drilling program commenced in mid-January and was completed in mid-April. A total of 7,300 metres of diamond drilling was completed in six holes (Figure 1). In addition, borehole electromagnetic (EM) surveys were completed for all of the drill holes. The program was designed to explore for higher-grade sulfide mineralization near the lower contact of the intrusion, including any underlying feeder structures. The selection of specific drill targets was guided by geophysical models derived from the most recent MT survey. The survey highlighted three subparallel conductive trends across the interpreted extent of the SLI (Figure 1). The easternmost trend coincides with the eastern part of the PGM Zone that has been the subject of the majority of historical drilling. The central conductivity trend encompasses a drill hole (SL-18-022) designed to test a single line MT anomaly from an orientation survey completed in 2017. This hole intersected 33.20 metres with 2.85 g/t 3E, 0.34% Cu and 0.12% Ni. The westernmost and strongest conductivity trend was not previously tested. The 2019 drilling program included three holes each on the central and western anomalies. Selected drilling results for the 2019 exploration program are provided in the table below. Pd, Pt, Au, Cu and Ni assay results for the PGM Zone for the Q1 2019 Sunday Lake exploration drilling program. Reported interval lengths are estimated as being between 80% and 95% of the true width of the intersected sulfide mineralization. Hole# Area Target From (m) To (m) Length (m) Pt (g/t) Pd (g/t) Au (g/t) Cu (%) Ni (%) 3E (g/t) 19-025 Central BHEM 1013.00 1027.80 14.80 1.33 0.90 0.10 0.29 0.10 2.33 " " " inc. 1020.00 1022.30 2.30 2.47 1.48 0.16 0.48 0.15 4.11 " " " and 1026.20 1027.80 1.60 2.95 1.93 0.30 0.70 0.06 5.18 19-026 West MT 1392.00 1433.20 41.20 3.22 2.08 0.21 0.57 0.19 5.51 " " " incl. 1417.40 1433.20 15.80 5.42 3.35 0.34 0.88 0.24 9.11 " " " with 1418.85 1427.15 8.30 7.67 4.97 0.42 1.23 0.32 13.06 " " " and 1425.24 1427.15 1.91 9.29 7.12 0.58 1.56 0.36 16.98 " " " and 1425.24 1425.90 0.66 9.90 9.27 0.63 1.66 0.42 19.80 19-029 West MT 1405.00 1466.00 61.00 1.23 0.82 0.15 0.22 0.15 2.20 " " " inc. 1433.00 1465.00 32.00 1.89 1.23 0.23 0.33 0.18 3.35 " " " inc. 1443.00 1449.00 6.00 2.87 1.94 0.34 0.55 0.28 5.15 " " " and 1454.00 1465.00 11.00 2.73 1.72 0.30 0.46 0.18 4.75 " " " inc. 1455.46 1463.63 8.17 3.16 1.96 0.33 0.51 0.20 5.44 " " " and 1461.00 1463.00 2.00 3.46 2.17 0.35 0.64 0.19 5.97 19-030 Central BHEM 1067.39 1088.00 20.61 1.04 0.76 0.07 0.33 0.11 1.87 " " " inc. 1067.39 1079.00 11.61 0.79 0.59 0.06 0.18 0.10 1.45 " " " and 1082.50 1088.00 5.50 2.05 1.50 0.12 0.83 0.17 3.67 The analyses reported in this news release were performed by ALS Global in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Companys rigorous internal quality control and quality assurance protocols are described in detail in the current Technical Report for its Lac des Iles Mine (October 2018 available on SEDAR). Five of the six holes intersected the PGM Zone with the best results coming from holes SL-19-026 and SL-19-029 in the western part of the intrusion. Of particular interest is the thickening of the mineralization where the strongest MT anomalies occur. This provides confidence in the continued use of the MT models. It also provides support for the possibility that semi-massive or massive sulfide mineralization may exist on the Project. Further support for this comes from the fact that the PGM Zone mineralization locally extends into the footwall of the intrusion where narrow (<20 cm) massive sulfide bands are locally present within highly-altered and recrystallized metasedimentary rocks. Three of the new drill holes (SL-19-025, 27 and 30) were designed to test geophysical targets in the central part of the intrusion. All three holes intersected the PGM Zone. Assay results for two of the holes are provided in the table above. Not shown in the table is an interval of weakly anomalous mineralization encountered in hole SL-19-27 (18.55 metres with 0.6 g/t 3E). The new intersections are not as thick or do not have the degree of PGM and Cu enrichment seen in the discovery hole for this area (SL-18-022). Nonetheless, the fact that the PGM Zone has been intersected over an area of ~300 x 200m coinciding with the southern part of the central MT conductivity anomaly is encouraging. The spring thaw precluded additional drilling on the East Zone. Interestingly, the more conductive part of the MT cumulative conductivity model shown in Figure 1 is located to the west of most of the historical intersections of the base of the Sunday Lake intrusion. One drill hole, completed by NAP during the 2018 program (SL-17-18b), intersected the northern part of this conductivity anomaly and returned very encouraging results (e.g., 18.65 metres with 4.05 g/t 3E and 0.48% Cu see the Companys March 27, 2018 news release). Current geological interpretations based on available drilling and geophysical information suggest that the PGM Zone is a <10 to >60m thick, tabular and laterally extensive zone of magmatic PGM- and Cu-rich disseminated sulfide (Figures 2 and 3). Typical average grades in the more sulfide-rich intervals are in the range of 3 to 6 g/t 3E and 0.5 to 1% copper with maximum grades over the most sulfide-rich intervals exceeding 15 g/t 3E, 1.5% and 0.4% nickel. Geochemical data obtained from both historical and recent drill core samples suggest that increases in the PGM grades correlate strongly with higher total sulfide mineral abundances throughout the SLI. Both surface MT and borehole EM techniques have proven effective in discovering the most sulfide-rich and highest-grade mineralization in the SLI. Based on 3D geological and geophysical modeling, the following targets have been identified for drilling (note: numbering of the targets listed are referenced to the numbers shown on Figure 4): An isolated MT anomaly in the southern part of the intrusion; Several step-out holes covering the full northwest to southeast extent of the western MT conductivity anomaly to determine grade-thickness continuity of the PGM Zone in this area; Additional drilling on the strongest untested MT conductivity anomalies associated with the central and eastern parts of the intrusion; Step-out drilling along and adjacent to the eastern part of the deposit to determine the continuity of the mineralization encountered in 2015 and 2018; and, The narrow MT anomaly north of the main body of the intrusion and west and south of historical drill holes drilled in the Eastern Target Zone. Next Steps Upon payment of $610,000 to Impala and Transition, the Company can earn an initial 51% interest in the Project. The decision to proceed to Stage 2 of the Option Agreement must be taken within 60 days of the second anniversary date, which is June 20th, 2019. Qualified Person The technical content of this news release was reviewed and approved by the Companys Vice-President, Exploration, Dr. Dave Peck. Dr. Peck is a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 and a registered Professional Geoscientist with the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario, Engineers and Geoscientists BC, and Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information Certain information contained in this news release constitutes 'forward-looking statements' and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The words 'target,' 'plan,' 'should,' 'could,' 'estimate,' 'guidance,' and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, without limitation: information pertaining to the Companys proposed dividend; information pertaining to the Company's strategy, strategic process, plans or future financial or operating performance, such as statements with respect to, long term fundamentals for the business, operating performance expectations, project timelines, tailings management plan, mining method change, production forecasts, operating and capital cost estimates, expected mining and milling rates, cash balances, projected grades, mill recoveries, metal price and foreign exchange rates and other statements that express management's expectations or estimates of future performance. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risk factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to: the possibility that metal prices and foreign exchange rates may fluctuate, the risk that the Lac des Iles mine may not perform as planned, that the Company may not be able to meet production forecasts, the possibility that the Company may not be able to generate sufficient cash to pay a dividend and/or to service its indebtedness and may be forced to take other actions, inherent risks associated with development, exploration, mining and processing including environmental risks and risks to tailings capacity, employment disruptions, including in connection with collective agreements between the Company and unions and the risks associated with obtaining necessary licenses and permits. For more details on these and other risk factors see the Company's most recent managements discussion and analysis and the Companys annual information form on file with Canadian securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under the heading Risk Factors. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. The factors and assumptions contained in this news release, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to: that the Company will be able to continue normal business operations at its Lac des Iles mine, that metal prices and exchange rates between the Canadian and United States dollar will be consistent with the Company's expectations, that there will be no significant disruptions affecting operations, and that prices for key mining and construction supplies, including labour, will remain consistent with the Company's expectations. The forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. About North American Palladium Ltd. North American Palladium (TSX: PDL) (OTC PINK: PALDF) is a Canadian company with 25 years of production at the Lac des Iles Mine in a low-risk jurisdiction northwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario. North American Palladium is the worlds only pure play palladium producer. With over 600 employees, the Lac des Iles Mine features a unique, world-class ore body and modern infrastructure, including both an underground mine and surface operations. For further information, please contact: North American Palladium Investor Relations at 416-360-7374 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- First Quantum Minerals Ltd. ("First Quantum" or "the Company") (TSX: FM) today reported comparative earnings1 of $95 million ($0.14 per share1), net earnings1 attributable to shareholders of the Company of $53 million ($0.08 per share) and cash flows from operating activities of $159 million ($0.23 per share1) for the three months ended March 31, 2019 ("Q1"). SUMMARY: Stable Operational Results; Delivering on Expectation 136,969 tonnes of copper 2 produced including 25 tonnes of pre-commercial production at Cobre Panama. Sentinel delivered another strong quarter with copper production of 57,716 tonnes, a 15% increase from Q1 2018, a record for Q1. Kansanshi production was impacted by the planned processing of lower grade oxide ore and lower throughput. Q1 unit cost of copper production 3 : All-in sustaining cost ("AISC") = $1.77 per pound; Cash cost ("C1") = $1.34 per pound; Total cost ("C3") = $2.21 per pound. Generated Strong Earnings and Cash Flow Generated net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Company 1 of $53 million and comparative earnings 1 of $95 million or $0.14 per share. $159 million of cash flows from operating activities ( $0.23 per share 3 ) during the quarter. Ended the quarter with $850 million in net unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, $520 million of committed undrawn facilities and was in full compliance with all financial covenants. Improved Liquidity; Extended Debt Maturities Secured a new $2.7 billion Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility replacing the existing $1.5 billion Revolving Credit Facility. The new Facility comprises a $1.5 billion Term Loan Facility and a $1.2 billion Revolving Credit Facility, maturing on December 31 , 2022. The financing includes revised financial covenants, extends debt maturities, and improves financial flexibility through added liquidity. On March 27, 2019 , $821 million of the senior notes due February 2021 were redeemed at a price of 101.75 plus accrued interest. Significant Milestones Achieved at Cobre Panama; Ramp-up on Schedule First ore was introduced to the mill and 25 tonnes of copper concentrate was produced during the quarter. The project remains on schedule to deliver between 140,000 175,000 tonnes in 2019 with approximately 80% of total production expected in the second half of the year and is expected to be running at an annualized rate of 72 million tonnes per year by year end. Power station construction and commissioning is now complete. Ore commissioning of the first process plant train was completed. Construction and lining of the Semi-Autogenous Grinding ("SAG") mills 1 and 2 and ball mills 1, 2 and 3. Other On January 23, 2019 , the Company announced a land slippage at Las Cruces, and the immediate suspension of production. On February 1, 2019 the Company announced the production resumed at the processing plant with the processing of lower grade stockpiled ore which is expected to continue while the necessary regulatory approvals are obtained to begin the mining of Phase 6, an area unaffected by the incident. Las Cruces is expected to produce 45,000 tonnes of copper in 2019 and 2020. , the Company announced a land slippage at Las Cruces, and the immediate suspension of production. On the Company announced the production resumed at the processing plant with the processing of lower grade stockpiled ore which is expected to continue while the necessary regulatory approvals are obtained to begin the mining of Phase 6, an area unaffected by the incident. Las Cruces is expected to produce 45,000 tonnes of copper in 2019 and 2020. Further to the changes to the mining tax regime that were enacted January 1, 2019 , the Minister of Finance of Zambia also announced the abolition of value-added-tax ("VAT") and the proposed introduction of a non-refundable sales tax at rates of 9% and 16% for local goods and services, and imported goods and services, respectively. The Government of the Republic of Zambia has confirmed that they plan for the sales tax to be effective July 1, 2019 , but this is subject to the required laws being passed and implemented. CEO'S COMMENTS "It has been gratifying to see the successful start-up of our Cobre Panama project. As ramp-up progresses, Cobre Panama will allow us to deliver on our stated objectives of increased geographic diversification and increased copper production. We are now realizing the benefits of good design and quality assurance in construction. It is especially rewarding to see our plans for environmental management functioning as intended, and the meaningful partnerships we have built with local communities are already playing an integral role in the operation of Cobre Panama," commented Philip Pascall, Chairman and CEO. "Our first quarter financial results reflect solid operational performance despite the rainy season in Zambia and lower production from Las Cruces resulting from the land slippage early in the year. We expect operational results to improve through 2019 as the ramp-up at Cobre Panama accelerates. In the coming years, we will be able to deliver on our commitment to deleveraging our balance sheet. The refinancing announced earlier in the year was a step towards improving liquidity and pushing out maturities. We will continue this effort throughout the year with further progress expected in 2020 as Cobre Panama starts to meaningfully contribute to cash flow. We will also consolidate work done on our project pipeline to enable future growth." Mr. Pascall concluded. OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS Three months ended March 31 (U.S. dollars where applicable) 2019 2018 COPPER - Production2 (tonnes) 136,969 145,358 - Sales4 (tonnes) 130,262 138,021 - Cost of production3: o AISC (per lb) $1.77 $1.72 o C1 (per lb) $1.34 $1.27 o C3 (per lb) $2.21 $2.16 - Realized price (per lb) $2.79 $2.74 GOLD - Production (ounces) 49,357 45,929 - Sales (ounces) 46,790 48,815 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Three months ended March 31 (U.S. dollars millions, except where noted otherwise) 2019 2018 Sales revenues 857 885 Gross profit 185 181 Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders of the Company1 53 47 Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share $0.08 $0.07 Comparative EBITDA1 368 363 Comparative earnings (loss)1 95 49 Comparative earnings (loss) per share1 $0.14 $0.07 Cash flow from operating activities 159 796 Cash flow from operating activities per share1 $0.23 $1.16 1 Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders of the Company has been adjusted to exclude items which are not reflective of underlying performance to arrive at comparative earnings (loss). Comparative earnings (loss), comparative earnings (loss) per share, comparative EBITDA and cash flows per share are not measures recognized under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. The Company has disclosed these measures to assist with the understanding of results and to provide further financial information about the results to investors. Refer to the "Regulatory Disclosures" section in the MD&A for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 for further information. 2 Production is presented on a copper contained basis, and is presented prior to processing through the Kansanshi smelter. Production includes 25 tonnes of pre-commercial production from Cobre Panama, which is not including in earnings or C1, C3 or AISC calculations. 3AISC, C1 and C3 costs per pound are not recognized under IFRS. Refer to the "Regulatory Disclosures" section in the MD&A for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 for further information. C1, C3 and AISC costs exclude third-party concentrate purchased at Kansanshi. 4Copper sales exclude the sale of copper anode produced from third-party concentrate purchased at Kansanshi. Sales of copper anode attributable to third-party concentrate purchases were 1,182 tonnes for the three months March 31, 2019. CONFERENCE CALL & WEBCAST Conference call and webcast details are as follows: Date: April 30, 2019 Time: 9:00 am (EDT); 2:00 pm (BST); 6:00 am (PDT) Webcast: www.first-quantum.com Dial in: North America (toll free): (877) 291-4570 North America and international: (647) 788-4919 United Kingdom (toll free): 0-800-051-7107 Replay: Available from noon (EDT) on April 30, 2019 until 11:59 pm (EST) on May 21, 2019. North America (toll free): (800) 585-8367 North America and international: (416) 621-4642 Passcode: 4757109 COMPLETE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS The complete consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 are available at www.first-quantum.com and should be read in conjunction with this news release. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of First Quantum Minerals Ltd. G. Clive Newall President CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements include estimates, forecasts and statements as to the Company's expectations of production and sales volumes, and expected timing of completion of project development at Cobre Panama and Enterprise and are subject to the impact of ore grades on future production, the potential of production disruptions (including at Cobre Las Cruces as a result of the land slippage in January 2019), capital expenditure and mine production costs, the outcome of mine permitting, other required permitting, the outcome of legal proceedings which involve the Company, information with respect to the future price of copper, gold, silver, nickel, zinc, pyrite, cobalt, iron and sulphuric acid, estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, First Quantum's exploration and development program, estimated future expenses, exploration and development capital requirements, the Company's hedging policy, and goals and strategies. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about continuing production at all operating facilities, the price of copper, gold, nickel, zinc, pyrite, cobalt, iron and sulphuric acid, anticipated costs and expenditures and the ability to achieve the Company's goals. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to, future production volumes and costs, the temporary or permanent closure of uneconomic operations, costs for inputs such as oil, power and sulphur, political stability in Zambia, Peru, Mauritania, Finland, Spain, Turkey, Panama, Argentina and Australia, adverse weather conditions in Zambia, Finland, Spain, Turkey, Mauritania and Panama, labour disruptions, potential social and environmental challenges, power supply, mechanical failures, water supply, procurement and delivery of parts and supplies to the operations, and the production of off-spec material. See the Company's Annual Information Form for additional information on risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to the forward-looking statements and information. Although the Company has attempted to identify factors that would cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those disclosed in the forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause actual results, performances, achievements or events not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Also, many of these factors are beyond First Quantum's control. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to reissue or update forward-looking statements or information as a result of new information or events after the date hereof except as may be required by law. All forward-looking statements and information made herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. No new publication on Rwanda escapes Francois-Xavier Gasimba, writer and professor of literature at the University of Rwanda. As a privileged observer, he notes that among the few Rwandans who have taken up the theme of the Tutsi genocide, survivors are in the forefront because literature, like music, was part of the way of dealing with the trauma. These survivors have become aware of the need to show that they exist and want to survive after the ordeal imposed on them, continues Gasimba, for whom this literature is characterized by openness and generosity. Through stories, plays, cartoons and essays, writers denounce the rumours, stereotypes, prejudices and political manipulations that are at the root of the genocide ideology, explains the Rwandan academic. The lack of Rwandan writers, he believes, is bad for society, carrying the risk of leaving space for denial of the genocide against the Tutsis, obscurantism and closed-mindedness, without any innovation or creativity. Writing as mourning Yolande Mukagasana ( Chris Schwagga) Among the pioneers of Rwandan literature on the genocide is Yolande Mukagasana, an anaesthetist nurse and genocide survivor who says nothing predisposed her to a career as a writer. In an interview, she told JusticeInfo how she used her pen to fulfil an obligation of remembrance. I started writing during the genocide. I didnt think Id write a book. I just wrote the dates that my loved ones were killed so I wouldnt forget them. I didnt even hope to survive. When I arrived in Kabuga [a town on the eastern outskirts of Kigali], which had been liberated by the Rwandan Patriotic Front, other people were looking for food but I had only one need: a pencil and paper. I started writing instead of talking, recalls this woman who lost her husband and children during the genocide. When she arrived in Belgium in 1995, she met various psychotherapists on the advice of friends, but none of them managed to calm her pain. The only thing that could help me was my notebook. It is thanks to my writing that I was able to mourn my loved ones. I felt a great sorrow, as if I had an abscess at the back of my throat and a heart too heavy for my chest. Since 1997, she has published or co-published half a dozen books. The best known is Death Does Not Want Me, which has been translated into Italian, Flemish, Turkish, Norwegian, Danish, Hebrew, Portuguese and English. In this poignant literary testimony, the author not only tells her story, but also deals with the history of the genocide, justice and prevention, because she feels she has a mission to serve truth and peace in her country. A Rwandan woman wins the Renaudot Scholastique Mukasonga Other writers followed, including Scholastica Mukasonga. In 1960, Mukasongas family, originally from Gikongoro in southern Rwanda, was displaced to Nyamata in the Bugesera region near the border with Burundi. It was the time of the first anti-Tutsi pogroms and Mukasonga was then four years old. In 1973 she was expelled from school and took refuge in Burundi, where she studied as a social worker before marrying a French development worker. Living in the north-east of France since 1992, she learned through the media of the killing during the genocide of her family, who had remained in Rwanda. I wasnt with them when they were cut down with a machete. How could I continue to live during the days of their death? she writes in Inyenzi (Cockroaches). The author believes this genocide was planned, that it would happen one day, that the only unknown was the circumstances under which each of the victims would be killed. In Nyamata, we had long since accepted that our deliverance was death. We had lived in expectation of it, always on the lookout for its approach, inventing and reinventing ways to escape it. Mothers trembled with anguish as they gave birth to boys who would become Inyenzi and so could be humiliated, hunted down and murdered with impunity. We were tired and sometimes we gave in to the desire to die. Yes, we were ready to accept death, but not the one we were given. We were Inyenzi, all you had to do was crush us like cockroaches all of a sudden. But people took pleasure in our agony. In a biographical novel, The Barefoot Woman, Scholastique Mukasonga pays tribute to her mother, for whom she was unable to be present at the last. Mum, I was not there to cover your body and all I have left is words words in a language you didnt understand to do as you asked. I am alone with my poor words, and my sentences on the paper weave and reweave the shroud of your absent body. I dont want a Tutsi Virgin Mary But it is above all thanks to Our Lady of the Nile that Scholastica Mukasonga gained her acclaim in literature. In this novel, which won the prestigious Renaudot Prize in France in 2012, the reader is taken to an imaginary school for young girls, Notre-Dame du Nil, in the early 1970s. This Catholic boarding school, which is reminiscent of a convent, is nevertheless far from a haven of peace. In its dormitories, toilets, in the courtyard, there is anxiety, fear, discrimination and even hatred, often mixed with contempt. Tutsis make up 10% of the students. In a simple, sober but extraordinarily rich style, the book evokes all the seeds and ingredients of the genocide that took place in 1994. The few Tutsi girls suffer from all kinds of harassment and exclusion on a daily basis, as if they were in exile in their own country. The books main character is Gloriosa, a final year student and daughter of a Hutu minister. As a committee member of the Activist Rwandan Youth, she is the eye of the majority Hutu peoples party. Her activist zeal, veering towards the grotesque, leads her to push away anything in her path that reminds her of the Tutsi ethnic group. She takes issue with the statue of the Virgin Mary, finding that her nose is too aquiline, and therefore too Tutsi. Its a little, straight nose, a Tutsi nose () Lets break the statues nose and stick a new one on () Ill talk to my Dad about it () He has told me we are going to de-Tutsify schools and the administration. We want first to de-Tutsify the Holy Virgin. Petit Pays wins the Goncourt des Lyceens Gael Faye Among the youngest Rwandan authors inspired by the genocide, 30-year-old rapper Gael Faye has been prominent since his first book, Petit pays (Small Country). It is a poetic novel that has won many awards in France, including the Prix Goncourt des lyceens and the Prix du premier roman. This Small Country is Burundi, where the narrator, a young boy of about ten years old, lives with his French father and his mother, a Rwandan Tutsi woman in exile. In the early 1990s, the naive and innocent child encounters violence on the streets of Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi, whilst also hearing news from neighbouring Rwanda, his mothers country of origin. When the genocide began in April 1994, his mother returned to find the bodies of her family. Mum felt helpless, useless. Despite her determination and energy, she could not save anyone. She was witnessing the disappearance of her people and her family without being able to do anything. She was losing her footing, moving away from us and herself. She was being eaten up from the inside. Her face withered, heavy pockets surrounded her eyes and wrinkles lined her forehead. Take up your pens, children of Rwanda! Other Rwandans have taken up writing to try to heal their wounds or so that future generations should know what happened. But even in Rwanda, some people still find the production insufficient, at least in terms of quantity. There are very few people who write. Even now, oral culture dominates, says Raphael Nkaka, a historian teaching at the University of Rwanda. Yolande Mukagasana agrees, urging her compatriots to follow in her footsteps. Bana bu Rwanda [children of Rwanda, in Kinyarwanda], write your story, otherwise foreigners will write it for you in their own way. Be the messengers of truth, of cohabitation in your differences, because they are riches to be shared. Build bridges that lead to each other through reconciliation, be proud to be Rwandan, so your country will be the cradle of all its children, she says in an interview with JusticeInfo. Ohio State researchers among first to study Facebook data COLUMBUS, Ohio - Researchers at The Ohio State University will be among the first to have access to privacy-protected Facebook data to study social media's impact on democracy in the United States. The Ohio State-led project was among 12 inaugural recipients of the Social Media and Democracy Research grants from the Social Science Research Council and its partner, Social Science One. The research team, which also includes scholars from three other U.S. universities, will have unprecedented access to anonymous data from Facebook on the sharing of online content. The team will use these data to examine a variety of behaviors that may pose harmful influences on what people learn about science, politics and their community. "We know that rumors and misinformation spread on social media platforms like Facebook can undermine citizens' ability to make thoughtful decisions that affect their lives," said Kelly Garrett, associate professor of communication at Ohio State and principal investigator of the project. "But we can't stem these problematic behaviors if we don't understand them. That's what this study is all about." Garrett will lead the study with colleagues from Ohio State, Stony Brook University, the University of Michigan and Cornell University. More than 60 researchers from 30 academic institutions around the country were chosen to receive grants through a competitive peer review process organized by SSRC. Facebook, SSRC and Social Science One have built a first-of-its-kind privacy-protecting research infrastructure for the scientists to use for their work. While the sharing of news that fact-checkers have labelled as false will be one focus of the study, the researchers will also be examining other sharing behaviors that may pose issues. For example, some people share headlines to stories they haven't read, and some content is only shared among a highly partisan network of Facebook users. "That doesn't mean that information shared by strong partisans is always necessarily harmful. But it is a behavior that is prone to being abused and can have harmful consequences," Garrett said. "So it is important to understand when it happens, how often it happens and whether we can explain its emergence." One question the researchers will examine is whether people share problematic posts more often at specific times of day, or times of the year, and whether they are more likely to come from specific parts of the country. The study will explore how changes that Facebook makes in its platform - such as how messages with questionable content are flagged - affect sharing behavior. In addition, the researchers will examine how real-world events, like terrorist attacks or candidate debates, influence what people are sharing. Garrett said he hopes the results of the study will lead to ways to reduce the posting of fake news and other kinds of problematic sharing. "We believe our findings could help system designers create early warning systems that predict when people are likely to share problematic posts," he said. "That could help Facebook design changes to help keep problematic sharing in check." ### Garrett's colleagues on the study are Robert Bond, assistant professor of communication and political science at Ohio State; Jason Jones, assistant professor of sociology at Stony Brook University; Ceren Budak, assistant professor of information at the University of Michigan; and Drew Margolin, assistant professor of communication at Cornell University. Contact: Kelly Garrett, Garrett.258@osu.edu Written by Jeff Grabmeier, 614-292-8457; Grabmeier.1@osu.edu This story has been published on: 2019-04-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. The continued grounding of the Boeing 737 Max is costing airlines hundreds of millions of dollars. American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and European budget carrier Norwegian all revealed this week that the inability to utilize the troubled plane will cost the combined airlines nearly $600 million. It's not just the airlines feeling the pinch: Boeing also said earlier this week that its earnings fell 21% in the first three months of the year because of the crisis. The company didn't break out the complete cost of its results from the 737 Max crisis, but in a presentation to investors, it said it had booked a charge related to fixing the plane's problems. Airlines started grounding the 737 Max in March after one of the planes flown by Ethiopian Airlines crashed, killing everyone on board. It was the second accident involving the jet model in less than six months, after another flown by Indonesia's Lion Air crashed last October. The crashes killed 346 people in total. The grounding is about to enter its second month and Boeing hasn't said when a fix for the 737 Max will be rolled out. American, which has 24 of the 737 Max jets in its fleet, said Friday that it estimates the grounding will cost it $350 million this year. It has canceled roughly 115 flights a day through August 19. Southwest, which has more of the 737 Max planes than any other US airline, said in its earnings report Thursday that the grounding and other "several unexpected events" -- including the government shutdown -- cost it $200 million in the first quarter. The low-cost carrier has canceled some flights that planned to use the 737 Max until August 5. Southwest exclusively uses Boeing 737 aircraft, but CEO Gary Kelly said its fleet lineup could change. "That doesn't mean we will be an all-737 carrier into perpetuity," he told CNBC Thursday. Kelly also said he's "not happy" about the grounding the Boeing 737 Max. "Our negotiations and our relationship with Boeing is something I'll take up with them privately," he said. European discount carrier Norwegian said Thursday the grounding will cost it NOK 500 million, or $58 million US dollars, in 2019. "We have had some productive meetings with Boeing where we have discussed how we can maneuver through the difficulties the MAX situation is causing Norwegian," Bjrn Kjos, Norwegian's CEO, said in a statement. Norwegian has 18 of the 737 Max planes in its fleet, mostly for trans-Atlantic flights between Europe and the East Coast of the United States. The airline has ordered more than 100 of the 737 Max 8 planes. It has also demanded compensation from Boeing. "It is quite obvious we will not take the cost related to the new aircraft that we have to park temporarily," Kjos said in March. "We will send this bill to those who produce this aircraft." It's unclear how much Norwegian, and other airlines, might be able to receive from Boeing. That type of compensation is set in the terms of closely guarded sales contracts between the aircraft maker and its customers. For example, issues like late delivery of aircraft can cause Boeing or rival Airbus to compensate its customers. Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg said the company is working to improve these relationships with airlines as it develops a fix for the 737 Max. "We have to earn and re-earn the trust of the flying public," he said. "That's work ahead of us, and we take that very seriously." MEDFORD, Ore. -- Police have shot and killed a cougar seen roaming around parts of South Medford. According to the Medford Police Department's Facebook page, officers responded to a report of a cougar sighting late Saturday night near a heavily populated area of East Barnett Road and North Riverside Avenue. Multiple officers responded to the area and tried to contain the animal while a plan of action was put together. Police contacted the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Oregon State Police Fish and Game troopers, but they were not able to respond. Police say based on the heavy pedestrian foot traffic and the proximity to people and patrons of nearby businesses, the decision was made to shoot and kill the animal. Police contained the cougar to the east side of the Sovana Inn where they dispatched it. NewsWatch 12 spoke with the District Wildlife Biologist of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Steve Niemela said tranquilizing a cougar and putting it somewhere else isn't really an option. Once that animal is considered a threat to human safety, there isn't a place to put it where humans wouldn't be. "Wherever you put the animal, there is going to be other people," Niemela added. "You don't want to take a problem from one person and gie that problem to somebody else. The other issue with that is that these animals have huge home ranges. Their ability to return right to the area that they were removed from is pretty incredible." The cougar weighed between 80 and 100 pounds. It was taken to Oregon State Police in Central Point where and turned over to ODFW. Police added the decision to kill the animal was not made lightly, and dispatching an animal is always a last resort. Jerry Brown as a member of the Council for Economic Development, CED, when the program was first being discussed, he said it was group effort with the city of Lexington, CED and Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce. The CED went to various groups and spoke about the program and the benefits it would bring to Lexington. "It provided funds to help the community and the original focus was to bring new business to the area," Brown said, "It has been beneficial to the community since its inception." The plan was, "overwhelmingly," approved by voters in 2000 said Fagot. When it came time to be renewed for the first time in 2010, the city laid out a plan for what the funds would be used and kept the cap on the amount to be used in place, he said. "We were doing well with what we had," Fagot said, "We want to be fiscally responsible and not take more than we need from sales tax." Indeed, thanks to the program, sales tax receipts have grown but the city is still asking for the same amount they did back in 2000. Fagot said the development program is also funded by matching federal grants. "The proof is in the pudding," Fagot said, "The program is working." KEARNEY After nearly two years of being wanted in connection with the auto fatality death of a 14-year-old girl on Interstate 80 near Odessa, a North Carolina man is in the Buffalo County Jail. Drew Davis, 38, of Gastonia, N.C., was arrested on a 2017 Buffalo County warrant for felony motor vehicle homicide of Rachelle Kort, 14, of Mitchell, on June 29, 2017. Davis was the driver of a semitrailer that collided with a car that Kort was a front seat passenger. Davis was originally charged on Aug. 3, 2017, with misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide in the incident, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. In March 2019, the charge was amended to felony motor vehicle homicide. Patrick Lee, a deputy Buffalo County prosecutor, said the state had probable cause to believe Davis was operating the semi in a willful reckless manner at the time of the crash and amended the charge from a misdemeanor to a felony. On June 29, 2017, Kort was riding in a 2007 Honda Accord driven east on I-80 by Abigail Okoye, 23, also of Mitchell. Court records say Davis had pulled his 2009 Peterbilt semitrailer truck onto the south shoulder of I-80 and parked to look up directions. For the second time since late March, human remains have been found along the Elkhorn River in Stanton County, most likely flushed out by record flooding. Sheriff Mike Unger said skeletal remains were found on private property Saturday about 3 miles southeast of Stanton, Nebraska. In late March, skeletal remains were found about 3 miles southwest of Stanton. This stretch of river is downstream from Norfolk. A winding river, the Elkhorn flows south of Norfolk and south of Stanton on its trek southeastward across eastern Nebraska to the Platte River. The remains from March have been sent to experts for analysis, and those found Saturday will soon be as well, Unger said. Well do our best to find out who it is and go from there, he said. The sheriff said his office has received numerous calls from grieving families from across the state wondering if the remains could belong to their loved ones. For that reason, he said he was choosing his words carefully, so as to not give anyone false hope. The remains found last month had been in the water for quite some time and were not as complete as those found Saturday, he said. GERING - Gering and Scottsbluff firefighters battled a blaze at a home early Sunday morning. Gering Fire Chief Nathan Flowers said that firefighters had a "good knockdown" on the fire, which is suspected to have been caused by a cigarette. Firefighters responded to the blaze shortly before 2 a.m. after receiving a report of smoke coming out of a home. When firefighters arrived, they observed flames coming out of a bedroom window. A 56-year-old occupant was transported to Regional West Medical Center, due to medical conditions she suffers. The Firefighter Ministry has responded to assist the home occupant. The American Red Cross was also contacted. Flowers said about 18 Gering firefighters responded with five firefighters from Scottsbluff providing mutual aid. The Wi-Fi on my flight from Rome to Newark wasnt working, so phones were buzzing about Notre Dame as soon as we hit the runway. After the initial shock and sadness, gratitude was expressed. There are upsides to being disconnected: At least we didnt have to watch something we couldnt control on live television. Before we knew much of anything, including the cause of the fire or the extent of the damage, that seemed to be an instant lesson. Ive never been to Paris, so Ive never been to the cathedral. But on Monday I did the closest thing I could after I cleared customs: I went to the cathedral in Newark. The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is an underappreciated treasure. Its safe to say that most people do not travel to New York City only to hop on the train to Newark to pray. More should. As it happens, the Mass schedule was changed up for Holy Week, so my visit was short that day. But had I stayed on, I may have run into the man who later would be arrested in my home cathedral of Saint Patricks on Fifth Avenue. He had to be removed by police at the Sacred Heart cathedral for refusing to leave on Monday. On Wednesday, he was caught trying to set fire to Americas Parish Church over the Hudson. University of Nebraska President Hank Bounds said in a news article earlier this month, We have a workforce crisis in this state. And business leaders throughout the state agree with him. The Nebraska Labor Department reported that there are 36,000 open jobs. Nebraskas unemployment rate of 2.8 percent is the sixth lowest in the country. Many companies say they cant find enough skilled workers in the state. For example, Hudl, a Nebraska-based software company, filled about a dozen positions with out-of-state workers because it couldnt find enough workers in the state with the desired skills. Its turning into more and more of a problem for us, Brian Kaiser, one of the companys founders told the Omaha World-Herald. We have some skill sets that are very hard to hire in the state of Nebraska. The effect is tremendous. The states economy is hard pressed to grow if there arent enough skilled workers. Its difficult to attract new businesses and employers if those companies are going to struggle to find the workers they need. However, there are strides being made to address the worker shortage and Grand Island is helping lead the way. Editors note: Each Monday, the Kenosha News takes a look at the life of a Kenosha County resident who recently died. We share with you, through the memories of family and friends, a life remembered. Oakley Gerth loved to trip the light fantastic. She was adept at dances of the world, from Spanish flamenco to tap routines, and loved performing on stages large and small, said her family. Decked out in a Carmen Miranda ensemble or high stepping in tights and a tuxedo leotard with the Gallopin Seniorettes, Oakley danced in parades, at the Wisconsin State Fair and on the Reuther High School auditorium stage. She was colorful, vivacious and a bundle of energy, said her daughter, Adrienne Pfarr. She was independent, elegant and loved to dress up, said her son, Jaime Gerth. Oakley Gerth, 95, of Pleasant Prairie, died April 5. Survivors include her children, Charmayne Horton, Adrienne Pfarr, Vernon Gerth and Jaime Gerth; sister Dolores Hunkeler; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Oakley was born March 18, 1924, to Frank and Carmella Brittelli. After graduating from Bradford High School in 1942, Oakley attended the Kenosha College of Commerce (later known as Kenosha Technical Institute), Northwestern University and the Central YMCA College in Chicago. Oakley met Vernon Gerth at a dance, and they married May 3, 1947. They settled in Kenosha and had four children. Because their children were born during a 16-year span, Oakley spent many years as a homemaker. She was a lunch lady and room mother at Roosevelt Elementary School and a member of the schools PTA for 24 years. Oakleys other community involvements included the Italian-American Ladies Auxiliary, the Senior Action Council, volunteering at Durkee Mansion and doing makeup for the Kenosha Little Theater. Lifelong learner As her children got older, Oakley began taking Spanish lessons. She was a lifelong learner, Jaime said. She didnt have a four-year degree, but she was always taking classes, Adrienne said. She worked part time at LeBlanc and Grants Department Store. She also worked cataloging music for the then-Kenosha-based Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America. Music and dance Music, singing and dance were always important to Oakley, said Adrienne. As a child, Adrienne recalls her mother singing and tap dancing around the kitchen while she was cleaning. Oakley first encountered dance as a little girl when she and one of her sisters watched students at a nearby dance studio. Their parents bought them tap shoes for Christmas and hid them in a closet, but my mother and her sister found them and nearly wore them out before Christmas, Adrienne said. After her children began school, Oakley took up dance with a passion. She studied African dance with Ko-Thi, tap at the Senior Center and joined folk dance groups in Florida and Racine. She loved Spanish dancing, especially flamenco, Adrienne said. Oakley also loved the costuming that went with the dances and had special outfits made to fit every occasion, including a flamenco dress she wore when the Seniorettes danced at the Wisconsin State Fair. When Vernon retired in 1982, the couple began spending winters in Florida, and Oakley joined an international folk dance group there. In 2005, on return trips to the Midwest, she attended Friday dances with Adrienne, a member of the Racine International Folk Dancers. Her performances always commanded attention, said Adrienne. When she demonstrated dances, she would make flourishing, dramatic gestures. Making a statement About 20 years ago, Oakley adopted the habit of wearing a headband as a fashion statement. For her it was, This is me, and this is my thing: Im a headband person. Adrienne said. It was part of Oakleys fondness for things that were exotic and different. She had a pet tarantula named Charlotte in an aquarium on our kitchen table. She was just fascinated by having it and watching it shed, Adrienne said. Oakley was also fond of taking bus tour mystery trips, the destinations of which were not revealed until the travelers embarked on their bus. Its very true she loved adventure, Jaime said. She was never afraid to try anything. Her other travels included trips with Vernon to Mexico and the Caribbean and a folk dance tour to Croatia and Greece. Back in Kenosha Oakley and Vernon continued being snow birds until 2007, when they sold their condo and moved back to Kenosha. Vernon died in 2010. A recent highlight for Oakley was the opportunity to see Dancing with the Stars live, for which Jaime obtained front-row tickets when she visited him in California. We had to race home to change before the show, and I had never seen her move so fast, he said. Oakley danced until 2014 and continued to be a sharp dresser, said her daughter. When she was 90, a teenage boy complimented her on her purple sneakers. She was with it and vibrant; she was a rainbow and fireworks. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BRIGHTON A day after snow blanketed much of the prairie at Richard Bong State Recreation Area, 11 college teams from Wisconsin converged upon an area designated for launching rockets and observed their red glare piercing a cool, partially hazy Sunday afternoon sky. The Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium Collegiate Rocket Launch competition, which was postponed due to the wintry weather Saturday, featured the familiar explosions and accompanying tearing sounds of high-powered rocket discharge that drew oohs and applause from team members and spectators who had gathered on the gravely, mucky ground in between patches of prairie grass. Participating in Sundays launch were teams from Carthage College, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Marquette University, Carroll University, Ripon College, University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley, UW-Sheboygan, UW-Green Bay, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Plattville and UW-River Falls. Carthage is in its fifth year competing, according to Christine Bolz, assistant director for the consortium based at Carthage. Student teams are required to design, construct and fly their one-stage rockets that, upon sustaining an apogee or the farthest point in its orbit from the surface must land safely, parachute deployed along with a ground excursion module, or GEM rover, that actively collects data. The criteria for a successful launch includes the rocket maintaining apogee in the range of 700 to 1,000 feet before returning to earth. The competition also involved other components such as design presentation and report, flight performance evaluation, project management and educational outreach. Members of the Carthage team said they were concerned about what data the rover was able to collect, as a micro SD in it had come loose. The rocket itself did what it was designed to do, however. It looked really good. It went up straight and parachutes deployed like they should, said team lead Megan Janiak of Kenosha. Our rover stayed attached the whole way down. Team member Alessandro Tocci, of Pleasant Prairie, said the camera was supposed to be saving video, but for the micro SD card being yanked out at the point launch. The team later learned that it met the requirement for apogee, maintaining for 779 feet. Kevin Crosby, the consortiums director, said he was pleased with the turnout despite the weather issues. The competition parameters are different every year, and this one is a particularly challenging one, he said. To actually land a robotic excursion module and have it record data after wind cock is challenging. Were trying to model the sorts of missions and difficulty level that you would see in a real NASA mission. The consortium also played host to the nations largest high-powered rocket competition for Native American college students, which had its launch on Friday after officials learned of the predicted snowstorm. Typically, we run both competitions on the same day, Bolz said. But because of the snow they launched Friday. That competition included 124 students on 15 teams from 11 states which also visited Carthage College during the last half of April to present their rocket design projects, participate in motor and launchpad preparation workshops, and prepare for their launch. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The seed was planted at a centennial celebration across the state line and has since developed into a conceptual plan aimed at bringing generations of musicians together. Several organizers are in the early stages of assembling a community marching band that could perform at an assortment of summer-themed festivities, primarily in Kenosha and Lake counties. Fourth of July parades have been mentioned as possibilities, though Americas birthday is not the only day under consideration. The volunteer-driven effort is the brainchild of Kenosha resident Scott Hornberger, who is a native of Libertyville, Ill. Hornberger took part in a swiftly assembled alumni marching band event at his old stomping grounds as the Illinois communitys high school celebrated its 100-year anniversary during the 2017-18 school year. There were about 40 to 50 people who performed, and we had people from the Class of 2015, all the way back to the Class of 1969, Hornberger said. We only had a half-hour to perform together, but it turned out, and we had a blast. While the volunteer performers shared a love of marching band events, all of the Libertyville alumni did not share close geographic proximity at present. Hornberger said a number of the participants flew in from other parts of the U.S. to take part in the celebration. In the years since, Hornberger said he explored the prospect of creating a similar effort between the two state line counties. The first overture went out over social media in January, Hornberger said, and a Facebook page has gained more than 500 likes in the months since. As the idea has coalesced further, other logistics have come into play. Keith Wordell, a band instructor at Shoreland Lutheran High School, has signed on as the community marching bands conductor. In a flier, Wordell laid out his vision for the effort. He said the goal is to make the program available to as many participants as possible. Many summer marching programs restrict the ages of the participants and also cost big bucks to participate, Wordell said. This group is looking to eliminate those barriers. Few prerequisites Hornberger and Wordell said there are a few prerequisites in place, including a minimum age limit. Participants need to have at least completed the seventh grade. There also is a $30 fee for a polo shirt and $20 for shorts. As for skill level, Hornberger said participants should at least be at an intermediate level and have the ability to walk up to 3 miles while performing. When asked about a target number of participants for the community marching band, Hornberger said a firm figure is not in place. We want to keep it flexible, he said. As many people are interested. Hornberger and Wordell are hoping to have a mix of instrumental musicians, including percussionists, as well as performers skilled at color guard and flag corps. This is a great chance to get people together from different generations, Hornberger said. We want to get a lot of different people together. The first of several organizational meetings has been scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Shoreland, 9026 12th St., in Somers. The groups Facebook page is under the name Lake County Community Marching Band, and a dedicated email address has been created for more information: lakesareamb@gmail.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 263 Shares Share This is the scenario. You (or your mother) were admitted to the hospital with pneumonia. On the third day a cheery continuing care nurse comes in and says, You dont have a fever, and the doctors feel you can be discharged to finish your course of antibiotics, but your nurse tells me you are still too weak to go home, so we are going to send you to rehab. Here are three facilities that have a bed for tomorrow. Why dont you discuss this with your family and tell me which one you prefer. This happens dozens of times a day in every community. Several issues immediately arise. The first is that when you ask the continuing care nurse which is best, she tells you she is not allowed to make a recommendation. Another is whether this transfer is really necessary, or whether another day or two in hospital would allow you to go home instead. If a rehab stay is necessary, how do you decide on a facility with very little time to research your options? Remember that hospitals are paid by Medicare based on the admitting diagnosis, not on how long you are hospitalized. For pneumonia, the hospital will get the same payment if you are out in two days or spend two weeks. This means that the incentive is to get you discharged ASAP. If you feel you are almost ready to go home, dig in your heels and say you want to stay another day and then go home; they wont like it, but will usually agree. Also, critically: Medicare will pay for a rehab stay only if you are admitted to hospital and spend three nights. Observation days do not count. As the patient, you have no way to tell an official admission from an observation stay: same room, same bed, same nurses most of the time. Ask! Most hospitals will not make recommendations about facilities. Hospitals say their reluctance is due to fear about violating a government decree that hospitals may not specify or otherwise limit a patients choice of facilities. But that rule does not prohibit hospitals from sharing information about quality, and a handful of health systems, such as Partners HealthCare in Massachusetts, have created networks of preferred, higher-quality nursing homes while still giving patients all alternatives. Most hospitals simply dump the choice in the lap of the patient and family. One easy way to get a first pass screen of nursing homes is to use the Medicare website. You will see a list of all Medicare-certified nursing homes and their ratings across the results of state health inspections, staffing ratios, and quality measures. These are listed by distance from the zip code given. Staffing ratios are obvious: the more nurses, aides, and therapists per resident the better. The quality measures include such things as how often residents were successfully discharged to the community setting, how often they had unplanned ED visits or readmission to hospital, how often antipsychotic medications were started and others. This information will let you immediately eliminate the poorly-rated nursing homes. And if all the ones on the list with openings are one or two-star (out of five), I would refuse all of them. If one or more are four or five-star, you are probably safe. The next step is to have a friend or family member visit and get a gut feeling. Do not be over-impressed with the newness of a facility or the paintings on the wall. You are, hopefully, not going to be there long, nor is this a hotel. What is crucial to a good recovery is the staff. Look around. Are most of the residents restrained in chairs? Visit the PT department. Ask residents about the food and about how quickly call bells are answered. If the staff seem defensive and uncomfortable answering such questions, this is probably not the facility to choose. Once you are at a rehab facility, the more family involvement, the better. It is human nature for the staff to pay more attention if they know concerned family and friends are around a lot. They are also the best ones to notice if things are not going well and seek remedies. Be sure to eat even if the food is not home cooking: you cannot recover without adequate nourishment. Even if you would rather rest, do your physical therapy. Remember, the more work you put in, the sooner you get out of there. Edward Hoffer is an internal medicine physician and author of Prescription for Bankruptcy: A doctors perspective on Americas failing health care system and how we can fix it. He blogs at Whats wrong with health care in America? Image credit: Shutterstock.com EUGENE, Ore.--Eugene city officials and the local Jewish community expressed their condolences and support on social media. The Jewish federation and Jewish community relations council made a statement Sunday April, 28th saying they "were shocked and heartbroken at the news of another synagogue shooting at a Chabad center near San Diego..." They also expressed their gratitude to local law enforcement for making sure all houses of worship had the support they needed during this horrific time. RELATED: Shooting reported near San Diego-area Synagogue "I want to express solidarity with the Jewish community in San Diego, in Eugene and beyond. May all people impacted by this violent attack find themselves surrounded by love and support", Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis said. "We have great respect for our local Jewish community... and will continue to collaborate in building a Eugene community that is safe and welcoming for everyone regardless of their religion", Eugene City Manager Jon Ruiz said. Min and last year's winner Un De Sceaux head the field for the Grade 1 BoylesSports Champion Chase following the feature race declarations for the opening day of the Punchestown Festival. Local trainer Willie Mullins is responsible for three of the six runners in the race with the 2017 Ryanair Novice Chase winner Great Field also returning to action for the champion trainer. Trainer Pat Fahy has declared his stable star Castlegrace Paddy, while Harry Fry is represented by the talented Hell's Kitchen who was fourth in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham. Ordinary World completes the field and will be ridden by Rachael Blackmore for Henry de Bromhead. Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Klassical Dream heads a field of six for the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle. Ruby Walsh retains the partnership with the Cheltenham hero but he'll face stiff opposition from stable companions Aramon, Mister Blue Sky and Quick Grabim. The Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase has attracted an eight-strong field including the Cheltenham Festival winner A Plus Tard. Henry de Bromhead's charge steps up to Grade 1 company for the first time to tackle the RSA Chase third Delta Work in what promises to be one of the best novice chases in Ireland this season. Willie Mullins will look to win the race for the third time this decade when sending out Getabird, while Welsh-based trainer Rebecca Curtis sends over Drovers Lane. The ground at Punchestown is currently yielding on the Hurdle, Chase and Bumper course and good, good to firm in places on the Cross Country courses. The 2019 Punchestown Festival gets underwat on Tuesday 30th April and runs to Saturday 4th May. Full event and ticket information is available at www.punchestown.com. (Kitco News) - The Canadian mining sector needs to act now or it could face a serious labor shortage as it struggles to find new talent to replace an aging workforce. The industry's labor challenges have been an important topic among mining executives during the CIM Convention 2019, with many saying that the industry needs to do a better job reaching out to youth, women, indigenous people and visible minorities. In a discussion group during the conference, the Mining Human Resource Council (MiHR) said its baseline scenario predicts that the Canadian mining sector will need to hire around 97,000 workers within the next 10 years. If there is an expansionary boom in the commodity space, the sector would need to fill more than 135,000 positions. The new hiring initiative comes after the sector saw its longest period of high unemployment in recent history. From early 2015 to late 2016 the industry unemployment rate was well above the national average, hovering between 10% and 12%. Ryan Montpellier, executive director at MiHR, said that the labor crunch is coming at a time when enrollment in post-secondary mining programs has dropped significantly in the last few years. MiHR data showed enrollment in undergraduate mining programs has fallen nearly 50% from 2015 to 2017. "The lack of interest in mining is coming at a time when we are starting to see the industry ramp up," Montpelleir said. Although market volatility is a hurdle for mining companies, Montpellier said that companies need to take a long-term approach when it comes to recruitment and look past short-term commodity prices. And it's not just young people that the industry needs to reach out to. The sector significantly lacks diversity compared to the general Canadian workforce. According to one statistic presented at the conferences opening plenary meeting, the mining sector is the worst for gender diversity with only 5% of women sitting on boards of the top 500 mining companies. Within the workforce, women represent 18%, well below the national average. The MiHR stats shows that immigrants make up only 13% of the mining labor market, visible minorities make up 9% and indigenous people make up only 7.4% of the workforce. Jennifer Wright, senior director at MiHR, said that the data are not all bad news as these sectors represent areas of opportunities for mining companies that need to find workers. The lack of diversity and young workers appears to be weighing on sentiment as some executives note that the sector is finding it difficult to shake off persistent negative perceptions of the industry, including the notions that it is unsafe, old-fashioned and harmful for the environment. The plenary discussion noted that many leaders and executives in mining are engineers or geologists and tend to be very analytical and what is lacking is more creativity. "As an industry, I think we are suffering from group think," said Maryse Belanger, president and CEO of Atlantic Gold. "It doesn't help that we don't have a lot of young creative people in the industry." Belanger added that young people aren't entering the mining sector because they don't have the right information. Mining Outreach To Youth, Women, Minorities Theresa Nyabeze, senior mine engineer at Vale's Ontario operations, said that mining companies need to start their outreach even before students look at entering post-secondary education. Nyabeze is the author of a children's book about mining called: 'Underground! My Mining Adventure'. She said that youth need to have a better understanding of how their lives are connected to the mining industry. "These kids in school are using iPads and smartphones, but they don't understand what is in them," she said. To attract more women to mining, Nyabeze said companies need to show potential workers that they will be operating in a safe environment. "Companies have to change a lot of mindsets that their underground environments are suitable for women," she said. Although the mining sector faces many challenges when it comes to filling the labor gap, Wright said that companies are making progress. One program that is making a difference is work-integrated learning where students can work for a mining company through co-ops, internships, and other projects to provide them with career experience. MiHR also provides companies with a wage subsidy of $5,000 or 50% of wages for second-year students. The organization will cover up to $7,000 for 70% of wages for under-represented students like women, immigrants and indigenous people as well as first-year students. Stuff reports: More than 100 people including white supremacists, Muslim converts and people left disgruntled by the Christchurch terror attack are being actively monitored by police. Stuff has obtained part of a top secret list that names those who are of concern to police following the March 15 terror attack. Stuff has chosen not to name anyone on the list or contact them for security reasons. This is a huge security breach. The list of people under surveillance by the Police as potential security risks should be held incredibly tightly. How it could end up (in part) in the hands of the media must be answered. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr Jordan Carter of InternetNZ has a very useful and thoughtful blog on the Paris meeting discussing violent extremist content online. He has six thoughts on what is needed from it to be successful: Keep the scope narrow to terrorist and violent extremist content rather than a wider scope which hits free speech issues. Most people accept inciting violence is not acceptable. Have clear targets: Focus on the giant social media companies with the global reach, not the entire Internet. Be clear about the ask: What do you want the social media companies to do, beyond the status quo, bearing in mind such content is already outside their terms and conditions? Have a sensible application of the ask: Overly tight automated filtering will lead to overblocking Measure success and have a cost for failure Make the discussion inclusive: This shouldnt be a decision just for Governments. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr The Herald reports: The pregnant wife of a Sri Lankan suicide bomber has detonated a suicide vest killing her self, her children, and police officers. The wife of the suspected mastermind behind the Easter Sunday bombings detonated the explosives as police raided the familys Colombo home, Sri Lankas Deputy Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene said. I cant fathom how someone can kill their children, and convince themselves it is for a good cause. You must be going against every human instinct you have. At the centre of the plot that has devastated the peaceful Southeast Asian nation are two brothers, according to reports. They were the sons of a rich spice merchant, and they lived in one of the most lavish mansions in their wealthy suburb in Colombo. The mastermind of the suicide bomb plot is now believed to have been Inshaf Ibrahim, in his 30s, who owned a copper factory. He is said to have detonated his own explosive device at the Shangri-La hotel, by the busy breakfast buffet, a source close to the family told reporters. Often those who fall for extremist ideology are poor, unemployed etc and hence see a way out through extremism. But what is scary here is these brothers were very wealthy, had family yet still decided that they had a duty to slaughter innocent people through suicide bombing. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr President Moon Jae-in, right and Chilean President Sebastian Pinera shake hands prior their meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, Monday. AP The leaders of South Korea and Chile agreed Monday to seek the early launch of negotiations on Seoul's bid to be an associate member of the Pacific Alliance, holding their second summit in seven months. Meeting with President Moon Jae-in at his office, Cheong Wa Dae, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera welcomed South Korea's interest in playing a more active role in the Latin American trade bloc, which also includes three other full-time members -- Colombia, Mexico and Peru -- according to their joint press statement. "Both Presidents agreed to work together for the early start of negotiations between Korea and the Pacific Alliance," it read. Chile is slated to serve as the rotating chair of the alliance starting in the latter half of this year. Seoul is among more than 50 observers to the group, launched in 2012, with Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Singapore serving as associate members. The bloc accounts for 38 percent of the total gross domestic product of Central and Latin America and 50 percent of the region's trade. Pinera also expressed support for Moon's efforts to achieve complete denuclearization and establish permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. "Both Presidents agreed that dialogue is an essential part of the process for the establishment of peace, socio-economic development, security, and wellbeing of all parties concerned as well as the region," the 13-point document read. They noted that the Seoul-Santiago Free Trade Agreement (FTA), if upgraded through ongoing talks, "will deepen integration in bilateral trade and investments." Chile was South Korea's first FTA partner. Two-way trade volume quadrupled to US$6.28 billion last year from $1.57 billion in 2003. Speaking at a joint press briefing, Pinera said the time has come to improve the FTA, which was signed 15 years ago. "I expect it to pave the way for an FTA to lead to cooperation on more things," he said. In that regard, Moon said, Seoul's Pacific Alliance membership bid is of significance. "South Korea and Chile are economic hubs representing Asia and the Central and Southern American region, respectively," he said. "Once South Korea becomes an associate member of the Pacific Alliance, an FTA network is established to connect the both regions." The two presidents picked four priority sectors for expanding bilateral cooperation: e-government, the fourth industrial revolution, cybersecurity, and climate change. Chile plans to host a U.N. climate summit, known as COP25, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in its capital, Santiago, later this year. On the occasion of the Moon-Pinera summit, the two countries signed an agreement on defense cooperation and three MOUs meant to deepen partnerships on digital government, transportation and ICT. Pinera arrived here Sunday, together with his wife, for a two-day state visit after attending the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. He is the first leader of a Latin American country to visit South Korea since Moon took office in May 2017. In 2004, the two nations forged a "comprehensive, cooperative" partnership when then-President Roh Moo-hyun traveled to Santiago. Moon and Pinera had one-on-one summit talks in New York last September on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly session. The Chilean president made his previous trip to Seoul in 2012 for the Nuclear Security Summit. (Yonhap) It is basically over 6-12 months In another year or years It was never a real pandemic Vote View Results Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Poet Sara Holbrook, who often writes humorous verse for kids, had some harsh words for the Texas Education Agency after she discovered she couldnt answer questions about poems on the its standardized tests poems she herself wrote. In an essay for the Huffington Post, Holbrook wrote that she felt like such a dunce after she didnt know the answers to questions posed on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) tests about her poems A Real Case and Midnight meant for seventh- and eighth-grade students. RELATED: Michele Filgate celebrates imperfect moms in What My Mother and I Dont Talk About These test questions were just made up, and tragically, incomprehensibly, kids futures and the evaluations of their teachers will be based on their ability to guess the so-called correct answer to made up questions, Holbrook wrote. Advertisement Holbrook highlighted a number of questions from the tests, including one that asked students why she rendered one line in a poem in all capital letters. Students are asked to choose between four lettered options. Could be A. All caps is a way to highlight a fact, right? Holbrook wrote. I guess I wanted to stress the fact that the feeling belongs to TODAY, but maybe the answer is B. Lets see, today is not tomorrow, could be that. But climbing into the test makers mind, Im guessing they want the answer C. ... Not sure. Move on, lots to cover. Holbrook argues that asking students to dissect poems isnt an effective way to teach them about the joys of literature. Teachers are also trying to survive as they are tasked with teaching kids how to take these tests, which they do by digging through past tests, posted online, she wrote. Forget joy of language and the fun of discovery in poetry, this is line-by-line dissection, painful and delivered without anesthetic. RELATED: Bill McKibben on how humans disconnection from nature is harming the environment Texas STAAR tests are administered in part by Pearson Assessments, a testing company that Holbrook called a sadistic behemoth. Holbrook wrote that asking students to guess an authors intent in writing a piece of literature is doomed to be a pointless exercise. My final reflection is this: any test that questions the motivations of the author without asking the author is a big baloney sandwich, she wrote. Mostly test makers do this to dead people who cant protest. But Im not dead. I protest. ALSO Bad news for the Strand? Amazon is opening a brick-and-mortar bookstore in Manhattan Faces to watch: Remember these authors and their books John Scalzis 10-point plan for getting creative work done in the time of Trump The mismatch between the accomplishments of American corporate CEOs and their pay is a long-running scandal. But it will be hard to find a more telling example of the discrepancy than the story of Geisha J. Williams, who became the chief executive of Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. in March 2017 and resigned on Jan. 13. That was two weeks before the company filed for bankruptcy, blaming its ills on the liability it faces for its role in a series of devastating wildfires. But according to a corporate disclosure PG&E filed last week, Williams received a handsome raise for 2018 8.1% overall, and nearly 9% in base salary, outside of incentive pay. The utility said that almost all of Williams compensation about 90% of it was tied to corporate performance. Advertisement We are committed to taking strong actions that will help us re-earn the trust of all our stakeholders. This starts at the top. PG&E board Really? PG&E lost $6.9 billion on revenue of $16.8 billion in 2018, compared with a profit of $1.7 billion on revenue of $17.1 billion the year before. Its shares closed out the year at $23.75, down more than 46.5% from their price when the year opened. For comparisons sake, Williams overall 2018 compensation of $9.3 million exceeded that of her nearest California counterpart, Pedro Pizarro of Edison International, who collected $7.4 million. Edison, which also was affected by wildfires, lost $423 million on revenue of $12.7 billion last year. The general issue of CEO compensation is receiving its annual scrutiny these days because this is the period in which companies release their proxy statements, which specify executive pay. But the issue is somewhat more fraught this year for a few reasons. One is that Democrats in Congress and on the presidential campaign trail are shining a spotlight on economic inequality, of which outsized CEO pay is a major cause. Another is the requirement that public companies report the ratio of their CEOs pay to that of their median employee, which underscores the enormous gap in many corporations. That leads us to the attack launched earlier this month by Abigail Disney, a philanthropist who is a grandniece of Walt Disney, on the $65.6-million compensation of Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger for 2018. That pay was more than 1,400 times that of the median Disney employee, and 80% higher than in the last fiscal year, largely because of stock awards tied to his 2017 contract extension. By any objective measure, Abigail Disney tweeted, a pay ratio [of] over a thousand is insane. Disney owns minimal shares in her namesake company and has no role in management. Back to PG&E, most of its dismal performance is blamed on the wildfires. But its proper to observe that Williams responsibilities included fixing her companys wretched operational and safety performance. Theres no evidence she made a dent there. In fact, the PG&E board implicitly agreed that she wasnt up to the task. Let me very clear. I like Bob Iger. I do NOT speak for my family but only for myself. Other than owning shares (not that many) I have no more say in what happens there than anyone else. But by any objective measure a pay ratio over a thousand is insane. https://t.co/O34OjXd6rr Abigail Disney (@abigaildisney) April 21, 2019 In its annual disclosure, the board said, We are committed to taking strong actions that will help us re-earn the trust of all our stakeholders. This starts at the top. Williams and most of the board members were replaced, the company said, with experienced people with the commitment and expertise necessary to redirect our safety culture and navigate one of the most complex corporate reorganizations ever. In other words, Williams didnt have those qualities. Shes been replaced as CEO by Bill Johnson, the former head of the Tennessee Valley Authority. In a rational world, CEOs who turned in Williams performance would have had a hard time surviving even as long as she did, or seen their compensation reduced sharply, especially if it were truly tied almost exclusively to corporate performance. But PG&Es compensation committee found some sly ways to circumvent the corporate performance metrics. They reduced Williams incentive stock awards by $100,000, to $6.4 million. But they also gave her $1.6 million in stock options, which she had not received in the past. (Those options may well expire worthless, given the potential trajectory of PG&E shares.) Its proper to point out that Williams compensation encompassed numerous perks, including a car and driver, a $51,000 security system for her home, health club and executive health services worth $5,453 and financial services subsidized to the tune of $7,980. These are consistent with what CEOs receive at other companies, but they should prompt shareholders to say: Are you telling us that a CEO earning more than $9 million cant afford her own security system and financial advisor? What about that big annual loss? PG&Es compensation committee finessed it by declaring $8.8 billion in costs stemming from the wildfires to be items impacting comparability, defined as items that management does not consider part of the normal course of operations. That enabled them to magically turn a loss of $6.9 billion into an imaginary profit of $2.1 billion. This sounds like a groundbreaking approach to corporate earnings reports: We made a profit, except for those huge expenses that destroyed our profitability. Nice, except that the basis for PG&Es bankruptcy filing, as well as its lobbying in Sacramento for a wildfire-related bailout, is that wildfire-related costs are going to become a permanent part of its future in other words, they are indeed part of the normal course of operations. But thats only one respect in which PG&Es management wants to have things both ways. It also wants to damn Geisha Williams as the wrong person for the job of CEO, but chose to praise her record by giving her a raise in 2018. How many of the companys other employees got a boost of more than 8%, one wonders, even if they actually did their job well? Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com. Return to Michael Hiltziks blog. The business communitys campaign to reduce Californias landmark privacy law to a shadow continues apace, with what privacy advocates call the biggest threat due for a committee hearing this week. The measure is Assembly Bill 1416, which is scheduled to be heard Tuesday by the chambers Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. The privacy community views the bill as a classic wolf in sheeps clothing it claims to address what might be a reasonable issue with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) but does so in a way that opens a loophole so large the privacy might as well not exist. Its a massive land grab, says Alastair MacTaggart, the privacy activist who proposed a ballot initiative to protect consumer rights, and settled for ensuring passage of the CCPA last year. This provision is so unfathomably broad that a company could do anything it wants. Theres no guardrailing at all. Justin Brookman, Consumer Reports Advertisement We reported recently on the all-out effort by business interests to undermine the CCPA. This specific case exemplifies the business communitys overreaching. Whos behind 1416? Its sponsor is Assemblyman Ken Cooley (D-Rancho Cordova), but its guiding force is a coalition encompassing the California Chamber of Commerce and a coalition of big internet companies, wireless providers and banks in other words, businesses that have a distinct interest in being able to vacuum up consumers private information and sell it without limits. The problem ostensibly addressed by the bill is that the CCPAs restrictions on businesses ability to collect, warehouse and sell their customers or users personal data interferes with the businesses ability to provide that data legitimately to government agencies. The chamber and its partners offer a parade of horribles if the CCPAs limits stand. Government activities that would be hampered, they say, include assessing placement options for foster children with family members, collecting overdue child support payments from absconding parents, locating abducted children promptly and verifying the rights of public pension claimants. AB 1416 will ensure that these important government programs can continue, the Chamber of Commerce says. Cooley echoes that concern. We have all these laws that impose on government, he told me. Were supposed to go after deadbeat dads, do studies of the welfare of children in the foster care system. We have this long-established body of law that lays duties on all levels of government that presumes that they will have access to information. There are a few problems with this viewpoint. One is that the CCPA already accommodates many of these interactions between businesses and government agencies. Theres already language in the law for sharing [data] with law enforcement, observes Justin Brookman of Consumer Reports. Indeed, the CCPA specifically exempts from its restrictions businesses rights and duties to comply with federal, state, or local laws, with a civil, criminal, or regulatory inquiry, investigation, subpoena, or summons and cases of cooperation with law enforcement agencies concerning conduct by others that may be illegal. But 1416 would go much, much further. It would exempt business data collections to comply not only with laws, but with any rules or regulations. As an Assembly committee analysis points out, that could include company rules and regulations, allowing a company to exempt itself from the CCPA. Such an outcome is untenable, the committee analyst wrote. The bill also would exempt businesses from the data limitation in order to exercise, defend, or protect against legal claims, or to protect against fraud or hacking, or to assist another person or government agency to conduct any of those activities. Nothing in that language limits the exemption to making possible data exchanges between businesses and government entities to assist with legitimate governmental programs or services. This provision is so unfathomably broad that a company could do anything it wants, Brookman told me. Theres no guardrailing at all. Cooley says hes open to amending his law along the lines proposed by the committee analysis. That would mean narrowing the exemptions so they explicitly apply to providing a consumers personal data to a government agency solely for the agencys legitimate needs. The business would be prohibited from selling to anyone else the data collected or held for those purposes. But Cooley says that he wants a four-year sunset for those changes, which means that by 2024 the restrictions would again be open for debate and for loosening under lobbying pressure by the chamber and its partners. That sounds like Cooley is willing to go only partway to fixing his bill, the need for which is questionable anyway. It sounds as though the Assembly committee will be on top of the shortcomings in 1416 when it comes up for scrutiny Tuesday. But the warning bell has been sounded: Beware of business interests trying to chip away at a landmark law by suggesting it puts children at risk. Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com. Return to Michael Hiltziks blog. Boeing Co. acknowledged that a cockpit alert notifying pilots of a sensor malfunction linked to two fatal accidents wasnt working as represented on every 737 Max. The plane maker said it didnt deactivate a warning that was supposed to show conflicting readings between two angle-of-attack vanes. But the alert functioned only on jets that had a separate indicator display available for a fee with readings from the sensors, Boeing said in a statement Monday. The disagree alert was intended to be a standard, stand-alone feature on Max airplanes, the company said. However, the disagree alert was not operable on all airplanes because the feature was not activated as intended. The disclosure adds a new mystery about the design of Boeings bestselling jet, which has been grounded since shortly after an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max 8 crashed March 10 the second deadly Max disaster in five months. Boeing is working to convince airlines and regulators that the Max will be safe once an update is installed to software that played a role in both accidents after being activated by erroneous data from a single sensor. Advertisement In both crashes, the jets Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS software, misfired and repeatedly pressed the nose of the planes down until flight crews lost control of the doomed crafts. The accidents killed everyone aboard the two planes, a total of 346 people. Southwest Airlines Co., the largest Max operator, said it first learned from Boeing about the problem with the disagree alert after a 737 Max crash in Indonesia in October, when a Lion Air jet slammed into the Java Sea. The Max debuted in May 2017. After the Lion Air event, we were notified that the [angle of attack] disagree lights were inoperable without the optional [angle of attack] indicators on the Max aircraft, Southwest spokeswoman Brandy King said in an email Sunday. The manual documentation presented by Boeing at Max entry into service indicated the disagree light functioned on the aircraft, similar to how it works on the previous 737 model, she said. All information needed to safely operate the plane is provided in the flight deck and flight-deck display, Boeing said. That includes air speed, aircraft attitude and altitude displays, as well as an audible and physical alarm known as a stick-shaker. At Southwest, pilots arent trained to use angle-of-attack information routinely because they dont use it to fly, said Jon Weaks, the head of the carriers aviators union. The vanes measure the tilt of an aircraft against onrushing wind. Mayor Eric Garcetti unveiled a sweeping plan for a more sustainable Los Angeles on Monday, calling for dramatic changes to the car culture, buildings and air quality of Americas second-largest city. The mayors sustainability plan imagines a city where, by the mid-2030s, 80% of the cars run on electricity or zero-emission fuel, 80% of the electricity comes from renewable sources and Angelenos drive 2,000 fewer miles each year than they do now. Its a far cry from todays L.A., where gridlock, tailpipe pollution and smoggy air have come to define a way of life. Garcetti cited the existential threat of climate change, which scientists say is fueling bigger and deadlier heat waves, wildfires and floods in California and around the world. He said he worries that if Los Angeles doesnt take aggressive action now, in 50 years the city will have little time for priorities other than survival. Los Angeles needs to lead, but the whole world needs to act. This plan gives us a fighting chance, Garcetti said in an interview. Its sort of a greenprint for every other city in the country and the world, hopefully. Advertisement Garcetti is pitching the plan as L.A.s version of a Green New Deal, the set of climate change and economic justice policies popularized by progressive activists and championed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). City Hall may have limited control over whether L.A. meets many of the targets in the plan, which updates a previous sustainability road map from 2015 and has been in the works for several years, before the phrase Green New Deal entered the national lexicon. At times, the plan simply reiterates existing commitments on climate and clean energy, and details for how many of the goals will be achieved are yet to be determined. But in at least two areas, the plan sets ambitious new targets and lays a foundation for how they might be met: transportation and buildings, which account for three-quarters of the citys planet-warming emissions. On the transportation front, the mayors office hopes to reduce the amount of time Angelenos spend driving, from an average of 15 miles a day now to 13 miles by 2025, and 9 miles by 2035. More significantly from a climate change emissions standpoint, the sustainability plan calls for increasing the percentage of electric or zero-emission vehicles in the city from 1.4% last year to 25% by 2025, 80% by 2035 and 100% by 2050. The citys built environment would see big changes, too. Garcettis plan says all new buildings should be net-zero carbon by 2030, with the entire building stock converted to zero-emission technologies by 2050. Even with the falling costs of renewable energy and electric cars, Garcetti said he expects meeting the targets to be messy and difficult politically. The labor union that represents workers at the Department of Water and Power, for instance, recently protested his decision not to rebuild the three coastal gas plants. Union workers protested again Monday outside Garcettis house, saying his plan would kill jobs and raise electricity rates. A solar power facility Borrego Springs, California, that delivers electricity to San Diego Gas & Electric, seen on Feb. 11, 2019. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Garcetti also acknowledged the challenge of getting people to change their behavior, joking that Angelenos like the way they suffer in their single-passenger, stuck-in-traffic, gas-guzzling cars. But Garcetti said hes hopeful because fighting climate change, expanding the economy and improving peoples quality of life go hand in hand. The citys sustainability plan estimates the creation of 300,000 green jobs by 2035, on top of the 35,000 green jobs Garcetti says have already been created since he took office. My goal is to build such a strong coalition that the next mayor, the mayor after that, has to accelerate these goals further, Garcetti said. There will be pride in this. There will be a sense of who we are. Reducing the number of miles people drive could be especially challenging. Garcettis plan envisions making it possible largely through initiatives already underway, including a massive build-out of public transit and a proposed congestion pricing pilot that would make driving more expensive in some traffic-choked areas. L.A. takes climate change fight to the streets by pouring cooler pavement Getting drivers into zero-emission vehicles also faces hurdles. Choosing a car can be a financially fraught and intensely personal decision. But the costs of battery-powered vehicles keep falling, and city officials say they can accelerate the transition to electric cars. The mayors plan sets a target of 28,000 publicly available electric-vehicle chargers by 2028 up from 2,100 today with the city streamlining permitting for chargers, expanding rebate programs and requiring more chargers through the building code. The Department of Water and Power will also develop incentives for customers to buy used electric vehicles, according to Lauren Faber OConnor, the citys chief sustainability officer, who helped craft the mayors plan. We know that the secondary market is really important to proliferate the adoption of EVs, she said. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, EVgo Chief Executive Cathy Zoi and Culver City Mayor Thomas Small demonstrate how a Maven electric vehicle charging station works during the unveiling of EvGo network charging stations in Los Angeles on April 22. (Adam Davis / EPA/Shutterstock) The plan also mentions self-driving cars, saying the city should ensure all autonomous vehicles (AVs) used for sharing services will be electric by 2021. Garcetti expressed high hopes for driverless technology. Most people will be primarily getting into autonomous vehicles if we look 20, 30 years out. If we mandate that autonomous vehicles have to be electric, then we will move people into electric vehicles, he said. Antonio Bento, an economist who leads USCs Center for Sustainability Solutions, described the goal of 80% zero-emission cars by 2035 as overly optimistic and unlikely to be met. But setting such a lofty target could still do a world of good, Bento said, because it sends a message to the private sector that one of the globes most car-dependent cities is moving away from oil as quickly as possible. The rest of the world, when it comes to these types of policies, they look at Southern California for guidance, said Bento, who is working with former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and former state Senate leader Kevin De Leon on an initiative to help local governments speed the adoption of cleaner transportation options. What appears to be a policy set by one city could quickly grow to capture a large part of the automobile market. Garcettis goal of converting all buildings to net-zero technology by 2050 may also be a huge lift. Thats because it could require households, landlords and building owners to replace all gas-powered heating and cooling systems, clothes washers, dishwashers and stoves with electric appliances or cleaner fuels. Californias next frontier in fighting climate change: your kitchen stove But Faber OConnor, the citys chief sustainability officer, said eliminating planet-warming carbon emissions from buildings may not be as hard as it sounds. She expects building codes and rebates to do the bulk of the work, with homes and businesses installing electric appliances over time as gas-powered versions break down. State officials are also beginning to develop policies to electrify buildings, which are collectively responsible for a quarter of Californias greenhouse gas emissions. Those efforts have faced pushback from Southern California Gas Co., which sees electrification as a threat to its business model. The gas company has talked up the benefits of replacing the natural gas in its pipelines with so-called renewable gas or, eventually, hydrogen. Some researchers agree with SoCalGas that substituting cleaner fuels for gas would be easier and cheaper than swapping out gas for electricity. They include Jack Brouwer, a UC Irvine engineering professor, who has led a project to inject small amounts of hydrogen into the universitys gas pipelines. Our policy goals cannot be met without hydrogen, is my view, Brouwer said in an interview last month. Construction manager Chris Smith shows off an induction cooktop at an all-electric, solar-powered townhome development being built by City Ventures in Bellflower, on March 25. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) But most clean energy advocates and a growing number of state policymakers disagree, raising questions about the costs and available supply of renewable gas and hydrogen. In a report last summer, the California Energy Commission described a growing consensus that building electrification is the most viable and predictable path to zero-emission buildings. Faber OConnor said Los Angeles officials believe that electric will be the predominant solution, and we will be designing incentives in that direction. A study released this month by the consulting firm Energy and Environmental Economics found that newly built all-electric homes in California can save residents $130 to $540 per year, and that the vast majority of single-family homes with gas furnaces and air conditioners would save money by replacing those systems with electric heat pumps. The study modeled several major cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Jose. It was funded by three electric utilities: Southern California Edison, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Switching to electricity is cost-effective in many situations already, even before the market transformation thats going to further bring down the costs, said Pierre Delforge, a senior scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council, who helped review a draft of the electric utilities study. It doesnt mean its cost-effective everywhere yet. But its quite promising, because were right at the beginning of that technology adoption. Climate change is making us sicker and shortening our lives, doctors say Delforge said the zero-carbon building plan announced by Garcetti seems to be aligned with our climate goals, and it seems to be ambitious, particularly for existing buildings. It means we have 30 years to transition the entire building stock to zero emissions. Thats a challenge, and its important to get started now, he said. In a sign of how quickly the national dialogue around climate policy is evolving and of the urgency with which scientists describe the climate crisis some activists criticized Garcettis plan as insufficient. Sunrise Movement Los Angeles, a part of the national organization pushing for a Green New Deal, released its blunt assessment Monday that Garcettis plan is not a Green New Deal. The group said maintaining a livable climate depends on achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, much earlier than Garcettis 2050 goal. Los Angeles is on track to be twenty years too late, the group said in a written statement. L.As sustainability plan also includes a section on the citys move to 100% renewable energy, which Garcetti accelerated earlier this year when he announced his intention to shutter three gas-fired power plants along the coast. Other sections of the plan outline strategies for increasing the use of local water resources, reducing air pollution from industrial facilities and the port, and slashing emissions from waste and the food system. sammy.roth@latimes.com Twiter: @Sammy_Roth Marriott International Inc. is expanding its home-sharing business to the United States, becoming the latest hotel operator to challenge Airbnb at its own game and blurring the distinction between home sharing and the traditional hospitality companies. Marriott, the worlds largest hotel company, plans to expand the home-sharing pilot it launched in Europe last year, adding 2,000 home rentals in U.S. vacation destinations such as Lake Tahoe and Bar Harbor, Maine. The initiative is small the company has 1.3 million hotel rooms around the world but important for Marriott, because the people who stay at its hotels on business might want a rental house for a bachelor party or family vacation. For younger generations booking group travel, its not Whos in charge of the hotel? Its Whos in charge of the Airbnb? said Michael Bellisario, an analyst at Robert W. Baird & Co. Home sharing is here to stay. The best thing hotel companies can do is embrace it. Established lodging companies have increasingly sought a response to Airbnb as the app-driven service has grown from scrappy upstart to a global giant with a private market valuation of $31 billion, which is bigger than most publicly traded hotel companies. Hyatt Hotels Corp. made a strategic investment in home-sharing startup Oasis Collections in 2017, a year after Accor acquired luxury-rental company Onefinestay. Advertisement In some corners of the industry, Airbnb is viewed as a fearsome competitor with a large, diverse array of offerings and a reputation for flouting hotel taxes and local regulations. Other hospitality executives, including Marriott Chief Executive Arne Sorenson, have taken a more neutral attitude, arguing that home sharing generally attracts a different type of traveler than traditional hotels. Many of their customers are choosing to stay with them for one reason only, and thats because theyre cheap, Sorenson said in a recent interview for Bloomberg Television. Were not really in the bottom part of the market our business is never going to be to provide the cheapest stay. Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said Monday on CNBC that his company will be ready to sell shares to the public this year. Lately, the company has used its heft to expand into new parts of the hospitality business. On Monday it announced a partnership with New York-based developer RXR Realty to open luxury lodgings in iconic buildings, including 75 Rockefeller Plaza, and in March it agreed to buy hotel-listing startup HotelTonight. Marriott took an early step into the home-sharing business last May, when it launched the pilot program in London that Sorenson said would offer a better product than existing options. The company expanded to a handful of other cities in a bid to combine the home-sharing format with its loyalty program and expertise in managing hotels. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and we welcome them to the party and wish them bon voyage, Airbnb spokesman Chris Lehane said. The Wall Street Journal reported Marriotts plans earlier Monday. Alphabet Inc.s first-quarter revenue fell short of analysts estimates, sparking concern that advertisers are shifting some spending to digital rivals. Shares fell more than 6% in extended trading after Googles parent company posted the results. Sales came in at $29.5 billion, excluding payments to distribution partners, Alphabet said Monday. Wall Street expected $30.04 billion, according to the average of analysts estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Revenue from Google advertising rose 15% from a year earlier. That growth was slower than the 24% year-over-year growth in last years first quarter. The disappointing sales were also a stark contrast to scandal-plagued Facebook Inc., which last week reported a 26% jump in ad sales. Net income was $6.66 billion, or $9.50 a share, down from $9.4 billion, or $13.33 a share, in the year-earlier quarter, the Mountain View, Calif., company said. The latest results were dented by a $1.7-billion European Commission fine for antitrust violations. Excluding that, profit was $11.90 a share. Advertisement Google is usually the first place consumers go when searching for new products, which enables the internet giant to charge premium prices to retailers and other advertisers looking to reach customers online. But increasingly, people have been going straight to Amazon.com Inc. to hunt for products, and Amazon has been grabbing a larger share of the digital ad market chipping away at Googles lead. Google Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat blamed some of the growth decline on currency fluctuations. In an interview with Bloomberg TV, she also shrugged off Amazons foray into advertising and said theres still lots of room for growth for all digital ad companies because so much marketing money is still spent offline. Nearly half of ad budgets in the U.S. are still spent offline, Porat said. Ninety percent of commerce in the U.S. is offline, and we are focused on digital playing a big role in that. The number of clicks on Google ads rose 39% in the first quarter. That was the lowest year-over-year growth since 2016. The price, or cost, per click, fell 19%. Ad revenue growth was solid on mobile but barely present on desktop and tablets, according to data gathered by digital marketing agency Merkle. That contributed to the overall slowdown, said Andy Taylor, Merkles associate director of research. Its unclear how Google might be able to ramp growth back up on these device types, he said. A lot of the low-hanging fruit has long since been plucked. At the same time, Google is spending heavily to moderate videos on YouTube and to build an enterprise sales team for its cloud business. The company doesnt break out YouTube and cloud revenue, but the two are important sources of future growth. Amazon and Microsoft Corp. are well ahead of Google in the cloud market. Googles other revenue, which includes the cloud business, rose 25% to $5.45 billion. Alphabets operating margin, a closely watched profit metric, was 23%, excluding the antitrust fine. Google capital expenditures dropped sharply in the quarter, in part because of a jump in real-estate spending in the year-earlier period. Amazons digital advertising franchise has grown into the third largest in the United States, trailing only Google and Facebook, EMarketer estimates. First-quarter sales in Amazons other segment, which is mostly advertising, increased 34% to $2.72 billion, the online retailer said last week. Alphabet shares hit a record earlier Monday and closed at $1,296.20, up 24% this year. In extended trading, the shares fell 6.7%. Spanish power company Iberdrola wants to do an initial public offering (IPO) of its Brazilian unit, Neoenergia, on the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange without losing voting control. The Spanish energy company, which tried to do an IPO of the unit in 2017, owns a 52.45 percent stake in Neoenergia, the second-largest electric utility in Brazil. Neoenergias board has scheduled a special shareholders meeting on Monday in Rio de Janeiro to approve, among other things, an IPO. The plan prepared by Iberdrola, which is led by chairman and CEO Ignacio Sanchez Galan, to list Neoenergia shares on the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange without giving up voting control was bolstered by state-owned Banco do Brasil, which has a 9.34 percent interest in the power company and agreed to sell all its stock in the IPO. The third partner in Neoenergia is Previ, the Banco do Brasil employee pension fund, which has a 38.21 percent stake in the utility company and has expressed interest in the IPO. Previ, however, has not decided whether it will keep its current position or sell some stock. Banco do Brasil, for its part, made it clear in a statement sent to securities regulators on April 23 that it planned to sell its entire Neoenergia stake as part of a broader asset divestment effort by the new management team. The banks new officers were appointed by far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who took office on Jan. 1 vowing to implement market-friendly reforms and reduce the states role in the economy via the privatization of all interests in non-strategic industries. Banco do Brasil, the largest bank in this South American nation, said the share sale would depend on favorable financial market conditions domestically and internationally. In late 2017, Neoenergia scrapped an IPO after Banco do Brasil and Previ refused to accept the price range set by underwriters, arguing that the sale would generate proceeds that were below their expectations. Last week, Sanchez Galan said during a meeting with analysts that Iberdrola did not want to lose voting control over Neoenergia, but it would sell some shares in the IPO. Iberdrola owned stakes in Neoenergia and Elektro, which merged in June 2017, creating Latin Americas largest electric utility in terms of customers at 13.6 million. In June 2018, Iberdrola lost a battle with Italys Enel for control of Eletropaulo, one of the largest electric utilities in Brazil with 7 million customers and No. 1 in terms of revenues. The deal allowed Enel to reach 17 million customers in Brazil and knock Neoenergia out of the No. 1 spot as the power company with the largest ratepayer base in Brazil. Neoenergia operates in 16 of Brazils 27 states and owns electricity generation, transmission, distribution and marketing units. Anne Nemer and her best friend from college, Elizabeth Bates, had a pretty good idea of what they were walking into when they attended Tiny Beautiful Things at Pasadena Playhouse. The play, adapted by actress Nia Vardalos from Cheryl Strayeds bestselling book of the same name, revolves around Strayeds stint as the anonymous Dear Sugar online advice columnist and the words of wisdom she dispensed. The letters dealt with the usual topics strained relationships, overwhelming guilt, rejection by parents, questions of love, loss and forgiveness. But unlike the detached answers of traditional advice columnists, Strayed best known for her memoir Wild dug deep into her own colorful past to share from-the-heart meditations about her life, taking advice-seekers by the hand on their path to answers. Nemer and Bates, both 35, were fans of Strayed and the Dear Sugars podcast, buying tickets after learning about the production from Strayeds Instagram account. Still, it was a surprise for the two friends when they, as well as others in the audience, were swept away by emotions and unable to hold back tears. Advertisement Everyone related to at least one of the letters I dont think you could escape that, Nemer said after the show. Thats the beautiful thing the voice reaches out, but its not her voice, its everyones voice. Since its earliest incarnations, theater has demonstrated its power to delight, surprise and break hearts in a single performance. But what motivates people to go to a public place, surrounded by strangers, and pay money to cry? Why do they pay to feel uncomfortable? Or maybe scared out of their wits? We have the kind of brain that is wired to learn from other peoples experiences and to simulate or imagine experiences that we havent fully explored in our everyday lives, said Lisa Barrett, university distinguished professor of psychology at Northeastern University and author of How Emotions Are Made. We can imagine ourselves to be different people, to be in different situations, at different points in time, by merely watching or listening to someone else tell a story. This is part of the reason why narratives and stories are so powerful for humans. Nia Vardalos in Tiny Beautiful Things, which she adapted from Cheryl Strayeds book of the same name. (Jenny Graham) REVIEW: In Tiny Beautiful Things, an advice columnist mines her own mistakes Vardalos, who originated the role of Sugar at the Public Theater in 2016 and returned to portray Strayeds alter ego in Pasadena, recalls meeting a man after a performance who told her that he lost his brother when he was young but never felt he had permission to grieve his siblings death. Now, there isnt a piece in the play about losing a brother, she noted, but he found something that applied to him and made it personal. Strayed, who took on Dear Sugar while awaiting edits on Wild, thinks of the column as literary essays about what it means to be human and likens the exchanges to therapy in the town square. The letters people are writing to me is the story of them its the story of their suffering, their sorrow, their conundrum, their secret, Strayed said by phone from her home in Portland, Ore. Then I give them a story back, to say, let me give you another story so yours can be, in some way, illuminated or altered. Once that story exchange is made public, whether it be in the form of the column online or in the book or the play, other stories pile on top of it, because all of the people who are witnessing those stories have their own stories. For Julie Fisher of Studio City, who attended the play with her husband, Mark, 63, and friends Linda and Dan Molino of Burbank, the letters hit close to home. There are certain emotions that everyone has experienced, like the loss of a parent, and its hard, she said. It brought back so many memories of that really long, difficult period, and then the tears just flowed. Her husband, on the other hand, said that while he enjoyed the play, he had a harder time relating to the deep emotions of the performance. Im envious of the ability of people to give in to their emotions, he said, though he admitted, I can sit at home and every week as we watch This Is Us, and Im bawling on the couch. Now, would I get quite as emotional in a public place? Probably not. But on my couch, Im bawling every week. That response would come as no surprise to Carl Wilson, the music critic for Slate, who has been writing about sentimentality in art for some time, and is working on a book about what makes people cry over art. Its easy for us to talk about comedy and about laughing over comedy, and nobody questions our physical responses. But, for a long time, crying was something people felt guilty about and were a little less willing to discuss, he said. Its a funny hierarchy we have. I think it goes back to the same things that made people tell men not to cry, this sort of shame around vulnerability. Giovanni Adams, left, Nia Vardalos and Natalie Woolams-Torres in Tiny Beautiful Things at Pasadena Playhouse. (Jenny Graham) I had a responsibility to give the audience the right to know they had permission to feel anything they wanted to feel. Nia Vardalos Tiny Beautiful Things is far from a cry-fest. Though it contains intense, gut-wrenching moments, Vardalos sprinkles in lighter touches to allow the audience to take a breath. The actress, best known for My Big Fat Greek Wedding, conceived the play with her longtime friend, director Thomas Kail (Hamilton), and writer Marshall Heyman. Vardalos, a veteran of Chicagos Second City comedy troupe, said she struggled to find the perfect tonal balance when selecting letters for the play. Holed up in her tiny office in Los Angeles, Vardalos and Kail went through the book and wrote the titles of the letters on Post-It notes, shifting them around on the wall as they stitched together the story they hoped to tell. Strayed, who didnt know the pair prior to the project, was invited in later to offer notes on the work-in-progress. I had a responsibility to give the audience the right to know they had permission to feel anything they wanted to feel, Vardalos said, so I added some comedy in the beginning, to let them know that later, when some comedic pieces would occur, they could experience and let go of the tension they might be feeling from the more serious pieces. Its a lesson she learned from seeing Julia Sweeney perform God Said Ha! You can take people to the brink of tears and then let them know they can laugh and its not cheap, she said. Its just life. And in Strayeds case, its her life, playing out on the stage. The author has seen various productions of Tiny Beautiful Things as they popped up around the country. And though she said watching someone on stage declare, My name is Cheryl Strayed may be the weirdest thing Ive ever experienced in my life, she is always moved by the experience. Nia is not me, but the life thats shes reenacting and embodying, those are my most intimate things. Im talking about my deepest sorrows and my deepest losses and my deepest errors of growth or experiences of transformation, she said. Sometimes Im sitting in an audience, and I can almost observe it from a distance I listen to people laugh; I listen to people cry. Other times, I immerse myself in the experience, and Im right there with them, laughing and crying, Strayed said. Theres something about sitting in a room witnessing people sort of relentlessly talk about their inner lives and their deepest, secret sorrows and losses and their vulnerabilities that makes us eventually open up. Thats what I always hoped my work would do. I really wanted people to feel their lives, reckon with their lives, to think about what made them. I find it very beautiful. Teddy Canez in Tiny Beautiful Things. (Jenny Graham) We look for things that move us and connect us in a deeper way than a movie or a book or anything else can. Danny Feldman, producing artistic director of Pasadena Playhouse Tiny Beautiful Things is set in Sugars well-worn home, cluttered with indications of the busy family that lives within stacked dishes in the sink, toys strewn about the floor, a basket with laundry waiting to be folded. Three other actors wander about as they give voice to the various letter writers and, at times, serve as a Greek chorus. While writing the play, Vardalos made a conscious effort to ensure future casts would be diverse and represent the community, another way of connecting with audiences. I wanted to create a piece that would go on and on, because there is a dearth of material for women in their 40s. Period. This role is not defined by ethnicity, by age, by past experiences. Each woman who plays Sugar will inform it with the sum total of her own life experience, Vardalos said. I write in the playwrights notes, please cast the others as a reflection of the general population. We love white men. I work with them. Theyre great people. But there are other people to cast. Lets open our eyes. Pasadena Playhouse producing artistic director Danny Feldman had read Strayeds book and knew before reading or seeing the play that he wanted to program it. After Tiny Beautiful Things bowed at the Public, he reached out to Vardalos, whom he had met years earlier, then continued to email her every few months until the rights were available. I stalked her, he said, laughing. The power of this play, and theater in general, he said, is its ability to connect people and reinforce all the ways we are the same. As we get less and less connected in our daily lives, that inherent need to be together is more relevant and important than ever, he said. We look for things that move us and connect us in a deeper way than a movie or a book or anything else can. Live performance, of course, heightens emotions in ways that cant be felt in a movie theater or by watching television. Its the difference between viewing a Metropolitan Opera performance at the cineplex or streaming a live concert on a television or computer. Hearing words spoken live, as opposed to reading them in a book particularly when they involve personal thoughts or exchanges provides an additional layer of intimacy. The reason people are crying when they watch the play isnt because that character onstage had something sad happen to him; its because something is tapped in the audience members own heart. When somebody tells us about their suffering, we feel empathy for them, Strayed said. Theres something about hearing other people cry that makes us more likely to cry. Thats empathy in action. Bates and Nemer, who each attend theater regularly, say theyre always aware of their surroundings when they get emotional, but they dont really think about neighboring audience members. Its one of my favorite parts of going to the theater because youre sitting there having a human experience among other humans, Bates said. Theres nothing more universal than that. Youre all together, and it brings us closer together as people. ===== Tiny Beautiful Things Where: Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Drive, Pasadena When: 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m Sunday; ends Sunday. Tickets: Start at $25 Info: (626) 356-7529, pasadenaplayhouse.org Running time: 1 hour, 25 minutes ===== Support our coverage of local theater by becoming a digital subscriber. See all of our latest arts news and reviews at latimes.com/arts. Glaciers around the world are endangered, that we know. Statistics on climate change and measurements of retreating ice bear this out. What to do about it? How to combat indifference and its corollary, inaction? How to stimulate people out of their environmental compassion fatigue? One way is to convert abstract information about the catastrophe into visible proof, proof that startles and leaves an itch under the skin. Simon Norfolks show Shroud at Gallery Luisotti in Santa Monica is a provocative example. Just six large color photographs are on view. All are stunning. Cumulatively, they form an articulate essay, a dramatic lament and an urgent appeal. The first picture you encounter is intentionally baffling. A full-frame view of patched-together fabric, it suggests some sort of Wagnerian theatrical spectacle or maybe Christos latest wrapping project. Simon Norfolk, Shroud (1), 2018. Fuji Crystal Maxima print mounted to Dibond aluminum, 40 inches by 50 inches (Simon Norfolk) Advertisement The material, as we discern from the subsequent images, covers several square kilometers of the Rhone Glacier in Switzerland. A thermal blanket, it absorbs the suns heat and slows the glacial melt. The effort isnt part of a large-scale public or governmental initiative but a matter of private enterprise. For more than a century, tourists have been able to explore the glacier from inside a human-carved ice cave there. The family that runs the attraction started laying down the thermal blanket 20 years ago to protect the glacier and their livelihood from vanishing. Norfolk was commissioned to photograph the site by Project Pressure, a 10-year-old organization dedicated to raising consciousness through pictures about the threats to glaciers worldwide. He worked with the nonprofits founder and director, Klaus Thymann, to shoot the surreal scene, at the rosy hours of dawn and dusk, with the help of a balloon-mounted light. In one photograph, a pointed rise of ice is hooded by the blanket, like a mysterious, if not menacing, character. The lake adjacent is new to the landscape, the glacier gone liquid. In another picture, the rugged ridge line in the distance is countered by a nearer, softer horizon under draped fabric. And in another, the blanket sheathes mounds that read as bodies, and Shroud comes to serve as a title for our own death wrap, not just the ices. Simon Norfolk, Shroud (2), 2018. Fuji Crystal Maxima print mounted to Dibond aluminum, 40 inches by 50 inches (Simon Norfolk) ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: How one phrase is powering L.A.s cultural explosion Throughout, the ragged, torn tenting assumes the violet and peach tints of the sky, or the gleaming blue of what it protects. The beauty is jarring. Norfolk, who is based in Kabul, Afghanistan, and Hove, England, has long focused on injured landscapes, sites of human-inflicted trauma and the unfolding aftermath of war. Here, he turns to a small act of repair, an act so relative to the scope of the environmental problem as to be absurd. Its this futility, the tiny bandage of a gesture, that is most relatable. It personalizes what can otherwise seem too daunting and vast to grasp, an extinction of our own making. Gallery Luisotti, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. Tuesdays-Saturdays, through May 31. (310) 453-0043 www.galleryluisotti.com Simon Norfolk, Shroud (5), 2018. Fuji Crystal Maxima print mounted to Dibond aluminum, 40 inches by 50 inches (Simon Norfolk) Support our coverage of local artists and the local arts scene by becoming a digital subscriber. See all of our latest arts news and reviews at latimes.com/arts. When The Daily Show host Trevor Noah stopped by The Times office for a video interview in late April, 18 Democrats had announced plans to run for president. That field now numbers 20 and the Iowa caucuses are still nearly 10 months away. Its just tomorrow, Noah says, smiling. Its just tomorrow. Noah has already welcomed senators Kamala Harris and Bernie Sanders on The Daily Show, leading thoughtful and often funny conversations with the candidates. The Daily Show, along with Stephen Colberts The Late Show, has become an essential stop for presidential candidates looking to connect with voters. Noah knows this and realizes that politicians arrive at The Daily Show armed with talking points. His job, he says, is to steadily chip away at the canned sentiments and get to the human being behind them. Every politician is selling themselves, trying to get the job, Noah says. What Im trying to do is ask the questions that the employer a.k.a. the voter should be asking. I think a lot of politicians focus too much on how much they can remember or how many facts they can regurgitate but not enough on the message. What are they actually saying? Advertisement The South African-born comedian says doing stand-up gigs helps him get out of New York and see more of America and Americans. Noah took over hosting The Daily Show four years ago, relieving (a grateful) Jon Stewart in the run-up to Donald Trumps eventual election. The South African-born comedian says he and his staff have a game plan going into the 2020 election. The campaign is not one single story, Noah says. Its a journey of little stories that get you to the final ending. All Im doing right now is focusing on what story were telling our audience every week. What is in the news? How does it apply to you? Which parts offend you and which parts affect you? Because Ive realized theres a difference between the two. In the video conversation, Noah also reflects on taking over for Stewart (I was plagued by doubt), how his extensive stand-up touring feeds both The Daily Show and his soul and the vital role laughter plays both in processing the news and assessing candidates. It reminds us of who we are, Noah says of laughter. You cant fake anything when you are yourself. Your laugh is ugly, your laugh is snorty, your laugh is crass, your laugh is loud, your laugh is giggly. It is who you are. Thats what I love about a laugh. So getting a presidential candidate to laugh in a moment I feel that it opens them up. You see them come alive. You can watch the full interview below. And, yes, theres a fair amount of chuckling involved. The South African-born comedian talks interviewing presidential candidates, meeting Americans, and his shows relationship with the Trump administration. glenn.whipp@latimes.com Twitter: @glennwhipp WARNING: This post freely discusses that thing Captain America did during Avengers: Endgame. Do not read any farther if you havent seen the record-breaking movie: Major spoilers ahead. It was no secret that Avengers: Endgame would likely be the swan song for a number of major characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Chris Evans bid an emotional farewell to Captain America after his filming wrapped for Endgame in October. So despite the movies co-director Joe Russos subsequent claim that Evans was not done yet, it seemed like Endgame would mark some sort of conclusion to Steve Rogers journey. And it did. Advertisement Endgame saw Steve choose to live happily ever after in the past after closing up a few time loopholes the Avengers created when they borrowed the Infinity Stones from various parts of their timeline. Returning to see his superhero pals as an old man in present day 2023, he passed on the Captain America shield and mantle to his friend Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie). Considering he left on a mission to restore the integrity of the timeline, Steves choice to reunite with Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) and create a life in the past is a bit puzzling. But the MCUs rules of time travel themselves are a bit confusing, so lets assume Steve was extra careful and instead focus on the emotional payoff of seeing the pair finally have a chance at being happy together. Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) in Captain America: The First Avenger. (Jay Maidment / Marvel Studios) But on top of the romance factor, Steves retirement also appears to set the stage for the MCUs future. Comic book fans know that Sam and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) have always been the top contenders to carry on Steves legacy whenever the time came. Both characters stories have long been tied to Steves and each has taken over as Captain America at various points in Marvels comics continuity. In comics, Bucky took on the mantle of Captain America in the aftermath of the 2006-07 Civil War storyline following Steves assassination (at least until Steves death was undone a couple of years later). Sam Wilson as the All-New Captain America by Rick Remender and Stuart Immonen. (Marvel) Sometime after Steve reclaimed his identity as Captain America, a villain neutralized the effects of the super-soldier serum and caused him to advance to his actual age. Eventually, this older Steve officially appointed Sam to take over as Captain America, signature shield and all. Sams transition into Captain America came when Marvel was launching a number of books with more inclusive iterations of classic characters such as Kamala Khan as the new Ms. Marvel and Jane Foster taking over the mantle of Thor. In addition to headlining his own comic series (Captain America: Sam Wilson) and leading a new lineup of the Avengers, Sam strove to be a Captain America who was more than just a symbol. He was a Captain America who understood oppression and racism firsthand. While Sam eventually relinquished the shield and title back to Steve, there was an undeniable significance to Sam actually being called Captain America and not just Falcon with Caps shield as he pushed for his own ideals. Because the Captain America films spent significant time developing Bucky and Steves relationship, there was reason to believe that Steve couldve handed over his shield to his oldest friend. But if the MCU is indeed moving to be more diverse in its next phase, Sam a black character who until now has been relegated to being a sidekick was the most logical choice to become the next Captain America. That said, not much is known about the next phase of the MCU and its not certain whether Sam or Bucky will appear in any of the future films. Mackie and Stan are confirmed to star as Sam and Bucky in their own Disney+ series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which is due for release sometime in the first year of the forthcoming streaming service. If that series takes place after the events of Endgame, maybe well even see a title change to reflect Sams new superhero identity. tracy.brown@latimes.com Twitter: @tracycbrown For the last week, Ive been riding the No. 2 Metro bus back and forth between UCLA and downtown Los Angeles. The route connects some of L.A.s richest ZIP codes to some of its poorest, the eastbound route starting in Westwood and taking Sunset Boulevard all the way downtown, where it terminates in front of a Jack in the Box on a block that always smells like urine. An estimated 1.6 million people ride the bus in L.A. County every day, even though its not the smoothest ride, or the quietest. The bus clanks and creaks its way down Sunset, sometimes howling like a TIE fighter, other times merely roaring like a commercial jet. It stops with a symphony of delicate squeals, and sometimes curtsies to let people with wheelchairs and canes get out. As a freshman at UCLA, back when rides only cost $1.25, I rode this line all the way to Chinatown whenever I craved dim sum; to Echo Park Lake, near where I had elote and huitlacoche in a blue corn quesadilla; down Broadway Avenue past what was then the L.A. Times building, and dreamed of working there someday. Advertisement (Lorena Elebee / Los Angeles Times) The bus helped me let go of the fantasy of sunshine and palm trees that I and so many other transplants arrive with. The windows put the beauty and inequality of the city on a single roll of film, walls of greenery hiding palatial homes giving way to pastel pink, yellow and gray stucco marked with graffiti. At night, the view became a Technicolor neon smear. What I most appreciated about the bus, and what I think a lot of us love about the idea of public transit, is the people. Because a city is its people, and in L.A., people are from everywhere and go through everything. Poverty, mental illness, struggle, exhaustion and kaleidoscopic diversity the bus makes you look all of that in the face. According to a recent survey, 92% of Metros bus riders are people of color, and 66% of riders are Latino. The median income of riders is $16,218. The bus is an environmentally friendly commute, but more importantly, its a safety net most people ride the bus in L.A. because they have no other option. Here are some of the people I met this past week: elderly Armenian men, a Filipino woman with three grandchildren, Korean students commuting to UCLA, even a Japanese woman in a kimono accompanied by a Japanese man who was so incongruously large that I had to resist asking him if he was a sumo wrestler. (They spoke Japanese. English only gets you so far on the bus.) I met Danetta and Angela Bates, a pair of black women wearing matching white T-shirts and jeans, who happened to be twins. Danetta, 60, had restaurant recommendations, and encouraged me to take my mother to the $20 all-you-can-eat seafood buffet at King Buffet on Western. And the bulgogi is to die for, she said. On every bus I rode, there were Latina women in practical outfits and comfortable shoes, headed to jobs cleaning houses and hotel rooms on the Westside. Many seemed to know one another. They tapped on shoulders and smiled, shared seats and laughed at their childrens Instagram posts. I always tried to speak with them but most just smiled kindly and said no English. Defeated, I return later with a Spanish-speaking reporter, Melissa Gomez, who strikes up a conversation with Adela, 60. Adela, who declined to give her last name because of privacy concerns, commutes to the Westside twice a week for her job cleaning houses. A lot of the women riding the bus are doing the same. Today shes headed to a three-bed, 3-bathroom place. Shell wash and change the sheets in the rooms, mop each surface and vacuum. Its tough on her back. She doesnt get home until 7 p.m. During the two-hour ride, she often stares out the window and thinks about her family back in Chiapas, Mexico. Her mother is getting older, and Adela wants to be with her. Maybe next year, after she saves up enough money. Maybe in two years. One house at a time. On another westbound ride with the green walls of Beverly Hills rushing by, Jonath Acosta, his mom, Valentina, and I are the only people left on the bus. I cant help but recoil when they tell me theyre coming from Rowland Heights, about 50 miles away. They nod emphatically. We commiserate about the traffic on the 60 Freeway for a while, once rated the fifth most congested stretch of road in the state. Jonath Acosta. (Jonath Acosta) Jonath, 19, is tall and gangly with dyed blond hair that falls past his ears. Hes headed to UCLA for a blood test. Three years ago he was diagnosed with a rare disease in which blood-filled blisters form on his lungs and burst, causing intense pain, suffocation and weakness. His lungs have been collapsed twice. Actually, he said, the disease is so rare that his doctor may name the condition after him, which hes pretty happy about, all things considering. Jonath wants to study business at Mt. San Antonio College and go into real estate, but hes got to get better first. The best doctors, everyone tells them, are at UCLA. So a few times a month, he and his mom spend the entire day on the bus. They leave home by 7 a.m. and dont get back until 5 p.m. On a gray Monday morning, westbound on the 2, I meet Paul Hughes, 61, and his wife, Paulina, 69, of South Los Angeles. Paul is traveling to West Hollywood, where he works as a handyman, and Paulina is just hanging out. The route spurs reminiscing. On Broadway, Paulina points out Valerias Bridal, where she bought her wedding dress. At the Los Angeles Theatre, Paul watched Super Fly, the original starring Ron ONeal, with the Curtis Mayfield soundtrack. We pass the old Herald-Examiner building, where Paulina used to work security, and Paul used to deliver papers. They didnt know each other then the couple met at a party 11 years ago, they tell me. A friend of mine introduced me to her, and that was it, says Paul. Their eyes meet for a moment, and they laugh. As we lurch along Sunset, Paulina rests her head on Pauls shoulder and closes her eyes. Paul is carrying her purse, as well as a stuffed elephant that Paulina likes to have with her. Near Historic Filipinotown, Paul talks about joining the Navy after he finished high school, and about shore leave in Manila, where he tried fried chicken feet for the first time. And lumpia man, I could eat a billion lumpia, he said. Paul knows a lot about the city. He points out Gower Gulch, a Western-style strip mall, and informs me that actual cowboys used to hang out there as they waited to be hired as extras in Hollywood westerns. And did I know that the bus system used to be called Rapid Transit District? He used to work as a machinist, but he got laid off. His hips started hurting, and for a while, Paul and Paulina were homeless, like a lot of people who ride the bus 61% of Metro bus riders live below the poverty line. As we pass a new apartment complex (the marketing poster reads This place is perf) Paul tells me how theyre back on their feet now and staying in a room at a friends house. Theyre applying for Section 8 housing, but even if they get it, he doesnt know if theyll be able to find a place in Los Angeles. The people that live here, its just a lot of money, man, Paul says. Heading east that same day, I meet Byron Wade Taylor, a 35-year-old supervisor at Gwen, a restaurant in Hollywood. I comment on his palm tree tattoo and ready a snarky joke. But Byron explains that living in South Los Angeles for the last five years, hes seen chaos, drama and violence. Every day he sees the palm trees stand tall above everything. They bend in storms and high winds, but they never break. He sees the trees as an example. Displaying a palm tree tattoo on his right forearm, Byron Wade Taylor waits for the No. 2 Metro Bus at Broadway and 5th Street to get to his job at Gwen restaurant in Hollywood. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) Byron has been in and out of prison ever since he was young. Hes been a drug addict and a bad father to his first son in Texas. In 2010 he got out of prison for the last time. He decided to move to Los Angeles to be a father to his newborn son. But he couldnt quit smoking weed, and didnt work to support the family. His ex-wife stopped letting him visit his son, Elijah. For a year, Byron Wade Taylor tapped out stories on his phone while riding the No. 2 Metro Bus. After improvising one tale for son Elijah, the 35-year-old father decided to complete a trilogy with parables for his boy and some for himself. (Byron Wade Taylor) He decided to quit drugs completely. He enrolled in a jobs program at Chrysalis. He and his ex-wife went to court. Last June, he won visitation rights. He moved to an apartment five blocks from Elijahs house, so they could walk to each others houses. One night, Elijah asked for a story. Byron made one up on the spot. He was pleased with the story, and kept writing it, tapping it out on his phone during bus rides to the restaurant. He wrote for a whole year. The story became a trilogy, with parables for his son, and sometimes for himself. In The Adventures of Aya and Dada, he and his son are talking dogs that travel the world and go on adventures. One of the villains is a giant snake named Pride, to remind Taylor that he cannot be too proud to mop the floor or wash dishes. One plot line has them seeking a treasure that turns out to be a rare flower named Chrysalis, named for the program that gave him a second chance. My joke about palm trees was long forgotten. I said the only thing I could think of. Man, that is the most meaningful palm tree tattoo Ive ever seen. Times staff writer Melissa Gomez contributed to this report. Long known as a law-and-order prosecutor, Atty. Gen. William Barr is under fire from critics who say he acted more as a partisan advocate for President Trump than an impartial law enforcement officer when he released the special counsel report into Russias interference in the 2016 election. In scheduled back-to-back congressional hearings this week, Democrats will have their first chance to grill Barr since he stood at the Justice Department podium on April 18 and repeatedly declared that special counsel Robert S. Mueller III had found no collusion between Trump and the Kremlin-backed operation. Trump has relentlessly made that claim in tweets and speeches, although Muellers report avoided using the term collusion, explaining that it is not a crime or even a term recognized in federal law. Two weeks earlier, Barr also went further than Mueller in a letter to Congress by saying Trump hadnt obstructed justice by attempting to interfere with the investigation. In fact, Mueller did not make a recommendation on the issue, saying it was up to Congress to act or for prosecutors to consider after Trump leaves office. Advertisement Democrats and former prosecutors also are baffled by Barrs recent description of court-authorized eavesdropping in 2016 as spying, the politically loaded term Trump uses to criticize the Justice Department and the Obama administration. It permanently tarnishes his reputation, said Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.), a member of the House Oversight Committee. Im not sure why somebody wants to do this after a long career. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, questioned whether Barr had secretly signed on as a paid federal public defender for President Trump. Barr, 68, is scheduled to appear Wednesday before the Republican-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee. He is expected to face tougher questioning on Thursday before the House Judiciary Committee, which is controlled by Democrats. Barr has not withdrawn, but aides said he might not attend because the panels leadership wants to allow committee lawyers to do some of the questioning, rather than just lawmakers. Our position is that its a congressional hearing, therefore members do the questioning, a Justice Department official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about ongoing negotiations over Barrs appearance, said Sunday. The witness is not going to tell the committee how to conduct its hearing, period, said Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), the panels chairman. Republicans have praised Barrs handling of the special counsel investigation and defended his summary of Muellers report as fair. Barr should be commended for his commitment to transparency and keeping the American people informed, consistent with the law and our national security interests, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in a statement. Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Mueller and supervised his work, praised Barr as a brilliant and principled conservative lawyer in a Time magazine essay. With Bill Barr at the helm, Rosenstein wrote, the rule of law is secure. Barr has thus found himself at the crux of a divisive political battle as Democrats and Republicans seek to capitalize on Muellers report. Trump has defended his actions in a torrent of tweets. After initially claiming Muellers report offered a total exoneration, he reversed course the next day and denounced it as total bullshit prepared by Angry Dems and Trump haters. Mueller determined that Russian operatives hacked Democratic Party computer networks, leaked tens of thousands of private emails, and ran a divisive social media campaign in an effort to help elect Trump and hurt his rival, Democrat Hillary Clinton. U.S. intelligence agencies had previously reached the same conclusion. The 22-month investigation did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities, Mueller wrote, though he noted those campaign officials expected to benefit from Moscows assistance. Mueller, a Republican and former FBI director, also wrote that his team found substantial evidence that Trump took actions intended to thwart the investigation. While this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him, he wrote. Special counsel Robert S. Mueller III brushes off a reporter on April 21. He hasnt spoken publicly about the investigation. (Andrew Harnik / Associated Press) In his news conference before releasing the report, Barr said Trumps actions should be viewed in context. He said Trump had sought to influence the investigation because it was interfering with his duties as president, not because he wanted to disrupt its course. There is substantial evidence to show that the president was frustrated and angered by a sincere belief that the investigation was undermining his presidency, Barr said. Barr also appeared to mischaracterize Muellers rationale for not reaching a determination on whether Trump had obstructed justice, a crime. He said a longstanding Justice Department legal opinion that a president could not be indicted while in office did not weigh heavily in Muellers analysis. He also said Mueller did not leave it to Congress to decide whether Trump tried to thwart the investigation. In his report, however, Mueller prominently cited restrictions from that legal opinion and said Congress could determine if Trump was culpable as part of our constitutional system of checks and balances and the principle that no person is above the law. Former prosecutors and legal scholars say Barr went too far in glossing over Muellers detailed and nuanced findings. He seemed to take on a role of a publicist for the president instead of the attorney general, said Steven Levin, a former federal prosecutor. He certainly engaged in spin. Jonathan Turley, a George Washington University Law professor and a friend of Barrs, said the attorney general erred in seeming to defend Trumps behavior. His comments seemed more analytical than descriptive, he wrote in an email. Turley added that Barr fulfilled his pledge to release as much as he could in the report. About 12% of the 448-page report was redacted to protect grand jury testimony, ongoing investigations and other protected material. Barr also has come under fire for his description of court-authorized surveillance on Carter Page, a former Trump campaign advisor, in the summer and fall of 2016. The warrant was repeatedly approved by federal judges. Trump and his backers have accused the FBI, Justice Department and Obama administration of illegal spying. Barr echoed that charge before the Senate Appropriations Committee on April 10, saying he thought spying on a political campaign is a big deal before adding that he believed such spying did occur. He later clarified his comments. The question is whether it was adequately predicated, he testified, and Im not suggesting that it wasnt adequately predicated, but I need to explore that. The clarification didnt stop the Trump campaign from issuing fundraising appeals asserting that AG Barr believes the Obama admin illegally spied on Trump. The Justice Departments inspector general is investigating the genesis of the Russia investigation and the FBIs surveillance activities. It should conclude its probe in May or June, Barr has said. Mary McCord, a top prosecutor in the Justice Departments National Security Division until early 2017, criticized Barrs poor use of words. I dont know where this spin is coming from that the bureau was unlawfully surveilling people, she said. Barr took office in February, replacing Jeff Sessions, a former Republican senator from Alabama who was an early Trump backer and surrogate in the campaign. Trump had repeatedly berated Sessions for recusing himself from the Russia probe because of his role in the campaign. Barrs nomination drew support from some Democrats as well as legal scholars who were relieved the president had selected a stalwart of the Republican legal establishment. Barr had served as attorney general and deputy attorney general in the George H.W. Bush administration. Democrats pressed him during his latest confirmation hearing over a memo he wrote in 2018 that argued Muellers scrutiny of whether Trump obstructed justice was based on a fatally flawed legal theory. Barr ultimately won his Senate confirmation with just three Democratic votes. When he was first confirmed as attorney general, in 1991, he was approved unanimously by a voice vote. Los Angeles County officials dealing with a measles outbreak say they expect that more people will be diagnosed with the illness in the coming weeks, while the nation stares down what will likely be its worst measles year in decades. But where are these cases coming from? The U.S. declared measles eliminated in 2000, and the virus does not regularly circulate here. Officials say that every person diagnosed with measles in the U.S. either contracts it abroad or from someone who got it abroad. In the past few years, American tourists have become more likely to encounter measles because of massive outbreaks in other countries, experts say. The World Health Organization reported that measles cases worldwide increased 300% in the first three months of 2019 compared with the previous year. In countries such as the Philippines, Ukraine and India, tens of thousands of people come down with measles each year, according to the agency. Advertisement The problem is compounded when unvaccinated American travelers bring measles back to communities with low vaccination rates, where the disease can rapidly spread, experts say. The nations biggest outbreak this year began when travelers to Israel contracted measles, which then gained a foothold in an unvaccinated segment of New Yorks ultra-Orthodox Jewish community. This is a worldwide problem, this isnt just a U.S. problem, said California state Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), a pediatrician who advocates for stricter vaccination laws . It also shows that we are constantly being bombarded by these diseases theyre looking for a crack, or a way to get in. Hundreds still quarantined L.A. County officials declared a measles outbreak last week, which led to more than 1,000 people being told to stay home because they may have been exposed to the virus. As of Monday afternoon, 27 UCLA students and 221 Cal State L.A. students and staff remained under quarantine due to the outbreak, according to university officials. If they dont have measles symptoms, the UCLA students will be released Tuesday and the Cal State L.A. students Thursday, county officials say. RELATED: Anxious to slow measles spread, California officials turn to quarantines The problems began when an L.A. County resident visited Vietnam earlier this year and contracted measles, said L.A. County health officer Dr. Muntu Davis. That person then spread measles to three other people in L.A. County. A fifth case of measles popped up in L.A. County after a resident took a trip to Thailand, he said. Theres a high number of cases in many other countries and people are traveling more, Davis said in a call with reporters. We expect that we may see more cases of measles inside Los Angeles County. Of the five people sick with measles in L.A. County, one is a Cal State L.A. student and one is a UCLA student, but Davis would not specify further for privacy reasons. Officials advised that anyone leaving the country has the two recommended doses of the measles vaccine, which are together estimated to be 97% effective. None of the five people had both doses, they said. If youre traveling internationally, your risk is much, much higher right now, said L.A. County acute communicable disease control director Dr. Sharon Balter. In California, 14 of 38 people with measles this year became sick while visiting other countries, including India, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Ukraine, according to state health officials. Four of those people infected 22 other people in the state, most of whom werent vaccinated, they said. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world, so just one case can lead to hundreds more, experts say. The lower the vaccination rates in the neighborhood where measles appears, the more people who will end up catching it, said Dr. Mark Roberts, chair of health policy and management at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. What matters is not the case that starts it, what matters is how many people that one case infects, Roberts said. L.A. County officials said that one measles case could spread to 600 people within a few weeks if steps were not taken to quarantine people who were exposed and may develop measles. As of Monday, officials had not reported that any quarantined people had shown measles symptoms. California tends to have higher-than-average vaccination rates, which may have spared the state from the big outbreaks elsewhere in the country. California has one of the strictest vaccination laws in the country, passed in the wake of a measles outbreak at Disneyland in 2014. We do see things popping up, said Pan, who authored the vaccine law. So far, it seems like none of these individual instances have really taken hold in a way where they have blossomed into an outbreak of 50 or 100 people. Links to Philippines Californias biggest outbreak is in Butte County, about 90 miles north of Sacramento. That cluster, which now includes 16 people, began when a man visited the Philippines, according to state health officials. (The Disneyland outbreak from 2014 is also thought to be linked to the Philippines.) The Philippines is in the midst of a massive measles outbreak, fueled by fears of the side effects of vaccines, according to the World Health Organization. For the first time, the agency in 2019 named vaccine hesitancy one of the worlds greatest health threats. In the first three months of this year, 355 people died of measles in the Philippines and another 25,000 were diagnosed with the illness, according to the agency. By contrast, in the U.S. a country three times bigger than the Philippines no one has died of measles this year and 704 people have been diagnosed with the illness so far. Still, its imperative that as many people as possible in the United States become vaccinated to protect those who cannot be immunized or for whom immunization does not work, said Johns Hopkins infectious disease professor Clare Rock. Not long ago, the nations vaccination rates were high enough that measles could not spread here at all, she said. But now clusters of unvaccinated people can allow the disease to take hold, she said. It seems like now were in a situation where we dont have the same levels of vaccination that weve had in the past, and that means a lot of our population is vulnerable, she said. soumya.karlamangla@latimes.com Twitter: @skarlamangla The man accused of opening fire at a Poway, Calif., synagogue was charged Monday with murder and three counts of attempted murder all with hate crime allegations as well as arson for a fire at an Escondido mosque. According to the district attorneys office, John T. Earnest, 19, has been charged with one count of murder with a hate crime special circumstance and gun allegations, three counts of attempted murder with hate crime and gun allegations, and arson of a house of worship. Earnest will be arraigned Tuesday in San Diego County Superior Court. He will be represented by the public defenders office, and attorneys there met briefly with him Monday morning. Meanwhile, the FBI said Monday that it had received a tip about a manifesto written by Earnest minutes before he opened fire, but that it was too late to take action. Advertisement The FBI told the Associated Press that the tips included a link to a post, but didnt offer specific information about its author or the location threatened. The bureau says its employees immediately took action to identify who wrote the post, but the shooting took place before they finished. The attack Saturday morning killed one person and injured three others, including the chabads rabbi. Authorities say Earnest planned his attack on the Poway synagogue for weeks, inspired by the horrific acts that preceded the Poway attack: mass shootings at a synagogue in Pittsburgh and at two mosques in New Zealand. Authorities arrested him soon after the shooting in Poway. Earnest appears to have left a nine-page manifesto filled with racist rants and details of his personal life. The Rancho Penasquitos resident wrote that he is a nursing student from the depths of California. In the document, titled an open letter, Earnest said he was inspired by Brenton Tarrant, the Australian white nationalist who is accused of killing 50 people in attacks on mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on March 15. It was the worst mass shooting in that countrys modern history. That shooting, Earnest wrote, led to his decision four weeks ago to attack the Chabad in Poway. How long did it take you to plan the attack? Four weeks. Four weeks ago, I decided I was doing this. Four weeks later, I did it, the manifesto said. An anti-Semitic letter revealed the authors disgust for Jews and a desire to kill them. Earnest, who is white, said he was willing to sacrifice his future for the sake of my people. The suspect also championed Robert Bowers who is accused of killing 11 people and wounding six more in the Tree of Life shooting in Pittsburgh six months ago as well as Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. He identifies himself as a man of European descent. He does not claim any political labels, but asserts that Jews seek to doom the white race. In the screed, which is filled with quotes from the Bible, Earnest also appears to take credit for an arson attack at an Escondido mosque the week after the New Zealand shootings. The Earnest family issued a statement Monday saying it was shocked by the Poway attack and that they were cooperating with investigators. Our sadness pales in comparison to the grief and anguish our son has caused for so many innocent people. Our sons actions were informed by people we do not know, and ideas we do not hold. How our son was attracted to such darkness is a terrifying mystery to us. The San Diego Union-Tribune contributed to this report. A U.S. Army veteran who wanted revenge for attacks on Muslims around the globe was planning to detonate a bomb at a Long Beach rally this past weekend before he was intercepted by law enforcement officials, authorities said Monday. Mark Steven Domingo, 26, was arrested Friday night after he took delivery of what he thought was an improvised explosive device from an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a bomb-maker, officials said. He was charged with attempting to provide material support to terrorists and, if convicted, could face up to 15 years in prison. According to a federal affidavit, Domingo considered various attacks including targeting Jews, churches and police officers before he decided to detonate an IED at a rally scheduled to take place in Long Beach this past weekend. As part of the plot, Domingo asked his confederate who actually was cooperating with the FBI as part of the investigation to find a bomb-maker, and Domingo last week purchased several hundred nails to be used as shrapnel inside the IED. Advertisement He referenced the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing while asking the FBI informant to help him get access to similar pressure-cooker bombs that he hoped would kill and maim dozens, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Monday. Domingo said he specifically bought three-inch nails because they would be long enough to penetrate the human body and puncture internal organs, the affidavit states. John C. Demers, the assistant attorney general for the Justice Departments national security division, said Domingo wanted to use improvised explosive devices that would make the bombs even more deadly to the victims he targeted. His arrest today mitigates the threat he posed to others in the Los Angeles community, Demers said. Prosecutors said Domingo sought retribution for the March 15 attacks on New Zealand mosques and was willing to die a martyr. There must be retribution, he said in an online post, according to the federal criminal complaint. In a series of posts, Domingo also said he hoped that another event similar to the 2017 slaughter at the Route 91 Harvest festival in Las Vegas might kick off civil unrest in the U.S. Its not about winning the civil war its about weakening America and giving them a taste of the terror they gladly spread all over the world, he wrote. The rally that Domingo targeted had been organized by a group called the United Patriots National Front and was set to take place Sunday in Bluff Park, according to Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna. The group, which local activists have described as affiliated with white nationalism, did not show up, Luna said. The park was populated by about 200 counterprotesters on Sunday, but there were no arrests or injuries. Domingos back-up plan was to target a Saturday demonstration against Californias so-called sanctuary state law, which took place in Huntington Beach. Investigators declined to speculate on why Domingo would attack diametrically opposed political groups. Law enforcement officials said they did not warn event organizers for either rally because Domingo was captured on Friday and investigators did not believe he had any co-conspirators. Read the affidavit on the alleged thwarted terror plot in Southern California U.S. Atty. Nicola T. Hanna speaks at a news conference in downtown L.A. announcing the arrest of Mark Steven Domingo. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) After federal authorities saw Domingos extremist comments online, an informant made contact with him. During a drive on March 18, Domingo pointed out possible targets, including police cars, churches and a National Guard Armory to the person he believed to be his co-conspirator, FBI Special Agent Tasha Coolidge said. The veteran said he didnt plan on getting away: Martyrdom, bro. Domingo talked about using guns to conduct an attack, but the confidential informant suggested he knew someone who could make explosives. That is even better, Domingo said, according to court records. Court records went on to detail an April 3 meeting, during which Domingo proposed killing police officers and military service personnel in Los Angeles. He said he wanted to carry out a large-scale attack possibly involving an explosion on a freeway that would leave hundreds and maybe thousands of U.S. citizens injured, according to the complaint. And then what? the informant asked Domingo. Then the fun starts, Domingo replied. On April 19, the Army veterans talk escalated, and he arrived at a meeting with the informant wearing camouflage pants and holding a backpack with an AK-47-style rifle, according to the affidavit. He said he was prepared to commit jihad. After discussing carrying out a drive-by shooting using the assault rifle, officials said Domingo ended up planning to target the rallies. Worried those events might be canceled, he also considered blowing up the Santa Monica Pier because it would be crowded, documents show. When the informant told Domingo the Long Beach rally would happen, he proceeded with a plan to plant IEDs there, according to the affidavit. At that point, an undercover investigator joined the supposed plot as a bomb-maker. On Friday, the informant and undercover investigator gave Domingo what he thought were active bombs, and they drove to Bluff Park to scope out the location for the attack. Domingo said if he survived the bombing, he also planned to attack the Port of Long Beach to disrupt the U.S. economy, records show. Friday night, after the trio left the park and Domingo carried the supposed IEDs to his car, FBI agents arrested him. The terror plot was uncovered less than 48 hours after a gunman opened fire inside a San Diego County synagogue, killing one woman and injuring three others in what law enforcement officials are investigating as an anti-Semitic hate crime. Mark Steven Domingo was arrested Friday after he took delivery of what he thought was a live bomb, authorities said. (FBI) Southern California has been the scene of several terrorism plots and attacks, including one by a prison-based group that targeted the U.S. government and supporters of Israel. In 2005, Kevin James founded Jamiyyat Ul-Islam Is-Saheeh, or JIS, inside a California prison and led a conspiracy to attack Los Angeles International Airport, several Army recruiting centers and the Israeli Consulate in L.A. The group planned to stage attacks on political targets with the proceeds of gas station robberies, investigators said. Authorities said they learned of the potential plot when Torrance police investigating the robberies found lists of targets and other information at one suspects apartment in South Los Angeles. Three years before that, a gunman killed two people at the busy LAX ticket counter of El Al Israel Airlines. And in 2015, Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, entered a holiday gathering for county employees at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino and, using rifles purchased by a friend, killed 14 people and injured 22 others. Authorities said that Farook and a friend had plotted additional terror attacks targeting students at a nearby community college and drivers on the 91 Freeway. Oscar Stewart was focused on the comforting rhythm of the Torah reading when pops of gunfire cut through the sanctuary. Stewart watched fellow congregants of Poway Chabad jump to their feet and run toward the exits as if in slow motion, away from the violence unfolding in the lobby on Saturday morning, the last day of Passover. The 51-year-old Army veteran began to follow them. And then, in a split-second decision, he turned around. Stewart doesnt know why. In retrospect, the Orthodox Jew thinks it might have been the hand of God. Advertisement Whatever it was that moved through him in that moment, it propelled Stewart into the lobby. He saw the young man who authorities say was 19-year-old John T. Earnest in a military-style vest wielding a semiautomatic rifle. Get down! Stewart yelled in the loudest tenor he could muster. The gunman fired two more rounds in response. Im going to kill you, Stewart boomed. This seemed to rattle Earnest, who began to flee. From his time as a sergeant in the Army, Stewart knew that the rifle would be useless if he was within five feet of it. So he kept close to the shooter as he chased him into the parking lot. The shooter got into a Honda sedan. Stewart, seeing the man reach for his weapon, punched the side of the car. The man started the ignition and let go of the rifle. Thats when Jonathan Morales, an off-duty Border Patrol agent, shot four bullets into the car. As the shooter sped away, Stewart and Morales took down the license plate number. Stewart sprinted into the synagogue. Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein was standing in the lobby with a prayer shawl wrapped around his bleeding hands. Then Stewart noticed a woman lying face-down on the floor. He turned her over and recognized her as Lori Gilbert-Kaye. She had been shot near the heart. Stewart had begun attending Poway Chabad in August, and he knew Gilbert-Kaye as a kind, passionate person. They inhabited opposite sides of the political spectrum he a centrist Democrat, and she a conservative. But they were able to set aside their differences and appreciate their shared faith in God, an inherent goodness. He considered her a friend. Stewart was helping a fellow congregant perform CPR on Gilbert-Kaye when her husband, a doctor named Howard Kaye, walked over to help. He didnt seem to notice who she was as he pressed her chest; he was looking at Stewart. As Howard Kaye checked for Lori Gilbert-Kayes pulse with a defibrillator, he finally looked down and took in her face. At that moment, a sheriffs deputy walked into the lobby. Kaye fainted. The next few hours were a blur for Stewart. He found his wife, Lynda who had been worshiping with the other women when the gunfire began in the sanctuary. They spent the afternoon at the home of Rabbi Yisroel Goldsteins son. They were questioned by the FBI. Stewart called his own three sons, all in their 20s, to let them know they were OK. Stewart, who works as an electrician, could barely sleep Saturday night. He thought of how the day would change his life forever, for better or worse. He was deployed to Iraq for a year in 2003 but never thought he would hear gunfire again especially in the United States. He said he could no longer be naive about how gun violence might touch his life, now that it had. He thought of the young man with the rifle and how he felt sorry for him. Stewart suspects he will spend decades in prison, at the very least. A life wasted by ignorance. He thought about how, if he had gotten to the lobby a minute before, maybe no one would have been killed. The Stewarts drove to the synagogue early Sunday, hoping they would be able to pray in the company of those who understood what theyd been through. It was still roped off with police tape. Essential California: In Poway, people of faith grapple with fear In an interview with a Los Angeles Times reporter on Sunday afternoon one of many he gave that day Stewart said he just wanted to get back to his normal life. But he acknowledged that it would likely be a while before that happened. Im not a hero or anything. I just reacted, he insisted. I thank God that he gave me the courage to do what I did. laura.newberry@latimes.com | Twitter: @LauraMNewberry The rabbi froze in the lobby of his synagogue, startled by the stranger in sunglasses pointing a rifle at him. As the shots zoomed toward him, he raised his hands in defense before scrambling to gather the young children nearby and move them somewhere safe. Miraculously, the gun jammed, said Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, speaking with bandaged hands at an emotionally charged news conference outside Chabad of Poway on Sunday, a day after the shooting. A congregant, an Army veteran, chased after the shooter, but he managed to get away, Goldstein said. An off-duty Border Patrol agent, who was also in the synagogue and was armed, fired at the gunmans car as he drove away. Goldstein said not long after he was shot, he saw his longtime friend Lori Gilbert-Kaye lying unconscious on the lobby floor. Her husband lay next to her, having fainted after trying to resuscitate her. Advertisement Lori took the bullet for all of us, said Goldstein, adding that the shooting could have been deadlier. He lost his right index finger in the attack. [It] will forever scar me, but its going to remind me how vulnerable we are and how heroic each one of us can be, he said. No matter what happened, we are going to keep our freedom. We are going to grow from it. Gilbert-Kaye, 60, died of at least one gunshot wound. Goldstein said he did not see her get shot and did not know whether she jumped in front of him to save him, as some witnesses have claimed. The brutal act on the last day of Passover came exactly six months after a gunman killed 11 people and wounded seven others during services at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. Anti-Semitic incidents around the nation have been increasing since 2013, with the biggest all-time annual jump coming in 2017, when the tally climbed 57% to 1,986, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Rancho Penasquitos resident John T. Earnest, 19, was arrested in the Poway shooting Saturday on suspicion of one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder. Police said Earnest, who is white, had written a nine-page manifesto citing his disgust for Jews. Noya Dahan, 8, and her uncle, Almog Peretz, 34, were injured by shrapnel and were recovering after being released from the hospital, said Israel Dahan, the girls father. 1 / 15 Children light candles during the vigil to remember the death of Poway resident Lori Gilbert-Kaye. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 15 Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, center, meets with members of the congregation of Chabad of Poway the day after a deadly shooting at the synagogue. Goldstein was shot and lost a finger on his right hand. (K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 3 / 15 A woman leaves flowers at small memorial near Chabad of Poway. (Hayne Palmour IV / TNS) 4 / 15 Mourners attend a vigil at Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church in Poway. (Sandy Huffaker / AFP/Getty Images) 5 / 15 People mourn at a vigil at Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church in Poway. (David McNew / Getty Images) 6 / 15 People attend a vigil at Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church in Poway. (David McNew / Getty Images) 7 / 15 Police evacuate a cul de sac in San Diegos community of Rancho Penasquitos and surround a house related to the investigation of the synagogue shooting in Poway. (John Gibbins / San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 15 Chabad of Poway members gather outside their synagogue after a man shot multiple people on Saturday, killing one. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 9 / 15 Police surround a house related to the investigation of the synagogue shooting in Poway. (John Gibbins / San Diego Union-Tribune) 10 / 15 San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore, center, discusses Saturdays synagogue shooting. (Denis Poroy / Associated Press) 11 / 15 Members of the media and the surrounding community gather near the Altman Family Chabad Community Center in Poway after Saturdays shooting at Chabad of Poway synagogue. (Hayne Palmour IV / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 12 / 15 President Trump speaks to the media about Saturdays deadly shooting in the San Diego area. (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press) 13 / 15 A sheriffs deputy walks in front of the Altman Family Chabad Community Center in Poway. (Hayne Palmour IV / The San Diego Union-Tribune) 14 / 15 An FBI agent gives information to the media outside Chabad of Poway on Saturday. (Denis Poroy / Associated Press) 15 / 15 Jessica Parks, right, hugs Tina White outside Chabad of Poway synagogue. (Denis Poroy / Associated Press) He added that Peretz, his brother-in-law, was hurt while trying to save the girl and other children in the synagogues playground. Peretz, who works in construction in Israel, is visiting the family for a couple of months. The girl suffered pieces of a bullet in her eye and leg, while Peretz was wounded by a bullet that lodged in a bone in his leg and cannot be removed, Israel Dahan said. He said he and his family moved from Israel to San Diego in 2011. On the first night of Passover four years later, Dahan said someone sprayed swastikas on his truck and garage. No one has ever been arrested. He said part of what he loved about Chabad of Poway, where hes been a member for three years, was Goldsteins message of inclusion. Hes welcoming to everybody, no matter if youre Christian, or Muslim, Dahan said. The door is always open, the shul is always open. He would never say no to a person. ESSENTIAL CALIFORNIA: From violent acts to conversational asides, ugly bursts of anti-Semitism are increasingly a part of American public life. A native of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, Goldstein opened Chabad of Poway in 1984 at the request of a fellow rabbi, who said there was a need for a synagogue in that area. The congregation now counts 100 families as members, he said. Goldstein said Gilbert-Kaye was practically a part of his family, having known her for more than two decades. She recently attended his daughter Bailas wedding in New York. Years ago, when Gilbert-Kaye worked at Wells Fargo Bank, she helped secure a loan for the building housing the synagogue, Goldstein said. She had unconditional love for all, he said. Friends of Gilbert-Kaye described her as an uncommonly generous person and a ferocious advocate for those in need, attending to those in mourning or bringing flowers or other gifts for times of celebration. Michelle Silverman, who had known Gilbert-Kaye since they were 7-year-olds at Congregation Beth Israel in San Diego, said her friend saved her life during college. During their senior year at UCLA in 1980, Silverman became sick with viral and bacterial meningitis and phoned Gilbert-Kaye, who immediately rushed her to the hospital. Emergency room staff tried turning the young women away because they were only admitting those with more obvious injuries, like active bleeding. Lori started screaming at the doctors until they agreed to see me. They later said that if I had come in 30 minutes later, I would have died, said Silverman, 60. Gilbert-Kaye grew up in the San Carlos neighborhood of San Diego and graduated from Patrick Henry High School. She worked as a senior account manager at Pro Specialties Group, a company that prints custom logos on promotional items such as mugs, keychains and apparel, according to her Facebook page. She was also a news junkie, an expert at baking challah, and a charitable giver with a soft spot for hearts and the color pink, friends said. If someone she knew fell ill, or got married, or graduated college, Gilbert-Kaye would always show up, bearing gifts or chicken soup depending on the occasion. She was full of life, full of energy, an ants-in-your-pants type person. She couldnt stand still. She was always going to visit this person and that person. She collected people. She was proud to know people all over the world, said her best friend, 55-year-old Roneet Lev. She died in a sanctified way, in a synagogue, on the Sabbath, on Passover, Lev said. She, for us, is a holy person. Lev said she once discovered Easter baskets intended as gifts in Gilbert-Kayes car, even though her friend didnt celebrate the Christian holiday. When she buys coffee, she gets a second cup of coffee and a bagel or muffin and finds a homeless person around the corner to give it to, said Levs 75-year-old mother, Amilia Lev. But though she was present for so many people in her vast network, Gilbert-Kayes true devotion was to her family, according to friends. She is survived by her husband, Howard, and their daughter, Hannah, a student at UCLA. Funeral services are set for 2 p.m. Monday at Chabad of Poway, followed by a burial at El Camino Memorial Park at 4 p.m. We will salute Lori and her life and keep her legacy alive, Goldstein said. A legacy of goodness and kindness. Of his own injuries, the rabbi said, Im on a new journey living without a limb. Ill be reminded every day of the vulnerability of life and the heroism we all need. The heroism is standing up to evil, standing up to darkness. Its necessary in life. We cant just be a bystander. We need to be an activist and get out there and be a hero. Light pushes away darkness. Smith reported from Poway and Lau and Newberry from Los Angeles. It started in early March when the FBI detected disturbing online postings from a Reseda man. He would eventually vow revenge for the New Zealand mosque attack. It ended last Friday, when Mark Steven Domingo, 26, an Army veteran, was arrested and later charged with attempting to provide material support to terrorists. Here is a timeline of the dramatic investigation, based on court records filed Monday by federal prosecutors. FBI detects online hateful writings Federal authorities started the investigation after seeing his extremist comments online. He began posting comments March 3. Advertisement Prosecutors said Domingo sought retribution for the attacks on New Zealand mosques and said he was willing to become a martyr. There must be retribution, he said in an online post, according to the federal criminal complaint. He also allegedly expressed allegiance to Islamic State. America needs another vegas event [to] give them a taste of the terror they gladly spread all over the world, Domingo allegedly wrote in reference to the massacre at the Route 91 Harvest festival in October 2017. Informant makes contact The FBI then had an informant make contact with him of March 16. The idea was to draw him out and get more information about his plot and whether he had collaborators. Officials did not identify the source. But documents show the informant has worked for the FBI before and has earned more than $304,000 since 2013. Santa Monica Pier, which the suspect considered targeting. (Los Angeles Times) A fateful drive During a drive on March 18, Domingo pointed out possible targets, including police cars, churches and a National Guard Armory to the person he believed to be his co-conspirator, FBI Special Agent Tasha Coolidge wrote in court papers. The veteran said he didnt plan on getting away: Martyrdom, bro. Domingo talked about using guns to conduct an attack, but the confidential informant suggested he knew someone who could make improvised explosive devices. That is even better, Domingo said, according to court records. In a subsequent meeting, Domingo used the Arabic word for nonbelievers and said they were to blame for starting it, but I am gonna finish it. Murder me. Kill me. Ill die Shadid, he declared, according to the affidavit. The Arabic word means strong or powerful, and brave. Court records went on to detail an April 3 meeting, in which Domingo proposed killing police officers and military service personnel in Los Angeles. He said he wanted a large-scale attack, something like an IED here, on the freeway. Make em bleed, like in Ramadi, he said, referencing the bloody battleground city in the Iraq war. Domingo said the attack would be revenge for our brothers in Christchurch and our sisters who were slaughtered, the documents read. Long Beach, another alleged target of the suspect. (Los Angeles Times) Threats escalate On April 19, the Army veterans talk escalated, and he arrived at a meeting wearing camouflage pants and holding a backpack with an AK-47-style rifle, according to the affidavit. He said he was prepared to commit jihad. After talk about a drive-by shooting using the assault rifle, officials said he ended up planning to target rallies in Long Beach and Huntington Beach. Worried those events might be canceled, he also considered blowing up the Santa Monica Pier as it would be crowded, documents show. When the informant told Domingo the Long Beach rally would happen, he proceeded with a plan to plant IEDs there, according to the affidavit. At that point, an undercover investigator joined the supposed plot as a bomb-maker. Bombs delivered On Friday, the informant and undercover investigator gave Domingo what he thought were active bombs, and they drove to Bluff Park to scope out the location for the attack. Domingo said if he survived the bombing, he also planned to attack the Port of Long Beach to disrupt the U.S. economy, records show. Friday night, after the trio left the park and Domingo carried the IEDs to his car, FBI agents arrested him. Domingo was set to appear in federal court Monday. Rabbi Didy Waks was home at the dinner table with his wife and kids in upstate New York when a friend unexpectedly knocked on the door. The friend knew Waks and his family were Orthodox Jews who turned off their TV and phones until after sundown Saturday for the Sabbath, and he had rushed over to break news of the deadly shooting across the country at Chabad of Poway. This could have easily been us, Waks, the rabbi of Chabad of Clinton in New York, a tiny, 5-year-old synagogue run out out a suburban house on a residential street, thought to himself. He was sharing matzo and wine to celebrate the last Passover meal and paused as he learned a man who entered the Chabad center near San Diego firing his gun had killed one congregant and injured three others, including the rabbi. Actually, it is us, Waks corrected himself. The rabbi was celebrating the last day of Passover with his congregants at Chabad of Poway when a gunman in a green army-style vest, armed with a semiautomatic weapon, burst in. Advertisement Six months after the most deadly assault on American Jews at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh and at a time of heightened anti-Semitism in the U.S., the attack in Poway has once again left Jewish Americans in shock and concerned for their safety. It especially hit hard at a small but rapidly growing movement of the faith targeted in Poway, the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. Chabad-Lubavitch is a Hasidic Orthodox Jewish group that represents a small fraction of the more than 5 million Jews in the country. The organization with roots in 18th century Russia has been based in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, since the Holocaust. Its rabbis tend to wear tall hats with dark suits, keep long beards and adhere strictly to Jewish law. But its influence outranks its size and the traditional faith of its leaders. Thats because Chabad rabbis have been sent forth to establish more than 1,000 religious centers in the U.S. and thousands more worldwide, focusing on reaching out to secular Jews and those living in places that would otherwise lack rabbis. While the synagogue-attending Jewish population has decreased over the years along with other religious attendance in the U.S., Chabad houses many of which are no-frills centers in homes or strip malls with small congregations of a few dozen have continued to multiply. The movement today has more than 5,000 emissary families (usually a rabbi, spouse and children) serving in 100 countries. That includes every U.S. state and some 500 college campuses with Chabad centers. We attract all kinds of Jews, the majority who are Reform or Conservative or have little connection to their Jewish identity, said Waks, who moved to Clinton, a village of fewer than 2,000 people between Syracuse and Albany, five years ago to launch a Chabad house there. He hosts Shabbat dinners each week in a small building in the back of his house on a residential street. Oftentimes, just 15 people, many of them students from nearby Hamilton College, show up. Chabad of Poway, established in 1984, has grown to be among the larger Chabad centers in the U.S. Its current home is a 13,000-square-foot property with a sanctuary, meeting hall and offices for Jewish community groups n the Poway and Rancho Bernardo areas. The violence Saturday has reverberated across the tightknit Chabad communities, whose rabbis tend to know one another by name, or that of their Chabad house, if not personally. Each year, thousands of the movements emissaries, called shluchim, gather for a festive dinner and conference in Brooklyn, and families frequently visit other Chabads. In some countries and parts of the U.S., Chabad houses are the only places offering Jewish religious services and Kosher food. We are grieving. We are determined to ensure that all our centers in the state are safe and protected from such hateful violence, Rabbi Shlomo Cunin, the head Chabad representative in California, said in a statement. The state is home to 207 Chabad centers in 129 cities. In response to the shootings, Chabad rabbis around the world are encouraging their communities to perform mitzvot for the recovery of the injured and the well-being of Jewish and non-Jewish people alike. The word is the plural of mitzvah, which refers to prayers and good deeds. Its terrible news because the whole purpose of Chabad is to to bring peace and love to the world, said Rabbi Chay Amar of Chabad of Golden Beach, Fla., north of Miami Beach. We are praying to God there be peace. Rabbi Chaim Bryski of Chabad of Thousand Oaks said he was using Hasidic teachings to cope with the pain of the attacks. Were afraid, said Bryski, who said the hatred reminded him of a decade ago when a Chabad center in Mumbai, India, was hit by terrorist attacks that killed six Jews and 160 more people at hotels, a restaurant and a train station. But he said he was inspired to learn about Poways Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who continued to share a sermon with his congregation to comfort them even after gunfire struck his fingers. The Hasidic philosophy teaches us to think of what we are needed for most even as the most horrendous thing is happening around us, Bryski said. I am a rabbi, what is my job right now? It is to comfort, to pray, to sustain. More national headlines California has needed better regulation and tighter oversight of its charter schools for years, but state policymakers have been curiously deadlocked over making meaningful change. It took until last fall for the state to enact a law requiring charter schools to provide free lunches to the students who qualify financially, something that should have happened decades ago. Oversight of charter schools has often been lax and meaningful regulation has been slow to pass. Thats changing now, with progressive Democrats turning against the charter movement and related school reforms, and the Los Angeles teachers strike eliciting a wave of support for traditional public schools. A new package of bills making its way through the Legislature takes a critical view of charter schools, especially the extent to which they siphon funds from traditional public schools by drawing away students. Though there are some good ideas in the bills, there also are too many vindictive, nasty moves against charters, many of which have provided safe, well-run havens of education in areas that desperately needed them. The legislative season started out well with a bill fast-tracked by Gov. Gavin Newsom to require greater transparency and public accountability from charter schools by making them comply with the same open-meeting and public-records laws as district-run schools. Charters make a point of saying that they are public schools, and they are funded by taxpayers; that means they should be fully accountable to the public in every way that traditional schools are. No one knows the right number of charter schools for California; such decisions should be based on unbiased evidence, not ham-fisted politics. Advertisement But then came a set of three bills clearly aimed at stemming the growth of charter schools. Its a mixed bag of helpful ideas and downright vicious ones, all backed by the California Teachers Assn. a union that represents teachers at many traditional public schools but few charters. Perhaps worst of all, none of them would supply whats most needed: better oversight of charter schools and more willingness to close those that arent clearly outperforming district-run schools. AB 1507, which would prohibit school districts from approving charter schools outside their own boundaries, deserves strong support. As a recent series in the Los Angeles Times showed, small school districts have been able to make money by approving applications for charter schools operating in other communities and charging them for various services. The districts have a financial incentive to green-light sketchy applications and provide little oversight; theyre not the ones who lose students to the charter schools they bless. Its time for this charade to end. But by the same token, school districts have a vested interest in minimizing the number of charter schools within their boundaries. State funding follows each student who enrolls at an independent charter, leaving less money for the home district. In order to guard against that conflict of interest, California has allowed rejected charter applicants to appeal to county departments of education and, eventually, to the state. AB 1505 would reverse that, giving sole authority to approve charters to the district where the school would be located. No longer would applicants be allowed to appeal to county and state officials. Admittedly, the state has performed its role poorly, approving charter applications but then failing to follow up on whether the schools do right by their students. Even some avid charter supporters agree. But theres no reason why county offices of education shouldnt continue to provide a much-needed avenue for appeal, as long as the Legislature also sets down stricter laws about the level of oversight they must provide. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute Heres a bill with nothing to recommend it: AB 1506, which would cap the number of charter schools, in each school district and statewide, at the number operating on Jan. 1, 2020. Its a transparent attempt by the California Teachers Assn. to halt the charter movement in its tracks. But theres nothing magical about the number of charter schools operating at the end of this year, and it makes no sense to debate the merits of a cap before the state fully studies how charters might benefit education here or harm it. (In fact, it has launched but not yet completed a study of the financial impact of the existing 1,300 or so charters.) No one knows the right number of charter schools for California; such decisions should be based on unbiased evidence, not ham-fisted politics. Better charter regulation is needed, but the goal of AB 1506 isnt better education. Its simply an attempt to squash the formation of potentially great charter schools in an effort to please the teachers union. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook Atty. Gen. William Barr is scheduled to testify on Capitol Hill this week, but at least one appearance before the House Judiciary Committee is now in doubt. Barr is apparently objecting to committee Chairman Jerrold Nadlers plan to assign some of the questioning at Thursdays hearing to staff attorneys. The attorney general agreed to appear before Congress, Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec told the New York Times. Therefore, members of Congress should be the ones doing the questioning. She added that Barr remains happy to engage with members on their questions about special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs report. Given the tendency of members of Congress to waste their question time with self-absorbed speechifying, one might think Barr would welcome the alternative of sustained questioning by a fellow lawyer who isnt campaigning for reelection. Or maybe not. If Barr wants to evade questions, a politicians-only murder board would be preferable to a skilled interrogation by an attorney. And there are questions that Barr might find uncomfortable. Advertisement One is whether Barrs summary of Muellers principal conclusions, released more than three weeks before a redacted version of the report was made public, was misleading. (This compare-and-contrast article by Charlie Savage of the New York Times offers a good departure point.) Another question: On what basis did Barr and Deputy Atty. Gen. Rod Rosenstein conclude that the evidence gathered by Mueller is not sufficient to establish that the president committed an obstruction-of-justice offense? Barr and Rosenstein addressed that question after Mueller declined to make a definitive finding on obstruction. Nadler is smart to turn to committee lawyers to pose those questions and others and presumably to follow up if Barr proves unresponsive. And, despite what the Justice Department suggested, its not that unusual for lawyers to join in questioning witnesses before congressional committees. Flash back to the Senate Watergate Committee hearings in July 1973. It was Fred Thompson, a Republican committee lawyer, who elicited from a White House aide, Alexander Butterfield, the fact that President Richard M. Nixon had secretly tape-recorded conversations in the Oval Office. That revelation, of course, eventually led to disclosure of the smoking gun recording that forced Nixon to resign to avoid impeachment. Thompsons Democratic counterpart, chief counsel Samuel Dash, also questioned witnesses during the hearings. More than a decade later, the pattern was repeated when John W. Nields Jr., the House counsel in the Iran-Contra hearings, interrogated Marine Lt. Col. (and future National Rifle Assn. President) Oliver North and Atty. Gen. Ed Meese. Arthur Liman, the counsel for the Senate, also posed painstakingly prepared questions. More recently, Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee decided to ask Rachel Mitchell, a sex crimes prosecutor, to question Christine Blasey Ford, who had accused Supreme Court nominee Brett M. Kavanaugh of assaulting her when they were teenagers. Congressional committees should be free to decide that employing skilled lawyers to question witnesses will result in more information. Barr should stop quibbling, show up as scheduled and answer questions put to him regardless of who asks them. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook On Twitter on Monday morning, President Trump offered a quick course in the qualities that divide his supporters and his critics. There was a gesture of humanity and outreach, some teasing political banter and several doses of unvarnished, breathtaking contempt for opponents. It was a good reminder for Democrats that the 2020 election should be about personality and temperament as much as policy. As is his custom, Trump devoted part of his executive time Monday to holding forth on Twitter, offering unfiltered views on the Poway synagogue shooting, national and local politics. His first tweet, about the shooting, reflected his ability to connect to individuals in dire circumstances his vaunted one-on-one skills that are rarely on public display: I spoke at length yesterday to Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, Chabad of Poway, where I extended my warmest condolences to him and all affected by the shooting in California. What a great guy. He had a least one finger blown off, and all he wanted to do is help others. Very special! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 29, 2019 Advertisement On MSNBC, Chabad of Poways Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein was even more effusive in his praise of Trump. He was so gracious and generous with his words. Exceedingly comforting to me, to my community, the rabbi said. Set aside for the moment that Trump feels a personal connection to the situation he has a daughter, a son-in-law and grandchildren who are Jewish and that he has made his support for Israel a campaign issue. The graciousness he evidently displayed to Goldstein is the kind of humane leadership we want from a president. But then Trump turned to political topics and changed his tone, excoriating the state of New York for investigating alleged corruption within the National Rifle Assn. leadership. Note the taunting tone he takes in the second tweet: The NRA is under siege by Cuomo and the New York State A.G., who are illegally using the States legal apparatus to take down and destroy this very important organization, & others. It must get its act together quickly, stop the internal fighting, & get back to GREATNESS - FAST! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 29, 2019 ....People are fleeing New York State because of high taxes and yes, even oppression of sorts. They didnt even put up a fight against SALT - could have won. So much litigation. The NRA should leave and fight from the outside of this very difficult to deal with (unfair) State! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 29, 2019 Its not clear what triggered Trumps next salvo, an attack on organized labor. Hes partnered with labor leaders on some major issues (trade in particular), but union campaign donations helped Democrats retake the House the 2016 midterms: Ill never get the support of Dues Crazy union leadership, those people who rip-off their membership with ridiculously high dues, medical and other expenses while being paid a fortune. But the members love Trump. They look at our record economy, tax & reg cuts, military etc. WIN! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 29, 2019 This is classic Trump. People who disagree with him arent simply opponents they are craven. Or, in the case of New York, theyre lawbreaking oppressors. Having the president of the United States, who appoints federal prosecutors and top FBI officials, accuse you of a crime is no small thing. Then Trump turned his fire on the political rival whos been grabbing the most headlines lately, former Vice President Joe Biden. Relax, Mayor Pete, youll be back in the Twitter crosshairs soon enough. Trump seems to have settled on Sleepy Joe as his demeaning sobriquet of choice for Biden, and its pretty clever even if its mean: The Media (Fake News) is pushing Sleepy Joe hard. Funny, Im only here because of Biden & Obama. They didnt do the job and now you have Trump, who is getting it done - big time! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 29, 2019 I noted a while back that Trump seemed determined to keep the publics attention focused on special counsel Robert S. Mueller III, whose report was quite critical of Trump even though it did not call for him to be prosecuted. On Monday, Trump offered this utterly nonsensical comment about Democrats efforts to follow up on Muellers findings with further investigations: Bob Mueller was a great HERO to the Radical Left Democrats. Now that the Mueller Report is finished, with a finding of NO COLLUSION & NO OBSTRUCTION (based on a review of Report by our highly respected A.G.), the Dems are going around saying, Bob who, sorry, dont know the man. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 29, 2019 Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute The president closed his executive-time tweeting with the by-now obligatory attack on the news media, this time calling out the New York Times for publishing a political cartoon in its international edition that showed a blind and yarmulke-sporting Trump being led by a guide dog whose face was a caricature of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus. As the Times itself observed in a public apology, the cartoon was laden with anti-Semitic tropes. But Trump said the Times should have also apologized to him for publishing the cartoon. Say what? The New York Times has apologized for the terrible Anti-Semitic Cartoon, but they havent apologized to me for this or all of the Fake and Corrupt news they print on a daily basis. They have reached the lowest level of journalism, and certainly a low point in @nytimes history! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 29, 2019 Democrats are going to spend the next year or so watching their prospective nominees tear each other apart over their records in office and their positions on single-payer healthcare, college costs and other issues that divide them. And thats instructive, to a point many of the dueling proposals have no chance of ever becoming law in this polarized society. But reading Trumps Monday morning tweets, I was reminded how much this country needs a president with a steady temperament, a thick skin and a selfless interest in all Americans. Not just the ones who are supporters. Thats a personality test, and Democrats shouldnt forget to apply it as they try to come up with an alternative to Trump. In mid-April I found myself once more driving a U-Haul pickup truck from my former home on the Paradise ridge to our new digs in Sacramento. Like so many sites overwhelmed by the Camp fire in November, our place in Magalia is a pile of rubble. My wife and I went back one last time, before the bulldozer came, to see what we might gather that wed overlooked on other visits during which we had grieved and paid respects to the little house we lived in for nearly two decades. It was a beautiful day. Off to the west, the Sutter Buttes were in sharp focus, in clear contrast to the flat of the valley where they rise from the rice lands. Even up on the ridge, the rains that might have saved thousands of homes from conflagration had they come just a bit sooner had created a verdancy greener than any we could recall, though springtime in those foothills and that valley is always a glory. The pickup was loaded with what wed managed to retrieve a statuette of Alice in Wonderland purchased at Disneyland when the kids were little, a dozen or so flower pots and four big planters, a replica of Michelangelos David, much smaller than the original, of course, but still about 5 feet tall and heavy, bought at an auction a long time ago. There was also a small fountain featuring a miner panning for gold. None of it was worth what it cost to rent the truck, but when I wrestled David into place in the backyard of the house were now renting in Sacramento, it did a lot to make the place seem like home. Advertisement Its desolate as hell up there, and to see daily what is gone, we think, would be painful. Weve spent a chunk of time up there on the ridge property, raking and digging within the foundation, especially at the spot where a display cabinet stood, with lots of treasures in it, including my wifes grandfathers pocket watch, a memento she hoped to reclaim from the fire. It wasnt to be, alas, and not finding it was just one of the sorrows of that farewell visit. In the center of what had been the court wed lived on, I found the bones of a small doe. The hide was a little ways off, over by where my neighbor used to park his truck in front of his house. There was a blue-black remnant of a hoof, delicate and perfect in its design. It had been devoured after the flames, but seeing those rib bones, that hoof and that hide, brought to mind all the creatures, including the human ones, that had been defenseless against the wind that propelled the flames, faster than they could flee. When we first pulled up into the steep driveway that had once led to our garage, my wife began to cry. I hugged her, uttered the barren words of consolation, felt some of what she was feeling though I didnt cry. I have not yet shed a tear for what we lost, not even for our cat, Callie. We called for her for months after the fire when we were there, hoping she might trot out toward us through the broken glass and the ash, this lovely calico cat with the fierce independence that may have cemented her doom. We do not plan to rebuild. There is a problem with toxicity in the water and maybe ground contamination beyond what will soon be scraped away. Its desolate as hell up there, and to see daily what is gone, we think, would be painful. Our neighbor, decades younger, is probably going to buy our lot for what it will cost to pay for the cleanup, about $14,000, which was factored in to our insurance settlement. We are well satisfied with where we are in Sacramento. If anyone landed on their feet in this upheaval it is surely us near our younger daughter, in a pretty neighborhood, with a good landlord though I wouldnt wish this kind of move on anyone. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute Tomorrow, I will plant flowers in every one of the pots I rescued, certain they will reward us whenever we take note of them, each of them containing new growth and memories, too, reminders of who we were, the life we knew, the pleasures that have not been lost. Two of the big planters now frame the steps to our rental house. I dont know what Ill plant in them. Maybe petunias. Or pansies, bearing the French root word pensee, or thoughts, which seems appropriate. The other two planters contained peony bushes. Both are also now relocated and, rather remarkably, one holds a very healthy plant that survived both the fire and the winter. The other peony, just as remarkably, didnt. Terrifying disasters have struck in other places since the fire that wiped out most everything on the Paradise ridge. Our woes are, quite literally, yesterdays news. Today, the sun is shining, new flowers are going into old pots, and theres that peony, thriving here at the house that is, for the time being, ours. As was the one in Magalia. Ours until it wasnt anymore. Author and former teacher Jaime ONeill last wrote in November and December about escaping the Camp fire. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook To the editor: We read about yet another murderous assault on a minority-group institution, this time a synagogue in Poway, Calif. And again, the issue of security at schools and houses of worship comes to the fore. There are those who believe that these places will not be safe until every able-bodied person is armed. Maybe its just me, but I would find it unsettling to kneel in church in prayer knowing that everyone around me was capable of easily inflicting grave bodily injury or death on me without any assurance that they were trained to act in the event of a shooting. According to reports, the alleged gunman was stopped early in the attack, undoubtedly saving lives, by an unarmed civilian rather than by a good guy with a gun. Contrast this with the Parkland, Fla., shooting where there were armed personnel present from the outset and yet the shooter had his way. My point is simply that the solution of arming everyone guarantees nothing. Advertisement Augie Medina, South Pasadena .. To the editor: We who attend synagogues are well aware of the ongoing threat to Jews everywhere. Of the many that I have attended over the years, there is not a synagogue where the first person who greets me upon entering isnt an armed guard. This did not begin with Pittsburgh, Poway or any other acts of anti-Semitism in the recent past. The threat has been real for many years. All Jewish houses of worship have had security guards for as long as we Jews can remember. Stu Bernstein, Santa Monica Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Former Vice President Joe Biden, jumping into the 2020 presidential race as the apparent front-runner, flashed his political calling card Monday with a kickoff rally at a Pennsylvania union hall that underscored his claim to be the candidate best equipped to win over blue-collar workers in crucial states that gave Donald Trump his victory in 2016. Quite frankly, if Im going to beat Donald Trump in 2020, its going to happen here, he told a chanting, cheering crowd at a packed Teamsters hall. He kicked off his long-awaited campaign with populist promises to rebuild the middle class. As he did in last weeks announcement video, he largely ignored the vast field of Democratic primary rivals and took the fight straight to Trump. Advertisement Donald Trump is the only president who has decided not to represent the whole country, he said. We need a president who works for all Americans. The rally marked Bidens fourth union-themed event in two months, as he has called on loyal labor leaders to vouch for his credentials as a friend of middle- and working-class Americans. I make no apologies, he told the crowd. I am a union man. Period. More than 600 people, including union firefighters, steelworkers and Teamsters, filled the room, according to a Biden aide, citing a fire department estimate. The Scranton-born Biden is leaning hard into his Pennsylvania roots. Trump won the state in an upset by just 44,292 votes in 2016 and has hoped to win favor with the states beleaguered steel industry by slapping tariffs on imports. Biden argues to Democrats that he provides their strongest shot here and in two other crucial industrial states Wisconsin and Michigan. Trump tried to discredit Bidens Monday event in advance, with a tweet about the strength of the Pennsylvania economy including a now thriving Steel Industry (that was dead). A new national poll by Monmouth University suggests limits to how much the economy helps Trump. Only 12% of Americans in the poll said their family had benefited a great deal from recent growth in the economy; 41% say they have received some economic benefit. But 54% said they had not benefited much or at all. The middle class is hurting, Biden said at the rally. The stock market is roaring, but you dont feel it. A key question, however, is whether Bidens strong support among union leaders will translate into broad backing from rank-and-file workers. That is where Trump sees his political opportunity. The Dues Sucking firefighters leadership will always support Democrats, even though the membership wants me, Trump tweeted after the firefighters union endorsed Biden on Monday. Jon Vesco, a member of the steel workers union who attended Bidens event, said he worried about support for Trump among his co-workers. A lot of people I work with are Trump supporters, Vesco said. They are tired of the same old, same old when it comes to Democrats. They need to get back to focusing on people and jobs, not bashing Trump, he said, referring to the partys candidates. The potential for a split between labor leaders and union members is part of the reason why many unions are being very cautious about endorsing any candidate this far before the 2020 election: Many rushed to endorse Hillary Clinton in 2016, in some cases despite splits among their members. Clinton ultimately defeated Trump among voters in union households, but by a margin that was just half of what President Obama racked up in his 2012 reelection, according to exit polls. Biden hopes a campaign message aimed at working Americans will woo back some of the union workers who moved to Trump. This isnt about a demographic, said John Anzalone, a Democratic pollster who is advising Biden. It is about a bigger vision: Everyone needs economic opportunity. Everyone needs the opportunity to succeed and get the benefits of hard work. One of Bidens top labor allies, Harold Schaitberger, president of the International Association of Firefighters, took a swipe at Clinton when he said at the rally that Biden connected with workers who dont believe the last Democratic nominee listened to them or cared about them. Critics on the left have questioned Bidens ties to corporate interests that have sometimes been at odds with workers. He took flak for holding his first high-dollar fundraiser at the home of a Comcast executive in Philadelphia last week. Progressives, including 2020 rival Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, have criticized his support, as a U.S. senator from Delaware, for legislation backed by home-state banking companies. Joe Biden was on the side of the credit card companies, Warren said during a campaign swing through Iowa last week when a reporter asked about the 2005 bankruptcy bill she opposed as a Harvard law professor because she believed it was too hard on financially strapped families. Our disagreement is a matter of public record. Schaitberger said in an interview that he worried if Democrats go with a candidate like Warren or Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, they will move too far to the left to win back union members. He cited Warrens support for broad student loan debt cancellation and Sanders saying he supported restoration of voting rights to felons in prison. Let me shoot straight with you, and this may not be popular in parts of the Democratic party, Schaitberger said. We cant have a nominee that is too far left. Biden outlined a policy agenda more moderate than some of his rivals. It included increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour a stand taken by most of the candidates and allowing anyone who wants to do so to buy into Medicare. That would represent a less dramatic change than the Medicare for All plan pushed by Sanders, but goes far beyond the proposals that Democrats pursued during Obamas two terms. He also called for expanding free community college and vocational training for workers and repealing Trumps upper-income tax cuts. Biden has built strong bonds with union leaders during his 36 years in the Senate and eight years as Obamas vice president. Underscoring those ties, he paved the path to his campaign announcement with speeches at union conferences. Those proved to be especially welcoming venues for him. The firefighters waved Run Joe Run placards printed for the occasion. The electrical workers, a mostly white male audience, applauded when Biden seemed to make light of recent complaints that he had made some women uncomfortable with his practice of hugging and kissing people he meets in public. But the labor movement is no monolith, and Biden will also have to court other workers and unions that are more left-leaning and racially diverse. Bidens rally won at least one convert from a Trump voter in attendance who has been disappointed by the president. Chuck Howenstein of Pittsburgh, 64, drew a contrast between the divisive tone of Trumps rallies and the upbeat message of Bidens. I really believe hes a good man who will bring morality to this country, said Howenstein, who sells fire protection equipment. I saw what happened in the last three years. To me it was terrible. The latest from Washington More stories from Janet Hook Two former California Democratic Party employees and an activist sued the organization in Sacramento County Superior Court on Monday, alleging that they were subjected to sexual assault, harassment, racial discrimination and retaliation by former Chairman Eric Bauman, and that the party failed to protect them. The lawsuit is the second filed against the party and Bauman in two weeks and the third legal action against both since he resigned in November following allegations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior toward party staff members and activists. In the lawsuit filed Monday, former party operations director Tina McKinnor alleges that Bauman discriminated against her because she is black and former communications director John Vigna claims that Bauman groped him and sexually harassed him on nearly a daily basis. The complaint also alleges that the state party retaliated against McKinnor and Vigna for helping another employee file a sexual harassment complaint against Bauman when it fired them in December. A third plaintiff, party activist Spencer Dayton, alleges in the suit that he was groped on at least two occasions by Bauman. Advertisement The plaintiffs are suing to be compensated for pain and suffering and lost income, and for punitive damages. Neal S. Zaslavsky, an attorney for Bauman, said his client had not been served with the lawsuit as of Monday afternoon. Mr. Bauman has not yet seen this lawsuit, and once again, we have only learned of its existence through media inquiries, Zaslavsky said. It is therefore premature for Mr. Bauman to have any further comment. As with the other pending matters, Mr. Bauman will not be trying this case in the media. Alexandra Alex Gallardo Rooker, the acting chair of the California Democratic Party, declined to comment through a spokesperson. We find it curious that the complainants decided to share the complaint with the media before it was filed or served, Rooker said. In any event, the CDP will not be commenting on pending litigation. As weve stated previously, the most appropriate venue for litigation to be resolved and the truth to see the light is in the courtroom through proper legal procedures. The lawsuit is the latest to cast the California Democratic Party as an organization with a toxic workplace culture. Last week, Baumans former assistant sued the organization, alleging he was repeatedly groped and sexually assaulted by the former chair. In January, Bauman and the party were sued by three other current and former employees, who alleged discrimination and a culture of harassment and sexual misconduct that was well-known and apparently tolerated by top officials. New lawsuit alleges sexual assault by former California Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman Similarly, the lawsuit filed Monday accuses current leadership of condoning Baumans widely known conduct. It also claims acting Chair Rooker acted in a way that made it clear that the safety and well-being of CDP employees was subservient to her own political agenda. The plaintiffs declined to comment on the suit through their attorney, Micha Star Liberty. Sweeping these serious problems under the rug and then suggesting everyone then moves forward is not good enough, Liberty said. In the lawsuit, McKinnor alleges that Bauman took job duties away from her and gave them to white colleagues instead, saying her style was too urban to run staff meetings and that the party was not ready to have an African American responsible for interacting with major donors. The suit also alleges that Bauman used her employment as a token, particularly to appease Kimberly Ellis, a black female activist who narrowly lost to Bauman in his race for chair in 2017. According to the complaint, Bauman asked McKinnor to run a September 2017 executive board meeting and told her to sit up front for the benefit of the black folks. Later, when McKinnor confronted Bauman about why she wasnt being permitted to do her job, the lawsuit says, Bauman plainly stated that he had needed to hire a strong black woman to keep Ellis quiet. The suit also alleges that Bauman used stereotypes and derogatory language to describe African Americans. At a dinner with colleagues in the fall of 2017, the complaint says, Bauman said that his mother, a teacher, did not like poor black kids and that the students parents were probably drug dealers. He later said that most black people are poor, the lawsuit claims. The lawsuit alleges that last year, after McKinnor helped a colleague file a harassment claim against Bauman, she learned from others that he was ranting about her disloyalty and calling her the schwartze, a derogatory Yiddish term for black person. According to the complaint, McKinnor knew that Bauman commonly used the term to refer to Ellis. California Democratic Chairman Eric Bauman accused of sexually explicit comments, unwanted touching In the case of Vigna, the lawsuit alleges that Bauman relied on their shared connection as gay men to brush off his concerns about harassment. According to the lawsuit, Bauman initiated physical contact in almost every conversation with Vigna and repeatedly touched him in ways that made him deeply uncomfortable, including rubbing his neck or back. Bauman also frequently called Vigna baby and insisted that Vigna call him Daddy, the lawsuit alleges. When Vigna refused, the complaint says, Bauman corrected him. Bauman also allegedly made lewd comments about Vigna, the lawsuit says, including a meritless accusation that Vigna was in a sexual relationship with Baumans assistant. The complaint alleges that as Vigna and the assistant left a staff dinner in late October, Bauman told them to play safe, implying that they were about to go have unprotected sex. Vigna was hurt by the comment because he had told Bauman he was recently diagnosed with HIV, the suit says. Vigna also alleges in the suit that Bauman repeatedly groped and fondled him, including on the night Bauman was elected chairman of the party. The suit also says Bauman used his power to harass young volunteers in the party, including Dayton. According to the complaint, Bauman groped Dayton on two occasions. In one incident, the lawsuit says, Dayton was pitching Bauman for his support on a new political initiative when Bauman allegedly groped him and whispered that he would weigh the pros and cons. When Vigna confronted Bauman about the rampant discriminatory and harassing conduct by Bauman and other senior staff, the lawsuit alleges, Bauman told him, This is my party, and said, Lets be clear, you work for me. After Vigna and McKinnor helped a coworker file a harassment complaint, the lawsuit says, the partys human resources manager allegedly told both of them not to speak to anyone about it in an effort to suppress the complaint. The lawsuit claims that Vigna noticed a significant change in his work load in the days leading up to Baumans resignation and says both he and McKinnor noticed they were being shut out of meetings, emails and phone calls related to their work. California Democratic Party leader Eric Bauman to resign after accusations of sexual misconduct McKinnor told the partys human resources manager several times that she feared for her job and was reassured she would not be fired, the suit alleges. The complaint also says that around the time Bauman resigned, Vigna, fearing for his job as well, met with Rooker, who personally assured him that he would continue on in his role. Two weeks later, Rooker terminated both of them despite numerous assurances that their employment was secure, the suit alleges. Other staff members were fired in an effort to cover up the retaliation, McKinnor and Vigna allege. Rooker, who was criticized for the firings, is not running to replace Bauman. At the time she declined to comment through party spokesman Roger Salazar, who said the staff shake-up was not unusual for a transition to new leadership and was in keeping with the scaling back of party operations after an election year. Among those vying for the chairmanship are Ellis, Rusty Hicks, president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, and Daraka Larimore-Hall, the partys current vice chairman. Delegates will vote for the next chair at the state partys convention in San Francisco at the end of May. christine.maiduc@latimes.com For more on California politics, follow @cmaiduc. Shocked by Saturdays mass shooting at the Chabad of Poway, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed Monday to significantly increase funds for security at synagogues, mosques and other religious institutions in California that face threats of hate-motivated violence. Newsom announced his support after the 14-member California Legislative Jewish Caucus made an urgent request for $15 million to be budgeted this year for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which only provided $500,000 last year. The money would go to nonprofit organizations including religious congregations, private and nonprofit schools, LGBTQ organizations, and womens health groups to pay for reinforced doors and gates, high intensity lighting and alarms, security guards and other protective measures. The funding announcement came the same day that authorities revealed they staved off a terror plot targeting Jews, churches and police officers, but it was not immediately clear whether Newsoms decision was influenced by that news. It also came before the Anti-Defamation League released a report Monday documenting that the number of Jewish people targeted in anti-Semitic assaults had tripled last year. Advertisement We all must call out hate against any and all communities and act to defend those targeted for their religious beliefs, who they love or how they identify, Newsom said Monday. An attack against any community is an attack against our entire state who we are and what we stand for. The governor said he will include the $15 million in his revised spending plan for the fiscal year starting July 1 that will be unveiled next month. If approved by the Legislature, the funding would be the largest ever under the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The money was first proposed by lawmakers earlier this month, but they said Monday that it has taken on new urgency since a gunman entered a synagogue on Saturday and shot four people, including a 60-year-old woman who died in the attack. Hundreds of applications for security grants have gone unfunded, including requests last year for $7.5 million. The money has been provided during the last four years in competitive grants of up to $75,000 each to nonprofit institutions. The lawmakers said Monday that they want the grants to be increased to up to $200,000. The state has provided $4.5 million since 2015 including $2 million that first year while a related federal program has provided $12 million in security grants in California. The increase is justified, lawmakers said, because of an increase in violent hate crimes including the 2018 massacre at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh and a mass shooting this year at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, and the bombings of churches and hotels on Easter in Sri Lanka. The Anti-Defamation Leagues report on Monday, which came after Newsoms announcement, examined the 1,879 anti-Semitic incidents last year that the ADL identified by combing through reports from police, victims and news publications. That total was the third-highest since the annual accounting began four decades ago. - The budget request endorsed by Newsom is not the only pending proposal to address hate crimes. Newsom said the budget he released in January also included $10 million for the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles and $2 million for the California Museum in Sacramento, which houses the Unity Center, to help increase educational efforts to reduce anti-Semitism. Newsom also said Monday that he will work with the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training to make sure training is up to date in dealing with hate crimes. Newsom noted that the Trump administration has made deep cuts in federal funding to combat domestic terrorism. Newsom said that if the president will not take action to shield Californians from that threat, the state will step into that position of leadership. Anti-Semitism is on the rise, Newsom said. To be fair, it was on the rise before Trump took the oath of office. But they have accelerated it. Hate has been weaponized. The Jewish Caucus welcomed the governors commitments. With the stark rise in hate-motivated violence, we must do more to secure gathering places to prevent future attacks, and educate people on the dangers of anti-Semitism and hate of all forms, said Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), chairman of the caucus. Newsom told reporters at the Capitol that he was relieved that the FBI was able to thwart a potential terrorist attack in Long Beach, in part by having an undercover operation respond to social media posts by the suspect. The governor said such cases raise concerns about hate speech on the internet and the need for such posts to be better policed by those who run social media sites. I think it would be in the interest of the (tech) leaders to come up here and work with us in a collaborative spirit so we dont have to legislate, Newsom said. The news conference by the governor and several legislators was held just hours after the state Legislature marked a day of remembrance for Holocaust victims from World War II. We are all one humanity, and the fact that we forget that is part of the reason we need to remember it today, Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) said during the memorial ceremony on the Senate floor, noting she had relatives who died in the Holocaust. Because the Legislature marked Holocaust Memorial Day during its session Monday, some Holocaust survivors and family members were at the Capitol and voiced support for the increase in funding for security measures. Newsom was scheduled to attend a private event with the Holocaust survivors later Monday. Another tragic shooting has hit home, said Senate Leader Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), adding there is No place in our community for hate. I believe San Diego is better than this. Our hearts are with the Chabad of Poway Synagogue families and our larger Jewish community. Sign up for our Essential Politics newsletter patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com Twitter: @mcgreevy99 Food shortages, damaged homes, fear of death, loved ones leaving. The cumulative stresses of Hurricane Maria contributed to thousands of schoolchildren developing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in Puerto Rico, according to a new study. Researchers found that 7.2% of the students about 1 in 14 reported clinically significant symptoms of the disorder commonly known as PTSD. Girls were more likely to show signs of PTSD than boys, according to the report published Friday in the journal JAMA Network Open. The study authors surveyed 96,108 public school students five to nine months after Hurricane Maria devastated the U.S. territory in 2017. The cohort included children in third through 12th grades across different regions of the island. The Puerto Rico Department of Education, which partnered with the Medical University of South Carolina, is using the data to target areas with the greatest need for mental health services, the study said. Advertisement Maria, which struck the island as a Category 4 hurricane in September 2017, killed an estimated 2,975 people within the American commonwealth. Residents struggled to access clean water, and some remained without electricity nearly a year after the storm. It had dramatic effects on the students. Nearly 46% said their homes were damaged. More than 32% experienced shortages of food and water. And roughly 58% had a friend or family member leave the island. Study leader Rosaura Orengo-Aguayo, a clinical psychologist at the Medical University of South Carolina, said the findings showed the breadth and indiscriminate nature of the devastation. That just speaks to how big Maria was, how destructive Maria was island-wide, she said. And it didnt matter what your income was or your location was on the island you were affected. Similar problems have been reported among children in other parts of the Caribbean also affected by hurricanes in 2017. Puerto Rico lost nearly 4% of its population after Hurricane Maria, data show Congress is at a stalemate in passing an aid bill that would send more resources to the island and other areas affected by natural disasters. President Trump has expressed his reluctance to provide more money to Puerto Rico. The trauma caused by a natural disaster can manifest itself in a variety of ways, said Frank Zenere, district coordinator of the crisis management program at Miami-Dade County Public Schools, who was not associated with the study. Family units can break down through divorce or domestic violence, he said. Young children can revert to thumb-sucking or wetting the bed. Teens sometimes try to exert control by acting out or turning to drugs to self-medicate. It has impact on their life, said Zenere, who helped coordinate mental health efforts in Puerto Rico in Marias aftermath. But the great majority are not going to develop psychiatric illness. Zenere said the gender differences found among students aligned with existing literature boys are more likely to act out, while girls are most likely to show depression and anxiety. The studys authors said the loss and disruption caused by Maria contributed about 20% toward the youths symptoms of PTSD. Although the researchers did not measure what other circumstances played a role, other protective factors like eventually securing basic needs and community support influence resiliency, Orengo-Aguayo said. Notably, she said, the level of PTSD symptoms reported in the study was lower than what was expected. Some studies suggest up to one-third of children will develop chronic symptoms after surviving a natural disaster, the authors wrote. Familial ties or the fact that the study was conducted several months after the storm could have played a role in the childrens resilience, Orengo-Aguayo said. Or the children might still be attuned to trying to survive. What we might be seeing is that children at that stage were still focused on getting access to basic needs, she said. A year after Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico still struggles to regain what hasnt been lost for good while fearing the next big one Regan Stewart, a clinical psychologist at the Medical University of South Carolina who worked on the study, said the team had secured two grants from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to continue work on the island for at least three more years. It plans to expand access to mental health services and train school staff and mental health professionals on trauma-focused interventions. Public schools in Puerto Rico, however, are burdened by economic constraints. The island already facing a budget crisis closed 300 schools over the last two years due to a lack of enrollment exacerbated by Hurricane Maria. Zenere said school staff members were among those who needed to be cared for first, because theyre going to be the glue that keeps it together for that classroom of 20 children or so. Carmen Heredia Rodriguez is a reporter for Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent publication of the Kaiser Family Foundation. A Pasadena man will spend more than 10 years behind bars for a series of bank robberies he committed last year in the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, including a U.S. Bank in Burbank, federal authorities announced Monday. Shownee Shon Smith, dubbed the Dual Valley Bandit by law enforcement, will be required to pay $20,285 in restitution in addition to serving his 125-month prison sentence. From May to June, the U.S. attorneys office said Smith, 41, committed six robberies in Pasadena, South Pasadena, North Hollywood, Tarzana, Woodland Hills and Burbank. In each case, he would hand a bank employee a threatening note demanding cash. He was eventually arrested on June 10, immediately after attempting to rob a South Pasadena Wells Fargo at gunpoint. Authorities reportedly recovered a loaded shotgun and over $4,000 in cash. In a criminal complaint filed against Smith after his arrest, FBI special agent Catherine Moore said Smith had confessed to officers that he committed the robberies after finding himself in debt. He had lost his home and business, due to money problems, and his landlord was going to evict him, Moore said in the June 14 complaint. Smith also confessed that he unsuccessfully tried to rob several other banks in Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks and Encino. In the Burbank robbery, Moore said Smith got away with $700. andy.nguyen@latimes.com Twitter: @Andy_Truc A car crash downed a utility pole and shut down both sides of Laguna Canyon Road on Monday morning in Laguna Beach. About a mile of Laguna Canyon Road was closed between Big Bend and Canyon Acres Drive while city public works crews and Frontier Communications representatives fix the felled pole. Police Sgt. Jim Cota said no one was injured when the Toyota Corolla crashed into the pole, downing several wires across the roadway. The crash was reported shortly after 9 a.m. The road was reopened at about noon, the Laguna Beach Police Department said on Twitter. Police are investigating the cause of the crash, Cota said. 10:15 AM - Laguna Canyon Road between the area of Big Bend and Canyon Acres Drive will be closed until 2:00 PM. Updates will be posted at that time. Laguna Beach Police (@LagunaBeachPD) April 29, 2019 Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. UPDATES: This article was originally published at 11:10 a.m. and was later updated with additional information. Hovering tall over the Irvine Spectrum retail and business area, near the convergence of the I-5 and the I-405 freeways, stands Irvines newest office building, 400 Spectrum Center. Built by the Irvine Co. in only 19 months, the shimmering blue and gray structure had its grand opening on Wednesday. The 323-foot high, 21-story edifice, gleaming with floor-to-ceiling Viracon glass and wrapped in linen-finish stainless steel, is now Orange Countys tallest office building. Its sister structure, 200 Spectrum Center, which opened in February 2016, is just a few inches shorter. Designed by New York-based firm Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, the office tower at 400 Spectrum Center Drive is 44% leased, according to Steve Case, executive vice president at Irvine Co. Office Properties. Cybersecurity company Cylance has already signed a six-floor lease, and will have its name at the top of the building. Id like to call this the Irvine Companys version of the iPhone 10, joked Case during the grand opening, referring to another huge announcement made on Tuesday from Apple. The Irvine Spectrum has helped us achieve this vision of being the economic engine for Orange County. Ten years ago, Case said, the grand openings of Irvine Co. properties 20 and 40 Pacifica, which are in the same Spectrum neighborhood, welcomed offices for 600 regulators from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Its nice to see the innovators come and replace the regulators, Case said. In addition to Cylance, an artificial intelligence-driven company that works on projects similar to the massive Equifax hack, other new tenants include SendGrid, Purple Bricks, Case One, Cross Country Mortgage and KS & Co., Case said. SendGrid, a Denver-based communications platform for transactional and marketing email, is leasing 22,00 square feet of office space, according to information provided by the Irvine Co. The building features 428,000 square feet of modern office space, 360-degree views of Orange County, smart elevators that, with the assistance of lobby ambassadors, provide the quickest route to a floor, and an electronic touch-screen building directory. The tower offers several Ready Now offices, which are fully wired suites that allow for fast move-in and limited disruption for growing or established businesses. The building was built with environmental sustainability in mind; its powered by Teslas advanced energy storage system and received an Energy Star recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A fitness center and yoga studio, dubbed Kinetic, are located on the second floor. Outside the tower, an area called the Commons provides for open-air gathering, with a fire pit, plush soft seating, free WiFi and a dining area. The parking structure includes showers and lockers, bicycle storage and EV charging stations. Coming soon inside 400 Spectrum Center will be a cafe where employees can order specialty menu items, grab-and-go snacks and, of course, crafted coffee concoctions. The Irvine Co. reportedly got ideas for contemporary office design from working with companies such as Google and Facebook. This is a marvelous addition to the Irvine community, Irvine Mayor Don Wagner said. Not just the view, but the opportunity to bring into our city a great diverse mix of young companies, established companies, growing companies, folks that are contributing not just to our vibrant community, but indeed making transformational changes around the country. Councilwoman Lynn Schott said shes heard some residents complain about congestion, but insisted that both 200 and 400 Spectrum Center are helping to change Irvine for the better. What I see is a testament to the success of the city, to the success of the Irvine Co., to the success of our business community, Schott said. What I see is opportunity; what I see is a vision for the future a vibrant economy, and families who are going to be served, business owners that are going to be successful. We see nothing but positive. RICHARD CHANG is a contributor to Times Community News. A 25-year-old Glendale man suspected of setting an arson fire in Monrovia that destroyed his fathers warehouse storing roughly a couple dozen classic, exotic and muscle cars fatally shot himself the morning of the blaze, officials said. At around 2:40 a.m. on Saturday, Monrovia firefighters and police responded to the warehouse blaze, which left one Arcadia fireman with second- and third-degree burns, according to Monrovia Police Sgt. William Burkhalter. During the investigation that morning, authorities discovered that a silver Porsche was taken from the warehouse. After determining a suspect, later identified by coroner officials as Schuyler Shelby Funk, Monrovia investigators asked Glendale police to check if the car was parked at Funks Glendale home in the 300 block of Wonderview Drive, according to Glendale Police Sgt. Robert William. Glendale police found the Porsche parked in the driveway, along with two other cars registered to Funk, after which Monrovia police began writing a warrant to search the home, William said. However, before the warrant could be served, Glendale police were called to the home by Funks grandmother, who had reportedly found him dead in the garage with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Funk was pronounced dead at 9:25 a.m., according to Ed Winter, spokesman for the Los Angeles County coroners office. Investigators were working to determine the cause of the blaze, as well as a motive. A damage estimate was not immediately available. -- Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com Twitter: @atchek There was a lot to be down about on Irelands far-flung Aran Islands in the mid-1930s. Inhabitants at the time navigated a terrain of mostly stone, mud and hard knocks. Yet Martin McDonaghs 1998 play Cripple of Inishmaan about a small community on one of the islands in that era, is a comedy albeit a pitch-black one. Effectively melding hard edge and hilarity that drew me to it, as a job to do is Steven Robman, who is directing Antaeus Theatres production of the play opening on Thursday in Glendale. He pitched the challenge to himself rhetorically: Can you make those two oddly conflicting ideas, the nastiness and the humor, work together? Driving the plays narrative is a real-life event the arrival of a Robert Flaherty-headed Hollywood film crew on a neighboring island in 1934. In Inishmaan, where a goose biting a cat counts as news, the inhabitants are consumed with excitement especially handicapped Billy Claven, who hopes he can land a part in the film and, most importantly, a ticket off the dreary island. In a recent preview performance, Ian Littleworth portrayed Claven as anything but helpless, despite his bad leg and bad arm. Like everyone else on the island, Claven uses guile, brash determination and ample expletives often at the expense of others to, if not thrive, survive. Even his affected limp has a sort of swagger to it. All Antaeus roles are double cast, and Claven is portrayed by Matthew Grondin in alternate performances. Local kid Bartley (Sebastian Fernandez) seriously deliberates over which sweeties to buy from shopkeeper Eileen (Julia Fletcher). (Geoffrey Wade Photography) Snippets of Flahertys semifictional documentary, Man of Aran, punctuate the performance. In a meta flourish, the characters arent gripped, or convinced, by whats supposed to be an authentic depiction of their lives when they finally watch the finished film. Writer McDonagh, who is British and Irish, told Bomb magazine in 1998 that he hoped his stories would one day be read as true Irish stories, but acknowledged it might take some time for people to come around. And yet truth is elusive and ever-shifting in the play, with history constantly readjusting itself depending on whos telling it and whos listening. This play is about storytelling in a lot of ways, people making up stories, misrepresenting things, mythologizing themselves, Robman said. And I found that to be a very interesting matrix on which to put a bunch of characters. Nine characters make up the cast, and sometimes theyre all on stage at once. When they are, its a full house, as Robman put it, referring to the theaters moderately sized stage. Add in the fact that those characters including an elderly, alcoholic woman and an egg-throwing school girl frequently converse in coarse, rural Irish slang (think: Ya feckin eejit!), and the production may not be be for the especially faint of heart. Clavens adoptive aunts, Kate, played by Rhonda Aldrich in the recent preview performance, and Eileen, played by Julia Fletcher, are notable for injecting a sliver of earnestness into the characters biting back-and-forths, despite having silver-tinged tongues of their own. In spite or because of all the roughness, the audience at the preview performance laughed loud and often. To make it work, Robman said rehearsals focused on building up character traits, to make actions seem natural or honest. In this case, the violence is earned, Robman said, And when its earned because its honest, the audience will understand it better and not to sort of look away and say, What are these idiots doing, bashing each other? Antaeus Theatres The Cripple of Inishmaan will run until March 11 at the Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center. For more information, visit antaeus.org. lila.seidman@latimes.com Twitter: @lila_seidman After a five-year deployment in South Vietnam, the 1st Marine Division returned to Camp Pendleton. On April 30, 1971, President Nixon visited the returning division. Staff writer William J. Drummond reported in the next mornings Los Angeles Times: CAMP PENDLETON President Nixon on Friday looked over a parade ground full of battle-seasoned U.S. Marines recently returned from Vietnam and declared that they had come home with "mission accomplished." The men of the 1st Marine Division, the oldest and most decorated Marine Corps division, were dressed in their green combat fatigues as they stood before the commander-in-chief to receive a Presidential Unit Citation. With a pleasant westerly breeze rippling the flags and streamers, the president said that when the 1st Marine Division went to Vietnam, millions of people were under communist rule and South Vietnam was threatened by a communist takeover. After five years of fighting, Mr. Nixon said, the 1st Marines had helped enable the South Vietnamese to take over the major burden of their own defense and they will soon be able to assume the whole load. In the meantime, he said, the United States would be withdrawing at the rate of one division a month from Vietnam. America welcomes you home with pride and we will not fail you in winning the peace, the president concluded in a brief, extemporaneous speech. During the Vietnam War, 7,012 men from the 1st Marine Division were killed in action. This photo appeared on the front page of the May 1, 1971, Los Angeles Time. This post was originally published on May 23, 2014. See more from the Los Angeles Times archives here Islamic States long-pursued leader, Abu Bakr Baghdadi, made his first video appearance in almost five years on Monday, vowing to continue the battle against the U.S. and its allies in a propaganda video released to social media. In the 18-minute recording, Baghdadi, appearing healthy if grayer, repeatedly extols the steadfastness of militants and says that even though Islamic State has lost territory, jihad is ongoing until the day of judgment. He later praises the attackers in Sri Lanka who killed more than 250 on Easter Sunday and rejoices that Americans and Europeans were among the dead. Titled In the Hospitality of the Emir of the Believers, the video depicts a slow-speaking Baghdadi addressing a group of what are presumably his lieutenants, with a Kalashnikov rifle and an ammunition belt laid casually at his side. He begins by congratulating what he described as Islamic States holy warriors for holding out in Baghouz, the tiny eastern Syrian hamlet that was the last remnant of Islamic States once-sprawling caliphate before being overrun by a U.S.-backed offensive last month. Advertisement The fighters there, Baghdadi said, proved Islamic States militants would surrender the lands they control only over their corpses and body parts. With the loss of Baghouz, Baghdadi continued, the battle today is one of attrition and stretching out the enemy. He called on fighters to attack their enemies and bleed them, whether in manpower, military, economic or logistical capabilities. The people of Mosul, Iraq, find theres life after Islamic State, but it isnt easy The speech marks Baghdadis first video appearance since 2014, when he first walked up the steps of the Great Nouri Mosque in Mosul, Iraq, and declared himself caliph. In the months that followed that speech, the groups fighters would blitz through large swaths of Iraq and Syria and eventually control a full third of each country. 5) There is serious danger not only to the fact that Baghdadi, #ISIS so-called Caliph, is still alive--but also that he is able to reemerge to his supporters and reaffirm the groups us-vs-the-world message after all the progress made against the group. pic.twitter.com/BbqFGM78O8 Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) April 29, 2019 Baghdadi, meanwhile, became arguably the worlds most wanted man: The U.S. offered a $25-million bounty for information leading to his capture. The various armies pursuing him have made periodic statements that he was killed in an airstrike, wounded or battling health issues. Yet in the new video he appears to be in good health as he confers with the men around him, and is shown reading what are presumably reports from the various areas where the group maintains a presence. Colin P. Clarke, a senior research fellow at the nonprofit Soufan Center, said the video was Baghdadis attempt to counter the narrative of a downtrodden Islamic State. Its definitely intended to provide a morale boost to Islamic State supporters, Clarke said. I think hes hoping that this catalyzes individuals that are planning an attack, or thinking about it. Baghdadis clothing is also a change from the robes that he has been seen in previously, Clarke said, and a sign to followers that he is prepared to lead an insurgency. Baghdadi addresses recent uprisings in Algeria and Sudan, exhorting people there to return to jihad, saying nothing works with [dictators] other than the sword. Later, in an audio-only addendum to the speech, Baghdadi mentioned the Sri Lanka attacks, insisting they were the work of a new Islamic State affiliate in the country. The attackers were taking out vengeance for their brothers in Baghouz, Baghdadi said. It was a part of the vengeance that awaits the crusaders and their lackeys, he said, referring to the U.S.-led coalition and its allies. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said that government analysts would review the video and that the agency would defer to the intelligence community on its authenticity. ISIS territorial defeat in Iraq and Syria was a crushing strategic and psychological blow as ISIS saw its so-called caliphate crumble, its leaders killed or flee the battlefield, and its savagery exposed, the spokesperson said, using an acronym for Islamic State. But this fight is not finished. The spokesperson said a U.S.-led coalition will continue working to ensure an enduring defeat of these terrorists and that any leaders who remain are delivered the justice that they deserve. These children escaped from ISIS captivity, but there is no joy in their return home Also in the video, Baghdadi mentions pledges of allegiance from brothers in Burkina Faso and Mali, congratulating militants from the West African nations on joining the convoy of the caliphate. He calls on militants in the two former French colonies to intensify attacks on the crusader France, which has troops stationed in the region. And he specifically mentions the Malian extremist Abu Walid Sahrawi, who leads the offshoot Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. Extremist violence has risen in recent years in both nations. On Sunday in Burkina Faso, armed groups reportedly killed six people in a Protestant church near the Mali border; no group has claimed responsibility. Times staff writers Tracy Wilkinson in Washington and Melissa Gomez in Los Angeles contributed to this report. The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka urged the government Monday to crack down on Islamic extremists with more vigor as if on war footing in the aftermath of the Easter bombings. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the archbishop of Colombo, said the church might not be able to stop people from taking the law into their own hands unless the government conducts a more thorough investigation and does more to prevent further attacks. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the Easter attacks, which killed more than 250 people, and investigators are looking into the extent of the extremist groups involvement with the local radicalized Muslims who carried out the suicide bombings. But the cardinal said he was not satisfied with how the government had conducted its investigations so far. All the security forces should be involved and function as if on war footing, Ranjith told reporters. Advertisement I want to state that we may not be able to keep people under control in the absence of a stronger security program, he said. We cant forever give them false promises and keep them calm. He urged the government to implement a proper program in order that the people dont take the law into their own hands. Ranjith, however, said the church assured Muslims that it would not allow any revenge attacks against them. He also said church services would be held Sunday after taking necessary precautions. The number of Masses will be reduced at every church, with police and parish committees entrusted with the task of looking out for strangers. Churches were shut across the nation on Sunday, a week after the bombings, for fear of another attack by militants linked to the Islamic State group. Sri Lankas Catholics celebrated Mass in their homes as Ranjith presided over a televised service. The closing of the churches came after local officials and the U.S. Embassy in Colombo warned that more militants remained on the loose with explosives. Even though all of the island nations schools which have been closed since the attacks are to reopen May 6, Ranjith said Catholic schools could be kept closed after that date if the church was not satisfied with security. Meanwhile, the government banned all kinds of face coverings that might conceal peoples identities. The emergency law, which took effect Monday, prevents Muslim women from veiling their faces. The decision came after the Cabinet proposed laws on face veils at a recent meeting. It had deferred the matter until talks with Islamic clerics could be held, on the advice of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The Easter attacks were carried out by seven suicide bombers who blew themselves up as they targeted three churches and three luxury hotels. Two other suicide bombers died after triggering blasts, one to avoid capture by police and another at an inn where he was staying. On Monday, President Maithripala Sirisena appointed former army commander Shantha Kottegoda as the top official in the defense ministry after requesting the resignation of his predecessor, Hemasiri Fernando, for intelligence failures that led to the bombings. The government is accused of not acting on near-specific information from a foreign intelligence agency over several weeks about an imminent attack. The foreign ministry on Monday put the number of foreigners killed in the attacks at 42, up from 40, with 12 others unaccounted for. Twenty-five bodies of foreigners have been sent back to their countries, the ministry said. People in Bengaluru may face call drops and disruption in internet services as the local municipal body and telecom players are at loggerheads over payment issues. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has ordered to cut telecom cables laid over the ground, citing them to be non-compliant with existing norms, and has demanded fees from companies to lay them underground. However, telecom service providers said the cables were laid overhead temporarily due to road construction work and they have already paid the fees for laying them under the ground. A BBMP official told PTI that it was disconnecting only those optical fibre cables which were unauthorised. We have incurred huge financial losses because of the unauthorised cables. Several times we had warned the telecom companies to get the cables regularised and should be laid in as per regulations but they ignored our warnings. We were left with no option but to disconnect them, the officer said. He added that telecom companies still have the chance to disclose the cables they have laid and get them regularised by paying the prescribed fees. The officer said most of the cables were laid overhead and were dangling from trees, which had caused many accidents in the past. Meanwhile, telecom industry body COAI said they were authorised temporarily to lay cables aerially as road construction work was going on that frequently damaged cables and they have already paid fees for laying them underground. BBMP is demanding right of way charges again to lay telecom cables underground. We have already paid fees and the cables were laid overground temporarily after permission from BBMP. We asked them to put the order on hold and give us time to put them underground as cable cut will lead to disruption in services which is already on red alert after terror attack in Sri Lanka, COAI Director General Rajan S Mathews said. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has approached Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundararajan over the issue. After telecom secretarys intervention, we met Karnataka State Chief Secretary along with representatives from Reliance Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea. The chief secretary has asked BBMP to resolve the matter. We will be meeting BBMP commissioner on Tuesday and hope the matter will be resolved amicably, Mathews said. Ahmedabad Division of Western Railway recently hosted a very well organised inter Railway Documentary Competition at Sabarmati, Ahmedabad wherein 20 teams of different Zonal Railways and Production Units, including Northern Railway, participated. After the screening of all Short Documentaries team of Northern Railway, representated by Kultar Singh, Erut Narayan Saxena & Ramesh Chandra was facilitated besides other teams by the top officials of Western Railway A national conference on strategic planning for faster execution of signal and telecom interlocking works in Rail Infra Projects was held under the aegis of RVNL at Bengaluru from April 25 to 27 to discuss the speedy delivery of the infrastructure projects on Indian Railways. The conference deliberated on the strategies for provision of state of art signal and telecommunication systems in the ongoing projects over Indian railways by RVNL The India Pavilion at the 29th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair was inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates, Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahayan on April 24, 2019 in the presence of UAEs Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, Noura Bint Mohd Al Kaabi; Indian Ambassad or Navdeep Suri and Chairman of National Book Trust Prof. Govind Prasad Sharma. India has been designated as the Guest of Honour for the Book Fair, which is being held from 24th to 30th April, 2019 The Sirifort Auditorium experiences the mesmerising musical journey the true soul of desert Folk Music by Kutle Khan. ShowCase events curated an unforgettable musical evening and lifetime experience by taking the audience through a journey of the true soul of Rajasthani Folk music. The Show concluded with the dancers and musicians moving their feet to the all-time favorite song Nimbooda Nimbooda to give the complete feel of the culture tour at The Sirifort Auditorium. This was the second edition of the show of Sounds From The Desert, a folk musical tour by ShowCase events and they are looking forward to having many more shows with different artists all over the country The reoccurring conflict in the Niger Delta for more than a decade has festered due to failure of successive governments to address the core conflict issues or adequately understand the region's problems. This is coupled with the fact that many stakeholders in and outside the region benefit from the rot that has characterized the region for years. At the root of the major problems in the Niger Delta are corrupt practices driving conflict and impacting negatively on investment in energy-rich communities. More importantly, awareness of the host community risks to bankability have been difficult to capture with traditional political and financial risk assessments and management processes for companies operating in the region. Dr Zibima Tubodenyefa, a political science lecturer at the Niger Delta University, aptly captured the situation in a report titled: Corruption and conflict: Identifying methodologies of corrupt practices driving conflict and the impact on investment in energy-rich communities published in October 2018. Dr Tubodenyefa had come up with an analytical tool that was adapted for companies, governments, and communities to support understanding host community conflict dynamics called the Macro-Conflict Risk Impact Assessment (M-CRIA) by: 1. Making more informed decisions on projects (investments) by facilitating a deeper understanding of causes (Root causes, proximate causes, triggers, etc.) and consequences; 2. Understanding the roles, interests, and capacities of major conflict stakeholders as well as the issues that may shift or change their decision-making; 3. Designing mitigation strategies based on up-to-date information gathered. READ ALSO: Lagos leads in job creations as 740,146 jobs were added A trend analysis of the history of conflict in the Niger Delta will show that highly political contexts are prone to conflict. As it is, every conflict is driven by interests and positions, which may be economic, cultural or political. What the tool does is to follow three logical steps in understanding the dynamics of the context, categorize the key issues, and develop mitigation strategies through comprehensive and open processes of engagements. You will agree with me that it is this supposed highly political contexts that have contributed to the failure of planned investments in the region. These conditions have persisted because government and investors have yet to understand the contexts wherein investments are to be located, Dr Tubodenyefa explained further in an email to Legit.ng. Utilizing the M-CRIA tool means going over the dynamics of the conflict, understanding the issues that generate highly political conditions, and developing strategies to mitigate them in a way that supports the successful takeoff of projects. The advantages of M-CRIA are: 1. Planning ahead should enable companies to identify better local partners. Many of the initiatives identified will be long-term in that they seek to transform structural conflict issues, such as underdevelopment or unemployment. 2. There are reputational gains at the local and international levels from implementing strategies early, and pre-empting negative impacts. 3. It helps to manage expectations if companies communicate with stakeholders about their plans as early as possible. 4. Companies interact with host societies through three basic categories of business activity: core business, social investment and policy dialogue The MCRIA structure is geared towards conducting conflict analysis, prioritizing conflict risks and initiating multi-stakeholder dialogue. The report noted that as a strategy for increasing influence and access to rent, community leaders and key influencers are increasingly expanding linkages by acquiring political power either via appointments or elective positions. The report also established that issues such as community leadership crises and community engagement practices are processes which support the methodologies employed and instrumented by conflict enterpreneurs. The findings also show that in terms of instrumentalizing conflict for corrupt accumulation, the greater the actor linkages across stakeholder clusters (community, government and investor interactions), the more control they have over community governance structures and, by implication, the greater their capability for mobilizing violence. Dr Tubodenyefa's report indicates that stakeholders in the region fail to focus on deeper trends when planning their anti-conflict strategies. This causes them to undervalue the potential costs of ongoing violence, as well as the importance of a peaceful Niger Delta to Nigerias economic development and global energy security. A tragedy of the commons results. His words: There are different levels and stages to the conflicts in the Niger delta. Intra and inter-community conflicts, conflicts over crude oil extraction, and the wider issue of militancy in the region. At the level of national security, it has been the issue of militancy and how it affects oil production that has been more visible and with more impact. Different conflict resolution tools can be applied to given the differing nature of these conflicts. However, the M-CRIA is best suited or was developed to mitigate conflicts arising from the extractive industry; conflicts from the interaction of investors, governments and communities. In this regard, where the conflict drivers are linked to extraction especially new investments, the M-CRIA can be used to develop mitigation strategies. Indeed, the key is to lay a foundation to support and argue for better government practices higher up. Luckily, a civil society organisation like Facility for Oil Sector Transformation (FOSTER) is already having some success promoting accountability in the oil industry. This move will address the poor expenditure quality which are geared toward short-terms goals, such as reinforcing patronage channels, increasing political leverage, or ensuring steady oil production. The outside limit for most planning and management decisions is two to four years, with larger strategic costs largely ignored. The Niger Delta region is currently riddled with bad governance and corruption on the parts of government officials, both at the state and local government levels, community leaders, youth groups and oil producing companies amongst others. Corruption has continued to defy all possible solutions in Nigeria because the cost of corruption is too low and the political will to implement anti-corruption laws is absent. Corruption remains the number cause of underdevelopment in the Niger Delta region. This can, however, be remedied by incorporating insights from the theory of M-CRIA to address the conflicts arising from the region. Corruption has continued to defy all possible solutions in Nigeria because the cost of corruption is too low and the political will to implement anti-corruption laws is absent. Poorly constructed, inappropriate, and nonviable institutional set-ups are responsible for a significant level of the opportunism and corruption that has pervaded the Niger Delta for decades. It is important to note that the stability of the Nigerian state depends mainly on equity, probity, accountability and transparency in the management of the nations oil wealth. READ ALSO: Wole Soyinka scores Buhari high on anti-corruption war In his report, Dr Tubodenyefa recommended that based on his findings from the corruption and conflict case, it is imperative that government, private investors, local actors, community members, and interested parties should: 1. Facilitate more transparent, accountable and inclusive community engagement processes that promotes inclusive community governance. This will allow more information flow and less distortion for community action to be based on accurate information; 2. Conduct community sensitisation of the collective benefits of the project to remove the sentiment of extreme individualism; 3. Entrench collective ownership through opportunities for community equity participation; 4. Establish protocols for perception and expectation management by providing more accurate and timely information sharing to raise awareness of the process and knowledge of the community members as to the process they are a part of. The intention is to provide for a robust process in developing interventions in the region and the creation of conditions that will support the success of industries and investments in the region. It is our belief that the adoption of the M-CRIA in the life cycle of oil and gas investments will improve the success of emergent development policies in the region, Dr Tubodenyefa concluded. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! Meet Sunny Ofehe, the new face of Niger Delta development | Legit TV Source: Legit.ng - The Nigeria Police boss has promised he would end violent crimes and kidnapping across Nigeria - Mohammed Adamu said the Police is working in collaboration with other security agencies - According to Adamu, the Police will not rest on its oars until kidnappings and other violent crimes are subdued, and sanity restored to the land The inspector general of police, Mohammed Adamu, has said that he must end crime in various states across Nigeria. Adamu while commending officers of the Nigeria Police over feats achieved in the fight against crime in the country said the Police is working in collaboration with other security agencies. He also said that the Police will not rest on its oars until kidnappings and other violent crimes are subdued, and sanity restored to the land. Vanguard reports that the IGP's promise followed the arrest of the alleged Spiritual Father of kidnappers and armed bandits operating in the Northern part of the country. READ ALSO: Just in: EFCC files criminal charges against Bauchi governor-elect The Police said Mallam Salisu Abubakar was arrested by detectives attached to Operation Puff Adder after series of detailed, intensive and sustained investigative operations. Also arrested were 18 notorious kidnappers and armed robbers at different times and places across the country. It was also gathered that 22 AK 47 riffles, five locally fabricated pistols and a cache of live ammunition were recovered from the bandits from their hide-outs in Birnin Gwari, Rijana, Katari, Mai Daro and Buruku Forests in Kaduna state. The suspects were said to be involved in some of the most heinous crimes committed in Kaduna state and its environs in recent times. Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Adamu had on Thursday, April 25, reversed the shift structure of the Nigeria Police. PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app Adamu while declaring the conference of heads of Police Medical Facilities at the Force headquarters open directed that the 12-hour shift system for officers who are on duty be reversed to the traditional 8-hours shift. He also ordered for a three-shift duty standard for all officers of the Nigeria Police. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! Are Nigerian policemen the worst in the world? - on Legit TV Source: Legit - Clerics in Nigeria have been asked to stop fueling crisis in the country - An Inter-Faith group said fervent prayer and fasting remain the only panacea to the nagging menace in Nigeria - The group also said that hate sermons encourage the activities of killers in the name of politics or religion The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROP) in Nigeria has proffered the way forward to banditry kidnappings and other crises in some parts of the country. The group said fervent prayer and fasting remain the only panacea to the nagging menace in Nigeria. NIFROP also called on Nigerian clergymen and women for concerted spiritual efforts towards rendering the evil of kidnapping, ethnic killings and banditry null and void whilst supporting security agencies to carry out their duties towards defeating them. At a press conference on Sunday, April 28, the group, through one of her leaders, Bishop Jacob Madaki, also warned clergymen and messengers of God who covertly or overtly promote ethnic rife or propagate hate sermons to encourage the activities of killers in the name of politics or religion to desist as it would do the nation no good. READ ALSO: Just in: EFCC files criminal charges against Bauchi governor-elect Madaki said Nigeria has been blessed by the Almighty God with abundant natural and human resources today. He also said the the country has one of the best Presidents in the world and it is clear that those who fear the prosperity of our nation will never go to bed to sleep. "But today, we are being tormented by evil men and the country is in severe violent conflicts and killings being instigated by some demonic and selfish Nigerians. "This is a painful fact known to all of us seated here and the generality of Nigerians in states, communities and homesteads. We cannot pretend about this frustrating reality," Madaki said. He said it is unhealthy for the peace, security, development and progress of any country. "We cannot triumph even in the sight of God by creating or promoting violence through inter-faith conflicts, ethnic supremacy and such other motivations for killings of ourselves. He further appealed to all Nigerians to go down on their kneels in ceaseless fasting and prayers for God to rescue Nigeria from bloodsucking vermins. "And it is a clarion call to every genuine religious leader irrespective of denomination or creed to pray for Nigeria and also, urge their congregation to do so. It is their responsibility to give the government a guide to lead the nation to peace and prosperity, not violence, killings and destruction or hate sermons on the pulpit, laced in outward piousness," he said. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that some clerics in Lagos have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to use his re-election to do more in improving security of Nigeria. The clerics gave the advice on Tuesday, April 16, asking the president to , unite Nigerians and use the nations resources to develop the country the more. Also, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Adewale Martins, urged the President to do more in the areas of securing lives and property of the citizens. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng: Same great journalism, upgraded for better service! Is Nigeria truly the 6th most miserable country in the world? | Legit TV Source: Legit - An APC witness simply identified as ADM has reaffirmed that former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, is not a Nigerian - The ruling APC had told election petition tribunal that Atiku was not qualified to contest Saturday, February 23, presidential election because he is a Cameroonian - ADM also noted that Atikus claim that he is a Nigerian by birth is not true A witness of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the on-going presidential election petition tribunal has said that the candidate of the Peoples democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, lied by claiming that he is a Nigerian by birth. Nigerian Tribune reports that the witness who claimed to be a close friend of Atikus late father, had alleged that neither of Atikus parents was a Nigerian. Legit.ng gathered that the unnamed family friend of Garba, Atikus late father, in a fresh document filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) before the presidential election petition tribunal, sitting in Abuja, also gave details of Atikus early years and how his father died. It was learnt that in a statement filed by the APC witness, simply identified with the initials, ADM, the party said Atikus claim that he is a Nigerian by birth is not true. READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda The witness said, in his deposition that, l, ADM, adult, Nigerian citizen of Adamawa state was a close family friend to the 1st petitioners (Atiku) late father. I know the family and I am familiar with the 1st petitioners background: who was born on the 25th November, 1946 to a Fulani trader and farmer by name, Garba Abubakar, from his second wife, Aisha Kande, in Jada village of northern Cameroon. I know the 1st petitioner was named after his paternal grandfather, Atiku Abdulkadir and became the only child of his parents after his only sister died at infancy. I also know about the unfortunate incidence of the death of the 1st petitioners father in 1957, who drowned while crossing a river to Toungo, a neighbouring village to Jada in Northern Cameroon. I do know that the 1st petitioner has, in all his documentations that are made public in national dailies or official gazettes, stated that he hails from Jada town in Adamawa state, from Ganye local government area, regarded as the mother of the whole Chamba ethnic group (Chamba tribe). He further stated that, I know as a fact that, as at the time the 1st petitioner was born on the 25th November, 1946 to a FulanI trader and farmer, Garba Abubakar, Jada village and other parts of Chamba land in the then northern Cameroon, were still part of the British Cameroons and not Nigeria. None of the 1st petitioners parents or grandparents was born in Nigeria. The 1st petitioners father died as a citizen of northern Cameroon in 1957 prior to the referendum of 1st June, 1961 which made northern Cameroon to become part of Nigeria. The 1st petitioners ancestral origin is deeply rooted in the then northern Cameroon, not Nigeria and I know as a fact that the 1st petitioner is not a Nigerian citizen by birth. READ ALSO: INEC replacing servers across states to frustrate Atiku's presidential victory - PDP He also noted that while France integrated the economy of its part of the Cameroons with that of the mother colonial France, the British on the other hand, administered its part (British Cameroons) from neighbouring Nigeria, making Jada, the 1st petitioners place of birth, a British franchise. It would be recalled that, APC, in its response to Atikus petition challenging the declaration of President Muhammadu Buhari by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the February 23 presidential election at the tribunal, argued that he was not a Nigerian by birth. The party alleged that because Atiku is not a Nigerian by birth, he was not qualified, under Section 131(a) of the Constitution to contest for the office of President. Atiku, in his response said he was a Nigerian by birth because his parents are both Fulani, a community/tribe indigenous to Nigeria. He said he was born on November 25, 1946 in Jada, Adamawa state by Nigerian parents and he is therefore a citizen of Nigeria by birth. Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that a Sokoto based group known as the auspices of Concerned Citizens of Sokoto state rejected the claim that the paternal origin of Atiku Abubakar could be traced to Sokoto state. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We have upgraded to serve you better. 2019 Election: Atiku heads to court to contest election result, can he win? | - on Legit TV Source: Legit A parishioner accused of torching a Bethlehem church twice gained access by smashing windows and the glass door of the churchs worship area, city police said. Wilmer J. Ortiz Torres, 43, of the 500 block of West Chew Street in Allentown, is being charged with two counts of arson, burglary and criminal trespass. He was arraigned this past Friday before District Judge Alan Roger Mege, who set bail at $100,000. In lieu of bail, Ortiz Torres was taken to Northampton County Prison, where he remained as of Monday. Shortly after midnight on April 23, officers were called to Iglesia Pentecostal de Bethlehem, 1044 Pembroke Road, for a report of smoke. Police and fire officials found a broken front window, a back door partially open, and a front glass door to the worship area broken, partially open and unlocked. Fire crews contained the blaze, where officers reported the odor of gasoline inside the building. Bethlehem Fire Department arson dog Silver sniffed out accelerant in several areas of the worship room, police said. That fires smoke, soot and heat did significant damage but it burned itself out, likely due to lack of oxygen, a fire official had said. Bethlehem police and ATF agents continue to look for clues around midmorning on the roof of Iglesia Pentecostal de Bethlehem C.L.A. after a fire there in the early morning hours April 25, 2019. A fire there two days earlier was deemed an arson.Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com Two days later, a second fire was then reported shortly after 2 a.m., this time on the church roof. That fire, police said, was put out with very little water. The fire departments dog again sniffed out accelerant. Police asked the public to help the investigation and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives offered a reward. Investigators reviewed video surveillance footage at Fritz Drive and Essex Court , which court records indicate captured the entire incident. The camera showed a person later identified as Ortiz Torres for nearly two hours, walking back and forth from an area gas station, 1118 Pembroke Road, several times to the church, police said. Video surveillance footage from the gas station matched the footage taken from the intersection, police said. Ortiz Torres was linked to the crime based on that footage and a social media posting, court records indicate. Bethlehem Police Chief Mark DiLuzio previously said Oritz Torres had an issue with the church and was known to other church members. City fire and police investigators worked with the ATF and credited the "joint cooperation, technology and good old fashion police work with leading them to Ortiz Torres, who was later arrested in Allentown. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Taking the SAT is considered a rite of passage for a college-bound student, but it turns out in Northampton County that really depends on whether or not the student is white. Seventy-nine percent of white students in Northampton County take the SAT, but only 4% of African American and 8% of Latino students take the exam, according to a 2014 study by the Lehigh Valley Research Consortium. Those stats and other stunning data in the consortiums report spurred the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley to create Generation Next, a program that targets first-generation college students, many who are students of color and come from low-income families, to help them navigate the college application process and close the knowledge gap. The class takes students on college tours, exposes them to career options, study skills and builds financial literacy. Students meet with college admissions officials, apply for financial aid and practice interviewing. Easton junior Annelle Ferguson, 17, wants to become a nurse or pediatrician and is eying Temple University as her top choice. But without the class she doubts shed have gotten serious about college. I had no idea what I should be doing, Ferguson confessed. At high school it is college this, college that, but they dont really help you. (In Generation Next), they really break it down. Easton Area High School junior Annelle Ferguson waits to open a savings account at BB&T Bank in Wilson Borough.Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com CACLV has piloted two different models of the program at Easton Area and Liberty high schools, where officials say each are reaping positive results. Next year, the nonprofit plans to add new cohorts in the existing programs and expand to Freedom, the Bethlehem Area School Districts second high school. Community Actions Executive Director Alan Jennings sees the program as one of the many ways his organization is trying to fight poverty and give the regions low-income residents more agency. At Easton, the pilot enrolled both male and female juniors and seniors, assisting them through the college application process. The majority of the 20 Easton graduates in 2018 went on to four-year colleges. This years group of kids is headed to schools like the University of Vermont, Purdue, Rutgers and Penn State universities. Liberty is starting with incoming freshman girls -- dubbed Libertys Lady Leaders -- trying to boost self-esteem, build leadership skills and expose the young women to opportunities that keep them on the path to a college degree. Both programs include a competitive application process, with many students getting educator referrals. We really just are pounding them with knowledge, said Robin Alozie, the energetic special education teacher who is running Lady Leaders. The real heart of the program is the mentoring part. Now three years into Generation Next, educators say its clear that junior year is almost too late to start talking about college. The program aims to now identify students in eighth grade and enroll them freshman year. This helps ease the transition from middle to high school and start closing the college knowledge gap right away. We are trying to follow them from freshman to senior year, said Kumari Ghafoor-Davis, of Community Action. When kids dont even know how to sign up for the SAT or that financial aid is available to help them pay for school, they can get overwhelmed and give up before they even start the process, she said. Knowledge breeds confidence. Last Wednesday, some of the Easton Generation Next students got a boost in their college savings accounts when BB&T and CACLV partnered to match up to $500 deposited into new accounts students opened at the Wilson branch. Eastons Dahjmir DeRohn, 17, says he went into the class kicking and screaming but now hes grateful for it. While he planned to go to college, he had no idea where to start, DeRohn said as he waited to open his first bank account. Now, he has a list of schools he plans to apply to in hopes of majoring in criminal justice and becoming a police officer. Generation Next doesnt end when students earn their high school diploma and get into college. The program will follow students through their freshman year, offering supports in hopes that they return for their sophomore year, Alozie said. College is not one year, Alozie, whose own college path was far from a straight line, said. Its four years. At Liberty, the program is incorporated into a semester-long freshman seminar class. After the class ended in January, Alozie started bringing the students in at lunch one to two times a month to keep the connection alive until next school year. On Thursday, the chattering group of teens trickled in with lunch trays and lunch bags, excited to be together as a group for the first time in weeks. The tables were decorated with class photos from college campus tours and a visit to Elle Magazine in New York City, where Superintendent Joseph Roys daughter Jessica Roy is deputy editor. They need to be able to see and feel and experience what they are working towards, Alozie said. Theyre learning about networking and jobs they didnt know were career options. Roy dropped by on Thursday to encourage the girls to keep following their dreams and stay connected to one another. You have the power, you have the talent," he said. This school holds tremendous opportunity for you. Alozies tried to create a fellowship amongst the girls akin to a sorority. Theyve got a mantra, which they chant at the start of each class, and it is a safe space for honesty and emotion sharing. You dont realize some of the other girls are going through what youre going through, said Alyssa Klinger, 14, of Bethlehem. The Lady Leaders group at Liberty High School talks about the pitfalls of social media Thursday, April 25, 2019. This group of freshman girls is enrolled in Generation Next, a college mentorship program.Sara K. Satullo | For lehighvalleylive.com Sofia Castro, 15, and Shakyra Branch, 14, both of Bethlehem, agreed that theyve built a community that often reminds them theyre not alone in their experiences. Before coming to Liberty, Destiny Adoyo, 15, was more likely to hang with the guys than a group of girls. The class has helped her forge a tight bond with other teenage girls while making her more excited about college where she wants to study business management. One of the most popular components of the class has been the mindfulness training. Many of the girls are struggling with trauma, anxiety and depression, Alozie said, and on Thursday several cited it as one of the most valuable things theyd learned. Student Jada Santiago, 15, of Bethlehem, said not all of the students have strong emotional support at home and the class provides that while exposing them to cool opportunities, like the trip. Tianna Thomas, 15, found the mindfulness training helps her focus and think more deeply. Shes interested in working in the fashion industry and the Elle field trip opened her eyes to careers she never considered. Thomas still feels she has a lot to learn about the college application process but she loves the class and the friends she has made. Its made me try to work on myself, Thomas said. For Generation Next program coordinator Astrid Pena, her job has taken her full circle, because she was once a high school student sitting in a similar program. This makes her a great role model for the girls as she encourages them to consider a career, not a job. Its a revolutionary idea for many of them. Penas lesson on Thursday centered on social media usage -- Instagram and Snapchat were the most popular platforms by far -- and the ways the students online lives can make them feel happy and terrible. They all agreed they hate the drama social media brings. The majority reported having received unwanted nude photos. Pena helped them sort through how that made them feel. The girls anonymously wrote on Post-it notes positives about major social media sites -- like the funny memes on Instagram -- but they also shared the dark elements: one of the girls had been told to kill herself multiple times. Pena deftly navigated the heavy topic asking the girls what they would want that student to hear from them. The girls chimed in with words of encouragement for whoever in the room had written that Post-it. Sara K. Satullo may be reached at ssatullo@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @sarasatullo and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Dear Annie: Why do some people stand in your way -- in restaurant waiting areas, on sidewalks, etc. -- and refuse to move? When theyre blocking you, what is the correct way to get past them? One incident I had a few weeks ago: We were exiting a restaurant and this man was standing right in the way of the somewhat narrow path, saw us coming and turned his back but did not budge. I had to touch him to get out and he started yelling at me. He was a mature man and I am a 66-year-old lady. I know times have changed, but isn't it just common courtesy to move if you have plenty of room to let people get by? It really infuriates me that some people think they are so entitled that other people have to move for them! I would just like to know your opinion on this situation. -- Debbie Dear Debbie: In all fairness, it cuts both ways. Youre expecting others to move for you, too, right? Regardless, try to keep in mind that the best test of good manners is patience with bad ones. The next time you find yourself needing to navigate around someone whos acting like a bump on a log, simply say the two magic words -- Excuse me - and then move around them and on with your day. Dear Annie: I recently found out about the passing of one of my sisters in-laws. I have known this gentleman for many years, and while my encounters with him were generally limited to family functions, the events of his death hit me hard. You can say it was a wakeup call for me, and I wanted to share his story. He was a very hardworking man, climbing his way up the chain in the insurance business. After working in the corporate world for many years, he finally saved enough money to break out on his own and open his own business. He was able to work for himself and built up a stable client list that sustained his family for many years. He was very successful, but his life was focused solely on his work, and he spent six to seven days a week at the office. He finally decided to retire in 2018. He sold his business, and he and his wife were planning to finally travel to all the places they had always wanted to go. This is where the story takes a turn. He entered the hospital for a routine procedure shortly after his retirement and never left. He never quite recovered, and his body started turning against him. Last week, the hospital had decided to release him and allow him to spend the rest of his days in the comfort of his home, but he never made it home. The very night before he was planning to go home, he passed away. I have tears in my eyes thinking about this. I am so sad for him, and for his wife. There is something to be said about his work ethic, but in this case, it robbed him of a full life. The lesson for me is to enjoy life to its fullest every single day. Don't put off doing something until later. Do it now. Work is necessary, but so is spending time with loved ones and doing activities that bring you joy. I hope you can help me spread the word. -- Sad but Wiser Dear Sad: Thank you for this incredibly beautiful letter. Our time is precious and we should spend as much of it with loved ones as is possible. 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 Pennsylvania is permanently closing the popular but challenging Glen Onoko Falls Trail this week because of the weekly rescues required to help injured hikers. So, of course, in the trails final weekend, when the woods were reportedly packed with people looking for one last legal excursion to the trio of waterfalls and some of the best views along the Lehigh River, rescuers were once again needed on the trail. A man suffered a seizure on Saturday in a spot that at least was not too difficult for emergency personnel to reach and was helped back to the road, according to a Times News report on Monday that cited the Jim Thorpe fire chief. I never saw so many cars on the Glen in my life; it was just amazing, Chief Bill Diehm told the newspaper, describing the last weekend on the Carbon County trail. Im just glad we didnt have another issue with people falling. A view from the Glen Onoko Falls trail in Lehigh Gorge State Park in Carbon County.Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com Glen Onoko, a series of three waterfalls in Lehigh Gorge State Park, has drawn tourists since the 1800s. The falls trail is one of the most scenic and well-known hiking paths in Pennsylvania. At least 10 people have died along the steep, rocky and slippery trail since the 1970s, and there have been scores of serious injuries, straining the all-volunteer rescue squads that serve the mountainous area 25 miles north of Allentown. Rescues and recoveries can require as many as two dozen first responders. The Pennsylvania Game Commission plans to close the falls trail on Wednesday, saying it has proven to be too dangerous and would cost $1.7 million to improve. People who violate the May 1 trail ban could be fined $100 to $200. A view of the Lehigh Gorge, accessible from a fire road off the Glen Onoko trail.Steve Novak | For lehighvalleylive.com While the falls trail and thus, the main attraction of the trail will be off limits, closed off at the bottom and the top, hikers will still be able to follow a less eroded and more gradual trail to the vista atop the gorge within State Game Lands 141. An online petition the keep the Glen Onoko Falls Trail open had more than 19,500 supporters as of Monday. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveNovakLVL and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. By Tom Ridge Pennsylvania and the nation need diverse energy resources to ensure our national security and global competitiveness and to maintain our leadership role around the world. As a former Pennsylvania governor and U.S. secretary of homeland security, I have come to appreciate that only an electric grid built on diverse and stable sources of energy can withstand evolving threats from polar vortexes, terrorist acts or cyber attacks and make sure the lights stay on. State officials are responsible for ensuring fuel diversity while complying with federal and state environmental standards. This is best accomplished by defining goals and designing competitive markets that benefit the health and welfare of all citizens. For example, as governor, I led the effort in the mid-1990s, with bipartisan support in the General Assembly, to restructure Pennsylvanias energy market. This has led to millions of dollars in savings for taxpayers and built a strong foundation to accomplish other things such as meeting federal targets for clean energy, energy resiliency and air pollution. One tool that governors and legislators have employed in more than 30 states is portfolio standards to require energy diversity. After I left office, the Legislature and Gov. Ed Rendell established the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard to ensure clean-energy development and attract investment under a competitive structure, which complemented the energy-market restructuring. Although the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard casts a wide net, the one resource it missed is nuclear power. Nuclear is the nations and the commonwealths most abundant source of clean energy. Nuclear plants emit no greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. They provide baseload power, which means they reliably run 24/7 and for 18 months to 24 months without refueling. Nuclear is a critical component of a resilient electricity grid, which is essential to national security. Our security depends on energy sources that are stable and diverse to consistently meet demands from critical customers such as military bases and government facilities. Pennsylvanias leadership in clean and resilient energy is at a crossroads with the potential premature retirement of two nuclear power plants. Recent work by the bipartisan Nuclear Energy Caucus in the Legislature, the state Department of Environmental Protection, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, leading academic voices at MIT and the University of Pennsylvania, and national voices such as The Nature Conservancy and Union of Concerned Scientists all found what I strongly believe preserving nuclear power is essential for the environment, the economy and national security. I am proud to have led in deregulating Pennsylvanias electricity market. I am equally proud of our landmark environmental initiatives and investments in economic development and job creation. We must keep creating new jobs. But we also must acknowledge that, despite the abundance of natural gas from shale deposits that has done so much for the commonwealths economy, we still must maintain diverse energy supplies to prevent us from becoming overly dependent on any one source. By taking the commonsense approach of amending the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard statute to include nuclear energy, we can blend Pennsylvanias competitive market structure with environmental protection, provide thousands of family-sustaining jobs and contribute to our national security. Tom Ridge is chairman of Ridge Global, a risk-management consultancy, and a partner at Ridge Policy Group, a government relations firm. FirstEnergy Solutions, which operates nuclear power plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania, is a client of the policy group. With fewer than half of all Americans in favor of building a border wall, President Donald Trump has been on a media blitz trying to sway public opinion. One of the biggest tools he has used to try to convince the public is the opioid crisis. The president claimed numerous times that a wall on the southern border will completely stem the tide of drugs flowing into the country. Drug enforcement officials and researchers, however, say a wall will do nothing to stop the root causes of the problem. What do you think? The president focused on the proliferation of opioids during his early 2019 Oval Office address to the American public. Per Vox: Our southern border is a pipeline for vast quantities of illegal drugs, including meth, heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl, Trump said. Every week, 300 of our citizens are killed by heroin alone, 90 percent of which floods across from our southern border. More Americans will die from drugs this year than were killed in the entire Vietnam War. Trumps wall wont do anything about the opioid epidemic He has tweeted about drugs flowing through the southern border consistently since taking office. Criminals, Gangs, Human Traffickers, Drugs & so much other big trouble can easily pour in. It can be stopped cold! ...The Steel Barrier, or Wall, should have been built by previous administrations long ago. They never got it done - I will. Without it, our Country cannot be safe. Criminals, Gangs, Human Traffickers, Drugs & so much other big trouble can easily pour in. It can be stopped cold! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2019 Experts roundly disagree with the presidents assertions. The New Yorker cites a government report has indicated most drugs come into the country through roads and previously designated entry-points. The Drug Enforcement Agencys 2018 National Drug Threat Assessment underlines the point: the majority of the heroin that gets across the southwest border, which is indeed where most heroin enters the United States, comes in privately owned cars, trucks, and tractor-trailers entering the United States at legal ports of entry. (Cocaine predominantly arrives in vehicles at official points of entry as well, according to the D.E.A, though commercial air travel is another route.) Trump Says That His Wall Will Stop OpioidsTwo High-Profile Legal Cases Suggest That Hes Wrong The Atlantic reports a wall would do nothing to stop opioids from entering the country. Opioids are a big business. Their production is industrialized and sophisticated. Sending ad hoc groups over the border with fentanyl and heroin, in the no-mans-land between ports of entry, is likely not efficient enough to meet intense American demand. No wall could help stop the flow, in other words, no matter how well its funded and no matter what its made with. How Trump Is Using the Opioid Crisis to Build the Wall The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Local Media, LLC property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt, on Instagram @TheTylt or on Facebook, wed love to hear what you have to say. US sanctions came into effect Sunday to block Venezuelas economic lifeline of oil exports, in what Washington hopes will be a major blow in its fledgling campaign to topple leftist President Nicolas Maduro. As of 12:01 am Washington time (0401 GMT), the United States will take action against anyone who deals with state-owned Petroleos de Venezuela, or PDVSA, or any entity in which the company holds at least a 50 percent stake. It is among a volley of steps by President Donald Trumps administration to oust Maduro and install opposition leader Juan Guaido, who is recognized by more than 50 countries, including most in Latin America. Just Friday, the Trump administration said it would block any US assets of Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza, confirming it has no desire to negotiate with Maduro, a socialist firebrand who presides over a crumbling economy but has withstood three months of intense pressure. Until the crisis, Venezuela exported 500,00 barrels a day to the United States, its largest customer, with PDVSA omnipresent, if not highly visible, through ownership of the Citgo refining and gas station chain. The United States has already moved to put Citgo under the control of Guaido, who appointed his own board. Even though sanctions legally came into force Sunday, the reality is that the oil trade between the United States and Venezuela has been absolutely limited and fallen sharply, said Mariano de Alba, a Washington-based international law expert from Venezuela. But the sanctions will still have an effect, with Washington vowing to enforce them against any foreign company with interactions in the United States including the US financial system, which dominates the globe. As of Sunday, there is no doubt that the sanctions are in force and that any company assumes bigger risks than they did before this date, de Alba said. Energy-hungry India was the third-biggest buyer of Venezuelan oil in 2017 after the United States and China and until recently had been a major source of cash. But Indian companies have backed off in the face of US sanctions, making China and Russia the crucial economic and political backers of Maduro whose re-election last year was widely criticized for irregularities. The sanctions take effect just as global oil markets are trending higher after the United States similarly demanded that all countries, notably India and China, stop buying oil from Iran. Ireland's first black mayor revealed his elections after meeting Laois TD and Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan at the latest citizenship ceremonies in Killarney. Former Portlaoise Mayor Rotimi Adebari, who is already a citizen, joined 2,400 new Irish citizens in Kerry including his friend Portlaoise man Timothy Adejumo. The Minister for Justice Flanagan met with Rotimi and congratulated Timothy on being one of the new Irish passport holders to originate from over 90 countries. Speaking afterwards to the Leinster Express Mr Adebari, who was an independent councillor, said it was 'unlikely' that he would contest the 2019 local elections. The Nigerian native first ran for a council seat in Portlaoise in 2004 when he was elected to Portlaoise Town Council. He also contested the 2011 General Election. He became Portlaoise Mayor in 2007. He lost his seat on Laois County Council in 2014. Addressing the new citizens, Minister Flanagan welcomed the new citizens. Today, you will take an oath of fidelity to our nation and loyalty to our State. You will do so in the knowledge that this relatively young State still less than a century since our independence was gained is a place of culture where traditions are cherished and history is ever-present. And be sure, too, that this State is a place of diversity and openness, he said. The Minister highlighted the Governments Migrant Integration Strategy. He said it aims to ensure that barriers to full participation in Irish society are identified and addressed and that the basic values of Irish society are respected by all. The people of Ireland are committed to respecting all traditions on this island equally. Our Migrant Integration Strategy is about building a society where we all live in harmony while at the same time respecting our cultural or religious differences. "We recognise that developing a greater understanding of our shared history, in all its diversity, is essential to developing greater understanding and building a shared future at the heart of the European family of nations, he said. Citizenship ceremonies were first introduced in 2011 in order to mark the occasion of the granting of citizenship in a dignified and solemn manner. Todays ceremonies bring the total number of ceremonies held since then to 141 where people from over 180 countries will have received their certificates of naturalisation. Including minors, over 122,000 people will have received Irish citizenship since 2011 following the ceremonies. The ceremonies continue to see significant numbers of those originating from the United Kingdom granted Irish citizenship. At todays ceremonies, 309 people from the UK will receive their certificates of Irish citizenship. Top ten nationalities for Citizenship Ceremonies in Killarney are as follows: 1 Poland 406 2 United Kingdom 309 3 Romania 218 4 India 186 5 Nigeria 99 6 Latvia 98 7 Philippines 86 8 Brazil 72 9 United States Of America 68 10 China (Including Hong Kong) 61 Another Easter has passed. A few shards of leftover chocolate eggs lie in their foil and post-Lenten pints have been supped. Traditionally, many Catholics in Ireland abstain from alcohol or observe some form of Lenten fasts during the 46 day before Easter Sunday. In light of this tradition, some might be surprised to learn that, in the past, imbibing beer was a practice encouraged during Lent. Historically, at this time of the year, special beers were brewed to ease hunger pangs during strict Lenten fasts. While eating bread was strictly forbidden, liquid nourishment in the form of beer was not considered breaking your fast. During the 17th century, Paulaner monks of Neudeck ob der Au outside Munich, Germany, a brewery well known for their presence at Oktoberfest, developed a rich-and-malty doppelbock-style beer to sustain them. Beer as we know, is packed with carbohydrates and essential vitamins, making it a calorie-rich source of nutrition. Even now, across Europe, this extra nutritious and often quite potent, (usually above 6%abv), Lentenbock or Maibock can be enjoyed at this time of the year. Bock was an incredibly popular style of beer that originated in the town of Einbeck. In 1368, Einbeck joined the Hanseatic League (also known as the Hanse or Hansa), which was a commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and their market towns. This lead to the broadening the distribution of beer from Einbeck to as far as Antwerp in the west, Riga in the east, Stockholm in the north and Munich in the south. Not content with imported beers, in the 17th century Munich brewers adapted to this new lager style of brewing and started making their own Einbeck style beers. In their Bavarian accent, citizens of Munich pronounced "Einbeck" as "ein Bock", which means "a billy goat", and so the beer became known as "bock". To this day, a goat often appears on bock labels as a visual pun. Bock is still a very popular style of beer in the Netherlands. Dutch bock differs in style from German bock and tends to be a seasonal beer brewed in the autumn but there are also special spring, summer or winter bocks. The malty, rich beer works exceptionally well with food, pairing excellently with typical Dutch foods such as gouda, smoked meats or sausage. Friendly beer In Ireland, bock is not a particularly popular style of beer, which is a pity as it is a very food friendly drinkable beer style. If you are curious to try a bock, Tipperary brewery White Gypsy make a German Dopplebock (RRP 8.50, 750ml, 7.5% ABV). Its dark and delicious, with some toffeeish sweetness and pairs well with an earthy camembert or a nutty cheddar. Its good carbonation cuts well across a pungent blue or a creamy goats cheese, and it is an excellent match with savoury cured meats and smoked fish. Judith Boyle is a qualified chemist (MSc) and accredited beer sommelier. Susan Boyle is a playwright, artist and drinks consultant. See www.awinegoosechase.com. Both sisters are proud to be fifth-generation publicans. Their family business is Boyles bar and off-licence in Kildare town To celebrate a year in business, guidance counselling firm O Mahony Careers is offering you the chance to win a brand new Samsung Galaxy tablet. Donnchadha O Mahony launched the company last summer to great success with a lot of interest in the Laois/Kildare area. Donnchadha is a qualified Guidance Counsellor and works full-time in Loreto College Stephens Green, an all-girls private school. O Mahony Careers offers guidance counselling to 2nd and 3rd level students. O Mahony Careers just recently launched their Instagram page in conjunction with the CAO Change of Mind facility opening on May 6. To be in with a chance of winning the Samsung Galaxy tablet, all you have to do is follow the O Mahony Careers Instagram page and comment on the giveaway post, which you can find here. Often students wish to change their minds after their mocks, particularly if they have done better or worse than expected. Students even change their choices after the Leaving Cert as the facility is opened until July 1. Decisions for the CAO can be challenging and that is where O Mahony Careers comes in. "We try to help students make informed choices. It's not just Leaving Cert students we help. We also work with TYs, 5th years, PLC students and college students," Donnchadha told us. You can find out more at omahonycareers.com or on the O Mahony Careers Instagram page. A survey conducted by the Construction Industry Federation has revealed 37% of Irish construction companies recently hired Irish workers returning from living and working abroad. The housing crisis has seen a huge need for more homes to be built and fast; but with a huge skills shortage in the industry, construction cannot go ahead at the rate that is needed. Since 2016, the CIF has highlighted a potential shortage of over 100,000 construction workers up to 2020. Some in the construction industry are arguing that more should be done to encourage the return of diaspora to Ireland and to remove the barriers that they can sometimes face. Dermot Carey CIF Director of Safety and Training said: We should be building bridges not walls for the construction diaspora to return; the industry needs their skills and expertise to deliver housing and infrastructure. We are currently facing a housing crisis of large proportions, but in order to build more homes at the speed that is needed, we first must fill the skills gap and have more qualified construction workers on hand to build these homes. Tom Parlon, CIF Director General said: When construction companies were recently surveyed about the difficulties faced when hiring diaspora, a whopping 50% said that there were no challenges at all. This is very good news, but we cannot ignore the 19% of companies who said waiting time until the worker could start was an issue. We also cannot ignore that a further 19% stated a difference in work attitude and culture was a challenge, and that 13% felt paper work and red tape posed huge barriers. Read Also: Funding available for local projects as details of Town and Village Renewal Scheme announced Sinn Fein MEP, Matt Carthy, candidate for the Midlands North West, has said the Irish government is failing to fight the corner of Irish farmers when it comes to the EU budget. Carthy, a member of the European Parliaments Agriculture and Rural Development Committee said: The most significant upcoming battle for farmers will be the allocation to the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) within the EU budget. While the distribution of the CAP will be an important conversation it will count for little if we have not first secured sufficient funds to distribute. Since joining the European Union in 1973, almost 80 per cent of the funds that have come to Ireland through EU programmes have been to support agriculture. In the first round of these discussions, the Irish government has displayed its inability to fight the farmers corner when it counts. While raising no objection to the 13 billion proposed for the European Defence fund, Leo Varadkar went to Brussels and offered to increase Irelands contributions to the budget, before receiving any assurance that the areas that matter to us, such as CAP and cohesion funds, were protected from cuts. This blank check has farmers starting down the barrel of a 15% cut to CAP in real terms, including a 27% cut to rural development. This is just systematic of Fine Gaels deplorable record when it comes to rural Ireland. Unfortunately the legacy of Fine Gael, and of Fianna Fail before them, will be felt for years to come. They have removed money from the pockets of struggling families, including farming families, to bail out AIB, then had proceed to welcome in the vultures to come and take what was left of the people of rural Irelands livelihood. For Sinn Fein I can categorically state that we will not support an EU budget that doesnt include a real increase in CAP funding. Every vote cast for Sinn Fein will be a vote for a farming communities. Local TD Denis Naughten has confirmed that Government funding will be available for rural towns and villages across Ireland through the 2019 Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Over the next 15 months up to 200 towns and villages throughout the country will benefit from the funding scheme announced last week by Minister for Rural Development Michael Ring. The 2019 funding will be made available through County Councils to support rural regeneration and the scheme is specifically targeted at rural towns and villages with populations of less than 10,000. This investment in communities will support local job creation and provide a much needed boost to the economy of the towns and villages, confirmed Minister Naughten. The towns and villages of rural Ireland are the heart and soul of our rural communities and it is vital that these towns receive Government support and focus as I looked for on entering Government, stated Denis Naughten. Councils will be required to work closely with local businesses and communities to develop ideas that can make a real and sustainable impact in revitalising rural towns and villages across the country. The final project selection will be made by the Department of Rural and Community Development. Successful projects will be expected to start by year-end and can run throughout 2020. Minister Rings Department county councils and all local authorities with details regarding the scheme. Todays funding builds on the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the governments Town and Village Renewal Scheme over the last three years, which has already seen over 53 million awarded to over 670 projects across Ireland. This years scheme will focus on measures which have a clear economic impact on rural towns and villages, as well as bringing people back to live on our main streets. Categories of Town/Villages Two categories of Town/Villages are eligible for support under the scheme: Category 1: Towns/villages with a population of less than 5,000 people. Category 2: Towns with a population of 5,000-10,000 people. At least of 60% of the funding available will be awarded to Category 1 towns and villages. Successful proposals will demonstrate close collaboration between communities and business interests in the design and delivery of proposed projects, and must have the support of the Local Authority. Sustainable impacts Projects which have clear positive impacts on a town or village in terms of place-making and town centre regeneration, or which stimulate economic activity between a town/village and its neighbouring townlands will be particularly welcome, as will proposals seeking to develop initiatives to encourage town centre living. Projects which demonstrate leveraging of, or linkages with, other schemes operated by Government Departments or agencies (e.g. in the areas of heritage, arts, culture, tourism, re-use of vacant premises, vacant sites, energy efficiency schemes, etc.) will also be encouraged. Grant levels Up to 80% of the total cost of a project under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme will be provided for any individual project. The minimum grant which is available is 20,000 and the maximum is 100,000. A higher maximum of 200,000 will be considered for a limited number of projects where a strong case can be made demonstrating exceptionally strong benefit to a town and/or its outlying areas. Full details of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, along with the application form, are available on the Department of Rural and Community Development website, at https://drcd.gov.ie/about/rural/rural-regeneration-development-fund/. Read Also: Leitrim County Council hosts ceremony to mark 120 years of local government THEY'RE under starter's orders for the Twilight Racing series at Limerick racecourse and the race will soon be on to find Limericks Most Stylish person, with a 250 voucher up for grabs at each meeting, writes Jess Casey. Limerick Racecourse has partnered with the Crescent Shopping Centre to sponsor the Twilight Most Stylish competition during this years Twilight series. Its always a fun occasion and a great social outlet for people of all ages in Limerick and the surrounding area, Crescent Shopping Centre general manager John Davitt said. We are delighted to be part of it, and wish all the ladies luck with competing for Most Stylish look each evening of the races, he added. Dates for the Twilight Racing series include Thursday May 30, Saturday June 15, Friday June 21, Saturday July 15 and Thursday July 25. The Most Stylish Lady on each evening will win a 250 voucher from the Crescent Shopping Centre and a gift from Neville Jewellers. The fashion is only one element of the Twilight race evening, with three hours of live horse racing and seven races on the card to enjoy, along with resident DJ entertaining the crowd between races. Once the racing is over, some of Limericks best known acts will take to the stage including Tiny Giants on Thursday May 30, and June 21, Drive on Saturday June 15, Stagefright on Saturday July 13 and the final act is Handipak on Thursday July 26. Limerick Racecourse will also offer its patrons a free shuttle bus back to Limerick city on each evening. Discounted online general admission tickets are currently available on www.limerickraces.ie More info at info@limerickraces.ie Indian youth can move from demanding employment to creating progress in a supported and established direct selling model that rewards diligence, dynamism and dedication, says Rishi Chandiok Indias underemployment crisis is both a challenge and an opportunity. A report by the the International Labour Organisation predicted in 2018 that by 2019, over 18.9 million people in our country will be unemployed. A third of this figure will constitute the highly educated young people. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that India is set to be the worlds youngest nation by 2020 and is home to the worlds largest base of young job-seekers. Alleviating the problem bestows a superpower status if Indias massive workforce is fully activated. Thus, we need to enable young Indias ambitious, tech-savvy and resourceful talent with access to entrepreneurship. We are fortunate that this demand has come when the countrys digital revolution is transforming the way people think about work and income. Modern professionals need more than money to be content with their career. They need autonomy, fairness, evolving challenges and fulfilment. This shift in mindset is also behind the rising popularity of an industry that has always intrinsically offered these benefits direct selling. Cornerstones of direct selling like independence, ownership and entrepreneurial experience, have become key motivations behind peoples occupations. Analysts predict that the Indian direct selling market will be valued at $8.96 billion, creating nearly 20 million jobs in just over five years. Direct selling has already substantially impacted employment in India, especially in the area of helping women re-enter the workforce. Access to training, clear compensation plans and flexible working hours have always been central to the industry and these traits empower women and impart valuable skills to young entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, in recent times, industry growth has been hampered due to misconceptions and false accusations. But this scenario is gradually changing. Several High Courts have consistently squashed allegations of malpractice and illegality against the industry. The focus is shifting to possibilities that direct selling affords distributors, consumers and the domestic economy. Gradually, the widespread legal support is creating a safe environment for direct selling and its distributors. A crucial component of direct selling that combats the underemployment crisis is the democratisation of opportunity. Anyone can be a direct seller, irrespective of age, gender, experience, skill, race or education. Companies in this space are empowering aspiring entrepreneurs from all walks of life to start businesses by providing training and professional support. This model gives rise to millions of entrepreneurs, inspired by an opportunity to script their financial future through access to inventory, mentors, back office support and training programmes. Indian tech-savvy millennials, who are at the centre of the countrys digital transformation, are also waking up to the benefits of direct selling. The industry was seen as just an opportunity for home-makers and retirees looking to make a supplementary income but is fast becoming a mainstream choice for young Indians seeking autonomy and a fair chance over an uncertain journey up the corporate ladder. Delivery is at the heart of the direct selling model and this is where Indias young and energetic workforce is best suited for the industry. Delivering high quality unique products to consumers at a fair price through word-of-mouth remains the central characteristic of all direct selling. For that reason, India must move beyond false stereotypes and understand that direct selling is not a foreign concept. Every vegetable cart, street barber, or dhobi is an example of traditional direct selling. Modern direct selling uses technology to benefit distributors and consumers. Direct selling companies have integrated e-commerce into their platforms to offer entrepreneurs and small businesses a gateway to reach millions of people and explore untapped markets. So what can India do to use direct selling to create jobs? It is imperative to implement comprehensive legislation that ensures diligent governance to drive modernisation and job growth. Grey areas in current policy have resulted in confusion and extensive reputational damage. The establishment of a dedicated industry body, committed to regulation, lobbying, advocacy and complaints will go a long way. Gaps in the current system have resulted in cursory interventions with grave consequences, the administration of civil matters through criminal proceedings being an example. The global industry highly commends the Direct Selling Guidelines from the Department of Consumer Affairs in legitimising and validating the business model. However, it remains essential to institute a unified trade body. This body should be dedicated to monitoring and addressing issues in conjunction with a Government nodal authority. Law enforcement agencies must also be given factual clarity about the direct selling industry to avoid confusion. The failed attempts at applying the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, created for lottery schemes, is an example of this confusion. Such interventions dont belong in fair and legal business ventures or a modern economy. Legitimate and reputed direct selling businesses deal in products that have value. Marketing these products will create opportunities for millions of consumers and distributors. Entrepreneurship is crucial to addressing Indias unemployment concerns and industries such as direct selling have a significant role to play. However, to do this effectively, the industry will need the support of strong governance and a legal mandate. I believe that the Indian youth can move from demanding employment to creating progress in a supported and established direct selling model that rewards diligence, dynamism and dedication. (The writer is Regional Director, South Asia, of a direct selling firm) THE Limerick Chamber of Commerce CEO has said that the city centre urgently needs investment, in an objection to the Crescent Shopping Centres plans to add to its Restaurant Quarter vision. Liffey Blue Arc UC submitted plans to develop a two-storey restaurant and a community hub complex on December 18, and received the planning authoritys go-ahead on April 17. The development, which will be built adjacent to Milanos and Subway near McDonalds, will be the largest expansion to the shopping complex since the early 2000s. The new restaurant has not been named but is a global restaurant chain with locations in Ireland but not yet in Limerick, planning files state. Objecting to the restaurant development, Limerick Chamber of Commerce CEO, Dee Ryan said that additional competition from an increased retailer at the Dooradoyle shopping centre will likely exacerbate this issue and weaken efforts to re-establish the city centre at the top of the retail hierarchy. A key objective of Limerick Chamber is to foster and develop a strong and vibrant city at the centre of the region, as a matter of priority. While Limerick Chamber welcomes all retail development to the Limerick region, it has a preference at this time to see new retailers setting up operations in the city centre in the first instance, rather than in the suburbs. Ms Ryan said that city centre retail is currently under strain from increased online shopping activity and decreased footfall. She added: The Chamber contends that investment in city centre redevelopment is required as a matter of urgency, to attract new retailers to our city hub as their primary initial location choice within the region. Planning consultants John Spain Associates submitted that the development intends to provide improved facilities for the shopping centre, as well as catering services for 1,500 staff in the shopping complex. It added that the development will provide an improved active edge to the City Mall. A RESEARCHER at the University of Limerick is to play a key role in a project recently awarded more than 1m in funding to improve cultural inclusion across Europe. Dr Aileen Dillane, a lecturer at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL, is the principal investigator in a transnational research project aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of public spaces in Europe. Dr Dillane, an ethnomusicologist and Irish traditional musician, will work on the FestiVersities project, which focuses on how the festivalisation of a public space can make it more welcoming and encourage different behaviours. Its a project that brings all my interests together in terms of performance, music-making and meaning, diversity and minority representation and should ideally inform best practice when it comes to staging all aspects of music festivals in Europe, where the need to tackle social and cultural inclusion in public performance and consumption spaces is crucial, Dr Dillane said. Dr Dillane is part of an international team of five researchers who are aiming to inform European policy on how festivals can be deployed more effectively to improve cultural understanding and inclusion. Professor Helen Kelly-Holmes, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at UL, said this was the latest in a series of European funding successes for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences researchers at UL. Two other Irish principal investigators - Bernadette Quinn of Technological University Dublin and Ailbhe Kenny, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick - will also participate in projects receiving 1m each from HERA, with 20 projects in total across Europe funded under the scheme. A COUNTY Limerick farmer has been put off the road for a year after he was found to be over the limit on the Monday morning after the Munster final. Shane Mulcahy, aged 43, of Lough Gur, Bruff pleaded not guilty to drink driving. His barrister, Kenneth Kerins said it was the morning after the Munster final and his client drank more than normal after the match. The barrister spoke of the devastation to his clients livelihood. On the morning of July 2, 2018, Garda Elaine ODonovan said she was detailed by an inspector to perform a mandatory intoxalyser test checkpoint at Brackvoan, Bruff, from 9.30am to 11am. At 10.10am I observed a lorry approaching the checkpoint. The driver was alone. There was no current registration disc displayed, said Garda ODonovan. Kilmallock Court heard that the garda got a strong smell of intoxicating liquor from Mr Mulcahys breath. The defendant failed a roadside breath test. Having considered the result I formed the opinion he had consumed an intoxicant to such an extent to make him incapable of having proper control of a motor propelled vehicle, said Garda ODonovan. Mr Mulcahy was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and conveyed to Bruff garda station. His vehicle was towed away. Garda ODonovan carried out the intoxalyser test in the station and found Mr Mulcahy had a reading of 37 mgs of alcohol per 100 mls of breath. She said Mr Mulcahys reply after caution was: If Im guilty, Im guilty. Mr Kerins asked Judge OLeary to dismiss the case on two grounds. He argued that the location of the checkpoint - Brackvoan, Bruff - as ordered by a garda inspector was a townland. A road should be specified. It was open to Garda ODonovan to pick the location. I have no doubt about her bona fides but she specified where the checkpoint was and not the inspector. She does not have the power to specify, said Mr Kerins. This was rejected by Sergeant Michelle Leahy who cited case law to oppose this application. Mr Kerins second point was Mr Mulcahys capacity to drive. The barrister asked Garda ODonovan about her statement that Mr Mulcahy was incapable of having proper control of vehicle. Did he have the capacity to control it? asked Mr Kerins. It is hard to answer. He would have been in control of it. His driving was fine, said Garda ODonovan. It is rather curious. Is it reasonable to go from capable to incapable? asked Mr Kerins. Sgt Leahy said it is the legislators who decide the drink driving limits and not the gardai. Read also: Limerick pensioner assaulted in a road rage row over sulky Judge OLeary adjourned the case to consider Mr Kerins arguments. When the case was called in Kilmallock Court this month, Judge OLeary said capacity to drive is irrelevant. On the second point of the location of Brackvoan, Bruff, the judge said it was a valid and authorised checkpoint. There is only one Brackvoan in County Limerick and it is in Bruff. It is up to the garda to use their professional competence and experience to set up a checkpoint. Your client has a case to answer, said Judge OLeary. Mr Kerins said the reading of 37 mgs of alcohol per 100 mls of breath is quite low. He described it as a marginal case. He is a farmer who lives with his parents. The Munster final was the day before and he drank more than normal. He did an assessment that morning. There are no excuses, he shouldnt have done it. He always gets a lift home at night but entering this modern era he has learned a valuable lesson. He is a law abiding man, said Mr Kerins, who added that it is Mr Mulcahys only vehicle and spoke of the devastation to his livelihood. Judge OLeary fined Mr Mulcahy 400 and disqualified him from driving for one year. He was fined 300 for no tax on the vehicle. Recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal. Mysterious "ghost apes" may have interbred with the great apes known as bonobos just as modern humans repeatedly had sex with now-extinct human lineages, a new study finds. Bonobos are, with chimpanzees, humanity's closest living relatives. Together, bonobos and chimps are part of the group Pan, just as modern humans and extinct lineages of humans make up the group Homo. Recently, geneticists discovered that ancestors of modern humans often interbred with extinct human lineages such as Neanderthals and Denisovans. The DNA from such trysts continues to influence modern humans, from potential immune boosts to increased risk for depression, obesity, heart attacks and nicotine addiction. [In Photos: Bones from a Denisovan-Neanderthal Hybrid] Previous research suggested that bonobos and chimps may have interbred as well. For example, prior work found genes likely flowed from bonobos to chimpanzees more than 200,000 years ago. By analyzing the genomes from 10 bonobos and 59 chimpanzeess for signs of genes from unknown ancient groups, scientists have now uncovered evidence that bonobos also had sex with a now-extinct ape lineage. "We know humans have interbred with Neanderthals and Denisovans and probably other archaic human populations, and it's interesting to see that happened with our closest living relatives as well," said study lead author Martin Kuhlwilm, a population geneticist at the Biomedical Research Park of Barcelona, Spain. The researchers looked for unusual patterns in the ape genomes that suggested ancient interbreeding with other lineages. This included a hunt for long haplotypes, or sets of DNA sequences, that were seen in one species but not the other. The reasoning is that short haplotypes are potentially explained by a few chance mutations within these species, but comparatively long haplotypes are instead likely inherited from a significantly different lineage. Although these genetic contributions from interbreeding dwindle over time, remnants would still exist as shorter, unusual fragments. By looking at the length of these odd haplotypes, scientists can estimate how far back the interbreeding occurred. By isolating the DNA from this "ghost ape," the researchers said they could reconstruct up to 4.8% of its genome. They said genes in these archaic fragments may have consequences on the workings of the brain, kidneys and immune system of bonobos. [8 Human-Like Behaviors of Primates] Previous research suggested the ancestors of bonobos and chimps diverged from one another at most about 2 million years ago, likely separating after the Congo River grew. In contrast, the scientists estimated this ghost ape diverged from the common ancestor of bonobos and chimps about 3.3 million years ago. "It's an extinct branch of the Pan family tree," Kuhlwilm said. The researchers suggested the rendezvouses between bonobos and the ghost apes happened sometime between 377,000 and 637,000 years ago. In contrast, they detected no signs that chimpanzees ever interbred with any now-extinct lineages, perhaps because the Congo River cut off chimpanzees from other groups, Kuhlwilm said. In the future, the researchers would like to look for signs of interbreeding within other great apes, Kuhlwilm said. Analyzing great ape genomes could shed light on extinct lineages in a way the fossil record likely cannot. "We have absolutely nothing in terms of bonobo fossils," Kuhlwilm said. "There is one chimp fossil that's been unearthed that's maybe 400,000 years old, but that's basically it for African great apes. By analyzing living apes, we can get information on extinct ape populations that we can't get from ancient DNA, since there are almost no ancient ape fossils." Bonobos are a species well-known for its promiscuity. "We can speculate if that might have facilitated these interactions," Kuhlwilm said. The scientists detailed their findings online today (April 29) in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution. Originally published on Live Science. Artist's impression of the accretion disk around the black hole. During a powerful outburst in 2015, intense radiation caused the inner few thousand kilometers of the accretion disk to "puff up" into a doughnut-shaped structure. A black hole nearly 8,000 light-years from Earth and nine times the mass of our sun was recently caught in the act of slurping up a neighboring star. During this stellar feast, the object showed astronomers something that had never been seen before in black holes. While siphoning gas from the star into an orbiting cloud called an accretion disk, the black hole spat high-speed jets of plasma in all directions; however, feeding black holes typically expel orderly plasma jets in just one direction, scientists reported in a new study. What's more, the jets were changing direction rapidly, "on a time scale of minutes to hours," the scientists wrote in their study, published online today (April 29) in the journal Nature. They found that the center of the black hole's accretion disk had inflated like a doughnut and was tilted on its side, spinning off-kilter. And as it rotated, the disk dragged the jets around with it, according to the study. [Stephen Hawking's Most Far-Out Ideas About Black Holes] "This is one of the most extraordinary black hole systems I've ever come across," lead study author James Miller-Jones, an associate professor at Curtin University in Australia, said in a statement. The study was conducted at Australia's International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR). Scientists discovered this black hole and its companion star after an explosive release of radiation in 1989, Miller-Jones and his colleagues said. Located in the Cygnus constellation about 7,800 light-years from Earth, the cosmic pair was dubbed V404 Cygni. Then, in 2015, V404 Cygni began spewing radiation in a massive outburst that lasted two weeks. This offered astronomers around the world the opportunity to capture "amazing observational coverage," Miller-Jones said in the statement. Artist's impression of V404 Cygni seen close up. The binary star system consists of a normal star in orbit with a black hole. Material from the star falls toward the black hole and spirals inward in an accretion disk, with powerful jets launched from the inner regions close to the black hole. (Image credit: ICRAR) For the new study, the researchers examined data gathered by the Very Long Baseline Array, a network of 10 radio telescope dishes extending thousands of miles from Hawaii to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Radio telescopes typically generate one image from several hours of observations, but the jets expelled from V404 were changing so quickly that a 4-hour exposure showed only a blur, said study co-author Alex Tetarenko, an astrophysics postdoctoral fellow at the East Asian Observatory in Hilo, Hawai. To correct that blur, astronomers captured 103 images that were each exposed for around 70 seconds. This revealed that the innermost portion of the accretion disk, which measures over 6 million miles (10 million kilometers) across, was puffed up by intense radiation that had been generated by the black hole's rapid feeding. As for what tipped that puffy region over at an angle, the researchers think the black hole may have received a "kick" from its companion star's supernova explosion. When the doughnut spun, its orientation changed, and the black hole's powerful gravity yanked the jets along for the ride, sending them flying outward in all directions. This discovery provides new insights into accretion disks and the associated plasma jets produced when black holes devour stars, study co-author Gemma Anderson, a research fellow at Curtin University's ICRAR group, said in the statement. Other types of extreme cosmic episodes could also upset the balance of an accretion disk's spin; those could include "supermassive black holes feeding very quickly or tidal disruption events, when a black hole shreds a star," Anderson said. Originally published on Live Science. Three Landsat satellite images show how Alaska's Big Johnstone Lake doubled in size from 1994 to 2018. According to glaciologist Mauri Pelto, the lake is growing as the nearby Excelsior Glacier retreats by more than 650 feet (200 meters) per year. Seventy years ago, Alaska's Excelsior Glacier stretched its cold fingers from a vast plain in the state's southern edge nearly all the way to the North Pacific Ocean. Now, the glacier is separated from the sea by a meltwater lake more than five times the size of New York City's Central Park. In a recent blog post on the American Geophysical Union (AGU) website, glaciologist Mauri Pelto of Nichols College in Massachusetts shows how that relatively new lake now called Big Johnstone Lake has more than doubled in size over the last 24 years as rising global temperatures force Excelsior Glacier into a hasty retreat. [The Coldest Places on Earth] Big Johnstone Lake first began forming in the 1940s, Pelto wrote, as the glacier started to retreat from the small strip of forest that separates it from the North Pacific Ocean. A series of three images taken by NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey's Landsat satellites over the last 24 years plainly show how Excelsior's demise has accelerated significantly since then. Excelsior Glacier has retreated from the sea by nearly 3 miles (4.7 kilometers) since 1994, losing about 650 feet (200 meters) of ground every year, Pelto wrote. This is roughly double the melt rate seen between 1941 and 1994, he wrote, and the glacier has since lost about 30% of its length in just 24 years. Meanwhile, Big Johnstone Lake has doubled in size, from 3.5 to 7 square miles (9 square km to 18 square km), and it has been gradually filled by slabs of ice calved from the edge of the melting glacier. As long as researchers have been photographing the lake, large flotillas of these ice chunks have been plainly visible bobbing through the cold waters like oversized bath toys. But not anymore, Pelto wrote. For the first time, 2018 Landsat images show the lake without any slabs of glacial ice likely because the lake is close to reaching its maximum size. Near the lake's new northern edge, Excelsior Glacier steepens suddenly, probably lifted by elevated terrain underneath, Pelto wrote. Even if no more calving ice makes its way into Big Johnston Lake, the glacier will continue to retreat, but probably at a slower pace than the rapid melting observed over the last 25 years. A similar fate has already befallen many neighboring glaciers in Alaska and British Columbia, Pelto wrote, providing yet more examples of how climate change is rapidly redrawing the map of our world. Originally published on Live Science. Robust cost-effective strategies and interventions by health organisations have helped Andhra Pradesh end maternal death among tribal women Dr Himaja is worried. Tests conducted during Chandrakalas routine antenatal visit to the telemedicine centre in the tribal mandal of Paderu in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, indicate the 17-year-old is down with malaria for the second time. This is not good news, especially as Chandrakala is in her ninth month of pregnancy. Dr Himaja knows Chandrakala is a high risk case, having treated her for severe anaemia and malaria just a month ago when she came for her third antenatal visit. Then, the team at the Telemedicine Centre (TMC) had rushed her to the district hospital in Visakhapatnam, 96 km away from Paderu, and ensured she was given a blood transfusion to boost her plummeting haemoglobin. They had pooled in their own money to pay for her hospitalisation, realising it would be fatal to let the impoverished woman return to her village without treatment for want of funds. This time, too, a quick decision has to be taken if the lives of Chandrakala and her unborn baby have to be saved. Within minutes, Dr Rajyalaxmi, the empanelled senior gynaecologist based in the State capital of Hyderabad, is contacted through video conferencing and apprised of Chandrakalas condition. Since records of all patients of the TMC have already been uploaded, it did not take Dr Rajyalakmi much time to pull out Chandrakalas past history. She asks Chandrakala, sitting alongside Dr Himaja in front of the monitor, a few questions. But Chandrakala, who belongs to the Kondadora tribe, categorised as particularly vulnerable tribal group by the Government, is unable to understand Telugu. She only speaks local tribal dialect. Dr Rajyalaxmi advises Dr Himaja to take Chandrakala to the hospital immediately. Chandrkala does not understand the language and is reluctant to stay in the hospital as she feels it is unnecessary. But the TMC health workers make sure that she stays and gets a blood transfusion. It is this speedy action and personalised care that ensured that Chandrakala and her 18-year-old husband could welcome their first child without further complications. Hundreds of miles away in the tribal dominated West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand, a pregnant 20-year-old Saibani Juanga is also down with malaria. Her marital family, as is the tradition, prefers to seek help of the local faith healer. Not surprisingly, their rituals prove ineffective. When members of her village, the women Self-Help Group (SHG), learn about Saibanis plight, they convince her husband and in-laws to take her to the district hospital. They arrange a vehicle to take her there. According to doctors at the hospital, had the women not taken immediate action, Saibani wouldnt have survived. India has recorded 22 per cent reduction in maternal mortality rate since 2013. Although this means nearly 1,000 fewer women now die of pregnancy-related complications each month in the country, an estimated 44,000 women continue to die annually due to preventable pregnancy-related causes. For both, Chandrakala and Saibani, it was a near miss. They would have become just another statistic had they not been brought to the hospital in time. For Chandrakala, it was Asara, a free healthcare programme working to eliminate preventable maternal and neonatal deaths in the tribal mandals of Araku, Paderu and Chintapalle in Visakhapatnam district, which made the difference between life and death. Started in 2011 by Piramal Swasthya, the Hyderabad-based not-for-profit organisation working to deliver primary healthcare to the marginalised, Asara has reached out to over 4,900 pregnant women living in far-flung hamlets in Araku in the last six years. In a region where maternal mortality rate in 2011 was 400 per 100,000 live births (the national average then was 215 per 100,000 live births) and neonatal mortality was over 60 for every 1,000 live births (national average being around 44 per 1,000 live births then), this intervention is a lifeline for women. In fact, no maternal deaths have been reported in last two years in Arakus 181 hard-to-reach hamlets where the programme has been working, according to Vishal Phanse, CEO, Piramal Swasthya. Even institutional deliveries increased in project intervention areas from 18 per cent in 2011 to 68 per cent in 2017. While central to this remarkable turnaround has been the innovative telehealth project design conceptualised by Piramal Swasthya, it is a different yet effective intervention that has brought down maternal deaths in West Singhbhum. By using a unique approach to empower women through a monthly Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) cycle, Ekjut, a Chakradharpur-based not-for-profit, managed to bring a massive decline in maternal and child mortality. Such has been the efficacy of the PLA method that the national Government announced its decision in 2016 to use the Ekjut model to bring down maternal and neonatal deaths in eight Indian States. At present, PLA meetings are being conducted by Government frontline workers trained by Ekjut in 40,000 villages all over the country and empowering approximately one million women to take charge of their own health. But it wasnt always so. Health awareness among the community was abysmal when two doctors, Prasanta Tripathy and Nirmala Nair, gave up their jobs in 2002 to move to Chakradharpur in the backward and tribal-dominated West Singhbhum district in Jharkhand. State health indicators were very poor. While Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) per 1,000 live births was 49 in Jharkhand, the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) per 100,000 live births was 371 both much higher than the national figures. So in 2003, the husband and wife duo founded Ekjut to reach out to indigenous population living in remote and inaccessible parts of the region, especially to vulnerable women and children. By using a unique approach to empower women on maternal and new-born health through a monthly participatory learning and action cycle during which women first identify, prioritise and analyse local maternal and neonatal health problems and then come up with strategies to address them they were able to bring about a substantial decline in MMR and NMR. What began with just 20 women in three villages around Chakradharpur was scaled to eight districts, involving over 20,000 women over the next five years. The women participating in the PLA used this knowledge to bring about 20 per cent reduction in maternal deaths and 30 per cent reduction in neonatal deaths in 600 villages in rural Jharkhand and Odisha, pointed out Dr Prasanta Tripathy. In Araku, a lack of awareness, coupled with inaccessibility of the tribal mandals, meant that the Asara programme had to provide services at the doorsteps. At the forefront of this campaign are the Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), who traverse forests and steep hills and walk several kilometres to ensure no woman dies while giving birth. Once they reach the village, the ANM conducts basic tests like blood and urine, records weight, height and blood pressure as part of the initial examination. With anaemia and eclampsia (high blood pressure with seizures) being the most common prenatal complications prevalent among pregnant women in the district, particularly in the tribal belt, the outreach service also involves comprehensive risk profiling of the pregnant women and counselling on health seeking behaviour. Free calcium and iron folic acid tablets (IFA) are also given. The next day, all registered pregnant women are picked up from the point closest to their village. Here, at the TMC, a staff nurse records a more detailed history. Once the data collated is digitised at the TMC, these electronic health records not only help keep track of the pregnant women but are also shared with the Governments health facilities at the time of institutional delivery. Both these interventions have shown that it is possible to end preventable maternal death among tribal women. While the Asara model is in the process of being introduced in all 11 mandals in the tribal belt of Visakhapatnam and Ekjut, a winner of the 2015 WHO India Public Health Champion Award for its innovative PLA initiative is using the strategy to address gender-based violence. Initial findings in Jharkhand, where about 40 per cent of the married women aged 15-49 years have experienced some form of violence by their husbands, have been encouraging. (The writer is a senior journalist) Gene Wesley Elder, a San Antonio artist and gay rights activist who established and maintained the Happy Foundation Archives to preserve the stories of the LGBTQ community, died Sunday morning at his home. He was 69. Elder had been diagnosed with colon cancer. In a February interview, he said that he had had four weeks of radiation treatment and chemotherapy, which shrank the tumor. When the tumor returned, he decided against putting any more energy toward fighting it. READ ALSO: Alamo City Opera artistic director Mark Richter dies at 51 I guess I could fight it a lot longer, but Im ready to go, he said. Ive done what I came to do, and I accomplished it and I have this time here that Im getting all squared away and giving stuff to people that want to have it. Im making my departure as painless and trouble-free as possible. Madeline Guyer, who had been close to Elder since they met as students at Trinity University, said he had died the way that he wished. He was able to leave this life, in the company of friends, at his home, across the street from the San Antonio River he loved, she wrote in an email. San Antonio will not be the same without Gene. Elder is survived by his older brother, Bill, and his sister-in-law Cheryl. Elder was born on Independence Day in 1949 in Dallas. He came to San Antonio in the 1970s to study at Trinity University because, he said, a friend had enrolled there and said he needed a roommate. My interest in art began there, and as I proceeded to inflict myself on the surrounding area, I got more interested in more things, he said. His work, he said, started off being collage, painting, the usual kind of thing. Then you start realizing the art world is a bigger place. It wasnt really until after I graduated that the whole experience started to make sense to me and I realized, Oh, art is important. Its not just hobby stuff or entertaining, its important. READ ALSO: Alamo Heights resident Foster actively supported San Antonio's McNay museum as volunteer and trustee He considered his entire life an ongoing art project. That included the MUD Gallery, which he established downtown at a point in time when there were few galleries in the area, Guyer recalled, as well as his 1979 run for mayor, designed to raise the profile of the arts community and push for arts funding. His aptly titled performance series I Try to Appear in As Many Home Movies in Front of the Alamo as I Possibly Can made the front of the Wall Street Journal in 1999. He began his Happy Foundation Archives in 1988, prompted by a desire to preserve stories of a community that was being decimated by AIDS. dlmartin@express-news.net | Twitter: @DeborahMartinEN Deborah Martin is an arts writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | dlmartin@express-news.net | Twitter: @DeborahMartinEN Ex-San Antonio reporter Christina Coleman is making big moves in the TV news business. The Judson High School grad is reporting for FOX News beginning April 29th. Coleman is a general assignment reporter at the network's Los Angeles bureau, a new adventure she can't wait to start. "I'm very excited. It's great to do stories on a national platform," Coleman told mySA via phone. MORE TV NEWS ON MYSA: Former San Antonio anchor shares details of 'lucky' engagment, life after news She said her family is just as excited for her too and her parents have always been her role models. "My family was very happy for me they knew I always wanted to work at FOX News." After graduating from Texas A&M, the San Antonio native began her career as a reporter at KIMO-TV in Anchorage, Alaska. She returned to the Alamo City where she worked at both KABB-TV and WOAI-TV. During that time, she played an active role as a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, serving as Vice President of the San Antonio Chapter. Coleman says she still loves San Antonio and enjoyed working at KABB-TV. While in San Antonio she met one her closest friends in former news anchor Karen Grace, who told mySA.com she's excited for Coleman's big move. "Christina is a powerhouse when it comes to journalism! She is thorough in seeking truth and uncovering investigations," Grace said via text. "She is also known to be the sparkle of any newsroom. She deserves this opportunity and has worked hard for it." MORE TV NEWS ON MYSA: San Antonio TV anchor and reporter moves After leaving San Antonio again, Coleman packed her bags and traveled to St. Louis, Missouri with her husband, Eric Messersmith, and son, Maximus. Coleman worked at NBC affiliate KSDK-TV as an anchor and lead night beat reporter, where she covered events in Ferguson, Missouri following the death of Michael Brown, according to a FOX News press release. It's from those big stories and others like them that she has this advice for aspiring journalists: "It's really important to stay focused, dig deep on stories," Coleman said. "There can be more of a story to the story. Really grow in your community, understand the city's issues." With the big leap to the Los Angeles area, Coleman says she's happy to live in such a beautiful place. She says loves the beach and her and her family are looking for places around Santa Monica. Coleman recently returned to San Antonio with her husband and son for a brief vacation before starting at FOX News. She said they visited The Rim and were surprised to see all the growth in the area. She also visited the newly expanded section of the River Walk and even took her son to see the Alamo for the first time. "I love San Antonio and I enjoy it so much," she said. Candice.Garcia@express-news.net | Twitter @_candicegarcia The long-anticipated Battle of Winterfell played out in the third episode of the eighth season of "Game of Thrones," titled "The Long Night." After the second episode slowly built up excitement for the war against the undead, this 90-minute action sequence delivered on excitement but also showed the demise of several longstanding characters. >>>See the roundup of who died and who survived the battle in the gallery above (spoilers). HoustonChronicle.com: "Game of Thrones" recap: Defending Winterfell comes at a cost. What next? The most prominent death, of course, is the fall of the Night King. After proving nearly impossible to kill he walked through fire and shielded himself with snow clouds the leader of the undead proved easy to kill in the end. Arya Stark stabbed the ice zombie with her Valyrian-steel dagger, gifted to her by Bran (who received it from Littlefinger), taking with him his massive army of undead soldiers. Valyrian steel is among the few things that can kill White Walkers. "For three years we've known it would be Arya who delivers that fatal blow," showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss said in an after-the-episode segment. "We knew it had to be Valyrian steel in the exact spot where the Children of the Forest put the dragon-glass blade to create the Night King. And he's uncreated by Valyrian steel." VIRAL: 'Game of Thrones' season 8, episode 3 reactions and memes Perhaps the deadliest episode since season three's Red Wedding, "The Long Night" kept viewers on edge, but not everyone was kept in suspense. Upon airing, several people complained that their screens were so dark they couldn't see what was happening. The dimly lit scenes have been picked up by memes, with viewers thanking Melisandre, the Red Witch, for providing the army with fire so we could see what was happening. As it turns out, that was entirely the point. This episode's director of photography, Fabian Wagner, told "Vanity Fair" that the "storytelling of the lighting evolve with the storytelling of the characters." Perhaps the next great war will be brighter, since it takes place in Kings Landing. Will Cersei prove to be tougher to kill than the master of the Wights? The fourth episode of the eight season of "Game of Thrones" airs Sunday, May 5. 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 father and two brothers of the suspected mastermind of Sri Lankas Easter Sunday bombings were killed when security forces stormed their safe house two days ago, police sources and a relative of the suicide bombers told on Sunday. Zainee Hashim, Rilwan Hashim and their father Mohamed Hashim, who were seen in a video circulating on social media calling for all-out war against non-believers, were among 15 killed in a fierce gun battle with the military on the east coast on Friday, police sources said. Niyaz Sharif, the brother-in-law of Zahran Hashim, the suspected ringleader of the wave of Easter Sunday bombings that killed over 250 people in churches and hotels across the island nation, told the video showed Zahrans two brothers and father. Sri Lanka has been on high alert since the attacks on Easter Sunday, with nearly 10,000 soldiers deployed across the island to carry out searches and hunt down members of two local terrorists groups believed to have carried out the attack. Authorities have detained more than 100 people, including foreigners from Syria and Egypt since the April 21 bombings. In the video, Rilwan Hashim is seen calling for all out jehad while children cry in the background. We will destroy these non-believers to protect this land and therefore we need to do jehad, Rilwan says in the video, sitting beside his brother and father. We need to teach a proper lesson for these non-believers who have been destroying Muslims. Authorities suspect there may be more suicide bombers on the loose. Defence authorities have so far focused their investigations on international links to two domestic groups they believe carried out the attacks, the National Thawheedh Jamaath and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the Easter bombings, and on Sunday the group said three of its members clashed with Sri Lankan police for several hours in Fridays gun battle on the east coast before detonating their explosive vests, the ISIS linked Amaq news agency said. The group said 17 policemen were killed or injured in the attack, but the Sri Lankan military has denied this. A police source told that two policemen were slightly injured in the fight. Police have said six children were among the other 12 people who died in the gun battle, but have not released further details. April 6 At 7:57 p.m., Officer Marcotte initiated a traffic stop on a 2002 Ford Explorer for driving on the wrong side of the road in the 5200 block of Evergreen. The driver showed signs of intoxication and was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI). April 7 At 8:07 a.m., Officer Liccketto was dispatched to the 5200 block of Aspen Street in reference to a burglary of a motor vehicle. The vehicle was parked in the driveway of the residence. During the night, an unknown suspect opened the passenger side door and took a handgun. On 04/19/2019 the weapon was recovered by HPD and a suspect arrested. April 8 At 10:39 a.m., Officer Liccketto was patrolling the 5000 block of Bellaire Boulevard and conducted a traffic stop on a black Honda Civic for expired registration. During the investigation, the driver was found to have a suspended drivers license with no proof of financial responsibility. The driver was arrested for driving while license invalid and transported to the Bellaire Police Department for booking. April 9 At 11:52 a.m., a black male entered the Frost National Bank at 6750 West Loop South and attempted to cash a check on an account that was flagged and monitored for fraud. The teller contacted the account holder to verify if this was issued from his company. He stated he did not authorize anyone to write checks from his account. Officers located the suspect and he was charged with forgery. At 1:01 p.m., Ofc. D.Rocha was patrolling the 6800 block of IH 610 West Service Road and had the Bellaire dispatch check the return information on a Texas temporary tag which was observed on a black 2000 Toyota Rav 4 vehicle. Dispatcher advised the return information showed to belong to a different vehicle. A traffic stop was initiated and it was later learned that the vehicle had been stolen out of New York in May 2015. Suspect was subsequently arrested for multiple traffic violations and Ofc Rocha continued investigation on the possible stolen recovered vehicle. Ofc Rocha contacted Suffolk County New York Police Department who advised this vehicle was confirmed stolen. After complete investigation all information was given to the Harris County District Attorney and charges were declined. April 10 At 8:07 a.m., Officers Quimby and Bailey were dispatched to 500 block of Chelsea Street in reference to an auto theft. Officers Quimby and Bailey arrived on location at 0807 hours and met with the victims who stated that aout 1:45 a.m. April 10 an unknown suspects stole their gold 2010 Chevy Tahoe without their consent. At 9:56 a.m., Officers Quimby and Bailey were dispatched to 5133 Bellaire Blvd. in reference to a disturbance. Officers Quimby and Bailey arrived on location at approximately 0956 hours and met with the victim. The victim stated a customer spat on him. Suspect was arrested and charged with assault. April 11 At 6 p.m., Officer Trujillo was dispatched to 4400 Bellaire Blvd. in reference to a burglary of a motor vehicle. Upon the Officers arrival he spoke to the victim who stated that between 1710 and 1800 hours an unknown person broke out the front passenger window and removed an item from the front passenger seat. April 12 At 8:08 a.m., officers were dispatched to a possible in progress driving while intoxicated vehicle on Bellaire Blvd. The car was located stationary in the 4700 block of Bellaire Blvd, east bound, just before the West Service Road (WSR). The driver was found passed out behind the wheel, with the car in drive and his foot on the brake. SFSTs were performed on the driver and he performed poorly. The driver also agreed to provide breath samples and blew a 0.186 and a 0.190. Officers Quimby, Bailey and Lopez assisted with this arrest. Between 4:45 and 6 p.m., an unknown suspect(s) broke the passenger window of vehicle parked at 4400 Bellaire Blvd. and removed a purse and wallet that was left in on the front seat passenger side floor board. Officer Clisham was dispatched to the above location after a passerby observed the broken window and contacted the Bellaire Police Department via telephone. At 9:57 a.m., Officers Quimby and Bailey were dispatched to the 5400 block of Braeburn Drive in reference to a man trapped underneath a safe. Officers Quimby and Bailey arrived to the above location at approximately 1002 hours and made contact with a reportee who discovered the body of the deceased. Bellaire Fire Department Medics #41 and Engine #33 also made the scene at approximately 1002 hours. Officer Licketto, Detectives Sandavol, Macedo, and Lacy assisted with this case. April 13 At 5:54 p.m., Officer D. Norman was dispatched to a major accident in the 6000 block of IH 610 northbound. Upon further investigation, Officer Norman believed the at fault driver to be impaired. As Bellaire Officers were placing the suspect in custody the suspect resisted arrest. The suspect was arrested for resisting arrest. Officer M. Andrade and Sergeant D. Kerr assisted with this investigation. April 14 At 6:51 a.m., Officer Liccketto was dispatched to the Bellaire Police Department to transfer an inmate to Harris County. While preparing the inmate for transfer, the inmate assaulted Officer Liccketto causing visible injury. The suspect was additionally charged with assault on a peace officer and was rebooked into the Bellaire Police Department. At 10:32 p.m., Officer Vorhees was dispatched to the 4800 block of Welford Drive in reference to a burglary of a habitation. Unknown suspect(s) entered through unlocked back door of residence and stole several items from home. Officer Younger assisted with the investigation of this case. April 15 At 7 a.m., paramedics were dispatched to someone in an altered level of consciousness in the 4900 block of Palmetto. Paramedics arrived and transported the resident to the hospital. The subject was pronounced deceased at the hospital due to cardiac arrest. April 16 At 10:59 a.m., Officers Quimby and Bailey were dispatched to HEB at 5106 Bissonnet St., in reference to a package containing a controlled substance. Officers arrived on location at 11:06 a.m. April 17 At 7:13 a.m., Officer D Rocha initiated a traffic stop on a white-colored four door Volkswagen vehicle. This vehicle was stopped for failing to obey sign in the 8000 block of South Rice Ave. Contact was made with the driver and he was subsequently found to be operating a motor vehicle with his Texas Drivers License currently invalid / suspended. The driver was also found to have outstanding warrants out of Sugarland Police Department and Pearland Police Department. All warrants were confirmed and the driver was arrested and taken to the Bellaire Jail where he was booked for the charge of driving while license invalid / suspended and confirmed warrants. At 4:22 p.m., Officer Andrade was dispatched to the 4900 block of Holly Street in reference to a burglary of a motor vehicle. Upon arrival, Officer Andrade met with the victim who stated between 3:45 and 4:19 p.m. April 17, two unknown suspects entered his unsecured vehicle and stole lawn equipment and his wallet. A nearby witness observed the two suspects leave the area in a silver four door Nissan Altima. At 11:03 p.m., Officer Vorhees observed a white Nissan four door vehicle traveling west bound in the 5000 block of Bellaire Blvd. bearing an expired Texas temporary tag. Officer Vorhees initiated a traffic stop on the Nissan and the driver failed to provide Officer Vorhees his last name when asked for full name and DOB. Driver was placed in custody for fail to identify and transported to the Bellaire Jail for processing. Officer Guerra assisted in this case. April 19 At 9:17 p.m., Officer Clisham responded to 6639 Ferris St. after the members of the Bellaire Fire Department requested police for two irate subjects. After arriving on location, making contact with the mentioned subjects and further investigation, both subjects were placed in custody. The male subject was charged with possession of a prohibited weapon. The female subject was placed into custody for a confirmed burglary warrant out of the Harris County Sherriffs Office. At 10:46 p.m., Officer Bellard was dispatched to the Bellaire Police lobby in reference to a family disturbance in the 4900 block of Holly Street. The victim advised his wife choked and scratched him during an altercation. After further investigation the wife was arrested for assault family violence. Officer Ortega and Corporal Clawson assisted in this case. April 20 At 12:02 a.m., Officer Younger initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for failing to maintain a single lane of traffic in an unsafe manner in the 7600 block of IH 610 West Loop South. During the investigation it was determined the single occupant of the vehicle was driving while intoxicated and was placed into custody for that charge. At 9:51 a.m., Officers Quimby and Bailey were dispatched to Collectors Coin Shop at 6503 S. Rice Avenue in reference to an attempted burglary of a building. Unknown suspect(s) attempted to gain entry into the above location sometime between April 19, 2019 at 1700 hours, and April 20, 2019 approximately 0930 hours, by cutting a hole in the rear metal door. Officer Licketto assisted in this case. At 7:38 p.m., Officer Bellard was dispatched to 5101 Jessamin St. in reference to a City of Bellaire employee hurting himself on city property. The subject dropped a weight on his finger causing injury. April 21 At 1:53 a.m., Officer Ortega was dispatched to a welfare check in the area of Bellaire Boulevard and IH 610. Officer Ortega located the suspect vehicle and upon further investigation the driver was placed into custody for driving while intoxicated. Officer Bellard assisted in this case. Amazon posted the first job listings Monday for its new Virginia headquarters and said it is moving two vice presidents from Seattle there to oversee workforce development and international growth of its virtual assistant Alexa. The online retail giant also announced it is leasing temporary space in Crystal City - in Arlington County, Virginia - so it can start operations in June, several months ahead of its originally planned October start date. The company said it was able to accelerate the timetable because state and county officials were quick in approving multimillion-dollar incentives packages. That's in contrast to the reception Amazon received in New York, where opposition led it to cancel plans to build a similar facility there. The initial round of listings on the Amazon jobs website is small - five postings, each for multiple hires - but it is a first step in what the company has pledged will be 25,000 new jobs over 10 to 12 years. The jobs will pay average annual salaries of $150,000, and about 400 of those positions are to be created by the end of this year. (Amazon founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post.) The newly listed positions are in human resources, finance, corporate procurement and facilities. Those hired will handle recruiting, along with constructing and furnishing buildings to be leased or built on the Amazon campus. "While the number is small, these employees will help build the foundation of our workforce and workplace," Ardine Williams, vice president of workforce development, said in a blog post. The announcement drew mixed reactions similar to those that Amazon's arrival has provoked from the start. Arlington Board Chair Christian Dorsey, a Democrat and a strong supporter of Amazon, said it was"exciting to see [the project] come to fruition." Moving the vice presidents is "a really strong signal" of Amazon's commitment, Dorsey said, adding that "we're hoping they will recruit from in and around the area." Amazon has said it will seek to fill as many jobs as possible with local hires. But state Del. Lee Carter, D-Manassas, one of a minority of House members who voted against a state incentives package for the company, expressed doubt about Amazon's commitment to hiring locally. "Watch out for U-Hauls because the gentrifiers are coming," Carter said. "We don't have currently unemployed, qualified people in sufficient numbers to fill those positions with local hires. . . . Housing prices will rise, and families will be priced out of their homes." Williams and Rob Pulciani, vice president for Alexa, are the two executives moving to the Arlington office - a transfer that offers the first information about what kinds of operations will be based there. The Seattle-based company portrayed the moves as confirmation that the Northern Virginia facility will be a true second headquarters, with high-level executives building teams there, and not merely a satellite office. The company said it is leasing 45,500 square feet of temporary space from JBG Smith at 2345 Crystal Drive, so new employees can begin work in June. Earlier this month, JBG Smith said it had finalized three leases and two sales agreements with Amazon for other buildings nearby. "The strong support from state and local government has allowed us to make significant progress toward establishing our presence here," Williams said. "We are ahead of schedule and on pace to create 400 new jobs this year and a total of 25,000 over the next decade plus." Amazon must meet those targets to qualify for state grants totaling up to $550 million for the first 25,000 jobs, and up to $750 million if a total of 37,850 are eventually created. The agreement with the state specifies how many jobs are to be created each year, with the average wage rising 1.5 percent each year from a base of $150,000. The state gives Amazon the grant money four and half years after the jobs are created. The Virginia General Assembly was so eager to get the Amazon jobs - and associated tax revenue and prestige - that it approved the incentives package after virtually no debate in January. The Arlington County Board was only slightly slower to approve a much smaller package, for $23 million in incentives. It did so unanimously last month at a raucous meeting repeatedly disrupted by protesters. Of the two executives moving from Seattle, Williams has already arrived. She plans to develop partnerships with local governments and universities, colleges and community colleges to ensure that graduates have the kinds of skills that Amazon will need in coming years. Pulciani will oversee a technical team focused on Alexa, the virtual assistant used in Amazon smart speaker devices such as Echo. Los Angeles police say a man and woman were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide but two young children found in their home were unharmed. On April 14, police found a 46-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman dead at a condominium in the Chatsworth area. Police say the man apparently shot his wife as she lay in bed in an upstairs room, then killed himself. The couples 3-month-old son and 3-year-old daughter were found unharmed in the home. PINT-SIZED HERO: A quick-thinking 8-year-old saves his sister Police have hailed the little girl as a hero for keeping her brother alive for "several" days following their parents' deaths. "Our little angel was able to keep herself and her brother alive," said Los Angeles Police Capt. Maureen Ryan, according to Fox 11. "The baby is a miracle baby and the little girl is a hero. She's an absolute hero." CBS Los Angeles reports the kids were found by a neighborhood couple who became concerned after police conducted a welfare check but found nothing suspicious. It is not clear if officers initially entered the home or only knocked on the door. Olivia and James Robinson told KTLA they found the children inside the home. Olivia Robinson said she knew something was wrong when she saw the toddler girl. She obviously was in bad condition because she reeked really bad of urine," Olivia said. "And she had more of a blank stare on her face. She was very, very quiet. The Robinsons asked the girl where her parents were. I think she may have said they were sleeping, but she told me that theyre upstairs and theyre hurt," James told KTLA. "Right there, we figured its just not good." Another neighbor, Tony Medina, said that he took the girl in and fed her until police arrived. She heard her mom crying, and then what really was kind of heart-wrenching was when she said she saw mommy was broken,' Medina said. The children were placed in the care of child welfare officials. It took President Donald Trump 601 days to top 5,000 false and misleading claims in The Fact Checker's database, an average of eight claims a day. But on April 26, just 226 days later, the president crossed the 10,000 mark - an average of nearly 23 claims a day in this seven-month period, which included the many rallies he held before the midterm elections, the partial government shutdown over his promised border wall and the release of the special counsel's report on Russian interference in the presidential election. This milestone appeared unlikely when The Fact Checker first started this project during his first 100 days. In the first 100 days, Trump averaged less than five claims a day, which would have added up to about 7,000 claims in a four-year presidential term. But the tsunami of untruths just keeps looming larger and larger. As of April 27, including the president's rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the tally in our database stands at 10,111 claims in 828 days. In recent days, the president demonstrated why he so quickly has piled up the claims. There was a 45-minute telephone interview with Sean Hannity of Fox News on April 25: 45 claims. There was an eight-minute gaggle with reporters the morning of April 26: eight claims. There was a speech to the National Rifle Association: 24 claims. There was 19-minute interview with radio host Mark Levin: 17 claims. And, finally, there was the campaign rally on April 27: 61 claims. The president's constant Twitter barrage also adds to his totals. All told, the president racked up 171 false or misleading claims in just three days, April 25-27. That's more than he made in any single month in the first five months of his presidency. About one-fifth of the president's claims are about immigration issues, a percentage that has grown since the government shutdown over funding for his promised border wall. In fact, his most repeated claim - 160 times - is that his border wall is being built. Congress balked at funding the concrete wall he envisioned, and so he has tried to pitch bollard fencing and repairs of existing barriers as "a wall." Trump's penchant for repeating false claims is demonstrated by the fact that The Fact Checker database has recorded nearly 300 instances when the president has repeated a variation of the same claim at least three times. He also now has earned 21 "Bottomless Pinocchios," claims that have earned Three or Four Pinocchios and which have been repeated at least 20 times. Trump's campaign rallies continue to be a rich source of misstatements and falsehoods, accounting for about 22 percent of the total. The rally in Green Bay on April 27 was little different, with claims that covered a range of issues: - He exaggerated the size of trade deficits with Japan, China and the European Union and falsely claimed the United States loses money from such deficits. - He said he had "nothing to hide" from the Russia investigation but refused to testify under oath. - He continued his practice of inflating the jobs created under his administration by starting the count from the election, not his inauguration. - He launched a series of exaggerated or false attacks on Democrats, including claiming the Green New Deal will require every building in Manhattan be replaced (no) and saying Democrats support the killing of healthy babies that have been born (no). - He overstated the possible impact of the new trade agreement with Canada and Mexico in myriad ways and trashed the North American Free Trade Agreement, even though the differences are modest. - He took credit for funding a program - the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative - his administration tried to eliminate. - He made a series of false claims about immigration, such as "open borders bring tremendous crime" (there is no documented link between illegal immigration and crime). - He claimed he passed the biggest tax cut in history (no) and he said he had cut the estate tax to "zero" (no). - He said he was one vote away from repealing Obamacare (no). - He falsely said the United States paid for "almost 100 percent" of NATO (no), that Saudi Arabia inked $450 billion in deals with the Trump administration (no) and even that the United States subsidizes the Saudi military (U.S. aid amounts to $10,000 a year). - He even claimed that he insisted the new embassy in Jerusalem be made of Jerusalem stone even though ever since the British mandate in then-Palestine, municipal laws have required that all buildings must be faced with this local form of limestone that has a warm, golden hue. National security adviser John Bolton made some news on Sunday. In an interview with "Fox News Sunday," he denied that the Trump administration paid the $2 million medical bill North Korea sent for Otto Warmbier. And in doing so, he showed yet again that when President Donald Trump denies a report, you can't take him at face value. Bolton told Chris Wallace that the administration had "absolutely not" paid the bill, which The Washington Post's Anna Fifield reported last week that North Korea had sent. But he confirmed that he had been "told" that a U.S. representative had indeed agreed to pay it, as Fifield also reported. "That is what I'm told, yes," he said. Bolton's interview confirmed basically all the key details of Fifield's report, but it also came after Trump on Friday called the story "fake news." "There was no money paid," Trump said. "That was a fake news report that money was paid. I haven't paid money for any hostage." But Fifield never reported that the money was paid - and neither did anyone else. All she reported was that a U.S. representative had agreed to pay it, upon North Korea's request: The bill went to the Treasury Department, where it remained - unpaid - throughout 2017, the people said. However, it is unclear whether the Trump administration later paid the bill, or whether it came up during preparations for Trump's two summits with Kim Jong Un. The White House declined to comment. "We do not comment on hostage negotiations, which is why they have been so successful during this administration," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders wrote in an email. So the White House doesn't comment on hostage negotiations . . . until it does, repeatedly. And Trump's "fake news" claim wound up being a complete straw man, denying something that had never been reported in the first place, while the actual report was confirmed by his own aide. A tremendous display of honesty and consistency all around. This is, of course, hardly the first time Trump or his aides have denied a report that they later wound up confirming. This happened over and over again in the Mueller report, as has been pointed out by multiple outlets. Trump defenders will note that Trump only denied that the money had been paid, which is true. But he also indicated that the report had said this, which is false. There was no "fake news" here - just a president either badly misunderstanding or, more likely, mischaracterizing a report that made his administration look bad. The question from there is whether the agreement should have been signed in the first place. Fifield reported that North Korea made it a condition of Warmbier's release to come back to the United States. The representative, Joseph Yun, phoned then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who consulted with Trump about what to do. Trump said to sign the agreement. So either the U.S. signed the agreement with no intent to follow through, or it changed its mind. This comes as the Trump has set about playing up his hostage negotiation skills, even tweeting a quote allegedly from his chief hostage negotiator, Robert O'Brien, calling Trump the "greatest hostage negotiator" he knew of in U.S. history. The State Department has not offered on-the-record confirmation of the quote. Bolton suggested that sources for Fifield's report might have misremembered how the decision was made to sign the agreement. But he didn't dispute the reporting. So for now, the White House still isn't directly disputing that Trump agreed to pay $2 million for Warmbier's release. Trump and the White House have emphasized they haven't paid for any of the hostages they've brought home. But signing that agreement, regardless of the intent, sure seems like a concession - one that they now have to account for. Will actress Urmila Matondkar of the Congress do a 2004 Govinda against BJPs formidable candidate Gopal Shetty in Mumbai north constituency? Will two-time Congress MP Priya Dutt avenge herself of the humiliating defeat that she suffered at the hands of late senior BJP leader Pramod Mahajans daughter Poonam Mahajan in the 2014 polls or bite electoral dust once again? Will two-time MP Milind Deora recapture the prestigious Mumbai south seat that he lost to Shiv Senas Arvind Sawant? Will ex-Sena functionary-turned-Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam who was sacked recently as the Mumbai party chief redeem himself with a victory in the polls in Mumbai north-west? Will the BJP pay for replacing its sitting MP and popular face Kirit Somaiya in Mumbai north-east under intense pressure from its ally Shiv Sena? Mumbaikars as well as pollsters are seeking answers to these and many other questions, as 17 Lok Sabha constituencies comprising all the six Lok Sabha seats, three in the neighbouring Thane district and constituencies like Nandurbar, Dhule, Dindori, Nashik, Palghar, Maval, Shirur and Shirdi go to polls in the last phase of polling in Maharashtra on Monday. In Mondays polls, en estimated 3,12 crore voters are slated to exercise their franchise in 17 constituencies. Unlike in the past, Mumbai is witnessing fierce electoral battles in all the six Lok Sabha constituency. Incidentally, there are direct contests between the BJP-Sena combine candidates and the Opposition Congress-NCP alliance in all six constituencies. Mumbaikars have been inconsistent when it comes to electing candidates to Lok Sabha. For instance, riding on the back of an intense Modi wave, the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance had won all the six seats in Mumbai. Earlier in a no-wave 2009 elections, the Congress-NCP alliance had won all the six Lok Sabha seats in the metropolis. In 2004 polls when NDA ceded power to the Congress-led UPA, the Congress had won five seats in Mumbai and the Shiv Sena had walked away with the remaining one seat. In the 1999 elections that saw the Vajpayee-led NDA Government come to power, the BJP had won three seats, its ally Shiv Sena bagged two seats and the Congress had walked away with the remaining one seat. Notwithstanding the claims to the contrary being made by the ruling BJP, there is absolutely no wave in Mumbai or elsewhere in the State. The efforts by the BJP and Modi himself to render its candidates inconsequential and make the elections Modi vs the Opposition have failed in Mumbai, where the sitting BJP-Sena alliance MPs have been forced to seek votes on the basis of their performance in Lok Sabha. Unlike in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections when the Opposition was dwarfed by the larger than life image of BJPs Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, the Congress and NCP candidates are in a resurgent mood and are giving the BJP-Sena candidates run for their money. On his part, Mumbai Congress president Milind Deora, who himself is a party candidate from Mumbai south, has gone to town predicting that his party will win all the six seats. Deoras enthusiasm notwithstanding, the Congress-NCP will definitely make gains in Mumbai, where it had failed to win even one seat in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Being a glamorous actress, Urmila of Rangeela fame is attracting eyeballs in the media. The Congress decision to field Urmila from Mumbai north constituency in place of Sanjay Nirupam who was shifted the neighbouring Mumbai north-west constituency came as a surprise to Mumbaikars. Her candidature from Mumbai north brought back the memories of the Congress pitting an equally popular dancing actor Govinda Ahuja, better known as Virar ka chokra, against veteran five-time BJP MP Ram Naik in the 2004 elections. Considered a novice, Govinda had trounced Naik by a margin of 48,271 votes. Unlike Govinda who was a mere actor, Urmila is a beauty with brain. Despite her being new to politics, she marshalled her resources well during her campaigning. Apart from putting the Congress workers to effective use, she succeeded in roping in the NCP and Raj Thackeray-led MNS workers for her electioneering. So much so that NCP chief Sharad Pawar addressed an election rally at Borivli on the last of her campaign. A Maharashtrian married to Kashmir-based businessman and model Mohsin Akhtar Mir, she has been drawing good crowds. Contesting against a strong candidate Gopal Shetty who had defeated Sanjay Nirupam of the Congress by a staggering margin of 4.46 lakh votes in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Urmila is not unnerved and making all out efforts to reach out to all sections of the society. With her aggressive campaigning, Urmila kindled her partys hope to bag the Mumbai north seat, an optimism that a confident Shetty dismisses outright and says his winning margin would cross 5 lakh votes in the 2019 polls. Another crucial electoral fight is being fought in Mumbai north-central, where BJPs Poonam Mahajan is seeking re-election against Congress two-time MP Priya Dutt, who was persuaded by Congress president Rahul Gandhi two months after she had decided to take a break from active politics and experience and explore other aspects of my life too. Fifty two-year-old Dutt, who is the daughter of the late actor couple Sunil Dutt and Nargis, and sister of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, had earlier been elected twice to Lok Sabha-- once from Mumbai north-west constituency in 2005 and for another term from Mumbai north-central constituency in 2009. She was however, defeated by the BJPs Poonam Mahajan from Mumbai north-central constituency in the 2014 LS polls by margin of 1.86 lakh votes. Though both the Congress and Dutt herself have their support base in the constituency which has both the cosmopolitan voters and slum dwellers, the BJP has consolidated its support base during the last five years. Both Poonam Mahajan and Dutt are campaigning intensely. Actor Sanjay Dutt helped his sister Priya in the electioneering. It is all too easy to underestimate the significance of President Donald Trump's outright defiance of Congress' request that senior aides testify. His declaration that this White House will resist all congressional subpoenas, across the board, is an unprecedented challenge to the House's exercise of its constitutional oversight powers. To be sure, presidents and Congress joust often over requests for senior aide testimony or White House documents. The public might suspect that such disputes are invariably partisan, with Democratic presidents resisting Republican requests for information and vice versa. In fact, the executive and the legislature have, at least until now, fought these battles within a shared, if tense, understanding of the constitutional precedents: Congress has extensive authority to probe an administration's activities and performance, while presidents retain appropriate latitude to solicit, and keep private, advice from senior staff. In normal times, the conflict is resolved by negotiation and compromise, or one branch or the other retreats, or chooses to focus on other battles. The disputes infrequently become testy enough to spill into the courts, at which point judges may then prod the quarreling branches to compromise. But this president has declared that he will fight "all the subpoenas," deeming them purely partisan in motivation. "I don't want people testifying to a party, because that is what they're doing if they do this," he has said. A fit of pique may explain some of the president's behavior, such as his reported readiness to assert executive privilege to block congressional access to former White House counsel Donald McGahn, who supplied damaging testimony to special counsel Robert Mueller. But the White House also directed former White House personal security director Carl Kline to ignore a congressional subpoena. While the administration yielded in this instance to an intervention by Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and will allow Kline to testify Wednesday, it is far from clear that this reflects a major change in the president's position. A political accommodation made to his own party is not the same as a constitutional accommodation that acknowledges Congress's oversight prerogatives. Trump simply does not have this unilateral authority to control the information that Congress seeks. As the Supreme Court stated in a 1959 case, "The power of inquiry has been employed by Congress throughout our history, over the whole range of the national interests concerning which Congress might legislate or decide upon due investigation not to legislate." Even the Office of Legal Counsel, the lead legal corps within the executive branch, has acknowledged, in a 1985 opinion that "it is beyond dispute that Congress may conduct investigations in order to obtain facts pertinent to possible legislation and in order to evaluate the effectiveness of current laws" and that "this power to obtain information has long been viewed as an essential attribute of the power to legislate." In tension with these established principles is the president's right to invoke "executive privilege" to protect certain classes of confidential communications. But that is a qualified, not an absolute, right. President George W. Bush unsuccessfully urged the courts to recognize a more sweeping form of immunity - and failed. Rejecting Bush's attempt to prevent testimony by two senior aides, White House counsel Harriet Miers and senior adviser Karl Rove, U.S. District Judge John Bates found no basis for the administration's position: "Unfortunately for the Executive, this line of argument has been virtually foreclosed by the Supreme Court." Bates' ruling pushed Congress and the executive into an accommodation. Rove and Miers testified, but behind closed doors, with the understanding that the transcript of the interview would be subject to public release. Importantly, in such a process, a president does not surrender his constitutional prerogatives. He or she may assert the privilege to protect particular communications, but this must be done on a question-by-question basis. Should Congress dispute executive branch demurrals, it may resort to the courts, or it may conclude it doesn't need the information in question to achieve its investigative mission. But the presidents have no legal basis for a blanket refusal to permit his aides to testify, period. The administration is also blocking the congressional testimony of senior adviser Stephen Miller - a move that highlights the stakes of Trump's extreme position. Miller does not simply advise the president. In a recent Oval Office meeting, the president reportedly declared Miller to be "in charge of all immigration initiatives" throughout the administration. Indeed, by all accounts, Miller has been the architect of the most prominent and consequential policies and administration actions in this area, including the recent, ill-fated (and illegal) proposal to transport thousands of undocumented migrants for release to the streets of sanctuary cities. He has apparently been able to secure the dismissal of department and agency officials he deems ineffective. It stands to reason that the House Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings, D-Md., wants to hear Miller's testimony on these policies - and asked him to appear voluntarily. The administration declined, and that first round might have then segued into a move toward a negotiated compromise. But again, the president objects to the testimony, period. Should Trump hold fast to this position, he will have taken a position completely at odds with settled law in this area. If the House seeks help from the courts, Trump will eventually lose, but it matters that a president will force such a confrontation without regard to the constitutional merits of his position. In Trump's case, moreover, it is not certain how he would react to defeat in court. Might he up the ante by declining to comply with a court order? Some Republicans have a predicable retort to all of this: Democratic presidents, including President Barack Obama, have also resisted Congress over demands for White House testimony. That's simply incorrect. It is true that the Obama administration objected to a Republican congressional request for testimony from former Obama administration deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes and, on another occasion, former assistant to the president for political affairs and outreach David Simas. But Obama did not assert any claim of absolute immunity in either instance. Nor were the issues or the resolutions the same. In the Rhodes case, Republicans wanted to ask him about remarks he reportedly made about the administration's manipulation of the public case for the Iran nuclear agreement. This demand involved advice to the president in foreign and national security affairs, which the courts have recognized as central to a president's interest in confidential senior staff communications. Still, had Congress persisted, the standard choice would have been presented: accommodation, or in the event that it could not be reached, litigation. Congress stood down. In answering the call for Simas' testimony about his role in advising the president on political affairs and outreach - Republicans were fishing for evidence that federal funds had been used for campaigning - the White House did provide an accommodation. It dispatched the White House counsel to brief the House committee that had sought information relevant to the administration's compliance with Hatch Act prohibitions on certain forms of partisan political activity by federal employees. Congress chose not to press for more. This is how the complicated constitutional arrangement is supposed to work. I should note that I served as White House counsel during the Obama administration, but not during the Rhodes and Simas episodes, and I played no role in advising on them. It was my experience in that job that White House lawyers certainly did whatever they could to protect the vital confidentiality protections that fall under the executive-privilege umbrella. That is unquestionably the starting point in any analysis of Congress's demand for White House testimony or documents. But those lawyers also understood full well that the White House must, in particular cases, make a constructive offer to meet a reasonable, well-founded congressional demand. Trump's lawyers may or may not to share that view, but the president they serve evidently does not. Under the Constitution, Congress is a co-equal branch of the government, a fact Trump is unable to understand or unwilling to accept. The courts may yet have to educate him on this point. If he continues to push the confrontation after that, we will be in truly dangerous territory. - - - Bauer is professor of practice and distinguished scholar in residence at New York University Law School. He served as White House Counsel to President Barack Obama. The road to Damascus from the Lebanese border leaves nobody in doubt who has won the war that's cast a dark shadow over the Middle East for eight years. "Welcome to victorious Syria," a billboard says with a picture of a beaming President Bashar Assad superimposed over the country's red, white and black flag. Instead of a frenzy of reconstruction and the promise of revival, Syrians have found themselves fighting another battle. Weary and traumatized from the violence, they're focused on trying to survive in a decimated economy that shows no signs of imminent revival and with no peace dividend on the horizon. The United Nations estimates the country needs more than $250 billion in aid to get the economy going again, the kind of money its wartime allies, Iran and Russia, are incapable of providing. The U.S. under President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has been turning the financial screw on its adversaries, last week ending embargo exemptions for buyers of Iranian oil. The government in Tehran, which extended credit lines for Damascus in the past few years to buy oil and support the economy, is under renewed American sanctions that forbid passage of aid ships to Syria. The countries that can help, including oil-rich Gulf states, will not extend a hand to a nation allied with Iran, their rival. The impact on Damascus, where the war ended a year ago with the defeat of the fighters in towns around it, is staggering. The city usually throbs with life in the spring, carts overflowing with fresh green almonds, Damascenes smoking shisha in outdoor cafes and families enjoying picnics. It felt lifeless on a visit this month. Vendors in the city's old bazaar complain of miserable sales. Pubs that bustled with diners were largely empty. Increased power cuts have forced shops to get generators. Traffic is light. Morale is down. Lines of cars stretching for miles wait hours to fill their tanks with the 20 liters of gasoline that Syrians in government-controlled areas are allowed every five days. The last shipment of oil from Iran, which was sending up to 3 million barrels a month, came in October before sanctions were resumed. "I thought once the war ended, our currency would become stronger and our living standards better," said Saeed al-Khaldi, who transports vegetables across the sprawling city. Damascus's population has almost doubled since the war started, to over 6 million, as civilians fled violence in other regions. "Instead, we're living from one crisis to the other." The gasoline crisis spells disaster for al-Khaldi. Having lost his furniture store and two homes on the outskirts of the capital in 2013, he's about to lose his livelihood again. "I spent 19 hours yesterday waiting to get 20 liters of gasoline," al-Khalidi, 63, said recently on a cool breezy day in Damascus. "It's not enough to get me around." Nearby, Salem Saleh, a 50-year-old government employee, was leaving the vegetable market empty handed. "I came to buy fruits and vegetables but didn't because everything is so expensive," said Saleh. He said he had expected one kilogram of potatoes to cost 300 Syrian pounds (less than 50 U.S. cents). It was selling for 400 pounds because of increased transport fees due to the gasoline shortages. Saleh, who makes 70,000 pounds a month, said he couldn't afford the 100 pound difference. "The prices are too high for our income." The difficulties highlight some of the post war challenges ahead for Assad, who has reclaimed most of the terrain held by the rebels with military help from Russia and Iran. Gulf money that poured into Lebanon after its 1975-1990 civil war helped restore areas completely devastated by the violence. In addition to the Iranian embargo, Syria has been under sanctions since the government's violent crackdown on protesters in 2011, crippling its oil industry and squeezing an economy that was already corrupt and mismanaged. "He has almost won the war in Syria, but he cannot capitalize on the victory mainly due to his partnership with Iran," said Ayham Kamel, head of Middle East and North Africa research at Eurasia Group. "The Iranians can send plenty of troops to die for Assad and his regime, but what they cannot do is send in funds." According to U.N. estimates, 83 percent of Syrians live below the poverty line, this in a country where bread, petroleum products and staples like tea, rice and sugar are subsidized by the government. "In Syria, poverty is soaring, basic service infrastructure is damaged or destroyed, and the social fabric is strained to the limit," said Achim Steiner, a UN administrator, said last month. An example of the enormity of the destruction can be seen in the town of Ain Tarma in eastern Ghouta on the outskirts of Damascus, the capital. Like other towns around the city, many of the neighborhoods on its periphery have been turned to rubble. Building after building lie in ruin, roads are damaged and an eerie silence hangs over its streets, punctuated by the songs of passing birds. Ain Tarma, known for its tanneries and textile and button factories, fell to the Assad regime a year ago. Since then the area around its main street has been rehabilitated enough for around 25,000 of its 150,000 residents to return, said Sameeha Faris, who works at the municipality. Schoolchildren gathered around a man selling cotton candy outside one of the two schools that have been repaired. A picture of the president with "And Assad has won" hung on a pole across from a kiosk selling soft drinks. But before other neighborhoods are rebuilt, residents have no homes to return to. The government is portraying the hardships as part of the ongoing conspiracy against Syria for standing up to the West, including the U.S. "This is collective punishment," Mustapha Hammouriyyeh, head of the state fuel distribution company, told government-run Al-Ikhbariyya TV recently while discussing the gasoline crisis. "Syria will never yield to pressure," said Fayez Sayegh, a former member of parliament. "Syria believes in dialog and it clings to the sovereignty of its territory and the independence of its national decision." Robert Ford, a former U.S. ambassador to Syria, said the U.S. is much more aggressive under the Trump administration than under Barack Obama, using more secondary penalties that target those doing business with sanctioned individuals or companies. In November, the U.S. Treasury Department added a network of Russian and Iranian companies to its blacklist for shipping oil to Syria and warned of significant risks for those violating the sanctions. "It is a conscious policy of the American government to try to strangle to death the Iranian government in Tehran and the Syrian government in Damascus," said Ford, who's now a fellow at the Middle East Institute. "They don't want to fight a military war with the Syrian government, but they're perfectly willing to fight an economic war." Ford likened the situation in Syria to the one in Cuba after the economy collapsed in the Soviet Union in the late 1980s. Cuba had financial difficulties, "but the Castros are still there," he said. The Syrian government is maintaining the facade of normalcy it has kept throughout the conflict. Morning shows discuss tips on growing indoor plants. An international horse festival was held this month a few days after the city celebrated its cultural festival. But it does little to mask the anxiety. "The situation is very bad," said Ghiyath Dayyan, 47, who sells children's clothes in the old Hamidiyyeh souq. "No one is thinking about clothes. They're thinking about how to provide money for food, for the rent, for their children's education." Dayyan's sales have dropped to a quarter of what they were even three years ago. "I try to attract customers by offering discounts, up to 30 percent, but even that is not helping much." Mansour Saad, 49, who runs Pub Sharqi in the old city, is offering his lowest prices for beer-less than $3-and pizza. But that's not attracting more business. "I cannot make any more offers," he said. Jeweler Nicholas Farah, 54, said he's mainly selling to men planning to get married and can afford a minimum of $600 for an 18-carat gold set. His business is also down to a quarter of what it was before the conflict. Malek Mazaal, 35, opened Tiki Bar on the biblical Straight Street two years ago. The first year was bad because of rebel shelling targeting the area from eastern Ghouta. Then things picked up until the sanctions on Iran were reimposed. He's taking in around $600 a month instead of the $2,000 he'd hoped to make. "Before, a diner would order a bottle of wine and come over every day," said Mazaal. "Now they come once a week and order a glass." Congress candidate for Ranchi parliamentary constituency, Subodh Kant Sahay is contesting the elections on the agenda of urban development. The three-time MP and former union minister is one of the bigwigs of the Congress party and perhaps the only leader from the State who was given a portfolio by the UPA every time he won the elections. Sahay, however, tasted defeat by a whopping margin of nearly two lakh votes in 2014 Lok Sabha polls. But he takes his past as lessons and assures a victory in the 17th General Elections. In a tete-a-tete with The Pioneer Sahay talks about his opponents, election agendas and achievements that should count. Excerpts: Q. Bharatiya Janata Partys candidate and your strongest opponent this time is contesting elections for the first time. How do you see this contest turning up? A. Sanjay Seth is immaterial. He cannot even ask for votes for himself and has to take (Narendra) Modis name even during appealing for vote. What is the relevance of a candidate who cannot even seek vote for himself without taking support of the Prime Minister of India? Will the Prime Minister listen to the concerns of Ranchis public? Is he that approachable? Q. What is your main agenda for elections in Ranchi? A. Ranchi became the capital of the state only in pen and paper. It never got the urban facilities that a state capital should ideally have. The incumbent governments never bothered to address the civic issues in the city and only made tall promises. You cannot have any agenda other than urban development in Ranchi, can you? Right from the drainage system to roads and public transport to drinking water facility; everything in the city is in dire need of attention and upgrade. Q. You are saying that the government did nothing for urban development but they got Ranchi selected for the smart city project. How can you ignore that achievement? A. They dont even know what a city should be like, how can they plan smart cities? The basic minimum facilities are missing in our own city, where a majority of the urban population lives. And instead of addressing the problems in Ranchi, they are planning a smart city in the outskirts of the capital. What about the families living in Ranchi? Who will address their problems? You cannot ask everyone to relocate to the planned smart city. Q. What are your past achievements that you are banking on during this election? A. I, as an MP, brought the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Central University of Jharkhand (CUJ) and National University for Study and Research in Law (NUSRL) to Ranchi. These are premiere institutions that are providing quality education to the students of Ranchi. Besides, the Food Park project too started when I was the MP here. There were many more plans for development of the city, and they will materialize after we win in 2019. A 16-year-old Madison High School student accused of fatally stabbing an 18-year-old during a fight will undergo a psychological exam before a judge decides whether she should be charged as an adult. During a hearing Monday, Judge Lisa K. Jarrett in the 436th Juvenile District Court ordered the examination, as is routine in such cases. Because the suspect is still in the juvenile court system, her name is not being released. She is accused of fatally stabbing Kaitlin Castilleja, a graduate of Madison High, and wounding Vivian Foster, 20, on March 1. She faces charges of murder and aggravated assault. Juveniles who are 15 or older can be tried as an adult if theyre accused of committing a felony, as can 14-year-olds in the most serious of cases, according to the Texas Family Code. On ExpressNews.com: 16-year-old girl accused of fatally stabbing Madison High School grad may be tried as an adult The psychological exam will determine whether the girl is mature and sophisticated enough to be tried as an adult, said Sade Mitchell, an assistant district attorney with the Bexar County District Attorneys Office. Jarrett will then consider probable cause that the suspect committed the crimes and that trying her as an adult would benefit the welfare of the community, according to the Texas Family Code. Jarrett will also consider the severity of the alleged offense and the suspects prior record, if any. Jarrett is expected to make the determination during a hearing June 11. If Jarrett decides that the girl should be tried as an adult, prosecutors will present the case before a grand jury, Mitchell said. On ExpressNews.com: Social media played a role in feud that led to killing According to police, Castilleja and Foster were stabbed by the suspect after the women went to the girl's house to confront her. Castilleja and the suspect allegedly had a long-running dispute, some of which played out over social media. Foster was cut in the chest and the arm while Castilleja was cut in her neck. Castiilleja was pronounced dead about 2 a.m. March 1 at San Antonio Military Medical Center. Staff writer Fares Sabawi contributed to this report. Emilie Eaton is a criminal justice reporter in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | eeaton@express-news.net | Twitter: @emilieeaton Former Chairperson of the Jharkhand State Khadi Board, Sanjay Seth, who is contesting the Lok Sabha polls for the first time from Ranchi with a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket, has no qualms over seeking votes in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A popular figure in the business fraternity in Ranchi, Seth has been active in politics since 1974. However, he preferred being away from the limelight and served the party as an office bearer. Given an opportunity, he promises to address Ranchis water woes and develop it into a lively city. In a conversation with The Pioneer, Seth talks about his journey, opponents and plans. Excerpts: Q. The opposition claims that you seek vote in the name of Narendra Modi and not yourself as an individual. What is your reaction to this? A. I am proud of our Prime Minister. I respect him, see him as an international, visionary leader and do not have any qualms in accepting that I am seeking votes in his name. I would like to dare Subodh Kantji or any other Congress partys leader to seek vote in the name of Rahul Gandhi. I am quite sure that their deposit would be forfeited if they do that. Q. What is your agenda for Ranchi this election? A. There was a time when every colony in Ranchi had a pond. Now, those ponds have dried and we have created a concrete jungle in our city. My efforts would be to restore the natural beauty of the city and ensure holistic development at the same time. By holistic development, I am not only referring to employment generation and strengthening of civic amenities, but also to adding a soul to the city and making it lively. I will ensure that the city develops like Indore and Ranchi-ites feel proud of the beauty of their city. We will develop Ranchi into an education hub by bringing premiere educational institutions to the city so that our youths dont have to migrate outside Jharkhand for education and jobs. Q. You said that addressing water woes is one of your main agenda. How do you plan to do it? A. We will get experts from different parts of the country to study about the various sources of water in and around the city. We have so many waterfalls, rivers and dams in our constituency, which can be used to end water woes in the city. The way Gujarat uses Sabarmati River to combat water crisis, we will use our water resources and ensure supply to every household through pipelines. Q. The Congress has fielded former three-time union minister Subodh Kant Sahay against you in Ranchi. How do you see the contest? A. The irony is that despite becoming a union minister so many times, he did not do anything for the city. In 15 years, he could not even set up a food processing factory in Ranchi despite being the food processing minister in the past. The voters will opt for a fresh face this time as they are disappointed by the inaction of Subodh Kant Sahay. In June 2016, The Texas Tribune reported 336 state officers were serving and exercising their statutory powers even though their terms were expired, some up to five years, and they had not been reappointed by the governor. Gov. Greg Abbotts office stated it was working on the backlog and it would soon be taken care of. Pursuant to a document request of the governors office recently, it was established that 418 state officers are now serving in their offices and exercising their statutory powers even though their terms have expired, some up to nine years, and they have not been reappointed by the governor. Clearly, the number of state officers, commonly called holdover officers, is growing every year in the Abbott administration and their terms are lasting longer and longer. This situation is clearly unconstitutional, and these officers should be removed immediately. The Texas Constitution creates a weak governor state. All of the major executive officers are directly elected by the people: the attorney general, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house and the comptroller. State officers are appointed by the governor, but they must be confirmed by two-thirds of the Senate. They serve a two- or six-year term, and they may currently only be removed by two-thirds of the Senate. Thus, they are called independent officers, for the governor has no direct control over their actions. However, holdover officers serve at the governors pleasure, are not confirmed by the Senate, have no set term and may be removed by the governor at any time. Therefore, the governor may directly control their actions and the agencies that they have power to direct. That makes the governor very powerful and, in essence, allows him or her to create a fiefdom of officers that does what he says and acts pursuant to his wishes. It appears that Abbott believes he has the legal authority based on the Texas Constitution, which allows an existing appointed officer to serve beyond his or her term until ones successor is qualified. We do not know his exact interpretation, for despite repeated requests, he has remained silent. If this is his interpretation, it is grossly wrong and could not withstand judicial review. This interpretation simply guts the meaning of the Texas Constitution. After several appeals to the attorney general, the lieutenant governor and the Senate Nominating Committee, nothing has been done. They appear to not have the wherewithal to stand up to Abbott and declare his actions unconstitutional and demand that he remove these officers immediately. Abbott has sworn to uphold the Texas Constitution and to do what is best for the citizens of Texas. It is now time for the governor to stand up and do what is right, to stop acting in an unconstitutional manner and to remove these officers and the illegal authority he has over them. His concern for his own power and his ability to control executive branch officers in the way he desires should not be at a cost of violating the Texas Constitution. Ron Beal is a law professor at Baylor Law School. On April 12, I toured the busiest border crossing between America and Mexico the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego and the walls being built around it. Guided by a U.S. Border Patrol team, I also traveled along the border right down to where the newest 18-foot-high slatted steel barrier ends and the wide-open hills and craggy valleys beckoning drug smugglers, asylum-seekers and illegal immigrants begin. Its a very troubling scene. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, since October, along the southwest border, from California through Texas, there have been 190,000 apprehensions of family units (a child under 18 with a parent or legal guardian) who crossed illegally from Mexico, up from 40,000 a year ago. Thats an increase of 374%. And roughly 30% of those apprehended sought asylum up from 1% a couple of years ago. Asylum is a humanitarian status based on fear of persecution in ones native land. Many of these requests are legitimate; some are economic migrants gaming the process. But once youre in the U.S. and file for asylum, theres a good chance for you to stay legally or illegally. In addition to families, 135,000 adults and 36,000 unaccompanied children have been apprehended since October after entering illegally. Most come from Guatemala and Honduras but migrants are also now flocking to open borders from as far away as Haiti and Africa. The day left me more certain than ever that we have a real immigration crisis and that the solution is a high wall with a big gate but a smart gate. Without a high wall, too many Americans will lack confidence that we can control our borders and therefore will oppose the steady immigration we need. But for this wall to have a big gate, it has to be a smart and compassionate one, one that says, Besides legitimate asylum-seekers, well accept immigrants at a rate at which they can be properly absorbed into our society and workforce, and well favor visa-seekers with energies and talents that enrich and advance our society. Thats the opposite of the unstrategic, random, chaotic immigration system we have now. Thats been a system in which millions of people could cross into our country illegally or overstay their visas. Or cross over and claim asylum and then melt into society while awaiting their hearings. Or bring in their family members through family reunification programs. Its a crazy system that tells so many foreign students who come here legally to get out after they graduate, while offering myriad protections to people who arrive illegally or win entry through a lottery. If you are pro-immigration as I am, you have to acknowledge that this haphazard system has overwhelmed the Border Patrol and our immigration courts and contributed to Donald Trumps election. A May 2016 poll by the Public Religion Research Institute and The Atlantic found that 48% of white working-class Americans agree that things have changed so much that I often feel like a stranger in my own country. And in an era when more and more countries will fracture under environmental, population, criminal and technological stresses, we simply cannot take everyone who shows up at our border. There has to be a compromise. As David Frum put it in his smart essay on immigration this month in The Atlantic, If liberals insist that only fascists will enforce borders, then voters will hire fascists to do the job liberals refuse to do. And Trump fans need to realize that, yes, walls work but only when paired with a strategy that says were not only going to build walls. Were also going to invest in stabilizing the countries with so many people seeking asylum in America; mitigate the climate change, overpopulation and governance stresses fracturing these countries; celebrate the essential contribution that a steady flow of legal, high-energy and high-IQ immigrants make to America; embrace our historical role as a haven for those legitimately fleeing persecution as much as we possibly can because our country was founded by people doing the same; and expand our immigration court system to quickly welcome those who deserve asylum and repatriate those who dont. Unfortunately, all those actions would require a president ready and able to forge a national immigration compromise. Instead, were stuck with a man who just exploits the border crisis and uses his wall to divide the nation and energize his base. What a terrible waste of a crisis. Houston is going backward. It ranked 12th out of 228 metropolitan areas for ozone pollution in 2017; moved up to 11th in 2018, and this year was ninth in the annual report by the American Lung Association. That disturbing news comes amid continued public health concerns after two recent chemical plant fires puffed poisons into the air near residences and schools in Deer Park and Crosby. The Lung Association ranks metro areas based on their levels of ozone pollution, commonly known as smog, and particle pollution, soot. This years report ranked Houston 17th in particle pollution. That was a slight improvement from being ranked 15th last year and 16th in 2017, but it still spells trouble for people with breathing problems who fear going outside whenever Harris County has a bad air day. That includes the 6,000 children with asthma who attend Houston public schools. Unfortunately, concern for children who stay home every time theres an ozone action day hasnt translated into more aggressive efforts to improve the air they breathe. We definitely need local leadership that is explicit about the need to address air pollution, Bakeyah Nelson, executive director of Air Alliance Houston, told the Chronicle editorial board. All the municipalities need to come together to address this problem. Nelson is right about taking a regional approach. Bad air doesnt hover over one town; it blows across Texas, which is why action is needed at the local, county and state levels. Mayor Bill White convened an air pollution task force of scientists and physicians in 2005 to assess Houstons air pollution problem, but the panels data-driven report offered no specific solutions. Candidates in this years mayoral race should tell voters their plans to improve air quality. Vehicle emissions contribute to smog. They should tell voters how they would get more cars off the road. Along with more mass transportation options, there must be stricter enforcement of environmental rules, especially at the state level. Several companies guilty of releasing toxic chemicals into the air and water during Hurricane Harvey went unpunished, and the fires in late March and April at the Intercontinental Terminals Co. and KMCO plants revealed that both facilities had been operating despite repeatedly breaking environmental and safety regulations. The fires have prompted the Harris County District Attorneys Office to ask for $850,000 to add four prosecutors and four staff members to its three-person environmental crimes unit. It makes sense for local authorities to step up their game, but it wont matter much unless the state stops playing defense for firms accused of polluting. Testifying before Congress in February, Nelson said the Environmental Protection Agency should be more aggressive because the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality too often blocks local enforcement. Local officials must notify the TCEQ before they can sue or sanction a company for violating environmental rules and step aside if the state agency decides to handle the case administratively. As a result, too many violators escape any penalty. State data analyzed by the public policy group Environment Texas showed 275 Texas companies reported 4,067 breakdowns, maintenance incidents, and other emissions events in 2017, which resulted in the release of more than 63 million pounds of illegal air pollution. Yet, only 58 companies were fined by the TCEQ for those infractions and the agency fined them a fraction of what it was authorized to collect. I think the state has been incredibly hypocritical when it comes to protecting the environment, Nelson told the editorial board. It doesnt like the federal government to interfere in Texas but limits what local authorities can do to promote [its own] political agenda. The poorest areas tend to suffer most from bad air quality. Thats certainly so for Houston neighborhoods near the port and ship channel, home to the largest petrochemical complex in the nation. Adding to pollution in the ship-channel area are auto emissions from the constant traffic along interstates 10, 45 and 610 and State Highway 225. Everyone has a right to breathe clean air, and where you live should not determine your health, said Nelson. Public officials at all levels of government need to take that message to heart. Too many seem more worried about protecting jobs than protecting the public from poisoned air. Lax enforcement of environmental and safety rules not only endangers the lives of plant workers, it jeopardizes the health of anyone who lives within breathing range of a toxin-emitting work site. When agencies charged with protecting the environment and public health dont do their jobs, people get sick and some die. Theres no good reason for that to happen. Dear Editor, Like many others, I watched Notre Dame burn in flames. I watched in horror and despair. All of us who have ever had the privilege to wander in her door and stare upwards at her magnificence, to climb up her stairs and stand beside her gargoyles looking at Paris down below know she will never be the same again. No matter what creed, or lack of creed we had, we stood in a structure which showed the beauty, art and brilliance of human creation. She was built in the 12th century by hand, by many hands, and most of the skills used to build her are gone. Our children will never experience the awe we felt standing in the middle of Notre Dame. Immediately, it struck me that she will be restored to glory. Being from a little town in Longford, Ireland, I knew that there is hope, that while much is lost something equally magnificent could be constructed in her place. Another Phoenix from the fire, not to replace her, but to remember her by, will be built. She won't be the same but she will be rebirthed. The irony of my feelings of despair and hope slapped me in the face quite suddenly. Here I am, saddened by bricks and mortar laid down by people no longer here and in 11 years or less most of the species of this world won't be here and there will be no beautiful Earth for my children to enjoy. In fact most of the children of Mother Earth will be dead. Many are already dying every minute of starvation, in Yemen, Syria and on the streets of Europe where we mourn a building we call Our Lady, Our Mother. Our Lady, Notre Dame is gone. So are species of rhinoceros, turtles and bees. Soon will be polar bears and giraffes. Babies in their mothers arms are dying but let's wail and pull our hair out over a church no longer frequented by the people of her country. Secular France has lost their Lady. Why is it so important to us all to protect buildings made by man and not the Earth which bore us forth and sustains our life? Also read: South Longford residents at boiling point as boil water notice remains in place until further notice My work is all about remembering the past, the stories, artefacts and monuments. I guide people around old buildings and lament the state of those that are not protected, those falling down around the county that I live in. When not working, I drag my house guests around thousand year old dolmens, forts and falling castles. I campaign for restoration of significant buildings. Notre Dame burning before my eyes hurts my heart, makes me weep. I'm not dismissing the tragedy of it all. I am, however, amazed at tweets from all the world, from places being bombed and torn down for oil and land, for greed and avarice. People who don't know if they will see another day are saddened by the loss of Notre Dame. Why do we think it is ok for babies to die in war and animals to disappear to memory, for gases to continue to expand from our vehicles and homes, for plastic to suffocate our fish and yet we mourn a building? Is it because people, animals and plants are transient? We are used to them being born and dying quickly compared to rocks made into churches and so the preserving of those rocks has become our purpose. Like many others, I will probably donate a little of what I have just as we did for the camps of Calais, for Syria, Yemen, for a Cathedral in Longford Town, built during a famine that ravaged our country, built while thousands died and were buried right beside it. Paris will be fine, she lived through many more distressing horrors than losing her lady. Her lady will reemerge from the flames while campaigns for ending famines and wars achieve very little. In 11 years or so despite our marching, protesting and shouts the Earth herself and all her babies will have died but the bricks and mortar will remain to say we stood here and were magnificent. Regards, Ann Gerety Smyth (Mother of four, their Lady) Michael ODowd, RENUA Ireland candidate for the North constituency, has condemned the murder of the 29-year old journalist Lyra McKee in Derry, describing her loss as 'appalling and tragic'. Mr ODowd said, This senseless snuffing out of a bright young life is appalling and tragic. It is an attack on free speech and democracy by cowards hiding behind balaclavas. The RENUA candidate says the political and policing world must ensure tragedies such as this do not reoccur. This is a past we have too much experience of and which we do not wish to return. Politics as well as policing must ensure we do not return. In this regard words are not enough. As a Border representative I say now that actions are needed. Also read: Longford Judge: You're not in Lithuania now He says Sinn Fein and the DUP must now face up to their responsibilities. He remarked, Their failure to govern and abandonment of the responsible politics of the Good Friday Agreement has created a vacuum that has allowed evil to flourish. It is time Arlene Foster, Michelle ONeil and Mary Lou McDonald got behind their desks and did the job others elected them to do. The State BJP approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Chief Electoral Officer, Ranchi seeking action against some religious groups who are seeking votes in support of candidate of a national political party in tribal district of Khunti. State BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo on Sunday claimed that some religious groups are campaigning and seeking votes in support of a candidate of one of the national parties contesting the election from Khunti. Shahdeo said, We have come to know that some religious groups, active in tribal district of Khunti, is seeking votes in support of a particular political party. Seeking votes on basis of religion and caste lines is against the norms of Constitution. Shahdeo said that the party has approached Election Commission of India (ECI) and Chief Electoral Office, Jharkhand, seeking action in this connection. In Khunti, BJP tribal face and former chief minister Arjun Munda is pitted against Congress partys Kalicharan Munda. Kalicharan Munda is brother of BJP Khunti MLA, Neelkant Singh Munda who is also minister of rural development in Raghubar Dass cabinet. Kalicharan had earlier represented Tamar assembly as MLA during undivided Bihar. The BJP this time has fielded Arjun Munda from Khunti Lok Sabha seat replacing party old war horse and eight times MP Kariya Munda due to age factor. Arjun Munda who has the blessing of Kariya Munda had kicked off his election campaign after visiting the residence of Kariya Munda. Shahdeo said, The party, during Kolebira assembly by-election, had apprehension that some religious groups are working in support of candidate of particular political party. In the Kolebira assembly by-election held on December last month, Congress Bixal Kongari defeated BJP Basant Soren by a margin of over 9000 votes. The BJP spokesperson also slammed Congress leader and Patidar Andolan movement leader Hardik Patel who is campaigning in support of Congress candidate. Shahdeo said, Hardik Patel who has sold Patidar Andolan to Congress is campaigning in support of Congress. The people of Gujarat have already rejected Patel and he has no scope in Jharkhand. The BJP leader, who is optimistic of BJP performance on three Lok Sabha seats going to poll on April 29, said that BJP will win all three seats in first phase of polling in Jharkhand. Two men and a woman accused of assault have been remanded in custody and on continuing bail respectively to allow for a book of evidence to be served. John Kelly (30) 4 Cluain Ard, Ardnacassa, Longford, Tony Wilson (37), 4 Avonmore Green, Tallaght, Dublin 24 were both charged with assaulting a male victim at Mollaghans Car Park on November 7 2018 under Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. Frances OBrien (23), 4 Cluain Ard, Ardnacassa, Longford was also charged with assaulting a female at Lloyds Pharmacy, Longford Shopping Centre on November 8 2018 contrary to Section 2 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. The court was told the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had only forwarded partial directions in the case, leading Sgt Mark Mahon to apply for an adjournment. Also read: Longford Judge - You're not in Lithuania now Solicitor for Mr Kelly, Fiona Baxter, argued her client had been in custody since last November and on that basis would be seeking peremptory against the State the next time it comes before the court. In effect, that request meant the case could be struck out if the State is not fully ready to proceed at the next available date. Sgt Mahon said he needed to get clarification from the DPP in relation to one outstanding matter but that no additional charges were in the offing. Judge Hughes acceded to the request made by Ms Baxter and remanded Mr Wilson in custody until May 7 2019. Frank Gearty, defending for Mr Wilson, said his client was similarly anxious to finalise the case. This the fourteenth time it has come before the court and we did understand DPP directions had come, he said. Mr Gearty said Mr Wilson was serving a sentence at the present time which will expire at the end of April. Like Mr Kelly before him, Mr Wilson was remanded in custody until May 7 2019. Ms OBrien, meanwhile, was remanded on continuing bail to the same date also. Minister of State and Longford / Westmeath TD, Kevin Boxer Moran has said this today's announcement regarding the introduction of a new Social Insurance Benefit Scheme for the self-employed is another key demand delivered in the Programme for Government. Minister Moran said both he and the Independent Alliance insisted on the inclusion of such a scheme during its negotiations with Fine Gael for a Programme for Government in 2016. During the talks for the formation of Government, we insisted on such a scheme to address the imbalance that faced many self-employed people when their businesses ceased. I have seen at first-hand the enormous difficulty that the lack of full access to social welfare for the self-employed has created. The self-employed are so often the drivers of our economy. They are the entrepreneurs and we have always believed they should be supported not just in good times but also in bad times. The current two-tier system of PRSI contributions whereby the self-employed were getting less benefits had to change. I have long supported the idea that the self-employed sector should be able to access full social welfare benefits. We clearly saw during the recession how the self-employed were badly affected where they were left high and dry by lack of support from the social welfare system. The new scheme of Jobseekers Benefit (self-employed) will support those who lose their self-employment and are covered by social insurance from this November. It is down to our insistence that the matter is now progressing, said Minister Moran. Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty TD said the new scheme of Jobseekers Benefit (Self-Employed) will support those who lose their self-employment and are covered by social insurance. This new initiative will provide assurance to people setting up or running their own business that the State is there to support them if their efforts to create employment and an income for their families and employees suffer as a consequence of their business ceasing. Arrangements are currently underway in the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to ensure the necessary legislation is in place for the new scheme and that the administrative and technical solutions are in place in advance of November for the operation of this scheme. Speaking on the importance of the scheme, Minister Doherty said: This new benefit supports the Governments aim of creating a supportive environment for entrepreneurship, including providing an income safety net to employees and self-employed alike. This Government has sought to encourage enterprise and, particularly, has sought to introduce a new deal for the self-employed when it comes to their access to benefits. We have already extended Treatment Benefits and Invalidity Pension to the self-employed in recent years to ensure that they reach some parity with employees in the benefits they can access from the social insurance system. The introduction of a new Jobseekers Benefit scheme for the self-employed represents the next step in the Governments work to extend PRSI benefits and will provide an income safety net to thousands of small and medium businesses throughout the country. It is estimated that up to 6,500 individuals could benefit from this support at any point in time in a full year. Under the scheme applicants will have access to the full range of employment supports available to other jobseekers such as referral to group information sessions, one to one interviews and subsequent caseworker support. As already referred to, association chairperson, Tony Gilleran (inset), paid generous tribute in his speech to the current committee, and former committees down the years. Although he wont be too happy about this, I would like to pay Tony a well-earned tribute here, on behalf of myself and my committee colleagues, for his huge contribution to the organisation since joining and was elected to the chair. Each year he has designed, edited and produced the dinner dance booklet as well as involving himself in the details of organising the annual event, leaving nothing to chance. His approach was always professional in every way and his chairing of meetings was impeccably fair and agreeable. Tonys kind of positive leadership is often hard to find. The beautiful piece referred to by John Keegan was a bog oak sculpture, created and fashioned by Brendan Collum in his studio in Barraghmore, Drumlish. Also read: South Longford residents at boiling point as boil water notice remains in place until further notice Entitled Going for Goal it was specially commissioned for the occasion and depicted goalposts, netting, a goalie, and a forward powering towards goal, skillfully carved into the bog oak by Brendan. Finally, it was heartwarming to receive a nice, goodwill message on the morning of our final event from Gerry McEvoy in Zurich. Gerry is a former secretary of the association and would have wished to be with us for the occasion. However, family responsibilities determined otherwise Gerry and his wife Stacey are now parents to a 10 month old daughter. We extend our congratulations to Stacey and Gerry and wish them and their daughter a great future. Last Thursday, Lebanons State Council rejected Minister of Industry Wael Abou Faours decision to ban the construction of a mega cement factory in Ain Dara in the caza of Aley near the Shouf Cedar Reserve. Al-Arz, the company behind the project, submitted an appeal to the State Council, which decided in its favor. The ruling upset opponents of the cement factory, including residents of Ain Dara and the villages municipality. On March 26, Abou Faour, from the Progressive Socialist Party, annulled the license given to businessman Pierre Fattouche, owner of Al-Arz, by his predecessor, Hussein Hajj Hassan, from Hezbollah. Abou Faours decision sided with residents of Ain Dara and environmentalists who say that the permit is damaging and marred by irregularities. Al-Arz announced the State Councils decision on April 23 in a statement saying that Abou Faour annulled the permit in ways that are illegal and non-concordant with the previous judicial decision [on] the industrial permit granted by former minister Hajj Hassan. This ruling confirms that Abou Faours decision ran counter to the laws in force and to previous decisions. It has permanently established the legal character of the license granted to al-Arz along with its right to build, equip and operate its industrial complex, and doing so in a decisive manner, the statement continued. This verdict proves that no governmental or administrative authority has the prerogative to cancel such a license. This is proof that Minister Abou Faours decision was hasty, unfair, illegal and not made to serve the public interest. Rather, it was fueled by a narrow political agenda aimed at realizing the interests of his own political party, it concluded. Where are the other leaders? Antoine Haddad, vice-president of the Democratic Renewal Movement, whose family hails from Ain Dara, responded to the State Councils decision in a statement, saying: No decision can weaken the determination of the residents of the locality to defend their right, and that of their children, to live in a clean environment free of deadly pollution. According to Hadded, who has leaded the campaign against the cement plant, denounced the extent of the illegitimate and unlawful interests that have prevailed for decades in the mountains of Ain Dara (referring to quarries that also belong to Fattouche), estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars, as well as the extent of the financial resources from both officials and supporters in Lebanon and abroad. These financial supplies help the owners of the plant to ensure its sustainability, even to the detriment of the population and to its right to live. Haddad reiterated his trust in Abou Faour and his fair and courageous decision. We ask, however, other politicians and parties, who launched an anti-corruption offensive and requested the restitution of state properties, to not only settle for being witnesses of this blatant abuse perpetrated for decades against Ain Dara, which is a peaceful village as well as a symbol of coexistence and attachment to its native land. The silence of those responsible for such abuse falls in the rank of complicity, Haddad went on to say. Abou Faours office issued a particularly strong and harsh statement denouncing the way the State Councils decision was announced and questioning the objectivity of certain magistrates. Abou Farou said he was particularly surprised that the cement plant, and not the related ministry, was notified of the decision, which is a scandal in and of itself as well as an infraction that requires an investigation, especially given the suspicious relationship between the owners of the company and some judges, as proven by the notorious State Councils decision which forced the Lebanese State to pay the owners of the company an astronomical sum reaching up to more than $200 million. The Fattouches, brothers of former deputy Nicolas Fattouche, who is their lawyer, pressed charges in 2006 to claim compensation for their quarries being shut down for two years as part of the implementation of a master plan adopted by the government at the time. The Fattouches won the case and were granted compensation equivalent to $250 million at the time. The Ministry of Industry asked the justice minister and the Office of Judiciary Inspection to start an investigation after condemning the fact that a company had become the spokesperson for the State Council by publishing a press release containing judicial accusations as well as false allegations, which represent additional ground for further investigation. The Ministry of Industry promised to pursue the legal battle of this case. When LOrient-Le Jour (OLJ) contacted Haddad, he didnt seem surprised by the decision For us, such a decision does not change anything. We will continue our fight because its a matter of life and death. We will fight for our way of life and for the right of future generations to enjoy a healthy environment. The damages that the quarries (owned by Fattouche) have caused to the region are very obvious. In addition, he pointed out that the State Councils 2006 decision to allocate the owner of the cement plant the sum of 400 billion Lebanese Pounds (about $265 million) for the closure of his quarries, has never been applied. (This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour on the 26th of April) Three engineering students were arrested by Central Excise Intelligence officials in connection with ganja (dry cannabis) peddling in the city on Sunday morning. The officials seized 32 kg of the contraband and a car following a raid at Link Road. The accused were identified as Asish Kumar Digal, Manomalia Digal and Ranjan Kumar Digal. They are the students of a private engineering college in Bhubaneswar. According to reports, the ganja was being smuggled from Kandhamal to Baleswar. Acting on a tipoff, the excise officials conducted the raid at Link Road and seized the car of the brand Maruti Suzuki in which the accused youths were travelling with the ganja. On a directive by Excise Commissioner Bhupendra Singh Poonia and based on the intelligence report by Excise Deputy Commissioner Ramchandra Palta, the raid was conducted. We seized a car and 32 kg of ganja worth over Rs 4 lakh. Three persons were arrested on charge of peddling the ganja. They identified themselves as engineering students, said Central Excise Intelligence Inspector Jagdish Chandra Samal. However, he said the students were yet to disclose details about their education and college. The probe was underway, he added. It took 12 versions of iOS to finally get parental controls and screen time tracking, but some people still arent happy about it. According to a report in The New York Times Saturday, numerous developers of time monitoring apps complained that Apple was limiting features and in extreme cases, straight up shutting down their apps out of the blue with no warning. Out of the 17 most downloaded screen-time and parental control apps, the Times says Apple either removed or restricted 11 of them, leaving precious few remaining. The developers interviewed say Apple is systematically killing the industry by crippling apps that mimic Screen Times functionality. They contend that Apple is taking aim at their apps because they offer functionality beyond what Apple provides in Screen Time. Thats not the case, says Apple. In a response to a fans concern about the articles revelations, Apple VP Phil Schiller explains that Apple recently became aware that some parental management apps were using a technology called Mobile Device Management or MDM and installing an MDM Profile as a method to limit and control use of these devices. The MDM technology is not intended to enable a developer to have access to and control over consumers data and devices, but the apps we removed from the store did just that. In a full statement titled The facts about parental control apps, Apple echoes Schillers response but adds more reason and context. We recently removed several parental control apps from the App Store, Apple begins, and we did it for a simple reason: they put users privacy and security at risk. The culprit, according to Apple, is the use of MDM technology. Apple contends that the use of MDM is incredibly risky. Beyond the control that the app itself can exert over the users device, research has shown that MDM profiles could be used by hackers to gain access for malicious purposes. Neither Apple nor the developers who used the tech have offered evidence that any of the MDM apps in question has been attacked or used in nefarious ways, so Apple is being proactive in its defense. As Apple writes, Its a matter of security. Few solutions available Screen-time app developers are laying out a similar argument that Spotify did: Apple is purposefully limiting parental control apps for competitive purposes. Spotify claims that Apple withholds Siri support for third-party streaming services and collects 30 percent revenue on subscriptions made through iTunes to give themselves an unfair advantage at every turn. IDG Screen Time makes it easy for parents to shut down their kids devices, but its not without its limitations. That doesnt make as much sense here, however. While Apple does indeed offer its own monitoring service in Screen Time, its not a paid service, and it ships free with every new iPhone, just like Maps, Notes, Photos, etc. Apple has very little to gain by crippling or shutting down competing services. People are still buying an iPhone, whether they use Screen Time or some other app to monitor their use. So I believe Apple when it says that it pulled the apps in questions due to the potential for privacy abuses. However, Apple could make it easier for developers to offer their own spin on Screen Time. As ex-Apple VP and chief iPod architect Tony Fadell opined on Twitter, Apple should be building true APIs for Screen Time so the privacy concerns are taken into account instead of limiting users App Store choices. He goes on to say that the API should cover usage data & controls, and that Apple should also offer a set of developer tools to notify users and parents when a new account is created or logins occur. With WWDC around the corner, its possible that such an API may be on the way. If not, developers have limited options. In its response to the New York Times report, Apple spotlighted two screen management apps, Balance Screen Time by Moment Health and Smart Family by Verizon, as examples of apps that replicate Screen Timess features without resorting to MDM. Both have their limitations, however. Obviously Smart Family is only for Verizon customers, but it also requires a $10 monthly fee. And Balance Screen Time (which also requires an $8 monthly subscription) is more for monitoring than controlling, as it warns, Using Moment Family as a parent gives you certain powers, but your children have power too. As such, Apples Screen Time isnt perfect either, as it requires a dedicated iOS device and has some inconsistencies that allow video watching in a PIP window on an iPad. If MDM-based apps create the privacy and security issues that Apple describes, a solution like the API Fadell describes would be a win-win for Apple users and developers. It would let developers create secure apps that build on Screen Time while offering more features and tools for users. Choice is as important as privacy, and Apple could give us both. To access our in-house intelligence please request a trial here. Read this article and more for a 30 day period. Are you already an Managing IP subscriber? Login here This content is from: Features Despite the well-known struggles in protecting trademarks and trade secrets in China, there are some tried-and-tested strategies to employ, as Karry Lai and Ellie Mertens hear from in-house counsel at a range of domestic and international companies Performing trademark clearance searches should always be the first step taken prior to filing a trademark application, as they are an effective way of preventing legal risks before launching a brand. A few years ago, these searches were solely performed by experts in intellectual property law, but nowadays, there are lots of search tools that are exclusively using artificial intelligence (AI) to provide less costly and expedited search results. Although AI is here to stay, why should companies still seek local advice? While doing business in Brazil, local knowledge is key in many situations due to the Brazilian legal system's peculiarities. This also applies to trademark clearance searches. To better illustrate, a brand that in the same circumstances would have no problem receiving registration in the US or throughout Europe, might be rejected in Brazil either because of our PTO's contradictory decisions or based on absolute grounds. For example, if a phrase or expression makes sense in any language, there is a high chance Brazil's PTO will reject it as being descriptive or a mere slogan. Also, one of the reasons Brazil's PTO makes contradictory decisions is that its level of tolerance of coexistence varies depending on the class in which the application is filed. All these hindrances can be avoided by simple suggestions from an expert, such as filing the mark together with a house-mark or combined with other distinctive elements. In a connected world, companies are interested in having a unique identity globally and time is of the essence. We therefore encourage the use of AI to perform searches, as it evidently reduces costs and provides speedy results. Nonetheless, in jurisdictions with their own idiosyncrasies, using AI engines should not rule out an expert analysis, as local know-how may completely change a search report and advice from the beginning. Livia Helayel Daniel Legal & IP Strategy Av. Republica do Chile, 230, 3rd Floor Centro, Rio de Janeiro 20031-170, Brazil Tel: +55 21 2102 4212 The material on this site is for law firms, companies and other IP specialists. It is for information only. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notice before using the site. All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws. 2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQs. Share this article On December 11 2018 the European Parliament discussed the proposal for a regulation on the transparency and sustainability of EU risk assessment in the food chain amending, inter alia, Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 [General Food Law]. Public controversy regarding the use of genetically modified organisms and herbicide glyphosate paved the way for an initiative which entailed a legislative proposal by the European Commission (COM (2018)0179). The ensuing regulation will amend the EU's General Food Law Regulation. On February 11 2019 the European Parliament and the European Council reached a provisional agreement on the EU Commission's Proposal. At present, the transparency rules of the European Food Safety Association (EFSA) are not as harsh as those of the other agencies the proposed regulation makes the authorisation procedure harsher than at other agencies. Other agencies (for instance, the European Medicines Agency) publish applications and studies at the time when they publish their opinion. It is of central interest to the food industry what this proposed regulation requires of companies in terms of when the publication of information and underlying studies in relation to applications are due and which documents must be produced. In accordance with the proposed legislative text, food companies will need to inform the EFSA immediately of the subject matter of studies commissioned. The revised regulation will entail automatic publication of all studies and information submitted to the EFSA to support the authorisation of a proposed product or ingredient. This data will be uploaded to the EFSA website early in the approval process. Furthermore, the regulation will establish a database of studies for the EFSA to identify whether all relevant research on a substance is considered in evaluating market applications, and stakeholders and the general public should be involved in consultations and notify the EFSA of any potentially omitted information. The suggestions presented by the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, for making the proposal more workable, including the requirement that the EFSA should set up a preliminary opinion first and studies and non-confidential information should be published afterwards, were not accepted. Under the new suggested regulation (see http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-19-1030_en.htm for updates on the status), the applicant cannot prevent its innovative idea and know-how connected to a new product being presented on the website of the EFSA at the commencement of the application procedure so that any competitor has access to such documents. Authorisation procedures at the EFSA take up to 59 months a time period during which competitors in third countries outside the EU will have access to sensitive data while the European application procedure is carried out. The fact that data and studies will not be published after a consultation period but right at the commencement of the procedure imposes a serious risk of idea and know-how piracy. EU legislation applicable to the food industry is already considered as very transparent, and the proposal which received the agreement of the council and the commission raises concerns about efficient protection of proprietary information of agri-food companies within the EU. In this approach, the protection of intellectual property rights comes second to a transparent risk assessment process and it remains unclear how companies are supposed to comply with the requirement to provide a justification for requesting non-publication of their confidential information. Dr Gisela Grabow The material on this site is for law firms, companies and other IP specialists. It is for information only. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notice before using the site. All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws. 2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQs. Share this article Elisenhof, Elisenstr 3D-80335, Munich, GermanyTel: +49 89 74 72 660 Fax: +49 89 77 64 24 info@maiwald.eu www.maiwald.eu An analysis of judicial decisions rendered by the Malaysian courts suggest that parallel imports are lawful to some extent. In simple terms, parallel imports are non-counterfeit goods which are authorised by the intellectual property owner to be sold in one country, i.e. country X but may not be intended to be sold in country Y. However, the goods are imported by the parallel importer to country Y for subsequent resale. Parallel imports, commonly also referred to as grey market goods, are defined by Halsbury's Laws of Malaysia as "strictly the importation and sale by others of goods originating from the owner of industrial property rights in parallel with his own importation of such goods, whether carried out by himself or through authorised agents, but is used more generally to describe the importation and sale by third persons of goods obtained in another country which originate from an internationally known company or group." There is no express prohibition against parallel imports under Malaysian law. Sections 40(1)(d) and 40(1)(dd) of the Trade Marks Act 1976 (TMA) seem to also support this position on parallel imports as follows: "Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the following acts do not constitute an infringement of a trade mark (d) in relation to goods connected in the course of trade with the registered proprietor or a registered user of the trademark if, as to those goods or a bulk of which they form part, the registered proprietor or the registered user in conforming to the permitted use has applied the trademark and has not subsequently removed or obliterated it or has at any time expressly or impliedly consented to the use of the trademark (dd) the use by a person of a trademark in relation to goods or services to which the registered proprietor or registered user has at any time expressly or impliedly consented to;" The rationale behind the dismissal of a trademark infringement complaint against parallel imports lies essentially in the fact that there are no issues of confusion or deception to consumers as to the source of the goods since the goods originate from the same manufacturer or its group of companies and the parallel importer was in effect buying from the same manufacturer or group of companies where the trademark owner derived benefit, though indirectly. In the absence of any contractual restriction, there are limited remedies available to the registered trademark owner to stop parallel imports. While consumers may be able to enjoy cheaper alternatives or variants of the same genuine product from parallel importers, these grey market goods may vary in their standard and quality and may also not comply with the requirements imposed by the relevant local authorities thus compromising the goodwill and reputation of the trademark owner. The sale of parallel imports is also seen as unfair business competition to both the IP owner and the local authorised distributor as they are bound by trading terms/local conditions and may not be able to compete with the parallel importer. IP owners often have to resort to other legislation, where relevant, to impede parallel imports, such as the Sales of Drugs Act 1952, Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 or secure a false trade description under the Trade Descriptions Act 2011 (TDA2011) to enforce their rights. A recent decision in the Malaysian court in PT Garudafood Putra Putri Jaya TBK (Gery case) seems to provide better recourse for IP owners in their challenge against parallel imports. The High Court in this case after considering the various differences between the packaging of goods meant for the Indonesian market and the packaging of goods meant for the Malaysian market granted a Trade Description Order (TDO) to the registered trademark owner which essentially declared that goods meant for the Indonesian market from their packaging consisted of a false trade description upon the applicant's products that are produced in Malaysia which carry the registered mark. The High Court further held that: "there has been infringement of the registered mark by importers of the products that carry the "Gery" mark manufactured specially for the Indonesian market. These infringing products are hence as conceded by the applicant not counterfeit products but the products of the applicant brought into Malaysia through unauthorised parallel importation." A TDO is a declaration by the High Court that a specified infringing trademark or get-up is a false trade description in its application to the goods specified. Such an order is a quasi-criminal type of relief available to registered trademark owners in order to seek relief from the court. The enforcement of this order is done by raids conducted by officers from the Enforcement Division of the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumers Affairs who seize such products bearing the false trade description. The court in holding that the infringing products consist of a false trade description also considered other issues relating to parallel importation activities such as public interest where the products concerned, being confectionary foodstuff, should meet the necessary Malaysian quality standard and Ministry of Health requirements and at the same time preserving the reputation and goodwill of the applicant. The new developments in the Gery case may be a positive step for IP owners towards enforcing their rights against the parallel importation of their goods. On the other side of the coin, prohibitions against parallel imports should also be balanced against the availability of cheaper alternatives to genuine products through parallel imports, ensuring that such prohibitions do not contravene the provisions of the Malaysian Competition Act 2010. The draft Guidelines on Intellectual Property Rights and Competition Law (IP guidelines) issued by the Malaysian Competition Commission differentiate parallel imports into active sales and passive sales: "Active sales generally refer to the licensee in one territory actively seeking and approaching buyers or a specific group of buyers who are located in the exclusive territory of another licensed distributor. Passive sales include a licensed distributor's responses to the demands of individual buyers who are located in an area which the licensor has assigned to another distributor, including the delivery of products to such buyers. Such responses do not result from active sales." The IP guidelines suggest that an IP owner, through exclusive licensing agreements can restrain its local distributors from engaging in active sales outside the allocated market but must not forbid them from carrying out passive sales. While the above developments present a positive outlook for IP owners seeking to prevent parallel imports, a balance will need to be struck when dealing with parallel imports. Jyeshta Mahendran Mike Ho Mun Keat The material on this site is for law firms, companies and other IP specialists. It is for information only. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notice before using the site. All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws. 2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQs. Share this article 7th Floor, Wisma Hamzah-Kwong HingNo 1 Leboh Ampang, 50100 Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaTel: +603 20272727Fax: +603 20785625 info@shearndelamore.com www.shearndelamore.com A few days ago, a photograph of a bottle of Dutch tequila began circulating on the web. The creators of this product, which has not yet hit the market and probably never will, claim to have improved the taste of original tequila, based on Dutch gin, and now feel ready to enter the European market. On March 20 2019, in a ceremony held at the European Commission, the European commissioner of agriculture handed over to the undersecretary of foreign affairs of Mexico, the certificate of registration granted to tequila, recognising it as a spirit with geographical indication in the markets of the countries of the European Union. Mexico signed an agreement in 1997 with the EU on the mutual recognition and protection of spirits from third countries. In 2012, the Tequila Regulatory Council (CRT), with authorisation from the Mexican government, asked the European Commission to also recognise the denomination of the origin of tequila in its internal law. The European Commission granted that recognition. Tequila was thus protected under EU regulation 110/2008 at the same level as European beverages, which only Guatemalan rum and pisco in Peru have achieved. Therefore, no one can use the geographical indication tequila for any identical product, similar product, or services, without the authorisation of the CRT. It is also forbidden to use a name "similar in degree of confusion." In case of imitations or use of the word tequila without permission, the CRT can take criminal action. In 2018, Mexico exported almost 19 million litres of tequila to the EU, but the United States remains the country to which Mexico exports the most. The National Chamber of the Tequila Industry (CNIT) expects 2019 exports to grow from four to five percent. According to the CRT, since 2002 more than 50 thousand litres of fake tequila have been confiscated in the world. More than half of these seizures occurred in countries in the EU. While the European Union and Mexico celebrated new agreements to protect tequila, two Dutch businessmen decided they could improve the taste of one of the most iconic and traditional beverages in Mexico. As a result, they want the recognition given to tequila to be withdrawn, since they consider it a generic term that should not be exclusively used by Mexico. We will watch this case carefully, since the Dutch businessmen threatened to file legal appeals to make use of the name as, according to them, tequila is a generic name. They should know that the geographic protection of tequila only reinforces a denomination of origin protected by international laws. This is not the only case of its kind in the courts. The litigation with the French beer Desperados continues. The CRT has explained that the way in which the beer Desperados tries to circumvent the denomination of origin of tequila is buying some authentic tequila and evaporating it to flavour millions of litres of beer. The Mexican norm establishes that in order to sell a mixed drink "with tequila" it is necessary for it to represent 25% of the content of the product. If it were made "from tequila", then that content would have to reach at least 51% Maria Ordorica Olivares Pedro Luis Ogazon No 17 Col San Angel 01000 Mexico DF Tel: +5255 53 22 30 00 Fax: +5255 53 22 30 01 The material on this site is for law firms, companies and other IP specialists. It is for information only. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notice before using the site. All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws. 2021 Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC. For help please see our FAQs. Share this article The Booknerds hosted noted travel writer Bill Aitken at Dehraduns oldest book shop The English Book Depot on Sunday. Aitken who was born in Scotland shifted to India in 1959 with the aim of travelling across the country. He has written a number of books like Seven Sacred Rivers, The Nanda Devi Affair, Mountain Delight and many more accounting his observations. The event also featured travel blogger Surbhi Sabharwal as the lead moderator who is a weekend traveller inspiring people with jobs to travel more. The conversation started with Aitken talking about his younger days in Kolkata and his love for the city. He also talked about his obsession with Nanda Devi. He shared with the audience his travel stories, riding a bike through difficult terrains and growing old in Mussoorie. Surbhi shared her experiences as a solo woman traveller in India, her bike trip to Ladakh and the scenario of travel writing in the digital age. The audience was mesmerised with the accounts of both the panelist, who although belonging to different generations talked and bonded over travelling. The conversation moved to many interesting topics like spirituality and perspective of travelling and some dangerous encounters in the mountains. Aiken also narrated his paranormal encounters especially a chance meet up with a 'chudail'. Earlier, co-founder of The Booknerds, Rohan Raj started the event with a round of introductions of the attendees which included a host of future writers, readers and travel enthusiasts. The event concluded with a book signing with Aitkins fans excited to get a picture with him. The group will be meeting next at a local cafe for the launch of Nupur Sandhu's book 'Numi'. Some shelters go up in the evening and come down the following morning, like tents. Others travel behind pickup trucks and stop wherever their owners likes best. Other houses spring up on newly cleared land, only a couple of decades later to be razed to make way for something new. But in some rare cases, there are houses that stand firmly entrenched in the same spot year after year, for decades upon decades, even centuries. And thats the case for two houses coincidentally built along the same border, one in Henry County and the other in Patrick County. Formal records simply dont exist that establish the areas oldest still-standing home, but local historians have their hunches about which structures have been around the longest. To get a glimpse inside of those building requires a private invitations, because they still are homes. One stands behind a fench and locked gate. But heres what we know. Before Patrick Henry spoke The house in Patrick County is called Hughesville, a wooden structure built around 1769, or, to put that into context, about seven years before the American Revolution. They called it Hughesville, but there never was a village there, Patrick County Historical Society curator Greg Arens said. Its an old house that was built by Archelaus Hughes in the southernmost part of Patrick County. Its almost in Henry County. When it was built, this old house wasnt in either county, although it hasnt moved in its 250 years. To put that into context, the house has been standing for a quarter of a millennial. It [the area] became western Pittsylvania County in 1767, but they wouldnt have called it Patrick or Henry when it was still an English colony, Arens said. Imagine the tyranny if a county bore the name of the famous liberty or death orator at the time of the Revolutionary War. Patrick Henry didnt even utter those words until 1775. After county lines settled in 1791, Hughesville rested in Patrick County along an original line of the Great Wagon Road, a route stretching from Pennsylvania, through Virginia and eventually to the Cumberland Gap. It was on a branch of what had been the Great Wagon Road, Arens said. It was on the only branch of the road that clipped through Patrick County. Arens said he visited Hughesville about 15 years ago after a friend invited him to the private residence. When Arens visited, the house was in slight disrepair, much to be expected after more than 200 years. He said he hasnt seen the original blueprints for Hughesville, but Arens speculated that the house wasnt as large as it is currently. There was probably a main part that was original, and they added things on, Arens said. There was also originally a blacksmith shop and general store on the property, making it a largely self-sufficient unit. The significance of the house wasnt only in its age, or location, but also who owned the property. Archelaus Hughes was a big name at the time, Arens said. Hughes was a colonel in the Revolutionary War and later served as a justice of the peace. He owned land in Prince Edward County and Lee County and also owned one plantation home across Virginias southern border in North Carolina. Hughes also owned seven stores. Oldest in Henry Another prominent local man, Hans Jacob Koger, owned whats considered the oldest standing home in Henry County. Originally born in Germany, Koger traveled from England to Philadelphia on the ship Mortonhouse in 1728. After working for a man who paid his entrance free to America for two years, Koger married and then settled in Halifax County. He and his wife built a home in 1746. From what we can determine and were not a hundred percent but were thinking that this is the oldest standing house in Henry County, said Fran Snead, director of the Bassett Historical Center in Bassett. Likes Hughesville, the Koger home wasnt always in the county where it currently resides. When they built the house, it was in Halifax County, Snead said. The lines were changing, and the counties were forming. It was basically in three or four counties, but it never moved. Also like Hughesville, the Koger home straddles the Henry County and Patrick County line. The Kogers settled in the Bassett area. They built the house above a spring, Snead said. The location of the home allowed the family to collect fresh water without warding off wild animals or fearing raids from Native American tribes. Although the house still stands 273 after its construction, its not the only piece of the Kogers left in the area. Theres a basket at the Bassett Historical Center that Koger brought with him from Germany, dating back at least 291 years. Snead said it is the oldest artifact at the center. As for the Koger home, it is still a private residence. The last we heard, a family member owned it, Snead said. Mohammad Yasar, owner of BGs Express, said he was in the convenience stores bathroom when he heard the gunshot from outside late Thursday morning. My wife [Asma Yasar] was working the front, he said. She had stopped at the store located at 16380 A. L. Philpott Highway, near Martinsville planning to stay briefly. It was their daughter Amnas fourth birthday. Soon after hearing the shot, a woman who had just paid to pump gas came back in the store and told Asma Yasar to call police because someone had been shot. I said okay, Asma Yasar said in broken English. I called 911.Police quick come here. Emergency dispatchers received the call at 10:15 a.m. The husband and wife stepped outside and saw a man later identified as Mack Bradley Watkins, 55, of Spencer, lying in the parking lot, unable to speak. He was moving a little bit, Mohammad Yasar said. I seen him one or two times try to move his leg or arm. I tried to talk to him but he didnt say nothing. A Henry County Sheriffs deputy arrived about two minutes after the 911 call to find Watkins with a gunshot wound to his chest and tried to save him. Watkins died at the scene. The business video surveillance system recorded the incident, the store owners said. In it, the gunman remained in a van and spoke with Watkins, who stood outside the vehicle. At one point, Watkins began to turn as though he was trying to run away but was shot. The sheriffs office reports finding William Tyrone Matthews, 75, also of Spencer, slightly more than an hour later and roughly a mile down the road at Old Country Store. Virginia State Police spotted a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle that had fled the scene, Maj. Eric Winn said. Henry County deputies caught up with the [state police] trooper and they initiated a traffic stop and took the suspect into custody. Matthews is charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm after being convicted of a violent felony, the sheriffs office reports. He is currently being held in the Henry County Jail without bond. Both Watkins and Matthews were acquaintances, Winn said. A woman was with them at the time of the shooting. Asma Yasar thinks she was the woman who told her to call police. Winn said he believes the incident occurred after Matthews spotted Watkins pumping gas at BGs Express and stopped. Mohammad Yasar guessed that he had known Watkins for close to 20 years as a customer coming to the store. He was nice, the best person I ever see, the store owner said. He come in store, buy what he want, never bother nobody, quiet. He tried to help if somebody needed. He was a nice person. This is the second shooting that has happened at BGs Express on Philpott Highway this year. On Jan. 25, an unrelated shooting happened in the parking lot that stemmed from a fight over drugs, and a suspect is incarcerated awaiting trial. Despite both incidents being unrelated, Mohammad Yasar said he will soon close a back parking lot at the business because of his concerns over safety. Paul Collins reports for the Martinsville Bulletin. He can be reached at paul.collins@martinsvillebulletin.com A year ago, two individuals sat across from each other for the first time, unsure what the following 365 days might hold. One was Amanda Mandi Bartlett, who works at the Ravenel Oncology Center in Martinsville. The other was Serenity Bradshaw, a participant in the Martinsville YMCAs Reach and Rise mentorship program. As Bartlett spoke with Bradshaw, her father, Kelvin Bradshaw, and Reach and Rise Director Terri Hairston, she developed a first impression of the young lady she would soon come to call a friend. She was really sweet and really shy, Bartlett said. She had a difficult time opening up at first and I did too. After their initial meeting, the two set off on a new adventure each week. Bartlett planned each outing based on the same structure. First, the two had dinner together. Then, they both participated in a fun activity. Mandi planned and she did an exceptional job doing that, Hairston said. She intentionally devised a plan and provided a structure that was consistent. Young people need structure. Some of their favorite activities to do together included making arts and crafts, writing, going to the movies, skating and honing their arcade skills at Uptown Pinball. While mentors may spend any amount of money on their outings, it doesnt take a lot to enhance a childs life. There are lots of things you can do around here, Hairston said. The director equips each mentor with a list of the top 40 free or low-cost kid-friendly activities in Martinsville and Henry County, provided by VisitMartinsville, the local tourism department. They do a list and they do all of this research, Hairston said. People arent aware of these little nuggets. I was even surprised. Participating in activities together helps the mentor and child's connection grow in a fun and healthy way. Doing things that the child and adult both enjoy often opens communication lines. The biggest [accomplishment] was working on self-confidence, Bartlett said. She made a lot of progress. The two also explored the importance of honesty, especially in communications and relationships. As the year progressed, Bartlett watched Serenity open up and grow. It gave me a sense of pride, watching how she developed over the year, Bartlett said. From week to week, it seemed so small. Even though the gains seemed minute at times, the friendship the two formed changed both of their lives in a big way. As the year ended and the group met for one last time, Hairston also noted a positive outcome. Its rewarding, especially when you see a match like that one, Hairston said. I could see two lives had changed. I could see tears in Serenitys eyes, but she looked up and said, We make an awesome team. While Serenity and Bartletts pairing couldnt have been more perfect, for some people, a storybook match could be thwarted by fears that never become realities. Before she became a mentor, anticipatory questions ravaged Bartletts mind. Would she be cool enough? Was she fun enough? Was she good enough? Did she really have the time? The fears quickly vanished as Bartlett and Serenitys friendship grew. he rewards you get out of it far outweigh the concerns, Bartlett said. I dont regret a minute. Its worth it. Bartlett plans to mentor through Reach and Rise again in the future, but wont jump right back into the program this year. She often manages her time helping both local youth and children overseas. In August, she will spearhead a charity hike up Mount Kilimanjaro for her nonprofit organization, Give Hope, Inc., and continue to assist a Tanzanian community that shes helped since 2012. With all the work Ive done overseas, its important to me to invest in kids in my own community, too, Bartlett said. Reach and Rise is a great opportunity to do that. For those who wish to positively impact the youth in Martinsville and Henry County, there are mentoring opportunities available through the Reach and Rise program. You can come together. You can invest in somebody. You can tell somebody theyre worth it, Bartlett said. Potential mentors must first complete an application, which can be found online at www.martinsvilleymca.com or at the YMCA located at 3 Starling Ave in Martinsville. Then, mentors go through 15 hours of training. All potential mentors also have a background screening and a face-to-face interview with Brad Kinkema, YMCA executive director, and Hairston. Im big on safety. This is a positive program. We take every measure to make sure our mentors and our mentees are safe, Hairston said. Throughout the year, Hairston meets with mentors, the children and parents once a month to ensure a positive, productive match. I m looking for someone whos passionate and wants to make a difference in a childs life, Hairston said. Over the six years Hairstons directed the program, mentors have come from all over. Several live in the Martinsville area, but others travel from North Carolina. County and state lines dont determine a positive role model, but a passion for helping children and shaping tomorrows leaders does. I have seen, just recently, people doing a lot of things in our community to help people, Hairston said. If we are going to be a strong community, we need to invest in our youth. These are our future law enforcement officers, our future mayors. These are our future community leaders. For those interested in becoming a Reach and Rise mentor, contact Hairston through email at terri@martinsvilleymca.com or by calling the YMCA at (276) 632-1772. TODAYS WORD is disgruntled. Example: Sara Beth was disgruntled when Marylee was voted president of the womens guild, even though Marylee was a newcomer to town who only had been in the club for three years a far cry from Sara Beths 17. MONDAYS WORLD was dossier. It means a collection of documents offering detailed information on a particular individual or topic. Example: The reporter finally obtained the politicians dossier after putting in a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request. Patrick Countys famous bull rider Nineteen-year-old Dylan Smith of Ararat is making a name for himself on the professional bull-riding circuit. He is ranked No. 41 worldwide as a professional bull rider by the Professional Bull Riders association. More than 600 bull riders from the United States, Brazil, Australia, Canada and Mexico hold PBR memberships, competing in more than 300 events each year on national television, plus tours around the world. One of those events was the 2019 Velocity Knoxville Invitational in February in Tennessee which Smith won, riding Switch Hitter (to the song Rocky Top) for 89 points. (The bull riders ranked 40th and higher mostly are from out West as well as other countries with the closest to Virginia being from Smithfield, N.C; Paris, Tenn.; and Piffard, N.Y., and Farmland, Ind.) Now he is also a model, in promotions for MV Outdoors & Hunting. That company shows pictures of Smith standing tough, arms crossed, with a serious look on his face, wearing jeans, a black shirt, black vest and a hat. Today is ___ Day Lets be honest: Your hairstylist deserves some appreciation. Why not set her or him down with some oatmeal cookies (made with raisins, of course) and a bubble tea, then give the gift of some pet toys for his or her shelter pet? Each day in America commemorates something or other. Todays a big one. Its National ... Hairstylist Appreciation Day, Oatmeal Cookie Day, Raison Day, Adopt-a-Shelter-Pet Day, Bubble Tea Day, Bugs Bunny Day, Honesty Day, Sarcoidosis Day, Prepareathon Day and Military Brats Day. In case youre curious, sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that affects multiple organs in the body, but primarily the lungs and lymph glands. PrepareAthon! Day was announced by the White House in 2014 as part of President Barack Obamas National Preparedness Initiative (for natural disasters). Bubble tea is a cold, frothy drink, available in many flavors, usually with sweet pearls made from tapioca. Its consumed with a straw wide enough to fit the tapioca. MONDAYS TRIVIA ANSWER: The Virginia Museum of Natural History was founded in 1984 as The Boaz Foundation, named after Dr. Noel T. Boez, its co-founder with Dr. DorothyDechant Boaz. It started as a public institution, but in June 1985 it opened to the public with the name it still employs. In 1988, the museum became an agency of the commonwealth of Virginia. It was accredited by the American Alliance of Museums in 1994, and it moved into its current location in 2007. TODAYS TRIVIA QUESTION: What was the name of the hospital that used to be in Collinsville? Arthur Emerson of Collinsville told the Stroller he remembers that there was a hospital in that town in the 1950s and that it would be an interesting question for Stroller readers to answer. Well have the name and location of the Collinsville hospital thanks to Pat Ross of the Bassett Historical Center in Tuesday's trivia answer, but we hope also to have several comments and stories from Bulletin readers who can share their memories about it. Tell us about the Collinsville hospital by writing Stroller@martinsvillebulletin.com or calling 276-638-8801 extension 243 (and also contact us with your suggestions for other trivia questions, jokes or more). Having sent its leaders and office bearers for campaigning in various states, the Bharatiya Janata Party state unit has sent its team to campaign in Haryana for the Lok Sabha elections. On Sunday, a team of 24 party leaders and office bearers left to participate in the election campaign in Haryana. Meanwhile, former chief minister and party candidate from Haridwar constituency Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank will campaign in four states. According to the BJP State office, the coordinators of the group, state minister rank position holder Kedar Joshi and Badrinath MLA Mahendra Bhatt attended a meeting with the members of the group at the partys office here on Sunday. According the partys state media in-charge Devendra Bhasin, the team of 24 BJP members from Uttarakhand left on Sunday to campaign in Haryana for BJP candidates in the Lok Sabha election. The group consists of office bearers, an MLA, position holders and senior workers of the party. Partys state general secretary Naresh Bansal, addressing the team members, said that the aim of all party workers is the same- to work for ensuring an electoral victory of the BJP led coalition to form the next government at the Centre with Narendra Modi as the prime minister. He exhorted the team members to discharge the responsibilities accorded to them with dedication. The BJP State vice president Jyoti Prasad Gairola said that this election is linked to the future of the nation. For a secure and prosperous future of the nation, it is vital for the BJP to win the elections so that Narendra Modi can have a second term as the prime minister, he said. Bhasin further informed that former CM Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank will also campaign for party candidates in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Chandigarh. A team of senior and experienced party workers will also accompany him. Nishank is stated to have good relations with Akali Dal leaders especially Prakash Singh Badal. Nishank will leave to compaign on April 30 along with a team of about a dozen party workers. Bhasin added that after Haryana, the party workers are now also slated to leave for Delhi to participate in the campaign there. It is pertinent to mention here that so far party leaders and workers of the BJP from Uttarakhand have gone to participate in the election campaign in West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh. The chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and State minister Dhan Singh Rawat among others have also campaigned for party candidates in various constituencies. Dozens of immigrants and supporters walked with frozen fingers, blistered feet and sore backs across the Greater Boston area over the weekend calling for legislation that would allow undocumented immigrants to get drivers licenses. The travelers, members of the advocacy group Movimiento Cosecha, traveled 25 miles from Framingham to the State House on Beacon Hill to rally for drivers licenses. They didnt meet with lawmakers as a rule, the advocacy group does not negotiate with politicians but instead waved banners, banged on drums and shared their stories in front of the building in hopes of garnering public support for the cause. The community is very much driving this and leading this. Its powerful to have that be at the core of the organizing thats happening, said Cata Santiago, a member of Cosecha. She joined the last five miles of the walk on Monday, traveling from Somerville to the State House in Boston. Santiago, who was born in Mexico but was brought to Florida at age 8, has protections from deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program initiated under the Obama administration. Under DACA, she can apply for a drivers license, but immigrants without any legal status cannot. Families are still driving with fear. We are uplifting the message of drivers licenses for everyone and just no one wants to continue living [in a situation] where every single day they are risking potentially being separated from their loved ones and family members, said Santiago, now 22. Gov. Charlie Baker added an amendment to the states law creating a two-tiered drivers license system in 2016, barring undocumented immigrants from obtaining the licenses. When two bills were filed to remove that amendment in January, Baker said he would veto any legislation that extends driving privileges to immigrants without legal status. Santiago said the organizations goal is to garner public support behind the legislation introduced in January, which would allow people to apply for and obtain drivers licenses if they cannot provide proof of lawful presence in the United States. The bills, S.2061, H. 3012, were filed in January and referred to the Transportation Committee. Cosechas goal is to see the committee schedule hearings on the legislation. Among those walking was Li Adorno, 26, a Dreamer who was raised in Union City, New Jersey. Adorno told the crowd that Cosecha that politicians were not invited to the rally Monday afternoon because lawmakers have failed to act on the drivers license issue since it was first introduced in the 1990s. We are tired of the promises, he said. Alicia Cortez, 39, of New Bedford was born in Guatemala and crossed the border with her parents and three siblings when she was 8 years old. That was in 1986. Although she has a green card and can legally drive, Cortez said she walked the 25 miles because she remembers how terrified she was when she was undocumented. When speaking in front of the crowd, Cortez recalled being pulled over once by a local police officer and not having a drivers license. The officer ended up letting her go. I cannot forget that one day I didnt have a green card. I cannot forget that I have [seen] my people deported. I cannot forget that I have people in jail right now, she said. even if theyre not my family, theyre my people. Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins made a clear distinction on Monday between her employees notifying her of federal immigration enforcement in their courthouses and a district judge allegedly helping a man evade immigration agents. But shes not afraid to go to jail for challenging the arrests at courthouses, either. She argues that Immigration and Customs Enforcements practices of arresting people of civil immigration violations is illegal, disrupts criminal prosecutions and scares off witnesses, victims and defendants. I am in no fear of arrest, she said, "and very candidly, if I am, it would be my honor to be because we need to stand up and be very, very bold about this ridiculous behavior that our president is engaging in right now. Rollins stood with Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan, Committee for Public Counsel Services Immigration Impact Unit Director Wendy Wayne and advocates to announce a federal lawsuit against ICE over the courthouse arrests. The complaint alleges these courthouse arrests, which have increased over the past two years, have violated protections under common law, states rights and the constitutional right everyone to accessing the courts. The end result? The local prosecutors and attorneys say defendants who appear in court are detained by immigration agents or stop showing up altogether to avoid ICE. Victims and witnesses dont cooperate with local law enforcement and fear reporting crimes, ranging from domestic violence to labor violations. Gladys Vega, executive director of the Chelsea Collaborative, has organized mediations to address issues between Massachusetts residents so they dont have go to court and risk getting detained by ICE agents. Rollins and Ryan were asked about the timing of the lawsuit, which comes a week after Newton District Judge Shelley Joseph and Trial Court Officer Wesley MacGregor were charged with obstruction following allegations that they helped a man evade ICE. Ryan said there is no connection between the two incidents. The plaintiffs came together to develop the lawsuit more than a year ago with Goodwin Procter helping pro bono. Rollins, who took office in January, said she learned of the litigation after a 21-year-old undocumented Cape Verdean man was arrested in the courthouse. He had shown up to a local courthouse on Jan. 7 to face cocaine trafficking charges. I made a phone call to the attorney general immediately to say five plain-clothes individuals just dragged somebody into an elevator while he was yelling for his lawyer, Rollins said. Rollins said she was directed to the plaintiffs. Rollins has come under scrutiny for her progressive stances on criminal justice. She campaigned on a policy to pledge not to prosecute individuals who are charged with minor offenses, arguing it perpetuates a racist mass incarceration system and prevents prosecutors from focusing on solving violent crime. She expanded upon her campaign promise in a memorandum released last month, which included a brief section about immigration. In the memorandum, Rollins said her office will take immigration status into account when charging and sentencing as even misdemeanor convictions could get someone flagged by immigration agents. She also asked assistant district attorneys, witness advocates or other employees to notify her if they see ICE agents arresting people scheduled to appear in court or asking them about their immigration status. Theyre not to obstruct, theyre not to get involved at all, she said. They simply call and let us know so we can have an accurate account. The lawsuit is already facing criticism from immigration hardliners. Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson wrote in a statement that barring immigration agents from a courthouse is the same as barring the FBI or the Drug Enforcement Administration. Hodgson wrote, "ICE officers are federal law enforcement professionals who risked their lives every day and day out protecting our communities: Shame on anyone, especially elected officials sworn to protect their citizens, who sides with the lawbreakers over law enforcement. Days after a judge and court officer were arrested on charges they helped a man evade immigration authorities, advocates are filing a lawsuit asking a federal judge to block Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from arresting people at local courthouses. The Middlesex County District Attorneys Office announced a group of prosecutors, public defenders and community groups are filing a lawsuit on Monday over courthouses arrests, arguing the arrests deter victims, witnesses and defendants from cooperating with law enforcement on local criminal cases. To the extent that the practices of ICE in apprehending them while they are coming, going or exercising and conducting their business in the court has chilled their right to do that, that is an assault on our justice system," Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said on Monday. "It is one which cannot continue. Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins, Lawyers for Civil Rights Director Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, Committee for Public Counsel Services Immigration Impact Unit Director Wendy Wayne and Chelsea Collaborative Executive Director Gladys Vega also signed onto the joint statement. Public defenders, local prosecutors and immigrant activists began voicing concerns about ICE agents making arrests at local courthouses after President Donald Trump took office. According to the complaint, ICE agents are making arrests two or three times a week at courthouses in Middlesex and Suffolk counties. The arrests have been made in and around courthouses, though these estimates dont include arrests of people who are brought to court while in state criminal custody. The plaintiffs called the arrests, as well as attempts at arrest, disruptive and at times violent. There have been reports of slamming family members against walls, dragging individuals from cars and pulling guns on people while leaving court. ICE has handcuffed family members who turn out to be lawfully present in the United States, the lawsuit states. Thomas D. Homan, then acting director of ICE, issued a directive in January 2018 stating that courthouses are fair game for immigration enforcement, unlike schools, churches and hospitals, which are considered sensitive locations under ICE policy. ICE says making arrests at courthouses ensures that agents can locate and detain people facing immigration violations in a place that screens civilians for weapons. The agency also argues that in some parts of the country, conducting enforcement at courthouses is one of the only options if local law enforcement does not cooperate with ICE agents. Local prosecutors and advocates asked the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to block ICE from making arrests in courthouses in 2017. The SJC struck down that request, which prompted advocates to take up the issue at the federal level. Lawyers for Civil Rights has informally tracked ICE arrests at courthouses in Massachusetts in hopes of understanding how prevalent the practice is. Espinoza-Madrigal told MassLive in March that his organization had documented more than 100 arrests in the past year by ICE agents. One of those include the arrest of an undocumented 21-year-old Cape Verdean man in a Boston courthouse in January. Lets be clear: immigrants are being hunted down, and this is harmful to all of us, Espinoza-Madrigal said on Monday, and we are fighting back. This is our legal and moral responsibility. The lawsuit comes days after Newton District Judge Shelley Joseph and recently retired Trial Court Officer Wesley MacGregor were charged with obstruction over the handling of a case against Jose Medina-Perez, who was facing drug charges in Newton. Medina-Perez had an outstanding warrant for drunk driving in Pennsylvania and was wanted by ICE. When a plainclothes ICE agent showed up to Medina-Perezs arraignment in Newton District Court, Joseph allegedly ordered the agent out of the courtroom and ordered the courtroom recorder turned off. Prosecutors say she released Medina-Perez without bail and instructed MacGregor to take him to the downstairs lockup while keeping the ICE agent locked out. MacGregor allegedly let Medina-Perez out the back door. The charges stirred controversy in the Greater Boston area as politicians, public safety officials and activists weighed in. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy called the arrests an unnecessary, political attack, while Gov. Charlie Baker supported the Supreme Judicial Courts decision to suspend Joseph without pay. Ryan, however, said the group had been working with Goodwin Procter for a year on developing the lawsuit. Rollins, who took office in January, said she reached out to the Massachusetts Attorney Generals Office in January following the arrest of the Cape Verdean man and was put in contact with the Goodwin Procter and the other plaintiffs. I made a phone call to the attorney general immediately to say five plain clothes individuals just dragged somebody into an elevator while he was yelling for his lawyer, she said. I picked up the phone the instance something happened and got involved. Rollins, who releases her policy objectives in a memo in March, said her office will take immigration status into account when charging and sentencing as even misdemeanor convictions could get someone flagged by immigration agents. She also asked assistant district attorneys, witness advocates or other employees to notify her if they see ICE agents arresting people scheduled to appear in court or asking them about their immigration status. In a lawsuit filed on Monday, Massachusetts prosecutors and immigrant rights advocates argue that federal authorities are violating the law by arresting people on immigration violations at local courthouses. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have ramped up enforcement since President Donald Trump took office in 2017, in part by making arrests in courthouses, sometimes in courtrooms. Critics argue that the practice undermines the criminal justice system as witnesses and victims stop cooperating with local prosecutors and defendants have avoided going to court to face charges. ICE argues that courthouses are not sensitive locations which currently include hospitals, churches and schools and that agents make arrests in the buildings because its safer as courthouse security typically screens visitors for weapons. MassLive has reached out to ICEs Boston office for comment. The lawsuit was filed by Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins, the Committee for Public Counsel Services and the Chelsea Collaborative Inc. Those organizations and Lawyers for Civil Rights plan to discuss the lawsuit at 11 a.m. Monday at Gordon Proctors Boston office. ICE has made arrests at courthouses across the country. Some are wanted on multiple criminal charges, such as the suspect whom a Newton District Court judge allegedly helped evade ICE. Others are undocumented immigrants with no criminal background who seek restraining orders or testify in court as victims or witnesses. According to the complaint, ICE is using courthouses as a trap to detain immigrants deemed deportable under Trumps 2017 executive order. That executive order required agents to pursue all deportable undocumented immigrants, not just alleged gang members or criminals. Under the Trump administration, all immigrants are now bad, said Miguel Espinoza-Madrigal, executive director of Lawyers for Civil Rights, so bad that they shouldnt have access to something as fundamental as their day in court. Local prosecutors argue that ICEs strategy has interfered with criminal proceedings in Massachusetts to the point where witnesses, victims and defendants avoid showing up to court. They argue that all kinds of illegal activity go unchecked, ranging from wage theft to domestic violence. Heres why prosecutors say ICE arrests at courthouses violates the law, according to the complaint filed: 1. Common-law privileges protect against civil arrests in criminal courts Court rulings dating back to when colonial America recognized an absolute protection against civil arrests of people attending court, local prosecutors argue. That protection has been recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court and Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Massachusetts common law also recognizes those protections, according to the complaint. Local prosecutors argue that while Congress grants ICE authority to make civil arrests in the Nationality Act of 1952, it did not suggest ICE agents should disregard common-law protections. Yet ICEs Boston field officer director told advocates on Aug. 30, 2017, that they shouldnt assure undocumented immigrants applying for restraining orders that ICE wouldnt arrest them at court, according to the complaint. Even undocumented immigrants with no criminal record could be arrested inside a courthouse. 2. The complaint claims ICE arrests infringe on states rights Local prosecutors argue that ICE has co-opted the states justice system by using it as a tool to make civil arrests. The complaint states that ICE is policing the halls of state courts and threatening the balance between state and federal government, forcing the states to implement federal regulatory programs and thus violates the Tenth Amendment. 3. The complaint claims ICE arrests violates the Constitutional right of access to the courts The Constitution grants people under U.S. jurisdiction access to the courts. Local prosecutors argue that this constitutional right protects people against actions that obstruct access to the courts, including non-citizens. They also argue that ICE arrests in courthouses deprives criminal defendants of their Sixth Amendment rights to due process because they prevent non-citizen defendants and witnesses from testifying and appearing in court. Chelsea Collaborative, an advocacy group and one of the plaintiffs, argues that members havent been able to go to court over domestic violence incidents or illegal living and working conditions. The organization started its own mediation program, which handles three to four disputes a week, to try to resolve issues between Massachusetts residents who no longer appear in Massachusetts court for fear of getting arrested by ICE for a civil immigration violation. Opening statements are planned in Salem Superior Court on Monday for the case of 17-year-old Mathew Borges, the Lawrence teen accused of brutally murdering his classmate Lee Manuel Viloria-Paulino. The trial will get underway for Borges, who was 15 in November 2016 when 16-year-old Viloria-Paulino was reported missing to Lawrence police. Two years later, the suspect who allegedly attacked and killed his former Lawrence High School classmate faces a trial for first-degree murder. Investigators contend Borges murdered Viloria-Paulino on Nov. 18, 2016. The victim was found a month later, on Dec. 1, 2016, when a woman walked her dog near the Merrimack River and found his decapitated body. Since he was arrested, Borges lawyers have argued to suppress statements the suspect made to police. The trial began last week and opening statements are expected in Salem Monday morning. AMHERST The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, known as MassBio, and the University of Massachusetts in Amherst are partnering on an incubator so that local companies have more and cheaper access to research equipment. "They can use them as they need them, rent them," said Robert K. Coughlin, president and CEO of MassBIO. "This is really putting life sciences in Western Massachusetts on the map." MassBIo opened an office in the at UMass Institute for Applied Life Sciences and announced that its members, which include academics as well as technology companies, can rent time at labs and using equipment at a 10% discount. Monday's announcement was part of a daylong conference in Amherst which included an innovation and Entrepreneurship Showcase. "The whole idea here is to integrate academia and industry, " Coughlin said. "This will be a place where companies convene, connect catalyze and accelerate." UMass opened its $150 million Institute for Applied Life Sciences building in October 2016 The institute comprises three research groups: the Center for Bioactive Delivery, the Models to Medicine Center and the Center for Personalized Health Monitoring. U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, attended the event. UMass has previously partnered with manufacturing industry at the Institute for Applied Life Sciences. Among its equipment are clean rooms and microscopes that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, things well out of reach for a company that's trying to get off the ground, Coughlin said. Biotechnology researchers whether from industry or academia will have more access to more than 30 cutting -edge equipped facilities under an incubator agreement announced Monday. The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council will have a new office at UMass Amhersts Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS), MassBio West. The office will provide MassBio members in the western part of the state easier access to MassBio benefits and will support further growth of the life sciences cluster across the state. "The school is jewel and now we are going to do a better job turning that science in to companies and turning that science into something that can ultimately help a patient," " Coughlin said. Coughlin said most of these facilities are concentrated in metro Boston, within the Interstate 495 corridor. MassBio opened a similar office eight years ago in Worcester to facilitate outreach to Central Massachusetts companies, he said. In addition to #UMassGives, were also celebrating the Innovation & Entrepreneur Showcase today, starting with a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new addition to @UMassIALS: a @MassBio West office! https://t.co/ZLmIrHaLVE pic.twitter.com/Kh5YFA64n4 UMass Amherst (@UMassAmherst) April 29, 2019 UMass Amhersts Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS) hosts some of the most sophisticated core equipment facilities in the state that help translate life science research and technology development towards product candidates," said Peter Reinhart, director of IALS, said. "IALS also facilitates industry collaborations, new ventures and contributes to workforce development in the discovery, development, and manufacture of medical devices, biomolecules, and delivery vehicles. MassBio opening an office at IALS will help raise awareness of the unique resources available to MassBios extensive membership. MassBio is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1985 that represents and provides services and support for the Massachusetts life sciences industry. It has more than 1,200 member companies. The identity of a retired Massachusetts State Police trooper, who allegedly fired his gun in a Cape Cod restaurant last year, wont be revealed according to the Cape Cod Times. The newspaper reported Sunday that Rebecca Murray, Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records, ruled in agreement with the Dennis Police Departments reasoning in redacting the former troopers name based on the license to carry exemption. The purpose of the exemption, the Times said, is to prevent people with devious motives from finding out the identities of people who possess firearms. Murray still agreed with Dennis but found its argument related to redacting witness names lacked specificity. The the department, however, asked for Murray to reconsider and she decided on April 19 that all the names in the report could be kept from the public. The incident occurred on March 16, 2018. The retired trooper and his friends were in the booth at Jasons Tavern when he took out a 9 mm Sig Sauer P938, ejected the magazine, chambered round and locked the slide back to make sure it was safe, the Times reported. The gun was handed to one of his friends and later returned to its owner under the table, according to the newspaper. The report also stated the trooper then loaded and seated the magazine. When the slide came forward, a single round was fired into the bench. The Cape and Islands District Attorneys Office found there was sufficient evidence to apply for a criminal complaint, the Cape Cod Times reported. A clerk magistrate hearing was held to determine if he would be charged with discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building. Clerk magistrate hearings are private hearings where the clerk magistrate determines if charges should be brought against a person before they are arraigned. A month after holding hearings on the licensing suitability of Wynn Resorts, state gaming industry regulators are expected to give an update Wednesday on deliberations and possibly on the timing of its decision. Since April 5, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission has been weighing whether Wynn Resorts, in light of its "significant" and "repetitive" failures related to sexual misconduct allegations against founder Steve Wynn and the changes it's made in the year since he left, should be allowed to keep its lucrative Boston-area casino license. On Wednesday, at the first public meeting of the full commission since the suitability hearing wrapped up, the commission will provide an update on its decision-making process. A commission spokeswoman said Monday the five commissioners are in the "final stages" of their deliberations. "We anticipate a written decision soon, but the exact timing is not yet known," spokeswoman Elaine Driscoll said Monday. The commission will meet Wednesday at 10 a.m. at its offices at 101 Federal St. in Boston. The commission's decision will be issued in writing "as promptly as administratively feasible," per commission regulations. Wynn Resorts is not entitled to "any further review from the commission's determination of suitability" but the decision "may be reviewed by the appropriate court," the regulations allow. Since the commission launched its investigation in February 2018, Wynn Resorts has been building its Encore Boston Harbor project on the Mystic River in Everett on a parallel track. The resorts casino is more than 90 percent complete and is expected to open June 23, as long as the commission finds the company suitable. The fiscal year 2020 budget plans put forward by the governor and the House each count on $98 million in revenue from Encore Boston Harbor in the next budget year. AVENGERS: ENDGAME - THREE STARS - (PG-13) The grave course of events set in motion by Thanos that wiped out half the universe and fractured the Avengers ranks compels the remaining Avengers to take one final stand in Marvel Studios grand conclusion to twenty-two films. Endgame, at its best moments, carries the thrill of classic comic-book twists and reversals. (181 min.) BREAKTHROUGH - TWO AND A HALF STARS - (PG) Based on a true story, When Joyce Smiths adopted son John falls through an icy Missouri lake, all hope seems lost. Joyce refuses to give up and her steadfast belief inspires those around her to continue to pray for Johns recovery, even in the face of every case history and scientific prediction. (90 min.) DISNEYNATURE: PENGUINS - THREE STARS - (PG-13) A coming-of-age story about an Adelie penguin named Steve who joins millions of fellow males in the icy Antarctic spring on a quest to build a suitable nest, find a life partner and start a family. (76 min.) DUMBO - TWO AND A HALF STARS - (PG) Tim Burton delivers a thoroughly enjoyable love action remake of Disneys animated tale of a flying elephant. In the remake, differences are celebrated, family is cherished and dreams take flight. (100 min.) FIVE FEET APART - TWO STARS - (PG-13) Haley Lu Richardson as a 17-year-old who spends much of her time living in a hospital as a cystic fibrosis patient. She falls for a fellow CF patient , played by Cole Sprouse. (120 min.) LONG SHOT - THREE STARS - (R) A romantic comedy with a political edge starring Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen, as a woman with presidential ambitions falling for her speechwriter. (155 min.) MISSING LINK - TWO STARS - (PG) An animated buddy film as Mr. Link recruits fearless explorer Sir Lionel Frost to guide him on a journey to find his long-lost relatives in the fabled valley of Shangri-La. (95 min.) PET SEMATARY - TWO AND A HALF STARS - (PG-13) An improvement over the 1989 version with plenty of chills, but still falls short of the impact delivered by the Stephen King novel. Amy Seimetz and Jason Clarke star. (110 min.) SHAZAM - THREE AND A HALF STARS - (PG-13 ) Shazam! is just a lightning bolt of unexpected joy that is certainly worth your time and money. A jaded 14-year-old Philadelphia foster kid, Billy Batson (Asher Angel), whos bestowed with superpowers.. As Shazam, hes physically altered into an adult and takes the form of Zachary Levi. But of course, even with his height, his muscles, his voice and even his powers, hes still very much a kid and has a lot to learn. (132 min.) US - THREE STARS - (R) Upon returning to their vacation home after a day at the beach, the Wilson family discovers the silhouette of four figures holding hands as they stand in the driveway. Us pits an endearing American family against a terrifying and uncanny opponent: Doppelgangers of themselves. (121 min.) WONDER PARK - TWO STARS - (PG) An animated tale of an amusement park where the imagination of a wildly creative girl named June comes alive. It has a great premise, but takes a few too many dark loop-de-loops and crashes hard. If you pass this amusement park, (86 min.) (Star ratings based on The Washington Post, Associated Press, Rotten Tomatoes aggregation and Advance Digital reviews) Citizens got a chance to see a number of fancy cars on the city roads as the District Election Officer organised a grand car rally on Sunday through Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) cell. The rally was organised with the help of Ranchi Adventure Wheelers to celebrate the biggest festival of Democracy- 'Voting on May 6, 2019'. The aim of the=is car rally was to promote and create awareness about voting and involve more people to exercise their franchise. The running time of the rally was for about three hours within the town limits of Ranchi which consisted of a convoy for about 30 minutes and a treasure hunt for about 2.5 hours in the city wherein task, collectibles & photographs were to be collected as per clue sheet with the theme my vote my voice. A total of 13 participating organizations being BNI, Lions Club, FJCCI, EWA, Rotary, Shree Maheswari Sabha, JCI, Ranchi, RGC, JCI, Udaan, DOX, CCC, Round Table and MYM with their respective teams took part in the rally. The convoy was flagged off at 7:30 AM from Sainik Market by District Election Officer cum DC Ranchi Rai Mahipat Ray, which passed through Sainik Market, Albert Ekka Chowk, Saheed Chowk, Kutchery Chowk, Kishori Yadav Chowk, Harmu Road, Sahjanand Chowk, Harmu Chowk, Argora Chowk, Birsa chowk, Hinoo Chowk, Vivekanand Chowk, Prasad Chowk and back to Sainik Market. The convoy consisted of Cycle Dost having 25 Bi- cyclists, Twin Skulls Premium Motor Cycles comprising of Harley Davidson, Triumph, Yamaha 1000, Ducatti, Premium cars with the likes of Maserratti, Mercedes, Mini Cooper, Audi TT, Mini Cooper, Jaguar, Volvo, Range Rover alongwith 50 competitor cars which all moved together in the convoy adhering all traffic rules and regulations. The second leg of the rally which was a Treasure Hunt was flagged off at 08:45 AM from Sainik Market in which the participants had to complete tasks, play games, take photographs and gather collectibles as per the clue sheet with the primary objective of promoting voting. The prize giving ceremony took place in The Mayfair Banquets, Dhurwa with SDO, Ranchi Garima Singh, and other district administration officers giving away the prizes to winning teams. All participants followed the rules and regulations of the rally and maintained high level of sportsman spirit. The top five positions in rally were bagged by Sandeep Munjal, Isha Arora and team, Puneet Bedi and team, Ashish Agarwal and team and Saurav Vidyarthi and team, respectively. The top three organizations which were awarded include Rotary Club of Ranchi, Marwari Yuwa Manch and Lion's Club of Ranchi Youth. The other awards given on the occassion were best dressed team, best decorated car, best women's team, team for highest promotion of voting on social media, oldest voter and youngest voter. GREENFIELD Jodi Falk has taken her love of dance around the world. Now, the dancer, choreographer, dance educator and consultant is using movement to help residents of three nursing homes here - Buckley, Poets Seat and Charlene Manor - to unleash and share what often gets hidden from view with aging their identity and potential with nursing students from Greenfield Community College. The sessions in which the students move, dance and sing with the residents in order to engage with their individual stories through physical and verbal response are being photographed by local art photographer Leena Newcomb for a fall exhibit. The project, Moving Wisdom/Hidden Lives, is funded by the Greenfield Local Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Falk, who grew up in Connecticut, holds a doctorate in dance from Philadelphias Temple University and was the Five College Visiting Lecturer in Dance and Coordinator of Community Outreach and Dance in Education from 2013 through 2015. Her dancing has taken her to Europe, South Africa and Israel where she taught for three months. She has worked with diverse populations in her travels, and her current project marks the first time she has worked with health care students. She sees the hour-long sessions two at Charlene Manor and one each at the other three facilities after which she and the students discuss what they observed - as a continuation of her work of using movement as a healing tool that engages and reveals how each persons life and narrative matters. Falk responded to questions in this edited interview below about her current work and some of her earlier projects and her early decision to make dance a career. Nursing home residents may be the last population group someone might think of to learn dance. Why this population? I wouldnt say that they are learning to dance. I would say that we are dancing together, warming up our bodies, moving beyond our comfort zones, doing things beyond our own limitations, to music which always brings us into a different realm, and then telling our stories that arise out of the changed consciousness of moving our bodies. Our bodies hold our stories a memory might come when you move your arm a certain way, or our bodies tell a story when we begin to speak. One recent moment in the last workshop at Charlene Manor was that one woman moved her hand in circles and said, Its the small things, the small things that make me happy. And one woman made a large circle with her arms and said, All of life is movement. The combination of movement and words is what I was interested in with the nursing home residents. Unearthing their stories so that we can learn their wisdom, and they can be seen and heard. Its simple, but Im not sure it happens often. Being seen and heard, especially at an older age in our society, and finding our own wisdom at any age. What made you decide on this particular project and has it been difficult to all parties involved? The concept of the work arose from my work with college students and folks at an assisted living center in Amherst. This project did have some reticence from the nursing homes especially the photography part. I think that they as a whole liked the idea of movement and storytelling, but werent sure how many would participate, especially if they were being photographed, as the project was conceived as a public exhibition as well as site-specific workshops. It was always unclear how many residents would participate only one nursing home gave us numbers prior to coming, but we had anywhere from 10 to 25 in each workshop. The GCC nursing department was amazing they were interested as soon as I wrote to them about it and the department head, Nancy Craig-Williams, who is also a ballroom dancer, was all over what this would teach the students. How did you work with the students? I taught an hour orientation to two groups of nursing students. We went to each of the nursing homes once except for Charlene Manor, where we went twice. Some students crossed over and did two of the four, some only one. I did a half-hour debriefing with the nurses after each hour-long workshop. Those were the eye-openers for me as this was the first time, I worked directly with health care students. They said things like I will see the person, not the patient in the future, and they were interested in how people would say they couldnt do something, but then did the way in which we place limitations on ourselves or others. I was hoping this would make healthcare a more holistic venture for them and it seemed to do that. Alyssa Sutton, a former GCC student whom I knew from a project that I did with adults eight years ago joined in as an assistant in all four locations. You have long worked on projects in which you engage people through dance. Why do you see dance as something that should touch the life of every person? To me, dance does touch everyones life automatically. We move before we speak; our bodies teach us before we can articulate whom to trust, what to reach for, when to stop reaching. For me, although I danced as a young child, it was in high school when a dance teacher asked me, What is one movement that would warm up your entire body? Somehow that question struck a chord. I could think, problem solve, feel, create, investigate all through movement. I was hooked. Will you share some other dance-related work you have done with other populations like the integration of dance into the Five Colleges outreach programs as well as your work in London and in South Africa with disabled students? In London, I had the honor of working with David Toole, at that time a postal worker, born without legs, who wanted to be a dancer. He began working with the professional company CandoCo as well as started at the Laban Centre when I started teaching in 1992. Some teachers werent sure how to work with him, but I wanted to learn how to integrate his body into the classes I was teaching. I began working on a solo with him that turned into a duet commissioned by Adam Benjamin and Celeste Dandeker of CandoCo. The 1994 duet, To Please the Desert, was with an able-bodied dancer, Kuldip Singh-Bharmi, and my goal was to play with movement that would promote each persons distinct virtuosity as well as equalize difference. Each ones ability was highlighted so that Davids disability was not - and there was equity. For instance, David held Kuldips weight, even though David was much smaller and didnt have legs to help him hold Kuldip, and Kuldip held David at times too. In Cape Town, South Africa, I worked with a professional company called Remix, also a mixed ability company, ten years after I worked with CandoCo. The director of that company at the time had been a student at the Laban Centre and knew CandoCos work. That was an experience of vast difference abilities, race and class. The two men I worked with, along with a poet/choreographer Ellen Kaz, were a white Afrikaner man in a wheelchair and a Black man from a local township. I worked with their interrelationship and their lack thereof indirectly - as I was told from the get-go, Dont come here as an American making a dance about race. The dance and poem, Mapping the Wild Ground, was performed in the Dance Umbrella festival in Johannesburg. With many instances of working with populations other than and as well as dance professionals, I thought it was important to teach college dance students that dance is for all not just for those able-bodied and financially comfortable enough. Performative and creative dance is everywhere in every culture, but what students study in college can be often Euro-centered and for those who have studied many years of a certain technical training, usually ballet or modern. I began taking college students to senior centers, a residential treatment program for incarcerated young women, a foster community, a teen mother alternative educational center, and more. Those in the communities we shared dance with often taught us more than we taught them it was more like a workshop for everyone to be creative, learn from each other, and bridge across difference. In the Five College programs I was creating, we also went to many schools and worked with different age groups creating dances together. How have you seen dance transform the lives of your students? There are students who definitely have told me that dance has changed their life, and one or two have said it saved them. I find that the kind of community that develops with people who rely physically on each other, and the kind of communication that develops when words arent used, is pretty powerful and cohesive. I have seen students make it their career dancing professionally with Bill T. Jones, teaching under-served youth, leading workshops nationally on dance and empowerment in young women of color. Im lucky to witness that transformation. SPRINGFIELD MGM Springfield earned $9.38 million on $77.9 million in net revenue, according to quarterly results released Monday by corporate parent MGM Resorts International. Casino revenue at all MGMs regional properties that is, not in Las Vegas increased 23% compared to the first quarter last year, due primarily to the opening of MGM Springfield, the acquisition of Empire City Casino in Yonkers, New York, and an increase in slots wins at MGM National Harbor in Maryland. Food and beverage revenue at all MGMs regional properties increased 24% due primarily to the opening of MGM Springfield and the acquisition of Empire City Casino, according to the company. There are no year-over-year comparisons for MGM Springfield because it opened in August of 2018. The $9.38 million figure for the first quarter of this year is adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), according to the quarterly report. For MGM Resorts International as a whole, earnings increased 5% to $740 million in the current quarter compared to $701 million in the same period last year. Earnings were 5 cents per share in the most recent quarter compared to 38 cents per share in the first quarter of last year. Last years earnings got a boost from tax changes in the U.S. and overseas. We remain focused on achieving our 2020 targets of $3.6 billion to $3.9 billion in consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and significant growth in free cash flow, MGM CEO James Murren said in a news release. Our strategy to achieve these goals includes the continued ramping up of MGM Cotai (in Macau), Park MGM (in Las Vegas) and MGM Springfield, and the implementation of the MGM 2020 Plan. MGM 2020 is the companys cost-cutting plan. As part of that plan, MGM announced 250 layoffs companywide last week. Those cuts included two jobs at MGM Springfield. MGM Springfield reported $25.7 million in gross gambling revenue in March, up 19% from February, according to figures released by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Gross revenue doesnt account for expenses. The figures are still below the casinos pre-opening projections of $34.8 million in gross gambling revenue a month. The casino reported $21.5 million in gross gambling revenue in February, reflecting a 9.1% increase over Januarys total. The January figure of $19.6 million was the lowest since the casino opened. SPRINGFIELD Christopher C. Johnson, who was Agawams first mayor and is now president of the Agawam City Council, will be the featured speaker on May 30, at the 52nd commencement of Springfield Technical Community College. Johnson, who is chairman of STCCs board of directors, served as Agawams first mayor from 1989 to 2000 and served as its city solicitor in 2008 and 2009. He is a lawyer in West Springfield. The commencement on May 30, begins at 6:30 p.m., at the MassMutual Center. Born and raised in Agawam, Johnson is a graduate of the Agawam public schools, American International College and the Western New England University School of Law. He currently is a partner with the firm of Johnson, Sclafani & Moriarty in West Springfield. He initially practiced law in Northampton with the firm of Wilhelm, Hamilton & King. Johnson was appointed to the STCC Board of Trustees on Dec. 22, 2006. His term is set to expire in 2019, making him one of the longest-serving community college trustees in the commonwealth. We are grateful to Chris Johnson for the many years of leadership, dedication and outstanding service he has given to Springfield Technical Community College, said STCC President John B. Cook. With his keen insight of public higher education, including affordability considerations and the STCC mission, Chair Johnson truly has made a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of so many students. Johnson said he is "honored and thrilled to speak at the STCC commencement." The Greater Springfield area is fortunate to have such an outstanding place of learning," Johnson said. STCC truly transforms the lives of its students, both the traditional college transfer students and those taking advantage of our fantastic technology and health programs. SPRINGFIELD An Arizona-based company has scheduled a community outreach meeting on Sunday to discuss its proposal for a retail marijuana store at 982 Main St., in the South End. Mint Dispensary Facilities LLC, is proposing the shop in the current location of City Pizza & Fried Chicken. Its sole signatory and real property representative is listed as Eivan Shahara, of Boston, according to state Corporation Division records. Details of the marijuana store will be revealed during Sundays community meeting, beginning noon, at Red Rose Pizzeria on 1060 Main St. Marvin Cable, who is a Northampton lawyer representing the company, said Monday that the site is a great location and appears to meet zoning guidelines. It is adjacent to Milano's imported foods. "They are very excited about moving into that location," Cable said. "It's a fantastic location." The Mint Dispensary operates several dispensaries in Arizona and has been in good standing with governing communities there, Cable said. The company is "very big on community outreach," he said. Mint Dispensary is in the process of buying the property in Springfield, and has a purchase and sale agreement, he said. The property owner is currently listed as AW Real Estate LLC of Burlington, Mass. Thus far, companies have revealed plans for marijuana shops at 12 proposed locations in Springfield. A 13th site at 78 Island Pond Road was proposed, but then dropped due to the sale of the property revealed last week. The City Council approved a zoning ordinance last September that allows for up to 15 retail marijuana establishments in Springfield. The shops must be located in business or industrial zones, and can only be on 58 designated streets within those zones, under the ordinance. Mayor Domenic J. Sarno has set a deadline of May 20, for companies and individuals to submit proposals for marijuana businesses for evaluation by a city review committee. In addition to the proposals, the applicants need to submit their qualifications, under the city process. Sarno said that four companies will be selected in June to enter into negotiations with the city for Host Community Agreements to operate marijuana facilities in Springfield, under the first phase of licenses. Companies will need approval of a Host Community Agreement by the mayor and City Council in order to open any marijuana business in Springfield. In addition, the company will need a special permit from the City Council and a license from the state Cannabis Control Commission. As marijuana becomes more easily accessible in Massachusetts, what does this mean for college students? The answer is, potentially, a major legal headache and the potential loss of financial aid if a student does not follow the law. And the rules are somewhat complex due to the conflict between state and federal law. Legally, anyone under 21 is not allowed to buy marijuana, under Massachusetts law. A student 21 or over can have up to 1 ounce of marijuana on their person and up to 10 ounces at home. However, colleges are free to ban marijuana from campus. And in fact, the federal Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Act requires any college that accepts federal funding to ban student and faculty use of marijuana on campus. Schools are free to impose their own discipline, such as suspension, for marijuana use. They can ban any visitor who brings marijuana to campus. Its clear that schools can suspend or kick out a person for marijuana conduct that would be legal in Massachusetts, said attorney John Scheft, an expert in marijuana law. Under state law, possession of less than two ounces of marijuana by someone age 18 to 20 is punishable by a civil fine of $100 (If someone is under 18, they must also complete a drug class and community service). But there are a number of marijuana offenses that could land a college student with a criminal record, including fines and jail time. These include: Possessing more than two ounces of marijuana; Selling marijuana under any circumstance without a state license; Giving marijuana to a minor; Selling marijuana paraphernalia, like pipes or bongs, to someone under 21; And being a social host, which means hosting a party with marijuana for underage friends. Possession of marijuana also remains a federal offense, although the federal government rarely charges someone with possession unless it is part of a larger crime, like drug trafficking. The consequences of a criminal conviction can be far-reaching. According to the U.S. Department of Education, a students financial aid loans, grants or work-study can be suspended for a drug offense that occurs while the student is receiving aid. The federal FAFSA form requires students to disclose whether they had a drug conviction while receiving federal student aid. Lisa Rooney, a spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, confirmed that a student in Massachusetts who receives a drug conviction while receiving federal aid can have their aid suspended. A first-time conviction for possession of a controlled substance will make a student ineligible for federal financial aid for a year, with longer penalties for subsequent offenses. A first offense of selling drugs will make a student ineligible for aid for two years, and a second conviction for sales means that student can never get financial aid. Reinstating eligibility generally involves completing a drug rehabilitation program or passing two unannounced drug tests. Students receiving aid who are convicted of a drug crime could be forced to return any aid they receive after the conviction. According to Inside Higher Ed, Department of Education statistics show that around 1,200 college students were deemed ineligible for financial aid in the 2016-2017 school year because of a drug conviction. The family of director John Singleton says he will be taken off life support Monday after suffering a stroke almost two weeks ago. It is with heavy hearts we announce that our beloved son, father and friend, John Daniel Singleton will be taken off of life support today, Singletons family said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. This was an agonizing decision, one that our family made, over a number of days, with the careful counsel of Johns doctors. Reports earlier in the day had said Singleton died Monday morning. But a representative for Singleton told the newspaper those reports were inaccurate and that Singleton remained on life support at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Singleton a director, screenwriter, and producer is best known for helming such films as Boyz n the Hood, 2 Fast 2 Furious and the remake of Shaft." He is the co-and creator of the FX drama series Snowfall. His mother, Sheila Ward, applied to be the 51-year-old directors temporary conservator, a judge-appointed individual who looks over a persons health and finances when they cannot do it themselves, in an application to Californias Superior Court on Thursday. She revealed in the filing that he was in a coma after suffering a major stroke. If only Kenneth LaFlamme had marked the bribes return to sender. LaFlamme, a 54-year-old former United States Postal Service vehicle maintenance manager, pleaded guilty to accepting thousands of dollars in bribes to steer business to two towing contractors. He also pleaded guilty to federal charges of witness tampering and false statements for interfering with grand jury proceedings. If committing the underlying offense of bribery wasnt bad enough, the defendants attempt to interfere with a witness in order to influence grand jury testimony in his favor is particularly egregious, U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling said in a statement. We will prosecute people who intentionally interfere with the criminal justice system. Between 2015 and 2018, LaFlamme took weekly kickbacks from the contractors to give them jobs towing disabled postal service vehicles. The two businesses, which were not identified in legal documents, took in about $2 million in business from the scheme, according to charging documents. It was a good deal for the contractors, according to prosecutors, who said in court filings that LaFlamme initially charged just $5 per tow in bribes. He later upped his rate for one business to $200 per week. Today, Mr. LaFlamme finally accepted responsibility for taking thousands of dollars in bribes from two towing contractors, in exchange for sending business their way, FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta said in a statement. Not only did he embrace the practice of pay to play, but he also lied about it. Anyone who takes advantage of their position for personal gain, and in furtherance of criminal misconduct, will be held accountable. Gov. Charlie Baker said Monday that he does not think U.S. Attorney Andrew Lellings decision to indict a Newton District Court judge for helping a man in her courtroom evade immigration officials was politically motivated. Newton District Court Judge Shelley Joseph and retired Trial Court Officer Wesley MacGregor were accused of charges related to obstruction of justice for allegedly helping Jose Medina-Perez escape an ICE agent who was waiting outside her courtroom. Medina-Perez was facing deportation following drug charges in Newton and an outstanding warrant for drunk driving in Pennsylvania. Attorney General Maura Healey last week called the indictment a radical and politically-motivated attack on our state and the independence of our courts. Baker, a Republican, speaking to reporters at the Statehouse on Monday, disagreed. I dont think it was politically motivated, Baker said of the indictment. Baker noted that he had previously called for an investigation of Josephs actions, saying they sounded like a determined effort to prevent somebody in federal government from doing their jobs based on the rules and policies and procedures that have been established by the court. I said from the beginning I dont think this is about immigration. This is a question that has to do with law, and the best place to decide and answer a question like that is the courts, Baker said. Baker said the case also points to the importance of a bill he filed that would let state law enforcement briefly hold people for federal immigration authorities in cases involving criminals accused of certain offenses, such as terrorism, gang activity and violent crimes. Baker said establishing a policy outlining a framework for cooperation is a better answer than having ICE operate in courthouses because agents cannot legally get cooperation from state and local law enforcement. Speaking to reporters later in the day, Senate President Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, called Lellings indictment somewhat unprecedented overreach. Neither Spilka nor House Speaker Robert DeLeo, D-Winthrop, would commit to whether their bodies would take up immigration legislation this session. DeLeo said last session, members were just all over the place and he could not find consensus on any particular item to move forward on. This year, he said he will wait and see what comes out of the committee process. NORTHAMPTON Residents will be invited to participate in a forum Tuesday night with the Northampton Charter Review Committee, which will be gathering input on election issues and later making recommendations for changes to the town charter. These issues include ranked-choice voting, no-excuse voting, lowering the municipal voting age to 16 and increasing the terms of some city officials from two to four years. We encourage individuals, organizations and officials to express their opinions during the forum on these and other issues related to elections," said Stanley Moulton, chairman of the Charter Review Committee in a statement. "That will help inform our decisions about recommending any changes in the way Northampton conducts its elections." Ranked-choice voting, also known as instant runoff, allows voters to rank candidates by preference on their ballots and provides for a succession of tallies until one candidate wins an outright majority. Ranked-choice voting is used for federal and state elections in Maine, and for municipal elections in several U.S. communities, including Cambridge. "No-excuse" voting makes it easier for voters to cast a ballot before Election Day through measures including early voting and using an absentee ballot without offering an excuse. Three states - Colorado, Oregon and Washington - automatically mail ballots to all registered voters before Election Day. The City Council last year approved a measure in support of lowering the municipal voting age to 16 years old. Other communities across the state, including Lowell and Cambridge, have passed similar measures in the past, but have not passed successfully in the state legislature. The special committee with members from each ward in Northampton is considering these revisions to the city's charter that was approved by voters in 2012. The charter requires a formal review every ten years (in years ending in nine), and the committee will issue a report with recommended changes by Dec. 31. The charter describes how the municipal government functions. Alongside Moulton, who represents Ward 1, other committee members include at-large City Councilor William (Bill) Dwight; Lyn Simmons, chief of staff for Mayor David Narkewicz; Roberta Sullivan of Ward 2; Dylan Gaffney of Ward 3; vice chairwoman Sam Hopper of Ward 4; Robert Boulrice of Ward 5; Patricia Healey of Ward 6; and Mollie Fox of Ward 7. The public forum is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, in the community room at JFK Middle School in Florence. The forum will also be broadcast by Northampton Community Television. SPRINGFIELD -- Police arrested a man for possession of an unlawful gun after he came close to striking their cruiser with his car Sunday night. Dennis Jordan, 28, of Norfolk Street, was arrested around 10:20 p.m. and charged with carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, said Ryan Walsh, police spokesman. Police were near 900 State St. when they saw a driver make an erratic turn and nearly hit their cruiser. They then observed the same driver allegedly running a stop sign, he said. The officers pulled over Jordan on Northampton Street and learned he did not have a valid license. Police then located a loaded gun under the front drivers seat, Walsh said. Over 2,700 polling booths will be monitored through webcasting and CCTV cameras on the day of voting i.e. April 29. Live streaming of webcasting will be done in each district headquarters and from the control room located at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Madhya Pradesh, said CEO VL Kanta Rao on Sunday. GPS devices have been installed in over 5 thousand 800 vehicles of polling teams involved in transporting electronic voting machines and sector magistrates so that constant monitoring could be done. Besides polling teams, 1,447 sector magistrates will be on duty at the polling booths, which will inform about the polling percentage and keep an eye on the law and order situation. Total 108 candidates are in poll fray in 6 parliamentary constituencies of the state namely Sidhi, Shahdol, Jabalpur, Mandla, Balaghat and Chhindwara under the 4th phase of the Lok Sabha Election-2019. Out of this, there are 26 candidates in Sidhi, 13 in Shahdol, 22 in Jabalpur, 10 in Mandla, 23 in Balaghat and 14 in Chhindwara parliamentary constituency. Voting under the 4 th phase will be held in the state on April 29. On the same day, votes will be casted for the Chhindwara Assembly By- Election. Total 9 candidates are in fray for the assembly by-election. A total of 47 assembly constituencies falls under the 6 parliamentary constituencies of the state, going for polling under the first phase of the Lok Sabha Election-2019. This include 8 assembly constituencies each in Sidhi, Shahdol, Jabalpur, Mandla and Balaghat and 7 assembly constituencies in Chhindwara parliamentary constituency. The 24 344 ballot units, 16209 control units and 16882 VVPAT will be used in 13 district of 6 parliamentary constituencies for the first phase of Lok Sabha Election-2019 and in one assembly constituency Chhindwara for the by-election on the day of voting ie April 29. Two ballot units each in parliamentary constituencies Balaghat, Sidhi and Jabalpur will be used owing to more than 15 and less than 31 candidates. A total of 59,709 election workers have been appointed on 13,491 polling booths for the first phase. Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson on Monday blasted Boston-area public safety officials and advocates who filed a lawsuit against Immigration and Customs Enforcement challenging courthouse arrests over civil immigration violations. Shame on the elected officials and pro-illegal advocates for filing this frivolous lawsuit, which seeks to make it more difficult for federal law enforcement officers to apprehend criminal illegal aliens, Hodgson wrote in a statement. Hodgson did not name Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan or Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins by name, but said that district attorneys, judges and all levels of law enforcement should work together to keep the American people as safe as possible. ICE agents have increased enforcement activity in local courthouses across the country over the past two years. Following criticism of the practice, then-acting director Thomas Homan issued a directive affirming that courthouses were not sensitive locations that ICE agents should avoid. The agency also says that its officers work in courthouses because they feel safer there; courthouse security typically screens civilians for weapons. ICE in Boston declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing pending litigation. Hodgson, a vocal supporter of the Trump administration, said on Monday that the district attorneys were siding with law breakers over law enforcement. He pointed to ICEs role in investigating drug distribution, human trafficking and transnational gangs. Hodgson, a Republican, has often weighed in on the national immigration debate. In 2017, he testified before a Congressional subcommittee on immigration, blasting elected officials who support sanctuary cities and calling for their arrest. Boston, Somerville, Cambridge, Amherst and Northampton were highlighted in ICEs short-lived list of sanctuary cities. In 2018, he announced a crowdfunding website to build the wall at a news conference in Washington, D.C. He also spoke out against Rep. Antonio Cabral, a New Bedford Democrat, when he filed a bill that would prevent sheriffs from loaning out Massachusetts inmates to out-of-state projects, including construction along the U.S.-Mexico border. On Thursday, he condemned Newton District Judge Shelley Joseph and Trial Court Officer Wesley MacGregor after they were accused of helping a man evade ICE. Blatant attempts to provide sanctuary to law breakers not only erodes our expectation of equal protection under the law, but also exposes the law abiding citizens and legal immigrants who are sworn to protect to greater threats of danger, he wrote on Thursday. Ryan and Rollins said the lawsuit was not a response to the charges against Joseph and MacGregor. The plaintiffs started working on the lawsuit a year ago. BOSTON Christian Vazquez is the latest Boston Red Sox player who has decided not to attend the White House. Im not going, Vazquez told MassLive.com on Monday at Fenway Park. Dont ask why. The Red Sox will celebrate their 2018 World Series title next Thursday, May 9, at the White House with President Donald Trump. Vazquez was undecided until just recently. Personal. Its personal, Vazquez said. Nothing crazy but my opinion. Vazquez is a native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Asked if his decision has to do with President Trumps remarks about Puerto Rico, Vazquez said, I dont know." President Trump has tweeted about the death toll after Hurricane Maria, claiming that the number of deaths had been exaggerated. Last year, Red Sox manager Alex Cora, a native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, called the tweets disrespectful. He also said that he was frustrated that the argument over the number of deaths had become political. The president has said Puerto Rico received too much aide after the hurricane. President Trump also has called Puerto Rico leaders grossly incompetent and San Juan mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz crazed and incompetent. Ashley Losapio, the associate probation officer in the Massachusetts Trial Court system who was investigated for allegedly leaking information to criminals in the past, has been promoted to full probation officer. A trial court spokeswoman confirmed Losapio was promoted to probation officer on April 1. She has been transferred out of Central Massachusetts, where she served for several years, and is now in Hampden Superior Court. State payroll records show Losapio made $58,617 as an associate probation officer in 2018. The average salary for a probation officer is $61,484, the trial court spokeswoman said. Losapio, who was dating the brother of Jorge Zambrano the man authorities said killed Auburn Police Officer Ronald Tarentino Jr. on May 22, 2016 - was under scrutiny after the officers killing. A few days after the killing, and after the trial court said a review of the court systems interactions with Zambrano would be conducted, a spokeswoman told the Boston Globe Losapio had no role in any of Zambranos cases. Losapio, an associate probation officer at the time and stepdaughter of retired Uxbridge District Court Judge Paul Losapio, did not supervise cases and was not Zambranos probation officer, the trial court spokeswoman told the Globe. Losapio was dating Zambranos twin brother, Giancarlo Zambrano, when Tarentino was killed during a traffic stop in Auburn. Jorge Zambrano was killed in a shootout with police later in the day after authorities discovered he was hiding in Oxford. The trial court reviewed Zambrano's extensive criminal history, which dates back to 1998 and included several incidents involving violence toward police. A judge said the court system and the Probation Department did not violate protocol in the handling of Zambranos case. Records show Losapio was appointed as an associate probation officer and assigned to the Worcester Superior Court on July 24, 2006. It was in 2008 when Worcester police first complained to then-Probation Department Commission John OBrien that she was leaking information to criminals. The Ware report, which was released in 2010 and reviewed the Probation Departments hiring practices, discussed the claims made by Worcester police against Losapio. She had admitted to knowing and socializing with known criminals and to looking up criminal histories of her associates on her work computer, the report said. Worcester police investigators also heard on wiretaps that people were talking about receiving helpful information from Ashley L. One person on the wiretap discussed reaching out to her to get information on a case. There was also a discussion about seeing Shorty in court and that she gave him a signal that he was going to be all right. Authorities said Shorty was a nickname for Losapio. Worcester police notified probation officials that Losapio had been a known associate of several drug and gun dealers who have been the subject of Worcester Police and DEA investigations, the report said. Losapio was then transferred to Westborough District Court in 2008 and then suspended with pay. Two years later, she was excluded from working in the courtroom and could only conduct limited office duties. Her Court Activity Record Information password was also suspended. Eventually, Losapio was given a two-week suspension one week without pay and one week deducted by vacation time. Her CARI password would be reinstated only after being approved by her supervisor. A new farmers market offering fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other edible products will open for the summer at Mountain Gateway Museum (MGM) in Old Fort, beginning Thursday, May 2. Organized by the museum in conjunction with Stock Wild Kitchen and the Old Fort Community Forum, with generous support from Silvers Specialties, TAG Contracting Inc., and Greybeard Realty, the MGM Farmers Market will be held every Thursday from 2:30-6 p.m. through Oct. 3 on the museums grounds at 24 Water Street in Old Fort, according to a news release. All spaces at the new market will be free for local farmers, although donations will be accepted. Farmers may sell from their tailgates or from under tents, which they must provide, along with tables and chairs. Tailgate spaces will be available in the museums parking lot on Water Street, and 12-foot by 12-foot tent spaces will be laid out inside the split-rail fence along Water Street in front of the museums log cabins. Farmers must register with the museum to participate. Spaces will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration forms are available on the museums website at www.mgmnc.org and at the museum. It's an ex-serviceman versus an ex-serviceman from Himachal Pradesh's Shimla (reserved) seat. Both are aiming guns loaded with political salvoes and firing at each other. One is a retired Colonel of the Indian Army, while another is former Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Indian Air Force. The former, Dhani Ram Shandil, 78, is a Congress candidate, while the latter is Suresh Kashyap, 48, from the Bharatiya Janata Party. Both belong to the Koli community covered under the Scheduled Castes category. Shandil is a two-time MP from Shimla, while Kashyap is trying his luck in the parliamentary polls for the first time. Both are sitting legislators and are not facing any criminal case. Interestingly, both Kashyap and Shandil rarely trade personal barbs and harp more on infrastructure and tourism development and country's security agenda, a political observer said. "I am a fauji (soldier) and he's also a fauji. But there is difference of opinion among both of us. He belongs to a party that questions India's surgical strikes and air strikes," Kashyap told IANS on Sunday. He said the Congress had also questioned the evidence of the strikes and was compromising with the security of the country. Undeterred, a well-mannered Shandil said: "It is not the Congress but the BJP which is politicising the air strike and trying to get a political mileage out of it." "I am seeking re-election on the basis of my past performance as a two-time MP vis-a-vis BJP MP's last two stints from this seat," Shandil, who is more a statesman than a politician, told IANS. He is banking on the national sentiments for having fought in the 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars. Firing pot-shots, Kashyap, who did post-graduation in English, Public Administration and Tourism Management, said being an ex-serviceman Shandil has to make his stand clear on abolition of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) and the Sedition Act as mentioned in the Congress manifesto. Shandil, who was a Cabinet Minister in the previous Virbhadra Singh-led state government and did doctorate in Political Science, took to politics when he joined the Himachal Vikas Congress, an outfit floated by ex-Telecom Minister Sukh Ram, who is again back in the Congress. Shandil won two Lok Sabha elections from Shimla, once as a Himachal Vikas Congress candidate in 1999 and later in 2004 as a Congress nominee. BJP's outgoing incumbent Virender Kashyap, 68, who got elected to Parliament for the first time in 2009 by defying the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance sweep in the northern states, was denied the party ticket this time. The state's ruling BJP has dropped its two-time MP Virender Kashyap as there was anger among the 2.50 lakh-odd voters belonging to the Hatti community who are settled largely in the trans-Giri area of Sirmaur over his failure to come out with a detailed action plan on granting them tribal status, a demand pending for five decades. It found mention in the BJP's election manifestos for the Assembly polls in 2009 and the Lok Sabha polls in 2014, but failed to be implemented. The main contest on this seat that covers Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur districts is between the BJP and the Congress. BJP candidate Kashyap said demand for special status was raised by the BJP alone, both during the UPA and the NDA tenure. "We will address this issue on priority once re-elected," he said. Promising speedy implementation, Congress candidate Shandil said: "Once voted to power, I will take their case to its logical conclusion." In the Lok Sabha polls, Himachal Pradesh has traditionally favoured the party at the helm in the state, except for 2014, when the BJP won all the four seats. In 2009, the BJP, which was then in power in the state, won three of the four Lok Sabha seats. Himachal Pradesh's four Lok Sabha seats -- Shimla, Kangra, Hamirpur and Mandi -- will vote on May 19. Key Players for Global Corneal Surgery Devices Market: Alcon Laboratories Inc. (Switzerland), KeraMED (Canada), Abbott Medical Optics Inc. (U.S.), Bausch & Lomb, Inc. (U.S.), Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (Germany), Haag-Streit AG (Switzerland), Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG (Switzerland), Topcon Corporation (Japan), Essilor International S.A. (France), Johnson & Johnson Private Limited (U.S.), Nidek Co. Ltd. (Japan), Cooper Vision (U.S.). Get Exclusive Sample Copy at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/913 Corneal Surgery Devices Market Segmentation: Global Corneal Surgery Devices Market is segmented on the basis of devices types, into diagnostic devices, corneal surgery devices, vision care. Diagnostic devices are further segmented into fundus cameras, keratometers, corneal topographer, ophthalmic ultrasound imaging systems and other. On the basis of transplantation type, market is segmented into deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, penetrating keratoplasty, synthetic corneas, and other. Synthetic corneas are further segmented into boston keratoprosthesis, alphacor, osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis. On the basis of procedures, they are segmented into pre-operative examination, penetrating keratoplasty, and lamellar Keratoplasty. On the basis of end users, they are segmented into ophthalmic clinics, hospitals and other. Corneal Surgery Devices Market Overview: The Worldwide Corneal Surgery Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% during forecasted period 2018-2023. Corneal surgery is a surgical procedure where a damaged or infected cornea is treated by transplantation of corneal tissue. There are two major types of transplantation namely, penetrating keratoplasty and lamellar keratoplasty. An unhealthy or damaged cornea affects the vision by scattering or distorting light and causing glare and blurred vision. Corneal eye disease is the fourth most common cause of blindness after cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. Causes of damaged cornea include infections such as eye herpes or fungal keratitis, trichiasis, Fuchs dystrophy, advanced keratoconus, complications from LASIK surgery, chemical burns of the cornea or damage from an eye injury, edema of the cornea, graft rejection following a previous corneal transplant and others. According to World Health Organization, in 2014, worldwide 285 million people estimated to be visually impaired in which 246 had low vision and 39 million were completely blind and 82% of people living with blindness are aged 50 and above. Increasing prevalence of ophthalmic diseases and increasing aging population is the major factor for the growth of the market. Moreover, continuous developments and high advancement in the corneal surgery devices, increasing incident of diabetes, and increasing number of corneal surgeries has provided fuel for the growth of the market. Whereas, high cost of treatment and risk of infection due to devices has hampered the growth of the market. The risk of infection is very high since the cornea has no blood vessels and it derives its nutrients from the aqueous humour. Thus, prophylaxis treatment is an important part of the treatment even if there is no infection. Cornea rejection, occurs in about 20% of cases. Graft failure can also occur at any time after the cornea has been transplanted, even years or decades later. These complications are the greatest barriers for the global corneal surgery market. Corneal Surgery Devices Market Regional Analysis: Global corneal surgery devices market is dominated by America due to increasing geriatric population and well developed healthcare sector. Additionally, the greater number of hospitalization procedures due to greater healthcare penetration in the U.S. and Canada drives the urethritis market. The high concentration of the major hospitals in the developed countries of this region coupled with good reimbursement rates is adding fuel to the market growth. The consolidation of large healthcare players in the U.S. also causes the growth in the market due to increase in buying power of the healthcare players which results in the economies of scale. Europe accounts for the second largest market which is followed by Asia Pacific. The growth of Europe market is majorly driven by the increasing number of ophthalmic clinics and other health care organization. Europe is the second largest market in the world due to growing healthcare industry and healthcare penetration. The European market growth is led by countries such as Germany and France. Germany is expected to be the fastest growing market over the assessment period due to its large pharmaceutical industry. Asia Pacific has the fastest growing market due to the increasing number of patients suffering from visual impairment, and increasing demand for better treatment options. China and India are likely to lead this market due to fast growing healthcare sector and large unmet needs over the forecast period. South East Asian countries such as China, India, and Malaysia are projected to contribute highly to the market growth. The growing penetration of healthcare industry in the Asia Pacific region is expected to drive the future urethritis market in the region. Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE are estimated to drive the Middle East & African market. Other Middle East nations to watch out for are Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt and Iran. The African region is expected to witness a poor growth owing to poor economic and political conditions, and poor healthcare development. Other regions are expected to be laggards due to poor social development and tribal identities such as sub-Saharan Africa. Browse Complete 80 Pages Premium Research Report Enabled with 68 Respective Tables and Figures at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/corneal-surgery-devices-market-913 Major TOC of Global Corneal Surgery Devices Market Research Report Forecast to 2023: 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 DEFINITION 1.2 SCOPE OF STUDY 1.2.1 RESEARCH OBJECTIVE 1.2.2 ASSUMPTIONS & LIMITATIONS 1.2.2.1 ASSUMPTIONS 1.2.2.2 LIMITATIONS 1.3 MARKET STRUCTURE: 2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 2.1 RESEARCH PROCESS: 2.2 PRIMARY RESEARCH 2.3 SECONDARY RESEARCH: 3 MARKET DYNAMICS 3.1 DRIVERS TOC Continued.! About US: Market Research Future (MRFR), enable customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. Contact Us: Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India Phone: +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Home dialysis is witnessing an increased popularity in recent years owing to the flexibility and advantages it brings to patients lives. The market for dialyzers is also growing at a rapid pace. According to Allied Market research, theis estimated to reach $4,529 million by 2025 from $2,810 million in 2017, thereby growing at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2018 to 2025. The main factors propelling the growth include a significant surge in the number of ESRD patients, a rise in incidence of diabetes and hypertension, and shortage of kidneys for transplantation. Download Sample Copy of this Report @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/2643 The lives of patients going through dialysis treatment can seem compromised and disadvantageous owing to the innumerable trips to dialysis centers and increased strain in their personal lives. Keeping up with everyday responsibilities may seem like things of the past for them. Families of dialysis patients also incur heavy expenses and time-consuming hospital visits. These issues call for the need of home dialysis. The dialyzers used for home dialysis have become more advanced, efficient, and user-friendly, leading to more patients opting for home dialysis. When comparing the two treatment modalities i.e., home dialysis and in-center dialysis, its difficult to say which is better as this depends on every patients lifestyle, his medical condition and requirement, and the opinion of his physician or medical team. In this article, we tell you the benefits associated with home dialysis treatment. Enhanced Patient Outcome This is one of the greatest benefits of home dialysis. This is because frequent dialysis imitates the natural functioning of the kidneys, which leads to accumulation of less waste and fluid in the body between treatments. This further contributes to lower mortality chances, fewer side effects, and greater positive results. More Time for Patients Spending significant time in a dialysis center makes patients miss out on the time with their family and friends, their hobbies, etc. With home dialysis, this is not a problem. Patients undergoing home dialysis can do more tasks such as watching their favorite TV shows, talking to family members, paying bills, etc. Patients are able to have an enjoyable and comfortable treatment experience as they lead more normal lives and have more freedom. Check available discounts on this report @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/2643 Reduction in Travel Expenses Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who choose home dialysis avail numerous benefits such as a reduced amount of traveling, leading to money saving on gasoline and auto maintenance. It might seem insignificant but these small savings do add up. Moreover, many private insurance plans make medical coverage available to qualified patients who opt for home dialysis for their treatment. Improved Quality of Life This advantage is an addition of all the benefits that come with going for home dialysis. Patients choosing home dialysis often see better outcomes overall. They have more free time, save money, and gain a better understanding of their health conditions. Read Dialyzer Market Blog : https://blog.alliedmarketresearch.com/Home-Dialysis-Growing-in-Popularity-Here-are-the-Reasons-Why-457 Source Medium: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dialyzer-market-to-garner-4-53-billion-globally-by-2025-at-6-2-cagr-says-allied-market-research-300818442.html Contact: David Correa 5933 NE Win Sivers Drive #205, Portland, OR 97220 United States Toll Free: +1-800-792-5285 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com In order to assist and help the distressed people of the Lalita Parks slum clusters which were gutted in the fire recently, the Delhi Chief Commission (DCW) has started an online donations drive to support the people especially the woman and child who has lost all the belongings in the fire. The massive fire took place on Saturday at East Delhis Lalit Park, where around 40 shanties gutted in the fire. However, there is no causality reported but the people lost many of their belongings. The DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal met the distressed people on Sunday. She met the distressed women affected by the fire who narrated traumatic tales of loss. There were no casualties in the horrific incident but women and girls have been left without even a change of clothes and have lost all of their belongings. The Delhi Government has set up shelters and basic requirement of food and water was being looked after. However, the women and girls need urgent supplies of basic household items and compensation to start their life afresh, said a member of DCW. The DCW chief has also wrote a letter to the District magistrate (DM) requesting urgent and full compensation to all aggrieved. Further, she is also seeking special compensation for the women whose daughters are about to be married. I appeal to Delhi citizens to donate liberally to the families by providing clothes and household items to those affected by the fire. Delhi also needs to come forward and liberally donate to the women whose girls were about to be married and who lost everything in the fire. If any one wishes to donate to these women, they can contact us at livingpositive@gmail.com and we shall connect you to them. We will try our best to rehabilitate them, said Maliwal. Electric Wheelchair Market Highlights The growth of the global electric wheelchairs market is sustained by the rise in geriatric population. Equipped with sensors and other assistive technology, electric wheelchairs help to alleviate the problems of mobility in the elderly populace. In addition, they are also beneficial to those who are unable to use manual wheelchairs. The need for smart wheelchairs for disabled people is a significant factor boosting the growth of the market. People with motor, sensory, or cognitive impairment are unable to use manual wheelchairs or joysticks and find it extremely advantageous to use smart electric wheelchairs. Request for Free Sample Report at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6618 The superior advantage of convenience acts as a motivating force for the growth of the market. Being user-friendly, they can be easily operated by aged people or consumers with disabilities. Other than patients with mobility issues, they can also be of use to accident patients and patients suffering from other chronic conditions. The sophistication of technology and ready availability, and the development of prototypes have influenced the growth of the market to a great extent. To accommodate the pool of users who are unable to operate wheelchairs, massive efforts have been made by researchers to develop assistive technologies and make improved electrical wheelchairs which have further helped the global electric wheelchairs market progress. Other driving factors include the rise in incidences of road accidents, a growing number of patients with spinal deformities and rising purchasing power of consumers. However, the growth of the market might be hindered by the high cost of electric wheelchairs, and lack of awareness in the developing regions. Electric Wheelchair Market Segmentation The global electric wheelchair market has been segmented based on product and end use. By product, the market has been segmented into an electric indoor chair, electric outdoor chair, dual-purpose chair, rear wheel drive chair, front wheel drive chair, center wheel drive chair, standing electric wheelchair, and others. By end use, the market has been segmented into home care settings, hospitals/clinics, and others. Electric Wheelchair Market Competitive Landscape GF Health Products Inc., Drive Medical Ltd., MEYRA GmbH, Karman Healthcare, OttoBock Healthcare GmbH, Medical Depot, Inc., Sunrise Medical Limited, Pride Mobility Products Corp, Quantum Rehab, Invacare Corporation, Permobil AB, Hoveround Corporation, LEVO Ag, Whill Inc., and Permobil AB are the eminent players operating in the global electric wheelchair market. Electric Wheelchair Market Regional Analysis The Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa are the key markets for an electric wheelchair. The Americas is an established market and has been posting continuous growth owing to the inflated demand for electric wheelchairs due to higher affordability, high awareness regarding the product and greater inclination towards technologically advanced equipment. Favorable reimbursement scenario and government support for the aged population in the form of subsidies for medical equipment and medical facilities also support the growth of the market. Browse Complete Premium Research Report at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/electric-wheelchair-market-6618 Europe too is a strong market and has been exhibiting steady growth due to high investment in research & development activities. Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a rapid pace on account of rising purchasing power and awareness in the region. In addition, the rise in geriatric population, increasing penetration of electric wheelchairs, and increasing interest from manufacturers in investing in the developing economies of China, and India also create a conducive environment for the growth of the market in Asia Pacific. The Middle East & Africa market is anticipated to exhibit fast growth due to the development of the medical facilities in the region. About US: Market Research Future (MRFR), enable customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. Contact Us: Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India Phone: +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Market Highlights Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease which is caused by the bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Tuberculosis mainly affects lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body. Typical signs of tuberculosis includes chronic or persistent cough and sputum production. When TB is at an advanced stage the sputum will contain blood and other symptoms include lack of appetite, weight loss, fever, and night sweats. The global tuberculosis vaccine treatment market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.7% during the forecast period 2017-2023. Get Free Sample Copy @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1684 Tuberculosis Vaccine Treatment Market Segmentation The global tuberculosis vaccine treatment market has been segmented on the basis of end-users, type of TB test, type of TB vaccine, and lastly, region. Highlighting the end-users, the market has been segmented into hospitals, private clinics, research institutions, and others. By the type of TB tests, the market has been segmented into Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs), TB blood tests, tuberculin skin test (TST), and others. Based on the type of Tb vaccines, it is segmented into booster vaccines, immunotherapeutic vaccines, and others. The regional segmentation of the global tuberculosis vaccine treatment market has been segmented on the basis of The Americas (North America & South America), Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa (MEA). The Americas hold the highest share of the global market. Due to the availability of most advanced medical facilities and highest technological development, North America is a greater market than South America. Major market players are also based in North America. In the North America market, a major chunk of revenue comes from the United States of America (USA) and Canada. Tuberculosis Vaccine Treatment Market Key Players The key players in the global tuberculosis vaccine treatment market include Bavarian Nordic(USA), GlaxoSmithKline plc (UK), GreenSignal BioPharma Limited (India), IDT Biologics GmbH (Germany), Informa plc.(USA), Merck & Co., Inc.(the USA), Sanofi Pasteur SA (France), Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. (India), Solvay(USA), and Taj Pharmaceuticals Limited (India). Tuberculosis Vaccine Treatment Market Regional Analysis Europe is the second biggest market for the TB vaccines not only due to government funds for research but also because of the increase in research and development activities by research institutions & pharmaceutical companies. Due to reasons same as the Americas, Western Europe market is bigger than the Eastern Europe market. In this region, the most important country based markets include France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom (UK), followed by the rest of Western Europe. The Asia Pacific is expected to emerge as the fastest growing market during the forecast period with China and India taking the lead in this region due to medical facilities improving in this region with growing urbanization and steady technological advancement that is giving rise to medical tourism in the Asia Pacific region. The other important markets in this region are Australia, Japan, and South Korea, followed by the rest of the Asia Pacific region. The MEA region holds least market share due to ignorance of diseases, lack of education, less infrastructure development, limited growth in the healthcare sector, limited screening, political instability, and poor access to treatment. The most important country based markets in this region are Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates (UAE), followed by the rest of the MEA region. Table Of Content 1. Report Prologue 2. Market Introduction 2.1 Definition 2.2 Scope Of The Study 2.2.1 Research Objective 2.2.2 Assumptions 2.2.3 Limitations 3. Research Methodology 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Primary Research 3.3 Secondary Research 3.4 Market Size Estimation 4. Market Dynamics 4.1 Drivers 4.2 Restrains 4.3 Opportunities 4.4 Challenges 4.5 Macroeconomic Indicators 4.6 Technology Trends & Assessment TOC Continued.! Browse Complete Report Details @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/tuberculosis-vaccine-treatment-market-1684 About US: Market Research Future (MRFR), enable customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. Contact Us: Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India Phone: +1 646 845 9312 Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com JOB ANNOUNCEMENT Position: Country Director Democratic Republic of Congo Reports to: WCS Regional Director, Central Africa Program Location: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo Country Program/Sector: Democratic Republic of Congo Expected travel: Approximately 20%, including travel to field sites within DRC and donor/technical meetings outside the country. Start date: 1 October, 2019 Position Type: Global Conservation Program - Fulltime Democratic Republic of Congo Program Overview: The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has been supporting the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for almost 30 years in the protection of its wildlife and natural ecosystems. Working primarily with the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN), our field conservation work is focused on three large landscapes in eastern DRC: Kahuzi-Biega National and surrounding Oku forests in South Kivu Province, the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in Ituri Province (currently government under a 10-year co-management agreement between WCS and ICCN) and the Kabobo Reserve in Tanganyika province. Collectively these landscapes span some of the considerable diversity of ecosystems found in the DRC, harbor some of the most biodiverse regions in Africa, and form the strongholds for some of DRCs most charismatic endemic wildlife, including the Grauers gorilla and the Okapi. They are also pioneering a wide variety of novel forest governance and protected area management structures, involving the government, civil society and local community organizations. WCS is seeking a dynamic and committed Country Director with a significant knowledge and experience of the regionto lead our work in the DRC. Job Summary The Country Director is responsible for the overall implementation of WCS's activities in DRC. This includes the development of program strategic priorities, communication and coordination with the government and other partners inside and outside the country; and recruitment and oversight of staff to implement these strategic priorities. The DRC Program is managed within WCSs Central Africa Regional Program. Major Responsibilities: Lead the WCS DRC program in consultation with the Regional Director for Central Africa and the Africa Program team based in New York. Act as legal representative of WCS in DRC, working in consultation with the Regional Director and with the WCS Office of General Counsel. Lead and manage all WCS staff and activities in DRC, including recruitment, evaluation and career development. Prepare and implement annual country workplans and budgets and approve project workplans and budgets. Ensure that all WCS activities in DRC are implemented in strict accordance with WCS Global Financial policies, and adhere to all WCS Global Policies on administration, code of conduct, human resources, and procurement. Ensure WCS activities in DRC are in full compliance with national laws and norms related to employment, taxes, visas, permits and government reporting obligations. Act as the primary representative of the DRC Program to bilateral and multi-lateral donors within DRC, the media, the Government of DRC, and other internal and external stakeholders. Fundraise from public and private sources within and external to the DRC in consultation withthe Central Africa Regional Program, and working with the Africa Program team, Program Development and Global Resources departments in the WCS New York office. Collaborate with other global and cross-cutting WCS initiatives, including but not limited to the Central Africa bushmeat and Livelihoods team, and Conservation Solutions Key qualifications This position requires a minimum of the following: At least 10 years of management experience, specifically in nature conservation or natural resource management At least 5 years of field experience in Central or West Africa MSc or PhD in conservation, ecology, or related discipline preferred Proven fundraising experience for conservation from public and private sources Demonstrated capacity in the oversight of large operational budgets Demonstrated leadership and personnel management capacity in a multi-cultural work environment Demonstrated experience working with multi-lateral and bilateral donors, African state institutions, and other NGO partners. A track-record of success in project implementation Ability to work under difficult conditions and in security sensitive areas Strong commitment to achievement of WCSs conservation mission. English and French language proficiency required Application process: Interested candidates, who meet the above requirements, should apply by emailing a detailed application/cover letter and CV together with the names and contact information of three references to: africaapplications@wcs.org . Please include DRC Country Director in the subject line of your email. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews. If you have any queries related to this position please contact: africaapplications@wcs.org Application Deadline: 15th May 2019 About WCS The Wildlife Conservation Society is an international NGO headquartered at Bronx Zoo in New York City working to save wildlife and wild lands and to meet global challenges in over 50 countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas and the worlds oceans. The Africa Program is the largest of WCSs field programs, with approximately 1,100 staff in 12 country programs focused across four major regions (Central Africa, Sudano-Sahel, East and Southern Africa, and Madagascar and Western Indian Ocean). Our MISSION is to save wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education and inspiring people to value nature. Our VISION is a world where wildlife thrives in healthy lands and seas valued by societies that embrace and benefit from the diversity and integrity of life on earth. Our GOAL is to conserve the worlds largest wild places in 16 priority regions, home to more than 50% of the worlds biodiversity. Our VALUES are Respect, Accountability and Transparency, Innovation, Diversity and Inclusion, Collaboration, Integrity. WCS provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. WCS does not discriminate for employment based on age, color, disability, gender identify, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, April 29, 2019 Microsoft on Monday officially changed the name of its advertising business from Bing Ads to Microsoft Advertising, creating a business unit to support a line of advertising services it will launch in the coming months. Rik van der Kooi, corporate vice president at Microsoft Advertising, wrote in a post that Microsoft Advertising will become the umbrella for all the company's ad products as it continues to branch out from search into other digital media and products, such as those offered through the Microsoft Audience Network. The changes begin today, as BingAds.com becomes MicrosoftAdvertising.com. Microsoft's partner program name also will change, renamed to the Microsoft Advertising Partner Program. The company said it makes sense to rebrand the business with a name that advertisers and consumers already trust. advertisement advertisement The move was supported by more than eight years of consecutive Bing share growth as well as 500,000 advertisers with access to more than half a billion consumers. Microsoft also became the exclusive provider of search advertising across Verizon Media properties. Research analysts at the digital agency Merkle wrote in its first-quarter 2019 Digital Marketing Report that Microsoft's deal with Verizon has the potential to slow the growth of Google Shopping, since Yahoo -- a Verizon Media company -- will no longer serve ads from its Gemini platform or Google Ads in its results. Verizon began to make the transition in March. Google had been running Google Shopping Ads since 2016. During the coming months, all of Microsoft's experiences and materials will change their name to reflect a series of products under the Microsoft Advertising brand. Bing will remain the search engine brand for consumers within Microsoft Advertising's portfolio of products. A variety of other ad products will launch in the near future. Within the next year, for example, Microsoft Advertising will introduce products with artificial intelligence that connect to advertisers data and businesses through the Microsoft Audience Network and Sponsored Products. New capabilities through the Microsoft Audience Network will include updates such as enhancements to viewable impressions, image upload and tools to make managing images easier. Citing Steven Sun, manager of paid search at Overstock.com, Microsoft said the company has achieved a 33% increase in return on ad spend since using the Microsoft Audience Network. Microsoft also will extend its audience campaigns to the United Kingdom and Canada later this summer. Sponsored Products, only available in the United States, will give brands a lift to increase visibility and drive more traffic for top products in shopping campaigns. New reporting and optimization capabilities for advertisers, and additional product marketing support with a fair cost split for retailers, also are being introduced. All existing Microsoft Shopping Campaigns reports will work for Sponsored Products campaigns, according to Microsoft. Retailers will see the impact of Sponsored Products in the Product dimensions and Production partition reports. Both reports will contain information on Assisted Impressions and Assisted Clicks and with conversion tracking enabled, Assisted Conversions. Each column will track impressions, clicks, and conversions on a Sponsored Product campaign. by Karlene Lukovitz @KLmarketdaily, April 29, 2019 Sweetarts is the latest Ferrara brand to get its largest marketing push in years, thanks to new owner Ferrero Group. The new campaign, Be Both, is designed to appeal to Gen Z, based on Pew Research showing that this most diverse generation to date rejects one-dimensional definitions of identity. Gen Z lives in a world where no one wants to be just one thing, or be forced to choose between multiple aspects of their personal truth," said Kelleen Peckham, director of brand strategy, Duncan Channon, Sweetarts new lead creative agency. Four colorful, animated 15-second TV spots portray people who are revealed to be more complex than they first appear a theme thats tied back to the 56-year-old candy brands dual sweet-and-tart tastes and the different shapes and textures in its product portfolio. advertisement advertisement One spot features a scientist whos also an artist (above), with on-screen messaging that reads: Science & art, sweet & tart Sweetarts. Be both. Others feature a ballet dancer whos both graceful and gritty (below); an older woman whos wise and wild; and a shy teen who loves to dance (shy and fly). The spots will air nationally on stations with concentrations of Gen Z (18 to 24) viewers, including E!, Comedy Central, ESPN, FX, IFC, MTV and Vice WWE, as well as on Hulu and social channels. In addition, two :6-second digital spots (Long and Short and Hard and Chewy), to debut over the next month, showcase the brands various products, including gummies, ropes and a chewy version. Sales of Sweetart Ropes grew at five times the categorys average during the 12 months ended April 2019, per IRI data, according to the brand. The campaign also includes social media and influencers. "We see tremendous opportunity for SweeTARTS to connect with young adults who expect modern brands to understand and reflect their identities," stated Annie Meyer, marketing director at Ferrara Candy Company. Italys Ferrero Group, which has its U.S. headquarters in Chicago, has in the past two years acquired Ferrara and Nestles U.S. candy business and, most recently, The Kellogg Companys biscuits/cookies, fruit-flavored snacks, ice cream cones and piecrust businesses. The strategy is to acquire brands that have been neglected and invest in improving their quality and marketing. Sweetarts is the second Ferrara brand updating effort to debut this month, following a new animated campaign for Ferraras Trolli. Other recent initiatives have included a major campaign for the Better Butterfinger and, starting last year, the U.S. launch of the Kinder Joy candy-with-toy brand. by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, April 29, 2019 Over the past couple of years Ive lambasted social media networks for their complicit role in spreading -- make that accelerating -- hate in a manner and a speed that could not happen without their real-time digital interconnectivity. Days after the Chabad of Poway synagogue shooting, Id like to lay the blame somewhere else: with you, me, all of us. We are all complicit if we allow this to continue. And we will only have ourselves to blame for the next racially motivated mass murders that occur because we werent more vigilant. Social networks have already demonstrated their inability and unwillingness to regulate themselves. Sure, they make promises, express regrets, apply some bandaids hear and there, but they havent taken any substantive action to create protocols that would stop bad people from organizing bad intent that manifests into a new form of social sharing that should be criminal. I dont believe it is a First Amendment issue any more than shouting fire in a crowded movie theater. And I dont buy that social media networks arent media companies that shouldnt be regulated. advertisement advertisement So if not them, or our regulators and lawmakers, it needs to be up to us to put pressure on all of those sources to make some changes for social good. Im not a media buyer or an advertiser who wields economic might, so all I can do is write a column like this to encourage those of you who are to exercise your market power. Or like me, you can also simply write to your Congressional representatives. If we do nothing, the next one isnt just on the social networks, its on us. And its getting worse. Certain social media founders like to boast that theyre simply bringing the world together, but as Poway, New Zealand, Pittsburgh and other socially activated attacks demonstrate, they also are enabling worlds of insidious subcultures to come together, organize and spread with no governance. While this isnt new, its getting worse, because of the real-time power of social media to share it. Though these men are lone gunmen, theyre not alone like the New Zealand attack, the Poway shooters actions were cheered on by an online audience of anonymous trolls. One of the first responses to the 8chan post suspected to be from the gunman was a user imploring, 'get a high score'," columnist Charlie Warzel wrote in Sundays New York Times. For a generation raised on massive multiplayer shooter games, the combination of real-time social-sharing and toxic dehumanizing rhetoric is creating a new media form altogether. I dont even know what to call this new form of massive multi-spectator hate crime, but if we allow it to continue it will tear our social fabric apart in ways we may never have imagined, by turning spectators into vicarious participants of a twisted new esport where we all end up being the victim. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, April 29, 2019 Leveraging clickstream data as a directional metric, rather than looking at rankings on the search engine results page, allows Verizon's search engine optimization (SEO) professionals to analyze traffic share to its website. Clickstream -- the process of collecting, analyzing and reporting aggregate data about the pages a website visitor visits -- has become a better metric to track and compare with competitors, Rob Pavacic, SEO lead at Verizon, said during the keynote on Monday at the MediaPost Search & Performance Summit in Captiva, Florida. "This new [metric] will help us future-proof our approach," he said. "Whether it's on Amazon, Google [Microsoft Advertising] or Yahoo." It's not really new or inventive, he acknowledges, but it's a way to find data that ties together all media -- making it easier to attribute specific channels to the success of campaigns. Pavacic and the team have been developing the data method for the past few years, working with the agency Performics to optimize the way it leverages the data to use as a "fundamental connected tissue" between paid and organic search. advertisement advertisement The clickstream data enables the team to answer the question, whether or not it's winning in search. "For the longest time that meant ranking highest, within the top three positions, in search engine query results on a page. Now, it provides a valuable metric, but doesn't indicate whether we're winning," he said. "You can have position one in paid search a percentage of the time, but not one-hundred percent of the time," he said. "In organic search, you get pulled up and down, in and out of the index." Pavacic also said the team has been focusing on how search will change in the next year or two, and what it might potentially look like. Pavacic said that at the last I/O conference, Google rarely focused on traditional search engines, but rather on devices like Google Home, Duplex, artificial intelligence, and autocomplete in emails. He also called attention to two new search engines that built their respective platforms on blockchain. Presearch, which pays searchers in cryptocurrency for searching on the engine and exchanging the data, and BitClave, a decentralized search engine that uses blockchain and bitcoin, both have been making a splash in search. "[It] brings me back to the beginning days of search, what we all thought from an SEO perspective it would be," he said. Pavacic read off 10 fundamental principles of a blockchain-based search engine with no central authority that places control with the users. This also applies to the past. The 10 include: Search should be open and involve people; ranking data shall not be kept secret; web data should be readily available; no one size fits all; advance search should be accessible; engine tools should be open to all; search and community should go hand in hand; spam does not belong in search results; and the privacy of searchers should not be violated. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, April 29, 2019 Family members of a man killed in an attack in Istanbul are urging a federal appellate court to reinstate a lawsuit accusing Twitter, Google and Facebook of assisting ISIS. For years, Twitter, Google, and Facebook ... have allowed ISIS to utilize their services to carry out terrorist activities, including recruiting, radicalizing, and instructing terrorists, as well as raising funds and inciting fear among civilian populations, family members of Nawras Alassaf, a Jordanian citizen who was killed in the January 1, 2017 Reina nightclub shooting, argue in papers filed last week with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. By furnishing these platforms to ISIS, defendants allow the terrorist group to virtually recruit operatives as well as publicize the success of their operations. Alassaf's family alleged in a complaint filed in 2017 that the killer, Abdulkadir Masharipov, was radicalized by social media. advertisement advertisement Last year, U.S. District Court Judge Edward Chen's dismissed the lawsuit at an early stage. Chen ruled that the family's complaint didn't spell out how the platforms could have caused the attack. Plaintiffs do not allege that Mr. Masharipov ever saw any specific content on social media related to ISIS. Nor are there even any factual allegations that Mr. Masharipov maintained a Facebook, YouTube, and/or Twitter account, Chen wrote. He added that complaint also alleged that Masharipov trained with al-Qaeda in 2011 -- suggesting that he could have been radicalized through other sources The family members now argue they should have been allowed to proceed with claims that the tech companies substantially assisted ISIS. They provided ISIS with the infrastructure to 'virtually' radicalize prospective recruits and encourage them to commit acts of terrorism throughout the world, the family says in its new court papers. Without Defendants social media platforms ISIS would practically have no means of radicalizing prospective recruits beyond ISISs territorial borders and encouraging them to commit acts of terrorism. All three companies have prevailed in similar battles in trial courts and in at least two appellate courts. Most recently, earlier this month the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected an attempt to revive a lawsuit that sought to hold Google, Twitter and Facebook responsible for the mass shooting by Omar Mateen at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Less than a week after Bollywoods angry man Sunny Deol came under political limelight, his action of filing nomination papers as SAD-BJP combine candidate from Gurdaspur parliamentary seat on Monday will be captured by its top leadership including three Union Ministers. Other than Sunny Deols father and Bollywoods yesteryears superstar Dharmendra and his actor-brother Bobby Deol, among those who would accompany him include Union Minister VK Singh, Union Minister Jatindra Singh, Hoshiarpur MP and Union Minister Vijay Sampla, SAD president Sukhbir Badal, Haryana Finance Minister and state BJP in-charge Capt Abhimanyu, state BJP president Shwait Malik, besides sitting and former MLAs of both the parties. Sunny Deol, whose real name is Ajay Vir Singh Deol, will himself remain in Gurdaspur for the next couple of weeks for his new role of a politician in the political flick. After filing his nomination papers from Gurdaspur constituency, Sunny Deol is scheduled to address an election rally in a massive show of strength to kickstart his poll campaign. Over the next days, he would be addressing a series of meetings and rallies in his first election hustings. On Sunday, Sunny Deol reached Amritsar in the afternoon, where he met the BJP leaders. He is facing Congress sitting MP and Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar. He joined the BJP only past week, and on the same day his candidature was announced by the saffron party. His candidature had resulted in discontentment among other ticket aspirants including partys former Union Minister and ex-MP Vinod Khannas widow Kavita Khanna and Mumbai-based businessman Swaran Salaria who, at one point of time, were considering to contest as independent candidates. However, a day before, both the leaders had announced to support the BJP nominee and work for the party which come as a great relief for the greenhorn candidate. PLEASANTON, Calif. April 29, 2019 Jay Guido Daytona Beach, FL Jay Guido Dave Amerson the United States Europe Australia Canada Mexico South Korea Jake Elguicze Nicole Osmer /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- NeoTract, a wholly owned subsidiary of Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE:TFX) focused on addressing unmet needs in the field of urology, today announced that, MD, Florida Urology Center in, has been designated as a UroLift Center of Excellence. The designation recognizes that Dr. Guido has achieved a high level of training and experience with the UroLift System and demonstrated a commitment to exemplary care for men suffering from symptoms associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate.Recommended for the treatment of BPH in both the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology clinical guidelines, the FDA-cleared Prostatic Urethral Lift procedure using the UroLift System is a proven, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH. The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue.The UroLift Center of Excellence program is designed to highlight urologists who are committed to educating their patients on BPH and the UroLift System as a treatment option and consistently seek to deliver excellent patient outcomes and experiences."We are pleased to recognize Dr.as a UroLift Center of Excellence for his commitment to providing consistent care to BPH patients using the UroLift System treatment," said, president of the Teleflex Interventional Urology business unit. "This achievement has helped many patients experience durable, long-term relief from the burdensome symptoms of BPH while preserving sexual function*1,2."Over 40 million men inare affected by BPH, a condition that occurs when the prostate gland that surrounds the male urethra becomes enlarged with advancing age and begins to obstruct the urinary system. Symptoms of BPH often include interrupted sleep and urinary problems and can cause loss of productivity, depression and decreased quality of life.Medication is often the first-line therapy for enlarged prostate, but relief can be inadequate and temporary. Side effects of medication treatment can include sexual dysfunction, dizziness and headaches, prompting many patients to quit using the drugs. For these patients, the classic alternative is surgery that cuts, heats or removes prostate tissue to open the blocked urethra. While current surgical options can be very effective in relieving symptoms, they can also leave patients with permanent side effects such as urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and retrograde ejaculation.About the UroLift SystemThe FDA-cleared UroLift System is a proven, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a minimally invasive transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue. Clinical data from a pivotal 206-patient randomized controlled study showed that patients with enlarged prostate receiving UroLift implants reported rapid and durable symptomatic and urinary flow rate improvement without compromising sexual function*1,2. Patients also experienced a significant improvement in quality of life. Over 100,000 men have been treated with the UroLift System in the U.S. Most common adverse events reported include hematuria, dysuria, micturition urgency, pelvic pain, and urge incontinence. Most symptoms were mild to moderate in severity and resolved within two to four weeks after the procedure. The Prostatic Urethral Lift procedure using the UroLift System is recommended for the treatment of BPH in both the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology clinical guidelines. The UroLift System is available in the U.S.,and. Learn more at http://www.UroLift.com.About NeoTract | Teleflex Interventional UrologyA wholly owned subsidiary of Teleflex Incorporated, the Interventional Urology Business Unit is dedicated to developing innovative, minimally invasive and clinically effective devices that address unmet needs in the field of urology. Our initial focus is on improving the standard of care for patients with BPH using the UroLift System, a minimally invasive permanent implant system that treats symptoms while preserving normal sexual function*1,2. Learn more at http://www.NeoTract.com.About Teleflex IncorporatedTeleflex is a global provider of medical technologies designed to improve the health and quality of people's lives. We apply purpose driven innovation a relentless pursuit of identifying unmet clinical needs to benefit patients and healthcare providers. Our portfolio is diverse, with solutions in the fields of vascular and interventional access, surgical, anesthesia, cardiac care, urology, emergency medicine and respiratory care. Teleflex employees worldwide are united in the understanding that what we do every day makes a difference. For more information, please visit http://www.teleflex.com.Teleflex is the home of Arrow, Deknatel, Hudson RCI, LMA, Pilling, Rusch, UroLift and Weck trusted brands united by a common sense of purposeFor Teleflex Incorporated:, 610.948.2836 Treasurer and Vice President, Investor RelationsMedia:, 650.454.0504 nicole(at)healthandcommerce(dot)com*No instances of new, sustained erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction 1. Roehrborn, J Urology 2013 LIFT Study 2.McVary, J Sex Med 2016MAC00968-01 Rev ASOURCE NeoTract PLEASANTON, Calif. April 29, 2019 Sajal Dutta Portland, OR Dave Amerson the United States Europe Australia Canada Mexico South Korea Jake Elguicze Nicole Osmer /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- NeoTract, a wholly owned subsidiary of Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE:TFX) focused on addressing unmet needs in the field of urology, today announced that, MD, The Oregon Clinic - Advanced Urology in, has been designated as a UroLift Center of Excellence. The designation recognizes that Dr. Dutta has achieved a high level of training and experience with the UroLift System and demonstrated a commitment to exemplary care for men suffering from symptoms associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate.Recommended for the treatment of BPH in both the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology clinical guidelines, the FDA-cleared Prostatic Urethral Lift procedure using the UroLift System is a proven, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH. The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue.The UroLift Center of Excellence program is designed to highlight urologists who are committed to educating their patients on BPH and the UroLift System as a treatment option and consistently seek to deliver excellent patient outcomes and experiences."We are pleased to recognize Dr. Dutta as a UroLift Center of Excellence for his commitment to providing consistent care to BPH patients using the UroLift System treatment," said, president of the Teleflex Interventional Urology business unit. "This achievement has helped many patients experience durable, long-term relief from the burdensome symptoms of BPH while preserving sexual function*1,2."Over 40 million men inare affected by BPH, a condition that occurs when the prostate gland that surrounds the male urethra becomes enlarged with advancing age and begins to obstruct the urinary system. Symptoms of BPH often include interrupted sleep and urinary problems and can cause loss of productivity, depression and decreased quality of life.Medication is often the first-line therapy for enlarged prostate, but relief can be inadequate and temporary. Side effects of medication treatment can include sexual dysfunction, dizziness and headaches, prompting many patients to quit using the drugs. For these patients, the classic alternative is surgery that cuts, heats or removes prostate tissue to open the blocked urethra. While current surgical options can be very effective in relieving symptoms, they can also leave patients with permanent side effects such as urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and retrograde ejaculation.About the UroLift SystemThe FDA-cleared UroLift System is a proven, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a minimally invasive transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue. Clinical data from a pivotal 206-patient randomized controlled study showed that patients with enlarged prostate receiving UroLift implants reported rapid and durable symptomatic and urinary flow rate improvement without compromising sexual function*1,2. Patients also experienced a significant improvement in quality of life. Over 100,000 men have been treated with the UroLift System in the U.S. Most common adverse events reported include hematuria, dysuria, micturition urgency, pelvic pain, and urge incontinence. Most symptoms were mild to moderate in severity and resolved within two to four weeks after the procedure. The Prostatic Urethral Lift procedure using the UroLift System is recommended for the treatment of BPH in both the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology clinical guidelines. The UroLift System is available in the U.S.,and. Learn more at http://www.UroLift.com.About NeoTract | Teleflex Interventional UrologyA wholly owned subsidiary of Teleflex Incorporated, the Interventional Urology Business Unit is dedicated to developing innovative, minimally invasive and clinically effective devices that address unmet needs in the field of urology. Our initial focus is on improving the standard of care for patients with BPH using the UroLift System, a minimally invasive permanent implant system that treats symptoms while preserving normal sexual function*1,2. Learn more at - http://www.NeoTract.com.About Teleflex IncorporatedTeleflex is a global provider of medical technologies designed to improve the health and quality of people's lives. We apply purpose driven innovation a relentless pursuit of identifying unmet clinical needs to benefit patients and healthcare providers. Our portfolio is diverse, with solutions in the fields of vascular and interventional access, surgical, anesthesia, cardiac care, urology, emergency medicine and respiratory care. Teleflex employees worldwide are united in the understanding that what we do every day makes a difference. For more information, please visit http://www.teleflex.com.Teleflex is the home of Arrow, Deknatel, Hudson RCI, LMA, Pilling, Rusch, UroLift and Weck trusted brands united by a common sense of purposeFor Teleflex Incorporated:, 610.948.2836 Treasurer and Vice President, Investor RelationsMedia:, 650.454.0504 nicole(at)healthandcommerce(dot)com*No instances of new, sustained erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction 1. Roehrborn, J Urology 2013 LIFT Study 2.McVary, J Sex Med 2016MAC00968-01 Rev ASOURCE NeoTract There is nothing more satisfying than watching people cheer for Tony Stark as he snaps his fingers with his new personalised Infinity Gauntlet, loaded with all six Infinity Stones and an epic, timeless one-liner: I am Iron Man. With the effects of Thanos' snap already reversed, Stark 'decimates' the infamous 'Children of Thanos', the rest of his Chitauri army and the 'Man Titan', himself having to sacrifice his life in the process. And sure, the threat was averted and the universe was whole again in this timeline, but what about the rest of them that Captain America and the rest of his squad created while speed-jumping through the Quantum Realm? But Captain America went back in time to return all the Infinity Stones back to where they all belonged! To answer that, you must check this out: In an isolated system, particles co-exist in a stable-phase relationship. If the system is interfered with, that system becomes chaos, unpredictable, dangerous, beautiful. Isolated completely, a quantum system would completely revert back to separate states of matter, each entangled with a distinct state of its environment, says Dr Bill Foster, Quantum Physicist in the MCU. In other words, the object in question would be both in and out of phase with multiple parallel realities. To put it simply, the jumps through the main timeline, first made by the teams to different times and spaces, then further back in time by Stark and Rogers to 1970, gave way to infinite parallel realities out of which, Dr Stephen Strange saw 14,000,605 possibilities at Titan during the events of 'Infinity War' and declared that there was only one way to make things right again. Inversely, this means that the rest of the 14,000,604 possibilities, all of which are true and parallelly happening with ours, still have the universe 'decimated' and characters like Peter Parker, T'Challa and Wanda Maximoff are still dead and are not returning to life. Thanos has won. On the other hand, in the timeline that we were focusing on during 'Endgame', it does not go well for a lot of people here as well when Professor Hulk snaps them back to life. Based on what Peter Parker says after returning to life, it can be noted that people resurrected at the same spot where they had decimated. According to that logic, people who turned to dust while travelling in an aeroplane or were stationed in a submarine, would return midair and fall to their death or drown underwater. Not a very happy ending now, is it? Before I begin, there are spoilers, please click away if you don't want them and move on with your life instead of commenting 'unfollowing this page' or 'at least give a warning about spoilers'. I mean it, I'm tired of explaining this to some people who apparently can't read. As for everyone who's seen 'Avengers: Endgame' and is interested in reading more about it, carry on. So, the movie of the decade is here and it was better than our expectations. While it felt like it was totally unexpected - everything from Nat dying to Tony dying (or maybe we were just in denial about the deaths) - it turns out, a lot of it had already been predicted by the fans. Every Marvel fan has spent the entire year watching and rewatching all the movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and spent so much time coming up with theories and predictions ever since the release of 'Avengers: Infinity War'. Obviously, all of that didn't go to waste; so many theories actually came true in the movie, thanks to everyone's vast knowledge of Marvel comics and just by observing everything properly. While we didn't know this is exactly what would happen before, we still heard about theories at least once before. 1. Professor Hulk Everyone was almost 100% sure we'll get Professor Hulk in 'Endgame' and the Russo Brothers did not disappoint. After seeing the constant disagreement and fighting between the Hulk and Bruce Banner all throughout 'Infinity War', we finally got to see that they had put aside all their differences and come to an understanding. Which means that we got Professor with the body and strength of the Hulk and the brilliant mind of Bruce altogether in one giant green Avenger. 2. Time Travel No one knew for sure but everyone knew that the movie will deal with time travel in some way or the other. Actually, this theory was or less proved with leaked pictures of Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr at a set that looked like the final battle scene from the first Avengers movie. Now, we know for sure that all of them travelled back in time to retrieve the infinity stones from the past so they could undo Thanos' snap. The time travel actually ended up giving us some of the best moments from the movie - Cap fighting Cap, 'Hail Hydra', Thor and Rocket sneaking around in Asgard while Loki is lying in a cell, Howard Stark & Peggy Carter in 1970. Well, it also gave us one of the worst moments as well, but I guess it was inevitable. 3. Time Jump A not that important or big theory but still a theory that came true. A lot of people predicted that there would be a time jump in the movie just like a desi soap show our mom watches and it became canon as soon as the trailers came out since we could make a timeline just with Nat's hair. 4. Tony Stark Dying It was something I don't think anyone was ready for but was prepared for at the same time, if that makes any sense. We knew there would be some permanent deaths of some of the OG Avengers and throughout the year, Marvel and Chris Evans were subtly hinting at Cap's death in the movie. I'm pretty sure that it was a strategy to keep Tony Stark's death even more shocking in the movie. Well, it worked, everyone knew this was probably Robert Downey Jr's last movie as Iron Man but we all were rooting for him to retire and have a long and happy life with Pepper and Morgan. Well, at least he got his perfect life for five years and Dad Tony is honestly one of the best parts of the movie. 5. Steve Rogers' Fate Again, we were all prepared, but not really, for his death with all the emotional goodbyes and the jokes by Chris himself. But, he got one of the best endings in the movie and it wraps up his storyline perfectly. He has been ready to sacrifice himself for greater good since he first appeared in the MCU, and he did that in 'Captain America: The First Avenger'. But, after everything was wrapped up in 'Endgame' and Thanos was gone, it was time for him to have his date with Peggy and finally, finally have that dance. While old man Steve was a little shocking at first, it was still a heartwarming moment since he got to live out his life not fighting but being with the love of his life. 6. Cap Passes On The Captain America Mantle To Falcon It felt like Marvel had been hinting at Bucky Barnes to become the new Captain America ever since he held the shield back in 'Captain America: The First Avenger' but turns out, it was passed on over to Sam Wilson aka Falcon. Well, it was going to happen sooner or later and the choice was always between Bucky and Sam. 7. Captain America Wielding Thor's Hammer The electric Captain America was everything we ever wanted, and more. It was hands down the best moment of the movie for me. Thanos is about to kill Thor, but no Cap and Mjolnir to the rescue. What a moment, I would watch the movie like five more times in the theatres just to experience that scene again and again. 8. Thanos Dies In The First Twenty Minutes Last time, it was Loki dying in the first 15-20 minutes, this time it was none other than Thanos. He's alone, without his shield or armour, just cooking and chilling alone after murdering trillions of people. Well, the Avengers obviously avenged everyone but that did not bring back anyone, of course. While it was ultimately a pretty useless thing, since he had already destroyed all the stones and the chance of undoing the snap with it, he was pretty harmless now, considering everything. But, he did see Thor finally aiming for the head and delivering that line perfectly. 9. Pepper Potts Suits Up This was also a theory that had been floating around for a while and yes, it came true in 'Endgame'. Literally everyone fought, so obviously the woman who has killed more Marvel villains than any other character wouldn't sit out the final battle. And, of course, the badass moment of all the powerful women of Marvel together would have been incomplete without her. Before you proceed, you must know this article is dark and full of spoilers! Episode 3 of 'Game of Thrones' season 8 just hit our screens and let me just say 'Oh my GoT'! I wasn't expecting it to end the way it did, TBH. I was a little disappointed because at the end you're left wondering whatever happened to the 'prince that was promised' theory, hinting at Azor Ahai's re-reign through either Snow or Dany, but the ending was satisfactory regardless. Now the next thing to wonder is, if Arya is the prince that was promised, since the 'prince' is said to be of either gender. The legend of Azor Ahai was born centuries ago, when a Westerosi ended the long night and killed all the White Walkers or the 'Others'. So there could be a possibility the theory of the 'Prince that was promised' is still alive and kicking. HBO But moving a little forward with why all the theories we've been contemplating haven't really played out in the 3rd episode is a little strange. There were so many. For instance, the rise of the dead from Winterfell crypts. Although, it's stated that the tombs of the dead in the crypts are protected by iron swords, which prevent the dead to rise and become wights. There was also a theory stating The Night King wouldn't be at Winerfell, since he's already marching towards Kings Landing. In fact, many theories didn't see the light of day only because Arya was decided as the Night King killer, and a true warrior since the beginning. From her thirst for knowledge to learn ways of a warrior to her training, it was like everything was foreshadowed, only we weren't paying attention. HBO You may think the whole build-up about Jon or Dany saving the day was hyped beyond doubt, but in all honesty, Jon and Dany both played a significant part in fighting off the Night King and his army too. It was because of Jon everyone was prepped up for the war since he hosted a meeting to tell the world about them and it was Dany's army and her dragons that kept them at bay for as long as possible, at the Winterfell battle. But no one anticipated Arya's grave role towards the end. No one assumed she would strike like a ninja assassin, killing the Night King with a Valyrian Steel dagger. The same one that was used to kill Bran in season 1, before his mother and wolf killed the assassin and the same one Bran gave Arya, just in case you were wondering what Bran's role was throughout. He probably knew the future all along and did the right thing at the right time for it to play out well during the end. HBO But you know what I realised while watching this episode? A lot of facts and scenario within the series were foreshadowed, especially where Arya was concerned. There were always instances and hints of what lay ahead but none of us really paid much attention. All along Arya was prepping to hunt the greatest enemy of all and we didn't even know it. Neither did she, but she knew she would have to act sometime in the distant future. Here's what I mean: (1) GoT was always trying to quietly set up Arya for the big showdown. Even her introduction in the show was her acing at archery. If you remember the scene from the first episode ever, where Bran is struggling to aim, because he over thinks, Arya sneaks up from behind and hits the target! And yes, this was her sans any training whatsoever. (2) Arya gets her first morsel of training from Jon, who hands her the trusted sword Needle and tells her to 'stick 'em with the pointy end'. If you've seen this episode, you'll remember Arya telling Sansa the same thing, while handing her a dagger for self protection. It all comes back full circle I suppose. (3) Arya's tryst with her 'dance lessons' aka sword fighting lessons with her teacher Syrio Forel was something to remember. That was the beginning of her professional training in sword fighting. The one thing Syrio always reminded her was her answer to the God of death: 'What do you say to the God of death' he'd ask. 'Not today' she'd say. In her second meeting with Melisandre in this episode, the red woman asks Arya the same question and Arya says 'not today', heading out of the hall. Twitter (4) In season 3, Melisandre meets Arya with the 'Brotherhood Without Banners' and she predicts that Arya and she will meet again. She also tells Arya that she sees a darkness in her and in that darkness eyes staring back at her. Brown eyes, blue eyes and green eyes, eyes she'll shut forever. Throughout the series when Arya is seeking revenge from her 'list', she shuts many brown eyes. When Melisandre sees her again in the 3rd episode, she reminds her of the prophecy and about the blue and green eyes she's yet to shut still. *Major Hint*! Twitter Twitter (5) When she is kidnapped by the Hound, he plays a big pivotal role in her training. He teaches her how to find gaps and weak spots in an armour, and how to stab someone in the heart. Well, his teaching came quite handy when Arya kills the Night King. He also stayed alive, thanks to the Lord of Light, to fulfill his purpose of staying by her side towards the end. (6) In season 8 episode one, when Arya meets Jon for the first time after years, he is at the Weirwood tree when Arya comes to him without making a sound. He turns around and asks 'how did you sneak up on me?'. Why is this relevant? Because at the time she's about to kill the Night King, he has no inkling of her coming to kill him. The White Walkers feel a gush of wind but they don't realise it's Arya sneaking up on them, like a shadow, at the same place she sneaked up at Jon. Her Ninja skills are excellent and were always up to par to face this day. via GIPHY (7) This one's an important fact you might have missed. In season one, a Catspaw's tried to kill Bran when he was bedridden. He failed to do so but that dagger ended up with Little finger, who gave it to Bran in season 7. Bran gives that dagger to Arya saying since he's a cripple he won't be needing it. See the build up here? This clearly means Bran gave the dagger to Arya purposely because it's the same Valyrian Steel dagger Arya used to kill the Night King. Does this mean Bran predicted the future all along? If so, why did he sacrifice Theon?! HBO (8) When Arya is killing the Night King, she uses a tactic she's used before in a fight with Brienne of Tarth. While killing the Night King, she lets go of the dagger from her right hand and as it falls, holds it with her left hand before she stabs his heart. In season 7, she uses a similar twitch of hand with her sword and her dagger, with Brienne. (9) Even though Arya didn't use the weapon she asked Gendry to forge for too long in this episode, she knew that weapon is her strength. While she was training to become the faceless man, she learnt how to use a staff, being blind and in absolute darkness. That was the series telling us that she was training for something bigger and more dangerous. HBO (10) Arya is a Stark and it's known the Night King's origins have also begun from a Stark. The Children of the Forest carved the Night King from a local man, to help them fight against the first men. If you've seen that scene you'll notice the children have tied a man and they stab his heart with dragon glass. They've tied the man around what seems like a Weirwood tree to convert him. Weirwood trees are only found around Winterfell. So, it is a possibility the Night King is a Stark descendant and only a Stark could end his decent once and for all. Maybe our theories haven't gone to waste. Maybe the Prince that was promised is yet to come as there are 3 more episodes left. While we're waiting with bated breath for the next episode to air, we're also wondering what Arya's fate reads. I mean she wasn't ambitious about the throne at all. For her it was only about killing people who harmed her family and killed them and since most of them are already dead, will she die too, towards the end? Well, her character did evolve quite well and I really hope she lives to see the end. The OnePlus 7 Pro is one of the smartphones being launched on 14th May and it has already managed to score points for one of its features. According to OnePlus, the OP 7 Pro has managed to achieve an A+ Top Tier Display Rating from Display Mate. The company is the leading organisation that evaluates displays on various devices and gives results according to a series of comprehensive in-depth lab tests and measurements. Twitter OnePlus claims that their latest smartphone scores are exceptionally well when it comes to colour accuracy, contrast accuracy, pixel density and brightness. Users will also have the ability to adjust the colour gamut of the display and the temperature for ease of viewing. The OnePlus Pro also got a certification of 'Safety for Eyes' from VDE Testing and Certification Institute. The smartphone is said to filter out harmful blue lights better than other displays and the new adjustable display features are said to aid in eye protection further. The launch event for the OnePlus 7 series is scheduled to take place on 14th May and will be held in three cities i.e. New York, London and Bangalore and will start at 8:15 PM IST. According to rumours, the OnePlus 7 Pro is going to have a QHD+ 90 Hz AMOLED display and will be as expensive as flagship devices. Twitter The OnePlus 7 is being touted as the company's biggest launch ever and is being held in the Bangalore. Being the home-ground for the company, we can expect the launch to be larger than any other OnePlus launch we've ever seen from the company. OnePlus was recently included in the top five premium brands list by Counterpoint Research and we can expect to see some sort of celebration at the event. Being the biggest event by OnePlus, the company is also selling launch event voucher for fans that will go on sale on 25th April at 10:00 AM. You can buy the tickets for the Indian launch event at OnePlus.in. The company has given some hints about the launch in their official video which went live with the launch date announcement. You can have a look at the video below for your reference: It is election season, and what better time than this to look back at some elections of the past? Independent Indias greatest achievement was to create a functioning democracy with equal voting rights for men and women over the age of 21 (now 18), regardless of caste, religion, status, education and wealth. Adult suffrage was provided for in Article 326 of the Constitution, which was adopted on 26 January 1950, the day India became a Republic. The Constituent Assembly, that had drafted the Constitution, then became the provisional Parliament. One hundred more members were added, as representatives of the Indian states. Next, the first election commissioner, Sukumar Sen, was selected. In those days with poor communications, no electronic media, when even telephones were few and literacy was only 12 per cent, it was a mammoth task to hold the first elections. An electoral roll first had to be prepared, with election officers going from house to house across the country to identify potential voters. They listed around 176 million people. Many did not know when they had been born, or their exact age. Around two million women had to be deleted from the list, as because of shyness and tradition, they would not meet the election officials or provide their own names. Then, the territorial constituencies had to be delimited. For the Lok Sabha, there were 489 constituencies, and for the state assemblies, for which elections would be held at the same time, there were 3,283. Ballot papers were printed and steel ballot boxes were made. As many voters could not read, a simple system was used. The ballot boxes were made in different colours, and the symbol of the party or candidate was pasted on them. The voter had to place the ballot paper in the box of the candidate or party. Indelible ink, to mark the fingers of those who had voted, was also introduced. The main political parties at this time were the Indian National Congress, the Socialist Party, the Communist Party of India, and the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, among others. The symbol of the Congress was two bullocks drawing a plough, the Socialist Party chose a banyan tree, and the Bharatiya Jan Sangh had a lighted diya. These and other parties were yet to face the divisions and problems that beset them in later years. The first elections took place between October 25, 1951 and February 21, 1952. There was a festive atmosphere around the voting booths, as people came out to vote wearing their best clothes, celebrating by buying from the food stalls and barrows selling various items that had mushroomed near the booths. One million officials supervised the elections, and 46 per cent of the electorate voted. Those who voted were excited, they had understood that finally they would, though indirectly, have some say in their very own government. In this first election, the Congress won 364 seats in the Lok Sabha. Out of 3,279 seats for which elections were held in the state assemblies, it won 2248. After this, elections to the Rajya Sabha could be held, and the first Rajya Sabha was formed. The next elections took place in 1957. A lot had changed in the mean time, the integration of the Indian (Princely) states had been completed, leading to the formation of new states. The structure of the government and administration was in place. The electorate was now 193 million, there were 494 constituencies, and in the Lok Sabha, the Congress once again had a clear majority with 371 seats. State assembly elections had again taken place simultaneously, and in Kerala, the Communist Party of India won, with EMS Namboodiripad as chief minister. Even in the third Lok Sabha elections, taking place in 1962 before the Indo-China War, the Congress won 361 seats, but then after the deaths of Nehru and Shastri, by 1967, with the Lok Sabha seats having risen to 520, the Congress won only 284. After Lal Bahadur Shastris untimely death at Tashkent in January 1966, Indira Gandhi had become the prime minister. She was supported by Kamaraj and some of the other older Congressmen because they mistakenly thought they could control her. Morarji Desai challenged her candidature, but lost. Opposition leaders too did not think much of her, with Ram Manohar Lohia famously referring to her as gungi gudia (dumb doll). Soon she asserted her control over the major part of the Congress which split into two. A Grand Alliance of four parties arrayed themselves against her, and, after mid-term elections were held in 1971, Indiras Congress, with a new symbol of a cow and calf, won 352 of 518 Lok Sabha seats. Almost fifty years have passed since then. With many ups and downs and changes in fortune, elections continue to be held regularly, and this, as noted at the beginning of the article, is a great achievement, despite some disturbing trends that are seen today. (More information on these and subsequent elections can be found in my book The Puffin History of India Volume 2). (A PhD in ancient Indian History, the writer lives in Dehradun and has authored more than ten books) The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Sunday caught a man who was posing himself as a jawan of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at Chandini Chowk Metro Station. The man identified as Nadeem Khan is a native of Uttar Pradesh (UPs) Shamili district. The alleged accused was found suspicious wearing khaki uniform alike the CRPF jawans near gate number 3 Exit Automatic Fair Checking (AFC) AFC at Chandni Chowk metro station. On suspicion, a physical search was carried out in presence of senior officers of CISF and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). During the search, two Aadhar Cards with different Date of Birth, Fathers Name and addresses and a mobile phone were recovered from his possession, said a CISF official. On enquiry, he did not give any satisfactory reply and was not having any Force ID Card or any proof of being a force member. Further, when the official insisted, Khan claimed that he was a trainee of CRPF and presently having training from CRPF RTC Mohan Nagar at Srinagar (J&K), said the official. During the search, the man also claimed that he came from RTC on leave to attend his mothers funeral at Shamli (UP). However, a check with the CRPF centre in Srinagar and Shamli police found both his claims to be false. We contacted CRPF Control Room who further contacted Mohan Nagar RTC and informed that no such trainee of said name was present in their RTC. Subsequently, UP Police (Shamli, Police Station) was also contacted and it was found that his parents are fine and are present at home, added the CISF official. The CISF has handed over the suspicious man along-with all recovered items to the Delhi Metro Rail Police (DMRP) Kashmere gate for further legal action in the matter and to find out his motive. Governor Anandiben Patel said that it is must to bring change in the perception and behaviour of the people towards environment conservation. He exhorted women to encourage children to serve country and society and at the same time, he said that environment conservation is the need of the hour. Patel was addressing the national convention on the subject Digitalisation and Innovation for Organisational Management and Research held at LNCT auditorium on Saturday. On this occasion, the Governor honoured Srishti Deshmukh, who has topped in the Indian Administrative Services in women category. The Governor told the academic institutions to motivate and prepare young generation in to tackle the severe problem of global warming. She further stated that only plantation of saplings is not sufficient for environment conservation but their nurturing is utmost important till they become trees. Stressing on the need of water conservation, Smt. Patel said that everyone should use water as per the need and should take effective initiative to stop its wastage. Drawing attention towards the serious problem of malnutrition, Governor Patel asserted that each and every section of the society must ensure its participation to free malnourished children from the disease. Building a malnutrition free society is possible with collective efforts only. She informed that the universities and social service organisations of the State have given a praiseworthy contribution in making children free of the fatal disease by adopting over 5,000 children suffering from TB in the last one year. Other sections of the society and educational institutions should be inspired by this example. Patel extended best wishes to the students, who have been selected in various services. She told them that they should treat their subordinates in their respective fields like their guardians. Take interest to solve peoples problem and make constant efforts to serve needy people, she added. Patel appealed to the people of the State to exercise their voting rights in the Lok Sabha Election-2019. She said that we should feel proud that along with establishment of democracy in our country, women have also got voting right, whereas women got voting right after hard struggle in developed countries like America. For many months, a youth was allegedly sexually harassing a student from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Roorkee. The alleged victim is a PhD student. She has lodged a complaint in Civil Lines police station in Roorkee on Sunday. Police have registered a case under appropriate section and probe is on. Speaking to The Pioneer, the station house officer of Civil Lines police station, Amarjeet Singh said, "Both the man and woman hail from Delhi. The woman alleged that for many months her male friend was having physical relations with her after having told her that he would marry her. But when the man secured a job in the government sector, he reportedly refused to marry her." The victim lodged complaint at Roorkee station leveling allegations of rape. The police have booked the accused under different sections of Indian Penal Code and are conducting an investigation. A Mumbai-bound passenger has been apprehended at the Indira Gandhi International airpor for allegedly carrying two live bullets in his baggage, an official said Sunday. An officer of the Central Industrial Security Force, deputed at terminal-1D of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) to scan baggages, detected bullet-like objects while checking the bag of passenger Mohd H Qureshi on Saturday, he said. Two live bullet rounds of 7.65 mm calibre were recovered from the passenger who was supposed to take a flight to Mumbai, the official said. The traveller was not allowed to board the flight and was handed over to the Delhi Police as he could not produce any document for the ammunition, he added. Carrying arms and ammunition inside an airport terminal area or an aircraft is banned under the Indian aviation laws. Contributed photo The Village at South Farms in Middletown recently presented one of its Resident Care Associates with an award as the annual service champion for 2018. The award was presented at the organizations annual gala in Boston, MA, honoring staff for their wor with residents and their families. Victoria Carr is a native of Middletown, whose children attended Middletown public schools. Carr attended the gala with her husband, Hipolito Rodriguez. nCategorically rejecting reports claiming alleged clean chit to some persons, Punjab Governments Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the Behbal Kalan firing case, on Sunday pointed out that only a single challan filed by it against one accused had been selectively taken into consideration to come to erroneous conclusions. Punjab Police spokesperson said that the case was still under investigation, with many aspects yet to be probed, and there was no question of giving a clean chit to anyone till the completion of the investigations. The 792-page challan submitted in Faridkot court and cited in the media reports was against only one accused, that is Mogas former SSP Charanjit Singh Sharma. The challan was based on strong evidence, with investigation against him on other aspects still in progress, said the spokesperson, adding that after the completion of the investigation, a supplementary challan/(s) shall be presented in the Court against all those found guilty as per law, including Charanjit Sharma. The fact that investigations were still going on precluded the possibility of clean chit being given to anyone, said the spokesperson. A single document presented as challan based on partial investigation could not be taken as evidence for giving clean chit to those not mentioned in the challan, he added. Pointing out that the said media reports had themselves mentioned that SIT was yet to file challan against at least three other named in the FIR, namely SP Bikramjeet Singh, Pradeep Kumar and Amarjit Singh, the spokesperson said that it was quite obvious that the challan filed so far was based on limited investigation conducted so far. Spokesperson made it clear that action would be taken in accordance with law against anyone found guilty in the 2015 case. A Marine infantry officer who led troops in four countries during a recent Middle East deployment after his battalion suffered a serious training accident will receive his service's prestigious Leftwich Trophy. Capt. Brian Coleman, commanding officer of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, returned from Afghanistan last week. Now, he's being honored for his stellar leadership as he prepared and led his Marines to face off against terrorists in Iraq and Syria and work with allies in Jordan and Afghanistan. "As expected, the competition was exceptionally keen," Commandant Gen. Robert Neller wrote in the award announcement. "All nominees had exemplary records which indicated noteworthy leadership and command ability." Despite the recognition, Coleman told Military.com he still thinks about the 100 things he could have done better along the way. That attitude doesn't surprise his commanding officer. "That's Brian -- even if you do it right, you do it as best as you possibly can, there's always room for improvement," said Lt. Col. James Birchfield, who put Coleman up for the award. "It's that desire and will to get better. He's never satisfied with 'good enough.'" The battalion got off to a challenging start when preparing for its deployment with one of the Marine Corps' land-based crisis response units. Last May, two Marines suffered gunshot wounds during a live-fire training exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms in California. Both survived the mishap and were later released from the hospital, and Coleman helped revamp their training to prevent similar accidents, Birchfield said. Creating tough and realistic training is not hard to do, Birchfield said, but it takes talent to make the training safe. Now, leaders with 3/4 are carefully assessing their Marines' rehearsals before moving on to live-fire training. If they aren't meeting the requirements, they're starting over. "Brian ... added a couple extra steps that were, quite frankly, brilliant," Birchfield said. "His approach had us alter our entire approach to how we conducted training as a battalion." The pre-deployment accident put scrutiny on the battalion when it headed downrange. The deployment proved incredibly busy, and Coleman and his Marines were pulled in several directions. Some were firing mortars at Islamic State group terrorists while others conducted vehicle security patrols or participated in helicopter operations. The Marines also served as a quick-reaction force and offered fire support for special operators. And they secured new bases where U.S. troops could train Afghan forces. "I'm terribly proud of these guys and what they've done," Coleman said. "My responsibilities on that deployment were to create an environment that facilitated the talented young men who work under me to really thrive. That's all you are as a leader, is just a facilitator." Coleman reminded his infantry Marines constantly about the value of their work. And he made that a priority despite some of the teams working in rather isolated conditions. "One thing we can't issue an officer is his personality and his character," Birchfield said. "... Brian has that kind of personality that's really conducive with being a solid infantry leader." Coleman and his Marines were using technology and weapons systems that aren't normally seen at the company level, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tools and 120mm and 81mm mortars, he said. "My mortarmen were trained on 60mm mortars ... and they came out there and stepped up to use a new weapons system, and they were doing it brilliantly against an enemy that was actively trying to get after us," Coleman said. "It's the most humbling thing to see these guys meet those challenges and absolutely crush them." He credits his company with being the real success story behind the Leftwich Trophy. "Nobody would've looked twice at me unless the company as a whole hadn't been out there performing," Coleman said. "It's kind of uncomfortable for me to be recognized in this way because this organization doesn't work without people depending on each other and leaning on each other. I leaned on my guys every day." The Leftwich Trophy is named for Navy Cross recipient Lt. Col. William G. Leftwich Jr., who was killed in action in Vietnam in 1970 while helping extract a reconnaissance team. Coleman has vowed to make sure he and his unit carry that legacy forward. He has long looked up to other Leftwich Trophy recipients, including Brig. Gen. Julian Alford, who oversaw Coleman's unit in Afghanistan, and Maj. Daniel Grainger, who was an instructor at Infantry Officer Course when Coleman attended. "These are just legends in my eyes, and guys you're kind of awestruck at as you're a young officer coming up," Coleman said. "So to be recognized among those really talented leaders is an honor and a privilege. "But it's really more of a recognition of our company as a whole," he added. "I'll just be the holder of the award." -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. A Marine colonel who was fired from his job as commanding officer of a Virginia-based unit was arrested earlier this month for allegedly driving while intoxicated. Col. John Atkinson was arrested April 12 in Prince William County, Virginia, according to police records. Atkinson, 49, was released after agreeing to appear in court May 24. It's Atkinson's first alleged offense. He could not immediately be reached for comment. Maj. Gen. Vincent Coglianese, head of Marine Corps Installations Command, fired Atkinson from his job as commanding officer of Headquarters and Service Battalion in Quantico, Virginia, last week. Marine officials declined to say whether he's facing additional punishment. "It would be inappropriate to comment on the circumstances that led to the decision to relieve Col. Atkinson due to the ongoing investigation," Maj. Simba Chigwida, a Marine Corps Installations Command spokesman, told Military.com. Atkinson, who lives just outside Prince William County, allegedly refused a blood or breathalyzer test at the time of his arrest, according to court records. Doing so can result in the court suspending a driver's license for a year, Virginia law states. In January, he was also fined for driving without a license, according to court records. If found guilty, Atkinson faces a minimum $250 fine and could have his license revoked for a year. Marine Corps commanders must be held to high standards, Chigwida said, and they receive training to prevent these situations. "These expectations are reinforced during mandatory commanders' courses for new commanders and regular, recurring meetings with installation commanders," he said. "The purpose of the directed Commandants Combined Commandership Course is to educate commanders, sergeants major, and their spouses on the fundamental authorities, responsibilities, programs, and practices that contribute to a successful command tour." Marine Commandant Gen. Robert Neller also institutionalized the Protect What You've Earned campaign, which is designed to help eliminate alcohol misuse, sexual assault, suicide and domestic violence. Leaders are encouraged to inspire good behavior among their Marines and initiate conversations with their troops about good decision-making. "The topic of responsible use of alcohol and protecting what you've earned is something we emphasize constantly to all of our Marines," Chigwida said. -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. Just one day before his abrupt firing as commander of detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Rear Adm. John Ring said publicly that detainees there may not be receiving adequate medical treatment. Adm. Craig Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command, relieved Ring as the head of Joint Task Force-Guantanamo on Saturday due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command. On Friday, Ring was quoted in a Defense One article as questioning the U.S. policy that prevents the transfer of detainees to the United States, even in the case of a medical emergency. "I'm sort of caught between a rock and a hard place," Ring said in Defense One. "The Geneva Conventions' Article III, that says that I have to give the detainees equivalent medical care that I would give to a trooper. But if a trooper got sick, I'd send him home to the United States. And so I'm stuck. Whatever I'm going to do, I have to do here." Ring was scheduled to move onto another assignment after a change of command in June, but his abrupt firing "had nothing to do" with his comments in the Defense One story, Army Col. Amanda Azubuike, spokeswoman for SOUTHCOM, told Military.com on Monday. Guantanamo Bay currently houses 40 detainees, including Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, who allegedly planned the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Ring was also quoted as saying that some of the detainees are "prediabetic" and could develop serious health conditions as they get older. "Am I going to do dialysis down here? I don't know. Somebody has got to tell me that," he told Defense One. "Are we going to do complex cancer care down here? I don't know; somebody has got to tell me that." Ring was relieved as a result of an investigation that began in March and ended in mid-April, before the Defense One story was published, Azubuike said. The New York Times reported Sunday that Ring had been outspoken in the past about the facilities at Guantanamo Bay. Last June, he told reporters that the "top-secret prison where the military segregates high-value detainees, called Camp 7, would become inadequate as the prisoners aged," according to The New York Times. The timing of Ring's firing seemed interesting, however, to human rights attorney Patricia Stottlemyer, who posted this tweet Sunday: "JTF GTMO commander is fired days after he stated that the inadequate medical care at #Guantanamo placed him at odds with his obligations under the Geneva Conventions. There's a statutory bar on transferring detainees to US even for emergency medical care." The bar on transfers has been part of the National Defense Authorization Act for several years, Stottlemyer told Military.com in an interview. "The Senate has, for several years, included in its version of the NDAA a provision that would allow for the temporary transfer of detainees to the US for emergency medical treatment, but it has not made it into the final bill," said Stottlemyer, an associate attorney at Human Rights First, an independent advocacy organization. Guantanamo Bay was also in the news recently as a potential site under consideration by the Department of Homeland Security for detaining migrant children apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border, several media outlets reported. "It's a terrifying prospect that we detain migrant children at all, but certainly putting them somewhere where they would have less access to adequate medical care ... it makes that independent monitoring and providing adequate care for these children much more difficult," Stottlemeyer said. -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. Spurred by three recent suicides over five days at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, the House Veterans Affairs Committee is beginning a series of hearings Monday to press the VA for answers on what key leaders have called an "epidemic" of veteran suicides. Committee Chairman Rep. Mark Takano, D-California, and ranking member Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tennessee, said in a joint statement that enacting measures to bring down the estimated rate of 20 veteran suicides per day would be their top priority in this Congress. They scheduled a rare evening hearing Monday on "Tragic Trends" in veteran suicides to take testimony and statements from Dr. Keita Franklin, the VA's national director of suicide prevention; Dr. Richard Stone, executive in charge of the Veterans Health Administration; mental health professionals; and veterans service organizations. "This is a national crisis that we all need to address," Takano said in a statement. "Every new instance of veteran suicide showcases a barrier to access but, with three incidents on VA property in just five days, and six this year alone, it's critical we do more to stop this epidemic." Related content: A flurry of bills aimed at improving access, promoting outreach and hiring more mental health professionals has already been introduced since three veteran suicides between April 5 and April 9 at medical centers in Georgia and a clinic in Austin, Texas. In testimony earlier this month to the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Stone said there have been about 260 suicide attempts at VA facilities in recent years, and VA staff intervened in 240 of them. In response to the crisis, Rep. Anthony Brindisi, D-New York, joined by Rep. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, introduced a bill aimed at reducing vacancy rates among VA suicide prevention coordinators, who often are the first to identify potentially at-risk veterans. Rep. Max Rose, D-New York, has introduced a bill requiring the VA to notify Congress within seven days of any suicide or attempted suicide at a VA facility. The bill would also require the VA to notify Congress within 60 days of suicides or attempted suicides about whether there were contacts with the VA system and the outcomes of those contacts. According to the VA, about three of the 20 daily veteran suicides are among members of the National Guard and Reserve who were never federally activated and were, therefore, ineligible for VA mental health services. Last month, Roe and Rep. Mike Levin, D-California, introduced the Vet Center Eligibility Expansion Act to give members of the National Guard, Reserve and Coast Guard access to care at the VA. "Currently, National Guard, Coast Guard, and Reserve service members are exempt from receiving readjustment counseling services at VA Medical Centers, but they often face emotionally challenging deployments to natural disasters or civil disorders that require counseling," Levin said in a statement. On the Senate side, Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, ranking member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, and Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, have introduced the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act, named for a former Navy SEAL who took his own life in Montana last year. The proposed legislation would seek to add mental health professionals at the VA by giving the department direct hiring authority, offering scholarships to mental health professionals to work at Vet Centers, and placing at least one suicide prevention coordinator in every VA hospital. The bill would also seek to improve access to VA mental health care in rural areas by increasing the number of locations at which veterans can access VA telehealth services and offering grants to non-VA organizations that provide mental health services or alternative treatment to veterans. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. BJP vice president Prabhat Jha has sent a legal notice to Congress president Rahul Gandhi for calling party president Amit Shah a murder accused during an election rally in Madhya Pradesh recently. Speaking to the media, Jha quoted reports on the said statement from Gandhi saying it was directed at the national president of a party which has 11 crore members and has one of the members as the Prime Minister. Shah hatya ke aropi aur shahzada jadugar, Jha read header of one of the media reports quoting Gandhis remarks. He quoted the news further saying Gandhi was quoted as saying that BJP president Amit Shah was accused of a murder. We wish to know from Rahulji whether he considered him a court as the court has said he (Shah) is not an accused and CBI also said this so how he (Gandhi) was saying this, said the senior BJP leader. As vice president of the party, I was hurt by Gandhis remarks and I ask him to either tender an apology within three days or face defamation suit in the court, said Jha. He also pointed out that Gandhi had recently apologised in connection with chowkidar jibe. Jha has sent another legal notice to Gandhi over his remark on tribals. Jha quoted Gandhi as saying that central government has passed an act which allows the tribal to be shot. Narendra Modi Sarkar ne ek kanun pass kiya hai jisme ek line Jodi gayi hai ki adivasiyon ko goli mari ja sakegi, Jha quoted Gandhi as saying. A freshman college student and a Marine who was a father were among the four people killed when a crane came crashing down on one of Seattle's busiest streets on Saturday, prompting authorities to launch an investigation into four companies to determine what caused the deadly collapse. Sarah Wong, a 19-year-old attending Seattle Pacific University, and Andrew Yoder, a Marine and father who was working as an ironworker on the crane, were identified as two of the people killed when a crane being dismantled on Google's new Seattle campus collapsed around 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Officials are expected to officially identify all four victims on Monday. Wong was sitting in a car with another student when the vehicle was struck by the falling construction crane. The university, who confirmed her death, said Wong, a California native, intended on majoring in nursing and lived on campus. "While we grieve the sudden and tragic loss of our precious student, we draw comfort from each other, our strong community of faith, and God's presence with us in times of sorrow," the university said in a statement. "We ask that the community join us in praying for Sarah's family and friends during this difficult time." The other student in the vehicle with Wong managed to escape the terrifying incident unharmed. Yoder was one of the two ironworkers inside the crane during the crash. The 31-year-old father, who was from North Bend, Washington, was described as a Marine and devout Christian, KOMO News reported. "When he died -- we lost one of the best people that I and many people know," Chris McClain, who is a trustee of Ironworkers Local 86, told the news station. The massive piece of equipment struck six cars and injured four people on Mercer Street, a notoriously gridlocked road in the Washington city. The affected stretch of the road reopened Monday. It's unclear what caused the crane to collapse. Investigators opened a probe into four companies -- general contractor GLY, Northwest Tower Crane Service Inc., Omega Rigging and Machinery Moving Inc. and Morrow Equipment Co. LLC -- who were tasked in taking apart the construction equipment. "Our goal is to pick this apart and understand what happened," said Tim Church, a spokesman for the Washington Department of Labor & Industries. Church added the investigation didn't indicate there was any wrongdoing by the companies, but part of the process in identifying what caused the collapse. "It's a very detailed process," he said. "It will actually be months before we have anything regarding the cause." The deadly collapse is likely to bring scrutiny about the safety of the dozens of cranes that dot the city's skyscape. With Amazon, Google and other tech companies increasing their hiring in Seattle, the city has more cranes building office towers and apartment buildings than any other in the United States. As of January, there were about 60 construction cranes in Seattle. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Theresa Jones is the surviving spouse of Lt. Cmdr. Landon Jones. She lives with her two sons in Coronado, California, near their final duty station, where she works in real estate while attending school for marketing. Earlier this month, I sat down with my financial planner. The first thing I said was, "What do I owe?" As he pulled the papers out of his briefcase, he seemed to nervously skirt the question. "The new tax law was not kind to you this year," he said. After we went over all of the paperwork, I saw that I owed $5,400 for my sons death benefits, up from $1,150 the previous year. I was stunned. I told my financial adviser this increase works out to essentially be a car payment every month (without the car), and that this was not going to be sustainable. We scrambled funds together so I could write checks, giving back to the government the money they gave these boys as a result of the deployment death of their father. A few weeks later on Easter Sunday as I watched my boys hunt for eggs, I told a friend as I discussed the issue, "I'm not sure I can afford to live here much longer at this rate, and if things like this continue to pop up." The last little bit of stability my children have has now been put on the chopping block. My struggles with the system governing benefits for the families of fallen service members did not begin with the new tax law, however. On Sept. 23, 2013, I sat at my dining room table with my casualty assistance officer, my close friends and a lot of paperwork. Just 24 hours prior, I had been notified that my husband, a U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, was missing after his aircraft had been washed off a ship while deployed in the Red Sea. The casualty affairs team had come back to inform me that the search for him and his co-pilot had officially been called off, and he was declared deceased. Reeling from the trauma of a nightmare that was only just beginning, I now had mounds of paperwork to fill out, and decisions to make regarding the government death benefits that would be offered to my family. After 10 years of making major financial decisions with my husband, I alone had to decide what was best for me, our six-year-old son and the two-month-old son whom my husband never met. Related: This Year's Tax Cut Cost Some Gold Star Families Dearly I asked my friends, who were financially savvy and enormously more clear-headed than I was at the time, to sit with me as the casualty officer went over my options, because I was so scared to make these decisions alone. A major dilemma loomed before me: I could have all of the death benefits go to me and I would receive them for life or until remarriage, or I could split the benefits and put some in my children's names. Under that plan, they would receive their portion until the age of 18 or until the age of 22 if in school full time, and I would receive my portion for life or until remarriage. There were no hard numbers for me to consider as that wasn't something within the scope of the casualty officer's position. It was such a fog, and I didn't understand why I would need to split them. I asked the casualty officer if I could think about this decision. He obliged, and my friends and I looked to other resources for information. The next day, a Navy widow who had a child and lost her husband nine years earlier came over to my house with her laptop. She showed me a website from a Navy-affiliated insurance company where I could type in my husband's service information and it would calculate numbers under the two different benefit plans. It was then I learned that I could not concurrently receive both the Department of Veterans Affairs benefits that were offered because my husband was killed due to his military service, and Defense Department benefits that were part of an insurance plan to continue to provide 55% of what would have been my husband's retirement pay to his survivors. I learned the DoD would take away dollar for dollar what the VA offered me, essentially wiping out the benefit. With a two-month-old, a six-year-old and household bills looming, I chose to give the DoD benefits to my children to make sure to maximize the amount of monthly income we could receive. The widow warned me that, as children, they would pay hefty taxes each year on the benefits, but it was survival at that point. My husband's pay had stopped immediately, and rent was due in a week. I filled out a W-4 for a first-grader and an infant and hoped I made the right decision. Each year as tax time came around, I would owe well over a thousand dollars federally for the boys' "unearned income," even though it was already pre-taxed before they received it. I had my financial planner and CPA run different scenarios every year, but it was the same outcome. They are kids with no tax shelters and, even though I asked for the feasibility of a three-year-old having a mortgage in his name, the bill was always the same each year. That is, until my 2018 taxes were due. Looking back, I still disapprove that survivors are even faced with the decision of choosing whether to sign over their benefits to their children. Survivors without children are the most severely penalized as they do not have the option to split. Still, it's a hard pill to swallow to write a check back to the government every year for these boys. Now, their obligation to the government has risen so high because they have been lumped into a category with the wealthiest families in our country, families who have both parents to celebrate a child's birthday, to be at their college graduation, to watch them get married, to hold their grandchildren -- who never wonder what life would have been like if their lives had not been forever changed by loss. -- The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com. If you would like to submit your own commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com for consideration. Taiwan's defense ministry on Monday said two U.S. warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait over the weekend, a move likely to heighten tension with Beijing. The ships sailed from the south to the north through the waterway that divides Taiwan from mainland China, the ministry said. Beijing frequently objects to the movement of foreign military vessels through the contest area on its claim to Taiwan as its own territory to be annexed by force if necessary. Last week, Beijing complained to France after a French warship entered Chinese territorial waters while traversing the Taiwan Strait, and blamed British naval activity in the South China Sea for a downturn in bilateral relations. Taiwan's defense ministry said in a statement that U.S. ships were free to sail through the Taiwan Strait as part of their "strategic Indo-Pacific tasks." Despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, Taiwan is a key U.S. ally and provider of defensive weapons. China has been increasingly willing to protest actions by foreign militaries in areas it considers its home waters or sphere of influence. That especially applies to the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety. --The Associated Press contributed to this report. Victims of malpractice by military doctors will testify Tuesday in Washington, D.C., on the devastating impact of medical errors and the legal barriers they faced in suing the federal government for the mistakes. Army Sgt. 1st Class Richard Stayskal, a Green Beret diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer, will appear before the House Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee with Alexis Witt, the widow of an airman who suffered brain damage in 2003 following an appendectomy. The two plan to discuss the fairness of a law that prevents U.S. service members from suing in cases of medical malpractice. Civilian doctors diagnosed Stayskal in mid-2017 with Stage IV lung cancer, six months after Army doctors failed to identify a suspicious growth in his lungs. When Witt's husband, Air Force Staff Sgt. Dean Patrick Witt, stopped breathing after his surgery in 2003, a series of mistakes by the staff deprived him of oxygen for more than seven minutes, causing irreversible brain damage. He died three months later. Related content: Stayskal has been visiting with members of Congress to press for a change in the law that bars military personnel from suing the U.S. government, a ruling on the Federal Tort Claims Act commonly known as the Feres doctrine. Witt's lawsuit seeking an exception to Feres in military medical malpractice went to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2011, but the justices refused to hear the case. The two argue that the law fails to hold military physicians accountable for errors. Opponents of the doctrine also say that the compensation package awarded to the families of service members injured by military physicians is not enough. Stayskal's attorney, Natalie Khawam of the Whistleblower Law Firm in Tampa, said Feres was meant to ensure that leaders and personnel practicing medicine on the battlefield weren't sued for their decisions. It was not designed, she argued, to shield civilian doctors practicing in modern military medical facilities. "This is not what the justices were thinking. When they wrote this law, if a doctor messed up, they were officers who could go before a military tribunal," Khawam told Military.com in March. "The court did not foresee contract doctors in military hospitals." Earlier this year, Rep. Jackie Speier, a California Democrat who chairs the subcommittee, pledged to make the ruling one of her top legislative priorities. The hearing exclusively on the Feres doctrine is the first in a decade. Khawam said several other lawmakers are planning to introduce legislation that would allow military personnel to sue in egregious cases of malpractice. As Congress weighs a possible change to the law that underlies the Feres ruling, a case challenging Feres remains alive in the U.S. Supreme Court. Former Coast Guard officer Walter Daniel lost his wife, Navy Lt. Moani Daniel, a labor and delivery nurse, in 2014 when she died during childbirth at Naval Hospital Bremerton, Washington. She bled to death following her own delivery. The justices have reviewed the case across several weeks; they have not yet announced whether they will hear it. Also scheduled to testify Tuesday are Rebecca Lipe, a former Air Force captain and judge advocate; Dwight Sterling, CEO for the Center for Law and Military Policy; and Paul Figley, professor of legal rhetoric at American University's Washington College of Law. The event is scheduled at 2 p.m. It can be viewed on the committee's website. -- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @patriciakime. How Bad Do You Want to Achieve Your Goal? Heres How to Tell If You Want It Enough to Succeed Do you have a goal in front of you? How badly do you want to achieve that dream? Are you willing to take on the challenge to... MACKINAW CITY, MI -- Its been 60 years since a daring Air Force pilot made headlines after he flew his Boeing B-47 jet underneath the Mackinac Bridge on April 28, 1959. The pilot, Air Force Capt. John S. Lappo, did not have permission to perform the dangerous stunt on a Friday afternoon but the Muskegon native pulled it off. The illegal move eventually ended up with Lappo being accused of violating Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice at general court-martial in August 1959. At the time, pilots were not allowed to fly the plane less than 500 feet from the ground or water except during takeoff and landing. Despite having just 155 feet of clearance, Lappo was able to fly under the bridge. A veteran of the Air Force, Lappo flew many dangerous missions during his time as a pilot. However, the move to fly under the bridge would be the last time he ever flew for the Air Force. Although he never flew again for the Air Force, he eventually retired at the rank of Lt. Col in 1972. He died in 2003, but even in his death, the story of his stunt would be shared. Mr. Lappo made headlines in August 1959 when he flew a B-47 bomber under the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan, reads a portion of his obituary published in the Anchorage Daily News on Nov. 22, 2003. MUSKEGON, MI Muskegon Public Schools Board of Education is about to be on the hunt for a new superintendent. Superintendent Justin Jennings, who has had a turbulent tenure in Muskegon, will leave the district and start a new job in Ohio on Aug. 1. The school board is expected to discuss naming an interim superintendent at a special meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, at Hackley Administration Building, 349 W. Webster Ave. in downtown Muskegon. Tuesdays agenda includes establishing a timeline to name an interim superintendent, the start date, salary and job responsibilities, and whether the position would be posted internally or externally. Jennings was offered the CEO position at Youngstown City School District in Ohio on Thursday, April 25, according to The Vindicator newspaper in Youngstown. Jennings has not returned multiple calls for comment. Jennings notified the board on Thursday that he had accepted the job, said Muskegon school board President Cindy Larson, previously. He is expected to continue his duties as Muskegon superintendent through the end of the school year. I totally support Justin, Larson told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle previously. I want him to be where he feels he is the most useful and happy - not that he wasnt here of course. Selfishly, Im very, very sorry to see him go. The resignation comes during a campaign for a 30-year continuation of a 7.36-mill bond that would raise $77 million to upgrade and realign the school district. It is expected to come before voters in May 2020. The current bond expires in 2021. Depending on how long an interim superintendent would serve, the school board could be tasked simultaneously with a superintendent search and a bond campaign. We can walk and chew gum at the same time, Larson said previously. Jennings departure puts a wrench in the bond campaign but gives the community a fresh start, said school board Trustee Zachary Anderson. I dont think the community was really happy with the status quo," he said. Jennings is a first-time superintendent. He was promoted from within the district during January 2017 after the retirement of former Superintendent Jon Felske. He previously was an assistant superintendent for the district. The district came under fire repeatedly since Jennings took the job, especially for an increase in administrative salary spending that was revealed in fall 2017 and plans for school building realignment in spring 2018. Since at least December 2017, the board has been split on whether he is right for the job. That month, the board discussed a $100,000 severance package for Jennings over text message. Secretary Pro-tem Billie Bruce called for Jennings dismissal during a board meeting in January 2018. He was rated minimally effective in February 2018, after months of evaluation meetings. In May 2018, Secretary Lynnette Marks called for Jennings resignation in a failed motion that was supported by Bruce and Anderson. In his second performance evaluation in December 2018, Jennings rating improved from minimally effective to effective. Jennings departure leaves two open superintendent positions in Muskegon County. The other is at Ravenna Public Schools. FLINT, MI -- Former special prosecutor Todd Flood failed to fully and properly pursue potentially importance evidence in criminal cases tied to the Flint water crisis, resulting in his firing, Michigan Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud said Monday, April 29. In a statement issued by the Attorney Generals Office, Hammoud said Floods contract was terminated effective April 16. Just last week, the solicitor general filed a request for stay in the involuntary manslaughter case against former Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon, claiming that millions of pages of documents tied to Flint water had recently been discovered in the basement of a state-owned building. Todd Flood is no longer a member of the Flint water crisis investigation ... It recently became clear that discovery was not fully and properly pursued from the onset of this investigation, Hammoud said in a statement to MLive-The Flint Journal. "The decision to terminate Mr. Floods contract reflects our ongoing commitment to execute the highest standards in the prosecution of the Flint water crisis. Our standards demand a full accounting of all evidence that may inform the Peoples investigation. The nature of Mr. Floods prior involvement is not the focus of our team as we continue to pursue justice on behalf of the people of Flint and the State of Michigan. We appreciate Mr. Floods contributions as we fully transitioned this case back to the Peoples law firm the Michigan AGs Office. The Journal could not reach Flood for comment. We now have a team of career prosecutors and investigators who bring decades of experience and an unshakeable commitment to the public interest. I am especially grateful for the continued leadership of Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, who is working jointly with our team to provide invaluable guidance and legal expertise, Hammouds statement says. Moving forward, our team will aggressively pursue all evidence that may shed light on the enormous injury inflicted upon the people of Flint. A failure to meet this standard would undercut the cause of justice. As a publicly-accountable investigation, we are motivated solely by the public interest and the demands of justice. FLINT, MI -- The attorney who filed criminal charges against 15 city and state employees for their alleged roles in the Flint water crisis is off the job. A spokesman for the Attorney Generals Office confirmed Monday, April 29, that former special prosecutor Todd Flood has been terminated by Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud. Flood is now off the state team investigating crimes related to the water crisis and the prosecution of eight cases related to Flint water that are pending in Genesee district and circuit courts. The Attorney Generals Office did not immediately comment further on the separation but confirmed the termination." MLive-The Flint Journal could not reach Flood for comment Monday, but Flood has steadily lost standing since the election of Attorney General Dana Nessel last November. Flood was appointed special prosecutor by former Attorney General Bill Schuette. Neseel appointed Hammoud to lead the water prosecutions in January and later added Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy to Hammouds team. In March, Hammoud requested the first of two delays in the preliminary examinations of former emergency manager Darnell Earley and former Flint Department of Public Works Director Howard Croft, saying she wasnt prepared to carry on the prosecutions without further assessing the strength of the cases Flood had built. She requested a six-month delay in the case of former Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon just last week. The Attorney Generals Office claims millions of documents pertaining to Flint water were recently discovered languishing in the basement of a state-owned building. Flood became the Flint water prosecutor in January 2016, With four Uttar Pradesh ministers contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha polls and having good prospects of winning their seats, the Yogi Adityanath government may have to undertake its first Cabinet reshuffle soon after the elections are over. The four Cabinet ministers in the poll fray are Rita Bahuguna Joshi from Allahabad, SP Singh Baghel from Agra, Satyadev Pachauri from Kanpur and Mukut Bihari Verma from Ambedkarnagar Lok Sabha constituencies. The names of ministers were zeroed in on for fielding in the Lok Sabha elections after seeing their track record, utility and effectiveness in respective areas, dedication towards the party, communication with party workers and their overall performance, BJP state spokesperson Hero Bajpai said. They all stand bright chances of winning their respective seats, he added. On the possibility of Cabinet reshuffle after the polls, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had recently said, First let the elections get over. The election process will be completed by May 27 after counting of votes on May 23. Among the four state ministers fielded by the BJP so far in the ongoing polls, the name of Cooperative Minister Mukut Bihari figured in the partys latest list of candidates. Bihari has been fielded from Ambedkarnagar Lok Sabha constituency which goes to polls on May 12 in the sixth phase. The BJP had earlier named Minister for Animal Husbandry, Minor Irrigation and Fisheries SP Singh Baghel in its first list as its candidate for the Agra. reserved Lok Sabha seat. Polling in Agra was held in the second phase of elections on April 18. Two others, Minister for Women, Family, Mother and Child Welfare Rita Bahuguna Joshi and Minister for Khadi and Village Industries, Sericulture, Textiles, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Export Promotion, Satyadev Pachauri, have been fielded from Allahabad and Kanpur Lok Sabha seats respectively. Joshi, who is presently also the Tourism Minister in the UP Cabinet, had contested the 2014 general election from Lucknow parliamentary constituency on Congress ticket and lost to Bharatiya Janata Partys Rajnath Singh. Polling in Kanpur will be held on April 29, while Allahabad will go to polls on May 12. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- The search continues for the Grand Rapids Police Departments next chief. City Manager Mark Washington is working with Public Sector Search & Consulting, Inc. to narrow the pool of more than 30 applicants to a list of finalists. Based on a preliminary timeline, the finalists are expected to be announced in a little more than a month. Thirty-one candidates submitted their applications before the April 19 deadline. The next chief will be a visionary leader who is able to communicate the need for and create long-lasting, systemic change, according to a recruitment brochure designed by the search firm. The chief will set clear goals for the department and establish a clear plan that emphasizes accountability from the command level to the rank and file. The chief will be forward thinking, focused on 21st Century Policing, and driven to implement best policing practices that are appropriate in todays world. Finalists will be announced in early June, according to the citys office of communication. Soon after, residents and community stakeholders will have an opportunity to meet the finalists and provide feedback. Washington has said he hopes to have the next chief in place this summer. The search for the next police chief comes at a time when community leaders have stressed the need for improvement in the area of police-community relations. The ongoing debate was spurred by some controversial instances when black youth were held at gunpoint by police. Its been 18 weeks since former chief David Rahinsky, 53, resigned from his command. Rahinsky served the department from July 2014 to Dec. 18, 2018 before retiring to Bradenton, Florida. Following Rahinskys departure, former deputy chief David Kiddle has filled in as interim police chief. Kiddle, who has been with the department since 1992, has not sought the chief job beyond his interim status, according to Washington. The city manager said hes seeking a leader who is tough on crime, culturally competent and an innovative leader. He wants the next chief to prioritize safety, have the commitment and conviction to proactively address the citys challenges, and be comfortable making tough decisions. These qualities are paramount to strengthening trust between our community and our police department," Washington said. Ideally, the next chief would determine how to utilize a recent staffing and deployment study that found the department to have inefficiencies and to be lacking sufficient civilian support staff, Washington said. But the FY2020 budget will be approved before a police chief is hired. On Tuesday, April 23, Washington presented his proposal to the city commission. He recommended adding two police officer and six support staff positions until the next chief can settle in and further address the studys findings. I agree with the study that we were not necessarily making great use of our personnel," Kiddle said. "Thats certainly not the entire issue, but well take a look at that and see if we can be more efficient. Grand Rapids is paying up to $34,000 to have Public Sector Search & Consulting, Inc. lead the search process. The city commission unanimously approved the expenditure in January. The firm held two free community feedback sessions in February at City Hall and Wealthy Theatre to ask the public what they should look for in their next police chief. An online survey option was also available. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Bishop David Walkowiak, of the Diocese of Grand Rapids Diocese, received the National Catholic Educational Associations Monsignor John F. Meyers Award, for his considerable support of Catholic education. The award, presented last week during the associations conference in Chicago, seeks to recognize a person whose work has national significance. Catholic schools nurture students relationship with Christ. This relationship helps young people discover that their potential is much greater with Jesus than without him. Catholic schools are thus a mighty bridge between our faith and the future, Bishop Walkowiak told MLive when he announced the dioceses "Catholic Schools: Bridging Faith and Future initiative. The comprehensive plan implemented this school year expands on the Bishops Catholic Schools Initiative, a three-year endeavor launched in the 2015-16 school year that has improved the affordability of Catholic school education. Since being named the 12th bishop of the diocese in 2013, Walkowiak has been very intentional about increasing school scholarships, growing professional capacity and developing a plan for future vitality. With enrollment growing in three of the last four years, his initiatives have impacted what was 15 years of steady enrollment decline. As of January, there were 6,555 students in the 31 schools served. Bishop Walkowiaks faithful leadership and undying support have launched our Catholic schools onto a trajectory of vitality and, more importantly, missionary discipleship which will impact our students and the Church for years to come, said Catholic Schools Superintendent David Faber, about the April 22 honor. The award recognizes an individual who has provided substantial support for Catholic education through contributions in the areas of development, public relations, scholarship programs, financial management or government relations. ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI Alone with his thoughts, Jacob Huffman hears his daughters screams: Blake got hit! Blake got hit! He sees his 5-year-old sons lifeless body, blood pooling beneath. Its almost too much. Blake was a happy little boy. He had bright blue eyes, liked to ride his bike and fish and he loved Superheroes. I just want to see him again, his father wrote. His letter was read Monday, April 29, by a prosecutor before a Jimmy Johns delivery driver was sentenced in the July 6 fatal crash at Windsor Woods Village manufactured-home park in Wayland off of U.S. 131. Despite considering a prison term, the judge sentenced the driver to just less than a year in jail. Amber Collige, 33, had pleaded no contest to attempted operating under the influence causing death. She had smoked marijuana hours earlier, with THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, still in her system. Allegan County Prosecutor Myrene Koch said the investigation showed Collige was driving 25 to 33 mph in a 15-mph zone when the crash occurred. Collige was aware that many children would be playing outside after making many previous deliveries, the prosecutor said. She knew the speed limit was 15 mph yet she was doing twice the legal limit and her vehicle had faulty brakes, Koch said. The boys family is devastated, she said. They have flashbacks of that day. Its been a living hell for that family. Allegan County Circuit Judge Margaret Zuzich-Bakker empathized with the boys family and said no loss could be harder. She considered a 17-month prison term, the maximum under advisory sentencing guidelines. She settled on an 11-month jail sentence, followed by five years on probation, to keep Collige under court supervision much longer than if she went to prison. Wayland police said she was driving a 1998 Toyota Rav-4, after making a delivery, when she hit the boy as he rode his bicycle out of the driveway on Vancouver Place. Collige told police said had smoked marijuana at 7:30 a.m., 12 hours before the crash. I just want to say Im very sorry that this ever happened, she told the judge. My heart goes out to the family. I understand I just want to say Im very sorry. I didnt mean for it to happen. Defense attorney Paul Klein said his client had no previous criminal record. The loss was a horrible tragedy, he said. I dont think anybody can imagine the impact it has on a parent, he said. He said his client had taken responsibility and knows she caused heartache for many. He said that Colliges use of marijuana did not affect her driving. It was the lowest level that could be detected, he said. She has the support of her family and is seeking counseling, he said. Obviously, this is something she wishes she could change. She wishes she could go back and do things differently. My client feels horrible about this. She has no lack of responsibility. She does not blame anybody but herself. Police reports said Collige told investigators she had just moved to the center of the road to pass a parked vehicle when the boy suddenly came out of the driveway as she moved back into her lane. Collige admitted to smoking marijuana daily but did not have a Michigan medical marijuana card, reports show. In the fathers letter read in court, he said his son also survived by his mother, Rachel, and sisters, Kaydence and Jessa brought such joy to the family. The father remembered teaching his son, a free spirit, to ride a two-wheeler. Blake refused help. All scraped up and bruised, he finally got it right. He loved Superheroes, too. Hed dress up in a cape and mask. His dad said: He thought I was his Superhero but what he didnt know is he was mine. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI A 68-year-old Rothbury man was killed Sunday, April 28, in a rollover crash on U.S 31 near Fruitvale Road in Montague Township. The victims name was not released pending notification of family, state police said. The crash happened around 9:20 p.m. The victim was driving north on U.S. 31 when he lost control of his vehicle. It left the road and rolled over in the median. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. No other vehicles were involved, police said. The highway was shut down several hours while state police investigated. State police were assisted by Montague Fire Department, Muskegon County Sheriffs Department and Whitehall Police Department. HEMLOCK, MI A Saginaw County dairy farm that began operation in 1893 has milked its last cow. Wardin Brothers Dairy is closing after 125 years in business. The owners - brothers Mike, Matt and Joel Wardin - say retirement, changes in the dairy industry and competition from milk substitutes played roles in their decision. On Friday, April 26, half of the Richland Township farms 125 cows were being milked before they were taken to a new farm in central Wisconsin. The rest were transported on Monday, April, 29, said Mike Wardin. It started with my great grandparents. They came over from Germany in the 1880s and everybody had cows then and you had them for the table, and what extra milk you had went to town, he said. The farm initially had six cows and with each generation of ownership more cows were added. In 1968, they built a new barn and a milking parlor to handle 16 cows at one time. Mike Wardin remembers getting the new barn just like it was yesterday. He chuckled as he reminisced about how the community, politicians and The Saginaw News attended the open house for the then new addition. The milking parlor was full on Friday afternoon, contributing to the 11,000 pounds of milk the farm produces each day. The dairy industry has endured some struggles and that includes the Wardin farm. Mike Wardin said the decision to close the farm is a part of a planned retirement but there are several factors that also contributed. One of the things was Europe took their quota system off of their dairy farms, Mike Wardin said. That allowed European dairy farms to expand and Wardin says it created a global oversupply of milk. Another factor is competition from milk substitutes such as almond and coconut milk. He said dairy farmers have tried to make up for the loss with supplying other products like cheese and yogurt, but it still doesnt make up for how much has been lost. Richland Township Supervisor Brian Frederick was a dairy farmer for many years and understands the struggles that come with the dairy business. I sold out in 2003. The dairy business has gotten a lot more difficult to make a living, said Frederick. I understand this is not just a local thing, this is nationwide. At one point there were six or eight dairy farms in the Hemlock area and now theres only two left, said Wardin. Although the dairy cow operation is closing, the Wardins arent getting out of farming entirely. They plan to focus on growing specialty soybeans, tending to 300 animals still on the 1,200-acre farm and raising beef steers. The worlds fourth most populous country Indonesia looks set to move its capital city away from flood-prone, sinking and overcrowded Jakarta to elsewhere on the Asian archipelago, according to the countrys planning minister. The president chose to relocate the capital city to outside of Java, an important decision, Planning Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said of disputed President Joko Widodos proposal and campaign promise. The minister cited examples such as Brazil, Australia and Kazakhstan which all, at one point, moved their capital cities. The official presidential election results are due on May 22 and Widiodos rival Prabowo Subianto has also claimed victory. Also on rt.com Hundreds die of EXHAUSTION after counting MILLIONS of Indonesian election ballots Jakarta boasts an official population of over 10 million, with around three times that number living in its sprawling metropolitan area, while some 60 percent of Indonesias 260 million people live on the island of Java. Half of the flood-prone capital is below sea level and it continues to sink at an alarming rate; one World Bank report found that Jakarta could be 40cm to 60cm lower in 2025 than it was in 2008. Such sinkage would allow the sea to enter as far as the Presidential Palace, which is some five kilometers inland. Moving the capital could take up to a decade, however. READ MORE: Indonesia inks deal to purchase modern amphibious armored vehicles from Russia Moving the capital requires thorough and detailed preparation, Widiodo said following the announcement, though a new location has yet to be decided. One early contender is Palangkaraya on the part-Indonesian island of Borneo, where some 300,000 hectares of land has already been prepared for habitation in the event it is selected as the new capital. The issue has come up many times before since Indonesia gained independence from the Dutch in 1945, but none of the countrys six presidents have managed to carry out the audacious move so far. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! Just three weeks before the European Parliament elections, almost half of Germans do not really know who the candidates are, a recent poll has shown. Citizens of one of Europes powerhouses Germany have seemingly not been following the news about the forthcoming EU elections particularly closely as more than 40 percent of them apparently have no idea who the top candidates fielded by major national parties are, a survey published last week reveals. Some 45 percent of respondents said they did not know any of the nine leading candidates representing six German parliamentary parties, a YouGov poll commissioned by the German dpa news agency shows. One of the two top candidates fielded by the Social Democrats, Katarina Barley, who also serves as Germanys Justice Minister, turns out to be the best-known politician on the list as almost 40 percent of respondents were able to pick her out of a lineup. Apart from being a member of the German government, Barley apparently also gained some extra recognition by making media appearances, occasionally with some unintended consequences. Her latest appearance on RT in particular sparked a media backlash in Germany. The outrage was not due to what she said but by the mere fact that she gave an interview to RT Deutsch. However, it seems that there is no such thing as bad publicity, in this case at least. Also on rt.com Pro-EU stance doesnt count: German minister ripped apart by media for RT interview Barley is closely followed by Joerg Meuthen, a co-chair of the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD), who turned out to be known by 35 percent of respondents. However, only one in four people said they knew Manfred Weber, a candidate that tops the joint voting list of Chancellor Angela Merkels Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and their Bavarian allies. The same goes for the leading candidate of the Free Democrats, Nicola Beer, who is known to 26 percent of people. Such a result might be particularly disappointing for Weber, who is the only one among the top German candidates who is standing to fight for the post of European Commission president following the May elections. All other top candidates are trailing far behind as they are only known to between four and 15 percent of Germans. They are not really in the spotlight, one man told RT in Berlin. For the most part, these are candidates that no one has ever heard of. When it comes to the date of the vote scheduled to take place between May 23 and 26, the Germans dont seem to be particularly well informed either. A mere 37 percent of the German citizens were able to name the date or at least the month when the vote was expected to be held, according to the Eurobarometer survey commissioned by the European Parliament itself. On average, the percentage of Europeans knowing when they are supposed to turn up for the vote, at least approximately, stood at 38 percent, the poll conducted in February and March showed. Almost a quarter of respondents said it would be held at some time this year while another 27 percent admitted they simply do not know when the vote will take place. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! At least five people including a priest have reportedly been killed during a gun attack on a church in Burkina Faso by suspected militants who fled the scene on motorbikes. The attack happened during Sunday service at approximately midday in the northern town of Silgadji, close to the border with Mali. Celebrant Pierre Ouedraogo, two of his sons and other worshippers were reportedly shot dead in the attack. The attack comes amid an uptick in alleged jihadist violence in the country: A Catholic priest was kidnapped a month ago and there has been no update on his whereabouts since while on Friday, some five teachers were shot dead in the east of the country. "Unidentified armed individuals have attacked the Protestant church in Silgadji killing four members of the congregation and the pastor. At least two other people are missing," a security source told AFP. Like this story? Share it with a friend! The former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont has been denied a visa by the Canadian government after he was invited to speak in the country by Quebec separatists. Puigdemonts electronic travel authorization (ETA) was revoked the night before he was due to fly to Quebec for a speaking tour with the Societe Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montreal an organization that advocates for Quebec's independence. The separatist organization behind the invitation are reportedly outraged by the entry denial and have challenged the decision, which will be heard in federal court on Monday, according to Radio Canada International. The group have suggested that the approval, and subsequent revocation of the visa suggests political intervention. Also on rt.com 'Test of democracy': Catalan leaders on trial amid political turmoil for Spanish government A spokesperson for the Canadian immigration minister, Ahmed Hussen, refused to comment on the individual case but said reasons for revoking an ETA include criminality, having a serious health problem, having lied in their application or during an interview. Puigdemont sought exile in Belgium in 2017 after he led Catalonias push to secede from Spain. If he were to return to Spain he faces up to 25 years in prison. If you like this story, share it with a friend! Kellyanne Conway and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have traded blows on Twitter after the White House adviser accused the Democratic representative of failing to condemn the attacks on Christian churches in Sri Lanka. Before the two crossed swords on Twitter, Conway took aim at Ocasio-Cortez while speaking about white nationalism and anti-Semitism shortly after a gunman opened fire inside a synagogue near San Diego, California. She pointed out that the social media-savvy congresswoman was there to condemn the New Zealand mosque attacks but missed out on an opportunity to denounce the Sri Lanka bombings that targeted Christians. Also on rt.com They are Christians: Obama & Clinton lambasted for calling bombed Sri Lankans Easter worshipers After CNN journalist Julian Zelizer misquoted Conway on Twitter, wrongly stating that she had called out Ocasio-Cortez for not condemning the synagogue shooting, Conway stepped in, unleashing her wrath on both the journalist and the Rep. I was referring to @AOC silence about the Sri Lanka massacre of Christians (not Easter Worshippers as Obama and Hillary oddly said), Conway tweeted Several prominent Democrats, including ex-President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton took heat on social media after they used the term "Easter worshippers instead of Christians to decry a spate of attacks that targeted three Catholic churches on Easter Sunday. Commentators noted that the politicians did not hesitate to use the word Muslim when expressing support for the victims of the massacre at mosques in New Zealand. Responding to Conways jab, Ocasio-Cortez quickly went from the defensive into the offensive mode, tweeting that she was unable to post a tweet because she was visiting her grandmother in Puerto Rico, as it was still reeling from incompetent disaster response by the Trump administration. Firing back, she accused Conway of politicizing a tragedy by using it as a pretext to stoke suspicion around her Christian beliefs. Ocasio-Cortez also defended the wording used by Clinton and Obama to denounce the Sri Lanka attacks, arguing that calling Catholic Christians Easter worshippers merely highlights the fact they were targeted on Easter, the holiest day of the year in Christianity. The lawmaker rounded up her Twitter tirade by eventually condemning the Sri Lanka massacre meanwhile managing to evoke the topic of immigration. No one should be targeted for their religion, she wrote, adding: If youre so moved, lets do more to welcome immigrants fleeing religious persecution. Conway returned the blow, pointing out that Ocasio-Cortez did not forget to tweet about her upcoming Netflix movie the day after the Sri Lanka attacks and took the opportunity to target her opponents extreme ideas like free medicine and Green New Deal that scare her. In the end, Conway appeared to strike a reconciliatory tone, noting that there can be areas of bipartisanship where the two might find a common ground. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! Despite the opposition parties having fielded lightweight candidates against him, Union Home Minister and BJP candidate from Lucknow, Rajnath Singh, is not taking any chances and is carrying out electioneering at full throttle. Even his wife and two sons are holding election meetings asking people to vote for Singh. This is election. You cannot take anyone lightly. Whoever has filed the nomination paper is contesting election and can win. This candidate may be from a recognised political party or an independent. He is my opponent and I consider him as my political rival, Singh told this reporter on the sidelines of a meeting held at Indira Nagar here on Sunday. The SP-BSP alliance has fielded Poonam Sinha, wife of cine star Shatrughan Sinha who after deserting BJP has joined the Congress. On the other hand, Congress has fielded Acharya Pramod Krishnam. Both the candidates are considered lightweight in comparison to Singh and the victory of the BJP candidate is considered a foregone conclusion. Singh, however, does not see the contest as a walkover. Please do not spread this otherwise people will not come out to vote. Every election is a contest because it is a big festival of democracy. People should take part in the festival. My appeal to the people is to register a record polling this time in Lucknow, he said. Law Minister Brajesh Pathak, who accompanies Singh, said that this election was not a question of victory as they were targeting the biggest ever margin of victory in Lucknow this time. All the BJP workers, up to the booth level, are working in this direction, Pathak said and added, The roadshow of Rajnathji before filing nomination was a testimony of things to come as people from all caste, creed and religion took part in it. Singh listens to Pathak with intent and smiles and then that BJP workers are going to the people with my report card and telling them what he has done as member of Parliament for Lucknow. Even I am telling them what my future programmes are, including two flyovers whose construction has started. The next minute he starts talking about Metro, Outer Ring Road, flyover over Kukrail nullah and the sewage treatment plants (STPs) as his achievements. Then he looks at Diwakar Tripathi, his representative in Lucknow, and asks, Kuchh chhoot to nahi gaya? The campaigning so far has been very decent in Lucknow. No personal attacks have been made so far. Shatrughan Sinha is a close friend of Rajnath Singh and he had sought votes for him when he was in BJP. It is my principle that I do not use foul language against any leader. There is a decorum which should be maintained in political and social life, Singh said. On Sunday, Rajnath Singh held a series of public meetings, including a meeting of Chitransh Mahasabha, in Indira Nagar area of Lucknow. I have come here to ask people to vote on May 6. No one should be complacent, he said. BJP corporator and main organiser of the meeting, Dilip Srivastava, assured Singh that booth level workers would ensure record polling in Lucknow this time. Earlier, Singh met traders of Uttar Pradesh Adarsh Vyapar Mandal and the traders assured all support to BJP in general and Singh in particular. Polling in Lucknow will be held on May 6. Journalist Aaron Mate has eviscerated MSNBCs Rachel Maddow for peddling Trump-Russia conspiracy theories, falsehoods & innuendo, after Maddow threw a tantrum when YouTube dared to recommend an RT video. Mate, a longtime skeptic of the mainstream medias beloved Russiagate narrative, was the subject of a recent interview with RT. When MSNBCs Russiagater-in-chief Rachel Maddow found out that YouTubes algorithm had actually suggested the interview to viewers, she saw more Russian meddling and proclaimed the recommendation death by algorithm. Mate unloaded on Maddow on Sunday, systematically destroying the MSNBC host for her two years as the leading purveyor of now debunked Trump-Russia conspiracy theories, falsehoods & innuendo. Buckle up. Just recently you were caught in real-time lying to your audience, he began. You claimed Barr was handling the redactions by himself. But the chyron -- on screen right below -- told viewers the truth, that Mueller was in fact assisting w/ the redactions. With Maddow seemingly content to lie on live television, it fell upon her shows producers to flash the truth on viewers screens. Mate then recalled the time Maddow suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin would use the pee tape (the most far-fetched allegation in the Democrat-commissioned, internet-sourced Steele dossier) to force Trump into withdrawing US troops stationed near Russia. Of course, this never happened, and Trump recently announced plans to ramp up deployments to Poland. A swing and a miss for Maddow. Maddow contradicted herself on the pee tape only last week, telling viewers she refused to let herself think about the possibility of these tapes existing. Who could forget that time this past winter when you seized on life-threatening cold temperatures to fear-monger that Russia could kill Americans by knocking out their heat? Mate continued, mocking Maddows claim that the Kremlin could kill the power and freeze Americans to death. There was that time when you explored the scenario under which Putin gives orders to his puppet Trump at an upcoming meeting, Mate continued. Do you think Putin ordered Trump to stage a coup in Venezuela/try to kill the German-Russia gas pipeline/nix the INF treaty? Mate ridiculed Maddow for suggesting that the Trump campaign set aside funds to pay for the services of Russian hackers. That Vladimir Putin installed Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State (a job Tillerson was fired from after a year). And that the existence of an Albanian Bernie Sanders fan page on Facebook was an act of international warfare against our country. Despite peddling baseless conspiracies and flagrant Russophobia every night, Maddow remains one of the US most popular news anchors, and one of the best paid. The MSNBC host regularly vies with Fox News Sean Hannity for the top spot on the cable news ratings, and earns a cool $7 million per year for her work. Although Maddow has been perhaps the most fervent promoter of Russiagate hysteria on television, her ratings have clumped after Special Counsel Robert Muellers report put most of her theories to bed last month. Maddows show slipped from its number one position after the report dropped, and lost half a million viewers in the space of a week. Mate, although reporting to a far smaller audience, has received an Izzy Award for his meticulous reporting that challenged the way the public was being informed about the Mueller investigation. to RT newsletter to get stories the mainstream media wont tell you. Gunfire has been reported coming from the rear entrance of the US embassy in Haiti, according to an official Twitter account for the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs. Shelter in place is in effect for the Embassy compound. If you are traveling to the Embassy, find a safe area to shelter in place, the tweet stated. DETAILS TO FOLLOW Gunfire erupts near rear entrance of US embassy in Haiti, citizens urged to shelter in place Gunfire erupts near rear entrance of US embassy in Haiti, citizens urged to shelter in place Source : RT - Daily news For the first time in years, the leader of Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) has appeared in video footage, disproving long-running rumors of his death. Published by the terror groups media arm on Monday, the video depicts a greying Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi calmly seated next to a rifle, discussing jihad with his cohorts. The video shows Baghdadi in a casual conversational setting with others (their faces blurred), said Rita Katz, executive director of the SITE Intelligence Group, a company that tracks the activities of terror groups. He talks about war against Crusaders and about battles in Baghouz, Syria being over, indicating that this interview was filmed somewhat recently. The militant, known by his nom de guerre, has not been spotted in video footage since his infamous 2014 sermon at the al-Nuri mosque in Mosul, Iraq, where he announced the creation of his groups Caliphate. Rumors of his death or arrest have percolated in that time, but the video is the latest proof the jihadi commander lives on. Baghdadi praised the recent Easter bombings in Sri Lanka, claiming the attacks as revenge for battles lost in Syria, and commended militants in Mali and Burkina Faso. Islamic State itself apparently saw the appearance as a big deal as well, as IS-linked accounts across social media hyped up the video. Katz said the groups thriving social media presence was troubling. In anticipation for the video, announced a day prior, ISIS support network hyping it [with] nonstop creation of social media accounts and channels on Telegram, said Katz. Scale of the activity definitely exceeds that of recent releases, showing troubling resiliency of the group's online network. Baghdadis reemergence is a dangerous development, Katz said, as he could only help to rally the group and reaffirm its message. Russian-led gas pipeline project Nord Stream 2 may save the European Union about eight billion dollars annually thanks to a 13 percent drop in costs, according to the enterprises operator. If the pipeline is completed by the end of 2019 and is launched in 2020, European families will get access to natural gas at a lower cost price, and will save eight billion euro annually, the Nord Stream 2 AGs press office said, as quoted by Izvestia daily. This could happen due to the 13 percent decrease in prices. The operator stressed that no one would benefit from foot-dragging over the launch, as access to cheap natural gas would reduce prices for the fuel across the European market. Each day of delay will reportedly cost European citizens and industrial enterprises 20 million. Nord Stream 2 is a 1,230km-long (765 miles) twin pipeline system designed to deliver Russian gas to Germany and further to other European consumers under the Baltic Sea. The project is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2019. The pipeline, a joint venture of Russias Gazprom and five European energy majors, is currently two thirds complete. It is expected to double the existing pipelines capacity of 55 billion cubic meters annually, and is supposed to come into operation as soon next year. The pipeline has been fiercely criticized by Washington which accused Germany and the entire bloc of being captive to Russian gas sales. In an attempt to push the US liquefied natural gas to the European market, the White House threatened to sanction the corporations for participating in the Nord Stream 2 project. The project has been also slammed by Eastern European member-states, the Baltic countries along with Ukraine. The latter expressed concerns that the future pipeline would bypass Ukraine and deprive its budget of transit fees. So far, Berlin has been shrugging off the criticism, highlighting that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline would only contribute to the diversity of the gas supply to Europe. However, Brussels has adopted the so-called Gas Directive, which was backed by all the EU members. The legislation is seen as an attempt to bring the controversial Russia-controlled project under the EUs regulatory umbrella. Also on rt.com Replacing Russian gas with American LNG would be absolutely ridiculous expert to RT Last week, Nord Stream 2 chief executive Matthias Warnig threatened to sue the bloc if the operator is not allowed to avoid new regulations, which endanger billions of euros in investments. The measure would be discriminatory against Nord Stream 2 AG as an investor and Nord Stream 2 as its investment, the top executive wrote in a letter to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a study to examine a car bridge project that would connect Russias Primorsky Region with North Korea, the presidents envoy to the Far Eastern federal district has said. This question was discussed during Vladimir Putins meeting with the North Korean leader. The head of the state tasked the Far Eastern Development Ministry with analyzing this project, Yuri Trutnev said on Monday. The ministry said earlier that North Korea will provide workforce and construction materials for the project while Russia will give the necessary equipment. The automobile bridge is planned to be built in accordance with Russian standards. The neighboring countries have long-contemplated a bridge that could allow more vehicles to move across the border without a lengthy by-pass through China. READ MORE: Next time in Pyongyang: North Korea says Putin accepted Kim's invitation at Vladivostok summit They are currently connected with a rail bridge over the Tumen River. The crossing, dubbed the Korea Russia Friendship Bridge, was opened in 1959 and offers Russia and North Korea a basic rail connection. The 39.4km (25 miles) border with North Korea (of which about 22km is made up of maritime boundaries) is the shortest of Russias international borders. Last week, the leaders of the two nations held their first meeting in Vladivostok, in Russias Far East. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section Russia has managed to reduce the use of the US dollar in settlements with its foreign trade partners, significantly expanding the number of deals in Russian rubles and euro, according to international audit firm FinExpertiza. The share of settlements in Russias foreign trade using the greenback declined by 12.6 percent between 2013, before Western sanctions were introduced against the country, through 2018, research by the Moscow-based consultancy shows. At the same time, Moscow boosted the range of foreign trade deals settled in euro by 26.6 percent. The share of settlement in rubles rose by 14 percent. Economic penalties against Russia were introduced by the US administration and backed by the European Union in 2014. The sanctions came in response to Russias alleged involvement in the crisis in eastern Ukraine and following the Crimean referendum to secede from Ukraine and rejoin Russia. Since then, the measures have been expanded for various reasons. Also on rt.com Russia calls latest US sanctions just another schizoid story Russian authorities have taken a wide range of retaliatory steps, including the gradual reduction of the countrys reliance on the US dollar in the sphere of international settlements. Over the five-year period, the share of the US dollar in Russias trade settlements declined to 56.1 percent, accounting for $388 billion. The share of euro-dominated trade deals increased to 21.9 percent or the equivalent of $151 billion. Trade settlements in ruble grew to 20 percent, or $136 billion. Tendency towards doing away with the US dollar on foreign trade is obvious. This is the way to a more stable economy and protection of it against sanctions, said Elena Trubnikova, chairwoman of FinExpertizas board, as quoted by RIA-Novosti. Also on rt.com US trade war & sanctions open doors for Russian companies in China Beijing official This is mostly true for exports, as selling the goods for the national currency of the exporter is a natural order of things, she said. The executive noted that the latest steps towards de-dollarization have boosted the share of settlements in ruble and yuan in mutual trade between Russia and China. The share of ruble settlements in Russias exports to China grew more than fivefold, while yuan-dominated settlements in Chinas exports increased by nearly nine times. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section Under a state of emergency after a spate of suicide bombings last week, Sri Lanka has imposed a ban on all forms of face coverings. The measure is aimed at helping police with identification as they hunt for terror suspects. The order comes into effect on Monday. It makes no exclusion for religious reasons, banning burqas, veils and masks alike. "A decision has been taken by the president to ban all forms of face covering that will hinder easy identification under emergency regulations," the presidential office stated on Sunday, as reported by India Today. The Sri Lankan government has enlisted the support of Muslim religious leaders before deciding in favor of the blanket ban on all the garments that might hinder a person's identification. Some Muslim clerics in the Buddhist-majority country vocally sided with the government, asking women to stop wearing burqa and niqab, which leave only a slit or a mesh, respectively, open for the eyes. Also on rt.com Brother of suspected Sri Lanka suicide bombers detained with TWO SWORDS reports Muslims, who make up around 10 percent of the total population in Sri Lanka, are growing increasingly wary of potential retaliation over the attacks on Christian churches and luxury hotels perpetrated by radical Islamists with apparent links to Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL). READ MORE: Sri Lankan military finds 15 bodies, including 6 kids, after shootout at suspected militant hideout The state of emergency was declared after a series of deadly suicide blasts rocked the country on April, 21, leaving 253 people dead and hundreds injured. In the following days, the country unleashed a sweeping crackdown on potential suspects in the attacks, arresting over 70 people all over the country and facing off with militants in anti-terrorist raids. After a gun battle with suspected terrorists in the city of Kalmunai on Friday, police reportedly discovered a stash of explosives and precursors in the apartment, including bags of fertilizer, gunpowder and acids. IS claimed the killed gunmen were its soldiers. READ MORE: For Christs sake! Why do liberals get tongue-tied when discussing the worlds largest religion? Some 10,000 Sri Lankan law enforcement officers are combing through the country in a bid to trace suspects in the attacks that are still at large. On Sunday, police said it detained two brothers said to be the main suspects in the Easter Sunday attacks. The restrictions have also affected the island nation's Christian minority after the authorities ordered to close down all Catholic churches in precaution. Instead of holding a public mass on Sunday, the Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith delivered a sermon from his home chapel, broadcast live on television. Christians account for some 7.4 percent of the population, including some 6.1 percent that are Roman Catholics. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! Students have petitioned the president of Russias Higher School of Economics for the removal of a monument to Felix Dzerzhinsky, head of the first Soviet security police who oversaw mass persecution after the 1917 revolution. In a letter from students, Dzerzhinsky is described as a founder of the Soviet system of state terror. It refers to his monument on the school campus as a justification of terrorism that casts a slur on the schools reputation. Dzerzhinsky led the Cheka (All-Russian Emergency Commission for Combating Counter-Revolution and Sabotage) security police after the 1917 October Revolution until 1922 a period referred to by historians as the Red Terror. It was marked by mass repression and the killing of any perceived counterrevolutionary elements, which resulted in tens of thousands of deaths. Also on rt.com Communists ask Putin to bring back monument to KGB founder Dzerzhinsky Dzerzhinsky remains a highly controversial figure in Russian history as he is widely considered an architect of the Red Terror. The policy was based in his own words on intimidation, arrest, and destruction of the revolutions enemies on the basis of class affiliation and pre-revolutionary roles. However, in response to the petition, the schools president Yaroslav Kuzminov pointed out that monuments were history symbols not objects of worship, adding that it was the Bolsheviks who started the tradition of removing monuments. We should remember history, not shut ourselves from it, hiding or scratching out some pages, he said. The most famous monument to Dzerzhinsky, nicknamed Iron Felix, was once located near the KGB headquarters in Lubyanka Square in the center of Moscow. After being dismantled following the August coup in 1991, it was moved to the Muzeon Park of Arts an open-air sculpture museum. Students involved in the campaign have suggested that the schools statue of Dzerzhinsky could also be relocated to the Muzeon Park. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! One of two Emirati men detained in Turkey on suspicion of both spying and having possible ties to the Jamal Khashoggi embassy murder case has reportedly taken his own life in prison, according to government and media sources. The man was arrested by Turkish authorities 10 days ago and was later formally charged with military and political and international espionage. He was found dead having apparently hanged himself in his cell in Silivri prison on the outskirts of Istanbul on Sunday. Turkish authorities are now launching an investigation into the suspicious circumstances of the mans death as he was being detained in solitary confinement. The two men claimed they were Palestinian nationals but admitted to working on behalf of UAE intelligence, reports Al Jazeera. One of the two alleged UAE spies reportedly arrived in Turkey just two days after Khashoggis murder. Saudi dissident and journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered and then dismembered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last October in a case which sparked international outcry. So far, the the Saudi public prosecutor has charged 11 people in connection with Khashoggi's murder. Like this story? Share it with a friend! US President Donald Trump has tweeted his support for the National Rifle Association (NRA), branding the ongoing probe into it a siege and urging the embattled non-profit to end infighting and get back to greatness. Trump's words of support came a day after New York State Attorney General Letitia James launched an investigation into the finances of the NRA. James had earlier vowed to investigate the non-profit status of the NRA, as well as that of the Trump Organization group of businesses. The US president blasted the probe as a siege, waged against the NRA by the AG and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Ultimately, they are seeking to destroy this very important organization, Trump claimed. Trump urged the NRA to get its act together quickly, stop the internal fighting and get back to greatness as fast as possible. The organization has indeed faced internal troubles recently, with the group's president, Oliver North, getting into feud with its longtime chief executive Wayne LaPierre. North, a central figure in the Reagan-era Iran-Contras scandal, became the president of the group last year and was initially endorsed by LaPierre, yet the relationship between the two deteriorated rapidly. LaPierre has apparently gained the upper hand, as North announced on Saturday he won't be re-nominated as the NRA's president for the next term. Also on rt.com New York AG launches investigation into NRA finances as it is beset by internal strife Trump is well known for his continuous support of the NRA, despite all the controversy the group has stirred up. Last year's mass shootings namely the Parklands school attack in the US have reinvigorated the gun controls crowd, which made the group its prime target. The US president appeared before the NRA convention in Indianapolis last week, announcing his decision to withdraw from the UN Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). The agreement was signed by the US under the Obama administration in 2013, yet it had never been ratified. The NRA had long opposed the agreement, claiming it threatens gun rights and the 2nd Amendment. While the international deal focused on overseas arms trade does not seemingly affect domestic gun policies, it does require signatories to establish and maintain a national control system run by competent authorities. Also on rt.com 'Blatant pandering' to gun lobby: Dem chair announces hearing over Trump's UN Arms Trade Treaty exit Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! AICC media cell in-charge Randeep Surjewala here on Sunday alleged that five-year tenure was a curse for the farmers. Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi for faulty agri policy, he said that the land acquisition Act was quashed with a conspiracy. While talking to media persons, Surjewala said, Forget about input cost plus 50 per cent return promised by the BJP ahead of 2014 polls, the farmers even did not get the Minimum Support Price for various crops in all these years. Quoting the figures issued by the Modi government, Surjewala claimed the agri growth rate was 4.25% from 2009 to 2014 during UPA rule which 2.5% between 2014 and 2018. By their own admission, they would need another 20 years for doubling farmers income which they have promised by year 2022. He further alleged that the BJP government had on Jan 9, 2019 accepted that various crops including wheat and others sold much below the MPS in 2018. The Congress media cell in charge also tried punching holes in Modi Governments claims of offering crop insurance cover to farmers saying the peasants did not get any justified compensation against crop insurance while the insurance companies earned a profit of over 21,000 crore. He also accused the Modi Government of importing foodgrains just before the farm produce hit markets so that prices crashed and the produce later was sold to consumers at dirt cheap prices while the farmers suffered heavy losses. Quoting sources in oil companies, Surjewala claimed oil companies have been refrained from hiking fuel prices during elections and a price hike upto Rs ten has been ordered by the Modi govt which would come to force on May 23 when the polling gets over. US President Donald Trump is again trolling the world from his perch on Twitter, claiming former president Barack Obama and his running mate Joe Biden are the reason he got the job as president. The Media (Fake News) is pushing Sleepy Joe hard, the president tweeted, using his self-coined nickname for 2020 Democratic presidential candidate and former vice president Joe Biden. Funny, Im only here because of Biden & Obama. They didnt do the job and now you have Trump, who is getting it done big time! Trump on Sunday claimed that the Democratic National Committee would attempt to destroy Crazy Bernie Sanders, in favor of a more traditional, but not very bright, Sleepy Joe Biden, seemingly hoping to widen divisions within the Democratic Party. The president has repeatedly honed in on the theme of a rigged Democratic primary. Also on rt.com Trump says DNC working its magic again to destroy Sanders in favor of Biden Biden, who announced his campaign last week while saying that giving Trump eight years in the White House will forever and fundamentally alter the character of this nation has already raked in over $6 million, putting him at the front of the line for day-one donations. The Bernie Sanders campaign hasnt lagged in fundraising either, however, now approaching the $20 million mark for overall funds raised. President Trump has in recent weeks mocked the former VP relentlessly, including before Bidens first campaign rally in Pennsylvania, his home state. Biden hit back by starting his presidential campaign with a video blasting Trumps Charlottesville comments from 2017, despite them having been dissected many times over. Also on rt.com Biden and Trump clash on age and Trumps fine people Charlottesville comments Like this story? Share it with a friend! The US Navy has claimed that close-up footage released by Iran of an American aircraft carrier operating in the Persian gulf is several years old, tacitly acknowledging that the audaciously captured images are genuine. Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps released the up-close-and-personal video of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on Sunday. Irans semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the footage was captured using a military drone. The footage the Iranians recently released... appears to be several years old, and of the last deployment to the Arabian Gulf by the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), a spokesperson for the US Naval Forces Central Command told AFP. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was last deployed in the gulf in 2016 as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the intervention targeting the so-called Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) in Iraq and Syria. In the video the drone gets so close to the ship that the numbers on the wings of the fighter jets and reconnaissance planes can clearly be read. The Tasnim news report suggested that the release of the drone footage was a response to the US designating the Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization earlier this month. It is the only time the US has given another nation's military this label. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani responded by saying that the US was the leader of world terrorism. Like this story? Share it with a friend! Seven suspected members of Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) have been detained outside Moscow. The men were tasked by foreign emissaries to recruit more terrorists locally, investigators said. The group was busted during a joint operation of several Russian law enforcement and intelligence agencies, Russias Investigative Committee said Monday. It released an undated video, showing a special police task force raiding a house somewhere in the Moscow Region and arresting several men. Footage of the arrest indicates that at least one firearm was seized during the raid. Apart from that, the police uncovered a cache of prohibited extremist literature and digital materials. The group has been active since November 2016, recruiting more members into IS ranks and purveying terrorist propaganda, which included inciting attacks on Russias law enforcement. It is also suspected of several armed robberies across Russia. The terrorist cell has been coordinated by foreign high-profile terrorists from abroad, the investigators said. Russian citizens, as well as several men from Central Asia and the South Caucasus, are among the arrested, the Federal Security Service (FSB) confirmed. Also on rt.com No escape from FSB: Bust of ISIS-linked cell caught on VIDEO Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! A Harare-bound Zimbabwean airliner requested an emergency landing and circled around the airport near Johannesburg, South Africa, after its engine suddenly caught fire shortly after takeoff. A video, shared by a popular flight-spotting account on Twitter, shows bright flames bursting out of the aircrafts left engine as it is flying in the night skies above Johannesburg. The engine caught fire shortly after an Air Zimbabwe Boeing 767-200 took off from the O.R. Tambo International Airport, near Johannesburg, on Sunday night. The pilots quickly requested an emergency landing. But the flames were manually extinguished mid-air, the spokesperson for the Airport Companies South Africa said, so no emergency landing was needed. After circling around the airport, the plane made it safely to Harare, the capital of neighboring Zimbabwe. There was a tail pipe fire but that did not compromise the safety of the flight, the airline told local media after the incident. A similar incident happened earlier this month with a Tel Aviv-bound Boeing 767-300ER in Spain when its engine caught fire shortly after takeoff from Barcelona. The aircraft, belonging to Israeli airline Arkia, was forced to turn around and make an emergency landing. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! Days after the former Congress MP Jagmeet Brar turned into an Akali, his saathi on Sunday returned to the Congress fold. Former MLA and senior party leader Vijay Kumar Sathi, four years after he quit Congress primary membership along with several others in Brars support, rejoined the party. Known as a leader with a clean image, secular thinking, educated and honest character, Vijay Saathi is the son of former MLA and Mogas mass leader Roop Lal Saathi. He had unsuccessfully contested for the Congress from Moga in 1997, and also 2013 Moga by-elections. After quitting the Congress party in January 2015, Saathi said that he was completely disillusioned by Brars unilateral decisions to join Trinamool Congress and then Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Expressing himself to be relieved at being back home, a former Janata Dal MLA from Bagha Purana Saathi promised to work hard for the success of the Congress in these parliamentary polls, and thereafter. Welcoming him, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh pointed out that the influx into the Punjab Congress was a sign of the growing disenchantment within other parties active in the States political arena. Capt Amarinder said that he was happy to have Saathi back in Punjab Congress just days ahead of the Lok Sabha poll in the State, and was confident the party would benefit from his experience. The polling for the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will be held in the seventh and final phase on May 19. Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said that the youth must shoulder greater social responsibility of exercising judgement while looking at social issues. We will be able to fully realize the vast demographic dividend in the years to come only if we can empower our youth with the right skills and attitudes, Naidu said while speaking at the 68th Convocation of Panjab University, of which he is the Chancellor, here. Urging the youth to adhere to traditions of tolerance and respect and protect the country's pluralistic culture, Naidu said that India of the future would be powered by the dreams, ambitions, character and competence of young people. He also urged the youth to use means of communication that technology has provided, responsibly. The Vice President emphasized that these modern means of communication must be used to facilitate social harmony and to cultivate a culture of healthy and civilized discussion on many of the pressing problems such as class and gender inequalities and the needs of the less privileged in society. We need to address these problems with empathy and sincerity, he added. Naidu further said that Panjab University had a glorious past and was one of the oldest universities in India, set in a land which has witnessed centuries of civilization and dedication to spreading knowledge in ancient centres of learning like Takshila. He expressed happiness at the University's relentless quest for academic excellence and the rapid progress it has made in providing quality education to over thousands of students. He also congratulated Panjab University for having secured the 34th position among all academic institutions in the nation in the recent rankings under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). He applauded the University's focused efforts towards cultivating innovation and entrepreneurship among students. I am very happy that the university has been recognized by the UGC as the 'University with potential for excellence in Biomedical Sciences' with facilities for stem cell Research and Drug development, he said. The Vice President proposed that there is a need to rethink and re-orient our educational system in the context of the 21st century when the concerns of ecology, of human welfare and the welfare of the planet are equally imperative. It is possible only if we turn our system around, including aspects of curriculum and evaluation, towards critical thinking, he said. On the occasion, the Vice President felicitated Dr K Sivan, chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization who was honoured with the Vigyan Ratna Award. Prof. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor, PU in his address said Panjab University remains a leader in its contribution towards preparing the best minds in the service of the country by producing outstanding scientist and academicians, jurists, philosophers, writers, great statesmen, leaders, industrialists, and social workers. He said that the University has expanded its influence by 100 plus functional MoUs globally. During the financial year 2018-19, agencies such as the UGC, DST, GOI and ICMR have granted funding to 60+ projects worth more than Rs 21 crore, he added. There were a total of 863 number of students bestowed with degrees out of which 235 were males and 628 females on Sunday. 491 students were given Ph.D Degrees and 372 other than Ph.D. Also, there were 291 number of students awarded with Merit certificates, medals and cash prizes. PU Ph.D. degree awardees were from three other countries like Iran, Myanmar and Thailand and 16 states of India. Punjab with 200 Doctorates led the tally of eligible Ph.D. degree awardees among the states followed by UT Chandigarh with 88, Haryana with 73 and Himachal Pradesh with 65 students. Expanding its "Azure IP Advantage" programme, Microsoft is donating 500 patents to start-ups that are part of a non-profit organisation called License On Transfer (LOT) Network. Launched in 2018, the "Azure IP Advantage" programme protects users of Microsoft's cloud computing service -- Azure -- against patent trolls. Keeping in line with the intention of the programme, LOT Network protects companies against patent trolls by giving them access to a wide library of patents from its nearly 400 member companies including Amazon, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Netflix and Uber among others. "We want to help the LOT Network grow its network of start-ups and to provide an incentive we are going to provide these patents to them," TechCrunch quoted Erich Andersen, Corporate Vice President (CVP) and Deputy General Counsel at Microsoft, as saying on Thursday. However, for any start-up to qualify for getting a patent granted to LOT Network, the company is required to meet a $1,000 per month Azure spend and Microsoft would check the start-up's last three monthly Azure bills. "Qualified start-ups who join the LOT Network can acquire Microsoft patents as part of their free membership and as Andersen stressed, the start-ups will own them outright," the report said. The LOT network will be able to provide its start-up members with up to three patents from this collection. "The idea is that these start-ups come from a diverse set of industry sectors. The hope we have is that when they approach LOT, they'll find patents among those 500 that are going to be interesting to basically almost any company that might want a foundational set of patents for their business," Andersen added. Manipal Hospitals, backed by US private equity investor TPG Capital, is waiting to hear from the Board of Medanta Hospital for which it has submitted a bid of about Rs 5,800 crore. They (Medanta) are yet to take it to their board (for evaluation of the bid), a senior executive told Moneycontrol. Medanta is yet decide on a timeframe of this board meet. Medanta couldn't be reached for a comment. Manipal and TPG entered into negotiations with Medanta Chairman and heart surgeon Naresh Trehan, as well as other investors, in October 2018 to acquire their stake in the company. Manipal, led by Ranjan Pai, was in race to buy Fortis Healthcare, but Malaysia's IHH Healthcare outbid rivals to buy the troubled healthcare provider. Pai is believed to be aggressively pursuing Medanta as the deal would help Manipal expand its footprint in north India. Economic Times reported on April 29 that Medantas exiting investor Carlyle will decide on the offer by next week. The report also said that KKR-backed Radiant may also join the race though it hasnt yet submitted the financial bids. Dr Trehan, his family members and co-founder Sunil Sachdevan own 55 percent while the rest is held by Carlyle Group (27 percent) and Temasek (18 percent). According to RoC filings, Medanta's holding company GHPL was valued at Rs 4,330.8 crore as of April 2018. Medanta runs a flagship super-specialty tertiary-care hospital in Gurugram called Medicity. It commenced operations in November 2009 and has a 1,544 bed capacity as on March 31, 2018. Along with Medicity, Medanta operates a 120-bed hospital in Indore and a 174-bed hospital in Ranchi on lease. Medanta is in the process of doubling its bed count in the next two-three years by setting up hospitals in Lucknow, Patna and Noida. Representative Image There are obit pieces being written for diesel cars. With good reasons, of course. Last week, Maruti Suzuki India, Indias largest passenger car maker, let the cat out of the bag when it announced its decision to discontinue diesel cars from April 1, 2020. In 2018-19, it sold some 4,00,000 diesel cars, which formed nearly 23 percent of its annual sales. Consider these numbers. Maruti sells one out of every two passenger vehicles sold in India and one out of every three when it comes to diesel. If Maruti does follow through its promise, more than 30 percent of Indias diesel car market will go up in air next year. What explains Marutis move? Petrol & Diesel Rates Petrol Rate in Mumbai Current Petrol Price Per Litre View more Diesel Rate in Mumbai Current Petrol Price Per Litre View more Show Its price differential going awry, to put it in simple terms. With the government deregulating diesel prices, the demand for such cars fell sharply as the price difference between petrol and diesel came down drastically. Cars with diesel engines are about Rs 1-1.5 lakh costlier than petrol ones. But earlier, people would not mind as diesel used to be about Rs 20 cheaper than petrol, which is now reduced to less than Rs 10 a litre. That explains the shift away from diesel. It instantly showed up in numbers, too. Share of diesel engines in the passenger car segment has dropped to 36 percent, from 47 percent in 2012-13. Its common knowledge that Maruti had set off a revolution of sorts long back by bringing its iconic 800 within the reach of masses. Its other claim to fame is introduction of automatic transmission in small cars. But days are not too far when the carmaker actually discontinues diesel cars much before India takes a call to ban such engines, much like the European Union. There are arguments that consumers may go in for diesel cars made by other companies. But that scenario looks a little stretched. Heres why. Come April 1, 2020, cars in India will have to be compliant with stricter BS-VI emission norms. According to industry estimates, the cost of converting a small car diesel engine to BS-VI compliant will be about Rs 1.5 lakh, while the same would be less than Rs 30,000 for petrol engines. Put differently, manufacturing a small car with a diesel engine would be around Rs 2-2.5 lakh costlier than that of a petrol variant. This, along with market-driven diesel prices, leaves personal vehicle buyers with little choice but to shift to alternative options. On top of that, environmental concerns are playing a key role in influencing the buying decision. Clearly, it wont just be Maruti. All passenger vehicle makers are seriously looking at phasing out diesel cars. Marutis decision to pull the plug on diesel cars is being seen as a smart move. It would have been the worst affected after the BS-VI implementations, chiefly because of its vice-like grip on the small car segment, with nearly 95 percent of sales coming in from the sub-Rs 10 lakh segment. Maruti is confident that it will fill the void with compressed natural gas (CNG) and hybrid engines. A back of the envelope assessment shows filling the vacuum will be hard and Maruti might feel the pinch, at least in the short term. Maruti is essentially getting ready for an era of electric and hybrid vehicles. In March, it issued a joint statement with Toyota, announcing such a tie-up. On the face of it, the shift wont be easy. The painful fact is the infrastructure for CNG or electric vehicles leaves a lot to be desired. There are less than 1,500 CNG stations and the government has plans to increase it to 10,000 over the next 10 years. Infrastructure for electric vehicles is even worse. According to an EY report (May 2018), there are only 222 charging stations, with 353 charging points in India. There are 63,674 fuel refilling stations and state-owned oil companies are planning to double that number. Whats more, the government has stayed away from introducing a comprehensive policy for electric vehicles and instead opted for an action plan. Keeping the inadequate infrastructure in mind, its safe to predict that the road will be a tough one for CNG and electric vehicles in the short-to-medium term. Marutis liking for hybrid vehicles flows from its Japanese parent Suzukis alliance with Toyota that allows all its subsidiaries to use Toyota hybrid systems. As Jefferies said in a note on March 21, access to Toyotas technology will be key to future-proof the companys long-term prospects, particularly in electric vehicles. The world of mobility is changing fast, and India is not an exception. With its hard decision to stop making diesel engine cars, Maruti has only raised the bar for other carmakers. The sad part is, infrastructure for alternative fuel vehicles is in a sorry state of affairs, which needs to be addressed on priority. A group of Jet Airways employees have written to State Bank of India Chairman Rajnish Kumar, offering to take over the distressed airline that was forced to suspend operations earlier this month. "We propose that a consortium of employees and investors be permitted to offer its bid to take over the management control of Jet Airways," said the letter that was sent on Monday. The letter also promises a commitment of Rs 7,000 crore, which includes Rs 3,000 crore from investors and Rs 4,000 crore from employees through a 'hypothetical five-year employee stock option programme.' It adds: "You are therefore requested to kindly consider the 'Employee Consortium' as one of the intending bidders in the process and invite us for preliminiary discussions." It was signed by senior Jet Airways employees including Capt PP Singh, Sr Vice President (Operations) and Accountable Manager, Jet Lite, and BB Singh, Manager, Human Resources, Jet Airways. "We have investors, but we can't disclose their identities right now. Being the employees, we know we can turnaround the airline. We know the value of the company," said Capt Ashwani Tyagi, General Secretary of Society for Welfare of Indian Pilots. He is also a signatory to the letter. "We are optimistic that the banks and Govt of India will give our plan a serious consideration," he added. The letter comes after concerns that bidders for Jet Airways may lose interest following the distribution of its slots to its peers. The government plans to distribute 440 of Jet Airways slots in Delhi and Mumbai airports to other airlines. Many of Jet Airways aircraft have also been leased to competition, including SpiceJet and Vistara. "To our consternation, we learn about aircraft being de-registered and given to other operators along with facilities including the invaluable slots and routes..." said the letter. The four bidders shortlisted by the banks are - Etihad Airways, TPG Capital, Indigo Partners and NIIF. The bids have to be submitted by May 10. Vistara is set to add six Boeing 737 aircraft, which earlier belonged to Jet Airways, to its fleet, making its first move to fill the space vacated by the distressed airline. This is apart from a recruitment drive for cabin crew that Vistara is holding this week, which will attract applications from Jet Airways' employees who haven't received their salaries since March. The Boeing aircraft will be new for Vistara, which has till now preferred to have Airbus narrow bodies. At present, it has a fleet of 22 Airbus 320 planes. "Vistara will undertake a short differences training for pilots, crew and engineers to comply with Vistaras standards and will be in operation soon," said a senior industry executive. Commenting on the same, the Tata Sons-Singapore Airlines joint venture airline said: The recent reduction in capacity has inconvenienced travellers, especially in the full-service segment. We will continue to grow our network to meet market demand." Till now, IndiGo and SpiceJet have been aggressive in expanding their network and adding capacity after Jet Airways suspended operations earlier this month. While both low-cost airlines have added over 100 flights in three months, SpiceJet has added 27 aircraft, all from Jet Airways, to its fleet. Vistara also added 14 new flights in April, mostly from Mumbai, to meet the peak summer demand. It will also vie for airport slots that belonged to Jet Airways and are now being given away by the government, which wants to make sure there are enough flights to keep fares in check. The airline is also adding to its headcount and has scheduled walk-in interviews to hire cabin crews this week in Mumbai. This will help Jet Airways' employees, who stare at an uncertain future. Their hope is now in the bidding process, where four suitors are expected to submit bids by May 10. The employees though fear about their jobs, salaries and the benefits like gratuity and provident fund that have been saved over the years. The employees will now have more options, with Vistara too looking to add to its fleet, increase flights and up its market share. "The competition will now increase" said the industry executive quoted above. File image: Twitter/PIB India Mumbai votes today, 29th April 2019. The city has been relatively indifferent to general elections, with the voting percentage being just 53 percent even during the 2014 Modi wave. Voter turnout was as low as 41.4 percent in 2009. TV channels have been running campaigns to get people to vote, emphasizing that voting is a responsibility for every good citizen. If youre still deciding whether to go out and vote, the chances are you are an undecided voter. The committed voters, the ideological partisans, made up their minds long ago. Only the uncommitted voter is still wondering whom to vote for. That voting is an obligation and an honour and similar arguments are fine, but the uncommitted voter typically wonders whether her vote makes a difference. And heres the good news: a study shows that it is the uncommitted voter who, when she votes, does the most to improve economic growth. A 2017 research paper titled Non-committed voters and Indian growth: Evidence from India by Abhishek Bhardwaj of New York University, Prasanna Tantri from the Indian School of Business and Nagaraju Thota from BITS Pilani found that representatives supported by such voters outperform significantly with respect to both constituency level outcomes as well as measures based on individual effort. Simply put, theyre the smart voters who choose their candidates wisely and well. The researchers identified uncommitted voters as those who voted for candidates for one party in assembly elections and another in the Lok Sabha election, when these polls were conducted simultaneously. The assumption is that committed voters are likely to vote in favour of their preferred party candidate in both type of elections whereas non-committed voters are likely to vote differently. The authors find that, "a 10 percent higher support among non-committed voters is associated with 4.88 percent increase in district GDP growth, 4.76 percent increase in per capita GDP growth and 4.72 percent increase in per worker GDP growth over the entire term of five years. These numbers translate into nearly 1 percent annualized growth in various measures of GDP." The GDP figures are computed at the district level. To be sure, we can question the exact increase in economic growth. But its plausible that non-committed voting is associated with higher economic performance, simply because such voters are likely to be swayed more by rational economic judgment and less by factors such as the carefully cultivated image of the contestants. Committed voters, on the other hand, are likely to be more ideologically motivated or biased. A research paper on the 2005 British election showed that undecided voters are "driven to a larger extent by economic performance and less by leadership or other valence evaluations." Valence evaluation is jargon for emotional choices. The study on Indian elections mentioned above also found that candidates elected by non-committed voters performed better in Parliament and ensured a higher allocation to their districts under employment programmes. Of course, the undecided voter is often apathetic. But the research says that if she does indeed take the trouble to go out and vote, its not just good for democracy but for the economy as well. As Bhardwaj, Tantri and Thota put it, "the association between democracy and economic performance is likely to strengthen in the presence of non-committed voting." That should provide you, uncommitted voters, an incentive to head to the polling booths. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More The H-1B visa issue and talent crunch in the US have made Indian IT majors look at alternate solutions such as low-cost nearshore facilities in countries such as Mexico, to tackle the problem. Nearshore facilities are those which are in low-cost locations close to the client and are cost-effective in the long term. Within the US, Indian IT companies are also looking to hire and train talent in states like Idaho, which are cheaper than California or New York where most of their clients are based. In Europe, IT companies look at locations in eastern European countries such as Hungary and the Czech Republic where the companies are close enough to their clients but are cost-effective. NIIT Technologies is investing in low-cost nearshore facilities, where it is stepping up hiring. Arvind Thakur, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, NIIT Technologies, in a recent interaction with Moneycontrol, said, "Overseas hiring is going to increase going forward, especially digital where engagements are more onsite." "What we have done is we have set up nearshore facilities in our overseas geographies. A lot of hiring happens in those facilities," he said. The company has a facility in Boise, Idaho an area, which has good talent engaged in digital work available at a relatively lower cost, according to Thakur. Cognizant opened a nearshore centre in Budapest, Hungary to cater to its European clientele, a few years back. Infosys has its nearshore facility areas such as Brno, Czech Republic and Mexico. But having a nearshore facility by itself is not enough to address the talent crunch problem. R Srikrishna, CEO, Hexaware Technologies, in a recent interaction Moneycontrol said, The way we think about it is not H-1B in isolation. I think there is a broad-based talent availability issue in the US. According to a report Talent Shortage Survey in the United States by ManpowerGroup, close to 46 percent of employers in the US have difficulty finding a skilled workforce. The report points out it is the large companies that have difficulty filling in roles more than mid-size and small-size firms. This is having a significant impact on the Indian IT firms. Companies are seeing their margins shrink as the sub-contracting cost rise. HDFC Securities said in a statement that TCS' subcontractor costs increased by 33 percent year-on-year to Rs 2,822 crore for the third quarter last fiscal, while Infosys sub-contracting cost rose by 55 percent (YoY). Srikrishna said, We put together a number of action plans to create talent in the US to address the issue. Apart from better compensation packages, the company hires talent outside the US to skill and onboard. The company has a similar project in Mexico. Mexico has a visa category called TN visa, which is quite frictionless. We are doing skill creation in Mexico for the US market, he added. Peter Bendor-Samuel, Founder and CEO, Everest Group, a consultancy firm, said however there is a catch. He explained that while the Indian firms are investing in training the US campus hires, there is a problem of attrition as other companies are vying for talents that are trained and short in supply in the US. Oil prices fell on Monday, extending a slump from Friday that ended weeks of rallying, after President Donald Trump demanded that producer club OPEC raise output to soften the impact of U.S. sanctions against Iran. Brent crude futures were at $71.80 per barrel at 0215 GMT, down 35 cents, or 0.5 percent, from their last close. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $62.91 per barrel, down 39 cents, or 0.6 percent, from their previous settlement. Both benchmarks fell around 3 percent in the previous session. ANZ bank said on Monday oil prices "took a hit after President Trump indicated he had spoken with Saudi Arabia about reducing the impact of lower Iranian oil exports by increasing flows elsewhere." Trump said on Friday he called the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and told the cartel to lower oil prices. "Gasoline prices are coming down. I called up OPEC, I said you've got to bring them down. You've got to bring them down," Trump told reporters. The statement triggered a selloff, putting at least a temporary ceiling on a 40 percent price rally in oil prices since the start of the year. Graphic: Brent crude oil prices in 2019 https://tmsnrt.rs/2XQ29R9 The rally had gained momentum in April after Trump tightened sanctions against Iran by ending all exemptions that major buyers especially in Asia previously had. Traders said the market was shifting its focus on the voluntary supply cuts led by the Middle East dominated producer club OPEC since the start of the year. The cuts have been supported by some non-OPEC producers, most notably Russia, but analysts said this cooperation may not last beyond a meeting between OPEC and its other allies, a group known as OPEC+, scheduled for June. Russia has said it would be able to meet China's oil demand needs as Beijing tries to replace the imports it usually gets from Iran. "Russia appears to have every reason to resume ramping up production levels and the base case should start to become we will not see OPEC+ agree upon extending production cuts, with tweaks to cover the shortfall from Iran," said Edward Moya, senior analyst at futures brokerage OANDA. Meanwhile, Russia hopes to restore oil pipeline supplies to central and western Europe in two weeks, after they were suspended last week over crude quality problems. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More In a circular to its employees, Pawan Hans has said the company will not be able to pay their salaries for April as it claims to be in an uncomfortable financial position. Pawan Hans reported a Rs 89-crore net loss in FY19 as its revenue plunged. The circular said that there has been a serious mismatch in its revenue income, which is based on its business volume and its expenses. These expenses mainly comprise of staff salaries. Financial Express reported that the airline has an outstanding amount of over Rs 230 crore lying with customers. Pawan Hans is of the opinion that the company needs to be restructured in different areas of management. The company will be deferring the salaries of employees for April until 60 percent of its outstanding dues are recovered, except for those employees who are directly involved in the production. The company would also try to cut costs and prevent deficiency in operations with a contribution from its employees. The employee union has deemed this decision by the company as 'inhuman' and protested it by wearing black ribbons. "It is inhuman to stop the salaries of workers who all are due for wage revision," the union said, adding that the company is paying the executives with arrears and abandoning its employees by deferring salaries. The employee body has threatened to approach the CAG and CBI over the financial problem if their salaries are not paid. The government had, in 2018, tried to sell its 100 percent stake in Pawan Hans but failed to attract any buyers. The company has around 46 helicopters currently. PepsiCo India's decision to sue nine farmers over patent infringement has worried top executives at the company headquarters and Asia-Pacific office following backlash on social media and demands to boycott the company products, The Economic Times reported. "Headquarters has asked PepsiCo India to resolve the issue at the earliest and work as a team. They are concerned about the legal issue and the backlash," one of the executives told the paper. The company has filed a case against farmers from Gujarat for what they are claiming is "rights infringement", saying the farmers cultivated FC5 potatoes that it has exclusive rights to in India. These are used specifically for its Lays chips. It has demanded Rs 1.5 crore from each farmer. "The local team at PepsiCo India is fully empowered to act as owners and equipped to take decisions based on local market conditions," a company spokesperson from the local arm said. Many political leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress tweeted against the company and its decision to sue over the past two days. The company, wanting to settle it out of court, has proposed that these farmers can become a part of its collaborate potato farming program. The company had even offered to drop the suits if they stop growing the FC5 variety of potatoes, to which the farmers will respond by June 12. Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga, a member of BJP's Delhi unit gave an "ultimatum" to the company, saying that there will be a call to boycott PepsiCo's products in India if the suits are not withdrawn. The farmers in question have said that by this lawsuit, the company is violating the Protection of Plant Variety and Farmers Right Act (PPVFR Act), which protects specified plant varieties, rights of farmers and plant breeders and to encourage development and cultivation of new varieties of plants. "PepsiCo's decision to take Gujarat's potato grower farmers to court is ill-advised and brazenly wrong. It is in violation of the farmer's rights under the PPVFR Act. The state government shouldn't keep its eyes shut. Corporate interest cannot dictate what our farmers must or must not cultivate," Congress leader Ahmed Patel said. PepsiCo could come out looking like the villain if it goes against farmers in India, a very important market for the company, industry experts said. "An MNC enters into our farmlands, procures crops without our knowledge and frames us. It is infringing upon the right to privacy and dictating terms about what we should eat; that is unacceptable," advocate Anand Yagnik, who represented the farmers in court, said. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More NBCC, whose bid to acquire Jaypee Infratech got rejected by lenders last week on account of lack of approvals by the administrative authorities, is hopeful that it would get clearances for the revised bid from Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) and Department of Expenditure soon, sources told Moneycontrol. During the meeting on April 26, NBCC had sought some time to take all the necessary approvals but the lenders decided to put on vote on April 30 the offer of Suraksha Realty-led consortium and not NBCC's. After the COC meeting, NBCC had also written a letter to the interim resolution professional (IRP) Anuj Jain expressing its interest in taking over the embattled firm and that its offer should be considered on merit. In its meeting, the committee of creditors (CoC) decided not to consider NBCC's bid as it was subject to approval of various government authorities. NBCC had informed the lenders that day that the company was in process of seeking government approvals and it should be given some time before the voting could be carried out on its plan. NBCC continues to be very interested in the resolution process and accord the interest of the homebuyers, utmost priority, the letter written by NBCC to the IRP said. "It is to bring to your attention that during the CoC meeting on 26th April it was clarified by NBCC that these approvals have been applied as expected shortly and it was requested to consider some time frame for allowing NBCC to obtain the approvals before the actual voting on the plan. This appeal was made on basis of the fact that the CoC meeting was being held on 26th April, just 2 days after the submission of plan on 24th, and there was not enough time to inform the CoC regarding the status of Govt approvals. We are confident that our proposal will safeguard the interest of the home buyers and the lenders. Therefore, we request the CoC to consider our proposal on merit," the letter written by NBCC to the IRP said. Homebuyers complain that this has left them confused. "This causes extreme confusion among homebuyers. At a time when the Suraksha bid is to be put to vote on April 30 to ensure that the results are compiled by May 3 and submitted before May 6, NBCC is still saying that they have applied for approvals. It is they who have failed to meet the statutory timelines," said homebuyers. "It was NBCC who had asked for an extension to submit the revised bid and were granted time until April 24. They cannot complain now that CoC meeting was scheduled only two days after the bids were to be submitted. Suraksha had submitted its bid on time. The CoC meeting had to take place on April 26 so that the May 6 timeline could be met," said homebuyers. The Allahabad Bench of NCLT, that heard the application for the 270-day extension of the deadline under IBC on Monday, will take up the matter again on May 6. It ordered that the corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) must go on and should not be fettered, sources said. "The NCLT, Allahabad Bench, has made it clear that the resolution process would go on, and would endeavour to dispose the application as soon as possible. In any event it is settled position of law that if the Resolution Professional is unable to function that time period has to be excluded from CIRP period of 270 days, in the present case RP is not even appointed, said legal experts. "The suspended board of directors have no say at this stage, the supreme court in Innoventive Industries case had indicated that such actions are not tenable at the behest of suspended members of the board," said Amit Mishra, Partner, P&A Law Offices, who is representing the Jaypee homebuyers. Sources said that it now remains to be seen if fresh bids will be invited in case the Suraksha bid does not go through. But that can happen only if extension to the 270-day deadline under IBC is granted by NCLT. The deadline ends on May 6. In its previous bid, NBCC had offered 1400 acres of land worth Rs 6000 crore and equity infusion of Rs 500 crore upfront. In the revised bid, it has offered 950 acres of land worth Rs 5001 crore and reduced the equity infusion from Rs 500 crore to Rs 200 crore, sources said. For secured financial creditors, it has offered a payment of upfront amount of Rs 1500 crore, 100 percent in Yamuna Expressway SPV, 100 percent in land bank SPV. The land bank SPV is worth Rs 5001 crore and totals 950 acres Suraksha had earlier offered about Rs 20 crore as upfront payment but in the revised bid, it has proposed an equity infusion of Rs 50 crore and a working capital loan of Rs 3000 crore against a requirement of Rs 2404 crore to complete construction work, sources said, adding their completion timelines are on an average one year less than NBCC. Business conglomerate Adani Group had also entered the fray by putting in a bid to acquire Jaypee Infratech. Lenders will also have to decide on Friday whether the company would be allowed to enter the race at this stage. The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in 2017 had admitted the application of a consortium led by IDBI Bank seeking resolution of Jaypee Infratech, and appointed Anuj Jain as the insolvency resolution professional (IRP) to manage the company's business and invite bids from investors. In the first attempt under the insolvency process, lenders had rejected the Rs 7,350 crore bid of Lakshdeep, part of Suraksha Group, as they found it to be substantially lower than the company's net worth and assets. Therefore, the IRP in October 2018 started a fresh initiative to revive Jaypee Infratech. A few day before, promoter of embattled real estate firm Jaypee Infratech Manoj Gaur had once again offered to complete the much-delayed real estate projects within a period of four year by pumping in Rs 1500 crore in an escrow account but homebuyers were skeptical and termed the meeting held on Friday as an eyewash, old wine in new bottle and questioned the timing of the meeting saying that the meeting was called to garner support from buyers whose approval is required for any resolution plan or settlement plan to go through. Gaur during the meeting with homebuyers claimed that he was a victim of circumstances, made a presentation and proposed that Rs 1500 crore would be set aside in an escrow account for completion and construction of the projects that are proposed to be completed within four years. As many as 22,000 homebuyers are stuck because of significant delay in delivery of flats by Jaypee group's debt-ridden firm Jaypee Infratech, which is undergoing insolvency proceedings. The realty firm has an outstanding debt of nearly Rs 9,800 crore, of which Rs 4,334 crore pertains to IDBI Bank. Other lenders are IIFCL, LIC, SBI, Corporation Bank, Syndicate Bank, Bank Of Maharashtra, ICICI Bank, Union Bank, IFCI, J&K Bank, Axis Bank and Srei Equipment Finance. Jaypee Infratech is developing about 32,000 flats, of which it has delivered 9,500 units. JAL had deposited Rs 750 crore in the registry of the Supreme Court for refund to buyers. However, this amount was transferred to the NCLT as per an order of the apex court. vandana.ramnani@nw18.com live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Tata Steel Ltd's Europe unit said on Friday a fire broke out at its Port Talbot site in South Wales but there were no major injuries and fire was now under control. The Port Talbot site, which dates back to the early 1900s, was acquired by Tata Steel as part of its acquisition of Corus in 2007. Port Talbot is home to one of the two integrated steelmaking sites that the company operates in Europe. The plant produces hot rolled, cold rolled and galvanized coil, among other types of steel. "There was an incident at the Port Talbot site and there are no major injuries and all persons have been accounted for. All fires at the site are now under control," said Damien Brook, a spokesman for Tata Steel Europe. Early this morning, a series of blasts were heard from Tata's steel plant at the Port Talbot site in South Wales, The Sun reported. Only two casualties with minor injuries were reported from the site, South Wales Police tweeted. LIVE updates of Cyclone Nivar (tracking). The very severe cyclonic storm has made landfall along the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast A deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal developed into cyclonic storm 'Fani' on April 27, which will further intensify into a "severe cyclonic storm", the IMD has warned. According to the Cyclone Warning Division of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Cyclone Fani is very likely to reach near the coasts of north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh by the evening of April 30. Here's what we know so far about the cyclonic storm: > According to the IMD, "At 05:30 hours on April 29, 'Fani' lay centred at about 880 km southeast of Chennai and 1050 km south-southeast of Machilipatnam", which is in Andhra Pradesh. > While there is still no clarity as to where 'Fani' will make a landfall, officials indicated that it may hit the coast near north coastal Andhra on May 2 or 3. > Heavy falls at isolated places are very likely over Kerala on April 29 and 30. > The IMD has warned that the sea along the coasts of Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh is likely to be "very rough" from April 28, and fishermen have been advised not to venture out into the seas. > The Hindu reported that the cyclone's landfall over Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh has been ruled out, but the IMD is closely monitoring a possibility of its landfall over Odisha. > The Odisha government, on its part, has asked district collectors and departments concerned to remain alert and take necessary measures in advance. > The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Indian Coast Guard have been put on high alert, and placed at the disposal of the state governments concerned. Spoke to officials regarding the situation arising due to Cyclone Fani. Asked them to take preventive measures and be prepared to provide all possible assistance. Also urged them to work closely with Governments of the affected states. Praying for everyone's safety and wellbeing. Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 29, 2019 > Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also asked officials to take "preventive measures and be prepared to provide all possible assistance." > Cyclone Fani has been named by Bangladesh. (With PTI inputs) A security person assists an elderly woman voter at a polling station, during the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Ranchi, Jharkhand. (Image: PTI) A woman being carried to cast her vote at a polling booth in Mahim, Mumbai by her family member and polling staff. (Image: ANI) A 90-year-old woman casts her vote at a polling booth in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh. (Image: ANI) A differently-abled voter being helped by polling personnel in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. (Image: ANI) Actor Priyanka Chopra cast her vote in Mumbai and flashed her inked finger on her Instagram saying, "every vote is a voice that counts." (Image: Twitter) Madhuri Dixit came out to vote in Juhu, Mumbai. (Image: Twitter) Actor Aamir Khan and his wife Kiran Rao posed with their inked fingers after casting their votes at polling booth in St Anne's High School in Bandra. (Image: ANI) Actor Dia Mirza cast her vote earlier today. She had been urging young voters to come out in large numbers to vote on her social media. (Image: Twitter) Veteran actor Rekha after casting her vote at polling booth number 283 in Bandra. (Image: ANI) Actor Anupam Kher casts his vote at polling booth no 235-240 in Juhu. (Image: ANI) Filmmaker Subhash Ghai and wife Mukta Ghai after casting their votes during the 4th phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, at a polling station in Mumbai. (Image: PTI) Actor Rahul Bose posted a picture of his inked finger after voting in Lok Sabha elections 2019. (Image: Twitter) BJP sitting MP Paresh Rawal cast his vote at polling booth number 250-256 at Jamna Bai School in Vile Parle. (Image: ANI) Bala Murali Krishna Indias large online population of over 500 million, and an additional potential market of 800 million, draws all manner of businesses including mobile apps. For many such businesses, India is a make-or-break market, as Chinas TikTok discovered earlier this month after a ban on it by the Madras High Court. The ban was effective for a mere six days but the apps parent company, Bytedance, claimed it lost $500,000 daily, and that up to 250 jobs may have been at stake. TikTok enables users to create short videos and upload for others to watch. The videos are subject to so-called community standards. However, no social media app including Facebook apply those standards uniformly, or even try to do so sincerely, given the millions of users on the platforms and the near-instantaneous publication of content. Consequently, TikTok has crude videos that some find culturally degrading, and some other consider to be outright pornographic. The initial ban on the app came from concerns that under-aged children were being exposed to pornographic content. In a matter of weeks, the court reversed course after the Supreme Court asked it to take a final call. It lifted the ban on the condition the app would update its privacy protection normsand will address any complaint over content in three to 36 hours, failing which Bytedance could be held in contempt of court. TikTok is not the first app with questionable content. Two years ago, Blue Whale placed at risk the lives of children in a game that dared them to perform tasks culminating with suicide. More recently, another game called PUBG raised concerns but skirted a possible ban. WhatsApp and Instagram are also believed to parade prurient content, some of which is surely targeted at children. The bottom line is: TikTok is by no means the first or the last app to publish contentious content. So what can India do to protect its users, notably children, rather than wait for somebody to seek redress from the countrys slow judicial system? With no agency proactively overseeing the large app ecosystem, India has subjugated any responsibility for consumer protection to Googles Play Store policies or to Apples rival ecosystem, which though is much smaller in India. This means the safety of the apps for Indian users hinges on the Internet giants policing abilities and its own community standards. To Googles credit, and that of Apples, the two leading platforms for mobile content remove scores of apps at frequent intervals for various violations, including for questionable content, privacy policies, piracy, fraud, etc. That ecosystem is itself helped by hundreds of researchers on cybersecurity and related areas that flag apps and other software for varied violations. India has agencies that oversee content in newspapers, and inter-ministerial and other panels that at least partially govern television content. However, it has none for the far bigger mobile media inclusive of apps. Indias policymakers would do well to look at European regulators or even the Federal Trade Commission, a pre-Internet consumer protection agency in the United States. Weeks before the aggrieved Indian consumer approached the Madras High Court with his complaint against TikTok, the FTC imposed a $5.7 million fine on the Chinese company that makes the app. It was the largest fine ever for breach of childrens privacy, and sent a strong message to app-makers. Admittedly, it took several years to penalise prurient targeting of children but such action was still possible because the consumer protection agency could take suo moto cognisance of violations in the Musical.ly app, now owned by Bytedance, and initiate action. The FTC is also expected to fine Facebook billions of dollars for privacy lapses and might be a model agency for India to consider to similarly protect its online users, especially children. Illicit content is not the only demon lurking in the online ecosystem. Most apps short-change consumers with regard to privacy and data security. Fraud is a growing danger, notably in financial apps. Recently, the Reserve Bank of India warned against an app called Anydesk, which apparently could siphon off login credentials and steal money from bank accounts or digital wallets. Apps of most banks in India are considered vastly weaker in terms of security, when compared with western banks. Conventional wisdom suggests the app ecosystem is a version of the Wild West in which Indian users are crying out for help. Bala Murali Krishna works for a New York-based startup. Views are personal. For more Opinion pieces, click here Tripura Police on April 28 arrested Saikat Talapatra, a freelance journalist, for his connection to a fake news campaign suggesting that Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb was undergoing a divorce. Talapatra was taken to the West Agartala Police Station after links were found between him and Anupam Paul, who had earlier been booked for forgery and criminal conspiracy in the case, The Indian Express reported. "We have arrested Saikat Talapatra for involvement in a case of defaming the Chief Minister. He is currently being interrogated and would be produced before a local court tomorrow," Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Suburata Chakraborty told the paper. Talapatra worked as a journalist in many organisations till 2018, after which he worked as a freelancer. He last worked on a special interview on Hallabol, a local cable TV channel. A senior journalist likened the arrest to an "Emergency-like situation" in Tripura, adding that anyone criticising the incumbent BJP-IPFT government is "being put behind bars". A document went viral on April 25 which was said to be the divorce suit filed against the CM by his wife, Niti Deb. However, Deb dubbed these as a 'dirty rumour'. Moneycontrol also reported on this story on April 26. Anupam Paul has not been arrested yet but an FIR was filed against him on the day for spreading this rumour on social media. The Tripura police also arrested a constable, Jamal Hussein, after he shared a Facebook post about the CM's divorce. "The arrested constable uploaded something objectionable on his Facebook account. A case was registered against him and he was arrested," Inspector General of Police (IGP) Puneet Rastogi confirmed. File image Rasool Siddiqui owns four shops in Daman, including two electronic and two footwear stores. As part of an election road trip, when Moneycontrol approached Siddiqui to get his views on whether the government policies had impacted his business, he was visibly upset. "Please don't click my picture. I will be in trouble," is his first reaction. While Siddiqui talked about how business was impacted after demonetisation and introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST), he does not wish to openly express his views openly against the ruling party for fear of retaliation. "I can go on about how severely my business has been hit in the last two years. But what is the point?" he added. At the Dubai market in Daman, most business owners refuse to make any comments on the government, but agree that business has seen a hit. India is in the midst of the Lok Sabha elections. While there are predictions of both Congress and BJP winning a significant chunk of seats, the clear difference between this election and the ones in the past is the polarisation of voters. The issues Demonetisation, farmers income, GST and unemployment have been crucial issues in the ongoing general elections. However, views of common people supporting the BJP are in stark contradiction to those supporting the Congress over these issues. However, while BJP supporters were vocal throughout, a strange fear was noticed among those supporting the Congress. At both Daman and Surat, there was a consensus that GST and demonetisation led to a direct impact on their businesses. But, the discomfort in discussing the financial impact was quite evident. Pratham Desai, a 38-year-old textile trader in the Surat market said that that his business was down by almost 40 percent after the GST rollout. Even though it has now stabilised, yet it is still not back to normal. However, Desai was quick to add that they are ready to swallow a bitter pill if it is beneficial for the nation as a whole. But, he slyly admits that they have been warned against making an extreme view against such 'reforms'. His next-door textile store owner has a far bitter experience post demonetisation and GST. But Ilyas Ahmed clearly told Moneycontrol that since he is from a minority community, he wouldnt be comfortable criticising the government. I have seen many government changes but now there is a sense of uneasiness among our community. There is also a fear of backlash if we express our views, he added. Joblessness, another issue that came to the forefront after the NSSO data claimed that unemployment rate is at a 45-year high. A serving officer in the Indian Army, who the reporter met in Bhopal, was upset that the current government has been unable to create adequate jobs. I belong to Uttar Pradesh and have been working here for some time. It is clear that the government is not serious when it comes to upholding the schemes that they launched. Take the Ujjwala Yojana for instance. While women were given LPG connections, what about the refills? We have many individuals in our extended family who have not received a refill. Why is there no question being asked to them on that? he added. In states like Madhya Pradesh, where Hindus comprise 70 percent of the total voters, locals have reported incidents of getting random calls from unnamed individuals asking them who they would vote for. Elections in India are conducted under the secret ballot system, which means no individual is required to reveal the name of the party he/she is voting for. On the other hand, those from the tribal community in regions like Rajasthan are of the view that none of the parties have been able to address their concerns. Purandas Bhil, an owner of an artifact store in Bhilwara said that he has received subtle threats from both the ruling and the opposition parties to not support any other party. I have to survive and earn my livelihood in this region. Hence I cannot afford to anger the local parties, he added. Attempts to polarise? Moneycontrol also observed that there were attempts to identify voters of a particular community by a few party workers. This was more pronounced in Madhya Pradesh, where flags were being put outside the houses of eligible voters. On the one hand, while locals insist that they have been living in harmony for the past several decades, the spate of unverified information circulating over social media has led to souring of relations in a few pockets. This has probably led to a sense of mistrust and a fear psychosis for those voting against the populist mandate. Biren Tulsiyan, a diamond trader in Surat said that he cannot express his political views openly, because his clients could take note of his views and stop buying from him, and also because his business community has a strong lobby. An incident that stands out in this regard is when Moneycontrol attempted to speak to a young girl in Bhopal about the factors that will influence her voting decisions. Are you from a certain party? How did you select me? Is it because I belong to a certain community? How can you assure me that nothing will happen to me for speaking my mind? she said in quick succession. This is probably not the kind of atmosphere that any of us would want to live in. Delhi BJP leaders raised questioned over the opposition's objections in giving credit for the surgical strikes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi when they had no issues in crediting Indira Gandhi for the 1971 war victory over Pakistan. Ahead of the May 12 polling in the national capital for the ongoing Lok Sabha election, the Delhi unit of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a meeting with the Rajput community here. BJP national vice-president and Delhi-Uttarakhand in-charge Shyam Jaju and Lok Sabha polls co-incharge Jai Bhan Singh Pawaiya addressed the meeting. They alleged that the governments before 2014 were known for disregarding the sacrifices of our soldiers and added that by executing the surgical strikes under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our armed forces had proved that they had the capacity to give a befitting reply to the enemy. "If the credit for the victory in the 1971 war was given to (then prime minister) Indira Gandhi, why do the opposition parties have objections in giving the credit for the surgical strikes to Modiji?," Pawaiya asked. May 12 would be a historical day for Delhi, which will be watched by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and terrorist Masood Azhar, he said. Jaju said Modi did not need a certificate from the opposition parties for protecting the pride of the nation. "By executing the surgical strikes, our armed forces have avenged the attack on them. The entire nation is behind the patriotic leadership of the country and the terrorists are afraid of it," he added. The prime minister's proposal to observe June 21 as "Yoga Diwas" was supported by 193 countries in the United Nations (UN) and India had achieved a place of distinction at the international level under Modi's leadership, he added. Retired Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar poses with his family after casting vote in Mumbai. (Image: ANI) Even though stakes are high for political parties vying for the reigns of Indias financial capital, Mumbaikars are seemingly failing to break the jinx of a low voter turnout. The turnout recorded till 3pm was around 30 percent. Mumbai accounts for 1 percent of Indias population, and is often known for its fast life and stark disparity between the rich and the destitute. Although it has some of the richest people residing, the city records one of the poorest voter turnouts. In 2014, Mumbai registered a turnout of 51.6 percent, which was an improvement from a low of 41.4 percent in the 2009 general election. As compared to other metropolitan cities such as Delhi and Bengaluru, Mumbai paints a grim picture. The citys two landmarks, Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE), are shut as the city goes to the polls during the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Most corporate houses, as well as banks, are also shut to facilitate Mumbaikars to vote. Then, why a low turnout? Experts believe that the reason for a low voter turnout is the absence of a politically charged atmosphere, combined with a simmering summer which makes the idea of standing in long queues less compelling. In addition, the long weekend and the onset of the summer vacation had already sent most Mumbaikars out of the city in search of cooler weather and better backdrops. Reasons to vote? Nowadays, the landscape of Mumbai has a smoky texture to it, marred with dug-out roads, which are reduced to half their width because of various infrastructure projects taken up by the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena combine. This has led to serpentine traffic jams in the city during peak hours. On the one hand, there is a well-off cluster residing in high rises in South Mumbai, who have less to complain about other than bad roads and incessant traffic. The South Mumbai constituency has recorded the least turnout among the six constituencies that Mumbai is made of. Read Also | In Pics: Priyanka Chopra, Aamir Khan, other Bollywood celebrities cast their votes On the other hand, there are suburbs, which signify various social ranks, where issues span from insufficient salaries, unaffordable rents, water scarcity, exorbitant healthcare and crumbling state infrastructure, which has at times also been fatal. Yet, most Mumbaikars dont vote. Ajit Ranade, one of the co-founders of Association of Democratic Reforms, told the Hindu, Low voter awareness, voters apathy, agnosticism when the candidate on the ballot does not excite or motivate the voter and lack of registration in the young category and first-time voters are the reasons for low voter turnout. Celebrities, candidates and celebrity candidates Mumbai is home to the Indian film industry and many actors post pictures after voting, in an attempt to encourage their fans. Often, Bollywood actors have turned to politics, and this year is no exception. For instance, Mumbai North has actor Urmila Matondkar, who recently joined the Congress, against BJPs Gopal Shetty, who won the last election by a landslide 5,40,000 votes. Meanwhile, Mumbai North Central has Congress Priya Dutt pitted against BJPs Poonam Mahajan the former is the daughter of legendary Bollywood actor Sunil Dutt and the latter is the BJP politician Pramod Mahajans daughter. One of the highlights in election campaigning in Bandra this year was the recognition of sexual minorities as a politically important segment. LGBTQI+ rights activist Harrish Iyer, who joined the Congress this April becoming Indias first openly gay politician met with members of the LGBT community to discuss bringing their issues into mainstream politics. The Congress said Prime Minister Narendra Modi took credit for the valour of the armed forces, but his government was not ready to accept responsibility for the Pulwama terror attack. Party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also alleged that when the entire country was in shock over the terror attack, the prime minister was busy shooting a film in Jim Corbett national park. "The prime minister is taking credit for the valour of defence forces for votes... Why doesn't he accept responsibility and failure of his government, national security advisor, home ministry and intelligence even three months after the terrorist attack?" he said a press conference here. Surjewala also sought to know why was Jaish-e-Mohammed threat video released 48 hours before the terrorist attack overlooked and from where did terrorists get such a huge quantity of explosive materials, carbines and rocket launchers. "Why was J&K Police input released on February 8 on terrorist attack overlooked and the request for air-transit facility for CRPF jawans turned down?" he asked. Actor and BJP candidate Sunny Deol on Monday paid obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar ahead of filling his nomination papers from the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat. Sporting a navy blue turban and wearing a blue shirt, the 62-year-old offered prayers at the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple. He also offered prayers at the Durgiana Temple. Later, he left for Gurdaspur where he will be filling his nomination papers. The BJP has fielded Sunny Deol, a Jat Sikh, from Gurdaspur constituency. Deol is pitted against sitting MP and Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar, AAP's Peter Masih and PDA's Lal Chand in electoral fight from Gurdaspur seat. After filling his nomination papers, Deol will be addressing a rally at PDA ground in Gurdaspur. Senior leadership of the BJP and the SAD will also be present in the rally. After the rally, he will leave for Mumbai for casting his vote. Currently, the Gurdaspur constituency is represented by Congress MP Sunil Jakhar, who won the seat in the 2017 bypoll, which was necessitated after the death of Vinod Khanna in April that year. The Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat had been represented by late actor Vinod Khanna for four-times--1998, 1999, 2004 and 2014. Jakhar had defeated BJP candidate Swaran Salaria by a whopping margin of 1,93,219. Union minister and BJP candidate from Chandni Chowk in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls Harsh Vardhan hit out at the Congress for promising to repeal the sedition law and said the people of Delhi would never forgive such a party. The Union minister of science and technology, who held jan sabhas and foot marches in the constituency, said Delhi had always been a bastion of nationalist ideologues and their supporters. "The citizens of Delhi will never ever tolerate an anti-national element and that is why they are all out to strengthen nationalist elements. The voters of Delhi will never forgive the party promising to repeal the sedition law and those who openly sided with the JNU student leaders associated with the 'tukde, tukde' gang," he said. The incumbent MP said for the BJP, the country and nationalism were its topmost priority, while personal interests were at the bottom. He accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi of sitting over a file that dealt with grant of permission to take the matter to the court of law in respect of the main student leader directly involved in the "tukde-tukde" rhetoric. "The BJP would never allow such forces to damage the unity and integrity of the country. In case such forces create further trouble, the country will face a chaos," the Union minister said. Vardhan lambasted the Congress for promising to repeal the sedition law in its election manifesto. "Looks like both the AAP and the Congress are in league on the issue of weakening the country and its unity. Their priority is to safeguard their political interests. These parties will not be able to face the BJP in the current and future elections because Delhiites are fully committed to nationalism," he said. Vardhan is pitted against the Congress's Jai Prakash Aggarwal and the AAP's Pankaj Gupta in the Chandni Chowk constituency. Delhi will go to the polls in the sixth phase on May 12. British holidaymakers are favouring destinations outside the European Union after repeated delays to Brexit discouraged travellers from booking early and prompted them to look further afield, travel firm Thomas Cook said on Monday. Turkey and Tunisia are among the biggest beneficiaries from the trend towards non-EU bookings, the firm said in a report, with demand for both recovering after security concerns curbed bookings in recent years. Britain was due to leave the EU on March 29, but an impasse in parliament over the terms of Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal has delayed departure. A new deadline of Oct. 31 was agreed with Brussels. Thomas Cook, the world's oldest travel company, said it was "clear that the prolonged uncertainty around the manner and timing of Britain's exit from the European Union has led many to delay their decision on when and where they book for their summer holidays." But a majority of the 3,422 UK holidaymakers surveyed by the company nevertheless said they were more likely to holiday abroad than last year, with a quarter saying that a foreign holiday was higher in their spending priorities than in 2018, compared to just 8 percent who said it was lower. "Britain may be living through unique times from a political perspective, however our desire to holiday abroad is clear," said Will Waggott, Chief of Tour Operating for Thomas Cook. "The political turmoil is having an impact in other ways, revealing itself in a clear shift to non-EU countries." Thomas Cook said 48 percent of its UK package holiday bookings for this summer so far were to non-EU destinations, up 10 percentage points on the same time last year. Turkey has overtaken Greece to be the second most popular destination, with Spain remaining in top spot. And a slight increase in "all-inclusive" holidays could reflect a desire for travellers to "lock in" food and drink costs given the possible volatility in the pound, the company said. Earlier this month easyJet warned that travellers were holding off booking their summer holidays due to uncertainty over how Brexit would go, weakening demand for tickets and thus prices. China's factory activity likely expanded at a steady but modest clip in April, marking the second straight month of improving business conditions, as government growth-boosting measures buoy the vast manufacturing sector. Continued signs of expansion, following surprisingly strong March data, would add to views that the world's second-largest economy is slowly regaining its footing after growth cooled to a near 30-year low last year. But investors are closely eyeing leading indicators such as new orders for clues on whether the new-found momentum can be sustained, or switch into higher gear. Upbeat data in recent weeks has already prompted financial markets to scale back expectations of how much more stimulus will be announced. The official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) is forecast at 50.5, unchanged from March's reading, which was the first expansion in four months, according to the median forecast of 25 economists. The 50-point mark separates expansion from contraction on a monthly basis. "Generally speaking, given higher total social financing in the first quarter, coupled with faster fiscal spending for infrastructure projects, the stabilising trend in the economy is set to continue," said Nie Wen, economist at Hwabao Trust, who forecast the PMI would rise to 50.8. But some China watchers said growth may have moderated, as various one-off boosts to March factory readings taper off. Some manufacturers were believed to have built up inventory in March to take advantage of Beijing's announcement of value-added tax cuts that went into effect on April 1. "After the VAT adjustment, inventories of raw material may fall by a certain extent, which could drive a pullback in April PMI," said Lu Zhengwei, chief economist at Industrial Bank, in a note on Sunday. SOME ENCOURAGING SIGNS In the latest sign that financial strains on larger companies may be easing, data on Saturday showed industrial profits grew in March for the first time in five months, driven by stronger sales. But analysts note gains in production so far are likely being driven largely by stimulus, such as higher infrastructure spending, rather than a natural pick-up in demand. The world's second-largest economy grew at a steady 6.4 percent pace in the first quarter, defying expectations for a further slowdown, as industrial production jumped sharply and consumer demand improved. China is targeting economic growth of 6.0-6.5 percent this year, after growth last year cooled to 6.6 percent, weighed down by weak investment and the escalating trade war with the United States. Export orders are likely to remain weak after contracting for 10 straight months in March, highlighting the toll that a months-long U.S.-China tariff war is taking as both sides push for a trade deal. Weaker demand globally is also a dampening factor, weighing particularly on high-value technology exports. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he would soon host Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the White House, setting the stage for a possible agreement on trade between the world's two largest economies. U.S. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin told the New York Times that negotiations are in "the final laps" as he and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer prepare to fly to Beijing this week for more talks. A private business survey - the Caixin/Markit Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' index (PMI) - which focuses more on small and medium-sized Chinese firms - is expected to show growth quickened in April. The Caixin PMI is forecast to pick up to 51.0 from 50.8 in March, as policymakers' efforts to channel affordable financing to struggling smaller firms appears to be bearing fruit. The official PMI survey is due out on April 30, along with a sister survey on services. The Caixin manufacturing PMI will come out on the same day, and its services PMI on May 6. Representative image Gunmen killed four worshippers and a pastor in the first jihadist attack on a church in Burkina Faso, security and local sources said on April 29. April 28 attack took place in the small northern town of Silgadji near Djibo, the capital of Soum province, and two others were reported missing. "Unidentified armed individuals have attacked the Protestant church in Silgadji, killing four members of the congregation and the main pastor," a security source told AFP. "At least two other people are missing," the source added. It was the first attack on a church since jihadist violence erupted in the west African nation. Muslim clerics and imams have been targeted as well. "The attack happened around 1:00 pm, just as the faithful were leaving the church at the end of the service," a member of the church who did not want to be identified told AFP. "The attackers were on motorbikes. They fired in the air before aiming at the members of the congregation," the witness added. Burkina Faso has suffered from increasingly frequent and deadly attacks attributed to a number of jihadist groups, including the Ansarul Islam group, the Group to Support Islam and Muslims (GSIM) and Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. The attacks started in the north of the country before targetting the capital Ouagadougou and other regions, notably the east of the country. In February, a Spanish priest, Father Cesar Fernandez, was killed in a raid attributed to jihadists in Nohao in the centre of the country. The wife and daughter of the suspected mastermind of suicide bombings that killed 253 in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday escaped with minor injuries from an explosion at a safe house where they had been holed up, hospital staff and police said on April 29. Mohamed Zahran Hashim was the ringleader of a group who blew themselves up in churches and hotels, an attack that sent shockwaves across the Indian Ocean island. The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility. His father and two of his brothers were killed when security forces stormed their safe house on the east coast of the country on April 26 night, police and a relative said. The Sri Lankan military said at least 15 people were killed during a gun battle there, and Islamic State said on April 28 that three of its members detonated explosive vests at the end of the clash. The only two survivors of the blasts were Zahran's wife, Abdul Cader Fathima Sadia, and his four-year-old daughter, Mohamed Zahran Rusaina, who were pulled from the wreckage on April 27 morning. Sadia is a key accused in the Easter Sunday bombings, according to three police officers in the eastern district of Ampara, who declined to be identified as they are not authorised to speak to the media. At Ampara General Hospital, where the pair are being treated, there was a heavy police and military presence on Monday. They both suffered 5-10 percent burns along with minor lacerations from shrapnel, said Upul Wijenayake, the hospital's general manager. "They are clinically stable though both of them have burn injuries," he told Reuters. "Both of them are improving." Despite Sadia's suspected role in the attacks, she is not under arrest, according to Wijenayake and police officers who spoke to Reuters. "No one is arrested in the clinical process," said Wijenayake. "It is a matter of ethics." Hospital staff denied a request by Reuters to visit Sadia to seek comment on her alleged role in the attacks. Security was very tight at the hospital around arguably the country's most high-profile patients. Hospital staff were trying to work out how the pair managed to survive the blast, which police believe killed many of Zahran's relatives. A series of explosions blew off the house's roof and left a crater in the concrete floor. But the structure's kitchen and bathroom were relatively unscathed, a Reuters team saw during a visit to the property on April 28. Sri Lankan security officials have warned that militants, possibly dressed in uniform, were planning more attacks. Security has been ramped up across the country, and scores of suspects have been arrested since the April 21 blasts. The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Election Commission on a plea challenging the legal provision mandating six months jail for questioning the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The court issued the notice on a petition seeking the decriminalization of the act of filing complaints regarding discrepancies between EVMs and VVPATs. According to section 49 MA of Code Of Election Rules, if a person files a complaint regarding the discrepancy (voted for a particular party but it went to some other party) regarding the EVM, and, if after investigation this is found to be false or incorrect, then the complainant can be prosecuted under section 177 of IPC for "furnishing false information. This section invites six months in jail or a Rs 1,000 fine or both". Petitioner Sunil Ahya contended before the court that such a clause deters an elector from reporting any discrepancies observed at the time of casting vote. "Deviant behaviour and lodging a complaint which is an essential ingredient in a continuous exercise for improving the electoral process," said the petitioner. Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article. April 29, 2019 Baghdadi Is Back And Turkey Might Be His Next Target Remember this dude? He is back. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, self declared caliph of ISIS, appeared in new video published today. These are the first pictures of him since some three plus years ago. He mentions the defeat in Baghouz. A speaker in the video, not Baghdadi, mentions the recent attacks in Sri Lanka which killed over 250 people and the recent ouster of Omar al-Bashir in Sudan. A short excerpt of the 18 minutes long video can be seen here. There are three disguised people Baghdadi is talking to. The video is heavily edited and it appears that it was filmed in many takes. The visible walls are of drapery but do not seem to be the inside of a tent. The ground is flat. The light is artificial. The sound is solid but has no echos. This was probably filmed in a room of a larger house. The gun to his right is a Kalashnikov AKS-74U with a large (45 rounds) magazine: US journalist C. J. Chivers reported that the gun was nicknamed "the Osama" in jihadist circles, after Osama bin Laden was photographed next to an AKS-74U. Pictures of the (now dead) leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq Abu Musab al-Zarqawi showed the same type of gun. It is not a very practical weapon but demonstrates Baghdadi's heritage. Baghdadi accepts the oath of loyalty from groups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. Written text in the video says that the attack in Sri Lanka was in retaliation for Baghouz in Syria where ISIS made its last stand. It claims that the ISIS jihadists did not hand over any area and died fighting to the end in Sirte, Mosul, Raqqa and Baghouz. At least the claim about Raqqa is wrong. When the U.S. destroyed Raqqa some 2-3,000 ISIS fighters negotiated their exit with the U.S. proxies on the ground and moved south-east to attack the Syrian army. Baghdadi says that ISIS will eventually win in a war of attrition against the "Crusaders". This points to a continuous, geographically dispersed terror campaign after it no longer holds any ground. At one point one of the three other people gives him a folder with some plans. The folder is marked Wilayat Turkey. (Wilayat means province of the Islamic State). Baghdadi looks well fed. The reports of him ailing and thin are obviously wrong. His face and hands and those of his guests show no signs of harsh weather or even sun exposure. One wonders whose guest he is. Posted by b on April 29, 2019 at 18:34 UTC | Permalink Comments She said that a threat on her life in front of her child brought DSS into her world and she was scared. This ended up being a blessing to her because she was just really, really glad to get out of that situation alive. I proceeded to take care of my daughter and home. I began succeeding in my job and everything around me. She says she continued to face mental abuse over the years and abuse from outside the family as well. And life just kind of took its toll on me. She said she started drinking a little too much, and about three months later realized she didnt want to be like her abusers, so she checked herself into rehab. Going through what she described as a very bad and stressful custody battle, Kirby said she was asked to take a parenting class. However, she felt she didnt really learn a lot with this particular course, so she decided to go online and saw a parenting class offered through SCAN. I paid for it and I went to it and I loved it. Correcting the behavior While going through clinical director Laurie Trosuks class, she said she learned things about her parenting she needed to correct. IN THE SERVICE OF THE USA Back to Texas: Airman Frank J. Garland, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank R. Garland of Route 1, Morganton, has completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, for training in aircraft maintenance, Airman Garland is a 1968 graduate of Salem High School. Enlists in the Marines: Eandall Lee Haynes, a senior at Morganton High School and son of Mr. and Mrs. Jessie C. Haynes of 109 Bickett Street, has enlisted in the U . S . Marine Corps for four years and will begin basic training at Parris Island , South Carolina, on June 23. Haynes enlisted under the 120 - day delay program. THREE MORE FILE FOR MORGANTON ELECTION Three more canidates filed Friday for the May 6 city of Morganton election, bringing the total number to eight, with contests assured for all three seats. J.H. McCombe Sr. paid his fee for mayor, and W.H. (Bill) Gibbs and Clyde E. Small Sr. tossed their hats into the ring for city council. Small was the fourth candidate to announce for Ward Three. Cecil Saunders Sr., Jack Helton and incumbent Arthur B. Darwin already had announced. STATE OFFICIAL VISITS COMMUNITY COLLEGE CMP is pleased to announce the winners from the 13th annual Canadian Mortgage Awards brought to you by the Coalition of Independent Mortgage Brokers of Canada. Industry professionals came from across the country to attend the biggest ever Canadian Mortgage Awards night at The Liberty Grand ballroom in Toronto. All eyes were fixed on the stage as the honourees took home the industrys most coveted prizes. Tuxes, cocktail dresses and a few adventurous dance moves were spotted at the event. So, too, were hundreds of the industrys top professionals, who eagerly anticipated the announcement of this years lucky winners, which included CanWise Financial, winner of Brokerage of the Year (25 or More Employees), and Centum Home Lenders Clinton Wilkins, who won Broker of the Year (Fewer than 25 Employees). Where I do see downside risks to their forecast is more so in 2020. And in 2020, theyre calling for 2.2% growth or so that to me is much too optimistic. Im a full percentage point below that in my growth forecast. Moreover, the bank kept its 2% growth rate prediction for 2021, adding that this will be fuelled by recovery in exports and investments, as well as being aided by a progressively stable housing market. Doyle cited potential economic sluggishness south of the border as a main factor in his more pessimistic prognosis. Canadas actually had despite our low growth for the last few years weve had a very strong tailwind from a very robust U.S. economy, he stated. In the U.S. economy we still have strong, solid growth ahead, but it is likely to slow from here. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2020, people that are renewing their five-year fixed-rate mortgages theyre the same people that took out those mortgages when the Bank of Canada cut rates in the first quarter of 2015. "The harm that HUD inflicted on CBCMA and the members of the Cedar Band with this administrative action is staggering," said Helgi Walker, lead counsel with law firm Gibson Dunn & Crutcher. "We are pleased that the government understood the need to hit the pause button and return to the status quo for a period of time. We remain confident that we will prevail in permanently rectifying this unlawful agency action." "Staying the effectiveness of the Mortgagee Letter will help the borrowers harmed by this action, the other government entities placed in limbo through its publication, and the industry as a whole by providing greater certainty while this matter is litigated," attorney Michelle Rogers said. The lawsuit called for an order to freeze the enforcement of the Mortgagee Letter on the grounds that it was adopted without prior notice, an opportunity to comment, and without legally required consultation with affected Native American tribes and bands, violating federal law. "We understand that HUD officials must balance protection of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund (MMIF) with its mission of helping low- to moderate-income families fulfill their dream of homeownership," said Bobby Rowser, a member of the Cedar Band of Paiutes. "However, limiting the Band to the reservation does nothing to lower defaults on FHA mortgages. We urge HUD to seek for and evaluate public commentary and data, prior to implementing policy changes." Seven people have been convicted in a wide-ranging, $10 million mortgage scam that targeted the Sacramento, Calif., Latino community. Jaime Mayorga, 40, and Ruben Rodriguez, 42, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud after a six-day trial. Five other defendants previously pleaded guilty of charges related to the scam, according to the US Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of California. Mayorga and Rodriguez took advantage of members of the Latino community who hoped to become homeowners and manipulated the real estate process for personal gain, said US Attorney McGregor W. Scott. As so often occurs in these cases, the result was losses to the financial institutions and neighborhoods burdened with foreclosed properties. (Bloomberg) -- In a state known for its oil-based booms and busts, Jerry Morales is convinced Midland, Texas, the unofficial capital of the Permian Shale Basin, has a chance to break from the pattern. In the Permian, "we dont say boom anymore," according to Morales, who serves as mayor of the nations fastest growing city. "Were very sustainable. The boom-and-bust era is over." What a difference a year can make. In 2018, Morales sat in the Mulberry Cafe in Midland and talked of a local economy that was "on fire" and out of control because of the oil boom. A year later, sitting in the same cafe, his message is decidedly different. Midland is using a $100 million bond to fix overused roads, and accessing a $180 million regional fund from a new coalition of 20 drillers for other advances, he said. A $50 million water tower has been approved to serve expanding neighborhoods, and a $3 million animal adoption center is in the works for pets left homeless by apartment-dwelling oil workers. Meanwhile, four drillers led by Chevron Corp. have funded a new childcare facility that opened last week. "I dont want Midland to be known as a big mancamp," Morales said. "We are having to think outside the box and truly be urban planners, creating a city and an environment thats inviting for everyone." The Permian rose from the dead with the advent of fracking a decade ago to become a market beast, producing about a third of U.S. oil as it grew to become one of the worlds most prolific oilfields. RELATED: Pence: Basin is heart of energy renaissance In the process, though, local resources were stretched beyond their limits. Now, Morales and others say the region may be settling into adulthood. Employers still struggle to fill jobs in competition with the oilfields, roads are jammed, schools overflow and home prices are sky-high. But local leaders say they have plans and resources set to secure a long-term future. The changes are coming as oil traders and shale executives believe U.S. crude exports -- driven by success in the Permian -- will reach 5 million barrels a day by late 2020, up about 60 percent from last years average. If that target is hit, America will be exporting, on a gross basis, more crude than any country in OPEC, except Saudi Arabia. Even so, the drilling rig count in the Permian sits at almost the same level as a year ago, at 460, according to Baker Hughes. And the number of fracking crews working to complete drilled wells is down 8 percent, according to Primary Vision Inc., a Houston-based data firm. Controlled Expansion Analysts say the breakneck pace of drilling and no-holds-barred development that upended the Permian economy for much of the past decade is now mellowing as entrepreneurial explorers make way for corporate managers. Where wildcatters once ruled, Exxon and Chevron, Americas two biggest energy companies, are quickly becoming the faces of that controlled expansion. Indeed, Chevron is now in a rare-in-the-industry bidding war with Occidental Petroleum Corp. to acquire Anadarko Petroleum Corp. and expand its influence in the region. Although theres probably still a lot of oil to be found, explorers finally have a good handle on where the richest zones lie, meaning theres no longer a scramble to strike the next big discovery. "Were a well-established oilfield; were not an adolescent anymore," said Wesley Burnett, who runs the economic development program for Odessa, 20 miles southwest of Midland. "Theres definitely been some realization of: Man, weve got to do some things differently in order to get to that next level." Tracee Bentley, a former aid to Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, is the chief executive officer of the 20-driller Permian Strategic Partnership, launched in November to help local communities deal with the added stress they bring. Among its members are Chevron Corp., Anadarko Petroleum Corp., ConocoPhillips and Apache Corp. Strategic Partnership The partnership being forged between the oil companies and the local communities is unlike anything achieved elsewhere, Bentley said. "Were literally creating it as we go, which is fun and frightening all at the same time," she said in an interview. "The amount of work can be daunting if you look at the basin as a whole. We really want the Permian to be a place that families call home." Susie Hitchcock-Hall, for one, is impressed by the changes so far. Hitchcock-Hall, a longtime Midland-based candy maker dubbed the "Willy Wonka of West Texas," owns a candy factory in Midland that can safely hold two busloads of children at a time, she said. A giant tin dish on one wall was once used to enter the Guinness World Records for the biggest piece of toffee ever made. It weighed 2,940 pounds. The Permian of today has a different feel to it from the roller coaster rides of the past, she said, and shes impressed the oil companies are chipping in. "Theyve pulled the big dogs in," Hitchcock-Hall said. They have the "wherewithal, and theyre smart." Still, even as leaders like Morales hesitate to describe the regions state as being a "boom," there are boomtown reminders everywhere. At Opals Table in downtown Midland, for instance, every seat was taken on a recent Wednesday night as diners noshed on $36 Seared Ahi Tuna Steak and sipped $14 Liquid Gold cocktails. Meanwhile, just outside, city of Midland-owned vehicles tooled around town with a sign on their door advertising "now hiring." The citys unemployment rate was at 2.2 percent in February, compared with 3.8 percent nationally, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Were not going to make anybody move here," said Mitch Jones, who manages the Permian Basin fracking business for BJ Services Inc., one of the biggest providers of completion services in the Permian. "Now if they choose to, well great. It definitely helps if they are local." The Midland City Council representative for west and northwest Midland has unfinished business, and that is why J.Ross Lacy will run for a third term for District 4. Lacy, during his six years on the council, has put the focus on infrastructure and trying to put resources behind the citys effort to bring the previously neglected roads into the 21st century. Lacy led the successful road bond campaign that will allow the city to tackle 26 projects over five years. Lacy said the bond, which is in its second year, is still on time and $6 million under budget. During his 2017 campaign, Lacy told voters he would remain on the council to see the project through, so his re-election announcement is a campaign promise. The campaign wasnt just about roads. Lacy said it was an opportunity to show that government could work for the people. He told the Reporter-Telegram last week that should the savings continue, he expects the city will be able to add another couple of projects and over-deliver on the 26 projects we promised. It has been unbelievable honor to represent residents of District 4 the last six years, and I feel we still have some unfinished business in the district and around the city, and I want to stick around for a third term to see this come through, Lacy said Friday afternoon. Lacy said future District 4 projects include the extension of Wadley Avenue west to State Highway 158. Lacy said that project is in the engineering and design stages, and construction could take place in the next 18 months. An extended Wadley Avenue could alleviate congestion at State Highway 191 and Loop 250, he said. Lacy also said there are two more phases of Briarwood Avenue to complete. As we continue to see the northwest side of Midland grow, we have to put appropriate infrastructure in the thoroughfares and arterials to move traffic that way, Lacy said. His focus on infrastructure includes calling for $10 million a year in road repairs. The council accomplished that goal this year. Lacy said the total amount of money invested for road construction and maintenance will be around $35 million. He said the councils commitment to better infrastructure must continue. (We) need to go forward and find an additional revenue source to address street maintenance, Lacy said. I personally believe it should be the quarter-cent sales tax for a street improvement fund and go directly back into infrastructure because we are behind. And it is easy to see that. Council notes: District 4 is generally west Midland -- west of Midkiff Road south of Andrews Highway, west of Midland Drive, south of Wadley Avenue and nearly everything west of Holiday Hill Road in northwest Midland. There will be three seats on the ballot in November, the mayors seat, District 3 and District 4. Mayor Jerry Morales has stated his intention to run for a third term. District 3 representative Sharla Hotchkiss stated she will not run for a third term. District 3 is generally central Midland. The Jacksonville NAACP will host the statewide organizations quarterly meeting on Saturday. The meeting will bring officers from NAACP branches across the state together to report on activities and discuss ways for branches to focus on the goals of the national association. Branches hold events and take approaches that work for their community to address issues on which the state and national NAACP organizations have policy stances. The meeting will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 905 N. Clay Ave. Back in 1972, I was in the second grade at Bateman Elementary School in Galesburg and our teacher, Mrs. Turner, had us studying that years presidential election. One student from a Democratic family was assigned to bring in a poster of the Democratic nominee and one from a Republican family had to bring in a poster of the GOP candidate. A classmate taped George McGoverns picture on the classroom wall. I brought in a giant poster of Richard Nixon. Georges and Dicks images stared down on the class of 7- and 8-year-olds for weeks as we polished our reading skills and learned to add and subtract. And on Nov. 8, our teacher pasted winner on Nixons face. Of course, we know how the story ended, Nixon resigned in disgrace two years later. When you think about it, the 1972 election was one for Democrats to lose. Nixon barely won the office in 1968 when running against Hubert Humphrey, an establishment Democrat. His time in office was marred by an ugly, unpopular war in Vietnam, there were riots in the streets and, lets face it, Nixon wasnt a particularly likable person. He was a polarizing figure hated by many Democrats, prone to paranoia and not above lying to further his political ambitions. He earned the moniker Tricky Dick all on his own. So how could Nixon, with all of those liabilities, carry 49 states in 1972? Well, Democratic primary voters chose a candidate who was perceived by many voters as being out of the mainstream. McGovern advocated the federal government giving every American $1,000 (about $6,000 in todays dollars.) He also was one of only a dozen members of Congress who opposed American military involvement in Vietnam from the beginning. While today we might view his position as prophetic, in 1972 he was still viewed as too Dovish to be commander in chief. His nomination resulted in a landslide victory for Nixon. As regular readers of this column know, Im an advocate for lower taxes, less regulation and fewer barriers to trade. And Id also like the idea of less government. Most folks would call that conservative. But I wont support someone of any political stripe who fails to display integrity. And I can say with near certainty that Trump will not receive my vote next year. Why? I dont view him as an honorable man. Honorable men dont cheat on their wives, lie with daily regularity or chose vulgar discourse over constructive debate. As regular readers of this column know, neither Donald Trump nor Hillary Clinton received my vote in 2016. Instead, I voted for a third-party candidate. I am hoping that Democrats nominate a moderate candidate of integrity, who can appeal to a broad ideological spectrum of voters. Otherwise, we should expect a repeat of 1972. Without a palatable choice from Democrats, disaffected voters will likely gravitate to third-party candidates such as Starbucks founder Howard Schultz. Or they may just not vote. Either scenario bodes well for the incumbent. And like 1972, it could mean the re-election of a deeply flawed man, who is far from guaranteed to have a scandal-free second term. Scott Reeder is a veteran statehouse journalist and a freelance reporter. He can be reached at ScottReeder1965@gmail.com. The Plainview Area Retired School Personnel Association (PARSPA), an affiliate of Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA), awarded a future teacher a $750 scholarship at its April meeting at Plainview Adult Activity Center. Shalee Bennett of Plainview received the scholarship from The Texas Retired Teachers Foundation. The program awards students who have completed their college education and are about to enter the classroom as professional educators for the first time. The scholarship provides funds to help the new educator purchase materials for his or her classroom during the first year of teaching. Out of 40 applicants, Bennett, representing District 17, was one of 21 who received the scholarship. She will start her student teaching in the elementary area. The featured program was "Hope Lodge of Lubbock," presented by Andrea Ingram and Sherrie Wall. A co-title could be "Giving Cancer Patients Hope--Away From Home." "Getting the best care sometimes means cancer patients must travel away from home," Ingram said. "This can place an extra emotional and financial burden on patients and caregivers during an already challenging time. The American Cancer Society is trying to make this difficult situation easier for both cancer patients and their families through Hope Lodge." In 2018, the Lubbock Lodge provided for 7,111 people from 46 counties in Texas and 10 in New Mexico. The Lodge is located in the medical district near UMC. It was built in 2010 and is the only one in Texas not in a metroplex area. Everything is free, but there are eligibility requirements. "Ambulatory adults who are receiving outpatient cancer treatments at a facility at least 40 miles (or a one hour's drive) away from home may be eligible to stay at Hope Lodge," Ingram said. Plainview residents are included because the city was "grandfathered in." Hope Volunteers arrange donation drives for basic food staples and for other essential items needed for maintaining a home environment. They cook and serve dinner for guests, or guests may share with others food they have brought with them. The evening meal is always a looked-forward-to event, Ingram said. Wall described Hope Lodge. The building has 32 rooms, a kitchen, a dining room, a library, a prayer room, a living room, an activity room, two day rooms, and free laundry facilities. "Hope Lodge is a place to share your meal, join in the evening's activities or unwind in your own private room," Wall said. The facility has ample opportunity for volunteer services, including organizing a donation drive; cooking and serving dinner for guests; sponsoring game nights, craft nights, and movie nights; doing housekeeping chores; and helping with holiday meals and decorating. "The easiest way to help with Hope Lodge needs is to donate most frequently needed items for the kitchen, laundry, cleaning, bedroom/bath, office supplies, and lastly, just miscellaneous," Wall said. Co-President Linda Murphree gave a report on her trip to State TRTA Convention, where legislators were still working on a possible salary increase for active and retired teachers. She encouraged everyone to contact their representatives. Murphree also participated in changing by-laws and amendments. State TRTA Convention was approved to meet in Austin on even years and Capital Day on odd years. A few by-laws were improved in clarity by word modification. Murphree welcomed Maria Jass from Friona ISD as a new member and conducted an installation of officers for 2019-20. The next meeting will be in September. New internal medicine physician, Bill Hatch, D.O. wants to invest in Plainview. So he bought a house. "I want to be a part of the hospital, I want to take it seriously and part of that is being a part of the community. So the next step, is to buy a house," said Hatch, who just signed to be one of Covenant Health Plainview hospitalists starting this summer. Hatch will join the Sound medical hospitalist group, who partners with Covenant Health Plainview to provide in-patient physician services exclusively with the hospital. "Dr. Hatch and his family will be a wonderful addition to our Plainview community. I am so excited to have another full-time hospitalist joining Dr. Naeem Salat," said Covenant Health Plainview CEO Bob Copeland. "Continuity of care for our inpatients will be greatly enhanced with these two full-time hospitalists working together. The Sound Physician Group is a national group of physicians that provide inpatient hospitalist medical coverage to hospitals all across the U.S., including Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock. Their quality metrics and outcomes are outstanding." Usually, Sound hospitalists live in bigger cities and stay in Plainview during their weekly rotations. That's not what Hatch wants to do. He wants to live in Plainview and will rotate weekly shifts with Dr. Salat. "I was very impressed with Plainview," said Hatch, as he sat outside the Unger Memorial Library, while his family looked for books inside during a house hunting break. "My first impression with the hospital and the community was really how friendly everyone was here," he said. The Hatch family currently lives in the Texas Gulf Coast where he finished his residency at the Corpus Christi Medical Center. "I'm super excited about moving here. I was born in a small town in Arizona and I'm excited to be back in that environment. Also I like the space, the quietness and the lack of traffic," said Hatch with a laugh. Hatch attended medical school at A.T. Still University in Arizona and received his undergrad at Brigham Young University in Utah where he majored in microbiology with a minor in political science. But Hatch's career plan was a little different prior to medical school as he admitted he originally wanted to make a long-term career out of his service with the United State Navy. "I was in the Navy for eight years," explained Hatch. Hatch served as a Cryptologic Intelligence Technician, CTI, and specialized in translating official Cambodian information into English. Hatch said he already knew how to speak some Cambodian after serving two years there as a Mormon missionary. While stationed in Hawaii, Hatch met his wife Maly who was attending college on the island. "I was in the military, and I really enjoyed my life," said Hatch. "But for my wife and for the sake of our future kids, we wanted to have a job where I wasn't deployed around the world." Now, Hatch is finding that same excitement in the medical field as he said he loves the challenges of medicine. "I enjoy providing acute care. There is a level of excitement to it," explained Hatch. "And Plainview really deals with some critically ill patients from time to time. I was impressed that this small of town was providing such a high level of care." The most rewarding part of medicine for Hatch is the connections he makes with his patients. "Easily the most rewarding part of this whole thing the relationships you create with patients and their families," Hatch explained. Hatch and wife Maly have two children, Maleesa, 6, and Rayden, 2. "They love it here and have already made some friends," said Hatch. By rough count, the Taste Team eats and drinks at a hundred San Antonio bars and restaurants every month. From those adventures, we pick five things that triggered our impulses for joy, indulgence, value or comfort. Sometimes all at the same time. In April, the cheeseburger from Sternewirth at the Pearls Hotel Emma topped our list of five, with strong competition from a stiff drink at Bar 1919, a chile relleno at Chisme, a big molcajete from La Taqueria de Monterrey and crispy spring rolls from Tongs Thai. The Katy Area Chamber of Commerce is launching a business to business (B2B) expo and luncheon May 16 to support business development, growth and sustainabilty in the growing Katy area. The Chamber B2B Expo and Luncheon is presented by Champion Sponsors Goldman Sachs 10,000 Businesses and Houston Methodist West Hospital. We are excited about the resources, networking and information that businesses will gain at our first B2B Expo and Luncheon, said Marcus Henneke, chairman of the board for the Katy Area Chamber. The event, which closely follows U.S. Small Business Week, is a way to celebrate the important contributions the business community has in sustaining a vibrant, healthy community in the Katy area. The Expo, which will be held at the Wyndham Houston West Energy Corridor, will feature more than 30 business exhibitors who will network and share information. The Expo will be open from 10-11:30 a.m. and again from 1-2 p.m. In the middle of the event, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., the Expo will pause and the Chamber will host its monthly luncheon featuring guest speakers focused on specific areas of interest for business owners. The lunch program is packed with valuable information and resources that participating business owners will find important as they pursue growth, development and sustainability in their businesses, Henneke said. Participants during the luncheon program include the U.S. Small Business Administration, which will discuss access to capital. The luncheon also will feature a panel moderated by Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses and include procurement officers from Houston Community College, Katy Independent School District and BP. We strongly encourage businesses to sign up soon as an exhibitor or attendee because space is limited and sponsorships are sold out already, Henneke said. In addition to champion sponsors Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses and Houston Methodist West Hospital, event sponsors include platinum sponsors: Memorial Hermann Katy and Community Impact Newspaper; gold sponsors: The Excel Center West Oaks Hospital and TDECU; and silver sponsors: FAS Bookkeeping and Tax Services, Storage West, Katy Area YMCAs, Liberty Mutual Insurance, XperNet Services, Zion Urgent Care Clinic, Houston Community College - Katy Campus and Comcast Business. To register for the event, businesses should visit https://tinyurl.com/y3ptajcf. For more information, businesses can contact Katy Area Chamber board members and Expo organizers Margaret Laney (laney.margaret@gmail.com) or Cristy Fontanilla (cristy@fas-accountingsolutions.com). A parrot was taken into custody Monday after nearly spoiling a raid while playing lookout for two crack-dealing suspects by repeatedly yelling, "Mamae, policia!" according to Brazilian police in the state of Piaui. The phrase means, "Mama, police!" Police encountered the unnamed parrot at the home of the two alleged crack cocaine dealers, perched inside a small brick one-story home with a windowless facade, Brazil's R7 news channel reported. As police searched for the suspects, it seemed the lime-green bird knew exactly what to do. "He must have been trained for this," one officer involved in the operation said of the parrot's attempt to interfere with law enforcement, the Guardian reported. "As soon as the police got close he started shouting." The bird's efforts were not successful, however. Footage of the raid's aftermath aired by R7 shows police cataloguing small bags of crack while the parrot sits obediently on a countertop next to a racecar helmet and a glass bottle. Its apparent owners, a man and teenage girl, were arrested, local newspaper Meio Norte reported. WARNING: Blood sucking 'kissing bugs' are on the march through the U.S. An officer then carried the papagaio do trafico - or "trafficking parrot," as news outlets referred to the bird - out of the house on his hand before placing it in a cage and taking him into the Teresina Police Department. The parrot did not say a word, remaining in total silence even as law enforcement sought to loosen it up. This caused the couple's defense attorney, Salma Barros, to cast some doubt on police's version of events. She questioned in an interview with Meio Norte how a bird accused of loudly tipping off law enforcement for drug dealers could remain totally quiet in the police station. Others were concerned that the bird was in police custody at all. An environmentalist named Jaqueline Lustosa told Meio Norte that she had gone to the police department in attempt to free the bird. As of Wednesday, GloboNews, one of Brazil's largest cable news outlets, reported that the parrot had been taken to a local zoo, where zookeepers would train it how to fly. The pet's stubborn silence continued even there, a veterinarian said. "Lots of police officers have come by," veterinarian Alexandre Clark said Wednesday, according to the Guardian, "and he's said nothing." This is not the first time a parrot has been accused of aiding drug-trafficking suspects. In Colombia in 2010, a parrot named Lorenzo made international headlines after police recorded it warning his owners "Run! Run!" in Spanish at the sight of police officers approaching. It was found guarding a cache of guns and pot. "You could say he was some sort of lookout," a Colombian police officer said, according to the Associated Press. AT THE BORDER: They fear being deported, but they meet with ICE agents anyway Colombian officials claimed then that Lorenzo was one of 1,700 birds authorities had recently seized, believing they had all been trained to alert their owners if police approached, the AP reported. Exotic animals have long been used by drug cartels as symbols of power or as unwitting accomplices in drug trafficking. For example, Reuters reported in 2009 that traffickers have tucked drugs into hidden compartments in crates containing venomous snakes marked "Don't open!" so that customs workers would be too afraid to look inside. In 2011, Al Jazeera reported that Mexican authorities were seizing so many exotic animals from "narco zoos" belonging to Mexican drug cartel leaders that they did not know what to do with all of them. In some cases, the news outlet reported, the animals served as both symbols of power and as a warning to rival gangs: Members of the Zetas gang were rumored to have fed their enemies to the backyard tigers. In Brazil, police claimed such gang warfare was a reality. In 2008, authorities reported they had confiscated two alligators from drug traffickers who had allegedly fed the reptiles corpses of rival gang members, according to GloboNews. Houston Chronicle A 10-year-old boy is expected to be OK after being hit by a car Monday morning in north Harris County. The boy was apparently running across Aldine Bender Road near Sequoia Bend Boulevard shortly before 7 a.m. when he was struck by a vehicle, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. A 20-year-old woman is accused of seducing a man to a North Side park where two accomplices robbed him at gunpoint, according to court records. Viviana Leilane Bruno now faces a charge of aggravated robbery. She was booked into the Bexar County Jail on $20,000 bail. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox According to her arrest affidavit, Bruno and the victim connected over Snapchat and met with each other several times prior to the alleged robbery. On April 4, the two met shortly after midnight, and Bruno suggested they go to a nearby park in the 25000 block of Granite Path to "sit in the car and get intimate." While the victim and Bruno were at the park, two suspects, one of whom was armed with brass knuckles and the other with a shotgun, confronted the victim and demanded his keys. READ ALSO: Multiple suspects arrested after crime spree involving gunfire, robbery and drugs The victim handed over the keys, and Bruno drove off with the two suspects in her car. The victim later discovered the three suspects went to his home and stole his cash savings. According to police, the victim later identified Bruno in a photo lineup and provided investigators with security camera footage of the suspects burglarizing his home. Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com Caleb Downs covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County. Read him on our breaking news site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | cdowns@mysa.com | @calebjdowns Former Bulawayo South member of Parliament and ex-MDC national executive member Mr Eddie Cross says President Mnangagwas administration has not received due credit for reforms that he has undertaken in the past year, especially in the international media. Mr Cross, who on Thursday last week had a talk at the Cape Town Press Club where he addressed the South African journalistic fraternity on Zimbabwes transition from former President Robert Mugabe to President Mnangagwa in November last year and its aftermath, yesterday told the Sunday Times that President Mnangagwa had taken Zimbabwe on a path of transformation. He took the opportunity to boldly declare his confidence in President Mnangagwas ability to move Zimbabwe from the quagmire of the past leadership. There is no doubt in my mind that Mnangagwa will take Zimbabwe down a different route. And I think in the past nine months (since the election) hes not received sufficient recognition from the international media for what hes actually achieved, Mr Cross was quoted as saying in The Sunday Times yesterday. The former legislator also expressed confidence and optimism that President Mnangagwas Zanu-PF Government would turn around the countrys economic fortunes and political standing. He also heaped praise on President Mnanagwas political reforms. There would be no engagement from the international community if a political reform agenda is not adopted or followed. In his (President Mnangwagwas) view, we had to have legitimacy recognised by the international community in order to put the country back on its feet. We were really quite surprised at the strength of his view, he said. Government and the International Monetary Fund are working on macro-economic policies and structural reforms that will underpin the countrys Staff Monitored Programme. The SMP will be monitored on a quarterly basis and aims to implement a coherent set of policies that can facilitate a return to macro-economic stability. IMF team leader in Zimbabwe Mr Gene Leon said the successful implementation of the SMP will assist in building a track record and facilitate Zimbabwes re-engagement with the international community. The SMP, Mr Leon said, would be anchored on Governments Transitional Stabilisation Programme. Mr Cross also queried the reluctance by the international media to recognise President Mnangagwas achievements. [But] what more does this guy have to do, except stand on his head, to really persuade the world that Zimbabwe is on a new path? We were so far out of the field economically that we couldnt expect to remain a player internationally. But in six weeks, we had a surplus. The International Monetary Fund couldnt believe it. And from September onwards, we have run a surplus. The administration adopted a ballooning debt overhang which was driven by a significant increase in Government overdraft at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, from US$1,4 billion in December 2017 to US$2,5 billion by September last year. Mr Cross added: Zimbabwe has gone from a 40 percent deficit to a balance of payments surplus; by end of next quarter Zim will have a floating currency. Amazing economic achievement done in nine months; (I am) not a fan of Mnangagwabut he is putting Zimbabwe on a new progressive path. Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, in condemning a wave of unjustified price increases from an unscrupulous business community, recently revealed that Government was doing very well on the fiscal front. He said Government was solvent and running surpluses averaging at least $100 million since September last year when the new Government was sworn in. The Finance and Economic Development Minister said in January, Government recorded a surplus of $102 million, February $85,5 million, taking into account cushioning of civil servants while in March, the surplus doubled to about $200 million. Mr Crosss sentiments fly directly in the face of the MDC and other political commentators who have been on the warpath painting a bleak economic picture in Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, a United Nations report has revealed that Zimbabwe was better off under former President Robert Mugabe than under his predecessor, current leader President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The UN World Happiness Report 2019 ranks Zimbabwe as the 146th happiest country out of 156 nations. Zimbabwe dropped two places from number 144 the previous year. In an interview with Newsday, Labour and Economic Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe director Godfrey Kanyenze had this to say: It is not unexpected. If you compare where we are now with where we were last year, certainly last year we were in a better place. Certainly, last year, we did not have the fuel queues, last year expectations were much higher than they are now. The longer we go, the more disappointed we are now because it is a crisis of expectations. After the elections, people are expecting results, for the economy to begin to pick up and the government to address the challenges affecting us. The UN looked at six key variables when compiling the report over a period stretching from 2005-2018. These variables are GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom, generosity, and absence of corruption, according to the World Happiness Report 2019. Herald Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has fired salvos at government officials and family members, who grab farms and dispossess widows and children of fallen heroes. ZNLWVA said it would vigorously protect heroes widows and can kill to defend what is rightfully ours. This, the association noted, follows a worrisome trend whereby officials from the Lands ministry connive with unscrupulous individuals to push fallen heroes widows and their children off farms following the deaths of heroes. ZNLWVA Mashonaland West chapter secretary-general Mudzingaidzwa Nyikadzino Mudarikwa said ex-combatants will fight tooth-and-nail to defend surviving spouses entitlement to land and anyone who harbours sinister motives would bear the brunt of the former guerrilla fighters. We get mad when we are denied what is rightfully ours. We claim what is ours. Our solemn liberation struggle pledge was to claim our land from colonialists and, therefore, to attempt to dispossess widows and children of departed liberation war heroes would be an affront to our cause. Anyone who tries this automatically becomes our enemy. We were trained to confront and kill the enemy, Mudarikwa said while addressing mourners at the burial of State spy agent Martin Nyashanu in Chinhoyi on Wednesday. Nyashanu, who was a senior Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) operative, collapsed and died on Easter Monday and was conferred provincial hero. Mudarikwa reiterated that the Lands ministry should expedite ownership transfer of farms to widows to avoid condemning them and their off-spring to destitution. He cited a case in which Woodlands Farm, Tengwe in Hurungwe district, measuring 100 hectares, was snatched from a war veterans widow and sold off to an Indian businessman. The widow is challenging the illegal take-over of the land at the courts. Mudarikwa challenged bereaved families to productively utilise allocated farms and guard the gains of the liberation struggle that brought the countrys independence. Mashonaland East ZNLWVA chairman Daniel Sigauke echoed the same sentiments, urging war veterans, ex-detainees and war collaborators to remain united in defence of the countrys sovereignty. Recently, the widow of national hero Vitalis Zvinavashe lost a huge chunk of her fertile Knockmallock Farm in Norton to a Chinese company, Sunny Yi Feng Tiles (Zimbabwe) (Pvt) Ltd, after it was given the land to set up a ceramic tiles factory under controversial circumstances. NewsDay Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Boeing made safety optional on its 737 Max to an even greater degree than was previously reported. One factoid that had come out in previous articles on the 737 Max was that Boeing had made a safety feature that would have alerted pilots to the malfunctioning of the angle of attack sensors an option that an airline could obtain only by purchasing a package of safety upgrades. American Airlines did buy this suite of add-ons. The Wall Street Journal article that broke this story says that getting this alert back was one of the reasons it paid up to get the safety suite. This matters because the infamous MCAS software system relied on input from that sensor (more accurately, only one of the two angle of attack sensors at any point in time) to decide if and when it needed to push the nose down to prevent a stall. Pilots could have ascertained the sensors were malfunctioning before takeoff, or if they got an alert during flight, they could have disabled the MCAS system, or been ready to do so if the plane started to misbehave. This basic fact pattern has been revealed to be worse than it first appeared by virtue of Boeing not having been explicit that the angle of attack sensor alerts had been disabled on the 737 Max. Why should Boeing have cleared its throat and said something? Recall that the sales pitch for the 737 Max was that it was so much like existing 737s that it didnt require FAA recertification or pilot simulator training. But the angle of attack sensor alert had been a standard feature in all previous 737s, meaning buyers would assume it was part of the plane unless they were told otherwise. And on top of that, the non-upgraded 737 Max did have lights in the pilots controls for this alert. But they didnt work unless the buyer had purchased the package of safety extras. And the proof that Boeing was playing way too cute with its pointed silence about its deactivation of what had been a standard feature? The biggest customer for the 737 Max, Southwest Airlines, had inaccurate information in its pilots manual because the airline had mistakenly assumed the angle of attack sensor alerts worked as they had on earlier 737s. From the Wall Street Journal: Boeing Co. didnt tell Southwest Airlines Co. and other carriers when they began flying its 737 MAX jets that a safety feature found on earlier models that warns pilots about malfunctioning sensors had been deactivated, according to government and industry officials. Federal Aviation Administration safety inspectors and supervisors responsible for monitoring Southwest, the largest 737 MAX customer, also were unaware of the change, the officials said. The alerts inform pilots whether a sensor known as an angle-of-attack vane is transmitting errant data about the pitch of a planes nose. Southwests management and cockpit crews didnt know about the lack of the warning system for more than a year after the planes went into service in 2017, industry and government officials said. They and most other airlines operating the MAX learned about it only after the Lion Air crash in October led to scrutiny of the planes revised design. Southwests own manuals were wrong about the availability of the alerts, said the Southwest pilots union president, Jon Weaks. The Financial Times confirmed the Journals account: Southwest Airlines says Boeing did not disclose that certain safety features on the troubled 737 Max aircraft were not operable, raising further questions about poor communication between the manufacturer and its customers ahead of its shareholder meeting on Monday. Southwest, the largest global carrier with 737 Max aircraft in its fleet, told the Financial Times that it believed it had functioning alerts installed on its Max aircraft so that its pilots would be made aware when the jets two angle of attack (AOA) sensors disagreed, signalling a malfunction. Aviation experts said it was not clear why Southwest was unaware that it did not have functional disagree alerts in its aircraft. American Airlines, another big US Max carrier, had both safety options installed and its pilots union was reassured by Boeing after the Lion Air crash that they were working, American said. It gets better. After the Lion Air crash, Southwest asked Boeing to activate the alerts. The FAA considered having Southwest ground its 737 Max planes until they determined if pilots should have additional training on these these so-called AOA disagree alerts. Again from the Journal: Less than a month after the Lion Air jet went down, one FAA official wrote that AOA-related issues on MAX jetliners may be masking a larger systems problem that could recreate a Lion Air-type scenario. About two weeks later, other internal emails referred to a hypothetical question of restricting MAX operations, with one message explicitly stating: It would be irresponsible to have MAX aircraft operating with the AOA Disagree Warning system inoperative. The same message alluded to the FAAs power: We need to discuss grounding [Southwests] MAX fleet until the AOA Warning System is fixed and pilots have been trained on it and related displays Within days, the concerns were dismissed.These people concluded that the alerts provided supplemental pilot aids rather than primary safety information, and therefore no additional training was necessary. Boeing and the FAA continued to publicly vouch for the aircrafts safety. Its not hard to infer that the FAA didnt want to go to war with Boeing over a safety concern that Boeing claimed would only come into play in very rare circumstances. No wonder foreign regulators are signaling they dont trust the FAA and will do their own checks before they approve the plane for operation. Boeing says it plans to retrofit all 737 Max aircraft so that will operate as part of its planned fixes to the MCAS software. And Boeing is in more hot water. American Airlines pilots think the amount of training on the 737 Max recommended by Boeing is inadequate. From the Financial Times: Meanwhile, as Boeing works to complete a software fix to prevent such crashes in future, pilots at American Airlines have said the training proposed by the aircraft maker, and endorsed by the FAA, does not go far enough. The Allied Pilots Association, which represents pilots on American, one of the biggest US Max carriers, said in written comments submitted to the FAA that training should go beyond a one-hour iPad course originally provided to Max pilots. But they stopped short of demanding that training on flight simulators be required before the plane can be ungrounded. Requiring simulator training would substantially delay the return of the Max to service. A second Financial Times story on Boeing says that 737 Max customers who had planes grounded are likely to hit Boeing up for their losses: US and European airlines have warned that the grounding of Boeings 737 Max will shave hundreds of millions of dollars from their combined profits this year, raising the prospect that the aircraft manufacturer will face significant costs for compensating customers. The total amount of compensation due to 737 Max operators is impossible to estimate, according to airlines, aerospace analysts and aviation industry sources, since the date when the plane can return to service around the world is still unknown. Compensation was unlikely to be in the form of a pile of cash, said one person briefed on the process, noting that Boeing had in the past offered discounts on the price of future aircraft purchases or agreed to defer purchases to adopt a timetable that better suited carriers. A combination of both is also possible. And CNN reports, with little additional detail, that the FAA has opened a new Boeing 737 Max investigation based on employee whistleblower filings: The day after Ethiopias minister of transportation released a preliminary crash report on Ethiopian Airlines flight 302, four Boeing employees called an Federal Aviation Administration whistleblower hotline that allows employees and the public to report aviation safety issues. A source familiar with the matter says the hotline submissions involve current and former Boeing employees describing issues related to the angle of attack sensor a vane that measures the planes angle in the air and the anti-stall system called MCAS, which is unique to Boeings newest plane. Not only is Boeing looking worse with every passing account, but its management and board are losing the PR battle. At a minimum, the board needs to hire a serious-looking firm to conduct an investigation, and plan to fire some executives. But Boeing, as part of a duopoly, recognizes that its customers have nowhere to go.at least for the next few years, which might as well be eternity as far as MBAs are concerned. Lambert here: Gerards approach sounds a lot like safety culture in the airline industry (though the cases may not be comparable, because all except those who can afford to use private jets use commercial aircraft, not the case for the workplace). By Leo W. Gerard, international president of the United Steelworkers Union (USW). This article was produced by the Independent Media Institute. Last year, on Halloween just before midnight, Frank Leasure left work at American Standard in Salem, Ohio. To get to his car in the employee lot, he had to walk across two sets of Norfolk Southern railroad tracks. He waited in frigid, driving rain for a westbound train to pass, then began to cross, only to be struck by an eastbound train that he apparently did not see or hear. Frank Leasure, 62, of Carrollton, Ohio, Army veteran, husband, father and grandfather, was one of 19 members of the union I lead, the United Steelworkers (USW), who died on the job between last Workers Memorial Day and this one. Workers Memorial Day is observed annually on April 28 to commemorate those who lost their lives at work. In 2017, the most recent year for which national statistics are available, 5,147 workers died on the job, an average of 14 every day. The USW is devoted to reducing those numbers. One way it does that is disseminating information about how specific workplace injuries , illnesses and fatalities occur and how to prevent them. Another is establishing labor-management health and safety committees to continuously analyze workplace risks and reduce them. In the case of Frank Leasure, both occurred. Unfortunately, at the same time, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reduced its workplace safety inspectors to the lowest level in its 48-year history, diminishing its capacity to investigate workplace deaths, illnesses and injuries. And it reversed a rule that would have provided more information about workplace dangers nationally. It decided to stop requiring large employers to electronically report injury and illness data. OSHA still requires employers to document this information, but they dont have to tell anyone. The Frank Leasure case illustrates how this decision endangers workers. The USW Health and Safety Department conducts what it calls learning events, also known as accident investigations, at USW job sites, shares information about the problems it finds and publishes online hazard alerts that recommend methods to prevent recurrence. These hazard alerts dont blame and shame. They dont name the company where the incident occurred or the victim. They describe what happened and then recommend ways to prevent similar injuries and deaths. Theyre intended to help local unions and employers identify and eliminate similar hazards in their workplaces. Heres what the alert said about the incident in Ohio: It appears the worker waited for the westbound train to clear before walking across the first set of tracks and never saw the two-engine train traveling eastbound at the same time the westbound train was clearing the crossing. The crossing was equipped with active warning devices, but the heavy rain and noise from the passing train appear to have created additional hazards and a blind spot. In addition, swing-down barrier gates were only provided in the lanes for oncoming vehicles, even though pedestrians can and do cross the tracks on both sides of the street. That may sound like a happenstance so unusual that it would never occur again. It may sound like something that just couldnt be averted. But thats not the case. The USW hazard alert recommends nine ways to avoid such an incident. One, for example, would be to locate the employee parking lot in a place where 200 workers on three shifts would not have to cross railroad tracks twice a day as they enter and leave the factory. Another solution would be to provide a tunnel or elevated walkway connecting the workplace and the parking lot so that workers could avoid contact with the tracks and trains. Lighted warning signs could be installed to alert pedestrians to a train traveling on the second set of tracks at the same time that a train on the first set of tracks blocks its view. After the alert was posted on the USW site, the USW Health and Safety Department emailed copies of it to labor-management health and safety committees at numerous other USW-represented workplaces where railroad tracks crisscross the sites to accommodate material deliveries. Several of these committees contacted the department to obtain more information as they began work to make their railroad crossings safer. In addition, several corporate safety experts who saw the posted hazard alert contacted the department to seek information, offer suggestions and describe how they planned to remediate or had already corrected similar railroad crossing situations. One caller said his company intended to install lights to warn pedestrians of a second train. That could prevent repeat of the tragedy that killed Frank Leasure. Thats why its so important to broadcast incident and safety information. And thats why its a travesty that OSHA has decided to allow corporations to secret away their injury and illness information. If OSHA collected and published the information, untold numbers of illnesses, injuries and deaths could be prevented. Corporations, labor unions and workers could study the problems and offer solutions. But they cant solve health and safety issues they dont know about because they are locked in corporate vaults. Another of the recommendations made in the USW hazard alert regarding rail crossings was that labor-management health and safety committees address hazards outside as well as inside workplaces. To its credit, American Standard responded to the spirit of this advice, reaching out to the local union to start a dialogue on safety. Last week, it accommodated two safety committee meetings, one in which USW Health and Safety Department representatives and local union officials discussed ways to improve worker welfare, and a second in which workers met with company officials to talk about how to sustain an effective labor-management committee to continuously improve health and safety plant-wide and identify and eliminate workplace hazards. Also, the USW Health and Safety Department linked the labor-management health and safety committee to one at an Ohio factory that confronted similar problems. This is about prevention, not condemnation. It works best when workplaces and employees collaborate. Company and union officials also are meeting with city and state representatives to discuss safety because its not just workers who cross the tracks. The factory is located in a neighborhood, and pedestrians, including children, frequently walk across the tracks, often to get to a market on the other side. At a meeting earlier this month, union and company officials discussed a range of potential safety measures with Salem, the Public Utility Commission of Ohio, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association. This work ensures that Frank Leasure did not die in vain. This work, the USW believes, honors his memory. By Lambert Strether of Corrente Kudos to the Democrat-controlled House Rules Committee for scheduling a hearing on HR1384, the Medicare for All Act of 2019. (Here is the announcement; here are the witnesses). However, readers who suspect my rapture will be modified will not be disappointed. In this post, I wont go into health care industry funding of Democrats, and anti-Medicare for All think tanks and thought leaders; readers who check out those links will be unsurprised. Rather, Ill look at the mechanics of the process: First, the members of the committee; second, the witnesses before the committee; and finally, the next hearing coming up. But first, a word about the House Rules Committee itself, from its own About page: The Committee is commonly known as The Speakers Committee because it is the mechanism that the Speaker uses to maintain control of the House Floor. The Rules Committee has two broad categories of jurisdiction: special orders for the consideration of legislation (known as special rules or rules) and original jurisdiction matters. A special rule provides the terms and conditions of debate on a measure or matter, consideration of which constitutes the bulk of the work of the Rules Committee. The Committee also considers original jurisdiction measures, which commonly represent changes to the standing rules of the House, or measures that contain special rules, such as the expedited procedures in trade legislation. The Committee has the authority to do virtually anything during the course of consideration of a measure, including deeming it passed. The Committee can also include a self- executed amendment which could rewrite just parts of a bill, or the entire measure. In essence, so long as a majority of the House is willing to vote for a special rule, there is little that the Rules Committee cannot do. (As the Rules Committee page shows, this is an original jurisdiction hearing.) Just spitballing here, but I would imagine that whatever fate Pelosi has pre-ordained for HR1384 will be expressed by the rules for debate and amendment under which it comes to the House floor, if indeed it ever does. If the canonical example of originial jurisdiction is trade legislation, the House leadership must have something complicated in mind. From WikiPedia (sorry): Amendments might only be allowed to specific sections of the bill, or no amendments might be allowed at all. Besides control over amendments, the rule issued by the Rules Committee also determines the amount of speaking time assigned on each bill or resolution. If the leadership wants a bill pushed forward quietly, for instance, there might be no debate time scheduled; if they want attention, they might allow time for lengthy speeches in support of the bill. Between control over amendments, debate, and when measures will be considered, the Rules Committee exerts vast power in the House. Now, to the members of the House Rules Committee, Democrats because the Rules Committee operated in party line fashion. Here they are: Representative HR 1384 Co-Sponsor Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) X Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) X Jim McGovern (D-MA) (Chair) X Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY) Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) X Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) X Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) Rep. Donna Shalala (D-FL) Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) As you can see, 5 of the 9 members are co-sponsors of HR1384. So we have, in this hearing, a good way to evaluate whether these co-sponsoring Representatives are committed to #MedicareForAll, or just paying lip service. (And if you, readers, are represented by any of these Democrats, it might be worth a call to their office to politely express their views.) Next, lets look at the witnesses for the hearings. Again from the Rules Committee: Ill dispose of the minority witnesses quickly. Starting with Grace-Marie Turner of the Galen Institute. From the Institutes mission statement: The Galen Institute has many plans to counter the march toward government-controlled medicine and shift the debate toward ideas that offer greater freedom and more affordable health care choices. (Fascinatingly, Turner has grifting since Hillarycare; here is an extensive, though dated, post.) And their funding, from SourceWatch: So, the usual suspects. And Charles Blahous, in case you have forgotten, is the loon world-renowned, Koch-funded expert who managed to prove that although #MedicareForAll would cost a lot, it would net out positive for the country. Now to the Democrats. Where Republicans, as one might expect, present a unified wall of opposition, the Democrats, as one might also expect, are mushier. Lets look at each of them in turn (and as we shall see, the presences are less interesting than the absences. Witness Ady Barkan was added later; see the UPDATE at the end of the post). First, Dean Baker. Baker, a well-respected analyst, is not an expert in Medicare for All; indeed, he has written nothing on that topic on his own site, the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR): (A search on H.R. 1384 yields a similar result.) Further, Baker supports for Medicare for All in principle, sorta, but not this bill. From Counterpunch: Medicare for All is Doable and Most Americans Want It Which is a good headline, but: While a well-designed pathway can get us to Medicare for all, even we cant do it all at once. For beginners, we can look to lower the age of Medicare eligibility from the current 65 to 60 or even 55 in an initial round. We can also allow people of all ages to have the option to buy into a public Medicare-type system. We can also look to start getting our costs down. This means lowering drug prices, both by negotiating in the same way as other countries, and directly funding research so that newly developed drugs can be sold as cheap generics. We should do the same with medical equipment. And we can subject our doctors and dentists to the same sort of foreign and domestic competition that workers in other professions face. These steps can get us on a path to Medicare for all, on which we will quickly be extending coverage to millions of people, while substantially reducing the cost of care for everyone. We are smart [theres that word!] enough to be able make the same sort of guarantees on providing health care as every other wealthy country. Needless to say, HR1384 does not offer a phased approach, and so Baker opposes it. He does support a so-called public option, but thats a different bill. In short, Baker like, say, Beto ORourke is a path to Medicare for All guy, not really a supporter at all. On to Dr. Sara Collins, Vice President for Health Care Coverage and Access, The Commonwealth Fund. Collins is the creator of The Medicare for All Continuum: A New Comparison Tool for Congressional Health Bills Illustrates the Range of Reform Ideas (here is the tool). Collins writes: The Medicare for All Continuum To address these problems, some Democrats running for president in 2020 are supporting Medicare for All. Meanwhile, in Congress, Democrats have introduced a handful of bills that might be characterized as falling along a continuum, with Medicare for All at one end. The continuum of approaches suggests both the possibility of building toward a Medicare for All system over time, or adopting aspects of Medicare for All without the disruption that a major shift in coverage source might create for Americans. As our new Commonwealth Fund interactive tool illustrates, the bills range from adding somewhat more public sector involvement into the system, to adding substantially more public sector involvement. (The so-called tool is functionally a table, with the disadvantage, or advantage, that columns in the table cannot be readily compared.) Collins, then, shares Bakers path to ideology; she, too, is not a supporter of the bill. She is contributing this #MedicareForAll cycles version of the familiar liberal Democrat tactic of brand confusion: Labelling a continuum by one of its endpoints is clever; its as if we were presented with the cooked continuum, which surprisingly includes frozen food, raw food, partially cooked food, underdone food. But frozen food is on the pathway to being cooked! Now we come to Dr. Doris Browne, Immediate Past-President, National Medical Association. Now, the National Medical Associated is listed at PNHP as an HR676 supporter, which is good (although a search of their site for single payer yields nothing; likewise Medicare for All, and 1384). PNHP aggregates an enormous amount of material, but a search on Doris Browne turns up nothing. Google searches on Doris Browne Medicare for All', Doris Brown HR 676, and Doris Brown universal also turn up nothing. Given how crapified Google search is, Im reluctant to make a judgement either way, but if she does support either #MedicareForAll in general, or HR1384 in particular, her support has not been made visible in venues were I would expect to find it. Finally, we have Dr. Farzon Nahvi, Emergency Room Physician. Navhi did in fact write the following in the New York Times in 2017: Dont Leave Health Care to a Free Market: Republicans need to be honest with themselves and the public: If they want medicine to be truly free-market, then they have to be willing to let the next man or woman they find lying unconscious in the street remain there and die. In a truly free market, we cannot treat someone and charge someone without their consent and against their will. If we believe, however, that those lying there in their most vulnerable moments deserve a shot, then we need to push forward with the idea that health care, at its core, must be designed around a caring system that serves all people fairly And the Rules Committee itself puts Nahvi forward as a Medicare for All supporter: Next week the Rules Committee will be holding an historic hearing on #MedicareForAll, & Dr. Nahvi is one of our expert witnesses. He's a strong advocate for high-quality universal coverage & #MedicareForAll we are looking forward to his testimony! pic.twitter.com/S8JIm57iSn House Committee on Rules (@RulesDemocrats) April 24, 2019 (Although they slip in high quality universal coverage, whatever that means.) The Now This video, like Nahvis editorial, appears to be from 2017 (as does this article, from the Guardian, which also does not mention single payer or Medicare for All). Since its from 2017, and this is 2019, Nahvi cannot be said to support HR1384.) We can sum up the views of the witnesses in the form of a table: Witness Supports Medicare for All Supports HR1384 Dean Baker Dr. Sara Collins Dr. Doris Browne ? ? Dr. Farzon Nahvi X ? Ms. Grace-Marie Turner Dr. Charles Blahous Ady Barkan* X X * Barkan was added a day after the initial list of witnesses; see the UPDATE at the end of the post. At this point, its worth noting the witnesses from the last time liberal Democrats tackled health care, in 2009. NEJM editor-in-chief Dr. Marcia Angell: Next Tuesday's #MedicareForAll hearings remind us of the 2009 hearings in which former @NEJM editor-in-chief Dr. Marcia Angell declared, "the only way to provide universal coverage and to control costs is to adopt a nonprofit #SinglePayer system." #TBT https://t.co/fmMrmK6K9u PNHP (@PNHP) April 25, 2019 PNHP board advisor Dr. Walter Tsou: #TBT to the last time Congress held hearings on #MedicareForAll (in 2009) and PNHP board adviser Dr. Walter Tsou testified that "#SinglePayer is the only reform that can control health care costs." https://t.co/QNbk7SR2Eo PNHP (@PNHP) April 25, 2019 Yet, this go-round, there are no single payer subject matter experts whatever, and no supporters [with Barkan, I think, one; see UPDATE below lambert] of the bill which is supposedly the subject of the hearing. What could have led to such a seemingly paradoxical result? The Rules Committee is The Speakers Commmittee, and thats what the Speaker wants. HuffPo explains: Its unclear who decided which experts would testify before the Rules Committee. Staffers on the Rules Committee say no one in leadership directly told them this person or that person couldnt testify, but sources involved with the planning of the hearing say three criteria were applied to potential witnesses: (1) Is this person a leader of a single-payer group? If so, that person could not testify meaning Gaffney was out. (2) Is this person an activist? If so, they couldnt testify. That meant people like Dr. Sanjeev Sriram, who has repeatedly advocated for Medicare for All, were ruled out. And (3) Has this person said anything negative about the Affordable Care Act? That last requirement, implemented by House Speaker Nancy Pelosis top health care staffer, Wendell Primus, according to sources, is particularly an issue for some single-payer advocates, because they believe the hearing could turn into an exercise in which witnesses seem to endorse all sorts of different approaches to health care the ACA, a Medicare buy-in situation, and perhaps, maybe, Medicare for All. Wowsers. If they wont let anybody who said anything negative about ObamaCare testify, witnesses will be thin on the ground indeed! Finally, the next hearing, which is the last scheduled one: The first Medicare for All hearing in this congressional session will be next week on April 30 in the Rules Committee. The House Budget Committee is also supposed to hold a hearing at some point but the major panels that write legislation do not plan on hearings. @RulesDemocrats. Rebecca Adams (@RebeccaAdamsDC) April 23, 2019 How much you want to bet Pelosi uses PayGo to choke off #MedicareForAll in the Budget Committee perhaps under whatever rule the the Speakers Committee devises for HR1384s speedy dispatch? As I have often said, I believe that preventing #MedicareForAll is the #1 goal of the liberal Democrat leadership. Well have to see how that proves out. But as of now, it looks to me like theyre right on track! UPDATE The HuffPo article (farce) triggered outrage in the #MedicareForAll community (see here, here, here, although most of it, sadly, simply echoes the HuffPo piece; the Baucus debacle in 2010 are only mentioned by an activist on Facebook, which speaks to the weakness of left reporting on this issue; failure of institutional memory is one reason liberal Democrats get away with what they do.) As a result, activist Ady Barkan was added to the witness list. HuffPo once more: A day after HuffPost reported on the controversy over the lack of pro-single-payer voices at the upcoming hearing on Medicare for All, the House Rules Committee announced Friday that a hero among single-payer advocates would now also testify: Ady Barkan. Barkan, who has ALS and is an undisputed champion of Medicare for All, will be a strong voice for a single-payer health care system and will put to bed the concerns of many activists that there wasnt a forceful enough proponent of Medicare for All on the witness panel. But Barkan is also exactly the sort of champion that Medicare for All proponents wanted to see speaking on the panel. Apparently, Barkan reached out to Pelosi, and Pelosi gracefully requested McGovern to put Barkan on the panel: M4A supporter Ady Barkan, who is dying of ALS, will now be testifying at M4A hearing next week Pelosi spox says he texted Pelosi and asked to testify. She then called McGovern who invited him (Also comes after this @MEPFuller story) https://t.co/88Hv1aCDNv Peter Sullivan (@PeterSullivan4) April 26, 2019 Pelosi also, it would seem, threw out or weakened the criteria originally used the source of the criteria is hazy by staff to select witnesses: Sources told HuffPost that Pelosis staff and the Rules Committee had applied a certain criteria to any witness: If the person led a single-payer group, was an activist or had said anything negative about the Affordable Care Act, they couldnt testify. In many ways, Barkan violates all three of the criteria. He is the founder of the Be A Hero PAC, an outspoken activist for single-payer, and while an enthusiastic defender of the ACA, he has also been clear that the law alone is not enough. To be fair, Barkan supports Medicare for All. From Barkans Medium announcement: On Tuesday, for the first time ever, Medicare For All will get a hearing in the United States Congress. I congratulate and thank Rep. Jayapal, Rep. Dingell, former Rep. Conyers and Sen. Sanders for their decades of leadership on this historic day. I am grateful to Chairman McGovern and Speaker Pelosi for making this hearing possible and inviting me to testify. Tuesday will be just the latest example of why I worked so hard to help Democrats win back the House in November. The American people have heard the message loud and clear: Republicans are bad for your health. On Tuesday, for the first time ever, Medicare For All will get a hearing in the United States Congress. I congratulate and thank Rep. Jayapal, Rep. Dingell, former Rep. Conyers and Sen. Sanders for their decades of leadership on this historic day. I am grateful to Chairman McGovern and Speaker Pelosi for making this hearing possible and inviting me to testify. Tuesday will be just the latest example of why I worked so hard to help Democrats win back the House in November. The American people have heard the message loud and clear: Republicans are bad for your health. Progressives have a plan to fix the American healthcare system once and for all. to fix the American healthcare system once and for all. (I interpret Progressives have a plan to fix the American healthcare system once and for all to mean that Barkan supports HR1384 as well as #MedicareForAll.) Barkan is indeed a hero; its no small thing to testify before Congress with ALS. That said, for me, Barkan is not exactly the sort of champion I want to see. Barkan, despite his activism, is not a subject matter expert. The Rules Committee and Pelosi, now that she has shown her hand has refused to hear any #MedicareForAll activists who can testify authoritatively on how #MedicareForAll will impact the Federal budget (and net out positive for the American people). Not Marcia Angell (former editor of the New England Journal of Medicine). Nor Stephanie Woolhandler (from Harvard Medical School) was not invited to testify on that topic. Nor Gerald Freidman (Professor of Economics at the University of Massachusetts). For a party that fetishizes credentials above all, these omissions are quite remarkable, especially considering that a creature from that citadel of reaction, the Mercatus Center, who published an instantly discredited paper on budget impact, was invited. One can only wonder what the Democrat leaderships motivation could have been, especially considering that liberal Democrat donors and operatives are working together to publish vicious and reprehensible campaign materials like this: Medicare for all would produce significant job losses while delivering a significant negative shock to the U.S. economy.https://t.co/DwPQO9X90z Partnership for America's Health Care Future (@P4AHCF) April 28, 2019 The Congressional forum for straight answers is controlled by liberal Democrats, and theyre refusing to allow the straight answers to be made, by subject matter experts known to all! It would certainly have been a welcome demonstration of fair play and commitment to the democratic process for liberal Democrats to enable #MedicareForAll advocates to get responses to PAHCFs nonsense on the record, especially in an election year, but n-o-o-o-o-o-o!!!!! By Steven Feldstein, Frank and Bethine Church Chair of Public Affairs & Associate Professor, School of Public Service, Boise State University. Originally published at The Conversation U.S. technology giant Microsoft has teamed up with a Chinese military university to develop artificial intelligence systems that could potentially enhance government surveillance and censorship capabilities. Two U.S. senators publicly condemned the partnership, but what the National Defense Technology University of China wants from Microsoft isnt the only concern. As my research shows, the advent of digital repression is profoundly affecting the relationship between citizen and state. New technologies are arming governments with unprecedented capabilities to monitor, track and surveil individual people. Even governments in democracies with strong traditions of rule of law find themselves tempted to abuse these new abilities. In states with unaccountable institutions and frequent human rights abuses, AI systems will most likely cause greater damage. China is a prominent example. Its leadership has enthusiastically embraced AI technologies, and has set up the worlds most sophisticated surveillance state in Xinjiang province, tracking citizens daily movements and smartphone use. Its exploitation of these technologies presents a chilling model for fellow autocrats and poses a direct threat to open democratic societies. Although theres no evidence that other governments have replicated this level of AI surveillance, Chinese companies are actively exporting the same underlying technologies across the world. Increasing Reliance on AI Tools in the US Artificial intelligence systems are everywhere in the modern world, helping run smartphones, internet search engines, digital voice assistants and Netflix movie queues. Many people fail to realize how quickly AI is expanding, thanks to ever-increasing amounts of data to be analyzed, improving algorithms and advanced computer chips. Any time more information becomes available and analysis gets easier, governments are interested and not just authoritarian ones. In the U.S., for instance, the 1970s saw revelations that government agencies such as the FBI, CIA and NSA had set up expansive domestic surveillance networks to monitor and harass civil rights protesters, political activists and Native American groups. These issues havent gone away: Digital technology today has deepened the ability of even more agencies to conduct even more intrusive surveillance. Arnout de Vries For example, U.S. police have eagerly embraced AI technologies. They have begun using software that is meant to predict where crimes will happen to decide where to send officers on patrol. Theyre also using facial recognition and DNA analysis in criminal investigations. But analyses of these systems show the data on which those systems are trainedare often biased, leading to unfair outcomes, such as falsely determining that African Americans are more likely to commit crimes than other groups. AI Surveillance Around the World In authoritarian countries, AI systems can directly abet domestic control and surveillance, helping internal security forces process massive amounts of information including social media posts, text messages, emails and phone calls more quickly and efficiently. The police can identify social trends and specific people who might threaten the regime based on the information uncovered by these systems. For instance, the Chinese government has used AI in wide-scale crackdowns in regions that are home to ethnic minorities within China. Surveillance systems in Xinjiang and Tibet have been described as Orwellian. These efforts have included mandatory DNA samples, Wi-Fi network monitoring and widespread facial recognition cameras, all connected to integrated data analysis platforms. With the aid of these systems, Chinese authorities have, according to the U.S. State Department, arbitrarily detained between 1 and 2 million people. My research looks at 90 countries around the world with government types ranging from closed authoritarian to flawed democracies, including Thailand, Turkey, Bangladesh and Kenya. I have found that Chinese companies are exporting AI surveillance technology to at least 54 of these countries. Frequently, this technology is packaged as part of Chinas flagship Belt and Road Initiative, which is funding an extensive network of roads, railways, energy pipelines and telecommunications networks serving 60% of the worlds population and economies that generate 40% of global GDP. For instance, Chinese companies like Huawei and ZTE are constructing smart cities in Pakistan, the Philippines and Kenya, featuring extensive built-in surveillance technology. For example, Huawei has outfitted Bonifacio Global City in the Philippines with high-definition internet-connected cameras that provide 24/7 intelligent security surveillance with data analytics to detect crime and help manage traffic. alveo land/Wikimedia Commons Hikvision, Yitu and SenseTime are supplying state-of-the-art facial recognition cameras for use in places like Singapore which announced the establishment of a surveillance program with 110,000 cameras mounted on lamp posts around the city-state. Zimbabwe is creating a national image database that can be used for facial recognition. However, selling advanced equipment for profit is different than sharing technology with an express geopolitical purpose. These new capabilities may plant the seeds for global surveillance: As governments become increasingly dependent upon Chinese technology to manage their populations and maintain power, they will face greater pressure to align with Chinas agenda. But for now it appears that Chinas primary motive is to dominate the market for new technologies and make lots of money in the process. AI and Disinformation In addition to providing surveillance capabilities that are both sweeping and fine-grained, AI can help repressive governments manipulate available information and spread disinformation. These campaigns can be automated or automation-assisted, and deploy hyper-personalized messages directed at or against specific people or groups. AI also underpins the technology commonly called deepfake, in which algorithms create realistic video and audio forgeries. Muddying the waters between truth and fiction may become useful in a tight election, when one candidate could create fake videos showing an opponent doing and saying things that never actually happened. In my view, policymakers in democracies should think carefully about the risks of AI systems to their own societies and to people living under authoritarian regimes around the world. A critical question is how many countries will adopt Chinas model of digital surveillance. But its not just authoritarian countries feeling the pull. And its also not just Chinese companies spreading the technology: Many U.S. companies, Microsoft included, but IBM, Cisco and Thermo Fisher too, have provided sophisticated capabilities to nasty governments. The misuse of AI is not limited to autocratic states. (Natural News) Our founders had many important reasons for enshrining the right to keep and bear arms in the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, but the most notable of those was that all persons should have the most effective means of self-defense available to them. Now, more than 230 years later, a federal judge has reaffirmed what our founders knew centuries ago: Its foolhardy to rely on the government for protection against those who seek to do us harm. As reported by The New York Times, thats not what the judge sought to do, however: The school district and sheriffs office in the Florida county that is home to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School had no constitutional duty to protect the students there during the deadly February massacre, a federal judge has said in a ruling. The decision was made in a lawsuit filed by 15 students who said they suffered trauma during the Feb. 14 attack in Parkland, Fla. A total of 17 students and staff members lost their lives; 17 others were injured. According to U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom, even an officer who was stationed at the school specifically to protect kids from the very threat posed by shooter Nikolas Cruz in February 2018 was not obligated to act. Meanwhile, a county judge, Patti Englander Henning, ruled that Scot Peterson, the armed sheriffs deputy who heard the gunfire but did not run in and try to stop the attack, did have an obligation to confront Mr. Cruz. Two different interpretations of police obligations from two judges ruling on the same incident. Perfect. However, and to the point of one intent behind the Second Amendment, historically Blooms decision has been the more commonly adopted opinion by courts, especially on the federal level. Neither the Constitution, nor state law, impose a general duty upon police officers or other governmental officials to protect individual persons from harm even when they know the harm will occur, Darren L. Hutchinson, a professor and associate dean at the University of Florida School of Law, told the Times. Police can watch someone attack you, refuse to intervene and not violate the Constitution. This is a Catch-22 that cannot be allowed to continue He added that the U.S. Supreme Court has regularly upheld that police only have an obligation to protect those who are in custody. (Related: WTH? Federal court rules that Broward cops had NO duty to protect Parkland High students; tosses lawsuit.) Courts have rejected the argument that students are in custody of school officials while they are on campus, Hutchinson said. Custody is narrowly confined to situations where a person loses his or her freedom to move freely and seek assistance on their own such as prisons, jails, or mental institutions. Oddly, he said, there are some exceptions to the commonly held legal standard. For instance, he said, students in a crossing zone are in the custody of the school crossing guard; if the guard would happen to be distracted by something like a cellphone and a child would get hit and hurt or killed by a car, then he or she would be liable. Just not when an armed gunman attacks kids in a school that is then locked down even when the officer who is stationed at the school specifically to protect them refuses to act (which is a violation of his oath and duty to serve and protect). Whats even more offensive about this is that by law, no one except police officers is permitted to carry a constitutionally protected firearm onto school premises a law that federal courts would also uphold as valid. These kinds of Catch-22 situations with firearms cannot be permitted to continue. Either governments are all-in for protecting citizens at all levels and at all times, or governments need to get out of the way and allow Americans full use of their constitutional right to self-defense. Sources include: NewsTarget.com NYTimes.com Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg told voters Saturday that his marriage to his husband exists "by the grace of a single vote on the U.S. Supreme Court." The South Bend, Indiana, mayor visited South Carolina for the first time since announcing his presidential exploratory committee. The 37-year-old would be the first openly gay presidential nominee from a major political party. Buttigieg referenced the landmark 2015 Supreme Court ruling that granted, in a 5-4 decision, same-sex couples a right to marry. He married his husband, Chasten Glezman, last year. Speaking in Columbia, South Carolina, Buttigieg recalled when his father was undergoing chemotherapy and his mother learned she needed a triple bypass as an example of what's at stake in the 2020 presidential election. Buttigieg said Glezman was able to stay at the hospital with his mother while he went to tell his father because his husband "is a member of our family." Other highlights of Saturday's campaigning: CORY BOOKER New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker said during a stop in South Carolina that he was "a little bit worried" about how the issue of reparations was being discussed during the presidential campaign. Booker told people crowded into a barbershop in Rock Hill that it was time to discuss the "persistent reality" of racism in this country, rather than worrying about how to handle a specific plan on reparations. South Carolina holds the first Southern primary and is the first place where candidates are tested by a primarily black Democratic electorate. Several candidates in the sprawling Democratic field have called President Donald Trump as a racist. Some have voiced support for the idea of reparations for the descendants of enslaved black Americans. Booker, who announced his candidacy at the start of Black History Month, has said it is time to recommit to the fight for justice in America. ELIZABETH WARREN Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren confronted the topic of climate change during a campaign stop in Berlin, New Hampshire, saying the government is badly out of sync is with the future of America. "We're not spending money on infrastructure right now, we're not even repairing what's falling apart in infrastructure, much less building an infrastructure for the 21st century, much less hardening an infrastructure against the kind of change that is coming in our direction," Warren said. The presidential contender railed against "giant drug companies" and emphasized a message of economic equality during her speech. Warren later praised the idea of the Green New Deal, saying she wanted to make a strong pitch in favor of it to voters. "We've got to have a goal that we're headed toward," she said. KAMALA HARRIS California Sen. Kamala Harris introduced her first policy proposal since officially launching her 2020 campaign: a significant federal investment in teacher pay. At a Houston rally, Harris pledged that by the end of her first term she would close a pay gap that she said amounts to teachers making about $13,000 a year less than other college graduates. Her campaign is citing a study from the liberal-leaning Economic Policy Institute that found what's called the "teacher pay penalty" the difference in compensation for teachers and comparable public workers is larger than ever. The Economic Policy Institute study puts the teacher compensation penalty at a record-high 11.1 percent in 2017. AMY KLOBUCHAR During a town hall in Rye, New Hampshire, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar defended John McCain, the deceased military veteran and senator who has been the subject of scorn from President Donald Trump. Klobuchar called McCain her friend and said Trump's "ranting and raving" about the Arizona Republican led her to remember the last time she had seen the Arizona Republican, who ran for president in 2000 and 2008. Klobuchar and her husband visited McCain and his wife at their ranch. McCain was having trouble speaking, she remembered. He found one of his books and pointed out a quote to Klobuchar. "There is nothing more liberating than fighting for a cause larger than yourself," the quote read, she said. Trump, she said, doesn't understand that sentiment. PETE BUTTIGIEG At a stop in Greenville, South Carolina, Buttigieg told a crowd that his candidacy may seem unlikely, but added that maybe it was time the party nominated a millennial from a red state. He acknowledged the more "traditional" route to the White House is to spend years in Washington before running. But he said the country "would be better served if Washington started looking more like our best-run cities." Buttigieg said that as a millennial he has a greater stake in the future of the country and more urgency to tackle issues like climate change. Associated Press writers Meg Kinnard, Juana Summers and Paul J. Weber contributed to this report. In 2007, the U.S. government made a promise to public service workers: Make 10 years of payments on their federal student loans and any remaining debt would be erased. But officials have largely failed to deliver. And that's left lawmakers questioning whether to end the program or try to fix it. The Trump administration and some Republican legislators see it as a lost cause, arguing that the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is misguided and has proved too complicated for borrowers to navigate. But a group of Democrats is pushing to salvage the program, blaming its failure on poor management by the Education Department. The group, which includes six 2020 presidential contenders, proposed a new bill this month that would simplify the rules and expand the offer to a wider swath of borrowers. "Millions of teachers, social workers, members of the military, nurses, public defenders and countless others have been denied the support they have earned," said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., one of the bill's sponsors and a Democratic presidential candidate. "It's time for Congress to fix this program and create a fairer and simpler process for public servants seeking loan forgiveness." Signed into law under President George W. Bush, the program is meant to help college graduates who pursue jobs that often pay modest salaries but serve a greater good, such as careers in teaching, the military or with nonprofit groups. But turmoil has been mounting around the program since last year, when the Education Department revealed that 99% of borrowers who applied for loan discharges had been rejected. As of December, just 338 public workers had been granted loan forgiveness out of nearly 54,000 applicants, according to recently released department data. Most have been denied because they didn't meet narrow eligibility requirements. Broadly, the program promises to forgive federal loans for public workers who make 120 monthly payments while working for approved employers. But there are caveats: It applies only to certain types of federal loans, for example, and only for borrowers who opted into certain repayment plans. Thousands of borrowers have said those details were never made clear to them, and many have reported that they were misled by loan servicing companies hired by the government. A scathing 2018 report from the Government Accountability Office concluded that the Education Department had failed to issue clear information to borrowers or loan servicers. So far, a relatively small number of borrowers have asked for loan cancellations the window for applications began in October 2017 but there's evidence that many more are on the way. Education Department data show that nearly 1 million borrowers have taken the initial steps to have their loan payments counted for the program. John DeGennaro, a 64-year-old English professor, recently applied for loan cancellation for the sixth time; his previous requests were rejected over problems with his paperwork. "I checked off all the right boxes, I made the 120 payments and then I sent it in, and it started this circus," said DeGennaro, of Encinitas, California. "Every time I sent something, there would be something else that wasn't my error. It started to become absurd." He's still awaiting a decision on his latest application. Meantime he's stuck with $14,000 in federal student loans that he says he can't pay off with his income as an adjunct at two local colleges. Seeking a temporary fix, Congress last year approved $700 million to erase loans for borrowers who were rejected because they entered into the wrong repayment plan. But Democrats say the Education Department has failed to implement even that stopgap measure. An April 15 letter from Senate Democrats says the department has continued to send borrowers misleading information about eligibility and has taken an "unnecessarily restrictive approach" to the rules. The letter asks that Education Department officials be ordered in the 2020 budget to notify borrowers who might be eligible for loan relief. Other Democrats have used congressional hearings to rebuke Education Secretary Betsy DeVos over her handling of the program. At a March budget hearing, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., asked DeVos if she's really interested in helping borrowers or if she's out to serve "the powerful financial companies profiting off of this malfeasance and incompetence." DeVos in turn blames Congress for creating a program with such puzzling rules, but she also opposes the offer in principle. "We don't think one type of a job, one type of role, should be incentivized over another," she said at a House hearing this month. President Donald Trump's 2020 budget proposal asks Congress to eliminate the program, starting with borrowers who take out new loans after July 1, 2020. It argues that the benefit "is not only complicated for borrowers to navigate, but it also inefficiently targets subsidies only to those borrowers in public service jobs." House Republicans similarly tried to end the program in a bill that failed in the last session of Congress. Some cite the cost, which some federal estimates peg at $22 billion over the next decade, although just $21 million in loans have been discharged so far. A spokesman for Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., the top Republican on the Senate education committee, said the program will be discussed as part of the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, a federal law that governs much of higher education. Spokesman Taylor Haulsee said Alexander "believes that Congress should maintain but repair and improve the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program so it is easier to understand and operate, and better targeted at occupations taxpayers actually want to subsidize with their generosity." The bill proposed by Senate Democrats would expand loan forgiveness to all types of federal student loans and all types of federal repayment options. It would also allow borrowers to get half of their loan balance forgiven after five years, and simplify the application process. Along with Gillibrand, the 13 senators backing the proposal include Democratic presidential contenders Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Kamala Harris of California and Cory Booker of New Jersey, along with Bernie Sanders from Vermont, who is independent. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein submitted his resignation Monday after a two-year run defined by his appointment of a special counsel to investigate connections between President Donald Trump's campaign and Russia. His last day will be May 11, ending a tumultuous relationship with Trump and a tenure that involved some of the most consequential, even chaotic, moments of the president's administration. When Trump wanted to fire then-FBI Director James Comey, who was overseeing the Russia probe, Rosenstein wrote the memo that the White House used to justify the dismissal. But eight days later, Rosenstein took a step that Trump feared would end his presidency: appointing Robert Mueller as special counsel. The move made Rosenstein the frequent target of Republican wrath and angry Trump tweets and left him repeatedly appearing on the verge of being fired. Yet in the end, he was largely in Trump's corner. He joined Attorney General William Barr in determining that Trump had not obstructed the Mueller investigation reaching a conclusion that Mueller himself pointedly did not make. He defended Barr against criticism that he was spinning Mueller's findings in the president's favor and stood silently behind him as Barr praised Trump's cooperation at a news conference before a redacted version of the report was released. In his resignation letter to Trump, Rosenstein paid tribute to the Justice Department's accomplishments and to Trump himself, even praising the sense of humor of a man who once retweeted an image that showed Rosenstein and other officials jailed for treason. "I am grateful to you for the opportunity to serve; for the courtesy and humor you often display in our personal conversations; and for the goals you set in your inaugural address: patriotism, unity, safety, education, and prosperity, because 'a nation exists to serve its citizens,'" Rosenstein wrote to Trump. Rosenstein's departure had been expected following the confirmation of William Barr as attorney general. The White House nominated a replacement for the No. 2 slot, Deputy Transportation Secretary Jeffrey Rosen, weeks ago. In his resignation letter, Rosenstein said most deputies stay in their post for about 16 months; Rosenstein will have served about two years. Rosenstein intended to leave around mid-March but stayed on for the completion of Mueller's investigation. His exit will leave the department without the Justice Department leader most closely aligned with the probe as officials grapple with continued public and congressional scrutiny of the special counsel's findings and the department's handling of the report. Rosenstein was part of a small group of department officials who reviewed the document and helped shape its public release after Mueller submitted the document last month. Integral to the start of the probe, Rosenstein was also present for the very end. After Mueller didn't reach a conclusion on whether Trump had obstructed the investigation, Barr and the deputy stepped in and determined the evidence wasn't enough to support such an allegation. The deputy attorney general position is a hugely significant job, responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Justice Department and the work of United States attorneys across the country. But it's largely an anonymous, behind-the-scenes position. Rosenstein even joked about telling one of his daughters not to expect to see his picture in the newspapers. That wasn't the case, though, for Rosenstein, who was thrust into Justice Department drama even before his arrival on the job because of Attorney General Jeff Sessions' earlier recusal from the Russia probe. Rosenstein's May 2017 memo criticizing Comey's handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation laid the groundwork for the FBI chief's firing, though Rosenstein privately made clear that he was unhappy that the White House was publicly characterizing the move as his idea instead of Trump's, according to Mueller's report. Trump later said he would have fired Comey even without the Justice Department's recommendation and said he was thinking of "this Russia thing." Rosenstein appointed Mueller one week later, supervising his work and defending the investigation against attacks from congressional Republicans and Trump, who repeatedly blasted the probe as a "witch hunt." Over the next two years, with Sessions recused from the Russia investigation because of his work on the Trump campaign, Rosenstein set the boundaries of Mueller's investigation, approved investigative steps and, in place of the rarely seen special counsel, twice announced criminal indictments from the Justice Department podium against Russians accused of election interference. The investigation overshadowed the rest of Rosenstein's work even as he promoted the president's agenda, including announcements on combating violent crime and opioid addiction. "The Department of Justice made rapid progress in achieving the Administration's law enforcement priorities reducing violent crime, curtailing opioid abuse, protecting consumers, improving immigration enforcement, and building confidence in the police while preserving national security and strengthening federal efforts in other areas," Rosenstein wrote in his resignation letter. Though Rosenstein's exit was orderly, and he endured in the job well beyond Sessions, his relationship with the president waffled over time and often appeared in the balance. That was especially true last September after The New York Times reported that he had discussed secretly recording Trump and invoking a constitutional amendment to remove him from office. The Justice Department issued statements challenging the reporting, but former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe who was in the room has said he got the sense that Rosenstein was "counting votes" about which Cabinet members he could enlist in the effort. Rosenstein arrived at the White House days after the reporting expecting to be fired, but he was instead allowed to stay on after private conversations with Trump's then-chief of staff, John Kelly, and the president himself. In the summer of 2017, with Mueller new in his job, Trump tweeted: "I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director! Witch Hunt." The president lashed out the following April after the FBI raided the office of his former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, and months later retweeted the image that showed Rosenstein, Comey and other investigators behind bars. In his resignation letter, Rosenstein may have made an oblique reference to those chaotic moments and the media attention surrounding them. "We enforce the law without fear or favor because credible evidence is not partisan, and truth is not determined by opinion polls," Rosenstein wrote. "We ignore fleeting distractions and focus on the things that matter, because a republic that endures is not governed by the news cycle." The rabbi injured in the deadly shooting inside a Poway, California, synagogue, on the last day of Passover said the gunman's weapon "miraculously" jammed, preventing more people from dying. We are here together standing on sacred property -- a synagogue -- a house of prayer where 24 hours ago, we saw terrorism in the worst of way, Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein told a crowd outside Chabad of Poway Sunday afternoon, recalling the devastating events of the attack one day earlier that killed a 60-year-old woman and wounded three others, including Goldstein. Goldstein said two people helped chase the attacker from the synagogue, and that, despite being shot, he spoke to his congregation as they sheltered in place in the immediate aftermath. We are a Jewish nation that will stand tall," he recalled telling his faithful. "We will not let anyone or anything take us down. The 57-year-old rabbi earlier Sunday described on NBC's TODAY show the attack. He said he heard a large bang as he walked into the banquet hall before services at the synagogue. I turned around and Im face to face with this murderer -- terrorist -- who was holding a rifle and looking straight at me, and then as soon as he saw me, he started to shoot toward me, and thats when I put my hands up and then my fingers got blown away, Goldstein told TODAY. The rabbi suffered gunshot wounds to his index fingers, which trauma surgeon Michael Katz said was the largest injury of the three surviving victims. Goldstein lost his right index finger. I turned around and I saw a group of children in the banquet hall, including my granddaughter, and I just ran -- not even knowing that my fingers were blown off -- and hurled all the kids together and got them outside, Goldstein told TODAY. As he was rushing children out, he wrapped his fingers in a prayer shawl, he said. My granddaughter -- 4 and a half years old -- sees her grandpa with a bleeding hand and she sees me screaming and shouting, Get out! Get out! She didnt deserve to see her grandfather like this, Goldstein said. The suspected shooter was later identified as 19-year-old John T. Earnest from San Diego. An anti-Semitic open letter was posted by a user identifying himself as John Earnest on the far-right message board 8chan hours before the attack, NBC News reported. A young man standing with a rifle, staring right at me, he had sunglasses on -- I couldnt see his eyes, I couldnt see his soul, Goldstein said of the gunman. How does a 19-year-old, a teenager, have the audacity, the sickness, the hatred? he said. How does he come to our house of worship and do what he did? I cannot erase that face in my mind. I cannot erase that moment. Its going to be embedded there forever. You know, with the loss of my index finger, its going to be a scar for the rest of my life ... to remind us of literally how vulnerable we are, but also how brave we need to be. Everyone needs to be a hero. Everyone needs to step up and do something in the face of terror, Goldstein said in the interview. Goldstein said the attack could have been much worse but miraculously the gun jammed. Authorities have said Earnest used an assault-type rifle in the attack. After the gun jammed, the rabbi said Oscar Stewart, an Army veteran inside the synagogue at the time, jumped into action and tried to tackle the gunman, but the suspect fled. The rabbi said it was fortunate that there was an off-duty U.S. Border Patrol agent, later identified as Jonathan Morales, at Saturdays services who went in pursuit of the shooting suspect. The off-duty agent opened fire on the suspect outside, missing the man but striking his vehicle, deputies said. Goldstein said Morales is from El Centro and recently discovered his Jewish roots. Terror will not win. As Americans, we cant cower in the senseless hate that is in anti-Semitism. You know, beneath the surface of every terrible experience, there lies an opportunity to grow and increase in goodness, Goldstein told TODAY. Our government needs to continue to step up and help prioritize in securing our houses of worship. Outside of the sanctuary, which is the part of the synagogue where prayer services are performed, the congregation was sheltering in place and waiting for authorities to arrive. Here, the rabbi continued to deliver his sermon, he told TODAY's Willie Geist. I got up there, and I just spoke from my heart and giving everyone the courage to know -- you know, it was just 70 years ago during the Holocaust, we were gunned down like this. And I just want to let our fellow Americans know, were not going to let this happen here -- not here in San Diego, not here in Poway, not here in the United States of America, Goldstein said. President Donald Trump personally called Goldstein, the rabbi said at the news conference Sunday. They spoke for 10 to 15 minutes. He shared with me condolences on behalf of the United States of America, Goldstein said. He was just so comforting that Im really grateful for our president for really taking the time. Trump tweeted about Goldstein on Monday, calling him "a great guy" who, despite his injuries, only wanted to help others. Goldstein co-established Chabad of Poway in 1986 when he was in his early 20s. Lori Gilbert-Kaye, a member of the congregation, was killed in the shooting. Goldstein said she was a steadfast supporter and helped secure a construction loan to build the synagogue. She is such a dear friend. Ive known her for 33 years. And Im just so heartbroken and saddened by this senseless killing, Goldstein said. Goldstein said Gilbert-Kaye came to the synagogue Saturday because her mother recently died. After this terrorist left, I turn around to assess the situation, and I turn to see Lori laying on the ground unconscious, and her dear husband, Dr. Howard Kaye -- who is like a brother to me -- is trying to resuscitate her, Goldstein said. In my own interpretation, Lori took the bullet for all of us. She died to protect all of us. She didnt deserve to die. Shes such a kind, sweet-hearted -- just a good human being. She didnt deserve to die right in front of my eyes. I was the last one to see her and to be with her, but I do know that this is Lori, this is her legacy. And her legacy will continue, Goldstein said. The other two victims in the attack were 34-year-old Almog Peretz and 8-year-old Noya Dahan. The girl was released from the hospital Saturday night and Peretz was released Sunday. Both are recovering. Chabad of Poway is located at 16934 Chabad Way, next door to two other places of worship, St. John of Damascus Orthodox and Incarnation Lutheran Church. I ask that we all do something -- something -- to add more light to combat this evil darkness thats out there. And that can happen through acts of compassion, love, and kindness, Goldstein said. The suspect was taken into custody on a roadway after fleeing and calling 911 to report the shooting, San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit said. Earnest may be charged with a hate crime in addition to homicide charges when he's arraigned later this week. Police said he was also being investigated in connection with an arson attack on a mosque in nearby Escondido, California, on March 24. Formed through a public act, the Connecticut Valley Hospital Whiting Task Force has begun its work. Members include people from mental health, criminal justice, and patient care fields, who will produce a study on Whiting Forensic Hospital, the subject of a series of NBC Connecticut Investigates reports about patient abuse and poor work environment. State Sen. Heather Somers says the culture needs to change at Whiting Forensic Hospital, where patient Bill Shehadi suffered repeated abuse that led to more than three dozen employees put on administrative leave, 10 of them arrested, some already behind bars. These are our patients, this is the State of Connecticut we are paying for their care, we need to insure that it's proper, it's adequate, there's good outcomes, and that the people that are working in these facilities feel free and comfortable to speak up if they see something that's not okay and this task force gives them the ability to do that, Somers said. One of those employee says he works at Whitings medium security step-down facility. He hopes the task force not only looks at how front line employees do their jobs, but also administrators, in the wake of the Shehadi abuse case. It's important that those people get held accountable, because, I love what I do, but that was disgusting, and I can't stand it, and I'm glad this is happening," said Marcus Spinner. An attorney for mental health patients, Kathy Flaherty with the Connecticut Legal Rights Project, says she is hopeful the task force will help, but is withholding her opinion for now. We'll see if their report is something that people act upon, once it's done, and that's really gonna be the critical thing, will it lead to lasting change, Flaherty said. Greenwich Police have arrested three people in connection to an incident allegedly involving fraudulent use of a credit card at a high-end store on Saturday. Officers were called to the Saks Fifth Avenue store on Greenwich Avenue after getting a report from store asset protection investigators of possible fraudulent credit card activity. Police said they saw two men, later identified as 24-year-old Kimaley Olando Barrett and 23-year-old Dwayne Michael Powell, both of New York, leaving the store. According to investigators, 22-year-old Tamoya Miller, of New York, drove Barrett and Powell to the store and waited for them outside while they purchased items totaling $2,940.58 with a fraudulent credit card. The card displayed Barrett's name, but belonged to another store customer. A search revealed that Powell had several other fraudulent credit cards hidden in his boots, police said. During the investigation, Powell continued to change his story and lied to police, officers said. He was arrested and is facing multiple charges including larceny, identity theft, forgery and interfering with an officer. He was unable to post his $75,000 bond. Investigators said Barrett also continued to change his story and lied to officers throughout the investigation. He was arrested and is facing charges including larceny, identity theft, criminal impersonation, forgery, interfering with an officer and illegal sale / buying of a payment card. His bond was set at $150,000, which police said he was unable to post. Miller was also arrested and is facing charges including conspiracy to commit larceny. She was unable to post her $5,000 bond. Barrett, Miller and Powell are all due in court on May 13. A former FCI Danbury correctional officer has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for sexually abusing an inmate at the prison. The Connecticut U.S. Attorneys office said 33-year-old Carlos Sanchez had sex with a female inmate at the prison in July and August of 2018. He pleaded guilty of one count of sexual abuse of a ward in December 2018. Sanchez previously resigned from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He was sentenced Friday to 10 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. He was released on a $50,000 bond and is due to report to prison on May 21, 2019. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Texas and the Kaufman County Sheriffs Office seized 19 animals from a property in Kaufman County Thursday. There were 13 dogs, five cats and one horse. There were three dead puppies and three dead dogs found in shed-type structures, according to the SPCA of Texas. One dog and three cats were found inside the living area of the residence, which was filled with feces, urine, trash and other debris the SPCA of Texas stated. Three dogs were found closed inside an adjoining bathroom, which held feces-filled sinks and a feces-filled bathtub. One deceased cat was also found in the bathroom. Several deceased birds were found inside filthy cages in the living area. The animals had various medical issues, including hair loss, eye issues, wounds, flea infestation, long nails and injured limbs, according to the SPCA of Texas. The dogs and cats were taken to the SPCA of Texas Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center and the horse was taken to the Russell H. Perry Animal Care Center. There will be a civil custody hearing Tuesday at the Kaufman County Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1. Tonya Couch, the mother of "affluenza" teen Ethan Couch, was booked into the Tarrant County Jail again Monday after another failed drug test, according to court records. It was the third time she has been jailed after a urinalysis tested positive for drug use, according to jail records. Tonya Couch and her son were arrested in 2015 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where they fled after Ethan Couch appeared in a video appearing to be at a party with alcohol a violation of his probation. She is charged with money laundering and hindering apprehension of a fugitive. Ethan Couch made national headlines in 2013 when he killed four people while driving drunk south of Fort Worth at the age of 16 and his attorney suggested he was a victim of affluenza being so spoiled by wealthy parents that he didnt know right from wrong. Ethan Couch was sentenced to probation in juvenile court but ultimately sentenced as an adult to 720 days in jail. Tonya Couch's attorney, Steve Gordon, had no immediate comment on her being jailed. A note in her court file said simply, "Hold no bond per judge (positive UA)." Arlington hosted a 5k and 10k run Sunday morning to promote family health and physical activity. The race was part of the DC Wonder Woman race series and helped celebrate all the characters and films. There were about 3,500 people who made their way around Texas Live! This event started last year. Messages of love and heroism have emerged from tragedy as hundreds gathered at a park less than a mile from where a gunman unloaded rounds of ammunition on a Jewish congregation, killing a long-time synagogue member and wounding three others. "It's all about peace, all about love, and it's all about kindness," said Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, one of the injured, who was moved to tears by the showing of support at Valle Verde Community Park on Sunday. "Wow, wow, wow. Look at love." In attendance were rabbis from Chabad houses across the country, Poway Mayor Steve Vaus and all three surviving shooting victims: Rabbi Goldstein, 57, whose index finger was blown off in the attack; 34-year-old Almog Peretz, who is being heralded a hero for shepherding more than a half-dozen children away from gunfire; and his niece, 8-year-old Noya Dahan, who was struck by shrapnel. The rabbi's friend of 33 years, Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, who helped him secure funding to open the synagogue in 1986, was killed. A funeral for Kaye was held at Chabad of Poway on Monday. And while the members gathered at the park mourned the loss of a dear member of the Jewish community, they celebrated the heroism that witnesses say averted greater tragedy. About 100 worshipers were gathered at the synagogue to celebrate the end of Passover when the attack happened. "[Dahan] was wounded yesterday, and tonight she's here with us. That is bravery," Goldstein screamed over cheers from the crowd. "Almog was shot in his leg, and he's also here tonight. And he saved a room filled with children, so he's brave and a hero." Peretz said his thought at the time was not bravery but that someone had to lead the children out of the synagogue. "It's kids. It's kids," he told NBC News. "Because the kids, they stand in shock. They're like frozen, they stand. I'm scared they'll run the wrong way. I tell them no, this way this way and i scream." As Peretz was working to get people out of the building, another congregant ran toward gunfire but Oscar Stewart wouldn't call himself a hero. "All I remember is everybody was running. Heard the gunshots, everybody ran out." Stewart told NBC 7. "I ran to fire, that's what I did. I didn't plan it, I didn't think about it. It's just what I did." Stewart, an Army veteran, said he thinks his military training is what called him to action. He shouted curse words at the gunman as he ran towards him. "I yelled at him very loud. I have a very loud voice... and he looked at me and I must've scared him because he dropped his weapon and then I turned and then he ran away," Stewart said. He said he doesn't know if his actions stopped the gunfire there were reports from witnesses that the gunman's assault-style rifle jammed but at that point the shooting stopped. Stewart chased the shooter until he got to a car and turned the ignition, he said. The gunman went for his weapon again and Stewart struck the car to scare him off. At that point a U.S. Border Patrol officer Johnathan Morales emerged from the synagogue and shouted for the Army vet to step back because he had a weapon, Stewart said. "Johnathan pursued him and was able to discharge his weapon and got the car a few times," Rabbi Goldstein said. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said they were aware their agent was at the synagogue amid the shooting. "We have learned that one of our own off-duty Border Patrol agents was present and took actions that may have prevented additional loss of life. CBP will fully support our law enforcement partners who are investigating," the agency said in a written statement. According to Goldstein, Morales was a newer member of the congregation and would travel nearly four hours from El Centro to pray with the temple. John T. Earnest, a graduate of Mount Carmel High School and Cal State San Marcos attendee was taken into custody by a San Diego police officer who was en route to the scene and spotted the suspect vehicle, SDPD Chief David Nisleit said. Earnest does not have a criminal history and has no apparent connection with white supremacist groups, according to San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore. He faces one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder for the shooting. In the hours leading up to the shooting, a person identifying himself as John Earnest posted an open letter on a social media channel that was filled with racist rants and quotes from the Bible. The poster said he planned to livestream the shooting on Facebook, though there was no link to a livestream on his Facebook page, NBC News reported. The account has since been deactivated. The FBI said Monday it received tips about a threatening social media post through its website and by phone about five minutes before the attack, The Associated Press reported. The shooting took place before FBI workers were able to identify who wrote the post. Earnest is also accused of setting fire to a mosque in nearby Esondido last month, according to charging documents filed Monday, which the social media poster had confessed to online. Mayor Steve Vaus has called the shooting a hate crime. Earnest's family said in a statement to NBC 7 Monday that their son is now part of a "history of evil." "We are shocked and deeply saddened by the terrible attack on the Chabad of Poway synagogue," the family said. "But our sadness pales in comparison to the grief and anguish our son has caused for so many innocent people. He has killed and injured the faithful who were gathered in a sacred place on a sacred day. To our great shame, he is now part of the history of evil that has been perpetrated on Jewish people for centuries." How Earnest "was attracted to such darkness is a terrifying mystery" to the family, their statement said. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department said Earnest may be charged with a hate crime in addition to homicide charges when he's arraigned later this week. Outside the synagogue, a growing memorial of flowers and signs was juxtaposed next to lines of yellow police tape, which blocked worshipers and visitors from approaching the building where the deadly shooting took place. A GoFundMe page was created Saturday night to raise money to help pay for "any necessary medical operations for the victims, funeral services, synagogue reparations or anything else the synagogue would need assistance with. Guantanamo Bay detention center's top commander was fired over a loss of confidence in his leadership, officials said and NBC News reported Sunday. U.S. Navy Rear Adm. John Ring was relieved of duty and will be replaced by Adm. Craig Faller, the U.S. Southern Command said in a statement. Command spokeswoman Amanda Azubuike said the firing occurred after an investigation that began in March. Hundreds of alleged terrorists have been held at Guantanamo since it opened in 2002, though no new detainees have arrived since 2008. In November, NBC News reported that 40 still remained, including a 71-year-old. U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John Hussey was designated acting commander of the center, the command said in the statement. Ring became commander of Guantanamo last April. In an interview last year with NBC News, he described parts of the detention camp as falling into the ground and deteriorating rapidly. The mother of three children wounded when Oklahoma police fired at a man in a pickup truck who was suspected of robbing a restaurant says two of her kids suffered head wounds and the third was shot in the face. "My 4-year-old daughter was shot in the head, and she has a bullet in her brain, and my 5-year-old has a skull fracture," Olivia Hill told Sherman, Texas, news station KXII-TV. "My 1-year-old baby has gunshot wounds on her face." Investigators and a hospital didn't release the children's conditions. Hill said her 2-year-old child who was also in the truck was not hurt. Hill and the four children were in the pickup with William Devaughn Smith, 21, when officers approached him and gunfire broke out Friday in Hugo, which is near the Texas state line, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Brooke Arbeitman said. Smith's relationship to Hill and the children isn't clear. Investigators have not determined what led to the shooting that also wounded Smith, who was treated at a hospital and then taken to a Texas jail on a robbery warrant, Arbeitman said Saturday. "What happened between the contact with him and when police fired, we're still trying to put that together," Arbeitman said. "The OSBI is still investigating whether he fired at police and whether he was armed." She said "it's going to be a few days before we know anything," including how many officers were involved in the shooting. Smith is suspected in an April 11 armed robbery at a Pizza Hut in Hugo, about 150 miles (241 kilometers) southeast of Oklahoma City. He hasn't been formally charged, and it wasn't clear if he has an attorney yet who could speak on his behalf. A post on the Hugo police Facebook page says a man entered the back entrance of the restaurant, pressed an object to an employee's back and demanded money. Police said the worker handed over money and the robber left. Aides to Joe Biden struck a more aggressive tone on Monday as the former vice president faced scrutiny over his past behavior toward women. In a statement, Biden spokesman Bill Russo blasted "right wing trolls" and "smears" from "the dark recesses of the internet" for conflating images of Biden embracing acquaintances, colleagues and friends in his official capacity during swearing-in ceremonies with uninvited touching. The move came on a day in which a second woman said Biden had acted inappropriately, touching her face with both hands and rubbing noses with her in 2009. The allegation by Amy Lappos, a former aide to Democratic Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, followed a magazine essay by former Nevada politician Lucy Flores, who wrote that Biden kissed her on the back of the head in 2014. The developments underscored the challenge facing Biden should he decide to seek the White House. Following historic wins in the 2018 midterms, Democratic politics is dominated by energy from women. The allegations could leave the 76-year-old Biden, long known for his affectionate mannerisms, appearing out of touch with the party as the Democratic presidential primary begins. Lappos told The Associated Press that she and other Himes aides were helping out at a fundraiser in a private home in Hartford, Connecticut, in October 2009 when Biden entered the kitchen to thank the group for pitching in. "After he finished speaking, he stopped to talk to us about how important a congressional staff is, which I thought was awesome," Lappos said. She said she was stunned as Biden moved toward her. "He wrapped both his hands around my face and pulled me in," said Lappos, who is now 43. "I thought, 'Oh, God, he's going to kiss me.' Instead, he rubbed noses with me." Biden said nothing, she said, then moved off. She said the experience left her feeling "weird and uncomfortable" and was "absolutely disrespectful of my personal boundaries." The Hartford Courant first reported Lappos' assertion. Russo didn't directly respond to Lappos, instead referring to a Sunday statement in which Biden said he doesn't believe he has acted inappropriately during his long public life. The former vice president said in that statement: "We have arrived at an important time when women feel they can and should relate their experiences, and men should pay attention. And I will." Biden hasn't made a final decision on whether to run for the White House. But aides who weren't authorized to discuss internal conversations and spoke on condition of anonymity said there were no signs that his team was slowing its preparations for a campaign. Asked by the AP about the accusations against Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, "I don't think that this disqualifies him from running for president, not at all." She declined to elaborate. Biden's potential Democratic rivals haven't rushed to back him up. Over the weekend, presidential candidates Elizabeth Warren and Kirsten Gillibrand came closest to calling out the former vice president. Warren said Biden "needs to give an answer" about what occurred. Gillibrand said, "If Vice President Biden becomes a candidate, this is a topic he'll have to engage on further." Ultraviolet, a women's advocacy group, tweeted: "Joe Biden cannot paint himself as a champion of women and then refuse to listen and learn from a woman who says his actions demeaned her. Good intentions don't matter if the actions are inappropriate. Do better, Joe. And thank you @LucyFlores for coming forward." Julie Pace contributed to this report. Since George Washington's time, presidents have used executive privilege to resist congressional inquiries in the name of protecting the confidentiality of their decision-making. President Donald Trump threatened this past week to broadly assert executive privilege to block a number of current and former aides from testifying, including some who have cooperated with special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. It's a strategy that could lead to a messy, protracted legal fight, but even if the White House is eventually defeated in court, the president and his allies could have the chance to run out the clock to the 2020 election. "This is all about delaying things. The strategy of every administration is to drag it out," said the University of Virginia's Saikrishna Prakash, an expert on presidential power. Trump in recent days has complained about House Democrats stepping up their investigations in the aftermath of the special counsel's probe, which ended last month without concluding the president colluded with Russia or obstructed justice. "With all of this transparency, we finished 'no collusion, no obstruction,'" Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday. "Then I get out, the first the day they're saying, 'Let's do it again.' And I said, 'That's enough.'" "So, if I'm guilty of anything, it's that I've been a great president and the Democrats don't like it, which is a shame," he said. Executive privilege is the president's power to keep information from the courts, Congress and the public to protect the confidentiality of the Oval Office decision-making process. The privilege to withhold documents and prohibit aides from testifying rests on the proposition that the president has an almost unparalleled need to protect the confidentiality of candid advice that goes into presidential judgments. There is no reference to executive privilege in the Constitution, but the Supreme Court has held that it derives from the president's ability to carry out the duties the commander in chief holds under the Constitution. It has become a flashpoint after Trump's administration signaled it was considering invoking the privilege to block Congress' attempt to subpoena former White House counsel Don McGahn, an important figure in the Mueller investigation, to appear and provide documents. That reflects a shift in legal tactics for Trump's lawyers. At first, they cooperated with Mueller's 22-month investigation, encouraging officials to testify and turning over more than a million documents. But starting last spring, the White House took a far more adversarial approach, publicly questioning the investigation's integrity and resisting some requests. Advisers to the president, trying to depict the Democrats as guilty of partisan-fueled overreach, want to snarl the congressional investigations. They believe a drawn-out court fight could tire voters' patience and shift public opinion their way. While they are hopeful that the courts support them, a legal battle that ends in defeat could stretch close to the 2020 election and make it easier for Republicans to claim the other party was predominantly interested in playing politics. The haste with which House Democrats have issued subpoenas and promise more is itself a reflection that time is on Trump's side, not Congress', Prakash said. "The speed with which we've come to an impasse is different" from past fights over documents and testimony that involved at least a semblance of negotiations, he said. Courts have not had much to say about executive privilege. But in the 1974 case over President Richard Nixon's refusal to release Oval Office recordings as part of the Watergate investigation, the Supreme Court held that the privilege is not absolute. In other words, the case for turning over documents or allowing testimony may be more compelling than arguments for withholding them. In that context, the court ruled 8-0 that Nixon had to turn over the tapes. When it came to the Watergate tapes, the Supreme Court said it had the final word, and lower courts have occasionally weighed in to resolve other disputes. But courts also have made clear they prefer that the White House and Congress resolve their disagreements without judicial intervention, when possible. Court fights over documents and testimony can take years to resolve. One potential roadblock for the White House: Trump already allowed McGahn to talk to Mueller's team, and Attorney General William Barr has said the president did not invoke executive privilege to prevent release of any part of Mueller's report. "In view of that, the White House has waived a good portion of any privilege it might claim," said Steven Schwinn, a constitutional law professor at the John Marshall Law School in Chicago. Trump seems to be arguing that the risk that McGahn might reveal the substance of high-level conversations he had with the president or other high-level advisers is sufficiently high to keep him out of the witness chair in a House hearing, Schwinn said. "But that's not the way privileges work," he said. "You don't prevent someone from testifying entirely just because you think one of their answers may raise executive communications. You raise a privilege in response to a question." Recent presidents have leaned on the approach. President George W. Bush used it to shield some sensitive information from Congress after the Sept. 11 attacks. The Clinton administration used it to try to keep private Hillary Clinton's answers during the Monica Lewinsky investigation. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally who is chairman of the Judiciary Committee, backs the president's efforts not to engage in what the senator called "a complete partisan thing now." Graham said he told the president when the two spoke earlier in the week that he wouldn't have let "half these people" testify earlier. Now, with Muller's work complete, the South Carolina senator said Democrats are acting like filmmaker Oliver Stone trying to get to the bottom of the Kennedy assassination. Stone's controversial 1991 film "JFK" dramatized allegations that several people conspired to kill the president. "I think Congress is going crazy here," Graham told The Associated Press. Over just the past few days, the Trump White House has thrown up a series of hurdles for congressional investigators: The Trump Organization sued the chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee to stop his efforts to obtain the company's financial records. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin blew past Tuesday's House deadline to turn over the president's tax returns, saying he will decide next month. The administration instructed its former personnel security director, Carl Kline, not to testify before Congress over how some West Wing aides, including Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, obtained security clearances. That led the House to hold Kline in contempt. One potential problem Schwinn identified is a lack of clarity in the White House's claims that Trump aides, including Stephen Miller, Trump's top immigration policy adviser, should not cooperate with Congress. "In a regular administration, we expect the White House to make aggressive constitutional arguments," Schwinn said. "But what President Trump is doing is something different. He's making these assertions that are both overly broad, even ridiculously broad, and in a slippery way so that we can't get our arms around what he is asserting." Associated Press writers Eric Tucker and Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report. On Monday morning, Fort Worth is moving into the next phase of its extremely popular bike share program by adding a fleet of new electric-assist bikes across the city. The electric-assist bicycles have sensors that detect when the rider needs an extra push to get up a steep hill or get moving faster. "We wanted to offer riders the opportunity to go a little bit further and a little bit faster," Jennifer Grissom with Fort Worth Ride Sharing said. "We all know how the Texas summer is, so we wanted to offer a little bit of a break on the sweat equity you have to put in when you are riding a bike." Grissom said this is the future of bike sharing. "You dont have the emissions, you dont have the gas costs, the parking," Grissom said. "So, all of the things that we are starting to see as our cities are growing. This helps take care of a lot of those problems." There will be a fleet of 50 electric-assist bikes at docking stations across the city. "The cost is just the same. Whether you have a day pass or an annual pass or a monthly pass. The fee is no different than the bike share we already have," Grissom said. You can find more information on the new bicycles by visiting Fort Worth Bike Sharing. A U.S. Army veteran was plotting a large-scale terror attack in Los Angeles as revenge for the mass shooting at a mosque in New Zealand, according to an indictment unsealed Monday. Mark Steven Domingo boasted about amassing an arsenal of weapons, including 80 pounds of nails for a bomb, to carry out an attack in retaliation for the killing of Muslims by a white supremacist in the city of Christchurch, according to an indictment unsealed on Monday. He also allegedly discussed killing Los Angeles police officers and setting off explosives at the Santa Monica Pier and on local freeways. "There were mosque shootings in New Zealand," Domingo posted to a private group online on March 14, according to federal prosecutors. "[T]here must be retribution." Domingo allegedly added: "I feel like I should make a christians life miserable tomorrow for our fallen bros n sis in [N]ew Zealand ... maybe a jews life ... they shed our blood ... no Muslim should have to experience this, a message needs to be sent." An FBI informant, who was already in the private message group along with an FBI "online covert employee," made contact with Domingo two days later, the indictment says. Over six weeks of plotting with the informant, Domingo fantasized about murdering a laundry list of perceived enemies, including Christians, Jews, white supremacists, police officers, even his next-door neighbor. But he struggled to pinpoint a target or develop a plan. Asked if he was intending to get caught, Domingo offered an oddly casual response. "Martyrdom, bro," Domingo said, according to the indictment. The former U.S. Army infantryman, who completed a four-month deployment to Afghanistan in January 2013, became obsessed with the idea of getting his hands on an improvised explosive device after the FBI informant said he knew someone who used to make them. "We'll both make it. I just don't know how," Domingo said in one conversation, according to the indictment. "I'll be honest. I'm smart in history but I failed chemistry. Science is not my forte ... If he doesn't want to make it, don't force him. But ask him how. Details ... F-----g to the letter details. Ask him." Domingo was arrested after he made preparations to attack a "white nationalist rally" in Huntington Beach on April 27. He was charged with providing and attempting to provide material support to terrorists. The indictment was unsealed roughly six weeks after a gunman opened fire at two mosques in the city of Christchurch, killing 50 people. The suspect, a 28-year-old Australian national and avowed white supremacist, livestreamed the attack on Facebook using a camera mounted to his helmet. The gunman, identified as Brenton Tarrant, has been charged with 50 counts of murder and 39 counts of attempted murder. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called the mass murder "one of New Zealand's darkest days." Less than a week later, she announced plans to ban nearly all military-style semi-automatic and assault-style rifles. What to Know A gunman opened fire at the Chabad of Poway synagogue in Poway, California, on Saturday morning, the last day of Passover One woman was killed and two men, including a rabbi, and a young girl were injured Deputies identified the shooting suspect as 19-year-old John T. Earnest of San Diego, California A long-time member of the Chabad of Poway synagogue, Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, died from her injuries after a gunman opened fire during services to celebrate the end of Passover. Her rabbi, 57-year-old Yisroel Goldstein lost his index finger when he put his hand up as the gunman approached him. He later wrapped his wounds in a prayer shawl and told his congregants, "we are a Jewish nation that will stand tall." Almog Peretz, 34, was declared a hero after he was shot in the leg while shuffling out a group of school-aged children, a group that included one of his nieces, 8-year-old Noya Dahan, who was hit by shrapnel and who described the shooting in an interview with NBC News. NBC News/Roneet Lev Here are their stories: Lori Gilbert-Kaye: "Jewel of Our Community" As a gunman unloaded bullets inside the synagogue filled with about 100 worshipers, Kaye performed what her friends and Rabbi Goldstein called a last act of heroism when she protected the rabbi from gunfire. "In my own interpretation, Lori took the bullet for all of us," Goldstein said outside the synagogue a day after the deadly shooting. "She didnt deserve to die right in front of my eyes." The word "giving" was used repeatedly by friends to describe the 60-year-old woman, who has lived her entire life in San Diego. She leaves behind a husband and a 22-year-old daughter. "When you ask me, 'Whyd she put herself in front of the rabbi,' its like, anyone who knows her, thats what she would do," her friend Roneet Lev said. Wife and mother Lori Kaye is being remembered by her best friend. NBC 7's Mari Payton has more. Both Lev and another friend of Kaye's, Audrey Jacobs, said that as the rabbi was being wheeled into surgery, he said, "Let everyone know Lori Kaye saved me." Lev said Kaye was a pillar of San Diego's Jewish community and was known by people across the globe for her acts of kindness. Jacobs described Kaye as a "jewel of our community." Kaye was attending Saturday's service to pay tribute to her late mother with a traditional prayer for the dead. She was a member of the synagogue since its founding. According to the rabbi, Kaye helped secure funding that helped open the Chabad of Poway in 1986. Kaye's husband, a doctor, rushed to the shooting scene to help and while performing CPR on a victim fainted when he realized it was his wife, Lev told The Los Angeles Times. Lev said that despite the tragedy, the Jewish community will continue to "make this world a better place." "She did not die in vain, Lev said. "Her death must bring goodness to the world. If anybody does some good act, whatever it is calling a friend, saying hello, anything kind would bring a blessing to Loris memory and keep her memory alive." Noya Dahan: "Too Scary to Not Cry" Eight-year-old Noya Dahan remembers she was playing with the other children her age before the service started on Saturday when she heard loud noises as she entered the doorway to the synagogue. Dahan described the chaos to NBC News, detailing the moment her uncle, Peretz, scooped up more than a half-dozen kids and rushed them away from the shooter. "I was one of them and the person was aiming right at [Peretz] and he was holding me so it hit him and the second one hit me," she said. Meanwhile, her dad was screaming, "Everyone run! Run! Run! Someone's shooting," she recalled. The 8-year-old said the whole incident happened so quickly it seemed like movie. "It was like too scary to not cry," she said. What she does remember, though, was the feeling of getting hit. "Yes, I definitely remember when it was coming straight at my head like, I'm like 'what's happening"' and then I realized that something hit me and didn't go out so I was really afraid," Dahan said. Dahan said her family has been the target of anti-Semitism in the past. Five years ago, swastikas were etched into their home and someone tried to light it on fire, she said. "I'm still worried, like I still picture things in my head and I still picture the sounds and noise stuff and it's just scary," Dahan said. "But, um I don't really feel safe here. This is not the first and definitely not the last time this happened." Dahan's family moved to the U.S. a few years ago from Sderot, Israel, which has been the target of rocket attacks from the nearby Gaza Strip, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported. "We came from fire to fire," Noya's father, Israel Dahan, was quoted as having told Israeli radio. "We left Sderot after our house was hit a few times. My mother's house was hit. I was wounded." Noya Dahan was released from the hospital Saturday night. Almog Peretz: "I want to forget" Peretz is also from Sderot, Israel, and came to visit his family for Passover, according to Jacobs. When he first heard the gunshots, he immediately gathered the children and lead them to safety, Jacobs said. He scooped up Noya, his niece, and rushed the rest toward the exit, attempting to dodge bullets along the way. He was hit in the leg, but did not feel it. Army veteran, Oscar Stewart, chased down the suspect and is now being named a hero. NBC 7's Steven Luke has more. He continued his mission to shield and protect the children of the synagogue. He said he couldn't think about his bullet wound because he was nervous. After leading a large group of kids to a safe place, he paused and noticed that he was missing one, his other niece, so he ran back in. Terrified, but not immobilized by her fear, she locked herself in the bathroom and sheltered. The shooter was gone by the time Peretz got to her, and that's when congregants pointed out that he was bleeding. When asked what led him to run back inside, Peretz said simply, "My niece." "I don't care," he said, responding to a question about whether or not he was scared. "She was alone." "Because the kids, they stand in shock," he continued. "They're like frozen, they stand. I'm scared they'll run the wrong way. I tell them, 'No, this way, this way!' And I scream." In the moments that followed, the congregation was beginning to realize what had just happened. Peretz said there was a sense of disbelief that they all shared. Peretz saw medics trying to resuscitate Kaye. He also passed by the rabbi and saw he was missing his finger. "You know, I want to forget," Peretz said. "I want to forget. I hope I forget that, but it's coming all the time." Peretz said he hasn't been able to get the terrifying image -- the shooter standing there with his weapon raised, sight at his eye, firing rounds -- out of his mind. He didn't eat or sleep that night. "This is sad, but I am originally from Sderot so we know a bit about running from the Qassam rockets," Peretz told Israels Channel 12 from his hospital bed, according to The Times of Israel. Peretz is recovering from shrapnel wounds and a gunshot to the leg. He has since been released from the hospital. Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein: "Not Going to Let This Happen Here" Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein said he heard a large bang as he walked into the banquet hall before services at the synagogue, then immediately found himself in the line of fire. "A young man standing with a rifle, staring right at me, he had sunglasses on," Goldstein said. "I couldnt see his eyes, I couldnt see his soul." Within seconds, bullets were fired in his direction. All he could do was put his hands up to protect himself, he said. "I turned around and Im face to face with this murderer -- terrorist -- who was holding a rifle and looking straight at me, and then as soon as he saw me, he started to shoot toward me, and thats when I put my hands up and then my fingers got blown away," Goldstein told NBC's TODAY show in an exclusive interview Sunday morning. Rabbi Goldstein speaks out after losing his finger in synagogue attack. NBC 7's Ramon Galindo has more. He was struck in both of his index fingers. As he fled from the shooter he spotted a group of children, his grandchild among them, and he gathered them together and rushed them outside all the while not knowing his right index finger had been severed from his hand. "My granddaughter -- four-and-a-half years old -- sees her grandpa with a bleeding hand and she sees me screaming and shouting, Get out! Get out! She didnt deserve to see her grandfather like this, Goldstein said. In the midst of his life-saving dash, he wrapped his hand in a prayer shawl. After the shooter fled the property, synagogue congregants sheltered in an outdoor area waiting for authorities to arrive. Goldstein saw an opportunity to speak from his heart and remind his people of their resiliency. I got up there, and I just spoke from my heart and giving everyone the courage to know -- you know, it was just 70 years ago during the Holocaust, we were gunned down like this. And I just want to let our fellow Americans know, were not going to let this happen here -- not here in San Diego, not here in Poway, not here in the United States of America, Goldstein said. .medium .leadMediaRegion.city_module iframe {height:421px;} At a Sunday press conference, the rabbi said that President Donald Trump called him and spoke with him for about 15 minutes. He said President Trump offered his condolences on behalf of the U.S. and was very comforting. "Im really grateful for our president for really taking the time," Goldstein said. Goldstein, a rabbi at Chabad of Poway since he co-founded it in 1986, wondered how the suspected shooter could arrive at a point where he would want to inflict this kind of pain. "How does a 19-year-old, a teenager, have the audacity, the sickness, the hatred? he said. "How does he come to our house of worship and do what he did?" Goldstein called Kaye a dear friend that he's known for 33 years. He said she died to protect everyone in the synagogue, and said her legacy will continue. Saying something "drastic has to be done" to increase California's supply of housing, the leader of the California State Assembly appeared to give qualified support Sunday to a controversial bill that would force cities to allow high density development along transit lines. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) did not endorse SB 50 by State Sen. Scott Weiner (D-San Francisco) but said a decision to exempt small counties from the housing density requirement was a "step in the right direction." "Whether it is SB 50 or not, we are going to work out those details...we know that in certain corridors increasing density makes a tremendous amount of sense," Rendon said on NBC4's "News Conference" program. A much different assessment was offered by former Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky who referred to the Weiner bill as "an overreach with no middle ground." Yaroslavsky says SB 50 will have an impact far beyond subway stations and streetcar stops. "Weiner's bill extends to virtually every bus line in the LA basin...any single family neighborhood within a quarter mile of a bus stop would be re-zoned for multiple family development...I'm hoping the legislature will come to its senses," he said. Yaroslavsky, who serves as the director of the Los Angeles Initiative at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, says his city has built more new housing over the past several years than the state has required and added 27,000 apartment units last year alone. He criticized last week's amendment that made exempted smaller counties from the density requirement. "If you want to create affordable housing, don't exempt the affluent cities; don't exempt...Tiburon in Marin County," he said. "Treat everyone the same." Meanwhile, the Assembly Speaker says housing is just one of several issues that the legislature will focus on this session...along with wildfire response and preparation and water policy. Rendon also had a message for the hundreds of parents who protested at the capitol last week against a bill that would tighten exemptions for childhood vaccinations. "I believe in the enlightenment; I believe in science, he said on Sunday's program. "The theories they are clinging to have been debunked over and over again. You shouldn't get your medical information from the internet." Prosecutors, public defenders, and community groups in Massachusetts announced a federal lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement over its policy of arresting people at courthouses on civil immigration matters. Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins were among those who announced the complaint at a news conference Monday. "These actions do nothing to further public safety or the rule of law," Rollins said of ICE agents at courthouses. "In fact, as we've laid out in the suit filed today, ICE's directives violate multiple well established legal principals." The lawsuit states ICE's presence at courthouses intervene with the justice system since it intimidates undocumented witnesses and defendants from appearing. "ICE's using state courthouses as a forum to conduct their enforcement work has struck fear in many of our most vulnerable, keeping them from accessing our courts," said Ryan. "That is not justice. It does not make our communities safer." Monday's announcement comes days after federal prosecutors charged a judge and former court officer with obstruction of justice for allegedly helping a man wanted by federal immigration authorities escape a courthouse. Newton District Court Judge Shelley M. Richmond Joseph and former Trial Court Officer Wesley MacGregor were indicted on an obstruction of justice charge on Thursday. The two allegedly helped a man living in the U.S. illegally evade a waiting immigration enforcement officer by leaving through a back door. The suspects pleaded not guilty during their appearance in Boston federal court. The charges came from a March 30, 2018 case when Jose Medina Perez was charged with drug possession and being a fugitive from justice from Pennsylvania. He evaded an ICE agent during his April 2 arraignment, but was caught about a month later. He is now in immigration proceedings. Ryan added that in order to make "meaningful and positive change" everyone needs to work together. "This lawsuit represents the first time that prosecutors, public defenders and advocates have filed a lawsuit with the goal of formally ending this practice," she said. "As our country wrestles with the complex problem of the state of the American immigration system, we cannot permit access to the courts of this Commonwealth by all of its residents to be detrimentally affected." Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey called last week's action a political move. "I think it's a political move, I think it's a radical move and it will have a chilling effect," said Healey. "This is the only U.S. Attorney in the entire country who has taken such action. I find it really troubling." Those behind the federal lawsuit say this has been in the works for a year and goes far beyond one case. "We are not challenging ICE's ability to enforce immigration laws, we are challenging where they do this enforcement," said Wendy Wayne of Public Counsel Services. Democratic Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley praised the move on Twitter Monday. "This is what leadership looks like 'an unprecedented move' in the midst of 'unprecedented times.' Thank you @DARollins @DAMarianRyan for taking on this rogue agency." Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson also weighed in condemning the lawsuit. "Shame on the elected officials and pro-illegal advocates for filing this frivolous lawsuit, which seeks to make it more difficult for federal law enforcement officers to apprehend criminal illegal aliens," Hodgson said in a statement. "As elected officials swore to protect the people who put them in office, or as U.S. citizens who want their neighborhoods and families to be more safe, these district attorneys and advocates should be working with law enforcement instead of partnering with criminal illegal immigrants." An email and a voicemail were left with ICE for comment. A dog found abandoned in Colorado has been returned to its family, nearly two years after it was stolen in Florida as a puppy. Animal charity organization Wings of Rescue says the German Shepherd named Cedar was covered with snow in a rural Colorado ditch, apparently malnourished with an injured leg when a deputy marshal found her. The pet was identified thanks to its microchip. The youngest of four dogs in the Peterson family, Cedar was stolen from their backyard in May 2017 in the town of Southwest Ranches, north of Miami. At the time, other signs for missing pets were going up around the community. Back then, Tamara Peterson told reporters that she thought someone had hopped the fence to take the 4-month-old puppy. The family posted flyers with Cedar's photos around the town, drove around several neighborhoods and hired a detective to track the pet down. It was not clear how the dog wound up nearly 2,000 miles (3,219 kilometers) away in the Colorado town of Hugo. Deputy Marshal Steve Ryan found Cedar in a ditch and picked the dog up to put it in his car. When Ryan took the dog to a veterinarian, she scanned the pet for a microchip and found out the puppy belonged in South Florida. Then the Petersons got a phone call. "I immediately cried," Tamara Peterson told The Miami Herald. "I couldn't believe it. I was in shock. It's almost two years to the day." After three weeks of recovery, Wings of Rescue, a charity known for flying pets in disaster zones, helped arrange Cedar's return flight on Saturday. The Peterson kids petted Cedar's furry chest and neck on a Fort Lauderdale airport tarmac as the dog looked around and shook its body. "Miracles do happen, especially when you microchip your pet," the animal charity wrote on a Facebook post about Cedar. Peterson said Cedar has been resting, and the family is planning to take her out swimming as soon as she looks better. Bahamian authorities are investigating the murder of the South Florida owner of a popular Bahamas tourist bar who was gunned down at his home in Bimini over the weekend. Alain Perez, the owner of Bimini Big John's in Alice Town, was shot multiple times at his Bimini Bay home early Sunday, Royal Bahamas Police Superintendent Henry Rolle confirmed to NBC 6. Perez, a 47-year-old native of Miami-Dade, has been living on the island for several years, Rolle said in a phone interview Monday. "He's well known in the community, well known to all the residents here, so I cannot say that we have a direct motive for anyone who would want to take his life," Rolle said. Rolle said officers responded to Perez's home around 1 a.m. Sunday after they received reports of gunfire. The officers found Perez has been shot several times. Before he died from his injuries, Perez told officers that someone had come to his door and when he answered it, the person shot him, Rolle said. Rolle said there were no signs of a forced entry. "He received a frantic knocking on his door, so he imagined that it was one of his friends coming back to tell him something," friend Juan Carrera told NBC 6. Rolle said Perez is believed to have been at the restaurant until late Saturday night. Officers were interviewing witnesses who had been at the restaurant that night, Rolle said. Perez's body was brought to the coroner at New Providence, and family members were in the Bahamas to eventually bring his body back to South Florida, Rolle said. Rolle called the killing an "isolated incident" and said a murder on the island was rare. "For the most part it's very quiet, some weeks we go without any disturbance on the island, everybody's friendly," Rolle said. A family member told NBC 6 Perez had three children. "It is with heavy hearts that we announce that the heart and soul of Bimini Big Johns has been taken from us too soon. A Cuban-American immigrant, business owner, son, brother and a father of 3 was known as the most selfless human being," the restaurant wrote in a Facebook post Monday. "We pray for justice and may the memory of Alain Perez live in our hearts and his legacy live on forever. The family thanks everyone for their love and support throughout difficult time." A real estate agent says an ocean-front Florida home that recently sold for $25.5 million is headed for demolition. The three-bedroom, 70-year-old Naples beach house sits on nearly two acres overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. It was purchased last month after the previous owners died. It last sold in 1987 for $1.275 million. The identity of the new owners has not been disclosed, but Kathy Morris, a real estate agent who found the buyer, said the home is not a fixer-upper and said it was not in livable condition. Morris said the $25 million price was less about the home and more about the land it sits on. Tearing down multi-million dollar homes has been a common trend in the upscale neighborhood in recent years. The Fort Myers News-Press reports that last year another buyer purchased a mega-mansion for $48.8 million and tore it down five months later. What to Know Rockland County officials were in Albany Monday to help a push a bill in the state Legislature that would end all non-medical exemptions This plea comes as the county continues to grapple with a mass measles outbreak Measles cases in the United States has climbed to its highest level in 25 years; The disease was previously considered eradicated in the US Rockland County officials joined New York lawmakers in Albany Monday morning to help a push a bill in the state Legislature that would end all non-medical exemptions for required vaccines for all children attending school in the state. This plea comes as the county and state continues to grapple with a mass measles outbreak. Measles cases in the United States has climbed to its highest level in 25 years. The disease was previously considered eradicated in the country. It seems like when we eradicated the measles, we not only eradicated the measles, but the memory of the measles and the fact that before vaccination was available, nearly 500 children died each year, 50,000 hospitalizations, Democratic Sen. David Carlucci, who was among those on hand to introduce the bill, said. Thousands of people left brain damage each year because of the measles. Carlucci said that vaccination hesitancy is threatening attempts to bring the outbreak under control. We have to move forward with legislation to be an example for other states to follow, so we can once and for all eradicate, or once again eradicate, once and for all, the measles from New York state and from the United States, he said. Rockland County Executive Ed Day, a Republican, said the spread of misinformation and junk science is part of the problem health officials have been encountering when it comes to urging residents to get vaccinated. Vaccinations are safe. The theories that weve been hearing from anti-vaxxers have been debunked numerous times and it is necessary for all the physically-able to receive the vaccination, Day said, adding that vaccination is the only way to protect the health of those who are unable to receive the lifesaving benefits these are our infants, our immunocompromised and those with legitimate medical issues. Those are the folks who cannot get the immunizations. According to Day the federal government must address the outbreak and take immediate action. Our federal government must take action nationally to increase vaccination rates either through congressional action or executive order," Day said. "This needs to be done. Not tomorrow. Not in a week. Not in a month and not in a year. It must be done immediately. The numbers are gaining strength. Rockland County Commissioner of Health Patricia Schnabel Ruppert said though the county has made great strides in trying to contain the spread of the measles, including through information and vaccine workshops, "yet this disease continues to spread and endanger the lives of children and adults in our community." "That is why I am here today advocating for the elimination of religious exemptions as the next logical step in protecting the public health," she said. Democratic Sen. Brad Hoylman, who co-sponsored the bill, said "we have to get a grip on the disease. We have to put science ahead of science fiction." Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, the lead sponsor of the proposed legilsation in the Assembly, said if passed, the bill would save lives. Measles continues to spread in the United States, with 704 cases reported so far this year in 22 states as of Monday. The total number of cases already eclipsed the total for any full year since 1994, when 963 cases were reported. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says this year's count includes 44 people who caught the disease while traveling in another country. Some of them triggered U.S. outbreaks, mostly among unvaccinated people. That includes the largest outbreaks, in Orthodox Jewish communities in and around New York City. Three-quarters of those who caught the extremely contagious disease are children or teenagers. Measles is a highly contagious disease, and symptoms include rash, high fever, cough and red, watery eyes. According to the CDC, the current outbreaks are linked to travelers who brought measles back from countries like Israel, the Ukraine and the Phillippines. All of those nations have large current outbreaks. Individuals are considered protected or immune to measles if they were born before 1957, have received two doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine, have had measles, or have a lab test confirming immunity. To prevent the spread of illness, the health officials advise individuals who may have been exposed and who have symptoms consistent with measles to contact their health care provider, a local clinic, or a local emergency department before going for care to prevent others from being exposed to the illness. Earlier this month, a state judge issued a preliminary injunction against a Rockland County emergency order banning children from public places unless they've been vaccinated against measles. Civil rights lawyer Michael Sussman called the order "arbitrary and capricious." The county had enacted the 30-day emergency order to fight a measles outbreak that has infected more than 166 people since October. Rockland's outbreak has most heavily affected Orthodox Jewish communities. New York City has also been battling a measles outbreak, prompting Mayor Bill de Blasio to declare a public health emergency early April. What to Know A town along the NJ shore was under a tsunami alert, causing phones to ring off the hook at police headquarters turns out it was a mistake However, the panic was short lived, as Harvey Cedars police chief was able to put out a notice to disregard initial message minutes later This is not the first time an errant tsunami warning was issued in the tri-state region For three minutes Monday afternoon, a town along the Jersey Shore was under a tsunami alert, causing phones to ring off the hook at police headquarters. However, the panic was short lived, as Township of Harvey Cedars Police Chief Robert Burnaford was able to put out a notice to disregard the initial message minutes later because it was a mistake. It all started when the tsunami warning alert went out via a notification system used by a number of government agencies. The warning prompted Burnaford to call the National Weather Service, which apparently was testing its system. Somehow, the word "test" was deleted from the alert, according to Burnaford. An email with the same warning did include the word. In a statement, Susan Buchanan of the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, said: "Yesterday, the National Tsunami Warning Center conducted a tsunami warning test - a routine measure to ensure the warning system works properly in the event of a real tsunami." Buchanan's statement goes on to say: "Our analysis confirmed that the product we distributed was configured correctly and properly coded as a test. However, we are aware of one company that erroneously distributed the test externally as an actual tsunami warning, and we are working with the vendor to ensure future test messages are not publicly disseminated." According to @NWS_MountHolly they were testing their system. We apologize for the scare and are working on a solution to prevent this from happening again. - @ChiefBurnaford pic.twitter.com/M1fcLjZnhR Harvey Cedars Police Department (@HCPolice) April 29, 2019 Additionally, the director of the National Tsunami Warning Center, James Gridley, said the "the NTWC is looking into this problem." NBC 4 New York also reached out via email to Nixle, the notification system used, for comment, but did not immediately hear back. Asked if residents headed for the hills in that time frame, Burnaford told NBC New York, "Not that I've seen." This is not the first time an errant tsunami warning was issued in the tri-state region. In February 2018, a tsunami warning in New York City triggered panic. The warning turned out to have been sent by mistake. Additionally, in January 2018, an employee at the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency mistakenly sent a missile alert on behalf of the state, sparking abject panic. The former worker told NBC News at the time that he was devastated for causing the chaos, but was "100 percent sure" at the time that the attack was real. A beloved Long Island bakery was destroyed late Sunday after a roaring fire ripped through it. Flames ripped through Francescos Bakery on South Broadway near New South Road in Hicksville at around 11:30 p.m., officials said. Around 75 firefighters fought the blaze. The fire was contained mostly to the bakery. However, the restaurant next door suffered some damage, but the restaurant and laundromat nearby were spared. The owner told News 4 his father established the business in 1986. They had 90 cakes to make this week for weddings and other events, but he said their second business in Massapequa will finish the orders. I took my first steps in that bakery, Antonio Guerrieri said. Its just a severe tragedy right now. One firefighter was hurt battling the fire, but their injuries are not considered to be serious. Its not yet clear what may have sparked the blaze. A New York man is facing federal charges after his arrest in Boston for assaulting a woman aboard a Norwegian Cruise ship on Thursday. Adam Damian Panetta, 45, of Farmingville, New York, is charged with one count of assault and one count of assault resulting in substantial bodily injury, according to the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney's Office. He was scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston on Friday afternoon. At the time of the assault, the ship was 200 miles off the coast of New Jersey. Panetta was taken into custody when the ship arrived in port in Boston on Friday. According to court documents, Panetta was seen on surveillance video pulling a woman by her hair down the full length of a hallway while aboard the Norwegian Gem on Thursday. Officials said the two were then observed outside one of the cabins. While Panetta attempted to open the cabin door, the woman was seen hitting him in the face with an open hand. Panetta then allegedly turned toward the woman and punched her twice in the side of the head with a closed fist. The woman fell to the ground, apparently unconscious. Panetta entered the cabin, leaving the woman on the floor in the hallway. After about a minute, prosecutors said Panetta came out of the cabin and leaned down to the woman, who remained unresponsive. Eventually, the woman began to crawl into the room. Panetta did not assist her, and kicked her twice in the buttocks as she began to crawl. He then followed her into the room. The two were seen leaving the room a short time later, with the woman holding a white towel stained with blood over her head. The two later arrived at the ship's medical center, where the woman was treated for swelling on the right side of her head and a laceration that required five stitches. The charges against Panetta carry a sentence of up to six years in prison and $350,000 in fines. It was not immediately known if he had an attorney. What to Know Pete Buttigieg has met with the Rev. Al Sharpton as the Indiana mayor steps up his outreach to African Americans Buttigieg had lunch with the civil rights activist on Monday at Sylvia's Restaurant in Harlem, a cornerstone of black American culture Buttigieg has faced increased scrutiny of his record on race as his nascent campaign has gained popularity Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg met Monday with the Rev. Al Sharpton, as the Indiana mayor faces scrutiny of his record on race and is stepping up his outreach to African Americans. Buttigieg and the civil rights leader met for lunch in Harlem at Sylvia's Restaurant, a cornerstone of black American culture where Sharpton has long brokered difficult racial conversations with embattled political leaders. Buttigieg said Sharpton suggested the meeting, which he says occurred as his campaign is "working to broaden our coalition." "I've talked a lot about generational change and generational politics, and one of the things I know I needed to do is to be in touch with every generation in the struggle for equality," Buttigieg said. Buttigieg said Sharpton wanted to know about his experience as mayor of South Bend and some of his most challenging times as mayor. "It's been complex, and it's really formed me in terms of my understanding of race, politics, policy and community," Buttigieg said. The 37-year-old veteran and Rhodes Scholar has gained in popularity since joining the 2020 race earlier this year. Along with the increased name recognition have come questions about his record in South Bend, where shortly after taking office Buttigieg fired the city's first black police chief, and about issues of housing and inequality in the city. Buttigieg said racial justice and equality are important to him, and an important part of South Bend's story. "One thing I learned early in is having good intentions is not enough and that things don't look the same depending on your life experience. Policing to economic inclusion, just because you're trying generically to take care of everybody, doesn't mean that support will reach everybody in the same way," he said. "There are too many structural - and in many cases, intentionally built - barriers to that. If you're not equally intentional about tearing down those barriers, you're gonna come up short. Our community held me accountable on that, they really educated me on that." Buttigieg spent more than an hour at the restaurant, where he ate fried chicken, macaroni and cheese and collard greens before shaking hands with customers. Earlier this month, Buttigieg was among several Democratic presidential candidates who attended Sharpton's National Action Network conference in New York, where he was asked to explain his use of the phrase "all lives matter" in the early days of the Black Lives Matter movement. The mayor said he meant to show solidarity with the movement but stopped using the phrase when he realized it was antagonistic. Buttigieg has also said he's "learned some hard lessons" as mayor, including on race, and that "any white candidate needs to show a level of consciousness around issues like white privilege." He plans to focus on black voters during a visit to South Carolina next month that includes a stop at a historically black university. Sharpton sat down with another 2020 Democratic hopeful, California Sen. Kamala Harris, in February amid criticism of her record as a prosecutor. A beluga whale found with a tight harness that appeared to be Russian made has raised the alarm of Norwegian officials and prompted speculation that the animal may have escaped from a Russian military facility. Joergen Ree Wiig of the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries says "Equipment St. Petersburg" is written on the harness strap, which features a mount for an action camera. He said Monday fishermen in Arctic Norway last week reported the tame white cetacean with a tight harness swimming around. On Friday, fisherman Joar Hesten, aided by the Ree Wiig, jumped into the frigid water to remove the harness. Ree Wiig said "people in Norway's military have shown great interest" in the harness. Audun Rikardsen, a professor at the Department of Arctic and Marine Biology at the Arctic University of Norway in Tromsoe, northern Norway, believes "it is most likely that Russian Navy in Murmansk" is involved. Russia has major military facilities in and around Murmansk on the Kola Peninsula, in the far northwest of Russia. It wasn't immediately clear what the mammal was being trained for, or whether it was supposed to be part of any Russian military activity in the region. Rikardsen said he had checked with scholars in Russia and Norway and said they have not reported any program or experiments using beluga whales. "This is a tame animal that is used to get food served so that is why it has made contacts with the fishermen," he said. "The question is now whether it can survive by finding food by itself. We have seen cases where other whales that have been in Russian captivity doing fine." Hesten told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that the whale began to rub itself again his boat when he first spotted it. Russia does not have a history of using whales for military purposes but the Soviet Union had a full-fledged training program for dolphins. The Soviet Union used a base in Sevastopol on the Crimean peninsula during the Cold War to train the mammals for military purposes such as searching for mines or other objects and planting explosives. The facility in Crimea was closed following the collapse of the Soviet Union, though unnamed reports shortly after the Russian annexation of Crimea indicated that it had reopened. The Russian Defense Ministry published a public tender in 2016 to purchase five dolphins for a training program. The tender did not explain what tasks the dolphins were supposed to perform, but indicated they were supposed to have good teeth. It was taken offline shortly after publication. Boeing did not tell Southwest Airlines, its largest 737 Max customer, that a standard safety feature designed to warn pilots about malfunctioning sensors had been deactivated on the jets. The safety feature is an alert that lights up in the cockpit if a planes angle-of-attack sensors transmit faulty data about the pitch of the planes nose. This feature is known as an angle-of-attack disagree light and was included in previous versions of the 737. Southwest did not know about the change until after the fatal crash of a Lion Air flight in Indonesia. The airline, in a statement to CNBC, said Boeing had indicated through its manual that the disagree lights were functional on the 737 Max. Southwest said Boeing told the airline that the disagree lights were inoperable only after the Lion Air crash. The airline subsequently took action to turn the alerts on. Southwest Airlines statement: Upon delivery (prior to the Lion Air event), the AOA Disagree lights were depicted to us by Boeing as operable on all MAX aircraft, regardless of the selection of optional AOA Indicators on the Primary Flight Display (PFD). The manual documentation presented by Boeing at Southwests MAX entry into service indicated the AOA Disagree Light functioned on the aircraft, similar to the Lights on our NG series. After the Lion Air event, Boeing notified us that the AOA Disagree Lights were inoperable without the optional AOA Indicators on the MAX aircraft. At that time, Southwest installed the AOA Indicators on the PFD, resulting in the activation of the AOA Disagree lights - both items now serve as an additional crosscheck on all MAX aircraft. Federal Aviation Administration safety inspectors and supervisors were also unaware of the change, according to government and industry officials that spoke to The Wall Street Journal. The FAA even considered grounding Southwests Max fleet while they weighed whether or not the airlines pilots needed additional training about the safety alert, according to the Journal. But those discussions were brief and did not go up the chain, the newspaper reported. Boeing, in a statement to CNBC, said the angle-of-attack disagree lights would be included as a standard Max feature. As we return to service, all customers will have the AOA disagree alert as standard and have the option to include the AOA indicator at no cost, a Boeing spokesperson said. This change will be made to all MAX aircraft production and retrofit. Boeings 737 Max was grounded by the FAA in March in the wake of fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia that killed 346 people. Several major airlines have extended Max flight cancellations through the summer. American has canceled Max flights through Aug. 19, totaling 115 flights per day, while Southwest has canceled through Aug. 5 and United through June 5. The Wall Street Journal first reported this story. This story first appeared on CNBC.com. More from CNBC: In Alamosa, a scruffy, high-desert town in Colorado encircled by prairies and potato farms, Sen. Cory Gardner drew shouts of approval last week for his message that Democrats are shoving the country toward socialism. "That's not what government is or what it should be," he told about 200 Alamosa County Republicans at a barbecue fundraiser in a National Guard armory. "We have to stand up and fight. Are you going to join me in this fight?" For Gardner and other Republicans making the same pitch, including President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the key question is whether it will attract moderate voters, not just their conservative stalwarts. Based on interviews with over three dozen Coloradans last week from Denver's suburbs south to this town in the flat San Luis Valley, the argument has yet to take root, though the GOP has 18 months to sell it before Election Day 2020. Few volunteered a drift toward socialism as a major worry, with health care and living costs cited far more frequently. Several said capitalism was too embedded in the U.S. to be truly threatened and Republicans were using socialism to stir unease with Democrats by raising the specter of the old, repressive Soviet Union and today's chaotic Venezuela. "They're preying on fear," said David Kraemer, 67, a financial adviser who's not registered with a political party and lives in the Denver suburb of Westminster. Yet when asked directly whether socialism was a concern, many expressed a wariness of injecting more government into people's lives. Rather than naming policies that troubled them, many mentioned two self-proclaimed democratic socialists: Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, who's seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, and freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. The comments suggested that Republicans might be tapping into unease over letting either party go too far. "Checks and balances are what make this country so great," said Steve Lajoie, 46, a self-employed carpenter from Denver and independent voter. Gardner, 44, who's expected to face a tough re-election fight next year, has been repeating his argument for months. He cites liberal Democrats' "Medicare for All" bills for government-provided health care and a Green New Deal proposal for aggressively cutting carbon emissions. Sanders has sponsored Medicare for All legislation that's been embraced by many of his Democratic presidential rivals. Ocasio-Cortez is an architect of the Green New Deal, which remains a concept, not proposed legislation. Many Democrats, especially moderates, have kept their distance from both plans, divisions Republicans are happy to exploit. Democrats reject the socialism assertion as a distraction from Trump's unpopularity and the issues they will emphasize, especially improving health care and protecting jobs and income. They say efforts to make health care more available and combat global warming have nothing to do with limiting individuals' rights. Democrats note that voters gave them total control of Colorado government in November despite GOP attempts to pin the socialism label on former U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, who was elected governor. They say growing numbers of younger, urban and Hispanic residents are steadily making the state more liberal. GOP cries of socialism are "Cold War stuff" that's irrelevant to most voters, said Morgan Carroll, chairwoman of the Colorado Democratic Party. "I think that probably does fire up their base, but you cannot win an election in Colorado with the Republican base alone," Carroll said. Republicans see a powerful argument in telling voters they need a GOP-controlled Senate for protection against Democrats who are coming after their current health insurance, their energy sector jobs and more. "I think we're running to be the firewall that saves the country from socialism," McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters recently. Republicans say the anti-socialism message will prove powerful in a state that overwhelmingly rejected a ballot initiative creating single-payer health care and where registered unaffiliated voters, often with libertarian leanings, outnumber both Democrats and Republicans. The GOP hopes the appeal will win over suburbanites whose distaste for Trump helped Democrats capture the House in the fall. They note that public opinion polls find socialism is especially unpopular among older voters, Republicans and moderates. Avery Jones, of Westminster, is one potential target. "Taxes kill," said Jones, 27. While she's eager to improve her family's health coverage, she sees "some merit" to checking Democrats from pushing toward universal health care because "it would just drive up taxes." But for every Jones, there's a Rhett Lucero. Lucero, 40, eating lunch at the Riverwalk park that winds through the city of Pueblo, says Democrats' efforts to expand health coverage and curb global warming make sense. "It's helping each other out," said the auto body mechanic, who, like Jones, is an unaffiliated voter. "It's putting our taxes to a real good use." Not all Democrats are dismissive of the socialism strategy. Eva Henry, a commissioner of Adams County outside Denver, says her community's blue-collar families might buy the GOP argument if they believe Democrats' proposals would drive up taxes. "Our Democrats can vote Republican because they vote their pocketbooks," the Democrat said. Pueblo Mayor Nicholas Gradisar said he doubts the argument will sway many Democrats but warned, "Democrats have to be wary of it and they have to respond" by telling voters the party "will give you a fair shake." Pueblo County, south of the economically surging corridor that runs from Boulder to Colorado Springs, leans Democratic but backed Trump in 2016. Republicans, who've already cast Democrats as socialists this year with digital videos and roadside billboards, tried the theme in several states in November to little effect. It wasn't new: Actor Ronald Reagan and GOP presidential candidate Barry Goldwater castigated Medicare as socialist in the 1960s, yet it's now a cherished medical lifeline for millions of older Americans. Republicans say this time will be different. But one Coloradan's comments suggest that past GOP warnings about Democrats may haunt Republicans. "Every time a Democrat gets elected, they say, 'We're going to lose our guns,'" said Marc O'Leary, 48, of Westminster. "It never happens." What to Know Mair was among four Camden County police officers who helped rescue two men as flames raced through their cars after a crash on I-676. The Camden officers, a Delaware River Port Authority Police officer and a group of bystanders worked through the heat of the fire April 7. Mair suffered serious leg injuries when he was run over while investigating another car wreck Thursday night. A recently honored Camden County police officer used his portable radio to call for help moments after a hit-and-run driver left him bleeding and stranded on the side of the road. "Officer down. Officer down," Officer Joseph Mair said in 911 audio obtained by NBC10. "Location?" the dispatcher asked. "Mt. Ephraim and Thurman," Mair responded. Officer Joseph Mair was checking out another car wreck late Thursday night in Camden City when the taxi, which had been involved in the crash Mair was investigating, allegedly accelerated into the cop, police said. It was not clear exactly what happened to cause the taxi driver to begin driving and run over Mair, police said. "Officer Mair actually went under the vehicle," Camden County police Chief Scott Thomson said. "The wheels went over the top of Officer Mair." Mair remains at Cooper Hospital. A planned surgery had to be postponed Monday morning due to complications from his injury, according to Chief Thomson. "From the extent of his injuries, he was not getting up and walking anywhere," Chief Thomson said. "Residents said his body was distorted." Police are currently searching for the Good Samaritans who rushed to Mair's side after the crash, including a woman named Gail. "It was a lot of noise. A lot of commotion," Chief Thomson said. "People came out of their homes. They saw that an officer was down and was incapacitated. Gail and a few others came over. Tried rendering aid." Police apprehended the hit-and-run suspect who they say is a cab driver with 5-Star in Pennsauken, New Jersey. He has not yet been charged. Camden Co. Police Dept. Mair and three fellow officers, along with some bystanders, became instant heroes after body camera footage from a fiery crash on April 7 showed a rescue of two men. Mair, along with Officers Vaughn Edwards, Brian McCline and Vincent Russomanno were honored on April 19. Four Camden police officers were honored Friday after they pulled four men from the burning wreckage of a car crash on Interstate 676. The video showed them shattering windows and withstanding intense heat as flames engulfed two vehicles and began burning the drivers trapped inside. Aided by Delaware River Port Authority police Officer Franklin Flash and various bystanders, the officers pulled the men away from the wreckage just before the flames fully engulfed the cars. "Your adrenaline's rushing, but at the end of the day you have a job to do and you don't want anyone getting hurt," Edwards said. "Our motto here is, 'Service before self,' so we have to put that before ourselves." A Philadelphia Police officer is accused of traveling to Brooklyn, New York, in full uniform including his police-issued gun breaking into his girlfriend's brother's home, assaulting the brother and stealing his Maltese dog. Officer Angel Lopez faces multiple charges of robbery, larceny and assault. Court records in New York say he broke into the man's bedroom in his Philly police gear and yelled, "Where is the dog?" His gun, cuffs and shield were fully visible, the court records say. The New York Daily News identified the person with Lopez as his girlfriend, and the Brooklyn resident as the girlfriend's brother. Lopez pushed the man several times and hit him, according to New York court records. At one point, Lopez grabbed the man's belt and told him, If you hit me, I am going to arrest you for assaulting a police officer." The victim tried to take his dog and leave and said he didn't want trouble, the records said. But the two held him down, and Lopez put his arm on the man's neck and pressed down, the court records say. The other person grabbed the dog out of the man's hand and the two left with the dog. The man was left bruised and in pain, with difficulty breathing, the police records say. Lopez has been a Philly officer since June 2017. He most recently served in Philadelphia's 18th District. He will be suspended with the intent to dismiss, according to a statement from Philadelphia police. Lopez's attorney, New York-based Todd Spodek, claimed that the complainant has "a history of fabricating stories against Mr. Lopez and his family." Eyewitnesses contradict the criminal complaint and said that Lopez "acted appropriately at all times," Spodek said. "I anticipate Mr. Lopez being permitted to return to the force shortly." What to Know Swarthmore College students are staging a sit-in at the Phi Psi fraternity house demanding Phi Psi and Delta Upsilon be banned permanently. The demand comes after the leak of documents showing racist, homophobic and sexist language allegedly from Phi Psi members. The school president suspended both frats pending an investigation. Current Phi Si members condemned the documents. Student activists at Swarthmore College are demanding the school permanently shut down campus fraternities in the aftermath of leaked documents showing racist, misogynist and homophobic comments as well as jokes about sexual assault allegedly from fraternity members. The controversy began on April 18 when campus publications Voices and the Phoenix published documents leaked by an anonymous source describing parties thrown by the Swarthmore fraternity Phi Psi. The documents, from 2012 through 2016, included derogatory remarks toward women, minorities and the LGBTQ community as well as discussions of sexual assault and alleged evidence of hazing. Rape jokes, descriptions of sexual assault naming specific women and being generally ableist, racist, homophobic, Olivia Smith, a Swarthmore student, told NBC10. The articles sparked protests from students, conversations about fraternity culture on campus, and demands for Phi Psi and the school's only other fraternity, Delta Upsilon, to be closed. While student activists say the comments from the leaked documents only came from Phi Psi members, they also cited a Tumblr blog detailing alleged incidents of sexual misconduct, racism and homophobia from members of both campus frats. "Nothing about these documents reflect that these minutes or hazing practices were done in isolation," Olivia Smith wrote to NBC10. "The Tumblr speaks to ongoing harm in fraternities and structures of fraternities themselves represent a continuity that works against any sort of isolated set of events." On April 27, Swarthmore College President Valerie Smith announced they had suspended fraternity activities pending the outcome of an investigation from an external investigator. Smiths letter came the same day members of the student advocacy groups Organizing for Survivors and Swarthmore Coalition Against Fraternity Violence staged a sit-in and protest both inside and outside the Phi Psi house, which currently serves as a residence for one student. The protesters dont just want a suspension but for both frats to be shut down permanently. We respect the rights of students at Swarthmore to express their views and beliefs, Smith wrote in her letter. As Dean Terhune mentioned in his message earlier this week, we will continue to hold students accountable to our community standards. At Swarthmore, civility and dissent must co-exist. Members of the Phi Psi fraternity, which is not affiliated with a national organization, released a statement on Facebook condemning the language used in the leaked documents while also stating the documents were not representative of who they are today. All our current brothers were in high school and middle school at the time of these unofficial minutes, and none of us would have joined the organization had this been the standard when we arrived at Swarthmore, they wrote. The fraternity members also cited Phi Psis participation in a 2016 campaign speaking out against sexual misconduct on campus. We are a group of 59 diverse brothers who are active members of the Swarthmore community and wish to be agents of meaningful change like everyone else, they wrote. Moving forward, we will continue to work hand in hand with the administration and campus community to achieve our shared goals. Olivia Smith responded to Phi Psi's statement. "Hazing rituals continue in cycles, senior members teach freshman brothers the same toxic ideologies," she wrote. "Essentially the practices that were taught in the 80's and today through this ingrained structure of exclusive and self-isolating continuity." The student protesters say they will continue to stage the sit-in until their demands are met. The school is going to be pushed into change based on the sheer amount of support that we have, Maya Henry, a Swarthmore student, said. No arrests or citations have been made in connection to the sit-in. Swarthmore College is a private, liberal arts college located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. Total student enrollment is currently at 1641. Police on Sunday raised the death toll at two homes in rural Tennessee to seven and said they are investigating whether a suspect captured after an hourslong manhunt knew the victims. Michael Cummins, 25, was taken into custody Saturday night after being shot about a mile away from one of the Sumner County crime scenes, said Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesman Josh DeVine. Police said officers responding to a 911 call from a family member led to the original discovery of four bodies and an injured person at the first home. The injured victim was transported to the hospital with unspecified injuries. On Sunday, the TBI said in a statement the body of two more victims had been found at the home. Another body was found Saturday at another home in the area. The TBI believes the two scenes are related. The slayings were near the town of Westmoreland. Authorities have not released any details about the victims. They also have not said what kind of weapon was used. Police vehicles on Sunday blocked access to roads outside the homes. On Saturday, DeVine said at least one officer fired at Cummins after he emerged from the woods. Cummins is believed to have produced multiple weapons and the situation escalated. He was then taken to a hospital for treatment of what's believed to be injuries that aren't life-threatening, DeVine said. None of the responding officers were hurt. DeVine said a state law enforcement airplane helped authorities spot Cummins on the ground in a creek bed. A number of law enforcement agencies had been searching for Cummins, saying earlier that he could be armed and dangerous. "The community should hopefully be able to rest a little bit easier tonight, knowing that (Cummins) is in custody tonight," DeVine said. TBI is investigating the deaths and the officer-involved shooting, DeVine said. Sumner County is northeast of Nashville not far from the Tennessee line with Kentucky. The Justice Department has informed the House Judiciary Committee that Attorney General William Barr may skip a Thursday hearing on special counsel Robert Mueller's report if committee lawyers seek to question him. The Democratic-run committee plans to allow counsels from both sides to ask Barr about the Russia probe after the traditional round of questioning by lawmakers. Department officials also told the committee that they opposed a plan to go into a closed session if members wanted to discuss redacted portions of Mueller's report, according to a senior Democratic aide on the committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the confidential communications with the department. Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said given that Barr had agreed to testify, lawmakers "should be the ones doing the questioning. He remains happy to engage with members on their questions regarding the Mueller report." Barr is scheduled to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday and the House panel on Thursday. The GOP-led Senate committee is expected to have normal rounds of member questioning. It is unusual for committee counsels to question a witness. But committees can generally make their own rules, and other panels have made similar exceptions. In a confirmation hearing for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh last year, for example, Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee hired an outside prosecutor to question a witness who had accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault. The dispute comes as tensions have escalated sharply between House Democrats and the Trump administration over full access Mueller's report and government witnesses who have defied congressional subpoenas to testify. Democrats have been eagerly anticipating the hearing with Barr as they try to build on Mueller's findings with their own investigations into the president. House Democrats have subpoenaed the Justice Department for the unredacted version of the Mueller report and underlying material gathered from the investigation. In response, the Justice Department has said they will make the full report, minus grand jury material, available to a limited group of members an offer that Democrats have so far refused. The dispute could eventually end up in court. A spokeswoman for the top Republican on the committee, Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia, noted that Barr's testimony is voluntary and criticized the Democrats for not reading the full report. "Democrats have yet to prove their demands are anything but abusive and illogical in light of the transparency and good faith the attorney general has shown our committee," Jessica Andrews said. Democrats have criticized Barr for drawing his own conclusion that Trump did not obstruct justice after Mueller found he couldn't exonerate the president on that point. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said Barr is involved in a "staggering public effort" by the Trump administration to put a positive face on Mueller's findings. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., has also invited Mueller to testify and subpoenaed former White House counsel Don McGahn. McGahn was a vital witness for Mueller in the report, which recounted the president's outrage over the Mueller investigation and his efforts to curtail it. The White House has asserted it will fight the McGahn subpoena. Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report. New York is suing the billionaire family behind the company that created OxyContin, joining a growing list of state and local governments seeking to hold not only the firm but its owners accountable for the nation's opioid crisis. The state, which averages nine opioid-related deaths per day, on Thursday expanded an existing lawsuit against pill maker Purdue Pharma to add members of its controlling Sackler family as defendants. Five other companies that produce opioid painkillers and four drug distributors, which buy medications in bulk and sell them to pharmacies, were also added as defendants. "This is an extensive lawsuit that leaves no stone unturned," New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, said at a news conference. While other states and localities have filed similar suits, New York is taking some novel approaches, such as seeking to bar the companies from marketing and distributing painkillers in New York unless they abide by strict safeguards. The suit claims drug manufacturers collaborated to falsely deny the serious risks of opioid addiction, and it accuses drug distributors of saturating the state with opioids while overlooking red flags. But at the heart of the case are Purdue and the Sacklers, whom James called "the masterminds behind this crisis." The suit, like others filed elsewhere, alleges aggressive marketing of OxyContin beginning in the mid-1990s led to massive overprescribing and a scourge of dependency, addiction and death. Once the pills ran out, the lawsuit alleges, many patients craving the same effects turned to cheaper, more potent alternatives: heroin and fentanyl. Representatives for Purdue and Sackler family members said the suit misleadingly blames them for a problem that's far bigger than OxyContin. "The state is seeking to publicly vilify Purdue" and the Sacklers with ill-supported claims about a drug that currently accounts for under 2 percent of all opioid prescriptions, the Stamford, Connecticut-based company said in a statement. The Sackler relatives named in the suit all former Purdue board members who remain shareholders said in a statement issued through a spokeswoman that they "have always acted properly." They and the company said they would fight the new allegations, which come two days after Purdue and the Sacklers agreed to pay $270 million to the state of Oklahoma to settle an opioid lawsuit there. In settling the case, Purdue denied any wrongdoing. It was the first settlement in a recent wave of nearly 2,000 lawsuits that the company says could push it into bankruptcy. James, the New York attorney general, said Thursday that she was open to settlement talks but hadn't been approached. In addition to potentially banning the companies from selling the drugs, her lawsuit seeks penalties and damages that could add up to tens of millions of dollars and a dedicated fund to curb the opioid epidemic. Since 2013, opioid-related deaths statewide have more than doubled, and there's been a 30-fold increase in fentanyl-related deaths in New York City, according to the lawsuit. It accuses the companies of deliberately betraying their duties under state drug laws "in order to profiteer from the plague they knew would be unleashed." New Yorker Justin Sangeorge says he experienced that plague firsthand after having a dental procedure, getting an opioid prescription and becoming addicted. "I couldn't believe how readily available pharmaceutical drugs were," said the social worker, who has gotten treatment, is now recovering and spoke at a news conference with James. "We hold accountable drug dealers, drug traffickers, I know, but the pharmaceutical companies hide behind this legitimate enterprise, and as far as I'm concerned, are just as guilty as a drug trafficker or a drug cartel," Sangeorge said. The suit accuses Purdue in particular of downplaying addiction risks and pushing doctors to increase dosages even as the dangers became known, the lawsuit said. Some of the company's marketing tactics included hiring a respected New York City doctor to tout the drug and sending representatives on more than a million sales visits to doctors' offices, the lawsuit said. Richard Sackler, then senior vice president responsible for sales, proudly told the audience at an OxyContin launch party in 1996 that it would create a "blizzard of prescriptions that will bury the competition," the lawsuit said. Purdue and the Sacklers have said they're committed to trying to stem opioid addiction, including through the Oklahoma settlement. It includes $75 million from the Sacklers, though they weren't personally sued in that case. Nearly $200 million of the money will go toward establishing a National Center for Addiction Studies and Treatment at Oklahoma State University in Tulsa. The Sacklers have given tens of millions of dollars to New York City cultural institutions. Several members of the family own multimillion-dollar Manhattan apartments. One has a $5 million Long Island estate. In the past few weeks, as the accusations against the family have mounted, the Tate museums in London and the Guggenheim Museum in New York have cut ties with the family, and other institutions have come under pressure to turn down donations or remove the Sackler name. The other defendants in New York's lawsuit are: Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals; U.K.-based Mallinckrodt plc, which has an opioid manufacturing plant in Hobart, New York; Dublin-based Endo and Allergan; Israeli pharmaceutical company Teva and the drug distributors McKesson, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and Rochester Drug Cooperative Inc. Endo said in a statement that it denies the allegations in the lawsuit and intends to vigorously defend itself. Cardinal Health said it has a "rigorous system" to track pharmacy orders and has stopped suspicious orders for hundreds of millions of painkiller pills over the last decade. In a statement, the Dublin, Ohio-based company said: "Our people operate in good faith, and our goal is to get it right." McKesson had no specific response to the New York suit but said it has "strong programs" to try to prevent opioid abuse. The other companies declined comment or did not immediately respond to requests for it. President Donald Trump is spreading misleading rhetoric about illegal immigration. At a Wisconsin rally , he suggested he's launched his plan to transport immigrants in the U.S. illegally to sanctuary cities in mass numbers "my sick idea," as he proudly called it. There's no evidence that's happening. He's also giving a confused outlook on the U.S. population growth, alternating between assertions that the country is too full to accept any more migrants and that it needs more migrants to fill jobs. In the meantime, Russia kept reverberating over the past week, even with special counsel Robert Mueller's report now part of history. As much as Trump says he wants the United States to move on, he's found it hard to turn away himself, as seen in a torrent of tweets and remarks railing against Democrats, trashing Mueller and painting his own actions in a saintly light. A review of rhetoric from Trump and his team, also touching on health care, the economy and the census: IMMIGRATION TRUMP: "Last month alone, 100,000 illegal immigrants arrived in our borders, placing a massive strain on communities and schools and hospitals and public resources, like nobody's ever seen before. Now we're sending many of them to sanctuary cities. Thank you very much. ... I'm proud to tell you that was my sick idea." Green Bay, Wisconsin, rally Saturday. THE FACTS: A mass transfer to sanctuary cities is not underway. He proposed the idea in part to punish Democratic congressional foes for inaction on the border, but his Homeland Security officials rejected the plan as unworkable. Trump said this month he was "strongly considering" the proposal, hours after White House and Homeland Security officials had insisted the idea had been eschewed twice. "We're in the process of figuring out all the details on how that would work," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Monday. Sanctuary cities are places where local authorities do not cooperate with immigration officials, denying information or resources that would help them round up for deportation people living in the country illegally. By all signs, federal officials considered the president's words little more than bluster. His comments to the Wisconsin crowd appeared to be bluster, too. People with knowledge of the discussions say White House staff discussed the idea with the Department of Homeland Security in November and February, but it was judged too costly and a misuse of money. The people were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. ___ TRUMP on U.S. population: "We need people to come in." rally. TRUMP: "We have companies pouring in. The problem is we need workers." Fox Business interview Sunday. THE FACTS: His position is a flip from earlier this month, when he declared the U.S. to be "full" in light of the overwhelmed southern border. In an April 7 tweet, he threatened to shut down the border unless Mexico apprehended all immigrants who crossed illegally. But it turns out the U.S. is only "full" in terms of the people Trump doesn't want. Immigrants as a whole make up a greater percentage of the total U.S. population than they did back in 1970, having grown from less than 5 percent of the population to more than 13 percent now. In 2030, it's projected that immigrants will become the primary driver for U.S. population growth, overtaking U.S. births. ___ HEALTH CARE TRUMP: "The Republicans are always going to protect pre-existing conditions." Wisconsin rally. THE FACTS: He's not protecting health coverage for patients with pre-existing medical conditions. The Trump administration instead is pressing in court for full repeal of the Affordable Care Act including provisions that protect people with pre-existing conditions from health insurance discrimination. Trump and other Republicans say they'll have a plan to preserve those safeguards, but the White House has provided no details. Former President Barack Obama's health care law requires insurers to take all applicants, regardless of medical history, and patients with health problems pay the same standard premiums as healthy ones. Bills supported in 2017 by Trump and congressional Republicans to repeal the law could undermine protections by pushing up costs for people with pre-existing conditions. ___ RUSSIA TRUMP, calling Mueller's probe a "witchhunt": It's "the greatest political hoax in American history." Wisconsin rally. THE FACTS: A two-year investigation that produced guilty pleas, convictions and criminal charges against Russian intelligence officers and others with ties to the Kremlin, as well as Trump associates, is demonstrably not a hoax. All told, Mueller charged 34 people, including the president's former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, his first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and three Russian companies. Twenty-five Russians were indicted on charges related to election interference, accused either of hacking Democratic email accounts during the campaign or of orchestrating a social media campaign that spread disinformation on the internet. Five Trump aides pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with Mueller, and a sixth, longtime confidant Roger Stone, is awaiting trial on charges he lied to Congress and engaged in witness tampering. Mueller's report concluded that Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election was "sweeping and systematic." Ultimately, Mueller did not find a criminal conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign. But the special counsel didn't render judgment on whether Trump obstructed justice, saying his investigators found evidence on both sides. ___ TRUMP: "No Collusion, No Obstruction - there has NEVER been a President who has been more transparent. Millions of pages of documents were given to the Mueller Angry Dems, plus I allowed everyone to testify, including W.H. counsel." tweet Wednesday. ATTORNEY GENERAL WILLIAM BARR: "The White House fully cooperated with the special counsel's investigation, providing unfettered access to campaign and White House documents, directing senior aides to testify freely, and asserting no privilege claims." remarks at the Justice Department on April 18. THE FACTS: It's a huge stretch for them to cast the White House as being "fully" cooperative and open in the investigation into Moscow's interference in the 2016 U.S. election and the Trump campaign's relationship with Russian figures. Trump declined to sit for an interview with Mueller's team, gave written answers that investigators described as "inadequate" and "incomplete," said more than 30 times that he could not remember something he was asked about in writing, and according to the report tried to get aides to fire Mueller or otherwise shut or limit the inquiry. In the end, the Mueller report found no criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia but left open the question of whether Trump obstructed justice. Also on the matter of transparency, Trump is an outlier among presidents in refusing to release his tax returns . Providing tax information as a candidate in 2016 and as president is something party nominees have traditionally done for half a century. ___ TRUMP: "In the 'old days' if you were President and you had a good economy, you were basically immune from criticism. Remember, 'It's the economy stupid.' Today I have, as President, perhaps the greatest economy in history." tweet Tuesday. THE FACTS: You can assume many previous presidents would beg to disagree that a good economy shielded them from criticism. Under President Bill Clinton, whose top campaign staffer James Carville coined the phrase "the economy, stupid," to underscore what the campaign should be about, the unemployment rate fell to 3.8% and the nation's economy grew 4% or more for four straight years. Yet Clinton was under independent counsel investigation for all but one year of his presidency, 1993. The House impeached him in December 1998, at the height of the Monica Lewinsky scandal, though the Senate acquitted him in February 1999. In January 1998, Hillary Clinton alleged a "vast right-wing conspiracy" to take down her husband, a widely mocked complaint about the relentless criticism the Clintons faced from the right (which extended to ridicule over the title of Hillary Clinton's 1996 book, "It Takes a Village.") Under President Ronald Reagan, the economy expanded 3.5% or more for six years in a row, with growth rocketing to 7.2% in 1984. Yet Reagan was dogged in his second term by the Iran-Contra investigation, which focused on covert arm sales to Iran that financed aid to Nicaraguan rebels. Both presidents saw much faster growth than Trump has presided over, despite Trump's faulty claim to have "perhaps the greatest economy in history." Growth reached 2.9% last year, the best in four years, but far below the levels achieved under Clinton or Reagan. The unemployment rate touched 3.7% last September and November, the lowest in five decades, but just one-tenth of a percentage point below the 3.8% in April 2000 under Clinton. ___ TRUMP: "Mueller was NOT fired and was respectfully allowed to finish his work on what I, and many others, say was an illegal investigation (there was no crime), headed by a Trump hater who was highly conflicted." tweet Thursday. THE FACTS: Trump is wrong to suggest that the FBI acted illegally by investigating him. The FBI does not need to know if or have evidence that a crime occurred before it begins an investigation. Many investigations that are properly conducted ultimately don't find evidence of any crime. The FBI is empowered to open an investigation if there's information it has received or uncovered that leads the bureau to think it might encounter a crime. Apart from that, the investigation into the Trump campaign was initially a counterintelligence investigation rather than a strictly criminal one, as agents sought to understand whether and why Russia was meddling in the 2016 election. Trump also makes a baseless charge that Mueller was "highly conflicted." Mueller, a longtime Republican, was cleared by the Justice Department's ethics experts to lead the Russia investigation. Nothing in the public record makes him a "Trump hater." According to the special counsel's report, when Trump complained privately to aides that Mueller would not be objective, the advisers, including then-White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, then-White House counsel Don McGahn and then-chief of staff Reince Priebus, rejected those complaints as not representing "true conflicts." Bannon also called the claims "ridiculous." ___ TRUMP: "I DID NOTHING WRONG. If the partisan Dems ever tried to Impeach, I would first head to the U.S. Supreme Court." tweet Wednesday. THE FACTS: He'd have a tough hearing at the Supreme Court. Justices ruled 9-0 in 1993 that the Constitution grants sole power of impeachment to the House and Senate, not the judiciary. Under the principle of separation of powers, Congress is a co-equal branch of government to the executive branch and judiciary. The House is afforded power to impeach a president by bringing formal charges, and the Senate convenes the trial, with two-thirds of senators needed to convict and remove a president from office. The Constitution does not provide a role for the judiciary in the impeachment process, other than the chief justice of the United States presiding over the Senate trial. In its 1993 ruling, the Supreme Court said framers of the Constitution didn't intend for the court to have the power to review impeachment proceedings because they involve political questions that shouldn't be resolved in the courts. ___ KELLYANNE CONWAY, White House counselor, saying there's no need for Congress to continue investigating with the Mueller probe concluded: "We all know if Director Mueller and his investigators wanted to or felt that it was right to indict they would have done that. He had every opportunity to indict and declined to indict. Investigators investigate and they decide to indict, they refer indictment or they decline indictment. That's the way the process works." remarks Wednesday to reporters. THE FACTS: That's not how Mueller's process worked. According to the report, Mueller's team declined to "make a traditional prosecutorial judgment" on whether to indict that is, do what prosecutors typically do, as Conway describes it because of a Justice Department legal opinion that said sitting presidents shouldn't be indicted. "Fairness concerns counseled against potentially reaching that judgment when no charges can be brought," the report states. As a result, the report factually laid out instances in which Trump might have obstructed justice, leaving it open for Congress to take up the matter or for prosecutors to do so once Trump leaves office. Mueller's team wrote that its investigation was conducted "in order to preserve the evidence when memories were fresh" and documentary material available. "Accordingly, while this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him," the report states. ___ HOGAN GIDLEY, White House deputy press secretary: "He's already denounced, multiple times, Russian involvement." remarks Tuesday to reporters. THE FACTS: Trump has had it both ways, at times criticizing that involvement but more often equivocating, and long after U.S. intelligence agencies and other parts of his administration became convinced of Russian meddling. "Every time he sees me, he says, 'I didn't do that,'" Trump said of Putin in November 2017. "I really believe that when he tells me that, he means it." In February 2018, he tweeted: "I never said Russia did not meddle in the election, I said 'it may be Russia, or China or another country or group, or it may be a 400 pound genius sitting in bed and playing with his computer.'" Now he has assailed the report by Mueller, whose investigation fleshed out the audacious Russian effort to shape the election in favor of Trump and resulted in indictments against 25 Russians accused either of hacking Democratic email accounts or sowing discord in America through social media, as well as Trump associates. ___ TRUMP: "Isn't it amazing that the people who were closest to me, by far, and knew the Campaign better than anyone, were never even called to testify before Mueller. The reason is that the 18 Angry Democrats knew they would all say 'NO COLLUSION' and only very good things!" tweet on April 22. THE FACTS: Trump's wrong to suggest that the people "closest" to him weren't called to testify before Mueller's team. Plenty of people close to him, including in his own family, interviewed with the special counsel's investigators or were at least asked to appear. And of those who did, some said not very good things about their interactions with the president. Among the advisers and aides who spoke with Mueller was McGahn, who extensively detailed Trump's outrage at the investigation and his efforts to curtail it. McGahn told Mueller's team how Trump called him at home and urged him to press the Justice Department to fire the special counsel, then told him to deny that the entire episode had taken place once it became public. Mueller also interviewed Priebus, Bannon, former White House chief of staff John Kelly, former White House communications director Hope Hicks and White House press secretary Sarah Sanders. Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal lawyer who once said he was so close to the president that he'd "take a bullet" for him, also cooperated with Mueller and delivered unflattering details. Mueller certainly wanted to hear from Trump's family, too, even if not all relatives were eager to cooperate. His eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., declined to be voluntarily interviewed by investigators, according to Mueller's report. Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, spoke multiple times to Mueller's team. One of the president's daughters, Ivanka Trump, provided information through an attorney. ___ GIDLEY: "It was Barack Obama who leaned over to Dmitry Medvedev in the Oval Office and said, 'Listen, we'll have more flexibility when the election's over.'" remarks Tuesday. THE FACTS: First, the conversation was in South Korea, not the Oval Office. Gidley accurately recounted the gist of what Obama was heard telling the Russian president on a microphone they didn't know was on. But Gidley did not explain the context of the remark. Obama was suggesting he would have more flexibility postelection to address Russia's concerns about a NATO missile defense system in Europe. The conversation with Medvedev, who was soon succeeded by Vladimir Putin, had nothing to do with Russian meddling that would be exposed in the U.S. election four years away. ___ CENSUS TRUMP: "The American people deserve to know who is in this Country. Yesterday, the Supreme Court took up the Census Citizenship question, a really big deal." tweet Wednesday. GIDLEY, when asked whether Trump believes an accurate census count isn't necessary: "He wants to know who's in this country. I think as a sovereign nation we have that right. It's been a question that's been on the census for decades." remarks Tuesday. THE FACTS: Not since 1950 has the census collected citizenship data from the whole population. Moreover, Trump's position that asking a citizenship question in the census is needed to "know who is in this country" ignores the judgment of the Census Bureau's own researchers, who say that it would not result in the most accurate possible count of the U.S. population. The question is already asked in other government surveys. According to January 2018 calculations by the Census Bureau, adding the question to the once-a-decade survey form would cause lower response rates among Hispanics and noncitizens. The government would have to spend at least $27.5 million for additional phone calls, home visits and other follow-up efforts to reach them. Federal judges in California, Maryland and New York have blocked the administration from going forward with a citizenship question after crediting the analysis of agency experts. The experts said millions would go uncounted because Hispanics and immigrants might be reluctant to say if they or others in their households are not citizens. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has argued that a citizenship question is needed to help the government better comply with the Voting Rights Act. But the Justice Department has been enforcing the 1965 law, which was passed to help protect minority groups' political rights, with citizenship data already available from other government surveys. The count goes to the heart of the U.S. political system, determining the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House and how the electoral votes that decide presidential elections are distributed. It also shapes how 300 federal programs distribute more than $800 billion a year to local communities. Attorney Michael Avenatti pleaded not guilty Monday to charges that he stole millions of dollars from clients, cheated on his taxes and lied to investigators. When asked to enter a plea in federal court in Santa Ana, California, Avenatti told the judge, "Not guilty to all charges." He declined to comment after the hearing and referred reporters to an earlier statement he gave about the right to be presumed innocent. Avenatti rose to fame representing porn actress Stormy Daniels in her legal battles against President Donald Trump. He was indicted earlier this month on 36 counts, including wire and bank fraud. His trial is scheduled to start June 25. Prosecutors have said Avenatti embezzled settlement funds and proceeds from other matters he handled for five clients and doled out small portions, sometimes labeling them as advances to prevent thefts from being discovered. Avenatti has denied the charges, saying he had made powerful enemies and would plead not guilty and fight the case. "The right to a presumption of innocence and the right to a jury trial are two fundamental rights that our founding fathers demanded when this country was formed over 200 years ago," he said in a statement before Monday's hearing. Initially, Avenatti said he would represent himself on Monday after telling the judge he was finalizing an agreement with a private attorney. The judge asked a public defender to stand in and represent him solely for Monday's arraignment. Avenatti was arrested in March in New York in a separate case alleging he demanded millions to stay quiet about claims he planned to reveal about Nike paying high school athletes. He has denied wrongdoing in that case as well. The charges are a blow to a legal career for Avenatti that took off after he represented Daniels in her lawsuit to break a confidentiality agreement with Trump to stay mum about an affair they allegedly had. Avenatti became one of Trump's leading adversaries, attacking him on cable news programs and Twitter. At one point, Avenatti considered challenging Trump in the 2020 elections. Three police officers in Hudson, New Hampshire, are being praised for their heroic actions after rushing into a burning building to save a man trapped inside. The flames broke out around 2 a.m. Monday. The subsequent investigation brought in authorities from state and local agencies. Investigators in hazmat gear spent hours going in and out of the burned-out, second-floor apartment. It was not immediately clear why they were in the hazmat gear, but it was clear that those police officers risked their lives to save that resident. "That man is very lucky," said nearby resident Christina Marmonte. An officer on her way to work early Monday morning was first to see the flames shooting from a window of the multi-family home on Route 111. She called 911, and three of her fellow officers were seconds away. "They could not open the door," explained Hudson Police Chief Bill Avery. Wasting no time, they smashed a window to get inside. Officer Rob McNally was the first to enter. "Immediately, he was faced with heavy smoke," Avery said. "He got down low on the floor, he could see a little, and he saw a gentleman laying on the floor." With the help of his colleagues, McNally pulled the man out of the building and into an ambulance. Firefighters were just five minutes behind the officers, but Avery says those minutes could have meant life or death for the victim. "There was no hesitation on any of their parts," Avery said. "I think if you hesitated, it probably would've been a tragic ending." As investigators try to figure out what sparked the fire, neighbors are talking about the rescue. "I would say it's pretty brave," Mormonte said. Others agree, saying today, they feel safer than they ever have before. "It's crazy, you think about risking your life for the sake of someone else, especially someone you don't know, that's a pretty heroic move," said Nashua resident Scott Kearney. "We're really lucky to have people like that in our community," said Samantha Borbone. The victim was taken to a Boston hospital with serious injuries. The Red Cross is helping the other three families displaced by this fire. The investigation is ongoing. Police are expected to reveal more information later this week. A pedestrian who was hit by a car in Maine has died, and the driver has been charged with drunken driving. The Cumberland County Sheriff's department says 40-year-old Samantha Rinaldi, of Gray, died Saturday night at the hospital after being hit by a car in the town where she lived. The driver, 58-year-old Jay Westra, of North Yarmouth, was arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol. Rinaldi's ex-husband told the Portland Press Herald that she was a devoted mother of four children ages 14 to 20. Police said Westra's 11-year-old daughter was in the car during Saturday's crash. It was unclear Sunday whether he has an attorney. In October, Westra's wife was found dead in the woods near her home six days after she disappeared. Her death was ruled a suicide. The Hanover Fire Department was dispatched to the Hanover Police Station and Emergency Communications Center on Sunday afternoon. According to the fire department, they responded to 129 Rockland Street in Hanover, Massachusetts, just before 3 p.m. Sunday. Upon arrival, officers told firefighters that there was a fire in the basement and that attempts to extinguish it were not successful. Crews stretched an attack line and were met by heavy smoke conditions, officials said. Firefighters discovered a fire in the locker room area and extinguished it. The damage was contained to a row of lockers, but there was smoke and soot damage throughout the building. Fire officials evacuated the entire building while they battled the fire, including the two dispatchers at the Emergency Communications Center. The fire and police dispatchers relocated to the Emergency Operations Center at Fire Headquarters. Officials say during the transition, 911 calls were seamlessly transferred to Pembroke police. Firefighters brought in fans to ventilate the toxic gases and smoke from the building. Crews also monitored the air quality during the operation. One police officer and one custodian were transported to a local hospital for smoke inhalation. An investigation by the fire department determined that a battery powered flashlight caused the fire. Crews are still working to clean up the damage caused by the incident, but officials say the building could be reopened Sunday night. A man accused in a wrong-way crash in Vermont that killed five teenagers is scheduled to go on trial this week. Jury selection is expected to start Monday in Burlington for the trial of Steven Bourgoin. Bourgoin has pleaded not guilty to five counts of murder for the Oct. 8, 2016, crash in Williston. Police say Bourgoin caused the Interstate 89 crash, before stealing a police cruiser and causing more crashes. Four Harwood Union High School students and a friend who attended Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire were killed. The trial is scheduled to start on Wednesday. A former Maine man accused of being married to four women has pleaded guilty to bigamy in New Hampshire but will avoid jail time if he behaves for the next five years. Authorities allege that 43-year-old Michael Middleton of Old Orchard Beach married women in Georgia, Alabama and New Hampshire between 2006 and 2013. That led to the bigamy charge in New Hampshire, but court documents say he also married a fourth woman in Kentucky in 2016. According to the Journal Tribune, prosecutors said Middleton would marry women in order to drain their assets before leaving them. In court Monday a prosecutor read a statement from the New Hampshire victim, Alicia Grant, who said she thought she was gaining a life partner but ended up with six years of pain and misery. "I mourn the person I was before I met him every day," she wrote, according to the Portland Press Herald. Middleton didn't speak at the hearing but said after he felt compassion and understanding for her. He said he thought the sentence was "a good outcome." He was given a 12-month suspended sentence. In New Hampshire, bigamy carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison. A sinkhole that opened up along Route 3 in Campton, New Hampshire, caused officials to close the road and detour traffic Sunday evening. According to the Lakes Region Fire Dispatch, a section of Route 3 sank on Sunday, causing the road to close. The New Hampshire Department of Transportation was working to resolve the issue, but detours were set up at Route 3 at the 93 and Fairgrounds Road area, as well as Route 3 at the Blair Road intersection. The location of the actual sinkhole is in Cook's Corner, just north of Livermore Falls. It affected the entire width of the roadway, officials say. Officers are in the area to assist travelers. New Hampshire DOT tweeted just before 9 p.m. Sunday that all lanes of traffic have been reopened. The trial of a Lawrence, Massachusetts teenager charged with the gruesome beheading death of a fellow classmate got underway Monday. Mathew Borges, 17, was indicted for the murder of 16-year-old Lawrence High School classmate Lee Manuel Viloria-Paulino. The victims headless body was discovered by a woman walking her dog along the banks of the Merrimack River. His head was found nearby. Viloria-Paulino was last seen alive on Nov. 18, 2016. The boys family said police never took the case seriously after they reported the victim missing two weeks before his decapitated body was discovered on Dec. 1, 2016. Borges' ex-girlfriend testified Monday that Borges became jealous and enraged after he saw her talking with Viloria-Paulino at school. She said Borges accused her of flirting and said one time Borges was so angry that a dean had to escort him out of the cafeteria. She said Borges eventually broke up with her because he thought she was cheating on him with other people. She said he had a list of names that included Viloria-Paulino. Prosecutors said in their opening statements that they plan to show that Borges planned to kill Viloria-Paulino, and surveillance video shows him walking toward the river with Viloria-Paulino on the night of his death. A short time later, four people were seen breaking into Viloria-Paulino's home. Prosecutors said those people are friends of Borges who later told investigators he had admitted to killing Viloria-Paulino. Prosecutors read from a journal entry written by Borges that they said outlines the crime. "Go chill with him in his crib alone... bring duffel bag, wear bags on shoes, wear clothes you don't care about." The defense, however, argued Monday that Borges is only guilty of being involved in the break-in and nothing more. They said there is no evidence he killed Viloria-Paulino. Borges was 15 years old at the time of the killing, according to authorities. He is now being tried as an adult. He was ordered held without bail during a hearing on March 2017. The Essex District Attorneys Office said last week that a jury had been selected for the trial. Opening statements began Monday morning in Salem Superior Court. Two men who are accused of stealing nearly $65,000 in a debit card theft ring that spanned several states faced a judge on Monday. Police in Hudson, New Hampshire said a tipster's call led to the discovery of the operation. Authorities received a call Friday of a suspicious man spending a lot of time at the Digital Federal Credit Union ATM. "If you see something, you say something. And this individual did," said Hudson Police Chief William Avery. "Who knows how much money that was totally stolen, or could have been stolen?" Police arrested Syed Hoque, 23, of Brooklyn, New York, as a result of the call and discovered thousands of dollars in cash and debit cards inside the vehicle he was driving. The investigation led officials to a Days Hotel, where police say Hoque and two other men were operating a theft ring. The two other men were identified as 30-year-old Tharushan Nirmalachandran of Quebec, Canada and 28-year-old Ajitharan Reveendran of Ontario, Canada. Nirmalachandran and Reveendran appeared in Lawrence District Court Monday where they were ordered held on $500,000 bail. "The two co-defendants have different sides of the story," said a defense attorney. Methuen Police Capt. Kristopher McCarthy said the trio flew to Atlanta from Toronto and each rented their own vehicles to travel up the East Coast. They then ended up in Methuen. Authorities said the men used an illegal scanner device to load fake money onto stolen prepaid debit cards, and then using the cards to withdraw real money. Nirmalachandran and Reveendran are due back in court next month. It's unclear when Hoque is due to be arraigned or if he has an attorney. Authorities said more arrests could be made. An elderly woman who went missing from her nursing home in Attleboro, Massachusetts, has been found in Braintree. According to police, Dorothy Lucas, 73, left the assisted living facility where she lives on George Street in Attleboro around 1:40 p.m. Saturday. Police were notified of her disappearance around 10:30 p.m. when she failed to return. Police said Lucas checked herself out of the facility and left in the company of 51-year-old Mark Chicoine of Attleboro. Chicoine reportedly befriended Lucas while he was visiting another resident at the nursing home. On Monday afternoon, police said Lucas and Chicoine had been spotted by a South Shore Plaza mall employee, who notified nearby officers. Authorities said they were investigating Chicoine's involvement with Lucas being missing but have not charged him with anything. He is cooperating with police. Lucas is wheelchair bound with very little mobility. She is diabetic and dependent on insulin, and had left the home without her medication. She also suffers from symptoms of dementia. After she was located, Lucas was taken to a Braintree area hospital to receive treatment and medications for her medical conditions. Police had said Lucas and Chicoine were seen together at 2:42 p.m. on Saturday at the Santander Bank on Park Street in Attleboro, where she withdrew an undisclosed amount of money. A silver alert had been issued for Lucas on Sunday night. The withdrawal of money had investigators concerned about the potential that she was being financially exploited. Yarmouth Christians tackle modern slavery Around 20 people from churches across the Great Yarmouth Borough have been working through a training course to help churches identify and combat modern slavery, and how Christians can make a difference locally. Tony Rothe reports. The Hidden Voices course, to explore what a church response to modern slavery could look like in the Great Yarmouth area, took place in Gorleston during February and March, and is part of the Clewer initiative. To read more about the course, click here . Network Norfolk asked Anna Heydon, Development worker with Imagine Norfolk Together, for more information: What form does slavery take in 21st century? Slavery occurs in various forms now, including labour exploitation (e.g. in car washes, manufacturing, farming, construction), sexual exploitation (non-consensual or abusive sexual acts), domestic servitude (forced work within a private household), organ harvesting (trade in human organs using force or deception) and forced criminality (forced to take part in illegal activities e.g. shop-lifting or cannabis cultivation). All forms involve degrading conditions and physical or psychological control by the perpetrators. How big is the problem? 40.3 million people are thought to be victims of modern slavery across the world today. In the UK, a conservative estimate suggests that there are 136,000 people living in slavery (figures from Global Slavery Index). The figures are increasing year on year, although it is hard to know whether this reflects a growing problem or improved reporting and responses. Is modern slavery a problem in this area? All the types of modern slavery listed above have been found in Norfolk except for organ harvesting. The levels of modern slavery locally are difficult to determine because it is such a hidden crime and because the police cannot give information about live cases, but we know that it is happening across the region, in both rural and built up areas. How can churches and/or Christians do anything about it? Modern slavery is an affront to the character, example and teachings of Jesus, and Biblical history is a story of people being set free by God both physically and spiritually. Slavery occurring in our communities is not therefore something which Christians can ignore. An important way in which Christians can arm themselves against slavery is with knowledge. Organisations such as The Clewer Initiative and Stop the Traffik provide useful information about how to spot the signs of Modern Slavery. If you suspect that you may have witnessed signs of slavery or trafficking, then please call the Modern Slavery Helpline on: 08000121700. There are also mobile phone apps like the Safe Car Wash app and Unseen which can help you identify and report slavery. Churches are also a place where victims of slavery can find healing and restoration once they have been through the process of being rescued from slavery. And of course, prayer is the most powerful weapon we possess. What is happening to combat slavery in this area in particular? As is happening around the country, the police and their partners are working hard to tackle and prevent slavery in our area and to support victims. We dont yet have a safe house for victims in Norfolk, but this may come in time. In terms of church involvement, the Diocese of Norwich is working with the Clewer Initiative to develop a response to the issue of slavery locally. Currently St Thomas Norwich Trust are providing mentoring and befriending for victims of slavery, and have been involved in setting up a county-wide collaboration group for those working in the area of slavery. Imagine Norfolk Together are also involved in awareness raising in Great Yarmouth and Kings Lynn, including the Hidden Voices course and training church volunteers who are dealing with those who are most vulnerable. If there are others out there involved in this work, then please get in touch! What is happening nationally Is the government doing anything? In 2015 The UK Modern Slavery Act came into law. It consolidated previous offences relating to slavery and trafficking and introduced more severe punishments. Recent changes have also introduced greater support for victims, with the minimum period of NRM (National Referral Mechanism) move-on support increased from 45 to 90 days. What is your hope/vision/prayer for the future? A world free from slavery! But on the journey towards that I would love to see the church working with other organisations to raise awareness of this horrific crime which is happening under our noses, and bringing hope and love to those who have experienced it. The Clewer Initiative is a 3-year project to enable Church of England dioceses and wider Church networks to develop strategies to detect modern slavery in their communities and help provide victim support and care. It involves working with the Church locally, identifying resources that can be utilised, developing partnerships with others, and creating a wider network of advocates seeking to end modern slavery together. Nationally, it involves developing a network of practitioners committed to sharing models of best practice and providing evidenced based data to resource the Church's national engagement with statutory and non-statutory bodies. The above image is courtesy of https://pixabay.com Do you have a news story or forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in East Norfolk? The cast of the Theatre Royal pantomime, Dick Whittington and his Cat, will take part in the traditional pantomime carol service at St Peter Mancroft church in Norwich tomorrow (December 23) and everyone is welcome to attend. The cast of the Theatre Royal pantomime, Dick Whittington and his Cat, will take part in the traditional pantomime carol service at St Peter Mancroft church in Norwich tomorrow (December 23) and everyone is welcome to attend. Ed Sheeran and LadBaby boost Waveney foodbank Pop superstar Ed Sheeran and Christmas sausage roll song group LadBaby paid a surprise visit to Waveney Foodbank near Eye earlier today. Read more Dilham musician recalls Josephs letter home What might Joseph had written if he had sent a letter home from his experiences during that first Christmas time? Read more The true gifts of Christmas Regular columnist Ruth Lilley reflects of the gifts which God gave us at that first Christmas, and continues to make freely available to us. Read more An Advent reflection from Bishop Alan Hopes In his Advent Reflection, the Bishop of East Anglia, the Rt Rev Alan Hopes says: "God is not distant, he is very close to us. In fact, in Jesus, God is one of us. Read more YMCA Norfolk needs a Senior Wellbeing Engagement Worker YMCA Norfolk is looking for a Senior Wellbeing Engagement Worker, to build relationships of trust with vulnerable and marginalised youth people within the community. Read more Norwich Foodbank needs an Administrator Norwich Foodbank is looking for an Administrator to help ensure the Christian charity can continue to serve people in food crisis. Read more Looking beyond the Nativity story Andrew Frere Smith reminds us of the hardships that were faced by the family of baby Jesus at that first Christmas. Read more Norwich churches offered Christmas food hampers Christian youth project ENYP is offering Norwich churches the chance to join its successful food poverty initiative and receive Christmas food hampers to give out. Read more Salvation Army gifts bring joy to Norwich children Salvation Army volunteers in Norwich have packed a record number of Tins and Toys boxes for their Christmas giveaway this year. Read more Covid stops Yarmouth Minster Christmas lunch Fears over the increasing spread of Covid 19 have caused the Open Christmas event at Great Yarmouth Minster on Christmas Day to be cancelled this year, but those who would have attended will be receiving goodie bags instead. Read more Norwich church requires an Administrator Holy Trinity church in Norwich wants to appoint an Administrator to help it introduce the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Norwich. Read more Acle churches unite for carols The churches in Acle held their annual carol concert at the Methodist Church last Sunday, and were evidently visited by the Man in Red! Read more Norwich church giving out 150 food hampers Gateway Vineyard church in Norwich is giving 150 food hampers to individuals and families across the city as part of the Love Christmas initiative. Read more Norwich church invite to sing on Saturday On Saturday December 18, Norwich's oldest chapel close to the city is holding a 'sing on Saturday' at 3pm. There is plenty of space inside to join together to sing some well-known hymns. Read more Norwich church gives city a Wonder-ful show Soul Churchs free Christmas production, The Wonder, was back bigger and better than ever this year, welcoming thousands of people from Norwich and beyond, to enjoy this Christmas extravaganza. Read more Do you have any forgiveness blockages? Jane Walters has discovered a hidden blockage in her vacuum cleaner, which needed to be removed. Read more Tributes paid to amazing Eileen who was 110 Tributes have been paid to amazing St Georges Norwich parishioner and former Test cricketer, Eileen Ash, who was Norfolks oldest woman and has died at the age of 110. Read more ROXBURY The annual Pickin n Fiddlin Contest returns to Hurlbutt Town Park for a 45th year this summer. The bluegrass event, sponsored by the Roxbury Volunteer Fire Department, will take place at the 18 Apple Lane park Saturday, July 13. More than $3,400 in prize money will be awarded to winners in the following contest categories: old time fiddle, trick and fancy fiddle, mandolin, fingerpicking and flatpicking guitar, bluegrass blues and old time banjo. There will also be food, crafts, games and vendors at the event. Gates open at noon and contestant registration begins at 12:30. The contest will start at 2 p.m. Admission is $12. Children under 10 get in free. The rain date is July 14 at noon. For more information, click here or call 860-354-5921. kendra.baker@hearst.com Two students at Schaghticoke Middle School in New Milford were recently recognized for their essays about founding father and local hero Roger Sherman. State Representative Bill Buckbee (R-67th) sponsored the essay contest. Buckbee recently visited the school and presented the contests first-place prize to Aiden Rustigan. Shayne Kayfus received second place. The pieces Aiden and Shayne submitted were incredibly detailed and composed with precision, Buckbee said, noting the 298th anniversary of Shermans birthday is this year. I think that its an incredibly important our students have an opportunity to learn a little bit about local history, while showcasing their writing abilities, Buckbee said. Based on my recent visit to Schaghticoke, I know the students learned quite a bit about one of our more notable neighbors here in New Milford and all submissions were wonderful to review, he said. Sherman was elected to the then-titled Governors Council in 1766. The Governors Council is known today as the State Senate. Sherman later served in Congress and went on to play an influential role at the Constitutional Convention. Its clear to me that all of the participants were able to connect the dots between what Roger Sherman did for todays society and how we can continue that legacy, Buckbee said. Im impressed with the work that Schaghticoke Middle School students are capable of, he said. When there is an instance of academic excellence, its important that those individuals who created the work be recognized. During his visit to SMS, Buckbee presented official legislative citations to the essay contest winners. Legislative citations are a formal acknowledgement from the entire General Assembly of an individuals high achievement. The citations are signed by Buckbee and all of the legislative leaders at the State Capitol. Aiden Rustigan was also presented with a Connecticut State Flag, which had been flown over the State Capitol in Hartford. WASHINGTON Sen. Richard Blumenthal is an enthusiastic supporter of submarines, jet engines, helicopters any piece of defense hardware made in Connecticut. But when it comes to health insurance, the senior senators home-state advocacy is very much open to question. Blumenthal is one of 14 co-sponsors of the Medicare for All Act of 2019 introduced earlier this month by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., a leading left-of-center contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. If signed into law, the bill would establish a health-insurance system financed by a single payer: The United States Government. It would be Medicare on steroids, with no premiums or deductibles and co-pays only for prescription drugs. Taxes might rise but out-of-pocket costs would plummet, its advocates say. But the collateral damage to the health-insurance industry and insurance in general is little discussed in the debate over how to fix the 2010 Affordable Care Act. Health insurance companies employ 9,500 in Connecticut, with an annual payroll of $1.1 billion, according to data gathered by Americas Health Insurance Plans AHIP the main trade group for health insurers. The largest provider of health insurance in Connecticut is Aetna, which after merging with CVS last year agreed to abandon plans to move to New York and instead remain in Hartford -roots that go back to 1819. Cigna is the other main health-insurance player with a long history in Connecticut. Its headquarters now are in Bloomfield and Philadelphia. The Sanders Medicare-for-all measure would essentially wipe out the role of private insurance in health care. The 200-plus million Americans who get private insurance (180 million through their employers) would be transitioned to government-provided health insurance that would include coverage for vision, dental, substance abuse and mental health. Independent analysts have pegged the cost at a staggering $30 trillion over a decade. Recognizing the tremendous impact on health insurers and their employees, the Sanders bill sets aside one percent of the government health-care budget for those who lose jobs. Among the Connecticut delegations two senators and five representatives, only Blumenthal and Rep. Jahana Hayes have signed on to Medicare-for-All bills in their respective chambers. Sen. Chris Murphy supports a public option - allowing a buy-in to Medicare as an option on a menu of choices that includes traditional private health insurance. Rep. Jim Himes has expressed a willingness to explore other options if Obamacare cannot be adequately propped up. Rep. Rosa DeLauro this week plans to introduce a bill that would auto-enroll people into Medicare if they do not have insurance through their employer or otherwise. Blumenthal and Hayes justify support for Medicare for All as the only way to guarantee that anyone in need of health insurance gets it without paying exorbitant premiums, deductibles or copays. The Affordable Care Act was a major improvement to our health care system, but we can and must do more, she said in a statement. Hayes, a freshman, made Medicare for All a part of her platform last year. I believe a Medicare for All system is the next step in the evolution of our health care system, she said. As part of that transition, we will need to engage all health care stakeholders - patients, health care providers, hospitals and businesses - to understand how Medicare for All will impact and improve the health care system. Blumenthal, in an interview, said bold ideas are needed and opening up Medicare could be the answer for Connecticut citizens who have complained that the health care they need is unaffordable, or the kind and quality they need is unavailable. But Blumenthal insisted he is open to all ideas, and has co-sponsored the Murphy proposal for a public option, as well as another measure to open up Medicare to all starting at age 50. I have an open mind; the key word is listen, he said, explaining that he has talked to insurers among other about the costs and benefits of each idea. Im going to do whats best for Connecticut. I will not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Support of Medicare for All, he said, is a way of expressing profound impatience with (lack of) access to health care. Politically, Medicare for All does not have a prayer of passage as long as Republicans control the Senate and the White House. But even if Democrats were to seize the reins of all branches in 2020, Medicare for All would not be a foregone conclusion. The Democratic-majority Congress that passed the Affordable Care Act in 2010 specifically excluded any kind of Medicare buy-in. Since then, Republicans on Capitol Hill have tried their best to repeal and replace Obamacare, only to fall short by one vote in the Senate - that of the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. But they did manage to eliminate one of Obamacares main pillars, the universal mandate requiring all persons to have health insurance or face a tax penalty. Perhaps sensing the political balance is in their favor at least for now, health insurers are treading lightly on Medicare for All. Cigna and Aetna did not return repeated requests for comments. A spokeswoman for ConnectiCare, a statewide health insurer based in Farmington, deferred to AHIP, the D.C.-based trade group. Americans want to improve whats working for them and fix whats broken, said AHIP spokeswoman Kristine Grow, who formerly was vice president of corporate communications for Aetna. Medicare for All, single payer, buy-in, or a public option will have the same consequences: Americans will pay more, to wait longer, for worse care. One Connecticut expert said advocates of Medicare for All have failed to make the case that health insurers in Connecticut are to blame for the shortcomings of Obamacare. Im not sure what the beef is with insurance companies, said Fred Carstensen, a finance professor at the UConn School of Business. I understand that Bernie Sanders hates any large concentration of wealth and economic power. But youd think the (Connecticut) congressional would want a balance lets fix the ACA! Insurance in Connecticut dates back to the states early beginnings. In the 18th Century around the time of the American Revolution, sea captains gathered along the wharves in Hartford to share risks and profits of cargo to and from England, the Caribbean and beyond. From these modest beginnings sprang The Hartford Fire Insurance Co., and then the Aetna Fire Insurance Co. Disastrous fires swept New York in 1835 and 1845. Although the cost was steep, the Hartford insurance companies paid their policyholders in full. Their reputations grew and with most of New Yorks insurance companies wiped out, Hartford became the go-to locale for the insurance industry. Over time it became something of a foundation for the Connecticut Yankee way of life in the industrial age, combining ingenuity and a keen eye for opportunity with sober-minded prudence and probity. It went hand in hand with the rise of mercantilism, said Patrick Mahoney, a doctorate degree candidate at Drew University in New Jersey and former instructor at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield who has researched the history of insurance in Hartford. Insurance was critical in moving the state forward to prosperity. The states insurance companies branched out into insuring autos, lives, public works and ultimately health. In the 20th Century era of The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, working at the main office of an insurance company signified success, well-being, consistency and normality. The great American poet Wallace Stevens declined a teaching position at Harvard in the 1950s because he wanted to remain a vice president at what ultimately became The Hartford. Insurance has gone international, diversifying and expanding its business focus. But much of it remains tethered to Hartford and, more broadly, the state of Connecticut. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks Connecticut No. 1 in the nation for concentration of insurance underwriters. It also ranks first in the nation in terms of insurance-carrier employment as a percentage of overall Connecticut jobs, according to data gathered by Connecticut insurance & Financial Services, an industry alliance. Connecticuts 60,233 employees earn an average of just over $90,000 annually. Its payroll is 5.1 percent of the states total again the nations highest. It is a very important industry for the state, said Carstensen of UConn. There are a lot of jobs connected with it. I dont want to defend insurance but I havent seen anyone advocating radical change in health care say why insurance companies are the problem. A new study has reinforced the belief that work related stress and impaired sleep could be directly associated with raised blood pressure and risk of death due to heart disease. The results of the study titled, Combined effect of work stress and impaired sleep on coronary and cardiovascular mortality in hypertensive workers: The MONICA/KORA cohort study, were published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology - a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Work stress and poor sleep associated with heart disease . Image Credit: Karen Winton / Shutterstock The researchers explain that among employees with high blood pressure the risk of death due to heart disease rose three-fold if there was workplace stress and impaired sleep added to the soup of risk factors. According to Professor Karl-Heinz Ladwig, of the German Research Centre for Environmental Health and the Medical Faculty, Technical University of Munich, who was part of the study, Sleep should be a time for recreation, unwinding, and restoring energy levels. If you have stress at work, sleep helps you recover. Unfortunately poor sleep and job stress often go hand in hand, and when combined with hypertension the effect is even more toxic. The study reveals that high blood pressure or hypertension is seen in one in three persons who are working. This study is the first that looks at the association of a combination of factors such as high blood pressure, work stress and impaired sleep and risk of dying due to heart disease. The team included 1,959 hypertensive workers aged 25-65 years of age. These participants at the outset did not have diabetes or any heart disease. The participants were followed up for an average of 18 years. During this time were 134 deaths due to cardiovascular disease and 73 events due to coronary heart disease. Results revealed that compared to persons who had no work stress and slept well on most nights, those who were stressed and did not sleep well had a three times greater risk of dying due to heart disease. Those who had work stress but did not have sleep problems had a 1.6 times greater risk and those who had no work stress and only poor sleep had a 1.8 times greater risk of dying due to heart disease compared to those who did not have either risk factors, explained the researchers. Employees who had both work stress and well as poor sleep had an absolute risk of 7.13 per 1,000 person-years. This was comparable to 3.05 per 1,000-person years in those with no stress and good sleep. The absolute risk of those with work stress was 4.99 per 1000 person-years and those with poor sleep were 5.95 per 1000 person years. Over the nearly two decades of follow up, the risk of dying due to heart disease rose in a step wise manner among those with high blood pressure. The authors of the study include high demand jobs with low control as jobs with high work stress. Professor Ladwing explained, . If you have high demands but also high control, in other words you can make decisions, this may even be positive for health. But being entrapped in a pressured situation that you have no power to change is harmful. Poor sleep was defined in the study as difficulty in initiation of sleep and/or maintenance of sleep. He explained, Maintaining sleep is the most common problem in people with stressful jobs. They wake up at 4 o'clock in the morning to go to the toilet and come back to bed ruminating about how to deal with work issues. Professor Ladwig explains the results saying, These are insidious problems. The risk is not having one tough day and no sleep. It is suffering from a stressful job and poor sleep over many years, which fade energy resources and may lead to an early grave. He added that these findings should serve as warnings. He said, Each condition is a risk factor on its own and there is cross-talk among them, meaning each one increases risk of the other. Physical activity, eating healthily and relaxation strategies are important, as well as blood pressure lowering medication if appropriate. The authors of the study suggest strategies for stress management at work place and better sleep training and practices. This should be especially in place for employees with hypertension, they wrote saying, Future interventions in the workplace to promote cardiovascular health, that is, stress management and sleep treatment, should be considered, especially among workers with chronic conditions, such as hypertension. Similar studies that looked at stress and heart disease Dr Marianna Virtanen from the Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden and colleagues recently looked at the effects of long hours of work of different parameters of health such as weight, lung function, blood pressure and other blood tests results. Theirs was a part of the large CONSTANCES study. The study titled, Long working hours, anthropometry, lung function, blood pressure and blood-based biomarkers: cross-sectional findings from the CONSTANCES study, was published in February this year in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. The study involved 75,709 participants aged 18-69 at the start of the study between 2012 and 2016. The participants were included from 22 health centres across France. Work hours and work stress as well as other health parameters were recorded for the study and the participants were followed up. Over the duration of the study the researchers noted that among men, work stress caused rise in body weight, waist circumference, waist:hip ratio, Body Mass Index (BMI). Work stress and long working hours in men was also associated with raised blood lipid levels, raised levels of glucose and creatinine, liver enzyme Alanine transaminase (ALT) and number of white blood cells. Among women there was a significant rise in body mass index and white blood cells associated with long working hours. The authors concluded that work stress and long working hours were associated with adverse heart disease risk factors especially among men when compared to those who did not have long gruelling working hours. In other related research Prof Mika Kivimaki from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, and colleagues performed a multicohort study recently looking at the risk of death due to work stress. They compared persons with and without heart disease. The study titled, Work stress and risk of death in men and women with and without cardiometabolic disease: a multicohort study, was recently published in the Lancet Diabetes Endocrinology (September 2018). The team used data and information from seven cohort studies in the IPD-Work consortium. These studies had started between 1985 and 2002 in Finland, France, Sweden, and the UK. Their aim was to look at association of work related stress and risk of death. A total of 1,02,633 individuals with 14,23,753 person-years at risk were identified and followed up for an average of around 14 years. The authors of the study denoted work stress as job strain or effort-reward imbalance at work. They looked at incidence of main heart disease and metabolic outcomes such as coronary heart disease, stroke, or diabetes. They included other parameters in their analysis including body mass index, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption status, blood pressure and total cholesterol. These were assessed at baseline and also by end of the follow up. By end of the follow up there were 3441 individuals with heart or metabolic diseases at the start of the study and 3841 who had died during follow up. The risk of heart disease was greater among men with high job stress, the researchers found (1498 per 10 000 person-years) compared to men with no or little job stress (977 per 10 000 person-years). Difference in risk of death was 521 per 10 000 person-years among those with and without job stress. The difference rose when there were added risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, lack of physical activity and excess alcohol consumption. The risks were less pronounced among women employees, the study noted (mortality difference 66 per 10 000 person-years). The authors concluded, In men with cardiometabolic disease, the contribution of job strain to risk of death was clinically significant and independent of conventional risk factors and their treatment, and measured lifestyle factors. Standard care targeting conventional risk factors is therefore unlikely to mitigate the mortality risk associated with job strain in this population. The study was funded by NordForsk, UK Medical Research Council, and Academy of Finland. New analysis by academics from the Oxford Internet Institute (OII), part of the University of Oxford, predicts the dead may outnumber the living on Facebook within fifty years, a trend that will have grave implications for how we treat our digital heritage in the future. The analysis predicts that, based on 2018 user levels, at least 1.4 billion members will die before 2100. In this scenario, the dead could outnumber the living by 2070. If the world's largest social network continues to expand at current rates, however, the number of deceased users could reach as high as 4.9 billion before the end of the century. "These statistics give rise to new and difficult questions around who has the right to all this data, how should it be managed in the best interests of the families and friends of the deceased and its use by future historians to understand the past," said lead author Carl Ohman, a doctoral candidate at the OII. "On a societal level, we have just begun asking these questions and we have a long way to go. The management of our digital remains will eventually affect everyone who uses social media, since all of us will one day pass away and leave our data behind. But the totality of the deceased user profiles also amounts to something larger than the sum of its parts. It is, or will at least become, part of our global digital heritage." Co-author David Watson, also a DPhil student at the OII, explained: "Never before in history has such a vast archive of human behaviour and culture been assembled in one place. Controlling this archive will, in a sense, be to control our history. It is therefore important that we ensure that access to these historical data is not limited to a single for-profit firm. It is also important to make sure that future generations can use our digital heritage to understand their history." The analysis sets up two potential extreme scenarios, arguing that the future trend will fall somewhere in between: The first scenario assumes that no new users join as of 2018. Under these conditions, Asia's share of dead users increases rapidly to account for nearly 44% of the total by the end of the century. Nearly half of those profiles come from India and Indonesia, which together account for just under 279 million Facebook mortalities by 2100. The second scenario assumes that Facebook continues to grow by its current rate of 13% globally, every year, until each market reaches saturation. Under these conditions, Africa will make up a growing share of dead users. Nigeria, in particular, becomes a major hub in this scenario, accounting for over 6% of the total. By contrast, Western users will account for only a minority of users, with only the US making the top 10. "The results should be interpreted not as a prediction of the future, but as a commentary on the current development, and an opportunity to shape what future we are headed towards," explains Ohman. "But this has no bearing on our larger point that critical discussion of online death and its macroscopic implications is urgently needed. Facebook is merely an example of what awaits any platform with similar connectivity and global reach." Watson added: "Facebook should invite historians, archivists, archaeologists and ethicists to participate in the process of curating the vast volume of accumulated data that we leave behind as we pass away. This is not just about finding solutions that will be sustainable for the next couple of years, but possibly for many decades ahead." The predictions are based on data from the United Nations, which provide the expected number of mortalities and total populations for every country in the world distributed by age, and Facebook data scraped from the company's Audience Insights feature. While the study notes that this self-reported dataset has several limitations, this provides the most comprehensive publicly available estimate of the network's size and distribution Ketamine is commonly used in emergency medicine as an anesthetic drug. Later it was discovered to have rapid-acting antidepressant effects, but the mechanisms by which ketamine alleviates depression are still unknown. Ketamine, however, may not be the only drug having rapid antidepressant effects. A small clinical trial published in 2015 suggests that another anesthetic, nitrous oxide ("laughing gas"), produce similar effects in a subset of patients. Associate Professor Tomi Rantamaki and his team at the University of Helsinki, Finland, recently demonstrated that nitrous oxide facilitates activation of the cortex of the brain during gas administration in rodents. After this, slow EEG activity in the cortex increases and molecular mechanisms, associated with rapid antidepressant effects, become regulated. A similar rebound EEG phenomenon has been previously associated with the ketamine, as well as with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Now researchers have connected these brain waves, typical of deep sleep, with neurotrophic signaling pathways known to be important for ketamines antidepressant actions. These results propose that the core component in rapid amelioration of depression may rely on intrinsic homeostatic changes triggered within the brain in response to pharmacological challenge by drugs like ketamine or nitrous oxide, and its consecutive release after the effects have worn off. "Like throwing a rock into a still pond, the impact of the stone on the surface of the water sets the events in motion, but the subsequent waves linger on for a long time. We think that these waves may be equally important as the initial impact," says doctoral student Samuel Kohtala. Investigations into the shared features of these treatments may provide scientists opportunities to develop measures to monitor and control the effectiveness of rapid-acting antidepressants. "My hunch is that sleep and its mechanisms are at the core of rapid antidepressant effects. The role of sleep hasn't been studied that much in this context", concludes Rantamaki, whose team is now also part of the SleepWell multidisciplinary research programme at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30288695 A single high dose of radiation that can be delivered directly to the tumor within a few minutes is a safe and effective technique for treating men with low risk prostate cancer, according to a study presented at the ESTRO 38 conference. Radiotherapy traditionally involves a series of lower dose treatments that take place over several days or week. The new treatment is called high dose-rate brachytherapy and it delivers radiation via a set of tiny tubes. Researchers say this technique could offer an effective treatment that is convenient for patients and brings potential time and cost savings for hospitals. The research was presented by Dr Hannah Tharmalingam, a Clinical Research Fellow at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, Northwood, and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK. She said: "Brachytherapy, where we use temporary catheters to directly treat tumours, has already proved to be a good treatment for prostate cancer, both in terms of killing the cancer cells and minimising side effects. This usually means patients make four to six visits to the hospital for a series of lower dose treatments. We wanted to see whether we could get similar results but with just one high dose treatment, saving time for the patient and the hospital." The research included 441 men with prostate cancer who were treated at one of seven UK hospitals [1] between 2013 and 2018. Their cancers were classified, depending on how likely they were to spread, as either low risk (total of 44 men), medium risk (285 men) or high risk (112 men). All were treated with a single high dose (19 Gy) of radiation; 166 men also received hormone therapy but none had any surgery or chemotherapy. Researchers monitored the men's progress for an average of 26 months. They measured the levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the men's blood two years after the treatment and again three years after the treatment. PSA is considered to be a good indicator of how well prostate cancer treatment has worked. If levels increase, this can indicate the cancer has returned. Overall, after two years, 94% of men showed no sign of the cancer returning, according to their PSA levels. For men with low risk cancer this figure was 100%, in men with medium risk it was 95% and in men with high risk cancer it was 92%. After three years, the overall figure was 88%, and in men with low, medium and high risk cancers, the figures were 100%, 86% and 75% respectively. Of the 27 men with raised PSA levels, researchers were able to identify where the cancer had returned in 25. In 15, the cancer had returned in the prostate. In the rest, it had spread to other parts of the body. At the time of the treatment, there were no serious side effects. Later on, two men developed urethral strictures that required surgery and two developed rectal fistulae that required colostomy. Dr Tharmalingam said: "These results indicate that high dose-rate brachytherapy is a safe and effective treatment for men with low risk prostate cancer but further research is needed in medium and high risk patients to see if the results can be improved with a higher dose. This type of treatment offers an attractive alternative to surgery or other forms of radiotherapy as it has a comparatively low risk of side effects. It is also a patient-friendly option because the treatment can be given quickly at a single hospital visit." Dr Tharmalingam and her colleagues hope to continue studying the impact of using this type of radiotherapy, especially in patients with higher risk prostate cancer who are more likely to suffer a recurrence. She believes it would be possible, given the low risk of side effects, to modify the treatment or increase the dose even further in higher risk cases. Dr Bradley Pieters, chair of ESTRO's brachytherapy committee and a radiation oncologist at the Academic University Medical Centers, The Netherlands, who was not involved in the study, said: "This research suggests that a single treatment of high dose-rate brachytherapy could be a very good option for many men with prostate cancer. The technology and expertise needed to deliver this treatment is not yet available in all cancer centers. However, given that it may offer time and money savings for hospitals as well as benefits to patients, there is a good argument for investing in this type of radiotherapy." Source: https://www.estro.org/ According to a current study of the Medical University Vienna, specialized T memory lymphocytes in the lungs that react to inhaled allergens, cause attacks of allergic asthma. These T-helper 2-tissue resident memory cells, which are located in the lungs for a lifetime are known as Th2-TRMs, and are responsible for asthma sufferers having asthma attacks shortly after they come in contact with allergens that they are allergic to and that these attacks can occur throughout their entire life. Allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis are chronic allergic conditions affecting approximately 70 to 100 million Europeans. (Source: European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology EAACI). Allergic asthma is a defense reaction in the lungs triggered by allergens such as grass, tree and ragweed pollen and leads to wheezing breath, coughing and shortness of breath. Head of the study, Michelle Epstein of the Experimental Allergy Laboratory of the University Clinic for Dermatology of MedUni Vienna explains: "Allergic asthma can be a chronic condition, but often occurs only intermittently, when people come into contact with allergens to which they are sensitized. Seasonal asthma, for example, might be caused by tree pollen in the spring when the pollen are in the air, leading to asthma attacks in people who otherwise exhibit no problems with their lungs". "Our study shows for the first time that Th2-TRMs are found in the lungs for over 600 days and proves that once memory is established in lungs after the first episode of allergic asthma, memory T cells are maintained for a lifetime.", she adds. Up to 200,000 memory cells in the lungs The MedUni Vienna team examined the Th2-TRMs in the lungs of mice with allergic asthma during remission and tracked them after contact with the allergen. Once most T-cells in the animal were eliminated, the immune cells were blocked to prevent them from migrating out of the lungs. The researchers discovered that approximately 150,000 to 200,000 memory cells were in the lungs, which represents a mere fraction of the 100 million lung cells, and that these cells did not migrate from the lung, but were activated to react to the inhaled allergen. These results could explain why the majority of the patients with allergic asthma remain allergic throughout their entire life and that, if the patients are constantly exposed to the allergen, the number of Th2-TRMs possibly increases upon further contact with the allergen, leading to more severe asthma. Co-author Sahar Kazemi, PhD-Student in the Experimental Allergy Laboratory of the University for Dermatology, explains: "Targeting these memory cells may possibly lead to therapies for patients suffering from allergic asthma. New strategies could be aimed at the Th2-TRMs. However, a method has to be found to selectively eliminate only these cells without affecting other memory T cells which protect us from bacteria and viruses." Asthma as a health policy issue The annual economic burden due to allergic asthma in the EU is estimated at an amount between 55 and 151 billion Euro. Therefore, new innovative treatment methods would help to reduce these costs significantly. Source: https://www.meduniwien.ac.at/web/en/about-us/news/detailsite/2019/news-im-april-2019/the-lungs-never-forget-specialised-t-cells-remember-allergens/ In 2000, the USA achieved a milestone public health victory by eliminating measles, a disease characterized by fever, coryza (catarrh), conjunctivitis, coughing, and a rash. However, the CDC recorded 555 reported measles cases between January and April 2019 across 20 states in the USA. Several other countries have also reported a resurgence in the disease, some have even banned unvaccinated children from schools. Thus, the question must be asked, are we going backward? Kaspars Grinvalds | Shutterstock Measles is transmitted by respiratory droplets that can be viable in the air for 2 hours. It is a highly contagious disease that typically spreads from one person to 9-18 other people. The risk of contracting the disease if you are unvaccinated is 90%. Whilst most patients recover from the disease after a few weeks, around 1 in 1000 patients experience serious and fatal complications that affect the CNS. Devastatingly, around 70,000 people still die from measles every year, despite the widespread availability of highly effective vaccines that can provide up to 97% protection with two doses. Vaccination rates plummeted after a paper described a link between the vaccine and autism, and numbers have been slow to recover, despite several large cohort studies proving that there is no link between the diseases. Minor side effects include a sore arm and fever, and in rare cases (5%), a reduction in platelet count. Although the measles vaccine has prevented 21 million deaths over the world since 2000, there has been a resurgence in cases, with a 31% increase between 2016 and 2017. In several European countries, the virus has re-established itself where previously its transmission was stopped. Herd immunity: Protection in numbers Herd immunity refers to a population wherein a sufficient number of persons have been vaccinated, providing protection for unvaccinated individuals. In the case of measles, 95% of the population is required to be effectively protected for preventing the resurgence of measles. The UK is close to this number, with 91.2% children receiving the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine between 2017-2018, but the threshold is clear, at 95%. The absence of herd immunity can put an entire community at risk. For example, a single child in Shanghai in 2015 led to the infection of 23 other children. Fifty percent of those infected children ended up with severe complications and it was fatal in 21% of children. The risk of complication is highest in people whose immunity has been compromised. In such cases, measles may cause more severe complications that have not yet been documented, including giant-cell pneumonia and measles inclusion body encephalitis. Patients most at risk of such extreme responses are those with HIV, cancer, organ transplants, and patients receiving high-dose glucocorticoids and immunomodulators. These people cannot be protected safely using live-attenuated vaccines and have to depend on herd immunity to protect themselves against the measles infection. Are we going backward? Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, measles is fast emerging as a large public health issue. The growing anti-vaccine movement threatens to derail the progress made to eradicate measles and puts the world behind by a decade in its efforts to combat this disease. As Catholic health care systems across the country expand, the University of California's flagship San Francisco hospital has become the latest arena for an emotional debate: Should the famously progressive medical center increase its treatment space by joining forces with a Catholic-run system that restricts care according to religious doctrine? At issue is a proposal that UCSF Medical Center affiliate with Dignity Health, a massive Catholic health care system that, like other Catholic chains, is bound by ethical and religious directives from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Among other prohibitions on services, Dignity hospitals ban abortions unless the mother's life is at risk, in vitro fertilization and physician-assisted death. Twenty-four of Dignity's 39 hospitals prohibit contraception services and gender-confirming care for transgender people, such as hormone therapy and surgical procedures. The affiliation would not keep UCSF from performing such procedures at its own medical center and outpatient clinics, and both entities would remain independent. UC doctors with practicing privileges at Dignity would be free to discuss all treatment options and could refer patients to other facilities when necessary. But they would have to abide by Dignity's care restrictions while practicing at Dignity hospitals. For opponents of the plan, the issue boils down to a clear-cut principle: How can a public hospital that has been a leader in women's health care and medical services for the gay and transgender community partner with a private system that not only denies such services but also casts them as immoral? "It feels really concerning to me that our university that has been a fierce advocate for womens health and LGBTQ health would be affiliating with a corporation that doesn't support those values and restricts care," said Dr. Jody Steinauer, who directs UCSF's Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health. The two systems already have a relationship among several departments, including neurology, cardiology and adolescent psychology. This new affiliation would formalize the collaboration at Dignity's four Bay Area hospitals and could expand services to departments including cancer care and cardiology, which would be staffed by UCSF physicians. The proposal has sharply split faculty and medical staff at UCSF, who are airing their differences in impassioned letters and heated public forums. Participants on both sides include national figures renowned in their specialty fields. Supporters of a closer alliance with Dignity say it's an easy way to add capacity to a public health care system that is strapped for bed space and turning away more than 800 patients a year. They also note that Dignity is California's largest private provider for patients with Medi-Cal, the state-federal insurance program for the poor. "So much health care is being delivered in this country by faith-based organizations. For us to not participate with them seems like a missed opportunity," Mark Laret, president and CEO of UCSF Health, told a December meeting of the UC Board of Regents, which must decide the issue. The agreement could include a new labor and delivery unit based at Dignity's St. Francis Memorial Hospital, which would be staffed by non-UCSF obstetricians. That would let Dignity absorb more patients with low-risk pregnancies, leaving UCSF time and space to deal with more complex cases, said Dr. Dana Gossett, a UCSF obstetrician-gynecologist who has been part of the negotiations with Dignity. "I feel a little like women's health has been portrayed as a casualty of this negotiating," said Gossett. "But as someone who works in labor and delivery and is in the trenches every day, I see it differently. I see the damages our capacity problems have on women right now because we haven't expanded our capacity enough to meet the need." Of particular concern to opponents of the affiliation are two recent lawsuits against Dignity filed by the American Civil Liberties Union. In one case, a woman was denied a tubal ligation following a cesarean section delivery at a Dignity facility in Redding, Calif. In another, a transgender man was denied a hysterectomy after a Dignity facility in Sacramento learned the procedure was part of his plan to align his gender identity and body. In March, Steinauer, the head of the Bixby Center, joined more than 1,500 UCSF faculty members, residents, students and alumni in signing a letter opposing the affiliation. "Our affiliation with [Dignity] not only compromises the safety and quality of our patient care, but also threatens the integrity of our reputation as a provider of evidence-based care in an inclusive environment free of bias and discrimination," they wrote. UCSF is hardly the first public hospital to wrestle with the question of Catholic health care. Catholic hospital systems now oversee 1 in 6 acute care hospital beds in the U.S., according to MergerWatch, a nonprofit group that tracks hospital consolidation. And the number of hospitals that are Catholic-owned or -affiliated increased by 22% from 2001 to 2016. Earlier this year, Dignity Health joined forces with another system called Catholic Health Initiatives in a merger approved by both the California Department of Justice and the Vatican. The resulting $29 billion system, CommonSpirit Health, has 119 acute care hospitals and is now the largest nonprofit hospital system in the country, according to MergerWatch. As health systems across the country scramble to merge and affiliate to gain market share, Catholic health systems have become an appealing partner for some secular hospitals, even when values diverge. In a highly consolidated region like Northern California, partnership options are limited. The University of Michigan is affiliated with two Catholic systems: Trinity Health and Ascension. The University of Washington affiliated with the Catholic nonprofit PeaceHealth in 2013. Entanglements between secular and Catholic hospitals have presented problems, said Lois Uttley, who runs MergerWatch. During a trial affiliation between secular Sierra Vista Regional Health Center and the Catholic Carondelet Health Network, both in Arizona, obstetricians initially were told they could perform tubal ligations, only to be told later they needed to stop. The partnership was dissolved. The UCSF administration said a formal affiliation is necessary to expand services and increase revenue. Dignity is already an important part of UCSF's Canopy Health, a network of doctors and hospitals that can earn bonuses for delivering medical care more efficiently under a program created by the Affordable Care Act. Canopy Health aims to provide care for upwards of 200,000 patients within a few years. The details of the arrangement are being worked out, but under discussion is the possibility that UCSF will get a financial stake in the affiliated Dignity hospitals, according to UCSF administrators. The arrangement would provide "a revenue flow to support some of our money-losing programs," UCSF's Laret told the UC Regents this month. "There really is not a good alternative from our standpoint," he added. "If we have to disengage from our partnership with Dignity, forget UCSF, I think that it's catastrophic for the health care delivery system in San Francisco." Dignity, meanwhile, would benefit from the inflow of patients at hospitals that often operate under capacity. UCSF has promised workarounds to avoid potential conflicts where Dignity's hospitals prohibit services. Patients would be informed upfront about which services are not provided at Dignity facilities, for example, so they could choose to go to their preferred hospital. No UCSF staff would be asked to provide obstetric or reproductive services at Catholic facilities. And if patients at a Dignity hospital needed a prohibited service, they could be transferred to UCSF. In an emailed statement, Dr. Todd Strumwasser, a Dignity Health senior vice president, wrote that "physicians practicing at Dignity Health hospitals may discuss all treatment options with patients" and "facilitate access" to another site when a Dignity hospital does not provide a certain service. "In a situation in which a pregnant woman's life is in danger, life-saving procedures that may result in termination of the pregnancy will be performed." Such policies, however, are subject to changes by the bishops who set the rules at Catholic hospitals, said Lori Freedman, a UCSF professor who studies reproductive health care at Catholic hospitals. "We don't know what the future really looks like," Freedman said. "Sometimes workarounds don't stick around." insights from industry Brad Harrison & Artem Egorov Business Development Manager & Application Director Lumex Instruments An interview with Brad Harrison and Artem Egorov, discussing the importance of protecting consumer health through developing instruments that can analyze levels of common, but potentially lethal, compounds in food and beverages. This interview was conducted at Pittcon 2019 and focuses on the demonstrations that Lumex Instruments carried out on the expo floor. Why is it important to determine the amount of caffeine, ascorbic acid, and preservatives in every day, non-alcoholic beverages? Artem: Many compounds that are lethal at higher concentrations can be found at low levels in everyday drink and food items. For example, many manufacturers use toxic chemicals to remove the caffeine from coffee and sell it as a decaffeinated product. Image Credit: Zodiacphoto/Shutterstock.com A single drink poses no health risks, but an entire days worth of coffee could contain potentially harmful levels of process chemicals such as methylene chloride. Excessive consumption of this compound has been linked to headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Hence, it is important to analyze the levels of such compounds in everyday beverages. What is the Capel-205 system and how does it compare with traditional analysis techniques? Artem: Traditionally, beverages were analyzed using UV spectroscopy. Nowadays, people typically use HPLC or capillary electrophoresis, which in my opinion, is a more accurate and successful technique. Capel-205 is a multifunctional capillary electrophoresis system that can be used to analyze a range of compounds, from caffeine to synthetic dyes (food coloring) to preservatives such as benzoic acid. Companies are required by law to measure each of these compounds separately, which is expensive and time-consuming to do if you are using UV spectroscopy. The Capel-205 can screen for all of the required compounds in ten minutes or less. Moreover, operating the instrument is easy and samples are less likely to be damaged as preparation is simple. Compared to HPLC, the Capel-205 doesnt require any high-pressure pumps or specialist materials, making it cheaper and easier to use on a day-to-day basis. Our technology is also faster than current HPLC instruments on the market. Capillary electrophoresis system Capel-205 by Lumex Instruments Play Why is it important to monitor mercury levels in the food and beverage industry? Brad: Mercury is a metal that naturally occurs at very low levels in many everyday products. It is a neurotoxin that at low levels, affects mood and memory. The build-up of mercury over time can lead to neuromuscular issues and mood swings, and at extremely high levels, a complete loss of motor function and cognitive ability, which is often fatal. It is therefore essential to monitor the levels of mercury in all food and drink items, especially those marketed for children. Why are hair samples used to analyze mercury exposure? Artem: Ideally, you need a blood sample to determine the amount of mercury a person has been exposed to, but we cant really do this at Pittcon! Instead, we are demonstrating the power of our RA-915M mercury analyzer using hair samples, which can be used to screen for mercury in the human body and act as micro surfaces for compounds we consume and inhale from the atmosphere. Mercury is an extremely challenging compound for analysis using traditional methods, so we wanted to develop an instrument that addresses this issue. The RA-915M uses a tiny amount of analyte and no reagent, preparation, or specialist skills, with results in just two minutes. How are Lumex Instruments helping to make mercury testing fast and easy for scientists? Artem: The body is not the only place where mercury testing is needed. For example, seafood is known to be high in mercury, as well as light bulbs and batteries. Our goal is to provide consumers with an instrument that can be used to measure mercury in any system, such as the air, the soil in your backyard, or your own body. Mercury levels are naturally high in shellfish. Image Credit: Oksana Mizin/Shutterstock.com Please can you tell me about the demonstrations you are carrying out at Pittcon 2019? Artem: We chose to showcase the RA-915M and Capel-205 products through demonstrations at Pittcon so people could really see the instruments in action. As mentioned previously, the RA-915M, which provides direct mercury measurements down to PPB levels without pretreatment, was used to measure mercury in the hair of Pittcon delegates. This machine generates a peak that can be analyzed using our software to determine the concentration of mercury in a sample. Similarly, the Capel-205 system, which can be used to analyze a range of potentially harmful compounds in everyday food and beverages, was used to analyze drinks like coffee or sodas. We asked Pittcon delegates to bring along a beverage and have it tested on the expo floor. The running time for this instrument is around 10 minutes and data is generated for a whole range of compounds, including caffeine and ascorbic acid, for example. Whats next for Lumex Instruments? Brad: Our main goal is to understand the needs of our customers and evolve with the industry as a whole. At Pittcon this year, the trend has been small, portable instruments that do not compromise on the resolution, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this field through our mercury analyzer. Coming to Pittcon enables us to connect with our customers and understand the challenges that they are having, and then respond with new instrumentation that addresses those issues. Where can readers find more information? Find out more about food and beverage analysis using the Capel-205 or mercury testing using the RA-915M. About Artem Egorov Artem has more than 25 years of experience in analytical chemistry. His focus is instrumental analysis in spectroscopic and separation areas. For over 20 years of his work with Lumex Instruments, he has been responsible for R&D, application, and technical support. About Brad Harrison Brad has over 26 years in medical diagnostics with companies such as Roche Diagnostics, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Abbott Diagnostics. Brad has experience in customer relations, project management, and business development across Canada and internationally for medical devices. About Lumex Instruments For almost 30 years, Lumex Instruments has been developing and manufacturing laboratory and industrial analytical equipment, instruments, and procedures. Our products are used for environmental control, water and wastewater treatment, agriculture, food and beverage quality and safety control, energy industry, and pharmaceutical and biochemical applications. Lumex Instruments offers more than 120 applications for the measurement of organic and inorganic chemicals in liquid, solid and gas. Lumex Instruments' product line includes capillary electrophoresis systems, PCR analyzers, atomic absorption spectrometers (including mercury analyzers and monitors), FTIR and NIR Spectrometers, fluorimeters and more. Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena has confirmed that CPM panchayat member's fake vote was cast in Kannur on April 23, the third phase of polling. A CCTV footage of people voting multiple times in the Pilathara booth of Payyannur was aired by television channels recently. A woman was seen wiping the indelible ink on her index finger immediately after it was marked. Later, she was seen casting her vote for the second time. The video was released by the UDF, accusing the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) of resorting to bogus voting fearing defeat.The Election Commission has sent a notice to Union minister Giriraj Singh for his controversial and polarising comments at an election rally. The veteran BJP leader, who has been pitched against former student leader Kanhaiya Kumar from Begusarai, said, "I would like to say, Giriraj Singh's ancestors died and were cremated. You need a yard of land even after you die, for the burial of your mortal remains. If you say you cannot chant Vande Mataram, this nation will never forget you."Hitting out at Mamata Banerjee over 'mud rasgulla' remark, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that mud from the land of heros is prasad for him. The reaction came two days after the West Bengal chief minister targeted Modi saying the state will send him sweets made of soil and instead of cashews and raisins, put pebbles in it that will break his teeth.The BSF constable who was dismissed in 2017 after he posted a video online complaining about the food served to the troops will now contest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a Samajwadi Party ticket. The former jawan had earlier planned to contest the election as an independent candidate.Tej Bahadur announced after filing his nomination form today that he would contest on the SP symbol, and soon after the party too confirmed that it had replaced that Shalini Yadav as its candidate from the high-profile seat. Shalini Yadav had filed her nomination on the party symbol earlier.Prime Minister Narendra Modi "cautioned" first-time voters in Jharkhand against the 'Mission Mahamilavat', the term coined by him for the opposition alliance, saying they do not want that a government with absolute majority is formed at any cost. "Congress wants a weak government they can remote control," Modi said.Actor and BJP candidate Sunny Deol Monday filed his nomination from the Gurdaspur seat in Punjab after paying obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar today. Sporting a navy blue turban and wearing a blue shirt, the 62-year-old offered prayers at the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple.The Supreme Court has accepted to grant an urgent hearing to Congress MP Sushmita Dev on the Election Commission of India delaying action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah for alleged poll code violations. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said it would hear the petition on Tuesday after Dev cited eight Model Code of Conduct violations by Modi and Shah.As voting began Monday for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls in 72 parliamentary constituencies spread across nine states, the campaign action will shift into the next gear for the next phase.While Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold two rallies in West Bengal and one in Jharkhand, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi is in Rajasthan, where he will address three public meetings.In his rally, the Prime Minister is expected to respond to the caste cannons being thrown at him by opposition leaders, who have accused him of being a fake backward just to garner votes. On Sunday, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and P Chidambaram had questioned his caste status, a day after the lead was taken by BSP chief Mayawati.Meanwhile, Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu has claimed that he would quit politics if Congress chief Rahul Gandhi loses the Lok Sabha election from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi faces a tough fight from Smriti Irani in the family bastion, from where he had defeated her in 2014 as well.On Monday, polling is being held in 17 seats in Maharashtra, 13 each in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, eight in West Bengal, six each in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, five in Bihar, three in Jharkhand and a part of the Anantnag constituency in Jammu and Kashmir. Click here for all the latest updates on phase 4 voting. [Editors note: This column contains spoilers from Sunday nights episode of Game of Thrones.] The Battle of Winterfell delivered. I woke up Monday morning still processing Sundays Game of Thrones episode featuring the long-awaited fight between the living and the dead. The Night King and his army finally arrived, and our heroes spent most of the 80-minute running time fighting for their survival. And, in the end, they actually won, something I did not see coming. At all. I was prepared for some of my favorite characters to die as the good guys lost this particular battle against the White Walkers, and for the war to continue in the series final three episodes (perhaps it had something to do with my desire to watch Cersei taken down by a horde of wights). So you can imagine my surprise when Arya swooped in to kill the Night King, wiping out all the White Walkers and wights, and ending what had long been billed as the Great War. The entire episode was thrilling, when I could see and decipher what was going on, but I still feel a little underwhelmed when reflecting on it as a whole. All that build-up, all that talk about the army of the dead, and, just like that, theyre gone. I really wanted to see Cersei taken down by a horde of wights. The opening shot was amazing, as we watched our heroes grimly preparing for battle. Lyanna Mormont shouting orders, Tyrion grabbing a bag before retreating to the crypts, just as Theon and the Ironborn soldiers walk by with Bran. Samwell wringing his hands as he makes his way to the front lines. It was ominous and a perfect way to start the episode, which kept me guessing until nearly the last moment. But, like many who aired their complaints on social media, I also struggled with the dark lighting throughout the episode. It was frustrating at times, especially as I lost track of characters such as Tormund, Brienne and Podrick. But it also was incredibly effective at putting us directly into the chaos of the battle. Melisandre showing up just before it began was a nice touch, and who didnt get chills when she lit up the swords of the Dothraki fighters? I still dont quite understand the strategy of the Dothraki, led by Jorah, charging into the darkness, where the army of the dead waited. Wouldnt it have made more sense to just stay put and wait for them to make their move? But the results their flaming swords going out one by one as they essentially disappeared in the darkness was terrifying. If the Dothraki are so easily beaten, where do we go from here? From there, chaos reigned as we got glimpses of everyone in the thick of it. Wed get brief moments of reprieve the first time Dany and Jon show up on Drogon and Rhaegal, torching wights to help the fighters on the ground but then something would happen to show how outnumbered the good guys were. The dragons could have been used to better effect, though, right? I know the plan was to go for the Night King as he went for Bran, but I still think Dany and Jon couldve hung around the main battle a bit longer. While it feels like a bit of a cop-out that so many characters who seemed marked for death last week survived (Brienne, Jaime, Greyworm, my man Tormund), Im not going to complain. I truly expected to be sobbing through the episode as they all met grisly fates. Knowing theyre alive to fight another day, or at least another episode, makes this super-fan sleep much easier. I was so stressed out by the battle that when the episodes major deaths did happen Theon protecting Bran, and Jorah in the arms of his Khaleesi I couldnt even cry. I was too nervous about what would happen next. All in all, and quibbles aside, Id say the episode came down to a series of moments that were simply iconic. There were so many of them. The Dothraki swords lighting up. The first glimpse of the Night King, flying atop the zombified Viserion. Melisandre lighting up the trench just in time. Lyanna Mormont charging at the giant and somehow still managing to get a death blow in while it squeezed the life out of her. Man, am I going to miss that girl. Both exchanges between Tyrion and Sansa as they hid in the crypts (they werent as safe as everyone said, huh?), first bantering about their ill-fated marriage, then later hiding together. Dany attempting to end everything by burning the Night King, only to find out dragonfire cant stop him. And that smirk he gave her afterward. I loved watching Arya in action throughout the episode, first fighting the wights with her fancy new weapon before her facade cracked and the fear came through. That scene of her in the library, using her assassin skills to evade the wights, was horrifying (it reminded me of that iconic Jurassic Park kitchen scene). I finally had to cover my eyes until it was over. The moment when she realized what she had to do, after a brief conversation with Melisandre, was another highlight. What do we say to the god of death? Melisandre asked the young Stark, who went stone-faced and uttered her reply: Not today. Chills! (Seriously, though, if Melisandre knew the role Arya would play the entire time, why not show up a bit earlier and tell everyone, so they could plan more effectively?) Now we turn to the next war, for the Iron Throne. Previews show Dany talking about taking it back from Cersei. But after the brutal battle they just endured, its hard to imagine anyone having the stomach for another fight, especially considering most of her army is gone. Will her actions in the battle endear her to the Northmen who have sworn they wouldnt bend the knee to any ruler again? Will reluctant leader Jon try to stake his claim on the throne? Will Dany go mad like her father? And will someone, anyone, please take care of Cersei? Rabbi Eric Wisnia said he will never forget the number 83526. That is a number that means a lot to me, Wisnia said. Its not a zip code. That is the number that the Nazis tattooed on my fathers arm. Wisnia a rabbi from New Jersey was the keynote speaker at an interfaith Holocaust Remembrance service Sunday afternoon at the Agudath Sholom Synagogue on Langhorne Road. Wisnias father David Wisnia was taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1942 at the age of 16 and survived almost three years in the concentration camp before escaping his captors and being taken in by the U.S. Armys 101st Airborne Division in 1944. The Nazis tried to reduce my father to a number, Wisnia said Sunday. They failed. They failed because he was a human being. We are all human beings. Sundays event which was organized by several organizations including the synagogue, First Christian Church of Lynchburg and the Holocaust Education Foundation of Central Virginia paid tribute to the approximately 11 million people, including at least 6 million Jews, who perished during the Holocaust. We are here to remember one of the darkest moments in human history, said David Mass, president of the Agudath Sholom congregation. We are living in a time where there is a tremendous amount of misinformation about the Holocaust and that is why Holocaust education is so important. However, we have people from multiple faiths and backgrounds getting together today for one common good, Mass said. To ensure nothing like this will ever happen again. Patti Worsham a teacher at E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg and the president of the Holocaust Education Foundation brought several students to Sundays event to read poetry the students had written about the holocaust. How important it is for our young people to learn about the past, Worsham said. In a time where we bemoan the lack of empathy from our youth, there still are some fine minds embracing the lessons of the past. Rabbi John Nimon of the Agudath Sholom Synagogue pointed out there was a police car parked in front of the synagogue Sunday because of Saturdays synagogue shooting in Poway, California where a gunman killed 60-year-old Lori Kaye and wounded three others and the Oct. 27, 2018, synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which claimed the lives of 11 people. I want to point out that there is law enforcement outside, Nimon said. Not because I believe there is a threat but because this is the new reality for many synagogues today. Wisnia agreed. We were worried about whether anyone would show up today, Wisnia said to the more than 100 people who attended the event. I was relieved when we saw all of you coming through the doors. We cannot let terror win. I am lighting a candle for Lori Kaye today because even though her life was snuffed out her memory lives on, he said. Even though the Holocaust took so many of my people, their memories will continue to live on. Wisnia said the Holocaust as well as the recent synagogue attacks in the U.S. happened because of inherent mistrust of strangers. Martin Luther King Jr. said he wanted to judge people by the content of their character and not by the color of there skin, Wisnia said. I think that makes for a great religious leader. We are all people and if we dont stop judging others by their race, religion, sexual orientation or political beliefs there will continue to be insane people that are going to kill the stranger because they are different. Wisnia said the power to prevent something like the Holocaust lies within each individual living today. God is not going to do it for us, Wisnia said. I know this because I have spent years praying for the world to get better. It hasnt. When I talk about the Holocaust I say never again, Wisnia said. It will never happen again when we all stand up together against people preaching hate. God has no hands but our hands. If we want the world to be a better place then we hold that better world in our hands. Estelle Lafferty of Lynchburg said she found Wisnias message thoroughly inspirational. I am a Christian, but I feel God led me to a synagogue today to make me realize a simple truth, Lafferty said. We are all Gods children and we have to come together as his children. We have to come together before hateful people are allowed to repeat the sins of the past. Shannon Keith covers Bedford County for The News & Advance. Reach him at (434) 385-5530. BEDFORD A Bedford man who prosecutors said shot his girlfriend five times last week after a fight over car manufacturers escalated was denied bond Monday in Bedford County. Mark Edwin Turner, 56, was arrested early the morning of April 23 after he barricaded himself in a residence on Shepherd Lane for more than two hours, according to the Bedford County Sheriffs Office. He was charged with two counts of malicious wounding, one count of using a firearm in a felony and one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. Turner was at a family dinner with his girlfriend, her adult son and the sons girlfriend the previous night, according to Bedford Commonwealths Attorney Wes Nance. At a hearing Monday in Bedford General District Court, Nance said there was drinking involved and Turner started arguing with his girlfriends adult son about the merits of Chevrolet versus Ford. The fight escalated, with Turner producing a knife and then a handgun, according to Nance. In an ensuing scuffle, Turner ended up shooting his girlfriend five times and his girlfriends son once. They suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries. After the shooting, Turner ran back inside the house, where Nance said he remained after law enforcement showed up. Turner appeared to be heavily intoxicated, according to Nance, and was seen in the house walking around with a gun while law enforcement tried to negotiate with him to come out. Nance mentioned theres a significant opportunity for additional charges from the shooting. Judge Randy Krantz denied Turners request for bond. Turner is scheduled to appear in Bedford General District Court again on July 5 for a preliminary hearing. 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. More than 600,000 Virginians most of them poor and living on the edges of society owe a debt of gratitude to Sen. Bill Stanley and Gov. Ralph Northam: As of July 1, theyll have their drivers licenses which are currently revoked because of their inability to pay court fines, fees and costs restored, and theyll be able to re-enter society. Stanley, a Franklin County Republican, had proposed a separate bill in the 2019 session of the General Assembly to accomplish the task. The legislation sailed through the Senate but hit a brick wall in the House of Delegates at the hands of Majority Leader Todd Gilbert of Shenandoah. Gilbert took a hard line when the bill came up in committee, decrying it as eliminating any accountability for people who break the law and fail to pay their fines. The majority leader bottled up Stanleys bill in a House committee and killed it. But Stanley, a lawyer in private life whos seen the effects a revoked license can have on the poor, decided to continue his fight. In meetings with Northam and his staff, Stanley broached the idea that the governor, with whom hed served in the Senate, could propose a budget amendment that would accomplish the job. When the Assembly reconvened earlier this month for a one-day veto session, Northams amendment passed the full House on 70-29 vote and the Senate on a 30-8 vote. Addressing this inequity in Virginias court system is a matter of simple justice. Suppose you get pulled over and ticketed for improper equipment, say a broken taillight, or an expired registration. If youre a single mom with a couple of children working a minimum wage job, chances are that fines and court costs might well be the difference between buying bread and sandwich meats for your kids or not. Or it might be what youd pay for the high blood pressure medication you need to stay healthy enough to work and support your family. So you make the choice to put your familys well-being before a court bill yes, its wrong, but on a moral plain, which is the greater good? As the weeks and months go by, the notices and the bills from the court keep coming in the mail. With each one, you become more depressed, dreading going to the mailbox each day. Finally, a notice from the Department of Motor Vehicles arrives telling you that your license has been revoked for failure to pay what is now a hefty bill. You cant legally operate your car now without risk of another ticket and another set of fines and fees. So what do you do? Some folks drive illegally in order to get to work, risking everything for their families, while others, out of fear, lose their jobs and their only means of support and of paying those steadily rising fees. Rent or medicine or food or electricity or the court fees. Its a legal trap state officials say more than 627,000 Virginians are caught in. And the folks who are most affected are the poor who live in rural Virginia where there likely is no public transportation to get to work, the grocery or the doctors office. In other words, the parts of Virginia very much like those Stanley represents. Over the course of his private career and his eight years in the Assembly, Stanley has seen how individuals and their families are affected by license revocation. After a while, its not enough to help one person at a time; you realize its the system that needs to be overhauled. And thats where Bill Stanley was when the 2019 session convened: It was time to help hundreds of thousands of Virginians in one fell swoop, not one at a time. According to Reason magazine, 41 states revoke drivers licenses for failure to pay fines and court fees, but in recent years, theres been a move afoot to abolish the practice. Both conservatives and liberals have come to view the practice as illogical and unfair. Illogical because, in revoking a license, the state removes the very means a person needs to earn a living and try to start working with the court to pay his debt. Unfair because it targets the poorest of the poor and only serves to knock them further down the economic ladder. Contrary to what Stanleys foes insinuated, court debts arent wiped away, nor is license revocation repealed for those whove been charged with dangerous driving infractions. What will happen July 1 is simple: If you have court debt you cant pay, you wont have the only means to earn a living, support your family and work to pay off that debt snatched away from you. Our thanks and the gratitude of 627,000 poor Virginians go out to Sen. Stanley and his allies from across the political spectrum for putting the commonwealth at cutting edge of judicial reform. (Newser) Police investigating five murders in Tennessee on Saturday made an additional horrific find: Two more bodies in one of the two homes that were searched in rural Sumner County. Michael Cummins, the 25-year-old suspect in all seven slayings, was taken into custody after a massive manhunt Saturday night. Police say Cummins was shot in the leg after being cornered in a creek bed about a mile away from where the killings took place, the Tennessean reports. Police believe he is related to at least some of the victims, which include a 12-year-old girl. Authorities say that six bodies and a seriously injured person were found at one home and the body of a woman was found at a second home, where Cummins apparently stole a car. story continues below No motive in the killings has been disclosed. Sheriff Sonny Weatherford has confirmed that Cummins has an extensive criminal record and pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated arson and aggravated assault last year. In 2017, he pleaded guilty to offenses including domestic assault and evading arrest. "We've never had this many deceased people in a criminal case before, Ray Whitley, who has been Sumner County district attorney general for 30 years, tells the New York Times. "It's pretty shocking to everybody." He says no weapon has been recovered. "I think everybody assumed that it was shooting, but that might be a false assumption," he says. (Read more Tennessee stories.) (Newser) An Alabama woman is facing several charges over what police say was an "utterly ridiculous" attempt to scare her allegedly cheating husband. Police in Millbrook say 33-year-old Amber Lewis called 911 to report a burglary Wednesday morning. They say when they responded, they found Lewis and a female friend outside Lewis' home, and the pair told officers they didn't know who was inside. Officers soon determined that the "suspect" was Lewis' husband and arrested her for filing a false police report, the Montgomery Advertiser reports. Police say they also noticed a "pervasive" odor of marijuana inside the home and found marijuana, cocaine, and other drugs inside the home, including in a 5-year-old child's bedroom. story continues below As a result of the drug find, Lewis was charged with second-degree possession of marijuana and chemical endangerment of a child. Her husband was charged with drug possession and her friend was charged with lying to police. "Your guess is as good as mine. She knew her husband was engaged in an extramarital affair and called the police on her husband and told us it was a burglary. What her goal was, I have no idea," Millbrook Police Chief PK Johnson tells the Advertiser. "Bottom line: You lie to the police, you go to jail." Johnson says officers were "absolutely furious" about the situation, especially since a small fire broke out at a nearby school at the same time and officers' ability "to respond to calls for service and assist our fire department was severely handicapped." (Read more Alabama stories.) (Newser) Middletown, Ohio, has a new hero: 8-year-old Chance Blue. Police are using the term after they say Chance saved his 10-year-old sister, Skylar Weaver, from a kidnapper by pulling her out of a moving car. The drama unfolded last week outside a local hospital, with the children in the back seat of a car driven by Nita Coburn, described as either their grandmother or great-grandmother, per WCPO and Fox19. When Coburn exited the car to help her grown daughter into a wheelchair, police say Dalvir Singh jumped into the vehicle and began driving away, with the kids still in the back seat. The 69-year-old Coburn ran after the car and grabbed onto the driver-side door handle. In the meantime, Chance opened his door, but realized the man driving had a hold of sister Skylar's hoodie, say police. He grabbed her, broke the man's grip, and they both tumbled to safety. story continues below What Chance did was extremely heroic, says Middletown Police Officer Connor Kirby. It shows how extremely brave he was and how much he loves his sister. Coburn, however, didn't see the kids tumble out, and continued hanging onto the driver's door, trying to save them. "That car didnt bother me at all," she says. "It was them two babies." She was dragged about four car lengths before losing her grip and hitting the pavement. Coburn was not seriously injured. Police were on the scene quickly and arrested 24-year-old Singh, described as a heroin addict, blocks later. He is charged with two counts of kidnapping, grand theft, and felonious assault, the latter for dragging Coburn. "This little guy is a hero," says Middletown Police Chief Rodney Muterspaw of Chance. "No question." (Read more kidnapping stories.) (Newser) James "Whitey" Bulger was murdered in prisonbut did the Boston gangster actually want to die? That's the theory of the former warden at Florida's Coleman II penitentiary in Sumterville, where Bulger was imprisoned before his ultimately doomed transfer to the Hazelton federal prison in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia. In an interview with NBC News, Charles Lockett explains that Bulger experienced severe chest pains at the Florida prison in February 2018. After a series of tests, the nursing supervisor determined Bulger needed to be seen by a heart doctor at a local hospital; Bulger refused, then threatened the woman, telling her, "I know people. I still have connections back home." That's what caused his prison transfer, which took place in October 2018, to be initiated. The 89-year-old was fatally beaten to death within hours of his arrival at the West Virginia prison. story continues below "Quite frankly, I think he wanted to die," says Lockett, who retired in December. "I think whatever issues he had, he had come to peace with them." In the wake of the murder, many wondered why the elderly Bulgerwhose role as an FBI informant made him a targetwas placed in the general population. But Lockett insists Bulger "demanded to be out in general population" at his new prison. Media outlets have reported other oddities, such as Bulger's medical care level being changed to show an improvement even though there had been none, a change that would have made it easier for prison officials to get him transferred. Lockett, however, says the classification change was made simply because Bulger wouldn't see a specialist. "He didn't want any medical care whatsoever, which is sad," he says. Click for the full interview. (Bulger's lawyer tells a different story.) (Newser) Quick, name the capital of Indonesia. If you said "Jakarta," you win, but not for too much longer. The president of the world's fourth most populous nation has set in motion a plan to move the capital away from Jakarta and, in fact, away from the entire island of Java on which it sits, reports the Jakarta Post. It's not yet clear where the new capital will be located, and the wrangling is expected to take a decade. Jakarta is overcrowded and prone to flooding and sinking, thanks to the aggressive extraction of groundwater, per Reuters. President Joko Widodo also thinks too much of the island archipelago's wealth and power is concentrated in this one place. story continues below We want to have a capital that represents the nations identity and improves the efficiency of the central government and establish a smart, green and beautiful city, says the chief of the nation's planning agency. The island of Borneo is one leading contender for the new capital site, reports the AP. Indonesia has about 260 million people, and more than half live on the island of Java. About 40 million live in or around Jakarta itself, and traffic congestion is notoriously bad. (Read more Indonesia stories.) (Newser) A cost-cutting measure during Indonesia's elections season seems to have been a fatal one. Reuters notes that this year's day at the polls on April 17 was the first time the nation merged its parliamentary and national votes with the presidential one, mainly to save money. That move, however, has come with a sobering cost: More than 270 election workers have been reported dead as of Saturday night by the KPU elections commission, and not from any sort of violence at the polling booths. Instead, the deceased workers succumbed to what a KPU rep says were mainly exhaustion-related illnesses after spending hours counting paper ballots by hand. story continues below Nearly 1,900 other workers fell ill from the overwork, the rep adds. Quartz lays out the math on how the task could have been such a grueling one: About 150 million people are estimated to have voted, and each person could turn in up to five paper ballotsleaving a potential 750 million ballots to be hand-counted. Around 6 million workers were said to be working the booths at around 800,000 polling stations, per CNN. "The KPU is not prudent in managing the workload of staff," a worker for presidential opposition candidate Prabowo Subianto told local media, via Reuters. Meanwhile, they're still counting ballots, with results for the presidential election not expected to be announced until May 22. (The current president plans to move Indonesia's capital.) (Newser) Woodstock 50 is proving to be as chaotic as the original festival held in 1969. A financial investor in the festival announced Monday it was pulling its funding from the anniversary event, set to take place Aug. 16-18 in Watkins Glen, New York. "Despite our tremendous investment of time, effort, and commitment, we don't believe the production of the festival can be executed as an event worthy of the Woodstock Brand name while also ensuring the health and safety of the artists, partners, and attendees," Dentsu Aegis Network's Amplifi Live said in a statement. Representatives for Woodstock 50 or Michael Lang, who co-founded the festival, didn't immediately reply to emails Monday seeking comment, reports the AP. story continues below The anniversary event has had some bumps in the road in the last few weeks. Tickets were originally supposed to go on sale last week, but that was postponed to a date TBD. And some of the performers leaked to the press ahead of its announcement. Jay-Z, Dead & Company, and the Killers were announced as headliners at the event, to take place about 115 miles northwest of the original site. More than 80 artists, including John Fogerty, Miley Cyrus, Santana, Imagine Dragons, Chance the Rapper, and Janelle Monae, are expected to perform on three main stages at Watkins Glen International racetrack in the Finger Lakes for Woodstock 50. The event is separate from an anniversary concert with performances by Ringo Starr, Fogerty and Santana planned at the site of the original festival in 1969. (Read more Woodstock stories.) (Newser) "No money was paid to North Korea for Otto Warmbier, not two Million Dollars, not anything else," President Trump insisted on Friday. That may be the case, but the former North Korea envoy tells CNN he did indeed sign an agreement to pay Pyongyang $2 million for Warmbier's hospital care, and he believes his authorization to do so came from Trump. Joseph Yun never interacted with the president. But as the State Department Special Representative for North Korea, he said he contacted his boss at the timeRex Tillersonand told him the North was insisting on the payment. Tillerson "got back to me very quickly thereafter to say yes, go ahead and sign." story continues below Though he did not ask Tillerson, Yun's "understanding" was that Tillerson had gotten Trump's OK. National security adviser John Bolton wasn't part of the administration at the time but confirmed on Sunday that he was told a pledge was indeed signed. When asked by Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday whether the payment has ever been made, Bolton said, "Absolutely not, and that's the key point." Yun told CNN that he thought the US should honor the agreement and pay. (Read more Otto Warmbier stories.) (Newser) A terror plot by an Army veteran who converted to Islam and planned to bomb a white supremacist rally in Southern California as retribution for the New Zealand mosque attacks was thwarted, federal prosecutors said Monday. Mark Domingo, 26, an infantryman who served a combat stint in Afghanistan, was arrested by federal agents Friday while finalizing plans to plant a bomb at a Nazi rally that had been scheduled Sunday in Long Beach, the AP reports. Domingo was arrested on a charge of providing material support to terrorists and a criminal complaint said he had been planning since March to "manufacture and use a weapon of mass destruction in order to commit mass murder." story continues below Court papers show that Domingo discussed with an informant different types of attacks that included targeting Jews, churches, and police officers. Domingo allegedly said he wanted revenge for attacks on mosques in New Zealand that killed 50 people last month. Domingo allegedly bought parts, including nails, for an improvised explosive device that would be remotely triggered, but in fact contained inert materials, FBI agent Tasha Coolidge said in an affidavit filed in US District Court in Los Angeles. If they survived the planned bombing at Bluff Park, Domingo discussed launching further attacks on the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles or on a train. White nationalists never showed up to the planned event in Bluff Park, but a large group of counter protesters demonstrated. (Coast Guard officer accused of plotting terror attack to be released.) Sorry! This content is not available in your region New Delhi: TN 10th Result 2019: The DDay is finally here for the candidates who have appeared for TN 10th SSLC examination. The TNDGE or Tamil Nadu Directorate of Government Examinations has announced the TN SSLC (Class 10) 2019 results today. The students can now visit the official website tnresults.nic.in to check and download their TN SSLC Result 2019. Among the top performances are Tirupur district with 98.53% pass percentage. Ramnathapuram is second with 98.48% and Namakal third with. 98.45% pass percentage. This year, TN SSLC exams were held from 14th March to 29th March. The results have sealed the fate of 10 lakh students. The students who have appeared for the examinations can visit this page to get all the latest updates. In this article, we have provided all the information related to the Tamil Nadu Board Class 10 examination. For the convenience of the students, we have mentioned the steps through which they can check their SSLC Result 2019: Step 1: Visit the official website of TN Board i.e. tnresults.nic.in. Step 2: Enter your admit card number and other important information. Step 3: Click on the submit button. Step 4: Your Tamil Nadu 10th Result 2019 will be displayed on the computer screen. Step 5: Check your TN SSC Result 2019 carefully. Step 6: Download the result or take a printout for a future reference. Last year a total of 10, 01,140 students had appeared for the SSLC Class 10 exam, out of which 4, 74,340 were males and 4, 76,340 females. The overall pass percentage was 94.50 percent, which is expected to increase this year. New Delhi: In one of the most stinging attack against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today claimed that 40 Trinamool Congress lawmakers were in touch with him. In an open warning, PM Modi claimed that these lawmakers will leave Mamatas side on May 23, when the results of the Lok Sabha Elections are declared. Addressing a rally Bengals Srirampur, Pm Modi said that, Didi, on 23 May when the results will come, lotus will bloom everywhere and your MLAs will leave you. Even today, Didi, 40 of your MLAs are in contact with me. This is for the first time that Prime Minister has made such a claim, though he has attacked the Trinamool chief regularly. On April 24, Prime Minister had taken a jibe at the Trinamool Congress Chief her "sticker Didi" who labels central welfare schemes as those of her own government. Modi had in his earlier poll meetings in the state called Banerjee, who is among his fiercest critics, "speed breaker Didi" for allegedly blocking implementation of central schemes in the state. He often refers to Banerjee as Didi. "Speedbreaker Didi is also sticker Didi. She just puts a sticker on central schemes like free electricity or ration for the people to claim that these benefits are from the state government," he said at a rally at Ranaghat in the border district of Nadia. He claimed that Banerjee has betrayed the people of Bengal, who gave her "so much trust and respect" and the the reason why the electorate had voted the Left out of power and supported has not been fulfilled by her yet. Banerjee had swept to power in 2011 after defeating the Left Front who had been in power for 34 long years in the state. New Delhi: Bollywood actor Sunny Deol, who recently joined the BJP, filed his nomination from Punjabs Gurdaspur on Monday. His brother and actor Bobby Deol was also present at the district office as the Gadar star filed his papers for the Lok Sabha Elections. Earlier in the day, Deol had gone to the Golden Temple and paid obeisance at the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. Sporting a navy blue turban and wearing a blue shirt, the 62-year-old offered prayers at the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple. He also offered prayers at the Durgiana Temple. The BJP has fielded Sunny Deol, a Jat Sikh, from Gurdaspur constituency. Deol is pitted against sitting MP and Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar, AAP's Peter Masih and PDA's Lal Chand in electoral fight from Gurdaspur seat. After filling his nomination papers, Deol will be addressing a rally at PDA ground in Gurdaspur. Senior leadership of the BJP and the SAD will also be present in the rally. After the rally, he will leave for Mumbai for casting his vote. Currently, the Gurdaspur constituency is represented by Congress MP Sunil Jakhar, who won the seat in the 2017 bypoll, which was necessitated after the death of Vinod Khanna in April that year. The Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat had been represented by late actor Vinod Khanna for four-times--1998, 1999, 2004 and 2014. Jakhar had defeated BJP candidate Swaran Salaria by a whopping margin of 1,93,219. Before filing his nomination, Deol met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. Taking to Twitter, Modi appreciated Deol's "humility and deep sense of passion for a better India" while posting a picture with the latter. The tweet also includes a famous dialogue from Deol's 2001 period action drama film Gadar - 'Hindustan Zindabad Tha, Hai, Aur Rahega'. "What struck me about Sunny Deol is his humility and deep passion for a better India. Happy to have met him today. We are all rooting for his victory in Gurdaspur. Hindustan Zindabad Tha, Hai, Aur Rahega," Modi captioned the photo where the two can be seen smiling and shaking hands with each other. While Modi was wearing a yellow kurta along with a matching saffron-white scarf, Deol is seen donning a white shirt and blue denim jeans in the picture. (With PTI inputs) New Delhi: The Election Commission on Monday issued a show-cause notice to Union Minister and senior BJP leader Giriraj Singh for his communal remarks. The notice has been issued over his controversial remarks against Muslims at a rally on April 24 in GD College, Begusarai. According to reports, the Singh has been 24 hours to respond to the notice. The poll panel said, prima facie, the union minister violated provisions of the model code and directions of the Supreme Court which had said that religion cannot be used while making statements during campaigning. Taking suo motu cognizance, the Begusarai district administration in Bihar had on April 25 booked Singh for violating the model code of conduct and the Representation of the People Act. Addressing the rally in Begusarai, Singh had said, " Who don't say Vande Mataram, can't worship motherland. My father and grandfather died by banks of Ganga and did not need a grave. But you need three-arm's-length of land. If you don't do it, the country will never forgive you." A few days ago he said while campaigning in his constituency that political parties in the country should be prohibited from having flags which were green in colour since these resembled the emblem of Pakistan. The firebrand BJP leader has courted controversy on a number of occasions on account of his hyper-nationalistic outbursts which also underscore his Hindutva hardline. His comment ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls that those opposed to Narendra Modi deserved to be deported to Pakistan has led to much lampooning. His repeated assertions that Hindus are running out of patience because of the delay in the Supreme Court delivering its verdict on Ayodhya dispute has often left his own government embarrassed. Lucknow: Voter turnout for the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh which went to the polls on Monday was recorded at 57.58 per cent, slightly lower than in 2014. According to the state's Chief Electoral Officer Venkateshwar Lu, 57.88 per cent votes were cast when polling closed at 6 pm. The final percentage in the fourth phase of polling is expected to go up as there were still people in queues at polling booths after closing time, and they will be allowed to cast their vote. In 2014, the turnout was 58.39 per cent over the same 13 constituencies. Opposition Samajwadi Party's alleged that many EVMs malfunctioned and in Kannauj several SP workers were prevented from coming out of their homes to vote. Guddu Saxena, a representative of the Kannauj SP candidate Dimple Yadav, complained to the election observers that the district administration had stopped some party leaders and workers to move out of their homes. Saxena alleged that security personnel in large numbers were deployed outside the houses of SP leaders before polling began. He also claimed that the EVMs in the SP strongholds were malfunctioning. In Kanpur, BJP workers allegedly tried to barge into a polling booth and clashed with the police. A case has been registered against BJP leader Suresh Awasthi and six others in this connection, Kanpur District Magistrate Vijay Vishwas Pant said. Polling was held at Shahjahanpur (SC), Kheri, Hardoi (SC), Misrikh (SC), Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah (SC), Kannauj, Kanpur, Akbarpur, Jalaun (SC), Jhansi and Hamirpur seats. New Delhi: Massive clashes broke out in West Bengals Asansol, which is voting in the Round 4 of the Lok Sabha Elections 2019 on Monday. News Nation has learnt that some locals had boycotted the elections and were demanding the central forces in their area. They had alleged that during the last Panchayat elections, the Trinamool Congress goons had troubled them and not allowed them to vote. On Monday morning, some Trinamool workers tried to vote at the polling booth. A scuffle broke out between the Trinamool supporters and the local agitators. The scene got ugly when Asansols sitting MP Babul Supriyo tried to intervene. His car was also vandalised during the clashes. The polling has started now. Supriyo had claimed that he will take the central forces to that polling station. It is very good that people in West Bengal are aware and they want central forces so that they can cast their vote. This is why Mamata Banerjee is scared. The BJP approached the Election Commission complaining that TMC workers have "hijacked democracy in the state" and again demanded deployment of central forces in all polling booths there. A BJP delegation, which includes Union Ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Vijay Goel, and the party's media in-charge Anil Baluni, met the top officials of the poll panel here and submitted a memorandum in this regard. "The ruling Trinamool Congress workers have hijacked democracy in the state and are indulging in violence. They are being supported by the local machinery and we demand deployment of central forces in all polling booths," Naqvi said. Eight seats - Baharampur, Krishnagar, Ranaghat (SC), Burdwan East (SC), Burdwan-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur (SC) and Birbhum are voting in the round 4 of the Lok Sabha Polls. An electorate of 1,34,56,491 will decide the fate of 68 candidates in these eight constituencies, the Election Commission said. The commission will deploy a total of 580 companies of central forces, which will cover all the polling booths in the Lok Sabha constituencies to ensure free and fair polling, election officials said. Key contests of 2019 Lok Sabha Elections Phase 4 in West Bengal 1. Asansol (2014 Result: BJP, Winner: Babul Supriyo, Margin: 70,480) 2019 candidates: Babul Supriyo (BJP) Vs Biswarup Mondal (Congress) Vs Moon Moon Sen (Trinamool) Vs Gouranga Chatterjee (CPM) 2. Bardhaman-Durgapur (2014 Result: Trinamool, Winner: Mamtaz Sanghamita, Margin: 1,07,331) 2019 candidates: SS Ahluwalia (BJP) Vs Abhas Roy Chowdhury (CPM) Vs Mamtaz Sanghamita (Trinamool) Vs Ranajit Mukherjee (Congress) 3. Baharampur (2014 Result: Congress, Winner: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Margin: 3,56,567) 2019 candidates: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Congress) Vs Krishna Juardar Arya (BJP) Vs Apurba Sarkar (Trinamool) Vs Id Mohammad (RSP) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the opposition's grand alliance does not want a government with absolute majority. Addressing an election rally in Koderma, Jharkhand, PM Modi also slammed the Congress, alleging that the party wants a weak government which it can "remote control". "The 'mission mahamilavat' is not in favour of a government with absolute majority at any cost. I want to caution all the first-time voters about their intentions," the prime minister said. Taking potshots at the "mahagathbandhan" (grand alliance) and its leaders, PM Modi said they owe allegiance to nobody, and are only interested in votes. "They are just not interested in the development of those areas where they do not see their vote bank," he alleged. The first phase of polling is underway in Jharkhand. An estimated 20.87 per cent of the 45.26 lakh electorate cast their votes till 11 am today in three Lok Sabha constituencies of the state. New Delhi: Malegaon accused and BJPs Bhopal candidate Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur had an emotional meeting with Union Minister Uma Bharti. The minister was seen consoling Thakur as they both wept and hugged in front of dozens of camera. The video of the Sunday meeting has surfaced online a day later. Yesterday after meeting, Bharti had said that Thakur is incomparable. She was replying to a question on whether Pragya Singh Thakur will take her place in Madhya Pradesh politics. She is a great saint, don't compare me with her, I am just an ordinary and foolish creature, news agency ANI quoted Uma Bharti as saying. The Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded her from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. Thakur, an accused in the Malegaon blast case, had recently claimed that Karkare died during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks as she had cursed him for torturing her. Former chief minister and Congress candidate from Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency, Digvijaya Singh, took a dig at Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur on Sunday over her remarks against late ATS chief Hemant Karkare saying why she is not cursing terrorist Masood Azhar. "Thakur says she had cursed ATS chief Hemant Karkare, who had given supreme sacrifice for the country and is considered a martyr. There would have been no need of surgical strikes if she had cursed Pakistan based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar," Singh was quoted as saying by ANI. Last week, addressing a gathering of BJP workers at Manas Bhawan auditorium in Bhopal, Thakur, who spent several years in jail after being arrested in the case, alleged she was illegally detained and beaten up by police personnel. "Jab Mujhe Lekar Gaye, Gair Kanooni Taur Par, 13 Din Tak Rakkha, Pahle Hi Din Bina Kuchh Poochhe, Unhone Mujhe Bulaya, Itna Chauda Belt (showing size by her hand), Ek Belt Se Hath Sooj Jata hai, Doosre Belt Me to Hath Fat Jata Hai. (Police illegally detained me for 13 days. They called me and beat me with a wide belt. Hands get swollen just by one hit of the belt. The second strike can tear hand)," she said. "Ye Jo Belt Marte The, Poora Nervous System Dheela Pad Jata Tha, Sunn Pad Jata Tha, Ye Din Aur Raat Hota Tha. (The strike of belt makes nervous system go blank, this happened day and night)," she said in a choked voice. "They used to hurl filthy abuses, would threaten to hang me upside down, undress me. I am not narrating my pain in front of you, I am just saying no other sister should face this kind of ordeal," Thakur said, wiping her tears. The Hindutva activist claimed the police wanted her to admit that she was involved in the blast in Malegaon, a town in Nashik district of neighbouring Maharashtra. "They want me to accept that I carried out the blast and killed Muslims...they tortured me entire night, the people who beat me changed in the morning but I remained the same," she had said. New Delhi: The first look of Saand Ki Aankh earned mixed review among movie buffs. some critics pointed by young actresses where made to enact roles of women aged above 60 when senior female artistes could have been cast Putting also such criticism to rest, Nidhi Parmar, the co-producer of the film in a recent interaction with Mid-day said, no actresses were ready to take up a de-glam role. Nidhi was quoted as saying by the tabloid, "We approached actors in the age bracket of 55 to 60 since we felt the portrayals would be more convincing. However, most declined the role as they didn't want to be seen in an unglamorous avatar, or felt that they weren't ready for the physical preparation that the film demanded," she says, refusing to name names. "Even younger actresses had the same concerns. Bhumi and Taapsee have shown a great deal of pluck in essaying a role that's almost twice their actual age." Bhumi, 29, and Taapsee, 31, are playing world's oldest sharpshooters Chandro and Prakashi Tomar in the upcoming Diwali release. The two women had picked up shooting when they were in their 60s. Taapsee Pannu revealed that even when heroines are given meaty roles and female-oriented movies are doing great business, the film industry is obsessed with the idea of young being beautiful. She added, "I have played a college kid after turning 30, and no one questioned me then. Instead of making an issue, people should be surprised that we took up these roles, as there are few actors who take the risk of ageing on screen unapologetically." Saying that no role should be off-limits for artistes, Bhumi added, "In the past, people have played characters older than their age successfully. Anupam Kher in Saaransh (1984) and Nargis ji in Mother India (1957) are great examples. If we can play characters younger than our age, why can't we play older characters as well?" Directed by Tushar Hiranandani, who has previously written for the Masti and ABCD franchise, Saand Ki Aankh is slated to hit the theatres on October 25, 2019. The movie would also feature Prakash Jha and has been produced by Anurag Kashyap. Saand Ki Aankh was initially supposed to be titled Womaniya but after Pritish Nandy claimed rights for the title, Anurag Kashyap and his team decided to rename it that literally translates to 'bull's eye' in English. The movie will hit theatres this Diwali. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A Pune court on Monday rejected revolutionary poet and Bhima Koregaon accused Varavara Rao's application seeking a temporary bail for 6 days between April 29 and May 4 to attend the post-death rituals of his sister-in-law. Pune police had last year on August 28 arrested Rao along with 4 other activists Sudha Bhardwaj Gautam Navlakha, Arun Ferreira and Vernon Gonsalves for their alleged Maoist link to assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Bhima Koregaon case: Pune court rejects application of accused Varavara Rao seeking temporary bail to attend post death rituals of his sister-in-law. He had sought temporary bail for the period of 29 April to 4 May," the news agency ANI reported. Bhima Koregaon case: Pune court rejects application of accused Varavara Rao seeking temporary bail to attend post death rituals of his sister-in-law. He had sought temporary bail for the period of 29 April to 4 May. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/ZeFcRU9Azl a ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 On March 26, Rao's wife P Hemlata, in an open letter to the Chief Justice of India (CJI), appealed him to intervene in the case and take steps for his release. Hemalata claimed that Rao has been made an accused, along with others, in the Koregaon Bhima violence case which was later extended to criminal conspiracy and then to the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. Hemalata's open letter, which alleges that Rao has been implicated in the case just to silence his voice, has been endorsed by about 100 intellectuals and others in Hyderabad and Telangana. Bhima Koregaon case refers to the violence that broke out following an annual celebratory gathering at Maharashtra's Bhima Koregaon village to mark the 200th anniversary of a British-era war. The skirmish claimed one life and left several others injured on January 1, 2018. It is believed to be the assassination plot of PM Modi on the lines of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi. The former prime minister was assassinated by LTTE bomber Dhanu during one of his election rallies in the year 1991. In the 1818 Koregaon Bhima battle, forces of the Peshwa, the ruler of Pune, were defeated by the British East India Company. While the people from backward classes see the victory as an assertion of their identity as the British forces included Mahar (a formerly untouchable caste) soldiers, Hindu right-wing organisations oppose the celebration. Every year, the anniversary of the battle is marked by thousands of backward class people assembling in Pune and marching to Koregaon-Bhima to a war memorial. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A massive fire broke out at Big Bazaar outlet in Mumbai's Matunga, according to reports. At least five fire engines, a Quick Response Vehicle, one ambulance and several Fire Brigade personnel have reached the site for dousing operations, an official said. All the people who were inside the store at the time of the fire managed to rush out to safety and no casualty has been reported as yet, he added. Firefighting operations were continuing, he said. The fire brigade has classified the fire at Level II. Locals said that rescue operations were underway. On Thursday, six workers were injured in a fire at a club at Aarey Colony in suburban Goregaon. A fire broke out at Emerald Club at Royal Palm Estate at 10.12 am. A team of fire brigade personnel was sent immediately, but before they could douse the flames by 10.50 am, six people -- workers engaged in renovation job -- were injured, one of them suffering 80 per cent burn injuries. In December 2017, a fire that started at a rooftop pub hosting a birthday party spread rapidly through the building, killing 14 people, most of them women, shortly after midnight in a posh Mumbai locality.A The fire, which also injured 21 people, started after 12.30 am in the "1 Above" pub on the terrace, and spread to Mojo pub on the third floor one level below. Most of the victims, who included 11 women, died of asphyxiation, said Avinash Supe, dean of the KEM hospital where the injured and dead were brought.A Some reports said among those dead is the woman who was celebrating her birthday but this could not be independently confirmed. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O'Brien on Monday said his party will file a complaint against Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the latter claimed that 40 TMC MLAs were in touch with him and will desert their party once the BJP wins the general elections. Expiry Babu PM, lets get this straight. Nobody will go with you. Not even one councillor. Are you election campaigning or horse trading! Your expiry date is near. Today, we are complaining to the Election Commission. Charging you with horse trading #LokSabhaElection2019, OBrien tweeted. While addressing an election rally in Bengals Sreerampur on Monday, Modi accused TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee of nepotism, insisting she wants to politically establish her nephew in the state. Modi also assailed her over her prime ministerial ambitions, saying "Didi, Dilli door hai (Delhi is far away for you). "Forty TMC MLAs are in touch with me and all your MLAs will desert you once the BJP wins the elections. Political ground has slipped from under your feet," Modi told an election rally in Sreerampur, targeting the West Bengal chief minister. Mocking Banerjee for often losing her cool as she was "sensing defeat", Modi said she cannot even dream of becoming the prime minister. "With just a handful of seats, 'Didi' you can't reach Delhi. Delhi is far away. Going to Delhi is just an excuse. Her real intention is to politically establish her nephew," he said. Banerjee's nephew Abhishek is a sitting MP from Diamond Harbour and the TMC candidate for the seat. Lashing out at opposition parties for questioning the credibility of EVMs, Modi said his rivals have moved on from abusing him to criticising EVMs, as they face "imminent defeat". "Earlier only Modi was abused, now even EVMs are being abused. The opposition is doing so as it faces imminent defeat," he said. He also accused the state's ruling party of rigging elections, claiming its "goons" were preventing voters from exercising their franchise. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Centre on Monday sought time to file fresh affidavit in the Rafale review petition case. Centre has asked the Supreme Court to defer Rafale review hearing listed for tomorrow. The governments request was put before the bench led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had dismissed governments objection claiming privilege over stolen documents which were used by petitioners to seek review of Rafale judgement. The Supreme Court had allowed the admissibility of three of the procured documents in Rafale deal. On April 13, the Ministry of Defence rejected as "totally inaccurate and tendentious" a media report claiming that France waived off taxes worth 143.7 million Euros to a telecom subsidiary of Anil Ambani's company in 2015, months after India's announcement of buying 36 Rafale jets "We have seen reports drawing conjectural connection between tax exemption to a private company and procurement of Rafale jets by Government of India. Neither the period of tax concession nor subject matter of concession relate to Rafale procurement, concluded in present Government's tenure," the Defence Ministry said in a statement. "Any connections drawn between the tax issue and the Rafale matter is totally inaccurate, tendentious and is a mischievous attempt to disinform," the statement added. Earlier that day, Le Monde, a leading French newspaper, said the French tax authorities accepted 7.3 million euros from Reliance Flag Atlantic France as a settlement as against original demand of 151 million euros. Reliance Flag owns a terrestrial cable network and other telecom infrastructure in France. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested an Islamic State sympathiser and follower, identified as Riyas Aboobacker, of alleged Sri Lanka bombings mastermind Zahran Hasim from Kerala, the agency said. Aboobacker admitted that he wanted to carry out a suicide attack in Kerala. Aboobacker, alias Abu Dujana, was arrested after he disclosed the NIA that he has been following speeches and videos of Hashim, a radical Tamil-speaking cleric who is believed to have masterminded the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka which left 253 people dead and more than 500 injured. News agency IANS reported that the 29-year-old told the NIA that he has been following Hasim for more than a year and has also followed the speeches of Zakir Naik, an absconding Indian Islamic preacher and the founder of the Islamic Research Foundation. He was being questioned by the NIA since Sunday when the agency unearthed the Kasargod module of the terrorist outfit in Kerala during multiple raids at the house of three suspects. Aboobacker, a resident of Palakkad in Kerala, has been arrested on charges for conspiring to commit a terrorist act, an NIA statement said. The NIA said the alleged accused had disclosed that he had been in contact with absconding accused Abdul Rashid Abdulla alias Abu Isa for a long time and that he had been following Abduls audio clips, including the clip which he had circulated on social media platform instigating others to carry out terror attacks in India. Riyas also revealed that he had been holding online chats with Abdul Khayoom alias Abu Khalid (the accused in the Valapattanam ISIS case) who was believed to be in Syria. On Sunday, the NIA conducted searches at three places in Kerala as part of its investigation into the ISIS Kasaragod module case. The probe agency said in a statement that it carried out the searches at the houses of three suspects -- two in Kasaragod and one in Palakkad. "These persons are suspected to have links with some of the accused persons in the said case who had exited India to join the proscribed terrorist organisation ISIS/Daish," the NIA said in a statement. It said that mobile phones, SIM cards, memory cards, pen drives, diaries with handwritten notes in Arabic and Malayalam, DVDs and books of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik, besides untitled DVDs, CDs with religious speeches, books of Syed Kutheb were seized during the searches. "Digital devices will be forensically examined and analysed," the agency said, adding the three suspects are being questioned. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Temperatures in parts of the poll-bound north Konkan and north Madhya Maharashtra region are appreciably above normal, with many places experiencing above 40C. The entire south Rajasthan will cast its votes on Monday. The weather is expected to remain dry and hot throughout the election day. Heat wave conditions will be prevalent throughout Rajasthan, with temperatures rising well above 40C. The southeast Madhya Pradesh, central Bihar and western Jharkhand will also cast votes on Monday amidst the sweltering heat. All these regions are likely to experience very hot temperatures around 42C on Monday with clear and sunny conditions. It is important the voters take primary precautions before going to cast their votes, the process for which started at 7 AM and ends by 6 PM. Severe heat can cause heat strokes and heat exhaustion that can lead to symptoms like dizziness, headaches, fainting and others. It is advisable to avoid the wee hours for casting vote and visit the polling station before the sun goes high in the sky, preferably before 10 am or after it goes down i.e. after 5 pm. The voters can also avoid the rush and long queues at the polling station in this way. Cover your head and face with cotton cloth or scarf to limit exposure to sunlight Carry a bottle of water and glucose to keep you hydrated as you wait at the long queue to cast vote. Many polling booths offer water and juices for the convenience of the voters, but it is always smart to carry your essentials without depending on the poll authority. Take a shower before you leave home for the polling station. If the weather forecast in your areas says spells of rain, carry your umbrella or a rain coat If you are casting vote in a booth that is surrounded by shrubs and bushes, carry mosquito repellents. Malfunctioning of the EVMs is a common norm this polling season, that can extend your waiting time under the scorching sun. Carry dry food items like fruits, biscuits so thay you are not left hungry. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes for your casting vote outing. Try to cover your head with a hat or an umbrella to keep the head from becoming too warm. Carry and wear sunglasses to keep your eyes safe if you go out during the peak hours of the sun. Don't forget to dab sunscreen lotion on your face. Casting the vote is your constitutional right, don't let the heat of the sudden rain deter you from your rights. New Delhi: Astronaut Christina Koch has 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, according to the US space agency said. 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. Her long stay on the ISS has to do with NASAs preparation of human missions to the Moon and Mars. Kochs mission will provide researchers the opportunity to observe effects of long-duration spaceflight on a woman, NASA said. Christina Kochs stay will help better understand astronaut adaptability over long periods of space exposure. Kochs stay on the space station will eclipse the previous mark set by Peggy Whitson of 288 days on Expeditions 50 through 52 in 2016-17, NASA said. Koch and fellow NASA astronaut Nick Hague, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin will remain aboard the space station and begin Expedition 60. Koch has worked in the space science instrument development and remote scientific field engineering fields. During her time working as an Electrical Engineer at NASA Goddard Space Flight Centres Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics, she contributed to scientific instruments on several NASA missions that studied astrophysics and cosmology. Christina Koch has won a number of awards during her tenure at NASA and Johns Hopkins, including the NASA Group Achievement Award, NASA Juno Mission Jupiter Energetic Particle Detector Instrument, 2012. For all the Latest Science News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The US state department for travel said the gunfire was coming from the rear of the building. It urged any travellers to seek shelter in place. The first report of gunfire was issued at around 12.50pm local time. The travel alert said the staff had taken shelter inside the embassy. "If you are traveling to the embassy, find a safe area to shelter," it wrote on Twitter. State Department officials did not immediately have further details on the incident, including whether it was ongoing. Haiti, one of the world's poorest countries, witnessed widespread riots in February when thousands of people took to the streets demanding better living conditions. Haiti's President Jovenel Moise earlier this month appointed a new prime minister to tackle mounting problems, including insecurity in the capital. Haiti won independence from France in 1804, making it the second-oldest republic in the Western Hemisphere. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: After denying for years, the Pakistan Army on Monday admitted the presence of terrorists and Jihadi elements in its country, saying that there is a need to "do a lot" to curb terrorism, reported news agency ANI. "We have proscribed violent extremist organisations and Jihadist groups and we have been taking action against them," said Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor at a press conference in Islamabad on Monday. Major General Ghafoor said that there is a need to "do a lot" to curb terrorism as Islamabad so far has "suffered losses. We have lost millions of dollar due to terrorism." "There is still a lot to do against terrorism," he added. He also admitted that previous governments failed to curb terrorism and due to which Pakistan lost its "millions of dollars." "The state was busy conducting kinetic operations and every law enforcement agency was busy in that. Which is why we were not able to strategise against these (banned) organisations the way we are doing today," Ghafoor said. Major General Ghafoor also blamed India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for allegedly funding Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a human rights movement of the Pashtun community against Pakistani security establishments for violating their human rights. "On the PTM website, they have got a number that states the amount of funds they have collected from Pashtuns around the world. But tell us how much money you got from the NDS (Afghan National Directorate of Security) to run your campaign. How much money did RAW give you for the first dharna in Islamabad," he asked. Major General Ghafoors statement came amid global pressure on Prime Minister Imran Khan to take action against terror organisation reportedly present in Pakistan. India has toughened its stand following February 14 Pulwama terrorist attack by Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) on the convoy of CRPF in which 40 jawans were killed. The two countries were close to having a dangerous confrontation following Balakot airstrikes of February 26, when the Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft crossed the Line of Control to attack JeM's training camp in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: President Donald Trump's national security adviser on Sunday said that the U.S. has little interest in joining other countries in a multi-nation effort to get North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons. "I think Kim Jong Un, at least up until now, has wanted the one-on-one contact with the United States, which is what he has gotten," John Bolton said, adding that Trump is open to possibility of a third summit with Kim. Following their talks in Russia on Thursday, President Vladimir Putin suggested the revival of a multilateral approach to the denuclearization negotiations, which have failed in the past. Putin said Kim is willing to give up nuclear weapons, but only if he gets ironclad security guarantees supported by a multinational agreement. Earlier, Trump on Friday welcomed Russian and Chinese help with North Korean nuclear negotiations, despite Kim Jong Un accusing the US of bad faith at a first summit with Vladimir Putin. I appreciate that Russia and China are helping us, he told reporters at the White House. Putins first summit with Kim on Thursday was seen as a response to the failure of a Kim-Trump meeting in Hanoi in February, where talks broke down without agreement. But Trump indicated that he does not see China and Russia as rivals in the struggle to get North Korea to give up its nuclear arsenal. China is helping us because I think they want to. They dont need nuclear weapons right next to their country, Trump said. I think were doing very well with North Korea. A lot of progress is being made, he added. I appreciated President Putins statement yesterday. He wants to see it done also. I think there is a lot of excitement for getting a deal done with North Korea. Kim left his summit with Putin indicating that he has cooled on the much-touted bid by Trump to woo his country into a non-nuclear future. The official Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim told Putin the US had adopted a unilateral attitude in bad faith at the Hanoi summit. Peace and security on the Korean peninsula will entirely depend on the US future attitude, and the DPRK will gird itself for every possible situation, Kim was quoted as saying. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Amidst the Kingdom celebrating excellence in embracing the latest technologies, some of the best e-services were awarded during a ceremony held yesterday. The event held at Gulf Hotel in Adliya was organized by the Information and eGovernment Authority. His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Information and Communication Technology, patronized the eGovernment Excellence Award 2019 Ceremony in the presence of heads of Shura Council and Council of Representatives, along with other Deputy Prime Ministers, a number of dignitaries, ministers and guests. Government Sector winners of the award included the Ministry of Interior, Supreme Council for Women and the Ministry of Finance under the Best Government-to-Government eService (G2G) category. The award for Best eGovernment Integrated Services for Individuals or Businesses was won by the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning (Municipalities Affairs) for its Benayat Building Permit System. Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities social media accounts won the Best Practice in Community eParticipation award, and the award Best Application for Smart Devices was granted to the Electricity and Water Authority for its EWA App. The Best eGovernment Website award was granted to the Central Bank of Bahrain for its website. Private Sector winners included the Bahrain Airport Services for their iBAS Service, which won the Best eServices award; AlRawi Media WLL won for its AlRawi App in the Best Application for Smart Devices award. Individuals sector winners comprised Mohamed Ahmed Al Buainain for the Best eConcept award, which was granted for his submitted project which enhances contact with the government through the implementation of artificial intelligence in Tawasul system. The second winner for the Best eConcept award was given to Zainab Jaafar Akwaid for her automated solution for obstructed traffic between involved parties. The third winner for the Best eConcept award was given to Ahmed Mohamed AlBuainain for his concept eBelediye project. The eCitizen award was given to the two citizen winners Mohammed Abdulraheem Hasan Bucheeri for obtaining the highest value of transactions across all eGovernment channels during 2018 and Mohammed Abduljalil Ebrahim Jassim Shehab for achieving the highest number of transactions across all eGovernment channels during 2018. Moderate Arab countries are the safety net against external interference and hegemony schemes, thanks to their initiatives and practical and effective measures to combat terrorism, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (Derasat), Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said. This came as he inaugurated the 2019 forum on The Role of Research Centres and their Impact on Middle East Policies which brought together over 300 delegates from across the Middle East and North African (MENA) region, yesterday. Shaikh Abdulla stressed the need for new initiatives and realistic visions through joint efforts driven by scientific research and strategic thinking as a decisive factor in determining future options. Moderate Arab countries have been effective and practical in combating terrorism and defending the nation issues and unity, he said. Therefore, we were not surprised by the hostile and systematic campaigns that have targeted these countries and attempted to divert them from the implementation of their reform plans and regional efforts, especially as these countries have come a long way in the consolidation of their progress equation that includes security, reform, and development, he said. Derasat aims to fulfill its national mission through the annual forum as well as to contribute to the development of a new path of progress and partnership, he added. This includes highlighting the unique and pioneering position of Bahrain as a center for dialogue and understanding as well as a beacon to promote peace, freedoms and peaceful coexistence. Throughout its history, Bahrain has embodied noble human values and has contributed effectively to just causes. Bahrain aspires to cooperate with all to end the roots of tension and the causes that drain the capabilities of our countries. The Middle East is also witnessing profound challenges and radical transformations. It has become a volatile and unstable arena and the ground for internal conflicts and the spread of the terror epidemic. Chaos and sectarianism have turned into a state-sponsored industry and into an illegal trade for regimes. Dr. John Murphy still remembers an early visit to Danbury Hospital by staff of the University of Vermonts medical school, amounting to an executive exam on the fitness of the hospitals physicians to teach UVM students. He recollects vividly the surprise by some of those doctors that there could be any questions on that front. With the university cementing the relationship this summer with the designation of a clinical branch campus in western Connecticut, the new Nuvance Health hospital system led by Murphy will now get to work on building a similar program for a New York college pushing ahead with a new medical school affiliated with Nuvance. Entering April, Connecticut regulators approved the $2 billion merger of Western Connecticut Health Network with New York-based Health Quest to form Nuvance Health, coupling seven hospitals running north along the two states shared borders. Driven primarily by the notion of two healthy hospital systems benefiting from each others strengths and an expanded footprint, for Danbury-based WCHN the deal had an additional perk: the addition of a medical school, offering a pipeline to physicians embarking on their careers. Health Quest was already well down the road of creating the new medical school in conjunction with Marist College, targeting an opening in 2022 at the schools Poughkeepsie, N.Y., campus. Health Quest successor Nuvance Health will now complete that process and accreditation under CEO Murphy, who held the same role at WCHN; and Robert Friedberg who becomes Nuvance president after steering Health Quest through the merger. Murphy told Hearst Connecticut Media that the new medical school gives Danbury Norwalk and New Milford hospitals direct access for the first time to newly minted physicians, as well as the Health Quest hospitals which include the small Sharon Hospital in Litchfield County, N.Y. Whats in it for us is that we want to be able to replace retiring physicians, Murphy said. Its very hard to recruit primary-care (doctors), psychiatrists and others. Were getting creative in recruiting primary care doctors with loan-forgiveness programs and other generous benefits, but we do believe that we have to build a program that consistently brings young people here. Keeping us on our toes Murphy said Nuvance will maintain its 10-year affiliation with the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, with about 1,000 UVM students having rotated through Connecticut to date and about 40 doing medical residencies here. For the first time this year, Vermont students can apply to the universitys newly designated Connecticut branch campus, allowing state residents to secure one- or two-year rotations at the three historic WCHN hospitals in Danbury, Norwalk and New Milford. Each years cohort will have close to three dozen slots, with students previously having the option of spending just six weeks in Connecticut under the rules of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. Any students from Vermont pursuing a global health track will be required to cycle through Nuvance Health as well. LCME spent a good deal of time here and said, You know what? The quality of education is identical to the quality of education (students) could get back at the mother ship, Murphy said. That has benefited the University of Vermont because what they wanted was diversity. ... Now they have access to lots of interesting patients and physicians who have been teaching for most of their careers. What we get out of it is a pipeline of very bright students who I believe keep us on our toes, because you have to know what youre doing if youre giving a lecture tomorrow morning, he added. There is evidence that teaching hospitals provide higher levels of care. Murphy indicated UVM officials have been in contact with him since the original Health Quest merger announcement last year, for reassurances Nuvance will remain fully committed to the UVM relationship, even as it sets up the new medical school at Marist. Dire need with physician shortage Connecticut is home to two top medical schools at Yale University and the University of Connecticut. The former is tied tightly to Yale-New Haven Health System whose subsidiaries include Bridgeport Hospital and Greenwich Hospital, while the latter is connected to the UConn School of Medicine and UConn Healths John Dempsey Hospital, both located in Farmington. Quinnipiac University created a third medical school in 2013, focused on primary care practitioners, with the school processing more than 7,500 applications in the past year for just over 90 slots in this falls entering class. Since then, 11 medical schools have gained LCME accreditation, with CUNY Medical School in New York City the lone Northeast institution to do so. Last month in Hartford, a contingent of UConn medical students, graduates and staff weighed in on the importance of the state expanding its educational pipeline for the industry and opportunities for graduates to stay close to home, including Milford native Dr. Roshni Patel who pursued a UConn track giving her additional training for work in cities with patients not getting adequate care under the current health system. I was able to get an affordable yet quality education in my home state this was really a huge motivating factor for me to actually stay in Connecticut post-residency, Patel told lawmakers in March. I hope to settle here long-term and serve in both a primary care and academic setting this way I can serve as a primary care physician for patients in Connecticut and fill an essential gap in care, something that we are in dire need of with the physician shortage in primary care. This week, the Association of American Medical Colleges projected the Northeast will require 11,000 additional physicians by 2032, the time frame at which point Marist and Nuvance medical students would be getting licensed after completing their clinical residencies. Broken out by relative populations and not factoring in demographic considerations like age, that would mean Connecticut would need about 700 additional doctors in the coming dozen years. The association indicated demand will be high for both general practitioners and specialty physicians and surgeons. One perk Marist medical students may get is the opportunity to interact on an ongoing basis with the CEO of a major hospital system, with Murphy still making the rounds practicing neurology, with 30 years experience focusing on movement disorders like Parkinsons disease. Murphy said he relishes the opportunities that gives him to interact directly with medical residents embarking on their own careers. I put my badge away it just says Murphy on my jacket, he said. It gives me the opportunity to say, how are the rotations? or, whats it like in the (operating room) for a student? And it really is, to a certain extent, like that show Undercover Boss where you really do get a peek at the organization from somebody whos young, enthusiastic (and) idealistic. ... We were all in their shoes. Includes prior reporting by Rob Ryser. Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman NORWALK - Carol Bauer attended a semester of seminary at the urging of her fiance before she realized she could do more as a teacher and wife of a generous man than she could as a minister. But it was the loss of the couples first child, Jeffrey, when he was just an infant that prepared Bauer to be a healing presence for others in the maternity and pediatric units at Norwalk Hospital, where she has been the on-call volunteer chaplain for a decade. So the Bauers $15 million gift to build a seven-floor pavilion at Norwalk Hospital is less like an extraordinary one-time donation, and more like the steady pattern of giving that has marked the lives of the Wilton couple. We are blessed with this money and we are blessed to give it away, said Carol Bauer during an interview at the hospital. People have said to us so often, When are you two going to do something for yourselves? and I say, What makes you think we dont love what we are doing? Bauer and her husband, George, a retired IBM executive, have given gifts to the hospital to help establish the Bauer Emergency Care Center, the Jeffrey Peter Bauer Newborn Intensive Care Unit and the Carol Bauer Nursing Scholarship. We really do love what were doing - we both do, said Carol Bauer, who has volunteered at the hospital for 40 years. When we see a life change for a patient here and we think that we made a difference, we rejoice in that. Of course, the Bauers gift is extraordinary - the 200,000-square-foot tower that is scheduled to open in 2022 represents the largest expansion in Norwalk Hospitals 126-year history. Blueprints call for new facilities in the tower for surgery, pediatrics, critical care and womens health, according to a release from Nuvance - the newly named umbrella health network that operates Danbury and Norwalk hospitals, along with a four-hospital network based in New York. The umbrella health network, which was recently approved by state and federal regulators, created a $2 billion organization serving 1.5 million people from the Sound Shore to the Hudson River. The Bauers gift follows the unveiling of a $4 million pediatric section at Danbury Hospital that is designed as a first step to expand its services, in partnership with the Connecticut Childrens Medical Center in Hartford. The Bauers tower concept is similar to the 11-story pavilion that opened in 2014 at Danbury Hospital with the help of a $30 million donation from Subway co-founder Peter Buck. The health networks top officer called the Bauers gift remarkably generous. We are dedicated to making investments in people, facilities, programs, and services to advance the caliber and scope of care we provide our patients, said John Murphy, CEO of Nuvance, in a prepared statement. This transformative gift from the Bauers will allow us to do just that in Norwalk. Carol Bauer, a certified chaplain who wears a white hospital coat when she goes on pastoral visits, said the devastating experience of losing her son after only five days taught her that each experience of grief is unique. We dont preach, we dont proselytize - we are with patients at their most vulnerable times and we listen to them and we affirm their feelings, she said. The process of learning to listen is almost detective work: you try to understand what are they really telling you - and then you acknowledge that if you can. She credits her ability to give generously to her partnership with her husband of 64 years. The secret to our marriage is he makes the money and I spend it, she said. Truly, it is my husband who has done so well in business who has given us the opportunity to give. rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342 BROOKFIELD Construction could begin this fall on a senior living facility that would provide beds for more than 130 people. The Zoning Commission recently unanimously approved the three-story facility to be built at 291 Federal Road, a half mile down the road from The Village at Brookfield Common, an assisted living community through Benchmark Senior Living. The building, which includes 89 assisted living and 26 memory care rooms, is expected to meet the demand for housing for the growing senior population, officials have said. The facility will have 136 beds, the Land Use Department said. Columbia Pacific Advisors, a Washington State-based company, will build the facility. The company has built or owned more than 300 senior living communities across the country. The plan is to start cleaning up the site to prepare for construction in September, said Greg Elmore, a land use consultant for the developer. Town officials backed the project, but raised concerns that the increased number of elderly residents would put a strain on the towns paramedic services. But the facility is not expected to over burden ambulance services, commission members said at their latest meeting. We welcome these facilities to town, First Selectman Steve Dunn said. This company seems like a good company. We just want to make sure theyre providing the right level of care to their residents. On average, there are 1,600 ambulance calls a year, with 7.5 percent coming from The Village at Brookfield Common about one call per bed each year. Ridgefield officials told Brookfield they see about 1.8 calls per bed each year from its senior living, commission members said, estimating they could expect 136 to 245 calls per year thanks to the new facility and would not need to add another ambulance crew. During their talks on April 26th in Havana, the Vietnamese legislator expressed his admiration for the Cuban people's unyielding will and efforts to overcome difficulties, and congratulated Cuba on its recent achievements in law making, especially the approval of new constitution last February. He expressed his belief that Cuba will gain success in both economic development and national defence, and continue to update its socio-economic model. NA Vice Chairman Luu suggested the two sides maintain exchange of regular visits and information and experience sharing mechanisms, and improving the legal framework for bilateral relations. He stressed the need for the two sides to enhance cooperation projects of agriculture development, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, tourism and production of consumer products; and continue support each other at multilateral and international forums. For his part, Esteban Lazo thanked Vietnam for its continuous support for the Cuban peoples struggle against economic, commercial and financial embargo. He agreed with Luus proposals to boost the bilateral relations, and appreciated the exchange of experience in law making and organising activities of the two legislatures. He reaffirmed the determination to make the economic and trade ties between the two nations to match with their political relations. The same day, NA Vice Chairman Luu and the Vietnamese delegation had working sessions with head of the Cuban Supreme Procuracy Yamila Pena Ojeda and head of Cubas Communist Party Central Committees Department of Culture and Propaganda Roberto Montesino Perez , during which the two sides discussed ways to promote cooperation among of the two countries ministries and sectors./. Danbury Professional Fire Fighters, Local 801, IAFF / Facebook DANBURY A young Ridgefield resident will be the beneficiary of Danbury Professional Fire Fighters Local 801s fifth annual fundraiser on June 9. Proceeds from the event will go to help fund treatments for 11-year-old Brooke Blake, who has been battling a type of brain tumor called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma for the past four years. BRIDGEPORT A former prison guard convicted of sexually abusing a female inmate at the Federal Correctional Institute in Danbury was sentenced to 10 months in prison Monday. In a prepared statement, U.S. Attorney John H. Durham said 33-year-old Carlos Sanchez engaged in sexual activity with a female inmate at the prison on two occasions last July and August. Sanchez, formerly of Middlebury, pleaded guilty in December to one count of sexual abuse of a ward. He also resigned from his job at the prison. The charge carries a maximum punishment of 15 years in prison, but a plea agreement in the case said federal sentencing guidelines called for a sentence of 10 to 16 months. According to court documents, Sanchez was born in Ecuador and became a U.S. citizen in 2009 after serving in the Marines for more than four years. He started working for the Bureau of Prisons in 2014 and received outstanding evaluations and several awards. In short, the history and characteristics of the defendant demonstrate little that is consistent with Mr. Sanchezs illegal actions, federal prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo. Sanchezs lawyer asked the judge for a suspended sentence, writing in a sentencing memo that his client already feels remorse, shame and intense sense of guilt. He will carry the enormous burden for what he has done to his wife, children and the victim, all the days of his life, the lawyer, Timothy C. Moynahan, wrote. U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden handed down the 10-month prison sentence, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Sanchez is free on a $50,000 bond and is required to report to prison on May 21. The case was investigated by the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia E. King. NEW FAIRFIELD - During the hardest moments of Mark Garrahans life, his best friend was always there with the kind of unconditional support that transformed the pain. But when the shocking news reached Garrahan that his best friend had been senselessly bludgeoned and stabbed to death in his New Fairfield home by his own wife, who then took her life, Garrahan felt a great absence that had all the makings of a death he might not get over. You go through this disbelief, where you start calling everybody you can think of to see what they know, Garrahan said of the mid-April murder of Michael Ciorra by his wife Jennifer Ciorra. But it may turn out to be that this is a sad tragedy, with no one you can blame. Garrahans praise for his lost friend and dismay that answers about Ciorras death are so elusive represents the first time someone close to the murdered father of two has spoken publicly since police revealed on April 15 that he and his wife had been found dead at their Cornell Road home. State Police have refused to release even basic facts of the death, claiming a statute meant to protect victims of domestic violence bars it. The coroner ruled Ciorra died from a bludgeon wound to the head and stabbing wounds to the body, and that his wife died by carbon monoxide poisoning. The couples two sons are living with relatives. Mike didnt ever indicate to me or any of us who he was close to that there was ever any trouble (with his wife), said Garrahan, who met Ciorra on a neighborhood stickball lot in Garnerville, N.Y., in 1979. I know I may have to just accept it, but what this creates is an inability to get over it. At a private but packed funeral service last week, Garrahan used the opportunity to ask everyone close to his best friend whether anyone had seen red flags. No, they all said. In the absence of answers, Ciorras friends and family found solace in memories of a humble man with a generous spirit who was the best man at more weddings than some people could count. The short version of Garrahans 40-year-friendship with Ciorra is that it started in childhood when Ciorra moved up from the Bronx with his four brothers and sisters. They grew close growing up in a Garnerville, a suburban community off the west bank of the Hudson River. They swam in neighborhood pools, drank beer in the local woods, and after college rented beach homes on the Jersey shore each summer. Ciorra was there for the highs in Garrahans life, such as when he made Eagle Scout, and at the hardest parts of his life. When my brother shot himself, my father told us to put it out of our heads and to move on, Garrahan said. When I tried to do that and couldnt, my best friend Mike was there to hug me and be by my side through my loss. Garrahan saw less of Ciorra when he got married and moved to Connecticut, but they still kept in touch, and made sure they told each other how much they appreciated their friendship. Ciorra had in recent years started a new job as a business operations manager in New York after a career at IBM. We were just really tight friends, who always had each others back, Garrahan said. rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342 3 1 of 3 N Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Jane Stern / For Hearst Connecticut Media Group Show More Show Less 3 of 3 NEWTOWN Police are looking for the owner of a loaded Glock firearm magazine that was found at a local diner last week. The device was discovered at the Sandy Hook Diner around 7 a.m. April 23. In the final days before the Iowa presidential caucuses in 2008, Joe Biden and his top advisers were still hoping for a third-place finish, or even a close fourth. In a late-night meeting as voting neared, a former congressman and local power broker they had summoned told them their hopes were unlikely to be fulfilled. They had not tended to some of the most basic functions of a presidential campaign. Rather than recruiting legions of staff members and volunteers, or using his oratorical skills to inspire a grass-roots army, the Democratic senator was running a race like his Delaware campaigns, with a merry band of relatives and friends around him. The campaign had little money, starved of resources and momentum. "You don't have anyone on the ground," Dave Nagle, the three-term congressman from eastern Iowa, remembers telling the Biden team. A few days later, the campaign's fifth-place finish was crushing. Biden received less than 1 percent of the vote. He carried none of the state's 99 counties. And he dropped out immediately. It was a rebuke of all that Biden had argued for, that experience mattered more than excitement. And it was his second unsuccessful effort at a presidential run - coming 20 years after he first entered the fray as a promising young senator but then soon backed out of the race amid allegations that he had plagiarized speeches. Biden will return to Iowa on Tuesday, heading back to the scene of one of his most spectacular political failures, where many of the same issues may confront him and supporters hope he has learned from past mistakes. As he begins his third presidential campaign, he faces stiff tests: He must show that he can control his own mouth, the vehicle for his destruction in his first two presidential attempts. He must show that his campaign is fundamentally improved - better financed, more organized - from 2008, when he was overrun by two contenders reaching for history, Sens. Barack Obama of Illinois and and Hillary Clinton of New York. And he must hope that his party, which if anything seems to have moved further from him in the intervening years, wants what he offers. In 2008, it did not. "It was the wrong moment. We had qualifications; we were decent campaigners," said Bill Richardson, a former New Mexico governor who finished ahead of Biden in Iowa that year. "I think we all knew from the reaction of Iowa voters that it was going to be a two-person race and those of us with resumes, with traditional backgrounds, weren't going to make it." Biden's new effort carries similar risks, he said. "The challenges are that it could be that this year, Democratic voters want youth and new faces," he said. "We'll find out. If that's the case, Joe will be in contention. But it won't be easy." - - - Biden's first presidential campaign, for the 1988 nomination, began with significant promise. The senator from Delaware was a fresh face in his 40s, an up-and-comer in Democratic politics, his campaign compared to a rising meteor. Even though he hadn't run in 1984, he still won a delegate's vote at the Democratic National Convention. But it didn't last. Campaign infighting led to a variety of slogans and a muddled message. More dispassionate rivals such as Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis and Rep. Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., gained strength. Biden's oratory was one of his advantages, which made it even more problematic when he was accused of using without credit lines from a speech by a British politician. Biden said it was an oversight, but reports emerged that he also had used lines from Robert F. Kennedy and Hubert H. Humphrey without attributing them. Biden also had been cited for plagiarism in a paper during law school, an error he blamed on not knowing how to properly cite sources. Three and a half months after his campaign began, he dropped out, saying his decision stemmed from "the exaggerated shadow" of his mistakes. "Although it's awfully clear to me what choice I have to make, I have to tell you honestly, I do it with incredible reluctance," he said. "And it makes me angry." Biden later regretted dropping out, suggesting to some around him that he should have fought back and stayed in the race. Those regrets may have contributed in recent days to his public reluctance to issue full apologies for his treatment of Anita Hill during the 1991 Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Clarence Thomas or for making women uncomfortable with close contact. During an appearance on ABC's "The View" on Friday, the five female hosts practically begged him to apologize on both counts. He instead equivocated. Although the appearance showed the potential peril for Biden, it also demonstrated a strength that has marked all of his campaigns. He connected emotionally with the audience several times, no more so than when he spoke about grief and became emotional while discussing his elder son, Beau, who died of cancer in 2015. Asked if he was the motivating factor for this campaign, Biden said, "No, he's not why I'm running. I hope - it sounds stupid. When I get up in the morning I think about - I hope he's proud of me. I hope he's proud." He wiped tears from his eyes. - - - Twenty years after the first Biden presidential campaign came the second, generously described by those involved in it as haphazard and free-flowing. It was unclear when the launch would occur, or even who would be campaign manager, until the last minute. Biden's advisers were splintered into Senate staff and campaign staff; they often didn't communicate with one another. The day he announced his candidacy, his political staff was caught off guard by the publication of comments Biden made a week earlier in an interview with the New York Observer. In them, he called Obama "the first mainstream African American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy." The comments sent the campaign into a spiral. Biden held a conference call with reporters in which he expressed regret for his remarks, but didn't fully apologize. Some of the donors the campaign had hoped to sign up got cold feet. "The campaign was technically over before it began," said one adviser, speaking on the condition of anonymity to preserve relations with the former vice president. "Because it was starved of money throughout." Biden focused tightly on winning Iowa. At one point, Nagle and his wife spent a day driving around to Biden events. The turnout was solid, they noted, and then they realized they were seeing the same people at every stop. In the final stretch, they went to a gathering in Dubuque where a respectable crowd of 300 had gathered. Obama showed up soon after and drew 1,200. Biden's campaign also seemed to care little for the voters it hoped would caucus for him in 2008. Aides would scramble from one event to the next, neglecting to sign up supporters for future contact, some who witnessed it said. He was, according to one high-ranking official on his campaign, overly focused on winning endorsements. "The thing that plagued the Biden campaign in 2008 is they had a tendency to treat it like Joe was running for the Senate in Delaware," Nagle said. "There was nothing wrong with the candidate. He was vigorous, he worked himself to exhaustion. He was a good candidate. . . . There just simply wasn't a structure to support him and make sure he could be successful." He added: "When you're running Delaware, you can do it with family members and old friends and get the job done," he added. "This ain't Delaware. Nothing against Delaware, but running in Delaware is like running for the House. Running in Iowa is like running for president." One positive came out of his brief campaign and would pave the way for his third candidacy. Biden developed a bond with one of his competitors, Obama. Once Obama secured the nomination, he would turn to Biden to serve as his vice president. - - - Biden, 76, enters the 2020 race in a much different position from before. No longer running as a small-state senator, he carries the gravitas of the vice presidency under the last Democrat to win the White House. He hopes to draw a sharp contrast with a largely unpopular President Trump, who has scrambled the nation's politics. Biden's calculations are that the landscape has so changed that he will find a receptive audience. Neither he nor his team blames Biden himself for his past inability to secure the nomination. The conditions, they argue, simply didn't allow him to succeed. "I don't think there's anything else Joe could have done in 2008," said Buck Clark, a former mayor of Waterloo, Iowa, who backed him then and still does. "At that time, his age and length of time in politics worked against him. His age hurts him this time - but I don't think it will hurt as much as it did in 2008, even though he's obviously older." Some of those advising Biden now were with him during the disciplined Obama administration, which some longtime Biden observers consider a good thing. Some of his longtime advisers also insist they are seeing a more careful Biden. During the first days of his campaign, he has bitten his tongue more than usual, if not completely. When he traveled through a pizza shop in Wilmington, Delaware, on Thursday, he batted away a number of questions rather than engage with reporters. And during his interview on "The View," fraught with suggestions that he apologize to Hill and any women he'd made uncomfortable with his actions, Biden began several times to defend himself before stopping and declining to answer further. After suffering money woes in his 2008 campaign, he also has prioritized fundraising this time in a way that he hadn't in the past. He has been calling donors to court them, and on Friday announced the largest campaign haul over the first 24 hours of anyone in the race: $6.3 million. "I think now Joe has a good chance because the main criteria that Democratic voters want is someone who can beat Trump," Richardson said. "And I think Joe qualifies there after a very good stint as vice president. His strongest asset is perception he's blue-collar and can win." KABUL, Afghanistan - More than 3,200 Afghans gathered here Monday to seek a consensus on peace talks with the Taliban, but hopes for success were dampened by the recent cancellation of first-ever talks between Afghan and insurgent representatives in Qatar, and by the refusal of numerous Afghan political figures to attend the current meeting. President Ashraf Ghani convened the four-day consultation, known as a loya jirga, in a large tent on a university campus. In his opening speech, he instructed the delegates to "define the limits and framework" of the peace process, and he urged them to take their time. "I want a stable peace," he said. "I am not after a hasty and temporary peace deal." But the president's statesmanlike appeal contrasted with the political bickering that has led up to the meeting, in large part due to the presidential election scheduled to take place in September. Ghani is seeking reelection to a second five-year term, and some of his rivals - including the current government's chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah - have criticized the gathering as a campaign gimmick or a useless exercise. Numerous ethnic political leaders and former president Hamid Karzai are also boycotting it. Karzai issued a statement saying he feared the jirga could derail peace talks rather than abet them. He suggested that it be delayed until after a deal has been reached with the Taliban. Other critics blamed Ghani for botching the aborted meeting with Taliban officials in Qatar. The delegation list grew to more than 250, and the Taliban, objecting to the large size - eventually rejected it. Ziaulhaq Amarkhail, an organizer of the jirga, told reporters Monday that the boycott by government figures and other politicians would have no "impact on the legitimacy of the gathering." But even the influential Islamic cleric who will chair the meeting, Abdul Rasool Sayyaf, was reportedly reluctant to accept Ghani's request to lead it. After U.S. diplomats and military officials as well as Ghani visited his home this past week, Sayyaf agreed. In his opening remarks, Sayyaf called on the Afghan people to unite and not allow the country to be divided along ethnic lines. "We are heading towards reconciliation, regardless of who wants it and who does not," he said. "We will bring peace." The Taliban was invited to attend the meeting but refused. In a statement emailed to the media Monday, a spokesman for the insurgents, Zabiullah Mujahid, denounced the meeting as a conspiracy. "Do not participate in the enemy's conspiracy under the name of jirga," he said. The tone of the opening day was jarring in other ways. First, the delegates were shown a video depicting Taliban regime abuses from 1996 to 2001, including the dynamiting of two historic Buddha statues and the beating of citizens by religious enforcement squads. The video briefly shifted to scenes of dams and reconstruction carried out under Ghani's government. Then, as the president was speaking, a man rose and tried to interrupt him and was removed by security officials. The jirga is being held under extremely tight security, with schools and public offices closed and traffic movement restricted. Among delegates, there was an emerging division of views, with people in conflicted rural areas stressing the urgent need for peace and others in urban areas worried about the high cost a settlement might have on social and personal freedoms. Abdul Ahad Elbek, 39, is a delegate from Faryab, a western province where Taliban fighters have attacked repeatedly in recent years. He said he wished both sides could show "selflessness" in talks to end the war. "All Faryab people, in one voice, want peace," he said. But others, especially among the 900 female delegates at the jirga, expressed a strong desire for any peace to guarantee their rights and freedoms. One was Zahra Joya, 26, a delegate from Kabul. "Women should have unconditional freedom," she said. "We should not be followed by the religious police." - - - The Washington Post's Sharif Hassan contributed to this story. Should the House of Representatives begin impeachment hearings? Maybe. As they ponder that decision, should members consider political implications, including how it would play in 2020? Thats even more complicated. Jim Himes, who has represented Connecticuts Fourth District for the past decade, argues yes, which got him in some trouble online but is, he argues, the only sensible path forward. Himes makes himself available on social media in a way that some politicians shun. Last Monday, he engaged in an extended Twitter discussion with a group that included a few known figures but mostly random users, who may or may not have been constituents or, who knows, even real people. But the discussion got to the heart of serious questions facing Congress, and what the job of representative actually entails. It started with a reporter posing a question on Twitter: Anyone want to guess which Democratic member seemed the most forceful tonight about not impeaching Donald Trump? adding later, LOL it was Jim Himes, along with a link to a story on a private call on which Democratic House members talked about the Mueller report. To which Himes quickly responded, No it wasnt. Jim Himes argued that we should reflect on and consider the effect of impeachment proceedings on the chances of the presidents re-election. To his credit, Himes then responded to a few dozen accounts taking him to task for, in their minds, abdicating a duty to hold the president accountable. Key to the back-and-forth is the question of what exactly a representative in Congress is supposed to do. We dont hold a town meeting to consider every piece of legislation that comes around; we elect people to do that job for us. If we dont like what theyre doing, they get replaced. But is the role of a representative to (a) do as he or she sees fit and deal with the consequences? Or is it (b) to figure out how the public feels about each piece of business and vote accordingly? Those paths would lead to radically different outcomes. In truth, its almost always (a). For instance, polls show something like 90 percent support for universal background checks on gun purchases, but of course we dont have that. The reason is that representatives dont ask their constituents what they think on almost anything they vote as they please and count on everyone moving on by the time Election Day comes around. In this case, though, Himes was arguing we should put an emphasis on public opinion. Its a defensible position, given the stakes; in a phone interview later in the week, Himes called impeachment the nuclear weapon of political tools. Im not saying we dont impeach or that we dont do our duty, he said online. I am saying we should consider public sentiment. The furthest that would reach, presumably, would be the extent of ones district. Its not for a Connecticut congressman to care about (or at least not put foremost) what people think in Ohio or Florida. According to Himes, maybe it is: I wasnt forceful about not impeaching Trump ... I was forceful about making sure we had the best picture possible of how impeachment plays in presidential swing states. The issue here, as Himes himself acknowledged, is the unknowable. The 2016 election taught most people not to take anything for granted voting-wise. But if the goal is holding the president accountable, then all aspects of that question need to be considered, including whether such an action would help him stay in office. One more quote from Himes Twitter exchange: I was making an argument for care and consideration of facts and implications in however we choose to act. I expressed no view on how we should act. True enough. Take away the political question, though, and its clear he does know how Congress should act. In the eyes of many people, that ought to be enough. Hugh Bailey is editorial page editor of the Connecticut Post and New Haven Register. He can be reached at hbailey@hearstmediact.com. Though it is headed by a man who considers himself one of history's greatest dealmakers, the Trump administration lately has been doing its best to avoid making deals. The possibilities in foreign policy for a master negotiator are legion: There are Iran and North Korea with their nuclear programs; Venezuela, whose bankrupt regime presides over a major humanitarian crisis; and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which Trump once described as ripe for a "deal of the century." Yet in recent months, U.S. policy has seemingly been aimed not just at preventing accords on these problems but also at precluding bargaining by our would-be closer in chief. Take the case of Iran. When he withdrew the United States from the multilateral deal limiting Tehran's nuclear program, Trump said he was "ready, willing and able" to negotiate a new accord and confidently predicted that the regime of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was "going to want to make a new and lasting deal." Nearly a year later, Trump has done less bargaining with the Islamic republic than any president in the past 40 years. Not only is his administration not known to be talking with the regime about its nuclear program or its aggressions in the Middle East; it also has taken only minimal action to free the several U.S. citizens that Iran has unjustly imprisoned. Instead, U.S. policy seeks to apply crushing pressure to the regime without offering it a way out. Last week, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced a bid to take Iranian oil exports "to zero" by threatening sanctions on the remaining buyers. The gambit might not work, but if it does, Tehran will face a potentially devastating economic crisis. And by Pompeo's account, it could gain relief only if it meets a list of 12 demands adding up to a 180-degree reversal of its foreign policy. As a practical matter, notes Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group, "Washington's present approach makes possible two scenarios, neither of which is promising." Either Iran "digs in," prompting the Trump administration to redouble its pressure, or it decides to resume its nuclear program to gain some leverage. Either way, Vaez argues, the nonnegotiating strategy opens "a fraught and dangerous path." The administration has taken a similar approach to Venezuela, where it has imposed a drastic sanction against the regime of Nicolas Maduro - a ban on oil trade with the United States - while rejecting negotiations with his government. U.S. strategy is to force the Venezuelan military to remove Maduro and work out a transition plan with the opposition's alternative government. But the generals have not budged, leaving Venezuelans to face a catastrophic decline in already dire living conditions. As for the deal of the century, Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Jason Greenblatt are expected to roll out their long-awaited Mideast peace plan in a month or two. But the administration has already sabotaged it by delivering a series of body blows to the Palestinians, from cutting off funding to the Palestinian Authority to moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Trump's team seems to think it has given the Palestinians a necessary softening up. But those who know them better, such as longtime U.S. Mideast negotiator Dennis Ross, say it has merely triggered the deeply ingrained Palestinian penchant for defiance. Their leaders have refused to talk to Trump's envoys since last year - and it's probable they never will. Then there is North Korea's Kim Jong Un, with whom Trump has portrayed himself as negotiating. At their last meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam, Trump proposed that the North Korean leader agree to surrender Pyongyang's entire nuclear arsenal, plus its chemical and biological weapons, a whopping nonstarter. When Kim refused and made his own one-sided offer, Trump walked away. The North Koreans had reason to be confounded. Before the summit, there were indications that the administration would be open to a more incremental deal, in which North Korea would give up some of its nuclear capacity in exchange for limited U.S. concessions. When Trump instead struck his all-or-nothing stance, the regime blamed Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton. Pyongyang has since demanded that Pompeo be dropped from future talks. North Korea is not known for rational political analysis, but in this case, it may be on to something. Bolton has a decadeslong record of favoring force over diplomacy, while Pompeo has made a militantly uncompromising position toward Iran a trademark since his first election to Congress. It's notable that the two don't figure in the one notable negotiation in which the administration is engaged - with China over trade terms. Trump's first national security team, led by H.R. McMaster, Jim Mattis and Rex Tillerson, was devoted to curbing his most reckless impulses. Could it be that his second is trying to ensure that he makes no compromises? A state Assemblyman from Western New York is revisiting the often-repeated idea of dividing up New York to better reflect the differences between the New York City area and the broad Upstate New York region. But this time, the proposition makes a case for a third region. Assemblyman David DiPietro, a Republican from East Aurora, has created a petition at SplitTheState.com to garner support for his idea to turn New York into three autonomous regions, while still keeping it one state. The regions would be: New York - Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, and Richmond counties Montauk - Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, and Westchester counties New Amsterdam - every county north of Westchester county DiPietro proposes that each region would elect its own governor, legislature, and judicial wing and manage itself, but that for federal purposes, New York would remain one state. New York City has taxed us out of our homes and our businesses, reads a statement on the petition website. Our values are ignored and our resources are shipped downstate where we never see the benefits. DiPietro is far from the first New York lawmaker to propose dividing up the Empire State. In February, Republican state Sen. Daphne Jordan proposed a study to determine the up-front and long-term costs of separating the upstate and downstate regions. Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, R-Batavia, also proposed letting New Yorkers vote in a referendum on the matter. Supporters point to clear ideological differences between Upstate and Downstate residents, but opponents say dividing up the state would be disastrous for Upstate New Yorks economy. Upstate would need to do a really significant reset of the way government is funded and what it spends, and upstate politicians have not exactly been clamoring for the reforms that it would take to make that happen, said E.J. McMahon of the Albany-based Empire Center for Public Policy, a conservative think tank. McMahon points to a lagging economy and shrinking tax base in Upstate New York as areas of concern when considering dividing up the state. But DiPietro thinks the political differences between the regions make his point for him, telling WIVB-TV that Upstate New York would be redder than Texas if the regions were separated. by Jessie Blaeser In early 2019, Japan announced it would withdraw from the moratorium on commercial whaling set by the International Whaling Commission in 1986. Whaling is a long-standing tradition in countries like Japan, Norway, and Iceland, and proponents of Japans decision point out the country will now limit hunting to its own waters. Meanwhile, some countries and environmental groups mourn Japans decision, maintaining that whale species still need protection. What do you think? The international ban on commercial whaling hasnt stopped Japan from hunting whales. The country participates in hunting season annually, claiming that the whales are used for scientific research. By now openly defying the international ban on commercial whaling, Japan will at least limit its hunting to its own waters. According to The Guardians Justin McCurry and Matthew Weaver: [The Japanese governments chief spokesman, Yoshihide Suga] told reporters the countrys fleet would confine its hunts to Japanese territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, adding that its controversial annual expeditions to the Southern Oceana major source of diplomatic friction between Tokyo and Canberrawould end. Plus, many people see the ban on commercial whaling as an implementation of Western values on an international level: Japan argues that the moratorium was supposed to be a temporary measure and has accused a 'dysfunctional' [International Whaling Commission] of abandoning its original purposemanaging the sustainable use of global whale stocks. Japans decision comes as a disappointment to much of the international community. According to the New York Times Daniel Victor, Australias government is extremely disappointed with Japans announcement. Victor reports: Australia maintains a sanctuary for whales, dolphins and porpoises that includes parts of the Antarctic, and it has clashed with Japan over its annual hunts there. 'Australia remains resolutely opposed to all forms of commercial and so-called "scientific" whaling,' the ministers said. 'We will continue to work within the commission to uphold the global moratorium on commercial whaling.' U.K. environment secretary Michael Gove shares the sentiment, saying in a tweet: Extremely disappointed to hear that Japan has decided to withdraw from the International Whaling Commission to resume commercial whaling. The UK is strongly opposed to commercial whaling and will continue to fight for the protection and welfare of these majestic mammals. Michael Gove (@michaelgove) December 26, 2018 Victor continues by pointing out that, for Japan, commercial whaling is more than an economic stimulus, its a long-standing tradition. 'In its long history, Japan has used whales not only as a source of protein but also for a variety of other purposes,' Mr. Suga said in a statement. 'Engagement in whaling has been supporting local communities, and thereby developed the life and culture of using whales.' Although demand for whale meat has declined sharply in Japan, the country maintains publicly that the tradition lives on. The BBCs Rupert Wingfield-Hayes reports that according to the Japanese government: ...whaling is an ancient part of Japanese culture, that fishermen have caught whales for centuries, and that Japan will never allow foreigners to tell its people what they can and cannot eat. One Japanese official once said to me: 'Japanese people never eat rabbits, but we don't tell British people that they shouldn't.' But given the Japanese population's declining interest in whale meat, many are wondering why the country is pushing so hard to maintain a tradition that is no longer lucrative. During a private conversation with a high-ranking member of the Japanese government, the BBCs Wingfield-Hayes explained why he believed resuming commercial whaling was illogical, the official replied: 'I agree with you,' he said. 'Antarctic whaling is not part of Japanese culture. It is terrible for our international image and there is no commercial demand for the meat. I think in another 10 years there will be no deep sea whaling in Japan.' 'There are some important political reasons why it is difficult to stop now.' he said. He would say no more. But [Greenpeace worker, Junko Sakuma] thinks the answer lies in the fact that Japan's whaling is government-run, a large bureaucracy with research budgets, annual plans, promotions and pensions. According to Sakuma, the pride of some government officials is more important to Japan than the survival of various whale species. The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Local Media, LLC property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt, on Instagram @TheTylt or on Facebook, wed love to hear what you have to say. Since 1931, Tweed New Haven Airport has sat on a spit of what was once salt marsh and wetlands straddling the East Haven border. It is wedged between New Haven Harbor where the Quinnipiac River empties, the Farm River mouth separating East Haven and Branford, and Long Island Sound. It is transected by other waterways Tuttle Brook and Morris Creek. And it floods. Recent morning thunderstorms left water rimming the runways and pooling in adjacent residential roads. It will only get worse. No matter what predictive model you use, this piece of Connecticut is destined for inundation from sea level rise. Throw in a tropical storm like Irene in 2011 or Sandy in 2012, nevermind a replay of the Hurricane of 1938, and its all under water. Yet as the legislature wrestles with a bill designed to allow expansion at Tweed including, most critically, an extension of its main runway, the dispute has largely landed on the well-worn arguments about the airport. Opponents argue against expansion for all the predictable reasons: the airport is in a residential area, traffic will be a nightmare, noise and pollution will increase. Fans of expansion say these factors are outweighed by the need for the airport to serve as an economic driver for the region. But theres been almost no mention that the land itself may well be underwater by 2050. Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media Jim ODonnell, executive director of Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA), whose new interactive modeling system use it here shows risk to the site even now, points out that many U.S. airports are built along vulnerable coasts JFK in New York, LAX in Los Angeles. In Connecticut, in addition to Tweed, Groton and Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford both experience flooding. Theyre all built on marshes and if we want to continue using them, theres got to be some kind of protection strategy, ODonnell said. But the idea of expanding an airport in an area which is intrinsically vulnerable doesnt seem to me to make a lot of sense. Alex Felson, a landscape architect and ecologist, recently joined CIRCA as deputy executive director and director of resilience design after years at Yale University. He has worked on resilience planning with many Connecticut shoreline communities, including East Haven, and points out that the airport is in the lowest lying area with pockets of housing around it that are also at risk. But also it functions as a flood management zone. The airport itself actually collects water during flood events and holds water, he said. I think the main thing is, you cant see the airport in isolation. Its tied in with the surrounding context. Giovanni Zinn, the city engineer in New Haven, absolutely agrees with that assessment. And aside from being an engineer, he ought to know he lives just feet from the north end of Tweeds main runway. From a purely hydrologic point of view, the fact that we have an airport there as the lowest piece of property that can detain water is really what keeps the neighborhood from flooding, he said. Even before the airport existed, two tide gates were installed on Morris Creek to help control flooding - and mosquitoes. Theyve been rebuilt over the years but are still in place. But with much of the naturally water-soaking salt marsh replaced by homes, roads and an airport, the gates cant do the job alone. As soon as theres any storm surge at high tide, no water is getting out of the neighborhood back into the water (of Long Island Sound), Zinn said. So water has to go somewhere. In this case it goes into the airport. He says the airport can handle about four inches a decent amount by normal standards, but a Hurricane Harvey scenario like Houston experienced in 2017? No way. And if the airport footprint especially the impervious surface of a runway is altered and/or increased, what will that mean for the flood control capability of the airport? Good question. File photo Putting good money after bad? The legislation being considered now would remove the cap set by lawmakers in 2009 on how long the main runway can be 5,600 feet. At the time it was set, New Haven which owns the airport and East Haven also signed an agreement with the state that set out stipulations from each side.But at the beginning of this year, New Haven Mayor Toni Harp threw out the agreement, arguing that the state had not met its obligations and therefore the cap should be eliminated. In her termination letter, Harp stated that while the agreement anticipated 30 commercial departures a day and 180,000 enplanements a year, departures had never topped five daily and enplanements barely cracked 36,000 annually. Harp laid the blame for this, as she has since 2015, on the length of the runway, which she said should be extended at each end to either 6,600 or 6,100 feet, depending on aircraft direction, thereby making it suitable for more carriers. The airport receives about $1.5 million annually from the state and about $325,000 from the city of New Haven, down from $500,000. There is also an active federal lawsuit in which New Haven is arguing that only the FAA has jurisdiction over the airport, which means the state has no right to set runway length. New Haven lost in an initial court ruling, but has appealed that decision. Airport expansion has been talked about for decades, but its taken on a new robustness, with Harp leading the charge and enlisting Gov. Ned Lamonts support. The governor himself filed comments in support of the bill. The more than 125 comments reads like a whos who of officials from Yale University, the city, and business, all arguing a better functioning airport is needed to keep the university and other New Haven-area businesses competitive by having more convenient long distance transportation options. Among them was Michael Piscitelli, interim economic development administrator for New Haven. He calls the plans for expansion modest - to two or three hub cities, plus Florida, and additional terminal and parking space. Our business community is very concerned that our competitive edge has been lost to other areas, he said in an interview. Tweed Airport Authority Interim Executive Director Matthew Hoey did not respond to emails. The authority runs the airport for New Haven. File photo Supporters of expansion are pitted against arguably the two most powerful people in the Connecticut senate: Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney - whose district covers the New Haven portion of the airport and who lives in the area and Len Fasano, the Senate Minority leader whose district covers the East Haven portion and who owns a home and beach club there. Their arguments have also been more economic, with Fasano angered that Harp is reneging on a deal. Looney is more focused on community impact and said hes informed Lamont the bill, as it emerged from committee, will not clear the legislature. But both are mindful of the environmental component as well. Fasano represents East Havens Cosey Beach decimated by Tropical Storm Irene only to be re-damaged 14 months later by Sandy including his own club. He said the flooding around Tweed and the neighborhood has to be considered. Its surrounded by wetlands, he said. There are some concerns there. And. Fasano wondered whether it would be putting good money after bad. Looney pointed to a detailed list compiled by the neighborhood opponents of expanding Tweed. The list contains numerous environmental issues, including increased greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft and increased motor vehicle traffic, asthma and lead hazards due to additional pollution, more noise, endangered and protected species that live in the area (see recent map here) as well as the flooding problems from sea level rise, stormwater runoff and extreme weather. I think its a very significant concern that has to get factored in wholly apart from the economic issue of getting more flights coming in and out of Tweed, Looney said of the flooding concern. It has to be seen equally, if not more of an urgent concern. In the neighborhood Expansion opponent Rachel Heerema wrote most of the list. She got an instant dose of environmental reality when she moved to the neighborhood just days before Sandy in 2012 and almost immediately wound up in a mandatory evacuation. In an age of climate disorder - more storms, more violent storms - what the heck are we doing? To pave even one more foot is ludicrous, she said. Everywhere we can in Connecticut we need to preserve the wetlands. Wetlands are our answer to climate disorder. Sean OBrien, whose family has been in the area for nearly 100 years, cites additional paving from a runway expansion as one of many factors. If that happens, whats left of the salt marsh barrier is going to be completely gone, he said. If plans in the current master plan are carried out - then theyll have to go right through the creek and re-route it again. Re-routing the creek or not, any expansion will likely face more daunting environmental scrutiny than it might have in years past. Aside from the usual reviews by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection - especially the tidal and inland wetlands last year the legislature enacted climate change legislation that will require any project in a shoreline flood zone that uses state funding or federal funding funneled through the state to face a flood management review. Flood management would have to consider the sea level rise calculation by CIRCA, as required by law. The most recent calculation is that seas could rise as much as 20 inches by 2050. Structures could face a requirement of an additional two feet of elevation. If Tweed falls under that, it could mean the runways overall would need to be elevated. And even if thats not needed now, theres a high likelihood it would in the future. Either way, the cascade effect on the ability of the airport to continue as a water detention basin would likely change and there would almost certainly be more water to deal with. Thats a concern, said Brian Thompson, director of DEEPs Land and Water Resources Division, which would have to issue permits and environmental approval for such projects. Certainly the change in the hydrologic regime of those wetlands and the hydrology around the drainage of those areas is something that would need to be considered, he said. Zinn, New Havens city engineer, doesnt see flooding getting prohibitively bad for another 30 to 50 years. If its bad enough to change the elevation of the runway, its bad enough to change the elevation of houses, he said. Certainly we want to be able to preserve the airport to use as a detention basin. Any plan that would alter that would be concerning to us. I dont see that for quite sometime. Its not like this legislation happens and then poof, theres a runway. But at CIRCA, ODonnell and Felson caution that the cascade of effects from elevating the runway would also add to maintenance, costs and factors yet unknown. I think the tradeoffs are fairly large, Felson said. I think its a totally political decision about how much you need this development - not if its right or wrong, ODonnell said. Whats the cost of doing nothing here? UPDATE: 2:11 PM Both accidents were cleared soon after 2 p.m., according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation. UPDATE: 1:22 PM NORTH HAVEN - Motor Vehicle Accident (3 Vehicle) on I-91 Northbound between Exits 10 and 11. 1 lane is open. Reported at 1:17 pm. Two northbound lanes remain closed between Exits 3 and 5. UPDATE: 12:57 PM Three northbound lanes are closed. Traffic is getting by, but there are heavy delays. EARLIER STORY NEW HAVEN - An overturned motor-vehile has closed two lanes of two lanes of northbound I-91. The two right lanes are closed between Exits 3 and 5. The crash was reported at 12:32 p.m. Marco Buschauer, 14, has loved to read since he was 4 years old. So, for his Eagle Scout project, this Milford Scout from Troop 1 was quickly drawn to an idea called StoryWalk, which combines his love of reading with a chance to get outdoor exercise. StoryWalk is a series of signs featuring sequential pages from a childrens book, according to curiouscitydpw.com. The signs are spread through indoor or outdoor spaces, allowing a reader to follow along with a story by walking. Marcos StoryWalk will be located at Eisenhower Park on North Street. There will be 32 signs for book pages and one for an introduction. The book is in the process of being chosen. The signs should be up by early June, when Marco hopes to have raised the $1,300 he still needs for the project. So far he has raised $6,700 of the $8,000 total, which has allowed him to order the signs but not yet to cover the installation expenses. I have a few things set in motion that may allow me to cover the funds and/or get the items I need, Marco said. The signs are made of powder-coated aluminum with a clear acrylic cover. The book page is put between two sheets of acrylic glass. The entire sign is then put on a pressure treated wooden post that is two to three feet high. The Public Works Department will help dig the post holes. Marco and fellow Scouts will do the rest. StoryWalk was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vt., and has since appeared in all states and 14 countries, according to the City of Milford website. Marco, an eighth grader at Harborside Middle School, told the Board of Aldermen about his project at a recent aldermens meeting. Mayor Ben Blake introduced Marco, heaping praise on him for the project. This is something that really is going to set the tone for this portion of the park, Blake said. The project is a collaboration between the Milford Public Library, the Friends of the Milford Library and Marco. Marco approached me wanting to do something for the library for his Eagle Scout project, said Library Director Chris Angeli. Staff had talked about having a StoryWalk here, and a few of us went to a presentation at the Connecticut Library Association conference on what it would entail. We brought this very ambitious project up to Marco, and he jumped on it. The librarys role has been advisory, and helping with promotion. Once completed, the library will be responsible for maintenance and changing out the books on a quarterly basis. I love this project, said Angeli. The installation will bring literature to people in an unexpected way, and hopefully, instill a desire for more. We hope children and families will get outdoors and get some exercise both physical and mental while spending precious quality time together. The Friends of the Milford Library are supporting the StoryWalk in two ways, according to Friends President Pam Pilla. We have provided funding and we are acting as the fiduciary for the project, managing, keeping track of the additional donations that Marco is receiving and making payments to the suppliers, Pilla said. Marco presented the project to the Friends in August 2018, Pilla added. We also thought the project sounded awesome and very much in line with the mission of the Friends as it supports literacy and community involvement. For more information, go to MilfordStoryWalk.org, or email Marco Buschauer at Marco@MilfordStoryWalk.org or Christine Angeli at cangeli@ci.milford.ct.us. Marco is still collecting funds through his Gofundme page, gofundme.com/y624y. NEW HAVEN An $838 million Neurosciences Center at Yale New Haven Hospitals St. Raphael campus will make the hospital a leading center for the research and care of Parkinsons disease, stroke and other brain-related disorders, officials of Yale New Haven Health, the city and Gov. Ned Lamont announced Monday. The 505,000-square-foot center will bring in $11.9 million to the city: $8.9 million in prepaid building fees next fiscal year and $3 million this year as a one-time payment to help reduce health care costs for city employees. Officials said the city and health care system are working to reduce those costs for city workers in the future. In addition to focusing on neuroscience research and treatment of neurological diseases, the project will move 204 patient beds out of shared rooms in the East Pavilion, which was the section of the Hospital of St. Raphael built in 1953. We are working to provide a patient experience that meets or exceeds our patients expectations, said Marna Borgstrom, CEO of Yale New Haven Health and the hospital. Being sick and being in a room with roommates no longer delights our patients, as you can imagine. She said the center would provide care for conditions from stroke to movement disorders like Parkinsons disease to complex brain abnormalities. The center will bring the most challenging neurological diseases to the forefront marshaling the exceptional science of our colleagues at the Yale School of Medicine. Borgstrom, Lamont, Mayor Toni Harp and Board of Alders President Tyisha Walker-Myers all said the hospital had worked closely with the West River neighborhood in planning the project. Borgstrom said Yale New Haven worked in partnership with our community and in lockstep with our elected and community leaders. Details still are being worked out and the number of jobs that will be created is unknown, though Robert Hutchinson, a spokesman for Yale New Haven Health, said were pretty confident it will be well into the hundreds, including both construction and permanent jobs. This investment right here reminds me of why New Haven, Connecticut, is the central hub of what we can do in the state of Connecticut, Lamont said. He praised what this means in terms of ALS [amyotrophic lateral sclerosis] and Parkinsons and brain tumors and other diseases that so ravage patients and their families. Once the new center opens, the entrance to the St. Raphael campus will move from Chapel Street to George Street. Harp said the project slowly came together over the last couple of years. It will be built within the block St. Raphael occupies, near the corner of George Street and Sherman Avenue. Theres no understating its significance for Yale New Haven Health, for the city of New Haven and for the state of Connecticut. She added that it will increase the need to improve the states transportation system, including faster rail trips to and from New York City and an upgrade to Tweed New Haven Regional Airport. She added, Its not lost on me that three women in leadership positions got this project finished: herself, Borgstrom and Walker-Myers. Walker-Myers, in whose 23rd Ward the St. Raphael campus is located, said it was important that community leaders were involved in planning, especially concerning traffic and access. The parking garage on Orchard Street will be expanded and renovated and a 200-car garage will be built under the new center, which consists of two side-by-side buildings. On behalf of the West River Neighborhood Association and the West River community, we really thank you, she said to hospital leadership, because investment in the hospital translates to investment in the neighborhood. Mary Farrell, chairwoman of Yale New Haven Hospitals board of trustees, said, We are proud of delivering on the commitments we made seven years ago, when Yale New Haven bought St. Raphael, a Roman Catholic hospital burdened by debt and pension liabilities. At the time, Christopher OConnor, then the CEO of St. Raphael, warned that the hospital, founded in 1907 by the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth, was on the brink of bankruptcy. OConnor now is chief operating officer of Yale New Haven Health. Richard DAquila, president of Yale New Haven Health, said the hospital is a leader in stroke prevention and care as well as movement and other neurodegenerative disorders. It was the first to perform mechanical thrombectomies, which remove clots that could lead to stroke, and the St. Raphael campus is certified as an advanced stroke center, which uses video conferencing to diagnose and help develop care for patients at other hospitals. This campus will be really exceptional, from early diagnosis to treatment of neurological disorder and restorative care, DAquila said. The new center will allow us to push the frontier of neurological care well beyond where we are today, he said. Dr. Robert Alpern, dean of the Yale School of Medicine, said many medical schools have specialties in different areas, but Yale really specializes in neuroscience and is No. 1 in the country in receiving research grants in that area from the National Institutes of Health. The Kavli Institute at the medical school researches the study of neural cells and systems and Alpern said the school is one of eight national Alzheimers disease centers and a member of the Northeast ALS Consortium. He said Yale researchers have worked to reduce stroke risk by decreasing inflammation, developed ketamine as a drug to treat depression in collaboration with Mount Sinai and identified a channel that mediates pain. This is going to be a critical approach in the avoidance of opioids. edward.stannard@hearstmediact.com; 203-680-9382 NEW HAVEN Keisha Greene wants something good to come out of the pain suffered by her son, Paul Witherspoon, who was targeted in the police shooting on Argyle Street April 16. To make that happen, she is striving to ensure her voice and, by extension, that of the neighborhood in which she was raised is heard. Greene, her fiancee, Jasmine Evans, and Greenes uncle, Rodney Williams, held a news conference Monday morning amid the sweeping reaction to the shooting, which left Witherspoons girlfriend, Stephanie Washington, 22, wounded. When this time next month comes along, and theres something else that happens, you guys wont be around. Yall will be on to the next hot story. But this community still will have to deal with everything thats going on, said Greene, addressing reporters in attendance. I at least want to be able to say, with all this that happened, that we made a difference, somewhere. Greene advocated for strengthening relationships between police and the Newhallville community, including having officers live in the areas they police, improving communication with Hamden police and bettering that departments practices when dealing with people of color. The Hamden and Yale officers involved in the shooting both are black. Greene and Williams called for investment to engage and provide young people in the neighborhood with consistent opportunities for growth. Greene said she would like to see the two officers that fired at her son, Devin Eaton of the Hamden police and Terrance Pollock of the Yale department, terminated from their positions and barred from future municipal jobs. Williams noted that a 19-year-old white man that killed a woman in a synagogue in Poway, Calif., Saturday had not been shot by police, even as he represented a significantly greater threat then Williams nephew, a black man, had on the night of April 16. He called for people, collectively, to reckon with that. Greene and Williams said they wanted to differentiate their voices from those of a group of pastors who have regularly offered thoughts and commentary after the shooting. The pastors had not appropriately reached out to them to offer support or ask for their input, they said, and ultimately do not represent them or the Newhallville community. A lot of these pastors are not from our town. They come, they go, theyre here for a certain amount of time, and then they stand in front of (the media) like theyre leaders. What they are is part-time leaders, said Williams. (T)hey need to stand with the people in the community that have been here and really know whats going on. We want what happened to him to impact our community for the better. And the only way it can how about asking us? We grew up here, said Williams. All my kids, my family, live right here. I didnt migrate here and Im not leaving. You want to get on camera? Get on camera and say, listen, were going to do Sunday service after for two hours for the youth. Do something for the community, said Greene. If youre here for me, then somebody should have called me. Pastor Kelcey Steele, whose congregation, Varick Memorial, held a prayer service Sunday in the wake of the shooting, said in a statement that the familys comments had slandered my name and our efforts at the Varick Church. The family was contacted and they didnt respond back to us, said Steele. The prayer service was a part of our regularly scheduled worship service and we welcome all and we prayed for not just (New Haven) but police relations in America. The Rev. John Lewis, speaking on behalf of the Rev. Boise Kimber and other pastors who have spoken out after the shooting, said that some had reached out to the family. But it was not common knowledge that Williams was Witherspoons uncle immediately after the incident, he said. Once it was, attempts to reach out to the family through Williams were rejected, he said. Lewis said the pastors did not intend to speak on behalf of Witherspoon and Washington, but, instead, represent their parishioners and other residents of the community in an effort to improve policing practices. We speak out as clergy, said Lewis. Were speaking on behalf of the community that were invested in. Greene said Witherspoon is doing the best that he can after the shooting. State police are currently investigating the shooting. Trooper Josue Dorelus previously said the officers fired after Witherspoon exited the vehicle abruptly and turned toward them. He was suspected of committing an alleged armed robbery in Hamden; no weapon was found in the vehicle or on his person after the incident. Washington has since been released from the hospital. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com A student graduating from Brigham Young University, the church-sponsored educational institution headquartered in Utah, used a high-profile speech to come out. Valedictorian Matt Easton shared with others during a commencement ceremony that he's gay. "I am proud to be a gay son of God," he said during the speech, noting he previously only shared details of his sexual orientation to close friends and certain family members. The graduate did so at Brigham Young University, an institution founded and supported by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All students are welcome at BYU, provided they "meet the universitys academic requirements and adhere to standards of the LDS Church," the church says on its website. KUTV reported being gay isn't in conflict with teachings of the church but being in a gay relationship is. "I've never come out publicly before," he told the news station. "There's people who are telling me I went too far, people telling me I didn't go far enough." Clare Dignan / Hearst Connecticut Media NEW HAVEN The man shot Saturday afternoon in the Harbor Crest apartment complex on Quinnipiac Avenue is in stable condition Monday, according to city police Capt. Anthony Duff. Police responded to the parking lot of 1423 Quinnipiac Ave. at 1:14 p.m. Saturday, finding a 44-year-old man who had been shot in the lower abdomen, Duff said. NEW HAVEN A Milford teenager enrolled at Joseph A. Foran High School and ACES Educational Center for the Arts on Audubon Street was named Miss Teen USA 2019 on April 28 in Reno, Nevada. Kaliegh Garris, 18, a competitive dancer, defeated 51 other contestants to place first in the Miss Teen USA competition, becoming the second victor from Connecticut after Logan West won in 2012, according to a release. NEW HAVEN The police union, as it continues to wait for a new contract, says the exodus of officers to other departments is continuing, negatively affecting the representation of minorities among the ranks. As the Harp administration has stated previously, we want officers that mirror the community. Well, let me tell you firsthand those same individuals who mirror the community are leaving the department for better wages and benefits for communities that they may in fact not mirror, Officer Florencio Cotto Jr., president of New Haven Elm City Inc., said in a statement. Cotto also asked Mayor Toni Harp to follow the example of Bridgeport and settle a contract with the police. The stalemate over wages, proposed medical changes, expanded management rights and other non-cost items remains in arbitration, a battle that will reach three years this summer. Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim signed a five-year contract with police last week that has pay raises in each of those years: one percent, 2.5 percent and 2 percent in the remaining three years, Hearst Connecticut Media reported. Three of those years are retroactive to July 2016 for a raise of 7.5 percent come July 1 and 9.5 percent by the beginning of fiscal 2021. Prior to this, in 2018, Bridgeport police turned down a four-year contract that had a pay freeze in the first year. New Haven police also turned down the citys offer before eventually voting to go into binding arbitration. Cotto is asking New Haven Mayor Toni Harp to sit down with him to come to a settlement as Ganim did with Bridgeport Police Union President Chuck Paris. When will this administration discontinue wasting hard earned taxpayer resources and actually invest those same dollars in a new successor contract with the police union? I await Mayor Harps call to end this contract dispute, Cotto said in a statement. As for the issue of minorities leaving the police force, Sgt. Wilfredo Cruz resigned as of April 27 and five more officers will be leaving in early May, four of whom are minorities, according to the union president. Three of them are going to the Stamford Police Department and one is going to Danbury, Cotto said. A fifth officer, who is white, will join the Clinton Police Department. Three more black officers are waiting to hear back from departments they applied to, Cotto said. Other black officers who resigned recently include: Officer Jenna Davis, who went to Hamden, and Officer Omar Thomas, who left for Meriden. Cotto said those who are leaving said they appreciated the experience and the friends they have made on the citys police force, but felt they had to move on for a more secure future. The number of officers resigning or retiring, starting in 2018, with the additional loss effective next month, has grown to 74. Taxes increased last year following a shortfall in state funds, but there is no increase for fiscal 2020. Part of any budget decision is the problem of ever escalating medical costs, tackling a $30 million structural deficit and stabilizing two pension funds that are $700 million underfunded. A request for comment was sent to the city. Former Police Chief Anthony Campbell, in an earlier interview, said it takes four years for a New Haven officer to get to top pay. He or she starts at $44,400 for the first two years; the third year is an estimated $52,000; with the base salary reaching top pay of $68,000 in the fourth year. He said he couldnt compete with the area departments that start officers close to $68,000 or more. The average salary for an officer across the state, according to Indeed.com, is $67,004. Locally, Hamden starts higher than New Haven and tops out around $83,000, Campbell said. Campbell left because of a proposal to remove the cap on police contributions to retiree health benefits. Labor Relations Director Thomas McCarthy has said the parties, at any point in time, could make a deal and stop arbitration. The mayor has said going to binding arbitration was a mistake, as it lengthens the time to a deal and defines what you can and cannot do. Cotto said the administration, through its inactions, would seem to indicate that it feels the police are paid fairly for the responsibilities theyre entrusted with and the work they perform. Im here to say that is an entirely false narrative. My members hold a position where they repeatedly risk their lives, which would justify their higher compensation, Cotto said. The safety and security of all children, adults young and old and visitors alike, should be allocated the proper resources. Until this occurs you will continually observe officers resign their position for other departments with a market rate of pay and benefits, Cotto said. mary.oleary@hearstmediact.com; 203-641-2577 The San Diego Planning Commision unanimously recommended the approval of the Preserve at Torrey Highlands, a 450,000-square-foot office complex surrounded on three sides by the Del Mar Mesa Preserve. The project will now move onto San Diego City Council for final approval. The April 4 hearing stretched for over four hours as commissioners heard from several speakers in opposition and worked through concerns about the projects location and size, A seven-story parking garage gives us all a bit of heartburn, said Commissioner Stephen Haase. To address the commissions concerns about mass and intensity, Cisterra Development agreed to reduce one of the buildings heights from six stories to five and drop two levels from the parking structure. The resulting parking structure would be five stories with one subterranean level rather than seven stories. Two of the three office buildings would be five stories and one four stories. The height reductions were conditions of the planning commissions recommended approval of the community plan amendment and rezone. The Preserve at Torrey Highlands is proposed for the extension of Camino Del Sur off SR-56, across from the Merge 56 mixed use development that is slated to break ground next year. Merge 56 includes a cinema, retail, restaurants, office space, hotel and 242 residential townhouse units. Also at the intersection is the future Meridian project a 600,000-square-foot office project that will not be built until a tenant is secured. Cisterra bought the 11-acre parcel in 2015 from the Catholic Diocese of San Diego, which at one time had planned to build a church on the property. This land was never intended to be left undeveloped or to be a part of the Del Mar Mesa Preserve, said David Dick, a partner with Cisterra. Dick said the project furthers the goals of the citys General Plan by adding to the employment base, contributing to job/housing balance, increasing the likelihood that area residents will find an alternative to long commutes to work and assuring that the region remains a vital part of our growing innovation economy. The view of the Del Mar Mesa Preserve from the end of Camino Del Sur. Karen Billing Benefits to the community include the contemporary extension of the Merge 56 project, numerous environmental measures that ensure protection of the preserve and the long-overdue completion of Camino Del Sur. Dick said the size of The Preserve project is essential to attracting the type of tenants they would want, providing companies with space they need to grow and thrive. Real estate advisor Gary London said there is a need for commercial office space of this type in San Diego and the location is ideal because its on a transportation corridor and near housing. We need places where our employees can live and work close to each other because theres a disconnect in this region between housing and employment, London said. During public comment, opposition represented Protect our Preserves San Diego (POPs), a group that formed about two months ago which has members from numerous communities and organizations, including 20-year Carmel Valley Community Planning group member Anne Harvey. Harvey has spoken out against the intrusion of development into the preserve at local planning board meetings over the last two months. Harvey said that the development site was not included in the citys protected Multi-Habitat Planning Area (MHPA) because it was owned by the diocese and planned to be a small village-like church, not a monstrous office complex and parking garage. She argued that the nearby Intuit and Meridian complexes are a logical part of the SR-56 corridor and employment center, but not the proposed projects site, farther out on on top of the mesa, neighbored by Deer Canyon, vernal pools and a preserve with a management plan assembled over 10 long years with wildlife agencies and preserve users. This is a clash between years of thoughtful planning and a last-minute request from a recent buyer for an inappropriate zoning change, Harvey said. POPs members Elizabeth Rabbitt and Kathryn Burton, chairs of the Del Mar Mesa and Torrey Hills Community Planning Boards respectively, both requested denial of the project. The consequences of this development to our precious preserve, its intrinsic environmental value and its incredibly popular recreation opportunities will be irreversibly negative, said Susie Murphy, the executive director of the San Diego Mountain Bike Association. According to Dick, Cisterra has taken great efforts to lessen the visual impacts on the preserve and incorporated design elements that are respectful to the neighboring habitat. He said they have conformed the building to the existing topography, directed lighting away from the preserve, incorporated barriers to prevent noise and used extreme care with landscaping to remain consistent with MHPA guidelines. He said a portion of the site will remain preserved through a permanent conservation easement and Cisterra has committed $485,000 to an endowment for the restoration of previously damaged habitat and long-term stewardship and management of the preserve. The opposition raised to me, non-issues, said Commissioner James Whalen. He said the adjacent habitat type is the lowest quality type in the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP), the vernal pools on the southwest corner are protected, and the on-site management plan and measures to protect the preserve are standard with the MSCP. He noted that there was no participation in the hearing from the wildlife agencies, If they had issues, theyd be here. Whalen said he did think that the proposed development was a bit too big for the site, a sentiment echoed by Commissioners Douglas Austin and William Hofman, who said he would support a less intense project of similar use. The commissioners were not all sold on the location. I find myself thinking if I was a community member like you, I would be out there fighting like the dickens to preserve this open space, all of it, said Commissioner Vicki Granowitz. But that isnt necessarily what we can do. Chair Susan Peerson agreedwhile she said she did not believe that the site should be a development site, it is not part of the protected MHPA. Peerson was looking to balance the need for employment centers and the right for the site to be developed with a lessened impact on the surrounding preserve. Her main concern was the abrupt edges, particularly the parking structure. Cities across America have tried to fuel economic development at the expense of poor neighborhoods under claims of urban renewal. The process sometimes is, sarcastically, referred to as urban removal. In the 1960s, the phrase had a more racially motivated name. Urban redevelopment too often pushes out those who currently are living in the areas targeted. Almost always, those residents are low income and often have nowhere to turn when being displaced. From Boston to Baltimore to Pittsburgh and San Francisco , residents have feared gentrification. But officials in Louisville, Kentucky, are taking a different approach. Its a project leaders and community organizers are watching closely. The city has an ambitious $870 million plan to improve the historic Russell neighborhood without gentifying it. The plan focuses on creating mixed-income housing. In her latest edition of Matter of Fact, journalist Soledad OBrien features an installment of her ongoing series, Americas Cities: Russell Rising. In it, she takes a look at the housing project known as Beecher Terrace, which was built in 1939 adjacent to Louisvilles Downtown to accommodate Kentuckys growing black population. When the housing development was built, nearby streets were lined with restaurants and other businesses. Today, though, 60 percent of the people in Russell live in poverty. The city is working to tear down the terrace, spending $187 million of public and private money to replace it with mixed-income housing and commercial property. The plan is to finish by 2023. In a favorable location next to Downtown Louisville, though, leaders are face a challenge: How can you avoid changing the Russell neighborhood and not just move in new, richer, whiter people into a community thats historically black? And thats gonna be the challenge for all of us. We know we are changing the neighborhood, said Lisa Osanka, the head of Louisville Metro Housing Authority. Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer cited data from other projects his city has taken on that shows about one-third of the people move back into a community that has been rebuilt. The city isnt growing in a way that others might be, he said. So we have time to address this in a more measured way, Fischer said. Were also intentional about making sure (that) as we regenerate, we dont displace. Last week, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking the president from applying an unlawful gag rule on reproductive health providers temporarily protecting the nations preeminent reproductive health care program from this unconscionable and unethical partisan attack. This preliminary injunction is a significant win, but our work to protect Title X is far from over. As both the first Chinese-American elected state attorney general and the first Chinese-American president of our nations leading reproductive health care provider, this fight is personal for us. Our parents arrived in this country from China at a time when the federal government and its laws supported families like ours. Yes, our parents spent long hours working for low wages in kitchens, cleaning hotel rooms and delivering newspapers. Their sacrifice and determination shaped who we are and empowered us to do what we do today. But we are also who we are today because we grew up in a country that ensured we didnt go hungry, we had a safe place to live and we had access to health care. When one of our fathers overstayed his tourist visa, this country gave him the chance to make things right. When one of our mothers was pregnant and needed care, this country had programs to provide nutrition, information and support. We are living in a different America today. Now, every day, we witness the escalating, aggressive cruelty of the Trump-Pence administration. We are defending against an onslaught of unlawful, discriminatory actions designed to further oppress communities who already face routine, systemic injustice. The administration is determined to deny the fundamental human right of health care to millions of Americans. Today, the war on families like ours isnt just at the border it is being waged in doctors offices across this country. In what is often referred to as the gag rule, the administration has moved to muzzle doctors in the Title X program and bar them from sharing critical information with patients about their reproductive health care choices. Doctors and nurses would not be able to refer patients to abortion care, even if patients ask. Its not even clear doctors could refer patients when it is medically necessary. Over 100 medical and nursing organizations have spoken up in opposition to the gag rule, and the American Medical Association has joined with Planned Parenthood to fight the unethical, illegal changes to the program. Title X enables 4 million people nationwide to receive access to birth control, breast and cervical cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, and other life-saving preventive care. For many patients, Planned Parenthood or another Title X provider is their sole source of health care. In Connecticut, over 45,000 patients receive care through Title X, the vast majority at Planned Parenthood health centers. If those health centers could not provide care, other providers in Connecticut simply do not have the capacity to meet the surge in demand. This could leave tens of thousands of patients in Connecticut alone without access to basic health care. Nationwide, the gag rule would dismantle a critical safety net for millions of people with low incomes. These drastic changes to the Title X program may not affect the wealthy, or those who already have private insurance. But for the most vulnerable among us for immigrants, people of color, rural Americans, people with low incomes their right to health care is under attack. Keeping people unhealthy is a tool of oppression. The Trump-Pence administration knows that people who arent healthy cannot fully participate in the economy, cannot complete their education or participate in our political system. The policies they are enacting will take life-saving care and life-transforming power away from immigrants, communities of color, LGBTQ people and working families. Thats why we fight. We are in this fight to protect the fundamental human right to health care. Basic human needs must transcend partisanship and politics. All people no matter immigration status, income, or background deserve access to health care. Children must be able to live out their hopes and dreams. And were prepared to do all we can to make that a reality. William Tong is attorney general of Connecticut. Dr. Leana Wen, is a physician and president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. SEYMOUR Whether serving his country in the Marine Corps and the Air Force, protecting the public as a state trooper, leading the town as first selectman or playing Santa Claus, theres no denying Frank Conroy lived to make the community a better place. A town icon, known for his integrity and always being true to his word, Conroy died Monday at age 90. He exemplified what a community member is about, said Conroys daughter, former state Rep. Theresa Conroy. He never ceased to have vision for his community. There was never a project too big or too small for him to do. Theresa Conroy said her father was instrumental in many things, including establishing a home for the Valley Marine Corps and fundraising to both purchase and revitalize Legion Pool on Chatfield Street into the home of the Land Trust, where as a young boy, he won the freckle contest. Conroy, at one time president of the Land Trust, worked countless hours to whip Legion Pool into shape, helping build gazebos and bridges and hold popular programs from fishing rodeos to the annual Santa visit, where he played the jolly old elf himself for years. A dedicated Democrat, Conroy served as first selectman from 1981-83, and again stepped up in 1999 for a short time when then-First Selectman John OToole resigned. He was a longtime member and former chairman of the Board of Police Commissioners. He would come home after a meeting and tell his wife that they hired a good cop tonight and felt proud to be able to help and mentor police, Theresa Conroy said. One of those good cops fortunate to have called Conroy a friend and mentor is Police Chief Paul Satkowski, who said Conroy supported him through his promotions from sergeant to chief. He was a man of his word and integrity was important to him, Satkowski said. Commissioner Conroy was a great supporter of the men and women of the Police Department. He worked tirelessly to make it better for them to do their jobs. He always tried to do what was best not only for the department but for the town as well. First Selectman Kurt Miller echoed similar sentiments. Frank was a true gentleman and a man of great integrity, said Miller. He served his country, his state and his hometown with dignity and respect. He was a man that we can all be proud to say was from Seymour. Conroy and his wife of 67 years, Ann, were honored with a Community Service Award last year during the annual Christmas parade. A camping enthusiast, music lover and history buff, Conroy loved his family above all. He took great pride in all of his childrens accomplishments and his grandchildren were everything to him, said Theresa Conroy. Personally, I was blessed to have him as my inspiration. I never thought that I could run for elected office, but he gave me the courage and insight into what I could do for my community. There has been no greater honor than to be able to call him my dad. Calling hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at St. Augustine Church, 35 Washington Ave., followed by a funeral service at 10 a.m. Thursday. The family has established the Frank and Ann Conroy Fund for the Joy of Music at the Valley Community Foundation. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Conroy Fund and mailed to VCF, 253-A Elizabeth St., Derby CT 06418; or made online at www.valleyfoundation.org. To light a virtual candle or to leave condolences online, visit www.millerwardfuneralhome.com. jean.sos@snet.net A man arrested Friday in central Pennsylvania is the killer who left a 25-year-old woman along the side of a remote stretch of road in 2014 in South Jersey, authorities alleged Monday. Timothy Wright, 39, was arrested Friday and charged with the murder of 25-year-old Joyce Vanderhoff, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner said in a statement. Vanderhoff was found the morning of Feb. 14, 2014 on County Road 559 in Hamilton Township, near mile marker 24. A passing driver called police to report seeing the womans body. She died of strangulation, Tyner said. The Press of Atlantic City wrote that Vanderhoff was found naked; her grandmother later left a memorial, along the highway including a shirt and pants. The family wanted answers. Vanderhoff liked to draw, and enjoyed bowling, snowboarding and camping, according to her obituary. She worked at the Mays Landing Walmart and attended Shore Fellowship Church. She graduated from Egg Harbor Township High School in 2006. Wright was living in Mays Landing when Vanderhoff was killed, according to Tyners statement. Investigators learned of Wright as a suspect and tracked him to Chambersburg, in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Chambersburg Detective Sgt. Jon Greenawalt said Wright had lived there for three to five years, and was working as a commercial truck driver. Chambersburg officers and Atlantic County detectives arrested Wright when he was getting out of his truck into his personal vehicle. He is now in the Franklin County Jail pending extradition to New Jersey, Greenawalt said. Im glad they were able to find some measure of justice for the family and certainly for the victim, he added. The investigation into the murder of Ms. Vanderhoff has never stopped since her death in February 2014, Tyners statement said. "This arrest, more than five years since the incident, should continue to serve as a message that the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office will never stop in its pursuit of justice for victims and their families. Joe Brandt can be reached at jbrandt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JBrandt_NJ. 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. Two teens, ages 14 and 15, burglarized the attendants booth at a Cape May County gas station and tried to break into an adjacent vape shop before being found by cops in a parked SUV, authorities said. A Middle Township police officer investigated a tripped burglar alarm at the Conoco gas station on Route 9 in the Cape May Court House section of the township at 4:50 a.m. Sunday and found two teens in an SUV parked in McDonalds lot a few feet away, authorities said Monday. The officer saw burglars tools in plain sight and then found that the electricity to the gas station had been cut. Police said someone entered the attendants booth and tried to get into the vape shop. Both boys were charged with burglary, theft and possession of burglars tools. The 14-year-old is from Woodbine, while the 15-year-old lives in Cape May Court House. Both were released to their parents after being arrested. Neither was named by police because they are juveniles. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. 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. Newark police are looking for a man who broke into a church early Sunday but dropped the safe he stole while running away, authorities said. The burglar entered Chosen Generation Ministries on Hudson Street sometime between midnight and 1 a.m. Sunday and fled down a fire escape carrying a safe, laptop and other office equipment, according to police. He left the safe behind while dashing north on Hudson Street, though. Police say he was wearing a black coat and dark-colored jeans. Anyone with information is asked to call the police departments tip line at 1-877-695-8477 or 1-877-695-4867. All tips are confidential and could lead to a reward. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. 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. The Jersey City police officer who is accused of firing his weapon during an off-duty altercation with a juvenile last year would serve 18 months in prison and never wear the uniform again in a plea deal offered by Hudson County prosecutors. Jersey City Police Det. Cesar Celestino would plead guilty to aggravated assault for pointing the gun in the incident that occurred inside Lincoln Park in Jersey City on July 28. The deadline for accepting the plea offer is May 20. Meanwhile Celestino has filed notice that he will mount a defense of self-defense. The incident was caught on one of the surveillance cameras inside the county park. Celestinos attorney, Jeff Garrigan, also said at the pretrial hearing before Hudson County Superior Court Judge John Young Monday morning that he has provided the prosecution with a report from a police liability expert. After the hearing, Garrigan said the expert report describes the correct manner and method of the operating firearms. He said the writer of the report is a police officer and an expert in the proper use of force in situations in which an officer is allowed display his firearm. In connection to the incident, Celestino was indicted on the charges of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, false incrimination and two counts each of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child. Video of the incident, which was released by the Hudson County Prosecutors Office, shows Celestino walking with his 13-year-old son near the Kensington Avenue park entrance before getting into an argument with another person. The argument turns physical and at one point, Celestino is seen drawing his gun, prompting the other person to put his hands in the air. Just when Celestino fires the gun is not clear, but he is seen eventually reholstering it. The juvenile Celestino had been fighting with eventually leaves the area with a girl that had accompanied him. Her presence during the altercation led to the second endangering charge. No one was injured. The indictment does not name the boy and girl, but says one was 17 years old and the other 13 at the time. The indictment also charges Celestino, who implicated the boy in a robbery, with knowingly giving false information to a police sergeant. The two aggravated assault counts charge Celestino with pointing his gun at a person. The Prosecutors Office alleges he also discharged the weapon. Celestino was originally suspended without pay, but he has been reinstated on modified duty as a result of a change in policy by the Jersey City Police Department. At Mondays hearing, he was dressed in a grey suit and stood beside Garrigan at the defense table and said nothing. JERSEY CITY A municipal drama is unfolding at the Jersey City Department of Public Works, where the departments second-in-command wants an investigation of his boss for overseeing a culture of aggression. The initial salvo in the intra-departmental war was fired last week when Jeff Dublin, a former freeholder and an assistant DPW director, sent a six-page memo to Mayor Steve Fulop detailing a host of allegations about the DPW director, Pat Stamato. Stamato curses at subordinates, makes crass jokes about women, threatens co-workers and even headbutted a division director, according to Dublins memo, sent on April 23 and obtained by The Jersey Journal. Stamato has also used his time on the clock to perform business for a Port Liberte condo association, the memo says. Beyond direct aggression, the director displays childish, bizarre and distracted behavior and continues to demonstrate a lack of focus and coherence in meetings on matters both large and small, Dublins memo reads. City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said the matter is under review by the citys human resources department. Jeff Dublin has documented complaints against his boss, Pat Stamato, and Pat Stamato has outlined performance issues with Jeff Dublin, Wallace-Scalcione said. Requests for comment from Dublin and Stamato were not returned. A source close to Stamato said he can be hot tempered, but added that city employees are not used to dealing with behavior seen in the private sector. Stamato, who joined the citys payroll in 2016, spent 40 years working for sanitation companies before becoming a public worker. People arent used to it, the source said. Dublins allies believe the city is going easy on Stamato because he is important politically for Fulop. Stamatos wife, Barbara, is the Jersey City Democratic chair. Dublin was a fierce Fulop critic during the 2013 mayors race, which Fulop won. Afterward, a Fulop ally unseated Dublin from the Hudson County freeholder board. Dublin then entered into the Fulop fold, giving the mayor and his allies a combined $2,295 in the 2017 city race. Dublin most recently donated to Fulops campaign in January. Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. Jersey Citys school district, reeling from hundreds of millions in planned state funding cuts over the next six years, is suing the state of New Jersey, alleging the cuts are unconstitutional and have harmed the districts 30,000 students. The bombshell lawsuit, filed in Hudson County Superior Court on Monday morning, alleges those state aid cuts are coming on top of previous losses of state aid that have cost the district an additional $600 million. More state aid, not reduced funding, is required, the lawsuit says. If successful, the lawsuit would have a seismic impact on the way school districts are funded in New Jersey, joining Robinson v. Cahill in 1973 and Abbott v. Burke in 1985 as landmark cases concerning school funding. The complaint comes just six months after the school district took the final step necessary to win back complete local control of the district from New Jersey education officials. The state takeover began in 1989. The district, which operates with a $555 million budget that gets most of its revenue from the state, says it may have to lay off nearly 400 teachers as a direct result of the most recent state aid cuts. These negative impacts would follow thousands of JCBOE students for the rest of their lives, severely reducing their chances of being accepted into college or other secondary schooling and their ability to be constructive members of the work force, reads the 166-page lawsuit. The two-count lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the School Funding Reform Act of 2008 and amendments to that law passed last year. Those amendments, which called for phasing out the form of state aid responsible for at least $175 million in Jersey Citys school budget, came after years of criticism from school officials in districts around the state that received far less in state funding assistance than Jersey City receives and less than the SFRA promised. Important factors at play here are the districts adequacy budget and its local fair share. The adequacy budget is the amount the state says is necessary to provide a thorough and efficient education to every pupil. The local fair share is the amount the state believes local taxpayers should kick in for the school budget. For 2018-19, Jersey Citys adequacy budget is $590 million and its local fair share is $399 million. The local school tax levy is only $124 million. The lawsuit argues that the state should have filled the gap between the local tax levy and the districts adequacy budget, a gap that has widened since SFRA was adopted in 2008. Jeff Bennett is with the Fair Funding Action Committee, which has advocated for the kind of redistribution of state school funding aid Jersey Citys district has argued against. Bennett said the states 2008 school funding law does not call for an increase in aid to help Jersey City reach its adequacy budget. SFRA was never intended to fill in whatever the gap was between the districts tax levy and its adequacy budget, Bennett told The Jersey Journal. That is 100 percent false. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are the Jersey City Board of Education, an unidentified student at School 29 and his guardian, Shanna Givens. The defendants are New Jersey; the state Department of Education and its commissioner, Lamont Repollet; the New Jersey Office of Management and Budget; the New Jersey Department of Treasury; and the state treasurer, Elizabeth Maher Muoio. Angelo J. Genova, of law firm Genova Burns, is representing the BOE in this case. Spokesmen for the state Attorney Generals Office which handles press inquiries about pending litigation and for the New Jersey DOE declined to comment. Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. With Memorial Day just four weeks away, the signs of summer continue to emerge at the Jersey Shore with photos of a large pod of dolphins swimming and playing in the waves among a group of surfers off Belmar over the weekend. Local photographer Mary Dunham of Shore Shot Images captured the scene and estimated the pod at between 50 and 100 with lots of very young dolphins." A few playful friends joined the line-up this morning off Belmar, Dunham said in a Facebook post sharing the images on Saturday. Saw the jumping and splashing from about 2 blocks away. Dolphins are regular visitors to the Jersey Shore and can often be seen swimming and splashing close to the shoreline. A large pod of dolphins splash and play in the surf off Belmar on Saturday as surfers look on. It was a busy weekend for marine life along the Jersey Shore. Cape May Whale Watcher reported spotting three humpback whales during a trip off the coast on Sunday. The day before, the group reported a large pod of dolphins off North Wildwoods beach. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. The school bus driver facing numerous charges in the horrific I-80 bus crash that left a 10-year-old Paramus middle school student and a social studies teacher dead last year will stand trial in the fall. Hudy Muldrow, 78, declined to speak to reporters Monday after a court hearing in Morris County that set a trial date of Oct. 7. Muldrow, who remains free pending the trial, appeared before Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor in a brown suit and fedora with the courtroom packed with his family and teachers from the school and parents wearing dark blue #ParamusStrong shirts. Muldrow has been indicted on two counts of reckless vehicular homicide in the deaths of teacher Jennifer Williamson and fifth-grade student Miranda Vargas. He also faces dozens of counts of assault by auto for the injuries sustained by the other 40 passengers on the bus. Muldrow is accused of attempting to make an illegal U-turn on Interstate 80. A dump truck struck the school bus from behind, killing two and injuring more than 40 people on the bus who were headed to a field trip with East Brook Middle School in May 2018. Hes received eight speeding tickets and had his license suspended 14 times between 1975 and 2017, state motor vehicle records show. He was banned from driving upon being charged in the fatal crash and released from jail on May 30. A video released by the New Jersey Department of Transportation in November showed the bus come into frame at the top right of screen as it makes its way down a ramp to I-80 west from Route 206 in Mount Olive, just as the dump truck appears on the bottom of the screen. The driver passed the concrete strip separating the ramp and interstate, briefly stopped, and made a sharp left turn across the three lanes, in an attempt to use a cut-through to the eastbound lanes. The dump truck, which was traveling west, tried to avoid the bus, which was moving perpendicular across the highway, but was unable to stop before it crashed into the vehicle. The bus was the second in a three-bus convoy on the school trip. Muldrow, however, missed a turn for Waterloo Village on Route 206, according to the prosecutors office. The two other buses arrived at the destination, but Muldrow drove the bus back onto I-80 west away from the destination and attempted to make the illegal turn, prosecutors said. A court affidavit said Muldrow "disregarded the marked No Turn sign and turned Bus #2 to the left in an apparent attempt to gain access to an official-use only access point located between the East and Westbound lanes of Route 80." In the wake of the crash, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law requiring three-point seatbelts on school buses. Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snietomunoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her at @snietomunoz. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Evan Kontos was not one of those kids who grew up wanting to be a firefighter from a young age. He took the firefighting test on the suggestion of a fire chief, as a young adult, and passed. And hes become quite a natural at it. This past Saturday evening, in a ballroom in Edison, the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (FMBA) honored Kontos with their gold medal of valor, the unions highest honor, for his actions rescuing two women submerged in an icy lake in Hamilton in February 2018. Its the Trenton Fire Departments first gold medal in the history of the awards, he said. At the event, Kontos and the 24 other Trenton and Hamilton firefighters at the incident were also honored with a multi-agency award. Kontos, on Monday, was typical heroic firefighter: humble and throwing credit for the men and women also at the scene that day at Gropps Lake. Its what we do, and it all came together that day," the 10-year city firefighter said. "I am very proud to represent the Trenton Fire Department and Rescue Co. 1, " he said. Kontos was a Rescue 1 diver on Feb. 3, 2018 when the Trenton Fire Department was dispatched to the lake after a car careened into the lake and went under - with two women injured and trapped in the vehicle. Last year, NJ Advance Media described the rescue, and how a series of happenstance, training and firefighters texting each other led to the rescue. For one, Trenton firefighters knew theyd be dispatched to the call, and were already rolling when the official call came in. And that meant Kontos was donning a dive suit as Rescue 1 blared east on Interstate 195 and out of the city. Kontos last year described how he dove nearly 20 feet below the surface and found both women in the vehicle, and yanked and yanked and yanked until a door broke free, and he brought both women to the surface for waiting firefighters and EMS officials. At the FMBAs valor awards dinner, Roselle Fire Department Firefighter Zach Weissglass was honored with the silver medal of valor for actions at the fatal school bus crash on Route 80 in Morris County last May that killed a student and teacher from Paramus, and injured dozens. Weissglass was driving on off-duty, witnessed the crash and jointed in the rescue with an off-duty FDNY medic. Without tools, and using his bare hands, he crawled into the wreckage and bent a seat to remove two trapped children. Weissglass has already been honored in Roselle and in Union County for his actions that day. The bronze medal of valor went to a team of Paterson firefighters for their rescue of a man whod fallen into a turbulent part of the waterfall at the Great Falls in Paterson. The units lowered Firefighter Justin Angelica on a rope about 30 feet into the falls and then firefighters pulled him and the victim back to safety. Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. A New Jersey firefighter and fire academy instructor on Monday denied allegations he tortured, bound and sexually assaulted a woman he met in a class at the Ocean County Fire Academy and has taken a polygraph test to prove the encounter was consensual, his attorney said. The response came to a federal lawsuit filed last week accusing John Syers of luring the 26-year-old woman to his home on Sept. 26, 2018, restraining her with handcuffs and rope before beating and sexually assaulting her. The polygraph exam results were also supported by text messages, Snapchat photos and other evidence sent by the accuser to Mr. Syers, which discredited her accusations, said Richard P. Lomurro, the attorney representing Syers. Lomurro said the polygraph results were given to the Ocean County Prosecutors Office. The attorney for the woman, a Seaside Heights volunteer firefighter identified only by her initials in the federal lawsuit, called the polygraph test typical defense team tactic." The lawsuit included multiple photos of the injuries the woman sustained, her attorney Robert Fuggi said. A polygraph is not admissible in court, in any court, Fuggi said. The evidence is overwhelming that she was raped and tortured and sexually abused. In addition to teaching at the Ocean County Fire Academy, Syers is a paid firefighter for the Elizabeth Fire Department. A spokeswoman for the city said Syers continues to work for the fire department. Lomurro said when the woman realized the Ocean County Prosecutors Office declined to pursue the case, she filed complaints of simple assault and lewdness against Syers in Lacey Township Municipal Court. Those complaints remain pending, according to court records. The prosecutors office decided not to indict or press charges at that time, Lomurro said. No law enforcement agency has ever charged my client. Those municipal court charges were brought by a civilian. Fuggi, however, said the Ocean County Prosecutors Office continues to investigate the matter. A spokesman for the prosecutor has not returned calls seeking comment. Fuggi said his client convinced an Ocean County Superior Court judge to issue a permanent restraining order against Syers. She was not even represented by an attorney and Syers was, Fuggi said. She went up against (Syers) attorney and a Superior Court judge believed her version of events. Both sides acknowledge Syers and the alleged victim had been in a consensual relationship. But Fuggi said that after the relationship ended, Syers lured her to his home, where he allegedly snapped and sexually abused her. The woman told police Syers asked her over under the guise of showing off his new home, according to the lawsuit. While Syers was showing (the woman) his bedroom, he proceeded to restrain, beat, burn, sexually assault and strangle (her) over the course of 46 minutes, despite her continuous pleas for him to stop, the womans attorney, Robert R. Fuggi Jr. said in a statement Thursday. In court papers, the woman said she and Syers shared a consensual kiss and when she pulled away and withdrew consent for sexual contact, he handcuffed her hands behind her back and pinned her to his bed. She was also choked unconscious during the attack, according to the lawsuit. Lomurro declined to speculate on why the woman would accuse his client. (She) is using the apparent civil suit, which has not been served on our client, as yet another attempt to try and force her vindictive agenda and intimidate our client, Lomurro said in an email. It is telling that the lawsuit was given to the press before it was even served on Mr. Syers. He had no knowledge of the lawsuit until these articles arose. We will continue to fight to defend Mr. Syers and are confident he will be exonerated once again from these false accusations." Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. We dont doubt that Phil Murphy has the interests of New Jersey commuters at heart, but there are times when his lack of an upmarket political compass reminds you that one definition of governor is a device attached to a machine to ensure that it does not operate at maximum efficiency. For a fleeting moment Wednesday, it appeared that motorists who use the George Washington Bridge would be spared the cost of a congestion fee whenever they ventured into the heart of Manhattan. Good thing, too: It amounted to a $3,000 annual hit for people who crossed the GWB and drove south of 60th Street, according to the formula being floated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which manages the congestion program. And it was ostensibly erased, Murphy said, because he rode to the rescue. Except he didnt. Just hours after the governor announced that he reached a conceptual agreement with New York counterpart Andrew Cuomo that our three Hudson crossings would be exempted under the fee schedule, Murphy found a political banana peel: The MTAs CEO said that Murphy is hallucinating. With all due respect to Governor Murphy, Patrick Foye said, we have no idea what he is talking about. Murphy stuck to his story Friday, stating through a spokesman that With all due respect to Mr. Foye, Governor Murphy has had positive discussions with Governor Cuomo on congestion pricing. Not exactly rousing the vanguard there. As further proof that Murphy was over his skis, Cuomo refused to confirm any agreement on WINS-1010. Twice he was asked whether a deal existed. Twice Cuomo said its up to the MTA which is completely under his control and he contradicted Murphys claim that they had agreed there wont be any double-tolling for GWB drivers. There will be some double-tolling, Cuomo said. Otherwise you dont accomplish anything because you dont raise any revenue. From under a bus, Murphy could not be reached for further comment. Perhaps hes pondering whether his decision not to endorse Cuomo last year was a sound political strategy. We concede that the MTA needs the money to rebuild subways, and in principle, incentivizing commuters to take mass transit is a must as we conjoin in the fight against climate change and congestion. But this must be done equitably: New Jersey has 400,000 commuters who pay New York taxes, and each day we send nearly 150,000 cars across the GWB into Manhattan at $12.50 per car. We do our part for King and Cuomo. Meanwhile, the MTAs fee formula is under discussion, as Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5th) threatens retribution with legislation that rescinds New York transportation grants. Its complicated, but there are two years to work this out. Wed be grateful if they loop Murphy into the discussion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. View full size By Mila M. Jasey One year from now, every person of the United States will be asked to raise their hand to be counted in the 2020 Census. This will be no small feat and a very important one. The head count will officially begin in April 2020 exactly one year from now and its critical that New Jersey avoids undercounting or other missteps that may cost us federal funding and representation. In the last Census in 2010, New Jerseys population growth was outpaced by states in the South and West, which resulted in New Jersey losing a representative in the House. The states delegation was brought down from 13 to 12, three fewer than 35 years ago. When the census count indicates a population decline, states can lose federal dollars from programs like Medicaid, Medicare and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which distribute funds based on the census. It also may have an impact on businesses that rely on demographic data from the census when deciding where to build stores, warehouses, offices or create jobs. Our states population growth may be slower than others, but if we dont count everyone, we cannot ensure accuracy and fairness in our population count; and it appears our last census count may have left people out. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that it missed counting 31,000 New Jersey residents in 2010. Thats only an estimate. I cant help but wonder if more people werent counted. Would the 2010 census have produced a different outcome for New Jersey if they had been? The state has nearly 500 geographic areas census officials deem hard to count, where fewer than 73 percent of people answered the 2010 census. Many are in areas with high populations of African Americans, Hispanics and Asians, and in cities like Newark, Camden and Paterson, as well as many smaller, primarily urban communities. Undocumented residents and those who legally immigrated here are also difficult to count, because many fear questions about their citizenship if they participate in the Census. Many of these residents do not know that all data collected is confidential under federal law. Our youngest residents are among the most difficult to count. The Census Bureau estimates 5 percent of children under age 5 werent counted in the 2010 census. Newborn babies, children who split time between two households or live in a low-income community can be hard for census workers to find. The only way to ensure our children are counted is to be sure their parents or caregivers are ready for the census once it comes. We cant risk another undercount. We need as many voices as possible advocating for New Jersey in Congress, and as much funding as we can get for federal programs serving our most vulnerable. With one year left before the census, New Jersey has already taken steps to ensure 100 percent participation in 2020. The bipartisan Complete Count Commission, made up of elected officials and community and business leaders, will develop strategies to target hard-to-count areas and ensure an accurate count of the states population. The commission will reach out to minority groups, legal immigrants and undocumented residents, in particular, to raise awareness of the census. Communities across the state have also formed their own Complete Count Committees to assist the statewide commission. Cities like Newark are making strides to spread the word about the census through community-based events and public awareness campaigns. These efforts will help New Jersey residents understand how to respond whether by mail, phone or online - when they are contacted by the Census Bureau next year, and how crucial their participation will be to our states future. The Census is only taken every 10 years, so this is our one chance this decade to get it right. Every New Jerseyan deserves to be counted. Let us all start raising our hands. Assemblywoman Mila M. Jasey represents New Jerseys 27th district, spanning parts of Essex and Morris counties, in the General Assembly. She sponsored a law (A-4208) creating the Complete Count Commission. 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. MIAMI One person was injured after a minivan slammed into a strip mall where Democratic presidential candidate Cory Booker was speaking at a campaign event. The Miami Herald reports the van crashed a few dozen feet from where Booker was speaking Sunday. The van ended up between two parked cars and a structural beam. The driver could be heard wailing inside. Event organizers urged everyone to exit the building. Police later confirmed it was an accident. The New Jersey Senator remained calm and stayed to answer questions and take photos. The crowd sang Happy Birthday to the Booker, who turned 50 Saturday. Booker spent much of his time talking about voting rights and has been critical of Floridas Legislature, calling a House bill requiring that former felons pay all fines, fees and restitution before regaining the right to vote a poll tax. WASHINGTON The Gateway Tunnel project will get a much-needed boost this week when the chairman of the House Transportation Committee will lead a congressional delegation to tour the century-old tunnels that were damaged by Hurricane Sandy. The agenda for committee chairman Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., and the lawmakers accompanying him also includes a roundtable discussion of the project, whose approvals have been stalled by President Donald Trump and members of his administration, and a look at other infrastructure projects along the Northeast Corridor, including those in New York and New Jersey. Most of us, when we ride through the tunnel, youre riding along through New Jersey, someone turns the lights off and youre at Penn Station, said Rep. Tom Malinowski, D-7th Dist. Its very different when you stop in the tunnel, turn the lights on and you see what a 110-year-old structure looks like. Malinowski, a new member of the committee, said he broached the idea of DeFazio touring the tunnel when the two men met following the November election. DeFazio told NJ Advance Media in January that he wanted a first-hand look at project. The lawmakers are scheduled to visit the area Thursday and Friday as lawmakers begin drafting a successor bill to the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation Act, which authorizes federal funding for transportation programs that cover roads, bridges and transit, expires in 2020. Trump has mentioned legislation to rebuild Americas public works as an area where he work with congressional Democrats. But his only proposal relied primarily on private funding and offered little in the way of federal aid. Instead, the president spent his first two years in office championing partisan legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act and to overhaul the tax code in such a way that it disproportionately affected New Jersey and other high-tax states, most of which send billions of dollars more to Washington than they receive in services. Congress has gotten around Trumps veto threats by providing extra funding in certain transportation accounts with the understanding that the money would be used for the Gateway project. The Trump administration has held up approval of the Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River, the first piece of the project, giving it an inadequate rating due to what it says is New Jerseys failure to provide its share of the cost, and holding up the environmental impact statement that would let work proceed. The Federal Railroad Administration has said the New Jersey and New York legislatures have not made required changes in state law to make the funds available nor have taken all the necessary steps to be eligible for the money. But U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., has charged that the rating was lowered for political reasons, and Gov. Phil Murphy has earmarked $600 million out of state funds rather than rely on a federal loan program for New Jerseys share. Malinowski said the congressional tour of Gateway could put pressure on the administration to drop its opposition to the project. We need the leadership of the committee in ensuring the money is spent and the work actually begins, Malinowski said. When people actually see the state the infrastructure is in and its economic importance, that tends to dissipate any partisanship that might exist. This will help us increase pressure on the administration to do what is plainly in the regions and the countrys economic interests. Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant or on Facebook. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Worry about your own state flag, Gov. Phil Murphy. That was essentially the message from Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, who reacted to Murphys decision Friday to ban his states flag from an annual tradition at Liberty State Park. The flags of all 50 states were raised at the park on Friday, and will fly throughout the summer. Murphy, however, replaced Mississippis flag with the United States flag because of its nod to the Confederacy. Im disappointed in Gov. Murphys actions, Bryant said in a statement. As I have repeatedly said, the voters of Mississippi should decide what the state flag is or is not. The flag has the Confederate battle emblem on it, which has sparked a movement from some in Mississippi to change it. The Confederate symbol displayed on the Mississippi State flag is reprehensible and does not reflect our values of inclusivity and equality, Murphy said when he announced his decision to ban it from the park. Mississippi is the last state in the nation with the Confederate emblem. Mississippians decided in a statewide election in 2001 to keep its flag, but several Mississippi cities and counties have stopped flying it in recent years. Supporters, meanwhile, have argued it represents history. Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco or Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. UPDATE: Funeral services set for N.J. high school junior, National Guard member killed in I-78 crash after JROTC event The 17-year-old high school student killed after a single-car crash on Interstate 78 late Saturday night planed to serve in the Army National Guard and was well known in his community for his volunteerism with veterans groups, according to a longtime family friend. Anthony Steitz, a junior at Union High School, was driving home from the schools Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps banquet at Snuffys Pantagis Renaissance in Scotch Plains when his car left the road and crashed into trees, according to Michael Boll of the New Jersey Veterans Network and State Police. It had been a big night for Steitz, Boll said. Steitz learned at the banquet that he had been named the battalion commander of the Union High School Junior ROTC for his senior year, Boll said. Steitz had dropped someone off and was on his way home when the crash happened. Steitz joined the ROTC as a sophomore and quickly emerged as one of its key members, according to Boll. The teen also spent a considerable amount of tine volunteering for the New Jersey Veterans Network, an organization of veterans and volunteers dedicated to helping those who served in the military. Anthony was an exceptional young man, Boll said by phone Monday. He was pretty much the go-to volunteer from his class. He was always available to not only help other kids in the ROTC, but veterans and our organization." Steitz, whose father and three brothers are firefighters, had already signed up for the Army National Guard through its split-training option. After completing his junior year of high school in June, Steitz planned to spend the summer in basic combat training. He would have returned to Union High School for his senior year, during which hed train one weekend per month with a local unit. It is with deep regret that we announce the sudden passing of Jr ROTC cadet Anthony Steitz, son of Captain Gary Steitz,... Posted by Union FMBA Local 46 on Sunday, April 28, 2019 After graduating high school, Steitz would have attended advanced individual training to prepare for his National Guard role. Union High Schools ROTC plans to establish a scholarship in Steitzs name. Steitz was taken to Morristown Medical Center following the crash, which took place near milepost 42 in Watchung at around 11:30 p.m., according to State Police. The teen, who was wearing his seatbelt, died at the hospital at 8:20 a.m. Sunday, Trooper Alejandro Goez said. Funeral arrangements are still pending, according to Boll. This kid has done amazing things, Boll said. Hell truly be missed by all. Its just a devastating blow. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. Its not the slaughter. Its the spectacle. To settle an ongoing argument with the local government, a New Jersey farm is seeking permission from a Warren County agriculture board to continue its annual practice of slaughtering lambs and other animals as part of a religious holiday. The mayor says the primary problem is not what they do to the animals, though he says there is some concern about their conditions between their purchase and butchering. Its that every year, up to 200 cars are reported driving down the gravel road looking to take part in the ceremony a use of the property not officially sanctioned by the township government. Harmony Township is a quiet town and Esposito Road is one of the quietest little roads, Mayor Brian Tipton said. I can imagine if it was my neighborhood, Id be a little taken aback. That farm on Esposito Road, called Monique Cronce Farm, has appeared before the county agriculture development board to argue that their use is a permitted farming matter, and not a commercial enterprise that would require special permission from the township. The Cronce Farm owners, Monique and Theodore, could not be reached by phone, and their attorney did not return calls seeking comment. A legal notice published in March described the religious events at the center of the debate: Mostly sheep, and occasionally goats, cows, chickens and rabbits will be butchered and skinned by patrons for both onsite and offsite consumption. Once annually large groups of patrons and their families and guests will come to the farm for this purpose. This will coincide with the Muslim holiday known as Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice, is an important Islamic holiday marking the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim (or Abraham, to Christians and Jews) to sacrifice his son. The holiday lasts four days in many places, and involves slaughtering sheep or cattle. Some of the meat is eaten by the celebrants, while the rest is distributed to the poor. It was two or three years ago that residents began complaining about the events on the Cronce Farm, but Tipton said the township has been stonewalled in its attempts to address them. The farm presented its side at an ag board hearing last month, and residents will voice their issues at a meeting scheduled for Tuesday. Harmony Township has a population of about 2,500 people, 98 percent of whom are white, according to Census data. Tipton said he cant speak to any cultural issues, but said the townships primary concerns are traffic and an unsanctioned commercial operation. If the farm cant get the county boards permission to continue, it will need to present a site plan to the township. "I'm not looking to bust anybody's chops, the mayor said. If it's permitted, then get the appropriate documentation in line. If it's not, then get the appropriate permissions." The Associated Press contributed to this story. Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveNovakLVL and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Three people were injured in a St. Claude neighborhood shooting Sunday evening (April 28), according to New Orleans police. A 26-year-old man was shot in the upper-right torso, police said, and a 29-year-old woman and an 8-year-old girl were grazed by bullets. All of their vitals were stable Sunday night, police said. Based on preliminary reports, at least two suspects were exchanging gunfire at the location. They then fled the scene in separate vehicles, NOPD spokesman Juan Barnes said Sunday night. Authorities on Monday said four men are suspected in the shooting. They arrived in a black sedan and being firing, police said. They did not release any additional information about the suspects or a potential motive. The shooting was reported at 6:10 p.m. near the corner of Piety and Marais streets (map). A man who lives in Uptown said he arrived at the scene after his sister called to tell him about shots fired outside her home in the 1200 block of Piety Street. The man said his sister was with his 29-year-old niece and six children outside her house when the family heard gunshots at the edge of their house. The man said his niece and her goddaughter were grazed by bullets. We just want our quiet neighborhood back, said a woman who said she has lived on the block for five years. The woman said she and her husband were watching television around 6:10 p.m. when they heard about 12 gunshots and she saw paint chip away from her neighbors home. The woman said she and her husband called 911. The woman said children often play in the streets of her neighborhood, many visiting their grandparents on weekends. An hour before she heard gunshots, many young children were outside playing, she said. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Its pretty shocking on a Sunday afternoon, she said. About a year ago, she remembers a shooting at a nearby intersection, but Sundays shooting was otherwise surprising because its such a nice block, she said. Police cordoned off the intersection of Marais and Piety, as well as the 1200 block of Piety. Crime lab detectives arrived around 7:35 p.m. Detectives placed at least 10 evidence cones in front of a bright blue house near the intersection. A group of people sat in the doorway of a home while they watched detectives collect evidence in the street. Correction: NOPD on Monday morning said the child who was injured was a girl not a boy, as authorities had previously reported. Note: This story has been updated with information from the New Orleans Police Department. Olivia Prentzel covers crime for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. In his first three months leading the New Orleans Police Department, Superintendent Shaun Ferguson visited the hospital rooms of wounded bystanders who NOPD investigators believe may have been accidentally struck by NOPD gunfire during a shootout. He also met with the mother of a 14-year-old boy who died when the car he was riding in, which police said was possibly being chased by NOPD officers in an unauthorized vehicle pursuit, crashed into a beauty salon and caught the occupied building on fire. Both officer-involved incidents, and Fergusons handling of them, prompted introspection, the new chief said. Im not perfect. I dont think anyone is perfect, Ferguson said. Its a learning opportunity for me and our officers to improve, look at things, and possibly do better. The chief has announced the launch of three internal investigations in as many months as hes been chief, related to the two above incidents and, most recently, a probe into a newly promoted member of his command staff who was captured on cellphone video taking down a woman before arresting her at French Quarter Festival. Hes also addressed media at odd hours at high-profile crime scenes: the death of a local nurse killed by stray bullets on Bourbon Street; and an alleged drunk driving crash after a Mardi Gras parade that took two lives and injured several other people. This job is not just textbook, Im going to learn things through experience, he said of his new role being the face and voice of the department. Since Jan. 17, when Ferguson was sworn in as chief, the city has seen a nearly 50 percent drop in murders compared to the same time last year, as well as a modest drop in shootings, building on an encouraging trend of gun violence reduction that started under the tail end of former superintendent Michael Harrisons tenure as NOPD chief. Harrison departed in mid-January to take the job as Baltimores police commissioner just as New Orleans ended 2018 with the fewest number of murders in nearly half a century. Ferguson sat down with NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune earlier this month to talk about leading the department through a series of high-profile crimes and police-involved fatalities, the drop in gun violence and his adjustment to becoming the citys top cop. Accountability and fairness In addition to 14-year-old Chimelu Collins, the March 20 crash and three-alarm fire at the Unity 1 Beauty Supply and Shop in Broadmoor also killed the apparent stolen cars driver, Byron Wilson Jr., 16, and salon customer Schwann Herbert, 54. NOPD initially said the officers disengaged from pursuing the car after its driver refused to pull over at a traffic stop, then later said the circumstances were unclear. NOPD policy does not allow officers to chase other cars unless those in the fleeing vehicle are suspected to have committed a violent felony, which did not appear to be the case. Ferguson said video evidence prompted him to transfer the involved officers to administrative desk duty while launching an internal investigation into a possible violation of NOPDs vehicle pursuit policy. Ferguson said he met with the mother of Collins, one of the teens who died in the car. He said he assured her the internal probe would be thorough, and when the results are learned, we have to own whatever it is. He tried to meet with families of Wilson and Herbert, he said, but they declined at that time. Ferguson said his take on police accountability is no different than what is taught to our kids. As the chief of this department, I stand in front of (the public) whether we did the right thing or wrong thing, and assume responsibility, Ferguson said. Five innocent bystanders were wounded in a Feb. 17 gunfire exchange that spanned from Canal Street and Elk Place to Elk and Tulane Avenue, where an RTA transit hub is located. Reginald Bursey, 32, the man NOPD said initiated the shootout, was killed after trading gunfire with two NOPD officers and a Louisiana State Police trooper. Ferguson, joined by NOPDs Public Integrity Bureau Chief Arlinda Westbrook, announced days after the shooting that investigators believe three of the bystanders may have been shot by police. NOPD leaders said the internal probe will include the shootout, as well as officers decision to try to stop Bursey, an armed robbery suspect, when and where they did. When Ferguson met the injured bystanders at the hospital, some had just learned how they were shot, he said. He assured them NOPDs investigation would be thorough and the results transparent, he said, and they were receptive. After announcing a change-up in his command staff earlier this month, Ferguson said, he met with his new top leaders and reiterated a message hes emphasized since he was tapped by Mayor LaToya Cantrell to run the department: Fairness and accountability, he said he told them, should be emphasized to their subordinates and expected from him. Smarter deployment As of Sunday (April 29), murders in 2019 were down by 47 percent, from 66 to 35 people killed, compared to the same period last year, according to a record of NOPD reports kept by NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The 2019 murder total does not include two officer-involved fatal shootings, of Bursey and 33-year-old Zonnell Williams. Williams was killed Jan. 4 after firing at officers, prior to Fergusons promotion to chief. The murder total also does not include the April 19 fatal shooting of 60-year-old Kevin Jones by a St. Roch homeowner, during what police described as an attempted burglary of a generator. The number of people wounded in nonfatal shootings dropped by 11 percent so far this this year, from 114 to 101 gunshot wound survivors, NOPD data tracked by NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune show. The total number of shooting incidents between Jan. 1 and April 28, including fatal and nonfatal shootings, was down in 2019 by 22 percent, from 134 to 104. January and February in 2017 and 2018 saw the most gun deaths compared to other months in each of those years. The first quarter in 2019 did not see similar elevated levels of gun violence. Ferguson said he has made no major changes to deployment of police officers since Harrisons departure, but he has emphasized smarter deployment. He credited the drop in violent crime in part to apprehensions of alleged perpetrators. The Tactical Intelligence Gathering and Enforcement Response unit, or TIGER team, has been doing a phenomenal job, he said. The chief pointed to the April 7 apprehension of an Algiers murder suspect within a week of the fatal shooting of 35-year-old Jonathan Simmons as an example of the kinds of apprehensions he believes can prevent retaliatory shootings and murders. The use of civilian data analysts to aid investigators has also helped NOPD arrest more people suspected of violent crimes, Ferguson said. NOPD currently employs about seven analysts, he said, and has plans to add three or four others. They are mostly housed at NOPD headquarters in Mid-City, with one or two specifically assigned to help the TIGER team. But plans are in the works to assign analysts to individual police districts throughout the city. He added that NOPD has removed more guns from the street without increasing the number of overall arrests. Be patient with us While violent crime remains lower than last year in the first quarter, Ferguson said property crime is up. He recently hosted a press conference to address juvenile crime, which he said is responsible for a large portion of the property crime, including auto thefts and car burglaries. Ferguson said NOPDs 3rd District is experimenting with an initiative to reach out to parents of juveniles accused of crimes and connect them to resources. Some parents have been receptive, he said, while others have not. Ferguson said he wanted to spread the message at the press conference that NOPD is aware of juvenile crime and to ask the community to be patient with us, and if you see something, say something. Part of the job Asked if he likes the public-speaking part of his job, Ferguson said, Its OK. He added he has already picked up lessons in his first three-plus months as chief. Its just part of the job, Ferguson said of his media appearances and public speaking engagements. To get comfortable with it... I think thats going to come with experience. He has also learned that in the role of chief, Everybody wants your time. In his recent visible role leading the 2nd District, which polices much of Uptown, Ferguson said he was generally able to lend his ear to any person who had an opinion or suggestion. He has had to use more discretion, he said, with such a high demand for his attention. I have a great team, he said, and is getting more comfortable leaning on them a little more. Ferguson said its not just him who has begun adjusting to people recognizing him at Walmart and restaurants and telling him about what is going on in their neighborhood. My face is out there... I am the chief of people, he said. My family has to get used to that. Days after being sworn in, Fergusons family was faced with his public figure status when NOPDs arrest of his son on a domestic abuse allegation made news. He said his son continues to receive his love and support as he goes through the legal process. Ferguson said he understands all that his new highly visible role entails in the department hes been a part of for roughly two decades, and he expects to continue learning more through experience. It is a big job, he said, adding, Im beginning to be in a comfortable place of my own. When it comes to healthy living, knowledge is power. Read the latest articles on healthy living: Get the facts on alcohol and diabetes Heres what you need to know about drinking and how to do it safely. Medication & Treatments How to lighten your load and take it easy if you live with diabetes Diabetes can be a lot to handle, but there are some simple ways to ease daily burdens. Mental Health Working out with video games Over the past decade or so, a number of developers have created video games designed to get players of all ages on their feet. Fitness How journaling might just improve your health if youre living with diabetes Journaling is more than just a trend. Research shows that it can be an effective tool to help people manage chronic health conditions like diabetes. Mental Health What to do when insurance switches your diabetes medications Learn about nonmedical switching by insurance companiesand what you can do about it. Medication & Treatments Katy Perrys excitement about headlining the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has lasted well past her smashing set Saturday (April 27). On Sunday afternoon, she posted a thank you note to Facebook sure to warm New Orleanians hearts. We painted the town with love, light ... and all that jazz, she began, before thanking festival organizers for rolling the dice in selecting her as one of the headliners for the events 50th anniversary. Perry also thanked the Soul Rebels Brass Band, which joined her Saturday in a thunderous version of Dark Horse. She also thanked the Gospel Soul Children, who performed with her in a mash-up of Firework and Oh Happy Day. She also thanked artist and poet Cleo Wade for decorating the stage. Read our review of Katy Perry's performance at Jazz Fest. The Soul Rebels shared a video of part of their performance with Perry, and also thanked her. In a Facebook post hours before her show Saturday, Perry confessed she spent time eating her way through the fest grounds and enjoying some music before her performance. Reporter Doug MacCash contributed to this story. Mayor LaToya Cantrell, hospitality industry leaders and Gov. John Bel Edwards are close to a compromise on finding more money for New Orleans infrastructure crisis. Parties have made significant progress over the past week and hope to reach a consensus Monday (April 29), according to sources on both sides of the issue who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the discussions. State lawmakers had largely reached an agreement on how they thought the taxing structure for New Orleans infrastructure should work by the end of last week, according to two sources involved with the negotiations. The remaining sticking point came down to a difference of opinion on the oversight of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, its planned hotel project and how much tax revenue it should retain. Once source said the two sides worked on the convention center issue through the weekend. We continue to work very hard to build consensus, Rep. Walt Leger, D-New Orleans, said Monday. Even if a compromise is struck between the mayor and hospitality leaders, the deal is far from being done. Instruments to make any deal work would still require approval from the Louisiana Legislature, New Orleans City Council and New Orleans voters. It will be months before a long-term solution to bolster the citys infrastructure financing is finalized. But consensus between the hospitality industry and mayor would be a major step toward resolving the problem. Where New Orleans infrastructure funding fix stands in the Legislature New Orleans has experienced frequent street flooding and boil water advisories in recent years, and fixes are expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Without a short-term cash influx, the Sewerage & Water Board is expected to run out of money for its drainage services before the end of the year. Since last fall, Cantrell has called for some of that money to come from the citys tourism sector. Its leaders, including Stephen Perry with the industry-backed visitors bureau New Orleans & Co., initially balked at the suggestion. In late January, Cantrell asked Edwards to help find $75 million in one-time funding to address immediate needs and $40 million in recurring financial support. Although Edwards wasnt on board initially with the mayors proposal, the governor said he would assist Cantrell to help find the money she wants. Talks stalled for weeks, with Cantrell and the tourism industry unable to come to agreeable terms. Last Tuesday, Cantrell appeared before the House Ways and Means Committee to lobby for proposals from Rep. Neil Abramson, D-New Orleans. His three bills managed to advance to the House floor, rankling hospitality leaders. Its not clear whether this move by the mayor got talks going again. People in Cantrells camp said it forced hospitality industry leaders back to the table, but others said talks had progressed before the bills moved out of committee. 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 At this point, three bills are expected to comprise the bulk of the deal in the Legislature: two of the Abramson bills that cleared Ways and Means and one from Leger. The proposals are likely to be tweaked or rewritten. In its current form, House Bill 522 by Abramson would allow the city to resume collecting a 1% tax on hotel sales. The revenue, $11 million annually according to a fiscal analysis, would go into a fund meant exclusively for city infrastructure improvements. In its current form, the bill needs a two-thirds vote of the Legislature for approval, a tough hurdle for tax legislation in an election year for lawmakers. New Orleans infrastructure funding talks in limbo as bills clear committee Abramsons House Bill 521 would reduce and cap the fee hotels have voluntarily collected from themselves for the past few years at a rate of 1.75% per room night. The rate would be lowered to 1.5% until 2021, when it would be reduced to 1.25%. Simultaneously, the city would recoup the 0.25% portion removed until 2021, when the citys take would increase 0.5%. The citys portion would go into its dedicated infrastructure fund. In its current form, the levy would still require voter approval before it could be collected. House Bill 589, sponsored by Leger, would pave the way for the convention center to build a hotel and parking garage on its riverfront property, a project that Cantrell has expressed skepticism about publicly. Legers legislation also provides more flexibility for how tax revenue the convention center collects could be used and removes provisions that trigger a sunset on hotel, food, beverage and tourism taxes. Legers bill has the hospitality industrys backing, although its almost certain to undergo changes. Its likely to be combined, in concept, with House Bill 573, an Abraham proposal with the mayors backing that also concerns the convention center. It caps the amount of money the convention center could hold in its reserve account at $100 million. Any revenue above that amount would be directed to city coffers unless voters decide the convention center should keep it. The Abramson bill also frees up hotel tax revenue to be used for construction of the new 1,200-room hotel at the upriver end of the convention center. Stay with NOLA.com for more as this story develops. No infrastructure deal yet, but New Orleans lawmaker may move bills anyway Firefighters battled a two-alarm blaze early Monday (April 28) at a vacant double shotgun in Central City, according to the New Orleans Fire Department. No injuries were reported. Firefighters were called to the scene at 1:25 a.m. Monday and arrived minutes later to find the back of the house, on Martin Luther King Boulevard, "with heavy fire, the NOFD said. The blaze extended to both sides of the shotgun, which has addresses at 2316 and 2318 Martin Luther King Boulevard. Firefighters immediately rang a second alarm, according to NOFD spokesman Gregory Davis. More than 40 fire personnel in 16 fire vehicles worked to place the fire under control by 2:11 a.m., he said in a news release. New Orleans 1st female firefighter was ready for her independence The blaze was contained to the double shotgun, the entirety of which is vacant and has no utilities. According to Davis, neighbors told the NOFD that both addresses had been boarded up but were frequented by vagrants. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Laura McKnight covers crime and breaking news for NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the completion of the nations first transcontinental railroad. As someone who did not grow up here, its been such a pleasure to learn more about this momentous achievement in history and how it affected and continues to affect our city. Railroads in Council Bluffs allowed a small town of 2,000 in 1860 to grow to over 10,000 residents in just 10 years, making it the fifth largest city in Iowa at the time. We owe a lot to the railroads, but how did they come to be such a large part of our city identity? When President Abraham Lincoln signed the first Pacific Railway Act in 1862, he set in motion the building of two railroads set to meet in the middle and become the nations first transcontinental railroad. One side would begin in Sacramento, California, and head east, and the other side would begin from the Missouri River and head to the west. In 1864, President Lincoln was more specific, designating Council Bluffs as mile 0 of the side starting from the Missouri River a huge win for Council Bluffs. Since then, Council Bluffs connection with the railroad can be seen throughout the town with two museums dedicated to railroad history: Union Pacific Railroad Museum and RailsWest Railroad Museum. Not far from either is the Historic General Dodge House, honoring General Grenville M. Dodge known as the greatest railroad builder of all time. And in 1939, Council Bluffs became home to the Golden Spike Monument, honoring the completion of the first transcontinental railroad and the film Union Pacific. And then theres the annual summer Railroad Days celebration that recognizes all of this rich heritage. In addition to Railroad Days this year, in honor of the 150th anniversary, Council Bluffs will play host to quite a few railroad themed events such as a 150th Kickoff Celebration, historical lectures, a Sounds of the Railroad themed Union Pacific Railroad Museum family night, and much more! A complete list of events can be found at UNleashCB.com/go/150th. In addition to celebrations, events like Railroads in Native America: Reflections on the 150th Anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad will also reflect on how the railroads affected not just our town, but also those who worked for the railroad, those in communities along the railroads route, and the indigenous people living along the path of the railroads expansion. Unfortunately, the railroads were not a cause of celebration for all and there were negative impacts. The September event will feature works from scholars, artists, musicians, tribal members and representatives from tribal governments. This is a great opportunity for residents to get involved with the anniversary, join the discussion, and share their special talents. Submissions for the symposium are being accepted until May 31. Visit UNleashCB.com/go/symposium for more details. I hope youll join in on the celebrations, reflections and more as Council Bluffs embarks on the 150th year anniversary of the nations first transcontinental railroad. With so many events, theres something for everyone to take part in. In a recent FY19 Q3 earnings call, Microsoft expressed optimism about growth of Windows sales in the enterprise and has also eased up on worries about sales in the consumer segment, which the company said in January was affected due to Intel's 14 nm supply woes. The increased growth of AMD CPUs in mainstream desktops and laptops, and the ability of Windows 10 to run on ARM hardware means that Microsoft does not have to rely on Intel to push Windows sales. 4 Reviews , News , CPU , GPU , Articles , Columns , Other "or" search relation. 3D Printing , 5G , Accessory , AI , Alder Lake , AMD , Android , Apple , ARM , Audio , Biotech , Business , Camera , Cannon Lake , Cezanne (Zen 3) , Charts , Chinese Tech , Chromebook , Coffee Lake , Comet Lake , Console , Convertible / 2-in-1 , Cryptocurrency , Cyberlaw , Deal , Desktop , E-Mobility , Education , Exclusive , Fail , Foldable , Gadget , Galaxy Note , Galaxy S , Gamecheck , Gaming , Geforce , Google Pixel , GPU , How To , Ice Lake , Intel Evo / Project Athena , Internet of Things (IoT) , iOS , iPad Pro , iPhone , Jasper Lake , Lakefield , Laptop , Launch , Leaks / Rumors , Linux / Unix , Lucienne (Zen 2) , MacBook , Mini PC , Monitor , MSI , OnePlus , Opinion , Phablet , Radeon , Renoir , Review Snippet , Rocket Lake , Ryzen (Zen) , Science , Security , Single-Board Computer (SBC) , Smart Home , Smartphone , Smartwatch , Software , Storage , Tablet , ThinkPad , Thunderbolt , Tiger Lake , Touchscreen , Ultrabook , Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) , Wearable , Windows , Workstation , XPS , Zen 3 (Vermeer) Ticker Intel's CPU shortages have affected many vendors including Asus, HP, Lenovo, and even Microsoft who said in January that low shipment volumes of 14 nm chips has affected Windows license sales. This week, the Redmond-giant held a call about its FY19 Q3 earnings and felt that Intel's CPU shortage is no longer a cause for worry and expressed optimism for Q4. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said that Windows is already installed on 800 million devices and continues to do well in the enterprise as the "most secure and productive operating system". Earlier this month, Gartner reported that worldwide consumer PC shipments for Q1 2019 have gone down due to Intel's supply woes but the enterprise was relatively unaffected, which explains Nadella's assessment of Windows sales in this sector. While Intel's supply constraints are expected to intensity in the next quarter, Microsoft's executive VP and CFO Amy Hood doesn't see Intel's CPU shortage as much of a "pent up situation heading into Q4". She said, We feel good about the supply in the Commercial segment and the Premium Consumer segment, which is where the vast majority of our revenue is in OEM. And so I think in those segments, we feel fine for Q4" Microsoft's optimism is not without reason and frankly, the company does not seem to be much bothered as long as any given hardware can run Windows. AMD has made good inroads into the mainstream desktop market and has also made perceivable progress in the laptop space. Windows 10 on ARM has led ARM chip makers like Qualcomm to offer dedicated SoCs although, the market hasn't really managed to take off as expected. Aviagen's Ross 308, Ross 708 birds featured at Canada's National Poultry Show At the National Poultry Show in London, Ontario, Canada, Aviagen highlighted the advantages that its Ross 308 and Ross 708 broiler breeders offer to the businesses of growers throughout Canada. Canadian producers benefit from the environmental resistance, feed efficiency, healthy growth rate and high meat yield of these birds. Due to these qualities, the popularity of Ross birds has seen strong growth in recent years. Taking place on April 3-4, the show is Canada's premier gathering of poultry professionals. This year marks the 62nd edition of the annual show. Aviagen has been participating in the event for nearly two decades. Organised by the Poultry Industry Council (PIC) and the Western Fair Association (WFA), the event seeks to provide presentations and sessions that are progressive, innovative and relevant to the entire value chain of agriculture and its customers. Aviagen's Canadian regional business consultant Scott Gillingham spoke at one of these sessions. He emphasised the importance of using smart farming technology to collect data for improved performance during the session, "You cannot manage what you don't measure." "Aviagen is committed to the success of our Canadian customers, and sharing the very latest developments and management advice to increase their productivity," Gillingham said. "This show offers us a great opportunity to strengthen our relationships and gain ideas for improving our service to them." Aviagen said that it is dedicated to the success of the Canadian poultry industry and seeks opportunities to offer support. The company has fostered a long-standing and close relationship with the Canadian Poultry Research Council (CPRC). Each year, Aviagen contributes to the CPRC's research sponsorship programme, and, for the first time this year, has earmarked a portion of its donation for the Aviagen Poultry Genetics Scholarship. The company's goal is to encourage and assist with the financial expenses of Canadian poultry students who are pursuing advanced genetics studies. Aviagen will regularly select students whose aspirations align with its own vision to help feed the world's growing population with a nutritious and sustainable source of protein through continuous improvements in the breeding programme, while continually advancing bird health and welfare. - Aviagen NREL Partnership Successes Help Transform National Energy Landscape April 29, 2019 NREL engineers Ben Polly, Andrew Parker, and Kate Doubleday use a 3D energy model of the Pena Station Zero Energy District to discuss potential energy loads. Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) Technology Transfer Director Anne Miller enjoys the drive out to Denver International Airport (DIA)but not because of her destination. Instead, she has been fascinated to watch as the Pena Station NEXT zero energy campus emerged from the high plains near the airport. The changelike so many otherswas enabled by a partnership with NREL. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory already has some 850 active partnership agreements with more than 500 partners in industry, government, and academia. In the case of Pena Station NEXT, Xcel Energy and Panasonic announced in July 2017 a collaboration with NREL, DIA, and LC Fulenwider, Inc. to study the implementation of a carbon-neutral energy district master plan near the airport. "I always get a charge out of it," Miller said. "At NREL, we heard about this project in the design stage, partnered, and now it's taking shape. That's pretty exciting." During an 18-month project completed last fall, NREL staff combined the laboratory's building energy system model, URBANopt, with grid modeling software, OpenDSS, to model the interaction of the district with the grid. "We produced a number of different designs for the system," said NREL researcher Bri-Mathias Hodge. "We were able to show the trade-offs between the economics of the system and the reliability of the system," he said, by citing different uses of energy technologiessuch as energy storage, photovoltaics (PV), and energy efficiencyin the modeling. The NREL team used the unique visualization tools at the laboratory's Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) to allow the stakeholders to react together to the various scenarios. The results were unprecedented insights for the project backers. "Panasonic, Xcel, and Fulenwider partnered with NREL to push the boundaries of net-zero energy design and energy affordability in the built environment by understanding the technical and economic feasibility of turning the entirety of Pena Station NEXT into a zero energy district," said Panasonic's Peter Jacobson. "What resulted was a unique visualization tool combining building energy modeling with power distribution modeling that analyzes net-zero energy design on a sub-hourly basis." That transformation is only one of many that NREL's partnerships impacted. From a novel wind-modeling tool tested with a Danish wind turbine manufacturer along Colorado's Front Range, to a high-performance computer breakthrough in the ESIF, to cleaner air at the Port of Long Beach in California, NREL and its partners are remaking the landscape. Partnering in Lab's DNA "It was always in the NREL culture to have that outside engagement. It's in our DNA," said Bill Farris, NREL associate laboratory director for innovation, partnering, and outreach. A little more than a decade ago, under the management of the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC (Alliance), NREL's outreach accelerated. During that period, the laboratory has received approximately $440 million of new, funds-in funding from new partnerships that have a total agreement value of $770 million. In Fiscal Year 2018 alone, NREL totaled 272 new partnership agreements worth a total of $70 million. NREL Deputy Associate Laboratory Director for Scientific Computing and Energy Analysis Doug Arent said the transition that began under the Alliance in 2008 was notable. "We had a vision about what the value of partners meant, and had some commercial partners then," but leadership started thinking about working with a whole suite of partners. Aside from this commitment, another reason for this decadelong increase is that NREL is one of three applied energy national laboratories. "I don't think people realize how unique we are," Farris said. "Pound for pound, NREL does more partnership work than any laboratory in the DOE system." Researchers at NREL work in both early-stage R&D and commercial development. "We have technology in things you use every day. No other lab can say that," Farris said. A heightened emphasis on innovation has led to a leap in records of invention. Ten years ago, NREL researchers averaged 40 invention disclosures per year. Last year, the laboratory had more than 200, even though the number of staff had only doubled. As awareness of such trends grows, so has the range of partnerships. "There's really been an uptick in terms of both volume and the quality of relationships we've established," Miller said. "People come to us for innovative approaches to solving problems as well as inventions with commercial potential. Records of invention are one metric to look at." Partnerships Beyond Colorado It's a long way from Golden, Colorado, to Californiabut word of NREL's expertise has reached the Port of Long Beach. NREL is now firmly connected with the busy port. The partnership involves achieving port-wide emissions reductions. Additionally, NREL staff are helping find ways to improve port resiliency and energy delivery stability, insulating the port from fluctuating energy prices, and enhancing its electrical distribution grid. "The collaboration with the Port of Long Beach has only grown stronger over the years as NREL has become a trusted energy adviser and independent voice in their decision planning process," said NREL Capture Manager Brett Oakleaf. Further west, NREL has advanced clean energy in Hawaii. The Hawaiian Electric Companies used the results of NREL's work to file with the state's public utilities commission to allow a higher penetration of distributed solar PV systems than was previously allowable. This boost will lead to more than 15 megawatts of additional PV on rooftops in Oahu than would have been the case before NREL's assistance. Another classic example is NREL's pairing with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). Together, NREL and HPE persevered through ups and downs to create Peregrine, a supercomputer at NREL that uses warm water to cool its servers, and then reuses that water to heat the ESIF. Peregrine was so successful that it earned HPE and NREL an R&D 100 Award in 2014. "We shared risks and changed an industry," said Steve Hammond, director of NREL's Computational Science Center, in 2017. This first-of-its-kind supercomputer envisioned by NREL is now a successful commercial product for HPE, powering cloud computing. Then, in August 2018, HPE announced that it would build a new supercomputer for NREL that would be even more energy efficient and 3.5 times more powerful than Peregrine. As HPE said in its news release, "Through collaborative efforts with NREL, from an initiative to enable data centers with hydrogen fuel cell to the new Eagle system, HPE is powering smarter, energy-conscious data center environments." NREL still maintains strong partnerships in its core technologies such as wind energy and solar power. For example, the laboratory and partners in the wind industry can use the NREL-developed Wind Plant Integrated System Design and Engineering Model (WISDEM), a set of models for assessing overall wind plant cost of energy. Last fall, NREL completed a project to benchmark and validate WISDEM against wind energy company Vestas' internal cost models for the tower and the plant using data from two Vestas wind power plants. And Miller notes that the laboratory's expanding expertise in the study of perovskites as a material for use in solar panels make NREL a strong candidate for teamwork in that rapidly expanding market. The Future of Energized Partnerships NREL continues to explore new opportunities and pathways. In 2018, NREL and Eaton, an international power systems company, took steps to allow their longtime partnership to blossom in new ways, ultimately deciding to embark on a new model of co-location, which brought an initial group of Eaton employees to their new home in the ESIF. "We weren't afraid to try something that hadn't been done before," Farris said. "Figuring out how to get 15 Eaton staff embedded inside ESIF and giving them access here; that really showed we were serious about working with industry in new ways and being creative and not afraid to try something new. That's traceable back to NREL Director Martin Keller." The laboratory has set its sights on hitting $100 million in new annual partnerships. That's a heady number, but it's not just a goal for dollars' sake. It is part of NREL's mission to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Such an approach also has long-term strategic benefits. "There's a mutually beneficial cycle," Miller said. "We help companies have impact, but at the same time, we gain insight into real-world problems that they are grappling with." And those problems are evolvingwhich is why they keep coming to NREL's door. "The products and services companies are selling today are different from 10 years ago and they'll be different 10 years from now," Farris said. "The average person may not see it. Sometimes it's hard to recognize because we're right in the middle of it, but we are in an energy transformation." NREL has many more high-impact partnerships in the works. Partners such as major industrial companies; federal, state, and local governments; and philanthropic organizations are all seeking access to the unique capabilities of NREL to address emerging energy challenges. For anyone driving to DIA, visiting Long Beach, vacationing on Oahu, or accessing the cloud, the changes are becoming increasingly visible. Ernie Tucker and Josh Rasmussen In an amended notice to the Gary Board of Public Works, the vehicle department said it would hold a public viewing of the squad cars on April 27 and May 4 at the 900 Madison St. complex. The auction itself is scheduled for May 18, according to the memo. While the amended notice is dated April 25, it did not appear on city-affiliated websites until the following day. The notice was posted on Team Gary, a blog maintained by the citys communication department, and the Team Gary Facebook page at 4:00 p.m. Friday, about two hours before CBS Chicago published its story on the rescheduled auction. The last-minute change marks another setback for Garys efforts to get rid of the rotting cop cars, following a March 13 CBS Chicago report about the long-neglected problem. After the city began selling and towing away the cars, some local automotive business operators accused Freeman-Wilson of wasting public money moving the cars to different locations. Others complained the city was flouting laws regulating the sale of public property. If Garys auction is held on May 18 as planned, it would be the first time in more than two years the city has sold any out-of-service police cars in a public sale. Love 0 Funny 5 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 4 "Muhammad stated he buys a dried plant-like herb either online or at an herbal shop before spraying it with the chemical compound," police said. He told police he recently purchased a kilogram of the chemical and explained that he mixes it with acetone and then sprays the combination on the herb, according to court documents. "Muhammad admitted he does not know the name of the actual chemical he uses, and simply 'knows it's pure' when it dissolves completely in the acetone before spraying," police said. The chemical was tested and was revealed to be a compound that was reportedly originally developed as a pain reliever and that is now listed as an illegal controlled substance, police said. Porter County police reported last week recovering 64 pounds of synthetic drugs, 940 grams of synthetic chemical compound used to manufacture the drug commonly referred to as Spice, evidence of several gallons of acetone and $2,955 from the illicit sales of narcotics. Muhammad further told police he had been selling the finished product in increments of pounds and sold to just five or six people, according to charging documents. HAMMOND A doctor has been sentenced to serve 15 months in prison for over-prescribing pain medication at a Munster clinic. Dr. Jay K. Joshi, 34, a general practice physician at Prestige Clinic in Munster, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Court Judge Philip Simon to serve 15 months followed by three years of supervised release, a $7,500 fine and a $100 special assessment after pleading guilty to dispensing hydrocodone, an opioid, for non-medical purposes, according to the U.S. attorney's office for nothern Indiana. Prescribing controlled substances that are not medically necessary intensify the opioid problem our nation faces, U.S. Attorney Thomas Kirsch said. We, working with our law enforcement partners, are focused on reducing opioid abuse in the Northern District of Indiana. Doctors who abuse their authority are just one of the areas on which our partners are focusing. Between September 2017 and December 2017, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Munster Police Department obtained information about Joshis history of prescribing controlled substances through Indianas prescription monitoring system, INSPECT, according to Kirsch. VALPARAISO The city is extending and expanding the Neighborhood Improvement Grant program introduced in 2018. The grants give residents an opportunity to have direct input and influence into the improvement of their own neighborhoods. "We were so pleased at how the Neighborhood Improvement Grants helped neighbors to come together for common goals last year and we look forward to another strong turnout this year," Maggie Clifton, community engagement director, said. This year funding will be expanded from $60,000 to $100,000. The grant funds are provided by the commission, with the program administered by the community engagement department. The grants are available for qualified neighborhood-based projects. Grants will be made in increments up to $15,000 per neighborhood. Projects considered for funding may include physical improvements, like fixing sidewalks or enhancing park equipment; public art displays; neighborhood signage/branding or projects conceived by the neighborhood. Neighborhood-based organizations and groups are eligible to apply for the grants. From December 19th through December 26th we will be granting free access as a gift to our readers presented by Peoples Bank VALPARAISO A 23-year-old Chicago man left a local courtroom unresponsive and on a stretcher Monday afternoon after resisting being taken into custody on a three-year sentence for a handgun conviction, according to witnesses. Christopher Jackson had just been sentenced by Porter Superior Court Judge Roger Bradford on a felony count of possessing a handgun with no license and a prior felony when he resisted an attempt by security to take him into custody, said his public defender Clay Patton. "He was slow to stand up," Patton said. Witnesses say he struggled with a courthouse security officer. Both fell to the ground, Patton said. A second security officer then used a stun gun at least twice on Jackson, who was left lying on the courtroom floor alongside the jury box, witnesses said. An emergency medical team arrived shortly after. Shackles were placed on his legs by a security officer as medical responders attached their monitors. INDIANAPOLIS Dozens of Indianapolis political and civic leaders joined a tribute for former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar outside the building where he served as the city's mayor before winning the first of his six Senate terms. Democratic Mayor Joe Hogsett called Lugar an "American statesman" during Monday's ceremony a day after he died at age 87. Hogsett and Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb placed a memorial wreath beside the sign for the Richard G. Lugar Plaza next to the City-County Building. Flags nearby were at half-staff as directed by Holcomb to honor Lugar until the day of his funeral, which hasn't yet been announced. Lugar was a Republican foreign policy expert who helped spur the dismantling of thousands of former Soviet nuclear weapons. He served in the Senate from 1977 until 2013. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. How did this episode come about? While we were shooting Season 1 last year, Wade Allen, our stunt coordinator, told me: Hey, if you ever need a little girl to do stunts, I know this girl Jessie. Her parents are both stunt people, and shes amazing. I just worked with her on a commercial, and she can do fights, and shes a gymnast. I was like, Thats cool. It stuck in my head, and I have a little notebook that I write things down in. I wrote out that idea Barry fighting a little girl, and her running up a tree on top of a house. I just had these little images. Did you decide to direct the episode because of your vision for it? Yeah, I saw it very clearly, and I wrote it super specifically. It was very strange because usually, when we write episodes, its [the shows other creator, Alec Berg], me and the writers in a room. But this is one where I came in and pitched it to all of them, and they were like, That sounds crazy! It was a weird thing I was cooking up privately that I told them about, and they were into it. How did you find Daniel Bernhardt? It was hard because in the script, Ronny was a short, fat, bald guy. He was this schlub, and it was this weird reveal that he was a taekwondo master. That proved incredibly hard to find. Most guys who are skilled like this are really good-looking like Daniel. He came in, and all the women in our casting office were like, Can we please cast him? What was it like working with Jessie Giacomazzi? Shes brilliant so sweet and a really amazing actress. Her character thinks her father has been killed, and I didnt want to lose sight of that. I said: This is a very primal thing that you defend yourself and seek some sort of vengeance. Think of yourself as an animal. We kept going between squirrel and tiger. She really understood the character. The Timess United States edition does not typically publish political cartoons and did not run this one, but the international edition frequently includes them. An editor from The Timess Opinion section downloaded Mr. Antuness cartoon from the syndicate and made the decision to publish it, according to Ms. Murphy. Ms. Murphy declined to identify the editor, who she said was working without adequate oversight because of a faulty process that is now being reviewed. We are evaluating our internal processes and training, Ms. Murphy said. We anticipate significant changes. James Bennet, the editor who oversees all content on The Timess editorial pages, declined to comment in detail. Im going to let our statement speak for us at this point, Mr. Bennet said. Bret Stephens, an opinion columnist for The Times, wrote about the issue on Sunday and called on the newspaper to do some serious reflection as to how it came to publish that cartoon, which he called an astonishing act of ignorance of anti-Semitism. And Vice President Mike Pence tweeted on Sunday, We stand with Israel and we condemn antisemitism in ALL its forms. Sergio Florez, the managing editor for The Timess Licensing Group, said the group took in 30 or more cartoons a week from CartoonArts through an automated feed to its website, where publishers can look through the cartoons and buy a license to reprint them. The groups editors sporadically review the feed and remove work that is biased or racist, he said. In 2005, Mr. Lugar took a young senator, Barack Obama of Illinois, on his first trip as a new member of the Foreign Relations Committee to Russia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan, to examine dismantled weapons and sites. Mr. Obama later credited that trip with fueling a commitment to further reduce the size of the American arsenal after he was elected president three years later. But while Mr. Lugar sometimes compared his efforts to those of George Marshall, the creator of the Marshall Plan that rebuilt Europe, he watched the fruits of his efforts begin to wilt in his last years. Under President Vladimir V. Putin, the Russians began to resent the American funding of the disarmament effort, and some Russians saw in it a Washington plot to further weaken their country. Mr. Putin set the country on the course of nuclear modernization, and Mr. Lugar, over a dinner several years ago, lamented that Mr. Obama had not been more aggressive in dismantling parts of the American arsenal that Mr. Lugar considered no longer necessary. Roots in the Indiana Soil Richard Green Lugar was born in Indianapolis on April 4, 1932, to a farming family with generations of roots in Indiana. His early life and career were marked by the most traditional signposts of American success. He was an Eagle Scout and president of his Denison University senior class. He got along so well with his classs co-president, Charlene Smeltzer, who was known as Char, that they married. She survives him. He became a Rhodes scholar after graduating, and during his studies at Oxford, he visited the American embassy in London in 1956 to enlist in the Navy. After his return to the United States, Mr. Lugar was commissioned an ensign and became a briefer for Admiral Arleigh Burke, the chief of naval operations, who had been a hero of World War II and was renowned as a guileful player in Washington politics. Friends said that this was Mr. Lugars most significant exposure to geopolitical thinking, and probably the single greatest source of his fascination with foreign policy. After a few years back in Indiana running a machine business, Mr. Lugar was elected to the Indianapolis school board. His old high school was by then 90 percent African-American, and he pushed through a plan to make it one of the nations first integrated magnet schools for the college-bound. Shortridge High soon became evenly divided between black and white students. The front-runner has entered the race. Last week, Joe Biden finally stopped drawing out his decision to enter the presidential race to confront Donald Trump in 2020. He was the 20th Democratic candidate to do so. According to a Morning Consulting/Politico poll released last week, Biden is not only leading the rest of the Democratic field, but he also has an edge over Trump at this point. The poll found: Biden leading the president by eight percentage points in a hypothetical matchup, 42 percent to 34 percent. Biden has a significant edge over Trump among women (17 points), millennials (22 points) and independents (10 points). This is welcome news for many Democrats, particularly established ones, whose main, if not only, objective is to defeat Donald Trump. Biden is a solid candidate with years of experience, but, like many candidates, he has pros and cons. He has a long legislative history of congressional leadership, and has evolved in the right direction on some important issues. But he also has a history of being handsy with women, did not treat Anita Hill terribly well during her testimony at Clarence Thomass confirmation hearing and led the charge on the disastrous 1994 crime bill. Still, it came as a little bit of a surprise last summer, when the Supreme Court ruled in Carpenter v. United States that a weeks worth of cellphone location data records were protected by the Fourth Amendment, despite being stored by a third-party cellphone provider, because an individual maintains a legitimate expectation of privacy in the record of his physical movements. (The court did leave open the possibility that it might be legal for the government to see location data for a shorter period than a week). In many ways, the Carpenter ruling was a victory for privacy advocates and signaled the Supreme Courts willingness to rein in third-party doctrine a little bit in an era when almost all of our communications are handled by intermediary companies. But it was also a stark reminder of how much our Fourth Amendment protections depend on what we and, more important, what our judges legitimately expect in terms of privacy. Some Supreme Court justices have been roundly (and often deservedly) mocked for their ignorance about basic everyday technologies, such as text messages and email. But one advantage to having an older, less tech-savvy judiciary is that their ideas about privacy were formed during an earlier era when it might well have been reasonable to expect that the police would not be able to obtain a weeks worth of detailed location information about you. In United States v. Jones, decided in 2012, the court ruled that a warrant was required to collect someones location data using a GPS device attached to his car. The majority ruling held that the Fourth Amendment applied because it protected the car from being tampered with, but in a concurring opinion Justice Samuel Alito argued that it was actually the location data not the car that deserved Fourth Amendment protection. By way of explanation, he wrote, Societys expectation has been that law enforcement agents and others would not and indeed, in the main, simply could not secretly monitor and catalog movement of an individuals car for a very long period. For many people, especially those of us who grew up with ubiquitous location-tracking devices, to say nothing of ubiquitous large-scale data breaches, that is no longer our expectation. Does that mean we lose our Fourth Amendment protections for the information we no longer expect to be secret? In March, the Senate confirmed Allison Rushings nomination as a judge on the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. At 36, she became the youngest federal judge in the country. In many ways, a younger and presumably more tech-savvy judiciary is a good thing for deciding cases that revolve around modern technologies. But at the same time, the Supreme Court and other courts have been reluctant to erode the Fourth Amendments protections for data like location information because it seems reasonable to them that people would expect that material to be private. They themselves expect it to be private. As that expectation shifts with a younger judiciary, then so too may those protections. Today, our ideas about what is and what should be private are changing fast. As we routinely hand over more and more information about ourselves, our communications, our locations and our activities to tech companies, predicating our legal privacy protections on what we expect, rather than what we think people deserve or have a right to, is deeply problematic. The global anticorruption watchdog Transparency International describes Paraguay as a monolith in the study of corruption, a country that offers a case study on the difficulty of recovering from a dictatorship that institutionalized corruption. Such studies may have to write a new chapter now that Paraguayans have introduced new weapons into the battle toilet paper and eggs. Paraguay, a small, landlocked country of fewer than seven million people in the middle of South America, has a long history of conflicts, revolutions and coups detat followed by 35 years of autocratic government under Gen. Alfredo Stroessner, a serial violator of human rights who actively promoted corruption. Corruption , he would argue, is the price for peace. The country has not yet thrown off that yoke, despite some earnest efforts. Several institutions have been set up to fight corruption, but they have run up against deeply entrenched habits of graft in politics and the judiciary. On Transparency Internationals corruption perceptions index, which measures public perception of official corruption, Paraguay, in a tie with Bolivia, ranks above only Venezuela in South America. And according to Latinobarometro, a Latin American polling organization, Paraguayans have one of the lowest level s of support for democracy in Latin America. General Stroessners Colorado Party has been in power for all but four years since he was overthrown in a military coup in 1989 the current president, Mario Abdo Benitez, belongs to a conservative wing of the party; his father was the dictators personal secretary. That does not mean that Paraguayans, or their elected leaders, are necessarily congenitally hooked on graft and bribery as a way of life. What it does mean is that countries with long histories of rampant and systemic corruption, often as a result of autocratic government, face huge obstacles in eradicating the blight, since it infects the very institutions, political and judicial, that are needed to fight it. The two sides agreed that thanks to the attention and direction of senior leaders of both countries, economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and China has grown rapidly and seen fruitful outcomes over the years. They noted that Vietnams trade deficit with China has been decreasing, but has yet to be sustainable, thus requiring more effective measures to narrow it down. They affirmed the significant role of cooperation in farm produce trading, and agreed to continue to further facilitate the trade of the products in the coming time. Alongside, the two sides agreed to closely work together in implementing the protocol on opening the Chinese market for Vietnamese dairy products and mangosteen, which has been signed recently. The Chinese General Administration of Customs will work closely with the Vietnamese side to continue conducting procedures to evaluate risks for durians, passion fruit, avocados, grapefruit, coconuts, custard apples, and Java apples and other products such as sweet potatoes and bird nests from Vietnam. Recognizing that China is an important export market for Vietnamese rice, the two sides agreed to continue applying suitable measures to manage rice quality and ensure the stable and sustainable development of rice export activities to China. Minister Tran Tuan Anh and head of Chinas General Administration of Customs Ni Yuefeng promised to assign relevant agencies of the two sides to draft a memorandum of understanding on building mechanisms to foster Vietnam-China trade ties. Statistics from the customs of Vietnam showed that in 2018, Vietnam-China trade reached USD106.7 billion, up 13.5 percent year on year. Vietnam exported USD41.26 billion worth of goods to China and imported USD65.43 billion worth of goods from the market. During his stay in Beijing, Minister Anh, who accompanied Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to the second Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation on April 25th-27th, attended a thematic forum on trade connectivity at the second BRF./. Bereavement wears a black bathrobe in Grief Is the Thing With Feathers, the heart-clutching British import from Wayward Productions and Complicite, which opened on Sunday at St. Anns Warehouse in Brooklyn. This hooded garment is both refuge and armor for a newly widowed husband played by the astonishing Cillian Murphy in Enda Walshs adaptation of Max Porters 2015 novel. You probably have a similarly comforting piece of clothing in your closet, something soft and bulky to disappear into on deep gray days. But when your world is abruptly wrenched from its moorings, even your most reliable possessions can go rogue on you. Thus, early in this 90-minute play, the robe worn by the character identified only as Dad abruptly turns into the magnificent, bedraggled silhouette of an immense crow. And because it is Mr. Murphy in the robe, you have no difficulty believing that this peremptory, squawking, undeniable figure is indeed sorrow made flesh and feathers. The book that inspired this play is a densely literary work that defies classification and would seem to defy translation to the stage. The first novel published by Mr. Porter, Grief Is the Thing With Feathers is an assemblage of fragmentary pieces poems, soliloquies and Joycean cascades of words gone wild that try to measure the unfathomable hole left by a death in a family. The Treasury secretary is heading to China on Monday with Robert E. Lighthizer, the Trump administrations top trade negotiator, to try to resolve the remaining sticking points between the countries. Chinese officials are expected to come to Washington on May 8 to continue and possibly conclude the negotiations. The United States and China have been locked in a trade war for months, exchanging tit-for-tat tariffs on billions of dollars worth of products and rattling global markets. Mr. Trump imposed punishing tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods in an effort to force Beijing to make significant changes to its economic practices, including Chinas requirement that American companies turn over valuable intellectual property as a condition of doing business there. While Mr. Trump has said repeatedly that talks with China are going well, he has continued to insist that the United States could walk away if it does not get the trade terms it wants. Still, the president stirred optimism last week that the negotiations could be nearing an end when he said President Xi Jinping of China could soon be visiting the White House. Mr. Trump has previously said he expects to hold a signing ceremony with Mr. Xi in the United States. Mr. Mnuchin declined to predict whether the negotiations would be wrapped up by the end of June but said he believes that both countries want to reach a deal. He also would not say if a breakdown in the talks would lead Mr. Trump to impose more tariffs. SEATTLE For Seattle, a tech boomtown anxious about how fast it is growing, one distinction has been bittersweet: More giant construction cranes crowding its skyline than in any other city in the country, for three years running. The cranes symbolize a building frenzy driven by an influx of high-paying tech jobs that most cities would envy but one that has also brought worsening traffic jams, soaring housing costs and tear-down threats to popular landmarks. The cranes themselves turned menacing on Saturday, when pieces of one came crashing down from atop a building being built for Google, killing two ironworkers who were involved with taking the crane apart and two passers-by on the busy street below. Residents said on Sunday that they were withholding judgment until more is known about the cause of the accident, which happened on a day with erratic weather. But they are resigned to the reality that Seattle will be one giant construction site for the foreseeable future. Its the city of cranes, said Daniel Kahane, a violin teacher who lives on a boat on Lake Union, near the accident site. They are a necessity if we want to grow this city. I walk under them, but I do have my eyes to the sky. POWAY, Calif. The rabbi had just finished comforting a congregant as she prepared to say the traditional prayer for the dead in honor of her mother when a loud crack rang out in his synagogue. It was about halfway through the Sabbath service on Saturday when a gunman turned what was supposed to be a time of solace into a day of horror. The rabbi, Yisroel Goldstein, turned quickly to see the body of the woman, Lori Gilbert Kaye, 60, slumped on the floor. He began to rush toward her when he caught sight of several small children watching as the gunman unleashed the attack on Chabad of Poway. My instinct was to go to her, but I turned toward a doorway and these little kids were there, so scared, he said. By then, Rabbi Goldstein had been shot in both hands. I just grabbed them with my bloody fingers. They were screaming and I was shouting. As Rabbi Goldstein ran out with the children, Ms. Kayes husband, a physician, ran in to help. But the second he recognized it was his wife on the ground, he fainted. Their only daughter stood a few feet away sobbing in shock, Rabbi Goldstein said. The authorities in Tennessee said they took a man into custody on Saturday in connection with seven killings at two homes in a rural, wooded part of the state. The circumstances of the killings the bodies were found less than one mile apart, in a part of Sumner County about 50 miles northeast of Nashville largely remained a mystery, and a motive remained unclear. The authorities said the man, Michael Cummins, 25, was taken into custody Saturday night after a search that lasted hours. He was found in a creek bed and cornered by more than a dozen officers about a mile away from one of the killing scenes, the authorities said. They said Mr. Cummins was shot in the leg by one of the officers. They did not provide any further details about the encounter, or about what information led them to seek him in connection with the killings. SYDNEY, Australia The battle over plans for a gargantuan coal mine in central Australia turned violent Sunday, when a man on a horse rode into a crowd of protesters, knocking a woman unconscious before speeding away while yelling woo-hoo and waving his hat. The 41-year-old horseman, whose name has not been released, has been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle namely the horse after injuring a 61-year-old woman who was visiting Clermont, a small town near the proposed Adani Carmichael mine, to rally against the project with a convoy of protesters. This rider has ignored the shared expectation for an environment of mutual respect, said the regional mayor, Anne Baker. I expect they will face the full force of the law for their actions and the injury caused. The debate over the mine has been raging for years, ever since an Indian conglomerate, the Adani Group, laid out its plans to make Australias Galilee Basin one of the worlds largest coal producers. Outraged environmentalists have mobilized with the support of major global players like Greenpeace, but with Australias election planned for May 18, the forces for and against Adani have become more local, visible and intense. MADRID Spains Socialist Party strengthened its hold on the government on Sunday in the countrys third national election since 2015, with nearly complete results showing growing political polarization and party fragmentation. The elections came after an abrupt change of government in June, when Pedro Sanchez and his Socialist Party used a corruption scandal to oust Prime Minister Mariano Rajoys conservative Popular Party in a parliamentary vote. Late Sunday, Mr. Sanchez, the current prime minister, declared victory again, even though his party fell short of an absolute majority in Parliament and he will need to find coalition partners to form a government. The Socialists won 123 of the 350 seats in Parliament, with 99.9 percent of the votes counted. An anti-immigration and ultranationalist party, Vox, won its first seats in Parliament, a major shift in a country that long appeared to be immune to the spread of far-right movements across Europe, in part because of the legacy of the Francisco Franco dictatorship. But its 10 percent share of the vote left it in no position to play kingmaker and help form a governing coalition. When the Singaporean curator Boon Hui Tan was named director of the Asia Society museum in 2015, he told an interviewer that contemporary art can only be understood in global terms. Now Asia Society is placing its biggest bet yet on contemporary art: Its inaugural Triennial of Asia will open next summer and bring to New York some 40 artists, along with intellectuals and historians, from what it calls Asia and the world. The first edition, titled We Do Not Dream Alone, is scheduled to open on June 5, 2020, and will be preceded by several months of related programming. The curators will be Mr. Tan and Michelle Yun, Asia Societys senior curator of modern and contemporary art. And it will extend past Asia Societys headquarters on Park Avenue to venues in Manhattan and elsewhere. The Triennial of Asia joins a crowded calendar of exhibitions of contemporary art held here every two or three years. The Whitney Biennial, New Yorks longest-running such show, focuses on American art and opens its new edition in May. Elsewhere, the New Museum has presented four editions now of its contemporary art triennial, and the Queens Museum has hosted eight chapters of its locally centered Queens International. So Mr. Tan, who directed the 2013 Singapore Biennale, is aiming to position Asia Societys triennial as a season-long effort across disciplines. It will feature debates on public policy and presentations from scientists, though art remains at the heart of the program. There isnt the social structure or the mentality that supports a collector base here, said Barbara Huttrop, director of the Berlin gallery Kewenig, which exhibits at the Art Basel fairs in Switzerland, Miami Beach and Hong Kong. Theres no industry, added Ms. Huttrop, whose gallery in a historic house has yet to attract significant collectors from Berlins tech sector. Kewenigs The Palace of the Perfect, a presentation of 13 works from the 1980s from the estate of the admired American conceptual artist James Lee Byars was, for many, the standout show of the weekend. Byarss unique brand of magical minimalism was perhaps most powerfully represented by The Spinning Oracle of Delfi, a work from 1986 that consists of an enormous gilded amphora lying in the gallerys red-painted hallway. It was priced at $5 million. For us its the most important weekend, said Ms. Huttrop, who was hoping to greet at least 20 of the gallerys most important international clients. Did they turn up? Top collectors such as Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo from Turin, Anita Zabludowicz from London and Uli Sigg from Switzerland were certainly in Berlin. But some Gallery Weekend regulars noticed a more general shortage of foreign visitors. American accents were rarely heard. I never saw so few international buyers, said Magnus Resch, the founder of Magnus, an app likened to Shazam for the art world, who is based in New York but has an apartment in Berlin. The art world calendar is saturated with events, particularly with 2019 being a year of the Venice Biennale, which attracts droves of international collectors hoping to discover the next big names before the market does. PARIS Anticipating huge waves of visitors, officials at the Louvre Museum in Paris have said that reservations will be required for entry to an exhibition this fall to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vincis death. The Louvre the most visited museum in the world last year, with more than 10 million spectators said it would begin offering specific time slots through its online booking service, starting June 18. Adult tickets cost 17 euros, or about $19. Visitors who qualify for free entry will also have to reserve places. It was unclear whether the show, which starts Oct. 24, would include Salvator Mundi, a painting of Jesus Christ attributed to Leonardo that has been surrounded by intrigue and mystery about its whereabouts and ownership. It was sold at auction in November 2017 for $450.3 million to an anonymous bidder who turned out to be a close ally and possible stand-in of the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. Also, the Italian authorities have not announced formally whether they will lend some state-owned works to the exhibition the Louvre had delayed the show until October in the hope of securing those pieces. An announcement about those loans will probably be made when President Emmanuel Macron of France hosts President Sergio Mattarella of Italy on Friday in Amboise, in the Loire Valley in central France, on the anniversary of Leonardos death there. Dozens of artists connected to the Whitney Museum of American Art including more than half of those selected for the coming Biennial have called for the resignation of a museum board member whose company sells tear gas that activists and the art publication Hyperallergic say was used on migrants at the Mexican border. It was the latest volley in a monthslong series of letters involving the board member, Warren B. Kanders, museum employees, artists and academics over his role as owner, chairman and chief executive of the Safariland Group, which sells multiple lines of military and law enforcement equipment including tear gas. According to Hyperallergic, photos showed tear gas canisters marked with the companys name at a site where the American authorities used tear gas to disperse hundreds of migrants running toward a crossing that leads from Tijuana to San Diego last fall. On Monday, artists, including Dread Scott, Barbara Kruger, Cameron Rowland, Nan Goldin, Yvonne Rainer, Hans Haacke, Andrea Fraser and Laura Poitras, whose work is owned or has been exhibited by the Whitney, added their names to a letter published this month by scholars and critics who urged the museum to remove Mr. Kanders from his position as a vice chairman of the board. Forty-six of the 75 artists and collectives chosen for the Biennial, which opens May 17, also signed the letter, which said tear gas from Mr. Kanders company had been used against Palestinians in the Middle East and protesters in Egypt, Puerto Rico and Standing Rock, N.D., and called for a conversation about private funding of cultural institutions. Update: John Singleton has died. Read his obituary here. The family of John Singleton, the director, producer and screenwriter behind the 1991 film Boyz N the Hood and several other movies, said that they had directed doctors to pull him off life support on Monday after he suffered a stroke earlier this month. It is with heavy hearts we announce that our beloved son, father and friend, John Daniel Singleton will be taken off of life support today, said the statement, which was released by Singletons publicist around 10 a.m. Pacific time. This was an agonizing decision, one that our family made, over a number of days, with the careful counsel of Johns doctors. Singleton, 51, a native of South Los Angeles, was nominated for an Oscar for his directing in his debut film Boyz N the Hood, which centered on three teenagers growing up amid violence in his home city. Singleton was in his early 20s and fresh out of film school when he directed the film. He was the first African-American and the youngest person ever to be nominated for the award. He went on to direct more than 10 films and TV series, including the recent FX crime drama Snowfall, about the 1980s crack cocaine epidemic in Los Angeles. His most prominent films after his debut include Poetic Justice (1993), a romantic melodrama starring Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur, and Rosewood (1997), about a historical white mob massacre against a town of black residents in Florida. The night was dark and from what we could see of it full of terrors. In the aptly titled The Long Night episode of Game of Thrones, the Night King brought his teeming army of the undead to assault the defenders of the living at Winterfell. He is evidently not a morning person. The army arrived under cloak of darkness, and the hour-plus combat that ensued unfolded with all the chromatic variety of a goth teenagers wardrobe. [Read our ultimate guide to Game of Thrones.] This was something we have seen, or rather not seen, before. Funereal color palettes have become a signature of ambitious TV drama. The likes of Ozark and True Detective externalize their angst by painting the world in shades of black and blue. Natural-lit night scenes and gloomy filters have rendered expensive widescreens into charcoal rubbings of semi-perceptible movement. At best, the device can establish mood. At worst, its a frustrating cliche, hostile to narrative and eyeballs, that substitutes fog for feeling. As a pretentious TV producer exclaimed on the most recent season of BoJack Horseman, The darkness is a metaphor for darkness! In The Long Night, murk piled on top of mayhem, shadows tumbled across the screen by torchlight. And in a battle whose length and phantasmagoria befit a prog-rock double album, it reduced a climax eight years in the making to an inky, ill-defined scrum of beards and bones. (The final lesson of Game of Thrones, apparently, is to hang on to your old plasma TVs with their sharply defined blacks.) T uca and Bertie represent two halves of Hanawalts personality. Tuca is her id the selfish, charming beast who comes out screaming in her art. Bertie is the first face that Hanawalt presents to the world painfully introverted and exceptionally anxious. An early scene in Tuca & Bertie is borrowed from her relationship with the comedian Adam Conover, her partner of 10 years. When Bertie panics over a big presentation at her job at Conde Nest, her devoted boyfriend Speckle (voiced by Steven Yeun) pantomimes lightly massaging her with a worry vacuum to suck her anxiety away. But he gets so invested in the bit that he knocks over a glass and has to sheepishly fetch the real vacuum. When Hanawalt pitched the show, she found the characters anxiety difficult to communicate. Everybody wanted to know why Bertie was so anxious, and she could only say, Shes anxious because she has anxiety. Hanawalt has had anxiety for as long as she can remember. Growing up in Palo Alto, Calif., I just didnt feel like other kids, she said. I didnt have fun at summer camp. Drawing became her self-soothing mechanism, a way for her to stay calm and centered. Hanawalt has always drawn animal-human hybrids; at school, she pretended that she was a horse. This did not help integrate her into the mainstream of child society, but privately she expressed confidence in her choice. As she wrote in a sixth grade class assignment: People make fun of me an call me Horse poop and Lady Horse. I just take it as a compliment, or I figure that they must like Horse Poo a lot, cause I hear them say it whenever I pass! She added: Im also wild about art. I want to be famous for drawing Horses someday. In high school, Hanawalt drew through every class. Though she struggled academically, she produced her own zine, Lobster Rags, and took to theater, which is how she met Raphael Bob-Waksberg, the future creator of BoJack Horseman. He directed weird plays; she built sets and made her acting debut as a dead body. Between classes, Bob-Waksberg would page through Hanawalts sketchbook and they would make up voices and stories for her characters. When their friends all started LiveJournals, Bob-Waksberg was most captivated by hers. We all tried to put some version of our best selves on the internet, he said, and here was this girl just talking about her periods, and her acne and how horny she was. In 2010, after Hanawalt had gone to U.C.L.A. to study art and risen to prominence in the indie comics scene, Bob-Waksberg emailed to ask: Hey, do you have a picture of one of your horse guys, by himself? He wanted to use her illustrations to pitch an animated show called BoJack the Depressed Talking Horse. She agreed, but told him his pitch felt unnecessarily cynical. Maybe theres a way for BoJack to not be too much of a bummer? she wrote back. Just a thought, Im not an Eeyore fan. An Australian crime series gets a new spinoff on Acorn TV. And a documentary about Queen and Adam Lambert is on ABC. Whats Streaming MS. FISHERS MODERN MURDER MYSTERIES Stream on Acorn TV. The Australian crime show Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries about an elegant heiress-turned-detective in 1920s Melbourne named Phryne Fisher got rave reviews in the land down under when it debuted in 2012, and gained a global following with distribution by Netflix, Acorn TV and PBS. This spinoff takes place in the 60s and focuses on Phrynes audacious niece, Peregrine (Geraldine Hakewill), who inherits Phrynes fortune after she disappears and is presumed dead. And shocker! Peregrine becomes a sleuth, too, chasing murderers with the help of a hunky detective (Joel Jackson) and women from her aunts Adventuresses Club. She decided they werent. In March, Zhao called her editor at Delacorte Press and told her that she wanted to move forward with the novel after all. She made some revisions, and Blood Heir is now scheduled to be released in November. Ultimately, its true to my vision, she said. Zhaos decision to move ahead with publication will likely reignite the fractious, ongoing debate about diversity, representation and cancel culture in the young adult literary world. While some see the discussion about cultural appropriation in fiction as a necessary, if painful, step toward addressing the lack of diversity in publishing, others argue that the online Y.A. community has become too cutthroat, even intolerant, in its attacks on first-time authors who tackle challenging social issues or write outside their immediate cultural experience. When the controversy over Blood Heir erupted, battle lines were quickly drawn within the close-knit childrens publishing community. A small but influential group of authors argued that the novel dealt insensitively with race and the legacy of slavery, and was an affront to nonwhite communities. The books cancellation then prompted an equally passionate backlash to the backlash from a camp that rallied to Zhaos defense, arguing that the novels critics, who claimed to be championing diversity, had bullied a young Asian woman into silence. How a Twitter Mob Derailed an Immigrant Female Authors Budding Career read one headline in Tablet magazine. Other people faulted the author herself for caving to pressure. Zhao is of course not the first or even the most recent Y.A. novelist to be buried under an avalanche of criticism before her book even came out. Keira Drakes fantasy novel, The Continent, was delayed by her publisher and rewritten after readers blasted it as racist trash and offensive in early reviews. In 2017, Laurie Forest was bombarded with hundreds of negative reviews on Goodreads by readers who claimed her debut fantasy novel, The Black Witch, was bigoted, months before the books release. And in February, Kosoko Jackson pulled his young adult debut novel, A Place for Wolves, a story set in the 1990s during the Kosovo war that features two gay American teenagers. Jackson decided to cancel the publication after a firestorm erupted on social media over his decision to set the story against the backdrop of genocide, and to make the storys villain an Albanian Muslim. I apologize to those I hurt with my novel, he wrote in a statement. The blowup over A Place for Wolves, which was scheduled to be published in March by Sourcebooks Fire, was particularly fraught, because Jackson, a young gay black man, works as a sensitivity reader, or an expert who helps authors and publishers vet books for potentially problematic content and stereotypes. Jackson was also part of the chorus of voices denouncing Blood Heir, an ironic twist that was seized upon by observers who claim the movement to police potential cultural appropriation in literature has gone too far. 1. More details are emerging about the synagogue shooting in California on Saturday the latest in a disturbing series of attacks on houses of worship in the U.S. and beyond. Minutes before the gunman opened fire with a military-style weapon, the authorities received warnings of an anonymous post on social media that contained threats, but no specifics of location. The 19-year-old taken into custody afterward had written a white supremacist manifesto. Today, a funeral was held for Lori Gilbert Kaye, 60, who died in the shooting. A vigil was held last night, above. Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who was wounded, wrote of the attack for our Opinion section. CHICAGO In his first major public address since the grounding of the 737 Max fleet, Boeings chief executive faced questions about the companys credibility and its safety procedures following two fatal crashes involving the brand-new jet. At the companys annual meeting on Monday in Chicago, the chief executive, Dennis Muilenburg, sought to reassure shareholders, as the company faces increasing financial, legal and regulatory pressure. Shares of Boeing have lost about 10 percent of their value since the crash in March of an Ethiopian Airlines flight. Mr. Muilenburg said Boeing was making steady progress in getting regulators to certify a fix for the anti-stall software that pushed the jets nose, a system that played a role in the Ethiopia crash and an earlier Lion Air accident in Indonesia. [Update: Boeing believed a 737 Max warning light was standard. It wasnt.] With the certified software update implemented, the 737 Max will be one of the safest airplanes ever to fly, he said, according to his prepared remarks. LONDON The United States has turned into an energy superpower in recent years thanks largely to fracking. In Britain, which has sought to replicate some of that success, the fracking industry is struggling to survive. In the latest setback, the governments commissioner for facilitating fracking resigned over the weekend, complaining about rules so restrictive they have made it all but impossible for the industry to grow. A perfectly viable and exciting new industry, the commissioner, Natascha Engel, wrote in her resignation letter, is in danger of withering on the vine. Geological surveys and drilling have suggested that there are large amounts of gas lurking under some parts of the country. But Britains fledgling shale industry has faced unrelenting local opposition and regulations that require work be halted when fracking causes tremors. Test drilling and fracking, which involves pumping water, sand and other substances down wells at high pressure to free up the gas, have all but stopped in Britain. In an interview, Ms. Engel, whose official title was commissioner for shale gas, said she was particularly frustrated by Britains rules that force companies to suspend operations when tremors exceed magnitude 0.5, compared with thresholds of about 2.0 and higher for fracking in North America. The Labor Department weighed in Monday on a question whose answer could be worth billions of dollars to gig-economy companies, deciding that one companys workers were contractors, not employees. As a result, the unidentified company whose workers, it appears, clean residences will not have to offer the federal minimum wage or overtime, or pay a share of Social Security taxes. And while the decision officially applies only to that company, legal experts said it was likely to affect a much larger portion of the industry. The move signals the Trump administrations approach to the way gig companies, a growing share of the economy, must treat their work force. As companies like Uber and Lyft begin to sell shares to the public, industry officials estimate that requiring them to classify their workers as employees would raise their labor costs by 20 to 30 percent. Today, the U.S. Department of Labor offers further insight into the nexus of current labor law and innovations in the job market, Keith Sonderling, an official in the division that oversees such issues, said in a statement. It is a longstanding policy for the department not to disclose the names of companies receiving such letters. Its impossible to judge the success of GIZs efforts, or any Ferreros programs, because the company will not share any information about them, citing restrictions under national privacy laws. Ms. Mittal of the Fair Labor Association said Ferrero would take the organizations phone calls and participate in panel discussions about labor issues. It just wont disclose where and how it buys hazelnuts. We know nothing about the findings of the programs they have in place, she said. We know nothing about the difference between certified and uncertified farms. We have no clue. The Fair Labor Association has a far better view of Nestles supply chain because it collaborated with it on a 31-month pilot program sponsored by the United States Department of Labor. At best, these efforts are a modest start, as Nestle found in a 2017 survey published on its website. More than 72 percent of workers reported that they had barely enough money to get by. Ninety-nine percent said they worked seven days a week. Child labor issues, the company stated, have deteriorated in the last year because of the war in Syria. Nestle declined to comment for this article. For refugees, Turkish agriculture is both a lifeline and a continuing trial. In the five years since he left his homeland, Mr. Ibrahim, the onetime taxi driver, has developed a new sense of what constitutes misfortune. We are lucky, he said. We can survive here. We will never be thieves. We will never have to beg on the streets. Ever since its premiere, on March 31, 2017, the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, about a teenage girls suicide, has alarmed many health experts, who believe it glamorizes the topic for some young people. The show also has impressed critics, along with viewers young and old, who see it as an honest portrayal of adolescent distress. Now, a new study finds that suicide rates spiked in the month after the release of the series among boys aged 10 to 17. That month, April 2017, had the highest overall suicide rate for this age group in the past five years, the study found; the rate subsequently dropped back into line with recent trends, but remained elevated for the year. Suicide rates for girls aged 10 to 17 the demographic expected to identify most strongly with the shows protagonist did not increase significantly. The study, posted Monday by the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, is likely to fuel further debate about the merits of 13 Reasons Why, the third season of which is in production. The agency does not yet know how many shots each of those 76 had, but under extreme disease pressure we know there can be vaccine failures, Dr. Messonnier said. She suggested that adults likely to encounter the virus, including health workers, travelers and anyone in affected neighborhoods, get a blood test that can show how immune they are to measles, mumps and rubella. [Heres our full coverage about the measles outbreak.] Anyone born before 1957 is assumed to have had the measles as a child and therefore immune. Americans born between 1957 and 1989 are in a middle ground. Some got the early killed virus vaccine, which later proved to be too short-lived and was replaced by a weakened virus vaccine. Until 1989, it was routine to give one shot; now children get two. One shot of the new vaccine provides 93 percent immunity in the overall population, while two shots drive that up to 97 percent, which is considered more than enough to keep the virus from spreading. Vaccination levels vary from state to state, largely dependent on how easy state legislatures make it to get exemptions. All states permit exemptions for children who are allergic to the vaccine, have a compromised immune system or have another medical reason to avoid it. Some states permit religious exemptions, even though no major religion opposes vaccination, and a few states also permit philosophical or personal choice exemptions. There once was a man named Albert Alexander. He was a policeman [American accent] Hey. in England. [British accent] Hello. One day on patrol, he cut his cheek Ouch! which led to a terrible infection. See, this was back in 1941, before patients had antibiotics. These were the days when a little scratch could kill you. Or you got an ear infection and you died. A cat bite and you died. Or you stepped on a stick and you died. All of a sudden, antibiotics come along and bang. The antibiotic era had begun. Soon a slow and painful death became a seven-day course of antibiotics and a $10 copay. And Albert? Albert was the first patient in the world to receive the antibiotic penicillin. And it worked. We just came up with a lifesaving, life-extending drug, one of the greatest developments in human history. Except not. Thats Matt Richtel, a science reporter for The New York Times. For the past year, Matts been talking to health experts to find out if we are reaching the end of the antibiotic era. Modern medicine depends on the antibiotic. And having used it so much, were now putting it at risk. Is our fate sealed? First off, I dont think people respect bacteria enough. This is Ellen Silbergeld, one of the leading scientists studying antibiotic resistance. Bacteria rule the world. We are just a platform for bacteria. Within the human body, there are more bacterial cells than there are human cells. So we are, in fact, mostly bacteria. Alexander Fleming the man who discovered penicillin in his Nobel speech said, hang on, be aware. When you start killing this stuff off, its going to fight back. Did we pay any attention to that? No. The C.D.C. got our attention today with a warning about what it calls nightmare bacteria. These are bacteria that are resistant to most, if not all, antibiotics. When we take antibiotics to kill infections, some bacteria survive. It used to be theyd replicate, and eventually resistance would grow. But now, theyre way more efficient and share drug-resistant genes among themselves. So every time we take an antibiotic, we risk creating stronger, more resistant bacteria. And stronger, more resistant bacteria means less and less effective antibiotics. And this is a problem because we take lots of antibiotics. Money gets made over the sale of antibiotics. Big money. Globally, the antibiotics market is valued at $40 billion. And in the U.S., the C.D.C. estimates that about 30 percent of all prescribed antibiotics are not needed at all. Thats 47 million excess prescriptions. And in many places outside of the U.S., you dont even need a prescription. You can walk into a pharmacy. A pharmacist will diagnose you and give you antibiotics. I tend to think of it as a story of Darwinian forces multiplied by the pace and scale of global capitalism. In an interconnected world travel, import, export were moving the bugs with us. I can go to a meeting in China or Vietnam or some place This is Lance Price, the director of the Antibiotic Resistance Action Center. I can become colonized by untreatable E. coli. And I might not have any symptoms. But you can get colonized. And you can become this sort of long-term host. So you could be healthy and still spreading bad bacteria without even knowing it. Drug-resistant bacteria have never been able to travel the world as fast as they do today. And thats just part of the problem. You should know that about 80 percent of antibiotic production in this country goes into agriculture. Why on earth did somebody think putting antibiotics in agriculture was a great idea? Weve said, hey, look, cram these animals together. Dont worry too much about hygiene or trying to keep them healthy. Just give them antibiotics. And then in a couple weeks, youre going to have full-grown animals that you can chop up and eat. Right? And you can make money off of that. Nobody was making the connection between feeding animals antibiotics and the fact that the food would be carrying drug-resistant bacteria. So Ellen did a study. She compared different kinds of store-bought chicken. And she found that poultry raised with antibiotics had nine times as much drug-resistant bacteria on it. Now, lets talk about the vegetarians. I just want you to understand, youre not safe. You know all these outbreaks that take place among the lettuce and the things like that. Have you ever wondered how that happened? Its because animal manure is used in raising crops. Organic agriculture lauds the use of animal manure. Unless youre just a complete, Im a vegan, and I only hang out with vegans, and I eat sterilized vegetables, you know, its very likely that youre picking up the same bacteria. Resistant bacteria seep into the groundwater, fly off the back of livestock trucks and hitch a ride home on the hands of farm workers, all of which makes trying to pinpoint exactly where resistant bacteria is originating extremely difficult. And even when it seems like there is a clear source, things still arent so simple. No one wants to be seen as a hub of an epidemic. Say your grandmother makes you a rump roast. And then that rump roast makes you sick. Well, if you live in France, or Ireland, or pretty much anywhere in the E.U., packaged meat has a tracking label. You can figure out exactly what farm that meat came from. But in the U.S., not even the top public health officials can do that. Most countries have animal ID laws. We dont. Pat Basu, former chief veterinarian for the U.S.D.A.s Food Safety and Inspection Service, basically one of the top veterinarians in the country. Let me start at the beginning. We got a case where we had resistant bacteria causing illness in people. There were sick people that C.D.C. identified. More than 50 people in eight counties have gotten an unusual strain of salmonella linked to pork. This is not your grandmothers pathogen anymore. This is a new bug. Health officials traced the outbreak back to the slaughterhouse and identified six potential farms where the outbreak could have come from. But then the investigation shut down. The individual farmers have to agree voluntarily to share the data with these investigators who go out. We couldnt go any further back. It was a dead end. 192 people sick, 30 hospitalizations and zero access for health officials to investigate the farms. The secrecy is maintained because there are big economic forces behind it. Farms are scared of losing their ability to get antibiotics. Hospitals are scared of driving away patients. Well, as a physician, I do get very upset. I get very upset, as a patient, that information is being withheld. This is Kevin Kavanagh, a doctor and a consumer advocate for patients. Drug-resistant bacteria is a huge problem. If it occurs at a restaurant, if it occurs in a cruise ship, you know about this immediately A salmonella outbreak within days or hours of an outbreak occurring. This morning, Chipotle is keeping dozens of its restaurants in the Pacific Northwest closed But yet, in a hospital, it can take you months or even over a year until this data appears on a governmental website or reported by the C.D.C. In the U.S., hospitals are under no obligation to inform the public when a bacterial outbreak occurs. Defend and deny. They are very concerned about the short-term economic benefits, rather than looking at long-term problems. Theres always this response like, well, but theres still a drug, right? Like, this isnt the end. Remember Albert Alexander? Hello. Ouch! the first patient to be given penicillin? Well, his story didnt end there. Five days after he started recovering, the hospital ran out of the new drug, and Mr. Alexander died. Today, we dont have to worry about antibiotics running out. We have to worry about using them so much that they stop working altogether. want to know why a metro health department didnt shut down a restaurant Its a very resistant bacteria We really need to change the way we use antibiotics. Because the way we use antibiotics is destroying them. Its putting at risk the entire system of care that we depend on for lengthening our lives and improving the quality of our lives. The British government commissioned a study which predicted a worst case scenario where more people will die by 2050 of these infections than will die of cancer. Thats a generation from now. It takes 10 years to identify, develop, test and bring to market a new antibiotic. And it takes a billion dollars. This is a common issue for humanity. Very similar to global warming. You cant control it as a single company. You cant control this as a single government. And because the bacteria are now working together so efficiently Unless the world acts consistently together, it doesnt make a difference. Before reading the article: Watch the above video, California Synagogue Shooting: Gunman Kills 1 Person and Injures 3. What did you learn about the attack? What did you learn about the way the suspect was apprehended? What questions do you still have? Now, read the article, One Dead in Synagogue Shooting Near San Diego; Officials Call It Hate Crime, and answer the following questions: 1. How many people were killed and injured in the attack at Chabad of Poway? 2. Who is Yisroel Goldstein? What did he tell his congregation as they waited for the authorities to arrive at the synagogue after the attack? 3. Local authorities have identified the shootings as a hate crime. What evidence did they provide to explain this designation? What document are police officers working to identify the authorship of, as part of their investigation of the suspect? 4. Who is Jonathan Greenblatt? How does he explain the pattern of deadly extremism of which he identifies the Chabad of Poway shooting as an example? Why does he say we shouldnt be surprised by these acts of violence? [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] The top law enforcement official in Elizabeth, one of New Jerseys largest and most diverse cities, resigned on Tuesday after an inquiry found that he had routinely referred to police officers in his department using racist and sexist slurs. The official, James Cosgrove, who has led the police force in Elizabeth since 1998, had faced mounting pressure to step aside following an investigation by the Union County prosecutors office that began after a lawyer for several police officers filed complaints. The states attorney general, Gurbir S. Grewal, had demanded that Mr. Cosgrove resign. Mr. Grewal pointed to the prosecutors findings, which have not been publicly released, but concluded that, over the course of many years, Director Cosgrove described his staff using derogatory terms, including racist and misogynistic slurs. Mr. Grewal also ordered an examination of the culture of the Elizabeth Police Department. The citys mayor, J. Christian Bollwage, who had refused to discuss the findings of the two-month investigation, on Tuesday issued a news release announcing that he had accepted Mr. Cosgroves resignation. As a political appointee, Mr. Cosgrove could only be removed by the citys mayor. But just like with Facebook or Airbnb, people who click around enough can find friends, neighbors and co-workers. I already have. I looked up a neighbor and discovered that the person is a party member. I learned that two co-workers are not in any party. Why is the data online? A new state law requires the elections board to publish voters names, addresses and party affiliation in time for candidates to collect signatures from voters, which they must do to appear on the ballot. Previously, the board put this information in books. But the new law also shortened the time the board had to publish the material so it went online. Some people, like domestic violence victims, can ask to shield their information from these types of databases. And critics like Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause, a nonpartisan organization focused on holding government accountable, say that just because the information is public, it doesnt mean it should be made available in this manner. Big data, no big deal? Political consultants have relied on voter data for years: Thats why youre mailed campaign literature. Theres some public information the board didnt publish online. Obviously, whom you voted for remains private. But whether you voted at all is public, and that part of your voter history is available upon request. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] It is a springtime routine at the picturesque Liberty State Park, which has sweeping views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from its two-mile-long promenade: Workers go from flagpole to flagpole, raising the flags of the 50 states. This year, on orders from Gov. Philip D. Murphy, only 49 state flags were raised. The Mississippi flag, which carries the Confederate battle emblem, would no longer fly. An American flag was put up in its place. The Confederate symbol displayed on the Mississippi state flag is reprehensible and does not reflect our values of inclusivity and equality, Mr. Murphy said in a statement. This was the latest incident regarding the removal of Mississippis flag, considered by many an ugly reminder of slavery. In several cities, statues and memorials to the Confederacy and to those who fought for the South in the Civil War have also been removed. It is not a priority, said Joseph Geiger, the executive secretary-treasurer of the New York City District Council of Carpenters, which spent $750,000 on campaigns last year, records showed. In interviews with a dozen unions, only two Local 32BJ, which represents janitors, doormen and airport workers, and the local arm of the Communications Workers of America offered unqualified support for public financing. Two others were vocally opposed. The rest declined to comment, took no position or declared other matters to be of greater importance. A public financing system would typically lower the maximum contribution to candidates, but then offer a generous matching-fund allotment. In New York City, for example, candidates can receive an eight-to-one match of public funds to small donations. Those who favor such a system say it lessens the advantages of incumbency by reducing the impact of large donors. But for some of those large donors, including unions, that might be a reason to oppose it. When the Supreme Court was considering the landmark Citizens United case, which found that government cannot ban corporate political spending, the national A.F.L.-C.I.O. filed a brief supporting corporations. The union argued that looser restrictions on political spending would help labor unions, although it later said that the ruling went too far and has urged the case be overturned. In New York this year, when a coalition of activists fighting for campaign finance reform, which included the two supportive major unions, reached out to other unions to ask for their support, they were rebuffed, said a person familiar with the coalitions efforts, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to protect their projects with labor unions. If were not there, then it would be slanted in a direction that is much different than the unions, Mr. Mulgrew said, adding that his unions donations counteract the influence of right-leaning groups. We have the power and tools to do something about this. We have thousands of stores which, from an economic perspective, can make an impact, said Rabyaah Althaibani, a Yemeni-American organizer and member of YAMA. The Post declined to comment on the criticism of the cover and the boycott, including whether it has had an impact on sales of the newspaper. The Post cover said, Heres your something. 2,977 people dead by terrorism, a gibe at Ms. Omar, a Minnesota Democrat, in response to a comment that she made about the Sept. 11 attacks that her supporters have said was misconstrued. The Yemeni-American bodega owners expressed concern that the provocative imagery of the World Trade Centers in flames could trigger violence against Muslims in New York a fear they say has been more pronounced in the community since Mr. Trump was elected. They are propagating hate and they dont care what the outcome is, they don't realize the magnitude of the hate they are spreading, said Husam Kaid, 19, who works part time at his familys bodega in Midtown. Still, the Yemeni-American bodega owners are not united over using their economic power to boycott The Post. Some said they were concerned that Yemeni-Americans could face repercussions for becoming the face of protest against a conservative news outlet owned by Rupert Murdoch. NASHVILLE I was eating lunch on our front stoop last week when a flock of European starlings descended all at once, covering our yard in a commotion of strutting and whistling and picking and whirring. The spring wildflowers were all bloomed out, nothing left but greenery, so my husband had mowed the meadow in front of our house into some semblance of a suburban lawn. A freshly mowed yard means fewer places for insects to hide, and the starlings got busy gleaning and digging. I am no fan of European starlings. I would like European starlings just fine if they had stayed in Europe, but some foolish Shakespeare aficionados, determined to introduce into this country every bird ever mentioned in Shakespeare, released 100 starlings in New York Citys Central Park during the 19th century. The more than 200 million starlings in North America today descended from those first 100 birds. Starlings compete for nesting cavities with native cavity-dwellers: bluebirds and tree swallows, woodpeckers and chickadees, wood ducks and tufted titm ice. Theres a pair nesting in a woodpeckers hole in a tree in front of my neighbors house, and three pairs nesting in the hollow window frames of another neighbors house. Every time I pass by them, I glower out of nothing but old habit. A 2003 study disputed long-held assumptions that starlings displace native birds. Only sapsuckers showed declines due to starlings, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology; other species appeared to be holding their own against the invaders. But long-held assumptions are hard habits to break, and I have never warmed to these gregarious birds. The bluebirds that have chosen the nest box in our front yard share my dislike. The male bluebird set up an angry clicking from his perch in a nearby maple as soon as the flock landed in our yard, and when one of them had the nerve to peer into the nest-box hole which is, by design, too small to admit a starling he immediately dived at the intruders head, startling it so thoroughly that it fell to the ground before it could stop its headlong tumble and fly away. But what shape could reform take? The current system is not made for speed or dynamism. It was designed to prevent any single power from dominating. Now Germany has evolved by default into the leadership position but is reluctant to lead. The smaller countries are suspicious about conceding power to Germany and view with some unease the likely renewal of the Franco-German powerhouse that Konrad Adenauer and Charles de Gaulle set in motion in the 1960s with an understanding to synchronize their countries roles in providing leadership on the Continent. The European Council, created in 1974 and composed of leaders of the member countries, has become the most potent body in the union, though the council's centrifugal tendencies are constrained by the centralizing leanings of the European Union Commission and Parliament. The difficulties of arriving at a solution to equip the European Union for the challenges ahead while satisfying the often contradictory demands of 28 member states (27 when or if Britain completes its exit) are daunting. If a sense of European identity has remained largely an idea and aspiration rather than a reality, it has nonetheless acquired a form of political content. Europe, in the eyes of most Europeans, has come to be largely synonymous (positively or negatively) with the European Union. Europe demarcates the countries of the bloc as an interwoven community of nations separate from the others on the European continent mainly Russia and former members of the Soviet Union. This Europe is neither the Europe of the fatherlands favored by de Gaulle and others, nor the supranational entity that was associated with Jacques Delors. Rather, it stands as a unique entity somewhere in between. Some continue to look to an ever-widening Europe incorporated in a federal European state as a utopian future. Others, increasing in number, regard Europe with distance, even hostility, as a foreign body impinging upon their sovereignty as nation-states. In the first postwar decades, the need to prevent any possibility of another war was the central ambition of the emerging European Community. But that message has inevitably faded over time. This has left the Europe of the European Union in the eyes of many of its citizens as little more than an opaque and detached organization embodying rules and regulations that affect most peoples lives, but cannot be challenged through political engagement. That opens the door to the politics of nationalist and separatist movements. In reality, the main emotional allegiance is not to Europe but still to citizens nation-state or region (or would-be independent nation-state). However, while the union has been unable to create a genuine sense of European identity, the dangerously aggressive, chauvinistic nationalism that spawned two world wars scarcely exists any longer, and what does has been diluted and countered by the gradual increase in transnational cooperation and interdependence. Facebook announced that a majority of the pages were associated with the opposition Indian National Congress party, but it merely named the technology company associated with the governing B.J.P. pages. Many news reports later pointed out that the pages related to the B.J.P. that were removed were far more consequential and reached millions. Asking the social media platforms to fix the crisis is a deeply flawed approach because most of the disinformation is shared in a decentralized manner through messaging. Seeking to monitor those messages is a step toward accepting mass surveillance. The Indian government loves the idea and has proposed laws that, among other things, would break end-to-end encryption and obtain user data without a court order. The idea of more effective fact-checking has come up often in the debates around Indias disinformation contagion. But it comes with many conceptual difficulties: A large proportion of messages shared on social networks in India have little to do with verifiable facts and peddle prejudiced opinions. Facebook India has a small 11- to 22-member fact-checking team for content related to Indian elections. Fake news is not a technological or scientific problem with a quick fix. It should be treated as a new kind of public health crisis in all its social and human complexity. The answer might lie in looking back at how we responded to the epidemics, the infectious diseases in the 19th and early 20th centuries, which have similar characteristics. In response to infectious diseases, over a period of more than a century, nations created the public health infrastructure a combination of public and private institutions that track outbreaks, fund research, develop medicines and provide health services. We need a similar response to tackle disinformation and fake news. Epidemics taught us that citizen education is the first and most critical step for a solution. Without the widespread knowledge that washing hands with soap can prevent infections, all other interventions would have sunk under the sheer volume of patients. No number of tweaks to the Facebook algorithm, no size of fact-checking teams, no amount of government regulations can have the same impact as a citizen who critically examines the information being circulated. Public education might seem a soft measure compared with regulation, but informing the people is the best investment to tackle the problem. In the long term, it will be effective because content distribution will be cheaper and the political and commercial incentives to spread lies will only grow. To the Editor: Re A Despicable Cartoon in The Times (column, April 29): I completely agree with Bret Stephens that its a despicable cartoon. I saw the actual cartoon when a friend living abroad shared it on social media and was shocked that a respected newspaper would publish such obvious anti-Semitic propaganda. The cartoon is reminiscent of Nazi propaganda in its style and message. It plays to rabid anti-Semitism, which has seen a frightening resurgence in the United States and in Europe. If the political message of the cartoon was to decry President Trumps acquiescence to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus demands, why the Jewish rather than Israeli symbolism? This cartoon is a very obvious expression of age-old anti-Semitic sentiment, the belief that a Jewish cabal secretly controls the worlds political and financial systems with world leaders too blind to see that they are being led by Jews. I am not writing this as a supporter of the Netanyahu government, or of its policies toward Palestinian territories. A legitimate criticism of those policies would be a totally appropriate topic for political commentary or a cartoon. This is obviously not such commentary, and it has no place in any newspaper. Deborah Majerovitz Brooklyn To the Editor: I was able to find the cartoon online and can see why some people might view it as distasteful. But anti-Semitic, Im not sure. The cartoon appears to me to be a direct criticism of President Trump and the way he has unquestionably supported Benjamin Netanyahu, not just in the recent hotly contested Israeli election but in abandoning the nuclear treaty with Iran. To the Editor: Re Richard Lugar, 87, Longtime Indiana Senator and Foreign Policy Expert, Dies (obituary, April 29): Everyone knows that Richard Lugar, Indianas former senator, was gracious to his colleagues across the aisle. Fewer know that he was equally receptive to citizen activists. In February 2003, just weeks before the United States invasion of Iraq, Mr . Lugar, then chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, sat down with me, a peace activist, to discuss the risks of the invasion. Although he had voted to authorize force, he was well aware of the possibilities of disaster, including the ethnic and religious fracture of that nation. Mr. Lugars work to reduce nuclear risks did not end with the famous Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program to dismantle elements of the former Soviet nuclear arsenal. He was also willing to speak out. In 2018, together with other former senior officials, Mr. Lugar wrote to Congress to oppose the low yield Trident nuclear warhead: Perhaps the biggest fallacy in the whole argument is the mistaken and dangerous belief that a small nuclear war would remain small. Indeed, it is unlikely that there is such a thing as a limited nuclear war; preparing for one is folly . If we reimagine these premiums as taxes, wed realize that Americans pay some of the highest and least progressive labor taxes in the developed world. Just how heavy is the burden placed on American workers by employer insurance premiums? By combining data from the O.E.C.D. Taxing Wages model with data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, we can see what percentage of each workers compensation a figure that includes cash wages as well as the taxes and benefits employers pay on behalf of their employees goes toward taxes and health care, and how progressive these payments really are. What this data shows is that lower-income workers, higher-income workers, single workers, and married workers with children all contribute around 40 percent of their pay toward taxes and health premiums. And when those health care costs are taken into account, the less well off no longer pay less than high-earners, as they do in taxes alone. So, while opponents of comprehensive plans like Medicare for All claim those plans will greatly burden middle-class families, the truth is that we already have an unfair system. Middle-class workers in America are charged the same health insurance fees as upper-class workers despite the vast income differences between the two groups, and pay more of their earnings toward taxes and health care than workers in many wealthy countries. For instance, according to this analysis, when an American family earns around $43,000, half of the average compensation when including cash wages plus employer payroll tax and premium contributions, 37 percent of that ends up going to taxes and health care premiums . In high-tax Finland, the same type of family pays 23 percent of their compensation in labor taxes, which includes taxes they pay to support universal health care. In France, its 2 percent. In the United Kingdom and Canada, it is less than 0 percent after government benefits. The second group is the upper middle class roughly the 90th to 99th percentiles of earners whose pay increases have essentially kept pace with economic growth: Not great, but not bad. The final group is the bottom 90 percent, whose raises have trailed G.D.P. growth. Their share of the economic pie has been shrinking. The trouble with Obamas tax policy (which Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders mimicked in the 2016 campaign) was that it didnt distinguish between the second and third groups. It promised a tax cut to the poor, the middle class and to the upper middle class. There was good political reason for Obama to do so. It allowed him to avoid divisive debates about who was truly rich. In the group of nonrich, he included a lot of affluent professionals who also happen to play an influential role in the public debate journalists at national publications, prominent economists, think-tank experts and others. Many of these people earn six-figure salaries while thinking of themselves as middle class. But Obamas approach means that the federal government has ended up being overly generous to these upper-middle-class households. In my column, I praised the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates for focusing their tax proposals more on the poor and true middle class. Thats even more important now than in 2008, because of the financial crisis and its aftermath. In his Facebook post, Obama was careful to note that he did not agree with every single thing in the articles he was recommending. And I dont claim to know exactly what he thinks about tax policy. But I think it would be perfectly reasonable for someone to believe that Obamas tax plan was right for 2008 and not quite right for 2020. Obamas other suggestions White Nationalisms Deep American Roots, by Adam Serwer in The Atlantic. Keep It Simple and Take Credit (about the political importance of simple government programs), by Jack Meserve in the journal Democracy. I do not know Gods plan. All I can do is try to find meaning in what has happened. And to use this borrowed time to make my life matter more. I used to sing a song to my children, a song that my father sang to me when I was a child. Hashem is here, I would sing, using a Hebrew name for God, pointing with my right index finger to the sky. Hashem is there, I would sing, pointing to my right and left. Hashem is truly everywhere. That finger I would use to point out Gods omnipresence was taken from me. I pray that my missing finger serves as a constant reminder to me. A reminder that every single human being is created in the image of God; a reminder that I am part of a people that has survived the worst destruction and will always endure; a reminder that my ancestors gave their lives so that I can live in freedom in America; and a reminder, most of all, to never, ever, not ever be afraid to be Jewish. From here on in I am going to be more brazen. I am going to be even more proud about walking down the street wearing my tzitzit and kippah, acknowledging Gods presence. And Im going to use my voice until I am hoarse to urge my fellow Jews to do Jewish. To light candles before Shabbat. To put up mezuzas on their doorposts. To do acts of kindness. And to show up in synagogue especially this coming Shabbat. I am a proud emissary of Chabad-Lubavitch, a movement of Hasidic Judaism. Our leader, the great Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, famously taught that a little light expels a lot of darkness. That is why Chabad rabbis travel all over the world to set up Jewish communities: I have colleagues in Kathmandu, in Ghana, as well as in Paris and Sydney. We believe that helping any human being tap into their divine spark is a step toward fixing this broken world and bringing closer the redemption of humanity. It is why 33 years ago my wife and I came to this corner of California to build a house of light. Because we are obviously Jewish, identifiable by our black hats and beards, it has also meant that some of us have been targets before. Eleven years ago, my colleagues Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg, who ran the Chabad of Mumbai, India, were murdered with four of their guests. They were targeted by the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba because they were Jewish. And over the years people I know have been harassed and assaulted by thugs in the neighborhood where I grew up, Crown Heights, Brooklyn, in incidents that typically go unreported by the press. In his vile manifesto, the terrorist who shot up my synagogue called my people, the Jewish people, a squalid and parasitic race. No. We are a people divinely commanded to bring Gods light into the world. I first interviewed Richard Lugar of Indiana in January 1985, shortly after he became chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for the first time, and left the encounter unimpressed. He seemed to lack the international expertise of his predecessor, Senator Charles Percy of Illinois, a fellow Republican, and I wondered where the leadership would come from on that crucial committee. Less than two weeks later, a second interview left me amazed. Mr. Lugar, a former Rhodes Scholar and mayor of Indianapolis who died on Sunday at 87, had clearly mastered his brief, speaking authoritatively about tensions with the Soviet Union, the Central America wars, apartheid South Africa and any other topic that was posed. Over the years , he grew in stature, establishing a reputation as an independent voice willing to buck his party and one of the countrys pre-eminent leaders on foreign policy, especially efforts to restrain nuclear weapons. He was an internationalist who believed in American leadership, the web of post-World War II alliances, and in talking to Russia even in the present difficult days. I last saw him in March , at a conference on Americas Role in the World at the Hamilton-Lugar School of Global and International Studies at Indiana University. Over dinner on the night before it started, he spoke fondly of continuing to oversee the 604-acre soybean and corn farm in Indiana that his father bought in the 1930s. The conversation became darker but no less animated when it segued to the arms control system that he worked decades to help build and which President Trump seems to be abandoning. When Katherine Acosta, who lives in Houston, was prescribed bed rest after a miscarriage in 2017, she started watching Game of Thrones for the first time. Within a week, she had seen all seven seasons. Then, she watched all of the episodes twice more. So when she became pregnant again that year, Ms. Acosta knew exactly the name her daughter would have: Khaleesi, which essentially means queen in the made-up language Dothraki. It is also one of the many titles held by Daenerys Targaryen, a main character on the show and one of the contenders for the Iron Throne. Her character loses the baby and then she gets stronger again, Ms. Acosta said. She defeats all the odds. She knows what she wants. Chinas richest internet moguls think their employees should work more. Jack Ma, a founder of the e-commerce titan Alibaba, called long work hours a huge blessing. Richard Liu, who runs the Alibaba rival JD.com, said people who frittered away their days are no brothers of mine. Rank-and-file tech workers in China, discouraged by a weakened job market and downbeat about their odds of joining the digital aristocracy, have other ideas. They are organizing online against what in China is called the 996 culture: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week. For years, Chinese tech employees have worked hours that make Silicon Valleys workaholics seem pampered. Now they are naming and shaming employers that demand late nights. Some programmers are even withholding their creations from companies that they think overemphasize 996. In a matter of days, the Alabama Department of Corrections, now under threat of a federal lawsuit, plans to unveil a new strategic plan. Since the report was issued, three correction officers have been attacked and at least one prisoner has been stabbed. We asked three men sentenced to life without parole two for murder and one for robbery and one serving a 28-year sentence for murder to tell us what it was like inside. Together they have served more than 100 years. They asked to remain anonymous for fear of retribution. In their letters, which were handwritten because in Alabama, prisoners do not have access to email, they focused on the root causes of the mayhem and expressed skepticism that the department could restore a culture of integrity on its own. Here are excerpts, condensed for length and clarity: A Fatal Combination of Indifference and Incompetence St. Clair Correctional Facility While its easy to understand and champion the Alabama Department of Corrections mandate to protect the public from us, it seems people have a harder time accepting that they have an equally important mandate to protect us from each other. And when they habitually fail to do so because of a fatal combination of indifference and incompetence, that becomes criminal. No one feels safe here. Not the inmates, nor the officers. No one feels safe here when supervisors up to the warden level stand behind the fence of the barricaded, secure area and tell inmates who have fled there looking for protection that they need to go get a knife. No one feels safe here when there are hundreds of inmates roaming around and not an officer in sight. No one can or will answer the uncomfortable questions of why all the veteran officers quit or why the new ones dont stay. The identities of seven victims, including a 12-year-old girl and three relatives of a suspect, discovered in a grisly series of homicides in Sumner County, Tenn., were released by the states Bureau of Investigation on Monday, as multiple agencies struggled to determine a motive. David Rausch, the director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, called the murders, which took place at two homes in a rural, wooded part of the state about 50 miles northeast of Nashville, gruesome. It is unclear when the murders took place, but the authorities said they most likely happened over more than a one-day period, Mr. Rausch said. The suspect, Michael Cummins, 25, was taken into custody in connection with the killings on Saturday and had not yet been formally charged as of Monday midday, according to a spokesman for the state Bureau of Investigation, Josh DeVine. Were talking about a mass killing, Mr. Rausch said at a news conference on Monday. According to the authorities, six victims were found at a home on Charles Brown Road. Three were identified as Mr. Cumminss parents, David Carl Cummins, 51, and Clara Jane Cummins, 44, and his uncle, Charles Edward Hosale, 45. INDIANAPOLIS After a power struggle roiled the National Rifle Associations annual convention over the last few days, the groups board unanimously re-elected Wayne LaPierre as chief executive on Monday and selected a new president to replace Oliver L. North, attendees at its annual board meeting said. The moves ended a bitter internal fight that pitted Mr. North, a right-wing celebrity since he emerged in the Iran-contra scandal, against Mr. LaPierre, the best-known face of the gun rights movement. They came as the N.R.A. is facing an array of challenges, including an investigation by the New York attorney general into the groups tax-exempt status, and the new financial strength of the gun control movement. In a statement on Monday, Mr. LaPierre said he was humbled by the boards vote of confidence and its support of my vision for the future. Mr. Norths successor is Carolyn D. Meadows, a longtime member who was also elected unanimously, as the group did not seek to replace Mr. North with another celebrity. The N.R.A.s presidency historically has been a largely ceremonial post, though Mr. North had sought to make it a paid one. The power struggle began last Wednesday when Mr. North warned that unless Mr. LaPierre resigned, one of the N.R.A.s top contractors would release a devastating account of our financial status, sexual harassment charges against a staff member, accusations of wardrobe expenses and excessive staff travel expenses, according to details provided in a letter Mr. LaPierre sent the next day to the N.R.A. board. Though both parties have sought to lower the top corporate tax rate in the last decade President Barack Obama proposed lowering it from 35 percent to 28 percent Republicans in 2017 pushed it down to 21 percent, in addition to expanding some generous tax breaks. The new law allowed immediate expensing of capital expenditures, for example, in order to goose investment. That was one of the primary reasons that more corporations paid no federal taxes, according to the report. Mr. Trump and his Republican allies argued that the tax changes would stimulate investment and economic growth. That has happened, though not by as much as they predicted. [Make sense of the people, issues and ideas shaping American politics with our newsletter.] Here in Ohio, even though unemployment has hit an 18-year low, several counties still have jobless rates significantly higher than the national rate, 3.8 percent, and the statewide rate, 4.4 percent. Ohioans have witnessed so many factory closures over the years that they seem to live with a permanent sense of economic wariness. The question for Democrats is how to leverage that to their advantage as they try to retake the state, which Mr. Trump won by 8 percentage points in 2016. David Betras, the Democratic chairman in Mahoning County, a traditionally blue stronghold of union voters that President Trump nearly carried in 2016, said that Democrats had not yet figured out how to use the economic angst of laid-off employees and minimum-wage workers to defeat Mr. Trump in Ohio in 2020. Believe it or not, if you listen to the president, he addresses that issue, Mr. Betras said. He does it with a lot of smoke and very many mirrors, but hes at least talking about how good the economy is and what Ive done for you. Im with you. I have your back. Even as candidates focus on corporate taxation, Mr. Betras said the issue didnt resonate with voters in the same way as more familiar topics like health care or immigration. (Mr. Betras, a lawyer, has endorsed Representative Tim Ryan of Ohio for the Democratic nomination.) WASHINGTON Two years ago, at his confirmation hearings, Justice Neil M. Gorsuch said that what happens abroad should not influence American judges in constitutional cases. We have our own tradition and our own history, he said, and I do not know why we would look to the experience of other countries rather than to our own. But last week, during arguments over whether the Trump administration may add a question on citizenship to the 2020 census, Justice Gorsuch did not hesitate to consider what he called the evidence of practice around the world. Virtually every English-speaking country and a great many others besides ask this question in their censuses, he said. Good Monday morning. Here are some of the stories making news in Washington and politics today. _____________________ What started out as a Felix-and-Oscar odd couple a no-drama intellectual and a gregarious, shoulder-squeezing pol evolved into a surprisingly close friendship unlike any between a president and vice president in modern times. This is the story behind the relationship between Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Despite doubts about his candidacy, Mr. Biden begins the race with substantial support from three key constituencies in his native state of Pennsylvania: suburban moderates defecting from the Republican Party under President Trump, black voters who were underwhelmed by Hillary Clinton, and working-class white voters. Attorney General William P. Barr and congressional Democrats clashed on Sunday over his scheduled testimony before the House Judiciary Committee this week, with Mr. Barr threatening to skip the session and the panels chairman threatening to subpoena him. We called up Jonathan Greenblatt, the head of the Anti-Defamation League, a group that tracks anti-Semitism and hate crimes, to get his views on the surge in white nationalism and the dangerous ways its seeping into our politics. Lisa: So, before we talk about the politics of the violence were all seeing, lets establish the facts. Has there been an increase in white nationalism? Jonathan: We know that last year we saw 50 extremist-related murders in the U.S. White supremacist recruiting is on the rise. In the past few years, weve seen more propaganda activity by white supremacists. And acts of violence are up. These are reasonable measures which tell us that there is a significant problem. And we know that extremists feel emboldened because they are telling us. Theyre doing it overtly, whether its marching in Charlottesville or disrupting a book signing in Northwest Washington over the weekend. And theyre doing it even more flamboyantly and more openly online in their chat rooms, on their discussion boards, on their subreddits, they are energized by the fact that their talking points and their rhetoric has moved from the margins into the mainstream and is now being parroted by politicians at the highest levels. When President Trump was asked last month, after a white supremacist killed 50 people at two mosques in New Zealand, whether he thought white nationalism was a growing threat, he said: I dont, really I think its a small group of people that have very, very serious problems. Why do you think the president has danced around the issue in the way that he has? Southern California in particular has long figured among the nations most active regions for extremism, a dynamic driven in part by the regions rapid demographic change over the past few decades, the lasting influence of white supremacist gangs in California prisons, and a tradition of right-wing radicalism and anti-immigrant sentiment that goes back decades. In the 1980s, Tom Metzger, a San Diego County resident and former Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon, who once led vigilante border patrols with David Duke, created White Aryan Resistance, a group which later would be investigated by the F.B.I. for attacks on Jewish organizations and connected with the murder of an African immigrant. In recent years, San Diego has been the center of gravity for the Western Hammerskins, a chapter of the largest skinhead gang in the United States. In 2012, Wade Michael Page, a member, killed six worshipers at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin. Identity Evropa, a white supremacist group that has since rebranded itself as the American Identity Movement, was founded by Nathan Damigo, a former Marine who was radicalized after he served a prison term stemming from robbing an Iraqi immigrant cabdriver after a drunken night out in San Diego. The states diversity has increased tolerance among many people who live and work close to others who are different from themselves, but for others it has fueled a sense of alienation and threat, said Lawrence Rosenthal, the chairman of the Center for Right-Wing Studies at the University of California at Berkeley. California is obviously the largest state, and it is already majority minority. Which is the nationalists and the nativists nightmare, he said. LOS ANGELES Federal authorities said on Monday that they had thwarted a domestic terror plot by an American military veteran aimed at multiple targets in Southern California, including Huntington Beach, the port of Long Beach and the Santa Monica Pier. The suspect, who was identified as Mark Steven Domingo, was seeking retribution for the recent attacks on mosques in New Zealand, according to the authorities. He spoke of unleashing an attack similar to the massacre in Las Vegas, aiming to kill hundreds of people, and was especially targeting white nationalists, Jews, churches and military bases, according to court documents filed Monday. The suspect was arrested Friday night after he received what he thought was a live bomb, but in fact was an inert explosive device that was delivered by an undercover law enforcement officer as part of an investigation by the F.B.I.s Joint Terrorism Task Force. After Mr. Domingo was given the inert device, he purchased several hundred nails that he wanted to put inside the bomb, Nicola Hanna, the United States attorney for the Central District of California, said at a news conference on Monday. COLOMBO, Sri Lanka In a room in front of the nurses station at Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo, a 5-year-old girl rolls around her bed at night, shaking and crying silently. Doctors are worried about the girl, S. Diduni Nihansa. Dark pools have collected under her eyes. She will not talk. When a suicide bomber blew himself up during Easter Mass at St. Sebastians Church, killing around 100 people, she was blasted off a pew with such force that her lungs bled. Didunis 8-month-old brother, S. Dinuja Matthew, was sitting a few rows away, on his grandmothers lap, his mother, Disna Shyamali, recalled. As the air filled with panicked, full-throated screams, somebody picked up his lifeless body and yelled: Whose baby is this? A little over a week after the terror attacks, Sri Lankas roads are no longer empty. Nighttime curfews have been lifted, and many social media platforms have been unblocked at certain times of the day. Life, for many, is beginning to get back to normal. TOKYO As part of the historic handover of Japans imperial throne on Wednesday, the incoming emperor, Naruhito, will receive a sword, a jewel and official seals in a sacred ceremony that dates back thousands of years. Naruhito, 59, is to take the Chrysanthemum Throne a day after his father, Emperor Akihito, 85, becomes the first Japanese emperor to abdicate in more than 200 years. The ascension ceremony in a state room at the imperial palace will make history in another way: For the first time in the modern era, a woman will be present. Satsuki Katayama, the sole woman in the cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, will be on hand to witness this first step in Naruhitos enthronement. [Read Survival of the Throne, a five-episode series on Japans royal family.] But the new empress, Masako, Naruhitos wife of 26 years, will not be allowed to attend another illustration of the diminished status of women in the imperial family, and of the challenges women face more broadly in Japanese society. ISLAMABAD, Pakistan Pakistani officials had been hopeful that 2019 would be the year they would succeed in their campaign against polio, and declare Pakistan polio free. But a complete victory has proved elusive. Instead, the countrys anti-polio campaign has been hobbled by recent deadly attacks on health workers and resistance from parents in some parts of the country to having their children vaccinated against the disease. Amid those challenges, new polio cases continue to surface, with eight new ones reported this year. The polio virus has also been found in sewage samples in several cities, including Rawalpindi, adjacent to Islamabad, the capital, a worrisome sign to health officials. Last week, a nationwide vaccine drive had to be temporarily suspended after two separate attacks that killed a female health worker and two police officers guarding a polio-eradication team. COLOMBO, Sri Lanka More evidence emerged Monday that the Sri Lankan government had ignored detailed warnings about an imminent terrorist attack, days before suicide bombers killed more than 250 people at crowded churches and hotels. In a memo dated April 9 and labeled Top Secret, (Eyes Only), the chief of national intelligence warned the countrys police chief that Sri Lanka based Zahran Hashmi of National Thowheeth Jamaath and his associates are planning to carry out a suicide terrorist attack in Sri Lanka shortly. The bombings came 12 days later. The memo, whose authenticity was confirmed by two high-ranking government officials, is the earliest one revealed so far to have so obviously conveyed a sense of urgency. A security memo two days later warned of a possible suicide attack by the radical Islamist group but did not say when it was expected. Day by day, the paper trail of detailed warnings gets longer, casting more doubts on President Maithripala Sirisenas claims that he did not know the attack was coming. Hello. Im Emma Cott from The New York Times. How are you? Good. How are you? Fine. This is your fathers shop? Yes. Can we go in? Yeah. You come here. Wow. So, what was here before? And this happened when? Sunday. The day of the terrorist attack? Yeah. Between 7:30. In the evening. So the terrorist attack happened in the morning and this happened in the evening. Do you have any idea who was responsible? Mohamed Ifaz and his father were born and raised in Sri Lanka. They live south of the capital city. Like most of the shopkeepers on this street, theyre Muslim, which could explain why their store was torched right after the terrorist attacks here. We traveled to Negombo, to the site of the deadliest of eight suicide bombings that ripped through this country on Easter morning. People here told us theyre now scared to gather, even to grieve. We came to witness a country in mourning, and to see whats being done to prevent that grief from leading to more violence. Sri Lanka has a long history of ethnic tension. Nearly three decades of civil war ended in 2009, but that conflict was between Tamils, who are mostly Hindu, and the Sinhalese majority, who are mostly Buddhist. More recently, Buddhist extremists have attacked Muslims and Christians. And now, theres a growing concern that Sundays bombings could create a new rift between those two minorities. The police tell us theres a mosque thats sheltering Muslim refugees from Pakistan and Afghanistan, who are fearing for their lives. We heard that some families are living here that have been moved. Yeah, Pakistan families, yeah. O.K., the ones that have been moved since the bombings? Yeah. Since Sunday, the cops have been dropping people off here for their own protection. Theyre sleeping on the floor and theres almost no food, and they have no idea when it will be safe to go back to their homes. Reporter: What happened to make you come here? Reporter: Somebody came to your house with knives and sticks? Reporter: People were outside your very house? Reporter: And what were they saying? Only some of the people we talked to say they were actually threatened by mobs, but everyone is sharing stories, and the uneasiness spreads. Reporter: You said Sri Lankan people were fighting at your house? Reporter: And saying what? You are Reporter: And how was it before the Sunday attacks? Reporter: When you heard what? We decide to head to a police station to see what the cops are doing to defuse tensions. Nice to meet you. Thank you. Thank you for speaking with us. But as soon as we arrive, an officer interrupts our meeting. Someone has called to report Muslims in the area. We rush out to see how police will respond. By the time we get there, a crowd has gathered outside an apartment. People tell us that the Muslims living there havent come out for days, which seems suspicious. Reporter: Is this the family? Theyre taking them in? Minutes later, a family appears. This van will take them to the police station where theyll be registered, then to the mosque where theyll join the other refugees. Its not safe for them to stay here anymore. [praying] Back in town, the funerals continue. As soon as one finishes, another begins. No one here is calling for revenge. There is only grief and shock. But a flier is distributed, urging survivors of the bombings not to lash out against their neighbors. The terrorists want to disrupt society by pitting one group against another. More violence would only give them what they want. I havent seen anything like this before, said Layne Beachley, a former world champion Australian surfer, referring to the scale of the paddle-out protests. To see so many surfers standing up and using their voice and position to let the people in power know were vehemently against this proposal is really powerful, Ms. Beachley said. The Bight has been called Australias answer to the Galapagos: a stretch of ocean facing the Antarctic that is home to calving whales and teeming fisheries. The Bights marine environment is starting to be recognized by scientists as part of a Great Southern Reef that rivals the Great Barrier Reef for ecological value. But experts say the Bight also holds one of the worlds great remaining natural gas reserves, and Equinor, a company controlled by the Norwegian government that was once known as Statoil, plans to begin drilling by the end of this year. Equinor changed its name to move away from the word oil as it stresses investments in renewable energy. The plan to extract natural gas still requires approval by Australias offshore oil and gas drilling regulator, and Equinor insists that exploration will be safe. In Australia, the fossil fuel industry has a long history of political connections. And candidates who support the proposal argue that opening the Bight to drilling would create jobs and wealth for decades to come in the struggling postindustrial area of South Australia. But many people fear that the Bight, much of which extends along the state of South Australia, could face catastrophic damage in the event of an oil spill. But Kosovos prime minister, Ramush Haradinaj, is adamantly opposed to any territorial concessions. He has described the idea as a shortcut to tragedy. And his stand has proved a potent weapon in his long rivalry with Mr. Thaci. The proposals are profoundly unpopular both with Serbs most of whom continue to consider Kosovo a part of Serbia, one that holds a foundational place in its national story and with Kosovars, who regard what is under discussion as a partition of their young country along ethnic lines. In Kosovo, Mr. Thacis popularity has plummeted. He is denounced in graffiti across the capital, Pristina, as linked to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. Kosovo is not Crimea, read one phrase in English. Mr. Haradinaj has capitalized on resentment of what is sometimes seen as the presidents warm relationship with Serbia by moving in a direction that many say strengthens Kosovos statehood. In December, the Parliament overwhelmingly approved legislation to form an army, prompting criticism from NATO, which has been keeping a tense peace in the area. LONDON The British police delivered a striking warning to crime victims on Monday: If you want the case to be pursued, be prepared to turn over personal data from your mobile phone, laptop, tablet or smart watches. Police have a duty to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry, Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave, the National Police Chiefs Council lead for criminal justice, said in a statement. Those now frequently extend into the devices of victims and witnesses as well as suspects particularly in cases where suspects and victims know each other. But the new policy raised concerns about potential invasions of privacy and the risk of discouraging people from reporting crimes, particularly offenses like sexual assault that are already underreported because victims fear being treated like the guilty ones. In many cases, the police already search digital trails, which can produce evidence that either backs up an accusation or casts doubt on it. Privacy advocates say that police departments often improperly download cellphone data from people they detain, without their knowledge or consent. MADRID Before Sundays election in Spain, politicians had exchanged dire warnings over whether the country would break apart if the left won, or return to the dark days of Francos authoritarianism if the right did. Voters responded to the politics of fear with one of their highest turnouts since Spains return to democracy in the 1970s 76 percent mostly to confirm their attachment to a left-wing social agenda and to the countrys regional diversity. The vote also gave Vox, an anti-immigration party, its first seats in Parliament the crossing of a significant threshold for Spain, a country in which nationalism was long stigmatized by the legacy of the Franco dictatorship. Voxs national debut showed that Spain was not immune to the advance of far-right parties that have made inroads elsewhere in Europe. But the emergence of Vox did as much or more to mobilize its opponents on the moderate left. MANBIJ, Syria Cities and towns across eastern Syria are overwhelmed by rubble. The militias that fought the Islamic State are digging tunnels to prepare for a possible battle against Turkey. A recent explosion in the city of Raqqa killed nine people. The routing of the Islamic State from its final piece of territory in Syria last month was hailed as a milestone in the fight against the worlds most fearsome terrorist organization. But the territory it once ruled remains in shambles, insecure and its future uncertain. [For more stories about the experiences and costs of war, sign up for the weekly At War newsletter.] Entire communities are destroyed, with little help to rebuild. A range of powers the Syrian government, Turkey, Russia and militias backed by Iran hope to fill the void left by the jihadists defeat. And the Islamic State isnt even gone: while the bombings that killed at least 250 people in Sri Lanka last week demonstrated that its ideology continues to echo globally, in Syria thousands of its fighters have merely gone underground to launch attacks and plot their comeback. We are talking about a secret organization that is still operating, said Redur Xelil, a senior official with the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurdish-led militia that the United States backed to fight the jihadists. It has a network, means of communication and a central command. The ambassador comes to call By Dr. Robert Owens When my wife and I were students at Regent University working on our doctorates we often had gatherings at our large Victorian home in South Norfolk. Ill never forget when a man from Africa attended for the first time. He arrived with several of our usual guests and was a very engaging and likable person, A hale fellow well met, as he wouldve said in his elegant British accent. As always we sat around our big table in the large kitchen talking, laughing, and sharing what the Lord was doing in our lives. After a few hours our new friend received a call and told us he was sorry but pressing business required his immediate attention. The people hed come with offered to drive him home but he said, No worries, Ill call my driver. We went back to visiting until we were interrupted by a knock on the front door. You can imagine my surprise when I opened the door and there stood a tall man in a chauffeurs uniform. Over his shoulder I could see one of the longest limos Id ever seen with pennant flags of black, red, and green flying from the front fenders. I asked the man in and went back to the kitchen to alert our new friend that his ride was here. On the way back I asked him, What do you do? He answered, Im the Ambassador from Kenya. You can imagine my surprise. There were some heavy hitters in that program; CEOs for large corporations, command grade military officers, and pastors from some remarkable churches. However this made me think, An ambassador was among us and we didnt even know it. Since then Ive thought, Ambassadors are sent to represent the interests of another. If they dont make this aspect of their presence known how can they fulfill their mandate? And, Every believer is called to be an Ambassador for Christ. How many of His ambassadors walk through this world and no one even knows this aspect of our presence? Sad to say the world is filled with undercover Christians. For most of us its a relevant question to ask, If we were indicted for being a Christian is there enough evidence to convict? Or would the charge be dropped with prejudice, which means it was dropped for a lack of evidence. Gods Word is specific about this responsibility, Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christs behalf, be reconciled to God. Or to put it another way, Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. Were Christs representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into Gods work of making things right between them. Were speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; hes already a friend with you. So many people say the Bible is filled with vague mysterious sayings open to almost any interpretation, like the I Ching or Tarot Cards but this operators manual for life on Earth gives us direct and real-time directions. Those of us who have confessed Jesus as our Commander-in-Chief and who believe that God raised Him from the dead are his twice-born children. As such these instructions apply directly to us. Were called to be Ambassadors for Christ. Were called to share the message of his life, death, and resurrection and all that it means. As so often is the case the words of an old hymn sung for generations delivers the good news. One day when heaven was filled with His praises, one day when sin was as black as could be, Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin He dwelt among men, my example is He! Living He loved me, dying he saved me, buried He carried my sins far away, Rising, He justified freely forever: One day Hes comingO glorious day! One day they led Him up Calvarys mountain, one day they nailed Him to die on the tree; suffering anguish, despised and rejected; bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He. One day the grave could conceal Him no longer, one day the stone rolled away from the door; then He arose, over death He had conquered; now is ascended, my Lord evermore. One day the trumpet will sound for His coming, one day the skies with His glory will shine; wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing; glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine! Which all adds up to our ambassadorial message, the one weve all been born-again to share: Living He loved me, dying he saved me, buried He carried my sins far away, rising, He justified freely forever: One day Hes comingO glorious day! Or, as one more contemporary song puts it, Its not good news. Its the best news ever. Dr. Robert Owens teaches History, Political Science, and Religion. He is the Historian of the Future @ http://drrobertowens.com 2019 Contact Dr. Owens drrobertowens@hotmail.com Follow Dr. Robert Owens on Facebook or Twitter @ Drrobertowens or visit Dr. Owens Amazon Page / Edited by Dr. Rosalie Owens Home Read more: Mortgage adviser wins award for thought leadership and service excellence According to Canstar, Kiwi Wealths Hatch opens a world of investment opportunities not previously available in New Zealand. Hatch allows everyday Kiwi investors buy portions of shares in companies they may not typically be able to afford or access, such as Amazon. Weve taken the most complex processes, such as international verification requirements and foreign exchange, and digitised them so investors can be up and running with a Hatch account in less than five minutes, Hatch general manager Kristen Lunman said. ASB was recognised for its online ID app, which Canstar describes as a solution that is distinguished in market. The app uses biometrics to integrate two steps in the customer sign up process to one step. It uses innovative facial biometrics to automatically compare the selfie with the customers photo ID, ensuring the two match. This saves time and is convenient for our customers who can now open a bank account quickly and from anywhere, ASB executive general manager digital, data and brand Simon Tong said. Previously, customers could start the process to join online, but needed to physically go into a branch with documents proving their identity and address. Explosion of antisemitism on the left By Rachel Alexander The left and its comrades in the mainstream media have taken the Jewish vote for granted for years. Jews are one of the most reliable constituencies of the Democratic Party. A CNN poll last fall found that nearly 80% of Jews voted Democratic in the midterm elections. Only 17% voted Republican. Yet antisemitism on the left in the U.S. has increased recently, including in the media. The Democrats treat people according to group identities instead of as individuals. So when one of their group constituencies inevitably clashes with another group constituency, the Democrats have to pick a side. When its radical Islam v. Jews, its an easy call. Since radical Islam is less compatible with U.S. values than Judaism, the Democrats side with the radicals. The Democrats want to tear down the U.S. and replace it with something drastically different. They especially want to destroy our Judeo-Christian heritage. Its become so bad that Sean Spicier, the parody Twitter account of former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, tweeted, Luckily in this day and age its virtually impossible for anti-semites to stay anonymous, almost all of them have a (D) next to their name. The current wave of antisemitism gained momentum with the election of Reps. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich. to Congress. Both are radical Islamists and the first two female Islamic members ever elected to Congress. In February, Omar retweeted a post discussing how she and Tlaib were facing punishment from House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., for criticizing Israel. She added, Its all about the Benjamins, baby. Benjamins refers to $100 bills, which feature Benjamin Franklin. It was a reference to Jews and money. The phrase comes from a song with the same name by Puff Daddy, who sang about money and used the word Hebrews in one version of the song. Only after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., ordered Omar to apologize, did she retract her tweet. Tlaib sparked outrage when she tweeted in January that people supporting a bill protecting states which penalize Israel boycotters forgot what country they represent. Critics immediately pointed out that the dual loyalty accusation is a known antisemitic line. But she did not delete her tweet. Last Thursday, The New York Times published a hateful cartoon of President Trump and Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu. In it, Trump is portrayed as blind, wearing a yarmulke and holding a leash attached to Netanyahu, who is depicted as a dog with a Star of David for a collar. The newspaper retracted the cartoon and apologized only after being called out. Some believe the antisemitic rhetoric of Omar and Tlaib is inciting violence against Jews. Highland Park, Illinois, Rabbi Evan Moffic warned on a Fox & Friends panel, When Ilhan Omar said 'It's all about the Benjamins, baby,' and she said Israel has 'hypnotized the world,' she's drawing on these stereotypes that have murdered millions of people in the Holocaust, which just happened 75 years ago it's exactly because of that rhetoric." Hate crimes against Jews have been increasing in the U.S. Police reported a significant increase of them in New York City earlier this year in comparison to last year. On Saturday, a gunman opened fire on a synagogue near San Diego on the last day of Passover, killing a woman and injuring three others. In his Manifesto, he criticized Trump for being a zionist, Jew-loving and anti-white. On October 27 of last year, a gunman attacked a synagogue in Pittsburgh, killing 11 and injuring seven. He stated on a social media website that he opposed Trump, who he claimed was surrounded by Jews. He used an expletive to describe Jews and said they were an infestation at the White House. Yet predictably, the left accused Trump and the right of antisemitism. After the San Diego area synagogue shooting, CNNs Brian Stelter blamed right-wing message boards. Baltimore Sun media critic David Zurawik claimed Trump had opened the Gates of Hell. Former Obama administration official Joel Martin Rubin said Trump encouraged antisemitism. And a CNN panel questioned whether Trumps condolences after the shooting were sincere. This is bizarre since both synagogue shooters clearly stated they detested Trump and his favorable relationship with Jews. The reality is, the left has a problem with pointing a finger at the right over the very things its doing itself. The left may claim its not antisemitic, but the incidents linking the left to antisemitism are increasing. Brandon Straka, the leader of the #WalkAway movement fleeing the Democrats, is now starting a #WalkAway plan for Jews. Since the influence of the radical Islamists appears to be increasing in the U.S. thanks to the Democrats, it is very likely he will have some success. Rachel Alexander and her brother Andrew are co-Editors of Intellectual Conservative. She has been published in the American Spectator, Townhall.com, Fox News, NewsMax, Accuracy in Media, The Americano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications.mericano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications. Home The Valley Police Department is investigating a Monday morning armed robbery reported at an area convenience store. At about 4:30 a.m., Valley police were dispatched to the Circle K convenience store, 2905 20th Ave., in reference to an armed robbery, Valley police said in a Monday morning news release. The store clerk told officers on the scene that a black male entered the store with some type of shotgun. The suspect pointed the shotgun at her and told her to open the register, said police. As the clerk was doing this, the suspect jumped the counter and took an undisclosed amount of currency from the register, the release reads. The suspect then left the store and was last seen running on foot towards the back of the store. Police added that the clerk was unharmed during the incident. Officers requested a tracking dog from the Chambers County Sheriffs Office. When sheriffs office arrived, the suspect was tracked to the area of a parking lot of a business behind the Circle K, police said. We started doing research on its history and the story and as soon as we posted about possibly shooting there, our Facebook exploded with people sharing memories and stories of times they spent there, Kevan Walden explained. It seems like a place that everyone really cares about, and we thought that was awesome. Built in 1851 and now owned by the city of Opelika, the historic Carpenter Gothic plantation house is believed to be haunted by its former cruel owner, Penn Yonge, who was stabbed to death by a slave who had hidden in a nook above the 13th step of the spiral staircase, according to historic-structures.com. A dark red stain, alleged to have resulted from Yonges blood, never vanished from the step until several years later, when the rotten wood was replaced. Tourists today are still cautioned to refrain from setting foot on the spot where blood spilled. Naturally, Alabamas Most Haunted aims to capture evidence of a ghostly sort. To do this, they plan to use multiple night vision infrared cameras to help spot any spirits roaming the mansion halls, according to Walden. Digital cameras also will be used in attempts to capture still images of wandering ghosts. Michael Ranneberger South Sudan has hired Gainful Solutions to a two-year $3.7M contract to open channels of communications between presidents Donald Trump and Salva Kiir and to encourage American investment in the countrys energy sector. Gainful also will work to delay and ultimately block establishment of a court to pass judgment on those responsible for war crimes connected with the civil war that killed about 400,000 people and displaced another 4M. Only Syria and Afghanistan have more refugees than Sudan. Its mission includes persuading "the Trump administration to open a military relationship with South Sudan in order to enhance the fight against terrorism and promote regional stability, according to its contract. Gainfuls Michael Ranneberger, a former deputy assistant secretary for African Affairs State Dept., is working the account. He co-founded and was senior partner for government and global affairs at Green Road Energy, which focused on renewable power sources. Victoria Lion-Monroe Victoria Lion-Monroe, who has more than 25 years of marketing, branding and advocacy experience, has joined Washingtons CommCore Consulting Group, a top crisis and media training firm. She takes on the senior VP-client services and business development duties. As senior VP at National Journal Group, Monroe handled strategic partnerships, marketing and revenue generation efforts for its flagship National Journal, Congressional Quarterly and CQ-RC Group. Previously, she was VP at Mindshare Interactive, senior associate at Cassidy & Assocs. and deputy press secretary to former California Senator Alan Cranston. Most recently, Monroe ran VLM Consulting. CommCore has offices in New York, Dallas and Los Angeles. An Garda Siochana at the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau have issued a warning to the public over websites offering unsecured loans. A number of websites offering unsecured loans are targeting vulnerable persons and persons who have had difficulty obtaining loans from established financial institutions in a fraud known as advance fee fraud. The scam works when the victim applies for a loan through a website that offers loans, insisting it will be processed quickly. The website may also claim that loans are available without the need for a good credit rating or the need to provide collateral for the loan and/or to provide any documentation apart from basic personal details. "Some of these firms also claim to be regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (Central Bank) when this is not the case," gardai warn. The victim will then receive a call or communication within a very short time (often minutes) informing them that their loan application has been approved and providing details of the amount of the loan and the monthly repayment They will then be asked to send an amount of money to the lender in advance of the loan amount being issued, with different reasons given for this advance fee. Some of the reasons given for this request are the need for an up-front fee; to pay for Personal Protection Insurance on the loan amount; to discharge overseas taxes; to show that the victim has the ability to meet the loan repayments Gardai are warning, "No loan monies are ever issued to the victim and the advance fee is lost." The following are some warning signs: The website will claim to offer a fast and easy way to apply for a loan online The loan will be approved very quickly and without checks on identity, the ability to pay or credit rating No hard copy/paper documentation will be required by the lender The lender will ask for a payment of some kind in ADVANCE of the loan being given to the applicant The lender will NOT be authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland although it may claim (on its website or during a telephone call) that it is. Gardai advise: NEVER apply for a loan from an entity that is not authorised by the Central Bank ALWAYS check the official Central Bank website to see if the firm is authorised by the Central Bank. The register of authorised firms can be accessed at www.registers.centralbank.ie/ There may also be instances where a firm "clones the details of an authorised entity by taking the details of an authorised entity and claiming to either be that entity or an associated entity. Further information in respect of unauthorised firms that have already come to the attention of the Central Bank is available on the Central Banks website, but please be warned that there may be scams out there that have not yet come to the attention of the Central Bank. Mueller is done, but the Democrats' MAGA obstruction continues By Mark Alexander The Mueller v Trump charade may have concluded, but the Democrats v America charade remains in full swing. Most Americans want political leadership that is, first and foremost, dedicated to promoting a domestic agenda that is good and right for our nation. On a personal level, we want safe communities to raise our families, good jobs that provide income so we can afford to support our families, and a sense of security about our future and that of our nation. Those of us who are military families have more at stake. Democrats constantly endeavor to undermine the president's foreign-policy agenda by undermining his office. At a time when Donald Trump is dealing with critical national-security issues, some of which have been neglected for decades including the crisis on our southern border, that endangers our military personnel. Democrats often repeat the mantra that they are doing "the work of the American people." But all they have to offer is their vitriolic "Hate Trump" platform that feeds the anger and fear of their increasingly deranged constituents. Donald Trump has genuinely endeavored to make America a better country for all of its citizens and in many respects has accomplished that despite that Democrats' best efforts to obstruct that agenda. But Democrats have spent the last two years using their "Russia collusion" subterfuge to undermine progress for all Americans because that progress threatens their power. They will spend the next two years doing the same thing. To that end, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), along with her House tag team of Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and Intel Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA), are desperate to keep their collusion/obstruction narrative alive. Attorney General William Barr delivered his remarks ahead of the release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's lightly redacted 448-page report the findings of his 675-day, $35 million investigation into alleged collusion between Donald Trump and Russia in order to influence the 2016 election. The origins of those allegations were fabricated in a fake dossier funded by Hillary Clinton's campaign and her Democrat Party cronies. It was then used by Barack Obama's corrupt deep-state operatives in the FBI and CIA as the basis for a FISA warrant, which then allowed them to spy on the Trump campaign and ultimately to appoint a special prosecutor to "investigate" Donald Trump and his associates. The purpose for setting up this two-year sham investigation served no other purpose than to obstruct Trump's political agenda and potentially even find grounds for his removal from office. Arguably, this was the most dangerous and disgraceful episode in American political history. The "bottom line," according to Barr: "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." Three weeks ahead of the Mueller Report's release, Barr provided an executive summary in which he concluded, "The Special Counsel's investigation did not find that the Trump campaign or anyone associated with it conspired or coordinated with Russia to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election." The full Mueller Report bears out that assessment. As former U.S. Attorney Andrew McCarthy declared, "It cleared the president of the vacant collusion allegation that Democrats peddled for two years." As Barr noted, "The White House fully cooperated with the special counsel's investigation, providing unfettered access to campaign and White House documents, directing senior aides to testify freely... The president took no act that in fact deprived the special counsel of the documents and witnesses necessary to complete his investigation. ... [Mueller's] evidence of non-corrupt motives weighs heavily against any allegation that the president had a corrupt intent to obstruct the investigation." Barr's summary also concluded that Trump, "in the interest of transparency and full disclosure," did not assert executive privilege to withhold information from Mueller, although it would've been well within his rights to do so. And all redactions were done in accordance with Department of Justice protocols for protecting ongoing investigations and national-security sources and methods. Does that sound like a president who's trying to obstruct justice? Key Report Findings... The report completely debunks the veracity of the Trump-Russia dossier, which was the premise for this entire Democrat-concocted enterprise. The report also deflates several extraordinary claims promoted by the Demo/Leftmedia propaganda machine. Among those would be: Carter Page, whose supposed Russian connection was the basis for the FISA warrant, which was the basis for the investigation, should never have been targeted; Trump never directed his lawyer, Michael Cohen, to lie to Congress; Cohen did not travel to Prague; Cohen's conversation with a Russian had nothing to do with collusion; Trump's interim campaign manager, Paul Manafort, was not providing polling data to Vladimir Putin; Trump did not encourage Republicans to soften their position on Ukraine; and, as it turns out, former Attorney General Jeff Sessions was not a Russian agent. But the report raised serious questions by virtue of omission. The most significant failure of the report is that it did not evaluate the predicates for the investigation. As Barr noted in his recent congressional testimony, "I think spying [on the Trump campaign] did occur." He continued, "The question is whether it was adequately predicated. Spying on a political campaign is a big deal." As McCarthy makes clear: "If spying is to be conducted under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, then FISA must be followed. To conduct FISA surveillance of an American citizen suspected of being an agent of a foreign power, there must be probable cause that the American citizen is knowingly not unwittingly engaged in clandestine activities on behalf of the foreign power; and those clandestine activities must be a probable violation of federal criminal law. Furthermore, by the FBI's own procedures, approved by the Justice Department, facts are not supposed to be submitted to the FISA Court unless they have been verified." McCarthy concluded, "The issue is not the credibility of the person who has assembled the hearsay information; the issue is the credibility of the actual sources of the probable-cause facts." Even the Washington Post's Watergate-era liberal, Bob Woodward, is now calling for an investigation into the FBI and CIA's reliance on the Steele dossier. "I think it was the CIA pushing this," he said. "Real intelligence experts looked at this and said 'No, this is not intelligence; this is garbage,' and they took it out. ... The idea that they would include something like that in one of the great stellar intelligence assessments, as Mueller also found out, is highly questionable." Former U.S. Attorney Joseph diGenova added: "While the Democrats continue to cling to the fantasy that evidence of collusion really is lurking somewhere in the dark recesses of the Mueller report, the report itself makes it clearer than ever what any unbiased observer of the Russia story has been able to see for more than a year: Robert Mueller knew very early on in his investigation that there was no collusion." Political analyst Kimberley Strassel concludes in The Wall Street Journal: "President Trump has every right to feel liberated. What the report shows is that he endured a special-counsel probe that was relentlessly, at times farcically, obsessed with taking him out. What stands out is just how diligently and creatively the special counsel's legal minds worked to implicate someone in Trump World on something Russia- or obstruction-of-justice-related. And how even with all its overweening power and aggressive tactics it still struck out." Regarding the report's controversial "Ten Episodes" of possible obstruction, these events are readily dismissible as the actions of a president frustrated by a phony Justice Department investigation seeded by his political enemies and high-level government operatives as part of a coup d'etat to end his presidency or, at the very least, to obstruct his MAGA agenda. Of course, it's difficult to establish obstruction of an investigation into a crime that never occurred. George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley says, "Despite identifying 10 troubling episodes that could be defined as acts of obstruction, [Mueller] could not say with confidence that Trump acted with the requisite 'corrupt intent.' ... Mueller, found 'substantial evidence' that Trump wanted to limit the scope of the investigation, but that is not necessarily intent. ... Even the best grounds for obstructive intent with Trump seeking to fire Mueller, an order ignored by White House Council, was justified by Trump as based on his fear of a conflict of interest. ... Like indictable acts, impeachable acts demand a showing of intent, not simply an array of possible intense." Not content with the report's failure to comport with the Democrats' agenda, Rep. Adam "Shifty" Schiff has "invited" Mueller to testify before his Intel Committee. But that testimony, if it happens, will provide ample openings for Republicans to ask important questions about the Obama administration hacks who should really be investigated for seeding this hoax. All that said, one of the most significant findings of the Mueller Report is that, under the Obama administration's watch, the Russian government engaged in a "sweeping and systemic" campaign of interference through its government sponsored Internet Research Agency, and the Russian Army's Main Intelligence Directorate, the GRU. According to the report, it was the GRU that hacked the computer networks of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the Democratic National Committee, and Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman John Podesta, along with more than 300 Clinton campaign staffers and others associated with campaigns. The report also notes that the GRU created the "DCLeaks" and "Guccifer 2.0" fronts that distributed those emails to WikiLeaks anarchist Julian Assange. Keeping the Impeachment Dream Alive... As they launch phase two of the coup, Democrats believe that the Mueller Report provides them a roadmap to impeachment. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) was the first Democrat on the crowded 2020 presidential stage to call for Trump's impeachment. "To ignore a president's repeated efforts to obstruct an investigation into his own disloyal behavior would inflict great and lasting damage on this country," she pontificated. "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. We have a Constitution of the United States. And it says, when a president engages in this kind of activity, then it's time for impeachment." Of course, whenever a leftist mentions the word "Constitution," we can be confident that whatever follows is complete horse pucky. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) also got on board: "I believe Congress should take the steps towards impeachment. I believe that we need to get rid of this president." But she lamented, "I've not seen any evidence to suggest that [Senate Republicans] will weigh on the facts instead of on partisan adherence to being protective of this president, and that's what concerns me and what will be the eventual outcome." Nancy Pelosi, in a letter to her House Demos, declared with great drama, "We have to save our democracy. This isn't about Democrats or Republicans. It's about saving our democracy. If it is what we need to do to honor our responsibility to the Constitution if that's the place the facts take us, that's the place we have to go." (If she'd ever bothered to read our Constitution, she might know that we're a Republic, not a "democracy.") Pelosi continued: "While our views range from proceeding to investigate the findings of the Mueller report or proceeding directly to impeachment, we all firmly agree that we should proceed down a path of finding the truth. ... it is also important to know that the fax regarding holding the president accountable can be gained outside of impeachment hearings." This, of course, has nothing to do with the truth. The Mueller Report has (however one-sidedly) already documented the truth which is that this entire affair was a Democrat ruse. But their "collective constituency of dunces" will likely not be able to discern that. To borrow a line from Shakespeare, "The [ladies] doth protest too much, methinks." Perhaps this is a diversion to head off further investigations into the real criminal actions committed by Obama and Clinton and their deep-state operatives at the DOJ and CIA. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, when asked about whether there is evidence to impeach Trump, paused for a few seconds before responding, "Yeah, I do. If proven, if proven which hasn't been proven yet if proven, some of this would be impeachable, yes. Obstruction of justice, if provable, would be impeachable." Weather forecast for DC: a blizzard of subpoenas, which Trump says he will fight! Nadler insists he wants the entire unredacted Mueller Report released to Congress: "I am open to working with the DoJ 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." (Did he just mention the Constitution?) Of course, the redacted version doesn't leave "Congress in the dark," and the Justice Department has already cleared a few lawmakers to read a less-redacted version. Last but not least, Rep. Adam Schiff insists that there were "without question [acts] within the realm of impeachable offenses." Responding brilliantly to this gaggle of Demo accusers, Trump asked, "How do you impeach a Republican President for a crime that was committed by the Democrats?" Indeed, even CNN's leftist anchor Wolf Blitzer concluded, "So there you have almost a complete vindication of the president of the United States." Even The New York Times begrudgingly concluded, "The 35-page dossier, spiced up with tales of prostitutes and spies, sketched out a hair-raising story more than two years ago. Russian intelligence had used bribery and blackmail to try to turn Donald J. Trump into a source and ally, it said, and the Kremlin was running some Trump campaign aides practically as agents. But the release ... of the report ... underscored what had grown clearer for months that ... some of the most sensational claims in the dossier appeared to be false, and others were impossible to prove. Mr. Mueller's report contained over a dozen passing references to the document's claims but no overall assessment of why so much did not check out." The claims didn't merely "appear to be false." They were false. As for "why so much did not check out," again, the claims were false. But Leftmedia outlets will continue to churn this hoax because, regardless of its merits, it comports with their political agenda and it sells advertising it's a big seller! However, Democrats and their Leftmedia mouthpieces risk public fatigue with their endless fake collusion charade. Recent polls indicate that 0% of American voters think the Russia investigation is the most important issue in the 2020 election, while 54% say they believe the investigation was politically motivated. Notably, only 38% of Americans support the Democrats' plan to continue the investigation. Meanwhile, Demos are lining up their next round of fodder to obstruct Trump's agenda, turning their attention to his tax returns for diversion. Footnote: I propose that the $35 million bill for Mueller's investigation be invoiced to the DNC or perhaps the Clinton crime syndicate. Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post. Offaly local election candidate and Green party spokesperson on heritage, Pippa Hackett, has criticised Irish Rail for cutting hedges along tracks in Offaly during nesting season. Under Irish Law, it is an offence to destroy hedgerows and trees between the March 1 and August 31 each year, subject to certain exceptions. Irish Rail has insisted that the cutting of hedges was done in accordance with the exceptional circumstances of the same law. They have said the safety of their passengers is paramount. Irish Rail said the hedgerows had grown too high causing a visual obstruction. Speaking today, Green Party Spokesperson on Heritage Pippa Hackett said: "What I have witnessed over the past week in Co Offaly, close to my home, has been catastrophic for our birds and biodiversity. I have seen many incidences of severe hedge trimming, even hedge removal during the cutting season, but never have I witnessed such wanton hedgerow destruction at the height of the nesting season, with hedges on the point of bloom. Nests, chicks, and biodiversity have been mulched to the ground." To make matters worse, these concerns were highlighted directly to Irish Rail a week previously when they began their decimation of the mature hedge on the other side of the track. Yet, despite pleas from members of the public, they returned the following week, to completely destroy the hedge on the opposite side," Pippa claimed. The pictures, in this case, paint a thousand words." PICTURED ABOVE: The hedge before the recent cutting PICTURED BELOW: The hedge after the recent Irish Rail cutting No one is disputing that railway safety is paramount, but one would have to seriously question the understanding shown by Irish Rail and its environmental team to allow such destruction at this time of year. Not only had they six months to conduct this work when the birds were not nesting, the severity with which these hedges have been butchered is deplorable." Adding further insult to injury, Irish Rail are listed as one of the partners on the National Pollinator Plan, and I imagine Biodiversity Ireland will have questions too to ask, along with the many farmers, landowners and environmental NGOs who work tirelessly to protect our natural habitats," Hackett added. We are in an era of climate breakdown and biodiversity loss, all caused by humans. Irelands landscape is no exception. It is a travesty that a state-owned company like Irish Rail should commit such an act of deliberate destruction on our environment. It is unforgivable. Offaly TD and Fianna Fail spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform, Barry Cowen has called for the publication of the advice given by the Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the 3bn price tag for the National Broadband Plan. Deputy Cowen was commenting as it emerged that the Secretary General warned Cabinet ministers that the 3bn National Broadband Plan does not represent value for money for taxpayers. I believe it is in the public interest to know exactly what advice has been given to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the Broadband Plan. The price of the plan has soared from 500million to 3 billion yet we still dont know what the additional money will be spent on or even if the remaining bidder is fully equipped to complete the process," Deputy Cowen said. There is no doubt about it, we need broadband. Houses across Ireland have waited long enough, struggling with slow or non-existent connections. Farmers, who need to go online and fill in application forms for the various schemes arent able to. Students cant get their projects done and working from home isnt even an option for many." Irish taxpayers need to know that their money is being spent correctly. I have requested Minister Donohoe publish all advice given to his department in relation to the Plan. As there is only one bidder left in the process this advice is surely not commercially sensitive and there should be no decision announced until the information is made available," concluded Deputy Cowen. As SOSAD prepares to close the door on its Tullamore office on May 9, local election candidate Joe Wynne (Independent) has spoken out strongly against this being allowed to happen, calling for the HSE or other relevant public bodies to intervene. "Funding must be found for SOSAD, and I'll be happy to work with SOSAD and anyone else in order to make sure this happens," he commented. The organisation opened its Tullamore office in 2013, and up to twenty people, including counsellors, psychologists, and clinical assessors have been offering the comfort and benefit of their skills for free to those in need of them ever since. It's Joe's belief that this more than proves the existence of a need for these services, and why all options must be explored to ensure they remain available. "From 2013 until now, people who, for whatever reasons or circumstances, have found themselves in vulnerable positions, have been turning to SOSAD for the help they needed. It's an absolute fact that in that time this organisation will have changed lives." "And it's probably no exaggeration to say it has also saved lives in that time, too. You can't put a price on having somewhere that offers that kind of refuge from life's troubles in a community. And it's important to remember that it hasn't just been a refuge either. It's helped people to regain their emotional strength, enabling them to face life again, rejuvenated and with hope or peace where there may have been none before." "And once again, we're talking about volunteers here, without whom there would have been no office in Tullamore to begin with." "What we stand to lose are clinical assessors who have been trained through the HSE and were putting those skills to use within SOSAD. We'll be losing qualified psychologists and counsellors who have been contributing the first steps of their professional careers to their community." "Without them, our already creaking health service would have been the only place that those who have availed of SOSAD could have turned to. But had that been the case, they could have waited years to be seen. Which would have meant waiting years with their pain, too. When you think of it that way, you quickly get a sense of the powerful impact the organisation has been able to make." "That's something we can't afford to lose, because God knows our health service is still creaking, and God knows we still have people in pain." In praising the staff of SOSAD for continuing to help those in need right up until May 9, and in doing their best to provide suggestions for alternatives for people beyond that date, Mr Wynne also stressed the huge contribution which has been made by the public through special fundraising events over the past number of years. "As I've already stated, the fact that there's a clear need for the services SOSAD provide can't be disputed. That need is real. It has been since 2013. It remains so today. And it's still going to be there come May 10th and for every day and night that follows. So we're talking about money here." "Essentially, that's the reason why we're on the verge of losing the Tullamore office. Over the past number of years the people of this town, and indeed of Offaly as a whole, have been brilliant in their generosity towards fundraising events. They've never failed to do their part. We're now at a point where we need the HSE, or indeed another relevant body, to step in and say look, we're going to help out here." Concluding, the Ferbane man declared, "That's what would make sense as part of the bigger picture, because rightly or wrongly, organisations like SOSAD have been providing the help that areas of our health service have been, and remain, under too much pressure to deliver." "That's why I believe it's vital that funding must be found for SOSAD and it's why I'm saying I'm ready and willing to sit down with any group to talk about how that can be achieved." Kaiser's long-running tracking poll also shows that the Trump administration is out of sync with public attitudes in its renewed determination, in both the president's recent remarks and its legal position in a federal lawsuit, to eliminate the Affordable Care Act. Just slightly more than one-fourth of the public overall say that Congress should repeal the ACA, the sprawling 2010 health-care law that was a signature domestic accomplishment of President Barack Obama. But the partisan divide is sharp, with 16 percent of Democrats and 52 percent of Republicans saying the repeal should be a priority on Capitol Hill. And asked about the most popular aspects of the law, majorities say they fear the effects if ACA were to go away. Nearly two-thirds say they are concerned that they or someone in their family would be unable to afford coverage if the Supreme Court overturned either the entire law or its protections for people with pre-exising conditions. And more than half say they fear they or someone in their family would lose coverage as a result. As people were asked those questions, the law has been ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge in Texas and is now before an appellate court. Galileo and the Medicis brought revolution and truth By Dr. Jeffrey Foss Practically everyone knows that Galileo is a heroic figure in the rise of modern science. Most people do not know, however, that the scientific revolution that Galileo launched relied on the support and protection of the Medicis. The very name of this family signifies the marriage of power and wealth that strikes fear and loathing into the hearts of those among us who how shall I put it? lean to the left. But without the support of Princess Christina, wife of Ferdinand I de Medici, the truth that the Earth goes round the sun would have remained a mere theoretical novelty. Why did Galileo turn to the Medicis? Because only they had the gold required to support his research and protect him from The Church of Rome. Why did the Medicis support Galileo? They, like many rich people before and after, supported the arts and sciences. They also resented the stifling power of The Church, and were charmed by the gallant Galileo who dared to stand up to it. So they defended Galileo against the Inquisition, which aimed to silence him and burn his books along with his body, perhaps, just for good measure. Fed, funded and protected by the Medicis, Galileo launched the first great scientific revolution. With the telescope he built with his own hands, and the money of his patrons, he saw with his own eyes for the first time of any human being the evidence that would establish Copernicuss revolutionary idea that the sun is at the center of our solar system, and we and our planet go around it. The very meaning of the word revolution, in such phrases as The American Revolution, derives from its occurrence in the title of Copernicuss book: On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres. Galileo was the Washington that turned Copernicuss declaration of independence into the first revolution against establishment science and a globe altering success given Medici cash. Many things are said to be unsustainable these days, such as driving our cars, transporting our food from afar in ships and planes, and flying in jets merely to enjoy Thanksgiving Day with our families. One thing that really is unsustainable, though too few realize it, is the reigning scientific orthodoxy of the 2000s. Government-funded science today serves as an Orwellian Ministry of Truth, just as Church-supported science did in Galileos day. Nothing could be more opposed to true science. Nothing like this would have been tolerated by Americas Founding Fathers. The government-science orthodoxy that largely controls most peoples thoughts and actions nowadays is the idea that Earths climate is controlled internally by CO2 levels, and is being warmed apocalyptically by the CO2 that humans emit. The revolutionary modern-day Copernican idea is that our climate is controlled by the sun, just like our orbit through space. Perhaps new Medicis will one day help solar scientists establish the hypothesis that Earths climate warms and cools following the quasi-periodic rising and falling of our Suns brightness. Everyone now believes that the Earth circles the Sun, but most do not know that the original Copernican idea established by Galileos first scientific revolution was in turn defeated by Newton`s scientific revolution, which showed that the Earth follows an elliptical path round the sun, not a circular one. Newton`s elliptical path model then fell in Einstein`s revolution, which more accurately models the Earth as falling into the gravitational well caused by solar gravity. The historical lesson is this: science progresses through revolution and renewal. The frailty of the CO2 theory is shown in Graph (A): While CO2 has been climbing smoothly from 1890 to the present day, Northern Hemisphere temperatures have repeatedly gone up and down without any linkage to atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Soon, R. Connolly and M. Connolly, 2015. Re-evaluating the role of solar variability on Northern Hemisphere temperature trends since the 19th century. Earth-Science Reviews. Vol. 150, pp. 409-452 [Based on Figure 31(a) and (c)]. The power of the solar theory is obvious in Graph (B): Global temperatures are clearly linked to changes in the brightness of the sun (total solar irradiance, TSI). Though the solar theory has been marginalized by government-funded climate scientists, it should be supported for the good of science itself, which we know is an inherently revolutionary activity. New Medicis need to fund and protect the new Galileos of our age. We the People need to start questioning government-science with the same principled scrutiny and skepticism we employ for all other government business. We need to once again recognize the virtues of privately funded science, notably its essential freedom from government control. Those who cherish freedom must become cognizant of the work of the solar science revolutionaries, support it, and help disseminate it among the people. A good place to start would be the work of Dr. Willie Soon, whose sun-centered theory of climate change has made him a modern Galileo: a scientist shunned, denied funding and demonized by government-supported earth-centered climatologists. Belief grounded in actual, replicable evidence must remain free if science is to survive along with American life, liberty, prosperity and happiness. America flirts with severe decline when it consorts with the enforcement of scientific orthodoxy under the banner of climate change. But flirtation need not lead to marriage. Its not too late to call the whole thing off. Dr. Jeffrey Foss is a philosopher of science, Professor Emeritus at the University of Victoria, Canada, and author of Beyond Environmentalism: A Philosophy of Nature. Home I have long been confused by our food critics disposition toward the Flatiron Cafe. I have joked that she ignores us every chance she gets, but its not really funny. She is certainly entitled to her opinion, but to exclude us from this list is to disregard the 24 years that we have been an essential place for many diners in our city. Kathleen Jamrozy, Omaha proprietor, Flatiron Cafe Disappointed in Democrats For 20 years, as a nonpartisan, I have voted equally for Democrats and Republicans for local, state and national positions. But after three years of hearing the whining, bellyaching and especially being dishonest about the phony evidence the Democrats in Congress had on President Donald Trump, it will take me a long time to again vote for any Democrat positions and especially those sponsored by the Old Establishment party members who should be impeached for waste of taxpayer funds. Attending school as a woman in Iraq was especially challenging. People questioned her family for sending Khudaida to school, but her father, a strong advocate for education, insisted she go. He loved education, Khudaida says. He said, If Im going to send my son to school, why not send you to school? When she first came to the U.S. in 2015, Khudaida didnt speak English, and she took English-language learners (ELL) classes at Lincoln North Star High School. Theres a metaphor that my dad used to say to me all the time, deaf in a party. The whole first year, I didnt know the language. You go to a party, the music is playing, you dont understand anything, Khudaida says. Khudaida practices the Yazidi faith. Yazidis are a religious minority in mostly Muslim Iraq and have been persecuted for centuries. In 2014, thousands died in Iraq after an Islamic State invasion of Sinjar, leading to U.S. intervention and airstrikes. Its difficult to be treated for the way you were born, Khudaida says, referring to her Yazidi faith. That was the best part about America, nobody asked you about your religion. They cared about you as a person. Chemical evidence shows how a dwarf galaxy contributes to growth of Milky Way Small stellar systems like dwarf galaxies are suggested to be the main building blocks of our Galaxy. However, it is unclear how many and what kind of stars in our Galaxy are originated from satellite dwarf galaxies. An international team led by ZHAO Gang, a professor from the National Astronomical Observatories of Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC) discovered a chemically peculiar star accreted from a disrupted dwarf galaxy. According to results obtained through the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) and Subaru telescope, the star has an unusually low amount of magnesium which is the eighth most abundant element in the universe. Meanwhile it contains an excessive amount of heavy elements, such as europium, gold, and uranium. The team reported their findings online in Nature Astronomy on April 29th, 2019. "Stars preserve chemical information of its birth site. We can distinguish stars formed in the Milky Way from stars formed in dwarf galaxies based on their chemical abundances," says ZHAO who is also the corresponding author of the paper. The chemical composition of this star that the authors discovered suggests it is originated from a dwarf galaxy which was disrupted by interaction with the Milky Way. The data was obtained by LAMOST, a spectroscopic survey telescope that is capable to take 4,000 spectra in a single exposure. So far LAMOST has obtained more than 8 million stellar spectra for studies of the formation of the Milky Way. "The massive spectra provided by the LAMOST survey give us a great opportunity to find chemically peculiar stars," says XING Qianfan, Ph.D., first author of this paper. This type of stars can be used to explore the chemical evolution of different stellar systems. XING continues, "This newly discovered star with large excesses of heavy elements provides a window for exploring the chemical evolution of disrupted dwarf galaxies. The star formation in dwarf galaxies is relatively slow comparing to larger galaxies, leading to chemical differences among their stellar populations. For instance, the magnesium to iron (Mg/Fe) abundance ratios in stars of dwarf galaxies currently found around the Milky Way are much smaller than those in the majority of stars in the Milky Way." "This is the first discovery of a star having a very low amount of magnesium and an excessive amount of heavy elements," says co-author LI Haining, Ph.D. The extreme enhancement of heavy elements of this star suggests this dwarf galaxy was affected by high-yield rapid neutron-capture process (r-process), the dominant process through which elements heavier than iron are formed. Such process may happen during mergers of binary neutron stars in the dwarf galaxy. "The discovery of this chemically peculiar star is a good start of chemical identification of stars accreted from dwarf galaxies. Such stars will be good tracers for exploring the assemble history of the Milky Way," says ZHAO. ### This study is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. About NAOC: The National Astronomical Observatories of Chinese Academy of Sciences (NAOC) was officially founded in April 2001 through the merger of observatories, stations and research center under Chinese Academy of Sciences. It is headquartered in Beijing and has four subordinate units across the country: the Yunnan Observatory (YNAO), the Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics and Technology (NIAOT), the Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory (XAO) and the Changchun Observatory. NAOC conducts cutting-edge astronomical studies, and operates major national facilities including The Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopy Telescope (LAMOST), the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) etc. NAOC's main research involves cosmological large-scale structures, the formation and evolution of galaxies and stars, high-energy astrophysics, solar magnetism and activity, lunar and deep space exploration, and astronomical instrumentation. NAOC has seven major research divisions in the areas of optical astronomy, radio astronomy, galaxies and cosmology, space science, solar physics, lunar and deep space exploration, and applications in astronomy. This story has been published on: 2019-04-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. (Photo courtesy of the Vietnamese Embassy in Argentina) The ambassador had meetings with Asuncion Mayor Mario Anibal Ferreiro Sanabria and leaders of some departments of Paraguays Foreign Ministry. At the meetings, Ambassador Dung proposed a number of measures to boost future collaboration in politics, economy, trade, investment, culture, education and tourism, as well as activities to celebrate the 25th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2020. The two sides reached consensus on action plans in 2019, including the increase of visits among ministries, sectors and localities of the two countries at different levels, and coordination in organising the Vietnam Day in Asuncion Paraguays capital city this year. Both sides shared information on the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) situation. The Paraguay side showed support to the plan to start negotiations for a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the MERCOSUR. During his stay in Paraguay, Ambassador Dung had a talk at the Paraguay Academy of Diplomacy on the current situation in Vietnam, the countrys external policies as well as the Vietnam-Paraguay partnership./. What we believe: The mystery of faith, the church, and its ancient roots By Charlotte B. Cerminaro In basic surveys on religion, a majority of Americans call themselves Christian and would define this as a belief in God as revealed in the bible. As monotheists, we generally understand God as the omniscient, omnipotent being, the Creator, and the one to whom we will ultimately be accountable. But this belief system which we call Christianity is actually different from the other great monotheistic religion, namely Judaism. We have the same God, the same foundation and roots. Judaism differs in only one thing: They believe their Messiah , their Anointed One, has yet to reveal Himself. Christianity holds that the Messiah, or Christ, has indeed revealed Himself, not just to Israel but to the entire world. Specifically, the man we call Jesus (Yeshua), born in Bethlehem, raised in Nazareth, fulfills every requirement as stated in the Old Testament. Of course there is much controversy surrounding Jesus but everyone agrees, Jews and Christians, even atheists, that he existed. Evidence of his birth, teachings, miracles, and his death and resurrection is confirmed by sources such as Josephus and Tacitus, historians and witnesses from whom we get much of our information on first century middle east culture and history. Accordingly, the pedigree and teachings of Jesus reveal that He is a true descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (i.e., Israel) and that He was not only a learned rabbi, but the very fulfillment of the Torah (law) and prophets comprising the Tanakh (old testament). Jesus disciples and contemporaries in the land of Israel were the only first-hand witnesses of his miracles, thus every succeeding generation has relied on the writings of the eyewitnesses. Finding the veracity and authenticity of these accounts is just a foundation of what we call faith and is far different from the religious establishment and rituals that evolved over the centuries. Indeed, the issues of faith and belief are not identical. Rationality and reason, especially deductive reasoning, should play a part in both. At no time are we expected to have blind faith. However, we must look beyond what we perceive with our eyes, realizing there are many things that exist in this world that cannot be directly observed. There are things we comprehend and even rely upon every day, the existence of which can only be inferred from their effect on, or interaction with, other things. The author of the book of Hebrews had a deep comprehension and wisdom concerning this. Translating directly and awkwardly from the original Greek, he states, Rather is faith the assurance of our hope, verification of a reality unseen. To parse faith and belief, we simply understand that faith is only a piece of belief. Much of what we believe requires no faith. I believe that if I have two pencils, and someone leaves two more, I'll have four. But never having seen an electron, I have faith that the basic laws of chemistry adequately explain its existence and properties. The Mystery of the Church is easier to explain if we eliminate certain assumptions. The church is not a building. In fact, the word church never appears in the new testament at all. The Greek word that is always translated into church is [ekkleisia]. It's a generic word for gathering or assembly of people and describes everything, from a union meeting to a choir. In biblical terms its clearly referring to a gathering of believers. It is a living, breathing entity made of millions of individuals, similar to a complex organism made of many millions of cells. In Jesus own words, we are to be as salt and light in the world. For many centuries salt was used primarily as a preservative--not a fixative to calcify the world in harsh laws and unbending rituals. So the metaphor is understood and some of the mystery unveiled. As the Son of Man, Son of God, Jesus is the full revelation of God's word, the law, completed, His atonement providing the full reconciliation of God and humanity. Charlotte B. Cerminaro is a Juilliard-trained classical musician who, in addition to being a studio and orchestral musician, enjoys writing. 2019 Home Bengaluru: 4 arrested for issuing "fake" RT-PCR test report to first Omicron case in India Three men arrested at Bengaluru airport with gold hidden in rectum Bengaluru oi-Deepika S Bengaluru, Apr 29: Customs officials at the Kempegowda International Airport on Monday arrested three passengers on charges of smuggling and seized gold worth over Rs 29.3 lakh. The three identified as Mohamed SharKhan Zahir Hussain, Kaja Mydeen Mohamed Haroon and Ansari Mohammad Ibrahim from Tamil Nadu arrived by Air India flight AI 994 on Friday smuggled gold worth over Rs 29.3 lakh. The gold was in the form of a paste in pellets mixed with some other chemicals and insulated with tape. Delhi: Two members of 'Thak-Thak' gang held In the recent weeks, the Kempegowda International Airport has seen an increase in gold smuggling and the new trend seems to be to smuggle in the precious metal in smaller quantities. In a similar incident a total of 496 gm of gold was found in the rectum of three women. According to officials, the three Tamil-origin woman flying from Colombo in a Sri Lankan Airlines flight were detained after suspicion. In another instance, a flier of Andhra Pradesh origin was caught with 200 gm of gold strapped to his body as he reached Bengaluru from Kuwait in an Emirates flight. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, April 29, 2019, 12:57 [IST] By poll 2021 Updates: Voting for two Lok Sabha, 12 assembly seats held peacefully; result on 2 May 2nd phase voting in disturbed seat Anantnag continues slowly India oi-Hardeep Singh Bedi New Delhi, April 29: The second phase of voting in Anantnag Lok Sabha seat in Jammu and Kashmir is continuing slowly on Monday. It's notable that terror hotbed Anantnag is the only seat in the country where the voting is being held in three phases. The staggered voting in this parliamentary constituency is spread across four districts - Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian. In the first phase on April 23, miscreants had pelted stones at vehicles carrying the poll staff and the security forces back to the district headquarters after the poll process. In the second phase, voting is being conducted only in Kulgam district, which is spread over four Assembly segments of Noorabad, Kulgam, Homshalibugh and Devsar. Voting hours have been scheduled from 7 am to 4 pm instead of 6 pm as was done in the poll process of other Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. Voting is taking place in 433 polling stations and a total of 3,45,486 electors are eligible to vote. Kulgam voting segment has the highest number of voters, which is 98,298. The voting percentage till 9 am was recorded 0.61 per cent, which rose to 3.74 per cent till 12 noon. The voting picked up afternoon and 6.74 per cent voting was recorded till 1 pm. Violence mars polling in Asansol, Supriyo's car vandalised Authorities have made elaborate arrangements to ensure that militants are prevented from disrupting the democratic process by creating multiple layers of security. Heavy deployments of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and police were on Sunday made to ensure peaceful and fair poll process. Security forces were moved out early on Saturday to take over the polling stations across Kulgam district. There are 18 candidates in the fray in this constituency, but the main contest is between Mehbooba Mufti of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ghulam Ahmad Mir of Congress and Justice (Retired) Hasnain Masoodi of the National Conference (NC). Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded Sofi Yusuf and the Peoples Conference (PC) has fielded Choudhary Zafar Ali. In addition, there is a lone woman candidate, Ridwana Sanam who is fighting as an Independent candidate. For the first time in the electoral history of the state, a non-local, Shams Khwaja, a lawyer from Uttar Pradesh, is also in the fray. Next phase of polling in the Anantanag constituency is scheduled on May 6. 64% voter turnout of Kashmiri migrants in Anantnag LS seat India pti-PTI Jammu, Apr 29: Over 64 per cent voter turnout of Kashmiri migrants was recorded in the second phase of the three-phased elections in Anantnag parliamentary constituency on Monday. Unhappy over the "cumbersome" voter registration process adopted for them by the Election Commission (EC), the community members demanded scrapping of M-forms. They alleged that the forms deny and discourage them from voting. "Over 64 per cent votes (by Kashmiri migrants) were polled today. As many as 1,784 such voters cast their votes in the second phase, out of a total of 2,779 registered voters, after completing the required formalities," Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) for Migrants, Pankaj Anand told PTI. Though the official admitted that there were problems while preparing the electoral roll, Anand said hectic efforts were made to ensure no voter was left out. "There were only a few such cases due to wrong filling of Form M. Some of these forms did not have names of polling stations. Some names did not match with the records," he said. [Lok Sabha elections 2019: Despite violence in Bengal, India registers 64% voter turnout in Phase 4] The official said 59 per cent Kashmiri Pandits and other migrants voted at 21 polling stations established across Jammu district for the Anantnag parliamentary seat. The polling in the south Kashmir constituency is being held in three phases. The constituency is spread over four districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama, covering 16 assembly segments. Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and state Congress chief G A Mir are among the 18 candidates whose fate will be decided from the constituency, which has a large number of registered migrant voters. The EC had set up 21 special polling stations for Kashmiri migrant voters in Jammu, one in Udhampur and four in Delhi. Meanwhile, dozens of Kashmiri Pandits protested outside a polling station at Jagati camp on the outskirts of the city as they claimed their names were missing from the voters list. PTI West Bengal: 3 people killed, 44 injured after fire breaks out at IOCL refinery in Haldia Amid West Bengal poll violence, BJP urges EC to deploy central forces in all polling booths India pti-PTI New Delhi, Apr 29: Amid reports of violence during fourth phase of polling in West Bengal, the BJP on Monday approached the Election Commission complaining that TMC workers have "hijacked democracy in the state" and again demanded deployment of central forces in all polling booths there. A BJP delegation, which includes Union Ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Vijay Goel, and the party's media in-charge Anil Baluni, met the top officials of the poll panel here and submitted a memorandum in this regard. "The ruling Trinamool Congress workers have hijacked democracy in the state and are indulging in violence. They are being supported by the local machinery and we demand deployment of central forces in all polling booths," Naqvi said. The BJP also expressed concern about "no action" been taken against Congress president Rahul Gandhi who has been making "baseless allegations" against BJP chief Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Violence mars polling in Asansol, Supriyo's car vandalised Talking to reporters after meeting the poll panel officials, Naqvi accused Gandhi of continuously making false allegations and derogatory statements against Shah and Modi. He said the BJP has also demanded action against Madhya Pradesh government officials who are "working as Congress agents". The party also accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and AAP's Lok Sabha candidate Atishi Marlena of seeking votes by making provocative religious statements and demanded action against them. Central forces acting in manner not conducive for free and fair polls: TMC India pti-PTI New Delhi, Apr 29: The Trinamool Congress on Monday approached the Election Commission alleging that the central forces deployed in West Bengal have created a "reign of terror" in the minds of voters and acted in a manner which is not conducive to free and fair elections. TMC leaders Shanta Chhetri and Chandan Mitra submitted two letters to the EC - one alleging illegal action taken by the forces as well as violation of model code of conduct by BJP candidates and the second related to firing by Central Forces personnel inside polling booths in Dubraipur and Birbhum Parliamentary constituency. Central forces have been deployed in almost all the booths in West Bengal, but there has been stray incidents of violence across the state during the first three phases. Violence was reported on Monday as well in Asansol and Birbhum. "After the deployment of central forces, there have been various instances where, at the instruction of the leaders of the BJP, the Central Forces have acted in a manner which is not conducive to free and fair election within the state of West Bengal. During earlier phases of election, complaints were filed against the central forces, but no action has been taken," one of the letters stated. The Lok Sabha Election in West Bengal is being conducted in seven phases out of which polls for the fourth phase, which includes Asansol and Baharampur seats is being held on Monday. The letters stated that the Central Forces have been deployed to ensure free and fair election without being influenced by any political party and are required to act in an "unbiased manner without any partiality to any political party" to uphold the constitutional principle of free and fair election. "This is to bring to your notice that across several parliamentary constituencies having poll today, Central Forces have created a reign of terror in the minds of voters and they have also urged the voters to cast their vote in favour of BJP. The Central Forces, in a motivated and pre-conceived manner, have resorted to firing within the polling booth thereby creating a fear in the mind of the voters so that they are restrained from casting their votes," it said. [Violence mars polling in Asansol, Supriyo's car vandalised] The party claimed that the "BJP and their agents" were resorting to large-scale intimidation, violence, chaos and unrest among the electors and thereby disturbing the poll process hugely. The party, in the letter said during this fourth phase also, instances have been recorded where Central Forces had created a reign of terror in the minds of voters and they have also urged the voters to cast their vote in favour of BJP. "The Central Forces, in a motivated and pre-conceived manner, have utterly failed to take any effective steps to counter the BJP terror and restore confidence among the people. Moreover, Central Forces are once again entering inside the polling booths where actual voting is taking place and influencing the voters to vote for BJP candidates," the letter said. PTI Gogoi too formidable to be ruffled by sickening behaviour of politicians trapped in political disarr Why no questions are asked to retired activist judges: Former CJI Gogoi SC says cannot rule out conspiracy against former CJI Ranjan Gogoi TMC moves privilege motion against Justice Gogoi, says he is in contempt of Rajya Sabha Centre seeks time to file fresh affidavit in Rafale review India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Apr 29: The Centre on Monday asked the Supreme Court to defer the Rafale review hearing listed for Tuesday, saying it needs more time to file its affidavit. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, however, allowed the Centre's counsel to circulate a letter for adjournment in Tuesday's hearing among all the parties in the case, including the petitioners who filed the review pleas. On April 10, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court unanimously dismissed the Centre's objections to the review petitions seeking an inquiry into the Rafale fighter jet deal. In March, the government had asked for the review pleas to be dismissed, claiming they were based on "secret files" accessed from the Defence Ministry. Rafale remark: Rahul responds to SC's contempt notice, refuses to apologise In March, the government had asked for the review pleas to be dismissed, claiming they were based on "secret files" accessed from the Defence Ministry. The plea filed by former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, journalist Arun Shourie and lawyer Prashant Bhushan sought the recall and review of December 2018 judgment giving clean chit to the central government in the Defence deal. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, April 29, 2019, 16:11 [IST] TMC delegation to meet Election Commission in Delhi today; To request for early bypolls in Bengal Congress leader Jitin Prasada alleges fake voting in sister's name India oi-Deepika S Lucknow, Apr 29: Former union minister Jitin Prasada today expressed dissatisfaction over the voting in the fourth phase of polls, after someone else voted in his sister's name in the Shahjahanpur Lok Sabha constituency during polling on Monday. "When my sister went to the polling booth, she found her name had been ticked and the presiding officer told her that vote had been cast. This is how fake voting is taking place," he said. Prasada, listed as a voter in Shahjahanpur, a reserved a constituency, is contesting from the adjoining Dhaurahra Lok Sabha seat in Sitapur district, where polling is scheduled in the next 5th phase on May 6. Complaint filed against Kejriwal's wife Sunita for allegedly having two voter IDs He said that he would take up the matter with the Election Commission. The District Magistrate and Returning Officer Amrit Tripathi said her name was ticked due a polling employee's fault. He said Prasada's sister would be allowed to vote if she came to the polling centre again. In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Dhaurahra, which had nearly 1.7 million voters. It consists of five assembly constituencies, all won by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2017 Uttar Pradesh elections. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, April 29, 2019, 18:20 [IST] Cyclone Fani latest update: Landfall in TN, AP ruled out; Odisha under 'continuous watch' India oi-Vikas SV Chennai, Apr 29: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday ruled out Cyclone Fani making a landfall in Tamil Nadu or Andhra Pradesh, but maintained that it would intensify into "severe cyclonic storm" by tomorrow (April 30). Cyclone Fani is likely to continue moving North West and may change its path to North East from May 1, said the latest IMD statement. Possibility of landfall in Odisha, however, has not been ruled out and the coastal state is under 'continuous watch'. Cyclone Fani: Modi prays for everyone's safety, wellbeing; urges officials to work closely "Cyclonic storm Fani is expected to intensify into very severe cyclonic storm by Apr 30. It will continue to move North West and change its path to North East from May 1. Landfall over Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh is ruled out. Possibility of landfall in Odisha is under continuous watch," news agency ANI quoted IMD as saying. On April 27, the IMD had said that Fani will reach near the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, but was unlikely that 'it would make a landfall'. "It may recurve before reaching the coast," Mritunjay Mohapatra, Additional Director General of the IMD, had said. According to an earlier alert by the Cyclone Warning Division of IMD, Cyclone Fani was very likely to reach near the coasts of north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh by the evening of April 30. An earlier warning also said that the wind speed may touch as high as 150 km per hour to 175 km per hour in parts of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh by May 1. Cyclone Fani, that has been gaining strength in the south-east Bay of Bengal, is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours, the weather department said on Sunday. It is likely to bring light to moderate rain across Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh over the next two days. Cyclone Fani likely to transform into 'severe' storm in next 24 hours Cyclone Warning Division on Sunday afternoon said 'Fani' currently lays over 745 kilometres east-southeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), 1,050 kilometres southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and 1,230 kilometres south-southeast of Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh). Under the category of Very Severe Cyclonic storm, Fani is expected to reach at a speed of 140-150 kmph on Tuesday. Heavy rainfall at isolated places are very likely over Kerala also on 29 and 30 April. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, April 29, 2019, 13:14 [IST] If you are hungry, come over: Pak rangers mock BSF Did PM Modi's Barmer speech breach poll code? Report sent to EC India oi-Deepika S Barmer, Apr 29: The election office in Rajasthan's Barmer has sent a factual of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in Barmer to the Election Commission of India (ECI). A factual report along with transcription of the Prime Minister's address he delivered in Barmer recently has been forwarded to the EC, the district election office said. The Congress filed a complaint against this the next day, demanding a ban on the PM's campaign. Following the Congress' complaint, the EC had sought a report on the address of the Prime Minister in Barmer from the district poll authorities. Get EC to act against Modi, Shah: SC to hear plea by Congress leader tomorrow "The report has been forwarded with the copy of PM's speech as per the direction of the Commission," district election officer Himanshu Gupta said. During a poll rally in Barmer, Modi had said India is no more afraid of Pakistan's nuclear threats. In his April 21 address, PM Modi said, "India has stopped the policy of getting scared of Pakistan's threats. Every other day they say 'we have a nuclear button, we have a nuclear button'. What do we have then? Have we kept it for Diwali?" Will always be with you to fight injustice: Rahul Gandhi to media EC to decide on poll code violation complaints against Modi, Rahul Gandhi today India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Apr 30: Election Commission (EC) will meet on Tuesday to take a decision on poll code violation complaints against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bharatiya Janata Dal (BJP) chief Amit Shah and Congress president Rahul Gandhi. The commission spelt out the timeline at its media briefing on the fourth phase of polling. "Regarding the complaints of violations of Model Code of Conduct against senior leaders of two political parties, the commission has already taken all the inputs and all the details and we have scheduled a meeting tomorrow morning for taking decisions on each of these issues," Chandra Bhushan Kumar said, adding that the moment there is a decision, the commission would make them public. [BJP requests EC to censure AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and party candidate Atishi for berating it] The Commission meets on every Tuesday and Thursday to discuss important issues. The poll panel is also likely to discuss the possible dates for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections on Tuesday. The state elections could not be held along with Lok Sabha polls as the Union Home Ministry had cited law and order problems in holding simultaneous election. The Prime Minister was accused of violating the Model Code for his references to the Pulwama and Balakot air strikes during election campaign, which has been banned by the Commission. Another complaint is pending with the Commission for the Prime Minister's mini roadshow and speech in Gujarat's Ahmedabad, when he went there to vote last week. The Commission had sought a report on the matter from the Chief Election Officer of Gujarat. The officials were also examining the complaint against BJP chief Amit Shah for dubbing the armed forces "Modi Sena" - a remark that army officers had objected to and wrote to the defence ministry. The BJP had complained against Rahul Gandhi for his "chowkidar chor hai" slogan. TMC delegation to meet Election Commission in Delhi today; To request for early bypolls in Bengal FIR against BJP's Babul Supriyo for entering Asansol polling booth India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Apr 29: The Election Commission has directed police to lodge an FIR against BJP candidate Babul Supriyo for entering a poll booth in Asansol and questioning the polling officer. Supriyo was caught in poll violence in Asansol on Monday as his car was vandalised after he had a heated argument with polling officials inside the booth. Supriyo was on his way to a polling booth in Barabani when his car was attacked. The rear windshield of Supriyo's car was smashed in the resulting clashes outside polling booth number 199. Violence mars polling in Asansol, Supriyo's car vandalised The BJP MP was involved in a verbal spat with polling officers over his claims of incidents of booth capturing. Supriyo alleged that TMC workers had barred BJP's polling agents from entering the polling stations. He said he had decided to head to the polling booths after receiving early reports of clashes. Speaking to ANI, Babul Supriyo said, "I will myself take the central forces to that polling station. It is very good that people in West Bengal are aware and they want central forces so that they can cast their vote. This is why Mamata Banerjee is scared." Babul Supriyo's car was attacked and the windows were broken by a group of goons. Babul Supriyo is the incumbent candidate in Asansol, who sprang a surprise in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections and won this seat that was a TMC bastion till then. Babul Supriyo, who represents Asansol in parliament faces the Trinamool's Moon Moon Sen in the constituency. Babul Supriyo won an unlikely victory against the Left in his first election in 2014. Moon Moon Sen, who defeated nine-time lawmaker Basudeb Acharia of the Left in Bankura in 2014 to earn the name of "giant-killer", has been moved to Asansol this time as the Trinamool tries to snatch the seat from the BJP. The eight constituencies voting in Bengal today are in the most violence-prone belt of the state, which is voting in all seven phases of the national election. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, April 29, 2019, 17:48 [IST] Followed speeches of Colombo bombing mastermind, Kerala ISIS operative to NIA India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Apr 29: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has Riyas Aboobacker in connection with the Kerala Islamic State case. The NIA said that during interrogation, he has disclosed that he has been in online contact with absconding accused Abdul Rashid Abdulla alias Abu Isa for a long time and has been following his audio clips including the clip which he had circulated on social media platform instigating others to carryout terror attacks in India. [Kerala ISIS sympathisers not directly involved with Colombo bombers: NIA] He revealed that he was also having online chat with Abdul Khayoom @ Abu Khalid (Accused in Valapattanam ISIS Case) who was believed to be in Syria. He has further disclosed that he has been following speeches/videos of Zahran Hashim of Sri Lanka for more than a year and has also followed the speeches of Zakir Naik. He admitted that he wanted to carry out a suicide attack in Kerala. NIA had earlier received inputs that a group of four persons has been in contact with some of the accused like Abdul Rashid, Ashfaq Majeed, Abdul Khayoom etc who had already migrated to Afghanistan and Syria. After verification, NIA carried out searches at three places (two in Kasaragod and one in Palakkad District) yesterday. Three group members have been interrogated for their ISIS links and their plans. Get EC to act against Modi, Shah: SC to hear plea by Congress leader tomorrow India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Apr 29: A Congress leader has moved the Supreme Court seeking a directive to the Election Commission (EC) of India to take action against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president, Amit Shah for poll code violation. The court will hear the matter on Tuesday. The petitioner, Susmita Dev, a Congress MP has told the court that the EC always shied away from acting against Modi and Shah on poll code violations. She sought a directive to the EC to act against the two leaders. The Congress had on Saturday indicated that it would move the SC. Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi alleged that 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. Congress fumes at Amit Shah's for "Ilu-Ilu" comment "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 told a press conference, adding silence can be construed as approval. Taking a jibe at EC, he called it "Election Omission" and wondered whether Modi and Shah are outside the ambit of the model code of conduct, which he dubbed as "Modi code of conduct". He claimed that the two leaders have violated the poll code broadly under three categories: polarisation of votes, invoking armed forces in campaigns and conducting rallies on election day. Is Modi nervous of losing LS polls? Congress thinks so "The EC has taken action against several leaders for violating the poll code based on our complaints. We appreciate that. Since the precedent has been set, why not take action against Modi and Shah," he said. I am a big fan of Kanhaiya Kumar says Digvijaya Singh India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa Bhopal, Apr 29: Kanhaiya Kumar, Communist Party of India (CPI) contestant from Begusarai in Bihar, would be campaigning for Congress' Bhopal nominee Digvijaya Singh, who is pitted against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur in the Lok Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh. Addressing a gathering at the CPI office here, Singh called himself an "admirer" of the former JNUSU president, and said that he was happy that Kumar would campaign for him on May 8-9. Singh also sought to dispel perception that Kumar's arrival might rake up "tukde-tukde" controversy in the poll season, as Thakur is viewed as a polarising figure. He blamed the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for "defaming" Kumar in the 2016 Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) sloganeering controversy. "I am an admirer and a supporter of Kanhaiya Kumar. He has become an ideologue. I openly support him. I told my party that the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has made a big mistake (by fielding its candidate in Begusarai). This seat (Begusarai) should have been allotted to the CPI," Singh said. Kumar is contesting his maiden election against Union minister Giriraj Singh of the BJP in Begusarai. "I challenge anybody who comes out saying that they (Kanhaiya and his associates) had raised the 'Tukde-Tukde' slogan (on the JNU campus in 2016). It was the work of the BJP and the RSS to defame Kumar and others who are fighting against fundamentalism," he alleged. Singh claimed that "separation" of the Congress and Left parties was responsible for his party's defeat in 2014 general elections. No word like 'Hindutva' in my dictionary, says Digvijaya Singh "I believe that we (Congress) won again after UPA-I era because the Left was with us, but we got separated on a petty issue. The control over social and economic policies that existed during the UPA-I government (because of Left allies) was missing during the tenure of the UPA-II government, which was the reason for the Congress' defeat (in 2014)," he said. Singh also took a dig at his political detractors in Madhya Pradesh Congress. "After the Congress' defeat in the 2003 (assembly polls), it was said that my presence in the state would slash the party's vote share. However, I witnessed that the BJP was winning and the RSS becoming powerful over years whereas the Congress remained a silent spectator. This is the reason I decided to become active again," the former chief minister said. He hailed the "help" extended by CPI leaders in defeating the BJP in the assembly elections held last year. The contest for Bhopal, a BJP bastion since 1989, has become high profile since the saffron party fielded Thakur, an accused in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case. Bhopal goes to polls on May 12 in the sixth phase of ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Voting for all the 29 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh would be held in four phases from April 29 to May 19. MHA issues SOP for global travel, no need to register with Indian missions abroad International Jazz Day: Understanding this wonderful genre of music, top quotes India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Apr 30: Today is International Jazz Day which is celebrated annually on April 30 with an aim to increase awareness about this wonderful genre of music. Jazz encompasses wide range of musical styles and the diversity is vast that it is hard to define. Attempts have been made to define jazz from the perspective of other musical traditions, such as European music history or African music. Although jazz is considered difficult to define, in part because it contains many subgenres, improvisation is one of its defining elements. The centrality of improvisation is attributed to the influence of earlier forms of music such as blues, a form of folk music which arose in part from the work songs and field hollers of African-American slaves on plantations, as per Wikipedia. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day in order to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. International Jazz Day brings together communities, schools, artists, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts all over the world to celebrate and learn about jazz and its roots, future and impact; raise awareness of the need for intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding; and reinforce international cooperation and communication. Each year on April 30, this international art form is recognized for promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, and respect for human rights and human dignity, eradicating discrimination, promoting freedom of expression, fostering gender equality, and reinforcing the role of youth for social change. Top quotes of jazz music: "If you have to ask what jazz is, you'll never know." - Louis Armstrong "Life is a lot like jazz - it's best when you improvise." - George Gershwin "A problem is a chance for you to do your best." - Duke Ellington "All of the sounds of the earth are like music." - Oscar Hammerstein "Anytime you strike the drums, you have to be aware that you're creating a musical event." - Vinnie Colaiuta "As long as you've got your horn in your mouth, you're developing." - Zoot Sims "Bass is ace!" - Karen O "Bass players are always the intellectual kind, but nobody knows it." - Stanley Clarke For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 2:00 [IST] Agree with Indian govt on need to safeguard citizens' privacy: WhatsApp State vs national issues: Key lessons for the BJP to learn in Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Haryana Lok Sabha elections 2019: Despite violence in Bengal, India registers 64% voter turnout in Phase 4 India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Apr 29: Despite spordiac incidents of violence in West Bengal and EVM glitches in some areas were reported as 64 per cent turnout was recorded on Monday in 72 constituencies across nine states in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections. In the heartland states, where the BJP had won 30 out of 32 seats in 2014, 67.73 per cent turnout was recorded in Rajasthan (13 seats), 58.56 per cent in Uttar Pradesh (13 seats) and 67.09 per cent in Madhya Pradesh (6 seats), according to the Election Commission. West Bengal recorded a high turnout at 76.66 in the eight seats though clashes broke out between supporters of TMC and BJP in Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Suri areas of Birbhum seat, leaving several people injured. Meanwhile, an FIR was registered against Supriyo for allegedly getting into an argument with polling officials, an election official said. The ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP accused each other of intimidating voters in the state, which has seen violence in all previous three phases despite stepped up central forces deployment. The stakes are high for the BJP which had won 56 of these 72 constituencies in the 2014 polls. About 12.79 crore people were eligible for voting in the fourth phase. With this round, polling has been completed in 374 seats out of 543. Polling was peaceful in Rajasthan, with tribal dominated seat of Banswara recording the highest voting percentage at 72.34, followed by Barmer which recorded 72.21 per cent voting, according to state election officials. Nearly 55.86 per cent voting was recorded in Maharashtra (17 seats), 59.02 per cent Bihar (five seats) and 64.38 per cent Jharkhand (3 seats), according to data provided by the Election Commission. Election to 542 Lok Sabha seats is being conducted in seven phases between April 11 and May 19. Election in Vellore constituency in Tamil Nadu was cancelled. Results will be declared on May 23. Here are the Highlights of fourth phase polling: Newest First Oldest First Odisha In view of Cyclone Fani, Odisha chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi directed Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) to keep close watch over the situation and asked concerned departments to stay in all preparedness to deal with any possible strike of the cyclone, according to ANI. The Hindu reported that EC has told the Odisha government to ensure security of EVM strong rooms in view of the cyclone. West Bengal The fourth phase polling in the eight Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal was marked by an FIR against Union Minister Babul Supriyo, damage to his vehicle, clashes between rivals TMC and BJP, lathicharge by policemen and firing in the air by central forces. Jharkhand Jharkhand recorded more than 64 per cent polling today for the three Lok Sabha seats in the state's Maoist-affected areas, according to the Election Commission (EC) data. Initial EC data showed that Chatra witnessed 62.06 per cent voting, Lohardaga 63.56 per cent and Palamau 64.31 per cent. In the first phase of polling in Jharkhand, there were 121 "sakhi" booths managed exclusively by women polling staff. Billionaires and Bollywood stars lined up outside polling stations along with the common folks today in Mumbai, which recorded 51.11 per cent voting, almost similar to the voting percentage of 51.59 in the 2014 polls. Voter turnout for the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh which went to the polls today was recorded at 57.58 per cent, slightly lower than in 2014. Bollywood actors Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol cast their vote in Vile Parle in Mumbai. Sunny Deol is contesting the election on a BJP ticket from Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat in Punjab. West Bengal Moon Moon Sen, TMC candidate from Asansol said,''I have not met my seniors yet and when we will sit together I will know where and why violence took place. Thoda toh hoga hi har jagah hota hai. Violence is much less now compared to before.'' The Election Commission (EC) issued a show-cause notice to Union minister and BJP leader Giriraj Singh for his communal remarks. The EC said, prima facie, Singh has violated provisions of the model code and directions of the Supreme Court which had said that religion cannot be used while making statements during campaigning. He has been given 24 hours to respond to the notice. A 50-year-old man died while awaiting his turn to cast his vote at a polling booth in Umrapur village near Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, PTI reported. Ompal Singh was standing in the queue at booth 302 of the village under Baghauli police station area when he suddenly collapsed and became unconscious, said Presiding Officer Anis Ahmed. Mumbai Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and his family after casting their votes at a polling booth at Villa Theresa High School on Peddar Road. Mumbai Veteran actor Dharmendra says "We don't know the ABC of politics but patriotism is in our blood, we will serve the nation. What I did in Bikaner you can go and see, Sunny will also serve the nation." CEO Rajasthan has sought a report after some voters in Jodhpur had leveled charge of bogus voting alleging that their votes had already been cast and when inquired they were told that nothing can be done now. NCP candidate from Nashik Sameer Bhujabal's mother's name goes missing from voters list. Estimated voter turnout till 5 pm for the 4th phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2019 is 50.6%. Voting is underway in 72 constituencies, across 9 states. The Election Commission has asked police to lodge an FIR against BJP candidate Babul Supriyo for entering a poll booth in Asansol and questioning the polling officer. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed at a West Bengal rally that 40 TMC MLAs were in touch with him, TMC leader Derek O'Brien said the party will complain to the Election Commission and charge Modi with horse-trading. Mumbai Shah Rukh Khan and his wife Gauri Khan cast vote in Mumbai. Biju Janata Dal (BJD) writes to Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha over alleged "booth capturing by BJP". Letter states "BJP goons conducted booth capturing in 12 booths of Bari assembly constituency under Jajpur parliamentary constituency while the polling was going on today." West Bangal EC tells police to file FIR against two BJP candidates in Bengal for using phone inside booth. Union Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Monday expressed confidence that all the crowd queuing up outside various polling stations in Rajasthan is in favour of the BJP. Estimated voter turnout till 3 pm for the 4th phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2019 is 49.53%. Voting is underway in 72 constituencies, across 9 states. The party also alleged that in at at least two polling booths the Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail machine showed the voting for the BJP when the ballot was cast for the SP. Opposition Samajwadi Party Monday urged the Election Commission to remove Uttar Pradesh's police chief OP Singh from the post alleging he was "favouring" the ruling BJP and affecting elections. Over 43 per cent of 2.57 crore electorate Monday cast their votes till 1 pm in 13 Lok Sabha seats of Rajasthan. Maximum voter percentage of 53.45 was registered in Barmer, followed by Jodhpur where 46.41 per cent voters exercised their franchise till 1 pm. Jammu and Kashmir Jammu and Kashmir: Polling underway at polling booth number 63 in Bumthan, Qazigund. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/bkkjMD6N2S ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 Polling underway at polling booth number 63 in Bumthan, Qazigund. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has hit out at the security forces for allegedly entering the polling booths while voting was underway. "There were various instances where on instructions of BJP leaders, Central Forces acted in a manner which is not conducive to free & fair elections in WB.(sic)," the TMC said in a letter. The TMC has written to the Election Commission over the "Illegal action of central forces & violation of MCC by BJP candidates" in West Bengal. Goons of TMC are trying their hardest to stop people from voting and attacking BJP workers, they are not letting BJP leaders campaign, says PM Modi. Dear @ECISVEEP : My ink vanished fairly easily. And I am not the only one. pic.twitter.com/OTl1PZEfMI Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) April 29, 2019 Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha has added to ongoing claims the "indelible" ink used by Election Commission officials to mark the fingers of those who have voted can be easily removed. Polling for 72 parliamentary constituencies across nine states will commence in just a few hours from now. The states that will go to polls in the fourth phase are Rajasthan (13 seats), Uttar Pradesh (13), West Bengal (8), Madhya Pradesh (6), Odisha (6), Bihar (5), Jharkhand (3), Maharashtra (17) and Jammu and Kashmir (1). The key contestants are Urmila Matondkar (Congress), Giriraj Singh (BJP), Kanhaiya Kumar (CPI), Subhash Bhamre (BJP), Dimple Yadav (Samajwadi Party), SS Ahluwalia (BJP), Milind Deora (Congress), Babul Supriyo (BJP), Salman Khurshid (Congress), Baijayant Panda (BJP), Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Congress) and Sriprakash Jaiswal (Congress). More than 12.79 crore voters will decide the fortune of 961 candidates. In the first three phases, 302 out of 543 constituencies went to polls. The voter turnout in phase-I was 69.45 per cent, 69.43 per cent in phase-II and 64.66 per cent in phase-III. There are 67 assembly segments which fall under the 13 Lok Sabha constituencies which is polling on April 29. In the 2017 assembly elections, the BJP bagged 60 of these 67 seats, which also included 4 of the 5 in Kannauj. In 2014, the BJP won 12 out of the 13 seats. The seat at Kannauj was won by Dimple Yadav. That year the BJPs seat share was at 45 per cent while the SP and BSP managed 22 and 20 per cent respectively. 13 constituencies in Uttar Pradesh will go to polls. The seats that would poll on May Apr 29 are Etawah, Farrukhabad, Hamripur, Akbarpur, Jhansi, Jalaun, Kanpur, Kannauj, Kheri, Unnao, Misrikh and Shahjahanpur. In the 2014 elections, the BJP had won 45 of these 71 seats. The party had won 12 out of 13 in UP, all 13 in Rajasthan, 6 in MP, 3 in Bihar, 3 in Jharkhand, 8 in Maharashtra and one in West Bengal. Polling will be held across nine states on Monday. The states to poll in this phase are Uttar Pradesh (13) , Madhya Pradesh (5) , Bihar, Rajasthan (13) and Jharkhand (3). Polling will also be held in 17 seats in Maharashtra, 8 in West Bengal and 6 in Odisha. Valued at Rs 660 crore, Nakul Nath, son of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Kamal Nath is the richest candidate contesting the 4th phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The average asset per candidate contesting in the Lok Sabha Phase 4 election is Rs. 4.53 crores. There are 306(33%) candidates who have assets worth Rs. 1 crore and more who are contesting the 4th Phase of the Lok Sabha elections. There are 210 candidates with pending criminal cases who are contesting the 4th phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Voting begins for the 4th phase of the Lok Sabha elections. 72 constituencies would be polling today. It is also the last phase of the elections in Odisha. Union Minister and sitting MP from Nawada, Giriraj Singh, cast his vote at polling booth number 33 in Barahiya of Lakhisarai district. Anil Ambani was among the early voters in Mumbai. He cast his vote at the GD Somani school at Cuff Parade. Polling has been delayed in two booths at West Bengal. The delay is owing to glitches in the EVMs. The focus would be on Mumbai and Begusarai, which are the BJPs strongholds. Former chief minister of Rajasthan was among the early voters today. RBI Governor, Shaktikanta Das was among the early voters in Mumbai. He waited like all others in queue to cast his vote at Peddar Road. The fate of Poonam Mahajan will be decided today. She is contesting the Mumbai North seat and was among the early voters in the constituency. She cast her vote at a polling station in Worli. Bollywood actress Rekha cast her vote at a polling station in Bandra, Mumbai. 8 Parliamentary constituencies are voting in the fourth phase of the elections today. Long queues were found at polling stations in Asansol. "The polling for the 4th phase of General Elections begins today. I appeal to the voters to ensure a record turnout. Your vote will not only strengthen the pillars of democracy but it will also help shaping of a New India," tweets Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Uttar Pradesh #Mumbai: BJP MP candidate from UP's Gorakhpur, Ravi Kishan casts his vote at a polling booth in Goregaon. pic.twitter.com/s9mH0pHLey ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 BJP MP candidate from UP's Gorakhpur, Ravi Kishan: Rajasthan EVM glitches have hampered voting at polling booths in Rajasthan's Pali, Deoli, and Bhinai in Ajmer district. Soon after the polling began, as many as 30 complaints of technical snags were reported win 40 minutes, say reports. Maharashtra #Mumbai: Congress MP candidate from Mumbai North, Urmila Mataondkar casts her vote at polling booth number 190 in Bandra. pic.twitter.com/caqMEX9Njk ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 Urmila Matondkar casts vote: Maharashtra #Mumbai: Veteran actress Shubha Khote after casting her vote at a polling booth in Juhu, in the #Phase4 of #LokSabhaElections2019 . pic.twitter.com/ZNiCksp7FN ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 Veteran actress Shubha Khote casts vote: Voting is yet to begin at booth number 189 and 196 of Chhibramau area in Kannauj after a glitch in EVM was detected. Read more about Lok Sabha elections here: Lok Sabha elections 2019: How to search your name in voter list LS polls phase 4: The rich, poor and those with criminal cases For 4th phase of LS polls, 287 candidates in age group of 25 to 40 years Lok Sabha elections 2019: List of interesting battles to watch out for in Phase 4 Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Decoding Congress, BJP manifestos Lok Sabha Elections 2019 updates: Sunny Deol to file nomination today Maneka Gandhi warned for 'Vote for me or else' remark, EC terms it impugned India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, Apr 29: The Election Commission (EC) on Monday warned Union Minister Maneka Gandhi over her controversial remark in which she asked a gathering of Muslims in Uttar Pradesh's Sultanpur to vote for her or else she may not be responsive to their requests. After studying the evidence and material facts, the EC said it strongly 'condemns the impugned statements' made by the senior BJP leader. "Based on the available evidence and material facts in the matter before the EC, hereby, strongly condemns the impugned statements made by her and warns her not to repeat such misconduct in future," EC's letter to Gandhi reportedly said. Maneka Gandhi had said that she would anyway win the Lok Sabha elections from Sultanpur with or without Muslim votes. Then she went on to say, "I am winning, but if my victory is without Muslims, I will not feel good, because then there is a bitter feeling," Gandhi was heard saying in a video that went viral. "If Muslims come for some work after that I will think 'why bother'. Because employment is a negotiation after all, isn't that right? We are not Mahatma Gandhi's children to keep giving without getting anything in return," she could heard saying in the video earlier this month. Did Maneka Gandhi threaten Muslims for votes? District poll authorities then issued her with a show cause notice. The Election Commission then on April 15 barred Gandhi from campaigning for 48 hours from April 17 10 am onwards. BJP leader Yogi Adityanath and BSP supremo Maywati were also barred from campaigning over "Ali and Bajrangbali" remarks. Samajwadi Party (SP)'s Azam Khan was also barred from campaigning for 72 hours over his "underwear" jibe at Jaya Prada who is fighting the Lok Sabha election 2019 from Uttar Pradesh's Rampur parliamentary constituency against him. Gandhi later said that her statement was misconstrued and quoted out of context. Osama Brigade: Pakistan a mischievous player in Sri Lankas radicalisation since 1990 India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Apr 29: As the agencies continue to probe the ghastly terror attacks in Sri Lanka, the names of the National Towheed Jamath (NTJ) and the Islamic State have cropped up. This is a new wave of terror in Sri Lanka, which had fought a long and bloody civil war with the LTTE. The seeds of Islamic terror in Sri Lanka were originally sowed by Pakistan's ISI. Pakistan's tryst with Islamic jihad in Sri Lanka began in the 1990s. It set up a camp known as the Osama Brigade, which mainly targeted the Tamil Muslims in the northern part of Sri Lanka. The development came up a few years after the Indian Peace Keeping Force had left Sri Lanka. The intention was to nurture this brigade and set up as many modules as possible so that the ISI could target South India. The Southern sojourn for the ISI has always been top on its priority list. While it has failed on several occasions, the fact of the matter is that it never stopped trying. The Osama Brigade was in fact set up in Sri Lanka by an officer in the rank of a Colonel. How ISI radicalised Sri Lanka through the Pakistan High Commission While the seeds were sown, the radicalisation did not see much effect for several years as the problem in the island nation were focused more around the LTTE. It was only once the LTTE fell that the ISI realised that it was in with a real chance. This time the ISI sent an officer by the name Amir Zubair Siddiqui and posted him in the high commission in Colombo. How ISIS infiltrated Sri Lanka and helped carry out the Colombo bombings He decided to fan the sentiments of the Muslims, who have been facing a major threat from the Buddhists. The ISI was helped indirectly by the rise of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), a group that has been fighting for Buddhist dominance and also the eradication of both Muslims and Christians in Sri Lanka. It was found that the BBS was funded heavily by the ISI. The BBS was asked to target Muslims, which in turn made them insecure. The ISI under Siddiqui was able to capitalise on this sentiment and began roping the Muslims into their fold. While Pakistan vehemently denies any link with the radicalisation in Sri Lanka, it however mysteriously moved Siddiqui out of Colombo. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) which was probing this case sought to question Siddiqui and have even approached their counterparts in Sri Lanka. Siddiqui was immediately removed from the high commission and flown into Pakistan. Sri Lanka won't be allowed to be used for 'any activity' against India: President Rajapaksa This man who survived Sri Lanka bombings, also witnessed 26/11 Mumbai attacks India oi-Madhuri Adnal Bengaluru, Apr 30: A Hindi proverb Ja Ko Rakhe Saiyan, Mar Sake Na Koi (no one can kill the person who is protected by God) came literally came true for this man who hails from Hyderabad but based in Dubai currently. Dubai-based Abhinav Chari has stepped out of UAE only twice, and both the times he cheated death. Abhinav and his Navroop K were in Colombo's Cinnamon Grand hotel which was one of the eight targets. Sri Lanka was rocked by a series of blasts in Churches and hotel targeting mainly people observing prayers on Easter Sunday and the series of blasts left more than 250 dead and over 500 injured. Surprisingly, Chari had also survived 26/11 Mumbai attack as well as he was in Mumbai in 2008 which was attacked by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists. Abhinav and Navroop have grown up in Dubai, he told Guld News and it's twice that he has travlled out of the UAE and at both occassion, horrific terror attacks have taken place at places he was in. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 1:13 [IST] Tough fight for man who seeks votes in the name of dead Jawans: Kejriwal on SP's Varanasi candidate India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Apr 29: Aam Admi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Monday welcomed Samajwadi Party's decision to field sacked jawan Tej Bahadur from Varanasi. Taking to twitter Kejriwal "congratulated" Akhilesh Yadav and said, "One one side the one who is pledging his life for India and fighting for the rights of the youth is someone who has lost his job. On the other hand is a candidate who takes away the jobs of the soldiers and asks for votes in the name of dead jawans" Samajwadi Party (SP) has formally announced that it is fileding former BSF jawan Tej Bahadur as the mahagathbandhan candidate from Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. SP fields sacked BSF jawan Tej Bahadur Singh against Modi in Varanasi The BSF constable, who was dismissed in 2017 after he posted a video online complaining about the food served to the troops, had already said he will would contest there. On April 22, SP fielded Shalini Yadav from Varanasi parliamentary constituency. Yadav is the daughter-in-law of former Rajya Sabha deputy chairperson Shyam Lal Yadav. Varanasi will go to polls on May 19. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. How the Indian Mujahideen bombed Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru Yasin Bhatkal is home-sick: 'Take me to Bengaluru', he says 13/7 Mumbai blasts: Justice done, but wounds still remain Why a Bangladesh based terror group is looking to revive the Indian Mujahideen Thwarted thrice by Indian agencies: When the Indian Mujahideen almost returned Trial against Yasin Bhatkal set to begin in German Bakery blasts case India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa Pune, Apr 29: Charges were framed against Yasin Bhatkal, alleged co-founder of the terror organisation Indian Mujahideen, in the 2010 German Bakery blast case at a trial court today. Yasin Bhatkal alias Mohammed Ahmed Siddibappa was produced before the court amid tight security. Charges were framed against him under various sections of the IPC, Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, said special prosecutor Ujjwala Pawar. Thwarted thrice by Indian agencies: When the Indian Mujahideen almost returned Seventeen people were killed and 64 injured in the blast at German Bakery, an eatery in the Koregaon Park area in Pune, in February 2010. Yasin Bhatkal was earlier convicted in the 2013 Hyderabad twin blasts case and awarded death penalty by a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in July 2018. He was brought here from Delhi's Tihar jail today and produced before additional sessions judge KD Vadane. This was the first time since his arrest that Yasin Bhatkal has been brought to the Pune court. Prosecutor Pawar said the Delhi Police filed an application stating that due to security reasons, they would not be able to bring Bhatkal to Pune for trial, and further hearing should be conducted via video-conference. Zahir Khan Pathan, Yasin Bhatkal's lawyer, opposed the Delhi Police request, saying the accused must be present during the trial. Why a Bangladesh based terror group is looking to revive the Indian Mujahideen "It is the duty of the state to provide security....He (Bhatkal) can be lodged here at Yerawada Central Jail till the trial ends," he said, adding that he would file his submission on the issue on May 15. The NIA arrested Yasin Bhatkal, wanted in over 40 terror cases, from the Indo-Nepal border in 2013. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, April 29, 2019, 16:53 [IST] Are the clean chits to politicians linked to an alliance with the BJP Year 2021: From celebrities to politicians, here is the list of notable deaths in 2021 What politicians do with their money: Investments in mutual funds to shares India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa New Delhi, Apr 29: Fixed deposits and tax-free bonds seem to be among the most favoured financial investments for the political leaders fighting the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, while mutual funds and stocks also adorn the portfolios of many and some even have got shares of long-defunct firms like Kingfisher Airlines. Shares of Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), the country's most valued company with a market capitalistion of over Rs 8.82 lakh crore, can be found in the portfolios of several leaders, while stocks and mutual fund units of the firms from younger brother Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group are also a common sight, as per disclosures made in election affidavits of the contestants. However, some top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi have no stock market or mutual fund exposure at all and their financial savings are limited to deposits in banks, tax-free bonds, insurance policies and instruments like National Savings Certificate (NSC). The direct equity investments for a few are limited to unlisted companies, including those owned by their families. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah has disclosed a long list of listed and unlisted shares in his name and in the name of his spouse. The listed shares in his name, totalling over Rs 17.5 crore, include companies from Aditya Birla Group, Bajaj, L&T, Tata and both Reliance groups, as also several PSUs. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has disclosed equity holding in Young Indian and investments in several mutual funds. The portfolio of his mother and senior party leader Sonia Gandhi includes equity shares of Young Indian and Maruti Technical Services Pvt Ltd and mutual fund units of HDFC, Kotak, Motilal Oswal and Reliance MF. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)'s Supriya Sule, daughter of veteran leader Sharad Pawar, has got unlisted shares worth over Rs 1 crore and listed shares worth over Rs 6 crore, besides some mutual funds. The listed shares include those of Adani Group firms, the two Reliance groups, several Tata firms and even Kingfisher Airlines as also of some other companies from the erstwhile UB Group, including United Spirits which was sold by defaulter businessman Vijay Mallya to global liquor giant Diageo Plc. Lok Sabha election 2019 voting Live: Battle of ballots across 71 seats today Kingfisher shares have long been delisted from the stock exchanges, though they quoted at above Rs 300 apiece once. The stocks eventually slipped below Re 1 and trading was eventually suspended in 2014-end after mounting troubles for the erstwhile luxury airline had led to its closure. Union minister and BJP candidate from Nagpur Nitin Gadkari has equity shares of Purti Power and Sugar Ltd, among other investments. Poonam Mahajan, BJP candidate from Mumbai North Central, has disclosed listed equity investments by her spouse in Kingfisher Airlines, as also in Reliance Industries, TCS, Vodafone Idea Cellular and Reliance Power. Her Congress rival Priya Dutt has listed several mutual fund and portfolio schemes totalling about Rs 14.92 crore, while the listed shares disclosed in the name of her spouse include Reliance Industries, Reliance Infra and Reliance Power. Congress candidate from Mumbai South, Murli Deora, has disclosed multiple bonds, structured market products, PMS account, mutual funds and FMPs (fixed maturity plans). Actress-turned-politician Urmila Matondkar, Congress candidate from Mumbai North, has disclosed Rs 28.28 crore worth investment in shares, bonds and mutual funds and PMS (portfolio management service) investments worth about Rs 6 crore, but the individual stocks/units were not disclosed. Jaya Prada, another former actress and the BJP candidate from Rampur in Uttar Pradesh, has also disclosed investments in some listed companies such as Energy Development Company Ltd (which has got her political mentor Amar Singh as a promoter), Coal India, HDFC Bank, ITC, MCX and Reliance Industries. Actor-politician Raj Babbar, the Congress candidate from Fatehpur Sikri, has investments in IL&FS Transportation Networks Ltd. Among other Uttar Pradesh candidates, Union minister and BJP leader Satyapal Singh has disclosed investments worth Rs 1.5 lakh in mutual funds and bonds in his name and some equity shares held by his spouse including of Reliance Capital and Reliance Industries. Another union minister V K Singh and his spouse have also invested in various mutual funds. With radicalisation in Kerala and Colombo bombings, South India is a ticking time bomb India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Apr 29: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) says that there is no direct link with the Islamic State operatives of Kerala and those part of the Sri Lanka bombings. However the NIA added that they were part of a same social media group, which professed radical theories. While no link between the Kerala module and the Sri Lanka bombings have been found, the danger that lurks is the common ideology and goal. Kerala has over the years become a hub for radical elements. The Kerala Salafis and the Wahhabis have all set up shop in the state. To top it, Kerala has one of the highest hawala remittances in the country, a majority of which comes in from the Gulf. When the NIA carried out raids, it had found videos of Zaharan Hashim, who is considered to be the mastermind behind the Colombo bombings. The ideology that he followed is similar to the one being followed by the Kerala Salafis. Osama Brigade: Pakistan a mischievous player in Sri Lanka's radicalisation since 1990 The Salafi preachers in Kerala are capable of extreme radicalisation. The Salafi preachers in Kerala, NJT and ISIS have all spoken the same language in which they profess about the dangers in living in a land of non-believers. There is a need to keep a distance from such persons they say. The Islamic State problem is not new for Kerala. Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials tell OneIndia that this is not an overnight problem. The Wahhabis have been in and out of the state for the past ten years now. Over a period of time, they have changed the thinking of several Muslims. In addition to this the state also has some radical groups such as the PFI, which have only added to the problem. The ISIS problem was fuelled by all these developments, the IB officer also noted. Last year, nearly 20 persons went missing from Kerala. Investigations conducted by the NIA showed that all these persons had joined the Islamic State. Some had joined the outfit in Afghanistan, while others had left for Syria. Kerala ISIS sympathisers not directly involved with Colombo bombers: NIA The Sunday raid conducted by the NIA led to detention of three persons. One of those being questioned by the NIA is Riyaz Abu Bakr and the NIA alleged that he was in touch with Abdul Abdullah, the man who led the 20 persons out of the state and into ISIS territory. The NIA is questioning three persons in connection with the case, who hail from Kasargod and Palakkad. During searches, a number of digital devices including mobile phones, SIM cards, memory cards, pen drives, diaries with handwritten notes in Arabic and Malayalam, DVDs of Dr. Zakir Naik besides untitled DVDs, CDs with religious speeches, books of Dr Zakir Naik and Syed Kutheb have been seized from their residences, the NIA had said in a release on Sunday. Zakir Naik a centric figure for every Islamic State recruit in India, abroad India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Apr 29: The raids conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in various places in Kerala have led to the seizure of Zakir Naik related literature. This is however not for the first time that literature relating to the controversial Islamic preacher, Zakir Naik has been seized. The fugitive who is in Malaysia has had his name taken several times in the past by radical elements. He has however maintained that he has nothing to do with these incidents and India is indulging in a witch-hunt against him. In the Kerala Islamic State case, his name has cropped in the past as well. The raids that were conducted on Sunday are related to the same case and the NIA has learnt that the members of this module were on the same social media group that the terrorists who undertook the Sri Lanka blasts were. The NIA has however said that it found no direct link between the Kerala module and the one in Sri Lanka. ISIS Kasargod case: NIA questioning 3 suspects, Zakir Naik speeches seized Last year, the NIA arrested Nashidul Hamzafar a 26 year old management student from Wayanad in Kerala. He was the first ISIS recruit from Kerala to be deported from Afghanistan. During his interrogation, he details the role played by Islamic preachers such as Naik and what sort of an influence they had on him, which ultimately prompted him to join the ISIS. Hamzafar says that he was not attracted to the ISIS ideology for long. I found them to be too brutal and the outfit only scared me, he says. My ambition was to pursue my education and find a good job in Dubai. A lot changed when one of his friends, Shihas sent him an audio clip regarding the Islamic State. My perception towards the outfit changed. Then I began listening to audios of Zakir Naik, Noman Alikhan among others. Their speeches inspired me and my approach towards life changed. Going by his statements, it becomes clear that the likes of Zakir Naik through his Islamic Research Foundation and the Kerala based Peace Educational Foundation have played a huge role in the radicalisation of youth in Kerala. Recently a Mumbai court had framed charges against Arshi Qureshi. The case relates to the indoctrination of Ashfak Majid and his associates into extreme jihadi ideology by a group of like-minded youths from Kasaragod district of Kerala. It was also stated that some members of the Zakir Naik run NGO, Islamic Research Foundation too were involved in the radicalisation process. It was further alleged that these persons had motivated the youth to join the Islamic state. Not a witch-hunt: Naik has repeatedly claimed that he is being targeted due to his religion. An NIA official however says that this is misconstrued and the agency is targeting him for acts of terror. India's Interpol move part of a larger witch hunt: Zakir Naik In a reply to the Interpol, the NIA said that he is under investigation for funding terror suspects. The NIA also pointed out that it had repeatedly sent out summons to Naik, but he has not once presented himself before the agency. The NIA also said that his passport had been revoked. Further the NIA also said that Naik's NGO Islamic Research Foundation had been banned by the Government and the same was upheld by the tribunal. He had funded a few terror suspects through his NGO and hence he needs to be questioned in that connection, the NIA also told the Interpol. Sri Lanka won't be allowed to be used for 'any activity' against India: President Rajapaksa Days after deadly bombings, Sri Lanka warns of more attacks International oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa Colombo, Apr 29: Barely a week after suicide bombers struck Sri Lanka, the authorities have warned of more attacks. The warning issued by the ministerial security division has said that there could be more attacks and hence security must be at the highest alert levels. Further it also said that terrorists disguised in military uniforms could carry out the attack. Osama Brigade: Pakistan a mischievous player in Sri Lanka's radicalisation since 1990 The alert comes after Sri Lanka lifted curfew for the first time on Sunday since the attacks took place. The alert stated that the terrorists of the National Towheed Jamath and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim could look to strike at Batticaloa. It may be recalled that 27 persons had died here last week after a church was attacked. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, April 29, 2019, 16:49 [IST] First anniversary of Modi-Xi Wuhan summit celebrated with 'colours of India' week International pti-PTI Beijing, Apr 29: India and China on Monday kicked off the first anniversary of the landmark "informal summit" between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Wuhan, which was largely credited to have improved the bilateral ties after the Doklam standoff, by holding a week-long India festival in the central Chinese city. To commemorate the first anniversary of the Modi-Xi talks held on April 27-28, 2018, India launched "Colours of India" week in Wuhan during which dance performances, movie screenings, photo exhibitions and other business and tourism promotion events will be organised. The programme was inaugurated by Indian Ambassador to China Vikram Misri and Deputy Mayor of Wuhan, Chen Xiexin. It is being jointly organised by Embassy of India, Beijing and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi in association with the Hubei Provincial Government and Wuhan Municipal Government and supported by the China Arts Association, a statement from Indian Embassy here said. The festival also included photo exhibitions on the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi; Buddhist heritage sites of India along with Buddhist-themed sculptures by renowned Indian photographer Benoy Behl. It also showcases the worldwide celebration of International Day of Yoga. An Indian film festival will be held as part of the celebrations during which five popular Indian movies, each one representing a specific genre, including romance, comedy, action thriller, adventure and drama, will be screened. The inaugural film will be the romantic movie Badrinath ki Dulhaniya starring Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt. A business event involving local Chinese companies will be held on April 30 to encourage Hubei business leaders to invest in India and explore opportunities with Indian IT companies and local Chinese industries. A Cooperation Framework Agreement between Indian company Zeta-V and Wuhan Software Association will be signed at the business event on April 30 to explore mutually beneficial cooperation in the IT sector. A presentation on Sino- Indian Digital Cooperative Plaza (SIDCOP) will also be made at the event. A tourism promotion roadshow is scheduled to be held on April 30 for deepening people-to-people exchanges between the two countries by introducing the unique experiences India offers as a tourist destination to Chinese travellers. As part of his visit to Wuhan for the India Week, Misri held consultations with Jiang Chaoliang, the ruling Communist Party Secretary of Hubei on Monday. The Wuhan summit was largely credited to have turned around the bilateral relations soured by the 73-day-long Doklam standoff, triggered by Chinese troops attempts to build a road close to Indian border in an area also claimed by Bhutan in 2017. India had objected to it as it came close to key highway connecting with North Eastern states. The standoff ended after Chinese troops halted plans to build the road. After the Wuhan summit, both the countries stepped up efforts to improve relations on different spheres including the military to military ties. Modi and Xi issued strategic guidance to their militaries to strengthen communications to build trust and understanding, a move aimed at avoiding a Doklam-like situation in the future. China said Xi will visit India to hold second informal summit after the general elections in India. PTI XAT 2022 admit card to be released today: Check website and steps to download Massive fire at chemical factory in Delhi's Naraina New Delhi oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Apr 29: A massive fire broke out at a chemical factory located in Naraina Industrial area of west Delhi's on Monday afternoon. The fire broke out at three storey building of chemical factory located behind Payal Cinema at 11.37 a.m. The reason of fire is yet to be ascertained. No casualties have been reported as yet and efforts are on to douse the blaze, according to fire officials. More than 30 fire tenders have rushed to the spot. MP: Fire breaks out in canteen at Gwalior railway station BJP lawmaker Meenakshi Lekhi alleged that no water hydrants were installed in the property. "Sad to learn about the fire outbreak in Naraina. Spoke to Atul Garg, Fire Officer about the situation. Incredibly, no water hydrants were installed contrary to what was proudly declared during the CW Games. Praying for everyone's safety," Lekhi said. When it comes to the world of investments, there are lots of assets and markets to consider. From the ever-popular stock market to the huge FX market, you are never short of places to put your money to work. This is not even taking into account the many other assets you could invest in from fine wine to classic cars, bonds, ETFs and beyond! However, if you fancy taking a step off the beaten track somewhat, then investing in online casinos may be worth a thought. The online gambling market is huge now with an annual global turnover of over $50bn in 2018. Playing slot or casino games online has become very popular with many players now, which has in turn boosted the sector and the casino sites that operate in it. As an investor, this alone catches the attention as it is clear that there is enough cash in the sector to potentially make money on any investment. Is it really worth risking some of your capital to invest into an online casino site though? Here are a few reasons why it could make perfect sense. Potential for future growth Of course, any savvy UK investors will want to see where the whole online gambling sector may head next before investing any money. After all, it is no good buying shares in an online casino now if the market has reached its peak! However, all the noises around online casino sites and online gambling are positive for the future. Indeed, many industry experts believe that the annual global revenue within the sector will rise to over $90bn by 2024. This shows that there appears to lots of room for future growth if you were to invest in an online casino now. Cool way to diversify Most investors will know the old adage about keeping a diverse portfolio to spread their risk. Investing in a reputable online casino operator is the ideal way to do this and move some of your money into a different sector. Finding something like online gambling to invest in is also a bit more interesting to keep an eye on and research than traditional stocks or bonds. All in all, many investors may find this form of investment worthwhile to pique their interest and help maintain a well-structured portfolio. Lots of choice One really great thing about investing in this area is the amount of choice you have. There are lots of online casinos around now that you could buy shares in or invest directly into. Compared to having to hunt around for investment opportunities in other sectors, it is much easier to find online casinos that look worth a shot. Casino.com is a great example of one such respected and well-known online operator. As always, it is vital to do your homework first so that you know the state of the company you may choose to invest in. A quick initial way is to look at online reviews for the casino you might be considering the casino.com review on this page shows just what kind of important information can be found. New markets could be about to blow For a long time, online gambling in the US was illegal in most states. There have been recent law changes there though, which has seen certain states such as New Jersey being allowed to offer online gambling to its residents. Many believe that more and more US states will follow New Jerseys path, which could open up a huge new market for online casino sites and their investors to take advantage of. Investing now as new markets such as this emerge could pay off handsomely if the online casino that you invest in plays it right. Online gambling and casinos worth a look Naturally, any investment you decide to take on should be done with the necessary due diligence and attention to detail. It would certainly seem, however. that the signs and figures around the online casino operators and online gambling sector are generally positive. With cutting-edge technology and games attracting new players to sites all the time, many savvy investors could well choose now to enter this market themselves. As more players gamble online at the casino sites, more revenue is made, which will then only benefit those who have invested in them. If you are searching for an exciting new market to invest in that offers something a little different from others, then online casinos could well be something to think about carefully. SPECIFIC government authorities are closing in on an alleged human organ smuggling syndicate operating in Port Moresby and the country.Social media has been inundated by news of human organ smuggling by people especially in Port Moresby, which police have said was not confirmed as yet.But yesterday Labour Minister Mehrra Minchi Kipefa confirmed that his department was investigating an alleged human organ smuggler from the region.Mr Kipefa also stressed that the government needed to legislate as soon as possible the kidnap crime and tough penalties to bedrawn.A foreigner of (known) origin was alleged to be involved and is a sponsor to buy human organs and we are closing in now on his identity, he said..meanwhile we need to legislate as soon as possible on this kidnap crime and tough penalty must be drawn now.Newly appointed Attorney General Alfred Manase said he would get his department to look into the matter immediately.He thanked Mr Kipefa for his response on the on-going debate on social media forums and said this will be looked at.I will get the department to look into it immediately as well, Manasseh said.Over the last couple of weeks, the whole of PNG has taken to social media talking about kidnapping of young girls especially in Port Moresby with widespread appeal for all families to keep their girlssafe.But police yesterday said to date they have no statistics and database of kidnap activities reported to any police station in the city, and have appealed for relatives of victims to report to police and not on social mediums.There is a worldwide market for these organs, especially kidneys, hearts and other organs and many are obtained illegally.It is understood government agencies have not ruled out a syndicate of such nature getting its position in PNG but nothing concrete has been reported.However, according to Mr Kipefa, a foreigner of known origin was alleged to be involved and is a sponsor to buy human organs and that his officers with other government agency involved were closing in on him.The countrys spy office has also said that they were also looking at this seriously.Statement vis Post courier The Democratic Coalition for Advancement Government (DCAG) is still to make a stand to switch from Republic of China (Taiwan) to China. This came after a lot of talks that Solomon Islands may switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China.Newly elected Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare told the media recently that a decision on this diplomatic switch can only be made through discussion within the coalition.Sogavare said at the moment the status quo is still being maintained.He said this is something they will continue to develop and see how they benefit from the relationship.At this time, theres nothing in place. We are aware, so many talks are going on, we will discuss through coalition and see the position of new government at an appropriate time, he said.Solomon Islands has diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan) since 1983.Both countries maintain resident diplomatic missions in their respective capitals namely Honiara and Taipei.On the other hand, Sogavare said he still maintains his stand as former chairman of Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) for the rights of West Papua.He said MSG is fighting for the rights of Melanesian states.As we know New Caledonia is still going. At the end of the day, if people of New Caledonia decide to stay with France, so be it, he said.Sogavare said this is same with West Papua, if Melanesians rights are respected, so who are we to talk about rights of West Papua.Unfortunately, thats not the way in West Papua, atrocities are still committed there.It was a sad story that 600,000 Melanesians died when they wanted to talk about their rights and were suppressed, he said.However, Sogavare said if the MSG approach hits a brick wall, then there should be a friendly approach to address issues with West Papua.We need to actively engage with Indonesia.I had a call with Indonesia Embassy in Port Moresby. Iam looking forward to the friendly dialogue, consultation and talk about these issues as friendly neighbour that we have in our region, he added.SOURCE: ISLAND SUN/PACNEWS Laxman Pai, Opalesque Asia: As financial markets responded favorably to the US Federal Reserve's shift away from its monetary tightening bias during Q1, the Hennessee Hedge Fund Index gained +0.43% for the month (+5.70% YTD). Most economic indicators remained tepid, although China displayed some initial signs of stabilizing activity. The mature global business cycle continues to warrant smaller cyclical allocation tilts and the prioritization of portfolio diversification. In a reversal from the sharp downturn in Q4 2018, prices for riskier assets posted substantial gains during Q1 2019. Global equity markets rallied, with the US leading the way. High-yield corporate bonds and commodities also rebounded. US Treasury bond yields continued their descent, boosting returns to high-quality bonds and solidifying positive results across all major asset categories. The 10-year Treasury bond yields fell below 3-month Treasuries, inverting the yield curve. Globally, government bond yields continued to decline, with 10-year yields in Germany and Japan revisiting negative territory. Top three strategies for the month - Healthcare, Asia Pacific and Technology The top three strategies for the month were Healthcare and Biotech (+1.92%), Asia Pacific (+1.83%) and Technology (+1.70%). While, the bottom three strategies for the month were Emerging Markets (-1.23%), Short Biased (-1.15%) and Latin America (+0.79%). For the year, Healthcare ...................... To view our full article Click here . , . 10.00 . : - - - - , ... Triazine Biocide Market Profitable Key Business Trends Growth Rate and Forecasts to 2023 Stepan, Troy, Clariant, Lonza Triazine Biocide Market https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/52906-global-triazine-biocide-market https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/enquiry-before-buy/52906-global-triazine-biocide-market https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/reports/52906-global-triazine-biocide-market https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/buy-now?format=1&report=52906 https://www.linkedin.com/company/advance-market-analytics https://www.facebook.com/AMA-Research-Media-LLP-344722399585916 https://twitter.com/amareport The Triazine based Biocide is a highly active bactericide/bacteriostat and fungistat containing Triazine as the active ingredient. It is used to control bacterial/fungal growth or contamination. It provides control of aerobic/sulfate-reducing bacteria and production of acid gases due to bacterial growth.Advance Market Analytics published a new research publication on "Global Triazine Biocide Market Insights, to 2025" with 187 pages and enriched with self-explained Tables and charts in presentable format. In the Study you will find new evolving Trends, Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities generated by targeting market stakeholders. The growth of the Triazine Biocide market is mainly driven by the increasing R&D spending across the world. Some of the key players profiled in the study are Troy Corporation (United States), Stepan (United States), Clariant (Switzerland), BASF (Germany), Luoyang Fansun Chemicals Co., Ltd (China), Chemiteq ltd (United Kingdom), Thor Group (United Kingdom), Dow Chemical (United States), Ecolab (United States) and Lonza (Switzerland).Scope of the Report of Triazine BiocideGet Free Exclusive PDF Sample Copy of This Research @Market Drivers Increased Water Treatment Process UnitsMarket Trend Rapid Use of Triazine Biocide for Water TreatmentsRestraints Increased Resistance of the Bacteria/FungiOpportunities The Emerging Demand from Developed As Well As Developing NationsThe Triazine Biocide Market report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, geography segment, end use/application segment and competitor segment and manufacturing technology. Then, the report explores the international major industry players in detail.According to the Regional Segmentation the Triazine Biocide Market provides the Information covers following regions:*North America*South America*Asia & Pacific*Europe*MEA (Middle East and Africa)The key countries in each region are taken into consideration as well, such as United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Germany, United Kingdom (UK), the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Turkey, Russia, France, Poland, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, India, Australia and New Zealand etc.Have Any Questions Regarding Global Triazine Biocide Market Report, Ask Our Experts@The titled segments and sub-section of the market are illuminated below:The Study Explore the Product Types of Triazine Biocide Market: Content 78.5%, Content below 78.5%Key Applications/end-users of Global Triazine Biocide Market: Papermaking, Metalworking Cutting Fluids, Gas/Oil Drilling Muds/Packer Fluids, Industrial Adhesives, OthersTop Players in the Market are: Troy Corporation (United States), Stepan (United States), Clariant (Switzerland), BASF (Germany), Luoyang Fansun Chemicals Co., Ltd (China), Chemiteq ltd (United Kingdom), Thor Group (United Kingdom), Dow Chemical (United States), Ecolab (United States) and Lonza (Switzerland).List of players also available in Coverage: Buckman (United States) , Melzer Chemicals Pvt Ltd (India)Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @Strategic Points Covered in Table of Content of Global Triazine Biocide Market:Chapter 1: Introduction, market driving force product Objective of Study and Research Scope the Triazine Biocide marketChapter 2: Exclusive Summary the basic information of the Triazine Biocide Market.Chapter 3: Displaying the Market Dynamics- Drivers, Trends and Challenges of the Triazine BiocideChapter 4: Presenting the Triazine Biocide Market Factor Analysis Porters Five Forces, Supply/Value Chain, PESTEL analysis, Market Entropy, Patent/Trademark Analysis.Chapter 5: Displaying the by Type, End User and Region 2013-2018Chapter 6: Evaluating the leading manufacturers of the Triazine Biocide market which consists of its Competitive Landscape, Peer Group Analysis, BCG Matrix & Company ProfileChapter 7: To evaluate the market by segments, by countries and by manufacturers with revenue share and sales by key countries in these various regions.Chapter 8 & 9: Displaying the Appendix, Methodology and Data SourceFinally, Triazine Biocide Market is a valuable source of guidance for individuals and companies.Research Methodology: The top-down and bottom-up approaches are used to estimate and validate the size of the global Triazine Biocide market. In order to reach an exhaustive list of functional and relevant players who offer Triazine Biocide various industry classification standards are closely followed such as NAICS, ICB, SIC to penetrate deep in important geographies. Thereafter, a thorough validation test is conducted to reach most relevant players specifically having product line i.e. Triazine Biocide. In order to make priority list sorting is done based on revenue generation as per latest reporting with the help of paid databases such as Factiva, Bloomberg etc. Finally the questionnaire is set and specifically designed to address all the necessities for primary data collection after getting prior appointment. This helps us to gather the data for the players revenue, profit, products, growth etc. Almost 80% of data is collected through primary medium and further validation is done through various secondary sources that includes Regulators, World Bank, Association, Company Website, Annual reports, press releases etc.Buy the Latest Detailed Report @Key questions answered Who are the Leading key players and what are their Key Business plans in the Triazine Biocide market? What are the key concerns of the five forces analysis of the Triazine Biocide market? What are different prospects and threats faced by the dealers in the Triazine Biocide market? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?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 Author:Advance Market Analytics is Global leaders of Market Research Industry provides the quantified B2B research to Fortune 500 companies on high growth emerging opportunities which will impact more than 80% of worldwide companies' revenues.Our Analyst is tracking high growth study with detailed statistical and in-depth analysis of market trends & dynamics that provide a complete overview of the industry. We follow an extensive research methodology coupled with critical insights related industry factors and market forces to generate the best value for our clients. We Provides reliable primary and secondary data sources, our analysts and consultants derive informative and usable data suited for our clients business needs. The research study enable clients to meet varied market objectives a from global footprint expansion to supply chain optimization and from competitor profiling to M&As.Contact Us:Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager)AMA Research & Media LLPUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA 08837Phone: +1 (206) 317 1218sales@advancemarketanalytics.comConnect with us at Smart Home Market expanding at a CAGR of 24.6% during period 2018-2023 | SWOT Analysis By Major Players Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Whirlpool Corporation, Haier Corporation, Amazon.com Inc. Smart Home Market, Smart Home Market Outlook, Smart Home Market Size, Smart Home Industry Growth, Smart Home Market Share https://www.worldwidemarketreports.com/sample/262580 https://www.worldwidemarketreports.com/quiry/262580 https://www.worldwidemarketreports.com/discount/262580 New Statistical Research for Smart Home Market expanding at a CAGR of 24.6% during period 2018-2023 | SWOT Analysis By Major Players Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Whirlpool Corporation, Haier Corporation, Amazon.com Inc. Smart homes are residences with internet-connected devices that monitor and control lighting, heating and cooling systems, and security cameras, among others. Home automation technology enables homeowners to control smart appliances using their smartphones or other networking devices. Smart home devices are also beneficial for the elderly monitoring and assisting them without the need for 24/7 home care.The global smart home market is expected to reach a value of USD 151 Bn by 2023, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.6% during the 2018-2023 period. The growth of the smart home market is due to the rapid adoption by consumers for convenience, advanced safety and security systems, and the growing need for connectivity.The Smart Home market research report displays the latest industry insights with future trends and analysis of the products and services, enabling you to deeply penetrate the market with high profitability. It also makes you aware of the leading competitors influencing the Smart Home market along with the key factors to help you sustain your products or services with better forecast of demand and growth opportunities.Request a sample PDF of Smart Home Market Research Report 2019 @ By Top manufacturers/players:1. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.2. Whirlpool Corporation3. Haier Corporation4. Amazon.com Inc.5. Google Inc.6. ADT Inc.7. Honeywell International Inc.8. Osram Licht Group9. Philips10. LG Electronics Inc.Points Covered in The Smart Home Research Report:The points that are discussed within the report are the major Smart Home market players that are involved in the market such as manufacturers, raw material suppliers, equipment suppliers, end users, traders, distributors and etc.The complete profile of the companies is mentioned. And the capacity, production, price, revenue, cost, gross, gross margin, sales volume, sales revenue, consumption, growth rate, import, export, supply, future strategies, and the technological developments that they are making are also included within the report. The historical data from 2012 to 2018 and forecast data from 2019 to 2023.The growth factors of the market is discussed in detail wherein the different end users of the market are explained in detail.Data and information by manufacturer, by region, by type, by application and etc, and custom research can be added according to specific requirements.The report contains the SWOT analysis of the Smart Home market. Finally, the report contains the conclusion part where the opinions of the industrial experts are included.Smart Home Market Research Report 2019 Inquire Before Buy@Technology Segment Insights:Although the wireless technology segment held the largest market share of nearly 95.4% in 2018, the cellular network technology segment is expected to witness the highest growth rate (34.7%) through the forecast period. This growth in cellular network technologies is associated with the advent of 5G technology, owing to its high transmission rates, efficiency and speed. Proactive telecom equipment manufacturers are making significant investments in 5G research and patent development-related projects, which will help shape a self-sustained 5G environment across the globe. Moreover, rising income, an increasing aging population, and government initiatives for smart cities have positively impacted the growth of the smart home market. Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers: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)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you required.The Smart Home research report completely covers the vital statistics of the capacity, production, value, cost/profit, supply/demand import/export, further divided by company and country, and by application/type for best possible updated data representation in the figures, tables, pie chart, and graphs. The statistical analysis, the report depicts the global total market of Smart Home Industry including capacity, production, production value, cost/profit, supply/demand import/export. The total market is further divided by company, by country, and by application/type for the competitive landscape analysis.Request for Discount@Key Reasons to Purchase: To gain insightful analyses of the Smart Home market and have comprehensive understanding of the global market and its commercial landscape. Assess the production processes, major issues, and solutions to mitigate the development risk. To understand the most affecting driving and restraining forces in the market and its impact in the global Smart Home market. Learn about the market strategies that are being adopted by leading respective organizations. To understand the future outlook and prospects for the Smart Home market. Besides the standard structure reports, we also provide custom research according to specific requirements.About Us:Worldwide Market Reports is your one-stop repository of detailed and in-depth market research reports compiled by an extensive list of publishers from across the globe. We offer reports across virtually all domains and an exhaustive list of sub-domains under the sun. The in-depth market analysis by some of the most vastly experienced analysts provide our diverse range of clients from across all industries with vital decision making insights to plan and align their market strategies in line with current market trends. Worldwide Market Researchs well-researched inputs that encompass domains ranging from IT to healthcare enable our prized clients to capitalize upon key growth opportunities and shield against credible threats prevalent in the market in the current scenario and those expected in the near future.Mr. ShahWorldwide Market ReportsTel: +1 415 871 0703Email: sales@worldwidemarketreports.com Global Event Logistics Market Insights, Industry Player (Agility, DB Schenker, DHL International GmbH, Kuehne + Nagel), Key County Analysis (North America, United States, Europe, Japan, India) and Forecast 2019-2025 Market Research Hub https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=2281002 https://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/global-event-logistics-market-size-status-and-forecast-2019-2025-report.html This research report titled Global Event Logistics Market Size, Status and Forecast 2019-2025 has been added to the wide online database managed by Market Research Hub (MRH). The study discusses the prime market growth factors along with future projections expected to impact the Event Logistics Market during the period between 2019 and 2025. The concerned sector is analyzed based on different market factors including drivers, restraints and opportunities in order to enlighten the readers about the actual scenario prevailing in the Event Logistics Market.Get Sample Copy of This Report @In 2018, the global Event Logistics market size was million US$ and it is expected to reach million US$ by the end of 2025, with a CAGR of during 2019-2025.This report focuses on the global Event Logistics status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players. The study objectives are to present the Event Logistics development in United States, Europe and China.The key players covered in this studyAgilityDB SchenkerDHL International GmbHKuehne + NagelRhenus LogisticsUPSACME Global LogisticsAllseas Global LogisticsAMR GroupCharles KendallChaucer Logistics GroupDMS Global Event LogisticsEFI LogisticsMothers & SonsPyramid LogisticsSenator InternationalServicing International Trade Events (SITE)SOS Global ExpressMarket segment by Type, the product can be split intoInventory ManagementDelivery SystemsFreight ForwardingOtherMarket segment by Application, split intoEntertainmentSportsTrade FairOtherMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaCentral & South AmericaBROWSE Full Report NOW @Table of Contents1 Report Overview1.1 Study Scope1.2 Key Market Segments1.3 Players Covered1.4 Market Analysis by Type1.4.1 Global Event Logistics Market Size Growth Rate by Type (2014-2025)1.4.2 Inventory Management1.4.3 Delivery Systems1.4.4 Freight Forwarding1.4.5 Other1.5 Market by Application1.5.1 Global Event Logistics Market Share by Application (2014-2025)1.5.2 Entertainment1.5.3 Sports1.5.4 Trade Fair1.5.5 Other1.6 Study Objectives1.7 Years Considered2 Global Growth Trends2.1 Event Logistics Market Size2.2 Event Logistics Growth Trends by Regions2.2.1 Event Logistics Market Size by Regions (2014-2025)2.2.2 Event Logistics Market Share by Regions (2014-2019)2.3 Industry Trends2.3.1 Market Top Trends2.3.2 Market Drivers2.3.3 Market Opportunities3 Market Share by Key Players3.1 Event Logistics Market Size by Manufacturers3.1.1 Global Event Logistics Revenue by Manufacturers (2014-2019)3.1.2 Global Event Logistics Revenue Market Share by Manufacturers (2014-2019)3.1.3 Global Event Logistics Market Concentration Ratio (CR5 and HHI)3.2 Event Logistics Key Players Head office and Area Served3.3 Key Players Event Logistics Product/Solution/Service3.4 Date of Enter into Event Logistics Market3.5 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion PlansMore Information@@@About Market Research HubMarket Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports of different sector like software market research and analysis. MRHs expansive collection of industry reports has been carefully curated to help key personnel and decision makers across industry verticals to clearly visualize their operating environment and take strategic steps.MRH functions as an integrated platform for the following products and services: Objective and sound market forecasts, qualitative and quantitative analysis, incisive insight into defining industry trends, and market share estimates. Our reputation lies in delivering value and world-class capabilities to our clients.Contact Us90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email: press@marketresearchhub.com Pharmaceutical Grade Starch Market 2019 | World Market Analysis 2025 | Market Leaders Visco Starch, Patheon, Sigma-Aldrich, Bosida, Dongkangyuan Chemical Corp Pharmaceutical Grade Starch Market https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/requested_sample/111965 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/enquiry_before_buying/111965 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/requested_sample/111965 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/request_for_discount/111965 www.upmarketresearch.com As per the latest research study published by Up Market Research, Global Pharmaceutical Grade Starch Market is estimated to grow at a healthy CAGR % in the coming years. The research report showcases qualitative and quantitative estimations by the industry analysts. The report documents first-hand data, post verification from the industry experts along with each industry manufacturers by the market valuation. Pharmaceutical Grade Starch Market report also gives an extensive analysis of market share, latest industry trends and forecast data analysis with respect to sales revenue, market growth, and demand and supply scenario.Request Free Sample Copy Of this Report @Furthermore, the report also evaluates the key opportunities available in the market and outlines the factors that are and will be driving the expansion of the industry. Growth of the Global Pharmaceutical Grade Starch Market has been forecasted for the time period 2019-2025, taking into consideration the previous sales patterns, the market growth drivers, current and future trends specific to particular regions and globally.This research study also presents the market competition landscape and a corresponding detailed analysis of the major vendor/manufacturers in the market.The key manufacturers covered in this report:Visco StarchPatheonSigma-AldrichBosidaDongkangyuan Chemical CorpParamesu BiotechNew Priti Itradeimex Pvt. LtdVijay Chemical IndustryUniversal Starch-Chem Allied LtdSLV EnterpriseAnil LimitedSanstar Biopolymers LtdWeifang Shengtai Medicine Co., LtdThis report provides the details about the global as well as regional volume, market share, size and gross margin of the competitor companies. It also analyzes noteworthy trends, emerging value of CAGR and present as well as future developments in the industry.Pharmaceutical Grade Starch Market report also provides a realistic valuation of the region specific market and offers a place for key contributors to find potential regional growth opportunities.Region wise analyses of the top producers and consumers, focus on product capacity, production, value, consumption, market share and growth opportunity in below mentioned key regions; North America - U.S., Canada, Mexico Europe - U.K., France, Italy, Germany, Russia, Spain etc. Asia-Pacific - China, Japan, India, Southeast Asia etc. South America - Brazil, Argentina etc. Middle East & Africa - Saudi Arabia, African countries etc.For More Information On This Report, Please Visit @By product type Segmentation: data from 2014 to 2019; and forecast to 2025I.P. Grade StarchB.P. Grade StarchBy application Segmentation: data from 2014 to 2019; and forecast to 2025Preparation of Vitamin-C AntibioticsFiller in Pill & CapsulesCoat Bitter Tasting PillsTablet BlinderRequest Free Sample Copy Of this Report @Research objectives and Reason to procure this report: To study and analyze the global consumption (value & volume) by key regions/countries, product type and application, history data from 2014 to 2018, and forecast to 2025. To understand the structure of Pharmaceutical Grade Starch Market by identifying its various subsegments. To better understand the industry leaders/manufacturers, by outlining and analyzing their sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in the near future. To receive comprehensive information about the key factors influencing the market growth (opportunities, drivers, industry-specific challenges and risks). To analyze competitive developments such as expansions, agreements, new product launches, and acquisitions, mergers in the market. To strategically outline the key players in the market and extensively analyze their growth strategies.Avail Discount On this Report @All possible factors that can influence the market are already included in this research study and have been accounted for, evaluated in detail, verified through extensive primary/secondary research, and investigated to get the concluding quantitative and qualitative data. The market size for key players and sub-segments is normalized, and the effect of inflation, economic downturns, along with regulatory & policy changes or other factors are accounted for in the market forecast. This data is collated and added with detailed inputs and analysis from Up Market Research and presented in this exclusive report.About UpMarketResearch:The UpMarketResearch () is a leading distributor of market research report with more than 800+ global clients. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well- defined we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Contact Info:Name: Alex MathewsEmail: Alex@upmarketresearch.comOrganization: UpMarketResearchAddress: 500 East E Street, Ontario, CA 91764, United States. Somerhalder, Parrilla, McKenzie, Baccarin Headline Roster At Wizard World Philadelphia, June 13-16 Morena Baccarin http://wizd.me/PhiladelphiaPR www.wizardworld.com www.wizardworld.com http://www.wizardworld.com/comiccon Once Upon a Time stars Lana Parrilla, Rebecca Mader and Jared Gilmore, Gotham standouts Ben McKenzie and Morena Baccarin, The Vampire Diaries headliner Ian Somerhalder and the Supergirl tandem of Mehcad Brooks and Jeremy Jordan are among the early wave of celebrities scheduled to attend the 19th annual Wizard World Philadelphia, June 13-16 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.Other stars scheduled to appear include the Charmed trio of Holly Marie Combs, Brian Krause and Drew Fuller, The Magicians duo of Hale Appelman and Stella Maeve, Sean Maher (Firefly, Serenity), The Firefly trio of Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite and Sean Maher, Kevin Conroy (Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League), RWBY stars Lindsay Jones, Kara Eberle, Arryn Zech and Barbara Dunkleman, Chris Owen (American Pie franchise) and Thomas Ian Nicholas (Rookie of the Year, American Pie).Some of the worlds most talented creators populate Artist Alley at Wizard World. Top writers and artists scheduled to attend are Kurt Lehner (Gargoyles, Marvel Action Hour), Jeremy Clark ("Grimm Fairy Tales," "Day of the Dead"), Josh Lyman (Voltron Force United, Drawn), Carl Potts (Alien Legion, Venom), Thomas Estrada (Disney, DreamWorks), Tim Lattie (Ghostbusters, WWE), Jai Nitz (El Diablo, Fu Jitsu), Mostafa Moussa (Superman, Fantastic Four), Joe Wos (Mazetoons), Mike Watson (Freestyle Komics, UpperDeck), Jen Taylor (Sid the Science Kid, Victoria Beckhams Target line) and more.Wizard World Philadelphia will also feature non-stop live entertainment hosted by Kato Kaelin, gaming, exclusive Q&A sessions with top celebrities, movie screenings hosted by stars and directors and more. Details to follow soon, along with programming and entertainment stage schedules.Wizard World events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop culture: movies, television, gaming, live entertainment, comics, sci-fi, graphic novels, toys, original art, collectibles, contests and more. The seventh event scheduled on the 2019 Wizard World calendar, Philadelphia show hours are Thursday, June 13, 4-9 p.m.; Friday, June 14, noon-7 p.m.; Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, June 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Kids 10 and under are admitted free with paid adult.Wizard World Philadelphia is also the place for cosplay, with fans young and old showing off their best costumes throughout the event. Fans dressed as every imaginable character and some never before dreamed will roam the convention floor and participate in the famed Wizard World Costume Contest on Saturday evening.For more on the 2019 Wizard World Philadelphia, visitAbout Wizard Entertainment, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD)Wizard Entertainment, Inc. () produces comic, gaming and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop culture: movies, television, gaming, live entertainment, tech, comics, sci-fi, graphic novels, toys, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming and entertainment takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A's, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard Entertainment has also teamed with Sony Pictures Entertainment to find the next generation of movies as well as to engage in a number of strategic initiatives. Additional initiatives may include an augmented touring schedule of Wizard World shows, fixed-site installations, curated e-commerce, and the production and distribution of content both in the U.S. and internationally. Fans can interact with Wizard Entertainment atand on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and other social media services.The 2019 Wizard World convention schedule is available at:662 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 300Los Angeles, CA 90045 Cosmetic Implants Market Present Scenario and Growth Prospects Explore By Top Key Players Aesthetic and Reconstructive Technologies (AART) Inc., GC Aesthetics, Dentsply International Inc., Sientra Inc Cosmetic Implants https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/537 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/537 Cosmetic Implants are substances placed under the skin or over the body to modify the beauty and physical appearance of an individual. Cosmetic implants are the specially designed medical devices which help individuals regain their appearance and aesthetically replace their damaged body parts after suffering from trauma or accidents. The implants can be placed subdermal or transdermal according to the type of surgical procedure. Cosmetic implants are prosthetics attempted to bring the desired portion of the body back to an acceptable aesthetic norm. Cosmetic implants have a wide applications in cosmetic industry providing higher psychological satisfaction to the people for decorative purposes. Tumor removal, laceration repair, maxillofacial surgery, scar revision and hand surgery are the common reconstruction procedures done by cosmetic implants. Breast augmentation continues to be the leading surgery technique while buttock augmentation, lower body lift and breast lift have shown rapid growth.Request For Sample Copy of This Research @The exponential surge for cosmetic surgeries is expected to fuel growth of the global cosmetic implants marketAccording to the International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeons (ISAPS) 2013, around 23 million individuals underwent surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures globally. The key drivers are technological advancements such as injectable fillers and gummy bear breast implants, emerging minimally invasive reconstruction surgeries, rising number of tooth deformities, congenital face disorders and increasing awareness of aesthetic appearance. Biological cosmetic implant is a highly profitable segment owing to the health benefits of biological materials over synthetic materials. Also, the demand for polymer implant devices, demand for aesthetic procedures, emergence of innovative products like two form-stable silicone gel breast implants and hyaluronic acid facial filler are expected to boost the global cosmetic implants market in the forecast period. Rising awareness about safe inserts by empowering the female population to make wellness oriented decisions post breast cancer diagnosis will eventually impact the cosmetic implant market size.Increasing awareness of aesthetic appearance with minimally invasive surgeries dominates North America in cosmetic implants marketRegional segmentation of the global cosmetic implants market by Coherent Market Insights comprises North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East and Africa. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, an estimated 15.9 million surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures were performed in 2015 where breast augmentation is the most common surgical cosmetic procedure with 290,467 surgeries in 2016, thus dominating the demand for cosmetic implants in North America. Additionally, changing lifestyle, high economic development, larger disposable incomes and emphasis on aesthetic appeal are the key factors driving the demand for cosmetic implants in North America. Asia Pacific presents lucrative growth opportunities for players in the cosmetic implants market, with the rapid economic development, inexpensive devices and improving healthcare infrastructure.Technological innovations like 3D printed facial implants is projected to have a positive impact on cosmetic implants market growthThe key players operating the global cosmetic implants market include Aesthetic and Reconstructive Technologies (AART) Inc., GC Aesthetics, Dentsply International Inc., Sientra Inc. The microchip implants, B lite implants are 30% lighter providing higher efficiency and reduced stress on the implanted organs. Other key vendors engage in continuous innovation with research and development for sustainable growth are Zimmer Holdings Inc., 3M Health Care, Implantech Associates Inc., Nobel Biocare Holding AG and Spectrum Designs MedicalPolymer based cosmetic implants is expected to contribute for a larger market shareThe global cosmetic implants market is segmented on the basis of material, application, end user and geography.On the basis of material, the global cosmetic implants market is segmented into:MetalsPolymersCeramicsBiomaterialsOn the basis of applications, the global cosmetic implants market is segmented into:Dental Implants- Root Form- Plate FormBreast Implants- Saline-Filled- Silicone Gel-FilledFacial ImplantsOthersRequest For Customization of This 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 Jet Bridge Market Witness to Increase Capital Investment in Aircraft Industry During Forecast 2024 - John Bean Technologies Corporation, Airport Equipment, Thyssenkrupp AG, Shinmaywa Industries and others https://www.worldwidemarketreports.com/sample/260532 https://www.worldwidemarketreports.com/quiry/260532 Jet Bridge Industry Analysis:Jet Bridge also known as jet way, Aero bridge and passenger boarding bridge (PBB) having fixed as well as movable connector basically extends length and bridges gap between airplane and its terminal gate. These Aero bridge depends on plane to plane according to their height, fuel position, and many more. It improves security of passengers and make them comfort so that they can board also easy mobility with swing function drives the market.Factor acting as a restraint for market is initial cost for making jet bride is high because of high price of materials. Apart from this, with more enhancement in aerobridge system, sooner it will come up with specialized wheelchair lift for person with disability which will bring more opportunities to the market to grow in coming years.Download and Get a FREE sample Report here:Jet Bridge Current Market Scenario and Forecast:Global Jet Bridge market is expected to flourish at a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7% during the forecast period i.e. 2017-2024. The global market of Jet Bridge stood at revenue of USD 760.9 Million in 2016 and is expected to flourish at a remarkable pace and reach at a revenue of around USD 1,300 Million by the end of forecast period. Rising concern towards safety of passengers at airports, development of new airports and advancement of existing airports are major factors which are likely to drive the growth of global Jet Bridge market during the forecast period.Asia Pacific: The Largest Market for Jet BridgeMoreover, ongoing project for new airports and increasing air traffic in Asia Pacific region are propelling the demand for jet bridges at airports of this region. These are some of the major factors which are likely to make Asia Pacific the fastest growing market for jet bridge during the forecast period. Additionally, Europe region is anticipated to witness a remarkable growth over the forecast period owing to factors such as enhancement of infrastructure of existing airports coupled with growing number of passenger at the airports in this region.Besides this, the report analyzes factors affecting market from both demand and supply side and further evaluates market dynamics effecting the market during the forecast period i.e., drivers, restraints, opportunities, and future trend. The report also provides exhaustive PEST analysis for all five regions namely; North America, Europe, APAC, MEA and South America after evaluating political, economic, social and technological factors effecting the market in these regions.Also, key Jet Bridge market players influencing the market are profiled in the study along with their SWOT analysis and market strategies. The report also focuses on leading industry players with information such as company profiles, products and services offered, financial information of last 3 years, key development in past five years.Market Segmented By Target AudienceOriginal Equipment Manufacturers, Component Manufacturers, Airport Agencies, Investors, Research and Development Centers and OthersSome of the key players influencing the market are the list of companies for Jet Bridge Market are - John Bean Technologies Corporation, Airport Equipment, Thyssenkrupp AG, Shinmaywa Industries, Vataple Group, Fmt Aircraft Gate Support Systems AB, Adelte Group S.L., Hubner GmbH & Co. KG, Ameribridge, Inc. and China International Marine Containers (Group) Company Ltd. among others.Need any Customization or have any Quiry, click (our Indusrty Expert will get in touch with you soon):About Worldwide Market Reports:Worldwide Market Reports is your one-stop repository of detailed and in-depth market research reports compiled by an extensive list of publishers from across the globe. We offer reports across virtually all domains and an exhaustive list of sub-domains under the sun.Mr. ShahWorldwide Market Reports1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154,U.STel: +1 415 871 0703Email:sales@worldwidemarketreports.com A Vancouver man shot a neighbor before killing himself, a fatal escalation in what police described as an ongoing dispute. The victim was mowing his lawn Sunday afternoon in the 2800 block of N.E. 174th avenue when police said a neighbor crossed the street and shot the man before turning the gun on himself. The victim was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. He had a protective order against the man who shot him, according to the Clark County Sheriffs Office. Officials did not name either man. A neighbor told The Oregonian/OregonLive that he didnt see the shooting but heard two shots. All my neighbors are very quiet and unassuming, the neighbor said. I had no idea there was any kind of dispute. No one else was involved, but police asked witnesses to the confrontation to call Sgt. Todd Barsness at 360-397-2020. -- Elliot Njus SALEM Patrick and Kevin Francke returned Sunday to the Dome Building, where their brother, Oregon prisons chief Michael Francke, was found dead from a stab wound to the heart three decades ago. They rejoiced at the long-sought breakthrough in the case when a federal judge a little over a week ago ordered the man found guilty in the 1989 murder, Frank E. Gable, to be freed or retried. But the Francke brothers are divided on what they want to happen next. Both have been staunch defenders of Gable and believe he was wrongly convicted. Gable is serving a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Patrick Francke simply wants to see Gable, now 59, walk out of prison. If nothing ever comes of this, Michaels legacy is an innocent man was set free, said the oldest of the three brothers as he chain-smoked cigars and discussed the case on the grounds of the Oregon Department of Corrections. Theres never going to be any pursuit of this case by the state of Oregon or Marion County district attorney, said Patrick Francke. At 76, he lives in Kansas and trades and sells commercial printing equipment. The witnesses, their evidence, has gone to the winds, he said. People are dead. So thats the end of it, as far as Im concerned. Thats far from the end for Kevin Francke, the youngest brother now 65. He left his home-building business in Florida and drove 3,200 miles to Salem in 1990, diving into his own inquiry to try to learn why his brother was killed. Hes vowed to continue to push for answers. He firmly holds onto his belief that Michael Francke had uncovered corruption in the state prison system and was killed by conspirators to silence him. He remains married to the ex-girlfriend of a man he thinks was involved in the killing who is no longer alive. Theres still some warm bodies out there that shouldnt be walking around, said Kevin Francke. Patrick Francke interjects, Theres no way to prove it, I dont think. Kevin Francke said he believes with more time, someone will come forward with new information as long as the case remains in the spotlight. The two men met several times with the two Oregon assistant federal public defenders who helped petition for Gables release in federal court, handing over their own notes and information gathered over the years. On Sunday, they were being interviewed by a crew from I Heart Media, which is working to produce a 12-episode podcast called Unsolved Murder: Who Killed Michael Francke? this fall. Phil Stanford, once a columnist for The Oregonian and later the Portland Tribune who has written extensively about the Francke killing, is a writer for the podcast. I hope it makes enough people uncomfortable that somebody starts talking, Kevin Francke said. Patrick Francke is a bit more skeptical. This is just big news for 10 days, maybe, he said. I disagree, his younger brother said, shaking his head. Its got legs. It kept me going for 30 years. For the immediate future, they both are pushing for Oregons attorney general not to appeal U.S. Magistrate John V. Acostas order. Acosta found that Gables constitutional rights were violated when the trial court wouldnt allow another mans confession to the murder admitted at trial and when Gables lawyers didnt properly challenge the exclusion of the confession. Acosta also ruled that no reasonable juror could find Gable guilty of the crime, considering that eight witnesses who either said Gable killed Francke or placed him at the crime scene have since recanted their testimony. The judge further found a pattern of improper interrogations and flawed polygraphs administered during the investigation. This week, a lawyer for Patrick and Kevin Francke will reassert the brothers claim as victims in the case and their legal right to be consulted on the states actions. The Oregons Attorney General Office hasnt indicated its next step. It has 30 days from the date of Acostas opinion to file a notice with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals if it intends to challenge the judges ruling. If the state appeals and seeks to suspend Acostas ruling while the appeal is pending, the Federal Public Defenders Office is likely to object. Kevin Francke said hell be outraged if the state appeals. I will come after them with pitchforks and shovels because there is absolutely no more inhumane thing they can do, because Frank Gable is an innocent man, he said. They have no physical evidence. They have no witnesses. They dont even have circumstantial evidence. They have no case left. Patrick Francke said he wouldnt be surprised by an appeal because the case has become a cause celebre. Were still in a waiting game, he said. My guess is theyre going to drag it out. The brothers said they dont believe the man who confessed, an ex-convict named Johnny Crouse, was the killer. They believe Crouse knew the man who stabbed Michael Francke as he left work for the day. Both men questioned Crouse in the past. Patrick Francke talked to Crouse behind glass during a visit to the Oregon State Penitentiary where Crouse was serving time for another crime after Gables trial. He showed The Oregonian/OregonLive the list of questions he had jotted down on a paper he brought to the meeting. They began with Did you see Frank Gable kill Michael Francke? and ended with Who killed Michael Francke? Crouse told him that he didnt kill Michael Francke but wouldnt say who did, according to Patrick Francke. Crouse has since died. Outside the Dome building, Patrick and Kevin Francke pointed out the parking space where Michael Franckes state-issued Pontiac was found parked, its drivers door open, the night he was killed. They walked on the north portico, where their brother bled out from his wounds. They lingered by the memorial bench and plaque dedicated to Michael Francke in front of the Dome Building. This is my Flanders Field, said Kevin Francke, a reference to the World War I battlefields memorialized in the famous poem by Canadian doctor, Lt. Col. John McCrae. While Gable awaited a decision on his latest petition, Patrick and Kevin Francke were asked to halt correspondence with him. They had been keeping in touch with him by mail. In several previous letters, Gable told the brothers that hes wanted many times to give up and take his own life but decided against it, hoping for some justice for the Francke family. Three days ago, Kevin Francke received a letter from Gable written after the judges order. He said, Im scared to death because Ive been behind bars for 30 years. Where do I get a job? How do I pay the rent? He said that scares the (expletive) out of him, Kevin Francke said. Gable is now being held at a prison in Kansas. If he ever gets released, hell likely be brought back to Oregon first. About a year ago, he married a woman who lives in Kansas and intends to return to her, his sister said. Kevin Francke said, I will be there to greet him when he comes out. -- Maxine Bernstein Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. The Clark County measles outbreak is officially over, public health authorities announced Monday morning. That marks 42 days -- two cycles of a measles infection -- without a new case. The largest outbreak in the Northwest since measles was eliminated in 2000 and one of the largest in the country during a year of record-setting measles cases, the outbreak on the border cost public health authorities nearly $1 million and lasted 75 days. Between Washington and Oregon, 77 people got sick. The outbreak also forced schools to exclude unvaccinated students and teachers, disrupted local business in the Vancouver area and prompted a public health emergency declaration in Washington state. The outbreak also included two people infected in Clark County who moved to Georgia and a Vancouver-area resident who was sequestered in Hawaii when her symptoms started to show. But the bulk of the cases were concentrated in the Vancouver area, which had 71 cases. About 93 percent of those cases were in children under 18 years old. The majority of those were younger than 10. Nearly all were completely unvaccinated. One person was hospitalized during the outbreak. The outbreak began when an unvaccinated child brought measles to Clark County from Ukraine, which is in the midst of the largest global measles outbreak due to low vaccination rates. Public health officials have not determined whether that child was the one who brought measles to Clark County and set off all the other cases and officials say that they might never know. Were grateful to see this outbreak come to an end without any deaths or serious complications, said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer and public health department director. But as long as measles exists elsewhere in the world and people continue travel, were at risk of seeing another outbreak. We must improve our immunization rates to prevent future outbreaks and keep our children and other vulnerable people safe. Melnick has been outspoken about the need to raise vaccination rates in Washington, and especially Clark County. Washington will soon have a law that eliminates all but medical exemptions to the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine for all school-age children who want to attend school. Oregon is considering a broader bill that would do the same for all vaccines. Here are some statistics Clark County Public Health released about the outbreak: About 51 percent of people who contracted measles got it within their household -- meaning from a family member. 25 percent got measles from a public location, such as a grocery store, retail shop or church. Measles is spread through the air and can linger in an enclosed place for up to two hours, making an infected person in a high-trafficked place a particularly dangerous risk. 16 percent got measles from a school or child care center. Public health officials cannot determine where 7 percent of the cases came from, but said they all had the same wild European strain of measles, indicating they were linked. 4,100 people were identified as being exposed to measles during the course of the outbreak More than 800 people received daily calls from Clark County Public Health to monitor whether their exposure turned into measles Clark County schools excluded 849 unvaccinated students from school so they wouldnt catch or spread measles Health officials gave immunoglobulin -- antibodies that can help prevent measles for someone who has been exposed to the virus -- to 44 infants, pregnant women and children under 5 years old. Immunoglobulin is one of the last lines of defense for someone who is vulnerable to infection and has been exposed to measles. Receiving the MMR vaccine is another way to stave off measles, but both most be given within a week of exposure. Clark County Public Health activated its emergency response teams to the measles outbreak on Jan. 15 -- about two weeks after the first case. From there, the agency was in response mode for 63 days. More than 230 people from across the state worked on the outbreak. Gov. Jay Inslee declared a public emergency so that workers from other agencies and other states could lend resources to the response. That included 89 staff from Clark County Public Health, 57 people from the Washington Department of Health, 50 Medical Reserve Corps volunteers and three federal workers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These responders worked more than 19,000 hours on the outbreak -- 12,684 of those of Clark County Public Health staff. The final bill for Clark County Public Health came to $864,679. Staffing made up more than of that. The state of Washington surpassed $1 million total in February. Subscribe to get the Morning Briefing newsletter delivered to your email inbox weekdays at 7 a.m. Todays stories CHEAPER HOUSING: Single-room occupancy hotels, whose rooms lacked private kitchens and bathrooms, were once ubiquitous in cities. Portland wants to bring a version of them back for very low-income residents. Read more. TAX PROPOSAL: Portland Commissioner Chloe Eudaly is researching ways to raise an additional $50 million for city programs. Officials are studying analysis of seven possible tax increases, including a personal income tax on Portlands top earners, a soda tax and higher property taxes. Read more. SAUDI FUGITIVES: U.S. officials have long known the Saudi Arabian government was helping criminal suspects flee but chose not to confront the ally out of concern that doing so might jeopardize U.S. interests, particularly Saudi cooperation in the fight against Islamist terrorism. Read more. COVERUP ALLEGED: Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden called on the Trump administration to take immediate action over the Saudi governments assistance fugitive nationals, calling the lack of response a wide-ranging coverup that has ranged over successive presidents. Read more. VACCINE BILL: A proposal to strengthen immunization rules is headed to the House floor for a vote. Read more. OVERTURNED: A stunning ruling that overturned a nearly 30-year-old conviction in the killing of an Oregon prisons chief hinged on one critical legal hurdle. Read more. COAL POWER: PacifiCorp says ratepayers could save $250 million if the utility closes four coal-fired power plants. Read more. TRIBAL HOUSING: After three years, a federal bill to fix decrepit conditions at Columbia River tribal fishing sites could become law. Read more. CRANE COLLAPSE: An Oregon ironworker was among four killed when a construction crane fell in Seattle. Read more. COURTHOUSE ARRESTS: An attorneys video showed federal immigration officials as they arrested a man inside the Multnomah County Courthouse on Friday. Read more. Snap of the day The 12th Annual 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade kicked off Saturday morning in Southeast Portland with hundreds of people lining 82nd Avenue. Among the participants were Friesian horses, people dressed like zombies, marching bands, a military tank, martial artists, bagpipes, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and city Commissioners Amanda Fritz and Jo Ann Hardesty.Mark Graves/Staff More photos. More news Botto BBQ reopens after owners prison release E-scooters are back on Portland streets: 5 things you need to know Jeremy Christians courtroom outburst: Im the victim! Intel sheds $23 billion in market value as outlook dims Earl Blumenauer bridge? Portland commits to naming new bike and pedestrian bridge after congressman Dear Abby: Mom left out of wedding festivities is told she overreacted and must apologize ahead of grandbabys arrival Ask Amy: Chubby hubby loses weight -- and his personality disappears along with the pounds Carolyn Hax: Fiancee didnt recognize his birthday during snit Find more at oregonlive.com Odd in Oregon Portland Police Bureau Police say someone drove a camper onto a Southeast Portland pedestrian overpass over Interstate 205 before abandoning it. A photo from Google Maps shows that signage at the overpass explicitly states: NO MOTOR VEHICLES." Todays comics Click here to see today's comics Todays obituaries Click here to find area deaths reported recently Today in history AROUND THE WORLD: On April 29, 1992, a jury in Simi Valley, California, acquitted four Los Angeles police officers of almost all state charges in the videotaped beating of motorist Rodney King; the verdicts were followed by rioting in Los Angeles resulting in 55 deaths. U.S. District Judge Michael J. McShane on Monday granted the second nationwide preliminary injunction against new federal restrictions that bar taxpayer-funded family planning clinics from referring patients to abortion providers or from being housed in the same place as abortion services. The judge signaled from the bench last week that he planned to grant the injunction sought by 20 states, including Oregon, as well as the District of Columbia, Planned Parenthood and the American Medical Association. But at the time, he said he was reluctant to set "national health care' policy as a federal judge based in Eugene. The government urged any injunction be limited to the plaintiffs in the case. Ultimately, McShane didnt restrict the injunction, temporarily blocking the Trump administration controversial Title X family planning program rules, according to his 32-page written opinion. The so-called gag rule, he wrote, would handcuff medical providers from referring a woman who doesnt want to continue her pregnancy to an abortion provider, essentially making medical professionals deaf and dumb when counseling a client. Given that the harm would occur in every state and theres a significant likelihood that the plaintiffs will prevail in showing the rule is unlawful, McShane said a nationwide injunction was appropriate. Gov. Kate Brown hailed the decision as a huge win for women in families in Oregon and across the nation. The government has no place in conversations between women and their doctors, and I am pleased that a federal judge agreed that the Trump administrations reckless rule should be blocked, Brown said in a statement. Last Thursday, a federal judge from the Eastern District of Washington issued a similar injunction. A day later, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services argued that the ruling by U.S. District Judge Stanley A. Bastian negated a need for McShane to issue a preliminary injunction as well, saying the plaintiffs in the Oregon suit could no longer show they would face irreparable harm. The federal government is considering whether to appeal the order in Washington and whether to seek to halt that injunction pending appeal, attorneys R. Charlie Merritt and Andrew M. Bernie wrote in court filings Friday on behalf of the U.S. Justice Department. They urged McShane to hold off issuing a ruling, unless the Washington judges preliminary injunction is vacated or placed on hold. But McShane said the motion before him deserved a separate ruling. Planned Parenthood provides service for nearly half of the entire Title X program, McShane wrote. They are a plaintiff in this action, not the action pending before Judge Bastian. The Trump administrations Title X gag rule'' was scheduled to take effect this Friday. At a time in our history where government is assessing how we can improve and lower the costs of medical care to all Americans, the Final Rule would create a class of women who are barred from receiving care consistent with accepted and established professional medical standards, McShane wrote. The record before him showed that low-income health care clients would suffer harm from the controversial rules, he said. It will result in less contraceptive services, more unintended pregnancies, less early breast cancer detection, less screening for cervical cancer, less HIV screening, and less testing for sexually transmitted disease, his ruling said. He called the Department of Health and Human Services response to the likely negative health outcomes one of silence and indifference. Bernie had argued last week in Oregon that the Department of Health and Human Services believes the rules best reflect Section 1008 of the Title X statute, which prohibits abortion as a method of family planning. The rules, he argued, also are supported by 14 other states and are in line with the 1991 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Rust v. Sullivan, which upheld prior U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regulations that prohibited employees in federally funded family-planning facilities from counseling a patient on abortion. McShane pointed to Congress direction that all pregnancy counseling be non-directive and found the governments gag rule represents the essence of counseling that is directed, meaning it steers or directs a patient toward a particular option over another. Under the rule, a health care provider would have to refer a woman who doesnt want to continue her pregnancy to either prenatal care or an adoption agency. One would expect to find such a process not in a federal program serving millions of clients, but in a Kafka novel, McShane wrote. This is madness. -- Maxine Bernstein Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. A group of Jewish congregations and organizations from across the Portland area are holding a community prayer service Monday night to respond to the deadly weekend synagogue attack near San Diego in Poway, Calif. The Light, Solidarity & Prayer gathering is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center, 6651 S.W. Capitol Highway. Rabbi Moshe Wilhelm, executive director of Chabad of Oregon, quoted Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein who was shot in the attack Saturday calling on people to create as much light as possible in this world, by participating in prayer services, supporting our local Jewish communities and mostly doing random acts of kindness. A little bit of light pushes out a lot of darkness. Wilhelm said the goal of the gathering is to increase the kindness and the light Rabbi Goldstein spoke about. One woman died and Goldstein and two others were injured in the attack at the Chabad of Poway synagogue before a Passover celebration. The alleged gunman was arrested. The Portland gathering is sponsored by the Chabad Centers of Oregon, which offer Jewish education and outreach; the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland; and the Mittleman center. -- The Oregonian/OregonLive SEATTLE Human error may have caused a crane collapse that killed four people and injured four others in Seattle over the weekend, experts said Monday. Based on videos of the collapse, they said it appears workers who were disassembling the construction crane had prematurely removed pins securing the sections of the cranes mast to each other, and that could explain why the crane toppled in relatively minor wind gusts. The reason this tower fell over is ironworkers and the people working on it did not follow the manufacturers instructions for disassembling the crane, said South Carolina crane accident investigator Tom Barth. If the pins had been in, that crane would not have fallen over. The cranes mast fell over on Saturday afternoon as workers were taking it apart. Sections landed on top of the new Google building it had been working on and on traffic below, striking six vehicles. Two ironworkers on the crane, including one from the Portland area, were killed as were two people in cars. Four others were injured. Barth, who has been a tower crane operator, inspector and accident investigator for 38 years, said the only safe way to disassemble a tower crane is to do it by sections. First, a line from another crane is secured to the top of the section being removed. Only then do workers remove the bolts that secure the section being removed to the one below it. The second crane lowers the section, Barth said. The videos, including one from a dash camera in a car approaching as the crane fell, appear to show the sections of the tower crane separating cleanly, indicating the pins had likely been removed early, said Dave Kwass, a trial attorney who handles crane accident lawsuits. "Where I would be starting as an investigator is getting a better grasp of what these two ironworkers who tragically were killed may have done in removing the pins," Kwass said. "What I'm seeing is a crane that looks as though the pins were popped all the way down to the pedestal section." The same cause was blamed after tower crane mast collapsed during disassembly in Dallas in 2012. Terry McGettigan, a tower crane specialist in Seattle, declined to comment on Saturdays crash, but he wrote a paper on the Dallas crash warning about the danger of taking shortcuts by loosening or removing the bolts in advance. The Iron Workers Union Local 29 based in Portland, Oregon, and Local 86, in Seattle, who represented the workers who died, did not respond to requests for comment Monday. Washington Department of Labor and Industries inspectors were expected to finish their work at the scene Monday, said Tim Church, a department spokesman. He said it was too early to speculate on a cause. The department on Monday expanded its investigation to include a fifth company: Seaburg Construction Corp., which employed the tower crane operator. The other companies are general contractor GLY, Northwest Tower Crane Service Inc., Omega Rigging and Machinery Moving Inc., and Morrow Equipment Co. LLC "GLY and its sub-contractors involved with this tower crane accident are doing everything we can to investigate the incident," the company said in a written statement. "We are cooperating fully with investigators and assisting the local authorities. At this early stage of the investigation, we have no further details." The ironworkers who died were identified by their unions as Andrew Yoder of Washington and Travis Corbet of Oregon. The last fatal construction crane failure in Oregon was in December 1980, when a crane fell into the Columbia River during the construction of the Interstate 205 Glenn Jackson Bridge, killing two. Investigators found that 50 mph wind gusts, the positioning of the crane and the failure of support beams contributed to the collapse. A Vancouver contractor was cited for failing to inspect the support beams and for operating the crane in extreme wind. (The Oregonian/OregonLive contributed to this report.) -- The Associated Press Union officials identified an Oregon ironworker who died when a construction crane collapsed in Seattle Saturday afternoon as Travis Corbet. He was a member of the Portland-based Iron Workers Local Union 29, the unions business manager, Joe Bowers, told The Oregonian/OregonLive he lived in the Portland metro area. He and a Seattle-based ironworker were in the crane when it collapsed and crashed into the roadway below. Two more people in vehicles were killed; four others were injured, including a four-month-old girl. Also killed in the collapse was Sarah Wong, a student at Seattle Pacific University. The school confirmed her death Sunday and said she was in a car below the crane when it fell. Officials were expected to identify all four victims on Monday. The crane was being disassembled when it fell from the roof of a building on Googles South Lake Union campus. The building was badly damaged, and the roadway below was damaged and closed until just before the Monday commute. The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries is investigating the cranes failure. Bowers said Sunday that Corbet had been a member of the union for at least 10 years. He was a great guy, Bowers said. Always willing to learn, and always helping other people that he could. Corbets wife, Samantha Corbet told Seattle television stations that her husband had served in the U.S. Marine Corps for five years before becoming an ironworker. They married last year and planned to go on their honeymoon in June. Bowers said its been at least 10 years since a member of the local union died on the job. Membership is nearly 1,500, he said, with fewer than 100 of those individuals working as crane hands. -- Elliot Njus and Brad Schmidt enjus@oregonian.com; 503-294-5034; @enjus The Associated Press contributed to this report. SALEM Ten people in Oregon have been convicted so far in voter fraud cases stemming from the 2016 election. The convictions represent a tiny fraction of the 2,051,448 votes cast in the election, in which Oregon voters elected Democratic Gov. Kate Brown and chose Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump for president. The Oregon Department of Justice started pursuing the cases after the Oregon Secretary of States office forwarded 56 cases of possible voter fraud in September 2017. The 10 convictions represent a broad spectrum of age, party affiliation and geography. Those convicted include four Democrats, one Republican, one Libertarian and four people not affiliated with a political party. Most of the convictions involved people who cast a ballot in two different states. Many of the cases initially involved felony charges, but all were eventually reduced to a violation. None resulted in jail time. The maximum penalty was $1,000 and 10 hours of community service for 45-year-old Michael Cruz of Portland. On the low end, a judge waived a proposed $440 fine on 40-year-old Jeremy Robbins, also of Portland. Prosecutors said Robbins cast a ballot in both Oregon and Washington. At the time of the election, (Robbins) was suffering from kidney infections which impacted his cognition, said Oregon Department of Justice spokeswoman Kristina Edmunson. He does not remember voting two ballots, but acknowledges that he did and is extremely remorseful. The most recent conviction was of Betty Clark of Haines, Oregon. Clark was 76 at the time of the election. Her attorney, Martin Leuenberger of Baker City, said Clark had been temporarily living in Vancouver, Washington in order to care for her elderly father. While there, she received a ballot in the mail for the upcoming election, filled it out, and returned it. Around that time, her father passed away. Clark and her husband moved back to their rural Baker County home, where there was an Oregon ballot awaiting her. She forgot about the other one, said Leuenberger. It was an innocent mistake. There was no criminal intent whatsoever. Originally, Clark was charged with voting in two states, which is a felony. In an agreement with prosecutors, that charge was dropped and Clark pleaded guilty in late March to a lesser charge of voting when not entitled. It was treated as a violation on par with a speeding ticket, and Clark was ordered to pay $440. She did not appear in court. Leuenberger said the reduced charge shows the lack of malicious motives on the part of his client. Dont get me wrong, he said. What she did was wrong, but it was a mistake. Shes very embarrassed. She was under a lot of stress at the time because of the move and the loss of her father, said Leuenberger, who said hes known the family for years. Edmunson said that sort of reduced charge is not unusual. Generally, as long as the voter has no criminal history and has not voted from two states during the same election before, we offer a violation and fine, she said. Clark was one of four retirement-age Oregonians among the 10 convicted. The youngest was Katie Meyer of Medford. Edmunson said Meyer was an 18-year-old college student attending school in Colorado at the time of the 2016 election. There was a big push on campus to register to vote, which she did, said Edmunson. Her parents also mailed her the Oregon General Election ballot, and she received a Colorado ballot. She does not remember filling out both ballots, but acknowledges she must have. Edmunson said Meyer has since canceled her Colorado voter registration. She was fined $225. Not all of the cases involved voting in two different states. Prosecutors said Marjory Gale of Hood River cast her own ballot and that of her daughter, who was away at college. There was no other history of multiple voting, said Edmunson. Based on the circumstances, we determined that a violation was appropriate. Gale was fined $750. Aside from the 10 convictions, the Department of Justice said 14 additional cases have not been resolved. The remainder were referred back to the Oregon Secretary of States office for possible civil violations. A spokeswoman for Secretary of State Bev Clarno said the office has not pursued violations for those cases. Oregon child welfare leaders responded this week to concerns raised in news reports and by advocates that the state is caring for foster children in repurposed juvenile jails. Thursdays hearing grew out of reporting by The Oregonian/OregonLive in March that the state has increasingly relied on institutional programs rather than foster families to house children, including repurposed juvenile jails operated by county governments. In at least one case, the bedrooms in those settings where Oregon foster children were assigned to live had a toilet inside the room. Child welfare officials to lawmakers they felt The Oregonian/OregonLives news coverage was unfair because several of the locations where foster children live within juvenile detention buildings either were never previously used as detention centers or were not designed as one, they said. Regarding a wing of Douglas Countys juvenile detention center that a reporter from The Oregonian/OregonLive visited in January, Child Welfare director Marilyn Jones said it was never used as a jail. The building has two very similar-looking wings, one of which currently houses foster youth and the other of which is used for detention. A federal lawsuit filed in mid-April by a national child advocacy group and an Oregon disability rights group also accuses the state of housing some foster children in converted juvenile jails, where the childrens lawyers said the young people were in some cases locked in their rooms at night. A bedroom at Douglas County's program for foster children in a wing of the juvenile detention center. Only two programs -- in Multnomah County and Klamath County -- actually house foster children in areas that were ever used or intended for juvenile detention, said Jones, the welfare director. Three foster children were at the Multnomah County juvenile program as of last week. Three other counties Douglas, Josephine and Lincoln care for foster youth in buildings that Jones said should not be described as refurbished detention pods. After last weeks hearing, Sen. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, said she still was not convinced that foster children should stay in juvenile detention complexes, even if they live in a wing that was never used as detention. It still looks like a jail," she said, whether anybody (in custody on suspicion or convicted of a crime) slept there or not. This undated photo provided by A Better Childhood, shows a barbed-wire enclosed exercise yard at the Youth Inspiration Program in Klamath Falls, Ore., that girls share with juvenile inmates housed at the same facility. Children still under the care of Oregons foster care system filed a lawsuit Tuesday, April 16, 2019, alleging the state provided inadequate services and exposed children to abuse and further neglect. (A Better Childhood via AP) APAP Sara Fox, manager of the states child welfares treatment program, told lawmakers last week that her agency is centralizing its process for referring foster children to these and other behavior rehabilitation services programs. Currently, caseworkers individually make the decision to refer children to these programs. Unfortunately," Fox said, "this results in at times inappropriate referral. Fox also said the state will stop referring foster children who are not accused of committing crimes to programs that serve youth in correctional custody. After the hearing, Gelser said she was encouraged by the changes Fox outlined. I am seeing change that I do not believe would have happened if we had not been pushing, she said. By ERIC TUCKER and MICHAEL BALSAMO Associated Press The story is breaking and will be updated. WASHINGTON Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein submitted his resignation Monday, ending a nearly two-year run defined by his appointment of a special counsel to investigate connections between President Donald Trumps campaign and Russia. His last day will be May 11. Rosenstein's departure had been expected since the confirmation of William Barr as attorney general. The White House nominated a replacement for the department's No. 2 slot weeks ago. Rosenstein intended to leave around mid-March but stayed on for the completion of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. Mueller last month submitted his report to the Justice Department, and Rosenstein was part of a small group of department officials who reviewed the document and helped shape its public release. After Mueller didn't reach a conclusion on whether Trump had obstructed the investigation, Barr and Rosenstein stepped in and determined the evidence wasn't enough to support such an allegation. Rosenstein appointed Mueller in May 2017 following the recusal of then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions and oversaw much of his work. His exit leaves the department without the official most closely aligned with the probe as officials grapple with public and congressional scrutiny of the special counsel's findings and the department's handling of the report. He not only supervised Mueller's work for much of the last two years, but also defended the investigation against attacks from congressional Republicans and Trump, who has blasted it as a "witch hunt." In so doing, Rosenstein sometimes found himself at odds with Trump but was nonetheless spared the brunt of anger directed at Sessions, whose recusal infuriated the president, leading to his forced resignation last November. The deputy attorney general position is a hugely significant job, responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Justice Department and the work of United States attorneys across the country. Two people were found dead early Monday in a Portland vehicle fire, authorities say. Authorities responded to the vehicle fire at North Vancouver Way and Northeast Middlefield Road shortly before 6:30 a.m. and found the two people dead inside a vehicle, according to Portland Fire & Rescue. The cause of the fire is under investigation. This report will be updated. -- Jim Ryan; jryan@oregonian.com; 503-221-8005; @Jimryan015 Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Murray State history professor Dr. Aaron Irvin is seen during a 2016 trip to New York, where he worked as a consultant for the Netflix documentary "Roman Empire." Contributed photo Images Sorry, there are no recent results for popular images. Broadway Church of Christ, in coordination with Healing Hands International, hosted a four-mile Walk4Water along the riverfront in downtown Paducah on Saturday. The money raised from this event goes to help build wells for water. The walk is designed to symbolize the average distance traveled by young children and women searching for water in underdeveloped nations such as Zimbabwe and Haiti. ELLEN O'NAN | The Sun Cotonou, Benin (PANA) The electoral platform of civil society organisations (SCOs) in Benin has deplored the violence that left two dead and several material damages, as well as the weak participation rate in Sundays parliamentary elections in the country Gaborone, Botswana (PANA) - The Botswana ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism will host the Kasane Elephant Summit in the tourism town of Kasane, about a1000km from the capital city of Gaborone, from 3-7 May 2019 Port-Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - Mauritius will host the 2nd International Ministerial Conference on Maritime Security and the 22nd Plenary Session of the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia from 18 to 20 June 2019, PANA learnt Monday from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, in the Mauritian capital Former President General Le Duc Anh, who served as President of Vietnam from September 1992 to 1997, passed away on April 22nd at the age of 99. In his message addressed to General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and President of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping expressed deep sympathy on behalf of the CPC, the Government and people of China. He emphasized that the late President Le Duc Anh had made important contributions to Vietnams national construction and defence, and unceasing efforts to promote the development of the China-Vietnam relationship. With his death, the Vietnamese people lost an outstanding leader and the Chinese people lost a dear friend, Xi wrote, while expressing his belief that the Party, Government and people of Vietnam will turn sorrow into strength and continue to reap new achievements in the cause of socialist building. Former President Le Duc Anh (Photo: VNA) The Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the Lao National Assembly, the Lao Government and the Lao Front for National Construction have sent a letter of condolences to their Vietnamese counterparts. In the letter, Laos expressed deep sorrow at the death of the former President and offered deepest sympathy to the CPV Central Committee, the National Assembly, the Government, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the Vietnamese people as well as the family and relatives of the late President. The Lao side praised the deceaseds great contributions to Vietnams past struggle for national liberation and its nation building and safeguarding cause over the past more than 80 years. Comrade Le Duc Anh made important contributions to strengthening and developing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam over the past times, the letter wrote. The Lao side said with the passing away of comrade Le Duc Anh, not only the Vietnamese Party, State and people lost a beloved leader, but the Lao party, State and people also lost a close friend. President of the Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen sent a letter of sympathy to the General Secretary of CPV Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong. He expressed deep sorrow at hearing the news about the death of the late Vietnamese President, who he described as a leader with great contributions to Vietnams national construction and development. President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez sent a message of sympathies to CPV leader and President Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Raul Castro Ruz also extended his condolences to CPV leader and President Nguyen Phu Trong. Vietnam will hold a State funeral for late President Le Duc Anh, with the respect-paying ceremony to be held from 7am-11am on May 3rd at the National Funeral Hall, No. 5 Tran Thanh Tong street, Hanoi. The memorial service will be held at 11am on May 3rd at the National Funeral Hall, No. 5 Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hanoi. The burial ceremony will take place at 5pm on the same day at the Ho Chi Minh City Cemetery. At the same time, the respect-paying and memorial ceremonies for the late President will also be held at the Thong Nhat Hall in Ho Chi Minh City and the hall of the Peoples Committee of Thua Thien-Hue./. Dakar, Senegal (PANA) - Senegal and the United Kingdom (UK) Monday signed a cooperation agreement here aimed at promoting and strengthening the bilateral cooperation between the two parties, whose relations date back to 1960, official sources said DeBoer named branch manager at First Mid MATTOON First Mid Bank & Trust (First Mid) is pleased to welcome Brooke DeBoer as branch manager of the Bloomington banking center located at 2306 E. Washington St. DeBoer will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations and ensuring financial and business goals are met. Prior to joining First Mid, DeBoer served as personal banker II at Comerica Bank in Arizona. She had also worked at Wells Fargo for almost seven years, holding the positions of teller, personal banker, service manager and business banking specialist. Angela Harroun, regional deposit manager, stated, We are excited to welcome Brooke to the First Mid team. With her banking background and customer service experience, I believe that the Bloomington community will receive high levels of service under Brookes leadership. For more information about First Mid, go to www.firstmid.com. Business Achievements are paid content. To submit an item, visit https://www.pantagraph.com/place_an_ad/achievement. Bloomington-Normal Galleries, museums University Galleries of Illinois State University; 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri., noon-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun.; Uptown Station, 11 Uptown Circle, Normal; rotating exhibits in three galleries; free; 309-438-5487. IWU Merwin and Wakeley Galleries; school hours, noon-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun., 7-9 p.m. Tue.; 302 E. Graham St., Bloomington; rotating exhibits; free; 309-556-3391. Jan Brandt Gallery; 1305 Morrissey Drive, Bloomington; janbrandtgallery@gmail.com. McLean County Arts Center; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tue., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Fri., noon-4 p.m. Sat.; 601 N. East St., Bloomington; rotating exhibits, sales, rentals, art classes and lectures; free; 309-829-0011. McLean County Museum of History; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. (until 9 p.m. Tue.), 200 N. Main St., Bloomington; permanent and rotating exhibits; adults $5, seniors $4, students, children under 12 and members free; 309-827-0428. Prairie Aviation Museum; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thu.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., 2929 E. Empire St., Bloomington; permanent and rotating exhibits and displays with aerial history themes; adults $5, ages 6-11 $3, 5 and under free; 309-663-7632. Exhibits Student Annual Art Exhibition; through May 12, University Galleries, Uptown Station, Normal. College Juried Student Exhibition; through May 4, Heartland Community College Library, Normal; free, open to public. BFA Exhibition; April 30-May 3, Transpace Student Gallery, ISU Center for Visual Arts Room 115; reception: 5-7 p.m. April 30. Typo(etry): Poems, Images and Typewriters; through May 3, Joe McCauley Gallery, Heartland Community College; poetry and visual art; work, manual typewriter station, community response wall. "Leaving Home"; LizBeth Ogiela-Scheck, Dreams 2 Create Art House, 903 S. Allin St., Bloomington. Pedal Power!; through spring 2020, McLean County Museum of History; exhibit of vintage pedal cars from the collection of Bruce Callis. ImagineAir; Children's Discovery Museum, uptown Normal; permanent exhibit shows power of wind, wind energy, aerodynamics, fluid dynamics; $7 for age 2 and older, $3 for Museums for All passholders; free, CDM members. Challenges, Choices & Change: Working for a Living; McLean County Museum of History; highlights more than 80 local workers and their daily on-the-job experiences. Challenges, Choices and Change: Making a Home; McLean County Museum of History; permanent exhibit exploring experiences of people from around the world who made McLean County their home. Abraham Lincoln in McLean County; McLean County Museum of History; permanent exhibit on Lincoln's life in Bloomington. Challenges, Choices and Change: Farming in the Great Corn Belt; McLean County Museum of History; permanent exhibit on McLean County's agricultural history. Central Illinois Galleries, museums Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sun., 212 N. Sixth St., Springfield; Lincoln-themed exhibits, historical displays, special events, more; adults $12, seniors and students $9, ages 5-15 $5, under 5 free; 217-558-8844. Amity Township Museum; 1-3 p.m. first Sunday of month or by appointment, 510 Main St., Cornell; displays and artifacts relating to history of Cornell and Amity Township; free; 815-358-2973. Contemporary Art Center of Peoria; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat., Riverfront Arts Center, 305 S.W. Water St., Peoria; rotating exhibits in two galleries; free; 309-674-6822. Dickson Mounds Museum; 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, 10956 N. Dickson Mounds Road, Lewistown; displays, special exhibits; free; 309-547-3721. Eureka College Burgess Hall Art Gallery; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays and by appointment on weekends, third floor of Burgess Hall, Eureka College, Eureka; rotating exhibits; free; 309-467-6866. Lincoln Heritage Museum; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 1-4 p.m. Sat., Lincoln Center at Lincoln College, 300 Keokuk St., Lincoln; Lincoln-era items, audiovisual displays, tours, exhibits, more; adults $7, children/tours $4; 217-735-7399. Museum of the Gilding Arts; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sun., April-Oct., and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Sun., Nov.-March, 217 N. Mill St., Pontiac; displays, history and hands-on exhibits dedicated to the art of gilding and gold leafing; free (donations welcome); 815-842-1848. Peoria Art Guild; Foster Arts Center, Harrison and Washington streets, Peoria; rotating exhibits, gift shop; free; 309-637-2787. Peoria Riverfront Museum; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Wed. and Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thu.-Fri., noon-5 p.m. Sun., downtown riverfront Peoria; permanent and rotating exhibits, planetarium shows, Giant Screen Theater and events; $9-$11 (free parking in museum garage); 309-686-7000. Pontiac Community Art Center; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun., 209 W. Madison St., Pontiac; rotating exhibits; 815-419-2472. Simpkins Military History Museum; 1-5 p.m. Tue., Thu., Sat., or by appointment; 605 E. Cole St., Heyworth; permanent and rotating military history exhibits; free (donations accepted); 309-319-3413. Time Gallery; Fondulac Bank, 201 Clock Tower Drive, East Peoria; 309-467-2331 U of I Krannert Art Museum; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat. (until 9 p.m. Thu. during fall and spring semesters), closed Sun., 500 E. Peabody Drive, Champaign; paintings, porcelain, historical artifacts, traveling art exhibits; $3 donation suggested; 217-333-1861. Exhibits Life on the Titanic; April 27-Oct. 31, Pontiac Museum Complex, 110 W. Howard St., Pontiac, second floor; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Nine Days in April: The Lincoln Assassination and the Press; opens May 4, Pontiac Museum Complex, 110 W. Howard St., Pontiac, second floor; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; 33rd Regiment Band 9:30 a.m. May 4, Lincoln speech 10:30 a.m., ribbon cutting 11 a.m. In case of rain, band performance at Eagle Performing Arts and Conference Center, 319 N. Plum St., Pontiac. Discover Autism through Art; through April 28, Pontiac Community Art Center, Pontiac; five artists; painting, photography, drawings, 3D sculpture. American Decoy: The Invention and 10 Medical Inventions That Changed the World; Peoria Riverfront Museum. 60 Years Military Souvenir Collecting; special exhibit; Simpkins Military History Museum, Heyworth; celebrating 60 years of collecting military items and 40 years of an established museum (30 years at present location). "The Art of the Brick," opens May 25, Peoria Riverfront Museum; LEGO art exhibition. Da Vinci the Genius with The Secrets of Mona Lisa; opens Nov. 16, Peoria Riverfront Museum. CHICAGO When S.E. and Katie Brick joined a United Methodist congregation last year, the self-described "rainbow family" found the welcoming and diverse environment they were seeking in a religious home. The Bricks' 9-year-old twins, Maggie and Jack, attend the children's ministry every Sunday at First United Methodist Church in Evanston and are signed up for a summer camp with other members. "For them, it was really important to see families who were different," said S.E. Brick, 44, who is transgender. "We walked in on the very first week, and at the front of the church they saw a two-dad family, which they loved." Now, deep fissures within the United Methodist Church over LGBTQ issues threaten to disrupt that spiritual harmony for the Bricks and 12.5 million worshippers worldwide, the largest denomination of mainline Protestants. A ruling handed down Friday by the church's highest court upholds stricter prohibitions against gay clergy members and same-sex weddings. Though some local churches have gone against those rules for years, ministers will now face discipline for it. "The bottom line is that it will be more strictly enforced," said Barry Bryant, an associate professor of United Methodist and Wesleyan Studies at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston. "The rules have always been there; it's just they have not been followed." Though long-simmering, the controversy boiled over in February when a narrow majority of delegates to the church's global General Conference voted to pass the measure, known as the "Traditional Plan." This week, the nine-person judicial council has met behind closed doors in Evanston to review challenges to the policy. Before Friday's ruling, pastors on both sides of the debate said the church has reached a breaking point and that, no matter the outcome, it would be difficult to move forward as one united denomination. The Rev. Scott Field of First Church in Crystal Lake represents the conservative viewpoint. He supports the recent General Conference decision and does not see a way to resolve the dispute, since the underlying issue involves personal beliefs and not just opinions. "It's pretty clear we don't have a future together," Field said of the faith's progressive wing. "We've battled to a draw, so instead of continuing this, why don't we bless each other" and go separate ways. In Barrington, one parish is downplaying its association with the United Methodists because of what its pastor called the "offensive" parts of the Traditional Plan. As a result, the church is referring to itself in some instances only as "Barrington Church," rather than "Barrington United Methodist Church," according to the Rev. Chris Winkler and a message posted on the church's website. Winkler, who descended from several generations of Methodist clergy, said it was a difficult decision, but that the latest disagreement is just a symptom of a larger problem in the denomination. "This is about a more narrow understanding of Scripture and a tighter doctrine that says there's one right way of thinking, one orthodoxy that we should all subscribe to," he said. Winkler said he is hoping for an amicable separation, but he does not think it's possible for the church to remain united. Despite the deep divide, some congregants and clergy members say they want to remain in the denomination and fight back. S.E. Brick, whose preferred pronouns are "they" and "them," said doing so would send an important message that LGBTQ people are welcome. "I have the resilience and self-esteem to stay in the institution and be vocal about my opinions, but I don't think that's the right decision for everyone," Brick said. "I certainly expect that queer people will not feel safe in a denomination as a whole that is choosing to do this." A group of progressive and centrist pastors will explore more options during a meeting in Kansas next month. The invitation-only gathering, dubbed "UMC-Next," will bring together 600 leaders who oppose the Traditional Plan, according to a letter from its organizers. The divide over LGBTQ issues has been growing for years and started not long after United Methodism was founded in 1968. Four years later, language was added to the Book of Discipline banning "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" from ministry. Despite the rule, some local churches operated under their own standards, allowing same-sex marriages and gay clergy members in their institutions. In 2016, the issue garnered broader attention when the United Methodists' first openly lesbian and married bishop, Karen Oliveto, was elected. The judicial council ruled that her appointment violated church law, but Oliveto, who leads the United Methodist Church for Colorado and several neighboring states, was allowed to retain her post when the council sent the case back for the local jurisdiction to decide. Following Oliveto's election, the United Methodists formed a commission to study how the denomination should proceed on such issues. During that effort, the commission proposed the Traditional Plan, but also another policy that gave churches local discretion on the matter. The Bricks' pastor, the Rev. Grace Imathiu, said she plans to attend the conference in Kansas next month. In 2015, the Evanston church publicly changed its policy to allow clergy to perform same-sex marriages, according to a letter posted to its website. Baptism for the children of gay parents is also allowed at the church, which boasts a rainbow flag as the banner photo for its Facebook page. "What happened at General Conference revealed to us that the Book of Discipline is incompatible with our understanding of the Gospel," Imathiu said. "I am concerned not so much about the institution, but about people ... the trans teenager, and the mother of the gay child and the lesbian called into ministry." This isn't the first time that United Methodists have confronted internal discord. The Methodist Episcopal Church, which preceded United Methodists, broke up in 1844 over disagreements about slavery, said Bryant, the United Methodist scholar. The church splintered along regional lines before coming together again in 1968. Witnessing the recent conflict has been hard for many worshippers, Bryant said, like watching two longtime parents get divorced. "You're having to choose sides," Bryant said. "It's a very emotionally difficult decision." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Jushi Holdings Inc. has released a video they say shows Jelani Day leaving the Bloomington Beyond/Hello cannabis dispensary. A company official said social media are "exploiting the confusion and anxiety of people related to Day's death. BLOOMINGTON As part of a Miller Park Zoo species survival breeding program, Mischa, a male Pallas' cat that arrived in December, has become a dad. "It's the first-ever Pallas' cats born at the zoo," said Jay Tetzloff, who heads the zoo and Bloomington Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department. "We have three boys and two girls." "There are only about 30 Pallas' cats in the U.S right now, so what is important and valuable about these guys from really a global perspective is this is new bloodline for North America," said Tetzloff, noting Mischa was imported from the Czech Republic. Announcement of the births of the five kittens four weeks ago was timed to coincide with International Pallas' Cat Day, which was celebrated on Tuesday. Since the announcement "more people have been engaged with this story than anything we've ever done," said Tetzloff. "We've had more than 47,000 (social media) views. We don't know why." Miller Park Zoo has a female Pallas' cat, but never had a breeding pair until Mischa's arrival. The Pallas' cat is around the same size as a household cat, but has a stocky body and thick fur and is more elusive in nature. Its natural habitat is Central Asia, where it inhabits elevations over three miles in the Tibetan Plateau. Pallas' cats are listed as a vulnerable species, with its numbers affected by habitat destruction, loss of natural prey and hunting, said Tetzloff. The kittens can be seen at the Pallas cat exhibit located across from the North American River Otter exhibit at the zoo. Contact Maria Nagle at (309) 820-3244. Follow her on Twitter: @Pg_Nagle Love 5 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 DECATUR A Macon County Jail inmate and a Decatur woman are facing felony drug charges after police say she sent him methamphetamine-soaked coloring book pages that were then sold in strips to other inmates, a sworn affidavit said. Inmate Damien O. McClure, 36, and Tammy L. Leigh, 46, are facing preliminary charges of calculated criminal drug conspiracy, a Class X felony, and manufacture/delivery of methamphetamine less than 15 grams and possession of contraband in a penal institution. Preliminary charges are subject to review by the state's attorney's office. Sgt. Scott Flannery, assistant warden at jail, said this is the first time correctional offices have come across a drug-smuggling ploy using methamphetamine-laced paper, but they had been warned about it. We knew about it happening in other federal and state facilities, and it was something we were aware of, Flannery said. We get emails, we call them security briefs, that are sent from the Illinois Department of Corrections that say, Be on the lookout for this, or watch out for that ...' So when we found out this was happening in our jail, we thought, Oh, weve had information on that before.'" According to the affidavit, on March 28 correctional officers learned several inmates had received meth through coloring book pages laced with the drug. McClure received letters in the mail with the pages, and he sold pieces to inmates who would make payment onto his inmate commissary account via the jail's gift card system, the affidavit said. On April 8, McClure received a letter that contained a coloring book page, the affidavit said. The contents of the letter were placed in a locker where a K-9 unit alerted to the presence of narcotics. Correctional officers tore off a piece of the coloring book page, which field tested positive for methamphetamine, the affidavit said. The affidavit said a detective found phone calls between the McClure and Leigh discussing the transactions and whether McClure had received her letter. McClure also told Leigh to "perfect the method" before he headed to the Illinois Department of Corrections, so he could make money in prison, the affidavit said. In other phone calls, the affidavit said, McClure can be overheard discussing outside drug sales, the proceeds of which were deposited into his commissary account, which totaled $2,845.50 after his arrest. During an interview with detectives at the Decatur Police Department, the affidavit said Leigh admitted sending two to three meth-laced cards to McClure, but she denied sending the pages detectives had found. She also admitted making multiple deposits into his commissary account, but denied being paid for sending the items to the jail. McClure declined to be interviewed by detectives, the affidavit said. Flannery said McClure was in the jail waiting to start an eight-year prison sentence after he pleaded guilty in Macon County Circuit Court April 9 to being an armed habitual criminal. Staff Writer Tony Reid contributed to this story. Contact Kennedy Nolen at (217) 421-6985. Follow her on Twitter: @KNolenWrites Love 1 Funny 5 Wow 4 Sad 1 Angry 4 BLOOMINGTON Kirk Zimmermans alibi that he was home resting after a day of yard work around the time his ex-wife was killed in November 2014 was challenged in testimony Monday by an FBI agent. Special Agent Greg Catey was the states final witness in Zimmermans murder trial on charges accusing him of shooting Pam Zimmerman. Catey reviewed 37 pages of cell tower data during his three hours on the witness stand. In addition to Zimmermans travel on Nov. 3, 2014, the day his former wife was killed, Catey also reviewed cell tower records for Oct. 25, 2014, that show Zimmerman allegedly went to Crawfordsville, Ind., where the state claims he may have bought a gun. The 9 mm gun used to kill the 53-year-old victim at her east Bloomington office was not recovered. Looking at records showing communication between a device in the defendants car and cell towers, Catey testified Zimmermans car was not at home at 6:31 p.m. but was identified by a cell tower as being near the victims office at 2103 E. Washington St. in Bloomington. It's possible Zimmermans vehicle had returned to his home on Park Ridge Road by 6:55 p.m., according to the report. Zimmermans car also moved from his home around 10:28 p.m. and traveled to several east-side areas for about an hour, said Catey. The locations of the cars path may have included an area near the victims office where several items from her purse and office were found the following day. An area east of Central Illinois Regional Airport also was recorded by a cell tower during the later trip, said the witness. In his statement to police after his ex-wife was found with four gunshot wounds, Zimmerman claimed he did not leave his home after completing yard work and a nap. Zimmermans former girlfriend Kate Arthur has testified she went to Zimmermans home around 6:30 p.m. for a scheduled visit but he did not answer the door. He returned her call shortly after 7 p.m. and she went to his home for about two hours, she said. On Oct. 25, 2014, the day after Zimmerman received a FedEx package from his ex-wife demanding $4,000 in past-due child support, he made the trip to Indiana, according to Cateys report. The report shows Zimmerman turning around and returning after a brief stop in the Indiana town. Jurors heard testimony last week from an expert on illegal gun sales who opined Indiana is a major source of such weapons that end up in Illinois. The defense has argued Cateys report is based on junk science and is unreliable. In earlier testimony Monday, Bloomington police Detective Bill Lynn showed jurors analysis of Zimmerman's computer that found records of a search he conducted about 10 days before his ex-wife was shot. Lynn said Zimmerman searched the internet for information on how to disable tracking capabilities on his car. The timeline of activity from Zimmermans home computer showed a Google search for Can I suspend Sirius? Police contend Zimmerman wanted to avoid the ability of authorities to trace his travel to Indiana. The jury also saw three short surveillance videos of the parking lot of Pam Zimmerman's office building. The videos, taken by nearby State Farm cameras, show vehicles, including one the state claims is similar to the defendants 2013 silver Hyundai Sonata. Lynn was not allowed to point out a specific image on the videos, but he confirmed the displays contained images of interest to police. The first video showed a car with a sun roof, one feature of Zimmermans car, in the parking lot at 4:32 p.m. and remaining there for several minutes. Portions of the video also show a car with a sun roof parked there at 4:37 p.m. The state has argued that other silver vehicles also were in the area around the time the victim was killed. First Assistant State's Attorney Brad Rigdon said the state expects to rest its case Tuesday morning. Defense lawyer John Rogers told Judge Scott Drazewski he will offer arguments in support of a directed verdict. That could end the trial if Rogers can convince the judge the state has failed to make its case. Photos: Surveillance video shown to jury in Kirk Zimmerman trial Minecraft maker Mojang has donated $100,000 to non-profit organization charity:water to help bring clean and safe drinking water to people across the globe. The studio had already pledged $10,000 to the cause, and promised to donate another $90,000 as soon as its free 'Travelling Trader' skin and map pack had been downloaded 100,000 times. Players quickly rose to the challenge and hit that target in less than a day, demonstrating how video games and their communities can help affect positive change around the world. "663 million people currently lack access to clean water (thats almost 1 in 10 people), which makes the great work of charity: water absolutely essential. They want to bring clean water to as many people as possible, and we want to help them more," wrote Mojang in a short blog post. "Charity: water estimates that the number of people impacted by a $100,000 donation is over 3,300. So all you have to do is download a great map and skin pack, and youll help us help a fantastic cause!" You can find out more about the important work being done by charity:water by clicking right here. BLOOMINGTON Home Sweet Home Ministries' largest annual fundraiser of the year will begin Wednesday and the nonprofit organization is counting on McLean County area residents to open their wallets and hearts again this year. The May Community Challenge a monthlong online, by mail and in-person fundraiser has a goal of $134,000. Money raised supports a variety of programs including a homeless shelter and food cooperative by the nondenominational Christian organization to serve homeless and low-income individuals and families. "We are so grateful to all who support Home Sweet Home Ministries with their gifts, volunteer service and prayers," CEO Mary Ann Pullin said in a written statement. "The May Community Challenge demonstrates the strength that we have as a community in addressing core issues of poverty, homelessness and food insecurity," Pullin said. "Continued community support will result in a stronger and healthier community." The community challenge is off to a good start. A group of donors has given $67,000 and is asking the community to match that amount. Last year's May Community Challenge raised $158,720, a record-high amount. Donations to the challenge can be made at www.hshministries.org/donate or by mail or in person to Home Sweet Home Ministries, 303 E. Oakland Ave., Bloomington, IL 61701. "May Community Challenge" should be indicated on the gift. Contact Paul Swiech at (309) 820-3275. Follow him on Twitter: @pg_swiech Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. BLOOMINGTON United Airlines flight 5228 from Columbia, Mo. to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago made an emergency landing at Central Illinois Regional Airport on Bloomington's east side about 7:45 p.m. Sunday, the airline said. The Canadair (Bombardier) Regional Jet 100 had only one engine operating with 49 passengers and three crew on board, the airline said. Bloomington Fire Department was on standby at the airport. According to the United Airlines website, the flight was scheduled to leave Columbia Regional Airport at 6:20 p.m. and land at O'Hare at 7:58 p.m. The website said the flight is operated by SkyWest Airlines in partnership with United. CIRA officials issued a statement Sunday night, which said, in part, "All passengers and crew are safe. We are hosting them in the gate area as they await the arrival of another aircraft to take them to Chicago OHare. In an 11 p.m. tweet, CIRA officials said the replacement flight had departed for O'Hare. United's website indicated the flight arrived at O'Hare at 11:33 p.m. Contact Kevin Barlow at (309) 820-3238. Follow him on Twitter: @pg_barlow SPRINGFIELD Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzkers pension proposal is not sitting well with state lawmakers, an adviser to the Illinois Teachers Retirement System told its board of trustees last week. The governors plan is to reduce payments to the various pension systems by $850 million next year, while extending by seven years the time it will take to pay off $134 billion in unfunded liabilities. While the plan appears unpopular now, Andrew Bodewes, the boards legislative liaison, said that could change as the end of the session draws near and lawmakers have to consider the other options. I dont want to suggest that the majority of the General Assembly could ever get to a place where theyre OK with reducing pension payments by $850 million, Bodewes told the board during its annual retreat Thursday in Springfield. But when they start looking at, Were going to cut schools by this, were going to close these parks; Were going to reduce these services to children with learning disabilities, it starts to get real. Those conversations get very real. So Im always sympathetic to the members. Pritzker made that proposal as part of the budget package he submitted to the General Assembly earlier in the session, and it was only one part of a multi-pronged proposal to address the states long-term unfunded pension liability. Reducing payments into the systems is intended to free up general revenue funds for other purposes such as increasing funding for K-12 and higher education, hiring more social workers for the Department of Children and Family Services and increasing reimbursement rates for certain Medicaid providers. But he also has proposed issuing what are called pension obligation bonds to pay down part of the unfunded liability, transferring surplus state assets to the pension funds and earmarking a portion of the revenue the state would receive from his proposed graduated income tax to pay down pension debt. The Teachers Retirement System is the largest of the states pension funds, with $52 billion in assets and 417,000 members. Under current law, the state is responsible for paying just more than $4.8 billion into the fund this year. That would be about 12 percent of Pritzkers entire general revenue fund budget proposal for the upcoming year. Currently, though, it has only about 40 percent of the assets it would need to pay off all of the obligations it has already accrued. Current law calls for gradually paying down the unfunded liabilities through 2045, when the systems are expected to be 90 percent funded. In March, the TRS board unanimously approved a statement urging lawmakers to reject any proposal to reduce scheduled payments or lengthen the schedule for paying down the liabilities. The system is at a growing risk of insolvency in the event of an economic downturn, the board said in the statement. This danger is the direct result of eight decades of state contributions that always have fallen far short of actuarially based funding. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHICAGO In his home in a wooded neighborhood in Lincolnshire, Illinois, Mitch Work spreads out some of the extraordinary artifacts of his late father's life. Framed on the wall is a painting of a lakeside villa in rural Austria where his father interrogated one of the last people to come out of Hitler's bunker. On the dining room table, Work has placed a book about Hanna Reitsch, the German pilot his father questioned, a copy of the report he wrote about the interrogation, and photocopies of two key documents Reitsch carried out of the bunker, the last letters of Joseph and Magda Goebbels. The documents are copies because Work, 72, and his younger brother recently donated the originals to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. It wasn't a hard decision, he says: "We wanted to find a good home for these. We didn't want to sell them. We didn't want to go that route. We wanted to donate them to the right place." A core of the Holocaust Museum's mission is to collect artifacts such as the Goebbels letters, hard evidence of what the Nazis were and what they did, says Steven Luckert, senior program curator at the Washington, D.C., institution. "Having these letters in the museum's outstanding collection will allow us to educate future generations about the truth of the Holocaust and counter the hateful messages that Goebbels and the Nazis promoted," Luckert says. Those letters are especially significant because of their centrality to the Nazi mission, he says, but World War II-era documents regularly find their way to the museum. The museum recently opened a state-of-the-art archives facility expressly to house its widening stores of such material. How the Goebbels' final missives ended up among the family papers of a north suburban health care consultant is a remarkable story of postwar forgetting and historical preservation almost by accident. Because the interrogation report of then Air Corps Capt. Robert Work, titled "Last Letters from Hitler's Air Raid Shelter," was thorough and widely distributed, historians have long known the contents of the letters. They were written in what looks like pencil on graph paper, Mitch Work says, in Hitler's Berlin bunker days before the couple killed their six young children and themselves. Couched as letters to Magda's adult son, the words are more accurately final rallying cries for Naziism from the Third Reich's minister of propaganda and his wife. "That Goebbels would use his final letter to his step-son for propagandistic purposes is not surprising," Luckert explains. "Even his private diaries, which have become indispensable to scholars of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, were ultimately designed for publication." Goebbels' aim in the letters was "to leave his contemporaries and posterity with a flattering portrait of himself and to promote National Socialism," adds Luckert. "Reading them in 2019, when Holocaust distortion, outright denial and antisemitism are being peddled on the Internet and social media and promoted by powerful actors around the world, is frightening." But the letters themselves spent the postwar years in a kind of document limbo, a filing cabinet in the suburban San Jose, Calif., home of Robert Work. It wasn't until his father was going through his papers almost 50 years after the war that they resurfaced, says Mitch Work. "Basically my dad had forgotten about them, and he uncovered them," says Work. "He was excited to show them. He was: 'Here they are! I told you about these. Now here they are in the flesh.'" Work, too, was excited. He was briefly after college a history teacher, and he knew the significance of such things. "He had told me all these stories, but here was something that actually had legs and had documentation and had backup," he says. "And I was blown away by it _ because it took it from just being a story about the war to: Here it is, here's the report about it, and here's what happened and when." The letters themselves were kind of forgotten, the family thinks, because Robert Work's interrogation report includes the original German text of them, English translations and the story of how they came out of the bunker. Hanna Reitsch, who was a famed test pilot and a favorite of the Reich, left the bunker in late April, 1945, along with Ritter von Greim, the recently appointed head of the German air force, and "was given letters to take out by various of the occupants who were to remain in the shelter to die with Hitler," Robert Work wrote. These included the Goebbels letters, as well as one from Eva Braun, Hitler's lover, and a couple of messages to German officers in the field. Reitsch and Von Greim destroyed the military messages because Nazi forces had collapsed and the Braun one because they "both felt that the text was so glaringly theatrical and in such poor adolescent taste that only odious reactions would result should the letter ever fall into German hands," Work said in his report dated Nov. 1, 1945. "This is what Washington, D.C., wanted to know, this report and the context," Mitch Work says. "I asked my dad, 'Why did you end up with the letters?' He said, 'The simple answer is nobody ever asked me for them, and I kind of forgot about them.'" It was fortunate for their preservation that his father lived in a dry climate, Work thinks. After discovering the letters, Robert Work invited someone from Stanford University's Hoover Institution to come take a look but was told the think tank didn't really have the capacity to care for such things, Work says. He and his brother put them into plastic sleeves, and they went back into a filing cabinet and were sort of forgotten again until their father passed away several years ago. That's when the brothers got serious about finding them a home. They talked to several different museums, says Work, but quickly settled on the Holocaust Museum as the right choice, a judgment that was only underscored by the letters' content in light of recent historical events. "We sit locked in the Fuehrer's shelter in the Riechschancellory, fighting for our lives and our honor," begins Goebbels' letter. Later, he adds that someday, "The truth will again triumph. The hour will come when we will stand pure and undefiled above the world, as pure and undefiled as our beliefs and aims have always been." "Always be proud to have belonged to a family that even in the face of disaster remained true to the Fuehrer to the very last and true to his pure and holy cause," Goebbels counseled his stepson, Harald Quandt, who was an allied POW at the time and would go on to become one of Germany's leading industrialists. Magda Goebbels' letter is in a similar, unrepentant vein and adds the chilling plan the couple had to kill their children, who were "too precious for the life that will come after." The six kids were poisoned in the bunker. "Rather than just being documents of historical lore, it's important to read what they say about how Nazi socialism and propaganda can be so, so powerful," says Work. "And while I was negotiating with the museum about giving this donation in October of last year, it was when the synagogue shootings occurred in Pittsburgh, 11 dead, six wounded. "This is not something historical. It's still something that's going on right now. We say it can never happen here? Well, there are symptoms out there right now." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Patna: More than 40 fruit shops were gutted when a fire swept the Bazaar Samiti Musallahpur Haat wholesale market in Patna on Sunday afternoon destroying fruits and other properties in excess of Rs. 5 crore. https://www.patnadaily.com/index.php/news/14286-fire-destroys-46-shops-at-the-fruit-market-in-patna.html#sigProId7d12998e11 View the embedded image gallery online at: Eyewitnesses said first a few temporary shops in the area became the victim of the fire that immediately spread in the 16 shops located in the A-Block. Continuing to move eastward, the fire then engulfed 20 shops under the shed and 10 others located on the sidewalk. The biggest damage was incurred in shops numbered between 52 and 66 and between 144 and 146. Fortunately, no one was said to be injured in the massive fire. Seven fire trucks, four from Kankarbagh and three from Patna City, battled the flame for over three hours before getting full control of the situation. Shop owners blamed the administration for not removing trash for days and threatened to go on a hunger strike on Monday if the government failed to compensate them for their loss. Patna: Congress candidate from Patna Saheb Shatrughan Sinha on Monday filed his nomination papers at the Collectorate office in the presence of his son Luv Sinha, senior Congress leader Akhilesh Singh and hundreds of his supporters. https://www.patnadaily.com/index.php/news/14288-shatrughan-sinha-holds-a-roadshow-files-nomination-papers.html#sigProIde716e7cc4a View the embedded image gallery online at: With Sinha, his son and his supporters on a bus decked with flowers, party banners, and posters of prominent Congress leaders, the procession arrived at the historical Congress Maidan also located in Kadam Kuan where he talked to his supporters and well-wishers for a few minutes. Then after passing through Nala Road, Thakurbari Road, Bakerganj, and Gandhi Maidan, the bus arrived at the Collectorate office at around 2:00 pm when the Congress candidate filed his papers before election officer Kumar Ravi. Sinha appealed to the voters to make him victorious by a big margin so he could continue to be the voice of reasoning in the Parliament. Interestingly, no other leader from the Grand Alliance including Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), and Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) took part in the roadshow or was present at the office of the election officer. The rally did cause road jam in many areas including Nala Road and Bakerganj where people had lined up on both sides to see the former film star who put Bihar on the Bollywood map by his acting skills and by never apologizing for his Bihari roots that earned him the moniker of 'Bihari Babu'. As noted, Sinha, a lifelong BJP leader, changed his allegiance to Congress a few days ago after the BJP refused to field him for the third time from his Patna Saheb Lok Sabha seat replacing him with fellow-Patna'ite and Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. Patna Saheb goes to poll in the seventh and last phase of the election on May 19. Luis A. Betemit of Lancaster was sentenced to four to ten years in prison as a result of assaulting a pregnant woman and violating probation related to a previous assault of a young woman, the Lancaster District Attorneys Office announced Monday. Betemit, 25, is an amateur mixed martial arts fighter, according to the district attorneys office. He pleaded guilty to offenses including strangulation, aggravated assault and aggravated assault of an unborn child stemming from a March, 2018 assault in Lancaster, the announcement said. Authorities said the woman was eight months pregnant and trying to end their relationship and leave the apartment at the time of the assault. In 2016, Betemit had pleaded guilty to beating a woman who was ending a relationship, authorities said. Police in New Cumberland, Cumberland County, have charged a Lower Allen Township man with raping a woman at a borough residence. Dane C. Harbold, 26, of the 100 block of Ewe Road is charged with rape, strangulation, simple assault and unlawful restraint. Police said Harbold was waiting at the home of the woman, whom he knew, and demanded to look at her cellphone. He allegedly pushed her into a room and physically and sexually assaulted her, according to arrest documents. Police say Harbold ran into an alley after another person at the home went to summon help. The maps opened the door for a rising Los Angeles County Democratic political star amid a generational shift among the region's elected leaders. They also put a dent in the chances for a Republican favorite in one of the nation's most hotly contested races. Police say a woman riding in a car had a terrifying choice as two men with guns were approaching the vehicle. As 6ABC in Philadelphia reports, the woman, identified as 37-year-old Abra Johnson, jumped out of the car. But when the cars driver looked to elude the approaching armed men, the car backed over the woman, killing her. The driver of the white Infinity that struck the woman then took off. Police tell 6ABC the incident began around 7:15 a.m. Sunday on the 4900 block of Aspen Street. Surveillance video shows Johnson jumping from the Infinity as two people, at least one of whom had a gun, were approaching. Police tell 6ABC said the driver then backed over Johnson before driving reverse down the street and hitting multiple parked cars. The video then shows the driver getting out of the car and walking north on 49th Street. A neighbor came out of the house and began performing CPR on Johnson. (Story continues below) BREAKING: Police said a woman is dead after a driver side-swiped several parked vehicles causing one of them to flip over and strike her as she was walking by Sunday morning. https://t.co/fhMuEWudCw Action News on 6abc (@6abc) April 28, 2019 Johnson was rushed to Penn Presbyterian Hospital where she was pronounced dead. The hunt for the driver of the Infiniti and the armed men continues. Anyone with any information is asked to call police at 215-686-TIPS. Prices on pints poured at taprooms will become more expensive this summer if the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has its way. Starting July 1, the agency wants brewers to collect a 6 percent sales tax. That has many manufacturers of beer and malt beverages in the state buzzing. If we had to pay sales tax on all of the beer that we sold I would have to either increase my prices significantly or l would have to lay someone off, said Scott Rudich, owner of Round Guys Brewing Co. in Landsdale. As the deadline near, brewers say they are looking for clarity and pushing for a fairer tax. The problem with that is that 6 percent on every pint will result in us paying four or five times more than a wholesale tax, said Adam Harris, deputy executive director of the Brewers of Pennsylvania. Harris and others in the industry have been negotiating with Gov. Tom Wolfs office and the Department of Revenue. Last week they shared their concerns at a House Liquor Control Committee hearing in Pittsburgh. Basically, brewers want the tax charged at the wholesale level, the same way its done between distributors and retailers such as restaurants and grocery stores. But the Department of Revenues proposal has brewers collecting the tax on every portion of beer sold to customers in their taprooms. That would make it tough for brewery owners who would have to pass the tax onto customers or eat the cost themselves, Harris said. As an example, Theodore J. Zeller III, general counsel for the Brewers of Pennsylvania, said while restaurants pay about $9 in taxes on a half keg of beer, breweries would pay $40 or $45 considering the keg contains about 120 pints and you charged $6 per pint. We dont want to pay four or five times more sales tax than everyone, especially because of the fact beer has a unique place in Pennsylvania, Zeller said. Chris Trogner, co-owner of Troegs Independent Brewing in Hershey, said the proposed tax would confuse consumers. If they were to come into a brewery and see they are being taxed 6 percent, and they go to a bar across the street and they dont see a 6 percent tax on their bill, they dont understand the difference, Trogner said. Harris added that in 2015 when the state opened up beer sales to breweries the state didnt require a sales tax. The state revenue department has said the tax isnt new, but that its merely a clarification of liquor laws that require breweries to collect sales tax. Obviously at a zero percent sales tax we blossomed as an industry and does that slow the industry down? he said. I hope that doesnt put anyone out of business and I dont think it does when the economy is well. What does that six percent across the bar do when the economy isnt as strong in five or 10 years? Thats why we want to settle on something thats fair to everyone. Brewery owner Tom Kehoe of Yards Brewing Company in Philadelphia said he doesnt oppose a tax; it should just be fair. I think its the right way to do it. Nobody gets hurt and we create tax, which is what we need to pay bills in Pennsylvania," he said. Via Rachael Clemmons, ASecureLife ASecureLife, a Utah-based security firm, has compiled a roundup of the countrys most infamous heists. At PennLive, we added a few more to Pennsylvanias list. Alabama: Montgomery Civic Center robbery In 1982, two men robbed a coin show at the Montgomery Civic Center in Alabama, making away with $3.5 million in precious metals and rare coins. Alaska: Seward bank robbery Three men, later described by witnesses as hippie types, robbed Seward, Alaskas, only bank of somewhere between $100,000 and $170,000 in 1971. Arizona: First National Bank of Arizona robbery People will do strange things like don Halloween masks and wear stockings over their faces for a bit of cash. In this case, about $3.3 million. At least, thats what four gunmen did in 1981 when they robbed the First National Bank of Arizona. Arkansas: Little Rock gem heist In 2015, seven Oklahomans came over to Little Rock to steal some little rocks. The thieves made off with $300,000 in jewelry in just a few minutes. California: United California Bank heist In an effort to redefine family time, one man banded together with his nephews, his brother-in-law, his brother, and two alarm experts to steal $30 million (about $183 million today) from the United California Bank in 1972. Colorado: Butch Cassidys first bank robbery The infamous Butch Cassidy committed his very first bank robbery in 1889 at the San Miguel Valley Bank in Telluride, to the tune of $20,000 (a little over half a million dollars today). FILE - Luis Fraticelli, Puerto Rico's top FBI official, stands next to a wanted poster showing Norberto Gonzalez Claudio, at a news conference at FBI headquarters in San Juan, after Claudio's arrest in 2011on charges that he helped the militant independence group Los Macheteros pull off a $7 million heist in 1983 in West Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo, File)AP Connecticut: Aguila Blanca (White Eagle) heist A guerrilla group named Los Macheteros likely inspired by Robin Hood stole $7 million from Wells Fargo in West Hartford, Conn., in 1983. The group later claimed that they gave the money to Puerto Rican communities for education, housing, food and more. Delaware: Stuart Kingston jewelry heist In what the media delightfully calls the ol smash-and-grab, five men stole $4.4 million worth of gold, diamonds, and other gems from Stuart Kingston Galleries in 2011. DC: The cell phone bandit Imagine being given such an unimaginative moniker as the cell phone bandit. One college student doesnt have to: In 2006, Candice Rose Martinez committed four bank robberies netting a total of $48,620 all while calmly talking to her boyfriend/getaway driver on the phone. Florida: Loomis Fargo robbery In 1997, Philip Noel Johnson, who worked as an armored car driver for Loomis Fargo, took it upon himself to rob his own place of employment of $18.8 million. This Nov. 30, 2015 photo shows chicken ramen noodle soup. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)AP Georgia: Ramen noodles heist In what was surely one of the most delicious heists ever, thieves stole about $100,000 worth of ramen or about 300,000 packages from a tractor trailer in 2018. FILE - This March 3, 2004 file photo shows a collector's limited edition "Hawaii" can of Spam, with a hula doll on both sides of the can and a picture of three pieces of spam musubi in Kailua, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Lucy Pemoni, File)AP Hawaii: A series of Spam heists In arguably less delicious news (depending on whom you ask), Spam was stolen in various quantities across multiple stores in Hawaii in 2017. Stores were forced to put the mystery meat behind plastic cases, making it as difficult to purchase as fancy razor refills and cough medicine that barely works. Idaho: Bank of Montpelier robbery After having a few drinks with his crew at the local saloon, Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch robbed the Bank of Montpelier of somewhere between $7,000 and $16,000plus $30,000 in gold coinsbetween 1896. You know, just your usual cute, criminal outing with a couple of friends. Illinois: Magic Vault heist at First National Bank In 1977, $1 million disappeared from Chicagos First National Bank without a trace. It turned out to be the perfect crime, too: The money was never found, and no culprit was ever charged. Indiana: The burglary and murder of heiress Marjorie Jackson In 1977, two men stole over $3 million in cash from Marjorie Jackson and shot her when she confronted them. Jackson, a grocery store heiress, had stashed an estimated $15 million throughout her home after her husbands death. Captured desperado John Dillinger, wearing vest, strikes a jaunty pose with prosecutor Robert Estill in what would become an infamous image at the Crown Point, Ind., jailhouse, Feb. 1934. (AP Photo)AP Iowa: First National Bank Heist John Dillinger famous for being a gangster during the Great Depression, less famous for being played by Johnny Depp raked in $52,000 (about $990,000 today) from the First National Bank in 1934. Kansas: Vinca Jewelry heist In 2010, burglars stole about a million dollars in valuables from Vinca Jewelry and were never caught. Even a retired FBI agent admitted it was basically the perfect crime. A flag commemorating Transylvania University's 225th anniversary hangs from a light post outside the "Old Morrison" building at Transylvania University in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2005. (AP Photo/Brian Tietz)ASSOCIATED PRESS Kentucky: Transy Book Heist In 2004, four college kids stole rare books valued up to $5 million from the Special Collections Library at Transylvania University in Lexington. The thieves were celebrated with jail time and eventually a film version of their exploits. Louisiana: Helicopter bank robbery at Merchants and Farmers Bank In 1984, five men stole a helicopter, got greedy and then used the helicopter to steal $163,000 (a little over $400,000 today) from a small bank in Louisiana. Maine: Mars Hill bank robbery Police say Bernard Patterson threw a red wig on his head and a toy gun on his hip to rob the Northern National Bank in Mars Hill of $177,000 (over a million dollars today). Apparently the teller recognized Patterson in the 1971 robbery, but he still managed to escape. Maryland: Instagram theft ring Three women from Baltimore started a theft ring where they stole $100,000 worth of clothing from shops like Victorias Secret and Dicks Sporting and sold them for profit on Instagram in 2017. FILE - In this March 21, 1990 file photo, a security guard stands outside the Dutch Room of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, where robbers stole more than a dozen works of art in an early morning robbery in Boston. It remains the most tantalizing art heist mystery in the world. In the early hours of March 18, 1990, two thieves walked into Boston's elegant Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum disguised as police officers and bound and gagged two guards using handcuffs and duct tape. For the next 81 minutes, they sauntered around the ornate galleries, removing masterworks including those by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Degas and Manet, cutting some of the largest pieces from their frames. (AP Photo/File)ASSOCIATED PRESS Massachusetts: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum theft Two men dressed as police stole 13 objects including paintings from Degas, Rembrandt, and Vermeer from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, worth a combined total of $500 million in 1990. The case remains unsolved, though a new podcast has renewed public interest. Michigan: Point Break robbery In 1991, inspired by watching the movie Point Break, four men robbed the only bank in Saugatuck, Mich., wearing masks of former U.S. presidents. They made off with more than $350,000 ($658,000 today). Ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz" are displayed during a media tour of the "America's Smithsonian" exhibition Wednesday, April 10, 1996, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)ASSOCIATED PRESS Minnesota: Dorothys slippers Were not in Kansas anymore. Were actually in Minnesota, where Dorothys famous red slippers valued between $2 million and $3 million were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in 2005. George "Machine Gun" Kelly, in handcuffs, smiles for photographers as he is escorted by a federal agent on Oct. 2, 1933. He was being taken to Oklahoma City to stand trial. (AP Photo)ASSOCIATED PRESS Mississippi: Machine Gun Kellys Tupelo bank heist The original Prohibition-era George Machine Gun Kelly robbed Citizens State Bank in Tupelo of $38,000 ($654,000 today) in 1932. Missouri: St. Louis Bank Robbery In 1930, thieves stole over $1 million ($14.6 million today) in cash and jewelry from Grand National Bank as it prepared to relocate to a new building. Grand National never recovered, closing its doors permanently in 1933. Montana: Billings gun heist Two men stole a bunch of guns 113 pistols, 20 rifles, and three shotguns, to be exactfrom a freight trucking facility in Billings in 2010. This undated image from surveillance video released by the FBI shows the suspect known as the AK-47 Bandit. Federal agents found homemade bombs in the Montana home of Richard Gathercole, a man they suspect is the "AK-47 Bandit," who is wanted for a string of bank robberies and is accused of shooting at a Kansas state trooper, according to authorities and court documents filed Monday, June 26, 2017. (FBI via AP)AP Nebraska: The AK-47 Bandit Richard Gathercole is accused of stealing more than $90,000 from a bank in Nebraska City in 2014, sporting the understated look of a balaclava paired with an AK-47 hence the moniker. In this Aug. 7, 2002 file photo, tourists watch the fountain display at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Laura Rauch, File)ASSOCIATED PRESS Nevada: The Bellagio bandit In 2010, police say, Tony Carleo stole nearly $1.5 million in chips from the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. He then used those chips to gamble at the Bellagio, lose a lot of his stolen money at the Bellagio, and get caught at the Bellagio. New Hampshire: A missing vacation home A New Hampshire couple travelled to their vacation home for some well deserved R&R, just to find that their 10-by-20-foot home was, well, missing. New Jersey: Scotch heist In 2017, four men banded together for a mighty adventure: to steal high-end booze from a liquor store in New Jersey. The thieves made off with four bottles of scotch worth a combined value of $52,000. New Mexico: The worst diamond heist ever In 2014, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science in Albuquerque was robbed of an uncut diamond that had more scientific value than monetary valueit was worth only an estimated $8,500. Understandably, the stone was recovered and returned to the museum the next day. New York: Lufthansa heist In 1978, several men stole $5 million in cash and $875,000 in jewels (worth a total of $21.6 million today) from the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. The heist later inspired a few films, including Goodfellas. North Carolina: Loomis Fargo heist In 1997, a Loomis Fargo vault supervisor and his accomplices stole $17.3 million in cash (nearly $25.9 million today) in Charlotte, N.C. WalmartFile. North Dakota: $400,000 six-state Walmart theft ring A multistate electronics theft ring raked in nearly $400,000 worth of merchandise across Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota in 2017 and 2018. To be fair though, the thieves managed to steal roughly 48 cell phones without anyone noticing. Ohio: United California bank robbery In 1972, a couple of Ohioan burglars heard tell that President Nixon had a slush fund in a California bank. Naturally, the group took it upon themselves to fly to California, saw through the ceiling of the United California bank, and steal $8 million. Turns out the money wasnt even Nixons. Oklahoma: Hoover gang robbery In 2011, several members of the Hoover Crip gang committed a string of violent robberies, including a hit at the Tulsa Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union, where they stole about $170,000. Part of the money that was paid to legendary hijacker D.B. Cooper in 1971 is shown during an FBI. news conference, Feb. 12, 1980, where it was announced that several thousand dollars was found 5 miles northwest of Vancouver, Wash., by Howard and Patricia Ingram and their 8-year-old son Brian. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)ASSOCIATED PRESS Oregon: D.B. Cooper D.B. Cooper infamously hijacked a plane traveling from Portland to Seattle, extorted about $200,000 ($1.2 million today), and then parachuted away with his ransom money in 1971. Did he survive? Nobody knows! FILE: During a news conference in Erie, Pa., on Sept. 9, 2003, FBI Agent Bob Rudge holds an image of a metal collar and locking device found around the neck of Brian Wells, a pizza deliveryman who robbed a bank and then was killed when a bomb strapped to his body exploded August 28, 2003. (AP Photo/Erie Times-News, Rich Forsgren, File)AP Pennsylvania: Collar Bomb heist In 2003, Brian Wells, a pizza delivery driver, walked into a bank and delivered a note to the teller, instructing him to hand over $250,000. The bomb exploded following the robbery, killing him. Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, accused of instigating the plot and killing a co-conspirator, died two years ago at the Federal Medical Center in Carswell, Texas. Diehl-Armstrong was serving a life sentence plus 30 years in the plot. The case inspired a Netflix series in 2018. Pennsylvania: Shoot first, then steal On June 6, 1986, 28-year-old Martin Appel and 29-year-old Stanley Hertzog went into the First National Bank of Bath in East Allen Township and started shooting. When they were done, three people were dead and two were wounded. The shooters fled with about $2,200 in cash. They were soon captured and are serving life sentences. The case was the subject of a book, The D-Day Bank Massacre, by Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli. Lower Allen Township police are seeking these women in connection with the theft of $21,000 worth of panties from the Victoria's Secret store in the Capital City Mall. Pennsylvania: Victorias Secret heist Well, its too soon to say if this one is going to rank among the states most infamous heist, but its been a talker this month: Lower Allen Township police are still trying to track down two women accused of stealing more than 2,000 panties from the Victorias Secret store in the Capital City Mall in early April 2019. The panties are worth more than $21,000, police say, and were shoved into bags from storefront displays while clerks were busy with customers. Rhode Island: Bonded Vault Co. heist In 1975, eight men stole $3 million ($14.5 million today) from the Bonded Vault Company in Providence, a safe-deposit business that doubled as a secret bank for a local crime family. South Carolina: Darlington County armored car heist In 2007, five men stole $9.8 million from an armored car service. They immediately spent their earnings on the finer things in life: tattoos, visits to strip clubs, and Mothers Day gifts. A wanted poster for John Dillinger is shown on display at the Little Bohemia lodge in Minitowish Waters, Wis., Wednesday, April 28, 2004. (AP Photo/Paul Walsh)ASSOCIATED PRESS South Dakota: Dillinger Gang bank robbery Dillinger strikes again. This time, joined by the fantastically named Baby Face Nelson, the gangster got away with $46,000 after holding up the Security National Bank in Downtown Sioux Falls in 1934. Tennessee: Wells Fargo Thanksgiving holdup In the biggest robbery in Memphis history, two men stole $6.5 million from a Wells Fargo on Thanksgiving Day 1983. In a festive and misguided touch, the men wore Mardi Gras masks during the robbery. Texas: Theresa Roemers Closet Theresa Roemer, a woman famous for having a 3,000-square-foot, three-story closet, had her closet burgled of $1 million in jewelry, watches and handbags in 2014. Utah: Copper Heist Thieves stole more than six miles of copper wire from the median of Interstate 15 in Salt Lake City in 2013. The copper was worth between $5,200 and $9,000. Vermont: Berkshire armored car heist A lone gunman robbed an armored car of $1.9 million in 2002 in Rutland, Vt. To date, its the biggest robbery in Vermonts history. Virginia: Falls Church jewelry heist A group of thieves grabbed about $200,000 in cash and jewelry from a store in Falls Church, Va., in 2017. Washington: Trench Coat Robbers Straight out of a zany heist film, two men in trench coats stole 355 pounds of cash from Seafirst Bank in 1997. Their total damage? A cool $4.46 million. West Virginia: Central Station train robbery In 1915, three men held up a train, robbing it of more than $100,000 ($2.4 million today) in unsigned bank notes. Wisconsin: A series of cheese heists This one wins for tastiest heist ever. Cheese thieves with very refined palates stole $160,000 worth of cheese between two different robberies in 2016. Wyoming: Wilcox train robbery In 1899, two men wearing masks forced the train crew of a Union Pacific train to separate the locomotive from the carriages and later blew open the safes on the train. They made away with an estimated $50,000, or about $7 million today. A Lancaster man who is also considered an amateur mixed marshal arts fighter will spend at least four years in state prison for assaulting his pregnant girlfriend, according to officials. Luis A. Betemit, 25, pleaded guilty to felony strangulation, aggravated assault, aggravated assault of an unborn child and other counts related to the assault that occurred in Lancaster City on March 14, 2018, according to a release from the Lancaster District Attorneys Office. Lancaster County Judge David Ashworth sentenced Betemit to four to 10 years in state prison for the assault and for a 2016 assault conviction, according to the release. He will spend one or two years on probation for the violation. Officials said Betemit beat and strangled his then-girlfriend, who was eight months pregnant, until she was unconscious. The assault began when she tried to end their relationship and leave the apartment. Betemit threatened to kill the womans relatives if she reported anything, according to the release. She sent photos of her injuries to a friend who reported the abuse to Manheim Township Police. An investigation found that Betemit had been assaulting the woman for some time, according to the release. In the 2016 case Betemit was on probation for, he pleaded guilty to beating a woman who tried to leave his home, and threatened to hurt her if she tried to leave again, according to the release. The DAs office explained that a strangulation charge is a second degree felony, but only became one in December 2016. The office said that one in four women suffer from this kind of abuse by their partners, but the seriousness of the assault can be underestimated because there are often no visible signs of injury from the abuse. However, it only takes seconds to strangle a victim into unconsciousness, and death can occur in minutes," the DAs office said. If you are experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence, please contact your local police department. You also can receive confidential assistance from Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster County by calling 717-299-9677. A federal lawsuit that pitted a Christian students group against Mechanicsburg Area School District over in-school Bible distribution ended quietly Monday with some compromise and a court order. The compromise involved the joint rewriting by the Christians in Action Club and district officials of a contested school policy that club members claimed blocked them from handing out Bibles during lunch periods. The club challenged that policy by filing suit in U.S. Middle District Court in February. It was evident a settlement was in the offing, though, when Judge John E. Jones III approved a 45-day stay in the case on Feb. 21 to allow the parties to try to work things out. In a joint stipulation filed Monday, both sides expressed satisfaction with the policy rewrite. They especially cited the deletion of a section of the prior guideline in the student handbook that prohibited speech that seeks to establish the supremacy of a particular religious denomination, sect or point of view. Club members claimed that ban violated their free speech rights. District officials denied trampling the students speech or religious freedoms, but said the challenged policy was designed to control distribution of written materials by students during school. There was no blanket ban on the distribution of Bibles or any other religious books, they insisted. The settlement also requires the school district to pay the legal fees of the club, which was represented by the Harrisburg-based Independence Law Center. At the request of the parties, Jones issued a final order closing the case. Urwah Chaudhary said shes proud to wear a scarf on her head, but her decision to confidently respond to countless questions about it took time. Chaudhary was one of 60 selected students from Susquehanna Township, Central Dauphin East and Harrisburg school districts to participate in a roundtable discussion Monday with Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro. Shapiro is interested in students thoughts about bullying, cyberbullying and coping skills. Shapiro launched a statewide Safe2Say Something Anonymous Reporting System in January. Its a statewide program enabling students, teachers, school administrators and others to detect and report potential threats of violence and other problems before they happen. There have been over 10,000 tips provided to the system to date, Shapiro reported. Crisis center analysts process tips and refer them to local law enforcement and school officials. The reporting system is based on strict principles of anonymity and confidentiality to encourage reporting of problems, potential threats of violence, self-harm or other incidents, according to the attorney generals office. The students input, he said, will help to strengthen the initiative. A series of roundtables will continue until the end of 2019. Susquehanna Township served as host for Mondays event. Among the top problems that potentially leads to bullying are language barriers as well as misinterpreting cultural differences, students said. Chaudhary said she knows shes the subject of conversations when shes the only person in the room who wears a scarf on her head. She said shes heard comments like, You were forced to wear that or Are you married? High school students from Susquehanna Township, Central Dauphin East and Harrisburg School districts discuss the realities of bullying. The Susquehanna Township teenager is not alone. Rafi Islam, a senior at Susquehanna, said respect is something that needs to be taught in early childhood. "When I was younger I would get bullied on the bus, he said. I would go home and cry myself to sleep. He said he felt his options were limited because when he told his parents, they would tell his teachers, and the teachers would tell the bully to stop. What would adults do? he asked. Nothing. Many of the students agreed that teachers either lack initiative to help a student when they notice something is wrong or they heavily discipline without knowing all the facts. Islam said if his friends, who were also afraid of being bullied, defended him, he would have felt less isolated. Part of the problem with bullying is taking the chance of losing friends, he added. Just because Im from Pakistan, it does not make me a terrorist, he said. Or, just because Im brown doesnt mean I dont know how to speak English, or just because my parents wear a certain type of clothing doesnt make them any less of human beings. I feel like thats really hard to understand because were always trying to compare each other to, like, a social norm, social status. Both Islam and Chaudhary learned to cope by accepting who they are and then, in turn, sharing that wisdom with someone else who is being bullied. There are times, though, when self confidence isnt powerful enough. Lives have been lost due to bullying, and students said its a painful process to know a classmate took their life because of it. When asked if there are enough resources in each school district to manage bullying, students were honest. They said sometimes the teachers know what resources are available, sometimes they dont, and sometimes it seems like they just dont care. Shapiro said the honest, raw, and student-led discussions are a priority for his office. Were losing lives, Shapiro said. A central Pennsylvania man serving back-to-back life prison terms for murdering his wife and stepdaughter has failed to convince a state Superior Court panel he committed the shotgun slayings in self-defense. Instead, in an opinion by Judge Paula Franciso Ott the state court agreed with a Fulton County judge that Anthony Lyn Hollensheads claim that he killed the women to protect himself were just simply not credible. A county jury convicted Hollenshead last year for the May 2015 killings of his wife Laura, 39, and 19-year-old stepdaughter Jaedi Weed at the familys Belfast Township home. Both died from shotgun blasts. Hollenshead testified at his trial that he shot the two after they attacked him with a board and wrenches. He said his stepdaughter was pointing a rifle at him when he shot her, Ott noted. Other family members described Anthony Hollenshead, now 40, as abusive and controlling, Ott noted, yet he testified at trial that he had been physically abused by his wife. In his appeal to Otts court, Hollenshead argued there wasnt sufficient evidence to support his murder convictions. At most, he contended, he was guilty of involuntary manslaughter because he was under the mistaken belief he had to protect himself by using deadly force. In rejecting those arguments, Ott cited the conclusions of county Judge Angela Krom, who imposed Hollensheads life sentences. His defense was simply not credible, Krom wrote. Not only did the physical evidence belie his claim, but his own inconsistent and ever-changing claims demonstrated a lack of credibility of his defense. Ott seconded that assessment. We remind Hollenshead that although he may testify he acted in self-defense, a jury is not obligated to believe his testimony, she wrote. Gov. Tom Wolf was honored on Monday for being a true friend of animals" by signing into law in 2017 the first measure in nearly three decades that significantly strengthens laws against animal abuse and neglect, along with other animal protections. Standing on the front steps outside the state Capitol surrounded by a large group of bipartisan animal-friendly lawmakers and advocates, Wolf accepted the Humane Society of the United States Humane Legislative Leader Award with that laws namesake Libre at his side. Libre, a Boston terrier who was rescued from a Lancaster farm in near-death condition and nursed back to health, brought the need for stronger animal protection laws in Pennsylvania into the spotlight. That law imposes tethering restrictions and conditions, added protections for horses, increased the penalties for animal abuse and more. The humane societys Pennsylvania State Director Kristen Tullo said the passage of that animal protection law helped propel Pennsylvania from being 36th in the nation in the Animal Defense Funds rankings up to 15th spot. We were the most improved state and we will do the work it takes to get to number one, Tullo said, to rousing applause. She credited Wolf for establishing not only Libres law but other measures including one that makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly own or possess animal fighting paraphernalia, and another to ban the confinement of a dog or cat in an unattended vehicle under conditions that could jeopardize the animals health. Wolf, in turn, praised lawmakers for their bipartisan support in sending those bills to enhance animal welfare to his desk. Pennsylvania of all the places in the country needs to be a leader not a follower when it comes to being humane to our most innocent fellow creatures, Wolf said. While he said he is proud of the bipartisan effort to improve animal protections, the governor said, theres still more work that we have to do and I look forward to working with all these folks here with the Legislature to build on the momentum we already started with this act, Libres Law. While acknowledging there is more work to do, the humane societys Pennsylvania State Director Kristen Tullo said getting Libres law on the books established a benchmark for the humane societys advocacy. "Our collective persistence set the tone and inspires our continued fight for the voiceless, she said. The humane societys top priority in this legislative session is the passage of a measure called Victorias Law, named after a German shepherd rescued from a puppy mill after 10 years of breeding. It seeks to end puppy mills by prohibiting the sale of commercially raised dogs, cats, and rabbits in pet stores across Pennsylvania. The group also is seeking to enhance the Libres Law by establishing standards for what constitutes outdoor shelter for animals and during extreme weather. It also is advocating an end to live pigeon shoots and a ban on traveling animal acts. Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse's call last week for the state to take over the city schools came less than a month before voters will head to the polls to choose the people who will fill five of the board's nine seats. Papenfuses call for a state takeover was prompted by the districts refusal to allow state auditors access to its financial system. District leaders reversed that decision late Friday, saying they will allow auditors read-only, remote access to the system. But Papenfuse said he believes the problems in the district go beyond the issue of the audit and require the state's intervention. The board has in recent months been split between a majority of five members who vote to support the administration, and three members who have become known as a minority questioning the districts leadership. The ninth seat is held by Joseph Brown, who was recently appointed to fill a vacant seat for the rest of the year. Four of the seats that are up for election are held by members of the majority that typically vote with school board President Danielle Robinson to support Superintendent Sybil Knight-Burney. They are: Ellis Roy, Lola Lawson, Patricia Whitehead-Myers and Lionel Gonzalez. The fifth seat up for election is the seat held by Brown. None of three members who most frequently challenge the adminstration are up for election this year. All candidates are Democrats, meaning its likely that the top vote-getters in the May 21 primary election will win the seats in the November general election. Heres what those candidates seeking those seats said when asked their position on a potential state takeover. Incumbents: The Harrisburg School District Board director Ellis Roy, Jr. during a special meeting to vote on hiring in-house solicitor James Ellison, Monday, April 22, 2019. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLiveVicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive Ellis Roy Roy voted against a resolution stating the district would comply with the state department of educations demands. He told PennLive he agreed with a call for state receivership. He said the school board shows an inability to govern. This board doesnt respect each others positions, whether they agree or not, and the contempt for each other along with the disrespect is uncharted, Roy said. Taking this under evaluation shows an inability to govern. I welcome a third-party stewardship (receiver.) Roy said his only reservations would be how a receivership would be tailored. He said he didnt feel the prior model, where legislators gave control to former Mayor Stephen Reed, had overall positive results. The Harrisburg School District Board director Lola Lawson during a special meeting to vote on hiring in-house solicitor James Ellison, Monday, April 22, 2019. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLiveVicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive Lola Lawson Lawson voted against a resolution stating the district would comply with the state department of educations demands. She did not respond to multiple email requests for her point-of-view. The Harrisburg School District Board directors Patricia Whitehead-Myers and Lola Lawson during a special meeting to vote on hiring in-house solicitor James Ellison, Monday, April 22, 2019. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLiveVicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive Patricia Whitehead-Myers Whitehead-Myers voted against a resolution stating the district would comply with the state department of educations demands. She did not respond to multiple email requests for her point-of-view. The Harrisburg School District Board director Lionel Gonzalez, superintendent Sybil Knight-Burney, and acting business manager Bilal Hasan during a special meeting to vote on hiring in-house solicitor James Ellison, Monday, April 22, 2019. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLiveVicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive Lionel Gonzalez Gonzalez voted against a resolution stating the district would comply with the state department of educations demands. He did not respond to multiple email requests for his point-of-view. Challengers School board candidate Jayne Buchwach. Jayne Buchwach Jayne Buchwach said its no surprise that theres talk of state receivership given the actions of the administration and the majority of the school board. She noted the schools administration and school board members would lose authority if a state takeover was fully executed. "Excellent and committed people have thrown their hat in the ring (for school board), Buchwach said. The election will happen and new board members will be sworn in in December, perhaps too late. It is a shame because it would have been exciting to watch the new board operate, with transparency, ethics and accountable. So, I cringe at receivership and would rather have a new board working with the Chief Recovery Officer and state department of education, to propel the district forward and change the disastrous course this district has been on for eight years. I fear we are out of time. Harrisburg School Board candidate Lewis Butts, Jr. Lewis Butts, Jr. Lewis Butts, Jr. said he doesnt think the district needs to engage in full receivership. I feel that the state can assist with creating a failsafe system of checks, balances and policies that protect our fiscal priorities, Butts said. I think the City of Harrisburg, State Agencies and the School District in particular can create the perfect relationship to foster a competitive curriculum. Making wise capital investments and implementing a rigorous curriculum are just two of the many examples of how the school district and the city could work together, Butts said. Undoing whats already been done is going to take the community working with the district and city, he continued. Our school district is in shambles, and charter schools are trying to fill in the gaps, Butts said. We are faced with a challenge to design a better platform for our children to learn, be (educated) and practice lessons learned in our community. State receivership may miss the mark, he added. The State sometimes feels that they can do it all or stand superior to all, Butts said. When in truth, they are most effective when the administrations asks for help from the state." Harrisburg School Board candidate Ralph Rodriguez. Ralph Rodriguez The mantra that keeps repeating in his head is weve been here before, said Ralph Rodriguez. Pros and cons can be debated forever on a state receivership in the Harrisburg School district, Rodriguez said. He said he respects both sides of the argument. The citizens in the district and everywhere go out of their way to support and do their due diligence voting on candidates," Rodriguez said. "Once the power to choose is stripped from the people, I feel the direction well head in could be catastrophic. Test scores during the previous receivership failed to make target goals seven years in a row, and this is whats being proposed? "Regardless, the everyday needs of children in the district need to be met. I feel this can be achieved with a school board that can work in collaboration for the best interest of the district. We are very privileged to have so many candidates that stepped up to fill the five seats available. I have faith the system of democracy will prevail and the people will elect the proper officials to work together and be the change the Harrisburg School District needs. Harrisburg School Board candidate Jim Thompson. Jim Thompson Receivership is overdue, said Jim Thompson It is clear that the Harrisburg School District Administrators are not cooperating with the chief recovery officer to implement the Comprehensive Recovery Plan, Thompson said. When the school district failed to release last years audit (projected $10+ million deficit) in January 2019, and failed to produce the required first draft of the annual budget in February 2019, it was time for receivership. No budget equals no strategic thinking. The budget supports the educational programming, type of faculty, programs offered, etc. for the following school year. He said he thinks receivership should happen in July. He said the pace at which the board operates is alarming. No state department of education recommended, court-appointed receiver can work in parallel with this dysfunctional administration to put an effective educational plan in place for fall 2019, he said. Expect arguing among school board directors to intensify after the May 21 primary, with 1 to 5 new board directors in-waiting. Harrisburg School Board candidate Doug Thompson-Leader Douglass Thompson-Leader Doug Thompson-Leader said the problem is leadership, and hes skeptical that receivership will solve the problem. We have a positive fund balance but terrible financial management," he said. Why have we not been given an update on the budget for next year? Are there actions that could be taken between the board members individually and the Court of Common Pleas? Could the public petition the Court of Common Pleas to investigate questionable actions, votes, or inaction by the board and administration? Leader said hes not sure where he stands on state receivership. I would want to hear from the Auditor General and the state department of education," he said. There are many other actions that seem possible ahead of receivership. I also question if our current situation actually qualifies for receivership. We still have a positive fund balance. We have not asked for additional funds from the state. We have not asked for an advance on our basic education funding. What we clearly have is a mismanagement of our finances. There are voices that call for receivership at every slim opportunity. What we need is leadership and accountability. Harrisburg School Board candidate Gerald Welch. Gerald Welch Gerald Welch said he doesnt think state receivership is the right solution. I believe it is a knee-jerk reaction, Welch said. I cant help believe that the dysfunction demonstrated is a ploy to hide the fecklessness of the current administration. He noted that five of the members have voted in unison on every decision for more than a year and a half. Receivership is not the silver bullet that many believe will fix everything wrong with the current administration, Welch said. The chief recovery officer has indicated that some areas are improving, but the obstinate disposition of the board majority is intentionally hindering progress. I would like to think the election would inspire hope for change but newly elected members would not be seated until December. So the election wont necessarily stop the bleeding. My hope is that the district cooperates with the state Department of Education, and stops the nonsense that has dominated the narrative and the direction of the community. Harrisburg School Board candidate Cory X. Williams Cory X. Williams Cory X. Williams acknowledged the challenges the district faces are very concerning. There are pros and cons to state receivership, Williams said. "I think its a situation where we just have to trust the process." He said he thinks it will be a learning experience for all of us. But the children will be affected the most, he said. I think the students and citizens deserve better than what theyve been getting. The state alone cant fix a system that has continually failed us. The question is, does our current system of public education perpetuate our existing society? Our community reflects the incompetent and faulty teachings in our schools. I trust the process, and regardless of what takes place, I want to continue to work on bridging the gap between school and community. I want to continue in the work of making our communities better, safer and clean places to live. Our children must have a high quality education. Harrisburg School Board candidate Steve Williams. Steve Williams Stephen Williams said state receivership is not an inherently bad thing. However, receivership is strict and limits a districts ability to respond to changing circumstances, he said. Do I want the state to take over the school district? No. Do I think its becoming increasingly necessary? Yes. For years, Harrisburg School District has been in a state of financial distress. It wasnt just the audit or the hiring of the in-house solicitor but rather a whole host of poor budgetary decisions that has gotten us here. He said hed prefer a new crop of board members Ideally, a new crop of board members would have taken office and started working right away to turn the district around, he said. However, that would give the current board members months to keep messing around and that would be detrimental to our most vulnerable. He added he thinks the other challengers have the students and teachers best interests at heart. We will continue to be their advocates no matter what happens, he said. Its just unfortunate that the actions of the current school board has led us here, Williams said. But I understand that there is a point where the state says enough is enough. This story has been updated to include comments from Lewis Butts, Jr. A state appeals court panel refused Monday to void a $15 million verdict a jury handed down for 21 people who were injured and the estate of one passenger who was killed when a Greyhound bus crashed into a tractor-trailer. The accident occurred when the bus carrying more than 40 passengers rear-ended a slower moving semi on Interstate 80 in Union County at around 1:30 a.m. om Oct. 9, 2013. The bus was on an overnight run from New York City to Cleveland, Ohio, Senior Judge James Gardner Colins wrote in the Superior Court opinion upholding the damage award a Philadelphia jury issued in 2016. The injured passengers contended the bus driver fell asleep, Colins noted. The crash killed one female passenger and injured dozens of other passengers. The state judge cited testimony that the bus was going 67 mph at the time of impact. The passenger who was killed, a 37-year-old woman, was thrown from the bus by the force of the crash. The passengers who sued Greyhound claimed the company didnt enforce an in-house rule that required its drivers to stop every 150 miles to rest. Greyhound attorneys claimed during the seven-week civil trial that the tractor-trailer was moving at under 20 mph when the collision occurred and that the trucks driver was violating the law by entering the dark highway without activating his flashing warning lights, Colins noted. On appeal to the Superior Court, Greyhound officials claimed a Philly judge improperly barred them from introducing a supposed admission that the truck driver was intoxicated when the crash occurred. Among other things, they also argued a mistrial should have been declared when a lawyer for the passengers asked a Greyhound witness whether the company had set aside $81 million to pay claims from the crash. Greyhound insisted the passengers provided no evidence to support their claim that the bus driver, Sabrina Anderson, was too fatigued to be behind the wheel. Anderson testified that she didnt feel tired before the collision, but had lost consciousness suddenly, Colins noted. However, the state judge cited passenger testimony that Anderson, a 10-year veteran of Greyhound, was seen drinking a Red Bull energy drink as they boarded the bus and that she appeared to be nodding off as the trip progressed. Bus passengers also testified that the bus had swerved in and out of its lane over an hour before the accident, Colins wrote. The evidence was sufficient for the jury to find that the bus driver was subjectively aware for an extended period before the accident that she was too fatigued to safely drive and that she was in danger of falling asleep at the wheel, the judge concluded. There was no evidence Greyhound knew Anderson was in such a condition, but the company is still vicariously liable for the punitive damages the jury awarded, Colins found. He rejected Greyhounds argument that a mistrial should have been declared when the $81 million question was asked. The impact of that question was substantially tempered by the fact that the jurors already had been told Greyhounds assets exceeded its liabilities by $647 million, Colins decided. The $15 million verdict is not the only one issued against Greyhound over the crash. In January 2016 an Ohio jury awarded $27 million to a passenger who lost a leg in the collision. That verdict was upheld by an Ohio appeals court earlier this month. A separate Philadelphia jury awarded $5 million in damages to four other passengers during another trial in August 2016. Court records do not show that any charges were lodged against Anderson for the crash. In October 2015 a district judge acquitted the driver of the trash-hauling tractor-trailer, Akos Gubica of New Jersey, of reckless and careless driving, but convicted him of equipment violations. Gubica was fined $2,195. A hate crime against one is a hate crime against all of us, Pennsylvanias Attorney General Josh Shapiro said Monday. Shapiro met with high school students from host Susquehanna Township, Central Dauphin East, and Harrisburg School districts to discuss bullying. His 90-minute conversation incorporated recent worldwide events. Afterward he addressed the media about recent worldwide violence that targeted specific religious groups, culminating with Saturdays shooting at the Chabad of Poway synagogue outside San Diego. One person was killed and three were injured. "We are less safe when one group is targeted, he said. Hate speech is symptomatic of a greater problem, he added. "I was in Pittsburgh the day of the Tree of Life massacre. I said that day, and Ive repeated nearly every day since, and I said it again after San Diego, hate speech begets hate crimes. Six months ago, on the day of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, Shapiro released a statement in which he forewarned that there will be hard conversations ahead, looking at both our words and our laws, but they are critical for us to heal and move forward together. When words are used to spew hate against Jews, against Muslims, against Catholics, against anyone, everyone needs to say its unacceptable, he said. "From Sri Lanka, to New Zealand, to Pittsburgh, it is the same every time, Shapiro said. One group being singled out because of a particular attribute, because of their faith, or because of who they love or where they come from. We cannot tolerate that as a society. Calls for the state to take over the troubled Harrisburg School District grew louder last week as tensions continue to mount among local leaders over fiscal management concerns, questionable hirings, high teacher turnover, and persistently poor test scores. Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse is calling for the state to step in and put the district into receivership -- essentially giving a state-appointed receiver control of district operations. Republican Sen. John DiSanto and Democratic Rep. Patty Kim, both of whom represent the city, support that move. And at least one elected school board member, Ellis Roy Jr., is saying its time to surrender local control over the school system. State takeovers of school districts have been occurring for more than three decades in this country with mixed results. Leaving a community voiceless in the running of its schools is not a matter to be taken lightly, and takeovers tend to last longer than most local folks would like. But those who advocate this last resort option hope it will kickstart a turnaround, starting in the districts central office. With much of the recent news from the school district focusing on the school boards refusal last week to cooperate with state auditors -- a position district officials reversed late Friday -- as well as divisions among board members and even a call by some board members for a vote to oust the superintendent, Kirk Hallett believes placing the district in state receivership is the only choice. Hallett, director of the nonprofit Joshua Group which works with at-risk Harrisburg youth at the Joshua Learning Center in Allison Hill, calls the district a total chaotic mess. He sees firsthand how district students are being educationally short-changed. High schoolers come into his center for homework help who cant read past grade school levels. Yet, he said, they get passed on from one grade to the next or are allowed to graduate. Hallett is also on the board of an organization seeking to establish a charter school, the Pennsylvania STEAM Academy. The school board has rejected its charter application, and it is appealing. While he would love to see the district fix itself, Hallett said too few people in the community are coming forward to demand change. He reluctantly agrees with Papenfuse that even if voters elect new board members this year, its too little, too late. Its time for the state to step in, he said. Its a sad ending to a bad story but its the only reasonable chance the 7,000 kids have of somebody coming in and getting that ship running right, Hallett said. Pros and cons Calls in Pennsylvania and beyond for state takeovers of a dysfunctional districts sound all too familiar to educational experts, who talked about the pros and cons of such an action. The pros are clearly that the relationship between the state and that particular local agency become much better, said Gerald Zahorchak, a former state education secretary who now serves as an associate professor of education at University of Pittsburgh Johnstown. It provides sort of an opportunity for improving internal control systems so they will line up with what are the expectations of the state with regard to just about everything across a large continuum of control needed inside districts for overall management improvements to occur. Employees pay stricter attention to what the state-appointed officials want, he said. Compliance with state regulations is more closely adhered to. And the central administration and support services improve. Zahorchak said all that can happen within as little as a year or so. Jay Himes, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials, was more pessimistic in his view of state takeovers of districts. Experience has demonstrated that many of the challenges facing distressed school districts continue to exist regardless of who is in control, he said. Among those challenges: Classroom instruction and student performance show little improvement, morale remains low, high employee turnover continues, and the school environment as a whole doesnt change without more resources to address the underlying socioeconomic issues of a community. One of the characteristics of most of these districts in financial and academic distress is they suffer terribly from an ineffective statewide school funding system. They dont have the resources to meet the needs of kids in these districts where there tends to be a high concentration of poverty and kids with special needs, said Ron Cowell, a former state lawmaker who is now president of the Harrisburg-based Education Policy and Leadership Center. In Harrisburg, the total per-pupil expenditure approaches $20,000 and the instructional per-student spending is about $11,500, according to state education department data. For comparison, in Cumberland Valley School District, which has more than 2,000 more students, the total per-pupil spending is $14,300 and instructional per-student spending is about $7,500. While urban districts tend to spend much more than their neighboring district across the river or even next door, Cowell said they still dont have the sufficient resources to meet the needs of kids in these districts. Time and money In 2016-17, the state put in place a new statewide funding formula that factors in the needs of poor students and English language learners and directs more money to districts to educate those students. But that formula only applies to the new dollars added to the basic education funding line in the state budget since that formulas adoption and not all $6 billion-plus earmarked in the budget for basic education. Zahorchak said that needs to change. The formula needs to be applied to more than just any newly-appropriated money to make a difference in districts like Harrisburg. But it has to be done in a way that it doesnt end up hurting districts or having unintended consequences, he said. To do that requires a large injection of money, which is where some lawmakers efforts to apply the formula more broadly have hit a roadblock. History has also shown that state takeovers last longer than most local residents want. Philadelphia School District was taken over by the state in 2001 and didnt have control returned to a newly elected school board until last July. Chester Upland School District in Delaware County has operated under three state-appointed receivers since 2012. They often last longer than they need to be, said Rand Quinn, an associate professor of education at the University of Pennsylvania. Its hard to go back to local control. He came to Penn in 2012 and recalls hearing local advocates, parent organizations and teachers group at that time calling for returning Philadelphia School District to local control. Similar rumblings have been heard from the Chester Upland community. Striking the right balance between not wanting to turn over the reins too soon or too late is important, Quinn said. This has to do with the history of schools in the United States. Theyve always been local institutions, he said. Theres a certain sense that schools are owned by the local communities, so to speak, and that this is an institution that should be determined and controlled by local communities. Thats why parents and teachers often want local control returned even if schools arent meeting expectations, Quinn said. In Harrisburgs case, the school district was placed under mayoral control in 2001 for nearly a decade. In 2012, the state declared the district in severe financial recovery, a status that led to a chief recovery officer being appointed and access to an interest-free loans. The district remains in recovery to this day. Given that history and the division and dysfunction that has surfaced there in recent weeks and months, Quinn suggested its logical to consider the next consequence. It make sense to me that the receivership option is on the table, he said. Hallett said the local community has had its chance and the end result has been infighting, politicking, and turmoil that has proven to be a big distraction from the districts main focus: educating the citys youth. You need somebody to go in there and say this is the way we are going to do it, he said. You can keep your job but you better do this. Im sorry but the local folks have not taken care of it or they have taken care of it and let it continue. So for the sake of the 7,000 kids who are suffering at the end of the day, something has to happen. Something dramatic and unfortunately, the only dramatic thing that can happen is receivership, state takeover. An 83-year-old woman from Chambersburg died at the scene of a three-car crash Sunday morning that left three others injured, said state police at Chambersburg. The crash happened at 9:51 a.m. on Buchanan Trail West in Antrim Township, Franklin County. Police say the driver of a Honda Accord hit a Ford Focus that was stopped in the westbound lane of Buchanan Trail West, waiting to make a left turn into the Church of God parking lot, 4480 Buchanan Trail West. The impact pushed the Focus into the eastbound lane, where it collided head-on with a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The 83-year-old woman was a passenger in the Ford Focus. She was pronounced dead Sunday morning. The driver of the Ford Focus, an 82-year-old man from Chambersburg, and the driver of the Honda Accord, a 65-year-old man from Greencastle, were transported to Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, Md. for their injuries, police reported. The driver of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, a 38 year-old from Mercersburg, was transported to Chambersburg Hospital for his injuries, officers said. Police did not identify anyone involved in the crash. The statement from the Justice Democrats on the announcement that former Vice President Joe Biden was running for president was stark and straight to the point. It read: Joe Biden stands in near complete opposition to where the center of energy is in the Democratic Party today. Democrats are increasingly uniting around progressive populist policies like Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, free college, rejecting corporate money . . . While were going to support the Democratic nominee, we cant let a so-called centrist like Joe Biden divide the Democratic Party and turn it into the party of 'No, we cant." Ouch. So much for the man whose selection as vice-president was said to be the best decision President Obama ever made. That observation made by no less than Obama himself. And now? Ole Uncle Joe is being painted as the leader of the Party of No We Cant. A look back in the history of the Democratic Party reveals that this sentiment is appearing not for the first time. In 1972, the Democratic Partys establishment was all in for then-Maine Senator Edmund Muskie. The long-time senator had been an unexpected hit as the vice-presidential nominee on the 1968 ticket headed by Vice President Hubert Humphrey. Humphrey lost in a squeaker, defeated by Richard Nixon who won with a less than resounding 43% of the vote. Nixons Republicans had received a drubbing in the 1970 congressional elections, and Muskie quickly emerged as the overwhelming choice of organization Democrats. And then. Out of the blue emerged the far-left anti-Vietnam War South Dakota Senator George McGovern. McGovern was nothing if not precise with his plans. He would withdraw from Vietnam, pronto. And he produced one far-left agenda item after another as his platform. Theodore H. White, the famous chronicler of presidential campaigns hit on Muskies problem exactly. Writing in his best-selling account of the campaign, The Making of the President 1972, White wrote: The slogans everywhere read the same: Trusty Muskie. So did his primary speeches. There were hard times coming, he would say; we had to live together. Nixon had promised to bring us together, but we were still divided. Let us live together.(Muskie would say) We are all Americans. And: Hopefor two centuries America has represented hopeIts hope that brought other people here. People would listen to a Muskie speech attentively as he began; then rustle and shuffle their feet; and their attention would wane. Trust, without substance, was difficult to sell. .People were willing to trust Muskie, but were asking, again and again, trust Muskie for what? What did he mean? What was he all about? In contrast, White observed this of what he called McGoverns Army. Among the men who reported the revolution in China years ago, it was accepted that by the time guerrilla forces surfaced in any province, political infection had metastasized there too deeply to be stopped. By the time regular troops formed up to cope, the infected province was already lost. As the Democratic primaries now, in the early spring of 1972, moved on from Florida to Wisconsin, (after New Hampshire, in which McGovern came in with a shockingly strong second-place finish to Muskie) the Democratic regulars discovered a similar guerrilla presence too late. No other metaphor but that of a guerrilla army on the move can describe the upheaval that was to shake the entire Democratic Party in the next ten weeks, for the march of George McGovern in those ten weeks would go down as a classic in American political history . . . the insurrection of George McGovern was a national mobilization of irregulars - a masterpiece of partisan warfare, its troops living off the land, tapping veins of frustration everywhere; raising money locally as they rolled; their captains and lieutenants, young men without commissions or epaulets, commanding and creating a net of cells in storefronts, cellars, campuses, kitchens; youth and women organized; all of them recruiting, preaching, persuading, stirring to action hearts hitherto unstirred by politics. Plainly put? Joe Biden - who won his first Senate election in 1972 - is 2020s Ed Muskie. The affable, centrist, longtime senator who was every Democrats favorite vice president. But whose very centrism infuriates the far-left, McGovern-style guerrilla army of today that is already attacking him. And as this primary season unfolds, it is perhaps worth noting that George McGovern, once nominated, was defeated by Richard Nixon in a 49-state landslide. The York County Bar Association released the results of its judicial candidates poll for York County Court of Common Pleas. While the group doesnt officially endorse any candidate, one can assume a score of 81 percent and one of 18 percent are perceived quite differently and carry some weight, as the YCBA describes its poll as a public service to help voters determine what candidates would be the best at this time for York County. While I am sure Jonelle Esbach, who received 81 percent in the poll is qualified for the job, I am confident Sandra Thompson, who received 18.6 percen,t is what is best for York County at this time. While the YCBA underscores this poll is not a popularity contest, it doesnt reveal how it assesses the qualities. Do the candidates fill out a form? If so, whats on it? Is it check-the-box or answer questions? Do they submit resumes? Write an essay? Are the candidates interviewed? Do members get to hear from the candidates before voting? (Oddly, YCBAs survey comes out before its debate.) I believe that Sandra Thompson, her voice and professional and life experiences, is exactly what York County needs on the bench at this time. I encourage York County voters to attend the YCBAs candidates forum at York College Center for Community Engagement, April 30 at 6:30 p.m., to hear for themselves. For those who don't know Sandra Thompson, shes a mom and grandmother. Shes an attorney, and servant leader in our community in many roles, among them President of the NAACP of York. Sandra has over 25 years of experience in the judicial system. She worked as an Adult Probation Officer for women offenders; a case-manager for delinquent and dependent youth; a certified legal intern; an attorney with Central Pennsylvania Legal Services (now Mid-Penn Legal Services); an Assistant Public Defender and Assistant District Attorney; and as a private attorney in her own small business. Raised by a single mom, she raised her children as a single mom, putting them through college, while advancing her own education and career. Her experiences bring a more holistic, real-world view to the bench that is not represented. Her tagline fair, firm and insightful captures what she will bring to the bench, with insightful the operative attribute that creates an environment for better/smarter outcomes for families and our community. Sandra has experience in most areas of the law of general practice that is brought before the Court of Common Pleas. She also practices federally in the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Pennsylvania, U.S. District Courts. Throughout Sandras life, she has fought for quality education and safer neighborhoods. She mentored youth, created professional organizations, brought together the community and law enforcement officials, and organized marches against violence, and even helped to develop a successful Gun Buyback Program to make the community safer. Sandra advocates for opportunity, diversity and inclusion. She believes our youth are our future, so we must better prepare them, their parents and guardians to overcome addictions, convictions, and limitations that have a negative effect on the family. She believes youth are taught by example that their purpose is bigger than their circumstances. These are key reasons why she seeks the Judgeship of the York County Court of Common Pleas. They also are among the reasons why I support and will vote for Sandra Thompson, and encourage my fellow York Countians, Republican and Democrat alike, to do the same on May 21. Deborah Yonick Kalina, Codorus Township resident One year later, more than 129,000 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in region As of December 18, the Health Department of Northwest Michigan has given 61,424 of COVID-19 doses across its service area of Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego counties. Dancers rehearse Reggie Wilson's "Grounds That Shout" at the Church of the Advocate last week. The site-specific work considers churches not just as sacred spaces, but as parts of history, meeting places, performance spaces, and more. Read more Churches arent just places of worship. Theyre often also historic buildings, community centers, performance spaces, and meeting places for senior lunches, Alcoholics Anonymous gatherings, and other social get-togethers. They are spots you may have walked past and admired but not really thought about deeply. Reggie Wilson, a New York choreographer, was interested in the concept of these roles beyond worship while visiting African American churches in the last few years. He was on a quest to explore the relationship among church, race, and Manhattans downtown dance scene, where churches such as St. Marks and Judson Memorial are home to experimental dance. Wilsons church-specific choreography was then performed twice as a platform for New Yorks Danspace Project, the term Danspace executive director Judy Hussie-Taylor uses for exhibitions that unfold over time as performance events. Hussie-Taylor wanted to bring the Danspace format to other cities, starting with Philadelphia, and Wilson was her guinea pig and curator," he said. He spent nearly three years making it happen, expanding his artistic gaze beyond African American churches here to historic congregations more generally. The result, beginning Thursday, is Grounds That Shout! (and others merely shaking), presented by Philadelphia Contemporary in partnership with Partners for Sacred Places and the Danspace Project. It will feature three days of performances this week at the Church of the Advocate in North Philadelphia, and a procession next week that audiences will follow among three churches in Society Hill: St. Peters Episcopal, Old Pine Street Presbyterian, and Mother Bethel AME. For Grounds That Shout!, Wilson visited Philadelphia often to select the churches and Philly choreographers to include. What is consistent to the New York platform was that I invited contemporary choreographic movement artists to make new movement pieces in relationship to site, history, he said. But even the basic concept of the dance is different between the two cities, Wilson said, as downtown dance is specific to New York, where one of the first such companies was named after the church that housed it: Judson Dance Theater. The Philadelphia equivalent? Lets call it contemporary, experimental, avant-garde. This weekends performances at the Church of the Advocate will feature Wilsons work with his own company, Fist and Heel, as well as the work of two Philadelphia choreographers, David Brick and Germaine Ingram, who also helped him navigate Philadelphia. They were trusted colleagues, as hed known Ingram for a decade and Brick since we were 16 at a dance camp together. Philadelphia is very different [from New York], Brick agreed. Its more process-oriented. Its a Quaker town. That translates to dance is in collaborations and public showings of works-in-progress in Philadelphia, whereas New York is concerned with being more polished, finished at any stage." Philadelphia as a city early on had a major black middle-class," Brick said. That is particular about Philadelphia and shapes everything about Philadelphia, even the experimental art. When Reggie came to Philadelphia, he really wanted to be respectful of Philadelphias artistic culture. Germain and I were birds on his shoulder. Next weeks procession, on May 11, will include performances at the three churches and performances as the audience walks among them. Meg Foley will present a short dance at St. Peters. Then the experimental dance troupe will transport the audience from St. Peters to Old Pine, where Lela Aisha Jones | FlyGround will perform. From there, audiences will follow and watch the Almanac Dance Circus Theatre en route to Mother Bethel, where Tania Isaac will present the final piece. It took me forever and ever to land on which artists I liked, through a really long process Wilson said. "I got a long list from Philadelphia Contemporary of everybody who worked in Philadelphia forever. Brick noticed a current theme in the project. Sometimes people who are religious and artists kind of see themselves as separate and opposing places in this culture," he said. This place of finding meaning as audiences, groups of people together, has a meaning, said Brick, who added hes not a churchy person. I dont have a lot of experience with temples or churches." This is a place where dance and church actually share some things. See where the connections do lie. Wilson wanted that connection to run deep and wanted to give his artists insight into who walked the land before them. So he hired a local dramaturge, Arielle Julia Brown, to prepare a dossier, a 37-page document starting 10,000 to 12,000 years ago, when the Lenni Lenape moved to the area we now know as Philadelphia. Brown went to services at each church and sat with the congregants. She wasnt sure what theyd think of outsiders but was glad to see how generous in spirit and welcoming they were. It was the perfect job for her, said Brown, who is also public programs developer at the Penn Museum. I am a Christian, and I engage theology in the traditions of womanist theology and black liberation theology, Brown said. Im always curious about how congregations orient themselves, how theyve moved over time, especially congregations that are this old, how they have moved across centuries, exploitation of slavery and labor, Jim Crow. Who are these people now? Wilson was interested in shout traditions in African American religions, in liturgical and praise dancing, in Shakers, and more. Along with compiling the dossier, Brown was available to answer artists questions as they were creating their pieces. One was interested in land and nature at large." Brown would prod: Maybe youre curious about what kind of trees or the medicinal uses of foliage in this area? Even a no in that is still information for me. For Wilson, Grounds That Shout! is not about specific devotions. The churches are just a placeholder," he said. "Its not just about Christianity, but I was thinking about religion, spirituality, belief systems. DANCE Reggie Wilson: Grounds That Shout! (and others merely shaking) 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2, and 8 p.m. Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4, Church of the Advocate, 1801 W. Diamond St. Procession at 12:30, 2, and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11, beginning at St. Peters Episcopal Church, Third and Pine Streets. $10-$15, philadelphiacontemporary.org. For decades, Vanguard Group appeared to exercise its voting rights, in companies where it holds shares, as a monolith. No longer. The mutual funds giant last week announced its most interesting shareholder voting development in years, spelling out how and why it votes on corporate governance, compensation, strategy, and other proxy matters at public companies. As of the end of 2019, Vanguards 25 external managers will have full voting power over shares in the mutual funds they manage. Wellington Management, for instance, the outside money manager that manages mutual funds for Vanguard, can now make independent voting decisions and engage with management of the companies in which it holds shares instead of referring back to the Malvern mother ship for direction. In effect, the external managers who manage $471 billion worth of stocks in American corporations will soon have a say in matters like executive compensation, mergers and acquisitions, and electing directors at those companies. The decision-making power could extend to controversial topics like corporate accountability and climate change. Still, that $471 billion represents a bit less than 10 percent of Vanguards $5 trillion in total assets. Second, Vanguard disclosed in its fascinating 16-page piece that the company does not vote in lockstep with recommendations from proxy advisers, such as Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) or Glass Lewis, for voting on behalf of the Vanguard funds. Data from proxy advisers serve as one of many inputs into our research process. Even when a funds vote happens to be consistent with a proxy advisers recommendation, that decision is made independently. In the 2018 proxy voting year, for example, Vanguard funds voted differently from ISS on 7% of ISSs for recommendations and 9% of its against recommendations," the Malvern-based fund giant wrote. Vanguards disclosure is worth reading on your own, and is available at this website. Crucially, Vanguard is often the largest or one of the top 10 shareholder in public companies, usually joined by BlackRock, Fidelity, and State Street. In 2018, institutional investors including mutual funds collectively held 70 percent of public company shares in the United States and voted 91 percent of the shares they held. Individual investors who directly held stocks accounted for the remaining 30 percent of share ownership, yet they voted only 28 percent of the shares they held, according to Vanguard. During the proxy year ended June 30, 2018, Vanguard funds cast proxy votes on 168,786 individual ballot items. Although environmental and social proposals get a lot of attention, director elections, capitalization matters, and executive compensation issues accounted for the majority of our voting activity, the company said. Next month, oil giant ExxonMobil is expected to hold yet another proxy vote on climate change. Vanguard voted for a related resolution last year, as did BlackRock. Whats surprising about Vanguards shift? I was surprised, given the fact theyve been refusing to talk about things like corporate political donations, said Bruce Freed, president of the Center for Political Accountability in Washington, which tracks political giving by S&P 500 companies. As Vanguard founder John Bogle outlined in the Wall Street Journal last year, U.S. index mutual funds own more than 17 percent of the American stock markets value up from 4.5 percent in 2002. Its unclear if Vanguard is changing its proxy voting in order to outsource votes on controversial issues or to keep pace with investors demands for more accountability at public companies. Vanguards decision aligns the interests of shareholders more closely. Active fund managers are more informed about whats going on at the company level. They can buy or sell the stock at any time, whereas an index fund cant, said Michael Pagano, professor of finance at Villanova School of Business. The active managers can now take a public stance on controversial issues, he said. Jeff Perkins, executive director at Friends Fiduciary, which manages $470 million for Quaker institutions nationally, said he views Vanguards news as positive, but this is not even 10 percent of their assets. For us, this is really important when it comes to environmental shareholder proposals. Vanguard does not have a stellar record in terms of proxy voting surrounding that issue, he said. Still, its a sign that change is afoot: In 2018, Vanguard supported 12 percent of climate change shareholder proposals, vs. none in 2014, said Perkins. Finally, Vanguard and the other Big Three asset managers may have found support for more corporate transparency in an unlikely place. An influential jurist, Delaware Supreme Court Chief Justice Leo Strine, wrote last year about the reluctance of institutional shareholders to vote for political spending proposals. Strine is an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania law school. Unless public companies act in a manner that is environmentally, ethically, and legally responsible, they are unlikely to be successful in the long run, he wrote in a research paper. Strine dubbed corporate political spending a fiduciary blind spot: They let corporate management spend the worker investors entrusted capital for political purposes without constraint." While use of traditional cigarettes was down, rates of e-cigarette use among pregnant women were almost identical to those women who were not pregnant. Read more Pregnant women tend to heed the advice of doctors when it comes to giving up smoking traditional cigarettes, but not necessarily for vaping. Researchers at the University of Iowa found that when compared to the general population, pregnant women in the U.S. were less likely to use cigarettes. But when it came to using e-cigarettes, the rate of vaping was about equal. The study appears Monday in JAMA Pediatrics. Though e-cigarettes have been marketed as a quit-smoking strategy, they do contain nicotine, which can be harmful to both the mother and fetus. Its also not clear whether the flavored fluid used in e-cigarettes might produce hazardous byproducts. The researchers looked at nearly 28,000 women ages 18 to 44 1,071 of whom were pregnant using data from the National Health Interview Survey. The study is the first estimate of e-cigarette use by U.S. women who are pregnant or of child-bearing age, authors said. In addition, the study found that e-cigarette use was more common among pregnant women who also smoked combustible cigarettes than it was among women who were not pregnant and used both kinds of products. Nationally, there has been a dramatic increase in vaping, especially among teens. In 2018, about 4.9 million middle and high school students used some type of tobacco product in the 30 days before they were surveyed, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I am very happy that a very low percentage of our patients smoke to begin with, said Holly Cummings, assistant professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Pennsylvanias Perelman School of Medicine. Patients at her practice have not reported turning to e-cigarettes as an alternative to traditional cigarettes, she said. Cummings said she counsels any patient who is using a nicotine product, like cigarettes, e-cigarettes, gum or patches, about the potential dangers of nicotine for both the mother and fetus. Probably the biggest one we think about is that babies are born with low birth weight, she said. According to Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, babies who are born weighing less than 2,500 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces) fall into this category, sometimes because they are born too soon. Low birth weight babies may have a harder time gaining weight and fighting infections and may face other complications. At the Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative, there havent been clients who report vaping or using both e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes, said Cathy Butler-Witt, the assistant director of public health programs. The group offers free smoking cessation programs for pregnant women and others in the house who may smoke or care for the children. And they work with providers who care for pregnant women and mothers to provide educational materials, she said. When people come to the program, they are aware of the risk factors during pregnancy, said Butler-Witt. But she said there is the perception that because e-cigarettes do not have the same chemicals as conventional cigarettes, they are somewhat safer. Nicotine is known to be harmful to developing brains and lungs, Butler-Witt said. The brain development is altered, said Butler-Witt. The infant can go through a nicotine withdrawal that looks like colic. They are also at risk for learning difficulties, behavior problems and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, she said. The babys lung capacity actually changes, she said. Using a product with nicotine can result in an early delivery and loss of a pregnancy. A 2018 study found that a mothers exposure to nicotine whether from combustible cigarettes, nicotine patches or e-cigarettes increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome for her child. Beer is prepared for the judges to taste at 2016 Brewvitational. This year's event will be held May 13. Read more Reader: When is this years Brewvitational beer competition and festival at Reading Terminal Market? Craig LaBan: I have good news, and disappointing news. The good news is that the Inquirers annual Brewvitational competition for local beer is happening once again, and we are celebrating our 10th edition. Its amazing how great ale can make time fly, and weve certainly documented a whirlwind decade for brewery growth, no doubt the biggest beer bump the Philadelphia region has seen since Prohibition. To mark that maturing new wave, Brewvi X will put a special focus on barrel-aged beers as this years featured style category when the panel of expert judges convenes Monday, May 13, for a private blind-tasting at the Inquirers offices. Well also be seeking the regions best new beer, so Im hopeful that well have as many local breweries represented on the tasting table as possible. To that end, any breweries that did not already receive an entry form with competition info should write to me right away at claban@phillynews.com. There is no cost to enter, and the blind-tasting format already with some legendary judges committed this year never plays favorites. The bad news? Unfortunately, the public festival complement to the competition Taste of the Brewvitational will not happen this year due to logistical hurdles. Im hopeful that this is just a one-year hiatus, because that event was in growth mode and the Terminal was a perfect spot to showcase the best of anything local especially beer. It was particularly rewarding to watch members of the public get a chance to taste what we judges were raving about and connect directly with the brewers who are doing such good work to revive one of the regions birthright industries. In the meantime, stay tuned for a special Brewvitational edition in the Inquirer Food section and on Philly.com in late May, in time to give you the ultimate list of must-drink brews to guide you through another Philly Beer Week. An exterior view of FACTS Charter School in Chinatown North, showing the pedestal where the broken lion statue sat. Its partner remains on post, out of the photo frame, on the other side of the gate. Read more The smashing of a Chinese lion statue outside a Chinatown neighborhood school is being investigated by the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations as a possible bias crime, Executive Director Rue Landau said Monday. The lion was shoved off its base, its head breaking against the sidewalk. The vandalism was discovered Sunday by Wei Chen, a longtime advocate for Asian youth and a member of the commission. An exterior school wall had recently been tagged with graffiti. The Folk Arts Cultural Treasures School (FACTS), located near 11th and Callowhill Streets, grew out of a movement by the advocacy group Asian Americans United, which wanted a school to help the under-served Chinatown community. FACTS encourages students to work for a fair and just society, schooling Asian American students and also immigrant and refugee students of many races. "We dont have evidence that this is bias-motivated, said the schools executive director, Ellen Somekawa, and we arent making that accusation. We dont know why somebody did this. The vandalism has left people at the school hurt and sad, she said. The lions were a gift from the Chinatown community to the school, which opened in 2005 and moved to its current location in 2006. The sentiment around the gift of the lions increased the pain of this incident, Somekawa said. Guardian lions are a traditional Chinese architectural element, seen everywhere from the Forbidden City in Beijing to humble doorsteps in Philadelphias Chinatown. Theyre believed to be protectors, and always come in pairs. The male lion steadies a ball under one paw, while the female holds a cub. Its thought that the male protects the building, the female the family inside in larger sense, that one lion protects the world, the other the people. At FACTS, the damaged lion was raised on a forklift and moved into the schoolyard. The other remains at its post beside the school gate. Deb Ciamacca was in her Conestoga High School classroom last fall showing a movie to her students, silently reflecting. What the hell am I doing standing here in this place? The social studies teacher was playing a documentary about Chris Hurst, a former student of hers who, after his journalist girlfriend was slain on live television, quit his job to run for and win a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. I thought, If this kid can do it, she said, I can do it, too. So Ciamacca, 60, followed her own advice to students be a participant in government instead of spectating and will this year retire from the teaching job shes had for nearly two decades. The Democrat is running in the 2020 election to represent Delaware Countys 168th District in the Pennsylvania State House, a legislative seat that party leaders are watching closely and see as ripe for a flip. Ciamacca, an ex-Marine who went viral last year for dumping on President Donald Trumps idea to arm teachers with guns, announced her campaign in February, more than a year before the primary will take place in the moderate, suburban district. From the classroom to the campaign trail Ciamacca has long toyed with how political to get in class. After Trump was elected, she got creative. In January 2017, when airports were filled with protesters angry after he unveiled a travel ban targeting majority-Muslim countries, Ciamacca framed her class discussion in a way her students might understand: Such a ban excludes others based on religion, she told them, which would be a violation of Conestogas code of conduct. Then, in February 2018, there was Parkland. Florida high school students rose up in favor of strengthening Americas gun laws, and shortly after, Trump announced his support for an NRA-backed plan to arm teachers with guns. Ciamacca wrote an op-ed for Time Magazine, saying: "I will not arm myself with a gun in my own classroom just because those in power refuse to wield the more powerful weapon of common sense. The piece went viral, and she was interviewed everywhere, from CBS to Comedy Central. And her students took notice. Kids like to hear that their teachers also have something to say, she said. I think kids respect that. Ciamacca said she was also inspired to run by students who last year were part of an initiative to get their classmates registered to vote. Jahnavi Rao, who was involved in the group, said she looked up to Ciamacca because shed advised the Conestoga Young Democrats and the Young Republicans. My chosen path for what I want to do is because of the way that she has inspired me through teaching, said Rao, 18, who is now studying government at Harvard, [and] showing how government works in a very understandable way. >>READ MORE: These Philly-area teens got 100 classmates to register to vote. Now, theyre taking the next step Hurst, who graduated from Conestoga in 2005 to become a journalist and is now in the midst of his own reelection campaign, said he took two classes taught by Ciamacca. He was a pretty terrible student, he said, and her class was one of the only ones in which he actually did the homework. What he remembers most, though, was how Ciamacca incorporated her past as a Marine into the classroom. She wants all her students to do the Marine grunt, the oorah,'" he said, "whenever something was going well in school. Military experience plays well for political candidates, but its something many veterans dont want to campaign on. They didnt serve so they could talk about it afterward, said David Heifetz, a spokesperson for New Politics, a Boston-based group that works with former service members running for office and is advising Ciamacca. Heifetz said she reminds him of Chrissy Houlahan, who was elected in 2018 to represent Pennsylvanias Sixth Congressional District. Both are veterans. Both were teachers. Both worked in the private sector (Ciamacca was in manufacturing for more than a decade after her military service). And both are Democratic women inspired to run for office in the Trump era. In addition to working with New Politics, Ciamacca has attended a couple of training sessions for first-time candidates and has also worked with Emilys List, a national super PAC that funds pro-choice Democratic candidates. Her prospects in the 168th Ciamacca is poised to win the county partys endorsement, barring another Democrat entering the race, said Colleen Guiney, chair of the Delaware County Democratic Committee. The 168th District is about 49 percent registered Republicans and 37 percent Democrats, but Guiney sees the district, which has been represented by a Republican for 50 years, as a prime target for Democrats. She said shes optimistic that Ciamaccas moderate message will resonate with voters. Besides guns, Ciamacca is passionate about environmental protection issues, a key concern for this district, which is home to part of the controversial Mariner East 2 pipeline. But she could face a challenge differentiating herself from incumbent Republican Rep. Chris Quinn, who won reelection in the 168th by less than 500 votes last year. He has a mixed voting record on guns he was endorsed by a local group that advocates for stricter gun laws and recently introduced a package of bills aimed at strengthening state regulations of pipeline companies. Quinn declined to comment on Ciamaccas candidacy, other than to say, 2020 is a long way off and I have a lot of work Im trying to accomplish. Ciamacca said she doesnt yet know what her winning issue will be. She hopes to determine that after talking with voters standing behind the 20,000 doors shes planning to knock on between now and next fall. What Ciamacca can say at this point: This will be her fourth career path. She cant be a career politician. Im going into this because I want to leave something, she said, for the kids I taught for the last 18 years. Staff writer Jonathan Lai contributed to this article. A former Philadelphia police officer was sentenced to nine years in prison Friday for conspiring with officers in Baltimore to sell cocaine and heroin seized from that citys streets. Eric Troy Snell, 34, was paid thousands of dollars serving as a conduit between corrupt members of a Baltimore police task force who stole the drugs and his brother, who sold them in Philadelphia. He pleaded guilty three days into his trial in November in U.S. District Court in Baltimore on charges of conspiring to distribute illegal drugs, after his primary contact in the Baltimore Gun Trace Task Force, Detective Jemell Rayam, testified that he twice provided narcotics for Snell and his relatives to sell. The first batch came from nine ounces of cocaine that Rayam said he and his fellow task force officers recovered after it was thrown out the window of a car they were pursuing during a high-speed chase. Later deals involving seized heroin netted at least $2,000 on Philadelphias streets. Snell pocketed half and deposited the rest in Rayams bank account. After the initial transaction, Snell later admitted, he agreed to sell heroin and other drugs for Rayam, who is to be sentenced next month. In all, eight former Baltimore police officers, including two commanding sergeants, have been convicted as a result of the FBIs probe into the Gun Trace Task Force, a special unit deployed to crack down on the proliferation of illegal guns. All but Rayam are now serving prison terms for using their positions to rob drug dealers and to pocket hundreds of thousands of dollars uncovered while searching homes and cars of suspected criminals. A ninth officer, charged last month, is accused of planting a firearm at a crime scene in 2014 to justify a fellow officers decision to run the man down with his squad car. Snell began his police career in Baltimore in 2004 and met Rayam at the police academy there, prosecutors said. He joined the Philadelphia force in 2014 and had been assigned to the 35th District in Northwest Philadelphia before he was fired shortly after his November 2017 arrest. Snells lawyer, David R. Solomon, did not immediately return calls for comment Monday. John T. Adams, president of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association and current Berks County DA (left) and Larry Krasner, Philadelphia DA. Both testified in Harrisburg on 4/29/2019 on the topic legalizing marijuana for recreational use. Adams said "recreational marijuana is not safe or harmless." Krasner differed, attacking the association. Read more The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association testified against legalizing cannabis for adult recreational use at a hearing in Harrisburg Monday, eliciting a stinging response disputing the associations claims from Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. Recreational marijuana is not safe or harmless, Association president John Adams told a joint hearing of the Democratic Policy Committees. Our opposition stems from science, research and data, as well as information from our addiction specialists. Rejecting the associations claims, Krasner called it the group that gave us an 800 percent increase in jail population and also called Pennsylvanias current cannabis laws dumb. The District Attorneys Association is "not relying on science, Krasner said at the joint hearing. Theyre relying on pseudoscience, which has been a well-funded industry to prosecute this, because people make money including criminal defense attorneys make money when it is prosecuted. Adams and Krasner are former criminal defense attorneys. Krasner said his office will not prosecute cannabis DUIs unless people show active I repeat, active psychoactive amounts of cannabis in their system that rise to a level which has generally scientifically been agreed upon as affecting driving. It is unclear what that level might be. Tests can only detect the level of THC metabolites in the blood, but not determine intoxication. Adams said that states where marijuana has been legalized for adult recreational use are seeing negative consequences. Legalization has not ended the black market and tax revenues from marijuana sales have not outweighed the costs, which he said were drugged driving, absenteeism, and drug treatment. Adams also said that legalized states have experienced significant increases in the number of fatal crashes in which marijuana use has been implicated. Krasner dismissed that claim vigorouslyand blamed the District Attorneys Association for propagating the myth of cannabis-caused crashes. What that law currently says is that if there is any detectable amount of digested marijuana in your system, then you are DUI, Krasner said. "So in other words, if I smoked a joint 30 days ago, it has absolutely no psychoactive effect whatsoever on anything I am doing, and I drive a car, then I am driving under the influence. This is absurd. It has been the law in Pennsylvania forever. It is on a collision course with our medical marijuana, which is going to tell people medically its OK for you to take this for the various neuropathy or other forms of disease that you have, but somehow you cant drive. Its absurd and its indicative of what we have gotten from the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association. Patrick Nightingale, an attorney and cannabis advocate from Pittsburgh, testified that though fatal crashes linked to a detectable amount of THC metabolite in the blood more than doubled in Colorado from 2013 to 2017, it was because Colorado only recently began testing for THC in all DUI investigations. Adams said the District Attorneys Association supports legislation to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana. Such legislation would help clear cases from the criminal docket and allow law enforcement officials to focus on other matters. We consider this a smart, commonsense approach, said Adams, the district attorney for Berks County. Follow Inquirers complete coverage of cannabis and medical marijuana at Philly.com/cannabis A beluga whale seen as it swims next to a fishing boat before Norwegian fishermen removed the tight harness, swimming off the northern Norwegian coast on Friday. Read more BERLIN When Norwegian fishermen spotted a beluga whale last week, there was nothing that immediately indicated a national security threat. But when the whale defied normal behavior and continued to harass their boats, the fishermen spotted a strange harness, wrapped around the whale's body. "Equipment of St. Petersburg," read an inscription on harness they later recovered, according to Norwegian media outlets. Researchers say that the harness could have carried weapons or cameras, triggering new speculations over a sea mammal special operations program the Russian navy is believed to have pursued for years. While the Russian Defense Ministry has previously denied the existence of such a program, the same ministry published an ad in 2016, seeking three male and two female bottlenose dolphins, offering a total sum of $24,000. In this part of Europe, nobody would be surprised if the latest Norwegian discovery did indeed turn out to be the fallout of a military experiment gone wrong. Since the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea, the Kremlin has been behind a series of creepy reminders of the massive military apparatus lurking on Europe's eastern outskirts: mystery submarines, unidentified jets that almost crashed with a passenger plane in at least one instance, and strange troop movements. But numbers released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute on Monday prompt the question if Russia is punching above its weight. While the United States accounted for 36 percent of global military expenditure last year, Russia only spent 3.4 percent less than rapidly growing China, as well as Saudi Arabia, India and even France. The Russian military is still considered to be among the world's most powerful forces, which is why European defense strategists remain concerned that the country could theoretically overrun the continent within days. The Kremlin commands over 1 million active troops, compared to Germany's roughly 180,000 and Russia's military spending last year was still 27 percent higher than about a decade ago. But the numbers indicate that years of Russian military operations abroad, Western sanctions and falling global oil prices have left a mark. The Kremlin funded a major modernization program starting in 2010, which resulted in a surge in Russian expenditure, but annual spending has substantially fallen over the last two years after the project was completed. Other U.S. foes often cited in Washington, such as Iran, similarly fade in comparison to the U.S. military. The United States spent 50 times more on defense last year than Iran, for instance. Meanwhile, in the European Union, the recent Russian modernization drive and broader concerns over the Kremlin's reach triggered an uptick in military spending that is only now fully materializing in statistics, the researchers said Monday. Increased military spending in the European Union may also be due to growing U.S. pressure to comply with their NATO obligation of 2 percent of GDP, which many member states do not meet. The SIPRI figures may put countries that haven't sufficiently increased spending, such as Germany, once again in an awkward position. In Eastern Europe, for instance, Russia accounted for almost 90 percent of all military spending last year, highlighting the dependence of that region on the U.S. military and, by extension, on NATO. In the broader scheme of things, NATO supporters are likely to cite Monday's figures as evidence that the alliance is keeping the peace in Eastern Europe. And on a more granular scale, should the Norwegians want to learn more about training sea mammals like beluga spy whales they could do worse than asking their U.S. allies. After all, it was the United States that spearheaded the use of sea mammals for military purposes in the 1950s, at the time backed by a budget its foes continue to be jealous of until today. According to the U.S. Navy, its dolphin and sea lion recruits are used to locate sea mines, retrieve objects from the ocean floor and scout the underwater approaches to beaches. They are not, however, involved in offensive operations. West Chester Chief of Police Joel Herzog speaks to reporters during a news conference, Monday, April 29, 2019, in West Chester, Ohio. Multiple people were found dead at an apartment complex in Ohio after a man called 911 saying he had returned home to find his wife and family members on the ground and bleeding. Herzog said that police were searching the area for any suspect, and there was no immediate threat to the community. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) Read more WEST CHESTER, Ohio (AP) Three women and a man were found dead at an apartment complex in Ohio where multiple gunshots were fired, and no suspect has been identified, police said Monday. West Chester Township police said a man called 911 around 10 p.m. Sunday, saying he had arrived at the Lakefront at West Chester complex to find his family members on the ground, bleeding. Township Police Chief Joel Herzog said at a news conference Monday that it's too early in the investigation to suggest a motive. It will be up to the Butler County coroner to determine the cause of death and release the victims' identities, Herzog said. Herzog said there didn't appear to have been any return fire, and police were trying to identify a suspect or suspects and interviewing family members and neighbors. "It does not appear that the shooter is among the dead," Herzog said, adding that he doesn't believe there is any danger to the community. "It appears to be isolated," Herzog said. He added that the victims all appeared to have resided in the same apartment in the township roughly 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Cincinnati. The man who called 911 provided little information on the call. He could be heard frantically shouting to neighbors for help while the dispatcher tried to question him about what happened. The caller has spoken to investigators, Herzog said. He confirmed that the caller was a relative of the victims. Authorities have said that multiple agencies, including the State Highway Patrol, have been assisting in the investigation. Police established a perimeter around the apartment complex early Monday, and used police helicopters and K-9 units to search for a suspect. Herzog said "we're actively searching with all the resources we can." West Chester Township is a growing, mostly suburban area along Interstate 75 in southwestern Ohio. ___ AP writer Dan Sewell in Cincinnati contributed to this report. FILE - In this April 1, 2019, file photo, attorney Michael Avenatti arrives at federal court in Santa Ana, Calif. Avenatti pleaded not guilty Monday, April 29, 2019, to charges that he stole millions of dollars from clients, cheated on his taxes, and lied to investigators. Read more SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) Attorney Michael Avenatti pleaded not guilty Monday to charges that he stole millions of dollars from clients, cheated on his taxes, and lied to investigators. When asked to enter a plea in federal court in Santa Ana, Calif., Avenatti told the judge, Not guilty to all charges. He declined to comment after the hearing and referred reporters to an earlier statement he gave about the right to be presumed innocent. Avenatti rose to fame representing porn actress Stormy Daniels in her legal battles against President Donald Trump. He was indicted earlier this month on 36 counts, including wire and bank fraud. His trial is scheduled to start June 25. Prosecutors have said Avenatti embezzled settlement funds and proceeds from other matters he handled for five clients and doled out small portions, sometimes labeling them as advances to prevent thefts from being discovered. Avenatti has denied the charges, saying he had made powerful enemies and would plead not guilty and fight the case. "The right to a presumption of innocence and the right to a jury trial are two fundamental rights that our founding fathers demanded when this country was formed over 200 years ago," he said in a statement before Monday's hearing. Initially, Avenatti said he would represent himself on Monday after telling the judge he was finalizing an agreement with a private attorney. The judge asked a public defender to stand in and represent him solely for Monday's arraignment. Avenatti was arrested in March in New York in a separate case alleging he demanded millions to stay quiet about claims he planned to reveal about Nike paying high school athletes. He has denied wrongdoing in that case as well. The charges are a blow to a legal career for Avenatti that took off after he represented Daniels in her lawsuit to break a confidentiality agreement with Trump to stay mum about an affair they allegedly had. Avenatti became one of Trump's leading adversaries, attacking him on cable news programs and Twitter. At one point, Avenatti considered challenging Trump in the 2020 elections. Police and firefighters respond to the scene of a helicopter crash in a residential neighborhood of Kailua, Hawaii, Monday, April 29, 2019. Fire and pieces of helicopter rained from the sky Monday in a suburban Honolulu community in a crash that killed three people aboard, officials and witnesses said. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia) Read more HONOLULU (AP) Fire and helicopter parts rained from the sky Monday in a suburban Honolulu community in a crash that killed three people aboard, officials and witnesses said. "All you could see was fire," witness Melissa Solomon said, explaining that she was driving on the street when she looked up to see flames and a helicopter plummeting in front of her. She said she had turn onto another street because she was afraid more pieces were going to fall from the sky onto her and her 16-year-old daughter sitting in the front passenger seat. "We could have been smashed by it," she said. Paramedics responding to an unrelated call about 30 yards (27 meters) away heard "a horrific bang," said Shayne Enright, a spokeswoman for Honolulu Emergency Medical Services. When they turned around, they saw a helicopter on fire. "When they got there, neighbors were doing a heroic job trying to put out the fire and also trying to get the patients away from the burning aircraft," Enright said. Debris damaged a rental car about 100 yards (90 meters) from the crash. Megan Lacy of Alabama was visiting friends when they heard the crash. They went outside, expecting to find two cars after they had hit each other. "We were really confused," she said. "And then we heard screaming and the word 'fire,' and I saw smoke," she said. A resident said he heard the morning crash then saw a ball of fire in a road when he ran from his house. Leleo Knappenberger told Hawaii News Now that his mother heard the helicopter flying over the house, making a strange noise. He said he later saw what appeared to be the tail end of the helicopter. "It's all smashed to pieces," he said. Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said the agency believes three people were on board the four-seat, Robinson R44 aircraft. He said the circumstances of the crash were unknown. No further details were available on those killed. The helicopter, which was built in 2000, is registered to United Helicopter Leasing LLC of Honolulu, according to FAA records. State business records show Nicole Vandelaar as the manager. A woman who answered the phone at the business and identified herself as Nicole declined to immediately comment, saying she was too busy to talk. The crash occurred in Kailua, a town of 50,000 people about a 30-minute drive from downtown Honolulu. Former President Barack Obama stayed at a rented beachfront vacation home in the town during the winter holidays when he was in the White House. The crash site was on a two-lane road amid one and two-story homes. The road connects the commercial center of town with residential areas. Kailua is home to a Marine Corps base. In recent years it's become a popular destination for tourists to go to the beach, hike and shop. ___ Freelance journalist Marco Garcia contributed to this report from Kailua, Hawaii. Associated Press journalists Caleb Jones and Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu and Mark Thiessen in Anchorage, Alaska, contributed to this report. Burlington Island, once the home of Native Americans, a Colonial trading post, wealthy Main Line residents on summer break and a 1920s amusement park, is filled with decades of debris. Read more Just off the coast of Burlington City, in the middle of the Delaware River with a view of the Burlington Bristol Bridge, sits a 400-acre treasure that was once home to a colonial-era trading post, Main Line residents on summer break, and a 1920s amusement park. The walking paths of the serene Burlington Island wrap around a freshwater lake that rests in the center, where a bald eagles nest overlooks the site as its perpetual protector. But despite its natural splendor, Burlington Island is also a dump. Scattered throughout the property are mounds of 1950s refrigerators, dishwashers, a 40-foot oil tank, and the carcasses of delivery vehicles that dropped off supplies when the Delaware River would freeze and trucks could cross. A circular cement pit, once the foundation of a carousel, had a more recent life as a gathering place for teens to party. Now, the leaders of Burlington City and its Island Board of Managers hope to return the island to the vitality of its heydays, as a place to relax and enjoy nature. The trash has been there since the islanders and the city knocked everything down, said Michael Zalot, president of the Island Managers, who has been on the board for half a century. They didnt do terribly much to remove it all, until just recently." Its a wonderful natural resource and its almost like going to another country," he added. Theres no cars, its just peaceful and calm." The trash on the island has been accumulating since at least the mid-1970s, when the remains of rundown summer homes were demolished because of safety concerns. The debris was never completely removed and there were still visitors who arrived by boat over the decades who also left behind trash. In 2012, the island was closed to the public by then-Burlington City Mayor James Fazzone, who was concerned that emergency crews could not easily get onto the site, 150 yards away. Now, theres a move to reopen it. On April 10, volunteers and 20 employees of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection removed 1,300 pounds of soda bottles, beer cans dating to the 1960s, barbecue grills, bicycles, and other items. On May 5, a major weeklong cleanup will begin with the goal of hauling away most the large items. United by Blue, a Philadelphia-based sustainable-clothing brand that removes one pound of trash for every item they sell, has contracted an industrial barge from River Services, a marine transportation company, and will work with city and and state employees and volunteers to retrieve the trash for a week. Its a really unique setting in which were helping to clear out historic infrastructure that has been stuck on the island due to the lack of resources to get it off, said Maria McDonald, regional coordinator for United by Blue. The Board of Island Managers and other Burlington City leaders want to bring the island back to life for family recreation and educational activities for the region. Theres no set date for it to reopen, and funding is needed, but that is the goal of the nonprofit, whose board members are paid $100 a year. Burlington Island has a great history and, hopefully, an even brighter future, said Joe Abate, a member of the Island Managers board for more than 20 years. Once we clean it up, they should open up the island to the public. Theres fields here that theres no reason the Boy Scouts cant come to and use. Theres projects, like the Girl Scouts, they put bat boxes up. Theres the youth of our community who are just begging for things to do, he added. On a recent tour of the island, Island Managers board members said once all of the trash is removed which could take until the end of the year with additional volunteer efforts they have grand plans. They want to rebuild a dock so the island is more accessible. Abate said he and others want to bring a VFW camp to the island, similar to a model hes seen work in Michigan. At the camp, veterans and their families could go hiking and canoeing, study nature or just enjoy the outdoors. Karen Robbins, a local business developer and longtime advocate for Burlington Island, has been working on fund-raising for an indoor/outdoor water museum. She said she and the Island Managers are also looking for organizations involved in water conservation to curate and operate their own exhibits. The Center for Aquatic Sciences at Camdens Adventure Aquarium signed and delivered a letter of intent to the Board of Island Managers last year that says it will collaborate with the board to provide, environmental education experiences for residents of and visitors to Burlington Citys Burlington Island scenic natural resource. Robbins said there is a need for educational programs about Native American settlements on the island before Swedish, Dutch and English settlers took it over in the 1600s. The Mantas (or Leaping Frog) tribe of the Lenni Lenape referred to the Burlington Island as Matinicunk," according to Island Managers documents. Thomas L. Swan, Burlington City councilman who joined the recent tour, says he supports the Island Managers and their initiative to create a useful public space for residents and visitors. This island is a natural beauty and I want to work with the Board of Island Managers to help clean up and make this island safe for people to use it," Swan said. Its amazing teamwork and its greatly appreciated. HARRISBURG Dozens of works of art from the Philadelphia Museum of Art will be lent over the next three years to a network of regional museums across the state, thanks to a $700,000 grant from two art foundations. The artwork including Marsden Hartleys Blessing the Melon (The Indians Bring the Harvest to Christian Mary) and Charles Demuths Tulips will be displayed in eight regional museums, from Allentown to Erie, in an initiative art officials say is one of the largest in-state sharing programs in the nation. For the regional museums, its a dream come true, said Kathleen Foster, senior curator of American art at the Art Museum. Most of them cannot afford to actually purchase these artworks themselves So it gives them access to an amazing panorama of American art. For museum audiences, said Foster, its huge. They will have an opportunity to learn about American art in their own backyard in a way that was never possible, said Foster, who is also the director of the Art Museums Center for American Art. The funding is coming from Art Bridges and the Terra Foundation for American Art. The regional museums that will receive works include the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown; Allentown Art Museum; Erie Art Museum; Reading Public Museum; Palmer Museum of Art at Pennsylvania State University; Trout Gallery at Dickinson College; Demuth Foundation and Museum in Lancaster; and Westmoreland Museum of American Art. The initial loans include works by some of Pennsylvanias most notable artists, including Demuth, Edward Hicks, and Charles Sheeler. Blessing the Melon will go to Allentown. The Palmer has requested Homage to the Square (It Seems), a 1963 painting by Josef Albers. And the Reading museum has selected Sheelers Bucks County Barn and Pennsylvania Landscape. The Trout will borrow five silhouettes by Moses Williams, the early 19th century cut-paper artist who grew up enslaved in the home of the Philadelphia painter Charles Willson Peale. This goes right to the heart of our goals of community engagement, said Timothy Rub, chief executive officer of the Art Museum. The Art Museum regularly lends artwork to museums around the world a delicate and often expensive process. The $700,000 grant will, among other things, help cover the costs of transporting the artwork, which includes careful packing and crating, and supervising the shipping. Though the sharing program is funded for three years, museum officials hope to extend that life span. Everyones wish is that this becomes a perpetual partnership, said Foster. Luis Rivera dances down the hallway at in West Kensington's Isaac A. Sheppard School, which has low teacher turnover. Read more Every morning, principal Elana Galli stands outside Isaac A. Sheppard Elementary to greet her students. As she ushers them into the 140-year-old gray stone building, she worries whether the child with only one pair of shoes will find them this morning, or whether some will arrive without clean clothes and need to quietly borrow some to avoid being teased. One thing Galli doesnt have to worry about is whether her staff will leave her, and Sheppards kids. Although the challenges of working in West Kensington are real, the tiny K-4 school employs some of the districts most senior educators. Half of Sheppards teachers have worked there for almost two decades. One veteran commutes an hour each way from South Jersey. Sheppards success holding on to experienced teachers stands in contrast to the 26 schools identified by The Inquirer as having alarmingly high rates of staff churn, hindering some of the citys most vulnerable children. Nearly all of these high turnover schools are in neighborhoods below the poverty line and predominately minority, just like Sheppard. But theres a difference. Sheppard has a younger and smaller student population than most, and its teachers say they feel supported by one another and by the principals theyve worked for over the years. So they stay. This is not a school where you come in, close your classroom door, and work alone, said Colleen Lutz, a literacy specialist who has taught at Sheppard for 20 years. Knowing every other teacher in this building has my back really helps. Were family. Education experts say a stable teaching staff is crucial to childrens academic success and emotional health, and the continuity at Sheppard helps students feel safe and ready to learn. When Galli became principal there almost two years ago, she saw the schools teacher stability as an asset whose potential hadnt been fully tapped. For example, Galli realized many students scoring in the lowest category for state testing, below basic, just missed being in basic, the next tier up. So she directed her veteran staff to focus on those students, and they managed to raise up some of their neediest learners as well as cut the share of students with the lowest scores nearly in half. I feel privileged to lead a staff that wants to be here, Galli said. I have taught in and led schools that lacked a sense of community. At Sheppard, its wonderful to foster it and not have to build it. Unlocking kids learning brain At Mitchell Elementary, a K-8 school in Southwest Philadelphia, students know when they enter the school that theres a good chance theyll have Robert Wharton as their fourth-grade teacher. Wharton has spent 18 years at Mitchell, a few blocks from the house where he grew up. He could leave for a suburban district, but as an African American man, he finds it important that his students see a role model who grew up in the same circumstances they are in. For part of Whartons tenure, Mitchell struggled, and teacher turnover was high. But over the last several years, a new principal and her team have brought new energy to the school. Now, the school is a place where teachers stay; turnover is improving. In 2017-18, three-quarters of the staff were the same as the year before. For 2018-19, that climbed to 85 percent up from just 50 percent in 2012. While turnover decreased, the schools academic achievement has shot up. Its among the citys leaders in academic growth. Wharton said the lower turnover and surging academics are related. A stable teaching force means everything in the world, because kids need consistency, Wharton said. As Mitchell earns a reputation as a place where people want to teach, were all seeing improvements, academically, behavior-wise. The kids and teachers are getting what they need. Bregy Elementary in South Philadelphia also has enviable teacher stability: Over the last two school years, 97 percent of the schools faculty was unchanged. Jonathan Leibovic, who teaches seventh and eighth graders, is one of Bregys newest teachers, in his second year at the school. He believes that teacher retention is one of the factors that sets the positive tone of the school, which has made academic gains in recent years. Its a self-perpetuating cycle, Leibovic said. When the teachers are retained, they have better relationships with students and families, and the students and families trust them more, and the teachers dont want to leave. Stephen DiDonato, associate director of Thomas Jefferson Universitys Community and Trauma Counseling Program, said that it makes sense scientifically that schools with a more stable faculty tend to perform better academically. Those connections that those kids have are going to unlock their learning brain at a much higher level, said DiDonato. School as a safe haven At Sheppard, Lutz spends her days working with small groups of students who are struggling readers. She knows the names of all 167 enrolled at the school and those of many of their siblings and cousins, too. In recent years, shes even taught the children of former students. Teachers such as Lutz, who know their students well, can motivate them to attend school or persist when theyre frustrated by a lesson they dont understand. That encouragement has led the share of Sheppard students coming to school 95 percent of the time to double since last year. Sometimes having a teacher to regularly confide in can help students learn. On a recent school day, Lutz led students through an exercise in writing sentences as a way to test their knowledge of composition. As a prompt, she asked a small group of third graders to write down their dreams. I have a dream that people will stop shooting because people die. I have a dream that bullying will stop. After the students turned in their assignments and returned to their regular classroom teacher, Lutz teared up as she read their work. Its very important that the children know all of us and see school as a safe haven, she said. Thats the only way theyre going to learn. Sometimes Sheppards proximity to West Kensingtons open air drug market means teachers and students hear gunfire from inside their classrooms. Their parents, many of whom live within blocks of the school, can hear those same shots. Ali Martinez, 26, said she trusts her 6-year-old daughters teacher to protect her. When I hear gunshots, I never think I need to rush over to make sure shes safe, Martinez said of her daughter, Alianna. I know she is. Teacher stability combined with strong leadership makes Sheppard, despite its many challenges, a place where even new teachers can thrive unlike the 26 schools with high turnover, where new teachers all too often feel unsupported and overwhelmed, and quickly burn out and leave. Keely Gray started her career at Sheppard about a decade ago as a student teacher assigned to Lutz. She said she always felt comfortable asking her more senior colleagues for advice on lesson planning and classroom management. Everyone was so welcoming and supportive in those early years, Gray said. They helped me grow. Several years ago, she left to work at a larger school in Northeast Philadelphia, where fewer students lived in challenging circumstances. But she said it lacked the sense of camaraderie she felt at Sheppard. So she did what few experienced teachers in Philly appear eager to do: She took her talents back to the high-poverty school. This school has my heart, Gray said. Its where I belong. Racial biases in the criminal justice system have been well-documented from profiling by police during frisks and car stops, to charging, plea bargaining and sentencing. But a new analysis reveals how wealth inequality exacerbates those systemic biases in Philadelphia keeping black defendants in jail awaiting trial at a rate 25 percent higher than their white counterparts. According to Megan Stevenson, an assistant professor of law at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., differences in ability (or willingness) to post bail account for one-third of the citys race gap in pretrial detention. Even though the courts and community groups have undertaken efforts to reduce the number of people held pretrial, 40 percent of defendants will remain in jail at least three days on bail as low as $1,000 of which they would have to post just $100. But when bail amounts are set higher, white defendants are far more likely than black counterparts to be able to scrape together the deposit needed to set them free. At $25,000 bail or a deposit of $2,500 white defendants are twice as likely to go free while they fight their case. Stevenson, who has published a new paper on the misdemeanor system in Philadelphia and other jurisdictions with University of Georgia law professor Sandra Mason, spoke with The Inquirer about her ongoing research on the issue and what it means for racial justice in Philadelphia. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. At very low bail amounts, your research appears to show, white defendants actually bailed out at a lower rate than black defendants. Can you explain? In Philadelphia, if a person is held on a detainer, basically even if they paid their bail, they couldnt get out anyway because they have some sort of hold on them due to being on probation or parole for another case, and they can only get credit for time served if they are held on monetary bail. So at these super-low amounts, its a combination of people not being able to pay because they cant afford it and not paying because even if they did pay, they wouldnt be able to get out. Once you get up to bails of about $5,000, though, and you have more than 50 percent of defendants detained, that is no longer really an issue. So what you have here is more than 50 percent of defendants are unable to come up with $500 to pay their way out. And when you look at bail deposits of about $1,000 or more on bails of $10,000 black defendants are about 10 to 15 percentage points less likely to post than white defendants with the same bail amount. We know that race and wealth are correlated in this country. Black people on average have less wealth, lower incomes, potentially less access to credit. So the use of monetary bail can translate into racial disparities in who gets detained. Even if the judges arent taking race into account when they set bail, you can have racial disparities resulting because of disparate abilities to post bail. Other research youve done shows that being locked up pretrial then correlates with many other disadvantages: a 42 percent increase in sentence length and a 13 percent increase in the rate of conviction. Are there other ripple effects? Not just correlates my research and other research has shown that being detained pretrial causes an increase in the likelihood of pleading guilty, an increase in the expected sentence length, an increase in the amount of court fees a defendant is liable to have to pay, as well as potentially destabilizing longer-term effects, in terms of labor market participation and so forth. And Philadelphia court costs, at a median of $500, were the highest of any jurisdiction you looked at in your study of misdemeanors. Whats the impact of that? This is $500 to a group of people who, only about half of them were able to come up with $500 to be able to pay bail. So $500 is a lot of money to a lot of people. The repayment rates are not that high. Currently theres a lot of people that are just in debt to the criminal justice system in Philadelphia. For a couple years, Philadelphia hired a collection agency and started aggressively going after people who owed the courts money. They ended that a few years back because, one, its blood from a stone; people dont have the money. But also their records were of such abysmal quality they couldnt really [verify] the demands they were making. . They stopped pursuing it as aggressively as they once were, but its not insignificant for a number of people to have this cost, whether they pay it or whether they simply remain in debt to the court system. What do you think of community bail funds as a solution? They can only do so much. I think bail funds are interesting. I would rather see more fundamental change. Crime. Poverty. Education. Those are Philadelphias most intractable problems, and have long defied easy policy solutions. And voters still consider them the most pressing issues facing the city, according to a new Inquirer Poll. Just one month before a highly competitive May 21 primary election for mayor and City Council, those concerns diverged from other campaign topics that have drawn the most heat and attention: taxes, corruption, gentrification, and proposals to open supervised injection sites for people addicted to heroin. The poll, conducted for The Inquirer by SurveyUSA, collected opinions from 865 registered Philadelphia voters between April 17 and 23. Asked which issue among seven city officials should focus on most, 37 percent named crime, with 21 percent choosing poverty and 15 percent mentioning education. Gentrification, immigration, corruption, taxes, and other registered in single digits. Other findings: In the first independent poll to measure opinion on the so-called soda tax on sweetened beverages, 62 percent of respondents call it a failure, and 55 percent say it should be repealed. However, voters like the pre-K programs it funds; by a ratio of 3-1, they say a different tax should pay for them. Mayor Jim Kenney gets good marks for his job performance: 48 percent of registered voters approve, while 31 percent disapprove. An equal number of conservatives and liberals (21 percent) strongly approve of Kenney. Geographically, he is most popular in Center City. Twenty-one percent of respondents say they are better off today than when Kenney was elected four years ago; 29 percent say they are worse off; and 43 percent say they are in the same shape as they were in 2015. SurveyUSA canvassed voters by telephone and mobile-device questionnaires. Respondents reflect the citys makeup by race, age, income, education, and other demographic categories. The poll is subject to a sampling margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percentage points. Concern about crime was remarkably consistent across racial and ethnic groups and neighborhoods. When I do turn on the news, someone is being killed, or someone is being robbed, said Laura Fletcher, 51, a Democrat from West Philadelphia, who has been unemployed for a month and participated in the poll. Her nephew was killed in 2017 in Mount Airy, and police have yet to make an arrest. Forty-five percent of Republicans and 37 percent of Democrats rank crime as Priority One. These shootings theres three and four reports a day. Every day you see more, said respondent Raymond Knapp, 75, a Republican who is retired and lives in the Northeast. Thats what makes everything else worse. The number of homicides has increased in recent years, and 351 people were killed in Philadelphia last year, the highest number since 2007, according to the Police Department. Crime levels remain higher than in other cities, and gun violence plagues some areas. However, crime overall is down significantly 11 percent from when Kenney took office. Other violent crimes, including rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults, are down to levels not seen in decades. But Philadelphia still has the highest percentage of people living in poverty of any U.S. big city, a concern among many voters. "It seems a little difficult for people to find a job and keep a job. I see a lot of people on drugs without hope, respondent Alisha Amon, 35, a Democrat in Fairhill, the citys poorest neighborhood, told The Inquirer. If [only] there were more programs for people to get jobs. Voters broadly approve of the mayors performance but not his policies Kenney shows the power of Democratic incumbency in Philadelphia: Forty-eight percent of registered voters polled say they approve or strongly approve of the job Kenney has done as mayor, while 31 percent disapprove or strongly disapprove. But voters disapprove of Kenneys signature achievement: the soda tax that pays for pre-K and other programs. Sixty-two percent of the respondents call the levy, imposed in 2017, a failure, while 26 consider it a success; the rest say it is too soon to say. A majority of voters (55 percent) say the tax should be eliminated, and 17 percent say it should be reduced. A quarter say it should stay the same or be raised. Voters also largely disagree with the Kenney-supported plan for a nonprofit to open a supervised injection site, where people addicted to opioids could use illegal drugs surrounded by medical and health services to help them in case of overdose. Sixty-seven percent reject that idea while 22 percent support it. Eleven percent are unsure. I dont think its right. You cant even smoke marijuana legally, but people can shoot up legally? said Amon. I live near Kensington and Allegheny, and I cant even walk there with my kids because people all look like they are falling asleep, she said. She supports addiction treatment, perhaps neighborhood health centers, but not a place to legally use drugs. Despite the charged political atmosphere around immigration, Kenneys sanctuary city policy of refusing to provide information to the federal government about some people in the country illegally finds strong support. Fifty-nine percent say it should continue; 34 percent say it should end. Voters support limits on Council power In Philadelphia, the mayor can serve only two consecutive four-year terms, but City Council members have no term limits. Some challengers are for them, but theres little appetite among incumbents on Council to change the system, which would require voter approval to amend the City Charter. Sixty-four percent of survey respondents say Council members should have term limits. Eighteen percent say the system should stay the way it is. Seven percent say neither the mayor nor Council members should have term limits, and 3 percent say only Council, but not the mayor, should face limits. Councilman Allan Domb introduced a bill this year to limit members of Council to two consecutive terms. Even if people dont like a politician, they keep reelecting them, registered Democrat Lisa Rosen, a fund-raising consultant who lives in Washington Square West, told The Inquirer. They always have an advantage, they have name recognition, they have a bully pulpit. Their campaigns are subsidized in office, but when they get comfortable, they arent accountable for what they do. Rosen and other respondents also say Council members should have less power over land deals. Currently, district Council members have final say sometimes called councilmanic prerogative over most land-use decisions in the neighborhoods they represent, including zoning and sales of vacant land. Council members argue this lets them protect constituents from adverse development. Critics have said the power is often abused or inhibits a neighborhoods growth. Fifty-seven percent of voters in the poll say Councils power over land purchases in their district should be reduced or eliminated. Nineteen percent prefer it to stay as it is and 10 percent think it should be expanded. Normally a wonky issue, councilmanic prerogative has become a campaign issue this year, with several candidates vowing to end or limit the practice. In January, the city halted sales of most public vacant lots after The Inquirer reported on real estate developers netting big profits buying city-owned land below market prices and flipping it, with the help of district Council members. Voters say tax abatement is bad for Philly Philadelphia began the tax abatement in 2000 to spark development. It lets owners of new or renovated residential and commercial properties avoid paying property taxes on the improvements for 10 years. The abatement has been credited with spurring development, but critics say its done its job and drains resources needed for education and affordable housing. Denise Blocker sees condos going up all over the city and calls it an injustice that the owners dont have to pay property taxes while she scrapes together what she can each year. Blocker, who is 60 and supporting a son and a niece on less than $40,000 a year, says the 10-year tax abatement is bad for Philadelphia. Everybody should have to pay, said Blocker, a Democrat who lives in North Philadelphia. Ten years is a long time. You look at all the gentrification. ... If you can afford to build a new apartment building, you should be able to afford to pay the taxes on it. Overall, 57 percent of the voters in the Inquirer Poll agree. Twenty-five percent approve of the abatement. According to the poll, older people who have lived in the city longer are more opposed to the abatement than newer, younger residents. Thirty percent of respondents 50 or younger think the abatement is good for the city, compared with 18 percent of those 50 or older. Despite the argument that the tax takes money away from schools, the percentage of parents who favor the abatement is higher than the percentage of non-parents who favor it. Staff writers Chris Brennan, Andrew Seidman, and Chris Palmer contributed to this article. Philadelphia's tax on soda and other sweetened beverages is an issue in the 2019 mayor and city council races. The outcome could determine the fate of the tax. Read more Philadelphia City Council passed the citys historic and controversial tax on sweetened drinks in 2016 after intense debate and on a 13-4 vote. But what will be the fate of the tax in 2020? That may depend on the outcome of the May 21 primary election. The tax, which funds pre-K, community schools, and the Rebuild program to improve parks, recreation centers, and libraries, is Mayor Jim Kenneys signature achievement of his first term. As an incumbent, Kenney is favored to win the Democratic primary against his two challengers who oppose the tax: former City Controller Alan Butkovitz and State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams. The real battleground over the tax will likely be in Council, where candidates appear to have conflicted views on the 1.5-cent-per-ounce tax on soda and other sweetened beverages. Of the 35 Democrats running for Council who responded to an Inquirer survey, 20 support the tax and 15 oppose it. All of the Republicans who responded to the survey oppose the tax. READ MORE: Where the Philadelphia City Council candidates stand on soda tax, other key issues In interviews, however, candidates expressed more nuanced and conflicted views. Even the taxs opponents voiced support for the initiatives it funds; some said they would simply like to see different revenue sources. And some who said they oppose the tax clarified that they would not vote to repeal it without a new funding plan in place. I think the actual question asked is a really hard one to answer, said Erika Almiron, a Democratic candidate in the at-large race, who answered the Inquirer survey by saying she supports the tax. Voters are also fairly split. An Inquirer poll the first independent polling done about the tax found 55 percent of registered voters would like to eliminate the levy. But asked whether pre-K should still be funded if the tax were eliminated, 62 percent of voters said a different kind of tax should be put in place. Of the 865 voters surveyed, 62 percent said the tax was a failure or a complete failure, while 26 percent said it had been a success or complete success. Thirteen percent of voters said it was too soon to say. Councilman Derek Green, who is running for reelection to an at-large seat and voted for the tax in 2016, said he still supports it. Green said that he has concerns about its impact but that it would be difficult to find another funding source for pre-K and other programs. People say, We support the investment in pre-K, we support Rebuild, but where do you take the money from? Green said. Its a little more convenient for those who are running for office [for the first time] to say what they would or would not do until they have a chance to vote. The taxs supporters see it as a way to fund critically needed programs that improve the lives of the citys children; some also see it as good public health policy to discourage the consumption of sugary beverages. Opponents, meanwhile, argue that its burden falls disproportionately on the low-income families the tax is designed to help, and that it has hurt businesses in the city. The tax has remained controversial since it passed, with groups on both sides spending millions of dollars to fight for or against it. Other cities and states have had their own battles over similar taxes, and many politicians are closely watching Philadelphia. The American Beverage Association is continuing to fight soda taxes in Philadelphia and across the country. The group spent more than $600,000 between April 2 and 18 on its Philadelphia campaign, according to its most recent campaign finance report, largely on television, radio, and online advertising. The Ax the Bev Tax coalition is spearheading a campaign to inform Philadelphians of the continuing damage that the tax is causing working families, small business and their employees, and that they have a chance to repeal the beverage tax now, said Anna Adams-Sarthou, a spokesperson for beverage industry-funded group. Harrison Morgan, a spokesperson for Kenneys campaign, said the beverage industry has shown theyll stop at nothing to take away free pre-K from thousands of our children. Morgan said Council candidates who oppose the tax should also explain why they would eliminate pre-K funding. Current Council members have already taken action to evaluate and reconsider the tax. Legislation introduced last month that could phase out or eliminate the levy gained several cosponsors, and Council voted to study the tax. READ MORE: A timeline of Philadelphias soda tax Sandra Dungee Glenn, a Democrat running for an at-large seat, said that its definitely in the top five issues that come up when she talks to voters. They definitely support pre-K and they dont want to hurt pre-K, she said. They want to have another way to pay for it. Asa Khalif, a local activist running for a Democratic at-large seat, said he would like to consider ending the citys 10-year tax abatement for new construction or rehabilitation projects and using it to replace the beverage tax revenue. The soda tax is not the way to do it, he said, adding that the tax places the burden on the backs of poor people and working people. Lauren Vidas, a candidate for the 2nd District, which includes Point Breeze and Graduate Hospital, responded to The Inquirers survey by saying she opposes the tax. But asked in person, Vidas offered a different answer: The tax is regressive, she said, but since it went into effect, shed like to just make sure its revenue goes to the right programs. She is running against Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, who voted for the tax and indicated on the survey that he supports it. I dont think its a great tax," Vidas said, "but I would not vote to repeal it. At-large candidate Eryn Santamoor supports the tax. But like most candidates interviewed, she offered a mixed response by saying she would like to broaden the funding streams for the beverage tax-funded programs to make sure they are sustainable. Santamoor also said she wished people would talk more about other issues. Can we talk about something else? she asked. Theres a lot of problems in this city we need to address." Recently, I took part in an important congressional delegation led by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to both the United Kingdom and Ireland. We traveled to both countries to deliver a clear and unambiguous message: It is vital that whatever Brexit deal ultimately passes the UK Parliament does not harm the Good Friday Agreement. Prior to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, Northern Ireland suffered from decades of violence between the British Army and both Irish Republican and British Loyalist paramilitaries. During The Troubles, the 300-mile border between the Republic of Ireland, which fought and won its independence from British rule a century ago, and Northern Ireland, the small northeastern part of the island still under British rule, was littered with armed soldiers, barbed wire, tanks, and watch towers. The Good Friday Agreement made it all disappear. It literally broke down barriers on the border and among its communities. Today, the border is so invisible one can cross it and not even realize it. The ability of people to freely travel and work across the island has allowed border communities to thrive. Elimination of the hard border was critical to the peace deals success. The Good Friday Agreement would not have happened without U.S. leadership. While at first the British government resisted U.S. involvement in what they considered an internal matter, ultimately a more enlightened position emerged once Tony Blair became UK prime minister. As a close ally of both Britain and Ireland, the United States was the natural honest broker. President Clinton appointed Sen. George Mitchell as the U.S. special envoy to Northern Ireland and he chaired the peace talks that culminated in the Good Friday Agreement. Its success has been a rare, shining example to all seemingly intractable disputes around the world. So what does this have to do with Brexit? Well, what made elimination of the border possible is that both Britain and Ireland are part of the European Union. Therefore, while two separate nations, they both have the same rules regarding immigration and customs. But with Britain now scheduled to exit the European Union, there is a serious risk of a return to a hard border on the island of Ireland, and with it a return to violence. Some of the most enthusiastic Brexit proponents in the U.K. are pushing versions of Brexit that would ensure a return to a hard border in Ireland. It is clear that the Good Friday Agreement is just not a high priority for them. Indeed, former U.K. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, a prominent Brexit cheerleader, admitted as much. He said the border issue was insignificant, calling it a gnat. This rhetoric is both wrong and dangerous. Just as it was in the 1990s, U.S. leadership is again needed to ensure the hard-won peace is preserved. In a historic moment in Dublin, Speaker Pelosi stated in an address to the Irish Dail (Parliament), We must ensure that nothing happens in the Brexit discussions that imperils the Good Friday Accord, including, but not limited to, the seamless border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland. In other words, the Good Friday Agreement cannot become collateral damage from the United Kingdoms decision to pull out of the European Union. Brexit proponents have been touting the possibility of a post-Brexit free trade deal with the U.S. In every meeting our delegation took, from 10 Downing Street to Stormont, we made crystal clear there can be no U.S.-U.K. trade deal if any harm is done to the Good Friday Agreement. As Speaker Pelosi said in London, If there were any weakening of the Good Friday accords, there would be no chance whatsoever for a U.S.-U.K. trade agreement Dont even think about it. Each member of the congressional delegation is a member of the House Ways & Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over all trade agreements. We agree completely with the Speakers position. Fortunately, it is possible for the U.K. to pass a Brexit agreement that preserves the Good Friday Agreement. The Withdrawal Agreement (WA) negotiated between Prime Minister Theresa May and the European Union ensures there would not be a return to a hard border in Ireland. We urge our friends in the British Parliament to pass this or any other Brexit proposal that preserves an open border. The United States is, by law, a guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement. We will not stand by idly and watch it weakened or destroyed. Brendan Boyle is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Pennsylvanias 2nd congressional district. Camille Paglia stands in an art installation outside The University of the Arts. Her new book is Glittering Images: A Journey Through Art From Egypt to Star Wars." ( Michael S. Wirtz / Staff Photographer ) October 9 2012. Read more Given the cowardice of university administrators in the face of student social-justice tantrums, any example of adult leadership should be celebrated. And the last few weeks have offered signs of hope. On April 9, at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, professor Camille Paglia, famed nemesis of victimology feminists everywhere, gave a lecture entitled Sexual Duality and Sexual Multiplicity in Western Art. A self-described nonbinary student, Joseph McAndrew, organized a protest against the speech. McAndrew was upset by recent interviews Paglia had given. In one, she challenged the seriousness of campus rape allegations brought six months after the fact. In another interview, she observed that transidentity had become a fashion statement and called sex-reassignment surgery for children and adolescents a crime against humanity, since children are too immature to make such a life-altering decision. McAndrew blended victimology and the consumerist model of education in his complaint. Were giving a space for her following to come, into our safe space that we pay to be in, McAndrew told The Inquirer. A photo of the protest shows a group of well-fed, healthy, privileged teenagers sitting in a lobby under a large banner reading Camille Paglia, Stop Victim Blaming. They hold signs such as Sexual Assault Is NEVER the victims [sic] fault. About 30 minutes into Paglias lecture, someone pulled a fire alarm. All 17 floors of the building where Paglia was speaking had to be evacuated into the nighttime streets of downtown Philadelphia, while protesters continued to chant: Trans lives matter! We believe survivors! On many other campuses, such tactics would have been greeted by an expression of concern for the wounded survivors. President David Yager, however, denounced the repressive mind-set spreading from American campuses to the culture at large. The suppression of speech simply cannot be allowed to happen, he wrote in a campuswide email. I firmly believe that limiting the range of voices in society erodes our democracy . Artists over the centuries have suffered censorship, and even persecution, for the expression of their beliefs through their work. My answer is simple: Not now, not at UArts. Paglias opponents have launched a Change.org petition demanding that Paglia be fired and replaced with a queer person of color. Yager must also apologize for his wildly ignorant and hypocritical letter, and sit down with a group of survivors and trans students a group that must include students of color to discuss how they can best be supported moving forward. The petition ends with a stiff admonition: UArts: you are disrespecting your students and putting them in danger. Do better. The hysteria over Paglia is particularly ironic, since her scholarship celebrates the fluidity of sex and gender in art; she was investigating transsexual identity decades before it became an adolescent status symbol. But todays students will never let their own ignorance stand in the way of a good temper tantrum. The University of Arizona has gone one better than Yager. On March 19, two agents from the Customs and Border Patrol were giving an invited presentation at a job-recruiting fair. Protesters invaded the room and screamed murder patrol and murderers, preventing students from listening. We wont stop until you get off our campus, the protesters shouted. In a sharp departure from the norm, the campus police have filed misdemeanor charges against the disrupters, for threats and intimidation and interference with the peaceful conduct of an educational institution. And the university president, Robert Robbins, followed up with a far more explicit denunciation. The incident with the Border Patrol officers was a dramatic departure from our expectations of respectful behavior and support for free speech on this campus, Robbins wrote. Student protest is protected by our support for free speech, but disruption is not. The administration was reviewing potential violations of student and employee codes of conduct, he said. Robbins is under enormous pressure to back down. Whether or not the Pima County Attorneys Office goes forward with the case, Robbins must make sure that the disrupting students face serious punishment. Every year, thousands of college students graduate and carry into society the same megalomaniacal confidence in their own righteousness that has turned campuses into zones of conformity. Those graduates regard any disagreement with their own political outlook as a manifestation of hate, and as such, fair game for suppression. Democratic politicians and the mainstream media have adopted the same tactic, defining political disagreement as hate rather than the product of a good-faith difference in world view. Any college presidents not already committed to the premises of the victim revolution should follow the lead of Robbins and Yager. The preservation of our Enlightenment culture of reason rests on their shoulders. Heather Mac Donald is the Thomas W. Smith Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, and a contributing editor of City Journal, from which this was adapted. She is author of best-selling books The Diversity Delusion: How Race and Gender Pandering Corrupt the University and Undermine Our Culture and The War on Cops. Every student in Pennsylvania deserves the best education possible; one that fits the individual needs of each student. When it comes to serving these individual needs, we know that one size does not fit all. So, I have introduced House Bill 800 to bring the best of what other states have done to Pennsylvania and to continue to lead the way on school choice and innovation. Each year, the largest expenditure in Pennsylvanias state budget is dedicated to primary and secondary education more than $11 billion to support every public school in the Commonwealth. When added to local spending, we devote more than $30 billion annually to funding our public-school districts. In return for this great investment, Pennsylvania boasts many of the best public schools in the nation, providing immense benefit to our students and our communities. But, for a variety of reasons unique to each individual, these great public schools are not always the right fit for every child or every family. Recognizing this, in 2001 we were among the first states to establish a school choice tax-credit scholarship program, allowing businesses to donate directly to support pre-K-12 education in place of a portion of their tax bill. Pennsylvanias Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC), and the later Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC), have provided scholarships empowering hundreds of thousands of low- and middle-income students to attend the school that is right for them. Through donations to innovative organizations working to improve our public schools, they have also delivered tens of millions of dollars to extracurriculars and before- or after-school programs. Donations to prekindergarten education have afforded thousands of families the opportunity to begin their childs education with the best possible foundation. The benefits of these credits are life-changing for students, enabling them to attend nonpublic schools or to participate in educational enhancement activities that their parents could never afford alone. Not only have the EITC and OSTC programs improved the quality of students education they have also saved at least $1 billion for Pennsylvania and our public-school districts since the EITC began in 2001. The average scholarship award is just under $1,900, while the average per-pupil spending by public schools in Pennsylvania is almost 10 times greater, at $16,600 annually. These tax credits are effective investments that benefit students, parents, taxpayers, and schools both public and private. Under my leadership, the Pennsylvania House Republican majority has greatly expanded the EITC program over the past 10 years, increasing the allocation by nearly $100 million and allowing access to additional middle-class families by raising the household income limit. But while our program remains a national leader in many respects, we have much work left to do to provide the innovation and school choice that our children deserve. And were at risk of falling behind other, more proactive states. In the 2016-17 school year, more than 50,000 students were able to receive a scholarship to attend the school of their choice, but another 52,000 applications were denied due to limits on the programs size and household income requirements. There is an equally unmet need among donors, with too few tax credits available for the many wanting to give. As of January 2019, businesses had applied for $180 million in tax credits beyond the current caps. With a limit of $210 million, the programs annual budget is far too low, accounting for less than 2 percent of the state governments appropriation for education. House Bill 800 increases the annual EITC scholarship allocation by $100 million, allowing many more students to benefit from the program. Additionally, it creates an automatic escalator that grows the EITC scholarship allocation to meet demand, increasing the annual cap by 10 percent whenever 90 percent of the current limit is reached. It also increases the limit on household income, allowing more middle-class families to benefit, and guarantees that once a student has received a scholarship, they remain eligible for these programs through high school graduation regardless of changes in family income. And to ensure that these donations provide the greatest benefit possible to our students, it requires that at least 90 percent of donations are spent directly on students, rather than administrative overhead. To advocate for school choice is to recognize that students and parents know best the educational environment that most suits each childs needs, talents, interests, and aspirations. For most Pennsylvanians, that environment is their great local public school. For many others, it might be a public charter, private school, vocational school, or homeschooling. This bill will secure Pennsylvanias status as a national leader in education and school choice, ensuring that every student, regardless of his or her familys income, is empowered to choose the learning environment that is best for them. Mike Turzai is speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. By slashing budgets for social programs, President Ronald Reagan ensured a long-lasting impact for his conservative legacy. DA Larry Krasner should learn from that for his progressive one. Read more What will be Larry Krasners legacy? The nationally recognized progressive prosecutor has already made his mark in Philadelphia. On Wednesday, Krasner shared his accomplishments with City Council during a two-hour budget hearing. Making his case, he talked to progressive supporters by highlighting the social justice aspect of his reforms, to opponents by emphasizing the declining violent crime rate and efforts to investigate cold cases, and to City Council by noting the tremendous cost savings that are associated with less incarceration. Krasner asked City Council for an additional $3 million a 7 percent budget increase that would go primarily toward continued efforts to recruit high-quality hires, DNA testing to solve cold cases and ensure the integrity of old convictions, and an economic crimes unit. The savings that are generated by simply doing the job better and being really surgical about how you do it are astronomical, Krasner told Council. Speaking to Council, Krasner said: I realize that the work that Im trying to do is not going to be done before I am gone. Thats true, and we cant work under the assumption that Krasners successor will be like-minded. Krasner is one gut-wrenching violent crime away a few weeks or months before election from getting the boot. And while Krasner has plenty of time left in his term, it is never too early to prepare for that possibility. Krasners reforms are not set in stone they are written in policy memos. And just as Krasner took over the office, fired a bunch of prosecutors, and quickly changed policy, a zealot tough-on-crime prosecutor could shred those memos and take the city back in time. But the progressive-lefty DA can enshrine his reforms by looking at the legacy of a conservative icon President Ronald Reagan. From his first days in office in 1981, Reagan started his push to cut taxes and slash social programs. And while Reagan was a self-proclaimed champion of smaller government and reduced government spending, what he really championed was a dramatic shift in priorities and what America spends money on. Donna Murch, an associate professor of history at Rutgers University, told me that although Reagan cut social programs, he gave more money to defense and law enforcement. Since the late 1960s, the federal focus on crime and order based in racist politics as a pushback to the successes of the Civil Rights Movement started redefining issues. Murch explains, things that were thought of as problems of the social, become problems of the criminal. Take for example the Community Development Block Grant, a program established under President Gerald Ford in 1974 in order to provide funding for local solutions to social problems. When Reagan took office, the programs budget was the equivalent of $15 billion in 2016 dollars. When Reagan left office, the CDBG program was slashed to less than $6 billion. Similar trends could be traced in other programs. At the same time, the Justice Departments budget nearly doubled. CDBG never recovered. Currently its budget is $3.4 billion. Cutting social services and funneling money to law enforcement didnt end with Reagan. Republican and Democrat administrations continued this trend. Once budgets are cut, they are really hard to restore. Money gets allocated elsewhere, and lawmakers learn that the program is not sacred, which opens the path for more cuts. There is a lesson here for Krasner: One of the ways to ensure that a tough-on-crime prosecutor doesnt reverse his efforts in the future is by slashing the budget of the District Attorneys Office. Reagans budget cuts harmed the poor and people of color. Krasners cuts could promote long-lasting justice. On January 2017, Krasner took over an office that had a budget of $37 million. If he gets the increase he asked for, its budget would be $45 million a 22 percent increase. Overall, the blueprint of the criminal justice system in Philadelphia the DAs Office, police, jails, courts, Public Defenders Office, Sheriffs Office is massive: $1.2 billion of the citys $5 billion budget. The DAs Office is a small part of the citys overall criminal justice blueprint. But by reducing the size of its budget, Krasner can start a conversation about ending our societys reliance on institutions built to punish and oppress. Reagans presidency is considered an influential one in part because cutting budgets has long-lasting impacts that are extremely hard to reverse. Ultraconservative activist Grover Norquist once said: I dont want to abolish the government. I simply want to reduce it to the size where I can drag it into the bathroom and drown it in the bathtub. As long as a progressive is at the helm, having a strong Districts Attorneys Office can be a positive. But power also can be taken away. If a tough-on-crime prosecutor manages to claim power, a slashed budget from Krasner would land that person in a DAs Office that we can drown in the bathtub. Democrats are experts at deception, but even they have their work cut out for them if they want to convince Pennsylvanians that President Trumps tax cuts have been anything but a major win for the middle class. In 2017, Bernie Sanders called the presidents Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) one of the great robberies in American history. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer labeled it a cynical one-two gut punch to the middle class, arguing that it was designed to pay for corporate tax cuts and then decimate their earned benefits as a kicker. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, through a spokesperson, even misleadingly claimed that the TCJA ultimately raises taxes on 86 million middle-class families. This disinformation campaign went on for months, misrepresenting the tax law to the public and distorting its impact on our economy. The purpose of this propaganda effort was to undermine support for one of President Trumps most significant legislative accomplishments and deny him the credit he deserves for rejuvenating the economy. But this perception simply doesnt match up with reality especially not in Pennsylvania. According to the Heritage Foundation, the average tax cut for individuals in Pennsylvania in 2018 was $1,169, representing a decrease in payment of nearly 12 percent from 2017. The TCJA didnt just give Pennsylvanians a hefty tax break, though. The GOP tax law also led to better wages, improved employment prospects, and lower utility prices for families across the state. Last summer, the nonpartisan site Watchdog.org reported that dozens of Pennsylvania companies gave raises and bonuses to their employees, donated to local charities, invested in new equipment, hired new employees, enhanced benefit packages, and reduced rates as a result of federal tax reform. Elizabeth Stelle, the director of policy analysis at the Commonwealth Foundation free-market think tank, told the publication that the TCJA was sorely needed in Pennsylvania, noting that "the Tax Foundation estimates the federal tax cuts will help create 13,000 jobs in Pennsylvania. The impact is already being felt across the state. Last month, Pennsylvanias unemployment rate fell to the lowest level ever recorded. Once the economic effects of the TCJA such as increased job creation and rising wages are taken into account, the typical Pennsylvanian will see an estimated $20,094 increase in their total take-home pay over 10 years, which is as long as the TCJA currently stipulates cuts. The average family of four will benefit to the tune of $35,009. A great robbery? A gut punch? The Democrats must have been reading the wrong tax bill. Or perhaps they just didnt notice that the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ordered a $320 million rate reduction for most of the states electric, gas, and water utilities in response to President Trumps tax cuts. The rate reductions amount to $210 million for electric utilities, $66 million for natural-gas utilities, and $48 million for water and wastewater utilities, all of which is particularly helpful for working families who now have significantly more disposable income, in addition to their tax savings. No, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act did not scam the middle class. As weve seen right here in Pennsylvania, the law gave working families a much-needed tax break after a disastrous recession and created a foundation for the economic revival the whole country has experienced over the past two years. No matter how hard the Democrats try to spin the facts, President Trumps tax law has resulted in more money staying in the pockets of Pennsylvanians something theyll not forget when they head to the polls in 2020. David Urban is a commentator for CNN and president of American Continental Group. He was a senior adviser for the 2016 Trump campaign in Pennsylvania. Demonstrators gather at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood in support of a Pennsylvania measure to lift the civil statute of limitations in many child sex-abuse cases. Opponents warn such a change could be ruinous. Read more Earlier this month, parents of children in a charter school in Arizona found out that the schools recently hired curriculum consultant had been accused of sexually abusing a minor in his former job. John F. Meyers just last year was removed from his position as rector at St. Josephs-in-the-Hills Retreat House in Malvern after an investigation substantiated claims of child sexual abuse. One of his early victims and a team of investigators found him through social media and informed the school. It is unclear if the charters operator knew about the accusations and ignored them, or if Meyers managed to keep them a secret. One reason Meyers could have kept his secret was that he was protected by Pennsylvanias statute of limitations. Under current Pennsylvania law, criminal charges for child sexual abuse can only be brought before the victim is 30 and a civil lawsuit before the victim is 50. That became an issue most recently in the case of Catholic priests in Pennsylvania, more than 300 of whom were named in last summers grand jury report detailing decades of child sexual abuse. Charges were brought against only two of the predator priests because of the statute of limitations. Attorney General Josh Shapiro and others have pushed to reform the law since the report came out, but Republicans in Harrisburg have consistently delayed the effort, arguing that a constitutional amendment is needed to extend the window of time to sue . A bill to eliminate the statute of limitations for future child abuse passed the House last week. The opportunity to take legal action is important, because it creates a public record. Far too often, those accused of abuse and harassment settle their cases under conditions of secrecy. If they have behaved badly, they are not held to account. This secrecy is becoming increasingly problematic. An Inquirer investigation last week found that Bloomsburg University President Bashar Hanna was quietly ousted from two other Pa. universities for mistreating female employees. Now he is facing similar allegations in Bloomsburg. Had either institution taken legal action, Hanna would have not been able to move on so easily. His actions would have been part of the public record. Settlements wrapped in secrecy prevent a public record. In January, the city settled a lawsuit against Sheriff Jewel Williams for $127,500, one of two settled on his behalf. Williams claims he is innocent. The taxpayers who paid for his representation, and who are expected to vote for a sheriff in the upcoming primary, would not need to speculate had the case gone to a trial and a judge and jury would have convicted or vindicated Williams. A fair and open trial is a way to ensure that there is a public record of misconduct and give a chance for the accused to clear his or her name. That is one of many arguments for reforming the statute of limitations. There should also be a discussion about reporting requirements of private institutions when they fire people for abuse or harassment. It might be time to end secret settlements for elected officials especially when we are the ones paying for them. Maybe to make waves you start with ripples. Seems to be part of a plan to reform local politics, which, not unlike state politics, is badly in need of and resistant to same. Especially because of the Philly shrug, as in, "Hey, its Philadelphia, whaddya gonna do? And our state motto: Pennsylvania, the Land of Low Expectations. (OK, its not our motto. I made it up years ago.) Yet, because time marches on, there seems more interest these days in pushing change in a city and state known for corruption and anti-democratic politics. The latest push? Phillys good-government watchdog, the Committee of Seventy, just launched Resolution 1, a reform plan aimed at empowering citizens. Lots of it mirrors reforms sought in Harrisburg. Im all in. It calls, among other things, for open primary elections the only elections that matter in Philly, and many places in Pennsylvania to give all voters a say in who represents them. That means the citys 127,000-plus independent and third-party voters could help pick, for example, City Council and local judges, a privilege currently the sole province of 818,000 Democrats and (at least nominally) 118,000 Republicans. How do you think thats working out? If youre registered to vote you be should able to vote. (In Harrisburg, GOP Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati has a bipartisan bill creating open primaries statewide.) Seventy also seeks to end or mitigate Phillys problem of ballot position carrying far too much weight in local elections. In a crowded field of candidates, those who draw top ballot spots (out of a coffee can, Id remind you) are likely to win. Shouldnt work that way. Seventy says why not have different ballots, same candidates, rotated positions, in each ward or division? Why not, indeed. The resolution also calls for a citizen commission to draw district lines for Council seats, and term limits for Council members. (Councilman Allen Domb introduced a term-limits measure in February. Harrisburg has a bipartisan plan to give citizens power in drawing lines for Congress and the legislature. And a reasonable bipartisan proposal is in the works to term-limit state lawmakers.) Ive argued for years for open primaries, term limits, and election/redistricting reforms. A voice in the wilderness. So, Ive got big-time empathy with Seventy boss David Thornburgh. I asked him why this, why now? Were just dropping a rock in the pond, he said. He cites the upcoming May 21 primary, for all 17 Council seats, mayor, register of wills, sheriff, three city commissioners and local judges, as a time of greater public awareness of local politics. But, he said, Resolution 1 is not a three-week effort. Its a process of percolation. We want to get a discussion going. There are outreach plans with business groups, civic groups, and others stretching out over the next couple years. (Hey, it took Hercules 12 years to accomplish his labors.) But Thornburghs curious to see the extent to which incumbent challengers are successful in May as a test of citizen appetite for change. He said the basic question Seventy is asking officeholders and the public is, How can you put up with the way we do politics in Philadelphia? How, indeed? And though change is a tall order, Thornburgh points to the city outdoing the state in relatively recent years with campaign finance limits, rules to end pay-to-play for city contracts, and an independent Board of Ethics that actually seems to recognize unethical behavior. In the past, Ive quoted the Bard of Baltimore, H.L. Mencken, on reform: I believe that all government is evil, and that trying to improve it is largely a waste of time. My experience tends to bear that out. But theres always something a citizens group, a Committee of Seventy striving to make politics better, to remind people the government is theirs. So, instead of leaving you with Mencken, let me offer words from George Washingtons 1796 Farewell Address, first published in Philadelphias American Daily Advertiser: The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. With that in mind, I hope Seventy starts throwing anvils in the pond. Ive got a major crush on Mayor Pete. Many LGBTQ voters of my generation and plenty of other Americans as well seem smitten by this boy-next-door from South Bend, Ind., with the unusual last name of (he pronounces it boot-edge-edge) and what he calls the more than a little bold goal of becoming the youngest and first openly gay person elected president of the United States. Buttigiegs fresh but not-too-handsome face and formidable yet unintimidating intelligence belie the audacious ambition essential for an (until recently) relatively obscure two-term mayor of a rust belt city in the Midwest to seek the White House. On Sunday, the married, multilingual, millennial Rhodes scholar and military veteran launched his campaign for the 2020 Democratic nomination. He did so during an amiably lo-fi hometown event and with a smart, if subdued, speech short on exciting takeaway lines but perhaps most memorable for its affecting treatment of matters personal. Buttigiegs plainspoken openness about his evolution from closeted teen to 37-year-old openly gay presidential hopeful, as well as his frequent shout-outs to and onstage smooch with his social-media celebrity husband, Chasten, generated more energetic applause than his handful of deft jabs at President Trump. His elegant rhetorical thread about broadening the meanings of freedom hit home when he said: (T)ake it from Chasten and me, you are certainly not free if a county clerk gets to tell you who you ought to marry based on their political beliefs. The chance to live a life of your choosing, in keeping with your values: that is freedom in its richest sense. LGBTQ people know that Buttigieg knows what hes talking about. For us, hes like a gay version of American mythologys favorite character: The plucky individual of humble beginnings and modest means who overcomes obstacles and succeeds on behalf of his fellow citizens. The outlier turned insider, in other words. That such a transition is likely to be far less complicated for a cis-gendered white male than for many others among us is obvious. But it need not be a deal-breaker, any more than the fact that Buttigiegs spouse is a man ought to be too much for a majority of straight people to handle. In that regard, some signs are encouraging: A recent NBC News/WSJ poll found that about 70 percent of Americans are accepting of the notion of a gay presidential candidate. What people tell pollsters and what they do in the voting booth can differ, of course. And the impending ferocity of attacks on Buttigieg is suggested by, among others, the right-wing media figure Bryan Fisher, already busy excoriating him as a defiant homosexual fascist whose presidency would be the biggest threat to religious liberty in history. Even less feverish forces opposition researchers working for other Democratic hopefuls come to mind surely are scouring Buttigiegs personal, academic, military, political, and digital history for gotcha moments. The candidate himself seems adept at preemptive disarmament, telling an interviewer that he met Chasten online on this app called Hinge, which appears to be a far tamer venue than famous hookup sites such as Grindr. And should Buttigieg manage to best his many capable rivals and win the nomination, he will face what is likely to be fusillade of abuse from Camp Trump. This may prove a manageable price to pay for the prospect of witnessing a knowledgeable, youthful, and stable challenger who served his country in uniform during wartime square off against an ostentatiously flag-hugging incumbent whose dubious podiatric condition enabled him to avoid the Vietnam-era draft. Those of us enjoying our collective crush on a candidate New York magazine refers to as Wonder Boy should keep in mind that heady feelings like these tend to fade over time. Novelty wears off, warts show, and wonders cease. But as the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, widely viewed as the start of the modern LGBTQ rights movement, approaches, and after two-plus years of mostly malevolent chaos in the White House, a crush on Pete Buttigieg is well worth savoring. M.D. Pharmacy at Cecil B. Moore and Franklin Street in North Philadelphia survives as an independent pharmacy by also selling lottery tickets, hot dogs, cookies, ice cream, CBD oil, and stamps. Read more Philadelphia is famously known as a city of rowhouses. But it is also a city of corner stores. Or, it was. The incursion of national drug chains, shifting demographics, zoning restrictions and, ironically, the current rowhouse boom have turned the neighborhood institution into an endangered species. In spite of those disruptions, the M.D. pharmacy at Cecil B. Moore and North Franklin carries on as if nothing had changed since Morris Mogilefsky opened the business in 1939, when the surrounding Ludlow neighborhood was a thriving Jewish enclave. As Jews began leaving for the suburbs after World War II, African Americans and Latinos moved in. Then the upheavals of the 60s, the deindustrialization of the 70s and the crack epidemic of the 80s took their tolls on the neighborhood. Yet the drug store somehow stood fast, an outpost of normalcy where you could grab a pretzel, a lottery ticket, and some conversation while waiting for your prescription to be filled. For a time, the pharmacy was one of the few structures left standing on its block. After the area was rebuilt by the Philadelphia Housing Authority and Asociacion Puertorriquenos en Marcha in the early 2000s, the red brick rowhouse became the lone Victorian relic on a street of pale gray, porch-fronted twins. You enter M.D. pharmacy as all neighborhood stores should be entered, from a door tucked under a corner eave and bisected by a cast iron pole. That pole is topped with a crown of brackets, the equivalent of a classical capital. It supports an elaborate millwork composition that suggests the building dates from the late 19th century. Painted a traditional hunter green, the wood trim stands out sharply from the brick. Mark Mogil, the current owner and grandson of the founder, started working in the store in 1994, when he was 28, and he has been content to leave things mostly as he found them. Three decades after Columbia Avenue was renamed in honor of civil rights lawyer Cecil B. Moore, the old blue-and-white street plate is still screwed into the wood. A sign promising a public phone also continues to wave to passersby even though that convenience disappeared years ago. You can, however, buy an adapter for your cellphone in a rainbow of colors. Mogils design approach is sedimentary. Hes kept the shelves he inherited from father and grandfather, the ones with sections designated for Kodak film and baby needs, but has layered on a few of his own innovations, including a hot dog station, named Joes Grill after his father. The operation, which takes up the ground floor of the old rowhouse, is roughly equal in size to two aisles in a Rite Aid or CVS. The waiting area for the pharmacy manages to accommodate an ice cream freezer, soda machine, coffee station, and chairs where customers can sit while they wait for service. Apart from the security cameras and bulletproof glass Mogil installed after an armed robbery in 2009, he hasnt felt compelled to add much in the way of modern technology. We dont have voice mail; we dont have a website. We dont have a mobile app. We just answer the telephone, Mogil says. The store also delivers. Given his old-school approach, its not surprising that Mogil still stocks newspapers (the Daily News and Philadelphia Tribune), refills SEPTA cards, sells stamps, and rents a wall of brass-trimmed post office boxes. One concession to modern times is that Mogil now stocks CBD oil and gummies near the PEZ dispensers and fresh cookies. So far, though, CBD sales have been slow, Mogil says. The secret to the stores survival, Mogil told me, is accessibility and reliability. Hes there weekdays from 9 to 5, and Saturdays from 9 to 1, every day except holidays. Ten employees staff the counters to ensure quick service. All get health insurance and 17 days of paid vacation. Personal interactions are also key. The same crew of workers from the nearby PGW office has been trooping in every morning for lottery tickets for the last five or six years ever since someone hit the jackpot here, explains Ryan Campbell, who handles dispute resolution for the gas company. Photos of the regulars fill a bulletin board between the soda machine and coffee station. And there are the kind of jokey signs youd expect in a corner store, like the one instructing patrons how NOT to fill out their lottery tickets. There was a time when corner stores like M.D. pharmacy were on nearly every block in Ludlow, Mogil says. Several closed after their owners died. Others succumbed to the housing boom that has been working its way up from Girard Avenue. Fishtown is pushing west toward Mogils store, while Temples campus is moving east. Theres so much money to be made from the new, student-focused triplexes that developers are reluctant to give up the ground floor for retail. Mogil finds it hard to imagine that his children will want to take over the business. Then again, he never expected he would still be running a tiny independent pharmacy, and serving up prescriptions and pretzels, well into the 21st century. A Pennsylvania environmental board has essentially scrapped two state actions that would have paved the way for developer Brian ONeill to build housing on a contaminated Chester County site. The ruling on Friday appears to be a major setback for Constitution Drive Partners, a limited partnership involving ONeill. The company wants to build housing at the defunct Bishop Tube site, contaminated by a variety of hazardous compounds. The Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board concluded that amendments to an agreement with the developer stretching back to 2007 and 2010 not only are arbitrary and capricious, but also are void." This is yet another environmental David and Goliath story, said Maya van Rossum, leader of the Delaware Riverkeeper Network. The Delaware Riverkeeper Network filed a legal challenge to the amendments granted by the state Department of Environmental Protection. The amendments would have allowed Constitution Drive Partners to develop the 13.7-acre Bishop Tube site on Malin Road in Frazer, East Whiteland Township, after some cleanup. Bishop Tube was a manufacturing operation that began in the 1950s and left behind hazardous substances, including trichloroethene or TCE, in the process of making stainless steel and other metals into tubes and pipes. The DEP collected evidence that TCE permeated soil and groundwater in the mid-1960s. Monitoring wells have also found levels of fluoride, chromium, and nickel that exceeded standards. Other chemicals have also been detected at the site. The property is listed as a hazardous site under the states Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act. Constitution Drive Partners did not pollute the site. Rather, it purchased it from the Central and Western Chester County Industrial Development Authority as part of a brownfield redevelopment plan. Representatives for ONeill Properties Group could not be reached immediately to comment. Elizabeth Rementer, a spokesperson for the DEP, said the agency is still reviewing the decision and determining next steps. On Friday, the board agreed with the environmentalists that the two amendments to an initial agreement with Constitution Drive Partners to clean up and develop the site were not properly executed because two key factors never spelled out to the public had changed. The board said the DEP failed to inform the public that technology installed to control air and soil pollution at the site had been damaged and never repaired. Nor did it announce that the sites zoning had been changed from commercial to residential after the initial agreement. The environmental board also took the DEP to task for an egregiously late public notice made years after the facts emerged. The board said it did not wish to erect unnecessary barriers to cleaning up a site or discourage innocent purchasers from contributing to cleaning up and redeveloping contaminated property. In its response to the board during the appeal, the DEP blamed part of its failure on administrative oversight. The Environmental Hearing Board, though not part of the judicial branch of state government, operates as a court. It was set up for people and corporations to appeal DEP actions. It is composed of five administrative law judges. Even East Whiteland officials, who approved the residential zoning change in 2014, questioned why the change had been left out of the amendments. As DEP is aware, the proposed use of the site is now residential, East Whiteland officials wrote. How will DEP address this change of use at the site within the context of the existing [agreement], which was based upon a non-residential use of the site? The officials noted that residential use requires more stringent remediation standards. Nevertheless, the DEP approved both amendments and never mentioned the zoning change. Relations between the Delaware Riverkeeper Network and ONeill have grown rancorous over the years. ONeill sued the nonprofit network in a case that was eventually dismissed. The Riverkeeper Networks mission is to protect the Delaware River Watershed, meaning all the land and waterways that ultimately feed into the river. Bishop Tube is bordered by Little Valley Creek, part of the watershed. The Riverkeeper Network has also filed separate legal action against the DEP over the cleanup and believes the site still poses a health risk. The three major carriers -- Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines -- have slowly increased the number of "basic" economy class fares available to passengers. (Associated Press) Read more Basic economy class airfares are getting complicated. At least so far as passengers like Sue Elwell are concerned. Shes planning to visit her mother in Albany, NY., and is unhappy with the restrictions on the lowest-priced economy class tickets. On American Airlines, travelers with these tickets are allowed no upgrades or schedule changes, theyre the last to board, and theyre not assigned seats until they check in. The big issue for me is the seat assignment, says Elwell, a program manager for a nonprofit organization in Vienna, Va. The flights to Albany from Washington are handled by regional carriers on small jets approximately 40 seats per flight. The flights are almost always full. The three major carriers Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines have slowly increased the number of basic economy class fares available to passengers. Alaska Airlines late last year added basic Saver fares, and JetBlue plans to introduce a new basic offering this year. The increased variety is adding to the complexity. These tickets can save you some money in Elwells case, the basic fare was $60 less than the regular economy class ticket but you can feel relegated to steerage status on the plane. These tickets should not exist. For generations, airline tickets have come with an implicit promise of a seat assignment, the possibility of an upgrade, the opportunity to check a bag and, the opportunity to carry a bag onto the plane. Airlines claim that theyre giving customers more choices by removing some of the essentials in exchange for lower fares, but in reality theyre punishing passengers for being frugal. As I noted when they were introduced in 2015, basic-fare tickets are not necessarily a cheaper type of economy class ticket. Take Deltas basic tickets. The same E-class fares a decade ago came with a seat assignment, two checked bags, and the ability to change a reservation. The airline didnt discount the tickets in exchange for the new restrictions. Instead, it asked customers whether they would be willing to pay the same fare with new limits, and enough passengers said yes. Domestically, Southwest Airlines is the best bet for avoiding basic fares. In a recent conference call with financial analysts, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said: "Youre not going to see basic economy from Southwest. Thats not what we do." Internationally, airlines have been quietly adding new "basic" fares, often with clever new names, such as Virgin Light, that glamorize a decidedly unglamorous experience. This makes it difficult to rule out basic economy class fares by carrier. In other words, unless youre flying on Southwest, you should expect to see a stripped-down basic fare at some point. The only way around it? Research, says Don Gilbert, an office manager for a food service consulting company in Lancaster County, Pa. For Gilbert, who handles flight arrangements for his office, avoiding basic economy means initially researching fares on a third-party website like Orbitz. Online agencies often, though not always, flag these fares for users. "I know the prices displayed are usually for the basic seats with restrictions," he says. Then he visits the airline website to book tickets directly. Airlines often warn passengers about the restrictions on basic tickets, although the disclosures vary. Some online agencies go out of their way to alert customers to basic fares. For example, in 2017, the metasearch site Kayak.com underwent an overhaul that made basic fares more visible. Special icons warn you of fares that dont allow carry-on bags. Similarly, CheapAir.com identifies basic economy fares on its results page. It offers side-by-side comparisons of what the airline includes in basic economy, regular economy, and premium economy. "If they do want to avoid these fares, its super-easy to see where they pop up and skip right on over them," says CheapAir.com CEO Jeff Klee. The Google Flights search engine, another helpful tool, allows you to search by criteria such as the ability to take a carry-on bag. That eliminates some of the most restrictive basic tickets and entirely excludes discount carriers such as Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines. "While this is going to include basic economy fares from American, Alaska and Delta, at least these basic economy fares are not the most punitive of the bunch," says Kyle Potter, the editor of Thrifty Traveler, a discount-travel site. Of course, some travelers try to evade the restrictions that come with basic fares. On almost every flight, for example, youll see someone trying to sneak on an extra bag. You might also see passengers, stuck with an unwanted middle seat assignment, quietly reseating themselves in a vacant aisle seat after the cabin doors close. None of this should be necessary, of course. Christopher Elliott is a consumer advocate, journalist, and co-founder of the advocacy group Travelers United. Contact him at elliott.org. It's essential to investigate all your options, though, before deciding an IRA rollover is the right one. This is, after all, money you hope will sustain you for many years in retirement so it's important to choose wisely. Must-Read Travel Guides EAST ASIA SOUTHEAST ASIA Featured Articles Contact Copyright Disclosure If you wish to contact me for questions, advertising, collaboration inquiries, comments, suggestions, reviews or just about anything, please send an email to. I will try my best to reply quickly! Unless, of course, I'm on a trip! :D All rights reserved. All photos and content in this blog are owned by(unless otherwise stated). Parts of the articles may be excerpted (a link to this site should be provided), but not reproduced as a whole. Photos may not be used without permission. Thank you very much!Unless otherwise stated, I personally write my blog posts and it expresses my own thoughts and opinions. I pay for all the expenses of my trips (unless otherwise stated). I welcome collaborations, advertorials and reviews as long as they are beneficial to my readers. All reviews on collaborations contain my own views and opinion and were not influenced by anyone. For inquiries, you may contact me here . Thank you very much! Dvoress Leads Final 9 Players in EPT Monte Carlo 100,000 Super High Roller April 28, 2019 Adam Lamers After 10 levels and over 13 hours of poker, Day 2 of the 100,000 Super High Roller reached its end. Daniel Dvoress finished the day as the chip leader with 3,865,000 chips and will lead the final nine players into the last day of competition. Dvoress kicked things off with a bang when he eliminated Kazuhiko Yotsushika and Ali Reza Fatehi in the same hand. Dvoress turned the nut flush while Fatehi and Yotsushika turned smaller flushes. The Canadian continued his momentum throughout the day and took over the chip lead heading into the final table. While Dvoress has over $7.3 million in career earnings, he is still searching for his first seven-figure score. He will need to finish in the top two places in order to accomplish this feat. Dvoress will be joined by fellow Canadians Sam and Luc Greenwood at the final table along with two Spaniards. Final Table Seat Draw Seat Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Jesus Cortes Spain 1,515,000 25 2 Daniel Dvoress Canada 3,865,000 64 3 Sam Greenwood Canada 1,960,000 33 4 Charlie Carrel United Kingdom 1,340,000 22 5 Sergio Aido Spain 430,000 7 6 Luc Greenwood Canada 675,000 11 7 Mikita Badziakouski Belarus 1,405,000 23 8 Koray Aldemir Germany 950,000 16 9 Wiktor Malinowski Poland 1,360,000 23 The action Sunday kicked off with 32 players in their seats after four players registered before the start of play, three of which are still playing. Charlie Carrel, Jesus Cortes, and Mikita Badziakouski all began the day with 250,000 chips. It was a shortened day for some players like Alex Foxen who barely lasted two minutes before being eliminated. Michael Addamo, Adrian Mateos, Christoph Vogelsang, and Sean Winter were also eliminated in the early going. Isaac Haxton, in fact, grabbed the chip lead in the opening levels but it wouldn't last long as he quickly saw his chips evaporate. When Stanley Choi and Jean-Noel Thorel were knocked out in the same hand, it was Carrel who took the lead into the final two tables. Some of the short stacks dissipated and Dvoress took full advantage by eliminating Timothy Adams and Steve O'Dwyer. When Michael Soyza was ousted, the final nine players gathered at one table. That is when things came to a screeching halt. For two and a half levels, there were no eliminations despite some chips changing hands. The only thing that remained constant was Dvoress' lead over the rest of the pack. Sergio Aido spent most of the time on the short stack but managed to find key double ups at the right time. When the action resumes Monday at 12:30 p.m. local time, the players will have their sights set on reaching the money. Only seven players will be getting paid with a min-cash being worth 264,860 and the winner will pocket 1,589,190. The average stack is sitting at just 24 big blinds so the action should be quick when the cards get back in the air. Be sure to follow the PokerNews live reporting team for all of the updates throughout all of the PokerStars and Monte-CarloCasino EPT events. The Stars Group owns a majority shareholding in iBus Media. MSPT Champ Abdul Amer Leads Stacked HPT Hollywood Casino Columbus Final Table April 28, 2019 Chad Holloway Day 2 of the Heartland Poker Tour (HPT) Hollywood Casino Columbus saw the final 93 players from a 588-entry field return to action. By the end of the night, the field was whittled down to the final table of nine. They will return on Monday to battle it out for the $191,723 first-place prize on the live-streamed final table. Leading the pack is Abdul Amer, who is no stranger to poker in Ohio. Last year he topped a 581-entry field to win the $1,100 MSPT Cleveland Poker Open at JACK Cleveland Casino for $118,350. Others returning to action are World Series of Poker bracelet winners Adam Friedman and Joey Couden and World Poker Tour champ Kevin 1$sickDisea$E Eyster. Interestingly, Amer is friends with Friedman, who finished third in the aforementioned MSPT Cleveland. Final Table Lineup Seat Player Chip Count 1 Mandeep Sah 2,985,000 2 Spenser Cramer 1,265,000 3 Thila Narayanan 1,180,000 4 Kevin Eyster 1,205,000 5 Joey Couden 2,075,000 6 Abdul Amer 4,295,000 7 Jeff Hart 1,485,000 8 Ryan Wince 1,480,000 9 Adam Friedman 1,66o,000 More than two dozen players busted short of the money on Sunday including Chris Moon, Stephen Song, and bubble boy Andrew Jeffrey, who ran pocket eights smack dab into aces to burst the bubble. From there the in-the-money finishes began to mount and included Frank Lagodich (58th - $3,067), Andy Spears (39th - $3,919), HPTs all-time money leader Craig Casino (35th - $4,686), Shawn Reginald Roberts (26th - $5,623), Day 1c chip leader Mike Comisso (22nd - $5,623), HPT The Meadows champ Dan Wagner (20th - $5,623), Day 1a chip leader Brian Frye (16th - $7,498), Nick Guagenti (14th - $9,798), and Mike Sabbia (11th - $13,121), who moved into fourth place on the HPT Season XV Player of the Year leaderboard. It was actually the elimination of Sabbia that helped propel Amer to the top of the counts. Sabbia fired all three streets on a Big Slick bluff and Sabbia picked him off with second pair. As for Friedman, he began the day as a big chip leader and rode it to the final, though not without getting lucky a time or two. That included putting a bad beat on Guagenti, who got his chips in preflop with ace-ten against Friedmans ace-eight. Guagentis kicker had him out in front through the flop and turn, but then Friedman found an eight on the river to steal the pot. The final nine players will return at Noon on Monday to play down to a winner with 23:50 remaining in Level 25 (20,000/40,000/40,000). The action will not only be lived reported here on PokerNews but also live streamed worldwide. Itll also be filmed for television, which marks the first time Ohio will have held a nationally televised poker tournament. The PokerNews Live Reporting Team will be on hand to capture all the action from the HPT final table, so be sure to tune in all weekend for all the HPT action you can handle. Sunday Briefing: Igor Kurganov Wins $1K Sunday Supersonic April 29, 2019 Matthew Pitt Sunday is traditionally the biggest, busiest day for online poker tournament players thanks to sites running their largest tournaments of the week. Apr. 28 was no different despite thousands of poker players competing at the European Poker Tour Monte Carlo festival; some took time out to grind online. $1,050 Sunday Supersonic 6-Max at PokerStars Date April 28th Buy-in $1,050 Guarantee $175,000 Entrants 215 Prize pool $218,409 ITM 17 Team PokerStars Pro Igor IgorKurganov Kurganov added to his already glowing reputation by taking down the $1,050 Sunday Supersonic, a six-handed hyper-turbo affair that only took two hours and six minutes to complete, giving everyone who cashed an amazing hourly rate. Nobody enjoyed the tournament more than Kurganov who walked away with the $42,858 top prize. The UK-based Russian defeated Uruguays MB TREMENDO heads-up to secure another online title, resigning the Uruguayan to a $32,904 consolation prize. Earlier at the six-handed final table, Hungarys Wildace_hun banked the $11,432 sixth-place prize to take their lifetime winnings ever closer to $3 million. Then Tinas21 Of Norway fell in fifth-place for $14,890. Fourth-place and $19,395 went to Rob batoelrob Hollink of the Netherlands before Julian jutrack Track of Germany crashed out in third-place for $25,262 leaving Kurganov and MB TREMENDO to battle heads-up for the title, a battle we already know Kurganov won. Place Player Country Prize 1 Igor IgorKurganov Kurganov United Kingdom $42,858 2 MB TREMENDO Uruguay $32,904 3 Julian jutrack Track Germany $25,262 4 Rob batoelrob Hollink Netherlands $19,395 5 Tinas21 Norway $14,890 6 Wildace_hun Hungary $11,432 $109 Sunday Million at PokerStars Date April 28th Buy-in $109 Guarantee $1,000,000 Entrants 10,224 Prize pool $1,022,400 ITM 1,826 A monster-sized field of 10,224 competed in this weekends PokerStars Sunday Million with the top 1,826-finishers sharing a slice of the $1,022,400 prize pool. All but one of the nine players at the final table won a five-figure prize, Chinas papatsr423 being that one player, netting $7,626 for their ninth-place exit. Mexico-based Spaniard David davaman Lopez, who once earned 1 million VPPs in only three months, finished in eighth-place for $10,606 and was joined on the rail by GregX89X of Russia and Polands Inflames6 who secured payouts of $14,751 and $20,516 respectively. Greeces dpsd05 crashed out in fifth-place for a $28,534 addition to their bankroll before Romanias Lionet narrowly missed out on winning their second Sunday Million title, busting in fourth-place for $39,686. The Romanian won the Sunday Million back in May 2014 for $203,088. The penultimate elimination was that of Austrias Chillero1441 who scooped $55,195, a fantastic result when you consider their previous largest score was worth $6,811. This left slarki1 of Canada and sica26 to fight heads-up for the title. The heads-up duo struck a deal to make the pay jump shallower, so when slarki1 fell in second-place they netted $81,770 with Romanias sica26 banking the $101,770 top prize. Place Player Country Prize 1 sica26 Romania $101,770* 2 slarki1 Canada $81,770* 3 Chillero1441 Austria $55,195 4 Lionet Romania $39,686 5 dpsd05 Greece $28,534 6 Inflames6 Poland $20,516 7 GregX89X Russia $14,751 8 David davaman Lopez Mexico $10,606 9 papastar423 China $7,626 *reflects a heads-up deal Sunday High Roller Deepstack: $200K Gtd at partypoker Date April 28th Buy-in $1,050 Guarantee $200,000 Entrants 190 Prize pool $200,000 ITM 24 It was a Russian one-two in partypokers Sunday High Roller Deepstack: $200K Gtd this week. A field of 190 entries left a slight overlay and the Russian duo took full advantage. The first exit from the eight-handed final table was that of sluuvtanuuv of Sweden who collected $5,500 before SouhftfW of Croatia busted in seventh-place for a $7,000 prize. Ukraines number one online poker tournament player Roman SanityWaterline Romanovsky was the next player to bust, his sixth-place finish securing a $9,000 score. Everyone else was now guaranteed a five-figure prize. WeisYis of Estonia locked up fifth-place and $11,600 before screen_name1234 of Netherlands saw their tournament end in fourth-place, a finish worth $16,600. Third-place and $23,200 went to partypoker regular spinner2255 of the UK, which set up a heads-up dual between Russia pair sweet_dreammm and CrazyLissy. The Russians ended the tournament early by agreeing to a deal that saw CrazyLissy crowned champion and receive $38,035 with sweet_dreammm finishing second for $38,024. Place Player Country Prize 1 CrazyLissy Russia $38,035* 2 sweet_dreammm Russia $38,024* 3 spinner2255 United Kingdom $23,200 4 screen_name1234 Netherlands $16,600 5 WeisYis Estonia $11,600 6 Roman SanityWaterline Romanovsky Ukraine $9,000 7 SouhftfW Croatia $7,000 8 sluuvtanuuv Sweden $5,500 *reflects a heads-up deal Roman SanityWaterline Romanovsky won $9,000 Sunday Gladiator: $250K Gtd at partypoker Date April 28th Buy-in $2,100 Guarantee $250,000 Entrants 115 Prize pool $250,000 ITM 16 The Sunday Gladiator: $250K Gtd is partypokers biggest weekly PKO tournament and awarded $68,080 to its champion this week. That champion was Canadas Muzuma who won the $24,334 first-place prize that was boosted by $43,476 worth of bounty payments. The substantial bounty payment included their own scalp and that of runner-up shorezydrew who collected a combined prize worth $28,934 only three weeks after locking up a career-best $74,662 in a POWERFEST PKO tournament at partypoker. All but two of the final table players received more than $10,000 when bounties were taken into consideration. Finlands rdcrsnn netted $8,059 in total before Elio donzledubru Fox helped himself to an $11,202 haul, slightly more than AlexSeb0715 who finished one place deeper. Mexicos a8risoli walked away with $9,558 before Mark Ilove2fish Telker took his lifetime winnings closer to $11 million with a $21,544 haul. Russias f8ndorin then busted in third-place for $21,309 leaving shorezydrew and Mazuma in a battle for the title, a fight that Mazuma emerged victorious from. Place Player Country Prize Bounty Prize Total Prize 1 Mazuma Canada $24,334 $43,476 $68,080 2 shorezydrew Canada $24,308 $4,626 $28,934 3 f8ndorin Russia $17,372 $3,937 $21,309 4 Mark Ilove2fish Telker Costa Rica $12,160 $9,384 $21,544 5 a8risoli Mexico $9,033 $525 $9,558 6 AlexSeb0715 Denmark $6,948 $3,346 $10,294 7 Elio donzledubru Fox Canada $5,559 $5,643 $11,202 8 rdcrsnn Finland $4,516 $3,543 $8,059 $100,000 Sunday Mega Deep at 888poker Date April 28th Buy-in $215 Guarantee $100,000 Entrants 488 Prize pool $100,000 ITM 45 The $100,000 Sunday Mega Deep at 888poker came close to making its guarantee but fell short by 12 entries. Not that it bothered those who finished in the top 45 places who shared the $100,000 prize pool. A pair of pokers established players found themselves at the final table. Swedens Robin Inho Ylitalo, a former European Poker Tour champion, ran out of steam to bust in ninth-place for $1,750. Ylitalo has almost $11.5 million in online poker tournament winnings. Three-time Sunday Million champion Artem veeea Vezhenkov isnt a name you want to see at your table so the players must have breathed a sigh of relief when he fell in seventh-place for $3,400, leaving the waters slightly less shark infested. The top three finishers won at least $11,000 each. New Zealands GABriela1 busted in third-place for $11,000, leaving Brazils CutinuaBR and Finlands tikkapekka as the last two players standing. It was the latter who secured the title and the $19,350 top prize, with CutinuaBR adding the $14,500 runner-up prize to their bankroll. Place Player Country Prize 1 tikkapekka Finland $19,350 2 CutinuaBR Brazil $14,500 3 GABriela1 New Zealand $11,000 4 Alrighty2222 $8,250 5 Avskedad Sweden $5,700 6 MuckFest Finland $4,400 7 Artem veeea Vezhenkov Russia $3,400 8 kiskutya23 $2,400 9 Robin Inho Ylitalo Sweden $1,750 Artem veeea Vezhenkov won $3,400 $20,000 Sunday Challenge at 888poker Date April 28th Buy-in $109 Guarantee $20,000 Entrants 256 Prize pool $25,600 ITM 27 Canadas bustingyou lived up to their name by taking down the $20,000 Sunday Challenge at 888poker. The Canadian defeated amaze1 Of Germany heads-up, busting them in second-place for $3,968 and ensuring the $5,504 first-place prize was theirs. Two Peruvians made it to the final table, O_fenomeno9 and n0seratv. The former fell in ninth-place for $512 with the latter busting in fifth-place for $1,536. Russias Lucky_Frutti busted in fourth-place for $2,240. The Russian has $2.5 million in online poker tournament winnings and was arguably the most experienced player at this final table. Place Player Country Prize 1 bustingyou Canada $5,504 2 amaze1 Germany $3,968 3 Kid.Twist1 Romania $3,008 4 Lucky_Frutti Russia $2,240 5 n0seratv Peru $1,536 6 xane7a Malta $1,280 7 zoobanana Canada $1,024 8 GrandPadano Sweden $768 9 O_fenomeno9 Peru $512 Sunday Blade 10K at Natural8 Date April 28th Buy-in $10,000 Guarantee $200,000 Entrants 35 Prize pool $339,500 ITM 5 Canadas SasukeUchiha was the big winner at Natural8 this week after the Canadian topped a compact yet talented field of 35 in the Sunday Blade $10K. The $339,500 prize pool was shared among the top five finishers with Shark Bait being the first player to cash, banking $21,339. TexasPete of Costa Rica ran out of luck and chips to fall in fourth-place for $33,902 before Mexico-based grinder carsonwentz busted in third-place for a $53,861 addition to their bankroll. Heads-up saw PokerBluff1 of Hungary take on SasukeUchiha for the title and the not-so-small matter of $144,825 for first-place. No deal was struck despite there being a $59,255 difference between first and second-place. SasukeUchiha came out on top to scoop the $144,825 top prize, while PokerBluff1 was the runner-up, a finish worth $85,570. Place Player Country Prize 1 SasukeUchiha Canada $144,825 2 PokerBluff1 Hungary $85,570 3 carsonwentz Mexico $53,861 4 TexasPete Costa Rica $33,902 5 Shark Bait Canada $21,339 Sunday Blade $5K at Natural8 Date April 28th Buy-in $5,000 Guarantee $50,000 Entrants 40 Prize pool $190,000 ITM 5 Forty entries were processed in the Sunday Blade $5K meaning the $50,000 guarantee was almost exceeded by four-times! $190,000 was shared among the top five finishers with $81,050 reserved for the eventual champion. That champion was the Natural8 regular NOMAMES of Mexico who found themself in the unenviable position of being heads-up against Ukrainian superstar Roman SanityWaterline Romanovsky. Obviously unfazed by their talented opponent, NOMAMES ran out a worthy champion to secure the $81,050 payout and resign Romanovsky to $47,889. Earlier at the final table, vamossuerte fell in fifth-place for $11,942, MiMosa1 crashed out in fourth-place for $18,973 and Canadas RockyMarciano collected $30,143 for their third-place exit. Place Player Country Prize 1 NOMAMES Mexico $81,050 2 Roman SanityWaterline Romanovsky Ukraine $47,889 3 RockyMarciano Canada $30,143 4 MiMosa1 Finland $18,973 5 vamossuerte Mexico $11,942 The Stars Group is a majority shareholder in iBus Media One of the most prestigious events at the 2019 PokerStars and Monte-CarloCasino EPT has wrapped up and it was a comeback for the ages. Sergio Aido has risen to the top of the 100,000 Super High Roller to claim the title and the 1,589,190 first-place prize. Aido outlasted a total of 52 entries and defeated his fellow Spaniard Jesus Cortes in a quick heads-up battle. Aido entered the final day of competition with less than seven big blinds and at the bottom of the barrel among the final nine players. In fact, he had less than five big blinds when he spiked a three-outer to double up for the first time. That swung the pendulum in his direction as he won a coin flip to double up again in the very next hand. The rise to the top of the podium was fuelled by some patient play and a string of cards that led to pot after pot against some of the top players in the world. In the last hand of the day, Aido trapped Cortes by limping the button with king-queen. Cortes moved all in with rags and Aido snapped him off. He managed to hold throughout the five-card runout and was able to put his hands on the beautiful trophy. Aido has been around the high roller circuit for quite some time now, but he also fancies the nosebleed cash games as well. With over $8.7 million in career tournament earnings, this will go down as his largest cash to date. There appears to be no time to celebrate for Aido who quickly jumped into the 25,000 Single-Day High Roller for some poker action. Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize (EUR) Prize (USD) 1st Sergio Aido Spain 1,589,190 $1,772,393 2nd Jesus Cortes Spain 1,147,750 $1,280,032 3rd Sam Greenwood Canada 731,530 $815,841 4th Daniel Dvoress Canada 554,950 $618,910 5th Mikita Badziakouski Belarus 428,830 $478,254 6th Charlie Carrel United Kingdom 327,930 $365,725 7th Wiktor Malinowski Poland 264,860 $295,386 The final day began with nine players returning to the felt but only seven of them would leave with some cash in their pocket. Things got off to a quick start when Luc Greenwood shoved his 11 big blind stack into the middle and was called by Koray Aldemir who had him dominated. Greenwood could not come from behind and was eliminated on the first hand of the day. It took some time for the money bubble to burst with the short stacks finding some key double ups. However, it was Aldemir who found himself at risk with pocket nines against the ace-king of Daniel Dvoress. An ace on the river gave Dvoress the best hand and Aldemir was the last player to leave with nothing. Koray Aldemir A newcomer to the live high roller scene, Wiktor Malinowski managed to keep his short stack alive for quite a while, but his time finally came to an end when he ran his six big blinds into a surging Aido. Charlie Carrel was next to dump his chips to the eventual winner when he shoved all in from the small blind with nine-five suited. Aido called with an ace in the big blind and managed to hold on to eliminate Carrel. It was an up and down ride for Mikita Badziakouski who doubled up to an average chip stack but then saw it all disappear just one hand later. With just a small blind left, Badziakouski had to make something happen before the blinds came around. He was all in with six-three suited but Cortes held a premium hand with ace-queen suited and made a flush on the river. As the chipleader coming into the day, Dvoress had a rough go of things. He doubled up Sam Greenwood on the money bubble for half of his stack and was never able to fully recover. His tournament was eventually cut short when his ace-nine ran into the pocket kings of Aido. Two kings on the flop gave Aido quads and Dvoress was sent to the rail in fourth place. Daniel_Dvoress On the heels of losing a huge pot to Aido who flopped two pair, the last Greenwood standing picked up a big ace on the button and decided to go with it. Unfortunately for him, the pocket kings made their way back to Aido and Greenwood was in dire straits. No aces on the board meant he would have to take a back seat to the heads-up match that would feature two players from Spain. Aido was in the driver's seat heading into the heads-up battle with nearly a five-to-one chip lead. No deal was made between the two friends as they were each guaranteed a seven-figure payday. Aido's lead continued to grow and within 15 minutes, he sealed the deal on the first all in. That wraps up the coverage for this event but there is still plenty of more poker being played at the Monte Carlo Bay Resort and Casino. You can continue to follow all of the action from a variety of events at PokerNews.com. On the former table of Davidi Kitai, a massive stack has emerged for Dmytro Shuvanov while the Triple Crown champion was among those that busted before the dinner break. Maria Konnikova and Ryan Riess also boosted their stacks, the former without and the latter with showdown. Konnikova was involved in three-way action to the turn and Tomas Jozonis bet 2,600. Arvydas Merfeldas called and Konnikova raised to 12,200. Jozonis reluctantly folded and Merfeldas did so as well, flashing the . In the last hand before the break, a limped pot resulted in the elimination of Macsim Robert one table over from Konnikova. Adolfo Vaeza had limped the button, as did Robert in the small blind, and Riess checked the big blind. Riess check-raised a bet of Vaeza and two calls followed on the flop. Only Robert check-called a bet on the turn and checked the river. Riess shoved for effectively 15,000, as that's what Robert had left. The Romanian ended up in the think tank for several minutes and the clock was called. Once tournament staff arrived to give Robert a 30-second countdown, he called and Riess turned over for two pair. Robert mucked and headed out of the tournament area. At 12:30 PM local time, the 2,200 French National High Roller will resume with 81 players out of a 538-strong field returning to the felt in the Americas Room here in the Monte Carlo Bay Resort & Hotel. The eleventh tournament at the 2019 PokerStars and Monte-CarloCasino EPT will play down to a winner and leading the pack is Raul Paez with 578,000 in chips which is almost 100 big blinds. Paez will be sharing his table space with Hassan Fares, Deividas Daubaris, Abedel Douair, Anson Tsang, Antonio Scalzi, Antoine Goutard and Christopher Frank. Second in the chip counts is Borge Sandsgaard with 503,000, he will start the day with Dario Sammartino, Marinus van der Walle, Christian Van Dollen, Kisohkumar Ramachandran, Xavier Mouysset, and Jean-Rene Fontaine at his table. Trailing Sandsgaard is Julien Mariani with 480,000. He will be battling Jorge Cantos, Wei Huang, Julien Martini, Osman Aksu, Miguel Capriles, and Alberto Bari on his first table. There were 18 minutes and 8 seconds left in Level 17 which features a small blind of 3,000, big blind of 6,000, and a big blind ante of 6,000 which the remaining players will finish first. A 20-minute break will take place after every three full levels of play and a 75-minute dinner break will take at a later to be determined time. Levels will remain 40 minutes long throughout the day and play will continue until a winner has been crowned. That person will walk away with 200,400 and everyone is guaranteed to cash for at least 3,450. This is what they are all playing for: Place Prize (EUR) Prize (USD) Place Prize (EUR) Prize (USD) Place Prize (EUR) Prize (USD) 1 200,400 223,133 9 17,530 19,519 24-27 6,370 7,093 2 125,500 139,737 10-11 14,510 16,156 28-31 5,530 6,157 3 89,900 100,098 12-13 12,320 13,718 32-39 4,870 5,422 4 70,100 78,052 14-15 10,750 11,969 40-55 4,100 4,565 5 55,000 61,239 16-17 9,500 10,578 56-71 3,700 4,120 6 43,100 47,989 18-20 8,450 9,409 72-81 3,450 3,841 7 32,250 35,908 21-23 7,410 8,251 8 22,340 24,874 Make sure to return in an hour as the tournament continues on as the PokerNews live reporting team will be on hand to bring you all the French National High Roller action from the floor! Here in the US, there has been a tremendous amount of discussion in recent years about the soaring cost of prescription drugs, and about potential strategies to increase patient access and affordability. However, some may be surprised to learn that there is a similar discussion going on north of the border in Canada. While the Canadian federal government provides universal healthcare to Canadians, that benefit does not include prescription drug coverage. Rather, Canadians have a complex patchwork system of public and private insurance plans that provide coverage for prescription drugs. However, many are critical of this public-private system as it has led to coverage gaps and failed to prevent soaring drug prices, resulting in 4.1 million Canadians being uninsured or underinsured. On March 19, 2019, the Canadian federal government announced the formation of a new Canadian Drug Agency which will take a coordinated approach to assessing effectiveness and negotiating prescription drug prices. This new federal agency will work in concert with existing provincial and territorial governments, which are currently responsible for administering their own publicly-funded plans, typically directed to those patients most in need. The Canadian Drug Agency will also develop a comprehensive, evidence-based list of prescription drugs, in an effort to provide a uniform and consistent formulary for patients across the country. Finally, the Agency will develop a national strategy for high-cost drugs for rare diseases. In announcing the new Agency, the Canadian federal government noted that prescription drug spending by Canadians has soared over the past three decades, increasing from C$2.6 billion in 1985 to C$33.7 billion in 2018. The government also noted that, while the public-private drug coverage system includes over 100 public programs and 100,000 private plans across Canada, it is not adequate to handle the increasingly expensive drugs coming to market. The Canadian Drug Agency is expected to respond to this ever-increasing and unsustainable need, and, according to the Canadian federal government, is expected to help lower the cost of prescription drug prices for Canadians by up to C$3 billion per year over the long term. Reactions to the creation of the Canadian Drug Agency has been mixed. Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC), a policy and advocacy association for the innovative pharmaceutical industry, said that it welcomed the measure as it has the potential to streamline complex drug regulatory processes, but also cautioned that the Agencys success would depend on collaboration by all stakeholders, including federal and provincial governments. The IMC also stressed that drivers of life sciences investment and innovation must be protected in the process. Meanwhile, the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, an association representing Canadas health insurance companies, applauded the Canadian federal governments plan, but said that it was looking forward to further details on how the coordination of efforts would lower drug prices while ensuring a common level of coverage regardless of where Canadians live or work. The new Agency would be phased in over the next several years. The Canadian federal government has proposed providing Health Canada with C$35 million over a four-year period, beginning in 2019-2020, to establish a transition office to support the formation of the new Agency. There is to be an additional investment of C$1 billion over a two-year period, beginning in 2022-2023, to implement the rare diseases component of the initiative, with up to C$500 million per year going forward. LONDON and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mkango Resources Ltd. (AIM/TSX-V: MKA) (the "Company" or "Mkango") announces that it has entered into a Non-Binding Heads of Terms Agreement with MetalNRG PLC (NEX:MNRG) (MetalNRG), whereby MetalNRG will earn up to a 75% interest in the Thambani Exclusive Prospecting Licence (the Thambani Licence) in Malawi, by spending up to US$2,000,000 on exploration. The terms of the Non-Binding Heads of Terms Agreement outline that the parties will enter into a Binding Definitive Agreement (the Definitive Agreement) on or before the 30th June 2019 that shall include the following elements: MetalNRG must spend US$500,000 on exploration within the Thambani Licence within 12 months of the date of the Definitive Agreement, including a drilling programme totalling approximately 1500 metres (the Initial Workplan). The details of the Initial Workplan will be determined in conjunction with Mkango. The completion of this Initial Workplan shall entitle MetalNRG to a 25% economic interest in the Thambani Licence, with such interest limited to uranium only. After the completion of the Initial Workplan, MetalNRG may elect to further explore and develop the Thambani License by spending US$700,000 over the subsequent 12 months (the Second Workplan). The completion of the Second Workplan shall entitle MetalNRG to a 49% economic interest in the Thambani Licence, limited to uranium. Following the completion of the Second Workplan, MetalNRG may elect to further explore and develop the Thambani License by spending US$800,000 over the subsequent 12 months (the Third Workplan). The completion of the Third Workplan shall entitle MetalNRG to a 75% economic interest in the Thambani Licence, limited to uranium. Mkango to have right of first refusal on 100% of the offtake for uranium and other minerals. If, following MetalNRGs initial expenditure of US$500,000 and the completion of the Initial Workplan, MetalNRG is not satisfied with the exploration results produced during the first 12 months, it may elect, at its sole discretion, to discontinue future funding of the Second and Third Workplans, but it will retain a 25% economic interest in the uranium assets and operations which are the subject of the Thambani Licence. Subject to MetalNRG electing to discontinue future funding of the Second and Third Workplans, Mkango shall have the right to seek third party investment in order to raise sufficient capital to develop further the exploration area covered by the Thambani Licence. MetalNRGs 25% economic interest will be diluted down when further exploration / development expenditure is made by Mkango or a third party. Alexander Lemon, President of Mkango Resources, said: "This transaction is another milestone for Mkango and for Malawi, and is further endorsement of the Company's strategy and potential. With MetalNRG funding the Thambani uranium project and the previously announced transaction with Talaxis funding Mkangos Songwe Hill rare earths project, Mkango shareholders can look forward to an exciting year of news flow and progress in two of the markets most strategic commodities at present. We are pleased to be working with MetalNRG, and look forward to a new drilling program being carried out at Thambani. Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure Certain information contained in this announcement may have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 until the release of this announcement. About Mkango Resources Limited Mkango's primary business is exploration for rare earth elements and associated minerals in the Republic of Malawi, a country whose hospitable people have earned it a reputation as the warm heart of Africa. The Company holds interests in three exclusive prospecting licenses in Malawi: the Phalombe licence, the Thambani licence and the Chimimbe Hill licence. The main exploration target in the 51% held Phalombe licence is the Songwe Hill rare earths deposit. This features carbonatite-hosted rare earth mineralisation and was subject to previous exploration in the late 1980s. Mkango completed an updated Pre-Feasibility Study for the project in November 2015 and a Feasibility Study is currently underway, the initial phases of which included a 10,900 metre drilling programme and updated mineral resource estimate. The main exploration targets in Mkangos remaining two 100% held licences are, in the Thambani licence, uranium, niobium, tantalum and zircon and, in the Chimimbe Hill licence, nickel and cobalt. For more information, please visit www.mkango.ca . Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of that term under applicable securities laws) with respect to Mkango, its business and the Project. Generally, forward looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as plans, expects or is expected, scheduled, estimates intends, anticipates, believes, or variations of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results can, may, could, would, should, might or will, occur or be achieved, or the negative connotations thereof. Forward looking statements in this news release include statements with respect to the global market for products using the rare earth metals the Company is exploring for, completion of the feasibility study and of the transactions contemplated in the agreement with Talaxis, as well as the use of proceeds from the investments into the Company by Talaxis and the timing of such expenditures. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur, which may cause actual performance and results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates or projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, without limiting the foregoing, market demand for the metals and associated downstream products for which Mkango is exploring, researching and developing, the positive results of a feasibility study on the Project, delays in obtaining financing or governmental or stock exchange approvals. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above. For further information on Mkango, please contact: Mkango Resources Limited William Dawes Alexander Lemon Chief Executive Officer President will@mkango.ca alex@mkango.ca UK: +44 207 3722 744 Canada: +1 403 444 5979 www.mkango.ca @MkangoResources Blytheweigh Financial Public Relations Tim Blythe, Camilla Horsfall, Julia Tilley UK: +44 207 138 3204 SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker Jeff Keating, Caroline Rowe UK: +44 20 3470 0470 Alternative Resource Capital Joint Broker Alex Wood, Rob Collins UK: +44 20 7186 9004; +44 20 7186 9001 The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any equity or other securities of the Company in the United States. The securities of the Company will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the U.S. Securities Act) and may not be offered or sold within the United States to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except in certain transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act. 1.1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard By Tim Reid SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Beto ORourke attacked the close ties between Republican President Donald Trump and Fox News on Sunday, saying the White House has free rein, almost over what is broadcast on the cable television network. Democrats have long accused Fox of reporting that is biased in favor of the Republican Party and Trump. The president is an avid watcher of the network, and Sean Hannity, one of its stars, is an admirer of Trump and last year spoke at one of his rallies. Former Fox News executive Bill Shine became a communications official in the Trump White House in 2018, resigning the position in March to be an adviser on Trumps 2020 presidential campaign. Speaking at a campaign event in San Francisco, former Texas congressman ORourke, one of 20 candidates seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, criticized the links between the Trump White House and an influential news network. You have members of the organization moving into the White House, you have a White House with free rein, almost, over what is broadcast over one of the most widely watched cable networks in the country today, ORourke said. Reuters emails to the White House and Fox News were not immediately answered. On Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, ORourke said Trump invited Russia to interfere, even if Special Counsel Robert Mueller concluded after a 22-month investigation that Trump and his campaign did not collude with Moscow. I dont know if collusion is a term of art in the law, but he certainly invited their participation, ORourke said. (Reporting by Tim Reid; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall) 585 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard By Idrees Ali WASHINGTON (Reuters) The Pentagon said on Friday that it expected to send about 300 additional troops to the border with Mexico including roughly 100 cooks who would hand out meals, breaking with past policy to avoid troops coming in contact with migrants. It is the latest sign of a growing U.S. military support role for President Donald Trumps politically charged immigration policies. Earlier this month, Trump said he would have to mobilize more of the military at the border with Mexico after listening to stories about migrants crossing the border from people attending a Republican fundraiser. The Pentagon previously said there were no plans for U.S. forces to interact with migrants as they support border agents dealing with illegal immigration. In addition to the cooks, the Pentagon is expected to send 160 drivers and 20 lawyers, Pentagon spokesman Charlie Summers said. We will have some of our troops handing out meals, therefore (they) would come in contact with migrants, Summers said. He said it was an amendment to the current policy. U.S. troops are assisting Border Patrol agents who have been overwhelmed trying to cope with a surge in migrants seeking asylum. The Department of Homeland Security a few weeks ago redeployed about 750 officers to the border to deal with the surge, resulting in a slowing of legal crossings and commerce at ports of entry. Summers said acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan had not yet signed the request for assistance from the Department of Homeland Security, but he was expected to do so. There are currently about 5,000 active-duty and National Guard troops near the border, though that number fluctuates. There has been increasing concern about the military playing a growing role on the border with Mexico. The Posse Comitatus Act, a federal law on the books since the 1870s, restricts using the U.S. Army and other main branches of the military for civilian law enforcement on U.S. soil, unless specifically authorized by Congress. But the military can provide support services to law enforcement and has done so on occasion since the 1980s. Earlier this month six Mexican military personnel questioned two U.S. Army soldiers near Clint, Texas. A U.S. military investigation found the American soldiers were in U.S. territory during the incident, while the Mexican personnel believed they were south of the border. Trump has made immigration a signature issue of his presidency and of his re-election campaign. He declared a national emergency over the issue earlier this year in an effort to redirect funding from Congress to build a wall along the U.S. southern border. (Reporting by Idrees Ali; Editing by Alistair Bell and Leslie Adler) 179 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard By Pete Schroeder WASHINGTON (Reuters) The U.S. admiral in charge of the Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba has been fired due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command, U.S. Southern Command said in a statement on Sunday. Rear Admiral John Ring was removed from the post on Saturday, the brief statement said, without giving details about why. Jose Ruiz, a spokesman for Southern Command, which oversees Guantanamo, told Reuters the decision was the result of a monthlong investigation completed earlier in April, but declined to provide specifics. The firing was first reported by The New York Times. Ring had led Guantanamo since April 2018. General John Hussey, formerly the centers deputy commander, will now lead it in an acting capacity, the statement said. This change in leadership will not interrupt the safe, humane, legal care and custody provided to the detainee population at GTMO, Southern Command said in its statement. The Guantanamo detention center, opened by Republican President George W. Bush to hold terrorism suspects captured overseas after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, has become a byword for harsh detention practices that have opened the United States to accusations of torture. President Barack Obama shrank its population while in office but failed to completely close the center as he had once promised. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in 2018 to keep the center open, and has discussed adding to its population. Since May 2018, Guantanamo has housed 40 prisoners. (Reporting by Pete Schroeder; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall) 1.8k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Ryan Goodman, former Special Counsel for the Department of Defense and co-editor-in-chief of Just Security, wrote Monday that Volume One of the redacted Mueller report identifies key findings of collusion (not just crimes). My research and thoughts all in one place to help readers understand Volume 1 of the #MuellerReport.https://t.co/FlWmRZxzAx identifies key findings of collusion (not just crimes) examines other Mueller documents and investigative reports to help put these findings in context Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) April 29, 2019 The redacted Mueller Report documents a series of activities that show strong evidence of collusion. Or, more precisely, it provides significant evidence that Trump Campaign associates coordinated with, cooperated with, encouraged, or gave support to the Russia/WikiLeaks election interference activities. The Report documents the following actions (each of which is analyzed in detail in Part II), Goodman writes, before listing those actions. In his second section of analysis, Goodman lays it out: 1. Trump was receptive to a Campaign national security advisers (George Papadopoulos) pursuit of a back channel to Putin 2. Kremlin operatives provided the Campaign a preview of the Russian plan to distribute stolen emails There is at least no indication that the Campaign said or did anything to dissuade the Russians. Instead, following the late April 2016 meeting, the Campaign supported Papadopouloss efforts to organize a back channel meeting with Russian officials and Campaign officials. Goodman explains that one reason the report cant prove criminal collusion (conspiracy) is many of the people involved, including the president himself, refused to give information, deleted evidence, lied to investigators, and obstructed the investigation. The Report states, Even when individuals testified or agreed to be interviewed, they sometimes provided information that was false or incomplete. Goodman goes to pains to point out, and this is a big one, that it is incorrect to conflate the investigation didnt establish something happened with it did not occur or there was no evidence that it occurred. When there is no evidence, the report lays that out with did not identify evidence or did not uncover evidence. Noting as others have that the Special Counsels counterintelligence findings are missing from the Mueller report, Goodnman notes that those findings are where we would find what we refer to as collusion, he continues, though, as Asha Rangappa and I have written, the more analytically precise issues to consider are whether Trump Campaign associates coordinated with, cooperated with, encouraged, or gave support to the Russia/WikiLeaks election interference activities. Those are important questions regardless of whether such activities amounted to crimes Basically yes, Americans need to know if the Trump campaign worked with the Russians, even if the evidence wouldnt hold up in a criminal case. The redacted Mueller report lays bare that the Trump campaign was willing to take help from Russians. They didnt report the offers of help. It contains strong evidence of collusion. The redacted Mueller report does not exonerate the President; in fact, it contains strong evidence that the President of the United States colluded with a hostile foreign power to win the presidency. That in and of itself, in this writers opinion, is not just a reason to impeach him, but why it is imperative Republicans stand with their country to impeach Donald Trump. There exists no better reason to impeach a president than the evidence that they worked with a hostile foreign country to steal the election that put them into power. It doesnt matter if the evidence can stand up in court to make a criminal case. It matters that the president of the United States is not working for or compromised by, a foreign country. DUBAI (Reuters) Iran said on Sunday it could quit a treaty against the spread of nuclear weapons after the United States tightens sanctions, while an Iranian general said the U.S. Navy was interacting as before with an elite military unit blacklisted by Washington. Tensions between Tehran and Washington have risen since the Trump administration withdrew last year from a 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran and began ratcheting up sanctions. Earlier this month, the United States blacklisted Irans elite Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and demanded buyers of Iranian oil stop purchases by May or face sanctions. The Islamic Republics choices are numerous, and the countrys authorities are considering them and leaving NPT (nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) is one of them, state broadcaster IRIBs website quoted Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying. Iran has threatened in the past to leave the NPT, as U.S. President Donald Trump moved to scrap the 2015 deal with world powers the United States, Russia, China, Germany, Britain and France. Separately, Irans armed forces chief of staff said the IRGC which ensures security in Gulf waters and the Strait of Hormuz for Iran had not observed any change in the U.S. militarys behavior towards the elite force after the blacklisting. U.S. warships are obliged to respond to the IRGC on the passage of the Strait of Hormuz and until yesterday they have been answering IRGC questions, and we have not seen change in their procedures, Major General Mohammad Baqeri was quoted as saying on Sunday by the semi-official Fars news agency. Lieutenant Chloe Morgan, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command spokeswoman, said on Sunday: The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway. Threats to close the strait impact the international community and undermine the free flow of commerce. The U.S., along with our allies and partners, is committed to freedom of navigation and remains well positioned and postured to preserve the free flow of commerce, and we are prepared to respond to any acts of aggression, Morgan said in an emailed statement, without referring to interaction with IRGC forces. On Wednesday, Zarif called the IRGC blacklisting absurd, but suggested Iran did not plan to respond militarily unless the United States changed the rules of engagement guiding how it interacts with Irans forces. The U.S. military has not suggested it would alter its behavior after the blacklisting. We dont intend to close the Strait of Hormuz, unless hostilities reach a level where this cannot be avoided, Fars quoted Baqeri as saying. If our oil does not pass, the oil of others shall not pass the Strait of Hormuz either. President Hassan Rouhani and some senior military commanders have threatened to disrupt oil shipments from Gulf countries if Washington tries to strangle Tehrans oil exports. Carrying one third of the worlds seaborne oil every day, the Strait of Hormuz links Middle East crude producers to markets in Asia Pacific, Europe, North America and beyond. Iran has also threatened to pull out of the 2015 deal unless European powers enable it to receive economic benefits. The Europeans have said they would help companies do business with Iran as long as it abides by the deal, but Tehran has criticized what it sees as the slow pace of progress on a promised payment mechanism for Iran-Europe trade. The Europeans have had a year but unfortunately they have not taken any practical measures, Zarif told IRIB. (Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Toby Chopra, Dale Hudson and Raissa Kasolowsy) 1.6k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Jared Kushner sought out and was advised on Trumps campaign by a Russian who is known to have a pro-Kremlin agenda during the 2016 election. Politico reported: Kushner and Simes met at the lunch and began communicating, including in a meeting at Kushners office later that month. Although the Trump campaign never identified Simes as an adviser, he provided counsel to the Trump team, particularly with regard to Russia. In June 2016, Mueller found, he sent a memo to then-Senator Jeff Sessions, who headed up Trumps foreign policy team, offering several policy recommendations, including a new beginning with Moscow, and in August he would send Kushner himself a Russia policy memo. . Its very transparent what his agenda is, said Michael Carpenter, a former adviser to Vice President Joe Biden and a top Pentagon official for Russia and Ukraine in the Obama administration. Carpenter said that while Simes positions himself as a pragmatic foreign policy realist, he is completely pro-Kremlin and always has been. Trump was being advised by a pro-Kremlin Russian during the campaign The bottom line is Jared Kushner sought out help from Russians during the campaign. The big question that could likely be answered by a deep dive into Trumps tax returns and financial records is what sort of relationship does the Trump family have with Russians? Why specifically did Kushner seek out a Russian for help? None of this is regular campaign activity. The reason why Mueller couldnt prove a Trump criminal conspiracy with a hostile foreign power is that Kushner used go-betweens that gave both Trump and the Russians plausible criminal deniability. Kushner didnt directly conspire with Russian government officials. He used pro-Russia non-officials to implement the Russian agenda into the Trump campaign. Russia was baked into the Trump campaign cake, and they will be there again in 2020. Russias help more than mattered to Trump. It was part of his foreign policy. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 2.6k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Former Vice President Joe Biden, who announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination last week, blasted President Trump for badmouthing unions and labor, hours before Biden spoke to unions in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Im sick of this President badmouthing unions. Labor built the middle class in this country. Minimum wage, overtime pay, the 40-hour week: they exist for all of us because unions fought for those rights. We need a President who honors them and their work. I'm sick of this President badmouthing unions. Labor built the middle class in this country. Minimum wage, overtime pay, the 40-hour week: they exist for all of us because unions fought for those rights. We need a President who honors them and their work. Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 29, 2019 Biden was responding to Trump badmouthing the Firefighters Union on Twitter: The Dues Sucking firefighters leadership will always support Democrats, even though the membership wants me. Some things never change! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 29, 2019 The head of the Firefighters Union said Joe Biden is someone who knows the middle class and is genuine, which is a slam to the soft spot of inauthentic Trump if ever there were one. Joe Biden actually grew up middle class, and he has fought for workers and the middle class his entire career, unlike silver-spooned Donald Trump, who made promises to workers he failed to keep. Biden is kicking his campaign off speaking to unions in his home state of Pennsylvania, a state Trump desperately need to keep in his pocket in 2020, and one of the three Midwestern states Trump needs to win. Biden will address the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to make a case for his vision to help the working class. Trump is scared because the union Rust Belt voters are his, but Joe Biden is making it clear that he is coming to states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan to bring those workers back to the Democratic Party. Donald Trump talks big on unions and manufacturing, but it is Joe Biden who is walking the walk. By James Oliphant PITTSBURGH (Reuters) Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will hold his first event as a presidential candidate in Pittsburgh on Monday, speaking before union members whose endorsements may be key in the primary race. Biden, who joined the 2020 Democratic race last week, is counting on organized labor to comprise a significant part of his support, but despite his longstanding ties to unions, it may not be that easy. The Democratic field now features 20 contenders, many of whom are making furtive bids for backing by labor. (Graphic: https://tmsnrt.rs/2Ff62ZC) This may be the most pro-union group of candidates weve seen in decades making it tougher for any one candidate to line up significant union support, said Steve Rosenthal, a former political director for the AFL-CIO who is advising unions on their 2020 strategies. Biden, 76, has long styled himself as a champion of blue-collar workers, but his record as a U.S. senator and his two terms serving as former President Barack Obamas No. 2 may complicate his efforts to draw union voters. As a senator from Delaware, Biden supported the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which has become a sore point with unions that blame it for jobs going overseas. As vice president, he was part of an administration that promulgated labor-friendly regulatory policies, but also pushed through trade deals with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea over the objections of several unions and many other Democrats. A massive 12-nation trade deal backed by Obama and Biden, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, was opposed by labor and became an issue in the 2016 presidential race, when Donald Trump, then the Republican presidential nominee, used it to criticize Democratic policies. Once Trump became president, he pulled the United States out of the TPP, which went into effect last year. His administration currently is advocating for Congress to pass a negotiated replacement for NAFTA, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Even as Biden was preparing for his Pittsburgh launch, six other Democratic candidates on Saturday addressed union members at an event in Las Vegas, pledging support for policies such as a $15 federal minimum wage. Labor unions have indicated that, with the sprawling Democratic field, they have the luxury to choose candidates who tailor policies to their specific goals. Working people are heading into this election with a high bar, said John Weber, a spokesman for the AFL-CIO in Washington. Your trade policy shouldnt be about reducing the collateral damage of harmful corporate trade deals. It should be about replacing them with agreements that actually strengthen working families. In Pittsburgh, Biden will address the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and is expected to lay out his vision for bolstering the nations middle class. After that, he will head off on a campaign trip to the early voting state of Iowa. While organized labor has lost political clout with the decline of industrial jobs in America, it remains a key Democratic constituency, valued for its capacity to mobilize voters. At this juncture, Biden may have to worry most about U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, who, along with Biden, sits atop public opinion polls concerning the 2020 field. Sanders, a progressive who consistently has railed against free-trade agreements, showed surprising strength among rank-and-file union members during his 2016 presidential primary challenge to Hillary Clinton even though she received the formal endorsement of most national unions. That divide within unions between Clinton and Sanders is one reason, Rosenthal said, why some unions this time may wait deep into the primary process before endorsing a candidate, or may not endorse one at all. Because so many unions rushed to endorse Secretary Clinton in 2016, there will likely be a much more thorough process, including more rank-and-file input from some unions this cycle, he said. To be sure, Biden can rely on some measure of union support. He was warmly received in speeches earlier this year to the electrical workers and firefighters unions. The firefighters union is expected to endorse him soon. (Reporting by James Oliphant; Editing by Lisa Shumaker) By Vladimir Soldatkin and Maria Vasilyeva VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (Reuters) Russian President Vladimir Putin said after holding his first face-to-face talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Thursday that U.S. security guarantees would probably not be enough to persuade Pyongyang to shut its nuclear program. Putin and Kim held a day of talks on an island off the Russian Pacific city of Vladivostok two months after Kims summit with U.S. President Donald Trump ended in disagreement, cooling hopes of a breakthrough in the decades-old nuclear row. The talks between Putin and Kim did not appear to have yielded any major breakthrough. But Putin, keen to use the summit to burnish Russias diplomatic credentials as a global player, said he believed any U.S. guarantees might need to be supported by the other nations involved in previous six-way talks on the nuclear issue. That would mean including Russia, China, Japan and South Korea as well as the United States and North Korea, a long-standing format that has been sidelined by unilateral U.S. efforts to broker a deal. They (the North Koreans) only need guarantees about their security. Thats it. All of us together need to think about this, Putin told reporters after talks with Kim. Im deeply convinced that if we get to a situation when some kind of security guarantees are needed from one party, in this case for North Korea, that it wont be possible to get by without international guarantees. Its unlikely that any agreements between two countries will be enough. Such guarantees would have to be international, legally binding, and vouch for North Koreas sovereignty, said Putin. The two leaders appeared to get on well. The first session between Putin and Kim, comprising one-on-one talks with just a few aides present, lasted twice as long as the 50 minutes allocated in the schedule. Putin described Kim as quite open and as thoughtful and interesting. MUSIC AND GIFTS Promising to brief the Chinese and U.S. leadership about his talks, Putin said he thought a deal on Pyongyangs nuclear program was possible and that the way to get there was to move forward step-by-step in order to build trust. There was no immediate comment on the summit from the U.S. State Department, but William Hagerty, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, told a Washington think tank Kims outreach to Russia and China was part of an effort to seek relief from international sanctions, which both are committed to. The fact you see Kim Jong Un meeting with Vladimir Putin underscores the fact that the sanctions are working and the sanctions are putting extreme economic pressure on the North Korean regime, he said. What we see is an outreach to try to find a way to deal with it. There is a much simpler way to deal with it and that is to denuclearize, he said, adding: I think its critically important that we all remain in lockstep in enforcing the U.N. Security Council resolutions that sanction North Korea. Kim, who arrived in Vladivostok on Wednesday on board his armored train, said the situation on the Korean peninsula is an issue that the world is very interested in. He did not speak to the media afterwards, but shook hands with Putin before being driven away in his limousine. The two leaders had earlier attended a gala dinner where they toasted each other and watched traditional musical numbers and dancing performed by Russian artists. The numbers included the Russian classic song Black Eyes and a Korean song called the Great Commander, Russian state media reported. The two men also exchanged gifts. Kim gave Putin a traditional Korean sword, while the Russian leader gave Kim a saber and a tea service suitable for use on his armored train. When modern weapons did not exist, they used such swords, Russian state media cited Kim as telling Putin. They embody strength, my soul and our people who support you. With North Korea-U.S. talks stalled, the summit in Vladivostok has provided Pyongyang with an opportunity to improve ties with its giant neighbor Russia. For the Kremlin, the summit was a chance to show it remains an important actor on the global stage despite efforts by the United States and other Western states to isolate it. But with Moscow committed to upholding international sanctions until North Korea dismantles its nuclear program, Russias room for maneuver, beyond putting on a show of camaraderie, was limited. Putins last summit with a North Korean leader was in 2002 when his counterpart was Kim Jong Il, Kim Jong Uns father and predecessor. Kim Jong Il also met in 2011 with Dmitry Medvedev, then Russias president and now its prime minister. (Corrects spelling of name to Hagerty in paragraph 12.) (Additional reporting by Hyonhee Shin and Joyce Lee in SEOUL, Maria Kiselyova, Darya Korsunskaya and Maxim Rodionov in MOSCOW and David Brunnstrom in WASHINGTON; Writing by Christian Lowe/Andrew Osborn; editing by Gareth Jones and Jonathan Oatis) 7.5k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Trump is not attending the teacher of the year ceremony, and it just so happens that this years winner is a black teacher from Virginia. Trump wont honor African-American teacher of the year The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported: Bucking tradition, President Donald Trump will not attend a White House ceremony Monday honoring Richmonds Rodney Robinson, who was named National Teacher of the Year last week. . In winning the award, Robinson, a teacher in Richmonds juvenile detention center, will travel the country spreading his message that students of color need more teachers of color and impoverished students need more resources. Of all Americans, it may be the president who most needs to hear Rodneys message of equity, inclusion and justice, Superintendent Jason Kamras said. As Rodney has so powerfully demonstrated with his work, our greatness as a country comes from the millions of people of all backgrounds who strive every day to right the wrongs of the past so we can become a more perfect union. There have only been nine other occasions in sixty-seven years when the president did not personally hand out the award. The teacher of the year ceremony is closed to the press The teacher of the year ceremony is a nice moment for presidents. They hand out the award, praise teachers, and stress the value of education. It gets a mention on television and has been streamed live. It is a nice event and a great honor of the teacher of the year. The Trump administration doesnt want the teacher of the year speaking in front of the press, so they have closed the event to the media. Instead of promoting education as a vehicle for advancement and uplift, especially for kids in the worst of circumstances, Trump doesnt appear to want to be seen with an African-American teacher who teaches a juvenile detention center. Decisions such as this one confirm the public opinion that Donald Trump is a racist. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc returned to Hanoi after attending the second BRF International Cooperation (BRF) on April 27th evening. In an interview granted to the media on the PMs trip, Deputy FM Le Hoai Trung said the trip produced important results on both bilateral and multilateral aspects. Vietnam had made careful preparations and actively and proactively joined in the forums activities and the building of the round-table meetings joint statement. In his address to the forum, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc shared Vietnams reform experience over the past three decades, noting that making good use of advantages and potential along with promoting international integration are the foundation for successful cooperation. He affirmed that Vietnam is pushing ahead with both socio-economic development and global integration, including cooperating with the Belt and Road initiative, and striving to realise the UN sustainable development goals. Deputy FM Le Hoai Trung said many leaders expressed support for the PMs speech and Vietnams stance. On bilateral activities, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc met Chinese Party chief and President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, and permanent Politburo member and Secretary of the Party Central Committees Secretariat Wang Huning. It is noteworthy that the two sides signed five economic agreements, including two deals that opened the Chinese market for Vietnams exports of milk and mangosteen. Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung (Photo: VNA) PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc also met with executives of many leading Chinese companies, during which he vowed all possible support for them to do business in Vietnam while having a straight talk on several ineffective and delayed projects by Chinese contractors. The PM and his entourage, including Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh and many ministers, also met leaders and officials of many countries and international organisations. During those meetings, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked the countries to support Vietnams run for a seat in the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure and work closely with Vietnam during its ASEAN Chairmanships term in 2020 to maintain peace, stability, maritime security, safety and freedom in the East Sea. He also discussed ways to create stronger progress in economic-trade-investment ties and deal with issues related to the border and overseas Vietnamese with related countries. According to Deputy FM Le Hoai Trung, the countries had expressed support for Vietnams candidacy for the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 term, and their wish to coordinate closely with Vietnam as Chair of the ASEAN as well as in the UNs activities. Talking about the main outcomes of the 2nd BRF, the Deputy FM said under the theme Belt and Road Cooperation: Shaping a Brighter Shared Future, the forum attracted nearly 5,000 delegates from 150 countries, over 90 international organisations and 800 businesses, particularly heads of States and governments from 37 nations, including 10 ASEAN member states. The most important event of the forum was a round-table meeting of leaders to discuss promoting connectivity, strengthening policy resonance, fostering green and sustainable development. Deputy FM Le Hoai Trung said the forum achieved three major results, including issuing a joint statement that reaffirmed commitment to stepping up economic connectivity, trade liberalisation and respect for multilateralism, with a focus on infrastructure, economy, science-technology, socio-culture and people-to-people exchange. Secondly, participating leaders shared constructive views, contributing to new adjustments in Belt and Road cooperation in the direction of more balanced benefits for participating countries with an emphasis on the principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit. Thirdly, the high-level round-table meeting and 12 thematic session afforded participants chances to discuss cooperation opportunities and joint work across infrastructure connectivity, policy resonance, trade, finance, innovation and creativity, digital economy and green development./. TORONTO, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd. (GLH or the Company) (CSE:GLH) (OTCQB:GLDFF), a leading cannabis oil solutions company built around recognized brands, is pleased to announce that it has retained the services of Renmark Financial Communications Inc. (Renmark) to handle its investor relations activities. Bill Kulczycki, President and CEO of GLH, commented, We are pleased to announce that we have selected Renmark to reinforce Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd.s profile in the financial community and enhance the visibility of our company. We choose Renmark because its standards and methodologies fit best with the message we wish to communicate to the investing public. In consideration of the services to be provided, the monthly fees incurred by the Company will be cash consideration of up to $8,000 CDN, starting May 1st, 2019, for a period of six months ending on October 31st, 2019 and monthly thereafter until terminated. Renmark does not have any interest, directly or indirectly, in the Company or its securities, or any right or intent to acquire an interest. To be added to the distribution list please email ir@goldenxtrx.com with GLH in the subject line. About Golden Leaf Holdings Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd. is a Canadian company with operations in multiple jurisdictions including Oregon, Nevada, and Canada, with cultivation, production and retail operations built around recognized brands. Golden Leaf distributes its products through its branded Chalice Farms retail dispensaries, as well as through third-party dispensaries. Golden Leafs cannabis retail operations and products are designed with the customer in mind, focused on superlative in-store experience and quality products. Visit goldenleafholdings.com to learn more. Investor Relations: Karyn Barsa Chief Financial Officer Golden Leaf Holdings Ltd. 503-201-0659 ir@goldenxtrx.com Media Relations: Anne Donohoe / Nick Opich KCSA Strategic Communications adonohoe@kcsa.com / nopich@kcsa.com 212-896-1265 / 212-896-1206 Renmark Financial Communications Inc. Steve Hosein: shosein@renmarkfinancial.com Tel: (416) 644-2020 or (514) 939-3989 www.renmarkfinancial.com 10.9k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard A new poll reveals that more than half of all senior voters say that they definitely will not vote for Trump in 2020. Seniors Have Turned Against Trump Trump beat Hillary Clinton by eight points with seniors (53%-45%) in 2016, which was lower than seniors support of Romney over Obama in 2012 (56%-44%). Trumps support with seniors has totally flipped. It has gone from 52% support to 53% definitely not voting for him in 2020. The ABC News/Washington Post poll found this stunning nugget: Republicans have banked on seniors being more conservative and outperforming their nominees approval rating. Trump is doing worse with seniors than his overall approval rating. The thirty-four percent who say that they will definitely vote for him is less than the 37%-40% range that Trump approval has settled into. If Trump Loses Seniors, He Loses The White House Republicans have intentionally focused their voter suppression efforts on younger people and minorities because those are the two growing groups of voters who tend to vote Democratic. The Republican Party has gone older, whiter, and more rural under Trump. Republicans need seniors to win. If voters over age 65 support Trump in smaller numbers, Republicans will lose the White House, the Senate, and Democrats will keep the House. There is plenty of time for these numbers to shift, but if Democrats nominate a candidate who seniors feel comfortable with, Donald Trump could be headed for a historic defeat in 2020. Banana Cabana restaurant on the Isle of Palms closed Dec. 13 after 27 years, but a new venue is in the works to replace it. Provided You are the owner of this article. Get the SC business stories that matter. Our newsletter catches you up with all the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina every Monday and Thursday at noon. Get ahead with us - it's free. The school districts in Charleston and Berkeley counties will remain open Wednesday despite hundreds of teachers taking personal leave days to protest at the Statehouse for improved education and working conditions. A week after the teacher activist group SC for Ed announced the May 1 protest, the two Lowcountry districts made their announcements via email within 20 minutes of each another Monday afternoon. Dorchester School District 4 will also remain open Wednesday, according to a district spokesperson Monday. "Berkeley County School District is a values-driven organization that puts children first," the district said in its email. In the Charleston County School District, which employs about 3,500 teachers, a total of 336 or almost 10 percent requested personal leave Wednesday, according to district spokesman Andy Pruitt. Including teachers on parental leave or sick leave, the district has received a total of 582 substitute teacher requests that day. "The district is in close contact with Kelly Services to arrange for additional substitutes. That will include all central-office staff in an effort to minimize disruptions to students instructional day," the Charleston County School District said in its email. "We understand teachers desire to advocate for improvements to our states educational system, and there is no reason to create divisions among those of us who share so many of the same goals," the note said. In her press release, Berkeley County Schools spokeswoman Katie Orvin Tanner portrayed the teacher protest as potentially damaging to low-income families. "With 20 Title I schools in Berkeley County, this school district will STAND IN as able to guarantee students who may only receive one meal a day are fed," Tanner wrote. "We will STAND IN for families to help maintain the quality of life for a student who may be in a home with a single parent unable to take a day off from work without consequence. We will STAND IN and hope our employees and communities understand that by not closing, we ARE supporting our children AND the educators that serve them each day." Title I schools are generally categorized as public schools where a majority of its students are living in poverty. The protests were sparked in part by decades of government neglect for high-poverty and rural schools, as well as state-level austerity measures that have kept teacher salaries low and allowed classroom sizes to balloon since the start of the Great Recession. LOS ANGELES, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Anthocyanin Market size is expected to reach USD 747.34 Million by the end of year 2026. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% over the forecast period. Free Download Sample Report Pages for Better understanding@ https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/request-sample/1325 Anthocyanin consumption has beneficial outcomes for human health. Studies have demonstrated that they have anti-allergic, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Other than these, anthocyanin also helps in improving the microcirculation of the body. Anthocyanin speeds up the metabolism process, the rising awareness about which is probably going to look good for the market. Anthocyanin also battles oxidative pressure, which can escalate heart ailments. Furthermore, consumption of anthocyanin can help diminish stoutness in humans. TMR expects that the market will significantly gain from the rising awareness about health benefits offered by anthocyanin. Anthocyanin is extracted from natural assets, which makes it hard to work with. Raw materials utilized for determining anthocyanin are available at a more expensive rate than those utilized for extracting artificial colorants. Other than this, anthocyanin lack shading power, in contrast to their manufactured counterparts. Additionally, the engineered variants help to maintain the vibrancy of the shading. In this manner, the rising demand for manufactured anthocyanin may hamper the development of the global anthocyanin market to a degree. Furthermore, some factors, for example the absence of a wide-ranging shading pallet and implementation of stringent rules controlling the utilization of food additives, may negatively affect the market. In any case, the demand for natural food hues is probably going to remain steady through the forecast time frame. Expansion of the food and beverage industry and the steady utilization of anthocyanin in the division will enable the market to sustain development in the coming years. View Detail Information with Complete TOC@ https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/anthocyanin-market The global anthocyanin market is segmented into product, end use, source, and region. On the basis of product, the global market is segmented into cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, peonidin, and petunidin. On the basis of end use, the global market is segmented into animal feed, cosmetics & personal care, food & beverage industry, nutraceutical industry, and pharmaceutical industry. On the basis of source, the global market is segmented into cereals, flowers, fruits, legumes, and vegetables. Based on geographical segments, the global market is segment into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Anthocyanin has the most astounding application in food and beverages as a colorant as it is a natural colorant with a large number of health benefits. However, personal care is relied upon to be the fastest developing application segment in the forecast time frame inferable from the increasing inclination for personal care items that are natural. Cyanidin has the most astounding market share by kind of anthocyanin because of ease of generation. On the basis of end use, the food and beverage segment is estimated to be the largest application segment and is likely to remain the major segment over the forecast time frame inferable from increasing healthy food and beverage applications. Anthocyanin is increasingly being utilized as an essential antioxidant in several health and vitality beverages, which is additionally estimated to fuel market development throughout the following couple of years. Natural colorants are anticipated to observe considerable market development, especially in the consumer touchy European and North American district. Natural colorants are utilized in mixing applications in food and beverages along with personal health care items. Thickness modifiers are required to an observer above average market demand attributable to their ability to maintain appropriate consistency of food and beverages, which is additionally expected to fuel anthocyanin market development throughout the following seven years. Browse All official Market Research Reports Press Releases@ https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/press-releases Explore Our Market Blog@ https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/blogs Europe accounts for the most elevated market share of 33% for anthocyanin in 2017. The market of anthocyanin in most created nations has almost reached maturity. The Asia-Pacific district is relied upon to have the most elevated CAGR amid the forecast time frame. The high development rate is an extreme demand for natural colorants in the pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, and personal care areas. To sustain development amidst the prevailing competition, the leading players are experimenting with a plethora of strategies. For instance, they are engaging in mergers and acquisitions. Other than this, investment in item innovation is steadily increasing. These strategies are adopted by market players to expand their impression around the world. Such strategies are accordingly liable to have a significant effect on the global anthocyanin market. Major companies contributing the global anthocyanin market are Archer Daniels Midlands Co, CHR Hansen A/S, D.D. Williamson and Co. Inc., FMC Corporation, GNT Group, Kalsec Inc., Naturex S.A., Sensient Technologies Corp, Symrise A.G., and Synthite Industries. INQUIRY BEFORE BUYING@ https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/inquiry-before-buying/1325 The report is readily available and can be dispatched immediately after payment confirmation. Buy this premium research report - https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/buy-now/0/1325 Would like to place an order or any question, please feel free to contact at sales@acumenresearchandconsulting.com | +1 407 915 4157 For Latest Update Follow Us: https://twitter.com/AcumenRC https://www.facebook.com/acumenresearchandconsulting https://www.linkedin.com/company/acumen-research-and-consulting/ LEXINGTON The death penalty trial is set to begin this week for a South Carolina man accused of killing his five children and dumping their bodies off a dirt road in Alabama, but progress could be slow as the court searches for jury members unfamiliar with the high-profile case. On Monday, a judge in Lexington County began the jury selection process in the case of Timothy Ray Jones Jr. more than four years after Jones allegedly murdered his five children, ages 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8. State prosecutors want to sentence Jones to death for the murders, which captured national attention after he allegedly spent nine days driving the bodies across four states before dumping them in a wooded area in Alabama. Circuit Judge Eugene Griffith read the names of the five children early Monday afternoon and explained how Jones allegedly strangled or beat each one of them to death. Jones, who was dressed in a button-down shirt, sat in silence as the judge explained each murder charge. His lawyers, who sat next to him, have already filed documents in court saying they plan to argue Jones was insane. In describing the charges, Griffith never mentioned the victims were Jones' children, and he didn't get into some of the more gruesome facts of the case. That didn't prevent a large number of the potential jurors, who could hold Jones' fate in their hands, from recognizing the case. Around 185 Lexington County residents arrived at the courthouse for jury duty early Monday morning. More than 80 of those people stood when the judge asked whether they read or viewed media reports about the murders or the desperate search that ensued before Jones was arrested in Mississippi. "My primary goal is to pick an impartial jury," said Griffith, before warning the jurors not to read or talk about the case outside the courtroom. "I don't need you investigating," he added. "You don't need anything to decide this case besides what is said in this courthouse." Jury selection could take much of the week. Eleventh Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard, the lead prosecutor in the case, barely spoke during Monday's hearing. He will be front and center over the next several days as the team of prosecutors and Jones' defense attorneys argue over which jurors are chosen for the case. With prosecutors seeking the death penalty, that fight could take a considerable amount of time. September will mark five years since Jones led officers back to the bodies of his five children. Jones, 37, previously of Red Bank outside Columbia, is believed to have strangled four of his children and beat the fifth child to death inside the family's trailer. They were identified as Merah, 8; Elias, 7; Nahtahn, 6; Gabriel, 2; and Elaine Marie, 1. Jones reportedly took to the highways carrying their bodies in plastic bags across multiple states, including North Carolina and Georgia, for nine days before dumping them in a wooded area in rural Alabama. He was arrested at a DUI checkpoint in Mississippi, where police said they found blood, maggots and children's clothes in his SUV. Arrest warrants revealed that Jones said he had feared his children "were going to kill him, chop him up and feed him to the dogs." Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations. The Post and Courier provides a forum for our readers to share their opinions, and to hold up a mirror to our community. Publication does not imply endorsement by the newspaper; the editorial staff attempts to select a representative sample of letters because we believe its important to let our readers see the range of opinions their neighbors submit for publication. Columbia/Myrtle Beach Managing Editor Andy Shain runs The Post and Courier's newsrooms based in Columbia and Myrtle Beach. He was editor of Free Times and has been a reporter and editor for newspapers in Charlotte, Columbia and Myrtle Beach. Spring cleaning involves making choices about to what to keep and what to discard. Invoices involving bills paid a decade ago and calendars from five years ago are easy decisions. Items with even a minimal amount of sentimental value are tougher to toss. Heaped cardboard boxes, drawers so stuffed that they are difficult to pull open and once useable items that arent being used now are part of the process. The space above the kitchen stove contained a broken can opener, a couple of flashlights and several dead batteries. There also were enough dust bunnies to supply several artists who work in the medium. Lint is valued by painters. Heidi Hopper a name that would be befitting of a 1930s-era starlet is known as the Andy Warhol of lint art for creating what could immodestly be called masterpieces. However, Im unaware of anyone who is turning bug carcasses into salable works. The kitchen contains several church-produced cookbooks with popular recipes from the 1950s and 60s. My mother had some of them, but baked almost always from memory. A dash of this and that and a smidgen of sauerkraut created a super-moist chocolate cake far tastier than it sounds. ADVERTISEMENT Student creations and notes from teachers about our childrens progress or the lack of it remain more than a decade after graduation. They might or might not value the items, so they were boxed for them to decide. Two broken cameras, broken umbrellas and a cane whose origins are murky also were uncovered. Bits of wrapping paper, cards with long-ago birthday wishes, and crumbled Christmas wrappings were non-treasures. A gem a photograph of myself in a highchair was found. It had been taken by mothers huge black box camera to celebrate recovery from a nasty bout of measles. The measles hit in August heat and the doctor said it was serious enough to threaten survival. Mothers prayers and toughness, which she credited to me, pulled us through. Other items caused debate, with Kathy playing the ultimate decider. I beefed about a few coffee cups and kept a couple despite her wishes. When we were finished, the disposal container overflowed. "We should have done this a long time ago, Kathy said with the satisfaction of a task well done. She was finished, but the basement awaited. The ceiling and walls were decorated in a cobweb motif. Skeletons of a dead mouse or two were buried in the dust along with a pliers, a couple screwdrivers and a rabbit hutch. The tedious task of sweeping cobwebs caused the mind to ramble. In the 16th century, monks and peasants spent years collecting enough to produce gossamer art delicate postcard-size portraits of saints and other Italian luminaries. The webs were delicately stacked on top of one another to create the canvas on which they worked. The stick figures of mom and dad drawn by our children rival Picassos and Rembrandts finest work. The "I love you scribbles beneath them certainly add to their value. The canvases and mediums are of our own choosing. Welders fuse iron together with rods, mechanics with tools, farmers with implements, and clergy with heavenly supplications. ADVERTISEMENT The cobweb cleaning ends in despair with the discovery that the cement block wall in the corner of the basement is bent and bowed. The frustrations noise filters upstairs, which causes Kathy to ask what is wrong. "Just about everything, I said. "This is a disaster. The full extent of which wont be known for some time. Calls placed to basement professionals discovered that they are swamped. One said that a person wouldnt be available for estimate-making until June and others indicated much the same. With big and small disasters everywhere I look inside, I escape to the outside where I hope everything looks better. I pick up sticks and find that the tulips that emerged three weeks ago were unbowed from heavy snow. Suddenly, the grass is greener and the world looks a little better. Its OK to be broken. Grace will fix what life has damaged. That was a key message Friday and Saturday at Autumn Ridge Church where more than 1,100 women gathered to hear nationally known speakers deliver messages of faith during the 13th annual Devoted Hearts conference. "Women get strength from each other, and every woman has a need to connect with another woman and connect with God," said Jennifer Rothschild, an author who has written 11 books and Bible studies, and was one of the speakers at the conference. Rothschild, who has been blind since she was a teenager, helped spread the message of the weekends theme that just because youre broken doesnt mean youre not beautiful. ADVERTISEMENT Giving women a safe place to gather and learn from one another and lean on one another is part of that broken and beautiful message. Beth Morrell, of Rochester, said shes come to the Devoted Hearts conference five times. "I try to leave all my worries behind and open my heart to what the speakers might evoke in my heart," Morrell said. Rothschild said having that safe place allows women to show their strengths, their weaknesses, and their failures. "It becomes a safe place for women to just be who they are," she said. "They can leave their pretense at the door and be fully accepted for who they are." Sheila Walsh, the weekends other main speaker, said she spent "so many years trying to be a perfect Christian." "You dont have to be perfect," she said. "Its not about that." Walsh pointed to the way social media influences young girls, who think the Photoshopped and perfectly posed pictures of Instagram, Facebook or Twitter are the standard they need to live up to. "They think Im supposed to be so perfect," Walsh said. "I try to let people see that its through those broken places that the light of Christ shines through." ADVERTISEMENT Walsh said the grace from God is like the Japanese art of Kintsugi, where the broken pieces of an item like a cup or plate are fixed with gold. It makes the broken thing more valuable, she said. "Its amazing what God will do with a broken life if you give him those broken pieces to work with," Walsh said. Walsh mixed discussion of Scripture with stories from her life, including tales of her son. One story she shared talked about how her son, mad at a friend, told his mother he would no longer be friends with the other boy or pray for him. Teaching a lesson, Walsh told him at bedtime theyd go on an adventure, but he needed to carry a heavy bag of flour with him. When the boy was finally tired, she explained that carrying anger and not forgiving someone is a heavier burden than that sack of flour. "Forgiveness is Gods gift to us to live in a world that is not fair," Walsh said. Meanwhile, Rothschild told the crowd about sitting in a Bible study class and discussing the story of the Good Samaritan. A common and popular story, she said at first she wasnt paying attention as she tried to figure out who, in the story, she was supposed to connect with. While she didnt identify with either the priest or the Levite the two people who ignored the injured man on the side of the road she didnt feel like the Samaritan either. "I always wondered who the main character of that story was, and I thought it was the Good Samaritan," she said. "But its not." ADVERTISEMENT Rothschild said were all that broken person from time to time, needing help. And that is the message for everyone to learn. "I hope women recognize that all they need is in Christ, and when they receive his grace they receive all the power they need," she said. MINNEAPOLIS University of Minnesota leaders on Friday declined to change the names of four campus buildings named for former administrators, despite a task force recommendation to change the names. University regents spent more than two hours discussing whether to rename the buildings after the report found a pattern of racism and anti-Semitism by the namesakes. Ultimately, the board opted not to change anything. In a 10-1 vote, regents agreed to a resolution to keep current names for Coffman Memorial Union and Nicholson, Middlebrook and Coffey halls, contradicting the recommendations of U President Eric Kaler and the university task force charged with studying the former administrators history. The boardroom was packed with university faculty and students who favored changing the building names. When regents spoke against renaming the buildings, the crowd would laugh; occasionally, someone would shout in protest. ADVERTISEMENT "He welcomed a Nazi ambassador onto our campus!" one attendee shouted during a discussion of Lotus Coffman, a former U president. At one point, some 50 people took over the meeting and pushed regents to let African-American studies professor John Wright speak about the history of race on the U campus. He said past policies discouraged students of color from attending the university, and that racial discrimination remains, though it looks different than it did decades ago. The Us student government group, the Minnesota Student Association, has pressed regents to remove Coffman, Edward Nicholson, William Middlebrook and Walter Coffeys names from buildings for over a year. "We reject memorializing any legacy of exclusion and discrimination and we stand firmly in support of un-naming these four buildings," the group wrote in a statement this week. Student body president Simran Mishra said its a matter of when the buildings get renamed not if. She said the Minnesota Student Association will continue pushing for new building names and addressing bigger issues of race and oppression on campus. "The next step is to make sure we continue to look beyond unnaming and renaming to the deeper reckoning that needs to happen to ensure that the students who have been marginalized as long as our university has existed are supported institutionally and systematically," she said. The former administrators, all dead now, were in leadership posts during the 1920s through the 1960s. Their actions ranged from barring non-white students from U housing to spying on students who had opposing political views or were Jewish. ADVERTISEMENT For example, Coffman whose name is attached to the current student union repeatedly excluded black students from student housing. "The races have never lived together, nor have they ever sought to live together," he wrote in 1931 when he was U president. But Coffman also created the now-shuttered General College, which was later heralded for helping low-income and students of color attend the university. Regent Michael Hsu was one of the loudest voices Friday against renaming the buildings. He suggested it was a poor use of time and defended some of the former administrators. "Were spending way too much time on this particular issue," Hsu said. "If we all spent this much time on the budget, wed actually be able to solve some problems." Regent Abdul Omari favored renaming the buildings. He said some other regents didnt understand that past administrators actions were anti-Semitic and racist. "I think that is the problem we have here right now," he said. Portland, OR, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a report published by Allied Market Research, the global stroke management market accounted for $24.28 billion in 2017 and is expected to garner $36.75 billion by 2023, registering a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period, 2017-2023. Request Report Sample at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/661 Rise in incidences of cardiac disorders, surge in geriatric population, and increased patient awareness drive the growth of the global stroke management market. However, limited insurance coverage along with high cost of devices impede market growth. Nonetheless, improvement in healthcare infrastructure in developing nations would provide lucrative opportunities to new market players in the future. By type, the diagnostics segment is expected to continue its dominance in the future and occupy almost four-fifths of the overall share by 2023, owing to an increased number of diagnostics procedures for pre-detection of strokes when any signs or symptoms are noticed. The segment is also projected to register the highest CAGR of 8.5% during the forecast period. In addition, the therapeutics segment is poised to grow at a CAGR of 2.9% from 2017 to 2023. By application, the ischemic stroke segment is expected to dominate the global market and generate more than four-fifths of the overall revenue by 2023. This is attributed to the increase in incidences of ischemic stroke. However, the hemorrhagic stroke segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR of 7.7% during the forecast period. Regionally, Asia-Pacific is projected to register the highest CAGR of 8.4% from 2017 to 2023, owing to rise in government healthcare expenditure and growth in demand for healthcare devices from a large pool of patient population, and improvement in healthcare infrastructure. However, North America occupied almost two-fifths of the overall market in 2017 and is expected to continue its dominance through 2023. This is attributed to rise in expenditure to upgrade healthcare systems and growing demand for technologically advanced devices for rapid & accurate distribution of medicines. Do Purchase Enquiry at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/661 The key players analyzed in the report include Abbott Laboratories, B Braun Melsungen AG, Boston Scientific Corp., Bristol-Myers Squibb, Medtronic Plc., Cardinal Health, GE Healthcare, Siemens Healthcare, GlaxoSmithKline Plc., and Merck & Company. They have adopted different strategies including collaborations, joint ventures, partnerships, expansions, mergers & acquisitions, and others to gain a strong position in the industry. About Us: Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business -consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. In a perfect world, every current high school freshmen would graduate in 2022. Of course, perfection is unattainable, but that doesnt mean our education system cant strive to get as close as possible. So we applaud last weeks announcement by the Minnesota Department of Education that the statewide high school graduation rate has hit a record high, with more than 83 percent of students graduating on time in 2018. Digging deeper into the numbers, the gap between black and white students has steadily closed during the past five years, with black students now graduating at a rate of 67 percent, compared to 88 percent for white students. In Rochester, those numbers are even better, with an overall graduation rate of 87 percent. Ninety percent of white students and 80 percent of black students are graduating, and multiple trend lines are moving steadily in the right direction. Make no mistake this is great news. While a high school diploma is no longer a guarantee of a good job, it opens doors to future paths that would otherwise be closed. Furthermore, the apparent shrinking of the achievement gap will have a profound impact on generations to come, because regardless of race, people who complete high school are far more likely to make education a priority for their own children. ADVERTISEMENT But rising graduation rates shouldnt distract anyone from the need for continued improvement in our public schools at the local level and statewide. In Rochester, for example, 13 out of every 100 students are falling through cracks in the educational system. If you are the parent of such a high school student, you probably know what its like to receive an automated phone call in the evening, informing you that your child didnt show up for school that day. Wed prefer that parents be notified sooner in the day so they could take steps to find their child and get him/her back to school. At 6 p.m., its too late to do anything. Truancy, after all, is a big problem. Statewide, the chronic absenteeism rate for white students is 14 percent, for Hispanic students 23 percent, for black students 24 percent. Those numbers track fairly well with graduation rates, which makes sense. Its tough to graduate if youre habitually absent. Rochester Public Schools has strong policies and procedures against truancy, but we fear that those policies are not always promptly enforced. When a child starts skipping school, intervention must be both immediate and significant. Kids need to understand that their teachers and administrators care about them. Robocalls and form letters arent enough, and by the time law enforcement gets involved, its probably too late. Truancy aside, wed also argue that even students who have perfect attendance arent spending enough time in Minnesotas classrooms which is why we also would argue for a longer school year. Gone are the days when our states farmers depend three months of child labor. Air conditioning can make classrooms perfectly comfortable in late June and mid-August. More importantly, today we know that the traditional three-month break from school negatively impacts kids retention which is why so many educational companies now charge hefty tuition for programs to prevent the so-called "summer slide." ADVERTISEMENT Education and knowledge are the ultimate international commodities, and in other nations China, Japan, India, Israel the school year includes more than 200 instructional days. Chinese students attend classes 260 days per year. Yet right here in Minnesota, after a winter that nixed two weeks worth of classes in most districts, the very notion of having to make up some of those days in an already-short academic calendar seemed unthinkable. So while there is a state law mandating 165 days of school, the Legislature stepped in and essentially said "Oh, nevermind." We blame this decision on a mindset that prioritizes leisure over education. Elected officials and school administrators know full well that if they added makeup days at the end of the school calendar or subtracted days from spring break, many parents would simply take their kids out of school anyway for ski trips to Colorado or a week on the beach in Florida. And yes, such absences would likely be considered "excused." NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Integrative Life Center (ILC), a leading community-based behavioral health care provider, today announced the addition of Anita Johnston, PhD, CEDS as its Executive Director for Eating Disorders Programming. In this new role at ILC, Dr. Johnston will be responsible for growing the capabilities of ILCs eating disorder programming through incorporating her well-renowned personalized treatment approach. As ILCs Executive Director of Eating Disorders Programming, Dr. Johnston will further develop current programming to include a detailed, customized program for those in need of treatment for eating disorders. The expanded programming will include integration of Dr. Johnstons approach to treatment and will also include the addition of specialized personnel for aiding recovery. As a leading clinical expert, Dr. Johnstons approach is widely considered best practice for addressing disordered eating. Her best-selling book Eating in the Light of the Moon and online courses follow her individualized, patient-centered approach to recovery. When I was introduced to ILC, I instantly knew this would be a great opportunity to reach more people through cutting-edge, individualized treatment approaches. Ryan and the team understand the importance of meeting patients where they are in their own journey to better guide them in the process of recovery. said Johnston. I am excited to begin this journey to integrate ILCs approach to treatment with what I have learned over several decades of working with those suffering from eating disorders. Prior to joining ILC, Dr. Johnston co-founded the Anorexia & Bulimia Center of Hawaii and the Light of the Moon Cafe and served as clinical director at Ai Pono Eating Disorders Treatment Programs. Her personalized approach to treatment is aligned with ILCs mission to deliver unique care to every patient. The addition of Dr. Johnston is a natural fit for ILC, and she will be a wonderful asset to our leadership team, said Ryan Chapman, CEO of ILC. Her work serves as a testament of how a tailored, wholistic approach to care for each patient better serves their needs and results in a more successful recovery experience. We look forward to the development of our eating disorders track and the expertise Dr. Johnston will bring to our continuum of care. About Integrative Life Center Integrative Life Center is a Nashville-based behavioral health care provider delivering specialized treatment through a personalized, trauma-informed approach addressing mind, body and spirit. Depending on specific needs, clients receive treatment using evidenced-based methods such as cognitive and dialectical behavior therapies, motivational interviewing, somatic psychotherapy, EMDR and brainspotting. ILC encourages involvement in recovery support programs and integrates the holistic and integrative healing of mindfulness, yoga, acupuncture, equine therapy and breathwork. The treatment team is multi-disciplinary and includes masters-level therapists. ILC offers both residentially-based and outpatient options at its facilities on Music Row and at Morning Star, a 25-acre property west of Downtown Nashville. To learn more, visit www.integrativelifecenter.com or call (615) 891-2226. I want to flag a couple of upcoming events for intrepid Power Line readers. First, for Chicago area readers, this Friday morning at 9 am, May 3, I shall be on a panel at the Blackstone Hotel on Michigan Avenue downtown on the subject Poland & the US in Defense of Freedom: From Defeating Communism to Preserving National Sovereignty. The event is sponsored by Polish National Foundation, the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, and The General Ryszard Kuklinski Museum in Warsaw, Poland. This event is part of the Kuklinski Museum Discussion Series 30 Years After the Fall of Communism in Europe. It is free and open to the public, and you can RSVP at the Eventbrite site here. (Note also that this panel is part of a larger two-day program on Toward Freedom: Celebrating Central and Eastern European Independence that the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation has organized, and you should check out the entire lineup here.) Im especially delighted that the panel is going to be moderated by Charles Lipson, emeritus professor from the University of Chicago, whom I have never had the chance to meet before now. Now the strange thing is that, judging from some frenzied and occasionally trollish twitter traffic, this event is controversial because Polands current government is considered, alongside Hungary, as an anti-democratic, proto-fascist outlier in Europe today. In other words, Poland is another rogue regime where populism has resulted in the wrong people winning electionsjust like here. And of course the title of our panel includes the word sovereignty in it, and for the rootless cosmopolites of our time, sovereignty is a code word for racism, sexism, homophobia, Islamophobia, etc. But also a necessary condition for freedom and independence, which is why it is highly inconvenient for the Davoisie. I dont know whether we are going to have some colorful audience participation or not, but could be. Second, for readers pondering their vacation plans for the rest of the year, have I got the event for you! On October 2, our friends at the Pacific Research Institute and the Claremont Institute have teamed up to organize a joint 40th anniversary cruise (PRI and Claremont were founded the same year) out of Barcelona, Spain, and ending in Rome on Oct. 10. You can find all the details, itinerary, and speakers here. (Other speakers besides me include Charles Kesler, Michael Anton, Andrew Roberts, and John OSullivan.) As a teaser, here are just two of my events on the cruise: Come along! I promise some extra exclusive events (which will surely involve drinking fine beverages) for Power Line readers. UPDATE: I have one other event on this week that I wasnt sure was going to come together. For East Bay readers, Im giving a talk this Wednesday night, May 1, on campus at Berkeley for the UC Berkeley chapter of the Young Americans for Liberty on the topic Do We Still Hold These Truths to be Self-Evident? Revisiting the Declaration of Independence in the 21st Century? The talk will be at 7 pm in Wheeler Hall, Room 108. Some music will be part of the program! (This link should give you the proper map location.) Britain has a fracking industryor could have one, anyway, if it werent for the Greens political clout. It finally became too much for Natascha Engel, Britains fracking czar, who quit with a blistering letter of resignation: Natascha Engels decision to walk away from such a high-profile role is driven, she says, by her dismay that Ministers are jeopardising Britains energy security because they would rather appease noisy green campaigners than listen to scientists advice. The result, she says in an exclusive interview, is that government policy is strangling the UK shale gas industry at birth despite overwhelming scientific evidence that fracking, if properly regulated, is totally safe. Killing off this industry, says Ms Engel, a former Labour MP, will cause higher, not lower, greenhouse-gas emissions, as we are forced to rely on increased imports of gas. The United States is the only country to reduce significantly its CO2 emissions; we did it by substituting natural gas for coal in power generation. But Britains Greens wont let that country develop its considerable natural gas reserves. Extinction Rebellion (XR), which is demanding zero emissions by 2025 bringing Central London to almost a standstill for much of the past two weeks with its direct action protests also campaigns against fracking. *** [L]ast night, [Engel] revealed, she submitted an explosive resignation letter to Energy Secretary Greg Clark. It says she is stepping down because a perfectly viable industry is being wasted because of a Government policy driven by environmental lobbying rather than science, evidence and a desire to see UK industry flourish. The Government, it adds, is listening to a small but loud environmental movement that opposes in principle all extraction of fossil fuels. The campaign against fracking has been highly successful in raising the profile and filling the coffers of some campaign groups, but they do not represent local residents nor the wider population. British Greens suppress natural gas production by limiting earth tremors caused by fracking to 0.5 on the Richter scale, a barely detectable level. No such standard applies to, for example, quarry blasting or construction. Engle explains: Ms Engel says: A 0.5 tremor is much weaker than the rumble you might feel when walking above a Tube train. Yet if a frack unleashes a tremor rated 0.5 [caused when water is pumped underground into the shale to crack it and release the gas it holds] operators have to stop what theyre doing for 18 hours this is making fracking impossible. The success of fracking in the US and Canada has led to an economic boom in these countries but also, crucially, lower emissions because burning gas produces far less CO2 than burning coal, which it has partly replaced. In America and Canada, the limits imposed on the tremors that can legally be caused by fracking are much greater, according to Ms Engel: between 2 and 4.5 on the Richter scale. Given the Greens intransigence, how does Britain generate electricity? It simply imports gas that was produced elsewhere, thus increasing CO2 emissions and outsourcing jobs and tax revenues to other countries. It also commits the ultimate environmental folly by burning biomass, i.e., low-quality trees from the southern U.S. that are shipped to Britain at considerable expense. I wrote about the biomass folly, which is imposed on Britain by environmentalists, here and here. The last link is especially informative if you are interested in the details of the biomass fiasco. Britains Greens want to substitute renewable energy sources for the natural gas that can be produced by fracking. But, as Ms. Engel explains, this simply cant be done: The irony, she says, is that by wrecking the shale gas industry, which the British Geological Survey says has the potential to supply Britain with gas for many decades, the Government is certain to increase emissions. If you look at energy use as a whole, including heating and transport, gas accounts for 40 per cent of the total. There is simply no way renewables can fill that gap at the moment. We get less than five per cent of our total energy from wind and only 0.5 per cent from solar. Hence, she says, the inevitable consequence of killing the shale gas industry is that the quantity of gas burnt in UK homes, businesses and power stations imported from abroad will soar and with it, the far bigger carbon footprint caused by the process of making liquified natural gas and transporting it here. Ms Engel says imported gas already costs 7 billion a year. I dont think most environmentalists care at all about the consequences of the policies they advocate. Modern environmentalism is tribal virtue-signaling, nothing more. And the rest of us are stuck with the bill. As Scott noted this morning, David Burge (better known perhaps as Iowahawk) has introduced a competing award to Power Lines coveted Green Weenie. His is the Grand Carbonator Award, but just as the Oscars have the Peoples Choice Awards and other competitors, and the Nobel Prize has to compete with the MacArthur Dunce Awards*, there is plenty of room for other awards in this domain. We havent given out as many Green Weenie Awards lately partly because we dont want to cheapen it by handing it out to every green exhibitionist who wanders along, and also because Trumps tariffs have caused disruptions to our favorite suppliers overseas. But we have a few weve been hoarding for superlative efforts. And this week there are two that rise above the general efforts that are just derivatives of Al Gore and Leo di Caprio. Like this one: Demonstrator glues her breasts to road in climate protest On Thursday, the Associated Press reports the group targeted Londons financial business district, blocking the road outside investment bank Goldman Sachs. As part of their demonstration, some protesters glued themselves to the doorway of the London Stock Exchange. One protester took it a step further, gluing her breasts to the ground outside Goldman Sachs offices on Fleet Street, The Sun reports. Once they knew what had happened, police surrounded the woman, putting up screens while trying to free her from the road. So, how did the police manage to unglue her upper half from the street? The Sun reports Scotland Yard uses a fluid de-bonding agent but didnt explain what exactly that means. A fluid de-bonding agent sounds like something that Q Branch cooked up, doesnt it? And Im wondering what could have inspired this gesture. A technical term of the energy-environment policy world these days is de-coupling, and perhaps this was misheard as D-cupping or something. Now I know what youre thinking: How could anyone possibly compete for that and be a Green Weenie Award finalist? Well, an Oxford professor found the way: Oxford Professor Argues Invisible Aliens Are Interbreeding With Humans The Oxford Student has learnt that Dr Young-hae Chi, Professor at Oxfords Oriental Institute, believes in a strong correlation between climate change and alien abductions. In 2012, Dr Chi gave a lecture at the the Ammach Conference, titled Alien Abduction and the Environmental Crisis in which he outlined his theory concerning the presence of aliens on earth. Dr Chi began his lecture with the statement that perhaps human civilisation is coming to an end. In his fifty-five minute presentation he cited Dr David Jacobs, an abduction researcher in the US, who argued that aliens primary purpose is to colonise the earth, by interbreeding with humans to produce a new hybrid species. Second generation hybrids are, according to Jacobs, walking unobserved among us. Dr Chi argued that it is not only scientists and theologians, but also non-human species who appear to be greatly concerned about the survivability of the human species. He pointed out that the timing of aliens appearance coincides with the earth facing major problems, climate change and nuclear weapons in particular. He concludes that it may be more or less assumed that the hybrid project is a response to this impending demise of human civilisation. He went on to argue that if we act now on climate change, not only can we save ourselves, but also prove aliens wrong in their judgement of our moral capacity. This sounds like a really bad pitch for a really bad sci-fi movie, but its enough to win a Green Weenie Award. We just might use a re-bonding agent to connect Dr. Chi with the London protestor. * I think I told this story once before, but many years ago the MacArthur Foundation actually wrote to me asking for confidential nominations for their annual Genius prize. I thought this must be a ghastly mistake on their part, but went along with it anyway, and nominated Victor Davis Hanson and Clint Bolick (now Justice Bolick of the Arizona Supreme Court). I never heard from the MacArthur Foundation again. This year, the Democratic National Committee decided that presidential candidates can qualify for the first two debates by earning at least 1 percent of the vote in three national or early-primary-state polls conducted by qualifying pollsters or by receiving donations from at least 65,000 unique donors, including at least 200 individual donors in at least 20 states. I assume that this liberal approach was a reaction to charges that the DNC stacked the deck against outsiders four years ago. There will be outsiders galore participating in Democratic presidential debates this year. According to FiveThirtyEight, 16 Democrats have already met at least one of the DNCs two criteria. Heres the list: Pete Buttigieg Kamala Harris Beto ORourke Bernie Sanders Elizabeth Warren Andrew Yang Joe Biden Cory Booker Julian Castro John Delaney Kirsten Gillibrand John Hickenlooper Jay Inslee Amy Klobuchar Tim Ryan Tulsi Gabbard To make matters even more chaotic, several other candidates may be close to qualifying. FiveThirtyEight points to Marianne Williamson, an author and spiritual adviser. Williamson may be hard pressed to reach the 1 percent polling threshold, but apparently she has a shot at meeting the donor threshold. Last week, her campaign website claimed she was about 9,000 donors shy of 65,000. How will the Dems accommodate so many debaters? Says FiveThirtyEight, the DNC plans to split up each debate over two consecutive nights to accommodate up to 10 candidates per night; if more than 20 candidates qualify, it will choose qualifiers based on a ranking system that incorporates both thresholds. They will determine which candidates participate in which debates by random selection. Its interesting and perhaps instructive to compare the Dems approach this year to the GOPs approach in 2016. The Republicans had two debates, both on the same night. The preliminary one included only second-tier candidates, as determined by polls. The main event featured the top-tier. The GOPs approach seems more sensible than the one the Dems have opted for. Voters presumably would like to compare the performances of all leading candidates in a head-to-head-to-head setting. And the Party probably loses by depriving itself of a main event. Diluting the debates presumably means a smaller audience for the leading contenders than what could be achieved by having all of them together on the same stage. Its also interesting and instructive to compare the lower tier Republicans from 2016 with the lower tier Dems in this cycle. Participants in the GOPs preliminary debates included one of the most prominent members of the Senate (Lindsey Graham), a former two-term Senator and leading contender for the 2012 nomination (Rick Santorum), the former governor of New York (George Pataki), the former governor of Texas (Rick Perry), and the governor of Louisiana (Bobby Jindal). In 2020, the second tier of Democrat debaters would include an obscure congressman from Maryland (John Delaney), two relatively obscure members of Congress from Ohio (Tim Ryan) and Hawaii (Tulsi Gabbard), and quite possibly that spiritual adviser. Most members of the Dems top tier also lack the stature of, say, a Lindsey Graham and a Rick Perry. But even if we confine ourselves to an apples-to-apples comparison, we see the gravitas gap between the two parties. We also see the ridiculousness of allowing second-tier Dems to mingle with front-runners (at some of whom are serious contenders with stature) in the debates. The White House Correspondents Association held its annual dinner Saturday night. Who knew? With President Trump and all senior members of his administration staying away, the event passed unnoticed. But Emily Zanotti has an account: President Donald Trump announced several weeks ago that he would not appear at the annual eventfor the third year in a row. For the first time, however, the president said all senior members of the White House staff will boycott the event. *** That decision came after [Sarah] Huckabee Sanders endured cruel taunts at the hands of last years featured speaker, comedian Michelle Wolf. Fearing no Trump administration associate could show up at the WHCA dinner without being personally attacked, despite a longstanding tradition of good-natured ribbing between the press and the president through dueling speeches, the White House simply stopped RSVPing to the event. Good for them. In response, the Correspondents Association dispensed with the usual comedian. The White House Correspondents Association responded by making swift changes to the events lineup, substituting historian Ron Chernow for the expected comedy act, but it did not tempt the White House back to the dinner. Interesting that with the White House not in attendance, the Association saw no point in hiring a comedian. Instead, the event turned gloomy. President of the White House Correspondents Association, Olivier Knox, first delivered what Grabien News termed a dark sermon on the state of the First Amendment and the all-encompassing fear journalists who cover the president are now feeling. Fear? Oh, please. Reporters and editors pretend to believe that the First Amendment is somehow in danger from the Trump administration, but they know better. Their real complaint is that the president has used his own right of free speech to expose their mendacity. I dont want to dwell on the president, Knox said. This is not his dinner. Its ours, and it should stay ours. But I do want to say this. In nearly 23 years as a reporter, Ive been physically assaulted by Republicans and Democrats, spat on, shoved, had crap thrown at me. Ive been told I will never work in Washington again by both major parties. Apparently being physically assaulted, spat on, shoved, threatened, etc. didnt scare Knox. But Trump does? And yet I still separate my career to before February 2017 and what came after, he continued. And February 2017 is when the president called us the enemy of the people. A few days later my son asked me, Is Donald Trump going to put you in prison? At the end of a family trip to Mexico he mused if the president tried to keep me out of the country, at least Uncle Josh is a good lawyer and will get you home. So we are to understand that journalists fears are based on the musings of small children? Needless to say, the Trump administration has not imprisoned any journalists, nor could it. Ron Chernow joined in the gloom: Historian Ron Chernow, perhaps best known for his biography of Alexander Hamilton which inspired the hit musical, also delivered a dark and ominous speech, comparing Trumps relationship with the press to that of past presidents. George Washington felt maligned and misunderstood by the press, but he never generalized that into a vendetta against the institution, Chernow told the audience. Unlike Washingtons immediate successor, John Adams, who actually did jail a journalist. Chernow then cautioned the audience to continue to report on the White Houses factual errors, lest the White House be allowed to whip the people into a frenzy for political gain as though the press, which just spent the last 22 months pursuing an ultimately non-existent Trump-Russia election conspiracy, was blameless. What chutzpah! Just about every liberal journalist in America should cover himself in sackcloth and ashes, repent, and take a vow of silence for at least the duration of the Trump administration. H.L. Mencken once warned of a political system that would keep the populace alarmed by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary. We simply cannot allow the press to become an imaginary hobgoblin exploited for political gain. Got that? Our mainstream press, which has long been biased but is now virtually demented, is an imaginary hobgoblin. Keep telling yourselves that, reporters. No one else is listening. This report provides prediction and investigation of the canned motor pumps market. It offers antique statistics along with global forecast data by the end of 2026. Fact.MR PR-Inside.com: 2019-04-29 09:20:44 Press Information Fact.MR 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Basant Manager 353-1-6111-593 email https://www.factmr.com/ # 793 Words 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400Manager353-1-6111-593 The report studies the canned motor pumps market worldwide, especially in North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, India and Other Regions with production, size, growth, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions. The intelligent report also anticipates that canned motor pumps market would grow at a constructive CAGR until 2026. In order to study the various trends and patterns prevailing in the concerned market, FactMR has included a new report titled Canned Motor Pumps Market Estimated to Record Highest CAGR by 2017 to 2026 | Market Players Ryobi Limited, Briggs & Stratton Corporation, Wuxi Kipor Power Co. Ltd, etc. to its wide online database including upcoming trends and growth factors. This research assessment offers a clear insight about the influential factors that are expected to transform the global market in the near future.Appeal/Demand for Sample Report - https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=382 Canned motor pumps are advanced centrifugal pumps with an electric motor hermetically-sealed and mounted on a single shaft, which in turn eliminates the requirement for mechanical seals. The entire rotating assembly of canned motor pumps is immersed in liquid, with motor stator and rotor isolated from pumped liquid by using a corrosion-resistant non-magnetic sleeve and liner.Petrols energy density makes it an imperative raw material in every combustible, and an irreplaceable raw material utilized in petrochemical industries for manufacturing a wide range of everyday life products. However, the environmental impact including leaks from petroleum extractions, carbon dioxide emissions and degassing effects of petrol has become a major concern among regulatory authorities. Environmental sensibilization has resulted into enforcement of standards with regard to petrochemical installations based on severe security and health protection requirements. Canned motor pumps that are leak-proof contribute significantly to respect of such specifications, thereby witnessing huge demand in the petrochemical industries.Nuclear power answers several stakes such as the essentiality to reduce CO2 emissions for preventing climate changes, the requirement to cater electricity demand, and the need to strengthen strategic independence. Emerging powers of the globe, India and China, have emphasized on the matter and have been engaging in programs associated with nuclear energy development. Nuclear energy is used widely in France for generation of electricity. The awareness is gradually spreading across other developed and developing countries as well. However, nuclear energy involves handling of radioactive substances, thereby creating demand for measures to protect surroundings through secure installations. In addition the conventional centrifugal pumps utilized in nuclear generation plant involve the risk of leakage. Canned motor pumps therefore are being deemed as worthy alternatives to these pumps. Canned motor pumps have huge potential for adoption, as emphasis on nuclear energy keeps surging across the globe.For Additional Insights Click to Access Complete Report - https://www.factmr.com/report/382/canned-motor-pumps-market The global market for canned motor pumps is slated to register a splendid growth during the forecast period, 2017 to 2026. Nearly US$ 4,800 Mn worth of canned motor pumps are estimated to be sold around the world by 2026-end. In addition, volume sales of canned motor pumps are forecast to exceed 7,000 Mn units by 2026-end.Abundant availability of resources and manpower at low cost in Asia-Pacific excluding Japan has made the region most remunerative for the canned motor pumps market. Asian manufacturers are continuously focusing on product differentiation and selling their products at competitive prices. Moreover various international vendors are outsourcing their production of canned motor pumps to APEJ in a bid to leverage from the low-cost manufacturing facilities. In terms of revenues as well as volume sales, APEJ will lead the global canned motor pumps market during the forecast period, trailed by Europe and North America.Small capacity canned motor pumps will continue to account for the largest revenue share of the market, with sales forecast to exceed 3,000 Mn units by 2026-end. Demand for medium and high capacity canned motor pumps will also remain significant over the forecast period.Competition TrackingFactMRs report has identified prominent companies contributing to the market expansion significantly. These companies include Subaru Corporation, Ryobi Limited, Lifan Industry (Group) Co., Ltd., Briggs & Stratton Corporation, Wuxi Kipor Power Co. Ltd., Toshiba Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company, Champion Power Equipment, Inc., Generac Holdings Inc., Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., and Honda Motor Co., Ltd.For Any Query or Concern, Access this Link - https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=382 About FactMrFactMR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.Contact UsFactMR11140 Rockville PikeSuite 400, Rockville, MD 20852United StatesEmail: sales@ factmr.com Web: https://www.factmr.com/ PR-Inside.com: 2019-04-29 14:03:24 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 985 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Plans to Expand Charlie's Premium Vapor Products Domestically and Internationally along with the Highly Anticipated Launch of Charlie's CBD ProductsIRVINE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / April 29, 2019 / True Drinks Holdings, Inc. (the "Company" or "True Drinks") (OTC PINK: TRUU) and Charlie's Chalk Dust, LLC ("Charlie's"), a leading producer of high quality vapor products, announced today that both companies have entered into an agreement (the "Share Exchange") resulting in Charlie's becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of True Drinks.Pursuant to the Share Exchange, True Drinks acquired all outstanding membership interests in Charlie's in exchange for the issuance by True Drinks of units consisting of shares of common stock, preferred stock and warrants (the "Exchange"). Following the Exchange, the former members of Charlie's and participants in the Share Exchange will own approximately 87.55% of the fully diluted shares of True Drinks.The Exchange was based on a combined value of Charlie's and True Drinks of approximately $105 million. Based on Charlie's audited December 31, 2018 and 2017 financial statements, net revenues were $20.8 million in 2018 and $12.2 million in 2017, representing 70.4% year-over-year growth in revenue. Charlie's anticipates continued strong growth in 2019 with projected net revenues for the quarter ending March 31, 2019 of approximately $6.8 million, representing sequential growth of appropriately 51% from its quarter ending December 31, 2018.In connection with the Exchange, Charlie's closed a private placement transaction with accredited and institutional investors, led by Vinny Smith, the former owner and chairman of Quest Software and founder of Toba Capital and Gron Ventures (the "Private Placement"). The Private Placement resulted in gross proceeds of approximately $27.5 million, and after the payment to Charlie's founders and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Exchange, approximately $5.6 million in net cash proceeds that will be added to True Drink's consolidated balance sheet. Katalyst Securities, LLC acted as the lead placement agent for the Private Placement. Stifel acted as financial advisor to Charlie's in connection with the Exchange.Further details regarding the Share Exchange will be described in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") by the Company, and the information herein is qualified in its entirety by reference to the information set forth in such Current Report on Form 8-K. The Company plans to provide additional information relating to its business, corporate operations, among other plans in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the SEC.Additional information about Charlie's can be found at www.charlieschalkdust.com Purpose of the ExchangeThe Exchange provides Charlie's with the ability to leverage True Drinks distribution and product formulation expertise, while capitalizing on Charlie's brand recognition and relationships with distributors, specialty retailers and third-party online resellers. The synergies are intended to accelerate the expansion of Charlie's core business into new markets for its vapor products, and allow Charlies to capitalize on opportunities to expand its brand to include CBD products. The combined business will be operated under the leadership of Brandon Stump, Chief Executive Officer and Ryan Stump, Chief Operating Officer of Charlie's."We started this business because we saw an opportunity to deliver a BRAND - it takes courage to be different and we have plenty of that," commented Brandon Stump, Chief Executive Officer of Charlies and True Drinks. "We are extremely fortunate to have found a company to align our efforts to continue to build our brand and create value for our employees and shareholders. People have been telling us for years that they wish they could buy stock in Charlie's, well now they can." "We are excited to build on the success we have achieved thus far in the vapor space," said Ryan Stump, Chief Operating Officer of Charlies and True Drinks. "We're looking forward to working together on diversifying our product offerings while penetrating new markets. This opportunity grants us access to capital for scaling the business and helps bring the story of Charlie's Chalk Dust to the public markets. Simply put, we are thrilled for what the future has in store - for our customers, our employees, and shareholders." "The shareholders of True Drinks have gained an amazing team starting today," added Scot Cohen, Director of True Drinks. "In this competitive space, Brandon and Ryan and the rest of their loyal team have created a top tier industry brand in less than 5 years without any outside capital and they are just getting started!Vinny Smith, the lead investor in Charlie's private placement, commented: "We're incredibly impressed with the business the Stump brothers have built and I expect continued success for Charlie's well into the future." About Charlie's Chalk DustFounded in 2014 in southern California by brothers Brandon and Ryan Stump, Charlie's Chalk Dust produces high quality vapor products currently distributed in over 90 countries around the world. Charlie's is regarded as an industry pioneer, having developed an extensive portfolio of brand styles, flavor profiles and innovative product formats. Its authentic brand, coupled with unmatched culture and consistency, has cemented its position among a vast consumer base. Additional information about Charlie's can be found at www.charlieschalkdust.com About True Drinks Holdings, Inc.Prior to consummating the Exchange, True Drinks Holdings, Inc. specialized in all-natural, vitamin-enhanced drinks. Its primary business was the development, marketing and sale of AquaBall Naturally Flavored Water, which was distributed nationally through select retail channels, such as grocery stores, mass merchandisers, drug stores and online. Although, the Company has discontinued the production, distribution and sale of AquaBall, it continues to market and distribute Bazi All Natural Energy, a liquid nutritional supplement drink, which is currently distributed online and through the Company's existing database of customers, and is currently engaged in the formulation of products for ultimate distribution, including products containing CBD. The Company was founded in 2008 and is currently headquartered in Irvine, California.Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements - Safe Harbor Statement Disclaimer: If you have any questions regarding information in this press release please contact the company added in the press release. Please do not contact pr-inside. We will not be able to assist you. PR-inside disclaims the content included in this release. This report provides prediction and investigation of the elevators market. It offers antique statistics along with global forecast data by the end of 2026. Fact.MR PR-Inside.com: 2019-04-29 09:46:34 Press Information Fact.MR 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Basant Manager 353-1-6111-593 email https://www.factmr.com/ # 770 Words 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400Manager353-1-6111-593 In order to dissert the market scenario prevailing across the elevators market sector, FactMR has evenly presented a new examination titled Elevators Market Investigation Reveals Enhanced Growth during the forecast Period, 2017-2026 | Market Players are Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Generac Holdings Inc., Toshiba Corporation, etc. , to its extensive online repository. With all vital market facets enclosed into this single assessment, readers can learn about different market drivers, opportunities and trends which are likely to influence the overall market space for the elevators market in the coming years. In addition, factors such as market size, Y-o-Y growth and revenue share are investigated so as to make this research highly authentic and reliable.Appeal/Demand for Sample Report - https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=408 Elevators are equipment used for vertical transportation of people or goods between floors of buildings, or other structures. An elevator is generally powered by an electric motor, which either counterweights a system such as hoist and drives traction cables, or pumps hydraulic fluid for raising cylindrical piston such as a jack. With rapid growth in urbanization, construction companies and governments around the world are shifting their focus toward optimum utilization of spaces existing within urban areas. With urban population witnessing a significant upsurge, construction companies are increasing focusing on vertical expansion of buildings including low-, mid- & high-rise buildings. High rise buildings are increasingly prevalent in developed economies such as the U.S., the U.K and UAE, and make efficient utilization of spaces, accommodating large number of people within a confined land space in consequent vertical spaces.Globally, over 450 high-rise buildings are under construction, with nearly 400 high-rise buildings still in pipeline. Elevators deployed over a decade ago are pushing for modernization, as obsolete parts require replacement with new efficient and cost-effective parts. New elevators will also find immense application growing construction of high-rise buildings.As building infrastructures of the future have potential to soar higher into the sky, developing new energy-efficient elevators is imperative to cater the sustainability goals. Keeping the same in mind, a leading company in elevators has developed a new design to revolutionize the way people get around in complex structure of current worlds skylines. This new & advanced elevator system is deprived of ropes and is capable of moving sideways along with the traditional vertical movement. The new innovation adheres to magnetic levitation technology, similar to that used in bullet trains of Japan, implying its efficacy in operating numerous cabins simultaneously in a constant loop.For Additional Insights Click to Access Complete Report - https://www.factmr.com/report/408/elevators-market Replacing the ropes & counterweight systems with magnetic levitation unsnuffs a considerable amount of buildings footprint. Facilities management are also likely to leverage this new technology, as it resolves other issues including maintenance costs and waiting times. Despite huge initial investment required for this new elevator technology, capitalizing on these elevators is expected to pay off on the back of its enhanced offerings and high operational efficiency.According to recently published report by FactMR, the global market for elevators is poised to expand at 9.8% volume CAGR, during the forecast period, 2017-2026. The report further projects that by the end of 2026, more than 138,000 units of elevators are expected to be sold globally. According to the report, residential sector will continue to be the most lucrative for elevator manufacturers, whereas demand will be steady in the commercial and industrial segments. The report also projects that North America will remain the largest market for elevators during the assessment period, whereas demand will grow at a steady pace in Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ). On the basis of service type, demand for new elevators is projected to be higher than maintenance & repair and refurbishing segments.Toshiba Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Generac Holdings Inc., Champion Power Equipment, Inc., Lifan Industry (Group) Co. Ltd, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., Wuxi Kipor Power Co. Ltd., Hyundai Motor Company, Briggs & Stratton Corporation, Ryobi Limited, and Subaru Corporation are expected to be recognized as leading manufacturers of elevators in the global market during the forecast period.For Any Query or Concern, Access this Link - https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=408 About FactMRFactMR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.Contact UsFactMR11140 Rockville PikeSuite 400Rockville, MD 20852United StatesEmail: sales@ factmr.com Web: https://www.factmr.com/ BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- O2 Investment Partners ( www.o2investment.com ) announced the appointment of Charlie Miller as the firms newest Associate. Todd Fink, Managing Partner, announced the addition, On behalf of O2, we are excited to have Charlie join the team and are confident that his skill set, and transaction experience will play an integral role as we continue to explore new opportunities and deploy capital, Fink said. Miller will be responsible for evaluating new transactions, due diligence, underwriting, and working with O2s portfolio companies. Prior to joining O2, Charlie was an associate with P&M Corporate Finance (PMCF), a middle market investment bank and affiliate of Plante Moran, in the firms Southfield, Michigan office. While at PMCF, Charlie worked in both the Business & Technology Services and Plastics & Packaging Groups, where he advised clients on buy- and sell-side mergers and acquisitions. Charlie graduated from the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance. In addition to Millers appointment, the firm announced the promotion of Joe Vallee to Vice President and Sean Darin to Senior Associate. Both Joe and Sean have developed valuable expertise and unique perspective as it relates to private equity investing, Fink said. We believe both Joe and Sean have been, and will continue to be, key contributors to the success of our team. Joe joined O2 in 2017 and has been significantly involved in O2s investments in EMEX and MHC Software, serving on the boards of both companies. Sean joined O2 in 2016 and has been significantly involved in O2s investments in NTI Connect, 1 Priority, and Vessco. About O2 Investment Partners: O2 Investment Partners is a Midwestern based private equity firm that seeks to acquire interest in lower middle market manufacturing, niche distribution, and select service and technology businesses. The firm invests in businesses with earnings growth potential and a clear path to the creation of shareholder value. O2 invests with a view toward partnering with management to build and grow the business and take it to its next stage of development. This requires not only a clear vision and strategic plan to create shareholder value, but a close partnership and alignment of interest with management. Additional information is available at www.o2investment.com Contact: PR-Inside.com: 2019-04-29 07:45:50 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 788 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 HOUSTON, TEXAS / ACCESSWIRE / April 29, 2019 /based Express Imprint is pleased to announce that they will donate 10% of their sales from custom koozies to Saferide America, a nonprofit charity organization that helps to prevent impaired driving accidents across the US.Saferide America provides a special driver-for-hire social service program that allows drivers to become more responsible consumers of alcohol by getting themselves and their cars home safely. For more than a decade, Saferide America has been one of the most reliable, dependable, and trustworthy organizations in the US that promotes road safety. A spokesperson from the organization says that Saferide America was created to help solve the impaired driving problems that affect everyone's safety. They also highlight that the driver-for-hire social service program ultimately aims to get impaired drivers off of the road, no matter the reason for impairment."We have chosen Saferide America because we stand by their vision of saving precious lives and making the roads a lot safer for everyone. In addition to being a socially responsible enterprise, donating 10% of our custom koozies sales is also our simple way of thanking the community for their continuous support with Express Imprint throughout the years," says Samantha Woodley from Express Imprint.As noted on the company's website, Express Imprint is a premiere printing company that offers custom koozies, stadium cups, napkins, shot glasses, and more. Woodley states that the company is one of the pioneers in the custom printing industry in the area, and they have already perfected the technology to provide customers with excellent workmanship and quality products. She also explains that the company's Online Designer Tool helps customers create a unique masterpiece that expresses their own individuality and creativity. Furthermore, customers can choose from the company's vast selection of products, adding custom text, clip art, and photos to make their koozies even more special."Our goal is to help you get what you want as fast as possible. We carry a large selection of customizable products and a designer tool that makes it easy to create your own item without limitations. With an experienced staff that has been in the printing industry for decades, you can trust us with all your custom printing needs," says Woodley. Customers will find that their artwork options are virtually unlimited, allowing them to change multiple colors and dozens of elements, apply textures, and use unlimited clipart on their items. In addition, the company takes pride in providing excellent customer support through phone, email, and via live chat, and they can also help interested parties place bulk orders directly from the factory to reduce their overall spending.Furthermore, the company explains that they currently ship their items to customers in Canada and the US. They state that for Canadian customers, duties and taxes may apply, and customers are responsible for those charges. Meanwhile, Woodley notes that the prices of the items are located in the products tab on their website, and that the easiest way to get an estimate is to enter the designer tool and input the desired quantity. "The online tool will update the price of the item including all costs except shipping. If you have very specific or special requirements, you may also contact us directly by phone or email to request for quotation," she says. Furthermore, she points out the Express Imprint takes pride in offering excellent customer service as well as competitive prices in the market. In fact, many of their previous customers share positive reviews and feedback regarding their products and services.Pat Murphy, on Facebook, said, "If you are looking for affordable and quality neoprene koozies, I highly recommend Express Imprint. I previously ordered from them and I am very satisfied with the quality of the koozies, and the prints are also very durable and long lasting." Another satisfied customer, said, "I used Express Imprint's online designer tool to design koozies for favors. I ordered the neoprene because I like the quality better, and they came out great. There was no shipment tracking information provided, but they arrived between 2-3 weeks after I ordered. The koozies are of very good quality, the online designer tool was easy to use, and I couldn't find a better price. Overall, I am very happy with my purchase and I highly recommend them." Those looking for more information may contact Samantha Woodley of Express Imprint, or visit the company's website. Interested parties may also connect with Express Imprint through their official Facebook page to learn more about their latest news and important announcements.###For more information about Express Imprint, contact the company here:Express ImprintSamantha Woodley(281) 712-1272samantha@ expressimprint.com Po Box 721233HoustonTX 77272USASOURCE: Express Imprint PR-Inside.com: 2019-04-29 12:54:56 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 981 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 From being rarely known to having more than 1.5 million of admissions in 2018, it has become a sparkly pearl of ecology, which shows the vitality of Mount GuanyinDONGGUAN, CHINA / ACCESSWIRE / April 29, 2019 / "March 21st is the 7th International Day of Forests, which the theme of the year is 'Forests and Education'. We take the international festival as the opportunity to promote the development of forest-based wellness tourism." said Chen Shenji, Director of Planning Department of the Guangdong National Forest Park of Mount Guanyin.Statistics showed that Mount Guanyin has transformed from a desolated mountain to a popular tourist attraction for people in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau area ever since the establishment of the park in 1999. From being rarely known to having more than 1.5 million of admissions in 2018, it has become a sparkly pearl of ecology, which shows the vitality of Mount Guanyin.Planting Greenery: Being the 'Guardian Angel' to Ecology"Not only do we initiate tree-planting activities, we also protect the ecological environment of the entire mountain, so as to let Mount Guanyin live up to its good reputation of 'Green Lungs of the City' and 'Natural Oxygen Bar'." Chen Shenji said protecting the environment requires full effort and cooperation in order to keep it within the ecological redline.Huang Ganbo, Chairman of Guangdong National Forest Park of Mount Guanyin said, "Taking environmental protection as the premise of all development activities, we strive to build a new reputation for eco-tourism in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau area." The eco-cultural resources have turned into a product of tourism and developed a path for having both economic benefits and environmental protection.In order to truly carry out sustainable development of forest eco-tourism, it has done regional planning for the 18 kilometers square of forest resources by dividing it into 3 major zones, the zones will be maintained according to actual conditions. Vegetation protection in the forest is continuously enhanced to avoid damage of vegetation: slashing trees, deforesting and hunting wild animals are strictly prohibited.A Fusion of Culture and Travelling: Colors of the Forest and CultureThe beauty of nature and culture in Mount Guanyin complement each other by adding cultural elements into the natural environment, which deeply reflects the aesthetics and commercial values of the two.Mount Guanyin has been adhering to the development concept of 'Culture is the Best Resources for Tourism, and Tourism is the Largest Market for Culture' by putting cultures of forest, health and wellness, leisure, marriage, and tradition into the development of tourism.Mount Guanyin makes full use of natural resources to organize different sorts of leisure activities and events, forming a very relaxing atmosphere and developing culture of health and wellness. Mount Guanyin supports the call of "National Fitness". Since 2009, the Dongguan City National Fitness Hiking Day has successfully held for 10 years.Urban Youth Festival held in Mount Guanyin attracts more than a thousand tourists, raising the awareness of the correct way to reduce stress, which promotes a healthy lifestyle and increases the happiness level of the people. Additionally, organizing activities that include camping and hiking in forests such as Hong Kong-Shenzhen-Dongguan Hiking Festival, New Year's Hiking Event, Summer Night Music Camping Festival enhances the status of Mount Guanyin for being a healthy and energetic place in Guangdong.Study tours are planned based on the resources and culture provided. The aim of the study tour is to promote the importance of parent-child relationship while combining the unique environment and cultural resources. In spreading popular science education, the tour involves visiting the non-profit Museum of Ancient and Valuable Trees which was established in 2004. The Museum is free of charge for Chinese citizens and Southeast Asian tourists since the opening. It has become an important venue in raising the awareness towards the environment.People's Livelihood-Oriented: Tourists are Filled with Happiness After the Visit"There're a few early mornings that I'll go hiking on Mount Guanyin every month as I'm used to waking up early to exercise. The key is to go there before 7:00a.m., it's free!" said Mr. Cheng, a citizen. Many citizens go to Mount Guanyin to exercise early in the morning. They said Mount Guanyin provides an affordable leisure area for the people living around.Though Mount Guanyin is a private enterprise, in terms of affordability, the ticket price of the park has never been adjusted for the past 10 years. The park even has a preferential policy of not collecting the ticket from the locals, elderly of 60 years old or above, current soldier, the disabled, etc. This shows that Mount Guanyin is operated in a fair price.Mount Guanyin has hosted blind dating events for 34 years. Participants include people from Dongguan, Shenzhen, Huizhou, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Macau, covering a population of 120 million, and it has attracted 100,000 single men and women to find love. Important contributions and due efforts are made in order to achieve social harmony and development."Implanting the concept of Ecological Civilization requires us to change the concept of development. Not only do we want mountains of golds and silvers, we also want clear waters and green mountains. The harmonious coexistence of humans and nature can lead to a better future," said the person in charge. As a private enterprise, it is the responsibility of Mount Guanyin to protect the environment and benefit the surrounding cities as it is located in the center of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau area. With the tourists from the nearby cities, a continuous and sound ecological construction system will be established to ensure the environment of Mount Guanyin is always meticulously taken care of. The culture and story of Mount Guanyin will be promoted and spread, turning it into a unique cultural mountain that is full of charm. (Reporter: Lai Wanying, Correspondent: Yang Man)Contact Info:Name: Media RelationsEmail: Send EmailOrganization: Mount GuanyinWebsite: http://www.guanyinshan.com/ SOURCE: Mount Guanyin PR-Inside.com: 2019-04-29 17:05:54 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 598 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SUDBURY, ON / ACCESSWIRE / April 29, 2019 / Frontier Lithium Inc. (TSX-V: FL) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement financing for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $1,500,000 (the "Offering").The Offering will consist of the sale of flow-through units ("FT Units") at $0.40 per FT Unit to raise proceeds of up to $1,500,000.Each FT Unit will consist of one common share in the capital stock of Frontier ("Common Share") issued on a flow-through basis and a Common Share purchase warrant ("FT Warrant"). Each full FT Warrant will entitle the holder purchase one Common Share a price of $0.50 per Common Share until the date which is 24 months following the closing date of the Offering, whereupon the FT Warrants expire. The securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a four month and one day statutory hold period.Frontier Lithium reserves the opportunity to grant to eligible persons a finder's fee of a maximum 6% of the gross proceeds of the Offering and finder warrants of a maximum of 6% of the total number of Units sold under the Offering. Each finder warrant will be exercisable at an exercise price of $0.50 CDN into one common share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance.All of the Shares and Warrants issued pursuant to the private placement are subject to a minimum 4-month and one day statutory hold period. The Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") and applicable securities regulatory authorities. Proceeds from the financing will be used to advance exploration of Frontier's 100% owned PAK Lithium Project located in northwestern Ontario.About Frontier LithiumFrontier Lithium is a Canadian junior mining company and has the largest land position on the Electric Avenue, Ontario's emerging premium lithium-metal district hosted in the Canadian Shield of northwestern Ontario. The Company's objective is to supply 3% of the worlds' lithium demand from Ontario's Electric Avenue by 2025. Frontier is implementing a phased methodology to development for becoming a rare producer of premium technical lithium concentrates required to produce high quality glass and ceramics as well as supplying chemical grade concentrates for the production of lithium chemicals required for the burgeoning lithium battery industry.Frontier maintains a tight share structure with management ownership of 30% of the Company.About the PAK depositThe PAK Deposit is located at the south end of Ontario's Electric Avenue, a newly emerging premium lithium-metal district which also hosts Frontier's new discovery at Spark showing (2km northwest) and the Pennock Lake pegmatite occurrence a further 30km along Frontier's PAK Lithium Project. The PAK deposit has a current Measured and Indicated Resource of 7.5 million tonnes of 2.02% Li2O and an Inferred Lithium Resource of 1.8 million tonnes of 2.10% Li2O which has a rare technical/ceramic grade spodumene with low inherent iron (below 0.1% Fe2O3) as per its NI 43-101 Technical Report, "Preliminary Feasibility Study" disseminated on April 16, 2018.Company Contact InformationBora UgurgelManager, Investor Relations2736 Belisle Drive Val Caron, ON. P3N 1B3 CANADAT. +001 705.897.7622F. +001 705.897.7618Additional information regarding Frontier Lithium is available on SEDAR at sedar.com under the Company's profile and on its website at frontierlithium.com , including various pictures of ongoing work at the project.Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: Frontier Lithium Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2019-04-29 08:02:25 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 942 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SINGAPORE / ACCESSWIRE / April 29, 2019 / Jadestone Energy Inc. (AIM:JSE, TSXV:JSE) ("Jadestone" or the "Company"), an independent oil and gas production company focused on the Asia Pacific region, is pleased to announce that two of its wholly-owned subsidiaries have signed a Heads of Agreement ("HOA") with Petrovietnam, relating to gas sales from the Nam Du and U Minh gas fields (Jadestone 70%1 working interest, and operator) in block 46/07 and block 51, respectively, offshore Southwest Vietnam.The HOA covers all discovered resources from the Nam Du and U Minh fields, and establishes a mutually agreeable framework for gas sales, priced at the wellhead, and delivered to a tie-in point at a nearby existing pipeline.The agreed daily contract quantity ("DCQ") is established as 80 mmcf/d, targeting a minimum plateau period of 55 months.In addition to the DCQ, the HOA specifies certain take-or-pay provisions, in addition to a pricing formula in principle, all of which will be finalised in the ultimate gas sales and purchase agreement ("GSPA").The parties intend to negotiate an initial wellhead price, in accordance with the agreed pricing formula, following the availability of updated cost data for the development, expected post summer 2019.The spirit of the HOA captures a negotiated price outcome that will be competitive, while providing Jadestone with an appropriate full cycle investment return.The parties are targeting GSPA signing and field development sanction before the end of 2019.PaulBlakeley, President and CEO commented:"Signinga Heads of Agreement with Petrovietnam marks a significant milestone in ourcommercial negotiations, as we look to develop the Nam Du and U Minh gas fields.With key terms now broadly agreed, we can now press forward withthe project activities that should lead to a development decision being taken laterthis year.This will realise a significant portion of the long-term valueof the Company's Southwest Vietnam Assets, delivering growth towards our targetof 30,000boepd by 2023, as well as significant cash flow and value, with firstgas anticipated in late 2021."The Nam Du and U Minh fields contain 2C resources of 171.3 bscf of gas (119.9 bscf net to Jadestone, based on a 70% working interest1) and 1.6 mm bbls of liquids (1.1 mm bbls net to Jadestone), evaluated by ERCE as of December 2017.As specified in the outline development plan, approved in May 2018, the Company intends to commercialise the fields as a stand-alone development, utilising existing infrastructure which provides feedstock for a 1.5GW onshore power complex, and an adjacent 800,000 tonne/year fertiliser plant.1Jadestone's working interest will increase to 100%, following registration of Petrovietnam's relinquishment of its 30% working interest in block 46/07 and block 51- Ends -EnquiriesJadestone Energy Inc.+65 6324 0359 (Singapore)Paul Blakeley, President and CEO+1 403 975 6752 (Canada)Dan Young, CFOir@ jadestone-energy.com Robin Martin, Investor Relations ManagerStifel Nicolaus Europe Limited (Nomad, Joint Broker)+44 (0) 20 7710 7600 (UK)Callum StewartNicholas RhodesAshton ClanfieldBMO Capital Markets Limited (Joint Broker)+44 (0) 20 7236 1010 (UK)Thomas RiderJeremy LowThomas HughesCamarco (Public Relations Advisor)+ 44 (0) 203 757 4980 (UK)Billy Cleggjadestone@ camarco.co.uk James CrothersJadestone Energy Inc. is an independent oil and gas company focused on the Asia Pacific region. It has a balanced, low risk, full cycle portfolio of development, production and exploration assets in Australia, Vietnam and the Philippines.The Company has a 100% operated working interest in Stag, offshore Australia, and a 100% legal and beneficial interest in the Montara assets, and a 99% legal, subject to regulatory approval, and beneficial right, title, and interest in the associated production licences AC/L7 and AC/L8 (the "Montara Titles").The remaining 1% legal interest in the Montara Titles is being held on trust by the seller, in favour of the Company, until Australian regulatory approvals relating to the transfer of operatorship of the Montara assets are obtained.Both the Stag and Montara assets include oil producing fields, with further development and exploration potential.The Company has a 100% operated working interest (subject to registration of PVEP's withdrawal) in two gas development blocks in Southwest Vietnam and is partnered with Total in the Philippines where it holds a 25% working interest in the SC56 exploration block.Led by an experienced management team with a track record of delivery, who were core to the successful growth of Talisman's business in Asia, the Company is pursuing an acquisition strategy focused on growth and creating value through identifying, acquiring, developing and operating assets throughout the Asia-Pacific region.Jadestone Energy Inc. is currently listed on the TSXV and AIM. The Company is headquartered in Singapore.For further information on Jadestone please visitCautionary statementsCertain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements and information (collectively "forward-looking statements"), within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation, as well as other applicable international securities laws.The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are forward-looking and not historical facts.Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by statements that express, or involve discussions as to expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of phrases such as "will likely result", "are expected to", "will continue", "is anticipated", "is targeting", "estimated", "intend", "plan", "guidance", "objective", "projection", "aim", "goals", "target", "schedules", and "outlook").In particular, forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to statements regarding final terms of the GSPA, including price, targeted timing for GSPA signing and Field Development Sanction, and anticipated first production date.Because actual results or out This report provides prognosis and analysis of the load monitoring systems market. It offers historical data along with forecast data for 2027. Load Monitoring Systems Market Projections & Future Scenario Analyzed by the end of 2027 PR-Inside.com: 2019-04-29 12:10:06 Press Information Fact.MR 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Basant Manager 353-1-6111-593 email https://www.factmr.com/ # 865 Words 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400Manager353-1-6111-593 FactMR has actively published a new research study titled Load Monitoring Systems Market Projections & Future Scenario Analyzed by the end of 2027 | Market Players are Mettler Toledo, Vishay Precision Group, Wirop Industrial Co. Ltd., etc. to its broad online database. This assessment works to discourse the major trends, opportunities and drivers motivating the load monitoring systems market during 2019-2027. The insights structured for presenting the target market are procured from both primary research and secondary research, and are utilized for validation that is valuable to investors, manufacturers and new entrants. As per research findings, the global load monitoring systems market is expected to showcase impressive growth in CAGR during the period until 2027.Appeal/Demand for Sample Report - https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=2996 With the increasing presence of small- and medium-sized businesses with revenues less than US$ 10 million, the load monitoring systems market is expected to remain fragmented. Multipronged benefits of employing load monitoring systems has intensified the competition among local as well as global players in the market. These players are taking up aggressive expansion strategies, as increased automotive production, rapid industrialization, and energy demand continue to bolster adoption of load monitoring systems market.Notable developments in the load monitoring systems market:Spectris, a leading productivity-enhancing instrumentation and controls company in the load monitoring systems market, announced in April 2018 the merger between Bruel & Kjr Sound & Vibration a Danish electronics company and its subsidiary HBM. The new company named HBK will be dedicated to providing combining sensors, integrated offering, data acquisition, preparation, evaluation and engineering services into one solution in the domains of propulsion, safety and noise, durability, vibration and harshness.DLM Ltd., a U.K.-based company in the load monitoring systems market, announced the launch of a new innovative range of wireless electronics in January 2019. With the release of TW-3.0, which is a multi-functional load monitoring system designed to integrate load cells, proximity sensors, encoders, etc., DLM is introducing innovation in their product range by developing their own electronics.HBM, a subsidiary of Spectris and manufacturer of products for test and measurement, announced in July 2018, the launch of its new product in the load monitoring system market. With the launch of its new C6B force transducer, which is a load cell, the company has introduced a flexible and cost-effective load monitoring solution for rugged and dynamic applications. The company also declared that the C6B force transducer is capable of measuring a load of large constricting forces ranging from 200 kN to 10 MN.Spectris, Flintec, Precia Molen, Mettler Toledo, Vishay Precision Group, Wirop Industrial Co., Ltd., Strainsert, Futek Advanced Sensor Technology, Tecsis, Eilersen Electric Digital Systems A/S, and Euroload Ltd. are among the prominent stakeholders in the load monitoring systems market.For Additional Insights Click to Access Complete Report - https://www.factmr.com/report/2996/load-monitoring-systems-market Energy consumption has witness a marked rise in line with rapid urbanization activities, resulting in a significant energy crisis worldwide.. In 2017, the industrial sector accounted for more than one-third of the total energy consumption in the United States, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). This has led the industrial sector to concentrate on reducing fossil fuel consumption, in turn creating demand for load monitoring systems. As energy optimization and management becomes an important part of modern business strategies, triggered in part by increased prices charged by utility providers. Moreover, plummeting availability of natural resources highlights the importance of efficient energy management for industry players to limit production costs.The availability of a wide range of state-of-the-art alternatives to various products is intensifying competition in almost every industrial sector. The heightened pressure of improving the product quality is forcing manufacturers are seeking ways to mitigate manufacturing errors and improve the quality of end-products. Load monitoring systems can aid manufacturers in reducing operational or instrumental errors and enhance the performance characteristics of their electric distribution systems. Thereby, a mounting number of end-users are employing load monitoring systems for attaining more precision and accuracy in manufacturing high-quality products. Incidents of load monitoring systems failures caused due to various factors, such as corrosion, dust, misalignment, hardened grease, and frozen or broken parts, are impacting the load monitoring systems market growth negatively. Defective components, external factors, incorrectly programmed, broken, or miswired current sensors in load monitoring systems can lead to the inaccurate outputs produced by the systems. Thereby, scheduling periodic maintenance has become mandatory for end-users to ensure the error-free operation of load monitoring systems. This can add to the operational costs and maintenance costs associated with load monitoring systems, which hamper growth prospects of the load monitoring systems market.Ask Any Query to Our Experts from Here - https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=AE&rep_id=2996 About FactMRFactMR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.Contact UsFactMR11140 Rockville PikeSuite 400, Rockville, MD 20852United StatesEmail: sales@ factmr.com Web: https://www.factmr.com/ PR-Inside.com: 2019-04-29 09:31:03 Invitation to the release of the business review Q1/2019 by Suomen Hoivatilat SUOMEN HOIVATILAT PRESS RELEASE 29 APRIL 2019 Invitation to the release of the business review Q1/2019 by Suomen Hoivatilat Suomen Hoivatilat will release its business review for JanuaryMarch on Wednesday, 8 May 2019 at 8 am.A press conference for analysts, investors and the media will be held shortly afterwards, at 10 am at Porssitalo (Lehteri), Fabianinkatu 14, Helsinki. The events will be held in Finnish. The financial review will be presented by Suomen Hoivatilats CEO Jussi Karjula and CFO Tommi Aarnio. To register for the event, please contact Riikka Sakkinen by email or telephone no later than Friday, 3 May 2019 at riikka.sakkinen@hoivatilat.fi, tel. +358 40 524 2768.Presentation material for the event will be made available on the Suomen Hoivatilat website at www.hoivatilat.fi/investors on the release date at 10 am.The press conference at 10 am on the same date can be followed as a live webcast on the companys website: www.hoivatilat.fi . A recording of the press conference will be made available later the same day on the companys website.SUOMEN HOIVATILAT OYJJussi KarjulaPresident and CEO Suomen Hoivatilat specialises in producing, developing, owning and leasing out nursing homes, day care centres and service communities. Founded in 2008, Hoivatilat has been working in cooperation with as many as 60 Finnish municipalities and has launched 180 property projects throughout Finland. PR-Inside.com: 2019-04-29 14:09:27 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 937 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Record quarterly revenue and 218% increase in loan investment portfolio highlight growth and results from investments in infrastructure; TIMIA retains IR Support with Incite Capital MarketsVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 29, 2019 / TIMIA Capital Corporation ("TIMIA" or the "Company") (TSX-V: TCA) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended February 28, 2019.First Quarter 2019 Highlights include:Record revenue of $570,563 up 58% over the same period last year.Assets under management grew 26% to $14,617,521 compared with the same period last year.Adjusted EBITDA* of $111,154 compared with an Adjusted EBITDA of $359,135 for the same period last year. The latter reflecting the gain on investment in Q1 of 2018.TIMIA's loan investment portfolio (Loans receivable) increased 218% to $13,026,861 compared to $5,964,085 in the same period last year.A net loss of $0.01 per share or $255,480 compared with a net income of $133,108 in the same period last year. Similar to Adjusted EBITDA results, Q1 2018 results reflect the gain on investment during the quarter."Our investments in infrastructure and deal generation continue to pay off with record revenue and 218% increase in loan book," said Mike Walkinshaw, CEO of TIMIA. "We're seeing an increase in private credit opportunities in the software space as the fintech marketplace evolves and drives more capital towards exciting SaaS companies." "We've recently increased our assets under management by 55% through a non-dilutive limited partnership structure that allows us to scale up and increase revenue by putting more capital to work. We have cash on our balance sheet and expect to put it to work in the near term for SaaS companies currently in our backlog of funding opportunities." Detailed Financial ReviewDuring the quarter ended February 28, 2019, the Company continued to grow its revenue financing ("RF") business by completing US$3,000,000 and CDN$2,000,000 of new loan facilities. The Company's revenue is principally interest income generated under the Company's RF model. Interest income in the quarter ended February 28, 2019 was a record $510,330 compared with $339,154 in the same period last year, an increase of 50%. As the Company makes new investments, the number of monthly payments derived from the portfolio grows. Income from transaction and other fees was $60,233 in the three months ended February 28, 2019 compared to $21,025 in the same period last year. Total revenue for the three months ended February 28, 2019 increased 58%, to $570,563 compared to $360,179 for the three months ended February 28, 2018. The chart below highlights the Company's revenue growth since Q1 of 2015.TIMIA continues to build the value and size of its portfolio by making new investments and follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies, and actively assisting the portfolio companies with their growth plans. During the quarter ended February 28, 2019, TIMIA benefited from increased payments (combined principal and interest) as a result of the revenue growth of its underlying portfolio. At the same time, the Company is investing to support future growth.Total expenses for the quarter ended February 28, 2019 were $712,406 compared with $585,605 for the same period last year. The increase in expenses was primarily related to increases in deal generation and related communications, accounting and legal, and investor relations. The remaining expense increase reflects the Company's investment in infrastructure and brand awareness to support future growth noted above.Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter ended February 28, 2018 is $111,154 compared with an Adjusted EBITDA of $359,135 for the same period last year. The change in Adjusted EBITDA primarily reflects the gain on investments in Q1 2018 compared with Q1 2019 without these gains on investments.During the quarter ended February 28, 2019, the Company posted a net loss of $255,480 compared with a net income of $83,106 for the last fiscal quarter. The change in results are primarily due to the Company recognizing a gain on investments of $308,903 in Q1 2018 comprising a realized gain on the successful exit on iCompass Technologies Inc.As at February 28, 2019, the Company's cash balance was approximately $670,105 and working capital was approximately $668,871.TIMIA Retains Incite Capital MarketsTo ensure regulatory compliance with TSX-V policy 3.4 related to Investor Relations Activities, TIMIA announces the engagement of Incite Capital Markets Inc. ("Incite") for Investor Relations and related services. Certain principals and executives of Incite own approximately 6% of TIMIA's outstanding shares. Incite's President, Darren Seed, is an employee of TIMIA and holds the position of Vice President, Capital Markets & Communications. The initial term of Incite's engagement is six months. No consideration is payable to Incite under the terms of the engagement as all compensation will be paid directly to Incite's service providers on the terms and in the amounts agreed between the Company and each individual service provider.Incite Capital Markets is an independent, innovative and trusted capital markets advisory corporation. Built on a proven track record of over 20 years experience helping companies achieve the best results possible, Incite provides expertise in capital markets, corporate communications, and investor and media relations. In addition to strategic insights, Incite invests in small to mid-size technology companies. This unique and specialized synergy where corporate finance and communications meet, is an advantage for any company looking to elevate their profile.TIMIA's business model is delivering two distinct returns that help drive shareholder value:High yield interest income, as a result of the successful performance of TIMIA's underlying investments, delivers a stream of profitable cash flow that has been growing, as TIMIA's asset base grows.TIMIA is investing in high-quality companies in an active industry. As a result, we've seen successful early exits in investee companies delivering periodic gains manifesting in profitable quarters. At the same time, TIMIA is focused on investing in new and exciting opportunities to support longer term profitability.This news release is qualified in its entirety by the Company's condensed interim financial statements for the three months ended February 28, 2019 and 2018 and the associated Management%2 Ugandan popstar-turned-politician Bobi Wine was arrested on his way to give a police statement, Police Officials said on Monday. Wine has been charged with holding an illegal public assembly and detained at Naggalama police station, about 30 kilometres East of the capital Kampala, according to a police statement. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has been under house arrest since Easter Monday after police prevented him from staging a music concert. The 37-year-old, who has said he plans to run for president in elections in 2021, has since called for mass protests. Wine, with a vocal presence on social media and has a large youth following, has become a thorn in the side of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the country for over 30 years. The rapper made international headlines after an arrest in 2018, after saying he was tortured in detention. The government denies the charge. (dpa/NAN) Pakistan on Monday began a final round of talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout package to help the country overcome a deepening economic crisis. Technical discussions for an IMF-supported programme have started, said Khaqan Najeeb, a spokesman for the Finance Ministry. The talks for the countrys 13th bailout package since the 1980s are scheduled to last for about 10 days. A deal is likely to be signed in the second week of May. The previous round of talks was held in November but remained inconclusive. Pakistan is expecting a bailout package worth up to eight billion dollars, a senior Finance Ministry official said. Fiscal and monetary policies, the exchange rate and privatisation of loss-making public-sector entities are up for discussion, among other issues, he said. The economy of the country of 220 million people has been in crisis since Prime Minister Imran Khan took office in 2018 due to burgeoning fiscal and current account deficits and a huge dip in tax revenues. The IMF team also met with new chief finance advisor Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, whose appointment was seen as a surprise since his predecessor quit immediately after finalising a deal with the IMF. Former finance minister Asad Umer was criticised for delaying a decision to seek the bailout package. Pakistan has sought IMF bailouts several times but the conditions attached to the donor agencys assistance are always unpopular. (dpa/NAN) The absence of former governors Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State at the commissioning of major projects by incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday has continued to generate concerns among party stalwarts and political watchers. President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday joined Mr Ambode to commission the projects in Lagos. They included the reconstructed Lagos International Airport, Oshodi Transport Interchange, 820 mass transit buses, ultramodern 170-bed Obstetrics and Gynaecology Specialist Hospital, in Lagos. The projects, analysts said, are considered strategic to the legacies of Mr Ambode as he prepares to handover power to the governor-elect, Babajide Sanwo-olu, on May 29. Although numerous government officials and party faithful atended the ceremony, the two prominent personalities in the politics of the state were conspicuously absent. Mr Tinubu governed the state for eight years between 1999 and 2007 while Mr Fashola suceeded him and governed for another eight years between 2007 until 2015. While Mr Tinubu is the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and a powerful force in the state chapter of the party, Mr Fashola is the minister in charge of Works, Power and Housing. A sweet-sour relationship Although all parties have tried to mend fences and reconcile after numerous interventions from party stalwarts, the relationship between Messrs Fashola, Tinubu and Ambode has largely been defined by suspicion and disagreements since the incumbent governor came to power. The disaffection reached its crescendo in the days leading to the last guber primaries of the party in the state. While Mr Tinubu dumped Mr Ambode and supported Mr Sanwo-Olu as the partys flagbearer, Mr Fasholas choice of candidate was largely hidden even though party insiders said he was also not in support of Mr Ambodes candidature. Mr Fasholas disagreement with Mr Ambode, however, began long before the party primaries. The duo had a disagreement shortly after Mr Ambode assumed power in 2015 and it took the intervention of party chiefs to address the concern. Over the years, they have also disagreed on execution of key projects in the state. With Mr Sanwo-Olus emergence as APC flagbearer and his eventual victory at the polls, Mr Ambode had to eat the humble pie and dance to the tune of the party and its power brokers, including Mr Tinubus Mandate group, led by James Odumbaku. The group had stood against Mr Ambodes candidature in the days leading to the party primaries, ostensibly with the support of Mr Tinubu. APC Chieftain, Bola Tinubu Since the last election, sources within the party said Mr Ambode has had to play safe in his relationship with the power brokers, maintaining silence even in cases where he had contrary opinions about how things should be done. Earlier, he had survived impeachment threats from the House of Assembly following the intervention of party bigwigs, including Mr Tinubu. The impeachment threat followed his inability to present the state budget before the House at scheduled periods. Hurried Commissioning Last Wednesday, Mr Buhari visited Lagos to commision some of the projects executed by Mr Ambode. While a number of party supporters eulogised the governor for birthing and completing a number of those projects, many Nigerians across social media pilloried the governor for commissioning some of the projects while they were yet to be completed. For instance, commuters who ply the Oshodi axis said the Oshodi Transport Interchange and a section of the Airport Road were still being worked upon after the president commisioned it on Wednesday. I wonder why Ambode was in a rush to invite Mr President to commission uncompleted project, could it be he wants to score cheap point in anticipation of a political appointment in the incoming cabinet and why was Tinubu absent at the event? Ikechukwu Umeokafor wrote on Twitter. On his part, another social media commentator, David Dike, said: Why would Tinubu tell Ambode not to inaugurate his own projects but leave for the incoming government to complete and launch? What did he really do wrong? They should cut him some slack jor. But closely related to the concerns raised over the state of the projects is the composition of people present at the event. Present at the commisioning were Governors Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State; Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state; Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state; Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state, among other party bigwigs. Mr Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, were also visibly present. But Messrs Tinubu and Fasholas absence has triggered concerns among political watchers, raising question on the means by which the projects were commisioned. Nigerias Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola. [PHOTO CREDIT: Energy Mix Report] Tunde Rahman, Mr Tinubus Spokesperson, had on Thursday said that the APC leader was absent at the event because he was out of the country. Advertisements Tinubu missed the event, because he is currently out of the country, Mr Rahman told Daily Independent in an interview. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is not in town. He is currently out of the country. That was why he was not present at the occasion, not otherwise. But party insiders alleged that Mr Tinubus absence at the event must have stemmed from a disagreement over Mr Ambodes decision to commision the projects before leaving office, which Mr Tinubu was not favourably disposed to. PREMIUM TIMES could not independently verify this claim as efforts to reach the governors media aide were unsuccessful Sunday evening. Similarly, a source also said that the reason for Mr Fasholas absence was also not far from the disagreement, as it remains unclear whether he was briefed or properly invited for the commisioning. But in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES Sunday afternoon, Hakeem Bello, Mr Fasholas spokesperson, said there is no big deal about the ministers absence at the event. I dont consider it a very major issue, Mr Bello said. The president was basically the chief guest of honour on that occasion and he has a number of ministers with him and so I dont see why the absence of one minister who could otherwise be busy with other state engagements at that point in time should be a point of discourse, he added. He however promised to find out if there is any major reason why the minister stayed away from the occassion and get back to our correspondent afterwards. He was yet to do so at the time of this report. Time is short. Shareholders are encouraged to vote their GREEN proxy in support of Hudbays ten director nominees (excluding Michael Anglin, who is no longer standing for election) proxy in support of Hudbays ten director nominees (excluding Michael Anglin, who is no longer standing for election) Shareholders with questions or requiring assistance voting their GREEN proxy should contact Hudbays proxy solicitation agent, Laurel Hill Advisory Group, at 1-877-452-7184 or 1-416-304-0211 (for Hudbay shareholders outside North America) or by e-mail at assistance@laurelhill.com TORONTO, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hudbay Minerals Inc. (Hudbay or the company) (TSX, NYSE: HBM) today announced that it has mailed a letter to shareholders regarding Hudbay and the proxy contest being waged against the company by Waterton Global Resource Management, Inc. (Waterton). The letter to shareholders highlights the positive momentum behind Hudbays proxy campaign and a number of developments, including: On April 17, 2019, Hudbays largest shareholder, holding 13.4% of the companys outstanding shares at that time, confirmed to Hudbay that it intends to vote FOR Hudbays director nominees; Independent analysts continue to support Hudbays slate of director nominees, and warn against the disruption that Watertons director nominees could bring to the board of directors and management team; Waterton initiated a frivolous lawsuit against Hudbay, further increasing the cost and disruption of its unnecessary proxy contest; and With just over a week to go before the May 3, 2019 proxy voting deadline, one of Watertons director nominees, Michael Anglin, withdrew and is no longer standing for election. The letter that Hudbay mailed to shareholders also warns shareholders that Waterton director nominees Peter Kukielski, Richard Nesbitt and Daniel Muniz Quintanilla have track records that could result in significant disruption to the companys positive momentum and risk the future value of your investment in Hudbay. The letter was mailed on April 26 and is available on Hudbays website at www.hudbayminerals.com . Proxy Advisors Recognize Positive Momentum at Hudbay In recent days, proxy advisors Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS) and Glass, Lewis & Co. (Glass Lewis) have issued reports that recognize the positive momentum at Hudbay and how the companys leadership is driving value creation. ISS concluded that shareholders should withhold from voting for Richard Nesbitt and Peter Kukielski, and Glass Lewis also recommended that shareholders should withhold from voting for Mr. Kukielski while noting that there is some momentum working against the director solicitation pursued by Waterton. The proxy advisor concerns with the Waterton director nominees are consistent with the views expressed by many Hudbay shareholders and independent analysts, who do not support the election of any dissident director nominees beyond David Smith, who was previously added to Hudbays slate. The company recommends that shareholders vote using their GREEN proxy in support of Hudbays ten director nominees. In its report issued earlier this morning, ISS highlights that Hudbay has outperformed its peers, has a strengthening outlook and a track record of board refreshment1: It appears that over the last four completed fiscal years, Hudbay's EBITDA margin has been well-aligned with the ISS Peer Group median, and has even exceeded the peer median by 4 to 5 percentage points during that period and At the same time, the board's contention that the company's outlook has improved does not appear unfounded. By the dissident's own admission, the company has recently achieved some of its milestones, which may explain, at least in part, Hudbay's share price appreciation since the end of last year. Furthermore, when the company announced its third quarter 2018 results, the market reaction was positive, with shares rallying 23 percent [Emphasis added] and The board has gone through some refreshment: Colin Osborne joined the board last year, and in addition to Waterton nominee Smith, the board has nominated another new director, Richard Howes, at this AGM. Furthermore, the initial management slate included a second Waterton nominee, Michael Anglin, who recently withdrew his nomination after accepting a directorship at a competing company. The board has indicated that while the number of directors to be elected at this meeting has been set at ten, the board intends to add one more independent director following the meeting Glass, Lewis & Co. (Glass Lewis) issued a report regarding Hudbay and Waterton on Friday, April 26, 2019. While Hudbay believes that there are a number of significant flaws in the Glass Lewis analysis, the company agrees with its views regarding positive momentum at Hudbay and concerns with how a Waterton nominee could portend a divisive board dynamic: Viewed at a high level, there would seem to be some momentum working against the director solicitation pursued by Waterton here. Indeed, Hudbay appears to be turning the corner on the fully consolidated Rosemont project, having secured necessary permits and initiated deliberations around development financing and potential joint venture partners. In terms of balance sheet stability, the Company has paid down material portions of the debt accrued during the development of the Constancia copper project, which is now in commercial production and Most notably, at the present juncture, shareholders cannot be particularly certain Waterton's more recent support for Alan Hair is meaningfully durable, particularly given the Dissident is still promoting the election of erstwhile CEO candidate Peter Kukielski as a regular board member. Credentials aside, this dynamic -- which we expect would readily invite speculation around a lame duck senior executive -- could portend a divisive board dynamic which may not contribute to, and could, in fact, substantively undermine, thoughtful discussion around Hudbay's most attractive strategic and financial alternatives. It is not immediately clear that any upside associated with Mr. Kukielski's service warrants investors accepting this degree of uncertainty, particularly if Waterton is prepared to continue supporting Mr. Hair's service. [Emphasis added] A number of independent analysts have expressed their views that Hudbay is on the right path: We believe Hudbays Information Circular and proxy materials make a strong case for management to continue its mandateWe believe that Hudbay will prevail against Waterton. The achievement of key milestones has put the Company on a solid path for future growth. We believe the current Hudbay team is best positioned to execute on the Companys strategy, and that a replacement of management and board members would be disruptive to the optimal execution of the Companys plans. [Emphasis added] Haywood Capital Markets, April 8, 2019 Another independent analyst also provided his perspective on Hudbays constructive approach and upside, while expressing concerns regarding Watertons lack of a differentiated plan: The [Hudbay] proxy and the accompanying 51-page presentation present a detailed, and in our view, comprehensive, counter-argument to Waterton's white paper that was published in mid-February. We had previously noted that we found Waterton's white paper less than compelling, given its lack of a differentiated strategy for HudbayHowever, in our view, Hudbay has addressed a number of the most significant issues that were originally raised by WatertonWe believe that Hudbay continues to have a strong runway of upcoming catalysts [Emphasis added] TD Securities, April 8, 2019 Hudbays Board remains committed to responsible board renewal and recommends that shareholders vote FOR the director nominees on its GREEN proxy (excluding Mr. Anglin who is no longer standing for election). The GREEN proxy and voting instruction form previously mailed to shareholders in connection with the annual and special meeting of shareholders may continue to be used by shareholders and will continue to be valid, with any votes for Mr. Anglin not being counted given he has withdrawn as a director nominee. The ten director nominees include a new Hudbay nominee, Richard Howes, and Waterton nominee David Smith. Assuming Hudbays slate of director nominees is elected, this would result in 20% of the board being refreshed in 2019, with six of ten directors having joined the board in the last five years. In light of Mr. Anglins withdrawal, following the annual and special meeting of shareholders, Hudbay intends to immediately initiate a process to identify an independent and qualified individual who could join the board as an eleventh director. Proxy Voting Information Time is short and the stakes are high. In order to ensure that your vote is counted at the annual and special meeting of shareholders, shareholders are urged to vote only the GREEN proxy FOR the nominees recommended by Hudbay, and ensure that your proxy is received prior to the proxy voting deadline of 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on Friday, May 3, 2019. The GREEN proxy and voting instruction form previously mailed to shareholders in connection with the annual and special meeting of shareholders may continue to be used by shareholders and will continue to be valid, with any votes for Mr. Anglin not being counted given he has withdrawn as a director nominee. For assistance voting your proxy, shareholders should contact Laurel Hill Advisory Group at 18774527184 (toll-free for Hudbay shareholders in North America) or 1-416-304-0211 (collect call for Hudbay shareholders outside North America) or assistance@laurelhill.com . Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking information) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Forward-looking information is not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events. Forward-looking information is based on, among other things, opinions, assumptions, estimates and analyses that, while considered reasonable by us at the date the forward-looking information is provided, inherently are subject to significant risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause actual results and events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. The risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information may include, but are not limited to, risks generally associated with the mining industry, such as economic factors (including future commodity prices, currency fluctuations, energy prices and general cost escalation), as well as the risks discussed under the heading Risk Factors in Hudbays most recent Annual Information Form. Should one or more risk, uncertainty, contingency or other factor materialize or should any factor or assumption prove incorrect, actual results could vary materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information. Hudbay does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward looking information after the date of this news release or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law. About Hudbay Hudbay (TSX, NYSE: HBM) is an integrated mining company primarily producing copper concentrate (containing copper, gold and silver), molybdenum concentrate and zinc metal. With assets in North and South America, the company is focused on the discovery, production and marketing of base and precious metals. Directly and through its subsidiaries, Hudbay owns three polymetallic mines, four ore concentrators and a zinc production facility in northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan (Canada) and Cusco (Peru), and copper projects in Arizona and Nevada (United States). The companys growth strategy is focused on the exploration and development of properties it already controls, as well as other mineral assets it may acquire that fit its strategic criteria. Hudbays vision is to be a responsible, top-tier operator of long-life, low-cost mines in the Americas. Hudbays mission is to create sustainable value through the acquisition, development and operation of high-quality, long-life deposits with exploration potential in jurisdictions that support responsible mining, and to see the regions and communities in which the company operates benefit from its presence. The company is governed by the Canada Business Corporations Act and its shares are listed under the symbol "HBM" on the Toronto Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange and Bolsa de Valores de Lima. Further information about Hudbay can be found on www.hudbay.com . For investor inquiries, please contact: Laurel Hill Advisory Group (416) 304-0211 or 1 (877) 452-7184 assistance@laurelhill.com Candace Brule Director, Investor Relations (416) 814-4387 candace.brule@hudbay.com For media inquiries, please contact: Joel Shaffer Longview Communications and Public Affairs (416) 649-8006 jshaffer@longviewcomms.ca Scott Brubacher Director, Corporate Communications (416) 814-4373 scott.brubacher@hudbay.com 1 Permission to quote ISS and Glass Lewis was neither sought nor obtained. A PDF accompanying this announcement is available at http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/352a4e51-0d45-4dfe-8c63-7ef79cff8c29 President Muhammadu Buhari has directed Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation, to immediately intervene in the case of Zainab Aliyu, an official has said. Ms Aliyu is a Nigerian student detained in Saudi Arabia after hard drugs were found in a bag labelled in her name at a Saudi airport. The Nigerian government, through the drug-enforcement agency, NDLEA, has since said Ms Aliyu was a victim of a cartel at the Aminu Kano airport in Kano. The cartel reportedly specialises in placing hard drugs in bags in the names of air travellers, to their destination countries. Some members of the cartel have been reportedly arrested. The Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora matters, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, disclosed Mr Buharis directive in a statement made available to PREMIUM TIMES by her media aide, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, on Monday. Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said the president gave the directive two weeks ago when the matter was brought to his attention. She said, President Muhammadu Buhari gave the directive immediately the matter was brought to his attention about two weeks ago. My office has been working with the AGF as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in that regard, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said. She said progress was being made in Ms Aliyus case, along with two others in similar circumstances, in Saudi Arabia. Mrs Dabiri-Erewa said Ms Aliyu, though detained, has not been put on trial by the Saudi Arabia government. And with the hard evidence that those who implicated her have been arrested, a strong legal case is being made to the Saudi authorities. Abike Dabiri-Erewa Mr Habib Aliyu, the father of the alleged drug courier, Zainab Aliyu, had appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Saudi authorities and the international community, as well as well-meaning individuals to intervene in her daughters case and save the innocent lady from being executed wrongly. Habibu Aliyu, who is not happy that his daughter is cooling off in a Saudi prison, despite the recent discovery that she was framed up by some drug cartel, explained that the allegations of Zainab entering the country with Tramadol, was absolute falsehood as recent events and arrests have confirmed the girls innocence. Zainab, a student of Maitama Sule University, Kano, had travelled from Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in company with her mother, Mrs Maryam Aliyu, and sister, Hajara Aliyu. She was later arrested over allegations that (a) luggage, bearing her name tag, contained the unlawful substance. Aminu Kano International Airport. [Photo credit: thepost] Zainab, who was accused of entering Saudi Arabia with an illegal dosage of Tramadol was later discovered to be a victim of a cartel that specialises in keeping hard drugs in travellers bags, some of whom are already in the custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the statement added. In yet another dreadful attack, kidnappers on Monday abducted the board chairman of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Muhammed Mahmood, along the Kaduna-Abuja Highway. Mr Mahmood was abducted alongside his daughter while travelling from Kaduna to Abuja Monday afternoon. They were kidnapped around Katari, a village few kilometres from Zuba, an Abuja suburb. Hussaini Danladi, an aide to the chairman, said the incident occurred in the afternoon. My boss has been kidnapped, a disturbed Mr Danladi told PREMIUM TIMES on the telephone Monday evening. I received the information around 3.30 p.m. He was going from Kaduna to Abuja. Up till now they (the kidnappers) have not reached and we are still waiting for information. The spokesperson of the Kaduna State Police Command, Yakubu Sabo, said the force is working on getting more details and would release a statement later on Monday. Series of attacks have been carried out along the route in recent months, forcing travellers to abandon the route for the safer rail journey. Abduction of about 30 travellers early April instigated a public outcry which saw many Nigerians charge security operatives to put an end to the menace. The police, in response, stormed the bushes along the highway in a bid to fish out the perpetrators. In separate press releases, the police claimed that a good number of the abductors were killed by security operatives during exchange of fire. Nigeria has the worlds third lowest life expectancy rate of 55 years, the United Nations has said. In its new report Monday, the United Nations Population Fund(UNFPA) said the life expectancy of an average Nigerian in 2019 is only better than those of people in Sierra Leone, Chad and the Central African Republic. The three countries have respectively 53, 54, 54 years as their life expectancy rates, the report states. War-torn Afghanistan has 65 years; Somalia has 58; and Syria has 73. The report puts Nigerias current population at 201 million. The report also states that the total fertility rate among Nigerian women has dropped from 6.4 in 1969 to 5.3 in 2019, this means an average Nigerian woman gives birth to at least five children. The UN agencys report shows that Nigerias population moved from 54.7 million in 1969 to 105.4 million in 1994. It grew to 201.0 million in 2019. Of this number, 44 per cent are between the ages of 0 and 14, while 32 per cent are within the ages of 10 and 24. The report differs slightly from the estimate of the National Bureau of Statistics, which reported in 2018 that Nigerias population was 198 million. It is not clear whether the two reports relied on different data, or the country recorded the additional 3 million in the last 12 months. The report also reveals that child marriage in Nigeria by the age of 18 years is 44 per cent, while the adolescent birth rate at age 15-19 per 1000 girls in the country is 145. The report also says contraceptive prevalence rate by any method among Nigerian women aged 15-49 is only 19 per cent, while contraceptive prevalence by modern method among Nigerian women by the same age bracket 15 per cent. The Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) has warned its 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates awaiting their results against fraudsters who deploy various methods to dupe them. The board said this in its weekly bulletin from the registrars office, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday. JAMB also advised candidates to jealousy guard their registration numbers, as well as profile codes, to avoid falling victims to scammers. The board said fraudsters, after establishing the information needed, open up a line of communication with the candidates. They thereafter dangle enticing offers to award them with higher scores in the yet to be released results. Candidates are to note that their Registration numbers and Profile Codes are essential data that should not be disclosed to unauthorized persons. What these fraudsters do is take advantage of candidates naivety and subsequently obtain their registration number with which they print their examination notification slips with candidates numbers and other vital data. These fraudsters then use the information to send messages to same candidates disguising as officials of the board or persons who have special information, access and capacity to inflate scores, among other things. We therefore urge candidates to see their registration numbers and profile codes as security data similar to that of the ATM pin number which admits them to make withdrawal from their bank accounts. The board further urged candidates and parents to disregard messages or calls from any such, who claim to have access to classified information. However, the board said that security operatives have apprehended some of the fraudsters while still on the trail of others. JAMB to announce when results are ready JAMB also said that it would make public when the 2019 UTME results are ready. The results are expected to be released from Monday, the board said last week. It also said that the mode through which candidates can view their results have been communicated to them. The board had earlier said candidates can simply send RESULT, via SMS, to 55019 using the same number that was used for registration. The result, it said, would be replied as an SMS shortly after. This process, the board explained, was simplified to preclude exploitation by Shylock business centres and cyber cafes who often take advantage of candidates. The 2019 UTME was conducted nationwide from April 11 to April 18 with over 1.8 million candidates. (NAN) The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), held a rally in Abuja on Monday. The rally was to prepare their members for the commemoration of the 2019 edition of the workers day. The members demanded the creation of decent jobs for youth in the country. They asked the government to step up efforts to eradicate unemployment. The deputy president NLC, Najeem Yasin, said the struggle is for human dignity and social justice for the union. He lamented the poor situation of public school, security and the health sectors. We are pained at the condition of public schools, the security and the health sectors in Nigeria, he said. The unions said creation of decent jobs for the youth, will eradicate crime in the country. The labour unions used the march as an opportunity to call governments attention to the rising cases of near-collapse of social support institutions. They also asked employers of labour in the private and public sectors of the country to immediately begin the full implementation of the new national minimum wage. Mr Yasin said the consequence of mass unemployment in the country, especially youth unemployment, is leaving its expression daily on our streets and communities, in the form of increasing crime wave. It is high time we arrested this dangerous drift before it consumes all of us, he said. As we march today, we call on government, employers in the private sector, international development partners and local social actors to come together to plot a way out of this cauldron, Mr Yasin said. He called on the government to rehabilitate the social sectors of the economy. Mr Yasin said it is the appropriate time to create decent jobs for the teeming youths. He said mass jobs without decent remunerations would be counter-productive. Mr Yasin said the Nigeria Labour movement will keep a hawks eye on all employers of labour. This is to ensure total compliance on the implementation of the new national minimum wage. The labour leaders held the march in preparation of Workers Day which is marked on May 1, annually. The event also coincides with the centenary celebration of the existence of the International Labour Organisation. The federal government has declared Wednesday, May 1, as a public holiday to celebrate the 2019 Workers Day. The Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, made the declaration through a press statement. Speaking on behalf of the federal government, he congratulated Nigerian workers on their commitment and sacrifice towards building a greater Nigeria. He commended workers effort at ensuring the full implementation of the policies and programmes of the government. He said they did this through efficient and effective service delivery to Nigerians and foreigners. Mr Dambazau called for continuous support of Nigerian workers in governments effort at re-positioning the economy and moving it to the Next Level. He commended them for keeping faith with President Muhammadu Buhari administrations resolve of building a better Nigeria. The minister wished all Nigerian workers a successful May Day celebration. Two leaders of the All Progressives Congress in the South-South region, Chibuike Amaechi, and Godswill Akpabio met each other to iron out their perceived political differences, a party spokesperson has said. Mr Amaechi, who is the transport minister and former Rivers governor, and Mr Akpabio, a former Senate minority leader and Akwa Ibom governor, met on Sunday in Abuja. The meeting was disclosed by Festus Keyamo, spokesperson for President Buharis 2019 election campaign in a statement on Monday. Mr Keyamo said he and another party leader, Nasiru Danu, brokered the meeting, which was at the instance of Mr Akpabio. Mr Danu was one of the directors of logistics for the Buhari campaign council. The meeting, which took place at the residence of Mr Danu in the Asokoro district of Abuja, lasted several hours, during which Messrs Amaechi and Akpabio frankly talked about their disagreements from their days as governors in PDP and in the Nigerian Governors Forum. They also reviewed the performance of the party in the South-South in the just-concluded election and identified areas where things went wrong and how to improve those areas in future. Mr Keyamo said in the end, both leaders agreed to close ranks and work in unison for the overall interest of the party in the country. They promised to put behind them all previous perceived misgivings between them and to give a positive direction to the teeming supporters of the party across the country, his statement said. Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State says he is still a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as there is no crisis in the state chapter of the party as being reported by the media. Mr Bello spoke with State House correspondents on Monday at the sidelines of the Induction of New and returning governors at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said the outgoing and the incoming governors needed to be inducted so that they would be informed on the challenges ahead. I think all I can say about my state is that the APC is not in crisis in Kogi. The real elders and the real stakeholders, the youth, the women and people of integrity know that Kogi chapter of the APC is intact and that was why we were able to deliver the state for the President. We were able to deliver two out of the three Senatorial seats to our party; we were able to deliver seven out of nine House of Representatives to our party and for the first time ever in the history of politics in Kogi State we were able to deliver 100 per cent; that is 25 House of Assembly members in Kogi State. If there is crisis there is no how we could have achieved this. So I want to assure you that the APC in Kogi is intact and I remain a bonafide member of APC and as a matter of fact, I rebuilt the party in Kogi State from the scratch to what it is today and we are able to achieve this feat. So those that are making certain passes of me leaving the party I think that is their wish and by the grace of God their wish will never be granted, Mr Bello said. On alleged misappropriation of funds by the state government, Mr Bello said his administration had been transparent and could not be termed corrupt. He said the states finances, starting from bailout funds to Paris Club refunds and bank statements were published in dailies. According to him, with the little resources the state is generating, his administration has been able to achieve a lot of infrastructural development, security among others. This is what was not done for the state in the past 20 years of Kogi States existence before I came on board but under three years we were able to achieve all these successes. Probably some might think we were using stones or sand to do all these but this is the prudent management of resources and the good hands that we were able to recruit in my cabinet and in governance in the state. So those that are making such comment; it is a strategy; it is either that they want me to perform more or they are simply living in oblivion. They dont know anything that is happening in the state and they cannot participate in states politics as it stands today because we are doing politics of inclusiveness or exclusiveness, the way it was done in the past, he said. On recent remarks allegedly made by the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, that he would not support him for a second term office, the governor said he did not believe the royal father would say so. He said the traditional ruler is like a father to him and could not have said such that about a son that restored the real value of the traditional institution. Mr Bello said he had repositioned the state in terms of security, addressing lopsided employment among others. You know what security situation used to be in the state and Ebiraland and today we are having a different story. He should not be misquoted by the press or anybody. The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland is a revered person; we hold him in very high esteem; he will continue to be my father; my great supporter and by the grace of God, he is urging me to re-contest and also to do more than what I have done in this first term, he said. The governor said he is giving the traditional ruler assurance that he would not disappoint him in terms of performance. Advertisements (NAN) The Bauchi State National and State Assembly Elections Tribunal on Monday commenced pre-hearing conference into petitions filed before it by various political parties. The Chairman of the three-man penal, Hafsat Abdulrahman, said the tribunal had received 27 petitions. Mrs Abdulrahman explained that seven petitions were for the Senatorial, eight petitions for the house of representatives, while 12 petitions were for the state assembly elections. She assured the parties that the members of penal would be fair and just during the proceedings. Mrs Abdulrahman said the panel would be guided by the evidence presented before it to arrive at just decisions. (NAN) The Kogi State Government has said it has paid salaries for 38 months since it came into office in January 2016. The Director General of Media and Publicity to the Governor of Kogi State, Kingsley Fanwo, stated this in Takete Ide Amuro in Mopamuro Local Government Area while briefing journalists after APC stakeholders meeting in the ward. One of the questions our party members asked during the meeting was about the claim by labour that we are owing workers 38 months salaries. As far as government is concerned, we have paid 38 months salaries starting from September 2015. We have been in office for just 39 months. But we are still owing four months salaries because we started paying from the period we are yet to assume power. We are not in any power play with labour. We will continue to appreciate their understanding and we pledge to clear all arrears as soon as possible. Mr Fanwo said the government has struggled to bridge the gap inherited because of the dwindling revenue and contending needs of the people of Kogi State. We know how pivotal salaries are to microeconomics and we also know we owe other sectors of the public a good number of social amenities. Government will continue to manage the contending interests to serve a good number of the population. On the rumoured decamping of the governor to Accord Party, Mr Fanwo said the promoters of the rumour failed to rehearse their falsehood properly. According to him, such rumours will fail a major logic lab test. In his words, It is laughable to insinuate that a governor that just led our party to landslide and historic victory in the 2019 general elections is about to abandon his bungalow to rent a hut. If this is the kind of propaganda opposition wants to fly with, then they are not ready for the November 2nd electoral battle in the state. Governor Yahaya Bello is the landlord of Kogi APC. Anyone coming is a tenant. Where were those opponents when he built the party into what dwarfed others in the 2019 elections? The people spreading those rumours are political comedians with lazy minds. They are conceding defeats with such cheap jokes. Mr Fanwo challenged a Kogi senator, Dino Melaye, to go ahead to publish the expenditures of government between 2016 to 2019, saying, a good student of accounting and common sense will do good by publishing both income and expenditure. He said the Kogi people have seen the Rice Mill the Governor is building and the roads under construction, saying any form of illogical incitement will be counterproductive. His words: You can see the executives with me here. These are the people who will determine who flies our party ticket in November. The person they know is GYB and they will go all out to give him a second term. All the people dancing around Abuja are not known to the people. We also thank the federal government for giving us three boreholes in my ward. No senator should claim the glory of the APC federal government project. Our people are well informed now more than ever, he said. He thanked the people of the community and indeed the state for their solidarity during the assassination attempt on him, saying the action of the cowards is a mark of their impending loss in 2019. They could not stand the truth. But we shall show them our security architecture is capable of exposing their evil plans against government officials in the state. We have not even started yet and they are fidgety. Their mouthpiece Senator should know that the people who are candidates of prison are the fraudsters that led the state in the past. Mr Fanwo added that the spinners of the fake news and falsehood about the governor are people well known to members of the public. We know the promoters of these fake news and propaganda against the person of the governor and the government of Kogi State. They are discredited individuals who have been fingered for inducing judges with dollars; those who threatened to commit suicide in order to implicate others; those who coordinated the killing of our students and innocent citizens and those who turned themselves to monkeys and stayed on the tree for 12 hours. All these ignoble theatrics are well profiled in the minds of our people. They work against their people for political gains. But today, they have been dumbfounded by the success of the governor at the polls. He has shown the world that the people are solidly with him. Advertisements SALT LAKE CITY, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EnergySolutions, Inc. announced today it has signed a contract with the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) to decommission the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Generating Station. The plant operated for forty-three years and officially shut down October 24, 2016. It is located on 660 acres between Fort Calhoun and Blair, Nebraska adjacent to the Missouri River. We appreciate the confidence OPPD has in EnergySolutions to work with the Fort Calhoun workforce to safely decommission the facility, stated Ken Robuck, President and CEO of EnergySolutions. We are confident this partnership will have tremendous success in safely decommissioning the facility on budget and schedule. Utilities continue to recognize the value of the EnergySolutions Decommissioning Management Model. The only model of its kind, it is backed up by years of continued success at our commercial decommissioning sites, added John Sauger, President and Chief Nuclear Officer of EnergySolutions D&D business. Construction of the single combustion pressurized water reactor (Fort Calhoun) began in 1966 and operations commenced August 9, 1973. The plant generated 484 megawatts of electricity and was the smallest rated capacity among all operating commercial nuclear power reactors in North America. EnergySolutions recently completed the decommissioning of the SEFOR test reactor located outside Fayetteville, Arkansas and will finalize decommissioning projects of two other nuclear power plants located in Wisconsin and Illinois later this year. For additional information please contact Mark Walker at mwalker@energysolutions.com or 801-231-9194. About EnergySolutions EnergySolutions offers customers a full range of integrated services and solutions, including nuclear operations, characterization, decommissioning, decontamination, site closure, transportation, nuclear materials management, processing, recycling, and disposition of nuclear waste, and research and engineering services across the nuclear fuel cycle. For additional information about EnergySolutions visit www.energysolutions.com. A Minna Chief Magistrates Court in Niger has sentenced a 50-year-old man, Sani Yusuf, to eight years imprisonment for raping a 14-year-old girl. Mr Yusuf was arraigned on two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a child and for causing grievous hurt. The police prosecutor, Bello Mohammed, told the court that a woman, Asabe Zagi of Tudun Fulani, Minna reported the matter at the Bosso police station on March 27. Mr Mohammed stated that the complainant accused Mr Yusuf of having carnal knowledge of her 14-year-old grand-daughter on three occasions when she went to fetch water from the house, where he works as a security guard. The prosecutor said when the complainant confronted the convict on the issue, he stabbed her with a knife and injured her. He noted that the offences were contrary to sections 18(2) and 248 (2) of the Niger State Child Rights Law 2010 and the Penal Code law respectively. When the charges were read to Mr Yusuf, he pleaded guilty and begged the court for leniency. The prosecutor thereafter prayed the court to try him summarily in line with section 157 of the Criminal Procedure Code. In her ruling, the Magistrate, Hauwa Yusuf, sentenced him to eight years in prison without an option of fine on the first count charge and three years in prison or a fine of N100, 000 on the second. The Magistrate said the sentences are to run concurrently. (NAN) The police in Jigawa State on Monday prevented a peaceful rally reportedly meant to protest incessant killings and kidnappings across the country. The protest was billed to be flagged off at the Aminu Kano Triangle where hundreds of participants converged. The police sealed and barricaded the entrance, insisting the procession was illegal. The convener of the rally, Umar Danjani, told reporters that the procession was organised to protest the deteriorating security situation in the country. Mr Danjani said, The protest was also meant to call the attention of the federal government to act proactively before the security situation in Zamfara, Kaduna and Katsina escalates to other states in the region. He said the protest was also for the government to address the scourge of poverty and hunger among people. The protesters held placards with different inscriptions denouncing the state of crime and insecurity. Why We Stopped Protesters Police Meanwhile, the police commissioner in Jigawa, Bala Senchi, said the police stopped the protest because its politically motivated and might be overtaken by some miscreants ready to cause mayhem in the state. Mr Senchi said the police always act based on the premise of the law and in the best interest of the society. He, however, said he received a letter of notification for the protest. But since it was addressed to me as a person, not as a police commissioner in charge of Jigawa, they only informed me not the police, the official said. The police prevented the procession for the good of the society, because other parties too may organise similar types of rally to counter this rally. The Nigerian legal system permits peaceful rallies, but in recent times, the police have illegally dispersed such gatherings, citing security concerns. The Police in Edo State said on Monday in Benin City that it had arrested a man alleged to be a cultist and serial killer with 38 victims. A statement signed by Chidi Nwabuzor, a deputy superintendent of police and spokesperson of the Police Command in the state, said the suspect was arrested last Tuesday following the receipt of credible intelligence. Mr Nwabuzor said the 37-year-old suspect was on a mission to kill a victim (names withheld) before his arrest. He also said on his arrest, the suspect was immediately searched during which two guns were found on him. He further explained that the suspect was thereafter taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further interrogation where he made useful statements and confessed to the killing of 38 persons. Mr Nwabuzor said a further search was carried out at the suspects residence, where a double barrel gun was recovered. The spokesman, however, said the state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed DanMallam, had directed further investigation into the case. He appealed to law abiding citizens of the state to go about their normal businesses. He quoted Mr DanMallam as warning criminal elements in the state to submit themselves to the police or vacate the state or face the consequences. According to Mr Nwabuzor, the commissioner warned that under his watch, the command is ready to flush out criminals or bring them to justice through due process. (NAN) The police in Lagos have arrested a man who allegedly attacked and stabbed a spokesperson of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Aderibigbe Oshin-Adisa, to death. Bashiru Ahmed, 21, confessed to committing the crime at the Okokomaiko area of the Lagos-Badagry expressway alongside two others who still are at large, the police said in a statement on Sunday. The suspect and his accomplices also dispossessed the deceased, who was the public relations officer of NANS joint campus committee, Lagos State chapter, of his mobile phone and laptop. The police said Mr Ahmed, also known as Kawu, is the son of a popular traditional ruler in Okokomaiko and a notorious criminal who was charged to court on several occasions by the police for sundry offenses. He returned from prison six months ago and has been on the watchlist [of] the police, Bala Elkana, the Lagos police spokesperson, said in the statement. The statement further said the commissioner of police in Lagos State, Zubairu Muazu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti for discreet investigation. Detectives have spread their tentacles on the trace of the remaining two suspects on the run, it added. Mr Oshin-Adisa was a fresh graduate of the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Lagos, awaiting mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps programme. In the aftermath of his attack and demise, the Lagos State chapter of NANS had threatened to stage a protest to the police station over the rising insecurity in their school environment. Contacted on Monday, Yusuff Abdulrasaq, the NANS Lagos State secretary, told PREMIUM TIMES they are going to hold a meeting with the divisional police officer of Okokomaiko police station, and the outcome would determine their next action. Justice Abiola Soladoye of an Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court has refused the bail application of three students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) accused of the gang-rape of a fellow student. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Soladoye ruled on Monday that due to the grievous nature of the offence, the court using its discretionary powers will deny the students bail. She also noted there were no compelling nor exceptional circumstances provided in their applications that will warrant bail being granted to them. The applicants are denied bail and this honourable court shall give this case accelerated hearing, Justice Soladoye said. The students Moboluwaji Omowole, 19, Chuka Chukwu, 19 and Peace Nwankama, 19 face a three-count charge of defilement of a child, permitting the defilement of a child in premises and procuration. On April 18, a co-defendant, James Aguedo, a 20-year-old student of Babcock Universitys bail application was also denied by the court because he did not provide compelling circumstances to warrant bail being granted to him. The ruling on the bail application of another codefendant, 20-year-old Josephine Osemeka will hold on May 2. NAN reports that Messrs Omowole, Chukwu, Nwankama, Osemeka and Aguedo are facing a three-count charge of defilement of a child, permitting the defilement of a child in a premises and procuration. They denied the charge. The complainant had on February 26 testified in court that she was lured by Ms Nwankama who was her roommate to High Rise, a staff quarters hostel at UNILAG. She said she was gang-raped at High Rise by eight students and the sexual assault was videotaped. According to her, she was also blackmailed with the video and further gang-raped on other occasions by the defendants and their accomplices who are now at large. The five students have been remanded at the Kirikiri Prisons since February 26, the day they were arraigned for the alleged offences. Justice Soladoye adjourned the case until May 2 for trial. (NAN) An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has denied two dropouts of Babcock University, Don-Chima George and Olusegun Rasak, bail for allegedly drugging and gang-raping a 24-year-old woman in a hotel in Lekki, Lagos. The judge, Abiola Soladoye, while ruling on their bail application, said the applicants had not provided any compelling circumstances which would warrant them being granted bail. It is without any doubt that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty as provided for in Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. Notwithstanding this, the court is still vested with the duty to consider the weight of facts in the affidavit placed before it viz-a-viz the charge and proof of evidence placed before the court. In exercising my discretion, I am, therefore, of the considered view that the applicants have not placed any compelling or exceptional circumstances to warrant this honourable court to exercise its discretion. Bail is denied to the applicants and this honourable court shall give this case accelerated hearing, Justice Soladoye said. Backstory The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that George and Rasak are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and rape. They are alleged, by the prosecution, to have committed the offences on February 3, from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. at Delankaster Hotels, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. The prosecution said the defendants, while at a nightclub, allegedly mixed the complainants (name withheld) drink with a substance that rendered her unconscious. The prosecution alleged that they took the complainant to Georges fathers hotel, where they allegedly took turns to rape her while videotaping the sexual offence. According to the prosecution, the offences contravened Sections 258 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. During the bail hearing held on March 27, Jide Martins, the Director of Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had appealed that the court should deny the defendants bail due to the nature of the offences. Mr Martins had also noted that there was a high likelihood of the defendants interfering with the witnesses if they leave prison custody. An allegation of rape for a victim is bad enough, then the allegation of rape against two people, well known to the victim, is absolutely condemnable. I just want to reiterate that the two defendants will not answer the bail but will flee. There is also nothing relating to the health of the defendants that will warrant their need for bail. There is no life threatening medical condition with which the defendants can justify the courts discretion to grant bail in their favour. There is also a video recording of the offence. We urge your Lordship to refuse the bail application because it lacks merit. The defence counsel, Tunji Ayanlaja, via a summons for bail dated March 12 asked the court to grant the defendants bail. Mr Ayanlaja noted that the DPP in its counter-affidavit was objecting to the defendants bail application because of the social status of their parents. The defendants have been in custody since February 6. The parents of the two defendants are in court and they are of good parentage. The parents will ensure their sons attend court proceedings. From the counter-affidavit served on us by the prosecution, it seems that the crux of the objection of my learned friends is that the applicants should suffer on account of their parentage. There are no facts deposed in their affidavit except that they said they may tamper with the witnesses. This will not be enough to sway your Lordship as special facts for your Lordship to hold that they are denied bail, Mr Ayanlaja had said. Advertisements Justice Soladoye adjourned the case until May 15 for trial. (NAN) The lone Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Dipo Olorunrinu, Amuwo-Odofin Constituency I, on Monday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr Olorunrinu lost his re-election bid to APC candidate, Mojisola Alli-Macaulay, in March 9 House of Assembly election with just 278 votes. He vowed not to challenge the result at the election tribunal. The lawmaker informed the House of his defection at the plenary through a letter titled: Letter of Defection from PDP to APC, addressed to the Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa. The letter was however, read by the Clerk of the Assembly, Azeez Sanni. The letter read in part: I have been a young progressive-minded person and I have decided to realign with the APC based on moving trend and party to reckon with taking Lagos State to the next level. I will like to appreciate Mr Speaker for his continuous act of service to my constituency. This explains the magnanimity of Mr Speaker. Mr Olorunrinu earlier, said in 2015, there were eight PDP members in the House but seven defected adding that, in all sincerity I made bold to say here that, I have never had any regret. He said he was happy to still find himself in the midst of great administration. Sincerely, I said to myself that continuity as a young man in politics is a necessity. I said to myself that I must join the progressives party, which is the APC. Permit me to say this in this hallowed chamber that the PDP has been discovered by my humble self as a party that is not to be reckoned with, not to be reckon with because it is a party that lacks structure, it is a party that lacks visions for Nigeria of tomorrow. Thats the more reason why I said to myself that we must start from here and preach the good news of APC. I want to say a very big thank you to Mr Speaker for accepting me, Mr Olorunrinu said. He apologised to the Speaker for his late defection. According to Mr Olorunrinu, he has spoken with his constituents, stakeholders of different cadres on the decision to join the moving train. The Speaker welcomed Mr Olorunrinu to APC and commended him for his decision while other APC lawmakers also received the defector into the party. I thank you for making the decision at last. We welcome you into our midst as members of APC in the House of Assembly. You have always been part of us save the fact that you refused to dump the leaking umbrella but today you have decided, I welcome you on behalf of our party. I want to thank you for lending your voice to what have been our position from quite some time that the best party in Nigeria today is APC. So there is nothing to gain from PDP, for realising this, I congratulate you. Distinguished colleagues, we are now 40 members of APC. Thank you for joining us, Mr Obasa said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that eight PDP lawmakers were elected into the 40-member Lagos Assembly in 2015 general elections but seven defected into the ruling party in 2017. The seven lawmakers that defected from the PDP earlier included the Minority Leader, Akeem Bello (Amuwo Odofin II), Minority Whip, Mosunmola Sangodara (Surulere II), and Olusola Sokunle (Oshodi/Isolo I). Others were Jude Idimogu (Oshodi/Isolo II), Dayo Famakinwa (Ajeromi Ifelodun II) Fatai Oluwa (Ajeromi/Ifelodun I) and Victor Akande (Ojo I) Advertisements While six of the lawmakers defected on February 16, 2017, the seventh, Mr Akande moved on July 10 same year, all citing the achievements of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the leadership quality of Obasa. Five of the seven defectors got the party tickets to return to the House and won their re-election while two, Messrs Akeem and Famakinwa could not get the party tickets. The candidates of APC won the entire 40 seats in the House of Assembly during the 2019 poll, unlike in 2015 general elections when PDP clinched eight seats. (NAN) At the matriculation ceremony for new students on Monday, the Obafemi Awolowo University said it has offered admission to only 6,650 students for the 2018/2019 session. This represents a reduction this year in the universitys admission figure when compared with the previous sessions. During the 2015/2016 academic session, the school brought in 7,500 students. The university had admitted the same number of students in the 2016/2017 academic session. Meanwhile, the figure rose in 2017/2018, when the university had 8,158 new intakes. In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, the schools spokesperson, Abiodun Olanrewaju, attributed the reduction to the loss of accreditation for some courses last admission year. This newspaper reported how the National University Commission (NUC) withdrew accreditation for Law, Dentistry, Medical Rehabilitation, Fine and Applied Arts, Family Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, and Botany programmes at the Nigerian first-generation university. As a result of the withdrawal, admission to those departments was suspended for the current session. The Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) had advised applicants to either change their courses or choice of institution. If you had added the numerical strength in those faculties (for example in Law), that would add up to the original figure. That explains the reduction, Mr Olanrewaju said. New students demand better welfare In 2018, this paper published a report on the university admitting more students despite limited facilities. The lecture theatres and hostels cannot cope with the number of students, and there have been calls for an expansion of the infrastructure, PREMIUM TIMES reported. A student of Dramatic Arts Department, Theophilus Adeyemi, urged the school to upgrade its accommodation facilities. For the past three days now, water has not been supplied to the halls of residence, he said. Another student, Busola Oladele, also called for more halls of residence to lessen the transportation and security challenges associated with living outside the school. From my house to class, most times, I spend over thirty minutes just to get on campus. I applied for bed space but I did not get one. We need more lecture theatres too. Our Maths class is always rowdy, she added The coordinator for Education Right Campaign, ERC, Olowolafe Samuel, noted that most of the hostels and lecture theatres in the university were constructed in its early years. He said the founders wanted the facilities to adequately cater for all the students then. But it is so sad that the admission quota has significantly increased over the decades with no corresponding increase in infrastructures and facilities, he said. Reacting to the calls for the upgrade of infrastructure and other welfare issues, the universitys spokesperson said the school would address the demands. We have 1,000-capacity lecture theatres and we have several 500-capacity theatres. Some students sit on the floor for lectures because of broken furniture. The management plans to renovate the lecture theatres, Mr Olanrewaju said. In his address to the new students, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Eyitope Ogunbodede, promised to address issues affecting students such as accommodation. The university management is partnering with investors to increase the current students accommodation by additional 10,000-bed spaces within the next one year, Mr Ogunbodede said. Advertisements The university is also procuring three 30-seater buses to alleviate the challenges of student transportation. The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has kicked against the appointment of a judge of the Lagos State judiciary, Josephine Coker, as the head of the newly constituted Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. Supporters of the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun, ran on the platform of the APM in this years elections after they failed to secure nominations in the All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr Amosun successfully ran for the Senate on the platform of the APC but led APM campaign rallies in the state. The National Chairman of the APM, Yusuf Dantalle, made the partys position on Mrs Cokers appointment known at a press conference on Monday held at the partys state secretariat in Abeokuta. He said the party had written a petition to this effect to the President of the Court of Appeal, Zainab Bulkachuwa. The Court of Appeal had removed Justice Onyeabo as the chairman of the tribunal and replaced him with Mrs Coker. The APM described the development as unfair and mischievous. The APC had earlier filed a motion asking Mrs Bulkachuwa to disband the panel. The secretary of the tribunal, Nyior Sekulla, later confirmed that the panel has been affected in a reshuffle of election petition tribunals across the country. However, the APM National Chairman said the initial panel was disbanded to frustrate the petition of APM against the election of Dapo Abiodun of the APC as governor. He said Mrs Coker was appointed a judge in Lagos by both Bola Tinubu and Vice President Osinbajo who are stakeholders in the ongoing petition at the tribunal. He added that APC in a motion dated April 15 prayed for the disbandment of the old panel. Mr Dantalle said although the motion is slated for hearing on May 8, a memo was believed to have been received by the Tribunal that the panel be disbanded and replaced with a new one. The APM said that the timing of the decision of the Court of Appeal and the choice of the new tribunal panel suggested the whole process was predetermined. Part of the petition reads: Obviously, their craftily contrived application not only envisaged Adekunle AbdulKabir Akinlade/APMs petition no EPT/OG/GOV/01/19 but demanded a complete change of members of the panel, and in their place, a new panel. My Lord, to this end, the new panel is totally unacceptable to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). I have, within the narrow paginations in this petition/complaint against the unfair, wrong, and mischievous dismissal of Omyeabos panel provided the basis/grounds/reasons why this newly contrived panel should be done away with. Politicians of influence and particularly those in the exalted offices must not be allowed to interfere with the due administration of Justice. Their obvious design is to engender injustice against APM and her governorship candidate. It is for the reason given above and many more that I, as National Chairman of Allied Peoples Movement, APM, respectively urge your Lordship to disband the newly constituted panel led by Justice Adenike Coker and reconstitute a new one in the interest of Justice. The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday passed the states 2019 Appropriation Bill of N873. 532 billion for 2019. The approval came more than 80 days after Governor Akinwunmi Ambode presented the 2019 appropriation bill of N852. 316 billion on February 5 to the assembly. The passage followed the adoption of the report and recommendations of the House Committee on Budget and Economic Planning, headed by Gbolahan Yishawu (APC-Eti-Osa II). The house approved N393, 841, 387, 020 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for recurrent expenditure and N479, 691, 073, 705 from Development Revenue Fund for capital expenditure. The budget size thereby totalled N873, 532, 460, 725 which is N21.216 billion higher than the budget size presented by Mr Ambode. The Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, commended Mr Yishawu and members of his committee for a thorough scrutiny of the budget. Mr Obasa said: That a bill for a law to authorise the issue and appropriation of N393,841,387,020 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for recurrent expenditure and N479, 691,073,705 from Development Fund for capital expenditure thereby totalling a budget size of N873,532,460,725 for the Year ending 31st December, 2019 be passed into law. The house passed the bill into law after Mr Obasa had conducted a voice-vote on each of the allocations for ministries, departments and agencies. Mr Obasa directed the Clerk of the House, Azeez Sanni, to send a copy of the bill to Mr Ambode for his assent. The 2019 budget is N 287. 68 billion lesser than that of 2018 which stood at N 1.04 trillion. The budget has a capital expenditure of N462 .757 billion and a recurrent expenditure of N389.560 billion. The capital to recurrent ratio of the budget stood at 54: 46. (NAN) English French Global 7500 aircraft is the largest and longest range business jet in the industry, offering Bombardiers signature smooth ride and an unrivalled cabin experience The Soleil lighting system offers the industrys only Dynamic Daylight Simulation, which serves to help combat jet lag on long-distance flights Aviations first fully integrated lighting technology uses specific combinations of red and blue light wavelengths that studies have shown stimulate or suppress melatonin, which influences sleep cycles LOS ANGELES, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier Business Aircraft has unveiled the Soleil lighting system, the industrys most advanced cabin lighting technology, on the award-winning Global 7500 business jet. Designed and developed exclusively for the Global 7500 aircraft, the innovative Soleil lighting system is aviations first circadian rhythm-based cabin lighting technology fully integrated with the Flight Management System, and it introduces the revolutionary Dynamic Daylight Simulation feature, which can help combat jet lag. Were pleased to showcase the innovative Soleil lighting system on the Global 7500 aircraft, said Peter Likoray, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Bombardier Business Aircraft. The Global 7500 jet is the worlds longest range purpose-built business aircraft with an unrivalled cabin experience. Along with the aircrafts master suite with a full bed, stand-up shower and exceptionally smooth ride, the Soleil lighting system helps passengers arrive at their destination feeling more rested and refreshed. The Soleil lighting systems Dynamic Daylight Simulation uses specific combinations of red and blue light wavelengths that studies have shown to help stimulate or suppress the production of melatonin which assists in regulating the sleep-wake cycle and can help contribute to synchronizing passengers circadian rhythms to the time at their destination. The Soleil lighting system is fully integrated into the Global 7500 aircrafts nice Touch cabin management system, and can also be customized to a passengers preference for either extended sleep or productivity via the systems unique circadian adjustment setting. The Soleil lighting system can also conveniently be programmed to schedule the optimal times for meal services, allowing the cabin crew to better prepare and plan more efficiently. Incorporating twice the number of individual LEDs than other cabin lighting methods, the Soleil lighting system delivers the most vivid and high-definition color rendering index (CRI) of any lighting system available today. The Soleil lighting system is ideally suited to the Global 7500 aircraft and its long-range mission profile. Proven to be the highest-performing aircraft in the industry, the Global 7500 business jet has demonstrated the capability for long-haul flights over 16 hours. With its unparalleled performance, the Global 7500 business jet can access the most expansive city pairings, including such routes as New York to Hong Kong, and Singapore to San Francisco,* and the Soleil lighting system is the perfect complement to help combat jet lag and maximize comfort and relaxation while traversing a multitude of time zones. The Soleil lighting system is a standard feature on the Global 7500 aircraft, which entered into service in December 2018. With unmatched speed and range, the Global 7500 business jet continues to blaze a trail in this new market segment, setting the bar for excellence in the world of business aviation. Winner of the 2019 Aviation Week Grand Laureate Award and a Red Dot award for design, the Global 7500 jet offers Bombardiers signature smooth ride and a spaciousness that is unique among business jets. Featuring a full-size kitchen and four true living spaces, the Global 7500 aircraft sets the benchmark for the most exceptional cabin interior. The aircraft offers unprecedented innovative features: Bombardiers patented Nuage seat, meticulously designed for maximum comfort, and the revolutionary nice Touch CMS, a new way to connect with the Global 7500 aircraft cabin through the Bombardier Touch dial, featuring business aviations first application of an OLED display. About Bombardier With over 68,000 employees across four business segments, Bombardier is a global leader in the transportation industry, creating innovative and game-changing planes and trains. Our products and services provide world-class transportation experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Bombardier has production and engineering sites in 28 countries across the segments of Transportation, Business Aircraft, Commercial Aircraft and Aerostructures and Engineering Services. Bombardier shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, Bombardier posted revenues of $16.2 billion US. The company is recognized on the 2019 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World Index. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier . Notes to Editors Visit the Bombardier Business Aircraft website for more information on our industry-leading products and services. Follow @Bombardierjets on Twitter to receive the latest news and updates from Bombardier Business Aircraft. To receive our press releases, please visit the RSS Feed section. *Under certain operating conditions. Bombardier, Global, Global 7500 and Soleil are registered and unregistered trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries. So she sat with me and told me what they were and who they were. Then she ended up giving me other things as well, Tomalino said, adding that she also has other heirlooms that represent her familys German, Finnish, Italian and French heritage. Among the people in the photographs above her centerpiece mantle is Andre Tomalino, her father, who was a glider pilot during World War II. After his service, at 25, he started Paramount Air Service with Grover Kauffman, her uncle, in 1945. I can remember so often my dad would say, OK, lets go somewhere for lunch and wed get in the airplane and fly somewhere for lunch, she said. It was a lot of fun. After Kauffman moved on to the restaurant business, and Andre Tomalino wanted to retire, Barbara and her husband bought the business in 1985. They have been running it ever since. Also displayed in Tomalinos living room is a photo of her great-great uncle, who was a Zouave in the French Foreign Legion during the late 1800s. GALLOWAY Adjunct journalism professor and former Press of Atlantic City reporter and editor John Froonjian was appointed the interim executive director of the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University on Monday. Froonjian has been a researcher at the Hughes Center since 2011 and has managed the Stockton Polling Institute since it was established in September 2012, according to a news release from the university. The center does research on economic issues and policy on environmental resources, community development and citizen engagement. Froonjian said he plans to expand the centers outreach within the community by sponsoring panel discussions, speakers including elected officials and policy makers, candidate debates and public opinion polling, as well as grow the centers state and national profile and fundraising ability. Its a win-win situation when Stocktons expertise helps inform public debate on major issues and when the Hughes Center can provide resources that benefit Stocktons students and academic community, Froonjian said in a statement. Froonjian worked for The Press of Atlantic City for 32 years as a city editor, database journalist, investigative reporter and a reporter covering New Jersey State House politics. He received a masters degree in public administration from Rutgers-Camden and will receive a doctoral degree in organizational leadership from Stockton on May 7. 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. That might include express trains, she said, and additional trips between Atlantic City and Lindenwold, where riders can catch the high-speed line into center-city Philadelphia around-the-clock. Gatto said later trains are definitely needed on during busy holiday weekend like Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, and for the now multi-day airshow and for beach concerts. All of these things bring in droves and droves of people. I dont think we are taking a hard enough look how we maximize potential there, Gatto said. Snyder said NJ Transit closely monitors customer travel patterns around regional events and adjusts service as necessary. But she would not specify if there would be late night trains offered for any particular event or holiday. Van Drew and Brown said they will keep communicating with NJ Transit to see how they can further increase service on the Atlantic City Rail Line. By the way, lets advertise it a little bit. Keeping it secret doesnt help, Van Drew said of the train service to Atlantic City in general. A Pennsylvania man was charged with strangling a 25 year-old Egg Harbor Township woman to death in 2014. Timothy P. Wright, 39, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, was arrested and charged with murder Friday in the 2014 death of Joyce Vanderhoff, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced. Vanderhoff was found dead on the side of the road in Hamilton Township 9:51 a.m. Feb. 14, 2014, after police responded to a report of a body spotted by a passing motorist on County Road 559-Weymouth Road near milepost 24. Vanderhoffs death was ruled to be a homicide and an autopsy determined the cause of death to be strangulation. Wright was living in Mays Landing at the time of Vanderhoffs killing. He was arrested about 4:54 p.m. Friday by officers with the Chambersburg Police Department. Governor Murphy is expected to sign legislation addressing the state's foreclosure crisis Monday in Atlantic City. A package of bipartisan bills officials hope will keep more property owners in their homes and shorten how long a home sits vacant passed both the house and the assembly at the end of March, NJ Spotlight reported. The bills came after the state's Special Committee on Residential Foreclosures released its report in September 2018 and proposed several legislative solutions to address foreclosures. According to the committee, foreclosures peaked in the state at more than 65,000 in 2009. In March, New Jersey still had the second highest rate in the country with one in every 1,021 homes reportedly in some stage of the foreclosure process, according to real estate information company Realty Trac. Cumberland and Atlantic counties had the top two highest rates in the state respectively. The committee recommended revising existing state laws such as the Fair Foreclosure Act to ensure officials give effective notice to homeowners while also enforcing "fair but expeditious" timeframes. The state Department of Transportation is holding an information session in May to hear feedback from the public on its $27.5 million plan to ease flooding on Route 40 leading into Atlantic City. Representatives from the state agency will present exhibits of the DOTs draft study on May 14 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the West Atlantic City Volunteer Fire Company in Egg Harbor Township. The proposal calls for raising a one-mile section of the road, also known as the Black Horse Pike, from Naples Avenue to Bayport Drive in the West Atlantic City section of Egg Harbor Township by 2.5 feet. Businesses and residents along the roadway have long complained of nuisance flooding that can easily shut down one of Atlantic Citys main evacuation routes. The DOTs plan also calls for upgrading an existing drainage outfall at Venice Avenue and extending an existing seawall at Brenta Avenue in Egg Harbor Township. In Atlantic City, officials want to install sheeting along the ramp from Route 40 eastbound to West End Avenue to North Harrisburg Avenue and upgrade an existing drainage outfall. PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account. NEW YORK, NY & Hampton, VA, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Hampton University Marching Force, was selected to perform in the 2020 Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade, representing the state of Virginia. This will mark the first Parade appearance by the band. Hampton will join the Parade to the call of Lets Have a Parade, the iconic phrase that has signaled the start of every Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1924. Each year, the Macys Parade Band Committee looks for bands that have the stage presence, musical and marching abilities to captivate more than 3.5 million live spectators and more than 50 million viewers. Hampton was selected from more than 100 applicants as one of nine selected bands to march in the 94th edition of the annual holiday spectacle. The band will join the revelry along with other iconic Macys staples: floats, giant character balloons, clowns and superstar performers galore on Thanksgiving Day 2020, helping to create an unforgettable experience for millions. Rooted in tradition and with explosive energy, the Hampton University Marching Force delivers outstanding, entertaining shows that time and time again bring the crowd to their feet, said Wesley Whatley, creative producer Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade. We look forward to introducing the talented students of Hampton University to our Parade audience for the bands debut in the 2020 Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade! The Marching Force is an elite group of talented, young musicians and dancers who are academically accomplished. This opportunity will allow Hampton University to once again shine on the world-wide stage in front of the millions in attendance and others watching from across the globe, said Hampton University President, Dr. William R. Harvey. Under the direction of Dr. Thomas Jones, The Marching Force continues to uphold THE Standard of Excellence as being one of the best marching bands in the nation. The Hampton University Marching Force will spend the next 18 months planning for their Parade appearance. Rehearsals and creative fundraising events not only bring the school and the community closer but also prepare the students for the march of a lifetime. For more than ninety years, Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade has given thanks to what Macys values most - its loyal fans. More than 5,000 Macys employees and dedicated volunteers work tirelessly to create a spectacular event that entertains the cheerful crowds and provides joy to millions at home watching on Thanksgiving Day. Stretching down a more than two-mile-long route in New York City, the spectacle is alive with gleaming color, music and smiles. The invitation to perform at the Macys Day Thanksgiving Day Parade is the latest accolade for The Marching Force. Earlier this year the band was invited to participate in the 2020 Rome New Years Day Parade, in Rome, Italy. The Marching Force drumline recently performed in the 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, prior to the Rose Bowl. In 2018, The Marching Force performed at the 16th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands while over 62,000 fans filled the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. "Our goal over the past year and a half has been to build the band program so that it's at a level on par with many of the other excellent organizations here at Hampton University, said Jones. "Between this performance and the Rome performance, the world is taking notice of our commitment to Dr. Harvey's vision to not just exist, but to excel. I'm proud of our students and staff, and especially grateful for our fellow faculty and administrators in helping us to carry out this vision." About the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade: With more than 50 million viewers across the country and more than 3.5 million spectators that line up along the streets of New York City each year, the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade is a national icon that has grown into a world-famous holiday event. For more than 90 years, the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade has marked the official start of the holiday season. Growing in size and scale, the Parade proudly marches down a more than 2-mile route in New York City with more than 8,000 participants in tow including Macys employees, their families, celebrities, athletes, clowns and dance groups spreading holiday cheer. The Parade also features Americas best marching bands, fabulous floats and Macys signature giant helium character balloons. For more information on the Macys Parade, please visit www.macys.com/parade or call the Parade hotline at (212) 494-4495. About Hampton University: For 151 years Hampton University has been THE Standard of Excellence in higher education. Founded in 1868 by Brig. Gen. Samuel Chapman Armstrong, Hampton University has a long successful history of offering a strong academic program of educating the head, heart and hand, and emphasizing the development of character. This foundation has been built upon by Dr. William R. Harvey, who has served as Hamptons president for 41 years, during which time the university has experienced accelerated growth and achieved notable accomplishments. During Harveys presidency, 92 new programs have been introduced, 30 new structures dot the landscape of the campus surrounded three sides by water, and the universitys endowment has grown from $29 million to $280 million and growing. Attachments The foreclosure crisis hit the families of Atlantic County harder than almost any county in the nation, said Johnson. These bills offer a better path for the region and hope for families in despair. The package will also put so-called vacant zombie properties back on the market quicker. Most New Jerseyans can point to a property in their neighborhood that hasnt seen an owner or tenant for years on end, said Assemblyman John Armato, D-Atlantic, who co-sponsored legislation to require foreclosure sales of vacant or abandoned properties to be conducted within 60 days of judgment. Some of these properties become eyesores from lack of upkeep, and diminish the quality of life in the community. Setting an exact timeframe for foreclosed properties to be sold will help alleviate this problem. Additionally, Murphy signed a bill which codifies the Foreclosure Mediation Program, which was established in 2009 by the state Judiciary in response to the increase in foreclosures. The new law creates a dedicated fund for the mediation program using $60 from every $155 foreclosure filing fee. Never has a president of the United States who has achieved so much been so scorned. He started out taking on the Republican establishment, the Democrats and the establishment media. When Election Day came about, most were certain he had lost. Hell never get 270 (electoral votes) was the cry. He got 304. Since then, GDP has soared as high as 4.2 percent (second quarter 2018). Eight times in 2018 unemployment dipped below 4 percent. Prior to that, it dipped below 4 percent only five times in 1970. Unemployment among African Americans fell to an all-time record low. Weekly jobless claims hit a nearly 50 year low. Under President Trump job openings outnumber the unemployed for the first time ever. Manufacturing jobs keep soaring higher and higher. The economic and foreign achievements go on and on. The Prince William Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME. Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire. Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever. Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation. View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union. Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history. Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words. Danish English Santa Fe Group A/S Santa Fe Group A/S Annual General Meeting Today, the Annual General Meeting of Santa Fe Group A/S was held at Scandic Sluseholmen, Molestien 11, DK-2450 Copenhagen SV, where the following agenda items were presented: The Board of Directors report was noted. The Annual Report for 2018 was adopted, and discharge was granted to the Board of Directors and the Executive Management. The fees for the Board of Directors for 2019 were approved. The distribution of the result of the year was approved. The nominated board candidates Henning Kruse Petersen, Preben Sunke, and Jesper Teddy Lok were re-elected for the Board of Directors. KPMG P/S was re-elected as the Companys auditor. The Board of Directors was authorised to acquire treasury shares. The proposal from the Board of Directors to reduce the Companys nominal share capital through amending the denomination of the share capital from DKK 864,364,165 to DKK 43,218,208.25 by transfer to special reserves was adopted. The proposal from the Board of Directors be authorised to increase the share capital until 30 April 2020 were adopted so that: the authorisation to increase in the share capital with pre-emptive subscription rights for existing shareholders to a maximum nominal amount of DKK 8,643,641.50 the authorisation to increase the share capital without pre-emptive subscription rights for existing shareholders is amended to a maximum nominal amount of DKK 8,643,641.50, provided that the increase shall be effected at market price if issued as a private placement; and the authorisations referred to in the items above are subject to an aggregate maximum of the nominal amount of DKK 8,643,641.50. The general meeting did not adopt the two shareholder proposals regarding: Amending Article 8.1 of the Articles of Association regarding the number of members of the Board of Directors. Amending Article 8.2 of the Articles of Association regarding age limit. At the subsequent meeting of the Board of Directors, Mr. Henning Kruse Petersen was elected Chairman and Mr. Preben Sunke was elected Deputy Chairman. Yours sincerely, Santa Fe Group A/S For further information: Martin Thaysen, Group CEO, +44 20 3691 8300 Christian Mller Laursen, Group CFO, +44 20 8963 2514 Following complaint by Health Groups to UK Advertising Standards Authority over BAT's Social Media Tactics WASHINGTON, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Following complaints by leading health organizations, the U.K.'s Advertising Standards Authority is investigating British American Tobacco's (BAT) use of social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to promote its Vype e-cigarettes. According to evidence documented by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, BAT's posts on social media have been designed to maximize exposure of e-cigarettes to children, teenagers and non-nicotine users, in contravention of U.K. advertising regulations. Complaints have been filed by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH U.K.) and Stopping Tobacco Organizations & Products (STOP). BAT promotes Vype e-cigarettes through @GoVype accounts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Posts to the accounts feature celebrities and social media influencers using Vype and other content designed to appeal to young people by featuring youth culture, fashion, travel, popular films and celebrity endorsements. According to the complaints, posts are also designed to reach the widest possible audience by using popular hashtags like #throwbackthursday or #style. U.K. regulations prohibit online advertising of e-cigarettes, but allow a manufacturer to provide factual product information such as the name, content and price of the product on its own websites. The ASA advises that e-cigarette manufacturers' social media accounts may also provide factual content as long as the content can only be found by "those actively seeking it." "By advertising on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, British American Tobacco will reach kids and young people," said Mark Hurley, director of international communications at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Tobacco companies like British American Tobacco use social media to promote their products because they think they can get away with it and because they know it reaches young people in the U.K. and around the world." Deborah Arnott, chief executive of ASH (U.K.), commented: "We challenged BAT about its irresponsible marketing of Vype at the company's 2019 Annual General Meeting last week, but did not get a satisfactory reply. BAT claims to engage in responsible marketing aimed at adult consumers only. But the evidence submitted to the ASA shows that much of their promotion of Vype gives maximum exposure to children and teenagers. Same old tobacco industry, same old tactics." In August 2018, a two-year investigation by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids found that BAT and other tobacco companies engage in deceptive social media marketing practices to advertise cigarettes in more than 40 countries around the world. Despite marketing policies stating that the company would not engage in "viral marketing" or "covert marketing where it is not explicitly clear that cigarettes are being advertised," BAT was found to be paying social media influencers to promote cigarette brands like Lucky Strike or Kent online without disclosing posts were part of a global marketing campaign for cigarette brands. The evidence was submitted to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission urging the agency to investigate British American Tobacco and other tobacco companies' use of social media. BAT is also facing a legal complaint in Brazil for the company's extensive use of social media to advertise cigarettes in violation of Brazilian consumer protection laws. According to the most recent complaint, BAT's use of social media to advertise Vype follows the tactics used by the tobacco giant to advertise cigarettes online and represents irresponsible marketing that may violate laws in the U.K. and around the world. Professor Anna Gilmore, director of the Tobacco Research Group at University of Bath, and a partner in STOP, a global tobacco-industry watchdog, added: "This study provides clear evidence that British American Tobacco's is making widespread, yet hidden, use of social media, influencers, and fashion and film-industry awards to promote its Vype product to the largest possible audience. This flies in the face of BAT's claims to support harm reduction, providing further evidence that the company simply cannot be trusted. It is vital that the ASA holds it to account. For additional resources, to download photos or view legal complaints filed against BAT, please visit: http://tfk.org/media/2019/vype-uk Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/449263/CAMPAIGN_FOR_TOBACCO_FREE_KIDS_Logo.jpg Related Links http://www.tobaccofreekids.org SOURCE Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Investment in research and development will create a cutting edge hemp processing facility with increased output capacity and versatility to work with additional cannabinoids. VANCOUVER, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - 1933 Industries Inc. (the "Company" or "1933 Industries") (CSE: TGIF) (OTCQX: TGIFF), a licensed cultivator and producer of cannabis flower and concentrates and manufacturer of hemp-derived CBD wellness products, is pleased to provide an update regarding its new hemp extraction facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fully Customized Processing Facility and Equipment The Company announces that it is progressing with plans to launch one of Nevada's largest hemp extraction facilities, become a major player in the booming CBD (cannabinoid) industry and add a new significant revenue stream to its business model. The Company, in collaboration with a leading engineering firm, has completed an extensive research and development phase to develop a customized design in order to provide for a larger, more efficient and more robust hemp processing laboratory ("Hemp Lab") than originally planned. The Hemp Lab has been designed in line with the new regulations and recommendations set out by the recently passed farm bill or Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018. Increased Capacity and Versatility The Company plans to deploy a custom-built, ethanol extraction system with full chromatography abilities to allow for isolation of THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, CBC, and several other cannabinoids, including the ability to produce full spectrum and broad spectrum oils, as well as isolates. The equipment is currently being engineered to meet required GMP standards. The Hemp Lab's increased capacity is estimated at a maximum monthly throughput of 68,000 kgs. of hemp biomass, producing approximately 5,000 kgs. of full spectrum oils or 4,500 kgs. of CBD isolate. This is an increase in capacity greater than previously announced on December 20, 2018. Timing and Scope Once the equipment and new facility design is finalized and approved by the Clark County zoning department in Nevada, construction will commence on the building. Subsequently, the customized equipment will be installed, tested and the Hemp Lab is expected to become operational by the end of the year. "The Company has invested heavily in the design of its customized equipment to provide maximum capacity and efficiency. We believe that the time and capital invested in the R&D of the facility will provide much larger returns for shareholders in the future," commented Mr. Brayden Sutton, President and CEO. Mr. Chris Rebentisch, USA COO and Founder of Infused MFG added, "The Hemp Lab will not only have the ability to process CBD, but it will also have the flexibility to isolate cannabinoids that are emerging in popularity and uses such as CBN and CBG, at commercial scale volumes. Our intention for this new vertical is to utilize all isolates in the manufacturing of our own proprietary consumer branded goods, securing the supply of raw materials, increasing our margins and benefiting from a recurring revenue stream from the sale to other manufacturers". About 1933 Industries Inc. 1933 Industries Inc. is a vertically integrated cannabis company with operations in the United States and Canada. Operating through three subsidiary companies, 1933 Industries owns licensed medical and adult-use cannabis cultivation and production assets, proprietary hemp-based, CBD infused products, CBD extraction services and a specialized cannabis advisory firm supporting clients in security, intelligence and due diligence. The Company owns 91% of Alternative Medicine Association and 100% of both Infused MFG. and Spire Global Strategy. Please visit our website at http://www.1933industries.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Notice regarding Forward Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in the Company's disclosure documents, which can be found under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com. 1933 Industries undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE 1933 Industries Inc. Related Links https://1933industries.com/ Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 28, 2019. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in Beijing on Sunday. "Pakistan is China's all-weather strategic cooperative partner. China and Pakistan are 'iron friends' and have always firmly supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests," Xi said, adding that China takes Pakistan as a priority in its diplomacy. No matter how international and regional situations change, China firmly supports Pakistan in safeguarding its sovereignty and national dignity, choosing its own development path suited to its national conditions, combating terrorist and extremist forces, striving for a sound external security environment, and playing a constructive role in international and regional affairs, Xi said. Major progress has been made in bilateral cooperation in the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, finance, trade and other aspects, Xi said. "In the next stage, China and Pakistan should make more efforts to advance the all-weather strategic cooperation," Xi said, calling on both sides to deepen high-level contacts and mutual support, strengthen strategic communication, and promote high-quality cooperation in production capacity, infrastructure construction, people's livelihood and trade within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has played an important role in Pakistan's economic development and the improvement of people's lives, Imran Khan said, believing more and more countries will support and participate in the cooperation under the BRI. Pakistan is willing to consolidate its traditional friendship with China, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and enhance communication and coordination with China in multilateral affairs, said the prime minister. The two sides also exchanged views on the situations in South Asia. Xi expressed the hope that Pakistan and India can meet each other halfway and promote the stabilization and improvement of Pakistan-India relations. 2 1 [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] Dutch French English Press Release Brussels, 29th of April 2019 Orange Belgium takes over ICT integrator BKM and reinforces its B2B activity Today Orange Belgium and the shareholders of Upsize NV signed an agreement related to the acquisition Upsize NV and its subsidiary companies BKM NV and CC@PS. With this acquisition, Orange Belgium will extend its B2B offering with BKMs Unified Communications & Collaboration and ICT solutions, and answer to a growing demand of its B2B customers for a single connectivity and ICT provider. The acquisition will be submitted to the Belgian Competition Authority for approval, before finalizing the transaction. BKM is a nationwide ICT integrator, with a solid track-record in the SME and CMA markets in Belgium. BKM offers high-quality ICT solutions in 4 separate areas of expertise: Unified Communications & Collaboration (UCC) solutions, IT & security solutions, Document & Visual solutions and Connectivity solutions. Moreover, BKM is a pioneer in cloud UCC solutions. Over the last 25 years, BKM has become a reliable reference in the B2B market. In 2018, the company generated 43m pro-forma revenues. For Orange Belgium, this acquisition carries an enterprise value of 52.4m and represents a unique opportunity to extend its connectivity solutions portfolio and enrich its B2B offering. The combination of Orange Belgiums connectivity network and BKMs ICT network will enable Orange Belgiums and BKMs customers to benefit from a one-stop-shop ecosystem. With this acquisition, Orange Belgium will welcome 230 team members with high-skilled ICT profiles. Michael Trabbia, CEO of Orange Belgium, explains: I am delighted to welcome the BKM teams within the Orange family. Following up on our B2B strategic ambitions, this acquisition will allow us to enhance our B2B offers and services to both Orange Belgiums and BKMs customers. Together, we will further challenge the ICT and connectivity markets, and leverage cross-selling opportunities. Bart Soetaers, CEO of BKM, confirms: I am convinced BKMs and Orange Belgiums complementarity will enable us to guide our customers through their digital journey with a complete ICT offering, in the SME as well as in the corporate segment. Moreover, BKM joins a strong telecom player and a strong brand. Both strengths will help us to realize our common growth ambitions. For the BKM staff members, this acquisition represents a unique opportunity to further evolve within the Orange family. Werner De Laet, Chief Enterprise Officer Orange Belgium : With the acquisition of BKM, we strengthen our product portfolio to help our B2B customers in their strategic data journey. In addition, the entrepreneurial spirit of BKM fits perfectly with the bold challenger position of Orange Belgium in the enterprise market. About Orange Belgium Orange Belgium is a leading telecommunications operator on the Belgian market with over 3 million customers; Orange is also active in Luxembourg through its subsidiary Orange Communications Luxembourg. As a convergent actor, we provide mobile telecommunications services, internet and TV to private clients as well as innovative mobile and fixed line services to businesses. Our high-performance mobile network supports 2G, 3G, 4G and 4G+ technology and is the subject of ongoing investments. Orange Belgium is a subsidiary of the Orange Group, one of the leading European and African operators for mobile telephony and internet access, as well as one of the world leaders in telecommunications services for enterprises. Orange Belgium is listed on the Brussels Stock Exchange (OBEL). More information on: corporate.orange.be, www.orange.be or follow us on Twitter : @pressOrangeBe. Investor contact Press contact Ana Castano Lopez +32 468 46 95 31 Isabelle Vanden Eede +32 474 77 77 28 Eric Chang +32 495 55 98 17 isabelle.vandeneede@orange.com ir@orange.be press@orange.be About BKM Founded in 1994 by Bart Soetaers and Marc Max, BKM is a Belgian provider of quality ICT solutions in 4 separate areas of expertise in cloud or on premise: Unified Communications & Collaboration (UCC) solutions; IT & Security solutions; Document & Visual solutions; and Connectivity solutions. BKM works according to the one-stop-shop principle. Over the last 25 years, they have built a reliable reputation within the market. BKM guides customers throughout their digital journey and, in turn, eliminates ICT-related challenges. With offices in Hasselt, Brussels, Ghent, Westrozebeke, BKMs 230 specialists staff have the experience and expertise to provide the best service to 16,000 customers on a daily basis. Also with Data Unit | Member of BKM, theyve added a reliable and valuable player with proven expertise in cyber security, network & wifi solutions for the SME and corporate market. BKM is led by Bart Soetaers (Managing Director), Marc Max (Finance Director), Bjorn Van Beeck (Project Director), Frederic Michils (Sales & Marketing Director) and Bart Colson (Operations Director). Press contact Tom Smeets, +32 473 69 51 44 tom@onoff.agency Attachment ANTONY, France and HERENTALS, Belgium, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Adisseo and Kemin have announced the decision to not renew their distribution agreement involving the Smartamine, MetaSmart and Microvit A Supra Ruminant products in EMEA, beyond its current term which ends on December 31, 2019. Since 2006, Kemin and Adisseo have worked together to successfully grow awareness in the industry about amino acid balancing and its benefits for dairy nutrition including: Allowing dairy farmers to extract full value from the ration they feed their cows, while often reducing the cost of the ration. Improving performance visible through greater milk yields, milk protein and milk fat contents. Demonstrating that methionine reduces metabolic-related health issues, such as ketosis, during the transition phase around calving. Stimulating better breed backs, more full-term pregnancies and shorter calving intervals in the field of reproduction. Reducing nitrogen excretion and the environmental impact of dairy production. "I want to thank Kemin for our successful and close cooperation these past 13 years to raise awareness on amino acids and its contribution to improving dairy nutrition in the EMEA region," said Jean-Marc Dublanc, CEO of Adisseo. "Moving forward, by strengthening our leadership on methionine, Adisseo's ambition is to accelerate the development of its specialty business globally. In Europe and the Middle East and Africa regions, it will be the future mission of our fully dedicated and specialized team." Stefaan Van Dyck, President of Kemin Animal Nutrition and Health, EMENA stated, "For more than a decade, we worked jointly with Adisseo towards developing a successful methionine business. To achieve this, we combined the Kemin strong sales development with Adisseo's R&D strengths. Going forward, Kemin will focus on further extending its ruminant portfolio in order to offer a full-range of nutritional solutions for a sustainable and profitable dairy production." The end of the agreement will be effective on December 31, 2019. Until that date, Kemin remains the exclusive distributor of Adisseo products Smartamine, MetaSmart and Microvit A Supra 1000 Ruminant for the EAME region. About Adisseo Adisseo is one of the world's leading experts in feed additives. The group relies on its 10 research centers and its production sites based in Europe, USA and China to design, produce and market nutritional solutions for sustainable animal feed. With more than 2,200 employees, it serves around 3,900 customers in over 110 different countries through its global distribution network. Adisseo is one of the main subsidiaries of China National BlueStar, leader in the Chinese chemical industry with nearly 21,500 employees and a turnover of 8.2 billion euros. Adisseo is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Adisseo Corporate website: www.adisseo.com About Kemin Kemin Industries (www.kemin.com) is a global ingredient manufacturer with a focus on improving the quality of life for more than 3.8 billion people every day with over 500 specialty ingredients made for the human and animal health, aquaculture, pet food, nutraceutical, food technology, crop technologies and textile industries. For over half a century, Kemin has been dedicated to using applied science to address industry challenges and offer product solutions to customers in more than 120 countries. Kemin provides ingredients to feed a growing population with its commitment to the quality, safety and efficacy of food, feed and health-related products. Established in 1961, Kemin is a privately held, family-owned-and-operated company with more than 2,800 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, India, Italy, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa and the United States. Media Contacts: Adisseo Jean Lecourt [email protected] Kemin Industries Lauren M.G. Burt, Worldwide Communications Manager, [email protected], +1 (515) 559-5589 SOURCE Kemin Industries Related Links http://kemin.com BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Agree Realty Corporation (NYSE: ADC) (the "Company") today announced that it commenced an underwritten public offering of 2,750,000 shares of its common stock in connection with the forward sale agreements described below. In connection with the offering, the Company expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 412,500 shares of common stock. Jefferies, Citigroup, Wells Fargo Securities and Raymond James are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering. The Company expects to enter into forward sale agreements with Jefferies LLC and Citibank, N.A. (the "forward purchasers") with respect to 2,750,000 shares of its common stock (or an aggregate of 3,162,500 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full). In connection with the forward sale agreements, the forward purchasers or their affiliates are expected to borrow and sell to the underwriters an aggregate of 2,750,000 shares of the common stock that will be delivered in this offering (or an aggregate of 3,162,500 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full). Subject to its right to elect cash or net share settlement, which right is subject to certain conditions, the Company intends to deliver, upon physical settlement of such forward sale agreements on one or more dates specified by the Company occurring no later than May 1, 2020, an aggregate of 2,750,000 shares of its common stock (or an aggregate of 3,162,500 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full) to the forward purchasers in exchange for cash proceeds per share equal to the applicable forward sale price, which will be the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions, and will be subject to certain adjustments as provided in the forward sale agreements. The Company will not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of its common stock by the forward purchasers. The Company expects to use the net proceeds, if any, it receives upon the future settlement of the forward sale agreements to fund acquisition and development activity, with any remaining proceeds to be used for general working capital and other corporate purposes, including the reduction of the outstanding balance on the Company's revolving credit facility, if any. Selling common stock through the forward sale agreements enables the Company to set the price of such shares upon pricing the offering (subject to certain adjustments) while delaying the issuance of such shares and the receipt of the net proceeds by the Company until the expected funding requirements described above have occurred. Copies of the prospectus supplement relating to this offering, when available, may be obtained by contacting: Jefferies LLC, Attention Equity Syndicate Prospectus Department, 520 Madison Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10022, or by telephone at (877) 821-7388 or by email at [email protected], Citigroup, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717 (Tel: 800-831-9146), Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, 375 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10152, Attention: Equity Syndicate Department, telephone: (800) 326-5897, email: [email protected] or Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Attention: Equity Syndicate, 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716, or by telephone at (800) 248-8863, or by e-mail to [email protected]. This offering is being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement and related prospectus filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). A prospectus supplement relating to the offering will be filed with the SEC. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The Company also announced that it delivered a settlement notice to Citibank, N.A. to physically settle the forward sale agreement entered into in connection with the public offering of the Company's common stock in September 2018. On May 1, 2019, the Company will deliver 3,500,000 shares of the Company's common stock to effect the settlement. Following settlement, no shares of the Company's common stock will remain subject to future settlement under the September 2018 forward sale agreement. About Agree Realty Corporation Agree Realty Corporation is a publicly traded real estate investment trust primarily engaged in the acquisition and development of properties net leased to industry leading retail tenants. As of March 31, 2019, the Company owned and operated a portfolio of 694 properties, located in 46 states and containing approximately 11.9 million square feet of gross leasable space. The Company's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ADC". For additional information, please visit www.agreerealty.com. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements about the terms and size of the offering, the intended use of proceeds from the offering, if any and future settlement of its forward sales agreement, that represent the Company's expectations and projections for the future. No assurance can be given that the offering discussed above will be completed on the terms described or at all, or that the net proceeds of the offering will be used as indicated. Although these forward-looking statements are based on good faith beliefs, reasonable assumptions and the Company's best judgment reflecting current information, certain factors could occur that might cause actual results to vary, including, but not limited to, deterioration in national economic conditions, weakening of real estate markets, decreases in the availability of credit, increases in interest rates, adverse changes in the retail industry, our continuing ability to qualify as a REIT and other factors discussed in the Company's reports filed with the SEC. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. SOURCE Agree Realty Corporation Related Links http://www.agreerealty.com TEWKSBURY, Mass., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Massachusetts-based Ascent AeroSystems today announced the specifications, pricing, availability and launch customer for "Spirit," its new dual-rotor coaxial drone and named Huntsville, Alabama-based Dynetics as the launch customer. Spirit from Ascent AeroSystems is a unique, versatile drone for defense, intelligence and public safety applications Compact Spirit drone fits easily into a backpack "Bulky, fragile and unable to fly in bad weather, today's 'industrial' drones are not well-suited for mission-critical operations. Damage from normal handling and weather conditions like light rain and moderate wind often delay, interrupt or cancel flights. That means wasted time, higher costs, and increased risks for operators and the customers who depend on them," said Peter Fuchs, Ascent AeroSystems CEO. "Our vertical cylinder configuration reduces the size of the airframe to an absolute minimum, making the drone really portable. Cylinders are also inherently strong. With a simpler structure it's also easier to make resistant to water and dirt, so we've got the smallest, strongest, most environmentally resistant aerial vehicle possible," said Nate Meringer, Chief Engineer. Five years in the making, the Spirit is the ideal platform for public safety, military and intelligence operators. "The core is not much bigger than a coffee can and weighs just 3 pounds, but it can carry more than 10 pounds. With two batteries and a 2-pound payload it can fit in a backpack and fly for more than 50 minutes. That's unprecedented," said CEO Peter Fuchs. "We've included quick-connect attachments on the top and the bottom of the drone, so you can configure batteries and payloads as needed to suit any mission." Dynetics Named Launch Customer Dynetics, a Huntsville, Alabama defense contractor, is the launch customer for Spirit. Mark Miller, Dynetics' Vice President and Division Manager of Missile and Aviation Systems, said, "Dynetics has been using Ascent's coaxial technology for more than a year, and we've been impressed by the performance and reliability of these vehicles. Not only is the cylindrical shape great for austere environments, it also makes it possible to launch the vehicle in ways that other configurations simply can't do. This opens up an entirely new set of potential missions that can't be met by conventional UAVs." Steve Norris, Dynetics' Department Manager for Unmanned Systems, explained the company's selection. "We have found that stability, maneuverability and speed of Ascent's UAVs are excellent, and its lifting capability is outstanding for such a compact vehicle. We see a wide range of uses for this unique VTOL platform. The Spirit's modular configuration also improves our ability to incorporate new technologies, so we can rapidly develop new payloads and demonstrate new capabilities to our customers in the defense and intelligence communities." Orders Now Being Accepted Ascent released the Spirit's specifications, performance and pricing, as well as the timeline to first deliveries. "Spirit will be available in a number of configurations, including ready-to-fly versions with a gimbal, thermal camera, and a choice of ground control station. An 'airframe only' version is also available. Initial shipments will be late this summer," said cofounder and COO Jon Meringer. Ascent AeroSystems is exhibiting at the AUVSI Xponential in Chicago through May 2nd, booth 3205. Ascent AeroSystems manufactures rugged "coaxial" drones for the industrial, public safety and defense markets. With a unique cylindrical configuration that's far more portable and durable than conventional multi-rotor drones, Ascent's coaxials are ideal for mission-critical operations in the toughest environments. Hundreds have been delivered to professional, commercial, government and military customers worldwide. CONTACT: Ascent AeroSystems Phone #: 330-554-6334 Email: [email protected] Website: www.ascentaerosystems.com SOURCE Ascent AeroSystems Related Links http://www.ascentaerosystems.com According to the latest research by Persistence Market Research, the global bone marrow transplantation market is expected to exceed US$ 12 Bn by the end of 2028. The bone marrow transplantation market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% through the forecast period 2018-2028. North America Will Continue to Lead the Pack in Bone Marrow Transplantation Market Increasing per-capita healthcare and private insurance expenditure is a major factor that is expected to maintain the high demand for technologically advanced treatment procedures, such as bone marrow transplantation, over the forecast period. Increasing blood cancer cases and geriatric population are among the key factors expected to boost the demand for bone marrow transplantation in North America. The increasing prevalence of myeloma in the region is leading to an increase in the execution of bone marrow transplantation procedures through the allogeneic method. Companies engaged in stem cell therapies are expanding their product portfolio to offer sound treatment solutions for diseases caused while undergoing the allogeneic transplant method. The availability of more than 90% unrelated donors and high healthcare expenditure are among the factors driving the overall bone marrow transplantation market in North America at present. Get PDF Brochure for Research Insights at: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4288 The American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplant reported an increasing prevalence of leukemia and lymphoma in patients aged 65 years and above, and this age group constituted 25-30% of the total number of bone marrow transplantation recipients in 2014. In 2015, the Senate and House of Representatives of the US reauthorized the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005, which led to an increase in the US unrelated donors' registry to 200,000 donors. Germany Will Steer Europe's Market for Bone Marrow Transplantation Rise in per capita GDP is expected to improve the healthcare expenditure in countries such as Germany and Spain. Government policymakers are forcing healthcare providers and public payers to disclose the cost charged and reimbursed to maintain price transparency. Healthcare organizations in Germany spend most of their research funding on adult stem cell research. Furthermore, Germany spends 11.3% of its GDP on healthcare, which is above the global average. This, in turn, has led to the presence of better healthcare facilities and more advanced research findings on various healthcare issues such as bone marrow transplantation. Request a TOC of Report: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/4288 Among the 680 centers throughout the Europe, 226 (35%) centers are dedicated to autologous bone marrow transplantation in 2014, with most of the transplants intended for non-malignant disorders. These factors are expected to drive the bone marrow transplantation market in Europe. APAC Reflects Lucrative Potential for Penetration of Bone Marrow Transplantation Procedures Rise in the number of bone marrow transplantation centers and expanding donor registry are among the factors expected to reduce the gap between bone marrow transplantation providers and recipients in the Asia Pacific bone marrow transplantation market. The availability of modern healthcare amenities, along with the presence of several companies engaged in stem cell therapies in China, Australia, and Japan, is expected to be a key factor driving the overall bone marrow transplantation market in Asia Pacific. After the introduction of alleviating procedures for Peripheral Blood Stem Cell (PBSC) transplant, there has been an increase in the number of allogeneic HSCT procedures using PBSC (64% of the total HSCT) in Australia & New Zealand, which is another factor contributing to the growth of the bone marrow transplantation market in the region. Request For Full Report Access: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/4288 A survey by the Eastern Mediterranean Blood and Marrow Transplant (EMBMT) Group suggests that non-malignant indications accounted for a 36.5% share of the total bone marrow transplantation activities carried out in the MEA region. Countries such as Dubai and Qatar are undertaking initiatives to develop national bone marrow registries to enhance bone marrow transplantation rates. The report offers a comprehensive taxonomy of the bone marrow transplantation market based on the transplantation type, indication, end user, and region. Based on the transplantation type, the global bone marrow transplantation market is segmented into autologous bone marrow transplantation and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Based on indication, the global bone marrow transplantation market is segmented into leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplasia, myeloproliferative neoplasms, aplastic anemia, solid tumors, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and others. Based on end user, the bone marrow transplantation market is segmented into hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers and multispecialty clinics. Browse Research Release at @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/bone-marrow-transplantation-market.asp Browse More: Life Sciences & Transformational Health Research Reports Popular Research Reports by PMR: Persistence Market Research Overview Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes. Contact Mr. Abhishek Budholiya Persistence Market Research U.S. Sales Office: 305 Broadway, 7th Floor New York City, NY 10007 +1-646-568-7751 United States USA - Canada Toll-Free: 800-961-0353 Web Site: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Email: [email protected] SOURCE Persistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd. NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Captain D's, the nation's leading fast casual seafood restaurant, announced today the reopening of its corporate-owned location in Panama City, Florida. Located at 242 Tyndall Parkway, the restaurant will officially open its doors on April 29th after only six months of construction in recovery from Hurricane Michael. "After Hurricane Michael, our corporate team saw first-hand the destruction and devastation left behind in Panama City. Our team did not hesitate to begin our recovery process, similar to many local businesses in the area, and set a goal to get our location back on its feet within six months," said Brad Reed, chief development officer for Captain D's. "It is a phenomenal feeling reopening our location to the public and joining the rebuilt business community of Panama City." Captain D's has achieved outstanding success over the past several years, which has fueled a surge in franchise and corporate development. In addition to Captain D's continued corporate development, the fast casual seafood brand has also experienced a surge in franchise growth, opening more than a dozen new locations and inking numerous franchise development agreements for new restaurants in states like Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina, Illinois, Michigan and Oklahoma. "Over the past several years, Florida has continued to be a prime market for expansion for our brand. We're proud that rebuilding our Panama City location is a part of this aggressive growth and look forward to continuing to serve the community for years to come," added Reed. Coupled with its ongoing menu innovation, Captain D's credits its new restaurant beach design with contributing to the brand's ongoing strong performance. To date, nearly 80 percent of all restaurants have been reimaged to the brand's new vibrant, coastal design. With these efforts, Captain D's has remained true to what it does best serving high-quality seafood with warm hospitality at an affordable price in a welcoming atmosphere. With more than 530 restaurants in 22 states, Captain D's is the fast-casual seafood leader and number one seafood franchise in America ranked by average unit volume. The company is currently seeking multi-unit operators to join in the brand's rapid expansion. For more information about franchise opportunities, visit http://www.captaindsfranchising.com or call 800-314-4819. ABOUT CAPTAIN D'S Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Captain D's has more than 530 restaurants in 22 states. Captain D's is the nation's leading fast casual seafood restaurant and was named the #1 seafood chain in the QSR 50, ranked by AUV. Founded in 1969, Captain D's has been offering its customers high-quality seafood at reasonable prices in a welcoming atmosphere for 50 years. Captain D's serves a wide variety of seafood that includes freshly prepared entrees and the company's signature batter dipped fish. The restaurants also offer premium-quality, grilled items such as shrimp, Tilapia and Salmon, as well as hushpuppies, desserts and freshly brewed, Southern-style sweet tea, a Captain D's favorite. For more information, please visit www.captainds.com. Contact: Shana Rosenthal Fish Consulting 954-893-9150 [email protected] SOURCE Captain D's Related Links http://www.captainds.com "To say that I am delighted by the Holy Father's choice would be an understatement," said Archbishop Sartain, who was installed as the archbishop of Seattle in December 2010, in a letter to the people of the archdiocese. "Archbishop Etienne is a wonderful shepherd whose love for the Lord is expressed through a deep prayer life and devotion to the sacraments, as well as contagious enthusiasm for the proclamation of the Gospel and service to those in need in the name of Jesus." "I am excited about the transition to the Archdiocese of Seattle," said Archbishop Etienne, who received news of this appointment earlier this month from the papal nuncio to the United States. "While I have experience as an archbishop, stepping into a much larger archdiocese will require me to learn new skills. I have great esteem for Archbishop Sartain and look forward to working with him to serve the Lord and preach the good news of the Gospel." "At the same time, I have mixed emotions for leaving behind a church I've given my life and heart to for the past few years," added Archbishop Etienne. "I am sad to say goodbye to the wonderful people in the Archdiocese of Anchorage who have been so welcoming. I am truly grateful for their love and support." A coadjutor archbishop is appointed by the pope to eventually succeed the current archbishop. He works alongside the current archbishop to become familiar with the archdiocese that he will eventually oversee. This week leaders in the Archdiocese of Seattle welcome Archbishop Etienne for tours and introductions to the people and ministries of the Catholic Church in Western Washington. He will officially join the archdiocese as coadjutor archbishop on June 7, 2019, at a "Rite of Reception" Mass in St. James Cathedral. "Archbishop Etienne and I will finalize the date later this year on which he will formally succeed me as Archbishop of Seattle," said Archbishop Sartain. "In the meantime we both look forward to working together to serve the Lord." The request for a coadjutor Since 2012, Archbishop Sartain has experienced a succession of spinal issues, leading to three separate surgeries. While his surgeries were successful, Archbishop Sartain's back condition has continued to be painful and to negatively impact his energy and stamina. "About eighteen months ago, I began praying for the Lord's guidance regarding the possibility of asking the Holy Father to appoint a coadjutor archbishop," said Archbishop Sartain. "In late September, I wrote Pope Francis and requested the appointment of a coadjutor archbishop, with a view toward retiring much sooner than expected because of my health. Pope Francis graciously responded positively to my request." Archbishop Etienne Archbishop Paul D. Etienne was born to a large Catholic family in Tell City, Indiana. He is one of six children and has two brothers who are Catholic priests, as well as sister who is a Benedictine nun. He is currently the fourth archbishop for the Archdiocese of Anchorage where he was installed November 9, 2016, after serving as bishop of the Diocese of Cheyenne, Wyoming, for seven years. Archbishop Etienne studied at Bellarmine College in Louisville, Kentucky; the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota; and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned a Licentiate of Spiritual Theology in 1995. On June 27, 1992, he was ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, where he served as pastor of several parishes, vocation director and vice-rector of the Bishop Simon Brute College Seminary. On October 19, 2009, he was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Cheyenne by Pope Benedict XVI. He served there until October 4, 2016, when he was appointed Archbishop of Anchorage by Pope Francis. You can read more from Archbishop Etienne on his blog: www.archbishopetienne.com. Press conference with Archbishop Sartain and Coadjutor Archbishop Etienne April 29, 2019 , at 11 a.m. PT , at Archdiocese of Seattle : 710 Ninth Ave. (sixth floor, Pigott Building) : 710 Ninth Ave. (sixth floor, Pigott Building) Facebook Live: @ArchdioceseofSeattle About the Archdiocese of Seattle The Archdiocese of Seattle encompasses all of Western Washington, stretching from the Canadian to the Oregon border and from the Cascade Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. There are 169 parishes, missions and pastoral centers in the archdiocese, with more than 500 weekly Masses in eight languages. The archdiocese is led by Archbishop J. Peter Sartain, who is supported by two auxiliary bishops, Bishop Eusebio Elizondo and Bishop Daniel Mueggenborg. For more information about the Archdiocese of Seattle, visit seattlearchdiocese.org. Media Contact: Helen McClenahan [email protected] Media line: 206-402-9373 SOURCE Archdiocese of Seattle Related Links http://www.seattlearchdiocese.org/ DANIA BEACH, Fla., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Chewy, Inc. announced today that it has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") relating to a proposed initial public offering of shares of its Class A common stock. The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the proposed offering have not yet been determined. Chewy intends to apply to list its Class A common stock under the ticker symbol "CHWY." Allen & Company LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are acting as joint lead bookrunning managers for the offering. The offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the preliminary prospectus relating to this offering, when available, may be obtained from: Allen & Company LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 711 Fifth Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10022, by telephone at (212) 339-2220 or by email at [email protected]; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, by telephone at (866) 803-9204 or by email at [email protected]; or Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014 or by email at [email protected]. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. Any offers, solicitations or offers to buy, or any sales of securities will be made in accordance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"). This announcement is being issued in accordance with Rule 135 under the Securities Act. About Chewy Our mission is to be the most trusted and convenient online destination for pet parents everywhere. We believe that we are the preeminent online source for pet products, supplies and prescriptions as a result of our broad selection of high-quality products, which we offer at competitive prices and deliver with an exceptional level of care and a personal touch. We continually develop innovative ways for our customers to engage with us and partner with more than 1,600 of the best and most trusted brands in the pet industry to bring a high-bar, customer-centric experience to our customers. SOURCE Chewy, Inc. HONG KONG, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- China Telecom Corporation Limited (the "Company") (HKEx: 728) (NYSE: CHA) announced that it has filed its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2018 (the "2018 Form 20-F") with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The 2018 Form 20-F is available on the Investor section of the Company's website at https://www.chinatelecom-h.com and on the SEC's website at https://www.sec.gov. Shareholders may also request a hard copy of the Company's complete audited financial statements, free of charge, by contacting the Company at: China Telecom Corporation Limited Investor Relations Department 28/F., Everbright Centre 108 Gloucester Road Wan Chai, Hong Kong Email: [email protected] IR Enquiry: (852) 2582-0388 Fax: (852) 2877-0988 SOURCE China Telecom Corporation Limited Related Links http://www.chinatelecom-h.com This phase includes 404 new housing units, 297 of which will be affordable in perpetuity, approximately 65,000 SF of retail space (including 45,000 SF for Food Bazaar, filling a void of an affordable grocery store that was left by the closing of the Pathmark), 10,000 SF of public open space, and 5,000 SF of cultural space to be tenanted by Groove With Me, a local youth development organization that uses free dance classes and performance opportunities as a tool to instill in young women the leadership, pride, spirit of cooperation, creativity, joy and discipline needed to confront the adversity in their daily lives and throughout their future development. The first phase of the overall project, located on the southeast corner of E 125th Street and Third Avenue, was completed in 2011 and is comprised of 49 affordable units and approximately 5,000 SF of retail space. Once all phases are completed, with two more phases in planning, the overall project will include approximately 1,000 new housing units, over 170,000 SF of retail/commercial space, 10,000 SF of public open space and 5,000 SF community facility. Also, as a result of the overall project, there is the creation of a community-based Local Investment Fund that, among other things, will assist local small businesses and entrepreneurs that locate in the new development. There will also be targeted hiring goals for the jobs that will be created as a result of the overall project. The One East Harlem project is a result of the City's collaboration with the East 125th Street Development Task Force, which dates back more than ten years. In January 2006, the Task Force was formed to help shape the community's goals for the project, which included affordable housing, economic development, local participation in the development and resulting employment, and space for arts and culture. The group met regularly for nearly a year and hosted Town Hall meetings to solicit input. The work of the Task Force resulted in NYC EDC releasing a Request for Proposals (RFP) that reflected the needs and goals of the community. In January 2007, RFP responses were received, and the City and the Task Force together reviewed the proposals and selected The East Harlem Redevelopment LLC as the developer of the multi-phased project. "The One East Harlem project will bring affordable housing, job opportunities, locally based cultural space, and a much-needed supermarket to our community," said Council Member Diana Ayala. After years of planning, I am excited to finally see this project come to fruition. I thank EDC, HPD, Community Board 11, The Carey Group, and my predecessor, Melissa Mark-Viverito all of whom have been incredibly instrumental in making today possible." "What a wonderful day to celebrate the groundbreaking of the East 125th Street development," said Community Board 11 Chair, Nilsa Orama. "This community has waited a long time for this day. The combination of the retail spaces along with the community spaces and the various bands of housing affordability will add to the continued revitalization of 125th Street." "Today's groundbreaking marks a new beginning for East Harlem," said NYCEDC Executive Vice President and COO Rachel Loeb. "One East Harlem will provide much-needed affordable housing, community space and promote economic development in the El Barrio. We thank our partner agencies, local elected officials, community stakeholders and our development partners for their support and commitment to bring this game-changing project to fruition." "One East Harlem is a great example of the type of responsible financing that Citi provides to enable growth and progress in the cities in which we live and work in an effort to support much needed high quality affordable and workforce housing. Citi provided $137.5 million of construction financing with our partners at HDC for this nearly $220 million dollar development. This was part of the $6 billion that Citi funded across the country in 2018 to construct and preserve 35,000 units as the nation's leading affordable housing financier," said Barry Krinsky, Director at Citi Community Capital. "Our team remains incredibly excited about the development of the next phase of our mixed-use, mixed-income project in East Harlem," said Richman Group Development Corporation President, Kristin Miller. "We are grateful for this opportunity and eager to continue to work with the community and City leaders to collectively create a vital and dynamic project." Media Contact: Kristen Fuechslin [email protected] 813-252-2990 SOURCE The Richman Group Development Corp. ATLANTA, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Configure Partners, LLC is pleased to announce and welcome Doug Clarida as the company's newest Managing Director. Within this role, Clarida will be advising borrowers in Configure's Debt Advisory practice and working with borrowers, lenders and other creditors in Configure's Credit Resolution practice. "I am very proud to be joining the Configure Partners team," said Doug Clarida. "Given Configure's momentum and successes, it's an exciting time to be joining the firm," added Clarida. Doug Clarida joins Jay Jacquin, Jamie Hadfield, and Joseph Weissglass as the Managing Directors at Configure Partners company's headquarters in Atlanta. Doug Clarida brings over 25 years of direct lending and advisory experience at middle market credit platforms to the Configure team. Previously, Doug served as a Director with ING Capital where he oversaw sourcing cash flow and asset-based debt investments, underwriting transactions, and portfolio management. Before joining ING Capital, Doug occupied similar positions at GE Capital, Heller Financial and Banque Paribas. "Doug is a seasoned professional with deep experience in placing capital and resolving capital structure challenges, the two key pillars of Configure's business. His diverse skills complement what we are building at Configure and we are very excited that he has joined the firm," said Jamie Hadfield, a Configure Managing Director. About Configure Partners, LLC: Configure Partners is a preeminent credit-oriented middle market advisory boutique with offices in Atlanta and New York City. The firm provides investment banking and financial advisory services surrounding credit and creditor's rights, providing actionable advice and results-oriented execution. Configure's Debt Advisory practice designs bespoke financing solutions for borrowers to support leveraged buyouts, acquisitions, and dividend recaps, among other strategic objectives. The firm's Credit Resolutions practice is the trusted advisor to lenders and their borrowers when confronting business, liquidity, or capital structure challenges. In 2018, the firm executed transactions representing more than $1.4bn in value, including GST Autoleather, Cloyes Gear & Products, Welcov Healthcare, Masterwork Electronics, and German Pellets Texas as well as several other non-public transactions. Configure Partners LLC headquarters are located at 3340 Peachtree Rd. NE, Suite 1010 Atlanta, GA 30326 . (678) 723-4575 https://configurepartners.com/ Karen Jones, PR Contact Cell: 404-483-8226 k [email protected] SOURCE Configure Partners, LLC Related Links http://www.configurepartners.com LAS VEGAS, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW) today introduced VMware Cloud on Dell EMC , which will provide simple, more secure and scalable infrastructure delivered as-a-service to customers on-premises data center and edge locations. Featuring VMwares high-performance compute, storage and networking software powered by VMware vSphere , vSAN and NSX running on Dell EMC VxRail hyperconverged infrastructure, the service will be fully managed by VMware, enabling customers to focus on business innovation and differentiation. VMware Cloud on Dell EMC will be core to the Dell Technologies Cloud Data Center-as-a-Service solution unveiled today at Dell Technologies World 2019. Modern enterprises rely on hybrid cloud to help accelerate the delivery of innovative services to the business and to ultimately deliver new customer experiences. VMware is investing in solutions that address todays multi-cloud environments as well as advancing hybrid cloud operations from the data center to the cloud to the edge. VMware Cloud on Dell EMCa cloud servicewill combine public cloud simplicity, agility and economics with the security, control and performance of on-premises infrastructure. This unique approach will simplify the customer experience enabling them to quickly consume the service with maximum agility and efficiency. Whether theyre running infrastructure on-premises or in the cloud, organizations value a cloud operating model, said Mark Lohmeyer, senior vice president and general manager, Cloud Platform Business Unit, VMware. VMware Cloud on Dell EMC will deliver that cloud experience to organizations that need to maintain data and applications on-premisescompletely transforming how they acquire, deploy and manage infrastructure. The service will provide consistent infrastructure and operations across cloud, data center and edge, freeing organizations to drive innovation and deliver business value while VMware operates the entire infrastructure end-to-end. Delivering Simple, More Secure and Scalable Infrastructure to the Data Center and Edge Co-engineered and delivered by Dell Technologies, VMware Cloud on Dell EMC will consist of VMwares compute, storage and networking infrastructure software tightly integrated with Dell EMC VxRail hyperconverged infrastructure delivered as a service. Built on VMware Project Dimension technology unveiled at VMworld 2018 US, VMware Cloud on Dell EMC will enable organizations to consume infrastructure in data center and edge environments on-demand like a public cloud service via a hybrid cloud control plane. The control plane will provide administrators with visibility and management of all on-premises systems including monitoring the health of their racks, tracking the steps VMware engineers take to resolve service issues, and automatic patching and upgrading of systems end-to-end. The subscription-based service will offer cloud-like flexible consumption and payment options. The service will enable organizations to achieve the following benefits: Reduced operational complexity : VMware Cloud on Dell EMC will dramatically simplify the end-to-end management of data center and edge infrastructure. The service will include: one-click hardware ordering, initial deployment, automated patching and upgrades of software and hardware, monitoring and remediation as well as providing a global view of infrastructure across all on-premises locations. : VMware Cloud on Dell EMC will dramatically simplify the end-to-end management of data center and edge infrastructure. The service will include: one-click hardware ordering, initial deployment, automated patching and upgrades of software and hardware, monitoring and remediation as well as providing a global view of infrastructure across all on-premises locations. Consistent operations and infrastructure across cloud, data center and edge : Offering consistent infrastructurecompute, storage and networking delivered as-a-serviceand consistent operationsintegrated and unified cloud managementwill provide organizations with the highest level of flexibility for where workloads are deployed while extending proven models and established skills for operations, governance and security. Organizations will be able to address: data center and edge location modernization; data latency and sovereignty sensitive workloads; and extend and modernize existing applications by supporting containers and Kubernetes. The service will also link to cloud services offered by cloud providers, while maintaining applications on VMware infrastructure. Organizations will own and be responsible for their datawhich always stays on-premises at data center or edge locations. : Offering consistent infrastructurecompute, storage and networking delivered as-a-serviceand consistent operationsintegrated and unified cloud managementwill provide organizations with the highest level of flexibility for where workloads are deployed while extending proven models and established skills for operations, governance and security. Organizations will be able to address: data center and edge location modernization; data latency and sovereignty sensitive workloads; and extend and modernize existing applications by supporting containers and Kubernetes. The service will also link to cloud services offered by cloud providers, while maintaining applications on VMware infrastructure. Organizations will own and be responsible for their datawhich always stays on-premises at data center or edge locations. Accelerated innovation : With VMware operating the entire infrastructure end-to-end, IT organizations will be able to focus on delivering higher level value to the business such as refreshing infrastructure in data center and edge locations in support of traditional and modern applications. The service will further enable IT to offer developers increased freedom to build modern applications that drive the business forward without jeopardizing the operational integrity of those applications or introducing complexity in how those applications are supported. : With VMware operating the entire infrastructure end-to-end, IT organizations will be able to focus on delivering higher level value to the business such as refreshing infrastructure in data center and edge locations in support of traditional and modern applications. The service will further enable IT to offer developers increased freedom to build modern applications that drive the business forward without jeopardizing the operational integrity of those applications or introducing complexity in how those applications are supported. Built-in enterprise security across the data center and edge locations: Security will be intrinsic to VMware Cloud on Dell EMC with the micro-segmentation capabilities of VMware NSX providing enhanced security for traditional or modern applications while encryption capabilities will better secure data at-rest as well as data in-transit. VMware Cloud on Dell EMC and VMware Cloud Foundation both harness the full power of the VMware Software Defined Data Center, one of the most proven, most widely deployed cloud infrastructures supporting some of the most demanding business critical applications across global data centers. VMware Cloud on Dell EMC will pioneer a new model for IT that delivers VMwares SDDC stack on-premises as-a-service that is managed and updated by VMware. VMware Cloud Foundation on Dell EMC VxRail offers the industrys first jointly engineered, hybrid cloud infrastructure stack tightly integrated with VMwares flexible, full stack HCI architecture for the simplest and quickest path to deploy hybrid cloud. It is delivered as an on-premises solution managed by the customer. Supporting Quotes VMware Cloud on Dell EMC will allow us to do more with less. We have multiple locations where we have large data requirements but few personnel resources, which would make it ideal for the cloud. Given the large data requirements, the bandwidth it would require makes it cost prohibitive. This is where VMware Cloud on Dell EMC comes into play. It allows us to treat the compute and storage as cloud resources without the added bandwidth expense. Currently we use an OpEx purchasing model for all of our local compute and storage resources. By utilizing VMware Cloud on Dell EMC we will be able to continue this model while allowing VMware and Dell EMC to manage the end-to-end equipment life cycle for us. This frees up our limited resources to do more value added work for our business units. Todd Pugh, CIO, SugarCreek As businesses accelerate their use of innovative services across the organization, their IT teams must be able to quickly deploy and continuously update resources across shared datacenters as well as a growing range of dedicated cloud platforms in corporate datacenters and critical edge locations. With the introduction of VMware Cloud on Dell EMC, VMware is entering the fast emerging industry for on-premises infrastructure delivered as-a-service. Its enabling CIOs and their IT teams to more effectively take advantage of new technologies and deployment models that allow for the optimal placement workloads while enabling easy access to the latest infrastructure and a consistent operational approach across all environments. Richard Villars, research vice president, Datacenter and Cloud at IDC Dell EMC and VMware have been working together diligently to make this an excellent service for customers, who are looking to streamline their operations, reduce operational complexity and accelerate innovation. With VMware Cloud on Dell EMC, VMwares infrastructure software is integrated with the Dell EMC VxRail hyperconverged platform, offering the fastest and simplest way to hybrid clouds and empowering customers to drive any enterprise workload. Its a win-win for IT and line of business owners. Matt Baker, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Planning, Dell EMC Product Availability VMware Cloud on Dell EMC is currently in beta. The offering is expected to become available in the U.S. in the second half of 2019. Additional Resources About VMware VMware software powers the worlds complex digital infrastructure. The companys cloud, networking and security, and digital workspace offerings provide a dynamic and efficient digital foundation to over 500,000 customers globally, aided by an ecosystem of 75,000 partners. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, VMware is committed to being a force for good, from its breakthrough innovations to its global impact. For more information, please visit https://www.vmware.com/company.html . VMware, VMware Cloud, vSphere, vSAN, NSX, Project Dimension, VMworld, and Cloud Foundation are registered trademarks or trademarks of VMware, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and other jurisdictions. Currently, uranium production assets can remain cash positive thanks to long-term contract prices that are usually above spot prices. However, utilities around the world are increasing their share of spot contracts due to low prices. In this environment, vast accumulated uranium stocks are positioning China as a market maker and depressing uranium prices. China will make the most of the favourable (low) uranium asset prices to continue acquiring overseas assets for long term supply security and meeting its growing reactor uranium demand. China has decreased uranium purchases following unprecedented supply cuts in 2018 In November 2017, McArthur announced a 10 month shutdown, then in December 2017 KazAtomProm announced a 20% supply reduction from Kazakh mines, prompting a 19% jump in uranium spot prices from $19.9/lb in late October 2017 to $23.7/lb U3O8 by the end of the year. In response in the first half of 2018, Chinese utilities substantially decreased uranium purchases and inventory accumulation fell to the lowest level seen since the start of China's inventory build up in 2010. Historically, Kazakhstan supplied Chinese spot purchases and production was closely aligned with inventory accumulation volumes in China. Already in a first half of 2018, uranium imports from Kazakhstan to China has halved. As a result, uranium prices fell slightly from $23.7/lb U3O8 in January 2018 to $22.7/lb U3O8 in early July 2018. It was only the subsequent July 2018 announcements of the Yellow Cake IPO and indefinite shutdown at McArthur mine that has pushed prices back up from $22.7/lb U3O8 to $25.7/lb U3O8 during July 2018. We believe Chinese utilities were cautious not to spark major bull sentiment in the market, thus inflating prices, which possibly would have provided a lifeline to marginally costly mines. Read the full story: https://www.crugroup.com/knowledge-and-insights/insights/2019/chinese-uranium-stockpiles-limit-spot-price-upside/ Read more about CRU: http://bit.ly/About_CRU About CRU CRU offers unrivalled business intelligence on the global metals, mining and fertilizer industries through market analysis, price assessments, consultancy and events. Since our foundation by Robert Perlman in 1969, we have consistently invested in primary research and robust methodologies, and developed expert teams in key locations worldwide, including in hard-to-reach markets such as China. CRU employs over 280 experts and has more than 11 offices around the world, in Europe, the Americas, China, Asia and Australia our office in Beijing opened in 2004 and Singapore in 2018. When facing critical business decisions, you can rely on our first-hand knowledge to give you a complete view of a commodity market. And you can engage with our experts directly, for the full picture and a personalised response. CRU big enough to deliver a high-quality service, small enough to care about all of our customers. SOURCE CRU China has signed cooperative documents with 126 countries and 29 international organizations. The China-Europe freight trains, connecting China with 50 cities in 15 countries, carried out more than 14,000 trips by the end of March. The goods trade volume between China and countries involved in the initiative surpassed $6 trillion from 2013 to 2018, with an average annual growth rate of 4 percent. Chinese companies' direct investment in countries involved in the initiative surpassed $90 trillion from 2013 to 2018, with an average annual growth rate of 5.2 percent. China has signed currency swap agreements with more than 20 countries involved in the initiative and established renminbi clearing arrangements with seven countries. Silk Road e-commerce is becoming a new channel for economic and trade cooperation between countries. China has established the bilateral e-commerce cooperation mechanism with 17 countries. The total value of new foreign contracts signed with countries involved in the initiative surpassed $600 billion, with an average annual growth rate of 11.9 percent. So far, the overseas economic and trade cooperation zones Chinese enterprises have built in countries involved in the initiative have created about 300,000 local jobs, with total investment of more than $30 billion. By the end of 2018, China Export & Credit Insurance Corp realized total insurance amount of more than $600 billion in countries involved in the initiative. Click the link to watch the video https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201904/25/WS5cc27d15a3104842260b8909.html Roundtable talk: Belt and Road Forum raises expectations The Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will be held in Beijing from April 25 to 27. This summit will be highly important in terms of its participation and depth of issues under discussion. It is expected that representatives from 100 countries and regions will attend the event. Preparations are at their peak, as it will be a major diplomatic event in Beijing and the Chinese government grants it very high importance. Today, China Daily invites guests from various walks of life and from different countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative to talk about how they viewed the BRI and what they are expecting from the upcoming forum. Stay tuned for more! Host: Song Jingyi Guest: Misbahul Ferdous; Anastasia Sukhoretskaya Producer: Zhang Chunyan; Song Wei Supervisor: Wang Hao; Han Lei SOURCE China Daily WASHINGTON, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, April 30, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, who also serves on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, will host a discussion with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on his new role as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and what he is doing to promote religious liberty, both at home and abroad. As part of this discussion, we will also hear from Senator Graham on the judicial nominations process. In addition to his Judiciary Committee Chairmanship, Senator Graham is also Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs. WHO: Lindsey Graham, U.S. Senator for South Carolina, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman WHAT: Discussion on steps the U.S. government is taking to protect religious freedom WHERE: Family Research Council Media Center, 801 G St NW, Washington, DC, 20001 (register for the livestream here). WHEN: Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at 12:00 p.m. ET SOURCE Family Research Council Related Links http://www.frc.org DUBLIN, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Colocation and Managed Hosting (CMH) - Global Market Outlook (2017-2026)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Colocation and Managed Hosting (CMH) market accounted for $43.69 billion in 2017 and is expected to reach $189.43 billion by 2026 growing at a CAGR of 17.7% during the forecast period. Increasing usage of cloud-based storage systems is one of the major factors boosting the market growth. However, regulatory compliance in the cloud service customers may hinder the growth of the market. Colocation centers can be considered as a data center which is a mixture of cloud or hybrid cloud services and hosting servers on their own by customers. This business model offers security, lower operating costs and zero infrastructure costs. By Solution, Cooling Systems segment registered steady share during the forecast period due to rising data exchange. The cooling systems maintain an optimum environment for servers and mission critical systems to work efficiently without overheating. By geography, Asia Pacific provides potential growth opportunities owing to the increasing demand from telecom, IT, and government sectors in India. Some of the key players in Colocation and Managed Hosting (CMH) market include IBM, Telecity Group, Telehouse, NTT, Rackspace, Digital Reality Trust, Terremark, Sabey Corp, Equinix, Deutsche Telekom, Colt, Level3 Communications, Savvis Inc, Windstream, and Cyrusone. What our report offers: Market share assessments for the regional and country level segments Strategic recommendations for the new entrants Market forecasts for a minimum of 9 years of all the mentioned segments, sub segments and the regional markets Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations) Strategic analysis: Drivers and Constraints, Product/Technology Analysis, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis etc. Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements Key Topics Covered: 1 Executive Summary 2 Preface 2.1 Abstract 2.2 Stake Holders 2.3 Research Scope 2.4 Research Methodology 2.5 Research Sources 3 Market Trend Analysis 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Drivers 3.3 Restraints 3.4 Opportunities 3.5 Threats 3.6 End User Analysis 3.7 Emerging Markets 3.8 Futuristic Market Scenario 4 Porters Five Force Analysis 4.1 Bargaining power of suppliers 4.2 Bargaining power of buyers 4.3 Threat of substitutes 4.4 Threat of new entrants 4.5 Competitive rivalry 5 Global Colocation and Managed Hosting (CMH) Market, By Solution 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Network Connectivity 5.3 Physical and Electronic Security 5.4 Cooling Systems 5.5 Racks and Enclosures 5.6 Software Services 5.7 Power Distribution Units 5.8 Other Solutions 6 Global Colocation and Managed Hosting (CMH) Market, By Type 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Tier 1 6.3 Tier 2 6.4 Tier 3 6.5 Tier 4 7 Global Colocation and Managed Hosting (CMH) Market, By Business 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Enterprise Corporations 7.3 Large Businesses 7.4 Small Businesses 7.5 Medium Size Businesses 8 Global Colocation and Managed Hosting (CMH) Market, By End User 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Financial Institutions 8.3 Telecommunications 8.4 Government 8.5 IT Companies 8.6 E-Commerce Companies 8.7 Other End Users 9 Global Colocation and Managed Hosting (CMH) Market, By Geography 9.1 Introduction 9.2 North America 9.2.1 US 9.2.2 Canada 9.2.3 Mexico 9.3 Europe 9.3.1 Germany 9.3.2 UK 9.3.3 Italy 9.3.4 France 9.3.5 Spain 9.3.6 Rest of Europe 9.4 Asia Pacific 9.4.1 Japan 9.4.2 China 9.4.3 India 9.4.4 Australia 9.4.5 New Zealand 9.4.6 South Korea 9.4.7 Rest of Asia Pacific 9.5 South America 9.5.1 Argentina 9.5.2 Brazil 9.5.3 Chile 9.5.4 Rest of South America 9.6 Middle East & Africa 9.6.1 Saudi Arabia 9.6.2 UAE 9.6.3 Qatar 9.6.4 South Africa 9.6.5 Rest of Middle East & Africa 10 Key Developments 10.1 Agreements, Partnerships, Collaborations and Joint Ventures 10.2 Acquisitions & Mergers 10.3 New Product Launch 10.4 Expansions 10.5 Other Key Strategies 11 Company Profiling 11.1 IBM 11.2 Telecity Group 11.3 Telehouse 11.4 NTT 11.5 Rackspace 11.6 Digital Reality Trust 11.7 Terremark 11.8 Sabey Corp 11.9 Equinix 11.10 Deutsche Telekom 11.11 Colt 11.12 Level3 Communications 11.13 Savvis Inc 11.14 Windstream 11.15 Cyrusone For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4kitfh 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 MIAMI, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As Holocaust survivors, and descendants of Holocaust survivors, we are outraged and saddened that, once again, a Jewish community was brazenly attacked during worship services on Shabbat, which was also the last day of Passover, at the Chabad Community Center in Poway, CA. We send our deepest condolences to all affected by this tragedy, and prayers of healing and for a full recovery -- refuach shelayma to all. Six months to the day after the murder of eleven Jewish worshippers at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, yesterday's attack reminds us that hate and extremism targeting Jewish people is all too common. This latest attack also falls within days of Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, when our communities remember and pray for the victims of the Holocaust who perished, and convey the Jewish people's determination not to forget their suffering and the hate that brought it about. Of course, we survivors don't need to be reminded because we lived through it and are reminded every minute of the day. Yet, 74 years after the end of World War II, yesterday's attack in San Diego is another bitter reminder that anti-Semitism is a disease that will never disappear. We are not surprised because there is a dramatic rise in anti-Semitism throughout the United States and Europe. Not only are overtly anti-Jewish actions and rhetoric on the rise, but they are increasingly being tolerated in the guise of criticism of Israel. Humanity tolerates all such hate, whether overt or disguised, at its peril. We appeal to everyone in our nation and throughout the world to respect each other as human beings, no matter our religious or political differences, and make a solemn promise to reject hatred and intolerance for the sake of each other, our families, and future generations. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS' FOUNDATION USA: Israel Arbeiter, Boston, MA Dena Axelrod, Ft. Lauderdale, FL Renee Firestone, Los Angeles, CA Annette Lantos, Wash. D.C. Ella Frumkin, Los Angeles, CA Jay Ipson, Richmond, VA Louise Lawrence-Israels, Wash. D.C. Herbert Karliner, Miami Beach, FL Alex Moskovic, Harrisonberg, VA David Mermelstein, Miami, FL Leo Rechter, Queens, NY David Schaecter, Miami, FL Shirley Rubin, Boynton Beach, FL Anita Schuster, Las Vegas, NV Charles Srebnik, New York, NY Agnes Vertes, Weston, CT Esther Widman, Brooklyn, NY Statement Endorsed by the Coordinating Council of Generations of the Shoah International (GSI) Contact: David Schaecter, President - 305 742-8501; Sam Dubbin, Counsel - 305 815-8060 Visit the Holocaust Survivors Foundation USA website at www.hsf-usa.org SOURCE Holocaust Survivors Foundation USA Related Links http://www.hsf-usa.org CELAYA, Mexico, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Industrias Bachoco S.A.B. de C.V. ("Bachoco" or "the Company") (NYSE: IBA; BMV: Bachoco) today filed its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2018 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The 2018 Form 20-F can be downloaded from the SEC website at www.sec.gov and can also be found on Bachoco's website at https://corporativo.bachoco.com.mx/inversionistas/ The Company's Mexican shareholders and the holders of its ADRs can also request hard copies of the Form 20-F, free of charge, by contacting us at the following address: INDUSTRIAS BACHOCO, Attention: Maria G. Jaquez, IR Avenida Tecnologico 401 Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico. 38010 T. +52 (461) 618 3555 [email protected] DISCLAIMER The document contains certain information that could be considered forward looking statements concerning anticipated future events and performance of the Company. The statements reflect management's current beliefs based on information currently available and are not guarantees of future performance and are based on our estimates and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those described in our Annual Information Form, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this document. Those risks and uncertainties include risks associated with ownership in the poultry industry, competition for investments within the poultry industry, shareholder liability, governmental regulation, and environmental matters. As a result, there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, Industrias Bachoco, S.A.B. de C.V., undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement. SOURCE Industrias Bachoco, S.A.B. de C.V. Related Links http://www.bachoco.com.mx SALT LAKE CITY, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Instructure, Inc. (NYSE: INST) today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019. "Our first quarter results demonstrate the progress we're making in expanding our impact in education, growing into the employee development market, and supporting the convergence of the academic and professional worlds," said Dan Goldsmith, CEO of Instructure. "We're excited by our prospects for 2019 and beyond and we remain focused on executing on our strategy, which we expect will sustain our revenue growth, help us achieve profitability, and generate shareholder value." First Quarter Financial Summary (in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 (unaudited) (unaudited) Revenue $ 58,076 $ 47,991 Gross Margin GAAP 68.7 % 70.9 % Non-GAAP(1) 71.4 % 72.5 % Operating Loss GAAP (19,459) (12,133) Non-GAAP(1) (4,404) (7,086) Operating Margin GAAP -33.5 % -25.3 % Non-GAAP(1) -7.6 % -14.8 % Net loss GAAP (16,142) (11,868) Non-GAAP(1) (4,079) (6,943) EPS GAAP $ (0.45) $ (0.37) Non-GAAP(1) $ (0.11) $ (0.21) (1) Non-GAAP financial measures exclude stock-based compensation, reversal of estimated accruals related to payroll taxes on secondary stock purchase transactions, amortization of acquisition related intangibles, the change in fair value of mark-to-market liabilities, the change in fair value of the contingent liability and the deferred income tax benefit. Business Outlook Instructure issued financial guidance for the second quarter and full year 2019. The financial guidance discussed below is on a non-GAAP basis, except for revenue, and excludes stock-based compensation expense, reversal of payroll tax expense on secondary stock purchase transactions, amortization of acquisition related intangibles, the change in fair value of mark-to-market liabilities, the change in fair value of the contingent liability and the deferred income tax benefit (see tables below that reconcile these non-GAAP financial measures to the related GAAP measures). For the second quarter ending June 30, 2019, Instructure expects revenue of approximately $61.8 million to $62.4 million, a non-GAAP net loss of ($9.2) million to ($8.6) million, and non-GAAP net loss per common share of ($0.25) to ($0.23). For the full year ending December 31, 2019, Instructure expects revenue of approximately $257 million to $260 million, as compared to previously stated guidance of $256 million to $260 million, non-GAAP net loss of ($25) million to ($21.5) million, as compared to previously stated guidance of ($23.5) million to ($21.5) million, and non-GAAP net loss per common share of ($0.68) to ($0.58), as compared to previously stated guidance of ($0.65) to ($0.59). Instructure remains on track to reach approximately neutral free cash flow for the full year ending December 31, 2019. The prepared remarks that Instructure's CEO and CFO will make during today's conference call follow the financial tables below. Conference Call Details Instructure will discuss its first quarter 2019 results today, April 29, 2019, via teleconference at 3:00 p.m. Mountain Time / 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The call may be accessed at (877) 201-0168 or (647) 788-4901, passcode 6476388. The live webcast of the call can be accessed at the Instructure Investor Relations website at ir.instructure.com . A replay of the call will be available at the same web address approximately two hours following the conclusion of the live event. You may register for the live webcast at http://bit.ly/INST_Q12019EarningsCall. Non-GAAP Financial Measures In this press release and related conference call, Instructure's non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP operating loss, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net loss, non-GAAP net loss per share, non-GAAP free cash flow and 12-month billings are not presented in accordance with GAAP and are not intended to be used in lieu of GAAP presentations of results of operations. Management presents these non-GAAP financial measures because it considers them to be important supplemental measures of performance. Management uses the non-GAAP financial measures for planning purposes, including analysis of the company's performance against prior periods, the preparation of operating budgets and to determine appropriate levels of operating and capital investments. Management also believes that the non-GAAP financial measures provide additional insight for analysts and investors in evaluating the company's financial and operational performance. However, these non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as an analytical tool and are not intended to be an alternative to financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. We intend to provide these non-GAAP financial measures as part of our future earnings discussions and, therefore, the inclusion of these non-GAAP financial measures will provide consistency in our financial reporting. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of our non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures has been provided in the financial tables included below in this press release. Our definitions may differ from the definitions used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. In addition, other companies may not publish these or similar metrics. Non-GAAP measures exclude stock-based compensation, payroll taxes related to secondary stock purchase transactions or the reversal of such expense due to the retirement of the liability, amortization of acquisition related intangibles, the change in fair value of mark-to-market liabilities, the change in fair value of the contingent liability and the deferred income tax benefit. We believe investors may want to exclude the effects of these items in order to compare our financial performance between time periods: Stock-based compensation - Although stock-based compensation is an important aspect of the compensation of our employees and executives, management believes it is useful to exclude stock-based compensation in order to better understand the long-term performance of our core business. Unlike cash compensation, the value of equity awards is determined using a complex formula that incorporates factors, such as market volatility and forfeiture rates that are beyond our control. Although stock-based compensation is an important aspect of the compensation of our employees and executives, management believes it is useful to exclude stock-based compensation in order to better understand the long-term performance of our core business. Unlike cash compensation, the value of equity awards is determined using a complex formula that incorporates factors, such as market volatility and forfeiture rates that are beyond our control. Reversal of estimated accruals related to payroll taxes on secondary stock purchase transactions Prior to our IPO, operating expenses included employer payroll tax-related items on employee sales of securities to investors. The amount of employer payroll tax-related items on these transactions was dependent on the fair market value of our stock. Beginning in the second quarter of 2016, operating expenses included the reversal of such payroll tax expense due to the reduction of the estimated liability, which will continue to occur in the second quarter of each year. Prior to our IPO, operating expenses included employer payroll tax-related items on employee sales of securities to investors. The amount of employer payroll tax-related items on these transactions was dependent on the fair market value of our stock. Beginning in the second quarter of 2016, operating expenses included the reversal of such payroll tax expense due to the reduction of the estimated liability, which will continue to occur in the second quarter of each year. Amortization of acquisition related intangibles - Expense for the amortization of acquisition related intangibles is a non-cash item, and we believe that the exclusion of this expense provides for a useful comparison of our operating results to prior periods. - Expense for the amortization of acquisition related intangibles is a non-cash item, and we believe that the exclusion of this expense provides for a useful comparison of our operating results to prior periods. Change in fair value of mark-to-market liabilities - Under GAAP, we are required to record mark-to-market adjustments for the change in fair value of the liability for warrants issued in connection with term debt and our credit facility. This expense or gain is excluded from management's assessment of our operating performance because management believes that these non-cash items are not indicative of ongoing operating performance. - Under GAAP, we are required to record mark-to-market adjustments for the change in fair value of the liability for warrants issued in connection with term debt and our credit facility. This expense or gain is excluded from management's assessment of our operating performance because management believes that these non-cash items are not indicative of ongoing operating performance. Change in fair value of the contingent liability - Under GAAP, we are required to record mark-to-market adjustments for the change in the fair value of the liability for contingent consideration related to an acquisition. The expense or gain recognized is excluded from management's assessment of our operating performance because management believes that these non-cash items are not indicative of ongoing operating performance. - Under GAAP, we are required to record mark-to-market adjustments for the change in the fair value of the liability for contingent consideration related to an acquisition. The expense or gain recognized is excluded from management's assessment of our operating performance because management believes that these non-cash items are not indicative of ongoing operating performance. Deferred income tax benefit - The deferred income tax benefit is a non-cash item created by the difference in the carrying amount and tax basis of the assets and liabilities acquired. This taxable temporary difference resulted in the recognition of a $3.0 million deferred tax liability which was recorded as an adjustment to goodwill on the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2019 . The creation of the deferred tax liability represents a source of future taxable income which supports the realization of a portion of the income tax benefit associated with historical net operating losses. The deferred income tax benefit is a non-cash item that is unique to the business combination, and we believe the exclusion of this deferred tax benefit provides for a useful comparison of our operating results to prior periods and our peer companies. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains, and statements made during the above referenced conference call will contain, "forward-looking" statements, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the company's financial guidance for the second quarter of 2019 and for the full year ending December 31, 2019, the company's growth, customer demand and application adoption, the company's research and development efforts and future application releases, and the company's expectations regarding future revenue, expenses, cash flows and net income or loss. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, but are based on management's expectations as of the date of this press release and assumptions that are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements include the following: risks associated with anticipated growth in Instructure's addressable market; competitive factors, including changes in the competitive environment, pricing changes, sales cycle time and increased competition; Instructure's ability to build and expand its sales efforts; general economic and industry conditions; new application introductions and Instructure's ability to develop and deliver innovative applications and features; Instructure's ability to provide high-quality service and support offerings; risks associated with international operations; and macroeconomic conditions. These and other important risk factors are described more fully in the Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2018, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 20, 2019, and other documents filed with the SEC and could cause actual results to vary from expectations. All information provided in this press release and in the conference call is as of the date hereof and Instructure undertakes no duty to update this information except as required by law. About Instructure Instructure, Inc. is the leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) technology company that helps people grow from their first day of school to their last day of work. Its software solutions include Canvas, the learning management platform that simplifies teaching and elevates learning, and Bridge, the employee development and engagement solution for people-focused companies. To date, Instructure has connected millions of educators and learners at more than 4,000 educational institutions and corporations throughout the world. Learn more about Canvas for higher ed and K12 and Bridge for companies at www.Instructure.com. Contacts: Keaton Godfrey Director, Investor Relations Instructure (866) 574-3127 [email protected] Cory Edwards Vice President, Corporate Communications Instructure (801) 386-1960 [email protected] INSTRUCTURE, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands) March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 49,339 $ 94,320 Short-term marketable securities 41,824 58,630 Accounts receivablenet of allowances of $824 and $1,092 at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively 26,694 35,514 Prepaid expenses 28,568 13,918 Deferred commissions 8,710 8,226 Other current assets 1,667 2,019 Total current assets 156,802 212,627 Property and equipment, net 28,276 27,388 Right-of-use assets 38,085 Goodwill 38,532 12,354 Intangible assets, net 26,340 6,262 Noncurrent prepaid expenses 6,053 3,516 Deferred commissions, net of current portion 11,458 11,404 Other assets 552 446 Total assets $ 306,098 $ 273,997 Liabilities and stockholders' equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 6,050 $ 3,581 Accrued liabilities 11,526 9,809 Deferred rent 1,329 Lease liabilities 5,552 Deferred revenue 89,635 117,298 Total current liabilities 112,763 132,017 Deferred revenue, net of current portion 2,807 3,372 Lease liabilities, net of current portion 43,923 Deferred rent, net of current portion 10,150 Other long-term liabilities 806 20 Total liabilities 160,299 145,559 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' equity: Common stock 3 3 Additional paid-in capital 429,349 395,865 Accumulated other comprehensive loss 11 (8) Accumulated deficit (283,564) (267,422) Total stockholders' equity 145,799 128,438 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 306,098 $ 273,997 INSTRUCTURE, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 (unaudited) (unaudited) Revenue: Subscription and support $ 53,201 $ 43,200 Professional services and other 4,875 4,791 Total net revenue 58,076 47,991 Cost of Revenue: Subscription and support 13,921 10,391 Professional services and other 4,236 3,594 Total cost of revenue 18,157 13,985 Gross profit 39,919 34,006 Operating expenses: Sales and marketing 27,925 23,188 Research and development 18,939 14,660 General and administrative 12,514 8,291 Total operating expenses 59,378 46,139 Loss from operations (19,459) (12,133) Other income (expense): Interest income 649 238 Interest expense (5) (9) Other income (expense), net (80) 175 Total other income, net 564 404 Loss before income taxes (18,895) (11,729) Income tax expense (benefit) 2,753 (139) Net loss $ (16,142) $ (11,868) Net loss per common share, basic and diluted $ (0.45) $ (0.37) Weighted average shares used to compute net loss per share, basic and diluted 35,729 32,370 INSTRUCTURE, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 (unaudited) (unaudited) Operating Activities: Net loss $ (16,142) $ (11,868) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation of property and equipment 2,320 2,013 Amortization of intangible assets 1,208 763 Amortization of deferred financing costs 5 7 Change in fair value of mark-to-market liabilities (122) Stock-based compensation 13,938 4,744 Other (219) 65 Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable, net 9,106 8,720 Prepaid expenses and other assets (19,927) 2,623 Deferred commissions (538) 212 Right-of-use assets 1,145 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 3,126 2,068 Deferred revenue (29,763) (22,555) Lease liabilities (1,234) Deferred rent 1,372 Other liabilities 786 (389) Net cash used in operating activities (36,189) (12,347) Investing Activities: Purchases of property and equipment (2,336) (4,847) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 24 26 Purchases of marketable securities (15,394) Maturities of marketable securities 32,500 5,700 Business acquisition, net of cash received (24,829) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (10,035) 879 Financing Activities: Proceeds from common stock offerings, net of offering costs 109,803 Proceeds from issuance of common stock from employee equity plans 1,518 2,832 Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock (275) (127) Net cash provided by financing activities 1,243 112,508 Net increase (decrease) in cash (44,981) 101,040 Cash, beginning of period 94,320 35,693 Cash, end of period $ 49,339 $ 136,733 INSTRUCTURE, INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP GROSS MARGIN (in thousands, except percentages) (unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 GAAP gross profit $ 39,919 $ 34,006 Stock-based compensation 1,004 422 Amortization of acquisition related intangibles 555 342 Non-GAAP gross margin $ 41,478 $ 34,770 GAAP gross margin % 68.7 % 70.9 % Non-GAAP gross margin % 71.4 % 72.5 % INSTRUCTURE, INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP OPERATING LOSS (in thousands, except percentages) (unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Loss from operations $ (19,459) $ (12,133) Stock-based compensation 13,938 4,744 Amortization of acquisition related intangibles 1,137 692 Change in fair value of contingent liability (20) (389) Non-GAAP operating loss $ (4,404) $ (7,086) GAAP operating margin -33.5 % -25.3 % Non-GAAP operating margin -7.6 % -14.8 % INSTRUCTURE, INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP NET LOSS (in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Net loss $ (16,142) $ (11,868) Stock-based compensation 13,938 4,744 Amortization of acquisition related intangibles 1,137 692 Change in fair value of mark-to-market liabilities (122) Change in fair value of contingent liability (20) (389) Deferred income tax benefit from business combination (2,992) Non-GAAP net loss $ (4,079) $ (6,943) Non-GAAP net loss per common share, basic and diluted $ (0.11) $ (0.21) Weighted average common shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per common share 35,729 32,370 INSTRUCTURE, INC. RECONCILIATION OF FREE CASH FLOW (in thousands) (unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Net cash used in operating activities $ (36,189) $ (12,347) Purchases of property and equipment and intangible assets (2,336) (4,847) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 24 26 Free cash flow $ (38,501) $ (17,168) INSTRUCTURE, INC. RECONCILIATION OF 12-MONTH BILLINGS (in thousands) (unaudited) Trailing Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Total net revenue $ 219,628 $ 174,492 Total deferred revenue Beginning balance 79,107 56,362 Ending balance 92,442 79,107 Net change in current deferred revenue 13,335 22,745 Total 12-month billings $ 232,963 $ 197,237 INSTRUCTURE, INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP OPERATING EXPENSES Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 (in thousands) (unaudited) GAAP Stock-based Compensation Expense Amortization of acquired intangibles Change in fair value of contingent earn-out liability NON-GAAP Operating expenses: Sales and marketing $ 27,925 (3,707) (582) $ 23,636 Research and development 18,939 (4,770) 14,169 General and administrative 12,514 (4,457) 20 8,077 Total operating expenses $ 59,378 (12,934) (582) 20 $ 45,882 INSTRUCTURE, INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP OPERATING EXPENSES Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 (in thousands) (unaudited) GAAP Stock-based Compensation Expense Amortization of acquired intangibles Change in fair value of contingent earn-out liability NON-GAAP Operating expenses: Sales and marketing $ 23,188 (1,348) (350) $ 21,490 Research and development 14,660 (1,894) 12,766 General and administrative 8,291 (1,080) 389 7,600 Total operating expenses $ 46,139 (4,322) (350) 389 $ 41,856 INSTRUCTURE, INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP NET LOSS GUIDANCE (in thousands) (unaudited) Three Months Ending June 30, Full Year Ending December 31, 2019 2019 2019 2019 LOW HIGH LOW HIGH Net loss $ (25,000) $ (24,400) $ (89,050) $ (85,550) Stock-based compensation 14,900 14,900 59,000 59,000 Reversal of payroll tax expense on secondary stock purchase transactions (1,330) (1,330) (1,330) (1,330) Amortization of acquisition related intangibles 3,030 3,030 10,200 10,200 Change in fair value of contingent liability (20) (20) Deferred income tax benefit from business combination (800) (800) (3,800) (3,800) Non-GAAP net loss $ (9,200) $ (8,600) $ (25,000) $ (21,500) INSTRUCTURE, INC. RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE GUIDANCE (unaudited) Three Months Ending June 30, Full Year Ending December 31, 2019 2019 2019 2019 LOW HIGH LOW HIGH Net loss per common share $ (0.68) $ (0.66) $ (2.42) $ (2.32) Stock-based compensation 0.41 0.41 1.60 1.60 Reversal of payroll tax expense on secondary stock purchase transactions (0.04) (0.04) (0.04) (0.04) Amortization of acquisition related intangibles 0.08 0.08 0.28 0.28 Change in fair value of contingent liability (0.00) (0.00) Deferred income tax benefit from business combination (0.02) (0.02) (0.10) (0.10) Non-GAAP net loss per common share, basic and diluted $ (0.25) $ (0.23) $ (0.68) $ (0.58) Non-GAAP weighted average common shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per common share (in thousands) 36,700 36,700 36,800 36,800 Prepared Remarks Dan Goldsmith, CEO Thank you everyone for joining us on our Q1 2019 earnings call. From the classroom to the boardroom, Instructure is helping people grow from the first day of school to the last day of work. With this mission in mind, we executed well against our goals for the first quarter of 2019. We have had a solid start to the year and continue to make progress on our long term strategy. Our delivery of operational efficiencies across our business also provides us with the opportunity to invest in growth. And, we have continued to expand our global customer base and our Instructure team. It is exciting to see the level of talent and passion coming into the organization from our new offices and teams in Budapest and from Portfolium and MasteryConnect. They are a welcome addition and are naturally becoming a part of the Instructure family in the short time they've been with us. I have also had the opportunity to recently meet face-to-face with many students, teachers, administrators, and employers who are our customers. Additionally, I have met with partners, prospects, and industry experts at events, like the ASU-GSV conference where educators, edtech and investors meet. As I have spoken with these customers and prospects, I'm more convinced than ever that Instructure's vision is a shared one. During today's call, I will discuss our progress advancing the next chapter in our journey, which is built on expanding our impact in education, growing into the employee development market, and supporting the convergence of the academic and professional worlds. Let me begin by sharing an update on how we're expanding our impact in education: At the end of Q1, we acquired long-term partner MasteryConnect, a leader in the educational assessment market. Although the assessment market has existed in K-12 for some time, the industry is moving from the traditional, but less impactful, end-of-year assessments, to a model where assessments are given in the flow of teaching. The results lead to actionable insights that guide teachers and students at the point of learning and throughout the year. The combination of Instructure's Gauge benchmarking tool with MasteryConnect's innovative assessment solutions, positions Instructure for leadership and growth in this expanding market. With market leading win-rates and continued expansion of offerings, we are committed to growing revenue and increasing Instructure's market share across K-12, HIED and international. In Q1, Canvas continued its track record of success adding many institutions as new customers. Some select highlights include: Displacing Blackboard with full campus rollouts to more than 70,000 students at Rutgers University and 19,000 students at Florida State College at Jacksonville. And at Orange County Public Schools in Florida, the 9th largest school district in the U.S., we expanded our relationship to assist them with their 1-on-1 dedicated device initiatives that start in Kindergarten and extend through 12th grade. On the international front, where expansion remains a priority, we replaced Moodle at several institutions in the UK for a combined total of 40,000 learners, including "Blackpool and The Fylde College," and at the National Pharmacy Association. In LATAM, UniFil [Centro Universitario Filadelfia], who previously used Blackboard, has expanded its use of Canvas to 11,000 students. And the Learning Lab in Singapore, one of the country's leading K-12 academic and tutorial service providers, has also expanded its use of Canvas to 10,000 students. On the Bridge side of our business, we continue to grow into the employee development market. We are making headway driving into this new and evolving market category: Employee development complements, but goes beyond, traditional employee learning. This market category focuses on the individual and enables HR organizations to build effective managers and surface insights around employee engagement. In our conversations with companies that are looking to invest in employee development, they point to the current market offerings in talent management as being focused on old-school, back-office HR management transactions. These solutions fall short of providing an engaging employee experience that delivers the benefits of employee retention and development. In fact, our research shows that nearly 80% of employees want to have more meaningful career-centric conversations with their managers. Only 15% felt very confident in their progress toward long-term career vision. And only 2% thought the annual check-in was sufficient. Bridge addresses these issues by delivering an engaging and integrated employee experience. We're pleased by the progress we're making bringing well-known brands into our Bridge pipeline. We have seen an increase in the average number of products being used by customers across Bridge. And, our ability to compete and win with Bridge continues to improve. During Q1, we had several key Bridge wins, including: SAFESpaces365, a provider of comprehensive security solutions, which is using Bridge in an extended enterprise use-case for 240,000 learners. SoFi, the online lending community, will use Bridge for compliance and training with 1,500 employees. We were also able to expand our relationship with Dealer FX, a customer experience management provider for automotive dealerships and OEMs, to 7,000 learners. EDUCAUSE, the largest community of IT professionals in higher ed, is using Bridge for their 10,000 members. As part of the international expansion of Bridge, the NSW Department of Industry in Australia, which creates conditions for the New South Wales community to prosper, has selected Bridge for training for their 6,000 employees. Interbrand, the global brand consultancy and publisher of the highly influential Best Global Brands report, selected Bridge for its employees. And Nederman Holding, a global environmental technology company out of Sweden, chose Bridge for its 1,750 employees. Getting our strategy and execution right for Bridge has been a high priority for me since joining Instructure. It is great to see our vision with Bridge increasingly resonating in the market. The reception to the new products we'll be launching at our June BridgeCon conference has also been positive from our beta participants. Bridge is an important part of our strategy and we fully expect that it will deliver meaningful financial impact over time. Expanding our impact on education and growing into the employee development market are important connected pillars of our long-term strategy. We are also supporting the convergence of the academic and professional worlds as they increasingly turn to each other for help and explore the future of work. As you know, corporations have long hired university-trained talent, bringing new professionals to fuel growth. Most recently, corporations have been turning to university partners to further the education and development of their employees. These forces are creating an unprecedented ecosystem of change that is right in Instructure's sweet spot and will generate significant opportunity. Take for example Arizona State University, an important Instructure partner and customer that has been recognized by the industry four years in a row as the #1 most innovative university. It has announced formal partnerships with Starbucks and Uber that focus on employee education and development. Vivint Smart Home, a Bridge customer, has partnered with Utah State University, a long-standing Canvas customer, on a program to help educate and develop its employees. And, we are seeing this convergence further as Higher Ed Canvas customers, like the University of Washington, select Bridge as their preferred platform for development of faculty and staff. Separately, Temple University is also using Bridge for HIPAA training and compliance. In total, we now have more than 70 academic institutions using Bridge today. We are also excited about the recent addition of Portfolium to our business. Portfolium helps us further expand our partner network, our footprint, and connect learning opportunities for people from their formal education to their career. As students leave the classroom to enter the workforce, Portfolium gives them a digital portfolio to showcase their achievements, projects, and skills to potential employers. Portfolium supports nearly 5 million students and alumni and 60,000 educators at more than 3,600 K-20 institutions. The first 8 weeks post-acquisition have delivered solid results and the integration continues to go smoothly. Some of our Portfolium wins include: Georgetown University School of Medicine, which selected Portfolium for career development, professional identity formation, and learning reflections for their students. Following a successful deployment at the University of Connecticut's Honors College, the entire UConn student population of 30,000 will now utilize Portfolium. And the OESIS Group, an education network connected to the faculty of 600 prestigious K-12 institutions, chose Portfolium for their 5,000 members. Lastly, I would like to provide more detail on DIG, the code-name for our initiative that will leverage data science, like Machine Learning and AI, to help students understand their progress, stay engaged and on track, as well as give instructors and other academic staff insights to improve teaching and learning. Our vision for DIG has generated excitement in the market. Many customers have asked me about it and even shared their excitement for strategic implementation within their schools. We will continue to develop DIG with an eye toward a product that schools can use to improve student and teacher success. Looking forward, we are excited by the strong prospects for 2019 and beyond. Being highly efficient with our capital, combined with our layered growth approach allows us to expand on our core LMS business and grow into adjacent markets. We remain focused on executing our strategy, which will sustain our revenue growth, help us achieve profitability, and generate shareholder value. And we will do this with a commitment to creating the best experience for our customers. I'll now turn it over to Steve for a closer look at our Q1 financials. Prepared Remarks Steve Kaminsky, CFO We are very pleased with our results for the first quarter and believe it's a strong start to 2019. In Q1, we delivered revenue growth of 21% year over year and we continued to bring further operational efficiencies to the business. Let me provide some additional details on our Q1 financials: Total revenue grew to $58.1 million, of which subscription revenue was $53.2 million, a 23% increase year over year. The contribution from our international markets was solid, growing 42% over Q1 of last year. Our international revenue now represents 21% of Instructure's total revenue. And twelve month rolling billings at the end of Q1 was $233 million, up 18% from the first quarter of 2018, also calculated on a rolling twelve-month basis. For the remainder of my commentary, unless otherwise noted, I will discuss non-GAAP results and all EPS numbers are on a per common share basis. Gross margin in Q1 was 71.4%. Q1 total operating expense was $45.9 million, and our operating loss was $4.4 million, an improvement of $2.7 million or nearly 720 bps year over year. This improvement reflects our commitment to operational excellence, as we've discussed for several quarters. Our focus in this area, also provides the opportunity to reinvest in the business. GAAP net loss for Q1 was $16.1 million, as compared to $11.9 million in the same period a year ago. Non-GAAP net loss for Q1 was $4.1 million, an improvement of 10 cents per share year over year. Turning to the balance sheet, we ended the quarter with $91.2 million in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities. Our ending cash balance was impacted by two items in the quarter, our acquisition of Portfolium, as well as a pre-payment to AWS for 2019. Free cash flow for the first quarter of 2019 was negative $38.5 million. Looking forward, I'm quite pleased that our focus on cash management and operational efficiencies position us well to support our strategic objectives. Additionally, we remain on track to reach approximately neutral free cash flow for the full year. Let me end my remarks with a discussion around our expectations for the second quarter and full year 2019. For the second quarter of 2019, we expect revenue in the range of $61.8 million to $62.4 million, non-GAAP net loss of ($9.2) million to ($8.6) million, and non-GAAP net loss per common share of ($0.25) to ($0.23). For the full year 2019, we expect revenue in the range of $257 million to $260 million, as compared to our previous guidance of $256 million to $260 million. We expect non-GAAP net loss of ($25) million to ($21.5) million, as compared to previously stated guidance of ($23.5) million to ($21.5) million, and a non-GAAP net loss per common share of ($0.68) to ($0.58), as compared to previously stated guidance of ($0.65) to ($0.59). For calculating EPS, we expect our shares to be 36.7 million for the second quarter and 36.8 million for the full year. Let me provide some additional commentary around our Non-GAAP guidance for Q2 and full year, which reflects the impact of our recent acquisitions of Portfolium and MasteryConnect. While we raised our full year revenue guidance, we modestly softened the guidance on the bottom line. With the acquisitions, our gross margin will be slightly lower as compared to last year and for SG&A, the incremental expenses associated with Portfolium and MasteryConnect modestly raises our OPEX profile for the year. Finally, we have accounted for potential, incremental investments we may choose to make as we better understand opportunities to further grow these newly acquired businesses. Regarding our GAAP guidance, there has been a meaningful change to our expectations for net loss. As we mentioned during last quarter's call, and as is detailed in our recently released proxy, we instituted a change in compensation philosophy to allow employees to receive a portion of their base salary in equity. Much of the expected impact was included in our guidance given last quarter, but in Q1, we saw more employees choosing stock in lieu of cash, so we expect stock based comp to increase as a percentage of revenue going forward. This increase in participation in our cash for equity compensation program represents further alignment of our employee base with that of our shareholders and we are excited about the enthusiasm for this program. And of course, the amortization of intangibles and any tax related impact of the acquisitions are also reflected in our GAAP guidance. In summary, it was a strong quarter. We are very pleased about our MasteryConnect and Portfolium acquisitions and believe we are well-positioned for Q2 and the remainder of the year. SOURCE Instructure Related Links http://www.instructure.com CHICAGO, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- JBT Corporation (NYSE: JBT), a global technology solutions provider to high-value segments of the food & beverage industry, today announced it signed a definitive agreement to acquire Proseal uk Limited, a leading provider of tray sealing technology for the food industry. Privately held Proseal is headquartered in Adlington, UK, with additional production facilities in Richmond, Virginia and Melbourne, Australia. Tray sealing is a packaging technology used across a broad spectrum of food products, including ready meals, fresh produce, sandwiches, and proteins, that enhances freshness and flavor by sealing the product with film over a preformed tray. Proseal has been at the leading edge of developing environmentally-friendly packaging that minimizes the use of plastics while reducing food waste by extending the product's shelf life. "The acquisition of Proseal represents an important expansion of JBT's capabilities, adding significantly to our end-of-line market position and advancing our strategy of providing full-line customer solutions," stated Tom Giacomini, JBT's Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. "Moreover, we believe Proseal's technology affords growth opportunities around the globe." "Tray sealing is relevant to many of our FoodTech customers, particularly in the rapidly expanding market for convenience foods," said Carlos Fernandez, JBT's Executive Vice President and President, Liquid Foods. The acquisition of Proseal is expected to add annual revenue of approximately $100 million with EBITDA margins of approximately 25 percent before acquisition-related costs. The purchase price is 220 million, before customary post-closing adjustments. Closing is expected in the second quarter of 2019 and is subject to regulatory approvals. Additional information on Proseal can be found on its website at https://www.proseal.com while further information on JBT's acquisition strategy can be found in the Featured Reports at https://www.jbtc.com/investors. JBT Corporation (NYSE: JBT) is a leading global technology solutions provider to high-value segments of the food & beverage industry with focus on proteins, liquid foods and automated system solutions. JBT designs, produces and services sophisticated products and systems for multi-national and regional customers through its FoodTech segment. JBT also sells critical equipment and services to domestic and international air transportation customers through its AeroTech segment. JBT Corporation employs approximately 5,900 people worldwide and operates sales, service, manufacturing and sourcing operations in more than 25 countries. For more information, please visit www.jbtc.com. This release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are information of a non-historical nature and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are beyond the Company's ability to control. These risks and uncertainties are described under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission that may be accessed on the Company's website. The Company cautions shareholders and prospective investors that actual results may differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. Investors & Media: Megan Rattigan +1 312 861 6048 SOURCE JBT Corporation Related Links http://www.jbtc.com CINCINNATI and AUSTIN, Texas, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced it has completed the sale of its Turkey Hill business to an affiliate of Peak Rock Capital. Kroger's sale of the Turkey Hill business was for total consideration of $215 million. Kroger intends to use the after-tax cash proceeds from the sale to reduce debt. "We want to thank Turkey Hill's associates for their dedication and their many contributions to the company," said Erin Sharp, group vice president of Kroger Manufacturing. "We look forward to the continued success of the Turkey Hill brand." Kroger announced in August 2018 its intention to explore strategic options for its Turkey Hill business, including a potential sale. In March, Kroger and Peak Rock Capital announced a definitive agreement for the sale of Kroger's Turkey Hill business to an affiliate of Peak Rock Capital. As part of the agreement, the Peak Rock Capital affiliate will continue to operate the Turkey Hill business out of its Conestoga, PA, location with the nearly 800 full-time, part-time and seasonal associates and under the same recognizable brand. Turkey Hill produces a full line of popular ice cream products, iced teas, lemonades, fruit drinks and dairy products. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to Kroger. About Kroger At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: to Feed the Human Spirit. We are nearly half a million associates who serve nine million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and 2,800 retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site. About Peak Rock Capital Peak Rock Capital is a leading middle-market private investment firm that makes equity and debt investments in companies in North America and Europe. Peak Rock focuses on investing in opportunities where it can support senior management in driving rapid growth and profit improvement through operational and strategic change. Peak Rock's principals have deep expertise in complex situations, carve-outs, and cross border transactions, with the ability to provide tailored capital solutions and close transactions quickly where speed and certainty are priorities. For further information about Peak Rock Capital, please visit www.peakrockcapital.com. SOURCE The Kroger Co. Related Links http://www.kroger.com NEW YORK, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- White Oak Commercial Finance, LLC (White Oak), an affiliate of White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, announced today the appointment of Michael Goletz to Director of ABL Originations, covering the Midwest U.S. region. Mr. Goletz joins from WNB Specialty Finance, a division of Woodforest National Bank, where he was responsible for sourcing and structuring asset-based lending debt facilities ranging from $5 million to $25 million. Michael brings to White Oak deep experience in underwriting loans to companies in turnaround or similarly stressed situations, where we are increasingly seeing great opportunity, said David Montiel, Head of ABL Originations for White Oak. We welcome Michael to a growing team and look forward to even greater activity in Indiana, Illinois and surrounding areas. Prior to joining WNB Specialty Finance, Mr. Goletz worked for GE Capital in their Corporate Finance Group as Vice President of Business Development where he originated senior debt deals to middle-market companies. He previously held various positions at PNC Bank and its predecessor, National City Bank, including managing a diverse portfolio of corporate and industrial relationships in the Commercial Banking Group. Mr. Goletz began his career with Lehman Brothers in New York, NY and Chicago, IL as part of a sales team that sold fixed income securities to mid-sized banks and insurance companies. White Oak has an impressive reputation for helping clients through challenging situations by taking a tailored and flexible approach to loans, and Im looking forward to leveraging the firms collective expertise to help more small and medium sized enterprises grow and thrive, said Mr. Goletz. Mr. Goletz holds a Bachelors degree from Butler University and a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University. He is an active member of the Turnaround Management Association, Commercial Finance Association, and Association for Corporate Growth. ABOUT WHITE OAK COMMERCIAL FINANCE, LLC White Oak Commercial Finance, LLC is a global financial products and services company providing credit facilities to middle market companies between $5- $50 million. WOCF's solutions include asset-based lending, full-service factoring, invoice discounting, supply chain financing, inventory financing, U.S. import/export financing, trade credit risk management, account receivables management and credit and collections support. WOCF is an affiliate of White Oak Global Advisors, LLC, and its institutional clients. More information can be found at www.whiteoaksf.com. ABOUT WHITE OAK GLOBAL ADVISORS, LLC White Oak Global Advisors, LLC is a leading global alternative asset manager specializing in originating and providing financing solutions to facilitate the growth, refinancing and recapitalization of small and medium enterprises. Since its inception in 2007, White Oak Global Advisors, LLC's disciplined investment process aims to deliver risk-adjusted investment returns for our investors while establishing long term partnerships with our borrowers. More information can be found at www.whiteoaksf.com. MEDIA CONTACT Jonathan Setiabrata Investor Relations jsetiabrata@whiteoaksf.com "Frank has a strong track record of partnering with business leaders across a range of business entities to provide innovative technology solutions," said Diane Bridgewater, executive vice president, chief financial and administrative officer. "We feel his experiences benefit our partners and communities as we look toward implementing technology that drives customer and resident satisfaction and financial stability." Vedder has 22 years of experience in the information technology sector. Most recently, he led technology strategy for BTS where he partnered with the WR Berkley companies to support creating 30 plus autonomous business units. He helped the organization drive significant revenue growth by creating internal business partnerships, leveraging key vendor partners and implementing multiple enterprise-wide SAAS and in-house developed solutions. Vedder adds, "I'm most energized when working with business leaders to develop a common vision for technology to support shared objectives and growth. And I'm looking forward to working with LCS employees, business partners, and clients." About LCS Based in Des Moines, Iowa, and established in 1971, LCS is a leading provider of high-quality senior lifestyle products and services. The LCS Family of Companies focus on development, operations management, marketing and sales management, and strategic planning for Life Plan Communities, also referred to as Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC), and rental independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities nationwide. The company also provides a full-service real estate private equity enterprise, insurance, national purchasing consulting services and in-home care. The companies of LCS serve thousands of seniors across the nation. In the field of senior living, experience is everything. For more information, visit LCSnet.com. SOURCE Life Care Services, LLC Related Links www.lcsnet.com PHILADELPHIA, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Trial attorney David L. Kwass, a leading authority on catastrophic construction-crane failures such as Saturday's Seattle tragedy, is available today to discuss the fatal incident with reporters. Mr. Kwass, a partner in the law firm of Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett & Bendesky, P.C (SMBB), co-chairs with SMBB's Robert J. Mongeluzzi, the crane/aerial lift working group of a professional association of trial attorneys. Based on their extensive experience litigating complex, catastrophic construction-related cases, they frequently lecture and publish regarding the legal aspects, including crane safety procedures, practices, and post-incident investigations. For more information, visit www.smbb.com. SOURCE SMBB Related Links https://www.smbb.com "It is such a great honor for CITGO to be recognized by Louisiana as Corporate Conservationist of the Year," said CITGO General Manager Community Relations, CSR and Legislative Affairs Larry Elizondo. "This award is a testament to our passion for environmental protection and restoration. It is also a reflection of our commitment to supporting the communities in which we live and work, especially in Southwest Louisiana where this year, CITGO celebrates 75 years of operations at the Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex." In remembrance of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, CITGO launched Caring for our Coast (CFOC) in 2014, as an environmental campaign focused on Gulf Coast conservation and restoration. Early activities started in Louisiana and included a wetland restoration project at the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center in New Orleans and a grass planting event on Holly Beach in Southwest Louisiana. Originally intended as a year-long effort, CFOC has evolved into an ongoing, large-scale environmental restoration program, including educational and volunteer efforts in Louisiana. The program has also expanded to include environmental projects in Texas and Illinois where CITGO also has major operations. As a continuance of CFOC in Louisiana, in March 2018 the CITGO Lake Charles Refinery and The Nature Conservancy joined forces with community volunteers to help restore the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge for the second year in a row. CITGO also partnered with Restore the Earth in 2018 for the third year to plant Cypress trees in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. The company contributed $100,000 to the larger initiative of Restore the Earth to restore one million acres of degraded land in the Mississippi River basin to its natural state. To date, CITGO has invested a total of more than $4.7 million in Louisiana conservation efforts. Louisiana Wildlife Federation Executive Director Rebecca Triche said conserving important habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife protects Louisiana's natural heritage legacy for future generations. "The CITGO Caring for Our Coast program has partnered with citizens, nonprofits, and agencies to engage in coastal restoration work and advance stewardship of our natural resources, which is very worthy of recognition." CITGO is committed to safeguarding the environment, protecting coastal communities and enhancing the beauty of the states it operates within. Through the CFOC program throughout the operational footprint of CITGO, 6,218 volunteers have volunteered 25,287 hours in 250 restoration, conservation and education events throughout 2018. CITGO has also supported 11 non-profit organizations whose work has resulted in 1,042 acres of land restored or enhanced, 106,282 trees, shrubs and grass plugs planted, 92,944 lbs. of trash collected, and 279 miles of shoreline cleaned. "It has been incredibly inspiring to see so many people come together through Caring for Our Coast to promote environmental stewardship in Louisiana and at large," added Elizondo. "Together with our community partners and volunteers, we've been able to enhance coastal wetland and watershed systems, protect vulnerable coastal communities from storm surge and flood risks, restore native wildlife and fisheries, and so much more." About CITGO Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry with a well-known brand. CITGO operates three refineries located in Corpus Christi, Texas; Lake Charles, La.; and Lemont, Ill., and wholly and/or jointly owns 45 terminals, nine pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,500 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 749,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO is ranked as the fifth-largest, and one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products and supplies a network of approximately 4,900 locally owned and operated branded retail outlets in 30 states and the District of Columbia. CITGO Petroleum Corporation is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc. For more information, visit www.CITGO.com. SOURCE CITGO Related Links http://www.citgo.com CHICAGO, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The summit, to be held at SRI International, Menlo Park, California, will feature two exciting days of thought-provoking TED Talk-style sessions, interactive panel discussions and networking opportunities. Top executives from every major industry will be in attendance to share best practices and discover areas of opportunities within connected and converging markets. "The upcoming summit for our North American clients follows closely on the heels of our very successful Customer Summit in Amsterdam in November' 2018," said Vijay Khera, Global Head of Client Services at MarketsandMarkets. "Just like Amsterdam, the California summit will feature a mixture of panel discussions on pragmatic and visionary topics to help our clients roll up their sleeves and tackle the difficult strategic challenges related to connected and converging markets facing them today." Speakers and panelists at the summit will include senior executives from IBM, HPE, SRI International, Intel, Flex, Foxconn, Leidos, ATS Automation, 3M, Qualcomm and Nikon among other top companies. Featuring discussions about emerging technologies from around the world and how the newest technological products and trends will drive growth, the Customer Summit will address the following major topics and themes: Panel A: Validating Investment Decisions in Connected Markets Amid Disruptions from Outside Industries - How can leaders cut through the noise of the impacts of disruption and evolution in adjacent industries to assess the true impacts of their organizational decisions? These decisions will be related not only to their internal business, but also on other potential markets and opportunities that could create future unanticipated revenue opportunities. Panel B: Building and Leveraging Ecosystems to Adjust to Dynamic Market Changes. Can This Best be Done Internally or Through Leveraged Partnerships? As markets and ecosystems continue to develop and converge, it becomes increasingly difficult to remain a "lone wolf" in your business. Partnerships and collaborations are increasingly becoming the necessary means to get to market faster and more effectively. What are the best market actions to employ a collaborative approach and which decisions and actions are better left to internal expertise and actions? Panel C: The Curse of Information Overload and the Journey Towards Single Source of Truth - There's just too much information to process these days. From cereal aisles in your local grocery store to market intelligence reports, there is a just an overwhelming amount of information to assimilate and retain. It is important as a leader to not only differentiate between useful and useless information but also take your teams on the journey towards a single source of truth in the organization. What are the various strategies one can employ to achieve clarity, retain meaningful information, and avoid making counter-productive associations? Panel D: The Journey from Strategy Design to Strategy Delivery - How to Transform Strategies into Real Revenue Impact? In today's ever-changing business environment, crediting and implementing great strategies requires the right information, talent, resources, tactics, and tools. How are today's strategy and market intelligence teams trying to bridge the expensive and unproductive gap between strategy design and strategy delivery? "We're very excited to be convening the Customer Summit at SRI International to bring our North American clients together to learn from each other and discuss long-term growth strategies," said Shelly Singh, Chief Operating Officer at MarketsandMarkets. "The summit will explore challenges around growth initiatives and provide insights on emerging areas of opportunity for 2019 planning and beyond." For more information, contact [email protected] or visit https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/event-promotion.asp. About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is the world's largest revenue impact research and advisory firm helping more than 80 percent of Fortune 2000 companies identify new high-growth and niche revenue opportunities. In the face of constant technology innovation and market disruption, MarketsandMarkets helps organizations plan and operationalize their future revenue mix decisions by identifying over 30,000 high-growth opportunities ranging from $1B to $500B across over 90 industries and markets. Organizations choose MarketsandMarkets to stay ahead of the curve and accelerate their revenue decisions and implementations by 6 - 12 months, giving them a unique first-mover innovation advantage. Its revenue impact methodology provides actionable and quantifiable insights on converged, granular and connected market eco-systems that result from disruptive technologies and high-growth markets. MarketsandMarkets provides an extended lens on not only what will impact its client's revenue but also what will impact their customers' revenues, continually uncovering latent opportunities. Serving C-level executives in functions such as strategy, marketing, sales, R&D, product, and M&A across all major B2B industries, MarketsandMarkets brings exclusive high-growth markets intelligence generated by over 850 SMEs and analysts along with its proprietary revenue impact platform, Knowledge Store, to support decision making. Contact: Vijay Khera MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com SOURCE MarketsandMarkets HOUSTON, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- McDermott International, Inc. (NYSE:MDR) announced today it has recently successfully completed the final offshore campaign for the INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG Project, located offshore Western Australia. This was the second of two remaining work packages left under McDermott's contract, which was the largest subsea contract ever awarded at the time. Most of the EPCI for the SURF contract awarded in January 2012 was completed by the end of 2017. The final offshore campaign involved subsea tiebacks to new drill centers and was executed by McDermott's Lay Vessel 108 (LV 108). The vessel has recorded 813,694 hours without any lost time incidents (LTI) since its first campaign in 2015. "The final campaign was executed in a live producing field, and as such, we put in place additional risk and controls management that ensured our success and met all of the customer expectations. This has demonstrated McDermott's execution capability on a large-scale, complex SURF EPCI scope," said Ian Prescott, McDermott's Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific. "Our outstanding record of accomplishment confirms our expertise and ability to execute one of the world's largest subsea contracts to date." McDermott recorded more than 500,000 engineering workhours from offices across the world, including a Perth led Project Management team that was in place from 2012 and consisted of 160 personnel at its peak in 2017; procured over USD $600 million in-field equipment; built 48 subsea structures weighing a total of approximately 28,660 tons (26,000 metric tons) that included one of the largest riser support structures in the world at the time and used three of the company's deepwater installation vessels (DLV 2000, LV 108 and Intermac 650) and other contracted vessels to execute the project. McDermott has a small fabrication scope remaining to be completed at its fabrication yard in Batam, Indonesia, which will conclude its work packages for the Ichthys LNG Project in its entirety in 2019. About the Ichthys LNG Project The Ichthys LNG Project is one of the largest and most complex resource developments in the world. Located about 136 miles (220 kilometers) offshore Western Australia, it lies in an average water depth of 820 feet (250 meters). The Ichthys LNG Project is effectively three mega-projects rolled into one, involving some of the largest offshore facilities in the industry, a state-of-the-art onshore processing facility and a 553 mile (890 kilometer) pipeline uniting them for an expected operational life of 40 years. The project involves liquefying natural gas lifted from the Ichthys gas-condensate field offshore Western Australia at an onshore gas liquefaction plant constructed in Darwin, Northern Territory, and producing and shipping approximately 8.9 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and approximately 1.65 million tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) per year, along with approximately 100,000 barrels of condensate per day at peak. Approximately 70 percent of the LNG produced by Ichthys LNG is scheduled to be supplied to Japanese customers. Ichthys LNG will help to meet growing energy demand in the region, while contributing to the Australian way of life. About McDermott McDermott is a premier, fully integrated provider of technology, engineering and construction solutions to the energy industry. For more than a century, customers have trusted McDermott to design and build end-to-end infrastructure and technology solutions to transport and transform oil and gas into the products the world needs today. Our proprietary technologies, integrated expertise and comprehensive solutions deliver certainty, innovation and added value to energy projects around the world. Customers rely on McDermott to deliver certainty to the most complex projects, from concept to commissioning. It is called the "One McDermott Way." Operating in over 54 countries, McDermott's locally focused and globally-integrated resources include approximately 32,000 employees, a diversified fleet of specialty marine construction vessels and fabrication facilities around the world. As used in this press release, McDermott includes McDermott International, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. To learn more, visit www.mcdermott.com. Contacts: Investor Relations Scott Lamb Vice President, Investor Relations +1 832 513 1068 [email protected] Global Media Relations Gentry Brann Global Vice President, Communications and Marketing +1 281 870 5269 [email protected] Asia Pacific Media Contact Miki O'Farrell Manager, Marketing APAC +60 12 305 3609 [email protected] SOURCE McDermott International, Inc. Related Links https://www.mcdermott.com/ SAN DIEGO, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA), the first publicly traded cannabis company in the United States, today announced that its subsidiary HempMeds Brasil is hosting an International Symposium on Cannabinoid Medicine on April 29 - May 1, 2019 in San Diego, California for a group of medical doctors from Brazil. At the event, nine world-renowned Brazilian medical doctors and a biomedicine scientist will gather in San Diego for a three-day event to learn about the potential therapeutic applications of cannabidiol (CBD) and about the significant research taking place in San Diego for several conditions such as epilepsy and autism. During this event, these doctors and executives from both Medical Marijuana, Inc. and HempMeds Brasil will visit the TERI Campus of Life to discuss how the organization aims to provide support to special needs families with training and education opportunities. Other activities include a visit to Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s production laboratory and a seminar at the Medical Marijuana, Inc. headquarters. "We are very proud to host these prestigious medical and scientific professionals in San Diego for this great educational event that is designed to help inform them about CBD and the research surrounding its use and benefits," said HempMeds Brasil Vice President Caroline Heinz. "This event will also help us build long-lasting relationships with them so that we can work together to expand CBD access to patients in Brazil." "Over the past few years, we have enthusiastically offered events like this one to doctors from all over the world so that we can be the leading charge to help dispel the many myths and misconceptions about cannabis and CBD," said Medical Marijuana, Inc. CEO Dr. Stuart Titus. "We hope that the professionals who attend this event will go back to Brazil with the knowledge they need to effectively use CBD in their practices." To learn more about HempMeds Brasil, please visit https://hempmeds.com.br/ . About Medical Marijuana, Inc. We are a company of firsts. Our mission is to be the premier cannabis and hemp industry innovators, leveraging our team of professionals to source, evaluate and purchase value-added companies and products, while allowing them to keep their integrity and entrepreneurial spirit. We strive to create awareness within our industry, develop environmentally-friendly, economically sustainable businesses, while increasing shareholder value. For details on Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s portfolio and investment companies, visit www.medicalmarijuanainc.com . To see Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s corporate video, click here . Shareholders and consumers are also encouraged to buy CBD oil and other products at Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s shop . About HempMeds Brasil HempMeds Brasil was the first company to receive approval from the National Sanitary Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) to import a product based on cannabidiol, a substance derived from hemp, a plant of the genus Cannabis. Currently, it is authorized to supply its products, which help in the control of diseases such as epilepsy, Parkinson's, chronic pain and multiple sclerosis, under medical prescription. For these indications, the products can be subsidized by the Brazilian government. HempMeds Brasil works on additional approvals for other indications. www.hempmeds.com.br . FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Medical Marijuana, Inc. to be materially different from the statements made herein. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) DISCLOSURE These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. LEGAL DISCLOSURE Medical Marijuana, Inc. does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act (US.CSA). These companies do grow, sell, and distribute hemp-based products and are involved with the federally legal distribution of medical marijuana-based products within certain international markets. Cannabidiol is a natural constituent of hemp oil. CONTACT: Public Relations Contact: Andrew Hard Chief Executive Officer CMW Media P. 858-264-6600 [email protected] www.cmwmedia.com SOURCE Medical Marijuana, Inc. Related Links http://www.medicalmarijuanainc.com HB19-1090 was introduced in January 2019 with the intention to repeal the provision that prohibits publicly traded companies from holding a marijuana license. The bill was strongly sponsored by two Democrats and two Republicans, having passed unanimously out of the House Finance Committee on March 4 and then referred to the House Appropriations Committee. HB19-1090 passed out of the Senate Finance Committee with a vote of five to two on April 18 and was then passed on to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The second reading took place on April 23. The final decision of the bill was made by the full legislature on April 27, 2019 by a vote of 27-7-1. Governor Polis publicly supports this Bill, which is now awaiting his signature. "We greatly appreciate today's announcement on the passage of HB19-1090, which will significantly impact Medicine Man Technologies and the overall cannabis industry," said Andy Williams, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Medicine Man Technologies. "I'm proud to say our Company has served as a pioneer in this community and has supported this movement every step of the way. We now have the momentum behind us to accelerate the closing of our two acquisitions, MedPharm Holdings, LLC and Medicine Man Denver. This is a monumental time for us and believe the growth potential is both substantial and compelling. We thank our legislative support and the support from our shareholders as we move forward in executing our vision as a leader and vertically integrated operator in the cannabis space." House Bill 19-1090 repeals the Colorado legislative provision that prohibits publicly traded corporations from holding a marijuana license. The passing of HB19-1090 allows the Company to complete two of its pending acquisitions of MedPharm Holdings, LLC and Medicine Man Denver. Upon completion of the acquisitions, the Company will be granted operation of MedPharm's three popular brands and first cannabis research license, along with full operation of Medicine Man Denver's four retail and cultivation locations in Colorado, in addition to the Company's current cultivation license. The combined companies anticipate a profitable 2019 with revenues exceeding a $40 million annual run rate. For more information about Medicine Man Technologies, please visit https://www.medicinemantechnologies.com/ About Medicine Man Technologies Medicine Man Technologies is a fully integrated operator in the cannabis industry, offering consulting, cultivation supplies and equipment, retail pharma-grade products, and turnkey solutions for cannabis producers, processors and retailers for nearly a decade. Medicine Man Technologies is leveraging its expertise and intellectual property to vertically integrate retail, cultivation, formulation and distribution operations. The Company's client portfolio includes active and past clients in 18 states and seven countries. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Such statements may be preceded by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential" or similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions, and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control and cannot be predicted or quantified. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with (i) our inability to manufacture our products and product candidates on a commercial scale on our own or in collaboration with third parties; (ii) difficulties in obtaining financing on commercially reasonable terms; (iii) changes in the size and nature of our competition; (iv) loss of one or more key executives or scientists; and (v) difficulties in securing regulatory approval to market our products and product candidates. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investor Relations Contact: [email protected] 1-866-348-1997 SOURCE Medicine Man Technologies, Inc. Related Links https://www.medicinemantechnologies.com The agreement was reached after Dr. Al-Issa visited Rabbi Schneier and his congregation at the New York synagogue. It was the first such trip to a Jewish house of worship in the United States by a head of the MWL, a non-governmental organization based in the holy city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, representing the interests of the world's Muslims. The visit came directly after Dr. Al-Issa met separately with His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, at his private residence adjacent to St. Patrick's Cathedral. The agreement between the MWL and the Appeal of Conscience Foundation focuses on how leaders of the two faiths can work together to prevent threats or violence against religious sites and worshippers as recently witnessed during Passover at the Chabad of Poway Synagogue near San Diego, California, at multiple churches on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka, the Al Noor Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand, and the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. "Houses of worship must be sanctuaries of peace," said Dr. Al-Issa, who last year visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington and has become the foremost voice for moderation and interreligious cooperation in the Islamic world. "No one should be killed for daring only to pray," Dr. Al-Issa added. "No one should be threatened for expressing his or her beliefs. We must work together to fight for the protection of worshippers anywhere, whatever their creed." The agreement, signed Monday before religious leaders of major faith communities and congregants of the Park East Synagogue, directs the MWL and the Appeal of Conscience Foundation to build stronger institutional bonds that can serve as a model for the promotion of peace, diversity and interreligious harmony. The two bodies pledged to explore joint efforts to elevate the level of advocacy for the protection of religious sites, regardless of the religion or creed. Dr. Al-Issa and Rabbi Arthur Schneier also called on all people, nations and leaders, as well as educators and scholars, to reject violence, hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric of any kind that is committed in the name of God or Truth. "People should not have to risk their lives when going to pray in churches, mosques, synagogues or temples," said Rabbi Arthur Schneier. "We call on all peoples, nations and their religious and political leaders to work for the protection of all religious sites as places essential to our common humanity, and the preservation of faiths and cultures. We call on religious leaders, educators and scholars to condemn violence committed in the name of God. A crime committed in the name of religion is the greatest crime against religion." Dr. Al-Issa has served as secretary general of the MWL since 2017. His various interreligious initiatives include a historic meeting with His Holiness Pope Francis, and a cooperation agreement with the Vatican. Later this week, Dr. Al-Issa and Bawa Jain, the Secretary General of the World Council will collaborate on hosting the inaugural Responsible Leaders Summit at the United Nations. More than 100 leaders from business, politics and religion to seek actionable answers for problems plaguing the planet. Rabbi Schneier's interfaith leadership roles have included being an ambassador to the U.N. Alliance of Civilizations and an appointee of President Bill Clinton to religious freedom negotiations with China. He received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Clinton for "his service as an international envoy for four administrations and as a Holocaust survivor, devoting a lifetime to overcoming forces of hatred and intolerance." He received the Department of State Special Recognition Award for his ecumenical work in favor of mutual understanding and peace. The United States Senate honored him for his half- century of work on behalf of religious freedom and interreligious cooperation. In addition to Dr. Al-Issa, Park East Synagogue in 2008 hosted Pope Benedict for the first papal visit to a U.S. synagogue. Founded in 1890, the synagogue is a landmark New York City house of worship and among the nation's leading modern Orthodox congregations. SOURCE Muslim World League CEDAR KNOLLS, N.J., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP) received funding from Walmart to use towards Certified Logistics Associate training for students at the Donald M. Payne School of Technology. NJMEP will use monies from the Walmart funding to train 20 students and 1 teacher in the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC) Certified Logistics Associate Program at the Donald M. Payne School of Technology in Newark, New Jersey (Essex County) starting on May 2, 2019. "This program is a direct link between education and employment," said Patricia Moran, Director of Apprenticeships, NJMEP. "With a growing need for employable workers in the local manufacturing and logistics industries, this program is a great opportunity for students to develop skills and earn certification for employment." This training is done through NJMEP's Pro-Action Educational NetworkTM which leverages NJMEP's unique market position as an intermediary organization in the state and national manufacturing ecosystem. The Program includes modules on global supply chain logistics, logistics environment, safety principles, safe material handling and equipment operation, material handling equipment, quality control principles, teamwork and workplace conduct, and work communication. Those who successfully complete the program and final certification exam will earn a nationally-recognized MSSC Certified Logistics Associate certification. "If people want to get into the manufacturing and logistics industries, they need to look into this program," said Dicxiana Carbonell, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction at Essex County Schools of Technology. "The industry is getting more competitive, and having this certification really sets you apart. This training will better prepare an applicant to move up through a company." Companies recognize they will require a pipeline of highly skilled workers in order to compete globally. They identify the three MSSC nationally recognized certifications as key building blocks in the development of that skilled workforce. Those nationally portable certifications are: Certified Production Technician (CPT) Certified Logistics Associate (CLA) Certified Logistics Technician (CLT) MSSC training and certification assessment for all three are offered by NJMEP. MSSC is recognized by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) as the foundational cornerstone of its comprehensive National Skills Certification System. All MSSC credentials are recognized nationally and are fully portable. In addition to technical skills, MSSC training and credentialing addresses cross-functional employability skills, such as communications, teamwork, customer awareness, and workplace conduct. The many benefits potentially available to companies using MSSC credentials as a hiring preference include decreasing recruitment costs, eliminating remedial training costs, providing a diagnostic tool to benchmark incumbent workers against a national standard and attracting, motivating, and retaining qualified employees. About NJMEP: NJMEP is a private, notfor-profit organization that improves the profitability and competitiveness of New Jersey's manufacturers. Backed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), NJMEP enables organizations to enhance their productivity and efficiencies, reduce costs, and improve employee performance. For more than 20 years, NJMEP has used its extensive network of connections and proven track record of success to help manufacturers adapt to the latest innovative technologies and best practices to realize more than $3.8 billion in value. Our services are categorized into the following three areas: Operational Excellence, Innovation and Growth Strategies, and Workforce Development. NJMEP also has a signature philanthropic program, Manufacturing Cares, which is designed to provide a platform for manufacturers to give back to the community by pooling efforts to increase our impact. SOURCE New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program Related Links https://www.njmep.org/ Charlottesville, Va., April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The University of Virginia School of Engineering will host internationally renowned speaker Vinton G. Cerf, a father of the Internet who co-designed the TCP/IP protocols and the architecture of the Internet, as part of a National Academy of Engineering regional meeting and symposium on Wednesday, May 1. The day-long meeting, entitled Cyber-Physical Systems: The Defining Technologies of the 21st Century, features distinguished speakers with expertise in cybersecurity, cyber-physical systems, smart cities, smart health and autonomous systems all areas of focus for UVA Engineerings new Link Lab for cyber-physical systems. The lineup includes a panel discussion on Securing the Cyber-Physical Universe, moderated by Jack Davidson, UVA professor of computer science, director of the Computer Science Cybersecurity Program and co-organizer of the UVA Cyber Innovation & Society Initiative, with: Andrew Bochman, senior grid strategist for Idaho National Laboratorys National and Homeland Security program Stephanie Forrest, director of the Biodesign Center for Biocomputation, Security and Society, and professor in the School of Computing, Informatics and Decision Sciences Engineering at Arizona State University S. Shankar Sastry, faculty director of the Blum Center for Developing Economies, NEC Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences and former dean of Berkeley Engineering David Maidment, Hussein M. Alharthy Centennial Chair in Civil Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin and National Academy of Engineering member, will talk about smart cities for flooding. Veena Misra, distinguished professor of electrical and computer engineering at N.C. State University and director of the Center for Advanced Self-Powered Systems of Integrated Sensors and Technologies (ASSIST), a National Science Foundation-Sponsored Nanosystems Engineering Research Center, will address smart health. George J. Pappas, the Joseph Moore Professor and Chair of the Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania and a member of the General Robotics, Automation, Sensing & Perception (GRASP) Laboratory and the Penn Research In Embedded Computing and Integrated Systems Engineering (PRECISE) Center, will give a talk on autonomous systems. UVA Engineering Link Lab faculty members will offer demonstrations in robotic surgery, driverless cars and drones. Everything in our future in the world in which we work and spend our lives is going to be connected through the internet, said UVA Engineering Dean Craig H. Benson, an internationally renowned geoenvironmental engineer and member of the National Academy of Engineering. Cyber-physical systems are the links between computers, data, decision-making and the physical world, and cyber-physical systems let us do things in a much faster, more efficient and effective way. UVA Engineering has been on the forefront of establishing the field of cyber-physical systems, opening the Link Lab in 2018 for multidisciplinary research in smart health, smart cities and autonomous systems, and outlining best practices for educating future engineering leaders to push the field forward. John A. Stankovic, UVAs BP America Professor of Computer Science and Link Lab director, was co-author of a 2016 National Academy of Sciences report entitled, A 21st Century Cyber-Physical Systems Education, and recently earned a prestigious National Science Foundation Research Traineeship grant to create a national model for training graduate students to make discoveries associated with cyber and the Internet of Things, then translate that knowledge into new technologies, products and services. If you think about all of this from the perspective of sustainability and improving human quality of life, cyber-physical systems will help us to manage our lives and our environments with an exceptional degree of precision, Benson said. It will be a whole new world, and the distinguished panel of experts that we are bringing to Charlottesville, in partnership with the National Academy of Engineering, will help us better understand the challenges and opportunities ahead. Cyber-physical systems reside at, even define the leading edge of our nations advancements and critical needs in the early part of this century, said C. D. Mote Jr., president of the National Academy of Engineering. I thank Dean Benson, his colleagues at UVA and the assembled distinguished speakers from across the country for educating us on our current standing. ### About UVA Engineering: As part of the top-ranked, comprehensive University of Virginia, UVA Engineering is one of the nations oldest and most respected engineering schools. Our mission is to make the world a better place by creating and disseminating knowledge and by preparing future engineering leaders. Outstanding students and faculty from around the world choose UVA Engineering because of our growing and internationally recognized education and research programs. UVA is the No. 1 public engineering school in the country for the percentage of women graduates, among schools with at least 75 degree earners; the No. 1 public engineering school in the United States for the four-year graduation rate of undergraduates students; and the top engineering school in the country for the rate of Ph.D. enrollment growth. Learn more at engineering.virginia.edu. Canopy Growth will transform the (appropriately spotless former vacuum parts) building this summer in Kirkwood, NY for previously announced Hemp Industrial Park SMITHS FALLS, ON and KIRKWOOD, NY, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Canopy Growth Corporation ("Canopy Growth" or the "Company") (TSX: WEED) (NYSE: CGC) is pleased to announce a key milestone in establishing its Hemp Industrial Park in the Southern Tier region of New York State. The Company has secured a 308,000 sq. ft. facility on a 48-acre property in Kirkwood, NY. Design activities will commence immediately with construction commencing this summer. The vision for the property is to build the infrastructure necessary to support hemp-derived cannabinoid extraction and related manufacturing together with providing an opportunity for participation by other businesses in the hemp industry. "As we establish a stronger foothold in the exciting US market, we want to do so in a way that prioritizes local vendors and creates meaningful career opportunities for people in the communities where we operate," said Bruce Linton, Chairman & co-CEO, Canopy Growth. "The vision for our investment is to create an eco-system that inspires new entrepreneurs and generates more economic stimulus than a single company can offer. As we build the facilities, we'll also attract like-minded businesses who share our excitement for the emerging hemp and hemp-derived cannabinoid markets." The Company will begin hiring senior leadership in late 2019 and recruit the full workforce in mid 2020. Canopy Growth has also begun securing farm capacity to supply enough hemp for its own future extraction and formulation activities within the park. The Company intends to prioritize farms within New York State for the supply of hemp at this site. "We welcome Canopy Growth to Broome County with open arms. We haven't seen an investment like this in Broome in some time, and we're so excited a company like them is setting up shop in our area," said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. "With Canopy Growth coming to Broome County we look forward to seeing the benefits in job investment." With the location secured, Canopy Growth expects work to commence quickly on Pine Camp Drive and with local contracted construction teams retrofitting the facility, operations will scale-up quickly. It is anticipated that the operations will create hundreds of new local full-time positions, in addition to the contracted construction workers. New York State granted a hemp licence to Canopy Growth in January of this year, allowing the Company to establish operations in the state and build a facility for hemp-derived cannabinoid extraction and processing for various applications. The new hemp facility will be capable of producing tons of hemp extract on an annual basis. The Company will begin approaching third-party organizations to join the ecosystem. Canopy Growth is eager to attract businesses and researchers focused on every application of the hemp crop such as fibers, seeds, and hemp-derived cannabinoids. Since announcing intent in January 2019, the Company has worked closely with US government officials at all levels. From the local government and economic development officials, the New York Farm Bureau, to state representatives, Governor Cuomo's office, and Senator Schumer's office, Canopy Growth wishes to thank these key stakeholders for their commitment to building a hub for hemp innovation and entrepreneurship in the Southern Tier. Here's to Future Growth. About Canopy Growth Canopy Growth (TSX:WEED,NYSE:CGC) is a world-leading diversified cannabis and hemp company, offering distinct brands and curated cannabis varieties in dried, oil and Softgel capsule forms. Canopy Growth offers medically approved vaporizers through the Company's subsidiary, Storz & Bickel GMbH & Co. KG. From product and process innovation to market execution, Canopy Growth is driven by a passion for leadership and a commitment to building a world-class cannabis company one product, site and country at a time. The Company has operations in over a dozen countries across five continents. The Company is proudly dedicated to educating healthcare practitioners, conducting robust clinical research, and furthering the public's understanding of cannabis, and through its wholly owned subsidiary, Canopy Health Innovations ("Canopy Health"), has devoted millions of dollars toward cutting edge, commercializable research and IP development. Canopy Growth works with the Beckley Foundation and has launched Beckley Canopy Therapeutics to research and develop clinically validated cannabis-based medicines, with a strong focus on intellectual property protection. Canopy Growth acquired assets of leading hemp research company, ebbu, Inc. ("ebbu"). Intellectual Property ("IP") and R&D advancements achieved by ebbu's team apply directly to Canopy Growth's hemp and THC-rich cannabis genetic breeding program and its cannabis-infused beverage capabilities. Through partly owned subsidiary Canopy Rivers Corporation, the Company is providing resources and investment to new market entrants and building a portfolio of stable investments in the sector. From our historic public listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange to our continued international expansion, pride in advancing shareholder value through leadership is engrained in all we do at Canopy Growth. Canopy Growth has established partnerships with leading sector names including cannabis icon Snoop Dogg, breeding legends DNA Genetics and Green House seeds, Battelle, the world's largest nonprofit research and development organization, and Fortune 500 alcohol leader Constellation Brands, to name but a few. Canopy Growth operates ten licensed cannabis production sites with over 4.3 million square feet of production capacity, including over one million square feet of GMP certified production space. The Company operates Tweed retail stores in Newfoundland and Manitoba and has entered into supply agreements with every Canadian province and territory. For more information visit www.canopygrowth.com Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Canopy Growth or its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release. Examples of such statements include statements with respect to timelines for hiring and construction activities. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including the Company's ability to satisfy provincial sales contracts or provinces purchasing all cannabis allocated to them, and such risks contained in the Company's annual information form dated June 27, 2018 and filed with Canadian securities regulators available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information or forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information or forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE Canopy Growth Corporation Related Links canopygrowth.com SHANGHAI, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- OneSmart International Education Group Limited (NYSE: ONE) ("OneSmart" or the "Company"), a leading diversified premium K-12 after-school education service provider in China, today announced that its board of directors has authorized a share repurchase program to repurchase up to US$50.0 million worth of its shares over the next 12 months, subject to market conditions. Share repurchases may be made by the Company from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices, block transactions, and/or in privately negotiated transactions and are subject to relevant rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"). The Company will also effect repurchase transactions in compliance with Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Act and the Company's insider trading policy. OneSmart's board of directors will review the share repurchase program periodically, and may authorize adjustments of its terms and size. The Company plans to fund repurchases from its existing cash balance or future cash generated by operating and financing activities. As of November 30, 2018, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of RMB775.4 million (US$111.5 million) and short-term investments of RMB748.3 million (US$107.6 million). Mr. Steve Xi Zhang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OneSmart, commented, "Following the US$30.0 million share repurchase program approved by the board of directors in October 2018, this share repurchase program reflects the confidence that the Board and management have in OneSmart's future business prospects, operating fundamentals and strategy to further strengthen our leadership position in China's premium education market. We are pleased that our growth strategy and strong execution capabilities will enable us to create long-term sustainable value for our shareholders." About OneSmart Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Shanghai, OneSmart International Education Group Limited is a leading diversified premium K-12 education company in China. Since commencement of our business, our vision is to build the most trusted "Third Classroom" outside of home and school and our mission is to bring out the utmost learning power in each student by cultivating his or her study motivation, capability and perseverance, and enable our students to pursue their life-long success. Our company culture is centered on the core values of customer focus, execution, innovation and teamwork. The Company has built a comprehensive premium K-12 education platform that encompasses OneSmart VIP business (exam preparation, overseas study consultation, and study camps services), HappyMath (kids mathematics training services), and FasTrack English (kids English training services). The Company also strategically incubated and invested in online education service providers including Yimi Online Tutoring (online premium K-12 tutoring services), UUABC (online kids English training services), and BestMath (online kids mathematics training services). As of November 30, 2018, OneSmart operated a nationwide network of 367 study centers across 42 cities in China. For more information on OneSmart, please visit http://www.onesmart.investorroom.com. SOURCE OneSmart International Education Group Limited Related Links http://www.onesmart.investorroom.com HONG KONG and SHANGHAI, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (hereafter "Ping An" or the "Group" or the "Company", HKEX: 2318; SSE: 601318) announced today its 2019 first quarter financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2019. Operating profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company rose 21.0% year on year to RMB34, 119 million. Net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company increased 77.1% year on year to RMB45, 517 million. As of March 31, 2019, the Group's total retail customers grew to nearly 191 million, an increase of 3.6% compared with the beginning of this year. The Group's internet user base was also up 4.2% over the same period to 561 million. In the first quarter of 2019, the Group acquired 11 million new customers, 31.3% of whom were sourced from internet users within its five ecosystems. Core finance businesses maintain steady growth NBV of the life and health insurance business strengthened. While maintaining balanced growth in scale and value, the Company attaches greater importance to stable quarterly growth in business, enabling sustainable business growth and healthy growth in the size of our sales agent team. In the first quarter of 2019, under the belief that "insurance should be protection-oriented," the Company proactively adjusted the product mix by de-scaling short-PPP (Premium Payment Period) savings products and increasing focus on long-term protection products and hybrid long-PPP protection and savings products. As a result, NBV of the life and health insurance business rose by 6.1% year on year to RMB21, 642 million despite first-year premium (FYP) declining 10.8% year on year. Ping An Property & Casualty maintained stable business growth and high business quality. In the first quarter of 2019, Ping An Property & Casualty recorded a premium income of RMB69, 220 million, up 9.5% year on year. Ping An Property & Casualty maintained high business quality, with a better-than-industry combined ratio of 97.0%. Ping An Property & Casualty's net profit increased by 77.3% year on year due to a higher investment income driven by a capital market recovery and a decrease in income tax attributable to declining commission rates. The Company continued to optimize asset allocation of insurance funds and asset-liability matching. As of March 31, 2019, the Company's investment portfolio of insurance funds grew to nearly RMB2.88 trillion, up by 3.2% from the beginning of 2019. In the first quarter of 2019, the investment portfolio's annualized net and total investment yields reached 3.9% and 5.1% respectively. Ping An Bank maintained steady growth, and furthered its retail banking transformation. In the first quarter of 2019, Ping An Bank's revenue increased by 15.9% year on year to RMB32, 476 million. Net profit grew by 12.9% year on year to RMB7, 446 million. Ping An Bank furthered its retail banking transformation by capitalizing on technological innovations. As of March 31, 2019, retail assets under management (AUM) rose by 17.4% from the beginning of 2019 to RMB1, 663,298 million. The core tier 1 capital adequacy ratio rose by 0.21 pps from the beginning of 2019 to 8.75%. The Company further implemented fintech and healthtech strategies In the first quarter of 2019, under the "finance + technology" and "finance + ecosystem" strategies, Ping An continued to increase investment in areas including AI, blockchain, and cloud computing to proactively develop its five ecosystems and facilitate the Group's business growth. Ping An achieved steady business growth by "Empowering financial services with technologies, empowering ecosystems with technologies, and empowering financial services with ecosystems." As of March 31, 2019, Ping An had filed 15,316 technology patent applications, up 3,265 from the beginning of the year, ranking among the top tier of international financial institutions. The applications include 3,761 filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and abroad. In the first quarter of 2019, Lufax Holding's revenue and profit rose steadily. Assets under management (AUM) grew by 2.0% from the beginning of 2019 to RMB376, 707 million. The balance of loans under management rose by 7.5% from the beginning of 2019 to RMB403, 121 million. Lufax Holding has completed its Series C financing at a post-money valuation of USD39, 400 million. OneConnect is committed to building a world-leading fintech service cloud platform. As of March 31, 2019, OneConnect had provided fintech services for 590 banks, 77 insurers and 2,634 other non-bank financial institutions. In the first quarter of 2019, OneConnect's risk management products were used 326 million times. Ping An Smart City Business builds "1+N" platforms that center on government services, economic development and people's livelihood, under the philosophy of serving the country, society and public. Ping An Smart City's business covers fiscal management, government administration, transportation, life, healthcare, trade, and so on. Ping An Smart City is rolling out its business to over 100 Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, as well as multiple countries and regions along the Belt and Road Initiative. In targeted poverty alleviation, Ping An continues to promote the Ping An Rural Communities Support initiative, covering village officers, doctors and teachers. Ping An uses cutting-edge technologies to support rural industrial upgrade, strengthen health care in poor areas, and improve rural education. As of the end of March 2019, the Company had implemented the Ping An Rural Communities Support in nine provinces or autonomous regions across China. The Company had contributed RMB9, 800 million for poverty alleviation, built or upgraded over 400 rural clinics, trained 5,702 village doctors, built or upgraded 391 rural schools, and trained 4,819 village teachers. Outlook According to Mr. Peter Ma, Chairman and CEO of Ping An, "The year 2019 is crucial for our strategic transformation. Ping An will closely follow national policies and continue to strengthen the ability to support the real economy. Under the 'finance + technology' and 'finance + ecosystem' strategies, Ping An will proactively develop its five ecosystems, increase R&D investment, offer excellent products and services, and promote various businesses. As a socially responsible corporation, Ping An has a longstanding commitment to our society. We will continue the Ping An Rural Communities Support initiative to give back to society and contribute to the nation. In this way, we will create value for customers, shareholders and society in tribute to the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China." For enquiries, please contact: Gareth Hewett @ +852 68822027 or [email protected] SOURCE Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. MALVERN, Pa., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Ricoh USA, Inc. has been named to the shortlist for the Incite Customer Service Awards, which celebrate innovation, exemplary performance and leadership in the customer service space. These awards spotlight individuals and organizations who are leading the way in truly exceeding customer expectations. Ricoh joins other internationally respected names, including Home Depot, Rogers Communications and Southwest Airlines, as a finalist for Customer Success Brand of the Year, which highlights organizations that exceed expectations to deliver excellent customer service experiences. "The customer experience is at the center of Ricoh's success and its future," said Bruce Nelson, Director, Customer Support Services, Ricoh USA, Inc. "It's our reputation, and our customers' reputations, on the line. That's why customer service is such an area of focus for us, and that's why being named a finalist is such an honor. We work closely with customers to make sure we're delivering how and when we need to, but it is heartening to get this third-party recognition for our efforts." Ricoh leverages a combination of state-of-the-art, innovative technology; constant collaboration and peer feedback; and finely tuned processes to deliver unmatched customer support experiences. Frequent, extensive quantitative and qualitative analysis of key performance indicators, such as first-time fix rate (FTFR), mean time to repair (MTTR) and customer satisfaction, help guide and drive continual improvement. Real-time, tactical activities to address customer inquiries are made visible via intuitive dashboards at all levels of the support organization, helping to foster collaboration on difficult problems without the need for extensive hand-off explanations among workers. This transparency allows support staff with specialized knowledge to jump directly into the support effort, with all of the information their peers have immediately at hand. This helps address customer issues more quickly and effectively, while creating a stronger sense of teamwork and collaboration in the support center. One way Ricoh delivers such strong customer support is via its patented Xpress Support system for its technicians in the field. When it comes to technical support, interactive voice response (IVR) is the standard. However, support using an IVR can force call center agents to work "on an island," trying to resolve assigned issues on their own. Xpress Support provides a better way and empowers field technicians to submit issues via a mobile app, text or Twitter, eliminating hold times altogether. Submitted topics immediately appear in a list on a large display in the call center, where support staff work in a collaborative, open environment. Selecting from the list, enables each staff member to immediately add value using their core expertise. This approach helps call center staff work smarter while also fostering collaboration. While Ricoh is nominated for Customer Success Brand of the Year, finalists were also named in the Customer Service Leader of the Year and Solution Provider of the Year categories. Winners will be decided from among the finalists by popular vote online. Polls close May 3, and winners will be announced June 3 at an awards ceremony hosted by the Incite Group at the Customer Service Summit West, June 3-4 at the Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa. To learn more about Ricoh, visit Ricoh's website or follow the company's social media channels on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. | About Ricoh | Ricoh is empowering digital workplaces using innovative technologies and services enabling individuals to work smarter. For more than 80 years, Ricoh has been driving innovation and is a leading provider of document management solutions, IT services, commercial and industrial printing, digital cameras, and industrial systems. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in approximately 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ended March 2018, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,063 billion yen (approx. 19.4 billion USD). For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com. 2019 Ricoh USA, Inc. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies. Contact: John Greco Ricoh USA, Inc. (973) 882-2023 [email protected] Tracey Sheehy Breakaway Communications for Ricoh (212) 616-6003 [email protected] SOURCE Ricoh USA, Inc. Related Links http://www.ricoh-usa.com WASHINGTON, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Date: April 29, 2019 Time: 10: 00 A.M. Place: U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Courtroom 26 A of Judge Thomas F. Hogan 333 Constitution Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001 Counsel for Chief Justice Roy Moore, Larry Klayman, and his client will appear before the Honorable Thomas Hogan to argue motion filed by defendants Sasha Baron Cohen, Showtime and CBS seeking to have the case transferred to federal court in New York City, where the defendants obviously believe they will have a more favorable venue given the leftist slant of the judiciary in the Southern District of New York. Chief Justice Moore has opposed this requested change of venue, since the alleged malicious defamation perpetrated against him on the show "Who Is America?", whereby Sasha Baron Cohen and the other defendants defrauded him to appear to accept an award from the Jewish state of Israel, occurred in District of Columbia. "Appearing in disguise as Israeli Mossad agent Ehud Morad, the low class Cohen waived a device which Morad claimed could detect pedophiles if it beeped, and predictably Cohen made it beep repeatedly, thus maliciously and falsely publishing in the district, nationally and internationally that Chief Justice Moore is a pedophile. Needless to say, Chief Justice Moore is no such thing," said Klayman Recently polls in Alabama show if Chief Justice Moore decides to run again for the U.S. Senate in 2020, he will easily beat any of his rivals, including the current senator of the state, Doug Jones. Klayman has this to say about Cohen's, Showtime's and CBS's malicious defamation, calculated to turn a handsome profit for the defendants at the expense of Chief Justice Moore, both a distinguished jurist and a person of deep faith: "The Defendants can try to run to New York City where they obviously believe a leftist jurist will be more inclined to dismiss the case, but they cannot hide from the egregiousness of their cheap and vile acts. I'm confident Judge Hogan will see through this charade and allow the case to go to a jury of the parties' peers in the place where this case belongs, the District of Columbia." The defamation complaint filed against Cohen, Showtime and CBS can be viewed at www.larryklayman.com. Following the hearing, there will be a press conference at the Third Street exit/entrance of the courthouse with Chief Justice Moore, his wife and his counsel present. For more information, contact [email protected] or (424) 274 2579. Media contact Adrienne Mazzone 561-750-9800 x2270; [email protected]. SOURCE Larry Klayman Related Links http://www.larryklayman.com BERN, Switzerland, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A memorandum of understanding of bilateral cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative framework was signed between President of the Swiss Confederation Ueli Maurer and China at the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which just concluded. Echoing the move, the 2019 Shenzhen International Culture Week & Promotion of "CityPlus" Platform kicked off in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, on April 29. The southern Chinese city deeply impressed the world with its orientation toward innovation and design and the willingness to promote openness, cooperation and development. At the event, Shenzhen City of Design Promotion Office (SZCDPO) and Shenzhen Foundation for International Exchange and Cooperation introduced the City of Design and the "CityPlus" platform, respectively, and a distinct exhibition promoting Shenzhen Design Award for Young Talents, which is for outstanding new creative designs, was held. "Innovative and dynamic, Shenzhen represented an enchanting metropolis of global fame," said Christoph Ammann, deputy governor of the Canton of Bern, expressing hope that both parties would expand exchanges in economy, culture, science and technology and other areas. Authoritative figures of the business, political, cultural and educational communities have shown interest in the designs present on site and looked forward to deeper cooperation with Shenzhen on more fronts. As China's first City of Design recognized by UNESCO, Shenzhen is offering global talents of innovation and design a broad platform to grow professionally. Tommaso Masera from Italy has started working in Shenzhen since 2007 as a designer. He was impressed by the Shenzhen Design Exhibition during the 2018 Shenzhen Design Week. "As Italy was the guest country of honor last year, I attended the event as an exhibitor of the Italian pavilion and got exposed to the latest technologies and production techniques. Besides, with the enabling atmosphere of design here, I have launched two watch brands," said Mr. Masera. Home to approximately 13,000 design institutions, Shenzhen grabs a larger Chinese market share in graphic design, industrial design, interior design and fashion design. For seven consecutive years the city has ranked first in China in terms of the number of enterprises winning the Red Dot Design Award and the iF Product Design Award. Such major events as the International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF), the Shenzhen Design Week & Global Design Award and the HK-SZ Design Biennale have emerged as shinning "brand names" of Shenzhen. "Shenzhen values the growth of the design industry, which is endowed with a solid foundation and a sound environment that ensure rapid development. Going ahead, the city is set to expand exchange and cooperation with the global design community for win-win results," Dr. Han Wangxi, head of SZCDPO, addressed at the promotion. Shenzhen and Bern have seen increased exchanges and cooperation not just on the government level, but in the business sector. To deepen the already close ties, both parties send business delegations to each other's annual major events, including Switzerland's Baselworld and the Shenzhen-hosted ICIF and High-Tech Fair. According to Li Xiaogan, director of Shenzhen Association for International Culture Exchanges, the Swiss event reminds him once again that the two cities have much to complement each other, be it in design and environmental protection, or intellectual property protection and city management. A bright future for bilateral cooperation is thus ensured. Li expressed hope that both parties would further mutually beneficial cooperation in personnel training, fashion design and cultural tourism so as to achieve win-win progress. SOURCE The Shenzhen City of Design Promotion Office DENVER, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Spiffit, a leading provider of Software as a Service (SaaS) sales-incentive management applications, today announced that it has published a sales performance incentives funds management solution on the Fortellis Automotive Commerce Exchange platform. Fortellis is the world's first open, agnostic platform for the development and marketing of automotive APIs and solutions. Spiffit is now available in the Fortellis Marketplace for dealerships, OEMs and independent software vendors (ISV) in North America. "Fortellis brings unparalleled access to our industry for those who seek best-in-class solutions for improving processes and profitability. We're delighted to be part of the Fortellis platform," said Sean Ugrin, Spiffit founder and chief executive officer. "For anyone engaged in selling, Spiffit tracks the spiff incentive programs of OEMs, vendors and dealer groups and displays liabilities, reconciles claims and compiles downloadable program data for accurate and concise reporting and fulfillment," Ugrin said. "Our automated and DMS-driven platform enables sharing of sales, financial and performance metrics by employee and department, in real-time, while Spiffit Scoreboards engage the entire team from management to staff." "We're very pleased to introduce Spiffit as the newest contributing member on the Fortellis platform," said Steven Liu, vice president, product management, CDK Global. "Spiffit is a welcome addition to Fortellis and joins a growing number of companies creating products that will shape the future of our industry." Fortellis is designed to connect automotive-retail processes with seamless ease and transparency. About Fortellis Automotive Commerce Exchange Platform Fortellis is a technology platform that enables the automotive industry to leverage, build, innovate and integrate solutions and workflows to transform business. The Fortellis platformwith its Developer Network and Marketplaceconnects software developers, OEMs and dealers so they can create new and unique experiences efficiently and seamlessly. Visit fortellis.io to learn more. About CDK Global With more than $2 billion in revenues, CDK Global is a leading global provider of integrated information technology and digital marketing solutions to the automotive retail and adjacent industries. Focused on enabling end-to-end automotive commerce, CDK provides solutions to dealers in more than 100 countries around the world, serving approximately 30,000 retail locations and most automotive manufacturers. CDK solutions automate and integrate all parts of the dealership and buying process from targeted digital advertising and marketing campaigns to the sale, financing, insuring, parts supply, repair, and maintenance of vehicles. Visit cdkglobal.com. About Spiffit Spiffit is a leading provider of SaaS sales incentive applications that drive revenue. Spiffit's powerful application has been proven to increase performance by promoting and rewarding profitable behavior for automotive dealers of all sizes. Spiffit, located in Denver, Colorado, has been growing steadily as automotive dealers see the improved results achieved by implementing and managing targeted Spiff programs for both Service and Sales. For more information, contact Spiffit.com or e-mail [email protected]. Media Contacts: Roxanne Pipitone 847-485-4423 [email protected] Sean Ugrin 720-220-1711 [email protected] SOURCE Spiffit Related Links http://www.spiffit.com NEW YORK, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As a demonstration of its commitment to sustainability, Spring Power & Gas is excited to announce its new partnership with Bethesda Green. Spring Power & Gas is an environmentally-focused energy and natural gas retailer servicing Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The company's contribution will support the Bethesda Green Leadership Academy. Founded in 2007, Bethesda Green is a nonprofit organization that acts as an incubator, connector, and community partner. Through education and outreach, the testing and implementation of green solutions, and a next-generation green business incubator, the organization strives to build a more local and sustainable economy. Bethesda Green Leadership Academy is funded primarily through sponsorships and grants, such as Spring Power & Gas' recent endowment. Started back in 2014, the Leadership Academy is an experiential school-year long sustainability program targeting high school students in their senior year. The training focuses on environmental stewardship and community engagement with local organizations and businesses. The program is available to high schools in the areas of Chevy Chase, Walt Whitman, and Walter Johnson in Montgomery County, Maryland. This year, the students participating in the Leadership Academy are researching composting at Walt Whitman High School, the impact of overfishing, and animal welfare, specifically with respect to farm animals. Previous projects have included topics such as a recycle sneaker drive, erosion planting at United Universalist Church, a youth forum on climate change, and creating a large model of the lifecycle of plastic. Bethesda Green executive director, Adam M. Roberts, praised the partnership: "Bethesda Green envisions a world driven by sustainability and environmental protection. In order to achieve our mission, it's imperative that government, business, and individuals work together to show that economic development and ecosystem protection are compatible, rather than in tension. We applaud and appreciate Spring Power & Gas's support of Bethesda Green's environmental education initiatives." The partnership has been made possible by the Ecogold Environmental Fund. The Ecogold Environmental Fund is a private fund that acts to support environmentally focused nonprofit organizations. Spring Power & Gas' donation to Bethesda Green is a great testament of its continued support of institutions that share its values of sustainability and environmental accountability. "Since 2010, Bethesda Green has collected 59,261 pounds of recycled material, and has had over 5,200 community participants engage in their activities. For an organization who's been around for a decade, those are some impressive accomplishments. We believe in supporting organizations that work to create more sustainable communities, which is why we're so pleased to be teaming up with Bethesda Green." Richard Booth, President of Retail Operations, Spring Power & Gas. About Spring Power and Gas Spring Power & Gas is an energy retailer dedicated to providing innovative energy solutions for electricity and gas supply. Spring Power & Gas focuses on environmentally conscious energy solutions backed by a friendly and efficient service. As a company, they pride themselves on transparency and the ability to answer any question about the energy industry and their sustainable products. To learn more, please visit www.springpowerandgas.us. About Bethesda Green Bethesda Green is a non-profit 501(c)(3) that accelerates the sustainable economy locally with a focus on innovation through the Be Green Hub, on impact through the Be Impact Initiative, and through Community Engagement. Be Green Hub - Bethesda Green's incubator program started in 2009 as the first sustainability-focused incubator in the Washington, DC region, under the umbrella of Bethesda Green , founded by local entrepreneur, Honest Tea's Seth Goldman , and Montgomery County council member George Leventhal . The incubator has worked with over 46 companies and nonprofit organizations, of which over 80% remain in business. The incubator was relaunched in 2017 as the Be Green Hub. incubator program started in 2009 as the first sustainability-focused incubator in the region, under the umbrella of , founded by local entrepreneur, Honest Tea's , and council member . The incubator has worked with over 46 companies and nonprofit organizations, of which over 80% remain in business. The incubator was relaunched in 2017 as the Be Green Hub. Be Impact - The Be Impact Initiative provides participating companies with tools and Workshop Series to benchmark, express and improve their triple-bottom-line impact (people, profit, planet). Through this program, our region is encouraging the triple-bottom-line business philosophy, so that one day, companies thrive not only to be the best, but also to attract the best for workers, and improve communities and the environment. Be Community - As a Community Partner, Bethesda Green launches initiatives that inform and connect people, public and private organizations, synergistically toward local innovative solutions. Visit https://bethesdagreen.org to learn more about Bethesda Green and the Leadership Academy. Media Contact: Nichola Clark Email: [email protected] Related Images image1.jpg image2.png Related Links Spring Power & Gas Bethesda Green SOURCE Spring Power & Gas Related Links https://springpowerandgas.us "Quality mental health legislation helps save lives. AFSP Connecticut's advocacy team works to connect with and educate state legislators about mental health and suicide prevention programs that work. I am passionate about suicide prevention because many years ago I was in a suicidal crisis. Fortunately, I was able to get immediate help from a caring person who knew just what to do. I advocate for suicide prevention training and research programs so that people across Connecticut will know the best ways to help those facing suicide. I want Connecticut to be a place where no deaths by suicide happen," said Bob Flanagan, AFSP Connecticut Chapter Board Member. The Connecticut State Capitol Day is a special day for all who have a connection with or a personal story around the topic of suicide. Volunteers will meet with their state legislators and share their stories about why they participate in this advocacy effort, giving a human face to this important public health problem. Advocates hope that by sharing their stories, they will help legislators understand that state investments in mental health and suicide prevention can save lives. AFSP Connecticut advocates are part of a larger national movement of AFSP volunteer advocates who will be visiting over 40 state capitols across the United States in 2019 to bring best practices in suicide prevention to state legislators and their staff. To learn more about AFSP's advocacy efforts, visit here: https://afsp.org/our-work/advocacy/. On average, 129 Americans died by suicide each day in 2017, and upwards of 90% of those individuals had a diagnosable mental health condition at the time of their death. AFSP volunteers will urge state lawmakers to be the voice for the thousands of Connecticut residents affected by suicide each year. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. AFSP creates a culture that's smart about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, with a Public Policy Office in Washington, D.C. AFSP has local chapters in all 50 states with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest Annual Report, and join the conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. SOURCE American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Related Links http://www.afsp.org SAN JOSE, Calif., April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- California Water Service Group (Group) (NYSE: CWT) today announced it has officially opened its annual College Scholarship Program. Eligible students residing in areas served by the utilitys California, Hawaii, and Washington subsidiaries may now apply online for one of the scholarships under the $60,000 program, which provides two $10,000 grand-prize awards and additional, smaller awards for college and higher-education expenses. Through the California Water Service Group Scholarship Program, we hope to support the next generation of leaders in the communities we serve, said Martin A. Kropelnicki, President and Chief Executive Officer. As they embark upon the next stage of their lives, we want to help young scholars who are bright, hard-working, and ambitious those who share our commitment to making good things happen in their communities. To apply to the 2019 College Scholarship Program, students must be pursuing a degree in higher education and plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate study program at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the upcoming academic year. Scholarships will be awarded based on academic achievement, community service, and financial need. The annual scholarships are part of Groups stockholder-funded philanthropic giving program and are not paid for by customers rates. The program is administered by Scholarship Management Services, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. To date, Group has provided $300,000 in scholarships to students through the program. To learn more about the scholarship program or to apply, California students can visit www.calwater.com/scholarship . Hawaii students may visit www.hawaiiwaterservice.com/scholarship , and Washington students should go to www.wawater.com/scholarship . The application period for the sixth annual program will close at 1 p.m. PT on Monday, June 17, 2019. Winners will be announced in August. About California Water Service Group California Water Service Group is the parent company of California Water Service, Washington Water Service, New Mexico Water Service, Hawaii Water Service, CWS Utility Services, and HWS Utility Services. Together, these companies provide regulated and non-regulated water service to nearly 2 million people in California, Washington, New Mexico, and Hawaii. California Water Service Groups common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CWT. Additional information is available online at www.calwatergroup.com . WILSONVILLE, Ore., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Avamere Family of Companies is attending and sponsoring the Memories in the Making Art Auction & Gala May 10, 2019, in support of the Alzheimer's Association. The event takes place at the Sentinel Hotel in Portland, Oregon. Leaders from Avamere and Signature Healthcare at Home, part of the Avamere Family of Companies, will attend. The Oregon Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association event 'Memories in the Making' will be held on Friday, May 10, 2019. Avamere attendees include: Brad Litle Roxy Stennett Sarah Silva Tim Minks Signature Healthcare at Home attendees include: Janel Anderson Mike Billings Marissa Charlton Cody Feakin Scott Orlich Sonia Rai As a VIP reception and after-party sponsor, the Avamere Family of Companies is sponsoring the VIP reception prior to the silent auction, as well as the party following the event. Attending the gala is just one of the ways the Avamere family shows their support for the Alzheimer's Association. Team members will also participate in the 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer's in August. They can also show their support by donating. This support aligns with Avamere's priority of social responsibility, a goal to be active and make a difference in the communities Avamere serves. Avamere and Signature Healthcare at Home provide care for seniors, including those living with Alzheimer's disease. Together, they're proud to support research and programs for a cure while continuing to be there for those who live with Alzheimer's. About the Avamere Family of Companies Founded in 1995 and based in Wilsonville, Oregon, the Avamere Family of Companies provides assisted living, independent living, memory care, rehabilitation, home care, transitional care and more. Today, Avamere operates 64 communities with more than 8,700 employees. Avamere is proud to be considered one of Oregon's most admired companies as they continue to serve their valued patients and residents. For more information, please visit avamere.com. Avamere Family of Companies 25115 SW Parkway Ave, Suite B Wilsonville, OR 97070 About Signature Healthcare at Home Based in Wilsonville, Oregon, Signature Healthcare at Home is a preferred provider of home-based care services throughout the Pacific Northwest. Signature provides healthcare solutions for homebound individuals in more than 30 communities throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Utah. Services include home health, hospice, palliative care, rehabilitation therapy and more. For more information, please visit signaturehch.com. Signature Healthcare at Home 25117 SW Parkway Ave, Suite F Wilsonville, OR 97070 For press inquiries, please email [email protected]. Related Images memories-in-the-making-gala.jpg Memories in the Making Gala The Oregon Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association event 'Memories in the Making' will be held on Friday, May 10, 2019. Related Links Website Facebook SOURCE Avamere Health Services Related Links http://avamere.com LOS ANGELES, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Basepaws, the first company to offer at-home feline DNA testing (think 23andMeow), today announced that it received $250,000 in investment on ABC's "Shark Tank" reality show. The claws came out (just a little) as the show's wealthy investor Sharks vied for a piece of the enormously promising biotech company. Investors Robert Herjavec and Kevin O'Leary ultimately agreed to a joint investment, with each contributing $125,000 in exchange for a 5% ownership share each. The lively show aired Sunday night, April 28. Basepaws, the first company to offer at-home feline DNA The Cat is Out of the Bag! Feline DNA Company Basepaws Lands Investments From Top Sharks Kevin O'Leary and Robert Herjavec Basepaws CatKits offer cat lovers a fascinating window into their cats' origins and breed makeup. Even more important are the implications for cat health and the knowledge base of veterinary science. The reports are specifically designed to provide cat owners with a host of breed and genetic insights especially useful for mixed-breed cats. "People love their pets, especially where health is concerned. And I loved the CEO - she has an incredible track record and a great story to go with it." Basepaws founder Anna Skaya presented the Basepaws pitch to the panel of Shark Tank investors with the help of a larger-than-life mascot, Koko. Even O'Leary, who has previously indicated that he "hates cats" on the show, warmed up after hearing about Basepaws' business model. "I'm not a cat guy, but I know a successful business when I see one," said O'Leary. "There's real intellectual property here -- this company will be huge." Basepaws recently teamed up with feline internet celebrity Castradamus to raise awareness for HCM, one of the most common feline genetic disease. The 28lb Maine Coon is the first cat in the Basepaws database to test positive for an HCM mutation. Armed with this type of genetic information, owners can make better choices to help their cats living longer, healthier lives. As Basepaws expands the array of testing it offers and research continues, mainstream genetic testing will provide insight into a wide range of feline health issues and other mysteries. (If only it could tell you what your cat is thinking.) "We've all seen the success of DNA tests for humans and dogs, but cat science is newer, and cats have always been somewhat of a mystery," said Skaya. "We want to help cat owners get to know their cats better and provide the best possible care through genetic testing." For a limited time, Basepaws is offering 10% off CatKits with code SHARKS. More information and easy-to-use at-home kits are available at basepaws.com . About Basepaws Los Angeles-based Basepaws is a pet genetics company that has developed the first consumer genetics test for cats. With a mission to improve the lives of cats everywhere and help foster stronger bonds between humans and their pets, Basepaws offers pet owners insights into their cat's unique background, including detailed information about breed, traits, health, and genetic markers for potential hereditary disease. With new data from each CatKit completed, Basepaws' database continues to provide new and valuable information into genetic correlations and cat-specific diseases. MEDIA CONTACT Candice Stokes [email protected] www.venturepr.co 424-230-3770 SOURCE Basepaws SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Discover Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico's first-ever Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), announced today that 2019 Q1 lodging demand is on par with 2017 Q1 levels just fourteen months post-hurricane Maria, signaling an unprecedented pace of recovery for a destination. Total demand for independent rentals is up 72 percent from 2017 Q1 levels, underscoring a large growth in visitors1. Forecast for the rest of the year looks promising as the remainder of 2019 is booking 24.1 percent higher than 2018 levels2. This is expected to continue to rise as the average booking to arrival window is approximately 2.5 months. "Puerto Rico is looking more and more like a historic comeback story, and I'm proud to see the Island's travel and tourism industry plays a starring role," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. "Discover Puerto Rico has proven that a destination's marketing arm is an indispensable component of a successful turnaround." "We learned a great deal from our tourism counterparts in other destinations who have faced adversity, and that helped focus our efforts. We gleaned insights and historical data related to perception, and closely observed how media handled recovery coverage. We optimized our plans to ensure strong results," said Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico. Since its inception in July 2018, Discover Puerto Rico has embarked on a mission to solidify Puerto Rico's brand equity and accelerate its visitor economy, empowering the Island to fully capitalize on its rich tourism product and thrive as a leading Caribbean destination. Discover Puerto Rico set a short-term goal to drive a record pace for recovery and reach pre-Maria levels by the hurricane's two-year anniversary. Based on the 2019 Q1 results, Discover Puerto Rico has achieved this goal much sooner than anticipated, proving itself as one of the Island's first successes of privatization. "The DMO was established to put the destination and economy first, by ensuring consistency and best-in-class marketing strategies to increase business and leisure visitation," said Dean. "This is an exciting time for Puerto Rico's visitor economy, and it's rewarding to see early success. However, this is just the first step our ultimate objective is to put the transformative power of travel to work in Puerto Rico by doubling the size of the visitor economy, benefiting the Island's residents and businesses," he added. Puerto Rico's tourism industry has made great strides in record time. Additional milestones include: 2019 Q1 leads and bookings in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE) space far surpass past 3-year and 5-year averages. Meeting planners are finding Puerto Rico a top choice given its ease of doing business as a U.S. territory and allure of a Caribbean destination. a top choice given its ease of doing business as a U.S. territory and allure of a destination. Air access has been growing at all airports. San Juan International airport (SJU) saw a 23.8 percent year-over-year increase in air traffic in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the first three months of 2018. This is a strong sign of growth, as more carriers expand capacity and add new routes. Puerto Rico's cruise industry has broken records. January 2019 numbers reflect an increase from previous years of 28.9 percent of visitors to the port and there has been a 56.6 percent increase in homeport cruise passengers compared to January 2018 . cruise industry has broken records. numbers reflect an increase from previous years of 28.9 percent of visitors to the port and there has been a 56.6 percent increase in homeport cruise passengers compared to . There are approximately 156 hotels accepting reservations. Short-term rentals provide travelers more than 8,000 options across the entire Island and sister islands of Vieques and Culebra. Major online travel agencies like Priceline, Kayak and Expedia Group have also publicly reported accelerated increase in demand for lodging on the Island. Priceline has reported that room night bookings are up 125 percent in Q1. Kayak.com analyzed Spring Break search traffic across all 50 states and saw a 115 percent search increase compared to 2018. The hot spot most commonly searched for in 30 out of 50 states was San Juan. Expedia Group's most recent data reports that demand increased by 440 percent and 40 percent, respectively, in Q4 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017. In July of 2018, Discover Puerto Rico quickly embarked on a brand repositioning process to ensure an immediate impact on the visitor economy. As the organization approached the one-year anniversary of hurricane Maria, its #CoverTheProgress campaign challenged media to focus on the positive progress of the tourism industry. A bold move not previously taken by a destination that faced adversity, the campaign shifted the perception of Puerto Rico, placing the Island in the consideration set of travelers and meeting planners. The organization also activated a Google Content Initiative, rapidly updating and improving visual assets available to travelers online. In Q4 of 2018, Discover Puerto Rico focused on securing third-party endorsements via media and influencers, to spread word of Puerto Rico's offerings. Achieving the #1 spot on The New York Times "52 Places to Go" list, among other notable accolades received, helped the Island become one of the hottest destinations to visit in 2019. Kicking off the year with Lin Manuel Miranda reprising his role in "Hamilton" and the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon's special episode in Puerto Rico, paired with an aggressive push to position Puerto Rico as the ideal destination for Spring Break, helped drive the momentum forward. Just last month, Discover Puerto launched a new brand identity, including a new logo, and a revamped website, featuring dynamic content designed to engage visitors across all digital formats. And last week, the organization launched a new brand campaign called "Have We Met Yet?" The new campaign re-introduces Puerto Rico to the world and draws inspiration from the Island's unique cultural and natural offerings including its iconic doors, the hospitable and welcoming nature of its people, and its geographical position as a United States territory conveniently located to the south of the mainland. "We're thrilled to see the impact the DMO's efforts are having on the local community. Puerto Rico has an incredible opportunity to elevate its stature, globally, and this is just the beginning," said Leah Chandler, CMO of Discover Puerto Rico. Through research, innovation, collaboration and best-in-class marketing practices, Discover Puerto Rico continues to work with industry stakeholders and destination leaders to promote Puerto Rico as a premier global destination. The Island was recently selected as the host destination for the upcoming World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) 2020 Global Summit further evidence that Puerto Rico's tourism industry is thriving. About Discover Puerto Rico Discover Puerto Rico is a newly established private, not for-profit Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) whose mission is to make Puerto Rico visible to the world as a premier travel destination. The DMO brings prosperity to the people of Puerto Rico by collaboratively positioning the Island's diversity and uniqueness for leisure, business and events. It is responsible for all global marketing, sales and promotion of the destination and works collaboratively with key local governmental and non-governmental players throughout Puerto Rico's visitor economy and community at large, to empower economic growth. To discover all the beauty the Island has to offer, visit DiscoverPuertoRico.com. 1 Source: STR Monthly Trend Report, January-March, 2019. AirDNA Monthly Market Summary Report, January-March 2019. 2 Source: TravelClick Demand360, April 21, 2019. SOURCE Discover Puerto Rico Related Links http://www.discoverpuertorico.com CLEVELAND, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Activated carbon demand in South Korea is forecast to grow 5.4% per year to 40,500 metric tons in 2022. Carbon demand has been fueled by South Korea's emphasis on reducing air pollution, which has manifested itself in a set of mercury emission limits for coal-fired facilities and a cap and trade system of carbon credits. These and other trends are presented in Global Activated Carbon, a new study from The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based industry research firm. More information about this study is here: https://www.freedoniagroup.com/industry-study/global-activated-carbon-3692.htm South Korea is expected to remain a large market for water treatment activated carbon through 2022. Demand in this market will be supported by both the country's strict water standards and the popularity of point-of-use water treatment systems for consumers. Point-of-use water systems can further boost demand if the powdered activated carbon used in these systems is discarded and not reactivated. Global demand for activated carbon (liquid phase and gas phase) will grow 4.2% per year to 1.8 million metric tons in 2022. Powdered activated carbon demand will continue to outpace granular types going forward, supported by developed and developing countries alike investing in mercury control solutions for coal power and other industrial mercury emitters. Global Activated Carbon (published 12/2018, 330 pages) is available for $6500 from The Freedonia Group. Please link citations to https://www.freedoniagroup.com/World-Activated-Carbon.html About The Freedonia Group, a division of MarketResearch.com The Freedonia Group is a leading international industrial research company publishing more than 100 studies annually. Since 1985, we have provided research to customers ranging in size from global conglomerates to one-person consulting firms. More than 90% of the industrial companies in the Fortune 500 use Freedonia Group research to help with their strategic planning. Additional Chemicals studies can be purchased at www.freedoniagroup.com, www.marketresearch.com and www.profound.com. Press Contact: Corinne Gangloff +1 440.684.9600 [email protected] SOURCE The Freedonia Group Related Links http://www.freedoniagroup.com SAN FRANCISCO, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- MuleSoft, provider of the leading platform for building application networks , today announced that Air Malta, which carries two million passengers annually, is using MuleSoft's Anypoint Platform to broaden its reach in a highly competitive market and to improve operational efficiency through APIs. Anypoint Platform enables Air Malta to build an application network, so the airline can quickly connect new technologies with existing legacy systems making it easier than ever to add new airline partners for growth and to create new opportunities to better serve customers. With MuleSoft, Air Malta is able to extend its digital presence and increase profitability by participating in the API economy, which enables business capabilities to be monetized using APIs. Air Malta operates a modern fleet of aircraft to more than 40 destinations in Europe, North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean. The airline also offers travel to an additional 170 destinations through code-share partnerships with other airlines. To thrive in a competitive industry and exceed customer expectations, Air Malta embarked on a digital transformation journey with MuleSoft. Air Malta engaged MuleSoft consulting partner Ricston to build an application network using Anypoint Platform, connecting third-party software-as-a-service (SaaS), e-commerce platforms, customer relationship management (CRM) and airline booking systems. "Air Malta recently reported profitability for the first time after two decades, growing operating revenue by 5.3 million to 197.5 million in the last fiscal year," said Alan Talbot, CIO, Air Malta. "Technology investment has been a critical driver of this success, with MuleSoft at the center. With Anypoint Platform, we have created a sandbox for innovation across the organization without affecting core operations. MuleSoft provides a unified platform that enables even non-technical personnel to quickly create integrations. By democratizing access to data from legacy systems and across our enterprise, we are able to create new operational efficiencies and identify opportunities to better serve our customers." The Airline Industry Is on a Turbulent Ride to Digitize According to the recent Connectivity Benchmark Report , 59 percent of IT leaders say their legacy infrastructure makes it hard to introduce new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), big data and the internet of things (IoT). Airlines are struggling to innovate, operate efficiently and offer personalized services. With valuable data trapped across siloed legacy systems, the industry is challenged to access the right information at the right time to move faster and deliver on customer demands. Its aging IT infrastructure is no longer fit to operate in the modern digital world, hampering growth and profitability. "We couldn't afford to stand still and remain as we were. We needed to change our business and IT operating model to survive," said Talbot. "Technology has become the ultimate enabler for the business, so we can drive and create change. MuleSoft's hybrid integration platform with API capabilities allows us to connect to the latest cloud technologies and differentiate our services." MuleSoft Provides Air Malta the Foundation for Speed and Innovation By developing an application network of reusable APIs, Air Malta is able to distribute its commercial relations and flight operations information more effectively and securely within the organization and with partners. For example, Anypoint Platform empowered Air Malta to improve customer service through a closer integration among the airline's reservation system, e-commerce platforms and its Salesforce instance. This connectivity enables sales staff to easily roll out joint offers with other airlines, provide customers with the most relevant "just-in-time" information, and make modifications to flight arrangements faster. One of Air Malta's significant projects was the introduction of best-of-breed flight planning solutions from Lufthansa to optimize route planning, improve flight operations management and handle reservations more quickly. Previously, it would have taken 18 months to deploy the solutions. Instead, it took one-third of the time with reusable APIs built on Anypoint Platform. Similarly, Air Malta used some of the existing APIs to integrate with Ryanair, one of the biggest airline brands in Europe. The integration allows Air Malta to sell its flights from the Ryanair website and meet customers where they are. The project took only 11 weeks, reducing the standard delivery timeline by almost two-thirds. Air Malta's Application Network Opens Up New Opportunities in the API Economy According to Talbot, "We want to launch a platform to help anyone who wants to do business with us. MuleSoft allows us to leverage the API economy to broaden our reach in a hugely competitive market. With an application network built on Anypoint Platform, we can securely share our data on inventory, services and products to any company that wants to work with us." Over the next few years, Talbot aims to turn the IT department from a cost center into a profit center. The ability to leverage API monetization and add new digital channels will be crucial to Air Malta's goal to create sustainable growth. Air Malta will use MuleSoft to develop a fully integrated, omnichannel platform, using the same approach for integrating into Ryanair's website with pluggable APIs. Air Malta is also looking to continue to add new technologies and services to widen its competitive edge. Talbot expects emerging technologies, such as AI, machine learning and blockchain to support efforts in personalizing customer experiences, with Anypoint Platform at the center to make them all work together. About Air Malta Over its 45-year history, Air Malta has transported over 60 million passengers. The airline has been instrumental in opening up and connecting Malta to the rest of the world, diversifying and presenting new tourism market opportunities to and from the Maltese Islands. The airline offers customers a selection of over 40 scheduled destinations to Europe, North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean and operates with a fleet of 10 Airbus aircraft configured in business and economy. Visit www.airmalta.com for more info. About Anypoint Platform MuleSoft's Anypoint Platform is a leading application network platform. It allows organizations to create composite applications that connect apps, data and devices through API-led connectivity to form a flexible application network. Anypoint Platform is a unified, single solution for iPaaS and full lifecycle API management , both on-premises and in the cloud. About MuleSoft, a Salesforce company MuleSoft's mission is to help organizations change and innovate faster by making it easy to connect the world's applications, data and devices. With its API-led approach to connectivity, MuleSoft's market-leading Anypoint Platform empowers over 1,600 organizations in approximately 60 countries to build application networks. By unlocking data across the enterprise with application networks, organizations can easily deliver new revenue channels, increase operational efficiency and create differentiated customer experiences. For more information, visit https://www.mulesoft.com . About Salesforce Salesforce (NYSE: CRM), the global CRM leader, empowers companies to connect with their customers in a whole new way. For more information about Salesforce, visit: www.salesforce.com . MuleSoft is a registered trademark of MuleSoft, Inc., a Salesforce company. All other marks are those of respective owners. SOURCE MuleSoft Related Links https://www.mulesoft.com VANCOUVER, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Barrian Mining Corp. ("Barrian" or the "Company") (TSXV: BARI) is pleased to announce that the common shares of Barrian commence trading today on the TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol "BARI". As announced on April 24, 2019, the IPO raised aggregate gross proceeds of $2,672,400. Barrian is currently finalizing 2019 exploration plans at its flagship Bolo Gold Property which will include surface geochemical sampling and mapping, geophysics, and drilling. The Company will provide additional news updates over the coming weeks. Barrian's catalyst for growth will include expanding the existing mineralized zones and targeting of new discovery zones. The Company will focus on expanding previous South Mine Fault area drill intercepts that included 3.24 grams-per-tonne (g/t) gold over 30.5 metres from a downhole depth of 44.2 m, within a broader zone of mineralization averaging 1.28 g/t gold over 133 metres* from surface (Drill Hole BL-38). Barrian's geological consultants, APEX Geoscience Ltd. ("APEX") are in the final stages of producing a comprehensive digital compilation and three dimensional (3D) model incorporating historic exploration work at Bolo, including detailed geological mapping, over 1,000 rock and trench samples, more than 13,000 metres of drilling data, and newly acquired high-resolution satellite imagery and digital surface model. This new geological analysis and data reinterpretation will guide the exploration going forward which management believes will be key to unlocking much more value at the project. In addition, the Company is pleased to announce that an Induced Polarization and Resistivity (IP/RES) survey is currently underway at the Bolo Gold Property, targeting the "Mine Fault" and other mineralized structures that host the Uncle Sam, South Mine Fault and Northern Extension mineralized zones. The survey extends 1,100 metres north to south, covering an area of approximately 135 hectares. The Company expects the IP/RES survey to be complete by the end of April. The upcoming 2019 drilling program will focus on extending mineralization along the Mine Fault and parallel mineralized structures, stepping out from the South Mine Fault Zone towards the Northern Extension zone and south towards the Uncle Sam prospect. Previous drill intercepts at Uncle Sam included 106.9 g/t silver over 12.2 metres** from a downhole depth of 71.6 metres, within a broader zone of 42.2 g/t silver over 83.8 metres** from surface. Channel rock chip sampling at Uncle Sam returned high grade silver plus gold assays including 3,146 g/t silver with 1.0 g/t gold over 2.6 metres, and 365 g/t silver with 1.9 g/t gold over 3.6 metres**. Max Sali, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are very pleased to introduce Barrian Mining Corp. to the capital markets and investment community. We've assembled an aggressive and experienced team who share a vision to realize the significant potential of our project base including our flagship Bolo Gold Property in Nevada, one of the world's most prolific regions for mining precious metals. Our geological team brings years of focused expertise in Nevada and we believe that previous results have only just scratched the surface at Bolo. With a new look and strategy going forward at the project, we are excited to conduct the next phases of exploration including an upcoming drill program this summer." * The true width of mineralization is estimated to be approximately 50% of drilled width. ** The true width of mineralization at Uncle Sam is unknown. For full descriptions of the Bolo Property mineralized intercepts see: Technical Report on the Bolo Property, Nye County, Nevada, USA effective date October 5, 2018 available at www.sedar.com About Barrian Mining Corp. Barrian Mining Corp is a new gold exploration company focused on acquiring and advancing precious metal projects in the United States. Barrian's flagship Bolo Project, located 90km northeast of Tonopah Nevada, hosts Carlin type gold mineralization and is fully permitted for upcoming exploration programs including drilling. Notable historical drill results include 1.28 g/t gold over 133 metres from surface. In addition, Barrian has an earn-in option to acquire 100% of the "Sleeper Project" which is located in the historic Mogollon epithermal silver-gold mining district of New Mexico. Barrian is run by a strong management and technical team consisting of capital market and mining professionals with the goal of maximizing value for shareholders through new mineral discoveries, committed long-term partnerships, and the advancement of exploration projects in geopolitically favourable jurisdictions. Barrian trades on the TSXV under the ticker symbol "BARI." Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release as it relates to the Bolo Property has been reviewed and approved by Kristopher J. Raffle, P.Geo. (BC) Principal and Consultant of APEX Geoscience Ltd. of Edmonton, AB, a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Forward Looking Information This news release includes certain statements that constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law, including without limitation, the Company's plans and timing for its properties/projects, other statements relating to the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company, and other matters. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "estimates" or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved), and variations of such words, and similar expressions are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statement are necessarily based upon a number of factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performances or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performances or achievements express or implied by such statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of metals, anticipated costs and the ability to achieve goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, and that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct the Company's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner. While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management of the Company, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and risks. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events, level of activity, performance or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: (i) risks related to gold and other commodity price fluctuations; (ii) risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of exploration results; (iii) risks related to the inherent uncertainty of exploration and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; (iv) that resource exploration and development is a speculative business; (v) that the Company may lose or abandon its property interests or may fail to receive necessary licences and permits; (vi) that environmental laws and regulations may become more onerous; (vii) that the Company may not be able to raise additional funds when necessary; (viii) the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; (ix) exploration and development risks, including risks related to accidents, equipment breakdowns, labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in exploration and development; * competition; (xi) the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of geologic reports or studies; (xii) the uncertainty of profitability based upon the Company's history of losses; (xiii) risks related to environmental regulation and liability; (xiv) risks associated with failure to maintain community acceptance, agreements and permissions (generally referred to as "social licence"); (xv) risks relating to obtaining and maintaining all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations relating to the continued exploration and development of the Company's projects; (xvi) risks related to the outcome of legal actions; (xvii) political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; (xix) risks related to current global financial conditions; and (xx) other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business strategy. These risks, as well as others, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, the loss of key directors, employees, advisors or consultants, adverse weather conditions, increase in costs, equipment failures, litigation, exchange rate fluctuations, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations and fees charged by service providers. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation. SOURCE Barrian Mining Corp. Ben E. Keith, Markon and the Markon membership, have been working with the strawberry grower-partners and Sambrailo Packaging to introduce Ready-Cycle, corrugated, fully recyclable clamshells for the Markon First Crop (MFC) two-pound strawberry containers that Ben E. Keith Foods distributes. The new line of packaging will be applied to strawberry cartons expected to ship in June 2019. "Nearly 300 million tons of plastic are manufactured each yearand less than 20 percent is recycled, while 8 million tons eventually ending up in the world's oceans," said Markon's president Tim York. "This stark revelation inspired us to review the amount of plastic we are currently putting into the supply chain." "The process won't be easy, but this is the direction we need to be moving. By converting the two-pound plastic MFC strawberry clamshells to cardboard, and with plans in the works for the one-pound containers as well, we will save nearly 30 tons of plastic from going into landfills or oceans," said Wes Holcomb, Corporate Category Director for Produce and Dairy at Ben E. Keith Foods. "At the end of the day, it's about doing the right thing. These new goals exemplify our commitment to finding changes that reduce environmental impacts." Chris Dahlander, CEO of Snappy Salads based in Dallas, was a part of the testing phase for the new container. "At Snappy Salads, we have made the commitment to be a good steward of the Earth's resources across all aspects of our business. Because of this, we were asked to test the new corrugated strawberry clamshell packaging and were struck by how great the packaging held up in shipping and in storing the strawberries in our kitchen," said Dahlander. "Needless to say, it's much better for the environment and we're proud to support Markon's initiatives. We look forward to working with Markon and Ben E. Keith to develop more innovative ways to reduce the amount of plastic and waste in the produce supply chain." About Ben E. Keith Foods: Established in Fort Worth, Texas in 1906, Ben E. Keith is the nation's eighth largest broad line foodservice distributor and operates today with eight divisions shipping to fifteen states throughout the country. For more information about Ben E. Keith contact: David Werner, Vice President, Independent Sale & Marketing. 817-759-6826. [email protected] SOURCE Ben E. Keith Foods Related Links http://www.benekeith.com PALO ALTO, Calif., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Rhonda Abrams, Small Business Columnist for USA Today, today released the seventh edition of her best-selling business plan guide, Successful Business Plan: Secrets & Strategies. The book is up-to-date, jam-packed with the info, resources, and worksheets an entrepreneur needs. Step-by-step guidance makes business planning easy and fast. Included in this edition are insights and tips from business luminaries, including Seth Goldman, CEO of HonestTea; Kay Koplovitz, former chair of Kate Spade; Venture Capitalist John Doerr; Bill Rancic, Apprentice winner and entrepreneur. This hands-on, 434-page guide takes entrepreneurs through the entire planning process, from an initial feasibility analysis to advice on polishing a final document and pitching the plan. Each section of the business plan is broken down into checklists and easy-to-fill worksheets. "Helping someone start a business, regardless of size or scope, is an honor. I am thrilled that over two million entrepreneurs have launched businesses using Successful Business Plan: Secrets & Strategies," stated Rhonda Abrams. "When I meet a student at one of the 1,000+ business schools that utilize the book, or receive a letter from someone who read the book in one of the 30-languages it is available in, I am humbled by its reach and breadth." In the Seventh Edition: Crowdfunding who it's good for, when to use it, and new crowdfunding laws Lean Start-Up how to get going with fewer dollars Minimal Viable Product ways to get to market faster Sample PowerPoint slide-by-slide guide to the 12 slides investors want to see Sample Business Plan Tips on impressing investors and winning Business Plan competitions "Successful Business Plan: Secrets & Strategies is our mainstay," says Jim Jindrick of the McGuire Entrepreneurship Program of the University of Arizona. "It's well organized, full of useful information and worksheets. Many of our students launch successful businesses using PlanningShop books." The book is available in print, electronic, and bundled editions and can be purchased via the Amazon.com and the PlanningShop website. Images and excerpts are available at https://www.dropbox.com/home/SBP7/Media%20Materials Successful Business Plan, 7th edition Rhonda Abrams; PlanningShop; 434 pages; $79.99; pub: April, 2019 ISBN: 978-1-933895-82-6 About Rhonda Abrams: Rhonda Abrams is widely recognized as one of the foremost experts on business planning, entrepreneurship, and small business. A successful serial entrepreneur and business owner, she writes the entrepreneurship column for USA Today and is the author of 19 books. Named one of the 30 Global Startup Gurus and 100 most influential women in Silicon Valley, Rhonda lives in Palo Alto, California. Contact: Emily Pickard, Tel: 650-364-9120 email: [email protected] SOURCE Rhonda Abrams WASHINGTON, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Bloomberg Government today issued the spring edition of Hill Watch, its semi-annual, in-depth look at the Capitol Hill agenda. Hill Watch delivers analysis of and the outlook for legislative initiatives in both chambers of Congress with coverage of legislation on a full range of issues including budget and appropriations, defense, education, veterans' affairs, and transportation. "Hill Watch represents the combined efforts of dozens of Capitol Hill's most talented editors and reporters who give readers a bird's-eye view of what to anticipate in the coming months on the major issues shaping the 116th Congress," said Heather Rothman, news director, Bloomberg Government. "While both Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker Nancy Pelosi have their own legislative agendas, both leaders want to avoid another government shutdown when current funding runs out September 30." These are among the issues that will be front and center on Capitol Hill in the months ahead: Government Spending: House Democrats scrapped plans to vote on a spending cap bill this month because of disputes over how military and domestic discretionary spending would be handled. Their goal is to have funding bills ready for markup in May with passage by June 30 to avoid a government shutdown. Senator Richard Shelby, who heads the Appropriations Committee, plans to again "bundle" a few bills at a time to expedite their passage. Health Care: House Democrats plan to soon bring to the floor legislation intended to shore up the Affordable Care Act and protect people with preexisting conditions. Leader McConnell indicated that the Senate won't consider any ACA legislation until after the next election. Speaker Pelosi suggested that President Trump may be more open to the bills the House is moving this summer to deal with prescription drug prices, an issue that has support from Senate Republicans. Infrastructure: The outcome of the budget talks also will have implications for infrastructure legislation. House Democratic leadership is proposing a $2 trillion infusion for infrastructure programs, which she's defining broadly, to include roads, bridges, water projects, and broadband. Senate Republican leadership wants to see a viable way to pay for an investment of that size and said is opposed to deficit spending to boost infrastructure. Defense Authorization: The budget impasse also is driving the details of the annual National Defense Authorization Act. The Senate Armed Services Committee has announced plans to mark up a $750 billion bill in May while the House Armed Services Committee plans to move a $733 billion version in June. The timetable for both versions would put them in position for floor votes before the July 4 recess. Taxes: The House recently passed an overhaul of some Internal Revenue Service operations. It was negotiated between Republican and Democratic leaders in both chambers and could soon move in the Senate. House Democrats plan a floor vote on a bipartisan committee-approved bill that would improve access to retirement savings accounts. The Senate Finance Committee is working on similar legislation. A copy of Hill Watch is available for complimentary download at https://about.bgov.com/reports/spring2019hillwatch/. On Tuesday, May 7, Bloomberg Government will host its Spring Hill Watch Breakfast. This year's event includes moderated discussions on the future of health care and environmental policy. Featured speakers include Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Representative Scott Peters (D-CA). For more information and to register, visit https://about.bgov.com/event/hillwatch19breakfast/. About Bloomberg Government Bloomberg Government is a premium, subscription-based service that provides comprehensive information and analytics for policy professionals who interact with or are affected by the government. Delivering news, analytics, and data-driven decision tools, Bloomberg Government's digital workspace gives an intelligent edge to government affairs, federal, and contracting professionals. For more information or a demo, visit www.bgov.com. SOURCE Bloomberg Government Related Links http://www.bgov.com ARLINGTON, Va., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Bloomberg Tax and Deloitte will host Financial Instruments: The Way Forward, a one-day conference to help companies navigate the new ASC 326 credit loss standard and respond to the new hedge accounting standard ASU 2017-12. Registration for this complimentary event, which takes place from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7 at Washington, D.C.'s Newseum, is available at https://www.bna.com/bloomberg-tax-the-way-forward/. A vast array of cross sector, publicly traded companies that hold financial assets such as trade and loan receivables will have to report on estimated expected credit losses when the credit loss standard goes into effect for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2019. To help attendees interpret and better prepare for the upcoming adoption of ASC 326, the event convenes leaders from corporations, government agencies, and accounting and law firms for their insights and perspectives. Keynote interviews will be conducted with Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) and Harold Schroeder, a member of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, which crafted the standards. The agenda will cover a range of topics including implementation challenges and processes, the standard's economic impact, and potential changes to ASC 326 from the FASB. "The Way Forward will provide a 360-degree view of credit losses from a variety of angles including Congress, regulatory bodies, accounting firms, and corporations of all sizes, including financial institutions ranging from credit unions to the largest global banks," said George Farrah, Vice President, Content and Analysis, Bloomberg Tax. "We're excited to discuss everything from hands-on, practical implementation to ASC 326's impact on markets, governance, and internal controls." The conference will include a panel discussion highlighting examples of business drivers behind the changes to the new hedge accounting standard, which promises to simplify accounting for many corporate risk mitigation strategies, and how companies are faring post-adoption. "Hedging is a powerful risk management strategy that can reduce income statement volatility and mitigate financial risk. Historically, companies have often been hesitant to utilize hedge accounting because of the complexities," said Jon Howard, Audit & Assurance National Office Accounting and Reporting Services senior consultation partner for financial instruments, Deloitte & Touche LLP. "The new standard removes many of these barriers making it much easier for companies to achieve hedge accounting while reducing the operational burden typically associated with hedge accounting." In addition to the keynote interviewees, featured speakers include: Linda Bergen , Director, Head of External Affairs and SEC Reporting, Citigroup , Director, Head of External Affairs and SEC Reporting, Citigroup Jason Brodmerkel , CPA, Accounting Standards, Depository and Lending Institutions, AICPA , CPA, Accounting Standards, Depository and Lending Institutions, AICPA Frederick Cannon , Executive Vice President, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods , Executive Vice President, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Michael Gullette , Senior Vice President, Tax and Accounting, American Bankers Association , Senior Vice President, Tax and Accounting, American Bankers Association Catherine Ide , Managing Director of Professional Practice and Member Services, Center for Audit Quality , Managing Director of Professional Practice and Member Services, Center for Audit Quality Catherine A. Lynch , Independent Trustee, Audit Committee member, BlackRock Fixed Income Funds board , Independent Trustee, Audit Committee member, BlackRock Fixed Income Funds board Masha Muzyka , Senior Director, Moody's Analytics About Bloomberg Tax Bloomberg Tax provides comprehensive global research, news, and technology services enabling tax professionals to get the timely, accurate, and in-depth information they need to plan and comply with confidence. Our flagship Bloomberg Tax platform combines the proven expertise and perspectives of leading tax practitioners in our renowned Tax Management Portfolios with integrated news from the industry-leading Daily Tax Report, authoritative analysis and insights, primary sources, and time-saving practice tools. For more information, visit https://bna.com/tax. Bloomberg Tax technology solutions on our proprietary Advantage platform help professionals simplify complex tax and accounting processes to better control risk and maximize profitability. For more information, visit https://www.bloombergtaxtech.com/. About Deloitte Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world's most admired brands, including nearly 90 percent of the Fortune 500 and more than 5,000 private and middle market companies. Our people work across the industry sectors that drive and shape today's marketplace to make an impact that matters delivering measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in our capital markets, inspire clients to see challenges as opportunities to transform and thrive, and help lead the way toward a stronger economy and a healthy society. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte" name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms. SOURCE Bloomberg Tax Related Links https://bna.com/tax WESTFORD, Mass., April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kadant Inc. (NYSE: KAI) reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 30, 2019. First Quarter 2019 Highlights Revenue increased 15% to a record $171 million GAAP diluted EPS was unchanged at $0.96 Adjusted diluted EPS increased 16% to $1.24 Net income was unchanged at $11 million Adjusted EBITDA increased 27% to $30 million and represented 17.5% of revenue Gross margin was 41.2% Bookings increased 1% to a record $184 million Revenue and bookings for parts and consumables were a record at $113 million and $120 million, respectively Backlog increased 16% sequentially to a record $200 million Cash flow from operations increased 37% to $10 million Note: Adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude certain items as detailed later in this press release under the heading Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures. Management Commentary We had a great start to 2019 with record bookings and revenue and a nice EPS beat in the first quarter, said Jonathan Painter, chief executive officer. Solid performance by our recent acquisition, Syntron Material Handling Group, contributed to our record-setting quarter and helped drive our backlog to a record $200 million, a 16 percent sequential increase. Strong operating performance across our businesses led to our adjusted EBITDA increasing 27 percent and cash flow from operations increasing 37 percent compared to the first quarter of 2018. We continued to see healthy market conditions in North America, while China experienced slower activity due to restrictions on wastepaper imports and weaker demand. We are seeing strong project activity in Southeast Asia as producers seek to build capacity outside of China. Our parts and consumables revenue and bookings in the first quarter were also outstanding, up 18 percent and 17 percent, respectively, compared to the first quarter of 2018. This continues to be a strategic focus of ours and I am pleased to see these positive results. First Quarter 2019 Results Revenue increased 15 percent to $171.3 million compared to the first quarter of 2018, including $20.6 million from an acquisition and a $7.0 million decrease from the unfavorable effect of foreign currency translation. Excluding the impact of an acquisition and foreign currency translation, revenue increased six percent compared to the first quarter of 2018. Gross margin was 41.2 percent, including a 1.3 percent negative impact from the amortization of acquired profit in inventory. Net income was $10.9 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, in both the first quarters of 2019 and 2018. Adjusted diluted EPS increased 16 percent to $1.24 compared to $1.07 in the first quarter of 2018. Adjusted diluted EPS in the first quarter of 2019 excludes $0.22 of amortization from acquired profit in inventory and backlog and $0.06 of acquisition costs. Adjusted diluted EPS in the first quarter of 2018 excludes $0.05 of restructuring costs, $0.04 of discrete tax expense, and $0.02 of amortization from acquired backlog. Adjusted EBITDA increased 27 percent to $30.0 million compared to $23.5 million in the first quarter of 2018. Adjusted EBITDA excludes $3.3 million of amortization from acquired profit in inventory and backlog and $0.8 million of acquisition costs in the first quarter of 2019 and $0.8 million of restructuring costs and $0.3 million of amortization from acquired backlog in the first quarter of 2018. Cash flows from operations increased 37 percent to $9.9 million compared to $7.2 million in the first quarter of 2018. Bookings increased to a record $183.6 million compared to $181.9 million in the first quarter of 2018, including $24.5 million from an acquisition and a $7.7 million decrease from the unfavorable effect of foreign currency translation. Excluding the impact of an acquisition and foreign currency translation, bookings decreased eight percent compared to the first quarter of 2018. Summary and Outlook Despite the policy uncertainty on wastepaper imports in China and some weakness in our Wood Processing capital business in North America, we are encouraged by our solid start to 2019, Mr. Painter continued. For 2019, we are reaffirming our adjusted diluted EPS and revenue guidance and raising our GAAP diluted EPS guidance from our previous guidance of $4.75 to $4.90. We now expect to achieve GAAP diluted EPS of $4.84 to $4.99 on revenue of $700 to $710 million. The 2019 guidance includes pre-tax amortization expense associated with acquired profit in inventory and backlog of $4.6 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, and pre-tax acquisition costs of $0.8 million, or $0.06 per diluted share. Excluding these expenses, we expect adjusted diluted EPS of $5.20 to $5.35 for 2019. For the second quarter of 2019, we expect GAAP diluted EPS of $0.99 to $1.05 on revenue of $165 to $170 million. The second quarter of 2019 guidance includes pre-tax amortization expense associated with acquired profit in inventory and backlog of $1.1 million, or $0.08 per diluted share. Excluding this expense, we expect adjusted diluted EPS of $1.07 to $1.13 for the second quarter of 2019. Conference Call Kadant will hold a webcast with a slide presentation for investors on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. eastern time to discuss its first quarter performance, as well as future expectations. To access the webcast, including the slideshow and accompanying audio, go to www.kadant.com and click on Investors. To listen to the webcast via teleconference, call 888-326-8410 within the U.S., or +1-704-385-4884 outside the U.S. and reference participant passcode 8759439. Prior to the call, our earnings release and the slides used in the webcast presentation will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and will be available at www.sec.gov. An archive of the webcast presentation will be available on our website until May 31, 2019. Shortly after the webcast, Kadant will post its updated general investor presentation incorporating the first quarter results on its website at www.kadant.com under the Investors section. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), we use certain non-GAAP financial measures, including increases or decreases in revenue excluding the effect of acquisitions and foreign currency translation, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS), earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA margin. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures, when taken together with the corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of our core business, operating results, or future outlook. We believe that the inclusion of such measures helps investors gain an understanding of our underlying operating performance and future prospects, consistent with how management measures and forecasts our performance, especially when comparing such results to previous periods or forecasts and to the performance of our competitors. Such measures are also used by us in our financial and operating decision-making and for compensation purposes. We also believe this information is responsive to investors' requests and gives them an additional measure of our performance. The non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release are not meant to be considered superior to or a substitute for the results of operations prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release have limitations associated with their use as compared to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, in that they may be different from, and therefore not comparable to, similar measures used by other companies. Revenue in the first quarter of 2019 included $20.6 million from an acquisition and a $7.0 million unfavorable foreign currency translation effect. We present increases or decreases in revenue excluding the effect of acquisitions and foreign currency translation to provide investors insight into underlying revenue trends. Our non-GAAP financial measures exclude restructuring costs, acquisition costs, amortization expense related to acquired profit in inventory and backlog, and discrete tax expense. These items are excluded as they are not indicative of our core operating results and are not comparable to other periods, which have differing levels of incremental costs or income or none at all. Adjusted operating income, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA margin exclude: Pre-tax acquisition costs of $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2019. Pre-tax expense related to amortization of acquired profit in inventory and backlog of $3.3 million in the first quarter of 2019. Pre-tax restructuring costs of $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2018. Pre-tax expense related to amortization of acquired backlog of $0.3 million in the first quarter of 2018. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS exclude: After-tax acquisition costs of $0.7 million ($0.8 million net of tax of $0.1 million) in the first quarter of 2019. After-tax expense related to amortization of acquired profit in inventory and backlog of $2.5 million ($3.3 million net of tax of $0.8 million) in the first quarter of 2019. After-tax restructuring costs of $0.6 million ($0.8 million net of tax of $0.2 million) in the first quarter of 2018. After-tax expense related to amortization of acquired backlog of $0.2 million ($0.3 million net of tax of $0.1 million) in the first quarter of 2018. Discrete tax expense of $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2018. Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are set forth in this press release. Financial Highlights (unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amounts and percentages) Three Months Ended Consolidated Statement of Income March 30, 2019 March 31, 2018 Revenues $ 171,316 $ 149,193 Costs and Operating Expenses: Cost of revenues 100,801 83,114 Selling, general, and administrative expenses 49,319 45,776 Research and development expenses 2,621 2,869 Restructuring costs - 770 152,741 132,529 Operating Income 18,575 16,664 Interest Income 56 183 Interest Expense (3,504 ) (1,732 ) Other Expense, Net (99 ) (246 ) Income Before Provision for Income Taxes 15,028 14,869 Provision for Income Taxes 3,963 3,861 Net Income 11,065 11,008 Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest (165 ) (150 ) Net Income Attributable to Kadant $ 10,900 $ 10,858 Earnings per Share Attributable to Kadant: Basic $ 0.98 $ 0.98 Diluted $ 0.96 $ 0.96 Weighted Average Shares: Basic 11,133 11,042 Diluted 11,385 11,342 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS (a) March 30, 2019 March 30, 2019 March 31, 2018 March 31, 2018 Net Income and Diluted EPS Attributable to Kadant, as Reported $ 10,900 $ 0.96 $ 10,858 $ 0.96 Adjustments for the Following: Restructuring Costs, Net of Tax - - 589 0.05 Acquisition Costs, Net of Tax 699 0.06 - - Amortization of Acquired Profit in Inventory and Backlog, Net of Tax (e,f) 2,513 0.22 189 0.02 Discrete Tax Items - - 444 0.04 Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted EPS (a) $ 14,112 $ 1.24 $ 12,080 $ 1.07 Increase (Decrease) Excluding Three Months Ended Increase (Decrease) Acquisition Revenues by Product Line March 30, 2019 March 31, 2018 and FX (a,b) Stock-Preparation $ 52,048 $ 45,483 $ 6,565 $ 9,129 Fluid-Handling 32,754 32,886 (132 ) 1,207 Doctoring, Cleaning, & Filtration 28,390 27,222 1,168 2,298 Papermaking Systems 113,192 105,591 7,601 12,634 Wood Processing Systems 34,049 39,141 (5,092 ) (3,117 ) Material Handling Systems 20,584 - 20,584 - Fiber-Based Products 3,491 4,461 (970 ) (970 ) $ 171,316 $ 149,193 $ 22,123 $ 8,547 Increase (Decrease) Excluding Three Months Ended Increase (Decrease) Acquisition Revenues by Geography (c) March 30, 2019 March 31, 2018 and FX (a,b) North America $ 100,876 $ 77,616 $ 23,260 $ 5,803 Europe 38,985 41,493 (2,508 ) 739 Asia 17,078 20,148 (3,070 ) (2,643 ) Rest of World 14,377 9,936 4,441 4,648 $ 171,316 $ 149,193 $ 22,123 $ 8,547 Increase (Decrease) Excluding Three Months Ended Increase (Decrease) Acquisition Bookings by Product Line March 30, 2019 March 31, 2018 and FX (b) Stock-Preparation $ 55,828 $ 56,515 $ (687 ) $ 2,130 Fluid-Handling 37,039 39,770 (2,731 ) (1,084 ) Doctoring, Cleaning, & Filtration 27,696 28,331 (635 ) 433 Papermaking Systems 120,563 124,616 (4,053 ) 1,479 Wood Processing Systems 34,882 52,729 (17,847 ) (15,642 ) Material Handling Systems 24,475 - 24,475 - Fiber-Based Products 3,692 4,575 (883 ) (883 ) $ 183,612 $ 181,920 $ 1,692 $ (15,046 ) Three Months Ended Business Segment Information March 30, 2019 March 31, 2018 Gross Margin: Papermaking Systems 44.2 % 45.6 % Wood Processing Systems 41.4 % 39.5 % Material Handling Systems 22.5 % - Fiber-Based Products 50.3 % 56.0 % 41.2 % 44.3 % Operating Income: Papermaking Systems $ 18,509 $ 14,584 Wood Processing Systems 7,270 7,363 Material Handling Systems (1,353 ) - Corporate and Other (5,851 ) (5,283 ) $ 18,575 $ 16,664 Adjusted Operating Income (a,d): Papermaking Systems $ 18,509 $ 15,354 Wood Processing Systems 7,270 7,615 Material Handling Systems 2,798 - Corporate and Other (5,851 ) (5,283 ) $ 22,726 $ 17,686 Capital Expenditures: Papermaking Systems $ 1,357 $ 4,649 Wood Processing Systems 551 376 Material Handling Systems 38 - Corporate and Other 222 126 $ 2,168 $ 5,151 Three Months Ended Cash Flow and Other Data March 30, 2019 March 31, 2018 Cash Provided by Operations $ 9,876 $ 7,216 Depreciation and Amortization Expense 8,231 6,099 Balance Sheet Data March 30, 2019 Dec. 29, 2018 Assets Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash $ 57,175 $ 46,117 Accounts Receivable, net 104,120 92,624 Inventories 103,029 86,373 Unbilled Revenues 16,996 15,741 Property, Plant and Equipment, net 87,732 80,157 Intangible Assets 184,596 113,347 Goodwill 343,768 258,174 Other Assets 60,824 33,216 $ 958,240 $ 725,749 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Accounts Payable $ 43,571 $ 35,720 Debt Obligations 354,790 171,434 Other Borrowings 6,127 4,387 Other Liabilities 171,756 139,637 Total Liabilities 576,244 351,178 Stockholders' Equity 381,996 374,571 $ 958,240 $ 725,749 Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted EBITDA Three Months Ended Reconciliation March 30, 2019 March 31, 2018 Consolidated Net Income Attributable to Kadant $ 10,900 $ 10,858 Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 165 150 Provision for Income Taxes 3,963 3,861 Interest Expense, Net 3,448 1,549 Other Expense, Net 99 246 Operating Income 18,575 16,664 Restructuring Costs - 770 Acquisition Costs 843 - Acquired Backlog Amortization (e) 998 252 Acquired Profit in Inventory (f) 2,310 - Adjusted Operating Income (a) 22,726 17,686 Depreciation and Amortization 7,233 5,847 Adjusted EBITDA (a) $ 29,959 $ 23,533 Adjusted EBITDA Margin (a,g) 17.5 % 15.8 % Papermaking Systems Operating Income $ 18,509 $ 14,584 Restructuring costs - 770 Adjusted Operating Income (a) 18,509 15,354 Depreciation and Amortization 3,188 3,136 Adjusted EBITDA (a) $ 21,697 $ 18,490 Wood Processing Systems Operating Income $ 7,270 $ 7,363 Acquired Backlog Amortization (e) - 252 Adjusted Operating Income (a) 7,270 7,615 Depreciation and Amortization 2,387 2,544 Adjusted EBITDA (a) $ 9,657 $ 10,159 Material Handling Systems Operating Loss $ (1,353 ) $ - Acquisition Costs 843 - Acquired Backlog Amortization (e) 998 - Acquired Profit in Inventory (f) 2,310 - Adjusted Operating Income (a) 2,798 - Depreciation and Amortization 1,466 - Adjusted EBITDA (a) $ 4,264 $ - Corporate and Other Operating Loss $ (5,851 ) $ (5,283 ) Depreciation and Amortization 192 167 EBITDA (a) $ (5,659 ) $ (5,116 ) (a) Represents a non-GAAP financial measure. (b) Represents the increase (decrease) resulting from the exclusion of an acquisition and from the conversion of current period amounts reported in local currencies into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate of the prior period compared to the U.S. dollar amount reported in the prior period. (c) Geographic revenues are attributed to regions based on customer location. (d) See reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure under "Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation." (e) Represents intangible amortization expense associated with acquired backlog. (f) Represents expense within cost of revenues associated with amortization of acquired profit in inventory. (g) Calculated as adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue in each period. About Kadant Kadant Inc. is a global supplier of high-value, critical components and engineered systems used in process industries worldwide. The Companys products, technologies, and services play an integral role in enhancing process efficiency, optimizing energy utilization, and maximizing productivity in resource-intensive industries. Kadant is based in Westford, Massachusetts, with approximately 2,800 employees in 20 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.kadant.com. Safe Harbor Statement The following constitutes a Safe Harbor statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including forward-looking statements about our future financial and operating performance, demand for our products, and economic and industry outlook. These forward-looking statements represent our expectations as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including those set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in Kadants annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2018 and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These include risks and uncertainties relating to adverse changes in global and local economic conditions; the variability and difficulty in accurately predicting revenues from large capital equipment and systems projects; our customers ability to obtain financing for capital equipment projects; international sales and operations; the variability and uncertainties in sales of capital equipment in China; the oriented strand board market and levels of residential construction activity; development and use of digital media; currency fluctuations; cyclical economic conditions affecting the global mining industry and the continued demand for coal; price increases or shortages of raw materials; dependence on certain suppliers; our acquisition strategy; failure of our information systems or breaches of data security and cybertheft; changes in government regulations and policies and compliance with laws; our internal growth strategy; competition; soundness of suppliers and customers; changes in our tax provision or exposure to additional tax liabilities; our ability to successfully manage our manufacturing operations; disruption in production; future restructurings; economic conditions and regulatory changes caused by the United Kingdoms exit from the European Union; our debt obligations; restrictions in our credit agreement and note purchase agreement; loss of key personnel and effective succession planning; protection of intellectual property; fluctuations in our share price; soundness of financial institutions; environmental laws and regulations; climate change; environmental, health and safety laws and regulations; adequacy of our insurance coverage; anti-takeover provisions; and reliance on third-party research. Contacts Investor Contact Information: Michael McKenney, 978-776-2000 mike.mckenney@kadant.com or Media Contact Information: Wes Martz, 269-278-1715 wes.martz@kadant.com NEW YORK, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilco Streambank, a leading advisory firm specializing in the sale of intangible assets, is seeking offers to purchase the business assets supporting Bluefly.com, the original fashion e-tailer and marketplace. The assets available include the Bluefly.com domain name, trademarks, customer data and associated purchase data, and the Facebook social media profile. Offers are due on May 6, 2019 at noon Eastern time. An auction will be held on May 8, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time. Information regarding the opportunity is available here. Launched in 1998, during the infancy of internet retailing, for two decades Bluefly.com has been the leading e-commerce destination for fashion and accessories, making luxury available at discounted prices both to fashionistas and aspirational buyers. Most recently, Bluefly.com's marketplace model has provided vendors a seamless integration with its proprietary ecommerce platform, allowing the real time promotion and sale of its marketplace partners' product offerings to Bluefly.com's highly attentive and loyal customers. The marketplace model has enabled Bluefly.com to take advantage of its significant customer file without needing to make the upfront investment on inventory, and has given its marketplace vendors access to its desirable customer base. "The Bluefly.com brand is well-recognized by women of all ages, with a high concentration among Generation X and millennial customers, a highly loyal and desirable demographic," commented Hilco Streambank senior vice president Richelle Kalnit. "There is an exciting opportunity to relaunch the brand and reengage with the Bluefly.com customer." Parties interested in the archive assets or learning more about the sale process should CLICK HERE or contact Hilco Streambank directly using the contact information provided below. David Peress Executive Vice President [email protected] 617.642.1909 Richelle Kalnit Senior Vice President [email protected] 212.993.7214 Ben Kaplan Associate [email protected] 646.651.1978 About Hilco Streambank: Hilco Streambank is a market leading advisory firm specializing in intellectual property disposition and valuation. Having completed numerous transactions including sales in publicly reported Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, private transactions, and online sales through IPv4Auctions.com, Hilco Streambank has established itself as the premier intermediary in the consumer brand, internet and telecom communities. Hilco Streambank is part of Northbrook, Illinois based Hilco Global, the world's leading authority on maximizing the value of business assets by delivering valuation, monetization and advisory solutions to an international marketplace. Hilco Global operates more than twenty specialized business units offering services that include asset valuation and appraisal, retail and industrial inventory acquisition and disposition, real estate and strategic capital equity investments. For media and Press: Gary C. Epstein EVP Chief Marketing Officer Hilco Global [email protected] 847 418 2712 SOURCE Hilco Streambank Related Links https://www.hilcostreambank.com General Litigation, including Asbestos: In the normal course of business, certain subsidiaries of the Company have been named, and may in the future be named, as defendants in various legal actions including claims related to property damage and/or personal injury allegedly arising from products of the Company's subsidiaries or their predecessors. A number of these claims allege personal injury arising from exposure to asbestos-containing material allegedly contained in certain boilers manufactured many years ago, or through the installation or removal of heating systems. The Company's subsidiaries, directly and/or through insurance providers, are vigorously defending all open asbestos cases, many of which involve multiple claimants and many defendants, which may not be resolved for several years. Asbestos litigation is a national issue with thousands of companies defending claims. While the large majority of claims have historically been resolved prior to the completion of trial, from time to time some claims may be expected to proceed to a potentially substantial verdict against subsidiaries of the Company. Any such verdict would be subject to a potential reduction or reversal of verdict on appeal, any set-off rights, and/or a reduction of liability following allocation of liability among various defendants. For example, on July 23, 2013 and December 12, 2014, New York City State Court juries found numerous defendant companies, including a subsidiary of the Company, responsible for asbestos-related damages in cases involving multiple plaintiffs. The subsidiary, whose share of the verdicts amounted to $42 million and $6 million, respectively, before offsets, filed post-trial motions and appeals seeking to reduce and/or overturn the verdicts, and granting of new trials. On February 9, 2015, the trial court significantly reduced the 2013 verdicts, reducing the subsidiary's liability from $42 million to less than $7 million. Additionally, on May 15, 2015, the trial court reduced the subsidiary's liability in the 2014 verdict to less than $2 million. On October 30, 2015, the subsidiary settled these verdicts for significantly less than the trial courts' reduced verdicts, with all such settled amounts being covered by applicable insurance. The Company believes, based upon its understanding of its available insurance policies and discussions with legal counsel, that all pending legal actions and claims, including asbestos, should ultimately be resolved (whether through settlements or verdicts) within existing insurance limits and reserves, or for amounts not material to the Company's financial position or results of operations. However, the resolution of litigation generally entails significant uncertainties, and no assurance can be given as to the ultimate outcome of litigation or its impact on the Company and its subsidiaries. Furthermore, the Company cannot predict the extent to which new claims will be filed in the future, although the Company currently believes that the great preponderance of future asbestos claims will be covered by existing insurance. There can be no assurance that insurers will be financially able to satisfy all pending and future claims in accordance with the applicable insurance policies, or that any disputes regarding policy provisions will be resolved in favor of the Company. DUBLIN, Ohio, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Central and Southern Ohio chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (CSO HIMSS) announced its Spring conference titled "AI, Blockchain and Care: The Future ABC's of Healthcare" will be held on Friday, May 10th, 2019 at the Conference Center at OCLC, 6600 Kilgour Place, Dublin, Ohio. The conference will open with a welcome from the CSO HIMSS Program Chair, Caitlin Graham & CSO HIMSS President, Ajay Sharma as well as a presentation of Scholarship Awards to recipients Shreya Patel from The Ohio State University and Melissa Schulte from Miami University. The conference features exciting keynote addresses from Dr. Tina Moen, Chief Pharmacy Officer of IBM Watson Health and Ed Marx, CIO, The Cleveland Clinic, "Voices of InnovationFulfilling the Promise of Information Technology in Healthcare". Breakout sessions include presentations from top speakers such as Mitch Parker, IT Director at IU Health focused on AI, and organizations such as Nationwide Children's, Cisco, nThrive, AHEAD and Box.com. The conference will conclude with a Blockchain panel discussion with two members from the HIMSS National Blockchain Task Force on the panel topic "ABC's of Healthcare with Blockchain. The Reality Today and how to make it work for you tomorrow". Ajay Sharma, President of CSO HIMSS said "The CSO HIMSS Chapter likes to be at the forefront of educating our members with relevant trends for the Healthcare IT ecosystem. AI and Blockchain are both areas that are being talked about in a healthcare provider setting due to clinicians being inundated with data. With cloud adoption, storage discussions start in the Petabytes. We are sure that in the not too distant future, the concept of 'only Petabytes' may sound quaint. AI provides hope to many in IT to tame that data challenge and be able to provide faster and more efficient care for our patient populations." In addition to the educational aspect of the event, there's also the opportunity network with other attendees and innovative sponsors. To that end, CSO HIMSS would also like to thank their Platinum sponsors Cisco, IBM, AHEAD and Box for all their support. Premier Sponsors of the chapter include Commvault, Nutanix, Path Forward IT, Zones Healthcare IT Solutions and Covermymeds. Interested participants can register for the conference at http://csohio.himsschapter.org/event/cso-himss-annual-spring-conference CSO HIMSS supports careers in healthcare information systems in Ohio. CSO HIMSS has representation from the healthcare providers, consultants and the healthcare vendor communities and works to enhance communication, collaboration and education among the over 1,100 Central & Southern Ohio HIMSS Chapter members. Additional information is available on the CSO HIMSS website at http://csohio.himsschapter.org/ and via social media on Twitter at https://twitter.com/CSOHIMSS and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Csohimss. Media Contact: Samantha McCarthy 614-300-1599 [email protected] SOURCE Central & Southern Ohio HIMSS Related Links http://csohio.himsschapter.org APPLETON, Wis., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- CENTURY 21 Ace Realty today announced that it has been named this year's CENTURY 21 Art Bartlett 2100 Cup Award winner. Broker/Owner Dawn Christensen and her daughter Brittany Voigt were honored at the CENTURY 21 One21 Experience held in Las Vegas, NV in March. The Art Bartlett 2100 Cup Award is one of the most coveted company awards in the CENTURY 21 System and is presented annually to the company that demonstrates the highest level of leadership, customer service and professionalism. "It feels very surreal to be given such an honor, knowing how hard every office works and that the entire CENTURY 21 System is full of so many great offices and incredible agents," shared Christensen. "At CENTURY 21 Ace Realty, we're dedicated to showing each and every customer, and our fellow agents, how much we care about them. We truly are a family and are constantly striving to lift each other up, so it's great to be recognized for our strong team." Christensen has been a real estate agent for almost 30 years and has grown her single office to be comprised of nearly 90 independent agents. CENTURY 21 Ace Realty also ranked in the top ten for Units closed and production in the entire CENTURY 21 System in 2018. The company specializes in residential real estate throughout Wisconsin. "Dawn and her entire team at CENTURY 21 Ace Realty are a stellar example of what it means to embody the relentless spirit we strive for at Century 21 Real Estate," said Mike Miedler, president and CEO Century 21 Real Estate LLC. "They've gone above and beyond to constantly improve and make sure every agent is as successful as they can be. To that end, we look forward to seeing their continued success in Wisconsin and beyond." About CENTURY 21 Ace Realty CENTURY 21 Ace Realty is a full-service real estate company, serving the buyers and sellers in Wisconsin. The office is located at 303 South Bluemound Drive, Appleton, WI, 54914. CENTURY 21 Ace Realty is an independently owned and operated franchise affiliate of Century 21 Real Estate, franchisor of the iconic CENTURY 21 brand, comprised of approximately 9,600 independently owned and operated franchised broker offices in 80 countries and territories worldwide with more than 127,000 independent sales professionals. Legal Disclaimer 2019 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. CENTURY 21 and the CENTURY 21 Logo are registered service marks owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC. Century 21 Real Estate LLC fullOney supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated. Media Contact: Lauren Nickl MullenLowe for CENTURY 21 Ace Realty 617.226.9766 [email protected] SOURCE CENTURY 21 Ace Realty Related Links https://www.century21.com Leadership addition supports Charlotte's Web's evolution towards a dominant global CPG brand BOULDER, CO, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - (CSE:CWEB,OTCQX:CWBHF) Charlotte's Web Holdings, Inc. ("Charlotte's Web", or the "Company") the market leader in hemp-derived CBD extract products, is pleased to announce that Adrienne "Deanie" Elsner, former President of U.S. Snacks division at Kellogg Company, will join the Company as its Chief Executive Officer effective May 15, 2019. Ms. Elsner brings more than 25 years of diverse consumer packaged goods ("CPG") experience across both business and marketing leadership roles in domestic and international markets. A talented marketer, she is widely recognized for driving business results by building brands through infrastructure, innovation, culture and talent. Previously, Ms. Elsner served as President of Kellogg's $3B Snack Business Unit, the largest business unit in the Kellogg Global portfolio, where she transformed that business by leading the exit out of the direct store delivery distribution system, established a portfolio investment strategy and shifted to occasion-based marketing. Prior to joining the Kellogg Company, she served more than 20 years in various leadership roles at the Kraft Foods Company including Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, where she was named by Forbes as one of the 50 Most Influential Global CMOs. Ms. Elsner is credited for successfully launching over $650MM Net Revenue in innovation including, MiO Water Enhancers, Gevalia Cafe, Keurig compatible Coffee Pods and specialty beverages. Her experience also includes sales roles at Procter & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson. Ms. Elsner sits on the board of directors at Owens Corning, Inc. and has served on the Board of the Association of National Advertisers as well as the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. "Deanie's appointment is timely and aligns perfectly with our corporate evolution from the early stage organization we were just two years ago into a professionally managed public company with top-tier executive talent," said Hess Moallem, current President and Chief Executive Officer of Charlotte's Web. "Placing world-class marketing and sales expertise at the highest level of the Company is critical to further extend Charlotte's Web's leadership position in the market. Deanie is an incredibly dynamic business leader with an impressive track-record for growth and profitability at some of the world's leading and most iconic CPG companies. We're very excited to have such high-level talent coming on board to lead through this important time for the Company." The leadership addition is one of several appointments made to support Charlotte's Web's growth and evolution into a dominant global CPG brand. The Chief Executive Officer appointment follows the recent additions of Stephen Lermer, a pharmaceutical industry veteran as the Company's Chief Operating Officer, and Eugenio Mendez, a global CPG industry veteran as the Company's new Chief Growth Officer. Combining CPG international leadership, marketing and sales expertise with manufacturing and commercialization expertise positions Charlotte's Web favorably to lead within its category domestically and internationally. Charlotte's Web Chairman and co-founder Joel Stanley stated, "We enthusiastically welcome Deanie to lead the executive suite. She is a natural fit for Charlotte's Web as we continue to evolve our domestic and global expansion. In addition to Deanie's CPG marketing leadership she brings notable international experience having led the EU Coffee category where she established a sustainable growth model while based in Switzerland and the UK. The fact that Deanie also connects deeply with the heart of our social values and mission at Charlotte's Web is as valuable to me as the incredible experience she will bring to the team." As initially reported in January of 2019, Mr. Moallem will transition from his position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Charlotte's Web to maintain an advisory role with the Company. Mr. Moallem joined Charlotte's Web in 2017 to position and scale the Company to be able to meet the anticipated market demand, extend brand awareness and lead the Company through a comprehensive longform IPO process while navigating complex regulatory matters in the industrial hemp and CBD industry. "Hess's leadership was a vital part of the Company's success and his experience was invaluable at such a pivotal time, landmarked with a very successful public offering," said Mr. Stanley. "We are grateful for his leadership which put the Company in its current position of a well-capitalized market leader, ready for its next phase of growth and we are pleased with his continued commitment to Charlotte's Web." Subscribe to Charlotte's Web News Alerts here. About Charlotte's Web Holdings, Inc. Charlotte's Web Holdings, Inc. is the market leader in the production and distribution of innovative hemp-derived cannabidiol ("CBD") wellness products. Founded by the Stanley Brothers, the Company's premium quality products start with proprietary hemp genetics that are responsibly manufactured into hemp-derived CBD extracts naturally containing a full spectrum of phytocannabinoids, including CBD, terpenes, flavonoids and other beneficial hemp compounds. Industrial hemp products are non-intoxicating. Charlotte's Web product categories include CBD Oil tinctures (liquid products), CBD capsules, CBD topicals, as well as CBD pet products. Charlotte's Web hemp-derived CBD extracts are sold through select distributors, brick and mortar retailers, and online through the Company's website at www.CharlottesWeb.com. The rate the Company pays for agricultural products reflects a fair and sustainable rate driving higher quality yield, encouraging good farming practices, and supporting U.S. farming communities. Charlotte's Web is a socially conscious company and is committed to using business as a force for good and a catalyst for innovation. The Company weighs sound business decisions with consideration for how its efforts affect its employees, customers, the environment, and the communities where its employees live and where it does business, while maximizing profits and strengthening its brands. The Company's management believes that socially oriented actions have a positive impact on the Company, its employees and its shareholders. Charlotte's Web donates a portion of its pre-tax earnings to charitable organizations. Shares of Charlotte's Web trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "CWEB" and in the United States on the OTCQX under the symbol "CWBHF". As at March 31, 2019 Charlotte's Web has 25,375,294 Common Shares outstanding and 169,696.18 Proportionate Voting Shares convertible at 400:1, for an effective equivalent of 93,253,766 Common Shares outstanding. Forward-Looking Information Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking information. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this news release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to the factors described in greater detail in the public documents of the Company available at www.sedar.com. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect the Company; however, these factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE Charlotte's Web Holdings, Inc. CHICAGO, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Registration is now open for the 2019 Cultural Impact Conference presented by The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Titled Gun Violence Prevention: Mental Health Implications of Mass Shootings, the conference takes place May 17th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Chicago's Holiday Inn Mart Plaza. The more than 15 scheduled presentations will cover topics ranging from assessing risk of violence to the benefits of having a national violence prevention hotline to invalidating toxic masculinity. Featured presenters include: Keynote speaker Jaleel Abdul-Adil , Ph.D. is the co-director of Urban Youth Trauma Center (UYTC), a center providing coordinated care for multi-problem, high-risk youth affect by trauma and community violence. In his presentation, Over a (Gun) Barrel: Roles and Responses in Violence Prevention , he will provide a professional framework for perspectives and practices in violence prevention developed at UYTC. , Ph.D. is the co-director of Urban Youth Trauma Center (UYTC), a center providing coordinated care for multi-problem, high-risk youth affect by trauma and community violence. In his presentation, , he will provide a professional framework for perspectives and practices in violence prevention developed at UYTC. Nancy Zarse , Psy.D., a forensic psychologist who consults with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies will present Assessing Risk of Violence . An explanation of violence risk assessment and threat management, the presentation will include a discussion of risk factors and warning signs of violence, as well as escalation towards and protective factors against violence. , Psy.D., a forensic psychologist who consults with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies will present . An explanation of violence risk assessment and threat management, the presentation will include a discussion of risk factors and warning signs of violence, as well as escalation towards and protective factors against violence. Kate Mahoney , L.C.S.W., is executive director of the Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for Mental Health Education. She will be presenting Reducing Stigma, Dispelling Myths about Mental Illness and Gun Violence with Leah Hoane , B.A. The presentation will highlight how myth and stigma lead to misinformation about mental illness's role in gun violence. , L.C.S.W., is executive director of the Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for Mental Health Education. She will be presenting with , B.A. The presentation will highlight how myth and stigma lead to misinformation about mental illness's role in gun violence. Franshonn Salter, Gun Violence and Prevention in Marginalized Communities. A student at The Chicago School, Ms. Salter lost two nephews to gun violence in 2014. She will share her personal story of the impact of gun violence and the interdisciplinary approach she developed to combat gun violence. Continued Education credits will be available for several of the presentations, many of which will be streamed live. Register now. About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Founded in 1979, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) is a nonprofit, private school devoted exclusively to psychology, and related behavioral health sciences. The Chicago School is an affiliate of TCS, a nonprofit system of colleges advancing student success and community impact. The institution serves approximately 4,300 students across campuses in Chicago; Southern California (Los Angeles, Irvine and San Diego); Washington, D.C., and Dallas, as well as through online programs. The Chicago School is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and its Clinical Psychology Doctoral Programs in Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles are accredited by the American Psychological Association. With more than 20 graduate degree programs, thousands of hours of real-world training, and a wealth of international opportunities, TCSPP is the leader in professional psychology and behavioral health education. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu. MEDIA CONTACT: Lisa Riley 312.410.8963 [email protected] SOURCE The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Related Links http://www.thechicagoschool.edu TORONTO, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - CIBC Innovation Banking today announced that it has provided a capital call facility to Whitecap Venture Partners IV LP. The capital call facility provides Whitecap with the flexibility to make investments in portfolio companies prior to calling capital from the fund's limited partners. Since the firm's founding more than 25 years ago, initially as a family office, Whitecap Venture Partners has established four investment funds that deliver value to portfolio companies and provide strong returns across investment cycles. The two most recent funds raised by the firm Whitecap Venture Partners III and Whitecap Venture Partners IV received investments from both institutional and High Net Worth Limited Partners (LP). Whitecap is focused on early stage investments in information and communication technology (ICT), food and food technology, and medical technologies. "By providing Whitecap with a capital call facility, CIBC is supporting one of the longest-standing successful venture investors in the country," said Rob Rosen, Managing Director, CIBC Innovation Banking. "It is our pleasure to facilitate the firm's investment thesis." "Access to a capital call facility supports the efficient operation of our LP-funded venture fund," added Shayn Diamond, Partner at Whitecap Venture Partners. "With their sector experience, CIBC Innovation Banking not only recognizes the unique opportunities and challenges facing technology companies, which positions them as a strong partner for Whitecap." About CIBC Innovation Banking With offices in Denver, Menlo Park, Montreal, Reston, Toronto and Vancouver, CIBC Innovation Banking delivers strategic advice, cash management and funding to North American innovation companies at each stage of their business cycle, from start up to IPO and beyond. The team has extensive experience and a strong, collaborative approach that extends across CIBC's commercial banking and capital markets businesses in Canada and the U.S. About Whitecap Venture Partners Whitecap Venture Partners is a diversified early stage venture capital fund investing in high growth companies across three verticals: Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Med Tech and Food/Food Tech. Its team of operators and investment professionals partner with entrepreneurs in verticals where they have deep domain expertise and can bring significant operational and strategic value to companies. Additional information is available at www.whitecapvp.com. SOURCE CIBC Innovation Banking BOCA RATON, Fla., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- This year's Medicine Maker's Power List 2019 has included three well-known CNS Summit leaders who have long been driving innovation in life sciences and whose passion have made CNS Summit the leading meeting on technology and innovation in life sciences that it is today Dr. Amir Kalali, Ms. Melinda Richter, and Mr. Mike Rea. Every year, Medicine Maker lists the world's top 100 leaders who have carried out forward-looking, trailblazing work in the biopharmaceutical industry. Dr. Kalali, Ms. Richter, and Mr. Rea were recognized in the Champions of Change category, which is fitting given their persistence in pushing the boundaries of traditional thinking and nurturing the use of technology to improve processes and efficiencies. Amir Kalali, Chief Curator and Program Chair of the CNS Summit commented, "I am honored and humbled to be named among the Champions of Change at a time when our industry is experiencing such rapid technology-led transformation. And to be included among my CNS Summit colleagues makes it especially meaningful. Together, we are driving cultural change as well as adoption of new technology to bring new treatments to patients faster." The annual Medicine Maker Power List recognizes the most inspiring and influential people across the entire global life sciences sector. The annual Power List is compiled based on the votes of Medicine Maker readers as well as the input of an expert judging panel made up of leaders in the biopharmaceutical industry. CNS Summit is a community working collaboratively to shape the future of the life sciences. The CNS Summit 2019 is taking place October 31st -- November 3rd, 2019 in Boca Raton, Florida. For more information, visit www.cnssummit.org. Media Contact: Erica Moore (610) 613-3524 [email protected] SOURCE CNS Summit Related Links http://www.cnssummit.org DENVER, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- #DevOpsDays Denver - CollabNet VersionOne ( www.collabnet.com ), a global leader in Enterprise Value Stream Management, Agile management, Git version control and DevOps, is a silver sponsor of DevOps Days Denver, April 29, 2019, at Mile High Station and Iron Works. Value Stream Management (VSM) experts from the company will meet with technology leaders at the event and discuss how to optimize software development and delivery and derive the full benefits of Agile and DevOps by using VSM. "CollabNet VersionOne is active in the U.S. DevOps Days community and looking forward to the Denver event. DevOps Days help inform our roadmaps and innovations, because we create solutions for this audience. The DevOps experts in Denver will share with us what they need from VSM solutions," said Thomas Hooker, VP of Marketing at CollabNet. "We've seen organizations transformed by adopting DevOps. VSM enables the next level of transformation using DevOps because it not only makes software development and delivery smoother and keeps it in alignment with business goals, but in doing so, it boosts the ROI of DevOps investments." DevOps Days is a worldwide series of technical conferences covering topics of software development, IT infrastructure operations and the intersection between them. Each event is run by volunteers from the local area. DevOps Days Denver will take place 2027 W Colfax Ave., Denver, CO., 80204. CollabNet's award-winning solution Continuum helps organizations automate and measure DevOps success to accelerate software delivery. To learn more about Continuum, please visit: https://www.collab.net/products/continuum. Share: Join @CollabNetV1 at @DevOpsDays #Denver to talk about accelerating software development and delivery through Value Stream Management #automation #DevOps About CollabNet VersionOne CollabNet VersionOne is the Enterprise Value Stream Management leader that accelerates high value software development and delivery, while improving quality and reducing risk. Our offerings provide global enterprise and government market leaders a cohesive solution, spanning idea through delivery, that enable them to capture, create, deliver and measure the flow of business value throughout their application development lifecycles. www.collab.net . Follow us on: CollabNet VersionOne is a Vector Capital Company. Company trademark and logo details available here: https://www.collab.net/legal . Contact: Laura Balboni Catapult PR-IR [email protected] 303-581-7760 SOURCE CollabNet VersionOne Related Links https://www.collab.net A leading provider of supplemental accident & health, disability, and life insurance products, and a Chubb Company, Combined Insurance has a long history of giving back to the military community. The company was recently named the #1 Military Friendly Company for 2019 by VIQTORY/G.I. Jobs Magazine, marking the company's eighth consecutive year in the top 10 list and fifth consecutive year in the Top 5. "We are honored to have this opportunity to show our appreciation to our country's service men and women," said Bob Wiedower, Vice President of Sales Development and Military Programs. "Our partnership with the USO and other Veteran and military-serving organizations exemplifies our mission of giving back to the communities in which we live and work every single day." A group of more than a dozen employee volunteers came together to serve those in attendance at the USO Great Lakes Center. USO No-Dough Dinners are normally served the evening before a military pay day, when funds for service members and their families may be running low and the opportunity for a hearty meal is most welcomed. The No-Dough Dinners are funded by companies, clubs, or other organizations who then provide the volunteers to serve the food on site. "Combined Insurance and their employees have been a stand-out partner for the USO of Illinois," said Chris Miller, USO of Illinois Director of Center Operations and Volunteer Services. "When Combined employees volunteer with us, they go out of their way to make sure our service members and their families feel welcomed, appreciated and supported. We thank Combined Insurance for their continued support of USO of Illinois and salute them for the amazing work they do in our military community." Many of the military service men and women that utilize the USO Great Lakes Center and come to the No-Dough Dinners are Junior Sailors attending military specialty schools at Naval Station Great Lakes; however, all branches of military service are welcomeincluding Army, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. Combined Insurance founder and noted philanthropist W. Clement Stone donated more than $275 million to civic groups, mental health, and other charitable organizations during his lifetime. In addition to the USO of Illinois, the company has supported other military and Veteran charities, including the Fisher House Foundation, Luke's Wings and Heartland Alliance. About Combined Insurance Combined Insurance Company of America (Chicago, Ill.) is a leading provider of individual supplemental accident & health, disability, and life insurance products and a Chubb company. With a tradition of nearly 100 years of success, Combined Insurance is committed to making the world supplemental insurance easy to understand. The company has an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau and is one of Ward's Top 50 Performing Life-Health Insurance Companies. Combined Insurance is ranked the number one Military Friendly Employer in the over $1B revenue category for 2019 by VIQTORY. This is the company's eighth consecutive year on the top 10 list and fifth consecutive year in the top 5Combined Insurance was previously named the number one Military Friendly Employer in the nation for 2015 and 2016. About Chubb Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London and other locations, and employs approximately 31,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: chubb.com. SOURCE Combined Insurance Related Links http://www.combinedinsurance.com Your digital subscription allows you to view any content, comment on any issue and submit your own news to our newsroom. Digital subscriptions do not include home delivery of the Tracy Press. To receive the paper at home, sign up for Premium Membership. MIAMI, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Cyxtera Technologies, the secure infrastructure company, announced today at the company's second annual user conference that it has enhanced the power, scale and reach of its Total Fraud Protection platform with the launch of Risk Orchestrator. This dynamic protection solution, available immediately, enables multiple Cyxtera anti-fraud products to share intelligence for better decision making and more effective fraud case management. Risk Orchestrator integrates strong authentication, transaction monitoring, device context, and brand monitoring, minimizing the impact of complex transactional fraud schemes. According to Juniper Research, online fraud losses are expected to double, reaching $48 billion annually over the next five years, fueled by the continued epidemic of data breaches. Financial institutions remain responsible for preventing the execution of fraudulent financial transactions. Risk Orchestrator allows disparate solutions to communicate clearly and connect critical anti-fraud functions. This intelligence sharing results in more informed decisions that leverage contextual data gathered across all stages of the fraud lifecycle. "Fraudsters have gotten more sophisticated in their attacks while solutions have lagged behind, focusing on specific activity rather than the big picture," said Michael Lopez, Vice President, Total Fraud Protection. "A layered approach is the most effective way to fight fraud, but it requires a dynamic and easy to use 'glue' that orchestrates fraud defense capabilities under a single pane of glass. Risk Orchestrator, a brand-new capability of our Total Fraud Protection platform, does just that." Data is integrated into an easy-to-use console that allows users drag-and-drop control to create intuitive workflows and enables organizations to incorporate machine-learning-based-analysis into their authentication process and respond to even the most advanced attacks quickly. Risk Orchestrator eliminates the burden of complex development projects and empowers customers to better risk-quality transactions. Some of the many use cases that Risk Orchestrator covers are: Risk Based Authentication, which combines the power of transaction monitoring with strong step-up authentication, Risk and Context-Based Authentication, which combines the power of transaction log-in and monitoring with multi-factor authentication, Streamlined Integration, combining login monitoring and device context without the need for a lengthy integration. Cyxtera's Total Fraud Protection suite provides comprehensive detection and prevention of electronic fraud across all devices, channels and clouds. Its products, which protect more than 125 million users at leading financial services companies, security firms, retailers, and airlines, offer a one-stop shop for end-to-end fraud protection. For more information about Risk Orchestrator visit the Cyxtera blog here. About Cyxtera Cyxtera Technologies combines a worldwide footprint of 50+ best-in-class data centers with a portfolio of modern, cloud- and hybrid-ready security and analytics offerings providing more than 3,500 enterprises, government agencies and service providers an integrated, secure and cyber-resilient infrastructure platform for critical applications and systems. For more information about Cyxtera visit, http://www.cyxtera.com/. SOURCE Cyxtera Technologies Related Links https://www.cyxtera.com LAS VEGAS, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- GLOBAL PARTNER SUMMIT AT DELL TECHNOLOGIES WORLD -- News summary Dell EMC Partner Program is now the Dell Technologies Partner Program, increasing Partner access to a more holistic Dell Technologies solutions portfolio. Announcement of new solution badges and solution competencies to accelerate growth opportunities for Partners. Strategically aligned businesses' partner programs continue to operate independently. All Strategically Aligned Businesses' solutions purchased through the Dell Technologies Partner Program count toward tier revenue requirements. Full story Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL) is announcing the evolution of its Dell EMC Partner Program, which is now known as the Dell Technologies Partner Program. With the Dell Technologies Partner Program, Partners now have the full weight of the Dell Technologies brand behind them. The program provides Partners with the competitive advantage of Dell Technologies, enabling them to do more business with transformational solutions. The evolved program provides simplified engagement for partners to cross-sell and procure products and solutions across the Dell Technologies family of brands. "Our partners asked us to make it easier to do business across our full Dell Technologies portfolio, so we made it a top priority," said Joyce Mullen, president, Global Channel, OEM and IoT. "By providing our partners with a clear roadmap and investing in training and development, partners will win even more deals and grow their business." In February we announced that VMware solutions purchased through Dell would count toward Dell EMC Partner Program tier requirements. Today we are expanding this benefit to include all sales from strategically aligned businesses transacted through the Dell Technologies Partner Program. Investing in education Possessing the right skills to sell and deploy innovative solutions is a critical way for partners to differentiate their capabilities in the market. Dell Technologies is announcing two new solution badges composed of already in-market certifications to validate a breadth of capability to support, and deploy across a solution. The new solution badges are for Dell Technologies Cloud Platform and Dell Technologies Virtual Desktop Infrastructure. Under the Dell Technologies Partner Program, the company is announcing a new cloud competency that will support the newly announced Dell Technologies Cloud solution. The competency will be composed of the Dell Technologies Cloud Platform Badge and few other certifications, including Services Delivery Competency on VxRail. Many of our Partners earned this competency last year, which means they already have the foundational deployment certifications to accelerate this new cloud competency. Full cloud competency certification requirements will be announced in Q3. With these kinds of solutions, our Dell Technologies Partner Program plans to recognize related credentials/certifications earned from our strategically aligned businesses that support our joint solutions. The introduction of the Dell Technologies Partner Program comes as the company significantly expands the partner opportunity around market-leading storage and next-generation cloud solutions: Dell Technologies has enabled additional Storage products for higher front-end discounts, including PowerVault ME4 & Compellent SC. The company added hundreds of new, richer accounts to the Partner Preferred Program 1 in North America , creating more opportunities for partners to hunt for new business while unlocking more competitive pricing and incentives. in , creating more opportunities for partners to hunt for new business while unlocking more competitive pricing and incentives. Dell Technologies announced two new integrated Dell Technologies solutions that are game changers for partners: Dell Technologies Cloud, a validated solution with VMware Cloud Foundation built on VxRail, which provides partners with a more integrated and simplified offer they can take to market as trusted advisors to their customers. Dell Technologies Unified Workspace, ProDeploy in the Unified Workspace utilizing VMware Workspace One and Endpoint Security, which combines the built-in security of a Dell laptop with Dell SafeGuard and Response. Partners who hold services delivery competency have a fantastic complementary services opportunities with co-delivery of onsite services. Plus, Dell Technologies reinforced the value of its world-class financial services offerings, including Flex on Demand which was recently extended to our HCI solutions, including VxRail & VxRack. Additional resources Blogs For more information on news at Dell Technologies World, visit the online press kit. Connect with Dell Technologies by following @DellTech , @DellTechPartner About Dell Technologies World Join us April 29 - May 2 in Las Vegas at Dell Technologies World, the company's flagship event that brings together the latest emerging trends, technology and gurus, from the edge to the core to the cloud. During the event, experts from all of Dell Technologies businesses demonstrate to customers and partners the connected ecosystem of IT infrastructure, applications, devices and security that can enable real transformation across their organizations. About Dell Technologies Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL) is a unique family of businesses that helps organizations and individuals build their digital future and transform how they work and live. The company provides customers with the industry's broadest and most innovative technology and services portfolio spanning from edge to core to cloud. The Dell Technologies family includes Dell, Dell EMC, Pivotal, RSA, Secureworks, Virtustream and VMware. Copyright 2019 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved. Dell Technologies, Dell, Dell EMC, Dell Inc. and the Dell logo are trademarks of Dell Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies. 1 SOURCE Dell Technologies LAS VEGAS, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- DELL TECHNOLOGIES WORLD -- News summary Dell Technologies Unified Workspace simplifies the entire device lifecycle for IT while providing workers with the personalized, frictionless, ready-to-work experience they demand Unified Workspace integrates solutions across Dell devices and services, VMware and Secureworks to help businesses ease major end-user computing pain points and focus on transformative initiatives Dell Technologies delivers an intelligent, unified approach that provides IT leaders with improved visibility, insights and automation to streamline processes and deliver an exceptional end-user experience Full story As the future-of-work concept becomes a reality for organizations worldwide, employees demand the flexibility to work, collaborate and innovate anytime, anywhere and in any way they want. Businesses must provide this type of environment to attract new talent and keep their current employees engaged, productive and secure with devices personalized for their needs. Yet IT departments are often unable to focus on transformative initiatives for employee experience as they spend the majority of their time mired in run-the-business tasks like PC deployment, help desk requests, and monitoring and troubleshooting. Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL) introduces Unified Workspace to help IT transform the end-user experience. This visionary approach to end-user computing will give workers a frustration-free, ready-to-work experience, while enabling IT with automated, open and intelligent solutions for unified management. Dell Technologies Unified Workspace will revolutionize the way IT admins assist and enable their end users with device selection, deployment, security, management and support through flexible, scalable services and solutions that integrate with any customer environment, regardless of OS, device and cloud environment. "Imagine an intelligent solution that told you the specific devices and applications your workforce needs based on their specific usage. Imagine one that then delivers those personalized devices directly to the end user, preconfigured and preloaded with all the apps and security features they need without IT having to touch the device. Now, imagine that same solution proactively helping the end user resolve day-to-day IT issues like password resets, access to applications and lost VPN connections," explained Jeff Clarke, vice chairman of products and operations, Dell Technologies. "That's Dell Technologies Unified Workspace, the industry's most comprehensive solution to help IT deploy, secure, manage and support virtually all devices from the cloud.i" Enabling IT to empower workers Dell Technologies Unified Workspace helps make customers' workforce transformation a reality by allowing IT to streamline time-consuming, complex, yet critical tasks with capabilities that provide visibility, insights and automation. The integrated platform allows customers to begin wherever they need the most help whether it's in the selection process or deployment or even security or management and then move to the next priority until they have the full Unified Workspace experience to enable IT and empower workers. Modernizing PC deployment and management from the cloud Traditional PC lifecycle management (PCLM) is high-touch, expensive and does not scale to increasingly mobile and remote workers. With VMware Workspace ONE as the backbone of Dell Technologies Unified Workspace, customers can utilize unified endpoint management technology to modernize how they deploy, manage and secure their Dell devices. Once a device is deployed, unified endpoint management capabilities from Workspace ONE make it possible for customers to move beyond traditional PCLM with cloud policy management, streamlined application delivery, automated patching and improved device health monitoring and diagnostics. Workspace ONE delivers a unified, digital workspace experience as employees can seamlessly access any native, SaaS or internal application with single sign on from any device. Through our integration with Microsoft, customers will benefit from Microsoft 365, Workspace ONE, and Dell Provisioning and Deployment Services seamlessly enabling world-class, modern IT deployment and end-user productivity. Transforming selection and deployment with insightful data Using data-driven insights that assess how the worker is using their PC from the battery consumption and storage utilization to mobility requirements and most frequently used applications Dell Technologies will help customers select the right PC and applications for each employee, shipping the devices preconfigured directly from the Dell factory to the end users. This data-driven, low-touch experience helps save IT time and money, allowing them to focus their resources on other strategic projects while enabling workers with personalized devices and access to data and applications so they are immediately productive when they first boot up. A part of this experience is in action today with Dell provisioning for VMware Workspace ONE, which allows organizations to ship devices preconfigured with company applications and settings directly from the Dell factory to end users. This method can save up to nearly a week of IT time per 1,000 devices deployed.ii Reimagining BIOS security with visibility and integration Hackers have become increasingly sophisticated and BIOS has become an area of increasing concern for customers. Storing the BIOS standards off-host ensures the user is looking at an untampered version of the BIOS standards as opposed to competitors who store the BIOS information on the hardware device itself, which can become corrupted. With Unified Workspace, Dell Technologies is introducing a new capability to Dell SafeBIOS an off-host BIOS verification utility available as a standalone download and also integrated with VMware Workspace ONE, Secureworks and CrowdStrike. The integration provides greater visibility into the integrity of the BIOS. Security operations can now proactively detect attacks against their BIOS using their CrowdStrike console and access best-of-breed insights with Secureworks. With this visibility, IT can set up automated workflows in Workspace ONE to push over-the-air updates to bring out-of-compliance devices back into compliance. The ability to tie measurements directly into Secureworks threat intelligence, CrowdStrike threat detection and VMware Workspace ONE device health provides an additional level of monitoring and visibility. This builds on other components within Unified Workspace to keep endpoints secure, such as Dell SafeGuard and Response, a comprehensive threat management portfolio of next-generation, endpoint-security solutions that combines the managed security, incident response expertise and threat behavioral analytics of Secureworks with the unified endpoint protection platform from CrowdStrike. Intuitive Support at IT's Fingertips Threaded throughout Unified Workspace is predictive and proactive support that becomes more insightful, actionable and personalized over time. For example, Dell ProSupport Plus with SupportAssist has helped customers reduce time to resolve a failed hard drive up to 11x faster.iii With even more telemetry, IT can support their end users with real-time visibility, proactive fixes and prescriptive updates. Supporting quotes "Dell Technologies Unified Workspace will radically change end-user computing and help IT teams reduce costs by enabling a move away from high-touch processes to a modern management approach," said Shankar Iyer, senior vice president and general manager, End User Computing, VMware. "With VMware Workspace ONE powering Dell Technologies Unified Workspace and services from Dell, organizations can onboard new employees faster than ever before, keep those devices up to date, and eliminate manual, time-intensive processes through automation." "ESG research highlights that upgrades, updates, patching and maintaining security are the top challenges organizations face as they balance flexible workstyles, endpoint management decisions, and digital transformation across the business," said Mark Bowker, senior analyst, ESG. "Dell Technologies Unified Workspace has the potential to help IT and security teams boost their capabilities in supporting, managing and fixing end-user computing lifecycle issues with clarity and confidence." Availability Dell Provisioning for VMware Workspace ONE, ProDeploy Client Suite and ProSupport Suite for PCs are currently available. The Dell SafeBIOS downloadable verification utility will be available May 2019 . The verification utility integration with VMware Workspace ONE, Secureworks and CrowdStrike will be available in Q2 CY19. . The verification utility integration with VMware Workspace ONE, Secureworks and CrowdStrike will be available in Q2 CY19. Dell SafeGuard and Response is generally available. Additional resources About Dell Technologies World Join us April 29 - May 2 in Las Vegas at Dell Technologies World, the company's flagship event that brings together the latest emerging trends, technology and gurus, from the edge to the core to the cloud. During the event, experts from all of Dell Technologies businesses demonstrate to customers and partners the connected ecosystem of IT infrastructure, applications, devices and security that can enable real transformation across their organizations. About Dell Technologies Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL) is a unique family of businesses that helps organizations and individuals build their digital future and transform how they work and live. The company provides customers with the industry's broadest and most innovative technology and services portfolio spanning from edge to core to cloud. The Dell Technologies family includes Dell, Dell EMC, Pivotal, RSA, Secureworks, Virtustream and VMware. Copyright 2019 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved. Dell, Dell Inc. and the Dell logo are trademarks of Dell Technologies in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies. i Based on Dell internal analysis of competitive products as of February 2019. ii Based on Principled Technologies Report commissioned by Dell Technologies, "Deliver pre-configured systems to end users faster with Dell Provisioning for VMware Workspace ONE", February 2019, comparing deployment using Dell Provisioning for Workspace ONE vs. traditional deployment. Results extrapolated to deployment of 1000 systems, a week represents seven full workdays. Actual results will vary. Full report: https://www.dellemc.com/resources/en-us/asset/analyst-reports/services/provisioning-for-workspace-one.pdf. iii Based on a Principled Technologies test report, "Spend Less Time and Effort Troubleshooting Laptop Hardware Failures" dated April 2018. Testing commissioned by Dell, conducted in the United States. Actual results will vary. Full report: http://facts.pt/L52XKM. SOURCE Dell Technologies Related Links https://www.dellemc.com Just like the museum where it is produced, the mission of the podcast is to celebrate the region while inspiring listeners to see beyond wherever they currently are in their lives. Hosted by DPA president Scott Williams, the podcast features notable guests who are West Tennessee influencers from the worlds of business, entertainment, sports, tourism and more. The first episode of the show debuted Monday and features an interview with Kelley Powers, co-founder of Final Flight Outfitters Inc., who parlayed an early successful career as a professional goose caller into a popular retail and mail-order catalog business in Union City. The recently-expanded store, founded with his brothers, Jon Ed and Tripp, has grown from a storage trailer in 1998 to a 25,000-square-foot showroom that contains a large selection of outdoor gear and hunting supplies. The next episodes feature: Lee Wilson, co-founder of Jackson Escape Rooms and 2017 winner of CBS's reality show "Hunted;" Union City fashion entrepreneur Paige Burcham Dennis; Memphian Jireh Breon Holder, a playwright, director and writer on NBC's hit show, "New Amsterdam;" and Danny Walden from the Dyer County Historical Society sharing the origin, location and details of the lost town of Menglewood, Tenn. that is referenced in "New Minglewood Blues" performed by the Grateful Dead. About Discovery Park of America The mission of Discovery Park of America, a premier world-class museum and 50-acre heritage park located in Union City, Tennessee, is to inspire children and adults and to see beyond. Included is a 100,000-square-foot museum featuring 9 interactive exhibit galleries with additional space for temporary exhibits from around the world and a 50-acre heritage park. Discovery Park of America is a 501(c)(3) public charity funded by generous individuals, corporations and foundations including its principal funder, the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation. For more information, visit DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Contact Mary Nita Bondurant 731-885-5455 [email protected] SOURCE Discovery Park of America Related Links http://www.discoveryparkofamerica.com LONDON, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Dominica is at the forefront of a new report released this month by Smith & Williamson, a UK-based financial services firm. Titled Citizenship vs Residency: The Taxation Implications of Citizenship by Investment Programmes, the report explores the tax consequences of an individual participating in Dominica's Citizenship by Investment Programme. It concludes that there is no negative impact either on Dominica or on jurisdictions that had taxed the individual prior to his becoming an economic citizen. "Smith & Williamson believe that citizenship by investment does not present a risk to facilitating tax evasion, as citizenship alone is insufficient to secure tax residency of a country and, subject to an existing double taxation treaty, an individual is only liable to tax in countries where they are tax resident," note the authors. Smith & Williamson's assessment is comparable to that of international accounting firm Ernst & Young, which, in March 2019, released a similar report stating that "it is clear that citizenship is a concept distinct from tax residency. Citizenship should not give rise to tax avoidance and evasion opportunities, as the reporting rules are explicit in not using citizenship as a test." Citizenship Alone, Not Tax Residency Dominica offers one of the world's oldest citizenship by investment (CBI) programmes. Established in 1993, the programme enables foreign applicants to become citizens of Dominica in exchange for an investment and only after passing very stringent due diligence procedures. Funds from the CBI Programme are used to support ecotourism and sponsor socio-economic initiatives on the island, including several climate change resilience building projects, as the Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit pledged to make Dominica "the world's first climate resilient nation" following Hurricane Maria's ravages in 2017. Nothing in Dominica's Constitution, Citizenship Act, or Citizenship by Investment Regulations entitles the applicant to anything but the status of 'citizen.' Significantly, citizenship of Dominica, states Smith & Williamson, "does not equate to residence" and "does not bear on a person's status as a Dominican tax resident." This is central to the report's conclusions because, when it comes to a person's tax liability, "only countries where an individual is resident for tax purposes can tax the individual's worldwide income and gains" and "only the United States, Hungary and Eritrea currently tax individuals based on both residence and citizenship." Because Dominica does not tax individuals by virtue of being citizens, an economic citizen cannot claim he is no longer a tax resident of another country on the basis of his or her new Dominican citizenship. Concerns as to whether Dominica's Citizenship by Investment Programme can facilitate tax evasion have been raised, most prominently, by the OECD in its assessment of whether citizenship by investment can enable circumvention of the Common Reporting Standard (CRS). Yet, Smith & Williamson suggests these concerns are unnecessary and misplaced since "reporting under the CRS is [] based on tax residence and not on citizenship or the right to reside in a jurisdiction." No Double Taxation Relief Finally, Smith & Williamson asks whether tax residence of Dominica, coupled with tax residence of another country, could prove advantageous to the dual tax resident. The answer is a categorical 'no' for anyone who is not a Caribbean dual tax resident, as Dominica only holds double taxation agreements with member states of the Caribbean Community. This means that, in the vast majority of cases, a Dominican tax resident "would only receive a foreign tax credit against their Dominican tax liability for tax already suffered," and there would be nothing to stop the second country of tax residence taxing the Dominican resident. Smith & Williamson illustrates this point by analysing the prospects of a dual UK-Dominican tax resident and Dominican citizen: "Citizenship of Dominica would not have any detrimental impact on UK tax that can be collected and, even if the individual were to also become a tax resident of Dominica, it could expose them to double taxation on their income, which could not be mitigated under the domestic tax laws of the jurisdictions involved." The full reports by Smith & Williamson and EY can be accessed here. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE CS Global Partners GREENWICH, Conn., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Emil Capital Partners, an entrepreneurial private investment company with a mission to establish deep-value add partnerships with entrepreneurs building transformative businesses in the consumer space, announces its strategic investment with milk + honey, the Texas-based spa and beauty brand that provides exceptional spa experiences for men and women, focusing on safe, effective ingredients. Additional investors include Keller Capital and entrepreneur, author and podcaster Tim Ferriss. The funding will aid in propelling the expansion of milk + honey's spas as well as their organic, clean product line. Emil Capital Partners advances growth of milk + honey's premiere spa and lifestyle products Since its founding in 2006, milk + honey has been providing remarkable spa experiences for both men and women under the treatment philosophy that focuses on healing, wellness, and relaxation. milk + honey creates a truly relaxing environment with treatments that use only natural and organic products. Following the mission represented in their spas and salons, milk + honey also created a line of luxurious products for the body, face and hair, made with hyperclean ingredients. The investment will help milk + honey expand their spas into new regions such as greater Los Angeles while growing their product line into additional retail channels (direct-to-consumer and wholesale) which is currently available at select Neiman Marcus locations and the online store. "We are elated to have Emil Capital Partners as an investor in milk + honey. Their expertise and experience have already proven to be invaluable as we continue to grow our brand of products and spas," Alissa Bayer, Founder of milk + honey. "We are excited about our future with Emil Capital Partners by our side." "milk + honey has continuously sustained profitable growth in their spas and product lines," said Marcel Bens, Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Emil Capital Partners. "We are thrilled to partner with a brand committed to extraordinary spa experiences and clean and organic skin care products and look forward to being part of the company's exponential growth and development." "We're proud to be in business with milk + honey and its founders, Shon and Alissa Bayer. We invest in companies with powerful leadership teams and are the best at what they do," Mitch Johnson, CEO of Keller Capital. "milk + honey is a shining example of great service from great people. We're glad customers see it that way too and we definitely see a bright future for this company." Emil Capital Partners continues to invest in emerging consumer brands with an aptitude for growth. For more information on Emil Capital Partners, please visit www.emilcapitalpartners.com. For more information on milk + honey, visit www.milkandhoneyspa.com. About Emil Capital Partners Headquartered in Greenwich, CT, and founded in 2011, Emil Capital Partners focuses on investing in early stage growth companies in the sector of consumer goods, internet enabled services and digital media. Since its inception, the fund has made over 30 investments including key brands in their respective sectors. Emil Capital Partners has been rated numerous times as one of the most active investors in the consumer goods space and continues to look for disruptive opportunities. For more information on Emil Capital Partners, visit www.emilcapitalpartners.com. About milk + honey milk + honey was founded in 2006 to provide an urban luxury retreat in a design-forward environment for both men and women offering a full range of spa treatments including massages, facials, waxing, body treatments, and natural nail therapy. Since its beginning, milk + honey has focused on providing a spa experience that goes beyond exceptional treatments and therapists. milk + honey creates an atmosphere to decompress and practice healing, wellness, and relaxation. milk + honey expanded to a product line in 2013 which includes organic bath, body, and skincare products. For more information on milk + honey visit www.milkandhoneyspa.com. Media contact: Darra Sellers [email protected] 213-542-8980 SOURCE Emil Capital Partners Related Links http://www.emilcapitalpartners.com MIAMI, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- In today's society, women love the feeling of beauty, they simply love it! Let's take a look at a few channels of beauty; women use cosmetics, hair styles, fragrances, clothing and various accessories. Keeping these beauty channels in mind, there is also natural beauty. This beauty comes by way of the Natural Woman. The women's beauty industry is a mega billion-dollar juggernaut that blankets today's modern world as we know it. Empire License, Inc., an apparel brand licensing company in Miami, Florida, specializes in the licensing of their own trademarks and brands. The company recently secured the trademark rights to the name/brand 'Natural Woman' a full line of apparel just for her (underwear, swimwear, lingerie, everyday apparel, sportswear, casual and formal). "We are all very excited about this brand," says Ashley Williams, company VP and COO. "The name lends itself very well for a line of clothing of this type, the attraction is omnibus to all women, nationalities and ages. For the target market demographic of females ages 15 to 65," adds Williams. "This is it." "The companies chosen to market the Natural Woman brand will benefit in a myriad of ways. The Natural Woman brand was created with the thoughts of it being the ultimate brand for the female consumer, today and tomorrow. What comes with the brand are the sexy styles, designs and fabrics. When she wears the brand she will feel and know she's wearing it. She will walk different, have a sparkle in her eye, she will feel sexy, in control, feeling vibrant and alive! Now she knows that she is a Natural Woman," says Williams. In the year 1967 the late Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin released her hit song (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman. The song is just as popular now world-wide as it was upon its original release. The song is an anthem for all women throughout the world. Currently, there is no relation between the Empire company and the current song copyright owners (which may change in the future). The dilemma is, one of the largest companies in the apparel industry is in talks with Empire, expressing their interest in buying the brand, giving them exclusive rights. This is why the company has held off talks with smaller companies interested in the licensing of the brand. "We would like to apologize to the companies waiting for our response, we should have things worked out either way very soon and will contact you. Meanwhile, we appreciate your communications and interest in working with us and the Natural Woman brand," adds Williams. For more information and contacts, visit http://www.empirelicense.com/ Media Contact: E.L. Williams / Empire License, [email protected] This release was issued through Send2Press, a unit of Neotrope. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.Send2Press.com SOURCE Empire License, Inc. Related Links http://www.empirelicense.com "To maintain a vibrant ecosystem around the intelligent enterprise, SAP focuses on our partners and their ability to provide greater value to our customers," said Bill McDermott, CEO of SAP. "Our partners big and small create innovative, inspiring solutions and services that make business better and help customers transform into intelligent enterprises. Congratulations to all of the SAP Pinnacle Award winners. Like the old saying goes: Teamwork makes dream work. Thanks to our partners who help make it happen." "We've had an exceptional few years of innovation on SAP technology platforms to support our clients on their intelligent enterprise journeys," said Quintin Smith, Partner at EPI-USE. "The zenith was being able to leverage SAP solutions for our 'Beyond Corporate Purpose' hybrid business model, in which we leverage our for-profit business to protect and preserve the lives of elephants and rhinos in the wild in Africa, through a strategy based on rural poverty alleviation. We are delighted to be a recipient of the award in recognition of our multi-faceted partnership with SAP." EPI-USE has been a long-standing SAP partner, with its roots in the development of the SAP payroll country version for South Africa in early 90's. Today, EPI-USE is a world-wide independent developer and purveyor of SAP payroll country versions, covering 40-plus countries in which SAP does not offer a standard payroll solution, in service of multinationals. This localization capability is the foundation of EPI-USE's newest payroll innovation, PayrollExpress, that allows large multinationals to have 100% of their employees on SAP payroll, regardless of the size of the in-country employee population on an affordable basis, with the potential to dramatically improve compliance. Additionally, EPI-USE has been a global SAP SuccessFactors partner since 2012 and has a leading global competence around the full SAP SuccessFactors HCM Suite from core HR to the talent management suite to workforce analytics and reporting. Combined with EPI-USE's depth and breadth of payroll knowledge, the company has an enviable global HCM deployment expertise across myriad industry verticals, and also serves local regulated industries, the public sector and higher education markets. SAP Pinnacle Awards shine a spotlight on SAP partners' remarkable contributions, acknowledging their dedication to teamwork, innovative approach and capacity to challenge what is possible to help clients achieve their goals. Award winners will be formally recognized at the SAP Global Partner Summit in Orlando, Fla. on May 6. The SAP Global Partner Summit is held in conjunction with SAPPHIRE NOW and ASUG Annual Conference, the largest global business technology event, hosted by SAP and ASUG May 7-9. About EPI-USE EPI-USE is a member of groupelephant.com, which employs more than 2,700 people in 31 countries. Best known as a global independent SAP HR and Payroll specialist that designs, builds and implements cloud-based, hybrid and on-premises systems for large, complex multinational corporations, EPI-USE has also recently emerged as a leader in deploying SAP S/4HANA Finance applications across several industries. groupelephant.com has an unconventional approach to philanthropic activity. Rather than implementing a traditional Corporate Social Responsibility program and simply donating funds to charities, the Group goes 'Beyond Corporate Purpose' in its day-to-day activities through a multi-zoned operating model (comprising for-profit, nonprofit and impact investment zones) that provides it with a professional, institutionalized delivery capability in the area of nonprofit activity and impact investment. Primary focus areas are the preservation of at-risk Elephants and Rhinos through the economic upliftment of rural People in areas adjacent to the threatened species, another definition of 'ERP', if you will. epiuse.com groupelephant.com erp.ngo SAP, SAPPHIRE NOW, SAP S/4HANA and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE (or an SAP affiliate company) in Germany and other countries. See http://www.sap.com/corporate-en/legal/copyright/index.epx for additional trademark information and notices. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies. SAP Forward-looking Statement Any statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "should" and "will" and similar expressions as they relate to SAP are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. SAP undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. The factors that could affect SAP's future financial results are discussed more fully in SAP's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including SAP's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. For more information, please reach: EPI-USE: Wendy Emery Director, Client Engagement [email protected] +1-877-403-6326 SOURCE EPI-USE Related Links http://epiuse.com (In United States dollars, except where noted otherwise) VANCOUVER, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - First Quantum Minerals Ltd. ("First Quantum" or "the Company") (TSX:FM) today reported comparative earnings1 of $95 million ($0.14 per share1), net earnings1 attributable to shareholders of the Company of $53 million ($0.08 per share) and cash flows from operating activities of $159 million ($0.23 per share1) for the three months ended March 31, 2019 ("Q1"). SUMMARY: Stable Operational Results; Delivering on Expectation 136,969 tonnes of copper 2 produced including 25 tonnes of pre-commercial production at Cobre Panama. produced including 25 tonnes of pre-commercial production at Cobre Panama. Sentinel delivered another strong quarter with copper production of 57,716 tonnes, a 15% increase from Q1 2018, a record for Q1. Kansanshi production was impacted by the planned processing of lower grade oxide ore and lower throughput. Q1 unit cost of copper production 3 : All-in sustaining cost ("AISC") = $1.77 per pound; Cash cost ("C1") = $1.34 per pound; Total cost ("C3") = $2.21 per pound. : All-in sustaining cost ("AISC") = per pound; Cash cost ("C1") = per pound; Total cost ("C3") = per pound. Generated Strong Earnings and Cash Flow Generated net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Company 1 of $53 million and comparative earnings 1 of $95 million or $0.14 per share. of and comparative earnings of or per share. $159 million of cash flows from operating activities ( $0.23 per share 3 ) during the quarter. of cash flows from operating activities ( per share ) during the quarter. Ended the quarter with $850 million in net unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, $520 million of committed undrawn facilities and was in full compliance with all financial covenants. in net unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, of committed undrawn facilities and was in full compliance with all financial covenants. Improved Liquidity; Extended Debt Maturities Secured a new $2.7 billion Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility replacing the existing $1.5 billion Revolving Credit Facility. The new Facility comprises a $1.5 billion Term Loan Facility and a $1.2 billion Revolving Credit Facility, maturing on December 31 , 2022. The financing includes revised financial covenants, extends debt maturities, and improves financial flexibility through added liquidity. Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility replacing the existing Revolving Credit Facility. The new Facility comprises a Term Loan Facility and a Revolving Credit Facility, maturing on , 2022. The financing includes revised financial covenants, extends debt maturities, and improves financial flexibility through added liquidity. On March 27, 2019 , $821 million of the senior notes due February 2021 were redeemed at a price of 101.75 plus accrued interest. , of the senior notes due were redeemed at a price of 101.75 plus accrued interest. Significant Milestones Achieved at Cobre Panama; Ramp-up on Schedule First ore was introduced to the mill and 25 tonnes of copper concentrate was produced during the quarter. The project remains on schedule to deliver between 140,000 175,000 tonnes in 2019 with approximately 80% of total production expected in the second half of the year and is expected to be running at an annualized rate of 72 million tonnes per year by year end. Power station construction and commissioning is now complete. Ore commissioning of the first process plant train was completed. Construction and lining of the Semi-Autogenous Grinding ("SAG") mills 1 and 2 and ball mills 1, 2 and 3. Other On January 23, 2019 , the Company announced a land slippage at Las Cruces, and the immediate suspension of production. On February 1, 2019 the Company announced the production resumed at the processing plant with the processing of lower grade stockpiled ore which is expected to continue while the necessary regulatory approvals are obtained to begin the mining of Phase 6, an area unaffected by the incident. Las Cruces is expected to produce 45,000 tonnes of copper in 2019 and 2020. , the Company announced a land slippage at Las Cruces, and the immediate suspension of production. On the Company announced the production resumed at the processing plant with the processing of lower grade stockpiled ore which is expected to continue while the necessary regulatory approvals are obtained to begin the mining of Phase 6, an area unaffected by the incident. Las Cruces is expected to produce 45,000 tonnes of copper in 2019 and 2020. Further to the changes to the mining tax regime that were enacted January 1, 2019 , the Minister of Finance of Zambia also announced the abolition of value-added-tax ("VAT") and the proposed introduction of a non-refundable sales tax at rates of 9% and 16% for local goods and services, and imported goods and services, respectively. The Government of the Republic of Zambia has confirmed that they plan for the sales tax to be effective July 1, 2019 , but this is subject to the required laws being passed and implemented. CEO'S COMMENTS "It has been gratifying to see the successful start-up of our Cobre Panama project. As ramp-up progresses, Cobre Panama will allow us to deliver on our stated objectives of increased geographic diversification and increased copper production. We are now realizing the benefits of good design and quality assurance in construction. It is especially rewarding to see our plans for environmental management functioning as intended, and the meaningful partnerships we have built with local communities are already playing an integral role in the operation of Cobre Panama," commented Philip Pascall, Chairman and CEO. "Our first quarter financial results reflect solid operational performance despite the rainy season in Zambia and lower production from Las Cruces resulting from the land slippage early in the year. We expect operational results to improve through 2019 as the ramp-up at Cobre Panama accelerates. In the coming years, we will be able to deliver on our commitment to deleveraging our balance sheet. The refinancing announced earlier in the year was a step towards improving liquidity and pushing out maturities. We will continue this effort throughout the year with further progress expected in 2020 as Cobre Panama starts to meaningfully contribute to cash flow. We will also consolidate work done on our project pipeline to enable future growth." Mr. Pascall concluded. OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS Three months ended March 31 (U.S. dollars where applicable) 2019 2018 COPPER - Production2 (tonnes) 136,969 145,358 - Sales4 (tonnes) 130,262 138,021 - Cost of production3: o AISC (per lb) $1.77 $1.72 o C1 (per lb) $1.34 $1.27 o C3 (per lb) $2.21 $2.16 - Realized price (per lb) $2.79 $2.74 GOLD - Production (ounces) 49,357 45,929 - Sales (ounces) 46,790 48,815 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Three months ended March 31 (U.S. dollars millions, except where noted otherwise) 2019 2018 Sales revenues 857 885 Gross profit 185 181 Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders of the Company1 53 47 Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share $0.08 $0.07 Comparative EBITDA1 368 363 Comparative earnings (loss)1 95 49 Comparative earnings (loss) per share1 $0.14 $0.07 Cash flow from operating activities 159 796 Cash flow from operating activities per share1 $0.23 $1.16 1 Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders of the Company has been adjusted to exclude items which are not reflective of underlying performance to arrive at comparative earnings (loss). Comparative earnings (loss), comparative earnings (loss) per share, comparative EBITDA and cash flows per share are not measures recognized under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. The Company has disclosed these measures to assist with the understanding of results and to provide further financial information about the results to investors. Refer to the "Regulatory Disclosures" section in the MD&A for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 for further information. 2 Production is presented on a copper contained basis, and is presented prior to processing through the Kansanshi smelter. Production includes 25 tonnes of pre-commercial production from Cobre Panama, which is not including in earnings or C1, C3 or AISC calculations. 3AISC, C1 and C3 costs per pound are not recognized under IFRS. Refer to the "Regulatory Disclosures" section in the MD&A for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 for further information. C1, C3 and AISC costs exclude third-party concentrate purchased at Kansanshi. 4Copper sales exclude the sale of copper anode produced from third-party concentrate purchased at Kansanshi. Sales of copper anode attributable to third-party concentrate purchases were 1,182 tonnes for the three months March 31, 2019. CONFERENCE CALL & WEBCAST Conference call and webcast details are as follows: Date: April 30, 2019 Time: 9:00 am (EDT); 2:00 pm (BST); 6:00 am (PDT) Webcast: www.first-quantum.com Dial in: North America (toll free): (877) 291-4570 North America and international: (647) 788-4919 United Kingdom (toll free): 0-800-051-7107 Replay: Available from noon (EDT) on April 30, 2019 until 11:59 pm (EST) on May 21, 2019. North America (toll free): (800) 585-8367 North America and international: (416) 621-4642 Passcode: 4757109 COMPLETE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS The complete consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 are available at www.first-quantum.com and should be read in conjunction with this news release. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of First Quantum Minerals Ltd. G. Clive Newall President CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements include estimates, forecasts and statements as to the Company's expectations of production and sales volumes, and expected timing of completion of project development at Cobre Panama and Enterprise and are subject to the impact of ore grades on future production, the potential of production disruptions (including at Cobre Las Cruces as a result of the land slippage in January 2019), capital expenditure and mine production costs, the outcome of mine permitting, other required permitting, the outcome of legal proceedings which involve the Company, information with respect to the future price of copper, gold, silver, nickel, zinc, pyrite, cobalt, iron and sulphuric acid, estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, First Quantum's exploration and development program, estimated future expenses, exploration and development capital requirements, the Company's hedging policy, and goals and strategies. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about continuing production at all operating facilities, the price of copper, gold, nickel, zinc, pyrite, cobalt, iron and sulphuric acid, anticipated costs and expenditures and the ability to achieve the Company's goals. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to, future production volumes and costs, the temporary or permanent closure of uneconomic operations, costs for inputs such as oil, power and sulphur, political stability in Zambia, Peru, Mauritania, Finland, Spain, Turkey, Panama, Argentina and Australia, adverse weather conditions in Zambia, Finland, Spain, Turkey, Mauritania and Panama, labour disruptions, potential social and environmental challenges, power supply, mechanical failures, water supply, procurement and delivery of parts and supplies to the operations, and the production of off-spec material. See the Company's Annual Information Form for additional information on risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to the forward-looking statements and information. Although the Company has attempted to identify factors that would cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those disclosed in the forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause actual results, performances, achievements or events not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Also, many of these factors are beyond First Quantum's control. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to reissue or update forward-looking statements or information as a result of new information or events after the date hereof except as may be required by law. All forward-looking statements and information made herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. SOURCE First Quantum Minerals Ltd. Related Links http://www.first-quantum.com DUBLIN, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Long Fiber Thermoplastics Market Report: Trends, Forecast and Competitive Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The future of the global long fiber reinforced thermoplastics market looks promising with opportunities in automotive, consumer goods, and industrial markets The global long fiber reinforced thermoplastics market is expected to reach an estimated $1.2 billion by 2023 with a CAGR of 5.3% from 2018 to 2023. The major drivers for this market are growing demand for lightweight materials and higher strength to weight ratio in the automotive, consumer goods, and industrial applications as well as recyclability and ease of processing of LFT. Emerging trends, which have a direct impact on the dynamics of the long fiber reinforced thermoplastics market by industry, include development of PA based LFT/D-LFT for structural application and increasing use of bio based materials in LFT. The researcher forecasts that LFRT will remain the largest segment by value and volume due to its wide application area. The D-LFT segment is expected to witness highest growth over the forecast period due to the growing in-line part fabrication in automotive industry. Within long fiber thermoplastic composites market, transportation will remain the largest end use industry by value and volume due to increasing demand for lightweight materials. Automotive segment is also expected to witness highest growth over the forecast period due to the increasing demand for lightweight and high performance materials. Europe is expected to remain the largest market for long fiber thermoplastics due to growing demand for lightweight and environmentally sustainable composite materials from the end use industries. ROW is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period due to the expected increase in vehicle production and an increasing focus on lightweight composite materials. Some of the LFT companies profiled in this report include SABIC, Celanese, Chisso, TechnoCompound, RTP Company and others. Some of the features of the report include: Market size estimates: Long fiber thermoplastics market size estimation in terms of value ($M) and volume (Kilotons) shipment. Trend and forecast analysis: Market trend (2012-2017) and forecast (2018-2023) by application, and end use industry. Segmentation analysis: Long fiber thermoplastics market size by various applications such as end use industry, material form, resin, and fiber in terms of value and volume shipment. Regional analysis: Long fiber thermoplastics market breakdown by North America , Europe , Asia Pacific , and the Rest of the World. , , , and the Rest of the World. Growth opportunities: Analysis on growth opportunities in different applications and regions for long fiber thermoplastics in the thermoplastic composites market. Strategic analysis: This includes M&A, new product development, and competitive landscape for long fiber thermoplastics in the long fiber thermoplastics market. Analysis of competitive intensity of the industry based on Porter's Five Forces model. This report addresses the following key questions: Q.1.What are some of the most promising, high-growth opportunities for the global long fiber reinforced thermoplastics market by end use industry (automotive, consumer goods, industrial, and others), material form (LFRT, D-LFT), fiber type (glass fiber, and carbon fiber and other), resin type (PP, PA, PBT, others), and region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World)? Q.2.Which products segments will grow at a faster pace and why? Q.3.Which region will grow at a faster pace and why? Q.4.What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are the drivers, challenges, and business risks in this long fiber reinforced thermoplastics (long fiber thermoplastics market, LFT market, long fiber reinforced thermoplastic market, long fiber thermoplastics (LFT) market, fibre-reinforced thermoplastics) market? Q.5.What are the business risks and competitive threats in this long fiber reinforced thermoplastics (long fiber thermoplastics market, LFT market, long fiber reinforced thermoplastic market, long fiber thermoplastics (LFT) market, fibre-reinforced thermoplastics) market? Q.6.What are the emerging trends in this long fiber reinforced thermoplastics(long fiber thermoplastics market, LFT market, long fiber reinforced thermoplastic market, long fiber thermoplastics (LFT) market, fibre-reinforced thermoplastics) market and reasons behind them? Q.7.What are some of the changing demands of customers in the long fiber reinforced thermoplastics (long fiber thermoplastics market, LFT market, long fiber reinforced thermoplastic market, long fiber thermoplastics (LFT) market, fibre-reinforced thermoplastics) market? Q.8.What are the new developments in the long fiber reinforced thermoplastics (long fiber thermoplastics market, LFT market, long fiber reinforced thermoplastic market, long fiber thermoplastics (LFT) market, fibre-reinforced thermoplastics) market and which companies are leading these developments? Q.9.Who are the major players in this long fiber reinforced thermoplastics (long fiber thermoplastics market, LFT market, long fiber reinforced thermoplastic market, long fiber thermoplastics (LFT) market, fibre-reinforced thermoplastics) market? What strategic initiatives are being taken by key companies for business growth? Q.10.What are some of the competing products in this long fiber reinforced thermoplastics (long fiber thermoplastics market, LFT market, long fiber reinforced thermoplastic market, long fiber thermoplastics (LFT) market, fibre-reinforced thermoplastics) market and how big of a threat do they pose for loss of market share by product substitution? Q.11. What M&A activity has occurred in the last 5 years in this long fiber reinforced thermoplastics (long fiber thermoplastics market, LFT market, long fiber reinforced thermoplastic market, long fiber thermoplastics (LFT) market, fibre-reinforced thermoplastics) market? Key Topics Covered 1. Executive Summary 2. Industry Background and Classifications 2.1: Introduction, Background, and Classifications 2.2: Supply Chain 2.3: Industry Drivers and Challenges 3. Market Trend and Forecast Analysis 3.1: Macroeconomic Trends and Forecast 3.2: Global LFT Market Trends and Forecast 3.3: Global LFT Market by End Use Industry 3.4: Global LFT Market by Various Material Forms 3.5: Global LFT Market by Fiber Type 3.6: Global LFT Market by Resin Type 4. Market Trends and Forecast Analysis by Region 4.1: Global LFT Market by Region 4.2: North American LFT Market 4.3: European LFT Market 4.4: APAC LFT Market 4.5: ROW LFT Market 5. Competitor Analysis 5.1: Product Portfolio Analysis 5.2: Market Share Analysis 5.3: Operational Integration 5.4: Geographical Reach 5.5: Porter's Five Forces Analysis 6. Growth Opportunity & Strategic Analysis 6.1: Growth Opportunities Analysis 6.2: Emerging Trends in the Global LFT Market 6.3: Strategic Analysis 7. Company Profiles of Leading Players 7.1: SABIC 7.2: RTP Company 7.3: Chisso/JNC 7.4: TechnoCompound 7.5: Plasticomp Inc. 7.6: Celanese/Ticona Corporation For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/vj5e8f Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 SOURCE Research and Markets Related Links http://www.researchandmarkets.com Description GIS 29 April, 2019: The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr Harald Gehrig, paid a farewell call on the Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, on 26 April 2019 at the New Treasury Building, in Port-Louis. In a statement, Mr Gehrig recalled that he has completed a five-year tenure as Ambassador and was based in Madagascar. He also expressed satisfaction as regards the strengthening of cooperation ties and forging of bilateral relations between Germany and Mauritius. Much progress has been made, he said, in particular in the tourism sector, wherein Mauritius has registered an increase in the number of German tourists arrival, that is, from 75 000 to 120 000. The Ambassador also spoke about the strong ongoing cooperation in the field of air transport between Mauritius and Germany. Following an Air Service Agreement between the both countries two years ago, there has been a constant and direct contact between Frankfurt and Port-Louis, he indicated. In addition, Ambassador Gehrig pointed out that Mauritius and Germany work in close collaboration at regional level through both parties adherence to the Indian Ocean Rim Association. On that note, he observed that Mauritius close partnership with the European Union and the Indian Ocean Commission gives the country considerable strategic importance on the regional and international levels. WASHINGTON, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Payroll Management Institute (GPMI) will host the second annual Global Payroll Week (GPW), 29 April - 3 May. The week recognizes payroll professionals around the world for their efforts to pay employees accurately and on-time, every time. "Global Payroll Week celebrates global payroll professionals by encouraging worldwide recognition for their diligent, important work," said Dan Maddux, president of the Global Payroll Management Institute. "Payroll drives the financial engines that make the world's global economies work. GPW helps us work toward building better payroll organizations for today and the future." This year's event also focuses on providing easy access to continuing payroll education. The Global Payroll Week schedule has grown from three complimentary webinars to five, features a new #globalpayweek social media challenge, and will offer multiple online engagement and networking opportunities throughout the week. The full schedule of GPW events can be found online on GPMI's website. "Global payroll plays a crucial role in multinational organizations," said Mary Holland, CPP, global director of strategy, development, and training for GPMI. "Global Payroll Week is the time for global payroll professionals to highlight their contributions to their organization and celebrate the complex job they do each and every day." Global Payroll Week aims to elevate the visibility of the global payroll industry and increase the global payroll professional's skill level through education, training, and networking opportunities. It is made possible with support from official sponsors: Immedis, Neeyamo, and Workday. For more information about Global Payroll Week, its sponsors, and the different events happening each day, visit www.gpminstitute.com. The Global Payroll Management Institute is a leading international community of payroll leaders, managers, practitioners, researchers, and technology experts. Visit GPMI online at www.gpminstitute.com. SOURCE Global Payroll Management Institute Related Links http://www.gpminstitute.com DUBLIN, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Textile Market 2019-2023" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The textile market will register a CAGR of over 6% by 2023. The growing construction activities are fueling the demand for textiles including natural fibers, nylon, and polyester. The industry will increasingly use textiles as they are durable, smooth, malleable, and enhance the cost-effectiveness of construction structures. Furthermore, the use of construction fabrics in the Middle East and other emerging economies will further drive the textile market to witness considerable growth in the upcoming years. Market Overview Increasing demand for natural fibers One of the growth drivers of the global textile market is the increasing demand for natural fibers. The increasing consumption of natural fibers such as cotton, silk, wool, and jute given their various attributes such as environmentally-friendly nature and easy availability will drive the growth of the market during the forecast period. Unauthorized textile production units in China One of the challenges in the growth of the global textile market is unauthorized textile production units in China. The presence of scattered and unorganized textile manufacturers that use toxic dyeing chemicals is forcing the government to impose stringent regulations and ban their operations. Competitive Landscape The market appears to be fragmented and with the presence of several market players. Vendors in the market are strongly emphasized on new technology and innovations to maintain their competitive edge and market share. This market research report will help clients identify new growth opportunities and design unique growth strategies by providing a comprehensive analysis of the market's competitive landscape and offering information on the products offered by companies. Key Topics Covered: PART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORT PART 03: MARKET LANDSCAPE Market ecosystem Market characteristics Market segmentation analysis PART 04: MARKET SIZING Market definition Market sizing 2018 Market size and forecast 2018-2023 PART 05: FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition PART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY PRODUCT Market segmentation by product Comparison by product Natural fibers - Market size and forecast 2018-2023 Polyesters - Market size and forecast 2018-2023 Nylon - Market size and forecast 2018-2023 Others - Market size and forecast 2018-2023 Market opportunity by product PART 07: CUSTOMER LANDSCAPE PART 08: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY APPLICATION Market segmentation by application Comparison by application Fashion - Market size and forecast 2018-2023 Technical - Market size and forecast 2018-2023 Household - Market size and forecast 2018-2023 Others - Market size and forecast 2018-2023 Market opportunity by application PART 09: GEOGRAPHIC LANDSCAPE Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison APAC - Market size and forecast 2018-2023 North America - Market size and forecast 2018-2023 - Market size and forecast 2018-2023 Europe - Market size and forecast 2018-2023 - Market size and forecast 2018-2023 South America - Market size and forecast 2018-2023 - Market size and forecast 2018-2023 MEA - Market size and forecast 2018-2023 Key leading countries Market opportunity PART 10: DECISION FRAMEWORK PART 11: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES Market drivers Market challenges PART 12: MARKET TRENDS Innovations in textile industry Capacity expansions by vendors in the textile industry Increasing demand for textile in the automotive industry PART 13: VENDOR LANDSCAPE Overview Landscape disruption Competitive scenario PART 14: VENDOR ANALYSIS Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Arvind Limited Asahi Kasei Corporation Beaulieu International Group Grasim Lu Thai Textile Co., Limited Toray Industries, Inc. PART 15: APPENDIX For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/kqi8vy 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 MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthTap, provider of the world's most comprehensive, AI-powered virtual primary healthcare, has expanded its offerings to serve employers with significant part-time and contract work forcesindividuals who are not covered by traditional employer-provided health insurance. "We've found that many employers would like to be able to provide healthcare coverage to the full range of their employee bases, but traditional healthcare offerings may be too expensive," explained Sean Mehra, founding member and chief strategy officer at HealthTap. "Our ambitious mission at HealthTap has always been to deliver universal access to primary healthcare, and we're committed to leveraging our highly-flexible health technology platform to serve a full range of employers and their employees, including contracted workers who often are working side-by-side with W-2 employees." HealthTap already has delivered virtual primary healthcare to millions of people around the world, serving large enterprises and global insurers. This offering significantly expands HealthTap's comprehensive virtual care to a broader base of people who now work in a range of flexible ways. "For many of our customers, this is just good business," continued Mehra. "They've discovered HealthTap's affordable, convenient virtual care leads to happier, healthier employees. And that's only going to become more important with the expansion of the gig economy. By 2027, the majority of workers in the United States are expected to be contracted workers. Offering quality healthcare will increasingly prove to be a valuable tool for employee recruitment and retention." "Our people are our most important advantage and we want to be able to take care of them," said Brian Musgrave, co-founder and CFO of Better Car People, an automotive sales technology company. "Offering HealthTap allows us to provide healthcare options for employees where we wouldn't have been able to before." HealthTap delivers the world's largest library of doctor-authored content, a personalized AI-powered symptom checker, immediate access to doctors, treatment plans, prescriptions and treatment reminders. About HealthTap HealthTap is the leader in delivering universal access to quality, primary healthcare. HealthTap improves the healthcare experience for both patients and doctors while saving time and reducing costs for all. HealthTap's doctor-trained, augmented intelligence system personalizes users' care and enables an instant connection to doctors and their knowledge from 163 specialties. HealthTap serves its app to employers, insurance companies, health systems, and users around the world. More than 144,000 doctors and 7.6 million members have trusted HealthTap for immediate access to healthcare. Visit HealthTap.com or download the app from the Apple App or Google Play stores and sign up for free. SOURCE HealthTap Related Links http://www.healthtap.com LONDON, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- EY has been recognized as a leader for business consulting services in all geographies by the IDC MarketScape: Business Consulting Services 2019 Vendor Assessment. According to the worldwide report,1 "Among buyers worldwide, EY is perceived to do very well at helping clients increase productivity and improving clients' talent performance, retention, and engagement. On engagements, EY's performance is considered above average in terms of delivering on value-creating innovation and offering high-quality staff/service." According to the EMEA report,2 "Among buyers in EMEA, EY is perceived to be better than many of its peers at helping clients comply with new or existing regulations and improve operational efficiency. On engagements, EY's performance is considered above average in terms of offering high-quality staff, providing technical insights, and meeting the project timeline." According to the APAC report,3 "Among buyers in APAC, EY is perceived to be outstanding in helping clients reduce costs and improve productivity. On engagements, EY's performance is considered above average in terms of transferring knowledge/skills to the client, integrating appropriate analytics, and helping implement change that produces results." Finally, according to the Americas report,4 "Among buyers in the Americas, EY is perceived to be better than many of its peers at helping clients develop digital products or services and to help clients improve their talent performance, retention, and engagement. On projects, EY's performance is considered above average in terms of providing technical insights and delivering on value-creating innovation. " Norman Lonergan, EY Global Vice Chair, Advisory, says: "We are committed to providing EY clients with the most valuable insights possible, as the teams help them embrace innovation and navigate a changing marketplace. In order to do this, we continue to invest significantly in EY people and resources so that we are well equipped to provide impactful growth, now and into the future. We are extremely pleased that the efforts have been recognized by IDC MarketScape and are proud to be named as a leader for business consulting services across all geographies." Gard Little, IDC Research Vice President, says: "Having spoken both to EY clients and its consulting leadership, it is clear the global organization has the mix of strategies and capabilities conducive to success in providing business consulting services in both the short and the long term." To learn more about EY Advisory services, visit ey.com/en_gl/advisory. Barbara Burgess EY Global Media Relations +1 212 773 1652 [email protected] 1 IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Business Consulting Services 2019 Vendor Assessment, Doc #US44339119, April 2019 2 IDC MarketScape: EMEA Business Consulting Services 2019 Vendor Assessment, Doc #US43699818, April 2019 3 IDC MarketScape: Asia/Pacific Business Consulting Services 2019 Vendor Assessment, doc # Doc #US43699518, April 2019 4 IDC MarketScape: Americas Business Consulting Services 2019 Vendor Assessment, doc # Doc #US44339219, April 2019 SOURCE EY Related Links http://www.ey.com NEW YORK, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As hospitals continue to seek innovative ways to maximize efficiency and minimize wait times, Columbia Business School Professor Jing Dong and her colleagues have developed data-driven models that can help hospitals increase the number of admitted patients, decrease lengths of stay, and speed up discharge processes all by focusing on the number of beds in the hospital. "Given the high cost of operating hospitals, administrators need to pay more attention to the efficiency of their operations," says Professor Dong, a specialist in service operations management. "I think I'm in a unique position to help them look at whether there's room for improving that efficiency." Hospital physicians typically conduct rounds once a day to examine whether patients are ready for discharge. In a study with Columbia Business Professors Linda Green and Carri Chan, the researchers found that hospitals can cut more than six hours off patients' average length of stay by conducting two rounds at specific times of the day. The optimal time for a physician to conduct rounds is six hours before the peak patient influx, the professors found; if they're allowed to add a second inspection, it should be scheduled 12 hours later, according to their 2017 paper published in Operations Research. (Conducting any more inspections makes a marginal difference.) Another way to reduce hospital congestion is by posting ER wait-time, as some hospitals are now doing. But this can backfire if hospitals are not constantly updating their information, as Professor Dong found in a study to be published in Management Science this year with Galit Yom-Tov of Technion and Elad Yom-Tov from Microsoft Research. In their analysis of more than 200 hospitals that provide wait-time information, Professor Dong found that patients may act strategically to help balance the workload between hospitals. However, when the information is not up-to-date, strategic behavior of patients may worsen hospital congestion due to the delayed feedback effect. Hospital can also add new beds to reduce congestion, although this introduces new costs. To find the optimal number of beds, Professor Dong teamed up with Ohad Perry of Northwestern University to develop a mathematical model that quantify the relationship between the number of beds and the quality of service for each inpatient unit. Their paper, "Queueing Models of Patient-Flow Dynamics in Inpatient Wards," is to be published in Operations Research this year. Its findings could suggest dramatic cost-savings as well, since maintaining a single hospital bedroom costs about $1 million a year. If patients can be safely discharged faster and more people can use the same bed over the course of a year, overall costs have the potential to come down. In a related working paper, with Professor Fanyin Zheng of Columbia Business School, Pengyi Shi of Purdue, and Xin Jin of the Singapore National University Health System, Professor Dong zoomed in on what kind of hospital beds are most needed to increase overall operational efficiency. The researchers found that when patients are assigned a bed outside their primary specialty, there can be an associated 19 percent increase in their length of stay. They also found that by reallocating 6 percent of bed capacity, the hospital can reduce patient waiting time by more than 10 percent and save more than 2,000 patient days a year. "A lot of the improvements are achieved by taking a network view of the hospital units," says Professor Dong. "These units are all interconnected, helping one unit do better will have a spillover effect to the others. It's not so much about treatment of patients or clinical decisions, but how hospitals operate. It's generating interesting research questions for me, but I also see how it could help hospitals save money and offer better quality of service to patients." To learn more about the cutting-edge research taking place at Columbia Business School, please visit www.gsb.columbia.edu. SOURCE Columbia Business School Related Links http://www.gsb.columbia.edu PITTSBURGH, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- "I was tired of rummaging around for the perfect spoon for use with different things like coffee, tea, soup or cereal," said an inventor from New Haven, Conn. "I thought that there had to be a better way, which led me to develop this convenient line of cups." She developed CONVENIENT CUPS to keep a spoon readily available for use. The design ensures that the user has the appropriate spoon at hand. This eliminates the need to search for the right spoon, which saves time and effort in the kitchen. The cup does away with hassles and frustrations. Additionally, it is producible in small, medium and large sizes. The original design was submitted to the Connecticut sales office of InventHelp. It is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, write Dept. 18-CPC-407, InventHelp, 217 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or call (412) 288-1300 ext. 1368. Learn more about InventHelp's Invention Submission Services at http://www.InventHelp.com. SOURCE InventHelp Related Links http://www.inventhelp.com CHICAGO, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- JBT Corporation (NYSE: JBT), a leading global technology solutions provider to high-value segments of the food & beverage industry, today reported results for the first quarter of 2019. "Our first quarter gains demonstrate JBT's ongoing ability to reshape operations for greater efficiency and productivity," said Tom Giacomini, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. "We are raising our full-year revenue and earnings guidance and are on track to deliver significant earnings growth." JBT benefited from favorable timing of customer shipments and production levels in the first quarter of 2019. Year-over-year revenue growth of 2 percent to $418 million consisted of 14 percent organic growth and 3 percent from acquisitions, offset by a 12 percent decline reflecting the absence of the ASC 606 transition benefit in the first quarter of 2018 and a 3 percent headwind from foreign exchange translation. Operating income was $30.0 million in the first quarter of 2019, including restructuring expense of $5.9 million. Segment operating profit increased 66 percent year over year with a 450 basis point margin expansion to 11.7 percent. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations was $0.62 for the first quarter of 2019 compared with $0.05 in the first quarter of 2018. Adjusted earnings per share was $0.77 compared with $0.35 in the year-ago period. Orders and Backlog "Orders were consistent with expectations in the first quarter of 2019 and support our revenue guidance for the full year," said Brian Deck, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. First quarter 2019 orders increased 5 percent from the year-ago period, with a decline of 3 percent at FoodTech and a 26 percent gain at AeroTech. Backlog expanded 9 percent from the first quarter of 2018. Restructuring Program In the first quarter of 2019, JBT recorded restructuring charges of $5.9 million as part of the previously announced, companywide program to reshape operations. Progress on the initiatives yielded savings of more than $5 million in the period. Acquisitions In a separate news release dated April 29, 2019, JBT announced a definitive agreement to acquire Proseal, a leading provider of tray sealing technology. "We are pleased about substantially increasing JBT's end-of-line packaging solutions with an environmentally-friendly technology that serves the growing market for convenience foods," continued Giacomini. Outlook "Based on our first quarter performance, we are raising full-year guidance," added Deck. For 2019, the Company anticipates organic growth of 4 - 5 percent and growth from completed acquisitions of 2 - 3 percent, partially offset by a 1 percent headwind from foreign exchange translation. Reported revenue is expected to be flat year over year, reflecting $127 million of revenue included in 2018 results associated with the transition to ASC 606. JBT forecasts diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in the range of $4.00 - $4.20 in 2019, or an adjusted $4.35 - $4.55. For the second quarter of 2019, JBT projects revenue of approximately $475 million. The Company expects diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.93 - $0.98 or $1.05 - $1.10 on an adjusted basis. First quarter 2019 Earnings Conference Call A conference call is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 to discuss first quarter financial results. Participants may access the conference call by dialing (833) 238-7952 in the U.S. and Canada or (647) 689-4200 for international callers and using conference ID 9073729 or through the Investor Relations link on our website at http://ir.jbtcorporation.com. An online audio replay of the call will be available on the Company's Investor Relations website at approximately 1:30 p.m. ET on April 30, 2019. JBT Corporation (NYSE: JBT) is a leading global technology solutions provider to high-value segments of the food & beverage industry with focus on proteins, liquid foods and automated system solutions. JBT designs, produces and services sophisticated products and systems for multi-national and regional customers through its FoodTech segment. JBT also sells critical equipment and services to domestic and international air transportation customers through its AeroTech segment. JBT Corporation employs approximately 5,900 people worldwide and operates sales, service, manufacturing and sourcing operations in more than 25 countries. For more information, please visit www.jbtc.com. This release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are information of a non-historical nature and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are beyond the Company's ability to control. These risks and uncertainties are described under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission that may be accessed on the Company's website. The Company cautions shareholders and prospective investors that actual results may differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. Investors & Media: Megan Rattigan +1 312 861 6048 JBT CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited and in millions, except per share data) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Revenue $ 417.5 $ 409.2 Cost of sales 289.9 305.6 Gross profit 127.6 103.6 Gross profit % 30.6 % 25.3 % Selling, general and administrative expense 91.7 85.0 Restructuring expense 5.9 12.7 Operating income 30.0 5.9 Operating income % 7.2 % 1.4 % Pension expense, other than service cost 0.5 0.2 Net interest expense 3.3 3.7 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 26.2 2.0 Provision for income taxes 6.5 0.4 Income from continuing operations 19.7 1.6 Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes 0.4 Net income $ 19.7 $ 1.2 Basic earnings per share: Income from continuing operations $ 0.62 $ 0.05 Loss from discontinued operations (0.01) Net income $ 0.62 $ 0.04 Diluted earnings per share: Income from continuing operations $ 0.62 $ 0.05 Loss from discontinued operations (0.01) (0.01) Net income $ 0.61 $ 0.04 Weighted average shares outstanding Basic 31.8 31.9 Diluted 32.0 32.4 JBT CORPORATION NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES RECONCILIATION OF DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE TO ADJUSTED DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE (Unaudited and in millions, except per share data) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Income from continuing operations as reported $ 19.7 $ 1.6 Non-GAAP adjustments: Restructuring expense 5.9 12.7 M&A related costs(1) 0.7 0.5 Impact on tax provision from restructuring expense(2) (1.6) (3.3) Adjusted income from continuing operations $ 24.7 $ 11.5 Income from continuing operations as reported $ 19.7 $ 1.6 Total shares and dilutive securities 32.0 32.4 Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $ 0.62 $ 0.05 Adjusted income from continuing operations $ 24.7 $ 11.5 Total shares and dilutive securities 32.0 32.4 Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $ 0.77 $ 0.35 (1) Beginning in the first quarter of 2019, we changed our presentation of non-GAAP measures to exclude M&A related costs, specifically amortization of inventory step up, integration costs, and transaction expenses. We evaluate operational performance and operating trends after excluding certain expenses incurred to fulfill our acquisition strategy. M&A related costs are excluded from the prior year results to conform to the current year presentation. (2) Impact on tax provision was calculated using the Company's annual effective tax rate of 24.6% and 25.0% for March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The above table reports adjusted income from continuing operations and adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, which are non-GAAP financial measures. We use these measures internally to make operating decisions and for the planning and forecasting of future periods, and therefore provide this information to investors because we believe it allows more meaningful period-to-period comparisons of our ongoing operating results, without the fluctuations in the amount of certain costs that do not reflect our underlying operating results. JBT CORPORATION NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO ADJUSTED EBITDA (Unaudited and in millions) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Net income $ 19.7 $ 1.2 Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes 0.4 Income from continuing operations as reported 19.7 1.6 Provision for income taxes 6.5 0.4 Net interest expense 3.3 3.7 Depreciation and amortization 14.7 13.7 EBITDA 44.2 19.4 Restructuring expense 5.9 12.7 M&A related costs(1) 0.7 0.5 Adjusted EBITDA $ 50.8 $ 32.6 (1) Beginning in the first quarter of 2019, we changed our presentation of non-GAAP measures to exclude M&A related costs, specifically amortization of inventory step up, integration costs, and transaction expenses. We evaluate operational performance and operating trends after excluding certain expenses incurred to fulfill our acquisition strategy. M&A related costs are excluded from the prior year results to conform to the current year presentation. The above table reports EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP financial measures. Given the Company's focus on growth through acquisitions, management believes EBITDA facilitates an evaluation of business performance while excluding the impact of amortization due to the step up in value of intangible assets, and the depreciation of fixed assets. We use Adjusted EBITDA internally to make operating decisions and believe this information is helpful to investors because it allows more meaningful period-to-period comparisons of our ongoing operating results. JBT CORPORATION NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES RECONCILIATION OF DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE GUIDANCE TO ADJUSTED DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE GUIDANCE (Unaudited and in cents) Guidance Q2 2019 Full Year 2019 Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $0.93 - $0.98 $4.00 - $4.20 Non-GAAP adjustments: Restructuring expense (1) 0.11 0.40 M&A related costs(2) 0.05 0.07 Impact on tax provision from Non-GAAP adjustments(3) (0.04) (0.12) Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations $1.05 - $1.10 $4.35 - $4.55 (1) Restructuring expense is estimated to be approximately $4 million for Q2 and $10-15 million for full year of 2019. The mid-point amount has been divided by our estimate of 32.2 million total shares and dilutive securities to derive the earnings per share value. (2) M&A related costs are estimated to be between $1-2 million for Q2 and $2-3 million for full year of 2019. The mid-point amount has been divided by our estimate of 32.2 million total shares and dilutive securities to derive the earnings per share value. Beginning in the first quarter of 2019, we changed our presentation of non-GAAP measures to exclude M&A related costs, specifically amortization of inventory step up, integration costs, and transaction expenses. We evaluate operational performance and operating trends after excluding certain expenses incurred to fulfill our acquisition strategy. M&A related costs are excluded from the prior year results to conform to the current year presentation. (3) Impact on tax provision was calculated using the Company's expected tax rate to be incurred on these costs of approximately 25%. JBT CORPORATION BUSINESS SEGMENT DATA (Unaudited and in millions) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Revenue JBT FoodTech $ 294.6 $ 303.6 JBT AeroTech 122.9 105.6 Total revenue $ 417.5 $ 409.2 Income before income taxes Segment operating profit (1) JBT FoodTech $ 38.7 $ 21.5 JBT FoodTech segment operating profit % 13.1 % 7.1 % JBT AeroTech 10.1 7.9 JBT AeroTech segment operating profit % 8.2 % 7.5 % Total segment operating profit(2) 48.8 29.4 Total segment operating profit % 11.7 % 7.2 % Corporate expense(1) 12.9 10.8 Restructuring expense 5.9 12.7 Operating income $ 30.0 $ 5.9 Operating income % 7.2 % 1.4 % Other business segment information Three Months Ended March 31, Inbound Orders 2019 2018 JBT FoodTech $ 309.1 $ 320.7 JBT AeroTech 152.7 121.3 Total inbound orders $ 461.8 $ 442.0 Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Order Backlog JBT FoodTech $ 423.3 $ 426.5 JBT AeroTech 337.5 270.1 Total order backlog $ 760.8 $ 696.6 (1) Segment operating profit is defined as total segment revenue less segment operating expenses. Corporate expense, restructuring expense, interest income and expense, pension expense other than service, and income taxes are not allocated to the segments. Corporate expense generally includes corporate staff-related expense, stock-based compensation, LIFO adjustments, certain foreign currency related gains and losses, and the impact of unusual or strategic events not representative of segment operations. (2) Total segment operating profit, as presented elsewhere in this release, is a non-GAAP measure. The table above includes a reconciliation of total segment operating profit to operating income. We believe that this measure provides to investors a more comprehensive understanding of the information used by management in evaluating the performance of its segment operations. It is not intended to nor shall be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. JBT CORPORATION ADJUSTMENTS DUE TO ASC 606 BY SEGMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2018 (Unaudited and in millions) As reported Year-to-Date Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 December 31, 2018 Revenue JBT FoodTech $ 303.6 $ 361.6 $ 332.5 $ 363.7 $ 1,361.4 JBT AeroTech 105.6 129.5 149.5 173.5 558.1 Other revenue and intercompany eliminations 0.2 (0.1) 0.1 0.2 Total revenue $ 409.2 $ 491.3 $ 481.9 $ 537.3 $ 1,919.7 Segment operating profit JBT FoodTech $ 21.5 $ 47.4 $ 41.9 $ 58.7 $ 169.5 JBT AeroTech 7.9 14.7 17.6 23.9 64.1 Total segment operating profit $ 29.4 $ 62.1 $ 59.5 $ 82.6 $ 233.6 Adjustments due to ASC 606 Year-to-Date Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 December 31, 2018 Revenue JBT FoodTech $ (51.6) $ (28.0) $ (18.2) $ (15.8) $ (113.6) JBT AeroTech 1.1 (3.6) 0.4 (11.4) (13.5) Other revenue and intercompany eliminations Total revenue $ (50.5) $ (31.6) $ (17.8) $ (27.2) $ (127.1) Segment operating profit JBT FoodTech $ (13.1) $ (6.0) $ (3.7) $ (1.2) $ (24.0) JBT AeroTech 0.1 (1.4) (0.4) (2.0) (3.7) Total segment operating profit $ (13.0) $ (7.4) $ (4.1) $ (3.2) $ (27.7) Amounts without adoption Year-to-Date Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 December 31, 2018 Revenue JBT FoodTech $ 252.0 $ 333.6 $ 314.3 $ 347.9 $ 1,247.8 JBT AeroTech 106.7 125.9 149.9 162.1 544.6 Other revenue and intercompany eliminations 0.2 (0.1) 0.1 0.2 Total revenue $ 358.7 $ 459.7 $ 464.1 $ 510.1 $ 1,792.6 Segment operating profit JBT FoodTech $ 8.4 $ 41.4 $ 38.2 $ 57.5 $ 145.5 JBT AeroTech 8.0 13.3 17.2 21.9 60.4 Total segment operating profit $ 16.4 $ 54.7 $ 55.4 $ 79.4 $ 205.9 JBT CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited and in millions) March 31, December 31, 2019 2018 Cash and cash equivalents $ 43.9 $ 43.0 Trade receivables, net 295.8 323.7 Inventories 226.4 206.1 Other current assets 60.7 45.7 Total current assets 626.8 618.5 Property, plant and equipment, net 237.5 239.7 Other assets 657.3 584.3 Total assets $ 1,521.6 $ 1,442.5 Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt $ $ 0.5 Accounts payable, trade and other 154.8 191.2 Advance and progress payments 148.6 145.8 Other current liabilities 150.1 147.8 Total current liabilities 453.5 485.3 Long-term debt, less current portion 448.2 387.1 Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits, less current portion 70.3 72.5 Other liabilities 73.2 40.7 Common stock and additional paid-in capital 229.5 226.9 Retained earnings 433.1 416.5 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (186.2) (186.5) Total stockholders' equity 476.4 456.9 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 1,521.6 $ 1,442.5 JBT CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited and in millions) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Cash flows from operating activities: Income from continuing operations $ 19.7 $ 1.6 Adjustments to reconcile income to cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 14.7 13.7 Other 3.9 3.5 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Trade accounts receivable, net 27.8 (0.3) Inventories (14.1) (1.4) Accounts payable, trade and other (37.4) (0.1) Advance and progress payments 3.8 1.6 Other - assets and liabilities, net (16.4) (22.7) Cash provided (required) by continuing operating activities 2.0 (4.1) Cash required by discontinued operating activities (0.1) (0.6) Cash provided (required) by operating activities 1.9 (4.7) Cash flows required by investing activities: Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (47.3) (18.8) Capital expenditures (7.6) (10.4) Other 0.2 Cash required by investing activities (54.9) (29.0) Cash flows provided by financing activities: Net proceeds on credit facilities 60.5 33.1 Dividends (3.2) (3.2) Other (3.6) Cash provided by financing activities 53.7 29.9 Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 0.2 0.4 Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 0.9 (3.4) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 43.0 34.0 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 43.9 $ 30.6 JBT CORPORATION NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES FREE CASH FLOW AND FREE CASH FLOW CONVERSION (Unaudited and in millions) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Cash provided (required) by continuing operating activities $ 2.0 $ (4.1) Less: capital expenditures 7.6 10.4 Plus: proceeds from sale of fixed assets 0.2 Plus: pension contributions 0.2 4.5 Free cash flow (FCF) $ (5.4) $ (9.8) The above table reports Free cash flow, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. We use Free cash flow internally as a key indicator of our liquidity and ability to service debt, invest in business combinations, and return money to shareholders and believe this information is useful to investors because it provides an understanding of the cash available to fund these initiatives. For Free cash flow purposes we consider contributions to pension plans to more comparable to payment of debt, and therefore excluded these contributions from the calculation of Free cash flow. SOURCE JBT Corporation Related Links http://www.jbtc.com NEW YORK, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- JLL's Capital Markets experts today announced the firm secured $664.1 million in construction financing on behalf of JDS Development Group. The loan was provided by Otera Capital Inc. and Silverstein Capital Partners, and will be used to complete construction of 9 Dekalb Avenue, which will become the borough's tallest building at 1,066 feet upon completion in 2022. Vice Chairmen Aaron Appel, Keith Kurland and Jonathan Schwartz, Managing Directors Michael Diaz and Mark Fisher and Associates Matthew Collins and Sean Bastian, led the JLL team on the transaction. "This project checked all the boxes: a premier sponsor with deep development experience, a marquee building that will define the Brooklyn skyline and lenders that recognized this as an outstanding opportunity," said Appel. The building will include 425 rental apartments, 30 percent of which will be capped below market rates. The project also boasts 150 condominiums and 120,000 square feet of retail. JLL Capital Markets is a full-service global provider of capital solutions for real estate investors and occupiers. The firm's in-depth local market and global investor knowledge delivers the best-in-class solutions for clients whether a sale, financing, repositioning, advisory or recapitalization execution. In 2018 alone, the firm's 2,600 Capital Markets specialists completed nearly $180 billion in investment sale and debt and equity transactions globally. For more capital markets content, visit The Investor, an online news source providing real-time commercial real estate news to asset buyers and sellers around the world. For more news, videos and research resources on JLL, please visit the firm's U.S. newsroom. About JLL JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. Our vision is to reimagine the world of real estate, creating rewarding opportunities and amazing spaces where people can achieve their ambitions. In doing so, we will build a better tomorrow for our clients, our people and our communities. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $16.3 billion, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of over 90,000 as of December 31, 2018. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com Connect with us https://www.linkedin.com/company/jll https://www.facebook.com/jll/ https://twitter.com/jll https://plus.google.com/+joneslanglasalle Contact: Scott Sutton Phone: +1 312 228 2863 Email: [email protected] SOURCE JLL Related Links http://www.joneslanglasalle.com JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Sub-Saharan hospitality investment platform Kasada Capital Management has reached a first close on its maiden fund Kasada Hospitality Fund LP with equity commitments of over USD 500 million. This is in line with a first announcement disclosed in July 2018 by Katara Hospitality and Accor who are respectively contributing USD 350 million and USD 150 million. In a region which offers robust growth opportunities, the fund will target both greenfield and brownfield projects. The hospitality market is currently one of the most promising and yet underserviced sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa where growing economies and emerging middle class are creating high-growth markets that are left largely untapped. The first platform of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa, Kasada Capital Management intends to bridge the gap between the local hospitality market players and international investors. The team is co-led by Olivier Granet (CEO and Managing Partner) a former CEO of AccorHotels Middle East & Africa and David Damiba (CIO and Managing Partner), a former partner at Helios Investment Partners. Olivier Granet has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry at Accor where he was last responsible for a portfolio of over 200 hotels consisting of 50,000 rooms across 30 countries. David Damiba has 25 years of experience in investing across the capital structure in developed and African markets including at Helios where he specialized in structured credit investments with equity upside. They will put in place a unique team of professionals combining world class experience from the hospitality industry, private equity and financing sectors underpinned by track record in the African market. Kasada believes its positive social impact is key to becoming the number one sustainable hospitality fund dedicated to Africa. Co-investments with local partners will support local job creation and further local business opportunities throughout the hospitality value chain, from investors to constructors and equipment suppliers. On this initial closing, CEO Olivier Granet said, "There is an incredible opportunity ahead to try out an innovative hospitality investment platform in the region. While in other parts of the world such initiatives are already thriving, they do not exist with critical size and integrated structure in Sub-Saharan Africa. The time is now for bold strategies to be implemented. Thanks to Accor and Katara's support we benefit from a unique competitive advantage supported by a strong portfolio of brands enhancing our ability to raise debt efficiently from local banks and international financial institutions. This is the best structure to address the needs of the region, develop attractive products and reach critical mass quickly to take a leadership position. I believe that our team of professionals combining experts from project financing to hotel management all with a solid local knowledge is exceptionally well placed to succeed." About Kasada Kasada Capital Management is an independent investment platform dedicated to hospitality in Sub-Saharan Africa supported by Katara Hospitality and Accor. Through investments in a region which offers robust growth opportunities, Kasada aims to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns over the long term. Kasada will target greenfield and brownfield projects. Its portfolio of hotels, from the economy to the luxury segment will be operated under Accor's wide range of internationally renowned brands. More about Kasada: www.kasada.com Romain Grandjean | Agence 35Nord 32, Rue Washington 75008 Paris +33181803730 [email protected] SOURCE Kasada Capital Management Related Links http://www.kasada.com/ LOI with Copservir Ltda, Colombia's largest pharmacy chain with over 900 pharmacies across 200 cities and municipalities across the country, and sales of over CAD 500 Million per year largest pharmacy chain with over 900 pharmacies across 200 cities and municipalities across the country, and sales of over per year It is anticipated that the arrangement will ensure critical infrastructure for Khiron to distribute its made-to-order pharmaceutical compounds to more than 5 million potential patients (Source: Quintiles IMS) in Colombia Upon execution of a definitive agreement, Khiron expects to establish Colombia's most advanced distribution platform for medical cannabis products most advanced distribution platform for medical cannabis products Provides ease of access at pharmacy stores and virtual sales channels including www.lopido.com and www.larebajavirtual.com, enabling patients to choose the most convenient and compliant way to obtain their medical cannabis prescriptions TORONTO, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Khiron Life Sciences Corp. ("Khiron" or the "Company") (TSXV: KHRN), (OTCQB: KHRNF), (Frankfurt: A2JMZC), an integrated cannabis company with its core operations in Latin America, announced today that the Company has signed an LOI with Copservir Ltda., Colombia's largest pharmacy chain, to distribute Khiron's medical cannabis products across the country. The companies have agreed to initial discounting and commercial fees and will work towards establishing a definitive commercial contract and detailed distribution plan to begin sales in the second half of 2019. As Colombia's largest pharmacy chain, Copservir Ltda., operates over 900 stores across 200 cities and municipalities with a traditional brick and mortar presence representing 75% of its CAD 500 Million / year sales. In addition, a growing virtual presence represents 25% of its sales with an annual growth rate of over 20%. The company combines its retail and virtual presence with a strong distribution and logistics platform with four distribution centres in the main cities of Colombia and a home delivery service in 120 cities. This makes the Colombian Government-administered company the largest by store-count pharmacy chain in the country. On completion of the agreement, Khiron will have established a compliant and secure distribution platform for its medical products across Colombia, starting with its custom-made pharmacy compound strategy. Copservir's extensive brick-and-mortar presence, virtual channel and distribution capability will allow Khiron to offer patients across the country the option for pick-up or home delivery of their medical cannabis formulations. Coupled with Khiron's ongoing medical education platform to educate and engage doctors and physicians across the country, this distribution strategy will allow Khiron to reach more patients in a safe, compliant and innovative matter. Alvaro Torres, Khiron CEO and Director commented, "The proposed agreement with Copservir Ltda. represents a significant development for Khiron, offering the opportunity to leverage our first mover advantage to distribute medical cannabis products across Colombia and service the more than 5 million potential patients in the country. We also view Copservir entering the medical cannabis market as a milestone validation of the market opportunity in Colombia. By offering a platform that makes it easier for patients to access their formulations in a compliant and safe manner, Khiron establishes a leadership position in the medical cannabis market in Colombia." The companies will work towards establishing definite commercial and distribution agreements to begin sales in the second half of 2019. About Copservir Ltda. Copservir Ltda., commercializes products and services under the commercial brand La Rebaja across a network of strategically located points of sales across the entire Colombian territory, with 903 points of sales in 200 municipalities, with more than 6,500 employees. Established in 1995, it is the largest pharmacy chain in Colombia in terms of retail presence and has developed strong virtual channels through www.lopido.com and www.larebajavirtual.com . Further information can be found at http://www.copservir.com About Khiron Khiron Life Sciences Corp. is positioned to be the dominant integrated cannabis company in Latin America. Khiron has core operations in Latin America and is fully licensed for the cultivation, production, domestic distribution, and international export of both THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) medical cannabis. In May 2018, Khiron listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, becoming the first Colombian based medical cannabis company to trade on any exchange globally. With a focused regional strategy and patient oriented approach, the Company combines global scientific expertise, agricultural advantages, branded product market entrance experience and education to drive prescription and brand loyalty to address priority medical conditions such as chronic pain, epilepsy, depression and anxiety in the Latin American market of over 620 million people. Khiron is led by Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Alvaro Torres, together with an experienced executive team, and a knowledgeable Board of Directors that includes former President of Mexico, Vicente Fox. Further information on Khiron Life Sciences can be found at https://investors.khiron.ca/ To be added to the distribution list, please email [email protected] with "Khiron" in the subject line. CAUTIONARY NOTES Market and Industry Data This press release contains market and industry data and forecasts that were obtained from third-party sources, industry publications and publicly available information. Third-party sources generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but there can be no assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of included information. Although management believes it to be reliable, the Company has not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources referred to in this press release, or analyzed or verified the underlying studies or surveys relied upon or referred to by such sources, or ascertained the underlying economic assumptions relied upon by such sources. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements may be identified by statements containing the words "believes", "anticipates", "plans", "intends", "will", "should", "expects", "continue", "estimate", "forecasts" and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the anticipated benefits of the distribution agreements, including online and physical retail consumer exposure, and potential expansion into other jurisdictions, among others. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Khiron undertakes no obligation to comment analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of Khiron, its securities, or financial or operating results (as applicable). Although Khiron believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, such forward-looking statement has been based on expectations, factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Khiron's control, including the risk factors discussed in Khiron's Annual Information Form which is available on Khiron's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and are made as of the date hereof. Khiron disclaims any intention and has no obligation or responsibility, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. United States Disclaimer This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Neither the 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 press release. SOURCE Khiron Life Sciences Corp. Nico Rosberg's assistant, and Formula 1, have denied that the 2016 world champion was 'banned' from attending the Baku and Spanish grands prix. We reported at the weekend that the German was absent from Azerbaijan after having his permanent world champion paddock and grid 'pass' confiscated by Liberty Media. Georg Nolte, Rosberg's assistant, said: "It's not true. "There was a brief discussion in China with the F1 accreditation officer and that was the end of it." Nolte explained that TV pundit Rosberg actually skipped Baku, and the race in Barcelona in two weeks, to prepare for his new green technologies festival called Greentech. However, he admitted that Rosberg immediately apologised to Formula One Management for giving his F1 pass to a photographer friend in China recently. "At the last minute, I wanted to give a friend the opportunity to go to the grid so I gave him my pass," he confirmed to DPA news agency. Formula 1's communications department called reports of a two-race ban for Rosberg "fake news". "Nico Rosberg misused his pass in China, apologised immediately and will get his pass back at the next race he's set to come to -n Monaco. No ban!" the department said. (GMM) PHILADELPHIA, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Lannett Company, Inc. (NYSE: LCI) today announced that it will report financial results for its fiscal 2019 third quarter on Monday, May 6, 2019, after the market closes. Lannett management will host a conference call that same afternoon at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time to review the company's performance and answer questions. The conference call will be available to interested parties by dialing 877-261-8992 from the U.S. or Canada, or 847-619-6548 from international locations, passcode 48589492. The call will be broadcast via the Internet at www.Lannett.com. Listeners are encouraged to visit the website at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the scheduled presentation to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A playback of the call will be archived and accessible on the same website for at least three months. About Lannett Company, Inc. Lannett Company, founded in 1942, develops, manufactures, packages, markets and distributes generic pharmaceutical products for a wide range of medical indications. For more information, visit the company's website at www.lannett.com. Contact: Robert Jaffe Robert Jaffe Co., LLC (424) 288-4098 SOURCE Lannett Company, Inc. Related Links www.lannett.com ANACORTES, Wash., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- LAVLE USA, Inc. has announced plans to bring into operation a more than 50,000 square foot fabrication and testing facility in Skagit County, Washington. LAVLE recently announced that it is developing the world's first solid-electrolyte battery (SEB) energy storage system (ESS) for the marine market, and these ESS will be packaged at this facility, using cells initially imported from Japan. This fabrication and assembly facility is anticipated to support 50 new jobs, while also generating broader economic activity including through construction of the new building. "As a Washington company, LAVLE looks forward to expanding its operations in Skagit County," said Jason Nye, CEO of LAVLE. "Our new fabrication facility is an important step forward towards commercialization and deployment of LAVLE's SEB energy storage system. We are excited to be developing our technology solutions and building these products right here in Washington." The new LAVLE facility includes an existing 28,535 square foot building, located near Skagit Regional Airport. Later this year, LAVLE will begin construction of an adjacent new 22,000 square foot building. At this facility, LAVLE and its joint venture partner, Ockerman Automation, will construct and conduct testing of engines, generators, drives, motors, bridge control stations, and engineering control stations, with the goal of manufacturing and testing complete vessel powertrain and control systems. These activities will build the foundation for LAVLE's future establishment of full-scale separator and solid-state energy storage system manufacturing operations in the United States. "From maritime to forest products, technology innovation is driving growth and new business opportunities across all of our key industry sectors," said Washington State Department of Commerce Director Lisa Brown. "I congratulate LAVLE on their expansion in Skagit County. This is yet another example of Washington's outstanding clean tech ecosystem leading the transition to a low-carbon future, and strengthening communities in every region of the state." "Attracting manufacturing industries to support our local economy is important for our community and for the future of Skagit County," said Skagit County Commissioner Ron Wesen. "We're pleased that LAVLE wants to invest in our county to continue its growth in the high-tech marine industry." "LAVLE represents two of EDASC's target sectors: clean tech and maritime. LAVLE's groundbreaking and unsurpassed R&D makes it the only U.S. company doing what they do in advancing battery storage and electric vessels and they're doing it right here in Skagit County, Washington," said John Sternlicht, CEO of the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County. "We are honored to support LAVLE's growth in Skagit and in our state." LAVLE USA, Inc., is a joint venture company that combines advanced energy storage technologies from the Japanese battery technology company 3DOM with the best-in-class marine engineering, design, and systems integration services of Ockerman Automation to provide products and services to the defense, renewable energy, and marine transportation markets. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE LAVLE Related Links http://lavle.com/ RESTON, Va., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos (NYSE: LDOS), today announced the appointment of the Honorable Valerie L. Baldwin as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, effective immediately. In her new role, Baldwin will serve as the lead advocate for Leidos on Capitol Hill to educate and engender support for programs and capabilities that serve the national interest, advance governmental health research and patient care, and achieve efficiencies that benefit the taxpayer. "We are excited to have Valerie, a distinguished civil servant with extensive experience in government affairs from the public and private sector, join the Leidos team in our semi centennial year as a company," said Leidos Chairman and CEO Roger Krone. "Her time as a former presidential appointee and Capitol Hill staffer serve her well in influencing the legislative and appropriations process. We look forward to her strong underpinning of our mission to make the world safer, healthier, and more efficient." Baldwin most recently served as Lockheed Martin Corporation's Vice President for Legislative Affairs focused on U.S. Army and Special Forces programs. In this position, she led legislative strategies focused on multiple aviation platforms, air and missile defense capabilities, offensive missile systems, and non-system training devices and simulators. Prior to that, Baldwin served as a Clerk on the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittees on Homeland Security, Military Construction, and as a Staff Assistant on the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies. Baldwin also previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Army, a presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed position. She is a former federal trial attorney and is a Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia. "I am thrilled to join Leidos and carry the torch on the Hill as the company celebrates its fiftieth anniversary," said Baldwin. "The Leidos team is doing such important work in information technology, engineering, and science, and I look forward to championing our approach with our elected officials." Baldwin received a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas School of Law. She holds a Master of Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Bachelor of Arts from Wichita State University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Baldwin has received The Distinguished Civilian Service Award, and currently serves on the board of directors for Homes for Our Troops. About Leidos Leidos is a Fortune 500 information technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and health markets. The company's 32,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $10.19 billion for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2018. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com. Statements in this announcement, other than historical data and information, constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be very different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 29, 2017, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. SOURCE Leidos Related Links http://www.leidos.com PALM BEACH, Florida, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- According to S&P Global lithium demand should grow at least 20% in 2019 compared with 2018, driven by batteries for electric vehicles, Chilean producer SQM said in its annual report. There appears to be an amount of emerging juniors and majors of the lithium mining sector attempting to modernize the industry with advancing and improved abilities to extract lithium at a lower cost and faster pace over the lithium minors of the recent past. In other words, there is now a new level of producers in the markets with lithium demand set to soar once again. Analysts are now giving way to the notion that the supply-demand balance may just be actually much tighter than prices suggest. A few key demand drivers for the lithium industry starts off the obvious with the Global demand for electric vehicles (EV). According to Argus Media, lithium ion batteries in EVs have increased from 10 GWh to 70 GWh in only a decade, with estimates placing the market to reach 223 GWh by 2025, an increase of 300x from current levels. EVs have been taking off in the United States, with sales increasing by 81% in 2018, though a more modest increase is expected in 2019. EVs take up 2.4% of total vehicles in the United States. Elon Musk wants 20 gigafactories producing lithium batteries for Tesla EVs by the next decade. Benchmark thinks new factories will be using up 534,000 tons in new demand (on top of current demand of 200,000 tons) by 2028. hen there is the other demand side factor: as the energy storage sector grows, demand for lithium-ion batteries will grow by leaps and bounds. By one estimate, the market could reach $92 billion by 2024, with a CAGR of 16%. The market was worth $21.6 billion in 2018. Active stocks in the markets this week include NRG Metals Inc. (TSX-V: NGZ) (OTC: NRGMF), Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (:NYSE: SQM), Neo Lithium Corp. (TSX-V:NLC) (OTCQX:NTTHF), Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), Lithium Americas Corp. (TSX:LAC) (NYSE:LAC). A slightly more conservative estimate has the market reaching $40 billion by 2025, but that's still nearly 100% in growth in less than a decade. Another estimate is $60 billion by 2024. Due to declining prices, Bloomberg raised its forecast for lithium ion batteries due to lower than expected prices. While one of the better takes on the industry could come from the estimate from from Global Market Insights, which predicts energy storage and automotive lithium ion battery demand to double by 2024 as well as stating "Beyond electric vehicles and energy storage, the U.S. market will see changes due to the "growing adoption of smart devices coupled with [a] shift toward digitization across industrial and healthcare sector[s]". NRG Metals Inc. (TSX-V:NGZ.V) (OTCQB:NRGMF) BREAKING NEWS: NRG Metals is pleased to announce positive results from an independent Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for its Hombre Muerto North Lithium Project near Salta, Argentina.- Highlights include: US$217 million ( Cdn$290 million ) after-tax Net Present Value at 8% discount rate and Internal Rate of Return of 28.0%; ( ) after-tax Net Present Value at 8% discount rate and Internal Rate of Return of 28.0%; PEA based on a production rate of 5,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate per year; Processing based on simple and proven solar evaporation technology; Expected mine life of 30 years with a 3 year ramp up period starting 2021; Fully loaded operating cost of US$3,122 per tonne of lithium carbonate; per tonne of lithium carbonate; Total capital expenditure of US$93 million . The PEA was prepared by Knight Piesold Consulting ("KP") and JDS Energy and Mining ("JDS"), both of Vancouver, in accordance with the standards set out in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101), and, CIM's Best Practice Guidelines for Mineral Processing (BPGMP). The PEA is preliminary in nature, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. Company President and C.E.O Adrian F.C. Hobkirk is quoted: "We are very pleased that NRG has advanced the HMN Project from discovery to PEA in just under twelve months. The PEA results highlight attractive economics associated with the project, including a smaller environmental footprint and manageable CAPEX. We look forward to taking the HMN Lithium Project to the next stage of development as quickly as possible ". Preliminary Economic Assessment Highlights:After-tax Net Present Value (" NPV ") 8% discount rate - $ 217 million After-tax Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") - 28.0% CAPEX Capital Expenditures - $ 93.3 million OPEX Cash Operating Costs (per metric tonne of lithium carbonate) - $ 3,112 Average Annual Production (lithium carbonate ) 5,000 Mine Life - 30 years - 30 years Payback Period (from commencement of production ) - 2 years 5 months The Project is located at the northern portion of the Salar del Hombre Muerto, at the boundary zone of the Catamarca and Salta provinces, 170 km southeast of the city of Salta. The project area comprises a collection of properties or concessions acquired under purchase options from the existing owner. The properties are held as "minas" (full mining licenses not subject to further area reduction requirements) by Mr. Jorge Moreno , a private borate producer focused on the exploration, exploitation and marketing of ulexite. The Project comprises six properties distributed over the Salar for a total of 3,237 hectares. All properties are subject to a mining license for borates. The area of the Property is not subject to any known environmental liabilities. Read this entire release and more news for NRG Metals at: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-ngz/ Other recent developments in the mining industry include: S&P Global also reported that according to Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (:NYSE: SQM), the demand for lithium chemicals increased around 27% year on year in 2018, reaching about 269,000 mt. "We expect applications related to energy storage to continue driving demand in the coming years," said the company. "We believe that full electric vehicle penetration rates reached 2% in 2018, and this number is expected to over double in the next five years," added the company, which currently has an installed capacity of 70, 000 mt /year of lithium carbonate and 13, 500 mt /year of lithium hydroxide. SQM estimated that batteries currently account for 65% of total lithium demand, including batteries for electric vehicles, which account for about 36%. Neo Lithium Corp. (TSX-V: NLC) (OTCQX: NTTHF) recently announces the submission of the Environmental Impact Assessment ("EIA") for its wholly-owned Tres Quebradas lithium brine project ("3Q Project") in Catamarca Province, Argentina. The EIA presented to Catamarca Environmental and Mining Authorities was prepared by GT Ingenieria SA (Argentina), a company specialized in environmental studies with deep experience in the mining and industrial sectors. The EIA included work with local professionals from University of Catamarca, Tucuman and Mendoza as well as the IHLLA Research center in Buenos Aires, specialized in Hydrogeology. The EIA includes a hydrological model that allows the authorities to understand the impact of exploitation in brine water table in the salar, and surrounding lithium brine lakes. The EIA was prepared following the lineaments of the pre-feasibility report announced on March 21, 2019, which outlined the production of 20,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate per year. Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX) reported net income attributable to common stock of $31 million ($0.02 per share) in first-quarter 2019. After adjusting for net charges of $36 million ($0.03 per share), adjusted net income attributable to common stock totaled $67 million ($0.05 per share) in first-quarter 2019. Richard C. Adkerson, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "During the first quarter, our global team maintained its focus on providing products necessary to support growing economies around the world in a cost-efficient, safe and environmentally responsible manner. Our transition to underground mining at Grasberg is advancing according to plan, and we are encouraged by recent milestones. In North America and South America, we are advancing the Lone Star copper leach project in eastern Arizona and continuing to focus on opportunities to enhance operating performance from existing mines. Lithium Americas Corp. (TSX:LAC) (NYSE:LAC) earlier this month announced that it has entered into a definitive transaction agreement whereby Ganfeng Lithium Co., Ltd. (together with its subsidiary entities, "Ganfeng Lithium" or "GFL") has agreed to subscribe, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, for 141 million newly issued shares of Minera Exar S.A. ("Minera Exar"), the holding company for the Cauchari-Olaroz lithium brine project ("Cauchari-Olaroz" or the "Project"), for cash consideration of US$160 million (such transaction, the "Project Investment"). As a result of the Project Investment, Ganfeng Lithium will increase its interest in Cauchari-Olaroz from 37.5% to 50%, with Lithium Americas holding the remaining 50% interest (each subject to the rights of JEMSE (the Government of Jujuy) to acquire an approximate 8.5% interest in Minera Exar). DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates Financialnewsmedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. NM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. 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Contact Information: Media Contact email: [email protected] +1(561)325-8757 SOURCE FinancialNewsMedia.com PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Horror Dome is a Long Island-based business that makes and sells Halloween masks, costumes, props and animatronics for the haunted house industry, home haunters and Halloween enthusiasts. Sasquatch - The costume that fooled the news April 11, 2019: What separates The Horror Dome from other generic Halloween stores? This long-established Halloween company prides themselves as truly a craft business, not just a Halloween ecommerce site. The artistry and detail that goes into the Horror Dome's F/X and animatronics are truly terrifying, but the creations always maintain a stylistic and movie studio quality. Owner Jerry Parrino attributes twenty years in the horror, haunting and Halloween business to doing what he loves most: making monsters. On a recent Shopify podcast , Vanguard by Shopify Studios, Jerry explains how The Horror Dome continues to thrive because Jerry's love of monsters hasn't faded in two decades. "I've always loved monsters," Jerry says. The company's exclusive items include Halloween masks & Halloween costumes that are Hollywood studio professional quality, yet still affordable for the home haunter. Some of the signature horror masks include "Alien Mind Control" and "Zombie Werewolf", and these creative pieces range in price from $52.99 to $109.99. The Horror Dome is proud of the artistry that goes into every creation: every sketch, sculpture, and molding. Even the last step of mask-making, when the latex is poured to create the original prototype mask, is handled with pride in every detail. The Horror Dome's sasquatch costume gained national fame when the costume was used in a CNN Bigfoot hoax in 2008. "Anything imposing is worth making," Jerry explains, and this annual bestseller costume is a testament to that claim. Also available on the website is a huge selection of high-end animatronics and haunted house props . These frightening horror props will turn your house into a real-life horror movie, and will instantly make you the Halloween talk of the town. In business since 1999, the Horror Dome celebrates its twentieth anniversary by providing high-quality yet affordable masks, costumes and props for Halloween and beyond. Contact The Horror Dome at: TheHorrorDome.com Jerry Parrino [email protected] 516-238-5108 SOURCE The Horror Dome Related Links https://www.thehorrordome.com NEW YORK, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Meredith Corporation (NYSE: MDP; www.meredith.com), the nation's largest brand-powered women's media company reaching more than 175 million unduplicated American consumers every month, including over 80 percent of U.S. millennial women, today named Agnes B. Chapski Vice President and Publisher of InStyle, effective immediately. Chapski, former President of New Beauty and parent company Sandow's Beauty Engine, reports to Doug Olson, President, Meredith Magazines. "An accomplished brand builder and innovative executive, Agnes is a proven leader who creates and builds revenue and profitability across consumer lifestyle brands in the beauty, fashion and luxury space," said Olson. "I'm very excited for her to join forces with the talented Laura Brown and the entire InStyle team." Chapski helped transform New Beauty into a network of multi-platform businesses, becoming a full-service omni-channel beauty solutions company. She previously spent 18 years at Conde Nast, with the last nine years as Publisher/Chief Revenue Officer of Allure, and she was Associate Publisher of Vanity Fair and Lucky. Chapski has also held leadership roles at Weider Publications, American Express Publishing and Murdoch Publishing. "I'm thrilled to join Meredith and InStyle, an authoritative brand that celebrates inspirational fashion and beauty content for all women," Chapski said. "InStyle ignites the desire to shop and is uniquely positioned as a must-buy for marketers looking for proven solutions and access that drive results." ABOUT INSTYLE InStyle, one of the most successful global fashion media brands, reaches a cross-platform audience of more than 30 million spanning print, online, digital and social media and live events. An influential leader at the nexus of celebrity, fashion, beauty and popular culture, InStyle includes the signature magazine with 13 international editions across five continents; InStyle.com; and multiple brand extensions, including the annual InStyle Awards and the "Badass Women" franchise. ABOUT MEREDITH CORPORATION Meredith has been committed to service journalism for more than 115 years. The company uses multiple distribution platforms including broadcast television, print, digital, mobile and video to provide consumers with content they desire and to deliver the messages of its advertising and marketing partners. Meredith is the No. 1 magazine operator in the U.S. and owner of the largest premium content digital network for American consumers. Meredith's media portfolio also includes 17 television stations, reaching 11 percent of U.S. households. SOURCE Meredith Corporation Related Links https://www.meredith.com NEW YORK and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) and 23andMe today launch the Fox Insight Data Exploration Network (Fox DEN), the data access and analytics platform for Fox Insight, an online clinical study sponsored by MJFF. Fox DEN contains patient-reported outcomes, de-identified genetic data and data exploration tools from the largest cohort in Parkinson's disease research. Todd Sherer, PhD, chief executive officer of MJFF, says, "Parkinson's is an extremely variable disease that affects individual patients in unique ways. This complicates drug development and clinical trial design. Fox DEN addresses this by bringing the patient experience to researchers at an unprecedented scale and amplifying the patient voice in the development of new therapies for Parkinson's." Fox DEN features information from surveys on health and disease, symptoms, daily activities, and other factors relevant to Parkinson's. This is coupled with genetic information from 23andMe customers who have joined the Fox Insight study. To date, more than 35,000 people have contributed data to the study and MJFF plans to recruit tens of thousands more. Fox DEN is updated with new data from the Fox Insight study, and all research data is de-identified and participant-consented for data sharing in Parkinson's research. Paul Cannon, PhD, 23andMe's Parkinson's disease program manager says, "Accelerating research is core to our mission and making this data available to qualified researchers will do just that. Fox DEN will facilitate access to and exploration of this important information increasing the pace of Parkinson's research and opening up new study opportunities." Fox DEN is a resource for the research community, including drug developers. The data can be used to increase understanding of Parkinson's, inform decisions on patient recruitment and segmentation, ultimately shortening research timelines. Analysts can create cohorts of subjects with characteristics matching specific interests, such as environmental exposures, cognitive symptoms or particular genetic mutations. David G. Standaert, MD, PhD, chair of the University of Alabama Birmingham Department of Neurology, says, "Fox Insight is a unique study that is gathering data on the real-world experience of people with Parkinson's disease on an unprecedented scale. Fox DEN is the window through which we can study this data and gain important new insights into the causes, consequences and treatment of Parkinson's." The Laboratory of Neuro Imaging at the University of Southern California developed Fox DEN. All the contributed data from Fox Insight and 23andMe is de-identified to maximize privacy and protection of individual-level information. Qualified researchers worldwide can register for access to Fox DEN at foxden.michaeljfox.org . About The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research As the world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson's disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson's patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers. In addition to funding more than $800 million in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson's research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders; increases the flow of participants into Parkinson's disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder; promotes Parkinson's awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach; and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world. For more information, visit us on the web , Facebook , Twitter and LinkedIn . About 23andMe 23andMe, Inc. is the leading consumer genetics and research company. Founded in 2006, the mission of the company is to help people access, understand and benefit from the human genome. The company was named by TIME as a "Genius Company" in 2018, and featured as Fast Company's #2 Most Innovative Health Company in 2018. 23andMe has millions of customers worldwide, with more than 80 percent of customers consented to participate in research. 23andMe, Inc. is located in Mountain View, CA. More information is available at www.23andMe.com. SOURCE The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research Related Links https://www.michaeljfox.org For the first time ever, the inaugural Single Family Office International Tennis Tournament will take place on Friday, June 21 from 9 a.m. 6 p.m. under the direction of legendary ATP tennis professional Diego Nargiso. A maximum of 100 players are expected to compete in singles and doubles, men's and women's events at the Monte- Carlo Country Club. MCCC Director Monsieur Eric Seigle will personally present the top three winners in each category with their prizes. The Monaco Summit will feature two days of high level debate and discussion of timely world events and top tier investment opportunities, including: The World's Most Powerful Women Secrets of Award Winning Investment Managers Profiting from Today's Blockchain Boom What Today's Savvy Global Leaders Hope for the Future of Philanthropy Family Office Outlook for 2019 and beyond Impact Investing Investing in Art "Anthony Ritossa and myself are committed to long-term partnership in the interest of the substantial families and family offices that consider the Summit as a key opportunity for interaction and collaboration. There is truly no other event worldwide that offers the high quality of powerful speakers and delegates that Ritossa Family Office Summits provide," said Giuseppe Ambrosio, President of the Monaco Single & Multi Family Office International Association. "In fact, the response to the Monaco Summit has been so overwhelming that we had to move the Summit to the Fairmont Monte Carlo Hotel in order to accommodate a record-breaking number of guests." "Monaco is always a perfect venue for our Family Office Summits and I look forward to hosting the 4th event here in June. It is largely due to the support provided by Prince Albert II of Monaco, Giuseppe Ambrosio and the Summit Advisory Board that the event has become such a global sensation," said Anthony Ritossa, Chairman of Ritossa Family Office. "I have produced literally thousands of events and conferences around the world and never have I found such a broadness of vision and project. The official support of Sheik Zayed and the Monaco Prince, the presence of the heirs of Bahrain and Yugoslavia ruling families, the heirs of Reynolds, Rockefeller, Bismarck, Muhammad, Menelik, Selassie and a most innovative global finance platform is something unheard of before. Your event ranks in first place as the most astonishing and inspired world summit. I'm very proud to collaborate," said Matteo Peri, CNBC Europe. "Your wonderful Summit turned out to be the best conference I have been to. It's only because of your splendid efforts and management, that made it so successful, highly stimulating and beneficial for all participants," said Hadi Al Alawi, Chairman & CEO, Al Hayat Group, Kingdom of Bahrain. "Ritossa Summits are the best in a perfect setting we achieved US$360 million of investments," said Nick Ayton, Founder & CEO, Chainstarter Ventures & Family Office Digital Asset Advisor, UK. "Tremendous outcomes from being part of the 8th Global Family Office Investment Summit. Special thanks to Anthony Ritossa for the great hospitality. Looking forward to being part of the 9th Global Family Office Investment Summit in Monte Carlo Monaco," said Abdullah Al-Weshah, Private Office of H.E. Mubarak Bin Hamoodah, UAE. "The 8th Global Family Office Summit was a crowning achievement for Anthony Ritossa and everyone who participated. It is no surprise that this is renowned as the largest and most exclusive worldwide family office gathering of all time and it is an honour to provide patronage to such an illustrious event. As at past Summits, many prominent families from around the world gathered for high level discussions about how to enrich the family legacy, grow and preserve wealth, and share ideas. We look forward to future events," said Mohamed Al Ali, CEO & Advisor, Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum International Investments Enterprise, UAE. For details on the upcoming invitation-only 9th Global Family Office Investment Summit to be held in Monaco June 18-20, please email [email protected] For further details about the Monaco Single & Multi Family Office International Association and accreditation for local Monegasque family offices please email Giuseppe Ambrosio at [email protected]. Media Contact: Charlotte Luer +1-239-404-6785 [email protected] SOURCE Ritossa Family Office Dr. Hemberger, Professor in the Departments of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Medical Genetics at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada, is a world leader in the study of placental development, with an emphasis on the impact of the placenta on successful pregnancy outcome. Over the years, she has made seminal contributions to our understanding of the epigenetic gene regulation that leads to successful formation of a placenta in the uterus. Her 2018 paper in Nature on the prevalence of placental defects in mouse embryos with severe developmental defects was a game changer for the field as it highlighted the potential contribution of the placenta to malformations of the fetus in a far greater proportion of cases than previously thought. As part of this work, Dr. Hemberger and her colleagues also have done groundbreaking research that uncovered a close connection between placental defects and congenital heart disease, for which they won the inaugural Magee Prize from the Richard K. Mellon Foundation in 2018. "Dr. Hemberger has made amazing advances in our understanding of pregnancy complications and developmental defects," says Kelle H. Moley, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer for March of Dimes. "We are excited to honor her with our top prize in research. Dr. Hemberger's work to explain events that take place early in development, including the heart-placenta connection, will make it possible in the future for improved diagnosis and treatment for healthier moms and babies." The March of Dimes and Richard B. Johnston, Jr., MD Prize in Developmental Biology is awarded annually to an outstanding scientist who has profoundly advanced the science that underlies our understanding of prenatal development and pregnancy. Shortly before Dr. Jonas Salk's death in 1995, March of Dimes created this Prize as a tribute to him. Since 1996, the Prize has been awarded 23 times, 10 times to a single individual and 13 times to a dyad working in the same area. A large number of recipients have subsequently garnered or previously earned other major prizes, including the Nobel Prize. A native of Germany, Dr. Hemberger earned a diploma in biology and her PhD at the University of Freiburg with work carried out at the Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin. She completed postdoctoral training at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute in Toronto and at the University of Calgary. In 2004, as an MRC Career Development Fellow, Dr. Hemberger started an independent research group at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge, England, UK. She was awarded a tenured position there in 2009 and was promoted to senior group leader at Babraham's Epigenetics Programme in 2014. She moved to Canada to take up her current post in 2018. Currently, she is also the Theme Lead of the Genes, Development & Health research group at the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI). She also has been a core member of the Centre for Trophoblast Research (CTR) at the University of Cambridge since its inauguration in 2008, and has served on the CTR's Board of Managers for the last five years. In 2018, Dr. Hemberger was awarded the Athena SWAN Best Practice Award for pioneering initiatives and commitment to women's careers in science. She received the IFPA Award in Placentology in 2007 for her contributions to the field. Dr. Hemberger will deliver the 24th annual Prize Lecture today during the 2019 Pediatric Academy Societies annual meeting at the Baltimore Convention Center. At a dinner ceremony this evening, she will receive the Prize, which is a cash award of $150,000 and a silver medal in the design of the Roosevelt dime, in honor of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who founded March of Dimes. About March of Dimes March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every family can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, we stand up for every mom and every baby. Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter. SOURCE March of Dimes Related Links http://www.marchofdimes.org WASHINGTON, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA will host a range of activities and demonstrations, including a virtual reality chair and Oculus Go trip to the Moon, at the COSI Science Festival Wednesday, May 1, through Saturday, May 4, in Columbus, Ohio. NASA's exhibit will be in the atrium of the COSI building, located at 333 W. Broad St., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT May 1-3, then move outdoors to the Green Area for the Big Science Celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 4. Festival attendees can explore science, flight and space exploration through NASA's hands-on, interactive exhibits and activities, including: a virtual reality chair, where visitors can get a sense of what it might be like to sit on the surface of Jupiter's frozen water moon Europa while watching a video about NASA's planetary missions; three activities that demonstrate how sound travels through the air, how humans survive at high altitudes and the altitudes where objects fly; an Oculus Go demonstration that will take visitors on a trip from Earth to the Moon, and explore space communication with NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite; and, a model of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope and infrared camera, and interactive demonstrations. Eric Smith, chief scientist for NASA's Webb Telescope Program, will discuss the telescope's unique technologies and take questions from the audience beginning at 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 3, in the planetarium of the COSI building. Media interested in interviewing NASA experts at the science festival should contact Carlos Gomez at [email protected] or 216-870-4135. NASA is charged to get astronauts to the Moon in the next five years with a landing on the lunar South Pole. When we go to the Moon this time, it will be to stay. And then we'll take what we learn on the Moon, and go to Mars. Learn more about NASA's Moon to Mars exploration approach at: https://www.nasa.gov/specials/moon2mars/ SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov Sebastian Vettel is not sure Ferrari can hit back at the increasingly dominant Mercedes team next weekend in Barcelona. In the winter, Ferrari dominated the pre-season tests which took place at the Spanish grand prix venue. But on Sunday, Mercedes broke Williams' 1992 record for the most consecutive 1-2 finishes. "Boring," German Vettel said in Baku. "Isn't it boring? "And not just the last four races. This has been going on for more or less four or five years." Not including a growing internal rivalry between Vettel and Charles Leclerc, there appears to be a few problems at Ferrari. One is that Mercedes is incredibly consistent. And another is that Vettel is not comfortable with the 2019 car, which he says is hard to get in the "tyre window" from "lap to lap". "There is a lot of work ahead of us," Vettel agrees. "I hope we are stronger in Barcelona and we have a lot of things coming for the car. But I think after the first four races we are not the favourites going to Barcelona. "Our car is not slow, but unfortunately Mercedes is really fast. And it seems somehow easier for them to always get everything out of the car and the tyres." Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto agrees that despite Mercedes' apparent dominance, "the gap in pace is not as big as the scoreboard shows". His Mercedes counterpart, Toto Wolff, agrees with that. "I still believe that Charles Leclerc was the fastest here," he said in Baku. "But as in Bahrain, they could not put everything together." Wolff also hit back at Vettel's claim that Mercedes is making F1 "boring". "I don't think it's boring," he insisted. "I think you look at the Formula 2 race and there are lots of incidents and safety cars, but the Formula 1 drivers race a lot more cleanly. We are talking about the best drivers in the world," said Wolff. "As a fan, I would like to see different winners and a big fight from start to finish, but I lead the Mercedes team -- and I do everything so that it performs as well as possible." (GMM) GREENBELT, Md., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 1, 1959, the Beltsville Space Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, was renamed NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in honor of Robert H. Goddard, widely considered the father of modern rocketry. Thus began a 60-year boom in science and technological innovation. The center has led or contributed to many of the agency's accomplishments, ranging from missions to the Moon to detecting the first light in the universe and arriving at an asteroid in space to collect a sample. Goddard now boasts the largest concentration of scientists and engineers dedicated to the study of Earth and space and has successfully sent more than 300 satellites into orbit, secured more than 800 patents, produced more than 50,000 science and technical publications, and contributed to several significant awards, including the Nobel Prize in physics. Many of its innovations have resulted in commercial applications, such as spacecraft sensors and control centers being re-purposed for traffic management and methods for grinding large observatory mirrors being used to improve machines for Lasik surgery. Thanks to its past successes, Goddard is poised to contribute to NASA's future goals, including sending a crewed spaceflight to land on the Moon by 2024 and eventually to Mars. Over six decades, Goddard expanded from 1,200 acres in Greenbelt to include five additional sites in New York; White Sands, New Mexico; Wallops Island, Virginia; Palestine, Texas; and Fairmont, West Virginia. Goddard stimulates and strengthens economic activity from local to national scales, investing in technology, manufacturing, and contracting. Goddard's partnerships and technology transfer spur innovation and business growth. Its workforce has grown from 650 employees in 1959 to approximately 13,000 in 2019. Consisting mostly of scientists and engineers, its workforce also comprises a large cadre of professionals in such fields as procurement, outreach and finance all of whom contribute to the center's success. It boasts a diverse workforce as a key element in problem-solving and innovation. In 2018, NASA ranked first among the 17 large agencies and Goddard ranked second among NASA centers, in the best places to work in the federal government, according to the Partnership for Public Service a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to make government more effective. Computer engineer Harvey Walden has worked at Goddard for 56 years and has seen advancements unimaginable 60 years ago. "I've witnessed many changes at Goddard over the last 56 years of Goddard's 60-year history," he said. "Nothing describes them better than Dr. Robert H. Goddard's own oft-quoted maxim: 'It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow.' NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center proves the truth of that statement better than almost any place on Earth." Goddard's work in studying the Sun, Earth, solar system and far reaches of the cosmos as well as in developing such technologies as space communications and robotics while maintaining a vibrant workforce makes its anniversary tag line "Bringing the Universe Into View" a reality. To learn more about Goddard, go to: https://www.nasa.gov/goddard SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov LANSING, Mich., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report released today by the Michigan Pharmacists Association and 3 Axis Advisors raises new questions about the role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) in Michigan, specifically the extent to which these companies have unfairly profited off of pharmacists, patients and taxpayers. The study collected data from 451 community pharmacies across Michigan, representing nearly 20% of the 2,356 retail/community pharmacies in the state to analyze PBM spread pricing the difference between what a PBM pays a pharmacy for a medication and what it charges Michigan Medicaid. The spread pricing analysis is based on nearly two million prescriptions dispensed for generic drugs by pharmacies to Michigan Medicaid managed care beneficiaries over a two-year period. PBMs serve as middlemen for pharmacies and insurance companies, determining which drugs will be covered by insurance companies and setting reimbursement rates paid to pharmacies for filling prescriptions. With spread pricing, PBMs may bill insurers for medication coverage at a higher cost than they reimburse pharmacies for the same drugs. Between Q1 2016 and Q1 2018, Michigan pharmacies received 95% below state "break-even" benchmarks, which amounted to pharmacies receiving just $0.49 above National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), a reference-based pricing benchmark created and tracked by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Despite a decline in NADAC ingredient costs and pharmacy reimbursements, generic drug costs in Michigan Medicaid managed care increased. This discrepancy is directly linked to PBMs' manipulation of drug prices. "This report demonstrates the dire need for reforms in our health care system," said Michigan Pharmacists Association CEO Larry Wagenknecht. "Based on this data, we can infer that our state has spent at least $64 million more than necessary on prescriptions. This money was funneled back to PBMs, rather than helping poor, underserved, or disabled patients receiving Medicaid managed care. We need to address the spread pricing problem and ensure that these large, Fortune 500 companies can no longer take advantage of pharmacists and patients who depend on a fair system." Other major findings from the report, include: Spread margin for generic prescriptions rose from only 2% of managed care's cost in Q1 2016 to 34% of managed care's cost in Q1 2018. In just two years, the annualized PBM spread margin on generic drugs rose from 6% of managed care's cost to 34%. When compared to national-average managed care unit costs for behavioral health medications, Michigan saved over $20 million between Q2 2017 and Q1 2018 by carving out behavioral health medications to the Medicaid fee-for-service program. PBMs continue to face pressure from Capitol Hill as Committees in the House and Senate drill down on the many issues surrounding PBM practices. Most recently, U.S. Senate Finance Committee members sent a letter to the Office of the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services calling for an investigation into PBM practices as it relates to Medicaid. In their letter, they reference a variety of state reports related to spread pricing and PBM profiteering. PBM's role in increasing prices and creating inefficiencies in the system is evident across the country. Ohio recently found PBM spread pricing between Q2 2017 and Q1 2018 reached more than $224 million.1 Kentucky discovered hidden fees accounted for nearly $124 million.2 PBMs charged the Illinois Medicaid program 23% more for generic drugs than they paid pharmacists for dispensing the same medications.3 In New York, PBMs overcharged taxpayers more than $300 million between April 2017 and March 2018.4 The new Michigan report also analyzes the concept of "Average Wholesale Price," which is used by PBMs to establish the cost to public and private insurers but does not reflect actual drug costs. It is estimated that AWPs can be priced at more than 350 times a drug's market-based NADAC, and despite the fact that they are so detached from the real price of medications, the report raises concerns over PBMs using this arbitrary benchmark as a means to take advantage of payers like the state of Michigan. "The financial strain that PBMs have placed on community pharmacies like mine becomes greater every day," said John Gross, pharmacist and owner of three independent pharmacies, Clare County, Michigan. "The status quo simply isn't acceptable. These practices are predatory and only put the patient-pharmacist relationship at risk." Michigan Pharmacists Association CEO Larry Wagenknecht recently testified on the role and impact of PBMs regarding Michigan pharmacists and patients. The MPA anticipates state legislators to soon work on drafting legislation aimed at curbing some of these adverse PBM practices. ABOUT MICHIGAN PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION Michigan Pharmacists Association (MPA) was established Nov. 14, 1883. and represents nearly 9,000 pharmacists and 15,000 pharmacy technicians in Michigan. For more than 130 years, MPA has strived to provide its members with the tools, resources and support needed to advance the profession of pharmacy and provide quality patient care. For more information, please visit our website at MichiganPharmacists.org. 1 https://ohioauditor.gov/auditsearch/Reports/2018/Medicaid_Pharmacy_Services_2018_Franklin.pdf 2 https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/ohda/Documents1/CHFS_Medicaid_Pharmacy_Pricing.pdf 3 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c326d5596e76f58ee234632/t/5c89319fa4222f13f0bad852/1552495013594/3AA+Illinois+Medicaid+managed+care+analysis+FINAL+03.13.19.pdf 4https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c326d5596e76f58ee234632/t/5c4b5961aa4a99273237adf9/1548441960404/NY+Managed+Care+Study+Drug-Level+Detail+Supplement.pdf SOURCE Michigan Pharmacists Association Related Links http://www.michiganpharmacists.org PORTLAND, Ore., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, ID Experts released their 2019 Study on Social Media Privacy and Security Concerns regarding the risks facing social media users in the U.S. More than eighty percent of adults believe that they're at risk when it comes to security on social media. The study found that most American adults are using at least one social media platform daily, and three-quarters are interested in protecting themselves and their privacy. 63% of adults visit Facebook every day, 42% visit YouTube and 29% use Instagram on a daily basis. Users are most concerned about Facebook 68% are concerned about their privacy and security on Facebook, compared to 40% on Instagram and 39% YouTube. Tom Kelly, president and CEO of ID Experts, commented, "What we've learned is that the majority of Americans today are concerned about social media privacy. Their level of concern does not change based on age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status or political leaning. It's amazing how so many ubiquitous forums can be the hubs of thriving social lives but also the source of so much unease." Risk on social media takes many forms, but respondents ranked malware and phishing as their greatest concerns, with 82% of adults expressing concern for these threats. Nearly eight in ten adults (79%) are concerned about account takeover, which occurs when someone gets access to your account to post content and lock you out. 78% are concerned with account impersonation as well as bots used to steal data or send spam. 3 in 4 adults are interested in assistance in detecting and taking down fraudulent links and fake social media accounts. The vast majority of adults believe that children, teens and seniors are at risk on social media, and over half rank those groups as highly at risk. 92% of seniors (65+) consider themselves at risk when it comes to security on social media, but for younger adults, the risks don't feel as personal, though 89% of Generation Z (ages 18-21) said they believe teenagers are at risk. Generation Z was also found to be the most likely to quit a social media platform due to concerns over privacy. The research was conducted by Morning Consult and included interviews of over 2,200 adults across the country who represent a diverse sample of gender, age, race, political and religious beliefs, educational backgrounds and income levels. For more details, read the white paper here. About ID Experts ID Experts is the leading pure-play data breach and identity protection services privacy technology company. MyIDCare , its flagship digital privacy and identity protection product, is built on a secure, SaaS cloud-native platform that utilizes an agile delivery system. As the largest provider of identity protection services to the U.S. government and a trusted provider to Fortune 500-sized companies and millions of Americans, ID Experts delivers lasting peace of mind from privacy cyber risks. SOURCE ID Experts VANCOUVER, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - NexGen Energy Ltd. ("NexGen" or the "Company") (TSX:NXE, NYSE MKT:NXE) is pleased to announce the acceptance of a Project Description (Technical Proposal) by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission ("CNSC") and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment ("MOE"). The acceptance marks the commencement of an Environmental Assessment ("EA") on the Rook I Project (the "Project") in accordance with the requirements of both The Environmental Assessment Act (Province of Saskatchewan) and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 "CEAA 2012" (Government of Canada). The EA will be conducted through a coordinated process between the MOE and the CNSC, which is the Federal life-cycle regulator for all uranium mine and mill projects in Canada. NexGen has also filed an Initial Licence Application with the CNSC under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act in order to obtain a Licence to Prepare Site and Construct for the Project. Project Summary The Project is a proposed uranium mining and milling operation that will be 100% owned and operated by NexGen. It is in the southwestern Athabasca Uranium Basin region in northern Saskatchewan, Canada approximately 155 km north of the town of La Loche, 80 km south of the former Cluff Lake uranium mine (currently in decommissioning) and 640 km by air north west of Saskatoon. The mineral resource base for the Project is the Arrow Deposit, a land-based, basement-hosted uranium Deposit. Exploration at Rook I began in 2013 yet prior to this initial exploration NexGen engaged regularly with and established relationships with local Indigenous communities and has helped to facilitate a number of community advancement initiatives around three pillars: education, economic capacity building and health/wellness. The Company was recently recognized for their involvement in community outreach and environmental stewardship by the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) with the 2019 Environment and Social Responsibility Award. NexGen respects the unique relationship Indigenous peoples have with the environment, the rights of Indigenous peoples with respect to the land and recognizes the importance of full, open and transparent discussion with interested and/or affected communities throughout the EA and all phases of the Project. The Project as proposed will include underground and surface facilities to support the mining and processing of uranium ore from the Arrow Deposit. The main components included in the scope of the Project for the EA, include: Underground mine development; On-site mill to process uranium ore; Surface facilities to support the short and long-term storage of waste rock and ore; An underground tailings management facility to store all mining tailings underground (UGTMF); Water handling infrastructure and an effluent treatment circuit; Additional infrastructure that will include a camp for personnel, an airstrip for transporting personnel, supporting waste and water management facilities, maintenance shop, warehouse, and offices; Leigh Curyer, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The Company is excited to work with all stakeholders during the EA process to meet the Company's objectives of setting a new elite standard in global environmental mine management and community advancement. With over 5 years of detailed data on the project being collected, analysed, verified independently and working alongside local communities, the Company is in a unique position to advance the next stage of this exciting project development optimally." With the commencement of the EA, NexGen is conducting required studies and building on comprehensive environmental baseline monitoring which is already well advanced. In addition to NexGen's team of experienced professionals, NexGen has engaged leading experts to conduct and support these studies and to support the development and submission of the Environmental Impact Statement required by the Province of Saskatchewan and the CNSC. Throughout the various stages of project development, NexGen is committed to the incorporation of innovative environmental designs and is committed to setting elite standards for environmental mine performance globally. New Website: Please visit our Rook I project website at www.saskatchewanuranium.ca for much more detail on the project and initiatives underway. For any inquiries regarding the EA process, please contact NexGen at: 1-833-333-8895 or by emailing the Company at: [email protected]. About NexGen NexGen is a British Columbia corporation with a focus on the acquisition, exploration and development of Canadian uranium projects. NexGen has a highly experienced team of uranium industry professionals with a successful track record in the discovery of uranium deposits and in developing projects through discovery to production. NexGen owns a portfolio of prospective uranium exploration assets in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada; including a 100% interest in Rook I, location of the Arrow Deposit discovered in February 2014, the Bow discovery in March 2015, the Harpoon discovery in August 2016 and the Arrow South discovery in July 2017. NexGen is the recipient of the PDAC's 2018 Bill Dennis Award and the 2019 Environmental and Social Responsibility Award. Technical Disclosure The technical information in this news release with respect to the PFS has been reviewed and approved by Paul O'Hara, P.Eng. of Wood., David Robson, P.Eng., M.B.A., and Jason Cox, P.Eng. of RPA, each of whom is a "qualified person" under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI-43-101"). The Mineral Resource Estimate was completed by Mr. Mark Mathisen, C.P.G., Senior Geologist at RPA and Mr. David Ross, P.Geo., Director of Resource Estimation and Principal Geologist at RPA. Both are independent Qualified Persons in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument (NI) 43-101 and they have approved the disclosure herein. All other technical information in this news release has been approved by Mr. Troy Boisjoli, Geoscientist Licensee, Vice President Operations & Project Development for NexGen. Mr. Boisjoli is a qualified person for the purposes of NI 43-101 and has verified the sampling, analytical, and test data underlying the information or opinions contained herein by reviewing original data certificates and monitoring all of the data collection protocols. All other technical information in this news release has been approved by Mr. James Hatley, a Professional Engineer, Senior Vice-President Project Development for NexGen. Mr. Hatley is a qualified person for the purposes of NI 43-101 and has reviewed the underlying the information or opinions contained herein on mine design. A technical report in respect to the PFS is filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and EDGAR (www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml) and is available for review on NexGen Energy's website (www.nexgenenergy.ca). SEC Standards Estimates of mineralization and other technical information included or referenced in this news release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. The definitions of proven and probable mineral reserves used in NI 43-101 differ from the definitions in SEC Industry Guide 7. Under SEC Industry Guide 7 standards, a "final" or "bankable" feasibility study is required to report reserves, the three-year historical average price is used in any reserve or cash flow analysis to designate reserves and the primary environmental analysis or report must be filed with the appropriate governmental authority. As a result, the reserves reported by the Company in accordance with NI 43-101 may not qualify as "reserves" under SEC standards. In addition, the terms "mineral resource", "measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource" are defined in and required to be disclosed by NI 43-101; however, these terms are not defined terms under SEC Industry Guide 7 and normally are not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves. "Inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian securities laws, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Additionally, disclosure of "contained pounds" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian securities laws; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measurements. Accordingly, information contained or referenced in this news release containing descriptions of the Company's mineral deposits may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Technical Information For details of the Rook I Project including the quality assurance program and quality control measures applied and key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate the Mineral Resource please refer to the technical report entitled "Arrow Deposit, Rook I Project Saskatchewan NI 43-101 Technical Report on Pre-feasibility Study" dated effective 5 November, 2018 (the "Rook 1 Technical Report") prepared by Paul O'Hara, P.Eng., Jason J. Cox, P.Eng., David M. Robson, P.Eng., M.B.A., Mark B. Mathisen, C.P.G. each of whom is a "qualified person" under NI 43-101. The Rook I Technical Report is available for review under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR (www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml) providing details of the Rook I Project including the quality assurance program and quality control measures applied and key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate the Mineral Resource and is available on NexGen Energy's website (www.nexgenenergy.ca). Forward-Looking Information The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Forward-looking information and statements are based on the then current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about NexGen's business and the industry and markets in which it operates. Forward-looking information and statements are made based upon numerous assumptions, including among others, that the proposed transaction will be completed, the results of planned exploration activities are as anticipated, the price of uranium, the cost of planned exploration activities, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, that third party contractors, equipment, supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct NexGen's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner and that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward looking information or making forward looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performances and achievements of NexGen to differ materially from any projections of results, performances and achievements of NexGen expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others, negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of the availability of additional financing, the risk that pending assay results will not confirm previously announced preliminary results, imprecision of mineral resource estimates, the appeal of alternate sources of energy and sustained low uranium prices, aboriginal title and consultation issues, exploration risks, reliance upon key management and other personnel, deficiencies in the Company's title to its properties, uninsurable risks, failure to manage conflicts of interest, failure to obtain or maintain required permits and licenses, changes in laws, regulations and policy, competition for resources and financing, and other factors discussed or referred to in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 4, 2019 under "Risk Factors". Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE NexGen Energy Ltd. Related Links www.nexgenenergy.ca CENTREVILLE, Va., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Parsons Corporation ("Parsons"), a provider of technology-driven solutions in the defense, intelligence and critical infrastructure markets, today announced that it has commenced an initial public offering of its common stock. Parsons is offering 18,518,500 shares of its common stock at an initial public offering price between $26.00 and $28.00 per share. Parsons expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 2,777,775 shares of common stock. Parsons has applied to list its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "PSN." Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, BofA Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley are serving as joint lead book-running managers for the proposed offering. Jefferies and Wells Fargo Securities are serving as Senior Co-Managers and Cowen, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, MUFG and Scotiabank are serving as Co-Managers for the proposed offering. The offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. A copy of the preliminary prospectus relating to this offering may be obtained from any of the following sources: Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, via telephone: 1-866-471-2526, or via email: [email protected] ; 10282, via telephone: 1-866-471-2526, or via email: ; BofA Merrill Lynch, NC1-004-03-43, 200 North College Street, 3rd Floor, Charlotte, NC 28255-0001, Attention: Prospectus Department or via email: [email protected] ; or 28255-0001, Attention: Prospectus Department or via email: ; or Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014. A registration statement on Form S-1 relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy these securities be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About Parsons Corporation Parsons is a leading provider of technology-driven solutions focused on the defense, intelligence and critical infrastructure markets. Celebrating 75 years of operations, Parsons provides technical design and engineering services and software to address our customers' challenges. Parsons has differentiated capabilities in cybersecurity, intelligence, defense, military training, connected communities, physical infrastructure and mobility solutions. Parsons' combination of talented professionals and advanced technology enables a safer, smarter and more interconnected world. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements with regard to Parsons' proposed securities offering. Words such as "believes," "intends," "expects," "projects," "anticipates," and "future" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions and no assurance can be given that the proposed securities offering discussed above will be consummated on the terms described or at all. Completion of the proposed securities offering and the terms thereof are subject to numerous factors, many of which are beyond the control of Parsons, including, without limitation, market conditions, failure of customary closing conditions and the risk factors and other matters set forth in Parsons' filings with the SEC. Parsons undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Media Contact: Brian Schaffer Prosek Partners [email protected] SOURCE Parsons Corporation BELLEVUE, Wash., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Paul Gauguin Cruises (www.pgcruises.com), operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, debuts its new 2020 Voyages brochure featuring Tahiti, French Polynesia, Fiji, and South Pacific itineraries. The brochure presents sailings by The Gauguin, which offers an elegant yet casual ambiance, luxurious accommodations, gourmet dining, trademark Polynesian hospitality, and all-inclusive value. Cruise itineraries, The Gauguin experience, adventures by land and sea, private beach retreats, dining venues, the Moana Explorer program, special guests, deck plans, and the 2020 sailing schedule are also highlighted. To view the brochure online, please click here. The 2020 sailings feature popular favorites along with an exotic 16-night Fiji to Bali itinerary, and 12- and 13-night Fiji, Tonga, Cook & Society Islands sailings. The 16-night Fiji to Bali voyage departs April 11, 2020, from Lautoka, Fiji, and after a sea day visits Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu; At Sea; Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands; At Sea; Samarai Island, Papua New Guinea; Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; At Sea; Thursday Island, Australia; At Sea (2 days); Dili, Timor-Leste; At Sea; Komodo Island, Indonesia; and Benoa, Bali, Indonesia. The 12-night and 13-night Fiji, Tonga, Cook & Society Islands voyages follow in the wake of explorers, encompassing the exquisite Society Islands, home waters of The Gauguin, and the Cook Islands with its unique culture and exquisite lagoons. Other highlights include sailing across the International Date Line, a rare visit to the Kingdom of Tonga, and the paradisiacal Fijian islands. Ports of call on the voyages are: Papeete, Tahiti; Moorea, Society Islands; Taha'a (Motu Mahana), Society Islands; Bora Bora, Society Islands; Aitutaki, Cook islands; Vava'u, Tonga; Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji; Suva, Viti Levu, Fiji; Beqa Island, Fiji (13-night sailing only); and Lautoka, Viti Levu, Fiji. The 13-night voyage departs March 28, 2020, with cruise fares from $7,895 per person, and the 12-night sailing departs June 6, 2020, with cruise fares from $7,795 per person. The Gauguin will be showcasing its most sought-after itineraries in 2019: the 7-night Tahiti & the Society Islands, 7-night Society Islands & Tahiti Iti, 10-night Society Islands & Tuamotus, 11-night Cook Islands & Society Islands, and 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands. Designed specifically to sail the pristine lagoons of these islands, The Gauguin provides an up-close, authentic experience of the South Seas. On all sailings, guests also receive complimentary access to Paul Gauguin Cruises' two exclusive retreats. Off the coast of Taha'a lies the islet of Motu Mahana, where guests can enjoy a day of watersports, Polynesian activities, a sumptuous barbecue feast, and cocktails from full and floating bars. In Bora Bora, guests can relax on a private, white-sand beach and enjoy refreshments, a game of volleyball, and snorkeling and paddleboarding in crystal-clear waters. Paul Gauguin Cruises is offering savings of 50% off standard all-inclusive cruise fares on all 2020 voyages, plus included roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles or San Francisco based on availability in class of service. For a brochure, rates, or more information on Paul Gauguin Cruises, please contact a Travel Advisor, call 800-848-6172, or visit www.pgcruises.com . About Paul Gauguin Cruises Owned by Pacific Beachcomber S.C., French Polynesia's leading luxury hotel and cruise operator, Paul Gauguin Cruises operates the 5+-star cruise ship, the 332-guest m/s Paul Gauguin, providing a deluxe cruise experience tailored to the unparalleled wonders of Tahiti, French Polynesia, and the South Pacific. Paul Gauguin Cruises has been recognized by notable publications in travel and lifestyle and was voted "#2 Midsize-Ship Ocean Cruise Line" by readers in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2018*. The line was also recognized as one of the "Top Small Cruise Lines" in the Conde Nast Traveler 2018 Readers' Choice Awards and is honored on the publication's 2018 "Gold List." Paul Gauguin Cruises was also selected as "Best Small-Ship Cruise Line" in Global Traveler's Leisure Lifestyle Awards in 2016, 2017, and 2018, and received top honors as the "#1 Cruise Line for Honeymooners" in BRIDES Magazine's 2017 Honeymoon Awards and was listed in the publication's "Top All-Inclusives" in the 2018 Honeymoon Awards. Media Contact: Vanessa Bloy Paul Gauguin Cruises Director of Public Relations (425) 440-6255 [email protected] *From Travel + Leisure Magazine, August 2018 Time Inc. Affluent Media Group. Used under license. Travel + Leisure and Time Inc. Affluent Media Group are not affiliated with, and do not endorse products or services of, Paul Gauguin Cruises. SOURCE Paul Gauguin Cruises Related Links http://www.pgcruises.com PHOENIX, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Springtime means warmer weather which brings a rise in fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, illnesses from fleas, ticks and mosquitoes have tripled in the United States over the past 13 years spreading diseases like Lyme. These parasites are also problematic for dogs and cats as they spread diseases between animals, including heartworm. The best way to keep pets safe is to prevent infestation and insect bites from occurring in the first place. Veterinarians at PetSmart, the leading pet specialty retailer in North America, urge pet parents to take precautions against insect-borne diseases with flea drops, spot-ons and other topical flea and tick treatments. Starting this month, pet parents can purchase any flea and tick treatment from PetSmart online or in store and then visit the PetSmart Grooming Salon to have the pet stylists apply it for free.* "We already offer a flea and tick treatment in our grooming salons and with the rise of fleas and ticks, we wanted to expand this service to pet parents who purchase prevention products from us as well," said Debbie Beisswanger, vice president, services. "Some pet parents are unsure about how to apply the treatment, that's why our associates are trained to administer these treatments and are happy to take care of that for them." To take advantage of the "You Buy, We Apply" offer, pet parents need to bring their dog into the grooming salon along with the flea and tick treatment in its original packaging and the receipt. An appointment is not necessary, but pets need to be current on their rabies vaccination to have the treatment applied. In addition, Jennifer Freeman, DVM, PetSmart's resident veterinarian and pet care expert, offers the following tips to help keep pests off pets and keep them safe from harmful flea-borne and tick-borne illnesses. Take preventative steps. Flea, tick and mosquito control is an important part of keeping pets healthy and happy. Year-round treatment is ideal and there are a variety of products that offer protection. Select a product that treats all infestation issues and prevents them from reoccurring. If your pet spends time outdoors or goes swimming, be sure to use a waterproof application. "Mosquitoes are most active at dawn or dusk, so if you can avoid walking your dog during these hours, you can reduce the likelihood they will be bitten," Freeman said. While a preventative treatment is an optimal way to keep pests at bay, it can also kill any fleas that may have found their way onto your pet and repel new ones. Use pet-formulated insect repellents. Never use human insect repellent on your pets. DEET, the active ingredient in many common bug sprays, can cause seizures, vomiting and irritation in dogs and cats. Likewise, if you are treating a cat for flea or tick prevention, ensure the repellent is specifically formulated for cats. Look for clues that fleas or ticks have found their way onto your pet. Small, curly black droppings, known as flea dirt, can be found in the fur even when the fleas are not seen. To confirm if debris in a dog's fur is flea droppings, Freeman recommends placing it on a white paper towel and adding a drop of water to it. If it turns red, your pet may have fleas. Ticks attach to the skin for feeding but can be found crawling on the fur when they first settle onto pets. Conduct a quick spot check on pets following walks or time spent outdoors by parting the fur with your hands to check the skin or by using a comb to brush through the fur. Remove stagnant water around your home. Mosquitoes need water to live and prefer to lay their eggs in stagnant water. Eliminate their breeding grounds by ensuring the area surrounding your home is free from standing water under bushes and behind structures like tool sheds and air conditioners, or in old tires or flower pots. Treat the issue promptly. If you find fleas or ticks on your pet, there are several ways to get rid of an infestation: Bathe your dog using a specially formulated flea and tick shampoo that is designed to kill parasites. Take your pet to the groomer and let them administer a flea and tick treatment for you. Clean the house. Thoroughly vacuum your home and launder your dog's bedding, blankets and soft toys in hot water. A carpet powder or fogger can also effectively treat the home. Use an on-premise insecticide listed as safe for use around pets for the house and the yard to prevent re-infestation. Ask your veterinarian for tips or treatments for infestation problems and possible testing for insect-borne diseases. For additional tips and resources on how to keep pests off your pets, including a full assortment of product solutions, visit petsmart.com or speak with an in-store PetSmart associate. **For dogs only. In order to maintain a safe, comfortable environment, we require all pets to be current on their rabies vaccinations and to wait at least 48 hours after any vaccinations before checking in to the Grooming Salon. Not available for pets under five (5) pounds, puppies under 8 weeks old or in Grooming Salons located in NY, NJ or Canada. PetSmart proof of purchase of flea & tick product is required for free application in the Grooming Salon by salon associate. Subject to availability. Regular price of flea & tick application in Grooming Salon is $6. About PetSmart PetSmart, Inc. is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. At PetSmart, we love pets, and we believe pets make us better people. Every day with every connection, PetSmart's passionate associates help bring pet parents closer to their pets so they, together, can live more fulfilled lives. This vision impacts everything we do for our customers, the way we support our associates and how we give back to our communities. PetSmart employs approximately 55,000 associates and operates more than 1,650 pet stores in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, as well as more than 200 in-store PetSmart PetsHotel dog and cat boarding facilities. The retailer provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and products, as well as services such as dog training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart Doggie Day Camp and pet adoption. PetSmart, PetSmart Charities and PetSmart Charities of Canada work with more than 3,500 animal welfare organizations to bring adoptable pets into stores so they have the best chance possible of finding a forever home. Through this in-store adoption program and other signature events, PetSmart has facilitated more than 8 million adoptions, more than any other brick-and-mortar organization. In May 2017, PetSmart acquired Chewy.com, a leading online retailer of pet food and products in the U.S., which operates as an independent subsidiary. Find PetSmart on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/PetSmart See PetSmart on Instagram: @PetSmart Follow PetSmart on Twitter: @PetSmart See PetSmart on YouTube: www.YouTube.com/PetSmart PetSmart homepage: http://www.petsmart.com/ Turn your passion for pets into a career you'll love! Visit careers.petsmart.com to learn more about corporate, retail store and Distribution Center opportunities. SOURCE PetSmart Related Links http://www.petsmart.com "What this program is doing for the inner city and zombie homes is absolutely amazing," said Jelena Krilova, a real estate agent with Howard Hanna Realty in Strongsville, OH, located about 20 minutes from Cleveland. "I have never seen a real estate deal close so quickly and easily." Krilova represented a local real estate investor who purchased a condemned property on Cleveland's west side. The property had been empty for years and the property taxes were $15,000.00 delinquent. Today, just a month removed from sitting vacant and condemned, the property is under renovation, the taxes have been paid, and the new owner plans to move in once renovations are completed. The property is also just a few addresses from Benjamin Franklin School and posed a safety hazard to children walking to and from school. "So, yes, we are very pleased with the launch of the platform thus far," said Julius L. Cartwright. Cartwright is a founding board member at Parcel Revenue and previously served as president of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers. He also consulted on the system's development. "One of the major problems in urban areas is that title insurance companies are reluctant to insure the sale of distressed properties due to the serious title issues associated with these properties. The platform allows us to work in conjunction with title agents and attorneys to clear titles in days or weeks, where the process would normally take months or even years." The platform uses artificial intelligence and analytics to monitor the workload of participating title agents and attorneys and routes orders to the agent with the least number of pending transactions. Historically, title agents have closed transactions on a "first come, first served" basis which creates logjams in the escrow process. Since state law regulates title insurance rates, the buyer and seller are not financially impacted by which title agent closes their transaction. "Every title company in Ohio sells the same product at the same price, so the agents, buyers, and sellers all want to close as quickly as possible. That's the goal," said Cartwright. About Parcel Revenue Corporation Parcel Revenue Corporation is developing the technology platforms of tomorrow that will aid local governments nationwide in the fight against abandoned homes, increase and protect incoming tax revenues, and predict housing vacancies before they occur. Local governments can learn more by visiting www.parcelrevenue.com . SOURCE Parcel Revenue Corporation BELOIT, Wis., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Louis Pinkham, Chief Executive Officer of Regal Beloit Corporation (NYSE: RBC), announced that the Board of Directors, at its regular quarterly meeting held on April 29, 2019, declared a dividend of $0.30 per share. The dividend represents a 7% increase and is payable on July 12, 2019, to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 28, 2019. The company has paid a dividend every quarter since January 1961. "Regal continues to generate strong operating cash flow enabling us to reinvest in the business, pursue strategic growth opportunities, and return capital to shareholders. Over the last two years, we have returned over $91 million to our shareholders through regular quarterly dividends," said Regal CEO Louis Pinkham. Regal Beloit Corporation (NYSE: RBC) is a leading manufacturer of electric motors and controls, power generation products and power transmission products serving customers throughout the world. We create a better tomorrow by developing and responsibly producing energy-efficient products and systems. Our company is comprised of three operating segments: Commercial and Industrial Systems, Climate Solutions and Power Transmission Solutions. Regal is headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin and has manufacturing, sales and service facilities worldwide. For more information, visit RegalBeloit.com. SOURCE Regal Beloit Corporation Related Links http://www.regalbeloit.com TORONTO, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Roxgold Inc. ("Roxgold" or the "Company") (TSX: ROXG) (OTC: ROGFF) is pleased to report its 2019 first quarter ("Q1") production results and provides an exploration update from the Company's Yaramoko Gold mine located in Burkina Faso ("Yaramoko"). Highlights: Achieved solid production results with 33,652 ounces of gold produced in Q1 Realized record quarterly throughput of 106,816 tonnes which exceeded increased nameplate capacity of 1,100 tonnes per day by approximately 8% Accelerated regional exploration activities with the conclusion of the 55 Zone deep drilling program, including core drilling on Bagassi South extensions, Reverse Circulation ("RC") testing of soil geochemistry anomalies, and extending the auger drilling across new prospects Commenced RC drilling at the Seguela gold project's Antenna deposit on April 24th , and aircore drilling commenced at Kwenko West on April 29th "The first quarter saw a solid operating performance at Yaramoko with gold production of 33,652 ounces and with production weighted towards the second half of the year, we remain on track to achieve our annual production guidance of between 145,000 and 155,000 ounces. The recently expanded process plant continued to outperform achieving record throughput and operating approximately 8% above nameplate capacity during the quarter. The development ramp-up at Bagassi South has progressed well and we are on track to commence stoping operations during the second quarter as scheduled," stated John Dorward, President and CEO of Roxgold. "Regional exploration is currently underway with four rigs testing several structural and geochemical anomalies across the license, while an extensive auger program continues to generate new anomalies." Operating Summary: At the 55 Zone, 85,460 tonnes of ore were mined at 10.6 grams per tonne ("g/t Au") and 1,272 metres ("m") of development were completed. During the quarter, approximately 80% of ore mined came from stoping activities as a result of extensive development in place at the 55 Zone with three open stopes available at the end of the quarter. During the quarter, decline development reached the 4879 level, approximately 440m below surface. At Bagassi South, ramp-up activities continued to progress well during the quarter with 992m of development completed. Yaramoko is expected to produce stronger quarters in Q3 and Q4 due to the Bagassi South mine commencing stoping operations during Q2 2019. The plant processed a record throughput of 106,816 tonnes at an average head grade of 10.0 g/t Au for the quarter. Plant availability was 95.4% and overall recovery remained high at 98.3% during the quarter. The unit throughput rate at the plant has consistently increased since the completion of the process plant expansion work resulting in throughput rates exceeding nameplate capacity by approximately 8%. The lower average head grade was primarily due to the ramp-up of the Bagassi South underground mine which is currently delivering development ore. Yaramoko Production Metrics Q1 20191 Q4 20182 Q3 2018 Q2 2018 Q1 2018 Total Development (metres) 2,264 1,785 1,479 1,124 1,437 Ore mined (tonnes) 98,140 88,277 87,975 86,831 88,607 Ore processed (tonnes) 106,816 82,241 78,357 75,417 71,576 Head grade (g/t) 10.0 10.8 12.3 14.4 16.8 Recovery (%) 98.3 98.2 98.5 98.8 99.0 Gold ounces produced 33,652 25,844 30,532 35,828 40,452 1 Includes 55 Zone and Bagassi South operating physicals. 2 Includes Bagassi South operating physicals in total development metres and ore mined only. Exploration Update 55 Zone 13 holes were completed at the 55 Zone during the quarter, completing the surface infill and depth extension program which commenced in April 2018. The program completed 46,444m with the objectives of upgrading inferred to indicated at depth, improving definition of the high-grade shoots within the wider ore envelope, and refining the inferred mineralization at depth. While returned grades were low in drill holes YRM-19-DD-493 and 493W1, difficulties in maintaining hole direction resulted in both holes ending approximately 20-25m to the west of their target, the down plunge extension of the high grade shoot intersected in YRM-17-DD-443W1 (12.5m at 11.2g/t Au and 3.9m at 12.9g/t Au). All results from the program have been received with wireframing underway in preparation for the forthcoming updated Mineral Resource Estimate which is due for release in Q2 2019. Table 1 presents the drilling results from Q1 2019 and includes the following significant results: YRM-19-DD-493W1: 2.7m at 0.7g/t from 1,368m downhole YRM-19-DD-426W1: 0.6m at 30.8g/t Au from 1,063.4m downhole YRM-19-DD-439W1: 3.4m at 9.4g/t Au from 999.2m downhole YRM-19-DD-488W1: 5.2m at 2.5g/t Au from 1,183.4m downhole Bagassi South Drilling activity also continued at Bagassi South with six holes (2,529m) completed during the quarter. At QV1, four holes (1,504m) were designed to test interpreted contact zones 100m 200m down plunge from the Western Shoot on the eastern side of a large cross-cutting dyke. While assays are pending, logging highlights the continuation of the QV1 structure as defined by a 10m-20m wide sheared zone with up to six metres of quartz veining and moderate sulphide development present. At QV Prime, two holes were completed (1,025m), targeting the continuity of the QV Prime structure and its association with the granite-mafic volcanic contact approximately 200m down plunge. Geological logging indicates the contact may have shallowed slightly with the remaining four holes being redesigned as a result. The assay results are pending. Regional RC and core drilling were carried out at several prospects (Figure 1) following up earlier geochemistry and structural anomalies with a total of 3,752m drilled during the quarter. Key work programs included: Kaho testing previous RC anomalies along coincident structural and geochemical corridors intersected several moderate to strongly sheared zones with sericite alteration, quartz veining and pyrite. The best results were from YRM-19-DDKOA-018 with 2m at 1.6 g/t Au. Importantly the presence of shearing, quartz veining and alteration supports the regional structural interpretation associated with the Yaramoko and Bagassi South mineralization. Haho Three core holes (383m) were completed with one hole confirming the down dip extension of mineralization previously intersected during the 2017/18 field season, intersecting shearing with associated quartz veining, alteration and minor pyrite. Zone 109 Three core holes (449m) were completed following up a shear zone previously intersected in YRM-13-K109-003 (2013 program), with each hole intersecting a well-developed shear zone (up to 12m width) with associated chlorite and carbonate alteration, quartz veining and minor pyrite. Tarkwaian West Contact 7,990m of RC drilling on 200m spaced lines have been completed at the Tarkwaian West Contact zone, testing extensive array (+6km) of soil geochemistry anomalies along the western interpreted contact between a Tarkwaian inlier and volcaniclastic sediments/mafic volcanics. This contact is also interpreted as a splay from the regional Boni Shear. RC drilling has also identified a set of regional north-east trending shear zones which coincide with several of the geochemical anomalies, with shearing typically associated with broad alteration zones, quartz veining and minor pyrite. Several zones of low-grade mineralization were intersected, typically in the range of 2m-4m at 0.1-0.3g/t Au. A full interpretation will be carried out once all results have been received next quarter. SAN 3,741 meters of RC drilling was completed, testing coincident soil geochemistry anomalies and structural contacts between Birimian sediments and a granodioritic intrusive, with encouraging visual results from YRM-19-RC-SAN-30 to-34. Drilling was continuing at the end of the quarter and assays are pending. Auger drilling continued at Kaho and started at the 300 Zone, with a total of 10,650m drilled during the quarter. Upcoming Catalysts Q2 Commercial production expected to be achieved at Bagassi South Q2 Updated Reserves and Resource Statement released Q3 Initial exploration results from recently commenced Seguela exploration program 2019 First Quarter Financial Results and Conference Call The Company will release its 2019 first quarter financial results after market hours on Tuesday, May 14, 2019. A webcast and conference call to discuss these results will be held on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at 8:30AM Eastern time. Listeners may access a live webcast of the conference call from the events section of the Company's website at www.roxgold.com or by dialing toll free 1-888-231-8191 within North America or +1-647-427-7450 from international locations. An online archive of the webcast will be available by accessing the Company's website at www.roxgold.com. A telephone replay will be available for two weeks after the call by dialing toll free 1-855-859-2056 and entering passcode 7799100. Qualified Persons Iain Cox, FAusIMM, Interim Chief Operating Officer for Roxgold Inc., a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101, has verified and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release. Paul Weedon, MAIG, Vice-President, Exploration for Roxgold Inc., a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101, has verified and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release. This includes the QA/QC, sampling, analytical and test data underlying this information. For more information on the Company's QA/QC and sampling procedures, please refer to the Company's Annual Information Form dated December 31, 2018, available on the Company's website at www.roxgold.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. About Roxgold Roxgold is a Canadian-based gold mining company with assets located in West Africa. The Company owns and operates the high-grade Yaramoko Gold Mine located on the Hounde greenstone belt in Burkina Faso and is also advancing the development and exploration of the Seguela Gold Project located in Cote d'Ivoire. Roxgold trades on the TSX under the symbol ROXG and as ROGFF on OTC. This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation: statements with respect to Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resource estimates (including proposals for the potential growth, extension, update and/or upgrade thereof, the anticipated timing thereof and any future economic benefits which may be derived therefrom), the timing and delivery of any future updated resource models, anticipated receipt and maintenance of permits and licenses, future production and life of mine estimates, production and cost guidance, anticipated recovery grades, and potential increases in throughput, future capital and operating costs and expansion and development plans including with respect to the 55 Zone and Bagassi South, and the expected timing thereof (including with respect to the delivery of ore and future stoping operations), proposed exploration plans and the timing and costs thereof, the anticipated operations, costs, proposed funding, timing and other factors set forth in the Technical Report, and sufficiency of future funding. These statements are based on information currently available to the Company and the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. In certain cases, forward-looking information may be identified by such terms as "anticipates", "believes", "could", "estimates", "expects", "may", "shall", "will", or "would". Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, the realization of resource estimates and reserve estimates, gold metal prices, the timing and amount of future exploration and development expenditures, the estimation of initial and sustaining capital requirements, the estimation of labour and operating costs, the availability of necessary financing and materials to continue to explore and develop the Yaramoko Gold Project in the short and long-term, the progress of exploration and development activities as currently proposed and anticipated, the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals and permits, and assumptions with respect to currency fluctuations, environmental risks, title disputes or claims, and other similar matters, as well as assumptions set forth in the Company's technical report dated December 20, 2017, and entitled "Technical Report for the Yaramoko Gold Mine, Burkina Faso" available on the Company's website at www.roxgold.com and SEDAR at www.sedar.com. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include: changes in market conditions, unsuccessful exploration results, possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, changes in the costs and timing of the development of new deposits, inaccurate reserve and resource estimates, changes in the price of gold, unanticipated changes in key management personnel, failure to obtain permits as anticipated or at all, failure of exploration and/or development activities to progress as currently anticipated or at all, and general economic conditions. Mining exploration and development is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by the Company or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Table 1: 55 Zone drilling results from Q1 2019. Hole ID Azi Dip EOH Depth From Depth To Over (m) True Width (m) Grade (g/t) YRM-19-DD-426W1 353 -57.0 1077.4 1063.4 1063.9 0.6 0.3 30.8 YRM-19-DD-427W2 11 -57.0 1017.6 987.1 1004.0 16.8 10.1 0.4 And 828.8 829.3 0.4 0.2 2.4 YRM-19-DD-439W1 14 -49.9 1020.6 999.2 1002.6 3.4 2.4 9.4 YRM-19-DD-488W1 10 -54.7 1209.6 1180.5 1185.7 5.2 3.4 2.5 Including 1183.4 1184.1 0.7 0.5 9.9 And 1197.1 1197.5 0.5 0.3 3.4 YRM-19-DD-491W1 4 -63.7 720.3 691.0 698.5 7.5 4.4 0.5 Including 692.3 694.5 2.3 1.2 1.3 YRM-18-DD-493 12 -46.0 1320.3 1375.0 1384.4 9.4 7.5 0.1 And 103.7 107.3 3.6 2.0 0.2 YRM-19-DD-493W1 9 -54.0 1386.7 1368.0 1370.7 2.7 1.8 0.7 YRM-19-DD-494 3 -49.3 1320.3 1295.2 1301.0 NSR YRM-19-DD-495 7 -59.0 1020.6 975.4 1008.0 NSR YRM-19-DD-495W1 26 -60.8 1110.8 1087.0 1099.0 NSR SOURCE Roxgold Inc. Related Links www.roxgold.com The ceremony was attended by Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue; Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC) and Head of the CPVCCs Commission for Internal Affairs Phan Dinh Trac; and representatives of leaders of ministries, departments and sectors in Nghe An province along with a large number of officials and employees of Nghe An Power Company. At the event, delegates and generations of the electricity industryreviewed the journey over the past 60 years, during which, with the efforts of generations of officials and employees, Nghe An electricity industry has contributed positively to socio-economic development in the locality. In recent years, many projects have been implemented to bring electricity to remote areas, border and coastal areas, and to serve key economic zones and industrial parks. In recent years, electricity output and revenue have grown dramatically. In 2010, commercial electricity output of the whole company reached 1,102 million kWh, with electricity revenue of VND1,084 billion, and in 2017, commercial electricity revenue of the whole company rose to over VND4 trillion, up by over 16% compared to 2016. Nghe An Power Company is managing and operating 27 110kV-substations, 32 intermediate stations, 5,594 distribution stations, 6,400 km of medium voltage lines, 16,740 km of low voltage lines. With annual commercial electricity output of over 3 billion kWh and more than VND 5,300 billion in revenue, they are currently selling electricity directly to more than 950,000 customers. Despite many difficulties, the staff of Nghe An Power Company has made great efforts to successfully fulfill all targets assigned by the Northern Power Corporation, ensuring safe and full power supply with high-quality service. To recognise the achievements, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue, as authorized by the President, presented the second-class Labor Medal to Nghe An Power Company and awarded the third-class Labor Medal to two individuals, who had excellent achievements in work. On the same day, in Quan Hanh town, Nghi Loc district, Nghe An province, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue attended a ceremony to mark the 550th anniversary of the establishment of Nghi Loc district and 125 years since the naming of Nghi Loc district. The Deputy Prime Minister presented the second-class Labor Medal to Nghi Loc district Party committee, government and people. Your Nutella is not guilt free. Photo: G. Sioen/De Agostini via Getty Images Today, the New York Times published a thorough and thoroughly heartbreaking story about the exploitation of laborers working Turkeys hazelnut harvest. This is not about a few people on a couple farms: The vast majority of the worlds hazelnuts 70 percent to be exact come from Turkey. In turn, that harvest is largely bought by companies like Ferrero, which buys a whopping one-third of Turkeys hazelnut harvest for Nutella and its Kinder and Rocher chocolates, as well as Nestle and Godiva. Now, the abuse has entangled Syrian refugees, who have fled a humanitarian crisis only to find their vulnerability exploited for some nuts. Here are the most important takeaways. To begin with, its awful work. One laborer tells the Times that the inclines are such that you can never stand up straight, while another said his sons had to be attached to rocks by rope. On some farms, workers endure these conditions for 12 hour work days. More than 72 percent say they had just enough money to get by, while 99 percent say they worked seven days a week. And many Syrian refugees are without work permits, and therefore without protection. Farmhands are at the mercy of unregulated middlemen. The workers are found by the farms by middlemen called dayibasi, who refugees tell the Times regularly lie about wages. One worker says he was paid half the day rate he was promised ($10 versus $20), which only covered the cost of travel and living expenses. We returned with nothing, Shakar Rudani, a refugee, explained to the paper. The middlemen outright steal wages. Laborers are paid enough to cover food and rent while working, and given business cards that they turn in for the rest of their money at the end of harvest. But a Turkish professor of labor economics named Saniye Dedeoglu tells the Times we have so many people fall victim to middlemen who just disappeared. Other middlemen simply take extra money without disappearing, which the contractless workers cant do anything about. Your hazelnuts couldve been picked by child laborers. Almost all farms pay Turkeys minimum wage, which is below the countrys poverty line, a pittance of pay, of which the middlemen take at least 10 percent. Syrian refugees tell the paper, accordingly, that the poor wages leave them with no choice but to have their children work. Regulating is left up to giant corporations. While the Turkish government has reportedly tried to combat child labor in the industry, businesses with less than 50 employees arent held accountable to the countrys labor code. The big companies have to mostly deal with these issues themselves, but theyre not being transparent about who theyre working with As with other exploitative industries, the supply chain is obfuscated. And are keeping their hazelnut sources secret. For example, Ferrero declined to name a single farm it buys from. (According to the Times, a 70-year-old farmer named Sema Otkunc cannot name either her local buyer, or the final destination of her hazelnuts.) So while Ferrero will point to its Ferrero Farming Values program, its not willing to name names which could actually help determine if those programs are actually working. The farms are struggling, too. The nature of the global economy means that while Turkeys hazelnut harvest can yield as much as $1.8 billion in one year, the farms are just trying to be profitable. Otkunc tells the paper that were at the mercy of the free market now and, specifically, of price-setting buyers. The problem is unavoidable. There is not a single hazelnut farm with decent labor practices in Turkey, Richa Mittal of the Fair Labor Association tells the Times. Consider that agriculture accounts for a fifth of the countrys workforce. There is nothing to do about this, until the system changes. According to Ferraro, the amount of Nutella it produces in a year is equivalent to the weight of the Empire State Building. It cannot do this without buying a lot of Turkish hazelnuts, and it cannot buy Turkish hazelnuts without buying into a exploitative system. GLEN MILLS, Pa., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- SmartGraft, a minimally invasive and permanent hair restoration treatment from the U.S.A. is proud to announce their partnership with Samson Medical Technologies to introduce their innovative technology in Australia. This expansion makes SmartGraft the first and only automated suction assisted hair restoration device on the continent. Already a leader in the US and EU markets, SmartGraft is TGA certified in Australia and marks a revolution in hair restoration for both men and women. There is no scalpel incision, virtually no pain, no stitches and no linear scar. According to plastic surgeon Dr. Lisa Friederich, in Sydney, Australia, "We are honored to be the first practice in Sydney to introduce SmartGraft, the premier technology on the market, to our patients. Hair loss affects men and women of all ages and with all hair types. We will now be able to offer hair restoration for our male and female patients discreetly and in less time than many other FUE methods." SmartGraft uses state of the art Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) technologies and techniques. During the procedure, using only local anesthesia, individual grafts are gently removed one by one from the donor area using an advanced (smart) handpiece. With minimally invasive FUE harvesting of individual follicular units for transplantation, SmartGraft allows patients a faster, more comfortable, less restricted recovery phase compared to traditional linear "strip" harvesting. Since no wide-shave of the donor area is required, SmartGraft empowers physicians to execute traditional transplants for male pattern hair loss, as well as specialty transplants like female hairline lowering, temple restoration, eyebrow transplantation, beard and body hair harvesting, as well as smaller "no shave" FUE procedures from the scalp for male and female patients. With SmartGraft, patients can return to normal activities without the need to cover up a scar during the healing process. "FUE and the semi-automation of SmartGraft is a game changer for us in Australia," shares Andrew Nutman, CEO of Samson Medical Technologies. "We are very excited about the availability of this innovative technology and are eager to work with the SmartGraft team to bring cutting-edge hair restoration capabilities to our physicians." "We have worked directly with Andrew Nutman and Samson Medical Technologies and are impressed with their level of professionalism and support for their physician clients," says Cynthia Rager, President and COO of SmartGraft. "We look forward to increasing SmartGraft's presence throughout Australia while helping to educate medical professionals on this breakthrough technology as well as patients on the outstanding and life-altering outcomes they can achieve." SmartGraft makes hair replacement a more accessible, effective and realistic option than ever before for both men and women with hair loss, delivering natural-looking outcomes with minimal downtime. When expertly performed, the treatment is quick, comfortable and permanent. About Vision Medical Vision Medical, Inc. is a leading USA manufacturer that develops and markets medical and aesthetic technology products for the medical and aesthetic markets for worldwide distribution. Vision Medical's first commercial product, the SmartGraft Hair Restoration System, uses minimally-invasive vacuum assisted FUE technology for men and women. SmartGraft keeps the newly harvested grafts chilled, hydrated & robust without any exposure to outside air for optimal graft preservation. To learn more about SmartGraft and its technology, visit www.SmartGraft.com. CONNECT WITH US Instagram: @SmartGraft Twitter: @SmartGraft Facebook: @SmartGraft LinkedIn: @SmartGraft SOURCE SmartGraft Related Links http://www.SmartGraft.com SANDVIKEN, Sweden, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandvik AB held its Annual General Meeting on 29 April 2019 in Sandviken, Sweden. Sandvik's President and CEO Bjorn Rosengren covered the operations and results for 2018 in his speech. Another year of record profits for the group. "The demand has been strong and Sandviks profitability has increased further," said Bjorn Rosengren. "The Board is pleased with the managements very competent work. The speed has been high and many good changes have been made," said Chairman of the Board Johan Molin. Adoption of the profit and loss accounts and balance sheets The General Meeting adopted the profit and loss account and balance sheet for the parent company as well as the consolidated profit and loss account and consolidated balance sheet for 2018. The Board members and the President were discharged from liability for the financial year 2018. Dividend The General Meeting resolved on a dividend of SEK 4.25 per share. The record day for payment of the dividend was set at Thursday, 2 May 2019. The dividend is expected to be paid by Euroclear Sweden AB on Tuesday, 7 May 2019. Board of Directors Pursuant to the Nomination Committee's proposal Jennifer Allerton, Claes Boustedt, Marika Fredriksson, Johan Karlstrom, Johan Molin, Bjorn Rosengren, Helena Stjernholm and Lars Westerberg were re-elected members of the Board. Johan Molin was re-elected Chairman of the Board. The employee unions have appointed Tomas Karnstrom and Thomas Lilja as members of the Board and Thomas Andersson and Mats W Lundberg as deputy members. Fees to the Board The General Meeting resolved pursuant to the Nomination Committee's proposal on fees to the Board, distributed as follows: SEK 2,550,000 (previously SEK 2,400,000) to the Chairman of the Board, SEK 690,000 (previously SEK 660,000) to each other Board member not employed by the company, SEK 300,000 (previously SEK 285,000) to the Chairman of the Audit Committee, SEK 170,000 (previously SEK 160,000) to each other member of the Audit Committee, SEK 145,000 (previously SEK 135,000) to the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and SEK 115,000 (previously SEK 110,000) to each other member of the Remuneration Committee. No fee is to be paid to the members of the Acquisitions and Divestitures Committee. Auditor The General Meeting resolved to re-elect PricewaterhouseCoopers AB as auditor for the period until the end of the 2020 Annual General Meeting. Resolution on guidelines for remuneration of senior executives The General Meeting resolved to adopt the Board's proposal regarding guidelines for remuneration of senior executives. Resolution on a long-term incentive program (LTI 2019) The General Meeting approved the Board's proposal on a long-term incentive program in the form of a performance share program for about 350 senior executives and key employees in the Group (LTI 2019). Participation requires that an investment in Sandvik shares be made. Each acquired Sandvik share entitles the participant to be allotted, after a period of three years, a certain number of Sandvik shares free of charge, provided that certain performance targets with respect to earnings per share are met. The program is based on substantially the same terms and conditions as the 20142018 incentive programs. LTI 2019 comprises up to 3 million shares. The delivery of these shares will be secured through a share swap agreement with a third party. The total cost of LTI 2019 is estimated at up to SEK 315 million, assuming a Sandvik share price of SEK 135. Wilhelm Haglund Medal Tero Yli-Hannuksela, Jarno Kuittinen and Johannes Valivaara (Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology) were named product developers of the year and awarded the Wilhelm Haglund Medal for the development of DD422i and DD422iE, a new intelligent product family for mining jumbos. Stockholm, 29 April 2019 Sandvik AB This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/sandvik/r/sandvik-s-annual-general-meeting-2019,c2799909 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/208/2799909/1034332.pdf Sandvikas Annual General Meeting 2019 SOURCE Sandvik Escape Lounges are all-inclusive premium airport lounges open to all passengers offering a wide variety of amenities including hot and cold food and beverages, plush and relaxing seating with ample power outlets, high-speed Wi-Fi, up-to-the-second flight information and access to national and local newspapers. The first Escape Lounge located in Terminal 2 has been well-received by visitors since its January grand opening. One frequent traveler who identified herself as Sabrina from Ontario said, "I travel three weeks a month and I was just delighted with this place!" Staff are "attentive, friendly, professional and efficient. And I cannot say enough about the quality of the food or service." Menu offerings for the ONT lounges are developed by the award-winning Henry Gonzalez, Executive Chef and Owner of Spaggi's, the popular Upland, CA, restaurant. "The Escape Lounges truly add a new level of comfort with a distinct local flavor to the ONT experience," said Mark Thorpe, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA). "Chef Henry has been dishing creative food options focusing on locally sourced ingredients for two decades and his culinary imagination is sure to generate rave reviews among our airport customers." Under a 10-year agreement approved by the airport authority, MAG USA designed, built and is operating both of ONT's common-use Escape Lounges. MAG USA's investment totaling $4 million is the latest chapter of the redevelopment of ONT into a world class aviation gateway. Escape Lounges are part of the American Express Global Lounge CollectionSM giving American Express Platinum Card Members complimentary access, along with 2 guests, to all U.S. locations. For others wishing to enjoy the lounge, the fee for entry at the door will be $45 plus tax. A $5 discount will be applied to reservations made online at EscapeLounges.com prior to arrival. "We are thrilled to open our second Escape Lounge at Ontario International Airport. ONT should be commended for their commitment to offering travelers a truly premium airport experience," said Martin Jones, President and CEO of MAG USA (US subsidiary of the parent company of Escape Lounges). Escape Lounges are also located in Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Oakland International Airport, Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Bradley International Airport near Hartford, CT, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in South Carolina, and T.F. Green Airport near Providence, RI with at least 5 more locations scheduled to open in 2019. Locations to be announced soon. Additional information is posted at www.EscapeLounges.com. About Ontario International Airport Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the fastest growing airport in the United States, according to Global Traveler, a leading publication for frequent fliers. Located in the Inland Empire, ONT is approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the center of Southern California. It is a full-service airport with nonstop commercial jet service to 19 major airports in the U.S., Mexico and Taiwan, and connecting service to many domestic and international destinations. There is an average of 67 daily departures offered by nine air carriers. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com. Follow @flyONT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram About the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) The OIAA was formed in August 2012 by a Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Ontario and the County of San Bernardino to provide overall direction for the management, operations, development and marketing of ONT for the benefit of the Southern California economy and the residents of the airport's four-county catchment area. OIAA Commissioners are Ontario City Council Member Alan D. Wapner (President), Retired Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge (Vice President), Ontario City Council Member Jim W. Bowman (Secretary), San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman (Commissioner) and retired business executive Julia Gouw (Commissioner). About MAG USA Launched in 2015, MAG USA is the United States' 'go-to' organization for delivering market-leading commercial solutions that transform customer experiences in airports with a focus on Airport Lounges, Car Parking Distribution and Services, as well as P3, Retail and Terminal Developments. MAG USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manchester Airport Group, UK (MAG) which owns and operates Manchester and London Stansted, East Midlands. MAGworld.com News Media Contacts: Atif Elkadi, Deputy Executive Director, (858) 361-9319 [email protected] Steve Lambert, (909) 841-7527 [email protected] Erica Bauer, MAG USA PR & Marketing, (312) 771-0803 [email protected] SOURCE Ontario International Airport Related Links http://www.flyontario.com/ SAN FRANCISCO, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The global silicone in electric vehicles (EVs) market size is poised to reach USD 1.80 billion by 2025, as per a report by Grand View Research, Inc., experiencing a CAGR of 8.1% during the forecast period. Silicone exhibits properties such as superior electrical insulation, thermal conductivity, chemical stability, flame retardancy, and resistance to heat, radiation, moisture, chemical, and light. Key suggestions from the report: North America silicone elastomers in electric vehicles (EV) market was valued at USD 128.47 million in 2017. Federal government initiative launched in last quarter of 2017 under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to allow tax rebate in the range of USD 2,500 to USD 7,500 per new EV procured for use in the U.S. is poised to boost the demand for electric vehicles China is one of the largest markets for silicone in electric vehicles in Asia Pacific . It was valued at USD 261.07 million in 2017. Rapid urbanization is playing a vital role in the growth of the market in the country Large number of market players with global presence, including Wacker Chemie AG, Elkem Silicones, H.B. Fuller Company, KCC Corporation, and Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd is likely to trigger competition in the future. Read 68 page research report with TOC on "Silicone in Electric Vehicles Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Elastomers, Fluids, Resins), By Region (North America, Europe, APAC, CSA, MEA), and Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025" at: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/silicone-in-electric-vehicles-ev-market Silicone offers better temperature resistance at both high and low temperatures in comparison to other rubbers. It can withstand a higher temperature limit of up to 150C and a lower temperature limit of up to -40C. The temperature resistance property exhibited by silicone widens its application scope in electric vehicles. These useful properties of silicone are likely to fuel its demand in different forms for use in electric vehicles over the coming years. However, organic rubber substitutes are projected to pose a threat to the demand for silicone, which may challenge the consumption of the products in electric vehicle. Climate change regulations to curb pollution are expected to have a positive impact on the environment and purchasing behavior of consumers. The transportation industry is in need of a paradigm shift from fossil fuel energy to electric energy. This change is estimated to be supported by reformed government regulations, rising concerns regarding air pollution, social perspective about pollution control, and technological advancements in the electric vehicle industry. Currently, Asia Pacific is leading the EV industry on account of increasing demand for EVs from emerging economies such as China, India, and others. This is anticipated to render Asia Pacific a promising destination for silicone products in EV. Grand View Research has segmented the global silicone in electric vehicles market on the basis of type and region: Silicone in Electric Vehicles Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) Elastomers Fluids Resins Others Silicone in Electric Vehicles Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025) North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe Germany U.K. France Asia Pacific China India Japan Central & South America Brazil Middle East & Africa Find more research reports on Plastics, Polymers & Resins Industry, by Grand View Research: Contract Packaging Market Contract packaging market is characterized by a service that is outsourced by product manufacturers from numerous industries in order to preserve, shield, and distribute the product to the retail platform. Decorative Paints And Coatings Market Decorative paints & coatings market is primarily associated with products used in the building & construction industry in order to improve aesthetics. These coatings also offer several benefits such as insulation, light absorption, reflection and anti-skid properties. Polytrimethylene Terephthalate Market Polytrimethylene terephthalate or PTT witnessed a considerable rise in demand from the textile industry over the past few years on account of its superior properties including ease in dyeing, elastic recovery, stain resistance and elastic recovery. Gain access to Grand View Compass, our BI enabled intuitive market research database of 10,000+ reports About Grand View Research Grand View Research, U.S.-based market research and consulting company, provides syndicated as well as customized research reports and consulting services. Registered in California and headquartered in San Francisco, the company comprises over 425 analysts and consultants, adding more than 1200 market research reports to its vast database each year. These reports offer in-depth analysis on 46 industries across 25 major countries worldwide. With the help of an interactive market intelligence platform, Grand View Research helps Fortune 500 companies and renowned academic institutes understand the global and regional business environment and gauge the opportunities that lie ahead. Contact: Sherry James Corporate Sales Specialist, USA Grand View Research, Inc. Phone: +1-415-349-0058 Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519 Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.grandviewresearch.com Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc. DENVER, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- If you've been told you have a herniated disc, you probably have also been told you need a spinal fusion, which up to 2019 has been the traditional treatment for herniated discs. However, that advice for a spinal fusion especially in the neck may no longer apply, according to Sanjay Jatana, MD, a fellowship-trained cervical spine specialist at a Denver-based spine center which is part of Spine Center Network. Spine Center Network seal Dr. Sanjay Jatana examines patient with a herniated disc. "The most current spine research from the North American Spine Society has shown that artificial disc replacement can reduce the risk of herniations at other levels in the neck," explains Dr. Jatana. "With spinal fusion, you are locking two vertebrae together. The proven downside, however, is that fusion then puts extra stress on the discs above and below. The result can be a second herniated disc caused by the first fusion. With an artificial disc, you are preserving the rotation of the neck which lessens the risk to other disc levels. This is especially important in the neck as you only have seven levels to maintain needed rotation." Artificial disc surgery also referred to as motion preservation surgery has been rapidly evolving with new implants. The FDA has approved several artificial discs for use at two levels in the neck, notes Dr. Craig Humphreys, a fellowship trained spine surgeon at Kenai Spine, also within Spine Center Network. Dr. Humphreys is one of few spine surgeons in Alaska proficient in artificial disc surgery in both the neck and low back. "These are exciting times for the field of spine, as each year there are new discs that not only preserve the natural rotation of the spine, but also try to mimic the natural disc with some ability to compress up and down. Mother Nature is quite an excellent engineer in that the healthy disc provides ample rotation but also some shock absorption. It's a tall order to replicate the healthy disc with something that also doesn't wear out too soon requiring it to be replaced which can be a complex re-do surgery." "With lumbar artificial disc surgery, we have to be very selective as to which discs qualify," explains Dr. Humphreys. "The fear of having a disc wear out requiring revision surgery has caused many spine surgeons to move cautiously with lumbar disc replacement. While access to the front of the neck for artificial disc surgery is straightforward, that is not the case for the lumbar area. With lumbar artificial disc replacement, the surgeon has to go through the abdomen and navigate around internal organs. Still, we believe that for the right person, artificial disc can be a great option that preserves the natural motion of the back and neck, and reduces the risk of a future herniation at another level." "The burden is on the patient to become well informed about their treatment options, and to research a second opinion when they are told they need spine surgery," adds Dr. Jatana. "It takes extensive training and experience to implant an artificial disc, and only a small percent of spine surgeons are really proficient in that. If you live outside a large metro area, you will have to recognize that you may have to travel to a regional spine center for the most advanced spine care." SpineCenterNetwork.com is the only national listing of spine centers that combine the expertise of non-surgical physical medicine MDs collaborating with top-trained spine surgeons and spine therapists. The spine centers within SpineCenterNetwork.com all emphasize patient education, non-surgical treatment options and the most advanced minimally invasive spine surgery. As a community service, the spine centers distribute a free 36-page Home Remedy Book to those in their state. Patients can request a copy through SpineCenterNetwork.com. Media Contact: Dr. Sanjay Jatana, spine surgeon, Colorado, (303) 697-7463 Dr. Craig Humphreys, Alaska, (907) 260-5455 Bob Reznik, MBA, (817) 481-2450, [email protected] SOURCE Spine Center Network Related Links http://spinecenternetwork.com Sr. Mary has served with CHA since 2009 and oversees critical areas of sponsorship, mission, ethics, leadership formation and learning integration for CHA. In her current role she consults with Catholic health ministry sponsors, CEOs, board members and church officials to advance the mission of Catholic health care in the U.S. and collaborates on strategic planning and advocacy for the association. "Sr. Mary's deep experience working with CHA and its members for more than a decade makes her the ideal person to lead our association. In addition to her knowledge and expertise, she also brings a strong commitment and passion in advocating for the most vulnerable among us," said Mike Slubowski, chair, CHA board of trustees. "Sr. Mary is an authentic and energetic leader who will work tirelessly to advance the Catholic health ministry." During her nearly four decades of professional life, Sr. Mary has served in a variety of roles in ministries that care for the sick and vulnerable. Early in her career she worked as a teacher, school principal (at the age of 22), social worker and as a volunteer in Belize and Trinidad. Prior to joining CHA, Sr. Mary was administrative fellow at Saint Anthony's Health System in Alton, Ill. and served on the regional leadership team of the Sisters of Mercy, St. Louis. "Catholic health care plays a vital role in the health of our nation and we are embracing the many opportunities where we can work together as a ministry to advance the common good. Sr. Mary's diverse background in health care, education, and social work allows her to see the big picture and provide the robust leadership that will allow Catholic health care to continue to thrive," said Kevin Sexton, incoming chair, CHA board of trustees. "I am thrilled that the board has chosen Sr. Mary as our new president and CEO. She will do an outstanding job. Sr. Mary is very gifted and committed to Catholic health care, and we are blessed that she is willing to take on this role," said Sr. Carol. Sr. Mary received her master's degree in business administration in health care from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. and a master's degree in social work from Saint Louis University. She has a bachelor's degree in education from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Ill. She is a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the Honor Society of Jesuit Institutions of Higher Education; a member of the CHRISTUS Health Mission Committee; and a member of the board of Mercy Housing. "I'm honored that the CHA board has entrusted me with this important leadership position. CHA has a long, rich history of advocating for high quality, affordable and accessible care for all. As we look to the challenges ahead, we must be bold and not afraid to look at things anew, with a fresh and clear vision for how best to serve our patients and the communities that have counted on Catholic health care for more than 150 years. I'm eager to get started on this important work and blessed to be surrounded by a talented and dedicated staff at CHA and a membership deeply committed to our shared mission and vision," said Sr. Mary. The Catholic Health Association of the United States is the national leadership organization of the Catholic health ministry, representing the largest nonprofit provider of health care services in the nation. 1 in 7 patients in the U.S. is cared for in a Catholic hospital each day. Catholic health care, which includes more than 2,200 hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, systems, sponsors, and related organizations, serves the full continuum of health care across our nation. SOURCE Catholic Health Association of the United States PORTLAND, Ore., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Succession Resource Group (SRG) announced their expanding strategic alliance with PPCLOAN, jointly providing no-cost consultation at all the major RIA conferences in 2019. This initiative is based on two key trends in the marketplace: Based on SRG deal data from 2018, almost three-quarters (73%) of all deals rely on bank financing; Finding a knowledgeable and reliable source of capital has proven challenging for SRG clients, despite the spike in the number of lenders and recruiters trying to provide or broker loans. Dustin Mangone, CEO of PPCLOAN, shared, "We have over 20 years of experience lending to cash-flow based businesses, we're the first company to develop a program for advisors dating back to 2007, and we can help in a variety of ways with buy-outs, buy-ins, as well as refinancing." SRG and PPCLOAN launched the expanded relationship earlier this year in February at TD Ameritrade's National LINC conference in San Diego, California where the two firms hosted a "Dealmakers Booth," consulting with dozens of TD's most successful RIAs. The two firms will be providing the same consulting opportunities at the NAPFA Spring and Fall 2019 National Conferences, Pershing INSITE 2019, as well as the Schwab IMPACT 2019. "We are excited to expand our relationship with PPCLOAN to jointly share current M&A trends and best practices, as well as answer our client's most pressing questions. The ability to sit with a consultant and lender at the same time provides a truly unique opportunity to help advisors receive a complete answer," said Erik Pahlow, EVP at SRG. The expanded relationship and Dealmakers Booth at all the major RIA conferences this year was developed in response to the expected consolidation predicted by every credible source working in the RIA M&A space. These observations are supported by the number of valuations and deals done annually by SRG, who predicts no change in the consolidation trend. Kristen Grau, CPA, CVA of SRG, said, "Either the equity markets will remain strong and more deals will be completed as advisors exit before major disruptions impact their value, or there will be a correction in the market that will cause older advisors to seek an expedited sale. This isn't speculation, as we have seen both scenarios. We've had great market conditions and it has bolstered valuations and the number of deals completed, and we've seen advisors who exited immediately following the last recession despite it being a suboptimal time to retire and sell a business." About PPCLOAN Established in 1998, PPCLOAN is a conventional cash-flow based lender providing customized cash-flow lending solutions to Independent Investment Advisors and RIAs for acquisitions, mergers, buy-ins and buy-outs, succession plans, and refinances. With individually-tailored financing, a dedicated concierge team, and personalized advice, PPCLOAN takes a consultative approach to each step of the loan process. About Succession Resource Group Succession Resource Group is a boutique succession consulting firm specialized in helping advisors value, protect, merge/acquire, and develop exit strategies for their business. With decades of combined industry experience, SRG brings a unique combination of skills, resources and expertise to help advisors from start to finish. Contacts Succession Resource Group David Pan PR & Marketing Coordinator Email: [email protected] PPCLOAN Dustin Mangone Managing Partner Email: [email protected] SOURCE Succession Resource Group, Inc. Related Links successionresourcegroup.com In this occasion, Central Phuket held a grand celebration entitled 'The Unveiling of the New World of Luxury' highlighting a prestigious 'Universe of Sirivannavari: The First View from Paris to Phuket' exhibition, which H.R.H. Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana is graciously allowing to be held for the first time in Thailand at Central Phuket Floresta from 28th April to 26th May 2019. A crowd of A-list celebrities, well-known actors and actresses also participated in the event. Ms. Wallaya Chirathivat, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of CPN, said: "As a global player, we aim to elevate Central Phuket to become one of the most complete travel destinations in the world. Central Phuket has the concept of 'The Magnitude of Luxury & Leisure Resort Shopping Destination' in the form of a 'Beach Lifestyle', which perfectly matches with Phuket as a beach city comparable to the world's greatest beach cities. We truly appreciate that the global luxury brands have placed trust and confidence in our project as the first luxury mall that located outside Bangkok, Thailand." "Pioneering a trend of 'Luxury and Leisure', Central Phuket also meets the needs of a luxurious lifestyle and leisure at a beach city. We also offer a new dimension of tourism that will attract people from around the world under the concept of 'The World Comes to Play' in order to become a destination where everyone can come to play, following their own lifestyle. We offer an 'All in One Place' experience, where you can enjoy one whole day in one single place. Central Phuket also hosts three world-class attractions including 'TRIBHUM' the world's first 3D walkthrough adventure theme park with a large feature called 'Silver Mountain' (as high as a two-storey building) and many more special rides to highlight the fun; 'AQUARIA' Thailand's largest capacity aquarium, where you can encounter more than 180 species of marine life and more than 15,000 species of fish from around the world in 12,000 m2 of space, and 'Tales of Thailand' which replicates the Thai way of life and architecture in the four regions (North, Central, Northeast and South), presented in a contemporary style, with the highlight being the large replica floating market that reflects the Thai identity," Ms. Wallaya concluded. For more information, please contact: Public Relations Department, Central Pattana plc Kwanjai Tangbut | Tel. +662-667-5555 ext .4115 | E-mail: [email protected] and Thitiphon Untrakul ext. 4199 | E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE Central Pattana Public Company Limited (CPN) BOSTON, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 28, the "2019 China Nanjing Tech Week in Boston" series of events were held in Boston, USA. It was organized by Nanjing Innovation City Promotion Center (NPO) and sponsored by Nanjing Jiangbei New Area Management Committee. Attendees included the Consul of Science and Technology, Consulate General of China in New York, the Executive Director of Department of Commerce and Investment, Massachusetts, representative of Boston Government, representatives of universities and colleges, representatives of relevant institutions and enterprises located in Boston. The Nanjing-Boston Twin Cities Summit Forum opened on the morning of April 28. In total, more than 80 people attended this Forum, including Mr. Feng Hu, a Consul of Science and Technology, Consulate General of China in New York; Mr. Mark F. Sullivan, the Executive Director, Department of Commerce and Investment, Massachusetts; Mr. Ed Flynn, a Councilor of Boston, and others. Experts included Prof. J. Michael Ramsey, a professor of University of North Carolina and an academician of National Academy of Engineering, and Mr. Zhou Jinrong, a professor of Harvard Medical School. Additionally, Chen Chanmei, Deputy Director of Nanjing Jiangbei New Area Management Committee, and representatives of relevant institutions such as Boston Research Institute, The Consul of Science and Technology, Consulate General of China in New York, the Executive Director of Department of Commerce and Investment, Massachusetts, and the representative of Boston Government all delivered speeches respectively. Mr. Mark F. Sullivan, the Executive Director, Department of Commerce and Investment, Massachusetts, highly affirmed the existing environment, resource superiority, and policy of Jiangbei New Area, and was full of confidence in the communication and cooperation with Jiangbei New Area. The Forum also included the unveiling ceremony of the Nanjing Overseas Cooperative Innovation Center, which was established by Nanjing. It will serve as a foreign communication window in a region with the most active innovation globally. Nanjing Overseas Cooperative Innovation Center, established in Boston, will build a bridge between Boston and Nanjing and Jiangbei New Area in the fields of science and technology, history and culture, capital and market, and boost the exchange, communication, and win-win cooperation between the USA and China. Talents are indispensable for innovation and development. In order to gather Nanjing's elite talents from each field in Boston, promote Nanjing and Boston to strengthen cooperation, and improve the industrial research and development ability of Nanjing, Nanjing Alumni Association (Boston Area) Alliance was established on that very evening. Mr. Pan Ye, President of Southeast University Alumni in Boston Area, alumni representatives of Nanjing University, and other distinguished guests attended this establishment ceremony. With the background that Nanjing deepens and promotes the construction of "Famous Innovation City, Beautiful Ancient Capital", Nanjing Municipal Committee and Municipal Government have decided to hold Nanjing Tech Week on June 28, 2019. As introduced by Nanjing Tech Week Organizing Committee, representatives from the 15 high-tech zones in Nanjing will successively visit 23 overseas countries and regions, gather the worlds most advanced innovation resources for Nanjing, conclude "innovation community" with more international innovation cities, innovation institutions, and innovation talents, and accelerate the construction of a famous innovation city with global influences. Boston is an international benchmark city for Nanjing to construct the "Famous Innovation City, Beautiful Ancient Capital", and it is the place with the densest advanced technology and the greatest innovation ability in the world. There are more than 100 universities in Boston including Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and others. The city also boasts the thriving hospital industry cluster, Longwood Medical and Academic Area, where more than 100 biotechnology companies have gathered. Also, Boston is the third largest financial center of the USA, and the fourth largest financial center of North America. Further accelerating the promotion of the bilateral cooperation in each field like talent training, scientific research innovation, financial capital and market promotion, and others will also push forward and promote the formation and development of both parties' innovative economic clusters. SOURCE Nanjing Innovation City Promotion Center (NPO) NEW YORK, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Prodeep Bose, EVP, Innovation and Growth at The Bloc, a leading health creative agency, will be moderating a key panel at MM&M's upcoming Transforming Healthcare Conference to be held on May 8, 2019 at The Edison Ballroom in New York City. "The Future of Personalization in Healthcare" will explore different dimensions of personalization, including applied genomics, data collaboration and health solutions, and feature a panel of leaders representing Illumina, J&J, LunaDNA, and HealthMode. Says Jennifer Matthews, President and CEO of The Bloc, "Transforming Healthcare is a compelling platform for examining the profound issues facing our industry. We're looking forward to lively debate and advancing the conversation." MM&M's spring conference, Transforming Healthcare, is a one-day, big-tent affair that provides the venue for convergence of the worlds of health-tech startups, VC, and all of the big healthcare industry stakeholders. MM&M Transforming Healthcare features talks by high-level Transformers, cutting-edge educational content on integrating new technology with old, thought-provoking panels on the questions raised by convergence, and unparalleled networking for attendees. About The Bloc: The Bloc is the most diversified, fully independent health creative agency in the world. We provide comprehensive cross-channel services for audiences across the health spectrum, and partner with clients who are doing some of the most meaningful and exciting work in health today. And as part of an international network of like-minded, independent agencies across the globe, our work continues to be globally recognized for creativity and innovation. For more information, visit www.thebloc.com . Contact: Jennifer Matthews: [email protected] SOURCE The Bloc Related Links http://www.thebloc.com Tribute To Journalist Alfred Logune Taban "Taban must have recognized his talent for words early in life but came to blossom at the right place and at the right time, from early 1980s to 2005." By Jacob J Akol Journalist Peter Martel captured the essence of the noble principle that made journalist Alfred Taban tick over the years in the following quote from his mouth: I was not created for nothing. I was created to play a role. To contribute something to my people. And until I do that I will not die. I will refuse to die. I fully subscribe to that sentiment. Alfred Taban could have equally added that each of us is endowed by Nature/God with a gift or talent to utilize at a given time and place. Whether to squander that gift, by not recognizing it for what it is, and whether to use that gift for greater good, personal enrichment or even evil ends, is really up to the individual. Taban must have recognized his talent for words early in life but came to blossom at the right place and at the right time, from early 1980s to 2005. The Khartoum in which Taban blossomed is fairly reflected in a feature, sarcastically titled: The Privileged Sudanese, published in my book, Burden of Nationality: Memoirs of an African Aidworker/Journalist , 1970s -1990s. It reads in parts: In 1990, the Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council, our President, decreed that certain privileges would be given to Sudanese working abroad Yet, I knew the Sudan well enough to suspect that reality could be something very different indeed. Parliament was dissolved and many politicians were languishing in squalid jails and ghost houses , where torture was the rule rather than the exception. Extreme Islamic Law, more oppressive than many good Sudanese Muslims could stomach, was introduced. A Holly War was very much on the cards against the rebels in the southern third of the country. The Revolutionary Government had been in power for only twelve months; but the regime had already earned itself the dubious distinction of being easily the most feared and best hated of the many Revolutionary Governments since independence in 1956. In spite of these presidential lures, I was not altogether looking forward to going back to Khartoum at that particular period in time I was worried. For one thing, I was a journalist and journalists were not the most welcome guests of our President and his new regime. For another, I was a Sudanese journalist and that meant I was as much endangered as the Sudanese politician of the day, if not more so. I was also a journalist from Southern Sudan Many foreign journalists, who dared entered the Sudan at that time, were either detained, then thrown out of the country, or just thrown out anyway. Nothing to it. The best thing that could happen to an enterprising Western journalist was to be imprisoned or thrown out by an unpopular African regime such as ours. It was certain to turn him into an instant celebrity and an expert in African affairs For us, Sudanese journalists, we would rot in filthy jails as long as the General pleased; and for no better reason than we were journalists, worse still Sudanese journalists . My brave attempt at recording a shameful jostling of goats, dogs and humans my own!- over a rubbish dump at Kusha in Khartoum North, ended in my unscheduled flight to Port Sudan and then out to then war-torn Eritrea, hoping I would be forgotten by the security men who aborted my continued photographing with parting fingers shaken at me: You will see! one of the threatened me . I returned to the country and Khartoum two weeks later and somehow managed to get out of the country. But that is another story, told in full in the book. This is just snippets to paint the picture of the sort of media environment Alfred Taban was braving in those days. He was in and out of Kober prison more often than any one cared to count, for speaking for the voiceless. Yet he never thought of leaving the country in all those years of conflict, no doubt because he believed he was in the right place at the right time to do what he was created to do in this world: be the voice for the voiceless. Alfred and I walked the same path in journalism, much of the time in the same place but not at the same time. While I worked for Sudan TV, SudaNow (as Regional Editor) as well as stringing for the BBC and the Guardian, in Khartoum from 1980-1981, Alfred stepped into many of those roles when I left the country for a job at the end of 1981; and these included stringing for the BBC from Khartoum for a very long time, as well as establishing and running his own publication, Khartoum Monitor, inwhich he championed the cause of the South. It is possible to imagine the regime detested him as much as they detested John Garang; but could not very well disappear him for fear of negative publicity his popularity would generate through much of the Western world as well as in Africa. And he shouldered on, doing the same thing each time they released him. They simply could not tame him. No doubt Taban and I kept track of each other through the long years of the war of liberation. When in 2003 he and journalist Nhial Bol Aken had the idea of calling a meeting of prominent South Sudanese journalists inside and outside the Sudan, they knew I was in the right place at the right time to organize such a meeting outside the Sudan and they did not hesitate to call on me. Such a meeting led to the formation of an umbrella organization, the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS), to encourage and promote establishment of media institutions such Media Development Institute (MDI), Union of journalists, Women in Journalism etcetera, as well as working for liberal legal environment for practice of journalism in South Sudan. With me as Chairman of AMDISS and Alfred as a director, we worked closely together with other media professionals during the Interim Period and thereafter, with international partners and the Government of South Sudan, to develop and lobby for the passing of the media laws. When I voluntarily stepped down from AMDISS Chairmanship in 2014, I had no hesitation in nominated Alfred, who was not even well enough to attend the meeting, as the right person to move the organization forward. He was unopposed, news of his election was passed to him at home and he warmly accepted the responsibility. But I would be amiss if I overlook where I think Alfred got himself a little confused as to what significant role remained for him to do in an independent South Sudan. Whether he knew it or not, his decision to seek a political office as Governor of Central Equatoria State in 2010, marked a significant shift away from journalism into politics. He had a stroke while on elections campaign trail. Looking back now, it could be deduced that the rigor of political campaign for a man who had survived numerous jail time in Khartoum over the years proved too much for his health. The stroke left him physically broken though he remained as mentally alert as ever. He returned to journalism after elections, renamed Khartoum Monitor as Juba Monitor, based in Juba, and resumed the combative journalism he perfected in Khartoum. Corruption, nepotism and tribalism, the hallmarks of South Sudan s administration, were natural targets for a combative journalist like Alfred Taban. He was often summoned by security forces and questioned for hours and sometimes days for stories and opinions he published in Juba Monitor. Although he was often detained and questioned, he always told me that he was never tortured in Juba. Even the security men who had little respect for most journalists had high respect for Alfred Taban s contribution to the liberation during the war. But, while it is relatively easy for a journalist to migrate into politics, it is never easy for a journalist turned politician to migrate back into journalism. This is the trap Alfred Taban fell into in 2010. From then on, his impartiality as journalist, in a country where much politics is either tribalised, regionalized or both, was compromised by party politics. When an opportunity came his way again, he got himself goaded into becoming a member of then newly established South Sudan National Dialogue. He officially stepped down from editor-in-chief of his publication, Juba Monitor, as well as from chairmanship of AMDISS. He further accepted nomination in to parliament to represent his home area, Kejokeji. We will never know now how much more he could have accomplished in politics for South Sudan if he lived a little longer. But, as a journalist, he has achieved more than anyone could hope for in a lifetime. Rest in peace my compatriot, my colleague, my friend, my brother. We will never forget your contribution. May your family be consoled by these heartfelt condolences from your compatriots. *** As the news of the demise of journalist Alfred Logune Taban broke on Saturday, April 27, 2019, the social media, frequented by South Sudanese at home and in the diaspora, became awash with messages of condolences to his family from across ethnic communities from all the regions of South Sudan, an affirmation Taban was not a tribal or regional icon but truly national. Below are a few selections from social media, which is of course not the only medium through which South Sudanese expressed their appreciation and celebration of Alfred Logune Tabans life: ROCKVILLE, Maryland, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new study of Fact.MR, sales of (TPVs) are expected to exceed 388 thousand tons in 2018, and record a Y-o-Y growth at nearly 4.5% in 2019. Growth of the thermoplastic vulcanizates industry remains driven by a slew of factors, which range from robust requirement for lightweight materials with superior performance characteristics, to government regulations and initiatives in enhancing the vehicle fuel efficiency & economy. The study finds that leading automakers around the globe are putting efforts to meet growing requirement for innovative materials in the production of exterior parts. Nearly 50% sales of the thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) were accounted by the automotive exteriors in 2018. Growing adoption of TPV in under the hood applications for heavy-duty vehicles and passenger cars, along with the material's recyclability, excellent stiffness, and environment-sustainability, continue to augur well for growth of the thermoplastic vulcanizates industry. Request For Sample Report- https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=3478 According to the study, leading automotive vendors are working on the design & development of novel TPVs with excellent light-triggered/magnetic/thermal shape memory-supported self-healing property. The innovation is further expected to pave way for next-generation self-healing material designs. Key players in thermoplastic vulcanizates market are also concentrating on the development of foamable variants, which offer effective sealing to windows and doors, and eliminate complications entailed by urethane seals. This alludes significant adoption of the TPVs in the building & construction industry, with sales accounting for nearly two-fifth share of the market in 2018, according to the study. Cross-Linked Rubber Industry A Key Target Area for TPV Manufacturers The advent of thermoplastic vulcanizates took a direct aim at the cross-linked rubber, incorporating cross-linked EPDMs into polypropylene matrices. As TPVs are engineered to provide enhanced, long-term mechanical properties and superior performance with durability, thermoplastic vulcanizates manufacturers have been constantly targeting the cross-linked rubber industry. Browse Full Report on Thermoplastic Vulcanizates (TPV) Market with In-depth TOC- https://www.factmr.com/report/3478/thermoplastic-vulcanizates-tpv-market The study finds that challenges prevail in the processing of standard thermoplastic elastomers, however the belief that greater difficulty in processing entails greater utility among manufacturers continues to underpin their demand and adoption in the market. Presence of cross-linked phase imparts TPVs with high melt viscosity, entailing the need for shear control, which in turn remains one of the key concerns among the thermoplastic vulcanizates market players. Diverse benefits associated with the TPVs has led their adoption across various industrial sectors, including consumer electronics and medical. As consumer electronic gadgets and devices continue to witness high demand worldwide, manufacturers are increasingly focusing on the development of new products using materials with extraordinary performance characteristics. Hygiene and medical products are also key application areas of the thermoplastic vulcanizates, as medical device manufacturers continue to replace PVC and thermoset rubber with new materials to meet stringent environmental and health regulations. Request Methodology of this Report- https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=RM&rep_id=3478 Thermoplastic Vulcanizates Sales Remain High in North America The study finds that North America continues to remain the most lucrative market for thermoplastic vulcanizates, underpinned by robust sales in the automotive industry, complemented by demand from consumer goods and healthcare sector. Regulatory regarding enhancing the fuel economy and efficiency of vehicles, and curtailing the fossil fuel usage, continue to succor North America's supremacy in the thermoplastic vulcanizates market. East Asia is also expected to remain an attractive market for thermoplastic vulcanizates, upheld by rapid industrialization in key emerging economies of the region, including China, India, and Indonesia. According to the study, leading players in the thermoplastic vulcanizates market are making significant investments in R&D activities for achieving superior properties and extending the application scope of TPVs. As TPV manufacturing giants are putting significant efforts to tap latent opportunities in the high-growth markets, prospects remain promising for thermoplastic vulcanizates market players. This Fact.MR study offers a long-term forecast of the thermoplastic vulcanizates market for the period between 2019 and 2027. The thermoplastic vulcanizates market is projected to record a CAGR of nearly 5% through 2027. To Buy Thermoplastic Vulcanizates (TPV) Market Report, Visit- https://www.factmr.com/checkout/3478/S About Fact.MR Fact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized chemical industry reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports. Contact Us Rohit Bhisey Fact.MR 11140 Rockville Pike Suite 400 Rockville, MD 20852 United States Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.factmr.com/ SOURCE Fact.MR At an event held at Taller Puertorriqueno in North Philadelphia, students, through self-shot photos arranged in photo-gallery fashion, poignantly illustrated some of the results of this needs assessment from their unique vantage point -- underscoring the environmental challenges they face in their North Philadelphia communities that negatively impact their health and well-being. Higher rates of unemployment, homelessness, drug addiction, violence, lack of open space and play areas, and limited healthy food options are all contributing factors. Student photos of dilapidated lots replete with radiators, and fast food chains dotting city blocks offered powerful visual narratives and photo captions of the plight: "Sellers are collecting bad radiators and taking advantage of people who don't know better when they get the radiator it doesn't work. They are using an empty lot that is not theirs when that lot could be used for something better," and "This isn't healthy for any of us. Fast food and fast food, over and over again isn't right," noted the student photographers. "This is a brilliant project that shows how much young people get it, and our job is to listen to them," said Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA, President of Thomas Jefferson University and CEO of Jefferson Health. "We began the Philadelphia Collaborative for Health Equity to bring people together, just like this, to draw attention to the issues in our communities and to target solutions for health disparities in our city. Sadly, Philadelphia still has an estimated 60,000 children going hungry and 40 percent living in poverty. We can and must do better." Against this compelling backdrop, Thomas Jefferson University and the newly formed Philadelphia Collaborative for Health Equity shared the results of a first-ever community health needs assessment of the North Philadelphia Latino community, which includes the neighborhoods of Frankford, Fair Hill, Harrowgate, Hunting Park, Juniata Park, Kensington and Port Richmond. Of note from the health needs assessment is the fact that the Latino population in North Philadelphia attains lower than the national, state and Philadelphia averages for income levels and in achieving high school diplomas or GEDs. More than 45 percent live below the poverty line, the highest in Philadelphia, according to the report. Due to a combination of socioeconomic and environmental factors, the report postulates that the North Philadelphia Latino community has higher rates of diabetes, asthma, Hepatitis C, mental health issues and obesity than national, state and Philadelphia averages, resulting in a life expectancy of 71 to 74 years old. By contrast, life expectancy for residents of Center City is 80 to 83 years old. Jefferson and the Philadelphia Collaborative for Health Equity also announced Thursday that they are awarding more than $500,000 in grants to organizations focused on closing the health disparity gap in North Philadelphia. This is the first major announcement since Jefferson, through a generous donation by the Lindy Family (in honor of Emily and Zell Kravinsky) helped create the Philadelphia Collaborative. This initial collaboration involves more than 25 community organizations servicing the Latino community in North Philadelphia. The overarching mission of the Philadelphia Collaborative for Health Equity is to bring organizations like these together to create large-scale solutions to reduce the health disparity gap, where it's often said that zip code not genetic code is the biggest determinant in a person's long-term health and well-being. Jack Ludmir, MD, the co-founder of Puentes de Salud, Latina Community Health Services and the newly formed Jefferson Latina Clinic, all of which offer free and low-cost health care and social services to the uninsured Philadelphia immigrant population, has been named Executive Director of the Philadelphia Collaborative. A more detailed reporting of the health needs assessment outcomes, as well as guidelines for submitting proposals for grant funding, will be available on the Philadelphia Collaborative for Health Equity website at: p-che.org starting May 1. For more information and a full list of Philadelphia Collaborative for Health Equity partner organizations visit p-che.org. Follow the Collaborative on Twitter handle @P_C_H_E. About Jefferson Jefferson, located in the greater Philadelphia region and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is 30,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest quality, compassionate clinical care for patients, preparing tomorrow's professional leaders for 21st century careers, and discovering new treatments to define the future of care. Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University), home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 160 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,400 students. Jefferson Health serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 14 hospitals and over 40 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. SOURCE Thomas Jefferson University Related Links http://www.jeffersonhealth.org PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad And Tobago, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Limited ("TPHL") today announced that the early tender deadline has been extended until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 3, 2019 (the "Extended Early Tender Deadline"), with respect to its previously announced separate private offers to exchange any and all of its outstanding notes, originally issued by Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited ("Petrotrin"), for a combination of newly issued debt securities of TPHL and cash (the "Exchange Offers"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in the Offering Memorandum, dated April 15, 2019 (as may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Offering Memorandum"), and the related letter of transmittal (as may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Letter of Transmittal"), and to its solicitation of consents to certain proposed amendments to the existing indentures (the "Consent Solicitations"). On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offering Memorandum and TPHL's press release, dated April 15, 2019, Eligible Holders who validly tender Existing Notes at or prior to the Extended Early Tender Deadline will receive, for each $1,000 principal amount of Existing Notes accepted for exchange, a combination of a principal amount of New Notes and cash in an amount equal to the Total Consideration (as defined in the Offering Memorandum). All other terms and conditions of the Exchange Offers remain the same. Withdrawal rights with respect to the Existing Notes tendered and the consents delivered expired at the Withdrawal Deadline (as defined in the Offering Memorandum). Accordingly, Holders may no longer withdraw Existing Notes tendered or consents delivered previously or hereafter, except to the extent withdrawal rights are required by law. General The issuance of the New Notes will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), the Securities Act Chapter 83:02 of the laws of Trinidad and Tobago (the "Trinidad Securities Act") or any state securities laws. The New Notes are being offered and issued only (1) in the United States to holders of Existing Notes that are (a) "Accredited Investors" as defined in Rule 501 under Regulation D or (b) "qualified institutional buyers" as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act and (2) outside the United States to holders of Existing Notes that are not U.S. persons in reliance upon Regulation S under the Securities Act (each, an "Eligible Holder" and together, the "Eligible Holders") . Accordingly, the New Notes will be subject to restrictions on transferability and resale and may not be transferred or resold except as permitted under the Securities Act, the Trinidad Securities Act and other applicable securities laws, pursuant to registration or exemption therefrom. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offering, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The offering documents will be distributed only to holders of Existing Notes that complete and return a letter of eligibility confirming that they are "Eligible Holders" for the purposes of the Exchange Offers. The website to complete the Eligibility Form is www.dfking.com/ttph. D.F. King & Co., Inc. is acting as the Information Agent and the Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offers. Requests for the offering documents from "Eligible Holders" may be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc. at (212) 269-5550 (for brokers and banks), (800) 581-3783 (for all others) or email [email protected]. Neither TPHL, its board nor any other person makes any recommendation as to whether the holders of the Existing Notes should exchange their notes, and no one has been authorized to make such a recommendation. Holders of the Existing Notes must make their own decisions as to whether to exchange their notes, and if they decide to do so, the principal amount of the notes to exchange. About Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Limited TPHL is an integrated national oil and gas company in Trinidad and Tobago, established as part of the reorganization of Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited ("Petrotrin"). Petrotrin was historically a major producer and supplier of oil and petroleum products in the Caribbean. In December 2018, Petrotrin underwent a reorganization that resulted in a new corporate structure and a substantially different business. The functional restructuring gave rise to the formation of TPHL, a more streamlined and profitable entity. For more information about TPHL, visit http://trinidadpetroleum.co.tt/. Forward-Looking Statements This release includes certain forward-looking statements and projections of TPHL. We have made every reasonable effort to ensure that the information and assumptions on which these statements and projections are based are current, reasonable, and complete. However, a variety of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, anticipated results or other expectations expressed, including, without limitation, our future overall business development and economic performance, including our financing plans, business strategy, competitive position and the effects of competition; changes in the price of crude oil, natural gas and refined products, including the effects of hostilities or further acts of international terrorism on the price and demand for crude oil and natural gas; the global economic climate, including sustained weakness in general global economic conditions and financial markets; cyclical and seasonal fluctuations in our results of operations; uncertainties relating to our drilling projects, including technological limitations, geographical risks and control over non-operated assets; our future earnings, cash flow and liquidity; the success of our joint venture partners in increasing oil and gas production; operational or other system difficulties experiences by our third-party service providers; the effects of technological or other changes on the demand for our products; projections about our reserves and reserves replacements; ability to effectively upgrade our facilities in line with market demand and preferences; the effects of employee strikes and other formal or informal labor-related disruptions; changes in interest rates and foreign currency inflation, including the devaluation of the T.T.$ against the U.S.$ and local inflation; enactment of more stringent environmental regulations (both in Trinidad and Tobago and elsewhere); operational and personnel changes resulting from a change in control of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago; changes in safety regulations; changes in quality regulations; changes in taxes, duties, and royalties; and other factors beyond TPHL's control. While the company makes these statements and projections in good faith, neither the company nor its management can guarantee that anticipated future results will be achieved. TPHL assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by TPHL, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. SOURCE Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Limited Related Links http://trinidadpetroleum.co.tt SAN FRANCISCO, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Tray.io, the General Automation Platform that puts complex software integrations and enterprise-class automation into the hands of citizen automators, has closed a $37M Series B funding round led by Spark Capital with participation from Meritech Capital, and existing investors GGV Capital, True Ventures, and Mosaic Ventures. Spark Capital's Alex Clayton will join the company's board of directors. "This latest round of fundraising is a powerful validation of our mission to empower enterprises to build their own automated central nervous system," said Rich Waldron, CEO and co-founder of Tray.io. "More than ever, teams are looking to use automation to create entirely new ways to work with an emphasis on strategy, growth, and efficiency. We remain eternally grateful to our amazing customers for their support and the world-class customer ratings they've awarded us, and are beyond excited for the future." "There are powerful drivers of automation in the marketplace, including the explosive growth of software stacks - with enterprises using 100+ applications per department. There's also the growing need for digital transformation for seamless customer experience and operational flexibility. And there continues to be relentless demand for automation-related roles, particularly in marketing and operations, to put business users in total control of increasingly complex processes," said Alex Clayton of Spark Capital. "Tray.io is the absolute best-in-breed for empowering line-of-business users in any role to become citizen automators that integrate and automate thousands of software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications - and unlike legacy solutions - does not require developers to use." Within the past 12 months, Tray.io has seen: Hyper revenue growth: Growing annual recurring revenue (ARR) by over 450%+ year on year. Growing annual recurring revenue (ARR) by over 450%+ year on year. Adoption by the world's fastest-growing companies and largest enterprises: Grew customers by 400%+ with adoption by "unicorns" Lyft, Segment, Intercom, joining enterprise customers such as IBM, FICO, SAP, and Arrow Electronics. Grew customers by 400%+ with adoption by "unicorns" Lyft, Segment, Intercom, joining enterprise customers such as IBM, FICO, SAP, and Arrow Electronics. Rapid talent expansion: Expanded talent in North America and Europe by 500%+ in every area, across sales, marketing, customer services, and development. Expanded talent in and by 500%+ in every area, across sales, marketing, customer services, and development. Numerous innovation milestones: Collaborative development; real-time analytics; and lifecycle management capabilities enabled organizations to accelerate their automation roadmaps. Collaborative development; real-time analytics; and lifecycle management capabilities enabled organizations to accelerate their automation roadmaps. New product launches: Introduction of Tray Embedded , enabling any software company to add automation and integration to their commercial applications at lightning speed. The funding will support strategic hiring for a broad range of roles and continued product development that will expand Tray.io's products' enterprise-class capabilities. Tray.io's automation platform empowers line-of-business professionals across marketing, sales, customer success, product, and operations to capture powerful efficiency and revenue gains with sophisticated automated workflows that give users full control of their data. Developers and IT professionals also use the company's products as a centralized platform to rapidly build and maintain enterprise-wide integrations without having to devote extensive engineering resources to these projects. The Tray Platform's easy-to-use, clicks-or-code interface and modern serverless architecture empowers users to scale without limits, running billions of automated tasks every month that rapidly process, manage, and transfer mission-critical enterprise datasets across multiple micro-services. To learn more about Tray.io, please visit the website . About Tray.io At Tray.io, we believe that any organization can and should automate. With the Tray Platform, citizen automators throughout organizations can easily automate complex processes through a powerful, flexible platform, and can connect their entire cloud stack thanks to APIs. Today, businesses such as Forbes, Segment, and AdRoll rely on Tray.io to connect, process, and automate data between the tools they use every day. About Spark Capital Spark Capital is an early and growth stage venture capital firm that takes risks on exceptional founders and the products they design. Spark invests in companies at all stages of their life cycle. The firm's most recent funds include a $400 million early-stage venture fund and a $600 million venture growth fund. In total Spark has $3 billion under management with offices in San Francisco, Boston, and New York. For more information, please visit www.sparkcapital.com . SOURCE Tray.io Related Links https://tray.io/ DUBLIN, Calif., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- TriNet Group, Inc. (NYSE: TNET), a leading provider of comprehensive human resources solutions for small to midsize businesses, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2019. The first quarter highlights below include non-GAAP financial measures which are reconciled later in this release. First quarter highlights include: Total revenues increased 9% to $934 million and Net Service Revenues increased 14% to $251 million , each as compared to the same period last year. and Net Service Revenues increased 14% to , each as compared to the same period last year. Net income was $63 million , or $0.89 per diluted share, compared to net income of $54 million , or $0.75 per diluted share, in the same period last year. , or per diluted share, compared to net income of , or per diluted share, in the same period last year. Adjusted Net Income was $69 million , or $0.98 per diluted share, compared to Adjusted Net Income of $58 million , or $0.80 per diluted share, in the same period last year. , or per diluted share, compared to Adjusted Net Income of , or per diluted share, in the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA was $108 million , a 18% increase from the same period last year. , a 18% increase from the same period last year. Total WSEs remained flat compared to the same period last year, at approximately 317,000. Average WSEs decreased 1% as compared to the same period last year, at approximately 313,000. "We delivered strong financial results during the first quarter as we benefited from the strategic investments we've made in our platform, people and processes over the past year," said Burton M. Goldfield, TriNet's President and CEO. "Our sales team successfully introduced our unique value proposition to a diverse group of new clients, and we saw early benefits to retention as a result of our process improvement initiatives. By leveraging our scale to deliver a level of HR typically only available to large enterprises, we are empowering small and medium size companies to focus on growing their businesses, attracting and retaining talent in a tight labor market, while we deliver profitable returns for our shareholders." TriNet's total revenues for the first quarter of 2019 increased 9% from the first quarter of 2018 to $934 million, while Net Service Revenues (Total revenues less insurance costs) for the first quarter of 2019 increased 14% from the first quarter of 2018 to $251 million. Net Insurance Service Revenues consisted of insurance service revenues of $798 million, less insurance costs of $683 million. Professional service revenues for the first quarter of 2019 increased 6%, and Net Insurance Service Revenues for the first quarter of 2019 increased 26%, each as compared to the first quarter of 2018. At March 31, 2019, TriNet had cash and cash equivalents of $251 million and total debt of $407 million. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q We anticipate filing our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q ("Form 10-Q") for the three months ended March 31, 2019 with the SEC and making it available at www.trinet.com today, April 29, 2019. This press release should be read in conjunction with the Form 10-Q and the related Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in the Form 10-Q. Earnings Conference Call and Audio Webcast TriNet will host a conference call at 2:00 p.m. PT (5:00 p.m. ET) today to discuss its quarterly results and its outlook for the second quarter and 2019. TriNet encourages participants to pre-register for the conference call. Callers who pre-register will be given a unique PIN to gain immediate access to the call and bypass the live operator. To pre-register, go to: http://dpregister.com/10130359 . For those who would like to join the call but have not pre-registered, they can do so by dialing +1 (412) 317-5426 and requesting the "TriNet Conference Call." The live webcast of the conference call can be accessed on the Investor Relations section of TriNet's website at http://investor.trinet.com . A replay of the webcast will be available on this site for approximately one year. A telephonic replay will be available for one week following the conference call at +1 (412) 317-0088 conference ID: 10130359. About TriNet TriNet is a leading provider of a comprehensive human resources solution for small to midsize businesses, or SMBs. We enhance business productivity by enabling our clients to outsource their human resources, or HR, function to us, allowing them to focus on operating and growing their core businesses. Our HR solution includes services such as payroll processing, human capital consulting, employment law compliance and employee benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans and workers compensation insurance. Our services are delivered by our expert team of HR professionals and enabled by our technology platform, with online and mobile tools, which allow our clients and their employees to efficiently conduct their HR transactions anytime and anywhere. For more information, please visit http://www.trinet.com . Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to TriNet's financial results as determined in accordance with GAAP are included at the end of this press release following the accompanying financial data. For a description of these non-GAAP financial measures, including the reasons management uses each measure, please see the section of the tables titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures." Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains, and statements made during the above referenced conference call will contain, statements that are not historical in nature, are predictive in nature, or that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions or otherwise contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among other things, TriNet's expectations and assumptions regarding: its ability to execute its strategic operational plan, including its vertical strategy and process and common platform improvement initiative, its ability to successfully leverage its scale, and its ability to deliver profitable growth. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of words such as, but not limited to, "ability," "anticipate," "believe," "can," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "impact," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "seek," "should," "strategy," "target," "value," "will," "would" and similar expressions or variations. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, but are based on management's expectations as of the date hereof and assumptions that are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from our current expectations and any past or future results, performance or achievements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements include: risks associated with changes in, uncertainty regarding, or adverse application of the complex laws and regulations that govern our business; our ability to be recognized as an employer of worksite employees under federal and state regulations; our ability to mitigate business risks associated with our co-employment relationship with our worksite employees; our ability to secure private and confidential client and worksite employee data and our information technology infrastructure against cyber-attacks and security breaches; our ability to manage unexpected changes in workers' compensation and health insurance claims by worksite employees; fluctuation in our results of operation and stock price as a result of numerous factors, many of which are outside of our control, such as the volume and severity of our workers' compensation and health insurance claims and the amount and timing of our insurance costs, operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements; failures or limitations in the business systems we rely upon; our ability to improve our technology to meet the expectations of our clients; our ability to properly manage our internal controls over financial reporting; our ability to effectively integrate businesses we have acquired and new businesses we may acquire in the future; the effects of volatility in the financial and economic environment on the businesses that make up our client base; our ability to effectively manage and improve our operational processes; market acceptance of our vertical strategy; our ability to manage our sales force effectively; the ability of our products and services to compete effectively in our industry; the concentration of our clients in certain geographies and industries; the outcome of existing and future legal proceedings; changes in our income tax positions or adverse outcomes from on-going and future audits; adverse changes in our insurance coverage or our relationships with key insurance carriers; our ability to manage our client attrition; our ability to comply with the restrictions of our credit facility and meet our debt obligations; the impact of concentrated ownership in our stock; and the effects of increased competition and our ability to compete effectively. Further information on risks that could affect TriNet's results is included in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and elsewhere in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are available on our investor relations website at http://investor.trinet.com and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov . Copies of these filings are also available by contacting TriNet Corporation's Investor Relations Department at (510) 875-7201. Except as required by law, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements in this press release, and any forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. In addition, we do not assume any obligation, and do not intend, to update any of our forward-looking statements, except as required by law. TriNet, Ambitions Realized and the TriNet logo are registered trademarks of TriNet. Key Financial and Operating Metrics We regularly review certain key financial and operating metrics to evaluate growth trends, measure our performance and make strategic decisions. These key financial and operating metrics may change over time. Our key financial and operating metrics for the periods presented were as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, % (in millions, except per share and WSE data) 2019 2018 Change Income Statement Data: Total revenues $ 934 $ 861 9 % Operating income 82 71 17 Net income 63 54 17 Diluted net income per share of common stock 0.89 0.75 19 Non-GAAP measures (1): Net Service Revenues 251 220 14 Net Insurance Service Revenues 115 91 26 Adjusted EBITDA 108 91 18 Adjusted Net income 69 58 20 Operating Metrics: Average WSEs 312,760 314,561 (1) Total WSEs 316,906 316,715 (in millions) March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 % Change Balance Sheet Data: Cash and cash equivalents $ 251 $ 228 10 % Working capital 226 221 2 Total assets 2,345 2,435 (4) Long-term debt 407 413 (1) Total liabilities 1,939 2,060 (6) Total stockholders' equity 406 375 8 Three Months Ended March 31, % (in millions) 2019 2018 Change Cash Flow Data: Net cash used in operating activities $ (142) $ (536) (73) % Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (11) 2 (661) Net cash used in financing activities (47) (19) 145 Non-GAAP measures (1): Corporate operating cash flows 78 45 73 (1) Refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures section in the following pages for definitions and reconciliations from GAAP measures. TRINET GROUP, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, (In millions, except share and per share data) 2019 2018 Professional service revenues $ 136 $ 129 Insurance service revenues 798 732 Total revenues 934 861 Insurance costs 683 641 Cost of providing services 64 57 Sales and marketing 46 39 General and administrative 36 31 Systems development and programming 12 13 Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets 11 9 Total costs and operating expenses 852 790 Operating income 82 71 Other income (expense): Interest expense, bank fees and other (5) (6) Interest income 6 2 Income before provision for income taxes 83 67 Income tax expense 20 13 Net income $ 63 $ 54 Net income per share: Basic $ 0.91 $ 0.77 Diluted $ 0.89 $ 0.75 Weighted average shares: Basic 69,909,984 70,047,752 Diluted 71,247,427 72,274,821 TRINET GROUP, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (In millions) March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 251 $ 228 Investments 56 54 Restricted cash, cash equivalents and investments 722 942 Accounts receivable, net 12 11 Unbilled revenue, net 314 304 Prepaid expenses 58 48 Other current assets 81 59 Total current assets 1,494 1,646 Restricted cash, cash equivalents and investments, noncurrent 184 187 Investments, noncurrent 133 135 Property & equipment, net 82 79 Operating lease right-of-use asset 59 Goodwill 289 289 Other intangible assets, net 19 21 Other assets 85 78 Total assets $ 2,345 $ 2,435 Liabilities and stockholders' equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable and other current liabilities $ 55 $ 45 Long-term debt 22 22 Client deposits 38 56 Accrued wages 369 352 Accrued health insurance costs, net 135 135 Accrued workers' compensation costs, net 67 67 Payroll tax liabilities and other payroll withholdings 550 729 Operating lease liabilities 16 Insurance premiums and other payables 16 19 Total current liabilities 1,268 1,425 Long-term debt, noncurrent 385 391 Accrued workers' compensation costs, noncurrent, net 156 158 Deferred taxes 65 68 Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent 54 Other non-current liabilities 11 18 Total liabilities 1,939 2,060 Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock Common stock and additional paid-in capital 651 641 Accumulated deficit (245) (266) Total stockholders' equity 406 375 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 2,345 $ 2,435 TRINET GROUP, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, (In millions) 2019 2018 Operating activities Net income $ 63 $ 54 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 18 10 Stock-based compensation 9 9 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 1 13 Unbilled revenue (9) 11 Prepaid expenses (12) (11) Other assets (30) (24) Accounts payable and other current liabilities 9 (15) Client deposits (19) (26) Accrued wages 17 (15) Accrued health insurance costs (1) Accrued workers' compensation costs (2) (3) Payroll taxes payable and other payroll withholdings (180) (534) Operating lease liabilities (4) Other liabilities (3) (4) Net cash used in operating activities (142) (536) Investing activities Purchases of marketable securities (30) Proceeds from sale and maturity of marketable securities 31 14 Acquisitions of property and equipment (12) (12) Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (11) 2 Financing activities Repurchase of common stock (38) (8) Proceeds from issuance of common stock 1 3 Awards effectively repurchased for required employee withholding taxes (4) (4) Repayment of debt (6) (10) Net cash used in financing activities (47) (19) Net decrease in unrestricted and restricted cash and cash equivalents (200) (553) Cash and cash equivalents, unrestricted and restricted: Beginning of period $ 1,349 $ 1,738 End of period $ 1,149 $ 1,185 Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information Interest paid $ 4 $ 4 Income taxes paid, net 1 Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities Payable for purchase of property and equipment $ 5 $ 2 Non-GAAP Financial Measures In addition to the selected financial measures presented in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), we monitor other non-GAAP financial measures that we use to manage our business, to make planning decisions, to allocate resources and to use as performance measures in our executive compensation plan. These key financial measures provide an additional view of our operational performance over the long term and provide information that we use to maintain and grow our business. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is used to enhance the understanding of certain aspects of our financial performance. It is not meant to be considered in isolation, superior to, or as a substitute for the directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP Measure Definition How We Use The Measure Net Service Revenues Sum of professional service revenues and Net Insurance Service Revenues, or total revenues less insurance costs. Provides a comparable basis of revenues on a net basis. Professional service revenues are represented net of client payroll costs whereas insurance service revenues are presented gross of insurance costs for financial reporting purposes. Acts as the basis to allocate resources to different functions and evaluates the effectiveness of our business strategies by each business function. Provides a measure, among others, used in the determination of incentive compensation for management. Net Insurance Service Revenues Insurance revenues less insurance costs. Is a component of Net Service Revenues. Provides a comparable basis of revenues on a net basis. Professional service revenues are represented net of client payroll costs whereas insurance service revenues are presented gross of insurance costs for financial reporting purposes. Promotes an understanding of our insurance services business by evaluating insurance service revenues net of our WSE related costs which are substantially pass-through for the benefit of our WSEs. Under GAAP, insurance service revenues and costs are recorded gross as we have latitude in establishing the price, service and supplier specifications. We also sometimes refer to Net Insurance Service Margin, which is the ratio of Net Insurance Revenue to Insurance Service Revenue. Adjusted EBITDA Net income, excluding the effects of: - income tax provision, - interest expense, - depreciation, - amortization of intangible assets, and - stock-based compensation expense. Provides period-to-period comparisons on a consistent basis and an understanding as to how our management evaluates the effectiveness of our business strategies by excluding certain non-cash charges such as depreciation and amortization, and stock-based compensation recognized based on the estimated fair values. We believe these charges are either not directly resulting from our core operations or not indicative of our ongoing operations. Enhances comparisons to prior periods and, accordingly, facilitates the development of future projections and earnings growth prospects. Provides a measure, among others, used in the determination of incentive compensation for management. We also sometimes refer to Adjusted EBITDA margin, which is the ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Service Revenue. Adjusted Net Income Net income, excluding the effects of: - effective income tax rate(1), - stock-based compensation, - amortization of intangible assets, - non-cash interest expense(2), - the income tax effect (at our effective tax rate(1)) of these pre-tax adjustments. Provides information to our stockholders and board of directors to understand how our management evaluates our business, to monitor and evaluate our operating results, and analyze profitability of our ongoing operations and trends on a consistent basis by excluding certain non-cash charges. Corporate Operating Cash Flows Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities, excluding the effects of: - Assets associated with WSEs (accounts receivable, unbilled revenue, prepaid expenses and other current assets) and - Liabilities associated with WSEs (client deposits, accrued wages, payroll tax liabilities and other payroll withholdings, accrued health benefit costs, accrued workers' compensation costs, insurance premiums and other payables, and other current liabilities). Provides information that our stockholders and management can use to evaluate our cash flows from operations independent of the current assets and liabilities associated with our WSEs. Enhances comparisons to prior periods and, accordingly, used as a liquidity measure to manage liquidity between corporate and WSE related activities, and to help determine and plan our cash flow and capital strategies. (1) Non-GAAP effective tax rate is 26% for 2019 and 2018 which excludes the income tax impact from stock-based compensation, changes in uncertain tax positions, and nonrecurring benefits or expenses from federal legislative changes. (2) Non-cash interest expense represents amortization and write-off of our debt issuance costs. Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures The table below presents a reconciliation of total revenues to Net Service Revenues: Three Months Ended March 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 Total revenues $ 934 $ 861 Less: Insurance costs 683 641 Net Service Revenues $ 251 $ 220 The table below presents a reconciliation of insurance service revenues to Net Insurance Service Revenues: Three Months Ended March 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 Insurance service revenues $ 798 $ 732 Less: Insurance costs 683 641 Net Insurance Service Revenues $ 115 $ 91 Net Insurance Service Revenues Margin 14 % 12 % The table below presents a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA: Three Months Ended March 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 Net income $ 63 $ 54 Provision for income taxes 20 13 Stock-based compensation 9 9 Interest expense and bank fees 5 6 Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets 11 9 Adjusted EBITDA $ 108 $ 91 Adjusted EBITDA Margin 43 % 41 % The table below presents a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per share - diluted: Three Months Ended March 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 Net income $ 63 $ 54 Effective income tax rate adjustment (1) (4) Stock-based compensation 9 9 Amortization of intangible assets 1 1 Non-cash interest expense 1 Income tax impact of pre-tax adjustments (3) (3) Adjusted Net Income $ 69 $ 58 GAAP Weighted average shares of common stock - diluted 71 72 Adjusted Net Income per share - diluted $ 0.98 $ 0.80 The table below presents a reconciliation of net cash used in operating activities to corporate operating cash flows: Three Months Ended March 31, (in millions) 2019 2018 Net cash used in operating activities $ (142) $ (536) Change in WSE related other current assets 45 15 Change in WSE related liabilities 175 566 Corporate Operating Cash Flows $ 78 $ 45 SOURCE TriNet Group, Inc. Related Links http://www.trinet.com ATLANTA, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- For more than 10 years, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has raised funds for Camp Sunshine , the Maine-based organization devoted to providing a healthy, happy camp experience to children with life threatening illnesses and their families, completely free of charge. Having already donated approximately $6.3 million to date, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has set its sights on raising $1.2 million for Camp Sunshine in 2019. Now through June 30, Tropical Smoothie Cafe will give guests the opportunity to make donations to Camp Sunshine at participating locations. Guests who donate will get a paper sunshine which will be displayed in the cafes and can be customized with guests' names. In addition to the paper sunshine, participating cafes can offer a five percent discount card for donations of $5.00 or more, allowing guests to receive five percent off their purchases for the remainder of the year. "The families who attend Camp Sunshine have endured some of life's most challenging circumstances, and we've seen how much this camp means to them," said Charles Watson, CEO, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, LLC. "Some days you have to create your own sunshine, and that's the beauty of Camp Sunshine -- the camp creates hope and happiness for these families." Located on Sebago Lake in Casco, Maine, Camp Sunshine is designed for families with children who have been diagnosed with cancer, hematologic conditions, renal disease, systemic lupus erythematosus and who have undergone solid organ transplantation. Camp Sunshine offers on-site medical and psychosocial support, as well as bereavement sessions for families who have experienced the death of a child from a supported illness. "Our mission is to provide respite and support to each family member, from patients to their siblings and their parents," said Camp Sunshine's executive director, Michael Katz. "It's a unique chance for them to relax, laugh and enjoy time as a family while being amongst others who understand what their family is going through, all while being surrounded by the beauty and tranquility of Sebago Lake." Since 1984, Camp Sunshine has served more than 50,000 people from all 50 states and 27 countries. In 2019, Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations will continue their tradition of combining gratitude and philanthropy to support Camp Sunshine on National Flip Flop Day . On June 14, guests will receive a free 16-ounce Sunshine Smoothie and be encouraged to donate to Camp Sunshine when they visit a participating cafe while wearing flip flops from 2 to 7 p.m. For more information about Tropical Smoothie Cafe, please visit https://www.tropicalsmoothiecafe.com . About Tropical Smoothie Cafe Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a national fast-casual cafe concept inspiring healthier lifestyles across the country with approximately 750 locations nationwide. Serving better-for-you smoothies, wraps, sandwiches, and flatbreads, Tropical Smoothie Cafe also offers upgraded app technology and enhanced mobile ordering capabilities to further elevate the digital and dine-in cafe experience and emphasize the brand's focus on convenience. The rapidly growing franchise has received numerous accolades including rankings in QSR's Best Franchise Deals, Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, Forbes' Best Franchises and Fast Casual's Top 100 Movers and Shakers in 2018, as well as Franchise Times' Top 200+ and Nation's Restaurant News' Fastest Growing Chains in 2018. About Camp Sunshine Founded in 1984, Camp Sunshine provides retreats combining respite, recreation and support, while enabling hope and promoting joy, for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families through the various stages of a child's illness. Camp Sunshine's program is offered year-round and has the distinction of having been designed to serve the entire family in a retreat model. The program is free of charge to families and includes on-site medical and psychosocial support. Bereavement sessions are also offered for families who have experienced the death of a child from a supported illness. For more information, visit www.campsunshine.org. SOURCE Tropical Smoothie Cafe Related Links https://www.tropicalsmoothiecafe.com SEATTLE, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Underground Donut, Chicago's Original Donut Tour, is expanding beyond the Windy City to the Emerald City Seattle, WA. The Underground Donut Tour was founded nearly 4 years ago in Chicago and is one of the most popular food tours there. In Chicago alone, they have hosted thousands of guests from around the globe and showcased the best donuts Chicago has to offer. The Underground Donut Tour has recently expanded to Philadelphia, New York City, Portland and now Seattle! One of the donuts on the tour Top Pot Doughnuts! "Seattle is famous for their coffee and their seafood, but what they should be famous for are their donuts! We're so excited to be able to share Seattle's donuts with the world," said Jeff Woelker, founder of the Underground Donut Tour. What Can Customers Expect Walking between 4 of the best donut shops in Seattle we share the history of each location, local sights and history along the route including the Seattle Monorail, Belltown, The Space Needle, and the place everyone wants to see Pike Place Market. "We're thrilled to have Pike Place Market as part of the tour. It's such an icon of Seattle and they do so much for the community. Part of every ticket sold on the Underground Donut Tour goes to support the community efforts at Pike Place Market," Woelker added. Some of the locations on the tour include Top Pot Doughnuts and Dahlia Bakery with two other locations you'll have to come on the tour to discover. "The Donut Tour is a fun and quirky way to learn more about Seattle while enjoying our best and most delicious donuts," said Amanda Agrellas, tour manager for the Underground Donut Tour Seattle. When Do Tours Run Tours will start on Friday, May 3rd. Tours run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9-11 with more days coming soon. Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis, so don't miss out. How Can Customers Book Tickets Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for kids 10 and under. Donuts are included in the ticket price so come hungry! Tickets can be booked at www.undergrounddonuttour.com today. For more information, please contact: Jeff Woelker [email protected] 844-366-8848 For more information on the tour: Visit: www.undergrounddonuttour.com SOURCE Underground Donut Tour Related Links https://www.undergrounddonuttour.com MINNEAPOLIS, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A collaborative research team at the University of Minnesota has used Tri-specific killer engagers (TriKE) to target HIV-infected cells in preclinical testing. The team, led by Jeffrey Miller, MD, Deputy Director of the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, and Timothy Schacker, MD, Vice Dean of Research at the University of Minnesota Medical School and Director of the Program In HIV Medicine, has used their combined expertise to now find an innovative approach to potentially cure HIV. After years of the Miller team working with natural killer (NK) cells to target cancer, and the Schacker group researching HIV reservoirs, the two physicians joined together to combine their efforts. The potential to use a cancer-based therapy on a disease like HIV was an opportunity the teams couldn't pass up. "This exciting work is the result of years of collaboration between our groups, one of the great assets of team science at UMN," said Dr. Miller. "After years of work trying to target the immune system to fight cancer, and the Miller team learning more about HIV, we decided to work together with the Schacker group to target HIV reservoirs." The TriKE, designed and developed at the University of Minnesota, was designed to bind NK cells, on one end, to target cancer cells on the other end, along with costimulation by an IL-15 cytokine linker contained between the two binding domains in the same protein. The IL-15, in this case, will be combined with CD4 T cells to potentially eliminate the HIV reservoir. "The goal in this research is to eliminate the T cells, where HIV hides out in the body," said Dr. Schacker. "If successful, this has the potential to contribute to a cure for HIV." Next steps for the research group will be to optimize the TriKE constructs, followed by testing in vitro, and then in vivo. If all goes as planned in that phase, the team will prepare for clinical trials. About the Masonic Cancer Center The Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota is the Twin Cities' own Comprehensive Cancer Center, designated 'Outstanding' by the National Cancer Institute. For more than 25 years, researchers, educators, and care providers have worked to discover the causes, prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer and cancer-related diseases. Learn more at cancer.umn.edu. About the University of Minnesota Medical School The University of Minnesota Medical School is at the forefront of learning and discovery, transforming medical care and educating the next generation of physicians. Our graduates and faculty produce high-impact biomedical research and provide top-tier patient care. Visit med.umn.edu to learn how the University of Minnesota Medical School is advancing medicine. Contact: Max Huber, 1-612-6245005, [email protected] SOURCE Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota Related Links http://www.cancer.umn.edu WASHINGTON, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 29, 2019, the U.S. Department of Commerce ("Commerce Department") announced affirmative preliminary determinations that producers and exporters of imports of polyester textured yarn from China and India are being unfairly subsidized by their respective governments at double- and triple-digit margins, as follows. Polyester Textured Yarn Imports from China Producer/Exporter Preliminary Subsidy Rate (%) Fujian Billion Polymerization Fiber Industrial Co Ltd. 32.04 Jiangsu Shenghong Textile Imp & Exp Co. 459.98 Suzhou Shenghong Fiber Co Ltd. 459.98 Suzhou Shenghong Garmant Development Co. 459.98 All Others 32.04 Polyester Textured Yarn Imports from India Producer/Exporter Preliminary Subsidy Rate (%) JBF Limited 20.45 Reliance Industries Limited 7.09 All Others 13.82 U.S. Customs and Border Protection will now begin collecting countervailing duties (CVD) in the amount equal to the preliminary subsidy rates for imports from each country. Importers will be required to post duty deposits at these CVD rates on the date the preliminary determinations are published in the Federal Register (in approximately one week). The Commerce Department previously announced on April 19, 2019, its affirmative preliminary "critical circumstances" determination with respect to imports of polyester textured yarn from China. As a result, all imports of polyester textured yarn from China will be subject to duty deposits for countervailing duties retroactively i.e. 90 days from the date the preliminary CVD determinations are published in the Federal Register . The Commerce Department is scheduled to announce its preliminary determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) investigations involving imports from China and India on June 26, 2019. Importers will then be required to post additional duty deposits at the preliminary dumping rates. Due to the Commerce Department's affirmative critical circumstances determination, importers of polyester textured yarn from China will then be required to post duty deposits retroactively, i.e. 90 days from the date preliminary AD determinations are published in the Federal Register , at the applicable preliminary AD rates. Background Two major U.S. synthetic yarn producers Unifi Manufacturing, Inc. ("Unifi") and Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, America ("Nan Ya") filed petitions with the Commerce Department and the U.S. International Trade Commission (the "USITC") in October 2018 alleging that dumped and subsidized imports of polyester textured yarn from China and India are causing material injury to the domestic industry. The Commerce Department initiated the investigations in November 2018, and the USITC preliminarily determined in December 2018 that imports from China and India are causing injury to the U.S. domestic industry. The product covered by the investigation, polyester textured yarn, is synthetic multifilament yarn that is manufactured from polyester (polyethylene terephthalate). Polyester textured yarn is produced through a texturing process, which imparts special properties to the filaments of the yarn, including stretch, bulk, strength, moisture absorption, insulation, and the appearance of a natural fiber. This scope includes all forms of polyester textured yarn, regardless of surface texture or appearance, yarn density and thickness (as measured in denier), number of filaments, number of plies, finish (luster), cross section, color, dye method, texturing method, or packing method (such as spindles, tubes, or beams). Excluded from the scope of the investigation is bulk continuous filament yarn that: (a) is polyester synthetic multifilament yarn; (b) has denier size ranges of 900 and above; (c) has turns per meter of 40 and above; and (d) has a maximum shrinkage of 2.5 percent. The merchandise subject to this investigation is properly classified under subheadings 5402.33.3000 and 5402.33.6000 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise is dispositive. The petitioning companies are represented by Kelley Drye & Warren LLP. SOURCE Kelley Drye & Warren LLP Related Links http://www.kelleydrye.com ROCKVILLE, Md., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Vigene Biosciences, Inc ("Vigene") a leading provider of viral vector products and services used in gene therapy, has completed a substantial growth capital financing transaction. The investment was made by Signet Healthcare Partners ("Signet"), a New York based growth equity firm specializing in healthcare investments. The growth capital will be used to support Vigene's expansion into a new facility to support the growing demand for viral vector and plasmid production in the rapidly expanding fields of cell and gene therapy. Construction of the new facility, located in Rockville, Maryland, is set to be completed mid-2019 and will increase Vigene's office, laboratory and cGMP production space by 51,000 sq. ft. The most notable additions from the expansion are 5 state-of-the-art cGMP viral manufacturing suites, which will increase Vigene's cGMP production facilities to 10 suites with over 30,000 sq. ft. of cGMP space. Vigene CEO Dr. Zairen Sun said, "We are very excited to receive this investment, which will allow us to accelerate the growth of our business. Signet Healthcare Partners is an ideal partner in further developing Vigene as a leader in the Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) space for viral vector cGMP production. The new facility and equipment will allow us to innovate and meet production demands as the fields of gene and cell therapy continue to advance." Concurrently with the financing, Ashley Friedman, Managing Director at Signet Healthcare Partners, will join the board of directors at Vigene. "I believe the company is well positioned to capitalize on the rapidly evolving field of gene therapy. Signet looks forward to a close collaboration with Dr. Sun and the leadership team at Vigene," said Ashley Friedman. Additionally, Jeffrey M Ostrove, Ph.D. will be joining Vigene as an Independent member of the board of directors. Dr. Ostrove is a biotechnology executive with extensive experience in gene therapy, both on the drug development and CDMO side of the business. Dr. Ostrove is currently the CEO of Locana Inc. "There is a great need for additional contract manufacturing and support services in the fields of cell and gene therapy as the FDA predicts there will be over 200 Investigational New Drug applications filed over the next 2 years which represents a substantial expansion of the field and Vigene is poised to support that effort," stated Dr. Ostrove. Shulman Rogers Gandal Pordy & Ecker, P.A., acted as legal counsel for Vigene and Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP acted as legal counsel for Signet Healthcare Partners. About Vigene Biosciences Founded in 2012, Vigene Biosciences is an award-winning leader in viral vector-based gene delivery for both life science research and gene therapy applications with the mission to make gene therapy affordable. Vigene offers cGMP as well as research-grade production of plasmid, AAV, lentivirus, adenovirus, and other viruses with proven technologies that comply with FDA and EMA guidelines. In 2018, Vigene ranked 81st on the Inc. 5000 list and was named the ACG Emerging Company of the Year. For more information, visit https://vigenebio.com/. About Signet Healthcare Partners Signet Healthcare Partners ("Signet") is an established provider of growth capital to innovative healthcare companies. Signet invests in commercial-stage healthcare companies that are revenue generating or preparing for commercial launch. The firm's focus has primarily been on the pharmaceutical sector and medical technology companies. Signet maintains a disciplined, yet flexible investment approach. As an active investor, Signet partners closely with its companies to build their value including facilitating activities between portfolio companies. During Signet's 18-year history, it has developed a strong reputation and track record of successful investments. Signet has raised four funds with total capital commitments of over $400 million and has invested in more than 45 companies. For more information, visit www.signethealthcarepartners.com. For more information please contact: Vigene Biosciences Jeffrey Hung, Ph.D. Chief Commercial Officer Vigene Biosciences 301-251-6638 [email protected] Signet Healthcare Partners Jerry Liao 212-893-1179 [email protected] SOURCE Vigene Biosciences Tribute To Alfred Taban By Victor Lugala "And Logune was indeed a star journalist. He loved his reporting job with all the risks involved, especially during the regime of the National Congress Party of former president Omar Al Bashir. " With the death of veteran journalist Alfred Taban on 27 April, South Sudan has been robbed of a great journalist and media activist. Better known to his close associates and friends as Logune, or son of Gune his mother, Taban's long career in journalism was phenomenal. In the mid-1980s and throughout the 1990s, the name Alfred Taban was associated with the BBC Focus on Africa current affairs programme which, in the time of Afrophile broadcasters like Chris Bickerton and Robin White, was the darling of freedom fighters and pro-democracy opposition politicians and activists in Africa. At the time when most African countries had single state-owned/controlled broadcasters, the BBC Focus on Africa was the main and reliable source of balanced news about Africa. And Logune was indeed a star journalist. He loved his reporting job with all the risks involved, especially during the regime of the National Congress Party of former president Omar Al Bashir. Because of his factual reporting, to counter government propaganda, especially at the height of the SPLA war of liberation, he was a thorn in the flesh of the NCP regime. Here's one individual whose crusading journalism in his opinion pieces made him the only South Sudanese journalist to be detained in Khartoum as well as Juba many times. Psychologically tortured, and not physically though, made the late even more defiant and resilient in his work which was risky in a repressive system. Detention never silenced him. And self-censorship never existed in the mans DNA. Each time he was released from detention he rushed to his desk to pen yet another stinging commentary about his detention and why, in his opinion, it was wrong. He used to joke about it by saying the security had warned him not to write about his experience in detention. He was fearless and went against the grain, for better or worse! Fearlessness and stubbornness marked him out among his peers. Oftentimes it seemed he adopted the western tabloid attitude of "publish and get damned," which, unfortunately, proved too expensive for rookie imitators. He was very outspoken against injustice and human rights abuse. His documentation and reporting about the crisis in Darfur won him the British Abbot Award. He survived the wrath of repressive systems because he had made a name as a correspondent for the Reuters News Agency and BBC Focus on Africa. The late Logune switched to journalism after being bored with his first choice of studying laboratory science in the University of Khartoum, a decision which paid off. Starting as a reporter with the then prestigious Sudanow magazine, whose Editor-in-Chief was none other than the veteran journalist and retired politician, and now imminent Jieng elder, Bona Malwal, who was then national State Minister of information. Bona had a policy of employing young native English speakers as staff writers, some of whom proceeded to have illustrative careers in the international media and academia. The Sudanow experience, his rubbing shoulders with international correspondents widened the lates social network which enabled him to advance in his career. Success as a high-riding and award-winning journalist did not come easily to the late Logune. He toiled and worked very hard. One of his co-founders of the Khartoum Monitor newspaper, which was founded in late 2000, recall the late as a workaholic, who sometimes slept on his bare desk after working late into the night to produce the daily copy of the newspaper. The Khartoum Monitor newspaper was a daily English newspaper in Khartoum, which would have been swamped by dozens of Arabic dailies. But instead it stood out as the only Southern voice in the face of adversity. Championing the cause of Southern Sudan through opinions, commentaries and analysis, before independence, made the newspaper to be regarded by NCP stalwarts as a fifth column mouthpiece. With hard work and success he also rewarded himself handsomely. He was a man of the people, a great conversationalist who struck rapport with people easily, characteristic of a good journalist. As a journalist who didnt fear to ruffle feathers he was not meant to please people who did bad things in society. He wrote opinion pieces as he saw things, and he was caustic when he attacked the establishment. You could say he was a media warrior whose pen never ran out of ink. Perhaps having been in journalism for too long, and having realised that journalism cannot change the world, he started warming up to politics. In 2010 during the general elections preceding South Sudans referendum on the peoples right to self-determination, which paved way for a smooth secession, the late attempted to run for the Central Equatoria gubernatorial position. But before the conduct of the elections, the late suffered a stroke. And if his colleagues thought he would retire and live a quiet, stress-free life, he stunned them with a come-back to run the Juba Monitor. He didnt slow down, and if anything, he worked like a normal journalist, writing his acerbic column, Lets Speak Out. He also had other executive responsibilities at the Association for Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS). When he finally joined politics after being nominated to the National Legislative Assembly to represent Kajo Keji, he also doubled up as head of Information and Communication in the National Dialogue. During his last days, the late Logune lay comatose in the intensive Care Unit in a Kampala hospital. Too bad that as a newsman he was not able to receive the news that his nemesis, Omar Al Bashir, was no longer President. The Alliance "Chrysotile" believes that a controlled use of chrysotile is indispensable. Studies conducted by independent research organisations , institutes (Analysis of Link Between Working Conditions and Health of Workers Employed in Extraction and Refinement of Chrysotile, Russia, Izmerov Research Institute of Occupational Health under the Russian Academy of Sciences, 2000) and independent groups of researchers claim that when used under controlled conditions, chrysotile is safe both for workers employed in asbestos production facilities and for end-consumers. Nevertheless, the issue of including chrysotile on the list of highly hazardous substances is regularly raised at meetings of the Rotterdam Convention. Those opposed to chrysotile cite irrelevant studies of already banned types of asbestos which have no similarity to chrysotile. The International Chrysotile Protection Day in Russia and Kazakhstan featured events aimed at supporting the position of the Alliance and its supporters. Thus, the Uralasbest industrial complex supported the publication of the book called A Generation of Winners, which tells stories of the oldest veterans of the chrysotile production industry. A dance show called the Golden Threads of the Urals was also organised for the veterans, during which female students of the Ailis oriental dance school performed dances tied to the idea of chrysotile. What's more, the Chrysotile Protection Day also featured a meeting of the Women for Safe Labour and Social Stability movement. The participants talked about projects they had already completed and discussed plans for the future. The International Alliance of Trade Union Organizations "Chrysotile" calls on the participants of the Rotterdam Convention to pay close attention to the mineral's uses and establish their decision on the basis of scientific conclusions which have demonstrated that controlled use of chrysotile is safe. SOURCE International Alliance of Trade Union Organizations Chrysotile Amritsar, April 29 : Actor-turned-politician Sunny Deol, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) candidate for the Gurdaspur parliamentary seat, on Monday offered prayers at the Golden Temple here ahead of filing his nomination papers. Sporting a blue turban and a blue shirt, Deol, who himself is a Sikh, entered the shrine complex with folded hands, accompanied by his supporters. He offered prayers at the 'Harmandir Sahib', the sanctum sanctorum. Following the visit, Deol, 62, later left for Gurdaspur where he will file his nomination papers. His father, veteran actor Dharmendra and actor brother Bobby Deol are likely to be present during the filing. Sunny Deol, who has starred in blockbuster movies like "Border", "Betaab", "Gadar - Ek Prem Katha", "Ghayal" and others, faces tough competition from Congress candidate and sitting MP Sunil Jakhar, who is the Punjab Congress president. Earlier, actor Vinod Khanna won the Gurdaspur seat four times in 1998, 1999, 2004 and 2014. Khanna died in April 2017 while he was still the sitting MP. Following his death, the BJP chose Swarn Singh Salariya, a Mumbai-based millionaire businessman,as the party candidate for the October 2017 by-election, over Kavita Khanna, the widow of Vinod Khanna. Salariya lost to Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar by over 1.93 lakh votes. New Delhi, April 29 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged the voters to cast their ballots and break polling records of the previous three phases in this fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. "Another phase of the general elections begins today. I hope those voting today do so in large numbers and break the voting records of the previous three phases. A special appeal to young voters to head to the polling booth and exercise their franchise," Modi said in a tweet. Voting began across 72 Lok Sabha constituencies spread over nine states, mostly in the Hindi heartland. A total 12.79 crore people are eligible to vote in this phase covering 17 seats in Maharashtra, six in Odisha, 13 in Uttar Pradesh, five in Bihar, and eight in West Bengal, while Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh have their first phase of polls with voting in 13, three and six constituencies, respectively. Voting will also be held in the second phase of the staggered polling in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag constituency. In the fourth phase, the BJP will be defending 45 of the seats it won in the 2014 Lok Sabha battle -- 13 in Rajasthan, 12 in Uttar Pradesh, eight in Maharashtra, five in Madhya Pradesh, three in Bihar, three in Jharkhand and one in West Bengal. The seven-phase Lok Sabha elections started on April 11 and would conclude on May 19. Counting of votes will take place on May 23. Patna, April 29 : Voting began on Monday in five Lok Sabha seats in Bihar for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha election. Long queues of men and women were seen to cast their votes. There were reports about voting delay and problems in EVMs at some polling booths. However, there were no reports of violence. According to officials, voting is underway in Begusarai, Ujiarpur, Darbhanga, Munger and Samastipur parliamentary constituencies. More than 87 lakh voters are eligible to decide the fate of 67 candidates, including 3 women. Heavy security forces have been deployed at the polling booths and three helicopters have been requisitioned to provide air cover to security forces during polls. "In initial morning hour of polling, voters, particularly women in large number were seen standing before polling booths to escape scorching sun later in the day" official said. Prominent candidates in the fray are Union Minister and BJP candidate Giriraj Singh and CPI candidate and former JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar from Begusarai seat. BJP state chief Nityanand Rai from Ujiarpur seat, where RLSP chief and former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha is also in fray. In Munger, JD-U has fielded Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's close aide and Bihar Minister Lalan Singh. While, Congress has fielded Neelam Devi, wife of independent legislator Anant Singh. In Darbhanga, former Bihar minister and senior RJD leader Abdul Bari Suddiqui is in fray. Lucknow, April 29 : As voting began across 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, Chief MInister Yogi Adityanatah on Monday urged the people to cast their ballots for a prosperous and powerful India. "For a prosperous and powerful India, for a strong and decision-making government, to fulfil a dream, make sure you go out of your home and vote. Hope you remember, first vote and then refreshment. The mercury during summer is high, take care of yourself, but do vote. The government is formed by every one vote," he said in a series of tweets. The seats where polling in underway in the state are Shahjahanpur (SC), Kheri, Hardoi (SC), Misrikh (SC), Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah (SC), Kannauj, Akbarpur, Jalaun (SC), Jhansi and Hamirpur. A total electorate of 2.38 crore is eligible to exercise their franchise at 27,513 polling booths. London, April 29 : Fewer Britons have booked a summer holiday inside the European Union (EU) this year amid continuing Brexit uncertainty, according to leading travel firm Thomas Cook. In a statement on Sunday, the travel firm said almost half (48 per cent) of the holidays it sold up until the end of February were to non-EU destinations, up 10 per cent on last year, the BBC reported. Despite this, the firm says Spain is still its most popular destination. Thomas Cook - through which 19 million people book holidays each year - said after Spain, Turkey had proved the most popular destination for its holiday-makers, accounting for a quarter of its flight-only bookings so far. The company said that Tunisia was also "faring well" with package bookings to the country double that of last year, with flight-only bookings up four-fold. Thomas Cook CEO Peter Fankhauser said it was still too early to tell the impact on bookings of the UK's exit from the EU being delayed to the end of October. But he said there was "little doubt that the prolonged uncertainty around the manner and timing of Britain's exit from the EU has led many customers to press pause on their holiday plans for this summer". Colombo, April 29 : Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the Easter Sunday attacks could have been prevented if the new Counter Terrorism Bill was passed in Parliament without delay. "No anti-terrorism law in Sri Lanka provides for territorial jurisdiction under which a cadre belonging to an international terrorist organisation could be arrested in Sri Lanka if they are found. Not even the penal code provides that provision," the Prime Minister told the Daily Mirror. "We have included this provision in the new Counter Terrorism Bill. However, it is stuck in Parliament for months. The Easter Sunday attacks could have been prevented if this legislation was passed." Wickremesinghe reiterated that defence authorities should have acted upon the warnings given by intelligence units. "There has been no breakdown in the intelligence services but the issue has been that the Defence authorities had not acted upon the warnings," he added. The Easter Sunday attacks that targeted churches and hotels killed 253 people and injured more than 500 others. Colombo, April 29 : Sri Lankan intelligence has received information on an attack targeting Buddhist temples by the National Thowheed Jamaath extremist group, using female bombers, the media reported on Monday. Intelligence officers have found white pairs of skirts and blouses from the safehouse which was raided on Friday night in Sainthamaradu area, 364 km from Colombo, reports the Daily Mirror. On March 29, 29 Muslim women had spent 29,000 SL rupees to purchase nine sets of such clothing from a textile shop in Giriulla, the officers said. So far, five sets of the white clothing had been found from the house and the intelligence services are continuing their efforts to find the remaining ones. CCTV footage of the shop shows the women who purchased clothes from the shop. The Friday night raid was part of a nationwide hunt for the perpetrators of the Easter Sunday attacks that killed 253 people and injured hundreds. April 29 : Priyanka Chopra Jonas is in India to be a part of her brother's wedding celebrations. The party gal never misses out any opportunity to have a blast with her family and also her friends. Last week, she was busy posting all her family eat outs on Instagram and they all looked so adorable! Once, that was over, she and her super energetic girl gang got to meet at Isha Ambanis new home. Priyanka Chopra took a pretty snap of the girls having a gala time and captioned it as, Making home made ice cream! Thank you to the hostess with the mostest. @_iiishmagish love u! Your home is amazing! I wish you love and laughter always. Heres to many more girls nights! @aliaabhatt u Missed the madness by minutes! Love all u ladies! From her post, it looks like they were into some playful cooking games of making some home made ice cream. She also sent out her naughty teasing messages out to Alia Bhatt and mentioned that she missed her a lot. This girl party was attended by the youngest Ambanis girlfriend Radhika Merchant, Parineeti Chopra , Isha Ambani (of course) and well, Priyanka Chopra. With a peep into her work front, she is said to be busy with her latest Hollywood project along with Mindy Kaling and Dan Goor. Mindy Kaling had shared the news clip on her Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/mindykaling/ She will be the potential director of the film. And she will be writing the script along with Dan Goor. The shoot is said to revolve both in India and America. Doha, April 29 : The Indian Embassy in Doha has issued a notification warning job seekers to be wary of fake recruiting agents in Qatar, the media reported on Monday. The embassy said in a Twitter post on Sunday: "Please do not trust any recruiting agent who promises you a job in Qatar on a business/visit visa. "Always ask for a copy of the agent's Qatar ID and save it carefully, so that the Embassy can help you better, in the event of any fraud," the Khaleej Times quoted the tweet as saying. The number of Indians in Qatar stands at 650,000 as of 2017, which is 25 per cent of the country's total population, according to data. Paul Ladd (of the Ladd Family and brother of Steve Ladd) is currently in need of prayer. Below is what was posted on his wife Melissa's Facebook page earlier this weekend: "My family and I need everyone who will to immediately come into agreement for the total and complete healing of my precious husband Paul. He is currently on life support in neuro ICU at the top hospital here in Florida with some of the nation's leading doctors and nurses supervising his care. WE ARE IN NEED OF A MIRACLE. God knows every nuance of his condition, and when Daddy God releases me to give further details regarding the details of the situation, I gladly will. As of right now, I am simply asking everyone who has mustard seed faith to come together in agreement with me, pray, and BELIEVE God that He will do just what He said He would do- hear the prayers of His people and act according to their faith. The last thing Paul told me when he was able to talk was that he loved me with all of his heart and that no matter what, Jesus is King. So this morning, as I sit by his bedside, I ask you to do the same. Remember that JESUS IS KING, and the King takes care of His kids. When you gather for worship today, when you are riding in your car, or simply whenever the Lord brings the love of my life before your remembrance, please lift his name to the Father in prayer and praise Him in advance for a miracle. I will update as I can. I love you all." Tags : paul ladd ladd family steve ladd paul ladd health paul ladd news Kathmandu, April 29 : A total of 3,000 kg of solid waste has been collected from the Mt Everest region since the beginning of the Nepal government-backed Sagarmatha Cleaning Campaign on April 14, the media reported on Monday. Dandu Raj Ghimire, Director General of Department of Tourism, informed that of the total garbage collected so far, 2,000 kg has been sent to Okhaldhunga while 1,000 kg has been brought to Kathmandu using Nepali Army helicopters for disposal, reports The Himalayan Times. "Our team has now reached the Everest Base Camp for the cleaning campaign. All the necessary things including food, water and shelter have already been arranged there," Ghimire said. The Department estimates that around 23 million Nepalese rupees will be spent for the campaign. "Under this campaign we will be collecting around 5,000 kg of garbage from the Base Camp area, while 2,000 kg of garbage will be collected from the South Col region and around 3,000 kg from Camp II and Camp III areas," Ghimire added. The team also located four bodies while cleaning the Base Camp. This is the first time that the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Environment, Nepali Army, Nepal Mountaineering Association, Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality and Nepal Tourism Board are working jointly to clean up the world's highest peak. The Department has estimated that at least 500 foreign climbers and over 1,000 climbing support staff will visit higher camps of Mt Everest as well as Mt Lhotse, the fourth tallest mountain. Washington, April 29 : The US government has begun erecting tents close to the border with Mexico in the state of Texas to house detained migrants, the media reported on Monday. Life at the foothills of the Franklin mountains in El Paso, Texas, has been rudely disrupted in the last few days by construction crews coming and going near the adjacent border patrol station, reports the Guardian. The main frames of two large tents popped up last week. They are expected to hold up to 500 migrants. Construction crews are now working to prepare the interior of the shelter, which is expected to be operational by May 1, even as President Donald Trump downplayed conditions in which migrants are held and appeared once again to support the separation of families crossing the border. He told Fox News on Sunday: "When they used to separate children, which was done during the Obama administration, with Bush, with us, with everybody, far fewer people would come, and we've been on a humane basis, it's pretty bad. "We go out and we stop the separation. The problem is you have 10 times more people coming up with their families, it's like Disneyland now." The Trump administration began separating thousands of migrant families last year whenever they crossed the US-Mexico border unlawfully, and detaining parents and children separately, under a "zero tolerance" policy. Trump halted the policy mid-2018 after widespread uproar, though in recent weeks, even as the government is being sued over the consequences, floated, then rejected again, the idea of resuming such actions. Bhopal, April 29 : Around 35.78 per cent turnout was recorded in the fourth phase of polling for the six Lok Sabha seats and one Assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh till 1 p.m. on Monday, the Voter Turnout App data of Election Commission showed. The voter turnout in Sidhi was 27.86 per cent, Shahdol 42.58 per cent, Jabalpur 29.40 per cent, Madla 38.93 per cent, Balaghat 36.14 and Chhindwara 41.16 per cent. Chhindwara is a prestige battle for Chief Minister Kamal Nath, who has fielded his son Nakul Nath from the seat after winning it nine times. The father-son duo are Congress candidates for the Chhindwara Assembly bypoll and parliamentary seat respectively. In 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won five seats barring Chhindwara, which was won by Kamal Nath. Jabalpur is seeing a tough contest between state BJP President Rakesh Singh and Congress candidate Vivek Tankha. Maoist-affected district Balaghat is a constituency voting under high security. A total of 108 candidates are in the fray, including a maximum of 26 from Sidhi, followed by 23 from Balaghat, 22 from Jabalpur, 14 from Chhindwara, 13 from Shahdol and 10 from Mandla. A total of 1.05 crore electorate are eligible to vote in this phase. Monday is the first round of voting in Madhya Pradesh. Votes will be cast in three more rounds on May 6, May 12 and May 19. Mumbai, April 29 : Actress Rakul Preet is a fitness freak, and says she decided to cycle around Hyde Park in London while shooting for "De De Pyaar De" to catch up on her exercise routine. She was shooting the song "Tu mila to haina" in Hyde Park in London. "When I got to know that we will be shooting for the song in Hyde Park, I instantly made up my mind that I would cycle to the shooting base," Rakul said in a statement. "It was a perfect chance to catch up on my exercise routine. I travelled to and fro on cycle and must have easily cycled for 5-6 km in a day while we were shooting there," she added. "Tu mila to haina", an upbeat romantic number, has been hailed by the audience for its refreshingly light music, beautiful visuals and Ajay Devgn-Rakul's chemistry. "De De Pyaar De" is helmed by Akiv Ali and also stars Tabu. The film is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Luv Ranjan and Ankur Garg. It is slated to release on May 17. New Delhi, April 29 : A major fire engulfed a chemical factory in Naraina here on Monday, a fire officer said. No casualty was reported in the blaze. An employee of the factory informed the Delhi Fire Services Control Room of the fire around 11.37 a.m. "Thirty one fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The dousing operation is still underway," the officer said. Hyderabad, April 29 : Hyderabad Police on Monday arrested Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief K. Laxman, hours after he began an indefinite fast over the goof-up in the state intermediate examinations. A team of policemen entered the BJP office in Nampally and removed Laxman from there and took him to the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS). Some BJP workers were also arrested, leading to mild tension in the area. Laxman began the fast on Monday morning at the BJP office, not far from the Board of Intermediate Education (BIE) headquarters, which witnessed a series of protests by opposition parties and groups of students. The BJP leader was demanding a judicial probe into the BIE bungling, resignation of the Education Minister and compensation to families of students who committed suicide. Senior BJP leader Bandaru Dattatreya, party national general secretary Muralidhar Rao and others expressed solidarity with Laxman. New Delhi, April 29 : Seeking action from the Election Commission (EC), the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Monday accused security forces deployed to ensure free and fair elections of working at BJP's behest and creating a "reign of terror" among voters. A TMC delegation met the Election Commission (EC) and sought action against security forces personnel who allegedly fired at voters after clashes broke out between some villagers and security forces in a polling booth in West Bengal's Birbhum Lok Sabha constituency amid the fourth phase elections in the state. Officials, however, said the security personnel fired in the air to bring the situation under control. In a written complaint, the party alleged that the Central forces worked in a "motivated and pre-conceived manner" and resorted to firing within the polling booth "thereby creating a fear in the mind of the voters so that they are restrained from casting their votes". In a separate complaint, it accused the security forces of entering inside the polling booths where voting was taking place and obstructing voters from casting their vote. It further alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party and its agents were resorting to "large-scale intimidation, violence, chaos and unrest" among the electors across several parliamentary constituencies today. "We urge the Commission to take necessary steps immediately to fully ensure peace and free and fair polling in the constituencies and necessary action to book the offenders as per law and direct the Central Force not to interfere with the election process," the party said in its complaint. Earlier, voting was stalled after villagers vandalised a polling booth in Poduma under the the Dubrajpur Assembly segment of West Bengal's Birbhum Lok Sabha constituency amid the fourth phase elections in the state. The villagers clashed with security forces following a dispute over depositing mobile phones, officials said. To bring the situation under control, the security personnel fired in the air. However, Trinamool's Birbhum candidate Satabdi Roy said two people were injured in the firing. "Central forces have resorted to firing. One woman and youth were injured. Who has given them such rights? They are going from booth to booth and asking people to vote for the BJP," she said. "They are also asking whether the BJP agent is present in the booth. Are they BJP agents who have come to the state to ensure victory of Narendra Modi? They are speaking so rudely, and threatening to fire. If people get agitated, can they control them?" she asked. Lucknow, April 29 : In a surprise development, the Samajwadi Party on Monday changed its candidate in the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat and fielded ex-BSF trooper Tej Bahadur Yadav against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Samajwadi Party announced the candidature of Tej Bahadur Yadav, a resident of Harayana's Rewari, who was dismissed from service after he complained about poor quality of food served to the personnel. Tej Bahadur Yadav told IANS: "Today I filed the nomination papers from Varanasi as Samajwadi Party candidate." He said that the fight in the Varanasi is now between "a real watchman and a fake watchman". "Earlier the party has fielded Shalini Yadav but then Akhileshji (SP chief Akhilesh Yadav) gave a thought about whom to field against the fake chowkidaar (watchman). "The people now have to choose between a real watchman and a fake watchman. Even Akhileshji said that we are standing with the real watchman and not with a person who only believes in rhethoric," the ex-Border Security Force (BSF) trooper said. He said that the Aam Aadmi Party will support his candidature in the Lok Sabha polls. Tej Bahadur Yadav had earlier announced that he will contest as an independent candidate from Varanasi. The BSF constable was dismissed in 2017 after he posted a video on Facebook complaining about the poor quality of food provided to the security personnel. Attacking the Modi government, he said: "I was dismissed because I spoke the truth. The parliamentary committee, with Murli Manohar Joshi as its member, submitted the report in Parliament in my favour. Despite that, I was dismissed." Varanasi goes to polls on May 19 in the final phase of the seven-stage general elections. Hyderabad, April 29 : This is the most glaring and classic example of the scale of goof-up in Telangana Board of Intermediate examinations with a student getting '0' marks instead of '99'in a subject. Gajji Navya failed in Intermediate Second Year (12th standard) as she scored '0' marks in Telugu paper. This student from Mancherial district (Hall ticket number 1933216764) scored 99 marks in Commerce, 96 in Civics, 95 in Economics and 68 in English. She was shocked to see the results declared by the Telangana Board of Intermediate (BIE) on April 18. She could not believe when she saw '0' in Telugu as she had scored 98 in Telugu paper in 11th standard and equally good marks in the remaining subjects. With a leading Telugu daily highlighting her plight, the BIE swung into action and after checking her answer sheet revised the marks obtained in Telugu to 99. The incident caused huge embarrassment to the Board. With 21 students committing suicide and many students like Navya coming out in open to vent their anger, the state government was forced to order re-verification of answer sheets of 3.28 lakh students who failed to obtain the pass marks. A total of 9.47 students had appeared in the exams for both First and Second Year in February-March. After an inquiry into Navya's case, BIE suspended a teacher and imposed fine on another. It announced that it has imposed Rs 5,000 fine against Uma Devi, a teacher of a private school who evaluated Telugu paper of Navya. She was also sacked by her school management. BIE also suspended Vijay Kumar, a teacher of a tribal welfare school, who had served as a scrutinizer but failed to notice the blunder. BIE announced the action against the two teachers late on Sunday, a day after a three-member committee submitted its report to the government, which admitted to the discrepancies. However, the opposition parties and student groups are demanding action against the higher-ups in the Board and also the information technology company for the massive bungling. They alleged that BIE was shielding those who committed serious blunders like giving single digit marks to many students who had done well in First Year exams and also marking many students as 'absent' though they had in fact appeared in the exams. While free re-verification of answer scripts of all failed students was undertaken free of cost, thousands of students who passed the exams but not satisfied with the marks given also applied for re-valuation with the payment of prescribed fee. Kolkata, April 29 : A Union Minister was attacked, Central forces fired in the air after Trinamool Congress backed villagers vandalised a booth, while there were reports of clashes, intimidation and booth capturing as violence overshadowed all other developments in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal on Monday. Union Minister and BJP candidate from Asansol, Babul Supriyo's car was vandalised allegedly by stone pelting Trinamool Congress supporters, but the Minister escaped unharmed with only the rear glass of the vehicle being damaged. Trouble erupted at Asansol's Barabani after Supriyo went inside a polling booth to ensure his party agents were allowed inside. "They are trying to stop me. But they won't be able to stop me like this. I will move to ensure that BJP agents are allowed," Supriyo said before leaving the area. "These men are attacking my car and saying I am resorting to hooliganism. It is a ploy to confine me at a place but I will move," he said. The BJP leader also alleged that his polling agents were not being allowed entry. While Trinamool workers alleged that Supriyo and his men had manhandled them, Election Commission (EC) sources said a detailed report has been sought on the matter. Supriyo later tweeted that three booths (no 169, 113 and 218) under the Raniganj assembly segment had been captured. The polls were stalled in a booth at Oduma under the Dubrajpur assembly segment of Birbhum constituency where Central forces fired in the air after irate villagers allegedly owing allegiance to the Trinamool Congress vandalised the booth. The villagers clashed with the security forces following a dispute over the depositing of mobile phones, officials said. The CRPF personnel fired in the air to control the situation. However, Trinamool's Birbhum constituency candidate Satabdi Roy alleged that two persons - a woman and a youth - were injured in the firing by the Central paramiliatary troopers. "Central forces have resorted to firing. One woman was injured, one youth was injured. Who haS given them such rights? They are going from booth to booth and asking people to vote for the BJP," she said. "They are also asking whether the BJP agent is present in the booth. Are they BJP agents who have come to the state to ensure the victory of Narendra Modi? They are speaking so rudely, and threatening to fire. There are only four of them in a booth. If people get agitated, can they control?" Echoing Roy, an angry West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said law and order was a state subject and Central forces have no right to "fire or resort to baton charge". "Law and order is not a central subject. Even if they want to parade, they have to take the state police along with them. We know the law. The BJP is forcibly misusing the law," Banerjee said. She also lashed out against the EC, saying the poll panel has no faith on the state police. Reports have poured in about electoral irregularities in Monday's polling covering eight constituencies spread across the districts of Murshidabad, Birbhum, Burdwan East and Burdwan West and Nadia. In the Baharampur Lok Sabha constituency, sitting MP and senior Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury accused the Trinamool workers of preventing voters from coming to the polling stations in certain areas. Chowdhury and Congress leaders accompanying him chased and caught a person purportedly indulging in proxy voting in the Krishnanath College booth, but a crowd of Trinamool workers managed to free him. Reports of booth capturing and intimidating voters were reported from at least three booths in Birbhum district's Rampurhat and at Ketugram in East Burdwan. Opposition parties alleged that Trinamool supporters attacked women voters on their way to the polling booths. Central forces rushed to the spot and dispersed the crowd. Clashes between supporters of different political parties were reported from Birbhum's Nalhai and Nanur - areas notorious for political violence. Villagers at Law Bagan in Birbhum's Suri were allegedly locked up in a house by Trinamool activists to prevent them from voting, locals said, adding that their electoral photo identity cards were also snatched. EC officials later entered the village and security personnel took the voters to the polling stations. According to the Alzheimer's Association, an approximate 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's, and over 16 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer's or other dementias. B&H will release "Coffee with Mom: Caring for a Parent with Dementia" from pastor and author Mike Glenn, a book about Glenn's mother's fight with dementia and his constant struggle of wanting to help her but not always knowing how (June 1, 2019, B&H Publishing). During her four-year battle with Alzheimer's and dementia, Glenn often had morning coffee with his mother in the nursing home. He published quotes from their sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking conversations on Twitter and found that his stories deeply resonated with others going through similar journeys with their loved ones. Glenn says writing "Coffee with Mom" was one of the ways he dealt with his own grief, but he also wrote it in hopes that readers walking a similar journey will find a few laughs, realize they're not alone and find the courage to do the best they can. "I wrote 'Coffee with Mom' because my mom is funny and tough. Growing up with her made me the man I am; taking care of her was the most difficult and joyful experience of my life," Glenn said. "She continued to fashion me into the man she wanted me to be, even when she was too sick to make sense of it all. Come on the journey with my mom, and you'll find your own journey there as well." Glenn is the senior pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tenn., which has grown to a church with eight campuses and more than 11,000 members under Glenn's leadership since 1991. He is the author of two books, "In Real Time" and "The Gospel of Yes." B&H is supporting "Coffee with Mom" with a targeted media campaign, trailer video and digital content offerings. For more information, visit bhpublishing.com. "Caring for an aging parent, and their caregivers as well, is an issue we don't discuss with one another nearly often enough," said Devin Maddox, Trade Book Publisher for B&H. "Mike's journey has been an encouragement to so many, letting us know we are not alone." ### Mike Glenn is the senior pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tenn.. Under his leadership since 1991, the church has grown to a church with eight campuses and a membership of over 11,000. He graduated from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. Glenn has written two books, "In Real Time" and "The Gospel of Yes," and writes frequently on his blog, MikeGlennOnline.com, and for Patheos.com. He is married to Jeannie, his wife and best friend of 37 years. They have twin sons, Chris (Deb) and Craig (Nan), and three granddaughters, Mackenzie, Rowen and Brooklyn. Tags : Mike Glenn Mike Glenn new book coffee with mom New Delhi, April 29 : A Delhi Court on Monday cancelled non-bailable warrants (NBWs) issued against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav in a criminal defamation complaint filed by advocate Surender Kumar Sharma. Sharma alleged that in 2013, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) approached him to contest the Delhi Assembly elections on a party ticket, saying that Kejriwal was pleased with his social services. However, he was later denied the ticket. Sharma claimed that on October 14, 2013 articles in leading newspapers carried "defamatory, unlawful and derogatory words used by the accused persons" which lowered his reputation in the Bar and the society. The court on Tuesday issued warrants against Kejriwal, Sisodia and Yadav after they failed to appear before it in the matter. On Monday, Kejriwal's counsel moved an application seeking a stay on the NBW. However, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Samar Vishal cancelled NBWs against the leaders warning them not to repeat the mistakes. The next hearing is scheduled for May 14. Yadav was a member of the National Executive of the AAP till 2015, when he quit the party to launch Swaraj India. Asansol : , April 29 (IANS) Despite clashes being reported from West Bengal's Asansol, where voting is on for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Moon Moon Sen on Monday said that she was not aware of any violence in her consituency as she woke up late. Sen, who is a TMC MP from Bankura, is up against Union Minister and BJP candidate Babul Supriya. Supriyo's car was also allegedly vandalised by TMC activists outside a polling station in Barabani. The leader was, however, unharmed. Sen was asked by reporters whether she had information about the violence in the Asansol constituency. "I haven't. All I know is I have to go to Kulti. And I know that they gave me bed tea very late and I woke up very late. What can I say? I really do not know," she replied. The actor-turned-politician said that violence was rampant during the erstwhile Left regime. "(Violence) is happening all over India, not just in Bengal." Asked about the pre-poll communal violence in the area and whether she had spoken to the victims, Sen said, "I haven't. We are not involved in the riots. I have been busy campaigning for Trinamool and myself." To queries about how confident she was of beating Supriyo, she said, "I do not want to hear his name." Sreerampur : , April 29 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday warned West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that her MLAs will abandon her after the results of the Lok Sabha polls were out, claiming that 40 of them were already in touch with him. "When the lotus will bloom all over Bengal after May 23, Didi (Banerjee), you will see that your MLAs will also abandon you and run away. Forty of your MLAs are in touch with me even today," Modi told an election rally here in Hooghly district. "It will be tough for you to save yourself. You have cheated the people of Bengal," he said. Modi said despite all the attacks and intimidation by the state's ruling Trinamool Congress, the people of Bengal have only one motto in this Lok Sabha elections. "Didi has crossed all limits this time. The Trinamool Congress goons are trying to stop people from casting their votes. Our party candidates are being attacked and stopped from campaigning. Yet people in the villages are turning up in the polling stations with only one motto...'chup chap kamal chap, booth booth se TMC saaf' (silently vote for the lotus symbol, remove Trinamool from all booths)," Modi said. Taking a dig at Banerjee for claiming to send him 'rasgullas' made out of soil and stones, Modi said Bengal's soil, which has given birth to so many statesmen and revolutionaries in the past, was "holy and inspirational" to him. "Didi, who once talked about 'mati and manush' (soil and human being), is now talking about feeding me 'rasgullas' made out of Bengal's soil and stones. How lucky I am! The soil of Bengal gave birth to so many statesmen such as Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Shyama Prasad Mookerjee. If Modi gets 'rasgullas' made out of this soil, it will be like 'prasad' to him," the Prime Minister said. "It will bring me good luck because this soil is holy to me. It is my inspiration. I will be grateful to Didi for the 'rasgullas' made out of Bengal's soil, as not everyone is fortunate enough to get such holy 'prasad'," Modi added. The Prime Minister also ridiculed Banerjee by asking her to send as many stones as possible in the sweets so that the Trinamool-backed goons do not have enough stones left to attack the people of Bengal. "You said there will be stones inside the 'rasgullas'. I would be grateful for this because otherwise your goons would use the stones to break people's heads. So send me as many stones as possible so that the heads of Bengal's people remain unharmed," he said amid massive cheer from the crowd. Modi further said that Banerjee knew that her Prime Ministerial aspirations were hollow, as no one can be on that chair with a handful of seats. He also claimed that Banerjee was trying to establish her nephew and Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee as the next Chief Minister of West Bengal. "Didi also knows that she won't become the Prime Minister with a handful of seats. Going to Delhi is not that easy, it is very far. She actually has another agenda. Should I tell you? "'Delhi to bahana hai, ye bhatije ko jamana hai' (Delhi is an excuse, she wants to establish her nephew here)," the Prime Minister said. Patna, April 29 : Ignoring heat wave-like conditions, 58.92 per cent voters turned out to cast their votes in Bihar's five Lok Sabha constituencies that went to polls on Monday, till 5 p.m, said an official. Polling was held in Begusarai, Ujiarpur, Darbhanga, Munger and Samastipur seats. "Long queues were seen at polling booths in rural as well as urban pockets of these constituencies despite heat wave-like conditions," the official said, adding that women queued up in large numbers outside polling booths in the initial three hours of voting. Voting that started at 7 a.m. would officially end at 6 p.m. More than 87 lakh voters are eligible to decide the fate of 67 candidates, including some political heavyweights, in this phase of elections. Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Giriraj Singh in Begusarai is being challenged by JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar, contesting on the Communist Party of India (CPI) ticket. The BJP has fielded state unit chief Nityanand Rai from Ujiarpur, where the Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) chief and former Minister Upendra Kushwaha is also in the fray. In Munger, the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) has fielded Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's close aide Lalan Singh against Congress candidate Neelam Devi, wife of Independent MLA Anant Singh. In Darbhanga, senior Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui is in the fray against BJP's Gopaljee Thakur. This phase of polling will also decide the fate of Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) leader Ramchandra Paswan, brother of LJP chief Ram Vilas Paswan, in Samastipur. People at several polling booths boycotted the polls over closure of jute mills. Heavy security was deployed at all booths and three helicopters were also stationed to provide air cover. According to officials, the voting was peaceful, except for some sporadic clashes between supporters of rival parties. In Begusarai, villagers clashed with security forces and pelted stones after getting beaten up by the police. Villagers in Begusarai and Samastipur alleged that polling officials forced some voters to cast their votes in favour of a particular party candidate. Shimla, April 29 : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said on Monday that staring at defeat in the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress was using the name of Mohammad Ali Jinnah to garner votes. The Congress may even go the extent of creating a communal atmosphere to polarise votes and that is the reason it supported Pakistan and its terrorists by raising questions over the bravery of the country's security forces, Thakur said. He said these days Congress leaders were saying that Jinnah, who was responsible for the formation of Pakistan, was part of the Congress family. "The Congress has admitted that it won't even touch the figure of 44 seats in this elections due to the Modi wave. The Congress' love for Jinnah and Pakistan is not new and its leaders have referred to him (Jinnah) as a hero many times," the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said in a statement here. Congress leader Shatrughan Sinha had recently courted controversy for saying "from Mahatma Gandhi to Mohammad Ali Jinnah, all are part of the Congress Parivar." Thakur also said that the country's security was the top priority for the BJP and the Narendra Modi-led government cannot mess with it for the sake of vote bank. Ghaziabad, April 29 : The Ghaziabad Police have suspended three policemen and registered a criminal case against them for allegedly threatening a man of implicating him in a rape case if he did not pay Rs 60,000 in bribe, an official said on Monday. Acting on the complaint by one Nawab Ali Saifi, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Upendra Agrawal on Sunday ordered filing of a case against the three -- Sub-Inspector Ashutosh Tarar, constables Vijay Kumar Sharma and Javed -- posted at the Loni border police station. The case has been registered under relevant sections of the Criminal Law Amendment Act and the Prevention of Corruption Act. Two other individuals -- Rakesh Khurana and Parminder -- have also been named in the case. The case was being investigated, Agrawal said. Saifi stated in his complaint Khurana and Parminder, two property dealers, in collusion with the policemen, called him to the police station where a woman was present. Even when the woman refused to recognise him, the policemen threatened to implicate him in a rape case. Saifi alleged the policemen were working at the behest of the property dealers "who wanted to settle their business scores with the help of the police". Saifi recorded the entire conversation and sent it to SSP Agrawal. New Delhi, April 29 : The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear on Tuesday a Congress petition that claimed that the Election Commission had refused to act on a complaint against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah for making "hate speeches" and "using" armed forces for "political propaganda" during the Lok Sabha polls. The Congress alleged that EC's "silence" was an indirect endorsement of the violation of the Model Code of Conduct. A bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, agreed to hear the petition on Tuesday after it was mentioned as "urgent" by senior advocate A.M. Singhvi and advocate Sunil Fernandes. Singhvi, while making oral mentioning of the petition before the bench, did not take names of the PM and Amit Shah. The bench said: "Why don't you clearly take the names? We will hear you last. You should stop this game of hide and seek." The bench took note of the petition by Singhvi and asked him why he is hesitating to take names of the BJP leaders. The bench then asked the counsel to say "whatever he wanted to". The 146-page petition was filed by Sushmita Dev, Congress candidate from Assam's Silchar Lok Sabha constituency. In the petition, the Congress alleged that the rules and regulations inscribed in the Model Code of Conduct were not meant for the Prime Minister and his party President but applicable only on other candidates. "It is in public domain that they have indulged in hate speeches, repeatedly used the armed forces for political propaganda, despite a clear prohibition on the same by the EC," said the petition. The petition said the delay of more than 3 weeks in decision-making or the absence of a decision were, in fact, decisions in themselves. The Congress said 40 representations on violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) were brought to the notice of the EC so far, but it did not lead to any action. "It would not be overstating that inaction by the respondents is a tacit endorsement of the statements and a clean chit to the individuals whose statements and actions are, on the face of it, in violation of the provisions of the Representation of the People Act and the election rules 1961," contended the Congress. The petition alleged that since March 10, after the notification for the elections was issued, Modi and Shah had "violated" the provisions of the Representation of the People Act and the election rules. The petition cited the recent temporary ban on campaigning imposed on BSP leader Mayawati for violating the MCC and equated "lack of action" against Modi and Shah. "It demonstrates abdication and indecision and a complete absence of justice in ensuring a level playing field," the petitioner argued. The petition cited the Prime Minister's rally held on April 23, the day of polling in Gujarat. "...despite being the Constitutional watchdog for ensuring free and fair elections, (the EC) has become a tool in the hands of the dispensation to facilitate violation of the provisions of the Constitution, the provisions of the Act and the rules," the petition alleged. The petition also cited the PM's comment on Rahul Gandhi's choice of Wayanad as "a seat where the minority is majority". It also alleged that Modi was "seeking votes" in the names of the CRPF soldiers killed in the terror attack in Pulwama in Kashmir. Panaji, April 29 : Two Afghan nationals, including a Director serving in the Afghanistan government's Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, were arrested following a raid on a prostitution racket in the beach village of Calangute in Goa, an official said on Monday. According to Police Inspector Nolasco Raposo in-charge of the Calangute police station, the accused Mohammad Omar Arian, works as a Director of Internal Audit, at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Mohammad Azmal Hodman, an Afghanistan based-lawyer, were arrested in the raid conducted by officials of the Calangute police station, in which two women from Uzbekistan were rescued. "The two accused from Afghanistan have been arrested under sections 370 (prostitution), 370(iii) of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 4, 5 and 7 of the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, 1956," Inspector Raposo said, adding that police are on the look out for a pimp who had solicited the services of the two Uzbek women for the Afghan duo. Dhaka, April 29 : Two suspected Islamist militants were killed during a raid by Bangladesh's security forces here, officials said on Monday. Rapid Action Battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Ashique Billah told Efe news the suspected Islamists blew themselves up during the pre-dawn raid in the Mohammadpur area. "We had some information and we went to check it in the night. When we knocked at a house, someone from the next house started firing at us." The security forces retaliated and the firing continued for about an hour, he added. Around the morning prayer time, 45-60 minutes before the sunrise, the militants "threw few grenades and low-level cocktails (crude bomb) at us", Billah said, adding there was a big explosion about 5 a.m. We were waiting for daylight when our commando team, bomb disposal unit and fire brigade to join us, he said. "In drone surveillance, we found no living person in the house. Our commandos raided the house and found two bodies blown in parts. The bomb disposal unit found four-five unexploded bombs," he said. The bodies, which could not be identified, had been sent for forensic tests, he added. "We suspect they were Islamists terrorists because they fired at us raising Allahu Akbar (Allah is greatest of all) slogan, but don't know to which group they belonged," Billah said. Bangladesh launched crackdown on Islamists following an attack on a Dhaka cafe in 2016 that killed 22 people. Though the attack was claimed by the Islamic States, the government blamed local Islamist group Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) for the attack. Around 70 people, including bloggers, intellectuals, foreigners and members of religious minorities in Bangladesh, were killed in a series of attacks between 2013 and 2016. Beijing, April 29 : China on Monday urged the US to respect China's sovereignty and stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang made the remarks in response to a statement by a US State Department spokesperson reportedly expressing "disappointment" over the decision by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government to indict and imprison several organizers of the 2014 illegal "Occupy Central" movement. The US spokesperson earlier said that Washington "will follow closely the proposed amendments to the HKSAR's Fugitive Offenders Ordinance". "China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes relevant remarks of the US Department of State spokesperson, which disregard the facts and laws," Geng told a press briefing. He said the illegal "Occupy Central" movement inflicted severe damage on Hong Kong's rule of law, social order, economy and people's livelihood, according to Efe news. "Bringing criminal behaviour to justice according to law, as a due component of maintaining the rule of law, is widely supported by Hong Kong society. "The amendments to laws including the Ordinance are necessary measures taken by Hong Kong to cooperate with other regions and countries in fugitives handover," Geng said, adding that the moves were also aimed at jointly cracking down on crimes and maintaining the rule of law, to prevent Hong Kong from becoming a "crime haven". The Chinese official said that the US arbitrary comments and blame on Hong Kong's affairs were a "brutal interference" in the internal affairs of China and the HKSAR. "We urge the US to respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong, as well as the 'judicial independence' repeatedly professed by the US side and stop meddling in Hong Kong's affairs in any form," the spokesperson added. Country music legend Randy Travis, known for hits such as "Three Wooden Crosses" and "I Told You So," turns 60 years old on May 4th. To commemorate the milestone, the Grand Ole Opry is planning a special tribute to Travis, while the flagship radio station of the Opry, 650 AM-WSM, has named Randy Travis their Artist of the Month with special programming beginning for the country legend on Monday, April 29th. The May 4th Opry presentation will include an appearance by Randy Travis himself, along with fellow Country Music Hall of Famer Don Schlitz, who wrote or co-wrote many of Randy's biggest hits, including "Deeper Than The Holler," "Forever And Ever, Amen," "Heroes And Friends," "On the Other Hand" and "Point Of Light." Also making appearances as part of the tribute will be Josh Turner, Charlie Worsham, and Nashville TV star turned Opry regular, Charles Esten. Also on May 4, Randy Travis will release his autobiography. Thomas Nelson, a division of HarperCollins, will release the memoir, Forever and Ever, Amen: A Memoir of Music, Faith, and Braving the Storms of Life, on May 14. Travis wrote the book with Ken Abraham. Travis opens up for the first time in the book about his troubled working-class childhood in North Carolina, highlighted by a difficult relationship with his father and punctuated by drinking and stealing cars. Country music helped him escape that situation, and Travis became one of the leading lights in the genre in the 1980s and '90s with a string of hits that included "On the Other Hand," "1982," "Digging up Bones," "Forever and Ever, Amen," "I Told You So" and more. "I didn't really feel I had a book to write until I stood on the distant shore and looked back over the ripples my life has made on myself and on others. My songs were the stories of my life and I learned from those who listened, they were theirs too. My fans inspired me and continue to do so," said Travis He recounts his troubled youth full of drinking and stealing cars, a tense relationship with his father and his life in music and acting. "I learned a lot about myself going back through the chronicles of my past. In my waning years of ability, I have a clearer picture of the past. It's an interesting game of patience to sit and wait for the clocks of time to expose so much," said Travis. "As the candle burns, it is time to share the history that made me who I am, tell the backstory to some of my songs, give insight to the challenges I faced, and reflect on the blessings through it all." Tags : randy travis randy travis 6oth birthday randy travis news randy travis 60th birthday Grand Ole Opry josh turner don schlitz Baghdad, April 29 : Iraqi security forces freed 44 Bangladeshi citizens who had been held captive in Baghdad for two months and arrested six of their abductors, authorities said on Monday. According to a statement by the Supreme Judicial Council, the Bangladeshi Embassy in Iraq informed the authorities about a suspected house in Karrada district where the Bangladeshi citizens were being held and the abductors were blackmailing their families for ransom. The security forces raided the house and rescued 44 Bangladeshi citizens who had come to Baghdad for job opportunities, Xinhua news agency reported. The six arrested abductors were four Bangladeshis and two Iraqis. Authorities were still looking for three others including two more Bangladeshis. "The abductors were caught red-handed in the house, where the captives were physically tortured and detained for two months," the SJC statement said. The abductors were running a labour office for foreign workers in Iraq, it said, adding that the freed Bangladeshi citizens had been handed over to the Bangladeshi Embassy. New Delhi, April 29 : Suspected IS sympathisers in various parts of Kerala are on the NIA's radar in wake of the horrendous Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka following intercepts of calls between people in the state and the island nation as well as some Facebook accounts on which "provocative" materials were uploaded, sources said. The telephonic intercepts, an National Investigation Agency (NIA) official said, include chats that occurred on multiple occasions among people in Malappuram, Kasargod and Palakkad in Kerala and those in Sri Lanka. Besides, Facebook accounts of some suspects in Kerala and Tamil Nadu that had been active till 10 days before the Sri Lanka blasts are part of investigation of the anti-terror agency which unearthed a suspected Islamic State module in Kasargod and Palakkad during its raid on Sunday at the houses of three people. The Facebook accounts, the details of which were not shared by the official on grounds that it can affect the investigation, were being used to upload "jihadi preachings and provocative" materials to radicalize people and persuade them to pledge allegiance to the Islamic State. The IP addresses of some computers and laptops used to upload some incriminating videos and sermons of different Islamic preachers on Youtube are also under scrutiny of the NIA, the official, requesting anonymity, told IANS. The NIA suspects that the operators in Kerala are Islamic State sympathizers and might have been in touch with the groups headed by Zahran Hashim, a radical Tamil-speaking cleric who is believed to have master-minded the Sri Lanka blasts. Hashim was found to be in touch with the Islamic State sympathizers during his visit to Malappuram in Kerala, and Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli, Vellore and Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu some time in 2017-2018, another official said. Questioning of Ahamed Arafat, Aboobacker Siddique and Riyas Abu Bakar whose houses were raided, according to an NIA source, could not lead the agency to fruitful results in the Sri Lanka blasts investigation but confirmed that they had links with the accused in a 2016 case in which 14 people from Kasaragod left India or their workplaces in the Middle East for Afghanistan and Syria to join the Islamic State. The April 21 attacks on three churches and three luxury hotels in Colombo and elsewehre killed 253 people, including 11 Indian nationals and some foreigners, and injured 500. Fifteen people, including three suicide bombers, died during a raid by Sri Lankan security forces on Friday night and nearly 100 people have been detained in the island nation. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the bombings and released a video that showed Hashim and seven other men pledging allegiance to Islamic State chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The Sri Lankan government has pointed a finger at Hashim indirectly as the prime suspect in the Easter Sunday blasts and accused him of leading little-known Islamist group, the National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ), affiliated to the Islamic State. Sri Lankan intelligence officials and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe believe that Hashim may have master-minded the attacks. Another official from a central intelligence agency said Hashim was also associated with a Tamil Nadu-based Islamic State sympathizers through illegal trade and social media sites like Youtube and Facebook but has not been found to be involved in any terror activities. Hasim, the official suspects, might have come in contact with these Islamic State sympathizers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu through this way and he later visited India aimed at radicalizing them to establish a pro-Islamic State module. Officials said several Sri Lanka Islamic State operatives were also in touch with Indian suspects in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. (Rajnish Singh can be contacted at rajnish.s@ians.in) New Delhi, April 29 : Senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Indresh Kumar on Monday said that return of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is crucial for social and religious amity, and progress of the country. Speaking at an event here, he said the Congress always claimed the credit for India's freedom but "it is a lie". "It was not the Congress which got India freedom...great leaders like Bhagat Singh should get the credit," he said while addressing an awareness campaign "Vote for Nation". He was critical of the opposition parties forming an alliance "for dividing the nation". Urging people to vote, he said people have to decide who they want to vote for -- "someone who has shown the country's strength to the world" or others "who are sponsoring religious riots and dividing people". "The Narendra Modi should return to power in 2019. His return is important for social and religious unity, besides progress of the country." The RSS leader said that February 26 -- when air strikes by the Indian Air Force at Balakot, Pakistan, in retaliation to the Pulwama attack -- was the day "India slapped its brother to improve it". He said 26/2 established India as a country which not only speaks but also acts and since then, there has been no news of ceasefire violation from the India-Pakistan borders. "Till now, the world thought that India is a coward country and can only speak and issue warnings. In the last 70 years, it was on 26/2 that the country smiled truly, for the first time," he added. Agartala, April 29 : Demanding fresh voting in the Tripura West parliamentary constituency, the Left parties would intensify their agitations until the Election Commission declares re-polling in the entire Lok Sabha seat, Left leaders said here on Monday. The Left parties led by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Monday held demonstrations and protest rallies across the Tripura West constituency protesting "farcical polling in the parliamentary seat on April 11". "Since the BJP led government came to power in Tripura in March last year, a 'goonda raj' has been established," said Left Front convener Bijan Dhar. "On the first phase of elections to the the Tripura West parliamentary seat on April 11, BJP workers turned the polling totally farcical by indulging in large-scale rigging, intimidation and attacks on opposition party supporters and voters," said Dhar. The Left leader said the Election Commission in Delhi and election officials in Tripura had repeatedly assured the Left parties that polling would be free and fair, "but the commission miserably failed to do so." Dhar said they have on a number of occasions told the Chief Electoral Officer Sriram Taranikanti that from the scrutiny of official reports, documents, video and webcasting footages of the poll process in the seat, it was established beyond doubt that voting was totally rigged by the ruling BJP members. Former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, CPI-M state secretary Gautam Das and other Left leaders took part in these demonstrations. A delegation of Left leaders on Tuesday would meet the Election Commission in Delhi to reiterate their demand. Tripura Pradesh Congress Vice-President Tapas Dey said that a Congress delegation led by state party president Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarman would meet the Election Commission again demanding fresh polling in the Tripura West seat. Tripura Pradesh Congress Vice-President Pijush Kanti Biswas said if the EC did not hold fresh polling, his party would move the Supreme Court. The BJP, however, dismissed these accusations. "None of our party members was involved in rigging," said BJP spokesman Nabendu Bhattacharjee, adding the opposition parties were making excuses in the face of their certain defeat. Meanwhile, an EC official said after the scrutiny of reports, documents, video and webcasting footages of the poll process in the seat, detailed reports had been sent to the poll panel on Friday. "The commission after studying these reports may declare a re-poll soon in a large number of polling stations," an EC official told IANS. Sreerampur : /Kolkata, April 29 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sparked off a major row in West Bengal with his warning to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that her MLAs will abandon her after the results of the Lok Sabha polls come out and 40 of them were already in touch with him. Reacting angrily, the Trinamool Congress charged him with horse-trading, but BJP leaders backed Modi's statement, saying the state's ruling party would collapse once the results of the seven-phase polls are declared. "When the lotus will bloom all over Bengal after May 23, Didi (Banerjee), you will see that your MLAs will also abandon you and run away. Forty of your MLAs are in touch with me even today," Modi told an election rally in Hooghly district. "It will be tough for you to save yourself. You have cheated the people of Bengal," he said. Trinamool spokesman and Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien said his party would move the Election Commission charging Modi with horse trading. However, he also rubbished Modi's statement, claiming nobody will go with him. "Expiry Babu PM, let's get this straight. Nobody will go with you. Not even one councillor. Are you election campaigning or horse trading! Your expiry date is near. Today, we are complaining to the Election Commission. Charging you with horse trading," he tweeted. But BJP National Secretary Rahul Sinha endorsed Modi's comments and said many of the Trinamool leaders as well as senior state and police officers are in touch with his party. "We have said earlier that many Trinamool leaders are in touch with us. You will see that after the election results are out on May 23, cracks will emerge in Trinamool Congress. Many of them will migrate to our party," Sinha told IANS. "Also a number of senior state officers and police officers who are now forced to work for the state's ruling regime are also calling us and saying that they are forced to do so to protect their jobs. Things will change after the poll result," he added. BJP state Secretary Ritesh Tiwari seconded Sinha. "The BJP will win a majority of the 42 seats. And once the elections are announced, the Trinamool government will go, as the party will collapse like a packet of cards. There are some good people in Trinamool. They will join us. The good persons among their MLAs will also cross over to our side," Tiwari told IANS. Trinamool legislator Arjun Singh, who joined the BJP and is now the saffron party's candidate from Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency, said a month back that 100 legislators from the ruling party would join the BJP "soon". The four-time legislator from Bhatpara told media persons on March 27 that some of the lawmakers would come to the saffron party's fold before the coming general elections, while theothers would cross over after the polls. He said the legislators were keeping regular contact with the BJP leaders. Left Front legislature party leader and CPI-M state secretariat member Sujan Chakraborty accused the Prime Minister of resorting to horse-trading, but also said Banerjee is being given a dose of her own medicine. "It is clear-cut horse trading. It shows the Prime Minister does not have faith in democracy and people's opinion. He is talking about stealing away leaders from the opposition party. "Mamata Banerjee resorted to the same tactics earlier. She wooed away leaders from other parties. Now she is being paid back in her own coin. Modi and Mamata are complementing each other," Chakraborty told IANS. Amaravati, April 29 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday demanded that the Election Commission take action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his claim that 40 lawmakers of West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress were in touch with him. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief alleged that Modi's remarks made during campaigning in West Bengal amount to horse-trading and demanded the poll body to take action against him. "Betraying the spirit of democracy, belittling the office of a Prime Minister, and touching the height of absurdity, the PM of India stooped so low and claimed that 40 Trinamul Congress MLAs are in touch with him," Naidu said in a series of tweets. "This is nothing but horse trading, that too, when the election process is on and the model code of conduct is in force. The Election Commission of India shall immediately and suo-motu take cognizance of these shameful remarks by the Prime Minister and initiate action against him." "These comments vindicate our stand that, after destroying all the Institutions, the Prime Minister is now trying to destroy democracy itself," Naidu added. Lucknow, April 29 : The average polling percentage on 13 seats that went to the polls in the fourth phase of elections in Uttar Pradesh was 57.8 mainly due to blistering heat. According to the chief electoral officer, the highest percentage of votes was polled in Jhansi and Lakhimpur Kheri (63 each) and the lowest polling percentage was reported from Kanpur (51.09) . The seats where the polling was held include Shahjahanpur (SC), Kheri, Hardoi (SC), Misrikh (SC), Unnao, Farukkhabad, Etawah (SC), Kannauj, Kanpur, Akbarpur, Jalaun (SC), Jhansi and Hamirpur. Though the polling was by and large peaceful, there were complaints of EVM malfunctioning in several constituencies. The Samajwadi Party raised serious objections about faulty EVMs in Kannauj which affected polling. The party also claimed that their leaders were placed under house arrest. A delegation of party leaders met the chief electoral officer with their complaints. Complaints of EVM malfunctioning were also reported in Etawah under Auraiyya district and voters had to wait for prolonged time before they could cast their vote. According to reports, a woman was allegedly beaten up after she did not cast her vote in favour of Samajwadi Party candidate in Etawah. An FIR has been registered against a man in Auraiyya who allegedly carried his mobile phone into a polling booth and posted a picture while casting his vote on social media. Reports of EVM glitches were also reported from Shahjahanpur, Kanpur, Jhansi, Lalitpur, Akbarpur, Farukkhabad and Lakhimpur. A cow entered a polling station in Hardoi causing considerable commotion. This phase of elections is particularly important for BJP which had won 12 of the 13 seats in 2014. The only seat the BJP did not win was Kannauj. The four seats where the BJP had changed its sitting MPs -- Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Misrikh and Etawah - are also crucial for the party. The Congress has fielded candidates from 12 constituencies and the party is not contesting Kannauj. Some of the prominent candidates whose electoral fate will be decided in this phase are Dimple Yadav, former Union ministers Salman Khurshid (Farukkhabad) and Sri Prakash Jaiswal (Kanpur) of Congress, UP cabinet minister Satyadev Pachauri (Kanpur), Sakshi Maharaj of BJP (Unnao) and Annu Tandon of Congress (Unnao). As many as 2,41,07,084 voters were eligible to exercise their voting rights at 27,516 polling booths located in 17,011 polling centres. Kolkata, April 29 : The Election Commission (EC) on Monday said the fourth-phase Lok Sabha election in West Bengal was peaceful barring small incidents and 100 per cent central force coverage is likely in the coming phase. Eight parliamentary constituencies -- Baharampur, Ranaghat, Krishnanagar, Burdwan East, Burdwan-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur and Birbhum -- voted in the fourth phase of general elections. "The fourth-phase election in West Bengal was more or less peaceful except for small incidents. In the next phase probably there would be 100 per cent central force coverage of the polling stations," state Chief Electoral Officer Aariz Aftab told reporters here. He revealed that there could be around 580 companies of central forces in the next phase. The final deployment would be gradually shared. Aftab said there were incidents of firing in Parui and Dubrajpur of Birbhm district. The central police forces opened fire after some altercation broke out. "In Nadia's Hanshkhali, there was an incident of bombing in which two people received minor injuries. The culprit has been apprehended. Immediate action was taken in all other cases," he said. Regarding the way elections was conducted, Aftab said: "There were some complaints in two booths of Ketugram (under Burdwan East district) and one booth in Dharampur area of Ilambazar (under Birbhum district), where the Presiding Officer was immediately removed. "Till now six FIRs have been filed and 145 preventive arrests made. Also, six bombs have been recovered in this phase," Additional Director General of Police Siddhi Nath Gupta said. He mentioned that over the firing incident in Dubrajpur, one FIR was filed by some people against the central force officers calling it "unnecessary firing". The central forces have also filed a complaint with the police. In all, five persons were injured in the fourth phase, Gupta said. "Till evening, we received 630 complaints out of which 602 have been resolved," Aftab said. Asked about Trinamool's Birbhum district president Anubrata Mondal flouting EC surveillance and using phones, the CEO said: "As per EC's orders we had deployed Deputy Magistrate and Central Armed Police Force personnel." Also, showcause notices have also been issued to BJP's Birbhum candidate Dudh Kumar Mondal and Krishnanagar candidate Kalyan Chaubey for using mobile phone inside the polling booth. "There was no major issue of EVM malfunctioning. It was within permissible limits and the problems were immediately attended," Aftab added. Hyderabad, April 29 : Opposition Congress leaders in Telangana have approached the High Court, seeking direction to the State Assembly Speaker not to merge Congress Legislature Party (CLP) with the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). Amid reports that 11 MLAs who defected to TRS mulling to request Speaker P. Srinivas Reddy to merge CLP with TRS, State Congress chief Uttam Kumar Reddy and CLP leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Monday filed a petition in the High Court. They sought direction to the Speaker not to issue any orders for CLP's merger with the TRS till their petitions for disqualification of defectors were disposed of. They also urged the court to direct the Speaker to issue a notice to them before merging CLP with the ruling party. Eleven Congress MLAs have quit the party and joined TRS during last two months. Congress has already submitted petitions to the Speaker to disqualify them. In the Assembly elections held in December, Congress had won 19 seats in 119-member Assembly. As the two-third MLAs of Congress have crossed over to TRS, there has been speculation for the last few days that they may request the Speaker to merge CLP with the legislature party of TRS. In the event of the merger, Congress will lose the status of main opposition party in the Assembly. Uttam Kumar Reddy had written to Speaker on Sunday urging him to inform the Congress about any request for merger of defected Congress MLAs with the TRS. He also claimed that the Speaker was not competent enough to merge the legislature wing of a party with other party. Kolkata, April 29 : Trinamool Congress' Birbhum district President Anubrata Mondal, who is "under strict surveillance" following allegations of him threatening polling officers, said on Monday he is "not bothered" about the poll panel move. Despite surveillance, Mondal was seen instructing party workers from a land line phone, and receiving calls from them and supervising the polls from the party office. "How is the polling? What is the turnout? Speed up the process. I need a huge lead. Are there agents of other parties?" he instructed a party worker over phone. When queried about the phone call, he said, "I have asked them (party agents) to apprise the presiding officer to speed up the voting process as many voters were queuing up outside the booths." Managing elections from the "control room" within the party office, he said there were reports of EVM snags and delays in the polling process. He expressed his disappointment over the role of Central forces during the polls in the state. Voting was stalled for some time at Poduma under the Dubrajpur Assembly segment after villagers vandalised the polling booth. The villagers clashed with the security forces following a dispute over depositing mobile phones, officials said. To bring the situation under control, the security personnel fired in the air. In this context, Mondal said over the phone: "Tell them we have more firearms". Mondal, who went to the polling booth riding a party worker's motorcycle to vote, said the polling in two Lok Sabha constituencies - Birbhum and Bolpur - in the district was largely "peaceful" and he was confident of winning both the seats. The Election Commission's move came after a group of Bengal poll officials had requested the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal to take stringent measures and to "keep the said leader under house arrest". The script seemed to be a replay of the 2016 Assembly polls, when the EC had advised Mondal - who was under the poll panel's surveillance then too - to refrain from moving beyond his constituency. The commission had then taken the action against Mondal following complaints by the opposition that he was threatening them. New Delhi, April 29 : Union Minister Harsh Vardhan, re-contesting from the Chandni Chowk Lok Sabha seat, on Monday asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had been contributing towards employment generation across the country through its constructive policies. Slamming the opposition for alleging that employment opportunities shrunk drastically during the NDA rule, he said: "The BJP has been sincerely contributing towards employment generation in all parts of the country, including Delhi, as its approach is constructive and not destructive like the opportunistic opposition parties." The minister said this while interacting with people during his voter outreach programmes in Paschim Vihar, Meera Bagh, Jain Colony, Rana Pratap Bagh and DESU Colony in his parliamentary constituency. He said the BJP-headed three municipal corporations in Delhi took bold decisions to provide employment opportunities to small entrepreneurs and proprietors of household industries. "The decision was taken as per instructions of the BJP. They also agreed to the BJP's policy for online issuance and renewal of licences of household and service industries. "The decision has been implemented, resulting in revival of 130 types of household industries after a 10-year gap, when setting up of such industries was banned," he said. He said as per the decision, any industry of the 130 household industries were allowed over 50 per cent of area wherein 11 KW electricity connection was sanctioned and up to nine workers were allowed to be employed. The BJP leader, facing a triangular contest from J.P. Agarwal of the Congress and Pankaj Gupta of the AAP, said, up to 2010 only 25 per cent ground floor area was allowed for setting up household industries. Elections in Delhi are scheduled on May 12 in the sixth phase. The BJP had won all the seven seats in 2014 general elections. Barrackpore: Prime Minister Narendra Modi being welcomed by party workers during a public rally at Barrackpore in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas, on April 29, 2019. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS/PIB Barrackpore, West Bengal : In a veiled swipe at erstwhile Congress governments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said forces in the country, which believe in dynastic and vote bank politics, censored the national song 'Vande Mataram' and neglected the heroes of Azad Hind Fauj who had fought for India's independence. Claiming that there is a "perverted trend" of abusing patriotism and nationalist feelings in the country, he said people should be wary of those who think "100 times" before uttering "Vande Mataram" or "Bharat Mata Ki Jai (all hail motherland)". "The country is witnessing a perverted mindset to abuse patriotism and nationalist feelings. 'Vande Mataram' is a celebration of 'Maa-Mati-Manush' (mother-motherland-people) but the song had been censored and tampered with. And now there is a shameless attempt to bury it," he alleged at an election rally here in Bhatpara under the Barrackpore parliamentary constituency. Reciting some of the 'censored' lines of 'Vande Mataram', he said that it is only BJP that has the courage to sing the whole song publicly. Modi also claimed heroes of India's freedom struggle were neglected for "vote bank and dynasty politics" before the BJP government took steps to respect to all those who played significant role in the country's Independence and nation-building. "It was a memorable moment for me when the National Flag was hoisted in the Red Fort to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Azad Hind government. To respect the contribution of Netaji and Azad Hind Fauj, a 'Kranti Mandir' has been built inside the Red Fort. "We have also paid respect to the other members of the Azad Hind Fauj and made them part of our Republic Day parade in Delhi last year. The Republic Day is being celebrated in the country for decades but none of the he previous governments remembered them," he alleged. New Delhi, April 29 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested an Islamic State sympathizer and follower of alleged Sri Lanka bombings mastermind Zahran Hasim, the agency said. Riyas Aboobacker was arrested from Kerala after he disclosed NIA investigators that he has been following speeches and videos of Hashim, a radical Tamil-speaking cleric who is believed to have masterminded the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka which left 253 people dead and over 500 injured. The 29-year-old informed the NIA officials that he has been following Hasim for more than a year and has also followed the speeches of Zakir Naik, an absconding Indian Islamic preacher and the founder of the Islamic Research Foundation. Aboobacker admitted that he wanted to carry out a suicide attack in Kerala. He was being questioned by the NIA since Sunday when the agency unearthed the Kasargod module of the terrorist outfit in Kerala during multiple raids at the house of three suspects. Aboobacker alias Abu Dujana, a resident of Palakkad in Kerala, has been arrested on charges for conspiring to commit a terrorist act, an NIA statement said. The suspect, NIA said, revealed during his interrogation that he had been in online contact with an absconding suspect Abdul Rashid Abdulla for a long time and has been following his audio clips including the clip which he had circulated on social media platform instigating others to carry out terror attacks in India. Aboobacker revealed that he was also having online chat with Abdul Khayoom, a suspect in Valapattanam Islamic State case, who was believed to be in Syria, said the anti-terror agency. The NIA had earlier received inputs that a group of four persons has been in contact with some accused identified as Abdul Rashid, Ashfaq Majeed, Abdul Khayoom who had already migrated to Afghanistan and Syria. After verification, NIA carried out searches at three places (two in Kasaragod and one in Palakkad District) on Sunday. The agency said three group members have been interrogated for their Islamic State links and their plans and that this case was registered in July 2016 following the disappearance of 15 youths from Kasargod and their subsequent migration to Islamic State (14 persons to Afghanistan and one person to Syria). Aboobacker will be produced before a special NIA court in Kochin in Kerala on Tuesday, said the agency. New Delhi, April 29 April 29 : The BJP on Monday complained to the Election Commission against violation of model code in West Bengal, citing various incidents. The BJP said that in Ketugram (Bolpur Lok Sabha Constituency) an individual was seen interfering with free and fair exercise of votes within the polling booths. "This put undue pressure on the voter to cast his/her vote in favour of TMC," the BJP said. In Jemua (Durgapur Lok Sabha Constituency) voters were lathicharged by the police and chased away from the polling booth while in Barabani (Asansol constituency), party MP Babul Supriyo was heckled outside polling booth no. 199 and his car was attacked. Further, in Chapra (Krishnanagar Lok Sabha Constituency), BJP workers were terrorized and Trinamool Congress activists rigged booth no. 145 Kalyandaha, the BJP said, adding it had been reported that around 450 outsiders disturbed polling process at Bahrampur constituency. London, April 29 : A man, appearing to be the Islamic State leader's Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi, has appeared in a video posted on the terror group's media network, vowing revenge for loss of the "caliphate's territory" in Iraq and Syria, reports said on Monday. In the video, Baghdadi, who was not been seen after announcing the "caliphate" across his group's conquered parts of Syria and Iraq from Mosul in 2014, acknowledges defeat at at the group's last stronghold in Syria and refers to the regime changes in Algeria and Sudan, the BBC reported. There is also reference to the Easter Sunday carnage in Sri Lanka - which the IS has claimed responsibility for, but it is in audio form towards the end of the video and Baghdadi does not appear along side, which indicates it might have been added earlier. The video, which IS says was shot this month, was posted on the group's al-Furqan media network. London, April 30 : A man, appearing to be the Islamic State leader's Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi, has appeared in a video posted on the terror group's media network, vowing more attacks in revenge for loss of the "caliphate's territory", reports said on Monday. In the video, Baghdadi, who was not been seen after announcing the "caliphate" across his group's conquered parts of Syria and Iraq in 2014, admits defeat at the group's last stronghold in Syria and refers to the regime changes in Algeria and Sudan where long-time rulers have been forced to step down, the BBC reported. The video also mentions the Easter Sunday carnage in Sri Lanka - which the IS has claimed responsibility for, but in audio form towards the end of the video with no image of Baghdadi alongside, which indicates it might have been added later. The 18-minute video, which IS says was shot this month, was posted on the group's al-Furqan media network. "The battle for Baghouz is over," says Baghdadi, an 47-year-old Iraqi whose real name is Ibrahim Awwad Ibrahim al-Badri and was last heard in an audio recording last August, says in the video, referring to the group's last territory in violence-torn Syria which the Kurdish militia claimed to have re-captured. "There will be more to come after this battle," he is heard saying. Los Angeles, April 30 : Actor Robert Pattinson, who is rumoured to be dating model Suki Waterhouse, does not like speaking about his personal life because he does not want to "devalue" it. Asked about Waterhouse, Pattinson told the Sunday Times' Style magazine: "Do I have to (talk about her)? If you let people in, it devalues what love is. If a stranger on the street asked you about your relationship, you would think it extremely rude. If you put up a wall, it ends up better. "I can't understand how someone can walk down the street holding hands, and it's the same as when I do it and a hundred people are taking your photograph. The line between when you are performing and when you are not will eventually get washed away and you'll go completely mad." While his relationships with actress Kristen Stewart and FKA Twigs didn't end well, he doesn't believe high-profile romances are doomed, reported femalefirst.co.uk. "They were pretty long relationships, not like three months." The "High Life" actor is close friends with Katy Perry and is impressed by the fact that fame hasn't changed her. He said: "She's exactly the same. That's difficult to do." There were big losers and big winners at weekend auctions as the volume picked up after the Easter break. Listings are still lower than a normal autumn given the virtual long weekend, lingering school holidays and encroaching Federal election nervousness. The markets remain weak with volumes well down from a year ago, Shane Oliver, the AMP Capital chief economist noted. Queensland mortgagees accepted $120,000 in the nation's cheapest weekend auction sale. It was on Russell Island, off the Queensland coast in Redland City near North Stradbroke Island, where a two bedroom 2007-built house (to) was sold for the bargain price. The $120,000 sale price was lower than its prior two sales, according to CoreLogic. It fetched $159,000 in May last year, and $180,000 in 2009. The island's median house price sits at $199,000, having peaked at $233,000 in 2010, and dipping to $170,000 in 2015. The 2007-built home also went under contract late last year when there was a $155,000 asking price, but the sale did not proceed. LJ Hooker Bay Islands secured the sale of vacated 74 Falconhurst Road offering on the biggest of the Southern Moreton Bay islands. There have been 30 sales on Russell Island this year, ranging from $475,000 for a waterfront house which had been on and off the market for six years to $24,500 for a vacant block of land, at half its prior sale price. Melbourne's priciest sale, a $3 million Blackburn development site which was snapped up pre-auction, also reflected a price drop result. The 61-63 Whitehorse Rd, Blackburn offering (below) came with approved plans for 12 residences on the 1470sqm residential growth zone development site. But the large weatherboard house with another residence last sold at $3.64 million in 2016, according to CoreLogic. The top house sale was $1.85 million in Caroline Springs, 25 km west of Melbourne's Central Business District, within the City of Melton. The 15 Lauriston Quay offering had price guidance of $1.1 million to $1.2 million through First National. The luxury 2005-built home, on a 976 sqm block directly opposite the lake in the prestigious The Bridges Estate boasts six bedrooms, three of which are grand masters. It last sold in 2013 at $937,000, the first time it sold as a home with 650 sqm of floor space. One on Brightons iconic bathing boxes failed to sell at weekend auction when offered by a family that had owned the box for three generations.. Bathing Box 34, just off The Esplanade (below) was passed in on a $280,000 vendor bid. It now has a $310,000 asking price for the box which has a sea life mural on the front. Hocking Stuart agent Rowan Thompson told the Herald Sun his two potential buyers hadnt shown at the auction. Across Australias two largest cities, there were 497 Melbourne homes taken to auction, increasing on the 50 homes auctioned last week, however the clearance rate dropped to 55.7 per cent, after last weeks 63.2 per cent final clearance rate. With no-one from Sydney, Katie and Alex Middlemiss, who have an 1880s cottage in the Southern Tablelands, are the NSW representatives on the new season of House Rules which premiered on Channel 7 on Sunday evening. They moved to Gundaroo from the ACT in 2016 when they paid $470,000 for the near derelict two bedroom 70 square metre cottage on its 1900 square metre block (pictured below). Photo from listing in January, 2012 She's billed as the stay-at-home mum, Katie, 29, and her Federal Police officer husband, Alex, 32. They told host Joanne Griggs they desire a working kitchen and a master bedroom that doesn't leak. She's been a personal trainer, done midwifery and founded Fudie, which provided nutritious meals to busy individuals around Canberra. Despite their obvious renovation failings (she's set to be the brains and him the brawn), the couple admit the series has been a crazy ride with many sacrifices - the hardest being away from their 14 month old daughter Haillie. So far, social media has been kind to the couple, with most queries about where she gets her hair done (she responded its over the border at Hair by Molly in Canberra), and we've already seen strong social influencers backing her efforts. The seventh season of the show features an expanded judging panel comprised of designer Jamie Durie, international design guru Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and local style expert Wendy Moore. Designer Carolyn Burns-McCrave will again mentor and help the six state teams as they travel around the country transforming each others homes. This article first appeared in The Sunday Telegraph. Open Infrastructure Summit The first Open Infrastructure Summit (formerly the OpenStack Summit), convening today through May 1, has brought together hundreds of contributors to discuss how open source software is powering 5G and edge deployments. Open Infrastructure Summit Open source software is powering 5G and edge computing deployments, giving telecoms and non-IT industries the capacity to deploy and scale quickly while providing the flexibility needed for continuous innovation. The first Open Infrastructure Summit (formerly the OpenStack Summit), convening today through May 1, has brought together hundreds of contributors to discuss how open source software is powering 5G and edge deployments. 5G Interactive Demo Takes Center Stage at the Summit AT&T and Ericsson have brought their 5G technologies to the Open Infrastructure Summit, using the mmWave bandwidth of the 5G radio technology to showcase how the 39 GHz band New Radio (NR) network is capable of achieving more than 1 Gbps of throughput. This showcase includes the core network applications (e.g., mobility management entity and evolved packet core deployed on an OpenStack cloud), and the 5G NR network is using the four-carrier aggregation of 100 MHz carriers to achieve this level of high bandwidth on site. The demo also features a follow up of AT&Ts live 5G video call originally demonstrated at the Berlin Summit in November 2018, which AT&T enabled by running a 5G Evolved Packet Core on Airship and OpenStack. In this instance, the onsite 5G NR systems connect to AT&Ts production core network deployed with an Airship-based, containerized OpenStack cloud. This demo system is part of the 5G Lounge, sponsored by AT&T and Ericsson, where attendees can see the 5G NR equipment and connect their mobile phones to a 5G MiFi device to experience the speed of 5G technology*. In addition, the 5G Lounge features a virtual reality game, called Strike-A-Light, where the players can compare through VR goggles how the simulated latency from 3G, 4G and 5G networks can impact their response time. A virtualized Radio Access Network (vRAN) deployed on an Airship-based containerized OpenStack cloud will also be showcased in the Ericsson booth. Technical Sessions Address How Open Source Technologies are Transforming Mobility Throughout the three-day conference, participants will hear how global telecoms are building their 5G strategy. Attendees also have access to 5G and edge case studies, technical deep dives and demos, including the following: Delivering Open Infrastructure with Airship and OpenStack-Helm to Enable Workloads like 5G (AT&T) China Mobile's 5G Practice Based on OpenStack (China Mobile) Highly Efficient Edge Cloud Data Center for 5G (Mellanox, Nokia) 5G-based Intelligent Manufacturing Edge Solution (99cloud) Dont Touch That! Addressing Edge Infrastructure Management (RackN) Designing NFVi Architecture at the Edge - Requirements, Challenges and Solutions (Charter Communications, Red Hat) Akraino, EdgeX, CORD, OpenEdge, ioFog... What's the Best Solution for Your Edge? (Intel) Container Networking at the Edge (Dell, Red Hat) Digital Transformation in Finance Industry (Ericsson) Secure Containers -- Kata Containers -- on Edge Cloud (Baidu & Intel) ***Check out the schedule for these sessions and others at the Open Infrastructure Summit.*** About the Open Infrastructure Summit Formerly the OpenStack Summit, the Open Infrastructure Summit is the premier event for collaboration across communities building and running open source infrastructure using OpenStack, Kubernetes and more than 30 other technologies. The global event convenes thousands of people delivering hundreds of presentations, hands-on training and collaborative sessions for open source developers and operators. The Open Infrastructure Summit Denver is supported by an ecosystem of sponsors, including headline sponsors Deutsche Telekom, Intel and Ubuntu delivered by Canonical, and premier sponsors Cisco and Red Hat. About the OpenStack Foundation The OpenStack Foundation (OSF) supports the development and adoption of open infrastructure globally, across a community of nearly 100,000 individuals in 190+ countries, by hosting open source projects and communities of practice, including datacenter cloud, edge computing, network functions virtualization (NFV), CI/CD and container infrastructure. ### *The physical connectivity to the Denver Convention Center will limit the backhaul bandwidth to 900mbps. Advantix Digital, a leading digital marketing agency joins the ranks with companies such as II Makiage and Stella Rising as a recent finalist for the category of Best Brand / Agency Collaboration for the 2019 Glossy Awards. The Glossy Awards celebrate the brands, media companies and technology firms that are disrupting the industries of fashion and beauty. This nomination stems from Advantix Digitals partnership with Grafton Apparel, Ltd., a leading Canadian seller of mens apparel and the results that came from their Black Friday digital marketing efforts. With online shopping growing 19.1% from November 1 and December 24 of 2018, a successful Black Friday campaign is an integral part of any retailers bottom line. Grafton Apparel was able to gain 2,809% higher average ROAS across three brands Advantix Digital manages, as well as see a 225% increase in year over year transaction volume. Conversions also increased year over year by 62.7%. As Lenirose Espiritu, Vice President of Marketing for Grafton Apparel noted, Our efforts on black Friday contributed to our biggest e-commerce day yet. Advantix Digitals approach used data from Google Analytics to determine which campaigns and products drove the most revenue and then built ads specifically tailored to this data, not only resulted in a staggering increase in sales, but also increased customer impressions by 842%. As Advantix Digital continues to grow, being shortlisted for an award such as the Glossy Award proves Advantix Digital is on the right path in creating a dynamic digital agency. Im very honored that our agency has been nominated alongside some of the greatest brands in the Fashion and Beauty industries. I'm extremely proud of our team and their hard work. This nomination wouldn't be possible without the amazing clients we have who trust our agency to grow their businesses." says Amine Bentahar, Advantix Digitals Chief Operating and Digital Officer. Advantix Digital specializes in digital marketing, offering a boutique business model that allows Advantix to operate as a team member of the clients they serve. With continual growth, they have expanded their offices to Houston and Dallas,Texas and Miami, Florida. This years winners will be announced at the Glossy Awards gala on June 12 at Current in New York City. To learn more about the nominees and the Glossy Award please visit: https://www.glossy.co/announcement/il-makiage-rothys-and-net-a-porter-are-among-the-finalists-for-this-years-glossy-awards L-R: Marlene Ott, Spike Sands "Marlene and Spike are not only amazing agents with proven track records of successfully helping buyers and sellers for many years, but theyre also terrific people and a true pleasure to work with." -Terri Bracciale, regional president, Baltimore region Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty, one of the countrys fastest-growing real estate brokerages, today welcomes top-producing real estate professionals Marlene Ott and Spike Sands to its Ocean Pines office. "Were excited to welcome Marlene and Spike to the company, said Terri Bracciale, regional president of the companys Baltimore metro region. Not only are they amazing agents with proven track records of successfully helping buyers and sellers for many years, but theyre also terrific people and a true pleasure to work with. Ott has been a real estate leader in the Maryland coastal area for over 40 years. She consistently ranks in the highest ten percent among the nations top producers and has received numerous accolades over the years, including Metropolitan Magazines Best Realtor award, the Womens Council of Realtors Businesswoman of the Year award, and a Lifetime Achievement award and Super Nova award from the Coastal Association of Realtors. She is a certified residential specialist, a graduate of the Realtors Institute, and a member of the Womens Council of Realtors. Marlene was the one who actually started me on my own career path in real estate, said Sharon Curtiss, branch manager of the companys Ocean Pines office. She recommended that I get my license back in 2001, which I did, and we then became friends through the Womens Council of Realtors. I can personally vouch for Marlenes integrity and professionalism, and we are all so pleased that she and Spike have decided to affiliate with us. Sands has been a resident of Ocean City since 1994 and has been delivering superior service to his clients since entering the business in 2010. A top producer with consistent five star ratings on Zillow, he is currently among the Coastal Association of Realtors top 50 in sales volume for Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties. With a deep expertise and vast knowledge of Ocean City and its surrounding towns, Sands prides himself on his sharp eye for great value and keen sense of opportunity. On behalf of Spike, were both so pleased to be joining the company, Ott said. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realtys brand has always stood for knowledge, expertise and a commitment to superb customer service, which is what weve delivered and continue to deliver to the home buyers and sellers in the Eastern Shore year after year. Ott and Sands will be announcing the formation of their new partnership in the next few weeks. Ott can be reached via phone at 410-430-5743 and email at marlene(at)marleneott(dot)com; Sands can be reached via phone at 443-235-0489 and email at spike(at)spikesands(dot)com. They are both located at the companys Ocean Pines office at 11001 Manklin Meadows Lane, Berlin, MD. About Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty (http://www.penfedrealty.com) is a full-service real estate company with an annual sales volume of almost $5 billion. The company has 1,800 agents and more than 50 offices, providing complete real estate services nationwide. PenFed Realty is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PenFed Credit Union and is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brokerage network, operated by HSF Affiliates LLC. We are proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. Equal Housing Opportunity. Best New York Web Design Firms 10 Best Design recently selected the winners of its Best New York Web Development Agency awards for April 2019, giving Ruckus Marketing the top honor. This award is significant because New York City is the financial heart of the United States. From the New York Stock Exchange and its Fortune 500 companies to the small businesses that are set up to serve the city's residents and workers, businesses need to be found by consumers. One of the best ways for this to happen is with a site that features quality content that is optimized for the search engine algorithms. Website development is one part of a multi-pronged strategy. Many people feel that it is the biggest and most important marketing tool that a company has. Finding the right agency to implement a great site design is not easy. The 10 Best Design listing service has set up a brand-new monthly award for the best web design firm. Take a look at this list of the 10 best firms in New York City. This month's leader for best New York web development agencies is Ruckus Marketing. This firm of talented web designers is known for its responsive site designs. These site designs are ideal for all visitors. Ruckus Marketing's staff is also adept at eCommerce platforms and ensuring that a site's architecture is solid. Also earning a spot on the list as a best New York web development agency is Blue Fountain Media. This is a full-service web development firm, and it works with clients across a full spectrum of industries and niches. From restaurants to banks, Blue Fountain Media is adept at telling the story of the client's brand through a site that is easy to navigate. The programmers deliver a great user interface for interactive site components. Another top design firm to consider is Lounge Lizard. The programmers at Lounge Lizard offer niche website development services such as sites for medical or dental providers and facilities. They understand how to make the site responsive to the mobile devices that consumers increasingly use when conducting an internet search. The associates at Lounge Lizard also do a great job at putting search engine optimization into the site's content and architecture. Many companies appeared in this ranking of top web designers in NYC due to great success with clients throughout the City and beyond include. The full list includes: Dotlogics, Beluga Lab, Constructive, Avex, BOWEN, Swarm, and Kaplow. This is a new monthly award, so businesses should be sure to check the awards for next month in order to see which companies are excelling in the area of web design in New York City. For more information about the winning firms for April 2019, visit http://www.10bestdesign.com. Haydens generosity has impacted hundreds of people in the local community and is a shining example for the entire housing industry, said John McManus, Editorial Director and Vice President of the Residential Group at Hanley Wood. Hanley Wood, the premier information, media, event, and strategic marketing services company serving the residential, commercial design and construction industries, has announced that Hayden Watson, Chairman of Hayden Homes, is the recipient of the 2019 Hearthstone Humanitarian Award, presented annually by BUILDER magazine and Hearthstone, a leader in financing single family development. Its an honor to recognize operational talent, yet its a gift to honor individuals who are giving beyond that in the way that the Hearthstone BUILDER Award recognizes the elite for their time, energy and resources to helping others, said John McManus, Editorial Director and Vice President of the Residential Group at Hanley Wood. Haydens generosity has impacted hundreds of people in the local community and is a shining example for the entire housing industry. Hearthstone and BUILDER, together with founding sponsor Kohler Company, joined forces to recognize builders who go the extra mile to help others. Now in its 19th year, the Hearthstone BUILDER Humanitarian Award has given nearly $6 million to charity, making it the largest philanthropic award in the homebuilding industry, to honor builders who have demonstrated a lifetime commitment to making their communities a better place to work and live. "Year after year, we receive dozens of entries for this elite award, said Mark Porath, CEO of Hearthstone. Its so encouraging to witness the leadership and self-sacrifice of those in home building. Every year gives us the unique opportunity to honor someone new that has an entirely different and meaningful impact. In todays housing environment, its so important to showcase and recognize the accomplishments of leaders like Hayden Watson to provide models for more attainable housing for more people across the country." Watson has been leading Hayden Homes for close to three decades, starting as CEO in 1999, and becoming Chairman in 2016. Under his leadership the company became one of the top 35 private home builders in the country, with an economic impact of more than $3 billion since inception. Hayden has been sure to build a strong foundation of giving and generosity, throughout the companys entire suite of brands including Simplicity Homes, WiseSize and Hayden Homes. The companies each commit ten percent of profits and 0.125 percent of every home sale to charitable causes. The trio of home building companies led by Watson have donated more than $18.3 million funneled through the non-profit, First Story. Watson founded First Story to provide hardworking, deserving and capable families with an affordable home and a first step toward financial freedom. Hayden Homes has provided more than 16,000 new homes to price conscious, value-driven home buyers in underserved, secondary markets throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho. I feel fortunate that I was able to nominate Hayden and I know he feels incredibly honored to be receiving this recognition, says Claire Duncan, Executive Director at First Story. Hayden is changing liveshis program is changing the way that work feels to the Hayden Home group as they are able to give one of the most meaningful things that they can to people in need a safe home. Our hope is that Haydens generosity and vision can inspire others across the country to provide for more housing opportunities for more who are in need. Hayden Watson was selected by a panel of top industry leaders with experience in humanitarian outreach: John McManus, Vice President and Editorial Director, Residential Group, Hanley Wood Mark Porath, CEO of Hearthstone Bert Selva, CEO of Shea Homes Larry Webb, CEO of The New Home Co. Dan Ryan, CEO of Dan Ryan Homes Chris Gaffney, Group President, Toll Brothers Lori Sanson, Executive Vice President, DeNova Homes Pat Hamill, CEO, Oakwood Homes Watson will be honored at the 2019 Housing Leadership Summit, taking place May 13-15 at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel at Dana Point, Calif. Im extremely humbled as well as honored to receive this award and recognition, said Watson. I am proud to be part of a family that makes serving the community a priority, its probably the most important part of my job. I also am proud that we are directing efforts and resources to one of the countrys most profound issues housing affordability and homelessness. About Hearthstone Hearthstone was the first, and today is the largest institutional investor solely focused on for-sale residential development in the country, with over $15 billion committed to the homebuilding industry since 1992. This commitment represents the financing of over 500 communities in 20 states. About Hanley Wood Hanley Wood is the premier company serving the information, media, and marketing needs of the residential, commercial design and construction industry. Utilizing the largest analytics and editorially driven Construction Industry Database, the company provides business intelligence and data-driven services. The company produces award-winning media, high-profile executive events, and strategic marketing solutions. To learn more, visit hanleywood.com. Russell Stephen, a teacher at the C2 Education Center in Nanuet, NY receives the 2019 National Teacher of the Year Award from C2 Education Co-Founder Jim Narangajavana C2 Education (C2), the nations premier network of subject tutoring, SAT , ACT, and PSAT test prep and college admissions consulting centers recently presented the 2019 Teacher of the Year Awards at C2s annual National Education Leadership Conference in Atlanta. This years awards honor teachers who have had an especially life changing impact on C2 students that they work with at their local C2 Center. One finalist was selected from each of four regions in the country, and the four finalists were presented with their honors at the C2 Awards Dinner at the conference. One of the awardees was also named the National Winner. The 2019 Teacher of the Year Award Winners: Regional Winner, Southwest Region - Craig Conroy, La Crescenta, California Craig has become the most highly requested tutor at his center and beside high level tutoring he works with high school seniors on their college essays. Regional Winner, Northwest Region - Sean Llewellyn, Lynwood, Washington Sean has worked at C2 for 10 years and has helped students not only in academics but in life. With Seans guidance, one of his recent students college essay was featured in Harvards 50 Successful Application Essays. Regional Winner, Southeast Region - Elizabeth Lowman, Olney, Maryland Elizabeth has changed the life of every student she has worked with and has a vast knowledge and expertise in all school subjects. National Winner and Regional Winner, Northeast Region- Russell Stephen - Nanuet, New York Russell has been a major positive influence to more than 300 students since he began working at C2 in 2006. He is considered by his peers to be the C2 Encyclopedia. About C2 Education C2 Education (http://www.C2education.com) was founded in 1997 by David Kim and Jim Narangajavana, two Harvard students offering private tutoring programs from their dorm room. Now one of the nations leading Tutoring, Test Prep, and College Admissions Counseling organizations, the company has grown to over 180 centers nationwide serving over 13,000 students and their families. C2 utilizes a unique approach that combines individualized instruction, customized curriculum, and dedicated education experts that helps students on the path to their dream college. C2 Education is headquartered in Johns Creek, Georgia. Follow the company on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/c2education . Media Contact: Kenny Fried Email: kfried(at)aboutbwf(dot)com Phone: 202-468-8200 Ceresa, a tech-enabled platform that is helping close the womens leadership gap through a radically better mentorship model, today announced the appointment of Nicole Tanzillo as Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, and Beth Yehaskel as Chief Customer Officer. Both Tanzillo and Yehaskel will report to Ceresa Founder and CEO, Anna Robinson. Im thrilled to have Nicole and Beth on board. Combined, they bring over four decades of experience in technology and operations, and they share a deep-rooted commitment to Ceresas mission and to building a people-centric culture, said Anna Robinson, Founder and CEO of Ceresa. This is an exciting time of growth for Ceresa, and they will play an integral role in leading our team as we bring radically better mentoring to thousands of women. With a Computer Engineering degree from Texas A&M University, Tanzillo brings creativity and an analytical approach to execute on Ceresas mission of closing the global womens leadership gap. Before joining Ceresa, she held several leadership roles at Spiceworks, including Vice President of Business Operations and Executive Director of Product Operations. Tanzillo leads product, member operations, and marketing to create an engaging, high-impact end-to-end experience for Ceresa mentees and mentors. She also oversees all business operations, including ensuring alignment between Ceresas internal and external missions and building a company culture of meaning. Our mission at Ceresa is a very personal one, said Tanzillo. Im lucky to have experienced firsthand the transformative impact of great mentorship over the course of my career, and I cant overstate the difference it has made. Its my sincere hope that, through Ceresa, we can give more women leaders than ever before access to the support and tools they need to build and thrive in intentional, high-impact careers and lives. Yehaskel has over twenty years of professional experience scaling rapidly growing companies and building strong teams that provide amazing experiences for customers across their lifecycle. Before joining Ceresa, Yehaskel spent several years at Spredfast as VP of Customer Success and VP of Business Operations, and most recently served as VP of Customer Success for Jungle Scout. Leading the growth engine at Ceresa, Yehaskel will use her expertise to oversee customer success, sales, and business development. As a former Peace Corps volunteer and longtime mentor, Im always looking for ways to empower others to succeed, said Yehaskel. Im proud to support a mission-based company working to address the womens leadership gap, which is a topic Ive been passionate about for years. In addition to two new hires, Ceresa has continued its growth with the recent launch of the Ceresa magazine, which serves as an online resource for industry news, research, and perspectives. Focusing on women as leaders and mentors, as well as broader workplace diversity, the magazine brings awareness to the gender leadership gap and offers insight on how to address it. To learn more, please visit http://www.magazine.ceresa.com. For more information about Ceresa, visit http://www.ceresa.com. About Ceresa Ceresa is helping to close the womens leadership gap, using Radically Better Mentorship to help more professional women achieve -- and thrive in -- positions of leadership. Ceresas proprietary mentoring platform solves for the challenges of the traditional mentorship model, combining a research-based curriculum, structured programming, and personalized external matching to maximize impact for both mentees and mentors alike. Based in Austin, TX and inspired by the next generation of future female leaders, Ceresa was created by women to help women. For more information, please visit http://www.ceresa.com. Bioforum is a data-focused Contract Research Organization (CRO), offering a wide range of consulting services, including medical writing, data management and bio-statistical support. Bioforum will support Clinerion by leveraging its extensive network to enlarge Clinerions outreach in Bioforums target markets of Israel and Australia. Bioforum will also identify potential customers for Clinerions services, which enable pharmaceutical trial sponsors to more accurately refine trial protocol criteria and then quickly find and match their trials to sites and patients, accelerating the set-up phase of trials by months. We are extremely excited to launch this collaboration and are confident that together we can promote clinical research in our target markets. We are keen to introduce more medical centers to Clinerions advanced technology, says Bioforums President & Co-Founder, Mr. Amir Malka. Patients in both Israel and Australia are underserved by clinical research at the moment, says Ian Rentsch, CEO of Clinerion. We are pleased to have Bioforum on board to support bringing our solutions to market. About Clinerion Clinerion accelerates clinical research and medical access to treatments for patients. We use proprietary technologies for analysis of patient data from our global network of partner hospitals. Clinerion's Patient Network Explorer radically improves the efficiency and effectiveness of clinical trial recruitment by offering data-driven protocol optimization, site feasibility evaluation and real-time patient search and identification to match patients to treatments. Our technology solution provides real-world evidence analytics for medical access. Clinerion facilitates the participation of partner hospitals in leading-edge, industry-sponsored trials and time savings in patient recruitment. We create innovative and disruptive fit-for-purpose solutions which enable pharmaceutical companies to shorten patient recruitment and save costs by streamlining operations and leveraging strategic intelligence. Clinerions proprietary Big Data analytics technologies leverage real-time data from electronic health records which comply with international patient privacy and data security regulations. Clinerion is a global data technology service company headquartered in Switzerland. Clinerion website: http://www.clinerion.com Clinerions Patient Network Explorer: http://www.clinerion.com/index/OverviewOurSolutions/ClinerionPatientNetworkExplorer For more information, please contact: Le Vin Chin Director, Head of Marketing & Communications Clinerion Ltd Elisabethenanlage 11, 4051 Basel, Switzerland Tel.: +41 61 865 60 54 media(at)clinerion(dot)com About Bioforum the Data Masters Bioforum is a data focused CRO, offering a wide range of consulting services, medical writing, data management and bio-statistical support. We are a multi-disciplinary team of experts that helps clients comprehend the value of their clinical data simply by making it readily available for monitoring, analysis and ready for submission. We partner with our clients to boost and improve the utilization of their clinical data and guarantee its integrity and accuracy. Bioforum website: http://www.bioforumgroup.com For more information, please contact: Tali Rahinstein VP Business Development Bioforum Ltd. 3 Golda Meir St., Weizmann Science Park, Ness Ziona 70400, Israel Tel.: +972-8-3730500, ext.553 talir(at)bioforum.co.il Participants dancing to the beat of Zumba! It is an amazing sight to see a community breaking down barriers and coming together in something as simple as dance to know they are not alone in their cancer journey" -Katherine Schaible, LSW, Program Coordinator at CSCCNJ A Spanish speaking woman is diagnosed with cancer. She lives alone, and has little support, as well as transportation problems; myriad challenges to receiving the care she needs, further complicated by financial issues. She connected with bilingual social worker, Katherine Schaible, LSW, Program Coordinator at Cancer Support Community Central NJ (CSCCNJ) at a community event hosted by CSCCNJ. Through dedicated funds, an Uber brings her to CSCCNJs headquarters in Bedminster, NJ where she has a one-on-one session with Schaible. Afterwards, she is relieved and less stressed. She is happy to connect with someone who understands and can help, and enjoys the opportunity to spend time outside of her home for an escape. When facing a cancer diagnosis, emotional and social interventions are vital in coping with the stress associated with the disease, but not every person, or every culture, sees a cancer diagnosis through the same lens. Last month, in an effort to meet Hispanic-Latino cancer patients and their families where they are, CSCCNJ hosted a Latino Family Day of Wellness in New Brunswick, NJ in partnership with Saint Peters University Hospital and sponsored by Novartis. The free event, Dia Familiar de Bienestar, was delivered completely in Spanish and held at Saint Peters. Healthcare educators and wellness instructors provided nutrition education, mindfulness practice, Yoga, Zumba, and more for families impacted by a cancer diagnosis. Looking at the fight against cancer, it can be broken down into three parts of a pyramid. At the very top are organizations such as American Cancer Society conducting research to eradicate the disease. At the next level are hospitals and cancer centers treating the disease. Lastly, the base, and largest portion of the pyramid, is where the community is found. CSCCNJ is there, walking hand in hand with all those impacted by the disease throughout their cancer journey, and fulfilling its mission So That No One Faces Cancer Alone. In order to make this mission a reality, the organization needs to reach multicultural communities in a way that resonates with their beliefs and traditions. April is National Minority Health Month. This years theme is Active and Healthy with a focus on promoting physical activity to help people live healthier lives. CSCCNJ understands the importance of gentle activity for cancer patients and the importance of staying active for loved ones tasked with caring for these patients. In addition to health and wellness programming, CSCCNJ provides a variety of social and emotional support, including individual and group counseling; nutrition programs; social connections; decision support and a full array of activities for children, always at no charge, to individuals and families impacted by cancer. In 2019, CSCCNJ unveiled its Vision for the Future, a strategic plan that includes Multicultural Outreach as one of its five pillars for growth and expansion. The organization plans to work closely with leaders in Hispanic-Latino, South Asian, Caribbean & African-American, LGBTQ, and other communities to bridge the support gap with programs and services tailored to the varied lives, experiences, and beliefs about cancer of these diverse populations. It is important to meet the unique needs of the community, where they are, not where we are, by letting go of bias and assumption when working with the participants and the solution is not cookie cutter. No one is just a statistic, says CSCCNJ CEO Amy Sutton. An interdisciplinary approach between public health and social work is crucial, says Schaible. There are health disparities and subsets within a culture that are identified through research and a literature review and a third component is Child Life. This provides a cohesive approach to meeting the needs of any community. In the Hispanic-Latino community, it is common for the entire family to be present for programs and appointments. At the Latino Family Day of Wellness, there were over 30 cancer patients and their loved ones in attendance. Fifteen children were present and spent time in a separate space so they could meet other children impacted by the disease. Jesse Guzik, CCLS, Child/Youth Program Coordinator, provided age and developmentally appropriate activities for the children. During Zumba and other activities, families were able to dance and come together to spend time not thinking about cancer. To prepare for this Latino Family Day of Wellness, CSCCNJ conducted an extensive review of healthcare literature regarding the community; it was clear that there were significant barriers to providing effective emotional and social support services. The most notable was the language barrier, because many individuals in this community, even those who are comfortable speaking English, could not properly communicate with their healthcare provider. According to Schaible, communication is the key in building trust. Therefore, in order to gain this trust, CSCCNJ needed to be vetted as a valued resource by the patient navigators, oncologists, and other healthcare professionals who serve the needs of the Hispanic-Latino community, as well as civic and cultural leaders from the community. It is also critical that the CSCCNJ staff come from a Hispanic-Latino background to create a sense of community with those they are serving. From there, CSCCNJ conducted on the ground assessments through focus groups. These developmental stages were crucial in helping the organization learn what the communitys needs are. The purpose is not to only provide a Day of Wellness; we want to engage the community by learning what they are asking for and who is asking, says Schaible. CSCCNJ is willing to ask these questions and alter its programming and approach to reflect this. This method will be integrated into a variety of communities in New Jersey to provide outreach by meeting patients and families where they are. It will be facilitated through providers in the community as CSCCNJ continues to develop new relationships with healthcare providers, community groups, churches, banks and other organizations. All programming will take place in convenient locations in local communities, because in each instance there will be specific barriers to overcome in order to provide vital services to individuals and families facing cancer. Through hyper-focused efforts in the community, CSCCNJ hopes to create more moments for people to come together as they did at the Latino Family Day of Wellness. Attending a Day of Wellness is not an end for these families impacted by cancer, but rather a beginning for a partnership with CSCCNJ, including regularly scheduled support groups and ongoing health and wellness programming. It is an amazing sight to see a community breaking down barriers and coming together in something as simple as dance to know they are not alone in their cancer journey, says Schaible. She continues, It was uplifting and overwhelming to see the connections made. 30+ families came together as strangers and left sharing contact information, kissing, hugging, and feeling they deserved this level of support. We ignited the fire within them for empowerment. About Cancer Support Community Central New Jersey: Cancer Support Community Central New Jersey (CSCCNJ) is a registered 501c(3) and an independently licensed affiliate of Cancer Support Community, an international non-profit organization. As experts in oncology mental health, the organization provides support, education, and hope to all people with cancer and their loved ones, so that no one faces cancer alone. Backed by evidence that the best cancer care includes social and emotional support, CSCCNJ creates a caring community to help individuals live with, through and beyond cancer. At no cost to patients, family members and caregivers, the organization delivers essential programs and services including individual and group support; educational workshops; hands-on nutrition and healthy cooking education; classes to enhance health and wellness; and social activities for the entire family. In 2019, the organization is celebrating 15 years of Community + Compassion. For more information please visit their website at https://cancersupportcnj.org or call (908) 658-5400. Over the next year, I hope to increase Insurance Industry investments to provide meaningful impact in more communities throughout our State." Clearinghouse Community Development Financial Institution (Clearinghouse CDFI) announced today that its President/CEO, Douglas Bystry, was re-elected by his peers as Chairman of the California Opportunity Investment Network (COIN) Advisory Board. Established in 1996, COIN guides insurers on making safe and sound investments that yield environmental benefits throughout California and social and economic benefits within the state's underserved communities. The COIN Advisory Boardconsisting of the Insurance Commissioner and several leaders in insurance, economic development, impact investments, and consumer advocacyprovides focus and guidance to California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and COIN to meet its mission. Bystry has served as a COIN Advisory Board member since 2012. In a recent release announcing COIN Advisory Board appointments, Commissioner Lara said, My department is committed to socially responsible investing in our communities and environment, and to keeping the costs of workers compensation insurance affordable for businesses and their employees. Bystry has over 25 years of experience raising and deploying more than $1 billion in capital to low-income communities. Prior to founding Clearinghouse CDFI in 1996, Bystry was Executive Director of Santa Ana Neighborhood Housing Services and Executive Director of the Affordable Housing ClearinghouseClearinghouse CDFIs nonprofit community partner. He attracted over $200 million in capital for these organizations. He also served on the National Advisory Board for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corp., as Orange County Housing Commissioner, and served on the La Habra City Council. Serving as COIN Advisory Board Chairman for the past year has been a tremendous honor for me both personally and professionally, said Bystry. Over the next year, I hope to increase Insurance Industry investments to provide meaningful impact in more communities throughout our State." COIN guides insurer capital into socially responsible, environmentally sustainable, and community-oriented financial investments. COIN's team of investment officers provides leadership for a program unlike any other in the nation. The Qualified Investment Platform qualifies investments that provide benefits to low and moderate communities across the state. COIN's Qualified Investment Platform screens investment deals across asset classes for their risk, rates of return, and provision of tangible benefits to California's undercapitalized communities and/or environment. Clearinghouse CDFI has funded $1.73 billion in total loans for over 1,860 community projects over the past 22 years. These projects have created or retained more than 20,000 jobs and benefit over 1.8 million individuals. This includes the rehabilitation of more than 18 million square feet of blighted properties. These projects have benefited over 520 separate underserved communities throughout California. About Clearinghouse Community Development Financial Institution (Clearinghouse CDFI): Clearinghouse Community Development Financial Institution (Clearinghouse CDFI) addresses unmet credit needs in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Indian Country in the Western United States. For over 22 years, Clearinghouse CDFI has helped bridge the gap between conventional lending standards and the needs of low-income and distressed communities. Clearinghouse CDFI is also a B Corpa certification received from the nonprofit B Lab. B Corps are companies who meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability, and use business as a force for good. More information is available at: http://www.ccdfi.com. Dropsuite Limited (ASX:DSE), a leading cloud platform provider that offers backup, archiving and recovery solutions delivered at scale to power business defense, announced the release of the CDN Top 100 Solution Providers Report 2019. Dropsuite sponsored the benchmark report in partnership with IDG and supported by the Canadian Channel Chiefs Council. Channel Daily News (CDN) produced the report. This year, Softchoice edged out CDW Canada to become the top ranked solution provider in Canada. These same two solution providers each experienced their first $1 billion revenue years in 2018. Each year, CDN -- the voice of Canadas IT channel community connects with IT solution providers across the country to collect data from the year prior to compile an industry benchmark report. The information is used to create a snapshot of channel trends, hiring inclinations and product preferences. The data is also used to determine its annual Top 100 solution providers ranking as measured by revenue. Appearance on the list is considered a coup and an honor. Over the past 15 years, many solution providers have used the recognition as part of their marketing and promotional efforts. Channel Trend Highlights: Total revenue for the 2018 Top 100 Canadian Solution Providers was $9.7 billion, up 5.5% from $9.2 billion in 2017. 2018 saw CDW and Softchoice switch places, with Softchoice taking top spot to displace CDW. Notable mergers and acquisitions; CompuCom purchased Grand & Toy; CareWorx purchased Fully Managed, Broadview Networks was purchased by Windstream and CDW purchased Scalar Decisions. The top cloud infrastructure platforms sold through the channel were Microsoft Azure (71%) followed by AWS (37%) and Google (19%). Top 10 Solution Providers: 1. Softchoice 2. CDW Canada 3. Compugen 4. CompuCom - Grand & Toy 5. OnX Enterprise Solutions (a CBTS company) 6. Long View Systems 7. Insight Canada 8. Hypertec Group 9. PCM Canada 10. Scalar (a CDW company) Dropsuite sponsored the CDN Top 100 Solution Providers Report 2019 because it believes in the solution provider channel helping MSPs, Cloud Service Providers, Systems Integrators, IT Consultants and VARs easily backup, recover and protect their client's digital assets and safeguarding them against unforeseen data loss events such as ransomware, employee theft, email phishing attacks or accidental deletion. Dropsuites products and solutions include Email Archiving for Compliance, Cloud Backup for Office 365 which effortlessly backs up Exchange Online, OneDrive, SharePoint, Groups and Teams as well as GDPR Responder and Insights BI. Dropsuite understands that by preference or regulation, many Canadian companies seek to keep their data within Canada. As Dropsuite uses Amazon AWS data centres located In Canada, it offers complete compliance with all PIPEDA, IIROC and data sovereignty requirements for government-related businesses. Our business is being the voice of the IT solution provider community in Canada, both today and for decades into the future," said Alex Coop, Associate Editor of CDN. "We live up to this pledge through the trusted insights we provide into the channel. We are excited to present our annual Top 100 Solution Providers Report for 2019. Hats off to the entire list of 'winning' IT service organizations. "We're proud to sponsor this year's CDN Top 100 Solution Providers Report, said Ridley Ruth, Chief Operating Officer at Dropsuite. Channel Daily News and IDG put a lot of work into understanding the solution provider market and their findings provide actionable insights for vendors and clients doing better businesses in the channel. This year's results contained a few surprises having to do with rapid growth, partnerships and acquisitions -- so I highly recommend reading the report. To download the complete CDN Top 100 Solution Providers report, visit: https://channeldailynews.com/top-100-solution-providers You can also access the report from Dropsuite's website at: https://dropsuite.com/resources/white-papers/ About CDN Channel Daily News (CDN) has been the voice of the IT solution provider community in Canada for more than thirty years. CDN is the most widely read and trusted source of information for Canadian channel executives. Providing insightful commentary on technology products and services and covering the key players that are impacting this segment, CDN also delivers a critical analysis of the competitive landscape detailing both the challenges and opportunities facing solution providers. https://channeldailynews.com About Dropsuite Dropsuite Limited (ASX: DSE) is a global cloud software platform that provides cloud backup, eDiscovery, archiving and recovery solutions delivered at scale to power business defense. Dropsuites products include Cloud Backup for Office 365, Email Archiving, Website Backup and GDPR Responder. Dropsuites network of preferred reseller partners has a combined customer reach of millions of businesses worldwide. Dropsuite has partnered with some of the biggest names in the web hosting and IT service provider markets such as Pax8, Ingram Micro, UOL, D&H and ALSO to safeguard businesses from the threat of unexpected data loss. https://dropsuite.com Pilot scale...represents a key step in de-risking our technology and preparing for commercial production Ecovia Renewables Inc., a Michigan-based biotechnology company focused on the research and development of high-performing biobased materials and ingredients, is pleased to announce progress on the construction of its in-house pilot plant located at their R&D facility at Michigan Innovation Headquarters in Ann Arbor. With 40% more square footage dedicated to process scale-up, this new capacity includes both fermentation and downstream capabilities. Likewise, it supports ongoing sampling efforts for Ecovias suite of biopolymers, including AzuraBase and AzuraGel, which can be used as soil additives for water retention to superabsorbent cores for infant diapers to thickeners for food, among many others. Demonstrating Ecovias bioprocess platform at pilot scale will be an important and exciting milestone for the company, representing a key step in de-risking our technology and preparing for commercial production, explained Dr. Jeremy Minty, President and CEO of Ecovia Renewables Inc. In addition to Ecovias sampling program, due for a wider launch later this year, this scale-up infrastructure accommodates ongoing progress achieved under Ecovias multi-year joint development agreement (JDA) with Seppic Inc., a subsidiary of Air Liquide. Announced in April 2018, this partnership focuses on the development of topical cosmetic and pharmaceutical ingredients. Recent R&D milestones achieved by Ecovia Renewables under the JDA supports construction of the pilot plant. One year after the beginning of our partnership, significant progress has already been achieved by Ecovias and Seppics teams. So far, we have hit all key development milestones on the path toward innovative biopolymers for topical applications, stated Sebastien Duprat de Paule, Innovation Director for Seppic. Ecovia Biopolymers are created from a proprietary fermentation process and are 100% USDA-certified biobased. They are biobased, biodegradable, and functional alternatives to conventional synthetic polymers and starch-based natural polymers. Ecovia Renewables Inc. employs eight full time employees and, with the fully implemented expansion, will have over 4,800 square feet of laboratory space and 1,550 square feet of office space at their headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan. About Ecovia Renewables: Ecovia Renewables Inc. is a privately-held biotechnology company focused on the research and development of high-performing biobased ingredients and materials. It was spun-out from the University of Michigan in 2014 to commercialize Dr. Nina Lin and Dr. Jeremy Mintys pioneering research on engineering custom microbial systems. http://www.ecoviarenewables.com. About Seppic: Seppic Inc. is a member of the Seppic Group, a company of Air Liquide Healthcare. Seppic designs and markets a wide range of specialty ingredients for health and beauty. Present in 100 countries through its subsidiaries and its network of distributors, Seppic employs more than 700 people worldwide, including 100 employees dedicated to innovation. http://www.seppic.com. Emagia, a leader in digital solutions for order-to-cash automation, today announced speakers for Solix EMPOWER Summit Orlando19, an invitation-only gathering of technology business leaders evangelizing finance, order-to-cash, data management and AI solutions for SAP. Executives from Deloitte Consulting, JP Morgan Chase, IBM, NTT Data Services, Solix and Emagia will participate in panel discussions during the event. When: May 6, 2019 at 3:30pm 8:00pm Where: Sheraton at Lake Buena Vista Orlando, Florida Attendees will receive an inside look at the emerging automation, analytics, artificial intelligence, information architecture and data management technologies for digitizing the order-to-cash process in the SAP environment. Emagia will lead the following panels: Future of SAP finance operations with AI Powered Digital Assistants: Cognitive automation and AI are driving major paradigm shifts in customer financial services and finance operations. Similar to how conversational AI such as Siri and Alexa have already established their presence in everyday consumer lives, enterprise operations are now adding digital workforce into every process. Learn how AI-Powered enterprise digital assistants integrated with your SAP financial system can boost digital customer experience as well as to boost finance operations staff productivity. Panelists include: Raed (Rod) A. Masoud, Principal, Enterprise Operations, Finance & Enterprise Performance at Deloitte Consulting LLP Rasesh Shah, Executive Director Of Product Management - API, Integration and Payment Experiences at JPMorgan Chase & Co. Lakisha Hall, Director, Data and AI Expert Labs & Learning at IBM Debbie Wilson, President at Digidebb Consulting, Former VP IT at Tyco Fire & Security Moderated by Veena Gundavelli, Founder & CEO, Emagia Corporation Intelligent Order-to-Cash through Analytics, Automation and AI: Intelligent and autonomous order-to-cash platforms are a trifecta of automation, analytics, and artificial intelligence technologies. This panel will discuss how SAP users and decision makers can leverage these platforms to make their finance departments more efficient and effective. Panelists include: Monika Mangla, Program Manager, Global Digital Finance Transformation at Chevron Timothy Michel, Director, Application Sales at NTT Data Services, Inc. David Solomon, North America Executive Architect and Technical Evangelist - Cloud and AI at IBM Moderated by Phyllis (Miller) Saavedra, Order to Cash Executive and SME at Emagia Corporation Solix EMPOWER is a series of education and networking events dedicated to digital transformation with automation, analytics, big data, and cloud innovations and applications. Solix EMPOWER Summit Orlando19 is hosted in partnership with IBM, Microsoft, and Emagia, and will feature four distinct panels, networking opportunities, and a full-service dinner and cocktail reception. To view the full agenda and request an invitation to Solix EMPOWER Summit Orlando19, visit https://empower.solix.com About Emagia Corporation Emagia delivers digital finance solutions focused on order-to-cash automation solutions and aimed to modernize finance operations in the digital age. Emagia Enterprise Receivables Management Suite (ERMS) automates credit, receivables, collections, deductions, cash flow forecasting, cash application and billing & payments. Emagia O2C Advanced Analytics Suite provide enterprise-class, advanced analytics descriptive, predictive, prescriptive analytics for the entire order to cash cycle. Emagias Gia, Digital Finance Assistant brings cognitive workforce to assist order-to-cash staff and executives. Many companies across the world have achieved significant and sustainable improvements to their order-to-cash cycle, days sales outstanding, operational costs, compliance, control and cash flow with Emagia. To learn more, please visit http://www.emagia.com Connect with Emagia Corporation Visit our website: http://www.emagia.com Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/36035/ Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmagiaCorporation/ The increased power density of SiC gate drivers result in significantly higher EMI compared to traditional IGBT solutions. To overcome this challenge, the POF link provides an added level of immunity for the drive controller. - Emre Uzun, Director at Egrtech. Firecomms, a global leader in the provision of fibre optic solutions and optical transceivers, is pleased to announce its collaboration with Egrtech, a worldwide provider of power electronic solutions in renewable energies and industrial applications, in the development of highly efficient silicon carbide gate drivers using robust and reliable optical communication solutions. Firecomms RedLink transceivers and Plastic Optical Fibre (POF) provide galvanic isolation on the data control lines of Egrtechs EGDR-90 SiC gate driver board. This half bridge 1200 V 100 kHz solution can work with DC bus voltages up to 1 kV and is compliant to a 5 kVrms isolation test voltage. Moreover, its direct mount low-inductance design has, for parallel connections, excellent current sharing performance and is ideal for use in applications such as solar power converters, EV and HEV as well as variable speed motor drives. Furthermore, a high dV/dt immunity is achieved by the integration of a plug-on POF module using Firecomms RedLink 5 Mbd dual voltage transceivers. The vertical RedLink solution combined with a Firecomms cable assembly using high-grade POF has been tested and certified for use in industrial applications and the severe environmental conditions in which many of these drives operate. The increased power density of SiC gate drivers result in significantly higher EMI compared to traditional IGBT solutions. To overcome this challenge, the POF link provides an added level of immunity for the drive controller. says Emre Uzun, Director at Egrtech. Dr John Lambkin, Firecomms European Managing Director and Chief Technical Officer adds, We always walk the extra mile to support our customers. Our POF solutions can be customized for link length and connector type. Firecomms provides diverse custom alternatives including vertical, horizontal, and tilted transceiver options to better fulfil our customers requirements. About Firecomms http://www.firecomms.com Firecomms, a global leader in the provision of fiber optic solutions and optical transceivers, efficiently combines state-of-the-art compound and silicon semiconductor technologies with innovative small-scale integration for rugged communications over short links and across high-voltage isolation barriers as well as in networking links utilizing the unique benefits of Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) and related optical fiber products. The RedLink series consists of a range of DC to 1, 5, 10 and 50 MBd transceivers in industry standard interconnect systems (horizontal, vertical and 30 tilted) while the companys innovative OptoLock plugless transceivers and industry standard LC transceivers support both the DC-50 MBd designs as well as 125-250 Mbps applications. Firecomms is jointly headquartered in Cork, Ireland and Tongxiang, China and is supported by a global footprint of distribution and logistics teams with facilities in the USA, Europe, Shanghai and Southeast Asia. In Ireland, R&D is driven by an experienced team of Ph.D. researchers and engineers, while world-class manufacturing is based in China. About Egrtech http://www.egrtech.com/ Egrtech is a global provider of power electronic solutions in renewable energies and industrial applications. The company designs innovative solutions to address its clients specific requirements to enable them to optimize their systems across numerous industrial sectors. The main goal of company is to improve the performance, increase the robustness and extend the lifetime of power electronic products. The company is able to provide schematic, PCB layout (Altium Designer), software code, power simulation (PSIM) based on customer requirements. "...biometric authentication is so much easier for customers to use than clumsy passwords...especially on a mobile phone." Moss & Associates, one of the largest privately held general contractors in the Southeast, is helping to finance one of the regions most innovative companies: Fortress Identity. According to Chad Moss, EVP, Moss has always been on the leading edge of technology in its project delivery methods. We are always striving to provide the best outcomes for our clients. Were also committed to giving back to the South Florida community. So, when we saw Fortress Identitys vision for strengthening the security of mobile banking systems, while improving customer experience, we recognized that they align closely with our work and philanthropic endeavors. Fortress Identity specializes in multi-factor biometric authentication, systems that let organizations confirm the identity of users quickly and with an extremely high degree of certainty. Fortress Identitys systems enable banks, healthcare facilities, online retailers and others to wrap transactions and access points in layers of security. CEO Alessandro Chiarini describes them as biometric fortresses. When you combine biometric factors such as a fingerprint or voice with other active and passive biometric factors, youre making yourself nearly impossible to hack, Chiarini says. And biometric authentication is so much easier for customers to use than clumsy passwords and questionsespecially when they are on mobile devices. Chiarini emphasizes that many organizations still fail to grasp the danger posed by hackers and fraudsters. Anything less than multi-factor biometric authentication is simply too easy to attack, he says. The new generation of threats is potent. Luckily, security solutions are available now that can help you safeguard your assets and infrastructure. I advise you to review your vulnerabilities and take appropriate action before the worst happens. Moss is a national privately held construction firm providing innovative solutions resulting in award-winning projects. With regional offices across the United States, Moss focuses on construction management at-risk, design-build and public-private partnerships. The companys diverse portfolio encompasses a wide range of sectors, including luxury high-rise residential, landmark mixed-use developments, hospitality, primary and higher education, justice and solar energy. About Fortress Identity. Headquartered in Miami, Fortress Identitys mission is to create deeper trust between companies, their employees, and their customers through the power of easily implemented multimodal, multi-factor biometric user identification solutions. https://fortress-identity.com CONTACT INFO Fortress Identity Janet Ahlgren jahlgren(at)fortress-identity.com +1-305 906 1468 https://fortress-identity.com Gilbane Building Company Breaks Ground on Wisconsin Humane Societys Racine Campus Officials from the Wisconsin Humane Society and Gilbane Building Company recently came together to celebrate the official groundbreaking ceremony for the new Racine facility of the Wisconsin Human Society. As design-builder for this exciting project, Gilbane is partnering with Kubala Washatko Architects to build the shelter facility that will be a new home for animals of all kinds located in Racine, Wisconsin. The new one-story building will provide animal housing and veterinary services similar to a hospital, along with educational space and outdoor play areas. The project will incorporate many high-performance systems as it operates 24/7. Gilbane Building Company is proud to partner with the Wisconsin Humane Society and Kubala Washatko Architects on this important project that will provide shelter and resources to animals in need. At the groundbreaking ceremony, you could feel the excitement from the community. said Jon Scholz, Gilbane Building Company Operations Manager About Gilbane Building Company Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services from pre-construction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, general contracting, design-build and facility management services for clients across various markets. Founded in 1873 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has more than 45 office locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.gilbaneco.com. For more than 30 years, Gilbanes Milwaukee office has served a wide variety of market sectors and clients throughout Wisconsin including Northwestern Mutual, Waukesha County Health and Human Services, Medical College of Wisconsin, Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, Schlitz Park and Schreiber Foods. Green Hemp Farms Inc. was established in 2017 by Garry Dhaliwal, MD an entrepreneur from Florida when every investor was busy with Cannabis (Marijuana). 300L CO2 extraction unit was installed in March 2018 at 8200 sq ft facility in Delta, Colorado. After 12 months in May 2019, Ethos-6 Alcohol extraction unit from Capna is installed in 15,000 sq ft facility in Louisville, Kentucky. Both units extract and distill 500 Kg of CBD oil per month. Mr. Keith Sprau with 10 years experience in Cannabis outdoor, greenhouse and indoor cultivation joined Green Hemp Farms in January 2019 as Chief Operating Officer. Under his guidance and direction, Louisville facility started cloning 6 strains of hemp with cbd 12% to 16% to produce approximately 500,000 clones that will be sufficient to plant 150 acres in Gravel Switch, Kentucky. Green Hemp Farms leases 309 acres of agriculture farm in Gravel Switch, Kentucky from its sister company GSD investments LLC. Garry and Keith both are excited on their progress and plan to cultivate at least 300 acres next year. They plan to produce close to 2 million clones, more than half of which will be sold to area farmers. When asked about future expansion plans, Green Hemp Farms has 62,000 sq ft facility in La Junta, Colorado that they plan to renovate and produce indoor clones as well as manufacture end user products. They are looking to develop CBD mixed drinks, juice, milk, wine and beer besides another extraction facility probably with upcoming Microwave Technology. Keith can be reached on his cell at 303-513-6362 or email kgs126@yahoo.com Holman GO empowers consumers to tailor the entire buying process to their exact preferences, delivering an experience unlike any other in the automotive industry, said Brian Bates, president and CEO, Holman Consumer Services. Holman Automotive, one of the largest privately-owned dealership groups in the United States, today announced the grand opening of Holman GO, a unique dealership offering an all-in-one automotive solution where consumers can buy, sell, subscribe, finance, insure and service their vehicles all under one roof. Located at 3466 US-1 in Princeton, New Jersey, the all-new dealership promises a refreshing, truly transparent experience for consumers, allowing them to control the buying process from start to finish with a transaction that mirrors the increasing ease and flexibility of todays typical retail purchase. Holman GO empowers consumers to tailor the entire buying process to their exact preferences, delivering an experience unlike any other in the automotive industry, said Brian Bates, president and CEO, Holman Consumer Services. Our customers can expect the same personalized attention and knowledgeable expertise that have long been hallmarks of the Holman Automotive family of dealerships in an open-concept retail environment that emphasizes convenience and provides solutions for any mobility-related need. Holman GOs unique all-in-one approach caters to the evolving needs of todays customer by enabling them to design a complete automotive solution to fit any budget. With the ability to buy, sell, subscribe, finance, insure and service at one location, Holman GO gives consumers the flexibility to find a vehicle that best matches their lifestyle. Among the highlights of Holman GOs distinctive twist on the traditional car buying experience is a true, upfront pricing model with zero hidden fees and a hassle-free seven day return policy. Additionally, Holman GO also features flexdrive, an all-inclusive subscription service available for any vehicle in the dealerships inventory and includes the cost of the vehicle, maintenance, roadside assistance, and insurance in one convenient payment. At the core of Holman GO is a digital express store which offers an intuitive deal-builder to modify payment terms, secure financing, purchase insurance, and even complete the full transaction, allowing customers to handle as much or as little of the process online. Holman GOs in-store technology lets the customer pick-up precisely where they left off online with a non-commissioned Product Specialist providing a single point-of-contact to ensure consistency and to help expedite the entire process. For additional information, please visit HolmanGO.com and to learn more about the Holman family of dealerships, visit HolmanAuto.com. About Holman Automotive Holman Automotive is one of the largest privately-owned dealership groups in the United States, with 37 dealership franchises representing 18 brands from the East Coast to the Pacific Northwest. Beginning in 1924 as a single Ford dealership, Holman is a family-owned business that focuses on building relationships and investing in people. With values rooted in the principles established by founder Steward C. Holman, the company continues to promote a culture of philanthropy, which supports organizations such as the United Way and others important to the Holman team. Holman Automotive is one of six businesses owned by Holman Enterprises, which include Steward Financial Services, an auto retail finance company; Holman Insurance Services, a commercial and consumer insurance services company providing a full array of insurance products to retail customers and customized insurance and risk management solutions to commercial clients; Holman Parts Distribution, a national multi-brand powertrain parts distributor; Auto Truck Group, a truck up-fitting business; and ARI, the largest privately-owned fleet leasing and management company in North America. To learn more, please visit HolmanEnterprises.com. # # # Open Infrastructure Summit Ironic allows users to manage bare metal infrastructure as they would virtual machines and provides an ideal infrastructure to host high-performance cloud applications and frameworksincluding popular container orchestration frameworks like Kubernetes. Open Infrastructure Summit The OpenStack Foundation announced that its Ironic software is now managing millions of cores of compute all over the world, turning bare metal into automated infrastructure ready for todays mix of virtualized and containerized workloads. Thirty organizations are launch members of the program, including vendors running some of the worlds largest OpenStack clouds. Among these are OpenStack environments of all sizes, including large operators such as Verizon Media and CERN, as well as smaller-scale deployments. Together, these operators manage over a million cores with Ironic. The strong commercial ecosystem supporting Ironic-based solutions also includes large users and commercial providers like Red Hat, Mirantis, China Mobile, and SUSE. These organizations are now identifiable with a new Ironic badge, which also appears in the OpenStack Marketplace. "We live in an API-driven world, said Julia Kreger, OpenStack Ironic Project Team Lead. It is only natural to move beyond VMs in providing infrastructure as a service. This is why we created Ironic: to provide a vendor-neutral API enabling data center operators to reliably manage infrastructure at scale, whether they need VMs or bare metal. Empowering operators is the projects goal, and it shows in new features like the storage of owner and node description information or the capability to customize a template. These can be huge improvements for operators, helping cure the headaches of operating at scale. OpenStack is commonly associated with managing virtual machines, storage and networking. One of the hidden jewels of the open source software, however, is the OpenStack Ironic Bare Metal service. Ironic allows users to manage bare metal infrastructure as they would virtual machines and provides an ideal infrastructure to host high-performance cloud applications and frameworksincluding popular container orchestration frameworks like Kubernetes. Ironic solves a fundamental infrastructure management problem at scale. Specifically, it provides a production-proven means to manage the complete lifecycle of bare metal hardware. This software-defined bare metal capability is one reason why adoption of Ironic has grown rapidly with 24% of production deployments now relying on it, up from just 9% in 2016. "At Verizon Media, OpenStack manages hundreds of thousands of bare metal compute resources with over 4 million cores in our data centers, said James Penick, architect director at Verizon Media. We have made significant changes to our supply chain process using OpenStack, fulfilling common bare metal quota requests within minutes. Ecosystem members supporting the launch of the OpenStack Ironic Bare Metal program are: 99Cloud Avaya CERN China Mobile China Telecom System Integration China Unicom Debian DevStack EasyStack Fiberhome Leboncoin Mirantis New H3C Technologies OpenCloud.ES OVH Platform9 PT Boer Technology (Btech) Red Hat Sardina Systems Sentinella StackHPC STC Solutions SUSE Tencent TFCloud Technology Verizon Media Verne Global VEXXHOST ZConverter ZTE Corporation Ironic offers many benefits to cloud architects and administrators who manage bare metal instances. Ironic supports automating the entire server infrastructure lifecycle of deployments, including updates and decommissioning. It delivers cloud-like bare-metal infrastructure with multi-tenant networks to end users when used as a driver to OpenStack Nova. With a standard API, broad driver support, and lightweight footprint, Ironic is ideally suited as a management engine for a variety of bare metal infrastructure scenarios as demonstrated by the newly developed Bare Metal Operator for Kubernetes. These features make it appropriate for a wide range of use cases, from small edge deployments to large data centers. At the Open Infrastructure Summit this week in Denver, the community is showcasing three demonstrations that exhibit the capabilities of Ironic: 1. Standalone, lightweight bare metal management using Ironic 2. Multi-tenant bare metal cloud using Ironic as a driver for OpenStack Nova 3. Extending the Kuberntes API to provision bare metal using Ironic. The community also formed a Bare Metal Special Interest Group (SIG) in February. Its mission is to make Ironic easy to operate and to evangelize the use cases and utility of the bare metal service. To get involved in the SIG, subscribe to the OpenStack Discuss mailing list or contact chris(at)openstack.org. Read more about the latest Ironic updates and features in the OpenStack Stein release, and learn how to use and contribute to the project. Quotes from Launch Members of the OpenStack Ironic Bare Metal Program "Ironic enables our clients to deploy on-premise high-performance computing infrastructure using the same methods they would use to deploy infrastructure in the cloud. This is driving a revolution in research computing infrastructure management." Stig Telfer, chief technology officer, StackHPC Ltd "At Platform9, we offer OpenStack Ironic as part of our SaaS-based OpenStack and Kubernetes managed services so our customers can deploy Kubernetes on bare metal and also run workloads such as machine learning and big data without the hypervisor overhead. We also use OpenStack Ironic for our own software testing on various hardware platforms drastically reducing our provisioning and lifecycle management time from several weeks to under 20 minutes." Cody Hill, Director of Technology, Platform9 "We have selected OpenStack Ironic for our bare metal provisioning in FishOS in order to dynamically and automatically power physical hardware on/off based on live resource utilization in an OpenStack cloud. FishOS Workload Manager leverages OpenStack Ironic to conveniently interface with a broad range of servers in the market." Mihaela Constantinescu, chief marketing officer, Sardina Systems. About the OpenStack Foundation The OpenStack Foundation (OSF) supports the development and adoption of open infrastructure globally, across a community of nearly 100,000 individuals in 190+ countries, by hosting open source projects and communities of practice, including datacenter cloud, edge computing, network functions virtualization (NFV), CI/CD and container infrastructure. The event and location were superb. Our team learned a lot and enjoyed meeting all of the JAMIS staff. All of the staff were extremely helpful and friendly, JAMIS Software Corporation, a world-class provider of cloud ERP software, hosted another successful annual JAMIS Summit March 24th-28th at The Belmond Charleston Place in Charleston, SC. This year's conference sponsors included SDL Consulting, Marcum LLP, ITB Consulting, Metis GovCon Support, Dixon Hughes Goodman, Capital Edge Consulting, FCE Benefit Administrators, and Federal Publications Seminars. The 2019 Summit sponsors were instrumental contributors to the event, which provided JAMIS' customers, partners, and industry experts from across the U.S. the opportunity to share and exchange knowledge in an engaging atmosphere. The event and location were superb. Our team learned a lot and enjoyed meeting all of the JAMIS staff. All of the staff were extremely helpful and friendly, said JAMIS customer Linda Ehler, Program Control Manager at Boecore, Inc. JAMIS was thrilled to welcome back Jon Roskill, CEO of Acumatica, as the keynote speaker for the second consecutive year. Before joining Acumatica, Mr. Jon Roskill held the position of Corporate Vice President of the Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft Corporation. Previously, Roskill served as Corporate Vice President, Business & Marketing Organization of Microsoft North America, where his teams produced all the marketing for Microsoft's commercial products which in combination drove revenue exceeding $20b. Acumatica, one of the worlds fastest-growing cloud solution providers, recently had record attendance of more than 1,500 customers, partner, media and analyst participants at its annual Acumatica Summit in Houston, TX. "Having Jon Roskill, CEO of Acumatica, as a keynote speaker at this years Summit reinforced our decision to join into partnership with Acumatica and it has been a critical decision for the success of JAMIS. They are global leaders in cloud technology development and are disruptive force in the ERP space for players all across the industry. Its been a pleasure working with them, and we look forward to a long future of success together," said owner and CEO Jeffrey Noolas. One of the more exciting announcements made at the Summit was the launch of the all new JAMIS HR and Payroll suite. To the delight of the audience, John Spirig, Director of HR Product Management, highlighted the powerful new features and beautiful new user interface of the application, with full integration into Prime ERP, perfectly completing the full government contract lifecycle management suite. JAMIS was proud to present government technology and professional services industry speaker David Berteau, the Professional Services Councils President & CEO to give JAMIS customers and partners an industry update on legislative and regulatory issues related to government acquisition, business and technology. In addition, the Summit Panel of Experts included Deborah Nixon of Crosshair Advisors, Giacomo Apadula of BDO USA LLP, Gary McDonald of Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP, and Robert Craig of Capital Edge Consulting. These industry experts gave attendees a highly informational Government Contracting Industry update and discussed recent changes to the DCAA and DCMA. In addition, speakers from BMSS CPAs, Venable LLP, and Bass, Berry, & Sims all joined JAMIS at the Summit to provide more expert content and industry insights than ever before. At the close of the 2019 Summit, JAMIS announced that the location of the next Summit in 2020 will be in Nashville, TN. Summit Attendees received Nashville-themed gifts to announce the Summit, which will be held in October of 2020 at The Westin Nashville, situated in the epicenter of downtown Nashville, close to notable attractions such as Music City Center, Bridgestone Arena and Music Row. The JAMIS Summit offered invaluable networking opportunities for JAMIS customers, as well as hands-on experience with government and accounting compliance products and services, all while enjoying the wonderful food and accommodations of the Belmond Charleston Place. JAMIS Customer Monica McLendon, Corporate Controller at Jefferson Consulting added, This was a wonderful 1st-time experience. I enjoyed the classes, location, and people I learned so much!" Midtown Atlanta Hideaway Oasis Tiki culture is hot right now so it only made sense to open a tiki bar. Scott McCray, owner of the LEAD Hospitality Group, has opened his latest concept, Tiki Tango, located at 57 13th Street in Midtown Atlanta. According to McCray, with the explosive growth in Midtown Atlanta, we wanted to provide a new and unique lounge and bar experience. Tiki culture is hot right now so it made sense to open a tiki bar. Tiki Tango features three levels of tiki decor and ambience to go along with tropical craft cocktails in authentic mugs and an island inspired menu from Chef Robert Vaughn. Live DJs and dancing are featured every Friday and Saturday night, and the covered outdoor patio overlooks the Midtown skyline. McCray further stated, stepping into Tiki Tango is like an instant trip to the islands. All the stresses of the day seem to disappear once you order one of our specialty cocktails like a Zombie or an Island in the Sun. The inspiration for Tiki Tango came from McCrays travels to other cities, where he saw the energy and excitement generated by tiki bars. McCray enlisted the help of local tiki legend, Frank Simotics, also known as the Tiki Rancher, to create a tropical filled three level lounge. From the thatched hut entrance to the hand carved tiki statues to the mix of colors and textures and sound, Tiki Tango now offers Atlanta and its visitors a new spot to hang your board or put on your hula skirt! Tiki Tango is open Tuesday Saturday from 5 pm until late. The menu is offered every night, and DJs and dancing are featured on Friday and Saturday. Tiki Tango is available for private parties and corporate events. For more information, please call 404-873-6189 or visit us at http://www.tikitangoatl.com. About Lead Hospitality Group The LEAD Hospitality Group is an Atlanta based restaurant development and management group. According to founder Scott McCray, LEAD stands for Lets Eat and Drink. In addition to Tiki Tango, LEAD properties include Foxtrot Liquor Bar in Midtown Atlanta, McCrays Tavern (with locations in Midtown Atlanta, Smyrna, and Lawrenceville), and The Mill Kitchen & Bar in Roswell GA. For more information, please call Mary at 770-238-2162 or e-mail mary@leadhg.com. Lumin provides responsive energy management for the grid edge. By opening up the number of available circuits and doing away with the protected loads panel, Lumin enables the battery to account for demand and automatically shed loads. Lumin homes are truly responsive to market conditions and homeowner preferences. Lumin, a clean technology company focused on optimizing energy storage, debuted Off-Grid Mode as a critical component of the Lumin Energy Management Platform. Speaking at the Solar Power Puerto Rico event in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Chief Commercial Officer, Kevin OShea described the next level tech as a breakthrough for homeowners. Lumins mission to bring intelligence and control to the junction where electricity comes into homes is best exemplified when paired with storage because our platform solves major road blocks to its widespread adoption, said OShea. By opening up the number of available circuits and doing away with the protected loads panel, Lumin enables the battery to account for demand and automatically shed loads. Lumin homes are truly responsive to market conditions and homeowner preferences. A member of the Solar Energy and Storage Association Puerto Rico (SESA-PR) and exhibiting at the first-ever Solar Power Puerto Rico, Lumin is demonstrating "Off-Grid Mode" this week as part of its platform aimed at Puerto Rican storage providers. Were delighted that this event is attracting new solutions tailored specifically for Puerto Rico, where grid resiliency and home owner preparedness is critical, said P.J. Wilson, SESA-PR Founder & President. Removing barriers to residential energy storage adoption is of paramount importance here and anywhere in the world where traditional energy delivery systems are out of sync with customer needs." Lumin homeowners can use "Off-Grid Mode" to designate the set of circuits they wish to enable in an off-grid scenario. When triggered by an outage, the Lumin platform begins shedding loads responsively and disabling circuits, allowing for dynamic, remote control of the remaining enabled circuits. With Off-Grid Mode, Lumin homeowners are no longer restricted to using a limited set of circuits locked behind a fixed protected loads panel. Instead, they can determine which circuits they would like to energize and when, so their home can reflect and respond to their changing needs. When grid power is restored, all circuits revert to their pre-outage state. The Lumin Energy Management Platform is commercially available throughout North America and sold to home and building owners through solar and energy storage installers. Demonstrations will be held during the Solar Power Puerto Rico exhibition hours April 30th-May 1st at booth #13 or by appointment. About Lumin Founded in 2016 and based in Charlottesville, VA, Lumin provides a smart energy management platform for the growing energy storage market and delivers dynamic control, consumption insights and energy savings. The Lumin Smart Panel hardware and the smart algorithms and data assets behind it, Lumin Insights software, combine to intelligently automate energy consumption enabling building and homeowners to manage energy usage based on market conditions, solar production, personal preferences, battery charge state and more. Lumin is contributing to an energy future comprised of local generation, local storage, and dynamic and complex electricity pricing. To learn more, please visit luminsmart.com. About SESA-PR The Solar + Energy Storage Association of Puerto Rico (SESA-PR) is the association representing the solar and energy storage companies bringing reliable, clean, affordable and local energy to the entire island. Advocating solar and storage as a central solution to the energy needs of Puerto Rico, SESA promotes public policy that will benefit the growth of these industries. We bring awareness and understanding of these technologies to both government policymakers and the public and facilitate collectively beneficial collaboration and good business practices within the industry. http://www.sesapr.org Media inquiries: Val Newcomb Lumin, Vice President Marketing & Communications E: val.newcomb@luminsmart.com C: 434-806-1159 We look forward to continuing Accents commitment to satisfying their clients and expanding the services and technical expertise we can provide them, said Marco CEO Jeff Gau. We have been serving the state of Wisconsin for the past seven years and welcome our new clients to Marco. Marco, a leading technology services provider in the United States, announced today its acquisition of Accent Business Solutions, a copier/printer company located in Wisconsin. Marcos employees will continue to serve and support Accent Business Solutions clients from its current locations in Appleton and Wausau. The company has eight locations throughout Wisconsin. We look forward to continuing Accents commitment to satisfying their clients and expanding the services and technical expertise we can provide them, said Marco CEO Jeff Gau. We have been serving the state of Wisconsin for the past seven years and welcome our new clients to Marco. This is Marcos ninth acquisition in the past two years. In January, the company purchased Enterprise Systems Group (ESG), a business IT services company located in Little Chute, Wisconsin. Marco has 1,430 employees and serves over 35,000 clients from its 62 locations throughout the United States. We are excited to sell our company to Marco, said Tom Roob, President and Owner. They are a high performing company in our community that is committed to excellence and outstanding customer service. About Marco Marco specializes in copiers/printers, business IT services, managed services and cloud services. Its technology experts break down complex solutions into simple terms to position your business for success. Learn more at marconet.com. Utilized by a variety of industries, CAM allows complex designs to be produced as well as prototypes to be developed before production. MecSoft Corporation has published a comprehensive infographic entitled The Ins & Outs of CAM to provide readers with a basic understanding of computer-aided manufacturing, CAM. With this infographic, MecSoft Corporation provides information on many aspects of CAM. To accurately inform readers on CAM, the infographic covers a definition of CAM, how it is used with other technologies, the processes involved, and the benefits of using it. CAM, the acronym for computer-aided manufacturing, is the process of using software to simplify and automate CNC machining and 3D printing. The software program takes the design geometry to create instructions which are sent to an automated machine tool or 3D printer. The automated device then follows these programmed instructions to create the design. While subtractive manufacturing eliminates material from the workpiece by cutting and shaping it, additive manufacturing adds material to the design through 3D printing. CAM offers many unique advantages to users including an improvement in efficiency and accuracy. Design changes can be implemented easily and manufacturing updated quickly. Utilized by a variety of industries, CAM allows complex designs to be produced as well as prototypes to be developed before production. About MecSoft Corporation Headquartered in Irvine, California, MecSoft Corporation is a worldwide leader in providing Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software solutions for the small to mid-market segments. These solutions include products VisualCAD/CAM, RhinoCAM, VisualCAM for SOLIDWORKS, AlibreCAM and VisualCAMc for Onshape. These software products deliver powerful, easy-to-use and affordable solutions for users in the custom manufacturing, rapid prototyping, rapid tooling, mold making, aerospace, automotive, tool & die, woodworking, and education industries. For the latest news and information, visit mecsoft.com or call (949) 654-8163. Michael West has completed his book Spiders Web: a riveting story following the adventures of two teens making their way from Mexico to America to seek opportunity and a better life. This is a touching story about two teenagers leaving their homeland of Mexico to pursue their dream in America. Follow along as they fall into the web of insurance scammers who want to take their lives to acquire insurance dividends in millions of dollars. The kids retaliate by killing their enemies, destroying their syndicate, and returning to their homeland to realize their dream in their own country of Mexico. A story of courage, defiance, obsession and betrayal, portrayed in a land where life has no value and death has a price. Published by New York City-based Page Publishing, Michael Wests book is a compelling drama introducing two young people searching for a better life who ultimately discover that courage and will can help them achieve their dreams anywhere in the world. Readers who wish to experience this engrossing work can purchase Spiders Web at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708. About Page Publishing: Page Publishing is a traditional New York-based, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create - not overwhelmed with logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and the like. Its roster of accomplished authors and publishing professionals allows writers to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues to focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com. Approximately 60 percent of people visiting http://www.MyLoanHelp.me in 2019s first quarter suffered a loss of a job or household income and used the site to help them find government aid programs, financial assistance and other resources. The other top reasons people visited the site included health and medical issues, debt and overspending, and how to recover from a natural disaster. Launched on January 3rd, http://www.MyLoanHelp.me, is a new national platform that connects homeowners facing foreclosure or other financial problems with the assistance they need to keep their homes. The site is a free source of information about aid programs nationwide, including state and federal government programs and private charitable resources. The site was created via the partnership of the Financial of America Foundation and HLP. Many people affected by the federal government shutdown turned to MyLoanHelp.me in 2019s first quarter for financial assistance during a critical period in their lives, said Karen Tankersley President, Finance of America Foundation. Our site was created just for this purpose. Im pleased that hundreds of individuals and families were able to seek and find assistance using MyLoanHelp.me. An analysis of the searches for assistance on the site shows the following results: There were 549 searches on the site during 2019s first quarter, including 390 unique visitors; The profile of the average user is a 42-year-old man with an annual income of approximately $49,000; Two-thirds of all visitors owned a single-family, detached house with a fixed rate mortgage; and There were 88 people from Arizona seeking help, making it the top state. Other states in the top five were Maryland, California, Texas and Florida. MyLoanHelps resource database includes more than 300 aid and programs from private and public organizations from around the nation. The programs offer a wide range of categories where consumers can get help, including mortgage assistance, direct financial aid, food, shelter and clothing, and counseling advice. The number of programs listed there is expected to continue to grow to more than 1,000 by the end of 2019. The average search for assistance yields 8-10 options for getting help from national, state, and local programs and provides direct phone numbers and links to web pages to connect with that help. Most homeowners choose to make direct contact with the aid programs they are interested in pursuing. However, individuals seeking assistance can also apply for many of these programs via MyLoanHelps secure, online channel. An analysis of the submissions for assistance through the site shows the following results: 165 submissions for help were sent through the platform; 80 of those requests were for mortgage assistance; The most common reason for seeking help was loss of a job or income. A number of these requests came from people affected by the federal government shutdown in early 2019. The profile of the average submitter is a 37-year-old woman with an annual income of $63,274; Eighty-seven percent owned a single-family, detached house with a fixed rate mortgage; and There were 26 submissions from Texas seeking help, making it the top state. Other states in the top five were Florida, Ohio, Arizona, and Illinois. The platform offers free, on-demand chat services with nonprofit HUD-approved housing counselors to help answer any questions and offer objective advice to those using the site. Site users reached out 141 times for on-demand chat sessions with nonprofit housing counselors, representing 26% of the searches. The site and chat are also available in Spanish. We are encouraged at the strong launch of the start to the platform. This extends HLPs work with financially-distressed homeowners and brings together multiple resources to help them resolve their issues and sustain homeownership, said Mark Cole, President & CEO, HLP. For more information, visit http://www.MyLoanHelp.me or watch the introduction video. Media Contacts: Scott Scredon, scott(dot)scredon(at)hlp(dot)org, 770-315-0745 About the Finance of America Foundation Established in 2016, the Finance of America Foundation is committed to connecting individuals facing financial distress with sources of relief at the federal, state and local levels. By leveraging the resources and intellectual capital of Finance of America, the Foundation offers support, education and relief to distressed borrowers that stretch beyond traditional mortgage industry approaches. The Finance of America Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3). About HLP HLP is a unique collaborative created in 2009 that engages the key stakeholders who work with families on homeownership - nonprofit counselors, advocates, mortgage lenders, servicers and investors, attorneys and government agencies. Being a national, neutral, nonprofit organization allows us to listen to all the parties and build solutions that support homeowners and incorporate the unique needs of all stakeholders. As a result, HLP unifies the housing industry by helping individuals and families achieve and sustain homeownership. Stakeholders share information with each other via our technology platform and collaborate to find solutions to help homeowners. To date, we have helped more than 600,000 homeowners and aspiring homeowners. King Bed Guest Room for Hampton Inn Jacksonville/Ponte Vedra Beach - Mayo Clinic Area Were excited to have completed the renovation for the Hampton Inn in Jacksonville/Ponte Vedra Beach. The hotel has been brought to the latest Hampton standards and it looks excellent The Hampton Inn Jacksonville/Ponte Vedra Beach - Mayo Clinic Area has completed the finishing touches on a renovation project, which included guest rooms, guest bathrooms, exterior and portions of the lobby. The interior design features a splash of Florida coastal with blue hues and coral accents. Replacements in the guestrooms include carpeting, artwork, sofa beds and accent furniture, as well as linens. A modern wood-plank tile was added in the entryway and bathroom and shower tiles were replaced with a crisp white tile. The bathrooms feature a new vanity with white quartz top and open shelving, making it easy to store toiletries. Were excited to have completed the renovation for the Hampton Inn in Jacksonville/Ponte Vedra Beach. The hotel has been brought to the latest Hampton standards and it looks excellent, said Andrew Bou-Sliman, VP of Acquisitions and Development for Naples Hotel Group. Naples Hotel Group has been operating the hotel since March 2018. As part of the new franchise agreement with Hilton Worldwide, the owners completed the property improvement plan to update the accommodations offered to guests staying in Ponte Vedra. The hotel is centrally located to dining, shopping and beaches in one of the most prestigious areas of Jacksonville. It provides a complement of services and brand amenities, including an outdoor pool and patio, event space for rental of up to 1,100 sq. ft, free Wi-FI throughout the hotel, 24-Hour fitness center, 24-Hour complimentary business center, and complimentary breakfast for guests. The Hampton Inn Jacksonville/Ponte Vedra Beach Mayo Clinic Area is also part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton's 14 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 the Hilton Honors mobile app. The Hampton Inn Jacksonville/Ponte Vedra Beach is located at 1220 Marsh Landing Pkwy, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250. For reservations, visit its website or call +1-904-280-9101. About Naples Hotel Group Naples Hotel Group is a leading hotel development and management company of franchised brands such as Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, and InterContinental Hotel Group. NHG has achieved superior results and has a proven ability to enhance the performance of hotels using their experience, responsiveness, and extensive resources. With a hotel portfolio spanning the Southeast United States, NHG prides itself on building long-term relationships with quality people and organizations. To learn more visit, http://www.napleshotelgroup.com. About Hampton by Hilton As the number one ranked lodging franchise for the past 10 years, according to Entrepreneur, Hampton by Hilton, including Hampton Inn by Hilton and Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton, serves value-conscious and quality-driven travelers at more than 2,430 properties with more than 250,000 rooms in 25 countries and territories. High-quality accommodations and amenities, such as complimentary WiFi, free hot breakfast, and On The RunTM breakfast bags, contribute to Hampton by Hilton ranking as a leader in its segment. Hampton by Hilton Team Members deliver friendly, authentic, caring and thoughtful service defined as Hamptonality, with guest happiness being the number one priority, backed by the 100% Hampton GuaranteeTM. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. For more information about Hampton by Hilton, visit http://www.hampton.com or newsroom.hilton.com/hampton [newsroom.hilton.com/hampton __title__ newsroom.hilton.com/hampton], and connect on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. We are pleased to recognize Dr. Dutta as a UroLift Center of Excellence for his commitment to providing consistent care to BPH patients using the UroLift System treatment NeoTract, a wholly owned subsidiary of Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE:TFX) focused on addressing unmet needs in the field of urology, today announced that Sajal Dutta, MD, The Oregon Clinic - Advanced Urology in Portland, OR, has been designated as a UroLift Center of Excellence. The designation recognizes that Dr. Dutta has achieved a high level of training and experience with the UroLift System and demonstrated a commitment to exemplary care for men suffering from symptoms associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate. Recommended for the treatment of BPH in both the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology clinical guidelines, the FDA-cleared Prostatic Urethral Lift procedure using the UroLift System is a proven, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH. The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue. The UroLift Center of Excellence program is designed to highlight urologists who are committed to educating their patients on BPH and the UroLift System as a treatment option and consistently seek to deliver excellent patient outcomes and experiences. We are pleased to recognize Dr. Dutta as a UroLift Center of Excellence for his commitment to providing consistent care to BPH patients using the UroLift System treatment, said Dave Amerson, president of the Teleflex Interventional Urology business unit. This achievement has helped many patients experience durable, long-term relief from the burdensome symptoms of BPH while preserving sexual function*1,2. Over 40 million men in the United States are affected by BPH, a condition that occurs when the prostate gland that surrounds the male urethra becomes enlarged with advancing age and begins to obstruct the urinary system. Symptoms of BPH often include interrupted sleep and urinary problems and can cause loss of productivity, depression and decreased quality of life. Medication is often the first-line therapy for enlarged prostate, but relief can be inadequate and temporary. Side effects of medication treatment can include sexual dysfunction, dizziness and headaches, prompting many patients to quit using the drugs. For these patients, the classic alternative is surgery that cuts, heats or removes prostate tissue to open the blocked urethra. While current surgical options can be very effective in relieving symptoms, they can also leave patients with permanent side effects such as urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and retrograde ejaculation. About the UroLift System The FDA-cleared UroLift System is a proven, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a minimally invasive transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue. Clinical data from a pivotal 206-patient randomized controlled study showed that patients with enlarged prostate receiving UroLift implants reported rapid and durable symptomatic and urinary flow rate improvement without compromising sexual function*1,2. Patients also experienced a significant improvement in quality of life. Over 100,000 men have been treated with the UroLift System in the U.S. Most common adverse events reported include hematuria, dysuria, micturition urgency, pelvic pain, and urge incontinence. Most symptoms were mild to moderate in severity and resolved within two to four weeks after the procedure. The Prostatic Urethral Lift procedure using the UroLift System is recommended for the treatment of BPH in both the American Urological Association and European Association of Urology clinical guidelines. The UroLift System is available in the U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada, Mexico and South Korea. Learn more at http://www.UroLift.com. About NeoTract | Teleflex Interventional Urology A wholly owned subsidiary of Teleflex Incorporated, the Interventional Urology Business Unit is dedicated to developing innovative, minimally invasive and clinically effective devices that address unmet needs in the field of urology. Our initial focus is on improving the standard of care for patients with BPH using the UroLift System, a minimally invasive permanent implant system that treats symptoms while preserving normal sexual function*1,2. Learn more at - http://www.NeoTract.com. About Teleflex Incorporated Teleflex is a global provider of medical technologies designed to improve the health and quality of peoples lives. We apply purpose driven innovation a relentless pursuit of identifying unmet clinical needs to benefit patients and healthcare providers. Our portfolio is diverse, with solutions in the fields of vascular and interventional access, surgical, anesthesia, cardiac care, urology, emergency medicine and respiratory care. Teleflex employees worldwide are united in the understanding that what we do every day makes a difference. For more information, please visit http://www.teleflex.com. Teleflex is the home of Arrow, Deknatel, Hudson RCI, LMA, Pilling, Rusch, UroLift and Weck trusted brands united by a common sense of purpose For Teleflex Incorporated: Jake Elguicze, 610.948.2836 Treasurer and Vice President, Investor Relations Media: Nicole Osmer, 650.454.0504 nicole(at)healthandcommerce(dot)com *No instances of new, sustained erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction 1. Roehrborn, J Urology 2013 LIFT Study 2.McVary, J Sex Med 2016 MAC00968-01 Rev A Exterior rendering of the Phase II addition Robins & Morton, Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA), McMillian Pazdan Smith and community members gathered to mark the groundbreaking of the new crisis stabilization unit to be located on the campus of the Cherokee Indian Hospital in Cherokee, North Carolina, on April 24. The addition will total 80,000 square feet and will stand two stories, both tying into the main hospital. The first floor of the new addition will include an Outpatient Behavioral Health facility, assisting patients with behavioral therapy and medications to treat substance abuse. This floor will house 13 Talking Rooms, an exam room, a small group room, a large group room, two large classrooms, an arts and crafts group room, a kitchen, and a dining/living room. To support this space, the center of the floor will contain faculty workstations and administrative offices. The second floor will contain the Crisis Stabilization Unit with 18 inpatient health patient rooms, four acute care patient rooms, two large group therapy rooms, a dining area, a wellness gym, and an accessible patient roof deck patio. Faculty and support staff will have designated work space in the core of the floor. In building this facility, the design and construction team was able to save approximately 31,000 square feet of a former hospital structure for renovation. Two conference rooms, two meeting rooms, a computer lab, a trauma simulation room, a new maintenance area, storage, office space and a warehouse now occupy the space. This unit is part of the CIHAs multi-unit behavioral health treatment and rehabilitation program, coming after the recent completion of the Kanvwotiyi Residential Treatment Center in December 2017. It is slated for completion is late summer 2020. ### About Robins & Morton Robins & Morton is a privately-held, innovation-driven construction firm committed to Building with Purpose. Since 1946, the firm has built a reputation as a trusted advisor to clients nationwide by cultivating a high-performing team that values integrity, safety, and innovative thinking. Robins & Morton consistently ranks among the Top 100 U.S. Builders in Engineering News-Record an. Robins & Morton is based in Birmingham, Alabama, with additional offices in Charlotte, North Carolina; Dallas, Texas; Huntsville, Alabama; Miami and Orlando, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee. Learn more at http://www.robinsmorton.com. Robinson Creative receives two Gold Hermes Creative Awards for its Volaris and Estraya national campaigns. This is a dynamic combination of an expert creative staff working closely with an engaged client, states Ben Robinson, President. It is a direct confirmation of our efforts in establishing a creative approach, distinctive national brands and impressive integration of product. Robinson Creative Inc. wins Gold Hermes Creative Awards for two Waypoint Residential national branding campaigns. The Hermes Creative Awards is an international competition for creative professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of traditional materials and emerging technologies. The awards are administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. The Hermes Awards has over 300 categories, and entrants are from across the globe. Waypoints Texas regional brand, Estraya wins gold for its total campaign which includes naming, brand theme, print collateral, identity, signage and marketing. The national campaign for Volaris also wins a gold award for its complete brand. This encompasses naming, brand theme, print collateral, identity, signage and marketing, as well as web programming and design. Both brands feature market-rate multifamily communities. Estraya has introduced two Texas communities with several yet to hit the market. Volaris began this year by opening two new properties in the Tampa and Sarasota, Florida, area, with other locations in process. This is a dynamic combination of an expert creative staff working closely with an engaged client, states Ben Robinson, President. It is a direct confirmation of our efforts in establishing a creative approach, distinctive national brands and impressive integration of product. Waypoint Residential offers a quality multifamily product with diverse amenities and attractive interior units. Properties are located outside growing metropolitan areas currently in the southeast and southwest United States. Robinson Creative most recently won Davey and Communicator awards for other campaigns including the retro-inspired The Davis SoCo multifamily renovation in Austin and Azure in San Antonio. Robinson Creative is also honored to receive Best Innovative Design Studio by the Small Cap Awards and experienced its 20-year anniversary in 2018. About Robinson Creative Inc. Robinson Creative Inc. (RC) is an award-winning creative design firm specializing in multifamily and real estate branding with complete integration. An expanding presence throughout the United States, RCs main office is located in the Dallas metroplex with two additional satellite offices. RCs 20-year plus history encompasses a variety of clients and services. About Waypoint Residential Waypoint Residential, LLC (Waypoint) is a vertically integrated real estate investment firm specializing in rental housing. With six offices nationwide, the company acquires and develops conventional multifamily, student housing and senior housing properties throughout the United States. Founded in 2011, Waypoints real estate investment activity totals approximately $3.0 billion across more than 22,000 units. About Hermes Creative Awards Hermes Creative Awards is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (http://www.hermesawards.com).The AMCP have coordinated and judged the awards for more than 20 years. Entrants contend for Platinum and Gold statuettes wings from the mythological Hermes cap and sandals, elegantly etched to evoke the shape of the letter H. I was honored to deliver the keynote address at LendIt along with Greg Wasson (Former CEO, Walgreens), Michael Loeb (Founder of Priceline), and Kevin McGovern (Founder Sobe Water). Financial Poise is pleased to congratulate Ron Diamond, Chair of The Family Office Advisor, a Financial Poise editorial board and CEO of Diamond Wealth Strategies, who was chosen to speak at LendIt Fintech USA as a Keynote Presenter. Mr. Diamond, a prolific speaker on family offices, moderated the panel, The Emergence of Family Offices in the Fintech Sector at the premier American fintech event. On April 8th and 9th, 2019, most of the fintech world gathered in San Francisco to attend the 7th Annual LendIt Fintech USA event. Attendees included leading fintech experts and industry specialists who gathered for networking, dealmaking opportunities and thought leadership. About Financial Poise Financial Poise has one mission: to provide reliable plain English business, financial and legal education to individual investors and private business owners. Financial Poise content is created by seasoned, respected experts who are invited to join our Faculty only after being recommended by current Faculty Members. Our editorial staff then works to make sure that all content is easily digestible. Financial Poise is a meritocracy; nobody can buy her way onto the Financial Poise Faculty. Start learning today at https://www.financialpoise.com/ Former President General Le Duc Anh, who served as President of Vietnam from September 1992 to 1997, passed away on April 22 at the age of 99. In his message addressed to General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and President of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping expressed deep sympathy on behalf of the CPC, the Government and people of China. He emphasised that the late President Le Duc Anh had made important contributions to Vietnams national construction and defence, and unceasing efforts to promote the development of the China-Vietnam relationship. With his death, the Vietnamese people lost an outstanding leader and the Chinese people lost a dear friend, Xi wrote, while expressing his belief that the Party, Government and people of Vietnam will turn sorrow into strength and continue to reap new achievements in the cause of socialist building. The Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the Lao National Assembly, the Lao Government and the Lao Front for National Construction have sent letters of condolence to their respective Vietnamese counterparts. In the letter, Laos expressed deep sorrow at the death of the former President and offered deepest sympathy to the CPV Central Committee, the National Assembly, the Government, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the Vietnamese people as well as the family and relatives of the late President. The Lao side praised the deceaseds great contributions to Vietnams past struggle for national liberation and its nation building and safeguarding cause over the past more than 80 years. Comrade Le Duc Anh made important contributions to strengthening and developing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam over the past times, the letter wrote. The Lao side said that with the passing away of comrade Le Duc Anh, not only have the Vietnamese Party, State and people lost a beloved leader, but the Lao party, State and people also lost a close friend. President of the Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen sent a letter of sympathy to the General Secretary of CPV Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong. He expressed deep sorrow at hearing the news about the death of the late Vietnamese President, who he described as a leader with great contributions to Vietnams national construction and development. President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez sent a message of sympathy to CPV leader and President Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Raul Castro Ruz also extended his condolences to CPV leader and President Nguyen Phu Trong. Norway regulator identifies safety regulation breaches on Saipem Scarabeo 8 rig Norwegian offshore safety regulator Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA), has imposed an enforcement order on Saipem Drilling Norway AS over serious breaches of safety regulations on the semi-submersible drilling rig Scarabeo 8 following an audit between 4 and 7 March, 2019. Scarabeo 8 - Image: Saipem On the basis of the observations made in the audit, PSA gave Saipem notice of an order which requires it to review its management system for: a) training and the emergency preparedness organisation offshore to ensure necessary improvements and adherence to the system for following up on the competence of the individual member of the emergency preparedness organisation. b) non-conformities and ensure necessary improvements and adherence to the system for compliance with regulatory requirements. Saipem is also required to undertake an analysis to identify the reason why PSAs findings were not identified and corrected earlier. The deadline for complying with the order is 27 May 2019. Contact Details and Archive... Clan Athy was one of the original members of the Fourteen Tribes of Galway... Author Anne Durand-Athy was always told her Irish family heritage was special. She just didnt realize how special until she received a gift from her brother. After the death of their mother, Durand-Athys brother gave her a black binder, filled with historical documentation and genealogical evidence of their Irish Clan Athy family, one of the first clans to settle on the Emerald Isle, dating back to the ninth century. In Secrets of the Nire, Durand-Athy provides a fictional story, set in both modern-day and thirteenth century Ireland, about the ancient Athy Clan, who has a secret to protect. Durand-Athy weaves her own rich family stories with the story of the start of the British Monarchy and an intriguing murder-mystery that suggests the rightful Royal Family of the Celtic Isles may have, in fact, been Irish. Clan Athy was one of the original members of the Fourteen Tribes of Galway, Durand-Athy said. As I began learning more about my family and our ties to the settlement of the Emerald Isle, I had to go to the place where it all began. Durand-Athy traveled to the Nire Valley in Ireland, where her surroundings and binder of family history came together in this first book of a series about the rightful King of the Celtic Isles. I based my series on real characters from my familys history, Durand-Athy said. While I had always been told of our rich heritage, I had no idea how rich it wasuntil I looked in that little, black binder. Secrets of the Nire By Anne Durand-Athy ISBN: 978-9845-7588-3 Available at Xlibris and Amazon About the author Anne Durand-Athy is a musician, songwriter, vocalist and novelist. Raised by her WWII Veteran/Policeman father and her Rosie the Riveter mother, who worked in Oakland, Calif., for the WWII cause, Durand-Athy had a wonderful childhood, filled with stories of wartime, family heritage and interesting tales of an Irish Clan that piqued her interest in genealogy. Durand-Athy is married to a retired military man and resides on the Southern Oregon Coast. She is the mother of three adult children and grandmother to five. She is an active worship leader in her church, where she currently serves, playing guitar, singing and song writing. To learn more about the author and her book please visit, https://www.xlibris.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-001188437. ### Review Copies & Interview Requests: LAVIDGE Indianapolis Lindsey Gobel 317.435.2116 lgobel(at)lavidge(dot)com Back left to right: Dr. Raymond Lopez, Yissel Barajas, Garland Reiter, Brenda Reiter, Mrs. Lopez Front left to right: Ana Martinez, Maricela Gutierrez Throughout her childhood and evolving to today, her unique ability to influence others towards positive health outcomes is what makes Maricela Gutierrez an outstanding leader in the Latino community. Maricela Gutierrez, Sembrando Salud Health Promoter for Reiter Affiliated Companies (RAC), recognized by El Concilio Family Services as a recipient of their 2019 Latino Leadership Award. El Concilio Family Services, a nonprofit organization who provides assistance and educational programs to the underserved Latino community, recognizes leaders annually for their contributions to Ventura County. This years award theme, Making a Difference Together We Thrive, resonated with Yissel Barajas, CHRO for RAC, who nominated Gutierrez for the honor. I have known Maricela for the last nine years and in this period of getting to know her, I have realized that her line of work is greatly aligned to her true calling, said Barajas. She is heavily involved in her community, helping motivate residents of our county to lead healthier lifestyles by coordinating multiple health and wellness activities including health sessions, Zumba classes, summer-time hikes to local trails, and monthly food distributions in collaboration with Food Share. Over the course of Gutierrezs career at RAC, she has helped more than 2,500 farmworkers and their families learn how to lead a healthier lifestyle. She is well known for her ability to educate farmworkers while creating a sense of community and appreciation on the ranch. On Friday, April 12, 2019, Gutierrez received her award during the annual Latino Leadership Awards ceremony. Garland Reiter, Executive Chairman of RAC, shared the following before handing Gutierrez her award. Throughout her childhood and evolving to today, her unique ability to influence others towards positive health outcomes is what makes Maricela Gutierrez an outstanding leader in the Latino community. This year marks RACs 10th Anniversary of the Sembrando Salud Program and our FreSalud Clinics, in which we jointly committed to making a difference to the health and wellbeing of our farmworker community. That commitment, however, is only possible through the efforts, advocacy and leadership of people like Maricela Gutierrez. Gutierrez was recognized alongside other outstanding community leaders who have helped elevate the lives of many Latinos through their work. To learn more about Reiter Affiliated Companies, please visit: http://www.berry.net About Reiter Affiliated Companies Reiter Affiliated Companies (RAC) is the largest fresh multi-berry producer in the world, growing Driscolls proprietary varieties of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries year round in the United States, Baja California, Central Mexico, Portugal, Morocco, Canada and Peru. The Reiter family began farming in the San Francisco Bay Peninsula and by the turn of the century had migrated south into Watsonville and the Santa Clara Valley. By the late 1970s, operations expanded into Southern California where the headquarters is today. The company values of Honesty, Fairness and Respect line the corridors of every office, guiding and leading business principles and decisions. Those decisions have resulted in the organizations position as an industry leader, adopting health and wellness programs, opening primary health clinics and partnering with local organizations to improve the quality of life for the farmworker community. $6.626 Million Vacant Lot Sold near Downtown Tampa "Smiths agents are special, even after serving Tampa for 50 years, we still get excited about making our clients dreams come true." - Bob Glaser, President, and CEO, Smith & Associates Real Estates Demand and prices continue to rise for waterfront properties located in Hillsborough County. Today, Greg Margliano, Realtor for Smith & Associates Real Estate, sold a $6.626 million vacant lot on Davis Island, which is proximate to downtown Tampa. The vacant lot, located at 84 Adalia Avenue, offers stunning views overlooking Old Hillsborough Bay. This sale marks the highest real estate transaction of the year in Hillsborough County and a record-breaking real estate transaction for the Davis Island neighborhood. Tampa is one of the most attractive markets in Florida and Davis Island offers residents a waterfront lifestyle that is laid back and quiet yet just a bike ride away from all the fun and cultural events happening in downtown Tampa, said Bob Glaser, President, and CEO of Smith & Associates Real Estate. With 175 feet of bay frontage, the property is one of the few vacant lots on Davis Island. In 2015, this waterfront property sold for $3.4 million. Smith & Associates Real Estate led the Tampa Bay real estate market in luxury homes sales in 2018 representing 16.5% of all luxury home sales. Glaser believes that his organization excels in the luxury real estate market because of their market knowledge and dedication to serving their clients needs. "We have a company filled with seasoned real estate professionals like Greg Margliano, who know the market and are entrenched in the communities they serve. Smiths agents are special, even after serving Tampa for 50 years, we still get excited about making our clients dreams come true," added Glaser. About Smith & Associates Real Estate Founded in 1969, Smith & Associates Real Estate is Tampa Bay's largest independent and locally-owned real estate brokerage, with a commitment to exceptional service, and superior market knowledge. Deeply embedded in the community and comprised of six strategically located offices in the Tampa Bay area, they were chosen to be on the 2017 Real Trends 500 for both Sales Volume and Number of Transactions. For more information on Smith & Associates Real Estate, please visit http://www.smithandassociates.com. Follow Smith & Associates on Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/SmithAndAssociatesRE/ https://www.instagram.com/smithandassociates/ https://twitter.com/Smith_Associate http://feeds.feedburner.com/smithandassociates The new tax incentives together with local manufacturing of cars, auto parts, and batteries will create favorable conditions to establish a global EVs production hub in Thailand. The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) has announced new investment privileges that reduce the excise tax from 8% to 2% for qualified auto manufacturers planning to establish full Electric Vehicles (EVs) production in Thailand. In return for the tax break, companies are required to commence manufacturing of full EVs within three years of receiving such tax privileges. EVs is one of the governments 12 economic growth industries recognized under its S-curve policy, and the new tax waiver represents the governments support for developing a strong EV market in Thailand. The Thailand government acknowledged that the production of full EVs is relatively higher, with battery cost accounting for half the price, therefore it will continue to focus on supporting measures that will encourage battery manufacturers to set up plants in Thailand and reduce their production costs, said Mr. Chokedee Kaewsang, Deputy Secretary General of the Thailand Board of Investment. The new tax incentives together with local manufacturing of cars, auto parts, and batteries will create favorable conditions to establish a global EVs production hub in Thailand. Last year, the government kicked off EV tax promotions, including a tax holiday of 5-8 years and import duty exemptions for car and auto part makers, covering three EV types: hybrid EVs, plug-in hybrid EVs, and battery EVs. With leading car manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, BMW, Mazda, and Toyota locating EV assembly operations in Thailand, analysts are predicting that by 2023 close to 820,000 EVs will be manufactured in Thailand. To support the growth of the EV market in Thailand, BOI recently approved a project to build 3,000 charging stations nationwide worth 1.09 billion baht or about 34 million USD. At the end of last year, Mazda announced plans to manufacture full EVs in Thailand after it received investment privileges from BOI for its 11.48 billion baht (365 million USD) hybrid EVs project. In 2017, Mercedes-Benz became the first brand to produce lithium-ion batteries for EVs in the country and recently, Mercedes-Benz announced further plans to manufacture its global EV line-ups: plug-in hybrid EVs, battery EVs, and lithium-ion batteries. Another car giant BMW Group Thailand in September 2018 commenced production of high voltage batteries as well as the roll out of its advanced training and qualification programs in the country. Other top car producers such as Nissan and Toyota have also picked Thailand to build their hybrid EVs production hubs. After celebrating the milestone of manufacturing its 1 millionth car intended for export, Nissan revealed plans to invest an additional 10.96 billion baht (345 million USD) in a hybrid EV hub in Thailand, which will supply domestic and international markets with hybrid EVs and batteries. Toyota has submitted a 21 billion baht (661 million USD) investment plan to the government to receive incentives to localize manufacturing of new eco-friendlier vehicles in Thailand. The company plans to assemble 7,000 hybrid EVs and 70,000 batteries for EVs a year. About BOI The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) is the investment promotion agency for Thailand that facilitates foreign direct investment. BOIs services are free of charge and customized to help business succeed in Thailand. For more information, please visit http://www.boi.go.th and http://www.thinkasiainvestthailand.com. The Napolitan Victory Awards' golden statuette is hailed as the 'Oscar of Politics.' This April, the Washington Academy of Political Arts & Sciences celebrated the 8th annual Napolitan Victory Awards. These highly prestigious awards honored over 100 political leaders and campaigns across 47 categories, recognizing some of the best political campaigns and professionals in the world. One of the big winners of the night was the 2018 presidential campaign for Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador from Mexico. The campaign took home seven awards, one of which was Campaign of the Year. Argentinian advertising executive, Carlos Souto, won the esteemed and highly coveted Consultant of the Year award. The highest honors of the night were awarded to former president of Uruguay, Jose Mujica, and Ralph Murphine. Mujica graciously accepted the Napolitan Honorary Award and Murphine, Latin Americas best known political communications expert, was inducted into the Washington Academy Hall of Fame after working on more than 500 campaigns throughout his career. In addition to awarding the best political campaigns, The Washington Academy honored thirty political rising stars under the age of 30, twelve influential women in political communication and twenty political activists fighting for liberty and global democracy. Other notable winners included: Tren Maya awarded Political Spot of the Year for a piece describing the benefits of Mexicos largest infrastructure projects under Mexicos current presidential team. Guelaguetza Festival from Oaxaca, Mexico awarded for several audio-visual projects. Juan Manuel Moreno, President of Andalusian Peoples Party, took home the Electoral Campaign of the Year and two other awards for his recent work in Spain. Media firm 76 Words was one of two American winners, receiving an award for the spot Somos Mas. >> A full list of nominees and award recipients can be viewed here. << About the Napolitan Victory Awards The most highly coveted awards in political communication, The Napolitan Victory Awards are unique in their field, receiving nominees from approximately 30 countries. The awards are named after Joseph Napolitan, widely regarded as the father of modern political consulting. Since 2012, the Napolitans have been held and hailed by the international media as the Oscars of Politics and are presented annually by The Washington Academy of Political Arts & Sciences . Honoring talent and success in political communications, election campaigns, and governments, these awards also recognize exceptional contributions in digital and technological media, the press corps, academic institutions, leaders in freedom, democracy, and political excellence. Napolitan Victory Awards Online: Website: Napolitans.org Facebook: Facebook.com/theWAPAS Instagram: instagram.com/TheWAPAS Twitter: Twitter.com/TheWAPAS With all the recent updates to technology, social media, and the entire digital world, mom and pop towing companies began to notice a significant decline in the amount of clients they have become accustomed to generating on a monthly basis. The out dated methods of posting ads in newspapers or word-of-mouth referrals have become a way of the past. So how is a local towing company in Jersey City generating thousands of clients per month. The owners say it's all due in part to changing their marketing techniques. We recently spoke with the owners Elizabeth and Anthony and asked them how is it possible for the "new guys on the block" to lead the towing industry in Jersey City? Elizabeth said, "In an emergency, nowadays, when you need a tow truck you don't call a friend and start asking around, you automatically take out your smart phone and search on Google, towing company near me. With the way technology advanced in the recent years, we knew we had to adapt and evolve quickly or our doors would be closed as quickly as they opened. We saw an opportunity and we began to utilize it." Tow Truck Jersey City offers a variety of services such as roadside assistance, 24 hour towing, jump starts, lock outs, towing for cars, towing for trucks, motorcycle towing, and many more. They are in competition with dozens of other towing companies in Jersey City, but what makes them stand out is the fact that they advertise each and every towing service they offer online, consistently. They hired a reputable online and digital marketing company in the area, Genesis Marketing Online, and have only seen tremendous success thereafter. "Adapt or die", Anthony added. In this digital age, that is sound advice for any business that provides any type of local service. Melrose Moving Company has launched a new blog post that explains the main advantages of using storage services. For more information and free moving quotes, visit https://www.movingcompanywesthollywood.com/why-you-should-use-storage-services/. When moving to another city, renting storage services is an option that should be taken into consideration. Moving your belongings in a safe space will speed up the whole relocation process. After decluttering and sorting their items, many people realize that they have some unwanted items. These items can be kept in a storage unit until they are sold or donated. People who have a temporary home should use storage services until they have somewhere to live for medium- to long-term. There are many people who change their locations frequently, due to being relocated to a new work-post. For more information and free moving estimates, visit https://www.movingcompanywesthollywood.com. Melrose Moving is a Los Angeles-based residential and commercial moving company. Originally established in 1999, it has been so popular that the owner started various other moving companies, such as Los Angeles Movers, Movers Los Angeles, and Los Angeles Commercial Movers, all of which are operated by Melrose Moving. The moving company is licensed by the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and has an A rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Melrose Moving accepts cash, checks, credit cards, and Paypal. Independent Bookstore Day, which celebrated its fifth anniversary on Saturday, has taken on immense importance for many booksellers across the country with 580 stores having participated, up from 507 last year. "It was Christmas in April," said Holly Weinkauf, the owner of The Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul, Minn. "Sales were up over 15% compared to last year. And last year's IBD was a big day for us. Sales were also double what a normal spring Saturday would be for us." Red Balloon welcomed Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, who is of Ojibwe descent, to the store to read a picture book with Native American themes and characters, Bowwow Powwow by Brenda J. Child, while Scout & Morgan in Cambridge, Minn.s special in-store guest was Dusty, a horse who is the inspiration for a childrens book entitled Dustys Adventures by T.J. Akers. McKenna Jordan, owner of Murder by the Book in Houston, echoed the positive sentiment. "Sales are triple what they are for a normal Saturday this time of the year." She added that while sales are welcome, she gauges the success of the day on the number of new faces she sees come into the store. "One of our goals is to use the day to promote the store to new customers and then keep them coming back." The store hosted a well-attended "bookseller picks" session and also launched ReadHouston.com, an event listing site for the city's independent bookselling community. Valerie Kohler, owner of Blue Willow Books in Houston where the author Ray Viator was reading for IBD -- said she was exciting to see more promotion of independent bookselling in general in the city. "This [Ray Viator] event [was] our seventh event of the week, so there is a lot going on year round that we want people to know about." Numerous stores around the country took the opportunity to introduce themselves for the first time. St. Paul-based Babycakes Book Stack mobile bookstore had a soft opening parked outside Moon Palace Books in Minneapolis and Storied Owl Bookshop, which is opening in mid-May in the neighborhood adjacent to Macalester College in St. Paul, opened its doors for the first time with a sneak peek, though the shelves were still pretty empty. The Next Chapter Bookstore in St. Paul, which until a week ago was known as Common Good Books, also used IBD as an opportunity to introduce and celebrate its new name under new ownership since Garrison Keillor sold the store and moved to Minneapolis. Both of the bookseller moderators of PW's BXsellers Facebook page also took the opportunity to launch their businesses in their communities: Noelle Santos, owner of the Lit.Bar in the Bronx, opened her store for the first time, while BrocheAroe Fabian started a three-day pop-up in Beaver Dam, Wis., for her River Dog Book Company. "We offered a Spanish storytime, made sure to have a table of books for the Refugee Book Drive," said Fabian, "and we told everyone about IBD and the value of an indie bookstore, like personal recommendations, the ability to order online with us and in-person, the fact that we sell audiobooks and e-books as well as physical books, and shared IBD product -- the dish towels were the biggest hit this year!. Up near the Canadian border, in Duluth, Minn. Bob Dobrow, the owner of Zenith Bookstore, wrote, IBD was great at Zenith Bookstore. Lots of people saved up their visits to the store this week to make sure they would be in on Saturday. We had a big table of freebies for purchases of $50 or more -- IBD tote bags, Libro.fm t-shirts, ARC's. The table was picked clean by the end of the day. Sales this year were 55% greater than IBD last year! Stephanie Ballien, director of marketing at audiobookseller Libro.fm, which offered numerous free titles on the day, reported reaching "millions of people through the offer of free audiobooks thanks our bookstore partners, authors, and network of influencers." She added, "These people now realize their ability to support local bookstores through audiobook purchases which is powerful education." According to Sarah Hollenbeck, co-owner of Women and Children First in Chicago, Considering it snowedyes, snowed!we were blown away by our intrepid customers who came out in droves to take the #ChiLoveBooks Challenge! More than 70 folks completed the challenge, visiting more than 10 indie bookstores in a single day! Several sales reps made the rounds to multiple bookstores around Minnesota's Twin Cities. John Mesjak of Abraham Associates visited a phenomenal 19 stores Saturday and wrote, The stores around the Twin Cities were absolutely packed. We were at Red Balloon while shoppers were in every aisle, and a story time was going on for what looked like 40 kids and their parents. Down in New Mexico, Rick Gallagher, director of PopaZine at Bookazine, toured five stores in his hometown of Albuquerque, including Downtown Books, Organic Books, Page One Books, Bookworks, and Title Wave Books, which used the day to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Chris Hsiang, a bookseller at Books Inc. in San Francisco, cycled 32 miles on Friday and Saturday and visited 18 stores. The long-day of biking capped off the month of April in which, in an effort to fill out the NCIBA Passport," he traveled 216 miles by bike and visited a total of 47 stores, which culminated on Saturday with a visit to Borderlands Books, the first store where he was a bookseller. Some communities made it easy on their customers and provided transportation between stores. After learning that readers in the Boston area are never more than 20 minutes from an independent bookstore, booksellers Clarissa Murphy and Katie Eelman launched the first Metro Boston Independent Bookstore Day Trolley Tour, which took readers on one of two routes to visit seven indie bookstores. Tickets for both routes sold out weeks in advance and on one route alone, over two dozen readers purchased 175 books and spent $3,500 throughout the day. It was absolutely a phenomenal success in all ways, top to bottom, said Murphy, who is a childrens bookseller at the MIT Press Bookstore. It exemplified the frenetic energy that is Independent Bookstore Day. Fresh off the success of printing the Mueller report on their in-house book printing machine, the Harvard Book Store printed journals in honor of Independent Bookstore Day and were passing out copies to customers who purchased a book on their visit. Reader Lynne Baer was waiting at the door to Porter Square Books when it opened at 8 a.m. Last year she visited 13 of 14 stores and said she was aiming for 12 in the area this year. Raised on indie bookstores, Baer said she became even more invested in their success after, seeing how Amazon was shifting the publishing industry. I want these places to be here, said Baer. I like them, and I like knowing that theyre here. For more photos from stores celebrating Independent Bookstore Day across the country, click here. Candlewick Press reports that Sharon Hancock, who retired in 2014 as executive director of school and library marketing, died on April 17. Hancock joined Candlewick in 2004 as director of school and library marketing. She also worked in marketing at Penguin, Henry Holt, and Hyperion, among other houses. Before she moved into publishing, Hancock was a bookseller at the now closed Eeyores Books for Children in New York City. Hancock loved books and was a tireless reader of childrens and adult titles, always excited to talk about books she was reading or had heard about. She was also known for her smile, her sharp sense of humor, and her styleher signature black glasses and classic clothing. When Hancock's retirement was announced by PW in early 2015, authors Meg Medina and Shannon Hale responded to the news by calling her a true gem and saying To know her is to love & admire her. Agent Steven Malk called her one of the best ever. Candlewick president and publisher Karen Lotz, who is also managing director of the Walker Books Group, described Hancock as one of the most voracious and delightfully passionate readers I've ever met. [She] was a gift in my life for more than 15 years as a direct colleague, after working first at Penguin together and then at Candlewick, and this was encompassed by nearly 25 years of buddying up and swapping views. She was the person who really put the Candlewick list on the map with the library community, acting as a true advocate and partner to all the editors and designers, and for that we will be forever in her debt. Saying goodbye to Sharon is unbearably difficult; she will be in our hearts always." A memorial will be announced in the coming weeks. The Finnish forest industry giant said the mill would have an annual production capacity of 1.5 million tonnes of softwood and hardwood pulp, provide employment to around 2,500 people and replace its outdated pulp mill in the roughly 20,000-resident town on the coast of the Baltic Sea. METSA GROUP on Friday announced it has moved on to the pre-engineering stage of a project to construct a massive bioproduct mill in Kemi, Finnish Lapland. The bioproduct mill would also produce a number of other bioproducts and sell its output primarily to clients in Europe and Asia, as well as to the adjacent kraft-liner mill of Metsa Board, a part of Metsa Group. The number of people employed at the mill and its whole value chain would increase by roughly 1,500 to 2,500. The consumption of pulpwood, meanwhile, would rise by 4.5 million cubic metres to 7.6 million cubic metres per annum, according to Metsa Group. A final decision on the roughly 1.5 billion-euro investment is to be made no earlier than in mid-2020. Metsa Group also revealed it is proceeding to the pre-engineering phase of two other major projects: the construction of a pine sawmill on its premises in Rauma, Western Finland, and the replacement of the recovery boilers and turbines at its pulp mill in Husum, Sweden. The costs of the projects are estimated at 200 and 300 million euros, respectively. With these investments, we would secure our ability in the whole forest industry value chain to both respond to the needs and requirements from forest owners and customers, and to implement our significant role in climate change mitigation, commented Ilkka Hamala, the CEO of Metsa Group. The Finnish forest industry company also reported that its net sales crept up by 10 million euros from the previous year to 1,438 million euros between January and March 2019. Its comparable operating profit, however, fell by almost 30 million euros to 180 million euros as a consequence of a dip in pulp prices towards the end of last year. Metsa Group achieved a good result in the first quarter of 2019, said Hamala. Our profit-making ability weakened compared to the excellent last year, mainly due to the decline in the price of pulp in late 2018. Aleksi Teivainen HT Source: Uusi Suomi A group of Dutch farmers saw too much of their produce going to waste. They now process overripe and therefore unmarketable vegetables into sauces and soups. The products are expected to hit supermarket shelves later this year. Harvest House is a cooperative of 54 growers who cultivate tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers in greenhouses covering almost a thousand hectares of land. Their combined annual turnover totals roughly 750 million euros hardly small potatoes. The percentage of vegetables unfit to sell is low. But because of the associations size, the volume of food loss in absolute numbers is large. So the farmers took action. In 2017 they set up a food-processing subsidiary called Food Fellows to develop a brand and a product line. The first of these products are now cropping up on supermarket shelves. What sort of products do you make? We want to make healthy, delicious products with a high vegetable content, says Rogier Hilkes, Commercial Director of Food Fellows. We use vegetables that would otherwise go to waste, for example tomatoes that are not suitable for retail but that can be processed into our basic tomato sauce and tomato soup. Food Fellows applies the same concept to waste flows from an affiliate that chops vegetables for catering companies. We use the bits of bell pepper left over after dicing and add tomatoes and other vegetables to turn it into pasta sauce. Hilkes adds that they use seasoning but otherwise their products contain low amounts of salt, sugar and fat. The company sells these three products to consumers in supermarkets. But they also offer them in five kilogram aluminium foil bags to business customers like catering companies, meat-processing businesses and soup and sauce producers. These large packs are usually produced in the summer months the time of year when there is a glut of tomatoes worldwide. We process tomatoes that are not suitable for retail into tomato sauce and tomato soup. Branching out Our first priority is to expand our brand in the Netherlands, says Hilkes. Thanks to Harvest House we have an extensive network, but their contact person mainly deals with fresh vegetable buyers. Food Fellows products have a different market: the consumer. We are still testing where to display our products with the vegetables, chilled products or among the soups and sauces. Soups and sauces are already on sale at some local supermarkets, and the goal is to have products on the shelves at major supermarkets across the Netherlands by the second half of the year. At the moment Food Fellows is concentrating on the Dutch market, although products will also go on sale at a large German retailer this spring. We aim to make healthy options with less fat and more vegetables - Rogier Hilkes, Food Fellows Twitter Linkedin Mail Healthier alternatives We also want to innovate, says Hilkes. Take paprika-flavored potato chips, for example. That is an unhealthy snack, containing 30 percent fat. Our aim is to contrast that with a healthy option containing less fat and more vegetables. The company hopes to introduce an alternative snack product at Fruit Logistica, the largest fruit and vegetable tradeshow in the world, in 2020. We also have a light and healthier type of sandwich spread in mind. I think that we can produce that within a year, but perhaps Im being just a tad ambitious. Other alternatives are still at an early stage of development, but the mission is clear. Hilkes: Ultimately we want all our products to be tasty and healthy with a low content in sugar, salt and fat. We want to use familiar ingredients with a high vegetable content. Thats something we wont compromise on so if a product proves impossible to make under those conditions, we wont produce it. Welcome to Railway Gazette. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of these cookies. You can learn more about the cookies we use here. OK Sony Europe has announced pricing and availability for its new AG9 series BRAVIA OLED 4K HDR TV, with the range TV now available to pre-order with deliveries for entry level models expected to begin in May 2019. Produced in 77, 65, and 55 screen sizes, the AG9 sets have over 8 million self-illuminating pixels individually controlled by the Picture Processor X1 Ultimate. This processor features object-based super resolution technology, which is designed to detect and analyse individual objects within a scene and enhance the contrast, detail and colour for realism.In addition to the processor, the AG9 has the newly enhanced pixel contrast booster for heightened colour and contrast in bright areas compared with its predecessor. As a result, claimed Sony , the AG9 shows images and colours as they truly are, as the creator intended. It adds that the processor improves SD and HD content closer to 4K HDR quality and shows 4K HDR content in stunning clarity.The AG9 pairs 4K clarity with the brightness, colour, and detail of high dynamic range (HDR) and Sony says that previously hidden areas of dark shadow and sunlight are now full of clarity and detail. The AG9 TV features Netflix Calibrated Mode, IMAX Enhanced4, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos 5 . Acoustic Surface Audio+ functionality provides an immersive sound experience with the audio coming directly from the entire screen. A TV centre speaker mode means the TV can become the centre speaker in a home cinema setup.The sets also feature Sony Android TV which supports apps from Google Play, including YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video and has Google Assistant built-in. Viewers also interact with the TV using Google Assistant and also works with popular smart speakers such as Sonys own LF-S50G and SRS-XB501G, Google Home or Amazon Echo devices. In addition, the AG9 is compatible with Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit to stream content from an iPhone, iPad or Mac to the TV.Pricing for the AG9 range starts at 2,999 for the 55 model and 3,999 for 65 devices. When now President Recep Tayyip Erdogan first assumed office as Turkey's prime minister in 2003, he established a new defense procurement policy requiring Turkey to shift to an indigenous production model for its defense systems. Yet, Turkey's need for a permanent air and missile defense system was deemed so vital and pressing that Erdogan consented to purchasing a system from a foreign supplier. Ankara issued a tender in 2009 for bids from foreign manufacturers to supply Turkey's Long-Range Air and Missile Defense System (T-LORAMIDS). The call issued by Turkey's procurement authority, the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM), vaguely required participation from Turkey's defense industry. After some deadline extensions, SSM received four proposals by 2011: the US Patriot system, the Russian S-300V system, the Chinese HQ-9 system, and the Franco-Italian SAMP/T system. 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 Irami Osei-Frimpong, a Ph.D. student at the University of Georgia, thanks the crowd of supporters before his hearing with the University. Protestors supporting Irami Osei-Frimpong gathered in front of the Miller Learning Center in Athens, Georgia on April 26, 2019. They not only showed support Osei-Frimpong, but also rallied for academic freedom, free speech and free inquiry. (Photo/Daniela Rico) We'd asked you, dear readers, to take a selfie and tell us which your favourite books are. Rediff reader Khan Imran Ahmed writes about the book that inspired him the most. ALSO SEE: How Hellen Keller inspired this principal My favourite book is Dhirubhai Ambani, The Man I Knew written By Kokilaben D Ambani. This book actually covers each and every aspect of Reliance founder Dhirubhai Ambani -- right from his childhood days till his last few days. Kokilaben D Ambani has provided detailed aspects about Ambani's life as if it were a movie running in front of us. From the time he landed his first job in Aden, Yemen to how he started his first business as a spice trader in somebody's house. The book also covers the bond the family shares with each other, the launch of first IPO in India, so on and so forth. Whenever he went to collect money to run his business, Dhirubhai would tell his borrowers 'If it's profit, it will be ours and if loss, it will be mine.' This book is around 338 pages and it's worth reading for all. Imran also shared a page from the book which he found interesting. Check it out below! 'The similarities between the blockbusting Avengers: Endgame and Election 2019 cannot be starker. So who plays who?' asks Saisuresh Sivaswamy. There's a towering antagonist; there's the rag-tag alliance of heroes vanquished by him once but who are out to bring him down this time. The similarities between the blockbusting Avengers: Endgame and Election 2019 cannot be starker. So who plays who? Let's take a look. Thanos This one is a no-brainer. There is no one else who is so larger-than-life, who seems so invincible. Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi certainly harbours no such evil plan as Thanos, of universal subjugation, but his wide-ranging foes believe he is indeed out to destroy the 'idea of India'. Stones in his possession or no, but Modi does seem to have full control of India's soul, and its mind. How the Mahagathbandan of regional heroes ranged against him plan to divest him of this control, will form the crux of the electoral battle. Iron Man If there is one leader who has been waging an all-out, last-ditch battle against Modi, it is Sharad Pawar of the Nationalist Congress Party. Like Tony Stark in Avengers: Age of Ultron, did Pawar too see a ghastly nightmare, of all his Opposition allies trounced in the battlefield? Is it this sight that is propelling him to undertake the battle of his life against a foe who in 2016 credited him for helping him take baby steps in politics? Is this redemption time? Captain America Like Captain Steve Rogers who emerged ageless from ice to fight the good battle against an implacable foe, Lalu Prasad Yadav came of age in 1990 when he stopped Lal Kishenchand Advani's unstoppable chariot of ire. Since then he has waged a relentless war against the campaign of divisiveness and hatred, and remains a spearhead of the Opposition, thanks to his remarkable sway over his electorate. Like the on-screen version, Lalu too may at times seem at odds with the very cause he is fighting, may not be too willing to cede to anyone else's control, and he may be ready to hand over his shield to someone younger, but despite being behind bars he is determined to make this battle one to remember. Black Widow Like Natalia Alianovna Romanova, or Natasha, Mayawati too carries a question mark over her commitment to the cause. Where do her loyalties really lie? To defeating the foe, or to herself? Can she be trusted? Is she playing a double game? Like Natasha, Mayawati too packs a mean punch, thanks to her captive voter base that does as she bids them. Will it come to her aid once again in this ongoing battle for the all-important home state of Uttar Pradesh, and help in knocking the stuffing out of the foe? Hawk Eye In the blink of an eye and with a snap of his fingers Thanos lays waste his homestead, and Hawk Eye cannot get over it. Much like the young Akhilesh Yadav who finds that his home has been swamped by the Bharatiya Janata Party and its all-powerful leader, and has been thirsting for revenge. But he knows he cannot do it alone. Like Hawk Eye who brings in Natasha after Budapest, Akhilesh has done the impossible: Of roping in Mayawati after the Circuit House fracas, despite the scepticism of others in the Opposition ranks, to fight alongside. The two are now fighting side by side, and share a special bond -- against a common foe -- just as it is shown onscreen. Thor Is Asgard the new Amravati? Like Thor's people looking for a new home to settle down to now that their Asgard is destroyed, so have Chandrababu Naidu and his people been readying their new capital. But it takes time, and resources, something which is in short supply. A special package for the state would have certainly helped temper Naidu's ire against Modi and prevented him from engineering the Opposition against his regime, but let us not forget that Thanos wants to be master of all he surveys and doesn't really like regional satraps. The Hulk He really is a puny man who punches wayyy above his weight. He is reckless when he turns green in which state he often does damage to his own cause. But he does have a good heart beneath that exterior. He was pretty useless in the last battle in Avengers: Infinity War, when his specials powers seemed to have abandoned him. He promises to do better in the latest film, but the others are not so hopeful. Still, you need The Hulk on your side, to reduce the damage quotient that he is capable of. Now who does it remind you of? A certain Rahul Gandhi? Black Panther In Avengers: Infinity War T'Challa finds that his idyll, the impenetrable Wakanda, is under grave threat from the forces of Thanos, her defences unable to withstand the mighty onslaught unleashed by Thanos and his forces -- rather like, if you won't mind the gender mixup, Mamata Banerjee's domain West Bengal has been facing from the BJP. When cornered she fights like a panther, she will defend her realm at all costs, and is determined to end Modi's Bengal campaign once and for all. And in her spare time also join the Opposition in putting a stop to the BJP juggernaut. Dr Strange and Wong Like the sorcerer from Bleecker Street and his partner, Asaduddin Owaisi and his ally Prakash Ambedkar have been ploughing a lonely furrow, defending the realm. Owaisi knows all the electoral calculations, as does Ambedkar, to bring down the enemy, but the odds seem to so boggle the others waging the same war. But just as in the film, if anyone's got the math right to bring down the BJP, it is Owaisi. That doesn't mean it can be done, of course. Ant Man The little guy who does the most damage, who can suddenly become larger than life. Does it describe Odisha's Naveen Patnaik, or Tamil Nadu's M K Stalin? We will know on May 23. Captain Marvel In Avengers: Infinity War Nick Fury sends an SOS to her pager before turning to dust, and there were high hopes of her role in Thanos's vanquish. Captain Marvel even had a movie dedicated to her, which raked in at the turnstiles. But in the 22nd and most decisive film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain Marvel plays a blink-and-miss role, the heroics belonging clearly to the superheroes we have come to love over the last 10 years. Who does it remind you of? Someone who has been billed as the Congress's ultimate weapon every time an election comes up, but who vanishes on battle eve -- like Priyanka Gandhi Vadra recently did in Varanasi? 'Caste and religion are part of old politics. People are realising it now.' All photographs: M I Khan for Rediff.com IMAGE: Kanhaiya Kumar campaigns in Begusarai. On April 27, the final day of campaigning at a village near Begusarai, Bihar, Rediff.com Contributor M I Khan spoke to Communist Party of India candidate Kanhaiya Kumar who achieved national renown or notoriety, depending on what side of the political fence you are on, as JNU student union president. This is your first experiment of elections outside the JNU campus. I am contesting the election with the support of the people. People from all sections have come forward to join me. Look, here the fight is between Narendra Modi versus We the People. It is a battle with a difference. On one side is Modi, the face of crony capitalism, paid media, corrupt bureaucrats. On the other side is the people. The popular perception of Modi is different. Loot of the country is not desh sewa. Modi and his team have been looting the country. Unlike Modi's BJP, I am contesting the election with people's donations and contributions. People have helped me physically and they also blessed me. I got donations of Rs 100 from people. Some people from far off places came to my village Bihat. Those who did not come prayed for me. IMAGE: Clearly, a Kanhaiya Kumar supporter in Begusarai. How much pressure is there on you as a young contestant in the fray? I don't have any pressure at all. After all, when the people are with you, there is no problem. I never thought I will contest a Lok Sabha election. I have nothing to lose except to gain the support, help, affection and the love of people. Your opponents are reportedly playing the caste and religion cards. How difficult is it to focus on issues? Caste and religion are part of old politics. People are realising it now. I am confident that issue-based politics will emerge in India. I am getting support from all sections of people on issues. Caste and religious equations will not work in Begusarai as we have tried to reach out to people with issues that affect them. IMAGE: Kanhaiya Kumar's supporters assemble to campaign near Begusarai. What about the charges of 'deshdrohi' and being part of the 'tukde tukde' gang leveled against you? The BJP is targeting you and your supporters. The 'deshdrohi' charge is baseless, useless and far from the truth. They (the BJP) have no issues except false issues like it. Modi and Amit Shah are not raising the issues of common people. Both are making promises like they did in the last election and fooling people. People are replying to the BJP. Amit Shah urged people in Begusarai to vote against those supporting terror and for vikas. Modi at his election rallies in Bihar targeted you. People understand why they are attacking me personally. I am a son of Begusarai, I know there is lack of health facilities for people. There is no good hospital. Roads in rural parts are in bad condition. Even the road connecting Begusarai to Patna mainly from Bakhtiyarpur to Mokama is in poor condition. Then there is the deplorable condition of educational institutions, the lack of teachers. IMAGE: A Kanhaiya Kumar campaign vehicle. What will be the election outcome in Begusarai? It is a battle between truth and lies. Modi stands with lies. My fight for the common people will continue. I was fighting for the people before the election, during the election. I will continue to do so after the election. For me issues matter, not leaders. 943 candidates are in the fray contesting 71 seats spread across 9 states. IMAGE: A first-time voter shows her inked finger after casting her vote at a polling station in Salem during Phase 2 on April 18. Photograph: R Senthil Kumar/PTI Photo Voting in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha election is currently on today, April 29. 71 seats are going to the polls spread across 9 states. 943 candidates are in the fray. The Association for Democratic Reforms has analysed self sworn affidavits of 928 candidates in the fourth phase. As per the data available, 210 candidates have have declared criminal cases against themselves. 158 of the 928 candidates analysed have declared serious criminal cases against themselves. Of the 57 candidates fielded by the Bharatiya Janata Party for the fourth phase, 25 of them have criminal cases. Of the 57 candidates fielded by the Congress, 18 of them have criminal cases registered against themselves. Apart from the BJP and Congress, 11 candidates of the 54 fielded by the Bahujan Samaj Party, 12 of 21 Shiv Sena candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. When it comes to candidates with serious criminal cases, the BJP has fielded 20 while 9 candidates have been fielded by the Congress. 10 candidates from the BSP, 9 Shiv Sena candidates and 45 Independent candidates have declared serious criminal cases against themselves. On the wealth front, of the candidates in the fray, 306 candidates have self declared assets worth Rs 1 crore and more. The Congress has fielded 50 crorepati candidates for the fourth pahse. 50 BJP candidates are crorepatis. The BSP has 20 crorepati nominees, the Shiv Sena 13 and the Samajwadi Party 8 candidates who have declared assets worth more than Rs 1 crore. The richest candidate in the fourth phase is Congress candidate Nakul Nath who is contesting the Chhindwara seat -- which his father Kamal Nath represented for several terms -- in Madhya Pradesh. Nakul Nath has self declared assets of Rs 660 crore/Rs 6.60 billion. Sanjay Sushil Bhosale fighting on the Bahujan Vanchit Aaghadi ticket from Mumbai South Central has self declared assets of Rs 125 crore/Rs 1.25 billion. Anurag Sharma fighting from Jhansi on a BJP ticket has self declared assets of Rs 124 crore/Rs 1.24 billion. 3 candidates in the fourth phase have declared 0 assets. Prince Kumar fighting as an Independent candidate from Jhalawar in Rajasthan is the poorest candidate with assets worth Rs 500. The data of the education details of the candidates show that 404 candidates have declared their educational qualification to be between Class 5 and Class 12th Similarly, 454 candidates have declared having an educational qualification of graduate or above. 34 candidates have declared to be just literate and 9 candidates are illiterate. 287 candidates in the fray have declared their age to be between 25 to 40 years. 489 candidates have declared their age to be between 41 to 60 years. There are 148 candidates who have declared their age to be between 61 to 80 years. 1 candidate has declared his age to be above 80 years. The number of women candidates in the fourt phase is on par with the other three phases where polling has been completed. 96 female candidates are contesting the Phase 4 election. Text: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com. Data: Association for Democratic Reforms With a substantially weakened Left Front and the Congress, political observers say the anti-Trinamool vote will go to the BJP. Avishek Rakshit reports. IMAGE: Bharatiya Janata Party national President Amit Anilchandra Shah addresses a meeting in Rampurhat, Birbhum, West Bengal, April 22, 2019. Photograph: Kind courtesy bjp.org At a time when the Bharatiya Janata Party has outpaced the Congress, the Left Front and other parties in West Bengal to become the largest Opposition party in this state which can take the Mamata Banerjee-founded Trinamool Congress head on in the Lok Sabha and the 2021 state elections, divisions within the party can weaken it from the inside. The problem with the BJP in West Bengal, according to party insiders and political commentators alike, is a lack of leaders and its reliance on defections, majorly from the TMC and the Left Front. In the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, as many as five major leaders from the TMC and one prominent frontrunner from the CPI-M defected to the BJP. Incidentally, all of them have been offered tickets for the Lok Sabha elections. BJP sources said every month, local TMC and Left Front leaders, along with their supporters, are joining the BJP, which has led the party's strength in West Bengal grow manifold to over 4.3 million. Nearly 1,600 grassroots leaders and supporters from the TMC camp alone had joined the BJP till March-end. This crossover from the TMC to the BJP began with Mukul Roy, former railways minister and once considered Mamata's right-hand, changing his allegiance to the BJP in late 2017. After his migration, Roy successfully pulled in several others from the TMC camp to strengthen BJP. While these leaders, who changed their allegiance to the BJP from the TMC had always alleged that their former party was being run in an autocratic manner by Mamata; TMC's top shots, in turn, blamed these defectors of a poor show in their respective constituencies and BJP's assurance of a ticket, which prompted the migration. In fact, Mamata, in several of her speeches in this poll season had termed these new BJP leaders not as renegades, but as 'dirt of the TMC' and products of a 'house cleaning exercise'. After Saumitra Khan, a member of Parliament, who won from the TMC camp, switched over to the BJP this year, political commentators like Sabyasachi Basu Roy Chaudhury said by December last year, Khan had sensed that he might be denied a ticket from the TMC and his political career could be jeopardised as he wasn't getting along with Anubrata Mondal, a TMC heavyweight, which led to the change of his allegiance. Considering the history of the BJP since the Vajpayee days, the growth of the BJP in West Bengal had been slow and steady under party old-timers toiling it out since the 90s. On the other hand, the demise of the Left Front and Roy's entry into the BJP changed the pace altogether. BJP veterans like Chandra Kumar Bose agree that while the BJP was ignored during the times of the Left Front, it gradually became a party to reckon with in the recent past under renewed leadership in the state with such swings of allegiance. However, the entry of these converts into the BJP and the subsequent grant of tickets didn't go well with the old-timers like Raj Kamal Pathak, who submitted his resignation from the post of the BJP's state vice-president after he was denied a party ticket in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. 'If after serving the party for three decades and holding the post of vice-president do not make me qualified to get a party ticket, it is better to resign from the post,' Pathak said. Just after the BJP's first list of candidates was announced last month, numerous party workers and seasoned leaders protested against the denial of tickets. It prompted the BJP's West Bengal president Dilip Ghosh to state that those who were against the candidate list were free to leave the party. With imminent dissent surfacing and the party's leadership in the state divided in spirit over these crossover candidates, a section of the party's leadership believes that fielding defectors from their respective constituencies increases the BJP's chance to win the seat which old-timers haven't been able to capture. Political commentator Biswanath Chakrabarty believes the Left Front's failure to negotiate a seat-sharing deal with the Congress will benefit the TMC as well as the BJP -- despite the discontent within the BJP. "I think the BJP's share of vote will increase definitely to around 35 per cent. But it needs to be seen how much of this vote will be converted into seats for the BJP," says Chakrabarty. Political analysts believe that with a substantially weakened Left Front and the Congress in this state, the anti-TMC vote will go to the BJP despite the party fielding those candidates who previously raised anti-BJP slogans in their respective parties. On the other hand, some senior leaders in the BJP are of the view that such turncoat leaders need to undergo an indoctrination exercise, understand the party's values, ethos and ethics before they can be given tickets. "The BJP is a cadre-based party. The Left Front leaders who are joining us have been taught socialism and Marxism which they need to unlearn and learn Hindutva instead -- it takes time. For those who are joining from the TMC, they are not indoctrinated with any political principles or theories, but they should also first learn about what BJP stands for before they start leading from the front", one prominent BJP leader says. Although the leader says the process takes time, but for short-term gains like sweeping the Lok Sabha election or the 2021 state election, the other method of offering tickets to strong defectors is the best way. This BJP stance hasn't gone well with political analysts from the state. "What the BJP is doing may serve their short-term purposes, but may eat the BJP from within in the long-run. Hindutva isn't easy for one to understand and if these new joinees are offered tickets just like that instead of a rigorous process of induction, people with political ambition will view the BJP as a party where tickets can be easily obtained," says Roy Chaudhury. In fact, some senior BJP leaders are wary of this risk of overlapping political doctrines and greed for tickets as well. However, for a disciplined cadre-based party like the BJP, following the central leadership's decisions is the core requisite. The National Investigation Agency on Monday arrested a man, who is a follower of Sri Lankan Easter bombing mastermind Zahran Hashim, on the charge of conspiring to carry out a suicide attack in Kerala, an NIA spokesperson said. The spokesperson said 29-year-old Riyas A, also known as Riyas Aboobacker or Abu Dujana, a resident of Palakkad, was picked up on Sunday in connection with the Islamic State module case. During interrogation, Riyas disclosed that he has been following speeches/videos of Hashim for more than a year and has also followed the speeches of controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. He admitted that he wanted to carry out a suicide attack in Kerala, the spokesperson said. During interrogation, he has disclosed that he has been in online contact with absconding accused Abdul Rashid Abdulla, aka Abu Isa, for a long time and has been following his audio clips including the clip which he had circulated on social media platform instigating others to carry out terror attacks in India. He revealed that he was also having online chat with Abdul Khayoom, aka Abu Khalid, (accused in Valapattanam IS case) who was believed to be in Syria. NIA earlier received inputs that a group of four persons has been in contact with some of the accused viz Abdul Rashid, Ashfaq Majeed, Abdul Khayoom etc who had already migrated to Afghanistan and Syria. After verification, NIA carried out searches at three places (two in Kasaragod and one in Palakkad District) on Sunday. Three group members have been interrogated for their ISIS links and their plans. The Kasargod IS module case was registered in July 2016 following the disappearance of 15 youths from Kasargod and their subsequent migration to IS (14 persons to Afghanistan and one person to Syria). Riyas will be produced before an NIA court in Kochi on Wednesday, the spokesman added. Seventy-one parliamentary constituencies spread across nine states voted in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections. -- INDIA VOTES IMAGE: Voters stand in a queue to cast their votes at a polling booth, during the 4th phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Photograph: PTI Photo Incidents of violence in West Bengal and Odisha that left a Congress worker dead and Electronic Voting Machine glitches were reported in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls on Monday which saw 64 per cent turnout in 72 seats across nine states. In the heartland states, where the Bharatiya Janata Party had won 30 out of 32 seats in 2014, 67.73 per cent turnout was recorded in Rajasthan (13 seats), 58.56 per cent in Uttar Pradesh (13 seats) and 67.09 per cent in Madhya Pradesh (6 seats), according to the Election Commission. IMAGE: People wait in a long queue to cast their votes at a polling station, during the 4th phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Kulgam district of south Kashmir. Photograph: PTI Photo West Bengal recorded a high turnout at 76.66 in the eight seats though clashes broke out between supporters of TMC and BJP in Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Suri areas of Birbhum seat, leaving several people injured. In Barabani, BJP candidate from Asansol and Union minister Babul Supriyo's vehicle was vandalised allegedly by Trinamool Congress workers outside a polling station while in Dubrajpur area central security forces personnel reportedly opened fire in the air to disperse irate people who attacked them when they were barred from entering the booths with mobile phones. IMAGE: Woman voters show their identity cards as they stand in a queue to cast their vote at a polling station, during the 4th phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Nimapara, Puri. Photograph: ANI Photo An FIR was registered against Supriyo for allegedly getting into an argument with polling officials, an election official said. The ruling TMC and the BJP accused each other of intimidating voters in the state, which has seen violence in all previous three phases despite stepped up central forces deployment. The stakes are high for the BJP which had won 56 of these 72 constituencies in the 2014 polls. About 12.79 crore people were eligible for voting in the fourth phase. With this round, polling has been completed in 374 seats out of 543. According to a senior police officer, violence was reported from several places in six parliamentary seats in Odisha, where the turnout was 64.05 per cent. A Congress worker was stabbed to death in Balikuda-Erasama are of Jagatsinghpur seat while he was returning from a polling booth. The victim, Lachman Behera, had recently quit the Biju Janata Dal to join the Congress, the official said. Clashes between supporters of the ruling BJD and the BJP were reported from Jajpur Kendrapara and Balasore Lok Sabha seats amid allegations poll rigging. Technical glitches in EVMs delayed polling in 60 booths, but it resumed after the snags were rectified. IMAGE: An old woman after casting her vote at a polling booth in West Bengal's Nadia district . Photograph: ANI Photo During a mock-poll in Madhya Pradesh, electronic voting machines were replaced at 207 polling booths as some glitches were found. EVMs were also replaced at 106 polling booths after the voting began, according to officials. IMAGE: A voter shows her inked marked finger after casting vote at a polling station in Samastipur district of Bihar. Photograph: PTI Photo Polling was peaceful in Rajasthan, with tribal dominated seat of Banswara recording the highest voting percentage at 72.34, followed by Barmer which recorded 72.21 per cent voting, according to state election officials. Nearly 55.86 per cent voting was recorded in Maharashtra (17 seats), 59.02 per cent Bihar (five seats) and 64.38 per cent Jharkhand (3 seats), according to data provided by the Election Commission. IMAGE: A security personnel stands guard as voters queue outside a polling station in Ranchi. Photograph: PTI Photo In Kulgam district of Anantnag constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, 10.5 per cent polling was recorded, amid isolated incidents of stone pelting. This was the second of the three-phase polling in the sensitive seat. IMAGE: Voters show their identity cards as they stand in a queue to cast their vote at a polling station in Jabalpur. Photograph: PTI Photo Billionaires and Bollywood stars lined up outside polling stations along with the common folks in Mumbai, where polling was held in six constituencies. Celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan, the Khan troika of Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir, Deepika Padukone, Sachin Tendulkar along with his wife and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray cast their votes in Mumbai. Actors Priyanka Chopra, Rekha, Aamir and his wife Kiran Rao were among the early voters. IMAGE: A migrant Kashmiri Pandit woman shows her inked finger after she cast her vote for Kulgam parliamentary seat at a polling station on the outskirts of Jammu. Photograph: PTI Photo In Uttar Pradesh, opposition Samajwadi Party's alleged that many EVMs malfunctioned and in Kannauj, from where SP chief Akhislesh Yadav's wife and sitting MP Dimple Yadav is contesting, several party workers were prevented from coming out of their homes to vote. In Kanpur, BJP workers allegedly tried to barge into a polling booth and clashed with the police. A case was registered against BJP leader Suresh Awasthi and six others in this regard, Kanpur District Magistrate Vijay Vishwas Pant said. IMAGE: Voters stand in a queue to cast their vote at a polling station in Begusarai. Photograph: PTI Photo Reports were received of EVMs malfunctioning in Bidhauna area in Kannauj following which polling remained suspended for over an hour. Complaints were also reported in Etawah under Auriaya district, with voters claiming they had to wait for hours at polling booths in Tilak Mahavidyalaya, Sahupur, Ajitmal and Dalelnagar to cast their votes. Photograph: Hitesh Harisinghani/ Rediff.com IMAGE: A police official helps a senior citizen to reach at a polling booth in Mumbai to cast his vote. According to a report from Hardoi, an elderly woman voter complained that the presiding officer at Jamkara booth forcibly pressed the EVM button. The sector magistrate removed the officer and handed him over to the police. Besides Dimple Yadav, prominent candidates in the fray in this phase are former ministers Salman Khurshid (Farrukhabd) and Sriprakash Jaiswal (Kanpur) of Congress, UP minister Satyadev Pachauri (Kanpur) and Sakshi Maharaj of BJP (Unnao) IMAGE: Voters show their identity cards as they stand in a queue to cast their vote at a polling station in Jabalpur. Photograph: PTI Photo In Bihar, voting was delayed due to EVM malfunctioning at three polling stations in Munger, two polling stations in Darbhanga and three polling stations in Begusarai, from where CPI's Kanhaiya Kumar and Union Minister Giriraj Singh (BJP) are contesting, official sources said. Photograph: Sahil Salvi/ Rediff.com IMAGE: Voters show their inked finger in Mumbai. Voting was also held for 41 assembly seats in Odisha and Chhindwara assembly bypoll in Madhya Pradesh, where Chief Minister Kamal Nath is contesting. IMAGE: A voter shows her inked marked finger after casting vote at polling station in Jabalpur. Photograph: PTI Photo Election to 542 Lok Sabha seats is being conducted in seven phases between April 11 and May 19. Election in Vellore constituency in Tamil Nadu was cancelled. Results will be declared on May 23. IMAGE: Actor-turned-BJP candidate Sunny Deol being presented a hand-pump as with his brother actor Bobby Deol and party leaders look on, during his nomination filing rally, in Gurdaspur, on Monday. Photograph: PTI Photo Sunny Deol reminded voters in Gurdaspur of the patriotic character he played in Gadar and referred to his 'dhai kilo ka haath' from another movie as the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate on Monday filed his nomination papers for the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat. At a rally attended by Union ministers V K Singh, Jitendra Singh and minister Vijay Sampla, the Bollywood actor made a brief four-minute speech in which he called himself a 'patriot' who does not know much about politics. "Mere Gurdaspur walo, Sat Sri Akal," he addressed the crowd in Punjabi, asking them how they were faring in the scorching heat. "Eh dhai kilo da hathh je kise te penda hai, tan oh uthda nahin, utth jaanda hai," he said, recalling what his character had mouthed in the 1993 movie Damini -- anybody who gets hit by his two-and-a-half-kilo fist is dead. Deol said he gets this strength from the people. At the meeting, held before the filing of the papers, a supporter presented him with a hand pump -- a reminder of the Gadar scene in which Deol uproots a similar pump from the ground. Before ending his speech, Deol said, "Hindustan Zindabad, Zindabad hai, Zindabad rahega" -- again a piece of dialogue from Gadar. Deol, who is a Jat Sikh, wore a yellow turban. He was accompanied by his actor-brother Bobby Deol when he filed his papers, and their father, veteran actor Dharmendra tweeted his support. Kavita Khanna, who had openly expressed disappointment with the party for not fielding her from the seat once held by her late husband Vinod Khanna, was at the rally to express support. Another ticket-aspirant Swaran Salaria was also present. Thanking the people of Gurdaspur, Deol said, "I am here because you invited me. My father told me that you stay in the heart of each person in Punjab -- son, go there and they will shower you with love. I want to tell you that I love you a lot." He acknowledged that he is a novice in politics. "Look, I do not know much about politics but I am a patriot," he said. "I have come here to connect with you because I want our Punjab and our country to scale new heights," he said. "All of you join me and we will fight together, and win this battle," he said. Deol said he sought the people's support so that Modi returns as prime minister. "If you make me victorious then Modi ji will win and you will also win," he said. "I am saying from my heart that whatever you need, I will fulfil that. I belong to you and will never go anywhere else," he said. The ruling Congress in Punjab had earlier targeted him, saying he will 'disappear' once the elections are over. Punjab BJP chief Shwait Malik, Haryana finance minister and party's election in-charge for Punjab Abhimanyu, former Punjab BJP chief Kamal Sharma and Akali Dal leaders Nirmal Singh Kahlon and Gurbachan Singh Babehali also attended the meeting. Deol is pitted against sitting MP and Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, Aam Aadmi Party's Peter Masih and People's Democratic Alliance's Lal Chand in Gurdaspur. Jakhar won the seat in a 2017 bye-election, necessitated by the death of Vinod Khanna in April that year. The actor had represented the seat four-times, in 1998, 1999, 2004 and 2014. Before filing his papers in Gurdaspur, Deol offered prayers at the Golden Temple and the Durgiana Temple in Amritsar. Monday was the last day for filing nominations for polling which be held on May 19, the last phase of voting in the Lok Sabha elections. Earlier Dharmendra asked the people of Gurdaspur to back his son, saying his victory will be that of the people of 'my Punjab'. Deol declares assets worth Rs 87.18 cr Deol has declared total assets, including that of his wife, as Rs 87.18 crore. Deol, whose real name is Ajay Singh Deol, declared the assets in his affidavit to the Election Commission, filed along with his nomination papers. His affidavit on assets and liabilities showed his income to be Rs 63.82 lakh in 2017-18, Rs 96.29 lakh in 2016-17 and Rs 2.25 crore in 2015-16. His affidavit put the values of his moveable and immovable assets at Rs 60.46 crore and Rs 21 crore respectively. Deol who described himself professionally as an 'actor, director, producer in film industry', showed a sum of Rs 26 lakh as cash-in-hand with his wife Lynda Deol having Rs 16 lakh as cash-in-hand. Among moveable assets, Deol declared bank deposits and investments at Rs 9.36 lakh and Rs 1.43 crore respectively. In his affidavit, he declared having vehicles worth Rs 1.69 crore, without disclosing their details. He also disclosed gold jewellery worth Rs 1.56 crore belonging to his wife while affirming that he has no valuable articles in his personal possession. Among immovable assets, the actor declared agriculture land, non-agricultural land and a flat at Oshiwara complex in Mumbai with a total worth of Rs 21 crore. Deol also declared a total liability of Rs 51.79 crore, including dues worth Rs 2.49 crore (with GST dues Rs 1.07 crore) to the government. As for his educational qualification, the actor mentioned having secured a diploma in acting and theatre from The Old Rep theatre, Birmingham (UK) in 1977-78. He has shown his address as Dharmendra House, Ville Parle, Mumbai. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses an election rally for the forthcoming 2019 Lok Sabha elections, in Koderma district , on Monday. Photograph: PTI Photo Making a sensational claim in the middle of the general election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday said 40 Trinamool Congress MLAs were in touch with him and will desert their party once the Bharatiya Janata Party wins the poll. He also accused TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee of nepotism, insisting she wants to politically establish her nephew in West Bengal. Modi also assailed her over her prime ministerial ambitions, saying "Didi, Dilli door hai (Delhi is far away)." "Didi, even your MLAs will desert you when the results of this election are out. Your 40 MLAs are in touch with me and all your MLAs will desert you once the BJP wins the election. Political ground has slipped from under your feet," Modi told an election rally in Sreerampur, targeting the West Bengal chief minister. The TMC leadership was quick to hit back, accusing Modi of horse trading, and saying it would complain to the Election Commission about it. Mocking Banerjee for often losing her cool as she was 'sensing defeat', Modi said she cannot even dream of becoming the prime minister. "With just a handful of seats, 'Didi' you can't reach Delhi. Delhi is far away. Going to Delhi is just an excuse. Her real intention is to politically establish her nephew," he said. Banerjee's nephew Abhishek is a sitting MP from Diamond Harbour and the TMC candidate for the seat. Modi alleged that TMC 'goons' are trying to prevent people from voting and attacking Bharatiya Janata Party workers. He claimed BJP leaders were not being allowed to campaign freely. "Mamata didi your army of goons is trying to stop the people from casting their votes. Mamata didi, democracy offered you the position you occupy now. Dont betray democracy. The people of West Bengal have made up their mind," he said, claiming that across Bengal there is a desire to defeat the TMC. The prime minister's remarks came in the wake of reports of violence during the fourth phase of polling in eight Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal. Giving the slogan of 'Chup Chap, BJP te chhap' (cast your vote silently for the BJP), Modi took a dig at Banerjee for her comments that the people of Bengal will, instead of votes, offer him rosogollas made of clay with stones inside. "It will be like 'prasad' for me. I will be honoured to have rosogollas that are made of the soil of the sacred land of Bengal. The land of Ram Krishna Pramahansa, Swami Vivekananda, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Rabindranath Tagore," he said. Citing Banerjee, Modi said he would also be happy to have the stones that the West Bengal leader said would be inside the clay rosogollas as it will bring down the number of stones being used by 'Mamatadi's goons' to attack people. "I would like to thank her in advance for proposing to send stone-filled rosogollas. It would at least save a few hundred people of this state from being hurt," he said. Miffed over Modi's disclosure during a televised interview that she gifts him kurtas and sweets every year, a combative Banerjee had said last week that the people of Bengal will offer him rosogollas made of clay with stone fillings instead of votes that will break all his teeth. Maintaining that the state has already seen three political ideologies -Naampanthi (people who rule by using the name of family), Vaampanthi (Leftist), Daam aur Damanpanthi (people who rule through corruption and oppression)-- Modi said time has come for it to adopt 'Vikaspanthi' (people wedded to the ideology of development) represented by the BJP. "We don't need to give you the example of 'Naampanthi'," Modi said in an apparent reference to Congress party and the Gandhi family. "We have seen three decades of Left rule that was full of violence and misgovernance. The foreign ideology, which has been discarded by the entire world. The third is 'Daam aur Damanpnathi' regime of the Trinamool Congress which is ruling by using money and muscle power, and has turned Bengal into killing fields," Modi alleged. He also raked up the contentious issues of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), which the TMC is vehemently opposing. Modi, however, said refugees need not worry as after returning to power the BJP will first bring the CAB in Parliament and then implement the NRC across the country to weed out infiltrators. "We will weed out each and every infiltrator from the country. We will first pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill to ensure that refugees get citizenship and then NRC will be brought to throw out infiltrators," he asserted. Lashing out at opposition parties for questioning the credibility of EVMs, Modi said his rivals have moved on from abusing him to criticising EVMs, as they face 'imminent defeat'. "Earlier only Modi was abused, now even EVMs are being abused. The opposition is doing so as it faces imminent defeat," he said. Twenty-two people from Litchfield County and beyond just returned from a 10-day trip to Greece, sponsored by the Chamber and organized through Aventura World. The group learned a lot about the Greek culture, their family life, and their relationship with the European Union in a Cultural Discovery Series facilitated by their guide throughout the week. They had a tour of Athens including the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of modern times were held in 1896, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrians Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, and Constitution Square. They visited the Acropolis, the architectural masterpiece; the Parthenon, built in the 5th century B.C.; and the Acropolis Museum, which is home to an award-winning collection of artifacts from excavations of the Acropolis. On the fourth day, the group traveled to Epidaurus to see a majestic amphitheater with its white limestone tiers rising over 65 feet above ground. Built in the 4th century B.C., the amphitheater seats 14,000 spectators. The same day, they enjoyed an olive oil tasting at a local farm. A highlight of the trip was crossing the Corinth Canal, one of the 19th centurys engineering masterpieces, with a history that starts as early as 602 B.C. They also visited Delphi, Greeces most breathtaking ancient site, home of the oracle of Apollo. On the seventh day, the group took a drive to Olympia, where the first Olympic Games took place 2,800 years ago. Olympia is also home to the ancient Sanctuary of Zeus, a vast expanse of well-preserved altars, temples, theaters, and marble statues. The trip featured an optional tour to Santorini, which all travelers took. Santorini, one of the Greek islands, is famous for its white washed houses with blue domes perched on the edge of a cliff. The group went to Pyrgos, the highest point of Santorini with panoramic views of the entire island. They visited a wine museum eight meters below ground in a natural cave, and enjoyed a tasting of local wines. After a quick stop at a black sand beach, they ended their tip in Oia, a traditional settlement in the north of Santorini with incredible scenery and breathtaking views of the ocean below the cliffs. It was truly the trip of a lifetime! In September, the group is traveling to the Scandinavian Capitals including Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm. In 2020, two trips are being planned Amalfi Coast and Rome in April and Budapest, Vienna and Prague in November. The Chambers trips are open to the public, and more information about our offerings can be found at www.nwctchamberofcommerce.org/events-programs/chamber-travel-program Check out our website at www.nwctchamberofcommerce.org for more Chamber happenings. *This institution is an equal opportunity provider* Here are some of the top stories you may have missed this weekend: Greenwich lawsuit from a time when boys swam naked A lawsuit filed against the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich claims a sexual abuser used the clubs mandatory naked swimming rule in the 1970s and 80s as an opportunity to victimize boys. The then-Greenwich Boys Club wasnt the only youth organization that once required boys to swim naked. While the practice may sound shocking or counterintuitive to childrens safety today, nude swimming at public indoor pools was once a federal recommendation. Experts: Education, training key to ending police shootings In the wake of the officer-involved shooting April 16, during which Hamden police officer Devin Eaton and Yale University officer Terrance Pollock opened fire on a vehicle stopped near Dixwell Avenue and Argyle Street in New Haven around 4:20 a.m., organizers have demanded justice for the black couple in the car. Since the shooting, people have protested almost daily against the practices of the Hamden and Yale police departments, but theres no simple answer as to why the incident happened. Rebirth of low-level polluted properties blocked by old law Hundreds of vacant properties, many in cities that were former manufacturing hubs, but also smaller suburban buildings that might have housed businesses as mundane as dry cleaners, languish on the market for years because of half-century-old environmental regulations. For brokers like Frank Hird, the state law called the Transfer Act is a hindrance to business. But to the state, its an obstacle to desperately needed economic development for properties that generated only a small amount of, if any, hazardous material. Warrens brought paranormal skeleton out of CT closet Ed and Lorraine Warren werent the first people interested in or aware of supernatural events such as hauntings and possessions. But the Monroe couple were among the first people to speak openly about these occurrences, said Roxie Zwicker, owner and founder of New England Curiosities, a Portsmouth, N.H.-based business that offers ghost tours, and other haunted events. Old Greenwich woman details brutal childhood in Catholic cult In her new memoir Little Sister, Patricia Chadwick recounts this mad, unusual life she had growing up in the 1950s and 1960s in an intensely insular group. They were followers of a stubborn and dogmatic Catholic priest, the Rev. Leonard Feeney, whose peculiar sect separated children from their parents and demanded a deep division from the outside world. It was an unusual childhood, to say the least, full of pain and regular beatings at the hands of Sister Catherine Clark, the ruthless administrator of the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Lawsuits scrutinize OxyContin maker Purdue Pharmas executives The growing list of defendants in the torrent of litigation against OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma extends beyond the firms owners. While the eight members of the Sackler family figure most prominently among the accused, Connecticuts expanded lawsuit filed last week and a similar complaint from Massachusetts highlight the crucial role of four current and former executives in carrying out the alleged fraudulent marketing of the firms opioids. So far, the litigation has not weakened the Sacklers control of Purdues top positions, but a prospective bankruptcy could inject an unprecedented level of outside influence into the company. Danbury-area commuters push for faster rail link to NYC The high-profile meeting of Metro-Norths top executive and Connecticuts transportation czar in a train car Thursday was more than a symbolic gesture about the need to improve local rail service. Although the meeting with Metro-North President Cathy Rinaldi and state DOT Commissioner Joe Giulietti was indeed arranged with Hearst Connecticut Media for the two to show solidarity about upgrading service on the outdated Danbury branch, there were behind-the-scenes talks with Mayor Mark Boughton and the VIPs about opening a fast track to Grand Central Station. Bridgeports oversight of contractor in FBI probe raises questions Bridgeports $3.5 million public facilities garage was beset by cost overruns and no bid work and vulnerable to a potential conflict of interest, city records show. The records also raise questions about the citys oversight of a multimillion project, the largest undertaken by Mayor Joe Ganims administration. Stamford police extra-duty program raises wages and issues The Stamford 2018 payroll records show a first for municipal salaries two people, both police captains, broke the $400,000 mark. They did it with the help of the extra-duty program, which is unique in Stamford to the Police Department. The program exists through a memorandum of understanding attached to the citys contract with the police union. It says all jobs controlling traffic at road work sites and providing security at public gatherings shall first be offered to police officers. LITCHFIELD The Northwest Connecticut Arts Councils annual fundraising event, Bourbon, BBQ & Bluegrass, will be held at the Litchfield Distillery, May 3 at 7 p.m. All proceeds from this event are donated to the NWCT Arts Council. Patrons are invited to enjoy a bourbon tasting and tour of the Litchfield Distillery, live bluegrass music by the Zolla Boys, barbecue specialties from the Warren General Store, and participate in an auction drawing of local prizes. Litchfield Distillery's Batchers Straight Bourbon Whiskey Cask Strength, and Batchers Straight Bourbon Whiskey won Double Gold and Gold Medals respectively in The Fifty Best's Best Bourbon Whiskey awards for 2019. The Zolla Boys are a family bluegrass band from Torrington. The band consists of brothers Sam and Ben on mandolin and guitar, and their father Larry playing bass. The Zolla Boys have played major bluegrass festivals and many different local venues as well, including Infinity Hall, Jenny Brook, Grey Fox, Podunk and Blistered Fingers. John Favreau, Board Treasurer of the NWCT Arts Council and owner of the Warren General Store, revitalized and reopened his store earlier this year. John states, Warren General is please to support the NWCT Arts Council and all they do for promoting arts and culture in our region. Just as my little store is a gathering point for good food, fun and community in Warren, we aspire to the warmth, heart and good works that the Council does throughout the region. Some auction prizes drawn at this event include: Bourbon basket from the Litchfield Distillery; voucher for a show at the Warner Theatre; a sleep shirt; gift certificates, tickets to events and local artwork. Tickets are $75 per person. To purchase tickets to Bourbon, BBQ, & Bluegrass, RSVP at bbbfundraiser.eventbrite.com. For more information about this fundraising event, call the NWCT Arts Council at 860-618-0075 or email questions to info@artnwct.org. Artists invited to join juried art show WATERTOWN Artists are invited to enter the Watertown Art League Juried Art Show scheduled for May 4-18, in the Larkin Room of the newly renovated Middlebury Library, 30 Crest Road, off Route 188. More than $1,300 in cash prizes will be presented, including $400 for Best in Show. No photography or sculpture will be accepted. Receiving is May 4, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Middlebury Library. An entry fee of $20 for members and $25 for non-members will be charged to the artist for up to two pieces of art work. The jurors are award winning artists, Christine Ivers, and William McCarthy. Hosted by the Watertown Art League, one of the oldest established art leagues in the area, and in cooperation with its sponsor, the Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation, the work of many talented and prize winning artists representing all mediums of fine art from all parts of the state will be on display and juried. A reception and award ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, May 9th from 5:30 to 7 pm. Refreshments will be served and the public is invited. A prospectus can be obtained from the Watertown Art League Website; www.walart.org or by calling Toni at 203-758-2818 Swim lesson registration now open LITCHFIELD Litchfield Parks and Recreation will again be offering swimming lessons this summer, with two 3-week sessions at the Wisdom House pool, 229 East Litchfield Road. Space is limited. Payment by check reserves a childs spot for the lessons. The first session begins June 24. The second session is July 15-Aug. 2. The fee for each three-week session is $95. No registration at the pool; only pre-registered swimmers will get space in the pool as the classes are small. All registration payments must be made to Litchfield Parks and Recreation at P.O. Box 12, Bantam, CT 06750. The swimmers will have a 30-minute lesson Monday through Friday, weather permitting, 9-9:30 a.m. for ages 8 and over. Ages 6-7 have lesson from 9:45-10:15 a.m., and ages 2-5 from 10:30-11 a.m. Toddlers must be with a parent or caregiver. For more information or for other programs run by Litchfield Parks and Recreation, call 860-567-7569. To download a form go to www.townoflitchfield.org, then go to departments, then recreation, then to registration forms and print out the standard form. Fill the registration out and return it with your check. Students to exercise LITCHFIELD On Wednesday, May 1, children around the globe will exercise in unison to promote fitness and world peace as part of the annual Project ACES (All Children Exercising Simultaneously). The students and staff of Center School will join other children worldwide at 10 a.m. and participate in a 15-minute workout. Leff to headine at SpeakEasy TORRINGTON The monthly poetry/spoken word series SpeakEasy is hosting a book launch by essayist, poet, and lecturer David K. Leff on Sunday, May 5. Leff, who is poet-in-residence for the New England National Scenic Trail (NET) and named New England Beat Poet Laureate by the National Beat Poetry Foundation, will be celebrate the launch of his newest book, The Breach: Voices Haunting a New England Mill town. SpeakEasy is held at the Noelke Gallery in downtown Torrington, and hosted by writer Patricia Martin on the first Sunday of every month at 7 p.m. Hosted by writer Patricia Martin, SpeakEasy showcases poetry, essays, memoirs, storytelling, monologues, and other spoken word pieces the first Sunday of every month at the Noelke Gallery, located at 15 Water Street in downtown Torrington. Each evening spotlights a guest feature poet/writer, and provides five-minute open mic slots for other voices to be heard. Open mic signup begins at 6:30 pm and the event runs from 7 pm to 830 pm. All ages are welcome; snacks and beverages are available and patrons may BYOB. Admission is a $5 donation. For more information or to recommend a feature reader, contact Martin at chiefbab@capital.net or call 860-618-5102. TORRINGTON Kitty Quarters, a feline rescue and adoption agency in Torrington, is asking the person who took a bag of raffle tickets from the front seat of a car to return them, no questions asked. The tickets are $5 each and are being sold for chances in a rubber duck race on June 2 in Naugatuck. The winner could receive $5,000. The race is being sponsored by the Naugatuck Valley Chamber of Commerce. For every ticket sold, Kitty Quarters receives $2.50. But because theyre responsible for the tickets, if theyre not returned, the group will have to pay for them. There were several hundred $5 tickets in the bag. Kitty Quarters founder Roberta Bobbie Chamalian said Monday that the bag of tickets may have been taken Saturday when she and other volunteers were dropping off a textile drive collection to Savers in Bristol. The bag was on the seat, and I thought I locked the car door, but I was using my husbands key fob, she said. Its a bright orange grocery bag, so maybe someone thought they were getting groceries. Chamalian said she checked with Savers, but no bag has been found. I was hoping it was with the textiles we brought over (to Savers), she said, adding that the group collects clothing, shoes, purses and other items that can be upcycled by either being sold or repurposed, a way to keep them out of landfills and help the environment. The collection drive is held every year in April. The money raised by selling the tickets is going to be used to replace Kitty Quarters roof in its building on New Litchfield Street. Chamalian is offering a reward if the bag is returned, no questions asked. It must be returned by May 20. She has not contacted police. Im just waiting to see if anyone comes forward, she said. Maybe someone will realize that what they have is no use to them. They can bring them back or Ill come get them. To return the tickets or to reach Chamlian, call 860-482-2888 or email Bobbie@kittyquarters.org. To learn more about Kitty Quarters, visit www.kittyquarters.org After months of concern over China's curbs on coal from Australia, signs are growing that the imports have fallen victim to political disputes. Speculation over China's motives has been rising since November, when reports first surfaced that Chinese ports had stopped clearing inbound coal shipments until the end of 2018 due to high inventories built up ahead of winter. While China is the world's top producer and consumer of coal, it is also the biggest buyer with imports of 281.5 million metric tons last year, according to customs figures. But the import restrictions in November have extended well into 2019, focusing heavily on Australia. In early February, The Australian daily reported that customs clearance times for the country's exports of coking coal had doubled to 40 days at key Chinese ports. The paper cited speculation over "Sino-Australian relations" as a reason for the slowdown. The Australian pointed to the government's decision last August to ban Chinese telecom companies Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corp. from participating in the country's 5G network development due to cybersecurity concerns. Other issues included Australia's decision in November to block a bid by Hong Kong-based CK Asset Holdings Ltd. for the gas pipeline business of the country's APA Group on "national interest" grounds. Later in February, Reuters reported that Chinese traders had stopped ordering Australian coal because of long wait times for customs clearance at Chinese ports. The report indicated that only Australian shipments had been targeted for lengthy inspections at five import facilities controlled by the Dalian Port Group in northeastern China's Liaoning province. "The traders and a broker said only cargoes from Australia, the biggest supplier of the fuel to the world's top consumer, were affected," Reuters said. The report noted that the ban applied to thermal coal used in power plants and industry, as well as coking coal for steel manufacturing. Reuters also cited differences with China over hacking allegations and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. In January, Australian Defense Minister Christopher Pyne backed an increase in Japan's defense spending and voiced support for more operations within disputed South China Sea boundaries, Australia's ABC News reported at the time. In March, Chinese sources told The Australian that a second statement on the South China Sea issue during Pyne's January visit to Singapore had angered Beijing and led to the coal crackdown. As implications mounted and the Australian dollar came under pressure, Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged caution "about leaping to conclusions," AFP News reported. The government sought an "urgent" clarification from Beijing, the BBC said. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Geng Shuang said China was conducting a "risk monitoring analysis ... to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese importers and to protect the environment." When asked whether Australian coal had been singled out, Geng simply repeated the statement, The Australian reported. Using coal as a weapon Australian suppliers argued against concluding that their exports had been targeted, but analysts saw a political message in China's curbs. "The banning of those coal shipments is a form of coercion against Australia. It's punishment against states that resist China's pressure," said Dr. Malcolm Davis, senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, according to the BBC. "China is using coal as a weapon to fight back against Australia," an unnamed commodity analyst told The Australian Financial Review. On April 15, the business daily reported that fears of port delays had caused Chinese buyers to switch from Australian sources to other suppliers. In interviews, Chinese traders and customers agreed that Australian coal has been subjected to tougher environmental checks than exports from Indonesia, Russia, or Mongolia. "China doesn't need to introduce a formal ban," the paper quoted one source as saying. "The real risk is that customers will just stop buying it because they think shipments won't get through." On April 12, The Sydney Morning Herald reported comments by a Chinese industry official that seemed to strip away any ambiguity over motivations behind the coal ban. "You can't earn Chinese money and then politically make irresponsible comments about China and become unfriendly," said Cui Pijiang, director of the China Coking Industry Association, speaking at a conference in Beijing. "I'm afraid ... this is something the Chinese government can't tolerate," Cui said. Although Chinese traders were unable to say which of the disagreements with Australia had prompted China's restrictions, they voiced support for retaliation on imports. "The ban on Australian coal has created a lot of disturbance for coal traders, coal users, and related industries. But it is more important for China to give Australia a good lesson," one trader told The Financial Review. A machine moves coal for export at the Port of Newcastle in the city of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, Nov. 18, 2015. Credit: AFP A common response The import penalty appeared to signal an increasing willingness on the part of China to throw its economic weight around in the global energy market in the service of its political agenda and strategic goals. But the uncertainty over which of the bilateral conflicts may have triggered the Chinese crackdown on Australian exports may make the problem especially difficult for diplomacy. Mikkal Herberg, energy security research director for the Seattle-based National Bureau of Asian Research, said China's government has been typically responsive to the interests of domestic coal companies, which have suffered from weakening demand and environmental rules. "It is very common for Beijing to respond to pressure from the coal industry associations by cutting imports and using a whole variety of often bogus explanations," Herberg said. But Herberg also sees a political motive behind the restrictions on Australian coal. "Clearly, there is also a political, diplomatic element to this and more evidence that Beijing is willing to use its market power as well as other means to send political messages," he said. "It seems to me that this is clearly a message to Australia over recent political tensions. Otherwise, how can you explain the cut and delays in imports of Australian coking coal while other suppliers are unaffected?" Herberg said. A combination of industry pressures and politics also seems possible. "Put the two together and why not help support the domestic coal industry ... by cutting cheaper coking coal imports while also sending a very blunt message to the Australians that 'positive political relations' are required for growing trade?" Herberg said. In the case of coking coal in particular, Herberg sees no justification for banning Australian imports on environmental grounds. "The environmental explanation hardly works, since Australian coking coal is generally very low sulfur, one of its key market advantages," Herberg said. Before the ban, Australia accounted for some 44 percent of China's coking coal imports, The Australian reported. While some Australian coal under contract is getting through the ports to Chinese traders and buyers, the delays are expected to last through the rest of the year, Australian reports said. Last week, a Reuters report gave a glimmer of hope to Australian exporters, noting that Chinese customs figures showed a near doubling of coking coal imports from Australia in March from February. But a trader suggested that some ports may have allowed the increase to take advantage of lower prices despite the continuing customs delays. Bloomberg News reported that the slowdown would last at least through Australia's federal elections on May 18, giving China time to assess the possibility of policy changes in Canberra. The report cited unnamed "people with knowledge of the plan." Authorities in the eastern Chinese province of Jiangsu detained two activists who tried to visit the grave of a political dissident executed during the Mao era on the anniversary of her death on Monday. However, they allowed some mourners to visit the grave briefly. Meanwhile, a veteran dissident detained at last year's anniversary remains in detention on public order charges. One group of activists from Shanghai succeeded in arriving at the grave of Lin Zhao at the Lingyan Shan hillside cemetery on the outskirts of Jiangsu's Suzhou city, participant Zhu Jin'an told RFA. Police were guarding the site, but allowed the group to remain for a brief period without detaining them, Zhu Jin'an said. "We weren't allowed to take photos," he said. "We only stayed a few minutes, then they came and told us to leave, without giving any reason." However, police stopped would-be mourner Tan Binglin and his friend as they tried to leave the Suzhou Railway Station ticket barrier after traveling there from the central province of Hunan, Tan said. "The police intercepted us before we had even gotten as far as the ticket barrier," Tan told RFA. "They specifically pulled both of us over, and told us that they knew what we had come for, that we had come to commemorate Lin Zhao." "They took us to the police station and said that they wanted to understand our motivation," he said. Tan said he and his friend were forcibly escorted back to their hometowns after questioning. "They are afraid of free thinking, and afraid of people who want freedom and democracy," he said. "They know very well that [Lin] was also someone who fought for freedom, and that she was persecuted to death for it." Executed writer Lin Zhao, whose birth name was Peng Lingzhao, has long been a poignant symbol for Chinese dissidents and democracy activists, but she has since also become a focal point for the country's army of petitioners, ordinary people who pursue complaints against the ruling Chinese Communist Party through official channels. A writer who grew up near Nanjing, in the eastern province of Jiangsu, Lin was a star student at the prestigious Beijing University's Chinese language department in the 1950s before being branded a "rightist" and a "class enemy" in 1957 for her criticism of then-supreme leader Mao Zedong's Anti-Rightist Movement targeting intellectuals. She was executed by firing squad at Shanghai's Longhua Airport in 1968 at the age of 36 after her sentence was changed to the death penalty because she refused to plead guilty. Last year, on the 50th anniversary of her death, police detained veteran democracy activist Zhu Chengzhi as he tried to visit her grave. Zhu has been incommunicado since Apr. 29, 2018, when he was taken away from the Lingyan Shan cemetery by police. Suzhou authorities issued notification of Zhu's formal arrest to family members last November, stating that he was formally arrested on Nov. 12 on suspicion of "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble." He was initially held in the Suzhou No. 1 Detention Center, but his current whereabouts are unknown, according to Hunan rights activist Chen Siming. "He used to be in the first detention center in Suzhou, but he was transferred to a different detention center, so he's not there any more," Chen told RFA. "He hasn't been allowed visits from his family or from a lawyer. We don't know where he's been sent." Release unlikely Chen said he isn't optimistic that Zhu will be released anytime soon. "If he has been held in a detention center for such a long time, he is unlikely to be released without charge," Chen said. "[They are more likely to] hold him for two or three years of pretrial detention, then hand him a jail term of three or four years." He said he believes Zhu wasn't released like the other activists last year because he refused to promise not to commemorate Lin Zhao in future. "He looks pretty unassuming, but he is very strong-minded and determined," Chen said. "If he has set his mind on something, he certainly won't make concessions to anyone; he will stick to his principles." Chen said there was nothing criminal in commemorating Lin Zhao. "Why won't they let people lay wreaths?" he said. An officer who answered the phone at the Suzhou municipal police department declined to comment. "Why don't I just put you through to the press office, so you can talk to them," the officer said. However, the call to the press office rang unanswered during office hours on Monday. Zhu became one of China's most prominent rights activists after he spoke out about the death in police custody of labor rights activist Li Wangyang in 2013, and had previously been held on suspicion of subversion after he questioned the official verdict of suicide in Li's death. A Chinese police investigation into Li's death in June 2013 upheld an earlier verdict of suicide, despite widespread public doubts about the claim that the severely disabled 62-year-old hanged himself. Reported by Gao Feng for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Wong Lok-to for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Pro-democracy leaders and rights activists in Hong Kong warned on Monday that more mass demonstrations like Sunday's rally against changes to the city's extradition law are likely if the government presses ahead in the face of public opposition. The warnings came after tens of thousands of people took to the city's streets in protest over the amendments which would allow rendition of criminal suspects to mainland China in the absence of an extradition agreement. In scenes reminiscent of the 2014 democracy movement, many protesters carried yellow umbrellas and called for chief executive Carrie Lam's resignation over the amendments. "No to rendition to China!" they shouted, using wording that puns on an expression meaning funeral rites in Cantonese. "Down with the evil law! Drop the amendments to the extradition law!" March organizers the Civil Human Rights Front said an estimated 130,000 people turned out, and warned that protesters would surround the city's legislature if Lam and her administration ignored the wishes of Hong Kong's people. "If the government doesn't want to withdraw the amendment, the Civil Human Rights Front formally announces to the government that we will surround the Legislative Council," the group's vice convenor Figo Chan said. "We will also organize teams to explain [the amendments and our opposition] to various groups, so as to oppose this amendment together," he said. One country, one system A protester surnamed Lau said he had brought his two daughters along on the march to educate the next generation about the city's promised freedoms and core values. "I want them to know what is going on in Hong Kong, and whether the values of Hong Kong are being compromised," Lau said. "We're not asking for more. We just want what belongs to Hong Kong." "The political and legal systems are being monopolized by the government, the central government [in Beijing], and the [ruling] Chinese Communist Party," Lau said. "We have one country, one system now." Under the terms of the 1997 handover to China, Hong Kong was promised the continuation of its traditional freedoms of the press, of speech and association, as well as an independent judiciary and separate legal system, under the "one country, two systems" framework that has sheltered peaceful critics of Beijing until now. A Hong Kong resident surnamed Yue at the march on Sunday says he has little faith in the Hong Kong government's promise that rendition requests from Beijing will be subjected to stringent human rights protections. "It would be against natural justice to have Hong Kong democracy activists extradited to face trial in mainland China, once the extradition law is amended," he said. The march came after a Hong Kong court jailed four founding members of the 2014 Occupy Central movement, handing down jail terms of 16 months to Hong Kong University law lecturer Benny Tai and retired sociology professor Chan Kin-man on public order charges that included "inciting others to cause a public nuisance." 'Different views' Acting chief executive Matthew Cheung said that those who took part in the march "did not understand" the planned amendments. In a statement following the demonstration, the Hong Kong government issued a statement saying the amendments were necessary to "plug loopholes" and would be tabled as planned. "The Government understands that there are different views in the community on the proposed legislative amendments," it said. "The Legislative Council [LegCo] has established a Bills Committee and will soon commence scrutinizing the Bill." The planned changes to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance will allow the Hong Kong government to respond to case-by-case requests for extradition in the absence of a bilateral treaty. The most likely jurisdiction to use the proposed provision is the ruling Chinese Communist Party, which currently has no bilateral arrangement with Hong Kong. Journalists have warned that the new law could both threaten the safety of journalists, who have traditionally used the city as a safe haven, and have a chilling effect on freedom of expression in Hong Kong. Fear and uncertainty Former colonial governor Chris Patten, now Lord Patten of Barnes, said in a statement on Saturday that the proposed changes were "an assault on Hong Kong's values, stability and security." "They create fear and uncertainty for business at a time when we should all be working to safeguard Hong Kong's reputation as one of the worlds greatest business and financial centres," Patten said, adding that political activism would also be "put in danger." "They further make it difficult to explain to the outside world that Beijing can be trusted to keep its word and that Hong Kong is different from mainland Chinese cities and must be treated as such," he said. Currently, suspects must be wanted for a crime that is an offense both in Hong Kong and another jurisdiction with which it has an extradition treaty, and requests are limited to a list of 46 serious crimes including murder, assault, and sex offenses. But under the proposed changes, citizens of the democratic island of Taiwan and other countries traveling through Hong Kong could also be placed in jeopardy, should Beijing decide that it wanted to accuse them of a crime. Democratic politicians have also pointed to the arrests of several Canadian nationals on Chinese territory since the arrest of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver on Dec. 1, 2018, and to the 2015 cross-border detentions of five booksellers, including a Swedish and a U.K. national, wanted for selling books banned in mainland China to customers there, despite the fact that their actions were entirely legal in Hong Kong. One of the five booksellers, Lam Wing-kei, has fled Hong Kong for fear he could be redetained and sent back to China if the amended law gets through LegCo. 'No protection anymore' Lam, who is now on the democratic island of Taiwan, said there are huge differences between the way the island dealt with the 2014 Sunflower movement, in which student-led protesters occupied the island's parliament, and the way Hong Kong has prosecuted the leaders of Occupy Central. "The charges brought against the nine Occupy Central founders shouldn't be crimes in the first place," Lam told RFA on Monday. "I'd be finished if I didn't come over here, if they took me back to China," he said. "I'd be finished if I waited for them to make their move, wouldn't I?" He said he was slightly concerned that he wouldn't be allowed to leave Hong Kong if he left his departure any later. "There is no protection in Hong Kong anymore, and I don't trust the Hong Kong government," he said, adding that the lack of judicial safeguards in mainland China made a mockery of any extradition arrangement. "All they have to do is say that you have broken Chinese law, and the Hong Kong government will be able to use this law to send you to mainland China," Lam said. "This has a massive impact on my personal safety." China's justice system has a record of arbitrary detention, torture, and other ill-treatment, of serious violations of fair trial rights, and of various systems of incommunicado detention without trial, the New York-based Human Rights Watch has warned. The amendments being proposed in Hong Kong would heighten the risk for human rights activists and others critical of China being extradited to the mainland for trial on fabricated charges, and would be a "devastating blow" to the city's freedoms, it said. Reported by Lau Siu-fung for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Hwang Chun-mei and Lu Xi for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Laos President Bounnhang Vorachith, center, arrives at Beijing airport to attend the Belt and Road Forum in the Chinese capital Thursday, April 25, 2019. The president of Laos is fully behind Chinas Belt and Road initiative, saying that the Lao-China railway will transform the countrys infrastructure and improve the lives of the people by jumpstarting economic development and connecting the land-locked Southeast Asian nation with many other countries. President Bounnhang Vorachith made the remarks over the weekend during the Belt and Road forum in Beijing, the second global gathering of leaders since China launched President Xi Jinpings signature infrastructure project in 2013. The president underscored that Laos if completely on board with the Belt and Road Initiative--a trillion dollar development program linking China with scores of countries in Asia, Europe and Africa that Chinese state media has called the Middle Kingdom's ambitious bid to, in China's words, "enhance regional connectivity and embrace a brighter future together." The president also said Laos will cooperate fully with Beijing for all projects within Laos in order to benefit the country and people. Laos expects the railways 420-kilometer (261-mile) route through the country, projected to be completed in 2021, to lower the cost of exports and consumer goods while boosting socioeconomic development in the impoverished nation of nearly 7 million people. It is part of a longer railway that will extend southward through the Malay peninsula to Singapore. While the government believes the Lao portion will be a net success for its economy, many Laotians have experienced mostly hardship from the $6 billion project. A villager from Luang Prabang province told RFAs Lao Service in an interview that although he and his family were not well off before the railway project, they were doing just fine. Now with no land and no means of support, they are struggling. There has been more hardship than before because I had a small store to [support] my family. Now after resettlement we have no income and its been so difficult. We have to pay for food and every other necessity, he said. Many of the displaced residents have yet to receive compensation they were promised as a condition of relocation for the railroad. Compensatory payments have not yet reached everyone, and those who have yet to collect dont know when they will get what they were promised. A local official from Vientianes Phon Hong district, on the condition of anonymity, said that he didnt understand why payments havent yet been made. Money has been given to the district already, so we dont know why the villagers havent gotten it yet, he said. Members of parliament have already delivered on their offer already but the district was told to wait without revealing the month and day that they are planning to pay [the villagers], he added. An official involved in the compensation effort said that the government is accelerating payments, and is trying to prioritize payments to those who are most in need. The official said that there have been five rounds of compensation payments made and that all payments are expected to be completed by the end of 2020. We will follow up closely on compensation for the Lao-China rail project, especially to compensation for affected villagers to be made faster, in order to avoid complaints and to prevent a deterioration in the image for the state and central governments, he said. Previous reports from RFAs Lao Service have indicated that the lack of compensation has been a consistent problem. For example, in the capital city, only 20 families out of several hundred have received compensation for their losses. In other areas touched by the project, similar rates of compensation have been observed. Altogether 4,411 families in Laos have been affected by the rail project over 13 districts of four provinces and the capital, but only about 230 have received compensation. Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Sidney Khotpanya. Written in English by Eugene Whong. The Arakan Army's insignia is seen on the uniform of a soldier at an undisclosed location in an undated photo. An ethnic Chin group has called on the rebel Arakan Army (AA) to release 52 villagers it abducted from Paletwa township in western Myanmars Chin state during a clash earlier this year with Myanmar forces that spilled over from armed conflict in adjacent Rakhine state, the head of the group said. The appeal from the Khumi Affairs Consultative Council (KACC) came as the AA warned of potential severe fighting in Rakhine because the Myanmar Army has deployed more troops in the state, where hostilities flared up late last year, claiming scores of lives on both sides. The KACC issued a statement on Sunday demanding the release of the residents from a dozen households in Chin state who were taken away by AA soldiers following a clash with government troops near Kintalin village on Feb. 2. Two of the original 54 abductees have escaped, while the remainder, who do not have enough food, are still being held in an AA outpost along the border of Myanmar, India, and Bangladesh, said KACC chairman Kyaw Nyein. The two men who escaped said that the AA has an outpost along the Myanmar, India, Bangladesh border, [and] that 52 people are still at that outpost with the troops, he told RFAs Myanmar Service. AA spokesperson Khine Thukha said that Arakan soldiers did not take the villagers by force. When the government army attacked [the ethnic] Khumi village with heavy weapons in February, the villagers ran into a forest and hid there, he said. When we saw them in the forest, we took them to a safe place in the border area. The Bangladeshi government helped them first, and they have been working there now, he said. We didnt take them by force. The KACCs statement is a one-sided accusation. They can go to that place and ask their people [for the truth]. The Chin Civil Society Network issued a statement earlier this month about ethnic Chins displaced by and injured in the fighting, who have expressed concern about the instability in the region. Because of the fighting, development work has been hindered, said the networks Salai Zagot Htan. The IDPs [internally displaced persons] are still fearful and frightened. We now have more IDPs as well. We have demanded that the [armies] stop doing things that can halt development work and cause fear among the people. Salai Taya from the Chin Human Rights Organization said his group issued a statement on April 27 expressing concern after about 100 Myanmar military trucks from Brigade No. 77 entered Matupi township six days earlier. The trucks were separated into two groups with about 50 trucks going north and the rest heading south, he said. Three men were taken as local guides, but were told that they could return home later, he added. Military spokesman Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun denied forcing villagers to work for the army and said Myanmar troops have provided security services in Paletwa township and in northeast Indias Mizoram state since 2018 for the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project. The transportation corridor will allow cargo from Indias eastern ports to be shipped via the Kaladan River through Chin state to Rakhines Sittwe seaport, and then on to northeast India via river and highway routes through Myanmar. In the army, we have a firm regulation not to use forced labor for military operations, but there can be some workers [as guides] in small units, Zaw Min Tun said. These individuals are working with the army according to their own will. It is impossible that locals are as fearful as they said, he said. Some villages even asked us to help provide security for them, but we havent added more troops or deployed there. AA issues warning In the meantime, the AA has issued a warning that severe fighting could soon occur because the Myanmar Army has deployed more troops in Rakhine, AA spokesman Khine Thukha told the media last week and urged civilians to be cautious. The government army has deployed more troops in Mrauk-U, Minbya, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, and Paletwa townships, he said. If the government army launches an offensive attack against the AA, we have to fight them back, so there may be more serious and heavier fighting and larger combat areas. Thats why I have warned the Rakhine people not to travel alone to travel at least two or three at a time and have urged families and relatives to [remain] in their villages, he said. In response, Colonel Zaw Oo, spokesman for the Myanmar militarys Western Command responsible for Rakhine state, said Myanmar has maintained its current troop levels in the region. Why do you say the government army has deployed more troops? Based on what evidence? he asked. We have been working on our security service in the region with our normal forces, Win Zaw Oo said. We havent deployed more troops, he said. We havent used rockets, though weve had fighting with the AA sometimes small [clashes], and sometimes serious ones, while we work on clearance operations in the region. Military spokesman Colonel Zaw Min Tun said that half of the soldiers who are serving in the Myanmar Army in Rakhine state are ethnic Rakhine. Thats why we always view the AA and Rakhine people differently, he said. The AA is the AA, and the Rakhine people are the Rakhine people. The Rakhine people shouldnt be too afraid, Zaw Min Tun said. The military has used helicopters, but this has only been to carry food for soldiers because the Kaladan River has less water for transportation during the summer season. Nearly 33,000 displaced Clashes between the AA, which is fighting for autonomy in the region, and the Myanmar military in Rakhine and Chin states have severely escalated since November 2018, causing the displacement of nearly 33,000 civilians, according to a brief issued Monday by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Others have been injured or killed. Ann Thar Gyi, who has been helping the IDPs, said displaced villagers are grateful for the AAs warning about additional clashes, but that the AA alone is not solely responsible for civilians fleeing their homes. We thank the AA for warning people to be careful about the possibility of more fighting, he said. If it didnt, we could be taken away, arrested, or shot during clashes because we wouldnt have known there might be more fighting. We cant say that there is fighting in Rakhine state because of the AA, he said. Some villagers in Mrauk-U and Buthidaung townships told us that the government army was shooting into villages even though it was not fighting the AA. Because of these shootings, we have more IDPs. Hostilities between the AA and Myanmar forces intensified in early January following attacks by Arakan soldiers on police outposts in northern Rakhine state, prompting more than 100 battles between the two sides in the following months. Though the Myanmar government ordered thousands of its troops into the region to crush the Arakan fighters after the deadly assaults, the exact number of troops in Rakhine and Chin states is unknown. The AA has refused to divulge the exact number of soldiers in its ranks. A January report by the online journal The Irrawaddy put it at 7,000. Two armed ethnic groups allied to the AA the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) issued a statement threatening to join the fight against the Myanmar army if the hostilities continue to escalate, the Myanmar Times reported Monday. The members of the alliance are still evaluating whether Myanmar forces are interested in a cease-fire in Rakhine state, the report said. Reported by Kyaw Thu and Aung Tha Kha for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. A U.S. bipartisan commission called on Monday for Vietnam to be placed on a State Department blacklist of the worlds worst abusers of religious freedoms, noting that the countrys removal from the list 13 years ago has not eased violations under one-party communist rule. Although the State Department removed Vietnam from its list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) in 2006 amid improving diplomatic relations, the government of Vietnam has continued to persecute religious individuals and organizations, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said in an annual report. Religious freedom conditions last year trended negative, USCIRF said, adding that 244 prisoners of conscience held in Vietnams jails at year-end included some who advocated for freedom of religion or belief, and others who simply professed or practiced their faith. Local authorities continued to seize property from Catholic churches, Buddhist temples, and other religious groups for economic development projects without providing just compensation, USCIRF said, while police harassed religious leaders of different faiths for attending religious conferences overseas or for meeting with foreign diplomats. Based on these systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom, USCIRF again finds that Vietnam merits designation in 2019 as a country of particular concern, or CPC, under the Religious Freedom ACT (IRFA), as it has recommended every year since 2002, the rights monitoring group said. Meanwhile, Myanmar and China, already listed as "Tier 1" Countries of Particular Concern at the commissions recommendation, should be maintained in their positions on that list, USCIRF said in its report. Religious minorities targeted In Myanmar, called Burma in the USCIRF report, military and nonstate actors targeted religious and ethnic minorities including Rohingya Muslims and Christians for discrimination and violence, driving over 700,000 Rohingya across the border with Bangladesh in a massive military crackdown over the last three years. Heavy weapons attacks in Myanmars Kachin state in recent years have destroyed Christian churches, while assaults by mobs including Buddhist monks in Rakhine have injured Christian pastors and parishioners, with community members in one case left too frightened to attend services. The spread of hate speech on social media has meanwhile incited violence in the ethnically divided country, leaving victims of abuses with little hope for justice, USCIRF said in its report. Noting that the State Department has designated Myanmar as a CPC since 1999, and most recently again in November 2018, USCIRF called in its report for the country to maintain its ranking, with existing arms embargoes punishing Myanmars military kept in place. Uyghurs held in camps In China, the introduction in February 2018 of new Regulations on Religious Affairs banned all unauthorized religious teaching, with laws already in place also banning religious organizations deemed subject to any foreign domination," a provision used especially to crack down on Christians, Tibetan Buddhists, and Uyghur Muslims. Campaigns to Sinicize religious belief also put the cultural and linguistic heritage of ethnic religious communities under pressure and attack, USCIRF said. During the summer, reports emerged that the government had detained 800,000 to possibly more than two million Uighur and other Muslims in Xinjiang. It also deployed one million party cadres to live with Uighur Muslim families and report on any signs of extremist religious behavior, according to the report. The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) has built a network of political re-education camps, where up to 1.5 million Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities accused of harboring strong religious views and politically incorrect ideas have been held since April 2017. Though Beijing initially denied the existence of re-education camps, it now describes the facilities as an effective tool to protect the country from terrorism and provide vocational training for Uyghurs. Around 700 prisoners of conscience in China were detained as of October 11, 2018 for engaging in religious practices outside of state control, USCIRF said, citing reporting by the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China. Based on the Chinese governments systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom, USCIRF again finds that China merits designation in 2019 as a country of particular concern, or CPC, USCIRF said. Vaguely worded laws The Southeast Asian country of Laos meanwhile remains on USCIRFs Tier 2 Watch List for continuing serious abuses of religious freedoms, the rights group said in its report. Countries on the Tier 2 Watch List have engaged in violations which, while not rising to CPC status, are still considered significant and serious. Though the one-party communist states constitution ostensibly protects its peoples inherent right to religious freedom, regulations controlling religious observance in Laos are vaguely worded and open to interpretation by local authorities, USCIRF said. Some Lao authorities remained deeply suspicious of Christians, sometimes resulting in social exclusion, harassment, and arbitrary detention by law enforcement officials, the rights group said, adding that it had continued to receive reports throughout the year of persecution of Christians in Savannakhet, a province known for its religious intolerance. In 2019, USCIRF again places Laos on its Tier 2, where it has been since 2009, USCIRF said. Former Republican Senator Richard Lugar, who played a key role in creating the program under which Soviet nuclear and chemical weapons were destroyed after the end of the Cold War, died on April 28 at the age of 87. Lugar represented Indiana in the Senate from 1977 to 2013. He served for decades on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, including two stints as its chairman. An influential voice in foreign affairs, Lugar is best known for a 1991 initiative he created jointly with Democratic Senator Sam Nunn (Georgia) that sought to keep Soviet weapons of mass destruction from falling into the hands of terrorists or hostile countries. Under the U.S.-funded program, about 7,600 Soviet nuclear warheads, 2,300 missiles, and 24 nuclear-weapons storage sites were eliminated. Lugar sought nomination for a seventh term in 2012, but was defeated in the primary by a candidate backed by the conservative Tea Party movement, who campaigned against Lugar's reputation for bipartisan compromise. After leaving office, Lugar founded the Indianapolis-based Lugar Center, which focuses on weapons proliferation, global food supplies, and improving governance. "Lugar was a leader not only in the Senate but also on the world stage, where he worked tirelessly to bring pressure to end apartheid in South Africa and enforce treaties that destroyed Soviet weapons of mass destruction," Vice President Mike Pence, who is also from Indiana, said in a statement. Based on reporting by AP and Reuters Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has opened a four-day Loya Jirga, or grand assembly, with more than 3,200 delegates seeking to agree on a common approach to peace talks with the Taliban. The Loya Jirga bringing together politicians, tribal elders, and other prominent figures was overshadowed by no-shows by several high-ranking officials, including Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, Ghani's partner in a unity government. President Ghani's special envoy, Omar Daudzai, said that delegates from Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan were among the participants of the gathering taking place under tight security in Kabul on April 29. Ghani told the gathering that he wanted to create a "unified stance" on peace. He called the participants "ambassadors of peace" in Afghanistan, and said the Loya Jirga delegates would determine the "direction" of the peace process. The Taliban has vowed that any decisions or resolutions made at the Loya Jirga are "never acceptable to the real and devout sons of this homeland." Taliban representatives have so far refused to negotiate with the government, calling it a puppet of the West, and have insisted on the withdrawal of foreign forces before talks with Kabul can begin. The United States has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan as part of Resolute Support, a NATO-led mission that provides training and assistance to security forces in Afghanistan as they battle Taliban fighters and other extremist groups, including Islamic State extremists and Al-Qaeda. Last week, the United States, Russia, and China said in a joint statement that they had agreed on the goal of withdrawing foreign forces from Afghanistan and to seek an "inclusive Afghan-led" peace process. The Taliban now effectively controls or influences about half of the conflict-torn country. Dashing hopes for any quick cease-fire, the militant group announced the start of its annual spring offensive earlier in April, despite taking part in several rounds of talks with U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad. After several meetings with Taliban representatives in Qatar, Khalilzad has narrowed the gaps on a deal under which U.S. forces would withdraw in return for guarantees that Afghanistan will not revert to a haven for international terrorists. But he has struggled to get Afghans to agree on a road map for the country's future. A Loya Jirga is an ancient Afghan tradition that has been convened at times of national crisis or to settle major disputes. The most recent jirga was held in 2013, when the Afghan government endorsed a security agreement allowing U.S. troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond their planned withdrawal in 2014. With reporting by Tolo News, AP, AFP, and dpa All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Homebrew Finds makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, or omissions in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. To use Homebrew Finds you must be 21 years or older. Amnesty International says Iranian officials have lashed and secretly executed two 17-year-old cousins in southern Iran. The rights watchdog said Mehdi Sohrabifar and Amin Sedaghat were executed on April 25 at the Adelabad prison in Shiraz, the capital of the southern Fars Province. The two were arrested at age 15 and convicted on multiple rape charges after what international rights groups said was an unfair trial. "The Iranian authorities have once again proved that they are sickeningly prepared to put children to death, in flagrant disregard of international law," said Philip Luther, Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa director, in a statement on April 29. "It seems they cruelly kept these two boys in the dark about their death sentences for two years, flogged them in the final moments of their lives, and then carried out their executions in secret." The two were held in a juvenile prison facility since 2017 and on April 24 were transferred to Adelabad prison, where they were allowed to meet with their families. The following day the relatives of the two boys were told by officials they had been executed and could claim their bodies. Sohrabifar and Sedaghat claimed they had been beaten at a police detention center after they were arrested. During that time they also had no access to an attorney. The rights group has recorded 97 executions of people under the age of 18 in Iran between 1990 and 2018. Luther said Amnesty has seen a trend "in which Iran's authorities are carrying out executions of juvenile offenders in secret and without giving advance notice to the families, seemingly in a deliberate attempt to avoid global outrage." Norwegian officials say they are concerned that a harnessed beluga whale found in the Arctic Sea may have come from a Russian military facility. The white whale was wearing a harness -- since removed -- that had "Equipment St. Petersburg" written on it, Joergen Ree Wiig of the Norwegian Fisheries Directorate said on April 29. He said the harness also had a mount for a camera. Ree Wiig said fishermen in the Arctic Sea off of Norway reported that the tame beluga came to their boat seeking food. He added that Norwegian military officials had shown "great interest" in the harness. Professor Audun Rikardsen from the Arctic University of Norway said he thought the Russian Navy in the nearby city of Murmansk is involved. "This is a tame animal that is used to get food served, so that is why it has made contacts with the fishermen," he said. "The question is now whether it can survive by finding food by itself. We have seen cases where other whales that have been in Russian captivity are doing fine." Russia does not have a known history of using whales for military purposes although the U.S.S.R. had a training program for dolphins. The facility in Sevastopol, Crimea, was closed following the collapse of the Soviet Union, though it was operated by Ukraine until Russian forces took control of it after seizing Crimea in 2014. But Dmitry Glazov, deputy head of a beluga-whale program who works at the Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution at the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Interfax on April 19 that the Russian military might be working with belugas. He said that "the military has these animals" and used them during the Sochi Olympics in 2014, the Black Sea resort city where he said they were still kept. Glazov said there was an institute in St. Petersburg that works with the military studying animals for "applied purposes" that operates in the Black Sea's Cossack Bay and in Murmansk. Based on reporting by AP, the BBC, and Interfax NUR-SULTAN -- Eight nominees, including interim President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev, who is expected to win, have submitted applications to run for president of Kazakhstan in the June snap election, the Central Election Commission said on April 29. A ninth presidential hopeful, nominated by the Central Asian nation's Union of Constructors, Talghat Erghaliev, withdrew his candidacy on April 29. The deadline for applications ended on April 28. Nominated by the ruling Nur Otan party, Toqaev is not expected to be challenged seriously as other candidates are either relatively unknown political figures nominated by pro-government parties and groups, or do not have enough time to campaign for the early poll. The only registered party in the country that positions itself as opposition to the government, the Nationwide Social Democratic Party (ZhSDP) announced its decision to boycott the election, on April 26. 'Puppet' Candidates The decision was made at a party congress to protest what party members say is the participation of "puppet" candidates proposed by pro-government parties to help secure an election victory for Toqaev of the ruling Nur Otan party. A ZhSDP statement declares that fielding a candidate in the election would damage the party's reputation because it could be seen as a political group that is controlled or being used by the government. Toqaev, a former diplomat who had been the speaker of Kazakhstan's Senate, became interim president on March 20 -- one day after the country's long-time leader Nursultan Nazarbaev announced his resignation from the presidency. Toqaev on April 9 announced that a snap presidential election would be held on June 9 -- moving forward the date of the next scheduled presidential election by nearly one year. Critics say the snap election is aimed at shortening the political transition and decrease the chances of instability following the resignation of Nazarbaev, who had ruled Kazakhstan in an autocratic manner since 1989 when it was still a republic of the former Soviet Union. The announcement of the election just two months before the actual vote has given Toqaev's potential opponents little time to mount a campaign, greatly reducing their chances of becoming known by voters in a country where the political opposition has been marginalized and politics is still dominated by Nazarbaev. The registration of the candidates is scheduled to continue through May 11. During Armenia's "velvet revolution," a diminutive 78-year-old was on the front lines of the demonstrations so much that she was dubbed "The Grandmother of the Revolution." A year later, Vranouhie Gevorgyan says it was worth all the aches and pains that came with standing and marching for 10-hour stints each day. "I'm very happy with how things have gone. I have nothing bad to say," the woman known affectionately in Armenian social-media circles as Grandma Leyla tells RFE/RL ahead of the May 1 anniversary of protest leader Nikol Pashinian's nomination to the post of prime minister. "Pashinian is working very smartly. I feel there has been a change, people are happier and more relaxed," she adds. Casting himself as a man of the people, Pashinian became the face of protests last year as tens of thousands of Armenians took to the streets across the country to rally against Serzh Sarkisian's planned move to the prime minister's post after two terms as president and a political landscape they saw as deeply corrupt and undemocratic. The result -- in a country of 3 million with millions more diaspora Armenians watching -- was a nonviolent upheaval that marked a break with years of political intransigence. Gevorgyan, who was born in Abkhazia, a region of nearby Georgia that has like a number of other post-Soviet states been riven by Russia-backed separatism, says her rise to fame was accidental. She joined the masses of younger Armenians protesting the political climate in April 2018 because she felt the country's political elite needed to be swept from power. She says it was her hearing problems -- and not some desire to steal the limelight -- that pushed her to the front of the crowd so she could hear the speakers. Soon afterward, pictures of her right at the stage went viral in Armenia, making her a symbol of how deeply the antigovernment sentiment was running. "I really don't hear well. So I moved up to the stage to hear the words," she says, playing down her revolutionary cult status. "But it was important to be there, to create conditions for everyone to live better." Since taking power, the popular 43-year-old prime minister and former journalist has publicly made a priority of peeling back the layers of the old guard that had basically ruled the country since it left the Soviet Union in 1991, including the detention of former President Robert Kocharian, who is awaiting trial on charges of "overthrowing Armenia's constitutional order." Grandma Leyla says she knows all too well how difficult the job facing Pashinian can be. Twelve months later, she still believes that the tired legs, sunburn, and lack of sleep were worth every second on the streets, and stage, demanding change. "The prime minister is the one who was elected, and that is it," she says. "Things were going badly, and that has changed. Our young people have to live." French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will co-host a regional summit in Berlin on April 29 in a bid to reboot dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo. The meeting will concentrate on the "stability of the region, with a particular focus on finding a way to relaunch the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo," the French president's office said in a statement on April 28. European Union-mediated talks between Serbia and Kosovo broke down last year after reports of possible border changes between the two countries drew massive criticism. In November, Kosovo imposed a 100-percent tariff on Serbian goods, with Kosovar Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj saying he would maintain the levy until Belgrade signals it was open to recognizing Kosovo's independence. For its part, Belgrade said there would be no further talks with Kosovo until the tariff was removed. A former Serbian province, Kosovo unilaterally declared independence in 2008, a move Serbia rejected. Both countries aspire to join the European Union, which has made the normalization of relations a precondition. In the run-up to the Berlin meeting, both Kosovo and Serbia sought to lower expectations. "At this moment, I don't understand how and what to talk to Pristina about," Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said during a trip to Beijing last week. Kosovar President Hashim Thaci said the Berlin meeting "might open up opportunities, but it might be disappointing as well." The president and prime minister of Albania are also expected to participate in the Berlin summit. Based on reporting by AFP, TASS, and Euronews The number of political prisoners in Russia has reached above 230 as President Vladimir Putin's government implements an "ever-increasing array of laws specifically designed to criminalize acts of everyday life," according to a new report created with input from the Moscow-based rights group Memorial. The report, released on April 29, says that political opponents of the government, civil society activists, and journalists are at particular risk of being targeted. Also in the crosshairs are Ukrainian activists, religious and ethnic minorities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) activists, all of whom face potential prosecution under laws that "allow the authorities to arrest, detain, and imprison anyone they want." "There has not yet been a sustained effort to sanction the officials responsible for the persecution of political prisoners more broadly. This must change," it said. "Unless serious consequences are imposed on these officials, the Kremlin will continue to believe it can act with total impunity." The report, titled The Kremlins Political Prisoners: Advancing A Political Agenda By Crushing Dissent, was written by Washington-based public-interest law firm Perseus Strategies with support from the Memorial Human Rights Center, one of Russias oldest and best-known human rights advocacy organizations. The report highlighted how the Kremlin and lawmakers in parliament -- both houses of which are dominated by the ruling United Russia party -- have used new legislation, amendments to existing laws, and changes in administrative regulations as a tool to target dissidents and political opponents. Since 2012, the report said, the list of new and updated crimes and violations added to the country's Criminal Code and code of administrative offenses includes: -- Mass simultaneous presence in public causing a violation of public order; -- Criminal defamation; -- Illegal receipt of a state secret; -- Insulting the religious feelings of believers -- The promotion of "non-traditional" sexual relations among minors; -- Public calls for actions violating Russia's territorial integrity; -- The deliberate dissemination of false information regarding the U.S.S.R.s activities during World War II; -- Public desecration of the symbols of Russias military glory; and -- Spreading information about Russias military or memorial commemorative dates that is disrespectful of society. The report also focused on two laws in particular: the 2012 Foreign Agent Law, which requires Russian organizations to register with the Justice Ministry if they receive foreign funding and engage in broadly-defined "political activity." 'Undesirable Organizations' That law was followed three years later by the so-called Undesirable Organizations Law, which gives the Prosecutor-General's Office authority to designate organizations as "undesirable" and ban their activities if they are deemed to threaten "Russias defense, security, or constitutional system." Among the political prisoners highlighted by the report are Aleksei Pichugin, whom Memorial considers to be Russias longest-serving prisoner. A former security chief for Mikhail Khodorkovsky's now-defunct oil giant Yukos, Pichugin was arrested in 2003 and later convicted on murder charges in a trial that right groups say was marred by serious due process violations. Others include Ukrainian filmmaker Oleh Sentsov, who is serving a 20-year sentence in a Russian prison after being convicted of plotting terrorist attacks in a trial that supporters called absurd and politically motivated, and Anastasia Shevchenko, who was arrested in January and is the first person to face criminal charges under the "undesirable organizations law. Established in the late 1980s by Soviet dissidents including the late Nobel laureate physicist Andrei Sakharov, Memorial itself has come under growing pressure from Russian authorities in recent years. Several of its regional branches have been labeled "foreign agents" under the 2012 law, and several regional directors have been prosecuted on charges that supporters say are dubious and politically motivated. On April 25, Russian state TV launched a blistering attack on the group, accusing it of betraying Russia by highlighting the topic of repressions and brainwashing Russian children. The attack followed a decision by the group to bar a reporter from state-run Rossia television from attending its essay competition for children. UFA, Russia -- A court in Russia's Bashkortostan region has extended pretrial detention for opposition politician Airat Dilmukhametov. A court in the regional capital, Ufa, on April 29 ruled that Dilmukhametov must stay in pretrial detention until July 6. Dilmukhametov was arrested on March 15 and charged with public calls to violate Russia's territorial integrity, a charge stemming from a video statement he made last year calling for the creation of a "real" federation in Russia with more autonomous rights given to ethnic republics and regions. Dilmukhametov's lawyer, Aleksei Zakharov, told RFE/RL that the Federal Security Service (FSB) was working on new charges against his client. According to Zakharov, the new pending charges against Dilmukhametov are public calls for extremism and support of terrorism. Those charges are linked to Dilmukhametov's criticism of regional authorities for incarcerating several Bashkirs on charges of belonging to a banned Islamic group and his public statements in September 2018 about a conflict between local residents and workers from Chechnya in the village of Temas. Zakharov said also that he was unaware of the specific details of the pending charges, adding that the court's ruling to prolong Dilmukhametov's pretrial detention will be appealed. Dilmukhametov's supporters say the additional charges are being filed because his current charge is "weak" and investigators are trying to find additional accusations. Dilmukhametov has maintained his innocence, saying all of the charges against him are politically motivated. The Moscow-based human rights group Memorial has recognized Dilmukhametov as a prisoner of conscience. Dilmukhametov's detention was also condemned by the Yabloko opposition party, the Congress of the Bashkir People, and the Congress of Kalmyk People. A Russian teenager has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted over a knife attack at his school that left 12 people hospitalized with stab wounds. The sentence was announced on April 29 by the Motovilikha District Court in Perm, 1,150 kilometers northeast of Moscow, that found the 17-year-old defendant guilty of the attempted murder of 30 people. Authorities said the boy and another teenager, a former student of the same school in Perm, entered the building carrying knives and injured 15 people. The incident took place in the morning on January 15, 2018. The former student, who was 17 years old at the time, was sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison after being found guilty of the attempted murder of 30 people and of damaging school property. Authorities said the two were tried separately because the second suspect was initially found mentally unfit to face trial and sent to a psychiatric hospital for assessment. The names of the defendants have not been disclosed because they are minors. There have been several attacks on schools in Russia this year, as well as a gun-and-bomb attack on a college in Russian-controlled Crimea in which authorities say an 18-year-old killed 20 other people on October 18 before fatally shooting himself. Based on reporting by RIA Novosti and Interfax KYZYL, Russia -- The head of Russia's Siberian region of Tyva is demanding the Defense Ministry relocate a military test field away from an area close to a village after a teenager was seriously injured in an explosion. Sholban Kara-Ool said at a regional government session on April 29 that the explosion took place two days before, when three teenagers, whose identities and ages were not disclosed, found a military explosive device in the village of Kara-Khaak near the regional capital, Kyzyl. Tyvan Health Minister Orlan Dongak said at the session that the boy remains hospitalized with serious facial and eye injuries but his life is not at risk. The two other boys with him were uninjured. The military test site abuts the village and local residents and shepherds have protested it being too close to their homes and pastures since its first portion was built in 2017. Tyva is a remote republic of some 308,000 people on the Russian-Mongolian border. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is a native of Tyva. Members of China's Uyghur Muslim population continue to be subject to "egregious abuses" but the government in Beijing has faced few, if any, consequences, a bipartisan U.S. federal commission says in its 2019 annual report on religious freedom worldwide. The report, published by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) on April 29, also recommends that the State Department include Russia and Uzbekistan alongside Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and others on a list of the worst violators of religious freedom -- the so-called Tier 1 "countries of particular concern" (CPCs). Those recommendations reflect concern that the Russian state "accelerated [its] repressive behavior" toward religious minorities in 2018 and that "severe violations of religious freedom persisted" in Uzbekistan despite improvements. The USCIRF denounces China for its treatment of its Uyghur Muslim minority, mainly in the northwestern region of Xinjiang, as well as other mostly Muslim groups there such as ethnic Kazakhs. The Uyghurs -- of whom there are some 15 million in China -- have long complained about their treatment under Beijing's rule. "Uyghur Muslims are constantly surveilled, their phones confiscated and scanned, their skin pricked for blood samples to collect their DNA, their children prohibited from attending mosque," the USCIRF report says. "Even worse, the Chinese government has ripped entire families apart, detaining between 800,000 and 2 million adults in concentration camps and relegating some of their children to orphanages," the report adds. "Families cannot contact one another due to fear of government monitoring; thus, countless Uyghur Muslims have no idea where their loved ones are or if they are even alive," it says. It adds that although a handful of foreign governments -- including the United States, Britain, and Turkey -- have "harshly condemned" Beijing for these "egregious abuses," the government has not faced any consequences. "Despite years of escalating abuses, the wider international community has tragically missed the opportunity to prevent what is now happening to Uyghur and other Muslims in China," it says. Beijing has denied that it operates internment camps and reeducation centers for Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other mostly Muslim groups in Xinjiang. Turkic-speaking Kazakhs are the second-largest indigenous community in Xinjiang after Uyghurs, and the region is also home to ethnic Kyrgyz, Tajiks, and Hui, also known as Dungans. The government insists the facilities are "vocational education centers" aimed at helping people steer clear of terrorism and allow them to be reintegrated into society. Hiding Behind 'Public Order' The annual report says that "unfortunately, China is only one of several countries where freedom of religion or belief remained in peril throughout 2018." While some governments "have joined the fight to promote freedom of religion or belief, others brazenly suppress it," it said. It says countries such as Tajikistan, Sudan, and Vietnam suppress religious freedom under the guise of protecting "public order" or "national security," often using real or perceived threats of terrorism or public unrest to justify the restriction of rights and "outright persecution of their own people." "Some -- like Russia, China, Eritrea, and Turkmenistan -- expose their own insecurities by branding religious and ethnic minorities as 'extremists,' in part because these governments believe these groups are under 'foreign influence,'" it adds. The report was completed before the recent changes in Sudan, where massive street protests forced the overthrow of autocratic President Omar al-Bashir. A military council took over the government but has vowed to return it to soon to civilian control, although disputes remain. The report highlights 16 countries it says met the State Department standards for "countries of particular concern." A Tier 1 country is one "whose government engages in or tolerates particularly severe religious freedom violations, meaning those that are systematic, ongoing, and egregious." USCIRF recommends that the State Department again designate Iran, Pakistan, Burma, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, China, Eritrea, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan as Tier 1 CPCs. Pakistan in 2018 criticized the U.S. decision to place it on its list of countries that violate religious freedom, calling the move "unilateral and politically motivated." 'Nontraditional' Faiths Targeted The USCIRF also recommends that six other countries be added to the Tier 1 list -- Russia, Uzbekistan, Syria, the Central African Republic, Nigeria, and Vietnam. A year ago, the State Department added Russia and Uzbekistan, along with Comoros, to its Special Watch List for those that engaged in or tolerated severe violations but were not deemed to meet all CPC criteria. That change was an upgrade for Uzbekistan, which had been on the CPC list since 2006, but the USCIRF says that while there were improvements, violations in 2018 meant that the country again "merits designation" as a CPC. "In 2018, religious-freedom conditions in Uzbekistan trended positive in certain areas," the report says, but despite "positive developments originating at the highest levels of the government, severe violations of religious freedom persisted." Among other things, it says, "police forces and members of Uzbekistan's State Security Service...continued to harass, intimidate, raid, fine, and detain members of Christian communities, particularly Baptists and Jehovah's Witnesses." The USCIRF has recommended a CPC designation for Russia since 2017. In the new report, it says that in 2018 "Russia accelerated the repressive behavior" that led to that recommendation. "The government continued to target 'nontraditional' religious minorities with fines, detentions, and criminal charges under the pretext of combating extremism," it says. "Russian legislation targets 'extremism' without adequately defining the term, enabling the state to prosecute a vast range of nonviolent, nonpolitical religious activity." "The Jehovah's Witnesses, whom the government banned outright in 2017, faced severe persecution by the state," according to the report. "The leadership of the St. Petersburg Church of Scientology remained under house arrest, while numerous adherents of the Islamic missionary movement Tablighi Jamaat and readers of the works of Turkish theologian Said Nursi were sentenced to lengthy prison terms for peaceful religious expression," it adds. "In the North Caucasus, security forces acted with complete impunity, arresting and kidnapping persons suspected of even tangential links to Islamist militancy," it says. "In Russian-occupied Crimea, the Russian authorities continued to kidnap, torture, and imprison Crimean Tatar Muslims at will." Elsewhere, the USCIRF highlights 12 countries as Tier 2 -- those in which the violations engaged in or tolerated by the government are serious and characterized by at least one of the elements of the "systematic, ongoing, and egregious" CPC standard. For 2019, it said those countries are Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cuba, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, and Turkey. It also recommends that the State Department designate five organizations as "entities of particular concern," or EPCs -- a term for a "nonstate actor" that "exercises significant political power and territorial control; is outside the control of a sovereign government; and often employs violence in pursuit of its objectives." Those listed as EPCs are the Islamic State group of Iraq and Syria, the extremist group also known as IS; the Taliban in Afghanistan; Al-Shabaab in Somalia; Iranian-backed Huthis in Yemen; and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham -- previously called the Al-Nusra Front -- the Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria. The dam has been in poor condition for years. Tel-Electric Dam Demolition Eyed For This Summer PITTSFIELD, Mass. After two decades of concern for the Mill Street dam, demolition is expected to begin this summer. The dam is being removed for a number of reasons -- public safety, water quality, removing contaminants behind, it and connecting the river for more public use. The dam is attached to the Hawthorne Mill Building, which used to house the Tel-Electric Piano Player Co. factory, and had been cited by the Massachusetts Office of Dam Safety as being in hazardous condition nearly 20 years ago. "It's beyond its useful life and it is failing," said Parks and Open Spaces Manager Jim McGrath. Taking down the dam has been eyed for a number of recent years and McGrath said the plan is now in the final permitting process, awaiting just a few more approvals before bidding the project. On Thursday, the state transferred a previously secured grant of $1.5 million to the city for that bidding process, which is expected to start in a couple of weeks. "There are still some additional permits that need to be approved by DEP," McGrath said. The 18-foot high and 40-foot wide dam is expected to be deconstructed in July or August. The river will essentially be piped around the workside for three to four months as the contractor excavates contaminated soil and then removes the structure. "We targeted the summer because that's when the river is at its lowest flow," McGrath said. McGrath does not expect there to be any significant impacts to nearby properties during the construction. The project is expected to cost $1.9 million. In 2008, the Division of Ecological Restoration awarded the city $850,000 from the Housatonic River Natural Resource Damage fund. McGrath said after the student and design of the removal, $550,000 remains. In 2015, the division make another award of $981,000 from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Hurricane Sandy Coastal Resiliency Competitive Grant Program. There is $950,000 of that going toward construction. Those make up the $1.5 million the state transferred on Thursday. Last year, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs released a dam and seawall repair grant to the city of $400,000. The project is the largest aspect of a broad vision city and state officials see for the West Branch of the Housatonic River. There have been a number of projects completed, and others in the cue, to improve the health of the river's eco-system and better interaction with the neighborhoods from Wahconah Park to Clapp Park. McGrath evisions a walk way connecting West Housatonic Street and West Street in the future. Additionally, the area has been known to attract illicit activity and McGrath said the project will help "shine a light" on the area. "The dam has been collecting contaminants for some time and this is an opportunity to get that out of the river," McGrath added. The project will improve the water quality and wildlife habitat in the area. The Nash family owns the dam and McGrath said they've been supportive of the project and has contributed toward the removal by shouldering the cost of some of the permitting fees, studies, and engineering fees. The planning for the removal of the dam was particularly troublesome because of the sentiment and water disbursement that is expected. Engineers had to figure out how to best mitigate that new flow so that it wouldn't impact any nearby infrastructure. This was the year of new at the eighth annual Elby Dining Awards celebration, where top restaurants in the Richmond region were honored Sunday night at Hardywood West Creek in Goochland County. There was a new location, a new date, nine new categories, a new emcee, and one of the big winners of the night was a new restaurant Alewife, the restaurant chef Lee Gregory opened in September in Church Hill, which was named Best New Restaurant of the Year. Alewife was up against Little Nickel, Longoven and Perch restaurants for the honor. The category isnt considered the evenings biggest, but its been quite a few days for Gregory and Alewife, which was also named one of the best new restaurants in America last week by GQ magazine. Its nice to see Lee Gregory continue to invest in Church Hill, and this time with a Mid-Atlantic seafood-focused concept. Its easy to please crowds with overfished classics that leave a bad footprint, but this restaurant chooses the harder path that comes with trying to do the right thing, judges were quoted as saying about Alewife. Monday Devotional: More Precious than Gold The Fellowship | April 29, 2019 Close up of hand pointing to text in the Torah. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. Psalm 19:910 This week Jews in Israel and around the world will mark Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, on May 2, honoring the six million Jews murdered at the hands of Nazi Germany. Throughout this week, I will share reflections from my father, the late Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, on the importance for Christians and Jews to never forget and to continue the fight against anti-Semitism and persecution wherever it exists. Yael Eckstein, Fellowship President To learn more on how Christians can respond to the Holocaust, download our complimentary booklet, Never Forget/Never Again. In a post-Holocaust world, we know what the victims of the Holocaust did not: That they were headed toward destruction even when they least expected it. For us, their destiny was clear. But they had no idea what was ahead of them. They lived just as we do thinking that life would always be as it is right now. From beyond the grave, the voice of Rabbi Klonimus Kalman Shapira reaches out. Although the famed rabbi perished in the Holocaust, many of his writings have been found in recent times. His sermons and books give us amazing insight into the mindset of the Jews during the Holocaust, but perhaps even more hauntingly, of how they thought and lived before the horrors manifested in their lives. Here is an excerpt from one such sermon. The rabbi said, Intimate Father . . . You are my lifes treasure. Your Presence is the wealth of my being; there is nothing of value other than You. How poor is the rich man who lives without You, despite all his earthly riches! The rabbis words echoed King David in Psalm 19 who wrote: The decrees of the LORD . . . are more precious than gold . . . they are sweeter than honey. The true treasure in life is not what most people think it is; the most valuable treasure of all is God and His Word. The rabbi continued, Why do you people chase empty treasures? Why do you strive to amass fortunes of earthly value? . . . How can you be so foolish as to live in the castles in the air? Chillingly, the rabbi said the following words to those who did not know that their time was near: What a shock to your souls and what agony that first step into the beyond which awaits you after death will be . . . How horrified you will be! For pieces of metal and paper money, for these I have sacrificed my life? These powerful words should cause us all to pause and consider what we truly value in life. Do we put our time and effort into amassing true wealth by doing all the good deeds that we can possibly do and growing as close to God as we possibly can? Or are we chasing metal and paper money and building castles in the clouds? Lets honor the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust by living meaningful and purposeful lives, instead of wasting them away in pursuit of things that dont really matter. Let us never forget what is truly valuable in life. May we always be nourished by Gods Word that is sweeter than honey and more precious than gold. To learn more on how Christians can respond to the Holocaust, download our complimentary booklet, Never Forget/Never Again. Nearly six years to the day of Sundays hazing incident, two VSU students drowned in the Appomattox River as they and four other students tried to cross the chilly, storm-swelled waters around midnight on April 20, 2013, as part of their initiation rite into the fraternal group Men of Honor. The four men who led the seven students into harms way pleaded guilty two years later in Chesterfield County Circuit Court to involuntary manslaughter and hazing charges and were sentenced to varying jail terms. Later that year, the families of two of the students killed filed twin $25 million wrongful death suits against the state of Virginia, claiming VSU was grossly negligent in its duty to protect the students from harm. In 2012, a former VSU student who was injured and hospitalized in a fraternity hazing initiation more than three years earlier filed a $1.7 million lawsuit against Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and its local chapter at VSU. In April 2013, four members of VSUs Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity pleaded guilty in a 2012 hazing encounter in Petersburg. The facts of the incident were never disclosed. The charges against the four fraternity brothers were dismissed a month later in a deal that, among other things, required them to spend several hours in a sheriffs department holding cell and perform community service work. In these meetings, I welcome civil discourse and different perspectives around issues that impact our communities. Some attendees in that meeting felt that Medicaid expansion is a government giveaway to people who choose not to work. It is not. A work requirement was included in the expansion law, which is pending approval by the federal government. Once approved, a person cannot receive Medicaid benefits without complying with that requirement. The state plans to spend about $12 million per year policing the work requirement. As the only faith-based health system in Virginia, Bon Secours not only serves everyone who comes to our hospitals, we also care for anyone who visits any of our facilities, regardless of their ability to pay. Bon Secours provided more than $200 million in free care last year statewide. The Sisters of Bon Secours believe that access to comprehensive, high-quality health care and mental health services is a basic human right. Our ministry has provided this private sector solution for the underserved since 1824. I hope fiscal conservatives and compassionate people will be proud of the role we play in treating vulnerable populations, and that they will want us to continue to provide this care. We need their support in elections this spring and fall. PM Phuc returned to Hanoi after attending the second BRF International Cooperation (BRF) on April 27 evening. In an interview granted to the media on the PMs trip, Deputy FM Le Hoai Trung said the trip produced important results on both bilateral and multilateral aspects. Vietnam had made careful preparations and actively and proactively joined in the forums activities and the building of the round-table meetings joint statement. In his address to the forum, PM Phuc shared Vietnams reform experience over the past three decades, noting that making good use of advantages and potential along with promoting international integration are the foundation for successful cooperation. He affirmed that Vietnam is pushing ahead with both socio-economic development and global integration, including cooperating with the Belt and Road initiative, and striving to realise the UN sustainable development goals. Deputy FM Trung said many leaders expressed support for the PMs speech and Vietnams stance. On bilateral activities, PM Phuc met Chinese Party chief and President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, and permanent Politburo member and Secretary of the Party Central Committees Secretariat Wang Huning. It is noteworthy that the two sides signed five economic agreements, including two deals that opened the Chinese market for Vietnams exports of milk and mangosteen. PM Phuc also met with executives of many leading Chinese companies, during which he vowed all possible support for them to do business in Vietnam while having a straight talk on several ineffective and delayed projects by Chinese contractors. The PM and his entourage, including Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh and many ministers, also met leaders and officials of many countries and international organisations. During those meetings, PM Phuc asked the countries to support Vietnams run for a seat in the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure and work closely with Vietnam during its ASEAN Chairmanships term in 2020 to maintain peace, stability, maritime security, safety and freedom in the East Sea. He also discussed ways to create stronger progress in economic-trade-investment ties and deal with issues related to the border and overseas Vietnamese with related countries. According to Deputy FM Trung, the countries had expressed support for Vietnams candidacy for the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 term, and their wish to coordinate closely with Vietnam as Chair of the ASEAN as well as in the UNs activities. Talking about the main outcomes of the 2nd BRF, the Deputy FM said under the theme Belt and Road Cooperation: Shaping a Brighter Shared Future, the forum attracted nearly 5,000 delegates from 150 countries, over 90 international organisations and 800 businesses, particularly heads of States and governments from 37 nations, including 10 ASEAN member states. The most important event of the forum was a round-table meeting of leaders to discuss promoting connectivity, strengthening policy resonance, fostering green and sustainable development. Trung said the forum achieved three major results, including issuing a joint statement that reaffirmed commitment to stepping up economic connectivity, trade liberalisation and respect for multilateralism, with a focus on infrastructure, economy, science-technology, socio-culture and people-to-people exchange. Secondly, participating leaders shared constructive views, contributing to new adjustments in Belt and Road cooperation in the direction of more balanced benefits for participating countries with an emphasis on the principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit. Thirdly, the high-level round-table meeting and 12 thematic session afforded participants chances to discuss cooperation opportunities and joint work across infrastructure connectivity, policy resonance, trade, finance, innovation and creativity, digital economy and green development. Border Patrol Agent Prayed Armed Just in Case Stand for Israel | April 29, 2019 Embed from Getty Images While one was killed and more were wounded in this weekends shooting at a synagogue near San Diego, the death toll could have been much, much worse. Writing at The Times of Israel, Debra Kamin tells us about a border patrol agent who had been driving 3.5 hours to worship at the synagogue after rediscovering his Jewish roots: Jonathan Morales, an armed off-duty US Customs and Border Patrol agent who recently discovered his Jewish roots, was among the worshipers at Chabad of Poway on Saturday when John Earnest entered the synagogue near San Diego during Passover services and began shooting Morales recently discovered his Jewish roots. He would travel three and a half hours from [the California town of] El Centro to pray with us at our shul, Goldstein told media at a Sunday press conference outside the synagogue. He felt this was his house of worship. And many times I said, Jonathan, you work for the border patrol. Please arm yourself when you are here; we never know when we will need it As for why there werent any active duty guards at the synagogue, in an earlier interview with CNN Goldstein said, Unfortunately, we couldnt afford to have an armed security officer at every service, so whenever we had extra help, we were grateful for it. In a moment that Goldstein referred to as miraculous, Earnests gun jammed, and congregant Oscar Stewart, a 51-year-old Army veteran, and Morales attempted to subdue the gunman. Morales was also able to open fire and give pursuit. After Earnest fled the building, Morales followed in his own vehicle and shot and hit Earnests car. Earnest soon turned himself in to law enforcement. Four arrested in killing of Cancun police officer Cancun, Q.R. Four people have been arrested for the killing of a Cancun police officer over the weekend. According to the Homicide Unit of the State Attorney Generals Office, the arrests took place after an aggressive search for the men and their vehicle. Police were able to track them down and take them into custody. The shooting happened Saturday afternoon in the irregular colony known as Valle Verde at a gas station along Jose Lopez Portillo Avenue of Cancun. Reports say that the officer was shot by others inside a passing vehicle. Those arrested have been identified as 33-year-old Jose Antonio R.D. from Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz along with 27-year-old Gamaliel G.M. from Chiapas. Also taken into custody were 15-year-old Kevin Daniel C.H. from Cancun and Gerardo L.E., 36 and also from Chiapas. Killed was 40-year-old Juan Carlos Lopez Perez who was a member of the Tourist Police in the Cancun Hotel Zone. The four males have been handed over to the Public Ministry for their alleged participation in the murder of a policeman. Upon their arrest, police also found guns and ammunition inside the vehicle. Woman in serious condition after Puerto Morelos collision Puerto Morelos, Q.R. A young woman was the sole passenger in a vehicle that crashed under the pedestrian bridge at Puerto Morelos. The crash was reported under the bridge of the Villas Morelos II subdivision along federal highway 307. The vehicle suffered extensive damage after colliding and then overturning onto its side. Police and medical personnel arrived at the accident to find the sole occupant unconscious and suspended from her car. She was rushed to hospital in serious condition. What may appear to be a new bank is actually a homespun Roanoke institution wrapped in the branding of the out-of-town bank that recently bought it. Danville-based American National Bank & Trust Co. has bought and assimilated HomeTown Bank. The changeover took place this past weekend. The process of moving customer accounts, activating new bank cards and transitioning HomeTown customers to the online platforms of American National is wrapping up. As with a typical bank switch, new bank cards and passwords will be a must. But former HomeTown customers may keep their account numbers. Like HomeTown, American National offers online banking through its website and an app, said Carolyn Kiser, a former HomeTown executive who is now American Nationals senior vice president and marketing director. HomeTown permitted customers to bank with their leashed dogs. That will also continue, Kiser said. In many ways, HomeTown Bank becoming American National Bank & Trust is a huge change, the company said in a 60-page welcome guide, which shows a dog and customer on the cover, but in other ways it may be a change that youll barely notice. Either way, the event deserves a place in Roanoke banking history. For the first time since at least 1995, the city has no locally based bank. Roanoke is still the headquarters of Member One Federal Credit Union, which is larger than HomeTown Bank, as is Roanoke County-based Freedom First Federal Credit Union. But American National is pledging to keep what people liked about HomeTown. After HomeTown Bank vanished, American National Bank brought it back with a slogan that says, Welcome to the NEW HomeTown Bank. The saying appears on an easel in the lobby at Campbell Avenue and Jefferson Street, which has been HomeTowns headquarters since more than 2,000 shareholders who wanted a new local bank dedicated to customer service formed the institution in 2005. CEO Susan Still, 65, has been with HomeTown since its start and agreed to stay on. Her new title is president of Virginia banking for American National, a job she contracted to perform through 2019, when she plans to retire. Shes also among three HomeTown directors to receive seats on the board of American National. Her merger-related compensation is given in a federal filing as an estimated $977,000. Some HomeTown employees were let go, while others retired, Kiser said. She said she did not have the number of layoffs. A crane hoisted an American National sign to the south face of the downtown branch building Sunday. There is another American National sign at street level. Five former HomeTown branches were reflagged, while a HomeTown branch in Moneta was closed because American National already had a branch nearby. In combination with HomeTown, American National has 28 branches and $2.5 billion in total assets. HomeTowns office on Brambleton Avenue which is not a branch also is slated to close. American Nationals Ogden Road branch will convert to a commercial banking office and limited-service branch with night deposit only. American has long seen Roanoke as an attractive banking market, it said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. It bought Franklin Community Bank in Rocky Mount in 2015. In 2016, it hired away a slew of commercial lenders from BNC Bank in Roanoke as a foundation for future expansion. BNC Bank later merged into Pinnacle Bank. HomeTown, for its part, did not consider itself for sale or looking for a merger partner, according to the filing. It is a profitable bank, earning $4 million last year. But HomeTown executives had deliberated the possibility of merging to sweeten the stakes for shareholders. American National and HomeTown started talking informally in January 2018. Ten months later, they announced merger plans. The deal was worth an estimated $96 million. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. On a side of Mill Mountain, Katie Horn turns rocks, sifts through leaf litter and peeks under limbs. Suddenly she sees what shes looking for. Worm snake, she shouts. Four of her Virginia Tech classmates converge to take a look at the tiny creature. This is the kind of animal theyre searching for in Mill Mountain Park. The group of Tech students who make up a conservation biology class is working to measure animal populations in the more than 600-acre park, in partnership with the city of Roanoke. The class is using 11 game cameras to monitor mammal species, as well as scouring through eight plots where crawling animals live to search for reptiles and amphibians over the course of the spring semester. The students said theyve captured a number of animals on camera including deer, squirrels, raccoons and coyotes. Theyve also documented a multitude of snakes and salamanders in the park. The cameras capture a number of people and dogs, too. The animals found there are a good indication of the ecological health of the park, the students said. The more species diversity discovered, the healthier the ecosystem. Certain salamanders found in streams, like the ones they discovered last week, indicate good water quality, student Stefanie Cooke said. Hopefully, other student groups or biologists can use similar methods to monitor Mill Mountains animals to see how populations change over time. Weve got a good baseline project for now, student Dominique Negron said. Future teams can pick up and run with it. Measuring species in highly used areas is important for public outreach and understanding the nature around people, said Sarah Karpanty, a fish and wildlife professor. Ive always wanted to know about the populations on this mountain, Karpanty, who lives in Roanoke, said. We all want to know about whats in our backyard. Karpanty said she hoped some of the pictures and information collected would be used in the Mill Mountain Parks Discovery Center to teach people about the land around them. Working with students from Tech was a natural fit, said Michael Clark, Roanoke Parks and Recreation director. As the city is looking forward to developing a management plan for the park, knowing what species can be found where will be important for determining factors, such as where trails can be located. A population analysis of the animals on Mill Mountain is unprecedented, Clark said. The students wrote a new protocol and came up with unique methods to scour the mountain. He was also happy to help the Tech students gain experience, he said. Because he previously knew Karpanty, he said he thought the students would do a good job. Its mutually beneficial, Clark said. We knew theyd do a quality project. Getting experience in the field is incredibly important for students, Karpanty said. The students agreed. They dont necessarily all have their jobs figured out, but coordinating a project that measures populations for a city will benefit them no matter what job they pursue. This is great real world experience, Horn said. RICHMOND Virginia is taking its changes in education to the streets. Gov. Ralph Northam joined state and local school officials to announce Monday a new initiative dubbed Virginia is for Learners that aims to tell residents about the reforms to the states education system. Education is one of our most effective ways of making good on the promise of equal opportunity for all people no matter who they are or where they live, Northam said. The marketing campaign will try to tell the story of recent changes to the states high school graduation requirements, accreditation standards and early childhood education efforts. At the announcement Monday inside Richmonds Patrick Henry Building, Northam surrounded by superintendents from across the state said not enough people know about them. The initiative includes the Virginia Department of Education, the Virginia Board of Education and other partners. Most of the changes being highlighted in the campaign started in November 2017 when the Virginia Board of Education shook up how schools are rated and the states graduation requirements. The new accreditation ratings take more than test scores into account, using student growth, achievement gaps and absenteeism, among other things, as ways of grading a school. The system hadnt seen changes to that scale in the past 20 years. With the new system, 92 percent of Virginias public schools are accredited this year, up from 86 percent last year under rules that focused almost entirely on how students fared on Standards of Learning tests. Virginia is for Learners is a strong platform to highlight the important revisions the Board made to the Standards of Accreditation that focus on continuous improvement for all students and the persistent equity work of the Board, the Department and our public schools across the commonwealth, said Board of Education President Daniel Gecker in a statement. The new graduation requirements dropped the number of required verified credits needed for both an advanced-studies diploma and a standard diploma to five from six. Course requirements for both diplomas stayed the same. A verified credit is given for a course where a student earns a standard credit, but also passes the courses SOL test or an alternative assessment approved by the state board. Under the new requirements, fewer SOL tests are needed in order to graduate. Mondays announcement was Northams first major K-12 announcement since a racist picture found on his medical school yearbook page became public in early February. Hes resisted calls for his resignation, instead vowing to promote equity across the state something he said the new campaign does. Education is the tide that lifts all boats, Northam said. A quality education can empower and equip people to make a better life for themselves, their families and their community. Education is the most powerful tool we have to turn the tide against generational poverty, systemic racism and other ills that hold too many of our fellow Virginians back. Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane said he hopes the work continues after the state spreads the word to parents, community members and businesses so people not only know what were doing with the education system, but why. Virginia is for Learners doesnt end with this public information campaign, he said. I Was Really, Really Scared Stand for Israel | April 29, 2019 One of those wounded in the anti-Semitic shooting attack at a California synagogue was an eight-year-old girl, there celebrating Passover with her family. Ynet News reports that little Noya Dahan was wounded along with her uncle, who reenacts their rush to safety: Eight-year-old Noya Dahan had finished praying and gone to play with other children at her Poway, California synagogue when gunshots rang out out Saturday. I was scared, really, really scared, said Noya, recalling how the group of children cried out of fear after a gunman entered Chabad of Poway on Saturday morning and started shooting. I didnt see my dad. I thought he was dead I saw the rabbi shout and scream and run towards the man who shot, then a bullet hit him and I saw two of his fingers were cut off, it was so scary, she recounted Then there was another bullet and he jumped and the bullet passed beneath him and went past me and hit my leg a little, Dahan said. Her uncle Almog Peretz then grabbed her and the other children, leading them outside as her leg bled from a shrapnel wound. Peretz, who has been hailed as a hero for helping rush children out the door even as he too was injured, returned to the synagogue on Sunday, limping slightly from shrapnel wounds to his leg and pointing out to reporters where he ran when the gunman burst in. As I was running out the door [to the playground] he was behind me shooting at me As Lynchburgs rainy season begins, city council has zeroed in on the status of repairs and funding including a $5 million matching grant from the state for the high-hazard College Lake dam after it nearly failed last summer. Nearly 6 inches of rain on Aug. 2 caused College Lake to overtop the dam, threatening its integrity and necessitating more than 150 people downstream to be evacuated from homes and businesses. As a result of the flood, the city had to accelerate funding the upcoming $48.5 million College Lake dam removal which includes $20 million for lakebed restoration and $28.5 million to construct a four-lane bridge over Blackwater Creek for Lakeside Drive. City staff began working with lobbyist Preston Bryant and local legislators last fall to secure a $5 million state grant to assist in dam removal and lakebed restoration. That funding currently is in the state budget, which Gov. Ralph Northam has not signed. Although the budget is lacking that ink, Water Resources Director Tim Mitchell told council the feeling is that the funding is very secure. Tuesday night, city council unanimously approved a resolution indicating $10 million will be appropriated to the project upon adoption of the fiscal year 2020 budget. Mitchell said this action was required so that the city can receive a $5 million matching grant which is included in that appropriation from the Dam Safety, Flood Prevention and Protection Assistance Fund through the Virginia Resource Authority. The state funds will be dispersed after July 1 and will cover 50% of the costs up to $5 million as the city incurs expenses for any efforts related to the dam, lakebed or water quality. The only thing I like about this project is that its going to promote public health, safety and welfare, Ward IV Councilman Turner Perrow said when motioning for the resolution. It is a big, big hole in our CIP budget and it is deferring other priority projects because of that event, this became the priority project. Since August, Mitchell said staff has updated the citys emergency action plan, installed remote monitoring technologies at the lake and in the watershed, and completed a hydraulics and hydrology study. The report analyzed the hydrology in the watershed to determine what type of storm event would cause an issue with the dam based on development within the watershed. Additionally, Mitchell said staff and contractors performed a comprehensive dam inspection this winter after vegetation died down, which allowed them to take a closer look at the structure. During their review, inspectors found several other issues such as rodent holes, voids under riprap repairs made last fall and minor seeps in the dam face. Mitchell said staff is monitoring these seeps where water comes through the face of the dam after a rain event very closely and will make additional repairs in the future to address the situation. Greg Zamensky, U.S. and Canada practice leader on dams and flood control for Kansas-based engineering firm Black & Veatch, reviewed a risk report his firm prepared for the city after the storm in Tuesdays meeting. He said embankment dams such as the College Lake dam are not designed to overtop and survive. If it had overtopped for any longer period of time, it is very likely that it would have failed, Zamensky told council. High-hazard dams are categorized as such because of the potential for loss of life and property downstream and must be able to manage very large storm events, Zamensky said. As a result of changes in the watershed over time and increased sedimentation, College Lake dam can overtop with relative frequency somewhere in the 25-year to 50-year storm event range. According to the risk report, the dam has a 4% chance of overtopping each year, or about 20% in five years. Thats far too frequent for a high hazard structure, he said. So when considering what to do and [how to] go forward with this, this is a structure that needs attention in the short-term, the mid-term and the long-term. The report said property damage alone from a dam failure could approach $18 million. Zamensky said in addition to the temporary repairs undertaken by the city, his firm also recommends potentially increasing the spillway discharge capacity by lowering the crest of the spillway. Lowering it 5 feet would allow the dam to pass a 100-year storm and lowering the dam 10 feet would allow it to pass a 500-year storm. The modifications would cost between $500,000 and $2 million. However, lowering the spillway would have significant environmental impact from large amounts of sediment moving downstream. Zamensky said the recommendations for lowering the spillway would reduce the public safety risk from the dam as the city works toward a more permanent solution over the next several years. Mitchell told council the recommendation is something staff reviewed but is not currently pursuing. They now are focused on improving the evacuation process and protocols for faster reaction times in the future as well as performing additional public outreach and education to citizens in the inundation zone downstream of the dam. We did a great job on Aug. 2, but we need to be quicker, he said. We need to be evacuating people prior to the dam overtopping because once it overtops, it could potentially fail at any moment, so we dont want first responders or citizens downstream of the dam if its overtopping. CLEVELAND, Va. All five men trapped in a cave in Russell County were rescued Sunday afternoon. The final man was brought out of the cave shortly after 6 p.m., according to officials with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. A total of six men entered Cyclops Cave on Friday evening. One man crawled out of the cave about 2 a.m., Sunday and called emergency officials, telling them the others were trapped inside, suffering exhaustion and hypothermia. Rescue efforts began Sunday morning, including local and state agencies and a cave rescue team from the Blacksburg Rescue Squad. The first man was extracted shortly after 3 p.m. A second man was removed a short time later and taken to a local hospital via Virginia State Police helicopter, a state official said. Two came out under their own power. Jeff Stern, the director of VDEM, issued a statement praising the rescue effort. Remaining 3rd, 4th, and 5th men all rescued, Stern said via Twitter. All have been rescued successfully at this time. Rescue personnel retrieving equipment and beginning demobilization efforts. Very proud of all rescue personnel from multiple local and state groups and agencies. Gov. Ralph Northam expressed his congratulations. Sending my deepest gratitude to the first responders, VDEM and search and rescue personnel who helped get them to safety, the governor tweeted Sunday evening. The cave is located on private property a few miles north of Cleveland, Virginia, in Russell County. Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad reported on its Facebook page that it sent 20 cave rescue specialists. Roanoke Times staff writer Luanne Rife contributed to this report. By Charlotte Johnston Johnston lives in Church Hill, Tennessee. Her husband is a patient of Ballad Health. re: BalladHealth begins transformation, March 25 news story: It would be easy to win over the critics if we were seeing any positives with Ballad. We are being told how great they are, but we need to see that first hand. Our first hand experience with Ballad has been the cancer center in Kingsport. Let me tell you, it is not a positive experience. The first time we walked in the reception area was horrible. My husband is the one with cancer, but I wanted to run. There were people sitting everywhere. You could not get in the door out of the cold because people were lined up. When you finally did get to the desk, you were given a pager to sit and wait another hour before being called up just to give them your insurance card and info. Then you sat another hour or two to see the doctor. These people are sick people, fighting for their lives, and they are having to sit hours to get back to see the doctors. Plus, they do not need to be in a room with that many people and the door standing open because people are not able to get in because of the line. Their immune systems are not good to say the least. The personnel are wonderful, but the place is not set up for the amount of people going through there every day. Tell Mr. Levine [Alan Levine, Ballad Health president] to take a loved one out there and sit for hours, then come back and tell us how great things are. He would be just as mad as we are every time we have to go out there. This is the fourth week in the new cancer center, and things have not gotten any better. We have to go on Wednesday for Chemo Education, lab work and chemo. We will be there the majority of the day and it will be a day in hell because that place is nothing but a Hell hole. You cannot consolidate the cancer centers and expect things to run smoothly, the whole place was not thought through. If you park on the lower side and go up the elevator. You have to go back outside in the weather to get to the other doctors offices. Yet again, these are sick people with life threatening illnesses. Some can barely walk in the door and a lot are in wheel chairs. Ballad needs to take a better look at this facility. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, one of the many Democrats seeking her partys presidential nomination, has proposed to wipe away student debt and make public colleges free. Set aside, if you can, how you feel about Warren. Set aside, too, how you feel about Democrats, in general. Instead, lets try to look dispassionately at the issue shes trying to address: The growing debt that Americans must rack up to attend college. Warrens proposal comes from the left, but theres growing recognition across the political spectrum that student debt is becoming a drag on the rest of the economy that graduates are so weighed down by debt that theyre putting off buying cars, buying houses and starting families. Thats the kind of thing that gets the attention of otherwise conservative members of the business community. The Virginia Chamber of Commerce recently held an energy conference in Roanoke. A gathering of some of the states leading capitalists is not exactly a celebration of socialism. However, when one group of panelists was asked what their companies needed to grow in Virginia, the answers were not lower taxes or fewer regulations. Instead, the president of a Northern Virginia company that works with the nuclear industry said he was worried about the insurmountable debt that college graduates were trying to pay off. He called for more student funding to lower tuition. And the president of an electric cooperative in Southside said he had trouble finding workers because they needed credentials from a community college but many people couldnt afford to attend in the first place. That doesnt speak to the debt issue, but does speak to the free college aspect of Warrens proposal. No less an authority than the Federal Reserve again, not exactly a cell of Marxists has issued warnings about student debt. It found that student debt for those in the 25-34 age range has doubled while their rate of home ownership has fallen 9%. The reserve sees a connection between those two things. Indeed, mortgage payments used to be the biggest debt obligation for those in that age range; now its student loans. Some other facts and figures, from the Federal Reserve and Equifax: The amount of student debt started rising abruptly in 2004 and has now more than tripled. Since 2010, student loans debt has been bigger than debts for credit card or auto loans. Student loan debt now adds up to $1.47 trillion. We think of student loan debts as being a particular problem for young adults, but the fastest-growing cohort of student loan borrowers are 60 and older. The number of people 60-plus with student loans has more than doubled in the past decade. Its unclear how many of these are people who are still paying off their student loans, or have taken on debt to pay for children and grandchildren. It seems clear that Warren has hit upon a real issue, even if you disagree with her solution. This is a classic Catch-22: The transition from the industrial age to the information age demands a better-educated workforce but to get that education, students must take on debt that winds up stifling the economy. So far, we havent said anything that others havent said, but heres where we add an angle that we havent seen addressed elsewhere: The student debt problem, while universal, has very particular ramifications for rural communities. Thats not how Warren framed it, but someone ought to. Politically, Warrens pitch seems aimed at liberal, college-educated voters but dealing with student debt also needs to be part of any comprehensive plan for economic development in the most rural, and therefore most conservative, parts of the country. Heres why: Virtually every discussion of rural economic development indeed, economic development anywhere deals with the need to create a better-skilled workforce. The GO Virginia economic development council issued a series of detailed reports in 2017 for each region of Virginia. Each one talked about how theres a mismatch between the skills the local workforce has and the skills that the economy is demanding. Thats true even for Northern Virginia but especially so in rural Virginia. A 2015 study estimated that 70% of the jobs being created in the state required either a two-year degree or a credential from a shorter-term program. However, only 54% of working-age Virginians have any education past high school. Thats why Virginia has set a goal to increase the percentage of working-age adults with post-secondary degrees or credentials to 70% by 2030. This is a particular challenge in rural Virginia: In Falls Church, 74.4% of adults have a college degree. In most counties in Southwest and Southside Virginia, that figure is under 20%. In Buchanan County and Covington, its 8.3% In Greensville County, its 7.2%. That means for those communities to take part in the new economy, they need to see a dramatic increase in the number of people getting some post-secondary education. However, as Jeff Edwards, the president of Southside Electric Cooperative, pointed out, a lot of people simply cant afford it. That speaks directly to the need to lower tuition somehow either through more state funding, or more local fund-raising campaigns for scholarships, or both. Thats why the push to make community college free has come largely from states with lots of rural areas such as Tennessee. They dont see a giveaway; they see workforce development. Warrens more liberal proposal goes far beyond what those states have, but its not as radical as it might seem. Theres a growing consensus that the economy now demands at least a K-14 education, but now we only pay for K-12. Heres what we wonder: Does student debt discourage college graduates from returning to the rural areas they grew up in? Jobs in bigger cities often pay more. How many graduates would be willing to accept a lower-paying job for the chance to return to their hometown but cant because they have massive debts to pay off? It seems reasonable to surmise that some graduates are literally forced away so they can make enough money to pay off the debts that made them employable in the first place. That has both economic, and demographic, implications in communities that need both more skilled workers and more young adults. Perhaps without realizing it, an urban Democrat has hit upon an issue that has a uniquely negative impact on rural America. "WE will not stop until the activities of these groups, who can bring such misery to communities, are put to an end. That's the message from the officer heading up an operation to stamp out organised crime in Mexborough. Operation Fortify aims to make Mexborough and Doncaster a safer and more enjoyable place to live by disrupting the activities of organised criminal gangs. Det Insp Steve Smith said: Last week we had some really positive results and our activities in the area were well-received by the local community. We are aware of the issues residents are facing and we want them to know that we are committed to tackling these. Our action isnt a quick-fix approach, its a long-term solution and we will not stop until the activities of these groups, who can bring such misery to communities, are put to an end. Over the weekend, officers carried out a number of stop and searches on vehicles they believed could have been involved in organised crime. Eight vehicles were stopped and searched across Saturday and Sunday. A Mexborough man, aged 40, was stopped driving on White Lea Road on Saturday afternoon. His vehicle was searched and quantities of cannabis and amphetamines found. The driver was also found to be driving over the limit after being tested for drugs. He was arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis and amphetamines, driving with no insurance and driving over the prescribed limit. He has since been released under investigation and his vehicle has been seized. A 20-year-old man was also arrested following a stop and search of his vehicle. The driver, from Mexborough, was arrested after checks revealed he was wanted for alleged criminal damage offences committed in Doncaster. Det Insp Smith said: Throughout this week, you can expect to see an increased policing presence in Mexborough once again. If you do see us, come and speak to us, ask us about what were doing and tell us what issues youre facing in the community. Were here to help and to improve the area, but we also need you to work with us in order to help us do that." Anyone with concerns can contact South Yorkshire Police on 101, speak to the local neighbourhood team, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Podcasts are, as you've likely heard a few times already, having a bit of a moment. As an insatiable podcast junkie, here are some of my favourites. My main podcast app - I use three of them, don't ask - suggests that I've listened to an almost unbelievable 217 days of podcasts since the 5 August 2015. I subscribe to some 131 podcasts in total right now, and much like the days of listening that's a number that's set to go up, up, up... It's safe to say that my partner doesn't love my podcast obsession, and has grown rather tired of the phrase "Sorry, what was that? I was listening to a podcast."* *Do note that I don't sit around listening to podcasts in social situations, but when cooking, cleaning, walking the dog, commuting, showering, popping* to the restroom at work, in the gym, grocery shopping, writing.. I have a problem. *Double Ps there, not Os - an important distinction. With that, let's get cracking with this first recommendation article, which will focus on true crime podcasts. There are seemingly thousands of them out there, but far from all are worth listening to.. Teacher's Pet Produced by The Australian, Teacher's Pet takes a deep dive into the 1982 disappearance of mother-of-two Lynette (Lyn) Dawson from New South Wales, Australia. The podcast is hosted by award-winning journalist Hedley Thomas, who openly believes Lyn's husband, Chris Dawson, to be behind her disappearance. Chris Dawson is a former professional rugby player and high school PE teacher, who also had an affair with one of his high school students at the time. She moved into the Dawson home within months of Lyn's disappearance, and would later marry and divorce Chris. The RFK Tapes From the creators of Crimetown, another of my favourite true crime podcasts, the RFK Tapes is a documentary series that takes a fresh look at the 1968 assassination of Robert F. Kennedy - the younger brother of John F. Kennedy. It explores the case against convicted murderer Sirhan Sirhan, who was arrested at the scene gun in hand, and the many conspiracy theories suggesting his innocence. Root of Evil At the face of it, Root of Evil explores the 'Black Dahlia' murder of Elizabeth Short in 1947. A truly gruesome crime, I'll leave the details of it out of this short summary, as what makes this podcast interesting goes far beyond the core crime. The podcast is hosted by sisters Rasha Pecoraro and Yvette Gentile, the great-granddaughters of the main suspect in the murder case. Root of Evil delves into their strange, dark family history, relying on interviews, diaries, court cases, and old voice recordings. It's a truly gripping story, but not for the faint of heart. Monster There are two seasons of Monster, each focusing on a different case. In season 1, host Payne Lindsey explores the Atlanta child murders of 1979-1981, which saw the disappearance of some 28 children, adolescents, and adults. The second season follows the Zodiac killings in the 1960s and 70s - with up to 37 victims, to the exact numbers is not known. Tenderfoot TV, one of the companies behind the series, and Payne Lindsey, tend to have a slightly dramatised toned - this may not be for everyone, but the content itself makes it worth a listen. Dirty John In Dirty John, award-winning journalist Christopher Goffard unravels a net of lies, deceit, and abuse spun by John Meehan. Meehan charmed successful business woman and interior designer Debra Newell after contacting her through an online dating website. All was well at first, but Newell's family never quite liked John - himself a successful doctor who had just returned from spending a year in Iraq with Doctors Without Borders. Things quickly turn dark, and after the show's conclusion Meehan would be killed by Newell's youngest daughter, who acted in self-defence as he attempted to kidnap her. This is a masterfully told and highly disturbing tale. Other true crime podcasts worth a listen. Other podcasts in the genre that I have enjoyed include, Dr Death, Crimetown, Public Official A, Serial, Uncover (season 1), and Breakdown. Also worth mention but not quite to my taste is Someone Knows Something and Up and Vanished - the latter is also hosted by Payne Lindsey of Monster, but I find both the style and content somewhat sensationalist. Once you've listened to a few of these - and particularly if you do go ahead an listen to Up and Vanished - I would recommend giving A Very Fatal Murder a listen. It's a spoof of the genre made by satirical newspaper The Onion. Finally, while not quite of the same style, I would also recommend Detective (season 1) and the absolutely fantastic Ear Hustle. The former features interviews with retired detectives who talk about their job and specific cases, while the latter is produced inside San Quentin State Prison and explores life behind bars. On my play next-list Don't tell my partner, but I've got several more podcasts on my list of shows to give a listen to: Red Handed The Dropout Over My Dead Body In The Dark Slow Burn My Favourite Murder One to avoid While one of the biggest shows out there, I would avoid Sword and Scale. While some episodes are interesting, the show and host are both of questionable character. It relies heavily on recordings of 911 calls and suspect interviews, and has on occasion received criticism from family members and survivors who explicitly asked now to be featured on the show yet were ignored. The show's host has also been embroiled in a fair bit of drama following highly sexist and discriminatory public statements. By the time I was 48 years old, I had been to Europe a grand total of exactly zero times. My wife, Jen, and I almost made it to Europe for our honeymoon in the mid 90s. But then our car broke down and all the money wed set aside for our honeymoon had to go toward getting a new one. Never having been to Europe was something that forever stuck in my craw. And whenever I found myself listening to someone fondly reminiscing about the gap year they spent backpacking from Dublin to Greece, or the summer they worked as an au pair in Provence, I couldnt help but feel myself morphing into some backwoods bumpkin named Goober, whod never ventured anywhere beyond the mailbox at the end of his driveway. Finally, in 2010, with our 11-year-old son Baker in tow, we made it to Europe for the very first time. We visited Paris, where we spent a magical two-and-a-half weeks, and once back in the U.S., we often found ourselves returning to the same conversation, the theme of which was: 'Wouldn't it be cool to live in Europe someday?' Of course, in 2013, those dreams of cool became reality when we when moved to Europe, Luxembourg to be exact. Mike McQuaide When my family and I moved here, we had no idea how long wed stay. Given that everything wed read about Luxembourg never failed to mention that its one of the most expensive countries in the world, we figured it probably wouldnt be for long. Six months, maybe a year? And truthfully, I was fine with that. Our 2010 Paris trip got the never-been-to-Europe monkey off my back, and now that wed lived thereeven if it wasnt for very longfor the rest of my life, Id be someone who used to live in Europe. A Usedto-pean, if you will. Talk about mega-coollooks like Goober just got sent to the head of the class! Yknow, he used to live in Europe, I imagined others saying about me once I was back living in America. And theyd nod knowingly to each other, struck as they were with awe and wonder. I imagined shifting whole conversations to me by saying: Yknow, when we were living in Europe, or That reminds me of the time when we used to live in Europe, And then I could be the one getting the faraway look in my eyes whilst reminiscing about my days living in the Grand Duchy. Luxembourg has the added bonus too of pretty much no one in America knowing where it is and thus, it cant help but beg for follow-up questions. Luxembourg?! people would ask. Wheres that? Or What part of Germany is Luxembourg inis it near Berlin? Or Munich? Or Vienna? It was truly a win-win situation. Especially for me. Thing is, we had been living here for just a few weeks when I suddenly realized that I was in love with Luxembourg and didnt want to leave. I remember the exact moment too. It was an early spring morning and I was by myself taking Bus 15 across the Pont Adolphe. Through the windows, I scanned the jungle-like Peitrussdall, which was lush and flush with the blush of spring, just exploding with growth and bloom. Above the trees rose the golden lady, the Gelle Fra, and the towers and steeples of Kathedral Notre-Dame. All of it was bathed in a golden morning haze. God, I frickin love this place! I blurted out loud. It startled me too, because it just came out on its own, as if from some preconscious level. So I immediately castigated myself for my impetuous declaration of love. Surely, I was just intoxicated by Luxembourgs natural beautyId been overcome by natural beauty intoxication! But it was more than just that. Luxembourg seemed like it was full of exciting possibilities for my family and I, and I think what I was really overcome with was possibility intoxication. I was intoxicated by what Luxembourg, and this exciting European adventure we were on, had to offer. And thats what a person wants, isnt it? To be intoxicated by lifes possibilities. By hopes and dreams too, if theyre lucky enough. Being a Usedto-pean wouldve been nice, but I think that intoxication is even better. Thats why I became a Heretostay-opean. A Perma-pean, if you will. Mike McQuaide is the author of the 2018 Publikumsprais-winning An American in Luxembourg (Editions Saint-Paul) and creator of the popular Facebook and Instagram pages of the same name. In the Face of Darkness, Spread Light Stand for Israel | April 29, 2019 Embed from Getty Images After an anti-Semitic shooting terrorized his congregation, killed one worshiper, and left himself and others wounded, a rabbi responded with inspiring words. The Jerusalem Posts Maayan Jaffe-Hoffman reports that Poway Chabad synagogues Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein has asked us all to spread light in the face of such evil and hatred: We need to go out there and spread light, Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein said on Sunday from his hospital room in San Diego, California, in response to the fatal terrorist attack on his synagogue the day before. Goldstein was shot at close range in a hate crime shooting attack during the eighth day of Passover services. We need to create as much light as possible in this world, by participating in prayer services, supporting our local Jewish communities and mostly doing random acts of kindness, he said on a phone call with The Jerusalem Post. A little bit of light pushes out a lot of darkness, he said. Goldstein was one of three people wounded in the shooting attack on Saturday by John Earnest, 19, who allegedly burst into the Congregation Chabad synagogue in Poway, north of San Diego. Earnest killed Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, and wounded the rabbi and two others, including an eight-year-old girl. The rabbi described in an audio interview aired on national television how after exiting the prayer service to wash his hands, he entered the synagogue banquet hall and heard a loud bang. I did not know what it was, Goldstein said. I thought Mrs. Lori fell or a table fell. I turned around and I was face-to-face with the murderer-terrorist, who was holding a weapon and looking straight at me. Goldstein described how the shooter opened fire, and he put his hands up to block the bullets, which sliced off one of his fingers. He then watched as Earnest gunned down Gilbert-Kaye at close range. I turned around and saw a group of children in the banquet hall, including my granddaughter, and I just ran, not even knowing that my fingers were blown off, and hurled all the kids together and got them outside to safety A Reseda man planned to detonate improvised explosive devices at several Southern California locations to cause mass casualties in a terror plot thwarted by law enforcement officials, authorities said Monday. Mark Steven Domingo, 26, an Army veteran, was arrested Friday night after he took delivery of what he thought was a live bomb from an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a bomb-maker, officials said. He was charged with attempting to provide material support to terrorists. According to a federal affidavit, after considering various attacks including targeting Jews, churches, and police officers Domingo decided to detonate an IED at a rally scheduled to take place in Long Beach this past weekend. As part of the plot, Domingo asked his confederate who actually was cooperating with the FBI as part of the investigation to find a bomb-maker, and Domingo last week purchased several hundred nails to be used as shrapnel inside the IED. Domingo said he specifically bought three-inch nails because they would be long enough to penetrate the human body and puncture internal organs, the affidavit states. Advertisement John C. Demers, the assistant attorney general for the Justice Department national security division, said Domingo wanted to use improvised explosive devices that would make the bombs even more deadly to the victims he targeted. His arrest today mitigates the threat he posed to others in the Los Angeles community, Demers said. Prosecutors said Domingo sought retribution for the attacks on New Zealand mosques and said he was willing to become a martyr. There must be retribution, he said in an online post, according to the federal criminal complaint. He also allegedly expressed allegiance to Islamic State. America needs another vegas event [to] give them a taste of the terror they gladly spread all over the world, Domingo allegedly wrote in reference to the massacre at the Route 91 concert in October 2017. FBI Special Agent Tasha Coolidge described Domingos plans in a 30-page affidavit. After federal authorities saw his extremist comments online, an informant made contact with him. During a drive on March 18, Domingo pointed out possible targets, including police cars, churches and a National Guard Armory to the person he believed to be his co-conspirator, Coolidge said. The veteran said he didnt plan on getting away: Martyrdom, bro. Read the affidavit on the alleged thwarted terror plot in Southern California U.S. Atty. Nicola T. Hanna speaks at a news conference in downtown L.A. announcing the arrest of Mark Steven Domingo. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) Domingo talked about using guns to conduct an attack, but the confidential informant suggested he knew someone who could make IEDS. That is even better, Domingo said, according to court records. In a subsequent meeting, Domingo used the Arabic word for nonbelievers and said they were to blame for starting it, but I am gonna finish it. Murder me. Kill me. Ill die Shadid, he declared, according to the affidavit. The Arabic word means strong or powerful, and brave. Court records went on to detail an April 3 meeting, in which Domingo proposed killing police officers and military service personnel in Los Angeles. He said he wanted a large-scale attack, something like an IED here, on the freeway. Make em bleed, like in Ramadi, he said, referencing the bloody battleground city in the Iraq war. Domingo said the attack would be revenge for our brothers in Christchurch and our sisters who were slaughtered, the documents read. On April 19, the Army veterans talk escalated, and he arrived at a meeting wearing camouflage pants and holding a backpack with an AK-47-style rifle, according to the affidavit. He said he was prepared to commit jihad. After talk about a drive-by shooting using the assault rifle, officials say he ended up targeting rallies in Long Beach and Huntington Beach. Worried those events might be canceled, he also considered blowing up the Santa Monica Pier as it would be crowded, documents show. When the informant told Domingo the Long Beach rally would happen, he proceeded with a plan to plant IEDs there, according to the affidavit. At that point, an undercover investigator joined the alleged plot as a bomb-maker. The informant and undercover investigator gave Domingo what he thought were active bombs and they drove to Bluff Park to scope out the location for the attack. Domingo said if he survived the bombing, he also planned to attack the Port of Long Beach to disrupt the U.S. economy, records show. When the trio left the park and Domingo carried the IEDs to his car, FBI agents arrested him Friday night. The terror plot was uncovered less than 48 hours after a gunman opened fire inside a San Diego County synagogue, killing one woman and wounding several others in what law enforcement officials are investigating as an anti-Semitic hate crime. Mark Steven Domingo, an Army veteran, was arrested Friday night after he took delivery of what he thought was a live bomb from an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a bomb-maker, authorities said. (FBI) Southern California has been the scene of several terrorism plots and attacks, including one by a prison-based group that targeted the U.S. government and supporters of Israel. In 2005, Kevin James founded Jamiyyat Ul-Islam Is-Saheeh, or JIS, inside a California prison and led a conspiracy to attack Los Angeles International Airport, several Army recruiting centers and the Israeli Consulate in L.A. The group planned to stage attacks on political targets with the proceeds of gas station robberies, investigators said. Authorities said they learned of the potential plot when Torrance police investigating the robberies found lists of targets and other information at one suspects apartment in South Los Angeles. Three years before that, a gunman killed two people at the busy LAX ticket counter of El Al Israel Airlines. And in 2015, Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, entered a holiday gathering for county employees at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino and, using rifles purchased by a friend, killed 14 people and injured 22 others. Authorities said that Farook and a friend had plotted additional terror attacks targeting students at a nearby community college and drivers on the 91 Freeway. Attorney Michael Avenatti pleaded not guilty in Santa Ana on Monday to charges that he stole millions of dollars from clients, cheated on his taxes and lied to investigators. His trial was scheduled to start on June 25 and the government estimated it will last 15 days. Avenatti rose to fame representing porn actress Stormy Daniels in her legal battles against President Trump. He was indicted earlier this month on 36 counts including wire and bank fraud. Avenatti was arrested in March in New York on a separate case alleging he demanded millions to stay quiet about claims about Nike paying high school athletes. New research unveiled recently links a series of California earthquakes to heavy snowmelt during a wet winter. Scientists involved in the work said they believe that water from the runoff flowed down to the groundwater, causing seismic movement. The research offers new geological insights into one of the most seismically active areas of California. In 2017, a swarm of seismic activity occurred near Californias Long Valley Caldera in the Mammoth Mountain area. Over the period of a few weeks, about 100 mostly minor earthquakes were tabulated each day. During the same period of seismic activity, the area had high levels of flooding due to snowmelt. The 2016-2017 winter brought heavy snow that created one of the largest snowpacks ever recorded in Californias history. A record amount of snowfall occurred in the same region this year, raising the question of whether the same occurrence will happen in 2019. Advertisement Emily Montgomery-Brown, a researcher at the U.S. Geological Survey who recently published the findings and shared them at a conference in Seattle, said she initially wondered if the swarms could be pegged to volcanic activity. While giving a tour at the Mammoth Community Water District, she spoke with staff there about the flooding and recent seismic activity. First observed as two unrelated happenings, linked only by timing, it would be a few weeks later that a discovery was made connecting the two natural events. Browns colleague David Shelly found that the swarm of earthquakes was migrating downward opposite to what is commonly observed. Typically during such swarms, fluid starts from a deep source and migrates upward toward the surface. In the case of what was happening near the Long Valley Caldera, fluid was starting at the surface and traveling down. The finding triggered the idea that the snowmelt could be directly correlated to the seismic activity. I think in the past people have seen these swarms, but assumed it was unrelated to the magmatic system. Emily Montogmery-Brown Brown and her colleagues examined data from 1984 to 2017. Over that period, Brown said, 55% of the 8,497 Long Valley earthquake swarms had occurred on the wettest days during high snow years. Rates of shallow seismic activity in the area were about 37 times higher during wet periods versus dry. I think the discovery of these snowmelt swarms might be the biggest new interpretation of something thats happened there. I think in the past people have seen these swarms, but assumed it was unrelated to the magmatic system, Brown said. The formation of rocks may be another factor for the snowmelts effect. What we think is unique of the Long Valley area is that the rock layers have been deformed so much that theyre tipped up on end, like books on a shelf, Brown said. The upward layers provide conduits for the snowmelt. The water recharges the groundwater, altering the pressure of rocks below the ground surface, which resulted in the 2017 swarms. The movement of groundwater has previously been connected to past earthquake swarms. A graph shows the relationship between snowmelt and seismic activity from 1884 to 2017. (Study) The Long Valley Caldera resumed inflating in 2011 one of the biggest changes that has occurred in the volcano in recent years. The caldera itself goes through breathing episodes where it will increase in elevation for a while, then it pauses for a while and resumes inflating, Brown said. While the snowmelt can be a factor for some seismic activity at the volcano, researchers will not stop monitoring the area for possible volcanic activity in the future. They will also continue to watch for seismic activity as it pertains to snowmelt, which typically begins in late May to early June. The expectation is that there will be a large number of seismic swarms, as there have been in the past, but theres no guarantee. Sometimes in a big, wet year like last year, it can release all of the strains so the swarms might not be as big as the year before, Brown said. She compared it to a person exerting all their energy at an amusement park in one day, leading to a less active disposition on day two. The volcano in Mono County erupted about 760,000 years ago, spewing magma and covering parts of California in hot ash that blew to what is present-day Nebraska. Scientists have been monitoring it since 1980 when, following a series of earthquakes, researchers discovered that the volcano had started to actively rise. The volcano is one of three in California that the federal government considers to be a high threat. Though there are warning signs before a volcano erupts, the chance of eruption in California is similar in risk to that of a major earthquake on the San Andreas fault. colleen.shalby@latimes.com Twitter: @cshalby A domestic terror plot aimed at multiple targets in Southern California was disrupted by federal and local law enforcement agencies, sources told the Los Angeles Times on Monday. A news conference to discuss the case has been scheduled for 1 p.m. in downtown Los Angeles. Representatives from the U.S. attorneys office for the Central District of California, the FBI, the LAPD, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department and the Long Beach Police Department are expected to speak. A source in the Sheriffs Department confirmed that the agency was involved in the surveillance and detention of the suspect. The fourth phase of Indias staggered national election Monday was marred by multiple clashes that injured at least seven people and led to security forces firing warning shots outside one polling station. A junior minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist party, Babul Supriyo, said his car was attacked by supporters of a rival party outside a polling station in West Bengals Asansol district as they tried to stop him from entering. In West Bengals Dubrajpur area, security forces fired warning shots in the air at a group of voters who turned violent when stopped from carrying mobile phones into polling stations, the Press Trust of India news agency said. Clashes between rival groups elsewhere in the state injured seven people, the agency reported. They included a woman who was hit by a crude bomb that exploded outside a polling station, police said. Advertisement The Election Commission said police filed a case of trespass against Supriyo, the minister, for forcing his way into a polling station without authorities permission. Modis Bharatiya Janata Party is facing a major test as it looks to govern for another five years after winning a clear majority in the 2014 election. The party suffered a setback in December when the opposition Congress party wrested power from it in three key state elections Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh were among the nine states voting on Monday. The remaining three phases of the election will be completed by May 19, and vote counting will begin May 23. Even before Monday, more than half of Indias 543 parliamentary constituencies had already voted in the election, which began April 11. With 900 million of Indias 1.3 billion people registered to vote, the election is the worlds largest democratic exercise. On Monday, 64% of 128 million eligible voters cast ballots on electronic voting machines, the Election Commission said. In the first three phases, voter turnout was around 66.4%, the same as in 2014, when Modis party came into power. This may not be good news for the BJP, which launched a campaign two years ago seeking to increase voter turnout in the 2019 election. The BJP hasnt been able to enthuse people and overcome the voters apathy, said Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, a political analyst who has written a biography of Modi. Modi said in campaign speeches last week that his government was not facing an anti-incumbency bias as people know that the BJP-led government is working honestly for the development of the country. He also said all past governments in India had faced such biases in national and state elections. Under the leadership of political dynasty scion Rahul Gandhi, the Congress party, which had ruled the country for more than half a century after 1947 independence, has struggled to coalesce Indias many opposition parties into a coherent force that could go head-to-head with the BJP. The opposition says the BJPs emphasis on Hindu nationalism has aggravated religious tensions and violence against Muslims and other minorities in constitutionally secular India. Hindus comprise 80% of Indias population. There is a large Muslim minority, with smaller minorities of Sikhs, Christians and others. Surveys show Modis BJP is projected to come out first again, though with a smaller mandate. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The shadowy leader of the Islamic State group claimed to appear for the first time in five years in a video released by the extremist groups propaganda arm on Monday, acknowledging defeat in the groups last stronghold in Syria but vowing a long battle ahead. The man said to be Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the video also claimed the Easter Day bombings in Sri Lanka which killed over 250 people were part of the revenge that awaits the West. Despite numerous claims about his death in the past few years, al-Baghdadis whereabouts remain a mystery. Many of his top aides have been killed, mostly by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes. He is among the few senior IS commanders still at large after two years of steady battlefield losses that saw the self-styled caliphate shrink from an area the size of Britain to a tiny speck in the Euphrates River valley. The video released by a media outlet run by the extremists, Al-Furqan, shows al-Baghdadi with a bushy grey and red beard, wearing a black robe with a beige vest and seated on the floor with what appears to be an AK-74 rifle propped up next to him. He is speaking with three men seated opposite him whose faces were covered and blotted out. Advertisement It is his first video appearance since he delivered a sermon at the al-Nuri mosque in the Iraqi city of Mosul in 2014. In that video, he appeared as a black-robed figure with a trimmed black beard to deliver a sermon from the pulpit of the mosque in which he urged Muslims around the world to swear allegiance to the caliphate and obey him as its leader. Since then, he has only released audio messages through the groups media outlets. In the video released Monday, al-Baghdadi acknowledged that IS lost the war in the eastern Syrian village of Baghouz, the groups last sliver of territory, which was captured last month by the U.S.-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. The fall of Baghouz marked the militants territorial defeat and the end of their self-declared Islamic caliphate over parts of Syria and Iraq. Al-Baghdadi said that the battle for Baghouz demonstrated the barbarism and brutality of the West and the courage, steadfastness and resilience of the nation of Islam. This steadfastness shocked the hearts of the Crusaders in what increased their rage, he added. Referring to the setbacks in battle, he said the brothers of the many fallen fighters will avenge that, as they will not forget as long as they have blood in their veins, and there will be a battle after this one. Al-Baghdadi called specifically on his followers to intensify attacks on France. He made repeated references to current events, including Benjamin Netanyahu winning the elections in Israel and the fall of longtime dictators Abdelaziz Bouteflika and Omar al-Bashir in Algeria and Sudan. Most significantly, he praised the recent attacks in Sri Lanka which he said have pleased the hearts of Muslims, and said it is part of the revenge that awaits the Crusaders and their followers. The group has claimed responsibility for the suicide attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, and investigators are looking into the extent of the extremist groups involvement with the local radicalized Muslims who carried out the suicide bombings. It is unclear when or where the video was filmed. Al-Baghdadi appeared to be in good health, although he spoke slowly and sometimes haltingly in the video. With a $25 million U.S. bounty on his head, al-Baghdadi is the worlds most wanted man, responsible for steering his chillingly violent organization into mass slaughter of opponents and directing and inspiring terror attacks across continents and in the heart of Europe. The video appeared to be aimed at boosting the morale. He bragged his group carried out 92 attacks in eight countries to avenge the loss of territory in Syria, citing Sri Lanka, Libya and Saudi Arabia, without offering evidence for his claim. Although largely seen as a symbolic figurehead of the global terror network, al-Baghdadis capture would be a coveted prize for the various players across both Syria and Iraq. But so far, he has eluded the Americans, Russians, Syrians, Iraqis and Kurds. Our battle today is a war of attrition to harm the enemy, and they should know that jihad will continue until doomsday, al-Baghdadi said. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Residents of an Oklahoma town were still waiting for answers Monday on what prompted police to open fire on a pickup truck last week, wounding three children and a man who authorities say was wanted in a robbery. Three days after the shooting, it remained unclear why gunfire broke out Friday when two Hugo police detectives tried to pick up William Devaughn Smith, 21, on a robbery warrant. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation says Smith and four children were in the truck outside a community center that serves food. One child wasnt hurt. The agency had previously said the childrens mother was in the truck but said Monday she was not. The three children who were wounded have been released from the hospital. Advertisement OSBI said Monday that the childrens mother, Olivia Hill, is in a relationship with Smith. Hill told KXII-TV in Sherman, Texas, that her 4-year-old daughter was shot in the head, her 5-year-old child has a skull fracture and that her 1-year-old has gunshot wounds on her face. The state agency has not released the names of the detectives, who have since been placed on paid leave. The agency and local police also have not said how they connected Smith to the robbery of a restaurant earlier this month. Authorities have not said if Smith fired a weapon in the confrontation with police on Friday. A statement from OSBI on Monday said the investigation is ongoing and evolving and that when it is complete, a report will be submitted to the local district attorneys office for review. Since the time of the incident on Friday afternoon, the OSBI has had agents on the ground collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses, the agency said. Rodney Cox grew up in Hugo, a town with about 5,200 residents, and was leading demonstrations there Monday. He and others are asking for local and state officials to show any police videos of the shooting and for a public release of a report on the incident. Residents also want to know if the officers involved were appropriately trained. If those were your kids in the car, how would you feel about the situation and what would you want to be done? said Cox, who now lives in Oklahoma City. Were not hearing much right now. Calls to the Hugo Police Department went unanswered Monday afternoon, and the department Facebook page was no longer available. State Rep. Justin Humphreys district includes Hugo. He said Monday that he met with community leaders over the weekend and is pushing authorities to be open about the investigation. Theres no question the community has a right to be concerned, and I think these requests are reasonable, Humphrey said. Ive been in contact with the OSBI and have asked that they work with me to make the investigation as transparent and as open as we can. The police chief in Paris, Texas, whose officers arrested Smith on Friday after he was treated and released from a hospital there, said hes also not clear on aspects of the Oklahoma investigation. Chief Bob Hundley said hed seen reports that the children were shot in the head and others that their injuries were not life-threatening. The only information Ive been made aware of is conflicting information, Hundley said. Smith was being held Monday on an aggravated robbery complaint in the jail in Choctaw County, Oklahoma. Jail records dont indicate he has an attorney to speak on his behalf. Smith is suspected in an April 11 armed robbery at a Pizza Hut in Hugo, about 180 miles (290 kilometers) southeast of Oklahoma City and near the Texas state line. A now-unavailable post on the Hugo police Facebook page said a man entered a back door of the restaurant, pressed an object to an employees back and demanded money. Police said the worker handed over cash and the robber left. ___ Associated Press writers Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City and Jake Bleiberg in Dallas, and AP researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed to this report. 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. SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. Saratoga Regional YMCA recently joined Nexamps community solar program and is hosting an information meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday for people interested in learning more about it. The hour-long session will be held at the YMCA on West Avenue in Saratoga Springs. Community solar is a program in which residents subscribe at no cost to a share of a local solar farm rather than installing solar panels on their own home. This is an important option, because many people may not have a roof suitable for solar panels, may rent their home or apartment, or may not have the resources to purchase solar panels. Consumers who enroll in a community solar farm save roughly 10 percent on their regular utility bill. The Nexamp community solar farm project is proposed for Brunswick, Rensselaer County. It is open to any New York state resident who gets their electricity through National Grid. Nexamp has more than a dozen such projects in operation or under construction across the state. Each location features a large solar array that enerates power fed to the local grid. The utility issues credits for that energy, and those credits are allocated to subscribers to help reduce their regular monthly bill. For information go to: www.capitaldistrictsolar.info. The perks of being an Amazon Prime member keep getting better. Although the company recently upped its membership fees, it is making sure customers are getting what they want and need with its services. Most recently, Amazon has announced it will begin rolling out one-day shipping for Prime members. Amazon One-Day Shipping for Prime Members Were currently working on evolving our Prime free two-day shipping program to be a free one-day shipping program, Chief Financial Officer Brian Olsavsky said. Company executives expect to see a slight decrease in profits when adding the new service. Amazon expects to spend $800 million in the second quarter facilitating this change. Previously, the companys two-day shipping offer is its biggest selling point. Amazon believes that by providing one-day shipping around the world more people will look at signing up for Prime. One-day shipping and same-day shipping is available on select products now. However, the change will make it so all Prime members can get next-day shipping. We have been offering obviously faster-than-two-day shipping for Prime members for years one day, same day, even down to two-hour delivery for Prime Now so were going to continue to offer same day and Prime Now morphing into, or evolving into, a free one-day offer, Olsavsky stated. Amazon has begun rolling free one-day shipping to Prime members in certain area codes. The company will continue expanding the one-day shipping option over the next quarter. Other Companies Scrambling to Compete Retailers have been eyeing Amazon as the main competitor for a few years. Walmart, Target, and other stores have begun offering same-day pickup, next-day shipping, and even grocery pickup. One-day shipping with Amazon ratchets up the pressure on retailers across the spectrum to offer faster shipping, John Zolidis, president of Quo Vadis Capital said. But both Walmart and Target are leading Amazon in terms of these shipping options they are the ones with the best solutions already in place. However, one-day shipping isnt where the real war is to be won. Most consumers are still yearning for free same-day shipping. And in reality, Walmart and Target are in the best position to offer that because each retailer has thousands of stores. This provides access to most of the population of the United States. Walmart Shipping Options Free two-day shipping has been available at Walmart.com for two years. The retailer offers this shipping option on millions of items online. There are no fees associated with free two-day shipping. Online shoppers will need to have a total of $35 or more though. Additionally, Walmart offers same-day grocery delivery to more than 40 percent of the U.S. For those who dont have same-day grocery delivery, same-day pickup is available at more than 2,100 stores. Walmart has installed pickup towers in 700 of its 4,000 stores in the U.S. that allow for quick pickup of any non-grocery items. Same-Day Shipping With Target Target has partnered with Shipt to offer same-day delivery. Like Amazon, you will have to pay an annual fee for Shipt ($99). So, Walmart still has a leg up on Target and Amazon where pricing is concerned. Target will also begin to offer same-day drive-up pickup options at most of its stores by the end of 2019. Drive up services will allow customers to pick up their items without getting out of their cars. Amazons latest move has Prime members chattering but, when it comes down to it, the other major retailers are keeping up. The main struggle will be left to be seen in department stores and other specialty retailers. Read More First-generation student takes on the world UofSC Pickering Fellow hopes to connect cultures through foreign service career Adriana Bowman believes the world can become a smaller place if people of different cultures are able to connect on a meaningful level. As the recipient of multiple scholarships that have helped her study abroad and immerse herself in foreign languages and cultures, Bowman is hoping to do her part to make those connections happen. She is currently studying Hindi in India on a Boren Scholarship as part of the South Asian Flagship Language Initiative. This year she was one of 30 recipients nationwide of the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship for students interested in a foreign service career with the U.S. Department of State. The best part about going to places with cultures so different from our own is the exciting things you learn and witness every day you are there, says Bowman, a senior in the South Carolina Honors College. Whether that is trying fried bugs in a rural village in China or being stuck in traffic because an elephant is being ridden to a wedding in India. So even though I was super nervous each time, I was excited for a new adventure. You never know what to expect or how the experience will change you. Honors College junior Adriana Bowman is one of 30 recipients nationwide of the Pickering Fellowship awarded to students interested in a foreign service career. She is currently studying in India. After an application process she describes as intense, Bowman says receiving the Pickering Fellowship was one of the most validating experiences of her life. Finalists usually travel to Washington, D.C., for an in-person interview. Bowman was in India, so hers was done on Skype during one of the countrys biggest holidays. I like to think the fireworks going off in the background helped me in the interview, she says. Jennifer Bess in the Office of Fellowships and Scholar Programs says that Bowman is a great example of someone who doesnt give up. She was a finalist for the Pickering Fellowship in 2018 but didnt win. She has applied for a lot of fellowships, and shes won several awards, but shes also not won awards. She just kept thinking through not reinventing herself but thinking OK that one didnt work, lets try something different or try that one again. She also is always really encouraging of her fellow students to let them know these opportunities exist, Bess said. With the Pickering Fellowship, Bowman plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh for graduate school and become a U.S. foreign service officer. She is an Opportunity Scholar and Ronald E. McNair Scholar, as well as a recipient of the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship and the Critical Language Scholarship, both for study in China. She also was a 2018 finalist for the Payne International Development Fellowship and a 2019 finalist for the Rangel Fellowship, both for students interested in foreign service careers. Her major is economics with minors in Chinese and political science, and she developed an interest in foreign service after studying abroad in China her freshman year. I was often the first black person people saw, and they couldnt believe I was American. It was like I was introducing them to a whole new world. Besides that, it was amazing to learn about the Chinese language, Chinese society and even Chinese politics from Chinese people themselves and from my experiences in the country. From then on, I wanted to be able to showcase the many faces of America through public diplomacy as well as learn about other cultures, economies and governments firsthand. She sees winning the Pickering Fellowship not only as a reflection of her experiences and hard work at the university and abroad but also as a huge step toward her goal of becoming an ambassador. However, she says she is most proud of inspiring those around her to pursue their goals, no matter how difficult or far away they may seem. This may sound cliche, but I would say if I can do it, there is no reason you cant do it. You just have to put yourself out there and apply. Take advantage of every opportunity that you can, she says. The best part about going to places with cultures so different from our own is the exciting things you learn and witness every day you are there. ... You never know what to expect. Adriana Bowman Bowman, a first-generation college student from Lexington, says her low-income background has motivated her to succeed. One of her main inspirations and biggest cheerleaders was her father, who passed away while she was in India. Bowmans mother died when she was 11, so as a single father, he raised three girls. Even though he had never been to college or abroad, he tried his best to help me with each and every experience. Growing up with little and not knowing whether I would be able to go to college inspires me to take advantage of every opportunity, no matter how intimidating, Bowman says. I also want to be successful so that I can inspire other underprivileged people like myself to follow their dreams. Both of Bowmans sisters attend UofSC. Alysa is a freshman, and Nia is a junior. She also has a 9-year-old brother, who also hopes to become a Gamecock one day. Application process is a learning experience Students seeking national fellowships are assisted by the Office of Fellowships and Scholar Programs. Bowman says the support of the Office of Fellowships and Scholar Programs was invaluable in helping her discover opportunities, reading draft essays and setting up mock interviews. Even when she didnt win a fellowship, Bowman says the office helped her realize she could learn through the process and apply that knowledge to another application or opportunity. For more information, visit the Office of Fellowships and Scholar Programs website or call 803-777-0958. Share this Story! Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about Flinders University archaeologists are using cutting edge subsurface imaging technology to help assist community groups map unmarked graves and manage their cultural heritage. "This is a huge issue, particularly for rural communities," says Dr Ian Moffat, Senior Research Fellow in Archaeological Sciences at Flinders University. "Using geophysics provides a non-invasive and culturally appropriate way to map unmarked grave sites." Dr Moffat leads a group which recently published the results of using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and GPS surveys to non-invasively map the location of unmarked graves within the Lake Condah Mission Cemetery in Victoria, a state in Australia. Established in 1869, this cemetery remains an important site for the Gunditjmara community, because while it has only 26 marked graves, it is anecdotally thought to contain more than 100 graves. The GPR survey identified an additional 14 probable unmarked graves as well as 49 other areas that may contain one or more unmarked burials. advertisement "The great leap forward with this particular study was the close partnership between the Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Corporation and the researchers to achieve such a positive outcome," says Dr Moffat. "Many Australian Indigenous communities are anxious not to disturb graves, so this survey provides useful information to assist the Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Corporation in planning future burials within this cemetery by identifying large areas which are free of graves." Damein Bell, CEO of Gunditj Mirring says, "Our Elders informed the researchers of their knowledge of where the known graves were and our community now have marked the unknown gravesites of our ancestors." GPR is a geophysical technique that uses high frequency electromagnetic waves to image the subsurface, making it ideal for mapping changes in lithology or soil structure. Extensive subsurface disturbance present at the Lake Condah Mission Cemetery and the presence of many tree roots made the effective interpretation of GPR data difficult, but it was still possible to delineate areas where no unmarked graves are present. "This is an important outcome for managing the cultural heritage of the cemetery because it identifies areas where new graves can be emplaced in a culturally appropriate fashion," says Dr Moffat. "This demonstrates the utility of GPR as a means of effectively managing heritage sites containing unmarked graves, even when substantial subsurface disturbance is present." Dr Moffat believes the technique of using GPR and GPS readings will now have a much wider application across pioneer and heritage sites throughout Australia and will be undertaking surveys of other cemeteries at Lake Wangary, Berri and Kingscote over coming weeks. The research paper -- "Ground penetrating radar investigations at the Lake Condah Mission Cemetery: locating unmarked graves in areas with extensive subsurface disturbance," by Ian Moffat, Julia Garnaut, Celeste Jordan, Anthea Vella, Marian Bailey and Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Corporation -- has been published by the Journal of the Archaeological and Anthropological Society of Victoria. The use of potassium bromide in the production of graphene on a copper surface can lead to better results. When potassium bromide molecules arrange themselves between graphene and copper, it results in electronic decoupling. This alters the electrical properties of the graphene produced, bringing them closer to pure graphene, as reported by physicists from the universities of Basel, Modena and Munich in the journal ACS Nano. Graphene consists of a layer of carbon atoms just one atom in thickness in a honeycomb pattern and is the subject of intensive worldwide research. Thanks to its high level of flexibility, combined with excellent stability and electrical conductivity, graphene has numerous promising applications -- particularly in electronic components. Molecules for decoupling Graphene is often produced via a chemical reaction on metallic surfaces in a process known as chemical vapor deposition. The graphene layer and the underlying metal are then electrically coupled, which diminishes some of the special electrical properties of graphene. For use in electronics, the graphene has to be transferred onto insulating substrates in a multistep process, during which there is a risk of damage and contamination. In order to obtain defect-free, pure graphene, it is therefore preferable to decouple the graphene electrically from the metallic substrate and to develop a method that allows easier transfer without damage. The group led by Professor Ernst Meyer from the Department of Physics and the Swiss Nanoscience Institute (SNI) of the University of Basel is investigating ways of incorporating molecules between the graphene layer and the substrate after the chemical deposition process, which leads to this type of decoupling. Altering electrical properties In a study carried out by SNI doctoral student Mathias Schulzendorf, scientists have shown that potassium bromide is ideally suited to this. Potassium bromide is a soluble hydrogen bromide salt. Unlike the chemically similar compound sodium chloride, potassium bromide molecules arrange themselves between the graphene layer and the copper substrate. This was demonstrated by researchers in a variety of scanning probe microscopy studies. Calculations performed by colleagues at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Italy) explain this phenomenon: It is more energetically advantageous for the system if potassium bromide molecules arrange themselves between the graphene and copper than if they are deposited on the graphene -- as happens with sodium chloride. The researchers have shown that the intermediate layer of potassium bromide alters the electrical properties of graphene -- until they correspond to those expected for free graphene. "Our work has demonstrated that the graphene and the underlying metal can be decoupled using potassium bromide, bringing us a key step closer to producing clean and defect-free graphene," says project supervisor Dr. Thilo Glatzel, who is a member of Meyer's team. Breast cancer in young women is characterised by more aggressive biological features as compared to those arising in older patients but outcomes are good when guideline-recommended treatments are given, according to ESMO Spokesperson Dr. Matteo Lambertini from IRCCS Policlinico San Martino Hospital -- University of Genoa, Italy, commenting on results of two studies presented during the ESMO Breast Cancer Congress 2019, 2-4 May 2019 in Berlin, Germany. Young age per se is not a reason to give more intensive treatment highlighted Lambertini: "Women under 40 years of age tend to be diagnosed with more aggressive breast cancer types -- for example their tumours are more likely to be triple negative and HER2 positive. Despite this, survival and local recurrence rates are similar to those of the general population of breast cancer patients provided they receive appropriate treatment." The aggressiveness of the tumour The aggressiveness of tumours is illustrated in a study from Portugal in 207 patients under 35 years. (2) Of all breast cancers, 5% occur in women under 35, making it the most common cancer in women of this age group. Regarding tumour subtypes, 20% were triple negative, 28% HER2 positive, and 4% luminal A versus 67% luminal B, confirming the higher percentages of more aggressive tumour subtypes in young women. After a median follow-up of 53.5 months, 85% of women were alive, 26 patients had developed metastases and three a local recurrence. Study author Dr. Ines F. Eiriz, of the Hospital Prof. Doutor Fernando Fonseca, Amadora, Portugal, said: "Disease-free survival was longest in women with hormone receptor positive tumours, followed by those with HER2 positive disease, and lastly those with triple negative breast cancer. The median survival of patients without metastases was 130 months compared to 37 months for those with metastatic disease." (3) The recurrence of the tumour A Swiss study looking at breast cancer recurrence in 359 women aged 50 years or younger, showed that during a median follow-up of 45.6 months, 14 patients developed local recurrence, six developed distant metastases, and nine developed both. (4) The median time to recurrence was 31 months. The three- and five-year risks for local recurrence were 4.7% and 9.5%, respectively. Rates of disease free survival were 94.3% and 91.2% at three and five years, respectively. The rate of overall survival at five years was 93%. Study author Dr. Simona Cima, of the IOSI -- Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Bellinzona, Switzerland, said: "Most recurrences in these patients were local rather than metastatic. Our study is ongoing, and the next step is to identify predictors of local recurrence. For example, we will examine the likelihood of local recurrence according to HER2 and triple negative status." Lambertini said: "It's not true that being diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age means poorer survival or higher chances of the cancer coming back, and these studies further confirm that. Proper guideline-recommended treatments should be given to all breast cancer patients regardless of their age. Special attention should be paid in these women on the potential side effects of anticancer therapies including the risk of infertility." FLORENCE, S.C. Another challenger will soon be entering the race for Florence County sheriff. Chief Deputy Glen Kirby said he will hold a formal announcement of his candidacy to run as a Republican for the office late this week or early next week. I have over 31 years of law enforcement experience in Florence County, Kirby said. After overwhelming public and office personal encouragement, I decided to run. Kirby also has expressed that he believes Florence County residents deserve to be confident in their sheriffs office and that his experience as chief deputy has prepared him to continue to lead the office. Kirby has spent the past six years as Florence County chief deputy. During his law enforcement career, Kirby has served in uniform patrol, narcotics enforcement, public corruption investigation and on the FBI Task Force. I have dedicated my entire professional career to serving the people of Florence County, Kirby said in a news release issued late Sunday night. I am both blessed and overwhelmed by the support and encouragement to run that I have received. Bay Area TV news veteran Ed Arnow had a mustache, a thick pair of glasses, a dry sense of humor and a knack for getting people, famous and otherwise, to talk to him. Whether interviewing a Barbary Coast barker, or a San Francisco supervisor, or film director Woody Allen, Arnow kept a thin smile on his face and never took himself too seriously. Youve been robbing a bank all day, he said to Allen on the San Francisco set of a 1969 bank heist movie. Have you ever done anything else dishonest? Arnow died in his sleep on April 14 at his home in Discovery Bay. He was 95. In a four-decade career, Arnow worked for radio and TV stations KNBC, KPIX, KGO and KRON. He won awards for his coverage of immigrants and of the 1972 Nicaragua earthquake. He worked in Argentina, Brazil and Turkey, traveled to dozens of countries and taught journalism classes at UC Berkeley. He was one of the finest, said former KPIX news director Harry Fuller. A consummate pro who knew every pol and interviewable expert in town. And they all knew Ed. He was so quick and agile we called him The Roadrunner. For a 1976 story about a ballot proposition to legalize gambling, Arnow cranked away on antique slot machines. For a story on a Broadway strip club, Arnow dryly delivered a report while a female dancer gyrated in front of his face. He was a native of the Bronx, N.Y., and earned a bachelors degree from Syracuse University and masters degrees from Stanford University and San Francisco State University. An accomplished jazz trumpeter, Arnow played in a jazz band and regularly attended jazz concerts. He was a photographer and maintained his own darkroom. 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. Surviving are his wife of 28 years, Jo, of Discovery Bay; and daughters Stephanie Arnow of Sonoma, Joanna Barnes of Maui, and Doe Hayes of Fairfax. A private memorial gathering has been held. Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: srubenstein@sfchronicle.com Good morning, Bay Area. Its Monday, April 29. Heres what you need to know to start your day. Cyber community college By Oct. 1, California is supposed to open its first free, fully online community college. But there is no management team yet in place, and the rush to meet the state-imposed deadline has already led to controversy. Cybercampus President Heather Hiles pushed the governing board of Californias community college system to approve a no-bid contract for a friend and politically connected recruiter, whose job is to bring in key executives over two months. Several board members criticized the move, and executive recruiters who spoke to The Chronicle said the time frame that Hiles has to build her executive team is extremely tight and could place the programs quality at risk. Lunch line Jana Asenbrennerova / Special to The Chronicle I think from here on out, we should have whoever provides the meals cater the board meal, says Rachel Norton, San Francisco school board member. Lets eat what the kids eat. The San Francisco school board has refused to renew a contract to provide 30,000 school meals each day, citing frequent complaints that the food doesnt taste good. Sign up for Bay Briefing Like what you're reading? Subscribe to The Chronicle's Bay Briefing newsletter, and get the Bay Area's best journalism in your in-box every weekday. See More Collapse Without a contract, district officials have no way to feed students starting July 1. But the vote may be more bluster than bite. Education reporter Jill Tucker has more. Public safety? Last year Igor Perlov called the FBI in San Francisco to say he thought there was a chip under his skin and was being programmed to carry out a mass shooting. When police learned he had guns including a legally possessed rifle with a scope they found next to a window overlooking a school officers acted swiftly, placing the 31-year-old on an involuntary psychiatric hold. Now eight months later, hes out of the hospital and in jail, awaiting trial on one charge of unlawful possession of ammunition. Perlov denies having mental illness and says police are overreacting to some stupid stuff that I said while high on methamphetamine. Its a case that highlights a challenge for San Francisco and other cities: How to deal with a person authorities believe presented a risk of hurting others, but who hasnt committed a serious crime. Warriors win Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals on Sunday between the Warriors and Rockets featured sloppy passes, clanged jumpers and plenty of whistles, writes Connor Letourneau. But just two nights after he erupted for 50 points in the Warriors series-clinching victory over the Clippers, Kevin Durant was the driving force behind Golden States 104-100 win over the Rockets at Oracle Arena. With Stephen Curry mired in foul trouble and Klay Thompson nursing a sprained right ankle, Durant jolted the Warriors out of stagnant stretches, scoring 35 points in 43 minutes. More: Why were Warriors and Rockets players struggling to make 3-pointers? Deadly choice I made a stupid choice, says Mike Lawson, an Oakland resident who has Type 1 diabetes. That month I chose to pay for my car payment and to ration insulin. The amount of money Americans spent on insulin nearly doubled from 2012 to 2016, from $240 to $475 a month, and spending in 2017 continued to rise. As a result, Bay Area diabetics are increasingly seeking new ways to get, give away or exchange insulin cheaply or for free. Some are using unofficial channels on the Internet. Others are traveling to Mexico, where pharmacies sell some popular types of insulin for a fraction of the cost. Amid growing pressure, the drug companies and some insurers have announced plans to make insulin more affordable, but the moves fall short of many consumers expectations. 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. Around the bay Stealth HQ2: While the Bay Area did not win Amazons contest to host its second headquarters, or HQ2, the region already has more high-paying Amazon jobs about 7,000 white-collar workers than anywhere besides Seattle. Missing meals: Fewer residents of San Francisco and Marin counties are running out of food, as the number of low-income families in the region decreases and food banks increase their capacity, but hundreds of thousands of people still struggle to get three full meals every day. Tension at the Presidio: Fort Winfield Scott, just south of the Golden Gate Bridge, is the last large piece of the Presidio that hasnt been restored, and visions for its future are clashing, writes columnist John King. Saying goodbye: To many restaurant industry folks, Jardinieres closure represents the end of an era of San Francisco dining. Tangled up: Caltrans rebuild of the heavily used MacArthur Maze has been put on hold after local officials learned about the plan to reroute thousands of cars and trucks onto nearby city streets for up to three years. Chronicle Food + Wine Anne Chadwick Williams / Special to The Chronicle To the uninitiated, it might have looked like a big pile of dirt. But the 80 farmers, distillers and mezcal and Tequila enthusiasts who gathered at Muller Ranch in Woodland (Yolo County) on April 14 knew they were witnessing history. Underneath that big pile of dirt were three tons worth of pina, the fibrous heart of the agave plant, destined to be roasted, fermented and distilled to become Californias first commercial agave distillate. Esther Mobley interviews the man launching the mezcalifornia movement and explores why California, despite the popularity of Tequila and mezcal, hasnt made its own agave spirit before. Bay Briefing is written by Taylor Kate Brown and sent to readers email in-boxes on weekday mornings. Sign up for the newsletter here, and contact Brown at taylor.brown@sfchronicle.com An environmental activist who was forced to flee his home country of Liberia after receiving death threats joined protestors Monday in front of BlackRock offices in San Francisco to call on the finance firm to divest from companies that harvest palm oil and contribute to deforestation. On the same morning he was named a recipient of the Goldman Environmental Prize, a prestigious award recognizing grassroots environmental work around the world, Alfred Brownell donned a rubber hippo mask and lay on the steps in front of BlackRock to symbolize the pygmy hippos at risk of losing their habitats in Liberia. BlackRocks investment allows clear cutting of forests and displacement of indigenous people and the investment is destroying the pygmy hippo habitat, Brownell said. The group of about 20 protesters from Friends of the Earth, Amazon Watch and Rainforest Action Network staged the die-in and held banners showing lush tropical forests juxtaposed with banners of barren fields blaming BlackRock for the devastation. Many Americans are not aware of how they are contributing to the problem, Brownell said. Palm oil is in almost everything. Its ubiquitous. The massive demand is driving destruction. Palm oil is a vegetable oil common in processed foods, chocolate and baked goods, as well as household items like cosmetics, soap and cleaning products. As demand for the oil has increased, so has controversy over cultivation methods. Studies have found that oil palm tree plantations, from which palm oil is derived, have caused the deforestation of land across Africa, Asia and South America, where indigenous communities and animals have been displaced. British frozen food retailer Iceland announced in 2018 it would stop using palm oil in its products in response to the controversies. BlackRock invests in Golden Agri-Resources and Sime Darby Plantation, two companies that own palm oil plantations in Liberia. Protesters noted the hypocrisy in BlackRock investing in palm oil companies, while CEO Larry Fink penned a letter to executives calling on them to develop a social purpose. 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. To prosper over time, every company must not only deliver financial performance, but also show how it makes a positive contribution to society, Fink wrote in January 2018. Companies must benefit all of their stakeholders, including shareholders, employees, customers, and the communities in which they operate. At the end of Mondays protest, as San Francisco police officers dispersed the demonstrators, Brownell made his case to Barney Villa, the companys vice president for corporate resiliency, safety and security. Villa accepted Brownells letter and said he would deliver it to BlackRocks leadership. He declined The Chronicles request for comment on the subject of the letter or the protest. Brownell was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for his work protecting more than 513,000 acres of Liberian forest from clear-cutting by Golden Veroleum Liberia, a subsidiary of Golden Agri-Resources. Along with five other winners recognized for outstanding environmental work on different continents, Brownell was scheduled to be honored Monday night at a reception at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House featuring former Vice President Al Gore as keynote speaker. Ashley McBride is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ashley.mcbride@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ashleynmcb Users unfamiliar with the dialect in Central Visayas and some parts of Mindanao can now count on Google Translate to communicate better with the locals. Users versed in Cebuano but not in other languages can use the tool as well to comprehend information online or offline. More details after the jump. Google Translate now supports the Cebuano language and four others (Bosnian, Hmong, Javanese, and Marathi), reaching a milestone of more than 70 languages hosted. With the exception of Bosnian, the languages are in the early stages of development or alpha stage, and can be expected to improve over time. When combined, the added languages are spoken by over 183 million people in the world. Google Translate helps bridge the divide between the content available online and peoples ability to access that information, said Sveta Kelman, Google Translate Program Manager. Familiarizing ourselves with other languages broadens our comprehension for information. It adds more meaning and sincerity in a conversation, too. Cebuano is an important language to us and we hope to have helped ease the language barrier with Google Translate, added Gail Tan, Google Philippines Communications Manager. Google Translate can be accessed via the web at translate.google.com; on Android or iOS devices; via Google Chrome, and on Gmail. Read the official blog here. UC Berkeley police officials on Monday identified a man slain in Peoples Park and confirmed their primary suspect is the same man accused of killing relatives in Oakland and San Francisco before wounding an officer in Nevada, where he was arrested. The Peoples Park victim, shot on Friday afternoon, was 43-year-old Calvin Kelley. His connection to the shooting-spree suspect, 43-year-old Stefon Jefferson, was not immediately clear, nor were the circumstances of the violence in Berkeley. Jefferson, who has been held in Nevada on $1 million bail, was charged Monday by Douglas County prosecutors with attempted murder, including an enhancement with trying to kill a police officer, being a felon in possession of a firearm, attempting to elude police and stealing a car. He had a wild first court appearance, according to a local news report. I want to apologize to all the people involved in the fiasco involving me, Jefferson told the judge, according to The Record-Courier, referring to the injured deputy. I didn't mean to hurt him. Jefferson, at one point in the hearing, yelled at East Fork Justice of the Peace Cassandra Jones that he would represent himself and he refused to waive his right to a speedy trial, which is customary. The judge appointed him an attorney and told him he could face life in prison just on his Nevada charges. Jefferson was arrested near South Lake Tahoe, close to the California border, on Friday night after a shootout with police, according to the Douglas County Sheriffs Office. One Douglas County deputy was shot in the hand, while Jefferson was hit by a ricocheting bullet, the agency said. Neither injury was considered serious. 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. Oakland police said Jefferson shot and killed family member Marcus Jackson, of Oakland, on Friday around 10:14 a.m. on the 4100 block of Market Street. San Francisco police said Jefferson then traveled to their city and shot to death another family member, Laron Davis, 49, of San Francisco, around 1:30 p.m. Kelley was killed about 3:30 p.m. in Peoples Park, authorities said. Matthias Gafni is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: matthias.gafni@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mgafni A Stanford scientist has developed what could be the first simple blood test for chronic fatigue syndrome, a puzzling and often disabling illness that can take years to diagnose and is still largely misunderstood by mainstream medicine. The diagnostic test is built on Stanford biochemist Ron Davis discovery of a biological marker that distinguishes people with chronic fatigue syndrome from those who are healthy. A description of the biomarker and how it might be used was published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Assuming his results hold up under further study, the biomarker would be a critical breakthrough in research into the disease. It could make diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome much easier and help scientists develop treatments for the illness. And perhaps just as important, the biomarker provides further validation to a disease that has long been brushed aside or even labeled as imaginary. There are physicians around who say if there is no biomarker the disease doesnt exist, as far as theyre concerned, Davis said. So theres been a real effort to find a biomarker. Im hoping this will help the medical community accept that this is a real disease. Davis initial study was small, involving only 40 people, and he will need to reproduce his results in much larger trials before he can make the blood test widely available. But patients and scientists in the field said they were enthusiastic about the work so far. Its a major milestone. If it holds up in larger numbers, this could be a transformative advance, said Robert Naviaux, a genetics professor at UC San Diego who is familiar with the Stanford work but was not involved in the biomarker research. Chronic fatigue syndrome is thought to affect several million people in the United States, though some reports suggest as many as 90 percent of people who have it have not been diagnosed. The illness can cause severe fatigue, to the point that many people go years without being able to leave their beds and even more are unable to work or have normal social lives. In addition to the fatigue, symptoms can include chronic pain, problems with memory and concentration, gastrointestinal issues and extreme sensitivity to light, sound and smell. Multiple organ systems can be affected at once. One of the most common effects is known as post-exertional malaise, in which people suffer a severe worsening of symptoms after physical activity. The disease is formally called myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS); the former half is a reference to muscle pain associated with inflammation of the nervous system. Though chronic fatigue syndrome is the name most commonly associated with the illness, many patients, doctors and scientists avoid it because they say it makes light of the debilitating nature of the symptoms. There are no drug treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome. Indeed, Davis hopes that his diagnostic test could help scientists screen for drugs that may alleviate symptoms or cure the disease outright. It would also make it easier for doctors to identify participants for clinical trials, which could speed up research into the cause of the disease and the best ways to treat it. But the greatest advantage of a diagnostic tool would be for patients, many of whom endure years of frustration and misdiagnosis before finding out whats wrong with them. Davis findings would allow doctors and other providers to diagnose patients within hours based on a blood test, instead of sifting through a subjective array of symptoms. Jaime Seltzer, who works with the patient advocacy group ME Action, was diagnosed with the syndrome relatively quickly about five years ago because she knew others who had the disease and she recognized the symptoms. But she said many people not only wait years for a diagnosis, but are told in the meantime that their symptoms are in their heads, or that they can improve with exercise. And thats literally the worst advice you can give someone with ME, Seltzer said, given that post-exertional malaise is such a common symptom of the disease. Its absolutely mind-blowing, she said. But a biomarker can and will change that. Chronic fatigue syndrome currently is diagnosed through a checklist of symptoms. Its not a difficult diagnosis, said Maureen Hanson, a professor of molecular biology and genetics at Cornell University who helped develop the list. But many primary care doctors arent familiar with the symptoms or still arent convinced that the syndrome is real. 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. Most people with this disease see four or five physicians before theyre diagnosed, Hanson said. If there was a simple blood test to find out, to give an objective piece of data rather than a list of symptoms, that would be helpful to get an accurate diagnosis. The biomarker that Davis found is based on how immune cells respond to stress. In his studies, Davis collected blood from participants, then filtered the blood to a sample that contained only immune cells and plasma. He exposed the sample to salt, which is a stress to cells, requiring them to exert energy to retain an appropriate sodium balance. The stressed sample was then passed through a microchip about the size of a postage stamp, which used electric current to indirectly measure energy exertion. Less exertion meant the cells were having little trouble maintaining the sodium balance, and more exertion meant they were struggling. Davis found that the test correctly associated high energy expenditure with the 20 participants who were already known to have chronic fatigue syndrome. Blood samples taken from 20 healthy people had notably lower energy exertion. His research, which cost roughly $200,000, was funded almost entirely by a patient advocacy foundation. And Davis himself is a deeply invested patient advocate his son has had chronic fatigue syndrome for nearly a decade, and has been bed-bound for almost all that time. Hes 35. Hes already lost a good part of his life, Davis said. The good news is hes not getting worse. But I worry about him going downhill and that I wont figure this out before he dies. As excited as he is to have found a biological marker of the disease, we still need to know exactly whats causing it, Davis said. Then you can know how to treat it. You can cure it. Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday PG&E Corp.s top finance executive said Monday that the company wants to set up a special fund that would be used in part to assist cash-strapped people displaced by the Camp Fire, the historic Butte County blaze the bankrupt companys equipment is suspected of starting in November. Jason Wells, chief financial officer of the parent company of utility Pacific Gas and Electric Co., did not detail exactly how the fund would function but said PG&E is working with government officials to ensure it would not jeopardize any federal financial assistance provided to wildfire survivors. We understand the impact the fire has had on so many individuals, and as soon as we complete these discussions with the governmental agencies, it is our intention to file that motion, Wells said during a San Francisco meeting of creditors required as part of PG&Es bankruptcy court proceedings. Wells told Gerald Singleton, one of the attorneys representing various wildfire victims, that PG&E would have liked to have already filed this but has to complete an analysis into whether it would conflict with aid that the Federal Emergency Management Agency gives to disaster victims. He said the company wants to provide the most support to those most in need from the Camp Fire and and 2017 Northern California fires, many of which were caused by PG&E power lines, state investigators found. PG&E Corp. and its utility subsidiary filed for bankruptcy protection in January, citing wildfire liability from both years that could exceed $30 billion. Wells declined to answer questions about the specifics of the fund or when it might be created. He also said he could not estimate when PG&E will put forward a plan to reorganize its business in order to emerge from bankruptcy protection, noting that the company needs to have a better handle on the total claims exposure as well as any legal changes to wildfire liability laws. A state government strike force assembled by Gov. Gavin Newsom recently outlined a series of measures lawmakers should consider to change utility wildfire liability laws. The ideas include creating a new wildfire insurance fund and reforming the doctrine through which California utilities can be held strictly liable for fires started by their equipment, even if they were not negligent. Wells said theres a lot of work the state needs to do before arriving at a solution, but PG&E thinks the company and government officials can work constructively toward a common outcome in the current legislative session. At the meeting in a San Francisco federal court, Wells and another PG&E executive were first questioned at length by Assistant U.S. Trustee Timothy Laffredi on the details of some of the companys financial statements. Then attorneys who represent wildfire victims and other creditors had their chance to ask questions of Wells and David Thomason, controller of PG&E Corp. The questioning produced numerous tense exchanges over the course of several hours. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes One of the most emotional moments came when Bryan Montgomery, a Calaveras County survivor of the 2015 Butte Fire which the state has attributed to PG&E equipment addressed Wells directly. PG&E had agreed to pay many Butte Fire survivors but hasnt followed through since the bankruptcy filing a delay Montgomery wanted to reconcile. Wells told him PG&E believes that filing for bankruptcy protection allows the company to more quickly resolve all the wildfire claims against it than it would be able to accomplish otherwise. Montgomery wasnt satisfied. It aint ever gonna be the same for me, he told the PG&E executives and their lawyers. I lost my faith in humanity, and you guys are part of that. J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com, Twitter: @thejdmorris San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera said on Monday that his office will seek to scrap the citys controversial gang injunction program by the end of the year, following a significant drop in street violence and homicides over the past 13 years. The announcement comes after Herrera removed 80% of the names from the citys Western Addition gang injunction list and launched similar reviews for three other injunction areas: Bayview-Hunters Point, the Mission and Visitacion Valley. The civil court orders bar listed people from engaging in certain behavior, including flashing gang signs, loitering and painting graffiti in designated neighborhoods. Violators faced misdemeanor charges if they broke the order, or stronger penalties if they committed a felony. Im pleased that these gang injunctions worked, Herrera said in a statement. They were never intended to be a panacea for gang violence, but they have been one small piece in a larger public safety picture that has seen homicides and violent crime plummet in San Francisco. The effort to eliminate the injunctions needs San Francisco Superior Court approval to take effect Dec. 31. Activists, police reform advocates and some city leaders, including the late Public Defender Jeff Adachi, have pressured Herrera to do away with the gang injunction program. Critics of the injunctions have long said the measures contribute to racial profiling and police harassment. All of the original 150 individuals listed on San Franciscos injunctions are people of color, according to activists. Today is a win for social justice, San Francisco District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton said in a statement. This protects the civil rights of people of color and allows individuals the opportunity to positively re-enter society without additional obstacles. Herreras decision comes as other cities around California have phased out their gang injunctions. Oakland dropped its program in 2015, and last year a federal judge blocked Los Angeles from enforcing its injunctions. Herrera brought the first of the citys injunctions against the Oakdale Mob in Bayview-Hunters Point in 2006, before going after six other alleged street gangs over the next four years. The injunctions rely on police evidence to identify alleged gang members and ban them from engaging in certain activities in neighborhood safety zones. Violating an injunction is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail. 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. Since the injunctions began, street violence, shootings and homicides have sharply declined in San Francisco. There were nearly 100 killings a year between 2005 and 2008, but homicides dropped to half that number in 2009 and annual totals have remained well under triple digits since that time. Im supportive where were going with this, San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said. If we have an uptick in gang-related violence, the city attorney still has the option to reinstitute an injunction to address it. We are not where we were when the injunctions started. I think it was a thoughtful decision. District 1 Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer, who called a special meeting last year at City Hall to review the gang injunctions, welcomed the city attorneys move. This forward-thinking change to the gang-injunction policy recognizes that San Francisco is in a very different place than in 2007, when these injunctions were first implemented, as our neighborhoods have undergone dramatic changes, she said in a statement. Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky The question of whether John Lee Cowell is guilty of murder in the brutal knife attack on Nia Wilson last year on a BART station platform will remain on hold for at least the next several weeks. Instead, the case is marching toward a different type of trial one that will determine whether Cowell is competent to assist in his defense. Alameda County Superior Court Judge James Cramer is likely to schedule a competency trial on May 6, after prosecutors and defense attorneys failed to reach an agreement on the matter. Two mental health professionals couldnt reach a consensus on Cowells state of mind. While one of the court-appointed experts said Cowell isnt fit to stand trial, the other couldnt make a determination. Cowells defense attorneys have noted his long history of mental health problems, including delusional statements and numerous involuntary psychiatric holds 22 in a span of six years. But prosecutor L.D. Louis remains unconvinced. We have no evidence that this individual actually has a mental disorder, Louis told Cramer last week. Wilsons family members, who show up at each hearing, share that opinion. Hes competent, and they know it, Tomisha Wilson, one of Nia Wilsons sisters, said outside the Oakland courtroom last week. Christina Moore, Cowells public defender, told the judge that she has shared Cowells psychiatric history with prosecutors. But Louis countered that the information was limited. She has subpoenaed numerous agencies for Cowells treatment history; defense attorneys have argued that the scope is too broad and violates confidentiality. Louis suggested Cowell, who has spent the last several years in and out of lockup, could have been detained in the past for substance abuse, rather than mental health issues. Though a defendants competency is often questioned in criminal cases, the matter rarely rises to the level of a trial, said Alameda County Deputy Public Defender Jeff Chorney. He said defense attorneys cannot ethically proceed to trial if they believe their client doesnt understand whats happening or cant assist in the defense. Competency to stand trial and pleading guilty by reason of insanity are separate legal concepts. Competency deals with the defendants ability to assist in his defense at the time of trial, while a not guilty by reason of insanity plea relates to mental state at the time of the crime. A defendant found incompetent to stand trial is committed to a psychiatric hospital until competency is restored. After that, criminal proceedings resume. On the evening of July 22, Cowell allegedly stabbed 18-year-old Nia Wilson and her 26-year-old sister, Letifah, in the neck as they were exiting a BART train at MacArthur Station in Oakland. The elder sister survived. Security footage captured the attack, police said, and Cowell was arrested the next day. He is charged with murder and attempted murder. Louis has argued that the defense should be required to turn over more of Cowells medical and mental health history, and that prosecutors should be allowed to hire a third doctor to examine Cowell on the competency issue. Judge Cramer agreed. Under the law, the records and Cowells interview cannot be used in a criminal trial. Cowell, who rarely speaks in court, posed a question to Cramer on Wednesday through his attorney. Does that mean Im going to Napa? Moore relayed. The question probably referred to the psychiatric hospital there. Ill answer that at a later date, Cramer said. Indentured servitude: A San Bruno woman was arrested Wednesday for allegedly forcing a Filipino immigrant into indentured servitude, authorities said. Maria Delosreyes, 45, and her husband, 55-year-old Ricardo Fernandez Delosreyes, were accused of bringing the victim to the United States on a visitor visa. They told the woman they would help her find a job and provide an opportunity for a better life so she could send money back to her family, San Bruno police Lt. Ryan Johansen said. When she got here, they basically indentured her into a life serving as a personal servant at the residence, he said. The couple forced the woman to care for their developmentally disabled child and work at a dental business, Johansen said. 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. Police said an acquaintance of the victim suspected something was amiss in 2016 after talking with the woman, and the conversation dissuaded her from returning to the familys home before reporting her situation later that year. Shortly thereafter, the couple fled for the Philippines, police said. Investigators received a tip this year that Maria Delosreyes had returned to the U.S., and she was arrested Wednesday. She posted $250,000 bail. Her husband is still believed to be in the Philippines, Johansen said. Maria Delosreyes faces nine charges, including human trafficking, conspiracy, grand theft, medical fraud and unemployment insurance/tax fraud. She is due in court May 29. Biggest crime news of the past week The case of a 31-year-old San Francisco man who allegedly thought he was being programmed to carry out a mass shooting has raised a difficult question: how should society deal with people who pose a threat to others but have not committed a serious crime? Authorities said the man who injured eight people with his car in Sunnyvale targeted the pedestrians and cyclists because he thought they were Muslims, raising tensions in the area just days before Ramadan. An explainer on the slew of police misconduct records that have been made public over the first four months o the year. Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern is closing Glenn E. Dyer jail in downtown Oakland as a cost-cutting measure, but the move does come with some drawbacks. Fremont police released video footage of a fatal shooting from earlier this month, which involved a suspect with a deadly vendetta against cops, authorities said. Megan Cassidy and Gwendolyn Wu are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com, gwendolyn.wu@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy, @gwendolynawu The SF-Marin Food Bank finally has good news to report: Fewer residents are running out of food than in previous years. The bad news is that hundreds of thousands of people still struggle to get three full meals every day. The decrease from 42 million missing meals in 2016 to 35 million missing meals in 2017 is partly because of the fact that food banks and other nonprofits increased what they were able to provide, according to the SF-Marin Food Banks 2019 Missing Meals report, an annual analysis from the nonprofit organization. As we distribute more food, we should be seeing the number of meals needed go down, said Paul Ash, executive director of the food bank. But the shift also points to another changing dynamic in the region, he said, with fewer low-income residents living in the two counties from 2015 to 2017, according to census data. It doesnt solve our problem of hunger, but its certainly notable that low-income people struggle to live and work in San Francisco, he said. The report looks at the number of people who earn less than 200% of the federal poverty level, then multiplies that number by the total number of meals needed annually. From that number, it is determined how many of those meals residents should be able to afford, and how many subsidized meals they can get from both government and nonprofit sources such as food pantries, school lunches and food stamps. Whatever is left counts as missing meals. Photos by Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle The number has steadily gone down since a high of 62 million missing meals in 2013, but the report still concludes that 1 out of 7 meals is unaccounted for in two of the nations wealthiest counties. Thats why the SF-Marin Food Bank just announced plans to expand its two warehouses, with a goal of increasing its capacity for food distribution from the current 48 million pounds annually to 70 million pounds by 2040. The SF-Marin Food Bank provides the majority of the produce, meat, dairy products and dry goods given out at food pantries throughout the city and Marin County, as well as the food that gets turned into meals at homeless shelters, senior centers and after-school programs. One recipient is the Richmond Neighborhood Center, located in a neighborhood that is usually considered a middle-class, residential enclave. The center began hosting a food pantry for neighbors in 2005. As the need grew, it added a home-delivered grocery program for seniors in 2015 and increased to two pantries per week in 2016. Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle The economic inequality thats happening in the city has been increasing so much in the past few years, said Executive Director Michelle Cusano, who said the pantries serve 680 households a week and has recently seen an increase in younger and homeless people requesting food assistance. A lot of this is hidden. It took us having this one food pantry to start shining the light on what the need is on the neighborhood. Another issue raised by the report is that the level of income that is used to determine need 200% of the federal poverty line, or $51,500 for a family of four may no longer be the most accurate gauge as the cost of living increases, said Anne Quaintance, chief government affairs officer at Meals on Wheels in San Francisco, which delivers meals to homebound seniors and people with disabilities. The organization partners with the SF-Marin Food Bank in a grocery delivery program. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Meals on Wheels clients, who self-report their income, tend to earn around 300% of the federal poverty line, or $77,250 for a family of four, said Quaintance, who is also a founding member and chairwoman of the citys Food Security Task Force. Thats why the decrease in missing meals doesnt necessarily mean that people who have minimum wage or part-time jobs, or who are living on fixed incomes such as Social Security, are not struggling, she said. The way that Ingleside resident Jacques White looks at it, the food pantry he goes to each week at his daughters Glen Park elementary school, Dolores Huerta, is a lifeline. Currently an Uber driver, he hasnt had steady work since he lost his job in the mortgage industry during the recession and supports both his 11-year-old daughter and 80-year-old mother. The box he gets at the pantry, which is full of rice, meat and, most of all, fruit and vegetables he chops up the latter for soups that last most of the week helps keep his family afloat, he said. Trying to make ends meet in San Francisco is hard, White said. The cost to buy food is crazy. Tara Duggan is The San Francisco Chronicles assistant food editor. Email: tduggan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @taraduggan After 20 years as a wine buyer, sommelier and winery sales manager, Jason Cooper finally wanted to open his own wine shop. But he knew that wasnt a realistic plan. Traditional wine retail is becoming a tougher and tougher business with the transition to online and the expansion of places like Total Wine and BevMo, he said. So hes doing the next best thing: a wine bar with a strong retail component. The new bar, Velvet 48, will open in downtown Burlingame at 310 Lorton Ave. on May 3. The 1,500-square-foot, 49-seat bar will carry more than 400 wines from around the globe: Europe, South America, Australia and New Zealand will all be represented with a hefty dose of California. I wanted to introduce people to some of the names you dont see that often but are considered classics among the wine industry, he said. Expect to see selections from Shafer Vineyards, Dom Perignon and Antinori Tignanello. Unlike a lot of the Bay Areas more trendy recent wine bar openings, Velvet 48 wont stock any natural wine. Instead, sparkling wine will be a focus, and the bar will greet all guests with a free glass of bubbles via Velvet 48s own private label made in collaboration with Healdsburgs Rack & Riddle. A 17-foot-high wall will be stocked with more than 1,300 bottles, with carts full of more wines ready for perusal. Guests will have to option to buy them to enjoy in the contemporary space designed by Kara Piepmeyer of ROY Hospitality Design or to take home. Theres no corkage fee. Nat & Cody Photography Cooper said hes pricing the bottles higher than most retail venues but much lower than restaurants and bars he wants Velvet 48 to be affordable. Thats also why hes offering a 25 percent off discount to anyone who buys at least six bottles at a time as well as by-the-glass options starting at $11. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Food offerings will be simple: cheese, charcuterie, olives, gougeres. After all, there are plenty of other options in the neighborhood for a full meal. There are a lot of places that call themselves wine bars but are restaurants with slightly larger wine lists, Cooper said. Burlingame needed a wine bar. Janelle Bitker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: janelle.bitker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @janellebitker The Trump administration must enforce rules it has tried to block that would require online colleges to notify their students, who number in the millions nationwide, whenever a college has failed to meet state standards or is under state investigation, a federal magistrate in San Francisco has ruled. Even before the ruling, however, the administration reached a tentative agreement to allow most of the rules to take effect, according to an observer of the negotiations. The regulations were adopted by the federal Department of Education in December 2016 in the final weeks of the Obama administration, and were scheduled to take effect in July 2018. But organizations representing hundreds of online colleges complained that the changes would be costly and burdensome, and education secretary Betsy DeVos put the rules on hold until at least July 2020 and indicated she might revise or eliminate them. DeVos lacked legal justification for delaying the notification rules, U.S. Magistrate Laurel Beeler ruled Friday. Federal education law requires DeVos department to negotiate with a committee of stakeholders, including students and their legal advocates, before changing rules that affect access to higher education, Beeler said. She said DeVos claim that she did not have enough time for negotiations does not exempt her from the law. The supposed lack of time resulted from the departments own delay in acting until shortly before the new rules were to take effect, Beeler said. Beeler ordered DeVos to enforce the student-notification rules but put her order on hold for 30 days, which would give the administration time to seek a stay from a higher court. But Clare McCann, a deputy director of the nonprofit New America, a nonpartisan think tank, said Department of Education representatives had tentatively agreed with advocates for students and other negotiators earlier this month to enforce the core of the 2016 rules: authority for states to regulate online colleges where their residents are enrolled. It gives states back their authority to protect their students, said McCann, who observed the negotiating session. Under the tentative agreement, she said, the Obama administration rules would be in effect until July 2020, and after that the schools would still have to follow state regulation but would no longer have to disclose whether states or accrediting agencies had taken actions against them. DeVos, McCann said, could still change course and try to overturn all of the regulations. The Department of Education did not respond to a request for comment. The suit was filed by the National Education Association, the nations largest teachers union, and its state affiliate, the 325,000-member California Teachers Association. CTA President Eric Heins said Monday that DeVos attempt to repeal the regulations would have removed students protections from predatory online universities. More than 6.3 million students enrolled in at least one online course in 2016, according to federal data. The multistate operations pose regulatory challenges more complex than those in a single state. President Barack Obamas Department of Education said government investigators and others had expressed concerns over fraudulent practices and had found misuse of federal funds and gaps in consumer protections for students. The rules would require the colleges to disclose whether they were authorized to operate in the state in which their students live, whether they met state standards for operation, and whether any state or school-accreditation agency had sued them or taken any action against them. The colleges would also have to disclose whether their programs met states standards to qualify students for particular occupations, like teaching, and spell out the process for submitting consumer complaints to each state. In announcing the delay in May 2018, DeVos department said the rules raised issues that were more complex than we understood when we considered them in 2016 under Obama, and there was no time to negotiate changes. Beeler said the department identified no emergency that would exempt it from normal rule-making standards. Beeler also cited a growing list of court rulings declaring that Trump administration attempts to roll back past regulations on pesticides, student lenders and auto manufacturers, among others violated federal law. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko The event created opportunities for the Vietnamese people in Cambodia to look back on the countrys magnanimous war for national liberation four decades ago, to which the Vietnamese expatriates in Cambodia had made important contributions. Vice Chairman of the Khmer-Vietnamese Association Chau Van Chi expressed his gratitude to the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Vietnamese State, and committed to doing his utmost to promote solidarity among the Vietnamese community in Cambodia. Meanwhile, Chairman of the associations chapter in Phnom Penh Huynh Minh Phu delivered his thanks to war martyrs, wounded and ill soldiers, and families who rendered services to the national liberation cause. He said that the Khmer-Vietnamese Association will promote solidarity and friendship with Cambodian people and local authorities while enhancing communication work among Vietnamese people in Cambodia to ensure that they abide by legal regulations in the host nation. The event also featured art performances staged by students from Khmer-Vietnam Tan Tien friendship primary school. When Beto ORourke arrived on a small square stage raised in the middle of San Franciscos Irish Cultural Center on Sunday, he apologized for being a bit late. Our plane out on the tarmac for 30 or 40 minutes all I could think of, ORourke said, was high-speed rail. Halfway through his four-day tour of the Golden State, Texas presidential hopeful ORourke stopped in San Francisco to make his 2020 pitch: He will be the candidate who makes the United States great, for everybody. I dont care to whom you pray or who you love; how many generations youve been in this country, or whether you just got here this morning, ORourke said in a half-hour speech that touched on income inequality, family separation at the border and climate change. All that matters to me is that we are Americans first. We have challenges before us, and we will overcome them. At the cultural center in the Outer Sunset District it was standing room only for ORourke, 46, the former congressman who vaulted to national stardom during last years midterm race, when he nearly unseated Republican Sen. Ted Cruz. In his speech, ORourke pledged to support government-insured universal health care coverage commonly referred to as Medicare for All as well as a return to the Paris climate agreement. The Democrat also condemned President Trumps stance on immigration, without naming him. Sarahbeth Maney / Special to the Chronicle We have a country, said ORourke, who slipped into Spanish throughout his speech, that threatens to send more than 1 million Dreamers back to a country they do not know, whose language they do not speak, where they do not have family. And when theyre there and successful against those long odds, theyll be successful for that place not here, in San Francisco, not in California, not the United States of America. You have to ask yourself how we got to this point. The candidate also vowed, if elected, to make it easier for young people to register to vote; close the pay gap for women and minority workers; and bolster paid family leave in the U.S. Early in his remarks, ORourke thanked the crowd for being there for us in that Senate race in Texas. His campaign raised $5.5 million through 24,804 contributions from California. (Some people gave multiple times.) Thats more than the $4.2 million that Sen. Dianne Feinstein raised from 7,025 California donations. Though he failed to win a Senate seat, the Democrat from El Paso found a base of supporters in California urging him to run for president. Before he announced his candidacy about six weeks ago, Draft Beto volunteer organizers held 14 parties across the state to add members to their ranks. But ORourke faces stiff competition in California, or Kamalaland, as one supporter put it while waiting in line for the town hall to start Sunday. Presidential hopeful Sen. Kamala Harris hails from Oakland. Gabriela Hofmeyer, a longtime San Francisco resident who said she went to the same elementary school as ORourke in El Paso, a year above him, said she is optimistic that locals will take a researched approach in choosing a candidate. She arrived early, with two children in tow, to get in line Sunday. Carrie Whiting, a physician assistant, passed with a box of doughnuts and offered a chocolate-frosted eclair to the youngest Hofmeyer. She picked up the pastries in Vallejo, a pit stop on the way from her home in Redding, 200-plus miles away. She made the drive as a really big fan, who knocked on doors for ORourke in Dallas during last years midterm race. She is starting to worry about his level of recognition in a crowded presidential field. I thought there would be crowds, Whiting said, surveying a modest line, in which she stood second. I hope a lot of people who arent sure about him will come and hear what he has to say, said Kat Haas, a nonprofit worker who had buttons emblazoned with ORourkes face on her messenger bag. The San Leandro resident said she signed up to man the line and collect voter information cards, in order to ensure her admission to the event. She started following the former congressman during his Senate run and liked his unscripted way of talking. Thats what we need, Haas said, someone who inspires people. Melia Russell is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: melia.russell@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meliarobin Two Northern California residents were killed in off-road vehicle accidents at a California state park in a single week, officials said. The deaths happened near Vent Pipe at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, a section of state park near Pismo Beach that's open to recreational vehicles. Chor Vang, 34, was the most recent victim, said Chief Ranger Kevin Pearce in a press release. The Sacramento man was riding rented ATVs with friends on Friday, April 19 when he was tossed from his vehicle and struck by it. ALSO: Woman walking two dogs killed in Marin The accident may have been caused when Vang braked at the top of a dune, investigators said. No one else was injured. The previous Friday Narcissa Lichtman, 44, of San Jose, died after her recreational off-highway vehicle crashed from a 25- to 35-foot dune and started rolling, Pearce said. A man and child were in the vehicle with Lichtman and sustained injuries. Lichtman had been traveling in a party of five vehicles, which investigators said were driving at speeds of approximately 60 miles per hour. Three of the vehicles in the party crashed, though they did not collide. ALSO: Police investigating sexual assault at Cal fraternity The man and child in Lichtman's vehicle were transported to a local hospital, where Lichtman was later pronounced dead. Those in the other crashed vehicles sustained minor injuries and were released at the scene. Investigators do not believe alcohol to be a factor in the crashes. Located a few miles south of Pismo Beach, Oceano Dunes is one of the only California beaches where vehicles are permitted to drive along the shoreline. Read Michelle Robertson's latest stories and send her news tips at michelle.robertson@sfgate.com. Start receiving breaking news emails on wildfires, civil emergencies, riots, national breaking news, Amber Alerts, weather emergencies, and other critical events with the SFGATE breaking news email. Click here to make sure you get the news. BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) Berkeley Police say they are investigating the sexual assault by two men of a University of California, Berkeley student at a fraternity house. Berkeley Police spokesman Officer Byron White says the student reported being assaulted after midnight Sunday at an off-campus fraternity. Google Maps An elderly woman walking two dogs was killed by a suspected drunk driver as she was crossing Butterfield Road near Caletta Avenue in San Anselmo late Saturday. One of the dogs also died, while the other was injured, according to Central Marin Police. Here's what we know: Steve Bobzien / Special to The Chronicle Katharina Pierini / Special to The Chronicle California Dept. of Fish and Gam / AP Who says mountain lions don't go shopping? A mountain lion was discovered in a brick planter box near the Macy's store at the Santa Rosa Plaza in downtown Santa Rosa Monday morning. At 9:44 a.m., Santa Rosa Police announced wildlife officers were sedating the animal. "Avoid the area of B Street between 4th and 7th Streets," police warned. By 10 a.m., the procedure was done and police announced it was safe to go downtown. Battalion Chief Jason Jenkins told the Press Democrat the animal will be relocated. By Chris Hedges April 29, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - THE BEAVER LAKE CREE NATION, Treaty No. 6 Area, Canada. I am driving down a rutted dirt road with Eric Lameman, a member of the Cree nation. Over there, he says, pointing out where he was born in a tent 61 years ago. We stop the car and look toward a wooded grove. Thats the mass grave, he says softly, indicating a clearing where dozens of Cree who died in a smallpox epidemic over a century ago are buried. The Cree have been under relentless assault since the arrival of the European colonialists in the 1500s. Now the 500 inhabitants of the Cree reserve, where many live in small, boxy prefabricated houses, are victims of a new iteration of colonial exploitation, one centered on the extraction of oil from the vast Alberta tar sands. This atrocity presages the destruction of the ecosystem on which they depend for life. If the Cree do not stop the exploiters this time, they, along with the exploiters, will die. The reserve is surrounded by the tar sands, one of the largest concentrations of crude oil in the world. The sands produce 98% of Canadas oil and are the United States largest source of imported oil. This oil, among the dirtiest fossil fuels on earth, is a leading cause of atmospheric pollution, releasing massive amounts of carbon dioxide. The production and consumption of one barrel of tar sands crude oil release 17% more carbon dioxide than production and consumption of a standard barrel of oil. Tar sands oil is a thick, mucky, clay-like substance that is infused with a hydrocarbon called bitumen. The oil around Beaver Lake is extracted by a process known as steam-assisted gravity drainage, which occurs under the earth and is similar to fracking. Farther north, extraction is done by strip-mining the remote boreal forest of Alberta, 2 million acres of which have already been destroyed. The destruction of vast forests, sold to timber companies, and the scraping away of the topsoil have left behind poisoned Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter wastelands. This industrial operation, perhaps the largest such project in the world, is rapidly accelerating the release of the carbon emissions that will, if left unchecked, soon render the planet uninhabitable for humans. The oil is transported thousands of miles to refineries as far away as Houston through pipelines and in tractor-trailer trucks or railroad cars. More than a hundred climate scientists have called for a moratorium on the extraction of tar sands oil. Former NASA scientist James Hansen has warned that if the tar sands oil is fully exploited, it will be game over for the planet. He has also called for the CEOs of fossil fuel companies to be tried for high crimes against humanity. It is hard, until you come here, to grasp the scale of the tar sands exploitation. Surrounding Beaver Lake are well over 35,000 oil and natural gas wells and thousands of miles of pipelines, access roads and seismic lines. (The region also contains the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, which has appropriated huge tracts of traditional territory from the native inhabitants to test weapons.) Giant processing plants, along with gargantuan extraction machines, including bucket wheelers that are over half a mile long and draglines that are several stories high, ravage hundreds of thousands of acres. These stygian centers of death belch sulfurous fumes, nonstop, and send fiery flares into the murky sky. The air has a metallic taste. Outside the processing centers, there are vast toxic lakes known as tailings ponds, filled with billions of gallons of water and chemicals related to the oil extraction, including mercury and other heavy metals, carcinogenic hydrocarbons, arsenic and strychnine. The sludge from the tailings ponds is leaching into the Athabasca River, which flows into the Mackenzie, the largest river system in Canada. Nothing here, by the end, will support life. The migrating birds that alight at the tailings ponds die in huge numbers. So many birds have been killed that the Canadian government has ordered extraction companies to use noise cannons at some of the sites to scare away arriving flocks. Around these hellish lakes, there is a steady boom-boom-boom from the explosive devices. The water in much of northern Alberta is no longer safe for human consumption. Drinking water has to be trucked in for the Beaver Lake reserve. Streams of buses ferry workers, almost all of them men, up and down the roads, night and day. Tens of thousands from across Canada have come to work in the tar sands operations. Many live in Fort McMurray, about 180 miles from Beaver Lake, and work punishing 12-hour shifts for three weeks at a time before having a week off. The Cree, the Dene and other tribes that live amid the environmental carnage and whose ancestral lands have been appropriated by the government to extract the tar sands oil suffer astronomical rates of respiratory and other illnesses. Cancer rates are 30% higher than in the rest of Alberta, according to the Alberta Cancer Board, which was disbanded soon after releasing this information in 2008. When he was a child, Eric Lameman was taken from his parents by the government, a common practice a few decades ago, and sent to an Indian boarding school where beatings were routine, speaking Cree or any of the other indigenous languages was forbidden and native religious and cultural practices were outlawed. He says the forced severance from his family and his community, along with the banning of his traditions, was psychologically devastating. He remembers his father and other Cree elders on the reserve performing religious rituals in secret. He would sneak to the woods to watch them as, risking arrest, they clung to their beliefs and spiritual practices. Lameman defied the efforts to wipe out his identity and his culture, which he nurtured in spite of the attempts to eradicate them. And he says it is only his Cree roots that keep him whole and make it possible for him to endure. He suffered extreme poverty. He also had periods of addiction and even episodes of violence. It is hard to avoid personal disintegration when the dominant culture seeks to eradicate your being. Canadas indigenous people represent 4 percent of the population, but they make up more than a quarter of the inmates in the nations federal prisons. Lamemans wife left him and their young children. She died from alcoholism on the streets of Calgary. He worked as a heavy machine operator in the tar sands. He quit when he realized the land he was despoiling would never recover and he began to get sick. He survives now on welfare. We are back in his small house, seated in the tiny kitchen. His daughter Crystal Lameman, an internationally known indigenous rights activist, heats juniper in an iron skillet until fumes of the pungent herb drift upward. We cup our hands and pull the smoke into our nostrils. The Cree and others say smudging cleanses negative energy, helps bring clarity and vision, and centers those exposed to the scent. We sit quietly. The more the Cree recover their traditions to defy the capitalist mantra of hoarding, profit, exploitation, self-promotion and commodification of human beings and the earth, the more their life has an intrinsic value rather than a monetary value. This recovery is the antidote to despair. It grounds the Cree spiritually. It permits transcendence. It at once estranges them from reality and brings them closer to it. Resistance is not only about challenging the extraction companies in court, as the Cree have done in trying to block the tar sands industry and the pipelines from their traditional land; it is about holding fast to another orientation to reality, one that we all must adopt if we are to survive as a species. It is about the recovery of the sacred. The white exploiters seek not only to steal the land and natural resources and commit genocide against indigenous communities but to wipe out this competing ethic. I need my people, Eric Lameman says. I need the ones that know our history, our language, our spiritual practices and our culture. I rely on them to pass it on to me so I can pass it on. The exploiters have sought to corrupt the Cree and bastardize their traditions. Extraction companies have paid off some tribal leaders to support pipelines or surrender tribal territory to oil development. The companies use the quislings to mount propaganda campaigns in favor of extraction, to divide and weaken indigenous communities and to attempt to discredit leaders such as Crystal. The federal government last year staged a Cree religious ceremony, complete with honor songs and drums, to bless the Trans Mountain Expansion Project and Canadas $4.5 billion purchase of the Trans Mountain pipeline, developments that mean death for the Cree people. This is what they call reconciliation, Eric says bitterly. Its cultural appropriation, Crystal says. Reconciliation is a bullshit word. Reconciling with whom? Reconciling what? Reconciling us with the current colonial systems of exploitation? Until they dismantle the structures of exploitation there can be no reconciliation. The man camps of tens of thousands of tar sands workers fuel the prostitution industry. Indigenous girls and women, living in squalor and poverty, are lured by the seemingly easy and fast money. Their sexual degradation soon leads to addictions to blunt the pain. This too is a legacy of colonialism. Canada began as a military and commercial outpost of Britain. The Hudsons Bay Company did not permit European women to immigrate to Canada. Brothels, populated by prostituted indigenous girls and women, were established alongside the military forts and trading posts. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police issued a report in 2015 that found that indigenous, or First Nations, women, who constitute 4.3% of Canadas female population, are four times more likely to go missing or be murdered than other Canadian women. They are 16% of female murder victims and are the objects of 11% of missing persons cases involving women. I was on a panel in Vancouver, Crystal Lameman says. I used the word prostitution. A trans person got up and told me to use the term sex work, saying it was a choice. Impoverished and vulnerable indigenous girls and women do not choose to be prostitutes. They are forced into that world. Girls are conditioned for this from familial disintegration and sexual abuse. Sexual abuse, a common experience for girls in residential schools and the foster care system, is another one of the legacies of colonialism. The infusion of workers with disposable incomes has also seen an explosion in drugs in northern Alberta such as crack cocaine and crystal meth, and with the drugs has come a rash of suicides among the native population. Suicide and non-suicidal intentional self-injuries are the leading causes of death for First Nations people under the age of 44 in Canada. Young indigenous males are 10 times more likely to kill themselves than other Canadians. Young indigenous females are 21 times more likely to commit suicide. Beaver Lake has not been spared, losing seven people to suicide in a 12-month period in 2014 and 2015. All of them were under the age of 44, and all were drug addicts or alcoholics. There are two roads into Fort McMurray, Crystal says. Theres Highway 63 and Highway 881, which runs through here. This is one of the stops for the drugs. The traffickers say, Well, theres a little town, well stop there and drop drugs there too. A lot of the drug runners are from small towns, from these communities. It is a quick way to make money. Our community used to be safe, she says. We left the doors unlocked, even when we slept. We would leave our vehicles running. Nobody worried. Its dangerous now, she goes on, speaking of the rash of robberies by addicts. She adds, You cant get into altercations. Its the drugs. They affect peoples mental health. People live in fear. The resurrection of the old ceremonial practices such as the annual sun dance, along with the traditional medicine camp, harvesting camps and sweat lodges, is about another way of being, one that honors the interconnectedness of all living beings, including the earth on which we depend for life. We are seeing the effects, Crystal says. Our cultural practices and language embody a belief system that is the opposite of capitalism and globalization, the lust for money and material wealth. I used to think globally, she says. I was in D.C. on the front lines. I was in the climate march in New York. I was everywhere. I traveled internationally. I was at every rally. But I wasnt here, at home, doing the real work. Its easier being out there, instead of being in our community. Yes, there is this big black cloud, but there is also another, beautiful side. The women in the community are bringing the ceremonies back. The more we return to the land, the closer we are to achieving holistic wellness. My community is not in despair. We are doing our diligence to be well again. I think about my dad. My dad was one of those people hes talking about [when he says] I had friends that I cant trust now because theyre not well because of the drugs. My dad was one of those in despair. But he has come back to us and to himself. A Sonoma man reportedly suffered third-degree burns on his leg after an e-cigarette spare battery detonated inside his pants pocket. Jason Clar, 42, says the accident happened while he was at his construction job. A whistling sound caught his attention moments before the spare battery exploded and burned his leg, Clar told ABC7 News reporter Dan Noyes. "The damage was done, and all the skin on the back of my leg was missing, so I went to the emergency room as fast as I could, Clar told ABC7. Clars says injuries required two skin graft surgeries. Hes been on leave from his job since the incident happened March. Clar and his wife Kieawnie are considering filing for a lawsuit. ALSO: Teens say they don't vape, they juul, making e-cigarette use hard to track Its not the first time e-cigarettes have made headlines for allegedly causing injury. Last year, a man sustained injuries after his e-cigarette exploded in his pant pockets while he shopped for a television in Anaheim, according to ABC7. The accident was caught on surveillance camera. In February, a Texas man died from a massive stroke when the e-cigarette he was using burst and tore through his carotid artery, according to a report by CNN. -- Follow Susana Guerrero on Twitter and email her at Susana.Guerrero@sfgate.com Start receiving breaking news emails on wildfires, civil emergencies, riots, national breaking news, Amber Alerts, weather emergencies, and other critical events with the SFGATE breaking news email. Click here to make sure you get the news. AKCAKALE, Turkey Like thousands of other Syrian refugees, Shakar Rudani worked last summer in Turkeys Black Sea region, home to the largest concentration of hazelnut farms in the world. He arrived in August, expecting that he and his six sons, ages 18-24, would earn the equivalent of a few thousand dollars. He left in late September with little more than a firm resolution: to never return again. The work was arduous and risky. Because the terrain is filled with steep inclines, his sons spent much of their time attached by ropes to rocks, a precaution against a potentially fatal fall. Worse, the pay was $10 a day, half the rate promised by the middleman who had pitched him the job. We made just enough to cover the cost of getting there and getting back, said Rudani, a sun-baked 57-year-old who lives in a Turkish village on the Syrian border. Plus our living expenses. We returned with nothing. About 70% of all hazelnuts come from Turkey, a bounty produced by some 600,000 tiny farms scattered throughout the verdant landscape that stretches along the countrys northern coast. Much of the harvest winds up in beloved confections, like Nutella spread made by Ferrero, candy bars made by Nestle and Godiva chocolates made by a Turkish company, Yildiz. Few consumers know that behind each of these treats is a crop that has long been notorious for its hazards and hardships, as well as the prevalence of child labor, a scourge the government has been trying to combat for years. Now, a growing number of seasonal hazelnut workers are Syrian refugees, a cohort with a unique set of vulnerabilities. Few have work permits, meaning they lack legal protections. Turkeys Labor Code does not apply to agricultural businesses with fewer than 50 employees, so much of the policing of this crop falls to confectionery companies. Ferrero says it oversees a multipronged effort to prohibit child labor and set wage and safety standards. The privately held company headed by Giovanni Ferraro, whose personal fortune has been reported by Forbes at $22.3 billion is an empire built on hazelnuts. The company buys one third of Turkeys hazelnuts. It has struggled, along with competitors, to ensure there is not a shadow over the crop. But comprehensive monitoring of Turkeys hazelnut farms is an exceptionally elusive goal because they are vast in number and independent. Plus, the minimum wage, which nearly every farmer offers, will not keep a family above the countrys poverty line. And that is before pay is whittled down by middlemen, who connect workers to farms and often pocket more than the standard 10 percent cut of wages. For chocolate companies, all of this presents a conundrum. While other countries have tried to bolster their hazelnut production, Turkey remains the mother lode, and it is impossible to satisfy international demand without buying heavily here. But buying hazelnuts in Turkey means supporting a crop with glaring humanitarian flaws. In six years of monitoring, we have never found a single hazelnut farm in Turkey in which all decent work principle standards are met, said Richa Mittal, the director of innovation and research for the Fair Labor Association, which has done fieldwork on Turkeys hazelnut crop. Across the board. Not one. Theyd Never Find You Turkey became the planets hazelnut capital through luck and government intervention. The Black Sea region has the ideal mix of loamy soil, sunshine and rain. Starting in the late 1930s, the Republican Peoples Party encouraged local farmers to plant hazelnut trees, both to lift the local economy and to reduce landslides. Today, hazelnuts are just one of the crops that make agriculture 6% of Turkeys economy. (Others include oranges, tea, cotton and tobacco.) About one-fifth of the countrys workforce is in agriculture, including seasonal laborers who travel to different regions as various harvests begin. Roughly 200,000 are Syrian refugees. Shakar Rudani and his sons are now part of this group. He was a farmer in his native country, growing wheat and cotton on a 37-acre plot. In January 2014, he fled his home with his family of 12 as Islamic State fighters approached. The black flag of the Islamic State would fly in his village for the next three years. A Kurdish militia group is now in control. Akcakale, where they settled, abuts the Syrian border. You see the green house at the top of that hill? Rudani asked, pointing to a speck in the distance. That was my house. Rolling prayer beads in his hand, Rudani spent the next few hours describing his tumultuous life. As he spoke, a procession of sons and cousins, all veterans of the hazelnut crop, stopped by. Like roughly 3.4 million other Syrian refugees who have poured into Turkey since 2011, Rudani and his family have the tenuous-sounding status of people under temporary protection. Few work permits are granted to this group, and agriculture is one of the few sectors where work permits are not required. His first encounter with the hazelnut crop, in the summer of 2017, was a short-lived fiasco. He and his sons drove north in a rented car to the Black Sea, an 800-mile journey that took 24 hours. When Rudani grasped how dangerous the work was, he decided that the money was not worth it. The next day, he and his sons drove home. I couldnt believe the mountains, he recalled. It seemed like if you fell, theyd never find you. The next year, Rudani was more desperate for money, and a middleman got in touch to say rates in the summer of 2018 would be higher. He told my father that this year the farmers are paying around 80 to 100 Turkish lira a day, said Muhammad Rudani, Rudanis eldest son. But when my father got there, he realized that all the supervisors were cheating people. One of them told my father, Well give you 50 lira a day, and thats it. Rudani and his sons stayed. Hazelnut harvesting is essentially divided into two tasks, collecting and hauling. The collectors grab and bag nuts, while the haulers transport the bags, each about 110 pounds, up and down mountains and onto trucks. The main problem is that there is nowhere to stand up, said Abrahim Khalil, one of Rudanis cousins. The ground is so steep. You can never just stand up straight. The hours are also grueling, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on some farms. If you dont work, you dont get paid, making seven-day workweeks the norm. Given the meager sums they earn, a lot of Syrian refugees in crops all over the country say they have little choice but to conscript their children. Nawwaf Ibrahim, a 48-year-old father of 10, was a taxi driver in Syria, a job that supported his family. Recently, he stood in the decaying house he rents near the southern city of Adana, shelter he can afford only because three of his teenage children work with him in the orange fields. People who dont have enough family members to work are forced to live in plastic tents by the side of the road, he said. Can you imagine? That is a pressing question for a friend and neighbor, Yasin Al Mohammed, who once sold sheep in his native Syria. He is not strong enough to toil in the orange fields 10 hours a day, and with one exception, his eight children are either too ill or too young to work. When his lease expires in a few months, he will be homeless. Its not just me, Mohammed said. A lot of families are doomed to the same fate. The Unregulated Middlemen The difficulties of agricultural work are multiplied by the middlemen. Known as dayibasi pronounced die-ye-BASH-ee Turkeys middlemen are the least scrutinized and least visible operators in the farming system. Legally, they are required to have a primary school education and a permit that is renewed every three years. In practice, middlemen are unregulated and untrained. The dayibasi often provide laborers with between-harvest loans that can result in a form of indentured servitude. More common, Syrians say, are lies about wages, which are typically handed over in end-of-harvest lump sums. Until then, laborers are paid just enough to cover food and rent, and given business cards essentially an IOU for each day in the field. Ostensibly, the system is designed to ensure loyalty, said Saniye Dedeoglu, a professor of labor economics at Turkeys Mugla University. To form a working group, you need 15 to 20 people, and if someone is indebted to you, they are unlikely to leave for a different job, she said. But we have seen so many people in the field who have collected a bunch of business cards and the middleman has just disappeared. Some middlemen steal wages without bothering to vanish. Ismail Sulman, one of Rudanis cousins, said that after he had worked a summer in the hazelnut crop with eight of his children, a dayibasi helped himself to an additional 3,000 Turkish lira (about $560) of the 20,000 he was supposed to pay. Arguing was pointless. We didnt have contracts, Sulman said, so we could not make a case to the police. Akcakale is home to dozens of middlemen. One of them, Ibrahim Ergun, sat recently in his somewhat dilapidated backyard, down the street from Rudani, and briefly explained his job. Ive been doing this for 10 years, Ergun, 71, said. Usually I bring between 100 and 150 workers north with me. He was fully aware of his trades bad reputation. This is the reality, he said. Most middlemen take money and dont give rights to their workers. Ergun hastened to add that he had never cheated any of his laborers. In fact, he said, he was once shorted 10,000 lira because a farmer failed to pay him. So, he said, I paid my workers out of my own pocket. The Source Map Mystery Though Turkeys hazelnuts bring in about $1.8 billion in a good year, the farms struggle for profitability. The most generous price-support programs have been phased out. The rugged terrain makes it nearly impossible to mechanize the harvest. And when farmers die, their land is often subdivided among their children, adding more patches to a quilt that looks crazy already. The size of the average farm is now just 4 acres. Some farmers have little expectation that hazelnuts will earn real money. Sema Otkunc, a 70-year-old farm owner in Akcakoca, inherited her 4-acre plot from her father and continues to cultivate it out of a sense of familial obligation. Were at the mercy of the free market now, she said. The buyers say, I will give this price, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Otkunc is a minuscule part an elaborate, multitiered system that she knows almost nothing about. She cannot name any of the players, other than her local buyer, or the final destination of her hazelnuts. The big confectioners that sit at the top of this supply chain tend to shroud their source map in secrecy. No buyer is bigger or more secretive than Ferrero. It would not name a single farm that its suppliers buy from, although simple arithmetic suggests that the answer is most of them. The company, which also sells Kinder and Rocher chocolates, is the third-largest chocolate-maker in the world, behind Mars and Mondelez and ahead of Nestle and Hershey, according to Euromonitor International. Giovanni Ferrero rarely grants interviews, or allows media visits to the companys headquarters in Alba, Italy. A spokeswoman answered questions by email, sending a list of organizations that Ferrero has teamed with to promote what it calls the Ferrero Farming Values program. Ferrero is dedicated to providing its people with safe and decent working conditions, she wrote in an email, and we request that our independent farmers do the same. One of Ferreros partners is GIZ, a German development agency. In an email, a spokesman said it had provided advice to the company to help design and put into effect a system to track working and living conditions of seasonal workers. It is impossible to judge the success of GIZs efforts, or any of Ferreros programs, because the company will not share any information about them, citing restrictions under national privacy laws. Mittal of the Fair Labor Association said Ferrero would take the organizations phone calls and participate in panel discussions about labor issues. It just will not disclose where and how it buys hazelnuts. We know nothing about the findings of the programs they have in place, she said. We know nothing about the difference between certified and uncertified farms. We have no clue. The Fair Labor Association has a far better view of the companys supply chain because it collaborated with it on a 31-month pilot program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. At best, these efforts are a modest start, as Nestle found in a 2017 survey published on its website. More than 72% of workers reported that they had barely enough money to get by. Ninety-nine percent said they worked seven days a week. Child labor issues, the company stated, have deteriorated in the last year because of the war in Syria. Nestle declined to comment for this article. For refugees, Turkish agriculture is both a lifeline and an continuing trial. In the five years since he left his homeland, Ibrahim, the onetime taxi driver, has developed a new sense of what constitutes misfortune. We are lucky, he said. We can survive here. We will never be thieves. We will never have to beg on the streets. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Pop quiz: Which technology company does Uber, the ride-hailing giant on the cusp of an initial public offering, consider itself to be the most like? Is it Lyft, its rival North American ride-hailing firm? Nope. How about Didi Chuxing, Ubers equivalent in China? Nah. Its Amazon, the e-commerce giant. On the surface, the two companies have little in common. Amazon sells books, toilet paper, toys pretty much everything, really and it provides cloud computing services and makes artificially intelligent speakers. In contrast, Uber lets people hail rides through a mobile app. But just as Amazon began as a modest online bookseller before growing into a digital retailing behemoth, Uber wants people to believe its ride-sharing business is the foundation for a larger platform spanning multiple transportation industries. Like Amazon, Uber is no stranger to taking on competitors across many areas to accelerate its growth. And also like Amazon, Uber is willing to lose geysers of cash to achieve its aims. This Uber-is-like-Amazon argument is growing louder this week, as the San Francisco firms top executives begin meeting investors on a roadshow before its IPO in May. As part of its pitch, two people close to the company said, Uber plans to say that it is OK for it to lose money right now because just like Amazon, which was unprofitable for years it needs to burn cash to build out its business for the future. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has not been shy about the Amazon analogy. Cars are to us what books were to Amazon, he said at a Fortune tech conference in July. Just like Amazon was able to build this extraordinary infrastructure on the back of books and go into additional categories, you are going to see the same from Uber. Uber declined to comment, citing the quiet period before it goes public. Amazon declined to comment on Uber. Shawn Carolan, a venture capitalist at Menlo Ventures and an early investor in Uber, said the Amazon comparison is apt. Because the ubiquitous need for transportation is so huge, theyre able to cross-sell different products to their existing customer base, he said of Uber. As it goes into its roadshow, Uber faces two main issues. One is that it needs to tell Wall Street a growth story something to convince investors that its best and most lucrative days are still before it. For years as a private company, that growth came easily as it expanded its service into more and more places across the world. But nearly a decade later, that growth has slowed. In an amended offering prospectus on Friday, Uber said revenue growth in the first quarter was roughly 20%, less than half what it was a year ago. As ride hailing has evolved from a luxury business to a mass-market service, competitors have multiplied and the number of people using the service could be starting to max out as Uber finds fewer locations to expand into. Ubers other issue is its lack of profit. The company lost $1.8 billion in 2018 excluding onetime gains; it lost $1 billion or so in the first quarter of this year alone. Because ride hailing is expensive to operate Uber continually needs to spend to lure riders and bring on new drivers some critics have wondered if it will ever be able to make money. All of this explains why citing Amazon is so useful. The Seattle retailer has always cared more about customers than Wall Street, which meant it was willing to spend aggressively to get ahead of competitors and create new businesses even if investors carped. Then just as Wall Street patience wore thin, Amazon produced profits that underlined the innovation machine that Jeff Bezos, its CEO, had built over many years. In 2014, for example, Amazon was hit hard by investors amid slowing sales growth and the introduction of the Fire Phone, a smartphone that landed with a thud. Then a year later, Amazon disclosed how large and profitable its cloud computing business had become. For almost a decade, Amazon had plowed money into building data centers and an army of engineers and sales people. When it finally broke out the details of the cloud business, it turned out that Amazon Web Services had $5 billion a year in sales and was growing almost 50% a year, with fat margins. Now all of Amazons investments over time have made it seemingly impregnable in numerous areas, from logistics and delivery to cloud computing. Wall Street is not complaining about Amazon anymore, and it has become one of the worlds most valuable public companies with a market capitalization of about $960 billion. Uber, like Amazon, operates with an obsession on customer value over anything else, said Mitchell Green, a venture capitalist at Lead Edge Capital, which invested in Uber. Amazons experience is meaningful for Uber as it also expands into new businesses to set the stage for future growth. Those include Uber Eats, its restaurant delivery service. Started in 2014 as an experiment, it became part of a line of thinking that Uber could one day deliver anything and everything to people whenever they wanted it, at the touch of a button. Internally, that idea was called Uber Everything. While Uber Everything stalled, Uber Eats boomed. The division is on track to book more than $10 billion in deliveries in 2019, up from $6 billion in 2018. It is also projected to take a 27% share of the food delivery market by the end of 2019, up from 3% in 2016, according to Wedbush Securities. Uber is also building Uber Freight, a service that matches local truck drivers with shippers in the United States and the European Union. It has contracted with more than 36,000 carriers serving more than 1,000 companies, according to filings, and the business generated more than $125 million in revenue in the final quarter of 2018. In addition, Uber acquired Jump, an e-bike and scooter company, in 2018 and is working on autonomous vehicles. Khosrowshahi has said he plans to make Uber the hub for many modes of transportation, from cars to bikes to scooters to public buses, trains and subway systems. On Friday, the company also said in its filing that it is working on its payments infrastructure, which is used by more than 91 million people to pay for rides and by the company to instantly pay its drivers. While it invests in its future, Uber will continue to lose money. So the company needs Wall Street to put up with its spending on these initiatives before they potentially pay off with profit. And it needs investors to be patient as it also works to turn its core ride-hailing business into a moneymaker. That leads back to the Amazon comparison. If Amazon can pull it off, so the thinking goes, then Uber can, too. Just like Amazon sells third-party goods, we are going to also offer third-party transportation services, Khosrowshahi said in an interview with Recode last year. We want to kind of be the Amazon for transportation. Mike Isaac is a New York Times writer. We hear a lot about the old Beat hangouts in San Francisco the cluster of low-lit bars and bitter-coffee-serving cafes grouped around North Beach. With most of the Beat generation having died years ago Lawrence Ferlinghetti being the exception at age 100 what happened to their Bohemian hangouts of yesteryear? ALSO: Follow in the footsteps of the Beat Generation in North Beach SFGATE dug around to find out. We discovered some of the famous spots are still standing, City Lights Bookstore and Vesuvio Cafe being obvious examples, while others burned, burned, burned like fabulous yellow roman candles (sorry, we had to). Among the latter is the Co-Existence Bagel Shop, a deli/bar/performance space that may or may not have actually sold bagels. It closed in 1960 after its owner, Jay Hoppe, became fed up with constantly getting pestered by anti-Beat cops. Hoppe even ended up in the slammer himself. ALSO: Muse Carolyn Cassady beckoned the Beats to S.F. In recent years, the Bagel Shop building has housed a Henry's Hunan North restaurant, which closed last year. The building's original black exterior tile remains. You can read more about the histories and eventual fates of some of the Beat hangouts in the above gallery. Read Michelle Robertson's latest stories and send her news tips at michelle.robertson@sfgate.com. Start receiving breaking news emails on wildfires, civil emergencies, riots, national breaking news, Amber Alerts, weather emergencies, and other critical events with the SFGATE breaking news email. Click here to make sure you get the news. POWAY, San Diego County The parents of a 19-year-old college student suspected of attacking a synagogue said Monday that they are shocked and saddened that he is now part of the history of evil that has been perpetrated on Jewish people for centuries. John Earnests parents said they raised him and his five siblings in a family, faith and community that rejected hate. Our sons actions were informed by people we do not know, and ideas we do not hold, the parents said in a statement, which didnt include their names. A gunman on Saturday burst into the Chabad of Poway near San Diego on the last day of Passover, a major Jewish holiday that celebrates freedom, and opened fire with an assault-style rifle, killing a woman and wounding a rabbi and two others. How our son was attracted to such darkness is a terrifying mystery to us, though we are confident that law enforcement will uncover many details of the path that he took to this evil and despicable act, the statement said. Earnests parents, who are cooperating with investigators, said their sadness pales in comparison to the grief and anguish our son has caused for so many innocent people. Earll Pott, a family attorney who issued the statement, said the parents will not provide a legal defense for their son, who will likely be represented by a public defender. They asked for privacy. About five minutes before the attack, the FBI said it received tips about a threatening social media post. The tips to an FBI website and hotline included a link to the anonymous post but did not offer specific information about its author or the location of the threat. The bureau said Monday that employees immediately tried to determine who wrote the post, but the shooting occurred before they could establish his identity. One of the tipsters told the Associated Press that he called the FBI tip line at 11:15 a.m. Saturday because the post linked to a manifesto that said the author was responsible for a mosque arson in the city of Escondido last month. He says he found online that had the mosque attack had happened and feared the new threat was real. The tipster, who refused to provide his name because of security concerns, said the call with the FBI lasted four or five minutes and the shooting happened soon after. He described the FBI as quick and professional and said he doesnt know what the bureau could have done. The shooting happened around 11:30 a.m., and Earnest surrendered moments afterward. He is being held on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. The online manifesto written by a person identifying himself as John Earnest was an anti-Jewish screed posted about an hour before the attack. The poster described himself as a nursing school student and praised the suspects accused of carrying out attacks on mosques in New Zealand that killed 50 people last month and at Pittsburghs Tree of Life synagogue that killed 11 on Oct. 27. About 100 congregants were worshiping when the gunman killed Lori Kaye, 60, and wounded the synagogues rabbi, Yishoel Goldstein; 8-year-old Noya Dahan; and her uncle Almog Peretz. Authorities said Earnest had no previous contact with law enforcement and may be charged with a hate crime in addition to homicide when hes in court later this week. He was being held without bail. Amy Taxin, Christopher Weber and Michael Balsamo are Associated Press writers. LOS ANGELES An Army veteran who converted to Islam and discussed launching various terror attacks throughout Southern California was arrested as he plotted to bomb a white supremacist rally as retribution for the New Zealand mosque attacks, federal prosecutors said Monday. Mark Domingo, an infantryman who served a combat stint in Afghanistan, was arrested Friday after visiting a park in Long Beach where authorities said he planned to plant home-made explosive devices made with nail-filled pressure cookers in advance of a Nazi rally scheduled Sunday. Domingo, 26, was arrested on a charge of providing material support to terrorists. A criminal complaint said he had been planning since March to manufacture and use a weapon of mass destruction in order to commit mass murder. U.S. Attorney Nick Hanna told a news conference that Domingo supported violent jihad and spoke about becoming a martyr and of pledging allegiance to the Islamic State group if it established a presence in the United States. This is a case in which law enforcement was able to identify a man consumed with hate and bent on mass murder, and stop him before he could carry out his attack, Hanna said. The criminal case outlines a chilling terrorism plot that developed over the past two months and targeted innocent Americans that he expected to gather this past weekend. Investigators said Domingo posted an online message March 3 that said America needs another Vegas event, an apparent reference to the 2017 mass shooting that killed 59. He allegedly said it would spark civil unrest to weaken America by giving them a taste of the terror they gladly spread all over the world. After Domingo began to discuss seeking revenge for the March 15 attacks that killed 50 people at New Zealand mosques, a confidential source who has worked with the FBI since 2013 began chatting with him about his plans. Domingo said he had an assault rifle, semi-automatic rifle and several magazines of ammunition. He discussed picking off Jews walking to synagogue, shooting police officers or attacking a church or military base, according to investigators. When the source asked him how he planned to carry out violence without getting caught, court records said Domingo replied: Martyrdom, bro. Brian Melley is an Associated Press writer. Following Trump Rally, Nurse Smashes 'Perhaps One of the Sickest Accusations Levied by This Deranged Dictator Yet' The president reasserted the anti-choice lie at a Wisconsin rally. By Andrea Germanos April 29, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - A registered nurse issued a gut-wrenching take-down of President Donald Trump's false claim over the weekend that women and doctors and conspiring to kill babies that are born alive. She called it "perhaps one of the sickest accusations levied by this deranged dictator yet." Speaking Saturday at a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Trump said Your Democrat governor here in Wisconsin, shockingly, stated that he will veto legislation that protects Wisconsin babies born alive. The baby is born, the mother meets with the doctor, they take care of the baby, they wrap the baby beautifully, and then the doctor and the mother determine whether or not they will execute the baby. It's "a lie he's been touting for a while," as Peter Wade wrote for Rolling Stone. A report from Wisconsin's Department of Health Services, as the Associated Press reported, had no data about any failed abortion that resulted in a live birth. "National statistics show it rarely happens," added AP. Julia Pulver, founding director of the progressive group Women Organize Michigan, responded to the president's false assertion with details about her experiences as a NICU nurse. Her Twitter thread has now gone viral, with over 49,000 retweets as of this writing. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter Thread: As a NICU nurse, I served on the Bereavement Team. We were a special team of Nurses tough enough to help new parents go through the worst day of their lives. Parents of babies who had fought so hard for their tiny little lives and werent going to make it... 1/ https://t.co/2ZzDAEziyi Julia Pulver, RN (@VotePulver) April 28, 2019 And parents of babies who, after they were born, and wouldnt have their moms body keeping them alive, would die rather quickly. As these small bodies were failing, it was our job to be there with the parents at every step, give them support, and do our best to make some .../2 Julia Pulver, RN (@VotePulver) April 28, 2019 Memories of their precious babies that could help easy their impending and overwhelming grief. When heroic measures failed or a baby without a brain or working lungs or heart was born, we knew the end was near, and we encouraged the parents to be present in these finals moments/3 Julia Pulver, RN (@VotePulver) April 28, 2019 I cried until my throat burned for this family who has just had to endure the unthinkable. We were in the moment with those families. We took pictures, even for the ones who were too traumatized to think theyd ever want to see them, just in case they did. We made footprints 5/ Julia Pulver, RN (@VotePulver) April 28, 2019 So yes, there are those in hospitals who are around infants who pass: they are the Bereavement Teams & they provide the equivalent of neonatal hospice to families who are living through absolute Hell. Babies and children die, its a sad part of life. But no one, absolutely /7 Julia Pulver, RN (@VotePulver) April 28, 2019 Pulver told news outlet Michigan Advance that she had "specific authority" to debunk Trump's lie in this case. "I felt the need to continue to support those parents who turned to me in their worst moments, and continue to champion their little warriors," she said, "by making sure everyone unequivocally knew what really happens when babies pass away in hospitals." This article was originally published by " Common Dreams " - 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 When fictional explorer Charles Muntz proclaimed in the film "Up" that "adventure is out there," he might have been referring to Paradise Falls. But families will be able to embark on a little expedition of their own this summer: On July 26 and 27, the San Francisco Symphony orchestra will be the first in the world to perform a live accompaniment as the film is projected on a large screen above the stage at Davies Symphony Hall. It won't be the only screening of its kind. Also slated for its first-ever live score performance on June 18 will be Luca Guadagnino's sun-kissed, coming-of-age film "Call Me By Your Name." By Thierry Meyssan April 29, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - Since the Treaty of Maastricht, all the members of the European Union (including the neutral countries) have placed their defences under the suzerainty of NATO, which is directed exclusively by the United States. After having lost his majority in the House of Representatives during the mid-term elections, President Trump has found new allies in exchange for his discharge by prosecutor Mueller of the accusation of high treason. He now supports the objectives of his generals. US imperialism is back. In less than six months, the foundations of international relations have been rebooted . The war that Hillary Clinton promised to start has been declared, but not only by military force. This transformation of the rules of the game, without equivalent since the end of the Second World War, immediately forced all actors to rethink their strategy, and therefore all the plans for alliance upon which they were based. Those who turn up late will pay for it. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter Economic war has been declared Wars will always be mortal and cruel, but for Donald Trump, who was a businessman before becoming President of the United States, it is best that they cost as little as possible. It is thus preferable to kill with economic means rather than by the use of arms. Given that the United States no longer share trade agreements with most of the countries they attack, the real economic cost of these wars (in the genuine sense of the term), is in effect supported by third-party countries rather than by the Pentagon. Thus the United States have just decided to lay economic siege to Venezuela [3], Cuba [4] and Nicaragua [5]. In order to mask real killing wars, these actions are presented by the media apparatus as sanctions , without giving us any idea of what law Washington is basing them on. They are deployed with explicit reference to the Monroe Doctrine of 1823, according to which no foreign power shall intervene on the American continent, while in exchange, the United States will refrain from intervening in Western Europe. Only China, which felt targeted, pointed out that the Americas are not the private property of the United States. However, everyone is aware that this doctrine has evolved rapidly to justify Yankee imperialism in the South of the continent (the Roosevelt Corollary ). Today, US sanctions concern at least twenty countries - Belarus, Myanmar, Burundi, North Korea, Cuba, the Russian Federation, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nicaragua, the Syrian Arab Republic, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the Central African Republic (CAR), the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Serbia, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen and Zimbabwe. That gives us a very precise map of the conflicts led by the Pentagon, assisted by the US Department of the Treasury (USDT). These targets are never in Western Europe (as specified by the Monroe Doctrine ), but exclusively in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, the Caribbean Basin and Africa. All these regions were listed as early as 1991 by President George Bush senior in his National Security Strategy as being flagged to join the New World Order [6]. Considering that that they had been unable or unwilling to do so, they were sanctioned in 2001 by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and his advisor for the transformation of the armed forces, Admiral Arthur Cebrowski, and doomed to chaos [7]. The expression economic war was waved about for decades to indicate heightened competition. This is no longer true today we are now talking about a real killing war. The reactions of the targets and those not appropriated by the Allies The Syrians, who have just won an eight-year military war against NATOs jihadist mercenaries, are destabilised by this economic war, which imposes strict rationing of electricity, gas and oil, and provokes the closing of factories which had only just been reopened. At best, they can be relieved that the Empire did not inflict these two forms of war at the same time. The Venezuelans are now discovering with horror what economic war actually means, and are realising that with the tinhorn Juan Guiado as much as with President Nicolas Maduro, they are going to have to fight to maintain their state (in other words a Leviathan capable of protecting them [8]). The strategies of the targeted states are themselves plunged into confusion. For example, since they are no longer able to import medicines for its hospitals, Venezuela has signed an agreement with Syria, which was, before the war of 2011, a very important producer and exporter in this sector. Factories which had been destroyed by Turkey and the jihadists were rebuilt in Aleppo. But although they had just been reopened, they now had to close again, since they had no available supply of electricity. The multiplication of theatres of war and therefore of the pretended sanctions - began to cause serious problems for the allies of the United State, including the European Union. The EU did not appreciate the threats of seizure aimed at companies which had invested in Cuba, and, remembering the actions engaged to forbid them access to the Iranian market, reacted by threatening in their turn to seize the Arbitration Committee of the World Trade Organization (WTO). And yet, as we shall see, this revolt by the European Union is doomed to failure, since it was anticipated 25 years ago by Washington. The European Union - trapped Anticipating the current reaction of the European Union, worried about not being able to trade with whomever it saw fit, the administration of Bush senior elaborated the Wolfowitz Doctrine , which was concerned with making sure that the Western and Central Europeans would never have an independent defence system, but only a system which was autonomous [9]. This is why Washington castrated the European Union at its birth by imposing a clause to be inserted in the Treaty of Maastricht the suzerainty of NATO. I am writing here about the European Union, not the Common Market. We should remember the total support offered by the European Union to all of the Pentagons adventures, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Yemen. In all these cases, without exception, the EU marched along in step with its suzerain, NATO. This vassal condition is in fact the only reason that the Western European Union (WEU) was dissolved, and it is also why President Trump gave up the idea of dissolving the Atlantic Alliances permanent military organisation without NATO, the European Union would gain its independence, since it is only to NATO - and not the United States - that these treaties refer. Of course, the treaties stipulate that all this must be implemented in conformity with the United Nations Charter. But, for example, on March 2019, the United States questioned the resolutions it had approved concerning the sovereignty of Golan. Without warning, they changed their minds, provoking the de facto collapse of International Law [10]. Another example - the United States this week took position in Libya for General Khalifa Haftar, with whom President Trump shared a telephone call to assure his support against the government created by the UNO [11], and we are now seeing members of the European Union, one by one, following his lead. Because of the consecutive treaties, it would be impossible for the EU to free itself from NATO, (which means the United States), and declare itself a power in its own right. Protests against the pseudo-sanctions which were yesterday decided against Iran and today against Cuba are doomed to failure in advance. Contrary to a commonly-held belief, NATO is not governed by the North Atlantic Council, in other words the states which are members of the Atlantic Alliance. When, in 2011, the Council, which had approved an action intended to protect the Libyan population against the alleged crimes of Mouamar Kadhafi, declared itself in opposition to a regime change , NATO attacked without consultation. The members of the European Union, which formed a single bloc with the United States during the Cold War, discovered with stupefaction that they do not have anything like the same culture as their trans-Atlantic ally. During this parenthesis, they had forgotten both their own European culture and the exceptionalism of the USA, and believed wrongly that they were all in agreement with one another. Whether they like it or not, they are today co-responsible for Washingtons wars, including for example the famine in Yemen, consecutive to the military operations by the Saudi Coalition and to US sanctions. They now have to choose either to assume these crimes and participate in them, or to leave the European treaties. Globalisation is finished International commerce is beginning to decline. This is not a passing crisis, but a deep-rooted phenomenon. The process of globalisation which defined the world from the dissolution of the USSR to the mid-term elections of 2018 is now ended. It is no longer possible to export freely all over the world. Only China still has this capacity, but the US State Department is currently developing methods forbidding it access to the Latin-American market. In these conditions, debates on the respective advantages of free-exchange and protectionism are no longer pertinent, because we are no longer at peace and we no longer have a choice. In the same way, the construction of the European Union, which was imagined at a time when the world was divided into two irreconcilable blocs, is today completely inadapted. If they want to avoid being dragged by the United States into conflicts which are not their own, its members will have to free themselves from the European treaties and the integrated command of NATO. Therefore it is completely off-subject to look at the European elections as opposing progressives and nationalists [12]. This is not the point at all. The progressives affirm their desire to build a world governed by International Law, which their godfather, the United States wants to eradicate, while certain nationalists, like the Poland of Andrzej Duda, are preparing to serve the United States against their partners in the European Union. Only certain British subjects have sensed the current storm. They have attempted to leave the Union, but without managing to convince their parliamentary representatives. Its said that to govern is to foresee , but most members of the European Union have foreseen nothing. YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK Democratic presidential candidate Beto ORourke has announced his first major policy initiative, a $5 trillion plan to combat climate change that he says will keep the Earth from sliding past the point of no return in less than a generation. The former Texas congressman unveiled his proposal on Monday from Yosemite National Park, a dramatic backdrop for a move he hopes can jump-start a campaign that began to much national fanfare but has seen some of that luster fade in recent weeks. The plan calls for increasing taxes on corporations and the wealthiest among us and ending the tens of billions of dollars of tax breaks currently given to fossil fuel companies while offering federal grants to encourage innovative housing and transportation improvements. It includes $1.5 trillion in direct federal funding, while seeking to incentivize an additional $3.5 trillion from states, private capital and other sources over 10 years to improve aging infrastructure nationwide and to take significant actions to defend communities preparing for intensified floods, droughts, hurricanes, fires and other natural disasters fueled by a changing climate. Like others in the packed field of Democrats seeking the White House, ORourke promised to sign climate change-fighting executive orders on the first day of his presidency including rejoining the 2016 Paris Agreement, from which President Trump withdrew the U.S. ORourke had previously praised the Green New Deal, an ambitious but longshot initiative backed by some of the most liberal Democrats in Congress which calls for the U.S. to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. But the plan announced Monday wants to achieve that goal by 2050, while promising to get halfway there in just the next 11 years. This country needs direction when it comes to meeting the single greatest threat that weve ever faced, ORourke told reporters after a walking tour of Yosemite Valley, past pine trees and through the mist from a rushing waterfall. The Sunrise Movement, the environmental group behind the Green New Deal, said in a statement that ORourkes proposal gets a lot right but gets the science wrong, and expressed dismay that he was backing off previous support for net-zero emissions by 2030. Beto claims to support the Green New Deal, but his plan is out of line with the timeline it lays out and the scale of action that scientists say is necessary to take here in the United States to give our generation a livable future, the group said in a statement. California, meanwhile, already has set a goal of generating 100% of its electricity from non-carbon sources and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2045. The announcement came during ORourkes first visit as a presidential candidate to California, a state thats experiencing more destructive and deadlier wildfires due in part to climate change. A blaze last summer caused a partial shutdown of Yosemite, and ORourke on Sunday met privately with firefighters in Mariposa County who battled it for weeks. His California swing includes no fundraisers, which are typical for presidential hopefuls who are visiting the state thats home to big donor bases such as Hollywood and Silicon Valley. Kathleen Ronayne and Will Weissert are Associated Press writers. A recent study from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco showed that the U.S. labor market is at or beyond its full potential. While that might be good news for the economy, its not for the tech companies still out there, searching desperately for qualified talent. Related: 4 Ways Artificial Intelligence Boosts Workforce Productivity Research firm Korn Ferry predicted that companies in technology, media and telecom will face a talent shortage of 1.1 million by 2020. By 2030, that number will grow to 4.3 million, the report said; and the result will be intense competition for a dwindling pool of tech professionals. The same survey showed that insufficient staff is already holding back digital transformation at 54 percent of companies surveyed. Skilled coders, of course, wont materialize out of thin air. So, instead of hoping that traditional recruiting tactics will solve their mounting talent shortage, companies should consider a new approach -- one that looks for alternatives to the human talent companies will always need but may have to struggle mightily to find. That approach: artificial intelligence. When AI is a human equivalent Ive seen the effects of talent shortages firsthand during my career in app development. Its something my own company has struggled with, in fact. Unfortunately, I think the outlook is even worse than the numbers imply. The university pipeline is not graduating nearly enough knowledge workers to fill even the present demand. Last year, there were more than a half million unfilled computer-related jobs, and relying on foreign-born workers has not been the best option due to tougher immigration restrictions. What if instead of trying to recruit a recent graduate who commands a six-figure salary, you could rely on technology to do the job? Artificial intelligence has advanced to the point that it can emulate the output of knowledge workers, not just perform repetitive manual labor. Related: A VC Perspective - How Valid Is the Threat of Artificial Intelligence on the Job Market? Already, we are seeing AI that can handle coding on its own. You identify an objective, and the program then autonomously develops a framework, generates code and finds the ideal mixture of APIs and SDKs. AI might not be able to replace a human coder entirely, but it can already increase his or her productivity. As the talent pool dwindles, AI can pick up the slack and replace the talent that could not otherwise be replaced. Its not a panacea for all staffing problems, but it just may help you boost your efficiency and productivity, cut time to market and improve product quality -- all without your having to make new hires. AI and the future of work Tech is not the only industry figuring out how to use AI to remain relevant and productive moving forward. Self-driving trucks, for example, promise to eliminate hazards from the road, delays from delivery schedules and the challenges companies experience in finding qualified drivers. That said, even industries that were not formerly considered technology-based are becoming just that. Fast food is such an example of industries now adopting new technology. Turnover in that food industry is high, but robots in the kitchen will never choose to leave. For example, I work with a company that is developing a robotic arm and sensor system that can cook the perfect burger with complete consistency. Robotic cooks mean smaller kitchens, lower labor costs and more affordable food prices for everyone. Because of this, these robotic cooks can support human ones without eliminating them. While we shouldnt expect to see robots walking through the office any time soon, we should embrace AI in all of its forms throughout the workforce. Remember, technology isn't displacing workers -- its stepping in where labor is needed. Are you ready to employ AI? Employers should be cautiously optimistic about AI. It may well have a big impact in many places, but that doesnt mean every workflow is ready to be automated. Use these strategies to employ AI where its most effective in your company: 1. Identify your biggest pain points. Know your most persistent problems and how they might be exacerbated by talent shortages. Each department is led by someone who can give insight into what that department needs and where it's hurting. Talk to these employees. Their knowledge and these conversations can serve as the basis for organizational charts, to help your company identify its greatest deficiencies and see how AI systems might cover your biggest unmet needs. An example? Illustrating the possibilities that come from identifying areas in which a company has room to grow, the Associated Press began automating its reporting on earnings rather than having people do that task manually. The result: The press service was able to write 12 times more stories. 2. Analyze job postings to see where you could fill the void. Look at your company's open job postings to see where AI might be able to fill roles for which you can't find qualified candidates. There are more than seven million unfilled positions in the United States right now, which means that a growing company -- or even a stable one -- will naturally need to replace employees who are bouncing to different jobs or those who retire. That said, growing companies are in dire need of more human capital in their offices to stay on a steady path to growth. AI can assist in areas where candidates aren't available. For example, the App Association's 2018 State of the App Economy report revealed that there is just one computer science graduate for every eight available computing jobs. Yikes: Don't suffer shortages like that where you don't have to. By analyzing which roles you have open and which you're struggling to fill, you'll find areas for AI to step in and fill your need. 3. Let AI consultants help you see how automated solutions can fill the gaps. In our case, we went to academics who were actually writing algorithms, white papers and dissertations on this subject. In academia, people have more time to drill down on research and development for their theories and aren't constrained by the need to please stockholders or attain commercial success. They can therefore be key players as you acquire knowledge and eventually adopt AI for your workplace. For example, around 50 people from Carnegie Mellon's robotics lab joined Uber to help that company build self-driving cars. Some of the university's top talent made the move to be a part of the project, providing expertise and insights to the ride-hailing company as it embarked on a new journey with AI. Overall, there will likely be two types of companies in the future: those that adopt AI and use it to become more efficient, and those that choose not to use it, leaving the real possibility they will be left behind. My money is on the prior group, whose people will also have to be adaptive and willing to integrate technology into their workflows. Related: These 5 Companies Have Added Robots to Their Workforce In other words, AI solves talent shortages, but thats just the start. This technology is poised to disrupt entrenched industries, redefine consumer expectations and optimize everything you do. Its more than your solution for the future -- AI has already begun ushering in a completely new paradigm. Related: AI Isn't Replacing Workers; It's Picking up the Slack. Here's How. AJ Abdallat Is Taking AI Beyond Today's Limits Why Singapore's Financial Sector is at High Risk of Losing Jobs to Automation Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved By Mike Whitney April 29, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - Why did Robert Mueller end the Russia investigation when he did? He could have let it drag it out for another year or so and severely hurt Trumps chances for reelection. But he didnt do that. Why? Of course, were assuming that the investigation was never intended to uncover the truth. If it was, then Mueller would have interviewed Julian Assange, Craig Murray and retired members of the Intelligence Community (Ray McGovern, Bill Binney) who have shown that the Podesta emails were leaked by an insider (on a thumbdrive) not hacked by foreign agents. Mueller would have also seized the servers at DNC headquarters and done the necessary forensic investigation, which he never did. He also would have indicted senior-level agents at the FBI and DOJ who improperly obtained FISA warrants by withholding critical information from the FISA court. He didnt do that either. Mueller did none of these things which simply proves that his final report was what many people had expected from the very beginning; a purely political document that twists the truth to achieve Muellers particular objectives. But to understand what those objectives are, we need to determine what the real goals of the investigation were. So, here they are: To help sabotage Trumps political agenda To create a cloud of illegitimacy over Trumps election And to prevent Trump from implementing his plan to normalize relations with Russia. These were the real objectives of the investigation, to create a forth branch of government (Special Counsel) that had the power to keep Trump permanently on the defensive while the media made him out to be either an unwitting accomplice in Russian espionage or, even worse, a traitor. The aim was to reign him in and keep the pressure on until a case could be made for his impeachment. Mueller played a key role in this travesty. His assignment was undermine Trumps moral authority by brandishing the cudgel of criminal indictment over his head. This is how a D.O.J. appointee, who had never held public office in his life, became the most powerful man in Washington. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter My question is simply this: Why did Mueller give up all that power when he did? I think I can answer that, but first, we need a little more background. Check out this quote from candidate Trump in 2016: We will pursue a new foreign policy that finally learns from the mistakes of the pastWe will stop looking to topple regimes and overthrow governments. Our goal is stability not chaos, because we want to rebuild our country [the United States] We will partner with any nation that is willing to join us in the effort to defeat ISIS and radical Islamic terrorism In our dealings with other countries, we will seek shared interests wherever possible and pursue a new era of peace, understanding, and good will. Imagine how terrified the foreign policy establishment must have been when they heard Trump utter these words. No more regime change wars? Are you kidding me? Thats what we do: Regime-Change-Is-Us., and now this upstart, New York real estate tycoon is promising to do a complete 180 and move in another direction altogether. No more destabilizing coups, no more bloody military interventions, instead, were going to work collaboratively with countries like Russia and China to see if we can settle regional disputes and fight terrorism together? Really? At the same time Trump was promising this new era of peace, understanding, and good will, Hillary Clinton was issuing her war whoop at every opportunity. Heres candidate Hillary trying to drum up support for taking on the Russians in Syria: The situation in Syria is catastrophic. And every day that goes by, we see the results of the Assad regime in partnership with the Iranians on the ground, and the Russians in the airWhen I was Secretary of State, I advocated and I advocate today a no-fly zone and safe zones. Interesting, isnt it? Heres Hillary, the liberal Democrat, pushing for a no-fly zone in Syria even though the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joseph Dunford, stated clearly that Right now for us to control all of the airspace in Syria would require us to go to war against Syria and Russia. In other words, if Hillary had been elected, she was all ready to flip the switch and start WW3 ASAP. Is it any wonder why the establishment loved her? We have to work more closely with our partners and allies on the ground, boomed Hillary, meaning that she fully supported the continued use of jihadist proxies in the fight against Assad. I do think the use of special forces, the use of enablers and trainers in Iraq, which has had some positive effects, are very much in our interests, and so I do support what is happening. War, war and more war, thats the Hillary Doctrine in a nutshell. It was Hillarys relentless hawkishness that pushed leftists into the Trump camp, not that they ever believed that Trump was anything more than what he appeared to be, an unprincipled narcissist with an insatiable lust for power. But they did hope that his dovish comments would steer the country away from nuclear annihilation. That was the hope at least, but then everything changed. And after it changed, Mueller released his report saying: Trump is not guilty after all! So, what changed? Trump changed. Think about it: In mid December 2018, Trump announced the withdrawal of all U.S. troops in Syria within 30 days. But instead of withdrawal, the US has been sending hundreds of trucks with weapons to the front lines. The US has also increased its troop levels on the ground, the YPG (Kurdish militia, US proxies) are digging in on the Syria-Turkish border, and the US hasnt lifted a finger to implement its agreements with NATO-ally Turkey under the Manbij Roadmap. The US is not withdrawing from Syria. Washington is beefing up its defenses and settling in for the long-haul. But, why? Why did Trump change his mind and do a complete about-face? The same thing happened in Korea. For a while it looked like Trump was serious about cutting a deal with Kim Jong un. But then, sometime after the first summit, he began to backpeddle. He never honored any of his commitments under the Panmunjom Declaration and he never reciprocated for Kims cessation of all nuclear weapons and ballistic missile testing. Trump has made no effort to build a lasting and stable peace regime on the Korean Peninsula or to strengthen trust between the two leaders. Then, at the Hanoi Summit, Trump blindsided Kim by making demands that had never even been previously discussed. Kim was told that the North must destroy all of its chemical and biological weapons as well as its ballistic missile and nuclear weapons programs before the US will take reciprocal steps. In other words, Trump demanded that Kim completely and irreversibly disarm with the feint hope that the US would eventually lift sanctions. Trump made these outrageous demands knowing that they would never be accepted. Which was the point, because the foreign policy establishment doesnt want a deal. They want regime change, theyve made that perfectly clear. But wasnt Trump supposed to change all that? Wasnt Trump going to pursue a new foreign policy that finally learns from the mistakes of the past? Yes, that was Trumps campaign promise. So, what happened? There are other signs of capitulation too; like providing lethal weapons to the Ukrainian military, or nixing the short-range nuclear missile ban, or joining the Saudis genocidal war on Yemen, or threatening to topple the government of Venezuela, or stirring up trouble in the South China Sea. At every turn, Trump has backtracked on his promise to break with tradition and stop toppling regimes and overthrowing governments. At every turn, Trump has joined the ranks of the warhawks he once criticized. Trump is now marching in lockstep with the foreign policy establishment. In Libya, in Sudan, in Somalia, in Iran, in Lebanon, he is faithfully implementing the neocon agenda. Trump the peacemaker is no where to be found, while Trump the madman with a knife is on the loose. Is that why Mueller let Trump off the hook? Was there a quid pro quo: You follow our foreign policy directives and well make Mueller disappear? It sure looks like it. Every time Fox Business Network's Maria Bartiromo interviews President Donald Trump, which she has done five times since his inauguration, I think of an interview she conducted in 2013 when she was still at CNBC. The subject of the conversation was JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, who was weathering a number of questions about his leadership. Journalist Alex Pareene, then at Salon, suggested that Dimon should be ousted, given that the company faced the largest fine in Wall Street history during his tenure. "If you managed a restaurant, and it got the biggest health department fine in the history of restaurants, no one would say 'Yeah, but the restaurant's making a lot of money. There's only a little bit of poison in the food,'" Pareene argued. To Bartiromo and her peers, though, that Dimon's Chase was making so much money was, in fact, reason enough that he should stay. "Even with all of these losses, the company continues to churn out tens of billions of dollars of earnings and hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue," Bartiromo said. "How do you criticize that?" Pareene replied that "shady dealings" contributed to that revenue, citing a report in which the bank was caught in a potential bribery scandal in China. Bartiromo tried to cut him off. "I don't like doing things that are not actual fact on this program because I really have a problem with that," Bartiromo said. Pareene suggested that it was trivial to source the stories to which he was referring. "It was in the New York Times!" he exclaimed at one point. "Oh!" Bartiromo said, raising her hands mockingly. "The New York Times!" Dimon survived and was recently the target of a viral exchange about pay inequity. There are two tells in the Pareene-Bartiromo exchange that resonate now. First, that Bartiromo apparently saw ethical or legal issues as secondary to the bottom line. Second, that reporting from established outlets such as the Times was suspect if it contributed to questions about corporate behavior. Both of these seem like a good fit for the moment. Bartiromo's most recent interview with Trump aired Monday on Fox Business Network. Even by the standards of Fox interviews, Bartiromo's exchange with Trump was remarkably friendly. "That's right, yes," she said when Trump claimed that his family separation policy helped keep migrants from coming to the border. "Yes," she said when he described the asylum process. "Yes," she said when he said he would build 400 miles of "great" wall. "That's exactly right," she said when Trump said migrants would come through "weak spots" in the border. "Yes, exactly, exactly," she said when he said he was building the wall. "Well, that's exactly right," she said when he said the United States was taking as few skilled immigrants as possible. "Wow," she said when Trump said that the legislators responsible for existing immigration laws either "had no common sense or they hated our country." "Yes" and "that's right," she said when the president claimed that people coming to seek asylum were "rough gang members" - "you look at the guy and you wouldn't want to fight him." This despite the surge in migrants at the border being demonstrably a function of family arrivals. "Yes, absolutely," she said when Trump asked whether she thought this was the best economy in American history. This is about half of the responses she offered. She said "yes" to Trump 14 times. Almost no claim made by Trump was challenged in any way, with the exception of his renewed assertion that he could close the border entirely. Could he do that before his new Mexico-Canada trade deal, the USMCA, was ratified, Bartiromo asked. "I'll do anything I have to," Trump replied," because this to me is more important than USMCA." Bartiromo had no further questions about the president saying he'd do anything he had to. About the only point at which she confronted the president was when she was trying to wrap up the interview, but he wanted to keep talking. She'd asked Trump to identify the most important question that Attorney General William P. Barr should be asked if he testifies before Congress this week. She was teeing him up to talk about the Russia investigation - but little did she know how much he had to say. Trump has always liked telephone interviews (as this one was), in part because it allows him to keep talking as long as he wants. It's much harder to interject when someone's on the phone; there are no visual cues that can be used to signal that you're running up against a time limit. So Bartiromo was stuck nodding and trying to cut off the president of the United States. This has happened before. In October, a lengthy interview with "Fox & Friends" ended only after the hosts hinted that maybe the president had other things to do. It's not generally a sign that an interview is holding someone's feet to the fire when you have to try to get them to stop talking. Notice how this Trump interview mirrors that 2013 exchange. The economy is the best in U.S. history, Bartiromo agreed, and, as she might have said six years ago, how do you criticize that? Sure, there are reports that conflict with Trump's assertions about migration and the wall and the economy. But those reports come from inconvenient places such as [raises hands mockingly] The Washington Post. Bartiromo's willingness to give Trump a pass is undoubtedly why she has gotten to interview him five times since 2017, more often than many major networks have interviewed him in total. It might be worth risking future interviews to make better use of her time with him. Just as it might have been useful to look a bit more critically at Jamie Dimon. Will New Netanyahu Coalition and Kushners Deal Bring Destruction to Jerusalems Golden Dome? Unless action is taken swiftly and Israel with its anti-Arab, anti-Islamic policies is forced to stop the world risks losing the most iconic symbol of Jerusalem, and one of the oldest and most beautiful religious structures ever created. By Miko Peled April 29, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - There is a story about the Khalifa Umar bin al-Khattab, the Muslim leader who conquered Jerusalem in 637 C.E. It is said that upon entering the city he asked to see the site of the temple built by King Solomon, but could find no one who knew where it was. According to the story, he then came across a poor Jewish beggar sitting in the street. The beggar told the Kalifa that he could take him to the site where the temple once stood. When they arrived at the site Umar realized that the site had been used as the city trash dump. He then went down on his knees and, together with the Jewish beggar, cleaned the site and vowed to build a sanctuary that would for all eternity protect the holy site. This sanctuary is the Dome of the Rock and with its golden dome it has become the most iconic symbol of Jerusalem. Today, Zionists in Israel plan to destroy it and replace it with what amounts to no more than a slaughterhouse where Jewish fanatics will sacrifice animals in rituals whose time has long past. The Zionist system of takeovers If we observe what is happening at the Haram Al-Sharif the Holy Sanctuary in Jerusalem, where the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock are situated and compare it to the history of Zionist takeovers of land, towns, neighborhoods and homes elsewhere in Palestine, the only possible conclusion that can be reached is that Israel is intending to push Palestinians and Muslims out and allow more Zionist zealots in. In case it is not abundantly clear at the outset, all people should treat this issue with the gravest concern. From the earliest days of the Zionist takeover of Palestine, the method employed to take over land has been to send young zealots to confront the Arab population, while the establishment maintains a pretense that this is just a prank by youthful enthusiasts. Then the Zionist establishment allows these young zealots to create what they call facts on the ground; and then, gradually, services like water, electricity, roads, and of course security are provided, until this youthful prank becomes a Zionist settlement. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter This was true in the pre-1948 years; then, after 1967, this system was revived, initially with settlements like the ones in Hebron and Sebastia. Today the system is used to take over areas that are slightly more controversial and in which the state officially does not want to get involved. These are what Israel calls illegal outposts which eventually become legal, and then full-fledged settlements. According to Peace Now: Under Netanyahus government, we have seen intensive activity to restore the widespread phenomenon of illegal outposts deep inside the West Bank. Peace Now goes on to say: The history of the settlements shows that many times an agricultural farm is actually the basis of the establishment of a whole new settlement. At the beginning, the settlers receive an approval to farm the land, then to build a house, and then, with or without an approval, they establish a neighborhood. Haram Al-Sharif Knesset member Yehuda Glick is an Israeli politician who made the building of a Jewish temple in place of the Islamic monuments that have existed in Jerusalem for over a thousand years his lifes mission. According to Glick, 30 years ago when zealots like himself began to enter the compound which they call Har Habayit, or the Temple Mount there were about a hundred who went. In 2018 there were some 30,000 and this year they expect 50,000 Jewish zealots to enter the compound. In an interview with an Israeli television program about the Temple Mount faithful, Rabbi Yoel Elitzur, another zealot leader of this group, states: We will advance one step at a time, we will do what they allow us and we will advance. This has proven itself. You mean a slow confiscation? the reporter asked him. Yes. The Israeli provocations into the Haram Al-Sharif are very well organized and documented. They are done in coordination with the Israeli security forces and are more like a march of force than an innocent tour. From time to time the boys who give the tours and who go to the sanctuary to create a provocation will drop to the ground and prostrate themselves and get arrested. In a tweet by Hozrim LaHar (Returning to the Mount), one can see young men doing this on video. . ! pic.twitter.com/rpeXzYhYCR (@CozrimLahar) April 22, 2019 It is not only about access Over the years there has been a growing movement of messianic Jewish fanatics who have been holding seminars and practice sessions on how to build the temple and how to conduct animal sacrifices. Priests dressed in costume and all the paraphernalia required are present and hundreds of participants attend the events, which are growing in popularity. Classes and camps for children are also held so as to educate a new generation of Israelis who will want to eliminate all signs of Muslims from Jerusalem, a city that has been Muslim and tolerant of other religions for over a thousand years. Having listened to interviews with members of the Temple Mount Faithful, it seems they have an obsession with burning a red cow and slaughtering young goats and then covering the place with blood pouring from the ritual slaughter. A practice hardly compatible with the quiet spirituality one finds at the Holy Sanctuary today. Neemani Har Habait, or the Temple Mount Faithful, have been financing these events and for the past eight years have been financing an architect in order to make this maniacal, destructive hallucination into a reality. The architect, Yoram Ginzburg, is an Israeli secular Jew who seems to be as enthusiastic about this vision as are all the others. His plan includes creation of a Greater Jerusalem that includes the cities of Ramallah and Al-Bire in the north and Bethlehem, Beit Sahour and Beit Jala in the south. As for the Arabs who live in these areas, he offers what he calls two interesting options: one is expulsion, or, as he calls it, Evacuation-Compensation; and the other mass conversion that all the Palestinians will convert to Judaism. Non-Jews may remain as long as they are loyal to this Jewish project. A serious threat Jared Kushners Deal of the Century is one in which Israel takes all and Palestinians are denied any rights. The Neo-Nazi thugs like Betsalel Smutritch and Michael Ben-Ari, with whom Netanyahu made a pact prior to the April 2019 elections, seem likely to be his coalition partners. Under these circumstances, the dream that the Temple Mount loyalists hope to see materialize no longer seems far-fetched. The history of the past seven decades shows that the masters of the land the most vicious, violent and racist elements within Israel always get their way. Unless action is taken swiftly and Israel with its anti-Arab, anti-Islamic policies is forced to stop the world risks losing the most iconic symbol of Jerusalem, and one of the oldest and most beautiful religious structures ever created. Miko Peled is an author and human rights activist born in Jerusalem. He is the author of The Generals Son. Journey of an Israeli in Palestine, and Injustice, the Story of the Holy Land Foundation Five. This article was originally published by " Mint Press " - 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 By Eric Margolis April 29, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - The world is still reeling in horror from the deadly Sri Lanka bombings that may have been the work of Islamic State madmen. Poor Sri Lanka has suffered so much after three decades of civil war and communal strife. We weep for this beautiful and once gentle nation. But behind the horror in Sri Lanka, a huge crisis was building up of which the world has so far taken insufficient notice: renewed tensions in the oil-producing Gulf. This is the latest attempt by the United States to crush Irans independent-minded government and return it to American tutelage. The Trump administration has demanded that the principal importers of 1.2 billion barrels of Iranian oil halt purchases almost immediately. This imperial diktat includes China, South Korea, Turkey, India and Japan. The comprehensive embargo is very close to an all-out act of war. In 1941, Americas cut-off of oil to Japan provoked the attack on Pearl Harbor. The oil embargo not only violates international law, it sets the US on a collision course with some of its most important allies and vassal states. Brazen threats against Iran by Trumps two main enforcers, National Security advisor John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, have reinforced Americas unfortunate image as an imperial power that threatens war against disobedient satraps and independent-minded nations. Iran, a proud, ancient nation of 80 million, has become, with Turkey, the most effective opposition to Americas imperial domination of the Mideast and a key supporter of Palestinian rights and statehood. This has put Iran on a collision course with Israel and its influential American supporters, notably the Evangelical hard right which somehow believes that Jesus will only return to earth after Israel expands its border and mankind is destroyed. Meanwhile, the Trump Administration, which has now become indistinguishable from Israels hard-line far right ruling coalition, has declared virtual war against Iran. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter To benefit Israel, the White House cancelled a $20 billion order from Iran for Boeing aircraft, embargoed trade with Iran, reneged on the internationally backed nuclear deal with Tehran, cut off all aid to Palestinians, and keeps sustaining the savage Saudi/Emirati war against Yemen that has caused mass starvation and epidemics. Trump has just unilaterally approved Israels illegal seizure of Syrias Golan Heights, an act worthy of the 1916 Sykes-Picot treaty dividing up the Ottoman Mideast between Britain and France. US threats against Venezuela and Cuba grow louder. Washington plans to use its naval forces massed around Iran to interdict Tehrans oil exports. Two US aircraft carriers are now on station within striking range of Iran. I went to sea on one, the Abraham Lincoln. China faces dire trade punishments for dealing with Iran. Welcome back to 19th century gunboat diplomacy. Even Washingtons European allies may be scourged for buying Iranian oil. Iran, which has faced similar threats in the past, is digging in and threatens to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz if its oil exports are interdicted. Twenty percent of the worlds oil passes through the Strait. At its narrowest point, this strategic passage is only 21 miles (34 km) wide. Iran could seriously interfere with oil tankers in the Strait, using armed speedboats, mines and land-based, Chinese-made missiles. Equally important, insurance rates for tankers would skyrocket. Add all this together, and Trump & Co.s warlike actions will cause the price of gasoline to surge, just as Americas busy summer driving season is getting underway. Americas satraps Saudi Arabia (which just cut off the heads of 37 of its subjects) and sidekick the Emirates have promised to make up oil shortfalls, but neighbor Irans special forces may have very different ideas. Look for missiles and commando attacks on Saudi oil installations. Adding to this dangerous mess, Beijing may slow down or even abort its trade talks with Washington, which are of vital importance to the US economy. US markets have already factored in a deal being made. Trumps irrational quest to crush Iran could very well turn the rest of the world against Washington. But Trump & Co. dont seem to care. Someone must tell Trumps out of control administration to stop trying to overthrow governments it does not like around the globe and promoting itself as the Second Coming of Christ. Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad. Verily. Eric S. Margolis is an award-winning, internationally syndicated columnist. His articles have appeared in the New York Times, the International Herald Tribune the Los Angeles Times, Times of London, the Gulf Times, the Khaleej Times, Nation Pakistan, Hurriyet, Turkey, Sun Times Malaysia and other news sites in Asia. https://ericmargolis.com Copyright Eric s. Margolis 2019 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 By Moon Of Alabama April 29, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - Remember this dude? He is back. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, self declared caliph of ISIS, appeared in new video published today. These are the first pictures of him since some three plus years ago. He mentions the defeat in Baghouz. A speaker in the video, not Baghdadi, mentions the recent attacks in Sri Lanka which killed over 250 people and the recent ouster of Omar al-Bashir in Sudan. A short excerpt of the 18 minutes long video can be seen here. There are three disguised people Baghdadi is talking to. The video is heavily edited and it appears that it was filmed in many takes. The visible walls are of drapery but do not seem to be the inside of a tent. The ground is flat. The light is artificial. The sound is solid but has no echos. This was probably filmed in a room of a larger house. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter The gun to his right is a Kalashnikov AKS-74U with a large (45 rounds) magazine: US journalist C. J. Chivers reported that the gun was nicknamed "the Osama" in jihadist circles, after Osama bin Laden was photographed next to an AKS-74U. Pictures of the (now dead) leader of Al-Qaeda in Iraq Abu Musab al-Zarqawi showed the same type of gun. It is not a very practical weapon but demonstrates Baghdadi's heritage. Baghdadi accepts the oath of loyalty from groups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. Written text in the video says that the attack in Sri Lanka was in retaliation for Baghouz in Syria where ISIS made its last stand. It claims that the ISIS jihadists did not hand over any area and died fighting to the end in Sirte, Mosul, Raqqa and Baghouz. At least the claim about Raqqa is wrong. When the U.S. destroyed Raqqa some 2-3,000 ISIS fighters negotiated their exit with the U.S. proxies on the ground and moved south-east to attack the Syrian army. Baghdadi says that ISIS will eventually win in a war of attrition against the "Crusaders". This points to a continuous, geographically dispersed terror campaign after it no longer holds any ground. At one point one of the three other people gives him a folder with some plans. The folder is marked Wilayat Turkey. (Wilayat means province of the Islamic State). Baghdadi looks well fed. The reports of him ailing and thin are obviously wrong. His face and hands and those of his guests show no signs of harsh weather or even sun exposure. One wonders whose guest he is. This article was originally published by " Moon Of Alabama " - The San Francisco medical examiner's office has identified one of three people killed by Stefon Jefferson, the man accused of going on a murderous shooting rampage in the Bay Area before being apprehended by authorities in Nevada on Friday. Jefferson, 43, is suspected of fatally shooting one person in Oakland on Friday morning and fatally shooting another person in San Francisco. Jefferson then allegedly shot and killed a third person in Berkeley. Later that day, Jefferson somehow ended up in Nevada, where he shot and wounded a Douglas County sheriff's deputy before being taken into custody. The San Francisco victim has been identified as 49-year-old Laron Davis of San Francisco, according to the medical examiner's office. The names of the victims in Oakland and Berkeley have not yet been releazsed, according to the Alameda County coroner's bureau. On Saturday, Douglas County sheriff's officials said Jefferson was in custody on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm, battery on an officer, eluding a peace officer, along with numerous additional traffic-related offenses. Douglas County District Attorney Mark Jackson said that Douglas County will first prosecute Jefferson since he's in custody there. Jackson also said he will confer with the victims' families and the Alameda County and San Francisco district attorneys before any legal decisions are confirmed. According to Oakland police, Jefferson initially shot and killed a man in the 4100 block of Market Street. Officers responded to the scene around 10:15 a.m. and found the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He died at the scene. Then at 1:27 p.m., officers with the San Francisco Police Department responded to the 1100 block of Donner Avenue in San Francisco for a report of a shooting and located a man, later identified as Davis, suffering from a gunshot wound. Davis was taken to the hospital, where he died. Around 2:40 p.m., University of California at Berkeley police responded to a shooting at People's Park at 2556 Haste St. Police said a male suspect had shot a man at the park and then left the scene in a car. The victim died at a hospital. On Saturday, University of California police Sgt. Sabrina Reich said that all four law enforcement agencies involved are working with one another on the investigation. Authorities have not revealed Jefferson's possible motives or how exactly he was connected to the victims. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. A 36-year-old Antioch man who was fatally shot last week in Pittsburg has been identified as Samijela Vehikite, according to the Contra Costa County coroner's office. Police responding to a report of a shooting in the 1500 block of Willow Pass Road around 10 a.m. on April 22 found Vehikite suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the upper torso. He was transported to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, but did not survive. Jason Posey, a Bay Point resident, was arrested while attempting to flee the scene in a vehicle, according to police. Investigators said Vehikite and Posey knew each other, and that prior to the shooting, Vehikite arrived to confront Posey. They argued for several minutes, then Posey shot the other man in what became the city's fourth homicide of 2019. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. A 26-year-old Campbell man was killed late Sunday morning when he lost control of his motorcycle on state Highway 35 (La Honda Road) northeast of La Honda in unincorporated San Mateo County, the California Highway Patrol said. The accident was reported about 11:40 a.m. Sunday, when a 2012 Yamaha motorcycle driven by the Campbell man apparently missed a curve on this winding roadway about a mile southwest of the state Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard) junction, the CHP said. The motorcycle went down an embankment off the roadway, landing about 40 feet beneath the roadway, the CHP said. The rider was pronounced dead at the scene. Highway 35 was completely closed for about an hour after the accident, and the road didn't completely open until almost 3:30 p.m. Sunday, the CHP said. Neither drugs nor alcohol appears to have been a factor in the accident, the CHP said. Witnesses are encouraged to call CHP Officer David LaRock at (650) 369-6261 with any additional information. 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 two left lanes of northbound U.S. Highway 101 in Menlo Park are currently blocked due to a traffic collision, according to the California Highway Patrol. The CHP said the collision involving at least two vehicles was first reported at 5:36 a.m. on the freeway just south of Willow Road. Although the CHP didn't issue a Sig-alert, a backup on the major thoroughfare extends south through Palo Alto, per Caltrans. There are no initial reports of injuries. 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. SUNNYVALE (BCN) The FBI has launched a hate crime investigation in the case of a suspect who drove his car into eight pedestrians in Sunnyvale last week, leaving a 13-year-old girl with life-threatening injuries. The FBI was called to assist in the investigation to support the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety shortly after the crash last Tuesday. Chief Phan Ngo reported Friday that 34-year-old Isaiah Peoples, a war veteran, may have intentionally targeted some of the victims because he thought they appeared to be Muslims. "The FBI San Francisco Field Office has opened a federal hate crime investigation into the incident that occurred in Sunnyvale on April 23, 2019," FBI spokeswoman Cameron Polan said in a statement Monday. "As this is an ongoing investigation, we are not able to comment further at this time." Peoples has been charged with eight counts of attempted murder and appeared in Santa Clara County Superior Court for his arraignment on Friday. He had picked up food and was on his way to a bible study group when he drove into the group of pedestrians at the corner of El Camino Real and Saratoga Sunnyvale Road at about 6:40 p.m., according to public safety officials. Witnesses said he was coherent after the arrest, saying "Thank you Jesus, praise Jesus." Six of the victims were hospitalized and the 13-year-old girl was most seriously injured. Public safety officials said Friday that she remains in critical condition. Investigators are also trying to determine whether Peoples suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and if he was taking medications to cope with a mental illness. "There's no explanation for this other than his (Army) service, what happened to him while serving our country," Chuck Smith, Peoples' defense attorney, said after his arraignment Friday. "This act was clearly a product of some mental disorder or mental defect." 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 Contra Costa County Fire Protection District is assisting the U.S. Coast Guard with a fishing boat that needs assistance in the Honker Bay area of the California Delta early Monday morning. A 12-foot fishing vessel requested help after their engine failed around 1:20 a.m., according to Petty Officer Second Class Jordan Akiyama, who confirmed it had been dispatched to the rescue, but asked the Contra Costa County fire crews to use their boats to assist the fishermen due to shallow water. As of 2:15 a.m., two Contra Costa County Fire Protection District boats - FB85 and RB81 - had been dispatched to assist. 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. BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday called for the pursuit of harmony between man and nature at the opening ceremony of the International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 Beijing. Xi said that the overall balance of Earth's ecology should be maintained, so that the starry sky, lush mountains and floral fragrance will be retained for our future generations who enjoy material prosperity at the same time. OAKLAND (BCN) A man was shot in the foot at a party in East Oakland early Sunday morning, according to police. The shooting was reported at 3:05 a.m. in the 8600 block of A Street, police said. The victim was transported to a hospital with injuries not considered life-threatening. There are currently no suspects. 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 San Francisco Opera will collaborate with the French Consulate and Grace Cathedral to hold a solidarity concert in San Francisco for the Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral on Monday evening. Among the artists that will be featured are Notre Dame de Paris Organist Johann Vexo, the American Bach Soloists and Choir, San Francisco Opera Adler Fellows Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen and Kseniia Polstiankina Barrad, musicians from the San Francisco Symphony, mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade and the Grace Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys. The concert will start at 6 p.m. at the Grace Cathedral located at 1100 California Street, opera officials said. Although attendees can register, officials said attendance is available on a first-come, first serve basis. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2UN8MSj. The body of a man was found floating in the Pacific Ocean off Miramontes Point in Half Moon Bay late Sunday morning, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office reported on Twitter. Sheriff's investigators were called about 11:20 a.m. on the report of the body in the water near the Ritz Carlton in Half Moon Bay hotel. Detectives, as well as the San Mateo County Coroner's Office, responded to the scene. The coroner's office will publicly identify the man once family has been notified, the sheriff's office said. The body of an 18-year-old Hayward man who was swept out to sea April 18 from Poplar Beach in Half Moon Bay had not been found as of Sunday, nor had that of a 52-year-old San Jose man last seen Thursday night. Witnesses have told law enforcement they saw a car plunge off state Highway 1 near Montara in San Mateo County, and may have been that man's car. A 5-year-old Oakley boy was flown to Children's Hospital Oakland Sunday afternoon after striking his head in a fall from a pantry shelf in a residence, an East Contra Costa Fire Protection District battalion chief said Sunday night. Emergency crews were called about 4:41 p.m. Sunday to a house in the 100 block of Whitney Court, on the eastern edge of Oakley. A Calstar medical helicopter landed at Creekside Park, about four blocks west of Whitney Court, where paramedics loaded the boy for the trip to Children's Hospital Oakland. Battalion Chief Ross Macumber could not provide the boy's condition Sunday night. A 26-year-old Campbell man was killed late Sunday morning when he lost control of his motorcycle on state Highway 35 (La Honda Road) northeast of La Honda in unincorporated San Mateo County, the California Highway Patrol said. The accident was reported about 11:40 a.m. Sunday, when a 2012 Yamaha motorcycle driven by the Campbell man apparently missed a curve on this winding roadway about a mile southwest of the state Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard) junction, the CHP said. The motorcycle went down an embankment off the roadway, landing about 40 feet beneath the roadway, the CHP said. The rider was pronounced dead at the scene. Highway 35 was completely closed for about an hour after the accident, and the road didn't completely open until almost 3:30 p.m. Sunday, the CHP said. Neither drugs nor alcohol appears to have been a factor in the accident, the CHP said. Witnesses are encouraged to call CHP Officer David LaRock at (650) 369-6261 with any additional information. Emeryville police officers only recently trained in administering Naloxone, an opioid reversal medication, had to use it twice in two days on suspected overdose cases, the Emeryville Police Department said in a news release. The first instance came Friday, when officers responding to a shoplifter in custody at a business noticed "the subject became unresponsive, had rapid shallow breathing and had a weak pulse." The subject was given the medication and his symptoms improved and he was taken to the hospital. The second instance came during a Saturday welfare check on a person at 63rd and Market streets who was "displaying bizarre and erratic behavior." The person fell to the ground, began trembling, stopped breathing and had a weak pulse after officers arrived; police believed the subject was suffering from an opioid overdose and administered Naloxone." That subject quickly showed improvement and was hospitalized. Also in Emeryville, police responding to multiple calls about a shooting at a hotel in the 5800 block of Shellmound Street about 12:45 a.m. Sunday found a man with a gunshot wound in the hotel lobby. The man was given first aid and taken to the hospital, though the injury did not appear to be life-threatening, police said. An investigation is being conducted and police ask anyone with information to contact the Emeryville Police Department's Criminal Investigations Section at (510) 596-3700. The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District is assisting the U.S. Coast Guard with a fishing boat that needs assistance in the Honker Bay area of the California Delta early Monday morning. A 12-foot fishing vessel requested help after their engine failed around 1:20 a.m., according to Petty Officer Second Class Jordan Akiyama, who confirmed it had been dispatched to the rescue, but asked the Contra Costa County fire crews to use their boats to assist the fishermen due to shallow water. As of 2:15 a.m., two Contra Costa County Fire Protection District boats - FB85 and RB81 - had been dispatched to assist. Monday will be mostly cloudy in the morning, then becoming sunny. Highs will be in the 50s to mid 60s. Southwest winds will be 10 to 20 mph. Monday night will be partly cloudy. Lows will be in the lower 50s. Southwest winds will be 10 to 20 mph. Tuesday will be partly cloudy. Highs will be in the 50s to mid 60s. Southwest winds will be 10 to 20 mph. 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. MORGAN HILL (BCN) As the Bay Area rolls into National Bicycle Safety Month this May, Morgan Hill police are encouraging drivers and cyclists to look out for one another. Deaths in bicycle-related crashes increased nearly 25 percent between 2011 and 2016 in California, police said, with 138 cyclist deaths. The primary factors included failing to yield right of way, speeding and improper turning. To ensure safety, drivers should look behind them before making turns at intersections, especially if crossing a bike lane. Motorists should use extra caution backing up or leaving a parking space, while cyclists should let faster traffic pass. Also, cyclists should make themselves visible, wearing brightly colored clothing and using lights from dusk to dawn, police said. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. BERKELEY (BCN) A University of California at Berkeley student reported being sexually assaulted at a fraternity at the campus early Sunday morning, police said. The sexual assault occurred at a fraternity in the 2700 block of Channing Way between midnight and 1 a.m. Sunday, according to Berkeley police spokesman Officer Byron White. Authorities didn't disclose at which fraternity the assault occurred. No one has been arrested for the assault and police say there is no suspect information at this time. 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. Police reopened the intersection of Highway 12 and Beck Avenue in Fairfield before 9 a.m. Sunday following the investigation of a crash that left at one person dead early Sunday morning. The collision occurred sometime before 3:50 a.m., police said, and the intersection was closed for several hours. A Contra Costa County jury on Friday afternoon found an Antioch man guilty of two counts second-degree murder in the June 2017 deaths of two children in a DUI hit-and-run accident on State Highway 4 in North Concord. Lemuel Sirvonn Wilson Jr., 36, also was convicted of felony DUI causing death or great bodily injury, and of felony hit-and-run DUI causing death or great bodily injury. Prosecutors said Wilson was allegedly drunk at the wheel of a vehicle that veered off the Solano Way exit ramp from westbound Highway 4 around 11 p.m. on Friday, June 30, 2017. Prosecutors said Wilson's vehicle rear-ended a Dodge Durango on the off-ramp, with both vehicles crash-landing near a Kinder's restaurant adjacent to the highway. Vincent Reyes-Rothenberg, 5, and 10-year-old Lorenzo Reyes, with their family inside the Durango, were killed; their mother and a third child were injured. Wilson was injured, as well, but still fled the scene on foot. The jury, convened in Judge John Kennedy's courtroom, began their deliberations Thursday afternoon. Wilson is scheduled to be sentenced May 31. Emeryville Police responding to multiple calls about a shooting at a hotel in the 5800 block of Shellmound Street about 12:45 a.m. Sunday found a man with a gunshot wound in the lobby. The man was given first aid and taken to the hospital, though the injury did not appear to be life-threatening, police said. An investigation is being conducted and police ask anyone with information to contact the Emeryville Police Department's Criminal Investigations Section at (510) 596-3700. Vallejo City Manager Greg Nyhoff has formally invited the U.S. Department of Justice's Community Relations Service to help the city "improve community and police relations." "Having strength is knowing when to ask for help, and that time is now," Vallejo Mayor Bob Sampayan said in a statement. "I welcome the wisdom and insights of the DOJ Community Relations Service to improve our police department and assist with elevating the level of community engagement with our residents." The call for federal intervention comes after the Feb. 9 shooting of 20-year-old Vallejo rapper Willie McCoy, killed by police after falling asleep in his car outside a Taco Bell restaurant. McCoy's death was the 16th involving Vallejo police officers since 2011. This isn't the first time Vallejo has reached out for federal help in this way. The city in 2013 called in federal Community Relations Service mediators after a man with a pellet gun in his car was shot and killed by police, stoking tensions between police and the community. Improving relations between police and the community -- a city of 118,000 people with significant white, black, Hispanic and Asian populations -- is a City Council initiative, and will be developed and implemented "over time," with regular updates and reports, city officials said. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Opinion Policies Editorials are longer opinion pieces that are written by a group of community members recruited across campus who address relevant issues on a local, national and international level. Editorials are research-based. The purpose of the Editorial Board is to promote discussion concerning relevant issues in the community while advising on possible solutions. Topics are chosen via relevancy and interests of the members, which are then discussed by the Editorial Board in order to reach a general consensus concerning the topic or issue. Feedback policy If you have a grievance concerning the content or argument of the Editorial Board, please contact either Opinion Editor Peyton Hamel (peyton.hamel@iowastatedaily.com) or the Editorial Board as a whole (editorialboard@iowastatedaily.com). Those wanting to respond to editorials can also submit a letter to the editor through the Iowa State Daily website or by emailing the letter to Opinion Editor Peyton Hamel (peyton.hamel@iowastatedaily.com) or Editor-in-Chief Sage Smith (sage.smith@iowastatedaily.com). Column Policy Columns are hyper-specific to opinion and are written by only columnists employed by the Iowa State Daily. Columnists are unique because they have a specific writing day and only publish on those writing days. Each column undergoes a thorough editing process ensuring the integrity of the writer, and their claim is maintained while remaining research-based and respectful. Columns may be submitted from community members. These are labelled as Guest Columns. These contain similar research-based content and need to be at least 400 words in length. The following requirements should be met: first and last name, email and relation or position to Iowa State. Emails must be tied to the submitted guest column or it will not be accepted or published. Pseudonyms are prohibited and the writer will be banned from submissions. Read our full Opinion Policies here. Updated on 10/7/2020 Toyota has not been the quickest auto manufacturer to adopt Apple CarPlay. But in early 2018 it did confirm certain 2019 models would finally support the in-car system. And now its retrofitting some older models to get support as well. According to a report from Car and Driver on Monday, Toyota has confirmed it will be adding support for not only Apple CarPlay, but also Amazons Alexa, to specific 2018 models. For now, those models include the 2018 Toyota Camry sedan and the 2018 Toyota Sienna minivan. At the time of publication, those are the only pair of models Toyota has confirmed for the retrofit. Toyota will be reaching out to owners of both of these models in the near future. The company will be letting those folks know they can contact their nearby dealership to get the upgrade started. Toyota does say that there may be a small service charge associated with the upgrade process, but does not go into specifics. It is unknown at this time just how long a Camry and/or Sienna owner will need to set aside for the retrofit. Toyota says it will be notifying Camry and Sienna owners and encouraging them to contact their dealer about the retrofit; the installation will be done at dealerships. We reached out to Toyota to ask if the retrofit costs anything, and a spokesperson for the brand said there may be a small service charge and that dealers will be able to provide more information. Toyota doesnt say how long it will actually take to complete the installation. These types of upgrades from auto manufacturers arent unheard of. For example, Mazda announced last year that it would be upgrading some 2014 and newer models that werent originally outfitted wit CarPlay with the feature. We Want To Hear From You If you own one of the supported models, do you think youll pay to get the upgrade to CarPlay? [via Car and Driver Chinas economic influence is expanding in Europes Mediterranean area. Two West European countries in the European Union (EU) Italy and Greece joined Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in March and April, 2019 respectively. Both are also part of the Eurozone and NATO, and Italy belongs to the Group of Seven, which represents more than half of the worlds wealth. Their joining the BRI soon after the EU labeled China as a systemic rival in March and shortly before the EU-China summit on April 9 simultaneously mirrors the divisions in the EUs foreign policy. Significantly, Italy abstained from the recent EU vote to screen foreign investment in Europe. A major Chinese economic activity in the two Mediterranean countries will center around the development of three historic ports Trieste in north-east Italy, Genoa in the north-west, and Piraeus in south-east Greece, in the Athens area. Among the deals signed during President Xi Jinpings visit to Italy in March 2019 was an agreement between the Trieste and Genoa port authorities and the China Communications Construction Company, which is the BRIs largest builder. The opening of more Italian ports to China has also been under discussion. Chinas port diplomacy with Italy and Greece predates the BRI. China and Italy also view the deal through a historical perspective. In the 13th century, the Venetian explorer Marco Polo travelled along the Silk Road to China. In more recent times, China and Italy have strengthened industrial ties. Since the 1980s, Italian and Chinese companies have promoted joint ventures in several areas including mechanics and financial credit. Italys economy has yet to recover from a decade of slowdown and its infrastructure investment is still 40 percent below the peak it had reached in 2008. Therefore, Chinese funding for the Trieste and Genoa ports is welcome and important to Italy. For Italy, the Trieste deal would open the country to more Chinese infrastructure investment, For China, Trieste is a gateway to Europe. Its ability to handle port container traffic has greatly increased. Centuries ago, Trieste was an important port city at the northern edge of Italys Adriatic coast. It connected several empires. Contemporary Trieste is strategically important for Beijing because it would link the Mediterranean to landlocked Central and South European countries, including Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Serbia, all of which are potential markets that China is trying to reach and develop with the BRI. A foothold in Trieste would give China a faster trade route and railways to the rest of Europe. Chinas investment in the old Greek port of Piraeus started in 2008, five years before the launch of the BRI. The history of Piraeus goes back to the fourth or fifth century BC, when the Athenians recognized the strategic importance of its deep water harbor and converted it into a military harbor. In the 21st century, as in ancient times, the port is of great commercial and strategic significance. When the state-owned China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO) began developing the Piraeus port in 2008, Greece was facing bankruptcy. Piraeus was then considered insignificant and many in Europe took the view that Greece could benefit from Chinas investment. Eight years later, in 2015, COSCO bought a majority stake stake in the Piraeus Port Authority through an agreement that is valid until 2052. Today, Piraeus is one of the largest passenger ports in Europe. About 20 million passengers use it every year. COSCO plans to increase its investment with the intent of turning the port into a hub for rapidly growing trade between Asia and Eastern Europe. Since COSCOs takeover, Piraeus has become the fastest growing port in the world, according to a report in the German newspaper Die Zeit. It could displace the German port of Hamburg from the third place in Europe. Trade traffic increased after the Chinese takeover and in 2017 Piraeus showed a 92 percent profit. COSCO aims to make Piraeus the largest port in the Mediterranean. For both China and the EU, Piraeus marks increased connectivity between continents. Having joined Chinas 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Greece aims to expand its links with commercial centers in Europe, Africa, Asia, and beyond. EU policy towards Chinas growing clout in the Mediterranean tells a familiar story of its disunity. Lacking a common defense policy, the EU is more concerned with economic issues. China, meanwhile, is the EUs biggest source of imports and its second-largest export market, adding up to more than USD 1 billion in trade per day. Chinas blue economy accounts for 10 percent of its GDP. And the value of China-EU sea trade greatly exceeds trade by air or rail. But Chinas efforts to increase maritime ties with Italy and Greece are more than trade. Its strategic interests also explain its attempts to develop important Mediterranean ports like Trieste, Genoa and Piraeus. Two facts stand out. First, in the 21st century, great power will be defined to a considerable extent by maritime power and connections. That is one reason why China is building up a blue water navy. Chinas BRI reflects the intertwining of its economic, trading and military power. That was highlighted in 2015, when President Xi Jinping announced that military-civilian integration had been raised to a national strategy. As a rising power, Chinas integration of its military and civilian areas would boost its economy and strengthen its defense sector. That raises the question whether China might develop Trieste and Piraeus for military purposes. In the Indian Ocean, for instance, Chinese investments in the ports of Djibouti, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have been followed by Chinese naval deployments. In July 2017, Chinese warships paid a friendly visit to Piraeus and carried out naval drills with the Italian navy. Secondly, Chinas interest in Trieste, Genoa and Piraeus highlights its strategic concerns in the Mediterranean. Sixty percent of Chinese exports travel by sea, and the Mediterranean route to Europe is the most direct route and less expensive than land and air routes. But the Mediterranean is a politically risky area for China. NATO has a strong naval presence in the Mediterranean Sea, which is sometimes referred to as NATOs lake. The region is also prone to conflict, especially in Cyprus, in and around Israel and North Africa. Export-dependent and energy-hungry China would want to ensure that its goods will reach their intended markets and that no adversary will be able to block its oil supplies through a naval blockade. All told, there is more to the BRI than trade, as China builds its blue-water navy and holds naval drills in the Mediterranean, not only with Greece and Italy but also with its strategic partner Russia. EU policy towards Chinas growing clout in the Mediterranean tells a familiar story of its disunity. Lacking a common defense policy, the EU is more concerned with economic issues. Unable to agree on foreign policy, EU countries differ on their estimates of Chinese economic power and its potential threat to Europe. Greece itself sees benefits in joining the BRI and in having allowed China to develop Piraeus. And China has gained diplomatically from its good ties with Greece. In 2017, Greece vetoed an EU statement critical of China at the UN Council on Human Rights. For the EU, the awkward question is whether Beijing has acquired political influence in Athens by developing Piraeus. The economic and strategic implications of Italy and Greece joining the BRI trouble the EU. But it has yet to decide how it wants to deal with Chinas growing influence. In September 2017, a worried EU leadership suggested new investment screening measures for foreign state-owned companies wanting to buy a European harbor, part of the EUs energy infrastructure or a defense technology firm. But there is no EU-level policy on ports. Chinas port diplomacy in Italy and Greece shows how it has simultaneously built up its influence in Mediterranean and enhanced its own commercial and strategic position. The EUs recent talk of systemic rivalry is strangely aligned with its wish to deepen its ties with China. The outstanding fact is that the EU is too economically dependent on China and too divided to prevent more west European countries from joining the BRI. (Monaco and Luxembourg are also on board). The participation of Italy and Greece in the BRI, the development of the ports of Trieste, Genoa and Piraeus, signal greater cooperation between Italy, Greece and China. How the EU will deal with Chinas growing influence in the Mediterranean and Europe remains the open and tough question. A Harris County court on Monday tossed out yet another drug case over links to the officers at the center of the botched Pecan Park drug raid that left a couple dead and five officers injured earlier this year. The dismissed felony charge against Xavier Womack hinged on claims that former narcotics officer Steven Bryant - who recently retired under investigation - spotted the Houston man going in and out of a supposed drug house. But Womack's defense attorney, Lisa Andrews, says she repeatedly told prosecutors that her client was never at the scene, and it wasn't until after the outcome in Pecan Park sparked broader questions about police handling of drug cases that the Harris County District Attorney's Office agreed to drop Womack's drug charge. READ MORE: 2nd drug case involving embattled Officer Gerald Goines dismissed in the 'interest of justice' "I knew the officers were lying," Andrews told the Houston Chronicle on Monday. "But for the unfortunate circumstances" that led to the officers' departure from the department, Andrews continued, "I would be hoping to convince a jury of these facts against the word of two police officers." The dismissal marks at least the fifth case dropped in the fallout from the Jan. 28 bust, which was unrelated to Womack's arrest and prosecution. In addition to Bryant, former Officer Gerald Goines is also under investigation and recently retired from the Houston Police Department. Lawyers for the two officers at the center of the investigation did not immediately offer comment on the dismissal, but Harris County District Attorney spokesman Dane Schiller weighed in late Monday. "As the investigation continues, we are proceeding thoroughly and methodically," he said. "We are still delving not only into the Harding Street shootings. but other cases in which certain officers were involved." The arrest that started Womack's case came in 2017, when police said they'd been surveilling a house and had seen the South Side man coming and going, Andrews said. Afterward, police searched the place and instead arrested someone else they believed to be Womack. "However, when they executed the search warrant, my client was not present at the target house, and they arrested someone else they believed was my client," Andrews said. "That told me they never really saw my client at the house." When prosecutors realized that, they dropped charges against the other man and instead collared Womack, saying he'd been at the scene. "I told the DA's office all of this from day one, and of course they chose to believe the officers' version," Andrews said. "Because of that, I set it for trial." Court records show the 2017 arrest was dismissed because of an "investigation pending against investigating officers." The charge was possession with intent to deliver between 4 and 200 grams of cocaine. The police involved in the arrest came under scrutiny earlier this year after investigators accused 54-year-old Goines of lying on the search warrant affidavit used to justify a no-knock raid at 7815 Harding Street. When officers burst in the home that evening in search of a heroin dealer, they kicked off a gun battle that left dead Dennis Tuttle, his wife Rhogena Nicholas, and a pit bull they'd been dog-sitting. READ MORE: FBI opens civil rights investigation into botched Houston drug bust, police chief says But the raid netted no heroin and only a small amount of cocaine and marijuana, and the slain couple's friends and neighbors have repeatedly maintained that they weren't drug dealers. Days later, as Goines lay in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound to the neck, investigators realized they couldn't find the confidential informant behind the alleged heroin buy that started it all. When asked for details, Goines first named one informant and then another - but, according to court filings, police couldn't find anyone who admitted acting as the confidential informant before the raid. Instead, all of Goines' informants said they'd never met the Tuttles. That revelation pushed the police department to retool policies around the use of no-knock raids, and also sparked investigations by police, prosecutors and the FBI. In addition to probing the possibility of criminal wrongdoing, prosecutors launched a review of more than 2,000 cases handled by Goines and Bryant - both whom retired under investigation. Almost as soon as prosecutors announced their case review, a Harris County judged signed off on the dismissal of a drug case against Courtney Jacobs. In the weeks that followed, at least three more drug cases against other defendants were dismissed. 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. Jim Bob Duggar was the central star of the former TLC reality show, 19 Kids and Counting, but his day job involves real estate. The patriarch of the prolific Duggar dynasty is also a real estate agent, and he's invested in properties in his home state of Arkansas. Now it looks like Duggar would like to cash in. He and his wife, Michelle, are selling a 21-acre lot in Bentonville, AR, for $599,000. According to the listing, the locale is near a prime airport service location. In addition, theres a 2,000-square-foot home already on the property, and it's being sold as is. The structure could be converted into an office or maintained as a residence. Duggar land for sale realtor.com Alternatively, the large tract of land could be used for a food distribution center, a warehouse, or a manufacturing or commercial center. Bentonville is where you'll find the corporate headquarters of Walmart, so a commercial buyer is a real possibility. With more and more workers moving into the area, the city has seen a rise in home values. The downtown area has experienced a rebirth, with trendy restaurants, a boutique hotel, and an art museum. Recently, the Duggar family has been making real estate headlines. Anna and Josh Duggar just dropped the price of their Siloam Springs, AR, farmhouse by $10,000. And Jana Duggar gave her parents (Jim Bob and Michelle) a sweet surprise with a master suite remodel. Perhaps the Duggars are angling for a real estate spinoff show. Stay tuned! The post Duggar Watch: Jim Bob and Michelle Selling 21 Acres in Arkansas appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. The deals seem too good to be true: round-trip first or business class airfare for far less than you'd expect to pay. They're hard to ignore: hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars off for a cushy, lie-flat seat in the pointy-end of the airplane. But these tickets are not being sold by airlines. Instead, they are sold by third parties that you likely have never heard of. Google "business class discounts" and you'll find names like SkyLux, Business Class Guru, Wholesale Flights, SkyBird, Cheap First Class, and more. Their one-dimensional websites are tricky to navigate and feel a little sketchy. The companies offering these too-good-to-be-true deals are called airline consolidators. Are they worth dealing with? "I'm not a huge fan airfare consolidators as a way for most people to save on airfare, for a few reasons," said Scott Keys, the founder of the popular Scott's Cheap Flights website, in an interview. "First, to the extent airfare consolidators are able to offer savings, it's almost exclusively on international premium seats, which can easily cost five times or more the price of a seat in economy. Multi-thousand-dollar flights to Europe are out of the question for most folks, alas. Second, airfare consolidators are not a panacea; standard flight search engines are often cheaper from a smattering of sample searches. Lastly, booking through a third party is always going to be riskier than booking directly with an airline, especially if there's a delay/cancellation or you wind up changing your travel plans. Unless the savings are truly substantial, it's typically best to book directly with airlines whenever possible." Airline ticket consolidators are a subset of the travel industry that was born before the internet when airlines had more seats to sell than they knew what to do with, said business travel expert Joe Brancatelli, the founder of joesentme.com website, told us. "They're the outlet malls of airlines," Brancatelli said. "Before the web, airlines had a lot of seats they had to sell that they couldn't sell through retail travel agencies. Airlines offered consolidators massive discounts of 30-40 percent, and sometimes 60-70 percent. Then the internet came along, allowing airlines to reach customers directly. So the need for these kinds of people, the interlocutors, declined." He said that many have folded over the years, but some larger ones remain, doing business primarily with travel agencies. Some market directly to consumers via ads popping up on various websites. On most consolidator websites, you can't get a fare quote like you can on a standard airline or agency website. Instead, you fill out an online form with your flight parameters, then you have to wait for someone at the agency to call or email you back. And once you've provided your contact information, prepare for a hard sell that won't stop until you buy a ticket or block their calls. What kind of deals are we talking about? I priced out round trip business class between San Francisco and Amsterdam for June, and the cheapest fare I could find via Google Flights is about $5,000 for a one stop flight, and $9,000 for a nonstop. A promo page on CheapFirstClass.com says it has recently snagged SFO-AMS fares for just $2,845. That's a significant savings, but there are risks involved. Those who do purchase fares from consolidators should know what they are getting themselves into. - You may be flying on an overseas airline you've never heard of. Brancatelli said consolidators typically work with lesser known foreign carriers that may not have the global brand recognition as larger, more established carriers do. "The airlines that need the consolidators the most tend to be new to a market, and frankly ones you've never heard of," he said. These days, he says, "There are fewer of those quirky airlines that were the bread and butter of these consolidators." - Don't always expect frequent flier miles from your trips. When you book tickets through the consolidator and not the airline some itineraries will not award you frequent flier miles or miles that count towards airline elite status. - Flights may not be transferable to another airline. "If a flight cancels, you might have to wait a few days for a flight home," Brancatelli said. That's especially true for carriers that do not operate daily flights to a given destination. So you may find yourself out of luck and paying out of pocket if weather problems or mechanical issues hamper your flights. - Some so-called consolidators tread a gray area by ticketing customers through illegitimate tactics. That can include third-country ticketing where, for example, a ticket is bought in Canada for an American passenger's trip to Europe to take advantage of a cheaper airfare and/or a more favorable foreign currency exchange rate. -Then there's the buying and selling of miles, which is prohibited by the airlines. "There's the brokering of frequent flier miles on a soft basis or a hard basis," Brancatelli said. "People are reselling seats they're claiming as awards." As the buyer, you may never know this was done unless or until the airline confronts you about it. These tactics are not against the law, but do violate airline rules. If caught, fliers might have their tickets cancelled, and the airline might shut down frequent flier accounts. "If the consolidator is selling a ticket where you can earn miles, you're not flying on [someone else's] frequent flier ticket," said Blake Fleetwood, CEO of New York City-based Cook Travel, which sells consolidator fares. "Make sure the ticket you're flying on you can earn miles. That's generally a good ticket." Fleetwood explained he works directly with the airlines and other travel partners to offer clients business and first class tickets with savings as high as 50 percent off an airline's published fares. Don't miss out on a shred of important travel news! Sign up for our FREE bi-weekly email alerts. Chris McGinnis "There are consolidators who are real consolidators who sell through travel agents and sometimes directly to the public, and we do that," Fleetwood said. "Then there are discount ticket brokers you find them searching on Google, and some of them are the problem ones. After these ticket brokers are in business for a year or two, they get crappy reviews, and then the brokers change their names. We haven't changed our name in 35 years." If you are going to spend thousands of dollars with a consolidator, don't do so blindly. Check online reviews and Better Business Bureau ratings. Ask frank questions about how long the company has been in business, how many clients they assist, which airlines they work with, or if they have any references you can call. Is there a physical office with a street address that you can visit? And look for accreditation or endorsements from travel associations. For example, consolidators endorsed by the American Society of Travel Advisors, are bound by the organization's code of ethics which involves issuing refunds and responding to consumer complaints, according to Erika Richter, ASTA's communications director. Keyes advises: "If you have the time and inclination, it never hurts to see what prices an airfare consolidator can offer. Typically, though, you'll wind up saving more if you follow general flight-booking best practices like booking at least two months in advance, being flexible with your cities and dates, and seeking out the cheapest fare across the ocean before continuing on to your final destination." Fleetwood also suggests paying consolidators with a credit card versus wiring money so you can make a claim if things go wrong. Generally I think it's best to consider consolidators only as a last resort, as there are too many things that can go wrong. However, things can sometimes go just fine. It all depends in your risk tolerance. Have you or would you use an airline ticket consolidator to get a first or business class discount? Tell us in the comments! Read all recent TravelSkills posts here Get twice-per-week updates from TravelSkills via email! Sign up here Chris McGinnis is the founder of TravelSkills.com. The author is solely responsible for the content above, and it is used here by permission. You can reach Chris at chris@travelskills.com or on Twitter @cjmcginnis. The two 500-pound gorillas in the lodging business have long offered consumers two different types of products and experience, but that is starting to change as Marriott is moving into home rentals in a big way, and Airbnb will start to rent out hotel-style accommodations in one of Marriott's biggest markets New York City. After an apparently successful pilot project to rent out private homes in select international markets, Marriott is reportedly planning a big expansion of that business with the creation of a new division called Homes & Villas by Marriott. And customers who rent those homes will get something Airbnb can't match the benefits of Marriott's giant Bonvoy loyalty program. "If Marriott plays this right, it can be a really big deal. Letting consumers earn and redeem rewards points for stays at home rentals the same way they do for hotel stays could be an absolute game-changer," said Matt Schulz, Chief Industry Analyst at CompareCards.com. Marriott started testing the waters of home rentals last year in partnership with a U.K.-based management company called Hostmaker. It started with a roster of 200 homes in London and gradually expanded to 340 in London, Rome, Paris, and Lisbon, operating as a sub-brand of Marriott's Tribute Portfolio of independent properties. But now Marriott reportedly plans to expand its home rental business to a couple of thousand properties worldwide, working with more than half a dozen different management companies through its new corporate division. Marriott will handle bookings through its worldwide reservations system and will incorporate the home rentals into its loyalty program for both point earning and redemptions. The new business wouldn't represent a total assault on Airbnb's customer base, however, because Marriott's rental homes would target the luxury market rather than the mass market. The participating homes will show up along with its hotels on consumer searches of Marriott's website in markets where the homes are available. See images of Marriott's London home offerings in the slideshow at the top of this post. Its experience in the home rental pilot program showed Marriott that almost nine out of 10 customers who booked a rental home were Bonvoy members. They typically booked a two-bedroom property, were traveling for leisure, and stayed an average of 5.1 nights, or about three times longer than hotel guests, according to the travel news website Skift.com. Airbnb, meanwhile, has announced a new partnership with RXR Realty, a major player in New York City, to convert "portions of iconic NYC commercial properties into a new category of urban lodging, made available exclusively through the Airbnb platform," the companies said. The first building to offer converted guest rental units will be 75 Rockefeller Plaza in midtown Manhattan. The companies are also examining the possibilities of converting other RXR properties including one building across from the Brooklyn Navy Yard in Brooklyn. Don't miss a shred of important travel news! Sign up for our FREE bi-weekly email alerts Marriott The 75 Rockefeller Plaza conversion will take up 10 floors in the building, and the new guest rental units will all be "apartment-style suites" with fully stocked kitchens, the companies said. The facility will also feature check-in/check-out services, security systems, and concierge services, and guests will have access to a private social club and business center on the top floor as well as "culinary experiences, cultural programming, meeting and event space, collaborative working areas and common areas." RXR will also install a new ground floor restaurant and bar next to the lobby. "With the lines between business travel and leisure travel becoming increasingly blurred, RXR and Airbnb are offering a travel experience that immerses guests in a dynamic, thriving community in the heart of Rockefeller Center that's vastly different than anything else in the market today," said RXR CEO Scot Rechler. Airbnb has shown increasing interest recently in offering its customers the option of booking regular hotels as well as home-sharing accommodations. In March, the company said it is acquiring HotelTonight, an app that offers short-notice discounted accommodations in scores of cities in the U.S. and abroad. 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. A Pacific storm is delivering a heavy dose of nasty weather to Southern California with lightning, small hail, strong winds and heavy rain all in the mix. Downpours drenched coastal areas from San Luis Obispo to San Diego overnight, and now the system has pivoted eastward, barreling across desert areas and moving into Nevada. The National Weather Service issued a severe storm warning Monday for eastern parts of Southern California including Bishop, Death Valley, Barstow and Baker. "Small hail and a lot of lightning" was later reported in San Bernardino County Monday morning. The storm system is staying to the south of the Bay Area, but its northern-most edge is brushing the region, delivering high clouds and cooler temperatures. The National Weather Service says precipitation is highly unlikely in the Bay Area Monday: "Given recent observations [we] decided to remove any mention of precip for the forecast area this morning. Did a quick update to the official forecast." ALSO: San Francisco has seen nearly twice as much precipitation as Seattle this year Afternoon highs Monday are expected to be in the 60s on the coast and 70s inland. Temperatures will continue to drop Tuesday and Wednesday, before a warming trend starts Thursday as a weak high-pressure ridge builds over the region. "Daytime temperatures are likely to warm into the 60s at the coast to 70s and even lower 80s by Thursday and Friday," according to the NWS. The humpbacks are back. On Saturday, six humpback whales were spotted just west of the Golden Gate Bridge. They moseyed even closer to San Francisco Sunday, when some of those same whales came into San Francisco Bay and were hanging out just off Crissy Field. While gray whales have been regularly spotted in the San Francisco Bay over the past several weeks, this is the first time humpbacks have made a strong showing. Several of the humpbacks spotted are known to researchers, and even have names like Akula, Pogo and Gator. One of the humpbacks couldn't get enough of San Francisco last year it was spotted at least 24 times in the bay over the summer. ALSO: More whales are hanging out in San Francisco Bay. It may be a bad sign. If you didn't catch a glimpse of them over the weekend, don't worry. Michael Pierson with San Francisco Whale Tours believes they'll be sticking around for a while, as they did last year. "The whales that arrived this weekend will most likely be with us all summer if their behavioral patterns remain similar to last year and as long as there is food in the bay." While this is good news for whale watchers, there is concern that lingering in the highly trafficked bay may actually be dangerous for the massive marine mammals. More than 80 whales are killed by ship strikes on the West Coast every year, according to a recent study. But it's not ship strikes that have been posing the greatest threat to West Coast whales recently. Several gray whales have washed up dead on Bay Area shores in recent weeks appearing emaciated. While necropsies are still ongoing, starvation is believed to be killing the animals. John Calambokidis, research biologist with Cascadia Research in Olympia, Wash., thinks it may have to do with a growth in the overall gray whale population. With more whales, there might not be enough food to support them all. Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at alix.martichoux@sfgate.com. It was a "rollercoaster of emotions" on board a Monterey Bay Whale Watch trip Saturday, the company said, after a boatful of tourists witnessed a gruesome killer whale hunt up close. A pod of five transient killer whales surrounded a gray whale mother and her calf, working together to attack and kill the baby. "It really was a showdown in the sea," the whale watching company said on Facebook. "Though it can be sad to think of the gray whales becoming prey, we must remember that the killer whales have to eat in order to survive." Orcas often come to Monterey Bay as a prime hunting ground in the spring, as gray whales are migrating from Baja California to Alaska for the summer. The mothers and their calves typically remain fairly close to the shore on their migration up the California coast because it's safer and food is more abundant. However, as they come across Monterey Bay, the geography makes it harder for them to stay close to the coast. Orcas hang around the bay waiting to take advantage of the young calves' vulnerability in deep, open water. ALSO: Record number of killer whales show up to feast in Monterey Bay Gray whale moms will often do everything they can to protect their young, but, as was the case Saturday, it's often not enough. The killer whales were spotted in the area again Sunday, foraging after their successful hunt. Gray whale calves are expected to keep coming through the Monterey Bay over the next month, so it's likely hungry orcas will be spotted off the central coast through the end of May. Meanwhile, further north, it's the start of humpback season near San Francisco. Six humpbacks were seen in the San Francisco Bay and just west of the Golden Gate Bridge over the weekend. Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at alix.martichoux@sfgate.com. HONG KONG Thousands of protesters marched through downtown Hong Kong on Sunday in opposition to proposed changes in an extradition law widely seen as eroding the territorys independent legal system. Many of those taking part carried yellow umbrellas, recalling Hong Kongs huge 2014 pro-democracy rallies the leaders of whom have been sentenced to up to 16 months in prison. Hong Kong police said more than 22,000 people took part. COLOMBO, Sri Lanka More evidence emerged Monday that the Sri Lankan government had ignored detailed warnings about an imminent terrorist attack, days before suicide bombers killed more than 250 people at crowded churches and hotels. In a memo dated April 9 and labeled Top Secret, (Eyes Only), the chief of national intelligence warned the countrys police chief that Sri Lanka based Zahran Hashmi of National Towheed Jamaat and his associates are planning to carry out a suicide terrorist attack in Sri Lanka shortly. The bombings came 12 days later. The memo, whose authenticity was confirmed by two high-ranking government officials, is the earliest one revealed so far to have so obviously conveyed a sense of urgency. A security memo two days later warned of a possible suicide attack by the radical Islamist group but did not say when it was expected. Day by day, the paper trail of detailed warnings gets longer, casting more doubts on President Maithripala Sirisenas claims that he did not know the attack was coming. Several Sri Lankan officials said it would have gone against standard practice for the national intelligence chief to have shared such highly classified information with police officials without first sharing it with the president. No extra police officers were deployed to stop the attacks and Roman Catholic leaders, anguished over the devastation, have said they would have canceled Easter Mass had they known about the warnings. The April 9 memo said the terrorist group was planning to target some important churches and the Indian High Commission in Colombo, the capital, and may adopt any of the following modes of attack: suicide attack, weapon attack, knife attack, truck attack. The memo closes: It is important to alert the law enforcement agencies to be vigilant concerning the information. On Monday, Sirisena banned all forms of clothing that cover a persons face and prevents them from being identified, an order seen as being directed at the niqabs and burqas that some Muslim women wear in public. The president cited the limited state of emergency that he imposed last week, giving the government sweeping powers to arrest, search and seize. Muslim leaders in Sri Lanka had already asked women not to cover their faces in the aftermath of the bombings and some of them described the ban, however temporary, as needlessly provocative. Jeffrey Gettleman and Dharisha Bastians are New York Times writers. MANBIJ, Syria Cities and towns across eastern Syria are overwhelmed by rubble. The militias that fought the Islamic State group are digging tunnels to prepare for a possible battle against Turkey. A recent explosion in the city of Raqqa killed nine people. The routing of the Islamic State from its final piece of territory in Syria last month was hailed as a milestone in the fight against the worlds most fearsome terrorist organization. But the territory it once ruled remains in shambles, insecure and its future uncertain. Entire communities are destroyed, with little help to rebuild. A range of powers the Syrian government, Turkey, Russia and militias backed by Iran hope to fill the void left by the jihadis defeat. And the Islamic State is not even gone: While the bombings that killed at least 250 people in Sri Lanka last week demonstrated that its ideology continues to echo globally, in Syria thousands of its fighters have merely gone underground to launch attacks and plot their comeback. We are talking about a secret organization that is still operating, said Redur Xelil, a senior official with the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurdish-led militia that the United States backed to fight the jihadis. It has a network, means of communication and a central command. A Kurdish-led administration is struggling to govern the area, which encompasses roughly the third of Syria east of the Euphrates River. But the United States, which led the military coalition to defeat the Islamic State, has not recognized the local administration and will not help with reconstruction. Having won the war, the United States risks losing the peace. The United States remains the areas de facto protector, its 2,000 troops presumed to be the only barrier deterring incursions by Russian, Turkish or Syrian government forces. But the Trump administrations plans for those troops have fluctuated, from the complete withdrawal the president suddenly announced in December to the current plan of drawing the number down by half and seeing how it goes. The uncertainty has confused American allies. There is no clarity, said Xelil, the senior SDF official. That is the problem with the Americans. In recent visits to half a dozen towns and cities across northeastern Syria, reporters that the relief residents had over the territorial defeat of the Islamic State had been quickly overshadowed by the tenuous security and paralyzing uncertainty about where the region goes from here. After five years of battle, the Islamic State no longer rules territory the size of Britain, but thousands of its fighters continue to operate in the region, striking when they can. The United States says it remains committed to the enduring defeat of the Islamic State, but it has done little to shape the political future of the jihadis former lands. Local councils administer the territory and provide basic services. Ben Hubbard and Ivor Prickett are New York Times writers. Page Content An employee who was told that agreeing to arbitrate disputes was a condition of employment but who refused to sign the agreement and continued to work for the employer implied her consent to arbitration, a California appeals court ruled. Therefore, the employee was required to arbitrate her workplace-discrimination claims. On Dec. 2, 2016, the employee and her co-workers received notice at an in-person meeting that the company was adopting a new dispute resolution policy requiring arbitration of all claims. The company's chief operating officer told employees that even if they refused to sign the agreement, continued employment would constitute acceptance of its terms. All employees received a copy of the agreement to review at home. On Dec. 19, company representatives met privately with the employee, who had indicated to the company's HR director that she did not wish to sign the agreement. They advised her again that continuing to work implied acceptance of the agreement. On Dec. 23, the employee and her lawyer gave the company a letter dated Dec. 20, rejecting the agreement but indicating that the employee intended to continue her employment. On the same date, she also filed a complaint in court alleging workplace discrimination. On Jan. 17, 2017, the company sent a demand for arbitration to the employee's lawyer. The lawyer did not reply. The company filed its motion to compel arbitration in April. The trial court heard arguments and denied the motion. The company appealed. Consent to Arbitration The appellate court first noted that, when presented with a petition to compel arbitration, the initial issue before the court is whether an agreement has been formed. The party seeking to compel arbitration bears the burden of proving the existence of the agreement, the court said, finding that, in this case, the company had met its burden. California law in this area is settled, the court said. When an employee continues to work after being notified that arbitration is a condition of continued employment, his or her consent is implied. The evidence shows that the employee stayed in her job between Dec. 2 and Dec. 23. As a result, she was already bound by the arbitration agreement before she presented the letter indicating that she was rejecting the agreement and that she planned to stay employed, the court said. Because the plaintiff's employment was at willmeaning that she or the employer could end the relationship at any time and for any lawful reasonthe company could change the terms of her employment agreement if it provided notice. Enforceable Agreement Once the party seeking arbitration has established that a binding agreement was formed, the burden shifts to the party opposing arbitration to demonstrate that the agreement cannot be enforced. [SHRM members-only HR Q&A: What are the California rules regarding mandatory arbitration agreements, and how do they differ from federal law?] A showing that an agreement is unconscionableor shockingly unfair to one partycan bar enforcement, the court noted. An agreement may be procedurally unconscionable if the parties have unequal bargaining power, whereas an agreement may be substantively unconscionable if the terms are overly harsh or one-sided. Both elements must be present for a court to refuse enforcement. Although the court did find procedural unconscionability in the "take it or leave it" way the agreement was presented to the employees, it found no evidence that the terms of the agreement were unfair, and so found no evidence of substantive unconscionability. The court therefore reversed the trial court's order, ruling that the employee must arbitrate her claims. Diaz v. Sohnen Enterprises, Calif. Ct. App., No. B283077 (April 10, 2019). Professional Pointer: In general, an employer can fire an at-will employee who refuses to sign an arbitration agreement. In this case, the employee was not fired, but she was bound by the agreement she had refused to sign. Joanne Deschenaux, J.D., is a freelance writer in Annapolis, Md. Technological advancements have drastically changed the way businesses function in our country. Companies are honing in on strategy and strategic technology to gain a completive advantage in a highly competitive market. USPs no longer have the effect they once had on consumers and customers. Strides in AI and ML have left common users with personalized experiences that they have come to cherish. The IT sector has increased its contribution to Indias GDP from 1.2% in 1998 to 7.7 % in 2017, hence showcasing the immense power it has on an economy's rise. While IT has placed us on a global platform with its subsets contributing directly to Indias GDP, current statistics clearly show us a change in trends. Strategic trends including the likes of Big Data Analysis, IoTs, Automation, Quantum Computing, and Cyber Security are gaining immense traction especially from C-level executives across the country. These concepts have seen use cases being implemented in sectors ranging from banking and healthcare to supply chain and education. According to sources, By 2022, 70% of enterprises will be experimenting with immersive technologies for consumer and enterprise use, and 25% will have deployed them to production These trends show us the immediate necessity for a curated solution. C-suite executive and company heads are looking for curated solutions, especially in these areas. CX Strategies: Aligning business goals with the needs of customers can be done by implementing a strong customer care strategy. By incorporating the latest technology and with the right use of data, companies can gain a competitive advantage in the market. Cloud Computing: Almost all businesses functions and sectors have allocated a portion of their resources towards research and adoption of cloud strategies. These designs have made their way into the Indian IT ecospace back in 2016 and have come to transform important the business models of many companies. Cyber Security: Moving toward a digitized platform has its pros and cons. While businesses implement the latest tech, they must take necessary steps to ensure that their data is secure from cyber-attacks. The year 2019 is scheduled to be the year where India is going to make massive strides in privacy and personal data protection. Hyper-converged infrastructure: The need to simplify infrastructure has made HCIs one of the fastest growing innovations in the country. With the influx of IoTs, Cloud and mobility solutions on driving its impact in the IT sector. General Data Protection Regulation: The European Parliament and Council have formulated the GDPR and is set to replace the Data Protection Directive 95/46/ec. While this is applicable primarily for companies handling EU citizens data, the real-world scenario involves companies from across the globe having access to this information and needing to comply with these rules, India included. What makes Big CIO Show one of a kind? We host over 250 attendees All of whom are pre-qualified, ensuring they are C-level executives, CxOs and heads of companies. Over 90% decision-makers Delegates equipped with the power to sign a deal with your company (enterprises, investors and IT leaders) Industry diversification Companies from all industries. Over 15 solution providers - showcasing the best that technology has to offer. 12-month deal closure - Implementation of accepted solution within 12 months. The Eighth Edition of the Big CIO Show & Awards gathers thought leaders and industry experts from India and showcases the latest technological innovations and trends that has engulfed our economy. This Show also recognizes the efforts of selected leaders and innovators from key industry sectors for implementing new age technology in their business. This show is scheduled to take place on the 24th of May 2019 at The Leela Mumbai. Register for the Big CIO Show & Awards here. Read More News: EC gets notice challenging jail term for questioning EVMs Cyclone 'Fani' may head towards north coastal Andhra STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Philadelphia cop has been suspended from his job amid allegations he burst in to a Brooklyn apartment to steal a dog from his girlfriends brother, according to a New York Daily News report. Angel Lopez, 30, was arrested Friday on charges that including robbery, assault and coercion through his public position, according to the report. Prosecutors allege Lopez entered the Bushwick apartment of Rafael Santos, 25, at about 5:30 a.m. dressed in his uniform and armed with a gun, demanding Santos Maltese, according to the report. The altercation occurred amid an ongoing dispute over the dog between Santos and his sister. Santos told the Daily News his sister was occasionally caring for the dog, then decided she wanted to take it permanently to Pennsylvania with her. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y In 2019, women across generations are taking a stand against sexual harassment and assault. #MeToo, Times UP, and Hollaback! are prime examples of movements that are bringing these issues to light. While foundations such as those are propelling progress forward, society still has a long way to go when it comes to different forms of harassment. Street harassment, which is more commonly known as catcalling, usually entails a loud whistle or comment of a sexual nature made by a man or group of men to a passing woman. In some cases, catcalling involves honking car horns at passing women, flashing vulgar gestures, self exposure to a woman, and even inappropriate grabbing. Women on Staten Island arent immune to it. Women recently questioned at the Staten Island Ferry shared their experiences with catcalling. Just walking to school or to the store, some guys try to talk to me, like, Oh, how old are you? Whats your name? You look so pretty, and when you deny them, they start calling you out and get angry, said one young woman, May, just 13. I get scared because they are a lot older than me. It makes me feel uncomfortable. I dont even like to walk out because guys ask me weird questions. Its just very uncomfortable. Another group of young ladies were asked if they had ever been catcalled. One, Abigail, 16, of New Springville, immediately answered: Yeah, at Port (Port Richmond High School),'' she said. There are a lot of guys outside the school, who just look at you. It doesnt matter if youre with your parents, theyll just stare at you or say hey or whatever, and really focus on you. Why engage in this behavior? William Castello, a professor at St. Johns University, said low self-esteem is to blame. There is a competition to be boldest, strongest most macho, generally driven by rampant lack of self esteem, disappointment and frustration with life in general, Castello said. It is a sign of a rough and rude upbringing, which lends itself to a competition of sorts among the groups ... kind of a oneupsmanship of whos worse than the rest. While most catcalling men would argue that their comments are purely complementary and should not be considered a big deal, this type of harassment can easily instill fear and even leave long-lasting psychological effects, experts say. Geraldine Cicero, a sociology professor at St. Johns University, shared her own personal experience and expertise on this social behavior. She described an incident that occurred when she was just 10 or 11 years old. All these years later, she clearly remembers the time a car full of young men slowed down beside her, rolled down their windows, and began shouting at her. She was advised by her friend to not look at them and keep walking. Cicero said the anger and sadness she experienced was something you simply dealt with at the time. Unfortunately, even in todays social climate, women are still expected to simply ignore the shouting and whistling. Referring to such incidents simply as catcalling is infuriating, she said. "The term minimizes the act as well as the impact,'' she said. "At the very least, its disrespectful. More accurately, its a form of objectification, and as I see it, an expression of hostility. No matter how innocuous some may believe, catcalling, typically done by men to women, is a form of harassment and degradation. Its unacceptable. Over half of respondents noticed that theyve changed their clothing, refused a social event, chose different transportation options or felt distracted at work/school. street harassment. Some of the reports findings: Over half of respondents noticed that theyve changed their clothing, refused a social event, chose different transportation options, or felt distracted at work/school. Some respondents note that they moved cities or changed jobs because of street harassment. The National Organization for Women (NOW) reiterates that street harassment is more than just rudeness. In the context of gender, harassment often ends up being a way for men to exert control over women and their bodies,'' the organization says. "Shouting a crude comment about a womans appearance suggests entitlement to her body. Groping or stalking or simply standing too close without a womans permission shows entitlement to her space. Expecting a woman to talk to you while or after you harass her displays entitlement to her time. Although the subject is uncomfortable, more and more women are conjuring the strength to stand up for themselves against harassment. A woman from Mariners Harbor shared the emotions she experienced after she said she was recently harassed at her place of employment. I noticed I went through changes through the whole process," she said. First, I actually felt embarrassed that I was harassed. Then, I felt sharing would be too revealing and I also felt that I wouldnt be heard, or me speaking up wouldnt make a difference. She said when she spoke up about it she felt a sense of relief, but still doubted herself. "Harassment is not discriminatory, but it is happening and it will continue, as long as you let it, she said. Stop Street Harassment suggests several ways to deal with the issue. Among them: STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. In a bombshell development, the lawyer for Ayisha Egea, the pregnant woman, who along with her boyfriend, Michael Cammarata, is accused of slaying Cammaratas estranged wife last month, said Monday he has recordings from Cammarata which clear his client of the homicide. After a brief court appearance in which Cammarata met his new lawyer, Mario F. Gallucci, Mark Fonte, Egeas attorney, let a reporter hear a tape recording of a phone call he said Cammarata made from jail to his investigator on Saturday. After identifying himself as Michael Cammarata, the caller said, I just wanted to let you know that Im trying to plead guilty to the charges, and that Ayisha Egea, the co-defendant, had nothing to do with it and she should be cleared of all charges. Her charges should be dismissed. The caller then said hed be in court on Monday, and he wanted to meet the investigator to talk about what to do from this point on. But I need to get Ayisha Egeas charges dropped, said the caller. I am taking full responsibility for everything. Thank you. The caller provided no specific information on how Jeanine Cammarata, a New Brighton resident and first-grade teacher at PS 29 in Castleton Corners, was killed. In court papers, prosecutors allege Jeanine Cammarata, 37, drove to the defendants Far Rockaway, Queens, apartment on the night of March 30, and the defendants entered her car and attacked her. Afterward, they took the victims body into their apartment and removed it the next day, allege prosecutors. The defendants transported the corpse to New Jersey and then to Staten Island to a storage unit at 7 Arden Ave., Arden Heights, where it was left on April 1 at 3:30 p.m., prosecutors allege in court papers. The victims charred remains were found in a plastic bin in the storage unit on April 4, authorities said. Cammarata and Egea did not address the court during Mondays brief proceeding. Justice Mario F. Mattei ordered the defendants back to court on May 13, when, Fonte said, hell apply for bail for Egea. He also asked for continued medical attention for Egea, who, he said, is seven months pregnant. The court approved attorney Yan Katsnelson joining Egeas defense team. I understand that Mr. Gallucci is now representing Michael Cammarata, Fonte said outside court. Unfortunately, he drew the short straw in that his client is guilty of second-degree murder. The facts have not changed. My client, Ms. Egea, had nothing to do with Jeanines death. You dont have to rely on my word or Ms. Egeas word, because Mr. Galluccis client also clears Ms. Egea, said Fonte. I have recordings from Mr. Cammarata stating that my client had nothing at all to do with the homicide. Mr. Cammarata took full responsibility. When later informed of Fontes remarks, Gallucci said he knew nothing of the phone call. I just met my client, said Gallucci. Its Day One. I received the indictment along with voluminous discovery material. I will need to review them and then have a conversation with my client. A 15-count indictment accuses Michael Cammarata, 42, and Egea, 41, of second-degree murder for intentionally causing the victims death, with her body or a part thereof being found on Staten Island. The defendants are also charged with first-degree manslaughter, concealing a human corpse and two counts of evidence tampering with respect to the victims body and her car. In addition, Michael Cammarata and Egea are accused of two counts of stolen-property possession and five counts of child endangerment. The stolen-property charges allege the defendants snatched the victims debit card and drivers license. The child endangerment charges apparently stem from evidence alleging the couple packed up five children and transported them, along with the victims remains, to the Arden Heights storage facility. Two of the kids were Michael and Jeanine Cammaratas, while the other three were Egeas children, said sources. Both defendants have denied the charges. In the days after the slaying, Michael Cammarata told investigators a convoluted tale in which he alleged to have had a sexual rendezvous with the victim, then argued and hit her on the day after authorities say he had, in fact, killed her, court records said. Cammarata told police he had seen his wife on March 30 when she drove to Queens to see her kids. However, she couldnt see them because they were sleeping, he said. Cammarata told cops he and his spouse spoke for about 90 minutes about their pending divorce and custody proceedings, said court documents. Cammarata told police he had a liaison with his wife the next day, March 31, in her New Brighton home, court papers said. He also said they had argued over her serving him divorce papers and seeking $500 in weekly alimony, and that he had hit her several times in the shoulder and arm, said prosecutors court papers. Egea told police she last saw the victim on March 30, when Jeanine Cammarata came to her Queens home. She said she and Michael went into Jeanines car, and Michael and Jeanine began arguing about the children, said court papers. Egea said Jeanine later calmed down. Afterward, Egea said she and Michael left Jeanine in the car and went inside their apartment. She told police thats the last time she saw the victim. VIDEO FOOTAGE In a related development, the Advance was able to view a video taken at the Arden Heights storage facility on April 1 when, authorities say, the defendants brought the victims remains there. Over an approximate 35-minute time frame beginning around 3:41 p.m., the defendants can be seen, along with five young children, walking in and out of the facility. At one point, Cammarata horses around with one child. Some of the other kids run around seemingly unaware of what police allege actually was happening. The group can be seen carrying boxes of various sizes from out of the storage facility to a minivan which is backed up to an exterior roll-down gate. The boxes are put into the van. Toward the end of the video, Cammarata, then by himself, removes a big black garbage bag from the minivans trunk. He then takes the bag and walks with it out of view inside the facility. When Cammarata later re-enters the frame, he no longer has the bag. He opens the automatic roll-down gate from the inside and exits outside. Reached by phone later Monday, Fonte said he had also seen the video. Asked about Egeas role, if any, in the alleged concealment of the corpse, Fonte replied, My client certainly didnt want to become Mr. Cammaratas second victim. Ill be putting all of this together for Ms. Egeas bail application on the 13th, said Fonte. Prosecutors did not immediately comment on the developments. 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! Green development concept should be spread to every corner of world: Xi BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said Sunday that he hopes the green development concept embodied by the International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 Beijing should be spread to every corner of the world. The horticultural expo, themed "Live Green, Live Better," is aimed at advocating the respect for and integration with the nature in people's pursuit of a better life, Xi said while addressing the opening of the expo. The US Federal Aviation Administration is moving to fast-track its recertification of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, with US media reporting the planes could be cleared to fly by early June. The Boeing 737 MAX has been grounded worldwide since mid-March after two deadly crashes involving Indonesias Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines killed 346 people over a five-month period. The US is moving to fast-track the recertification of the Boeing 737 MAX. Credit:AP Two representatives of Australias aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), have arrived in the United States to be part of the Joint Authorities Technical Review, an international panel of experts hosted by the FAA to review the 737 MAX. The Australians, a pilot and an aeronautical engineer, will begin work this week with experts from eight other civil aviation authorities, who have 90 days to review the 737 MAXs automated flight control system. Les Murray, arguably Australias greatest poet and the man who was frequently tipped to be Australias next Nobel laureate, has died. He was 80. He is survived by his five children and wife, Valerie. Murray only started school when he was nine but by then was already obsessed with words and learning. He wrote his first poem soon after he left high school at the end of 1956 it was about the shimmer of light and water on the tracks at his local railway station. Writing poetry, he used to say, was the only way of using all the types of knowledge he had acquired. Australian poet Les Murray in April 2010. Credit:Rob Banks Murray was often referred to as the Bard of Bunyah in mid-north-coast New South Wales, which was where his great-great-grandfather first bought land in the 1840s. Murray lived there as a child with his grandparents. His mother died when he was 12 as a result of a miscarriage. When he eventually returned to Taree High School he was bullied because of his size and awkwardness. He went to Sydney University in 1957 and eventually returned to live in Bunyah in 1985. If you are the Liberal Party in NSW, you follow plan B and force him out. Jim Molan is a sitting Liberal senator. When he was a serving officer in the Australian Army, the US had such confidence in him that they put him in operational control of 300,000 troops. Of those, half were American soldiers, the rest coalition forces, including Australia's. Not on a parade ground, in a war. The US and Australian governments decorated him for his performance. You happen to have one on your backbench. What do you do? Do you make sure to keep him in your ranks? Or do you allow factional hacks to cut deals to look after their mates and force out the qualified expert? It doesn't matter what your view of that war. In my view, the decision by US President George W. Bush to invade Iraq was a terrible choice, one Australia should not have followed. But Major General Jim Molan was a serving soldier and was given a job. He carried it out with great competence as chief of coalition operations for a year in 2004. No Australian since at least World War Two has been entrusted with operational control of so many US forces. And Molan hasn't only proved effective with big-picture strategy. He has proved himself in the most delicate of military diplomacy. For instance, he was sent to organise the evacuation of 150 UN personnel from East Timor amidst the bloodshed unleashed after that Indonesian province voted for independence in 1999. Marauding militia gangs had murdered in cold blood seven nuns, a priest and a driver the night before in the town of Baucau and the UN decided it needed to get its people out urgently. Molan, in Australian military uniform and armed only with radios, stood alone on an airstrip at Baucau coordinating the evacuation by Australian Air Force Hercules and choppers. The militia were in control of the airport, armed and present. Molan, an Indonesia specialist who still speaks the language, negotiated with the militia the safe evacuation first of the UN contingent's children, then the adults. He also managed to negotiate to save the life of Bishop Carlos Belo, an East Timorese Nobel peace laureate who had opposed Indonesia's colonisation of East Timor. He was a special target of the Indonesian-sponsored militia. Molan got him out safely. The Abbott government called on Molan to help figure out how to deliver its much-ballyhooed policy to "stop the boats" of asylum seekers. The new government had a promise but no strategy to fulfil it. Molan worked with the then immigration minister, Scott Morrison, to develop the plan that became known as Operation Sovereign Borders. It was so successful that Labor eventually adopted all its main elements, and it is now the bipartisan position of the country to maintain it. Candidate stabbed Horace Nash, was charged at Central Police Court with having maliciously wounded Richard Bramston last week. It is alleged that Mr Nash went to the garage of Mr Bramston, Federal candidate for Hurstville, and placed a hand on a female customer. Mr Nash was then ordered out of the garage by Mr Bramstons brother. When Mr Bramston was forced to intervene, Mr Nash stabbed him with a pocket knife. Mr Bramston is now not in any danger. Wouldnt read about it Near the prosperous Darling Downs town of Killarney, Queensland, there is a family whose members, for at least three generations, have never attended school. The magistrate in the Summons Court, obtained this information from police, who claim the family of six children were illiterate. Like their mother, grandmother and uncles, they had never been to school. Police added that there was a whole colony in the locality who had never been educated. Slow service Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has told the Federal Court that former politician David Leyonhjelm subjected her to a campaign of "lies and smears" that made her feel bullied and intimidated, as she sues him for defamation over remarks made following a heated Senate debate. On the first day of her defamation case against Mr Leyonhjelm, which is slated to run for five days, Senator Hanson-Young said she "felt as though I was being played with" and "it left me quite exposed and vulnerable". Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young arrives at court with her legal team. Credit:AAP The Greens senator is suing Mr Leyonhjelm for defamation over comments the then-senator made after a parliamentary debate in June last year about violence against women, during which he told Senator Hanson-Young from the sidelines to "stop shagging men". Senator Hanson-Young is not suing over Mr Leyonhjelm's comments in Parliament which are covered by parliamentary privilege but their repetition and expansion in interviews on Sky News' Outsiders program, the ABC's 7.30 program and Melbourne radio station 3AW, paired with a media statement posted on blogging website Medium.com. The American Australian Associations close ties with the Murdochs and their News Corp media empire is not in dispute, from the New York-based organisations establishment by family patriarch Keith to last years major gala event in honour of his son Rupert. On Thursday, AAA president and former US ambassador John Berry hosted the annual Anzac Day lunch at Wall Street institution Cipriani with former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull as speaker. The RSVP list was packed with heavy hitters including BHPs public policy boss Tony Cudmore, JP Morgan executive Jennifer Nason, Bain Capital co-managing partner Jonathan Lavine and Australias Ambassador to the United Nations Gillian Bird. But Murdoch did not attend. His relationship with Turnbull soured in the days before the former Wentworth MP was ousted in favour of Scott Morrison. Imagine a social services minister who thinks welfare is communism. We didnt know it at the time but Dan Tehan, the minister for social services in the Turnbull government, has some reservations about welfare. On Monday morning, after Bill Shorten announced the biggest changes to childcare arrangements since Paul Keatings rebates in 1994, Dan Tehan was on the ABC. What, I wondered, could he possibly say to criticise these announcements, apart from the tired trope of asking where the money will come from? (Quick answer: all that delicious franking credit revenue. Ka-ching!) In response to the announcement that those earning $69,000 a year or less would have access to free childcare and those earning quite a bit more would pay less Tehan had this measured response: This is a fast track to a socialist, if not communist, economy. The newly announced rock-climbing ban in the Gariwerd/Grampians National Park is a sad state of affairs. Why the sudden angst from Parks Victoria towards climbers? Its not one thing, but could be simply nailed down to a cultural misunderstanding between climbers, Parks Victoria and the local Indigenous community. A pair of rock climbers in Grand Canyon, the Grampians. Credit:Parks Victoria / Supplied One of the main sticking points is the knowledge about where the park's Indigenous cultural sites actually are. The location register of these cultural sites is kept secret to keep them protected from deliberate vandalism, but in the case of accidental damage this system actually backfires. We need to work with traditional owners to find solutions to this problem. Parks Victoria claims there has been an extraordinary tenfold growth in climbers from 8000 to 80,000 in the past 15 years a fact I dispute as I am the author of the current Grampians climbing guidebook and only sell 500 guidebooks a year, every year. Perth-based womens fashion brands are taking matters into their own hands to curb the amount of plastic waste polluting our planet. Elysian Swim and Ela & Jackson are two local labels of countless designers now using 100 per cent recycled fibres to create their wares in an effort to help clean up the global plastic pollution crisis. Elysian Swim founder Jessica Jane. Credit:Elysian Simw / Instagram Each label uses fabric made from rescued waste such as fishing nets cleaned up from the worlds oceans that would otherwise trap or kill marine life to make eco-friendly womens apparel, that can also be recycled. About eight tons of toxic plastic pollution enters our oceans each year on top of the 150 million tons currently circulating our marine environments, according to Ocean Conservatory. In response to this article Philip Schiller, Apples senior vice president of worldwide marketing, said in emails to some customers that Apple acted extremely responsibly in this matter, helping to protect our children from technologies that could be used to violate their privacy and security. Amir Moussavian, chief executive of OurPact, a popular parental-control iPhone app, at his company's headquarters in San Diego. Credit:John Francis Peters / New York Times Executives at the app makers believe they are being targeted because their apps could hurt Apple's business. Apple's tools, they add, aren't as aggressive about limiting screen time and don't provide as many options. "Their incentives aren't really aligned for helping people solve their problem," said Fred Stutzman, chief executive of Freedom, a screen-time app with more than 770,000 downloads before Apple removed it in August. "Can you really trust that Apple wants people to spend less time on their phones?" Tim Cook, Apple's chief executive, said at a conference this month that Apple had added screen-time tools to help people monitor and manage their phone use. "We don't want people using their phones all the time," he said. "This has never been an objective for us." Last week two of the most popular parental-control apps, Kidslox and Qustodio, filed a complaint with the European Union's competition office. Kidslox said business had plummeted since Apple forced changes to its app that made it less useful than Apple's tool. OurPact, a popular parental-control iPhone app. Credit:John Francis Peters / New York Times Apple is facing other accusations that it is abusing its dominant position to lift itself and bury rivals an issue that has become more important as the iPhone maker expands into new markets like television, news and gaming. We treat all apps the same, including those that compete with our own services, said Ms Levine, the Apple spokeswoman. Our incentive is to have a vibrant app ecosystem that provides consumers access to as many quality apps as possible. Spotify complained to European regulators last month that Apple used the App Store to give its Apple Music service an unfair advantage over Spotify's competing app. Dutch regulators announced this month that they would investigate whether Apple abused its control of the App Store. In the United States, Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, a Democratic candidate for president, recently suggested separating the App Store from Apple as part of her proposal to rein in the American tech giants. Loading The app makers said they were most frustrated by the process of meeting Apple's sudden demands. In many cases, Apple alerted them that their apps would be removed and their businesses crippled via a short note, according to correspondence viewed by The Times. When app makers asked for more information, responses were often perfunctory and slow in coming. "As a developer who's been on the App Store for 10 years, I would expect some courtesy from Apple of at least a phone call to explain what we're doing wrong," said Suren Ramasubbu, the head of Mobicip, a parental-control app that had about 2.5 million downloads this year, about 70 per cent of them on iPhones. On January 19, Ramasubbu received a message from Apple that said he had 30 days to change the Mobicip app or it would be removed from the App Store. "If you have any questions about this information, please reply to this message to let us know," the note said. "Best regards, App Store Review." Over the next 27 days, Ramasubbu responded four times seeking more information. He eventually resubmitted the app with changes he hoped would satisfy Apple's demands. Then, with Mobicip's deadline just a few days away, Apple responded three times to his earlier detailed questions with virtually the same message: "Your app uses public APIs in an unapproved manner, which does not comply with guideline 2.5.1 of the App Store Review Guidelines." Suren Ramasubbu, chief executive of Mobicip, a parental-control iPhone app which Apple removed from the App Store in February. Credit:Samyukta Lakshmi / New York Times "We hear you loud and clear," Ramasubbu responded on the morning of February 19, Apple's deadline. He begged for answers. Could Apple tell him what he needed to do to keep Mobicip on iPhones? Blue-light therapy is helping patients to beat the jet-lag effect of general anaesthetics and to get out of hospital faster, a new study shows. Staring at the blue light of our smartphones and computer screens late at night is anathema to our biological clocks, but that same light may speed up recovery after major surgery, New Zealand researchers say. Blue light is being used in operations to help patients beat the jet-lag effect and to heal faster. Credit:University of Auckland Going under anaesthesia can significantly distort patients' biological clocks as they lie unconscious for hours on an operating table. They effectively wake up thinking that time hasn't passed, lead researcher Guy Warman at the University of Auckland's department of Anaesthesiology said. But what if patients were exposed to blue light, which can dramatically shift our biological clocks? Madrid: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will regain power after his Socialists overcame a historic election challenge by right-wing nationalists, a result he portrayed as a European Union morale booster. Spanish Prime Minister and Socialist Party candidate Pedro Sanchez speaks to supporters gathered at the party headquarters waiting for results of the general election in Madrid. Credit:AP The Socialists gained seats in one of Spain's most hotly-contested elections in decades, which featured the rise of far-right party Vox, whose nationalist campaign echoed political trends across Europe. However, the rise of Vox splintered the right-wing vote, further fragmenting Spain's political landscape and playing into the hands of the Socialists, which won an almost 50 per cent increase in seats. "Social democracy has a great future because it has a great present and Spain is an example of that. We will form a pro-European government to strengthen and not weaken Europe," Sanchez told supporters. The officers had pleaded not guilty to beating a black motorist, Mr Rodney King, in March last year. The assault was filmed by a bystander and his 81-second video, showing 58 blows or kicks, was televised around the world. One officer may have to stand trial again on a lesser charge over which the jury could not agree. By the early hours of this morning the riots had left 11 people dead and more than 170 with injuries. It was unclear whether the disturbances would be contained without even more severe blood-shed. Early last night, drivers were dragged at random from their vehicles and beaten. Television showed a white truck driver who knelt for what seemed an eternity semi-conscious, as a bystander kicked him in the head for no apparent reason. The driver Is now in serious condition in hospital. Central Los Angeles burns during the riots. Credit:AP Photo Early this morning, police, fire fighters and other emergency services were still trying to cope with damage and destruction as the fires raged, some for entire blocks. The LA fire chief admitted at midnight that he was actually seeing blazes on television that had not been officially reported to his department. There were widespread reports of looting, especially in the south central district, the area where LA's poor blacks and Hispanics live, many unemployed and living In substandard housing. Rioting, vandalism and arson created havoc in the blacked-out city centre. The south-western suburbs towards the beach and Santa Monica were also hit by fires. Whites and Hispanics participated in the rampage as well as blacks. Some commentators made comparisons with the 1965 Watts riots, but those lasted for five days and 35 people died. If last night's riots were not as severe, the perpetrators were much better armed. Often, firemen could not approach blazes because bystanders threw bricks, and snipers fired automatic rifles at them. One fire fighter was in hospital after being shot in the cheek. The bullet entered his neck and he was having emergency surgery. Snipers also shot at helicopters, but without hitting them. Black leaders in Los Angeles had pleaded for restraint in the event of an acquittal in the case. But a meeting soon after the verdict at a black church attended by LA's black mayor, Mr Tom Bradley, soon made it apparent that anger ran too deep. The "peace" descended into an acrimonious shouting match, with preachers' pleas for a tranquil attitude drowned out by angry shouts that turning the other cheek was futile. Mr Bradley was booed, and a middle-aged woman shouted at him: "This is a conservative, honky, mean, white town, and you've got to know that." LA: Troops Move In - Front page of the Sunday Age on May 3, 1992. Credit:The Age Archives Unemployment among blacks has worsened in the past decade, with their jobs disappearing or moving abroad, with nothing done to help their homelessness and increasing misery. The LA police have long been regarded as a hostile army of occupation among racial minorities here. Some looters smashed shop windows with their cars, filling the boots with merchandise, and then using newspapers doused in petrol to set fire to the emptied stores. Bottle shops, electronics, clothes and furniture stores were systematically looted, many in black neighbourhoods only built up since 1965. But uncontrollable young people of all races attacked banks In the city, set fire to the town hall, overturned police cars, smashed windows at the 'Los Angeles Times' and a newsagency and be-sieged police headquarters. Among these troublemakers were activists with loud hailers directing tactics, reported to be from extreme-left parties. One gun attack was launched against the police station from which the policemen who beat Mr King came. A sniper was arrested. Some acts of arson seemed particularly inexplicable. The south central headquarters of Mark Ridley-Thomas, a recently elected leftist black city councillor, who had opened it to give a voice to his black constituents, was razed. Community leaders throughout the evening exhorted rampagers to go home and express their "righteous" anger via "the system". Unfortunately many of those who took to the streets of Los Angeles have believed for some time that the system has failed. The US Justice Department announced today that a federal investigation will be undertaken to see if anyone's civil rights have been violated. In a statement, the Assistant Attorney-General for Civil Rights, Mr John Dunne, said Justice Department officials "will now undertake a review of this incident to determine what, if any, action may be taken under federal civil rights laws". A civil rights prosecution of the officers could be brought with the approval of the attorney-general if federal authorities decide the handling of the case by local authorities did not produce a just result. Justice Department officials were frustrated by the fact that the Los Angeles prosecutor who tried the case lacked experience in cases involving police brutality, said one official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The Verdict A Case of seeing no evil The jury that brought in the acquittal of four white Los Angeles police officers on all main charges in the Rodney King beating case decided to defend the thin blue line separating the law-abiding from criminals. Rodney King Credit:AP Photo This was the clear message left with them by counsel for Laurence Powell, 29, the officer who administered most of the blow, and then laughed about it afterwards. His lawyer, Michael Stone, had talked emotionally of the thin blue line in his final address, leaving the jury in no doubt that there was no middle ground in the case. The result of their verdict, one clearly based on political rather than legal considerations, was to plunge Americas second largest city into violence. Rodney King, an unemployed black labourer, was the subject of the now infamous beating that was filmed by a bystander and shown on television worldwide last year. It lasted for 81 seconds and showed Mr. King prone, receiving 58 blows from batons or boots. He suffered five facial fractures, a broken leg, and had 21 stitches. He was not charged with any offences. One sergeant and three white officers were accused of assault with a deadly weapon, using unnecessary force, and abusing their authority. The hearing took a year to mount and lasted seven weeks. The jury deliberated for seven days. In a key move, the trial took place in the north Los Angeles suburb of Simi Valley, a mainly white community and home of many LA police officers. The jury, six men and six women, contained no blacks and only a Filipino and a Hispanic to represent non-whites. However, the prosecutor, himself black, agreed to this after all the potential jurors had been closely screened. Essentially the officers pleaded the Eichmann defence (named after Adolf Eichmann, the Nazi official executed for sending thousands of Jews to their deaths). They contended that they were only carrying out orders, using the "managed force" as the Los Angeles Police Department calls its policy of permitting beatings of suspects. This was backed up by senior officers, and only one superior, Commander Michael Bostic, dis-agreed. He pointed to five occasions during the video footage when officers could have ceased the beating and handcuffed Mr King. But having given the jury the loophole of "official policy", technicalities could now take priority. One such technicality was that beating about the head was forbidden. Mr King clearly had head injuries. As no medical evidence could be pinned down unequivocally that batons caused those injuries, and through, the "blue code" in which officers never incriminate each other, It was suggested that Mr King hit his head on the ground. Elements of racism were simply ignored. Despite jokes on the police radio about the film 'Gorillas in the Mist' in relation to a black domestic dispute, despite Mr Powell's recorded laughter after the beating, despite bad jokes at Mr King's expense at the hospital, despite Mr Powell calling Mr King "an animal", despite all this, the jury chose to reject any idea that race played a part. Even as he awaited the verdict, Mr Powell, the chief protagonist in the case and the defendant with the most aggressive counsel, denied that Mr King was a victim. "He is a civil lawyer's client (a reference to his SUS58 million suit against the city) and a political puppet," he declared. Again, Rodney King's humanity was denied. Was it a mistake not to put him on the witness stand? Perhaps. The prosecutor, Mr Terry White, told the jury that as Mr King was intoxicated and severely beaten, his memory of the events was not clear. There is also the fact that Mr King was a convicted felon on parole, but Mr White did not want the jury to know that. Officers claimed they thought Mr King had been taking PCP, a drug with a mythical reputation inside the LA Police Department, with claims that it grants its users "superhuman strength", as officers testified. The prosecution presented no expert to refute this, or to deal realistically with the exaggerated and wondrous tales about the drug. PHILIPSBURG(DCOMM):--- Water is an essential ingredient for life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the amount of fresh water on earth is limited, and its quality is under constant pressure. Preserving the quality of fresh water is important for the drinking-water supply, food production, and recreational water use. Water quality can be compromised by the presence of infectious agents, toxic chemicals, and radiological hazards, the WHO reports. The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA) Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the ministry, this weeks focus is on water and is part of CPSs public awareness initiative about relevant health matters. The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 calls for water for all by 2030. The UN reports that billions of people are still living without safe water. Safe and readily available water is important for public health, whether it is used for drinking, domestic use, food production or recreational purposes. Improved water supply and sanitation, and better management of water resources can boost countries economic growth and can contribute greatly to poverty reduction. In 2010, the UN General Assembly explicitly recognized the human right to water and sanitation. Everyone has the right to sufficient, continuous, safe, acceptable, physically accessible, and affordable water for personal and domestic use. Contaminated water and poor sanitation are linked to transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio. Absent, inadequate, or inappropriately managed water and sanitation services expose individuals to preventable health risks. This is particularly the case in health care facilities where both patients and staff are placed at additional risk of infection and disease when water, sanitation, and hygiene services are lacking. Globally, 15% of patients develop an infection during a hospital stay, with the proportion much greater in low-income countries. WHO reports that diarrhoea is the most widely known disease linked to contaminated food and water but there are other hazards. Almost 240 million people are affected by schistosomiasis an acute and chronic disease caused by parasitic worms contracted through exposure to infested water. In many parts of the world, insects that live or breed in water carry and transmit diseases such as dengue fever. Some of these insects, known as vectors, breed in clean, rather than dirty water, and household drinking water containers can serve as breeding grounds. The simple intervention of covering water storage containers can reduce vector breeding and may also reduce faecal contamination of water at the household level. CPS would like to once again remind the community to take measures around their yard by removing bins, cans, containers and anything that could hold water which could become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. PHILIPSBURG:---The St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry (COCI) is appealing to the business community to register for an interactive webinar that will take place on Wednesday, May 9 concerning the reconstruction of the country via the Trust Fund managed by the World Bank. The Government of the Netherlands along with the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, are hosting a series of information sessions starting with the first one on May 9. The Sint Maarten National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB), the World Bank and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) will be providing information about Tenders and Procurement Rules of the World Bank. COCI is assisting by encouraging the Sint Maarten business community to participate in the webinar and learn more about the reconstruction opportunities that exist for construction companies, engineer bureaus, building material suppliers, environmental and management consultants and other types of businesses. Those interested should register by Tuesday, May 8 by visiting the website: www.nrpbsxm.org/register The virtual presentation will take place at the Convention Room of Simpson Bay Resort & Marina on May 9 from 8.30am to 11.30am. "These information sessions are an excellent opportunity for local businesses, who may not be familiar with international tender regulations, to gather that much-needed knowledge. As more tenders are released in the next months it is our desire to have as many local companies as possible participate, be it in joint ventures or as individual companies," NRPB Director Claret Connor expressed. The programme entails on-site attendance registration 8.30am to 9.00am; Opening words by Erwin Arkenbout 9.00am to 9.05am; Presentations World Bank, RVO and NRPB 9.05am to 10.15am; Questions & Answers 10.15am to 10.45am; Closure of the Webinar and Announcement follow-up 10.45am. The presentations by the World Bank, RVO and NRPB will cover the following subjects: Functioning of the World Bank; Tender process (timeframe, size, formats and whats expected from participating companies); Procurement rules; Collaboration and possible opportunities to form joint ventures; Practical information; and Information sources. The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) has posted damages caused by Hurricane Irma at approximately US$1.38 billion. The NRRP serves as the roadmap for investments related to the Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience Trust Fund (SXM TF) which was established to respond to the devastation caused by the September 6, 2017 hurricane. The SXM TF is financed by the Government of the Netherlands for up to US$553.4 million and managed by the World Bank. The Government of Sint Maarten implements the activities financed by the fund in partnership with the World Bank. The top priorities for the NRRP are the basic needs of the people of Sint Maarten which includes food, shelter, health and livelihood. The plan also focuses on medium and long-term dealing with the revitalization of the economy in a sustainable manner such as infrastructure building back better , waste collection and processing. COCI believes that this is a great opportunity for the Sint Maarten business community to participate in the medium to long-term reconstruction of the country and encourages them to register for the webinar where they can receive information and ask questions. Esteemed Guests, Good evening, Marie-Louise and I bid you welcome to this Kings Day celebration in honor of the birthday of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander. We are pleased to host you and to celebrate with you this evening. As part of tonights Kings Day Celebration, several persons will be honored with royal decoration, in recognition of their prolonged voluntary service in our community. Considering the work of this years honorees, I have themed tonights celebration My Brothers Keeper. I shall therefore in the next few moments share some thoughts with you on this theme: My Brothers Keeper? Ladies and Gentlemen, Can you say: I am my brothers keeper? This question has been around forever. In Genesis, the first book of the Bible, Cain when asked by GOD about the whereabouts of his brother Abel, replied: I do not know Am I my brothers keeper? Cains answer means that he does not feel responsible for and that he does not care about his brothers wellbeing. In our present-day mindset, Cains response would be: And how is that my problem? From a broader context, it is an age-old question that goes to the heart of social relations in our society. - It is, at its core, a question about that which connects and keeps us connected as people and as societies. - It is a question of responsibility and caring for others. - It is a question about how much we care for those around us, for our families, for our colleagues, for our neighbors, for our environment, for our Sweet Sint Maarten Land? - It is a question that reminds us that a mindset of responsibility and care brings out the best in you and me. The more we care, the more dedicated we will be to work for a more equitable, just and perfect nation. Maya Angelou, an American author, and poetress, offers us some excellent guidance on how to create a mindset of responsibility and attitude of care for others through her words and I quote: Try to be a rainbow in someones cloud. With those words, Maya Angelou is telling us that we need to be there for others when they need us. Being My Brothers Keeper is all about how you make others feel. It is about building each other up. It is about building our country up. It is about helping to make the world a better place. Ladies and Gentlemen, We must do so with simple gestures, like a smile, a kind word, providing help with simple deeds and giving advice. On a larger scale, we must do so by taking greater responsibility for the protection of the weak amongst us: - by caring for our children and elderly; - by working to eliminate poverty; - by efforts to eradicate violence against and abuse of children and women; or - through the protection of the health of our people and environment. Esteemed Guests, When was the last time you tried to be a rainbow in someones cloud? It is a question we must ask ourselves each day and take positive action. I have said it before and I cannot repeat it enough. Imagine what our society would be like without the mindset of responsibility and care displayed by so many professionals and volunteers, who, in so many different ways, work to improve the quality of our lives. Professionals and volunteers, such as teachers, nurses, doctors, clergy, policemen, firefighters, social workers, military, volunteers, environmentalists, and others. We see it every day and we saw it at work in the aftermath of hurricane Irma. Our sense of responsibility and care for others is the oil that fuels our efforts, our collective resilience, and our countrys progress. Esteemed Guests, It is therefore with gratitude that we shall in a few moments stand still to highlight the contributions and achievements of three persons. These three persons have been singled out to receive Royal Decorations because they have been rainbows in many peoples clouds. The three (3) persons are - Mr. Rajesh R. Chintaman who has been decorated as Knight in the Order of Oranje Nassau as well as Mr. Merlin R. Aventurin and Mr. Leonel C. Gumbs who have each been decorated as member in the Order of Oranje Nassau. Their committed involvement in the care for the health, wellbeing, and development of others exemplifies the saying My Brothers Keeper. Their longstanding service and passionate involvement in our community through healthy lifestyle programs and awareness campaigns as well as emergency care, response and training are commendable. They have as a result helped to positively influence the lives of many of our brothers and sisters in need of guidance and medical care in our country. This is but a brief summary and does not do justice to the level of giving, community involvement and sense of responsibility and care demonstrated by these individuals. Their committed involvement in helping others in our country is, as such, an example for all of us to become more involved as our brothers keepers. I therefore hereby extend my appreciation to each of the 2019 Royal Decorations honorees for their exemplary service in our community. It is an honor and special distinction to be awarded a Royal Decoration and I hereby, in advance, convey my congratulations to each of the 2019 recipients individually and to their family and friends. Before concluding I will in view of this evening theme: My Brothers Keeper leave you with a video with the title: How We Treat People, Is who we are With that, I hereby close and wish you an enjoyable evening. Thank you, God Bless you, God Bless King Willem-Alexander, and May God Bless Sint Maarten and protect its coast. ~ Political confidants replace former board members, a possible conflict of interest with the new chairman.~ PHILIPSBURG:--- The Council of Ministers appointed a few new members of the Supervisory Board for the St. Maarten Harbor Group of Companies (SMHGC). The new candidates are Witney Murray, Sherman Marten, Attorney at Law Shaira Bommel, Emilio Kalmera, Christopher Weaver, and Charles Thomas. SMN News learned that the Corporate Governance Council had given negative advice for Witney Murray who is a close confidant to an MP supporting the present coalition government. Murray is also on the Council of Advice and a former Secretary to former Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs. Murray works on advice on every legislation that goes to Parliament, this, of course, is a clear conflict of interest. However, it is not clear how it was possible for the CGC to miss the family relation between suspended MP Theodore Heyliger and Sherman Marten and the possible conflict of interest in having Attorney Shaira Bommel on the Supervisory Board when it is a known fact that Bommel is working for the law firm that represents Heyliger who is currently in pretrial detention. Currently, the Prosecutors Office along with the TBO is busy investigating several cases related to the SMHGC where Heyliger was named as a possible suspect. One of those investigations is the DRACO case which involves the construction of the Causeway. Besides the criminal investigations, there are civil cases presently ongoing. Sources say the Minister of TEATT that holds the responsibility of the SMHGC was under severe pressure to dismiss the former board members namely Fernando Williams and Lloyd Paul to create space for the new candidates that are affiliated with MPs from the current UD/SMCP coalition Government. It is further said that Minister Stuart Johnson made the appointments to avoid further sanctions from the members of the United Democrats and its coalition partner, while the other Ministers that voted to dismiss the Williams and Paul voted along party lines. Questions are now being raised as to how diligent is the CGC and if they conducted an indebt investigation prior to rendering its advice to the Council of Ministers. Astronomers have spotted wildly wobbling jets of particles spewing out of a black hole , and they think this unusually rapid motion could be happening because the black hole's strong gravity is warping space around it. The black hole, named V404 Cygni, is located about 8,000 light-years from Earth and is relatively small as far as black holes go only nine times the mass of Earth's sun. It is part of a binary system in which it and a sun-like star orbit one another. The black hole is constantly siphoning material from its stellar companion, and as that material gets sucked in, it forms an accretion disk around the black hole. Some of the particles falling into the black hole escape through relativistic jets , long beams of energetic plasma that flow from the black hole's axis of rotation at more than half the speed of light. Astronomers have seen black hole jets before but have never seen jets that wobble as rapidly as those from V404 Cygni, which were observed oscillating over time periods of only a few minutes. Related: The Strangest Black Holes in the Universe An artist's impression of the binary system that includes the black hole V404 Cygni and a sun-like star that orbit one another. (Image credit: ICRAR) "We've never seen this effect happening on such short time scales," James Miller-Jones, a researcher with the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) who led the new study, said in a statement . Miller-Jones and colleagues observed V404 Cygni using the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA), a network of 10 radio telescopes spread out across the globe that are owned and operated by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The black hole has been the subject of observations since 1938, when it released a bright burst of energy. Its most recent outburst, in 2015 , spawned a new wave of interest in the black hole, and it was then that Miller-Jones and his team began the observations for this study. When the researchers first observed the black hole and pieced together images from the VLBA data, the jets "were changing so fast that in a 4-hour image, we saw just a blur," Alex Tetarenko, an East Asian Observatory fellow in Hawaii who contributed to the study, said in the statement. Astronomers typically use long exposures to observe black holes, but this time they had to modify their strategy to get a clear view of V404 Cygni's jets. So, they captured more than 100 images with 70-second exposures and pieced them together into an animation. "We were gobsmacked by what we saw in this system it was completely unexpected," Greg Sivakoff, an astronomer at the University of Alberta and a co-author of the study, said in the statement. "Finding this astronomical first has deepened our understanding of how black holes and galaxy formation can work. It tells us a little more about that big question: 'How did we get here?'" Astronomers think the black hole's swift wobble can be explained by Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity , which stipulates that extremely massive objects bend space and time. "When such a massive object is spinning, its gravitational influence pulls space and time around with it, an effect called frame-dragging," officials with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), an NSF facility that runs the VLBA, said in the statement. As particles get sucked toward the black hole, the accretion disk gets denser and hotter closer to the center. Near the center of the disk is a dense, doughnut-shaped ring that is "puffed up" by radiation pressure. While the accretion disk is about 6.2 million miles (10 million kilometers) across, the doughnut is only a few thousand kilometers wide. This is where space gets warped by the immense gravitational force. An artist's impression of the inner parts of the accretion disk around the black hole V404 Cygni. (Image credit: ICRAR) The frame-dragging effect seems to arise because the black hole's spin axis is misaligned with the plane of the black hole's orbit with its binary companion. That misalignment "causes the frame-dragging effect to warp the inner part of the disk, then pull the warped portion around with it," NRAO officials said. "Since the jets originate from either the inner disk or the black hole, this changes the jet orientation, producing the wobbling observed with the VLBA." "You can think of it like the wobble of a spinning top as it slows down. Only in this case, the wobble is caused by Einstein's general theory of relativity," Miller-Jones said. While the researchers may have an explanation for the wildly wobbling jets of V404 Cygni, they have not yet figured out exactly where those jets are coming from. When it comes to black holes' relativistic jets, their origins remain a bit of a mystery not just for V404 Cygni, but for all black holes. Scientists think the jets originate either in the inner portion of a black hole's accretion disk or in the black hole itself. Regardless of the jets' origins, however, this new research suggests that the wobbling of the inner accretion disk "could play a role in either directly launching or redirecting the jets," the study's authors wrote in their paper, which was published today (April 29) in the journal Nature . Email Hanneke Weitering at hweitering@space.com or follow her @hannekescience. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. An image of the Andromeda Galaxy captured with the Hyper-Suprime-Cam. A recent snapshot of Andromeda found only one signal that could have come from a medium-sized primordial black hole, or one that formed soon after the Big Bang. One of Stephen Hawking's most famous theories about dark matter that this mysterious and invisible substance is made up of primordial black holes recently suffered a huge blow. That conclusion comes from a massive telescope that captured an image of an entire galaxy in one shot. The findings don't completely rule out Stephen Hawking's famous notion. But they suggest that primordial black holes would have to be truly tiny to explain dark matter. Dark matter mystery Dark matter is the name given by physicists to explain a particularly mysterious phenomenon: Everything in the universe moves, orbits and rotates as if there were more mass than we can detect. Explanations for dark matter range from ghostly particles called neutrinos to unknown particles, to new laws of physics. In the 1970s, Stephen Hawking and his colleagues theorized that the Big Bang may have created a large number of relatively small black holes each about the size of a proton. These tiny, ancient black holes would be difficult to see, yet would exert a large gravitational pull on other objects the two known properties of dark matter. [The 11 Biggest Unanswered Questions About Dark Matter] Until now, this theory could only be tested for primordial black holes heavier than the moon. But as technology has improved, scientists have been able to take sharper and sharper pictures of outer space. The Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) digital camera on the Subaru telescope in Hawaii is an advanced piece of imaging technology that can take a picture of the entire Andromeda galaxy (the nearest galaxy to our own) in one shot. Masahiro Takada and his team at the Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe in Japan used this camera to search for primordial black holes; their results were published earlier this month in the journal Nature Astronomy. Black holes emit no light, though, supermassive black holes, like the one at the heart of galaxy Messier 87, are fringed by bright disks of hot matter. Primordial black holes, however, are billions of times smaller and have no visible, glowing matter surrounding them. Instead, searching for small black holes means looking for places where their powerful gravitational fields bend light a phenomenon called microlensing. Telescopes find microlensing black holes by taking many different pictures of a star over time. A black hole passing in front of that star will distort its light, making it flash; the smaller the black hole, the quicker the flash. "If a microlensing object has, let's say one solar mass," Takada told Live Science, referring to the mass of the sun, "the timescale [of the microlensing 'flash'] is like a few months or a year." But the primordial black holes they were looking for had only a small fraction of that mass, approximately the mass of the moon. That means their flashes would be much shorter. The HSC is "unique," Takada said, in that it let them take images of all the stars in the Andromeda galaxy at once, at breathtakingly fast (to astronomers) exposure intervals each interval was just 2 minutes long. Takada and his team took about 200 pictures of the Andromeda galaxy over 7 hours on a clear night. They found just one potential microlensing event. If primordial black holes made up a significant fraction of dark matter, Takada said, they should have seen approximately 1,000 microlensing signals. "Microlensing is the gold standard for detecting black holes or ruling them out," said Simeon Bird, a black- hole physicist at the University of California Riverside, who was not involved in the work. "This work rules out primordial black holes as dark matter in a range of masses where the previous constraints were not as strong nor as robust as this new one. It's a very nice result." Was this the final nail in the coffin? Is Hawking's theory really dead? Not so, according to Bird and Takada, who say that primordial black holes of a certain range of masses still haven't been totally eliminated as candidates. [Stephen Hawking's Most Far-Out Ideas About Black Holes] "There are still some masses where the constraints are weak, around 20-30 solar masses," Bird told Live Science. "Those could still be 1% to 10% of dark matter and there's still a window at lower masses, like the mass of a very small asteroid." "Our physicists are very excited because there is still a window," Takada said. The data can't rule out those teensy tiny black holes because the flashes from those black holes would be much too short, "so we need to think of another method to do it." There was, however, one "flash" detected in their survey. While it was a single, preliminary result, it could end up being incredibly important: the very first detection of a primordial black hole, which would be a groundbreaking validation of some of Hawking's work. "Only one observation is not that convincing," Takada said. "We need more observations to confirm. If it was really [a primordial black hole], we should continue to find the same thing" as they continue to use the HSC to look for more microlensing. Originally published on Live Science. The Space Safety Institute, as envisioned by the IAASS, would be a partially government-funded independent body responsible for developing commercial spaceflight safety standards and certification processes. LONDON The nonprofit International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS) issued a new report in March calling for the establishment of an independent Space Safety Institute to speed development of commercial space flight safety standards and certification processes. The 60-page report, which the Noordwijk, Netherlands-based IAASS and its Houston-based sister nonprofit the International Space Safety Foundation sent to NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. General Accounting Office and several aerospace industry groups, said an independent body is needed to help the commercial spaceflight industry grow and gain public trust. The Space Safety Institute (SSI) concept, which dates back to 2013, envisions system safety experts from the industry working together with government officials on binding fault-tolerance requirements similar to those that are in place for government-funded spaceflight operations. "Today in the U.S. if you want to sell an electronic product, like a toaster or a microwave, you need to get a UL sticker because that means that an independent organization looked at your electronic design and made sure that it is not going to hurt people," said Ed Mango, former NASA Commercial Crew Program manager and one of the experts behind the proposal. "In commercial spaceflight right now, there is nothing that says a system is safe except the company itself," Mango said. "That might work for the early space tourism operations but that's not how you create a thriving industry with point-to-point transportation and commercial operations in low Earth orbit. The Space Safety Institute (SSI) could take over from the Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF), a Washington-based industry association of leading businesses in the field, which has been pushing a voluntary consensus approach to safety standards. IAASS Executive Director Tommaso Sgobba, the former head of the European Space Agency's Independent Safety Office, said the IAASS was concerned about the slow progress of CSF's consensus-based approach and was hoping to offer an alternative to move the industry forward. According to Sgobba, the SSI, which would be partially government funded, would have more authority than an industry group such as CSF, which he said might be prone to put forward only lowest common denominator safety requirements due to the group's competing interests. "There is in the world no safety-critical system which is certified on the basis of a voluntary standard," said Sgobba. "In the case of a standard, there always needs to be some form of enforcement. What we are proposing is similar to what was implemented in the 1970s in the nuclear industry and in the oil industry following the Gulf of Mexico disaster." Sgobba pointed out that following the devastating 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a national commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster found the American Petroleum Institute, the trade body representing the U.S. oil and natural gas industry, "culturally ill-suited to drive a safety revolution in the industry" due to its position as a leading industry lobbyist. He warned the CSF might find itself in a similar position. Mango agreed: "The CSF is a good organization but it's an organization that's there to fundamentally push commercial space. If you want the people who are pushing it to also regulate it then you are going to get to the lowest common denominator." The Commercial Spaceflight Federation says the concerns expressed by the IAASS are based on outdated and inaccurate information. "Originally, CSF attempted a standards drafting process on our own, with some success, but quickly realized it was necessary to open up the process to ensure truly consensus standards and a potential basis for future licensing or regulation," said Jane Kinney, CSF's director of business operations. CSF joined forces with ASTM International in 2016 to stand up a committee on commercial spaceflight, dubbed F47, to develop consensus standards with input from non-CSF companies, such as Boeing and United Launch Alliance, as well as academia and government. "[W]e are one representative in a committee of multiple voices and votes," Kinney said. "We are advocates and supporters of the work being conducted, but are not 'leading the establishment of safety standards.'" Kinney said IAASS is welcome to join F47 but shouldn't be leading the standards-development effort. "IAASS is not willing to accept feedback or input from industry, which CSF views as an inherent flaw in their process. Mango described the SSI, which would operate independently from the IAASS, as a two-pronged approach involving the creation of standards and ensuring that the standards are being met by providing certification to commercial spaceflight operators. The institute's standards-setting body of technical experts would rely on a modest amount of government funding while its certification operations would be paid entirely by the companies seeking the approval stamp. "In the early days of the commercial spaceflight developments, regulations were seen as possibly preventing innovation," he said. "But the industry has matured since. We are now getting mainstream and seeing companies that are interested in having these sets of guidelines and safety recommendations as to how to build and operate such systems instead of everyone doing their own thing." He added that while early space tourists might be willing to sign waivers and accept the high risk associated with the experience, insurance policies would have to be in place if the industry truly wants to grow. "Insurance companies are interested in seeing the commercial spaceflight operators meeting certain requirements," he said. "Right now, passengers just sign waivers but that's not something that would work even in an amusement park." In addition to release its report, "The Space Safety Institute: Proposal for a Modern Industry-Government Partnership to Advance Commercial Spaceflight Safety," to members and a cross-section of government and industry groups, the IAASS has established a study team that includes former FAA associate administrator for commercial space transportation George Nield, former U.S. Air Force deputy undersecretary Richard McKinney and space insurance underwriter Chris Kunstadter, among others. Sgobba said the study team is working on a proposal for making the Space Safety Institute a federally funded research and development center. If the study team agrees on a way forward, it intends to present its proposal to the FAA and NASA the potential funders by September. Mango added that the team is inviting industry partners to join the conversation and help find the best way forward. The moon may have formed after a giant Mars-size rock hit a magma-covered newborn Earth, a new study finds. Earth came together about 4.5 billion years ago , and previous research suggested the moon arose a short time later. For the past three decades, the prevailing explanation for the moon's origin was that the moon resulted from the collision of two protoplanets , or embryonic worlds. One of those was the newborn Earth, and the other was a Mars-size rock called Theia, named after the mother of the moon in Greek myth. The moon then coalesced from the debris. This "Giant Impact Hypothesis" seemed to explain many details about Earth and the moon, such as the large size of the moon compared with Earth and the rotation rates of the two bodies. However, in the past 15 or so years, evidence has emerged to challenge it and suggest a multitude of alternatives. Related: How the Moon Formed: 5 Wild Lunar Theories Computer models of the giant-impact scenario often say that more than 60 percent of the moon should be made of material from Theia. The problem is that most bodies in the solar system have unique chemical makeups, and Earth, Theia and therefore the moon should also. However, rock samples from the moon show its composition is uncannily more similar to Earth than such models would predict when it comes to versions of elements called isotopes. (Isotopes of an element each have different numbers of neutrons.) To help solve this mystery, one recent lunar formation model suggested the moon might have formed from an impact so violent, it vaporized a large portion of the early Earth , with the moon emerging from the resulting doughnut-shaped mass called a synestia . Another suggested the collision involved a fast-spinning proto-Earth . However, a shortcoming with such models is that these scenarios require unlikely impact conditions, study lead author Natsuki Hosono, a planetary scientist at the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology in Yokohama, told Space.com. Related: How the Moon Was Made: Lunar Evolution Explained (Infographic) To address this puzzle, Hosono's team now suggest that a large fraction of material from Earth could have reached orbit to help form the moon if Earth was partially molten at the time of the giant impact. The researchers developed computer models simulating Earth covered with an ocean of magma, which most models of the planet's formation suggest the planet had soon after its birth. They next analyzed what happened when a Mars-size rock about a tenth of Earth's mass hit this molten protoplanet. The scientists discovered that even a glancing blow from Theia could knock more than 70 percent of the moon-forming debris out of Earth's magma ocean, since molten rock was easier to blast off Earth than solid material. These findings could help explain the compositional similarities between the moon and Earth while also explaining details such as their rates of rotation, they said. "Prior work on lunar formation basically ignored the effect of the magma ocean," Hosono told Space.com. "Our research concluded that the magma ocean is one of the most important things for the moon-forming giant impact." The new model suggests the amount of debris from an impact off a molten Earth was comparable to the current mass of the moon. However, prior work suggested that in order to build the moon, the giant impact first needed to generate an amount of debris equal to about three to four times the moon's mass, Hosono said. Future research might consider larger masses for Theia and factor in the rotation of the proto-Earth to see if that might lead to enough debris to form a moon of the right size, Hosono added. The scientists detailed their findings online today (April 29) in the journal Nature Geoscience. New developments in space exploration, like plans to return samples from Mars, have prompted NASA to ask an independent committee to review its planetary protection policies. WASHINGTON NASA will establish an independent committee to review its planetary protection policies to reflect new developments in human space exploration and commercial spaceflight. In an April 23 statement, the agency said it will create an independent Planetary Protection Review Board to recommend any updates to existing regulations intended to prevent contamination of potentially habitable worlds by NASA spacecraft, or contamination of the Earth by any life that may exist on those worlds. "It's vital we revisit the planetary protection guidelines put in place in a previous era to ensure our protection standards reflect the current and future realities of space exploration," Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA associate administrator for science, said in the statement. Related: To Walk on Mars, We Must Get Serious About Planetary Protection The board will be chaired by Alan Stern, a former NASA associate administrator for science who is best known as the principal investigator of the New Horizons mission that flew past Pluto and the Kuiper Belt object 2014 MU69. Stern also provides commercial expertise as a board member and former chairman of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation. "I'm looking forward to our helping ensure that we have a set of guidelines that help enable a new era of civil, commercial, and public-private partnership exploration, while safeguarding both life on Earth and environments across the solar system," Stern said in the NASA statement. The announcement comes after the NASA Advisory Council adopted a recommendation at its last meeting in December calling for a review of NASA planetary protection policies by an independent committee. Existing policies are based on guidelines developed decades ago by the Committee for Space Research (COSPAR), an international scientific body. "COSPAR is a great start," said Mike Gold, chairman of the council's regulatory and policy committee, during a discussion on the topic at the December council meeting. "But clearly times have changed. There are human spaceflight missions that we couldn't have imagined before. There are private sector players that again, a decade or two ago, we wouldn't have thought possible." A National Academies committee also recommended NASA update its planetary protection policies in a July 2018 report . That report concluded that "the current planetary protection policy development process is inadequate to respond to progressively more complex solar system exploration missions, especially in an environment of significant programmatic constraints." At the December NASA Advisory Council meeting, officials said that any revisions to NASA planetary protection policies that stem from the committee's work could also lead to a review of COSPAR policies. Len Fisk, a former NASA official who is the current president of COSPAR, said at that meeting that he would support an update to COSPAR's guidelines based on any changes to NASA policies. NASA hasn't yet announced the other members of the board. The committee will start meetings in late June and work for about three months. Kelowna Regional Transit bus driver Peter Lansing, who was assaulted last month, spoke Sunday at the annual Day of Mourning service to remember those killed or injured while at work. Pluto used to be a full-fledged planet, and then in 2006 it wasn't. But the debate over its status continues, and you can watch one discussion live tonight. The International Astronomical Union's 2006 decision to demote Pluto to a "dwarf planet" takes center stage in a debate at 8 p.m. EDT (0000 April 30 GMT) by the Philosophical Society of Washington in Washington, D.C. You can watch live here , in the window above, or directly from the PSW Science group here. Alan Stern, the principal investigator of the New Horizons mission that flew past Pluto in 2015, has been a fierce advocate of Pluto remaining a planet . He will battle it out with Ron Ekers, a past president of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) who led the organisation from 2003 to 2006, when Pluto's demotion occurred. The IAU is the international body that governs the naming of celestial objects. Stern will discuss what he sees as scientific issues surrounding the definition for the term "planet," and he will propose a newer definition that is more inclusive of small bodies such as Pluto. Ekers will argue in favor of the IAU definition, which has a distinct taxonomy for little worlds that are far out in the solar system in a region known as the Kuiper Belt. The push to give planethood back to Pluto accelerated after the New Horizons flyby of the object, which revealed that Pluto had mountains, vast seas and other complex features. Stern argues that its geology is more reminiscent of a planet's than a smaller world's geology. Uranus, like its neighbor Neptune, has only been studied once, by the Voyager 2 spacecraft which captured this image on Dec. 18, 1986. It's been decades since a spacecraft visited either Uranus or Neptune which means scientists are busy dreaming up instruments that could be flown out on the next probe to these ice giants. The pair of planets haven't had a robotic visitor since the Voyager 2 flybys in 1986 and 1989. And in the decades that have passed since NASA designed and built that spacecraft, technology has become both much more powerful and much smaller, and the agency has plenty more missions under its belt. "Available materials, filters, electronic detectors, flight computing, and data management and processing have all improved," Shahid Aslam, who designs flight hardware at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, said in a statement . "Frankly, we have better technology all the way around. It's clear that the time is now to develop the next generation of this instrument for future atmospheric entry probes." Related: Next Stop, Triton? Here's Two Wild Ideas to Explore Neptune's Weirdest Moon Specifically, Aslam and his colleagues want to model a new device on one packed aboard a probe sent to Jupiter as part of the Galileo mission , which traveled through the upper layers of the gas giant's atmosphere in 1995. That probe survived for nearly an hour, traveling 124 miles (200 kilometers) deep into Jupiter's clouds before being destroyed in the planet's harsh atmosphere. Interpreting the probe's data posed its own challenges: because scientists were only looking at data from one location, they couldn't be sure whether what they saw was representative of Jupiter's atmosphere at large. But still, an instrument called a net flux radiometer on board helped scientists to understand the different atmospheric layers the probe passed through. By upgrading and adapting the Galileo instrument to suit the unique conditions in the atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune, Aslam and his team hope they might gather crucial data about how these ice giants work. Both of their atmospheres are full of hydrogen, helium and methane, but although Uranus doesn't seem to produce heat at its core, Neptune does, and its atmosphere is full of storms as a result. Studying the two planets with a net flux radiometer could explain some of these observations. But right now, the instrument doesn't have a spacecraft to fly on: NASA doesn't have any formal missions to either ice giant in the works right now. Facebook Frenzy How the German Right Wing Dominates Social Media A comprehensive analysis has revealed the degree to which German right-wing populists from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party are dominating the social media landscape. They might be getting help from abroad. Germany's Conundrum What to Do with Islamic State Returnees? Dozens of Germans who fought for Islamic State are in prison in northern Syria. Among them are alleged murderers and torturers, but also women and children. The German government lacks a coherent plan for dealing with them. By DER SPIEGEL Staff Traumatized and Tormented A Difficult Homecoming for Yazidis Kidnapped by IS Kidnapped Yazidis are being reunited with their families following the victory over Islamic State. They include children who have been deeply traumatized. While in captivity, IS brainwashed them to think their parents were evil. WASHINGTON - First came Joe Biden's campaign announcement video highlighting President Donald Trump's "very fine people on both sides" comment about the 2017 white-nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, that left a counterprotester dead. Then Trump dug in, arguing that he was referring not to the self-professed neo-Nazi marchers, but to those who had opposed the removal of a statue of the "great" Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. Less than 24 hours later came another act of violence described by authorities as a hate crime: Saturday's shooting at a synagogue in Poway, California, in which a gunman killed one person and injured three others. Those events have pushed the rising tide of white nationalism to the forefront of the 2020 presidential campaign, putting Trump on the defensive and prompting even some Republicans to acknowledge that the president is taking a political risk by continuing to stand by his Charlottesville comments. "The president's handling of Charlottesville was not one of the finer moments of his time in office," Republican strategist Ryan Williams said. "He shouldn't take Joe Biden's bait and relitigate this controversy." In response to the Poway synagogue shooting, Trump delivered a full-throated denunciation of anti-Semitism and hate crimes at the start of his Saturday night rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In a statement Sunday, White House spokesman Judd Deere reiterated that Trump and his entire administration "have and will continue to condemn racism, bigotry, and violence of any form." Deere said that Trump spoke on Sunday with Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who was among those injured in the shooting, and expressed his condolences and support for the Poway community. And Trump advisers maintain that the president's comments about Charlottesville were - in the words of White House counselor Kellyanne Conway on Sunday - "darn near perfection." "All white supremacy, all neo-Nazis, all anti-Christianity, all anti-Semitism, all anti-Muslim activity should be condemned," Conway said on CNN's "State of the Union," arguing that Trump's words were "twisted for many years for political purposes." Nonetheless, the rise of white-nationalist violence during Trump's tenure is emerging as an issue as the president turns his attention toward his reelection campaign. According to the most recent annual report by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which has long tracked extremist activity, 39 of the 50 extremist-related murders tallied by the group in 2018 were committed by white supremacists, up from 2017, when white supremacists were responsible for 18 of 34 such crimes. Trump has previously played down the threat posed by white nationalism. After a gunman last month killed 49 Muslims in two consecutive mosque attacks in New Zealand, Trump was asked by a reporter whether he thought white nationalists were a growing threat around the world. "I don't, really," Trump replied. "I think it's a small group of people that have very, very serious problems." Trump also has a long history of anti-Muslim remarks, including saying in 2015 that he would "strongly consider" closing mosques in the United States, declining to rule out the creation of a national Muslim registry and saying during a 2016 CNN interview, "I think Islam hates us." Trump's doubling down on his remarks in response to Biden's video has prompted calls from the ADL and others for him to be clearer about condemning what actually happened in Charlottesville, where white supremacists brandished torches and chanted anti-Semitic slogans such as "Jews will not replace us." "We need our leaders to lead, to be clear and consistent in calling out hate when it happens and to recognize there is a through line between Charlottesville and Pittsburgh and Poway," ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said. "We know the extremists are feeling emboldened because they're saying so. They're communicating a sense of energy and optimism in their message boards and in their subreddits, and it should be alarming to all of us." In its 2017 report, the ADL cited the murder of Heather Heyer, who was killed when a self-proclaimed white supremacist drove his car into a crowd of counterprotesters during the Charlottesville rally that year, as having served for many in the country as "a wake-up call to the dangers posed by a reenergized white-supremacist movement." Trump addressed Charlottesville twice in recent days - once in an exchange with reporters outside the White House, and again in an interview with conservative radio host Mark Levin. Both times, he did not raise the issue until asked about it and responded to specific questions. "Many of those people were from the University of Virginia; they were from all around the neighborhood and the area - they just wanted to protest the fact that they want to take down the statue of Robert E. Lee," Trump told Levin. "Now, there were a lot of good people in that group. And they were protesting the taking down of statues. . . . And you had some very bad people in each group, too." A White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal thinking, said Trump is committed to fighting white supremacy and violence in all forms - but is not eager to relitigate his response to Charlottesville and is unlikely to give a speech tackling the issue. Democrats on Sunday seized on Trump's comments about Lee, with House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C., noting wryly that Trump "always said that he hated losers." "The fact of the matter is, Robert E. Lee was a great tactician - was not a great person," Clyburn said on ABC News' "This Week." "Robert E. Lee was a slave owner and a brutal slave master. Thankfully, he lost that war. And I find it kind of interesting that the president is now glorifying a loser. He always said that he hated losers. Robert E. Lee was a loser." Asked whether Biden was right to focus on Charlottesville in his announcement video, Clyburn responded, "Absolutely." "I think that's what the crux of this campaign is going to be about. It's going to be about who can bring this country together," he said. Matthew Brooks, executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition, said that Trump "doesn't need to get into a tit for tat" with Biden on the issue and that his record demonstrates that he does not support white supremacists. "So many people in this country think that anti-Semitism started in this country on January 21, 2017," Brooks said, referring to Trump's first full day in office. "The reality is we have a very serious problem of anti-Semitism in the United States. It existed before Donald Trump. It will exist after Donald Trump. . . . To lay this somehow at the doorstep of this president is unfair and it's offensive," he said. Not everyone heard condemnation in Trump's explanation of his Charlottesville remarks. Jonathan Metzl, director of the Center for Medicine, Health, and Society at Vanderbilt University, was holding a discussion on his recently published book, "Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment Is Killing America's Heartland," at the Politics and Prose bookstore in Washington on Saturday when a handful of self-proclaimed white nationalists entered and disrupted the event. Metzl said that while "there are always going to be people with horrific, racist views," usually those types of sentiments have been largely condemned - but Trump's remarks on Charlottesville have muddied the waters. "Part of what was frightening was this was happening and those usual checks and balances may or may not have been there, because the president was doubling down on his Charlottesville comments. . . . Historically, this is the role of government," he said. "And we have a very different government right now." Hands Off Our Schools, the grassroots movement against forced regionalization, has formed its own political action committee. The news comes weeks after the movement signed on its 10,000th member. Chris DeMuth, a New Canaan resident, said the committee will raise funds to advocate for local decision-making in education for school districts. DeMuth said the nonpartisan movement has largely been driven by parents. I think a lot of public school parents have been effective advocates for their kids, he said. First, in moving to the school district of their choice and then getting involved as volunteers, private donors, members of the PTC or Board of Ed. The movement has grown to 10,000 members and has already made an impact, according to DeMuth. Hands Off Our Schools has helped stop two out of the three proposed bills with regionalization language, he said. Proposed bills by Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, and Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, D-New Haven, were not voted out of committee. DeMuth said the movement has also helped to water down Gov. Ned Lamonts bill. However, the slight changes have not deterred the movement. None of that really gives us comfort in that all this language can come back at any time, DeMuth said. It can be added to different legislation or even perhaps added to the budget. DeMuth said the movement has continued to grow strong, but the political action committee could help provide resources. To move beyond our current 10,000 members and our current effort we need to raise resources so that we can be competitive in the marketplace of ideas across all of Connecticut, he said. The movement is focused on the time period between now and July, DeMuth said. Thats when were going to see what the Connecticut General Assembly wants to do, he said. Our efforts are going to continue to be toward education and advocacy and making sure as much of the electorate understands the threat of regionalization. DeMuth said while the group is against forced consolidation, there could be positive aspects to voluntary shared services as long as education quality is the focus. When you talk about costs, I want to look at teaching efficiency, he said. Sure, save money thats great if we can do it in a way that improves the quality of education at the same time. He said if state interference lessened, towns could do more to save money without hurting education. For example, towns could get rid of redundant services between the town and school district, DeMuth said. In Wilton, similar efforts have already been made. The towns chief financial officer, Anne Kelly-Lenz, also doubles as the chief financial officer for the Wilton public schools. Likewise, the towns facilities director, Chris Burney, acts in the same capacity for the school district. If you could get rid of the force and look instead at voluntary measures, theres a lot that can be done, DeMuth said. If instead of force you look at facilitating voluntary measures by deregulating state interference with local education, it can be done even better. Parents and other supporters interested in Hands Off Our Schools can visit its page, group, and store, get updates and support Hands Off Our Schools here. dj.simmons@hearstmediact.com No one is going to turn down $100 million. That made this months announcement by the founder of the worlds largest hedge fund of a massive donation to Connecticuts public schools a major event. But it was not unprecedented. It wasnt long ago that another multibillionaire appeared with leaders of a densely populated Northeastern state to pledge a $100 million gift to public schools. As to how that one worked, the best that can be said is Connecticut can try to learn how to do things better this time around. In 2010, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg came on Oprah Winfreys talk show with Chris Christie, at the time the governor of New Jersey, and Cory Booker, then the mayor of that states largest city, to discuss a $100 million gift Zuckerbergs foundation planned for the Newark public school system. The five-year plan was matched by the same amount from other donors, making for a massive infusion aimed at making over a troubled system. Zuckerberg, Winfrey, Christie and Booker, who as a group could almost make up their own Jeopardy category of People Who Will Never Be President, lavished praise on one another as they talked about what promised to be a transformative gift, with Newarks plan to serve as a national model for reform. It didnt quite work out as planned, and nearly a decade later its not clear what $200 million over five years accomplished. There were some improvements, but also some backsliding. Some measures got better, but many stayed about the same. A troubled school system then, Newark is still in a tough spot. Included in the program were millions of dollars spent on consultants drawing up plans in a boardroom that had little to do with what was happening in the classroom. That makes the specifics of plans for the Connecticut money specifics which do not seem to exist at this point so crucial. Bookers successor as mayor last year mostly dismissed the project on those grounds. You cant just cobble up a bunch of money and drop it in the middle of the street and say, This is going to fix everything, he said. Then as now, the eye-catching numbers looked smaller compared to actual education spending, adding up to about 4 percent of what went into Newark schools on an annual basis. And the Facebook money was going to one city, not spread over many in Connecticut. In this state, the occasion this month was one of those Greenwich-themed get-togethers our governor loves so much, with Ned Lamont and his wife joined on stage at East Hartford High School by Ray and Barbara Dalio, he the founder of the hedge fund Bridgewater and she the operator of the familys charitable foundation. In addition to their $100 million, the plan calls for the same amount of state money plus a further $100 million from other philanthropic sources. A lot has changed in the past decade on the education reform front. Bookers philosophy in Newark of charter schools first, last and always has fallen a bit out of favor, and most of what passed for reform has been exposed as anti-union privatization efforts. Barbara Dalio, in her telling, had in the past directed her education philanthropy in a charter school-friendly direction. To her credit, shes moved on. I realized charter schools have their place and are doing great work, but it really doesnt solve the problem, she said recently, probably overstating on the great work but at least acknowledging the shortfalls of such an approach. For now, the Connecticut plan involves jargon like promises to help advance positive outcomes as quickly and sustainably as possible and to utilize practices with demonstrated positive impact, whatever that means. Already jockeying is underway to ensure that everyone in the state gets a share of whats coming. Under a best-case scenario, this should be thought of as a welcome gift, but not anything more than that. An infusion, even a large one, is not a solution. The plans purported focus on students who are losing touch with school sounds sensible. The best idea is something the governor hinted at this year before quickly backing down as the Wiltons of the world erupted. Education in the state would be best-served by a wholesale makeover of the kind that is never going to happen for political reasons. Maybe some of the $300 million could go toward selling rich towns on that whole regionalization thing? Hugh Bailey is editorial page editor of The New Haven Register and the Connecticut Post. He can be reached at hbailey@hearstmediact.com. Ever since the White House revealed earlier this month that President Donald Trump had called a Libyan warlord who is attacking Tripoli, the U.S. position on Libya has been confused and confusing, with real negative consequences on the ground. Even the Libyan government has no idea what Washington's policy is right now. The least the Trump administration can do is pick one Libya policy, tell everyone clearly what it is and stick to it. The best choice would be to bolster and defend the internationally recognized government in Tripoli that we were supposed to be supporting in the first place, not the Russian-backed warlord breaking the peace. Khalifa Hifter, a dual Libyan-U.S. citizen leading a militia in Libya's east, is waging war against the United Nations-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) and attacking Tripoli, with thinly disguised assistance from Russia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. U.S. military forces fighting terrorism have been forced to withdraw from Tripoli as the situation worsens and the GNA pleads for international support. Khalid al-Mishri, the chairman of Libya's High Council of State, said in a phone interview that the GNA still has no official explanation from the Trump administration as to why Trump called Hifter, recognized his "significant role in fighting terrorism" and discussed a "shared vision for Libya's transition to a stable, democratic political system," as the White House statement said. "We believe there's a lack of clarity to the United States policy, and we are looking for clarification," said Mishri. As far as the Libyan government was aware, the United States was fully supportive of the 2015 agreement that established the GNA as the sole legitimate government in Tripoli. On April 7, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged Hifter to halt his offensive. "This shows that there is maybe a difference of opinion between the White House and the State Department, and we are trying to talk to our friends in Washington to find out more about this," Mishri told me. Several officials told me that Trump's call to Hifter was the work of national security adviser John Bolton, who had spoken to Hifter himself only days prior. Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan also urged Trump to make the call, officials said. The GNA is warning that if Hifter's attacks on Tripoli are allowed to proceed, the result will be a security and economic disaster in Tripoli that will have a ripple effect around the region and the world. War inside Tripoli will crash Libya's economy,cause a new refugee crisis, imperil international business interests there, disrupt oil markets and embolden the Islamic State, which thrives on instability, Mishri argued. The United States has a unique role to play because it is the only country that can influence the various regional players and hopefully persuade them to back off their support for Hifter's offensive, Mishri said. The forces supporting the GNA in Tripoli will defend the city, he said, because they believe in the U.N.-supported process that has provided Libya with a degree of stability and a path toward democracy. "What Hifter is trying to do is not fighting terrorism, it is to fight against all his political opponents in the name of fighting terrorists," Mishri said. "A big part of his army are terrorists and extremists that today are doing terrible things to civilians." Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who was in Tunisia when the news of the Trump-Hifter phone call broke, told me he witnessed the confusion the phone call caused on the ground. Graham is trying to encourage Trump and the administration to get all the regional players to come to the table and agree on a political path forward to avoid more bloodshed. "It's crystal clear to me if Hifter moves on Tripoli this will ignite a war on a much larger level, it will be a mini Syria, that the regional proxies will up their game, that a vacuum will be created when more [Islamic State] types will be allowed to come back," Graham told me. "There's been confusion created by this phone call. And it's going to end badly if we don't clear it up." The United States' National Security Council called "inaccurate" an April 24 Bloomberg article that claimed Trump had indicated support for Hifter to attack Tripoli. But several current and former officials told me there's no other way to interpret the phone call and the White House statement as anything other than an implicit endorsement of Hifter's actions. "When you call Hifter in the middle of a military campaign and note his fighting terrorism, you are effectively endorsing his military campaign," said Philip Gordon, who was the White House coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf Region during the Obama administration. Trump is endorsing might over right and authoritarianism over democratic processes, Gordon said, but that's not the only problem. "Hifter can't even do what Sissi has done militarily, it seems," he said. The Obama administration deserves some blame for failing to lead in Libya after supporting the overthrow of Moammar Gaddafi, a mistake President Barack Obama said he regrets. But Trump seeming to side with a warlord against the U.S. and UN policy without explanation is worse than negligent; it undermines both U.S. credibility and the overall drive for stability and democracy in the region. S itting on the fence sounds uncomfortable but it is often the best place to be in politics. Granted, its not very heroic but then heroes who take a stand often get killed. Frustrating 100 per cent of your supporters is sometimes better than completely alienating half of them. Ultimately, fence-sitting doesnt work for a government. Prime ministers who never take a decision discover that their only lasting achievement is that they lasted. But the best leaders of the Opposition are the ones who know how to stay out of a fight. Their job is to give as many people as possible hope that if only they were in charge then things would be better and the more specific you are about how things would be better, the more people you are likely to disappoint. Lets leave aside, for now, the fact that Jeremy Corbyn is someone who has always wanted to leave the EU because he has always correctly seen Brussels as a bastion of capitalism and an obstacle to socialism. If only the naive business backers of Brexit had had his insights. But the fact is that, regardless of Mr Corbyns own views, any Labour leader of the Opposition you can imagine would be hedging their bets right now. Back a second referendum, and they fear (perhaps unreasonably) they would alienate the Labour supporters in the tired industrial towns who voted for Brexit. Come out against one and they will disappoint not just hundreds of thousands of their younger, urban party members but also lose the chance to win some of the professional middle-class vote that the Tory party is currently handing to them on a plate. Hence the muddled compromise, hammered out at the Labour conference, which leaves a second vote on the table a compromise the ruling National Executive Committee is likely to endorse tomorrow. But the very best oppositions dress up mealy-mouthed political compromises into passionate appeals to the country. As we predicted a fortnight ago, and opinion polls now confirm, the European elections present Labour with a big, unexpected opportunity. The Tories are behaving like a petulant school child in the playground complaining that everyone else has started a game they dont like: their novel approach of saying vote for us because we didnt want you to have a vote at all could give Theresa Mays Conservatives (remember that slogan from their last national campaign?) the lowest vote in their history. Meanwhile, the Brexit vote is flocking to the slick campaign run by Nigel Farage. But the Remain vote is up for grabs. The Lib-Dems are invisible hands up anyone who can name the frontrunners for their leadership contest, or even knew one was happening. The Change UK independents have put together a quite impressive list of candidates despite the confected media rows about one or two of them. But they havent yet conveyed the energy, ambition or simplicity of Mr Farages message. Until they do, the door is left open to a clever Labour campaign. All it needs to do is nod strongly towards a second referendum and some Remain voters will be lured. Mr Corbyn doesnt need to get off the fence but he does need to do a more convincing job of not squirming on it. Smartphones in court Speaking out about rape is one of the toughest things anyone ever has to do. Should victims have their private social media histories scrutinised too? The answer is yes. A fair trial depends on a fair assessment of the evidence and smartphones are central to providing it. If they are withheld, people may be convicted unfairly, prosecutions may collapse or not go ahead at all. Digital evidence must be examined privately and only disclosed in court if it is valid. But if it is withheld, justice may not be done. TODO: define component type apester T heres a moment in Quantum of Solace Daniel Craigs second outing as James Bond when a minister offers M some sage diplomatic advice. If we refuse to do business with villains wed have almost no one to trade with the Russians arent playing ball, the Americans and Chinese are dividing up whats left right or wrong doesnt come into it were acting out of necessity. Of course, we all know that the minister is seriously underestimating Bonds ability to deal with Quantums villain, a slimy character who, rather than wishing to destroy the world, merely wants to create a water monopoly in Bolivia. Disappointing, really, by Bond standards. Still, Quantum serves again to prove that 007 is effectively a gunboat for our times, able single-handedly to impose Britains will on the world and deal with its worst villains. He is, in that sense, an exercise in 19th-century nostalgia. In truth, however, we have neither gunboats nor guns for hire in sufficient numbers to allow us to tell others what to do. The ministers words fictitious though they might be are a reflection of diplomatic reality. Yet our political classes in Britain seem increasingly to be adopting an inverted version of imperial rule: if we cant force others to bend to our will, well simply snub them. For many on the Tory Right (particularly those flocking to Nigel Farages Brexit Party) its the nasty European federalists who are rubbing us up the wrong way. For those on Labours far Left its the US, Saudi Arabia and Israel. For environmentalists its the US and China. For those close to the intelligence community its Russia and China. For anti-capitalists its all of the above. Stephen King / Alamy Stock Photo Now imagine the following scenario. The UK eventually leaves the EU and, as a result, we end up with a much weaker trading relationship with our nearest neighbours. The damage done to the Tory party split between Farage-leaning Brexiteers and an ageing group of One Nation Tories is such that they lose the next general election. A new Labour-led coalition takes over, which, in turn, refuses to embark on trade talks with the US, fearing the arrival of chlorinated chicken and predatory American competition within the NHS. Our relationship with China, meanwhile, deteriorates as we become increasingly worried about its carbon footprint. All of a sudden were on our own. This might all appear far-fetched, but in our rush to judge the behaviour of others as if the world falls into binary good and bad boxes were in danger of shooting ourselves in the foot. Economies that shut themselves off from the rest of the world always suffer. When the Ming Dynasty destroyed Chinas ocean-going fleet in the 1430s a remarkable act of self-harm that reflected a growing fear of corrupting foreign influences China became insular, unable to learn from advances developed elsewhere. Left behind economically, it became a plaything of the imperial powers in the 19th century and then was humiliated by the Japanese in the 1930s. More recently, North and South Korea offer almost a lab experiment in the benefits of openness versus closure. In 1950, on the eve of the Korean War, both countries had similar living standards. Today, those south of the 38th parallel enjoy incomes almost 13 times higher than their northern neighbours. Some argue that, as a great trading nation (whatever that means), we should be looking to link ourselves economically with more dynamic countries elsewhere in the world: what we lose from cutting ties with the likes of Europe and the US can be more than offset by trading with some of the worlds fast-growing, emerging markets. "In truth, we have neither gunboats nor guns for hire in sufficient numbers to allow us to tell others what to do" Putting to one side the rather obvious point that not all these countries are liberal democracies, their economies are sadly neither big enough nor near enough geographically to move the dial. China, the worlds second-biggest economy, is only our eighth-most valuable export destination (the US is first, followed by Germany, France, the Netherlands and, remarkably, Ireland). The next emerging nations on the list are the United Arab Emirates (13th) and Saudi Arabia (18th), followed by India (22nd), Turkey (23rd) and Russia (25th). Other than India, none of them is growing particularly quickly. None of them is dynamic enough to help revitalise our economy. And some of them, frankly, are a long way from enjoying any kind of special relationship with the UK. We seem to have lost sight of the rather obvious point that trade, ultimately, should be a win-win story. In his theory of comparative advantage one of the great counterintuitive economic insights David Ricardo argued that even if Portugal was better than England at producing both wine and cloth, it still made sense for the Portuguese to specialise in wine production that could be traded for English cloth, so long as Portugal was comparatively better at producing wine (in the same way that a dentist may be more adept than her receptionist at running an appointments schedule but she still employs the receptionist because filling cavities is more lucrative than filling forms). Admittedly, in the process of specialisation a consequence of trade Portuguese cloth-makers and English wine-makers might lose out. Yet both countries would now be richer. In the modern world, the losers could be compensated through taxes, the social security system or a kind of retraining scheme. If theyre not, thats a failure of domestic policy not of international trade per se. So as Nigel Farage blames the Brussels bureaucrats and demands that the 2016 EU referendum result is upheld, and as Jeremy Corbyn and Vince Cable refuse to join Donald Trump at Buckingham Palace (even though the Queen has to), spare a thought for Ms minister. We may not like those we engage with economically but, in the absence of James Bond, we cannot easily make them change. By all means we can refuse to talk. We can even refuse to trade. By doing so, however, were only going to end up being shaken, not stirred. A former barmaid turned self-taught painter is in the running for one of the art worlds most prestigious prizes. Emma Hopkins, who specialises in nudes, has been shortlisted for the 35,000 BP Portrait Award. Her painting of her friend Sophie Mayanne and her pet dog Carla was one of four chosen from the 2,538 entries submitted by artists from 84 different countries. The 29-year-old, who says she wants to paint people from the inside out, first showed her paintings at Chelsea Arts Club while she was working behind its bar. Hopkins said she painted her friend because she wanted someone who would allow me a freedom to explore. She added: She has a lot of confidence in her body which helped me. Hopkins, who lives in Brighton, briefly worked making prosthetic limbs for the theatre and films and said: I want to understand what it means to be human. We are not just the clothed person we present to the world. We are the mind and body we inhabit. She said her experience creating fake body parts and realistic skin tones was a good grounding for her painting. Also on the shortlist are Norwegian artist Carl-Martin Sandvolds self-portrait and Italian painter Massimiliano Pirontis portrait of his 95-year-old grandmother. It is completed by another Brighton-based artist, Charlie Schaffer, with his portrait of friend Imara. The winner, chosen by a panel including artist Gary Hume, will be announced at the National Portrait Gallery on June 10. The BP Award exhibition is at the National Portrait Gallery from June 13-Oct 20 T wo Door Cinema Club have announced an arena tour for this autumn, with a series of huge dates planned for October. The indie group will play six shows, including a performance at the O2 in London on October 11. The band will also visit Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester, Hull and Plymouth as part of the run. The announcement comes ahead of the release of their forthcoming album False Alarm, which is due out in June. The band's frontman, Alex Trimble, said: "We're putting together the live show right now. It's so exciting because there are no limits anymore. We're not just Two Door Cinema Club as defined by what we've done, we're Two Door Cinema Club doing whatever we want to do." Two Door Cinema Club are also performing at Radio 1 Big Weekend in Middlesbrough, Glastonbury, Tramlines Festival, Y-Not Festival, Truck Festival and Victorious Festival later this year. The Northern Irish group first burst onto the scene with successful debut album Tourist History, which was released in 2010. Their last album, Gameshow, was released in 2016 and reached number five in the UK album chart. Two Door Cinema Club tickets Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday, May 3. They will be available for purchase here. UK festivals 2019: All the best events you can book tickets for 1 /6 UK festivals 2019: All the best events you can book tickets for Creamfields (August 22-25) A festival with something of an anything-goes vibe, blasting out the biggest hits from the world of EDM and the broader dance music universe. Where is it? Daresbury, Cheshire Tickets: four-day camping passes from 265, creamfields.com Warren Simmens Reading and Leeds (August 23-25) Two festivals that run concurrently on the same weekend, sharing the same lineup. One of the best known events on the UK calendar, it has grown from its rock roots to include more pop and rap acts in recent years. Where is it? Richfield Avenue, Reading/Branham Park, Leeds Tickets: from 205 for a weekend camping ticket, readingfestival.com/leedsfestival.com Getty Images Victorious Festival (August 23-25) Portsmouths Victorious Festival has welcomed rock and pop acts since launching in 2011, marking one of the biggest festivals on the south coast. The Specials, James Bay, Clean Bandit, The Vaccines, Rudimental, Two Door Cinema Club and Bloc Party all perform. Where is it? Southsea, Portsmouth Tickets: Adult weekend tickets start at 95, victoriousfestival.co.uk Getty Images South West Four (August 25-25) The biggest dance music festival in London by quite some way, both in terms of its sheer scale and the artists it books. It's an August bank holiday staple. Chase and Status, Craig David, Mabel, Basement Jaxx, Andy C, Armand Van Halen, Martin Garrix, Plan B, Sigma, Tinie Tempah and Wiley all bring the party. Where is it? Clapham Common, SW4 9DE Tickets: Weekend tickets are priced from 99, southwestfour.com Luke Dyson Maiden Voyage (August 25) A brand new music festival coming to London this summer, organised by Camden venue the Jazz Cafe. The 10-strong lineup will feature a DJ set from hip hop luminary Madlib, as well as a live performance from jazz icon Roy Ayers. Where is it? Three Mills Island, E3 Tickets: Tickets for the event cost 20. General sale will commence at 10am on Friday February 15, maiden-voyage.co.uk Rich Fury/Getty Images for Arroyo Seco Weekend Two Door Cinema Club 2019 tour dates The full list of shows is below. October 3 Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena October 4 Glasgow, O2 Academy October 8 Manchester, O2 Victoria Warehouse October 10 Hull, Bonus Arena October 11 London, the O2 (with support from Tom Grennan) Review at a glance C hris Thorpe claims this monologue is not a Brexit show. But its animated by disenchantment with his own Britishness, and its deeply concerned with borders and identity. A mix of odyssey and polemic, its an autobiographical piece sprinkled with surreal touches and five musical numbers that call to mind Billy Braggs protest songs. At the start, Thorpes fictional alter ego, right, evades police brutality in a Serbian bar thanks to his nationality. This becomes a source of anxiety and prompts a journey of self-discovery (or maybe a midlife crisis). He travels to Singapore to observe international plutocrats and visits Americas Monument Valley, where a Navajo guide inspires him to think about the bloody history of Empire written in imagined lines upon the Earth. He also encounters a talking coyote whos apparently a former East German citizen. Thats surely the most bizarre element of this 80-minute piece. Uncomfortable and thought-provoking, it reunites Thorpe with Rachel Chavkin, who in 2014 directed Confirmation, his probing look at belief systems. But this is a less coherent and dramatically satisfying collaboration, and Thorpes frank, emphatic, often abrasive tone can feel relentless. You might know Gwendoline Christie as Brienne of Tarth from Game of Thrones, one of Westeros most fearsome swordmasters on the epic fantasy series. But when she isnt ferociously defending Arya and Sansa Stark, Christie trades in her plate armour for a very different wardrobe - one which features plenty of couture. Christie is consistently one of the most stylish women on the red carpet, and off-screen works as a model signed to Kate Mosss titular agency, which has proved a lucrative side hustle. (Kate Moss kick-started her modelling career when she referred Christie to her former agent in 2012, telling her she "just knew it would work".) Gwendoline Christie walking at Miu Miu's Cruise 2019 Collection / Getty Images Over the years, Christie has landed major campaigns and walked the runway for Miu Miu and Vivienne Westwood, brands which make a regular appearance in her wardrobe. Christie's love affair with fashion started years ago when she was a teenager. She told ES Magazine her discovery of Alexander McQueen around that time was earth-shattering, it just felt like so many of the things I loved coming together and exploding. Gwendoline Christie wearing Oscar de la Renta / Getty Images for Disney Christie's red carpet style also has a helping hand from her designer boyfriend Giles Deacon, who has dressed her over the years for some of her biggest events. She told ES Magazine, I dont think Ill ever stop being in awe of my partners colossal talent. As a designer and as a human being. I mean it. I dont ever talk about him. But I really mean that. Gwendoline Christie wearing Giles Deacon at the 2015 Emmy Awards / Getty Images As the years (and the HBO seasons) have gone by, Christies wardrobe has gradually evolved. Speaking to The Telegraph, she said, I wear armour and I wear couture both fascinate me. Gwendoline Christie wearing Iris Van Herpen / Getty Images Read on for more of Christie's biggest style moments: Gwendoline Christie's Game of Thrones premiere dress Gwendoline Christie wearing Iris Van Herpen / Getty Images When Christie stepped out for the Game of Thrones season eight premiere, the Internet collectively gasped at her ensemble. The actress had returned to one of her favourite brands, Iris Van Herpen, for a couture masterpiece that reflected the show's song of ice and fire theme, covered in a print of flames and smoke. Gwendoline Christie wearing Iris Van Herpen / Getty Images The dress was from Herpens recent Spring 2019 couture collection, Shift Souls. On the brand's official Instagram account, the dress was described the dress as vaporous clouds in motion and Christie worked the gown for all it was worth - throwing her arms up like a very powerful butterfly. WWD/Shutterstock This isn't the first time Christie has made headlines with an Iris Van Herpen creation, as years ago she modelled in the designer's SS16 show. The show - which was part fashion collection, part art installation - saw her lie down in the middle of the runway as a dress was 3D-printed onto her body in real time. Gwendoline Christie at fashion week with Tomo Koizumi Getty Images In February one last-minute fashion show became the talk of New York Fashion Week. Japanese costume designer Tomo Koizumi, who was discovered on Instagram just a month earlier, sent some of Hollywood and fashions biggest names down the runway draped in the dreamiest ruffled gowns. Christies dress was the masterpiece of the show, as she closed the collection decked out in a gigantic trailing rainbow gown. One Instagram user shared a video and wrote, If Gweyndolyn [sic] Christie can make it up this staircase in this giant gown, you can make it through anything. Gwendoline Christie wearing her partner Giles Deacon's clothing Gwendoline Christie wearing Giles Deacon at the 2015 SAG Awards / Getty Images Christie has been in a relationship with designer Giles Deacon since 2013 and regularly wears his clothing. She called him one of her favourite designers and explained to The Telegraph, He has two of my favourite attributes in artists: wild imagination and technical rigour. [His designs] can be practical, otherworldly, sculptural and mind-bending, but you always feel celebrated as a woman when you wear them. Gwendoline Christie wearing Giles Deacon to the European premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens / Getty Images "Their confidence somehow increases yours," she continued. "Its quite a power for a designer to have. His clothes have personalities. Gwendoline Christie wearing Giles Deacon to the 2014 Fragrance Foundation Awards Christie has worn many of Deacons pieces to some of her most high profile events, including the 2018 Golden Globes, the European premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and 2015s Screen Actors Guild Awards. Deacon called her a fantastic muse. Getty Images He said, Shes a character herself, and her trail of various characters is brilliant shes pretty transformative, which is always an interesting thing from a designers point of view. Gwendoline Christie in Miu Miu Gwendoline Christie attending Miu Miu's AW18/19 show / Getty Images Gwendoline Christie and Miu Miu go way back - and its all apparently thanks to supermodel Kate Moss. Speaking to ES Magazine, Christie revealed Moss believed in her talent as a model so much that she actually introduced the Thrones star to her own agent in 2012. It marked a milestone in Christies sartorial love affair with Miu Miu, which has seen her walk runways and front campaigns for the brand since then. Gwendoline Christie walking at Miu Miu's Cruise 2019 Collection / Getty Images for Miu Miu In 2018, Christie was unveiled as one of Miu Mius AW19 campaign models and also took to the runway to show off the Cruise 2019 collection as Paris Fashion Week. Gwendoline Christie wearing Miu Miu at the premiere of Welcome to Marwen / Getty Images Gwendoline Christie in Vivienne Westwood Gwendoline Christie wearing Vivienne Westwood / AFP/Getty Images Christie is something of a sartorial dark horse, and while shes recently garnered the attention of numerous luxury fashion houses, one of the earliest designers to fall in love with her was Vivienne Westwood. After she met the designer at one of her London shows, Westwood said she was "perfect" and asked her to not only walk the runway in their unisex Gold Label AW15 show, but to also front the campaign. The resulting pictures were glorious and ramped up her androgynous look in a shoot directed by Juergen Teller. Gwendoline Christie wearing Vivienne Westwood / Getty Images Unsurprisingly, the brand has become a staple in Christies wardrobe - with a memorable piece being the black sparkly jumpsuit she wore to the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2017. Gwendoline Christie wearing Vivienne Westwood / Getty Images for AMC O ctober was into its stride, but deep within Istria the sun refused to call it a day. As church bells chimed 7pm and night infiltrated from the east, the sky remained a canvas of pink and gold. The EUs choice of October 31, 2019, as Britains current departure date, provides the chance for an autumnal adieu before the sun looks likely to set on our unfettered freedom to travel. You can indulge in the many virtues of Europe in Istria, the westernmost fragment of Croatia. Its the heart-shaped territory, slightly larger than Dorset, that points south into the Adriatic. Istria has a much longer frontier with Slovenia than it does with the rest of Croatia, to which it is connected by a 10-mile neck of land. Pula, the capital, is an excellent place to start an Istrian adventure. Despite James Joyces description of the city as a naval Siberia, it is a warm, welcoming and profoundly historic port. The Romans first-century colony, Polensium, left a gladiatorial arena that challenged the Colosseum in Rome for scale. The western shore of Istria is notable for a deep and beautiful notch: Lim fjord, a Nordic feature transplanted to the Adriatic. On either side the legacy of the Venetian Republic lives on in Rovinj and Porec. In the latter, the Euphrasian Basilica is a sixth-century marble masterpiece that protects some intricate mosaics. Further north along the coast, amid the atmospheric old town of Novigrad, fish restaurant Damir & Ornella dispenses a dinner that begins with raw Istrian squid and scallops and continues with gnocchi and the catch of the day. At 500 kuna (60) it is one of the most expensive meals in Istria but a fraction of what you might pay across the Adriatic in Italy. Pulas ampitheatre / Shutterstock / RossHelen Head inland to find a ripple of hills draped with vineyards, meadows and woodland which is where, each autumn, dogs and pigs snuffle out truffles. The subterranean fungus is celebrated most exuberantly at the Zigante restaurant in the village of Livade, where each course is enriched with the flavours and aromas of truffles to me a combination of woodsmoke, mushroom and autumn. Spring, summer and winter too bring their own rewards in this European corner for all seasons. From Istrias elements of cuisine, countryside and coast, embroider your own adventure. Details: Istria, Croatia P lunging yourself into minus 85-degree cold is always going to be a shock to the system, but theres something adrenaline-inducing about plunging there straight from a sizzling 90 degrees. Not that shocks are always a bad thing. For the skin and muscles they can work wonders which is why Im spending my Thursday afternoon flitting between Harvey Nichols ice-cold cryotherapy chamber and its new heat pod: a full-body, infra-red cocoon designed to make you sweat. This exercise is known as biohacking: a process of tricking our bodies into implementing the same responses it would if you were freezing cold or hot and sweaty. Or for maximum results, both in quick succession. Experts say the two together will burn calories, boost muscle recovery and leave skin glowing. Its about creating maximum impact in minimum time, says Dr Yannis Alexandrides, founder of cryotherapy brand 111Cryo, which runs its chambers across the capital. The treatment is popular with athletes and A-listers looking for instant results: subjecting the body to -90 degrees Celsius for two or three minutes constricts blood vessels, producing a fight-or-flight response in the body. Circulation and collagen will increase, inflammation will reduce and muscles will relax plus youll get a rush of endorphins. Everyone from Kate Moss to Cristiano Ronaldo has given it a go. The likes of Kate Moss and Cristiano Ronaldo have all given contrast therapy a go / Matt Writtle Last week Alexandrides launched Heat at Harvey Nichols, a dry-heat, infrared sauna body pod set between 30 and 90 degrees C, the first of its kind in the UK. Its designed to make you sweat, and even at 65 degrees Im dripping within minutes. The 30-minute treatment has me lying in a space-like machine, head peeking out, in front of a touchscreen. From there you can adjust settings to suit your mood: to up the sweat count, you can do a HIIT class with resistance bands or some (really) hot yoga the screen shows your calories burned and experts say you can burn up to 600 calories in one half-hour session. "Its a popular injury method but its not just for athletes going hot and cold has a whole host of benefits" There are also meditative options. The pod comes with a choice of aromas and LED light colours, a massage option using vibrations. You can have also a facial in there. Sweat produced during our Heat sessions promotes detoxification of cholesterol, heavy metals and other toxins, Alexandrides tells me as I prepare for the cryo chamber. He insists using the two chambers in tandem is the ultimate form of contrast therapy, a technique known for stimulating metabolic activity and circulation without putting it under stress. This makes it a popular injury-recovery method but its not just for athletes, says Alexandrides. Going hot and cold has known benefits results include improved cardio fitness, muscle recovery, cellulite loss and better sleep. Order is important. Thermotherapy causes the blood vessels to open, allowing for oxygenated blood to reach injured tissue. Cryotherapy constricts blood vessels and reduces metabolic activity, as well as alleviating pain. Its a wonder treatment for skin: heat makes your blood rise to your bodys surface and opens pores. Cold brings the blood back to vital organs and contracts pores to regular sizes, reinforcing your bodys natural defence system, Alexandrides continues: Sessions have also been proven to increase endorphins. In less than 45 minutes you can feel like youve had an intense spa experience or an extreme workout which explains my endorphin high. A British man has insisted police have it wrong after he was named prime suspect in the suspected murders of a mother and her baby daughter in Canada. Robert Leeming, 34, said he he felt traumatised over accusations he killed his tenant Jasmine Lovett, 25, and her one-year-old daughter Aliyah Sanderson, who vanished from the Cranston area of Calgary in mid-April. The 34-year-old, who has lived in Canada for six years, was arrested on Thursday at his home in Cranston, but was later released without charge. Calgary Police have indicated he remains the primary suspect in the case. Aliyah Sanderson, 1, has not been seen since April 18 / Calgary Police Service They have it wrong, as far as Im concerned. Of course they do, Leeming told local media following his release, describing his treatment as a very stressful experience. Ms Lovett and Aliyah were last seen in Cranston on the evening of Tuesday April 16, according to police. While activity on her bank accounts stopped on April 18. There have been no signs of life since, the force said. (We) do not believe this incident to be random because the suspect and victims knew each other, police said. Leeming said he last saw Ms Lovett on the evening of Thursday April 18, accepting he must have been the last person to see them. The day before, they had all gone to a picnic area at Bragg Creek, a beauty spot around 40 miles away from Cranston, for beers and some food before returning home. Jasmine Lovett, 25, and her daughter had lived in Leeming's property since October 2018 / Calgary Police Service Leeming, who is from England but was granted permanent residency in Canada after he moved to the country in 2013, told reporters nothing unusual had gone on. He described his relationship with Ms Lovett, who had been living at his property with Aliyah since October 2018, as just good friends. Asked if there had ever any romantic involvement between them, he replied: There was initially, but towards the end no. The mother and daughters family said they were devastated by their disappearance. They are so loved by so many people and we just want answers, they said in a statement to the Calgary Herald. We are hoping and praying for closure for everyone involved. On Saturday, Calgary Police appealed for anyone who saw a Caucasian man in his mid-30s driving a Mercedes SUV in the Bragg Creek area between April 16 and April 20. The Calgary Police Service continues to search for evidence in the suspected homicides of Jasmine Lovett and Aliyah Sanderson, said a spokesman for the force. The man may have been alone or with either of the victims, and may have been carrying mulch in his vehicle. We are currently working with multiple other agencies to search Cranston and the area around Bragg Creek for evidence. A love-struck woman handed over hundreds of thousands of pounds to a conman posing as Hollywood actor Jason Statham. The victim says she was conned out of the fortune after being bombarded with flirty messages from a scammer pretending to be the star, who is known for films such as The Fast And The Furious and the Transporter franchises. The woman was browsing a Facebook page dedicated to Statham, who is engaged to model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, when she was first contacted. She believed it was the 51-year-old actor being friendly. She added: I thought, Oh, thats nice of him, talking to his fans. I might have been star-struck then, I dont know. The fraudster encouraged her to move the conversation to the encrypted WhatsApp service where he sent her a succession of flirty messages and told her he loved her. She started to hand over the cash after he claimed payment that he was owed from a film had been delayed. In one of the messages he said: Will you love me and be the special woman beside me for the rest of your life honey? In another he wrote: Just send 20k this night and tomorrow you do the same then by Friday its already done. The woman, who asked not to be named, told BBC Radio Manchester that she was vulnerable at the time following the deaths of both her mother and her fiance. She added: Im quite a strong person but obviously certain things get to you and you let your guard down. I dont feel like I was in the right place myself because of what Id been through. The woman started transferring payments to the fraudster totalling hundreds of thousands of pounds. She said: It was a substantial amount, which would have made a difference to my life and my family. The victim, from the North West, eventually contacted Greater Manchester police. Detective Constable Craig Moylon described fraud as an epidemic, and added: This lady has been subject to somebody who just tricked her at a very vulnerable time in her life. When you see the relentless messaging that this lady got from this person, and you see the grooming and the exploitation the impact is extraordinary. The woman said the scammer had no feelings at all and the ordeal has left her less trusting of people. T wo people have been charged with murder after the death of a one-month-old baby. The charges come nearly two years after baby Eva Sanders's death. Police were called to a property in Streatham Road, Mitcham, and found the child unresponsive. She was rushed to hospital and placed on life support on September 1, 2017 She died the following day. A statement from Scotland Yard said: "Clare Sanders, and Tomas Vaitkevicius, 44, both of Streatham Road, Mitcham CR4, were summonsed to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court on 30 April after being charged by postal requisition on 3 April with murder, and causing/allowing the death of a child, namely Eva Sanders. "Eva Sanders died on 2 September 2017 after being admitted to hospital the previous day." S ix teens have admitted involvement in a street attack which left a student in a coma before she died just weeks later, it can now be reported. Mariam Moustafa, 18, suffered a stroke 10 hours after the attack in Nottingham in February last year and died almost a month later. Six teenagers had been charged with the offence of affray but three had denied the charge in October and were due to stand trial last week. But Mariah Fraser, 19, Britania Hunter, 18, and a 16-year-old girl, admitted their part in the attack before Judge Gregory Dickinson QC on April 16. Three other teenage girls, two aged 17 and one aged 18 admitted affray at Nottingham Youth Court last year. The engineering student's death has caused uproar in Egypt and the country's embassy called on those responsible to be "brought to justice swiftly" / PA The case can be reported today after restrictions were lifted by District Judge Timothy Spruce. All six of the teens will be sentenced at a later date, which is yet to be confirmed. Ms Moustafa was punched several times during a confrontation with a group of women near a bus stop in Parliament Street at 8pm on February 20. The teenager got on a bus at the scene near the Victoria Centre shopping precinct but was followed by the same group. Student Mariam Moustafa, 18, in a coma before she died after succumbing to her injuries / PA It is claimed they were threatening and abusive towards her. She was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in the city before being transferred to Nottingham City Hospital where she was treated until her death on March 14. Ms Moustafa was an Egyptian nation and the attack caused uproar in Egypt. The country's embassy had called on those responsible to be "brought to justice swiftly". Ms Moustafa's family have spoken out against the charges levelled against the defendants and described affray as "very weak". Mohamed Moustafa, 51 and Nessrin Abu-Elenein, 42 parents of Mariam Moustafa at their home in Nottingham / PA "It was not and is not what we expected. It's unfair and unjust to charge those whom killed or, at least by their actions, led to (Mariam's) death with such minor offences. "It is very weak. It is not fair at all. "From the first day I was very upset about the charge. Affray - it's nothing." Mr Moustafa also said he was not informed of the recent hearing, describing it as "another failure in the case of our daughter". He continued: "For respect, for the people who lost their daughter... they should have informed me. It is not fair at all. "I'm very upset. All these mistakes - nobody respects me and my family." The Crown Prosecution Service has apologised to Mr Moustafa and a spokesman said he has been contacted for an explanation. He said: "We have worked closely with the police to make sure Mr Moustafa has been kept updated throughout this process and are deeply sorry this didn't happen on this particular occasion. We have contacted him to offer a full explanation. "We were preparing for trial in this case, two of the three guilty pleas were unexpected and we informed the family immediately. A young man has been left fighting for his life in hospital after being stabbed in north London. Police and paramedics were scrambled to Muswell Hill Broadway shortly after 9.20pm on Monday night. The victim, believed to be 18, was found suffering knife wounds. He was treated at the scene before being rushed to hospital. His injuries were assessed as life-threatening, Scotland Yard confirmed. Police vehicles lined the street as officers responded to reports of a stabbing / Kim Morris/@hibookbuddy Images from the scene showed emergency vehicles lining the street as police sealed off the surrounding area. A graphic designer appeared in court today charged with the murder of his girlfriend. Roderick Deakin-White, 37, appeared at Thames magistrates court in connection with the death of 35-year-old Amy Parsons. Australian Miss Parsons was discovered by police on Friday in the fifth-floor flat she shared with her fiance in Whitechapel. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Today neighbours paid tribute to a lovely and positive woman. Asad Samee, 21, told the Standard: Amy was very friendly, the sort of person who would always give you a smile. They were a really nice couple; just lovely, happy people. When I saw the police and ambulance I knew something was wrong. It is horrifying. The couple are thought to have been together for at least six years. One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: Rod helped me with things like council tax and wi-fi when I needed help. Their relationship always seemed very good. Another neighbour, 36, added: The couple always seemed like friendly, nice people. Its so sad and unexpected. The Met said officers were called to the flat in Crowder Street at around 1.30pm on Friday, following concerns for the welfare of a female resident. Deakin-White was arrested in north London. He was remanded in custody today until Wednesday, when he is due to appear at the Old Bailey. C ross-party Brexit talks have been "productive" and those involved are aware of "the need to inject urgency", Theresa May's de facto deputy has said. David Lidington, speaking after the latest stint of Tory and Labour negotiations on Monday, said he was "encouraged" by the talks, the BBC reported. But the Cabinet minister said it would not be "sensible" to set a "hard and fast" deadline for the talks. Smaller working groups are likely to meet later in the week. TODO: define component type apester Mr Lidington also said that the prospect of a second referendum had been raised by Labour's cohort inside the Cabinet Office meeting. "It's something that I would have expected them to raise. "They know that this is not something that is Government policy and that the last couple of times that it has come before the House of Commons it has been defeated," he said. As the discussions enter their fourth week, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator has spoke of his desire to "fix Brexit quickly" and expressed his hope for "results" this week from the cross-party talks. Delivering a speech in Belgium, Mr Barnier said: "We need to fix Brexit quickly. The ball is in the UK court - the ball is in London. It has been six months since the deal was agreed between the EU and the UK. "The EU agreed to give the UK more time because the UK has requested to, and so talks are still ongoing in London - that is where the deadlock must be broken. We are hoping to see the results of the cross-party talks this week. "As we have always said, should the UK be prepared to change their red lines and their wish for a more ambitious future relationship, we are ready on our side to consider this because obviously the UK in any case will remain a strong and great country, a partner, an ally and a friend." Michel Barnier said he is hopeful of "results" from the talks / EPA But in a sign that indicates the stagnating progress of the talks, the Government looks set to delay the next Queen's Speech as the impasse continues. The PM's spokesman indicated the parliamentary session, which the speech would come after, could be extended until the Commons has ratified a Brexit deal. As the talks go on, pressure is also mounting on Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to commit the party to a confirmatory referendum on whatever deal emerges from the talks. On Tuesday Labour's ruling National Executive Committee is to gather for a crunch meeting, to finalise the party's position on Brexit, ahead of next month's European elections. While senior Tories have have been hoping the Euro-elections can be avoided if a compromise deal can get through Parliament before polling day, allowing the contest to be cancelled. J eremy Corbyn was hit by a growing revolt today as four union bosses ratcheted up pressure on the Labour leader to clearly back giving the public another say on Brexit. They lined up with senior MPs to urge Mr Corbyn to come off the fence and throw his weight firmly behind a confirmatory vote on any Brexit deal. Ahead of a crunch meeting of Labours National Executive Committee, GMB general secretary Tim Roache told the Standard: It must be the public who have the final say on Brexit. A grubby political stitch-up to meet the needs of internal Tory party politics, rather than the best interests of our country, wont put this question to bed for a minute, let alone a generation. TODO: define component type apester Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: The Prime Ministers deal and a no-deal Brexit would be terrible for the UK, public services and working people. A package that protects peace in Northern Ireland, keeps the UK in a customs union with a close relationship to the single market, and protects future employment rights isnt on the table. Thats why any final proposal must be put back to the country for voters to decide. Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the TSSA transport union, said: Frankly its time for our party to act on the overwhelming wishes of its members and votes by pledging to support a confirmatory public vote on any Brexit deal. Margaret Beckett is supporting a 'confirmatory' Brexit vote / Getty Images Paddy Lillis, general secretary of shopworkers union Usdaw, added: If our politicians are confident that their deal will benefit working people, our economy and communities across the country, then they should not be afraid to put that deal to the public. A majority of union leaders are understood to have favoured a vote at a private meeting of the Trade Union Liaison Organisation. The big exception, however, was Len McCluskey, who leads the biggest union of all, Unite, and is firmly backing Mr Corbyns stance. A Unite spokesman said Mr McCluskey was keeping his powder dry in public for now. His last public statement, on March 29. called for the Brexit impasse to be broken by a general election or by indicative votes in the Commons. Former foreign secretary Dame Margaret Beckett, who sits on the NEC which will tomorrow discuss Labours stance for the European elections, warned it would be indefensible for party chiefs to block a so-called Peoples Vote because of the risk it might deliver a verdict that they opposed. Its time for Labour to take a clear position, she told the Standard. The veteran MP, who has led a Commons push for a confirmatory vote, said it was completely understandable that people were concerned that a second vote on Brexit could be divisive. But she added: If we dont, we will all live to regret it. To be prepared to not ask them because we dont want to hear an answer that might change things, I think is indefensible. Deputy Labour leader Tom Watson clashed with the London representative on the NEC, Claudia Webbe, on social media. After he issued an appeal on Twitter for supporters to challenge NEC members, she accused him of being divisive and claimed: Supporting Jeremy Corbyn... to kick out the Tories should be your focus. He hit back by challenging her to say where she stood on the referendum. Even the Labour leaders allies have spoken out in favour of another public vote. Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said: The principle of a Peoples Vote is Labour Party policy... the thing we are going to be debating at the NEC is whether its a confirmatory ballot in all cases or whether its a Peoples Vote to stop no deal, or a bad Tory deal. Mr Corbyns aides came under fire recently after a planned leaflet for the European Parliament elections at the end of May did not include any mention of another public vote. P eople are living in utter fear for their safety almost two years after the Grenfell tragedy because their homes are still covered with dangerous cladding, an MP has warned. Labour's Rushanara Ali said the Government will have "blood on its hands" unless it acts now to prevent another disaster from happening. The MP for Bethnal Green and Bow asked Housing minister Kit Malthouse to agree to a timeline to remove all dangerous cladding from high-rise buildings in a debate over privately-owned blocks. The Opposition last month warned 40,000 people are still "trapped" in privately-owned blocks wrapped in Grenfell-style aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding. The fire which destroyed the west London tower block claimed 72 lives in June 2017. Speaking in the Commons, Ms Ali said: "This issue is a matter of life and death for thousands of people up and down the country, and for many in my constituency. It needs urgent action. "After Grenfell, the Prime Minister said her Government would do whatever it takes to keep our people safe. "Two years on, her Government has completely failed to honour that commitment, even when people are living in utter fear and despair for their safety and their families' safety, and are trapped in these properties without any end in sight. "In fact, I would go as far as saying if one more fatality like Grenfell in a block with aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding because of this Government's failure to act, then this Government is absolutely liable and it will have blood on its hands if it doesn't take action." Responding for the Government, Mr Malthouse said he has ordered a review to make sure that interim safety measures, like the use of fire wardens, is being adhered to before full remedial works can be carried out at the 267 private-sector high-rise flats with "unsafe cladding". He added: "We want to reassure ourselves that across those buildings that haven't been remediated yet that those interim measures are in place to reassure people for the moment while we wait for works to take place. "I do acknowledge that this is not an ideal situation. We want to get the remediation done as quickly as possible, but whatever the solution that is found for these buildings, we have to recognise that these are often difficult constructions jobs." Earlier, Labour MP for Cardiff North Anna McMorrin accused the Government of being too slow to deal with the after-effects of Grenfell, adding: "If this had happened in the minister's own backyard or perhaps in a safe seat in the south east of England then perhaps there would have been a very immediate response." Mr Malthouse rejected this accusation. D evon has topped the list for quality of life in England and Wales, beating off stiff competition from Somerset, Harrow and Sheffield. The South West county has clinched the top spot after a major new study analysed conditions necessary for wellbeing. High levels of physical activity, volunteering, good air quality and local living conditions led Devon to be given its top ranking. The analysis carried out by wellbeing charity Happy City examined more than 60 indicators to determine its results. When compared the other local authorities in England and Wales, Devon was found to be the best, although the analysis pointed out the council had lower levels of inequality than other places. Chief Executive of Happy City, Liz Zeidler told the Guardian: It appears it is better to be poor in Devon than in other relatively wealthy areas. Less well-off residents have better access to the things that help them to live happy, fulfilling lives than their peers elsewhere. Not too far behind Devon, Bath, North East Somerset, Dorset, Kingston upon Thames and Bexley were also ranked highly. A full Thriving Places Index will be released in full this week, but early indications show Derby is ranked as lowest, with Hull also performing badly. The Midlands city was found to perform worse on indicators such as heath, income and employment. Candida auris is a yeast-like super-fungus that emerged just 10 years ago in Japan. It is equipped with biological armoury that allows it to flourish in hospitals. The fungus is resistant to most drugs and disinfectants. Candida auris is so dangerous because it is able to switch from single cells into disinfectant-resistant biofilms on plastic and other surfaces, as well as move with ease between patients. The origins of Candida auris as a pathogen are a mystery but it was first detected in the ear of a Japanese women in 2009 Subsequent studies suggest it had existed for millennia in a harmless form before suddenly evolving the ability to attack humans. F ewer Brits are choosing countries in Europe for their holidays, travel firm Thomas Cook has revealed. More UK holidaymakers are opting to go to countries outside of the EU for their summer holiday this year, figures suggest. The travel company said almost half of its summer bookings are for countries outside the EU this year, blaming "political turmoil" of Brexit. But Spain, Cyprus and Greece were still among Thomas Cook's most popular summer holiday destinations for 2019. Figures from Thomas Cook reveal 48 per cent of its package holiday bookings are for destinations outside the bloc, up 10 per cent on the same time last year. AFP/Getty Images The tour operator said the weakness of the pound against the euro is the most likely cause for the trend. Turkey has seen the biggest growth in demand, leapfrogging Greece to become this summer's second most popular package holiday destination after Spain and accounts for a quarter of all Thomas Cook Airlines flight-only bookings. It offers sandy beaches, salt lakes and ancient ruins. Tunisia is another non-European Union destination faring well, with package trip bookings doubled year-on-year. Five most popular destinations for summer 2019, according to Thomas Cook: 1. Spain (mainland Spain, the Balearics and the Canary Islands) 2. Turkey 3. Greece 4. USA 5. Cyprus Thomas Cook said the prolonged uncertainty around Brexit has led many holidaymakers to delay their decision on when and where to book. But a survey of 3,422 of its customers found that taking an overseas summer holiday remains as important as ever, with the majority saying they are more likely to holiday abroad this year than in 2018. Will Waggott, chief of tour operating for Thomas Cook, said: "Britain may be living through unique times from a political perspective, however our desire to holiday abroad is clear. "Thomas Cook's 2019 Holiday Report reveals that the political turmoil is having an impact in other ways, revealing itself in a clear shift to non-EU countries and a growth in all-inclusive. T he first overnight rail journey on the new-look Caledonian Sleeper trains arrived at London Euston from Edingburgh and Glasgow three hours and 20 minutes late. The new Caledonian Sleeper train, part of a 150 million fleet, was due to arrive in the capital at 7.07am. However passengers on the train pulled into Eustons platform 1 at 10.27am after signalling failures across the rail network delayed the service. The overnight train arrived 80 minutes after the first daytime service from Glasgow. Caledonian Sleeper Train Launch - In pictures 1 /5 Caledonian Sleeper Train Launch - In pictures Caledonian Sleeper service from Scotland to England PA Caledonian Sleeper service from Scotland to England PA MD of the Sleeper Ryan Flaherty in one of the cabins Launch of the new Caledonian Sleeper train from Scotland to England Rex Features Susan Calman who will be the new voice of the announcements on Caledonian Sleeper services between London and Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Thursday March 28, 2019. See PA story RAIL Sleeper PA The new-look revitalised trains feature en-suite toilets and wet rooms and double beds in the most expensive cabins. The pioneering Caledonian Sleeper left Glasgow Central 10 minutes late at 9.05pm and arrived in Edinburgh more than two hours late, Real Times Trains data showed. The train then departed from Edinburgh at 2.48am, three-and-a-half hours behind schedule, catching up a few minutes on the journey south. Paul Gilhooley, a passenger on the service tweeted: Edinburgh to London delay, delay and an absolute lack of any honest communication. Serco, which runs the Caledonia Sleeper on behalf of the Scottish government, replied: Hi Paul apologies for this. We are doing all we can to make up time. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Ryan Flaherty, Sercos Managing Director for Caledonian Sleeper, said: We apologise to guests affected by delays to our services last night. These were as a result of signalling problems across the network. "We are engaging with Network Rail to understand why these issues occurred. However, some travellers have given the new service rave reviews, highlighting its hotel feel. Travel writer, Mark Smith said: The New Caledonian Sleeper trains are fabulous." He told the Evening Standard: "Theyve a hotel feel, great beds by Glencraft, good food in the lounge car and now en suites too. "Its as good or better than anything youll find in Europe." Bit more pressure in the shower would be ideal and I missed the coat hangers but details aside these new trains are superb, he added on Twitter. A senior Tory MP today called on Theresa May to get a grip on the national debate over fracking or risk losing a chance to cut carbon, reduce energy bills and create thousands of jobs. Robert Halfon spoke out after the Governments fracking tsar Natascha Engel quit just seven months into her 100,000 job with a warning that official regulations were strangling the enormous potential of the industry with red tape. She argued that a small but loud green groups were driving out scientific evidence of the benefits. The Government need to get a grip on this, said Mr Halfon, the former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party and Minister Without Portfolio, on Talk Radio. This could bring thousands of jobs. It will cut energy bills and ... it is actually potentially more environmentally friendly than some other forms of energy. The Government really needs to listen to what Natascha Engel has done at great personal sacrifice by resigning today and not just cave in when it is politically expedient. In a resignation letter to Business Secretary Greg Clark, former Labour MP Ms Engel said the UK could lose out on an energy revolution unless it scrapped rules that were more strict than applied to other industries, including a requirement to stop work in the event of earth tremors with a magnitude of 0.5. This morning she went on: If you applied the standards that are being applied to fracking, you would not build another hospital, you would not build another school, you would probably not have a house-building programme. She told Talk Radio that opposition was driven by a small but very vocal group of campaigners but, in her experience, they were usually outnumbered by local businesses and residents who were crying out for the jobs that fracking could bring. I just think we need to get more rational about the debate and stop being so hysterical about scaremongering examples that dont even exist in America. She said Britain spent 7 billion importing gas and went on. The carbon footprint of liquefying the gas, putting it on a tanker, shipping it halfway across the globe, and then putting it back into our gas network here is massive compared to what we would get out of the ground here. A pensioner died after accidentally setting herself on fire at a care home run by a Conservative Party donor, a court heard. Rosina McDonald was found crying out for help when her clothes and hair caught fire at the Wood House care home in Tooting. Southwark crown court heard the 78-year-old had been left alone with a cigarette lighter, as fire safety rules were flouted by the home. Wood House is one of 21 homes around the country run by Conservative supporter Ravinder Gidar and his brother Sukhvinder. They now face a fine over Mrs McDonalds death in 2015 after their company, Gold Care Consultancy Ltd, admitted three fire safety breaches. It is the second time the brothers businesses have been prosecuted, after another woman, 84, was hurt at a fire at a care home in Penge in 2013. Prosecutor Emma Collins, representing the London Fire Commissioner, told the court on Friday that carers rushed to help Mrs McDonald when the fire was discovered on January 28, 2015. They heard screaming and when they opened the door they saw flames across the ceiling. Mrs McDonalds cardigan and hair were alight, she said. Staff could not get to her because of the intensity of the fire but managed to coax her out of the room. However, she was badly burnt and succumbed to her injuries the following day in hospital. The court heard a plastic cigarette lighter believed to be the cause of the blaze was recovered from Mrs McDonalds bed. Ms Collins also said the homes fire risk assessment, which had not been reviewed for more than a year before the blaze, failed to mention the no-smoking policy or consider the risks posed by smokers. The court also heard that the fire door closest to Mrs McDonalds room was not working and the fire alarm in her bedroom though found to be functioning was old and had not gone off when the fire broke out. The firms barrister, Paul Spencer, said: This was a tragic event which should never have occurred. B oeing's chief executive today said the firm is "deeply sorry for the loss of life" after fatal plane crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia led to the grounding of its 737 Max aircraft. Chairman and CEO Dennis Muilenberg on Monday addressed shareholders and reporters for the first time since more than 300 people were killed in two Boeing crashes in the space of six months. He said top engineers at the company "have been working tirelessly" since the 737 MAX jets were grounded "to finalise and implement a software update that will ensure accidents like these never happen again". At the meeting in Chicago, Mr Muilenberg vowed the new features will make the jet "one of the safest ever to fly". He added that the company is "deeply sorry for the loss of life and send our condolences" following the air accidents. "We are humbled and continually learning from recent accidents," he said. "We will work to earn and re-earn people's trust." Boeing's fast-selling 737 MAX was grounded worldwide in March after 157 people died in an Ethiopian Airlines crash just five months after a similar crash on a Lion Air flight that killed all 189 passengers and crew. Ethiopian Airlines plane crash 1 /23 Ethiopian Airlines plane crash People walk past a part of the wreckage at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 plane crash, near the town of Bishoftu, southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. REUTERS People walk past a part of the wreckage at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 plane crash, near the town of Bishoftu, southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. REUTERS People walk past a part of the wreckage at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 plane crash, near the town of Bishoftu, southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. REUTERS A passenger safety instruction card is seen at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 plane crash, near the town of Bishoftu, southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. REUTERS Cabin serviettes are seen at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 plane crash, near the town of Bishoftu, southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. REUTERS A civilian takes a photograph of the wreckage at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 plane crash, near the town of Bishoftu, southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. REUTERS Rescuers search through wreckage at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight that crashed shortly after takeoff at Hejere near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, some 50 km (31 miles) south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia AP A man inspecting what is believed to be wreckage at the crash site of an Ethiopia Airlines aircraft near Bishoftu, a town some 60 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A Nairobi-bound Boeing 737 crashed six minutes after an early-morning takeoff from Addis Ababa on March 10, killing all 149 passengers and eight crew on board, Ethiopian Airlines said as world leaders offered condolences to distraught next-of-kin. People holding passports from 32 countries and the UN were on board the plane which ploughed into a field just 60 kilometres (37 miles) southeast of Addis Ababa, the carrier's CEO Tewolde GebreMariam told journalists in the capital, lamenting this "very sad and tragic day." AFP/Getty Images Red cross team work amid debris at the crash site of Ethiopia Airlines near Bishoftu, a town some 60 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. AFP/Getty Images Rescuers search through the wreckage of an Ethiopian Airlines flight that crashed shortly after takeoff at the scene at Hejere near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, some 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia. AP A general view shows the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 plane crash, near the town of Bishoftu, southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. REUTERS An Ethiopian Airports Enterprise fire engine drives to the scene of the Flight ET 302 plane crash, near the town of Bishoftu, southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. REUTERS A relative reacts as he leaves the information centre following the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 plane crash, at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Kenya. REUTERS A woman reacts as she waits for the updated flight information of Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302, where her fiance was onboard at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Kenya. REUTERS Family members of the victims involved in a plane crash react at Addis Ababa international airport. AP A family member of a victim involved in a plane crash talks on a mobile phone at Addis Ababa international airport Sunday. AP Relatives of the victims involved in a plane crash board a bus at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, Kenya. AP A Djiboutian national Hiba (L) is comforted by a relative as she waits for details of her loved one that was on board the flight Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Kenya. EPA Passenger Ahmed Khalid (L), who missed his Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 while connecting from Dubai, is received by his father Khalid Bzambur (R) at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Kenya. REUTERS Airport staff install a help desk for the crashed Ethiopia airlines flight at the inernational arrival of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya. AFP/Getty Images Relatives of the victims involved in a plane crash board a bus at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, Kenya. AP Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam holds a press briefing at the headquarters of Ethiopian Airlines in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. AP Passengers wait outside the Bole International airport Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. AP In his address, the Boeing chief said a "chain of events" caused the two recent crashes as he refused to admit whether the plane's MCAS (Maneouvering Characteristics Augmentation System) was flawed. "It is not correct to attribute that to any item," he said. "We know that there are some improvements we can make to MCAS and we will make those improvements." Mr Muilenberg added:"The reason that this industry is safe is that we never stop on making safety improvements. We never claim that we have reached the end point. "We are continously, across all of our airplane programmes, improving safety every day. We always look for opportunities to improve. "That culture that's unafraid to go make safety improvements over time, that culture is what has driven this to be an incredible safe industry." The conference came as new questions arise about the aerospace giant's handling of the crisis. Southwest Airlines has said it was not told that a safety feature on the Max was turned off until after the first crash. A beluga whale has been found off the coast of Norway wearing a harness and camera attachment, prompting speculation it escaped from a Russian military facility. The white cetacean whale was spotted by fishermen in Arctic Norway as it swam around the freezing waters. One of the men noticed it was wearing a tight harness, and bravely jumped in to remove it from the tame animal. When I was lying in the water, he came all the way up to the side, and I managed to reach the front buckle and open it, he told Norway state broadcaster NRK. The tame beluga whale was spotted swimming next to a fishing boat and wearing the tight "Equipment St. Petersburg" harness / AP The harness strap, which featured a camera mount, was emblazoned with "Equipment St Petersburg", according to the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries. This has sparked concern the whale escaped captivity at the hands of the Russian navy. Norwegian fisherman Joar Hesten tried to attract the whale as it swam beside his boat off the northern Norwegian coast on Friday, April 26. / AP Audun Rikardsen, an arctic and marine biology professor at the Arctic University of Norway, said it was most likely that Russian Navy in Murmansk" was involved. We know that in Russia they have had domestic whales in captivity and also that some of these have apparently been released. Then they often seek out boats, Mr Rikardsen told NRK. Russia has major military facilities in and around Murmansk on the Kola Peninsula, in the far north-west of Russia. Previous reports have pointed to the training of sea mammals by the Russian military, including work published by Norway's Aftenposten newspaper. Joergen Ree Wiig holds the harness after it was removed from the whale. / AP In 2017, Russian state-owned broadcaster TV Zvezda reported on the defence ministrys intention to train white whales to guard naval bases and even kill intruders. The plans were allegedly part of President Vladimir Putins hopes to boost the Kremlin's presence in the arctic. Mr Rikardsen said he had checked with scholars in Russia and Norway who said there were no reported programmes or experiments that admitted to using beluga whales. This is a tame animal that is used to get food served so that is why it has made contacts with the fishermen, said Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries spokesman Joergen Ree Wiig. A n artwork showing a woman eating a banana was removed from display at Poland's national gallery after authorities found it obscene. The move prompted people in Poland, including artists and politicians, to share pictures of themselves with the fruit to ridicule the decision. Hundreds of mostly young people later ate bananas outside the gallery in Warsaw to protest what they called censorship. The 1973 video Consumer Art, by prominent artist Natalia LL, showing a young woman eating a banana with great pleasure, was removed from the National Museum in Warsaw last week after the new museum head, Jerzy Miziolek, was summoned to the Ministry of Culture. Polish actress Magdalena Cielecka aims a banana like a gun at her head to protest the removal of the artwork / AP Mr Miziolek said in an interview with the Onet.pl portal last week that he was "opposed to showing works that could irritate sensitive young people" and suggested some visitors had complained. The work had been in the gallery for many years. A separate 2005 video by another controversial female artist, Katarzyna Kozyra, showing a woman walking two men dressed as dogs on a lead, was also removed. On Monday, Mr Miziolek announced that the works would be reinstated, but only until May 6, when the whole modern art gallery is due for reorganisation. He denied pressure from the ministry. A man demonstrates with others with a banana on his head / AP Mr Miziolek, who was appointed to the state-run museum by the right-wing government in November, said he appreciated the role of both artists in Poland's culture, but the gallery's limited space requires "creative changes" to the exhibition. The dispute is the latest in a string of controversies surrounding art and culture under the conservative and nationalist government that won power in 2015. Culture Minister Piotr Glinski has repeatedly drawn criticism for cutting subsidies to art festivals that were planning to show controversial theatre plays on Catholic themes. Mr Glinski has fired a popular theatre director who criticised him as well as the director of a World War II museum, saying the exhibition did not show Poland's suffering or heroism enough. He recently cut funds for the European Solidarity Centre, an exhibition and culture centre popular with government critics, saying its activity went beyond its history-teaching mission. Twitter and Facebook users ridiculed the removal of the art works as narrow-minded and a case of censorship, and many posted photos of themselves enjoying bananas. Actress Magdalena Cielecka told The Associated Press that the image she posted, of her pointing a banana at her head like a gun, was in protest against any ideological or political limits put on artists. "An artist, to create, must be free," Ms Cielecka said. A model who died after collapsing on a catwalk in Brazil may have had an undiagnosed condition since birth, doctors said. Tales Soares, 26, was modelling during Sao Paulo's Fashion Week when he became ill and fell on the catwalk. He was rushed to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Although his cause of death is not known, his agent Rogerio Campaneli told FocusOn News that he could have been suffering from an undiagnosed condition that he had from birth. Model Tales Soares wears a creation from Ratier collection during Sao Paulo Fashion Week. He collapsed and died while walking on the catwalk. / AP He said: This has been a shocking series of events that were trying hard to piece together. But everything happened so suddenly and unexpectedly. Doctors suspect that Tales might have had a congenital problem. From videos, they believe he died on the catwalk. It was all so fast, he kissed a friend behind the scenes who was following him, walked out confidently as usual, then suddenly stumbled, lost his footing and fell. Model Tales Soares is taken from the catwalk by paramedics. / AP A photo showed the model lying face down on the catwalk while paramedics treated him. Local media said that audience members initially thought his fall was part of a performance. Mr Soares sister Gabrielle Gomes has said that she was unaware of any health problems and that her brother had regular health check-ups and no history of fits or fainting. She told G1: Me and my mother (Heloisa) spoke to Tales by video call before the parade and he said he was well and said he had just finished eating a carrot. Were very scared and devastated by what happened. He was very healthy, ate healthily and exercised every day. He did cross fit and yoga. Mr Soares' agent Mr Campaneli has now paid tribute to the model in a touching Instagram post. He wrote: Keep shining wherever you are with all the joy you had. What a pity that our gods of the universe have taken you, but there must be a reason why they should take you too soon. Shine with the stars. The light is very bright wherever you are. A statement by Sao Paulo Fashion Week organisers read: "SPFW has just received the news of the death of model Tales Soares, who suddenly took ill during the Ocksa show." The organisers wrote on Instagram: "May God welcome you with open arms! Life is definitely a catwalk, we're just passing through! Very sad!" A spokesman for Ocksa added: The whole team of Ocksa deeply regrets and is appalled by the news of the death of the model Tales Cotta. S pains governing Socialists have won their third election in four years, while a far-right party has had a historic breakthrough, gaining a large amount of votes. Pedro Sanchezs Socialist Workers party (PSOE) won the countrys election on Sunday and gained the most votes, but fell short of a majority in the snap election and now must seek backing from smaller parties to maintain power. Their win comes as far-right party Vox rode an unprecedented surge of support to enter the lower house of parliament for the first time in four decades. The Socialists, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, won 29 per cent of the vote, capturing 123 seats in the 350-seat Congress of Deputies. Mr Sanchez speaks to supporters following the result / REUTERS Vox party made its national breakthrough, though, by capturing 10 per cent of the votes, gaining 24 seats. Mr Sanchez announced he would soon open talks with other political parties, telling crowds gathered at the gates of his party headquarters in central Madrid that "the future has won and the past has lost". He hinted at a preference for a left-wing governing alliance but also sent a warning to Catalan separatists, whose support he may need, that any post-electoral pact must respect the country's 1978 constitution, which bans regions from seceding. Vox's success came at the expense of the once-dominant conservative Popular Party, which fell to 66 seats, losing more than half of its representation since the last election in 2016. Santiago Abascal, leader of far right party Vox / AP The conservatives also lost votes to the centre-right Citizens party, which will increase its number of seats from 32 to 57. Speaking after the partys gains, Vox leader Santiago Abascal said: We told you we were going to begin a reconquering of Spain, and that is what we have done. Vox, which was formed five years ago, has promised to defend Spain from its "enemies", citing feminists, liberal elites and Muslims among others. Its emergence on the national stage gives Spain five political parties, furthering political fragmentation in a country that was alternately ruled for decades by the Socialists and the Popular Party. Spanish conservative People's Party (PP) leader candidate Pablo Casado / AFP/Getty Images To stay in office, the Socialists and Sanchez must form a governing alliance with smaller parties, including the far-left United We Can led by Pablo Iglesias. Mr Iglesias said after the vote that he "would have liked a better result, but it's been enough to stop the right-wing and build a left-wing coalition government", adding that he had already offered support to Mr Sanchez. Supporters of Vox Party / AFP/Getty Images But Mr Sanchez will still need 11 more seats to get the 176-seat majority he needs in the lower house of parliament, meaning he may be forced to make pacts with Catalan and other separatist parties - moves that would anger many Spaniards on the left and the right. Turnout was nearly 76 per cent for the election, up more than eight points since the previous election in 2016. The vote surge included a huge boost in the north-eastern Catalonia region, which has been embroiled in a political quagmire since its failed secession bid in 2017 put separatist leaders in jail while they are tried. S ri Lankan security officials have warned that Islamist militants behind Easter Sunday's suicide bombings are planning further attacks and could be dressed in military uniform. Security sources say the militants were targeting five locations for attacks today, as the archbishop of Colombo complained about insufficient security around churches. In a letter to the government and officials on Monday the head of the police ministerial security division said: "There could be another wave of attacks." "The relevant information further notes that persons dressed in military uniforms and using a van could be involved in the attacks." Dead bodies of victims lie inside St. Sebastian's Church after a suicide bomber blew himself up / AP There were no attacks on Sunday and security across Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka has been ramped up. Scores of suspected Islamists have been arrested since the April 21 attacks on hotels and churches that killed more than 250 people, including 40 foreign nationals. The government has also banned women from wearing face veils under an emergency law that was put in place after the attacks. There were concerns within the Muslim community that the ban could fuel tensions in the multi-ethnic nation. But government officials said it would help security forces identify people as a hunt for any remaining attackers and their support network continues across the Indian Ocean island. The Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Ranjith, said that security had not been sufficiently stepped up around churches. Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith looks on during a candle light vigil in memory of the victims in Colombo. / AFP/Getty Images We are not satisfied with the security arrangements and urge authorities to ensure our safety," he told reporters. Authorities suspect members of two little known groups - National Thawheedh Jamaath (NTJ) and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim - of carrying out the Easter attacks, though Islamic State has claimed responsibility. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said a tight-knit group of people was involved, mostly close friends and families. They spoke face-to-face, possibly to evade electronic surveillance. "They were small enough that they were not using normal communications, instead meeting each other," Wickremesinghe told Reuters. People participate in a mass funeral, of the seven victims belonging to one family, in Negombo, three days after the string of suicide bomb attacks / REUTERS He added the coordinated bombings, the type of explosives used and the tightly guarded plot suggested the bombers had guidance. "ISIS has claimed, we also felt there has to be some international links," he said, referring to Islamic State. Authorities believe Zahran Hashim, the founder of NTJ, was the mastermind and one of the nine suicide bombers. One military source told Reuters that five sets of white attire commonly worn by Buddhists when visiting temples were recovered from a safe house in the east, the site of a gun battle on Friday that killed Zahranas father and his two brothers. A n alleged terror plot involving several locations in the Los Angeles area has been thwarted, US federal authorities said. A man was arrested by federal agents on Friday in connection with the suspected strike in Southern California. Army veteran Mark Domingo, 26, who served in Afghanistan, allegedly planned to bomb a white supremacist rally on Sunday as retribution for the New Zealand mosque attacks. Domingo was arrested on a charge of providing material support to terrorists and a criminal complaint said he had been planning since March to "manufacture and use a weapon of mass destruction in order to commit mass murder". Court papers show that Domingo discussed with an informant different types of attacks that included targeting Jewish people, churches and police officers. Domingo allegedly said he wanted revenge for attacks on mosques in New Zealand that killed 50 people last month. Domingo allegedly bought parts, including nails, for an improvised explosive device that would be remotely triggered, but in fact contained inert materials, FBI agent Tasha Coolidge said in an affidavit filed in US District Court in Los Angeles. If they survived the planned bombing at Bluff Park, Domingo discussed launching further attacks on the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles or on a train. White nationalists never showed up to the planned event in Bluff Park, but a large group of counter protesters demonstrated. R eports are claiming Boyz n The Hood director John Singleton has died after suffering a major stroke on April 17. US site Fox4 reported Singleton's family had confirmed the 51-year-old's death. But several publications later claimed Singleton's publicist has confirmed he is still alive and reportedly on life support. They said: "John is still in life support. That reporting is inaccurate." The reports come days after it was confirmed he had suffered a stroke and was in ICU. In a statement to People his family said: On Wednesday, April 17th our beloved son/father, John Singleton, suffered a stroke while at the hospital. John is currently in the ICU and under great medical care. Boyz n the Hood: Ice Cube as Doughboy, Cuba Gooding Jr. as Tre Styles and Morris Chestnut as Ricky Baker 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. According to TMZ Singleton checked himself in to hospital in Los Angeles after experiencing weakness in his legs on returning from Costa Rica. Actors Taraji P. Henson and Tyrese Gibson last week visited Singleton in hospital, and urged fans to keep praying for his recovery. Henson shared a picture of the trio alongside the words: Visited you today. Me and @tyrese prayed so hard over you. You heard my voice and jumped up. I HAVE HOPE AND FAITH BECAUSE I KNOW THAT #GODIS. Keep praying EVERYBODY for our beloved @johnsingleton. T olkien star Nicholas Hoult said that he "hopes" the late authors family will like the film as he joined stars in London for the premiere of the biopic. Hoult, who plays J.R.R Tolkien in the upcoming film, told ITV London that he could only be respectful and honourable when making the film, adding that he hoped it would be well-received by his family and estate. His comments come after the family of the British writer distanced themselves from the feature. They issued a statement which read: "The family and the Estate wish to make clear that they did not approve of, authorise or participate in the making of this film. "They do not endorse it or its content in any way." Tolkien - UK film premiere - In pictures 1 /16 Tolkien - UK film premiere - In pictures Lily Collins and Nicholas Hoult Dave Benett Dave Benett PA Lily Collins REUTERS Claudia Winkleman Dave Benett Ty Tennant (left) and David Tennant Dave Benett Craig Roberts Ian West/PA Wire Adam Bregman Dave Benett Genevieve O'Reilly PA Producer David Ready Ian West/PA Wire Sir Ian Holm Ian West/PA Wire Claudia Winkleman and Kris Thykier Dave Benett Hoult said on Monday: You do the best performance you can and be respectful and honourable. I think his great-grandson is coming tonight so I hope they like it when they see it. Lead stars: Lily Collins and Nicholas Hoult / Ian West/PA Wire Hoult previously told Standard Online that it was an honour to be able to play the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit writer on the big screen, depicting his early life and his romance with wife Edith. When they sent me the script and I learnt about his life I was blown away by everything he endured, the About a Boy star explained. Tolkien - Trailer There were all these wonderful things I didnt know about him. Weve made a very emotional film. I hope he would be proud. Hoult was joined by co-star Lily Collins, who plays Edith, on the red carpet at the Curzon in Mayfair, London on Monday. Collins, who wore a striking white floral gown, told ITV that it was a pleasure to dive in and get to grips with the romance in the film, telling the story of Tolkien and her character Edith Bratt. The film, which also stars Craig Roberts, Genevieve OReilly and Derek Jacobi, details Tolkiens formative years and his friendships before World War I breaks out and threatens to tear the fellowship apart. Producer Kris Thykier posed for pictures on the carpet alongside Strictly Come Dancing presenter wife Claudia Winkleman while former Doctor Who star David Tennant joined his son Ty who plays a young Christopher Wiseman in front of the cameras. Nicholas Hoult in Tolkien 1 /5 Nicholas Hoult in Tolkien Fox Searchlight Fox Searchlight Fox Searchlight Fox Searchlight Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Partly cloudy skies in the morning will give way to cloudy skies during the afternoon. High around 55F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mainly cloudy. Low 38F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. While the lawsuits plaintiffs are mainly feeder operations, Bullard said it has an impact that filters down to the even the smallest cow/calf rancher. The most important prices discovery market for the entire cattle industry is the fed cattle market, Bullard said. The price for all other younger cattle is based on the expected future value of that animal when its ready to be sold to the packers. Our focus on the fed cattle market is a focus on the critical market for the entire industry, he said. The class action lawsuit seeks to recover the losses suffered by two classes believed harmed by the packing companies alleged conduct. The first class includes cattle producers who sold fed cattle to any one of the firms from January 2015 to the present. The second class consists of traders who transacted live cattle futures or options contracts on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) from January 2015 to the present. The complaint, which plaintiffs claim is supported by witness accounts, including a former employee of one of the packers, trade records, and economic evidence, alleges that the big four packers conspired to artificially depress fed cattle prices through various means, including: Eligible applicants under the Fund include any cattle producer with an operation located in a county or tribal area falling under an emergency or disaster declaration made by the Nebraska Governor or Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Moreover, applicants must demonstrate genuine need or distress as a result of the disaster by providing relevant asset information and certifying their assets are not sufficient or adequate to rebuild from the damage suffered. Submitted applications will be reviewed individually by a committee selected by the Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund Board of Directors. Eligibility for financial assistance will be determined on a case-by-case basis with the goal of distributing relief so as to maximize the Funds charitable impact to support cattle producers in Nebraska. The total amount that each applicant will be eligible to receive will be determined after the application period ends in accordance with the above stated impact goal. The review committee has the right to reject any and all applications for any reason. From the Office of Governor Andrew CuomoBilly Joel isn't just a rock star -- he's also a boating enthusiast and fisherman. So it's no wonder that he's in favor of keeping New York's waterways safe and clean. On Monday, Billy joined his close pal, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, at Jones Beach in Long Island, New York, as Cuomo signed a bill banning offshore drilling in New York State waters. The legislation came in direct response to the Trump administration's proposal to open U.S. coastal areas to drilling. Billy also spoke to the crowd, noting that he and Cuomo have known each other for years and that the governor is even godfather to two of his children. "I know that if anyone tries to damage these shores or this water, my good friend Andrew over there will do everything he can to say, 'No way, no how,'" he said. The Piano Man added, "I'm proud to be here today to tell the people down in Washington if they think they would do anything to poison these waters or damage these shores, they've got another thing coming." Billy, who grew up on Long Island and still lives there, talked about how "incredibly special" the area's beaches are, adding, "I wouldn't live anywhere else in the world. I can, but I won't!" In other Billy news, he recently told New York's Newsday that ahead of his 70th birthday, he has no plans to retire. "It just seems like it's not so far-fetched to continue to do what you have learned how to do all your life," he said, while noting, "It's a great job. I have a great band. I play great venues. And I make great money. So what's wrong with that?" Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with the first President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 28, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with the first President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev in Beijing on Sunday. Xi spoke highly of Nazarbayev's feat in the national independence and development of Kazakhstan as well as historic contribution to the establishment and development of China-Kazakhstan comprehensive strategic partnership. China firmly supports the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, social stability and economic development of Kazakhstan, Xi said. As pioneers of the Belt and Road construction, the two countries should deepen the alignment of their development strategies, promote the facilitation of trade and investment, steadily advance capacity cooperation and strengthen connectivity, Xi said. He also stressed the need to promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges and enhance cooperation at sub-national level, on security issues and in international affairs. "I am looking forward to establishing close working relations and friendship with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to achieve new progress on the bilateral relations," Xi said. For his part, Nazarbayev said he would cherish his friendship with Xi forever, saying China is a highly trusted good partner of Kazakhstan. Congratulating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Nazarbayev said no other country in the world has made so great achievements in such a short period of time. China's development and the responsibility it shoulders have great significance on the world and humanity, Nazarbayev said. "Kazakhstan will remain consistent and stable in its internal and foreign policies after my resignation," Nazarbayev said. "Kazakhstan will continue to firmly advance the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership." Kazakhstan is ready to deepen its cooperation with China under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and supports China's important proposals in international affairs, and supports the joint crackdown on the "three forces" of terrorism, separatism and extremism, Nazarbayev said. On the same day, Xi awarded Nazarbayev the Friendship Medal of the People's Republic of China at a ceremony held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Wang Huning, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attended the ceremony. President Nazarbayev is "an old friend" and "a good friend" of the Chinese people, Xi said. China-Kazakhstan cooperation has set a model of complementing advantages for win-win results and injected positive energy to the building of a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for humanity, Xi said. He expressed hopes that the two countries join hands together to nurture a bright future for the bilateral ties while pursuing national rejuvenation and prosperity. Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, read out the order of award. Xi, in a solemn manner, awarded the medal to Nazarbayev. They shook hands cordially and hugged each other warmly amid applause from the audience. Nazarbayev expressed thanks to Xi for awarding the medal to him, saying this is a "supreme honor." The bilateral friendly relationship built on the basis of mutual respect and trust has become a model of relations among countries, Nazarbayev said. "There are no unresolved issues between the two countries." He expressed hopes that the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC with Xi at the core would realize the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation. 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"For your courage and spirit of sacrifice proven during the war, for the fact that you overcame the many obstacles in life with your head up, we assure you, brave war veterans, of our entire gratitude and appreciation. You always have our attention and specialists in the field are always seeking for solutions to help you," reads the message sent by the Minister of Defence on the War Veterans Day.Gabriel Les underscored that veterans are a model for the young and for the troops in the operation theatres abroad."Our troops operate with determination and courage in the operation theatres to meet our international commitments and the war veterans are their models. Being old now, but young in spirit, despite the many obstacles that marked their life, the war veterans represent the authentic patriotism of our nation. The young generation had and still has much to learn from these heroes, who are modest and wise people, with high ideals in life and love for their country," says the same message.According to the same source, in Romania there are approximately 7,000 war veterans and 200 war widows right now, as well as around 57,000 widows of war veterans.The Minister reminded that on Monday Romania celebrates 117 years since Carol I established the title of war veteran, after 25 years since the beginning of the mobilization for the war of independence on April 29 1877. President Klaus Iohannis in a message sent on the War Veterans Day said he appreciated the devotion and abnegation of those who fought under the national flag. "The devotion and abnegation of our troops who served under the national flag, sometimes at the cost of the supreme sacrifice, made it so that Romania is a respected country today, member of the North-Atlantic Alliance and of the European Union. The professionalism, competence and the spirit of comradely of the Romanian troops are known and appreciated both in the country and by our partners and allies. Therefore, we have the duty to honour the memory of the Romanian nation and to make everything in our power to maintain the integrity and freedom of our country," reads the message.The President also mentioned that, as a token of gratitude and moral reward, he decided to advance in rank some of the war veterans and grant them the rank of brigadier general."I know the difficulties facing the war veterans today and I want to assure them that I am by their side and I will continue to support every effort meant to identify and materialize the best solutions to solve their problems. (...) I also hail the special contributions of the associations of war veterans in educating the younger generation and consequently promoting our national values. Moreover, I want to voice my entire consideration for the war widows of the widows of the war veterans, who made sacrifices and overcame all the hardships in their lives with dignity," read the message of Klaus Iohannis. Prime Minister Viorica Dancila congratulated her Spaniard counterpart Pedro Sanchez for the success recorded by his political party, Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) in the early polls that took place on Sunday, in Spain, according to a press release of the Government on Monday. In this context, Prime Minister Viorica Dancila reiterated the Romanian side's willingness to continue and diversify the excellent bilateral dialogue existing between the two countries, to strengthen the strategic partnership in priority fields for both countries: infrastructure, energy, agriculture, internal affairs, European policies. Viorica Dancila also voiced hope that the Romanian Diaspora in Spain will continue to play the role of a powerful bridge for the Romanian-Spanish bilateral relations. Prime Minister underscored the need for the two governments to continue effort to advance the European project based on the common European values, showed the above mentioned source. Pedro Sanchez scored a clear victory on Sunday, although he did not obtain the majority (176/350 mandates), as he made Spain's map, which used to be coloured with the blue of the conservatives from the People's Party (PP) "red" and he managed to impose himself in such regions where PSOE didn't won for tens of years. PSOE obtained 123 spots in Parliament, almost double compared with the PP, with 66 spots. AGERPRES Hundreds of people celebrated on Monday evening the International Dance Day downtown Sibiu, alongside the dancers from the Ballet Theatre. The ballet dancers from the Sibiu Ballet Theatre left their stage to make a demonstration directly on the streets, where they invited the audience to join them. Professional dancers presented a series of moments from their shows. In the end, both the ballet dancers and the amateurs danced waltz on Johann Strauss music. April 29 was established as the International Dance Day back in 1982, upon the initiative of the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), the main partner of UNESCO in performing arts. They celebrated thus both dance as a form of art and as the founder of modern ballet, Jean Georges Noverre, born on April 29 1727. AGERPRES One shareholder asked Muilenburg what Boeing was doing on safety assessments following the crashes. The CEO said the companys commitment to safety has not wavered. Safety is at the core of what we do. Every day, we try to get better, Muilenburg said at the meeting, which took place exactly six months after the Lion Air crash. Shares of the company, worth $214 billion, have lost nearly 10 percent of their value since the March 10 crash. Boeing is under pressure to deliver a software fix to prevent erroneous data from triggering the MCAS system and a new pilot training package that will convince global regulators, and the flying public, that the aircraft is safe. Boeing has acknowledged that the accidental firing of the software based on bad sensor data was a common link in the chain of events leading to the two accidents. We know we can break this link in the chain. Its our responsibility to eliminate this risk, Muilenburg told shareholders. When asked by reporters if the MCAS system was flawed, he said only that Boeing was making improvements to it. $1 billion impact ST. LOUIS A St. Louis judge on Monday ordered the circuit attorney to turn over documents sought by a special prosecutor investigating the office, following weeks of court skirmishes over the issue. Circuit Judge Michael Mullen granted the special prosecutors motion to compel St. Louis top prosecutor to turn over user names and passwords so that city police can seize records from the offices server. The search warrant in question seeks six months of electronic data including emails and attachments on the servers of Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardners office as part of a monthslong grand jury investigation of William Don Tisaby, a former FBI agent Gardner hired to investigate then-Gov. Eric Greitens. Gardners office and the special prosecutor have been locked in battles since the warrant was issued Feb. 21. Mullens order on Monday followed a 75-minute hearing in which Gerard Jerry Carmody, the special prosecutor, and Kobie Flowers, one of a half-dozen private attorneys Gardner has hired, argued merits of the search warrant. Sheila Sweeney Sweeney, a longtime member of the St. Louis County Port Authority board, became head of the St. Louis Economic Development partnership in August 2015 at Stengers recommendation. Her staff oversaw the St. Louis County Port Authority and St. Louis County Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority, which awarded two contracts detailed in the Stenger indictment. The Partnership board forced her out in January after the Post-Dispatch reported that Stenger essentially ran the office through Sweeney. John Rallo Rallo worked in insurance but his family had made a name for itself in St. Louis in the construction industry decades ago. Rallo was introduced to Stenger in October 2014, during Stengers successful campaign for St. Louis County Executive. There, he agreed to donate thousands of dollars to Stenger in exchange for Stengers help winning his insurance firm county contracts. While the insurance contracts did not work out, Rallo would later win a $130,000 marketing contract from the St. Louis County Port Authority and he and partners would win a contract to buy two large pieces of real estate in Wellston owned by the St. Louis County Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority. Sorkis Webbe Jr. ST. LOUIS A man was slain in the College Hill neighborhood on Monday morning. St. Louis police say the unidentified victim was shot in the 5200 block of Conde Street, a few blocks east of O'Fallon Park. He was found shot to death just before 7:15 a.m. Monday. Police released no additional details. Crime in the College Hill neighborhood is down overall, compared to last year. Between October and March, there were 28 violent crimes, compared to 44 in the same six-month period the year before. Property crimes are up. Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editors. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ST. LOUIS Prosecutors on Monday dropped murder and robbery charges against a man accused of killing a man in 2017 on a Popeye's Chicken parking lot and robbing him of his pants and shoes. Steven Burks' case was set for trial Monday before Circuit Judge Christopher McGraugh. But prosecutors dismissed the charges because they couldn't find a key witness, according to Burks' defense lawyer. A spokeswoman for the Circuit Attorney's Office cited "witness issues" as the reason for dropping charges. Police on Monday released the name of the man who was fatally shot last Wednesday in the Baden neighborhood of north St. Louis. Reginald Stewart, 49, of the 900 block of Elias Avenue, was gunned down in the same block about 3 a.m. Wednesday. Police say a 56-year-old woman, Darlene Brison, pulled the trigger. She was charged last week with murder. Stewart was shot in the head, police say. He died at the scene. While there, officers said the woman admitted shooting Stewart during a fight. She also lived in the same block of Elias. The scene in Baden is a few blocks south of where North Broadway and Riverview Boulevard intersect. In the last six months, crime in the Baden neighborhood is up about 13 percent, compared to the same six-month period a year ago. Shake off your afternoon slump with the oft-shared and offbeat news of the day, hand-brewed by our online news editors. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. ST. LOUIS A St. Louis police officer accused of fatally shooting a fellow officer in January pleaded not guilty Monday to the charges against him. Nathaniel Hendren, 29, appeared Monday before St. Louis Circuit Judge Thomas McCarthy at the Carnahan Courthouse. He was accompanied by his lawyer Talmage Newton IV in the courtroom where he waived formal reading of the indictment. Hendren was charged in January with involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action after police say he fatally shot off-duty officer Katlyn Alix during the early morning hours of Jan. 24. A St. Louis grand jury indicted Hendren on the same charges on Thursday. After Monday's brief hearing, Alix's supporters walked through the main lobby of the Carnahan Courthouse shouting, "Lock him up! Lock him up! Lock him up! Justice for Katie!" Hendren's next court date is scheduled for June 17. ST. LOUIS Three men were charged Thursday in federal court and accused of robbing 14 people in a Southhampton bar along with a string of other armed robberies. Larry Rhines, 22, of Collinsville, Garry Johnson, 21, of St. Louis, and Jalon Moore, 22, of St. Louis, all face felony charges for robbery, firearms conspiracy and use of firearms during a violent crime. According to the indictment, the men were involved in five robberies at St. Louis businesses since January. In the first, police said three men robbed The Mack Bar & Grill at 4615 Macklind Avenue in the city's Southampton neighborhood about 10 p.m. on Jan. 9. Police at the time said that the robbers stole wallets, money and phones from bar patrons in addition to taking money from the bar's cash register. Officials said that many of the homes were in bad shape anything from mold to leaky roofs and that there werent enough resources to make them livable, given cutbacks in federal funding for public housing and low rent payments from tenants. Rollins said public housing in Wellston was on track to be in the hole $330,000 within a year and operating at a loss of $1.3 million a year in 2023. A recent HUD report said the properties needed $14 million in repairs over the next five years. Why would a good business person not divest that and make sure the tenants are taken care of when you know its not headed in the right direction, Rollins said. In order to get tenant protection vouchers, which would pay for relocation costs and certificates for the residents to live somewhere else, Rollins said, the Housing Authority of St. Louis County needs to apply to the federal government for demolition and disposition of the properties. We discussed the possibility of a demolition and disposition application, Rollins said of visiting with HUD officials before they asked the Housing Authority of St. Louis County to absorb the properties. Metro columnist Tony Messenger answered your questions about his columns, especially his recent series about debtors prison issues in Missouri, which was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for commentary. Civil forfeiture is also a serious problem for public safety because the offenses for which assets are seized are generally victimless crimes. So, when police are distracted with forfeiture cases, were spending less time on cases that do have victims. A national study comparing FBI and U.S. Census Bureau data found that every 1 percent increase in a citys share of fines, fees and forfeitures is associated with a 6.1 percent decrease in the clearance rate for violent crimes and an 8.3 percent decrease in the clearance rate of property crimes. As someone who joined law enforcement to protect my community from predators and to help victims, I am disappointed that we would divert our focus away from those who need it most. When I took the oath to protect and serve, I meant it. Legislators in Jefferson City need to close the federal equitable sharing loophole, and state Rep. Shamed Dogan, R-Ballwin, has introduced legislation to do just that. The bill would prohibit law enforcement agencies and prosecutors offices from giving seized property to a federal agency for the purpose of financially benefiting as a result of the seizure. It would not interfere with local law enforcements ability to cooperate with federal authorities on investigations. The Mueller report meticulously details Trumps various actions that could well qualify as obstruction: firing former FBI Director James Comey for the admitted purpose of thwarting the investigation, ordering White House Counsel Donald McGahn to fire Mueller, trying to get McGahn to create a phony record about that order, trying to interfere in the cases against his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and former national security adviser Michael Flynn. With House Democrats just beginning to probe these issues, Trump declared that there is no reason to go any further as if he has the power to end it by fiat. This startling statement of constitutional ignorance betrays Trumps authoritarian instincts. The administration is digging in with blanket announcements that it will ignore all subpoenas and order all past and present White House officials not to testify. Consider this: If, as Trump claims, its fake news that he ordered McGahn to fire Mueller and to lie about that, wouldnt it be in Trumps interest for McGahn to testify under oath and deliver some clarity on the subject? Yet McGahn is among the officials Trump has ordered to defy the subpoenas and not speak to Congress. In my 24 years of practice, I have never seen nurses play cards at work. I have, however, seen them work through breaks because a patient needed them more than they needed to eat. I have seen them work 15 hours in a day because what they had to do could not fit into a 12-hour shift. I have seen them stay past their paid shift to offer compassion to a frightened elderly patient. I have seen them make personal sacrifices by giving up weekends, nights and holidays with their family because there are patients who need them. St. Louis (April 23, 2019) In less than two weeks, privately owned buildings and municipal buildings in St. Louis that are 50,000 square feet or more will be required to report their annual energy and water consumption to the City of St. Louis. The deadline for compliance is May 1. Building owners will use a free, online tool called Energy Star Portfolio Manager to benchmark their buildings energy usage. Benchmarking means measuring a buildings energy use and comparing it to that of similar buildings. The ordinance, which took effect two years ago, is designed to encourage business owners to make necessary operation and capital improvements to their buildings in order to improve energy performance. Sitton Energy Solutions Certified Energy Manager Erik Merker recently spoke with business owners at a Benchmarking & Energy Efficiency Carousel presentation organized by the City of St. Louis and the USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter. Merker said now that the city is requiring businesses to benchmark their energy consumption, the next step is determining how to improve it. TICKERS: HBM Source: Streetwise Reports (4/29/19) The company's Manitoba assets were discussed in a CIBC report. In an April 18 research note, analyst Oscar Cabrera reported that CIBC raised its target price on HudBay Minerals Inc. (HBM:TSX; HBM:NYSE) to CA$10.50 per share from CA$9.50 following a management-led presentation and site visit to the company's Manitoba, Canada, projects. In comparison, HudBay is trading at around CA$8.90 per share. Cabrera summarized the takeaways from both events. On April 15, 2019, four HudBay executives delivered a presentation, in which they emphasized the potential of Lalor's zinc-gold-copper mineral resource and new exploration targets in the Snow Lake area, both in Manitoba. The "Manitoba assets account for about 16% of the roughly $4.2 billion operations and development project net asset value," wrote Cabrera. The next day, CIBC attended site tours at Lalor, whose "mine development and operations showed well," and the New Britannia mine and mill located at Snow Lake. Both projects "highlight future potential," noted Cabrera. The analyst added that "the successful development of Lalor gold and copper-gold zones is expected to increase Manitoba life-of-mine production of gold, copper, zinc and silver by 65%, 23%, 11% and 15%, respectively." CIBC also participated in an aerial tour over Snow Lake. Regarding Lalor, Cabrera pointed out that management's efforts to improve throughput there are starting to pay off. However, further upside may not be realized until 2012, after the New Britannia mill has been refurbished, commissioned and ramped up. Cabrera also noted upcoming catalysts. Those in the near term that should increase HudBay's cash flows are strong operating performance at the Manitoba and Peru assets, the Rosemont selldown and the Pampacancha land rights acquisition. Further out, in early 2020, "an increase of mineral resources with conversion into reserves in the Snow Lake region could deliver a positive catalyst," Cabrera highlighted. CIBC has a Neutral rating on HudBay Minerals. [NLINSERT] Disclosure: 1) Doresa Banning compiled this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an independent contractor. She or members of her household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: None. She or members of her household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. 2) The following companies mentioned in this article are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. 3) Comments and opinions expressed are those of the specific experts and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. 4) The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports. 5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the interview or the decision to write an article until three business days after the publication of the interview or article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company releases. Disclosures from CIBC, Hudbay Minerals Inc., April 18, 2019 Analyst Certification: Each CIBC World Markets Corp./Inc. research analyst named on the front page of this research report, or at the beginning of any subsection hereof, hereby certifies that (i) the recommendations and opinions expressed herein accurately reflect such research analyst's personal views about the company and securities that are the subject of this report and all other companies and securities mentioned in this report that are covered by such research analyst and (ii) no part of the research analyst's compensation was, is, or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific recommendations or views expressed by such research analyst in this report. Analysts employed outside the U.S. are not registered as research analysts with FINRA. These analysts may not be associated persons of CIBC World Markets Corp. and therefore may not be subject to FINRA Rule 2241 restrictions on communications with a subject company, public appearances and trading securities held by a research analyst account. Potential Conflicts of Interest: Equity research analysts employed by CIBC World Markets Corp./Inc. are compensated from revenues generated by various CIBC World Markets Corp./Inc. businesses, including the CIBC World Markets Investment Banking Department. Research analysts do not receive compensation based upon revenues from specific investment banking transactions. CIBC World Markets Corp./Inc. generally prohibits any research analyst and any member of his or her household from executing trades in the securities of a company that such research analyst covers. Additionally, CIBC World Markets Corp./Inc. generally prohibits any research analyst from serving as an officer, director or advisory board member of a company that such analyst covers. In addition to 1% ownership positions in covered companies that are required to be specifically disclosed in this report, CIBC World Markets Corp./Inc. may have a long position of less than 1% or a short position or deal as principal in the securities discussed herein, related securities or in options, futures or other derivative instruments based thereon. Recipients of this report are advised that any or all of the foregoing arrangements, as well as more specific disclosures set forth below, may at times give rise to potential conflicts of interest. Important Disclosure Footnotes for Hudbay Minerals Inc. (HBM) CIBC World Markets Inc. expects to receive or intends to seek compensation for investment banking services from Hudbay Minerals Inc. in the next 3 months. Source: John Newell for Streetwise Reports (4/29/19) Platinum, after making what appears to be a wash-out low in August 2018, now looks poised to be a precious metal leader, writes fund manager John Newell at Fieldhouse Capital Management. What is Platinum: Platinum is a precious transition metal that has the chemical symbol Pt and an atomic number of 78 on the periodic table. Platinum is grayish white in color and is often mistaken for silver. Platinum is derived from the Spanish word, platina, which translates to "small silver." Once considered a nuisance mineral, it was often discarded by early miners. Platinum is thirty times rarer than gold, with annual production of 6 million ounces per year, compared to ~100 million p/a ounces of gold, and 850 million ounces p/a of silver. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com. Platinum Mine Supply: There are less than 10 million ounces of aboveground platinum supply in the world; this compares to 165,000 tons of above-ground supply in gold. Currently platinum trades at ~70% of an equivalent ounce of gold, which is historically very inexpensive. Platinum supply occurs naturally in South Africa (72%), Russia's Ural Mountains (11%), Zimbabwe (8%), the Western United States (6%), Colombia, China and Finland (combined 3%). It is often found in the presence of other metals from the platinum metals group such as palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, iridium and osmium. It can also be found near gold, silver, nickel and copper. In South Africa and Zimbabwe, platinum is mined as a primary metal, whereas it is produced predominantly as a byproduct of nickel in Russia. In North America, platinum is largely a byproduct of palladium mines. Palladium's price premium to Platinum reflects the tight supply and current deficit supply deficit and highlights the potential for substitution, such as what happened from 1999 to 2002. With palladium reaching new all-time, never-been-higher highs, due to the headline-grabbing announcements of deficits in 2018 that are likely to grow in 2019 to greater than 1 million ounces, suggests that palladium's growing demand and depleted inventories will keeping prices historically high in the short term. In the past, as shown on the charts below, when palladium enters a deficit that is long lasting, with sustained higher prices, the market experiences substantial demand substitution. We have highlighted this price action, as cheaper palladium was substituted for more expense platinum in the late 1980s and reversed in 19992002 period (see chart below), as palladium was replaced by the less expensive platinum. However, as was the case in the same two time periods, rebalancing among industrial users takes time. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com. Platinum appears to be breaking a long downtrend line and breaking out, that could be signaling and closing of the large gap between the two similar metals. We believe that platinum could be in the same technical position we saw in palladium before it moved dramatically, hitting two of three projected targets, leaving the potential third target outstanding. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com. Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. (IMP:JSE) gave investors a clue that platinum could be turning here as shares in producing companies tend to move before the physical metals, as speculators want the leverage that comes with owning the company shares. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com. Platinum appears to be cheap, trading at ~70% of the price of gold, building a series of recent higher lows and higher highs, after a washout low in August 2018 that traded a slightly higher low than the 2008 financial crisis low. Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com. Demand for Platinum: Platinum is a rare metal with distinctive qualities that make it highly valued across several diverse demand segments. Platinum's unique physical and catalytic properties have established its value in industrial applications. There is growing demand for platinum in industrial uses, jewelry and as an investment. Platinum is an essential industrial commodity and is used worldwide to manufacture about 20% of all consumer goods. We believe this demand will continue, as new uses for platinum are being discovered all the time, due to the metal's resistance to corrosion, high melting point, electrical conductivity and durability. The primary demand comes from the automotive industry, and with continuing tightening of emission standards worldwide, this trend will continue. Platinum is also used to catalyze the electricity-producing conversion of hydrogen and oxygen into water in hydrogen-based fuel cells, with water and heat the only emissions. Platinum is particularly well suited as a fuel cell catalyst as it allows the hydrogen and oxygen reactions to take place at an optimal rate, while being stable enough to withstand the high electrical current density and the complex chemical reaction that take place in a fuel cell, performing efficiently over the long term. Platinum-based hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles are expected to see rapid growth, as both Japan and China have stated that it is an important part of their current plans for adoption of fuel cell vehicles for long-distance trucking, public transportation, as well as fuel cell cars. China's fuel cell adoption plans alone could require more than 300,000 ounces of platinum per year. Japan, with its commitment to delivering the greenest Summer Olympics in 2020, is also making large investments in in platinum-based hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to transport athletes and spectators. In addition, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government plans to invest in 100,000 hydrogen cars, 100 hydrogen buses and build 80 hydrogen refueling stations by 2025. Platinum is also used broadly in manufacturing of high-performance glass, which accounts for ~15% of demand, and this industrial use appears to be increasing. Demand from the glass sector has averaged ~200,000 ounces per year over the past five years. This durable and versatile metal helps in the process to make everything from smartphone screens to the high-quality fiberglass to make wind turbines and reduce vehicle weight, making them reach fuel economy targets. Platinum, although still not as popular as gold and silver investing, has seen investment demand increasing as exchange traded funds, pension funds, mutual funds, and private investors are realizing how rare and collectable this durable metal really is. How to invest in platinum: Probably the safest way to invest in platinum is to physically own the metal. Although there are fewer platinum products available than gold or silver, there are still numerous ways you can invest in the metal. Platinum bars are a common investment, and these bars typically sell in smaller gram sizes. Coins are another common type of bullion, and a government mint such as the United States Mint or the Royal Canadian Mint both make these coins. Some examples of platinum bullion coins include Platinum American Eagles, Platinum Canadian Maple Leafs, Australian Koala Coins and Platinum Chinese Pandas. There are pure-play platinum ETFs, platinum and palladium ETFs, and others that have weighting in the Platinum Group Metals. Investors can purchase shares in platinum mining companies, both producing and exploration companies, that carry different risks such as nationalism, performance of management and employees, environmental risk, and the ability to find and produce the metal profitably. Conclusion: Platinum has been in an overall downtrend since 2008, with some brilliant roman-candle like moves in 2009 and 2016, only to burn out quickly and fall back to earth. However, we see this changing technically as platinum is breaking the downtrend that has been in for now more than 10 years. The biggest fundamental reason this may happen now is the palladium shortage, which may cause the substitution of palladium by platinum. We feel that industrial and investment demand will continue drive platinum prices to higher levels over the next 9 to 18 months. John Newell is a portfolio manager at Fieldhouse Capital Management. He has 38 years of experience in the investment industry acting as an officer, director, portfolio manager and investment advisor with some of the largest investment firms in Canada. Newell is a specialist in precious metal equities and related commodities and is a registered portfolio manager in Canada (advising representative). [NLINSERT] Disclosures: 1) John Newell: I, or members of my immediate household or family, own shares of the following companies mentioned in this article: None. I personally am, or members of my immediate household or family are, paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. My company currently has a financial relationship with the following companies mentioned in this article: None. I determined which companies would be included in this article based on my research and understanding of the sector. Additional disclosures/disclaimer below. 2) The following companies mentioned in this article are sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. 3) Comments and opinions expressed are those of the specific experts and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The 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) The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports. 5) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the interview or the decision to write an article until three business days after the publication of the interview or article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company releases. Additional Disclosures and Disclaimer from John Newell, Fieldhouse Capital Management Legal Notice / Disclaimer: This document is not and should not be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment. John Newell has based this document on information obtained from sources he believes to be reliable, but which has not been independently verified. John Newell makes no guarantee, representation or warranty and accepts no responsibility or liability as to its accuracy or completeness. Expressions of opinion are those of John Newell only and are subject to change without notice. John Newell assumes no warranty, liability or guarantee for the current relevance, correctness or completeness of any information provided within this Report and will not be held liable for the consequence of reliance upon any opinion or statement contained herein or any omission. Furthermore, I, John Newell, assume no liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage or for lost profit, which you may incur because of the use and existence of the information provided within this Report. It should not be assumed that the methods, techniques, or indicators presented in these pages will be profitable or that they will not result in losses. Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results. Examples presented on these pages are for educational purposes only. These set-ups are not solicitations of any order to buy or sell. The authors, the publisher, and all affiliates assume no responsibility for your trading results. There is a high degree of risk in trading. Hypothetical and historical performance results have many inherent limitations, some of which are described below. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to those shown. In fact, there are frequently sharp differences between hypothetical and historical performance results and the actual results subsequently achieved by any trading program. One of the limitations of hypothetical and historical performance results is that they are generally presented with the benefit of hindsight. In addition, hypothetical and historical trading may not present the financial risks and returns for future trading. For example, the ability to withstand losses or to adhere to a particular trading program in spite of trading losses are material points which can also adversely affect trading results. There are numerous other factors related to the markets in general or to the implementation of any specific trading program which cannot be fully accounted for in the preparation of hypothetical performance results and all which can adversely affect actual trading results. Disclaimer: This Publication is protected by Canadian and International Copyright laws. All rights reserved. No license is granted to the user except for the user's personal use. No part of this publication or its contents may be copied, downloaded, stored in a retrieval system, further transmitted, or otherwise reproduced, stored, disseminated, transferred, or used, in any form or by any means without prior written permission. This publication is proprietary. Neither the information, nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase of an investment program. Any further disclosure or use, distribution, dissemination or copying of this message or any attachment is strictly prohibited; such information, whether derived from Fieldhouse Capital Management or from any oral or written communication by way of opinion, advice, or otherwise with a principal of the company is not warranted in any manner whatsoever, is for the use of our customers only and may be obtained from internal and external research sources considered to be reliable. Charts provided by the author. Weather Eye with John Maunder The chart below shows that since 1979, when reliable satellite observations became available, there has been little overall trend in the average tropospheric temperatures, apart from milder/warmer temperatures since about 1997, and two significant warm periods associated with the El Nino events in 1998 and 2015-16. The latest global average temperatures of the troposphere updated to March 2019 - observed from US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellites are computed by the University of Alabama at Huntsville in the United States. The data shows variations from the 30 year period 1981-2010. Since 1979, NOAA satellites have been carrying instruments which measure the natural microwave thermal emissions from oxygen in the atmosphere. The intensity of the signals these microwave radiometers measure at different microwave frequencies is directly proportional to the temperature of different, deep layers of the atmosphere. Every month, researchers at the University of Alabama (Dr John Christy and Dr Roy Spencer) update global temperature datasets that represent the piecing together of the temperature data from a total of fourteen instruments flying on different satellites over the years. The graph above represents the latest update; updates are usually made within the first week of every month. Contrary to some reports, the satellite measurements are not calibrated in any way with the global surface-based thermometer records of temperature. They instead use their own on-board precision redundant platinum resistance thermometers calibrated to a laboratory reference standard before launch. The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere. It contains approximately 75 per cent of the atmosphere's mass and 99 per cent of its water vapour and aerosols. The average depth of the troposphere is approximately 17 km in the middle latitudes. The coolest months since 1979 were September 1984, with minus 0.49 degrees Celsius, and November 1984, with minus 0.42 degrees Celsius. The warmest months were February 2016 with plus 0.83 degrees C, February and April 1998, both plus 0.76 degrees Celsius, and March 2016 plus 0.73 degrees, and April 2016 plus 0.73 degrees Celsius. The chart shows the El Nino warming in the 1998 period, and 2015-16, and the Mount Pinatubo, volcanic cooling during 1992-1993. For for information see: https://sites.google.com/site/climatediceandthebutterfly The physicist Leo Szilard once announced to his friend Hans Bethe that he was thinking of keeping a diary: 'I don't intend to publish, I am merely going to record the facts for the information of God.' 'Don't you think God knows the facts?' Bethe asked. 'Yes' said Szilard. "He knows the facts, but he does not know THIS version of the facts' "(From Hans Christian von Baeyer, "Taming the Atom" (from the preface paragraph in "A Short History of Nearly Everything", by Bill Bryson, A Black Swan Book, 2004) The Bay of Plenty has a large variety of stunning movie locations, and thanks to Bay of Plenty Film, Hollywood film studios are quickly learning it too. Eight Los Angeles-based film studio executives visited the Bay of Plenty region during April as part of a wider NZ screen famil. The two-day visit to the Bay was facilitated and hosted by Bay of Plenty Film, working with film industry group, Screen Experience Trust NZ (SETNZ). SETNZ is working in partnership with the NZ Film Commission and Air New Zealand to showcase the country to the executives. The first time visitors represented HBO, Netflix, Apple TV, Universal Studios, Annapurna Pictures, Legendary Television and Fremantle Media. In its second year, the focus of the SETNZ famil is to educate Hollywood executives on the extensive range of filming locations, infrastructure and experienced crew available for international projects here in New Zealand. In 2018 international productions brought $1.5 billion dollars into the New Zealand economy. During their visit to the Bay of Plenty the executives were shown the Rotorua Redwoods, Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Kawerau Industrial District, Otarawairere Bay, Maketu Peninsula, Mount Maunganui and Whakaari (White Island). The executives were blown away (figuratively not literally) by Whakaari, and also by the wide range of amazing accessible locations available within a short travel time within the Bay says Bay of Plenty Film CEO Anton Steel. One of the guests, Executive Vice President of Production at Fremantle Media, had this to say New Zealand offers a unique array of landscapes that can almost double anywhere. This was eye opening to me, I knew of the physical beauty but wasnt aware of how diverse the cities are. The depth of crew and facilities makes New Zealand an obvious choice for any TV series. We received great feedback directly from the group during the trip, Anton Steel says, and also from the New Zealand Film Commission and the SETNZ organisers regarding the tour of the Bay of Plenty Region. As a result of the tour I now have follow up meetings lined up in Los Angeles. He says New Zealand and the Bay of Plenty has definitely benefitted from the famil, with Hollywood executives hoping to explore opportunities to bring productions here in the future. Western Bay of Plenty District Councils annual Community Matching Fund opens today with $140,000 available for not-for-profit community groups. Application is eligible for groups with commitment to their communities and who are able to match Councils cash grant in volunteer hours, cash or similar matching criteria. The fund is split in to $40,000 for environmental projects and $100,000 for the general fund. Last year the Rotoehu Ecological Trust (RET) gained $10,000 from the fund to expand its pest control programme in Pongakawa to protect the endangered native bird kokako. The Trust was one of 27 groups benefiting from the fund in 2018. Councils Community Relationships Environment Officer Glenn Ayo says the Trust is a great example of an organisation that fits the funds criteria. It has a strong volunteer base and a robust plan for its goal of restoring an endangered species to its natural habitat. Since 2013, RET has helped protect kokako within Rotoehu Forest. Under the leadership of Jane Bird, Sarah Orton and Roger Bawden, the Trust helps local Department of Conservation (DOC) staff with management of the forest and the kokako. The Trust controls pests in the Pongakawa Ecological Area and Otari Block. Chairperson Sarah Orton says the kokako is considered the keystone species of the Rotoehu Forest. The Trust works on the principle that if this taonga is protected and allowed to flourish, other flora and fauna will also thrive. As with many of our threatened bird species, most people have never seen a kokako, says Sarah. It comes as a surprise to learn that in the hills south of Pongakawa we have one of the countrys most important places for conservation of a rare and extraordinary bird. Councils funding has helped the Trust expand its bait station network into the southern section of the Pongakawa Ecological Area, approximately 260 hectares, to reach its goal of 100 breeding pairs of kokako by 2025. The work involves clearing about 30 kilometres of track and installing 160 bait stations. The Trust partners with Kokako Organic Coffee Roasters, DOC, Western Bay Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Kaingaroa Timberlands, Timberlands Ltd and Tangata Whenua (Ngati Makino Iwi) on its projects. The latest 2019 kokako census of 1200 hectares of the Rotoehu Forest found 133 pairs and eight singles (274 kokako), of which 126 pairs and all singles were within the managed area. In 2013 the census covered only 601 hectares and found 50 pairs and 29 singles (129 birds total). So the 2019 census has doubled the area and the kokako and reflects the worth of RETs pest control. Applications for this years Community Matching Fund open from 29 April to 29 May 2019. For more information visit Councils website https://www.westernbay.govt.nz/our-council/grants-and-funding/Pages/default.aspx People with loads of washing piled up are being advised to leave it until Tuesday. WeatherWatch.co.nz says a large high is rolling in and will linger the rest of the week. It will be around at the weekend and even into the start of next week, says the weather organisation. "This large high comes in early on Tuesday and may even bring light frosts to some inland parts of the South Island and will clear any early showers away from Banks Peninsula. "In the North Island, a few lingering showers may still affect northern Hawke's Bay / Mahia Peninsula for a couple of days and also up around Gisborne and East Cape." By Wednesday, 99 per cent of the country should be dry with dry weather likely to linger through until early next week too as high pressure dominates the New Zealand area, perhaps not your normal set up for this time of the year - so WeatherWatch.co.nz says make the most of it! Bay of Plenty We are looking for a storeman with an OSH forklift license. You will need to be physically for as the job is about 70% forklift... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz New Zealands largest rural art collection that tells the stories of provincial communities is set to swell by one giant new painting. Over the past two years, Farmlands has been transforming some of its key properties around the country into living works of art. So far, the project, named the HeART of The Community, has seen Farmlands commission nine enormous murals in rural New Zealand towns; a striking illustration of the co-operatives commitment to rural communities. Each of these HeART of The Community murals depicts aspects of rural New Zealand and captures the local communitys spirit, history and environment. Tauranga has been chosen as the next site. Now New Zealands fifth largest city and one of the countrys fastest-growing centres, Tauranga is the gateway to Mount Maunganui and home to a flourishing port. Putting the plenty into Bay of Plenty, its also the capital of Kiwifruit and abode of Avocado. The Tauranga mural will be painted on the side of Taurangas Farmlands store, on Taurikura Drive off State Highway 36, during the first week of May. Award-winning artist Erika Pearce will begin painting her work on Farmlands Tauranga store on Sunday April 28. It is expected to take a week to complete and an unveiling event will be staged on Saturday May 4. Erika Pearce is a multi-disciplinary artist and designer whose award-winning artwork features in collections around the world. Her work typically reflects her passion for community, culture, the role and contribution of women and the natural world. In this new work, the culmination of extensive research, community involvement and guidance she will take her inspiration from Taurangas rich history of horticulture. I was super excited to be invited to take part in this awesome project. I am really keen on the idea that I should give back through my work and I love that I am getting the chance to engage with the Tauranga community, says Erika. My dad grew up on a dairy farm in Taranaki and I had a lot of cousins who also lived on farms. As a kid born and raised in Auckland, I count myself really lucky to have been able to stay with them and get first-hand experience of farm life. To tell the truth, Ive never felt like a city kid. Ive always felt a strong connection with the people who work with the land. Its clear to me that New Zealand is what it is today thanks to the belief and toil of a lot of hard-working folks living in rural communities. I think as time goes on, we are all looking for better, sustainable ways of living and connecting with our environment. Thats where Farmlands has pitched its tent, so Im proud to be associated with them on this project, too. The Mayor of Tauranga Greg Brownless says it is wonderful that Farmlands has chosen Tauranga for its next HeART of The Community project. Im looking forward to seeing how Erika Pearce reflects Taurangas long history of agriculture and horticulture in her mural. And Im certain shell have a big gallery of locals watching her as she works throughout the week. Tauranga Mayor Greg Brownless is calling for the Maungatapu Bridge to be four lanes, following a fatal crash which claimed the life of Mount Maunganui man Stephen Fifield. The 51-year-old died in a crash where his ute crashed through the railing on the bridge and plunged into the Tauranga Harbour. Police received a call to the incident around 8pm on Saturday night. The road between the Maungatapu and Baypark roundabouts was closed for some time, reopening on Sunday just before 2.30pm. Greg says he would like NZTA as the owners of the State Highway and bridge to consider four laning a new bridge, with a safety barrier down the centre line. A member of the public who spoke to SunLive says he thinks our roads need urgent attention to make them a heck of a lot safer for people to drive on. When asked about his thoughts on the highway being turned into four lanes he says for an accident to have happened there once before when someone went through a rail, then questions need to be asked about whether it needs looking into. But NZTAs Bay of Plenty Systems Manager Rob Campbell says the Maungatapu Bridge was constructed in the late 1950s and remains in good structural condition. The original design of the structure limits the amount of strengthening work we can do on the railings to improve their performance. Theres not currently any plan to upgrade or replace the bridge however we are investigating options to improve the performance of the railing while recognising it will not be possible to meet the standards that would be expected on a bridge being built today. For 2019, the Chanel Premiere collection welcomed its newest member, Premiere Velours, at the show, a stunning timepiece featuring an 18-carat yellow gold case with a black velvet-touch rubber strap. The modern, minimalist reinvention of the Premiere classic, created in 1987, is also offered with a dial set with 116 brilliant-cut diamonds. Chanels Premiere Velours timepiece is available with a dial set with 116 brilliant-cut diamonds. The Premiere collection also includes the Premiere Midnight in Vendome series, which strikes a balance between horology and high jewellery. These one-of-a-kind pieces include an 18-carat yellow gold-cuff watch embellished with Japanese cultured pearls, faceted onyx beads and square motifs set with brilliant-cut diamonds. Also being showcased in Basel was the brands Mademoiselle collection, which draws on Coco Chanels appreciation of objets dart, is inspired by Coromandel folding screens, or Chinese lacquerware, from the 18th century. Among this collection is the Mademoiselle Prive sautoir, a unique long chain necklace that echoes the artistic depictions on those commanding Coromandel screens, with sculpted 18-carat beige gold and 50 brilliant-cut diamonds. Another notable piece is Chanels Mademoiselle Prive sautoir chain necklace, featuring a sculpted 18-carat beige gold timepiece, with 50 brilliant-cut diamonds. The use of the 18-carat beige gold, an exclusive Chanel alloy, is also seen on the entire case, bezel and bracelet of the new Code Coco watch. Baselworld 2019 took place from 21-26 March. First conceptualised by Koons 33 years ago, the distinctively faceless stainless steel stature has been hosted by several celebrated museums down the years. Among them were the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain, the Centre Pompidou in Paris,Tate Modern in London and The Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. The Rabbit will be part of a collection featuring 11 major works, including Paul Cezannes Bouilloire et fruits (1888-90), estimated at $40 million, and Andy Warhols Little Electric Chair, (1964-65), estimated at $7 million. Art lovers will have the chance to bid for such pieces, and more, over two nights during Christies 20th Century Week in New York in May, first with an Impressionist and modern evening sale on 13 May and later with a post-war and contemporary evening sale on 15 May. Jeff Koons is known for working with popular culture subjects and his reproductions of banal objects, such as balloon animals produced in stainless steel with mirror-finish surfaces. Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse man accused of intentionally murdering his family by burning down their house as they slept was supposed to go to trial today. But Charles Duboiss trial got a brief delay after his own lawyer, David Zukher, remained stuck in a different trial in the courtroom next door. Jury selection, which was due to begin today, is now scheduled for Tuesday -- as long as Zukher has concluded the unrelated drug trial before a different judge. Dubois is facing first-degree murder -- punishable by up to life in prison without parole -- for the Apr. 5, 2018 arson fire that killed four close relatives. Killed in the blaze were Duboiss 1-year-old newphew, Hunter, who died shortly after the fire. His 16-year-old brother, Michael DuBois, and his 45-year-old mother, Susan Wagner, died two days after the fire. His sister and Hunters mother, Korrina DuBois, 18, died a day after that. Dubois escaped the burning house at 253 Fitch St., returning later as firefighters and police remained at the scene. He was taken into custody and gave a sarcastic confession that police discounted. Zukher has vowed to defend his clients innocence at trial. Hes not guilty of this crime, Zukher, said in November 2018. The word guilty will not come out of his mouth. But earlier this year, the lawyer got a delay to explore a possible insanity defense. Dubois recently rejected that strategy, again vowing he didnt do it. Prosecutor Robert Moran hasnt said how he believes the fire started. There appear to be dueling fire experts who are expected to testify as to different theories as to what sparked the fatal blaze. CICERO, N.Y. -- A Cicero woman and her daughter were stabbed Sunday morning after a man broke into their home, police said. Police have been in contact with the suspected attacker but he remains at large, they say. The daughter called the Onondaga County 911 Center at 4:44 a.m. to say she and her mother had been stabbed after the daughters ex-boyfriend broke in through a back window of their home on Lackawanna Lane, police confirmed to Syracuse.com. When officers arrived, they found the daughter and mother with stab wounds. The ex-boyfriend was not there. Police identified the ex-boyfriend as Michael Powers. He has not been taken into custody or charged as of 5:30 p.m. Sunday, police said. Cicero police, however, say theyve been in contact with Powers. It would be to his benefit to turn himself in so we can resolve this," Cicero Police Chief Joseph Snell said Sunday afternoon, more than 12 hours after the double stabbing was reported. We dont have any reason to believe he wont turn himself in, but well know in four to five hours. Ambulances took the mother and daughter to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. After the break-in early Sunday, the exes got into an argument, Snell said. The man stabbed his ex-girlfriend in the face and head, the chief said. Her mother intervened and was stabbed several times, Snell said. Snell said he believes the daughter was treated and released, but the mother remains in the hospital Sunday evening. Police expect both the mother and daughter to recover, he said. The Onondaga County Sheriffs Office and North Syracuse Village Police Department assisted the Cicero Police Department. Police said they also found a 3-year-old boy in the house. Relatives are taking care of him, Snell said. Syracuse, NY -- Lester Shaffer, who came to court in shackles today, hoped to return home to his family after a jury acquitted him of murder. Instead, hell spend 9 years in prison on two related felony drug convictions. His maximum possible punishment for the drugs was 12 years. But Shaffer had faced up to life in prison, without parole, if convicted of stabbing to death Lyle Budda Lyons in December 2017 during the course of a robbery. A jury acquitted Shaffer of murder and robbery. Lawyer Ken Christopher had argued that his client should get the minimum sentence, which would have released Shaffer almost immediately. He accused probation officers, who investigated Shaffers past, for considering the murder that Shaffer was acquitted of. He noted that almost all the civilian witnesses in the case had drug histories, but were not prosecuted. Most of all, Christopher pleaded with a judge to remember Shaffers acquittal in doling out punishment on the felony morphine convictions. After all, prosecutors accused Shaffer of stealing the drugs from the murdered man, whom Shaffer was found not guilty of killing. When asked afterward if he was unhappy with Shaffers sentence, Christopher replied: That would be a fair assumption. Like in most cases, Shaffer vowed an appeal. County Court Judge Thomas J. Miller said repeatedly today that he didnt factor Lyle Budda Lyons murder into his sentence. Instead, Miller noted Shaffers prior record -- including a violent felony and a prior failure to register a change of address as a sex offender -- in delivering his state prison punishment. Shaffer is an admitted drug user. But his lawyer pointed out that nearly every civilian witness interviewed in the murder case had a drug connection. The deceased, Lyons, was stabbed to death in his Midler Meadows mobile home where he kept drugs for sale. Drug dealers and users littered the witness list. And the prosecutions star witness, Ashley Rodriguez, was a helpless addict by her own account. Chief Assistant District Attorney Melinda McGunnigle contended that Shaffer killed Lyons in a fit of rage after the victim refused to front Suboxone (a withdrawal drug) for a dope sick Rodriguez. But Rodriguez was also an admitted liar who changed her story repeatedly from her police interviews to trial. Christopher pointed out during closing arguments that Rodriguez had admitted lying about her own lying. Shes a liar, Christopher told the jury. She lies about lying. Shes got layers of lies so deep Im not sure how to unravel them. Im not even sure she can keep her story straight anymore. McGunnigle came armed with forensic evidence: a container with a blue top and Lyons DNA on it which was found in Shaffers residence, and a sweatshirt that had appeared to have been cleaned with Lyons blood on it. Christopher questioned whether the victims time of death added up and suggested that Lyons -- as a drug dealer -- had others who might have wanted to kill him. Lyons was stabbed 13 times in the fatal attack inside his mobile home, just over the city line into DeWitt. At sentencing today, Christopher pointed out that no one else interviewed in Lyons murder had been charged with drugs. In fact, police had assured witnesses that they would not be prosecuted for drugs if they cooperated. Shaffer, who was only convicted of drug crimes, should not be treated any differently, Christopher argued. By now, Shaffer has already spent 16 months in prison. The minimum sentence for the drugs was 2 years. Christopher asked the judge to give Shaffer the minimum, which would ensure his almost immediate release with good time included. Probation officers had criticized Shaffer for not taking responsibility for the drug convictions. But Shaffer blamed those drugs on Rodriguez, just as he had the other crimes. How could I logically admit to something I didnt do? Shaffer told the judge. I dont believe my kids should see me in prison for something I did not do. But McGunnigle noted that Shaffer was convicted of Class B and Class C drug felonies and had a prior record, enhancing the sentence. Miller, who called it quite a contested trial, said the sentence reflected only convictions for possession and attempted sale of drugs. Shaffer shook his head as the judge revealed his sentence. Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse man was promised 7 to 21 years in prison today by a judge after pleading guilty to an 18-count indictment resulting from a double-fatal crash on a city street. Eric Dempsey, 40, had planned to go to trial today in the Sept. 22, 2017 crash that happened after Dempsey fled a traffic stop while drunk, ran a stop sign and killed a father and his stepson. But County Court Judge Matthew Doran offered the 7- to 21-year sentence, which was less than the 8- to 24-year offer made by prosecutor Chris Bednarski. Demspey could have faced 8 1/3 to 25 years if convicted after trial. The wide sentencing range is a result of the charge: aggravated vehicular homicide, the harshest driving-related crime under state law. The minimum sentence in these crimes is always one-third of the maximum sentence. District Attorney William Fitzpatrick confirmed the plea to Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard, noting that Dempsey had been able to negotiate directly with the judge by agreeing to plead guilty to the entire indictment. Under law, that took sentencing discretion out of the hands of prosecutors. Killed in the crash at Tallman Street and Lincoln Avenue.were Edward Rice, 49, and his 22-year-old stepson, Robert Bubba Owens. Dempseys lawyer, Charles Keller, had been gearing up for a fight over the credibility of the officers who pulled his client over before the fatal crash. The officers were members of the citys Crime Reduction Team and included former Officer Ahmad Mims, who resigned his post after admitting to domestic violence. But Keller also said that he wasnt trying to excuse Dempseys actions that day. And those undeniably included drunken driving, fleeing police and a chase through busy South Side streets, then running a stop sign and killing the unsuspecting motorists. A video of the crash, taken by a witness, was expected to be key evidence for the jury. But when Dempsey came to court Monday morning -- with potential jurors waiting -- he decided instead to take the judges offer. Dempsey pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, five counts of vehicular manslaughter, two counts of reckless manslaughter, three counts of fleeing police, aggravated drunken driving, two counts of regular drunken driving, reckless driving and aggravated unlicensed operation. HUNTER MOUNTAIN, NY -- A Long Island brewery walked away with top honors for New Yorks best brewery and best beer. But other awards, including gold medals for a variety of IPAs, wheat beers, sours and more, went home with brewers from across the state, from the Southern Tier to the Adirondacks. The 22nd Annual Tap New York fest took place over the weekend at Hunter Mountain ski resort in the Catskills. TAP NY is the states largest annual beer fest. The fest was held Saturday and Sunday, the judged beer competition was Saturday. Heres a look at the 2019 winners, starting with the top awards. Notes: Since the event began as a Hudson Valley-only fest and competition, some awards are specific to Hudson Valley breweries. 2019 Cup Winners -- F.X. Matt Memorial Cup | Best Craft Beer Brewery in New York State Winner: Port Jeff Brewing Co. - Port Jefferson, Long Island, NY -- The Matthew Vassar Brewers Cup | Best Craft Beer Brewery in the Hudson Valley Winner: Newburgh Brewing - Newburgh, NY -- Governors Brewers Cup | Best Craft Beer in New York State Winner: Triple H Strong Belgian Ale from Port Jeff Brewing Co. - Port Jefferson, Long Island, NY -- John Calen Memorial Award | Best English Style Stout in New York State Winner: Harvester Red Pale Ale from Long Lot Farm Brewery - Chester, NY Medal Winners Note: All medals not awarded in some categories -- Wheat Beers Gold Webe Brewing Co | The Golden Peel German Wheat Silver Hyde Park Brewing Co | Raspberry Wheat Bronze Newburgh | Purrfect Hefeweizen -- Light Lagers Gold Woodland Farm Brewery | Karl the Great Kolsch Silver Steuben Brewing Co. | The NY Pilsner Bronze Hudson Brewing Co. | Wayward Woman Kolsch -- Amber/Dark Lagers Gold -- Great Life Brewing Co. | Marzen Madness October Fest Silver Brewery Of Broken Dreams | Dark Side Of The Lion Schwaerzbier Bronze Blue Point Brewing Co. | Munich Dark Lager -- Strong Dark Lagers Gold Glenmere Brewing Co. | Bock It Up Bubba Single Bock Silver Glenmere Brewing Co. | Howlin Rusty Helles Bock Bronze New Paltz Brewing | Maibock -- Light Ales <6% Gold Strong Rope Brewery | Young Lion Of The West Cream Ale Silver CB Craft Brewers | Big Irish Rover Red Ale Bronze Steelbound Brewery & Distillery | Better Red Ale Hudson Valley Gold Mill House | Cucumber Blessings Cream Ale -- Brown Ales Gold Good Nature Farm Brewery | American Brown Ale Silver Big Ditch Brewing | Excavator Brown Ale -- India Pale Ales Gold Resurgence Brewing Co. | Resurgence IPA Silver Big Ditch Brewing | Packet IPA Bronze West Kill Brewing Co. | Kaaterskill American IPA Hudson Valley Gold Great Flats | Lafayette St IPA #3 -- Strong IPAs Gold Equilibrium Brewery | Sexual Fluctuation DIPA Silver Alewife Brewing Co. | Lupulion Vibrations Idaho7 DIPA Bronze Big Ditch Brewing | Deep Cut Double IPA -- English Style Stouts Gold Newburgh Brewing Co. | The Newburgh Conspiracy Aged Imperial Stout Silver Spider Bite Beer Co. | Boris The Spider Imperial Stout Bronze Brindle Haus Brewing Co. | Imperial Coffee Stout -- Belgian Saison/Farmhouse Ales Gold Great South Bay Brewing | Kismet Saison Silver Green Port Harbor | Table Fork Saison -- Belgian Ales Gold Port Jeff Brewing Co. | Triple H Strong Ale Silver Blue Collar Brewery | Golden Strong Ale -- Wood/Barrel Aged Beer (Non-Sour) Gold Sixpoint | Master Blend-Orange Cream Silver Captain Lawrence Brewing | Frutteto Sour Beer -- Wild & Sour Beers Gold Browns Brewing | Aurora Sour Beer Silver Clemson Bros. | M-Town Sunset Sour Beer Bronze Browns Brewing | Solera Sour Beer -- Pale Ales (John Calen Award) Gold Long Lot Farm Brewery | Harvester Red Pale Ale Silver Destination Unknown Beer Co. | Pale Ale Bronze Kings Court Brewery | Aussie All Night 2 Pale Ale -- Old/Strong Ales Gold Hopshire Farm & Brewery | Shire Ale Silver Fulton Chain Craft Brewery | Stealth Budda Scotch Ale -- New England IPAs Gold Prison City Brewing | Mass Riot NE IPA Silver Ithaca Beer Co. | Pulp Addiction (Lotus Be, Lotus Be) NE IPA Bronze Sloop Brewing | Juice Bomb -- Porters Gold Spider Bite Beer Co. | Love At First Bite Chocolate Raspberry Porter Silver Pressure Drop | Buckstar Porter -- Irish Style Stouts Gold Galaxy Brewing Co. | Clax, Lime Stout Silver Cousins Ale Works | Smoking Musket Stout Don Cazentre writes about craft beer, wine, spirits and beverages for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook. SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Finding Chi Soul Food is easyjust look for the line out the door. Owner Rayshell Burke opened the restaurant, located at 2859 S. Salina St. on Syracuses South Side, on April 5. Word of the opening had spread so fast that when she did open her doors on that Friday afternoon, more than 100 people lined up outside, wrapping down South Salina Street and East Lafayette Avenue, waiting for a taste of smothered pork chops, collard greens made with smoked turkey and baked macaroni and cheese. Last Friday, around 30 or 40 people were waiting outside before the restaurants noon opening. And thats light, Burke said. The restaurant is only open on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as the first and third Sundays of the month starting June 1. Burke, who has run a catering business of the same name for the last 10 years and manages a Kay Jewelers, said the decision to operate part time was inspired by CJs Seafoods in Lyncourt, the long-time fish fry spot open only on Fridays. Plus, she thinks the food is better this way. I dont know if I could give the food the same love if I did it full time," Burke said. And theres plenty of love at Chi Soul Food; Burkes mother helps with the cooking, while several sisters and cousins work behind the counter, piling hearty portions of that days offerings into Styrofoam takeout containers. The menu, which changes daily, is posted on the restaurants Facebook page. Theyre all recipes Burke learned from her mother and grandmother, dating back to when she was a young girl peeling potatoes in the kitchen watching them cook. The Chi in the name represents the Chinese influence on the menu, including chicken and shrimp fried rice and the ribs and rice, a dish of pork ribs in a dark gravy served over white rice that Burkes mother learned to make while working in a Chinese restaurant. Its one of their biggest sellers. The communitys support since the restaurant opened has been overwhelming, Burke said. Phone calls made to the restaurants Facebook page funnel through to Burkes cellphone, which rings nonstop throughout the day with diners asking to place to-go orders or checking on the availability of a dish. Burke said she receives around 100 calls a day when the restaurant is open. Its a beautiful thing, she said. Burke said shes considering operating a booth at the upcoming Juneteenth and Taste of Syracuse festivals in June and has her eyes on eventually opening a full sit-down soul food restaurant, possibly downtown. But for now, her focus is on feeding the many customers who wait all week for her scratch-made cooking. Every day when I leave, I cry, I pray, I thank God for letting this happen. Chi Soul Food is open Fridays from noon to 8 or 9 p.m. and on Saturdays from 2 p.m. until theyre sold out. Starting in June, the restaurant will be open on the first and third Sundays of the month from 1 to 6 p.m. Jacob Pucci finds the best in food, dining and culture across Central New York. Contact him at (315) 282-8611, or by email at jpucci@syracuse.com. Target has dropped legal challenges to lower its property taxes in Cicero and Manlius, potentially saving other taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, according to officials in those towns. The retail chain sued the two towns, saying their assessed values should be reduced from about $9 million to about $900,000. In Cicero, for example, that would lower the school, town and county property tax bills from about $327,000 a year to about $33,000. Its a tax-dodging strategy that has worked in other states. A March 18 story in The Post-Standard and Syracuse.com exposed retail stores efforts to sue towns all over New York state. Two weeks later, Target settled its lawsuit with the town of Cicero. The town agreed to reduce Targets assessment from $9.1 million to $8.9 million and paid the store back about $3,000, Cicero Supervisor Mark Venesky said. Two weeks after that, Target filed papers with the town of Manlius to drop its two-year-old lawsuit with no change to the assessment. A third lawsuit in Camillus is ongoing. Im going to call it a win, Venesky said. To reduce their assessment from $9 million to $900,000 was just ridiculous. Target is challenging its assessment in the town of Cicero. Target, Walmart, Kohls, home improvement and drug stores have brought to New York a legal tactic that has worked in other states. Its nicknamed the dark store theory, and it works like this: Store lawyers argue that their fully functioning stores should be valued the same as vacant stores when it comes to charging local property taxes. Those amounts are much lower than the values town assessors come up with. Assessors apply a formula that relies on a potential cost per square foot, as if the stores leased the buildings. But assessors know, the stores are not really leased. In Queensbury, near Lake George, a judge sided with Home Depot in a case that has set a precedent in New York. The town was forced to lower the stores assessed value from $9 million to about $5 million. The school district, the town and the county were ordered to pay back about $500,000. The same law firm represented Target in the Central New York cases. Kevin Clyne, a lawyer with the Long Island firm Herman Katz Cangemi and Clyne, did not return a phone call seeking comment. Targets corporate spokesperson also did not respond. There is an effort in the New York State Legislature to block the dark store theory. Assemblyman Ken Zebrowsky, a Democrat from Rockland County, introduced a bill earlier this year at the urging of the New York State Assessors Association and the New York State Association of Counties. It does not have a companion bill in the Senate. Target is challenging its assessment in the town of Manlius. Contact the author: Michelle Breidenbach | mbreidenbach@syracuse.com | 315-470-3186. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- City officials plan to propose a deal that could make Syracuse one of the first cities in America with a citywide 5G data network. A tentative agreement with Verizon Wireless would allow the company to install 600 small cell towers on city streetlights over the next six years. The agreement will require approval from the Common Council. Those small cells would allow for 5G connectivity throughout the city, creating a data network with the capacity for up to 1 million connected devices per square kilometer, according to company officials. Verizon came to city officials with the agreement recently. Verizon representatives and several members of Mayor Ben Walshs administration met Monday afternoon with the Common Councils Public Works Committee. Officials from City Hall said expanding connectivity will make the city a more desirable place for companies to do business. The future of work will likely depend on some level of connectivity, said Sam Edelstein, the citys chief data officer. Prioritizing access to the internet across the city is critical. Edelstein said Syracuse would be among the first cities in the nation with a complete 5G network. 5G technology is a high-speed data network that can handle much more traffic than existing 3G and 4G networks. Yes, its installation would mean faster speeds for your phone or iPad. But 5G also has the capacity to manage the internet of things," a term used to describe other devices that connect to a network, from refrigerators to parking meters to self-driving cars. Telecommunication companies like Verizon and others are racing to deploy the new technology across the country. If the deal is approved, the first phase of installation in Syracuse would include 101 small cells -- gray boxes affixed to light poles that are about the size of a backpack. The first phase would cover downtown and the corridor on the southern end of downtown as far south as Martin Luther King Boulevard, as well as the area northeast of downtown as far as Eastwood. Thats much of the area Mayor Walsh is targeting with his tech-centric Syracuse Surge plan for economic development. Verizon would install more towers each year, likely in batches the same size. At that pace it would take six years to blanket the city. That could come sooner if Verizon executives put aside more money for a quicker buildout. Marc Coon, a principal engineer with Verizon Wireless Upstate New York Network Engineering team, said the company has seen a huge increase in demand for wireless data. Syracuses Verizon network usage has gone up 50 percent year over year. Coon said the city has done the hard work to be ready for small cells, including writing policies for things like aesthetic restrictions. This agreement does put into place the framework to allow us to deploy in all neighborhoods across the city," Coon said. "That is what our plan is to do. The proposal from Verizon comes in the wake of new, more relaxed rules from the federal government intended to hurry along the release of 5G technology. The Federal Communication Commission established a one-size-fits-all policy for 5G deployment late last year. The ruling established guidelines and policies for installation of hardware like small cells, taking that authority away from local governments. It also established a flat rate cities could charge telecom companies. Syracuse had previously written a policy setting the fee for a small cell tower at $950. The FCC ruling limited the fee to $270, so Syracuse was forced to repeal its policy earlier this year. Under the proposed agreement, then, the city will charge Verizon $270 annually for each tower placed on a city-owned streetlight. If Verizon follows through with 600 poles, the licensing agreement will generate around $162,000 a year for the city. Verizon must also pay an application fee for each small cell. The fee is $500 for up to five poles. Thats another $300,000 in revenue for the city. Councilor Joe Driscoll asked what Verizon is doing to ensure deployment of 5G is done fairly across city neighborhoods. Previous advances in technology have sometimes been inequitable, benefiting areas like downtown and Syracuse University while neglecting poor neighborhoods on the South Side. Coon said the company intends to install 5G citywide. Councilors also asked about health concerns associated with high-capacity wireless signals. An official said Verizon operates within standards set by the Federal Communication Commission, which are stricter than most across the world. He said studies done by the U.S. government and independent researchers were used to determine those standards. The council could vote on the agreement as early as next Monday, May 6. It will be discussed in a study session Wednesday with the full council. If approved, Verizon could begin installation this summer -- laying an underground fiber network and installing nodes on the citys streetlights. Officials made it clear that fiber does not pave the way for an expanded Fios network in the city. SYRACUSE, N.Y. Tony Malavenda always knew he would consider a run for public office after he stopped working as a business executive. He just didnt know he would do it this soon. Malavenda, 62, embarked on a run for Onondaga County executive this year, just weeks after selling the sewer business he co-owned. He decided that the sudden resignation of former County Executive Joanie Mahoney last November created the opportunity he was looking for. The Democrat is not nearly as well-known or politically connected as his Republican opponent, County Executive Ryan McMahon, who was appointed in November to fill out Mahoneys term. Malavenda worked the past 40 years running a private business. He also served on the boards of at least half a dozen prominent nonprofit community organizations, behind-the-scenes work that grabbed no headlines. Malavenda has ponied up $400,000 of his own money for the race, believing that voters will see promise in his dedication to public service and the skills he honed in a long business career. I dont have any campaign experience, Malavenda said. Maybe that will hurt me. But I think that if I win and get in office, I think my experience is really as well suited to the task as anybody. It was going to be something Malavendas life has taken some unexpected turns, but two things remained certain, he said. Although his father was an Italian immigrant with no high school education, there was never a doubt that Malavenda would go to college. His father worked a lot of overtime to make sure that happened, he said. The other certainty was that Malavenda would throw himself into some sort of public service after leaving private business, he said. Since selling the sewer business in December, Malavenda considers himself unemployed, not retired. He talked over his plans in January during a trip to Puerto Rico with an old friend. He decided against a run for Congress. He thought he could be more effective at the county level. Since Mahoney had just retired, there seemed to be an opening for someone new, he said. I just always expected I would do something after the business, Malavenda said. It was going to be something. But this is the opportunity. From international relations to sewers Malavenda went to college to be a diplomat. Then he got into the sewer business. After graduating from Georgetown Universitys School of Foreign Service (the same college President Bill Clinton attended), Malavenda spent a year working for Ralph Naders Public Interest Research Group in Washington, D.C. After that, he enrolled in a masters degree program at the London School of Economics, studying international relations. Tony Malavenda speaks with reporters at the Onondaga County Board of Elections, Monday, April 1, 2019. Malavenda is running for Onondaga County executive as a Democrat against incumbent Republican Ryan McMahon. Before he finished the degree, Malavenda took a break and returned home because of an illness in his family. His best friend since childhood, Kevin Duke, recruited him to work in the plumbing business started by Dukes father. Duke, who studied English literature at Cornell University with thoughts of becoming a teacher, said neither he nor Malavenda anticipated their business careers. The two friends became 50-50 partners in Dukes Root Control, a company they built up into the national leader in removing tree roots from municipal sewers. At the time, Duke had agreed to take over an offshoot of his fathers plumbing business, he said. The new venture involved spraying a patented herbicide product into sewers to kill invading tree roots without killing the trees. At first, Duke and Malavenda were the only employees, Duke said. They traveled by pickup truck to sell their services to municipalities. If they won a contract, the pair returned to Syracuse to load the truck with equipment and go do the work, Duke said. By the time they sold Dukes Root Control to a private investment group, the company had grown to about 65 employees and had worked for more than 3,000 municipalities across the country. They had contracts in all lower 48 states but North Dakota, Malavenda said. Neither Duke nor Malavenda would reveal how much they sold the business for. As the business was growing, Malavendas role was to oversee sales. He traveled the country for nearly 40 years, and often made repeated visits to cities that were clients. He watched some cities remake themselves and grow as Syracuse slowly lost population, he said. Minneapolis. Pittsburgh. Columbus, Ohio. Smaller cities, too. Ive been in municipalities that were boarded up, that I was afraid of at night, he said. Cities, especially in the Southeast, that just looked decrepit. And you go there now and theyre thriving. And not just in the South. A yen for public service Malavenda ran for public office once before. In 1983, at age 27, he challenged veteran Onondaga County Legislator Gerald Mingolelli, the Republican majority leader. Malavenda lost. The remnants of Malavendas campaign are still visible at Butternut Circle, the intersection of Butternut Street and Grant Boulevard, not far from Malavendas residence at the time. On the wall of a commercial building theres a mural, now badly weathered, that Malavendas campaign donated to the community 36 years ago. His campaign literature consisted of four issues of a faux newspaper called The Malavenda Agenda. Each issue emphasized a key campaign topic. The first topic he raised was preventing sewage overflows to restore the water quality of Onondaga Lake. Its a topic the county still wrestles with. Four issues of "The Malavenda Agenda" were printed in 1983 as campaign literature for Tony Malavenda's run for county legislator. The editor, Mary D'Ambrosio, now teaches journalism at Rutgers University. Tim KnaussTim Knauss Malavenda said he likes to get involved. Before attending Georgetown, he went to Onondaga Community College from 1974 to 1976, where he was the first student to serve on the colleges board of trustees. He has served on numerous boards of directors over the years, including the Hiscock Legal Aid Society, the Onondaga Citizens League, Syracuse 20/20, Syracuse Stage, the Everson Museum and the Redhouse Arts Center. At one point, Malavenda chaired the boards of Hiscock Legal Aid and the Redhouse simultaneously, said Susan Horn, the retired president of Hiscock Legal Aid. Shes a big fan. Malavenda is smart and energetic, a good listener and an effective leader, Horn said. He was a great board member, generous with time and money, Horn said. Tony really has been dedicated to public service, even though he was a businessperson all his life. Whaddaya, nuts? Malavenda was born on the North Side of Syracuse. When he was nine, his family moved to Galeville, a hamlet near Liverpool. He attended Liverpool High School. This mural on the North Side of Syracuse was painted 36 years ago during Tony Malavenda's only previous run for public office. He is currently running for Onondaga County executive. Tim KnaussTim Knauss Malavenda and his wife, Martine Burat, currently reside in DeWitt. But they are almost done building a new house on Woodside Drive in Syracuse, near Christ the King Retreat House, where they will be neighbors of former Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner. The couple has two grown daughters. Emily, 28, recently graduated from medical school at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Sarah, 24, worked at Digital Hyve in downtown Syracuse and is headed to the University of Michigan to pursue a graduate degree in social work. When Malavenda told friends that he was going to run for county executive -- rather than relax and travel, say -- some of them questioned his decision. Ive had a lot of people tell me, Whaddaya, nuts? he said. But Malavenda said he enjoys community service. And he believes he can contribute to making the county a better place. As the campaign progresses, Malavenda will face the challenge of running against a better-known opponent who has held public office for more than a decade. Duke, who remains a close friend, said Malavendas abilities as a business executive would translate well to the county executive job. He has really remarkable people skills, Duke said. Part of the secret of being a good businessman is finding good people and motivating them. Tony is just a master at motivating people. WASHINGTON Central New York Democratic leaders have a message for the national party when it comes to choosing a candidate to take on Rep. John Katko in the 2020 congressional election: Let us decide. Pam Hunter, chair of the Onondaga County Democratic Committee, said Monday she wants to avoid a repeat of last year when national and local Democrats clashed over their preferred candidate. The result was a primary election battle between Syracuse Democrats Dana Balter and Juanita Perez Williams in the 24th Congressional District. The Democratic committees in Onondaga, Cayuga, Wayne and Oswego counties endorsed Balter. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in Washington backed Perez Williams in what turned out to be an embarrassing 25-point primary election loss for the national party. Local Democrats said the disagreement with the national party ended up wasting campaign money and other resources that could have been used in the November election. Im hopeful that will not happen again, Hunter said in an interview. It obviously proved they did not know local politics, quite frankly. Three Syracuse Democrats have launched campaigns this month for the partys nomination to take on Katko, R-Camillus, in the 2020 election. Balter and Navy veterans Francis Conole and Roger Misso are seeking the support of the Democratic committees in Central New York and Washington. A DCCC spokeswoman told Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard that national party officials have not decided whether to provide early support for one of the candidates. All options are on the table, said Christine Bennett, speaking for the DCCC. The national party helped Perez Williams pass petitions to secure a spot on the June 2018 primary election ballot. Ian Phillips, chair of the Cayuga County Democratic Committee, said he has not talked with DCCC leaders about their role in the 2020 race. Im hopeful they will look at what happened two years ago and aim for a more productive relationship, Phillips said Monday. I think it would be a mistake for the DCCC to not respect the will of the local voters. Phillips and local party leaders asked national Democrats to stop meddling in local politics in last years congressional election, and to respect grassroots work to elect candidates. But the DCCC disregarded that advice. Hunter, the Onondaga County Democratic leader, said the local party committees wont begin the process of considering candidates for the 24th Congressional District until early next year. In the interim, Hunter said, she and other party leaders will watch to see how much the congressional candidates help Democrats in this years campaigns for the Onondaga County Legislature and county executive. This will give committee members and voters an opportunity to see how much they are committed and willing to work, Hunter said of the congressional candidates. I think that will be telling, quite honestly, about who moves forward. Contact Mark Weiner: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 Gov. Andrew Cuomo is hitting back at President Donald Trump after Trump posted a series of tweets this morning attacking New York over its investigation of the National Rifle Association. "President Trump: Since December 2012 there have been 2,029 mass shootings in the United States," Cuomo said in a statement. "74,600 Americans have died from gun violence since you were elected. You have done nothing but tweet about it." Cuomo called gun violence a national crisis that demands action and presidential leadership. He also called the gun lobby's insurance "scheme" illegal. "Unlike you, President Trump, New York is not afraid to stand up to the NRA," Cuomo said. "I will continue to fight for the children of this state. As for the NRA, we'll remember them in our thoughts and prayers." Trump earlier tweeted that Cuomo and New York Attorney General Letitia James were investigating the NRA illegally. He also criticized the states high taxes, which he said were causing New Yorkers to flee. James office announced an investigation into the NRAs nonprofit status over the weekend and said it issued subpoenas for financial records. Trump addressed the NRA at its annual meeting last week and vowed to defend gun rights. The president and Cuomo have clashed several times in recent months over tax policy and other matters. Cuomo has been a strong critic of the Republican tax law passed in 2017, which he has blamed for some of the state's financial problems. He has also said provisions in the law are causing wealthy New Yorkers to leave the state, costing Albany the revenue they provide. Read Cuomos full statement on Trumps criticism: President Trump: Since December 2012 there have been 2,029 mass shootings in the United States. 74,600 Americans have died from gun violence since you were elected. You have done nothing but tweet about it. The scourge of gun violence is a national crisis plaguing our country and killing our children. It demands action. And action, Mr. President, requires true leadership. The only thing illegal is the gun lobbys insurance scheme. Unlike you, President Trump, New York is not afraid to stand up to the NRA. I will continue to fight for the children of this state. As for the NRA, well remember them in our thoughts and prayers. Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-282-8598 Gov. Andrew Cuomo has directed multiple state agencies to prepare for flooding in communities along the Lake Ontario shoreline ahead of impending precipitation this week. Lake Ontario water levels are more than a foot above average right now, and there is no word on when outflows will be increased. The Governor has ordered the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to deploy 216,000 sandbags at strategic locations in Cayuga, Jefferson, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence and Wayne Counties. The division may also use 6,771 feet of aquadam to protect shoreline properties where needed. The Department of Corrections has also provided incarcerated work crews to fill sand bags at Department of Transportation facilities in Sodus and Hilton. The DOT is overseeing sandbagging operations in each of the eight counties that border Lake Ontario. Unfortunately, the threat of severe flooding has become a new reality over the past several years for the communities lining the shores of Lake Ontario, said Acting New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Patrick A. Murphy. Our emergency management experts have been in constant communication with our local partners and stand ready to assist them in any way we can. Cuomo wrote to the International Joint Commission earlier in 2019, requesting that the outflows from Lake Ontario be maximized to prevent flooding, but water levels have remained higher than average, and are expected to increase in the coming weeks. New York has made a $95 million commitment to the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River Shorelines, including aid and financial assistance to residents, small businesses, and municipalities affected by flooding, as well as funding for reconstruction and stabilization projects. Residents along the shoreline have already felt the effects of the rising waters this year. In February, chilling winds combined with above average water levels to encase several lakefront homes in ice. Owners said they had never experienced the phenomenon before. Former First Lady Laura Bush will visit Central New York this week to speak at two events, including one recently announced at Syracuse University. Bush will participate in a discussion at SUs DAniello Family Speaker Series on Wednesday. The talk will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management, located at 721 University Ave. All members of the campus community are invited to attend, but space is limited, an SU news release said. The lecture series is devoted to topics with national impact, according to SU, such as entrepreneurship, free enterprise, patriotism, veterans issues and leadership. It was sponsored by an alumnus, Dan DAnello, who is also behind a $20 million donation for construction on the National Veterans Resource Center, currently underway on Marshall Street. Bush is expected to discuss her experiences advocating for literacy, education and womens rights. She has been connected with SU more recently after leaving the White House. Bush and her husband founded a Presidential Center in Dallas, and have completed a Stand-To Veteran Leadership Initiative, which SU faculty and staff have participated in. The former First Lady is also the featured speaker Wednesday at the 2019 Boypower Dinner, a major fundraiser for the Boy Scouts of America. The dinner, held at the War Memorial, will also honor SU Chancellor Kent Syverud, who will receive a Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. Public Affairs Reporter Julie McMahon covers federal courts, government, education and other issues affecting taxpayers. She can be reached anytime: Email| Twitter | 315-412-1992 Australia Explains End-Of-Year Reporting Under STP by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong 29 April 2019 The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has issued guidance on how employers can prepare for end-of-year reporting under the new Single Touch Payroll (STP) system. Under STP, employers are required to report to the ATO directly payments such as salaries and wages, pay as you go withholding, and superannuation information. STP reporting has been a requirement for large employers since July 2018 and will be extended to include employers with fewer than 20 employees from July 1, 2019. Companies could voluntarily adopt STP as of the 2017-18 financial year. An employer may be exempted from providing payment summaries to employees and a payment summary annual report for the amounts they reported through STP if they make a "finalization declaration." This declares to the ATO that the employer has provided all required information for the financial year through their STP reporting. The ATO said that employers will need to finalize their employee's STP information through their STP-enabled software by making a finalization declaration. When the declaration has been made, the ATO will pre-fill the employee's income tax return and display the information as "tax ready" in myGov. Employers can make a finalization declaration for an employee at any time in the financial year, or after the end of the financial year up to July 14. The ATO has provided additional time for employers to make a finalization declaration in their first year of STP reporting. Employers who started STP reporting in the 2018-19 financial year will have until July 31, 2019, to submit their finalization declarations. The ATO advised employers to ensure that the STP information they hold on each employee is true and correct. It noted that the sooner an employer finalizes an employee's information, the sooner the employee will be able to lodge their tax return. It said that if an employer needs to make an amendment to a finalization declaration, this should be done as soon as possible. More UK Tax Guidance Needed, Not Enforcement, Firms Say by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London 29 April 2019 UK businesses believe that the UK tax system is fundamentally unfair and they want more support to stay compliant, according to new research released on April 23 by the British Chambers of Commerce. The BCC's survey of over 1,000 firms from across the UK found that nearly three-fifths (58 percent) of respondents think that the UK tax regime is unfair for their business. The findings largely signal concerns over how HMRC applies the tax rules to different types of firms. Two-thirds (67 percent) of respondents don't believe that HMRC applies tax rules fairly across all sizes of business. Micro firms are more likely to have that view (70 percent) compared to their medium and large counterparts (59 percent). 64 percent of companies disagreed that HMRC applies tax rules fairly regardless of where the company is domiciled. The results also found concerns over the quality of service provided by HMRC. One in two (49 percent) firms believe HMRC doesn't provide the support they need to be compliant. This figure is higher for micro firms (51 percent), compared to medium and larger firms (42 percent). The BCC is urging HMRC to respond to the findings by matching the level of funding for support and advice for businesses as for tax avoidance work. As well as calling for the Government to ease the administrative burden, the BCC also called for the government to pledge to introduce no new input taxes and other significant costs on businesses for the remainder of this parliament. Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: "These results reflect a strong impression among businesses that the current UK tax regime isn't a level playing field. When it comes to compliance there is a tendency for HMRC to see smaller businesses as low-hanging fruit and as a consequence they feel under the constant threat of being called out for getting things wrong in a tax system that has grown ever more complex. In contrast, action to tackle persistent compliance issues among a small minority of firms remains frustratingly slow." "There is also widespread disappointment over the escalating burden of up-front taxes and costs of doing business in the UK, particularly at this time of heightened uncertainty. This has proved to be tipping point for many smaller firms who typically operate on a tight cashflow." "HMRC must step up efforts to provide better support to smaller businesses to get their tax right, rather than simply pursuing and enforcing penalties. This should include matching investment in frontline HMRC help towards SMEs, with their work on non-compliance and tax evasion. More also needs to be done to address the escalating burden of upfront costs and taxes to provide firms with much-needed headroom to get on and invest, train their staff, and compete on the global stage." NZ Accountants Welcome Tax Reform Decisions by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong 29 April 2019 Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) has given a guarded welcome to the New Zealand Government's response to the recommendations of the Tax Working Group. The association said the Government deserves praise for listening to feedback from the stakeholders, on the challenges of the wide-ranging tax reforms proposed by the TWG and on the importance of maintaining the integrity and simplicity of the tax system. On April 17, 2019, New Zealand's Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, announced that the Government intends to not adopt the Tax Working Group's (TWG's) recommendation on creating a broad capital gains tax. In February 2019, the TWG recommended that more income from capital gains should be taxed from the sale of residential rental properties. A majority of its members recommended going further, and broadening that approach to include all land and buildings, business assets, intangible property and shares. She said that there wasn't enough support across parties to the coalition. Instead, the Government endorsed reforms in other areas of the tax system, including considering a tax on vacant land, and on various compliance and enforcement initiatives. "As was acknowledged at the start of the Tax Working Group exercise, New Zealand has by international standards a largely simple and efficient tax system," said CA ANZ Tax Leader, John Cuthbertson. "Today's announcement reflects that, and it was good to see the Prime Minister emphasizing the need to maintain the simplicity of our tax system and minimizing the risk of creating distortions." Cuthbertson praised the working group for giving the tax community the opportunity to explore the detailed design of a range of tax issues including measures to support small businesses, the integrity and administration of the tax system such as dealing with multinationals, and, finally, the viability of a capital gains tax. "A lot of the groundwork has been laid for the future," he said. However, he noted that many important recommendations targeting small business, start-ups, and compliance costs have been pushed on to Inland Revenue's tax policy work program. CA ANZ said it is disappointed that the recommendation to establish a taxpayer advocate service to assist with the resolution of tax disputes will not be progressed. "We believe this feature would have made a significant contribution to enhance taxpayers' trust in the tax system," Cuthbertson said. CA ANZ said key long-term issues facing New Zealand's tax system will require more work, in particular the reliance on a small number of individual taxpayers as the largest single source of the country's tax revenue. Individual income tax is New Zealand's highest revenue earner with more than 40 percent of the total tax take, it noted. "It is crucial that we continue to think about the sustainability and future of our tax base, and the risks posed by a shrinking income tax pool due to advances in technology, the changing work landscape and aging population. Today's announcements do not explicitly address these concerns," it said. Switzerland To Refund Unlawful VAT On TV Fees by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels 29 April 2019 The Swiss Federal Council is consulting on proposals for the refund of the VAT on the reception fee for TV and radio. Switzerland's Federal Supreme Court has ruled that the reception fee is not subject to VAT. As a result, the federal Government is required to repay the VAT collected on the fee between 2010 and 2015. The Federal Council has proposed a refund of CHF50 for each household. The refund will be made by way of a credit on an invoice issued by the fee collection agency Serafe. A consultation on the proposed refund amount was launched on April 17. It will close on August 5. Big quote: Its basically bogus, said Ernesto Falcon, a lawyer at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. The legislation is straightforward in that they just cant throttle public safety like they did in Santa Clara where they took their 50 Mbps down/10 Mbps up connection and brought it down to kilobits speed where it was useless to them. CTIA, the wireless industry's largest lobbying group, is opposing a bill being proposed in California that would ban the throttling of data for firefighters and other first responders during a state of emergency. Verizon found itself at the center of national controversy and recoil after throttling firefighters' data in California, while the state was battling one of its biggest wildfires to date. Verizon's throttling would later serve as a catalyst for both arguing against reversing the FCC's controversial rollback of net neutrality, and other state sponsored bills banning data throttling during emergencies. It would seem CTIA, who represents wireless carriers such as Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint, "respectfully opposes" the language of the bill. California bill AB-1699, introduced by Assembly member Marc Levine, states that it shall "prohibit a mobile internet service provider from impairing or degrading the lawful internet traffic of its public safety customer accounts, subject to reasonable network management, during a state of emergency." Grateful for the @CalChiefs_CFCAs support of my #ab1699 to prevent data throttling of first responders during an emergency. When seconds count, our first responders need every tool available to keep our communities safe. pic.twitter.com/pYUuVcauXi Assemblymember Marc Levine (@AsmMarcLevine) April 25, 2019 In a letter, the CTIA wrote that it believes the bill's language is vague and ambiguous. The lobbying group also took issue with who could declare a state of emergency, saying such a trigger should be limited to the Governor or President, rather than local governments. The CTIA warned that the bill could cause "serious unintended consequences" or "invite needless litigation," the latter of which sounds like a subtle threat to sue the State of California should the bill go unamended. Despite opposition, the bill has advanced with a 12-0 vote and will head towards an April 30 hearing with the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. CTIA did oppose the bill but committed to work with Assembly Member Levine to address their concerns, said Terry Schanz, Levine's chief of staff in a statement to Ars Technica. We are confident that we will be able to reach an agreement between first responders and wireless data providers to ensure that first responders have every tool available to them necessary to keep the public safe during an emergency. In brief: Following Microsoft's announcement last month that it had made its phone mirroring service available to Windows Insiders users, the company is now expanding the feature to include Android notifications and cover more devices. Beta versions of the My Phone app have been available in limited form since last August, and it was expanded to Windows Insider users at the beginning of Marchbut only for owners of Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S9 handsets. Now, Microsoft has added phone screen support for extra models: OnePlus 6, OnePlus 6T, Samsung Galaxy S10e, S10, S10+, Note 8, and Note 9. It writes that additional devices will be added to the list of supported phones over time. The bigger news is the introduction of phone notifications to the My Phone app. Users of the excellent Pushbulletone of our Top Five Chrome Extensions You Should Be Usingwill be familiar with this feature, which shows your handset's notifications in Windows 10. Microsoft says users will be able to see incoming phone notifications in real-time; view all notifications in one place; customize which ones they want to receive, and clear the notifications individually or all at once. The feature is gradually rolling out to Insiders on 19H1 builds. If you want to try out My Phone notifications, youll need an Android device with at least 1GB of RAM thats running Nougat or later. It also requires at least Windows 10 1803 (RS4). The feature is another example of the PC and smartphone becoming more tightly integrated. With a multitude of similar apps already available, as well as the very helpful Android Messages for Web, there are fewer reasons to check our phones when using a computer these days. What just happened? Felix Kjellberg, better known as PewDiePie, has released a video calling for an end to the subscribe to PewDiePie meme, which was referenced by the shooters in Christchurch, New Zealand, and at a California synagogue. Both PewDiePie and T-Series, a Bollywood studio in India, have been battling it out to become the most-subscribed channel on YouTube. The subscribe meme began earlier this year as a way of keeping PewDiePie on top, but while Kjellberg says it started positively, things soon turned ugly. The first negative association came when a World War II memorial in New York was defaced with subscribe to PewDiePie graffiti. PewDiePie said when you have over 90 million subscribers, youre bound to get a few degenerates. On March 15, a man in New Zealand shot and killed 50 people and injured 50 more. He livestreamed the atrocity, and during the first few minutes said: Remember, lads: subscribe to Pewdiepie. PewDiePie tweeted at the time that he was sickened to know his name was mentioned. In the new video, he says he never discussed the incident further out of respect for the victims and their families. "I just didn't want to address it right away, and I didn't want to give the terrorist more attention. I didn't want to make it about me, because I don't think it has anything to do with me. To put it plainly, I didn't want hate to win," he said. "But it's clear to me now the 'subscribe to PewDiePie' movement should have ended then." There was also a reference to PewDiePie in the manifesto of the gunman who opened fire inside a Southern California synagogue Saturday. PewDiePie mentioned the two diss tracks he made that were aimed at T-series, which were banned by the Delhi High Court. This was all made to be fun, but its clearly not fun anymore. Its clearly gone too far. And out of respect for that, Im going to keep the videos blocked. This movement started out of love and support, so lets end it with that. Forward-looking: Blockchain tech has dropped out of the spotlight temporarily but is still alive and well. Jaguar Land Rover is piloting the use of IOTA coin in their vehicles to offer value to drivers willing to share the information collected by their cars. British auto manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover is currently testing software that rewards drivers with cryptocurrency for agreeing to share their information with the company. By giving up vehicle information collected such as traffic congestion and even pot hole locations, drivers will receive IOTA coins. Part of the intent of adding a smart wallet to cars is so that owners can easily pay for tolls, parking, and recharging fees. Ride sharing may also be encouraged as a means of earning more credit. According to the company, the main goal is to "achieve zero emissions, zero accidents, and zero congestion." Vehicles under test with integrated blockchain technologies include the Jaguar F-Pace and Range Rover Velar. Software engineers in Shannon, Ireland are leading the project. As cars become even more connected, there is little in the way of implementing a token system. In a few years, 5G connectivity will replace the 4G LTE hotspots available in many mass market vehicles opening up even greater possibilities for internet-connected applications that are less restricted by data usage. IOTA co-found Dominik Schiener would like to see the coin be used far more universally than in Jaguars or Land Rovers. He says, "So there is no Jaguar coin, no BMW coin, but one universal token for this machine economy." Other automakers may not be so quick to jump on board, but given that adding a cryptocurrency wallet is mostly a software feature, there is little in the way of doing so. The fact that it is Jaguar and Land Rover innovating in this space may be more pleasing to old school investors. If Tesla had started promoting the use of cryptocurrency, there may have many to quickly dismiss the idea as absurd or ridiculous and unnecessary. Just two months ago, Musk was quoted during a podcast saying, "Im not sure if its a good use of Tesla resources to get involved in cryptos." What just happened? We know that the US doesnt trust Huawei, and it doesnt want its allies using the Chinese firms equipment in their 5G networks. The American government has already threatened to cut intelligence ties with Germany if it ignores this advice, and it is now warning the UK and other western nations that they could face the same fate. Back in November last year, months after US government agencies and contractors had been banned from using certain tech from Huawei and other Chinese companies, the US reportedly advised allied countries not to use Huaweis 5G equipment. Any that disagreed could see their intelligence sharing with the US limited. The UK is one country that doesnt see Huawei in the same light as America. The nation said it believes it can manage the risks from using the firm's equipment, and a recent leak revealed it was ready for Huawei to provide it with non-core infrastructuresomething the US says will not protect it from security risks. As reported by The Guardian, Robert Strayer, a deputy assistant secretary at the US Department of State, said that the US will have to reassess our ability to share be interconnected and share information if Huawei is deployed by the UK or other western countries. With the statement coming so soon after the leak, its assumed to be directed at the United Kingdom. Strayer said that nations using Huawei technology in their communications networks risk handing China a loaded gun. The US has long accused the firm of spying on behalf of Chinas government without any concrete evidence, and a recent CIA report claims it is funded by the countrys state security. In brief: Drama students at a New Jersey high school performed a stage adaptation of the movie Alien that was so good, cast from the original movie took note and got them to put on an encore performance. Ridley Scott, who directed the film way back in 1979, reportedly donated $5,000 to the school to put on the encore. Additionally, Sigourney Weaver, who played Ellen Ripley in the movie and its several sequels attended and introduced the play at North Bergen High School in New Jersey. The students held fundraisers for the production and made their own costumes from recycled and second-hand items. Unless you live in Jersey, you likely haven't seen it. However, someone videoed and posted the entire play for everyone to enjoy. You better watch it sooner rather than later though because there is a good chance it could be taken down over several and various copyright claims. Look who stopped by North Bergen High to visit the spectacular cast of Alien: The Play. Thank you, Sigourney Weaver! And thank you, North Bergen High! #AlienDay #Alien40th pic.twitter.com/ObMZh4m4t3 Alien (@AlienAnthology) April 27, 2019 It was quite the accomplishment considering that the film has never been adapted for the stage before. Hawaii confirms the state's third known case of rat lungworm disease, also known as angiostrongyliasis, on the island in 2019. Hawaii's Third Case A resident of East Hawaii, the unnamed patient tested positive for the disease in mid-April. However, officials say that the patient may have been infected as far back as February. According to a news release from the state's Department of Health, this individual was hospitalized. However, the exact source of the rat lungworm disease has not yet been identified. "Diagnosis and treatment of this disease is incredibly difficult, especially since there is still much we don't know about the parasite and the disease," said Health Director Bruce Anderson in the news release, explaining that there's a task force developing a preliminary clinical guidance and training for doctors who may encounter infected patients. "That work, along with immediate reporting by physicians is critical to facilitate prompt, accurate diagnosis and appropriate patient management." The first two cases of rat lungworm disease in Hawaii in 2019 both occurred earlier in the year, both beginning to feel ill in January, according to Hawaii News Now. More About Rat Lungworm Disease CDC says that angiostrongyliasis is an infection caused by the parasitic worm Angiostrongylus cantonensis. While the adult parasite is only found in rodents, larvae can be passed on to snails and slugs through rat feces. Humans can get infected by eating raw or undercooked infected snails or slugs. Some people have been known to contract the disease by eating produce with a tiny snail or slug that's likely infected. It's also possible to get infected by eating raw or undercooked animals that have been found with the parasite's larvae, such as freshwater crab, shrimp, or frogs. Symptoms of angiostrongyliasis are usually mild, including headache, stiff neck, tingling or painful sensations in the skin, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Pain medication or medication for these symptoms are often the only treatment needed as the parasite usually dies naturally over time. However, rat lungworm disease can cause a rare type of meningitis known as eosinophilic meningitis. For severe cases, doctors may recommend other types of treatments to the patients. Few cases have occurred in continental United States. To prevent infection, the DOH is encouraging people to keep snail, slug, and rat populations around their living spaces limited. Traps and baits are tried-and-tested options as well as clearing away debris where populations can grow. Wearing gloves when working outdoors is also recommended. It's important to wash and clean fresh produce upon purchase, especially leafy greens, to remove the possible presence of tiny snails or slugs. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. There are roughly 6 million feral cats roaming freely around Australia and the government wants a third of them dead by 2020, officials revealed. Feral cats are domestic cats abandoned and lost in the wild. In 2015, the Australian government announced plans to cull the population of feral cats in the country in an effort to save threatened and endangered native species. At the time, animal rights watchdog People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals criticized the policy and called it "horrifically cruel." Now, the government has rolled out the strategy by feeding feral cats with "delicious but deadly" poisonous food. The plan is to kill 2 million of them by next year. How Feral Cats Will Be Killed Off The method used to kill off feral cats is to feed them with poisoned sausages made up of kangaroo meat, chicken fat, herbs, spices, and a poison called 1080. Airplanes drop these poisoned sausages into areas with high concentrations of feral cats. These poisoned sausages are so deadly that the feral cats die within 15 minutes of consuming them. In some parts of Australia, including the northeastern of Queensland, CNN reported that a council has even offered $7 bounty per feral cat scalp. Some farmers and hunters shoot these feral cats. The Royal Melbourne Institute said 83 percent of feral cats have been deliberately killed using guns and traps. The government has already pledged $5 million to support groups that can readily target feral cats. When the plan was first launched, however, no one was certain about the population of these animals in the country. The population of feral cats was estimated to be at 18 million utmost, but critics such as conservation ecologist Tim Doherty from Deakin University say this was a "gross overestimation." Why Australia Wants To Kill Millions Of Feral Cats Why are feral cats being targeted? Officials say feral cats, which were introduced in Australia in the 17th century via boats from England, are killers. Although feral cats are under the same species of domestic cats, they live in the wild where they hunt their food. The population for these animals has since ballooned and it is estimated that they can be found 99.8 percent all over Australia. Expert Gregory Andrews from the commission of threatened species explained that feral cats are "the singlemost greatest threat" to Australia's native species because these animals have already driven 20 mammals to extinction, including the rare burrowing bettong. Some of the species under threat from feral cats include the brush-tailed rabbit-rat and the rat-like golden bandicoot. Animal Cruelty Or Necessary To Save Endangered Wildlife Species? The Australian government's plan to kill off feral cats received intense backlash when it was first announced four years ago. Doherty said he agrees that feral cats are a threat to wildlife but he believes killing off feral cats is based on "shaky science." Doherty said merely killing a cat does not save a bird or a mammal. He believes the feral cats are being used as distraction and the government has set aside more urgent matters such as habitat loss caused by expansion, mining and logging. "We also need to have a more holistic approach and address all threats to biodiversity," explained Doherty. Reports from Australia's Department of the Environment and Energy revealed that feral cats kill at least 1 million native birds and 1.7 million reptiles every year for food. With that, Andrews explained that the government is not culling cats for the sake of it nor is it because the government hates cats. Meanwhile, former environment minister Josh Frydenberg emphasized the reason to kill off feral cats. "Feral cats are a real menace and a very significant threat to the health of our ecosystem," said Frydenberg. Photo: Beverley Goodwin | Flickr 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A recent World Health Organization study advises zero sedentary screen time for babies aged 0 to 2 years. Passive viewing has become a top activity of children these days. In fact, screen time exposure has doubled in the past two decades. Accessibility of gadgets and parents' tendency to babysit children with screens have contributed to the increasing screen time of children. Many research have pointed out the disadvantages of digital screens for children. Whether it's the TV, tablet, or smartphone, these screens are not suitable for children, especially for the very young ones. What could actually happen to children who are overexposed to screens? Here are some research-based results: Developmental Delays Excessive screen time can impact a child's ability to develop optimally. A study by the National Institutes of Health suggests that spending too much time in front of screens can impact negatively on a child's emotional, psychological, and cognitive development. Other research also link heavy screen time to premature changes in the brain structure of children. In particular, children who have more than seven hours daily screen time may experience premature thinning of the part of their brain that processes sensory information. Likewise, children who are exposed to more screen time at the age of 2 also got the worst results in their development tests when they reach the age of 3. Children who have more than two hours of screen time are said to be more prone to develop inattention and behavioral problems. On the other hand, children who have more physical activities and quality sleep are able to perform better in tests that measure language abilities, memory, executive function, attention span, and processing speed. Obesity And Screen Time According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2015 to 2016, nearly one in every five children in the United States is obese. Child obesity can lead to more health problems later in life. Experts also found a link between screen time and obesity. "Screen time is associated with being overweight and obese which is associated with high cholesterol and high blood pressure," said Dr. Stephen Daniels, a pediatric cardiologist and spokesman for the American Heart Association. Limiting screen time and being physically active are also recommended to address obesity among children. Physical Activities And Quality Sleep Are Still Best For Children The early formative years are crucial in a child's growth and development. WHO said improving activities and ensuring quality sleep of children will help them get better physical and mental health and overall wellbeing. The health agency advised that babies aged four to 11 months must sleep from 12 to 16 hours daily. Other non-screen based activities are also beneficial for infants and children. The recommended recreational screen time varies depending on the age of a child. Several studies suggest that the most optimal amount of screen time for children should be between zero and 30 minutes daily, and must not exceed a total of two hours. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Anna Sorokin, the Russian-born German national who scammed her way into New York's high society, has been convicted for defrauding people out of thousands of dollars. A Manhattan jury found Sorokin guilty of a total eight counts of theft of services, grand larceny and attempted grand larceny following a trial that lasted for a month. It had acquitted her of one count of grand larceny and another one for attempted grand larceny. The supposed socialite is now facing up to 15 years in jail and a possible deportation back to her home country for overstaying her visa. Her sentencing is set for May 9. Fake European Heiress Sorokin, who took on the name Anna Delvey, pretended to be a wealthy heiress to a 60 million ($67 million) fortune. She was able to use her fake status to trick several of her friends and other establishments, including banks, restaurants, and hotels, to finance her lavish lifestyle for 10 months. At one point, Sorokin tried to get a $22 million from New York-based investment management firm Fortress Investment Group. When the company asked her to provide a $100,000 deposit first, she did so by borrowing money from City National Bank. The fake European socialite also took one of her friends, a certain Rachel DeLoache Williams, for a holiday at a private mansion in Morocco. However, when it was time for her to pay their $62,000 bill, she claimed that her credit card was declined. She was able to convince Williams to take care of the bill, promising her that she would pay her back the money later. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Williams described how Sorokin used her charm to trick people into doing what she wanted. "She walked into my life in Gucci sandals and Celine glasses and showed me a glamorous, frictionless world of hotel living and Le Coucou dinners and infra-red saunas and Moroccan vacations," Williams recalled. "And then she made my $62,000 disappear." Humble Beginnings Sorokin's real life was far from the one she had used for her Anna Delvey persona. She was born in a village near Moscow, Russia in 1991. In 2007, when she was just 16, her parents decided to move the family to Cologne, Germany to start a new life. The teenager was described by her friends as shy and had a hard time learning how to speak German. After spending time studying and learning in France and the United Kingdom, Sorokin started building up her cover story as a rich art collector. She even created the "Anna Delvey Foundation", a fake organization for which she had asked wealthy backers to invest in. Many of her former friends and investors noted how badly Sorokin's schemes were presented to them. Some of them commented on how the supposed heiress would use poorly edited screenshots of bank documents in an effort to secure loans. She was also said to have a lousy fashion sense, which her former associates found odd seeing that she often wore luxury brands. Despite her apparent lack of attention to detail, some observers believe it might have even helped to convince victims that she was just another clueless rich girl instead of a talented scam artist. During Sorokin's trial, her lawyer tried to dismiss her crimes by arguing that she was only doing what anyone would to survive in New York. He said she was just trying to start a "brand new start of it". He told the court that Sorokin had plans to pay back all of the money that were used. However, he failed to explain where his client planned to get that money from. Sorokin's newfound infamy has inspired studios to adapt her story into film, with both Netflix and HBO competing to secure the rights. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The U. S. Navy is looking to curb fake alien sightings among its ranks by formalizing its reporting system for unidentified flying objects (UFOs). The military has had to deal with a growing number of UFO sightings from several of its personnel over the past few years. Such reports are often regarded as alien hoaxes by the public. However, defense officials still have to review each one as they may involve foreign military aircraft encroaching on U.S. territories. "There have been a number of reports of unauthorized and/or unidentified aircraft entering various military-controlled ranges and designated airspace in recent years," a Navy spokesperson told news website Politico. "For safety and security concerns, the Navy and the [U.S. Air Force] take these reports very seriously and investigate each and every report." To help streamline UFO reporting, the Navy said it is implementing new guidelines for personnel to follow in case of any suspected incursions. A draft is already in the works that will detail the steps on how to document such sightings. Spotting The Real From The Fake While the Navy is not endorsing alien reportings from its sailors, it does recognize the importance of examining strange aerial sightings, especially when made by reputable and highly trained military personnel. Instead of dismissing them as mere flights of fancy by some highly imaginative soldiers, these incidents need to be documented and studied carefully for the sake of national security. Chris Mellon, an ex-intelligence official at the Pentagon, explained how the Navy's formalization of UFO reporting would serve as a "sea change" for the military branch. He said most unexplained aerial phenomena (UAPs) and UFO sightings are regarded as anomalies to be ignored rather than something that needs to be explored. He noted how such information are often excluded and dumped by the military. Mellon described an example where military personnel would not even know what to do with information, such as satellite or radar data referring to an object moving at Mach 3. Since most traditional missiles or aircraft do not move at such speeds, the data would simply be dismissed. Analyzing UFO Sightings Several members of the U.S. Congress have recently become aware of a supposed covert branch of the Defense Intelligence Agency dedicated to examining UAP and UFO reports. The Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program was believed to be the brainchild of former-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who secured initial funding for the project along with Senators Daniel Inouye from Hawaii and Ted Stevens from Alaska in 2009. All three lawmakers were said to have been concerned about the possible national security implications of UAPs reaching American soil. A former congressional staffer said the program might have been launched to monitor the potential of foreign powers, such as China or Russia, developing next-generation technologies that could one day threaten the United States. The office had reportedly spent $25 million carrying out a series of technical studies and evaluations on several UAP incursions. One of such incident involved a sighting near the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in 2004. The Navy deployed its fighter jets to intercept the unidentified aircraft, but they were said to have been outmaneuvered when the target suddenly flew in ways that defied normal laws of physics. Data from the encounter has since been used to fine tune the military's radar systems to capture such phenomena. In 2012, the UAP threat identification program was officially wound down after congressional funding for the project ended. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. As the economy soared, the stress levels of Americans also skyrocketed. The annual Gallup survey revealed that Americans are among the most stressed people in the world in 2018, along with Greeks, Filipinos, and Tanzanians. Researchers surveyed and interviewed 150,000 people from more than 140 countries about their mental well-being. At least a third of them admitted they suffered stress, while at least one in five said they felt sad or angry. The 2019 Gallup Global Emotions Report reveals a lot about the mental health of citizens in each country worldwide, considering socioeconomic, environmental, and political conditions. In the survey, participants were asked questions about whether they felt like they were being treated with respect, whether they smiled or laughed prior to the interview, or whether they felt angry and sad. This helped researchers gain insight into participants' daily experiences. Why Americans Are Among Most Stressed People In The World About 55 percent of Americans admitted they suffered stress, while 45 percent said they tend to worry a lot. Another 22 percent of Americans said they were angry, which matched the previous high. The Gallup survey found that Americans between 15 to 49 years old were the most worried, stressed, or angry. Socioeconomic conditions also played a role. Americans in the poorest 20 percent of the population also suffered from stress and felt angry. There might be a number of factors that contribute to the stress and worrywart levels of Americans, which include staggering student debt loans, absurd costs of health care, stagnating incomes, as well as gender and racial inequalities. Researchers said the negative outcomes in the survey in the previous years have been linked to the U.S. recession years. "Given the ties that researchers are starting to find between negative effects like these and physical health and longevity, leaders need the whole story," the survey said. Despite the negative outcomes, however, about 90 percent of Americans interviewed still felt they were respected and 82 percent said they experienced enjoyment. Top 10 Most Stressed Countries In The World The Gallup survey revealed the top 10 most stressed people in the world: 1. Greece at 59 percent 2. Philippines at 58 percent 3. Tanzania at 57 percent 4. Albania at 55 percent 5. Iran at 55 percent 6. Sri Lanka at 55 percent 7. United States of America at 55 percent 8. Uganda at 53 percent 9. Costa Rica at 52 percent 10. Rwanda at 52 percent Depression And Mental Illness Data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness revealed that at least one in five American adults or 43.8 million suffer from mental illness in any given year. Meanwhile, a report called the State of Mental Health in America said that 9.6 million Americans admitted they experienced suicidal thoughts. What's more, there is a significant shortage of support providers across the United States. If a person is experiencing symptoms of depression such as insomnia or oversleeping, loss of appetite, loss of interest in things that used to give pleasure, and social withdrawal, it's best to contact a professional. There are also several tips that experts believe can help ease stress, including being around nature, strolling around a park, or walking around the city. Photo: Jakob Renpening | Flickr 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A new rumor says that the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Pro will have a huge battery to work with. At that, users probably won't have to worry about running into battery life problems during the day, if this turns out to be true. Galaxy Note 10 Pro's Rumored Battery According to the notable tipster Ice Universe, the Galaxy Note 10 Pro, specifically the Galaxy Note 10 Pro 4G with the build number SM-N975, will boast a 4,500 mAh. The leakster also initially said it will have fast-charging support with a rate of 25W, a feature rumored to land on all Galaxy S10 models, but they retracted that bit. N975Note10 Pro 4G 4500mAh 25w Ice universe (@UniverseIce) April 28, 2019 In addition, the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology recently uploaded a photo of the battery and labeled it with the model number EB-BN975ABU. It's said that this will power the smartphone in question. Putting Things Into Perspective For comparison's sake, the Galaxy Note 9 has a 4,000 mAh battery, meaning the Galaxy Note 10 Pro has 500 mAh more than its predecessor. Meanwhile, Samsung's latest phones the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10 Plus have 3,400 and 4,100 mAh batteries, respectively. For the record, the Galaxy S10E has a 3,100 mAh cell. Notably, the Galaxy Note 10 Pro's battery is on par with the Galaxy S10 5G, which, needless to say, also has a 4,500 mAh cell. Galaxy Note Pro? For those who don't know, the next-generation Galaxy Note is rumored to come in two sizes: a 6.28 incher and a 6.75 incher. Both of them are said to have 4G LTE and 5G models, and the larger variants are rumored to be the Pro versions, which strays from Samsung's usual "Plus" label to indicate bigger versions of its phones, such as in the Galaxy S line. The Galaxy Note 10 is also purported to sport a "keyless design" and a four-camera setup on the rear. However, all of this should be taken with a grain of salt, considering they're only rumors, after all. It's unclear when the South Korean brand will launch the device, but if history is anything to go by, it could unveil the smartphone sometime in August. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. DENHAM SPRINGS With $3 million from Congress, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is taking a fresh, three-year look at flood control and risk mitigation ideas for the Amite River and its tributaries in a river basin containing more than a half-million people. Several ideas getting a new look, corps officials said this past week, are old ones that didn't get off the drawing board when the Corps looked at them in previous studies. The big federal flood protection analyses looked at the 3,450-square mile river basin that stretches from Lake Maurepas to southwestern Mississippi. The studies and their past prescriptions have a long history for a river basin that is so important to the growing Baton Rouge region. These flood control ideas as well as new ones from the public could get fresh momentum with the new influx of federal cash for a new version of the Amite River and Tributaries study. Congress first authorized the study in April 1967 when Louisiana Sens. Russell Long and Allen Ellender were still roaming the halls of the U.S. Capitol and were decades away from having federal courthouses or office buildings named after them. These older Corps analyses, spurred by chronic flooding from the 1950s, '60s, '70s and '80s, helped spawn the long-delayed Comite River Diversion Canal that is now on a path to final construction, after the 2016 flood injected new momentum and construction money. +4 Open houses planned for new round of Amite River drainage studies by Army Corps of Engineers Two of three open houses to gather ideas for a future U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study of the Amite River Basin, its flood risks and possibl Public meeting set to discuss risk management along Amite River, its tributaries The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold public meetings next week to share information and gather public input on an ongoing study of flood Last Wednesday, Travis Creel, a Corps regional technical specialist from the New Orleans District, listed for an audience at the Denham Springs public library several projects the new study is considering: the Darlington Reservoir, dredging of the lower Amite and Bayou Manchac, using Spanish Lake as a flood storage area with protections for homeowners and others, smaller detention areas along Manchac and in the upper Amite watershed, and even home elevations. Other existing concepts, even outside the past Corps concepts, include the Baton Rouge Area Foundation's plan to revamp the LSU Lakes and also use them as a rainfall detention area. "We'd like to see this list of alternatives expand," he added during a hearing designed to solicit public input on the study. The gathering in Denham Springs was one of three the Corps held in the Baton Rouge region last week. A handful of St. Helena and East Feliciana residents were among those in Denham Springs on Wednesday night. They were there, in part, to keep tabs on the Darlington Reservoir, one of the old flood control ideas ultimately ditched 25 years ago. The reservoir plan had called for damming the Amite near Darlington and creating a water storage area covering thousands of acres to prevent flooding down stream. The reservoir plan spurred years of controversy in the 1980s and early 1990s that largely pitted some upriver landowners opposed to losing their property to a reservoir against downriver political leaders, including then-Gov. Edwin Edwards. Amid political opposition, cost concerns kept the project on the drawing board. A taste of those old feelings re-emerged Wednesday as Ron McMorris, 72, of Ethel, voiced his worries about the apparent lack of public interest in the meeting and his opposition to the reservoir. "All of my land will be underwater, OK?" he said. McMorris said he owns land along the Amite in East Feliciana and doesn't think he should have to give it up "to save these fools down here that don't know how to build on high ground." Top stories in Baton Rouge in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Residents from the Grangeville area of St. Helena Parish who own land just downstream of the reservoir site said they see a future man-made lake as a recreational opportunity that could help their parish. They supported the reservoir idea and suggested only a handful of people in the past had opposed the plans for a reservoir. "If people come to fish and boat and have fun, they're going to buy food. They're going to buy fuel. It'll help St. Helena Parish, I think," said Lois "Chee-Chee" Dunn, 75. +7 How will south Louisiana spend $1.2B flood-fighting credit? Levees, diversions, dredging? Now that the Comite River Diversion Canal has received the $343 million needed from the federal government to begin construction, all eyes are The competing views of McMorris and Dunn are just a small taste of the kinds of questions the Corps of Engineers will have sort through as it reviews a range of projects culled from past studies and other information gathering. Past disputes among competing interests have kept other ideas in the conceptual stage, too, such as using the Spanish Lake basin for flood storage or major clearing on Bayou Manchac, a state historic and scenic river. The Corps may also have to work through some public impatience for action and skepticism about the effectiveness of another round of studies for an already well-studied area. McMorris' concerns about the small number of residents at the meeting spun off into a discussion about whether the study would result in anything concrete. "So at the end of the day, what is all of this going to solve? If I live for another 50 years, what would I see different," asked Ed Lagucki, 64, of Baton Rouge. In a separate meeting in Galvez Thursday, Greg Doggette, 71, who flooded in 2016 in Denham Springs, asked why it would take another three years after the 2016 flood to reach conclusions for which the local people already know the answers. "I'm a common man. I find it hard to understand why it takes six years to study something with no action," he said. Yet, other residents came in with some new ideas not discussed by the Corps. Tommy and Lisa Lyons, who live along the Amite in Galvez, suggested raising parts of La. 431 and La. 42 on piers near Port Vincent and Lake Villar. Tommy Lyons, 61, said the change would allow high water in the Amite to flow under the highways, like a floodway, and through that area's back swamps. "I think that (the state highway department) could help a lot by just elevating roads," he said. Corps officials said they have done best they could to attract public attention and said that their decisions would be based on science. The Corps analysis will take into account sea level rise and the predicted effects once the Comite River diversion and separate waterway improvements are built in East Baton Rouge Parish. Creel added the analysis will also consider the impact of locally funded proposals, like the Laurel Ridge Levee extension that Ascension Parish government has proposed building in the basin, and the effect of sand-and-gravel operations on sedimentation in the Amite River. The final study could end up calling for a series of interrelated projects and also include recommendations for local ordinance changes or projects. Sarah Bradley, the Corps project manager, said her agency plans to have a tentative plan ready in the fall and a draft report and environmental impact statement by December. Corps officials hope to have a final report ready by the fall of 2021, setting the stage for possible construction funding from Congress. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump will have a dinner fundraiser in New Orleans next month that will cost supporters a minimum of $2,800 apiece. Those willing to shell out $100,000 per person will get "roundtable" access, and couples can pay $35,000 for a photo with the president at the May 14 event. Shipbuilder Boysie Bollinger and developer Joe Canizaro, Trump's finance co-chairs for Louisiana, are listed as the event's hosts, according to a copy of the invitation obtained by The Advocate. Steve Scalise to NRA crowd: 'Our rights come to us from God, not lawmakers' WASHINGTON U.S. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise told a crowd of thousands of National Rifle Association members Friday that he was surpris Other featured guests will include Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, RNC Co-Chair Tommy Hicks Jr. and Trump Victory Finance Chair Todd Rickets. The invitation does not identify a location. It says the address will be provided after guests RSVP and, presumably, pay up, so it's unclear how the president's trip may affect traffic and other logistics in New Orleans. The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Trump received more than 58 percent of the vote in Louisiana in 2016. He has remained politically popular in the state, with polls generally tracking his approval rating well above 50 percent. The president was last in New Orleans in January, when he addressed the American Farm Bureau Federation's annual gathering. Vice President Mike Pence, along with U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, hosted a GOP fundraiser in New Orleans ahead of last year's midterm elections for Congress. Trump's appearance will make him the latest in a string of 2020 hopefuls to visit the city. Democratic U.S. Sens. Kamala Harris, of California; Cory Booker, of New Jersey; and Elizabeth Warren, of Massachusetts, have had public appearances in New Orleans in recent months. All are seeking their party's nomination for president. LSU economics professor Jim Richardson, in his office in the Business Education Complex at the school, Thursday, April 25, 2019. Richardson, a longtime independent, morally and ethically unimpeachable authority on state budget and tax issues, will be stepping down soon from the Revenue Estimating Conference, serving on the board that determines how much money is available for state lawmakers to spend since its inception in 1987. Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission The third World Intelligence Congress (WIC) will be held between May 16 and 19, in north China's Tianjin Municipality, according to a press conference in Beijing on Sunday. The four-day event themed "Intelligence New Era: Progress, Planning and Opportunity," includes a series of activities such as forums, exhibitions, competitions, and intelligent experiences. Enterprises including CRRC Corporation Limited, Huawei, Alibaba, and General Electric Company, research institutions and universities will attend the exhibitions and showcase their cutting-edge technologies and products. Five competitions will be held during the event, including China (Tianjin) Industrial App Innovation &Application Competition and the World Intelligence RoboSub Competition. Over 1,200 foreign guests from 30 countries and regions have been invited, and about 13,000 square meters of indoor and outdoor intelligent experience zones will be set up during the event. The National Development and Reform Commission, and Ministry of Science and Technology and Tianjin municipal government are among the organizers of the event. In the previous WICs in 2017 and 2018, nearly 10,000 scientists, entrepreneurs, educators, and financiers from both home and abroad gathered in Tianjin to discuss the frontier trends of intelligent technologies. Benjamin Franklin High School in New Orleans is the 73rd best public high school in the nation and tops in Louisiana, according to 2019 rankin Creole culture has come to be viewed as a dynamic, ever-evolving hybrid of shared African, Native American and European roots. We see this in New Orleans and wherever those roots were woven into new forms of art, music or cuisine. At Angela King Gallery, Woodrow Nash's vividly glazed, deep-hued clay figures celebrate Africa's people and cultures in a style that harks to diverse influences ranging from 15th-century tribal Benin to 19th-century French art nouveau. The turquoise blue face of Nash's female figure, Erunzigera (pictured), recalls an unusually lifelike tribal mask, but its deep, almond-shaped eye slits evoke an oracle rendered sightless from having seen too much. Hints of Henri Matisse's vibrant formalism mingle with echoes of Caribbean poet Derek Walcott's ghostly narrators recalling being ripped from mother Africa only to end up lost in azure Antillean seas. In some tribal African cultures, animal masks play a major role, but here a female figure, Thema, appears in full zebra mode, with pale pearlescent stripes that match her cowry shell necklace against her ebony skin. Blue moods also are featured in an imposing male figure, a warrior with ornate striations etched into his indigo flesh. In these works, Nash synthesizes tribal African motifs with global design appeal to return us to the primal essence of a rapidly vanishing world. Delita Martin's new work at Stella Jones Gallery continues her visual interpretations of everyday women, who she portrays amid fantastical tropical patterning. Employing layers of print, painting and collage, Martin, who is inspired by women who have been marginalized, transforms prosaic personalities so they appear as elegant elements integral to the natural order, as in works like Under the Evening Moon, in which a young black woman with extravagant, otherworldly braids appears amid paisley starbursts and spiral mandalas. They might be sunspots around a woman at a bus stop, or they might be reflections of the inner life of someone one might not ordinarily notice. Both shows run through May 2019. Woodrow Nash at Angela King Gallery, 241 Royal St., (504) 524-8211; www.angelakinggallery.com. Shadows in the Garden at Stella Jones Gallery, Place St. Charles, 201 St. Charles Ave., Suite 132, (504) 568-9050; www.stellajonesgallery.com. Review: Floral forms merge with the underseas in fantastical 'Chihuly' glass sculpture expo I initially had not planned to review this show. Dale Chihulys glass sculpture has a spectacular, seductive quality that can cause art critic May 2019 marks the 70th anniversary of a breakthrough in New Orleans broadcasting: the introduction of the citys first African-American radio disc jockey. Vernon Winslow, better known as "Doctor Daddy-O," debuted on WWEZ on May 29, 1949. His daily radio show, sponsored by the Jackson Brewing Co., was called Jivin With Jax. Advertisements called him New Orleans first sepia disc jockey. Blakeview: The Zephyr roller coaster turns 80 this week, here's its history at Pontchartrain Beach Do you remember riding the Zephyr at Pontchartrain Beach? The wooden roller coaster opened for the first time 80 years ago this week. It was d Winslow moved from Chicago to New Orleans in 1938 to work as an art professor at Dillard University. Although he was hired by WJMR radio, he was not allowed to go on air but instead was instructed to train white broadcasters on how to sound hip. He even helped create the popular Poppa Stoppa character used by other disc jockeys on the station. Winslow was fired from WJMR when he broke the rules and spoke on air. Blakeview: How a schoolteacher's history lesson became hit song 'The Battle of New Orleans' Sixty years ago this month, Johnny Hortons song The Battle of New Orleans began its improbable trek to the top of the Billboard pop music c Six months later, he was hired by WWEZ and became even more popular. He left that station in 1957 for Detroit but returned to New Orleans for jobs on WTPS and WMRY (later known as WYLD), where he began playing gospel music and launched a new phase of his career. He would remain on the air until the 1980s. He died in 1993. Sunday was a day of gratitude and tribute at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Bonnie Raitt thanked festival producer Quint Davis for the many times hes booked her since 1977. The Indigo Girls gave Jazz Fest a 50th anniversary shout-out. And at a jam-packed WWOZ Jazz Tent, Delfeayo Marsalis, on behalf of his assembled brothers, thanked their father Ellis, and their late mother, Dolores, for their existence and ongoing musical camaraderie: Its a credit to them that were up here. The Marsalis family reunion capped off a day of old favorites at Jazz Fest, including Raitt, Al Green, Van Morrison and the OJays, alongside such relative newcomers as Bleachers and J Balvin. Midway through her Acura Stage set, Irma Thomas clarified that Time On My Side wasnt a Rolling Stones cover. She released her version first in 1964, months ahead of the Stones. For all you youngsters out there," she said, "Im singing Irma Thomas." She then sent good wishes to Mick Jagger, still recovering from the heart surgery that forced his band to cancel its Jazz Fest show. Id like to take a moment to wish Mick Jagger a speedy recovery. I know he enjoys singing that song, 'cause time is on his side, too. ... But I did it first. You can go home and do your research. Youll find it. History lesson complete, she sang more Irma Thomas in the form of Ruler of My Heart, I Done Got Over and what she described as the New Orleans national anthem, Its Raining (but not on Sunday). At 78, Thomas voice is as rich as ever, and more than up to the task of savoring a ballad like Even Now. And when I Done Got Over detoured into Hey Pocky Way and Jock-a-Mo also potential New Orleans national anthems she presided over a mass audience handkerchief and hat-waving celebration. In an addendum to her usual riff about New Orleanians celebrating alligators, mosquitoes, divorce, separation and when your pregnancy test comes back negative, she noted that were also celebrating the 50th anniversary Jazz Fest. The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Adonis Rose, filled the Congo Square Stage for a tribute to Aretha Franklin. Vocalist Kiki Chapman sang Franklins Day Dreaming and the ballad Aint No Way. On the latter, lush horns swelled and ebbed over Victor Atkins piano. Ed Sweetbread Petersen let the air out of a tenor sax solo that underscored the easy, Sunday afternoon vibe of NOJOs richly textured arrangement. Erica Falls took over vocals for the Franklin obscurity Sweetest Smile and the Funkiest Style. This Jazz Orchestra can also be funky, as Sweetest Smile and Michael Watsons trombone solo demonstrated. NOJOs fresh spin on Franklins classic catalog was the perfect lead-in to the OJays. With the crowd filling the Congo Square field all the way to the Ancestors area, founding OJays Eddie Levert and Walter Williams, looking sharp in sky-blue ensembles, opened with what could be their statement of purpose: Give the People What They Want. The subsequent Living for the Weekend, with coordinated kicks and spins, continued that mindset. For trombonist Delfeayo, saxophonist Branford, trumpeter Wynton and drummer Jason Marsalis to share a stage with their father is a rare occurrence; hence, the Jazz Tent overflowed at the end of the day. But this set was not about spotlighting the sons. It was about saluting their father by showcasing his elegant compositions. On the opening Crescent City Strut, their solos first Delfeayo, then Branford, Wynton, Ellis and finally Jason were in keeping with the songs spry, stately nature. Branford and Wynton were more adventurous on Tell Me. The family settled back down for the romantic vibe of Orchid Blue. Harmonies abounded. Branford also made note of his and buddy Harry Connicks Jr. post-Hurricane Katrina project, the Musicians Village in the Upper 9th Ward, a partnership with Habitat for Humanity that has provided housing for dozens of musicians and others. The centerpiece of the Village is the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, a performance and educational space. As an extension of the salute to Ellis, a trio of young students from the center that bears his name took center stage for When the Saints Go Marching In. A 13-year-old visually impaired student vocalist named Jayla Raymond earned a roar of approval for her rendition of When Youre Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You). With that, the stage was back in the hands of the Marsalis family and bassist Eric Revis, a longtime member of Branfords band (and a former student of Ellis at the University of New Orleans). Branford introduced After as a beautiful ballad (Ellis) wrote before we were born. Wyntons muted trumpet was all burnished gold. The set, to this point, was enjoyable, but could have benefited from more fireworks. With the clock winding down, those fireworks finally arrived. Wynton uncorked the razzed trumpet opening of the Mardi Gras anthem Second Line, Pt. 1. Delfeayo pumped his fists, the audience rose as one, and it was on. Delfeayo, Branford and Wynton marched offstage, still playing, into the densely packed crowd in front of the barricades. They made their way across the width of the tent, finally returning to the stage at the opposite side, as drummers Herlin Riley and Shannon Powell joined in. It was the exclamation point the Marsalis reunion, and the first weekend of the 50th anniversary Jazz Fest, needed. By Park Jin-hai Actor Ma Dong-seok/ Courtesy of Megabox A serious outage with popular small business accounting software MYOB has resulted in businesses around the country unable to lodge quarterly tax statements with the ATO before the April 28 deadline. Some businesses have been unable to log into the MYOB platform and confirm their details, meaning they couldn't lodge their quarterly business activity statement notifying the ATO of their tax obligations. Businesses are unable to lodge their business activity statements with the ATO. Credit:Erin Jonasson One Perth business owner who wished to remain anonymous said it was extremely inconvenient. "For many businesses that get a bookkeeper to come in once a month or quarter to do the BAS (or do it themselves) they didnt have access to their MYOB file as they would have been forced to confirm the file and they cant," he said. Those in government may be fond of extolling small business as the backbone of the nation, but the public servants collecting taxes for government appear to have a less favourable assessment of this massive sector of 3.8 million tiny operations. The politicians rhetorical fondness is understandable: the sector comprises more than nine in 10 Australian businesses and generates a third of economic output and more than four in 10 jobs. The bureaucrats heavy-handed treatment revealed in a report by Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell following investigations by The Age and ABC TVs Four Corners suggests the Australian Taxation Office believes far too many small businesses are dodging taxes. A trusted taxation system is a cornerstone of representative democracy. Credit:Tamara Voninski Certainly some are, but that does not justify the Tax Offices methods revealed by journalists and the small business ombudsman. These include overuse of draconian debt recovery tactics, even against businesses appealing a Tax Office claim, that are causing unneeded bankruptcies and job losses. Under specially mandated powers, the ATO can issue garnishee notices, which allow it to directly access a companys bank accounts and seize funds, suddenly leaving employers unable to pay wages or creditors. Some small businesses find out the ATO has taken funds only when the bank dishonours payments. The head of Australia's gas pipeline monopoly, APA, has slammed politicians' shortsighted disputes over energy, saying it is undermining efforts to drive down high power prices. The outgoing chief executive of APA, Mick McCormack, said it was time Canberra looked beyond knee-jerk reactions to the energy industry's transition towards more renewable sources if Australias power sector was to evolve. APA Group CEO Mick McCormack said market uncertainty caused by political bickering in Canberra was holding Australia back. Credit:Cole Bennetts "Other countries are very good at playing the long game, Australia needs to do the same. Politically, I certainly hope that were moving towards a place of greater certainty and bipartisanship, Mr McCormack said during a speech at an Australian Pipelines and Gas Association in Brisbane on Monday. Australians need to know that their energy prices arent going to keep going up and up and they deserve a simple explanation of how thats going to happen, he said. It's widely thought to be the greatest play ever penned, and some consider it the pinnacle of the Western canon, period. Yet despite its intellectual breadth, psychological depth and sheer length, Hamlet's only females are a queen who marries her husband's murderer with unseemly haste, and a spurned wallflower who goes bonkers. Anna Rodway as the put-upon Ophelia who refuses to be driven mad by the twisting machinations that surround her. But what if Ophelia doesn't go mad? What if the rest of Denmark is patriarchically loopy? This is the premise behind this joint production between Melbourne's Essential Theatre and Three Birds Theatre, brought to the NGA to farewell the Love & Desire Pre-Raphaelite exhibition, a key work in which was John Everett Millais' Ophelia. The pathos, innocence and resignation in Millais' depiction of her drowning catches an essence of Shakespeare's character. By contrast, the Ophelia of this play, written by Candace Miles, Madelaine Nunn and Anna Rodway, directed by John Kachoyan, and collaboratively developed with the all-female cast, could not be more different. As improbable as it seems from the source material, the piece is principally a comedy. Denmark (which put the "fun" into "funeral") is a world unto itself, with Hamlet telling Ophelia, "I've been to not-Denmark. There's nothing but blank space for miles and miles." Nonetheless dark shadows hide behind many of the laughs, as we see the Hamlet milieu from Ophelia's perspective. She is bullied by her father, her brother, Hamlet and the aggressive, possessive Gertrude, whose relationship with Ophelia is portrayed as a chess game, and who comes to describe her son's girlfriend as "a button hanging from a loose thread". The superb Alex Aldrich makes Gertrude compelling and confronting, while still slotting her into the production's bizarre, dreamlike humour. Anna Rodway is the put-upon Ophelia who refuses to be driven mad by the twisting machinations that surround her, Madelaine Nunn the manipulative Hamlet, Candace Miles the domineering Laertes and Sophie Lampel the irascible Polonious. The Miser Bell Shakespeare Arts Centre Melbourne, until May 12 Bell Shakespeare's production of The Miser is a bit bizarre, but bloody good fun. Moliere isn't as familiar to local audiences as the Bard, so there's more room to move creatively, and the show takes all kinds of liberties to make the hybrid thrive. Mincing together an odd melange of Australian and French theatrical traditions, we get a chimera of comedic forms this isnt quite panto, nor quite satire, nor yet high farce. Harriet Gordon-Anderson, Jessica Tovey and John Bell in Bell Shakespeare's The Miser. Credit:Prudence Upton If the result represents an incongruous collision of cultures and comic sensibilities the whole experience can feel like nibbling on a Four'n Twenty croissant, or a pav topped with escargot itll make you giggle and wince at its daring (unless you fancy yourself a purist, in which case youll probably grimace and feel inappropriately superior). Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has won the popular vote in the first leaders debate of the federal election campaign after using his closing remarks to tell Australians the economy was not working for them. Mr Shorten emphasised the cost of services ranging from childcare to private health insurance in a challenge to Prime Minister Scott Morrison over economic management during the live debate in Perth. But Mr Morrison forced the Opposition Leader on to the back foot on the treatment of pensioners caught by Labors changes to dividend imputation and on Labors record on asylum seekers who came by boat before 2013. The debate saw one "gotcha" question over the price of an electric car but produced few fireworks, as both leaders played to their strengths and argued in good humour. One of Labor's key Senate candidates has called for Parliament to adopt targets for ethnic representation, saying Chinese Australians have been muzzled by allegations of foreign political interference out of fear of being labelled "a stooge for the Communist party". Jason Yat-sen Li, who will be third on Labor's senate ticket in NSW and could be the key to the party's Senate fortunes, also says Australia should consider investing in China's Belt and Road initiative. Labor Senate candidate and former Australian republican movement leader Jason Yat-Sen Li. Credit: Jessica Hromas Mr Li has criticised Parliament's lack of ethnic diversity, arguing it does not reflect the population and was shutting out Australia's growing migrant communities. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 3 per cent of Australians had a parent born in China and the same amount from India, but not a single child of the more than 1.5 million members of the Chinese and Indian diaspora holds a seat in Parliament. Leaked footage shows a senior One Nation candidate calling a woman a "bitch" in a Washington, D.C. strip club, as fallout from the party's controversial trip to the United States spreads. Queensland party leader Steve Dickson, who is second on his home state's Senate ticket for the May 18 federal election, was also caught saying Asian women don't "know what they're doing" during sex. Steve Dickson (right) of One Nation with Pauline Hanson in March. Credit:AAP The recording was captured during an undercover investigation by Qatari-owned Al Jazeera, which set up a fake Australian gun lobby that later sat in on secret meetings between One Nation and powerful American gun lobby the National Rifle Association. In one of those meetings, Mr Dickson said his party would "have the whole government by the balls" if it were to receive millions from the National Rifle Association. Controversial preference whisperer Glenn Druery has brokered a deal between Labor and Derryn Hinch's Justice Party in a bid to win or hold three key marginal seats in Victoria. The preference deal will likely boost the chances of Justice Party candidates joining the former broadcaster in the Senate, however Labor has said it made no policy promises in exchange for the influential crossbencher's support. Senator Penny Wong and Senator Derryn Hinch during debate on the ABCC bill in the Senate at Parliament House in 2016. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The major parties have been in fierce negotiations with smaller players ahead of the start of early voting on Monday, with a formal deal between the Coalition and mining magnate Clive Palmer to be announced this week. Former Liberal MP Julia Banks, who is running as an independent against Health Minsiter Greg Hunt in the Mornington Peninsula seat of Flinders, is expected to preference Labor in a move that will give the party a chance of unseating the long-serving MP. There was a moment when I could have made more money by not writing this review, than by writing it. "How much is it worth," one Gaku regular asks, "for you to forget you have ever been here?" Being offered a bribe to stay away is a first, but it can't be done. Some places just deserve to be on everyone's radar, not kept as private members' clubs. Tiny yet mighty: Gaku Robata Grill in Darlinghurst. Credit:Edwina Pickles When Gaku Robata Grill first opened on the former Fishface Darlinghurst site in April 2018, it was more Gaku ("enjoyment") than Robata. What with one council approval or another, it didn't actually light its first log of tosa (white) binchotan charcoal from Kouchi prefecture in its gleaming Okutsu charcoal grill until April 2019. In the meantime, co-owners and chefs Haru Inukai (Blancharu and Ikkyu Ramen) and Shimon Hanakura, formerly of Aria, won a militantly loyal following for their benchmark ramen at lunch and their sushi and izakaya-style offerings at night. ASTRO members speak to their fans from the stage during the "ASTRO STAR LIGHT" world tour in 2019. Clockwise from top left are Cha Eun-woo, Rocky, Jin Jin, San-ha, MJ, Moon Bin. / Courtesy of Fantagio Corp. By Jung Hae-myoung ASTRO, a six-member K-pop boy group, successfully finished its first world tour, "ASTRO STAR LIGHT." Starting on Mar. 16 in Taiwan, the boy band performed in four different cities in the United States from Mar. 19 to 26. They returned to Asia for a performance in Hong Kong on Mar. 30, and completed the last show in Bangkok, Thailand on April 27. The members said they were especially impressed to meet their international fans "AROHA." At the concert, the members performed their first album's title song "All Night," "MOONWALK" and more hit songs released since their debut in 2016. ASTRO poses for a photo on stage at the concert with AROHA fans behind, during the world tour. / Courtesy of Fantagio Corp. The Noah Carroll-run Labor election campaign is usually a well-oiled machine. Today, however, we imagine a few staffers are having their necks wrung courtesy of not one but two David Icke close calls in as many days. For those (fortunately) unenlightened, Icke is a British conspiracy theorist who believes the world is being run by a secret society of Jewish shape-shifting lizards. The story of the Israelites and Jews is largely a fantasy -- the veil behind which the truth has been hidden, Icke writes in his most putrid volume, The Biggest Secret. On Sunday, Labors Northern Territory Senate candidate Wayne Kurnoth resigned after it was reported that he had shared a video of Ickes anti-Semitic conspiracy in December 2015. Two firearms found metres from where a man was shot dead in a Melbourne park should have been located by police, not a couple of children, an apologetic senior officer says. A line search of Fawkner Park in South Yarra by police and SES personnel failed to find the guns, which were later spotted by members of the public about 50 metres from the body of Daniel O'Shea, 41. Guns found in Fawkner Park. Credit: "I understand that must have been incredibly frightening for the children and their mother. I'm very sorry that it happened," Acting Deputy Commissioner Tess Walsh told 3AW radio on Monday "It shouldn't have happened and it's very regrettable. Carlton blew a big lead against Hawthorn on Sunday to fall just short as the Hawks pulled off an impressive comeback. But this was not the Carlton of old. This week on The Age Real Footy podcast, Bob Murphy, Jake Niall, Caroline Wilson and Michael Gleeson discuss the positives for the Blues in 2019. On the back of one of their most impressive performances in years, with their talented recruits finally gelling, the panel predicts blue skies ahead for Carlton. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are slumping and their former skipper puts it down to the chemistry in the forward line. Have some of the more adventurous line-up changes hurt more than helped? Prospective students have had a sneak peek at Queensland's newest university campus, due to open with 1200 students at Petrie next year. Northside year 12 students are now eyeing off the University of the Sunshine Coast campus, which teachers describe as a game changer that will end three-hour round trips to get to inner-city Brisbane universities. Southern Cross Catholic College students (from left) Oliver Sims, Max Fallon and Riley Diaz look at a 3D view of Queensland's newest university. Credit:Tony Moore USC used a 3D viewer on Monday to allow year 12 students at Scarboroughs Southern Cross Catholic College to see a virtual walk-through of the campus, under construction about 14 kilometres away at Petrie. School captain Riley Diaz said the 3D viewer was more immersive than looking at photographs. As he gets back to work on Monday morning, Sanchez still faces a struggle to pull together a majority and questions about what sort of legislation he'll be able to pass and how long he'll be able to govern. But the election result gives him a much broader range of options and with 123 lawmakers instead of 84, his personal authority has been bolstered. What makes Spain an important test case is that it is a committed European Union member at a time when many in its cohort are flirting with euroskepticism and the UK is in the throes of a disruptive Brexit. Victory for Sanchez will reassure mainstream parties worried about their flagging appeal going into European Parliament elections at the end of May and offers clues into how to weather insurgents and regain the initiative. Spain's far-right Vox Party supporters attend the closing election campaign event in Madrid. Credit:AP He had been in power scarcely seven months when Sanchez sensed that it was time to make a preemptive strike, according to two people familiar with his thinking. It was February, and he saw his two main rivals standing shoulder to shoulder with Spain's new nationalist firebrand, Vox, in a calculated photo op that dangled the prospect of a trinity of parties on the right ruling the country. He saw the danger but also sensed an opportunity. His efforts to pass a budget had floundered, the momentum seemed to have gone out of his minority government and critics were writing his political obituary all over again. But Sanchez believed the People's Party's rookie leader Pablo Casado and Albert Rivera of the centrist Ciudadanos had made a fatal error by joining Santiago Abascal of Vox at a demonstration against the government's policy of reconciliation with Catalonia. First of all, Casado had gifted Abascal a status in the public eye he'd never before enjoyed. Beyond that, Sanchez sensed the degree of anti-Catalan sentiment being whipped up was overstated. The crowd looked impressive, filling Madrid's central Plaza Colon and the surrounding streets, but the parties had bussed in support from across Spain. So he accepted Casado's demand for a snap election to let voters decide how the country should address the Catalan challenge. Sanchez is a formidable and photogenic campaigner who proved his worth back in 2017 when he drove himself from rally to rally to wrest back the leadership of his party. Twelve weeks later after the Colon demonstration, Sanchez heads the biggest group in parliament. Casado lost half his lawmakers. With 123 lawmakers in the 350-strong chamber, Sanchez may need help from as many as half a dozen groups to govern and that effort is unlikely to be completed until parties have fought the European elections. Looking back, few people gave the Socialist leader a chance when he called a no confidence vote against Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy last May. He had just 84 lawmakers - compared to 123 now. But he tilted the field in his favour by cutting a deal with the Basque Nationalists that forced Catalan separatist groups to fall into line with him. Even then, most people saw a terminally weak government. Sanchez used his time in office to prepare the ground. As a first move, he named a cabinet in which women outnumbered men for the first time in Spanish history. With one move he'd made headlines around the world and signalled to progressive voters what sort of government he could produce if they ever gave him a proper mandate. A few days later he repeated the trick, intervening in an immigration row between France and Italy to offer harbour to a rescue ship. His budget never looked like passing, but he ploughed on with it nevertheless through the fall and winter of last year. As a result, his plans to ramp up spending and end the years of austerity were front pages news day after day. Casado's manifesto, when it came, didn't get even a fraction of the coverage and his doom mongering over the economy struck a hollow note as Spain continues to outperform most of the rest of Europe. Without a budget, Sanchez still had leeway to make some spending decisions and he used them to target voters on the left that the Socialists had lost to the anti-establishment group Podemos since the economic crisis. He hiked the minimum wage, boosted unemployment benefits for older workers and started the biggest public hiring program in a decade. The time was ripe for Sanchez to reclaim territory from Podemos, whose support base has shrunk since the last election. Key to Sanchez's success has been his ability paint himself as "a malleable socialist," said Antonio Barroso, managing director for Europe at Teneo Intelligence in London. By Lee Min-hyung U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton The front door of the Greenland International Medical Center on Jeju Island is closed, Monday. Yonhap A Chinese-owned medical center that is South Korea's first for-profit hospital expressed its intention Monday to fold following the Jeju provincial government's annulment of its business license earlier this month. Greenland Jeju Healthcare Town Co. under the Shanghai-based Greenland Group, operator of Greenland International Medical Center on the southern resort island of Jeju, on Friday sent mail to its 50 employees notifying them of its plan to dismiss them. The notification of dismissal came after the regional government decided on April 17 to revoke its conditional approval of the medical center after reviewing the results of a public hearing it commissioned by a group of professionals. "We cannot employ you anymore as we have to close our business," the center said in the mail sent in the name of the company's chief. "We will discuss matters on the dismissal set under related laws with the representative of the workers." About 50 medical workers, including nurses, had been working at the hospital for up to two years. The company promised to have the workers given priority in hiring if a new owner takes over. The nullification of the license came after the regional government conducted the hearing on March 26 after the Chinese company missed the deadline set under the current medical law and the group of professionals submitted the results of the hearing to Jeju. The Greenland medical center received conditional approval from the Jeju government as South Korea's first for-profit hospital on Dec. 5 last year, putting an end to 16 years of controversy over the proposed introduction of investor-owned medical institutions. The approval was granted on the condition that the hospital treat only foreign patients. But the Greenland Group has strongly protested the ban on South Korean patients, contending that it is illegal for the government of Jeju to ban it from treating domestic patients. In mid-February, the subsidiary of the Chinese group, filed an administrative lawsuit to have the controversial condition of its operation revoked. In the lawsuit filed with the Jeju District Court, the group insisted that it is unlawful to limit the scope of patients eligible for treatment at the Greenland medical center only to foreigners. For-profit hospitals in South Korea are only allowed when they combine foreign capital with domestic medical resources and provide comprehensive services to foreign patients in eight free economic zones and Jeju Island. The medical center, established in November 2014, had pushed ahead with a plan to add a medical business to the health care town set up in the city of Seogwipo on the island. In July 2017, the medical center dedicated its building before hiring its medical workers the following month. The regional government has been preparing for a possibility that the Chinese group's subsidiary, Greenland Jeju Healthcare Town, may file a fresh lawsuit against the local government in an effort to reverse its decision to cancel the license. As the medical center has expressed its intention to withdraw from its medical business, the regional government is discussing how to deal with it. The subsidiary is expected to file a damage suit against the South Korean government claiming it has sustained an investment loss arising from the protracted opening of the hospital. During the hearing on March 26, the Chinese company said it had dedicated the hospital's building and secured manpower to conform to demands made by the provisional government and the Jeju Free International City Development Center, a government institution that promotes investment on the island. "But the protracted opening of the hospital for 15 months caused it to have 85 billion won (around US$73.40 million) in losses," it claimed. It also said the local government's approval of the license with strings attached was enough to hurt an investor's reasonable expectations protected under a Seoul-Beijing free trade agreement, calling itself a foreign investor that could not but sign a deal on the operation of a for-profit hospital due to the demands of the provisional government and the government institution. There is speculation that the Chinese company could launch a suit against the South Korean government by using an investor-state dispute settlement system, which allows a company the right to sue a state for compensation if it believes its investment has been harmed by a government decision. Paxton said that, during his time as a Texas state senator, he listened to testimony on a trafficking bill put forth by his colleague Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio. I was literally horrified by what I heard, Paxton said. Part of it is that I have three daughters, and I just couldnt imagine any of them going through what I was hearing that these young women, mostly, were going through. Paxton, a Republican, said that he approached Van de Putte and offered to help, and that the bill passed. I told myself that if I ever had another chance to do more, I would, Paxton said. Ashlyn Thompson, an A&M student who is president of Jesus Said Love, introduced Paxton. Jesus Said Love invited Paxton to speak. We focus on the education side of it, on talking about sex trafficking and human trafficking, and we wanted to learn more about the hands-on side of it, Thompson said. We wanted to see what it actually looks like in state policy, because this is a big problem in Texas. When Joe Biden finally declared for president, it marked a record-setting 32-year gap between his first hat-in-the-ring moment and his latest. It would be like Franklin Roosevelt first trying to be president in 1900 when his cousin, Theodore, was on the GOP ticket as William McKinleys running mate. Or JFK (as an 11-year-old) seeking to oppose Herbert Hoover in 1928. Put another way, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg was 5 years old on June 9, 1987, when three-term Delaware Sen. Joe Biden launched his initial effort to rent the Oval Office. So they were running for president, Joe and his friends, and theyd have a big announcement, the finest. Theyd rent the train station in Wilmington (that was a symbol, see, for the way that Joe took the train home, every night), and theyd run a special train from Washington to Wilmington, with VIPs and plenty of press. That excerpt from Richard Ben Cramers magisterial What It Takes provides a sense of the over-the-top preparations for Bidens first presidential launch, especially when compared to the former vice presidents 219-second video announcement for 2020. The Aussie accent, incidentally, came in at number five, those dropped or drawn-out vowels and insistence on calling the number six "sex" apparently making all the difference. The Irish accent came in third, with the site saying it's a turn on whether "it's a Jamie Dornan-esque Northern Irish accent or a lilting Cork jibe". The Italian, Scottish, French, Spanish, southern US and Brazilian Portuguese accents rounded out the top 10. "Clear, clipped and completely polished" Queen's English, incidentally, was ranked the twelfth sexiest. At the other end of the spectrum, the Croatian accent came in at number 50 on the list of 50, suggesting it's unlikely to talk many into bed, followed by the Romanian accent, described as "almost similar to Italian, but not quite there". The Thai, Pakistani and "harsh... yet super clear" German accents were also in the bottom five. A painted and gilded cartonnage (L) and a Ba bird, which represents the soul of a deceased individual. (Ministry of Antiquities-Arab Republic of Egypt) 2,000-Year-Old Artifacts and Mummies Discovered in Ancient Egyptian Tomb Valuable artefacts and mummies that date back two millennia were uncovered in southern Egypt, authorities confirmed on April 23. The Ministry of Antiquities-Arab Republic of Egypt confirmed an ancient tomb had been found carved in stone from the Greco-Roman period in Aswan, 539 miles south of Cairo, according to The Associated Press. The Greco-Roman Period (332 B.C.-395 A.D.) saw the rise of Macedon King Alexander the Great in ancient Greece who conquered the Persians from present-day Iran who ruled over Egypt at the time, and founded Alexandria which is currently the second largest city in Egypt. An Italian archaeology mission led by University of Milan professor Patrizia Piacentini made the discovery near the iconic mausoleum of Aga Khan III, Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah, who lobbied for religious rights in India and was buried near the site of his former winter-time villa two years after his death in 1957. The tomb contained about 30 mummies, including young children who Piacentini thought were superimposed and could possibly include mothers and their children. There were also gold-painted funeral masks, statuettes, amphora-shaped jugs, ritual offering vases, vessels still containing food, coffin fragments, a lamp, and white cartonnages, which are chunks of linen or papyrus textile fiber glued together. An intact stretcher was also discovered leaning against the north wall of the tomb, made of palm wood and joined with linen strips. The item was understood to be used to transport mummies into the tomb. Archaeologists from Egypt and Italy have discovered at least 34 mummies in the southern Egyptian city of Aswan. #9Newshttps://t.co/OI5MIoxznp Nine News Gold Coast (@9NewsGoldCoast) April 26, 2019 Many important archaeological artifacts dating back to the Greek-Roman era were also found, including a large collection of cartons made of cardboard with footprints stamped on the feet of the mummy, who wears sandals and embellishes his fingernails, Piacentini said in a statement. A couple of small Ba bird statues were also recovered which, according to ancient Egyptian mythology, was believed to fly out of the persons tomb to join their vital essence in the afterlife. [There were] two small statues, one of which is a good preservation of the Ba bird, which represents the spirit of the deceased and shows all of his details in the decoration, Piacentini said. [There were also] two potsherds contain the bitumen used for embalming (brain removal for mummies). In addition to this, Supreme Council of Antiquities Secretary-General Mostafa Waziri said there were scriptures and fragmented coffins in the tomb. One of the coffins presented a complete text, detailing the name of the tombs owner, Tjt. A [painted] wooden coffin was found inside the tomb containing the whole hieroglyphic text, in which the mission was able to find out the name of the cemetery owner Tjt as well as a text for the funerary rites (prayers) of the third region of [Aga] Khan, and gods of the Niles First Cataract [Anuket, Khnum, and Satet], Waziri said in the statement. Aiman Ashmawy, head of the Egyptian mission from the Ministry of Antiquities, said the tomb had a ladder to the side chamber where a stone-carved sarcophagus was stored. Another stone fragment was found in front of a group of mummies in a poor state of preservation, he said. The archaeological mission has finished drawing a complete map of about 300 individual tombs in the area around the mausoleum. All tombs are estimated to date between the sixth century B.C. and fourth century A.D. Egypt regularly announces new discoveries, hoping to spur the countrys tourism sector, which has suffered a major downturn since autocrat Hosni Mubarak was removed from presidency back in 2011. He effectively surrendered political power to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, sparking mass protests just two years later. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 54 Lions Slaughtered in 2 Days: Investigators Expose Horrific Farms Where Lions and Tigers are Bred and Killed A year-long investigation has revealed that 54 lions were killed in a filthy slaughterhouse in South Africa in just two daysthousands of others are being bred and killed for their bones. We couldnt believe what was happening. You could smell the blood. The lions got shot in the camp and then were all brought into this one room. The flies were terrible, Reinet Meyer, a senior inspector at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals told Daily Mail. Horror of lion farms exposed: Year-long investigation reveals sickening trade;@LordAshcroft https://t.co/CdTDBQUESi CIA Foundation (@cia_foundation) April 28, 2019 A part of a massive repulsive industry, it supplies bones for medicine and trinkets that are sold with expensive price tags in China and Southeast Asia. Some of the hapless beasts were shot in fenced enclosures by wealthy trophy hunters of endangered species said the investigator, Tory Lord Ashcroft, a British businessman, philanthropist, author, and the former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom. Posing for the camera, City worker who paid 3,000 to shoot Simba the lion with a dart before an undercover team rescue him https://t.co/SrXlt5kFmi Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) April 28, 2019 A year ago I started looking at the trophy hunting of endangered species disturbed by the publication of kill shots on social networksthose pictures where hunters pose with the animals they have shot, Ashcroft said in a letter to Michael Gove, the secretary of state for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the U.K. government. The letter was shared by him on Twitter. Ashcroft said that his research soon moved into how lions are bred in captivity and he discovered that in South Africa the number of lions kept and bred in captivity was 12,000four times the number in the wild around the world. Purely for the purpose of canned lion hunting and the harvesting of their bones for the Asia market, he wrote in the letter further saying that he commissioned a massive undercover operation to expose the horrific trade. A copy of my letter to Environment Secretary Michael Gove calling for the UK to ban the import of protected species trophies to discourage lion farming/hunting in South Africa. Retweet if you support it pic.twitter.com/Z9EwnizesA Lord Ashcroft (@LordAshcroft) April 29, 2019 The undercover operation was code named Operation Simba and involved former security forces and security, The result was a disturbing insight into the full horrors and illegal practices linked to lion farming, Ashcroft said in a statement on his website. The illegal industry dealing with lion skeletons is worth tens of millions of dollars and meets the demands of an insatiable desire in Southeast Asia and China for traditional medicines, including aphrodisiacs. Some of the horrific disclosures made by the investigation: Wealthy clients are sent photographs of the captive lions on Whatsapp and they can choose the animal they want to hunt. The price is determined by the size and the quality of the lions mane and could range from $13,000 to $55,000. Captive-bred lion trophies are first imported to the United Kingdom where such imports are not banned, they are then hidden inside the skin of dead red deer and transported to the United States. In an eco-farm in South Africas Free State province, more than 50 lions were slaughtered for their bones in just two days. The abusive industry is cross-breeding lions and tigers to produce hybrid animals. The hybrids fetch more money as their bones are heavier but many hybrid cubs are born with defects and die very young. South Africa is the only country that permits large-scale, captive-lion farming and that has an annual quota for the legal export of lion bones. Many more lion bones are illegally smuggled to the Far East, said Ashcroft. He urged the South African government to ban captive-bred lion farming, make it illegal, and also called on the United Kingdom government to take action. Lord Ashcroft is calling for the South African government to halt lion farming, and the UK to ban the importation of captive lion trophies. The former Conservative Party Deputy Chairman talks to Julia next. Listen live https://t.co/sv3MZUm41c@JuliaHB1 | @LordAshcroft pic.twitter.com/mPyW91Y68F talkRADIO (@talkRADIO) April 29, 2019 I also call on the UK government to follow the lead of other nations, notably the U.S., in banning the importation of captive lion trophies. We must do our bit to stamp out lion farming and show that we are not in any way complicit with it, he said. Unaware tourists are also helping to support the illegal lion farming industry by paying to play with the cubs and walk with adult lions. You have got to stop yourself feeling, This is really cool, Ive just been licked by a real-life lion cub,' one of the investigators told Daily Mail. Youve got to think, No, these poor things are destined for a lifetime in captivity and then the possibility of an appalling death. Dalvir Singh (R) in a booking photograph after being arrested on suspicion of kidnapping two children at the Atrium Medical Center in Midddletown, Ohio, in a moment caught on CCTV on April 25, 2019. (L) (Middletown Police) 8-Year-Old Hero Saves Sister From Kidnapping in Moving Car An 8-year-old boy rescued his sister from the grasp of a kidnapper, both tumbling out of a moving car as their grandmother clung to the drivers door before she was dragged to the ground outside an Ohio hospital. A video of the dramatic rescue was released by local police as they announced they had charged a 24-year-old man with kidnapping, felonious assault, and grand theft. Nita Coburn, 69, had pulled up to the emergency room in Middletown, Ohio on April 25 to drop off another woman. But as she helped her into the Atrium Medical Center, a man leaped into the drivers seat of her car and started to drive off, with her two grandchildren in the back. Coburn ran to the car, grabbed hold of the door and was dragged along before her grip was torn away by the accelerating carunaware that her grandchildren had already escaped. Video from today's press release Chief Muterspaw stated, "This little guy is a hero. No question. He pulled his sister out of the car with no concern for his own safety. That is incredible at his age and outstanding work by Officers Kirby and Engleka to find the suspect and take him down without incident. So proud of their work" Posted by Middletown Division of Police on Friday, April 26, 2019 The video shows the two children tumbling out of the rear door just as Coburn runs alongside the car. They were identified as 8-year-old Chance and his 10-year-old sister Skyler by WCPO. The little boy opened the door to escape and the little girl started to jump out also but the man grabbed the hoodie of the little girl not allowing her to leave., said the Middletown police office in a statement. As she tried to get away her little brother grabbed hold of her and pulled her away from the kidnapper and they both tumbled out of the vehicle as it was moving. Police identified the driver was as heroin addict Dalvir Singh from India, 24, who was arrested after two officers saw the vehicle fleeing the scene. According to the police, Coburn opened the drivers door to regain control of the car, but Singh slammed the door shut and locked it. She hung onto the vehicle panicking because she thought the children were still inside, said the statement. The vehicle dragged her until it accelerated at a high rate of speed and she was forced to let go. Police Chief Rodney Muterspaw praised Chances actions. This little guy is a hero, he said. No question. He pulled his sister out of the car with no concern for his own safety. That is incredible at his age. Coburn told WCPO that every time she thinks about the incident, she wants to cry. Its the most morbid feeling in the world. But she said she wasnt afraid. That car didnt bother me at all, Coburn said. It was them two babies. No one needs to feel that fear. No one does. Top: The Chinese flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images) Bottom: Australia's Parliament House in Canberra on Sept. 7, 2010. (Torsten Blackwood/AFP/Getty Images) (Photo compilation made by Epoch Times Staff) A Sustainable China Policy The Australian public is misinformed about the Chinese Communist Party, and that's bad policy By Michael Shoebridge Australias policy on China is one that cannot speak its name. Decisions driven by an underlying policy are announced, but that underlying policy is unspoken and even denied. Two examples are the 5G decision that banned Huawei and ZTE, and the Manus Island naval base joint initiative with PNG and the U.S. Each one hinged on Chinese state actions and policy, and, in each case, ministers avoided saying the C word. This is fooling no onecertainly not Beijingbut its leaving the Australian public misinformed about one of the key areas of government policy for their lifetimes. Thats bad policy and bad politics. Too much weight is put on managing the relationship, at the expense of understanding and managing the real balances of interest in the relationshipand how those balances are changing. Beijing uses the lack of policy clarity and Australian jitters about the tone and vibe of the relationship as leverage to put pressure on each looming decision. Italong with media that love a controversyportrays each one as a test of the relationship, an opportunity to do the right thing this time, and so reset the relationship. The next government will face this in spades after the election. In one big way the AustraliaChina relationship is a photo negative of the AustraliaU.S. relationship. Our China relationship has been almost wholly economic, while the policy world in Canberra talks as if the U.S. relationshipthe allianceis entirely about strategy and security. Both need a rebalance. Policymakers need to remember that the U.S. is much the largest single source of investment into Australia, followed by the UK and Belgiumbut also not be complacent about the large fixed stock of U.S. investment. China (including Hong Kong) ranks fifth, after Japan, although particular investments and bids from China have been in sectors with strong strategic implications, such as communications and energy distribution. With the Chinese states growing willingness to use its power aggressively and openly, as well as coercively and covertly, the relationship requires strategic issues and interests to be understood and managed in combination with the economic ones. Honesty about the difficulties in dealing with the authoritarian Chinese Communist Party (CCP) under President Xi and what it means for how Chinese companies and the state work is needed both within policy circles and in Australias public discourse. Most of the big decisions Australian Governments will make in coming years will need to integrate the economic elements with the strategic ones. Beijing does so now, to its benefit, and this is exactly what the new U.S. China policy is starting to do. At present, national security issues bubble up through our national security agencies to ministers and economic ones bubble up through the economic portfolios, and the two seem to meet mainly on the Treasurers desk when it comes to foreign investment and in cabinet and the National Security Committee in other cases. Its not good enough for the integration of strategic and economic advice to happen just in ministers heads or in the cabinet room. Australias economic relationship with China is mainly a supplier-customer one. We sell China world-class resources and services (iron ore, coal, gas, education and tourism) at globally competitive prices, and we buy manufactured goods at equally competitive prices. Beijing needs our resources and services and knows it, and until we diversify our economy further away from the all in bet weve taken in recent decades on the China market, we also need China to buy those resources and services in high volumes. The challenge here is to stop talking (and thinking) as if this means were dependent on Beijing and so must do what Beijing wants whenever we can so that they dont stop buying from us. Quick Wins A very quick win is one of realisation. On our trade, we can simply recognise a central fact: Beijing isnt doing us favours by buying resources and services from us. This is a case of Australia being interdependent with Beijing, rather than being dependent on it. Thats great news, because we have more decision-taking room than we tell ourselves, and its less likely than advisers have told us that Beijing will act punitively when Australia takes sensible decisions in our national interest. We can also realise that theres no escape from the fact that Beijing pursues strategic interests and goals through economic means. So national security must be a major factor in what many might prefer to be wholly economic decisions. A defining quick win can be made early in the term of the next government. The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister can release a declaratory policy on China that gets ahead of the commentariat and avoids the reset the relationship playbook Beijing uses. Its foundation would look like this: Overall, we seek a mature, respectful relationship between our nations, in ways that enhance the prosperity and security of our region and the world. Clarity on where our interests work togetherand where they dontis an important step in building this relationship. We want to continue our close and growing economic relationship because its to both countries benefit. Beijing gets high-quality resources and education and tourist services at competitive prices. We get revenue and economic activity thats important to our society. Our economic and trade relationship can continue to benefit both countries people, while being informed by our strategic interests as well as our economic ones. Well gradually diversify our economy to reduce the business and strategic risks from relying too heavily on a single country. That will make us a more resilient economic partner. We welcome debate and exchanges of views as part of our politics and national decision-making. However, we wont tolerate foreign influence activities that are in any way covert, coercive or corrupt, and we will counter cyber exploitation activities, as we will from any state or non-state actor. We dont see the Chinese states use of aggressive military and coercive power in the South China Sea or in other parts of the world as contributing to peace and stability. This is a clear example of different strategic interests, and this difference will inform our policy and actions. As is the case in Beijing, there are some limits to our engagement. We dont seek to advance the capabilities of the Peoples Liberation Army, and this will constrain some defence, industrial and research interaction between us. We have reached peak foreign direct investment when it comes to Chinese investment into Australian critical infrastructurephysical and digitalso foreign investment decisions will take this into account. We want to work with the leadership in Beijing to manage our bilateral relationship effectively, guided by our policy framework and on a basis of mutual respect. No doubt the relationship managers in various parts of the bureaucracy will counsel against making open statements about truths that guide decisions but that might upset Beijing if said out loud. That counsel, while no doubt well-meaning and certainly consistent with the practice in recent decades, is wrong. Ministers can gain valuable political space by saying publicly whats until now been an emerging and implicit framework on China. Beijing already knows that the de facto policy settings in Canberra look a lot like this policy frameworkand has probably been surprised that recent governments have turned themselves inside out to not say most of this. Public policy statements not only set the ground with Beijing, but have a critical domestic function of building Australian public and business community support and understanding of policy. This is key to sustaining Australias China policy over coming years. The Hard Yards Implementing this policy framework involves some hard yards across the bureaucracy. Portfolios that arent natural partners, such as Defence and Treasury, or Foreign Affairs, Education and Defence, will need to work much more closely together to provide integrated policy advice to ministers. Theyll need to look beyond individual decisions and set out an agenda that provides opportunities from big decisions like the recent one on 5G. Where was the package that took advantage of this decision and set out a positive agenda for how Australian technology firms were going to work with the U.S. and other partners in the new 5G and future internet environment created by this decision? Ministers will need to be more demanding of their departments on this to drive this deeper cooperation. As with the banks, after Commissioner Kenneth Hayne, the incentive structures for senior bureaucrats probably need to change. And a decision like Treasurer Frydenbergs thatfor very good reasonsvetoed a Chinese firms takeover of east coast gas distribution should no longer be able to be made without an accompanying set of policy incentives and measures that encourage investment in this type of asset from such places as Canada, Japan, the U.S. and the EU (all wealthy investor states or organisations whose strategic interests and relationships with companies pose no security problems through such investment). National security must be a foundational element in major economic decisionsand most decisions involving the Chinese statenot just a risk item to be ticked off to get to yes on particular deals and investments. Beijing operates in this way and is adept at making linkages between issues. Australia must lift its game as a result. Breaking the Rules On China, diplomacy needs to return to its proper role as a part of the policy implementation machinery and not lead the debate. This will recognise that relationship management is a supporting element of our China policy, not its heart. Unfortunately, much current policy and knowledge within key departments is an extrapolation of past decades and isnt proving up to the task of dealing with the Chinese state under President Xi, let alone the combination of Xis China and Trumps America. Another rule ready to be broken is the one that has seen senior officials speak less and less publicly and openly, using tightly scripted talking points that ensure nothing is said even when they do speak. Engaging maturely with the Chinese state and bringing the public and the corporate world along will be much easier if more policy voices are in this conversationand senior officials from multiple departments can step up here to everyones benefit. Federal ministers and officials also could do a great service to other levels of government and the national interest by lifting their engagement with state and local government counterparts on China policy. A joined-up policy approach across all levels of government is needed to understand and deal with the broad activities of the Chinese state and its linked companies. Having a truly national approach to major Chinese initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Smart Cities program is both necessary and urgentand must be led from Canberra. Really breaking the rules on Australias engagement with China might need some rather powerful external push, rather than looking to the formal arms of government. If the next government were to want to rethink our relationship with China across the political, economic and strategic waterfront in light of the way President Xis authoritarian CCP is running it, then maybe the banks have a lesson for us. The forensic mind of a royal commissioner like Hayne might be just whats needed to really reset things, as Justice Hope did as royal commissioner into the Australian intelligence community in the 1970s. Michael Shoebridge is the Director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institutes Defence and Strategy Program Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. AG William Barr Warns He Might Not Appear at House Committee Hearing on Mueller Report Attorney General William Barr has warned a House committee that he may pull out of a scheduled hearing focused on special counsel Robert Muellers investigation if they plan to go ahead with the format proposed by the committee chair. Barr told Democrats in the House Judiciary Committee that he objects to the additional rounds of questioning proposed by Chairman Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), reported CNN, citing a committee source with knowledge of the matter. Along with the five minutes of questions for each member of the committee, Nadler has also proposed a subsequent round that would give each side 30 minutes to question the attorney general, while also allowing both parties committee counsel to participate in the questioning. Moreover, Nadler also proposed to have a closed session to discuss redacted sections of Muellers report. Justice Department spokesperson Kerri Kupec told The Hill in a statement that Congress members should be the ones doing the questioning. The Attorney General agreed to appear before Congress. Therefore, Members of Congress should be the ones doing the questioning. He remains happy to engage with Members on their questions regarding the Mueller report, Kupec told the news website. Meanwhile, the Washington Examiner reported that the Justice Department and the committee are still in discussion regarding the format, citing a separate department official. Barr offered to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 1 and the House Judiciary Committee on May 2 after the release of Muellers report. A redacted report was made publicly available on April 18, which concluded that the Trump campaign or anyone associated with it did not conspire with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election. It also found the special counsel didnt provide enough evidence to substantiate that the president obstructed justice. In response to Barrs objections, Nadler told CNN on April 28 that he would not allow the attorney general to tell the committee how to conduct its hearing. He added that if Barr refuses to appear, then the House Democrats would subpoena Barr and use whatever means we can to enforce the subpoena. The House Democrats have refused to accept the finding of the Mueller report and have launched hearings and investigations into the obstruction of justice claims that they hoped would lead to the impeachment of President Donald Trump. They have also criticized Barr for the handling of the release of the report and accused him of siding with the president. For example, the House Democrats have repeatedly pushed for the release of the full unredacted Mueller report, even though Barr has expressed his intention to accommodate with Congresss requests and to release the report to the fullest extent possible. The redactions are required to protect grand jury secrecy or to comply with judicial orders aimed at protecting the release of sensitive discovery information. They are also necessary to prevent the disclosure of information related to ongoing investigations and criminal proceedings including the Internet Research Agency and Roger Stone cases. On April 19, Nadler issued a subpoena for the full unredacted report so that his committee could make informed decisions, including whether or not to try and impeach President Trump. He expects the Justice Department to comply with the subpoena by May 1. 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 Barr has previously offered to allow select members of Congress to read a less-redacted version of the Mueller reportan offer the House Democrats have not taken up, according to a spokesperson for the House Judiciary Committee Republicans, reported CNN. Barr is scheduled to attend the Senate hearing on May 1. India Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Left) gestures while talking with China's President Xi Jinping during the BRICS leaders' meeting with the BRICS Business Council at the Taj Exotica hotel in Goa on October 16, 2016. (PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/Getty Images) Around 200 US Companies Considering Moving Production From China to India A top U.S.-based group that advocates for strong business relations with India recently revealed that about 200 U.S. companies have contacted them about the possibility of setting up an alternative manufacturing base in India to replace their current assembly lines in China. In an April 27 interview with Press Trust of India, Indias largest news agency, Mukesh Aghi, president and CEO of the Washington-based U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum, said that in the past several months, he has received an increased number of inquiries from roughly 200 U.S. companies. To increase Indias competitiveness, Aghi suggested that India and the United States draft a free trade agreement, especially if India is concerned about cheap goods coming from China that could take business away from domestic companies. The trade dispute between the United States and Chinawith U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made goodshas already prompted many manufacturers with production bases in China to move their factories out of the country to prevent losses. In December 2018, news emerged that Foxconn, the Taiwanese contract manufacturer known for making Apple products, would begin assembling its top-end iPhones in India. Several other Apple suppliers also announced that they would either build new manufacturing factories or boost production capacity in India. An April 23 Los Angeles Times commentary postulated why the Trump administration was insistent on imposing tariffs: they [the Trump White House] and others in Washington see Beijing as a serious threat to American interests and want to encourage U.S. firms to shift supply chains away from China, preferably to the United States or a third-party country. But long before the U.S.China trade war started in spring 2018, many top brands such as Samsung, Intel, LG, Nokia, Nike, and Adidas already had begun moving their manufacturing bases from China to other countries due to rising production costs, such as increased wages and more expensive rent and utilities. China Faces Hot Competition Growing production costs in China and the unclear future of Chinas tariff war with the United States has opened opportunities for Asian countries to attract more foreign investments. Aghi said he hoped the next Indian government would accelerate economic reforms and make the decision-making process more transparent, so as to attract more foreign companies to invest in India. India, with a 900 million electorate, is currently holding elections in seven phases from April 11 to May 19 to vote on members of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Indias bicameral Parliament. The result of the votes will be declared on May 23. Both the Bharatiya Janata Party led by current Prime Minister Narendra Modi and its main opposition party Indian National Congress have expressed that they would welcome increased foreign investment. According to the Mizuho Research Institute in Japan, Vietnam is Asias biggest beneficiary from the U.S.China trade war, with foreign direct investment in Vietnam reaching $19.1 billion in 2018, 9.1 percent higher than the value in 2017. Capitalizing on companies interests in exiting China, countries such as Cambodia, Philippines, Malaysia, Mexico, and Taiwan have in recent years pushed policies to attract foreign direct investments, such as lowering tariff rates. For example, Vietnam, Mexico, and Malaysia signed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership with Australia, Canada, Japan, and five other countries in 2018, which stipulates that goods traded between member countries are tariff-free. Vietnam has also negotiated the EUVietnam Free Trade Agreement and the EUVietnam Investment Protection Agreement with the European Union, which will reduce tariff rates on goods traded between the EU and Vietnam. The agreements are awaiting signatures from the EU. China's Vice Premier Liu He (C) pose for a photo with U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin (R) and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer (L) at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on March 29, 2019. (Nicolas Asfouri/Pool via Reuters) As Trade Talks Reach Endgame, US-China Ties Could Hinge on Enforcement BEIJINGU.S. negotiators head to China on April 30 to try to hammer out details to end the two countries trade war, including the shape of an enforcement mechanism, the success or failure of which could set the trajectory of ties for years to come. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will travel to Beijing for talks beginning on April 30, followed by a visit by Chinese Vice Premier Liu He to Washington for more discussions starting on May 8. Both sides have cited progress on issues including intellectual property and forced technology transfer to help end a trade war marked by tit-for-tat tariffs on each others goods. Those issues are still on the table, according to the White House, but U.S. officials say privately that an enforcement mechanism for a deal and timelines for lifting tariffs are sticking points. Agreeing to a way to enforce a deal is one thing. Ensuring it holds up under ties strained by growing mistrust and geopolitical tensions will be another, say watchers of the relationship. An effective enforcement mechanism will define the deal, Tim Stratford, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham), told Reuters. The deal doesnt need to revamp Chinas economy. But it does need to provide a new methodology for dealing with our differences, said Stratford, a lawyer and former assistant U.S. Trade Representative who has worked in China for more than three decades. This is incredibly high stakes. We have a particular window of opportunity, and a lot in the future of U.S.-China relations rests on this, he said. At a Crossroads President Donald Trump said on April 4 that the two sides could have a deal worked out in about four weeks. On Thursday, he said he would soon host Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the White Housea meeting seen as needed to cement an agreement. Though a final date for a deal remains unclear, talks have brought China and the United States to a crossroads in their relationship. China has long defined commerce as the ballast in the relationship. Now, some warn that the two are teetering toward a new type of Cold War, as Beijing asserts its growing military strength in Asia and Washington ramps up scrutiny of Chinese tech companies and cracks down on Chinese espionage and influence campaigns at U.S. institutions and universities. But years of only piecemeal economic reforms in China and continued industrial policies that U.S. companies complain have eroded their competitive edge have weakened key U.S. business sector support for China. AmCham said this month that U.S. businesses could no longer be counted on as a positive anchor in bilateral relations. Lighthizer has suggested that some form of the tariffs Trump imposed last year on Chinese goods as leverage in the dispute should hang over a deal to ensure compliance. Trade experts say Chinas record of exploiting loopholes at the World Trade Organization suggests it will look aggressively for new areas where it can say the United States isnt living up to its pledges. Earlier this month, Mnuchin said the two sides had agreed on establishing new enforcement offices to police an agreement, although he did not give specifics. On Sunday, he told the New York Times talks are entering a critical point: Were getting into the final laps. By Michael Martina Jung Bun-sun, a survivor from the Hiroshima bombing, wipes her face during an interview with The Korea Times last year at a special nursing facility for Korean atomic bomb survivors in Hapcheon, South Gyeongsang Province. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Inside the museum dedicated to the Korean victims of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk By Jung Min-ho Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Oct. 22, 2018. (AAP/Mick Tsikas/Reuters) Australias PM, Opposition Leader Prepare for First Live Debate Ahead of May 18 Election Prime Minister Scott Morrison will debate Labor leader Bill Shorten in Perth on Monday in a bid to win over undecided voters. Voter concerns about tax and climate policy are expected to dominate the first leaders debate of the federal election campaign on Monday night. Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten will go head to head in Perth at 7 p.m. AEST in a debate hosted by the Seven Network and The West Australian, and televised on 7TWO. Readers of The West Australian have nominated questions, mostly around the themes of Labors franking credits policy, the economy, tax, border protection and climate. Policy costings are also likely to be a focus. Im just going to be myself and be upfront with people, Morrison told Nova radio on Monday. I imagine were going to talk a lot about the GST. The distribution of GST revenues has been a big issue for Western Australia, with both major parties promising a better deal. Shorten told reporters in Perth he would be talking about the big picture. Tonight is debate nightIm really looking forward to a positive debate, outlining competing visions for what we can do to help the Australian people, he said. He said child care should be put ahead of unsustainable tax loopholes at the top end of town. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will face off in the first leaders debate in Perth on April 29. @sunriseon7 pic.twitter.com/C6M55qenxh Matt Tinney (@Matt_Tinney) April 16, 2019 With early voting starting on Monday, the debate takes on greater importance. A Newspoll released on Sunday night in The Australian shows the coalition has narrowed the polling gap with Labor, trailing only 51 per cent to 49 per cent in the two-party preferred vote. Another Newspoll on Australias preferred prime minister showed Morrison leading Shorten 45 percent to 37 percent. A second debate has been scheduled to be broadcast on Sky News from Brisbane on Friday, but the prime minister has already called for a third in prime time. Shorten wants the third debate to be held at lunchtime at the National Press Club. Morrison released a letter on Sunday evening calling for the third debate to be moderated by ABC journalist Leigh Sales and held in the evening of May 7, 8, or 9. A prime-time debate would provide as many Australians as possible, including those who work during the day, the best opportunity to scrutinise the very clear choice on offer at this election, the letter said. The letter also says the third debate wouldnt prevent the two leaders going head-to-head again and doesnt rule out the Nine Networks proposal to host a debate. By Angus Livingston A beluga whale seen as it swims next to a fishing boat before Norwegian fishermen removed the tight harness, swimming off the northern Norwegian coast Friday, April 26, 2019. The harness strap which features a mount for an action camera, says "Equipment St. Petersburg" which has prompted speculation that the animal may have escaped from a Russian military facility. (Joergen Ree Wiig/Norwegian Direcorate of Fisheries Sea Surveillance Unit via AP) Beluga Whale Found With Russian Harness Alarms Norwegian Military A beluga whale was discovered with a harness around its body that apparently was Russian-made, sparking alarm from Norwegian officials that the animal escaped a military facility in Russia, according to reports on April 29. Joergen Ree Wiig, a marine biologist from the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, said that Equipment St. Petersburg was written on the harness, ABC News reported. The harness featured a mount for a camera. I have been in contact with some Russian researchers and they can confirm that there is nothing they are doing, Audun Rikardsen of Norwegian Arctic University said, according to New Scientist. This beluga whale was found wearing a harness. Norway thinks it escaped from a Russian military facility https://t.co/fHIHMocJB1 pic.twitter.com/WqJhINPyYk National Post (@nationalpost) April 29, 2019 He said the beluga is most likely from the Russian Navy in Murmansk. The whale was approaching boats and trying to rub off the straps, according to the publication. A fisherman then went into the water and took off the harness. Wiig said the whale exhibited behavior that suggested it had been in captivity for a while. This beluga whale which was spotted off Norways coast could belong to the Russian navy. It was reportedly wearing a harness with equipment of St Petersburg written inside it more on this story here: https://t.co/AUMDEKIGjL pic.twitter.com/ciIyEhIiTb Sky News (@SkyNews) April 29, 2019 It was very used to people, so I do not know if it will manage alone, Wiig said, according to New Scientist. The United States, the Soviet Union, and other countries have used beluga whales or dolphins for military purposes. Moscow used dolphins during the Cold War to plant bombs and detect abandoned ships. The U.S. Navy said it has trained bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions to detect, locate, mark and recover objects in harbors, coastal areas, and at depth in the open sea. Rikardsen said the beluga is a tame animal that is used to get food served so that is why it has made contacts with the fishermen, The Associated Press reported. Beluga Whale Filmed Wearing Harness Thought to Be Trained by Russian Special Ops Force: WATCH https://t.co/GRffZ5DWGq pic.twitter.com/h5hPo4EkuI Towleroad (@tlrd) April 29, 2019 The question is now whether it can survive by finding food by itself. We have seen cases where other whales that have been in Russian captivity doing fine, he said. According to BBC, Rikardsen added that the harness was attached really tightly around its head, in front of its pectoral fins and it had clips, saying that a GoPro could be attached there. Col. Viktor Baranets, a Russian reserve colonel, said that it could have escaped from the Russian navy. We have military dolphins for combat roles, we dont cover that up, he told the BBC. In Sevastopol (in Crimea) we have a center for military dolphins, trained to solve various tasks, from analyzing the seabed to protecting a stretch of water, killing foreign divers, attaching mines to the hulls of foreign ships. The Soviet Union used a base in Sevastopol on the Crimean peninsula during the Cold War to train the mammals for military purposes such as searching for mines or other objects and planting explosives. The facility in Crimea was closed following the collapse of the Soviet Union, though unnamed reports shortly after the Russian annexation of Crimea indicated that it had reopened. The Russian Defense Ministry published a public tender in 2016 to purchase five dolphins for a training program. The tender did not explain what tasks the dolphins were supposed to perform but indicated they were supposed to have good teeth. It was taken offline shortly after publication. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A group of illegal aliens walk up the road after crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico. Further up the road, they will be processed by Border Patrol and then board a bus bound for the Border Patrol processing facility in McAllen, Texas, on April 18, 2019. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Border Patrol: Kids Are Being Rented DEL RIO, TexasA 1-year-old baby that a Honduran man tried to pass off as his childto gain a quick release from Border Patrol after illegally crossing the borderwas not his. The man was caught only through the vigilance of Border Patrol agents. By regulation, biographical information on children under 14 isnt taken. You can walk through any of our processing centers and you can see that there are potentially parents, or adults with children, that there may not be a familial relationship, said Raul Ortiz, Border Patrol chief for Del Rio, Texas. Theres probably many more cases like that happening across all nine southwest border sectors on any given day. Really, if you think about it, its human trafficking. In 2014, fewer than 1 percent of all men apprehended by Border Patrol in the Rio Grande Valley Sector had a child with them. That number now sits at 50 percent, according to Rodolfo Karisch, chief Border Patrol agent for that sector. The number of family units crossing illegally has skyrocketed since a judge in California reinterpreted the Flores Settlement Agreement in 2015 to now say that any child, including those with parents, cant be held longer than 20 days. Previously, that law had only applied to unaccompanied minors. Twenty days is not long enough to adjudicate an asylum case, so with the system overwhelmed with sheer volume, family units are being released within a few days. In both fiscal 2016 and 2017, the total number of family units that were apprehended by Border Patrol was around 77,000. Family unit numbers count the total number of individuals who arrived as a family unit (at least one parent and one child). However, in fiscal 2018, the numbers jumped to 107,000. And in the first six months of fiscal 2019, the number of family units has shot to almost 190,000. The vast majority are from Honduras, Guatemala, or El Salvador. Make no mistake about it, the word is getting out: if you are part of a family, if you bring a child, you will be released, Karisch said at a Senate hearing on April 9. He said Border Patrol recently intercepted a text message from an MS-13 gang member who was part of a fraudulent family unit. Karisch read out the message: You should see the amount of Hondurans that are traveling with a child. And they pay less to the smugglers in order to be delivered to the Border Patrol. And its a direct trip. They have them a few days with Border Patrol and afterwards, they are released. There are a lot of people with that law. That is the easiest way right now. Entire families are coming. On April 18, in the Rio Grande Valley, a group of 35 illegal aliens was apprehended by Border Patrol. One woman, who said she was five months pregnant, said her husband and their daughter had crossed on a different day as a separate family unit. Families are now using that tactic so that everyone is released quickly, said Carlos Ruiz, Border Patrol agent in the Rio Grande Valley. Because if they came as a whole family we can hold one of the parents for however long we want to, Ruiz said Were not going to separate the child from either the mother or the father, but we will separate the father or the mother from them. Weve Missed Many, Many More In the Yuma, Arizona, sector, an average of three fake families are discovered every day. In the past six months, Yuma Border Patrol agents have detected 550 fraudulent family units, according to Sector Chief Anthony Porvaznik. And we know weve missed many, many more, simply because were overwhelmed with the sheer numbers, Porvaznik said on April 17. And so those are kids that are being rented, for lack of a better word, to an adult to format a fraudulent family unit so that they can be released in the United States and then that child will be recycled back to its country of originusually Guatemala, in our case here in Yuma. The Yuma sector has become the third busiest in the nation for illegal crossings, but the Rio Grande Valley still dwarfs Yumas numbers by four times. Porvaznik said another problem is adults who are getting their birth certificates altered to indicate theyre juvenilesmaking it much easier to be released into the United States, either as part of a family unit or as an unaccompanied minor. So theres a huge fraud problem thats going on with this process, he said. He said he has started a pilot program that allows Border Patrol to collect biometric data of a child under 14, if the adult with the child consents. A rapid-DNA pilot program is also starting, but its very expensive and limited in scope, Porvaznik said. Its hard to put that into play right now. So, what were relying on are fingerprints and photographs. And interviews that agents do of the kids, he said. Our agents do a great job with trying to detect [fraud], but the problem is, is when we have 1,000, 1,100 people in custody, really our goal is to get those people processed we need to move those people out of our custody. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on April 29 that it is sending agents and experts to the border to investigate child smuggling and document fraud used to exploit family immigration loopholes. Serious Harm If an adult is found to have an unrelated child with him or her, the child is then processed as an unaccompanied minor, Ruiz said. We work together with the consulates. They usually help us find a family member here in the United States, or the mother or father back in their home country, he said. He said that sometimes, the parents have willingly given their children over to be part of a fake family unit, other times not. Sometimes, the smuggling groups will match an unaccompanied minor with an adult to pass as a family unitostensibly charging the adult extra. These kids are being trafficked through multiple countries and put through terrible conditions, Ortiz said. If we dont do something to stop this, if we dont make a stand on the border security and immigration problem right now, theres going to be more of these kids that are going to be subjected to some serious harm. Christopher Krebs, former director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, testifies during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington, on Oct. 19, 2017. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Chinas Cybersecurity Threats Target Middleman IT Providers, US Official Says China is growing more efficient at cyber theft, a U.S. official warned at a recent cybersecurity conference in Washington. So what were seeing is rather than the Chinese actors going directly at individual companies, theyre going to the points of aggregation. They understand the business decisions and the business processes domestically here in our infrastructure, but not just in the U.S., but in Europe and elsewhere, said Christopher Krebs, director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Krebs was one of the keynote speakers at the eighth annual International Conference on Cyber Engagement held on April 23. Points of aggregations refer to managed service providers (MSPs), which are companies that manage other firms information technology (IT) infrastructure systems. These could include small and medium-sized MSPs, as well as large technology firms such as IBM. Krebs explained that many firms are choosing to outsource their IT to these MSPs to save money and be more productive. And so theyre going to these managed service providers, which provides the adversary or the actor, a much more efficient way of getting to the stuff they want to get. And thats the intellectual property, thats personally identifiable information, he added. Krebs highlighted the case of the U.S. Department of Justice indicting two Chinese citizens in December last year for targeting such MSPs. Zhu Hua and Zhang Shilong, as members of the hacker group APT10 (Advanced Persistent Threat 10), allegedly broke into computers and computer networks managed by MSPs on behalf of businesses and governments around the world. Zhu and Zhang allegedly acted in association with the Tianjin City bureau of Chinas Ministry of State Security, the countrys main intelligence agency. Earlier in October 2018, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a warning against increased attacks by APT10, targeting U.S. firms in multiple sectors, including information technology, energy, health care, communication, and manufacturing. The targeted U.S. firms were leaders in the same sectors that China has prioritized for aggressive development, according to its industrial development blueprint Made in China 2025which outlines how China will dominate high-tech sectors such as robotics and advanced information technology by 2025. If youre a domestic infrastructure, if youre a U.S. company, if youre any company that plays in any of those strategic sectors, you have a target on you. Manage risk accordingly, Krebs warned. He added that U.S. companies wanting to do business in China should be eyes-open, for Chinas cybersecurity and intelligence laws leave their data vulnerable to the Chinese regime. A new cybersecurity law that went into effect in June 2017, demanded all companies operating in China to store their data within Chinas geographical areaa move that means data on Chinese servers could be accessed by the Chinese regime at will. Chinas national intelligence law, also effective in 2017, requires every Chinese organization and citizen to assist and cooperate with Beijings national intelligence efforts. The broad and vague definition of national intelligence means that companies and citizens must answer to the Chinese regime when called upon. The Chinese regimes unfair business practices, including technology theft, cost the U.S. economy more than $57 billion annually, according to an April 12 NPR report, citing estimates by unidentified White House officials. Clive Palmer speaks to the media on May 14, 2014 in Canberra, Australia. (Stefan Postles/Getty Images) Clive Palmer Hands Over $7M to Queensland Nickel Workers Clive Palmer says hes handed over A$7 million so sacked Queensland Nickel workers can finally receive their entitlements. Clive Palmer has finally stumped up A$7 million to pay out the entitlements of sacked Queensland Nickel workers. About two weeks ago, Palmer said hed cover A$7.16 million in entitlements still owed to workers who lost their jobs when his nickel business collapsed with massive debts. About a week ago, he told reporters the money would be paid into a trust account today, with a solicitor appointed to process any claims. Palmer said the payment was an act of goodwill, and he was offering the money because he wanted to, not because he had to. Although I was just a shareholder of the holding company of Queensland Nickel at the time, with no personal liability, I had arranged a payment of $7 million for that purpose to be paid in a solicitors trust account so he could pay all the workers, Palmer said on Monday afternoon. That payment has been made and hes currently dealing with the claims that have been received. Palmer has come under fire for not paying outstanding worker entitlements while spending tens of millions of dollars on federal election advertising for his United Australia Party. Earlier on Monday, the businessman said his partys advertising spend would roughly match what Labor and the coalition had spent in the past. Well the Liberal, Labor party have spent between $50 and $60 million in the last election and I think we will be spending roughly about the same by the time of the election, he told Nines Today program. He also denied he was in financial strife and, when asked what he was worth, cited recent polls in The Australian putting his fortune at about $4,000 million. Im in terrible strife, it is really difficult, he quipped. Palmer was less generous when asked if hed pay back almost A$70 million in entitlements covered by Australian taxpayers when the nickel business folded. The federal government stepped in to meet those debts and then appointed liquidators to purse Palmer for the funds. But Palmer said that debt was not his to bear and that Queensland Nickels administrators are responsible because they refused his offer to keep the Townsville nickel plant open. By Tracey Ferrier Detectives Searching Landfill for Body of Mission 6-Year-Old Boy; Mother, Aunt Arrested Homicide detectives are searching a landfill in California for the body of a missing 6-year-old boy presumed to be dead following the arrests of the childs mother and aunt, according to police. Authorities believe Duke Flores, who has been missing for over two weeks, was placed in a dumpster and are searching the landfill in Victorville in hopes of recovering the boys remains, police said in a statement. The search for the body of Duke Flores DATE/TIME: Friday, April 26, 2019/10:06 amINCIDENT: Murder Investigation Posted by San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department on Monday, April 29, 2019 A witness told Victor Valley News that authorities were searching in the landfill with an excavator with sheriffs dogs searching through the trash. Police said during a welfare check in the 22000 block of Cherokee Avenue on April 25, the boys mother Jakee Contreras, 29, told deputies that she had not seen her son about two weeks. She was subsequently arrested and charged with child neglect for her delay in reporting him missing. Deputies conducted a search but were not able to find the boy. BREAKING: Homicide detectives on Monday are searching a landfill in Victorville for the body of a missing 6-year-old boy Posted by KTLA 5 News on Monday, April 29, 2019 The polices search quickly became a homicide investigation where detectives conducted numerous searches and multiple interviews with family members and Contreras. At the conclusion of Contrerass interview, police charged her with murder and she was held in custody without bail. Aunt of missing 6-year-old charged with accessory to murder of Duke Flores https://t.co/eZvnIWSbFK pic.twitter.com/DzcR8QtVae Victor Valley News Group VVNG.com (@VVNews) April 27, 2019 Contreras twin sister, Jennifer Contreras, was also arrested and charged with murder on April 27, police said. Dukes grandmother, Lydia Gutierrez, said that she had not seen her grandson in 10 days. She noted that Duke has autism and had wandered off in the past, reported KTLA. The police department did not provide any details on what led to believe Duke was killed. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact the Specialized Investigations Division, Detective Narcie Sousa at (909) 387-3589 or Sheriffs dispatch at (909) 387-8313. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We-Tip at (800)78-CRIME or www.wetip.com. Chris Sandham enjoyed watching Shen Yun at the Eventim Apollo in London on April 28, 2019. (Mary Mann/The Epoch Times) LONDONAudiences around the world are touched by the beauty of Shen Yun. Chris Sandham, former director of the global drinks company Diageo, was impressed by the whole production. Its wonderful, very original, its very different to most of the things we see in the UK, said Sandham, who watched Shen Yun at the Eventim Apollo in London on April 28. It moves you very much, he said. Shen Yun transports the audience through Chinas different eras, with classical Chinese dance, a live orchestra, an animated backdrop, and dazzling costumes. Passed down over the millennia, classical Chinese dance is one of the most expressive art forms in the world. Im probably most impressed with the physicality of the dancing. The dancing is incredible and the sets and the costumes, its altogether very special, Sandham said. He also said the live orchestra, which blends Eastern and Western instruments is outstanding. Established in 2006 by a group of Chinese artists in New York, Shen Yuns mission is to revive Chinas authentic culture, which was almost lost under communist rule. Shen Yun celebrates Chinese culture, but it is not allowed to perform in China, where the communist regime has treated traditional culture as a threat to its power. Its obviously very controversial in terms of talking about the past and so on, but at the same time it projects China in a very positive note, said Sandham. He said its very important to keep traditions alive in the modern age. According to the program book, Shen Yun artists draw inspiration from the spiritual discipline Falun Dafa and strive to live by the principles of truth, compassion, and tolerance. He said he could see these values come through in the performance. Its just amazing, absolutely amazing, he said. With reporting by Mary Mann and Jane Gray. 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. Hillsdale College Names Pat Sajak to Lead Board of Trustees Longtime Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak has been named chairman of the board of trustees of Hillsdale College, a small liberal arts school in southern Michigan that is renowned for its emphasis on teaching American civic virtue and the nations Greco-Roman-Judeo-Christian roots, as well as for resisting political correctness in the academy. Founded in 1844, Hillsdale is known for its principled refusal to accept federal or state taxpayer subsidies, even indirectly in the form of student grants or loans. The move to appoint Sajak, who was already vice chairman and a board member for more than a decade, had been in the works for months. He replaces Chairman William Brodbeck, a 1966 Hillsdale graduate, who will stay on as chairman emeritus. The new vice chairman will be Steve Van Andel, a 1978 graduate of the college who is co-chairman of Amway and a former chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Our Board of Trustees is a group of dedicated men and women who honor and uphold Hillsdales historic mission. We are thrilled to have Pat take up the mantle of leadership as a dedicated friend of the College, said Chief Administrative Officer Rich Pewe. Chairman Brodbeck has provided years of wise guidance and strong leadership for the board and the College. We have full confidence that Pat will continue that legacy and help lead the College into the future. Hillsdale President Larry Arnn said Sajak has calm and steady judgment and a wicked wit. An outspoken supporter of the Republican Party and a cultural critic, Sajaks wit surfaces as he frequently speaks out on current affairs. He has written articles for conservative publications such as Human Events, taking aim at the Left and establishment media. He has tweeted his disgust at the domination of Hollywood awards ceremonies by politics: Heres a quick fix for the Academy Awards show: expand it to two nights. On the first night, give out awards, and celebrate the history and wonder of movies. On the second night, hold your political rally. Sajak rejects the idea that Americans should listen to famous people simply because they are famous. One of the (many) odd conceits of celebrityhood is the notion that the ability to sing or tell jokes or portray other characters somehow qualifies one to tell others how to vote. Not sure electricians or truckers or sales associates feel that way about themselves. As President Donald Trump labeled the cable TV network CNN purveyors of fake news, Sajak tweeted, Easy fix for CNN: change name to Current Narrative Network. My work here is done. After The Washington Post, which has pushed the discredited conspiracy theory that the Trump campaign colluded with the Russian government, adopted the tag line Democracy dies in darkness to criticize the president, Sajak mocked the newspaper, tweeting Journalism dies in darkness. Sajak owns a television production company, two radio stations, a music publishing company, and a record label, and has been a member of the board of Salem Eagle, a diversified media company, since 2003. He is also a member of the advisory boards of the Claremont Institute and the American Cinema Foundation. Sajak has won three Emmy awards, a Peoples Choice Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Former Causeway Bay Books employee Lam Wing-kee speaks during an interview at a bookshop in Taipei, Taiwan on April 29, 2019. (James Pomfret/Reuters) Hong Kong Bookseller Flees to Taiwan as Citys Extradition Proposals Loom TAIPEIA Hong Kong bookseller who was detained by China is seeking refuge in Taiwan, saying his home city will no longer be safe when new laws are enacted allowing extradition to China, which could drive even more emigrations from the financial hub. Lam Wing-kee, 63, worked at a bookshop owned by a publishing company that printed books critical of Chinas leaders and their private lives. He found himself at the center of a political storm in 2015 when he and five other Hong Kong booksellers were detained by Chinese agents. After being held in China, he was allowed to return to Hong Kong on bail for a brief visit, but stayed and lived there as a fugitive protected by Hong Kongs lack of extradition law. Last week he left for Taiwan. Theres a 99 percent chance that they would catch me and send me back to China. They (Chinese authorities) have already explicitly said that Im a fugitive, he told Reuters in a basement bookshop in Taipei. His decision to flee comes three months before the controversial laws are expected to be passed by Hong Kongs legislature that would allow individuals, including foreigners, to be sent to a number of countries including China for trial. The law is seen as a test of the autonomy of Hong Kong, which is ruled by China but has inherited a separate legal system from British colonial rule. Hong Kongs leader Carrie Lam says extradition laws are necessary to prevent Hong Kong from becoming a haven for fugitive criminals. She repeatedly has cited the case of a Hong Kong man suspected of killing his girlfriend in Taiwan last year, who has been tried in Hong Kong for money laundering but cannot be sent off to face trial for murder. We have to ask ourselves whether we will continue to tolerate this loophole in our systemwe will be making Hong Kong a haven for all these offenders of serious crime, she has said. Hong Kong officials have made repeated assurances that no one will be extradited for political crimes, and that Hong Kong courts must approve every extradition request. Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang re-iterated the extradition law is a necessary step for legal cooperation with Hong Kong, and would ensure the city doesnt become a haven for criminals. But many Hong Kong activists say the aim of the change is to tighten Chinas grip on Hong Kong, in violation of promises made when it was handed over from Britain in 1997. On April 28, more than 100,000 people marched against the billthe citys biggest street demonstration in several years. The bookseller said his heart is in pain at having to leave his home city. He said he was now striving to find a job while raising funds with a Taiwanese partner to open up an independent bookstore there. The government push on extradition rules comes as critics say freedoms have been corroded further by Chinas Communist leaders in Hong Kong. A British editor was expelled, democratic activists jailed and barred from contesting local elections, and opposition lawmakers disqualified from public office. Hong Kong isnt just changing into a city of sadness, it is becoming a tragic city, said the silver-haired bookseller. If the new laws are enacted, you will see a wave of emigrations, or refugees from Hong Kong. One Country, Two Systems Lams incarceration was part of a coordinated operation by Chinas security apparatus that led to five booksellers disappearing from locations in China, Hong Kong, and Thailand in late 2015, and later showing up in Chinese detention where they were forced to make confessions on public television. The case generated huge controversy, and undermined public confidence in Chinas commitment to preserving Hong Kongs freedoms under a so-called one country, two systems arrangement guaranteeing it a high degree of autonomy. Since returning to Hong Kong, he laid low, taking precautions in case Chinese agents target him again, but also speaking out for democracy and fundamental rights. My dream is to have a free life now here in Taiwan, said Lam who wore a brown cardigan and a cap with the United Nations logo knitted onto it. Theres no way I can remain in Hong Kong. But later, I will use my methods to retaliate against them (China), to undertake resistance. I hope to use a bookshop to struggle against them. We can help people know whats going on in Taiwan, Hong Kong, China A lot of other people can protest, demonstrate, write essays to resist Chinas oppression. We will use a bookshop. The means is different but the goal is the same. Taiwan authorities acknowledged Lams case, and said that he could, like all others, seek legal employment which would entitle him to a residency period of 1-3 years. Taiwan is a society that protects human rights and stresses the rule of law. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure the personal safety of all visitors to Taiwan, a representative of Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council wrote to Reuters. By James Pomfret A sign showing the price for gasoline is displayed at a Shell gas station in San Francisco, Calif., on April 27, 2011. (David Paul Morris/Getty Images) How Has the Gas Price Hike Affected California Residents? In the last month, Californias gas prices averaged $4.03 per gallon, $1.18 more than the national average. It comes as Californias gasoline taxes are set to increase by an additional 5.6 cents per gallon on July 1. Current California and federal gasoline taxes stand at 55.5 cents and 18.4 cents respectively as of January, totaling to 73.9 cents per gallon. How is this affecting the average Californian? The state government has decided to look into the issue. On April 23, California Gov. Gavin Newsom asked the California Energy Commission for an analysis on the states gas prices by May 15. Higher taxes, as well as Californias strict environmental regulations and fuel standards, have contributed to the rise in prices. These are the highest gas prices California has seen since 2014. Over the course of one month, prices have increased by about 68 cents per gallon. According to Gas Buddys senior petroleum analyst Dan McTeague, a supply crunch resulting from refining disruptions in the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas have contributed to the rise. Both Los Angeles and San Francisco drivers have seen an increase in their gas prices by 72 cents and 71 cents respectively. In a statement to Fox Business, McTeague said he predicted another 10-cent rise in gas prices for Californians. The incoming 5.6 cent gas tax increase in July is part of the continuing effects of SB1, which raised gas prices by 12 cents in November 2017 with the ability for future increases. The gasoline tax was said to be the solution to fixing Californias highways, freeways, and infrastructure. California voters had the opportunity to repeal SB1 with Proposition 6 in the 2018 midterm elections, but the repeal effort was rejected by 56.8 percent of the electorate, despite its popularity a month before the election. A Survey USA poll conducted in October 2018 showed 58 percent approval for Proposition 6, which would repeal SB1, with 29 percent opposed and 13 percent undecided. Many claim that the reason why Proposition 6 didnt pass was because of the final wording of the legislation on the ballots. Leading up to the election, the office of Californias Attorney General Xavier Becerra approved word changes that removed any mention of a gas tax repeal and instead read, Eliminates certain road repair and transportation funding. Requires certain fuel taxes and vehicle fees to be approved by the electorate. How Much More Are Californians Paying? With gas prices skyrocketing, just how much money is the average Californian paying at the pump on a regular basis? The top three most common cars in California are the Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, and Toyota Prius, according to Everquote. These sedans hold anywhere between 13 and 15 gallons of gasoline in their tanks. Assuming the average Californian fills up a 14-gallon sedan tank once a week with current gas prices at the $4.03 average, they are paying an average of $225.68 a month on gasoline, or $2,708 a year. In neighboring Arizona, the average price of gasoline is $3.07, almost an entire dollar less than in California. Using the same metric, Arizonans are paying an average of $171.92 per month, or $2,063 per year. Arizonans pay 37.4 cents in state and federal gasoline taxes as of 2019. The annual difference between the Californian and the Arizonan driver comes out at $645 a year. For many families making the median income in California, $67,169, this is quite a lot to bear. As California has the highest gas prices in the union and the second-highest gas taxes after Pennsylvania, many have been questioning whether another increase in gas taxes on top of the supply crunch is the right move. Good news could be around the corner, though, as national gas prices are expected to drop during the summer, falling into the $2.50$2.70 range, according to GasBuddy. While this seems promising on the surface, it may not reflect much of a difference in California, as the states gas taxes and strict refining regulations could mitigate any drop. The entrance to the Greenland International Medical Center on Jeju Island, which would have been the country's first for-profit hospital, is closed Monday. The hospital announced it will not open following a conflict with the local government over a ban on providing medical treatment to Korean patients. Yonhap By Kim Hyun-bin The Chinese-owned Greenland International Medical Center on Jeju Island, which would have been the country's first for-profit hospital, announced that it will not open for business after the Jeju provincial government revoked its license for not meeting an opening deadline. Greenland group, the hospital owner, may also drop an administrative lawsuit filed to get the provincial government to lift its ban on providing medical services to Koreans. Instead, it is expected to file for compensation from the regional government for losses arising from a delayed license approval and inability to open. On Monday, Greenland Jeju Healthcare Town, a subsidiary of the Shanghai-based Greenland Group sent an email notification to its 50 employees here stating: "Due to unfortunate circumstances, we have no choice but to close down the hospital." "We'll take legal process (for the dismissal) and if you pick a representative, we will discuss dismissal terms with the person. If any other suitable entity takes over the hospital for operation, we'll make utmost efforts to have you hired first." The 50 medical staff, including nurses, are all that remain of the 134 hired in August 2017 when Greenland Jeju Healthcare Town applied for the license. As the approval of the license was delayed for more than a year, many left. The notification came after the local government revoked the medical center's business license, April 17, for failing to open by the March 4 legal deadline without a "reasonable" cause. In it, the company said the local government approved the license on the condition of providing treatment only to foreigners, but that it could not accept this and had filed an administrative suit to annul the decision in February. "Apart from the suit, we requested the provincial government take over the hospital several times in order to resolve employees' job security issues, if removing the condition was difficult. But we did not receive any response," it said. Greenland is expected to file for compensation from the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province by using the investor-state dispute (ISD) settlement system. The company claimed during a hearing last month that it constructed the hospital facilities and hired employees at the request of the local government and the Jeju Free International City Development Center (JDC), but suffered approximately 85 billion won ($73.4 million) in losses, due to the 15-month delay in getting a license. It also claimed the conditional approval violated the Korea-China FTA. The local government approved the license for the Chinese company as the country's first for-profit hospital Dec. 5 on the condition that it only treat foreign patients. The operator strongly protested the decision, claiming it was illegal for the Jeju government to ban it from treating Koreans. In mid-February, it filed the administrative lawsuit to get the ban lifted. Due to this conflict, the hospital did not open by March 4, a 90-day deadline imposed arbitrarily from the day the license was approved. A request to extend the deadline was rejected. The regional government held a public hearing March 26 as the first step in the process of cancelling Greenland's license. A group of illegal aliens is processed by Border Patrol agents after crossing from Mexico into Yuma, Ariz., on April 13, 2019. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Illegal Immigrants Flood Into Yuma, Overwhelming Border Patrol and City Resources YUMA, Ariz.Thirteen pale and wide-eyed Guatemalans emerged onto the dusty road, puffing and panting and utterly shocked. They had just illegally crossed the Colorado River and blindly crashed their way through the scrub to find Border Patrol in the near-blackness of night. Everyone froze, standing face to face, until an Epoch Times reporter said, Buenas tardes and started asking questions in Spanish. The surreal moment passed only once we started slowly walking toward the small canal bridge that is the proxy waiting area for Border Patrol to take over. But border agents had responded to another group further down the canal, so the local police officer corralled everyone and left us to interview them after conducting a quick welfare check. One woman, who had a 7-year-old child with her, said she plans to go to Florida, where her brother-in-law lives. She said her husband and their 4-year-old are still in Guatemala. She said she had traveled north by bus and truck. Some friends told us where each city was and thats how we came. One man said it took a month to travel from Guatemala and he had to pay about 60,000 to 70,000 quetzales (US$7,800 to $9,000). We paid a lot, for so many buses and a little food, plus what the mafia people took from us in our country, he said. He plans to live in Georgia, where he has a cousin. Border Patrol arrived and processed the grouptaking names, checking any documentation, and handing out a clear plastic bag for belongings. A van was at the ready to take them to the processing facility, and they were whisked away. The 13 will be added to the tally of 31,393 illegal aliens that Border Patrol has apprehended in Yuma in the first six months of fiscal year 2019. The number of family units apprehended in Yuma has increased by 273 percent year over year. I think Americans dont truly understand. They think that everybody is here to claim asylum because they have a real credible fear in their country, said Yuma Sector Border Patrol Chief Anthony Porvaznik on April 17. In Border Patrol custody in Yuma, we really have a very small percentage of people that actually claim asylum or credible fear in our custodyits less than 10 percent. He said once the illegal immigrants leave Border Patrol custody and speak to lawyers and different groups, they are encouraged to seek asylum on the basis of credible fear of return. And so, thats usually down the roadif they show up for their first hearing, which is usually not the case, Porvaznik said. Over 90 percent are really here for economic reasons or to unite with someone they know already in the United States. And neither one of those reasons are grounds for asylum or credible fear. $1.2 Million in Supplies Border Patrol in Yuma is so overwhelmed, mostly with large groups of families coming from Guatemala, that agents dont have enough time to do a thorough check on everyone before releasing themlet alone keep the border secure. I have 50 or 60 percent of my manpower not focusing on border security, national security-related issues, said Porvaznik. I have over 1,100 people in custody in Yumatoday. Thats the most weve ever had in custody. The numbers are so overwhelmingall three of Yumas stations have a combined capacity of 410that there is no choice but to release people. Family units are released, while single males remain in custody. Right now, Im just over 100 hours average time in custody. So thats over three days of people being in our custody, Porvaznik said. And so thats three meals a day, thats all the snacks, thats all hygiene products, thats all the diapers, its all the baby formula, thats all the baby food. Its showers. Its all those things that we have to provide for that community of people that were arresting. Were spending over $100,000 a month on all the suppliers that I mentioned, which is going to be a little over $1.2 million for Yuma sector, this year alone. On top of that are the medical costs. We have 24/7 medical service providers in both of our facilities in Yuma. And its just a huge strain on our resources, Porvaznik said. Unsustainable The mayor of Yuma, Douglas Nicholls, declared a state of emergency on April 17, saying, There is an imminent threat of having too many migrant releases into our community, and its above our capacity as a community to sustain. Yuma, with its population of around 95,000, is struggling to handle the volume of mostly Central Americans flooding in. Local NGOs such as the Salvation Army and Catholic Community Services, which are providing care to the migrants after Border Patrol releases them, are also over capacity, and the flow isnt abating. The nonprofits have done a great job of continuing to try to move migrants onto their final destinationswhich is not Yuma, theyre not looking to reside in Yuma, Nicholls said. However, the transportation network is just insufficient in order to keep up with the demand. On any given day, the local Greyhound bus station fills up with bunches of migrants before the daily 11:35 a.m. departure to Phoenix. Their final destinations are all over the country, including Houston, Atlanta, Nashville, Tennessee, and cities in Florida. The Yuma County Sheriffs Office is also concerned with the possibility of large numbers of migrants being released onto the streets. If they dont have the means to provide for themselves or some sort of support network, obviously thats something that wed have to be concerned about, said Capt. Eben Bratcher, patrol bureau commander. Bratcher said Congress needs to take action to close the loopholes that are allowing for unabated illegal immigration. From a professional in the law enforcement career for nearly 30 years now, you have to think that politics seem to be more important to them than the security of the nation. And thats, for lack of a better word, disgusting, he said. The reality is, is they are facilitating this with their own political agenda in mind. And if they can create a class of people who are completely dependent upon the government for existence, then they believe that that will keep their party in power. And thats the reality. Thats their objective. Sheriff Leon Wilmot said the lack of consequences for crossing the border illegally is creating a huge open door that smugglers and cartels are exploiting. What part does Congress not understand that if you dont act, youre basically supporting the fact that Border Patrol has been turned into a transportation and housing hub for the cartels, Wilmot said. The citizens of the United States are going to have to foot the bill because the federal governments not doing their job, and theyre just dumping them into those communities and saying, Its your problem now. Checkpoints Closed For Porvaznik, the toll of being overwhelmed has wider consequences. If you look at how many people enter the country and how many people we arrest, were very effective, he said. But its the people that are getting away that are the problem. He estimates at least 20 percent of those who try to evade Border Patrol, that we know of, are successful. And with more than half of his manpower dedicated to the family units, all three of the highway checkpoints he runs are closed. We dont know what is getting through, he said. Last year we had just under 1,800 pounds of methamphetamine seized at our checkpoints. This year, were far below that because we dont have our checkpoints open all the time. So, thats hundreds and hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine, dangerous drugs getting into the communities all across America, because it doesnt stay in Yuma. It goes all across America. With reporting by Kimberly OConnell. Imprisonment Rate Drops to Lowest in 20 Years The portion of Americans imprisoned has declined by more than 2 percent in 2017, making the rate drop to its lowest since 1997. The rate has been steadily decreasing since it recorded highs of 506 per 100,000 residents in 2006 and 2007 to 440 per 100,000 in 2017, according to a recent report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (pdf). The rate dropped more steeply in 2017 for black adults, by 4 percent from 2016 and by 31 percent from 2007. Still, the rate was 2,336 per 100,000 black men, more than six times than the rate of white men (397 per 100,000). A majority (55 percent) of state prisoners were serving time for a violent offense at the end of 2016. For about 15 percent, the most serious offense was drug-related. In federal prisons, on the other hand, nearly half were serving sentences for drug-related crimes, nearly all of those for drug trafficking. Less than 7 percent were in federal prison for an immigration crime as their most serious offense. Among states with the largest prison populations, the imprisonment rate dropped in Texas (some 1.6 percent), Florida (nearly 3 percent), Georgia (almost 1 percent), and New York (more than 2.3 percent). However, it slightly increased in California (about 0.3 percent). The total prison population was just shy of 1,490,000, the first year in more than a decade when the number dropped below 1.5 million. A little over 183,000 were serving their time in federal prisons (down 3.2 percent from 2016). The number doesnt include the average of nearly 750,000 people held in jails. More than 3 percent (10.6 million) of Americans were admitted to jail in 2017, with an average jail time of 26 days, the BLS estimated based on its annual survey of jails (pdf). If the prison and average jail populations are counted together, the United States has the highest incarceration rate in the worldmore than 680 per 100,000 residents. Prison Reform In December, Congress passed the First Step Act, a bipartisan bill spearheaded by Jared Kushner, White House adviser and son-in-law to President Donald Trump. The bill aims at reducing recidivism by expanding recidivism reduction programs and productive activities for inmates in federal prisons. The programs may include life skills courses, mentoring, classes on morals or ethics, academic classes, drug addiction treatment, community services, religious classes, and prison jobs. For every 30 days in such programs, prisoners could earn 10 credits and extra credits would go to those maintaining low-risk status. A prisoner who maintains low-risk status for a certain time could turn the credits into days spent in prerelease detentionsuch as home confinement, halfway houses, and community supervisionat the end of the prison term. Certain inmates would be excluded from the credit scheme, like those sentenced for murders and other serious felonies such as terrorism offenses, sex offenses, and other crimes resulting in death. The more I met and spoke with those involved in our criminal justice system, the more clear it became that unfair sentencing rules were contributing to the cycle of poverty and crime like really nothing else before, Trump said at the April 1 Prison Reform Summit at the White House. It was time to fix this broken systemand its a system of the pastand to improve the lives of so many people. Since signing the reform into law in December, Trump has proposed a Second Step Act to make it easier for former federal prisoners to get jobs. In China, Another Vaccine Scandal Rocks Consumer Confidence Another vaccine scandal has erupted, adding to a series of recent incidents in China involving faulty vaccines. The latest scandal centers around the Boao-Yinfeng Healthcare International Hospital, located in southern Chinas Hainan island. Operated by private firm Yinfeng Biological Group, the hospital was found to have illegally vaccinated 38 people with a 9-valent HPV vaccine since January 2018 without obtaining a proper vaccination license, according to an April 28 report by Chinese state-run media Xinhua, citing an announcement made by the health commission of the Hainan government. Among the 38 people, 37 patients each paid 9,000 yuan ($1,337) for the vaccination, while a hospital employee got the shot for free, according to the Hainan government announcement on April 28. The health commission fined the hospital 8,000 yuan ($1,188), confiscated all earnings made from the 37 shots, and revoked the hospitals operating license. The health commission is currently investing the source of these 9-valent HPV vaccines, according to the announcement. Currently, Gardasil 9 is the only 9-valent HPV vaccine available in the world that protects against nine types of the human papillomavirus (HPV), manufactured by U.S. pharmaceutical giant Merck. Untreated, HPV can cause cervical and vaginal cancer in women, and anal cancer and genital warts in men. The Merck vaccine may be given as two or three shots. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Gardasil 9 for the U.S. market in December 2014, the vaccine wasnt made available in China until May 2018, after Chinas drug regulator approved it, according to Chinese media Caixin. The current scandal came to public attention on April 22, when a user on popular Chinese social media platform Weibo, named Wang Xi Anna, claimed in a post that the hospital was administering fake 9-valent HPV vaccines. Wang later spoke to Chinese state-run radio station CNR, explaining that she had her first shot of the 9-valent HPV vaccine in January 2018, after hospital staff told her that the facility was a testing site that was making the HPV vaccine available ahead of the May 2018 approval by authorities. Wang said that she began to have suspicions about the vaccine after she received a phone call from a police officer in coastal Chinas Jiangsu Province in March. The police officer told her that the vaccine was a fake one manufactured at a factory in Siping City in northeastern Chinas Jilin Province. The police officer also informed Wang that the factory had a warehouse in Jiangsu, which supplied the fake vaccines to many parts of China. The officer also contacted other hospital patients who received the vaccine. It is unclear how the officer knew they had received the supposedly fake HPV vaccine. Ms. Chen from Hainan, who also received the hospitals vaccine, told CNR that she has since gone to another hospital for a health checkup. However, the hospital couldnt tell her whether she had any immunity against HPV from the vaccine she received, or whether she would be susceptible to any health hazards. The hospital, in an April 28 announcement published on its official website, blamed the illegal vaccination on a beauty parlor in Qingdao City in eastern Chinas Shandong Province. The hospital said that the beauty parlor, with which it had previously signed a cooperation agreement, had promoted and administered the HPV vaccines of unknown origin without its knowledge. The statement didnt elaborate further, but said that the facility was cooperating with authorities in their investigation. The Hainan government confirmed in its announcement that the hospital had illegally lent its medical aesthetics license to the Qingdao beauty parlor under a cooperation agreement signed in November 2017 that expired in July 2018. But authorities didnt provide details about whether this beauty parlor was involved in procuring or administering the illegal vaccines. Another woman who received the vaccine, Zheng Li (pseudonym), told state-run newspaper The Paper that she was skeptical of the hospitals claim that it was unaware of the vaccines. When she received her first shot in March 2018, her vaccination card and receipt had the hospitals stamp on it. In 2018, a scandal rocked China after Chinese pharmaceutical company Changsheng Bio-technology was found to have shipped out more than 250,000 doses of a faulty DTaP vaccine (a combination vaccine for diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus), affecting more than 200,000 children. Mainland Chinese citizens have been known to travel to Hong Kong and Taiwan to receive certain vaccines, including Gardasil 9, due to their lack of confidence in the safety of Chinese vaccines. On Weibo, Chinese netizens were outraged by the news of another vaccine scandal. One netizen from Zhejiang Province wrote, Can we strengthen [the countrys] regulations on vaccines? Can there be a harsher penalty for crimes related to vaccines? Several netizens expressed their shock at the small fine that the hospital had to pay, considering that peoples health could be at risk. Sri Lankan Navy soldiers stand guard in front of the St. Anthony's Shrine a day after the series of blasts, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on April 22, 2019. (Eranga Jayawardena/AP Photo) Indian Police Uncovered a Plot, But Sri Lankan Intelligence Didnt Act COLOMBO, Sri LankaWhile monitoring the usual channels, Indian police stumbled upon something extraordinary: a detailed plot for what would become the bloodiest attack linked to the ISIS group in South Asia. Police were investigating suspected sympathizers of the withered caliphate in southern India when a name they had no record of surfacedNational Towheed Jamaat, the Sri Lankan ISIS-backed extremist organization that authorities say conducted the coordinated Easter Sunday attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka that killed more than 250 people. Indian police managed to break into the groups communications and began tapping into the plot, according to Ajai Sahni, executive director of the Institute for Conflict Management in New Delhi. That is why the kind of detailing of the incident they received was very, very specific, Sahni said. They knew the group, they knew the targets, they knew the time, they knew the whereabouts of the suicide bombers, and all of this was communicated to the Sri Lankan government. Top Sri Lankan officials have acknowledged that some of the island nations intelligence units were given advance notice about the attacksstarting weeks ago and up until the morning of the bombingsbut that little was done to prevent them. Both President Maithripala Sirisena, who is also Sri Lankas minister of defense and in charge of national police, and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who has been kept out of high-level security meetings since Sirisena tried to oust him last fall, said they only learned about the plot after it had been carried out. The fact is, its very, very specific information and that has been conveyed to everyone in writing. That is the action that was missing in some cases. Thats what were investigating, Wickremesinghe said. The first intelligence brief from India arrived April 4, more than two weeks before the bombings. It said a suicide terrorist attack was planned against some important churches and listed six people likely to be involved. The deputy inspector of police shared the report with at least four security unit directors, including those responsible for VIPs and foreign embassies, along with a memo, urging the directors to pay extra attention to the places and people in their care. Indias final intelligence warning came just before the Easter morning blasts, Sahni said. Why the warnings went unheeded is the subject of intense public debate, with some blaming the dismantling of a system built by former strongman President Mahinda Rajapaksa for rapid response to rebel activity during Sri Lankas long civil war. For 26 years, the Marxist Tamil Tigers organization fought for separatism from the Sri Lankan government. Military forces under Rajapaksas brother, then-Secretary of Defense Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, brutally crushed them in 2009. The current state minister of defense, Ruwan Wijewardene, said weakness within Sri Lankas security apparatus led to the failure to prevent the Easter bombings. Sirisena, while campaigning for the 2015 election to defeat Rajapaksa, had stressed the need for fresh investigations of military officials, including intelligence officers accused of abducting and killing civilians, political opponents, and journalists during the civil war. Since then, some military officials have been arrested on charges related to their actions during the war and remanded in detention facilities. Court cases are ongoing. But on Friday, Sirisena, perhaps with an eye toward the 2020 election, said that arresting military intelligence officials after the civil war had weakened national security. He promised a shake-up, asking for the resignations of both his secretary of defense and inspector general of police. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe told local media on April 28, Weve had domestic terrorism in the form of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), one of the worst groups. Secondly, what we face now is part of the jihadi international terrorist campaign, so we have to face up to it. Here we see a small group of people, unlike the LTTE which was a large group mainly involved in guerrilla and conventional fighting. Explosives and suicide bombers were support groups. On the other hand, this group replies completely on this type of suicide missions. So, weve got to adjust to the fact that they may have had some international connections. But on the bright side, our reconciliation worked and there was no communal backlash. People have held together, Christians and Muslims have worked together, we have to build on this and eliminate terror. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe : India gave us the information and we are thankful, India and Srilanka have been been exchanging information for sometime #TerrorAttack pic.twitter.com/MnWr00TCIO Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) April 27, 2019 He added, As far as our economy is concerned, we are worried, of course. For tourism, May was the beginning of the lean season, but we have to resolve so that people come in by August, when our tourist season begins. But, of course, our earnings would not be as high as we had anticipated. Wickremesinghe said that the authorities would now focus on terrorist sleeper cells. Police and security forces are rounding up those involved, but theyre also rounding up the sleepers, those used on second and third rounds (of attacks), he said. The danger has come down drastically, (but) we do have to pick up some more sleepers, which we will do in the next few days. Some experts believe Sri Lankan security forces may not have given much credence to Indian intelligence before the attacks because of its controversial role in the civil war. Indias external intelligence group, the Research and Analysis Wing or RAW, initially supported Tamil militants, training and arming the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelman in the 1970s. But after the groups terrorist activities in the 1980s, RAW withdrew its support. New Delhi made a pact with Colombo in 1987 to send peacekeeping forces to the island on its southern tip, and they ended up fighting the rebels. They were asked to withdraw a few years later amid allegations of abuses against Tamils. In 1991, Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a Tamil Tiger suicide bomber. India questioned Sri Lankas heavy-handed approach to defeating the Tigers in the final months of the war, when tens of thousands of civilians were reportedly killed by government troops. Thousands more are still missing. Tamils and other civilian groups in the countrys north and east are still reeling from the effects of the war. Indian security and intelligence agencies lost some of their moral authority with the Sri Lankans, said M.K. Narayanan, the former head of RAW. What really happened was India lost moral authority. India did not accept the policies that were being followed, so they lost a lot of support in Sri Lanka, he said. Genealogical and cultural ties between Sri Lanka and India date back thousands of years. According to folklore, the islands majority Sinhalese are descendants of an Indian prince banished there 2,000 years ago. The nations minority Tamils, meanwhile, are in part the descendants of more than a million tea and rubber plantation workers brought to Sri Lanka from southern India by British colonial rulers in the 18th and 19th centuries. And India shares intelligence with its neighbors in part to keep them within its sphere of influence, Narayanan said. Located just 14 miles off its southeast coast, India sees Sri Lanka as a bulwark in its military defenses to ward off potential Chinese incursions. Soon after the Easter attacks, India deployed naval and coast guard ships along the narrow Palk Strait. The leader of the ISIS terrorist group Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi at a mosque in Iraq on July 5, 2014. (AP Photo/extremist video) ISIS Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Seen for First Time in 5 Years: Reports Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the largely decimated ISIS terrorist group, is reportedly still alive. Video footage shows him sitting next to a rifle. The video was published by the terrorist groups al-Furqan propaganda agency via social media, according to DW.com. It is the first time he has appeared on camera in five years, however, its not clear where or when the video was filmed. 1) BREAKING: #ISIS Furqan issues new video showing leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, marking the first time he is shown in a video since his July 2014 sermon at the Great Mosque in #Mosul pic.twitter.com/cDgOmx7Mhn Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) April 29, 2019 At one point, al-Baghdadi is heard praising the Sri Lanka terrorist attackers. He also made a reference to the fight for Baghouz, which ended in March 2019, Al Arabiya reported. The defeat in Baghouz meant that ISIS no longer controls any physical territory. The battle for Baghouz is over, he said while addressing three men. Their faces have been blurred in the video. The last time he was seen on camera was in July 2014 when he was seen giving a speech at a mosque in Iraq during his first public appearance. In 2017, Russian officials claimed to have killed the reclusive terror leader, but the claim was rejected by the United States. An audio clip that contained his voice further disproved the claim. 2) The video shows Baghdadi in a casual conversational setting with others (their faces blurred). He talks about war against Crusaders and about battles in #Baghouz #Syria being over, indicating that this interview was filmed somewhat recently. pic.twitter.com/BPqLP8QWSU Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) April 29, 2019 Al-Baghdadi took over ISIS in 2010 following the assassination of Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, who had led the terrorist organization. According to Fox News, al-Baghdadi suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, and he had sustained injuries from an airstrike years ago. The U.S. is offering $25 million for information leading to his capture. 3) In the vid, titled In the Hospitality of the Emir of the Believers, Baghdadi praises #SriLanka attackers over images of the attackers/attack (though not in the visual interview section; the audio may have thus been added via a later recording)calling it revenge for Baghouz pic.twitter.com/VbRe2YblLJ Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) April 29, 2019 The Independent reported that his current whereabouts are not known, and he is believed to have gone into hiding somewhere in Syria or Iraq in the desert regions. Christianity Grows in Former ISIS State A community of Syrians who converted from Islam to Christianity is growing in Kobani, a town besieged by ISIS for months, and where the tide turned against the terrorists four years ago, Reuters reported. The converts say the experience of war and the onslaught of a group claiming to fight for Islam pushed them toward their new faith. After a number of families converted, the Syrian-Turkish border towns first evangelical church opened last year. Christianity is one of the regions minority faiths that was persecuted by ISIS. After the war with Islamic State people were looking for the right path, and distancing themselves from Islam, said Omar Firas, the founder of Kobanis evangelical church. People were scared and felt lost. Reuters contributed to this report. Labor Preferences Clive Palmer in Tasmanian Seats, Shorten Says He Was Unaware Labor has put Clive Palmers United Australia Party second on its how-to-vote cards in two Tasmanian seats, despite discrediting the mining magnate for days. Despite labelling Clive Palmer a tosser and con man, Labor has put the mining magnates party second on two how-to-vote cards in Tasmania. The move came as the United Australia Party leader announced on Monday he would preference the coalition second across the country. The opposition is preferencing the UAP second in Franklin, held by Labor MP Julie Collins, and above independent MP Andrew Wilkie in his neighbouring seat of Clark. Wilkie is furious. This makes a lie of the Labor Partys rhetoric in recent days about the evils of preferencing Clive Palmer, he said. Turns out the Labor Party are every bit as bad as the Liberal Party and will be party to the grubbiest of deals in the pursuit of their political self-interest. Introducing Scott Morrisons new Liberal coalition partner and preference feeder Clive Palmer, who dudded his staff on entitlements, and is currently facing criminal charges and a $500 million lawsuit from government-backed Queensland Nickel liquidators #auspol #ausvotes https://t.co/tQLjaS9dKN Kimberley Kitching (@kimbakit) April 28, 2019 On Sunday, Bill Shorten said there was no way he would agree to any preference deals with Palmer. Lets be very clear herethere is no way you can do a preference deal without me signing off on it, he said. On Monday, the Labor leader said he was unaware of the Tasmanian how-to-vote cards. Palmer claims he was approached by Labor operatives sounding out a potential preference deal but rebuffed their advances, siding with the Liberals instead. Labor denies it discussed a preference deal with Clive Palmer: .@CliveFPalmer: I ran into @billshortenmp. He said hello to me, was very pleasant and indicated there was a possibility of working together. MORE: https://t.co/X0SJLxMBO2 pic.twitter.com/L6f3Wvqjk6 Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) April 29, 2019 The controversial mining tycoon has accused Shorten of spreading lies about him. I then decided I want nothing further to do with him or his party because they were two-faced liars, Palmer told reporters in Brisbane. For its part, the Morrison government has described Palmer as the least worst option, after striking a preference deal with the billionaire. Sometimes it feels like you are allocating to the least worst out of a whole bad bunch of alternatives, Liberal senator Simon Birmingham told The Adelaide Advertiser. Palmer has been heavily criticised for spending tens of millions of dollars on political ads, while refusing to pay entitlements owed to former workers in Townsville. Scott Morrison is taking Palmer at his word when he says the money has been put aside. That is for him to go into the details of all of that, the prime minister told reporters in Perth. Meanwhile, Pauline Hanson has thrown Scott Morrison a political lifeline by putting Labor last on One Nation how-to-vote cards in four critical seats. Senator Hanson has significantly lifted the Liberals chances of retaining four seats, including Home Affairs Minister Peter Duttons Queensland seat of Dickson. One Nation preferences on how-to-vote cards could also save Attorney-General Christian Porter and Liberal MPs Andrew Hastie and Luke Howarth. In 2016, One Nation placed sitting MPs last, contributing to the LNP losing the Queensland seats of Herbert and Longman. The Liberals are preferencing One Nation candidates behind Labor after the US National Rifle Association scandal. Greens leader Richard Di Natale said his party would preference others on the basis of what they are going to deliver on climate change, as well as a number of social issues. By Daniel McCulloch View of a temporary detention center for illegal underage immigrants in Tornillo, Texas, near the Mexico-U.S. border, in Chihuahua state, Mexico, on June 18, 2018. (HERIKA MARTINEZ/AFP/Getty Images) Nearly 98,000 Illegal Aliens Graduate From US High Schools Every Year: Report Almost 98,000 young illegal immigrants graduate from high schools across the United States every year, according to new research from the Migration Policy Institute (MPI). Of those who graduate, 44 percent reside in just two statesCalifornia and Texas. Out of the total number of annual graduates, 27,000 come from California and 17,000 come from Texas. Researchers also ranked the top 15 states on the number of estimated graduating illegal immigrants from highest to lowest. Following Texas was Florida, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois. In Florida, the number of illegal immigrants who graduate was 5,000, while New York was slightly lower at 4,000. Researchers also stated that the advent of in-state tuition and other policies that encourage illegals to graduate and enroll in higher education have contributed to the number of illegals graduating. The Trump administration rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in 2017. MPI noted that court orders have protected nearly 680,000 current beneficiaries from deportation and work authorization. The administration will not accept requests from young illegal immigrants who have never held DACA status before, making the 98,000 annual graduates ineligible going forward, the researchers wrote. While 98,000 illegal immigrants students graduated, 125,000 had reached high school graduation age, according to an MPI factsheet. The estimates draw from MPIs methodology that analyses sociodemographic characteristics of the illegal immigrant population by assigning legal status in Census Bureau data. Meanwhile, as many as 300,000 migrant children could be entering the United States via asylum this year, according to a recent study by Princeton Policy Advisors published in April. The migrant children are likely to enroll in the public school system at taxpayer expense, Princeton Policy Advisors researcher Steven Kopits noted. He said that the average cost would be $11,000 per year nationwide, which far exceeds any tax contribution their parents, typically earning $20,000$25,000/worker, could make. President Donald Trump, who has made tackling illegal immigration a signature issue of his presidency, recently wrote on Twitter that the Dems MUST act fast to change our pathetic immigration laws. On April 24, he said that there have been more than 418,000 apprehensions by border patrol along the U.S.Mexico border. Trump also lamented that Mexico is doing very little for us on stopping the illegal immigrants. On April 25, hundreds of migrants hoping to reach the United States boarded a freight train in southern Mexico. The risky move to board the train, known as La Bestia (The Beast), followed a mass breakout of migrants from a holding center in the southern border city of Tapachula. The government estimated that some 1,300 people escaped but said a majority later returned to the center. Men, women, and children from various countries boarded the slow train as it pulled out of the town of Arriaga in the southern state of Chiapas, Mexican media reported. Migration authorities said at least 395 people had boarded the train. Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of closing the U.S.Mexico border if the administration of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador doesnt put a stop to illegal immigrants reaching the U.S. frontier. The breakout from the Tapachula holding center was one of the largest in recent years and came after Mexico reportedly stepped up efforts to round up and send home migrants. Reuters contributed to this report. The sign over the west entrance of the New York Times building at 620 8th Ave. in New York on April 28, 2016. (DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images) New York Times Publishes Second Controversial Cartoon Amid Outrage Over Anti-Semitism Amid outrage about the recent publication of an anti-Semitic cartoon, The New York Times printed a second one on April 27 that appeared to denigrate the faith of Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The new image depicts Netanyahu dressed as Moses standing on the side of a mountain while holding a stone tablet with the Star of David engraved on it and taking a photo of himself using a selfie stick. While the meaning of the image is open to interpretation, the central message seems to suggest that the leader of Israels faith in Judaism is not sincere. Stripped of any interpretation, the image debases Judaisms prophet and image. Waitthe @nytimes featured ANOTHER Netanyahu cartoon? This one AFTER the Thursday cartoon depicting Netanyahu as a dog? Am I reading this right? Is the Times obsessed with Israels prime minister? pic.twitter.com/r1KsSaYWtw Dan Senor (@dansenor) April 29, 2019 The New York Times printed the second image as outrage still smolders about its publication of the first anti-Semitic cartoon. In the newspapers own words, the first image, published on April 25, depicted the prime minister of Israel as a guide dog with a Star of David collar leading the president of the United States, shown wearing a skullcap. The outrage about the first cartoon was amplified after the paper failed to appropriately apologize for publishing it. Instead of an apology, The New York Times admitted that the image included anti-Semitic tropes. The image was offensive, and it was an error of judgment to publish it. It was provided by The New York Times News Service and Syndicate, which has since deleted it, the newspapers opinion section wrote in a notice. The statement lacked an actual apology, prompting a battery of angry comments from Jewish advocates and the public. Another disgusting display of vile antisemitic trope celebrated in the @nytimesworld. The @nytimes is signaling to the world that antisemitism is real, here, and welcome. pic.twitter.com/crv9vvVUAw Adam Milstein (@AdamMilstein) April 26, 2019 Apology not accepted. How many [New York Times] editors looked at a cartoon that would not have looked out of place on a white supremacist website and thought it met the papers editorial standards? What does this say about your processes or your decision makers? How are you fixing it? the American Jewish Committee wrote on Twitter. Facing a wave of criticism, The New York Times published a second statement featuring an actual apology and a promise to fix the process which led to the publication. We are deeply sorry for the publication of an anti-Semitic political cartoon last Thursday in the print edition of The New York Times that circulates outside of the United States, and we are committed to making sure nothing like this happens again, the newspaper said in a statement. Such imagery is always dangerous, and at a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise worldwide, its all the more unacceptable. The matter remains under review, and we are evaluating our internal processes and training. We anticipate significant changes. It is unclear if the evaluation of internal processes and training had started by the time the newspaper published the second cartoon. The New York Times didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. After the publication of the first image, the newspaper was lambasted by one of its own writers, Bret Stephens, who wrote that the image was fit for the pages of a Nazi propaganda newspaper. The cartoon checked so many anti-Semitic boxes that the only thing missing was a dollar sign, Stephens wrote. Smoke billows out of a chimney stack of BHP steelwork factories at Port Kembla, south of Sydney, Australia. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith, File) NSW Government Approves Port Kembla Gas Terminal Plans for a A$250 million (US$176 million) gas import terminal have been approved by the NSW government at Port Kembla near Wollongong to help the state avoid future shortages. The NSW government has given the green light to a A$250 million gas terminal at Port Kembla, near Wollongong. The terminal will see a new berth built at Port Kembla to accommodate liquefied national gas carriers, a floating gas handling facility, wharf infrastructure and a pipeline that integrates with the east coast gas network. It is expected to create 150 jobs during construction and 50 jobs once operational. The new terminal could help lower gas bills in the future, Deputy Premier John Barilaro said. This terminal will make the state of NSW more self-sufficient when it comes to energy, and will create greater access to the global gas market, he said in a statement on Monday. NSW currently sources 95 per cent of its gas from interstate sources, Minister for Planning Rob Stokes said. The terminal could supply 70 per cent of the states gas needs. The project will enhance gas supply capacity relieving gas price pressure for families and businesses across the state, Stokes said in a statement on Monday. The project will be built by Australian Industrial Energy (AIE), a consortium made up of Andrew Forrests Squadron Energy and two Japanese businesses. The development approval paved the way for a new source of gas in time to avert expected gas supply shortages, the AIE said in a statement on Monday. The AIE said 33,000 businesses, 300,000 jobs and more than one million homes in NSW depend on a reliable supply of natural gas, but shortages are forecast to impact existing east coast supplies. The terminals first gas is scheduled for late 2020. In this file photo, a San Diego Police officer keeps aim on a house in San Diego, Calif., on April 27, 2019. (John Gibbins/The San Diego Union-Tribune via AP) Open Letter in Name of Synagogue Gunman Suspect Labeled Trump as Jew-Loving Traitor The 19-year-old suspected of opening fire on the synagogue in San Diego described president Trump as a Zionist, Jew-loving traitor in an online manifesto in his name, according to reports. One hour before the shooting on April 27 that left one dead and three wounded, a 4,000-word anti-Semitic, racist manifesto was posted by a person going by the name of John Earnest on the online discussion forum 8chan. Earnest was later arrested. In the online letter, according to NBC, he claimed responsibility for the San Diego shooting and for the Oct. 27 attack on the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, which left 11 dead, saying he was motivated by his hatred of Jews. Among others, he said he was inspired by Brenton Tarrant, the gunman in the Christchurch mosque attacks, which left 50 people dead. Like Tarrant, Earnest said he was no fan of President Trump. Adopting the same Q&A format as Tarrant for his document, Earnest answers the question as to whether he is a Trump supporter. You mean that Zionist, Jew-loving, anti-White, traitorous [expletive]? Dont make me laugh, he wrote in the manifesto, according to Heavy.com and other media. The shooter killed one woman killed and injured three others, including Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who lost his index finger as he instinctively raised his hands to protect himself. The gunman was brought under control by an off-duty Border Patrol agent, according to the sheriffs office, who shot at, but did not hit the suspect. The intervention of the border agent caught the attention of President Trump. Sincerest THANK YOU to our great Border Patrol Agent who stopped the shooter at the Synagogue in Poway, California, wrote Trump in a tweet. He may have been off duty but his talents for Law Enforcement werent! Police said the deadly shooting took place during Passover services at Chabad of Poway, about 20 miles north of San Diego, when a gunman entered the synagogue and opened fire with an assault-type rifle. Update #7 @SDSheriff Bill Gore confirms the name of the shooting suspect as 19-year-old John Earnest (DOB 6/8/99). We didnt find any prior law enforcement contact with Earnest. Were looking into digital evidence and checking the authenticity of an online manifesto. San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) April 28, 2019 The suspect escaped in a vehicle. Earnest was arrested shortly after without incident. We didnt find any prior law enforcement contact with Earnest, Sheriff Gore wrote in a tweet. Were looking into digital evidence and checking the authenticity of an online manifesto. That online manifesto describes the shooters hatred of Jewish people, according to Heavy.com, along with other racist language. Using derogatory terms for African Americans and Hispanics, he describes them as useful puppets for the Jew in terms of replacing Whites. A woman has died and three others were injured after a gunman walked into a crowded synagogue in San Diego, California, and opened fire Posted by Sky News on Sunday, April 28, 2019 On the matter of being a conservative, he wrote: I am not a useless, spineless coward so noI am not a conservative. Conservative is a misnomer. They conserve nothing. Theyll complain all they want but they wont take up arms and threaten their government with death (the only thing that works). He believed Jewish people deserved 'nothing but hell' Posted by Daily Mail on Sunday, April 28, 2019 The document is similar in tone and content to that allegedly set out by Christchurch shooter Tarrant, in which the author describes himself as an eco-fascist who identifies most closely with Oswald Mosley, a British politician who became the leader of the British Union of Fascists. The nation with the closest political and social values to my own is the Peoples Republic of China, read the manifesto purportedly written by suspect Brenton Tarrant. The author also wrote that China [is] set to be the worlds most dominant nation in this century [sic], adding that its because the country is lacking diversity. Tarrant answered the question whether he was a supporter of President Trump like this: As a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose? Sure. As a policymaker and leader? Dear god no. Jung Bun-sun wipes her face during an interview at a special nursing facility for Korean atomic bomb survivors in Hapcheon, South Gyeongsang Province. Korea Times photos and videos by Choi Won-suk Korean gov't to conduct first nationwide survey of victims this year By Jung Min-ho HAPCHEON, South Gyeongsang Province More than 220,000 people were killed by the atomic bombs the United States dropped on Japan during World War II. However, what is little-known is that up to 50,000 of those who died were Koreans. During Japan's 35-year colonial period, many Koreans were forced to settle in Hiroshima and Nagasaki as laborers. Some had no choice but to flee their homeland after they had been stripped of everything they had. Lee Su-yong, 90, was seven years old when she went to Hiroshima with her family in search of food and a better life. She attended schools there and eventually got a job at a state bank. Everything seemed fine until Aug. 6, 1945 the day that changed her life forever. Lee Su-yong shows her injured foot. A U.S. B-29 bomber dropped a 15-kiloton atomic bomb on the city in the morning when she was about to start the day at her office only 1.5 kilometers from ground zero. "After an ear-shattering bang, I hid under my table. The next thing I knew, my left foot was badly injured by a big splinter of glass and I was covered with blood. Everything I could see was destroyed," Lee told The Korea Times. "When I walked out of the building, I could see a dark sky filled with smoke. Children were crying for their mothers. Charred bodies were strewn all over the city. Many people lost their arms or legs. One person I saw had his eye popped out of its socket. It was horrendous." She was fortunate to receive medical treatment at a military facility on a neighboring island, where she saw burnt people and dead bodies every day. But her foot was damaged permanently. Radiation exposure may have continued to affect her health. Later, Lee also suffered from uterine cancer and lung disease. After a few years, her mother and two brothers died. They all suffered lung disease, she said. Jung Bun-sun, 90, also settled in Hiroshima as a child. To earn money, she sold side dishes on the streets and worked at various factories. When she was 17, her father told her to get married early. So she did. Jung said her father was worried that Japanese soldiers would take her to a wartime brothel as a sex slave. "The same year, I got pregnant, and soon after, the bomb exploded," she said. "It was the loudest bang I had ever heard. There was so much smoke in the air. I had no idea what had just happened." The point of explosion was not close enough to kill her instantly. But Jung has suffered from unexplained illnesses throughout her life. Jung shows a photo of her mother. Senator Pauline Hanson and James Ashby (R) arrive at doors at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Feb. 14, 2019. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images) Australias Pauline Hanson to Preference Coalition on How to Vote Cards in 4 Key Seats Pauline Hanson will announce she will send preferences to the coalition and put Labor last on One Nations how-to-vote cards in four key government seats. Pauline Hanson has thrown Scott Morrison a political lifeline by putting Labor last on One Nation how-to-vote cards in four critical seats. Meanwhile, the coalition government has described Clive Palmer as the least worst alternative option, after striking a preference deal with the billionaire in South Australia, although the government said there would be no discussions with Palmer on the policy front. Senator Hanson has significantly lifted the Liberals chances of retaining four seats, including Home Affairs Minister Peter Duttons Queensland seat of Dickson. Peter Dutton has been one of the toughest ministers on border security and has worked constructively behind the scenes with my office on matters of national security, she told the Courier-Mail on Monday. One Nation preferences could also save Attorney-General Christian Porter, and Liberal MPs Andrew Hastie and Luke Howard. Senator Hanson said debate around the Adani coal mine had influenced her thinking. Bill Shorten and Labor have made it very clear that the majority of their elected members want to shut down our coal industry in Queensland and NSW which will leave tens of thousands of workers out of jobs, she said. I wont support him on that decision. In 2016, One Nation placed sitting MPs last, contributing to the LNP losing the Queensland seats of Herbert and Longman. The Liberals are preferencing One Nation candidates behind Labor on their how-to-vote cards at the election, after an undercover story by Al Jazeera claimed that One Nation had approached the National Rifle Association in the United States for donations. Related Coverage Pauline Hanson Says NRA Scandal is First Case of Severe Foreign Political Interference in Australia Hanson has denied the claims, describing the story as a disgusting Qatari funded, Islamist Al Jazeera hit piece. But the coalition will preference Clive Palmers United Australia Party second on its Senate how-to-vote cards in South Australia. Sometimes it feels like you are allocating to the least worst out of a whole bad bunch of alternatives, coalition campaign spokesman Simon Birmingham told the Adelaide Advertiser. We have problems with the policies and the positions that every other political party holdsultimately we dont endorse any of the rest of them. Labor frontbencher Jim Chalmers struck out at Hansons preference announcement. Labor has also sought to discredit Palmer as a tosser and con man after the Liberals preference deal. Labor frontbencher Jim Chalmers said the prime minister had legitimised somebody who could spend $50 million to spend on ads, but not the money owed to former workers of his Queensland Nickel refinery. Palmer said $7 million will be available to the workers of the refinery through a trust managed by a solicitor from Tuesday. The fake news of personal attacks should stop, he argued. Lets face it, Im a bad person. Im a bad person, he sarcastically told Nines Today Show on Monday. Who cares about me? We care about this country and the policies we need to get done. But he stressed that the attacks against him havent left him rattled. For too long, people have pandered to people on the media and the news and worrying what they think, like and how they appeal, he said. My wealth is $4,000 million. Do you think I give a stuff about you personally think or anyone else? I care about this country. My wealth is four thousand million dollars, do you think I give a stuff about what you personally think? @CliveFPalmer to @Deborah_Knight. #9Today pic.twitter.com/JsAvt1eRLU The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) April 28, 2019 The United Australia Party has its sights set on forming government. Why do you think were standing in 151 seats across this nation? Because we intend to win. Chalmers told ABC Radio, The result of Morrisons dirty deal with extreme right-wing parties in this country to cling to power is that we would have a Morrison-Palmer-Hanson three-ring circus of cuts and chaos. The Australian people should think very carefully before they endorse that. By Daniel McCulloch and Marnie Banger Ellen Zhou and her supporters on the steps in front of San Francisco City Hall on Feb. 25, 2019. (The Epoch Times) San Francisco Mayoral Candidate Says 4/20 Festival Violates the Law Every year on April 20, thousands gather in San Franciscos Golden Gate Park to hold a festival celebrating marijuana. San Francisco mayoral candidate Ellen Lee Zhou has expressed her firm stance against this festival. This event is a violation of [the] Constitution, Zhou said. Its a violation of peoples peace and peoples health. As a social worker, Zhou said she has received complaints from many residents of San Francisco. Now that recreational marijuana has become legal in San Francisco, more than 19,000 people attended the event, which included food trucks and music acts as the smell of marijuana hovered in the air. Although cannabis is legal in California now, selling it at the festival was prohibited. However, that didnt stop people from selling it in the park. In 2018, some people consumed marijuana edibles that had been laced with fentanyla synthetic opioidand had to be sent to the hospital to be treated with Narcan. Zhou said that this event is not healthy, especially for families and children. The 4/20 event in Golden Gate Park destroys family values and gives the wrong message to children and youth, she said. According to Zhou, many people have misconceptions about the marijuana law and the restrictions surrounding the legality of the drug. Its for people who are sick, but it has to be indoors at home. Golden Gate Park is not indoors, and it is not at home, so it is illegal, she said. She also said that taking marijuana is one of the reasons homeless people die on the street. I work in downtown SF; I work with public health. Every morning, I pass by homeless people, she said. Zhou believes that more than 400 people died on the streets in the past two years according to the public health department. She said that the main causes are overdoses of illegal drugs, sickness, cold, and hunger. She explained the correlation between consuming cannabis and their health conditions. Sixty percent of the homeless people have substance abuse. A lot of them start with cannabis, she said. Substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs, according to the World Health Organization. Zhou is fighting against the cannabis industry in the city and she is especially opposed to having cannabis stores near schools, preschools, and day care centers. She is worried about the future situation of cannabis stores in San Francisco. Approximately two months ago, I went to the cannabis office in City Hall. Approximately 50 stores [were] in operation, and there are only 11 districts in San Francisco, she said. They have more than 300 applications on permits waiting; they have more than 400 applications and 300 permits pending, which means there will be more and more cannabis stores. She said she will keep fighting against it and protecting children. I went to the office and [told] the officer, Every time you open one next to the kids, you do not respect the kids and children, I will call the federal government, and I will complain and have you guys bust it, because it is illegal, she said. As an employee of the government, Zhou said she is very disappointed that the city officials know the laws but are not enforcing them. They purposefully open it in the corner next to [a] preschool, next to [a] day care. They wouldnt care. The law says its illegal! she said. She said that no matter what, she will continue to fight for the rights of children. San Francisco is out of control, is sick and demonic, she said. In order to protect children, she suggested that parents educate their children and ask them to stay away from strange food, because now there is food and drink with cannabis in it. Call the police, call the federal government, make reports, complain to their supervisors. We have 11 districts, and each district has a supervisor. Complain to the mayors office, she said. She also suggested that residents use their phones to take pictures or videos when people are using marijuana outside. You cannot smoke [marijuana] everywhere, like next to the kids and in large quantity, she said. Zhou said there are many things the government chooses not to enforce. If they like it, they wont care. If they dont like it, then they will do something. Me, as a government employee, I am absolutely opposing it. What were seeing, what were experiencing, its just killing our quality of life, she said. Seattle College Says Student Was Among Those Killed by Crane SEATTLEOfficials in Washington state on Monday, April 29, are expected to release the identities of the four people killed when a construction crane fell from a Seattle building. The King County Medical Examiners office has said it would release the names of the female and three males who died Saturday afternoon when the crane crashed onto one of Seattles busiest streets. On Sunday, Seattle Pacific University said in a statement that a freshman student was among those killed when the crane fell from a building under construction on Googles new Seattle campus onto Mercer Street. Sarah Wong was a freshman who intended to major in nursing and lived on campus, the university said in a statement. Wong was in a car when the crane fell, the university said. All four people had died by the time firefighters arrived Saturday afternoon, Fire Chief Harold Scoggins said. Two were ironworkers who had been inside the crane while the other two were inside a car, Fire Department spokesman Lance Garland said. While we grieve the sudden and tragic loss of our precious student, we draw comfort from each other, Seattle Pacifics statement said. We ask that the community join us in praying for Sarahs family and friends during this difficult time. The crane struck six cars and also injured four people. Frank Kuin, a Montreal-based journalist, was in a Seattle hotel lobby when he heard a big bang and felt the floor shake. He said he initially thought there had been an earthquake. Then he saw motorists leaving their cars on a nearby off ramp and running toward something. Kuin followed them around a corner and saw a chunk of the crane lying on top of cars, including three that were crushed. To imagine what happened to those people who just happened to be driving by was quite shocking, said Kuin, who later took photographs of the scene from his fifth-floor hotel room. Officials do not yet know the cause of the collapse. Washington state labor investigators were at the scene of the collapse Sunday, trying to piece together what happened, said Tim Church, a spokesman for the Washington Department of Labor & Industries. Its a very detailed process, he said. It will actually be months before we have anything regarding the cause. Church said the agency has formally opened an investigation into four companiesgeneral contractor GLY, Northwest Tower Crane Service Inc., Omega Rigging and Machinery Moving Inc. and Morrow Equipment Co. LLC. Church said he didnt know where the companies are based. The tower crane was being disassembled when it fell from the building, Church said. A stretch of Mercer Street remained closed Sunday. Of the injured, a 28-year-old man remained hospitalized in satisfactory condition Sunday at Harborview Medical Center. A mother and her infant were released from the hospital Saturday. The fourth person was treated at the scene and released. The deadly collapse is sure to bring scrutiny about the safety of the dozens of cranes that dot the citys skyscape. With Amazon, Google and other tech companies increasing their hiring in Seattle, the city has more cranes building office towers and apartment buildings than any other in the United States. As of January, there were about 60 construction cranes in Seattle. On Saturday, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said the city had a good track record with crane safety but that officials would conduct a review. A line of showers moved over Seattle just about the time the crane fell, the National Weather Service said. An observation station on nearby Lake Union showed winds kicked up with gusts of up to 23 mph at 3:28 p.m., just about the time the crane fell. The office building the crane fell from was badly damaged, with several of its windows smashed. A Google spokesperson said in a statement Saturday that the company was saddened to learn of the accident and that they were in communication with Vulcan, the real estate firm that is managing the site and working with authorities. A crane collapsed in the Seattle suburb of Bellevue in 2006, damaging three neighboring buildings and killing a Microsoft attorney who was sitting in his living room. The state Department of Labor and Industries cited two companies for workplace-safety violations after an investigation that found a flawed design for the cranes base. By Lisa Baumann and Rachel dOro Peter Gunther and Paulette Thabault enjoyed Shen Yun at Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington, Vermont, on April 28, 2019. (NTD Television) BURLINGTONCanvassing 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, the stories, songs, and dances presented by Shen Yun Performing Arts illustrate the triumphs and tribulations of a people who have long held a deeply-rooted belief in the divine. Paulette Thabault, professor and director of the school of nursing at Norwich University, particularly enjoyed the educational value of the performance. Its very beautiful. The dance is really fantastic and a lot of beautiful colors, and music, she said. I like the stories that go with it, its kind of a window into a culture that were not that familiar with. She attended the performance with Peter Gunther, physician, who said he felt a sense of pure joy watching the different pieces unfold on stage. [Its] just incredible, the movements, the costumes. Its glorious, he said. The couple attended the performance at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington, Vermont, on April 28. The New York-based dance company is currently touring the world, traveling to more than 130 cities over four continents to showcase authentic Chinese culture. Founded in 2006, the company has since grown to include six equally-large touring contingents, each including an orchestra, that travel the world each year bringing an all-new program. Thabault particularly liked the Mongolian ethnic dance piece performed by Shen Yuns male dancers. In that segment, dancers capture the spirit of the Mongolian horsemen, hunting and riding across the vast plains. The story of the dim-witted monk also impressed the professor, who enjoyed the injections of fun and humor into the storytelling. The soprano, who sang about humans connection with the divine, touched both Thabault and Gunther. She was really beautiful singing from her heart about the value of humankind and how we all need to love each other and stay connected, Thabault said. I think it was an international message of openness and divinity, added Gunther. The doctor felt the importance of this message in modern times. I think now more ever, the message of cross-cultural divinity [is] incredibly important because the world is in turmoil and we need bring it back to some sensibility. Upon finding out that the performance cannot be seen in China, Thabault expressed a sense of sadness that performances peaceful message couldnt reach more people. I think thats really bad because it makes it not open to a lot of people and kind of closed off, she said. Gunther added, I think we are fortunate to be able see that culture here. With reporting by NTD Television. 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. Soaking Wet Arrest After Baby Allegedly Grabbed in Bizarre British Columbia Incident KELOWNA, B.C.A man is awaiting a court appearance in Kelowna, B.C., after a bizarre weekend incident which began with a baby being allegedly snatched from its mother and ended with the RCMP wading into Okanagan Lake to arrest a suspect. Mounties say in a release that a family was walking with the baby through a waterfront park near the downtown core around 2:30 p.m. on April 28 when the baby was grabbed. Police say the man let go of the child after a struggle, then stripped naked, jumped in the lake and swam to a log boom. The 30-year-old man, who is originally from Alberta, was eventually coaxed closer to shore where two officers arrested him. RCMP Cpl. Jesse ODonaghey says the baby was checked in hospital and released, while the suspect faces potential criminal charges and was to face a court appearance Monday. ODonaghey says the mans intentions remain unclear and an investigation continues. ODonaghey said victim services volunteers are supporting the family and investigators are appealing for more witnesses to come forward. We appreciate that many witnesses may feel that police have obtained information from enough witnesses at the scene, however each and every eye witness account is helpful, he said. Sri Lanka Bans All Forms of Face Coverings Following Easter Attacks Sri Lanka has banned burqas and other attire that cover the face in public following the coordinated Easter Sunday attacks across the country that killed at least 253 people and injured more than 500. The Sri Lankan government issued a decree on April 28 which read, Wearing garments that cover the face completely will be banned from tomorrow, to ensure public safety. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena said he was using an emergency law to outlaw the garments, calling burqas a security risk and a flag of fundamentalism after the issue was raised in a private members bill on April 24, CNN reported. Sri Lanka considers a possible ban of burqa and niqab after Easter Sunday attacks Ban advocates say burqa/niqab were never part of traditional attire of Muslim women in Sri Lanka, until the 1990s when extremist elements introduced the garb to Muslim women https://t.co/Axqn8zpjXu Natasha Fatah (@NatashaFatah) April 23, 2019 President Maithripala Sirisena took this decision to further support the ongoing security and help the armed forces to easily identify the identity of any wanted perpetrators, a press release from the presidents office stated. This directive specifies the need for ones face been clearly visible for ascertaining their identify as its main criterion. The President has issued this directive to ensure national security and a peaceful and reconciled society, where no ethnic group or community would be subjected to discomfort, the statement read. A Private Members Motion has been submitted to Parliament by MP Prof. Ashu Marasinghe to ban the burka in Sri Lanka in the interests of national security.https://t.co/8K0x5FAkJ8 The Morning (@TheMorningLK) April 23, 2019 The ban, which took effect April 29, comes just days after a Sri Lankan member of Parliament called for a ban on the burqa across the country. Professor Ashu Marasinghe, a United National Party member, was responsible for the private members motion in Parliament, stating that the burqa isnt traditional Muslim clothing. Most people mistaken Burqa for Niqab, And Hijab for Scarf For your information! pic.twitter.com/seNX7zTsQk N A J E E B (@IamNJB) April 26, 2019 Marasinghe said the burqa should be banned on national security grounds and claimed that it has previously been used by both male and female terrorists to carry out terrorist attacks, Mail Online reported. Our Muslim leaders have also accepted that Burka is not a traditional Muslim attire and some places even have notices [requiring visitors] to remove the Burka before entering, Marasinghe said in his motion, according to the New York Post. Accordingly, considering the national security I propose to ban the burqa, he added. The April 28 decree bans the burqa, which covers the entire face and body with a mesh opening for the eyes, and the niqab, which leaves only the eyes uncovered. Sri Lankan women will still be able to wear the hijab and the chador in publicboth of which cover the neck and hair but leave the face uncovered. Of the countrys majority Buddhist population of 21 million, around 10 percent are Muslim, the TRT World reported. The niqab and burqa are only worn by a small number of Muslim women in Sri Lanka compared to other areas in the Middle East, due to different political influences and the prominence of opposing ideas from sects life Sufism. Kabul, Afghanistan, in the 1970s Before extremists, foreign soldiers, bombs and drones. pic.twitter.com/GKOGr21Orf Emran Feroz (@Emran_Feroz) January 25, 2016 The burqa has been banned by several other countries around the world, including France in 2011, Bulgaria in 2016, Austria in 2017, and the Netherlands and Denmark in 2018, IB Times reported. Writing in the Spectator in March 2017, Qanta Ahmed, a Muslim woman who was raised in a British family, described the veil as a sign, I think, not of assertive Islam, but of what happens when Islamists are tolerated by a western culture thats absurdly anxious to avoid offence. Speaking of the burqa and niqab in December 2016, Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, a reformist Muslim and founder and president of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, said, I think they should be banned publicly. When people go into public, identity is what makes us human and what makes us have a personal individualism that gives us our rights. Without our identity, there are no rights, he told Reform This. The ban comes in the wake of the Easter Sunday bombings that targeted a string of churches and luxury hotels across Sri Lanka. ISIS claimed responsibility for the blasts in an announcement on April 23, according to the groups Amaq propaganda agency, but the government says a link between the suicide bombers and the terror group has not been proven. Two further local Islamist groups with suspected links to ISISNational Thowfeek Jamaath and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahimhave been blamed by Sri Lankan authorities. A majority of those killed and injured in the blasts were Sri Lankan, while 38 foreigners were among the dead, government officials said. Sri Lanka Bomb Suspects Sister Fears 18 Relatives Dead After Attacks The sister of the suspected ringleader of Sri Lankas deadly Easter Sunday bombings has told CNN up to 18 of her family members are missing and feared dead since the attacks and subsequent raids. More than 250 people were killed and at least 500 injured in a series of coordinated suicide bombings at churches and hotels across the island April 21. A week on, the country is still on high alert with warnings there could be more attacks in the coming days, MPs told CNN Sunday. Mohamed Hashim Mathaniya is the sister of Mohamed Zahran Hashim, the man Sri Lankan authorities believe was one of the leaders of the attacks. He appeared in a video released by an ISIS-linked news agency before blowing himself up on Easter Sunday. Speaking to CNN on Saturday, Mathaniya said she identified her brother from photographs of his body parts at the police station earlier in the week. Five men went missing after the attacks (on Sunday). They were my three brothers, my father, and my sisters husband, she said. Suspected Terrorists Raided on Friday On Friday night, 10 civiliansincluding six childrenwere killed along with six suspected terrorists after a shootout between police and alleged terrorists in the town of Sainthamaruthu on Sri Lankas eastern coast. At daybreak Saturday, a gruesome scene was revealed at the raided housecharred bodies and a roof blown off during three explosions. One of the terrorists killed in that raid has been identified as Mohamed Niyas, a prominent member of the local extremist group National Tawheed Jamath and Mathaniyas brother-in-law. It did not hit me until I saw the bodies of the men and women. When they said six children, I thought whether they could be the people related to me, Mathaniya told CNN. Among the women, there were five women there in the house. The wives of my three brothers, my younger sister, and my mother. There were altogether seven children. Witnesses told CNN one explosion during the raid turned the Sainthamaruthu house into fire. Mathaniya said her brother Zahran Hashims wife and daughter are currently in the hospital. Police confirmed that after Fridays house raid, a woman and child with life-threatening injuries were taken to hospital. Authorities Continue Investigations One wounded suspect fled Fridays shootout on a motorbike, and another suspected terrorist could be on the run as well, Sri Lankas military said. Earlier Friday, authorities had seized a large cache of explosives, 100,000 ball bearings and ISIS uniforms and flags from a garage a few miles from the raided property. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the Easter Sunday attacks, but a link between the attackers and the terror group has not been proven. Authorities blame National Tawheed Jamath, which has not claimed the attacks. Warnings of More Attacks The raids are part of a nationwide hunt for the perpetrators of the Easter Sunday attacks. In the last 24 hours, at least 48 suspects have been arrested, National Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said Sunday. Meanwhile three MPs told CNN that their personal security officers have received an internal memo from the VIP Security Division of the Sri Lankan police, warning that there could be more attacks in the coming days. The memo said the possible attacks were planned by the same perpetrators as those thought to be behind the Easter Sunday bombings. Sister of Bomber Identifies 3 Family Members in Video Mohamed Hashim Mathaniya also identified her father and two brothers in a video purportedly taken minutes before Fridays shootout. The video, widely circulated on Sri Lankan social media, shows three men saying in Tamil that they will teach a lesson to those who are destroying Muslims who have come to this part of the country. The men urge people to leave their jobs to take up jihad. CNN has not been able to independently verify the authenticity of the video. Mathiniya said the three men in the video were her father, Mohammed Hashim, and her brothers, Mohamed Hashim Rilwan and Mohamed Hashim Zainy. India Warned Preacher Was Planning Attacks Weeks before the Easter Sunday bombings, Indias intelligence service warned its Sri Lankan counterpart that Zahran was planning an attack on churches and hotels. The radical Islamist preacher was known to the authorities and local Muslim community for years as a dangerous and violent figure. In videos Zahran posted online, he preached hate and violence and called for attacks on other Muslims, Buddhists and Christians. Both Christianity and Islam are minority religions in Sri Lanka, with each accounting for under 10% of the population. The vast majority of Sri Lankans identify as Buddhist. In his hometown of Kattankudyabout an hours drive north from Sainthamaruthulocals told CNN they were terrified of Zahran, even after police had confirmed his death in the attacks. They painted a portrait of a community that was growing increasingly radical, in part due to an influx of foreign money for mosques and schools, as moderate Muslims were the subject of harassment and even violence from and supporters of the preacher. A house along the Ottawa River flooded in Gatineau, near Ottawa, Canada, on April 27, 2019. (Jonathon Ren/The Epoch Times) Thousands of Canadians Evacuated Due to Severe Flooding Thousands of Canadians have been evacuated from their homes as a result of severe flooding and rising water levels, while thousands more are working to stem the flow of water. Across the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick, thawing snow and heavy rain have led to record-high water levels in some places. Thousands of volunteers and residents, as well as the military, have been working to save homes. The Canadian Armed Forces has deployed troops to help flood-hit regions across all three provinces. More members of the military are involved in fighting flooding in eastern Canada right now than in combat zones overseas. We dont have any limit. Its all based on the situation. If more are needed, we will always make more troops available, Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan said. Authorities have asked homeowners in many of the at-risk areas to evacuate while the roads are still usable. In Ontario, a state of emergency was declared in the city of Ottawa on April 25 in response to flooding of the Ottawa River, which is expected to continue rising over the next few days. The state of emergency allows the government to seize land and force evacuations. The Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board forecasts levels to surpass a record set in May 2017, with the flooding expected to peak over the next few days. Some areas, like the Britannia neighborhood, already set new records over the weekend. More than 5,000 people have reportedly signed up since late last week to volunteer with filling sandbags and supporting owners of homes along the Ottawa River that are in danger of flooding. Even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his children, who reside in Ottawa, made an appearance to help fill sandbags. Canadian troops are also helping to pack and stack sandbags in smaller communities along the river, several of which have also declared states of emergency. Across the river in Quebec, nearly 6,500 residences have been flooded and more than 9,500 people have been forced from their homes, according to the latest numbers from the provincial governments emergency situation information hub. Montreal declared a state of emergency on April 26 in order to deal with the flooding. There were concerns that rain over the weekend would overwhelm the dikes around the city, but water levels ended up lower than expected. The situation is under control, but we hope to have all the means at our disposal, Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante said at a city council meeting, CBC reported. However, a more severe situation is playing out in the suburb of Ste-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, where the nearby lake burst through a natural dike on the night of April 27. More than 5,000 residents grabbed what they could and fled their homes as waist-high water filled the streets, while another 1,500 were evacuated the next day. Provincial and local police, soldiers, and the fire department went door-to-door to vacate the area. Nobody was reported injured or missing. About a third of the town is under water, CBC reported. The Canadian Red Cross is on the scene offering assistance. New Brunswick also faces floods in some places, although water levels are expected to recede in the coming days. According to satellite imagery collected by Service New Brunswick, 16,155 properties have been impacted by floodwater, although not all the buildings on those properties were flooded. The Canadian Coast Guard wrote an update on Twitter that they had six boats in the area assisting with evacuations, as well as a helicopter. We want to recognize all of the volunteers who continued to provide significant support during the weekend, said Greg MacCallum, director of the New Brunswick Emergency Management Office. With files from The Canadian Press Trump Announces Massive Japanese Auto Investment Into US Economy President Donald Trump touted Americas economic boom at a rally in Wisconsin during the same time as the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington on Saturday, April 27. Trump proclaimed at the rally that: were now the number one economy in the world and its not even close as the crowd began cheering: USA! USA! USA! Trump also celebrated his administrations accomplishments over the past months and announced before the roaring crowds that upon meeting with Japans Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, he was told that Japanese auto manufacturers will be investing up to $40 billion in U.S. manufacturing facilities. The announcement comes as a potential trade deal between Washington and Tokyo is being currently being negotiated. Trump and Abe met for a series of bilateral talks on trade and security on April 26 and 27 in Washington, leading up to a formal meeting in Japan next month and also concerning the upcoming G20 Osaka Summit. During the rally, Trump told the crowds, for so many decades weve been losing tens of billions of dollars to China and Japan name any country and we lost, but were not losing anymore adding, were negotiating trade deals because every country has been ripping us off for years, and I really like the (Japanese) prime minister, hes a friend of mine, but I said, Mr. prime minister, we gotta do something,' Breitbart reported. The President then recounted his conversation with Abe, saying, by the way, he started by saying hes putting $40 billion into the United States for new car factories, going on to talk about how Toyota is coming in with $14 billion dollars. Many, many companies are coming in. And theyre coming in, frankly, to Michigan. Theyre coming back, they want to be back, to Ohio, to Pennsylvania, to North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and whats the name of this special placeits called Wisconsin. Trump has been focused on renegotiating international trade agreements ever since his 2016 campaign, making it one of his signature issues, along with tackling illegal immigration. His electoral victory in the Rust Belt states has been in particular attributed to his stance on international trade, in which he has called out past inaction by the U.S. government on Chinas unfair trading policies. Trump has also previously called out Japan to a lesser extent, but since becoming President in 2017, he has praised Abes decisions to push for investment in the United States. The two world leaders have developed a strong personal relationship and Trump said that Abe told him Nobodys ever talked to me this way. The President then went on to conclude his announcement by emphasizing what that investment will mean for the Rust Belt states that have been hurt the most by past U.S. economic policies: So theyll be investing shortly and its started already, $40 billion with a b, $40 billion dollars, and itll be a lot more than that. He also added, The poverty rate for Wisconsin families has reached the lowest rate in 22 years. The unemployment rate for Wisconsin workers has reached historic lows, has never been this low before, ever, ever, ever. Think of that. Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein (R) is hugged as he leaves a news conference at the Chabad of Poway synagogue in Poway, Calif., on April 28, 2019. (Denis Poroy/AP Photo) Trump Says He Spoke With Rabbi After Synagogue Shooting, Praises Him as Great Guy President Donald Trump said that he spoke to the rabbi in charge of the synagogue where a shooter opened fire over the weekend, killing one and leaving three others injured. Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein was one of the injured at Chabad of Poway in California. The president said that he spoke at length with Goldstein on April 28, the day after the shooting. I extended my warmest condolences to him and all affected by the shooting in California, Trump said on Twitter. I spoke at length yesterday to Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, Chabad of Poway, where I extended my warmest condolences to him and all affected by the shooting in California. What a great guy. He had a least one finger blown off, and all he wanted to do is help others. Very special! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 29, 2019 The president said that he was impressed by the rabbi. What a great guy. He had a least one finger blown off, and all he wanted to do is help others. Very special! Trump said. Goldstein said at a press conference on Sunday that he was grateful to Trump for reaching out. I was amazed, Goldstein said. Its the first time Ive ever spoken with the president of the United States of America. He said Trump conveyed his support. Rabbi Goldstein: Trump called me to convey condolences on behalf of the U.S.: He spoke about his love of peace and Judaism and Israel and he was so comforting. Im grateful to our president for taking the time and making that effort to share with us his comfort and consolation. pic.twitter.com/h8baVo4w3k Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) April 28, 2019 He spoke about his love of peace and Judaism and Israel and he was so comforting. Im really grateful to our president for taking the time and making that effort to share with us his comfort and consolation, Goldstein said. Goldstein said that he was preparing for a service on the last day of Passover, a holiday celebrating freedom, and heard a loud sound. He turned around, and a saw a young man wearing sunglasses standing in front of him with a rifle. I couldnt see his eyes. I couldnt see his soul, Goldstein said. He raised his hands and lost one of his fingers in the shooting. He spoke about his love of peace and Judaism and Israel and he was so comforting. Im really grateful to our president for taking the time and making that effort to share with us his comfort and consolation, Goldstein said. Goldstein said that he was preparing for a service on the last day of Passover, a holiday celebrating freedom, and heard a loud sound. He turned around, and a saw a young man wearing sunglasses standing in front of him with a rifle. I couldnt see his eyes. I couldnt see his soul, Goldstein said. He raised his hands and lost one of his fingers in the shooting. And then, Goldstein said, miraculously the gun jammed. John Earnest, 19, surrendered to police after bursting into the synagogue and opening fire as about 100 people were worshipping inside. Earnest, who had no previous contact with law enforcement, may face a hate crime charge in addition to homicide charges when hes arraigned later this week, San Diego County Sheriff William Gore said. He was being held without bail, and it was unclear if he had an attorney. Police searched Earnests house and said he was also being investigated in connection with an arson attack on a mosque in nearby Escondido, California, on March 24. An 8-year-old victim said she had just finished praying and was getting ready to go play with other children when gunshots rang out. Her uncle rushed her and the other children outside, the girl said. Her leg was bleeding but doctors told her she didnt need surgery, she said. I was scared, really, really scared, she said. I didnt see my dad. I thought he was dead. Her father, 32-year-old Israel Dahan, said he flipped over a folding table as soon as he saw the man enter carrying a long rifle and told people to run. He went to look for his children and found two had been ushered out and his 5-year-old was hiding in the bathroom, he said. There were indications an AR-type assault weapon might have malfunctioned after the gunman fired numerous rounds inside, Gore said. An off-duty Border Patrol agent fired at the shooter as he fled, missing him but striking his getaway vehicle, the sheriff said. Shortly after fleeing, Earnest called 911 to report the shooting, San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit said. When an officer reached him on a roadway, the suspect pulled over, jumped out of his car with his hands up and was immediately taken into custody, he said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. From NTD News Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama meets Korean survivors of the U.S. atomic bombings of two Japanese cities during the World War II, in Hapcheon, Wednesday. Yonhap Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama paid tribute Wednesday to the Koreans killed by the U.S. atomic bombings of two Japanese cities in 1945 and apologized for his country's failure to compensate surviving victims and their families. The center-left leader from 2009-2010 became the first Japanese statesman to visit a memorial house in Hapcheon, 350 kilometers south of Seoul, for the Korean victims of the atomic explosions in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which ended World War II. Historians say about 40,000 Koreans died in the inferno and some 30,000 survivors suffered from aftereffects. "As a man who served as Japan's prime minister, I believe the Japanese government should provide proper compensation and assistance," Hatoyama said during a meeting with about 30 victims. "I deeply apologize for that." He knelt and held the hands of each of the elderly victims as he vowed his best efforts to ensure they receive due compensation. He bowed in prayer before a memorial tower inside the facility. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on April 26, 2019. (Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images) Trump Says New York Officials Trying to Destroy NRA President Donald Trump said on April 29 that New York state officials are trying to destroy the National Rifle Association (NRA), after the states top Democrats opened an investigation into the organization last week. The states attorney general, Letitia James, said on April 27 that her office has begun a probe related to the NRA and that she has issued subpoenas as part of the investigation. Reports indicate that the probe relates to the groups tax-exempt status. Jamess office didnt respond to a request for comment by press time. Trump, via Twitter, accused both James and Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of breaking the law in order to dismantle the NRA. It comes as the gun rights group faces internal divisionsretired Lt. Col. Oliver North, the NRAs president, said recently he wouldnt be seeking another term after he lost support from the organizations leadership. The NRA is under siege by Cuomo and the New York State A.G., who are illegally using the States legal apparatus to take down and destroy this very important organization, & others, Trump said on Twitter on April 29. It must get its act together quickly, stop the internal fighting, & get back to GREATNESS FAST! The NRA is under siege by Cuomo and the New York State A.G., who are illegally using the States legal apparatus to take down and destroy this very important organization, & others. It must get its act together quickly, stop the internal fighting, & get back to GREATNESS FAST! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 29, 2019 North said recently he was forced to step down as president because of his allegations that NRA leaders engaged in financial improprieties. His departure came after NRA Chief Executive Wayne LaPierre accused North of trying to oust him by threatening to release damaging information about him, according to a letter from LaPierre to NRA board members that was published by the Wall Street Journal on April 26. The NRA board met on April 29 to debate its next steps, according to media reports. The NRA didnt respond to a request for comment on the investigation. The president also suggested on Twitter that the NRA should leave the state altogether. He brought up the large numbers of people leaving the state because of high taxes. According to tax burden data from WalletHub, New York has the highest tax burden by state, with a total of 12.97 percent total tax burden. WalletHub calculated the results by comparing states across three tax burden typesproperty taxes, individual income taxes and sales, and excise taxesas a share of total personal income in the state. People are fleeing New York State because of high taxes and yes, even oppression of sorts. They didnt even put up a fight against SALT could have won, he said on Twitter. So much litigation. The NRA should leave and fight from the outside of this very difficult to deal with (unfair) State! .People are fleeing New York State because of high taxes and yes, even oppression of sorts. They didnt even put up a fight against SALT could have won. So much litigation. The NRA should leave and fight from the outside of this very difficult to deal with (unfair) State! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 29, 2019 On April 26, Trump used the NRA annual meeting in Indianapolis to announce he was pulling the United States out of an international arms treaty signed in 2013 by President Barack Obama that was opposed by the NRA and conservative groups. The United Nations will soon receive a formal notice that America is rejecting this treaty, said Trump during his speech to the NRA attendees. He signed the executive order on the podium. Reuters contributed to this report. President Donald Trump on the South Lawn of the White House on April 27, 2019. (Pete Marovich/Getty Images) Trump Slams Biden, Union Leaders Ahead of Ex-VPs First Campaign Speech President Donald Trump criticized former Vice President Joe Biden and union leaders on April 29 ahead of Bidens debut presidential campaign speech in front of union members in Pittsburgh. Sleepy Joe Biden is having his first rally in the Great State of Pennsylvania. He obviously doesnt know that Pennsylvania is having one of the best economic years in its history, with lowest unemployment EVER, a now thriving Steel Industry (that was dead) & great future! Trump wrote on Twitter. Biden announced his bid for the presidency on April 25, entering a crowded field of 20 Democratic contenders. Before announcing his bid, Biden held a comfortable lead over the rest of the Democratic field in an average of polls maintained by Real Clear Politics. Biden, who is counting on the support of organized labor, was scheduled to address the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While Democrats see organized labor as a reliable source of support in elections, several moves by the Obama-Biden administration angered union leaders ahead of the 2016 election. Labor unions opposed the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) backed by Obama and Biden. Trump promised to end the TPP on the campaign trail and followed through once he took office. Biden and NAFTA Unions also view the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) as detrimental to the interests of unionized workers. Biden supported NAFTA as the senator from Delaware. Trump promised to scrap or improve NAFTA and followed through by replacing the deal with the United States Mexico and Canada Agreement, which still has to be ratified by Congress. In the same string of messages, the president took a shot at the leadership of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), which endorsed Bidens candidacy earlier in the day. The Dues Sucking firefighters leadership will always support Democrats, even though the membership wants me. Some things never change! Trump wrote. IAFF represents some 300,000 members. A union endorsement is a signal to members, but not all members vote for a candidate endorsed by the union. Ill never get the support of Dues Crazy union leadership, those people who rip off their membership with ridiculously high dues, medical and other expenses while being paid a fortune, the president wrote in another message. But the members love Trump. They look at our record economy, tax & reg cuts, military etc. WIN! Bidens closest runner-up in opinion polls is Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a socialist. Sanders has railed against free-trade agreements, showed surprising strength among rank-and-file union members during his 2016 presidential primary challenge to Hillary Clinton even though she received the formal endorsement of most national unions. Biden will also have to reckon with a hard-left turn within the Democratic Party. Socialist policy proposals by Sanders, which had little-to-no support several years ago are now virtually endorsed by every leading 2020 contender. The socialist Medicare for All bill by Sanders had no co-sponsors six years ago but is now embraced by two-thirds of the Democrats in the House and one-third of the Democrats in the Senate. Trump received the support of two unions ahead of the 2016 election: the Fraternal Order of Police and the National Border Patrol Council. Reuters contributed to this report. TVA Can Be Sued When It Acts Like a Business, Supreme Court Rules The Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of a man injured in a boating accident, finding that the Knoxville-based Tennessee Valley Authority isnt immune from lawsuits, as the federal government had claimed. The April 29 judicial opinion came in a case called Thacker v. Tennessee Valley Authority. Gary Thacker and his wife filed suit against the authority for negligence after he and another man, Anthony Szozda, were navigating a boat on the Tennessee River and were struck while crews tried to raise a partially submerged power line. Szozda was killed. The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals threw out Thackers lawsuit, finding the TVA, which was created by the government, couldnt be sued. Thackers attorney told the Supreme Court the circuit court erred and that TVA was participating in commercial activity that should not prevent it from being held accountable in civil court. The Supreme Court reversed the circuit court decision. The TVA, a public corporation, was created by Congress in 1933 as one of the alphabet soup projects championed by President Franklin Roosevelt as part of an effort to boost the nations crippled economy during the Great Depression. Its original stated purpose, as described in enabling legislation, was [t]o improve the navigability and to provide for the flood control of the Tennessee River to provide for the agricultural and industrial development of said valley and for other purposes. The decision, written by Justice Elena Kagan, rejected the authoritys sweeping claim of governmental immunity, remanding the case to a lower court that will review whether a more limited type of immunity applies. The TVA sometimes resembles a government actor, sometimes a commercial one, she wrote. It exercises eminent domain and arrests people, performing a governmental function, [b]ut in other operationsand over the years, a growing numberthe TVA acts like any other company producing and supplying electric power. During oral arguments on Jan. 14, Ann OConnell Adams of the U.S. Solicitor Generals office, told the justices that discretionary-function immunity, which is grounded in constitutional separation of powers principles and preexisted the enactment of the Federal Tort Claims Act, is precisely the type of immunity that Congress had in mind for the TVA. Thackers attorney, Franklin Taylor Rouse, disagreed, telling the justices that: Congress created the Tennessee Valley Authority as a corporation that could sue and be sued. The TVA Act states: Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Act, the corporation may sue and be sued in its corporate name. Nothing in the TVA Act specifically provides the exception that the TVA now urges, immunity for what it calls discretionary work. Justices Samuel Alito and Sonia Sotomayor both challenged the TVAs claim of discretion-functionary immunity, that is, of being shielded from lawsuits when it does something commercial in nature, like, for example, raising a power line. The TVA does some things that are purely governmental and it does some things that are pretty much purely commercial, Alito said. Its a hybrid entity. As to its commercial activities, its hard to see why a business should be exempt from tort liability for every discretionary business decision that the business makes. TVA does governmental functions and it does commercial functions, Sotomayor told Adams. Youll have to explain to me why raising a power line is a government function. Any commercial enterprise that creates a danger has to fix it. Thats what businesses do, whether its the government running the business or not. Chinese leader Xi Jinping meets United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during the Second Belt and Road Forum at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on April 26, 2019. (Andrea Verdelli/Pool via Reuters) UN Chief Raises Issue of Xinjiangs Uyghurs During China Visit UNITED NATIONSUnited Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised the plight of Muslims in Chinas Xinjiang region during a visit to Beijing last week, a U.N. spokesman said on April 29. China has faced growing international condemnation for what it calls re-education and training centers in the remote western region. Activists say they are mass detention camps holding more than 1 million ethnic Uyghurs and other Muslims. Guterres met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Friday in Beijing on the sidelines of a summit on Chinas One Belt, One Road (OBOR, also known as Belt and Road) initiative. However, U.N. sources said Guterres raised the situation in Xinjiang during a separate meeting with the Chinese regimes top diplomat Wang Yi. The Secretary-General discussed all relevant issues with the Chinese authorities that includes the situation in Xinjiang, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters on Monday. What the Secretary-General told his Chinese interlocutors is that he fully stands by the initiatives of the (U.N.) High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet. Bachelet has repeatedly pushed China to allow the United Nations access to investigate reports of disappearances and arbitrary detentions, particularly of Muslims in the Xinjiang region. China has previously said it would welcome U.N. officials if they avoided interfering in domestic matters. Dujarric said Guterres position on the issue was the same in private as it is in public and based on the full respect for the unity and territorial integrity of China and that human rights must be fully respected in the fight against terrorism and in the prevention of violent extremism. Each community must feel that its identity is respected and that it fully belongs to the nation as a whole, he said. Chinese Communist Party officials say the mass detentions among the Uyghur population, the majority of whom practice Islam, are part of measures to crack down on terrorism, religious extremism, and separatism in the country. The CCP has used the excuse of potential extremist threats to justify its strict surveillance and crackdown on Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups in the region. Diplomatic sources say China has become increasingly worried about the overseas backlash against the camps, especially threats of U.S. sanctions. Uyghurs and other Muslims held in concentration camp-like facilities, known as re-education centers, are forbidden from using Islamic greetings, must learn Mandarin Chinese, and sing propaganda songs, according to a report by Human Rights Watch. Former detainees have also told The Epoch Times that Uyghurs are being tortured, raped, and killed in secretive political re-education camps. By Michelle Nichols. The Epoch Times contributed to this report. Chinese "little blue men" maritime militia in the South China Sea. A member of the Malaysian Navy in a communication exchange with a Chinese Coast Guard ship in the South China Sea, near Kuantan, Malaysia, on March 15, 2014. (Rahman Roslan/Getty Images) US Finally Stands Up to Chinas Cabbage Strategy News Analysis The United States has finally put its foot down, facing the Chinese Communist Partys (CCPs) use of open deception to seize control of the South China Sea. The head of the U.S. Navy has allegedly told the CCP that hostile actions from its coast guard and fishing boats will be seen as no different than hostile actions of the Chinese navy. Admiral John Richardson, head of the U.S. Navy, allegedly alerted his Chinese counterpart, vice-admiral Shen Jinlong, of the new standard in January. I made it very clear that the US navy will not be coerced and will continue to conduct routine and lawful operations around the world, in order to protect the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of sea and airspace guaranteed to all, Adm. Richardson told the Financial Times. To make a long story short, the CCP uses its fishing boats and coast guard ships as key pieces in its military strategy, designed to seize control of the South China Sea and nearby regions. The fishing ships even train alongside the Chinese navy. Rather than just send in military ships, it started by sending in large numbers of fishing ships to contest the territory, then Coast Guard ships to protect them, then military warships, then it builds artificial islands to base the warships. These islands then become Chinese territory, used to expand the CCPs borders and to declare ownership of the strategically important region. The CCP has been open about this strategy, which CCP officials call the cabbage strategy designed to wrap areas up layer by layer until the CCP can seize control of it. The militarized fishing boats and coast guard ships are known as the CCPs maritime militia. Despite the fact that the strategy is openly discussedand well understood in the Westthe CCP has been able to carry it out due to loopholes in rules of engagement. By simply labeling ships used in military operations as fishing boats, or by painting warships as coast guard ships, the CCP has been able to manipulate international standards on engagement, and has prevented a harsher response from surrounding countries as it carries out its land-grab. The fishing ships, meanwhile, have been extremely aggressive with foreign vessels, including Japanese and Philippine ships. This aggression allows them to chase out foreign presence so the CCP can operate uninhibited, as it gains control over the strategically important region. The Japanese coast guard released a video in August 2016, showing 200 to 300 Chinese government and fishing boats, accompanied by Chinese coast guard ships, intruding on Japanese territory near the Senkaku islands. The CCP claims the islands are its historical territory. A Plot in Broad Daylight The South China Sea is a strategically important region. In addition to holding valuable undersea minerals, oil, and natural gas, its also a trade chokepoint for up to 40 percent of the worlds shipping. Historically, whoever controls international trade chokepoints also has sway over tradecontrolling shipments of oil and close to 90 percent of global trade. As part of the CCPs push to replace the Pax Americana with the Pax Sinica, controlling these chokepoints is strategically importantand its because of this that the CCP has naval programs on every major trade chokepoint. Yet, for the CCP, the strategy in the South China Sea goes further than just control of the shipping channels. Its also part of the CCPs area-denial, anti-access (A2/AD) strategy. After the CCP gains control of the region, and constructs its artificial islands, it uses this control to deny other nations access to the territory. The defense community has warned from the get-go that the CCP was working on a three-part plan in its A2/AD strategy. The first part was to construct the islands and seize the territory, the second was to build facilities and military capabilities on the islands, and the third is to act on its threats to attack foreign military ships and jets passing through without CCP approval. CCP military officials have been open with this. In February 2016, South China Morning Post published a story titled, Chinas military is prepared to defend sovereignty in the South China Sea. In 2013, the CCP announced its cabbage strategy, and its program to weaponize Chinese fishing boats. Its then-Maj. Gen. Zhang Zhaozhong said on Chinese television the CCP would begin by sending in fishing boats, then maritime surveillance ships, then warships to seize territory one layer at a time. The island is thus wrapped layer by layer like a cabbage a cabbage strategy has taken shape, Zhang said, adding For many things, we have to grab the right timing to do them. To militarize its fishing ships, in 2013 the CCP financed more than 50,000 fishing boats to install its Beidou satellite system (BDS) replacement for GPS, which the ships use to coordinate their operations with the military. Qi Chengye, a manager at BDStar Navigation, told the CCPs Xinhua news outlet, at the time, The government pays for most of the cost of the client terminals, and gives fishermen diesel subsidies according to the distance and frequency of their vessels heading out to sea. These operations quickly followed the CCPs declaration of a no-fly zone over Japanese territory in the East China Sea on Nov. 23, 2013, which launched the operation. A Strategy for Deception Behind the CCP military operations is its Three Warfares strategy of legal warfare, psychological warfare, and media warfare. It was approved for military use by the CCPs Central Military Commission in 2003. Legal warfare works through manipulating national and international law for strategic use, psychological warfare aims to alter the way a target perceives information, and media warfare aims to control and influence the public release of information. In the South China Sea, the CCP used legal warfare to make legal claims to the region. It eventually lost the legal battle, but then ignored the adverse ruling. It used psychological warfare to make public claims of historical ownership of the region. Then it used media warfare to rally domestic media and influence foreign media to spread its talking points. The Office of Net Assessment, a Pentagon think tank, described the Three Warfares in a May 2013 report as a war-fighting process that constitutes war by other means, and that uses deception as a way to alter the strategic environment in a way that renders kinetic engagement irrational. The Three Warfares program plays on a CCP slogan for subversion, to strangle you with your own systems. The concept is simple: if a country offers protections for a free press, for example, they will create news outlets on your soil to attack you; if you say you believe in free speech, they will send agents to criticize you; if you dont attack civilian ships, they will use civilian fishing boats for military operations, and so on. There are groups in China that study the laws and systems of each targeted country, and develop strategies to exploit these. And these programs tie to the broader concept of the CCPs overall warfighting concept, designed to first look at what the goal of war would be, then to strategize how it could be achieved using means outside conventional military conflict. This is the basis of its numerous unconventional strategies, including its Unrestricted Warfare programs for a war without morals, its Three Warfares strategy of deception, and its cabbage strategy of layered conquest. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. US Will Rethink Cooperation With Allies That Use Huawei: Official LONDONWashington does not see any distinction between core and non-core parts of 5G networks and will reassess sharing information with any allies which use equipment made by Chinas Huawei, a U.S. cybersecurity official said on April 29. It is the United States position that putting Huawei or any other untrustworthy vendor in any part of the 5G telecommunications network is a risk, said Robert Strayer, deputy assistant secretary for cyber, international communications and information policy at the State Department. If other countries insert and allow untrusted vendors to build out and become the vendors for their 5G networks we will have to reassess the ability for us to share information and be connected with them in the ways that we are today, he said. Huawei, the worlds biggest producer of telecoms equipment, is under intense scrutiny after the United States told allies not to use its technology because of fears it could be a vehicle for Chinese spying. Sources told Reuters last week that Britains National Security Council had decided to bar Chinas Huawei Technologies from all core parts of the 5G network but still allow it in non-core parts with some increased restrictions. The news was leaked to a national newspaper. The leak of secret discussions has sparked anger in parliament and amongst Britains intelligence community. Britains most senior civil servant Mark Sedwill has launched an inquiry and written to ministers who were at the meeting. By Jack Stubb Woman Almost Loses Her Tongue From Severe Tooth Infection A woman in her mid-20s narrowly avoided having her tongue amputated because one of her teeth became infected. Caitlin Alsop, 24, is grateful doctors prevented her from years of relearning how to drink, eat, and speak by helping her avoid a glossectomy surgical procedure. The woman from Australias Gold Coast had been diagnosed with a serious tooth infection that caused her throat to swell so much that it was closed and put her in a coma. Woman, 24, almost dies from a tooth infection after throat swells shut and shes left in coma https://t.co/SNau0xq9F6 pic.twitter.com/BuLcgjRdXO india times post (@indiatimespost) April 28, 2019 It all started in August 2018 when she had dinner, went to bed, and realized she could not breathe overnight. I came in to the world on a Sunday struggling to breathe and nearly left the world the same way two weeks ago, she said in a Facebook post on Aug. 19, 2018. "Never be ashamed of a scar. It means something tried to beat you, but you were stronger than it".So, I came in to Posted by Caitlin Alsop on Sunday, August 19, 2018 She revealed she faced her three deepest fears of hospitals, intubation, and burns in a single night. Emergency room doctors gave Alsop adrenaline for a suspected allergic reaction and an induced coma when her blood pressure dropped, while they examined her. An ambulance transfer, emergency operation, life support in [the] intensive care unit for nine days, and an incredible team of 18-60 people at the Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH), and I am alive and well today, she said. Woman almost dies from a tooth infection that left her in a coma https://t.co/lUkAfWGTnK pic.twitter.com/T4NPYiK1Fk The Sun (@TheSun) April 28, 2019 Alsop was disappointed that no health professional could immediately diagnose her symptoms. My three symptoms that no general practitioner could detect? A burnt tongue feeling that night, red rash on my face, and sleeping constantly, she said. Her worried family members gathered around her. Mum was told to prepare for the worst, she told News Limited. After undergoing several tests, doctors finally discovered the symptoms was because Alsop had contracted Ludwigs angina, a rare skin infection that spreads under the tongue after developing an abscesswhen pus accumulates in the center of a tooth. The condition is extremely rare and means to be strangled alive, she said. The infection had spread from a wisdom tooth she did not know she had to her entire jaw. Doctors were concerned it may travel to her brain, neck, and chest. It was the infection and life support machines/drains which burnt me. It moves quickly through any tissues, Alsop said. GCUH Oral Surgeon Dr. Kemal Akbiyik said it is essential for patients to attend regular dental checks and remove wisdom teeth as dental infections can become deadly. Ludwigs angina is a life-threatening condition because it threatens the airway, and patients can die from acute airway obstruction from the swelling it causes, he told News Limited. A dental infection can travel to the brain or downwards into the neck, and even into the chest. Alsop thanked doctors for saving her life and has started inviting family and friends to visit her again. To the real heroes, the ones who wear scrubs not capes, thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you do everyday, she said in another Facebook post on Oct. 17, 2018. Home now and anyone is welcome to come visit. To the real heroes. The ones who wear scrubs not capes. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you do everyday. . #nurseappreciation Posted by Caitlin Alsop on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 Even though doctors were able to save Alsops tongue, she still has a permanent speech impediment. She hopes to return to authoring her own free deals mobile application called YesThanks. I was scared to go back to the business, and scared to talk with my new lisp, she said. Its ironic that in nearly losing my tongue and my ability to speak, I gained a whole new voice, and an even bigger story to share. I am so thankful for it, live every day like its your last. Never be ashamed of a scar. It means something tried to beat you, but you were stronger than it, she added. Woman Cheats Ex-Boyfriend out of $90,000 With Photos of Fake Son A woman was arrested after tricking a former partner into paying child support with photos of a child who she claimed was their son. After being reported to the police, the woman was arrested for fraud in Chinas Suzhou City on April 20, according to the Hangzhou Daily. The woman, named Bei, allegedly cheated her ex-boyfriend, named Zhao, out of 600,000 yuan ($90,000) for over two years. She edited photos of herself holding a friends son, who she claimed was fathered by Zhao. From a Bad Relationship to a Nightmare Zhao said he met Bei in 2016. But after only three months of being in a relationship, they broke up. Upon breaking up, Bei told her now ex-boyfriend that she was pregnant. Zhao did not want to help raise a child, so he decided to give her 20,000 yuan ($3,000) for her to have an abortion. Bei then returned to her hometown of Suzhou. I had no idea at that time that the following two years were gonna be a nightmare, Bei told the Hangzhou Daily. Zhao lives in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Provincea two hour drive from Suzhou. Bei did not find work once she returned home, and instead decided to live off of her ex-boyfriend. I think I wasnt cheating him, it was taking revenge on him, Bei said during a police interrogation, according to the Hangzhou News. Zhao was bad to me first! When I was with him, I lost my job, but he was with me without any intent to get married! He never once took me to see his friends or family! Bei said that after she had an abortion, she didnt intend to let him off so easily, according to the Hangzhou Daily. Then the lies began. In May 2016, Bei contacted Zhao, and told him that she did not have an abortion, and wanted to keep their child. She told Zhao that she needed money to raise the baby, so he gave her another 20,000 yuan ($3,000). By November 2016, Bei told Zhao that their son was born and sent him a fake photo. This time, Zhao sent her 100,000 yuan ($15,000). From that time until May 2017, Zhao continued heeding Beis demands for money, all on the pretense of their son being sick. Each time he would send her up to 35,000 yuan ($5,000). Bei even got multiple phone numbers to impersonate her parents, acting as if they were concerned about their grandson. Below is an English translation of the texts that Bei sent to Zhao pleading for more money: Im asking you, whats the big deal about 10,000 yuan for child support? You think my mom and I are just causing you a problem for no reason? Every day now its me taking care of [our son] by myself. Have you even thought that if I hire a nanny, how much it would cost? How much would I even have left? You have to take him to the doctor for IV drips and buy milk powder for him. But after hes grown, I dont have to worry about soiled diapers, and I can stop buying milk powder, since he can just have meals. Is this too much to ask? This is the last time, since hes grown, his immunity is stronger. You [sic.] [Zhao], Im texting your older brother, I really cant handle it, really! [Our son] is sick again, Im overwhelmed, there are really too many sick kids during this season, I really cant handle it. In July 2018, Bei now had claimed that their son was sent to a hospital in Shanghai, and demanded that Zhaos older brother pay $30,000 ($4,500). A month later, Bei claimed that her custody entitled her to more payments from Zhao, this time for a total of 150,000 yuan ($22,000). By this time, Zhao had already found a wife, but didnt dare to tell her about the situation. Since he worked as a businessman, he could still fulfill Beis demands. I later realized, Ive only ever seen our childs pictures through the phone, and never truly seen the boy! I later talked about this with my wife, Zhao told the Hangzhou Daily. Then, towards the end of 2018, Zhaos wife was looking at Beis social media accounts, as well as of Beis friends. There, she discovered a familiar face, of a mother with her sonZhaos supposed son. Zhao and his wife contacted Beis friend, and confirmed that the boy was indeed her son. The boy was not-at-all related to Bei. More surprisingly, the mother had no idea that Bei was using the boys pictures to defraud money from Zhao. That is when Zhao decided to report the situation to the police. Zhao said that Bei was then arrested for fraud in Suzhou on April 20, according to the Hangzhou Daily. Woman Claims Kennel Gave Owner Dead Dog Wrapped in Tape An Irish woman said her husky died at a boarding kennel, and the workers apparently placed the dog in a bag and wrapped it in tape. Kirsten Kinch, of Dublin, left her dog, Nova, at a kennel in Dublin, and the dog was said to be in good health, she said last week. The woman went to Iceland for three days with her family, according to the Daily Mail. The dog had colitis and was treated with steroids several months before. A veterinarian checked the dogs health before the trip. "Once you've seen it, you can't unsee it".Kirsten went on holiday for three days and returned to the kennel to see this. Shocking. RIP Nova Posted by UNILAD on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 Kinch went to get her dog on Dec. 31, and she was told by kennel workers that her dog died from internal bleeding, according to the Mail. According to Unilad, she posted her story as a review on the kennels Facebook page, but it was removed. This was the first time I had left her with anyone that wasnt a family member and I made the staff aware of the fact I was quite nervous leaving her, she wrote. Nova had an ongoing issue with colitis and this was being managed with steroids for the last few months very successfully, she had also been checked by my vet prior to boarding and we had discussed taking her off the steroids as she was responding so well. Whats more, Kinch said she provided written and verbal instructions on how to give the dog the steroid. When she went to collect her dog, Kinch was flabbergasted. I was brought in to see my gorgeous dog who had been wrapped in what I can only describe as a ball in a black bag which was covered in masking tape' Posted by Daily Mail on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 I was then brought in to see my gorgeous dog who had been wrapped in what I can only describe as a ball in a black bag which was covered in masking tape, there was clearly so little care and empathy in the way she had been handled and dealt with since finding her. There are no words to describe how upsetting and traumatic it was to carry her to the car and take her home in what seemed a completely inhuman way, she said. Kinch said she then questioned the workers at the kennel about whether the dog got its medication. We drove straight to the vet with Nova where I then had to carry her into the clinic wrapped the way she had been given to me. The vet was horrified and couldnt believe there was a 25kg (55-pound) husky wrapped in this black bag, she continued. After she emailed the boarding kennels, she got no word back from them. Paddy Cullen from P&E boarding kennels, however, has a different story. Cullen said when he let the dogs out in the morning, Nova was dead and had a big pile of blood from her behind, reported The Metro. I was then brought in to see my gorgeous dog wrapped in what I can only describe as a ball in a black bag which was covered in masking tape.' Posted by Metro on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 I rang the vet and was told to wrap up the dog so as not to infect the other dogs, the Metro quoted him as saying. What other way could we do it? We were concerned about the spread of parvovirus. We were told to seal the bag so nothing could escape. The kennel owner said hes received a litany of death threats and hate mail from random people. Some said they would burn down our house, he told the outlet. Chris Cuomo attends the 12th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at American Museum of Natural History on Dec. 9, 2018, in New York City. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for CNN ) Youre Misleading a Lot of People: Former AG Calls out CNNs Chris Cuomo Over Mueller Report Coverage Former Attorney General Michael Mukasey has called out CNNs Chris Cuomo over his coverage of special counsel Robert Muellers investigation, accusing him of misleading his audience. Mukasey, who appeared as a guest on Cuomos show last week, defended Attorney General William Barrs handling of the release of the Mueller report, in particular, Barrs decision to rule that the special counsel did not provide sufficient evidence to support an obstruction-of-justice case against President Donald Trump. Mueller had not reached a prosecutorial judgment on the allegation of obstruction of justice in his report, which prompted Barr to address the issue. Cuomo argued that he didnt believe Barr should have made a decision on the obstruction of justice issues and instead should have left the decision to Congress on whether to indict Trump on an obstruction-of-justice offense. Mukasey, who served as attorney general under President George W. Bush, told the television host that he disagreed and that it was Barrs job to decide whether to prosecute any alleged crimes, adding that the Justice Department doesnt conduct investigations for the purpose of referring things to Congress. They conduct criminal investigations with two possible results. Either you charge or you dont charge, Mukasey said. Former AG lays into Chris Cuomo: Former Attorney General Michael Mukasey shuts down @ChrisCuomo on the Mueller Report Mukasey: youre misleading a lot of people#Cody45pic.twitter.com/AsxKiyrLnv Cody (@buzzman888) April 29, 2019 Cuomo continued his argument, saying, But what your friend did is not just by the book. He took it on himself to decide this rule. He didnt have to do that. Of course, he had to do it, Mukasey responded. To which Cuomo responded: Why? Who was going to decide whether to indict or not? Mukasey asked. Congress, as a political matter. Leave it to them, Cuomo said. They decide whether to impeach or not. They dont decide, Mukasey pointed out. And Mike, youre skipping the big point, which you taught me about very early on, Cuomo continues. That is the big point, Mukasey replied. They cant indict him. That is the opinion from the OLC so theres nothing to decide on that level. Its purely political. It always would be, Cuomo said. Congress doesnt indict. Congress can impeach, Mukasey reiterated. Cuomo then said he was using the word indict as a metaphor, which prompted Mukasey to reply, But youyoure misleading a lot of people. You have a big audience. Getting smaller by the minute now, but its bigger, Mukasey added. Later in the interview, Cuomo argued that Barrs initial letter was misleading, accusing the attorney general of protecting the president. Thats why he did it. Thats why he wrote the letter the way he did. Thats why he gave the press conference the way he did. Thats why he misled us to what that report would look like the way he did, Cuomo said. In response, Mukasey fired back at the CNN host, saying, That letter came at a time when, no criticism of you, but your network were devoting days of people sitting around and talking about a report that they didnt whose content they didnt know, that they hadnt seen, in essence, panels of people sitting around a table inhaling their own exhaust and getting high on it. The country was in a state of absolute hysteria. You had a countdown clock in the corner of not one but several networks about the release of the report. He did the responsible thing, he added. Mukasey said Barrs letter was not misleading as it accurately reflected the bottom line of [Muellers] reportthat there was no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, as well as, the special counsel could not indict but could not exonerate the president. The Justice Department released a redacted version of Muellers report on April 18. The nearly 500-page report details how the special counsel concluded that there was no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election. The report also found that the special counsel did not find enough evidence to substantiate that the president obstructed justice. Democrats and the liberal media have repeatedly criticized Barr for supposedly protecting the president and accusing him of taking steps to spin Muellers report. South Korea and Chile will hold a summit in Seoul later Monday on elevating their relations to a new level, as they seek to cement cooperation on regional and international issues, presidential officials here said. President Moon Jae-in is scheduled to greet his Chilean counterpart, Sebastian Pinera, at an official welcoming ceremony to be held at the presidential compound, Cheong Wa Dae. The leaders will then have formal talks and a joint press briefing to announce the results of their discussions. Pinera arrived here Sunday for a two-day state visit after attending the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. He's the first leader of a Latin American country to visit South Korea since the launch of the Moon administration. "In the summit this time, (the two sides) plan to have wide-ranging discussions on partnerships in various fields, including substantive economic cooperation, as well as security conditions on the Korean Peninsula and Central and South America," said Yoon Do-han, Moon's senior secretary for public relations. Chile is South Korea's first free trade agreement (FTA) partner. Signing the deal in 2004, then President Roh Moo-hyun traveled to Chile and forged a "comprehensive, cooperative" relationship between the two nations. In talks with Pinera, Moon plans to talk about improving the bilateral relations, requesting Santiago's support for Seoul's efforts for denuclearization and a lasting peace on the peninsula. They had one-on-one summit talks in New York last September on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly session. The Chilean president made his previous trip to Seoul in 2012 for the Nuclear Security Summit. (Yonhap) NORWALK At age 10, Dalmarys Matos was removed from her home and placed in foster care by the Department of Children & Families. She recalls interviews with unknown individuals, who would take notes, ask her questions and seldom comment about her mothers struggle with mental illness and addiction. Family friends would occasionally warn Matos that if she continued to misbehave or fight with her mother, she and her sister would be removed from the home. But she never considered the threats credible and certainly never thought they would come to fruition. Matos and her sister were initially placed at a home in Bridgeport before they were separated. In nine years, Matos lived in nine homes. She found herself lashing out at foster parents, many of whom eventually asked her to leave. In other instances, she asked Department of Children and Families workers for other living arrangement when foster parents treated her without dignity or respect. Although some of those situations werent the greatest, I feel like each of them brought me here, said Matos, now 28. Everyone poured into me something and I tried to take the good from it. I had to look at what I wanted and not define myself by my situation. In Connecticut, DCF is the sole agency that takes custody of children once theyre removed from their guardian. The department tries to first place children with other relatives or family friends instead of with foster parents or strangers, said Gary Kleeblatt, communications director for DCF. If foster care is the only option, DCF workers contact local service providers who find the child a swift placement. Norwalk-based Family & Childrens Agency is one of those agencies working with DCF to find children a safe home. In March, the Family & Childrens Agency had 138 children in its foster care program. Although 32 were from Norwalk, only two were placed in their home city. Thats due to the organizations struggle to find foster parents in Norwalk. Most of its foster parents are living in Bridgeport, meaning most of its children are placed there, regardless of where theyre from. In those instances, children continue attending classes in the school district they grew up in regardless of their new location. Often frienships suffer, commute times get longer and children are removed from a familiar community. They have to wake up earlier to make it to school on time. Studies show thats detrimental to a teenagers health, especially for high school students. These are kids that are being stripped away from the only family theyve known, the people that they trust, their protectors, said Matos. If you strip away from them their town along with their family, they feel alone. They feel isolated. Everything is unfamiliar. They dont know who to trust. They dont have any friends in school to talk to about it. Its scary. The Family & Childrens Agency is asking people in Norwalk to consider becoming foster parents. Anyone interested should contact the organization directly. Theres an undeniable need for foster care guardians, not only in Connecticut, but also across the country. DCF had 4,250 children in its care statewide last month with around 400 living in Fairfield County. As the largest provider of specialized foster care in Connecticut, FCA recruits, trains and supports foster parents while helping children with in-home visits, life skills courses and counseling. The specialized foster care program supports children living with complex medical, behavioral and psychological complications. Many have been abused or neglected. Your heart has to be sensitive, but your skin has to be tough, said Sunny Geter of Bridgeport, a foster parent since 2007. Its a commitment caring for children experiencing trauma, she said. Since 2007, shes cared for more than 20 children while also providing respite to more than 50 youth, an arrangement where one foster parent temporarily cares for another foster parents child. Amid the tough times, Geter has reached out to FCA and other foster parents for support. You gotta have self-care. You gotta have a sense of humor, Geter said. If you cant laugh at anything, if youre real strict, youre real rigid then I dont think youre a good candidate for foster care. Jerlene Esaw of Norwalk has also cared for more many foster children 12 or 13 to date. Both women have relatives who were foster children at some point, a reason they continue paying it forward. Both said once you become a foster parent, youre hooked. I was a little apprehensive at first, but I know once I did it, now I cant stop, said Esaw. I just know there are kids out there. I know that they need someone to just to let them know that were here. Karen Clark recruits and trains foster parents in the Family & Childrens Agencys specialized program. Its hard to find foster parents because many consider the responsibility a huge undertaking. News reports often cast a negative light on foster care stories, often focusing on situations gone wrong, she said. People dont realize that theres such a need. They dont realize when they see in the news reports of domestic violence and someone was arrested, and someone went to the hospital, that if there were kids in the home they were quietly taken into care. I tell people theyre not easy, but they are worth it. A lot of them have some really tough backgrounds when we look at them and yet theyre still here and still surviving. What we do is help get them in environments where they can thrive and help let down their guard. Reunification between the child and their parent is the ultimate goal, Clark said. If thats not possible, adoption is another alternative. Reunification wasnt a possibility for Matos, but she calls her mother daily. For the last three years, shes supported herself by working as a communications and media specialist for the City of Bridgeport, editing billboard graphics and working with journalists to disseminate community news. Matos encourages other children in foster care to follow their dreams and not give up no matter the circumstances. tatiana.flowers@thehour.com NORWALK Donna Marie Cutrone, a lifelong Norwalk resident, was a healthy, active 66-year-old woman heading into the summer of 2016, her daughter Gina Franco said. She was one of those people that really tried to live a natural life, Franco, of Trumbull, said. Francos father had just retired the month before and her parents were planning to do more things they loved, like spending their winters in Florida. But that all changed when Cutrone started feeling sick that summer, Franco said. When she started to not feel good, we were concerned, Franco said. She was diagnosed immediately with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and it had metastasized to her liver ... Once you hear metastasized thats even scarier. She did seven to eight rounds of chemotherapy to try to shrink the cancer, but it was too late. Nine months later, she passed away. It was very scary, Franco recalled. All of that happened in nine months. It was extremely fast. Pancreatic cancer has become one of the deadliest in the U.S., with experts expecting it to become the second leading cause of cancer death by 2020. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it currently ranks as the fourth leading cause of cancer death for both males and females each year. The number of pancreatic cancer incidents has been rising by about 1.2 percent annually over the last 10 years, the CDC reported. Thats one of the reasons Franco and others in the Norwalk community have decided to invest their time and efforts into fundraising for research to help diagnose and treat the deadly cancer. Norwalk events: To start off May, two groups are hosting events to raise money to benefit pancreatic cancer and organizations to support those battling with it. Franco worked with the nonprofit organization, Project Purple, to host Steps for Cure In Memory of Donna Cutrone, beginning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, May 11 at Calf Pasture Beach. The event features a 5K race and a one mile walk, with the proceeds going toward Project Purples national Patient Aid Program, that helps support patients and their families fighting the disease, as well as funding for critical research for a cure. Its comforting because it really makes me feel like a part of her is still alive and fighting the disease that took her from us, Franco said. The weekend before, the third annual Rallye for Pancreatic Cancer, which features a classic car show, live music and food, will be held at Calf Pasture Beach on Sunday, May 5, 2019, beginning at 10 a.m. The event is the creation of Mark Schlegel, 67, the citys former Sheffield Island Ferry captain, who was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer in 2015. According to the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 91 percent of those who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer will die within the first five years. While Schlegel has been lucky in treating his form of the disease, its still left a mark on his life. Im tired of watching my friends die, to be honest, he said. His goal is to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer and help raise funds for early screening research. Were trying to deliver a serious message at a fun event, he said. We all try to make it a community event, because basically the community is affected by this form of cancer. Local benefits: The beneficiary of Schlegels rally is his doctor, Dr. Richard Frank, an oncologist and hematologist at Norwalk Hospitals Whittingham Cancer Center, who is working on a three-year study to try to create an early screening test for the cancer. Were really focusing on early detection survival rates can soar if we can find early detection, Schlegel said. Schlegel cited other tests, such as mammograms for breast cancer and colonoscopies for colon cancer, as effective prevention methods. Frank said that he began noticing a correlation between patients over 50 years old who had been diagnosed with early onset diabetes developing pancreatic cancer. The correlation is that in 1 in 100 individuals over the age of 50 who develop new onset diabetes, will develop pancreatic cancer in the next 2-3 years, Frank said. That doesnt sound like a big number, unless youre that one person and your pancreatic cancer could be detected a year earlier and that can save your life. The cancer itself is aggressive and its signs and symptoms, often stay hidden, Frank said, both of which make it so deadly. Its a catch 20-20 because the cancer is aggressive, he said. Once it starts, it grows fast and it spreads and theres no real stopping of it. Were trying to catch it before it does that. So far, Frank said theyve had just under hundred people participate in the study, but hes hoping to continue to add more. The study requires participants to have blood work done every six months to look for biomarkers that could indicate signs of the cancer, as well as annual MRIs to screen for abnormal growths. Those who are 50 years and older that have been recently diagnosed with early onset diabetes, as well as those with a family history of the cancer may qualify. Were really trying to focus on the new diabetic so especially if they have diabetes and theyre losing weight when they diagnosed, thats also a red flag that there could be an underlying pancreatic cancer, Frank said. Frank estimated that if they can catch more people earlier, the five-year survival rate could increase from under 10 percent up to closer to 40 percent. kelly.kultys@hearstmediact.com NORWALK When Rosetta Melton arrived at Bridgeport Hospital, she didnt have much information all she knew was her daughter had just attempted suicide and her granddaughter might be in danger. When I got there, they didnt want to tell me anything, Melton said, thinking back to July 16, 2016. They couldnt confirm if my daughter or granddaughter was there; they held me there from 5:19 in the morning, all day until around 6 oclock. About 20 minutes after she arrived, a police officer led Melton to a hospital room where her two-year-old granddaughter was sitting. She immediately jumped into her grandmothers arms. All of a sudden all these people who work in the ER come rushing in as if I did something, as if I was a threat, Melton said, still confused five years later about why that happened. Soon after, a Child Protective Services worker with the Department of Children & Families approached Melton and said, given her daughters situation, DCF could not guarantee Melton custody of her granddaughter. I lost it, Melton said. Thankfully, in the end, DCF placed the granddaughter with Melton, making her one of about 19,000 grandparents responsible for their grandchildren in the state, according to U.S. Census data. For decades, grandparents have taken on the role of parent when needed some for a second, third or fourth time. Many, like Melton, are thrust into the role without warning, often stepping in for their own children who struggle with drug addiction, incarceration, mental illness or other issues. Some are unprepared for the financial, emotional and health challenges that come along with parenting at an older age and advocates say with little notice, they are forced to face many obstacles with few supports and services tailored to their needs. It definitely aged me, said Melton, 56, of Bridgeport. There were some days I was just simply crawling and I lost a lot. I need to file for bankruptcy, but because you need money to file for bankruptcy, I havent yet. I lost my car. I stopped going to school. Im three classes from completing my masters (degree). Financially, it destroyed me. Of the 19,000 Connecticut grandparents responsible for their grandchildren, about 50 percent are white, 26 percent are black, 21 percent are Latino, and 3 percent are Asian, according to U.S. Census data. More than 30 percent of those children have no parent present in the home. Furthermore, the percentage of the population aged 30 and older living with grandchildren has increased from 3.6 percent in 2000 to 3.8 percent in 2014. I think its still on the rise, said Paul Ganim, a probate judge in Bridgeport. Im sitting on probably five to nine, 10 cases a week where were dealing with various issues with guardianship and placing children in safe homes. The preferred place to put a child, according to Kenneth Cabral, regional administrator for DCF, is with a family member or a family friend, called a kinship care arrangement. Tonya Gonsalves, 59, started taking care of her 5-year-old grandnephew a few years ago through Family & Childrens Agencys kinship program. After the six-month program, she moved to permanently adopt him. Its best that theyre with the family member straight from the beginning, the Westport woman said. Its a lot of confusion on their part and they really dont understand why theyre placed with a stranger. Still, advocates say many grandparents are hesitant about taking legal custody of their grandchildren. I think most grandparents hesitate to take full custody away from their child because they hope there will be some elimination of the substance abuse and family reunification, said Marie Allen, executive director of Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging. Theres also a lot of challenges for the grandparents around legal rights, like a health proxy before they become a guardian. For example, if a grandparent takes the child to a hospital, staff might ask the legal guardian to sign off. If the legal guardian is still the childs biological parent, and theyre unreachable, that could cause barriers for the child needing care. Grandparents can face similar challenges when trying to enroll their grandchildren in school if they dont have legal custody. For Yolanda Stinson, the 59-year-old Bridgeport woman has had to step in four times to take care of her 13-year-old grandson. The Norwalk native does not have legal custody of him and said while some people are understanding of the situation, others are not. Because its happened so many times, the school, the doctors, everybody in his life just lets me bring him for appointments, Stinson said. Our story needs to get out. We need to somehow get some legislation (so) we dont have to jump through hoops. If DCF places a child in foster care, the foster parent receives a stipend. However, if a grandparent decides not to go through DCF and informally takes care of the child, they do not receive the same financial help. There was a bill before legislation last year to change that, to make it so if a grandparent had legal custody theyd get the same stipend, said Gail Carroll, former director of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren at Child & Family Guidance Center in Bridgeport. DCF spoke against it because it would be $14 million ... In the Connecticut General Assembly, the big concern was budget cutting. According to testimony provided during the public hearing for the bill, DCF said, In light of economic realities facing the state, the Department cannot support this proposal at this time. The bill never made if out of committee. This is not to say DCF provides no financial help. Cabral said Connecticut provides guardians a fairly healthy stipend, which is tailored to the each situation. But, the regional administrator for DCF said, We are the government. We have a public responsibility to ensure were good stewards of public dollars so there are some limits to how far we can go. For Melton, the assistance came out to about $25 a day for the nine months she had joint custody of her granddaughter. Even after her daughter was granted full custody, Melton said she is still heavily involved in her granddaughters life. The $25 a day was a nice gesture but nowhere near enough, said Melton, who works nights at an inpatient psychiatric unit. Here I am making about $50,000 a year, she said. Of that, about $15,000 goes to her granddaughters needs, leaving her only about $35,000. Thats a big cut. For Melton, the financial hardship is her biggest struggle, which is why she joined the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support group. Unfortunately, the group does not provide monetary support. Still, Melton said it was healthy to get things off her chest, speaking with others dealing with similar situations. We went monthly. It was awesome, said Stinson, also a member of the group. We had each other, and it was the best thing in the world for us. For about 15 years, the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support group, met at the Child & Family Guidance Center in Bridgeport. It provided support, counseling and access to services for grandparents. The group started with a balanced meal, difficult for some grandparents to provide for their grandchildren everyday, said Carroll, who led the group. Unfortunately, the group ended in the spring of 2018, though members still try to get together when they can. We havent left contact with each other. As it stands today, we are trying to do it ourselves, Stinson said. Carroll said she could only speculate on why it ended, but said it was a shame as there were already limited services for grandparents who act as parents. Grandparents who need support, can call 211 or their area Agency on Aging. tatiana.flowers@thehour.com For Tom Wilkinson, of Fairfield, a labor organizer by destiny and a practicing one the last 42 years, the recent successful 11-day strike by some 31,000 Stop & Shop workers was by all accounts a momentous event, perhaps the most momentous of his career. The strike ended last week and forced European corporate owners to acknowledge the lives of their American workers. The strike, the placards on the picket lines, the human faces, of course, were what caught the attention of not only the corporation, but the media and the public. That job action, though, came at the end of an exhausting three months of fruitless, frustrating negotiations by Wilkinson and other leaders of the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union. Work like that takes its toll. Wilkinson was born and bred in the union town of Lynn, Mass., where his father was a mailman. GE was big in town, with the electrical workers, he said the other day as we sat over coffee. Everybody was union. Union was just part of our vocabulary; it was what we knew. We werent management, corporate types, he said. He worked in a union market in Boston and found himself collecting strike benefits even before his probationary period on the job was up. When a position as an organizer opened, he went for it. Hes never looked back. You have to go to nonunion places and convince them the union is a better way of life, he said, summing up the essence of his lifes work. He advanced to his position as International Vice President, and president of Local 371, United Food & Commercial Workers International Union, responsible for operations in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. The UFCW is the successor organization to the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America. Theres the whiff of the gunfighter about Wilkinson, tall and slim, silver hair slicked back, a scar here, a scar there, the faded reminders of a more roustabout period in his life. Today, at age 65, he and wife, Katie, are the parents of two sons and a daughter. He is a student of the labor movement, a voracious reader who bestows books on labor history and myriad other topics on his friends. Wilkinson is proud, but not vengeful, about the success of this job action. Not because of his role in it, but because of the impact it will have on workers not only here, but around the country. This is reverberating around the country. Its a huge event. he said. The importance of this is the connection we made with the nonunion world, like shoppers who would go into nonunion stores and tell the employees there they are shopping there because they support the union workers at Stop & Shop. The heroes if you want to use that word of labor are the people who had the guts to organize, who didnt have the union, to fight to get the union in. The struggle of the American labor movement has never been an easy one. It was 1978, Wilkinson recalled, one of his early days on the job, when he walked through Bostons Faneuil Hall. I saw these guys sweeping, picking up cigarette butts, working pretty hard. So, I asked them if they were interested in the union. Their eyes lit up, he recounted. About 50 of them, just about all Haitians, signed cards. Those people welcomed me into their homes. I lived with them for about two months helping make sure they had a good campaign. They got an election and they won. They were going to get a chance to live a part of the American dream. But things turned bad. The day were supposed to start negotiations, Im home and the phone rings, he says. He repeats, The phone rings. He stops. His eyes are welling. He brings his hands to his face and cries. I offer a napkin. The tension of the last few months, it seems, is literally erupting and escaping from his body. God, he gasps and says almost by way of apology, Its been an emotional time. He exhales. Its 7 in the morning. Mister Tom thats what they called me the guy says on the phone. Come quick. Help us. Help us. So, you know what goes on at the start of the 7 a.m. shift? Theyre handing off the babies. The mother or father is coming off work, and the other parent is starting. I go down to the jail, and there they are, behind the bars, with the babies. That vision haunts me to this day, he said. Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market the cradle of liberty, he noted had been raided by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the forerunner of todays ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He never saw the Haitians again. Theres another long pause and his facial muscles tense. That was the worst day of my life. Another pause. They were casualties. Michael J. Daly is retired editor of the Connecticut Post editorial page. Email: Mike.Daly@hearstmediact.com. Man evaded police with stack of ID cards after his mother was murdered in 2015 Shocking details of how a former student from a top Chinese university allegedly killed his mother in 2015and then kept her rotting corpse from being discovered as he evaded the police for nearly four yearssurfaced after his arrest on April 20. The man, now 24, managed to keep his whereabouts under the radar with the help of more than 30 ID cards and was finally caught with the assistance of the latest crime-fighting technologyfacial recognition. Wu Xieyu, from Fujian province, was detained on April 20 at an airport in the Chongqing municipality when he went to see his friend off at around 4 am. He was caught on surveillance equipment four times while waiting to pass security checks at an airport entrance. The system alerted police officers at the airport when the images reached a 98 percent match with pictures of the man in a database for fugitives, ThePaper.cn reported on Sunday. When the former Peking University student was detained, he was carrying more than 30 ID cards he had purchased online, Beijing News reported. "It's very likely that the ID cards he purchased had been reported lost and were later obtained by illegal ID dealers," said Dai Peng, head of the investigation department at Chinese People's Public Security University, on Sunday. "Those ID cards are still active and can still be used, which is indeed a system flaw. "Now, facial recognition technology has been adopted to fix the flaw, which means using an ID card alone cannot get people past security at airports or checking into hotels. The technology also led to Wu's arrest. Using ID cards of others to carry out criminal activities in China has already become very difficult and will become more so in the future." Dai added that public security forces have been fighting illegal sales of IDs. The market will also certainly decline as more biological information is used for confirming people's identities, he said. In March 2016, the Fuzhou police in Fujian province offered a 50,000 yuan ($7,430) reward for information leading to the arrest of Wu, who was a suspect in the murder of his mother, Xie Tianqin. Her body was found on Feb 14, 2016, in her apartment in the faculty dormitory of a middle school in Fuzhou. She was believed to have been murdered by her son after they had a confrontation on July 11, 2015, according to police sources. Wu allegedly sealed off the room after the murder, wrapped the corpse with layers of plastic and used activated carbon to absorb the smell. He also installed surveillance cameras in the room and connected them to his computer so as to keep an eye on things. Using the excuse of going to the United States to further his studies, Wu managed to borrow more than 1 million yuan in his mother's name after her death, police said. While on the run, he stayed in Shanghai and Chongqing, as well as in Fujian and Henan provinces, and also spent a large amount of money on prostitution and buying lottery tickets, Beijing News reported. Wu managed to keep his mother's death a secret by telling people she was staying with him in the US until his uncle finally became suspicious. The Chongqing and Fujian police could not be reached for comment on Sunday. President Moon Jae-in shakes hands with Chilean President Sebastian Pinera after holding a joint press conference at Cheong Wa Dae, Monday. Yonhap By Kim Yoo-chul Chilean President Sebastian Pinera promised to support South Korea's bid to obtain associate member status in the Pacific Alliance, an economic bloc of four Latin American nations, during a summit with President Moon Jae-in at Cheong Wa Dae, Monday. South Korea, which is currently an observer of the Pacific Alliance, wants to become an associate member to expand trade with the region. At the summit, Moon told his Chilean counterpart about Seoul's keen interest in becoming an associate member of the Pacific Alliance. The Chilean leader positively responded to the request, saying his country will have thorough discussions over the matter with other members of the economic bloc, Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release. Chile will take the role of "rotating chair" of the trade alliance, which includes Mexico, Colombia and Peru, in the latter half of this year. In 2012, the four nations launched the bloc, which represents a market of 215 million people, 40 percent of Latin America's GDP and 52 percent of regional trade. During a joint press conference after the summit, Moon said, "South Korea wants to build its free trade agreement network connecting the Asia-Pacific region to Latin America by obtaining member status within the Pacific Alliance." In response to Moon's remarks, the Chilean leader said all bloc members are on track to expand commercial networks and said the Latin American country will move forward in setting "high-standard free trade." Pinera arrived here, Sunday, for a two-day state visit after attending the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. He's the first leader of a Latin American country to visit South Korea since Moon took power in 2017. The two countries also agreed to expand collaboration in emerging business areas such as those linked to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and advanced network technologies. Cheong Wa Dae officials said follow-up working-level talks will focus primarily on addressing challenges on several fronts such as high logistics costs, relatively low mutual cultural awareness, different levels of institutionalization in each bloc, potentially competing national interests and inadequate infrastructure. Separately, the Chilean leader remained supportive of President Moon's drive to bring lasting peace to the Korean Peninsula, the Cheong Wa Dae statement added. The two countries signed an agreement on defense cooperation and three non-binding memoranda of understanding (MOUs). Moon said Seoul will support Chile's efforts to tackle climate-related issues. Chile plans to host a United Nations climate summit, better known as COP25, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in its capital, Santiago, later this year. Our state has a serious problem. As Americas economy booms, Connecticut continues to suffer. Its financial woes have become cannon fodder for national news media and have legislatures around the country warning their members: Dont become like Connecticut it had it all and is now losing it all. Tax increases have put the brakes on our economy. The state is not growing. Its GDP is negative while other New England states are positive. In 2015-16, it lost 29,880 people, more than double the previous five years. Many residents gave up and left when they saw the controlling party turning on them to take more out of their pockets. Connecticuts high tax burden is consuming the disposable income of residents, leaving fewer able to make purchases. As a result sales tax revenues are down 8 percent. In addition, more than 3,400 jobs left the state in the first quarter of 2019. This exodus of high wage earners has not only resulted in lower revenues and prolonged budget deficits, but also a reduction in home values by nearly 50 percent and less business formation. Realtors plead: Give us a state we can sell! Incredibly, state leaders have responded by proposing even higher taxes and tolls! Why? State government keeps spending more than it takes in. The states employee costs are so high that historic tax increases cant keep up. Our state employee wages are higher than either New York or Massachusetts. They enjoy platinum level fringe benefits that include health care and pensions which were increased by 13.6 percent in 2018 and are now up to 86 percent of payroll. Their total compensation is 42 percent higher than similar private-sector workers the highest differential in the country and nearly 50 percent of the state budget after debt payments. A head-in-the sand approach can be seen in recently voted on contracts that increase wages 5-to-11 percent further. The states unfunded pension liability is ranked 48 out of 50 worst in the US and has vacillated between 32-to-40-percent funded while New York is 90-percent funded. There was false hope that the party controlling the administration and Legislature would usher in a new day. However, now everyone is reeling from an avalanche of new anti-jobs and anti-taxpayer proposals that a previously politically balanced Senate would ever have let see the light of day. Republicans were able to broker a bipartisan budget agreement last year when they had equal numbers in the state Senate. Their influence is now greatly diminished in the face of an emboldened progressive Democratic caucus that is flexing its tax muscle. The majority party privately debates not if, but which, new taxes they would inflict on a wounded economy. Should they enact a new payroll tax, wage mandates, paid leave, tolls, regional schools, pot, gambling, tuition hikes, goods and services? But what they will not touch is the real reason behind all these tax proposals administrative costs that are eating up every state agencys budget. The Connecticut Department of Transportation costs alone are up to nine times greater than the national average. So now what? The solution is staring Connecticut in the face. State unions should come back to the table to negotiate or the legislature could change their bargaining rules 46 states do not have collectively bargained contracts for state-level employee groups. They negotiate benefits through the states budgetary process. Connecticuts contracts limit flexibility and hamper honest efforts to enact the reforms that are severely needed. It has a Legislature that includes a heavy representation of state union members. They control the process, votes and budget for the very unions that benefit from their votes. This has raised more than a few eyebrows. Here are some ways our legislators could address the problem and put our state back on a path to prosperity: Reduce taxes to generate economic activity, create jobs and return purchasing power to state residents. Halt further tax increases and mandates on wage rates. Reduce income tax and eliminate inheritance and gift taxes. Phase out taxes on pensions, Social Security, cars and real estate conveyance. Remove tax on business inventory and equipment. Reduce business regulations. Reduce administrative costs to lower the need for tax increases. Reduce state spending and agency costs, pension and health care reform Phase out defined benefit pensions and phase in 401K plans for new employees. Increase pension contributions 6 percent and increase retirement age to 65. Temporarily halt Cost of Living increases and new hires until Connecticut recovers. Increase health/drug insurance beyond $5 and annual deductibles of $2,000 for individuals, $4,000 for families. Review and audit agencies to streamline and eliminate waste, abuse, fraud, duplication. Contract with cost effective nonprofits for social services. Privatize certain transportation services and ports where appropriate. The Legislature has to make the changes needed to dig Connecticut out its deep financial hole. It must acknowledge that massive tax increases cannot match soaring state costs, and that going back to taxpayers will only drive them out and hurt the state more. Our leaders should have an honest conversation with the states unions and get their cooperation to put Connecticut back on its feet. They must have the courage to face these facts to fix Connecticut. Toni Boucher is a Connecticut businesswoman, former state Senator and state Representative. President Mary Ann Niemoth welcomed 13 members to the Trinity Lutheran Womens Missionary Leagues meeting on April 12. Marilyn Bomback gave the opening devotion, Todays Thoughts Happy Easter. The Bible study, Running the Race Ready, Set, Go, was presented by Kathy Aufendembege. Wyllie Lessig gave the mites devotion, Love, Fishes and Mixes, based on Matthew 14. Lois Niemoth reported for the Altar Guild. The next meeting is set for 9:30 a.m. April 30. LWLM members made 14 visits and seven members donated time to help the Orphan Grain Train. Orletha Block, Sewing Circle chair, reported 10 quilts were tied. Several churches and the Orphan Grain Train donated items, blankets and fans to residents of Valley, which had severe damage from flooding. Hostesses were Lessig and Marilyn Linder-Bombeck. The next LWML meeting is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. May 10. The mission project is donated items for vacation Bible school. My mom wanted to better her English and help us more since she has been living here, she said. Reyes mother was born in Mexico, but has been in the U.S. for more than two decades. Reyes was born in the U.S. She said her mother learned to better speak and understand English as a student at the Literacy Council. My mom was coming here (Literary Council) to get some help on her English, Reyes said. I wanted to give back to the program. As a volunteer, Reyes said she helps out with anything they need. Last week, she was busy preparing art for Sundays Earth Day Festival, which took place at the Railside Plaza in downtown Grand Island. At the council, she also helps tutor a student for an hour each week. Reyes, who speaks fluent Spanish, helps her students learn both read and write English. It helps me with my students a lot, she said about her bilingual abilities. During my time on the East Coast, I was able to study alongside many people who shared my love for journalism and photography. Because of that trip, I was able to listen to many talented individuals such as Susan Goldberg, the editor and chief of National Geographic, speak and share her work. While these are just my experiences, I guarantee that everyone has a favorite story from a time of travel, even if it was not out-of-state. Each destination holds a wonder for everyone; there is always something to look forward to no matter what your interests are. Above all else, at least it gives you a story to tell and share with others. There are all sorts of stories about people discovering a lifelong friend, starting a relationship, or finding one of their passions in a city away from home. Above all else, traveling gives you another experience to cross off your bucket list. If I would have never traveled to the places that I have, there is a good chance that I could be a completely different person. As summer is just around the corner, I encourage you to share the same excited mindset as my peers and I. While relaxing at home is always a fun time, summer does not have to hold a monotonous routine. There are plenty of chances for travel and not all of them are incredibly costly. Some of the nomadic people, by the way, didnt travel short distances. In the 1700s and 1800s, some traveled by boat to the South Seas. Menough tells an interesting story about a sweet lady named Agnes, who lived in a town called Chefornak. When Menough knew her, in 2001 and 2002, Agnes was in her 40s or 50s. When Agnes was 4 or 5 years old, her mother left Chefornak. She got on an airplane, said Ill be back and flew away. Ever since her mother left, Agnes has gone down and met every plane coming in, looking for her mom. Even though Agnes might not even know why anymore, she still meets every plane. Shes looking for her mom. But I dont think she even realizes that now, he said. Her mom never came back. Still, Agnes always has a smile on her face. Anyone who spends time in Alaska becomes an expert on cold weather. On one occasion, Menough got stuck in Deering when the temperature was 50 below. The wind, coming off the Bering Sea, was in excess of 50 knots, making the wind chill 115 below. It is a center of learning where all can come and share, Steele said. According to Steve Fosselman, library director, with the construction part of the librarys renovation project wrapping up, the dedication honors the hundreds of donations to the Grand Island Public Library Foundations Reinvest in Your Public Library campaign. The campaign was responsible for several improvements made possible by gifts. He said the renovation project is being financed outside the Citys general fund that supplies the librarys operating budget and staffing. The new renovations and improvements, included a Makerspace and a 3-D printer, continue to make the library relevant for all ages and Grand Islands cultural diversity. Lepler said the changes came about from the library staff, the foundation members and trustees listening to others about what the library needed to make it an important community gathering place. We are becoming a community center rather than just a place to get a book, he said. Lepler said the changes in the library also reflects the diverse community Grand Island has become. Dear Abby: I think a person in my life, Janine, has kleptomania. I have seen her take things from my house, and I know she steals clothing from stores (as evidenced by the security clips still on them). She even took my husbands glasses and then, a year later, set them on the kitchen counter. Im struggling to be understanding about kleptomania, knowing that its a mental illness. Were no longer comfortable having Janine in our home. Is it socially acceptable to bring up this behavior with our mutual friends? Tested in the Pacific Northwest Dear Tested: If you are sure that Janine has kleptomania, it would be a kindness to caution your mutual friends about it so they can protect their belongings. I would certainly want to know if I were inviting her to my home. MORE ADVICE: Carolyn Hax: Dealing with a girlfriend's punitive behavior Dear Abby: I have been seeing a girl I met in high school and went with for a year. We both went our separate ways for a couple of years because I moved far away with my family. We started college in different states, but got back together over spring break a year ago. This year we got pinned to each other. Because we are so far apart, we agreed we would go out on dates and socialize until we are engaged. After a few months, I found out she had gone home with a co-worker after work when he offered to fix her dinner. Dinner led to wine and more than a few drinks, and then to kissing, fondling, etc. I was extremely hurt when she confessed it to me, and now Im not sure I can trust her. We still plan to get engaged, but should I believe shell be faithful and truthful, or should I find someone else I know I can trust? Let Down in Illinois Dear Let Down: Give her props for being honest with you about the kissing and fondling, but before making up your mind, clarify exactly what the etc. means. You should also make sure you have a clear definition about what socializing means. (There is socializing and then there is socializing.) If your definitions dont line up, then break up. Dear Abby: My mother committed to going to my sons first College National Honor Society induction ceremony. The grandmother of my brothers wife passed away, and her wake/funeral is the same day. My mother backed out of her commitment to my son and is now going to the wake/funeral. Should I feel angry that she did this? Hurt in the East Dear Hurt: Calm down. You stated that this will be your sons first induction into the National Honor Society, which implies that there may be more. Your mother will have but one opportunity to pay respects to her in-law, which is why she changed her plans. Accept it. ALTON Most kids want to play in the dirt. Some kids do it with two wheels and an engine. Its fun, you get to go fast, you jump really high, and you can do tricks, said 8-year-old motocross racer Wiley Rhives from Festus, Missouri. Rhives was among the competitors of all ages, all kids at heart, taking part in the motocross races on Sunday at Splinter Creek Dirt Riders track along Terpening Road north of Alton. The track was a spectacle of flying colors, spewing dirt and giant, angry hornet sounds as the racers sped, jumped, slid, and entertained the cheering crowd of friends and family who had gathered to watch the fast-paced event. Rhives has been racing since the tender age of six and sounds like a seasoned track veteran. I have wiped out and it is terrible, especially in a race, Rhives said. But I dont get mad, I just keep going. Seven-year-old Cecil Palmer of Rushville, who has been riding since age three, experienced his first motocross race on Sunday at Splinter Creek. It was cool, the jumps were awesome, I want to race again and try to learn more, Palmer said. I hurt myself once before but not in a race, I was trying to pop wheelies. Fourteen-year-old Ellie Goeken of Brighton has been racing for eight years in what has traditionally been a male-dominated sport. Goeken is trying to change that. Motocross racing is not common for women, but you can do it if you start young and dont let the guys tell you that you cant do it, because they will tell you that a lot, Goeken said. I like the jumping and the adrenaline rush, battling people for spots, and messing around with other people in the pack. Splinter Creek Dirt Riders Inc. was founded as a private motorcycle club in 1970 by a small group of men who had a passion for motorcycles, a dream of promoting the sport and the desire to have a great place to ride. In 1971 they were able to purchase 80.5 wooded acres just north of Fosterburg, and today Splinter Creek hosts MX motorcycle and ATV races, TT Scramble races, and Hare Scramble races. The track is nestled among remote wooded hillsides and includes camping, concessions, restrooms, spectator bleachers, and parking. Splinter Creek Motorcycle Club President Danny Langston of Wood River said this weekends racing was a welcome return of motocross competition after a three-year hiatus. It is obviously a great family sport and I am glad to see it come back, Langston It is what the club was founded on, and we will have at least one more of these races this year. It is a great way to teach sportsmanship, and its good to see the parents interacting with the kids, teaching them something they are passionate about, Langston said. It wasnt just the young kids who were racing on Sunday. Matt Woodruff, a 23-year-old from Paris, Missouri, has been motocross racing for ten years. He liked the Splinter Creek track. This is a pretty clean track, it seems like all the jumps are good, Woodruff said. You always think about your speed, and whether the jump is going to throw you straight. I just dont like that front double jump because you cant see the landing. And then there were the more seasoned racers, such as Scott Crowder of Bunker Hill. The 51-year-old competed in the plus-30 and plus-40 classes, and said the Splinter Creek track had really good dirt on Sunday. Its an adrenaline rush like no other, Crowder said. On the starting line you are just by yourself, it gets your heart rate up, and you get good side by side racing. Crowder is no stranger to motocross injuries, and said its part of the sport. I have hurt my shoulder broken my ankle, thats always part of it, it comes with the territory, Crowder said. You overcome that sort of thing and try to get back on two wheels, because its just in your blood. EQUALITY (AP) In the absence of a state plan for the property, an important piece of Illinois history is in jeopardy. The Crenshaw House, built in 1837, is one of Southern Illinois oldest remaining structures. Many regionally know it as the Old Slave House, which is how it was marketed to tourists for decades by its private owners until 1996. The state bought it in 2001. Some repairs have been made to the 182-year-old home, but other structural repair needs have been neglected and are accumulating, according to people familiar with the historic rural site. Under state ownership, it has never been open to the public. The state has now owned it for nearly two decades, spanning five governors: George Ryan, Rod Blagojevich, Pat Quinn, Bruce Rauner and current Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Thus far, Pritzker has been about as noncommittal about the sites future as his predecessors. Asked about the states plan for the property, Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh told The Southern via email: The administration looks forward to talking with local authorities about the future of Crenshaw House to figure out what best serves the public in a cost effective way. Historians are calling on state officials to take action to preserve it before it is too late. This is the epitome of overlooked history thats in danger of being lost, said Daniel Pogorzelski, who is vice president of the Northwest Chicago Historical Society and a lover of Illinois history. Hes also a writer and editor of the blog, ForgottenChicago.com. Pogorzelski said that, year after year, officials put off coming up with a plan to preserve sites like this, and eventually they deteriorate beyond the point of return and are forever lost to neglect. Thats often how this happens, Pogorzelski said. The Crenshaw House is one of the few remaining structures that could effectively tell the somber story of Illinois complicated role in slavery, including that it did exist here in various forms before and after statehood, historians say. The site has been identified as a historic station on the Reverse Underground Railroad by the National Parks Service. Crenshaw is believed to have kidnapped free black people in Illinois and then illegally sold them across state lines. Records indicate that Crenshaw kept black people in his home as indentured servants. Indentured servitude, in which a person entered into a contract to work for someone else in exchange for food and shelter, was legal in Illinois. Typical contracts were to last seven years, and the process offered a way for orphans to get on their feet in some narrow cases. But more often, the contracts were used to enslave black people under a loophole in the law under contracts that stretched for decades, often the entire life of a black person. These contracts were taxed as property, and could be gifted or auctioned off to a highest bidder. But the contracts could only be transferred within state lines. Historians have unearthed records indicating that Crenshaw, in the spring of 1842, sold the contract for Maria Adams, an indentured servant living in his home as a cook, to slave runners, who transferred Adams and her children to the Territory of Texas. He was charged and tried for kidnapping in the case, but was acquitted by a Gallatin County Grand Jury, historian Ron Nelson previously told The Southern. It is not known what became of Adams and her family. Though slaves did not live on the site that Crenshaw called Hickory Hill, Crenshaw likely was a slave owner before he built the home given his involvement in running salt mines in Gallatin County. Illinois entered the Union as a free state 200 years ago, but slavery was legal in the state for another seven years in the Southern Illinois salt mines, as well as the lead mines in Galena. The Crenshaw House should be used to tell the story of slavery in Illinois, said Mark Wagner, director of the Center for Archaeological Investigations at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and an associate professor in anthropology. He noted that it is also believed that an indentured servant living in the home was related to some of the black families living at Miller Grove in rural Pope County, which was settled by freed slaves from Tennessee and then became an important station on the Underground Railroad. Id like to see it preserved, Wagner said. Beginning in 2010, Wagner led field work at the site with SIU students in an effort to determine its history. Though the private owners of the property for years led tours through the home, much of what was portrayed there wasnt reality. For instance, the infamous attic with torture devices and tiny rooms enclosed by bars that tourists were told is where Crenshaw kept slaves was not portrayed accurately, Wagner said. It was more likely a hotel of sorts for traveling workers. But the home is still a hugely significant piece of history and linked to slavery. Saving it, he said, would likely take a hard push by area lawmakers to earmark funding specifically for the site into the budget of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. While no one has offered a hard figure on what it would take to open the site to the public as an interpretive museum, Wagner pegged it in the millions. The home itself would require a significant amount of work to make it safe for the public. Further, the road leading to the home regularly washes away and a new road would have to be built to the site. A parking lot and restrooms would have to be added. Nobody in southern Illinois has the money to do that sort of thing, Wagner said. If this site were in Chicago, it would be preserved, he added. Theres money and interest in history there. But were at the opposite end of the state as far away as you can get from Chicago. Pogorzelski, of Chicago, said that lawmakers and the governor should view it as a property of statewide and nationwide interest, not just of importance to Southern Illinois history. The American project has always been about improving our country and you cant improve it without understanding the historic injustices that have been part and parcel of our historic legacy, he said. Wagner said the property faces increasing risks as time goes by. Youve seen what happened with Notre Dame, he said of the fire that ravaged the historic cathedral in Paris this week. This house has nearly 200-year-old timbers in that attic. A similar situation could occur because the wood is so dry. If it catches on fire, it would do what Notre Dame just did and wed lose it. A lighting strike or electrical failure could bring it down, he said. But despite the call to action, its not clear what will come to be of the Crenshaw House. Rep. Patrick Windhorst, R-Metropolis, whose district includes Gallatin County, said that he would be supportive of the state preserving and reopening the site, but only if the funds can be found by making cuts somewhere else so as not to add to Illinois debt or force a tax increase. As a state, our budget is in a difficult position. We have a large budget deficit, he said. But its important to me that we preserve our history. Local officials say that, short of an unexpected donation from a wealthy person, its unlikely that local historical societies and governmental entities have the means to save it without the states help. EDITORS NOTE: This is the first of two articles detailing the ins and outs of Main Street Community Center, 1003 N. Main St., Edwardsville. EDWARDSVILLE Whether its through card games, meal delivery, square dancing or dozens of other programs, the Main Street Community Center continues to serve as a social hub for local seniors. The center opened in April 1975 with a mission of serving seniors and disabled adults in the community. Were not limited to Edwardsville or Glen Carbon and we have several people who come from outside the area, said Sara Berkbigler, executive director of the center. The lower age limit for some of the centers programs varies with the program. For AARP, everything starts at age 50, but transportation starts at 60 and some programs are 55 and older, Berkbigler said. Our nutrition program is our own program and its for home-delivered meals and we dont have a set age. If somebody calls us and they are in need of getting a home-delivered meal because of a permanent disability or something temporary, like hip surgery or knee surgery, we will do that. Most of our clients are seniors who can no longer cook a balanced meal for themselves. The center offers more than 43 programs throughout the year, including those provided on a weekly, monthly or one-time basis. There are six different program areas nutrition, transportation, information and assistance, health screening, education and recreation. We offer door-to-door transportation for seniors and disabled people who live in the Edwardsville area and need to get somewhere in Edwardsville, Glen Carbon or by Anderson Hospital (in Maryville), Berkbigler said. We also participate in the St. Louis Supplemental Food Box program for seniors. Between pickups here at the center and delivery, we serve over 60 people a month. There are some other nutrition programs throughout the year. The center also hosts health fairs, including the Home Run for Health Fair, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8. Were going to do another one in August at the May Building (1701 Bryant Ave. in Edwardsville) for the people who live there, Berkbigler said. Well also do a health fair in October at Eden Village (Retirement Center, 400 S. Station Road in Glen Carbon) and that will be open to everybody. Recreational and educational programs are other popular offerings at the center. A monthly newsletter, The Main Street Connection, features a calendar with a listing of events from Monday through Friday. A lot of people are familiar with bingo or card games and theyre very social events, Berkbigler said. People look forward to coming and they can see their friends. We have a variety of educational programs. AARP comes in and does technology classes for us. We also have book clubs and exhibits and we bring in speakers to inform people about different things. The center also offers a variety of day trips, which are considered educational programs. We are funded by the Edwardsville Township for part of our day trips and that helps us keep the cost down so more people can participate, Berkbigler said. Upcoming trips include the Sheldon Concert Hall, the Missouri History Museum, the Fox Theatre, Stages St. Louis and a Haunted Happenings tour of Bellefontaine Cemetery. We do day trips throughout the year and we go all over the region, usually within an hour or two of the center, she said. Information and assistance plays a key role in the centers everyday activities and goes well beyond the programs offered at the center. We get 20 to 30 people a day who call or stop by needing information, like help with services or needing to find something in the community or region, Berkbigler said. We have some great volunteers who help us with things like that. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the center, which operates with a small staff of full-time or part-time employees. We have two full-time staff myself and Kim Hoesing, who is a program coordinator, Berkbigler said. She oversees four of our program areas and our bookkeeping. Joan Woody, a part-time employee, is an administrative assistant and the volunteer coordinator. Amy Poos, the coordinator for the nutrition and health programs, is another part-time employee. The center also has three bus drivers (Karl Krachenberg, Barth Legate and Bob Werner) who split their routes throughout the week. The center has nearly 500 volunteers, including about 200 on a year-round basis, and they are involved in nearly every aspect of the centers operation. We could not do what we do without them, Berkbigler said. Our mission is to keep people active and engaged and healthy. We want people to stay in their homes as long as they possibly can, but part of that is not to literally stay in your home all day. You have to get out and socialize and connect with people and participate mentally, physically and emotionally. Several regular clients at the center are residents of assisted living centers. They still come to the center because theyve come here for years, Berkbigler said. They are more than welcome to participate and we partner with a lot of assisted living centers to do programs either here or at their facility. Berkbigler said that there are often misconceptions about how the center gets the money to operate. A lot of people think that we receive tax dollars, but we dont, Berkbigler said. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and we rely on fundraising to keep our doors open. We are supported through the generosity of the city (of Edwardsville), the township and the village of Glen Carbon, who all make a contribution to help us. We do a lot of grant writing and fundraising. The Edwardsville Community Foundation has been wonderful to us and the (Edwardsville Glen Carbon) Junior Service Club is amazing. The center is also a United Way organization and receives funding from United Way. Out of our budget every year, were usually having to raise $50,000 to $70,000 just to operate, Berkbigler said. That comes through the generosity of local businesses and individuals and a lot of work by our volunteers and staff to go out and get donations. The center also operates a resale shop, Main Street Boutique, which sells a variety of donated items. Thats a great source of fundraising for us and its also just a fun place for our clients or people in the community to come in and shop, Berkbigler said. We take clothing in excellent condition and lots of accessories and small household items. Volunteers come in and clean and organize the shop and price the items and then we sell those items. That money all goes to our operations. The center and the resale shops are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. There are also nighttime activities, such as tai chi classes and square dancing, and the instructors for those events open and close the building. Our resale shop is going to start opening up one Tuesday night each month for square dancing because a lot of the folks wanted to shop, Berkbigler said. Square dancing is held every Tuesday except the first Tuesday of the month. The Main Street Boutique will be open from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month. For more information about Main Street Community Center, call 618-656-0300 or go to https://mainstcc.org Reach reporter Scott Marion at smarion@edwpub.net Latvian Ambassador to Korea Peteris Vaivars, second from left, speaks, as Hanjin Travel General Manager Park Don-yeong, third from left, and embassy officials listen during a press conference at the embassy in Seoul, April 24. / Korea Times photo by Yi Whan-woo By Yi Whan-woo Latvia and Korea will temporarily open a direct route between the two countries in May and June. At a joint press conference last week, the Latvian Embassy in Korea and Hanjin Travel said Korean Air would operate charter flights between Incheon and Riga on May 24 and 31 and June 7. Hanjin Travel, one of the country's largest tour agencies, is affiliated with the country's flag carrier Korean Air. The direct route will save time for Korean tourists to Latvia. They mainly have been flying to Russia and then transferring to Riga, according to Hajin Travel. General Manager Park Dong-yeong said Hajin chose May and June because this was the "best season of the year" to travel Latvia. "Our Korean friends will be fascinated by the diverse food, clean air and land as well as our long history and rich culture," said Latvian Ambassador to Korea Peteris Vaivars. He thanked Hanjin Travel and Korean Air for being "open and adventurous" in operating the first commercial charter flights between the countries. "These are very first steps, but within in a next few year, we can hopefully see not only charter flights but also regular flights," he said. Korean Air will operate a 218-seat Airbus A330-200 on the flights. The Incheon-Riga flight will take 10 hours and 15 minutes. The return flight will take nine hours and five minutes. Hanjin Travel has been selling tour programs in four price ranges 2.89 million won ($2,480), 2.99 million won, 3.69 million won and 4.89 million won. All four programs last nine days long and will visit all three Baltic states Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The tours vary depending on the routes and tourist attractions to be visited. The 2.99 million won-package program will additionally include Denmark, Finland and Norway. As of last week, more than 80 percent of the tours had been sold, Hanjin Travel said. The embassy said a main purpose of the charter flights was to attract more Koreans to Latvia. Last year, around 10,000 Koreans visited Latvia while 3,000 Latvians visited Korea. Ambassador Vaivars said the number of Latvian tourists to Korea proportional to population was notable, pointing out that Latvia has a population of around 2 million and Korea has 51.47 million people. Meanwhile, the embassy's Deputy Head of Mission Olegs Ilgis gave a presentation on the Baltic states, including their shared history, people and tourist attractions. All three capitals of the Baltic states are registered as UNESCO heritage sites. Among them is Old Town Riga, the city's historical center that is home to more than 500 buildings of various architectural styles, such as Romanticism, Gothic, Mannerism, Baroque, Eclectic, Modernism. It is especially known for having the world's highest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture. Notable buildings include the House of the Blackheads, the Three Brothers, Riga Castle, Riga Dome Cathedral, St. Peter's Church and St. Jacob's Church. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Inforial (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta, Indonesia Mon, April 29, 2019 10:21 969 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa87354e09c 4 Inforial Free People who like to travel to several city and country destinations on one itinerary know that booking their flights for these trips can be a hassle. Imagine that you are interested in visiting several adjacent Asian countries, such as Japan and South Korea, within one whole trip. Or maybe you want to cover different cities within one country say Beijing and Shanghai in China. You have to use different booking IDs to book the different airplane tickets. Arguably, these procedures make administrative matters more complicated for you. The administrative matters for airplane ticket payments will get even more complicated if you, for example, plan a tour across Europe. Imagine how many booking IDs you have to collect for your flights and how many transactions you have to complete to pay for all your bookings in that case. . (Courtesy of Traveloka/.) However, there is a good news for discerning travelers. With Indonesians increasing interest and economic power for exploring different countries and cities in their travels, online travel agency Traveloka now makes it easier for you to plan these multidestination trips by allowing you to use a single booking ID covering your entire trip, applicable to both leisure and business travels. Traveloka is doing this in response to the increasing demands for travel, both for leisure and business purposes, among Indonesians this year. Destinations popular among Indonesians are Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, the Netherlands, France and the United Kingdom. More than ever, travelers now like to hop from one place to another in their journeys, like for instance covering Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto in Japan, Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Paris in France while traveling Europe, among many other examples. You can also take advantage of the single booking ID by adding stopovers for a few days in your transit cities, thus maximizing your traveling experiences. For instance, if you would like to go to London, England, on Turkish Airlines, instead of waiting in the airport for a few hours, you can go and explore Istanbul by stopping over there for several days. Traveloka is the first online travel agency from Indonesia that offers such practicality, through which you can book multiple flights in one transaction and discover more destinations that way. As a leading flight booking platform in Indonesia, Traveloka now empowers you to explore more places in a more convenient way by purchasing multiple flights in one transaction. Those who would like to cover Tokyo and Osaka in their Japanese trip, for instance, can pay for their flights under one single ID through one transaction by entering Japan in Tokyo and exiting from Osaka. Therefore, you can book the flights for your Indonesia-Tokyo and Osaka-Indonesia trip under a single booking ID. Travelokas existing system, however, can allow customers to select two flights only in their journeys (like the example stated above), but shortly the online travel agency will open to more flights as it is developing its system further to allow an easier booking experience through one-stop transactions. Customers can still enjoy Travelokas smart combo offers with multi-city features, which generously offer affordable fares for avid travelers. These features can be accessed with the Traveloka App (minimum version 3.9), as well as on desktop computers. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Paul Ricard (Agence France-Presse) Paris Mon, April 29, 2019 22:06 968 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa87356bccb 2 Health coma,health,#health Free The case of a woman from the United Arab Emirates who regained consciousness after a 27-year coma-like state provoked by a brain injury has startled the world. But it's not quite right to say that she simply "woke up", experts told AFP. What happened? Munira Omar was 32 when, in 1991, she was injured in a traffic accident after picking up her son Omar from school in the city of Al-Ain. She lost consciousness and didn't regain it until May 2018. Her son Omar -- who is today 32 -- was in the car but did not suffer serious injuries. "I always believed that my mother would get better," he told AFP by phone. Can we say she 'woke up'? Not if by that one means "the patient suddenly wakes up, as after a long sleep, as everyone does in the morning," the German doctor who treated her, Friedemann Muller, told the magazine Der Spiegel. Strictly speaking, the woman was not in a coma, but rather a state of "minimal consciousness." Even before she became more fully alert, she "was able to look at something for a short amount of time," said Muller, chief physician at the Schon Clinic in Bad Aibling, Germany. "She reacted especially strongly to her son's face." Omar suffered from "disorder of consciousness", an umbrella term for three distinct conditions: a full-on coma, in which the patient is neither awake nor responsive; a vegetative state characterised by "non-responsive wakefulness"; and finally a state of "minimal consciousness". The last applies to people who have "pulled out of a vegetative state and potentially regained some measure of conscious perception," Benjamin Rohaut, a neurologist at Pitie Salpetriere Hospital's Brain and Spinal Cord Institute in Paris, told AFP. Concretely, people with minimal consciousness can follow someone's movement with their eye, or show signs of trying to withdraw an arm when pinched in a pain-response test. "Technically the patient was -- as per the doctor's description -- already awake," explained Martin Monti, an associate professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of California, Los Angeles. "However, she certainly seems to have emerged from a disorder of consciousness." She did so very gradually, noted Mueller. Eventually "she was able to pronounce her son's name, greet us, and quote some verses from the Koran." Read also: Phoenix police investigate after woman in coma for decade gives birth Does this happen often? "These cases are very rare, which is why they make headlines," said Jenny Kitzinger, co-director of the Coma and Disorders of Consciousness Research Centre at Cardiff University. "Media reports also sometimes promote a rather romanticised vision of what 'recovery' looks like," she told AFP by email. "It's important to reflect on what 'waking up' after years in a disorder of consciousness actually means -- it is not like in the movies." How to explain the improvement? Muller's approach was a multi-pronged treatment: muscle exercise to help reduce spasticity, a common consequence of brain lesions; general physiotherapy; and exposure to all kinds of stimuli, including contact with family and friends. "We call this a holistic approach -- the aim is to maximise the potential for recovery," said Rohaut from Paris. It is possible, he added, that lowering the dose of the epilepsy medication Omar had been taking helped her emerge from the coma-like state. In the case of brain lesions, "we sometimes mistakenly diagnose epilepsy, which is often treated with drugs that have a sedative effect," Rohaut said. What next for Munira Omar? Muller insists that Omar "can now consciously interact with her environment and return to family life." That said, expectations for her should not rise too high. "She still has suffered a very severe brain injury, so nobody should imagine that she will miraculously go back to being exactly and fully the person she was before," he said. The length of her coma-like state makes a complete come-back even less likely, added Kitzinger. "It is possible to recover from a short period of unconsciousness relatively well, but the longer one is in a disorder of consciousness the less likely, and more limited, any recovery is likely to be," she said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, April 29, 2019 09:05 969 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873546c94 4 Art & Culture Bantul,Museum,Yogyakarta,travel,destination,History-of-Java-Museum Free The Bantul regency in Yogyakarta has opened the History of Java Museum on Jl. Parangtritis as a new tourist attraction. The museum is conveniently showcasing the history of Java through digital platforms. One of the most prominent gates to Bantul is Jl. Parangtritis. The museum can serve as a new attraction for Bantul, Bantul Tourism Agency head Kwintarto Heru Prabowo said as quoted by tempo.co. The museum was organized by the DTopeng Kingdom Foundation, which is based in Surabaya, East Java. Read also: Bantul museum showcases modern take on 'wayang beber' The museum invites visitors to learn Javanese history through live digital [platforms], said the foundation's founder, Elly Halsamer. Elly said the museum displayed 40 items in five zones that represent Java Island's history and culture. The items are supported by advanced augmented reality and video mapping technology. The museum is also equipped with a selfie arena called Kampung Selfie Mataraman, as well as a 4D theater. The artifacts are presented with modern technology to make them more interactive and less boring, Elly said. She explained that the augmented reality technology made the objects look alive as they combined two-dimensional objects with three-dimensional reality, such as the figure of Commander Cheng Ho. (gis/kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ni Komang Erviani (The Jakarta Post) Bali Mon, April 29, 2019 15:31 969 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa87355c29e 1 Environment bali,supermarket,plastic-ban,Ubud,banana-leaves,eco-friendly,environment,plastic-waste,pollution Free At a glimpse, Bintang Supermarket in Ubud looks just like other supermarkets across Bali. A banner announcing that it no longer provides plastic bags welcomes visitors upon entering the place something that is now common practice on the island following a ban on single-use plastic bags issued by the administration earlier this year. However, something different can be seen on one of the supermarket's fresh vegetable racks. Instead of plastic, the eggplants, water spinach, asparagus and other fresh produce is wrapped in banana leaves and bamboo straps. We have started to use banana leaves [for this purpose] around one month ago, I Wayan Budiono, the assistant store manager, recently told The Jakarta Post. Budiono said the idea had come up after the place stopped providing single-use plastic bags to customers around two months ago. Not only were visitors supportive of the new policy, but they encouraged the supermarket to go one step further by minimizing the use of plastic as much as possible. Around one month after we stopped using plastic bags, and got positive responses from customers, we decided to minimize the usage of plastic in our products as well, he said. The first step was to ditch the plastic tape and plastic wrapping commonly used to bind vegetables and utilize banana leaves and bamboo straps instead. Aside from Ubud, Bintang Supermarket in Seminyak has initiated a similar policy. (JP/Ni Komang Erviani) The banana leaves make the packaging look fresher, he said. The initiative, he admitted, had not yet been implemented on all of the shops fresh products. The supermarket still provides plastic packaging in the area as well. Read also: Ban against single-use plastic bags, half-hearted effort? This is only a beginning. Slowly but surely, we strive to minimize the use of plastic as much as we can, he said, adding that some products still needed plastic packaging to keep them fresh and clean. But we are trying our best to find a more eco-friendly solution." Aside from Ubud, Bintang Supermarket in Seminyak has initiated a similar policy. A visitor from Ukraine holidaying in Ubud, Stanislav Strilets, 36, said he greatly appreciated the initiative made by the supermarket. It's a very good initiative. Its cool and we appreciate it very much, he said. Strilets said he hoped that, one day, the supermarket would not provide any vegetables at all in plastic packaging. He added, however, that single-use plastic bags could still easily be found at traditional markets. During my visit to traditional markets, people still use plastic bags. So, although it's a very cool initiative, it's not enough. The most important impact should be at local markets, he said. Bali Governor Wayan Koster issued a gubernatorial regulation in December to limit the use of plastic, specifically single-use plastic bags, styrofoam and plastic straws. The regulation is set to be firmly enforced in July this year, as the administration has given itself six months to explain the policy. Prior to the provincial regulation, Denpasar municipality has begun implementing the policy on Jan. 1 through a mayoral regulation, which led to most modern stores and supermarkets across the city to no longer provide single-use bags. Some restaurants and warung (humble stalls) have also stopped providing plastic bags and plastic straws. However, banning the use of plastic bags at traditional markets is still a big challenge for the administration. (kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, April 29, 2019 12:01 969 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873551967 1 Art & Culture Addy-Debil,solo-exhibition,exhibition,pop-art,art,Rachel-Gallery,Ruang-Dua-Sembilan Free Bandung-based artist Addy Debil is showcasing his work at a solo exhibition titled Happy!, which opened on Saturday. The exhibition, set to run until May 19 under the umbrella of the Rachel Gallery, will be held at Ruang Dua Sembilan in Tomang, West Jakarta. The exhibit includes seven paintings, limited printed works, drawings and a sculpture of a character often featured in the artists works. Addys work is known for its playful doodle style. Read also: The rise of collaborations: Art and craft According to a statement from the Rachel Gallery, Addys work, which is being showcased, is the result of his exploration of the eccentric dreams of someone who is in a state of mania. Previously, Addy collaborated with Japanese fashion retailer Uniqlo, alongside fellow pop-art painter Muchlis Fachri, who is also known as Muklay. Some of Addys murals can also be seen in the rooms of De Braga by Artotel, a hotel in Bandung, West Java. (mut) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Santiago, Chile Mon, April 29, 2019 14:08 969 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873554546 2 Science & Tech scientists,footprint,oldest,Chile,America Free Scientists in Chile say they have found a footprint dating from at least 15,600 years ago, making it the earliest such sign of man's presence in the Americas. The footprint was found at the Pilauco excavation in the city of Osorno (820 kilometers, or 500 miles, south of Santiago), where scientists have been digging since 2007. Archaeologists from the Austral University of Chile said the footprint was first spotted in 2011 next to a house. It took years for paleontologist Karen Moreno and geologist Mario Pino to reliably confirm that the print was human. "There are other human footprints in the Americas," Pino told the Osorno newspaper El Austral, "but none has been dated as far back." He said scientists were able to do so by applying radiocarbon dating techniques to organic plant material where the print was found. Read also: Greece to develop first undersea archaeology sites: Ministry Pino said the footprint appears to be that of a barefoot man weighing about 70 kilograms (155 pounds) and of the species Hominipes Modernus, a relative of Homo Sapiens. The area in Chile has proven rich in fossils, including evidence of an ancestor of today's elephants and American horses, as well as of more recent human presence. An earlier footprint found at a site south of Osorno was found to be about 1,000 years more recent. The newer findings were published in the latest edition of the peer-reviewed scientific journal PLOS One. Topics : scientists footprint oldest Chile America Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Theresia Sufa (The Jakarta Post) Bogor, West Java Mon, April 29, 2019 14:38 969 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873557aad 1 Environment Javan-hawk-eagle,bogor,West-Java,animal-conservation Free A Javan-hawk eagle, a species of raptor on the brink of extinction, has been spotted nesting within the forest of Mount Gede Pangrango National Park (TNGPP) in West Java. The nestling was estimated to be around 1 or 2 weeks old, head of Area III of TNGPP Dadang Suryana told The Jakarta Post on Saturday. Dadang said the mother raptor and her nestling were found by a monitoring team comprising Forest Ecosystem Control officers, TNGPP Forest Police officers and civil volunteers, on April 13. The team came back a few days later to make sure the nestling was fine. Read also: Critically endangered Javan Rhino dies in Indonesia The monitoring team had to keep a distance while monitoring the new family to avoid disturbing them, Dadang said. Javan-hawk eagles are an endemic raptor to Java. The species is listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The Environment Ministry has also named the bird a protected species and the management of TNGPP has put the species on its priority list for close monitoring. According to Dafang, TNGPP, which spreads across Bogor and Cianjur regencies in West Java; Mount Halimun Salak National Park, which covers areas in Bogor and Sukabumi in West Java and Lebak in Banten; and Telaga Warna tourism spot in Puncak, Bogor, were important nesting areas for Javan-hawk eagles. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Bruno Kalouaz (Agence France-Presse) Paris Mon, April 29, 2019 20:01 968 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa87356a846 2 Art & Culture Salvator-Mundi,painting,auction,controversy Free Later this year, the Louvre in Paris will host an exhibition of masterpieces by the Italian painter Leonardo da Vinci to mark his death 500 years ago in France. But the work that in recent months has been the intense focus of scrutiny by the media and da Vinci specialists, may not be on show. In 2017, "Salvator Mundi" was sold at auction by Christie's as a work by da Vinci for a record $450 million. But it has not been displayed in public since, triggering doubts about its ownership, its whereabouts and its authenticity. The painting, a portrait of Jesus, was to go on display at the Louvre Abu Dhabi in September last year. But its unveiling was postponed by the museum without any explanation. The Louvre Abu Dhabi has kept tight-lipped about the identity of the buyer, saying only that the emirate's Department of Culture and Tourism had "acquired" it. And the mystery has further deepened ahead of a visit by Italian President Sergio Mattarella who will join France's President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday on a trip to the Loire Valley to mark the anniversary of da Vinci's death there in 1519, at the age of 67. "The Louvre has asked the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi for the painting to be given on loan," a Louvre spokesperson told AFP. "But we have not yet had any reply." Proscribed by Islam? According to the Wall Street Journal, the buyer of the picture was Saudi prince Badr ben Abdallah, acting in the name of powerful Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. He has never confirmed or denied the report. Prince Badr was appointed to head the kingdom's culture ministry in a government shakeup in June. Saudi Arabia and the neighbouring United Arab Emirates are very close allies who are both engaged militarily in the war against rebels in Yemen. Read also: UAE postpones Da Vinci unveiling at Louvre Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Salman (known as MBS) is also a close confidant of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed who along with Macron opened the Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2017, the first foreign institution to carry the name of the great Paris museum. The painting's disappearance comes as MBS's international reputation has taken a battering over the murder of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, in which he denies any involvement. Artprice, the leading art market information service, said clerics from Sunni Islam's leading authority the Al Azhar university in Cairo told MBS the painting could not be displayed on religious grounds. Jesus is seen as a prophet within Islam, which prohibits any physical depiction of God. But the picture portrays him as a saviour and thus a deity. 'Nothing by Leonardo' Many art experts remain unconvinced of the painting's authenticity. "Certain details are very telling," said Jacques Franck, a specialist in da Vinci's technique, pointing to the poor depiction of a finger and other elements that are "anatomically impossible". He said that at the time the canvas was painted, da Vinci had his workshop complete certain paintings because he himself had very little time. Daniel Salvatore Schiffer, another da Vinci expert, also believes the painting was not done by the Italian master. "When you analyse the details, nothing is by Leonardo, it doesn't have his spirit." Ben Lewis, an art historian who wrote "The Last Leonardo" said London's National Gallery, which exhibited the painting in 2011, had not taken on board the advice of five experts who were sent to authenticate the painting. Although two of them believed it was authentic, another didn't, and the others were unsure. But the painting was presented at the exhibition as a genuine work by Leonardo da Vinci. But Diane Modestini, who worked on the restoration of the painting from 2005, said she did not understand the controversy, insisting that "Leonardo da Vinci painted it". A Christie's spokesman said, "We stand by the thorough research and scholarship that led to the attribution of this painting in 2010. No new discussion or speculation since the 2017 sale at Christies has caused us to revisit its position. 'Reputation and credibility' The Louvre says its exhibition, due to open in Paris in the autumn, will bring together "a unique group of artworks that only the Louvre could bring together" in addition to its own outstanding Leonardo collection. But whether people will be able to draw their own conclusions by actually seeing the "Salvator Mundi" remains to be seen. "If the Louvre has still not received a response (from Abu Dhabi) months before the exhibition, it is because the work will not be exhibited there," said Franck. Schiffer said it could end up being a positive thing for the Paris gallery, which could see its "reputation and credibility tarnished" if the work was exhibited. By Yi Whan-woo The Swedish Embassy in Korea hosted the fourth Swede Talk, a series of monthly lectures aimed at sharing Nordic views on various topics, on April 26. The lectures have been organized to mark the 60th anniversary of Sweden-Korea ties this year. The April 26 talk took place under the theme, "A male perspective on feminism" and attracted experts from the two countries. Among the guests were Shahab Ahmadian, producer and project manager of Swedish feminist organization "Man," culture critics Choi Tae-sup and Ehwa Womans University professor Sohn Ji-ae. On April 25, Ahmadian also joined NORDtalks co-organized by the embassies of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. The three-part NORDtalks shares Nordic views and experience on global challenges through a discussion among experts and audiences. The April 26 talks were the second in the series, including the one in January and a forthcoming one in June. Under the theme titled, "Welfare, gender equality and quality of life," the speakers talked about how women were being treated and how gender equality could be improved. Seo Ji-hyun, a female prosecutor who helped fuel the #MeToo movement in Korea, shared her experience of sexual harassment and demotion. "My dream is living in a world where the #Metoo campaign will be a distant memory among our children's generation, who will enjoy full gender equality and a world free from sexual abuse, she said. Ahmadian pointed out that the patriarchy system worked for men and that everything masculine and dominant was rewarded. "We can stop talking about gender equality from the victim's perspective and understand that men have a key role to play if we want to change," he said. Also joining the talk was Jaakko Kuosmanen, an adjunct professor at the University of Helsinki. He is also a member of the Finnish Prime Minister's Office Foresight Steering Committee and a former research fellow at Oxford University. He explained the recent Finnish experiment of basic income and underscored the importance of experimentation without fear of failure. "We don't know our full potential before we experiment with ourselves by interacting in the external world," he said. "But ultimately, our happiness is not dependent on whether or not we fail in particular instances. Instead, it is dependent on whether we learn from our failures." Meanwhile, the Swedish Embassy in Korea said it would join the 2019 Seoul Queer Festival on June 1. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Yulia Savitri (The Jakarta Post) Palembang, South Sumatra Mon, April 29, 2019 17:30 969 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873560a70 1 Art & Culture Palembang,Memories-of-My-Body,Censorship,South-Sumatra,film,Movie,local-movie Free The Palembang administration has demanded that Kucumbu Tubuh Indahku be pulled from theaters across the South Sumatra city amid concerns over its negative content. Released internationally as Memories of My Body, the film by acclaimed director Garin Nugroho was accorded the Cultural Diversity Award of the 2018 Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) and has been screened at several international film festivals, including Rotterdam and Venice, and at UNESCO's Paris headquarters. Palembang city secretary Ratu Dewa has urged the South Sumatra Broadcasting Commission (KPID) to issue an immediate ban on screenings of Kucumbu Tubuh Indahku. I have seen the trailer. It is evident that the film includes negative content that will likely influence the younger generation, Dewa said on Sunday. Film aficionados in Palembang bemoaned the news on the possible ban. Read also: 'Kucumbu Tubuh Indahku', poetic ode to the human body Robi, the head of the Palembang Film Community, said that rather than banning the film, Kucumbu Tubuh Indahku should be hailed as a creative expression from a local talent. He also said that the KPID did not have the authority to ban the film, which fell under the legal domain of the Film Censorship Board (LSF). A ban on a specific cinematic work requires thorough consideration. I believe the LSF is the institution that has the proper legal instruments for censorship, Robi told The Jakarta Post. Last week, the Depok administration of West Java sent a letter to the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) requesting an immediate ban on the film for its purported endorsement of deviant sexual acts and blasphemy. The controversy surrounding the film also caused a stir on social media, following an online petition that called for a public boycott. Kucumbu Tubuh Indahku tells the story of Juno, a Javanese male dancer, over four periods in his life. The film explores the themes of identity and the nature of masculinity. (rfa/kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Jerusalem, Undefined Mon, April 29, 2019 13:05 969 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8735531e9 2 People Menahem-Mendel-Taub,Funeral,genocide,nazi,Holocaust,Survivor Free Thousands attended the funeral Sunday for a revered Israeli rabbi and Holocaust survivor known for his especially brutal treatment at the hands of the Nazis and his efforts to memorialize the genocide's victims. Menahem Mendel Taub, a Hassidic rabbi, died at the age of 96 in Jerusalem on Sunday, drawing tributes from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin. Born in Transylvania, Taub was deported to the Auschwitz death camp in 1944 at the age of 22 along with his six brothers and sisters. He was the sole among them to escape, but reportedly had been experimented upon by Nazi doctor Josef Mengele. Taub emigrated to Israel in 1963 from the United States and was a high-profile witness to the horrors of the Holocaust. Read also: Scottish 'Holocaust heroine' who saved Jewish girls lauded in book His experience during the Holocaust left him unable to have children or grow the beard common among rabbis. He was also known for his voice and regularly sang songs he wrote when he spoke in public. Taub worked on a multi-volume encyclopaedia on the Holocaust with testimony from Jews who sought to maintain their religious faith despite the genocide. Netanyahu expressed "deep sorrow" over his death and said Taub "was tirelessly engaged in enshrining the memory of the Holocaust, especially the triumph of the impressive spirit in the ghettos and camps." Rivlin said he gave voice to "the spiritual heroism of Jews during the Holocaust and did all he could to honor the memory of its victims." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin A. Muh. Ibnu Aqil (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, April 29, 2019 17:37 969 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8735623ad 1 City Coast,North-Jakarta,low-income-people,photographer,photography,photojournalism,classes Free Jakartas coastlines dont always have much to offer for children, especially those from lower-income families. Nestled on the coasts are elite neighborhoods like Pluit as well as port or industrial areas like Tanjung Priok and Koja. Meanwhile, the coastline area of Ancol Beach is privately managed. However, a space still remains for children to play for free on the coast of Kalibaru, Cilincing, North Jakarta. Located just a few meters from New Priok Container Terminal One in Kalibaru, the place turned alive on Sunday afternoon with some 100 children, gathered there to play and also to learn. One of them was Muhammad Farel, 12, a fifth-grader of the Dewi Sartika Elementary School. Armed with a pencil and paper, Farel and other children introduced themselves to each other before asking questions like young journos full of curiosity. The children were participating in Kelas Jurnalis Cilik (Junior Journalism Course), an event organized by Syamsuddin Ilyas, 35, a freelance photographer and local of Cilincing. Initially, Ilyas noticed that his journalist peers often came to report from Cilincing, but with the intention of portraying Cilincing as a slum with unruly children. I wanted to change that. We want to show that we have exotic things for the public to see, Ilyas told The Jakarta Post on Sunday. Ilyas then came up with the idea of teaching the Cilincing children photojournalism, his forte. However, as the children had already developed in their own way and it might be hard to teach them with conventional methods, or even just keep them together in one place, Ilyas devised a curriculum mixed with games for the children, comprising of 40 percent theory and 60 percent practice. They have developed in some way, so we cant just tell them what to do. [We must lead] by example, Ilyas said. For example, Sundays session for the second batch of Kelas Jurnalis Cilik with more than 100 children was a mix of games and basic interview methods. The youngsters were paired up and instructed to ask each other questions. The course takes four months with a class every week. The first month is about basic writing, the second month is about basic photography, the third month involves meeting the community and the fourth month is for the children to take pictures to be later showcased in an exhibition. For the pictures, the children use smartphones, usually given to them by their parents, and those that do not have one take pictures with their friends phone, or Ilyas would lend them one. Beginning with the classes on July 9 last year with just 33 children, Ilyas initially organized everything from the classes to the exhibition alone. Now, with the second batch of Kelas Jurnalis Cilik trainees, volunteers from various communities, such as Komunitas Lubang Jarum, Geonusantara, and students from universities in Greater Jakarta help him organize the classes. Initially, the class elicited only a lukewarm response from the locals, Ilyas said. Some asked why small children were taught to use smartphones, while others were not interested at all. After our first exhibition, they finally realized [what it was all about], Ilyas said, referring to the first exhibition of the childrens photos in Cilincing on Oct. 26. Some of the pictures exhibited there were by fourth-grader Ainun Zahra, 11, who presented a picture of men cooking fish to be later cured with salt and another of an old man in Cilincing. I went around and found the person, then I took the picture. I asked the men for permission, and they said it was okay. Its unique, because they cook the fish using wood, Ainun said. Ainun, who had joined the first batch of Kelas Jurnalis Cilik trainees, said she was happy to have learned a lot. The learning was fun and I could make friends with other children and develop my imagination, she said. Meanwhile, fifth-grader Salsabillah, 12 , took a picture of a cat and another of a river filled with trash, with some children playing there. She said she employed different techniques to take her pictures. [For the cat picture], I shoot it from below. Because Kak Ilyas told us that not only humans can be photographed, and I am interested in cats, Salsabillah said. She said she was torn between becoming a journalist or a doctor. Initially it was just me who wanted to join, but then I told my friends to come along, she said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, April 29, 2019 18:26 969 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873569610 1 City Depok,flood,waterways,administration Free Residents of Depok in West Java are urging the city administration to widen the waterways in the Sukmajaya and Cimanggis subdistricts after streets there were submerged under floodwaters caused by heavy rainfall on Sunday night. The water on Jl. Duta Pelni in Sukmajaya was 60 centimeters to 1 meter deep, while Jl. Haji Misan in Cimanggis was under about 40 cm of water. Flooding has occurred in those areas many times. Daus, resident of Jl. Haji Misan, said the flooding occurred in his area on Sunday at about 9 p.m. The water, he said, came from the overflowing Jantung River, where it was not contained by the sheet piles. The overflowing water hit the residential areas because the waterways here are relatively narrow, Daus told kompas.com. Another resident, Syaiful Anwar, said the flood also submerged the mosque. The community here had to get the floodwaters out of the mosque so we could conduct our morning prayer, he said. Anwar urged the government to widen the waterways in the area to allow the water to flow properly and stay between the sheet piles. He also urged the public to stop dumping rubbish into the river as it caused the river to easily overflow. I actually did not put the blame on the government. The community awareness of environment preservation is low, too. Dumping rubbish caused the river to overflow, he said. To stop the floods occurring here, the waterways should be widened, he said. (das) Topics : Depok flood waterways administration Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, April 29, 2019 14:01 969 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8735537bd 4 Business Faisal-Basri,economic-growth,vested-interests Free Senior economist Faisal Basri of the University of Indonesia has said that President Joko Jokowi Widodo must eliminate "vested interests" in the government that had been putting the brakes on economic growth. While he did not specify what he meant by "vested interests", Faisal pointed to the promotion of state-owned enterprises (COEs) in all lines of business, and that this discouraged increased private sector participation. This country is too big to be managed only by SOEs. There are great potentials that will be lost if only one party is involved, Faisal said at a discussion on Saturday as quoted by kontan.co.id. He added that the government also needed to involve cooperatives and accommodate other initiatives. These vested interests have grown fat on our economy, and they [the fat] should be burned to make our economy grow faster, not just for annual growth of 0.1 and 0.2 percent, he said. Faisal called on the President to form a working unit tasked with eliminating "the fat in the economy that had frequently disrupted public-private cooperation. He stressed that there was a need for the government to improve private sector participation in economic development, because many initiatives could emerge from private companies and other segments of society. Faisal also called on SOEs to focus only on their core businesses and refrain from "improperly expanding" to sectors where private companies could contribute. For example, he said, it was fine if state-owned cement manufacturer PT Semen Gresik developed a port to facilitate its business in East Java, but the company should not develop a port in Gorontalo. He also criticized state-owned construction companies for venturing into the hospitality industry by developing hotels. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, April 29, 2019 16:54 969 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa87355da69 1 City weather,Greater-Jakarta,flood,rainfall,BMKG Free Extreme weather with the potential to cause flooding and river overflows in Jakarta may continue to occur until Thursday, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has predicted. We advise Greater Jakarta residents to be on the lookout for extreme weather such as heavy rainfall in the next few days, BMKG meteorology deputy head Mulyono R. Prabowo said on Monday, tempo.co reported. He said the extreme weather was caused by the Madden Jullian oscillation (MJO), an atmospheric cycle that was currently in the wet period. The MJO phenomenon contributed to the supply of wet air in most parts of Indonesia. The situation could trigger heavy rainfall in some areas of the country, including Java Island. Whirlwinds have also been identified around the Sulawesi Sea, Makassar Strait, West Kalimantan and South China Sea north of Kalimantan. The whirlwinds have caused winds to slow down and meet in the western and central parts of the country. Heavy rainfall is predicted to continue until the beginning of May in West Java, Central Java, East Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, North Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, Gorontalo, Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, North Maluku, Maluku, West Papua and Papua. Even sea waves could reach up to four meters because of this phenomenon in those areas, Mulyono said. The agency warns residents to remain cautious and careful of the side effects of heavy rainfall such as flooding, landslides, puddles, strong winds, falling trees and slippery roads. (ami) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Kharishar Kahfi and Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, April 29, 2019 18:01 969 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873567475 1 National #KPK,#GraftCase,investigation,trade-minister,Enggartiasto-Lukita,bribery-case Free Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators were raiding the office of Trade Minister Enggartiasto "Enggar" Lukita on Monday in connection to a case of alleged bribery pertaining to shipping arrangements involving the countrys largest fertilizer company, PT Pupuk Indonesia Holding Company (PIHC). We are raiding the ministers office as we need to follow up on and verify several pieces of information we obtained during the investigation of the suspect BSP, KPK spokesperson Febri Diansyah said on Monday, referring to Golkar Party lawmaker Bowo Sidik Pangarso. "Investigators have seized several documents related to the sugar trade, he said, adding that the raid was still ongoing as of Monday afternoon. Bowo allegedly accepted a total of Rp 8 billion (US$563,300) from several people, including private transportation company PT Humpuss Transportasi Kimia marketing manager Asty Winasty, a company that provides sea transportation for PT Pupuk Indonesia Logistik, a subsidiary of PIHC. Pupuk Indonesia Logistik, according to the KPK, had terminated its service agreement with Humpuss Transportasi Kimia. However, the transportation company wanted Pupuk Indonesia Logistik to use its services again. Enggar was implicated in the case when Bowo reportedly told graft investigators that he accepted the equivalent of about Rp 2 billion in Singapore dollars from the trade minister. The bribe was allegedly given to the politician, who at that time served as the chairman of House of Representatives Commission VI overseeing trade and industry, in connection to a 2017 trade ministerial regulation on the trade of refined sugar. Bowos lawyer Saut Edward Rajagukguk previously dismissed reports that his client admitted having accepted money from Enggar. He only said accepting money from a minister, but didnt mention his or her name. Separately, Enggar said he knew the KPK was raiding his office in Jakarta, but he denied the allegation that he bribed Bowo. Im sure I never gave him money. He is from Golkar, while Im from Nasdem, Enggar said on Monday at the presidential palace complex in Jakarta. I was the one who issued the regulation. Why should I give him money unless he was the one issuing the regulation? Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Reuters) Tripoli/Benghazi, Libya Mon, April 29, 2019 10:10 969 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa87354dc2f 2 World #Libya,#war,government,forces,militia,conflict,oil-industry Free Forces backing Libya's internationally recognised government fought house-to-house battles with troops loyal to commander Khalifa Haftar in southern parts of the capital Tripoli on Sunday and appeared to be gaining ground. Government soldiers, some in jeans and t-shirts, took cover by abandoned buildings as they fired on Haftar's positions. Some carried anti-aircraft guns they had to remove from their trucks to get through the narrow streets. Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA), which is allied to a rival administration in eastern Libya, mounted an offensive on Tripoli three weeks ago but has failed to breach defenses in the city's south despite heavy fighting. The battle for the capital has all but wrecked U.N.-backed efforts for a peace deal between the rival factions and threatened to further disrupt Libya's oil industry. Two eastern operations of state oil firm NOC - which have in the past made broad statements backing Haftar - on Sunday for the first time specifically said they supported his offensive. The NOC as a whole has tried to stay out of the conflict. A Reuters team visiting the southern neighbourhood of Ain Zara on Sunday estimated the Tripoli forces had gained up to 1,500 metres compared to a visit a few days earlier. Other parts of the frontline appeared unchanged and the situation remains fluid. Both sides have gained and lost territory within days or even hours during the fighting. "We are progressing. We are now in the phase of expelling the enemy from the capital," Salah Badi, a commander from the western city of Misrata fighting the LNA, told Reuters. COMPLICATIONS The role of commanders such as Badi have complicated the situation, diplomats say. The U.N. Security Council and the U.S. Treasury last year issued asset freezes and travel bans against Badi for his involvement in a September 2017 attack on forces allied to Tripoli's government that triggered weeks of fighting. The former enemies have now united to fight the LNA but forces loyal to Haftar have said the Tripoli administration is controlled by "terrorist militias" they are fighting to expel. Tripoli's supporters have accused Haftar, a former general under Muammar Gaddafi, of making a power grab with foreign backing. The North African country has been in a state of chaos since Gaddafi was toppled in 2011 with Western intervention. The latest flare-up threatens to leave a power vacuum that Islamist militants could exploit. Two NOC units based in areas under Haftar's control issued statements supporting the offensive on Sunday, a day after their Tripoli headquarters had condemned all military use of its facilities. Benghazi-based AGOCO congratulated Haftar's forces "on the success and progress in its striving against extremist terrorist militias and militias which steal public funds". A separate NOC unit in the east, Sirte Oil Co, also issued a statement backing the Tripoli advance. Haftar's forces said on Saturday they had sent a warship to the eastern Ras Lanuf oil port for "training purposes". A port engineer said the ship's arrival had not affected oil exports. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ni Komang Erviani (The Jakarta Post) Denpasar, Bali Mon, April 29, 2019 15:33 969 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa87355c42b 1 National #Bali,#DrugSmuggling,police,hunting,Russian,suspect,escape Free The Bali Police are searching for a Russian who escaped from custody on Saturday after being arrested for allegedly smuggling drugs. Bali Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Hengky Widjaja said the suspect, identified as Andrei Spiridonov, 36, escaped through the ventilation system of the custody room of their headquarters. Hengky said Spiridonov was arrested at a post office in Renon, Denpasar, with a package from the Netherlands that contained 200 grams of hallucinogen N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT). The suspect admitted that he ordered the drugs online from the Netherlands, and he doesnt have a permit from the authorities, Hengky said on Sunday. Spiridonov was then taken to the Bali Police headquarters for further interrogation and put in the drug unit cell on the ground floor. On Saturday at around 1 a.m., the suspect asked the police to take him to the toilet, which is located one floor above the drug unit cell. The police escorted the suspect, who was both handcuffed and wearing legcuffs, to the toilet. After he went into the toilet, police personnel waiting for him outside heard a sound, like something falling. Apparently the suspect had escaped through the toilets small window and was running through the roofs of peoples houses, Hengky said. The police in searching for Spiridonov targeted hotels that he had stayed in. We are also tightly monitoring all of Balis entry points, such as Benoa Port, Padangbai Port and I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, he added. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sandy Huffaker (Agence France-Presse) Poway, United States Mon, April 29, 2019 09:29 969 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873548ed1 2 World #USA,#HateCrime,synagogue,attack,anti-Semitism Free A rabbi who carried on preaching despite being wounded in the latest deadly shooting at a US synagogue said Sunday that Jews would not be intimidated by the "senseless hate" of anti-semitism. A 60-year-old woman, Lori Kaye, was killed and three people were wounded when a gunman burst into the synagogue in the southern Californian town of Poway on Saturday and opened fire on the final day of Passover. Police identified the shooter as John Earnest, 19, who had posted angry anti-Jewish remarks online just before the shooting and claimed he was behind the arson of an area mosque weeks earlier. According to San Diego County Sheriff's Department records, Earnest faces one charge of murder and three of attempted murder, and will appear before a judge to be formally indicted on May 1. Coming six months to the day after a white supremacist shot dead 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue, it raised new questions about a nationwide rise in anti-Semitism and in hate crimes generally -- and about President Donald Trump's often controversial response to them. Ahead of the funeral for Kaye, one of her oldest friends said her killing must serve as a wake-up call while the synagogue's rabbi said authorities had to do more to protect places of worship. "Terror will not win. As Americans we cannot cower in the face of the senseless hate that is in anti-Semitism," Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein said in an interview to NBC television from his hospital bed. The rabbi suffered serious injuries to his hand when the gunman blasted him at short range in the middle of his sermon before aiming at Kaye. As the gunman then fled, Goldstein led his congregation outside and continued preaching until the emergency services arrived. "I got up there and just spoke from my heart, giving everyone the courage," he said. "It was just 70 years ago during the Holocaust we were gunned down like this and I just want to let our fellow Americans know that we are not going to let this happen here. "I cannot erase that (Earnest's) face from my mind, I cannot erase the moment and it's going to be embedded here forever with the loss of my index finger. "It's going to be a scar for the rest of my life -- both to remind us about literally how vulnerable we are but also how brave we need to be." Mourners and well wishers left flowers and notes of condolence and solidarity at a makeshift memorial across the road Sunday, with a second candlelight vigil planned for the evening. An 'atrocious' act Trump said the nation stood in solidarity with the Jewish community, telling a rally on Saturday that the "evil of anti-Semitism and hate" must be overcome. Other White House officials underlined those words on Sunday, with National Security Advisor John Bolton telling Fox News the attack was "atrocious and utterly inexcusable." But the shooting came only days after former US vice president Joe Biden highlighted Trump's 2017 remarks about the neo-Nazi march in Charlottesville, Virginia that left a counter-protester dead. Videos showed some torch-bearing neo-Nazi protesters chanting "Jews will not replace us" as they marched in Charlottesville. Trump at the time said that "there were very fine people on both sides" of the protest which was against the removal of a Confederate-era statue. But after Biden on Thursday brought up those words in announcing his candidacy for the presidency, Trump doubled down, saying he had phrased his 2017 remarks "perfectly." Human rights groups say recent years have seen the biggest rise in anti-Semitic incidents in decades while some critics say Trump's rhetoric has played a part. Trump has forged an exceptionally close relationship to Israel and its current prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu while his daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner are Jewish. But critics blame him for stoking racial hatreds with comments about Muslims and Latin migrants that some white nationalists have taken as confirming their position. 'Horrific reminder' Roneet Lev, who had known Kaye for decades, said her death should ring alarm bells. "She died advertising the problem we have with anti-Semitism and to bring good to this world," Lev told CNN. Two Israelis were among the wounded, an eight-year-old girl and her 31-year-old uncle who were originally from Sderot, a town bordering the Gaza Strip that it is a frequent target of rocket attacks by Palestinian militants. Both were said to be in good condition. Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned the shooting as "atrocious," adding that "the international community must step up the struggle against anti-Semitism." President Moon Jae-in, right, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un take a stroll at the Foot Bridge on the South Korean side of the truce village at Panmunjeom in the border area, during their first summit on April 27, 2018. Tours to the South Korean part of the Joint Security Area will be resumed May 1 after seven months of suspension for the disarmament procedures by the military forces of the two Koreas, the Ministry of National Defense said Monday. Korea Times file By Jung Da-min Symbolic sites of the April 27 summit between President Moon Jae-in and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un last year at the Joint Security Area (JSA) will be open to the public after a seven-month suspension of tours there, according to the Ministry of National Defense, Monday. Starting May 1, tourists can apply to visit the South Korean side of the JSA, where North and South Korean forces used to stand face-to-face before it was disarmed as a follow-up to the Comprehensive Military Agreement (CMA) reached at the third inter-Korean summit between Moon and Kim last Sept. 19 in Pyongyang. The tourist sites include the Foot Bridge where Moon and Kim took a stroll for a private talk, and the spot for a tree-planting ceremony where the two leaders planted a pine tree. Panmunjeom tours had been put on hold since October, as the two Koreas were completing the disarmament procedures for a "weapons-free JSA" by withdrawing firearms and guard posts there. The military forces of the two Koreas had jointly removed mines and explosives at a border area called Arrowhead Ridge, an upland region in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, from October to November last year. The tour project, however, is not a complete fulfillment of the agreement reached through the CMA, as the two Koreas initially planned to allow tourists to freely visit both the South and North Korean sides of the JSA. The defense ministry said a three-way committee, consisting of the two Koreas and the United Nations Command (UNC), is discussing the matter to realize the original plan. "We are now proceeding with the relevant issues through written discussions with the North and the UNC," defense ministry spokeswoman Choi Hyun-soo said in a media briefing. It is unlikely, however, for free tours to visit the North Korean side of the JSA in the near future, as North Korea has remained quiet on the fulfillment of the CMA amid the stalled nuclear negotiations with the United States after the unfruitful Hanoi summit in late February. Earlier in April, the South Korean military kicked off the war remains excavation project in the border area without the North, as it has not replied to the South's request to send a list of the taskforce for the joint project. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, April 29, 2019 17:36 969 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873561cff 4 Business retailer,expansion,Matahari-Department-Store,2019 Free Amid the rise of digital marketplaces, offline department stores have started to expand their businesses by opening new outlets in a number of cities. PT Matahari Department Store, for example, planned to open new outlets and a distribution center in West Java this year, Mataharis head of investor relations Margareth Go said. She said the company allocated Rp 1 trillion (US$70.45 million) in capital expenditure, taken from its internal funds, which was 39 percent higher than the previous years capex, to open four to six outlets that would cover 26,000 square meters. We will also re-orientate parts of our outlets to focus on lifestyle, Margareth said recently as quoted by kontan.co.id. By the end of 2019, the total space of outlets operated by Matarhari would be around 1 million square meters. For the distribution center, she added that Matahari had bought a plot of land worth Rp 299 billion in West Java. The new facility will operate in 2020, she said, adding that the expansion was aimed at improving the companys performance. She estimated that sales growth in each outlet would be around 3.5 percent, adding that apart from carrying out the expansion, the company would also close two outlets that had performed poorly. Meanwhile, PT Ace Harware Indonesia (ACES) also opened new outlets in Bandung, West Java, and Batam, Riau Islands, last week. The new outlets are the fourth and the fifth outlets it has opened this year, bringing the companys total number of outlets to 181. The total investment to open one regular outlet is Rp 50 billion, said ACES corporate secretary Helen Tanzil, adding that the company would open 20 regular outlets and Xpress outlets, which were more compact, with a total investment of Rp 400 billion. She said the expansion was expected to increase sales by 10 to 15 percent. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, April 29, 2019 15:01 969 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa87355a30c 4 Business government-debt,state-revenue,economic-growth Free Slow tax revenue growth of 1.8 percent in the first quarter of this year, a major decline from the 9.9 percent growth posted in the same period in 2018, could result in an increase in government debt, an expert has said. Government debt reached Rp 4.57 quadrillion (US$321.97 billion) as of March, a growth of 10.4 percent from the same period in 2018. Securities firm Samuel Sekuritas Indonesia analyst Ahmad Mikail expressed concern about government debt increasing if the government fails to boost state revenue in the coming months. It is true that the governments debt ratio is relatively low, namely about 30 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP). However, this does not include the debts of state-owned enterprises, said Mikail on Sunday as reported by kontan.co.id. The Finance Ministry revealed in a report that, as of March, government spending reached Rp 452.1 trillion or 18.37 percent of the entire year's targeted spending. The full-year spending target as stated in the 2019 state budget is Rp 2.46 quadrillion, a growth of 7.7 percent from the target in 2018. The growth in spending was not in line with the growth in revenue. Like it or not, the government needs to add to its debts, he added. He said the increase in debt would also affect the countrys sovereign rating by both Moodys and Standard & Poors. What I worry is that S&P and Moodys will likely use state-owned enterprises debt to calculate the sovereign rating and it will add risk, Mikail added. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Agence France-Presse) Jakarta Mon, April 29, 2019 15:30 969 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa87355c095 2 SE Asia #Indonesia,#Vietnam,fishermen,arrested,clash Free Indonesia's navy said that the Vietnamese coastguard rammed one of its vessels off the coast of Borneo as it moved to intercept a boat suspected of fishing illegally in its waters. The navy subsequently arrested a dozen Vietnamese fishermen after the high-seas clash in the southernmost reaches of the South China Sea on Saturday, it added in a statement late Sunday. Jakarta claims the area as its exclusive economic zone -- waters where a state has the right to exploit resources. The navy said two Vietnamese coast guard ships tried to prevent the apprehension by ramming its vessel, causing damage to the hull. The fishing boat sank possibly due to an accidental collision, Indonesian authorities said without elaborating. Two fishermen escaped detention by jumping into the water. They were picked by the Vietnamese coast guard, which then fled, the navy said. "The arrest happened in Indonesian waters," Yudo Margono, commander of Indonesia's Western Fleet, said in a statement. "The Indonesian vessel acted appropriately," he added. Video circulating on social media purported to show a Vietnamese patrol boat ramming the left side of the Indonesian vessel as the armed navy crew shouted expletives. Two years ago, Indonesia changed the name of the southern part of the South China Sea to the North Natuna Sea in a bid to show its sovereignty in the waters. More recently, it inaugurated a new military base in the chain of several hundred small islands to beef up its border defence. The moves have prompted criticism from Beijing whose claims in the sea overlap Indonesia's around the remote Natuna Islands. Indonesia, the world's biggest archipelago nation, has been trying to stop foreign vessels fishing illegally in its territory, claiming it costs the economy billions of dollars annually. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Mon, April 29, 2019 10:06 969 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa87354d366 1 News Hotel,bali,travel,destination,Thailand,Aleenta-Retreat-Bali,Akaryn-Hotel-Group Free Thailand's luxury boutique hotel specialist Akaryn Hotel Group is set to open its first property in Indonesia in the coming months. An hour's drive from Ubud, Aleenta Retreat Bali will offer "a spiritual sanctuary" amid the island's lush hills. A spa village and yoga resort, the establishment boasts 50 rooms, Ayurah Wellness center equipped with Balinese massages and natural therapies, an outdoor yoga area and a fitness center. Restaurants including the Pool Bar serve organic ingredients and the Galleria boutique selling local handicrafts will be available also. Read also: What makes Bali hotels so popular among luxury travelers? Aleenta was our first brand and our pioneering resorts in Phuket and Hua Hin have become hugely popular among guests. Every Aleenta property is designed to reflect the timeless charm and character of its destination, featuring large living spaces and world-class facilities while also operating in harmony with the environment," said Akaryn Hotel Group founder and managing director Anchalika Kijkanakorn in a statement. "Aleenta Retreat Bali will be a fantastic addition to our portfolio; secluded, spiritual and sensual, this sublime sanctuary will allow guests to discover the true essence of the Island of the Gods." Additionally, the company will also open a waterfront resort in Hoi An, Vietnam, named Akyra Hoi An, this year. (sop/kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Shin Ji-hye (The Korea Herald/Asia News Network) Tue, April 30, 2019 01:06 968 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa873577a04 2 News South-Korea,cruise-terminal,cruise-ship,travel,Incheon Free South Koreas largest cruise terminal opened Friday in Songdo, an international business district within Incheon, west of Seoul, port authorities said Sunday. Since 2013, the Incheon Port Authority had spent 28 billion won ($24 million) to build the two-story terminal with 7,364 square meters of floor space. With the opening of the terminal exclusive for cruises, the port of Incheon has taken a leap forward as a cruise tourism base in Northeast Asia and as a gateway to marine transportation, Nam Bong-hyun, head of the port authority, said Friday during an opening ceremony. Read also: New to cruising? How to book the right cruise for you in 2019 On the same day the Costa Serena cruise ship, which can hold 2,800 passengers and 1,100 crew members, left the port for the southern Japanese city of Fukuoka on a six-day voyage that will end in Busan. Six organizations signed an agreement to cooperate on the promotion of cruise tourism: the Incheon Port Authority, the local governments of Incheon city and Yeonsu district, the Korea Tourism Organization, the Incheon Tourism Organization and Lotte Tour Development. The new terminal in Incheon is the largest cruise terminal in the nation, with the next-largest found in Busan, Seogwipo, Jeju and Sokcho. It is also the first terminal of its kind near the capital. Topics : This article appeared on The Korea Herald newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post By Kim Rahn The National Human Rights Commission of Korea has recommended a revision to the law on public servants, concluding it is a violation of human rights to ban public servants and teachers from political expression, joining political parties and participating in election campaigns. The recommendation follows a petition filed in April last year by the Korea Teachers and Education Workers Union, which called for a halt to the legal proceedings against teachers who took part in a 2014 joint statement criticizing the government over the sinking of the Sewol ferry. The group also claimed the law should be changed to guarantee teachers' basic political rights. "Considering the Constitution, international conventions and precedents, there is no doubt that public servants and teachers hold basic political rights as citizens," the commission said in a press release, Monday. The Constitution states all people have the basic political right to express political opinions freely, join political parties voluntarily and run election campaigns freely, it said. "We delivered the opinion to National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang that the Assembly needs to revise the law so public servants' and teachers' basic political rights can be guaranteed as long as their duty-related political neutrality is not damaged," the commission said. It also advised the Ministry of Personnel Management, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Education and the National Election Commission to revise relevant ordinances not to excessively restrict their political freedom as citizens. The commission previously made similar recommendations in 2006 and 2016, and the United Nations and the International Labor Organization have called for a revision to the law. Some revision bills have been submitted to the Assembly but there has been little progress. Lawmakers of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) hold a sit-in protest in front of the office of the special committee on judiciary reform where its members will decide whether to fast-track reform bills at the National Assembly, Monday. The LKP has continued to protest the fast-track move which was agreed upon by four other political parties last week. Blocking a scheduled meeting is illegal under the Assembly Law. / Yonhap 700,000 sign petition calling for LKP disbandment By Park Ji-won Ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Rep. Lee Hae-chan vowed a stern handling of illegal activities by main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) members to block votes on fast-tracking reform bills, Monday. Describing the LKP members as "thieves," Lee said he took photos of them breaking the law while conducting sit-in protests inside the National Assembly, and filed complaints with the police against them in person. The remarks came as the LKP members are holding sit-in protests to block relevant committees from holding meetings to decide on fast-tracking the reform bills for the fourth consecutive day. "The LKP's illegal confinement, occupation and violence have paralyzed the National Assembly. Their acts should never be forgiven," Lee said. "I took more than 30 photos of LKP members committing illegal acts. I will file a complaint with the prosecution against those people under my name as this is my last job as a politician." DPK floor leader Rep. Hong Young-pyo also said his party will file a complaint with the prosecution Monday against LKP lawmakers and members for violating the Assembly Law. The law stipulates that anyone who takes violent actions in or near the meeting rooms of the Assembly with the aim to interrupt any kind of parliamentary meetings can be sentenced up to five years in jail or fined up to 10 million won. Criticizing the LKP has been making the National Assembly a "lawless place." "The LKP should stop the illegal occupation of the Assembly right now and spreading lie," Hong added. The moves came in response to the LKP members who started their protests last Tuesday when the political parties, except the LKP, made an agreement to fast-track reform bills on increasing the number of proportional representation seats in the Assembly, establishing a special investigative body to look into corruption allegations involving high-ranking government officials and their families, and expanding the police's independent investigative authority. The law on fast-tracking bills was made originally in 2012 with the aim to prevent bills from being held up in the Assembly for too long after failing to win bipartisan support, when the Saenuri Party, the predecessor of the LKP, took the majority of the Assembly. The LKP has claimed the move is illegal as it didn't give its consent especially on the electoral reform bill, which is extremely important for defining the country's democracy and also aimed at the ruling camp's intention to extend the current "leftist regime." LKP members have possibly violated the Assembly Law during their protests by blockading the Assembly office in charge of accepting original proposals, so that the four parties failed to submit those bills, as well as meeting rooms, so that the committees could not hold meetings to discuss whether to fast-track the bills. Due to the LKP's protests over fast-tracking the bills and its process, it is largely expected that the move will be postponed further. Despite the LKP's objections, the four parties submitted Friday the reform bills by using the Assembly's electronic system, the first time doing so electronically in the Assembly's history. Earlier, the DPK filed a complaint against the 18 LKP lawmakers, including Floor Leader Rep. Na Kyung-won, claiming they violated the law by using violence to block parliamentary activities. Responding to the move, the LKP also reported 17 DPK members, including floor leader Rep. Hong Young-pyo, to prosecutors, claiming they assaulted the LKP members. Adding to the DPK, the progressive Justice Party also filed a complaint with the prosecution against 40 LKP lawmakers, including Na, and two LKP employees Monday for legal violations such as obstruction of public duty, confinement and trespassing. Meanwhile, more than 700,000 people signed an online petition on the website of the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae calling for disbanding the LKP. The petition says the LKP should be dissolved as it continued to block governmental bills, hold frequent street protests and make defamatory remarks against its people. As a rule, when a petition on the website is able to gather more than 200,000 signatures within 30 days of being posted, the presidential office must publicly respond to the contents of the post. A poll by Realmeter on 505 adults also showed Monday that 44 percent said the LKP's use of force is responsible for the physical confrontation at the Assembly while 33 said the DPK's irrational move to push ahead with fast-tracking reform bills is attributable. By Arthur I. Cyr Indonesia has carried out democratic elections enormous in scale and importance, including for Americans. As usual currently, most of our media have ignored or only briefly noted this important news. The largest one-day elections in the world occurred on April 17. Unofficial vote tallies indicate incumbent President Joko Widodo is winning with approximately 55 percent of the votes cast. Final returns, however, will not be in for some time. Last year, the Gallup Poll found that an unprecedented 75 per cent of Indonesians believe elections are honest. This is the highest percentage ever, in a long-term upward trend in confidence. Gruesome earlier events provide important backdrop. In May 2018, the Islamic State conducted bloody terrorist attacks in Surabaya, Indonesia's second-largest city. Terrorism is persistent though not frequent in Indonesia. In a 2016 attack, four people died. In 2002, the worst attack killed 202 people on Bali, including many foreign tourists. These crimes have only strengthened Indonesian hostility to terrorism. Terrorist bombings in Sri Lanka over Easter weekend further reinforce such sentiments. Meanwhile, Malaysia's parliamentary elections in May 2018 resulted in a stunning upset. The governing party was defeated and an opposition coalition successful. The Barisan Nasional and predecessor party had governed Malaysia from independence. New Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at 92 years old is the oldest head of government in the world. Mohamad secured a pardon for jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. Indonesia's election took place in the world's largest nation with a Muslim majority. Geography including trade routes provides Indonesia and Malaysia with great strategic significance. The international and foreign policy implications are self-evident, for the United States and other nations. Washington now has an opportunity to highlight Indonesia, and neighboring nations, as success stories of expanding political stability, modernization and the rule of law. In 1998, opponents forced Indonesia's long-time autocratic president, former general Muhammad Suharto, from power. Since then, the nation has had representative government. Indonesia's international conflicts today are largely technical and legal, notably the maritime disputes which generally involve the nations of East and Southeast Asia. Dictatorship has ended, but corruption remains a problem. The situation used to be quite different. During the height of the Cold War, Indonesia was regarded as a pivotal leader among Third World nations. Flamboyant nationalist President Sukarno played the Soviet Union and U.S. off against one another. CIA efforts to bring Sukarno down were frustrated, a sobering experience overshadowed quickly by Vietnam. By the mid-1960s, cooperation between Indonesia and the Soviet Union was moving forward. This development was extremely important in the decision for large-scale U.S. military intervention in Vietnam in 1965. Today, we largely have forgotten this history. British forces, with Australian and New Zealand allies, defeated Indonesia attacks on Malaysia. Earlier, Britain defeated a virulent, aggressive Communist insurgency in Malaya, which today is part of Malaysia. Among other factors, Britain's military avoided introduction of massive firepower, in contrast to the U.S. military strategy in Vietnam especially from 1965. To be sure, the British military employed air strikes and artillery, but relatively selectively. Officials rightly regarded heavy bombing as counterproductive. In the same category was the American emphasis on "free-fire ones" relatively early in the Vietnam War. The U.S. government has opportunities to strengthen ties with Indonesia, and through disciplined diplomacy throughout the enormous South and Southeast Asia regions. All we need is the will, the skill and the maturity. Arthur I. Cyr (acyr@carthage.edu)is director of the Clausen Center for World Business at Carthage College and author of "After the Cold War." Australian Navy brings flagship, 1,000 personnel to Phuket PHUKET: Royal Australian Navy (RAN) flagship the HMAS Canberra dropped anchor in Patong Bay on Saturday (Apr 27), marking the beginning of a four-day stay in Phuket. By The Phuket News Monday 29 April 2019, 02:31PM The deployment from the Royal Australian Navy will conduct a series of military and search-and-rescue exercises, and join a key environmental social development project on Koh Siray. Photo: PR Dept The deployment from the Royal Australian Navy will conduct a series of military and search-and-rescue exercises, and join a key environmental social development project on Koh Siray. Photo: PR Dept The deployment from the Royal Australian Navy will conduct a series of military and search-and-rescue exercises, and join a key environmental social development project on Koh Siray. Photo: PR Dept The deployment from the Royal Australian Navy will conduct a series of military and search-and-rescue exercises, and join a key environmental social development project on Koh Siray. Photo: PR Dept The deployment from the Royal Australian Navy will conduct a series of military and search-and-rescue exercises, and join a key environmental social development project on Koh Siray. Photo: PR Dept The helicopter carrier Canberra, which at 27,000 tonnes is the largest ship in the Royal Australian Navy, arrived in Phuket along with HMAS Newcastle as part of the Royal Australian Navy Indo-Pacific Endeavour 19 (IPE 19) deployment, which set sail from Fremantle in Western Australia on March 11. A total of 1,000 personnel will carry out a series of engagement activities and military training exercises during port visits in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) enjoys a long-standing relationship with security forces throughout South and Southeast Asia, defense industry minister Linda Reynolds said in Freemantle. These relationships are strengthened by annual exercises and engagements, such as the Indo-Pacific Endeavour series. The first port call for the flagship of the group, landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra, was Colombo, Sri Lanka. Now in Phuket, personnel on board the Canberra and the Newcastle will take part in local military exercises as well as key social projects. Duirng their stay, Australian military personnel will work with the Royal Thai Navy, police and disaster-prevention agencies in a number of training activities, including a tabletop exercise on maritime security in which theyll team up to solve a simulated search-and-rescue. The Australian Ambassador to Thailand, Allan McKinnon, said the visit is an important opportunity to cooperate in security and stability for the region. Thailand is a very important security partner for Australia, he said. Our cooperation spans defence, counter-terrorism, border protection, combatting transnational crime and preventing human trafficking and people smuggling. On land, personnel today assisted with the clean-up on Koh Siray. As mentioned in previous articles by The Phuket News Trash Talk and Stirrings of Change (see stories here and here) Koh Siray is the poorest area of Phuket, home to around 10,000 people, including a village of 1,000 sea gypsies, Myanmar fishing workers and disadvantaged families with very poor housing. French Ambassador talks trash, tourist safety in Phuket PHUKET: The French Ambassador to Thailand visited Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana at Phuket Provincial Hall on Friday (Apr 26) to discuss business and tourism projects, as well as safety and the activities of the French community on the island. politicsenvironmentconstructiontourismSafetypollution By The Phuket News Monday 29 April 2019, 01:53PM Tourism and safety officials were on hand at the meeting. Photo: PR Dept The delegation included Counselor for Cooperation and Culture Fabian Forni and Second Secretary (Chief of Consular Section) Samira Abdelli. Photo: PR Dept Tourism and safety officials were on hand at the meeting. Photo: PR Dept Joining the delegation was Honorary Consul in Phuket Claude de Crissey (2nd from right). Photo: PR Dept Waste management, including the handling of wastewater in Phuket, also hit the agenda. France Ambassador Jacques Lapouge led the delegation, which included Counselor for Cooperation and Culture Fabian Forni, Second Secretary (Chief of Consular Section) Samira Abdelli and Honorary Consul in Phuket Claude de Crissey. At present, there are approximately 8,000 French people living in Phuket, Amb Lapouge noted. The French community was already involved in many investment-driven projects, he added, highlighting the BCIS Phuket International School now open in Chalong. Other projects discussed included the light rail and several Phuket port projects, noted a report by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department. This is a good opportunity to exchange information between each other, especially as Phuket is going to have a light-rail mass transit system in the future. In addition, France is interested in safety information, especially the tourism situation in Phuket, notably the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand after the Phoenix disaster, Amb Lapouge said. Governor Phakaphong explained, Phuket has set a policy to focus on creating safety standards for both land and water transport. The number of Chinese tourists visiting Phuket after the boat incident (the Phoenix disaster, which killed 47 Chinese tourists), has decreased. At present, Phuket is building confidence in the safety of tourists. Chinese people are becoming more confident in traveling to Phuket, Gov Phakaphong said. For transportation development projects in the Phuket area, the government has a policy to develop public transportation, specifically light rail, which will be the first light-rail in the region. This will allow the private sector to invest In such projects as well, he added. Gov Phakaphong noted that Phuket has much to learn from the French in terms of waste management. This meeting has given us the opportunity to discuss waste disposal by using technology to manage garbage collection in Thailand. Waste disposal in Thailand does not use waste separation, but in France there is clear separation of waste, he said. France has a private-sector company that through innovation can separate up to 80% of waste, from which organic waste can be transformed into compost and fully utilised. Therefore, it is hoped that there will be cooperation between each other in order to carry out such a project in waste management in the area of Phuket, he added. Another area where French involvement may be of benefit to Phuket is in the boat-building industry, Gov Phakaphong noted. Phuket is a center for yachting and the French have a strong vantage point in the aluminum industry, which is a quality raw material for shipbuilding, he pointed out. Another area where French expertise may be if benefit is the handling of wastewater in Patong, the Governor noted. Patong Municipality will present information about its wastewater management, Gov Phakaphong said, noting that reverse-osmosis could be used to treat wastewater so it can be used again elsewhere. New immigration chief to continue predecessors good work BANGKOK: Fresh from his move from the Border Patrol Police Bureau, newly appointed Immigration Bureau (IB) commissioner Pol Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang has given assurances that his performance will be up to scratch in his new role. immigrationpoliticscrimetourism By Bangkok Post Monday 29 April 2019, 09:22AM Pol Lt Gen Sompong Chingduang. Photo: Bangkok Post The former chief of the Border Patrol Police Bureau replaces Pol Lt Gen Surachate Big Joke Hakparn, a high-profile crime fighter who was mysteriously transferred from the IB to an inactive position early this month. Pol Lt Gen Sompong insisted that even though his new job is different from his border patrol work, he will draw on his experience as an investigator with the Crime Suppression Division to boost the IBs efficiency in screening foreign visitors to prevent transnational criminals from sneaking into the country. Although I came from the border patrol police, which is a different type of job, the IB already has a well-organised system, with foreign and legal affairs divisions and a coordination unit. The new surroundings here should not be a problem for me,' he said. He told the Bangkok Post the IBs job mainly involves safeguarding national security and providing assistance to tourists. If we focus too much on security, services for tourists will be affected, but if we are lax about security, the country could become a hideout for transnational criminals, Pol Lt Gen Sompong said. It is necessary for the IB to collaborate and share information with Interpol and the immigration authorities of other countries to keep track of foreign criminal gangs, he said. We want to assist good tourists who have purchasing power. They bring income to the country. As for security arrangements, we focus on checking backgrounds of various people with Interpol and immigration authorities in other countries, Pol Lt Gen Sompong said. He also said he had recently instructed the IBs investigation centre to work with other agencies to create a more connected system of logging foreign criminals. The current priority is to crack down on pickpockets from neighbouring countries who target both Thais and foreign travellers during festivals and other key events, Pol Lt Gen Sompong said, adding authorities had also been told to remain on high alert along border areas with natural channels through which these criminals can pass unmonitored. He also said the IB is ramping up the use of biometric technology at international airports to guard against transnational criminals. Biometric identification, such as retina scans, will play an increasingly important role in preventing the movement of criminals throughout the region. On the issue of foreigners seeking asylum and resettlement in Thailand, Pol Lt Gen Sompong cited the recent case of a young Saudi woman who was stopped at Suvarnabhumi airport. In January, Saudi teenager Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunan, 18, had arrived in Bangkok on a flight from Kuwait, claiming her family subjected her to physical and psychological abuse. She planned to seek asylum in Australia and feared she would be killed if repatriated by Thai immigration police who stopped her at the airport. Later she was granted asylum by Canada. Asked whether he will continue with the policies of his predecessor Pol Lt Gen Surachate who was transferred to the Prime Ministers Office, Pol Lt Gen Sompong said: Well continue the good things started by the former IB chief. But if there are still things that need to be changed, well fix them for the benefit of the country. Addressing the issue of North Koreans trying to use Thailand as a waypoint to seek refuge in South Korea, Pol Lt Gen Sompong said all foreign nationals will be treated equally. We will handle the issue straightforwardly in compliance with rules and regulations. Any foreigners who are in Thailand must follow Thai laws, he said. Asked whether these North Korean refugees will be deported, he said that several aspects of their cases must be considered carefully before his agency decides on a final course of action. We have to come up with the best solution so that Thailand will not be affected. Our priority is to put the countrys benefits first, Pol Lt Gen Sompong said. We will not try to please any particular country, or leave other countries upset. We must try to ensure any solutions are accepted by the international community while also complying with Thai laws. Read original story here. Rassada community gratefully receives army water supplies PHUKET: Residents from a poor community in Rassada were overjoyed when the army arrived as promised on Wednesday morning (Apr 24) to provide them with free emergency water. natural-resourcesmilitary By Tanyaluk Sakoot Monday 29 April 2019, 12:23PM Residents of Soi 2 King Kaew in Rassada thank the army for delivering much needed water supplies to the community on Wednesday (Apr 24). Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot The army delivers much needed water supplies to a poor community on Soi 2 King Kaew in Rassada on Wednesday (Apr 24). Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot The army delivers much needed water supplies to a poor community on Soi 2 King Kaew in Rassada on Wednesday (Apr 24). Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot The army delivers much needed water supplies to a poor community on Soi 2 King Kaew in Rassada on Wednesday (Apr 24). Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot The army delivers much needed water supplies to a poor community on Soi 2 King Kaew in Rassada on Wednesday (Apr 24). Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot The army delivers much needed water supplies to a poor community on Soi 2 King Kaew in Rassada on Wednesday (Apr 24). Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot The army delivers much needed water supplies to a poor community on Soi 2 King Kaew in Rassada on Wednesday (Apr 24). Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot The army delivers much needed water supplies to a poor community on Soi 2 King Kaew in Rassada on Wednesday (Apr 24). Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot The army delivers much needed water supplies to a poor community on Soi 2 King Kaew in Rassada on Wednesday (Apr 24). Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot The army delivers much needed water supplies to a poor community on Soi 2 King Kaew in Rassada on Wednesday (Apr 24). Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot Residents of Soi 2 King Kaew in Rassada thank the army for delivering much needed water supplies to the community on Wednesday (Apr 24). Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot The Royal Thai Army delivered truckloads of water from 9am until 9pm as thankful residents collected the water with any container they could find, including old paint containers and ice boxes. The Phuket News reporter watched as residents of Soi 2 King Kaew gratefully received the water after being left without an adequate supply of mains water since March 21. Kanittan Chansombet, a labourer who lives within the community with her family, turned up with a plastic container in a sidecar. She told The Phuket News, Until now, we always had to stay awake at night checking if the mains water supply was running in order to collect as much as possible before it was cut off again as we never know when there will be water available. My family had to spend B3,000 on water over the past month. We had no other choice, she said. I heard from my neighbours that they had to spend B300-400 per time to fill their water containers. We were made aware of the armys intentions by Khao Phuket and other sites. When I found out the army had arrived, I rushed over, so happy to be able to have water for many days, she said happily. The gratitude and relief on the faces of the community were clearly evident as they repeatedly thanked the army personnel who helped fill containers and carry them to homes and sidecars. Ms Kanittan performed a wai and said, I want to say thank you very much to the army for helping us here. The armys involvement came after about 80 residents from Rassada staged a protest in front of Phuket Provincial Hall on Tuesday (Apr 23) over the lack of water supply to their community. (See story here.) The residents massed in front of Phuket Provincial Hall at 3pm, shouting anti-Governor slogans and carrying placards heavily criticising the lack of action by officials to solve the water shortage situation. The protestors were all from the Ua Arthorn (Mercy for others) housing estate in Baan Kuku, Rassada. The housing estate was built by the National Housing Authority specifically for low-income earners. Elsewhere on the island, two private companies have offered to give out free water to residents from their own private reservoirs. Thanyarat Achariyachai, an Executive at Kata Group, said, At present we have plenty of water because we have our own reservoir which we use to supply our hotels. We want to help people who are suffering from the water shortage. We have staff ready to help at the reservoir on Soi Na Yai near Chalong Temple. Anyone that needs water, please contact Mr Chai on 081-979-9989, Ms Thanyarat said. Sarun Khaminthong, a representative of Nonthasak Marine Co Ltd, told The Phuket News, Local residents in Rawai who are in need of water can contact Rawai Municipality who will distribute water to them from our reservoir. To do so, please call the municipality on 076-613800, Mr Sarun explained. Wichit Municipality also announced six locations from which local residents can collect emergency water: Irwadee Yeetang Moo 6 Soi Sao Kem 1,2 Moo 9 Soi Boon Ban Dan Moo 7 Than Tong Villa 5 Moo 1 Aao Yon public Moo 8 Muan Thong Suk Niral Moo 1 Local residents can turn up at any of the above locations with a container to fill with water. The municipality also said that they would also deliver water to homes. Residents who require water to be delivered should call 076-525-100 and press 139 or call 076-525-199. By Shlomo Ben-Ami TEL AVIV It is Bibi again. Having unapologetically allied with a racist, Jewish-supremacist party, Binyamin Netanyahu has secured a fourth consecutive term as Israel's prime minister. The Union of Right Wing Parties says Netanyahu promised it both the education ministry and the justice ministry, and who are we to doubt it? Along with Netanyahu's other right-wing allies, the URWP has already backing a new law that would protect the prime minister from being indicted on pending corruption charges. Israel's latest parliamentary election has consolidated the country's position within a growing bloc of illiberal democracies around the world. Once again, Netanyahu has won by mobilizing the people against the very state institutions that he is supposed to uphold and defend. In this election cycle, he shamelessly lambasted the judicial system and the police for doing their jobs. He attacked the media for uncovering improper behavior by his family and cronies. He pilloried public intellectuals for refusing to acknowledge his greatness. And he depicted the old Zionist "left" as traitors. As for the Arab parties, they lost around 25 percent of their seats, owing partly to voter abstention. With Netanyahu having pushed through a "nation-state law" declaring the pursuit of "national self-determination" in Israel as "unique to the Jewish people," Israel's Arab citizens apparently are through lending credibility to a sham democracy. Throughout the campaign, they were treated as political lepers by practically every segment of the Israeli body politic. The Israeli left, in particular, has been exposed as a bankrupt political project. In fact, Netanyahu's Israel has swung so far right that the term "leftist" itself is now a smear. Both his party's main challenger, the centrist Blue and White alliance, and the Labor Party have run away from the label. And both not only lacked the courage to stand up to Netanyahu's maligning of Israeli Arabs as enemies of the state, but also refused even to consider forming a parliamentary alliance with Arab parties. On the Arab question, liberal Zionists have acceded to Netanyahu's project of making Israel into a one-race, one-party state. All told, the election amounts to a monumental indictment of Israel's democracy. In a campaign dominated by personal smears and disinformation, not one substantive issue was debated seriously. It was as if the consequences of Netanyahu's cruel neoliberal policies a weakened welfare state and squeezed middle classes did not matter at all. Nor was there any discussion of the unproductive Orthodox community's dependence on state subsidies, which have grown substantially under Netanyahu. And then there is the elephant in the room: the Palestinian question. Fearing the loss of conservative votes, the left and center parties did not make a single convincing statement let alone offer a policy program to address the greatest existential and moral challenge facing the country. Yes, candidates on the left paid lip service to the problem, and Benny Gantz, the colorless leader of Blue and White, muttered something about the need for a "diplomatic move" with respect to the occupied territories, but that was it. Meanwhile, Gantz and those on the left said almost nothing when Netanyahu boasted that he could get U.S. President Donald Trump to green-light a partial Israeli annexation of the West Bank. And they were equally nonresponsive when Netanyahu took credit for the Trump administration's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, and of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. In fact, U.S.-Israeli relations were another key issue that went almost unmentioned in the election campaign. Never mind that Netanyahu's alliance with Trump and American evangelicals has cost Israel the support of a growing portion of the U.S. Democratic Party establishment, or that his blank check to the Israeli Orthodox community has alienated America's predominantly liberal Jewish community. After Beto O'Rourke, a contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, warned that Netanyahu is a "racist" who is damaging America's special alliance with Israel, Israelis responded by extending that racist's grip on power. Throughout the campaign, Netanyahu touted his foreign-policy record. In addition to cozying up to illiberal Eastern European governments and Brazil's new rightwing president, Jair Bolsonaro, he claims to have bolstered Israel's economic clout in Asia, made diplomatic breakthroughs in Africa, and forged covert partnerships with neighboring Arab countries, not least Saudi Arabia. And here, too, Netanyahu's opponents dropped the ball. They could have pointed out that his goal in brokering new partnerships is to head off international opposition to his planned annexation of Palestinian territory. Instead of using Israel's diplomatic relationships to work toward an acceptable solution to its primary existential challenge, he has exploited them for his own chauvinist agenda. Sadly, the election leaves no doubt about what awaits Israel in the coming years. A cabal of Netanyahu cronies and family members, racist messianic settlers, and Orthodox parties with opportunistic designs on the state budget will drag Israel toward a new single-state reality that will resemble apartheid South Africa. If there is any consolation, it is that the Israeli left and center from Meretz and Labor to the Arab parties and Blue and White still collectively represents almost half of the electorate. A bold leader who is willing to fight for Israel's soul could prevail, but only by unapologetically allying with Israeli Arabs. That is not just the best electoral strategy. It is also the right thing to do. Shlomo Ben-Ami, a former Israeli foreign minister, is vice president of the Toledo International Center for Peace. He is the author of "Scars of War, Wounds of Peace: The Israeli-Arab Tragedy." Copyright belongs to Project Syndicate (www.project-syndicate.org). Seikos Save the Ocean project heads to Koh Racha Yai The turtles seemed a little confused at first as we put them onto the beach, just before the spot where waves were rolling in on the white sands. Everyone looked on in anticipation as the turtles began taking a few tentative steps. Environment By Bangkok Post Monday 29 April 2019, 02:00PM Finally, they moved forward and allowed seawater to engulf them. With eyes ahead to the blue and green expanse of the Andaman Sea stretched out before us, they soon swam way, with cheers and waves given by onlookers on the beach. The turtle release took place recently on Koh Racha Yai, south of Phuket, where a boat brought participants of Seikos Save the Ocean project ashore. Five green sea turtles and five hawksbill sea turtles under the care of Phuket Marine Biological Centre were released on that day. Afterward, the team returned to the boat to put on their wetsuits and tanks. It was time for a dive to check out coral reefs. In the shallow water, it was very typical of what I see in a lot of places in the world, said Fabien Cousteau, aquanaut, ocean conservationist and Seiko Prospexs global brand ambassador. Climate change impact is devastating. It shows a very significant impact in that one location. This is not unique to Thailand. Its unfortunately becoming more and more common everywhere. Many may know Cousteau from the undersea expedition Mission 31, where he and the crew lived in an undersea laboratory for 31 days in the Florida Keys to explore the area and collect scientific data. His assessment of the reef was based on his perspective of the diving spot in Ao Siam of Koh Racha Yai. Seikos Save the Ocean project has been held for the past three years. It was previously known as Save the Sea, and was launched in 2016. The project makes use of the proceeds from the sales of Seiko Prospex Zimbe to give back to the ocean that inspired the collection. Seiko has been in this country for over five decades, said Katsumi Kubota, managing director at Seiko Thailand. I can say that Seiko has been very much loved by the Thai people. Thank you for all the support. For the past three years, Seiko has been delivering a Thai limited edition called the Zimbe, which is Japanese for whale shark. We want to give something back to the ocean, and so thats how we started this activity. This year, the project has become more global, with the inclusion of Cousteau and his team. The activities the team got to take part in included the release of sea turtles and an ocean cleanup. The team of divers, Cousteau included, was also inspecting the coral-restoration project that was part of Seikos corporate social responsibility project out in Ao Siam. From the expert analysis, the coral restoration in deeper water seems to be working. The temperatures were probably a little lower. There was still enough sunlight and nutrition in the water. The corals are growing pretty well and are much less affected. So that was very nice to see. [All sea life] depends on coral reefs. So even if youre not a conservationist, even if youre not a scientist, this is still extraordinarily important for the fishing industry, tourism industry, general ecosystem and the economy of the country, he added. According to Kanokkittika Kritwutikon, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (Phuket Office), Phuket welcomed over 14 million tourists last year. Phuket is considered one of the main travel destinations in Thailand, second only to Bangkok. Our attraction is the Andaman Sea, said the TAT director. She added that she was very pleased to see a project like Save the Ocean coming in to help with the local environment and sea life. She thanked Seiko Thailands initiative. Aside from inviting international travellers to stay in Phuket, and hence spend in the local economy, she said this effort will also attract more environmentally-conscious tourists to the area. This activity has shown that we share the same goal in making Phuket the preferred destination that is popular to tourists around the world, she said. The ocean and all its marine life are indeed priceless natural assets for all. Cousteau insisted that it will take every one of us, especially the younger generation, to become caretakers of this planets ocean. He also encouraged everybody to try diving responsibly, of course at least once in their lives. The undersea adventure is a kind of experience that nothing can really come close to. Weve explored less than 5% of our oceans to date, over the last hundred years of modern-day exploration. Theres a lot left to discover. Melalin Mahavongtrakul City council grants Need-a-Ride taxi license during special meeting After receiving a letter from the Institute of Justice stating ordinance was unconstitutional, the council approved the taxi license for Need-A-Ride. Growing up in poverty can impact a person in many ways. Now, new research from the University of California Davis has found that growing up in an impoverished neighborhood more than doubles the chance of a person developing a psychosis-spectrum disorder by middle adulthood. We found that children who were raised in more disadvantaged urban neighborhoods were more likely to develop schizophrenia and bipolar disorder with psychosis over the next 30 years, compared to children raised in more economically advantaged urban neighborhoods. The combination of neighborhood conditions and children's social characteristics also contributed to their risk, Paul Hastings, PhD, author of the study and a professor of psychology at UC Davis told Theravive. In collaboration with researchers from Concordia University in Quebec, Hastings and colleagues followed the lives of nearly 11 thousand people living in families in low-income urban areas of Montreal, Quebec. The Concordia Longitudinal Research Project began in the 1970s when the earlier researchers set out to test theories on the role adversity early in life played in the development of psychiatric disorders. In undertaking their research, Hastings and his colleagues examined medical records for the families involved in the study spanning the previous three decades. They also looked at census data that detailed the economic conditions of the neighbourhoods the families lived in. Most of the children involved were 10 years of age at the beginning of the study, and the project followed them until they were 40 years of age. The parents of the children, aged from their late 30s at the beginning of the study, were also followed until their late 60s. As the researchers were able to note the diagnoses of parents in the study, they could then predict the likelihood of psychiatric disorders in the children beyond what might be heredity. They found over six per cent of the children studied developed schizophrenia and bipolar disorder with psychosis, as well as other psychosis-spectrum disorders, by the time they were middle aged. The children who grew up in the neighbourhoods experiencing the greatest economic disadvantage were most likely to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. As well as this, the researchers examined peer reports given to the childrens classmates to assess their likeability, level of aggression or withdrawal. Children who were described by their peers as both aggressive and socially withdrawn, and who also grew up in more disadvantaged neighborhoods, were more likely to develop other psychosis-spectrum mental illnesses. Similarly, children who were aggressive and withdrawn and who experienced worsening neighborhood conditions as they matured into adults also were more likely to develop other psychosis-spectrum mental illnesses, Hastings said. Although heredity is a known factor in predicting diagnoses of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, Hastings says the research shows that environmental factors that children experience during their childhood can also affect their future mental health. Serious mental health problems are not simply the inevitable results of genetics and hard-wiring. Children's experiences in their social and physical environments also affect their future health and well-being. To prevent these diseases, we need to invest in children, families and their neighborhoods, he told Theravive. Psychosis-spectrum illnesses are mental illnesses that cause a persons perceptions and thinking to differ from reality. For those experiencing the conditions, like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, the world can be scary, unpredictable or confusing. Psychoses that can be experienced with the illness may involve seeing or hearing things that arent present, or delusions, such as having an unrealistic belief about the world. Those living with psychosis-spectrum illnesses may find it difficult to have healthy relationships or stay employed, due to others viewing their behaviour as unpredictable or scary. Hastings says that there are a number of childhood factors that could predict the later diagnosis of a psychosis-spectrum illness. He argues this is useful information, because it also means there are potentially many points in a persons life where intervention could take place, and prevent the illness from developing at all. He says it could start with making neighbourhoods a more positive environment. Societies could invest more in improving neighborhood conditions for socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods, and obviously this would incur many other benefits in addition to reducing mental health problems. Actions such as improving school quality, providing safe parks and community facilities, reducing pollution, and creating local employment opportunities would reduce the prevalence of future psychosis-spectrum mental illnesses -- and also reduce future respiratory, cardiovascular and other physical illnesses, and increase the likelihood of successful school completion and gainful employment, among other things, he told Theravive. As well as this, Hastings' findings suggest there may be intervention options for children displaying atypical social behaviours. We may be able to identify school-age children who are manifesting atypical social characteristics and who would benefit from cognitive-behavioral and other psychosocial treatments designed to scaffold their self-regulation and social integration, and thereby prevent future diagnoses. It is important to recognize that not all children with such behavior patterns are going to be on a course toward developing psychosis-spectrum mental illnesses-- in fact, most won't. These illnesses are uncommon. Atypical social characteristics are not any kind of early diagnosis; they are evidence of increased likelihood. That likelihood can be changed; it can be reduced, with proper assistance, he said. NORRISTOWN A jury convicted a Douglass (Berks) woman of charges she burglarized a Pottstown residence and stole items from a parked vehicle in the borough. Marissa A. Kulp, 27, of the 400 block of Old Philadelphia Pike, was convicted in Montgomery County Court of charges of burglary, criminal trespass, theft from a motor vehicle and theft by receiving stolen property in connection with incidents that occurred in the 200 block of Beech Street in the borough on Oct. 11, 2018. The jury, after a two-day trial, acquitted Kulp of a single charge of theft by unlawful taking. Judge Risa Vetri Ferman, who presided over the trial, deferred sentencing Kulp until later this year and ordered that Kulp undergo drug and alcohol evaluations as part of a presentence investigation. Ferman increased Kulps bail to $250,000 cash and Kulp was taken to the county jail where she will remain until time of sentencing unless she posts the increased bail. An investigation began after Pottstown police responded a home in the 200 block of Beech Street about 9 p.m. when the resident reported he awoke to discover an open door to the residence. When the man checked the first floor, he discovered items, including an open umbrella and a leather purse, in the kitchen area, items that did not belong to him, according to the criminal complaint filed by Pottstown Police Officer Gregory Fritz. He stated that nobody should be in the house, Fritz alleged. When police checked the basement of the residence they found Kulp hiding there and she was in possession of a flashlight, according to court documents. The resident stated that he didnt know who the defendant was and didnt give her permission to be in the house, said Fritz, adding the resident reported that his drivers license, credit cards, house key and medication were missing. Items in the kitchen had been rummaged through. During the investigation, police also discovered that a vehicle, parked in front of the home that had been burglarized, was entered illegally. The owner of the vehicle verified someone had gone through and taken property from her car, Fritz alleged. Some of the property that was in the kitchen and not being owned by the resident was identified as the missing items from the car, including the umbrella, Fritz wrote in the arrest affidavit. Kulp faces a possible maximum sentence of 151/2-to-32-years in prison on the charges. However, state sentencing guidelines could allow for a lesser sentence. By Patricia Murphy Meet "socialist," the hardest-working word in politics in 2019. The single word has helped upstart Democrats attract young and social-curious potential voters, given the paddles of life to desperate-for-a-cause conservatives, and led President Donald Trump to an early and effective way to frame the re-election battle he wants to have with Democrats. "Socialist" even made a usually ho-hum op-ed from a member of Congress, in this case Rep. Tom Emmer, one of Roll Call's most read articles last week. "In their first 100 days, socialist Democrats have shown they are unable to lead." You would read that, wouldn't you? In reality, the idea of genuine socialist rule in America has made Democrats do something between an eye roll and a shoulder shrug. Party leaders like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer seem to find the idea so preposterous that they spend little time dwelling on it. Newer members like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez insist they're not for capital "S" socialism, but if socialism means a living wage, health care for all, and affordable or free education, then what's so wrong with that? But for Republicans, conservatives, former tea partiers, and anyone looking to regain GOP majorities in Washington, that small-but-loud contingent of democratic socialists in Congress (two at the latest count) has given them something they failed to muster up themselves a way to change the subject from everything that Trump has failed to do or made worse (read on for the section on debts and deficits) and dig into an issue that not only animates the GOP base, but enrages them. The man leading the "socialists are coming" charge is Trump himself. "We are born free, and we will stay free," Trump said in his State of the Union address in February. To chants of "U-S-A! U-S-A!," he added, "Tonight, we renew our resolve that America will never be a socialist country." Always a student of ratings, Trump heard the roar of approval he got in the room that night, and he's included the refrain prominently in every public rally since then. "There are those trying to implement socialism right here in the United States," he told a MAGA rally in El Paso just after the State of the Union. "So I say it for the world to hear, America will never be a socialist country, never, never!" Again, chants of "U-S-A!" The president took it to CPAC in March. "Democrat lawmakers are now embracing socialism," he warned. "We believe in the American dream, not in the socialist nightmare!" More chants of "USA! USA!" At a March rally in Michigan: "By the way, if you want to see those 401(k)s and all of your stocks and all of the things that you own, you want to see them deflate, put a good socialist in this position!" At an NRCC fundraiser in April: "I love the idea of 'Keep America Great,' because you know what it says is we've made it great. Now we're going to keep it great, because the socialists will destroy it." At a rally in Las Vegas: "120 Democrats are supporting a socialist takeover of our health care system." At a press gaggle in April: "Venezuela is a mess. This is what socialism brings." On Tax Day in Minnesota: "They can talk all they want about socialism. All socialism is is a method into the poorhouse." While Democrats have been focused on investigating the president in Washington and rolling out big-ticket items like "Medicare for All" on the campaign trail, Trump has systematically and relentlessly been branding his 2020 campaign and the Republican Party itself as soldiers in a fight against the global forces of socialism. Look no further than the "Tax Day Tea Party" events that organizers staged around the country recenlty. Gone were the thousands-strong rallies of feisty rabble rousers demanding government thrift beneath tricorn hats. In their place, decked out in MAGA caps, were Trump faithful warning of socialism coming to our shores. "We're here to rally for freedom and to let our fellow citizens know that history says that socialism is a dangerous idea," said an organizer for the "Villagers for Trump" event in central Florida. "Every place that it's been implemented, it has failed." In LaSalle, Illinois, a tea party goer told his local paper, "We want to promote American exceptionalism and protest the socialist agenda. The Democrats aren't hiding the fact that they're socialists anymore." And in Atlanta, GOP Sen. David Perdue, who is up for re-election in 2020, told tea partiers what the election will really be about. "We know socialism failed. Just listen to what's happening right now in Venezuela. Why would we want to go down that road?" Are you seeing the theme? It's not debts and deficits. That's so 10 years ago. Also, under Trump, the deficit that conservatives campaigned so hard against has exploded to $897 billion, while the national debt is up to $16.6 trillion and "well above average for the last 50 years," according to the CBO. The numbers are so large they're hard to comprehend and even harder to talk about. So it's best not to mention that, right? While the country has "some work to do" on spending, Atlanta organizer Jenny Beth Martin said activists had something more important to worry about: "Call your representatives and both of your senators and make sure they know you oppose socialism and want them to embrace freedom." Socialism vs. freedom. Us vs. them. That's the fight Trump wants to have, and the fight his supporters from reformed tea party upstarts to sitting U.S. senators are following him into. Patricia Murphy covers national politics for the Daily Beast. Previously, she was the Capitol Hill bureau chief for Politics Daily and founder and editor of Citizen Jane Politics. Follow her on Twitter @1PatriciaMurphy. Her commentary appeared in CQ-Roll Call and was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. NORRISTOWN A Norristown man will be under house arrest and faces a lengthy license suspension after he admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol, a second such offense, in the borough. Bobby Swittenburg, 49, of the 500 block of Norris Street, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to 60 months in the countys intermediate punishment program, the first three months to be served under house arrest, after he pleaded guilty to a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with a November 2017 incident. The remainder of the 60-month period of supervision will be spent under intensive probation. Judge Steven C. Tolliver said Swittenburg also faces an 18-month license suspension, must continue and complete a substance abuse counseling and treatment program and attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Court documents indicate Swittenburg had a blood-alcohol content of 0.242 percent, three times the legal driving limit of 0.08 percent, at the time of the Nov. 17, 2017, incident in the area of Swede and Marshall streets. The arrest also marked Swittenburgs second DUI offense, according to court papers. An investigation of Swittenburg began about 9:15 p.m. when a motorist flagged down police at the intersection, court documents indicate. The witness told police that Swittenburgs Chevrolet Trailblazer was traveling east on Marshall Street when it clipped the witness Saturn which was traveling west on Marshall Street. When Swittenburg didnt stop, the witness made a U-turn and followed Swittenburgs vehicle and placed his vehicle in front of Swittenburg so he could no longer drive forward, according to the criminal complaint filed by Norristown Police Officer Samantha ONeill. At this time, Swittenburg tried to drive over a curb and thats when I arrived on scene, ONeill alleged. Swittenburg immediately exited his vehicle and had an unsteady gate, bloodshot eyes, a strong odor of alcohol emanating from him. When police asked Swittenburg if he had been drinking, Swittenburg allegedly stated, Yes, according to the arrest affidavit. Swittenburg agreed to a blood test that determined his elevated blood-alcohol content and police placed him in lockup at the police station to await processing and sobriety for his own safety and the safety of the public. Yoga is a relaxing, meditative exercise - Rage Yoga is the exact opposite, and it sounds awesome! A new form of yoga has sparked our interest in stretching and exercise. American Lindsay Istace has founded 'Rage Yoga', explained on her website as: a practice involving stretching, positional exercises and bad humor, with the goal of attaining good health and to become zen AF. "More than just a practice, Rage Yoga is an attitude. Lindsay says she "felt really out of place" in a regular yoga class, so she flipped discipline on its head. Fellow Rage Yoga instructor Ashley Duzich told CBS beer breaks are an important part of the workout. HAH. SUCK IT FRANCE It's official, Kiwis have the sexiest accent in the world. Travel website 'Big 7 Media' polled more than 1.5 million people from 60 countries across the globe, to find the most attractive accent, and New Zealand came out at the number one spot. "Here at Big 7 Travel, we're all about inspiring people to visit somewhere new," the site reads, meaning some hopeful single tourists might be making their way to Aotearoa. "To a novice ear, the New Zealand accent might sound just like the Australian accent, but Big 7 Travel readers disagree," the site reads. "The 'Newzild' dialect is outrageously charming. The sexiest accent in the world? It's official." South Africa came in at number two, and the Irish lilt took out third place. The other countries in the top 10 are Italian, Spanish, French, Scottish, US Southern, Brazilian Portugese and Australian. Let be blimmin' good sorts and not rub it in too much. -Newshub SAN FRANCISCOThey all tell a similar story: They ran apps that helped people limit the time they and their children spent on iPhones. Then Apple created its own screen-time tracker. And then Apple made staying in business very, very difficult. Over the past year, Apple has removed or restricted at least 11 of the 17 most downloaded screen-time and parental-control apps, according to an analysis by The New York Times and Sensor Tower, an app-data firm. Apple has also clamped down on a number of lesser-known apps. In some cases, Apple forced companies to remove features that allowed parents to control their childrens devices or that blocked childrens access to certain apps and adult content. In other cases, it simply pulled the apps from its App Store. Some app makers with thousands of paying customers have shut down. Most others say their futures are in jeopardy. They yanked us out of the blue with no warning, said Amir Moussavian, chief executive of OurPact, the top parental-control iPhone app, with more than 3 million downloads. In February, Apple pulled the app, which accounted for 80 per cent of OurPacts revenue, from its App Store. They are systematically killing the industry, Moussavian said. The screen-time app makers are the latest companies to suddenly find themselves both competing against Apple and at the mercy of the tech titan. By controlling the iPhone App Store, where companies find some of their most lucrative customers, Apple has unusual power over the fortunes of other corporations. Tammy Levine, an Apple spokeswoman, said Apple removed or required changes to the apps because they could gain too much information from users devices. She said the timing of Apples moves was not related to its introduction of similar tools. In response to this article, Philip W. Schiller, Apples senior vice president of worldwide marketing, said in emails to some customers that Apple acted extremely responsibly in this matter, helping to protect our children from technologies that could be used to violate their privacy and security. Executives at the app makers believe they are being targeted because their apps could hurt Apples business. Apples tools, they add, arent as aggressive about limiting screen time and dont provide as many options. Their incentives arent really aligned for helping people solve their problem, said Fred Stutzman, chief executive of Freedom, a screen-time app with more than 770,000 downloads before Apple removed it in August. Can you really trust that Apple wants people to spend less time on their phones? Tim Cook, Apples chief executive, said at a conference this month that Apple had added tools to help people manage their phone use. We dont want people using their phones all the time, he said. This has never been an objective for us. On Thursday, two of the most popular parental-control apps, Kidslox and Qustodio, filed a complaint with the European Unions competition office. Kidslox said business had plummeted since Apple forced changes to its app that made it less useful than Apples tool. Apple also faces an antitrust complaint in Russia from Kaspersky Lab a Russian cybersecurity firm that American security officials claim has ties to the Russian government which said Apple had forced it to remove key features from its parental-control app. The company is exploring a similar complaint in Europe, a Kaspersky spokeswoman said. We treat all apps the same, including those that compete with our own services, said Levine, the Apple spokeswoman. Our incentive is to have a vibrant app ecosystem that provides consumers access to as many quality apps as possible. Apple is facing other accusations that it is abusing its dominant position to lift itself and bury rivals an issue that has become more important as the iPhone maker expands into new markets like television, news and gaming. Spotify complained to European regulators last month that Apple used the App Store to give its Apple Music service an unfair advantage over Spotifys app. Dutch regulators announced this month that they would investigate whether Apple abused its control of the App Store. In the United States, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, a Democratic candidate for president, recently suggested separating the App Store from Apple as part of her proposal to rein in the American tech giants. An unhappy parent In early 2018, two prominent Wall Street investors urged Apple to address concerns that people were becoming addicted to their smartphones. In June, the company announced plans for tools to help iPhone owners track and limit their and their childrens phone use. It began offering the tools in September, tucked into the phones settings menu. Shortly after announcing its new tools, Apple began purging apps that offered similar services. Apple told the companies that their apps violated App Store rules, like enabling one iPhone to control another, although it had allowed such practices for years and had approved hundreds of versions of their apps. Apple allows corporations to use such software to control employees phones. But last year, the company stopped apps from using the software to enable parents to control their childrens devices. The Apple spokeswoman said Apple had blocked the practice because app makers could gain access to too much information on the childrens devices. Apple cited other rule violations when removing some apps, but the spokeswoman didnt explain the reasoning behind those moves Unlike apps such as OurPact, Apples tools dont allow parents to schedule different times throughout a day when an app is blocked. And Apples tool blocks adult content only on its Safari web browser and some apps, not on other browsers or many popular apps, like Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. Bruce Chantry, a 47-year-old father of two outside Cleveland, said he had used OurPact and Mobicip for years until Apple forced them to gut key features. He has found Apples tool more complicated and less restrictive. His children have already found workarounds to Apples web-filtering tool and, unlike the apps he had used, it has no kill switch to quickly disable certain apps on their phones, Chantry said. It didnt make managing these new digital threats any easier, he said. It actually made it more difficult. Apples tool has another shortcoming: It requires the whole family to own iPhones. Many apps removed by Apple allowed parents with iPhones to control their childrens Android devices. Apple has also limited the options for adults who want to fight their own phone addiction. In August, it abruptly pulled down the Freedom app, which allowed users to temporarily disable certain apps and websites. Stutzman, Freedoms chief executive, said that to return to iPhones, he was forced to stop blocking apps and to block sites only on Apples Safari browser. Apples tool now appears to be one of the few ways to disable apps, if not the only one. Yet when a user hits an apps time limit on Apples tool, it provides a single option: Ignore Limit. No reason, no detail The app makers said they were most frustrated by the process of meeting Apples sudden demands. In many cases, Apple alerted them that their apps would be removed and their businesses crippled via a short note, according to correspondence viewed by The Times. When app makers asked for more information, responses were often perfunctory and slow in coming. As a developer whos been on the App Store for 10 years, I would expect some courtesy from Apple of at least a phone call to explain what were doing wrong, said Suren Ramasubbu, the head of Mobicip, a parental-control app that had about 2.5 million downloads this year, about 70 per cent of them on iPhones. On Jan. 19, Ramasubbu received a message from Apple that said he had 30 days to change the Mobicip app or it would be removed from the App Store. If you have any questions about this information, please reply to this message to let us know, the note said. Best regards, App Store Review. Over the next 27 days, Ramasubbu responded four times seeking more information. He eventually resubmitted the app with changes he hoped would satisfy Apples demands. Then, with Mobicips deadline just a few days away, Apple responded three times to his earlier detailed questions with virtually the same message: Your app uses public APIs in an unapproved manner, which does not comply with guideline 2.5.1 of the App Store Review Guidelines. We hear you loud and clear, Ramasubbu responded on the morning of Feb. 19, Apples deadline. He begged for answers: Could Apple tell him what he needed to do to keep Mobicip on iPhones? Any general direction, clue or specific guidance will be deeply appreciated. We have been one of the pioneers among parental control apps on the App Store over 10 long years and have always been playing by the rules, he wrote. Please point us in the right direction and we can take it from there. Five hours later, Apple responded with a 14-word message: Your app has an unresolved issue and has been removed from the App Store. No reason, no detail, Ramasubbu said. Suddenly we dont have a business anymore. Read more about: CALGARY - A Canadian company has been selected to help rebuild Paradise, the northern California community that was almost entirely destroyed by a raging wildfire in November. Calgary-based Black Diamond Group Ltd. says its U.S. business unit has won a $20-million rental contract to supply portable housing units with 1,584 beds to support reconstruction. It says the initial term of the contract is for nine months, with an option to extend, and includes transportation costs. Only about 1,500 of the towns 27,000 residents still live in the few surviving houses after the fire that started in the tinder dry Sierra Nevada foothills destroyed nearly 15,000 homes and killed 85 people. Black Diamond shares were up 12.4 per cent or 27 cents to $2.44 just before noon on Monday. The company rents and sells modular workforce accommodations to business customers in Canada, the United States and Australia. We are pleased to be one of many supporters in the massive undertaking that is to clean up and rebuild the town of Paradise, said CEO Trevor Haynes in a news release. Our team is expected to rapidly supply a large contingent of dormitories that will be used to help house the workforce in the clean-up effort. OTTAWA The Federal Court of Canada has ordered a second senior employee at WestJet Airlines Ltd. to testify under oath, the latest development in a predatory pricing investigation into WestJet and its budget subsidiary, Swoop, by Canadas competition watchdog. The inquiry, launched by the Competition Bureau in the fall, concerns allegations the two carriers used anti-competitive practices to crowd out B.C.-based upstart Flair Airlines from at least three routes last year. Chief Justice Paul Crampton has ordered WestJet corporate planning manager Michael Claeren to be examined by Canadas Commissioner of Competition, citing Claerens former role as senior leader of revenue and pricing at Swoop. He is set to appear next month alongside WestJet vice-president John Weatherill, who the Federal Court previously ordered to come before a presiding officer to explain the airlines tactics. Interim competition commissioner Matthew Boswell states in court filings that WestJets alleged predatory pricing when a company offers services below break-even costs to hobble a competitor constitutes an abuse of its dominant position. The accusation applies to routes between Edmonton and the cities of Abbotsford, B.C., Hamilton, Ont., and Winnipeg. On the Hamilton route, Swoop advertised all-inclusive fares for as low as $69 starting last June. Flair Airlines chief executive Jim Scott has said the strategy cost his ultra-low-cost carrier about $10 million between mid-June and mid-October, placing it in jeopardy. WestJet has said it is compiling information in response to the probe, which has seen piles of court-ordered documents and data from the two Calgary-based carriers handed over to the Competition Bureau. Read more about: User consent: fail. Friends of friends consent: fail. Information safeguards: fail. Corporate accountability: epic fail. The Facebook, Inc. report card presented by federal privacy commissioner Daniel Therrien last week can be likened to an end-of-term standoff between a frustrated parent and a contrite child. Except that contrition has never been a Facebook character trait. Therrien, whose office conducted the investigation into Facebook jointly with the privacy commissioner for British Columbia, should be commended for the clarity of his condemnation of the social media monolith, with its empty privacy network, its vague and elastic terms of use, its superficial and ineffective safeguards. The specifics are galling, if not surprising. Without rehashing the details of the Aleksandr Kogan-created This is Your Digital Life (TYDL) app, and the misappropriation of 50 million Facebook user profiles, and the intersection with SCL Elections Ltd., parent to Cambridge Analytica, and the targeting of political messages and the outcome of the 2016 U.S. presidential election, pause on this: not only did Facebook not provide Therriens office with the requested copy of TYDLs privacy policy, it confirmed that it never reviewed the policy and didnt bother to confirm that users consent was adequately sought. In Zucked, Roger McNamee reminds us that at the time Facebook was operating under a consent decree struck with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission barring the company from deceptive privacy practices. The misuse of personal data dated to 2009. The decree required explicit, informed consent from users before Facebook could share their data, McNamee writes of Facebooks failure to safeguard user privacy. You could almost sense a shock wave as people understood the ease with which Kogan had harvested 50 million profiles. Facebook made it look easy. Facebooks broad stance: not to worry, the protocols have been tightened. Whats past is past. Its Canada stance: Canadian users were not affected. In Ontario, 142 installing users begat 299,793 affected users. The point is not whether that information was ever weaponized but rather, as Therrien concluded, that there exists no assurance that Canadians personal information was not shared with SCL. (Italics mine.) What is the risk that the personal information of Canadians will be used in ways unknown to the user? High, the privacy commissioner concludes, pointing out that in 2018 there were more than 40 million apps and sites integrated with Facebook. This time last year, as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg appeared before a U.S. Senate committee hearing, I wrote that the Facebook leviathan was too big to control. Hardly an original thought. But as some media commentators became preoccupied with out-of-touch questions from some senators, the Zuckerberg deflections were the more serious. That, and the companys inability to identify what Zuckerberg called bad content. A year ago, the dissemination of hate speech and the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar was top of mind. This spring season we can look to Christchurch and the live-streamed broadcast of the slaughter at two New Zealand mosques. As I wrote then, Facebook defensively noted that the video was viewed fewer than 200 times during the live broadcast. Though as the Facebook executive went on to say, the video was viewed about 4,000 times before being removed. In the first 24 hours, the company removed about 1.5 million videos of the attack, with the same executive proudly pointing out that more than a million of those videos were blocked at upload. I suspect that Daniel Therrien would look at the horror this way: 300,000 video uploads were not. I have made my opinion about Facebook clear across a series of columns. And Im just a lowly journalist. But Roger McNamee knows and has advised Zuckerberg (why do some journalists call the Facebook CEO Zuck as if they are friends?). It was difficult to get through a page of Zucked without placing a check mark here, a circle there, the occasional exclamation point. Imagine a stew of unregulated capitalism, addictive technology, and authoritarian values, combined with Silicon Valleys relentlessness and hubris, unleashed on billions of unsuspecting users, McNamee writes. I think the day will come, sooner than I could have imagined two years ago, when the world will recognize that the value users receive from the Facebook-dominated social media/attention economy revolution masked an unmitigated disaster for our democracy, for public health, for personal privacy, and for the economy. McNamee makes a further point thats frequently missed: Facebook is a threat to innovation. Such is the natural consequence of a monopoly. What McNamee calls Facebooks inattention to its impact on democracy could also be described as arrogance. Reading through the privacy commissioners report, thats the corporate character trait that seems to prevail. Can Facebook be fixed? McNamee proposes aggressive antitrust action. Thats a must do. He also reminds the reader that each and every one of us has a role to play in the solution. Make your voice heard. Read more about: CALGARYKevin Gagnon didnt just vote for the United Conservatives in the Alberta election, he also cast his ballot to protest a pervasive attitude he sees in federal government leaders. It goes something like this: I dont care about those rich, spoiled, entitled Albertans. Gagnon, who lives in Grande Prairie, is one of many angry people who ticked a box next to one of 63 UCP MLAs who will cement a majority government when they are sworn in on Tuesday. As operations manager of AVA Energy Inc., a trucking company working in the oilsands, Gagnon has watched his life and finances deteriorate significantly since business started drying up in 2015. He feels ignored by the federal Liberal government, which UCP Leader Jason Kenney spent a lot of time deriding in his successful campaign to become premier of Alberta. I had a home lost it, cant afford to pay for it. Im living with friends now and its not because Im not educated, he said, pushing back against the bandied-about notion that oilsands workers fritter away their money with no backup plan. I have no credit, not because I wasnt working and paying my bills properly because I cant afford to any more. At 40, Gagnon is in one of the demographic groups hardest hit by the downturn in Albertas economy when global crude oil prices fell off a cliff in 2014. Innovations in U.S. shale production, combined with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries refusal to cut oil output, caused the precipitous decline. Read more: Alberta is open for business as Jason Kenneys UCP claims majority Help is on the way, Jason Kenney tells Albertans after UCP scores election victory Graham Thomson: After Tuesdays win, Kenneys next campaign to target perceived enemies of Alberta According to University of Calgary economics professor Trevor Tombe, employment rates for Albertan men aged 25 to 44 fell significantly and have yet to recover from the recession. In April, statistics showed about 172,000 Albertans were out of work, with the employment rate hovering around 66 per cent the same as it was during the depths of the recession in 2016. Kenney spent most of his campaign speaking directly to this demographic. He capitalized on their anger over negative attitudes about the Alberta energy industry, their dire employment situation and a federal government that is seen as anti-oil due to the carbon tax, the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act and the Impact Assessment Act, which would change the rules for the energy-project approvals and create a new federal energy regulator. Kenney also campaigned against the Notley-Trudeau Alliance, targeting both the provincial and federal governments. It struck a chord with voters. Now Kenney has to live up to the expectations attached to many of the one million votes cast in his favour, which ushered in a UCP majority government and booted out Premier Rachel Notley and the NDP. Kenney kept his focus on three main planks: the economy, jobs and pipelines. He faces tough challenges on all three fronts with the Trans Mountain pipeline approval facing obstacles in court, disagreements with the federal government over the carbon tax and tough economic times in Alberta. Now, as premier, Kenney will have to find some solutions and fast. Trevor Marr, a 56-year-old unemployed civil engineer who lives in Calgary, spent a dozen years in the oilpatch and once worked on the Mildred Lake mine replacement project. In 2015, while on a holiday to Fiji and New Zealand, free-falling global prices hammered Albertas oil and gas industry. He returned to the province expecting to line up another project as hed always done. Instead, layoffs and uncertainty in Albertas oil industry awaited him. It was like a ghost town, he said. For Marr, voting UCP was the obvious choice. He believes the NDPs policies lowered investor confidence and drove the oil-and-gas industry away from Alberta. He also doesnt believe Premier Rachel Notley fought hard enough for the industry, describing her threat to pull out of the federal climate plan over lack of progress on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion as smoke and mirrors. By contrast, Marr said, Kenneys pledge to focus on the economy will encourage major oil companies like Syncrude and ExxonMobil and Imperial Oil to invest in new projects, which, in turn, would mean jobs for workers. He also said the NDP was fear-mongering when it warned about climate change during office, particularly because Marr believes the false theory that the sun and not carbon dioxide emissions is the underlying cause. Under the UCP, he hopes that a sense of balance between environmental and economic concerns will be restored. I see Jason Kenney as a realist. He wants to stand up for Alberta, he wants to get things done, and Im going to cut him slack to get things done because I have more faith in Jason Kenney than I will ever have in Rachel Notley, Marr said. Gagnon isnt under any illusion that oilsands boom times will return, but for him, it isnt about the price of oil. Its about where Canadians get their oil. Atlantic Canada ships it in from places like Saudi Arabia, and Gagnon cited the failure to get a pipeline from Alberta eastward to New Brunswick as a big issue that still needs to be addressed. About 12 per cent of all imported oil in 2017 came from the Middle Eastern nation, according to Natural Resources Canada, although the largest source of foreign oil by far was the United States at 61 per cent. Still, Gagnon is dismayed that consumers who pit themselves against Alberta oilsands on environmental grounds arent concerned about filling up with fuel from Saudi Arabia, a country with significant human-rights issues. In his 20 years working all over the world, Gagnon has never come across an oil industry with environmental and safety standards as strict as Albertas. Albertans like him are suffering, and he feels its a big reason why the voter turnout was so high 64 per cent in the provincial election. They are desperate for a stronger economy, but many of them arent working and had the time to actually go and vote. We are angry and we are losing our livelihoods, Gagnon said. Fiona Feuerhelm, 40, has done every job imaginable during her decade in the oilpatch: vac truck, nitrogen operator, coil tubing operator, fluid pumping. Despite the recession, shes never been unemployed. Ive always done something, she said. It hasnt always been that grand, big oilpatch money, but Ive always had a job and always paid my bills. Nonetheless, the recession wasnt kind to many of her former employers. Her hard hat is covered with the stickers of dead companies. Many smaller companies went under during the recession, while some were gobbled up by bigger players. When I started in the oilpatch 10 years ago, in a 30-kilometre stretch, I counted over 100 derricks in the air. At night, it was lit up like candles. It was amazing, Feuerhelm said. And now, to see a derrick lit up at night in the sky is like seeing a dinosaur. Bringing the oilpatch back means having some business sense, and Feuerhelm didnt believe the NDP were up to the task. She read the platforms of both parties and found the UCP had a more inviting plan for the oil-and-gas industry. But she knows the UCPs proposals wont change the economy overnight. We know its going to take time. We have to reverse a lot of stuff. We still want clean energy, Feuerhelm said. We just dont want to lose all our jobs over it. Critics have warned the rise of automation in the oil-and-gas sector that followed the global oil-price collapse will mean fewer jobs, no matter how well Albertas energy sector fares or what the UCP promises. Workers understand what automation means, Feuerhelm said. But it doesnt mean all oilpatch jobs will disappear. Machines still cant collect oil from a pumpjack or maintain a pipeline. You can automate so many things in the oilpatch, Feuerhelm said. But if somethings going wrong on-lease and an alarm goes off, you have to send a guy to look. In 2015, Mike Vickers, 30, was working as an equipment operator up north in the oilsands. When Notley and the NDP took power that year, he became more optimistic as time went on, which is hard for me to say. She became a little bit more oil and gas friendly, he said of Notleys tenure. But the Sherwood Park, Alta., resident said support for the government in the oilpatch soured and, eventually, the lack of confidence was overwhelming. The doubt that really was resonating with all these people in Alberta, and especially in oil and gas in general, it was scary, said Vickers, who lost his job in 2016 and has since founded a couple of job-search websites aimed at oil and gas workers. When you start to see a whole province doubting the government, its just a scary thought to live with. For him, Kenneys road will be simple but difficult in the first year or so: Get rid of the carbon tax admittedly Kenneys first order of business, and likely to result in a federal carbon tax being imposed. But Vickers also wants a pipeline built. At the end of the day, my vote lies where Albertans can see the best value, thats again why I voted UCP this year, he said. But in four years from now, if these promises dont get fulfilled, then Im optimistic and my vote goes to the next party at that time I believe can make the biggest change. Read more about: I have a close friend in her late 60s, who delivers a deadpan line at social gatherings that never fails to elicit rueful laughs: My husband and I have decided not to have grandchildren. If you dont know why thats funny as well as poignantthen youre not an aging baby boomer yearning for grandchildren to arrive. And deeply fearing they may never show up. And youre certainly not their millennial offspring like my friends two 30-something sonsfeeling no rush to produce adorable grandchildren no matter how much their parents want them. Millennials not having kids. It might be a thing. It might not. For a variety of reasonseconomic and personal-- they are waiting longer to settle down and when they do, they are not reproducing at the same rate as previous generations. But as Nora Spinks, Chief Executive Officer of the Ottawa-based Vanier Institute of the Family points out, fertility rates have been falling on a global basis for some time. However, the good news is, according to recent Statistics Canada data, todays grandparents, while older, are healthier than previous generations, and are living long enough so that even if their own children take a while to produce grandchildren (and fewer of them,) they will still have plenty of time and strength to enjoy a powerful nurturing relationship with them if they want to. Thats reassuring for anyone who feels gloomy about their grandparenting chances, especially when you add in the fact that the more education a woman has, the more she delays having childrenand then has fewer when she does. That describes many of their highly educated offspring for whom having children is not yet a priority. (It also describes many of their parents come to think of it.) That doesnt mean millennial reproduction is a bustits just currently not a must. Im hearing from a number of people I know about how much they long for grandchildren and how so far, their grown children are just not ready to take the leap. Well, said one woman about her married daughter, They have Fred, their dog, and they say thats enough. They just dont want kids. Ive accepted that. Its their choice. Another frets: She broke up with her last boyfriend and I fear its not going to happen for her. And some just call it like it is: How can they have kids when they dont even have a job with benefits or a place they can afford to live in? Some boomers I know have the grace to admit its their issue, not their childrens: I never knew how much I wanted grandchildren until I realized I might not get them. Ive stopped even asking. And some, like one woman I talked to, whose daughter is now in her late thirties, are overtly distraught about it: Dont you dare make this into a joke. Its the tragedy of my life. My first grandchild arrived late last December, an exquisite baby girl whose only flaw was being born to wonderful parents who live in France. I wont hold that against her, as her mother happens to be my daughter. But as Ive written before, you know what that means? Every time I have an urge to hold this baby, a desire as fierce and visceral as any I ever felt as a mother of my own children, Ive got to cross an ocean to do so. Judging from what Im hearing from other friends whose grandchildren live all over the world--in Ireland, or New Zealand or Laos-- Im not alone in trading frequent flyer miles for a moment of grandparent bliss. Whats that hormone called anyway? At least weve joined the club. My granddaughter learned to FaceTime all by herself at 18 months says one grandmother. A male friend recently surprised me at a funeral gathering by asking to see pictures of our new granddaughter (I seldom haul them out on my smartphone, unasked and yes you could write an entire etiquette book about the dos and donts of photo sharing. ) Gorgeous, he said, joking as he added, Ive told my kids forget the marriage, the house and even the career, just give me a grandchild. I think he was joking. It made me wonder though whose biological clock it is thats really tickingwomen still in the fertility zone, wondering if they will make the leap, or baby boomers, closing in on 70, in relatively good health with time to spare, who want to be able to play with grandchildren, take care of them, help out with their upbringing and yes, spoil them before they become too old to do so. Remember that scene in the 1992 Oscar winner, My Cousin Vinny in which actress Marisa Tomei, wearing a tight flowered backless jumpsuit, is chastising her disaster prone lawyer boyfriend Vinny, played by Joe Pesci, for not being ready to marry her and get on with their lives: My biological clock is tickin like this, laments Tomei in a heavy New York accent as she stomps her feet on the porch of a rickety cabin. The term biological clock of course can be punitive and sexist, wielded as an anti feminist fear mongering corrective to modern ambitious women who pursued their education and career dreams before being ready or willing to become mothers. Why shouldnt they? Face it we all have biological clocksor molecular timepieces as I once saw them referred to. They tick for a variety of reasons. I am not trying to make the millennial reproduction schedule a baby boomer issue, although as the largest cohort in history, we do tend to think its all about us. That myopia is about to end anyway as the millennials get set to overtake the boomers as societys largest cohort. Well know when that happens because the go to cultural reference will no longer revolve around Mick Jagger singing: You Cant Always Get What You Want. If Mick Jagger is even still around to sing it. Once again, Spinks, of the Vanier Institute, who wades through statistics and studies every day on family issues, is calmly reassuring: By and large, most humans procreate, she says. In other words, theres still time, hope-- and the glorious opportunity I had the other day to spend far more time than I should have, standing transfixed in one baby store, trying to decide between the tiny white eyelet sunhat for my granddaughter or the ruffled blue chambray one. Of course I got both. They dont have any Statistics Canada numbers for that. By John Burton North Korean leader Kim Jong-un began his diplomatic breakout a year ago when he met Chinese President Xi Jinping in March 2018 and then followed up with Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump. He has now concluded this initial outreach campaign by meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin last week in Vladivostok. In the process, Kim has acquired two valuable allies in China and Russia who are likely to help push back against U.S. pressure on North Korea. Both Beijing and Moscow share similar attitudes on the nuclear issue and are likely to cooperate closely in the future. Although China and Russia, two of the five permanent U.N. Security Council members, have publicly stated that they favor a non-nuclear status for the Korean Peninsula, both realize that this is probably not a realistic goal because Pyongyang will be unwilling to give up its nuclear weapons since they are the only guarantee of Kim's survival. Moreover, they view U.S pressure on North Korea as an example of what they believe is Washington's policy of deposing regimes it does not like. China and Russia have embraced the principle of non-interference in resisting Western intervention in countries ranging from Syria to Libya. But this does not mean that China and Russia are happy about North Korea's nuclear status. They worry that the North Korea's example could encourage other countries to acquire nuclear weapons and thus undermine the global non-proliferation regime that they support. Moreover, they fear that Pyongyang could sell nuclear technology to other rogue states and terrorist groups if international sanctions force the North to find alternative sources of income. Finally, North Korea's continued possession of nuclear weapons raises the possibility of a destructive conflict breaking out on their borders if the U.S decides to launch an attack to end Pyongyang's nuclear program. Meanwhile, Washington is using the nuclear threat as a rationale to install anti-missile systems in South Korea and Japan that Beijing and Moscow would like to see removed because they believe these defense systems could weaken China's and Russia's strategic nuclear deterrents. China and Russia apparently agree that although they will never formally recognize North Korea as a nuclear state, they are also unwilling to support "maximum pressure" sanctions that could lead to the collapse of the North because of the dire security consequences that would result from that situation. Beijing and Moscow also appear ready to lend support to North Korea out of resentment over Trump's tough stance on trade issues with China and U.S. sanctions on Russia for the annexation of the Crimea. So what are the likely policies of China and Russia going forward when it comes to Pyongyang? One possibility is that Beijing and Moscow will push for the resumption of the six-party talks, suspended since 2009, to find a solution to the North Korea nuclear issue since this would give them more diplomatic leverage. Putin hinted at this prospect after his meeting with Kim by saying that the North needed security guarantees from other nations besides the U.S. before it abandons its nuclear arsenal. The two countries will also likely use their veto power on the U.N. Security Council to soften any proposed tough new international sanctions on North Korea. Another goal is to maintain the "freeze for freeze" proposal that they have supported since 2017 under which Pyongyang would freeze its nuclear and missile tests in return for the U.S. and South Korea freezing some joint military exercises. Trump last year essentially adopted this policy without specifically acknowledging it. China and Russia will argue that the success of the "freeze for freeze" concept supports their position that progress can only be achieved by a gradual process of trading disarmament for sanctions relief. This is a rejection of the "big deal" proposed by Trump at the Hanoi summit with Kim that North Korea must first dismantle its nuclear weapons program before sanctions are lifted. The hardline U.S. proposal helped caused the summit's sudden collapse. Also expect a revival of talks about implementing long-term infrastructure projects with North Korea that would involve China's Belt and Road Initiative and Russia's plans to construct a gas pipeline through North Korea to South Korea, share electricity systems, and build a railway link to connect the two Koreas to the Trans-Siberian Railway. All these projects are now blocked because of the U.N. sanctions, but China and Russia may argue they are needed to support North Korea's economic development and encourage its opening to foreign investment. The peninsula has once again become the center of renewed competition among China, Russia and the U.S. Beijing and Moscow have made it clear that they want to reassert themselves as central actors in managing security issues in Northeast Asia. The key question is how Washington will response to that. John Burton (johnburtonft@yahoo.com), a former Korea correspondent for the Financial Times, is now a Washington, D.C.-based journalist and consultant. New European rules that will make tech firms liable for copyright violations on their platforms have been both lauded by musicians and artists and lambasted by those who champion intellectual freedom. But one thing thats not in dispute is that similar rules wont be coming to Canada any time soon, experts say. The copyright directive, endorsed by 19 European countries in mid-April, will compel companies such as Google and Facebook to ensure copyrighted content everything from music and films to news and books isnt posted on their platforms without a creators permission. Some tech firms may have to acquire licences to host such material. The EUs 28 member states now have two years to adopt the rules and create their own policies. The reforms have been touted as a way to rein in powerful tech firms and restore revenues to creative industries, often paid fractions of a cent for use or streams of their content. They have been championed by musicians such as Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga and Coldplay, but have also faced fierce opposition from tech giants and other critics who argue the policies will be too difficult to police and that they could stifle freedom of expression, promote censorship and even break the internet. Canada launched a review of its own copyright policies in 2017, but has yet to take steps as stringent as the EU or even reveal its findings. However, experts are suggesting Canada likely wont be playing copycat to the EUs copyright policies, although it may experience the effects of its counterparts regulations because of the borderless nature of the internet and the influence other western countries often have on Canada. University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist, who appeared before a federal government committee studying copyright matters, said the European rules were raised from time to time, but I dont think there is a strong sense that (Canada) would recommend the European direction. Canada has a bit of a history of trying to craft its own rules that reflect international norms, said Geist, who added Canada doesnt always follow its allies when it comes to tech. He pointed out Canada has not offered the same safe-harbour regulations rules freeing entities from liability over digital content that the U.S. has. It also has yet to adopt Europes right-to-be-forgotten legislation, which allows people to request that search engines remove links about them that they consider inaccurate, inadequate, irrelevant or excessive. Much like safe harbour and the right-to-be-forgotten regulations, the EU copyright proposals have been mired in controversy an added deterrent for Canada. Tens of thousands of people in Germany protested the changes in March and 70 internet icons, including World Wide Web creator Tim Berners-Lee and Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, signed a letter last June decrying the changes as an unprecedented step towards the transformation of the internet from an open platform for sharing and innovation, into a tool for the automated surveillance and control of its users. On the flipside, more than 1,300 artists signed an open letter penned by McCartney last summer that called on EU members to support the copyright changes, saying that not doing so would put the future of the music industry at risk. In the end, lawmakers in the European Parliament voted in favour of the new directive by a vote of 348 to 274. Geist reckons Canada could further be deterred from adopting EU-inspired copyright provisions because previous reforms here have already delivered positive results, including a spike in licensing spending by educational groups in the publishing sector and record revenues for the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada. There isnt an emergency taking place in many of the sectors. Canadian copyright rules are generally working pretty effectively, said Geist, who has appeared before parliamentary committees numerous times to provide expertise on copyright issues, e-commerce laws, access to information legislation and telecommunications reform. That doesnt mean there arent areas where there arent challenges. The media sector is an obvious example, but its not copyright that will address the systemic challenges media face. Randy Boissonnault, the Liberal MP for Edmonton Centre who sits on the committee involved with the copyright review, said hes heard of artists who have trouble paying their bills despite having hundreds of thousands of plays on streaming services, and of authors who abandon their writing because of the difficulty of making money on online platforms. Although many have heaped blame on tech giants for eating into creator profits, Boissonnault said neither he nor the federal government is characterizing any parties involved in the copyright review as a protagonist or antagonist. He added that a report from the committee studying copyright will be released soon. It is really important for us to have a made-in-Canada solution that also looks at what other jurisdictions are able to do, so we can learn from their experience, he said. Learning from that experience may happen whether Canada copies the EU policy or not, because experts believe the decisions made overseas will have a ripple effect. If tech firms use upload filters to catch people in the EU posting copyrighted materials without permission, theres a chance the measures could be used elsewhere, changing the internet experience for Canadians, said Geist. Depending on how the final European legislation is crafted, Canadian creators may see their work protected if their rights are violated in Europe, said Myra Tawfik, a University of Windsor law professor specializing in intellectual property. Once a country adopts a more stringent standard, there is a tendency for that standard to become the international model, she said. Tawfik would prefer Canada adopt a wait-and-see approach before mirroring the EU on copyright because she thinks it will allow the country to learn from its overseas counterparts and avoid some of the pitfalls. Lucie Guibault, the associate director of Dalhousie Universitys Law and Technology Institute, agreed. There are many measures in the European directive that dont make so much sense, so we should certainly not feel compelled to copy them, she said. Guibault worries the EU could consider a provision prohibiting search engines and content providers from making news articles available online without paying a fee a tactic research in Germany and Spain found to be ineffective at generating traffic or revenue. She also has concerns about the potential for the EU to let publishers take a share of the profits of remuneration or photocopying of articles if a journalist has transferred or licensed rights to a publisher, because it could weaken the already weak position of freelancers and reduce their incomes. Some parties appear to be growing frustrated from repeatedly asking for change while other nations charge ahead. News Media Canada, an organization of more than 800 members, including the Stars parent company, Torstar, has lobbied the federal government for copyright relief for at least two years. Some of its members suggest the EU model should be considered. The organization previously complained it has yet to see action from the federal government as social media companies bite into its members advertising and subscription profits. When Stephen Harper was prime minister, rocker Bryan Adams quietly asked for changes to Canadian provisions that keep artists who sign away the rights to their work from regaining those rights prior to 25 years after death. In September, he went back to the federal government this time publicly to ask for the provision to be changed from 25 years after death to 25 years after assignment. This will help budding artists make a living, he believes. The tech giants have no doubt been watching. Copyright adjustments by the EU and anyone else who follows suit could heap new responsibilities and costs on them, and even worse, disrupt the foundations of their companies. Several skirted questions from the Star about whether they will proactively introduce measures required by the EU in Canada. Twitter Canada refused to comment. Google, which owns YouTube, trumpeted its Content ID and Copyright Match tools, which enable Canadian rights holders to block or remove their works posted without permission or keep them on the platform and earn advertising revenue. Canadian creators need strong copyright protections, coupled with technologies, to manage their rights, build successful businesses and reach global audiences, said Jason Kee, a government policy representative for YouTube Canada, in an emailed statement. Facebook Canada boasted that it already uses copyrighted-content recognition systems and has recently tested a content-rights management tool that allows creators to upload and maintain a reference library of videos to monitor and protect copyright. We take responsibility for the integrity of our platform and we will continue to develop strong anti-infringement tools around copyright, in collaboration with rights holders who are among our closest business partners, said Facebook Canadas head of policy, Kevin Chan, in an email. When it comes to the intellectual property of rights holders, we take copyright protection seriously. Read more about: Global Affairs Canada says a Canadian has been kidnapped in Nigeria. A spokesman says consular officials are in contact with local authorities to gather more information. Global Affairs also says consular services are being provided to the family of the Canadian, who has not been identified. International media reports cite a military spokesman saying a Canadian and a Scottish oil worker were kidnapped off a rig in the Niger Delta on Saturday. Reuters and CNN report Major Ibrahim Abubakar saying troops are searching the area for the workers and their abductors. Kidnapping for ransom is common in Nigeria and foreign workers are often targets. Read more about: The families of Canadians killed in the Ethiopian Airlines crash last month launched a collection of lawsuits against Boeing on Monday, alleging the plane manufacturer put profits over safety when it rushed a new aircraft model to market. All 157 people on board were killed when the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft en route from Addis Ababa to Nairobi crashed on March 10. Eighteen of the victims were Canadian citizens, although several others were foreign nationals living in Canada. Lawyers in Chicago filed Mondays suits in the U.S. on behalf of a Brampton, Ont., family that lost six members and a man who lost his Hamilton-based wife and three young children. Blinded by its greed, Boeing haphazardly rushed the 737 Max 8 to market, with the knowledge and tacit approval of the United States Federal Aviation Administration while Boeing actively concealed the nature of the automated system defects, the unproven claims alleged. Numerous decisions by Boeings leadership substantially contributed to the subject crash and demonstrate Boeings conscious disregard for the lives of others. Boeing said it could not comment on the lawsuits. We offer our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those onboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, spokesman Paul R. Bergman said in a statement. Boeing continues to support the investigation, and is working with the authorities to evaluate new information as it becomes available. Manant Vaidya, a Brampton man who lost his parents, sister, brother-in-law and two nieces, said his family had been travelling to Kenya for a safari vacation that they had spent years saving for. He said he was taking legal action to get answers. They all died together due to the insensitivity and greed of the maker of the plane, Vaidya told a news conference in Chicago. We still cry when we think of the horror of their last moments. Paul Njoroge, who lost his entire immediate family, was also part of the legal action. His wife Carolyne Karanja, seven-year old son Ryan, four-year-old daughter Kelly and nine-month old daughter Rubi died in the crash. Rubi was the only Canadian citizen in the family while Karanja had applied to be a permanent resident. Im left with nothing, said a teary Njoroge, who also lost his mother-in-law Ann Karanja. The family was travelling to Kenya to visit the childrens grandfather. The suits alleged the pilots of the Ethiopian Airlines plane dealt with the same problems that occurred on a deadly Lion Air flight with the same type of aircraft that crashed into the Java Sea on Oct. 29, 2018 and killed all 189 on board. The flight paths and data released thus far for both aircraft show that the pilots were engaged in a terrifying tug-of-war with the planes automated systems as the pilots manually tried to climb while the computer system repeatedly caused the plane to dive with increasing nose-down trim against the pilot inputs, the suits claimed. The pilots lost their fights against Boeings flight computer, the suits allege. The suits allege Boeing leadership was worried about losing market share to its main rival, Airbus, so it sought to push forward a modified version of the 737 airplanes. The modifications, rather than an entirely new design, allowed pilots to operate the 737 Max 8s without extensive simulation time or retraining, the claims said. However, the suits allege, the goal of a more fuel-efficient plane included larger engines that had to be relocated, which then forced the landing gear to be moved forward. Pilots operating the older 737s found the Max 8s would ascend faster and at a higher angle, increasing the risk of a stall, the suits claim. To deal with the issue, the company installed a new automated flight control system that would help compensate for the issue of climbing too fast, the suits said. The system based its information on a single sensor on the fuselage that would detect the angle of the plane, they said. The system was designed to run in the background and compensate accordingly. The suits allege pilots werent informed of the existence of the new flight control system, nor was any information about it included in the manual given to pilots. Pilots would only learn indirectly about the (automated flight control system) when the plane began automatically fighting their pitch commands, often at low altitudes with little time to react and resolve the issue, the suits allege. The two families have also filed a claim against the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, alleging the regulator enabled the planes rush to market. Read more about: The future of city planning fights in Ontario is to be decided by a panel of three Toronto judges, with cities fearing the return of the ways of the controversial Ontario Municipal Board. Last week, the Divisional Court heard arguments from the City of Toronto, a development group and others about how a long-controversial appeals process for proposed developments should be conducted going forward. After a day and a half of arguments, the panel is expected to provide direction ahead of a major appeal being heard at the end of May that could determine whether the citys plans for a park over the downtown rail corridor could be disrupted by development. In 2017, the province dramatically changed how land use disputes like those over whether a skyscraper can be built next to a school or townhomes next to a noisy rail yard are dealt with, enacting new legislation that got rid of the controversial Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). That provincial tribunal, with appointed adjudicators who were ultimately responsible for what got built where in Toronto and elsewhere, was replaced with a new one, the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, and new rules. The new rules were meant to show more deference to the decisions of elected councils like Torontos, who approve or reject development applications in the first place. But a Toronto case where a consortium of developers that wants to build towers over the rail corridor is appealing the citys plans to build a Rail Deck Park has raised questions about how the new process should work. The case one of the first major appeals before the new tribunal prompted the tribunal itself to ask the Divisional Court to make a determination on several key issues. Read more: Mayor John Tory says second-term priorities include affordable housing, rail deck park Estimated costs for Torontos Rail Deck Park rise to $1.66 billion Battle brews over conflicting plans for rail deck park The answer to those questions will determine whether the new tribunal will operate as the city believed the previous Liberal government intended to, at a first hearing simply review the decision already made by the municipality or whether it will allow new evidence at that hearing, which would allow the old OMB process that was seen to often favour developers looking to relitigate their applications, creep in. The city argued last week that the new rules were intended to prevent new evidence from being introduced at the first hearing. Allowing new evidence would be back to the old days and what were called de novo or as new hearings, argued city lawyer Brendan OCallaghan in a second-floor Osgoode Hall courtroom last week. At the first hearing, he said, the role of the tribunal is only to review whether the decision made by council does or does not adhere to various provincial policies in place which OCallaghan said should be based upon what council had before it when it made its decision. Under the old OMB system, anyone appealing a decision of council could say they simply didnt agree with that decision and have a hearing that considered the application from scratch, allowing appointed adjudicators to decide whether a development was good planning as though the municipal decision had never been made. Adjudicators could either allow the development, deny it, or permit in some form they prescribed. Under the new rules, the appeal is limited to whether the decision of a council adhered to various provincial policies in place a significant change. At a first hearing, the rules say that if the tribunal members disagree with the citys decision, they can only send it back to the city for review. OCallaghan said it would be prejudicial and illogical to tell the city it got a decision wrong based on evidence it had never seen. A second hearing, if required, allows for new evidence and is essentially a de novo hearing like under the OMB. If new evidence was also allowed at the first hearing including through cross-examination of witnesses OCallaghan asked the court, then what is the purpose of that second hearing? Lia Magi, a lawyer for the City of Mississauga, which is intervening in the case, spelled out that the tribunal would already have everything it needed at the first hearing to review a council decision, with requirements for municipalities to forward an extensive record of what preceded a decision on a development application. But lawyer Ira Kagan, representing Craft Acquisitions Corp. and P.I.T.S. Development Inc., argued the ambiguity of the legislation allows for witnesses to be cross-examined, including on issues not raised by the tribunal. Thats because, he and others argued, the legislation does not specifically preclude cross-examination. Kagan noted the appeals process has changed in dramatic ways, limiting the scope of the first hearing, but not in all the ways, he said, the city had hoped. He argued the large volume of records provided to the tribunal make the task of reviewing and understanding whether a municipalitys decision adheres to provincial policy impossible. The case that ended up before the courts stems from an appeal about the citys plans to build a decked park between Bathurst St. and Blue Jays Way. The plans clash with a later application by the development group for an eight-tower development. In 2017, council voted to designate the space over the rail corridor as a public park, which would prevent any development there. The developers, who claim to already hold some air rights and have an agreement to purchase the others over the corridor, appealed that decision. Council also rejected the developers application, which was also appealed. The appeal over the citys decision to designate the space for use as a public park is what triggered the questions to the Divisional Court. That appeal is scheduled to be heard by the LPAT starting May 27. The panel of judges said it was aware of the time constraint and reserved its judgment to a later date. As the province now considers offering one-time funding to help offset cuts to Toronto Public Health, Mayor John Tory is targeting MPPs in Premier Doug Fords PC caucus with letters outlining the risk of losing vital programs in their home ridings. On Monday, Tory sent personalized letters to all 11 PC MPPs representing Toronto ridings, including Premier Doug Ford, who was elected in Etobicoke North. The letter outlined front-line programs delivered in their areas, which, Tory wrote, are now under review and at risk of being severely curtailed or cancelled. The letter contains a specific list of programs, including student nutrition in schools and child-care programs are which inspected to reduce the risk of infectious diseases and other health risks. The letters end with a request from Tory urging MPPs to speak to Health Minister Christine Elliott about reversing the decision. The letters follow news on April 18 that the province was changing the funding formula for cost-shared programs, with deeper cuts for Toronto than for the rest of the province. In Toronto, the cut this year will be retroactive to April 1 and leaves a $65 million gap in the citys budget. In order to fill that gap, Toronto would need to fund an additional $25 million to receive $40 million from the province under the new cost-sharing agreement. By 2021, that gap will grow to $107 million, with the city needing to spend an additional $42 million to make up the difference. After a week of political rhetoric about what the cuts amounted to, a letter sent from Ontario medical officer of health Dr. David Williams to his Toronto counterpart, Dr. Eileen de Villa, outlining the cut, noted for the first time that the province will consider providing one-time funding to help mitigate some of the financial impacts on the City of Toronto. The letter does not suggest how much funding might be provided. Councillor Joe Cressy, who chairs the board of health, said that potential offer wasnt acceptable. An indisputable body of evidence has shown that you need to increase funding in public health not cut it, he said. And so were not looking for bridge funding for a year only to lose lives in the future. Were looking for a complete reversal of this short-sighted decision. The provinces letter to de Villa repeated a position outlined by Elliott on talk radio last week about why the cuts to Toronto are more severe. We are confident that the City of Toronto benefits from the necessary population size and density to more effectively realize the economies of scale to deliver public health with greater administrative efficiency, the letter from Williams said. At Queens Park on Monday, Elliott said Toronto Public Health needs to stick with priorities like vaccinations, supports for special needs kids, and the school breakfast programs. They did have an entire department just for advocacy. Thats one area that I dont know is a priority, she said, also panning the departments study on what she characterized as reinventing and reimagining the impacts of a changing Yonge Street. In 2018, the medical officer of health submitted a six-page report on a major staff proposal to remake part of Yonge St. in North York with bike lanes as part of a debate on that issue. Tory continued to insist Monday, at an unrelated news conference, that there would be human consequences to the cuts, suggesting Fords government might have relied on a finance bureaucrat who took a red pencil and struck a line through the public health expenditures. Political group Progress Toronto also planned to target the PC ridings on Monday, with a plan including robocalls, door knocking and flyers. A petition on their website urging the Ford government to reverse the cuts had reached more than 6,600 signatures as of Monday afternoon. With files from Robert Benzie and David Rider Read more about: An employee at an elementary school for deaf children in Milton has been charged with sexual assault and sexual interference. Halton police said they first received reports of the alleged incidents on April 18. The accused was an educational assistant at E.C. Drury School for the Deaf until police were notified of the allegations, Sgt. Chris Newcombe said. The offences allegedly took place between July 2018 and January 2019 and involve a current student under the age of 16. Newcombe said the school and the district board have both been cooperative throughout the investigation. We encourage parents to be open and transparent with their kids and ensure that they have those difficult conversations to make sure that their kids are safe especially in a school setting and around professionals, he said in an interview with the Star. Cassandra Bell, 31, was arrested Friday and will appear in court May 27. Toronto police are requesting the publics help to identify a man wanted in a sexual assault investigation. A man entered a womans residence in the Kingston Rd. and Woodbine Ave. area and sexually assaulted her at approximately 3 a.m. Sunday, police said. The suspect is described as white, between the ages of 20 and 30, about 165 pounds, with a slim build, short dark hair on top and shaved on the sides and a dark beard. He was wearing casual slim fit jeans, a hooded jacket with two white horizontal stripes on the elbow, dark runners with white soles and carrying a knapsack, police said. Police are asking anyone with information to contact them at 416-808-7474 or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477). They want to take on one of Scarboroughs biggest problems a lack of affordable places to live. They also face the problem of their own extinction. Their solution to both: tear down St. Stephens Presbyterian Church and rise again as a church with a new, diversified community right on top of it. If governments agree to fund the $39-million project, St. Stephens can keep up and build upon good work it does already. The modest Lawrence Ave. church, east of Markham Rd., houses a weekly food bank, after-school programs and activities from karate classes to Al-Anon, a group for families and friends of alcoholics. Its occupied seven days a week, says Ron Lackner, a congregation member for 42 years and food bank co-coordinator. We need a new building, but our spirit is very strong, Lackner said. We asked people, If we didnt exist, would anyone miss us? Definitely. It would be a big hole in the community. But although St. Stephens isnt dying in terms of community outreach, it is dying as congregants age as are so many mainline Protestant churches in Scarborough. This has prompted discussion on how many can survive. For five years now, Lackner, pastor Rev. Alex Wilson and others at St. Stephens looked over options, including amalgamation with other churches, which congregants didnt seem to want. On Sundays, 30 to 40 people come to services. If they couldnt agree on a new direction, Wilson said, We were looking at a date to close. On April 14, however, members voted 70 per cent in favour of having St. Stephens and its district, the Presbytery of Pickering, create a non-profit corporation, apply for federal and city funding, and build an 11-storey apartment block with 101 units. Its a chance for St. Stephens, which began 62 years ago as a part of the present building called John Elder Hall, to start again on the main floor. Crucially, the East Scarborough Boys and Girls Club (ESBGC) will fill 20 units with local youth on the margins of homelessness, which is a huge game-changer for us, ESBGC executive director Utcha Sawyer said this week. Instead of having to move elsewhere, these Scarborough youth who face many added barriers to housing will get it, along with wraparound services and support close to home, Sawyer said. Another 10 units at St. Stephens would be subsidized housing for Indigenous people referred by the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Wilson said. Another seven apartments will be rented by Reena, a charity for people with developmental disabilities. Those units will be very valuable for Reena clients who, applying through a provincial authority, Developmental Services of Ontario, may take 40 years to reach the top of the waiting list, said Sharon Magor, the groups marketing and communications manager. That is an incredible lack of supply. The building otherwise will be mixed, with different levels of rents. You wont have to be Christian to live there. Wilson and Lackner believe the new St. Stephens will be a template for renewal and new housing across the city, if governments work with faith groups to make it happen. Scarborough saw it done before, when Westminster Presbyterian Church on Birchmount Rd. used provincial funds to build Walton Place, a 104-unit apartment building on a corner of Eglinton Ave., over the church and the Isabella Walton Childcare Centre. The structure opened in 1991, the building and daycare named for the woman who donated her family farm to the church in 1958. Everythings combined here. It has worked out very, very well. We have everyone from everywhere in this building, Westminsters pastor, Rev. Linda Martin, said Tuesday. These days, she said, shes seeing more people from the apartments, 17 per cent of which are subsidized, at services. New families have joined, as have Indian employees from a nearby call centre. This year, Martin started a childrens choir and contemporary evening services on the last Wednesday of each month. People used to call Westminster a dead church, she said. Theres nothing about it thats dead now. For the second time in just over a year, a loaded handgun seized by the same Peel Regional Police officer has been excluded from evidence at a trial because the judge found that the officer violated a suspects rights. Ontario Superior Court Justice James Stribopoulos said he would not consider the weapon that Const. Darrell Corona seized from a drug dealer because the judge needed to disassociate the court from what he described as police misconduct and a deliberate violation of Charter rights. In the ruling released Friday, Stribopoulos issued a strong rebuke of Coronas testimony about a March 2017 traffic stop in Mississauga, during which Corona spotted the handgun in Nathan Mitchells car. The judge noted that while there were gaps in Coronas memory of the traffic stop, his recollection of details crucial to the Crowns position were clear, leaving Stribopoulos with the impression that Corona deliberately chose to give selective evidence before this court. Despite the fact that Mr. Mitchell is a convicted drug dealer who was carrying a handgun, I prefer his evidence where it conflicts with that of P.C. Corona, Stribopoulos wrote in his decision. Following Fridays ruling, Mitchell was found not guilty of all charges, including possession of a prohibited weapon and unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle. The ruling comes 15 months after another Brampton judge raised concerns about another traffic stop by Corona that also resulted in the seizure of a loaded handgun. In that case, Justice G. Paul Renwick found Coronas evidence to be replete with half truths and contradictions, and said his testimony about the reason for the traffic stop was completely undermined by video evidence. Calling his decision a bitter pill, Renwick opted to exclude the loaded gun as evidence due to breaches of accused mans Charter rights. Charges against the accused, Ahmed Jama, were then dismissed. Corona could not be reached for comment Monday through Peel Regional Police or its police association. Peel police spokesman Sgt. Joe Cardi said any judicial criticism of our police officers is of serious concern. Peel Regional Police takes our obligations under the Charter seriously, he said in an email. Cardi said Corona was not charged under Ontarios Police Services Act following Renwicks criticisms in 2018. Mitchells lawyer said Monday that even amid a high prevalence of gun violence, the court has to distance itself from police behaviour that infringes on citizens rights violations that, in this case, included arbitrary detention. The courts clearly sent a message in this case that they are not going to tolerate this behaviour, regardless of whats found, Alexandra Mamo said in an interview. The hope is that that message gets sent to police officers generally and police forces so they understand that the behaviour is not going to be tolerated by the courts. Everyone wants to get firearms off the street, Mamo said, but it has to be done properly. Stribopouloss ruling follows a March 23, 2017 traffic stop in which Corona pulled over Mitchells car after it left the parking lot of a Mississauga strip club just after midnight. When Corona shone his flashlight into the vehicle, he saw a handgun on the floor near Mitchells feet. He arrested Mitchell and his girlfriend, who Mitchell had just picked up from the club. The reason for the stop was the critical issue in a pretrial motion alleging Mitchells Charter rights had been breached, Stribopoulos said in the ruling. Corona testified that he recalled seeing Mitchells vehicle drive into the parking lot with its headlights turned on, and the glare from the lights prevented him from being able to see the driver. However, he said that when the car drove out of the parking lot, the headlights were turned off. Mitchell denied his headlights were ever off, claiming with 100 per cent confidence they were on. Mr. Mitchell testified to being conscientious about promptly correcting any issues relating to his vehicles lighting, given that he was involved in illegal activity at that time and wanted to avoid police attention, Stribopoulos wrote. Corona also testified that he checked the license plate of Mitchells car and learned that it was a rental. The officer said the criminal element sometimes use rentals to conceal their bail status, the reason Mitchell admitted he was driving a rental car. Corona testified that he turned his lights on and pulled the car over for the Highway Traffic Act offence of driving without headlights. Contrary to normal police procedure, he did not radio his stop into police dispatch, something he admitted was a serious mistake. It was soon after Corona walked up to the vehicle that he shone his flashlight into it and saw the handgun at Mitchells feet. He drew his firearm and arrested the pair. Stribopouloss ruling highlighted various gaps with Coronas recall of the incident, noting he has a clear recollection of those details that are somewhat crucial to the Crowns position but was conspicuously fuzzy on others. Corona testified that he could not recall details of his conversation with Mitchell, or the locations where he made his headlight observations in the parking lot. Asked to show on an aerial map where his cruiser was when he first spotted Mitchells vehicle, Corona circled a large area encompassing almost the entire parking lot on the south side of the building, Stribopoulos said. Asked where he was when he saw the car with its headlights off, Corona drew an even larger circle on the Google map. Stribopoulos found it less than credible that Corona would recall the specifics of the headlights but not his approximate location in the parking lot when he made the observations. He also found it hard to believe that Corona would not remember anything he said beyond an initial greeting, given that the stop resulted in a handgun. Corona admitted to issues with recall, too, but attributed them to the traumatic nature of the incident and the grave danger he faced in the circumstances. The difficulty with this explanation, Stribopoulos said, is that it seems only to have resulted in a rather selective form of amnesia. The judge ultimately ruled that he disbelieved Coronas claim that he observed Mitchell driving without headlights, and the stop had constituted an unjustified detention. When Stribopoulos considered why the officer might have had a selective memory, he referenced the Jama case, in which surveillance video impeached his evidence about why he pulled the car over. In the Mitchell case, by claiming not to remember important observations, Corona avoided potentially being ensnared in a similar credibility trap, the judge wrote. Thats not how an honest witness testified, he said. A witness who is committed to telling the truth does not feign an absence of memory regarding important details to hedge his bets in case confronted by contradictory evidence, Stribopoulos wrote. Corona was also questioned about whether he pulled up to look at the driver before pulling him over, something both Mitchell and his girlfriend testified had happened. Although Corona testified in the Jama case that this was his usual practice before carrying out a traffic stop, he said he could not remember doing so in the Mitchell case. Here, too, Stribopoulos took issue, noting that the officer felt stung by the suggestion in the Jama ruling that race may have played a role in his decision to stop Jama, who is Black. Coronas claim in the Mitchell case that he could not remember doing this may have been to avoid a similar conclusion, Stribopoulos said namely, if he did not know Mitchell was Black, it couldnt be suggested that race factored into his decision to stop him. Referencing a protocol under which a Crown prosecutor notifies a chief of police when concerning remarks are made in court about an officer, the Peel police spokesman Cardi said Peels chief had not been yet been notified of any concerns in the Mitchell case. A man was transported to a local trauma centre in critical condition Sunday night after he was shot multiple times, Toronto police say. Toronto police received a call just after 10:30 p.m. for a shooting on Ivy Green Cres., near Brimorton Dr. and Orton Park Rd., in Scarborough. Police said they are unable to confirm where the victim was shot. Police said they have no information on suspects and are asking anyone with information or footage to call 43 Division at 416-808-4300 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477). Experts say second Belt and Road forum reaffirms China's efforts to open up BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- The just-concluded Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) reaffirms China's commitment to further open up, bolster international cooperation and realize tangible benefits on the ground, experts say. The speech delivered by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the second BRF held from April 25-27 in Beijing, "reflects another chapter of China's opening and promoting international cooperation," said Selcuk Colakoglu, director of Turkish Center for Asia Pacific Studies. "China has increasingly become a staunch supporter of inclusive growth, common, sustainable and green development, international trade liberalization, and good global governance," said Colakoglu. Addressing the Belt and Road forum, Xi announced new measures for China to further open up, including broadening market access, strengthening intellectual property rights (IPR) protection, increasing imports, and setting up new free trade pilot zones. Colakoglu, meanwhile, praised the Belt and Road for building infrastructure that "could help countries give full play to their advantages in resources and better integrate into the global supply, industry and value chains for interconnected development." Ismael Buchanan from the University of Rwanda said he agrees with President Xi that infrastructure is a bottleneck of development facing many countries, adding "the initiative will contribute to sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction, employment creation, and better integration of the world." On Xi's call for high-quality development of the Belt and Road construction, Lothar Herrmann, head of Siemens Greater China, shares the view that high-quality development is the right formula going forward for this initiative. "High quality means to construct an open and inclusive playing ground for all participants, to drive practical cooperation ... and to bring tangible benefits," he said, adding that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has proven to be "a strong force for the development of globalization that connects people and economies." For professor B.R. Deepak at India's Jawaharlal Nehru University, high-quality development "would be accompanied by greater opening up (of China) to the outside world." "I believe, this would result in the greater alignment of the development strategies of various countries, generate new growth drivers for regional as well as global growth, fight protectionism and pave the way for common development and shared prosperity," he noted. French expert on international relations and on China David Gosset said the Chinese president "reaffirmed his commitment to China's new level of openness." It shows that China not only embraces the world in a constructive manner through a major diplomatic initiative, but the country is increasingly open to foreign business, talents and ideas, Gosset added. "In a world of rapid changes, threatened by many divisive forces, China appears as the connector country, connecting East and West but also North and South," noted the French expert. Alexei Maslov said "the second Belt and Road forum is a new model of globalization ... many countries support the Belt and Road Initiative as a global platform for multilateral cooperation." "The second forum is a new mechanism of interaction between countries," said Maslov, head of the Oriental Studies Department of the Russian Higher School of Economics Research University. Andrei Ostrovsky, deputy director of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said, "The second Belt and Road forum is, in fact, creating some new mechanisms and new forms of interaction between states." "Beijing intends to accelerate the formation of procedures that will facilitate China's trade and economic cooperation with other states and will continue to create conditions for financing projects in the framework of the Belt and Road. Xi noted that such measures are in line with China's policy to increase market openness," he added. "This means that all countries of the economic belt of the Silk Road can get real benefits from the implementation of this initiative," he said. Russian media reported that on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Russian reporters in Beijing that he believes the initiative has a bright future. According to the report, Putin said the initiative stems from China's national interests while conforming to the interests of most countries and taking full account of the interests of partners. It also represents China's efforts to safeguard the principles of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as well as to maintain global economic stability, Putin was quoted as saying. (Xinhua reporters Yi Aijun in Istanbul, Frank Kanyesigye in Kigali, Deng Yushan, Zhao Yu in Beijing, Hu Xiaoming in New Delhi, Ying Qiang in Paris, Shi Hao in Moscow also contributed to the story.) By Troy Stangarone As the world's leading producer of memory chips, the last two years were good for South Korea's semiconductor industry. The adoption of cloud computing and the continued growth in demand for cellphones helped to usher in a super-cycle of rising prices and demand for memory chips that South Korea was well-placed to take advantage of. But for all the success of South Korea's semiconductor industry over the last two years, it also demonstrated an overdependence on memory chips. Memory chips account for all but 5 percent of South Korean production in semiconductors, making producers especially vulnerable to disruption in the memory segments and the industry overall. In a relatively short period of time, memory chips have grown from 5 percent of South Korea's exports in 2014 to just under 14 percent of exports in 2018. In contrast, automotive exports only account for around 7 percent of exports. When the recent super-cycle was taking off, South Korean exports had been stagnant the previous two years, but the growth in exports of semiconductors helped lift exports and accounted for more than 40 percent of South Korean export growth in 2017. A similar effect could be seen on the corporate side. As sales of Galaxy phones and other products disappointed, the semiconductor super-cycle allowed Samsung to post record profits as semiconductors rose from 48.4 percent of operating profits in 2015 to 77 percent in 2018. The current decline in demand for memory chips will reverse at some point in the future as demand for memory grows with the increasing integration of services into products and deployment of 5G, and Samsung, SK hynix and their American counterpart Micron Group will increasingly see their dominance in the memory chip segment challenged. As part of its "Made in 2025" plan, China is pushing to establish its own national champions in the semiconductor industry. One of the early entrants is the Chinese government-backed Yangtze Memory Technology. It plans to introduce a new NAND chip this year that it claims will provide "faster transmission speed and higher performance." Once introduced, the chip will likely provide direct competition to Samsung. It's also not the only Chinese firm on the horizon. The Moon administration and Samsung are both taking steps to address this challenge, diversify South Korea's semiconductor industry and lessen the dependence on memory chips. The administration is looking to make South Korea a more favorable environment for small fabless chipmakers. Ideally measures would be put in place to encourage startups that in time could grow into fabless chip makers similar to Qualcomm and Nvidia, which have become world-class firms in 4G and graphics processing chips. The Moon Jae-in administration is also expected to provide support for the development of a semiconductor ecosystem at universities to help develop talent for the industry, something Samsung and SK hynix are expected to support. Samsung has also set the lofty goal of becoming the world's top non-memory chip maker by 2030. To achieve this goal, Samsung hopes to take advantage of the shift to 5G to become a major end-to-end solutions provider that could supply firms with an array of chips that will be needed to manage and process the data over 5G. It is also moving into more specialized areas. If 5G is the major global trend, automotive chips are another area where promising growth is expected as more technology is added to vehicles. Starting in 2021, Samsung's first automotive processor, the Exynos Auto V9, will power Audi's infotainment system. The automotive industry and 5G are promising sectors. New technologies are expected to be deployed on 5G networks, while the push for autonomous vehicles will increasingly lead to the need for additional processing power in vehicles, but whose software will be running on the semiconductors produced by Samsung? This is the critical question that needs to be asked. With the growing shift toward machine learning and the new applications that can be developed by applying increased computing power and data collection, much of the economic growth and innovation in the coming decades is poised to be in areas where artificial intelligence can best be applied. While diversifying beyond the production of memory chips into different types of semiconductors is critical to protecting South Korea's long-term place in the industry, South Korea is perhaps already too dependent on semiconductors. Emphasis, however, needs to be placed in other high-tech areas to reduce South Korea's reliance on the semiconductor industry and ensure long-term economic growth. Troy Stangarone (ts@keia.org) is the senior director of congressional affairs and trade at the Korea Economic Institute. The case of six students facing sex assault charges following an investigation into alleged incidents at St. Mikes College School has been put over to June. A seventh student charged is being dealt with separately. The charges against the boys stem from three alleged incidents that occurred at the prestigious all-boys private Catholic school in the fall term. Toronto police have said two of the incidents were alleged sexual assaults while the third was an alleged assault. Court heard the cases have moved to the judicial pre-trial phase where lawyers and the judge meet in private to discuss various issues. The cases have been put over to June 14 and June 27. The police investigation led to the expulsion of all seven teens who have been charged. POWAY, CALIF.The rabbi had just finished comforting a congregant as she prepared to say the traditional prayer for the dead in honour of her mother when a loud crack rang out in his synagogue. It was about halfway through the Sabbath service on Saturday when a gunman turned what was supposed to be a time of solace into a day of horror. The rabbi, Yisroel Goldstein, turned quickly to see the body of the woman, Lori Gilbert Kaye, 60, slumped on the floor. He began to rush toward her when he caught sight of several small children watching as the gunman unleashed the attack on Chabad of Poway. My instinct was to go to her, but I turned toward a doorway and these little kids were there, so scared, he said. By then, Goldstein had been shot in both hands. I just grabbed them with my bloody fingers. They were screaming and I was shouting. As Goldstein ran out with the children, Kayes husband, a physician, ran in to help. But the second he recognized it was his wife on the ground, he fainted. Their only daughter stood a few feet away sobbing in shock, Goldstein said. It was horrific, utter horror, Goldstein said. It was like images out of the Holocaust. It was only a few months ago, after another hate-fuelled attack on a synagogue in Pittsburgh that Goldstein completed training for a situation just like this. But it seemed impossible to imagine it would ever happen to his own congregation, he said. Now Goldstein and leaders like him in synagogues and other houses of worship are confronting their new reality. Just like school principals across the country, religious leaders now must take measures to prepare for the horrors of mass shootings. As recent attacks have shown, prayer services are increasingly vulnerable. The shooting in Poway, about 40 kilometres north of San Diego, coincides with a significant spike in hate crimes, including acts of anti-Semitism. The gunman, whom police identified as John Earnest, 19, wrote a manifesto echoing the same kind of white supremacist views as the shooters in the attacks in the synagogue in Pittsburgh and on mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. The latest attack came one week after mass bombings at churches and hotels in Sri Lanka left hundreds dead. On Sunday, Earnest was booked on one charge of murder Kaye was killed in the attack and three charges of attempted murder. Jewish institutions have invested much more significantly in security in the past few years, using private armed security guards, cameras, volunteer patrols and other measures, said Jerry Silverman, president of the Jewish Federations of North America. Theres been a lot to take in already and yesterday took the Defcon to a whole other level, he said. It all has definitely put the Jewish community on alert. As hate-filled screeds spewing white nationalist conspiracy theories have ricocheted around the internet, hate crimes have increased in the past few years, according to the FBI. And all over the country and the world, houses of worship have tightened security in response to terrorist attacks. African-American churches have long had to consider the probability of security threats, but recent events are showing many white congregations that their past sense of safety is false, said Rev. Ronell Howard, pastor of Christ United Methodist Church of Piscataway, New Jersey. When I tell my Caucasian colleagues, black churches have always had security as long as I can remember, they are always flabbergasted, Howard, 50, said. Ultimately the increasing violence is less about religion than about fomenting fear and keeping people in a heightened sense of vulnerability, she said. People of faith need to reiterate one message, she said: We were not given from God this spirit of fear, but of love and of courage. Goldstein said that his congregation had never hired armed security guards, only because it could not afford to do so, and that the government should step in to pay for such security. This may have been prevented if we had that, Goldstein said. The United States government should recognize the severity and that this is a new reality, this is the new norm, sadly. If I had the funding, we may have been spared. How many more dead bodies will we have to see before we act? In 2017, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh hired Brad Orsini, a retired FBI agent, as a community security director. He immediately began training the staff and members of Jewish organizations all over the region. He had conducted more than 100 training sessions before last October, when 11 worshippers were shot and killed at the Tree of Life synagogue. Its very sad, isnt it? We have to train congregants to be safe so they can pray, Orsini said on Sunday on the way back from a training session at a Pittsburgh synagogue, which had been attended by more than 200 people. The protocol he teaches has not changed how to be aware of signs of hate in your area, how to evacuate, where to hide if evacuation is not possible, how to fight if there are no hiding places and, ultimately, how to treat the wounded. What has changed, he said, is the interest. We now have 100 per cent buy-in, he said, which goes beyond the Jewish community, with requests coming in from organizations of different faiths for him to come in and discuss a plan for security. At the Islamic Center of Fredericksburg, Virginia, parents have started to take turns sitting in their cars in the parking lot to keep watch after dropping their kids off for Sunday school. Sara Shanab, 23, whose family goes to the mosque, said she feels more anxiety as the presidential election season draws near. Her community has experienced harassment before, but fear was heightened after the shootings in New Zealand last month, when a gunman killed 50 people at two mosques. The community comes together under times of chaos and stress, she said. I do feel a sense of safety in that. Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, said active shooter drills had become more common for church staff and security teams. His church in Nashville, Tennessee, on Sunday morning included a lament for how many shootings and acts of violence in places of worship there have been in recent months. Every religious group feels vulnerable right now as the violence feels unpredictable and chaotic, he said. We can disagree about all sorts of important things, even ultimate things, but surely every person ought to agree that no one should be gunned down in worship. The sense of fear and need for increased security is being felt well beyond the United States. The Sri Lankan government has said the church bombings may have been in retaliation for the mosque shootings in New Zealand. And the day after the Christchurch terror attack, Shabbat services at synagogues across the country were canceled on the advice of the police. While New Zealand police are no longer providing round-the-clock armed guard at mosques, as they did immediately after the shooting, the mosques that were attacked still have protection. Barry Werber, who survived the Tree of Life shooting, said he could hardly believe that any service would meet without security. As sad as it makes him, meeting without armed security, is now simply shortsighted, he said. I had family in the concentration camps; they came over to escape that, said Werber, 77, whose parents immigrated to the United States from Poland. Now its raising its head all over again. Since the October attack, two of the congregations that had met at Tree of Life have been meeting in chapels at a synagogue nearby and armed security guards now greet people at the doors. How do you not provide that? asked Aaron Bisno, the rabbi of the host synagogue. This heightened security protocol does comes with a steep price. Two security guards for 13 hours costs more than $1,000 a day, Bisno said, a cost prohibitive for many congregations, especially smaller ones. That is particularly demanding these days, when memberships at churches and synagogues nationwide are dwindling in numbers and resources. Since the Pittsburgh attack in October, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York has conducted more than 200 security assessments of synagogues by request and has received enquiries from additional synagogues since Saturday. Dozens of synagogues in the city employ armed security guards, while others that cannot afford to hire armed security have created plans involving blockading attackers from entering synagogue doors and strategies for evacuation in case of an active shooter, according to David Pollock, director of public policy and security at the council. Nationally our law enforcement agencies need to step up and acknowledge that our houses of worship are being preyed upon, said Eric L. Adams, Brooklyn borough president and a retired captain of the New York Police Department. Now that we have this new level of clear targeting of houses of worship we have to step outside our box and reshape how we think proactively about security. On Sunday morning, Goldstein thought of the children who witnessed the attack, including his 4-year-old granddaughter. She doesnt deserve that. Our people, weve been through hell and back. I need our Jewish brethren to stand strong and really, really be proud of our heritage. LONDONLess than a day after the worst terrorist attack in Sri Lankas history, thousands of Sri Lankans were consumed with vitriol, outrage and fear. Their community was threatened, they believed. Something must be done. But some settled on a target who was not a perpetrator of the Easter bombings, not a sympathizer, not even someone who lived in Sri Lanka. He was Thusiyan Nandakumar, a doctor and part-time journalist living thousands of miles away in suburban London. He stared at his phone in bafflement and terror as thousands of threats rolled in. I know where you live, one message said. We will come for you terrorist low life to teach you a lesson. If I see you anywhere, read another, I will cut your throat. In Sri Lanka, angry mobs attacked Muslims after the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack and the island nation braced for further violence. But in the echo chambers of social media, Nandakumar who is not Muslim was singled out as an enemy. And the threats kept coming. By Wednesday, the outrage had spread to mainstream politics. Sri Lankas opposition party, led by the former strongman President Mahinda Rajapaksa, held a news conference and denounced Nandakumar by name. This surge of rage and harassment directed at a doctor living abroad may seem inexplicable. But social scientists say it reveals the impulses that lead people, particularly when they feel weak or threatened, to band together to punish a perceived transgressor and the ways that social media has encouraged those impulses. The world of vigilantism can help explain this, said Regina Bateson, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who researches vigilante violence. Its very similar. Seething at Nandakumar offered Sri Lankans, particularly those from its Sinhalese Buddhist majority, a sense of strength at a time of vulnerability and, crucially, a way to feel unified by their rage and therefore safer. Those impulses can drive not just social media outrage but real-world lynchings and sectarian fury. Research on vigilante violence helps explain not only why people lash out, but also why, in this era of hyper-connected online communities, the phenomenon is gathering strength and frequency. Targeting the Outsider After the bombings, Nandakumar, whose family is from Sri Lankas Tamil minority, gave a brief interview to the BBC in which he mentioned the countrys history of ethnic conflict, including a recent attack on a church by Sinhalese Buddhists. To most people who watched the broadcast, his statements were forgettably anodyne the kind of sound bite that television news anchors use to fill time until more concrete facts become available. But online, rumours spread that he had accused Buddhists of carrying out the Easter bombings, that he was trying to destroy Sri Lankas reputation, that he was a terrorist. A study led by Daphna Canetti-Nisim, a University of Maryland psychology researcher, helps explain why people would focus their energies on harassing a distant target with no connection to the Easter bombings. The researchers found that episodes of terrorism can lead people to rage at minorities, even if there is little logic behind doing so. People cling more strongly to their group identities at such times and band together against outsiders they perceive as threats. The Sinhalese have famously been referred to as a majority with a minority complex, convinced that the islands Sinhalese-ness and Buddhist-ness is under constant threat, said Kate Cronin-Furman, a professor at University College London who studies Sri Lanka. Were seeing the effects of this siege mentality in the aftermath of Sundays bombings. Punishing outsiders creates a sense of group agency and lets people feel they are on the side of good, protecting their communities, Bateson said. Targeting Nandakumar, who edits a Tamil news site, may have been a means for people to prove that they are good Sinhalese, defending Sinhalese interests. This past week an online mob soon identified Nandakumars family and began circulating photos of them. His parents and brother received death threats. His teenage sister was graphically threatened with rape as well. Meanwhile, Nandakumar faced ever-worsening threats. I got one message saying some STF boys are waiting to smoke me, he said, a reference to the Special Task Force, a notorious unit of the Sri Lankan military. Anger spread beyond Nandakumar. Azzam Ameen, the BBCs Sri Lanka reporter, became a target. A petition denouncing the BBCs coverage went viral, attracting more than 50,000 signatures. Journalists at The Tamil Guardian, a news site for which Nandakumar is an editor, increased their security precautions, worried they might also be attacked. A Repertoire of Online Violence Any social media user has seen the way a seemingly minor offense can set an entire online community aflame. Online rage, at its most extreme, tends to follow a very similar pattern. Public criticism quickly turns to threats and intimidation. Women often receive graphic sexual threats. The target gets doxxed, with private information being made public, as well as links to partners, family members and employers, who are then threatened as well. That pattern has played out around the world, growing out of controversies including video gamers anger at feminists and fury over foreign correspondents coverage of local crises. In Brazil, teachers and health workers have been driven from their jobs and homes by campaigns known as online lynchings. Real-world lynchings are difficult to carry out, Bateson said, because of the time and effort required to spread a message, bring people together and persuade them to attack a victim physically. But with social media, an outraged group can gather almost instantly, drawing together users who may not know one another or even be in the same country. Rhetoric demonizing an other is easy, Bateson said. Collective violence thats physical and in person thats hard. This mass online targeting and harassment falls somewhere in between. And, as Nandakumar found, an online mob can still reach directly into its victims lives. Even though Im thousands of miles from Sri Lanka, the fear crosses boundaries and borders, he said. Communities that lynch tend to develop specific repertoires of violence, Bateson said, with individuals learning how and when to attack. Because the impulse is one of complying with group norms, the sense of a community ritual can be powerful. Now, social media platforms communities in their own right, of millions of users seem to be developing their own specific patterns of targeting victims. And new tools like doxxing have become part of the online repertoire of violence. People are learning tactics of how to intimidate and coerce online, Bateson said. The emergence of those patterns suggests that users who harass and threaten are learning from one another and that the group norms of social media may be pushing users to follow suit, even if they might never do something so aggressive offline. But there is always a chance that online hate can spill over into physical violence. That prospect terrifies Nandakumars family. A few days after the attacks, his aunt called him in tears, begging him to apologize and mollify the mob. Otherwise, she warned, they will come for you. Read more about: As the country reeled after Saturdays deadly shooting at a synagogue in Poway, California, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Meghan McCain and other prominent conservatives turned a critical eye toward Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., who has been accused by critics of anti-Semitism. The anti-Semitic Left . . . is getting worse, Cruz tweeted Sunday afternoon, tagging Omar and writing that she repeated anti-Israel slurs. He added: Responsible Dems need to say Enough is Enough. Hours earlier, McCain called out Omar during a discussion of the shooting on ABCs This Week with George Stephanopoulos. When were having conversations about anti-Semitism, we should be looking at the most extreme on both sides, McCain said. I would bring up Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and some of her comments that got so much attention. Over the weekend, social media turned into a new battlefield over Omars past statements, some of which she has apologized for. Many blasted the congresswomans critics for coming down on her instead of white nationalism following an attack that left one dead and three injured. Omars supporters pointed to an online manifesto allegedly written by the shooter, which stated that he was inspired by last Octobers massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh as well as last months New Zealand mosque shootings. The documents writer also admitted to recently setting a mosque in Escondido, California, on fire, The Washington Posts Deanna Paul and Katie Mettler reported. Omar, a Somali refugee, is Muslim. How dare you suggest that @IlhanMN is in some way responsible for the murder of our people when the Poway shooters manifesto showed his penchant for violent Islamophobia and anti-Semitism alike, one Twitter user wrote in a message directed at McCain. We know who is killing us. The outcry started on Saturday after Omar tweeted a message of condolence to the victims of the Poway shooting, writing that her heart is breaking. We as a nation must confront the terrifying rise of religious hate and violence, Omar wrote. Love trumps hate. Though some praised Omars response, the tweet sparked fierce backlash from others who seized on past criticisms of the congresswoman to undercut her statement. In February, Omar apologized after facing pressure from top Democrats, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for suggesting that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a major Jewish lobbying group, used money to exert control over members of Congress. More recently, she came under fire after she called Trumps senior policy adviser Stephen Miller, who is Jewish, a white nationalist. On Saturday, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, retweeted a statement from Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., about the shooting in which she wrote, anti-Semitism is real in this country and we must not be silent enough is enough. In his retweet, Roy tagged Omar and the New York Times, which was widely rebuked for publishing a cartoon last week in the opinion pages of its international print edition that many decried as anti-Semitic. The illustration featured a blind Trump wearing a black skullcap being led by a dog drawn with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus face and a Star of David collar. The Times apologized on Sunday. McCain and Cruz similarly criticized Omar in the wake of the tragedy. In my opinion, Nancy Pelosi wasnt hard enough in her response to [Omars] trafficking in anti-Semitic language, talking about, All about the Benjamins, and how Jewish people had hypnotized the world, McCain said to Stephanopoulos on Sunday morning. The View co-host added that while she agreed that when it comes to rhetoric, Trump needs to have his feet held to the fire as well, were talking about it on both sides of the aisle. In his tweet, Cruz also took aim at the Times, retweeting celebrity Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. It didnt take long for the congresswoman to hit back at her detractors. Islamophobia and anti-Semitism are two sides of the same bigoted coin, she tweeted Sunday, noting that the shooter allegedly targeted Jews and Muslims. Omar also included a link to a November op-ed she wrote about the rise of hate crimes in the United States. Let us stand together as Americans in rejecting hate! she wrote. Omar then homed in on Roy, Cruz and McCain individually. She retweeted a message from IfNotNow, a left-leaning American Jewish activist group, slamming Roy. The right is weaponizing anti-Semitism to divide the progressive movement, silence criticism of Israel, and distract from the ways they have emboldened the white nationalists causing the violence, the organization tweeted. She retweeted a message from IfNotNow, a left-leaning American Jewish activist group, slamming Roy. In response to Cruz, Omar chastised the Texas senator for not making a public statement directly addressing Saturdays shooting, writing, Shame on you. Her retort to McCain was shorter. Oh, bless her heart! Omar tweeted, sharing a clip of McCains ABC appearance. Throughout Sunday, Omars backers also rushed to her defence. People who burn mosques generally dont take cues from Muslims, a Twitter user wrote. Ilhan Omar is not a factor here, and if you think she is, youre obscuring the white nationalism that caused this. In a lengthy thread, NBC News reporter Ben Collins called attempts to push blame on Omar for the shooters alleged crimes untethered to reality. You will not find Ilhan Omar fans or NY Times cartoon aficionados on 8chan, where the San Diego and New Zealand shooter posted near-identical notes, Collins tweeted. Youll find people riled up by white genocide through Muslim and Mexican immigration, angry the president isnt doing more. Several people argued that the attack, and crimes like it, should be blamed on white nationalism, while others accused Cruz and McCain of contributing to the atmosphere of violence. British journalist Mehdi Hasan tweeted that Cruz, like his fellow Republicans, is trying to get @IlhanMN killed. Omar has received many death threats, an amount she said increased earlier this month after Trump targeted her in a tweet about the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Two people were also arrested in April for threatening Omar, including a New York man who vowed to put a bullet in her [expletive] skull. Read more: FBI got tips about threat minutes before synagogue shooting Opinion | Tony Burman: Ilhan Omar controversy is a case of hate in America but whose? Words and consequences: A look at the Omar and Trump feud Read more about: QUITO, Ecuador - An Ecuadorian lawyer for Julian Assange has filed a complaint alleging diplomatic staff from Ecuador spied on the WikiLeaks founder while he was at the countrys London embassy. Lawyer Carlos Poveda said in the complaint submitted Monday to the attorney generals office in Ecuador that the alleged spying uncovered information about Assanges legal defence and medical issues. He says diplomats and members of a security firm were involved. Assange had enjoyed asylum at the embassy since 2012, but Ecuador evicted him on April 11. He is in custody in London awaiting sentencing for skipping bail to avoid being sent to Sweden as part of an investigation into a rape allegation. The U.S. is also seeking his extradition after charging him with conspiring to break into a Pentagon computer system. BEIJING - A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbours in multiple disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons in waters crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and potential oil and gas reserves: ___ EDITORS NOTE: This is a weekly look at developments in the South China Sea, the location of several territorial conflicts in the region. ___ US WARSHIPS SAIL THROUGH TAIWAN STRAIT Taiwans defence ministry says a pair of U.S. warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait over the weekend, in a move likely to spark protest from Beijing. The ministry said the ships made the passage on Sunday, sailing from south to north through the waterway that divides the self-governing island from mainland China. Beijing frequently objects to the movement of foreign military vessels in the strait based on its claim to Taiwan as its own territory to be annexed by force if necessary. China has been increasingly willing to protest actions by foreign militaries in areas it considers its home waters or spheres of influence. That especially applies to the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety. Last week, China complained to France about a French warship it said had passed through the Taiwan Strait. The April 7 incident marked a rare case of military friction between the two countries, which have previously held joint search and rescue exercises. The Taiwan Strait enters the South China Sea at its southern end. Control of both waterbodies is considered a linchpin of Chinese naval strategy. ___ CHINA, RUSSIA PREPARE FOR JOINT NAVAL EXERCISES A Russian naval task force has arrived in the northern Chinese port of Qingdao ahead of joint naval exercises this week that reinforce the growing bond between Beijing and Moscow. During the drills, the sides will practice manoeuvring and communicating and, perform missile launches and deliver artillery fire at sea and air targets as well as practice search and rescue operations, Russias state news agency Tass reported. The Russian squadron is led by the missile cruiser Varyag and also comprises the large landing ships Oslyabya, Admiral Vinogradov and Admiral Tributs, along with the corvette Sovershenny, salvage tug Igor Belousov and sea tanker Irkut, Tass said. China has said the exercise will involve a total of 13 surface ships, 2 submarines, 7 fighter jets, 4 helicopters, and a unit of 80 marines. Tass said aircraft from the Chinese naval aviation force would take part, along with diesel electric submarines from both sides. Bonded by a common rivalry with the U.S., Moscow and Beijing have forged what they describe as a strategic partnership, expressing their shared opposition to the unipolar world a term they use to describe perceived U.S. global dominance. Russia has also offered rhetorical support for Chinas position on its claims in the South China Sea. Last September, about 3,200 Chinese troops joined Russias largest-ever war games in Siberia, in which nearly 300,000 Russian troops conducted drills. ___ DUTERTE RAISES SOUTH CHINA SEA IN MEETING WITH XI Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte raised his nations concerns over territorial disputes in the South China Sea at a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing that followed the signing of multi-billion dollar trade agreements. The official Philippine News Agency said Duterte reiterated to Xi his resolve to endeavour to make the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) a sea of peace, stability, and prosperity. He expounded the need for both countries to exercise restraint and caution to avoid actions that could complicate situations, the agency quoted Dutertes spokesman Salvador Panelo as saying. Duterte said in early April that he had few options other than to order troops to prepare for suicide missions if a Philippine-occupied island in the South China Sea comes under threat from China. Despite such rhetoric, Duterte has generally adopted a non-confrontational approach in territorial spats with Beijing while seeking Chinese infrastructure funds, trade and investment. He has declined to push a ruling that invalidated Chinas historical claims to the South China Sea through arbitration proceedings held by a tribunal in The Hague under the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Philippine News Agency quoted Panelo as saying that deals in energy and infrastructure signed during Dutertes visit totalled more than $12 billion, with the potential to create more than 21,000 jobs. ___ CHINA COMPLAINS OVER BRITISH NAVAL OPERATIONS Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua has blamed British activity in the South China Sea for a downturn in relations in comments at the start of a meeting with British treasury chief Philip Hammond. Hus comments Thursday appear to illustrate how China is now willing to permit assertions of its territorial claims to affect ties with nations from outside the region. In his remarks to Hammond, Hu appeared to reference a mission by a British warship last August. At the time, China denounced the passage of the British warship HMS Albion close to Chinese-claimed islands in the South China Seas Paracel group. That development was seen as possibly affecting negotiations on a post-Brexit trade agreement between the sides. It is regrettable that since August last year the relations between our two countries witnessed some fluctuations because of the South China Sea issue and a series of institutional dialogues and co-operation projects had to pause, Hu said. MADRID - The Latest on the results of the Spanish general election (all times local): 8:35 p.m. A senior Socialist party official in Spain has ruled out entering a governing coalition with smaller parties after it won the most votes in the countrys latest general election. Jose Luis Abalos said Tuesday that we will try to achieve support based on political proposals and programs, but not pacts. The Socialists made significant gains but failed to achieve a governing majority in Spains third election since 2015.The party won about 29% of the votes and one option is for it to try to rule as a minority government. Abalos said the result makes Spain the most solid social-democracy in Europe and an example against the threat of advancing populism and the extreme right. He was referring to Vox, a nationalist ultraconservative party that grabbed about 10% of votes in the general election. Abalos put the blame on the rise of the far-right on the two other right-wing political forces, the once-dominant Popular Party and the surging Citizens party. He accused them of trying to assemble an anti-Socialist coalition with the help of Vox. The official said the Socialists are not in a rush to form a government and that their immediate focus will be on campaigning for the European Parliament election on May 26, which in Spain coincides with regional and local ballots. ___ 2:35 p.m. The centrist Citizens party says it wants to lead Spains political opposition, ruling out entering a governing alliance with the Socialists who won Sundays general election. Speaking on the day after the ballot, Citizens spokeswoman Ines Arrimadas has rejected entering any negotiations with the party of the incumbent prime minister, Pedro Sanchez. In addition to Citizens, two more parties are fighting over leadership of the right wing after falling short of a majority in the parliaments Lower House. The centre-right Citizens obtained 57 seats, more than in the last election three years ago, but still behind its conservative rival in the right wing, the Popular Party, which halved its presence in the Congress of Deputies, from 137 to 66 lawmakers. The Popular Party, dominant when power in Spain was a matter of only conservatives and Socialists, has acknowledged the bad results but says that it remains the leading opposition force. Santiago Abascal, the leader of the Vox far-right party that went from zero to 24 deputies, on Monday blamed the rights inability to unseat Sanchez on the Popular Partys poor performance. ___ 12:35 p.m. The European Union executive says that it is confident that outgoing prime minister Pedro Sanchez will be able to form a stable pro-European government that will allow Spain to continue to play an important role in the EU. Spokesman Margaritis Schinas added that the results also show that a crushing majority of the Spanish population has chosen for clearly pro-European parties. He said that EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has called Sanchez to congratulate him on his clear victory ___ 8:55 a.m. Spains third parliamentary election in less than four years has done little to dispel uncertainty over the political future of the eurozones fourth largest economy. The centre-left Socialist party won re-election in Sundays ballot, collecting nearly 29% of votes, and will try to form a government. It would be one of only a handful of socialist governments in the European Union. But with only 123 seats in the 350-seat Congress of Deputies, Spains parliament, it needs to negotiate the support of smaller rival parties to pass legislation. Even an alliance with the far-left, anti-austerity party United We Can wouldnt give the Socialists the key number of 176 seats. Spains political landscape has fragmented further, with far-right party Vox claiming its first seats in the national parliament. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is spreading misleading rhetoric about illegal immigration. At a Wisconsin rally, he suggested hes launched his plan to transport immigrants in the U.S. illegally to sanctuary cities in mass numbers my sick idea, as he proudly called it. Theres no evidence thats happening. Hes also giving a confused outlook on the U.S. population growth, alternating between assertions that the country is too full to accept any more migrants and that it needs more migrants to fill jobs. In the meantime, Russia kept reverberating over the past week, even with special counsel Robert Muellers report now part of history. As much as Trump says he wants the United States to move on, hes found it hard to turn away himself, as seen in a torrent of tweets and remarks railing against Democrats, trashing Mueller and painting his own actions in a saintly light. A review of rhetoric from Trump and his team, also touching on health care, the economy and the census: IMMIGRATION TRUMP: Last month alone, 100,000 illegal immigrants arrived in our borders, placing a massive strain on communities and schools and hospitals and public resources, like nobodys ever seen before. Now were sending many of them to sanctuary cities. Thank you very much. ... Im proud to tell you that was my sick idea. Green Bay, Wisconsin, rally Saturday. THE FACTS: Theres no evidence a mass transfer to sanctuary cities is underway. He proposed the idea in part to punish Democratic congressional foes for inaction on the border, but his Homeland Security officials rejected the plan as unworkable. Trump said this month he was strongly considering the proposal, hours after White House and Homeland Security officials had insisted the idea had been eschewed twice. Sanctuary cities are places where local authorities do not co-operate with immigration officials, denying information or resources that would help them round up for deportation people living in the country illegally. By all signs, federal officials considered the presidents words little more than bluster. His comments to the Wisconsin crowd appeared to be bluster, too. People with knowledge of the discussions say White House staff discussed the idea with the Department of Homeland Security in November and February, but it was judged too costly and a misuse of money. The people were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. ___ TRUMP on U.S. population: We need people to come in. rally. TRUMP: We have companies pouring in. The problem is we need workers. Fox Business interview Sunday. THE FACTS: His position is a flip from earlier this month, when he declared the U.S. to be full in light of the overwhelmed southern border. In an April 7 tweet, he threatened to shut down the border unless Mexico apprehended all immigrants who crossed illegally. But it turns out the U.S. is only full in terms of the people Trump doesnt want. Immigrants as a whole make up a greater percentage of the total U.S. population than they did back in 1970, having grown from less than 5 per cent of the population to more than 13 per cent now. In 2030, its projected that immigrants will become the primary driver for U.S. population growth, overtaking U.S. births. ___ HEALTH CARE TRUMP: The Republicans are always going to protect pre-existing conditions. Wisconsin rally. THE FACTS: Hes not protecting health coverage for patients with pre-existing medical conditions. The Trump administration instead is pressing in court for full repeal of the Affordable Care Act including provisions that protect people with pre-existing conditions from health insurance discrimination. Trump and other Republicans say theyll have a plan to preserve those safeguards, but the White House has provided no details. Former President Barack Obamas health care law requires insurers to take all applicants, regardless of medical history, and patients with health problems pay the same standard premiums as healthy ones. Bills supported in 2017 by Trump and congressional Republicans to repeal the law could undermine protections by pushing up costs for people with pre-existing conditions. ___ RUSSIA TRUMP, calling Muellers probe a witchhunt: Its the greatest political hoax in American history. Wisconsin rally. THE FACTS: A two-year investigation that produced guilty pleas, convictions and criminal charges against Russian intelligence officers and others with ties to the Kremlin, as well as Trump associates, is demonstrably not a hoax. All told, Mueller charged 34 people, including the presidents former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, his first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and three Russian companies. Twenty-five Russians were indicted on charges related to election interference, accused either of hacking Democratic email accounts during the campaign or of orchestrating a social media campaign that spread disinformation on the internet. Five Trump aides pleaded guilty and agreed to co-operate with Mueller, and a sixth, longtime confidant Roger Stone, is awaiting trial on charges he lied to Congress and engaged in witness tampering. Muellers report concluded that Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election was sweeping and systematic. Ultimately, Mueller did not find a criminal conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign. But the special counsel didnt render judgment on whether Trump obstructed justice, saying his investigators found evidence on both sides. ___ TRUMP: No Collusion, No Obstruction - there has NEVER been a President who has been more transparent. Millions of pages of documents were given to the Mueller Angry Dems, plus I allowed everyone to testify, including W.H. counsel. tweet Wednesday. ATTORNEY GENERAL WILLIAM BARR: The White House fully co-operated 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. remarks at the Justice Department on April 18. THE FACTS: Its a huge stretch for them to cast the White House as being fully co-operative and open in the investigation into Moscows interference in the 2016 U.S. election and the Trump campaigns relationship with Russian figures. Trump declined to sit for an interview with Muellers team, gave written answers that investigators described as inadequate and incomplete, said more than 30 times that he could not remember something he was asked about in writing, and according to the report tried to get aides to fire Mueller or otherwise shut or limit the inquiry. In the end, the Mueller report found no criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia but left open the question of whether Trump obstructed justice. Also on the matter of transparency, Trump is an outlier among presidents in refusing to release his tax returns . Providing tax information as a candidate in 2016 and as president is something party nominees have traditionally done for half a century. ___ TRUMP: In the old days if you were President and you had a good economy, you were basically immune from criticism. Remember, Its the economy stupid. Today I have, as President, perhaps the greatest economy in history. tweet Tuesday. THE FACTS: You can assume many previous presidents would beg to disagree that a good economy shielded them from criticism. Under President Bill Clinton, whose top campaign staffer James Carville coined the phrase the economy, stupid, to underscore what the campaign should be about, the unemployment rate fell to 3.8% and the nations economy grew 4% or more for four straight years. Yet Clinton was under independent counsel investigation for all but one year of his presidency, 1993. The House impeached him in December 1998, at the height of the Monica Lewinsky scandal, though the Senate acquitted him in February 1999. In January 1998, Hillary Clinton alleged a vast right-wing conspiracy to take down her husband, a widely mocked complaint about the relentless criticism the Clintons faced from the right (which extended to ridicule over the title of Hillary Clintons 1996 book, It Takes a Village.) Under President Ronald Reagan, the economy expanded 3.5% or more for six years in a row, with growth rocketing to 7.2% in 1984. Yet Reagan was dogged in his second term by the Iran-Contra investigation, which focused on covert arm sales to Iran that financed aid to Nicaraguan rebels. Both presidents saw much faster growth than Trump has presided over, despite Trumps faulty claim to have perhaps the greatest economy in history. Growth reached 2.9% last year, the best in four years, but far below the levels achieved under Clinton or Reagan. The unemployment rate touched 3.7% last September and November, the lowest in five decades, but just one-tenth of a percentage point below the 3.8% in April 2000 under Clinton. ___ TRUMP: Mueller was NOT fired and was respectfully allowed to finish his work on what I, and many others, say was an illegal investigation (there was no crime), headed by a Trump hater who was highly conflicted. tweet Thursday. THE FACTS: Trump is wrong to suggest that the FBI acted illegally by investigating him. The FBI does not need to know if or have evidence that a crime occurred before it begins an investigation. Many investigations that are properly conducted ultimately dont find evidence of any crime. The FBI is empowered to open an investigation if theres information it has received or uncovered that leads the bureau to think it might encounter a crime. Apart from that, the investigation into the Trump campaign was initially a counterintelligence investigation rather than a strictly criminal one, as agents sought to understand whether and why Russia was meddling in the 2016 election. Trump also makes a baseless charge that Mueller was highly conflicted. Mueller, a longtime Republican, was cleared by the Justice Departments ethics experts to lead the Russia investigation. Nothing in the public record makes him a Trump hater. According to the special counsels report, when Trump complained privately to aides that Mueller would not be objective, the advisers, including then-White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, then-White House counsel Don McGahn and then-chief of staff Reince Priebus, rejected those complaints as not representing true conflicts. Bannon also called the claims ridiculous. ___ TRUMP: I DID NOTHING WRONG. If the partisan Dems ever tried to Impeach, I would first head to the U.S. Supreme Court. tweet Wednesday. THE FACTS: Hed have a tough hearing at the Supreme Court. Justices ruled 9-0 in 1993 that the Constitution grants sole power of impeachment to the House and Senate, not the judiciary. Under the principle of separation of powers, Congress is a co-equal branch of government to the executive branch and judiciary. The House is afforded power to impeach a president by bringing formal charges, and the Senate convenes the trial, with two-thirds of senators needed to convict and remove a president from office. The Constitution does not provide a role for the judiciary in the impeachment process, other than the chief justice of the United States presiding over the Senate trial. In its 1993 ruling, the Supreme Court said framers of the Constitution didnt intend for the court to have the power to review impeachment proceedings because they involve political questions that shouldnt be resolved in the courts. ___ KELLYANNE CONWAY, White House counsellor, saying theres no need for Congress to continue investigating with the Mueller probe concluded: We all know if Director Mueller and his investigators wanted to or felt that it was right to indict they would have done that. He had every opportunity to indict and declined to indict. Investigators investigate and they decide to indict, they refer indictment or they decline indictment. Thats the way the process works. remarks Wednesday to reporters. THE FACTS: Thats not how Muellers process worked. According to the report, Muellers team declined to make a traditional prosecutorial judgment on whether to indict that is, do what prosecutors typically do, as Conway describes it because of a Justice Department legal opinion that said sitting presidents shouldnt be indicted. Fairness concerns counselled against potentially reaching that judgment when no charges can be brought, the report states. As a result, the report factually laid out instances in which Trump might have obstructed justice, leaving it open for Congress to take up the matter or for prosecutors to do so once Trump leaves office. Muellers team wrote that its investigation was conducted in order to preserve the evidence when memories were fresh and documentary material available. Accordingly, while this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him, the report states. ___ HOGAN GIDLEY, White House deputy press secretary: Hes already denounced, multiple times, Russian involvement. remarks Tuesday to reporters. THE FACTS: Trump has had it both ways, at times criticizing that involvement but more often equivocating, and long after U.S. intelligence agencies and other parts of his administration became convinced of Russian meddling. Every time he sees me, he says, I didnt do that, Trump said of Putin in November 2017. I really believe that when he tells me that, he means it. In February 2018, he tweeted: I never said Russia did not meddle in the election, I said it may be Russia, or China or another country or group, or it may be a 400 pound genius sitting in bed and playing with his computer. Now he has assailed the report by Mueller, whose investigation fleshed out the audacious Russian effort to shape the election in favour of Trump and resulted in indictments against 25 Russians accused either of hacking Democratic email accounts or sowing discord in America through social media, as well as Trump associates. ___ TRUMP: Isnt it amazing that the people who were closest to me, by far, and knew the Campaign better than anyone, were never even called to testify before Mueller. The reason is that the 18 Angry Democrats knew they would all say NO COLLUSION and only very good things! tweet on April 22. THE FACTS: Trumps wrong to suggest that the people closest to him werent called to testify before Muellers team. Plenty of people close to him, including in his own family, interviewed with the special counsels investigators or were at least asked to appear. And of those who did, some said not very good things about their interactions with the president. Among the advisers and aides who spoke with Mueller was McGahn, who extensively detailed Trumps outrage at the investigation and his efforts to curtail it. McGahn told Muellers team how Trump called him at home and urged him to press the Justice Department to fire the special counsel, then told him to deny that the entire episode had taken place once it became public. Mueller also interviewed Priebus, Bannon, former White House chief of staff John Kelly, former White House communications director Hope Hicks and White House press secretary Sarah Sanders. Michael Cohen, Trumps former personal lawyer who once said he was so close to the president that hed take a bullet for him, also co-operated with Mueller and delivered unflattering details. Mueller certainly wanted to hear from Trumps family, too, even if not all relatives were eager to co-operate. His eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., declined to be voluntarily interviewed by investigators, according to Muellers report. Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, spoke multiple times to Muellers team. One of the presidents daughters, Ivanka Trump, provided information through an attorney. ___ GIDLEY: It was Barack Obama who leaned over to Dmitry Medvedev in the Oval Office and said, Listen, well have more flexibility when the elections over. remarks Tuesday. THE FACTS: First, the conversation was in South Korea, not the Oval Office. Gidley accurately recounted the gist of what Obama was heard telling the Russian president on a microphone they didnt know was on. But Gidley did not explain the context of the remark. Obama was suggesting he would have more flexibility postelection to address Russias concerns about a NATO missile defence system in Europe. The conversation with Medvedev, who was soon succeeded by Vladimir Putin, had nothing to do with Russian meddling that would be exposed in the U.S. election four years away. ___ CENSUS TRUMP: The American people deserve to know who is in this Country. Yesterday, the Supreme Court took up the Census Citizenship question, a really big deal. tweet Wednesday. GIDLEY, when asked whether Trump believes an accurate census count isnt necessary: He wants to know whos in this country. I think as a sovereign nation we have that right. Its been a question thats been on the census for decades. remarks Tuesday. THE FACTS: Not since 1950 has the census collected citizenship data from the whole population. Moreover, Trumps position that asking a citizenship question in the census is needed to know who is in this country ignores the judgment of the Census Bureaus own researchers, who say that it would not result in the most accurate possible count of the U.S. population. The question is already asked in other government surveys. According to January 2018 calculations by the Census Bureau, adding the question to the once-a-decade survey form would cause lower response rates among Hispanics and noncitizens. The government would have to spend at least $27.5 million for additional phone calls, home visits and other follow-up efforts to reach them. Federal judges in California, Maryland and New York have blocked the administration from going forward with a citizenship question after crediting the analysis of agency experts. The experts said millions would go uncounted because Hispanics and immigrants might be reluctant to say if they or others in their households are not citizens. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has argued that a citizenship question is needed to help the government better comply with the Voting Rights Act. But the Justice Department has been enforcing the 1965 law, which was passed to help protect minority groups political rights, with citizenship data already available from other government surveys. The count goes to the heart of the U.S. political system, determining the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House and how the electoral votes that decide presidential elections are distributed. It also shapes how 300 federal programs distribute more than $800 billion a year to local communities. ___ Associated Press writers Colleen Long, Christopher Rugaber, Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Chad Day, Eric Tucker and Darlene Superville contributed to this report. ___ Find AP Fact Checks at http://apne.ws/2kbx8bd Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheck EDITORS NOTE _ A look at the veracity of claims by political figures HOUSTON - Water pollution charges were filed Monday against a company that owns a Houston-area petrochemical storage facility where a large fire that burned for days in March caused chemicals to flow into a nearby waterway. The Harris County District Attorneys Office announced it filed five environmental misdemeanour charges against Intercontinental Terminals Company. Prosecutors allege following the March 17 fire, a dam at the facility broke, sending large quantities of toxic chemicals, including xylene and benzene, into nearby Tucker Bayou, which flows into Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, said Tom Berg, first assistant district attorney for Harris County. We support the petrochemical industry. Its the life blood of the Houston area, and by and large, our corporate, industrial friends are responsible, Berg said. They take great care in safety and environmental concerns. But when theyre failures, those folks need to be held accountable and this company in particular has had a history of environmental violations. So were not inclined to look the other way. If convicted, ITC could be fined up to $100,000 for each charge. Berg said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges could be filed. Michael Goldberg, an attorney for ITC, said he and his client had not seen the charges. Nevertheless, there is no question that there was a large fire and an enormous effort to extinguish it which resulted in a discharge into Tucker Bayou, he said in a statement. The Deer Park facility, located southeast of Houston, caught fire March 17 and burned until March 20, sending waves of thick, black smoke thousands of feet into the air and forcing the closure of roads and schools. The water pollution took place through March 21, Berg said. Air monitors on March 21 detected elevated levels of benzene in the air, prompting public officials to order people living in the area to remain indoors for several hours. The next day, a dike failed adjacent to the tank farm, allowing flammable chemicals to seep into nearby bayous and then into the Houston Ship channel, which partially closed during the cleanup efforts . The ship channel is a critical commercial waterway that connects oil refineries in the Houston area between the Port of Houston and the Gulf of Mexico. The tanks at ITC contained components of gasoline and materials used in nail polish remover, glues and paint thinner. People living in Deer Park and the other neighbouring residential areas near ITCs plant deserve protection too, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said in a statement. When public health is at risk, its a public safety concern. Last month, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against ITC, saying the state must hold the company accountable for the damage it has done to our environment. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70 HONOLULU - He was Honolulus Rolex-wearing police chief, an avid surfer who chatted with beat cops in Pidgin, Hawaiis creole language. She was his deputy city prosecutor wife, who drove a Maserati and led an elite unit targeting career criminals while showering lunches on colleagues, friends and even the workers renovating her home. For years, Louis and Katherine Kealoha were the citys law enforcement power couple, enjoying widespread respect as Native Hawaiian role models who hailed from humble, blue-collar roots and rose to the top thanks to decades of hard work. They lived in a swanky house near an exclusive country club in the citys Kahala neighbourhood, sometimes called Honolulus Beverly Hills. But then the facade started to crumble. The Kealohas were so desperate to fund their lavish lifestyle, prosecutors say, they swindled more than a half-million dollars from banks, relatives and others. Their charmed lives turned into a twisted tale of allegations of fraud, illegal drugs and family turmoil. Federal authorities started investigating the two in 2015, and both stepped down from their jobs as the probe deepened. Now the Kealohas are heading to trial next month on federal charges of conspiracy, obstruction and false statements to a federal officer. The obstruction charge carries the heftiest sentence up to 20 years in prison. Katherine Kealoha, 48, and her brother, Rudolph Puana, are also expected to be tried later on separate allegations that the siblings bartered opioids for cocaine. The Kealohas and Puana have denied all of the charges. The case has morphed into a scandal characterized as the largest corruption prosecution in Hawaii history, and prosecutors say greed was the couples motive. Public embarrassment was not something the Kealohas could afford. They needed to maintain their carefully crafted public image, federal prosecutors said in court documents. The beginning of the end for the Kealohas, prosecutors say, came in the unlikeliest of ways: Prosecutors say Katherine Kealohas uncle and grandmother had threatened to expose them for fraud, so she devised a scheme to silence them. She tried to have her grandmother, who is now 99, declared incapacitated. She and her husband used members of a special, hand-picked police unit to frame the uncle, Gerard Puana, for stealing the Kealohas mailbox, prosecutors say. Puana was arrested, and his federal public defender, Alexander Silvert, was initially skeptical about his clients seemingly outlandish claim that he was being set up. It seemed too bizarre: The idea that Honolulus power couple would hatch such a scheme to discredit him because he had accused his niece of trying to steal money. But the couple made a big mistake, Silvert said: They reported that the mailbox was valued at $380, but Silvert and his investigators learned it cost only $180. The difference in value allowed Puana to be charged with a felony instead of a misdemeanour. When I realized they were lying about the make and model of the mailbox, then I was OK, theres something going on, Silvert said. Puanas mailbox theft case ended in a mistrial in 2014. In 2015, a jury sided with Katherine Kealoha in the civil lawsuit her grandmother and uncle lodged against her. Federal investigators stepped in, eventually revealing allegations against Katherine Kealoha, including stealing trust funds from children, showering money she bilked on a firefighter lover and the alleged drug-dealing with her brother. They allege she even invented an alias Alison Lee Wong to dodge scrutiny, forge documents, secure state Senate confirmation, and more. In 2017, she and her husband were indicted on the federal criminal charges. Louis Kealohas lawyer, Rustam Barbee, told The Associated Press this month that after 30-plus years of protecting and serving the community here in Honolulu, the chief has earned the right of the presumption of innocence. His wifes lawyer, Cynthia Kagiwada, declined comment on the upcoming federal criminal trial. Hawaii has never had a corruption case like this before, said Neal Milner, a retired University of Hawaii at Manoa political science professor. He said the islands have had their share of organized crime and crooked politicians but the charges the Kealohas face are an unprecedented kind of alleged corruption. The repercussions could spread even farther than the couples alleged crimes. Federal authorities have notified Honolulus elected prosecuting attorney Katherine Kealohas former boss and the citys chief lawyer that they are being investigated. Its not clear what that investigation entails. Neither Kealoha was born into the luxury that prosecutors say they craved. Katherine Kealoha rode a city bus as a child for more than an hour to get to school from rural Kahaluu on Oahus verdant and mountainous windward coast where her father was a fisherman. And Louis Kealoha, 58, lived in gritty neighbourhoods, including Halawa Valley, where his mother supported the family with a small lunch shop. He dropped out of a community college to join the Honolulu Police Department in 1983, saying he liked surfing more than school. She graduated from the University of Hawaiis law school in 1995. He rose through the ranks of the police department, and eventually earned a bachelors degree. The two met while getting their masters degrees in criminal justice administration at Chaminade University, a small Catholic school in Honolulu, according to a 2010 Mid-Week newspaper article about how the new chief was instilling Native Hawaiian values while leading the police force. Louis Kealoha ended up earning a doctorate in 2006 through a University of Southern California program in which professors travelled to Honolulu on weekends, according to a 2013 USC publication. Describing his decision to seek higher education, he said his grandparents never attended school and his father had a sixth-grade education. Nobody in my family was a supervisor of anything. We were all rank and file, the USC article quoted him as saying. I thought it would be so cool to create a different path for my family. Now the Kealohas have lost their expensive home to foreclosure proceedings and have taxpayer-funded, court-appointed defence attorneys. They arrive at court hearings holding hands wearing colour-co-ordinated outfits. After being arrested and pleading not guilty in 2017, they left the courthouse wearing lei, an odd sight because lei are associated with celebratory events like birthdays to graduations, not criminal court matters. Despite their reputation as players at the pinnacle of Hawaiis law enforcement, the couples lavish lifestyle did raise eyebrows long before the sordid tale emerged. Randal Lee, a retired Honolulu judge, recalls running into Katherine Kealoha at the height of the couples prosperity around 2008 and asking her where she and her husband were living. When she told him the Kahala enclave of multimillion-dollar homes, he said he thought to himself: How could they afford that, man? HP Korea country managing director Kim Dae-hwan, right, HP 3D printing director Alex Lalumiere, left, and Inter I Korea CEO Chang Min-su pose with HP's 3D printer at Inter I Korea's headquarters in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul. By Baek Byung-yeul HP rolled out 3D printers that are able to print objects in full color, targeting small- and medium-sized enterprises and research institutes, the Korean unit of the U.S. computer and printer firm said Thursday. The firm said its Jet Fusion 300/500 series 3D printers are the industry's first products that support full-color printing. And they are suitable for small firms. Compared to other 3D printers it said it can attract more small businesses as the machines are small, suitable for limited spaces. "In the Fourth Industrial Era where companies should be able to make agile decisions, they can create what they want to produce faster with these new 3D printers," Kim Dae-hwan, country managing director of HP Korea, said during a press conference at the firm's local distributor Inter I Korea's headquarters in Seoul. "The 3D printers are particularly for product development producers who want to produce a functional prototype quickly with low cost," said Alex Lalumiere, 3D printing director of HP, adding that the full-color 3D printers will be sold at around 160 million won ($138,000) while the monochrome 3D printers will be at 130 million won ($112,200). Though he didn't reveal the firm's exact market share in the 3D printer market, he said "HP has significant impact in the market." He expects more companies will use the firm's machines. "Last year alone, customers using HP's 3D printer produced 10 million parts," he said. In addition to launching new 3D printers, HP Korea also opened a 3D printing demonstration center in Seoul. At the demonstration center, located at the firm's headquarters, companies that plan to purchase 3D printers can try out the machine. The firm said the demonstration center is especially for companies that want to produce prototypes in the manufacturing, automotive, healthcare and aerospace industries. "For customers who don't have any experience using 3D printers, we launched this demonstration center. Here, our engineers are going to help them print out objects and share 3D printing-related technologies," an official from Inter I Korea said. Together with the new 3D printers, it also introduced a virtual reality (VR) headset HP Reverb for industrial purposes, as well as a mobile workstation Zbook, a laptop designed for intensive graphic works and video editing. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - A federal magistrate judge ordered the leader of an armed group that detained asylum-seeking families near the U.S.-Mexico border to remain jailed Monday as he awaits trial on a federal firearms charge. Larry Mitchell Hopkins pleaded not guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition during a detention hearing that was delayed earlier in morning because the federal courthouse in Albuquerque was abruptly evacuated. The U.S. Marshals Service said it could not provide information hours later on why the courthouse was cleared. It reopened shortly after noon. Hopkins, 69, clad in a grey jumpsuit and shackled at the waist, wrists and ankles, inched across the courtroom as an officer helped him down a step and escorted him out of the courtroom where he had been waiting to appear before the judge. A federal prosecutor argued after the courthouse reopened that Hopkins posed a flight risk and danger to the public if released. He cited Hopkins history of felony convictions dating back decades, use of aliases, and leadership role in the heavily armed United constitutional Patriots group at the border. He was a commander of this militia group that was heavily armed and that further establishes hes a danger to the community, George Kraehe, the federal prosecutor, said. Hopkins was arrested on April 20 after videos of his militia group carrying firearms and detaining groups of immigrants crossing the border sparked widespread criticism. The charge against him stems from 2017 when authorities say an FBI agent was invited into Hopkins northern New Mexico home. Hopkins showed the agent at least nine weapons and ammunition, saying they belonged to his live-in girlfriend before referring to one of the weapons as his, according to the complaint. He also knew which firearms were loaded with ammunition, Kraehe said in court. In an interview, Hopkins partner Fay Murphy said he had been at the border for about two months before his arrest. She said he had told her over the phone that a FBI agent approached him in the desert near the border. He had been preparing to cook hamburgers when the agent offered to instead take him to a restaurant in Sunland Park, where federal authorities took him into custody, she said. It doesnt make no sense, said Murphy. Hes not a threat. She shook her head in court as the prosecutor said he had counted 11 prior felony convictions since 1968 against Hopkins. The indictment against Hopkins cites previous criminal convictions of impersonating a police officer and repeated firearms violations. Hopkins was accused by the prosecutor of wearing a holster with a pistol to a February meeting with the Sunland Park police chief. Hopkins also used an alias during that meeting, knowing that he was under investigation for being a felon in possession of a firearm, Kraehe said. Hopkins attorney, said the militia leader did not have a history of violence. He questioned prosecutors argument that his client posed a threat, given two years had passed between the 2017 FBI visit to his home and his arrest. If hes so dangerous, why didnt that (indictment) come two years ago, OConnell said. He described Hopkins as a Quixotic figure who believed he was aiding U.S. Border Patrol amid a rise in migrants crossing the border seeking asylum. An earlier complaint filed in U.S. District Court said that Hopkins told members of the Patriots in 2017 that they were training to assassinate George Soros, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama, because of these individuals support of Antifa, or anti-fascists. If convicted, Hopkins faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The FBI has declined to comment on why it waited to bring charges against Hopkins. ___ Associated Press writer Morgan Lee contributed to this report from Santa Fe. CHICAGO - U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth has returned to Iraq for the first time since the helicopter she was piloting was shot down during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. The Illinois Democrat said Friday that she led a bipartisan congressional delegation on a whirlwind trip last week. She says the delegation wanted to show its support for the people of Iraq and express hope that Iraq will be an independent, strong country and a close ally of the United States for many years to come. Duckworth lost both legs when her Blackhawk was shot down. Joining her on the trip were Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson of Georgia and Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine. They travelled to Baghdad, Taji, and Erbil, where they met with Iraqs top leaders and received intelligence updates. NEW YORK - Woodstock 50 will go on despite the loss of a major financial partner, according to the organizers of the beleaguered anniversary event. In a statement released late Monday, Woodstock 50 co-founder Michael Lang and Woodstock LLC said that they were committed to ensuring that the 50th anniversary of Woodstock is marked with a festival deserving of its iconic name and place in American history and culture. They said that would continue despite the announcement earlier in the day that a financial investor was dropping out of the event, scheduled for Aug 16-18 in Watkins Glen, New York. Although our financial partner is withdrawing, we will of course be continuing with the planning of the festival and intend to bring on new partners, the statement read. The bottom line is, there is going to be a Woodstock 50th Anniversary Festival, as there must be, and its going to be a blast. The anniversary event has had some bumps in the road. Tickets were originally supposed to go on sale last week, but that was put on hold. And some of the performers leaked to the press ahead of its announcement. But the biggest obstacle came on Monday when its major investor pulled out. Despite our tremendous investment of time, effort and commitment, we dont believe the production of the festival can be executed as an event worthy of the Woodstock Brand name while also ensuring the health and safety of the artists, partners and attendees, Dentsu Aegis Networks Amplifi Live said in a statement. That led many to assume that the event would be cancelled. Jay-Z, Dead & Company and the Killers were announced as headliners at the concert series, to take place about 115 miles (185 kilometres) northwest of the original site. The event is separate from an anniversary concert planned at the site of the original festival in 1969. More than 80 artists, including John Fogerty, Miley Cyrus, Santana, Imagine Dragons, Robert Plant and The Sensational Space Shifters, the Black Keys, Chance the Rapper and Janelle Monae, are expected to perform on three main stages at Watkins Glen International racetrack in the Finger Lakes for Woodstock 50. The original concert was held on a farm in Bethel, New York, that is now run as an attraction by The Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. The venue has its own anniversary event Aug. 16-18 with performances by Ringo Starr, Fogerty and Santana. BOSTON - When Alfred Brownell arrived in a remote Liberian village, the surrounding tropical rainforest had been levelled by bulldozers. Burial grounds were uprooted, religious shrines were desecrated and a stream people depended upon for water was polluted. Brownell, an environmental lawyer and activist, blamed the devastation on the palm oil company Golden Veroleum Liberia. The company had been given a green light in 2010 by the government to expand in the country and was poised to turn more than 800 square miles (2,000 square kilometres) of lush forest into palm oil plantations. Brownell on Monday was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for exposing alleged abuse by the company and helping to prevent it from converting about 20 square miles (about 50 square kilometres) of forest that is home to elephants, pygmy hippopotamuses and chimpanzees. He said he was forced to flee the country in 2016 after the government threatened to arrest him for his activism. It was total annihilation, said Brownell, now a visiting scholar at Northeastern School of Law in Boston. It was just not that they were destroying the forest, destroying habitat for species and everything, he said. They had also a system where they were working with the local government officials who were threatening, harassing and intimidating the communities. A spokesman for the company, Randall Kaybee, acknowledged in a statement that there have been lapses in following its own operating procedures, resulting in grievances among some communities and in the inadvertent clearance of some high carbon stock forest areas. He said measures have been put in place to address these problems. Gregory Coleman, who now heads Bureau of Concessions under Liberias current government, said authorities are working to avoid past problems like those that arose with Golden Veroleum. A green Liberia is the ultimate goal of this government and we have agreed to halt all expansions until we can line up all the requirements in accordance to international best practices, he added. For his work saving forest lands, Brownell won the Goldman prize along with five others for grassroots environmental activism. The prize was created in 1989 by the late San Francisco philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman. Winners are selected from nominations made by environmental organizations and others. The prize carries a $200,000 award. The other winners are: Linda Garcia of Vancouver, Washington, who rallied local communities to successfully prevent the construction of North Americas largest oil terminal. Ana Colovic Lesoska of North Macedonia, whose seven-year campaign helped stop hydroelectric projects from being built in the countrys largest national park and home to the endangered Balkan lynx. Bayarjargal Agvaantseren of Mongolia, who led the fight to create the 2,800 square miles (7,300 square kilometres) Tost Tosonbumba Nature Reserve. It is the countrys only federal reserve for snow leopard conservation. Jacqueline Evans of the Cook Islands, whose work led to the conservation and sustainable management of all 763,000 square miles (1.98 million square kilometres) of the Cook Islands ocean territory and creation of 15 marine protected areas. Alberto Curamil of Chile, a jailed indigenous activist who had protested several hydroelectric projects in the country. His efforts were credited with halting two projects and protecting a critical ecosystem surrounding the Cautin River. Despite Brownells campaign, palm oil development remains a threat in Liberia as mostly Southeast Asia companies move to expand their operations beyond Malaysia and Indonesia to West Africa. Golden Veroleum, one of the largest palm oil companies in the country, still holds the concession it signed with the government in 2010 to develop 800 square miles (2,000 square kilometres). Kaybee said the company is confident it will able to develop a significant part of the land in its concession while conserving forests. Supporters say Brownell deserves much of the credit for forcing palm oil companies to change the way they do business in Liberia. He has compelled the oil palm companies to undertake robust diligence. He changed the mindset of oil palm companies operating in Liberia forever, said Francis Colee, head of programming for the nongovernment organization Green Advocates International that Brownell founded. Everywhere, the oil palm companies are now trying to uphold their international commitments or deforestation rules. ___ Associated Press writer Jonathan Paye-Layleh contributed to this report from Monrovia, Liberia ___ Follow Michael Casey on Twitter at @mcasey1 RICHMOND, Va. - A member of a white supremacist group pleaded guilty Monday to conspiring to riot at a white nationalist rally in Virginia and at other demonstrations in California. Thomas Walter Gillen, 25, of Redondo Beach, California, became the second member of the Rise Above Movement to plead guilty after four members of the group were indicted in Virginia last year. Members of the militant white supremacist group are known for meeting regularly to train in mixed martial arts street-fighting techniques. Cole Evan White, of Clayton, California, pleaded guilty to the same charge in November. All four men were accused of committing violent acts during a torch-lit march at the University of Virginia and the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville in August 2017. Defence lawyers for two of the men had argued that their actions were protected by the constitutional right to free speech and assembly. U.S. Attorney Thomas Cullen said in a statement Monday that the First Amendment does not license insensate acts of violence committed under the guise of First Amendment expression. As part of Gillens guilty plea, he admitted that he and other members of RAM attended the Unite the Right rally and other demonstrations in California to incite and commit acts of violence, not to exercise their rights to free speech. Gillens lawyer did not return a call seeking comment Monday. Prosecutors said Gillen and other RAM members joined hundreds of people at the march on the grounds of the University of Virginia on Aug. 11, 2017. The march ended near a statue of Thomas Jefferson, where a group of students had gathered to protest white supremacy. Violence erupted, with some people kicking, punching, spraying chemical irritants and swinging torches. Prosecutors said that during this riot, RAM members, including Gillen, struck multiple people with a torch. The next day, Gillen and other members of RAM were part of a group that clashed with people who had come to the Unite the Right rally to protest against discrimination. Prosecutors said the RAM members collectively pushed, punched, kicked ... head-butted, and otherwise assaulted several people, resulting in a riot. Later that day, anti-racism protester Heather Heyer was killed when a self-avowed white supremacist drove his car into a crowd of counterprotesters. James Alex Fields Jr. was convicted of murder and other crimes in state court. Last month, Fields pleaded guilty to federal hate crime charges. Prosecutors said Gillen and other RAM members also committed violent acts at other 2017 demonstrations and rallies in Huntington Beach and Berkley, California. A third defendant, Michael Paul Miselis, has a change-of-plea hearing scheduled Friday in U.S. District Court in Charlottesville. PORTLAND, Ore. - A measles outbreak that sickened more than 70 people, mostly children, in the Pacific Northwest is finally over even as the total number of cases nationwide continues to spike to near-record levels , officials said Monday. Six weeks have passed without a new infection in southwest Washington state, where the outbreak began on Jan. 3, said Dr. Alan Melnick, head of the Clark County public health department. A total of 71 people were infected a tally that does not include a handful of cases in Portland, Oregon, and Seattle that were linked to the outbreaks epicenter. Authorities elsewhere struggled with the most measles cases in the U.S. since 1994. Across the country, 704 cases have been reported in 22 states as of Monday, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A large outbreak in the New York City area has stymied public health officials, and 271 students at two major California universities remained quarantined after possible exposure, down from 800 students last week. Were grateful to see this outbreak come to an end without any deaths or serious complications, Melnick said. But as long as measles exists elsewhere in the world and people continue travel, were at risk of seeing another outbreak. We must improve our immunization rates to prevent future outbreaks and keep our children and other vulnerable people safe. In Washington state, the outbreak began four months ago when measles was confirmed in a child who had travelled from the Ukraine to the U.S. Authorities could not determine, however, that the child was the source of the outbreak. It spread quickly among unvaccinated children: Ninety-three per cent of the cases were in people under 18 and 86 per cent of patients were unvaccinated, while 14 per cent had had just one dose of a two-dose series of shots or didnt know their vaccination status. One person was hospitalized. The outbreak cost nearly $1 million and 19,000 hours of staffing time to contain and affected 53 public places, including schools, hospitals, airports, stores and restaurants in both Washington and Oregon, officials said. Melnick said during the outbreak that public health authorities struggling to contain its spread identified and contacted more than 4,100 people who were exposed to the viral illness and made daily monitoring phone calls to more than 800 people considered susceptible to contracting measles. The outbreak prompted a public conversation in Washington and Oregon about routine childhood vaccines. The two liberal-leaning states have some of the nations highest statewide vaccine exemption rates, driven in part by low vaccination levels in scattered communities and at some private and alternative schools. Four per cent of Washington secondary school students have non-medical vaccine exemptions. In Oregon, which has a similar law, 7.5 per cent of kindergarteners in 2018 were missing shots for non-medical reasons. Numerous studies have shown vaccines do not cause autism a common reason cited by those who dont want their kids immunized. In Washington state, lawmakers sent a bill to Gov. Jay Inslee that would tighten up exemption rules for the mumps, measles and rubella shots. In Oregon, lawmakers will vote on removing a families ability to opt-out of required school vaccinations for personal, philosophical or religious reasons. Before mass vaccination, 400 to 500 people in the U.S. died of the measles every year. Serious complications include brain swelling that can cause blindness or deafness and pneumonia. Early symptoms include a fever, runny nose and malaise, followed by a rash that starts around the head and moves down the body. Patients are contagious four days before and four days after getting the rash. Nine out of 10 unvaccinated people who are exposed will get the disease. Someone who has no immunity can get sick up to three weeks after they have been exposed to the virus. ____ Follow Gillian Flaccus on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/gflaccus MILLBROOK, Ala. - An Alabama man is accused of raping a 5-year-old girl, who was hospitalized and underwent surgery following the attack. News outlets report 28-year-old Steven Sarandon Barnes was arrested over the weekend on charges including first-degree rape and chemical endangerment of a child. Millbrook Police Chief P.K. Johnson says authorities responded Thursday to a Prattville hospital for a report of a sexually assaulted child. He says she underwent surgery, and he believed the girl was in stable condition as of Saturday. Authorities identified Barnes as the suspect and later arrested him in the neighbourhood where the attack happened. Johnson says this is one of the worst cases hes seen in his 31 years in law enforcement. Barnes is being held on $106,000 bail. Its unclear if he has a lawyer. ALAMOSA, Colo. - In this scruffy, high-desert town encircled by prairies and potato farms, Sen. Cory Gardner drew shouts of approval last week for his message that Democrats are shoving the country toward socialism. Thats not what government is or what it should be, he told about 200 Alamosa County Republicans at a barbecue fundraiser in a National Guard armoury. We have to stand up and fight. Are you going to join me in this fight? For Gardner and other Republicans making the same pitch , including President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the key question is whether it will attract moderate voters, not just their conservative stalwarts. Based on interviews with over three dozen Coloradans last week from Denvers suburbs south to this town in the flat San Luis Valley, the argument has yet to take root, though the GOP has 18 months to sell it before Election Day 2020. Few volunteered a drift toward socialism as a major worry, with health care and living costs cited far more frequently. Several said capitalism was too embedded in the U.S. to be truly threatened and Republicans were using socialism to stir unease with Democrats by raising the spectre of the old, repressive Soviet Union and todays chaotic Venezuela. Theyre preying on fear, said David Kraemer, 67, a financial adviser whos not registered with a political party and lives in the Denver suburb of Westminster. Yet when asked directly whether socialism was a concern, many expressed a wariness of injecting more government into peoples lives. Rather than naming policies that troubled them, many mentioned two self-proclaimed democratic socialists: Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, whos seeking the Democratic presidential nomination , and freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. The comments suggested that Republicans might be tapping into unease over letting either party go too far. Checks and balances are what make this country so great, said Steve Lajoie, 46, a self-employed carpenter from Denver and independent voter. Gardner, 44, whos expected to face a tough re-election fight next year, has been repeating his argument for months. He cites liberal Democrats Medicare for All bills for government-provided health care, and a Green New Deal proposal for aggressively cutting carbon emissions. Sanders has sponsored Medicare for All legislation thats been embraced by many of his Democratic presidential rivals. Ocasio-Cortez is an architect of the Green New Deal, which remains a concept, not proposed legislation. Many Democrats, especially moderates, have kept their distance from both plans, divisions Republicans are happy to exploit. Democrats reject the socialism assertion as a distraction from Trumps unpopularity and the issues they will emphasize, especially improving health care and protecting jobs and income. They say efforts to make health care more available and combat global warming have nothing to do with limiting individuals rights. Democrats note that voters gave them total control of Colorado government in November despite GOP attempts to pin the socialism label on former U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, who was elected governor. They say growing numbers of younger, urban and Hispanic residents are steadily making the state more liberal. GOP cries of socialism are Cold War stuff thats irrelevant to most voters, said Morgan Carroll, chairwoman of the Colorado Democratic Party. I think that probably does fire up their base, but you cannot win an election in Colorado with the Republican base alone, Carroll said. Republicans see a powerful argument in telling voters they need a GOP-controlled Senate for protection against Democrats who are coming after their current health insurance, their energy sector jobs and more. I think were running to be the firewall that saves the country from socialism, McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters recently. Republicans say the anti-socialism message will prove powerful in a state that overwhelmingly rejected a ballot initiative creating single-payer health care and where registered unaffiliated voters, often with libertarian leanings, outnumber both Democrats and Republicans. The GOP hopes the appeal will win over suburbanites whose distaste for Trump helped Democrats capture the House in the fall. They note that public opinion polls find socialism is especially unpopular among older voters, Republicans and moderates. Avery Jones, of Westminster, is one potential target. Taxes kill, said Jones, 27. While shes eager to improve her familys health coverage, she sees some merit to checking Democrats from pushing toward universal health care because it would just drive up taxes. But for every Jones, theres a Rhett Lucero. Lucero, 40, eating lunch at the Riverwalk park that winds through the city of Pueblo, says Democrats efforts to expand health coverage and curb global warming make sense. Its helping each other out, said the auto body mechanic, who, like Jones, is an unaffiliated voter. Its putting our taxes to a real good use. Not all Democrats are dismissive of the socialism strategy. Eva Henry, a commissioner of Adams County outside Denver, says her communitys blue-collar families might buy the GOP argument if they believe Democrats proposals would drive up taxes. Our Democrats can vote Republican because they vote their pocketbooks, the Democrat said. Pueblo Mayor Nicholas Gradisar said he doubts the argument will sway many Democrats but warned, Democrats have to be wary of it and they have to respond by telling voters the party will give you a fair shake. Pueblo County, south of the economically surging corridor that runs from Boulder to Colorado Springs, leans Democratic but backed Trump in 2016. Republicans, whove already cast Democrats as socialists this year with digital videos and roadside billboards, tried the theme in several states in November, to little effect. It wasnt new: Actor Ronald Reagan and GOP presidential candidate Barry Goldwater castigated Medicare as socialist in the 1960s, yet its now a cherished medical lifeline for millions of older Americans. Republicans say this time will be different. But one Coloradans comments suggest that past GOP warnings about Democrats may haunt Republicans. Every time a Democrat gets elected, they say, Were going to lose our guns, said Marc OLeary, 48, of Westminster. It never happens. OKLAHOMA CITY - Residents of an Oklahoma town were still waiting for answers Monday on what prompted police to open fire on a pickup truck last week, wounding three children and a man who authorities say was wanted in a robbery. Three days after the shooting, it remained unclear why gunfire broke out Friday when two Hugo police detectives tried to pick up William Devaughn Smith, 21, on a robbery warrant. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation says Smith and four children were in the truck outside a community centre that serves food. One child wasnt hurt. The agency had previously said the childrens mother was in the truck but said Monday she was not. The three children who were wounded have been released from the hospital. OSBI said Monday that the childrens mother, Olivia Hill, is in a relationship with Smith. Hill told KXII-TV in Sherman, Texas, that her 4-year-old daughter was shot in the head, her 5-year-old child has a skull fracture and that her 1-year-old has gunshot wounds on her face. The state agency has not released the names of the detectives, who have since been placed on paid leave. The agency and local police also have not said how they connected Smith to the robbery of a restaurant earlier this month. Authorities have not said if Smith fired a weapon in the confrontation with police on Friday. A statement from OSBI on Monday said the investigation is ongoing and evolving and that when it is complete, a report will be submitted to the local district attorneys office for review. Since the time of the incident on Friday afternoon, the OSBI has had agents on the ground collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses, the agency said. Rodney Cox grew up in Hugo, a town with about 5,200 residents, and was leading demonstrations there Monday. He and others are asking for local and state officials to show any police videos of the shooting and for a public release of a report on the incident. Residents also want to know if the officers involved were appropriately trained. If those were your kids in the car, how would you feel about the situation and what would you want to be done? said Cox, who now lives in Oklahoma City. Were not hearing much right now. Calls to the Hugo Police Department went unanswered Monday afternoon, and the department Facebook page was no longer available. State Rep. Justin Humphreys district includes Hugo. He said Monday that he met with community leaders over the weekend and is pushing authorities to be open about the investigation. Theres no question the community has a right to be concerned, and I think these requests are reasonable, Humphrey said. Ive been in contact with the OSBI and have asked that they work with me to make the investigation as transparent and as open as we can. The police chief in Paris, Texas, whose officers arrested Smith on Friday after he was treated and released from a hospital there, said hes also not clear on aspects of the Oklahoma investigation. Chief Bob Hundley said hed seen reports that the children were shot in the head and others that their injuries were not life-threatening. The only information Ive been made aware of is conflicting information, Hundley said. Smith was being held Monday on an aggravated robbery complaint in the jail in Choctaw County, Oklahoma. Jail records dont indicate he has an attorney to speak on his behalf. Smith is suspected in an April 11 armed robbery at a Pizza Hut in Hugo, about 180 miles (290 kilometres) southeast of Oklahoma City and near the Texas state line. A now-unavailable post on the Hugo police Facebook page said a man entered a back door of the restaurant, pressed an object to an employees back and demanded money. Police said the worker handed over cash and the robber left. ___ Associated Press writers Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City and Jake Bleiberg in Dallas, and AP researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed to this report. SEATTLE - Human error may have caused a crane collapse that killed four people and injured four others over the weekend, experts said Monday. Based on videos of the collapse, they said it appears workers who were disassembling the construction crane had prematurely removed pins securing the sections of the cranes mast to each other, and that could explain why the crane toppled in relatively minor wind gusts. The reason this tower fell over is ironworkers and the people working on it did not follow the manufacturers instructions for disassembling the crane, said crane accident investigator Tom Barth. If the pins had been in, that crane would not have fallen over. The cranes mast fell over on Saturday afternoon as workers were taking it apart. Sections landed on top of the new Google building where it had been used and on traffic below, striking six vehicles. Two ironworkers on the crane were killed, as were two people in cars a retired city employee and a college freshman. Four others were injured. Barth, who has been a tower crane operator, inspector and accident investigator for 38 years, said the only safe way to disassemble a tower crane is to do it by sections. First, a line from another crane is secured to the top of the section being removed. Only then do workers remove the bolts that secure the section being removed to the one below it. The second crane lowers the section, Barth said. The videos, including one from a dash camera in a car approaching as the crane fell, appear to show the sections of the tower crane separating cleanly, indicating the pins had likely been removed early, said Dave Kwass, a trial attorney who handles crane accident lawsuits. Where I would be starting as an investigator is getting a better grasp of what these two ironworkers who tragically were killed may have done in removing the pins, Kwass said. What Im seeing is a crane that looks as though the pins were popped all the way down to the pedestal section. Kwass also suggested that the shifting weight of the workers at the top of the mast as they tried to grab the wind-swayed hook and line from the other crane might have helped push the mast over. Early pin removal was blamed after a tower crane mast collapsed during disassembly in Dallas in 2012, killing two workers. Terry McGettigan, a tower crane specialist in Seattle, declined to comment on Saturdays crash, but he wrote a paper on the Dallas collapse warning about the danger of taking shortcuts by loosening or removing the bolts in advance. The Iron Workers Union Local 29 based in Portland, Oregon, and Local 86, in Seattle, who represented the workers who died, did not respond to requests for comment Monday. Washington Department of Labor and Industries inspectors were expected to finish their work at the scene Monday, said Tim Church, a department spokesman. He said it was too early to speculate on a cause. The department on Monday expanded its investigation to include a fifth company: Seaburg Construction Corp., which employed the tower crane operator. The other companies are general contractor GLY, Northwest Tower Crane Service Inc., Omega Rigging and Machinery Moving Inc., and Morrow Equipment Co. LLC GLY and its sub-contractors involved with this tower crane accident are doing everything we can to investigate the incident, the company said in a written statement. We are co-operating fully with investigators and assisting the local authorities. At this early stage of the investigation, we have no further details. The ironworkers who died were identified by their unions as Andrew Yoder, 31, of Washington, and Travis Corbet, 33, of Oregon. Corbets wife, Samantha Corbet, told Seattle television stations that her husband had served in the U.S. Marine Corps for five years before becoming an ironworker. They married last year and planned to go on their honeymoon in June. Also killed were Seattle Pacific University freshman Sarah Wong, 19, and Alan Justad, 71, who retired in 2014 as deputy director of Seattles Department of Planning and Development. In a written statement, Mayor Jenny Durkan called Justad a true public servant. Tran Trung Tranh, second from left, deputy chief of the Vietnam Fire and Rescue Police Department, shakes hands with Choi Joo-ho, head of Samsung Electronics' Vietnamese manufacturing complex, at a ceremony to hand over 300 donated IGNIS thermal imaging cameras, Friday. / Courtesy of Samsung Electronics By Jun Ji-hye Samsung Electronics has donated 300 IGNIS thermal imaging cameras to firefighters in Vietnam in a bid to help improve efficiency and safety in fire prevention and rescue activities there. The official donation was made Friday and is part of a collaborative effort between Samsung Electronics Vietnam and the Vietnam Fire and Rescue Police Department, according to the tech giant. Van Son Nguyen, Vietnam's deputy minister of public security, and Choi Joo-ho, head of Samsung Electronics' Vietnamese manufacturing complex, attended the event along with other senior officials from Samsung Electronics Vietnam. Also in attendance were representatives from departments and agencies under Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security and the management boards of the Public Security Departments from 11 provinces that will receive the cameras. Samsung's IGNIS thermal imaging cameras help firefighters to both rescue those in danger and keep themselves safe during operations as they are capable of detecting ignition points, locating victims, identifying terrain and indicating paths to be avoided. The 350-gram wearable cameras are highly water, dust and heat resistant. "Fire prevention and rescue activities are pivotal in every nation for saving lives and assets of citizens," Choi said. "We are pleased to know that local firefighters will be equipped with our cameras, which will help them carry out their duties and protect public safety." The Vietnam Fire and Rescue Police Department plans to organize training courses for officers and firefighters on how to use the cameras. In November 2017, Samsung Electronics donated 1,000 thermal imaging cameras to firefighting units in Korea. Now, they are used by police officers and firefighters in 18 cities and provinces here. The IGNIS thermal imaging camera was developed by Samsung Tomorrow Solutions as part of a social contribution project and open idea contest that began in 2013. The project invites people to produce and submit designs and ideas that can change society for the better. Han Gyeong-seung, a firefighter in Korea, submitted the idea of a thermal imaging camera based on his firefighting experience, which found that conventional thermal observation devices were too heavy and expensive to be given to each firefighter. He was provided with prize money and additional research funds as well as a team of support engineers at C-Lab Samsung's idea generation and entrepreneurship program to help bring his idea to life. CHICAGO - The Latest on prosecutors report on a February mass shooting at a warehouse in Aurora, Illinois (all times local): 10 a.m. Autopsy results show an Illinois man who fatally shot five co-workers suffered six gunshot wounds, including one that was likely self-inflicted. A Kane County States Attorneys office report released Monday says Gary Martin started shooting at Henry Pratt Co. in Aurora on Feb. 15 after learning he was to be fired. It says an autopsy found the 45-year-old gunman died of multiple gunshot wounds. He was shot four times in the chest and once in the middle of his forehead. Pathologists say a gunshot wound to his right jaw was likely self-inflicted. The report says police found a handgun on the floor next to Martin and ten bullets and a knife in his pants pockets. Illinois State Police found 64 fired cartridge casings at the scene. There was additional ammunition among Martins personal belongings. ___ 9:20 a.m. A report on the February shooting at a suburban Chicago manufacturing plant found that the man who killed five people after he was fired told another employee that if he lost his job he would kill other workers and blow police up. The Kane County States Attorneys office report released Monday says the other Henry Pratt Co. employee didnt report Gary Martins comments to superiors because Martin routinely made off the wall statements and that he didnt believe Martin would commit violence. The employee knew Martin carried a gun in his vehicle but had never seen it inside the Aurora warehouse where they worked. The report also details the shooting and explains that it followed a disciplinary hearing over Martins refusal to wear safety glasses. Martin was killed by police. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Latest on the federal case against the leader of an armed group that detained asylum-seeking families near the U.S.-Mexico border(all times local): 2:55 p.m. A federal magistrate judge has ordered the leader of an armed group that detained asylum-seeking families near the U.S.-Mexico border to remain jailed as he awaits trial on a federal firearms charge. Larry Mitchell Hopkins pleaded not guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms during a detention hearing Monday in Albuquerque. A federal prosecutor argued Hopkins posed a flight risk and danger to the public if released, citing his history of felony convictions, and use of aliases. The charge against Hopkins stems from a 2017 visit by an FBI agent to his home in New Mexico. Hopkins attorney questioned prosecutors argument that the 69-year-old posed a threat, given two years had passed between the 2017 encounter and his arrest April 20 in Sunland Park, New Mexico. ___ 2:35 p.m. A federal court hearing has reconvened after an evacuation in legal proceedings against the leader of an armed group that detained immigrants at the U.S. border with Mexico. Attorneys and court officials returned Monday to a hearing for Larry Mitchell Hopkins, who is being held on a weapons charge, after the courtroom was cleared without explanation by the U.S. Marshals Service. The charge stems from a 2017 visit by an FBI agent to his home in New Mexico. His arrest on April 20 followed widespread criticism after videos surfaced of members of the United constitutional Patriots carrying firearms and detaining groups of immigrants crossing the border. __ 12:10 p.m. A federal courthouse has been evacuated ahead of a hearing for the leader of an armed group that detained asylum-seeking families near the U.S.-Mexico border. The U.S. Marshals Service said it could not immediately provide information on why the courthouse had been cleared Monday. Attorneys and court officials exited and gathered in front of the courthouse in Albuquerque. Larry Mitchell Hopkins, the militia leader who has been indicted on a weapons charge, was escorted out of the courtroom where he had been waiting to appear before a magistrate judge for a detention hearing. He faces a weapons charge stemming from a 2017 visit by an FBI agent to his home in northwestern New Mexico. He was arrested April 20 in Sunland Park, New Mexico. WEST CHESTER, Ohio - The Latest on four people found dead at complex where multiple shots were fired. (all times local): 12:20 p.m. Three women and a man have been found dead at an apartment complex in Ohio where multiple shots were fired, and police say they havent identified a suspect. West Chester Township Police Chief Joel Herzog said at a news conference Monday that the four who died were family members who lived in the same apartment at the Lakefront at West Chester complex. Another family member called 911 saying he returned to find his family on the ground, bleeding. Herzog says its too early to suggest a motive and it doesnt appear that there was any return fire. He said Butler Countys coroner will determine the cause of death and release the victims identities. Herzog said the shooting appeared isolated and he doesnt believe theres any danger to the community. ___ 9:25 a.m. Four bodies have been found at an apartment complex in Ohio and police say foul play is suspected. West Chester Township Police Chief Joel Herzog says authorities are investigating the deaths in the township roughly 20 miles (32 kilometres) north of Cincinnati as homicides and were searching for a suspect Monday. A mans 911 call around 10 p.m. Sunday led police to find the bodies at the Lakefront at West Chester complex. The distraught man can be heard shouting for help and saying he returned home to find his wife and other family members on the ground, bleeding. Police havent released information on the cause of the four adults deaths or any suspect. They said there was no immediate threat to the community. Multiple agencies are assisting in the investigation. ___ 5:30 a.m. Four bodies were found at a West Chester Township apartment complex and police say foul play is suspected. WCPO-TV reports that Chief Joel Herzog says authorities are investigating the deaths as homicides and that police are still searching for a suspect. A tip to authorities on Sunday at about 10 p.m. led police to find the bodies at the apartment complex Lakefront at West Chester on Wyndtree Drive. Authorities established a perimeter around the complex early Monday but did not find a suspect. Police have said there was no immediate threat to the community. A spokesperson says police do not yet have a person of interest. Police did not release any information on the victims or how they died. Multiple agencies are assisting in the investigation. HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Latest on former Vice-President Joe Biden and his 2020 campaign (all times local): 4:05 p.m. Joe Biden is holding his first public rally as a 2020 presidential candidate, appearing at a Pittsburgh union hall the working-class heart of a state that eluded Democrats in 2016. The former vice-president is expected to speak about rebuilding the middle class, though Saturdays deadly shooting at a California synagogue promised to stoke Bidens call for aggressive opposition to white supremacists. Biden is likely to mention a theme central to his introductory campaign video, in which he criticized President Donald Trump for not taking a more aggressive rhetorical stance against white supremacists after the deadly confrontation in Charlottesville in 2017. Before Biden took the stage, hundreds of supporters and union activists in the Teamsters Union ballroom chanted: We want Joe! We want Joe! ___ 12 p.m. President Donald Trump is claiming support from rank-and-file union members as Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden prepares to address an organized labour crowd in Pennsylvania. Trump tweeted Monday hell never get the support of Dues Crazy union leadership but added the members love Trump. Pennsylvania is one of the Rust Belt states where many white working class voters, including union members, backed Trump in 2016. Pennsylvania will be a key battleground in the 2020 general election, and Biden is making an early play in the state. Trump again labels the former vice-president Sleepy Joe Biden and says Biden and President Barack Obama didnt do the job. Biden will speak in Pittsburgh after receiving the endorsement of the International Association of Fire Fighters. Biden announced his candidacy last week, declaring the soul of this nation at stake if Trump wins again. ___ 12:20 a.m. Joe Biden is picking Pennsylvania for his first campaign speech of the presidential race. That signals his hopes of owning what may be the toughest battleground of next years election. The former vice-presidents speech to an organized labour crowd Monday afternoon in Pittsburgh comes days after he announced his candidacy and attended a fundraiser in Philadelphia. For Biden, planting a flag in Pennsylvania makes sense: The longtime former senator from Delaware was born in Pennsylvania, has numerous ties to it and can use his deep inroads with influential state party figures to his advantage. President Donald Trumps campaign is already mapping out a strategy to win Pennsylvania for a second time, and the state forms the core of the presidents likeliest path to victory. . WASHINGTON - Somehow, The Washington Post had uncovered Michael Flynns secret. Somehow, it had learned that he had spoken with Russias ambassador the same day the Obama administration announced hefty sanctions on the country. Now the question was raised: Had the incoming national security adviser undermined the sanctions? Flynn was in trouble. What the hell is this all about? Trump fumed to his chief of staff, Reince Priebus. Priebus called Flynn. The boss is angry, he told Flynn. Kill the story, he said. Flynn, the retired U.S. Army lieutenant general who grew close to Trump on the campaign trail, knew it was true. Just weeks before, he had indeed discussed the sanctions and persuaded the Kremlin not to escalate the situation. But feeling the pressure of Trumps anger after Priebus call, Flynn turned to his deputy. Call the Post, Flynn said. Tell them there were no sanctions discussions. Even though she knew better, the aide, K.T. McFarland, did as she was told. It was the first lie about Flynns Russia contacts. It wouldnt be the last. ___ EDITORS NOTE Another in a series of stories focusing on events detailed in the report of special counsel Robert Mueller, drawing from the documents trove. ___ Over the next few days, Flynn repeated the lie to Priebus and others in the White House. No sanctions discussions with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak, he told Mike Pence, the vice-president-elect. He said the same to press secretary Sean Spicer. And they parroted that to the public. They did not discuss anything having to do with the United States decision to expel diplomats or impose censure against Russia, Pence said during a Jan. 15 appearance on CBS Face the Nation. The denials set off alarm bells at the Justice Department. Acting Attorney General Sally Yates, an Obama holdover, and other senior officials knew the comments werent true. U.S. intelligence agencies, which routinely monitor the communications of foreign diplomats, had learned of Flynns discussions with Kislyak when analyzing the Kremlins response to the sanctions. The FBI had also opened an investigation into Flynns relationship with Russia. Yates worried that Flynns lie could put him and other U.S. officials in a compromising position because the Russians could prove the American public had been misled. There was also an ongoing counterintelligence investigation into the Trump campaigns contacts with Russia, of which Flynns calls were now a part of the mounting evidence. The Justice Departments concerns only increased when, after Trumps inauguration and Flynns appointment as the nations top national security aide, Spicer gave his first press briefing. He had spoken with Flynn the night before, he told reporters. The Kislyak calls werent about sanctions, he said. Next question. ___ Two FBI agents walked into the White House the next day. It was Jan. 24, 2017, and they were there to talk to Flynn. One of them was Peter Strzok, a senior counterintelligence official who would later face scrutiny for his anti-Trump comments. Flynn agreed to talk with them, and when asked, denied that he told Kislyak to back off from escalating situation in response to the sanctions. He also lied about a follow-up phone call and another matter: On Dec. 21, 2016, when Egypt pushed a resolution at the United Nations critical of Israeli settlements in Palestinian areas, Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner turned to Flynn to push for the Kremlin to oppose the move. Flynn had unsuccessfully pressured Kislyak on the issue. But he told the agents otherwise. News of the false statements to the FBI a crime under federal law quickly made it to Yates, who on Jan. 26, called White House counsel Don McGahn. She needed to discuss a sensitive matter. In a meeting with McGahn and another White House lawyer later that day, Yates told him that Pences comments about Flynn werent true. Also, Flynns FBI interview hadnt gone well. McGahn, not entirely swayed by Yates, asked the National Security Councils legal adviser, John Eisenberg, to look into the matter. He also went to Trump. The president told him to work with Priebus and chief strategist Steve Bannon to look into it further. He added: Dont discuss this with anyone else. Not again, this guy, this stuff, Trump told Priebus, referring to Flynn. ___ Over the next week and a half, Eisenberg and McGahn gathered more information, and Flynn had a one-on-one with Trump in the Oval Office. What did you talk about with Kislyak? Trump asked. Flynn acknowledged he might have discussed sanctions. Days later, the front page of The Washington Post would say the same thing. The story shook Pence, who had been in the dark. A review of Justice Department documents sealed it. Flynn couldnt have just forgotten. He had lied. McGahn and Priebus told Trump he had to fire Flynn. That weekend, Flynn flew to Mar-A-Lago with the president. On the plane back to Washington on Feb. 12, Trump asked him whether he lied to Pence. Flynn said he may have forgotten some things but denied lying. OK. Thats fine, Trump responded. I got it. The next day, Flynn was out. Priebus delivered the news. In the Oval Office, Trump embraced Flynn and shook his hand. Well give you a good recommendation. Youre a good guy. Well take care of you, he said. Flynn had spent just 25 days as national security adviser. Trump had lunch with former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie the next day, which was Valentines Day. Now that we fired Flynn, the Russia thing is over, Trump told him. Christie burst out laughing. No way, he said. What do you mean? Trump responded. Flynn met with the Russians. That was the problem. I fired Flynn. Its over. Flynn is going to be like gum on the bottom of your shoe, Christie said. ___ In the Oval Office later that day, Flynn was still on Trumps mind. The president was being briefed by his top national security team. That included FBI Director James Comey, who Trump was intent on making part of his team. As the meeting wrapped up, Trump cleared the room and asked Comey to remain behind. I want to talk about Mike Flynn, Trump said, according to Comey. There was nothing wrong with Flynns calls with the Kislyak, he said, but he had to fire Flynn for lying to Pence. I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go, Trump said, according to Comey. He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go. Comey awkwardly sidestepped the issue. But over the next few weeks, Flynn remained on Trumps mind. Trump praised him publicly. Privately, he turned to McFarland, who had covered for Flynn before. On Feb. 22, 2017, McFarland, now the deputy national security adviser, was asked to resign. But Priebus and Bannon, who conveyed the message, suggested it came with a soft landing. The president could make her ambassador to Singapore. The ask came a day later. As reporters questioned whether he directed Flynns Russia contacts, Trump told Priebus to have McFarland draft an internal email saying that the president didnt order Flynn to discuss sanctions with Kislyak. Priebus went to McFarland, who balked. How could she write such an email? She didnt know if it was true, she told him. She went to Eisenberg, who told her it was a bad idea. It would also be a bad idea for the President because it looked as if my ambassadorial appointment was in some way a quid pro quo, she wrote in a contemporaneous memo. Priebus backed off. Forget I even mentioned it, he said. But Trump wasnt done. Call Flynn to show I still care, he told Priebus. Trump doesnt want Flynn saying bad things about him, Priebus later recalled thinking. In late March, news outlets reported that Flynn had offered to speak with the FBI and Congress in exchange for immunity. Mike Flynn should ask for immunity in that this is a witch hunt (excuse for big election loss), by media & Dems, of historic proportion! Trump tweeted. But privately, Trump asked McFarland to convey a different message. Tell him Trump felt bad for him, he said. And he should stay strong. ___ On Dec. 1, 2017 Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to wilfully and knowingly making false, fictitious and fraudulent statements to the FBI concerning conversations with Russias ambassador. He co-operated extensively with Muellers probe and awaits sentencing. ___ The article has been corrected to reflect that resolution was at United Nations, instead of States, in Dec 21 phone call. EDITORS NOTE - Another in a series of stories focusing on events detailed in the report of special counsel Robert Mueller, drawing from the documents trove. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump is offering his condolences following the death of longtime Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar. Trump says in a statement Monday that he and first lady Melania Trump extend their deepest condolences to the citizens of Indiana and the entire Lugar family following the loss of a great American and public servant. Trump is calling Lugar a proud Hoosier and patriot and says he leaves behind a long record of legislative accomplishments and a tremendous legacy of service. The statement was sent along with a photo of Trump meeting with Lugar in the Oval Office last June. Lugar was a leading Republican voice on foreign policy during his 36 years in the Senate. He died Sunday at age 87 at a hospital in Virginia. Rona Ambrose, the former interim Conservative leader, is outraged with the Canadian Senate. And who can blame her? A private members bill she introduced in 2017 that would make sexual assault law training mandatory for all lawyers who wish to become federal judges has yet to be passed by senators. Thats despite the fact the House of Commons passed it unanimously two years ago. The kicker? The Senate has been sitting on it for more than 700 days. Ambrose is not alone in her frustration. Earlier this month, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh introduced a motion asking the Senate to pass the bill at the earliest possible opportunity. The House adopted his motion, making it the second time in two years MPs have, yes, unanimously urged the Senate to act. So why is the Senate taking eons to pass legislation so widely supported in the elected House? Ambrose doesnt mince her words: Sexual assault survivors are not a priority. The bottom line is this is the old boys club protecting the old boys club. While that is quite an accusation, the reasons senators are putting forward for not passing the legislation do not hold water. Sen. Serge Joyal, chair of the Senates legal and constitutional affairs committee, which is studying the bill, says its because government bills take precedence over private members bills. That may be true. But why, then, has the committee found the time to pass nine other private members bills, some in mere months, since the beginning of this parliamentary session? Another reason cited earlier by Sen. Andre Pratte for not supporting the bill is that it requires training for would-be federal judges, when most assault cases are heard by provincial judges. While that is also true, this argument suggests that passing legislation for federal courts would somehow prevent provincial legislatures from following suit for courts in their purview. In fact, the Ontario Liberals did introduce similar legislation before they were defeated last year, and other provincial governments can do so, too. Further, that argument ignores the fact that federal courts do hear sexual assault cases. Indeed, one of the most egregious examples of a judge not understanding sexual assault law was that of former Federal Court judge Robin Camp, who in 2014 asked a plaintiff why she couldnt just keep her knees together to prevent an alleged rape. The importance of the spotlight the bill has shone on the issue even before it has passed the Senate also should not be underestimated. In 2017, after the legislation was introduced in the Commons, for example, the Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice, Lise Maisonneuve, ordered that new provincial judges be trained in sexual assault law and encouraged sitting judges to attend seminars that include sexual assault training. Its vitally important that this kind of action is taken to give sexual assault victims more confidence in the judicial system. If that is lacking, many wont bring their cases forward. As it stands, a 2014 survey by the Department of Justice found that lack of trust in the system was the second most common reason, next to shame, for women choosing not to come forward. No wonder. Camp is far from alone in his perverse interpretation of sexual consent. In 2017, for example, Halifax Judge Gregory Lenehan decided it was possible that a woman who was so drunk that she had passed out in the back of a taxi could have given consent to the driver since there was no evidence she had refused. (That case is now back before a provincial court after the Nova Scotia Court of Appeal determined that Lenehan had made an error in law.) The Senate will be sitting for only a matter of weeks before the next federal election. It should stop dithering and pass this important legislation. Local governments all over the world are declaring a climate emergency, so stop using the neutral term climate change in your coverage. Theres nothing neutral about the looming disaster for our life support system (aka the environment). Lets call it climate breakdown or climate chaos. Its not balmy global warming, its critical planet overheating. The oil and gas industry once successfully lobbied the media to call their nasty tarsands project the cleaner-sounding oilsands. Clearly, words matter. The emotional urgency of these words matter. Our future is at stake. Pike Krpan, Hamilton There are so many ways in which we need to fight the environmental injustice of climate change, but at every turn, governments in Canada are moving backward on the existential issue of our time. Bill C-69 is one way to counteract the wave of retreats in the battle against climate change and other potential environmental damage. The fossil fuel industry is well aware that it stands to lose economically from this bill and they have mounted a misinformation campaign aimed at convincing the Senate to water it down or delay it until the federal election. Canadians expect our governments to act to protect our rights, including Indigenous rights, and to act in the best interests of citizens and residents, not multinational corporations. The Senate needs to do their job and pass this bill, which has already been three years in the making. Amy Scott, Toronto Tom Scanlan, Toronto Beer in corner stores could cost Ontario taxpayers $1 billion, April 24 Your article flags the wrong issue. Doug Ford is not the least concerned what it might cost other people for distribution or sales of alcohol in Ontario, as long as the profit goes to private interests (friends of Ford?) and not the people of Ontario. And it provides a one-time juicy plum to plug the big hole left by his tax cuts. If anyone has been scratching their head wondering why a non-drinker has been pressing so hard to ease alcohol sales in Ontario, Ford has provided the answer. He is quoted saying, we dont believe anyone should have a monopoly on beer and wine. Most of the changes he has been making are to make the LCBO attractive for privatization, or for the dissolution of the LCBO altogether. Anyone who has followed this process in other provinces will know this has lead to higher prices, less variety of product, while the profit goes to private owners, rather than the treasury of Ontario. Some things are just bigger than politics. Bigger than party. Bigger, even, than winning. Look back upon the 20th-century wars and the victory-bond drives that cajoled every spare dollar from Canadian pockets. Right-wing, left-wing, Conservative, Liberal none of it mattered. National unity transcended. Look back farther still, to Confederation. The partisans of 1864 were every bit as polarized as those who rule today. It took nothing less than a Great Coalition the total suppression of partisanship in service to something greater to forge, three years later, a brand new country from the caterwauling colonies of Canada East, Canada West, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Fast-forward to 2019 and a growing swath of Canadians a majority, in fact see the threat of climate change in such non-partisan terms. And barely a year ago, it looked as if serious action was imminent, and here to stay, rooted in the widely accepted compromise of a revenue-neutral carbon tax. It wasnt the preferred action of Canadas environmental left, but it was the one that Canadas right could embrace: a market-driven, small-c conservative approach to decarbonization that had already been working effectively for a decade in British Columbia, where the sky had not fallen. Conservative stalwarts like Albertas Preston Manning were onside. But the conservative tent has shifted rightward Manning and like-minded conservatives now stand alone as a nexus of gas-pumping populism from Alberta to Ontario and everything in between declares war on Justin Trudeaus newly imposed carbon tax. Read more: Analysis | How Doug Ford turned Ontario on its head Federal carbon plan will cost the rich and benefit the poor, Parliamentary Budget Officer says Opinion | Heather Scoffield: All eyes on Conservatives for alternatives to carbon tax And its working. For reasons that have almost nothing to do with climate change, populism and partisanship now appear to have every chance of crippling the fragile national effort to curb carbon. With this falls federal election, Canadians will have their answer. Heres the really odd bit if Andrew Scheer ultimately rides the populist wave to a Conservative victory over Trudeaus Liberals without a carbon plan of his own, some within his own party worry as much about winning as they do about losing. I know Preston Manning is concerned a lot of people in the party are concerned that going to war in such a populist way is going to involve short-term gain at the risk of long-term pain, said a policy insider with first-hand knowledge of how the conservative debate on climate has shifted. It may be the popular thing to do right now it certainly is popular with the Conservative base, and it might even be popular with ordinary voters. But if the populist strategy wins, you end up hostaging the future because younger voters, women, suburban voters, university-educated voters, they all want the party to look serious on climate. Theres probably a 50-50 split on carbon price. But a clear majority is saying, Climate change is real; youve got to have a reasonable position on climate. So the danger is Conservatives dont look like they have any reasonable position on climate change. Many climate-conscious conservatives are reluctant to go on the record as they work quietly from within to advocate for a longer-term climate strategy. But one who is more than happy to vocalize these frustrations publicly is former Ontario Progressive Conservative leader Patrick Brown, who, from the comfort of his afterlife as mayor of Brampton, is clearly disgusted that climate action has evolved into such a political pinata. If Brown is out of the tent because it moved elsewhere, onto more populist ground, he now seems ready to hold a match against it. When I was Opposition leader in Ontario we had a caucus retreat on climate change and I took it to a vote its the only time I took a vote in caucus on an issue. All but two supported my position that we should be part of the national climate change accord, Brown told the Star. We had a 20-point lead in the polls and (after the replacement of Brown with Doug Ford and the abandonment of carbon pricing) they ended up winning by six. So in the change of direction, the more hard-right approach almost squandered the lead. Its a shame, continued Brown. To be able to get change in Canada, it takes non-partisan consensus, and thats what we wanted to do on climate change. Look at the Charter of Rights and Freedoms Pierre Trudeau had Bill Davis in Ontario, a Conservative, to help broker that, and now we look back on 1982 as a shining moment for Canada. It took a Conservative premier who was moderate and a Liberal prime minister who was moderate to bring together national consensus. And thats what we wanted to do on carbon. I cant help but think we owe it to the next generation of Canadians, and now we have a national setback in our battle on climate change. Brown points out that members of Fords cabinet including Environment Minister Rod Phillips, Attorney General Caroline Mulroney and Finance Minister Vic Fedeli signed up under Browns platform on climate, including support for the federal carbon tax. Now they are leading the challenge against a carbon tax, said Brown. The tune has changed. Sometimes politics is about stunts and photo ops but sometimes it needs to be about whats right. Brown said he believes many Conservatives still believe in carbon pricing. Its the same approach that Brian Mulroney and Ronald Reagan took against acid rain its about letting the markets dictate behaviour. Youd think modern conservatives would adopt those principles, he said. Under Browns leadership, Ontarios PCs interacted carefully with their Manitoba counterparts, looking at ways to fall in line with carbon taxation. But in the switch to Doug Ford and with Ford and Albertas Jason Kenney aligning hard against the policy Manitobas Premier Brian Pallister found himself circumscribed by populist pressure, ultimately turning against Trudeaus carbon plan. It all comes down to leadership, Brown said. Ultimately, if Andrew Scheer is unsuccessful in the federal election, and if Doug Ford is defeated in three years ... the issue of climate will be taken up by the next party leaders. The phrase carbon tax is, if not ancient, something that first entered the Canadian lexicon 30 years ago. In the summer of 1989 just as the Berlin Wall was about to fall and the internet was about to rise just as Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip introduced New Orleans Is Sinking as the first signature song of their Canadian canon a coalition of 28 environmental groups made front page news calling for a national carbon tax to address global warning. Today, environmental economists look back on the ensuing decades as more than a collection of false starts, failed ambitions and unmet climate pledges. Real gains were made. And when they unpack the policy details, they see, even in Doug Fords Ontario and Jason Kenneys Alberta, signals of a willingness to act if not at the retail consumer level, then at least in maintaining regulatory controls on large industrial emitters. There was a point, in 2006 and 2007, when Stephen Harper was talking about some pretty aggressive carbon policy. But then along came (Liberal Leader) Stephane Dion with his green tax shift including a carbon tax plan in 2011 and so Harper pivoted against that and it proved electorally very successful, said Dave Sawyer of EnviroEconomics, an Ottawa-based consultancy. In that same election of 2011, the NDP leader, Jack Layton, proposed a cap-and-trade system to harness carbon. Harper went after Layton hard on the job-killing carbon tax and it was, electorally, a successful policy. And from there, Conservatives have used it as a pocketbook issue that has served the right really well in Canada. My view is that along the way, they changed the values of the Conservative base. The base looks at it and says, This is really bad and that brought us to where we are now, Sawyer told the Star. Yet Sawyer emphasizes that for all the grassroots attention the Ford government has aimed at federal carbon taxation, Ontario also dismantled the former Liberal governments provincial regulations on large industrial emitters only to then announce it would reimpose regulations that look very much like those of former premier Kathleen Wynne. Thats whats so interesting to me the contradiction, Sawyer said. The Ford government is still rolling out the details, but their biofuels policy alone is likely to have the impact of a couple of cents a litre at the gas pump. So it is just the carbon tax they are against? Is it just Justin Trudeaus Liberals? Is it all climate action? Something isnt fully reconciled here and the big industrial emitters the big 150 companies that just happen to be our export engines it has left many of them scratching their heads. Canadian policy organizations that specialize in carbon pricing issues non-partisan NGOs such as the Alberta-based Pembina Institute and Torontos Canadians for Clean Prosperity point to the success of British Columbias revenue-neutral carbon tax as a milestone that awakened interest among fiscal conservatives throughout Canada. (See clarification below) Of all the climate policy options, revenue neutrality ensuring every tax dollar is cycled back to families that need it most holds appeal for a swath of conservatives who agree action is necessary but are wary of heavier market invention. One source familiar with the building of the Patrick Brown campaign platform told the Star that though much of the Ontario party was nervous about the move to support a carbon tax, everyone understood how strongly such a policy would appeal to centrist swing voters the party hoped to capture. But at least one conservative insider told the Star many Canadian conservatives remain uneasy about the prospect that once carbon taxes are established as the norm, future governments may eventually strip away the all-important revenue-neutral element, instead spending the cash on expensive environment projects the Canadian right tends to despise. As criticism of Ontarios current approach grows, Phillips, the environment minister, last week pushed back, insisting the Ford government has put forward some very pragmatic solutions and that Ontario remains on track to meet federal targets set in the 2015 Paris Agreement, designed to stop global temperatures from rising by more than two degrees Celsius. The confusion and mixed messages extend also to the federal electoral map, where Scheers Conservatives and Trudeaus Liberals now are engaged in all-out Twitter war over who is in the pocket of Big Oil versus who has no interest in the everyday struggles of Canadians trying to fill their tanks. One hopeful sign: Scheer on Saturday gave himself a deadline, pledging to supporters in Victoriaville, Que., that he would release his partys climate change plan by the end of June. He gave no details, other than saying it would address the environmental challenges of the 21st century. Its difficult to envision how the two plans will measure up. Its even more difficult to envision, with the debate already polluted by so much hyperpartisan rhetoric, that either party will elevate the issue to something bigger than politics. But if nothing else, Canadian voters now can expect to see details before they make their own decisions on the approaching quest for power in Ottawa. Clarification - April 30, 2019: This article refers to Canadian policy organizations that specialize in carbon pricing issues pointing to the success of British Columbias revenue-neutral carbon tax. Although BCs carbon tax model was widely considered to be revenue neutral in the past, the current government eliminated the requirement in 2017. Read more about: By Jun Ji-hye LG CNS will create a "smart town" in the southern port city of Busan in cooperation with LG Electronics and Bosung Corporation, the IT services unit of LG Group said Monday. The three companies signed a business agreement at LG Science Park in Magok, southwestern Seoul. Under the agreement, the three firms will push to create the smart town on 39,669 square meters of land owned by Bosung Corporation located within Busan's Eco-Delta City covering a 2.18-square-kilometer site. The Eco-Delta City has been designated by the government as one of the trial locations for the smart city project. LG CNS will establish IT infrastructure such as smart homes, and energy and parking control systems based on its smart city platform, Cityhub, launched in July last year. The firm will also be in charge of planning smart town services and managing them. LG Electronics will offer smart home appliances. Bosung Corporation will be responsible for construction of the smart town in which smart services can be implemented. LG CNS said its Cityhub platform powered by IoT technology is capable of offering services in diverse areas such as transportation, safety, energy and environment. The platform obtained a smart city integration platform certification from the Telecommunication Technologies Association. "The three companies will lead the smart city business and contribute to the government project," an official from LG CNS said. OTTAWAIt is not just huge swaths of ordinarily dry land in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick that were submerged as a result of a severe flooding this past weekend. So was a Conservative plan to belatedly put to rest queries about the tenor of the partys climate policy. Federal Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer had tentatively circled the opening day of his partys last big pre-election Quebec gathering on Friday to unveil his long-awaited plan. The idea was to come up with a detailed policy in time for the one-year anniversary on Monday of Scheers promise to present an alternative to the Liberal climate-change framework. But that was until actual climate-driven events got in the way. Against the backdrop of wall-to-wall media coverage of the floods, the risk to the Conservatives was not so much that their announcement would be ignored. As an aside, parties do not usually present signature policies on a Friday. That day is normally set aside to dump embarrassing news in the hope that they will fade from sight over the weekend. Read more: Analysis | What led Canadas Conservatives to turn against carbon taxes? Federal carbon plan will cost the rich and benefit the poor, Parliamentary Budget Officer says Opinion | Premiers who fight carbon tax ignore climate change at their peril The real risk would have been that the plan would attract the wrong kind of attention. For while the details have yet to be sketched out, it is already clear that Scheer is not about to surprise the country with more ambitious carbon emissions reduction targets than those Justin Trudeau is aiming for. A Conservative government would not build on some of the foundations put in place by the Liberals over the past three and a half years. It would dismantle them, go back to square one and rewrite a new Canadian climate plan. Scheers determination to do away with Trudeaus national carbon-pricing framework and with the reinforced regulatory oversight of future major industrial and energy developments the Liberals introduced is already well documented. Over the past year, he has aligned himself with premiers such as Ontarios Doug Ford who reject any form of carbon-pricing and pro-pipeline advocates such as incoming Alberta premier Jason Kenney. The policy Scheer will eventually present will have to reflect those two commitments. On that basis, it is not clear for instance that a Conservative government would pursue the commitments Canada undertook under the Paris Agreement rather than follow U.S. president Donald Trump out of the latest global climate change framework. Scheer and his caucus voted for the Paris Agreement early on in his leadership tenure. He has since refused to be pinned down on whether that is still party policy. Last Fridays postponed announcement would have lifted the veil on his intentions. It is possible albeit not necessarily probable that the flooding of the past weeks and the toll it has taken on people and homes will prompt Scheers Conservatives to go back to the drawing board to tweak their plan. What is more certain is that the sequence of events that caused the party to keep its policy announcement on hold in wait of a drier day should sound a cautionary note for Conservative party strategists. Polls show a substantial cohort of voters will not support a party that does not come across as committed to address climate change. Those same polls report that the environment in general and climate change in particular rank second only to the economy in the current priorities of the Canadian electorate. As health care rose on voters radars in the late nineties, concerns over climate change have been on the rise over the past few years. Those numbers were compiled before the climate episode of the past week provided Canadians with the latest taste of what to expect as global warming causes waters to rise and eventually remain at levels well above their historical average. There is no guarantee that the upcoming federal campaign will be free of climate-driven emergencies. One way or another, it will be hard to avoid having a serious conversation about climate change come the next election. The fact that it is a conversation Scheer did not feel comfortable initiating on his partys terms against the backdrop of the weekends floods speaks volume about the delicate political position the Conservative party has manoeuvred itself in. A Global News Ipsos poll published last week showed the Conservatives trailing the Liberals in Quebec and British Columbia, two provinces that have in common a high level of resistance to the Conservative pro-pipeline agenda. Scheers close alignment with Kenney could come back to bite his party next fall. It is possible for the Conservatives to win a federal election with little more than nominal Quebec support but only as long as the party makes up for that with a solid performance in B.C. When the waters recede as they hopefully will over the next few weeks, Scheer will have to be mindful that his lead in national voting intentions does not follow suit. Chantal Hebert is a columnist based in Ottawa covering politics. Follow her on Twitter: @ChantalHbert Read more about: Ontarios northern boards have smaller high school classes and under changes by the Ford government, they have more to lose. While boards across the province worry about how to handle the loss of teachers and course offerings as high school class sizes jump from an average of 22 to 28, in the north the current average is closer to 18. With smaller class numbers and a huge geographic area to serve, getting secondary-school class averages up will be tough without threatening core courses, critics say. They are going to have a really difficult time finding ways to meet that average without it impacting kids, said Cathy Abraham, president of the Ontario Public School Boards Association. They are already challenged because of the demographics they just dont have as many students as we have in the south. The government is now making class averages 28 to 1, so they are wrestling with what to do with smaller secondary schools. How are they going to deliver those programs with fewer teachers? The particular issues facing these boards led to the Near North District School Board in Finance Minister Vic Fedelis riding to have to issue potential layoff notices to half of all public high school teachers. Fedeli accused the union of fearmongering by releasing the information, but the union said the notices and numbers were a board decision and that over the next four years the loss of teaching positions will hurt local schools. On Friday, a fuming Fedeli spoke to reporters after educators protested his speech in his hometown of North Bay. Theyre still protesting and now theyve taken it to a whole new level by exaggerating (that) were cutting 50 per cent of the teachers. That is just simply preposterous, Fedeli said. Nobody should believe a word that the teachers union ever tell them again. Education Minister Lisa Thompson has guaranteed all teacher job losses will come through attrition, not layoff, and has set up a four-year, $1.6 billion fund to ensure that. But at the end of that time, there will be fewer teachers the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation has estimated about 25 per cent less. In an interview with the Star, Thompson said she encourages boards to come back to me with ideas and concerns and offsetting suggestions until May 31. No matter whats being said out there ... the thread that ties labour partners together with education partners together with our government is the priority of making sure we get it right in the classroom to ensure student achievement, she said. We want to work with school boards. Northern boards will continue to receive top-up funding to help with low enrolment, she added. I know first-hand that a cookie-cutter approach to everything absolutely failed the last government, and we are not going to fall into that trap. But with sprawling boards that cover huge geographic areas, and not as many teachers, northern boards will have to look at different options: create more multi-grade and multi-level classes? Cutting core courses? More videoconferencing? Videoconferencing is already used, and is not an answer for everyone, said Abraham, especially in light of ongoing Internet difficulties in more far-flung areas. We take for granted things like instruments, music class, which some boards have already had to abandon, she said. Whats left for them without cutting core courses? This is a tough one for them. A lot of my colleagues up in the north are really concerned about this. How the heck are they going to provide quality programming and support? Bob Brush, chair of the District School Board Ontario North East which covers a wide swath including Timiskaming, Timmins and Kapuskasing said we have nine high schools, and a very large board, geographically ... its a seven- or eight-hour drive from one end to the other. In a place like Hearst, the high school can have about 40 students and we staff at 18 to 1 ... now we are going to have to phase in to 28. Guess what thats significant, thats going to be very serious. Brush, a former high school principal, said were not sure how its going to work. It is also not clear to him how attrition will impact the the northern boards. If the automotive teacher retires, who is teaching auto? Who is qualified to do it? Attrition for me, in my experience, doesnt work well in a high school setting, he added. We have specialists who are not easy to replace, especially in more remote areas. If the physics teacher retires who is going to teach physics? You cant just put Joe Smith in. Chris Bell and his wife Leah were both notified of potential layoff by the Near North Board. They both work at Almaguin Highlands Secondary School in South River, north of Huntsville. They both expected about 30 teachers across their board to receive potential layoff notices, he said but not 121 of 240. If it wasnt such a devastating piece of information, we thought it was laughable, Bell said. My wife and I are both affected by this, he added. And we have three small children, ages 5 and under. Hes been with the board for 10 years, four of them in a permanent position at Almaguin, teaching history. Leah Bell has been on staff for nine years, teaching phys ed and special education. She grew up in the area and attended the school as a teen, as did her parents (and her father later became a vice-principal there, serving 15 years). We had thought she was high enough on the seniority list that she probably wouldnt be touched at all, Bell said. Twenty-four of Almaquins 32 teachers received such notices. But even if, in the end, no layoffs occur, positions are going to be phased out. This basically handcuffs our schools administration on the types of electives they are going to have to offer come September which puts all rural schools at a disadvantage, Bell added. Students will also miss out on extracurriculars as teachers leave. Other teachers may find themselves moved to other schools, with much longer commutes. Were just waiting, basically, Bell said. Were optimistic we have to be. Were just hoping that at least one of us has somewhere to go in September. Thats number one for us. The province is also boosting elementary classes by an average of one student in Grades 4 to 8. In total, the province estimates a loss of 3,500 teachers, though advocacy groups and unions believe it to be closer to 10,000. Read more about: The Toronto District School Board says it will need to make hard decisions in an effort to balance its budget after the province announced a funding plan that will leave the board with $21 million less than last year, according to a TDSB analysis. Education Minister Lisa Thompson announced Friday that the province will invest $24.66 billion to boards across Ontario through the Grants for Student Needs (GSN), with a per-pupil funding projected at $12,246. A preliminary Toronto public board analysis of the funding plan, obtained by the Star, says the shortfall will bring grant funding down for the TDSB from $2.99 billion this school year to $2.97 billion next year. The TDSB plans to update its trustees at a meeting Monday afternoon. Read more: Fords spending cuts extend from trees to libraries Ford government hikes education spending, chops support for school boards with needy students Students at North Yorks Emery C.I. have always felt left behind. Fighting Fords cuts helped them raise their voice Thompson told the Star Friday that the education grants announcement shows school boards that they have a ministry of education and a minister who wants to work with school boards as partners with a commitment to getting education back on track with a focus on student achievement. The board will have to find more than $54 million in cuts overall for the 2019-20 school year, given the provincial shortfall combined with the boards structural deficit, said TDSB chair Robin Pilkey. We dont have a lot of flexible money in the system, Pilkey said. Obviously any cut is a concern. We have a multi-year strategic plan that were trying to accomplish, and were hoping well still be able to do all the things that we want to do through that plan, but we have to make some hard decisions. One of those hard decisions is to reduce the number of teachers to match the provinces directive of increasing class size averages. The existing TDSB collective agreement stipulates that classes of Grades 4 to 8 should be kept to an average of 23.24 students, but the new provincial guidelines ask for an average size of 24.5 students per class. That will lead to an elimination of approximately 216 elementary teachers, according to the TDSB. In secondary levels, class sizes will increase from 22 to 28 students, leading to the elimination of about 800 teaching positions over the next four years, according to TDSB projections. Thompson said the provinces attrition fund of $1.6 billion over four years is historic and will allow boards to manage the move to larger class sizes, especially in high school, and help protect front-line staff who will be impacted by the proposed changes. She said she is confident the province is getting it right when it comes to boosting class sizes. We heard from people (who) wanted to have effective classrooms and moving to an average of 28 will do that, she added. But Pilkey noted TDSB schools will be forced to offer fewer courses to accomodate the mildly increasing student enrolment. The loss of options at high school level is a terrible policy, she said. High school is like a starting line to the rest of your life, and making decisions after high school, a lot of that is based on the type of courses you can take in high school. So if youve had fewer courses, people have fewer options. I dont think thats good for students, its not good for the economy, its not good for the province. Pilkey said she doesnt think the changes will affect the quality of the courses offered, as TDSB has very good people working for it and will have to learn to do things a little differently with this government. She said its disappointing to have to face these types of budget cuts as they make it difficult for the board to implement its plans for student success. I think we have an excellent education system and Im not sure why youd want to tamper with that, she said. The province is looking for money. We have to be honest about it. Its not about the quality of the education system. Its about how we find money. Marit Stiles, New Democrat MPP (Davenport) and a former Toronto public school board trustee, said boards are legislated to balance budgets and must find that money and school boards are going to be making some really brutal decisions. So, cuts are coming and they are significant, and for the government to say there wont be job losses, or that this is somehow a great investment in learning, well, thats just hogwash, said Stiles. The jobs are gone, the positions are disappearing, and classrooms will be larger, and students will have less opportunities and less face-to-face time with teachers. These educational funding cuts are among a host of other spending chops revealed in Doug Fords first budget cuts that extend to programs like tree-planting, library book-sharing, legal aid services and OHIP coverage while abroad, among others. The province will also be collecting a $1,300 fee from school boards for every international student that is enrolled in its schools. Thompson said the fee is to cover administrative costs associated with planning and preparing and hosting for the international students. Pilkey called this unprecedented move bizarre. I dont know why theyve done that. There was no indication theyd do that; I dont know where that came from, she said. Tuition fees for international students are set by individual school boards, and Pilkey said it is one of their revenue tools that help offset funding for other programs that are important to the schools. BAIC's EX5 midsize electric SUV / Courtesy of BAIC Korea By Nam Hyun-woo Chinese carmakers are seeking to bring electric vehicles (EVs) to Korea, posing a threat to Hyundai and other domestic makers which have been dominating the rapidly growing segment, according to industry analysts, Monday. According to Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group), its Korean importer BAIC Korea will showcase three electrified cars at the 2019 EV Trend Korea motor exhibition starting from May 2 at COEX, Seoul. At the show, BAIC Korea will introduce the EU5 midsize sedan, the EX5 midsize SUV and the EX3 small SUV, with a plan to roll out them in the domestic market next year. The EX5 is already drawing keen attention among domestic carmakers because of its longer distance on a charge and low price. The EX5 is 4.48 meters long, 1.84 meters wide and 1.67 meters high, a similar size to Hyundai Motor's Tucson or Kia Motors' Sportage. No domestic carmakers have electrified cars in the midsize SUV segment. As a spacious vehicle, the EX5 can cover up to 415 kilometers on a single charge, according to the BAIC Korea, which is longer than smaller models such as Hyundai Motor's Kona EV with 406 kilometers and Kia Motors' Soul Booster EV with 386 kilometers. The company said the EU5 can drive a whopping 460 kilometers on a single charge, and the EX3 can go 501 kilometers. BAIC's EU5 electric sedan / Courtesy of BAIC Korea BAIC's EVs' strongest advantage will likely be their price. Though the company has yet to set up domestic prices, the EX5's price in China starts from 250,000 yuan ($37,110), which is far cheaper than Kia's smaller EV costing 47.8 million won ($41,299). If those cars are introduced into the domestic market with the same government subsidy for EVs, domestic carmakers will lose their price competitiveness. "This is not the same as the previous unsuccessful inroads into the domestic market by Chinese engine car makers," a car firm official said. "Along with BYD, BIAC is leading the global EV market based on strong supports from the government. If those cars manage to defy the domestic consumers' stereotypes about Chinese products as Xiaomi did they will be a serious challenge to domestic carmakers." BAIC's EX3 electric SUV / Courtesy of BAIC Korea They made quite the odd couple in Mexico: the world-famous billionaire and the rising leftist politician. For years, they teamed up on projects and spoke nicely of one another in public. But just as the politician, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, was preparing to move into the presidential palace late last year, his relationship with the billionaire, Carlos Slim, suddenly soured. Mexico's richest man didn't join the president's business advisory board and AMLO, as the leader is known, began taking shots at one of Slim's companies. One potential explanation for the chill: a hand-written note Slim sent in October. As Lopez Obrador was weighing whether to scrap a $13 billion airport being built for Mexico City, Slim reached out to the president with a personal letter making a plea to save the project, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. He argued that the airport could be turned over to the private sector, and offered to take it on himself, said the people, who asked not to be named because the correspondence was private. Slim's strong support wasn't a surprise -- he had publicly defended the new hub and talked about the option for a privately run airport, known as a concession -- but the note also proposed that the deal include operations of another airport nearby, Toluca. For Lopez Obrador, who had just staked his winning campaign on a pledge to rein in Mexico's corporate elite, the bold overture didn't go over well, said one of the people. We know the outcome: Lopez Obrador proceeded with a public referendum on the airport and then canceled the project. Slim, who was heavily invested through construction contracts and a financing vehicle, took a heavy hit. But the note and Lopez Obrador's bristling response help provide some insight into the cooling behind a seemingly good relationship that went back almost two decades. Now the president is cozier with another billionaire, mogul Ricardo Salinas. "The airport was a big blow for Slim," said Alejandro Schtulmann, who runs the political-risk consultancy EMPRA in Mexico City. For the president, "Slim could be of use, but if he's perceived to be in the way, Lopez Obrador will just run him over. It's not personal, it's pragmatic utility." While Lopez Obrador's press office didn't respond to requests for comment, the Mexican president said Monday in his daily press conference, that he has a good relationship with Slim. "I just went for a meal with Carlos Slim last week, it was a good conversation," Lopez Obrador said, without providing additional details. The pair have a history of working together; they teamed up to revamp Mexico City's historic downtown when Lopez Obrador was mayor in the early 2000s. And in a country where personal connections weigh heavily in politics, the daughter of Lopez Obrador's tourism minister is married to Slim's eldest son. In a sign of frayed ties, Slim was the only Mexican media mogul missing when the president announced his business advisory board in November. Lopez Obrador said last month that the billionaire's energy company was unfairly profiting off unfinished natural gas pipelines. He also said in one of his highly watched daily press conferences that Slim, 79, would be retiring in the coming years. Slim's spokesman later expressed more moderate comments. The spokesman, Arturo Elias Ayub, said Friday that there isn't any rift between Slim and the president. To the contrary, "Slim is in total agreement with AMLO's top priorities, such as fighting poverty, corruption and improving public safety," he said. "They're both believers in promoting economic growth via private and foreign investment." Once the world's richest man, Slim has fallen over the years to No. 10 in the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, with a $58.7 billion fortune. He's still Mexico's wealthiest person by far. Most of his money has come from telecommunications, but his empire also spreads across construction, banking and mining. The drop in Slim's fortune is largely tied to the performance of the Mexican peso, which has fallen about 31 percent since 2013. That same year, a regulatory crackdown from the Mexican government on Slim's mobile-phone company, America Movil SAB, squeezed profit margins. Since Lopez Obrador's July 1 election, Slim's wealth is roughly unchanged, according to the Bloomberg index. In contrast, Salinas' fortune has soared 71 percent in that same time. Salinas, the owner of TV Azteca SAB, Mexico's second-largest broadcaster, and retail and banking conglomerate Grupo Elektra SAB, has strategically positioned his businesses and key collaborators to better align with the new government. His Banco Azteca SA is in charge of distributing cards with cash from social assistance programs to millions of citizens. There was no bidding process for that contract, a widely criticized move. The man who led Salinas' charity for more than 15 years is now education minister, and Salinas himself was named to the business council that Slim is not on. "I celebrate the good relationship," Alejandro Valenzuela, chief executive officer of Banco Azteca, said in an interview at his office in Mexico City. "The president saw we're the largest Mexican bank and we can help him deliver on these projects. As they say, be in the right time at the right place." As for Slim, it may only be a matter of time before he and Lopez Obrador bridge their differences. "It's about what's convenient," Schtulmann said. "In the business world, it's all about whether you're useful to me or not." --- Bloomberg's Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, Eric Martin and Jack Witzig contributed to this report. Anybody can ask Alexa, "Am I going to get a boyfriend?" But when Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the famous sex therapist, puts the question to Amazon's virtual assistant, in her thick German accent, it's somehow more endearing. That's how filmmaker Ryan White opens his documentary "Ask Dr. Ruth," a winning profile of the 90-year old author, therapist and media personality. Dr. Ruth, as Westheimer is more commonly known, welcomes the film crew to her Manhattan apartment by offering cookies - and asking an unseen crew member, "Did you call your mother?" With instincts so maternal, and a personality so disarming, one can't help but listen to her talk, much more frankly, about blush-worthy body parts and bedroom activity. The fact that such candid discussion comes from someone who reminds you of your grandmother has always been part of Dr. Ruth's charm. That's what led to her emergence in the 1980s, first as a radio host on WYNY, and later as a fixture on late-night TV talk shows. For the most part, White, who made the Netflix true crime docuseries "The Keepers," simply gets out of his subject's way, letting her win you over with her sunny demeanor. That optimism was hard-won. Born Karola Ruth Siegel in 1928 Germany, Dr. Ruth last saw her parents, who were killed in the Holocaust, when she was 10 years old. Part of the Kindertransport program, an operation that rescued Jewish children from the Nazis, she grew up in a Swiss orphanage, later emigrating to Palestinian territories when she was 17 and training to be a sniper for the Israeli Army (although she never killed anyone). Severely wounded on her 20th birthday when a shell exploded near her during the Israeli War of Independence, she nearly lost her legs. A lonely childhood seems to have inspired Dr. Ruth's intense longing for intimacy. As "Ask Dr. Ruth" suggests, such alienation may have led to her lifelong passion for helping others to foster healthy relationships, and to walk away from harmful ones. At a preview screening, Westheimer told the audience that she worried that the movie's animated sequences - which depict her early life - make her look like Pinocchio or Mickey Mouse. Fortunately, the reenactments are rendered with sensitivity, respectfully capturing the wide-eyed curiosity of a young woman, and conveying her story in a way that archival footage and family photos cannot. One thing is clear from old photos of Dr. Ruth, even group photos so blurry you can barely make her out: Her spirit and good cheer are evident, even as a child. Someone as charismatic as she is could have gone into any field, and presumably people would listen. But as "Ask Dr. Ruth" demonstrates, her message is an important one: however explicit the language, all she really wants is for no one to be lonely. --- Three stars. Unrated. At area theaters. Contains graphic sexual discussion. 100 minutes. Ratings Guide: Four stars masterpiece, three stars very good, two stars OK, one star poor, no stars waste of time. When casting was announced two years ago for the "The Intruder," the working title was "Motivated Seller." The thriller stars Michael Ealy and Meagan Good as a young couple who move into their dream home in Napa Valley wine country after chancing upon a seller: the mysteriously eager - and mysteriously clingy - retiree and widower played by Dennis Quaid. But that real estate term of art, which hints, ever so subtly, that there might be something fishy about the former owner's intensity, was eventually dropped. The producers probably didn't want to spoil the movie. Fat chance, when it's already gone bad. There is a faintly greenish fuzz of bread mold at the edges of every frame of this stale exercise in psychological horror (subgroup: homeowner hell). It all starts with the cheesy foreshadowing of dread: "Something tells me Domino's won't deliver," says Ealy's Scott, upon encountering the remote property, where they meet the gun-toting owner. (He says it's for deer, and proves it by shooting one right then and there.) Quickly, Scott has shelled out $3.5 million for the estate called Foxglove. (Yes, Foxglove is a poisonous plant, and it grows wild in these woods, which are also frequented by uninvited teenage partyers.) Soon enough, Scott is leaving his wife alone there while he goes off to work in downtown San Francisco. Did I say alone? There's someone else inside the house. Did you miss the title? That someone is no rambunctious adolescent, but the identity of the intruder will surprise absolutely no one, not even your pop-culture-illiterate cousin who lives in a shack in the mountains and has never seen a movie. The only thrills, if that's the right word (and it's not) are jump scares that, for the most part, don't work and don't try very hard. The only mystery is how this movie got made, regardless of what you call it. Some viewers might find that, like a $3 bottle of wine, there's a certain so-bad-it's-good pleasure to how things unfold here: predictably, violently and histrionically, and leaving you with a bad hangover. But who am I to stand in your way? Quaid, who at one point seems to be channeling a wild dog, also appears to be enjoying himself. At the very least, you won't be the only one in the theater having a good time. --- Half a star. PG-13. At area theaters. Contains violence, terror, some sexuality, strong language and mature thematic elements. 102 minutes. Ratings Guide: Four stars masterpiece, three stars very good, two stars OK, one star poor, no stars waste of time. In March, eight exclamation points marched across the back wall of the Grand Palais at Akris' fall 2019 ready-to-wear show in Paris, exuberant punctuation in the all-white room. Those exclamation points came from a 2006 work by the late artist Richard Artschwager and were made of horsehair, a material associated with upholstery rather than art. In his nearly 40 years as Akris creative director, Albert Kriemler has frequently joined forces with artists. For past collections he has worked with 103-year-old modernist painter Carmen Herrera, contemporary photographer Thomas Ruff and minimalist architect Sou Fujimoto. "It's really always based in my case on my personal experience with the artist," Kriemler says. He works only with the artist's approval. "You do it with the green light," he says. For his fall 2019 collection, it was Artschwager's turn. Kriemler had used horsehair for the brand's signature folded Ai bag a decade ago, but this time, taking his cue from Artschwager, the designer has incorporated it into the new collection as inlays, pocket edges and cuffs on blouses. Other artist-designer collaborations that surfaced during the fall 2019 shows: Stella McCartney sent multiple looks down the Paris runway adorned with necklaces and belts made of wrapped and woven yarn by Sheila Hicks, an 84-year-old fiber artist who received a retrospective at the Centre Pompidou in 2018. A couple of weeks earlier in New York, designers Adi Gil and Gabriel Asfour incorporated scraps of discarded paintings by their neighbor, artist Stanley Casselman, into the fall collection they showed at the Guggenheim Museum. Fashion and art have a long history together. In 1937 Salvador Dali adorned a dress by Elsa Schiaparelli with a hand-painted lobster, and Wallis Simpson wore it in Vogue. Yves Saint Laurent sent A-line shift dresses divided by black lines into white and primary-colored squares in an homage to the paintings of Piet Mondrian in 1965. At Comme des Garcons, Rei Kawakubo created stretchy, padded gingham garments as an homage to choreographer Merce Cunningham in 1997. But traditionally the influence tended to flow in one direction, with the commercial creatives of fashion taking inspiration - and sometimes just surface patterns - from artworks. Today, players in both art and fashion say that the line between their fields has become blurrier, as more artists embrace fashion as a means of reaching a wider audience. They're recognizing that "fashion permeates culture in much knottier, more immediate and mass ways than most fine art, which is usually confined to a much smaller audience within museums and galleries," says Michelle Millar Fisher, the Louis C. Madeira IV assistant curator of European decorative arts and design at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and co-organizer of the Museum of Modern Art's 2017 exhibition "Items: Is Fashion Modern?" MoMA's first fashion show since 1944. "When artists hitch themselves to this phenomenon, when they align themselves with design and its direct access to everyday life, they benefit hugely," she says. But it wasn't that long ago that the thought of mixing fine art and fashion was considered gauche. The retrospective of Giorgio Armani's work at the Guggenheim in New York in 2000 was hugely controversial both for its content and for the timing of reported multimillion-dollar donation by the designer to the museum. "The whole art world went out of its mind, said it was so tacky," says Kriemler. "Probably the Guggenheim people were visionary." In 2005, Raf Simons, who just over a decade later would becomechief creative director for Calvin Klein, began a now-legendary collaboration with Los Angeles-based artist Sterling Ruby. Ruby, who has worked in ceramic, collage, quilt, paint, foam and steel, already wore a wardrobe he made himself; later he and Simons collaborated on a menswear line that included a hand-painted canvas parka much like Ruby's own paint-spattered wardrobe. For Ruby and Simons, the personal line between art and fashion quickly disappeared. "We were very interested in each other's practices, and maybe we had the desire to do things that people could not see us doing," Simons told an audience at Harvard in 2018. "I had art dealers saying, 'This is a bad idea. Don't do it,' " Ruby said on the same panel. But, he said, "I decided that we had been friends for such a long time and we had so many great discussions about what we can do." When Simons became creative director for Calvin Klein in 2016, the two men embarked on their biggest project, measured in square footage: the artist's reimagining of the brand flagship on Madison Avenue. Once a minimalist space, Ruby painted it a saturated yellow and replaced the white built-ins with yellow scaffolding, hung with vintage quilts. Plush carpets and barlike fixtures in saturated blues and reds held shoes and stacks of tactile sweaters. My visit there in September 2017 felt like being inside an artwork - one not unlike the neon painted-steel monolith Ruby unveiled this past February outside Palm Springs, California, for the Desert X public-art exhibition. The store may be gone, but through art the idea can live on. That monolith, a little bit Stanley Kubrick, a little bit Donald Judd, has starred in influencer fashion shoots on Instagram. For "Items" at MoMA, the curatorial team commissioned works from contemporary designers including Kerby Jean-Raymond of the label Pyer Moss and Zhi Chen of I-Am-Chen. Jean-Raymond worked next with artist Derrick Adams after they met on a panel organized by the Studio Museum in Harlem in conjunction with an exhibit of Adams' paintings about pioneering African American fashion designer Patrick Kelly. "I was interested in the idea of fashion as an intellectual aesthetic, and in Patrick Kelly's approach to design, which is leaning toward conceptual art rather than decor or surface," Adams says. The two hit it off, and for his spring 2019 collection, Jean-Raymond collaborated with Adams on a series of clothing pieces that incorporate Adams's paintings of his own family photographs. The two were drawn together by a common interest in showing black leisure and family relationships. "I wanted to write us back in," Jean-Raymond said in a video released before the clothes were shown in September 2018. "What does black life look like without the angst of racism and tragedy?" One of the most dramatic outfits was an allover beaded dress that depicts the christening of Adams's baby cousin on a sparking, fluid column. Adams describes artists as being "sacred with their material," making just one of something. "But there are different tiers of audience, and a person who cannot afford one of my paintings may be able to buy a shirt with my painting on it." That said, Adams isn't interested in making multiples: "I don't really think about sales when I think about my work. The fact that I am able to live off my work now is an extra added thing." Collaborations, while more common, still rarely last beyond a season or two. In January, Calvin Klein announced the Madison Avenue store would be closing for a fresh renovation in light of Simons' departure from the company. But the experience appears to have stuck with Ruby, who in March announced a clothing line in an enigmatic Instagram post showing pattern pieces, paint splatters and crazy quilts, as if the artist were collaborating with himself. This move underscores the point that all the artists and designers I spoke to for this story were making: Why cut yourself off from an audience that seems hungry for visual ideas, whether they come from the museum or from a store? --- Lange is a writer in New York. ALTON Lifelong Alton resident Amy Golley said her biggest accomplishment has been to raise two productive young men, Jonathan and Jordan. In addition to raising two boys, she has also been in the position as an assistant principal at Alton High School to see many young adults rise to greatness. Along the way, the 2019 Women of Distinction honoree has served the community through her work with a number of organizations. She is a member of the Elijah P. Lovejoy committee and is involved with the Empowered 2B Me program at Alton High School, where she serves as a role model. She mentors young women to help them develop more self-esteem, assisted with the National Council of Negro Women cotillion ball, and provides mentoring for entrepreneurs. Asked to describe herself, she said she is a woman with an extremely kind heart and a passion for helping children. Golley earned a bachelors degree in special education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and last year, the Illinois Principals Association-Southwest Region named her the 2018 Assistant Principal of the Year, based on her outstanding service to students and staff at AHS. Married to her husband, Benjamin, for almost 26 years, the two own Todays Beauty Supply on Central Avenue, which was featured in last years Small Business Revolution show on streaming service Hulu. The business will host a block part on Wednesday, when the series will film footage for an update episode. The couple, who have pledged to foster relationships between neighborhood youths and Alton police by hosting meet-and-greets also owns the adjacent Todays Place, where community enrichment programming is held. The Golleys also own LuLus Shaved Ice. I am humbly honored to be recognized and chosen to be a Woman of Distinction, Golley said. I am thankful to be a part of a group of women, who do and have done amazing work for their community, children and other women. I am extremely thankful to those who nominated me and who felt I was worthy of such an honor. I hope this award can be an inspiration to the young women I communicate with daily, she said. This is one part of a 10-part series introducing this years YWCA of Alton Women of Distinction honorees. The YWCA of Alton will host the 29th annual Women of Distinction recognition ceremony at 6 p.m., Thursday, May 2, at the Commons at Lewis and Clark Community College.Tickets are $60 per person, $480 per table of eight or $600 for table of 10. Reservations can be made at altonywca.com, at the YWCA at 304 E. Third St., or by calling 618-465-7774. Leadership vacuum, strong dollar, high oil prices weigh on flagship carriers By Nam Hyun-woo Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are facing an increasingly unfavorable business outlook as they struggle to deal with the strong dollar, high oil prices and other adverse conditions, according to industry analysts Monday. The recent sudden change of top managers at the two flagship carriers has made things go from bad to worse, they said. The two carriers are having a hard time after both losing their long-time chiefs abruptly over the past month, and key external factors swaying their profitability are dealing additional heavy blows to their financial prudence. The most imminent threat is the oil price hike. According to International Air Transport Association Jet Fuel Price Monitor, jet fuel prices ended at $84.7 per barrel on April 18, up 5.1 percent from a month earlier. This stems from the recent crude oil price hike. On April 1, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil was traded at $61.59 per barrel, but quickly rose to $64.4 on April 8 and reached $66.3 on April 23. The price went down slightly to $62.94 on Sunday but it is still far higher than the $45.41 price offered on Jan. 1. Such a rise was fueled by the U.S. announcement on ending waivers to countries importing Iranian crude, which forces many countries to rule out Iran from their oil importing sources. This could be a significant burden for carriers because generally 30 percent of their operating costs are incurred from fuel prices. Analysts said a $1 hike in crude price will cost an extra 37 billion won for Korean Air and 20 billion won for Asiana Airlines per year. "Since fuel costs account for a lot in carriers' expenditures, an international oil price hike is a pressure for carriers," Kiwoom Securities analyst Seo Sang-young said. The concern on fuel cost is getting deeper due to the stronger dollar. The Korean won ended at 1,158.8 won on Monday's session, up 2.5 won from a session earlier. On Thursday, the Korean won ended at 1,160.5 won, down 9.6 won from a session earlier, which was the first time that the local currency was traded higher than 1,160 won per dollar since Jan. 31, 2017. Since carriers pay aircraft leasing fees, insurance fees, fuel costs and issue bonds with dollars, the weakening local currency will inflate their debts. Korean Air Korean Air logged a 250 billion won net loss in the first half of last year, due largely to the weaker won, but managed to scale down the losses to 80.3 billion won at the end of the year, as the local currency got stronger. Causing more concern for the carriers is that they don't have "the control tower" to make critical decisions and lead the carriers to weather the turbulence. Korean Air and its parent Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Yang-ho passed away on April 8, and his son and Korean Air CEO Cho Won-tae became the group chairman last week. However, many industry officials said his grip on the group and the carrier is not as strong as his father's, as Cho Yang-ho had been leading the carrier for the past 20 years. Asiana Airlines is currently up for sale as its parent group Kumho Asiana decided to sell out the core unit to salvage the entire group from financial risks. In doing so, Park Sam-koo stepped down from the group's posts including his role as Asiana Airlines CEO. Asiana Airlines co-CEO Han Chang-soo will lead the company after Park's exit, but his influence as a hired professional CEO will likely be limited because of the uncertainties in finding the new owner of Korea's No. 2 carrier. SPRINGFIELD A school employee in Illinois filed a federal lawsuit against a local school district and the states largest public sector union, claiming both refused to stop deducting union dues from her paycheck months after she left the union. Susan Bennett, a janitor at the Moline-Coal Valley School District since 2009, withdrew from her union shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that forced union dues as a condition of employment violated the First Amendment. The high courts decision in Janus v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 struck down forced union fees as unconstitutional. Bennett alleged the school district refused to stop deducting union dues from her paychecks in the lawsuit, which was filed in the Central District of U.S. District Court Since November 2018, the union and the school district have been fully aware they do not have permission to collect money from my paycheck, Bennett said. I submitted my resignation as soon as I could after learning about the decision. The union did not inform me of my rights after the Janus decision and I should not have to wait months to exercise them. In the suit, she said that the district was forcing her to wait until an enrollment period to withdraw based on her union agreement entered into before the Janus decision. Unions have used similar tactics elsewhere to retain members after the 2018 Supreme Court decision. Based on your enrollment card with AFSCME, see attached, you have to wait until the enrollment period to withdrawal, district CFO Dave McDermott wrote in an email response to Bennett. I believe the next opportunity is August 2019. The lawsuit references the affirmative response provision of the Janus decision that said unions must get specific permission from public-sector union members to lawfully withdraw dues. Bennett is being represented by the Liberty Justice Center, the same nonprofit group that represented former Illinois employee Mark Janus in the landmark Supreme Court case. The court said government employees cant be required to pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment. The U.S. Supreme Court has stated that government employees must choose to support the union before anything is taken from them, said Jeffrey Schwab, senior attorney at the Liberty Justice Center. Ms. Bennett does not give her permission of union dues and contributions to be deducted. By refusing to end her union deductions, the Moline-Coal Valley School District is placing the interests of the union ahead of school workers. AFSCME Council 31 and the school district didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. The drama over who should lead the lower chamber of the Maryland legislature is so full of tension and suspense that one delegate likened it to the popular fantasy epic playing on HBO. "It's 'Game of Thrones,' Annapolis style," said Del. C.T. Wilson, D-Charles, reflecting on the ugliness of the race to succeed longtime House Speaker Michael Busch, who died earlier this month. There have been threats, as the Democrats who hold more than two-thirds of the seats in the House of Delegates weigh whether to elect the first black speaker or the first woman, who would also be the first openly gay person to hold the powerful position. Outside groups, including unions, black pastors and social advocacy organizations, have vowed political retaliation for Democrats depending on who they support. Ahead of a vote scheduled for Wednesday, questions of race, gender and ideology took center stage,with a third black candidate dropping out to throw her support behind Dereck Davis of Prince George's County. Other powerful Democrats spoke openly and bitterly about whether the need to recognize the historic role of African Americans in the Democratic electorate outweighed the importance of uniting behind the party's liberal agenda. "Many of the (Legislative Black) Caucus feel bullied into voting for a black candidate," said one African American lawmaker, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to be candid about the intraparty tensions. "It's gotten so nasty that people are beating up on you. In the quick and dirty way of describing this - 'Why wouldn't you support the black candidate?' - I just don't want to deal with it. It's been very, very divisive, and I don't want to be the target of it. It's bullying." The unusually public battle started between three veteran Democratic lawmakers - Davis, the chairman of the Economic Matters Committee; Maggie McIntosh, the first gay woman in the legislature and the chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee; and House Speaker Pro Tem Adrienne Jones. It became a two-person race Friday, after Jones, of Baltimore County, dropped her bid. McIntosh, who is white, has pledges of support from 60 of the 98 Democrats in the House, according to several people familiar with the vote-counting, including the party's most left-leaning flank and more than a third of the 45-member Black Caucus. But Davis, who is more of a centrist, also has strong support among black lawmakers and is trying to build on that base, buoyed by calls from African American pastors and others to rally behind a black candidate. Even though Maryland is one-third African American, a black person has never held any of the state's top-tier positions, except lieutenant governor. African Americans nominated by Democrats in the last two gubernatorial elections lost to Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, who is white. "This is a critical moment in the state of Maryland and our No. 1 objective is to make sure the next Speaker of the House is one of our members," said Del. Darryl Barnes, D-Prince George's, chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus. "We want to make sure we're on the right side of history, and that it makes sense for us." While in the past, the Democratic caucus has voted on the House floor for whichever candidate wins a majority of Democratic support in a private vote, Davis and his supporters have refused to say whether they will support McIntosh during Wednesday's special legislative session. That opens the door for Davis to win the speakership with a share of the Democratic vote and support from the 42 Republicans in the House, who say they will vote as a bloc - but have not settled on a candidate. McIntosh of Baltimore City and several prominent Democratic leaders - including state party chair Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, who is African American - say it would be unprecedented, and deeply harmful to the Democratic agenda, for a speaker to be elected in the Democratic-majority House on the basis of Republican support. "This has happened in two other states and the outcome was a disaster," McIntosh said. "They lost the ability to get things done." Seventy-one votes - a majority of 141 delegates in the chamber - are needed to win. Davis and McIntosh both said in interviews last week that the tensions were to be expected, given the importance of the decision to replace Busch, the longest-serving speaker in Maryland history. "This talk of fracturing, this is politics. It's been referred to as a blood sport," Davis said. "To think we aren't going to break a few eggs from time to time as we make decisions is just fallacy." McIntosh was adamant that the House will "bring ourselves together. ... And that's going to happen under a Speaker Davis or a Speaker McIntosh, OK?" But she also said the rift would be much harder to repair if the fissure goes all the way to a floor fight. "There becomes this incredible tear both at the fabric of our caucus and at the Legislative Black Caucus," McIntosh said. "How do you fix that? I don't know the answer to that. I don't." Others in the caucus also said it was unclear how quickly the Democratic caucus could come back together. "It's absolutely insane," Del. Tawanna Gaines, D-Prince George's, said of the tension. "The thing that gets me is, what happens after the election?" An open letter being circulated on Facebook, endorsed by several lawmakers, both black and white, said Democrats in the General Assembly"now know that members of the minority party intend to exploit divisions among us to elect a Speaker who would be more inclined to help that small minority determine policy, instead of advancing an agenda focused on Democratic values ... "(W)e are calling on all members of the Democratic Caucus to rally full support around whomever the Caucus nominates to be the next Speaker of the House." Del. Erek Barron, D-Prince George's, a member of the Black Caucus, would not comment last week on whom he will back Wednesday. But, he said, "Folks are taking everything into consideration - policy, reforms, diversity, geography. ... There is a lot to go into the decision." Barron is one of two dozen lawmakers (10 of whom are black) who have collectively surveyed the speakercandidates on whether they would support reforms to the House power structure, to make "the body more democratic." Among the questions asked was whether they supported eight-year term limits for the speaker, the creation of a separate "progressive" caucus and having Democrats elect caucus leaders, instead having the speaker appoint them. Davis, who has built a reputation over the years as a moderate Democrat, said he is not "running to represent the Black Caucus, women's caucus ... (or) the Democratic caucus. I'm running to be speaker of the House of Delegates." He welcomed votes from the GOP caucus, but said he was trying to win on Democratic support. Rockeymoore Cummings escalated the tensions with an open letter to the Democratic caucus last week that many members interpreted as a threat to anyone who sides with Republicans to elect a new speaker. "The Maryland Democratic Party is prepared to penalize (e.g. deny access to party tools and resources, charge a higher premium for services, etc.) any elected official who is caught using Party resources to promote Republican candidates and/or who work to block the ascension of Democratic nominees duly elected through official Democratic processes and procedures," she wrote. Earlier, a statement from nearly a dozen progressive groups and unions urged Democrats to support the caucus's nominee or risk losing support from their organizations when they run for reelection. "There is perhaps no greater indication of a member's values than who they install as the next Speaker," that letter reads. "As such, every member organization signed below will take this vote into serious consideration in evaluating incumbents in future elections." Many Democrats, especially those who support Davis, were furious. Wilson said he was angry and "offended" that the unions and the state Democratic Party would appear to retaliate over his decision to vote for a black Democratic candidate. Barnes, the Black Caucuschairman, called the letter from Rockeymoore Cummings "bullying." Within hours, Rockeymoore Cummings arranged a conference call with reporters to say the letter was misinterpreted. She said she was simply calling on "Democrats to support other Democrats" and encouraging Democratic delegates during the floor vote to unite behind whomever wins the majority of the votes during Wednesday morning's caucus vote. State Sen. Melony G. Griffith, D-Prince George's, who is also African American, said both Davis and McIntosh have the opportunity to make history and all are Democrats, so Rockeymoore Cummings "should not have weighed in on how they get to the finish line and who breaks the glass ceiling." "African Americans have felt the thumb on the scale against our advancement in a way that no other group has experienced," she said. "When we have seen progress, it has been because we have used ingenuity and been willing to take risk." A few delegates posted on social media about the angst and heartbreak they've felt over the race, and how it has pitted race against gender. Del. Ariana Kelly, D-Montgomery, said on Facebook that the bitter campaign is the result of "decades of frustration built up about people waiting their turn while white men have disproportionately held on to power. ... Now like crabs in a barrel we fight for our sliver of power and access to power." --- The Washington Post's Rachel Chason contributed to this report. ALTON Kim Baalman-Eberlin has reinvented herself through the years - a few times - and she is not about to stop now. By nature, I am a leader. I am a high-energy person, who thrives on business start-up, personnel management and exceeding expectations, Baalman-Eberlin said. I am very proud of the fact that after three previous successful careers, I have embarked on another adventure. She and her husband, Grafton Mayor Rick Eberlin, have owned The Whole Scoop for the last eight years, while their son manages it, along with four guest houses. I had always wanted to own a business in Grafton, and its been very rewarding, Baalman-Eberlin said. I watched Graftons tremendous growth and wanted to be part of that growth. With a background in business management, I was thrilled to purchase the Grafton Ice Cream Company in 2011, which was renamed The Whole Scoop. Currently, she also works as a processor for Gershman Mortgage in Edwardsville. She grew up in Calhoun County as the oldest of eight children, and moved to Dow in 1994, after losing her Calhoun home during the Great Flood of 1993. She later relocated to Grafton, and became thoroughly immersed in the community. Baalman-Eberlin has been an active member of the Grafton Chamber of Commerce for eight years, two of which she served as vice president. She has helped create several annual events, such as River Rat Catfish Classic, which she currently co-chairs with her husband; Witches on the Water, for which she is a member of the event planning and execution team; and she also heads up the Grafton Lodging Group. With the help of others, she was instrumental in creating and leading a grassroots organization, Friends of Grafton, and a community group, Grafton United. She is also a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate in Jersey County, a national organization where volunteers represent children who are victims of abuse and/or are placed in foster care. And she, her husband and two of their close friends do the grilling for the church picnic at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Grafton. I love the river, and I am an avid slalom skier, Baalman-Eberlin said. And everyone who knows me, knows how much I value family. She said her husband and three adult children, Lacey Steckel, Laura Eberlin and Levi Kamp are her driving forces that keep her grounded. I was surprised and humbled by being nominated as a Woman of Distinction, and being selected, well its just an incredible honor to join the many accomplished women I have already met. I am excited about the journey! Baalman-Eberlin said. This is one part of a 10-part series introducing this years YWCA of Alton Women of Distinction honorees. The YWCA of Alton will host the 29th annual Women of Distinction recognition ceremony at 6 p.m., Thursday, May 2, at the Commons at Lewis and Clark Community College. Tickets are $60 per person, $480 per table of eight or $600 for table of 10. Reservations can be made at altonywca.com, at the YWCA at 304 E. Third St., or by calling 618-465-7774. VERSAILLES A Versailles man suffered serious injuries Sunday when police said he drove a lawn tractor into the path of a pickup truck on Illinois Route 99. According to a preliminary Illinois State Police report, Daniel G. Monroe, 50, of Versailles was driving his lawn tractor south along the shoulder of the road about 5:50 p.m. when without warning, [he] abruptly attempted to cross the highway. Craigslist "for sale" ads are full of surprises, and in one recent case, the nature of a listing's contents came as a surprise even to the seller himself. A California man was startled to learn a piece of military material from the Vietnam War he had put up for sale on the website was not inert, as he had thought, but was in fact still a live explosive, according to the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office. EDWARDSVILLE Water Symposium-LinWater is a unifying, life-giving resource and is something everyone needs to survive. This underlying message was the reason that Southern Illinois University Edwardsvilles Environmental Resources Training Center (ERTC) held its inaugural Water Symposium on Wednesday, April 24 at the Morris University Center. Regardless of how you look at water, whether its from the perspectives of supply, water treatment, waste water treatment, surface water run-off or infrastructure, the need to address these issues is important for the overall sake of water preservation and supply, said Matthew Maas, ERTC director. The idea of a water symposium came after speaking to School of Engineering (SOE) Dean Cem Karacal and SOE Associate Dean Christopher Gordon, according to Maas. We had originally talked about having a conference on World Water Day, which is March 22, but after talking to Dr. Connie Frey Spurlock, making the symposium part of the Earth Day events seemed to fit, as well, continued Maas, who is a Sustainability Action Group (SAG) steering committee member. Frey Spurlock, associate professor in the Department of Sociology, is the SAG chair. Water Symposium-KshertyThe goal of the Water Symposium was to bring all the stake holders together, let them speak on their areas of expertise and network for the purposes of collaborative problem solving and gaining more knowledge, Maas explained. We did just that, he added. The symposium was a success. Besides Maas, other speakers included: Rohan Benjankar, PhD, assistant professor in SIUEs Department of Civil Engineering, spoke about his research on water resources engineering, floodplain physical habitat, aquatic and riparian ecosystems and river restoration. Pat Gleason, of American Water Works Association, discussed his work as an e-Learning/Engagement specialist and his previous work as the State Rural Development Coordinator for the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies, where he led the Rural Community Assistance Program (RCAP). Vic Hamer, founder of the non-profit Christian organization Give Me Water Lord, discussed his work drilling water wells for people in Kenya and shared the great need for clean water in desperate areas of the East African country. Nina Kshetry, founder and president of Ensaras Inc., shared her experiences in process engineering, project management and business development. She spoke about her work with municipal, industrial and agricultural wastewater treatment projects, including projects that involve recycle and reuse of wastewater and energy recovery from wastewater. Zhi-Qing Lin, PhD, professor in SIUEs Department of Environmental Sciences, shared his research related to the biogeochemistry of environmentally important trace elements, phytoremediation and constructed treatment wetlands. Kevin Tucker, PhD, assistant professor in SIUEs Department of Chemistry, presented some of his research that deals with analytical and environmental chemistry, and his tracking of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in their journey through the environment using field research and laboratory modeling. The ERTC mission is to equip students with the job skills and resources needed to thrive in this industry, thereby creating a competent workforce. The ERTC training center is specifically designed to accommodate students unique needs. ERTC offers specialized courses for both entry-level personnel who are preparing for a career in drinking water and wastewater treatment systems, and those already employed in such systems seeking additional education to upgrade job skills, obtain advanced certification levels, and prepare for positions that are more responsible. In addition, ERTC offers courses for licensed plumbers in cross-connection control or backflow prevention. As the country reeled after Saturday's deadly shooting at a synagogue in Poway, California, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Meghan McCain and other prominent conservatives turned a critical eye toward Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., who has been accused by critics of anti-Semitism. "The anti-Semitic Left . . . is getting worse," Cruz tweeted Sunday afternoon, tagging Omar and writing that she "repeated anti-Israel slurs." He added: "Responsible Dems need to say Enough is Enough." Hours earlier, McCain called out Omar during a discussion of the shooting on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos." "When we're having conversations about anti-Semitism, we should be looking at the most extreme on both sides," McCain said. "I would bring up Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and some of her comments that got so much attention." Over the weekend, social media turned into a new battlefield over Omar's past statements, some of which she has apologized for. Many blasted the congresswoman's critics for coming down on her instead of white nationalism following an attack that left one dead and three injured. Omar's supporters pointed to an online manifesto allegedly written by the shooter, which stated that he was inspired by last October's massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh as well as last month's New Zealand mosque shootings. The document's writer also admitted to recently setting a mosque in Escondido, California, on fire, The Washington Post's Deanna Paul and Katie Mettler reported. Omar, a Somali refugee, is Muslim. "How dare you suggest that @IlhanMN is in some way responsible for the murder of our people when the Poway shooter's manifesto showed his penchant for violent Islamophobia and antisemitism alike," one Twitter user wrote in a message directed at McCain. "We know who is killing us." The outcry started on Saturday after Omar tweeted a message of condolence to the victims of the Poway shooting, writing that her "heart is breaking." "We as a nation must confront the terrifying rise of religious hate and violence," Omar wrote. "Love trumps hate." Though some praised Omar's response, the tweet sparked fierce backlash from others who seized on past criticisms of the congresswoman to undercut her statement. In February, Omar apologized after facing pressure from top Democrats, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for suggesting that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a major Jewish lobbying group, used money to exert control over members of Congress. More recently, she came under fire after she called Trump's senior policy adviser Stephen Miller, who is Jewish, a "white nationalist." On Saturday, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, retweeted a statement from Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., about the shooting in which she wrote, "Anti-Semitism is real in this country and we must not be silent - enough is enough." In his retweet, Roy tagged Omar and the New York Times, which was widely rebuked for publishing a cartoon last week in the opinion pages of its international print edition that many decried as anti-Semitic. The illustration featured a blind Trump wearing a black skullcap being led by a dog drawn with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's face and a Star of David collar. The Times apologized on Sunday. McCain and Cruz similarly criticized Omar in the wake of the tragedy. "In my opinion, Nancy Pelosi wasn't hard enough in her response to [Omar's] trafficking in anti-Semitic language, talking about, 'All about the Benjamins,' and how Jewish people had 'hypnotized' the world," McCain said to Stephanopoulos on Sunday morning. "The View" co-host added that while she agreed that when it comes to rhetoric, Trump "needs to have his feet held to the fire as well, we're talking about it on both sides of the aisle." In his tweet, Cruz also took aim at the Times, retweeting celebrity Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. It didn't take long for the congresswoman to hit back at her detractors. "Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism are two sides of the same bigoted coin," she tweeted Sunday, noting that the shooter allegedly targeted Jews and Muslims. Omar also included a link to a November op-ed she wrote about the rise of hate crimes in the United States. "Let us stand together as Americans in rejecting hate!" she wrote. Omar then homed in on Roy, Cruz and McCain individually. She retweeted a message from IfNotNow, a left-leaning American Jewish activist group, slamming Roy. "The right is weaponizing antisemitism to divide the progressive movement, silence criticism of Israel, and distract from the ways they have emboldened the white nationalists causing the violence," the organization tweeted. In response to Cruz, Omar chastised the Texas senator for not making a public statement directly addressing Saturday's shooting, writing, "Shame on you." Her retort to McCain was shorter. "Oh, bless her heart!" Omar tweeted, sharing a clip of McCain's ABC appearance. Throughout Sunday, Omar's backers also rushed to her defense. "People who burn mosques generally don't 'take cues' from Muslims," a Twitter user wrote. "Ilhan Omar is not a factor here, and if you think she is, you're obscuring the white nationalism that caused this." In a lengthy thread, NBC News reporter Ben Collins called "attempts to push blame" on Omar for the shooter's alleged crimes "untethered to reality." "You will not find Ilhan Omar fans or NY Times cartoon aficionados on 8chan, where the San Diego and New Zealand shooter posted near-identical notes," Collins tweeted. "You'll find people riled up by 'white genocide' through Muslim and Mexican immigration, angry the president isn't doing more." Several people argued that the attack, and crimes like it, should be blamed on white nationalism, while others accused Cruz and McCain of contributing to the atmosphere of violence. British journalist Mehdi Hasan tweeted that "Cruz, like his fellow Republicans, is trying to get @IlhanMN killed." Omar has received many death threats, an amount she said increased earlier this month after Trump targeted her in a tweet about the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Two people were also arrested in April for threatening Omar, including a New York man who vowed to "put a bullet in her [expletive] skull." A mourner lights candles during a vigil in memory of the victims in Colombo on April 28, a week after a series of bomb blasts targeting churches and luxury hotels on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's churches remained shut on April 28 forcing Christians to say prayers of grief in private over the Easter suicide attacks. AFP Sri Lanka's horrific Easter attacks that killed 253 people were orchestrated by a firebrand cleric who sought out young men from wealthy families and radicalised them into suicide bombers, according to initial evidence gathered by investigators. Here is what we know about the men suspected of carrying out the deadliest single-day massacre of civilians in the island's history. Who was the ringleader? The attacks were led by Zahran Hashim, a Sri Lankan Muslim preacher who founded the radical National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) organisation in the eastern town of Kattankudy. After Hashim's violent diatribes sparked a police investigation in 2017, he fled the town, disappearing for years until he resurfaced as one of the two suicide bombers who killed dozens at Colombo's luxury Shangri-La hotel on Easter Sunday. Military sources said Hashim was not known to have visited Syria or Iraq, but had travelled to Tamil Nadu state in southern India and been in contact with Islamists there. Sri Lankan authorities had received a tip-off about the attacks from India intelligence services, which reportedly obtained the information from an Islamist in custody in Tamil Nadu. Hashim also appeared in a video released by the Islamic State group, showing him leading others in pledging allegiance to IS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. IS has claimed responsibility for the Sri Lanka attacks. Who were the other bombers? Hashim's accomplice was a wealthy local spice trader, Ilham Ibrahim, who carried out a simultaneous blast at the hotel, according to a military analysis of CCTV footage from the Shangri-La. Ilham's older brother Inshaf Ahmed attacked a restaurant inside the five-star Cinnamon Grand hotel. The two brothers were set to inherit Ishana Exports, a lucrative spice business founded by their father, and had reportedly willed their property worth millions of rupees to other relatives just before the massacre. The man who blew up a restaurant in the luxury Kingsbury hotel is yet to be named by police, while a fifth bomber, who bungled an attack on another Colombo hotel, has been identified by local community leaders as Abdul Latheef. Latheef, who detonated his device hours later, had studied engineering at London's Kingston University and pursued postgraduate studies in Australia. A sixth bomber who struck the evangelical Zion church in the eastern town of Batticaloa was reportedly living in nearby Kattankudy. But locals told AFP he was not known to the community. Police have not released any details about the remaining bombers who attacked two churches in Colombo and the nearby town of Negombo. How were the bombers radicalised? Police are trying to piece together how so many successful young men raised in relative comfort in Colombo established intimate ties with a fundamentalist cleric who was disliked by moderate Muslims in his home town. "We have no idea how they were brainwashed," a member of Sri Lanka's Spice Council told AFP, referring to the sibling hotel attackers. "They were seen as a very respectable family." Investigators say that access to the wealth owned by some of his young acolytes allowed Hashim to finance militant activities and acquire more followers. Did the bombers' families support them? In some cases, yes. When police raided the plush family home of the hotel attackers in Colombo hours after the blasts, the pregnant wife of one of the brothers detonated a bomb, killing herself, her two children and two policemen. Another relative also blew himself up, killing a police inspector. "The other family members knew what the brothers were up to," a senior police officer said. "It was as if they knew we were coming and they were prepared to blast themselves." The remaining family members, including the father of the two men, are in custody. Police said three other suicide bombers who blew themselves up in the east of the country during a security raid on Friday were believed to be relatives of Hashim, pending DNA tests. The three men who died on Friday had earlier posted a video on social media, saying the widows of three of the Easter attackers would soon join their husbands in heaven. Police found the charred and mutilated bodies of the three suicide bombers along with those of three women. Six children were also killed in the explosions. Three other men were shot dead during clashes with police, while one woman and a child were injured. Police say the surviving woman was Hashim's widow and the injured four-year-old girl his daughter. What about the rest of Hashim's followers? Just over 150 suspects have been arrested in a week of intense cordon-and-search operations across the country, but it is not clear if all of them were directly linked to Hashim's group which was outlawed on Saturday. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena said about 140 people loyal to Hashim may still be walking free. The authorities are not ruling out the possibility of the existence of other as yet dormant jihadist cells in the country. Before the Easter attacks the NTJ's only major act of violence dated back to December when two of their members were arrested in the central town of Mawanella for desecrating Buddha statues. (AFP) Justice never tasted so good. A Connecticut judge's decision has resolved a legal quandary that stupefied some and left others flat-out hungry: could a police officer mistake a McDonald's hash brown for a cellphone? In Jason Stiber's case, the answer is "yes." He was found not guilty Friday after successfully contesting the $300 distracted driving citation he received last year. "It was the case of the century," Stiber's attorney, John Thygerson, said with a laugh. "He was quite pleased. Obviously, he was quite pleased." Stiber's victory comes nearly 13 months after he was pulled over by a Westport police officer who claimed to have seen the 45-year-old using his cellphone on the morning of April 11, 2018. Stiber, representing himself in court, lost his case last year but refused to give up - telling The Washington Post Friday he doled out a "significant" amount of money to hire Thygerson to prove he wasn't talking on his phone at all. His willingness to take on the legal fees - which exceeded the cost of the ticket - was a matter of principle, he added. "Distracted driving violations go on your record and they never come off," Stiber said in an interview. "Plus, a lot of people don't realize your insurance rates go up." In February, Westport Police Cpl. Shawn Wong Won testified that he "clearly" saw Stiber speaking into a black cellphone while driving that morning, the Hour reported at the time. Wong Won said in court that he saw Stiber holding an illuminated object the size of a cellphone up to his face while moving his lips. Thygerson rebutted that claim, explaining that Stiber's lip movement was "consistent with chewing" the hash brown he'd ordered at McDonald's moments earlier. Phone records show that Stiber was not having a conversation at the time he was pulled over, Thygerson said. His client's car also has Bluetooth capabilities that allow him to talk without holding his phone. To bolster his defense, Stiber said he made a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain records showing Wong Won was on the 15th hour of a 16-hour double shift when he pulled Stiber over; offering another reason why the officer may have confused the fried potato for a cellphone. Ultimately, the judge concluded Friday that the state was unable to meet its burden of proof, citing a lack of evidence that shows Stiber was actually on his phone at the time he was pulled over. The Post reviewed a copy of the decision, in which the judge cited an appellate court case involving another Connecticut driver who was found not guilty in 2016 after being pulled over for using his phone. "It just is proof that police officers - there's nothing nefarious here - but that police officers are human and make mistakes, that's all," Thygerson said. Westport Police did not immediately return a request for comment Friday evening. Stiber is relieved about the verdict, but said the lengths he went to defend himself illustrate a greater problem in the justice system. He had to sit through two trials, miss four days of work and pay a lawyer to get the right outcome - painstaking steps he says others shouldn't be forced to take. "That's why I did it, because I wouldn't want anyone else to go through this," he said. "Other people don't have the means to defend themselves in the same way." It remains to be seen if Stiber's case will establish new precedent in future cases. He acknowledged, though, that his tribulations have made him think twice about eating hash browns. "I definitely haven't eaten as many as I have previously, but I still go to McDonald's for other things," he said. "It's been a long ordeal, but I'd rather avoid trouble in the future." In May, President Donald Trump welcomed the state Teachers of the Year to the White House and gave an award to the National Teacher of the Year, Mandy Manning of Washington state. During the ceremony, Manning made no secret of her opposition to some of Trump's policies. This year, Trump is expected to skip the 2019 Teachers of the Year event, scheduled for Monday on the grounds of the White House. Nancy Rodriguez, a spokeswoman for the Council of Chief State School Officers, which sponsors the annual Teachers of the Year program, said in an email that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos will instead give the 2019 national winner his award and that Trump was not expected to attend. The 2019 National Teacher of the Year is Rodney Robinson, a nearly 20-year educator who works at a Richmond, Virginia, detention center where he teaches social studies to incarcerated young people. In 2015, he began working at the Virgie Binford Education Center, a school inside the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center. Robinson was selected in the annual Teacher of the Year program, which is sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers. Every year, winners are selected from each state as well as the District of Columbia, all U.S. territories and the Department of Defense Education Activity. They come to the nation's capital in the spring for the annual Teachers of the Year week, where the national winner is named. In a statement, Paul Ferrari, senior program director with the National Teacher of the Year Program, said: "We are pleased the National Teacher of the Year and State Teachers of the Year are being recognized and celebrated on a national stage during their time in Washington, D.C. Each year, CCSSO works with the White House to coordinate a recognition event. It is up to each administration to decide how to recognize the teachers, and it has varied throughout the 67-year history of the program in location and who has delivered the recognition to the National Teacher." In May 2018, Manning gave letters from her immigrant and refugee students to Trump. She also wore to the award ceremony a badge that said "Trans Equality Now," which was a criticism for a president whose administration has promoted policies limiting the rights of transgender Americans. It was one of a handful of pins she wore to promote equality for all. The Secretariat regrets to announce that the 18th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP18), originally scheduled to take place from 23 May to 3 June in Colombo, Sri Lanka, as well as the associated 71st and 72nd meetings of the Standing Committee, are being postponed. This decision has been taken out of respect for the victims of the recent attacks and the recognition by the Standing Committee, the Secretariat and the United Nations Department of Safety and Security of the time needed for the Government of Sri Lanka to address the current situation in the country. We are fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all delegates. The Secretariat is monitoring the situation closely in consultation with the Sri Lankan authorities and the United Nations Department of Safety and Security. The Conference of the Parties has chosen Sri Lanka as next host Party and we are deeply grateful for the efforts Sri Lanka has made thus far as host. The Secretariat will be working with Sri Lanka to try and honour this choice in consultation with the UN Department of Safety and Security and the CITES Standing Committee. Our support and solidarity remain with the people of Sri Lanka and all of those who have suffered losses from these tragic events. We will make further information about CoP18 available as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the Secretariat continues to work on advancing the many substantive issues as mandated by the Conference of the Parties. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Ivonne Higuero Secretary-General 26 April 2019 Job Title: Commercial Opportunities Sales, Business Development and Customer Service (Several No Experience Job Vacancies) Organisation: Maersk Line Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda About US: Maersk Line is the worlds largest container shipping company, known for reliable, flexible and eco-efficient services. We operate 610 container vessels and provide ocean transportation in all parts of the world. But not only do we power some of the worlds largest ships we also propel the growth ambitions of businesses and individuals all over our planet. Every day our 7,000 seafarers and 25,000 land-based employees at 374 offices share their expertise with our customers around the world to optimize their supply chains, maximize their distribution networks and most of all realize their business potential. We are devoted to creating simple and reliable solutions for our partners, continuously lifting industry standards and enabling global trade in the most sustainable manner possible. What we do is more than shipping. We deliver promises. Promises from customers and businesses all over the world. Job Summary: The jobholders for the Commercial Opportunities will provide support in commercial areas (sales, Business Development & Customer Service). Qualifications, Skills and Experience: People oriented, energetic, self-motivated and dedicated team player, with passion for shipping. Excellent command of written and spoken English Commercial mindset, excellent communication skills, stakeholder management skills, highly motivated candidates from all industries. Develop very deep strong knowledge about market, competitor and I- ndustry trends Strong proficiency on Business-to-business marketing How to Apply: All interested job applicants should apply online at the link below. Click Here Deadline: 31st December 2019 For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline Job Title: Marketing Manager Organisation: BRAC International Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda About US: BRAC International is one of the worlds largest Non-Governmental Development Organizations, working in a number of countries in Africa and Asia on poverty alleviation Programs, is registered in Uganda as BRAC Uganda. The organization implements integrated development approach combining Education, Health, Agriculture, Livestock, Adolescent Empowerment and Microfinance. About Health Program: BRAC through the health program supports the government of Uganda through the Ministry of Health to recruit, train & supervise 4,082 community Health Promoters (CHPs/ CHWs). Through CHWs, BRAC supports the government to implement Integrated Community Case Management (ICCM) and other health promotion & prevention activities. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Develop successful marketing activities throughout the year to support CHP work & sales through promotions, Outdoor events etc. Ensure great BRAC visibility including developing & implementing relevant merchandising at all branches & CHP level. Work closely with 3rd party when creating designs, production & distribution of all BRAC marketing materials. Support the product team to improve our portfolio performance. Help in managing marketing partnerships with suppliers/NGOs including on the ground implementation. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The ideal candidate should have a Masters in Marketing or any other business related field attained from a recognized higher institution. Three years of relevant experience working with related community work from a similar organization. Strong entrepreneurial spirit, good design & creative eye. Strong analytical skills with a drive for results. Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken) & should possess good public relations skills. How to Apply: Applicants should send their application & CV (In one Word document) by email to hrd.uganda@brac.net. The subject must be the name of the position applied for strictly and Only Soft Copy applications will be considered. All applications should be addressed to: The Manager, HR & Training, BRAC Uganda, P.O. Box 31817, Kampala. Deadline: Tuesday 30th April, 2019 For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline Job Title: Project Associate Pulse Lab Kampala Organization: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda Reports to: Project Officer About UNDP: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations global development network. UNDP advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. The UNDP provides expert advice, training, grant support to developing countries including Uganda with increasing emphasis on assistance to the least developed countries. Key Duties and Responsibilities: General Administration and events management General office management, including cleaning services and the procurement, maintenance, security and repair of office equipment; Support with protocol matters and travel arrangements (i.e. airline tickets, visas, hotels, daily subsistence allowance); Assist in the preparation of various materials and other reports; handle arrangement for printing and translation as necessary; coordinate shipment arrangements, courier services, etc. Provides support to the office with logistical arrangements related to training/workshops/conferences etc., through engaging with facilitators, caterers and hosts and identifying the most cost-efficient meeting venue options; Manage petty cash. Procurement Create transactions in the ERP system including requisitions, payment voucher, purchase orders, staff travel requests, and follow up on related documentations for transactions; Support procurement process including assisting in preliminary evaluation, receipt of goods and services; Ensuring timely payment of vendors including following up with UNDP and vendors for invoices and other necessary documentation. HR Services and Contract Administration Perform general office support and administrative functions (e.g., recording personnel leave and attendance, travel requests, contracts preparation, supporting visa applications, etc.); Respond to or draft routine correspondences and other communications; Provide administrative and logistic support to field missions; Ensure proper documentation and filing (both paper and electronic). Property management, office equipment, vehicles Supports procurement/management of administrative supplies, office equipment and vehicles. Maintains inventory of office items; Establishes an office supplies monitoring system. Ensures that services and maintenance of premises and equipment are in accordance with organizational standards; Monitors and arrange for vehicle transportation, regular vehicle maintenance and insurance Checks and record of vehicle daily log and fuel consumption; Liaise with premises owner with regards to servicing/repairs of facilities. Programme Supports the implementation of project activities; Supports the communication and advocacy efforts; Supports the implementation of research initiatives. Other activities in support of Track 1 and Track 2 implementation as required Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The ideal applicant for the United Nations UNDP Project Associate Pulse Lab Kampala job placement should hold a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Procurement or related. At least five years of experience in project support functions, with focus on procurement and administration in either public or private sector organizations; Working experience under UN system, government and other NGOs is a plus; Good planning and organizing skills; Good understanding of MS Office, ERP. Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first level university degree recognized by the United Nations. Fluency in both written and spoken English. Competencies Core Competencies: Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UNs values and ethical standards; Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN; Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; Treats all people fairly without favoritism; Demonstrates and promotes the values of the UN in actions and decisions and acts in accordance with the standard of conduct for international civil servants; Shows willingness to work without bias with all persons regardless of gender, nationality, religion or culture; Contributes effectively to team-based activities, working collaboratively and sharing information openly; works effectively with colleagues inside the UN as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals; Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team, communicating effectively; Remains calm, composed and patient when facing conflict, manages conflict productively, focusing on mutually acceptable solutions; Takes initiative and seeks opportunities to initiate action; Actively produces and disseminates new knowledge; creates/contributes to mechanisms to collect and share knowledge; Actively seeks learning opportunities; demonstrates commitment to ongoing professional development; Proposes innovative ideas and new solutions to work. Functional Competencies: Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment; Self-development, initiative-taking, eager to learn new technologies; Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork; Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively; Creating synergies through self-control; Managing conflict; Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member; Informed and transparent decision making; Independent and driven, and able to manage and lead without close supervision; Flexible, adaptable, and comfortable working in a start-up environment; Excellent communication skills; Flexible, adaptable, and comfortable working in a start-up environment. UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. How to Apply: All suitably qualified and interested candidates who so desire to join the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, in the aforementioned capacity should endeavor to Apply Online by Clicking on the link below. Please further review job requirements and if competent Click Apply Now. Click Here Deadline: 10th May 2019 For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline MARGARET WEEDEN, Chariho, Girls Track, Senior; Weeden won two events for the Chargers in the first meet of the season. Weeden was first in the high jump (5-0) and the long jump 15-1. ANNE DRAGO, Stonington, Girls Basketball, Senior; Drago scored 39 points in three games as Stonington started the season 1-2. Drago had 16 in a loss to Fitch, 12 in a win against Griswold and 11 in a defeat to Ledyard. SYDNEY HAIK, Westerly, Girls Basketball, Sophomore; Haik scored 14 points as the Bulldogs opened the season with a victory over Cumberland. Haik had three 3-pointers, five assists and five steals. ZANE BREWER, Wheeler, Boys Basketball, Freshman; Brewer scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the Lions season-opening win over Grasso Tech. Brewer followed that with 18 points and five rebounds in a loss to Hale-Ray. Vote View Results Royal Bank of Scotland is expected to announce the appointment of the first female chief executive in its 300-year history as soon as the summer. If indeed Alison Rose is installed in the top job, it will be much more radical and do far more to promote growth and equality in the UK economy than any of the half-witted schemes for RBS being touted by Labour. Women have run British banks before. Debbie Crosbie is at the helm of TSB; Dame Jayne-Anne Gadhia led Virgin Money until it was taken over and Ana Botin was CEO of Santander UK before taking control of the entire Spanish-based empire. Royal Bank of Scotland is expected to appointment Alison Rose as its new chief executive But Rose, 49, is favourite to be the first at one of the Big Four, and for good measure she would be working alongside a female finance chief, Katie Murray. The succession is not a done deal. Departing chief executive Ross McEwan promoted Rose and makes no secret he would like to see an internal candidate take over. It is not, however, in his gift. Headhunters have been appointed and they may take a different tack. Lets hope not, because Rose would be a great choice and not merely for the sake of smashing glass ceilings. Male bankers were accused of bringing about the credit crisis by macho behaviour and in the Fred Goodwin years there was a testosterone culture at RBS. They have also been blind to the huge untapped potential of female entrepreneurs. Any bank that can successfully harness this energy would be on the high road to growth. We have all heard of the gender pay gap but the same phenomenon occurs when women try to start and expand their own firms. Only one in three entrepreneurs are female, which equates to more than a million missing businesses. This is not for lack of merit. I was for several years a judge of this newspapers Everywoman awards and can testify first hand to womens amazing achievements. Despite their abilities, companies led by women are, on average, less than half the size of those run by men. It is harder for them to secure finance, because of residual sexism at the banks and among venture capitalists, where only around 13 per cent of senior players are women and around half of all the teams that make funding decisions are all-male. If these barriers were knocked down and women did launch and build up firms at the same rate as men, then it could create 250billion of value for the UK economy. That would be a very nice post-Brexit booster. How do I know all this? Because I read a document called the Alison Rose Review, a painstakingly-researched piece of work published and delivered to the Government earlier this year. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell wants to keep RBS as a nationalised bank Of course, it would not require a woman at the top of RBS to give a fair deal to female entrepreneurs an enlightened man could do it. But a female chief executive would send out a powerful signal to businesswomen that they are finally being taken seriously. Its also encouraging that for the first time ever, there is a roster of credible female candidates for Governor of the Bank of England. Although the favourites are men, it is only a matter of time before we have a woman governor as the US had with Fed chairman Janet Yellen. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has been indulging in ill-informed pontification about keeping RBS as a nationalised bank and using it as a tool of his socialist policy, but he has missed a much simpler and more fruitful point. Sexism directed against women in business is holding back the economy. It is one reason our productivity is so poor, but if reversed, it could unleash a wave of entrepreneurial energy. What a shame McDonnell and his female comrades cant see it. The chief executive who led Auto Trader into the FTSE 100 is to retire next year, the company said today. Trevor Mather, who's been in the top job since 2013, is set to leave the business by the end of March 2020. His resignation is likely to come as a disappointment to shareholders in the car listings site as Mather led the shift of Auto Trader from a printed magazine to a successful FTSE 100 digital company. Retiring: Trevor Mather, who's been in the top job since 2013 Shares in Auto Trader have risen in value by more than 70 per cent in the last year, with the company joining the ranks of the FTSE 100 at the end of 2018. Mather, who led the group's 2.3billion flotation on the London Stock Exchange in 2015, will be replaced by the company's chief operating officer and chief financial officer Nathan Coe. Current operations director Catherine Faiers will be promoted to chief operating officer and join the company board from the start of next month. Faiers joined the business in 2017 after working as COO at upmarket taxi firm Addison Lee, and is responsible for day-to-day operations at the company. Auto Trader Chairman Ed Williams said Mather had made a 'phenomenal' contribution to Auto Trader's success over the last six years. Digital shift: Auto Trader from a printed magazine to a totally digital company 'In addition to leading the hugely successful IPO, he has overseen a period of consistently strong financial results and shareholder returns whilst also working tirelessly to build a unique and values-led culture,' he said. And added: 'The fact that we are able to promote from within to replace him, as well as the other senior roles around him, is clear testament to the strength of the team that he has developed and nurtured.' Coe joined Auto Trader in 2007 to oversee the transition from a magazine business to a digital company. Williams said of Coe: 'He has been instrumental in shaping Auto Trader into one of the UK's leading digital businesses, and the board is confident that he will be a worthy successor as CEO.' Auto Trader hailed 'record growth' for the half-year to September 2018 as it saw revenues jump 7 per cent to 176.8million. Shares in Auto Trader have risen in value by more than 70 per cent in the last year Shares in the company fell 0.5 per cent to 577p in morning trading. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said the news was a blow to shareholders as Mather did a 'good job' of running the company. He added that the challenge for the new boss was to continue to grow profits in a car market which 'appears to be softening faster than a punctured tyre'. 'Growth has been heavily driven by upselling higher value subscription-based packages to retailers. This could be more difficult to achieve if these clients are facing engine trouble,' he said. German insurance giant Allianz is in advanced talks to buy Legal & General's home insurance business, it has been reported. The L&G division, which provides home cover and pet insurance, was put up for sale last year. Allianz is now in exclusive talks to acquire the business, with a transaction thought to be imminent that could value the unit between 250million and 350million, according to Sky News. For sale: L&G's division provideing home cover and pet insurance could be bought by Allianz The potential acquisition of L&G's home insurance business would make Allianz a larger presence on the UK's insurance market. It follows the company's 2017 deal for a joint venture with LV=, creating the third-biggest personal insurer in the UK. Meanwhile, L&G has been growing under the leadership of chief executive Nigel Wilson, who took the reins in 2012. Last month it became the first British investment manager to look after more than 1trillion of savers' money. Total assets rose 32.2billion last year, taking them above 1trillion for the first time. L&G unveiled profits of 2.1billion for 2018, up 2 per cent on the previous 12 months. Vigilant This is Money reader Julia Medhurst: 'Thousands of people could reach state pension age only to be informed that their state pension forecast is wrong' Savers are being warned not to trust the accuracy of state pension forecasts after a vigilant This is Money reader spotted hers overestimated her future payouts by 35 a week. Julia Medhurst, 65, a former careers officer from West Sussex, was immediately suspicious because the statement was vastly different from one she received five years ago. She was also 'contracted out' of part of the state pension for her entire working life, and therefore knew it should be smaller while her private pension would be bigger instead. It eventually turned out she was due to get 129.66 a week - not 164.35 as stated. That's a difference of just over 1,800 a year, and would work out at about 36,000-plus over a 20-year retirement. The massive error was condemned by This is Money columnist and former Pensions Minister Steve Webb, to whom Mrs Medhurst wrote complaining about her case. He warns 'there is something bigger going on here', which raises the question of whether forecasts can be trusted, and he has offered advice on what savers should do if they are worried - see here and below. Millions of people get state pension forecasts online or apply for paper versions from the Department for Work and Pensions, and rely on their accuracy when planning their finances in retirement. But the calculations behind them are complex, and many people are unlikely to notice smaller discrepancies than 35 a week, or realise there is any mistake. They are potentially at risk of making important money decisions that they can't ever take back, while still in the dark. When Mrs Medhurst challenged the Government about its blunder, she claims she was told by staff there were 'thousands and thousands' of cases like hers, and wrong forecasts were usually left unchanged until people reached retirement age. 'If I had not phoned them, the incorrect pension forecast would have remained until the actual date of my state pension date and then they would have cleansed the account,' she says. What does the Government say? A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: 'Mrs Medhurst was sent an incorrect state pension statement on 25 February, for which we apologise. 'It did not take into account the contracted-out element of her National Insurance contribution record, managed by HMRC. 'This was rectified swiftly and Mrs Medhurst was sent a revised statement with the correct forecast on 4 March.' 'We use National Insurance contribution records managed by HMRC as part of several processes to ensure that state pension forecasts are calculated correctly. 'When occasional errors or omissions occur we work with HMRC to correct them and make sure that people are given accurate forecasts.' 'This seems disgraceful to me. It is impossible to do any meaningful planning and to work out paying any voluntary contributions. 'It seems to me that thousands of people could reach state pension age only to be informed that their state pension forecast is wrong. 'The DWP should be given a lot more staff to resolve these problems.' The DWP has apologised to Mrs Medhurst for the mistake, which it says was rectified swiftly, and adds that 'when occasional errors or omissions occur we work with HMRC to correct them'. Read its full statement on the right. But its response was slammed as unsatisfactory by Mr Webb, who writes in response to Mrs Medhurst in his latest column: 'Whilst occasional mistakes do happen, there is something bigger going on here.' 'If you had a past statement which reflected contracting out and a more recent statement which did not, this suggests that HMRC have in effect managed to "misplace" your contracting out data, although it was quickly recovered when you challenged the DWP. 'We have still not had a satisfactory explanation as to how this happened. Your experience raises the question of whether people can trust the state pension forecasts they are being sent.' Mr Webb also notes the DWP is blaming HMRC for the error, because the taxman is responsible for keeping National Insurance records. What can people do to check accuracy of state pension forecasts? People can make big, and sometimes irreversible, decisions on the back of what state pension they expect to get - buying an annuity, starting to draw down from a work pension, and making major purchases, even including property. So what do you do if you can't trust state pension forecasts? Mr Webb, who is now policy director at Royal London, says the calculations are complicated, and it is extremely difficult for people to know if they are right. But in light of this case, he makes three suggestions for individuals who receive state pension forecasts. State pension forecasts: The full state pension rose from 164.35 a week to 168.60 earlier this month. You can check your future payouts here. 1. Compare your latest forecast against previous ones and question any big changes; 2. Check 'contracted out' figures if you know this applied to you, and; 3. If you are baffled, question the Future Pension Centre until you understand your forecast, and ask it to send explanations in writing. 'This is the income you will be depending upon for the rest of your life and it is important that it is correct,' says Mr Webb. What happened in Mrs Medhurst's case? Julia Medhurst is currently an exam invigilator, and has previously held jobs as a careers officer and teaching assistant, and been a volunteer adviser for Citizens Advice. She spotted the mistake on her state pension forecast, and wrote in to ex-Pensions Minister Steve Webb's column at pensionquestions@thisismoney.co.uk to ask his advice. She told him: 'The Future Pension Centre told me there are thousands and thousands of cases like mine and that it would take at least eight weeks to obtain a correct statement. 'Apparently so-called cleansing happens around a person's state pension age which then means it is too late to buy voluntary years. 'I think this is a national disgrace and the Future Pension Centre could not care less.' Mr Webb contacted his old Government department personally on Mrs Medhurst's behalf, to try to find out what had happened and how many other people might be affected. Despite making several attempts to discover what had gone wrong, he was left dissatisfied by the DWP's response, as he explains in his latest column. Is your state pension forecast correct? If you suspect a mistake like Mrs Medhurst did, tell This is Money your story by contacting tanya.jefferies@thisismoney.co.uk. Please put STATE PENSION FORECAST in the subject line, and include your phone number - this will only be used for following up on this story, not any other purpose. If you are unhappy about getting a lower state pension than you expected because you were contracted out, it doesn't necessarily mean your forecast is wrong (see below). Despite the apology she received, Mrs Medhurst was angered by the Government's comeback on her case. This is Money passed her comments below back to the DWP in full in case it wanted to add to its previous statement. However, it declined to say anything further. She told us: 'I find their responses very unsatisfactory for several reasons. First of all it was I who asked if the first state pension forecast was a mistake. 'If I had not done this there would have been no swift response. In fact I was informed that this error would not have been picked up until around the date of my actual state retirement date and that I was very lucky that I had picked it up. 'I found this very insulting as surely I and others like myself should be able to rely on the accuracy of the DWP. 'Questioning the accuracy of state pension forecasts should not be left to the general public who find it so difficult to understand. Also the DWP are paid to provide a service. What are they doing? 'Secondly if the DWP are giving erroneous state pension forecasts how can meaningful financial decisions be made. Individuals could be making very expensive financial decisions which turn out to be totally inadequate because DWP cannot be relied upon to supply correct information. 'Thirdly I telephoned DWP in 2014 when they knew I was contracted out and gave what has proved to be a correct pension forecast. How could they get it right in 2014 and then wrong in 2019? It is completely baffling. 'This should have been a simple job but I found it very stressful and time-consuming.' What is contracting out and how does it affect your state pension? People retiring from April 2016 onwards can qualify for the full new 'flat rate' state pension, which earlier this month rose from 164.35 a week to 168.60. But many have discovered they will end up with smaller payments, because they contracted out of paying the additional state pension top-ups S2P and Serps and under-paid National Insurance during their working lives. This money went into their private pensions instead, and the extra benefits they built up there will often more than offset the shortfall in their state pension, especially if they were in a final salary scheme or a well-funded defined contribution plan. But some people who didn't know about contracting out are initially shocked when they realise will not get a full state pension. Even if you are unhappy about the size of your state pension, perhaps because you were previously unaware you were contracted out by your work scheme, it does not necessarily mean the forecast figure you were sent is wrong. Steve Webb gets numerous questions to his column on this topic, and responds to a typically disgruntled reader here. We carried out a major investigation into how the 'Contracted Out Pension Equivalent' or COPE is calculated by Government numbercrunchers, and who gained and lost out under the system, which you can read here. What other state pension blunders have we uncovered? This is Money has written about previous state pension mistakes by the Government, and warned readers to beware as a result. In a case last year, a This is Money reader was on the verge of buying top-ups to boost his future payouts when told his state pension forecast was incorrect. Government staff told him he must wait for a manual calculation that would take five to six weeks. The DWP said its forecasts were based on information held at the time of request, and were not a guarantee. A massive clean-up of old pension data was then underway - a process initially estimated to involve 1.5million workers and 3,000 schemes - but this was due to be concluded before the end of 2018. Steve Webb wrote a column at the time about this case, which can be found here. Meanwhile, last spring a retiree discovered she had been underpaid 3,765 of state pension over eight years due to a Government bungle. Only her persistence, and the help of her eagle-eyed accountant who spotted something was wrong, eventually got the error corrected and she received her money. She says she kept telling the Government that the years she spent claiming child benefit had been wrongly omitted from her National Insurance record. The DWP said it believed the case was an isolated one, and that there was no evidence to suggest that anyone else had been affected. Regarding that This is Money reader's experience, Mr Webb said he was concerned the DWP didn't appear to have rigorously investigated what went wrong. Theresa May's former deputy was slapped down today after suggesting charging the over-50s an extra 300 to help fund social care in a move branded 'a tax on getting old'. Ex-Cabinet minister Damian Green suggested that people fork out the extra cash in National Insurance payments, in a new report released today. The Tory MP also said that pensioners must consider giving up some of their housing wealth if they want top-quality care in old age. He called for a radical overhaul of England's broken social care system to run it along the same lines as pensions. Under his proposals, everyone would receive a basic level of state-funded social care just as they are given a basic state pension. But if they want better care such as bigger rooms in a care home, better food and more trips out they should pay extra from their savings or their housing wealth. But the Prime Minister's official spokesman today stressed that the report was produced independently. He told reporters: 'It's clearly not a Government report. We will be bringing forward our own proposals in due course. Labour's Shadow chancellor John McDonnell also tore into the idea, saying: 'Theresa Mays top ally and close adviser has today let the cat out of the bag about Tory intentions to punish older people with a tax on getting old. 'After nearly a decade of brutal cuts to social care, the Tories now want to make older people pay through increased taxes. 'We want to hear today a clear statement from the Government that they will reject this call, protect the triple lock, and follow Labours call to fund social care properly. 'Anything less than a clear rejection of these plans to punish older people, and the voters will need to draw their own conclusions.' Mr Green's plans come despite the Tories being forced into a humiliating U-turn on the so-called 'dementia tax' during the 2017 general election. Damian Green said if pensioners want better care such as bigger rooms in a care home, better food and more trips out they should pay extra from their savings or their housing wealth But labour's John McDonnell said the plans amounted to a 'tax on getting old' that would 'punish older people' He demanded that the Government come up with plans to properly fund adult social care after years of cuts The manifesto pledge where tens of thousands of people who receive care at home would have faced costly bills as they grew older was regarded as a key reason the party did not win a majority. Mr Green's system, which would be comparable to private pensions, could give people the option of paying a lump sum of between 10,000 and 30,000 on retirement for the promise of better care if they end up needing it. The former minister also suggested as a last resort charging all over-50s a one per cent surcharge on National Insurance to pay the bill. This would mean an extra 308 a year for the average taxpayer between 50 and 64, and would raise 2.4billion. Money for social care could also be raised by taxing the winter fuel allowance. The radical proposals, drawn up by the Tory MP in a paper for the Centre for Policy Studies think-tank, come as the country waits for the Government's much-delayed social care green paper. Mr Green, chairman of the Commons all-party group on longevity, had been tasked with tackling social care reform before he was forced to resign over a year ago. He said: 'The crisis in our social care system is one of the most pressing issues our country currently faces. Damian Green arrives for a cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street. He said said pensioners must consider giving up some of their housing wealth if they want top-quality care in old age 'It causes acute problems for the wider NHS, with 1.98 million delayed transfers in 2017/18 for those moving out of NHS care. I propose a wholesale change in our approach to social care, mirroring the state pension system, with the introduction of a 'universal care entitlement' and a 'care supplement'. 'By combining this new system with an increase in funding, we will be able to tackle this most intractable of political dilemmas fairly and responsibly.' At present, people have to pay the full cost of their care right down to their final 23,000. The money can be taken from the value of their home, denying their children an inheritance. Eight years ago a review suggested that the state should impose a cap on the amount people have to pay, with the state stepping in to pay the rest. The cap has not yet been implemented and in Mr Green's proposals, there is no place for such a cap. He said the current system was financially and politically unsustainable, opaque, unfair, and discourages local councils from investing in social care and housing for older people. With the number of over-75s set to double from the current 5.3 million in the next 40 years, he said the need to address the problem was moving from 'urgent to critical'. Mr Green said under his plans, no one would be forced to sell their own home. It would also increase the supply of care beds. Robert Colville, director of the Centre for Policy Studies, said: 'Damian's proposals would pass all the key tests the system would be sustainable, there would be protection against the dementia lottery, no one would have to sell their own homes.' Two major banking groups have apologised after some customers struggled to access their online accounts at the start of the new working week. Some customers with Lloyds Banking Group, which includes Halifax, had issues with internet and mobile banking services on Monday morning. And NatWest/RBS said a small number of customers may have experienced problems logging into online and mobile banking for a short period on Monday morning. Pictured: Website Down Detector revealed a peak of 1,272 issues were reported with Halifax just before 11am Pictured: A heat map of the reported issues with Halifax online banking applications today Both banking groups said services were later running as normal. A spokesman for RBS/NatWest said: 'A small number of customers may have experienced problems accessing mobile and online banking for a short period this morning. As many as 1,272 outages were reported with the Halifax online banking systems at the problem's peak today Pictured: Twitter users reporting issues with the Halifax mobile banking app earlier today 'All services are back up and running as normal. We apologise for any inconvenience this caused.' A Lloyds Banking Group spokeswoman said: 'We're sorry that some of our customers had issues with internet banking this morning and can confirm that services are now back to normal.' Earlier on Monday, Twitter users had expressed their frustration at the problems. A spokesperson for Lloyds Banking Group had told MailOnline: 'We're sorry for this and are working to have it back to normal soon'. The problem has since been resolved, the spokesperson said Pictured: Social media users complain of issues using Lloyds Bank's online banking services Pictured: Down Detector revealed there were 667 reported issues with Lloyds at the problem's peak One replied to Lloyds on Twitter: 'Not good enough, I've got bills going out today. This shouldn't happen.' Another said: 'Can't log into my online personal or business accounts with Lloyds Bank.' The website Down Detector revealed there were 1,272 reports of problems with Halifax at the problem's peak just before 11am, and 667 for Lloyds at around the same time. Lloyds and Halifax both had 'planned maintenance' on internet banking, tablet and mobile apps from 11pm yesterday to 5am today. Social media users voiced their concerns, with tweets reading 'Lloyds Bank already delaying my day! The app doesn't work', and 'Is the app down #Halifax'. Website Down Detector revealed that the apps had crashed for customers across England - with 81 reports of problems for RBS at its peak just before 8am, and 280 for Natwest at roughly the same time Pictured: Reports of problems for Natwest users earlier this morning, as mapped by website Down Detector Social media users tweeted that they were locked out of their accounts this morning Pictured: Twitter users complain of not being able to access their accounts this morning The following companies are subsidiares of Quaker Chemical: AC Products Inc., Applied Surface Concepts Holdings Ltd. , Binol AB, Binol Biosafe OY, Commonwealth Oil Corporation, DA Stuart India Private Limited, DA Stuart Shanghai Co, ECLI Products LLC, EFHCO LLC, Engineered Custom Lubricants, Engineered Custom Lubricants GmbH, Epmar Corporation, G.W. Smith and Sons, GH Holdings Inc., GHG Lubricants Holdings Limited, GHGL London Ltd., GHI Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Global Houghton Ltd., Houghton (Shanghai) Specialty Industrial Fluids Co. Ltd, Houghton Argentina S.A., Houghton Asia Pacific Co. Limited, Houghton Australia Pty. Ltd., Houghton Benelux BV, Houghton CZ s.r.o, Houghton Canada Inc., Houghton Denmark AS, Houghton Deutschland GmbH, Houghton Europe BV, Houghton Holdings Limited, Houghton Iberica S.A. , Houghton International, Houghton International Inc., Houghton Italia S.p.A., Houghton Japan Co. Ltd., Houghton Kimya Sanayi AS, Houghton Magyarorszag Kft, Houghton Mexico S.A. de C.V., Houghton Oil (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd., Houghton Polska Sp. Zo.o., Houghton Romania S.R.L., Houghton S.A.S., Houghton Sverige AB, Houghton Taiwan Co. Limited, Houghton Technical Corp., Houghton Ukraine ToV, Houghton do Brazil Ltda., Houghton plc, Internationale Metall Impragnier GmbH, Lubricor Inc, Lubricor Inc., Lubricor Mexicana S.A. de C.V., Lubricor USA Inc., MIH Acquisition Company LLC, MX Systems International Ltd, Maldaner GmbH, NP Coil Dexter Industries, New Houghton Brazil Inc., Norman Hay Engineering Ltd., QH Chemical Limited, QH Europe BV, QH Holdings Limited, QH International Limited, Quaker (Thailand) Ltd., Quaker Australia Holdings Pty. Limited, Quaker Chemical (Australasia) Pty. Limited, Quaker Chemical (China) Co. Ltd., Quaker Chemical B.V., Quaker Chemical CV, Quaker Chemical Canada Holdings Inc., Quaker Chemical Canada Limited, Quaker Chemical Europe B.V., Quaker Chemical Holdings South Africa (Pty) Limited, Quaker Chemical India Private Limited, Quaker Chemical Industria e Comercio Ltda., Quaker Chemical Investment Management (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Quaker Chemical Limited, Quaker Chemical MEA FZE, Quaker Chemical Operacoes Ltda., Quaker Chemical Participacoes Ltda., Quaker Chemical S.A., Quaker Chemical S.r.l., Quaker Chemical Services EURL, Quaker Chemical South Africa (Pty.) Limited, Quaker China Holdings B.V., Quaker Denmark ApS, Quaker Houghton (Finco) Ltd., Quaker Houghton Holdings Limited, Quaker Houghton Holdings Ltd., Quaker Houghton International LP, Quaker Houghton Ltd., Quaker International Holdings LLC, Quaker Italia S.r.l., Quaker Russia B.V., Quaker Sales Europe BV, Quaker Shanghai Trading Company Limited, Quaker Spain Holding SLU, Quaker Specialty Chemicals (UK) Limited, SB Decking Inc., SIFCO Applied Surface Concepts (UK) Ltd, SIFCO Applied Surface Concepts LLC, SIFCO Concepts Sarl, SIFCO Concepts Sweden, Sterr & Eder Industrieservice GmbH, Summit Lubricants Inc, Summit Lubricants Inc., Surface Technology (Coventry) Ltd, Surface Technology (Dalian) Co Ltd, Surface Technology (East Kilbride) Ltd., Surface Technology (Leeds) Ltd, Surface Technology Aberdeen Ltd, Surface Technology Australia, Surface Technology Holdings Ltd., TecniQuimia Mexicana, Tecniquimia Mexicana S.A. de C.V., Thai Houghton 1993 Co. Ltd., Ultraseal Asia Limited, Ultraseal Chongqing Limited, Ultraseal Germany GmbH, Ultraseal International Group Ltd, Ultraseal Machinery Dongguan Ltd, Ultraseal Shanghai Limited, Ultraseal USA Inc., Unitek Servicios De Asesoria Especializad S.A de C.V., Verkol S.A.U., Verkol SAU, Wallover Enterprises Inc., Wallover Oil Company Incorporated, Wallover Oil Hamilton Inc., and Wuhan Quaker Technology Co. Ltd. Gildan Activewear Inc. manufactures and sells various apparel products in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It provides various activewear products, including T-shirts, fleece tops and bottoms, and sport shirts under the Gildan, Gildan Performance, Gildan Hammer, Comfort Colors, American Apparel, Anvil by Gildan, Alstyle, Prim + Preux, and GoldToe brands. The company also offers hosiery products comprising athletic; dress; and casual, liner, therapeutic, and workwear socks, as well as sheer panty hoses, tights, and leggings under the brands of Gildan, Under Armour, GoldToe, PowerSox, GT a GoldToe Brand, Silver Toe, Signature Gold by Goldtoe, Peds, MediPeds, Kushyfoot, Therapy Plus, All Pro, Secret, Silks, Secret Silky, and American Apparel. In addition, it provides men's and boys' underwear products, and ladies panties under the Gildan and Gildan Platinum brand names; and ladies' shapewear, intimates, and accessories under the Secret and Secret Silky brands. The company sells its products to wholesale distributors, screen printers, or embellishers, as well as to retailers and consumer brand companies. The company was formerly known as Textiles Gildan Inc. and changed its name to Gildan Activewear Inc. in March 1995. Gildan Activewear Inc. was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Read More Cars / Yachts Simpson Marines Tony Chen talks about the growth of sailing in Taiwan, where theres a natural affinity with the water, but still much work to be done. Apr 29, 2019 | By Yacht Style I was born and raised in Penghu, a group of islands off the west coast of Taiwan, and started dinghy sailing in 1999. Later, I became interested in keel boats and bought my own boat before starting to cooperate with Simpson Marine in 2006. Four years later, Simpson Marine set up an office in Penghu as it entered the Taiwan market. Taiwan is a beautiful island and has a lot of people who love water sports, so early business confirmed theres great potential in this market. However, due to historical and political reasons, we were starting from a low base as leisure boating had barely developed. Even today, we Im speaking as a sailor and boat owner still need to register before we sail out. As Beneteau and Simpson Marine sought to promote a sailing culture, we tried to think of ways to interest Taiwanese in boating and develop a local sailing community. Following the lead taken by Beneteau and Simpson Marine in their support of the China Cup International Regatta for over a decade, weve worked with the Penghu government to host the Penghu Regatta since 2013. In the first year, there were only 11 teams. Last year, we had 30, with teams from China, Hong Kong and other countries. Other regattas in Taiwan have also grown steadily. Simpson Marine also joined the Taiwan to Okinawa race, which has also proved popular around the region, attracting overseas sailors. Sailing has grown because it appeals to those seeking a fun, healthy and social outdoor activity, while regattas and events are relatively easy to promote and market. Taiwanese love the water, so their interest in sailing is actually quite natural. But owning a yacht is still not easy. As in China, the Taiwan government levies a high luxury tax on yachts. About three to four years ago, the government welcomed foreign boats coming to Taiwan and supporting the economy, so many owners registered their boats overseas. They didnt need to pay extra tax, but could still enjoy the yachting lifestyle in Taiwan. However, this policy didnt remain in place for long and now its difficult to bring a foreign- flagged boat to Taiwan without formal importing procedures. The tightened policy has affected the industry, which has since been a little quiet. Last year, however, the market woke up a bit as owners started to get used to the policy and bought yachts registered in Taiwan. Theres a notable difference between the sailing community and motor yacht owners. Many sailboat owners or enthusiasts are like me, former dinghy sailors or windsurfers, while most motor yacht owners are businessmen who had interests in mainland China and were influenced by yacht owners there. They often purchased a yacht because they believed it was a status symbol, but are quite low profile as being a luxury yacht owner is against our tradition for modesty. Although there are many sailing clubs in Taiwan, there are not that many supporting facilities, which does hinder development. We have marinas in Taipei, Kaohsiung and Tainan that were built a few years ago when the yacht industry began to grow. However, it became apparent that managing a marina wasnt easy and that experienced professionals were needed to maintain facilities to meet owners expectations. In 2014, Taiwan began to host boat shows, which played a positive role in promoting the yachting lifestyle, while increasing numbers of Taiwanese have started to charter boats for fun. Tourists come to the Penghu Islands and find incredible scenery and special cultural attractions. As a sailor who grew up in Penghu, I know Taiwan is a paradise for sailing, with a warm climate and good breeze. There arent many fishing nets along the coast, and the wind and waves only get challenging from October to December. Were working hard to attract more people in Taiwan to sailing. We continue to work with and push the government, and promote the lifestyle. We also hope that one day you will come here and find out Taiwan is truly a treasure island. Tony Chen is an accomplished sailor, windsurfer and photographer, a Lagoon 380 owner and Simpson Marines Taiwan Country Sales Manager. Hes a strong supporter of local windsurfing and sailing, and has competed in the Taiwan Strait Race, Penghu Regatta, China Cup, Straits Cup and Churahana Cup. Chen is the Keelboat Chief Executive of Penghu County Sailing Association and Supervisor of the Chinese Taipei Sailing Association, as well as a Member of its Sailing and Officer Committees. Note: This article first appeared as a COLUMN in Yacht Style Issue 46. The audience of reading promoter Huang Xiaofeng grew from just two children to more than 2,000 in 11 years. "It was a tough start," Huang said. In 2008, Huang found herself obsessed with picture books while telling stories to her children. "They are creative, beautiful and can help kids form good reading habits," she said. To get more Chinese children interested in books, Huang, a bookstore adviser, set up a reading corner in 2008 in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei province, reading carefully selected books. "I anticipated a lot of kids but was met with a harsh reality. For two years, there were only two children," she said. "It was tough to continue, but I believed I was doing the right thing and that the best was yet to come." The mother's perseverance finally paid off after more than a decade. On April 14, Huang organized an event and invited three globally renowned foreign authors to talk about their books to more than 2,000 children and parents in one of the biggest theaters in Wuhan. From a community reading corner of about 10 square meters to an international stage of 2,000 people, Huang has witnessed China's development of promoting reading to children. Since 2004, China's economic takeoff has allowed more people to buy popular picture books, both from home and abroad. "Meanwhile, more parents began to realize that early reading is much more than simply learning words, and that good books and reading promoters are greatly needed," said Wang Lin, an expert in children's literature and one of China's first batches of reading promoters. So far, there are about 200 experts in book-related industries, such as publishing houses, bookstores, and libraries, working as reading promoters of children's books, like Huang, in Wuhan. The latest national reading report published on April 16 shows that reading with young children is a regular practice in about 70 percent of Chinese families with children aged from several months to eight years old. Insiders say that children who read have a higher development of personal expression, writing abilities, increased knowledge acquisition and a more complete reading framework. "The children's library of southern Chinese city Shenzhen hosts more than 1,800 reading activities each year with reading promoters involved," Wang said. Besides telling stories to children based on their ages and interests, reading promoters also give lessons to parents. "It is very important that parents have good storytelling skills as they have the most direct contact with their children," reading promoter Huang Lei said. Every year, Huang Xiaofeng participates in more than 80 off-line reading activities and over 20 online lessons targeting children and parents. "I want to tell beautiful stories to every child, guiding them into these stories and giving them a fruitful childhood," she said. The first Smoke Alarm Blitz, installing smoke detectors in Swedesburg homes took place on Saturday April 27th. The Red Cross, Swedesburg Volunteer Company, Upper Merion Fire and EMS department and Upper Merion Police Department joined forces to help save lives. This event was part of the Sound the Alarm Campaign that is taking place in the Eastern Pennsylvania Region that is being organized by the Red Cross. Last week residents were notified of the upcoming event with door hangers with information and time about this Smoke Alarm Blitz. Volunteers started Saturday at 9 a.m. and worked until 1 pm covering the Swedesburg area. During that time 250 smoke detectors were installed and replaced batteries in existing ones. A lot of the residents were very happy to see such a good deed being done. In the past the Red Cross has done this in other communities across the country and to date more than 500 lives have been saved because of the installation of smoke detectors. The Sound the Alarm check list helps everyone prevent fires in the home: Do not leave the kitchen when frying foods. Keep furniture and other flammable items at least three feet away from space heaters. Never smoke in bed. Large and small appliances are plugged directly into wall outlets. Keep matches and lighters away from children. Keep smoke detectors up to date with new batteries every year and replace them every ten years. -Always have an escape plan to get out of the house in case of fire. Dennis Rubin, Upper Merions Chief of Fire and EMS announced at the meeting prior to the installations that The Smoke Alarm Blitz will continue again in Upper Merion in two months with the Swedeland Fire Company installing smoke alarms in that area of the township then two months later King of Prussia Fire Company will be installing smoke detectors in the King of Prussia area of Upper Merion Township. Greece A few months after he turned 17 and more than two years before he was arrested Vincent Vetromile recast himself as an online revolutionary. Offline, in this suburb of Rochester, Vetromile was finishing requirements for promotion to Eagle Scout in a troop that met at a local church. He enrolled at Monroe Community College, taking classes to become a heating and air conditioning technician. On weekends, he spent hours in the driveway with his father, a Navy veteran, working on cars. On social media, though, the teenager spoke in world-worn tones about the need to "reclaim our nation at any cost." Eventually he subbed out the grinning selfie in his Twitter profile, replacing it with the image of a colonial militiaman shouldering an AR-15 rifle. And he traded his name for a handle: "Standing on the Edge." That edge became apparent in Vetromile's posts, including many interactions over the last two years with accounts that praised the Confederacy, warned of looming gun confiscation and declared Muslims to be a threat. In 2016, he sent the first of more than 70 replies to tweets from a fiery account with 140,000 followers, run by a man billing himself as Donald Trump's biggest Canadian supporter. The final exchange came late last year. "Islamic Take Over Has Begun: Muslim No-Go Zones Are Springing Up Across America. Lock and load America!" the Canadian tweeted on Dec. 12, with a video and a map highlighting nine states with Muslim enclaves. "The places listed are too vague," Vetromile replied. "If there were specific locations like 'north of X street in the town of Y, in the state of Z' we could go there and do something about it." Weeks later, police arrested Vetromile and three friends, charging them with plotting to attack a Muslim settlement in rural New York. And with extremism on the rise across the U.S., this town of neatly kept Cape Cods confronted difficult questions about ideology and young people and technology's role in bringing them together. The reality of the plot Vetromile and his friends are charged with hatching is, in some ways, both less and more than what was feared when they were arrested in January. Prosecutors say there is no indication that the four Vetromile, 19; Brian Colaneri, 20; Andrew Crysel, 18; and a 16-year-old The Associated Press isn't naming because of his age had set an imminent or specific date for an attack. Reports they had an arsenal of 23 guns are misleading; the weapons belonged to parents or other relatives. Prosecutors allege the four discussed using those guns, along with explosive devices investigators say were made by the 16-year-old, in an attack on the community of Islamberg. Residents of the settlement in Delaware County, New York mostly African-American Muslims who relocated from Brooklyn in the 1980s have been harassed for years by right-wing activists who have called it a terrorist training camp. A Tennessee man, Robert Doggart, was convicted in 2017 of plotting to burn down Islamberg's mosque and other buildings. But there are few clues so far to explain how four with little experience beyond their high school years might have come up with the idea to attack the community. All have pleaded not guilty, and several defense attorneys, back in court Friday, are arguing there was no plan to actually carry out any attack, chalking it up to talk among buddies. Lawyers for the four did not return calls, and parents or other relatives declined interviews. "I don't know where the exposure came from, if they were exposed to it from other kids at school, through social media," said Matthew Schwartz, the Monroe County assistant district attorney prosecuting the case. "I have no idea if their parents subscribe to any of these ideologies." Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Well beyond upstate New York, the spread of extremist ideology online has sparked growing concern. Google and Facebook executives went before the House Judiciary Committee this month to answer questions about their platforms' role in feeding hate crime and white nationalism. Twitter announced new rules last fall prohibiting the use of "dehumanizing language" that risks "normalizing serious violence." But experts said the problem goes beyond language, pointing to algorithms used by search engines and social media platforms to prioritize content and spotlight like-minded accounts. "Once you indicate an inclination, the machine learns," said Jessie Daniels, a professor of sociology at Hunter College who studies the online contagion of alt-right ideology. "That's exactly what's happening on all these platforms ... and it just sends some people down a terrible rabbit hole." She and others point to Dylann Roof, who in 2015 murdered nine worshippers at a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina. In writings found afterward, Roof recalled how his interest in the shooting of black teenager Trayvon Martin had prompted a Google search for the term "black on white crime." The first site the search engine pointed him to was run by a racist group promoting the idea that such crime is common, and as he learned more, Roof wrote, that eventually drove his decision to attack the congregation. In the Rochester-area case, electronic messages between two of those arrested, seen by the AP, along with papers filed in the case suggest doubts divided the group. "I honestly see him being a terrorist," one of those arrested, Crysel, told his friend Colaneri in an exchange last December on Discord, a messaging platform popular with gamers that has also gained notoriety for its embrace by some followers of the alt-right. Albany Power blackouts across New York might end a bit quicker one day under an experimental wind prediction system being set up at the University at Albany. Set to begin testing this summer, the system will rely on a state network of weather stations and a laser imaging system that could help the state's largest utility, Consolidated Edison, to better predict strong winds that could damage power lines. "We think this could help utilities better stage their repair crews before an event," said Jeff Freedman, a research associate at the university's Atmospheric Sciences Research Center. "That could reduce the length of power outages, as well as reduce the number and expense of 'false alarms' when crews are dispatched and then nothing happens." The system is expected to predict winds up to two days in advance, down to an area of one kilometer (which is about six-tenths of a mile). It will use machine learning, a form of artificial intelligence, to analyze real-time weather data from UAlbany's New York State Mesonet, a statewide network of 126 weather stations The system will aim at predicting sustained winds up to 50 mph, as well weighing other factors including snow and heavy rain. The $585,000 project is being supported by a $385,000 grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, as well as additional funding from Con Ed, which serves about 3.4 million customers in the metropolitan New York City area. Troy-based Meso Inc. is also involved. "While this project is focused on the Con Ed service territory, the tool can be utilized by the state's utilities to forecast wind speeds and wind gusts that could lead to power outages at the county and sub-county level in New York state," according to NYSERDA. "By determining where power outages are possible, utility companies and other stakeholders, such as emergency managers, can mobilize resources more efficiently in an effort to reduce restoration times with the goal of improving the long-term resiliency of the state's power distribution system." New York City ranked as the most vulnerable major city in the U.S. for more power outages due to increasing extreme weather, according to a 2014 study by Johns Hopkins University. During Superstorm Sandy in 2017, winds hit more than 90 mph and damaged the electrical grid, leaving more than 670,000 people in the region without power. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. "In the last 20 years we have seen an increase in extreme wind events in New York," said Freedman. "Millions of dollars can be saved if power can be more quickly restored after the occurrence of an outage." He said after a six-month trial run, the system will be reviewed in a final report to NYSERDA, to determine if it is ready to be adapted statewide. As part of the system, a new radar imaging station, using LIDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, technology will be installed at an Orange County site still to be determined, he added. Mike Berlinger, a meteorologist with Con Ed, said outages cost the utility millions of dollars a year. "We pitched the idea to UAlbany to create a solution that can help us better forecast wind-related outages. If (this) is successful, our thinking is to potentially extrapolate this idea to other forecasted variables in the future." It's easy to see how "Born a Crime," Trevor Noah's funny and devastating memoir of growing up mixed race in South Africa, became a best-seller. Less predictable was the success of the book's young readers' edition, published this month and aimed at children 8 and up. I asked the comedian and talk show host to talk about adapting his story for a much younger audience. These are excerpts from our conversation. Q: How did you arrive at the idea of a young readers' edition of "Born a Crime," given that your show is on way past this audience's bedtime? A: It was a combination of factors, one of the most prevalent being that a lot of parents were saying their kids loved the book. People would say, "I read the book to my 8-year-old, or my 10-year-old, but I wish they had a version they could read for themselves." Q: What changes did you make? A: We slightly changed the framing of the book to gear it to a younger reader who doesn't know about the history of South Africa. And then the main difference is, obviously, we've changed the language a bit. It's not like the first book is graphic, but we made sure it's completely suitable for kids of all ages. Q: There's that scene when you're 5 years old and you don't want to use the outhouse, so you put a piece of newspaper on the kitchen floor somehow it seems even funnier in the version for kids. A: Changing the word to "poop" that small thing makes it more accessible. But everything else in the scene is basically the same. I didn't want the parents who'd liked the book to not get the same book for their kids. I think the great stories connect with you regardless of your age. That's what Pixar and Disney do today they tell a story, and someone older can take away something different than a younger person does, but the heart of the story remains intact. The stories I loved as a kid are still the stories I love now. Q: Many people find it hard to figure out a way to talk to kids that's not condescending. A: I found it to be a natural mindset, maybe because I thought about telling these stories to my younger brother, who is 17. I speak to him like an adult. I was lucky to grow up in a household where my mother gave me respect and treated me like an adult. That's important to do with younger readers they may not have the experience, but they are still functioning human beings and they can grasp the concepts. When I was growing up, Roald Dahl had the biggest impact on me. The way he told a story was so simple, yet so complicated at the same time. Q: This edition also has to explain South Africa to American children, who generally don't know about apartheid. How did you approach that? A: Unfortunately that's true, that American children don't learn about apartheid. But also, unfortunately, I could use a lot of American examples as reference points. Q: You mean like this one: "In America you had the forced removal of the native peoples onto reservations coupled with slavery followed by segregation. Imagine all three of those things happening to the same group of people at the same time. That was apartheid." A: That passage is the same in both editions. Q: Did you worry that young readers wouldn't get some of the nuances in either the politics or your own story? A: No again, that's the thing, when you look at kids, they understand things on different levels. Look at a child who's grown up in a harsh environment. I think they understand the nuances of their situation even more than most adults do. A kid will say, "My daddy is not a good man when he's drinking alcohol, but I still love him." Grown-ups can't do that as easily. I think those sorts of ideas actually connect with kids better. As we grow older, we start holding on to our realities and our knowledge in a more entrenched way, as if it's who we are. It feels like, if I shake the core of what I know, maybe I'm not as intelligent as I thought I was. Kids don't struggle with it as much. They are not married to their ideas as much yet. Q: Have you been able to speak to groups of kids about the book yet? A: I have, and it's been amazing. I guess I've never lost a lot of what I enjoyed about being a kid. Part of being a comedian and doing what I do is I try not to lose my imagination. I try to enjoy being silly, so when I hang out with kids and I tell the stories I tell, there's a beautiful space we exist within. Q: What do they find most interesting about the book? A: A lot of kids are fascinated by apartheid itself. They ask, why didn't the government like black people? For a kid who hasn't yet internalized the workings of government, there's an illogic to apartheid that kids just don't understand. We take for granted how a lot of the worst ideas are taught to children. We don't give children enough credit for understanding the difference between right and wrong. You have to really teach a child to understand something that is incorrect. You look at a little child raised in a racist place by parents who are racist. That child waves at a black person, and the parent says, "You don't wave at them!" The child is just existing; he doesn't understand. Those small moments show you that you really have to be taught the wrong things that you know. Over time we allow life to erase some of the magic that made us who we were. It's a humbling experience to talk to kids about this book, because their questions remind me that as much as we'd like to forget it, we still are the kids we were growing up. JOHNSTOWN A BOCES school psychologist has been on leave since early February after the employee was charged with endangering the welfare of a child, BOCES officials in Johnstown said Monday. The Fulton-Montgomery BOCES administration placed the employee on leave Feb. 4 after being notified of an investigation into an incident that occurred after school on Feb. 3. A group of activists are hoping a last-ditch effort might stall or end Greene Countys plans to build a $47 million jail that critics say is expensive and unnecessary. The projects opponents are planning a protest for Saturday, May 5. But the plan is unlikely to succeed. At its March 21 meeting, the Greene County legislature awarded seven bids connected to the project. County leaders say they hope to break ground as soon as mid-May a new facility that will replace the century-old jail that closed because of poor conditions a year ago. The county had considered multiple options over the years and is ready to move forward with the project, said Patrick Linger, chairman of the county legislature. Everyones opinion was listened to, everything that was brought to us was taken into consideration, he said. The project is being built with a $39 million USDA loan at 3.5 percent interest, combined with $8 million in county funds. The county legislature approved the bond authorization in September 2018 after months of contentious meetings. The jail will add around $2.2 million a year toward the countys debt service for the next 30 years. However, critics say the project should be paused so the legislature can reconsider how the states new bail reform law, which goes in to effect next year, could impact the number of inmates the jail will be getting. Lori Torgersen, a former county legislator who also worked for the state Division of Criminal Justice Services and served as the Director of Statewide Reentry, said that after interest is factored in, the jails total cost could be close to $70 million. Does this make sense to strap a poor county with a bill like this when there are alternatives? she said. "Look, nothing is done until its done. At what point is it fiscally irresponsible and reckless to spend that much money on something just because you started it? For years the Greene County wrestled with what to do with its problematic jail. The 132-year-old facility was the oldest in the state and conditions deteriorated as the county legislature debated different plans for how big the new jail should be or whether the county could simply pay to have other counties hold its prisoners. In April 2018, Sheriff George Seeley shuttered the jail months after it was named one of the five most problematic jails in the state. An engineer noted in a report that the jails walls were in such bad shape that they were susceptible to crumbling in a heavy wind storm. The sheriffs office did not lay off any deputies after the jail was shutdown. Since then the county has shipped its prisoners to Columbia, Albany and Ulster counties at the cost of $75 per detainee per day, not counting medical costs. The county spent $230,000 on boarding out its prisoners through the first 10 weeks of 2019, according to county administrator Shaun Gorden. The county legislature considered undertaking a $300,000 feasibility study to determine whether it would be able to share a jail with Columbia County but decided not to pay for the study. Jail opponents say that continuing to board inmates out is the best arrangement for a small county with a declining population. Torgersen said that under the states new bail reform laws, the jails average daily population could shrink to as low as 20 prisoners a day. The bottom line is this in April there was an average of 31 people a day in Greene County jail, she said. That is not a blip. We had three days in our history where the county had over 100 people in the jail. The county has also traditionally struggled to recruit and retain correctional officers, said Torgersen, who was one of the legislators who voted against giving the county the authorization to borrow for the project. Further, Torgersen said the countys population is declining, as is the number of men in the county ages 18-35, which are statistically those most likely to be arrested. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Everything that a criminologist would look at is declining, she said. Torgersen tried to advocate for a regional approach during her time on the legislature, but that brought its own host of issues. Part of the question during the debates that was never quite settled was whether the county needs a physical jail. State and county law state that the county shall operate a jail, but opponents argued that by paying into a shared regional facility, the county was meeting that legal requirement. The county approached the state, asking whether it would be a good candidate for consolidation. Other legislators were not swayed, Torgersen said. Regional resentment came in to play as well. County legislators were conscious of yet another Greene County facility moving over the border to Columbia County, which had absorbed the local hospital and community college decades ago. Sheriff Seeley advocated against any shared service plan, saying that plan would force him to lay off sheriff deputies. Torgensen said the jail employed around 26 correctional officers and that the possible loss of jobs played a role in the discussions legislators had. County Legislator Michael Bulich, the only jail opponent who chose to run for re-election last year, said now hes trying to bring costs down as the project moves forward. In March, Bulich and other legislators tried to stop the county from moving forward on a 6,000-square-foot, $1.3 million garage for the jail. The garage would house sheriff department vehicles. Were looking at different ways to bring that (cost) down, he said. Were not there yet. Linger, the legislatures chair, said that the county was conscious of the jails price tag and was working to keep costs down but had to ensure it met state regulations for jails. The project has already changed since the passage of bail reform, Linger said. The jail plans now call for a 72-bed facility, rather than the previously approved 80. Both of those numbers are smaller than the 130-bed jail that a paid consultant called for when the county began looking at the project. It was just not feasible to do a complete redesign, he said. But Linger said he doesnt expect bail reform to have a large impact on the new jails average population. The old jail was in such bad shape that local judges were conscious of not setting high bail amounts, so as to avoid sending people to the jail. For years we have not been jailing people who, under the new law, wouldnt be jailed, he said. Niskayuna Supervisor Yasmine Syed clapped back at "The Simpsons" after the animated sitcom slammed upstate New York, and name-checked the town, in its most recent episode. In a statement Monday morning, Syed extended an official invite to the Simpson family to "stay a little longer in Niskayuna." The town's name was shown on a water tower that was leaking prodigiously. "I would like to personally invite Homer and his family to swing back through and stay for a few days on their way back from Canada, no hotel points needed," Syed wrote. "I hope Homer and Marge will take me up on my offer to be their personal tour guide so they can see for themselves that our water tower is leak-free and that Homer's satirical song rings hollow when it comes to Niskayuna. I can promise they'll like it so much, they may even stay a while and help boost the upstate population by five." Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Syed also took the chance to praise the town and upstate in general. "Homer believes there's no 'fancy part of it,' but during their all too brief pass through Niskayuna they likely missed our splendid open spaces like Blatnick and River Road Park, the scenic Mohawk Hudson bike trail, our gorgeous and safe neighborhoods, our burgeoning retail centers like the Niskayuna Co-op, ShopRite Square and Mohawk Commons, and our award-winning school district, where Bart, Lisa and eventually little Maggie would receive a superior education to anything offered in Springfield," she wrote. Poway, Calif. In the minutes after the gunman fled the scene of a shooting that killed a woman inside a Southern California synagogue, a wounded Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein wrapped his bloodied hand in a prayer shawl, stood on a chair and addressed the panicked congregation, vowing to stay strong in the face of the deadly attack targeting his community. "We are a Jewish nation that will stand tall. We will not let anyone take us down. Terrorism like this will not take us down," Goldstein recalled telling his congregants after the gunfire erupted Saturday at Chabad of Poway. Congregant Lori Kaye, 60, was killed in the shooting, which injured Goldstein, 8-year-old Noya Dahan and her 34-year-old uncle, Almog Peretz, authorities said. Hours after the three wounded were released from hospitals, Goldstein described the onslaught at a news conference Sunday outside the synagogue north of San Diego. Goldstein said he was preparing for a service on the last day of Passover, a holiday celebrating freedom, and heard a loud sound. He turned around and saw a young man wearing sunglasses standing in front of him with a rifle. "I couldn't see his eyes. I couldn't see his soul," Goldstein said. He raised his hands and lost one of his fingers in the shooting. And then, Goldstein said, "miraculously, the gun jammed." Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. The attack Saturday came exactly six months after a mass shooting in a Pittsburgh synagogue. John T. Earnest, 19, surrendered to police after bursting into the synagogue and opening fire as about 100 people were worshipping inside. Earnest, who had no previous contact with law enforcement, may face a hate crime charge in addition to homicide charges when he's arraigned later this week, San Diego County Sheriff William Gore said. He was being held without bail, and it was unclear if he had an attorney. Police searched Earnest's house and said he was also being investigated in connection with an arson attack on a mosque in nearby Escondido, Calif., on March 24. Rotterdam Police ROTTERDAM Town police are asking for the public's help in finding a missing vulnerable adult. Eric R. Stearns, 59, of Rotterdam was reported missing on Sunday, April 21. He has a mental illness and may need medical attention, police said. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2019 > A Primer on the Business of Corrupt Governance by R. Khosla On independence we gave ourselves a Constitution. The Constitution was to provide us the framework of governance. It created the judiciary and everything else that is required for the governance of the country in the interests of the sovereign people of India. Not that the judiciary and everything else did not exist before. It existed to further the interests of an alien race. Seventyone years on the situation has come full circle. The alien race has once again come to govern the people of India. That alien race is the Indian politician. The politician has subverted all institutions of the Constitution. He is above the law. The driving engine for the politician is the money to win the next election. Regretfully, a lot of votes, enough to swing the election, can be bought. The average reader may well regard the above paragraph with scepticism but this is mainly because he has no experience of the functioning of Indian democracy and the way money is raised. Although practically every Indian has suffered at the hands of the politician and his minions some time or the other, a holistic picture eludes most Indians. It is with this aim in mind that this article has been written to show an example to the lay reader how his even fundamental rights can be suborned. The article may be a trifle long as a case study has been taken up, but it does present the whole picture. This article relates to the Y Farms Project of the Air Force Naval Housing Board as a template. The Genesis The Air Force Naval Housing Board (AFNHB) as a Service Welfare Body serves the housing needs of the Naval and Air Force community. This Board was registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860 (this Act is only meant for libraries and temple trusts), with an objective to promote housing schemes as per the demand of the Naval and Air Force personnel. The AFNHB claims to have a clientele of over 18,000 allottees and by the turn of the millennium, it had completed the handing over of almost 14,000 dwelling units and farm units. One such project of the AFNHB was the Farm unit scheme to cater to allottees who preferred a rural retirement setting. The AFNHB scheme for Farm Units was started sometime in 1995 and construction began in earnest in 1998. While the X and Z projects proceeded reasonably well, there was a problem with the Y farms scheme. A certain Daryao Singh was inducted in violation of the qualifications for developers. He neither had land nor money on offer. The AFNHB is controlled by a Board which also has the DFW (Ministry Of Defence) as a member. This Daryao Singh was inducted by the Chairman of the board who happened to be Vice-Admiral Madhvendra Singh and Vice-Admiral Sushil Kumar respectively. Daryao Singh failed to make an offer four times yet he was persisted with by Sushil Kumar. Finally he offered the current Y Farms site. The site was rejected by the Board of Officers of the AFNHB. Even so it was selected by a mysterious process of which there is no record. The land was available for Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000 but was purchased by Daryao Singh for Rs 1,60,000 approximately. There was no board of officers to assess the value of the land which is a mandatory process. With the surplus windfall, Daryao Singh and Vice-Admiral Sushil Kumar purchased 30 acres of land each for themselves. Sushil Kumar claimed that he sold his mothers jewellery and lands to fund the purchase. Daryao Singh had no explanation about how he came to fund the land. Daryao Singh is known to have built Sushil Kumars farm house. Sushil Kumar also owns two homes in Sector 21 Noida, Two flats in Ranikhet, a bungalow in the Andamans and the Farm House on over four acres of land adjoining the Y Sector. The source of funds for these purchases has not been examined. Till today there is no final accounting for the 281 acres of land acquired by Daryao Singh. From the amount charged to the owners for the land plus next instalment, a road was supposed to be built connecting the Faridabad- Majhawali road to the farms. The road was never built. The money was not refunded either. This represented a serious breach of contract by the AFNHB as the farms were not accessible then by road and they were not accessible even 22 years later. While work was continuing it was found that the river Jamuna was eroding the banks on which the Y site was located. Extra work had to be taken up to build the studs to prevent erosion. The scheme went into a loss of Rs 15 crores as reported in the papers when the net worth of the scheme was only Rs 17 crores. There was delay in the progress of the works. The Political Takeover Despite this scandal associated with Sushil Kumar, he rose to become the Chief of Naval Staff. Comes the UPA into the picture in 2004. Sushil Kumar had by now covered himself in glory as the former Navy Chief through the Barak Missile deal and he was under the CBI scanner. This was also about the time that Robert Vadra had started acquiring extensive properties in Haryana and Rajasthan and elsewhere under dubious circumstances. The proximity of the Y Farms to Greater Noida attracted his attention. Robert Vadra himself was a lightweight and nothing more than a costume jewellery maker but he was helped in these deals by the mentor of the Gandhi children, Satish Sharma. Satish Sharma put two and two together and came up with a sum of 281 acres of land that could be had if the owners were convinced to sell the land collectively at a cheap price to a builder. The builder in this case being DLF. The President of the Owners Association, an Air Marshal, was roped in to sell this idea by Sushil Kumar. Unfortunately, some Service Officers saw the potential of the farms with the Greater Noida metropolis coming up nearby. This President sabotaged the Association for the next 15 years with his group of life member councillors. The Chief of Air Staff at that time was even obliged by Satish Sharma(?) to make an offer to the owners to give back their land to the AFNHB at original price plus nine per cent interest, obviously for resale to the DLF. The Y Farms scheme was running shamefully when Air Marshal J.N. Burma, who was later appointed Adminstrative Member, Armed Forces Tribunal, took over as the Chairman of the AFNHB in 2006. Having inherited a problem, one would assume that the Air Marshal would work to set things right. That was not the case. Robert Vadra moved in a big way and also acquired about 500 acres in the vicinity of the Y Farms. Mahesh Nagar, his principal purchase agent, appeared in the Y Farms as well. Suddenly, some UP Government agency declared the farm units illegal and unauthorised. The identity of this UP Government agency was not revealed by Burma. It was informed by Burma that he would take up this matter at the highest political level. The CBI inquiry conducted after the departure of Air Marshal Burma found that it was merely the Secretary of Industries of the UP Government who had declared the area notified by a vague letter which was not part of any plan. Something he was not authorised to do. The issue never got resolved in the six-year tenure of Burma. On July 24, 2007 Burma assured the Residents Association that he would meet CM Mayawati and the Raksha Mantri. This again never happened. Why would Air Marshal Burma tell lies/use perverse application of mind to sabotage the Y Farms scheme? This may well have been because the then Air Chief Tyagi was closely associated with Satish Sharma. As events subsequently proved, Tyagi was also involved in the Agusta scam. Further funding of the Y Farms project was also stopped in 2007. How can the funding of a self-financing scheme be stopped? Thereby leaving the life savings of 280 officers and men in the lurch even till today. Just prior to Burma taking over as the Chairman of the AFNHB, mutation of some of the farms had been cancelled by the Tehsildar through a mischievous and perverse order. Burma claimed that he was in constant touch with the Chief Secratary of UP to rectify the situation. Again nothing happened. There is no doubt that Air Marshal Burma was elevated after retirement to the post of Administrative Member of the AFT as quid pro quo for services to the family. Is it small wonder then that he would destroy the ethos and discipline of the Services in the Sukhna Scam case to save another land thief of a Corps Commander and to please the Ministry of Defence just to show up Army Chief General V.K. Singh as a vindictive man. Subsequently it became known that Lt General Rath had been a classmate of Burma. He should have recused himself. That the family and the MOD would go to any lengths to preserve their power even to the extent of treason is revealed by the leak from the PMO of a Top Secret letter laying Indias deficiency in defence bare and in the story of a coup. Dismantling the covert Technical Services Division, a vital and unique national asset, is another case in point. The Technical Services Division had been raised precisely for the reason the Intelligence Bureau and RAW had failed. Additionally, the developer, Daryao Singh, had also been dismissed by the AFNHB and the developer went to the Court and got a stay order. This dismissal was engineered to cover the tracks of the large-scale defalcations and stop development on grounds of dispute. The matter went into arbitration and remained in arbitration for 12 years (totally against the Arbitration Charter). The first lien of the land was given illegally by the AFNHB to the developer who was just working on a turnkey basis. This lien was subsequently declared outside the terms of agreement and ultra-vires by the judgment of the Delhi High Court. It should have been apparent to any judge worth his salt that the lien was malafide. Yet it took 12 years to get this abuse of the process of Court resolved. It does not take rocket science to figure out that the judgments under the UPA were controlled by the Chief Justice giving directions from the top where the government (read family) was an interested party. The guilty personnel of the AFNHB and the Service Headquarters, who misappropriated the rights of the owners to their property in the lien case, have still not been identified or punished. A Corrupt Series of Governments Letters to the Raksha Mantri, A.K. Antony, written as far back as 2007 had no effect despite the scam being worth Rs 28 crores then. Today on the basis of appreciated prices it is worth Rs 500 crores. On the outcry by the owners, a Court of Inquiry was ordered on the Y Farms project by the Air Headquarters. A presentation on this Court of Inquiry was given to the Naval Chief and Air Chief on April 24, 2007. No action was taken by either of the Service Chiefs. The Court of Inquiry was suppressed on technical grounds. It can be seen that the power of Vadra/ Sharma and successive State and Central governments over the Services Headquarters is complete. There have been 20 Service Chiefs, 10 each from the Navy and the Air Force, who could not put Humpty Dumpty together again at the Y Farms. Is it small wonder then that even the arms purchases running into billions of rupees are pre-decided based on the kick-backs offered and the QRs for the service equipment SPECIALLY written to suit the politicians? The Westland case is only a small drop in the bucket. The Rafale case was 10 times bigger. Now does the reader understand why it is absolutely necessary for a Service Chief to be appointed in a line of succession? His background can then be vetted and if he is too much of a professional with no weaknesses he can be quietly eliminated in the few years of service before he becomes the Chief. Most regretfully the BJP has continued this policy under Arun Jaitley and successive Defence Ministers. When Lt General Tejinder Singh walked into the Army Chiefs office to represent the Tatra case, he expected business as usual and he would get the signatures of a compliant Chief, perhaps for a little extra payment considering the file was held up. An incorruptible V.K. Singh came as a shock. Whoever it was in the MOD who recommended the appointment of Gen V.K. Singh as the Chief should have been shot for gumming up the works. The damage being done, typically, in line with the UPA Governments penetration of all institutions in the country, the CBI stepped in to provide cover by filing a closure report on Tejinder Singh. When the situation at the farms finally blew up through the expose by Rahul Singh of Hindustan Times, a CBI inquiry was reluctantly ordered in 2012. By admission of the CBI inspector himself this inquiry was ordered by a sketchy DO letter from the Ministry of Defence which gave very little information despite the masala provided by Rahul Singh. For the next two years the CBI continued with the inquiry while the Farms project again went into limbo. In 2014, very predictably, the CBI filed a closure report. The Ministry of Defence, which initiated the Inquiry, should have been the watchdog to ensure that justice was given to the Farm owners. Shockingly, at the very first hearing itself the MOD filed a No Objection under the UPA Government and the closure report itself was filed under the Directorship of Ranjit Sinha whom the Supreme Court was obliged to dissociate from the 2G scam investigations at a subsequent date. Daryao Singh, the developer associate of Sushil Kumar, in the meantime went on to greater glories by landing up in jail in an associated scam. The Judicial System In the arguments in the Court of the Special Judge, CBI, Patiala House Report U/S 173Cr PC IN RC217012A0002/2012/CBI/ACU-VI/NEW DELHI, 30 pages of arguments were given along with five pages specific to Sushil Kumar. All of it was ignored by the judge in her very subjective judgment. Such types of judgments have been described by the Supreme Court as bizarre. The matter was referred to before the High Court. The appeal was rejected on technical grounds. Since the petitioner wished to fight the case personally, even so he was given free legal aid. Even after rejecting the lawyer, the lawyer forcibly appeared in Court and said the application was not technically correct. I wonder if the Constitution took into account a case being technically correct before justice could be administered? These judgments had been delivered when the NDA had come to power. The inference is very clear. If high political functionaries are involved, the delivery of justice can be along expected lines. The judges work along these expected lines irrespective of the party in power. Ruling class privileges are shared across political lines. Criminal Direction and the Police. Notwithstanding the hurdles put up to the ownership of the Farm Units by the allottees, some persistent farm owners decided to occupy their farms. They were attacked by the Security Agent of the AFNHB itself. Instead of employing a certified security agency, the AFNHB employed a driver of Daryao Singh, the scamster developer. Daryao Singh had himself been ejected from the Farms by a court order and that order also included his servants. Yet the AFNHB thought fit to hand over the farms back to Daryao Singh by proxy. This driver was convicted of murder by a Saket Court in absentia. He had jumped bail and is living a life well known to the whole area of the Y Farms and surrounding villages. Two letters written to the Commissioner of Delhi Police have produced no results. Criminal complaints against this security agent including assault and battery before the police have produced no results. Even FIRs were not acted upon despite taking up the matter with the Chief Minister of UP and the IGP Range, Meerut. Reminders despatched by courts also failed to produce results. The methodology used to produce this system of anarchy is very simple. A high level politician gets in touch with the SHO. The SHO does the needful. If you approach even a higher officer, the higher officer will be told off by the SHO. This is quite in keeping with unofficial police practices as the money flows up the ladder from the SHO to the seniors. The bribes given to the policeman are shared in proportion by all personnel. At the Y Farms, the politician involved is at the highest level in the BJP. Even attempted intercessions by MPs and a Union Minister have produced no results. The District Administration Despite the fact that all clearances were taken from the District Administration prior to the commencement of the project, suddenly on a date well past the project PDC, the Tehsildar cancelled the mutations of 94 farm houses. The cancellation was unilateral on the basis of a scurrilous application which was not even on affidavit and by untraceable parties and where the AFNHB was not even allowed to be represented. The Collector upheld the decision. The matter went up to the Allahabad High Court. The matter hung there for four years. It was only after the Supreme Court was obliged to remarkThere is something rotten in the affairs of Denmarkwith respect to the Allahabad High Court that a decision was given. The land reverted back to the project. The Tehsildar has still failed to restore the mutations. During this period of 22 years that the project has been in limbo, about 70 owners have passed away. Many have seen their dreams of a rural home fade and they have tried to sell their land. Another shock from the district administration. For no reason they are refusing to mutate the sale transfer, the ostensible excuse being Bhoodan lands. Due to this the genuine buyer is obliged to stay away and the only buyer of these farms is, you guessed it, the same security agent and his cohorts, at their own price. The Central Government Given the fact that Robert Vadra was interested in the Y Farms through Mahesh Nagar and also many of his land deals attracted the attention of the press, the UPA came under question even while in office. The shenanigans of Robert Vadra became an election issue with the BJP. Modi had promised justice which in five years of NDA rule failed to materialise. Towards that end, the Dhingra Commission was constituted. The report was suppressed. Finally the report was struck down by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Amazing that the Commission was being conducted by Justice Dhingra without the benefit of the law. Any transaction that is illegal and sufficiently lucrative attracts the minions of the law. Prosecution may well be launched but the matter is never concluded as long as the felon keeps paying the party in power. Through inefficiency of the minions of the law he is even allowed to escape the country. Examples being Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi. Even the criminality of the previous government becomes an asset and a source of income for the successor government. Source of income is all that matters. The Constitution be damned. Conclusion Despite the struggle for freedom resulting in the Constitution of India, control of the country has passed on to another alien race, the politician, whose interests transcend all constitutional safeguards. No one, including the Armed Forces personnel whose duties all over India render their personal properties unattended, is safe. The criminal is shielded and a large proportion of his ill-gotten gains go to the party in power. There is no dearth of politicians with criminal records in Parliament. All institutions of governancelike the police, the judiciary, the civil services and the armed forceshave been subverted. For his rights the Indian citizen has been left holding a piece of paper called the Constitution. The print being not worth anything more than the paper. The author is a retired Wing Commander of the Indian Air Force. [April 29, 2019] HilltopSecurities Welcomes Tom Kozlik as Director, Head of Municipal Strategy and Credit Hilltop Securities Inc. (HTS) announced today that municipal bond strategist Tom Kozlik has joined the firm as director, head of municipal strategy and credit. In his new role, Kozlik will work closely with HilltopSecurities' underwriters, investment bankers, retail advisors, traders, and sales desk. He will also publish regular commentary and be a presence on social and traditional media for the firm. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190429005077/en/ Tom Kozlik, HilltopSecurities Director, Head of Municipal Strategy and Credit (Photo: Business Wire) Kozlik brings nearly two decades of experience to the position, most recently with PNC (News - Alert) Capital Markets where he served as managing director and municipal strategist, advising clients on a variety of municipal market credit profiles. Prior to joining PNC, he was managing director and municipal credit analyst at Janney Montgomery Scott. In addition, he has published widely utilized public commentry on the municipal markets. In 2018, Smith's Research and Gradings included Kozlik on the first team in the generalist category of its Municipal All-Star Team. "As one of the nation's leading investment banks in the municipal space, we are very pleased to welcome Tom Kozlik to HilltopSecurities," said HilltopSecurities President and Chief Executive Officer Brad Winges. "His extensive industry experience and unique market insight will enhance the services we provide across our diverse mix of businesses. Tom will be an important asset for our public finance, fixed income, and retail brokerage professionals and clients." In addition to his roles with PNC and Janney, Kozlik has also held associate director positions with Bear Stearns and UBS. He was voted to Institutional Investor's All-America Fixed Income Research Team and Greenwich Associates named him one of the Most Helpful Analysts in Municipal Bonds in 2015. In addition, he is a founding officer and former president of the Philadelphia Area Municipal Analysts Society and is an advisor to the Government Finance Officers Association's committee on government debt management. Kozlik has also taught graduate-level public finance courses at the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Institute of Government, where he earned a Master of Government Administration. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science with honors from Pennsylvania State University Scholars program. About Hilltop Securities Inc. Hilltop Securities Inc. delivers forthright advice and tailored solutions for municipal issuers, institutions, broker-dealers, and individuals. The financial services firm and registered investment adviser is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with offices across the United States. Areas of focus include public finance; municipal and taxable fixed income underwriting, sales, and trading; equity and portfolio trading; retail brokerage services; securities clearing; structured finance; and securities lending. A wholly owned subsidiary of Hilltop Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HTH), HilltopSecurities' affiliates include Hilltop Securities Independent Network Inc., PlainsCapital Bank, PrimeLending, and National Lloyds Corporation. Learn more at www.HilltopSecurities.com. Member: NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190429005077/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] IEEE GlobalSpec and American Welding Society Launch AWS Welding Digest ALBANY, N.Y., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- IEEE GlobalSpec, a provider of data-driven industrial marketing solutions designed to help companies grow their businesses, announced today the launch of the new AWS Welding Digest on Engineering360.com. This innovative content resource is designed to further expand the message of the American Welding Society, a nonprofit organization focused on advancing the science, technical and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes. Visitors to the AWS Welding Digest on Engineering360.com now have access to an extensive suite of welding-related content, information and insight. Engineers and technical professionals in welding and related industries, or individuals interested in pursuing a career in welding, will benefit from complete access to industry news, product information, white papers, inspection content, and more. The AWS Welding Digest also features professional development information, including a calendar of upcoming events and career guidance. "We are delighted to be partnering with the American Welding Society to create a unique content experience for engineers and technical professionals interested in the welding industry and associated careers," says Pete Hoelscher, Chief Operating Officer for IEEE GlobalSpec. "Engineering360.com has long been regarded as the premier online destination for delivering criticalengineering information, insight, tools and community for engineers and technical professionals. By enhancing Engineering360.com with targeted, expert content from the American Welding Society, we're providing our visitors with a comprehensive view of information related to this topic of interest, further reinforcing our value as an information resource." "We are excited to be launching the AWS Welding Digest during National Welding Month as a way to keep the focus on our industry all year long," says Matt Miller, CEO, American Welding Society. "By working together with IEEE GlobalSpec to build the AWS Welding Digest, we have the ability to expand the reach of our association to connect with the millions of professionals who rely on Engineering360.com as a trusted information resource." The AWS Welding Digest can be accessed at www.weldingdigest.com. About IEEE GlobalSpec IEEE GlobalSpec is a community built by engineers, for engineers - delivering the single source for trusted, expert engineering content, information, insight, tools, and community for engineers and technical professionals across multiple industries and disciplines. An engaged community of more than 8 million industry professionals relies on IEEE GlobalSpec as a trusted resource at every stage of the research, product design, and purchasing process. For industrial marketers, our mission is to provide comprehensive digital media solutions that connect manufacturers, distributors and service providers with engineers and allied technical professionals and generate unparalleled results delivering measurable and actionable awareness, demand and engagement opportunities at all stages of the buy cycle. Learn more at www.globalspec.com. About AWS The American Welding Society (AWS) was founded in 1919, as a nonprofit organization with a global mission to advance the science, technology and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes, including brazing, soldering and thermal spraying. AWS strives to move the industry forward in both thought and action, as well as inspire new generations to see the exciting career opportunities available today. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, and led by a volunteer organization of officers and directors, AWS serves over 70,000 members worldwide and is composed of 22 Districts with 250 Sections and student chapters. The Society is dedicated to supporting hundreds of thousands of industry professionals, including: welders, business leaders, sales and service teams, manufacturers, vendors, associations, educational institutions, committee volunteers, and students. We connect welding communities from around the world into a collaborative force, built on a foundation of higher standards; advanced learning; and rewarding growth. Learn more at www.aws.org. Contact: Amber Cooleen Senior Director, Marketing 518.238.6647 E-mail: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ieee-globalspec-and-american-welding-society-launch-aws-welding-digest-300839870.html SOURCE IEEE GlobalSpec [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Ross University School of Medicine and Tuskegee University Partner to Address Physician Diversity in the U.S. The United States is facing a critical absence of diversity in medicine, and the disproportionately low numbers of African-American doctors is causing negative health outcomes in communities across the country. Reflecting its commitment to improve diversity among the nation's doctors, Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) has entered into an agreement with Tuskegee University in Alabama to increase the number of African-American students who enter medical school at RUSM, and ultimately become physicians. This educational pathway allows qualified Tuskegee students who earn full acceptance into the medical school to receive a scholarship covering full tuition for the first semester. These students will spend the first two years of medical school at the RUSM campus in Barbados. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190429005643/en/ L-R: Roberta Troy, Ph.D., Provost, Tuskegee University; Lily McNair, Ph.D., President, Tuskegee University; Lisa W. Wardell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Adtalem Global Education; William F. Owen, M.D., FACP, Dean and Chancellor, Ross University School of Medicine. (Photo: Business Wire) RUSM has a diverse student population with 51 percent of students being persons of color. With more than 14,000 alumni, RUSM graduates practice in direct patient care in all 50 states, including a high percentage of graduates who are in the essential field of primary care. African Americans make up only six percent1 of U.S. physicians. While most U.S. medical schools had an average of eight African-American graduates this past year, RUSM had more than 80. "Significantly greater representation in medicine is imperative to the health of our communities and our nation, and RUSM's unique impact and portable lessons on medical school diversity promise to reduce health disparities," said RUSM Dean and Chancellor, Dr. William F. Owen, Jr., M.D., FACP. "We are pleased to partner with Tuskegee University. By increasing the participation of underrepresented Americans in health education we promulgate an opportunity to share in social justice for health." "This is an exciting partnership that I expect will yield tremendous dividends for everyone involved - especially for Tuskegee University's students, whose broadening professional opportunities will also mean a more diverse medical workforce," said Tuskegee University President Dr. Lily D. McNair. "I look forward to the wonderful opportunities for our students and our university, as Tuskegee gains a valuable academic partner." "The Alabama Governor's Office of Minority Affairs applauds Tuskegee University and Ross University School of Medicine for tackling the long-standing lack of diversity in medicine. The adverse effects stemming from a lack of access to care and the pervasiveness of health inequality have long been felt, not only across Alabama, but nationwide," said Nichelle Williams Nix, Director of Alabama's Governor's Office of Minority Affairs, which works with Tuskegee and the state's other HBCUs to enhance their collective impact on Alabama's economic and workforce development success. RUSM recently announced similar agreements with Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science. As part of its continued commitment to addressing diversity in medicine, RUSM's parent company, Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE), signed on to the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Partnership Challenge created by the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus, pledging to invest in creating strategic collaborations with HBCUs and working to increase diversity in key workforce sectors. Having recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, RUSM is part of Adtalem Global Education's medical and healthcare education vertical, which also includes American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in Sint Maarten, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts, and Chamberlain University, the largest provider of nursing education in the United States. Adtalem is a mission-driven educator and workforce solutions provider with institutions and companies around the world, including the U.S., Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Brazil. About Tuskegee University Located in Tuskegee, Alabama, Tuskegee University is a private, state-related and nationally ranked land-grant institution that serves a racially, ethnically and religiously diverse student body of 3,000-plus students. The institution was founded in 1881 by Booker T. Washington and is one of the nation's historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges since 1933, Tuskegee's academic programs - many accredited by their respective accrediting bodies - currently lead to 41 bachelor's, 16 master's and five doctoral degree opportunities. For more information about Tuskegee University, visit www.tuskegee.edu. About Ross University School of Medicine Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) is an institution of Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE), a global education provider headquartered in the United States. The organization's purpose is to empower students to achieve their goals, find success and make inspiring contributions to our global community. Founded in 1978 and located in Barbados, RUSM has more than 14,000 alumni and is committed to educating a diverse group of skilled physicians. RUSM is accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions (CAAM-HP). For more information, please visit medical.rossu.edu and follow RUSM on Twitter (News - Alert) (@RossMedSchool), Instagram (@rossmedschool) and Facebook (News - Alert) (@RossMedSchool). About Adtalem Global Education The purpose of Adtalem Global Education is to empower students to achieve their goals, find success, and make inspiring contributions to our global community. Adtalem Global Education Inc. (NYSE: ATGE; member S&P MidCap 400 Index) is a leading global education provider and the parent organization of Adtalem Educacional do Brasil (IBMEC, Damasio and Wyden institutions), American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists, Becker Professional Education, Chamberlain University, EduPristine, Ross University School of Medicine and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. For more information, please visit adtalem.com and follow us on Twitter (@adtalemglobal) and LinkedIn. 1 U.S. Census, 2016 American Community Survey, PUMS 1-year estimate View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190429005643/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] SaTT Presents the Future of Advertising on the Blockchain to Asia SINGAPORE, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Recent weeks have seen the SaTT team presenting and showcasing the SaTT digital advertising project on the blockchain in a number of conventions and community meetups in the region, amongst them Blockchain Life 2019, Block Live Asia, World Blockchain Summit Taipei and DLT 101. The team behind SaTT is none other than Atayen, Inc ., the iFrames app developer for business pages on Facebook, with an established user base of 4 million that includes internationally known brands like Coca Cola, McDonalds, Disney, Amazon, Nike and Starbucks amongst many others. SaTT, which stands for Smart Advertising Transaction Token, is a utility token that enables advertisers to buy smart advetising services on its Ethereum-based Dapp. All transactions between advertisers and publishers are governed by smart contract which ensures speed, transparency and security, and is cost-efficient. Furthermore, the Dapp uses Oracles that help to quantify the ROI by getting data from 3rd-party API of platforms like Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc, to evaluate the performance of all digital actions of the advertising services paid for. Presently, SaTT is proud to announce that it has developed a Youtube Oracle already deployed in several campaigns. Once all criteria have been successfully met, payments are immediate, tamper-proof and not subject to transfer or currency conversion fees, a perfect use case of the ethereum smart contract. Currently the project is in the Top 5 rankings on ICO bench by ratings based on the platform's assessment algorithm together with experts' ratings, and the most rated project of all time. The SaTT team returns from Taiwan to Singapore for a private investor reception at the Fullerton Bay Hotel on May 2nd. All interested investors and parties are welcome to register their interest here . For VIP registration please contact [email protected] . For more information on the SaTT project, please visit https://www.satt-token.com/ SOURCE SaTT [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 28, 2019] Supermicro Announces Expansion of Silicon Valley Corporate Headquarters and Groundbreaking for New 800,000-Square Foot Building in Taiwan New Construction Further Expands Supermicro's Engineering, Manufacturing and Service Capacity Worldwide to support the Company's Continued Rapid Growth SAN JOSE, California, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI), a global leader in enterprise computing, storage, networking solutions and green computing technology, today is celebrating the official groundbreaking of its new 800,000-square foot building in Taiwan and the further expansion of its Silicon Valley Headquarters, now surpassing over one million square feet of engineering, design and manufacturing in San Jose, California. The groundbreaking ceremony in Taiwan is being attended by over 200 business and government dignitaries at the Supermicro Asia Tech and Science campus. The new nine-story building, will expand production capacity, hardware and software R&D, and support the latest and future technologies and product including EDSFF all-flash NVMe and RSD2 Supermicro's revolutionary Resource-Saving Designs optimized with industry Rack Scale Design to deliver superior performance and efficiency while reducing TCO and environmental impact. Supermicro's Corporate Headquarters includes engineering, manufacturing and customer service making Supermicro the only Tier 1 systems vendor to build its servers in Silicon Valley and worldwide. Building 23 is the third of five facilities that the company has under constrction now at its San Jose based Green Computing Park, and it is scheduled for completion by the end of 2019. "Having our design, engineering, manufacturing and service teams here at our Silicon Valley campus gives Supermicro a great position for computing architecture innovation and the agility to quickly respond to the newest technologies in the industry and to our customer's needs and unique requirements, which is a major advantage that we have over the competition," said Charles Liang, President and CEO of Supermicro. "As our business continues to rapidly scale with over 1.2 million server and storage systems shipped globally last year, increasing our production capacity and capabilities is vital to keeping up with our rapid growth. Building 23 in San Jose, along with the opening of the large new facility at our technology campus in Taiwan, provides the additional capacity and rack scale integration plug and play capabilities to ensure that we can provide the best possible service to our enterprise, datacenter, channel and cloud customers." Supermicro leverages its strength in design and engineering to lead the way with first-to-market server and storage technology innovations like all-flash NVMe systems in U.2, EDSFF and NF1 form factors, Resource-Saving systems for better TCO and TCE (Total Cost to the Environment) as well as 5G infrastructure optimization from the Edge to the Cloud. The company offers the industry's broadest portfolio of advanced server and storage solutions including the popular BigTwin and SuperBlade product lines and provides rack scale integration with rack plug and play capabilities. For more information on Supermicro and Supermicro products, visit www.supermicro.com. Follow Supermicro on Facebook and Twitter to receive their latest news and announcements. About Super Micro Computer, Inc. (SMCI) Supermicro, the leading innovator in high-performance, high-efficiency server technology is a premier provider of advanced Server Building Block Solutions for Data Center, Cloud Computing, Enterprise IT, Hadoop/Big Data, HPC and Embedded Systems worldwide. Supermicro is committed to protecting the environment through its "We Keep IT Green" initiative and provides customers with the most energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly solutions available on the market. Supermicro, SuperServer, Server Building Block Solutions, BigTwin, SuperBlade and We Keep IT Green are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Super Micro Computer, Inc. All other brands, names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. SMCI-F Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/877784/TaiwanBuilding23_4.jpg SOURCE Super Micro Computer, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] TELUS picks The PACK, a NATIONAL Public Relations and Cohn & Wolfe collective, as new PR AOR TORONTO, April 29, 2019 /CNW/ - TELUS has awarded The PACK its PR business after a comprehensive competitive review. The PACK is a best-in-class collaboration between two iconic agency brands, NATIONAL Public Relations and Cohn & Wolfe, custom-built for TELUS. With the largest Canadian footprint in Canada's PR industry, NATIONAL and Cohn & Wolfe joined forces to demonstrate how their combined experience in consumer and B2B marketing, digital and social media, strategic communications, public affairs, and healthcare can support and elevate TELUS's diverse business in its commitment to continue differentiate itself by putting its customers first. "TELUS' growth over the past 20 years is a great Canadian success story, but we see it as a story with limitless potential," explains Rick Murray, Managing Partner of NATIONAL Toronto and Cohn & Wolfe Canada. "Everyone at The PACK is proud to support the Company in expanding its mission to shape a friendlier future for all of us." The business will be led by Rick Murray and a hand-picked senior advisory team from The PACK's offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Quebec City, Montreal and Ottawa. "This is a superb accomplishment and a shining demonstration of our network's leading position as Canada's top communications consultancies," said Jean-Pierre Vasseur, President and CEO of AVENIR GLOBAL, NATIONAL and Cohn & Wolfe's parent holding company. "Like TELUS, we believe that it is the combination of national strength and regional understanding that is critical to improving Canadians' lives through connectivity, and we look forward to being an extension of TELUS's communications team." The Agency of Record appointment marks a significant commitment between the partners and will see The Pack supporting TELUS' communications teams from coast-to-coast. ABOUT NATIONAL NATIONAL Public Relations connects clients to the people who matter most; delivering the right message, at the right time. Grounded in research, insight and deep sector understanding, we bring together teams of discipline experts from across our network to provide creative communications solutions that move people in thought and actions. For over 40 years, NATIONAL has been at the centre of issues and industries that matter, leading change for today and tomorrow. NATIONAL is Canada's leading public relations firm, servicing clients across a wide range of sectors, with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Saint John, Halifax and St. John's. NATIONAL's service offering also includes NATIONAL Capital Markets, the industry's foremost investor relations and financial services communications practice. NATIONAL Public Relations is an AVENIR GLOBAL company, one of the 15 largest communication firms in the world with 25 offices across Canada, the U.S., Europe and the Middle East, and part of RES PUBLICA Consulting Group . NATIONAL is affiliated internationally with public relations firm BCW Global, a WPP company. For more information about NATIONAL, please visit our website or follow us on Twitter . About AVENIR GLOBAL AVENIR GLOBAL is a Montreal-based holding and management company with an active operations mindset and a hands-on approach to all its investments. A global powerhouse of specialist communications firms, AVENIR GLOBAL has 1,000 staff and offices in 25 locations across Canada, the U.S., Europe and the Middle East, and ranks among the top 15 largest communication firms in the world. In Canada, AVENIR GLOBAL owns NATIONAL Public Relations , the country's leading public relations firm, servicing clients across a wide range of sectors, which includes NATIONAL Capital Markets , the industry's foremost investor relations and financial services practice. In the United States, AVENIR GLOBAL owns SHIFT Communications , a data-driven integrated communications agency; and the public relations and communication company Padilla , which includes the brand consultancy Joe Smith, the food and nutrition experts at FoodMinds and the research authorities at SMS Research Advisors . In Europe, AVENIR GLOBAL owns the London-based strategic communications consultancy Madano and Hanover , one of the EMEA's leading strategic communications and public affairs consultancies, with offices in London, Brussels, Dublin, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Hanover Group also includes creative communications agency The Playbook , and the brand and culture consultancy Multiple . The AVENIR GLOBAL network also includes healthcare specialists AXON Communications , with offices in Toronto, the U.S, the U.K. and Europe and healthcare creative agency Cherry , based in London. AVENIR GLOBAL is owned by RES PUBLICA Consulting Group. SOURCE NATIONAL Public Relations - Toronto [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Ten High Schools in Central and Northeast Pennsylvania Receive Governor's Civic Engagement Awards HARRISBURG, Pa., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Acting Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar presented Governor's Civic Engagement Awards (GCEA) today to 10 high schools in central and northeast Pennsylvania for registering to vote at least 65 percent of their eligible students. "This is an incredible achievement. You should be proud of yourselves," Secretary Boockvar told the students at a regional recognition event at the Pennsylvania State Museum. "Thank you for engaging in the electoral process and educating your peers about it." The GCEA program, now in its second year, encourages eligible Pennsylvania high school students to participate in elections as voter registration drive organizers, voters and poll workers. Students are eligible to register if they are 18 years of age or will turn 18 on or before the date of the next primary, special, municipal or general election. The award is presented by the Pennsylvania Departments of State and Education and the Governor's Office, in collaboration with Inspire U.S., a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that trains and assists students working to increase voter participation. Eight schools received Gold Level awards today for registering 85 percent or more of their eligible students. The schools are Boiling Springs, Building 21 Allentown, Carlisle, Conrad Weiser, Middletown Area, Northwest Area, South Williamsport and Wyoming Valley West high schools. Four of these schools Carlisle, Middletown Area, Northwest Area and Wyoming Valley West high schools also earned Gold Level awards last school year. Two schools Montrose Area Junior/Senior and Red Lion Area Senior high schools earned Silver Level awards for registering at least 65 percent of their eligible students. This year 23 high schools around the state earned GCEA awards, out of 63 schools that participated. A total of 3,109 eligible students were registered through the program. Eight students won individual awards, new this year, for registering their peers and also serving as poll workers for the November 2018 election. In the GCEA program's first year, 16 high schools earned awards by registering 2,955 eligible students. "We are pleased to see the GCEA program grow and attract more high schools," Secretary Boockvar said. "These students deserve a lot of credit for their civic-mindedness." Two more regional recognition events for GCEA winners are planned. They will be held May 2 at the Science Center Theater on Montgomery County Community College's Central Campus in Blue Bell, and May 7 at the William Pitt Union at the University of Pittsburgh. MEDIA CONTACT: Wanda Murren, 717-783-1621 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ten-high-schools-in-central-and-northeast-pennsylvania-receive-governors-civic-engagement-awards-300839730.html SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of State [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Thailand Plays Active Role in Driving ASEAN towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution BANGKOK, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Thailand's theme for the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2019 is "Advancing Partnership for Sustainability." Throughout the year, Thailand and fellow ASEAN member states intend to strengthen ASEAN cooperation in diverse sectors under the political and security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars of the ASEAN Community, Ministry of Foreign Affairs states. One of the issues that require urgent attention is the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution or "4IR" to enable ASEAN to catch up with, as well as make good use of global innovations to help sustain long-term development. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/846778/Ministry_of_Foreign_Affairs_Thailand___4IR.jpg Thailand has prepared for 4IR both at the national and regional levels during its ASEAN Chairmanship. At the national level, Thailand has initiated the Thailand 4.0 strategy to upgrade technological and economic competitiveness by promoting human resource development, digitalization in all sectors of the society and inclusive development. At the regional level, Thailand is pushing for an ASEAN vision to promote creativity, innovation, and connectivity. Five out of twelve deliverables in the economic pillar under Thailand's ASEAN Chairmanship focus on 4IR issues. These include the ASEAN Digital Integration Framework Action Plan, the ASEAN Innovation Roadmap, Guidelines on Skilled Labour / Professional Services Development in Response to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the ASEAN Declaration on Industrial Transformation to Industry 4.0, and the Digitalisation of ASEAN Micro-Enterprises or the use of digital technology to access international markets. Furthermore, Thailand will continue to promote ASEAN cooperation on ASEAN Smart Cities Network that was initiated under Singapore's ASEAN Chairmanship. In January 2019, the Digital Government Development Agency (Public Organization) organized the "Digital Government Summit 201" to showcase Thailand's achievements and progress in providing digital services in various areas. The concept of the Summit was "3D," Digital, Data and Design, with a view to highlight Thailand's technological potential and preparations for efficient e-government services and platforms. Many agencies that provide digital services joined the event such as the Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior, the Department of Land Transport, Ministry of Transport, and the Revenue Department, Ministry of Finance. Thailand is ready to exchange experiences with ASEAN member states in the development of digital government services and digital infrastructure to promote a comprehensive and sustainable ASEAN approach in addressing issues related to the 4IR during Thailand's ASEAN Chairmanship and beyond. The 4IR is a technological and digital revolution which affects everyone, from the way people live and interact with one another to the way people work. This can be seen in the increasing use of social media platforms worldwide, as the new communication technologies enable people across the globe to connect seamlessly with one another, to learn new trends, and to share information. The 4IR can therefore promote cross-cultural understanding and a more closely knit ASEAN Community. In addition, technological advancement in the age of 4IR has led to increasing access to information and the development of groundbreaking innovations and applications, including artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things. At present, the business community is already putting AI into practical use, such as the translation of multiple languages and factoring data analyses into investment decisions. Technological development has also contributed to long-term efficiency and productivity. It has reduced costs in transportation and communications, and enhanced the efficiency of global logistics systems and supply chains. As a result, the overall cost of investment in international trade has significantly reduced, while at the same time, opportunities in new markets are more open than before. ASEAN has high potential to become one of the world's top five digital economies, given that its GDP has reached 2.8 trillion US dollars and it has an annual GDP growth of 5.3 percent since 2000. In addition, ASEAN's digital market has expanded three-fold in the past three years and 7 percent of ASEAN's GDP is derived from the digital economy. Currently, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand are the forefront nations in 4IR due to their growing middle class and a largely digital-literate population. These ASEAN countries also have an increasing number of people using the internet and a majority of SMEs that utilise digital tools in their business operations. Despite the advantages cited above, 4IR also poses challenges for all the three pillars of the ASEAN Community. For example, the political security pillar is threatened by cybersecurity, privacy of information and misuse of information on the internet. The economic pillar has to contend with the widening gap in competitiveness between large companies and SMEs, since the latter is at a disadvantage in terms of funding for research and development (R&D) as well as for acquiring new technology. With regard to the socio-cultural pillar, 4IR raises huge concern over the possibility that robots will replace humans, particularly in the case of low-skilled labour in garment and shoe industries. Moreover, 4IR could lead to greater social inequality, arising from the growing social gap of the new digital tools. As such, 4IR impacts society in all dimensions and necessitates all stakeholders to work together towards an integrated approach in dealing with these challenges. An assessment report by the ASEAN Secretariat reveals that ASEAN member states have different levels of readiness for the 4IR. The ASEAN Secretariat has proposed ASEAN countries to coordinate with each other to promote joint development in all sectors and maintain the momentum in economic growth. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tel: +662-203-5000 ext. 22050 SOURCE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2019 > Remembering Justice Rajindar Sachar on his First Death Anniversary by Prem Singh Today (April 20, 2019) is the first death anniversary of Justice Rajindar Sachara socialist visionary, a judge par excellence, a true secular democrat, an unrelenting human rights and civil liberties champion and a wonderful person having complete faith in human goodness. While paying her tribute to him on his demise, Seema Mustafa rightly said: Our finest has gone. I personally feel a great sense of loss without him, particularly in my political activities. He was so very involved in the affairs of the Socialist Party (India), which he and senior socialist leaders like Surendra Mohan, Bhai Vaidya, Pannalal Surana, Prof Keshav Jadhav formed in 2011 along with several young socialists. He used to have this hope and belief that the old glory of the Socialist Party and the original spirit of the movement/ideology will thrive once again in the realm of Indian politics. Of course, in order to replace the present corporate capitalist order. I often wondered about his optimism and used to ask him that if people around him did not respond adequately to his appeals, how could he hope that the public in general would support his party and its candidates? To that he only used to give an innocent smile, without the slightest sign of pessimism. His smile always kept us in a positive frame of mind and that is what we miss badly without him around us. In the later period of his life, Justice Sachar was mainly known for the Sachar Committee Report. The Sachar Committee, headed by Justice Rajindar Sachar, was constituted in 2005 by the then Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, with the aim to prepare a report about the social, economic and educational status of the Muslim community in the country. The Committees 403-page report was presented in the Lok Sabha on November 30, 2006. The findings and recommendations of the report immediately became a topic of sharp debate in political, social and intellectual circles. The report was considered to be a mirror which showed the true picture of the Muslim community throughout India. Consequently, it received praise from a large part of the intelligentsia as well as from political parties. Although there were some dissenting voices too about the findings, recommendations and methodology of the report, it was well received by most people. After the publication of the report, many adverse reactions were made. An assassination plan was also reported. When this disclosure was published in The Indian Express, I wrote a letter to the Manmohan Singh Government requesting it to provide protection to Justice Sachar. But the government did not pay heed to my request although the same government wanted to give him Padma Bhushan for the report, which Justice Sachar humbly refused. The report, known as the Sachar Committee Report, drew for the first time attention to the ever growing economic inequality and social insecurity and alienation of Muslims in India since independence. It found, on the basis of official data, that the Muslim population, estimated at over 138 million in 2001, were under-represented in the civil services, police, military and in politics. Muslims were more likely to be poor, illiterate, unhealthy and to have trouble with the law in comparison to the other Indians. Thus the myth of Muslim appeasement was thoroughly exposed and the report became a focus of debate and controversy among scholars and political parties/leaders. Justice Sachars activities, including drafting of this report, were guided by the perspective of socialist ideology and the socialist movement of India. First and foremost, he was a staunch Lohiaite socialist. Then there started a race among various political parties to make promises in their manifestos to implement the recommendations of the Sachar Committee Report. The only exception was the BJP which, in fact, opposed the report vehe-mently. But the secular parties kept repeating their promises through manifestos and rhetoric. However, when one reviews the progress of the report carried out by the Central and the State governments, particularly the implementation aspect of its recommendations, the picture appears to be quite dismal. The report states that the minorities, especially the Muslims, have been the ignored factor in all Central governments. Amongst the various recommendations, the Prime Ministers High Level Committee Report had recommended the establishment of an Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) as an instrument to prevent discrimination against minorities in the private sector like housing and employment. It was an important point since courts cannot interfere in cases of discrimination in the private sector. This recommendation has been inexcusably sidelined and has remained in cold storage. The EOC can be set up by the State governments without taking permission from the Central Government. A very urgent recommendation of the report dealt with the unfairness of divisions of electoral constituencies which results in lesser number of Muslims in the legislature to which they are broadly entitled, based on the population. This anomaly arises from the irrational demarcation of seats in the legislature. In UP there is abundant potential for a substantial number of Muslims to win seats. As per the report, to address this, the delimitation of constituencies in a fair manner is essential. But on the contrary the constituencies with substantial number of Muslims have been reserved for the SCs, and constituencies with substantial number of SC voters are unreserved. This is unfair to both the Muslim and SC electorate. The Committee had hoped that it would receive the attention of the government immediately because the Delimitation Commission was at that time engaged in this exercise and evidently any suggestion or any exercise to be done by it had to be undertaken during the current term of the then Delimitation Commission. But, the Committees suggestion was ignored during the delimitation. But now, as far as the Muslim minority is concerned, politics has taken a different turn after the advent of Narendra Modi on the national scene. As a result no political party has mentioned the recommendations of the Sachar Committee in its manifesto during the Lok Sabha elections 2019. Justice Sachar wanted to live on till this election. But unfortunately his health did not permit him to fulfil his desire. If he had been alive today, he would have felt very upset about this development. The author teaches Hindi at Delhi University and is the President of the Socialist Party (India). [April 28, 2019] Nintex Technical Evangelist Chris Ellis to Keynote Digital Workplace Conference: New Zealand AUCKLAND, New Zealand, April 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Nintex, the global standard for process management and automation, today announced that Nintex Technical Evangelist Chris Ellis is an international keynote presenter at the Digital Workplace Conference: New Zealand on 30 April at 11 a.m. at the Cordis Auckland Hotel. Ellis will share best practices on how to drive customer success by bringing human emotion into workflow automation and how fast and easy it is to turn manual processes into well-run automated ones with the Nintex Platform. "Ninety per cent of businesses report that they have a digital transformation strategy or are in the midst of preparing it," said Ellis. "Yet half of those businesses see the IT department as the custodians of change despite lines of business being empowered to drive continuous and positive change with today's powerful and easy-to-use process management and automation solutions with clicks not code." Organisations throughout the region leverage the Nintex Platform to manage, automate and optimise business processes including Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), a new Nintex client based in New Zealand. MPI is tasked with improving sector productivity, ensuring food safety and protecting the country from biological risk. MPI choose Nintex's process mapping capability, Nintex Promapp, because of its ease of use and high adoption amongst teams. The department plans to improve the management of its business processes by leveraging the knowledge of its employees and making that information available within Nintex Promapp to enable the seamless cross-skilling of teams and improve onboarding. "The term digital transformation at MPI translates into practical improvements like transitioning to a paper-light work environment, applying an agile approach and finding smarter ways of working," said Beth Morton, Development Operations Analyst at MPI. "Nintex Promapp supports our digital transformation initiative as the solution enables transparency by providing online visuals of our processes; it's simple enough for teams across the whole organisation to use it in their ongoing improvement efforts; and it helps to identify and highlight efficiency opportunities with its lean tagging functionality." Anthony Gouder, Business Transformation Team Lead at Hawke's Bay Regional Council, a long-standing and highly satisfied Nintex client, said "Automation adds rocket boosters to your digital workplace, taking it to level that is out of this world. If you want to be more effective and efficient in how you run your organisation, the Nintex Platform is your number one vehicle (rocket ship) to digitally transform operations and improve your customer, employee experience." Provoke Solutions, a premier Nintex partner who is headquartered in Wellington, also works with public and private sector clients in the region and around the world to help them digitally transform operations and business processes with the complete capabilities of the Nintex Platform, including Nintex Promapp , Nintex Forms & Mobile Apps, Nintex Workflow & Nintex Foxtrot RPA, DocGen & Nintex Sign powered by Adobe Sign and Nintex Hawkeye. "As digital transformation gains significant traction in New Zealand, particularly over the past five years, so have our customers' expectations and goals," said Provoke Product Lead Chris Ben. "We highly-value our partnership with Nintex as the Nintex team provides important thought leadership and the industry's most complete process management and automation platform to ensure Provoke and every one of our customers is successful on their digital transformation journey." Forrester Research named Nintex a Leader in The Forrester Wave: Digital Process Automation For Wide Deployments, Q1 2019 . To experience the power and ease of Nintex's process management and automation capabilities, sign up for a live demo at https://www.nintex.com/request-demo/ . Media Contacts Kristin Treat Laetitia?Smith Nintex? Nintex? [email protected] [email protected] ? cell:?+1?(215) 317-9091? cell: +64 21 154 7114 About Nintex Nintex is the global standard for process management and automation. Today more than 8,000 public and private sector clients across 90 countries turn to the Nintex Platform to accelerate progress on their digital transformation journeys by quickly and easily managing, automating and optimising business processes. Learn more by visiting www.nintex.com and experience how Nintex and its global partner network are shaping the future of Intelligent Process Automation (IPA). View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nintex-technical-evangelist-chris-ellis-to-keynote-digital-workplace-conference-new-zealand-300839325.html SOURCE Nintex [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Initial set of Expert Speakers Announced for Embedded Safety and Security Summit (ESSS) 2019 PUNE, India, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The first lineup of speakers from the world of Embedded Safety and Security arena is confirmed for the fifth edition of Embedded Safety & Security Summit (ESSS) - 2019. ESSS is scheduled on 23rd July 2019 at Radisson Blu, Bengaluru and 25th July 2019 at the Westin, Koregoan Park, Pune. Embedded Safety & Security Summit is a leading technology conference for engineers, senior professionals, decision-makers, regulators, government agencies, thought-leaders, architects and other technologists put together by LDRA India. It has emerged as a must-attend event in the Embedded Safety and Security arena. The theme for this year's conference is 'Enabling a Safe and Secure Tomorrow' with two tracks showcasing on: (a)Embedded Safety & Security (b)Automotive Functional Safety & Security. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/613147/LDRA_Technology_Logo.jpg ) (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/754897/ESSS_2019_Logo.jpg ) The first set of eminent presenters include: Andrew Banks , Chairman - MISRA C and BSI Software Testing Working Group, Technical Specialist, LDRA UK , Chairman - MISRA C and BSI Software Testing Working Group, Technical Specialist, LDRA UK David A. Johnson , CFSE, CSP - Senior Safety/Security Engineer, Exida USA , CFSE, CSP - Senior Safety/Security Engineer, Exida Anand Deshpande - Senior DeputyDirector and Head of Automotive Electronics Department & ARAI's Centre of Excellence on E-mobility - Senior DeputyDirector and Head of Automotive Electronics Department & ARAI's Centre of Excellence on E-mobility Ramesh Babu . H. T, Senior Manager - Functional Safety Engineering, Harman International . H. T, Senior Manager - Functional Safety Engineering, Harman International Jay Thomas - Director- Field Engineering, LDRA USA - Director- Field Engineering, LDRA Also, experts from companies like Green Hills, ETAS, Tasking, etc. are expected to join this list soon Pune . "Fifth edition of Embedded Safety & Security Summit in India has become a pacesetter in embedded domain contributing in achieving a safer and securer tomorrow," noted Ian Hennell, Operations Director at LDRA UK. Shinto Joseph, Director - South East Asia Operations, LDRA India said, "The summit offers an opportunity for industry players and academicians to meet and discuss current happenings/trends in the industry. This year, with close to 1000 specialized experts coming together, we expect the 5th Edition of ESSS to be one of the largest and focused global conference in our domain." To register or learn more about ESSS 2019, visit our website http://www.embedded-safety-security.com, follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/esssummit or like our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ESSSUMMIT. For any other queries, please drop an email to [email protected]. About LDRA For forty-three years, LDRA has developed and driven the market for software that automates code analysis and software testing for safety-, mission-, security-, and business-critical markets. Working with clients to achieve early error identification and full compliance with industry standards, LDRA tools provide static and dynamic analysis, unit testing and verification for a wide variety of hardware and software platforms, while ensuring bi-directional requirements traceability throughout. Boasting a worldwide presence, LDRA is headquartered in the United Kingdom with subsidiaries in the United States and India coupled with an extensive distributor network. For more information on the LDRA tool suite, please visit http://www.ldra.com . Media Contact: Harish Balasubramanian [email protected] +91-7899405744 Marketing Research Manager LDRA Technology Pvt. Ltd. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] MUFG Bank Increases Shareholdings in Bank Danamon and Bank BNP MUFG's core banking subsidiary MUFG Bank announced today that according to the previously announced merger plan, its shareholding in PT Bank Danamon Indonesia, Tbk. ("Bank Danamon") has increased from 40.0% to 94.0%, as part of Step 3 of the proposed transaction outlined in its announcement on December 26, 2017[1]. In addition, its shareholding in PT Bank Nusantara Parahyangan Tbk. ("Bank BNP"), in which MUFG's consolidated subsidiary ACOM CO., LTD. ("ACOM")[2] holds a 67.6% stake, has increased from 7.9% to 99.9%. Consequently, Bank Danamon and Bank BNP have become consolidated subsidiaries of MUFG and MUFG Bank. Bank BNP and Bank Danamon will complete the legal merger on May 1, 2019. For further details of the overall transaction please refer to our announcement dated December 26, 2017[1]. MUFG and MUFG Bank have strengthened their commercial banking business through the establishment of business platforms across Southeast Asia via strategic investments and other measures. Upon completion of the merger, MUFG will drive further collaboration and synergies with Bank Danamon (as the surviving bank post-merger) and other partner banks. MUFG will provide clients with comprehensive financial services in Indonesia, and contribute to the growth of Indonesian economy. 1. Outline of the Transaction (1) Details of the Transaction[3] Bank Danamon Bank BNP Number of shares acquired 5,174,089,400 736,578,439 Investment portion 54.0% 92.1% Acquisition price IDR 9,590 per share (USD 0.68) IDR 4,088 per share (USD 0.29) Total acquisition amount IDR 49.620 trillion (USD 3,506 million) IDR 3.011 trillion (USD 213 million) (2) Outline of the Merger This will be an absorption-type merger in which Bank Danamon will be the surviving bank and Bank BNP will be the absorbed bank. It is expected to be effective on May 1, 2019. In this transaction, MUFG Bank will receive 188,908,053 ordinary shares of Bank Danamon in exchange for Bank BNP shares, which MUFG Bank owns. After the Merger, MUFG Bank will hold 9,196,854,799 ordinary shares of Bank Danamon, which is equivalent to a 94.1% stake. 2. Post-merger Overview of Bank Danamon[4] Name PT Bank Danamon Indonesia, Tbk. Established 1956 Total assets USD 13.8 billion Total loans USD 9.9 billion Total deposits USD 8.1 billion Shareholders MUFG Bank 94.1%[5], other shareholders 5.9% Rating Moody's: Baa2, Fitch: BBB, Pefindo: AAA Locations Approximately 1,200 Employees 33,857 Notes: [1] https://www.mufg.jp/dam/pressrelease/2017/pdf/pressrelease-20171226-001_en.pdf [2] Based on Japanese Accounting Standards [3] 1 USD = 14,154 IDR [4] As of the end of December, 2018. 1 USD = 14,154IDR. Financial figures based on a simple sum of the financials of both banks [5] Including shares which MUFG Bank indirectly acquired Cautionary Statement Regarding MUFG Bank's Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains forward-looking statements. We use words such as expects, intends, and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected or forecast in the forward-looking statements. MUFG Bank assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as otherwise required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof. About MUFG Mitsubishi (News - Alert) UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG) is one of the world's leading financial groups. Headquartered in Tokyo and with over 360 years of history, MUFG has a global network with over 1,800 locations in more than 50 countries. The Group has over 150,000 employees and offers services including commercial banking, trust banking, securities, credit cards, consumer finance, asset management, and leasing. The Group aims to "be the world's most trusted financial group" through close collaboration among our operating companies and flexibly respond to all of the financial needs of our customers, serving society, and fostering shared and sustainable growth for a better world. MUFG's shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York stock exchanges. For more information, visit https://www.mufg.jp/english. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190428005030/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Motive Labs Forms Strategic Partnership With Standard Bank to Innovate and Invest in New Financial Technology Opportunities JOHANNESBURG and LONDON, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Motive Partners today announced that it has agreed a partnership with sub-Saharan focused Standard Bank, to augment and extend Standard Bank's innovation agenda and to generate long-term growth and value creation. Motive Partners announced the launch of Motive Labs with founding strategic partners Allied Irish Bank, Bradesco, Emirates NBD, Mastercard & Royal Bank of Scotland. These global banking and payments leaders joined Motive Labs' Membership to identify new innovation and investment opportunities; to solve common areas of challenge; to collaborate with market leading start-ups; and to gain access to a network of experts, helping them innovate and grow amid continual disruption across the financial sector. Today, Standard Bank joins the Membership alliance alongside the existing partners, sharing best practice and working together to innovate time and cost efficiently. Standard Bank has offices in 20 countries in Africa and is the largest bank on the continent. Combine the continent's soaring population with technology, improvements in infrastructure, health and education, and Africa is well positioned to be the next century's economic growth powerhouse, with one in five people globally living in Africa by 2030. UK Trade Policy Minister George Hollingbery commented, "Following the Prime Minister's trade mission to Africa last summer, it is hugely positive to see new ambitious deals such as that announced today between Motive Partners and Standard Bank. The UK already has substantial trade and investment ties across Africa, with trade between the UK and the continent worth more than 30 billion last year alone, but there is even more potential for other UK businesses to make the most of the rapidly growing oportunities in Africa. Today's deal will also help strengthen our trading relationship with Africa and will go further to fulfil the Prime Minister's promise to be the largest G7 investor in Africa by 2022. Congratulations to both Motive Labs and Standard Bank on their new partnership, I look forward to seeing the results of this new innovative international relationship in the future." Motive Labs' innovation model works with its partners to leverage the best of leading institutions in financial services and new entrant technology firms to create new ways to serve customers, operate with efficiency and scale, adhere to an ever-changing regulatory environment and evolve their own models and business lines. Quickly identifying areas of challenge and opportunity will allow both organisations to focus on value-add areas of the business, partnering with and building new technologies to capitalize on those prospects. Larry McCarthy, Executive, Strategic Investments and Alliances, Standard Bank, commented, "Standard Bank welcomes the opportunity to join the Motive Labs syndicate in partnering and collaborating with leading financial institutions in order to contribute to our core and competitive disruptiveness in furthering our Africa journey." Alberto Corvo, CEO of Motive Labs, commented, "I am delighted to welcome Standard Bank in to our ecosystem. It is an honour to partner with the continent's leading financial institution and our team are extremely excited to begin working together on a number of identified opportunities. We could not have asked for a better partner in Africa. With over 30 countries now represented by partners in our ecosystem, we are intensely focused on delivery of new technologies. Our most recent innovation milestone will be announced soon and is something we and our partners are very proud of." About Standard Bank Standard Bank Group is the largest African banking group by assets, with a market capitalization of approximately R320 billion (USD22 billion), offering a range of banking and related financial services across sub-Saharan Africa. Standard Bank's strategy is to be an African focused, client-centred, digitally enabled universal financial services organisation, which drives Africa's growth and creates value for all stakeholders. Standard Bank's connection with global financial centres enables Standard Bank to facilitate investment and development flows in Africa and access international capital to support growth and diversification on the continent. Standard Bank also have a strategic partnership with the largest bank in the world, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), who is a 20% shareholder in the group. About Motive Partners Motive Partners is a sector specialist investment firm that is focused on technology enabled companies that power the financial services industry. Based in New York and London and comprised of investors, operators and innovators, Motive Partners brings differentiated expertise, connectivity and capabilities to create long-term value in financial technology companies. Motive Labs is the innovation catalyst and value creation service with a goal of supporting partners in the area of Financial Technology. Motive Labs accelerates technology innovation & rapid value creation for institutions through collaboration, access to a network of proven technology experts and pairing with the most promising and successful growth firms. More information on Motive Partners can be found at www.motivepartners.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/724833/Motive_Partners_Logo.jpg [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] ForgeRock is First to Achieve Conformance with FAPI Standard for Open Banking; Extends Leadership in Driving Industry Standards LONDON, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ForgeRock, the leading platform provider of digital identity management solutions, today announced it is the first Identity and Access Management vendor to achieve conformance with the OpenID Foundations FAPI (Financial-grade API) standard. FAPI is a fully open standard designed for banks and fintechs in Europe and around the world to build Open Banking standards for secure exchange of consumer financial information. APIs are essential in making this a reality. Synonymous with innovation and a commitment to open standards, ForgeRock is active in the certifications, regulations and standards that drive industries around the world, and the company has demonstrated consistent leadership in Open Banking. For two years, ForgeRock has worked with the Open Banking Implementation Entity (OBIE), originally in delivering a reference implementation for the UK big banks (the CMA 9) to provide a Model Bank with APIs built to specification. Most recently, ForgeRock delivered a Sandbox-as-a-Service to enable agile development teams to achieve compliance with Open Banking and the Revised Payment Service Directive (PSD2). The OpenID Foundation (OIDF) promotes, protects and nurtures the OpenID community and technologies, and supported the working group responsible for delivering the FAPI certification. The standard enables banks and fintechs to test and certify their implementations, which should accelerate development and testing, reduce support issues, and reduce costs. FAPI aims to provide specific implementation guidelines for online financial services to adopt, and can be applied in any market that requires higher levels of security. Don Thibeau, executive director of OpenID Foundation, said, We congratulate ForgeRock on becoming the first to demonstrate full conformance with the FAPI standard. In working with the OBIE and industry leaders like ForgeRock, the OpenID Foundation is proud to build upon the Financial-grade API with an advanced approach that enables stronger security, openness, flexibility, easy-to-implement and delivers real customer value. We hit all of those themes with this new Open Banking standard. Accelerating Compliance with the ForgeRock Sandbox-as-a-Service The primary goal of PSD2 and Open Banking is to encourage greater innovation and competition within financial services. To facilitate this, ForgeRock delivered a Sandbox that is fully compliant, and meets the agreed standard for testing the functionality of Account Information Service Providers (AISPs) and Payment Initiation Service Providers (PISPs). The cloud-based solution can be deployed rapidly, and is alreadyin production for several European banks that provide apps and services to more than 35 million consumers. More information on the ForgeRock Sandbox-as-a-Service is available here . Nick Caley, Vice President Financial Services & Regulatory at ForgeRock, said, ForgeRock is pleased to lead this initial wave of innovation, by demonstrating full conformance with FAPI. Everyone understands APIs will completely change the financial services landscape and other markets by driving new competition, collaboration and innovation. In support of the standard, along with our Sandbox for Open Banking, we continue to provide financial institutions with compliance-ready solutions that can prevent significant technical headaches, whilst saving time and money, now and in the future. ForgeRock will co-host a webinar on May 17 with on demand access available. To register or learn more, please visit this page . More information on ForgeRocks Open Banking and PSD2 offerings is available here . Identity Live Conferences coming to Nashville, Berlin, Sydney and London ForgeRock is pleased to announce the return of its wildly successful Identity Live Summits. The first summit will be April 30 & May 1 in Nashville, TN with events also taking place in Berlin , Australia and the UK later in the year. These events enable customers, prospects and partners to interact with the most influential, innovative identity professionals and IT executives - all focused on accelerating their digital transformation journey. To register or learn more information, visit the Identity Live website . About ForgeRock ForgeRock is the Digital Identity Management company transforming the way organizations build trust and interact securely with customers, employees, devices, and things. Organizations adopt the ForgeRock Identity Platform as their digital identity system of record to monetize customer relationships, address stringent regulations for privacy and consent (GDPR, HIPAA, FCC privacy, etc.), and leverage the Internet-of-Things. ForgeRock serves hundreds of brands, including Morningstar, Vodafone, GEICO, TomTom, and Pearson, as well as governments such as Norway, New Zealand, and Belgium, among many others. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, ForgeRock has offices in Austin, London, Bristol, Grenoble, Munich, Paris, Oslo, Singapore, Sydney and Vancouver, Washington. ForgeRock is privately held, backed by leading global venture capital firms Accel Partners, Foundation Capital, Meritech Capital and KKR. For more information and free downloads, visit www.forgerock.com or follow ForgeRock on social media: Facebook ForgeRock |Twitter @ForgeRock | LinkedIn ForgeRock | Copyright 2019. ForgeRock is a registered trademark of ForgeRock, Inc. All rights reserved. Contact: Dave De Jear ForgeRock Communications [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Vieworks is to Showcase Newest TDI Line Scan Camera with GigE Interface at Control 2019 ANYANG, South Korea and STUTTGART, Germany, April 29, 2019 /CNW/ -- Vieworks, a global leader in machine vision, is presenting the newest Time Delay Integration (TDI) line scan cameras at Control (Hall 4, Booth# 4516) in Stuttgart, Germany. Control is the leading trade fair for quality assurance systems. There will be 3 new GigE TDI line scan cameras with resolutions of in 3k, 4k and 6k. Vieworks will redefine the bar for high-speed TDI line scan cameras. Currently there is no TDI line scan camera with GigE interface in the market. Vieworks' new VT series delivers excellent responsivity in low-light environment for such as textile, printing, and tile inspection. Not only does new VT series offer high sensitivity with up to 256 stages, high speed up to 38 kHz, but also an easy integration with low cost. Seamless Integration with GigE interface GigE offers wide technological flexibility in terms of cable length and multi-camera setup. Because GigE cameras do not require costly frame grabbers and cables, it is an ideal solution for customers who seek a cost-effective solution with simple integration. Vieworks provides SDK for GigE Vision interface to support powerful tools such as Device Observer, IP Changer and Spider Logger. Vieworks new 3 models will enabl many more applications in the machine vision market and reduce price of the system. Novel Hybrid TDI Technology Based on the world first, proprietary hybrid sensor technology introduced by Vieworks, the new models further expand an already large product line. Combining CCD and CMOS imaging technologies and integrating the best features from both, revolutionized the line scan market. The underling CMOS structure of the sensors enables high speed readout, eliminates the need of expensive and complex external circuitry and lowers the power consumption. By incorporating the CCD photo sites, the sensor keeps superior image quality from CCD in terms of signal to noise ratio and dynamic range. Additionally, the integration process of TDI camera does not add any noise because it involves the charge transfer. "The new Vieworks TDI cameras will eliminate the need of a frame grabber, therefore the system integrators will be able to lower the overall cost of the system," said Mr. Park, Project Leader of new VT series. "We also believe that TDI cameras with GigE interface are perfect for many European customers requiring high image quality, low cost yet not requiring high recording speed." The new models will be available immediately. Key Features: High speed of up to 38 kHz line rate in 3k / 4k / 6k resolutions Up to 256 stages GigE Vision interface Lowers overall system costs Vieworks SDK/API/Libraries available with the cameras About Vieworks Co., Ltd. With the state-of-the-art technology in imaging, Vieworks presents to the machine vision industry a wide variety of industrial cameras including ultra-high-resolution cameras with its signature pixel shifting technology. Through the Nano-stage Pixel Shifting technology, Vieworks overcame the resolution of conversional sensors. Vieworks also adapted Thermoelectric Cooling Technology (TEC), allowing stable camera performance even in the high-temperature environment. As an image expert, Vieworks is committed to not only advance the ultra-high-resolution camera technologies but also provide convenience and precise quality management at industrial operation sites and systems. For more information, please visit www.vieworks.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vieworks-is-to-showcase-newest-tdi-line-scan-camera-with-gige-interface-at-control-2019-300838883.html SOURCE Vieworks Co., Ltd. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Reputation.com Kicks Off Transform '19 Conference REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reputation.com, provider of the first and only complete cloud-based enterprise reputation and customer experience management platform, today announced the highlights planned for the companys Transform 19 conference. Held May 8-9 in San Diego, the popular annual event provides a backdrop for informative keynotes, training, general and breakout sessions. All are focused on best practices and strategies for improving customer experience and engagement in todays feedback economy. Sponsored by Google, JD Power, Alorica, G2 Crowd, and MarTech Series, Reputation.coms Transform conference spans two full days at the U.S. Grant Hotel in San Diego. There, business and industry leaders, innovators, and technology experts come together at the intersection of the feedback economy, customer experience and online reputation. The conference agenda includes panels and fireside chats, as well as breakout sessions divided into healthcare, automotive and corporate tracks. All concentrate on best practices and strategies for reputation management that will improve the customer experience and ultimately drive revenue. The events two < href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=kpjxnkkMXIlbrJhQCV9s1lFAwG3Jk32tVT_lVTNO82YL9tuIqwgdW-y9oILp-MBlsxGnCxS04fpJxgBLcf5VcJLKqYEDG5nG82k6q158vnl270TctIA0X58Vq5YNz-GH" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">keynote speakers are Tiffani Bova, global customer growth and innovation evangelist at Salesforce; and Alexandra Morehouse, CMO at Banner Health. Transform 19 also features presentations from John Patterson, director, social media and reputation management at FordDirect; Doug Zarkin, vice president and CMO at Pearle Vision; Rich Bongiorno, managing director, Global CX Solutions Practice at J.D. Power; and other reputation and customer experience leaders. Speakers from Reputation.com include CEO Joe Fuca, EVP and Chief Customer Officer Jason Grier, and Chief Product Officer Pascal Bensoussan. Also featured is the Reputation University PowerUp training session, held Wednesday, May 8. This hands-on session will provide instruction on leveraging the full capabilities of the Reputation.com platform so that users can move beyond the basics and add even more value to their marketing efforts. On the last night of the event, Reputation.com will hold the Reputation Champion Awards, which recognize customers for their innovative reputation management practices and strong Reputation Score performance. Awards will be given in Most Improved Reputation Score, Highest Reputation Score, and Most Innovative Company categories. Transform brings together customers, partners and prominent industry experts to provide valuable networking, educational and training opportunities with the goal of creating opportunities for success in the feedback economy through reputation management, said Joe Fuca, CEO, Reputation.com. With the knowledge gained at Transform, our users around the world can dramatically improve their customer relationships and lay the groundwork for ongoing business excellence. For additional information about Transform 19 or to register, please visit https://www.reputation.com/transform/. About Reputation.com Reputation.com delivers the only integrated SaaS platform that helps location-based enterprises improve their reputation with consumers online and onsite, across the entire customer journey from finding a location on search, to conversion, to operational improvements that deliver a better customer experience. Reputation.com technology manages tens of millions of consumer reviews, surveys and social media interactions across hundreds of thousands of online points of presence for global companies spanning 77 industry verticals, including healthcare, retail, automotive, restaurants and others. To learn more, visit www.reputation.com. Media Contact: Brigit Valencia BOCA Communications 360.597.4516 [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Hundreds from gaming community convene in Memphis to support lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 300 people from 30 countries around the globe gathered in Memphis, Tennessee, last week for the St. Jude PLAY LIVE Summit, an annual convening of the gaming community that supports the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital : Finding cures. Saving children. In total, the gaming community has pioneered a new era of philanthropic giving and raised $12 million for the hospital through the St. Jude PLAY LIVE program. The St. Jude PLAY LIVE Summit kick-starts the annual prize season, running through the end of May, during which gamers around the world will leverage their platforms and game for good while earning incentives. At this year's summit, some of the most generous St. Jude supporters experienced the mission firsthand by touring the hospital, building LEGO sets and playing video games with St. Jude patients, and participating in service projects. "Last week we were privileged to host some of the most generous, impactful supporters in the global gaming community," said Richard Shadyac Jr., President and CEO for ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "By simply doing what they love playing, competing and streaming games this powerful group from more than 30 countries is pioneering a new fundraising landscape that supports our St. Jude mission. We are grateful for each person who is logging on, streaming, gaming, sharing, watching and donating. The work they do today is defining what it means to participate in charitable giving tomorrow." Whether it's Fortnite, Legend of Zelda or Overwatch, participants can play their favorite video games while helping raise funds and awareness for the lifesaving mision of St. Jude. Supporters can get involved by signing up to fundraise at stjude.org/playlive or by following @StJudePLAYLIVE on Twitter. Programs like St. Jude PLAY LIVE help ensure no family ever receives a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org , sharing stories and videos from St. Jude Inspire , liking St. Jude on Facebook , following St. Jude on Twitter and Instagram and subscribing to its YouTube channel. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hundreds-from-gaming-community-convene-in-memphis-to-support-lifesaving-mission-of-st-jude-childrens-research-hospital-300839572.html SOURCE ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] OUTFRONT Studios' Kruter Motors Campaign Demonstrates Impact of Out-Of-Home Advertising in the Automotive Industry NEW YORK, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- OUTFRONT Media Inc. (NYSE: OUT) has revealed the results of its experiential campaign for the non-existent Kruter Motors, a brand and campaign conceptualized by OUTFRONT Studios. The campaign was launched on April Fool's Day, but the results were no joke. After strategically placing invented ads on thirty digital billboards throughout Detroit, the Kruter Motors campaign reached more than two million individuals over a two-week period. A third party mobile survey revealed a 38 percent aided recall of Kruter Motors, which was three percent higher than the industry average. Of those who recalled, 84 percent reported taking an online or offline action, like visiting the website, searching for the brand, or telling a coworker about the brand. These results are even more impressive considering that Kruter Motors is a fictional brand with no legacy awareness and additionally it was supported solely through out-of-home (OOH). These results showcase the power of OOH to create brand awareness, drive web traffic/search, and - in the case of this particular campaign - draw the attention of the automotive industry and consumers alike. "From design to implementation we built this campaign as if Kruter Motors was real to prove the impact OUTFRONT can have on driving awareness," said Jodi Senese, Chief Marketing Officer at OUTFRONT Media. "The results in both general awareness and actions taken show how automotive brands can leverage the power of out-of-home advertising." The ads enticed thousands of motorists to visit KruterMotors.com , where they learned that the car would always remain a concept and were instead guided through the site to learn how they could own the road with OUTFRONT. After the first two weeks, OUTFRONT utilized a "reveal" component with Kruter Motors branding, but adjusted headlines to showcase the power of billboards that still prompted people to visit the website for the real story. The website was adjusted to provide details of the campaign. This campaign is just one example of the success that can come from leveraging both creative and location to deliver results and create a strong connection with an audience. With its team of 50+ expert creatives and thought-starters, OUTFRONT Studios produces original creative and delivers groundbreaking campaigns that are impactful and engaging. To learn more about OUTFRONT Studios, visit OUTFRONT Studios . OUTFRONT chose the Kruter name to honor their late colleague Josh Kruter, who brought so much innovation to the company and the industry. About OUTFRONT Media Inc. OUTFRONT leverages the power of technology, location and creativity to connect brands with consumers outside of their homes through one of the largest and most diverse sets of billboard, transit, and mobile assets in North America. Through its ON Smart Media platform, OUTFRONT is implementing digital technology that will fundamentally change the ways advertisers engage audiences on-the-go. Contacts: OUTFRONT Investors: OUTFRONT Press: Gregory Lundberg Carly Zipp (212) 297-6441 (212) 297-6479 [email protected] [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/outfront-studios-kruter-motors-campaign-demonstrates-impact-of-out-of-home-advertising-in-the-automotive-industry-300839343.html SOURCE OUTFRONT Media Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Aite Group Names EIS Group "Best-in-Class" for Life Policy Administration Data Integration Capabilities SAN FRANCISCO, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EIS Group, a core and digital platform provider for insurers, was named the Best-in-Class life policy administration (PAS) vendor in Aite Groups new report AIM Evaluation: Life PAS Vendors External Third-Party Data Integration Capabilities. The report explores how well PAS vendors can deliver on policyholder expectations and process efficiency by integrating external data and leveraging APIs to enhance core operational functions, such as underwriting and claim processing, and improve customers digital experiences. The report evaluates the overall competitive position of each PAS vendor, focusing on vendor stability, client strength, product features, and client services. EIS Group emerged as the leader in the best-in-class category and achieved the highest score in vendor stability, where Aite Group cited EIS Groups financial strength, high growth rate, substantial investment into R&D, and perfect 5.0 score on client references. EIS Group was also rated as a best-in-class offering in product features. EIS Group, a young vendor in comparison to the players in this industry, came out strong in this forward-looking comparison of life insurance policy administration vendors, which focuses on integration, API development, micro-services, and the ability to integrate and use external third-party data. EIS Group is clearly prepared to support the advancement of the life insurance industry with digital transformation, integration of external third-party data throughout the policy lifecycle, the development of the best insurance ecosystem, and a roadmap to becoming 100% micro-services based, said Samantha Chow, senioranalyst at Aite Group and author of the report. Some capabilities highlighted by Aite Group are: Over 10,000 APIs are built into the technology, and any PAS functionality is available through API Advanced workflow tools can integrate data that triggers additional rules-based workflow, including decision-making or recommendations EIS DXP (digital experience platform) integrates with chatbots and enables social media feeds on a policy-by-policy basis A persona-based API platform that provides a bridge from legacy to new systems, allowing parallel operation during integrations As insurance B2B and B2C ecosystems grow, open solutions that are data friendly and able to leverage data broadly in core operations are essential, said Rowshi Pejooh, executive vice president, Product Management, EIS Group. We are proud that Aite Group has recognized our efforts to provide the future-focused PAS solution for life and benefits insurers. For more information, view the full EIS Group excerpt from the Aite Group report at bit.ly/New-Aite-Report . About EIS Group EIS Group moves insurance carriers closer to their customers. Leading insurers use the EIS digital insurance platform to build and deliver fast, simple, engaging experiences across the entire insurance lifecycle quoting, policy administration, billing, claims and service. The cloud-enabled platform of core, experience and insight solutions empowers insurers to innovate faster, reduce costs, and create competitive advantages. Headquartered in San Francisco, EIS Group powers digital insurance for property/casualty and benefits insurers of all sizes, worldwide. For more information, visit EISGroup.com and follow us on Twitter @EISGroupLtd . Contact: Kevin Haydon, EIS Group, 1.845.7972976, [email protected] An image accompanying this announcement is available at //www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/020936d7-88c2-40ff-bbe9-1fbbb66975c6 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2019 > Why BJP Seeks to Discredit Nehru and Family by Mahendra Ved Nehru is the BJPs principal target because he not only discovered India but also piloted what free India became for 16 long years A cartoon doing media rounds amidst the Election 2019 campaign shows Indias first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, a mischievous smile on his face, decamping with all achievements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Arguably, this responds to Nehrus sustained denigration by the Modi Government, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its affiliates. Subtle and defensive, it is unable to match the aggressive campaign to render India Congress-free. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, called pappu (simpleton) and worse for long, claims he nurses no grudge against Modi. He even hugged him in Parliament. But his gesture, that critics panned, but some thought could be a game-changer, has drowned in hate-filled cacophony. On the Rafale aircraft deal wherein the government has allegedly favoured a business house, Rahul says that Modi, who calls himself chowkidar (watchdog), is actually a thief chowkidar chor hai. His using this jibe, unwisely attributing it to the Supreme Court has, however, landed him in trouble. Like chai (tea) in 2014, Chor has become this elections buzzword. [Belatedly, however, he expressed regrets for the remark saying his comments and references to the Supreme Courts order got intermingled with the Apex Courts instruction in the Rafale matter, conveying that my statement was made in the heat of political campaigning.] The Opposition parties have found no reply to the Modi-led campaign that focuses heavily, but selectively, on national security issues. The focus is solely on Pakistan (Muslims at home, beware!). With helpful sections of media, China (military standoff in Sikkim, alleged dumping of consumer goods and shielding of Pakistani militant Masood Azahar) is tactfully kept out. The campaign of calumny is extended to all critics of the government. They are being dubbed anti-national, prompting even marginalised BJP patriarch L.K. Advani to protest. Take notebeneath this mutual name-calling, some of it personal and derogatory, some targeting religious minorities and Dalits and unsparing of women, is a thinly concealed ideological war. Howsoever diluted and putrid, it makes this Lok Sabha election, although the 17th over seven decades, a watershed. Socialist leader Rammanohar Lohia, among the last of Indias thinking politicians, classified the countrys political cultures into Congress, Communist/Socialist and Hindu nationalist Jana Sangh (BJPs earlier avatar). Of the three, the Communists, having scored several self-goals, are marginalised in the essentially Right-of-Centre discourse. Contra-dictions-prone Socialists, both anti-Congress and anti-communist, are divided into caste-oriented regional parties, further divided on support and opposition to Modi/BJP. They are among the numerous regional parties scattered across the country hoping to be king-makers, should a clear parliamentary majority elude Modi. The fight for the national space, thus, is essentially between a weak but vying-to-surge Congress and the BJP, now the countrys dominant political force ruling at the Centre and in 20 States. This sharpens the conflict as never before with baiting Nehru and his family an important ingredient. The campaign against Nehru is not new; nor against his daughter Indira and grandson Rajiv who later became the Premiers; nor against Italian-born Sonia who snatched power from the BJP in 2004. It gained currency each time the Congress lost power. US-based writer Ved Mehta did a scathing study, and so did many others, including Nehrus own one-time private secretary, M.O. Mathai. While Mehta is forgotten, Mathais scurrilous writings keep re-surfacing. Atal Behari Vajpayee (1998-2004), a BJP Premier, but a liberal and a known Nehru admirer, had discouraged this. There was some grace in public discourse. Attacking Mahatma Gandhi and demonising the Nehru-Gandhi family were confined to those believing in undoing Indias 1947 partition. They gained little political currency. Its no holds barred now since the Congress performed abysmally in 2014 and the BJP consolidated it hold. The Mahatmas assassin, too, has a temple. Now, we gather, through books and social media, that the Nehrus were Muslims-converted to Hinduism; that Indira married Firoze Gandhi, a Muslim, not a Zoroastrian and that after Sonia married Rajiv and their daughter Priyanka married Robert Vadra, the family has become Christian. Significantly, this has gained currency, especially among the urban educated who, otherwise, call themselves modern, but dont pause to think why and how should religions matter. Sadly, those who have failed to create history are now attempting to rewrite history wherein Nehru has a place that cannot be deleted. This has accompanied attempts to appropriate past leaders like Sardar Patel (with the worlds tallest statue) and Madan Mohan Malaviya (conferred Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award). Nehru is their principal target because he not only discovered India through his iconic book, but also piloted what free India became, good or otherwise, for 16 long years. Countering the fact that Chandigarh city and Bhakra-Nangal dams were built under Nehrus watch and his role in establishing institutions of science and higher education is integral to the BJPs search for a raison detre. Congress own performance over the past six decades has greatly contributed to this process. It has shed much of the Mahatma-Nehru ethos. For the many good she did, Indira stands identified with the draconian Emergency. Rajivs ill-advised play of the Hindu-Muslim/mandir-masjid game to counter the BJP in the 1980s only helped in the latters consolidation. Today, his son, Rahul, eschews any secular pretense, politically, and is declared a sacred thread-wearing Shaivite. Nehrus agnostic approach and Indira Gandhis secularism are passe. Like secularism, socialism, the allies the Congress is fighting include the Communists. The historic collaborate-despite-conflict relationship is over when, ironically, the Congress Election Manifesto, a document of substance, qualifies it to be slotted as a progressive, Left-of-Centre force. In a double-irony, it also distinguishes it from the BJP, whose B team it is perceived to be playing. Worse, the partys democratic DNA has changed. It has become a family fiefdom. Its members at all levels cant even conceive of a leader other than a Nehru-Gandhi at the top. This has been on for half-a-century now, since Indira split the party in 1969 and again in 1978, when party heads and State Chief Ministers began being appointed from New Delhi. This dynasty bit has refurbished with the entry of Priyanka. Congress most potent weapon, she could confront Modi in Varanasi. She has a striking public presence and reports are that she charms with her conversational style. Whether her resemblance to grandma Indira, who was assassinated 34 years ago, would appeal to people, particularly the 85 million young, remains to be seen. Modi uses dynasty as a dirty word at will, only against the Congress, despite the fact that the BJP has 18 such families of its own. The BJPs own decision-making is over-centralised in just twoModi himself and party chief Amit Shah. He prides himself in being unattached and thus incorruptible. Its not that one thing proves the other. But he is targeting, rightly or otherwise, other singles on graft charges. Mayawati, Mamata Banerjee, Navin Patnaik are single supremos, like what late Jayalalithaa was. And he is selective about family-run parties of M.K. Stalin, Chandrababu Naidu and his rival Jaganmohan Reddy, Sharad Pawar, Lalu Prasad, Mulayam Singh/Akhilesh Yadav, the Abdullahs, besides Telenganas Chandrashekhar Rao and Karnatakas Kumaraswamy. To return to the Congress, its prospects remain iffy despite its electoral victories in three States last December. Ironically, they have made it difficult for the party to negotiate alliances. Its young President who bears the brunt for sixty years of Congress rule is himself an untried man never having held office in a government. He cannot rally the Opposition behind him because the seniors out there are afraid that the party could re-emerge at their cost. Seen as weak or indecisive, his State satraps have also scuttled pre-poll alliance(s) that could have effectively challenged the BJP. The Opposition has a plethora of prime ministerial candidates. This is advantage BJP. Besides what happens of Modi/BJP, the other key takeaway of the current elections will be the future of the Congress Party, Indias oldest. Of course, India is not, and cannot be a two-party state for a long time. These elections will determine the role they could play in shaping the course of the nations destiny. It will decide which way, and how. Indias polity and society will go in the near future. Mahendra Ved is the President of the Commonwealth Journalists Association (2016-2018) A senior journalist, he can be reached at mahendraved07[at]gmail.com [April 29, 2019] IntSights Report Shows Banking and Financial Services Sector Continues to Be Targeted by External Threat Actors NEW YORK, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- IntSights , the threat intelligence company focused on enabling enterprises to Defend Forward, today released an in-depth report on the external cybersecurity threats targeting the global banking and financial services (FSI) sector. The Banking & Financial Services Cyber Threat Landscape Report (April 2019) identified a number of trends impacting the FSI sector based off of terabytes of telemetry collected from the company's Enterprise Threat Intelligence & Mitigation Platform including: FSI organizations were targeted in 25.7 percent of all malware attacks last year, more than any of the other 27 industries tracked last year, more than any of the other 27 industries tracked Instances of compromised credit cards increased by 212 percent year-over-year year-over-year 129 percent year-over-year increase in credential leaks as a result of the Collection #1 leak as a result of the Collection #1 leak 102 percent year-over-year increase in malicious applications , including fraudulent mobile banking apps , including fraudulent mobile banking apps FSI organizations based in developing countries, namely in Latin America , Africa , and South Asia , experienced attacks more frequently than developed regions of the world due to a lack of external facing security systems "Threat actors are using tactics like social media impersonation, malicious mobile applications, and phishing schemes to circumvent corporate networks and leverage organizations' brands to trick users and run scams," said Hadar Rosenberg, threat intelligence research analyst at IntSights. "While these tactics are not always direct attacks against a corporate system, they can be incredibly damaging and costly. This is why organizations need to be operating in the external threat environment, monitoring potential threats before they manifest into attacks." The IntSights Banking & Financial Services Cyber Threat Landscape Report details the most common types of attacks, regional trends, and recommendations for more effective cyber threat defense. To download a copy of the report please click here . About IntSights: IntSights is revolutionizing cybersecurity operations with the industry's only all-in-one external threat protection platform designed to neutralize cyberattacks outside the wire. Our unique cyber reconnaissance capabilities enable continuous monitoring of an enterprise's external digital profile across the open, deep, and dark web to identify emerging threats and orchestrate proactive response. Tailored threat intelligence that seamlessly integrates with security infrastructure for dynamic defense has made IntSights one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity companies in the world. IntSights has offices in Amsterdam, Boston, Dallas, New York, Singapore, Tel Aviv, and Tokyo. To learn more, visit: https://www.intsights.com . Media Contact: Jason Thompson IntSights [email protected] +1-206-617-7701 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/intsights-report-shows-banking-and-financial-services-sector-continues-to-be-targeted-by-external-threat-actors-300839696.html SOURCE IntSights Cyber Intelligence [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Clever announces support for Gender X to make Edtech more inclusive SAN FRANCISCO, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Clever, the most widely-used single sign-on platform in K-12 education, today announced that its next API version will support a non-binary gender option ("Gender X") alongside traditional male and female options. This means that Clever's 9,000 school districts will be able to pass non-binary gender markers to learning providers on the company's platform dramatically improving education technology's ability to foster inclusive interactions. The ability to identify beyond traditional male and female gender markers is gaining momentum in U.S. policy. Eleven states including California, New York, Ohio, and Utah have recently implemented policies to allow non-binary gender markers on governmental identity documents like birth certificates and drivers licenses. As birth certificates are evolving to include non-binary gender options, school districts across the country are doing the same. With today's announcement, school districts will be able to use Clever to faithfully represent their students' genders. "Our school district is committed to creating safe and welcoming schools for our transgender, non-binary and gender diverse students," said Nicole Kappes-Levine, the Academic Programs Admin for Student Success and Health in Portland Public Schools. "When the technology and learning tools used in classrooms reflect our district's best practices, it strengthens our students' sense of safety and acceptance." Hal of U.S. public school districts use Clever, and its technology enables teachers and district admins to review roster information on their digital devices. If a student identifies as non-binary and provides that information during enrollment, that selection will now appear in multiple places throughout the district, including teacher dashboards and student profiles. This allows for more supportive, inclusive student-teacher interactions. "A safe and inclusive environment starts at school," said Tyler Bosmeny, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Clever. "We're helping to support schools with systems that treat all students with dignity and respect." Many student information systems (SIS) are beginning to support non-binary gender markers too. California's largest SIS, Aeries, created a new gender field option in January 2019. "Our SIS technology now allows more than 500 public school districts to record the gender identity of students, no matter what the value," said Camden Iliff, the Vice President of Product Development of Aeries. "It's great to see Clever join the movement and enable that information to trickle down into every touchpoint." With this change in Clever's API, the learning applications on its platform are able to follow suit when updating to version 2.1. When interacting with a growing population of non-conforming students, educators need to know how to address their students accurately. Educators trust that Clever and all of the applications used in the platform will provide reliable information on student profiles. "American Reading Company strongly believes in equity and inclusion at all levels of learning, in the classroom and behind the scenes. We are proud to support Edtech platforms like Clever that allow students to be identified as they want to be identified." To learn more about the latest Clever API, read here. About Clever Clever was founded by educators and technologists to speed the adoption and impact of learning applications in the classroom. Now, more than 50% of U.S. K-12 schools use Clever to deploy leading software applications and provide a secure, personalized learning experience for teachers and students. Backed by Sequoia Capital, Lightspeed Partners, GSV Capital, and Y-Combinator, Clever is based in San Francisco, California. For more information visit https://clever.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/clever-announces-support-for-gender-x-to-make-edtech-more-inclusive-300838874.html SOURCE Clever [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Comcast Business and Choice Hotels International Partner on New Brand Standard for High-Speed Internet Access (HSIA) Comcast (News - Alert) Business today announced that it has entered into a three-year agreement with Choice Hotels to offer its Hospitality Solutions to their franchise operators nationwide. The partnership expands upon an existing relationship to deliver Ethernet services as a part of Choice Hotels' strategic initiative to install high-speed Internet access (HSIA) at its franchised hotel properties nationwide. "We view Comcast Business as a strategic, consultative partner with their finger on the pulse of the industry," said Rick Summa, vice president of partner services at Choice Hotels International. "Their insights and expertise help shape and enhance our new standards; allowing us to ensure we have the necessary speeds to satisfy our guests connectivity needs now and well into the future." With hotel guests streaming video, downloading large files and running a myriad of bandwidth intensive applications, the HSIA standard meets the demand for increased bandwidth, greater network capacity, reliability and performance for Choice Hotels. With high-speed Internet solutions from Comcast Business, Choice Hotels is building a platform for growth and innovation across the brand to both satisfy guest expectations and deploy an increasing array of back-end, cloud-based operational systems. The strength and reach of the Comcast Business network, along with a broad portfolio of services and enterprise support team, make it uniquely suited to meet the needs of the hotel brand. "Our partnership with Choice Hotels is an example of how Comcast Business is committed to enhancing and revolutionizing the hospitality industry," said Purazar Gowadia, vice president enterprise business at Comcast Business. "Choice Hotels is among the leading hospitality brands implementing proactve standards for connectivity based on the trend of rising guest expectations." In 2014, Comcast Business was selected by Choice Hotels International as a qualified vendor for data, video and voice services. Over the past year, Comcast Business has provided Ethernet solutions in support of the HSIA standard for symmetrical fiber-optic bandwidth, as well as network monitoring, reporting and 24/7 guest and hotel support. This latest announcement extends the qualified vendor agreement and allows Comcast Business to deliver technology solutions that help Choice Hotels attract guests to their properties and improve the guest experience. For more information on Comcast Business Hospitality, visit business.comcast.com/hospitality. About Comcast Business Comcast Business offers Ethernet, Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to help organizations of all sizes transform their business. Powered by an advanced network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is one of the largest contributors to the growth of Comcast Cable. Comcast Business is the nation's largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and has emerged as a force in the Enterprise market; recognized over the last two years by leading industry associations as one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, call 866-429-3085. Follow on Twitter (News - Alert) @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social. About Choice Hotels Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisors in the world. With more than 7,000 hotels, representing nearly 570,000 rooms, in over 40 countries and territories as of December 31, 2018, the Choice family of hotel brands provides business and leisure travelers with a range of high-quality lodging options from limited service to full-service hotels in the upscale, midscale, extended-stay and economy segments. The award-winning Choice Privileges loyalty program offers members benefits ranging from everyday rewards to exceptional experiences. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190429005003/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Henry Lam Ph.D., CEO of XYD.CN -SimpleCredit, participated in the Hong Kong-China Youth Exchange Symposium to share the company's business experiences in Chongqing HONG KONG, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Lam, CEO of XYD.CN -SimpleCredit, participated in the Hong Kong-China Youth Exchange Symposium to share the company's business experiences in Chongqing in the past five years. Dr. Lam mentioned that after earning his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, he engaged in positions including management consultant, senior manager of marketing analysis, and senior director of risk analysis at Honeywell International and Enova International, Inc.(NYSE:ENVA), gaining extensive experience regarding product design, risk analysis, marketing, and corporate management. In 2014, he was invited to Chongqing to lead as General Manager and embarked on the the establishment of XYD.CN. Guided by the philosophy of Chairman Xie Libin of the company, and based on Dr. Lam's outstanding international experience, he gradually nurtured a unique corporate culture for XYD.CN[1]. With the firm capital support of Hong Kong, XYD.CN has successfully established a risk assessment system after three years' effort with core technologies including big data, blockchain and artificial intelligence. As of March 2019, XYD.CN has grown from a small team of only 5 people to a top Internet Enterprise with more than 230 employees and nearly 70% of R&D personnel. At the symposium, Dr.Lam also shared his experience in terms of team management: unswerving promotion of transparent and flat management has enabled communications between the company's senior management and employees in an all-round way, further enhancing team cohesion and innovative power. Dr.Lam further pointed out that Chongqing is developing rapidly in terms of policy, culture, and economy, and it resembles Hong Kong in the past quite a lot. He expressed his affection to the city with the belief that XYD.CN will move ahead steadily together with Chongqing on the fast lane of development. Representatives from the financial, education, catering and other industries also expressed their views. Participants said that the development experience of Dr. Lam and XYD.CN is inspiring and worthy of spreading, hoping people from Hong Kong would continue their love for both Hong Kong and the country, and learn from each other's strengths and make contributions to Chongqing's development. Officials from the Chongqing Municipal Party Committee United Front Work Department, the Municipal Ministry of Commerce, the Hong Kong and Macao Office, and other relevant personnel witnessed the successful completion of this exchange. Company: Chongqing Xiaoyudian Microfinance Co., Ltd. Contact: Jacqueline Zhong Mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.xyd.cn [1] High Tech & High Execution & High Collaboration; Peace of mind & Hapyy & Conscience Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20190429/2449613-1 SOURCE XYD.CN - SimpleCredit [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] BioRestorative Therapies to Present at the 22nd Annual American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy as to Data on its Platform Technology for the Treatment of Metabolic Disorders MELVILLE, N.Y., April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioRestorative Therapies, Inc. ("BioRestorative" or the Company") (OTC: BRTX), a life sciences company focused on stem cell-based therapies, today announced that Francisco Silva, Vice President of Research and Development, will present at the 2019 American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) to be held April 29 May 2, 2019 in Washington D.C. Mr. Silva will provide an update on BioRestoratives ThermoStem program targeted for treating metabolic disorders. This conference is the sectors premiere forum bringing together senior executives and top decision makers in the industry within the scientific community with the shared goal of advancing and translating cutting-edge research into revolutionary treatments and cures. The Companys study entitled, Development of an Encapsulated Stem Cell Bioengineered Brown Adipose Transplant to Improve Metabolic Disorders demonstrates the progress the Company has made in characterizing multiple brown adipose derived stem cell (BADSC) populations isolated from mediastinal and cervical anatomical locations and successfully generated metabolically active 3D brown adipose tissue (BAT). Data will also be presented on the evaluation on in vitro use of an FDA approved immune-protecting encapsulation medical device as a delivery system for bioengineered BAT transplantation. Transplantation of brown fat in obese mice models has demonstrated multiple beneficial metabolic outcomes, including regulating glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity and even reversing obesity. These findings provide a rationale for the therapeutic expansion of BAT for the treatment of metabolic disorders in humans About BioRestorative Therapies, Inc. BioRestorative Therapies, Inc. ( www.biorestorative.com ) develops therapeutic products using cell and tissue protocols, primarily involving adult stem cells. Our two core programs, as described below, relate to the treatment of disc/spine disease and metabolic disorders: Disc/Spine Program (brtxDISC): Our lead cell therapy candidate, BRTX-100, is a product formulated from autologous (or a persons own) cultured mesenchymal stem cells collected from the patients bone marrow. We intend that the product will be used for the non-surgical treatment of painful lumbosacral disc disorders. The BRTX-100 production process utilizes proprietary technology and involves collecting a patients bone marrow, isolating and culturing stem cells from the bone marrow and cryopreserving the cells. In an outpatient procedure, BRTX-100 is to be injected by a physician into the patients damaged disc. The treatment is intended for patients whose pain has not been alleviated by non-invasive procedures and who potentially face the prospect of surgery. We have received authorization from the Food and Drug Administration to commence a Phase 2 clinical trial using BRTX-100 to treat persistent lower back pain due to painful degenerative discs. Metabolic Program (ThermoStem): We are developing a cell-based therapy to target obesity and metabolic disorders using brown adipose (fat) derived stem cells to generate brown adipose tissue (BAT). BAT is intended to mimic naturally occurring brown adipose depots that regulate metabolic homeostasis in humans. Initial preclinical research indicates that increased amounts of brown fat in the body may be responsible for additional caloric burning as well as reduced glucose and lipid levels. Researchers have found that people with higher levels of brown fat may have a reduced risk for obesity and diabetes. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and other risks, including those set forth in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements. CONTACT: Email: [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Blue Wolf Capital and Peloton Equity Announce the Launch of ClearSky Health Blue Wolf Capital Partners, LLC ("Blue Wolf") and Peloton Equity, LLC ("Peloton") announced today that they have entered into a partnership with a management team led by Darby Brockette to launch ClearSky Health ("ClearSky"). The new company, headquartered in Austin, Texas, will develop and acquire inpatient rehabilitation facilities ("IRFs") and related post-acute services companies as part of a strategy to build a market leader in the integrated delivery of rehabilitation services from the hospital to the patient's home. ClearSky Health's formation occurred concurrently with the company's acquisition of four Texas and Louisiana-based IRFs and related real estate from Maxim Management Group, LLC ("Maxim") in April 2019. Maxim represents the first acquisition for the ClearSky Health platform. "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Peloton and Blue Wolf to build ClearSky Health into an industry leader in rehabilitation and post-acute care," said Darby Brockette, CEO of ClearSky Health. "The investment to form ClearSky Health validates the demand for premier, authentic, inspiring, and transformative patient-centered rehabilitation and related services nationally, and we are off to a great start with the Maxim acquisition." Mr. Brockette, a 30+-year veteran of the post-acute healthcare industry, most recently served as the Chief Executive Officer of Ernest Health ("Ernest"), one of the nation's leading inpatient rehabilitation and long-term acute care hospital companies. Mr. Brockette, along with Ferrer Freeman & Company, formed Ernest Health in 2004, and he served as CEO until the company's sale to Vibra Healthcare in 2018. During his tenure, Ernest Health developed and acquired 25 hospitals. Prior to forming Ernest Health, Mr. Brockette served as Head of HealthSouth's Western U.S. Division. Intensive rehabilitation services are a critical component of the post-acute care continuum at a time when many communities across the U.S. remain underserved. The aging of the U.S. population, improvements in medical technology, and the increasing availability of patient-level data position high-quality inpatient rehabilitation providers to play an even more important role in the health and wellness of individuals who are living with disabilities. "The post-acute care sector in the U.S. is evolving towards integrated delivery models and value-based care, and we believe IRFs are well-positioned to play an important roe in this transformation," said Ted Lundberg, Co-Founding Partner at Peloton Equity. "We are excited to partner with a team we have worked with before that has a proven track record of growth, innovation, high quality operations and superior clinical outcomes." "Blue Wolf's commitment to ClearSky Health reflects our strategy of continuing to invest in the post-acute care industry," added Jeremy Kogler, Partner at Blue Wolf Capital Partners. "We are actively seeking opportunities to develop and acquire additional assets in this highly fragmented and growing market and believe Darby and the ClearSky Health team are uniquely positioned to achieve sector leadership." Estill Advisory Group, LLC (d/b/a Belay Group) served as exclusive financial advisor to Maxim with respect to this transaction. CIT Bank, N.A. provided debt financing to ClearSky Health for the acquisition of Maxim. About ClearSky Health ClearSky Health was formed in April 2019 as a partnership between Blue Wolf, Peloton and a management team led by Darby Brockette. The company's mission is to become a premier rehabilitative healthcare provider, dedicated to healing and transforming the lives of individuals living with disabling injuries or illnesses. The company focuses on a culture that always puts the patient first and collaborates with healthcare providers in exploring opportunities to introduce, expand, or improve rehabilitative care to communities, especially in underserved areas. The ClearSky Health executive team, combined, has more than 200 years of experience developing and operating facilities and treatment programs dedicated to rehabilitative healthcare services, and the company is seeking additional collaboration opportunities, including: mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, operational management, de novo development, and more. Visit https://www.clearskyhealth.com/. About Blue Wolf Capital Partners Blue Wolf Capital Partners is a New York-based private equity firm with a family of funds which focus on transformational investments in middle market companies. Blue Wolf's partners have decades of experience investing in and growing middle market companies. Blue Wolf's portfolio of healthcare investments includes Pharmaceutical Strategies Group, ModernMD Urgent Care, Elara Caring, Fox Rehabilitation, and StateServ Holdings. For more information about Blue Wolf, visit http://www.bluewolfcapital.com/. About Peloton Equity Peloton Equity, LLC (http://www.pelotonequity.com) is a Connecticut-based private equity firm that focuses exclusively on growth capital investments in the healthcare industry. Peloton is the successor firm to Ferrer Freeman & Company ("FFC"), and the team has over 60 years of combined healthcare investing experience, including investments in companies across many major healthcare subsectors. Peloton seeks companies with between $20 and $200 million of revenue and the management team, market opportunity and business model to grow revenues meaningfully over the life of its investment. Peloton leverages its extensive healthcare network and portfolio management playbook to support management teams and add value to its portfolio companies. While at FFC and Peloton, the Peloton investment team has been responsible for 29 portfolio company investments across the healthcare industry representing over $700 million of invested capital, of which 14 have been realized through company sales and 5 have been realized through IPOs. Recent investments made by Peloton include AeroCare Holdings, Arcadia Solutions (News - Alert), HPOne and ID Experts. Ernest Health was a portfolio company of FFC's prior to its sale to Medical Properties Trust in 2012. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190429005454/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Axcient Adds Senior Vice President of Product Ben Nowacky to Leadership Team DENVER, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Axcient , a leader in business availability and cloud migration solutions for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), announced the appointment of Ben Nowacky to senior vice president of Product. In this role, Nowacky is responsible for the strategic direction of the engineering organization with a focus on enhancing the partner experience through innovation. Nowacky will report to Eric White, president at Axcient. Nowacky has more than 20 years of engineering leadership experience. Before joining the Axcient team, Nowacky was the vice president of Engineering at Independa, Inc., the global leader in remote engagement and care. Throughout his career, he founded two successful software companies Scrybe.io and 3 Screens. He also held various leadership roles at companies like Z57 Internet Solutions, PhotoBin, and Competitor Group. Nowacky built his career on understanding the true problems an organization is having, and finding ways to best solve them while delivering value to the business. Ben brings a robust set of talents to the Axcient team that will elevate ad scale our engineering capabilities, said White. Axcients vision is to help MSPs protect everything while providing the best partner experience, and Bens leadership skills and abilities will help us accomplish our goals through new programs and innovations. To learn more about Axcient, please visit www.axcient.com . About Axcient Axcient is an award-winning leader in business availability and cloud migration solutions for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). The Axcient Business Availability suitewhich includes Replibit, BRC, CloudFinder, Anchor, Fusion, and the Axcient Cloudenables MSPs to build secure technology stacks for their customers. Trusted by MSPs worldwide, Axcient protects businesses data and continuity in the event of security breaches, human error and natural disasters. For more information, visit Axcient at www.axcient.com . Follow Axcient on LinkedIn , Facebook and Twitter . Media Contact Amanda Lee ARL Strategic Communications for Axcient (727) 272-0781 [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Community Connections Inspire Samsung Canada and Autism Speaks Canada Annual technology program in partnership with Autism Speaks Canada's new CONNECT platform drive conversations, resource sharing and connections for the autism community TORONTO, April 29, 2019 /CNW/ - Samsung Canada and Autism Speaks Canada (ASC) today launched their annual technology program in support of individuals with autism and their families. Now in its fifth year, the partnership has donated over 2,000 Samsung devices to families and service organizations and aims raise awareness of autism in Canada, bringing a deeper understanding of how technology can impact the lives of families living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) a condition affecting one in 66 Canadian children and youth.* Powered by Autism Speaks Canada's new CONNECT website Canada's first, online multi-faceted platform for the autism community, Samsung will donate 500 new Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 tablets and tablet covers to Canadians through the technology program. "We are excited to continue this popular program and are thankful to our partners at Samsung Canada for their generous support. CONNECT is Canada's first multi-faceted virtual platform designed to engage and inform the autism community, providing easy access to services, resources and community groups across Canada. Bringing together the technology program and CONNECT is a natural fit to strengthen community connections," said Jill Farber, Executive Director, Autism Speaks Canada. ASC's CONNECT platform, which launched late 2018, is designed to engage, inform and build connections within the autism community, offering access to reliable information and services in both English and French. As ASC's technology partner, Samsung Canada is committed to bringing this powerful community resource to even more Canadian families through Samsung devices. "Samsung's ongoing commitment to the autism community is anchored in creating meaningful connections and greater communications through technology," said Jennifer Groh, Director, Corporate Citizenship and Communications, Samsung Canada. "We look forward to the new ways our technology will empower community connections across Canada, inviting Canadians to share their stories, resources and tools through the CONNECT platform." The 500 Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 tablets will come with three-months' access to Samsung Kids, an easy to explore subscription-based app from Samsung featuring child-friendl content for all ages, designed to help children learn as well as play through technology. To learn more, donate or participate in the technology program, Canadians can visit https://CONNECT.autismspeaks.ca/home. The technology program runs until May 20, 2019. For specific inquiries, please contact [email protected]. *'Autism Spectrum Disorder among Children and Youth in Canada 2018' https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder-children-youth-canada-2018.html About Samsung Electronics Canada Inc. Samsung Electronics Canada inspires Canadians to reach their full potential through a transformative ecosystem of products and services that deliver innovation and distinct design to every aspect of their connected lives. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, virtual reality and wearable devices, tablets and digital appliances. In 2019, Samsung was ranked as one of Canada's "Most Admired Brands" in Leger's Corporate Reputation Study." "Best Global Brands" list. Dedicated to helping make a difference in the lives of Canadians, Samsung's award-winning corporate giving initiatives support public education and health-related issues in communities across the country. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com. Follow Samsung Canada at facebook.com/SamsungCanada , or Instagram @samsungcanada or Twitter @SamsungCanada About Autism Speaks Canada: Autism Speaks Canada is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families by supporting and working with community partners; enhancing resources and services; increasing understanding, acceptance and inclusion of people with autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. To learn more about Autism Speaks Canada please visit www.autismspeaks.ca or join the social conversation @AutismSpeaksCAN. About Autism Speaks Canada CONNECT: Autism Speaks Canada CONNECT is Canada's first, multi-faceted virtual platform designed to engage and inform the autism community. CONNECT provides easy access to services, resources and community groups across Canada. CONNECT is free to use and operates in French and English. Learn more at https://CONNECT.autismspeaks.ca/home. About Autism Spectrum Disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Autism, refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviours, speech and nonverbal communication. We now know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, and each person with autism can have unique strengths and challenges. Causes include a combination of genetic and environmental influences, and many are accompanied by medical issues such as gastrointestinal disorders, seizures and sleep disturbances. It is estimated that 1 in 66 children and youth are diagnosed with autism in Canada. SOURCE Samsung Electronics Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Children's Hospital Los Angeles Works to Advance Radiation Therapy for Children with Cancer Doctors at Children's Hospital Los Angeles continue to lead the field of radiation oncology by pushing the leading edge of technological advances. A new report by Arthur Olch, PhD, highlights use of specialized software that could advance treatment accuracy for pediatric cancer patients. During radiation therapy, patient position must be stable from session to session to ensure radiation beams are properly targeting the tumor. For this reason, x-ray images are taken before each treatment. Radiation therapists can use this information to reorient the patient so that the position is exactly the same each time. Doctors at CHLA are taking this already rigorous process one step further. From early in its development, Dr. Olch, a radiation physicist, has been evaluating the use of new software to advance quality assurance in radiation therapy. In a recent publication, he highlights the use of this technological advance to aid in the treatment of pediatric cancers. Radiation therapy uses a beam of targeted x-rays that kill cancer cells over the course of treatment. After the beam passes through the patient, it is captured on an imaging panel. Dr. Olch and his team make use of the information carried by these beams - clled exit images - using the automated software. These images contain important information about the exact dose being delivered to the tumor and surrounding tissues and can be compared to the planned doses. Up to 20 images might be generated per treatment session. With treatments occurring every day for several weeks, this makes for an unwieldy amount of data to manually process. Now, radiation oncology staff have a tool that will do this in seconds. The program automates not only image capture but also analysis. Analyzing these images provides new information that allows further fine tuning of the radiation beams and patient position from session to session. This, says Dr. Olch, gives radiation oncologists more information that can be used to account for anatomy changes in real time. "If a patient gains or loses weight, their dimensions change," he says. "Likewise, as the tumor shrinks, radiation beams need to take a different trajectory." Adjustments are routinely made as a standard of care, but by utilizing the latest technological advances, CHLA radiation oncologists are redefining this standard. "We have a very comprehensive quality assurance strategy," says Dr. Olch, "and this software is an important addition to our already high standard of care." What does this mean for patients? As one of the only pediatric centers in the country to adopt and use this new technology, CHLA gives patients the best chance at fighting their disease. "If your child needs radiation therapy, we are the only place around using this system," says Dr. Olch. "It's difficult to say at this point whether this will necessarily cure more children. But if we can better target their tumors and refine our radiation dosing, we are reducing toxicity and giving kids their best possible chance." Dr. Olch is also a Professor of Clinical Radiation Oncology at USC. He co-authored the publication with Kyle O'Meara and Kenneth Wong, MD. Dr. Olch provides consulting services to Sun Nuclear Corporation, who provided PerFRACTION software but did not fund the study. About Children's Hospital Los Angeles Children's Hospital Los Angeles has been ranked the top children's hospital in California and sixth in the nation for clinical excellence by the prestigious U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll. The Saban Research Institute at CHLA is one of the largest and most productive pediatric research facilities in the United States. CHLA also is one of America's premier teaching hospitals through its affiliation since 1932 with the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. For more, visit CHLA.org, the child health blog and the research blog. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190429005626/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Emendo Biotherapeutics Enters Into Licensing Option Agreement With Takeda for its OMNI Nuclease Program NEW YORK, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emendo Biotherapeutics Inc. today announced that the company signed a licensing option agreement with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. As part of the transaction, Emendo will receive an investment in convertible notes from Takeda Ventures, Inc., the corporate venture arm of Takeda. The funds will be used to further advance Emendos novel nuclease gene editing discovery platform and proprietary product development programs. The licensing option agreement grants Takeda the option to use OMNI, Emendos proprietary nuclease program, to edit two genes as part of its research and development efforts. Further, Emendo will apply its novel gene editing engineering platform to optimize the OMNI nuclease to have the highest specificity and activity on Takedas chosen genes. Extending our investment in Emendo and licensing its nuclease discovery platform and gene editing technology is another example of Takedas commitment to investing in tranformative advances in science via mutually advantageous partnerships, said Takeda Ventures Senior Partner Rob Woodman. The notes will be converted in Emendos planned B round financing intended to allow the company to advance its high precision gene editing biotherapies into initial clinical trials. Emendo is moving several preclinical programs through optimization, in preparation for moving towards the clinic in a number of promising clinical indications. Emendos gene editing program, OMNI, enables extremely specific gene editing which minimizes off target cuts and allows for highly focused therapeutic intervention in complex genetic diseases. Emendos CEO, David Baram, says, Were pleased to be working with an innovative global pharmaceutical leader such as Takeda. This agreement further positions Emendo as a leading, next-generation, high-precision, gene editing company and promotes its allele specific editing programs that can potentially cure severe genetic disorders. About Emendo Emendo is a genome editing company developing genetic medicines and cell therapies for severe diseases. Emendos cutting-edge technology is based on its proprietary protein engineering and selection platforms, designed to generate ultra-specific and highly active CRISPR OMNI nucleases, carefully optimized per target sequence for generating safe and effective genetic solution. Emendo was established in 2015 with investments by OrbiMed Advisors LLP And Takeda Ventures, Inc. the corporate venture arm of Takeda Pharmaceuticals Limited. For more information: David Baram President & CEO [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2019 > Trust Level Down, Cash Is King IMPRESSIONS The wonder that is Indian elections is losing some of its wonderness. Statistically of course it remains a marvel880 million voters (total US population is 328 million), 11 million election workers, two million voting machines, 2300 registered parties. But the pride we had in the honourableness of the process has taken some knocks. The trust level has dipped. A feeling has come upunthinkable beforethat trans-gressions can happen. Never before have there been so many violations of the election code. Calling for votes in the name of the Army elicited protests from former Army officers and civil servants, but the misuse continued with no action from the Election Commission. The nation actually saw the EC telling the Supreme Court that it was powerless. It is not. In the wake of the Godhra killings in 2002, the Gujarat Government wanted to hold a snap election. In Delhi as well as in Gujarat the BJP was in power. But the Chief Election Commissioner took a stand that elections would not be held in a hurry and that was that. An elected MLA in Maharashtra was disqualified by the EC because he had used Hindutva as a campaign issue. Under T.N. Seshan, the EC filmed election meetings to ensure that there were no violations in speeches. Todays EC has chosen to be powerless for its own reasons. Even after the Supreme Court shamed it into using at least some of its powers, the EC has let transgressions go unnoticed. The BJPs Gujarat MLA, Ramesh Katara, was brazen in his violation of the rules. As reported by ANI, he told people to press the lotus button. There should not be any room for errors as Modi Saab has installed cameras this time. Who voted for the BJP, who for the Congress, it can be seen. Aadhaar Card and all cards have your photo. If there are less votes from your booth, then we will come to know who did not cast vote and then you will not get work. This is more threatening in tone than Maneka Gandhis warning to Muslims that made the EC punish her. That the same kind of threats are being made by more than one leader indicates that this is part of a planned strategy. When a leading party functionary says that systems have been put in place to find out who voted for whom, where is the sanctity of elections? Where is the EC whose primary task is to ensure that sanctity? Half the voting is over, yet the doubts and suspicions over contentious issues remain unabated. The BJP publicity this time makes no reference to development. The emphasis is on ideas like the Citizenship Amendment Bill and the National Register of Citizensideas that have already caused upheavals in the North-East and apprehensions across the the country. The slogan a fitting response to terrorism continues. Clearly the tactic is to play on the Hindutva version of patriotism. This took a perverse turn when the party gave its Bhopal ticket to Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, accused in the Malegaon blast case that linked saffron with terror. It is a defiant declaration by the party President that policies will be drastically partisan if his party wins again. It is clear now that three elements make this election different from all the elections of the past. Public loss of trust in voting machines is the first of these. The second element is the phenomenon of people defecting from other parties to the BJP. Some of them have already been rewarded with positions. Others are awaiting their turn. The BJP gains because it is the only party that is in a position to offer rewards that matter. The third and most pernicious feature of this election is the number of tax raids conducted in the premises of Opposition leaders without the slightest feeling of guilt or disgrace on the part of the party in power. Many were raided and crores seized, the intention being to deprive the Opposition of ready cash, the oxygen of elections. The BJPs stock of oxygen was hardly touched. Such cheating games were never played in Indian elections before. This election thus becomes the most deceitful till date. It can have an impact because this is the worlds most expensive election and the bulk of the expenses is in cash. The party with the most black money rules. Conveniently defective machines, opportunistic defections and partisan raids may influence the outcome of the elections. What will be that outcome? [April 29, 2019] Mass Innovation Nights Hosts Third Annual African & African-American Founders Event at Greater Grove Hall BOSTON, April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Thursday, May 9, 2019, Mass Innovation Nights , Massachusetts leading monthly new product showcase, will host its new product event with Greater Grove Hall Main Streets . The event will feature tech businesses led by African and African-American founders. MIN 122 is the third annual event, hosted and sponsored by Greater Grove Hall Main Streets. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public. According to CB Insights, fewer than 1 percent of all venture-backed tech companies are founded by African-Americans. This event lets people see the range of innovations these role models are developing in the STEM space. Starting tech companies is one way to revitalize the community, shrink the wealth gap, while mitigating gentrification, said Ed Gaskin, executive director, Greater Grove Hall Main Streets. Over the last ten years, Innovation Nights events have featured more than 1200 new products, said Bobbie Carlton, the founder of Innovation Nights and Innovation Women . Our events are designed to connect startups with the local community, to the benefit of all. Mass Innovation Nights events feature business experts, networking, tabletop demos and presentations from local startups. Participating startups this month include: @MassInno About Greater Grove Hall Main Streets Greater Grove Hall Main Streets partners with the City of Boston, private businesses and community stakeholders to improve the economic vitality of the Greater Grove Hall area such that residents can enjoy the benefits of development without displacement. Greater Grove Hall takes an active role in advocating, planning and supporting economic development in the Greater Grove Hall area. Given the rich and diverse assets of the Greater Grove Hall area, the organization is working to increase the number of people who view Grove Hall as a destination to visit, shop and enjoy, and as a result, create more permanent jobs and an optimal mix of businesses and recreational experiences that meet the needs of the residents and visitors to the Boston area. About Mass Innovation Nights Mass Innovation Nights offers an opportunity for people interested in innovative new products to connect live and online. Over the past ten years, it has helped launch more than 1,200 new products, which have collectively received more than $3 billion in funding. Follow MIN on Instagram and Twitter or visit the website . Media Contact: Kristen Avini 510-221-8122 Innovation Nights [April 29, 2019] A&W Opens Flagship Restaurant in Asia as Centennial Nears Just two months shy of A&W Restaurants' 100th anniversary, its Second Century Growth Initiative is kicking into high gear with the opening of a flagship company-owned restaurant in Singapore's new Jewel Changi Airport. It is the latest of at least 45 international and domestic locations expected to open this year. A&W returned to Singapore April 17 after a 16-year absence. In 1966 it was the first American quick-service restaurant to enter the country and remains beloved throughout Southeast Asia. Guests waited up to three hours for Root Beer Floats and Coney Dogs, as well as other all-American and regional favorites. Jewel Changi Airport is both an urban center for local residents and an international hub. Open 24 hours, the 80seat A&W is testing menu and service initiatives to be used in future locations. A total of 35 restaurants will open this year across Southeast Asia, where A&W is focusing much of its international expansion. In the U.S., A&W currently has 17 franchised U.S. restaurants in various stages of development, with five to open in May and June. Two new franchisees recently signed agreements for restaurants in Las Vegas and Tonopah, Nevada, with the Tonopah A&W the brand's first hotel and casino location. New development agreements also were signed earlier this year for Bingham Lake, Minn., Prescott Valley, Ariz. and Yermo, Calif. "Since A&W franchisees acquired the company in 2011, we've been working to rebuild the brand worldwide," said CEO Kevin Bazner. "The amazing responses to our Singapore return, combined with the interest we are seeing from new U.S. franchisees, clearly show that A&W is a second-century growth brand." Earlier this year, A&W announced an incentive plan consisting of lower royalties for new U.S. franchisees. On June 20, it will become the first American restaurant chain to turn 100. There are currently more than 960 restaurants worldwide - 597 in the U.S. and 372 in Asia. A&W still makes Root Beer fresh in each restaurant from real cane sugar, water and a proprietary blend of herbs, bark, spices and berries that are served in a frosty mug alongside burgers, fries, chicken tenders and other All American Food favorites. Visit http://www.awfranchising.com for more information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190429005682/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Global Variable Message Signs for Intelligent Transportation System Markets to 2024 - Rise in Demand for Real-Time Communication Systems & Rise in Use of Wireless Solutions DUBLIN, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Variable Message Signs for Intelligent Transportation System Market Forecasts to 2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Global Variable Message Signs for Intelligent Transportation System Market revenue is estimated to increase from $16.7 million in 2018 to $21.7 million by 2024, growing at a CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast period. The market will be driven by the increasing demand from the US and Western European countries. The Western Europe market has the strongest hold due to the presence of various large and small-scale variable messaging signs manufacturing-based industries and well-developed IT infrastructure. The US is witnessing growth due to the spending from federal and state government entities. The market in APAC is in its initial stages due to the lack of specialized variable messaging signs technology solutions and digital infrastructure in emerging economies that hamper the market growth. Market Segmentation Analysis: The study covers and analyzes the Global Variable Message Signs for Intelligent Transportation System Market by components, applications, and regions. Bringing out the complete key insights of the industry, the report aims to provide an opportunity for players to understand the latest trends, current market scenarios, and technologies related to the market. In addition, it helps the venture capitalists in understanding the companies better and make informed decisions. The regions covered include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa. The revenue is generated mainly from North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. North America is leading in the market, followed by Europe, and Asia Pacific is emerging in the variable message signs market. Regions and Vendors Analysis: The report contains an in-depth analysis of the vendors, which includes financial health, business units, key business priorities, SWOT, strategies, and views. The key and prominent vendors covered in the report include Daktronics Inc., EBSCO Industries Inc., Skyline Products Inc., Swarco AG, Wanco Inc., and Aesys among many others. The vendors have been identified based on the portfolio, geographical presence, marketing & distribution channels, revenue generation, and significant investments in R&D. Key Topics Covered: 1 Executive Summary 1.1 High Dominance and High Growth Markets in Variable Message Signs 2 Industry Outlook 2.1 Industry Snapshot 2.1.1 Industry Trends 3 Market Snapshot 3.1 Total Addressable Market 3.2 Segment Addressable Market 3.2.1 PEST Analysis 3.2.2 Porter's Five Force Analysis 3.3 Related Markets 4 Market Characteristics 4.1 Market Overview 4.2 Market Development and Technological Impact 4.3 Market Segmentation 4.4 Market Dynamics 4.4.1 Drivers 4.4.1.1 Rise in demand for real-time communication systems 4.4.1.2 Fusion of technologies 4.4.1.3 Rise in use of wireless solutions 4.4.2 Restraints 4.4.2.1 Complexity in development of variable message signs technologies 4.4.2.2 Lack of skilled workforce 4.4.2.3 Managing traditional networks 4.4.3 Opportunities 4.4.3.1 Growth of digital technologies 4.4.3.2 Software as a core strategy 4.4.3.3 Emerging Economies 4.4.4 DRO - Impact Analysis 4.4.5 Key Stakeholders 5 Variable Message Signs Market, By Component 5.1 Overview 5.2 Hardware 5.3 Software 5.4 LED-based displays 6 Variable Message Signs Market, By Applications 6.1 Overview 6.2 Active Urban Traffic Management 6.3 Freeways, Tunnels, Toll Facilities, Emergency (Hard Shoulder) Management 6.4 Airport, Rail and Bus Passenger's Guidance and Lane Management 6.5 Parking Guidance and Management 7 Variable Message Signs Market, By Geography 7.1 Overview 7.2 North America 7.2.1 DRO for North America 7.2.2 The U.S. 7.2.3 Canada 7.3 Europe 7.3.1 DRO for Europe 7.3.2 Germany 7.3.3 France 7.3.4 The U.K. 7.3.5 Italy 7.3.6 Rest of Europe 7.4 Asia-Pacific 7.4.1 DRO for Asia-Pacific 7.4.2 China 7.4.3 Japan 7.4.4 Australia 7.4.5 India 7.4.6 Rest of Asia-Pacific 7.5 LAMEA 7.5.1 DRO for LAMEA 7.5.2 Brazil 7.5.3 Rest of Latin America 7.5.4 GCC Countries 7.5.5 South Africa 7.5.6 Rest of Middle East & Africa 8 Vendor Profiles Aesys Daktronics EBSCO Industries Inc. Efftronics Systems Pvt. Ltd. Photonplay Systems Inc. SES America SWARCO AG Skyline Products, Inc. Variable Message Signs Limited Wanco, Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/iberrm Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-variable-message-signs-for-intelligent-transportation-system-markets-to-2024---rise-in-demand-for-real-time-communication-systems--rise-in-use-of-wireless-solutions-300839883.html SOURCE Research and Markets [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] SAS features innovations in automated machine learning, computer vision and NLP to improve decision making DALLAS, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- SAS GLOBAL FORUM SAS, the leader in advanced analytics, is enhancing its automated, simple, and powerful analytics platform to help digital disruptors and emerging leaders blaze a trail forward. The updated SAS Platform delivers additional innovation in artificial intelligence (AI), specifically in the areas of machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing (NLP) and other technologies that underpin AI. Building on its recently announced $1 billion investment in AI, SAS is also refining computer-vision software to help organizations use visual data to improve business outcomes. "Our continuous innovation, clearly exhibited in the SAS Platform and in SAS AI technologies, propels front-line business, executives and data scientists to change the trajectory of their organizations with advanced analytics," said SAS CEO Jim Goodnight. With the latest release of the SAS Platform, SAS automates the complex tasks required to build world-class analytical models. Data cleansing, data transformations, selecting best variables, model building and comparing models, model deployment and retraining tasks are automated while using established best practices. Operationalizing analytics through interpretability and explainability The SAS Platform automatically compares thousands of analytical models to help choose the best for a given business problem. Using natural language generation (NLG), analytical results are displayed in plain language, so users of all backgrounds can easily interpret them and make informed business decisions faster. This helps democratize analytics, as business users and executives can use AI technology along with data scientists and analytics experts, and understand how the analytics arrived at its results. "Too many companies are caught in AI science-project mode and don't have the know-how to make the leap to a machine learning model that meaningfully affects business," said Oliver Schabenberger, SAS Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer. "Thousands of SAS PhDs and data scientists are helping customers with strategies to transform data into intelligence, and our extensive training is helping build skills in organizations. We're simplifying our technology to help users of all skill levels use powerful AI and ML analysis to innovate. We're making AI real." SAS has simplified computer vision for a wide array of applications. New capabilities like automatic segmentation can, for example, help doctors quickly identify changes in the shape and size of tumors and note their color to better fight disease. Analytics and AI for everyone The enhancements to the SAS Platform that make AI more accessible to users of all skill levels include: A new project insights area that provides a high-level narrative summary to explain, for non-data scientists, what and how an analysis was performed. SAS is making it easier for business users, data scientists, and IT experts to discuss their models and algorithms. This improved collaboration builds more trust in AI, which leads to greater adoption and more business benefits. that provides a high-level narrative summary to explain, for non-data scientists, what and how an analysis was performed. SAS is making it easier for business users, data scientists, and IT experts to discuss their models and algorithms. This improved collaboration builds more trust in AI, which leads to greater adoption and more business benefits. Enhanced interpretability and explainability of AI models With NLG capabilities in the SAS platform, users can automatically generate explanations of analytics results in layman's terms, such as why a transaction was flagged as potentially fraudulent or why specific customers are the best targets for a marketing campaign. These explanations help business analysts and other business users easily understand analytic results, and encourage the real-world use of AI and advanced analytics by a wide variety of users (i.e., not just data scientists). With NLG capabilities in the SAS platform, users can automatically generate explanations of analytics results in layman's terms, such as why a transaction was flagged as potentially fraudulent or why specific customers are the best targets for a marketing campaign. These explanations help business analysts and other business users easily understand analytic results, and encourage the real-world use of AI and advanced analytics by a wide variety of users (i.e., not just data scientists). Improve decision-making The SAS Platform works seamlessly with SAS solutions like SAS Intelligent Decisioning to automate and manage decisions across the enterprise. The SAS Platform works seamlessly with SAS solutions like SAS Intelligent Decisioning to automate and manage decisions across the enterprise. Open Application Program Interfaces (APIs) that developers can use to access data and create custom web applications to help business and technical users leverage machine learning, natural language processing and other SAS AI capabilities in an automated way, without users having to understand how to code or use statistics. that developers can use to access data and create custom web applications to help business and technical users leverage machine learning, natural language processing and other SAS AI capabilities in an automated way, without users having to understand how to code or use statistics. More valuable content embedded in the SAS portfolio Software like SAS Visual Investigator and the new SAS Mobile Investigator bring the operational and investigative power of SAS Viya, its machine learning capabilities and other AI technologies to users in the field and on the go. Users can access information from their mobile device and input data from text, documents or photos and the system is updated immediately. This real-time data can also be used to update analytical models and run risk assessments based on new information. Automating decisions at scale In today's fast-paced digital world, businesses must deliver immediate, informed and personalized decisions. SAS Intelligent Decisioning combines business rules management, decision processing, real-time event detection, decision governance and advanced analytics to automate and manage decisions across the enterprise. SAS Intelligent Decisioning supports customer-facing activities such as personalized marketing and next-best action, as well as decisions affecting customers, including credit services and fraud prevention. With SAS managing, analyzing and operationalizing high volumes of data to automate countless daily decisions and applying sophisticated analytics to real-time customer interactions, companies can be confident that enterprise decisions are smarter, effective, personalized and timely. Analytics in action All these developments are part of SAS' recently announced $1 billion investment in AI to drive software innovation and AI adoption globally. The investment, over the next three years, will build on SAS' strong foundation in AI, machine learning, NLP and computer vision to create more powerful and advanced analytics software. SAS is also investing in education programs to equip business leaders and data scientists with the technology and skills they need to boldly embrace AI and AI-driven resources and talent. In banking, health care and other industries, visionary companies of all sizes have embraced advanced analytics and AI-driven capabilities from SAS to help solve big challenges. Two Dutch hospitals, Amsterdam UMC and University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht, are improving patient care through computer vision and advanced analytics. And companies like Seacoast Bank are looking to scale their businesses and compete globally. Detecting tumors faster and more accurately than humans SAS is partnering with Amsterdam UMC on an AI medical-imaging project to help identify patients with colorectal liver cancer who are candidates for life saving surgery. Colorectal cancer is the third most common worldwide, and in about half of patients it spreads to the liver. Using SAS AI-trained models Amsterdam UMC physicians will be able to identify with greater accuracy patients who respond well to chemotherapy and become candidates for surgery. Until now, manual examinations of tumors and lesions were time-consuming and subjective for radiologists. A medical-image application on the SAS Platform, using computer vision and predictive analytics, provides evaluation criteria that are more objective, accurate and automated than the current manual ones. This will provide improved accuracy that can potentially save many more lives, save radiologists time, and provide radiologists with an objective response assessment metric that will help treat patients consistently. "We are currently using this technology with colorectal liver cancer patients, however in the future it has the potential to be used in the assessment of many solid tumor types, including breast and lung cancer," said Geert Kazemier, Professor of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Transplantation and Clinical Director of Cancer Center Amsterdam at Amsterdam University Medical Centers, the Netherlands. "In the future, we may be able to predict the outcome of surgery and overall patient survival, and by combining these new capabilities with other data collected from patients, such as genomic data, we can potentially compute a more comprehensive response or survival score." Bank enhances CX and grows revenue per customer 30% with SAS Machine Learning Like many financial institutions, Seacoast Bank one of the largest community banks in Florida with $6.7 billion in total assets - has volumes of customer data. It is challenged to use it wisely to understand customer value and find new ways to better serve, retain and acquire customers. Since investing in SAS and an AI-powered, machine learning customer analytics platform, Seacoast's risk-adjusted revenue per customer has grown by 30%, while ROI for automated marketing campaigns is in the high triple-digits. Seacoast added other predictive models and applied machine learning to solve specific business problems, such as personalization at scale, and can now market to individual customers based on their preferences and transaction history. With analytics insights flowing throughout the bank, Seacoast marketers can automate campaigns, develop deeper relationships with its most valuable customers, and better manage commercial customer portfolios and track performance using interactive dashboards. "Because we're now deeply aware of customer value, we can fine-tune our customer strategies and acquisition efforts to generate very high returns and build customer loyalty," said Jeff Lee, Chief Marketing Officer for Seacoast. "Machine learning and advanced analytics from SAS provides us with a real roadmap for the future, allowing us to access and visualize data, create insights, foster collaboration, deliver personalization at scale, and improve the customer experience." From small to scale: Tiny babies and the big impact of AI Around 10% of all infants are born prematurely, and these tiny children are very vulnerable to infections. To monitor their health, these babies are connected to many devices. With 10 years of anonymized Neonatology Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patient data, University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands started a Big Data for Small Babies project with a goal to use advanced analytics, machine learning and AI techniques to proactively treat or even prevent infections in premature babies. Using AI and advanced analytics from SAS, the UMC Utrecht team analyzed the historical data from NICU devices and developed a smart analytical model to predict infections in premature babies. This included sepsis, a severe and often life-threatening blood infection. The model powered by SAS is 90% accurate in forecasting the presence of bacterial infections that can cause sepsis. This is significantly higher accuracy than doctors' predictions based on a patient's exams and current symptoms. "With the power of SAS AI and advanced analytics, UMC Utrecht doctors and nurses can make the best possible decisions for their tiny patients, delivering life-saving treatment to some, while avoiding unnecessary antibiotics for others," said Daniel Vijlbrief, MD, Neonatologist at UMC Utrecht. These capabilities and more were demonstrated at this year's SAS Global Forum, the world's largest analytics conference, with more than 30,000 business and IT users of SAS software participating on-site and online. About SAS SAS is the leader in analytics. Through innovative software and services, SAS empowers and inspires customers around the world to transform data into intelligence. SAS gives you THE POWER TO KNOW. SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries. indicates USA registration. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright 2019 SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved. Editorial Contact: Angela Lipscomb [email protected] 919-531-2525 sas.com/news View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sas-features-innovations-in-automated-machine-learning-computer-vision-and-nlp-to-improve-decision-making-300839497.html SOURCE SAS [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] SAS offers Nestle analytics solutions to improve demand planning process and accuracy DALLAS, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- SAS Global Forum 2019 Nestle, the world's largest food manufacturer, has embedded SAS Analytics into key business processes that will help it sense demand for its consumer goods more accurately and reliably on a global basis. Improved demand accuracy is an important factor for producing the right products in the right quantities at the right time to avoid excessive stock holding. "SAS is the engine for demand planning at Nestle," said Vineet Khanna, Senior Vice President of Corporate Supply Chain at Nestle. "SAS is widely used for predictive analytics at Nestle. We have trained 450 users at Nestle worldwide to help make better demand-planning decisions. Our ability to implement SAS in various complex environments led us to expand our use of SAS beyond demand planning and supply chain and embrace the latest SAS technologies." Annette Green, SAS Vice President of the DACH Region and Nestle Executive Sponsor, said Nestle is a legend in the consumer packaged goods world for understanding local demand for each of its products. "It's inspiring to implement SAS successfully at the scale Nestle requires," she said. "This is the foundation for Nestle's next step with artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and other advanced analytics." To learn more about the ways Nestle uses analytics, hear Oliver Gleron, Group Head of Demand and Supply Planning at Nestle, offer his insights during a panel discussion, Prioritizing and Organizing Digital Transformation in Retail and Consumer Packaged Goods, at SAS Global Forum 2019 on Tuesday, April 30, starting at 10 a.m. CT. And Marcos Borges, Senior Planning Manager at Netle Brazil, will present Nestle Brazil Case: Demand Planning Using SAS Forecast Server and SAS Enterprise Guide during a SAS Global Forum 2019 manufacturing breakout session on Monday, April 29, starting at 1 p.m. CT. Nestle visionary receives 2019 User Feedback Award Davis Wu, PhD, Global Lead for Demand Planning and Analytics at Nestle, received the 2019 User Feedback Award on Monday, April 29, at SAS Global Forum. Wu was cited as a visionary who examines the ways AI and machine learning can be used for demand forecasting and planning. His influence helped SAS create Assisted Demand Planning, a new capability inside SAS Forecast Server that uses machine learning techniques to improve forecasting. He also helped guide the SAS product management team to enhance SAS Visual Demand Planning on SAS Viya. To learn more about demand planning, download the SAS white paper Assisted Demand Planning Using Machine Learning for CPG and Retail. Follow SAS on Twitter at @SASsoftware and @SASRetail. Today's announcement was made at SAS Global Forum, the world's largest analytics conference, with more than 30,000 business and IT users of SAS software participating on-site and online. About SAS SAS is the leader in analytics. Through innovative software and services, SAS empowers and inspires customers around the world to transform data into intelligence. SAS gives you THE POWER TO KNOW. SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries. indicates USA registration. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright 2019 SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved. Editorial Contact: Laura Fleek Brumley [email protected] 214-803-6602 sas.com/news View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sas-offers-nestle-analytics-solutions-to-improve-demand-planning-process-and-accuracy-300839499.html SOURCE SAS [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] SAS recognizes global partner innovation and collaboration DALLAS, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- SAS GLOBAL FORUM At its annual Partner Awards ceremony during SAS Global Forum, SAS recognized the collaboration, innovation and contributions of its valued alliance community. "Our partners bring our software to life, creating innovative new applications to solve business problems, guiding our customers through deployment, and helping them get the most out of SAS for all of their analytics needs," said Helen Morin, SAS Vice President of Global Alliances and Channels. "We congratulate all of our 2019 award winners and look forward to continued partnership with them on projects that help transform the world." A robust partner community is critical to address the growing customer demand for evolving analytics solutions and delivery models. This is underscored by an increasing need for cloud solutions by midmarket customers with a desire to purchase through trusted local partners. SAS' strong partner program of consulting firms, resellers, OEMs and managed analytic service providers continues to help customers implement SAS technology in the way that best fits their individual needs to solve their most complex business problems. At the event, the following partners were honored: Global Partner of the Year Accord Business Group Accord Business Group is headquartered in the United Arab Emirates and has branches in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. A SAS Silver partner, Accord provides professional services, outsourcing and software development support for a variety of SAS solutions, including advanced analytics, fraud, customer experience and data management. Accord also works closely with SAS on Data for Good initiatives in the region, including work with the Special Olypics in Abu Dhabi. Channel Partner of the Year ITOCHU Techno-Solutions This is the second consecutive year that Japanese systems integrator ITOCHU Techno-Solutions has been named SAS Channel Partner of the Year. A SAS Gold partner, ITOCHU has helped expand SAS' presence in the manufacturing, utility and life science industries while leading significant deals with dozens of top-tier Japanese customers. Excellence in Innovation FACTS Consulting FACTS Consulting is a Gold Partner based in South Africa providing cyber forensics, information security training and services, and data analytics services in the private and public sectors. SAS awarded FACTS with the Excellence in Innovation award for its development of a SAS based fraud framework solution for procurement integrity, based on years of local and international procurement fraud investigative experience. The solution monitors and prevents procurement fraud, waste and abuse, and it has been implemented as a continuous-control monitoring solution in a major energy company in South Africa. SAS recognized the following organizations as Regional Partners of the Year: Asia Pacific : EY. : EY. Canada / Latin America : Vert. / : Vert. Northwest EMEA ( Europe , Middle East , Africa ): Accenture. , , ): Accenture. Southwest EMEA ( Europe , Middle East , Africa ): KPMG. , , ): KPMG. United States : KPMG. Today's announcement was made at SAS Global Forum, the world's largest analytics conference, with more than 30,000 business and IT users of SAS software participating on-site and online. About SAS SAS is the leader in analytics. Through innovative software and services, SAS empowers and inspires customers around the world to transform data into intelligence. SAS gives you THE POWER TO KNOW. SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries. indicates USA registration. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright 2019 SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved. Editorial Contact: Shannon Heath [email protected] 919-531-2676 sas.com/news View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sas-recognizes-global-partner-innovation-and-collaboration-300839506.html SOURCE SAS [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] European Data Center Rack Market to 2024 - Increasing Adoption of Hot/Cold Aisle Containment Systems DUBLIN, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Data Center Rack Market in Europe - Industry Outlook and Forecast 2019-2024" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Europe data center rack market is projected to reach revenues of approximately $550 million by 2024, growing at a CAGR of around 7% during 2018-2024. The Europe data center rack market is driven by the increasing adoption of hot/cold aisle containment systems among operators. The design and manufacture of innovative products that can withstand seismic activities and are available as soundproof enclosures will transform the Europe data center rack market. In terms of shipments, the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, France, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway are dominating the Europe data center rack market. Hyperscale data center operators are also actively involved in the adoption of rack architecture designed through open communities such as OCP and Open 19. Europe Data Center Rack Market Dynamics The Europe data center rack market highly depends on the construction of new data centers. The market is aided by the increasing construction of modular and prefabricated data center spaces inside the office environment. The demand for IaaS will continue to grow among enterprise customers adopting public cloud and hybrid infrastructure services during the forecast period. In 2018, the Europe cloud computing market was estimated to be around $20 billion. The demand for data center services such as colocation, managed services, and cloud-connectivity services will gain momentum as over 55% of firms in Europe use advanced cloud services for their financial and accounting software application. Vertiv, HPE, Rittal, and Schneider Electric dominate the market due to their wide presence across geographies. The adoption of modern rack architecture will enable the mounting of multiple high-performance infrastructure. These architectures are crafted to provide optimized space and improved efficiency to operators. The vendors of Europe data center market are providing customer-centric operational and space requirement solutions. The enforcement of GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) has increased the awareness about data protection mong enterprises, which significantly has led to the adoption of cloud services in Europe and the trend is expected to continue in future. Europe Data Center Rack Market: Segmentation The market study includes insights on market segmentation by product, size, end-users, and geography. The Europe data center rack market by products is classified into rack enclosure cabinets and accessories. The enclosure/cabinet segment dominated the market share in 2018, growing at a CAGR of more than 6% during the forecast period. The use of these cabinets to mount data centers critical and support infrastructure is increasing the growth of this segment in the Europe data center rack market. Open frame racks are predominantly adopted to equip network infrastructure such as switches, while cabinets are offered as servers and network cabinets by vendors. Open frame rack infrastructure and rack enclosures are two different types of cabinets. The Europe data center rack market by rack size is segmented into below 42U, 42U, 45U & 47U, 48U, and other units. The 42U segment occupied nearly half of the market share in 2018. The 42U rack adoption highly depends on the service provider and customer preference. Vendors are also continually innovating their 42U racks offerings with over 80% proliferation as well as deeper and wider racks for better airflow and cable management. This segment also includes the adoption of racks based on the OCP design to hyperscale providers. In addition, SMEs with limited computing requirements prefer racks below 42U. Colocation providers and enterprises are the largest end-users of the Europe data center rack market. Colocation data centers are the dominating segment, which is growing at a CAGR of more than 7%. The colocation of wholesale facilities is expected to increase the demand for data centers construction. Europe is likely to receive continuous investment from colocation providers such as Equinix, Digital Realty, CyrusOne, Interxion, NTT, and Global Switch. Key Vendor Analysis The Europe data center rack market is witnessing partnerships between vendors and facilities operators, thereby driving the competition in the market. The construction of modular and prefabricated facility spaces is creating lucrative opportunities for leading players operating in the market. Companies are focusing on expanding their product portfolios, reducing expenditure, increasing warranty, providing additional services to sustain the intense competition in the market. The incorporation of innovative solutions such as rack-level UPS systems, PDUs, rack-level security systems, Ethernet cabling, and others will increase the competition and boost revenues in the Europe data center rack market. The increase in system scale high-performance computing infrastructure offerings will enable vendors to attract new consumers and increase the market share during the forecast period. Market Dynamics Market Growth Enablers Increasing Construction of Hyperscale Data Centers Growing Investment by Colocation Providers Growing Adoption of Modular Data Center Solutions Growing Procurement of Taller, Deeper, and Wider Racks Market Growth Restraints Availability of Low-cost Solutions Virtualization of IT Infrastructure Adoption of Immersion Cooling in Data Centers Market Opportunities & Trends Availability of Advanced Rack-level Infrastructure Solutions Adoption of Open-rack Architecture Increased Adoption of Rack Scale IT Infrastructure Solutions Major Vendors in Europe Data Center Rack Market: Black Box Network Services Eaton Hewlett PackardEnterprise (HPE) Rittal Schneider Vertiv Other Prominent Vendors Beijing Finen Electronic Equipment Belden Cannon Technologies C&F Group Chatsworth Conteg Dataracks Delta Power Solutions Fujitsu Great Lakes Case & Cabinet Huawei Legrand Oracle Panduit Prism Enclosures Rack Solutions Retex Schroff (nVent) Tripp Lite Usystems For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/yc1ios Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. Media Contact: Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/european-data-center-rack-market-to-2024---increasing-adoption-of-hotcold-aisle-containment-systems-300839884.html SOURCE Research and Markets [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Spark Networks SE Reports Second Half And Full Year 2018 Results BERLIN, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Spark Networks SE (NYSE American: LOV), one of the world's leading online dating platforms, leveraging premium, complementary brands including EliteSingles, eDarling, Jdate, Christian Mingle, JSwipe, SilverSingles, and Attractive World reported its second half and full year 2018 financial results today. "2018 was a strong year for Spark, as we continued to drive profitable growth while investing in new brands," said Jeronimo Folgueira, CEO of Spark Networks. "2018 was our first full year as a public company, following the close the of the Affinitas / Spark merger in November 2017. Looking back, I am pleased with our ability to integrate and stabilize the Spark Networks, Inc. operations while also growing our consolidated Revenue, Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA to achieve the 2018 financial guidance we set in August. As we look ahead, we are excited to add Zoosk to our portfolio of brands and to begin the post-merger integration work that will enable us to achieve the profitability goals we have set for 2020 and beyond." Financial Results Revenue for the second half of 2018 was 51.5 million, an increase of 18.4% from 43.5 million in the second half of 2017. Revenue for 2018 was 104.6 million, an increase of 22.2% from 85.6 million in 2017. For both the half year and the full year, the increase in Revenue was primarily attributable to the Affinitas / Spark Merger, which closed in November 2017 . . Net Loss was 2.0 million in the second half of 2018, compared to 3.9 million in the second half of 2017, a reduction of 1.9 million. Net Loss for 2018 was 3.1 million, compared to 5.6 million in 2017, a reduction of 2.5 million. For both the half year and the full year, the reduction in Net Loss was primarily attributable to the Affinitas / Spark Merger, which closed in November 2017 . . Adjusted EBITDA was 8.5 million in the second half of 2018, compared to 4.2 million in the second half of 2017, an increase of 4.3 million. Adjusted EBITDA for 2018 was 11.0 million, compared to 6.6 million in 2017, an increase of 4.4 million. The Company ended the year with 11.1 million in cash and 12.1 million in debt. Key Performance Indicators Average Paying Subscribers grew 21.3% to 477.8 thousand in the second half of 2018, compared to 394.0 thousand in the same period of 2017. Monthly Average Net Revenue Per User, or Monthly ARPU, decreased 2.3% to 17.98 in the second half of 2018, compared to 18.41 in the same period of 2017. Financial Outlook Spark initially adopted IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, in 2018. With the application of IFRS 15, Spark does not recognize revenue following a customer chargeback. The Revenue guidance ranges provided by Spark on August 30, 2018 for the second half of 2018 and full year 2018 of 53.5 to 56.5 million and 106.5 to 109.5 million, respectively, were based on the expectation that Revenue would be recognized gross of chargebacks, and are therefore inconsistent with IFRS 15. Excluding the application of IFRS 15, Revenue for the second half of 2018 and full year 2018 was 54.1 million and 107.2 million, respectively. for the second half of 2018 and full year 2018 of 53.5 to 56.5 million and 106.5 to 109.5 million, respectively, were based on the expectation that Revenue would be recognized gross of chargebacks, and are therefore inconsistent with IFRS 15. Excluding the application of IFRS 15, Revenue for the second half of 2018 and full year 2018 was 54.1 million and 107.2 million, respectively. Given the expected Q3 2019 close of the previously announced merger with Zoosk, Inc., Spark's 2019 outlook is no longer consistent with the preliminary 2019 guidance provided on August 30, 2018 . . Spark is focused on completing the post-close merger integration work as efficiently as possible, and we believe our efforts will result in at least $50 million of Adjusted EBITDA in 2020. Key Metrics Half Year Six Months Ended Growth Rates % 12/31/2018 6/30/2018 12/31/2017 2nd Half 2018 vs. 2nd Half 2018 1st Half 2018 2nd Half 2017 1st Half 2018 2nd Half 2017 Revenue 51.5 Million 53.0 Million 43.5 Million (2.8)% 18.4% Contribution1 24.2 Million 20.4 Million 17.5 Million 18.6% 38.1% Net (Loss)/Profit (2.0) Million (1.1) Million (3.9) Million 81.8% (48.7)% Adjusted EBITDA2 8.5 Million 2.4 Million 4.2 Million 254.2% 102.4% Cash Balance 11.1 Million 8.1 Million 8.2 Million 37.0% 35.4% Total Registrations3 4,791,652 5,352,521 4,329,541 (10.5)% 10.7% Avg. Paying Subs4 477,817 489,024 393,979 (2.3)% 21.3% Monthly ARPU5 17.98 18.07 18.41 (0.5)% (2.3)% Key Metrics Full Year Growth Rates % 2018 2017 2018 2017 Revenue 104.6 Million 85.6 Million 22.2% 16.5% Contribution1 44.7 Million 32.2 Million 38.8% 28.1% Net (Loss)/Profit (3.1) Million (5.6) Million (44.6)% N.M. Adjusted EBITDA2 11.0 Million 6.6 Million 66.7% 12.5% Cash Balance 11.1 Million 8.2 Million 35.4% 1.9% Total Registrations3 10,144,173 8,451,633 20.0% 22.5% Avg. Paying Subs4 483,413 379,403 27.4% 19.6% Monthly ARPU5 18.02 18.81 (4.2)% (2.6)% SPARK NETWORKS SE SEGMENT6 RESULTS FROM OPERATIONS (Revenue, Direct Marketing and Contribution figures in thousands) Six Months Ended Growth Rates % 12/31/2018 6/30/2018 12/31/2017 2nd Half 2018 vs. 2nd Half 2018 1st Half 2018 2nd Half 2017 1st Half 2018 2nd Half 2017 # of Registrations North America 2,243,178 2,133,705 1,233,455 5.1 % 81.9 % International 2,548,474 3,218,816 3,096,086 (20.8) % (17.7) % Total # of Registrations 4,791,652 5,352,521 4,329,541 (10.5) % 10.7 % Average Paying Subscribers North America 189,533 178,101 97,786 6.4 % 93.8 % International 288,284 310,923 296,193 (7.3) % (2.7) % Total Average Paying Subscribers 477,817 489,024 393,979 (2.3) % 21.3 % Monthly ARPU North America 22.45 21.47 22.87 4.6 % (1.8) % International 15.03 16.12 16.94 (6.8) % (11.3) % Monthly ARPU 17.98 18.07 18.41 (0.5) % (2.3) % Total Net Revenue North America 25,531 22,939 13,419 11.3 % 90.3 % International 26,006 30,075 30,102 (13.5) % (13.6) % Total Net Revenue 51,537 53,014 43,521 (2.8) % 18.4 % Direct Marketing North America 13,277 14,585 8,585 (9.0) % 54.7 % International 14,026 18,000 17,394 (22.1) % (19.4) % Total Direct Marketing 27,303 32,585 25,979 (16.2) % 5.1 % Contribution North America 12,254 8,354 4,834 46.7 % 153.5 % International 11,980 12,075 12,708 (0.8) % (5.7) % Total Contribution 24,234 20,429 17,542 18.6 % 38.1 % SPARK NETWORKS SE SEGMENT6 RESULTS FROM OPERATIONS (Revenue, Direct Marketing and Contribution figures in thousands) 12 Months Ended December 31, Growth Rates % 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 # of Registrations North America 4,376,883 2,289,036 1,616,963 91.2 % 41.6 % International 5,767,290 6,162,597 5,280,686 (6.4) % 16.7 % Total # of Registrations 10,144,173 8,451,633 6,897,649 20.0 % 22.5 % Average Paying Subscribers North America 183,794 83,870 46,453 119.1 % 80.5 % International 299,619 295,533 270,823 1.4 % 9.1 % Total Average Paying Subscribers 483,413 379,403 317,276 27.4 % 19.6 % Monthly ARPU North America 21.98 24.42 28.71 (10.0) % (15.0) % International 15.60 17.22 17.69 (9.4) % (2.7) % Monthly ARPU 18.02 18.81 19.30 (4.2) % (2.6) % Total Net Revenue North America 48,470 24,574 16,004 97.2 % 53.6 % International 56,081 61,063 57,487 (8.2) % 6.2 % Total Net Revenue 104,551 85,637 73,491 22.2 % 16.5 % Direct Marketing North America 27,862 17,980 15,059 55.0 % 19.4 % International 32,026 35,489 33,311 (9.8) % 6.5 % Total Direct Marketing 59,888 53,469 48,370 12.0 % 10.5 % Contribution North America 20,608 6,594 944 212.5 % 598.2 % International 24,055 25,574 24,177 (5.9) % 5.8 % Total Contribution 44,663 32,168 25,121 38.8 % 28.1 % SPARK NETWORKS SE UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION7 (in thousands) Years Ended December 31, 2018 2017 (in thousands) (pro forma) (pro forma) Revenue 104,840 105,911 Net loss (2,814) (3,134) The following table presents certain selected information and Adjusted EBITDA(2) for the unaudited pro forma periods presented: Years Ended December 31, 2018 2017 (in thousands) (pro forma) (pro forma) Net loss (2,814) (3,134) Net finance expenses 958 261 Income tax (benefit) expense 1,147 5,057 Depreciation and amortization 3,565 4,266 Impairment of intangible assets and goodwill 3,324 46 Share-based compensation expense 4,091 1,175 Non-recurring costs 681 943 Adjusted EBITDA 10,952 8,614 Years Ended December 31, 2018 2017 Summary of non-recurring costs (pro forma) (pro forma) Contract liabilities write-offs 943 Restructuring expenses Transaction and advisory fees 264 Merger integration costs 101 Other employee payments Severance costs 316 Total adjustments 681 943 Investor Conference Call The Group will discuss its financial results during a live teleconference today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. Toll-Free (United States): 1-877-705-6003 Toll-Free (Germany): 0-800-182-0040 International: 1-201-493-6725 In addition, the Group will host a webcast of the call which will be accessible in the Investor Relations section of the Group's website at https://investor.spark.net/investor-relations/home . A replay will begin approximately three hours after completion of the call and run until May 13, 2019. Replay Toll-Free (United States): 1-844-512-2921 International: 1-412-317-6671 Passcode: 13690219 Safe Harbor Statement: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, statements involving known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause Spark Networks' performance or achievements to be materially different from those of any expected future results, performance, or achievements. Any statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be considered to be forward-looking statements. Words and expressions reflecting optimism, satisfaction, or disappointment with current prospects, as well as words such as "believes," "hopes," "intends," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "plans," "anticipates," and variations thereof, or the use of future tense, identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about operating a diverse global platform of premium online dating sites, statements about providing exceptional user experience and driving stockholder value, statements about projected financial results, statements about the company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and actual results could differ materially from those contained in such statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: risks related to the degree of competition in the markets in which Spark Networks operates; the ability of Spark Networks to retain and hire key personnel; Spark Networks' ability to continue to control costs and operating expenses; Spark Networks' ability to achieve its intended cost savings; Spark Networks' ability to generate cash from operations, lower-than-expected revenue, credit quality deterioration or a reduction in net earnings; Spark Networks' ability to raise outside capital and to repay debt as it comes due; Spark Networks' ability to introduce new competitive products and the degree of market acceptance of such new products; the timing and market acceptance of new products introduced by Spark Networks' competitors; Spark Networks' ability to identify potential acquisitions; Spark Networks' ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and the ability of acquired businesses to perform as expected; Spark Networks' ability to maintain strong relationships with branded channel partners; changes in Spark Networks' stock price due to broader stock market movements and the performance of peer group companies; Spark Networks' ability to enforce intellectual property rights and protect their respective intellectual property; general competition and price measures in the market place; general economic conditions; and the other concerns. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ are discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" and in other sections of the Group's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and in the Group's other current and periodic reports filed or furnished from time to time with the SEC. All forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof, based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement. About Spark Networks SE: Spark Networks SE is a leading global dating company with a portfolio of premium brands designed for singles seeking serious relationships. These brands include EliteSingles, Jdate, Christian Mingle, SilverSingles, eDarling, JSwipe and Attractive World. Formed in 2017 through the merger of Affinitas GmbH and Spark Networks, Inc., the company has a presence in 29 countries worldwide and is publicly listed on the NYSE American exchange under the ticker symbol "LOV." For More Information Investors: Robert O'Hare Chief Financial Officer [email protected] 1 Contribution is defined as revenue, net of refunds and credit card chargebacks, less direct marketing. Direct Marketing is defined as online and offline advertising spend, and is included within Cost of Revenue within the Group's Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. 2 Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure defined by IFRS. The most directly comparable IFRS measure for Adjusted EBITDA is our net (loss)/profit for the relevant period. This measure is one of the primary metrics by which we evaluate the performance of our businesses, budget, forecast and compensate management. We believe this measure provides management and investors with a consistent view, period to period, of the core earnings generated from ongoing operations and excludes the impact of items that we do not consider representative of our ongoing operating performance, including: (i) non-cash items such as stock-based compensation, asset impairments, net finance expenses and (ii) one-time items that have not occurred in the past two years and are not expected to recur in the next two years including severance, transaction advisory fees, and merger integration costs, and (iii) discontinued operations. Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as a substitute for net loss (as determined in accordance with IFRS) for the purpose of analyzing our operating performance or financial position, as Adjusted EBITDA is not defined by IFRS. A reconciliation of the Adjusted EBITDA for the six and twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 can be found in the table below. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, impairment of intangible and long-lived assets, and non-recurring costs. 3 Total registrations are defined as the total number of new members registering to the platforms with their email address. Those include members who enter into premium subscriptions and free memberships. 4 Paying subscribers are defined as individuals who have paid a monthly fee for access to premium services, which include, among others, unlimited communication with other registered users, access to user profile pictures and enhanced search functionality. Average paying subscribers for each month are calculated as the sum of the paying subscribers at the beginning and the end of the month, divided by two. Average paying subscribers for periods longer than one month are calculated as the sum of the average paying subscribers for each month, divided by the number of months in such period. 5 Monthly Average Net Revenue Per User, or Monthly ARPU, represents the total net subscriber revenue for the period divided by the number of average paying subscribers for the period, divided by the number of months in the period. 6 In accordance with segment reporting guidance, the Group's financial reporting includes detailed data on two separate operating segments. The North America segment consists of operations in the United States and Canada, and the International segment consists of all other operations except for the United States and Canada. 7 The unaudited pro forma financial information presents the combined results of the Company and Spark as if the Affinitas / Spark Merger had occurred on January 1, 2017. The unaudited pro forma financial information includes adjustments required under the acquisition method of accounting and is presented for informational purposes only. This presentation is not necessarily indicative of the results that would have been achieved had the acquisitions actually occurred on January 1, 2017. SPARK NETWORKS SE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands) December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 ASSETS Non-current assets 44,729 47,148 Intangible assets and goodwill 33,015 35,136 Internally generated software 2,221 3,503 Licenses and domains 209 128 Brands and trademarks 4,894 4,917 Purchased software 23 Intangible assets under development 3,691 1,090 Other intangible assets 1,173 2,314 Goodwill 20,804 23,184 Property, plant and equipment 2,015 2,082 Leasehold improvements 127 186 Other and office equipment 1,884 373 Property, plant and equipment under construction 4 1,523 Other non-current financial assets 24 23 Other non-current non-financial assets 271 Deferred tax assets 9,404 9,907 Current assets 18,133 22,034 Current trade and other receivables 7,004 13,820 Trade receivables 3,042 6,814 Other current financial assets 914 3,156 Other assets 3,048 3,850 Current income tax assets 34 Cash and cash equivalents 11,095 8,214 TOTAL ASSETS 62,862 69,182 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Shareholders' equity 19,409 19,477 Subscribed capital 1,317 1,317 Capital reserves 49,365 48,877 Share-based payment reserve 4,149 2,747 Accumulated deficit (36,156) (32,581) Accumulated other comprehensive income 734 (883) Non-current liabilities 9,582 765 Non-current borrowings 8,375 Other non-current provisions 16 17 Other non-current financial liabilities 54 Deferred tax liabilities 1,132 725 Non-current contract liabilities 5 23 Current liabilities 33,871 48,940 Current borrowings 3,750 5,850 Other current provisions 305 1,159 Current trade and other payables 12,863 21,291 Trade payables 10,166 11,489 Other current financial liabilities 878 6,515 Other liabilities 1,819 3,287 Current income tax liabilities 349 286 Current contract liabilities 16,604 20,354 Total liabilities 43,453 49,705 TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 62,862 69,182 SPARK NETWORKS SE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (in thousands, except per share data) Six Months Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2018 2017 Continuing operations Revenue 51,537 43,521 104,551 85,637 Cost of revenue (32,140) (29,737) (69,490) (58,776) Gross profit 19,397 13,784 35,061 26,861 Other income 216 5 240 54 Other operating expenses (18,788) (16,930) (36,299) (32,030) Sales and marketing expenses (2,481) (2,775) (4,938) (5,540) Customer service expenses (2,278) (1,776) (4,626) (3,971) Technical operations and development expenses (3,821) (3,664) (7,195) (6,428) General and administrative expenses (10,208) (8,715) (19,540) (16,091) Operating profit/(loss) 825 (3,141) (998) (5,115) Interest income and similar income 264 166 478 239 Interest expense and similar charges (658) (363) (1,436) (782) Net finance expenses (394) (197) (958) (543) Income/(loss) before taxes 431 (3,338) (1,956) (5,658) Income tax benefit (expense) (2,387) (532) (1,147) 84 Loss from continuing operations (1,956) (3,870) (3,103) (5,574) Discontinued operations Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax Net loss (1,956) (3,870) (3,103) (5,574) Other comprehensive income/(loss) 790 (883) 1,617 (883) Total comprehensive loss (1,166) (4,753) (1,486) (6,457) Earnings per share Basic earnings/(loss) per share () (1.51) (8.97) (2.39) (24.23) Diluted earnings/(loss) per share () (1.51) (8.97) (2.39) (24.23) Earnings per share - continuing operations Basic earnings/(loss) per share () (1.51) (8.97) (2.39) (24.23) Diluted earnings/(loss) per share () (1.51) (8.97) (2.39) (24.23) Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA: Net loss (1,956) (3,870) (3,103) (5,574) Discontinued operations Net finance expenses 394 197 958 543 Income tax (benefit) expense 2,387 532 1,147 (84) Depreciation and amortization 1,928 1,579 3,565 3,084 Impairment of intangible assets and goodwill 3,324 3,324 25 Share-based compensation expense 2,314 112 4,091 488 Non-recurring costs 129 5,685 970 8,123 Adjusted EBITDA(2) 8,520 4,235 10,952 6,605 Summary of non-recurring costs Contract liabilities write-offs 603 289 603 Restructuring expenses Transaction and advisory fees 1,660 264 3,995 Merger integration costs 87 2,042 101 2,042 Other employee payments 1,053 1,053 Severance costs 42 327 316 430 Total adjustments 129 5,685 970 8,123 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/spark-networks-se-reports-second-half-and-full-year-2018-results-300839969.html SOURCE Spark Networks SE [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Thermo Fisher Scientific to Host Analyst Meeting WALTHAM, Mass., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving science, announced that it will host its 2019 Analyst Meeting on Wednesday, May 22, starting at 9:00 a.m. (ET), at the Park Hyatt New York, 153 West 57th Street, in New York City. The meeting will feature presentations by members of Thermo Fisher Scientific's senior management team, including expectations for future financial performance. You can access the live webcast of the presentation via the Investors section of our website, www.thermofisher.com. A replay of the webcast will be available following the presentation. About Thermo Fisher Scientific Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with revenues of more than $24 billion and approximately 70,000 employees globally. Our mission is to enable our customers to make theworld healthier, cleaner and safer. We help our customers accelerate life sciences research, solve complex analytical challenges, improve patient diagnostics, deliver medicines to market and increase laboratory productivity. Through our premier brands Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific and Unity Lab Services we offer an unmatched combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and comprehensive services. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com. Media Contact Information: Ron O'Brien Phone: 781-622-1242 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.thermofisher.com Investor Contact Information: Ken Apicerno Phone: 781-622-1294 E-mail: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thermo-fisher-scientific-to-host-analyst-meeting-300839924.html SOURCE Thermo Fisher Scientific [April 29, 2019] Chegg Reports Q1 2019 Financial Results and Raises Full Year 2019 Guidance SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Chegg, Inc. (NYSE: CHGG), a Smarter Way to Student, today reported financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2019. "Chegg is off to a strong start to the year. In Q1, we achieved 27% total revenue growth driven by 34% revenue growth for Chegg Services, and we exceeded our profit expectations given the increased leverage we see in the model at scale," said Dan Rosensweig, CEO of Chegg, Inc. "This gives us the confidence to raise 2019 guidance as we focus on our mission of helping students improve their outcomes." Q1 2019 Highlights: Total Net Revenues of $97.4 million , an increase of 27% year-over-year of , an increase of 27% year-over-year Chegg Services Revenues grew 34% year-over-year to $75.3 million , or 77% of total net revenues, compared to 73% in Q1 2018 grew 34% year-over-year to , or 77% of total net revenues, compared to 73% in Q1 2018 Net Loss was $4.3 million was Non-GAAP Net Income was $19.6 million was Adjusted EBITDA was $23.9 million was 2.2 million : number of Chegg Services subscribers, an increase of 31% year-over-year : number of Chegg Services subscribers, an increase of 31% year-over-year 200 million: total Chegg Study content views, an increase of 27% year-over-year Total net revenues include revenues from Chegg Services and Required Materials. Chegg Services primarily includes Chegg Study, Chegg Writing, Chegg Tutors, and Chegg Math Solver. Required Materials includes rental and sale of print textbooks and eTextbooks. For more information about non-GAAP net income and adjusted EBITDA, and a reconciliation of non-GAAP net income to net loss, and adjusted EBITDA to net loss, see the sections of this press release titled "Use of Non-GAAP Measures," "Reconciliation of Net Loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA," and "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures." Business Outlook: Second Quarter 2019 Total Net Revenues in the range of $91 million to $93 million in the range of to Chegg Services Revenues in the range of $79 million to $80 million in the range of to Gross Margin between 76% and 77% between 76% and 77% Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $27 million to $28 million Full Year 2019 Total Net Revenues in the range of $393 million to $398 million in the range of to Chegg Services Revenues in the range of $329 million to $332 million in the range of to Gross Margin between 75% and 76% between 75% and 76% Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $117 million to $120 million in the range of to Capital Expenditures in the range of $40 million to $50 million For more information about the use of forward-looking non-GAAP measures, a reconciliation of forward-looking net loss to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter 2019 and full year 2019, see the below sections of the press release titled "Use of Non-GAAP Measures," and "Reconciliation of Forward-Looking Net Loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA." An updated investor presentation and an investor data sheet can be found on Chegg's Investor Relations website http://investor.chegg.com . Prepared Remarks - Dan Rosensweig, CEO Chegg, Inc. Thank you, Tracey, and welcome everyone. Chegg is off to another great start to the year and we couldn't be more excited for the future. In Q1 we had 27% year-over-year revenue growth, driven by 31% year-over-year subscriber growth, leading to 34% year-over-year revenue growth for Chegg Services. As a result, we exceeded our profit expectations, given the increased leverage we see in our model. Given our financial performance we feel confident once again in raising our guidance for both revenue and adjusted EBITDA. We remain focused on executing our top three priorities for 2019. One, to deliver on our financial goals and to continue to provide overwhelming value for our learners. Two, to expand our TAM by expanding the subjects we cover and the modalities and formats of content we offer, including coverage of other countries. Three, to continue investing in opportunities that leverage the strength of our brand, reach, and customer base, and provide opportunities for meaningful growth in future years. We believe our growth rates reflect the strength of our brand and the quality of our execution. We are proud that Chegg has become a trusted resource to help students navigate the difficult journey from learning to earning. The goal of any platform company is to become "the verb"; the first thought for the user in a category. With 87 percent brand awareness and 85 percent organic traffic, Chegg is rapidly becoming the go to destination for learners. The more content, modalities, and services we offer, the more we strengthen our position in a very big market. The education industry is undergoing dramatic, long-term restructuring. As in other industries, there is a chance for a platform company to distance themselves from others in their space. We feel Chegg has become this leader. We own the relationship with our customer; we are not dependent on other channels of distribution; we own proprietary content, and, we own the customer data, so we are able to know what they want, when they want it, and how they want it, and efficiently and effectively respond to their needs. As a result, we believe we can provide more personalized services, grow faster, and acquire customers for less, making our business model more predictable, sustainable, and profitable, thereby creating greater value for our customers and shareholders. With learners increasingly benefiting from online education services, we believe Chegg is best suited to meet the needs of the modern learner. We remain hyper focused on making education more affordable, relevant, and accessible. For years we have said that education is ripe for realignment and needs to be more focused on the student and their needs: online, on demand, more affordable and personalized. Students need expert, authoritative, trusted content that supports their efforts to graduate and master the subjects from the institution of their choice. This is what Chegg does. We are now seeing this realignment happening across our industry at increasing speed. We see huge growth in online undergraduate courses offered by schools, with more and more online classes provided by not for profit institutions, and new partnerships continue to be formed with companies focused on continuing education, as well as an increased effort on skills-based training and retraining by corporations themselves. As these trends grow, so does the number of learners for Chegg to support, which expands our TAM. As the education industry evolves to become more relevant to its primary audience, the student, we expect to see further consolidation. We believe that the largest players have the opportunity to grow the fastest and we have positioned Chegg to continue to grow our core services and add new ones as these opportunities arise. Our ability to organically grow, while at the same time acquire new high growth, high margin services, where we can accelerate their growth, has become a core competency. Chegg has always been prudent in deciding whether to build, buy, or partner to deliver our services, but we are now better capitalized than we have ever been to take advantage of the opportunities in the market as they arise. At the same time, we believe our core business remains incredibly strong. Chegg Study remains our largest service and is operating at scale. We now have a library of 28 million proprietary, expert answers and textbook solutions, and we now cover 36 thousand textbooks ISBNs. Our investment in proprietary content, including video, helped drive 200 million Chegg Study content views in Q1, and we expect the addition of even more formats and subjects will deepen our user engagement. We believe this reflects the tremendous value students see in having an online, on-demand, learning service, that provides high-integrity content, in the formats they need, that meets them at their academic level at the time when they need it most. We see more opportunities to invest in Chegg Study with added content, modalities, subjects, and of course through international expansion. Our second largest service is Chegg Writing, which is also seeing great momentum. Chegg Writing is an essential aspect of the paper writing process for millions of students every year. This quarter alone students created 126 million citations and submitted 1.9 million original papers to Chegg for review. Students across America continue to struggle with writing and there is a tremendous opportunity to help them succeed. This is why we are making important investments in A.I. for our writing subscription service, so we are better able to help students improve their writing competency at scale. With our partnership with Purdue OWL, the world-renowned online writing lab from one of the country's leading academic institutions, we are thrilled to see more students using our subscription writing service and get the help they need in grammar, sentence structure, avoiding plagiarism, and more. Students today are more diverse than they have ever been, and it's clear the curriculum needs to be expanded, adjusted, and tailored to equip them for the modern work force. They are different ages, many are parents, they are working, they speak different languages, many have come from different countries, and they come from various economic backgrounds. They learn from different institutions, at different times of day, across a wide variety of subject matters. Chegg is building a platform with a goal to support them all. Our industry is clearly evolving faster than many intuitions can adapt. There is more of a need for the services Chegg provides than ever before. There will be more opportunities for students to learn in different ways. They will need more of the expert, authoritative, trusted tools that can support their ability to master the subject, pass the class, and gain the necessary skills to accelerate the path from learning to earning. I'm thrilled we are off to a great start but, more importantly, we see the opportunity is bigger than it's ever been. And with that, I will turn it over to Andy. Prepared Remarks - Andy Brown, CFO Chegg, Inc. Thanks Dan and good afternoon everyone. We had a great Q1, with all key metrics and financials ahead of our expectations. The strong results and continued momentum into Q2, give us the confidence to raise our full year guidance again for 2019. In addition, late in the quarter, we strengthened our balance sheet by raising $700 million via a convertible debt offering on very favorable terms, which we believe puts us in a position of increased strength for future growth and extends our position as a leader in the direct to student market. For the first quarter, total revenue was $97.4 million, a 27% increase year over year, with both Chegg Services and Required Materials exceeding our expectations. Chegg Services revenue grew 34% year over year as we continued to achieve robust growth rates off a large base for our subscription services and all indications suggest we gained share in Required Materials during the spring semester. We continue to offer Required Materials because we solve a significant pain point for students, and it also increases our reach, provides data, and builds brand on campus. And as you would expect, with that performance, gross margin exceeded our expectations at 76%. Our strong performance in both revenue and gross margin drove adjusted EBITDA of $23.9 million, a 43% increase from Q1 of 2018, demonstrating the power of the model and the leverage of our subscription-based offerings. Looking at the balance sheet, we ended the quarter with cash and investments of $997 million, which includes the $700 million capital raise. We are pleased to notify you that in early Q2, the banks exercised the over-allotment option of $100 million, bringing the aggregate raise to $800 million. We believe our balance sheet, along with a strong business model that generates cash, puts us in a position to accelerate our growth and relevance with students as opportunities become available. Based on the results of Q1, and the momentum we saw in the spring semester rush, and the continued leverage as we scale, we are increasing our guidance for the remainder of the year. We expect: Total revenue for Q2 to be between $91 and $93 million ; and ; With Chegg Services revenue between $79 and $80 million ; and ; Gross margin between 76% and 77%; And adjusted EBITDA between $27 and $28 million . For full year 2019, we now expect: Total revenue to be between $393 and $398 million ; and ; With Chegg Services revenue between $329 and $332 million . And similar to last year, we expect Chegg Services revenue and annual subscriber growth rates to be closely aligned; and . And similar to last year, we expect Chegg Services revenue and annual subscriber growth rates to be closely aligned; Gross margin between 75% and 76%; And Adjusted EBITDA to be between $117 and $120 million , increasing the year over year margin by approximately 400 basis points, demonstrating the leverage of the core subscription business. In closing, it's been a strong start to the year, the Chegg team delivered above the high-end of our expectations, giving us the confidence to increase guidance, all while continuing to invest in both the content that powers our existing services and building out our new services and capabilities, which we expect to contribute to our growth in the future. With that, I'll turn the call over to the operator for your questions. Conference Call and Webcast Information To access the call, please dial 1-877-407-4018, or outside the U.S. +1-201-689-8471, five minutes prior to 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time (or 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time). A live webcast of the call will also be available at http://investor.chegg.com under the Events & Presentations menu. An audio replay will be available beginning at 4:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on April 29, 2019, until 8:59 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on May 6, 2019, by calling 1-844-512-2921, or outside the U.S. +1-412-317-6671, with Conference ID 13689889. An audio archive of the call will also be available at http://investor.chegg.com . Use of Investor Relations Website for Regulation FD Purposes Chegg also uses its media center website, http://www.chegg.com/mediacenter , as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor http://www.chegg.com/mediacenter , in addition to following press releases, Securities and Exchange Commission filings and public conference calls and webcasts. About Chegg Chegg puts students first. As the leading student-first connected learning platform, Chegg strives to improve the overall return on investment in education by helping students learn more in less time and at a lower cost. Chegg is a publicly-held company based in Santa Clara, California and trades on the NYSE under the symbol CHGG. For more information, visit www.chegg.com . Use of Non-GAAP Measures To supplement Chegg's financial results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), this press release and the accompanying tables and the related earnings conference call contain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP operating expenses and margin, non-GAAP income from operations, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP weighted average shares, and non-GAAP net income per share. For reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, please see the section of the accompanying tables titled, "Reconciliation of Net Loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA," "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures," and "Reconciliation of Forward-Looking Net Loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA." The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, and may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Chegg defines (1) adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, adjusted to exclude share-based compensation expense, other income, net, restructuring charges, and acquisition-related compensation costs; (2) non-GAAP income from operations as loss from operations excluding share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, restructuring charges, and acquisition-related compensation costs; (3) non-GAAP income from operations margin as non-GAAP income from operations divided by total net revenues; (4) non-GAAP net income as net loss excluding share-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets, restructuring charges, acquisition-related compensation costs, and amortization of debt discount and issuance costs; (5) non-GAAP weighted average shares outstanding as weighted average shares outstanding adjusted for the effect of dilutive options, restricted stock units, and shares related to our convertible senior notes; and (6) non-GAAP net income per share is defined as non-GAAP net income divided by non-GAAP weighted average shares outstanding. To the extent additional significant non-recurring items arise in the future, Chegg may consider whether to exclude such items in calculating the non-GAAP financial measures it uses. Chegg believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when taken together with the corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide meaningful supplemental information regarding Chegg's performance by excluding items that may not be indicative of Chegg's core business, operating results or future outlook. Chegg management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing Chegg's operating results, as well as when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods and believes that such measures enhance investors' overall understanding of our current financial performance. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate comparisons of Chegg's performance to prior periods. As presented in the "Reconciliation of Net Loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA," "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures," and "Reconciliation of Forward-Looking Net Loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA" tables below, each of the non-GAAP financial measures excludes one or more of the following items: Share-based compensation expense. Share-based compensation expense is a non-cash expense that varies in amount from period to period and is dependent on market forces that are often beyond Chegg's control. As a result, management excludes this item from Chegg's internal operating forecasts and models. Management believes that non-GAAP measures adjusted for share-based compensation provide investors with a basis to measure Chegg's core performance against the performance of other companies without the variability created by share-based compensation as a result of the variety of equity awards used by other companies and the varying methodologies and assumptions used. Amortization of intangible assets. Chegg amortizes intangible assets that it acquires in conjunction with business combinations, which results in non-cash operating expenses that would not otherwise have been incurred had Chegg internally developed such intangible assets. Chegg believes excluding the accounting expense associated with acquired intangible assets from non-GAAP measures allows for a more accurate assessment of its ongoing operations. Restructuring charges. Restructuring charges primarily relate to expenses related to the exit of Chegg's print coupon business, and Chegg's strategic partnership with the National Research Center for College & University Admissions. These restructuring charges are excluded from non-GAAP financial measures because they are the result of discrete events that are not considered core-operating activities. Chegg believes that it is appropriate to exclude restructuring charges from non-GAAP financial measures because it enables the comparison of period-over-period operating results from continuing operations. Acquisition-related compensation costs. Acquisition-related compensation costs include compensation expense resulting from the employment retention of certain key employees established in accordance with the terms of the Imagine Easy, Cogeon GmbH, WriteLab and StudyBlue acquisitions. In most cases, these acquisition-related compensation costs are not factored into management's evaluation of potential acquisitions or Chegg's performance after completion of acquisitions, because they are not related to Chegg's core operating performance. In addition, the frequency and amount of such charges can vary significantly based on the size and timing of acquisitions and the maturities of the businesses being acquired. Excluding acquisition-related compensation costs from non-GAAP measures provides investors with a basis to compare Chegg's results against those of other companies without the variability caused by purchase accounting. Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs. Under GAAP, we are required to separately account for the liability (debt) and equity (conversion option) components of our convertible senior notes that were issued in private placements in March 2019 and April 2018. Accordingly, for GAAP purposes we are required to recognize the effective interest expense on our convertible senior notes and amortize the debt discount and issuance costs over the term of the notes. The difference between the effective interest expense and the contractual interest expense are excluded from management's assessment of our operating performance because management believes that these non-cash expenses are not indicative of ongoing operating performance. Chegg believes that the exclusion of the non-cash interest expense provides investors an enhanced view of our performance and enables the comparison of period-over-period results. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which include, without limitation statements regarding Chegg being off to a strong start to the year, Chegg's raised outlook for 2019; and those included in the investor presentation referenced above, those included in the "Prepared Remarks" sections above, and all statements about Chegg's outlook under "Business Outlook." The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "project," "endeavor," "will," "should," "future," "transition," "outlook" and similar expressions, as they relate to Chegg, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and are based on management's expectations as of the date of this press release and assumptions that are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements include the following: Chegg's ability to attract new students, increase engagement and increase monetization; Chegg's ability to attract new students from high schools and colleges, which are populations with inherently high turnover; the ease of accessing Chegg's offerings through search engines; the rate of adoption of Chegg's offerings; the effect and integration of Chegg's acquisition of Imagine Easy Solutions, Cogeon, WriteLab, and StudyBlue; Chegg's ability to strategically take advantage of new opportunities to leverage the Student Graph; competitive developments, including pricing pressures and other services targeting students; Chegg's anticipated growth of Chegg Services; Chegg's ability to build and expand its services offerings; Chegg's ability to develop new products and services on a cost-effective basis and to integrate acquired businesses and assets; the impact of seasonality on the business; Chegg's reputation with students and tutors; the outcome of any current litigation; Chegg's partnership with Ingram and the parties' ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the partnership, including the potential impact of the economic risk-sharing arrangements between Chegg and Ingram on Chegg's results of operations; Chegg's ability to effectively control operating costs; changes in Chegg's addressable market; regulatory changes, in particular concerning privacy and marketing; changes in the education market; and general economic, political and industry conditions. All information provided in this release and in the conference call is as of the date hereof and Chegg undertakes no duty to update this information except as required by law. These and other important risk factors are described more fully in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Chegg's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2019 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and could cause actual results to vary from expectations. Contact: Investor contact Tracey Ford [email protected] Media contact: Heather Hatlo Porter [email protected] CHEGG, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except for number of shares and par value) (unaudited) March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 914,500 $ 374,664 Short-term investments 70,080 93,345 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $27 and $229 at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively 8,870 12,733 Prepaid expenses 15,739 4,673 Other current assets 9,691 9,510 Total current assets 1,018,880 494,925 Long-term investments 12,533 16,052 Property and equipment, net 72,937 59,904 Goodwill 149,481 149,524 Intangible assets, net 24,097 25,915 Right of use assets 15,875 Other assets 15,412 14,618 Total assets $ 1,309,215 $ 760,938 Liabilities and stockholders' equity Current liabilities Accounts payable $ 6,341 $ 8,177 Deferred revenue 26,276 17,418 Current operating lease liabilities 4,640 Accrued liabilities 35,706 34,077 Total current liabilities 72,963 59,672 Long-term liabilities Convertible senior notes, net 789,380 283,668 Long-term operating lease liabilities 15,424 Other long-term liabilities 3,311 6,964 Total long-term liabilities 808,115 290,632 Total liabilities 881,078 350,304 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock, $0.001 par value 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding Common stock, $0.001 par value 400,000,000 shares authorized; 118,196,707 and 115,500,418 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively 118 116 Additional paid-in capital 839,924 818,113 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (900) (1,019) Accumulated deficit (411,005) (406,576) Total stockholders' equity 428,137 410,634 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 1,309,215 $ 760,938 CHEGG, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share amounts) (unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Net revenues $ 97,409 $ 76,949 Cost of revenues(1) 23,335 20,224 Gross profit 74,074 56,725 Operating expenses: Research and development(1) 32,692 25,533 Sales and marketing(1) 18,717 15,336 General and administrative(1) 23,670 18,256 Restructuring charges 22 220 Total operating expenses 75,101 59,345 Loss from operations (1,027) (2,620) Interest expense and other income, net: Interest expense, net (4,232) (20) Other income, net 1,567 564 Total interest expense and other income, net (2,665) 544 Loss before provision for income taxes (3,692) (2,076) Provision for income taxes 626 541 Net loss $ (4,318) $ (2,617) Net loss per share, basic and diluted $ (0.04) $ (0.02) Weighted average shares used to compute net loss per share, basic and diluted 116,730 110,904 (1)Includes share-based compensation expense as follows: Cost of revenues $ 125 $ 94 Research and development 4,917 4,133 Sales and marketing 1,808 1,589 General and administrative 8,188 5,826 Total share-based compensation expense $ 15,038 $ 11,642 CHEGG, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) (unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Cash flows from operating activities Net loss $ (4,318) $ (2,617) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization expense 6,785 5,217 Share-based compensation expense 15,038 11,642 Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs 4,005 Operating lease expense, net of accretion 1,049 Other non-cash items (44) (41) Change in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 4,024 2,783 Prepaid expenses and other current assets (11,522) (7,894) Other assets (1,166) (506) Accounts payable (1,836) (3,068) Deferred revenue 8,858 5,185 Accrued liabilities 216 (4,286) Other liabilities (3,148) 138 Net cash provided by operating activities 17,941 6,553 Cash flows from investing activities Purchases of marketable securities (21,572) (12,511) Maturities of marketable securities 48,805 21,630 Purchases of property and equipment (14,060) (4,883) Net cash provided by investing activities 13,173 4,236 Cash flows from financing activities Common stock issued under stock plans, net 6,982 5,222 Payment of taxes related to the net share settlement of equity awards (76,044) (35,640) Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior notes, net of issuance costs 682,594 - Purchase of convertible senior notes capped call (85,050) - Repurchase of common stock (20,000) - Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 508,482 (30,418) Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 539,596 (19,629) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period 375,945 126,963 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period $ 915,541 $ 107,334 Supplemental cash flow data: Cash paid during the period for: Interest $ - $ 19 Income taxes $ 626 $ 503 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 1,126 $ - Non-cash investing activities: Accrued purchases of long-lived assets $ 5,127 $ 3,204 March 31, 2019 2018 Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash: Cash and cash equivalents $ 914,500 $ 106,827 Restricted cash included in other current assets 121 $ 84 Restricted cash included in other assets 920 423 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 915,541 $ 107,334 CHEGG, INC. RECONCILIATION OF NET LOSS TO EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA (in thousands) (unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Net loss $ (4,318) $ (2,617) Interest expense, net 4,232 20 Provision for income taxes 626 541 Depreciation and amortization expense 6,785 5,217 EBITDA 7,325 3,161 Share-based compensation expense 15,038 11,642 Other income, net (1,567) (564) Restructuring charges 22 220 Acquisition-related compensation costs 3,078 2,248 Adjusted EBITDA $ 23,896 $ 16,707 CHEGG, INC. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (in thousands, except percentages and per share amounts) (unaudited) ` Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 2018 Net revenues $ 97,409 $ 76,949 Operating expenses $ 75,101 $ 59,345 Share-based compensation expense (14,913) (11,548) Amortization of intangible assets (1,790) (1,417) Restructuring charges (22) (220) Acquisition-related compensation costs (3,078) (2,248) Non-GAAP operating expenses $ 55,298 $ 43,912 Operating expenses as a percent of net revenues 77.1% 77.1% Non-GAAP operating expenses as a percent of net revenues 56.8% 57.1% Loss from operations $ (1,027) $ (2,620) Share-based compensation expense 15,038 11,642 Amortization of intangible assets 1,790 1,417 Restructuring charges 22 220 Acquisition-related compensation costs 3,078 2,248 Non-GAAP income from operations $ 18,901 $ 12,907 Net loss $ (4,318) $ (2,617) Share-based compensation expense 15,038 11,642 Amortization of intangible assets 1,790 1,417 Restructuring charges 22 220 Acquisition-related compensation costs 3,078 2,248 Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs 4,005 Non-GAAP net income $ 19,615 $ 12,910 Weighted average shares used to compute net loss per share 116,730 110,904 Effect of dilutive shares 13,364 12,912 Non-GAAP weighted average shares used to compute non-GAAP net income per share 130,094 123,816 Net loss per share $ (0.04) $ (0.02) Adjustments 0.19 0.12 Non-GAAP net income per share $ 0.15 $ 0.10 CHEGG, INC. RECONCILIATION OF FORWARD-LOOKING NET LOSS TO EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA (in thousands) (unaudited) Three Months Ending June 30, 2019 Year Ending December 31, 2019 Net loss $ (10,400) $ (27,800) Interest expense, net 13,400 44,800 Provision for income taxes 900 3,200 Depreciation and amortization expense 7,600 30,700 EBITDA 11,500 50,900 Share-based compensation expense 15,800 65,000 Other income, net (1,600) (6,200) Acquisition-related compensation costs 1,800 7,300 Donation from Chegg Foundation 1,500 Adjusted EBITDA* $ 27,500 $ 118,500 * Adjusted EBITDA guidance for the three months ending June 30, 2019 and the year ending December 31, 2019 represents the midpoint of the ranges of $27 million to $28 million and $117 million to $120 million, respectively. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chegg-reports-q1-2019-financial-results-and-raises-full-year-2019-guidance-300839950.html SOURCE Chegg Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2019 > What was at Stake in the 2006/2008 Malegaon Terror Attacks? by Mustafa Khan It was a colossal risk when the two Malegaon terror attacks took place. Israel had asked the Abhinav Bharat of Lt Col Purohit of the Indian Army to provide two such attacks to prove the bona fide of seeking help from Israel for the Hindu Rashtra. India would have ceased to be a secular democratic government. What is more, Israel would have come to acquire control over the new government that was envisaged by the conspirators. The conspirators would have established the Hindu Rashtra with red flag at the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv and diplomatic recognition and supply of Israeli arms and ammunition. The Israelis wanted the conspi-rators of Abhinav Bharat to give just two examples. It was for ATS chief Hemant Karkare and his devoted team of police officers that the treason in the high places went haywire, the arrangement broke down, or ceased to function properly. Soon after the bomb blew up at Bhiku Chowk, Sadhvi Pragyasingh Thakur rang up Ramji Kalsangra. Sadhvi: How many have died in the explosion? Ramji: Two or three have died. Sadhvi: You had calculated many would die when you went there. Ramji: There was some mistake in the timing. We tried to park the motor bike at two or three places but we were not allowed there. Then we parked at one place and I left the spot. There was not a huge crowd then. There was so much explosive material that the front part of the vehicle was blown to smithereens. Everything was planned meticulously by retired Army personnel and a Lt-Col in service and others involved in it. Ramji and Sandeep Dange wanted to place the motorcycle at the corner of Anjuman Chowk but the lady police refused them. Had the bombs exploded there the casualties would have been in hundreds, mostly women and children buying bangles or ear rings or boutique for Ramzan Id a couple of days later. Another attempt to park the motorcycle of Sadhvi Pragyasingh Thakur was in front of the transport company. They parked it there. But the owner went to the police chowki across the road and asked the police to remove it. They refused. A crowd gathered there and they tampered the motorcycle in an attempt to move it away and unknowingly changed the focus of the bomb in the dicky. Ramji and Dange wanted maximum casualties. The pulling and pushing of the vehicle disturbed the setting. Another delay was the devotees prayer for their own sake and for the community. The hotels at the Bhiku Chowk missed the crowds who remained inside the mosque and couldnt reach the hotels and the bomb went off. Abhinav Bharat aimed to kill a mass number of people to meet the Israeli condition. There was a great risk involved even earlier in the 2006 attack. ATS chief of Maharashtra K.P. Raghuvanshi had framed nine Muslim youths in bogus terror charges; except one all the others were innocent. The explosion of four bombs at the graveyard and Mushawarat Chowk had killed nearly 40 Muslims at the prayer. However, there was a change. On September 1, 2008 Hemant Karkare had taken over charge of the ATS from Raghuvanshi. His reasons for framing charges were illogical. That Muslims had suffered heavily in the October 2001 communal riots in Malegaon. They wanted to avenge it. Another reason was that those who do not go to the graveyard and pray for their dead on Shabe Barat wanted to stop those who pray at the graves of their dear ones at night. The bombs were meant to go off at night time when the crowd is very huge in the cemetery. But the four bombs went off at 1.30 in noon time. The local police used this argument and showed that the culprits were members of the Students Islamic Movement of India. But the SIMI was hardly known to the youths in the town. SP Rajverdhan Sinha and Raghuvanshi began investigating. This made up the line of inquiry. The blasts were linked to the smuggling of RDX into the town in May 2006. The nine youths accused of the blasts had to languish in prison until Swami Aseemanand accepted that the 2008 as well as 2006 blasts were the works of Abhinav Bharat. Among the suspects were Rajender Choudhary, Lokesh Sharma, Ramchand Kalsanghra, Sandeep Dange, Amit Chouhan, etc. Subsequently some were arrested. Some other accused/suspects also held parleys with Yogi Aditynath and the Nepalese royal family for their envisioned Hindu Rashtra. Most of these details were recorded in the lap-tops of Purohit and the so-called Shankaracharya aka Dyanand Pandey, Sudhakar Dwivedi. Hemant Karkare was a decent gentleman and hid from public view how the Shankaracharya had his private harem of women of repute. But his honest officers made transcript of confessions, etc. That found place in the charge-sheets he was preparing. The matter relating to the Lt Col Purohit, a serving officer of the Army, was very serious. But it was trashed by no other persons than those in the Army and M.K. Narayanan, the National Security Advisor. The meeting had taken place in Delhi where Karkare laid bare before the Army officers and the NSA the involvement of the Army. This happened a day before the attack in Mumbai 26/11/2008 which also took his life. However, before that he had met the US embassy officers who had offered asylum to him! Arms seizure of May 2006 was linked to both the attacks. Purohit had stolen 60 kg RDX from Army stock and kept it with Dyanand Pandey. A part of it was given to one Bhaghwan to be used in the Samjhauta train attack. Some of it ended up in the cantonment in Deolali near Nashik. However the arrest of Pragyasingh, Purohit, Gen Ramesh Upadhya, and others prevented the establishment of the Hindu Rashtra. That was at stake. It should not be beyond the realm of possibility that there was a hint of taking over of the country by Abhinav Bharat what with the theft of RDX from Jammu by a serving officer of the Army and the huge explosion on August 24, 2008 at Kanpur in which Bajrang Dal activists Rajiv Mishra and Bhupender Singh were killed. It was such a huge explosion that would have destroyed half the city, according to the police there. The new Hindutva is so ebullient that striking the Pakistan bombs on their own soil is palpably at hand. No wonder then there will be more concerted effort to cause heavy casualties of Indian Muslims, the real target of new Hindutva. If any Indian distinguished himself by writing history by his sweat and while doing so made history by writing it in his blood, it is this modest looking man. This Assistant Commissioner in charge of the Anti-Terrorist Squad of Maharashtra will be remembered for good. Those who were breathing down his neck will breathe a sigh of relief but all others will be grief-sticken. The author belongs to Malegaon, Maharashtra. [April 29, 2019] Inspiring woman in your life? Tell her thanks SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Two quick ways to make yourself happier? Recognize inspiration and express gratitude. In honor of how Katharine Cook Briggs and Isabel Briggs Myers inspired one another and changed the world, The Myers-Briggs Company is partnering with our friends at Look What SHE Did! to promote their video about the mother-daughter team and to help people say thank you more often, especially around Mother's Day. "Everyone has someone who inspires them, but we often forget to take time to let them know how appreciated they are. Katharine and Isabel created the MBTI assessment to help people lead more fulfilling lives and relationships are a part of that," says Jeff Hayes, president and CEO of The Myers-Briggs Company. "In the spirit of better communication and better relationships, take this card and pass on the gratitude." Look What SHE Did! also deals in gratitude and inspiration, bringing stories of unsung, world-changing women into our favorite consumable format: video. "Look What SHE Did! was founded in honor of an incredible woman named Clara Shortridge Foltz, a brilliant mind and mother of five who created the public defender system in the USA," said Julie Hebrt, the organization's Founding Executive Director. "Women like her have been accomplishing great things throughout history without recognition." Sylvia Hathaway Chavez, Look What SHE Did!'s Managing Director added, "We're thrilled to include Myers and Briggs, this remarkable pair of researchers, in our astonishing women video series. That they're a mother and daughter team makes this an especially unique and important story to share." Spurred by the video, The Myers-Briggs Company is sending out 250 individual cards free to anyone in the US who wants to thank a someone for inspiring them. Cards can be requested via this online form. The Myers-Briggs Company board member Cynthia Cleveland was tapped to tell Katharine and Isabel's story and will be sending out one of these cards herself. "There are so many inspirational women I thought of but since my mother has passed, I'll be sending one to my daughter. She's inspired me to be a better person," said Cleveland. "Very appropriate given Katharine and Isabel were a mother-daughter team." About The Myers-Briggs Company In our fast-changing world, your edge lies in harnessing 100 percent of your talent at work, at home, in education, and everywhere in between. Your success and fulfillment aren't just about what you know, they hinge on your relationships and interactions with others. The Myers-Briggs Company helps organizations around the world improve teams, develop inspirational leaders, and solve the most perplexing people challenges. We empower individuals to be the best versions of themselves by enriching their understanding of themselves and others. As a Certified B Corporation, The Myers-Briggs Company is a force for good. Our powerfully practical solutions are grounded in a deep understanding of how significant social and technological trends affect people and organizations. And with an 80-year background of assessment and psychological expertise, a global network of offices, partners and certified independent consultants in 115 countries, products in 29 languages, and experience working with 88 of the Fortune 100 companies, we're ready to help you succeed. 800-624-1765 : themyersbriggs.com : The Myers-Briggs Company About Look What SHE Did! Look What SHE Did! is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire women and girls to greatness by bringing to light stories of remarkable women who have changed the world. They create and freely share an online video series of women speaking about the trailblazing women who have inspired them. Look What SHE Did! also produces live events discussing women's empowerment for community groups and corporations. Watch their videos and learn more on their website, www.lookwhatshedid.com. Contact: Michael Burke MSR Communications [email protected] 415-989-9000 Melissa Summer The Myers-Briggs Company [email protected] 650-691-9105 Jamie Coker-Robertson Look What SHE Did! [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/inspiring-woman-in-your-life-tell-her-thanks-300839908.html SOURCE The Myers-Briggs Company [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] SE Solutions Appoints Brad Cole as Chief Growth Officer MCLEAN, Va., April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- SE Solutions is very pleased to announce an exciting addition to its corporate leadership team. Effective today, April 29th, 2019, Brad Cole joins the company as its new Chief Growth Officer in its headquarters office in McLean, Virginia. "Brad Cole brings 25+ years of experience leading technology business development and client-centered delivery within the public sector," said SE Solutions President & COO John Wayne. "He will make an immediate, positive impact leading the establishment and synchronization of our corporate go-to-market growth and business development model with our culture and delivery capabilities." Cole most recently served as the Managing Director for Accenture Federal Services where he led sales and business development for the Safety and Citizen Services Portfolio. Prior to Accenture, he was with Agilex Technologies as the Vice President, Justice and Homeland Security Sector where he was instrumental in starting and growing the sector from the ground up, and then helped lead the successful transition of Agilex into Accenture Federal Services, following the Agilex acquisition. Other prior roles include Sales Consulting Manager at Oracle, and technical consulting positions with Impact Innovations Group and Computer Sciences Corporation. "I am excited to join the SE Solutions team and help lead the organization on a sinificant business and cultural growth journey," Cole said. "This is an exciting time; SE Solutions has the technical knowledge and innovative expertise that will help our clients successfully navigate their challenges." Brad is very active in the industry community with organizations like ACT/IAC, AFCEA and HSDBC, and was the first Lion's Den Chair and outgoing Mentor Chair for the Government Technology and Services Coalition (GTSC). In his personal community, he is currently serving as the Vice-Chair of the Board for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, DC and will serve as Board Chair starting in late 2019. Brad received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Computer Information Systems from James Madison University, and a Master of Business Administration degree in Information Systems/Entrepreneurship from the University of Maryland. He currently resides in Vienna, VA with his wife, Erin, and their two teenage daughters. "I am extremely pleased to have Brad join our executive leadership team. He is a proven, results-based leader whose experience and contributions will directly accelerate our growth trajectory into new markets as well as new approaches for expanding services within current client agencies," added Wayne. About SE Solutions Strategic Enterprise Solutions, Inc. (SE Solutions) is a mission-focused small business that delivers expert cybersecurity, technology, and management consulting services. The company is committed to serving federal agencies that protect and defend our nation's security, infrastructure, and citizens. For more information about SE Solutions, visit www.sesolutions.com . Media Contact: Robert Pearson, SVP Marketing & Communications [email protected] | 571.344.5538 www.sesolutions.com | @sesolutionsinc View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/se-solutions-appoints-brad-cole-as-chief-growth-officer-300840131.html SOURCE SE Solutions [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Mastercard Nominates 15 Candidates for Election to Board of Directors Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE: MA) today announced that its Board of Directors has nominated 15 candidates for election as directors at the company's June 25, 2019 annual meeting of stockholders. Lance Uggla and Youngme Moon have been added to the slate as proposed directors. "We continually seek directors who will continue to push the company to think and act differently, while remaining consistent with our corporate values," said Richard Haythornthwaite, chairman of the board, Mastercard. "With Youngme and Lance, we gain deep experience across a broad set of industries that complements our strategic vision and increasingly diverse business." Moon is the Donald K. David Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, where her research focuses on the intersection of strategy, branding and innovation, with a particular focus on youth and the digital economy. Moon also serves as the vice-chair and senior independent director of Unilever. She has held various leadership positions at Harvard Business School and was previously a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Uggla is chairman and CEO of IHS (News - Alert) Markit, positions he has held since 2018. Prior to the 2016 merger of IHS and Markit, he was the chief executive officer of Markit, a company he founded in 2003 to deliver transparency to the credit default swap market. The company launched the first daily credit default swap pricing service that year. Earlier in his career, Uggla held executive management roles at Toronto-Dominion Securities, including vice chairman and head of Europe and Asia. Mastercard also announced that, as part of a periodic board review and refreshment, current directors Nancy Karch and Silvio Barzi will not seek re-election. All other members of the current board will stand for re-election. "Nancy and Silvio have both had a significant impact on our evolution as a public company over the past decade," said Ajay Banga, president and CEO, Mastercard. "Their perspective and experience across the global financial, retail and consumer marketing sectors have been important contributions to the counsel and guidance the board has provided our management team. On behalf of the entire board and management, I thank Silvio and Nancy for their numerous contributions and wish them each the best in their future pursuits." About Mastercard Incorporated Mastercard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. Our global payments processing network connects consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. Mastercard products and solutions make everyday commerce activities - such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances - easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) @MastercardNews, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190429005848/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [April 29, 2019] Government funding positions CMC for the future KINGSTON, ON, April 29, 2019 /CNW/ - Changes to federal funding for science and innovation are good news for CMC Microsystems (CMC) and Canada's National Design Network (CNDN), says Gord Harling, President & CEO of CMC. "The increase to the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) Major Science Initiatives (MSI) Fund announced today is a significant investment and will directly benefit the CNDN," he says. CNDN, managed by CMC and hosted by Queen's University, is recognized by CFI as a Major Science Initiative. Enhancements to CFI's MSI program will directly benefit seven of Canada's 16 MSIs. "We welcome changes that enhance Canada's innovation ecosystem and help address gaps in CMC's funding," says Dr. Bozena Kaminska, Chair of the Board of CMC. "We applaud Minister Kirsty Duncan for this investment in research, and we continue to look for other strategic partners, federal and provincial, to help us address their science and innovation priorities." "These recent developments mean our services for developing micro-nanotech innovations will continue to be accessible to more than 10,000 academic and industry researchers in the coming year," Mr. Harling observes. "But we are also adapting to ensure long-term sustainability of our programs." CMC is developing new revenue sources for base operating funds. These include expanding services to industry, developing techology platforms for use in Canada, extending design software access services to U.S. universities, and performing contract R&D where there are gaps in Canada's innovation ecosystem. The organization will remain not-for-profit, supporting research in advanced technologies, especially hardware that powers everything from the Internet of Things to products with embedded Artificial Intelligence. "We're sharpening the focus on growing our user base and simplifying our service delivery to give researchers more choices while still being affordable," Mr. Harling says. "We're also enhancing our areas of strength design software, fabrication of research prototypes and lab services. We will continue our efforts in training, support, and best practices, because these underpin our success in creating highly skilled personnel for industry." "Researchers and entrepreneurs across Canada have been extremely active in advocating for the value of our offerings, and our new mission reflects that feedback," Mr. Harling adds. "As we look to the future, our mission is to support research and we will continually improve delivery of services to our clients." Mr. Harling is available for interviews in both English and French. About CMC Microsystems: CMC Microsystems works with researchers and industry across Canada's National Design Network, providing access to world-class tools, technologies, expertise and industrial capabilities for designing, prototyping and manufacturing innovations in microsystems and nanotechnologies. CMC reduces barriers to technology adoption by creating and sharing platform technologies. www.cmc.ca Backgrounder: CMC Microsystems impact CMC Microsystems provides low-cost, simplified access to tools, engineering services and manufacturing capabilities (CAD, FAB, LAB), to 10,000 researchers at 66 postsecondary institutions across Canada's National Design Network. In 2017-2018 CMC's support of research, innovation, education and training has resulted in: 3,780 publications 110 national/international awards 1,040 graduate and undergraduate courses taught 8,820 students trained 300 new technology prototypes developed 500 collaborations with industry valued at $26M 15 startups created 160 patents applied for/issued 780 highly trained individuals hired by industry 2019 and Reg. TM CMC Microsystems. All rights reserved. SOURCE CMC MICROSYSTEMS [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Arts News: Raymond T. Starzmann (1945-2019): A Local Treasure - KC STUDIO If Kansas City honored individuals considered local treasures, Raymond Starzmann would top the list. Starzmann, who died in February of complications from surgery, was not a native of KC but lived here since his days at Park College (now Park University). For our late night readers, here's a really inspiring local take on a metro actor who made an amazing impact of many lives as his work not only entertained but also informed. Read more: Insight into a higher education gun debate and how washed up college profs might be forced to make life & death decisions along with the potential interesting times for the entire campus amped up on caffeine during finals time . . . To be fair,. Read more: The union representing MU, UMKC, and University Hospital maintenance workers held a rally on the MU campus last week in support of wage increases. While the Laborers Local 773 union said it supports wage increases for all UM system workers, the group only represents MU, UMKC and University Hospital workers. Built to emulate the rich tradition of Chola art and architecture, the hotel is more than a hotel with its lavish decorations and intricate designs. Southern part of India was ruled over by the Chola Empire for a significantly long period of time. The hotel is Situated in Guindy (Chennai) reflecting the long past culture of south India. With all kinds of exciting activities, pleasant ambience, fabulous dining and world class facilities, one can nurture his/her desire for a dreamy vacation. This striking structure of luxury and grandeur is ideally placed within close immediacy to the famous centers in the heart of Chennai. The palatial hotel is certainly an excellent place for the purpose of business as well as for relaxation. No of Rooms : 600 Dining and Bar : There are 8 places serving food and beverages to the guests. Each one of them is offering a specially designed menu and ambience. Madras Pavilion The luxurious restaurant offers world class food from around the globe amid the beautiful surroundings of the hotel. Cafe Mercara Express The cafe offers a comprehensive menu of coffee along with a select number of gourmet refreshments. It remains open 24 hours a day. Nutmeg The Gourmet Shop The place offers freshly baked food products such as pastries, sandwiches, handmade chocolates and a variety of milk shakes. Peshawri The restaurant is well-known for its North West Frontier style of cooking. One can even see how the food cooks through the display kitchen. Ottimo Cucina Italiana Over here the exquisite flavors of the Italian food are served by Italian master chefs. The Cheroot Malt and Cigar Lounge With an impressive collection of branded cigars and malts from all across the world, the place is a perfect zone to sit back and relax. Pan Asian - The restaurant proffers a wide range of dishes from the countries of eastern Asia like China, Mongolia, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, etc. Royal Vega - It serves the choicest Indian dishes which trace their origin to the royal kitchens. Spa and Fitness: Kaya Kalp, like its Sanskrit namesake, promises a complete transition of one's mind, body and soul. There are various massages and treatments along with facilities of steam, sauna and Jacuzzi to enhance the healing and rejuvenating experience. There is a food and beverage lounge as well, offering healthy and refreshing items. The hotel brings three health clubs, fitted with the best strength training equipments to take care of the fitness needs of the guests. Address: No. 63, Mount Road, Guindy, Chennai, 600032 The Zambian government recently held a sensitization meeting with stakeholders on the Copperbelt mainly from the Chambers of Commerce and the private sector on the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA). The meeting was held ahead of Zambias pending ratification of the TFTA Agreement. The Sensitization was facilitated by the Department of Foreign Trade in the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry. Speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Mrs Kayula Siame, who was represented by Chief Economist, Mr. Paul Mumba said once effected, the TFTA will spur a new web of opportunities in Zambia and beyond. She said local exporters will be afforded an opportunity to competitively grow their international market and consumers will equally get a broader scope of products. I urge the private sector to take advantage of the trade space that Government has created through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry and the opportunities that the TFTA will bring, Mrs Kayula said. At the same event, COMESA Director of Trade and Customs Dr. Francis Mangeni called on the private sector to actively participate in trade deliberations. Quite a number of countries have involved the private sector in their negotiation delegations, Zambia must consider doing the same, as it will ease dissemination of information, Dr Mangeni added. The private sector present in the meeting, raised concern on what Zambia will contribute to the huge market considering the countrys current low production and poor quality goods. They have however supported the idea of ratifying the TFTA cautioning that Government must improve the Manufacturing and Industrial Sectors if Zambia is to be relevant once the TFTA is in force. The participants were drawn from Chambers of Commerce in the districts of Kitwe, Ndola, Solwezi, Mansa, Kasama and Chinsali. The TFTA brings together three regions of East African Community (EAC), COMESA and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, flanked by the AU Commissioner for Trade and Industry, His Excellency Albert Muchanga, received two (2) deposits of instruments of ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement today, 29th April 2019. The instruments were from H.E. Dr. Brima Patrick Kapuwa, Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the African Union (representing the 21st member state to do so) and H.E. Lamin Baali, Permanent Representative of the Saharawi Republic to the African Union (representing the 22nd ratification). The Chairperson hailed the two deposits as timely and significant steps towards removing the fragmentation of African economies and markets, a process that will create a large market that is critical to increasing trade and investments on the continent. The two deposits meet the minimum threshold of ratifications required under pdf Article 23 of the AfCFTA Agreement (4.67 MB) for it to enter into force thirty (30) days after deposit of the twenty-second (22nd) deposit made by the Saharawi Republic. The AfCFTA Agreement will in this regard enter into force on 30th May, 2019. All that is now left is for the African Union and African Ministers of Trade to finalize work on supporting instruments to facilitate the launch of the operational phase of the AfCFTA during an Extraordinary Heads of State and Government Summit on 7th July 2019. The supporting instruments are: rules of origin; schedules of tariff concessions on trade in goods; online non-tariff barriers monitoring and elimination mechanism; digital payments and settlement platform; and, African Trade Observatory Portal. The African Ministers of Trade are scheduled to meet in Kampala, Uganda in the first week of June this year to review work on these supporting instruments ahead of the Extraordinary Summit on the AfCFTA. The Chairperson also paid tribute to the Champion of the AfCFTA, His Excellency Mr. Mahamadou Issoufou, President of the Republic of Niger, for his strong and sustained advocacy to have all African Union Member States sign and ratify the AfCFTA Agreement. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2019 > BJPs Dangerous Politics From N.C.s Writings One of my earliest reporting experiences was the great Calcutta killing of 1946. Fierce communal passions were unleashed and thousands were done to death on both sides in the course of a couple of days. But behind that gory carnage was the fight for the city of Calcutta: who should get it? Pakistan or India? Religious beliefs are made use of to rouse mass anger among innocent people, but those who whip up such passions do so only for political gains. In our immediate context, this comes out clearly in the current controversy over the Ram temple and the Babri mosque. Let us look at this question a little carefully. While the place was locked up from 1949a period of 37 years which has seen the birth of the Jana Sangh and its transformation into the BJP, the rise of the RSS and, in recent times, of the VHPthis issue hardly figured in their activities. Had their hurt and resentment really been as acute as is made out today, why was the campaign not sustained as it has been in the last two years? Had it been a matter of faith, undying faith, why these seasonal vagaries? Last year when the campaign for building the temple was given an all-India dimension with the sanctified Ram Shila programme, it was obviously part of the preparation for the general election. The BJP National Executive adopted the Ayodhya controversy as a major campaign issue at its Palampur meeting in June 1989, and party President L.K. Advani had quite candidly observed at that time: I am sure it will translate into votes. This time when the decision was taken on September 12 to set out on the rath yatra, the BJP leadership was faced with a severe predica-mentacute divergence within the party ranks over the implementation of the Mandal report. Some issue to keep the party together was badly needed. Hence the projection of the pilgrims progress from Somnath to Ayodhya. But once the frenzy was roused, the leadership found itself riding a tiger. This explains the rejection of the plea from many quarters to accept the court verdict. As things stood in recent months, the right to build a Ram temple was not questioned: only the clamour to demolish the Babri mosque was disapproved of not only by the government but all parties and a vast section of the Indian public. The BJP leaders are not even sure about the exact location of the spot where Ram was born. Atal Behari Vajpayee had admitted this as late as on May 17, 1989. But Vajpayee is a bit of a liberal within the BJP. More significantly, Advani himself was reported to have said on September 30 this year in Bombay: No one can prove that it (the Babri mosque) was the birthplace of Shri Ram, but he could not wait for the court verdict as he felt it was a matter of belief. Even in the talks in Delhi during the break in his rath yatra, Advani could not agree to the plea that the temple building need not touch the mosque until the court verdict was available. Here is a case of a senior leader who, instead of keeping his flock in harness, coolly passed the buck by asking the government to settle the issue with his fellow-travelling Vishwa Hindu Parishad though he himself was leading the rath yatra. And what are the credentials of the VHP, whose leader had only last year signed an agreement with the then Home Minister (Buta Singh) specifically promising to abide by the court verdict? Had it just been a question of upholding religious faith, nothing would have been defiled by waiting for the court to decide. What the BJP leadership was confronted with was largely a political problemhow to keep its militant ranks together. In this the BJP leadership faces a serious dilemma which it has been unable to resolve for a decade: will it grow as a political force wedded to the norms and constraints of parliamentary democracy, or will it get carried along the course of militant Hindu communalism? When the original Jana Sangh merged itself with the Janata Party (its leadership declaring that we had given up our old beliefs and faiths) it steadfastly retained its RSS links. The controversy over double membership brought the first rift in the Janata Party. After the electoral trouncing in 1980, the BJP was officially launched, claiming that its commitment to the concepts of Gandhian socialism and secularism has been total and unequivocal. But by 1985, the concept of integral humanism, raised by the Jana Sangh pioneer, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, was superimposed on Gandhian socialism. The ideological emphasis was made clear by April 1988, when the idea of the composite culture of India was attacked by Advani as an attempt to disown its essentially Hindu spirit and content. He was clear that Indias culture is essentially a Hindu culture. And so one comes to the current battlecry for the establishment of Hindutva. Side by side has come the open recognition of the VHP, among others, as the sister organisations which, it is openly asserted, are all based on the inspiration from the RSS. And along with it has come the welcome entente with the Shiv Sena. In other words, the BJP leadership has both ideologically and politically taken to the path of Hindu orthodoxy, giving up all pretence of striving to emerge as the leader of Indias pluralist entity. This theocratic approach is very dangerous. Vishwanath Pratap Singh clearly stated in his broadcast to the nation on October 22: Now the argument is being raised that my religion and my faith is above the rule of law and the provision of the Constitution. If we accept this argument, then we will be laying the foundation stone of a theocratic state. Whatever his virulent critics and adversaries may say, this warning by Vishwanath Pratap Singh can be ignored only at the cost of subverting our democracy. (The Sunday Times, October 28, 1990) Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2019 > BJPs Nationalism Sounds Hollow Slogan-shouting by Samit Kar The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and several of its frontal organisations like the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM), RSS, Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) have always tried to play the Hindu card while projecting the age-old slogan of Garb se kaho ham Hindu hain. By the word Hindu, the BJP and its allies have projected them as true patriots unlike other political parties whom they describe as traitors. Without discussing the role of other political parties, the concept of Nationalism as vouched by the BJP and its allies needs a threadbare discussion. Had the outfit been serious about the upholding and preservation of Indian Nationalism, they might have restrained themselves from the butchery of the public sector companies holding commanding heights in the Indian economy. During the tenure of Atal Behari Vajpayee (1998-2004) and Narendra Modi (2014-2019) the butchery of the public sector companies was able to experience the worst beating. Arun Shourie, who has now become a BJP-dissident, was the Public Sector Disinvestment Minister during the days of the Vajpayee Government. He was instrumental in downsizing the large public sector units causing huge detriment to our national economy. How can the BJP leaders befool our countrymen with the hollow slogan of Indian Nationalism when they are known to be the worst culprits of ruining our public sector? Jio, the house owned by Mukesh Ambani, is now Indias biggest and fastest growing telecom company. The annual net profit of the company is fabulous. On the other hand, the government-owned Indias national telecom company BSNL is on the brink of closure. The BJPs poll pundits who had been using the slogan of nationalism are unable to convince the people of our country that the fabulous profit of Jio would not be able to contribute to the development of the country. Whereas the profit of the BSNL, a state-owned company, could have done so. Thus, the BJP leaders have being intentionally duping the people with the growth figures of our country without mentioning the per capita income of our countrymen. Over the years, about 25 lakh posts are remaining vacant in different government offices. Had the BJP leaders been really serious about the national interest of our country, they could have filled up these posts to allay the gigantic problem of unemployment gagging our country. What does nationalism mean in a country submerged under deep poverty and deprivation? The BJPs action regarding demon-etisation is now put to serious question. Even the RBI cannot provide the exact volume of currency retrieved through different banking outlets. The impact of demonetisation on our national economy has been questioned by everybody. Even Arun Jaitley, who came to know of the announcement of Narendra Modi only later, reacted promptly: Oh my goodness! This shows that the NDA Government was unable to work democratically. There was too much centralisation of power in the hands of Narendra Modi. In the last few months when the Lok Sabha poll was in the offing, the Narendra Modi Government had little to project to win the minds of our countrymen. The age-old war-strife between India and Pakistan proved to be a handy weapon to them to stir up the peoples mind. The bogey of cross-border terrorism and the fanning up of a war hysteria against Pakistan has now become too old to make a serious mark on the voters minds. Moreover, the revolutionary developments in the world of information systems have given an unbridled privilege to the people to know what is what. That the much doubted air strikes along the Indo-Pak border is a complete hoax has now become clear. Even the Defence Ministry has stopped back-patting understanding that the people were able to know everything by this time. The downfall of the BJP might be certainly ensured by the present think-tanks of the party. The way the BJP has eliminated the veteran and respected leaders from the partys organisational fold has made the powerful coterie of the party to dig its own grave. The bitter animosity of the partys legendary leader, L.K. Advani, with the present leadership is well known. But the fielding of the BJPs National President, Amit Shah, from the prestigious Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, long represented by Advani is bound to prove to be a huge blunder. Amit Shah has proved time and again whenever and wherever he had been over-zealous in campaigning, that he was a one-member demolition squad of the BJP. The debacle started in Bihar and continued in Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh where the party lost the Assembly polls despite holding advantage initially. The BJP appears to be a rudderless ship without having the stewardship of a wise and far-sighted captain. The slogan-shouting of the BJP in the name of nationalism to tame Pakistan might not be able to hold enough water in the long run. Their propaganda in favour of Nationalism is fast appearing shady and lacks substance. How can the BJPa party that upholds the dignity of nationalism at least in wordshobnob with industrialists and businessmen while putting the public sector units in absolute doldrums? Does the party suffer from a terrible intellectual bankruptcy or the party leaders take the Indian voters as a bunch of idiots? Narendra Modi has never explained why the crisis of unemploy-ment in our country has taken the form of a monster. Strangely enough, only five years ago, this was his pet subject during his election campaign and he assured the army of Indian youth that the country would soon be able to come across as a modi+fied India with Modi at the helm. The BJPs central think-tank with Modi and Shah at the top should make a serious introspection while taking out some leaves from the charters that they had made public to the Indian electorate prior to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. After destroying Indias nationally-owned giant companies and playing with the life and livelihood of crores of Indians, they should have a look at their audicious face in the mirrorthe mirror being the minds of the Indian electorate. The golden days of Air India, Coal India, SAIL, Indian Oil, ONGC, BSNL and many other leading giant Navaratna central public sector units are facing the worst crisis since their inception. The BJP should understand, the bogey of Indian Nationalism by stirring up war fanaticism against Pakistan would not be able to prove that they are serious in protecting Indian Nationalism. Had they been really serious, they would have protected and conserved the nationally owned companies that had always been holding the commanding heights of the Indian economy since the days of our national independence. The author was in the Sociology faculty of Presidency College, Kolkata. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2019 > Signs of Desperation The BJP leaders, from the Prime Minister downward, are showing signs of desperation. Their campaign speeches are not only becoming more raucous but also ribald. Truth to say, facing such attacks constantly, some Opposition leaders have also been provoked into replying in kind. The result is that the level of public discourse is touching a new low, while the central issues in the election like development, poverty elimination, farmers distress, employ-ment generation, etc. are not coming into focus at all. The Prime Minister himself has made some astounding statements which none of his predecessors ever did. Pakistan has threatened India, off and on, that it has nuclear weapons, hinting that it may use them against India. Former Prime Ministers, including Atal Behari Vajpayee, never replied to such provocative threats, as behoves a big and powerful country like India. But Narendra Modi did. According to a Times of India report, the Prime Minister told an election rally at Barmer on April 21 that India was no longer afraid of the threats of a nuclear war given by Pakistan every now and then. He warned Pakistan: We have not saved our nukes for Diwali. This remark is unbecoming of the Prime Minister of a big and powerful nation like India which, the BJP leaders claim, has already become a superpower. Incidentally, what does no longer mean? Does he mean to say that before he became the Prime Minister, India was afraid of Pak nukes? Modi does not understand that such language lowers the image of India in the comity of nations. Modi has earlier used the Pulwama tragedy and the IAF surgical strike on terror bases at Balakot unashamedly for seeking votes for his party, thus violating the unwritten rule that the armed forces must never be politicised. After the serial terror attacks in Sri Lanka in which 290 persons were killed and about five hundred injured, Modi, in one of his election speeches, did not hesitate to use that tragedy to appeal to people to vote for him and his party to put an end to terrorism. He seemed under a spell of megalomania when he asked the rally: Can you name anyone other than Modi who can combat terrorism? Such blatant self-aggrandisement is not only shocking but revolting. Modi likes dramatisation. Around noon on March 27, he kept the entire nation waiting with bated breath for an hour for an important announcement. The announcement, when it did come, was an anti-climax. India had shot down a satellite (one of Indias own) with an anti-satellite missile (ASAT). In fact the community of scientists working at the ISRO and DRDO had developed this capability long ago but wisely refrained from publicising it or demonstrating it. Modi made this capability known to the world on the eve of the elections to boost his and his partys electoral prospects. He could have easily asked the Chairman of the ISRO or DRDO to make this announcement but that would not have served his hidden political agenda. All these are signs of desperation and nervousness of a man who fears that defeat and loss of power is staring him in the face. The desperation has gone to such an extent that some proxies had to be used in Amethi constituency to challenge Rahul Gandhis Indian citizenship with a view to disqualifying him from contesting. The plea was rejected by the Election Commission which found Rahuls paper valid but the whole exercise showed a desperate attempt to prevent Rahul Gandhi from contesting. Why should the BJP be so intent on keeping the Congress President out of the electoral contest when it is claiming that its candidate Smriti Irani is going to win hands down? The BJP is now crudely trying to divide the electorate along religious lines. These days nobody talks of sabka saath sabka vikas or generating twenty million jobs a year or the great benefits the Indian people have supposedly derived from demonetisation. Not vikas but vived is now the weapon to win the polls. A lesser luminary has issued an open threat that if his party returns to power, all Muslims will be forced to shave their beard. The reader may excuse a bit of flippancy, but one shudders to think what would happen to Rabindranath Tagore, were he alive today? Would he have been dragged to a barbers shop, forced to sit on a stool with the barber brandishing a razor on his face! The BJP may lose the elections. But the damage that it has already done to Indias body politic and is still doing, will continue to plague the nation for a long time to come. If the Opposition comes to power, it should have two priorities. First, to hold the coalition together for full five years, and second, to launch a movement for inculcating the values of secularism and democracy in the people, especially in the rising generation. This movement has to be carried on relentlessly irrespective of the change in the fortunes of political parties from election to election. The author was a correspondent of The Hindu in Assam. He also worked in Patriot, Compass (Bengali), Mainstream. A veteran journalist, he comes from a Gandhian family and was intimately associated with the RCPI leader, Pannalal Das Gupta. laxmi@tribune.com Bhartesh Singh Thakur Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 28 Panjab University on Sunday awarded a PhD degree on Role of The Tribune in Freedom Struggle of Punjab, 1881-1947 the first doctoral study of its Department of History on the newspaper. The citation says the newspaper remained a vehicle of free expression of nations voice and prepared Indian masses for participation in the freedom struggle against colonial masters without any fear. Dr Manraj Singh, 28, a resident of Ludhiana, did a content analysis of the newspapers reporting and editorials on important historical developments during 1881-1947, under the supervision of Prof Anju Suri. The study found that on Punjab Alienation of Land Bill, which was proposed in September 1899, The Tribune made an assault on the government action through its articles criticising the Bill as class legislation, and interference uncalled for in the natural laws of economy. On the Ghadar Movement, Dr Singh said: It was aimed at getting rid of the British rule through violent and revolutionary methods and the paper supported the cause of the Ghadarites. Rowlatt Act, 1919, was described as a blunder of colossal magnitude. The paper pointed out that the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy stimulated the radical and revolutionary movements throughout India and in Punjab, the Babbar Akali Movement, Hindustan Republic Association and Naujawan Bharat Sabha assumed the foreground, Dr Singh said. The study noted that the newspapers editor, Kalinath Ray, was arrested following his editorial, Blazing Indiscretion. The thesis points out that The Tribune showed a great admiration for Subhas Chandra Boses patriotism, courage and sacrifices for the freedom of our country. It condemned Soviet journal Pravda and Communist Party of India for being critical of Bose. The paper considered the INA trials as a grave blunder and commented that public would be satisfied only with the release of one and all men without exception, said Dr Singh. According to the study, taking up the case of the Sikhs, who had no homeland and constituted the largest third-party minority in Punjab, The Tribune criticised various parties and their activities and made constructive efforts for a united India. Accepting the creation of Pakistan as a stark reality in a spirit of utter disgust and resignation, in an editorial, A Great Challenge, the newspaper touched upon the central point regarding the nature of the state which Pakistan was going to create, said Dr Singh. The Tribune remarked that a Muslim state in Pakistan is bound to get a Hindu state in India. During Partition, The Tribune suggested to the Pakistan authorities that they should set up a democratic state, where religion should be divorced from politics and power should be derived from people. The paper hoped that Jinnah, essentially a modern statesman, after having secured his objects would endeavour to create a modern state, said Dr Singh. The Tribune had an editorial on August 14, 1947, entitled, Pakistan a Non Communal State. The Tribune was chosen as we wanted to look at the non-official source while studying the freedom movement, said Prof Suri. ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Naina Mishra Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 28 Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu today pulled up Senate and Syndicate members of Panjab University for indulging in politics and controversies frequently. He was addressing the 68th convocation of Panjab University. He is the Chancellor of the university. Naidu said the sole purpose of the university was to excel in academics and not indulge in politics or controversy. Often, I hear about needless controversies cropping up in the university. The Senate and Syndicate members of the university should only focus on excellence in academics and nothing else. He asked the members not to engage in anything that sabotages the image of the institution. Recently, there was a furore at a Senate meeting ahead of the convocation over the conferment of DLitt (Honoris Causa) on Sudha N Murty, Trustee, Infosys Foundation. During his last visit also, Naidu had pulled up Senators for indulging in a controversy. Naidu said teachers and politicians should upgrade themselves for innovation, start-up and incubation. Urging the youth to render service to the motherland, Naidu said, There is no need to go abroad when India is a hub of abundant opportunities for the youth. He advocated the promotion and protection of ones mother tongue. He said, Read and learn as many languages as you can. Do not hate any language because of ethnic differences. Foreign delegates do not speak in English but in their own language. It is because the British ruled us for a long time that we believe that only by articulating in English, one can succeed. Our Prime Minister did not go to a convent school. I never went to a convent school, but reached here because of my hard work. He urged teachers and political players of the university to adhere to the traditions of tolerance and respect. We should be tolerant towards everybody, he said. On the slip in the universitys ranking released by the Human Resource Development Ministry, he said, Why is university ranked 21st in India and not number one? The Vice-Chancellor should strive to make the university bag the top slot next time. Movements such as Swachh Bharat or Beti Bachao are meant for all and not for Modi. He questioned why there was a lot of negativity among youngsters these days. Citing an example from his daily life, he said, A young boy once told me that he dislikes yoga because of surya namaskar. The youth fail to acknowledge that it is imperative for our bodies and we need it. A healthy nation will be a wealthy nation. He urged the university to include agriculture in the curriculum as 64 per cent of the Indian population is dependent on agriculture. ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 28 High drama was witnessed after four youths, MBBS students, reportedly had an altercation with a youth and three girls, who were having tea and snacks at a roadside stall opposite the mobile market, Sector 22, late last night. Sources said the students harassed and teased the girls. However, the police said the students just had an argument. The incident took place when the girls, students of a private university, visited Sector 22 with their friend Kunal to have snacks. The four medicos, who were reportedly drunk, allegedly started misbehaving with the girls. They abused the girls and reportedly caught hold of the hand of one of the girls after which a group of youths present at the spot intervened. The police were informed, who rounded up the medicos and took them for a medical examination. The matter was investigated at the Sector 22 police post and the medicos were allowed to go. The police said the medicos had an argument with the youth accompanying the girls. However, no complaint was made against them. A daily diary report (DDR) was lodged in this connection. Atanu Biswas Atanu Biswas Professor, Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata IN his Independence Day speech in 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said, January 1, 2018, will not be an ordinary day those born in this century will start turning 18. They are bhagya vidhatas of our nation. About 8.4 crore first-time voters including 1.5 crore in the age group of 18-19 are eligible to cast their vote in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The number of these first-time voters born between 1997 and 2001 exceeds the 2014 poll victory margin of 282 Lok Sabha seats across 29 states. And the young voters are becoming increasingly important as their turnout exceeded the overall turnout in 2014 for the first time since 1996. According to a YouGov study, there was a specific demographic pattern of voting in the 2017 General Election in the UK. Among the voters in the age groups of 18-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-60 and 70+, the votes in favour of the Conservative Party were 19 per cent, 22 per cent, 23 per cent, 29 per cent, 39 per cent, 47 per cent, 58 per cent and 69 per cent, respectively, while the vote share for the Labour Party in these age groups was 66 per cent, 62 per cent, 63 per cent, 55 per cent, 44 per cent, 37 per cent, 27 per cent and 19 per cent, respectively. Clearly, young people constitute a distinct social class and exhibit a specific political preference in the UK; so do the first-time voters. Nearly 70 per cent turnout among 18-24-year-olds in post-Brexit UK, significantly higher than the 43 per cent of the voters in this age range who cast the ballot in the 2015 elections, dealt a big blow to Prime Minister Theresa May and her Conservative Party in 2017. Britain might be a unique case, given the Brexit referendum and the follow-up socio-political developments. About 75 per cent of the voters under 24 voted for Remain in the 2016 Brexit referendum, and these youngest voters were angry when the Leave vote won. However, the rise in young voters turnout is a recent phenomenon in the West. The youthful pull of Jeremy Corbyns Labour Party in the UK cant be marked as a post-Brexit syndrome only. Jean-Luc Melenchon, the far-left populist, surged in popularity during the first round of voting in the French presidential elections due to his appeal among the under-30 people. US Senator Bernie Sanders popularity among the youth was apparent in the 2016 Democratic primaries, and would continue to boost his aspirations for the 2020 presidential elections. Corbyn, Melenchon and Sanders directly addressed the needs of the youngest voters with regard to their respective societies. In the context of the 2016 US presidential elections, according to the NBC News Exit Poll, about 10 per cent voted for the first time. And about 56 per cent of the first-timers voted for Hillary Clinton, while only 40 per cent voted for Donald Trump. Thus, the first-time voters induced an overall 1.6 per cent advantage in the vote share in favour of Clinton. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, 2.31 crore first-timers had cast their vote, and about 39 per cent of them did it in favour of the BJP, while the Congress only managed to get about 19 per cent of the votes of new electors. Incidentally, the overall vote share for the BJP and the Congress in 2014 was 31 per cent and 19 per cent, respectively. Thus, while the BJP had significant advantage among the first-time voters, the other parties, with a combined vote share of 50 per cent, could manage only 42 per cent votes from the first-timers. However, parties like AAP, SP and BSP enjoyed more support from the young voters. Young people are apparently more concerned about education and employment. Corbyn promised to end college tuition fees, while Sanders vowed to make tuition in private universities free and proposed altering student loan rates and fees to make these more favourable to students. These promises helped to enhance their popularity among the young voters. In the US context, the Pew Research Centre defined a millennial as someone born between 1981 and 1996. These voters hold more progressive views and are more likely to vote for the Democrats. Studies to understand the preferences of Indias first-time voters have been inadequate. Whats their view on nationalism, for example? How do they look at caste and communal politics? Also, some believe that the first-time voters, due to their limited exposure, are often truly aware of only the incumbent, and thus their votes are attributed to incumbency or anti-incumbency. These young people are better informed, more educated and tech-savvy than their family-members. Thanks to cheaper smartphones and mobile data, the first-time voters are much more accustomed to social media, and are much more exposed to the so-called fake news and paid news on the online platforms as well. Overall, the first-time voters are very unpredictable. They hail from different sections of society, with varied socio-economic cultures and aspirations, and cant be treated as a single group as a whole. What can be the impact of first-time voters on the 2019 Lok Sabha polls? There are about 1.5 lakh first-time voters, on an average, in each parliamentary constituency. So, a 5 per cent additional first-time votes (over the overall average) favouring a party at the cost of the main opponent would yield a 15,000 votes advantage, on an average, for the former in some constituencies. This might not look to be a huge advantage, but still can be decisive in dozens of constituencies, at least, and maybe finally for forming the government as well. And in the process, who knows, the first-time voters might actually turn out to be the bhagya vidhatas of the country. Sudhanshu Ranjan Sudhanshu Ranjan TV Journalist & Columnist IN 1879, German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche broke down physically and mentally when he was just 35. As he thought that his days were numbered, he told his sister, Promise me that when I die only my friends shall stand by my coffin, and no inquisitive crowd. See that no priest or anyone else utters falsehoods at my graveside, when I can no longer protect myself; and let me descend into my tomb as an honest pagan. Though he recovered, he was aware how falsehoods ruled the roost. Falsehood or fake news is not a new phenomenon. But the problem has acquired gargantuan proportions with the ubiquitous presence of social media. And it threatens to derail democracy. The Election Commission of India has set up Media Certification and Monitoring Committees (MCMC) at the district and state levels. One social media expert is part of this committee at each level and all political advertisements require pre-certification from the MCMC concerned. The expenditure of political parties on social media has gone up five times compared to the last elections. According to a survey conducted by a company, the expenses incurred by various political parties may vary from Rs 600 crore to Rs 5,000 crore. This is quite natural, given the fact that about a quarter of a billion people have gone online in the past five years. According Oxford Universitys India Digital News Report, 68 per cent of the respondents identified smartphones as their main device for reading news online. Fake news and rumours have become the staple of social media. With no gate-keeper, everyone has become a journalist, uploading news and views on social networking websites. In Britain, the rivalry between the Whigs and the Tories took the hideous form of character assassination, spreading of fake news, and demonising rivals. In the early 18th century, John Partridge was the most influential astrologer. A part-time cobbler and quack, he began issuing a regular almanac in 1680, Merlinus Almanac, which published predictions about impending doom. The soothsaying was targeted at political opponents as he predicted the deaths of many notable personalities every year. In January 1708, his pre-eminent position got a body blow with the publication of another almanac, Predictions for the Year 1708, by an obscure astrologer called Isaac Bickerstaff, Esq. He predicted that Partridge himself would die on March 29, about eleven at night. The date was chosen with care, laying the groundwork for the April Fools Day prank as the news would reach people that day. Partridge issued a rebuttal and called Bickerstaff a fraud. On the night of March 29, Bickerstaff issued Elegy on the Death of Mr Partridge, announcing that Partridge had passed away. On March 31, an anonymously written pamphlet, The Accomplishments of the First of Mr Bickerstaffs Predictions, was circulated in London. Since communication was slow in those days, the news of Partridges death became known in the city only on April 1. Upset, Partridge issued a pamphlet confuting the news of his death. His claim went unheeded and his name was struck off the Stationers Register, making him legally dead. Later, it was found that Jonathan Swift, famed author and cleric, had been writing under the pseudonym of Isaac Bickerstaff. Swifts ploy was meant to upstage Partridge as the latters attacks on the Church enraged him. Partridge was forced to cease the publication of his almanac. Thus, he might have achieved a noble end, but were the means noble? It was a clear example of fake news. Recently, the Nayirah testimony is a glaring example of how factoids are presented as inerrant facts for despicable purposes. False testimony was given by a 15-year-old girl before the US Congressional Human Rights Caucus on October 10, 1990. She alleged that after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, she herself witnessed Iraqi soldiers taking babies out of incubators in a hospital in Kuwait and leaving them to perish. The testimony made international headlines and was cited by US senators and President George HW Bush to justify their stand to intervene in the Gulf War to liberate Kuwait. In 1992, it was revealed that Nayirah acted a pawn in the hands of the US. She was the daughter of Sau Al-Sabah, the then Kuwaiti ambassador to the US. It turned out that her testimony was doctored and used as part of the Citizens for a Free Kuwait public relations campaign which was a surrogate for the American public relations firm Hill & Knowlton for the Kuwaiti government. This testimony is regarded as a classic example of atrocity propaganda the misleading representation of crimes committed by an enemy with the help of mischievous fabrications. Later, the Amnesty International issued a correction and accused the Bush administration of manipulating the international human rights movement for ignoble ends. In India, there is no strict law to combat fake news. The Indian IT Act 2000 has not been effective either as there is no mention of fake news in it. Even a country like Malaysia has a tough law to deal with this menace. The canker of untruth cannot be extirpated altogether, but it can be contained. India must bring in a strong legislation for the purpose. harinder@tribunemail.com After Lt Commander DS Chauhan died on board the countrys only aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, serious questions regarding accidents on vital military assets need to be answered. What led to the accident should be established: was it material failure, an equipment malfunction or just plain breakdown in standard operating procedures? After a fire in the engine room was reported, the officer battled it using fire extinguishers, but he died, possibly of asphyxiation. The 46,000-tonne warship was close to its home base at Karwar on the west coast. Known in military circles as VKD, it is the sword arm of the Navy and carries a fleet of MiG 29K fighter jets and long-range missiles on its deck. It was deployed in northern Arabian Sea in the run-up to the Balakot airstrikes. A report of the CAG, tabled in Parliament in July 2017, mentioned about 38 naval accidents between 2007 and 2016, which adversely impacted the operations of the force. The accidents were primarily attributable to fire, explosions, or flooding. It noted that the Navy set up the Indian Navy Safety Organisation only in 2014 to analyse such accidents, review regulations and procedures, issue policy directives and conduct safety assessments. Every operational unit is required to undergo a safety audit on a regular basis. Conversely, the report attributed accidents to inadequacies in the implementation of recommendations of boards of inquiry, delayed creation of a safety organisation, and lack of manpower/expertise for an analysis of the accidents. The 2013 accident on board submarine INS Sindhurakshak, when 18 sailors died, was a wake-up call. Another submarine accident followed and the then Navy Chief, Admiral DK Joshi, quit owning moral responsibility. In the past decade, the Navy has taken disciplinary action against 36 officers and sailors for various lapses and accidents. The naval top brass has discussed issues of safety on vital assets. It is essential to get to the bottom of the latest accident, lest the force should be condemned to repeat the mistake and lose its men to preventable accidents. editorial@tribune.com Geetanjali Gayatri Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 28 The Congress top brass in Haryana will not be able to campaign extensively for the party in the state this election season. With most of them either contesting themselves or pitching in for their wards, each of the candidates has been left to build up his own campaign, rely on his own leadership and handle his own constituency. With the hands of senior leaders full, the Congress campaign built around the states popular faces is practically absent. Fielded by his party from the Sonepat seat, former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda is forced to concentrate on his constituency though he, along with other senior leaders, has already toured the state well before the names of the candidates were announced. The bus yatra was not only an attempt by the entire leadership of the faction-ridden party to project a united face in the state but to whip up support for the party as well. Hoodas son, Deepender, a sitting Member of Parliament, is contesting from Rohtak and will have to rely on his work and his contact with the voters since his father will not be able to devote too much time. The state Congress chief, Ashok Tanwar, is busy campaigning in his constituency in Sirsa. In building momentum for the campaigning for the poll scheduled for May 12, he may not be able to spare time to address meetings and hold programmes in other constituencies. The Congress Legislature party leader, Kiran Choudhry, is not fighting the Lok Sabha election but her daughter Shruti has got the party ticket from the Bhiwani-Mahendragarh seat. Canvassing for her daughter, Choudhry, too, has not been able to devote time to other constituencies just like the partys non-Jat face, Kuldeep Bishnoi, who is occupied with campaigning for his son, Bhavya. Selja, the partys Dalit face, is fighting this election from the Ambala seat and remains restricted to that constituency. The only other leader, Randeep Singh Surjewala, who is the All India Congress Committee media in charge, has sought votes in Sirsa and appealed for votes for the partys Kurukshetra candidate, Nirmal Singh, but his assignment in Delhi and tours to other states in connection with the party affairs leaves little time for Haryana. Unlike the Congress where the candidates have been left to fight their own poll battle, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has ensured its leaders fan out across the state and campaign extensively for its candidates. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar is leading the pack and touring all constituencies to address rallies and programmes. Focusing on self or kin editorial@tribune.com Bijendra Ahlawat Tribune News Service Faridabad, April 28 Lalit Nagar will support Avtar Singh Bhadana, Congress candidate from Faridabad. Nagar and Bhadana are considered as political rivals. Congress MLA from Tigaon Assembly segment, Nagars Lok Sabha candidature was withdrawn by the party leadership at the last moment. Nagar was upbeat and confident about his candidature till the evening of April 21. He had announced that he would file his nomination papers on April 22. He felt dejected when the Congress announced change of candidate on the night of April 21. The party announced that Bhadana, a three-time MP, would be the partys candidate. Bhadana had left the Congress in 2014. He had joined the INLD and then shifted to the BJP before returning to the Congress in March. Bhadana immediately started his personal contact programme with party leaders to seek support soon after he filed his nomination on April 23. He reached Nagars residence on April 25 to seek his support. Nagar did not promise support during their first meeting that day. He called the Congress candidate on April 27 to announce support during a meeting of his supporters. This occasion took an emotional turn with Bhadana and Nagar publicly expressing their feelings over the developments leading to withdrawal of ticket to Nagar at the last moment. Nagar claimed that despite the injustice meted out to him, he was a dedicated worker of the Congress and would support and work wholeheartedly for the party candidate. amansharma@tribunemail.com New Delhi, April 29 The Supreme Court today directed the Punjab and Haryana High Court Registry not to appoint any civil judge in Haryana without its nod and summoned the Registrar General with all the selection records pertaining to the exams held to fill 107 posts in lower judiciary. The top court was hearing the plea filed by 92 aspirants to the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division) in Haryana. They alleged that 1,282 examinees, who had qualified the preliminary tests, appeared for the mains and out of them, only nine were selected for the interview against a total 107 vacancies. Issue notice, returnable on May 3. The Registrar General will be present with records of the selection, including the evaluation of answer scripts of all the candidates who appeared in the main written examination. No appointments will be made without leave of the court, said a Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. The plea, filed through Prashant Bhushan, Amiy Shukla and Shakti Vardhan, has listed out several discrepancies and sought quashing of the result declared on April 11. The Bench was hearing the petition challenging the selection process and evaluation method on the grounds of being unreasonable, arbitrary and malafide. The petitioners alleged that various RTI applications were filed immediately after the result seeking disclosure of marks, copies of answer scripts, model answers and marking criteria, but to no avail. They alleged that there was a serious problem with the evaluation method being conducted for selecting judicial officers in Haryana. A total of 14,301 candidates took the preliminary examination held on December 22, 2018 for 107 vacancies. Of them, 1,282 took the main examination on March 15 and 17. The main examination was cleared only by nine students against the total vacancies of 107 which means that a total of 99.298 per cent of the students failed the test, the plea said. It further said that it was surprising and invited disbelief that at least 20-30 candidates, who had appeared for the main exam but were not selected for the interview, are those who have already cleared judicial examinations of other states or are sitting judges. Some of the candidates who have not been found fit for the interview are the toppers and gold medallists in their respective reputed law colleges, the plea said. The petition said the High Court had already scrapped the entire preliminary examination held earlier on July 16, 2017 on account of paper leak and had issued directions for an inquiry into the entire issue. PTI editorial@tribune.com Dipender Manta Tribune News Service Mandi, April 28 There seems no end to political bitterness between Congress stalwarts former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his arch rival former Telecom Minister Pandit Sukh Ram as the former once again targeted the latter in Mandi today. During a public rally at Chail Chowk under Nachan Assembly segment of Mandi district, Virbhadra said, I cannot forgive the misdeeds of Pandit Sukh Ram, which he did in the past. Sukh Ram formed his own political outfit and left the Congress. He even joined the BJP. The remarks of Virbhadra were in response of the statement of Pandit Sukh Ram, in which he had begged an apology from Virbhadra Singh from stage during the Congress rally on April 25 on the occasion of filing of nomination of Congress candidate, his grandson Ashray Sharma. Congress candidate Ashray Sharma was also on the stage along with former CM Virbhadra. The former Chief Minister addressed public meetings at Chail Chowk and Bhangrotu under Nachan and Balh assembly segments of Mandi district in favour of Congress candidate Ashray Sharma. He appealed to the voters to support Ashray in these Lok Sabha elections and ensure his win with huge margin of votes. Mandi parliamentary constituency is represented by me and my wife as a Congress MP and I have deep connection with the people of this region, said Virbhadra. Targeting the BJP, Virbhadra said, The BJP is jumla party, which did nothing in the last five years for the nation, except for giving false assurances to the people. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had declared 70 national highways (NH) for Himachal but after completion of five years tenure at the Centre, not even a single NH has been constructed. The Central government did not release even the funds for preparation of DPRs of these declared NHs, he remarked. He said the BJP-led government had failed to approve any special budget for the development project sanctioned by the Centre. Congress believes in fulfilling its promises. The party owes it to public and always works. Today the entire state is covered under road and transport facilities beside availability of educational and health institutions in remote areas, which is contribution of the Congress regime, he said. He said that BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma had failed to bring any development project in this region. Hence, time has come to oust him from power. Bid to purchase votes for Ashray: CM Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday accused the relatives and supporters of former Telecommunication Minister Sukh Ram from Delhi of trying to woo the voters of Mandi money power. He was addressing an election meeting at Ledha in Balh area of Mandi district. Though desperate efforts are being made to purchase votes to ensure victory of Ashray, votes of people of Mandi are not up for sale, he said. Ashray ke liye matdataon ko kharidne ke prayas ho rahe hain par Mandi vale bikne valon mein nahin, he said. He also accused Sukh Ram of ignoring Mandi and only bothering for the furtherance of his family and career of his son and grandson. Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 28, 2019. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei) BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh in Beijing on Sunday. China is willing to work with Djibouti to continuously promote the bilateral strategic partnership, Xi said, stressing the joint building of the Belt and Road and the implementation of the outcomes reached at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. China will continue to provide support for Djibouti's economic and social development, exchange experience on development, and encourage competitive Chinese enterprises to invest and expand businesses in Djibouti, he said. Guelleh said that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is unique and will promote international development cooperation, and make significant contributions to creating an interconnected and better world. The groundless accusations by some people will not weaken Djibouti's confidence in the BRI and its trust in China, Guelleh noted. After the meeting, the two leaders attended the signing ceremony of documents on bilateral cooperation including joint building of the Belt and Road. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2019 > Militant Nationalism rears its head in Lanka A senior Sri Lankan Minister suggested to The Guardian that the coordinated bomb attacks on Easter Sunday on churches and five-star resorts on the main drag of Colombo and targets outside the capital could have been the work of terrorists or religious extremists. Meanwhile, an unattributed remark by a purported police official in Colombo is also floating around, lapped up by many Indian newspapersand duly embellishedthat a Muslim jihadist group is behind the attack. Fingers have been instinctively pointed at the ISIS or al-Qaedaalthough it is common sense that these terrorist organisations had everything to gain by claiming responsibility for the attack at a juncture when US President Donald Trump is bragging that they have been erased from the face of the earth. Clearly, the Sri Lankan Government, which has been caught off guard, is reserving judgements. The point is, no one has yet claimed responsibility. What emerges so far are four things. One, the terrorists or religious fanatics picked soft targetsCatholic churches that were sure to be packed with worshippers on the most important day in the Christian calendar and three hotels full of foreigners, especially Western tourists. The intention was to cause maximum loss of lives. No strategic assets were targeted. Two, stemming from the above, there is apparently an anti-Christian slant in the choice of targets, which was probably intended to draw international attention and cause great embarrassment to the incumbent government. Three, there was a high degree of coordination in the attacks, which points to local mobilisation. Only natives could have handled the logistics of such an operation. Yet, the operation was fairly simpletargeting places that are unguarded or lightly guarded. The speed with which the Sri Lankan Police tracked down the vehicle used in the attack in Colombo, which had suspiciously moved around in the city, even betrays a lack of professionalism on the part of the terrorists. Finally, the government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew. Again, the government has refused to announce the names of the suspects who have been rounded up so far. Taken together, the government apprehends that Sundays events might trigger more violence (backlash). The situation harks back to the Black July in 1983, when communal riots broke out in Sri Lanka as a response to a deadly ambush by the LTTE in which several Sri Lankan Army soldiers were killed, triggering in turn anti-Tamil pogroms and rioting in Colombo, which then spread to other parts of the country. Over seven days, mobs attacked, burned, looted and killed Tamil targets. Anywhere between 400 and 3,000 Tamils were killed in the pogrom. The economic cost of the riots was estimated at $ 300 million. Black July marked the beginning of the Sri Lankan civil war. Time past is useful to understand time present in a country such as Sri Lanka with such a complex and troubled history where, by sowing terror, perpetrators would hope to reap division in a society that has endured horrific violence in the past. The country is home to multiple ethnicities and religions, with the Buddhist majority (70.1 per cent, according to the 2012 census) living alongside sizeable Hindu (12.6 per cent), Muslim (9.7 per cent) and Christian (7.6 per cent) minorities. Indeed, Sri Lankas failure to come to terms with its violent past may form part of the context for Sundays attacks. Swirling ethnic animosities lurk below the surface and for some the war remains unfinished business. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara, the controversial leader of the Sinhalese Buddhist nationalist organisation, Bodu Bala Sena (Buddhist Power Force or BBS), who is referred to as Thero, The Venerable, and is undergoing a six-year prison term for inciting racial violence and hatred, is the living embodiment of the Sri Lankan tragedy. Sinhala-Buddhist nationalism, which has always been an undercurrent in Sri Lanka, is thriving, although the brutal civil war has ended. New enemies have replaced the Tamil HindusMuslims and Christians. President Maithripala Sirisena was forced to declare an island-wide state of emergency last year in March following a surge in violence targeting Muslims and their properties and mosques in Kandy and adjoining areas, which brought out the simmering ethnic tensions. Gnanasara and his followers seek a Buddhist Rashtra in Sri Lanka where minorities can reside in the country in a manner that doesnt threaten the majority race and its identity. Curiously, the BBS celebrated the formation of the Modi Government in 2014 and claimed that it was seeking a tie-up with the RSS. Discussions are on at a high level with the RSS... We think we can have a Buddhist-Hindu peace zone in this part of the world, Gnanasara told reporters in Colombo on October 7, 2014. President Sirisena has not succumbed to the pressures being exerted by Sinhala-Buddhist supremacists to release Gnanasara from prison and instead allowed the law to take its course. For Sirisena, it is a difficult choice, since former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brother Gotobhaya had facilitated the emergence of the Bodu Bala Sena. And to cap it all, a presidential election is due this year in Sri Lanka, and a General Election in 2020. Sri Lanka is paying a high price for the ascendancy of militant cultural nationalism. When church bells toll in Sri Lanka, mourning the death of hundreds of Christian worshippers on Easter Day, they carry a stark warning to plural societies, especially India, that radical cultural nationalism is the negation of the great celebration of life, which is the quintessence of all religions. (Courtesy: The Tribune) Ambassador M.K. Bhadrakumar served as a career diplomat in the Indian Foreign Service for over 29 years, with postings including Indias ambassador to Uzbekistan (1995-1998) and to Turkey (1998-2001). editorial@tribune.com Lalit Mohan Tribune News Service Dharamsala, April 28 The Congress will give Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation to all left-out castes of the Gaddi community. Former minister and AICC secretary Sudhir Sharma said this while talking to The Tribune. Sudhir said that when ST status was given to the Gaddi community of Himachal, many lower castes, including SCs, were left out. The maximum benefit of reservation to the community went to the upper castes, including Brahmins, Rajputs and Khatris, he said. Sudhir Sharma said in case the Congress was voted to power, it would extend benefit of ST reservation to all Gaddis. The statement of the Congress leader comes at atime when Gaddi leader Kishan Kapoor is contesting as BJP candidate from Kangra. It is being expected that the Gaddi community might rally behind Kishan Kapoor as it is for the first time that a Gaddi leader is contesting as candidate of a mainstream political party from Kangra. The Gaddi community forms a sizeable chunk of voters in the Kangra parliamentary constituency. Now with an offer to provide reservation of all castes of the community, the Congress has tried to divide it. The Gaddi community has its origins in Bharmour region. Initially, the ST status to the Gaddi community was area specific. The Gaddis, who had lands in Bharmour, were given the ST status. However, later a demand was raised for many Gaddis, migrated from the Bharmour region and settled in various parts of Kangra and Chamba district. Later, the benefit of the ST status was given to the Gaddis who had their origin in Bharmour but had later migrated to other parts. Sudhir Sharma said there were many members of the Gaddi community, especially those belonging to lower castes, who did not own land in traditional communities. These castes had been denied the benefit of the ST status as they did not own any land and had their habitation just on common lands of Gaddi villages. The Congress intended to provide justice to such members of Gaddi community, Sudhir Sharma said. editorial@tribune.com Did former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and Pt Sukh Ram hug each other when the latter went to formers residence after he rejoined the Congress in Delhi recently? Amidst the Lok Sabha elections, this political hug between Raja Saab and Panditji , as their supporters call them, has become the talk of town. Taking a dig at Raja-Pandit hug in election rallies in Mandi, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur made a terse comment, saying they pulled each others legs for all their lives and now they are hugging each other (zindagi bhar ek dusre ki taang khinchte rahe, ab ek dusre se gale mile). On the other hand, some diehard supports of Raja opposed to Panditji are claiming that Virbhadra never hugged Sukh Ram as was being made out in the media. During nomination of Mandi Congress candidate Ashray Sharma, Sukh Rams grandson, Raaj saab did not show the victory sign towards the media, but towards the ground, they claim. But the supporters of Sukh Ram say that the Congress is one in Mandi and the Raja was campaigning in the Mandi-Kullu-Rampur belt. Even if both hugged each other warmly is the old bitterness over? Whatever may be the case, but only the election results will indicate if it was forget and forgive, say Mandi leaders. Rebels return causes bad blood Recent returning of two rebels, ex-MLA Parveen Sharma and Baldev Thakur, back into the BJP fold proved a bitter pill for some party leaders who were left with no option but to swallow it for the sake of parliamentary elections. That the move of the party to open doors to the rebels has not gone down well with certain party leaders was more than obvious. Indu Goswami, state president of BJP Mahilla Morcha, who contested the last Assembly election unsuccessfully from Palampur, was conspicuous by her absence at the rally in which both the rebels joined back. Kirpal Parmar, an ex-MP, was also not amused at joining of Baldev Thakur, who had contested as an independent candidate against him and led to his defeat from Fatehpur. He could not hide his displeasure and did not take the name of the latter in his address from the stage. Anand Sharma, new BJP target With Rajya Sabha MP Anand Sharma hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress leader has suddenly become the new target of the BJP. Saffron leaders right from Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj to state BJP president Satpal Singh Satti mocked at him for his failure to win an election. They advised him to first win an election and then comment on the Prime Minister. The BJP leaders said it was Sharma, who due to his proximity to the Gandhi family, had a say in the Congress affairs in Himachal. They even went to the extent of mocking at Congress MLA Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, while inviting him to join the BJP rather than suffering humiliation. Officials try to settle score Politicians might be trying their best to lure voters but for the officials in the state government this is perhaps an opportune time to settle scores with their detractors. The state election office is not only receiving a barrage of complaints against officials who have stayed at one place for more than three years but several such complaints seem to be coined by rival officials. In their over enthusiasm, media persons are also at times apprised about such complaints to ensure the news is widely publicised. In one such case the ploy, however, appears to have landed the complainant in trouble as an FIR has been registered for cooking a cock and bull story which also tarnished the state governments image. sanjiv@tribunemail.com Chiranjit Parmar Cultivation of apple and other hill fruits was started in north-west India by foreigners about 150 years ago. Except one American, they were all Englishmen. The fruit varieties came from England and the US. Apple varieties from the US became the first choice of people and continue to dominate even today. In the case of other fruits, these were from Europe. Initially, the selection of these varieties was not based on scientific testing. These people just imported and planted popular fruit varieties of their area. Systematic work to promote commercial orcharding began after Independence. A network of progeny-cum-demonstration orchards, particularly in Himachal Pradesh, was created. In these orchards, varieties of nearly every fruit were planted. As the climate at every location was not favourable for all fruits, only those survived which could grow in those areas. Later, fruit research stations were established in different climatic zones. Hundreds of varieties were planted at these research stations to know what could profitably be grown. Research stations were established under this programme in Himachal Pradeshs Mashobra (apples), Sharbo in Kinnaur (raisin grapes), Kandaghat (stone fruits) and Dhaulakuan (citrus and subtropical fruits), besides Patiala and Abohar in Punjab for subtropical fruits. This resulted in the selection of apples of the delicious group for hill farmers, kinnow mandarin for fruit growers of the plains, varieties of peach, plum and apricot for the hills, and mango, citrus fruits, litchi etc. for farmers from the subtropical zone. But this happened 60 years ago. After that, virtually no work was done in the area of introduction of new varieties of fruits, though a lot of new facilities for fruit research have come up. Ultimately, the governments, especially in Himachal Pradesh, adopted an easy way to solve this problem. They started by importing plants of new varieties from foreign countries. This has been going on for the past 4-5 years. The selection of new varieties does not seem to have been done on any particular basis. Therefore, questions are being raised about the whole system. The present generation of fruit scientists avoids working on fruit varieties due to two reasons. First, it takes very long to get results. In the case of fruits like apple or mango, you make crosses in 2019. The seedlings from these crosses will be available in 2020. Then you plant them in the field after one year and then wait for another 7-8 years for coming them into bearing. The fruits you get may not be of your target quality. For example, there are two varieties, A and B. A has tasty fruit, but its trees get easily infected by diseases. Bs trees resist diseases, but the fruits are of poor quality. By crossing these two, we try to develop a disease-resistant variety with good fruit quality. But it is not necessary that fruits from the seed will have As taste and Bs disease resistance. It all depends upon chance and the breeder has no control over the outcome. Let us suppose that you succeed (of course after waiting for 7-8 years) in getting a fruit with the desired traits. But that is no all. The new plant (or variety) has also to be observed for other traits like yield, season of ripening, and susceptibility to pests and diseases. This may take another 7-8 years as you cannot know the precise yield of a fruit tree till it attains its full size. So, it can easily take 15-20 years in evolving a new variety. It is not easy to wait so long. The researchers also do not stay at the same place for so long. The second reason is that in the case of fruit breeding, the scope for publication of research papers, which are the main measure of performance of research workers, is much less than that in other fields. So, researchers in fruit breeding are always at a disadvantage when competing for promotions and career advancement. Therefore, fruit breeding is the last choice of young fruit researchers. The Department of Fruit Breeding at Nauni Horticultural University had to be closed after 25 years as it could not show enough progress for justifying its existence. There is another reason for young researchers not opting for this field. In the research community, that work is considered superior which involves the use of the latest and sophisticated laboratory instruments. In the case of evaluation of new varieties, nothing of that sort is required because you only have to check simple quality parameters like appearance, colour, flavour and yield. These are just ordinary observations not requiring sophisticated technology. So, young scientists dreaming of post-doctoral research in a foreign university avoid entering this arena. This is happening across India. The solution to this problem is to start fruit research stations exclusively for research on new fruits, new varieties and breeding new fruit varieties. At these research stations, all researchers will be doing the same kind of research and wont have to compete with colleagues in the areas where it is possible to publish more research papers in a relatively shorter duration. The evaluation of these researchers should be carried on the basis of the number of hybrids raised by them and not by the number of research papers published. I had the opportunity to work at two leading fruit breeding institutions in Europe. One was the Centre for Fruit Breeding, Holovousy, Czech Republic. The second was the Division of Fruit Breeding of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences at Balsgard, Kristianstad. Although this centre was part of the Horticulture Department, the researchers were doing only fruit breeding and had nothing to do with other areas of fruit research. Both places are famous for their output. As in Sweden and the Czech Republic, let us have research centres where newly developed foreign varieties are planted and observed thoroughly for a few years before releasing these to orchardists. Work on the evolution of new varieties by hybridisation may also be shifted to such centres. Let it be done at the earliest, otherwise the research on new varieties will continue to suffer as is happening now. The writer is a senior fruit scientist based at Mandi (Himachal Pradesh) Please send your feedback to infocus@tribunemail.com gspannu7@gmail.com Jammu, April 29 Over 64 per cent voter turnout of Kashmiri migrants was recorded in the second phase of the three-phased elections in Anantnag parliamentary constituency on Monday. Unhappy over the cumbersome voter registration process adopted for them by the Election Commission, the community members demanded scrapping of M-forms. They alleged that the forms deny and discourage them from voting. Over 64 per cent votes (by Kashmiri migrants) were polled today. As many as 1,784 such voters cast their votes in the second phase, out of a total of 2,779 registered voters, after completing the required formalities, Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) for Migrants, Pankaj Anand told PTI. Though the official admitted that there were problems while preparing the electoral roll, Anand said hectic efforts were made to ensure no voter was left out. There were only a few such cases due to wrong filling of Form M. Some of these forms did not have names of polling stations. Some names did not match with the records, he said. The official said 59 per cent Kashmiri Pandits and other migrants voted at 21 polling stations established across Jammu district for the Anantnag parliamentary seat. The polling in the south Kashmir constituency is being held in three phases. The constituency is spread over four districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama, covering 16 assembly segments. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and state Congress chief G A Mir are among the 18 candidates whose fate will be decided from the constituency, which has a large number of registered migrant voters. The Election Commission had set up 21 special polling stations for Kashmiri migrant voters in Jammu, one in Udhampur and four in Delhi. Meanwhile, dozens of Kashmiri Pandits protested outside a polling station at Jagati camp on the outskirts of the city as they claimed their names were missing from the voters list. PTI amansharma@tribunemail.com Jammu, April 29 The Jammu and Kashmir police on Monday said it has arrested a PhD scholar along with five other terrorists for launching an abortive suicide car bomb attack on a CRPF convoy along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway last month. The terror attack was jointly hatched by terror outfits JeM and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) under the command of Pakistan-based terrorist Munna Bihari, Jammu Inspector General of Police M K Sinha told reporters here. The arrested persons include a PhD scholar who is an active member of Jamiat-e-Talaba, the student wing of banned Jammat-e-Islami (JeI), he said. His interrogation revealed that the group was engaged in radicalising youths in a big way for jehad (holy war), said Sinha. He said the National Investigation Agency is taking over the case tomorrow for further investigation. PTI editorial@tribune.com Amir Karim Tantray Tribune News Service Jammu, April 28 The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is all set to take over the investigation into the killing of a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Chander Kant Sharma and his personal security officer (PSO). The order in this regard from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is expected to be issued in a day or two. Sources told The Tribune that the MHA had made up its mind to transfer the case from the Jammu and Kashmir Police to the NIA as the police had not been able to make any headway in the high-profile killing. The MHA will be issuing the orders to transfer the case to the NIA in a day or two after which NIA officers will visit Kishtwar town to take over the case, said a source. Sharma along with his PSO was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on April 9 at District Hospital, Kishtwar, where the RSS leader worked as a pharmacist. The killings created an uproar in Kishtwar, leading to the imposition of curfew for several days. Since the killing, the minority community has been demanding strong action against the culprits. On Saturday, a protest rally organised by the Sanatan Dharam Sabha turned violent. Protesters ransacked the DC office and a few vehicles in Kishtwar town. The rally had been organised to protest the inaction by the administration and the police. During the investigation, the intelligence wing of the police had maintained that four Hizbul Mujahideen militants were behind the attack and were planning to attack more religious and political leaders. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Panipat, April 28 The CIA-3 unit of the district police arrested a resident of Ludhiana in Panipat on Saturday night and recovered 722-gm heroin, worth Rs4 crore, from him. The accused was produced in the court, which has sent him on nine days police remand. He has been identified as Varun Bhogan of Mata Nagar, Ludhiana, Punjab. He was on his way to Delhi from Ludhiana to supply the contraband. Satish Kumar Vats, DSP Headquarters, while talking to mediapersons said a team led by SI Chhabil Singh, in-charge, CIA-3, was checking vehicles near Sector 25 turn on the NH-44. A tip-off was received that a youth was on his way to supply drugs. They signalled the driver of an Indica car (bearing Punjabs registration number) to stop. The driver stopped the car, but tried to escape. He had a polythene bag in his hands. The team nabbed him after a short chase. The polythene bag was searched in the presence of DSP City Satish Kumar and 722-gram heroin was recovered from it. He said the cost of the seized drug was Rs4 crore in the international market. A case under various Sections of the NDPS Act was registered against him at Chandnibagh police station. In the preliminary interrogation, the accused said he brought the drug from Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir and had to supply it to Nigerians in Delhi, Chhabil Singh said. Varun studied till Class XII and was in the business of making some parts of brick kilns, which he supplied to Srinagar, he said. During his visit to Srinagar, he came in contact with some drug mafia and was involved in the supply of drug for the last one year, he said. It was his second visit from Srinagar to Delhi, but we nabbed him, he said. Further interrogation was underway, the SI said. Drug procured from J&K In the preliminary interrogation, the accused said he brought the drug from Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir and had to supply it to Nigerians in Delhi, Chhabil Singh said. rajivbhatia82@gmail.com New Delhi, April 29 Incidents of violence in West Bengal and EVM glitches in some areas were reported as 64 per cent turnout was recorded on Monday in 72 constituencies across nine states in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections. In the heartland states, where the BJP had won 30 out of 32 seats in 2014, 62 per cent turnout was recorded in Rajasthan (13 seats), 53.12 per cent in Uttar Pradesh (13 seats) and 65.86 per cent Madhya Pradesh (6 seats). West Bengal recorded a high turnout at 76.47 in the eight seats though clashes broke out between supporters of rival parties in Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Suri areas of Birbhum seat, leaving several people injured. In Barabani, BJP candidate from Asansol and Union minister minister Babul Supriyo's vehicle was vandalised allegedly by TMC workers outside a polling station while in Dubrajpur area central security forces personnel reportedly opened fire in the air to disperse irate people who attacked them when they were barred from entering the booths with mobile phones. An FIR was registered against Supriyo for allegedly getting into an argument with polling officials, an election official said. The ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP accused each other of intimidating voters in the state, which has seen violence in all previous three phases despite stepped up central forces deployment. The stakes are high for the BJP, which had won 56 of the 72 constituencies in the 2014 polls. About 12.79 crore people were eligible for voting in the phase, which marked the start of polling in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh while elections came to an end in Maharashtra and Odisha. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Madhya Pradesh VL Kantha Rao said that during a mock-poll, electronic voting machines (EVMs) were replaced at 207 polling booths as some glitches were found. EVMs were also replaced at 106 polling booths after the voting began. Polling was peaceful in Rajasthan, with tribal dominated seat of Banswara recording the highest voting percentage at 72.34, followed by Barmer which recorded 72.21 per cent voting, according to state election officials. Nearly 52 per cent voting was recorded in Maharashtra (17 seats), 64.05 per cent Odisha (6 seats), 53.67 per cent Bihar (five seats) and 63.42 per cent Jharkhand (3 seats), according to data provided by the Election Commission till 6 PM. In Kulgam district of Anantnag constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, 10.3 per cent polling was recorded, amid isolated incidents of stone pelting. This was the second of the three-phase polling in the sensitive seat. Billionaires and Bollywood stars lined up outside polling stations along with the common folks in Mumbai, where polling was held in six constituencies. Complaints of technical glitches in EVMs and VVPAT machines in some polling booths were addressed in Maharashtra, an election official said. Bollywood celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan, the Khan troika of Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir, and Deepika Padukone cast their votes in Mumbai. Priyanka Chopra, Rekha, Aamir and wife Kiran Rao were among the early voters. In Uttar Pradesh, opposition Samajwadi Party's alleged that many EVMs malfunctioned and in Kannauj, from where SP chief Akhislesh Yadav's wife and sitting MP Dimple Yadav is contesting, several party workers were prevented from coming out of their homes to vote. In Kanpur, BJP workers allegedly tried to barge into a polling booth and clashed with the police. A case has been registered against BJP leader Suresh Awasthi and six others in this connection, Kanpur District Magistrate Vijay Vishwas Pant said. Shahjahanpur (SC), Kheri, Hardoi (SC), Misrikh (SC), Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah (SC), Kannauj, Kanpur, Akbarpur, Jalaun (SC), Jhansi and Hamirpur seats recorded 53.23 per cent polling till 5 pm, an electoral officer said. Reports were received of EVMs developing snag in Bidhauna area under the Kannauj Lok Sabha seat following which polling remained suspended for over an hour. Complaints of EVM malfunctioning were also reported in Etawah under Auriaya district, with voters claiming they had to wait for hours at polling booths in Tilak Mahavidyalaya, Sahupur, Ajitmal and Dalelnagar to cast their votes. According to a report from Hardoi, an elderly woman voter complained that the presiding officer at Jamkara booth under Sandila area forcibly pressed the EVM button. The sector magistrate has removed the officer and handed him over to the police. Besides Dimple Yadav, prominent candidates whose electoral fate will be decided in this phase are Dimple Yadav, former Union ministers Salman Khurshid (Farrukhabd) and Sriprakash Jaiswal (Kanpur) of Congress, UP Cabinet minister Satyadev Pachauri (Kanpur) and Sakshi Maharaj of BJP (Unnao) In Bihar, voting was delayed due to EVM malfunctioning at three polling stations in Munger, two polling stations in Darbhanga and three polling stations in Begusarai, from where CPI's Kanhaiya Kumar and Union Minister Giriraj Singh (BJP) are contesting, due to technical glitches, official sources said. In Odisha, technical glitches in EVMs delayed polling in 60 booths, but it resumed after the snags were rectified, the official said. Election to 542 Lok Sabha seats is being conducted in seven phases between April 11 and May 19. Election in Vellore constituency in Tamil Nadu has been cancelled following excess use of money power. Results will be declared on May 23. PTI laxmi@tribune.com Sandeep Dikshit Tribune News Service New Delhi, April 28 This week will be crucial in the long-running saga of blacklisting the Jaish-e-Mohammed chief, Masood Azhar, according to diplomatic sources. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is understood to have met top Chinese leaders on the side of the Second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing to put a seal on the matter. The developments in favour of India followed a joint meeting on Friday between several committees monitoring UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions on terrorism. Sources in the know mentioned several listing and delisting proposals that met interests of the countries concerned. In case there is no spanner, sources expect the announcement of blacklisting Azhar to be made public by mid-week. The composition and content of the Friday meeting of several UNSC committees on terrorism by Al-Qaida, Taliban and IS was different from the earlier confabulations of April 5. The deadlock at the April 5 meeting had compelled the US, France and the UK to issue an ultimatum to China the only standout in the entire UNSC against the sanctioning of Azhar. But the April 26 meeting took a more comprehensive sweep on terrorism by considering listing and delisting of individuals associated with Al-Qaida, Taliban and IS. This meant the sanctions were seen as more fairly applied and met interests of the countries concerned. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2019 > Sri Lanka: The Mayhem and After On Easter Sunday (April 21, 2019) coordinated terror attacks in Sri Lanka, as many as eight in number over a few hours, have managed to leave behind more confusion than such incidents usually cause in their aftermath. Since no terrorist leaves behind his calling card after perpetrating his crime, such occasions always cause much groping around in the dark until tell-tale evidences are collected and analysed and interrogations of suspects held and then, finally, individuals or organisations are identified and their identities disclosed to the world. In Sri Lankas case, with 290 dead and over 500 wounded, the Easter Sunday bombings already rank as the deadliest such attack in the world, and within hours of the incidents a Sri Lankan fundamentalist group, called the National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ), has been named as the alleged perpetrator. While the organisation has denied any involvement in the bombings, the people are also unconvinced about the allegation. Most people look at the Muslim group as more of a nuisance consisting of petty anti-social elements incapable of plotting such a massive and daring conspiracy to destablise the country. Its sole qualification to be a suspect in such a sensational case appears to be its proven involvement in last years attacks on Buddhist establishments. Meanwhile, the sudden critical development has clearly raised questions regarding two state matters: why the authorities failed to act despite having been alerted ten days ago, and why the Prime Minister and his Ministers were kept in the dark about the timely and clearly actionable intelligence input received by President Maithri-pala Sirisena who presides over intelligence as the Defence and Police Minister. As a matter fact, it was Prime Minister Ranil Wickrema-singhe who himself raised these very questions in his statement issued shortly after the bombings. As we go to press, no answers have been forthcoming. The official statement has since been modified to a significant extent. Perhaps more to satisfy the cynicism in the country, the government now says that the NTJ has had international backing from more resourceful jihadist groups. The Cabinet spokesperson, Rajitha Senaratne, has said that while the NTJ is primarily responsible, we dont see that a small organisation in this country can do all that...We are investigating international support for them and their other linkshow they produced the suicide bombers and bombs like this. While this also awaits authentication by competent authorities, the United States has warned of further terror attacks in Sri Lanka. The curfew clamped immediately in the wake of the Sunday bombings has since been succeeded by a state of emergency effected all over the island, but tension continues unabated. The sum total of the developments since April 21 is a repeat expose of the deep fissure that led to a constitutional breakdown in 2018 and had since apparently simmered under the cover of a compromise reached between President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremasinghe, forcing the country once more to stare at a malfunctioning administration. How does this government, wracked by undaunted internal squabbling, propose to deal with the sudden emergence of a mighty and shadowy terror group that can destabilise a modern powerful state within a few hours? Whether or not the NTJ is involved in the outrage, it will now continue to raise fear in the minds of all Sri Lankans.To that extent, the group has succeeded in reaching its immediate goal. However, a much bigger issue appears to be involved in the developments. If the unknown terror groups involvement is a surprise, an even more surprise is the obvious attack on Christians and Christianity, a community and a religion which have largely escaped violence in independent Sri Lanka. What has happened in-between that has given birth to this new monster of a religio-political turn in the countrys history? An answer can perhaps be searched for in the recent history of Sri Lanka. Ever since 2013, scores of attacks including arson, loot and wreckage of property of the minority Muslim community have occurred in parts of the country; and in all such cases fundamentalist Buddhist groups have been identified and acted upon. Among these groups most prominent is the Bodu Bala Sena (the Buddhist Army) which has been held guilty of a series of attacks on Muslims in the central and southern parts of Sri Lanka. On the other end of the scale is the free inflow of Saudi funds which have visibly enriched and expanded the Salafist foothold in the island. While no known Sri Lankan is learnt to have escaped to the ISIS pockets of influence in the Middle East, there have been reports of clashes between Buddhist and Hindus and Muslims, chiefly in the north-east. The sudden eye-catching emergence of huge mosques in the region is difficult to escape ones attention, and stray incidents of quarrels, defiances and deliberate changeovers to Islamic dress codes by Muslim women have been reported. Still, two questions remain unanswered. Can such small and negligible incidents with no apparent inter-linking lead to the enormity of the April 21 developments that have shaken up not just Sri Lanka but the whole world? And secondly, if the Muslims have nurtured a hatred for Buddhists,why the singling out of Christians, comprising both the Sinhalese and the Tamils, easily the most peaceable people in the country? A plausible theory in this regard that is floating around is that while a jihadist attack on Buddhist-Sinhalese would have definitely disturbed the peace in Sri Lanka, an attack on Christian churches during a major Christian holiday would immediately attract the worlds attention because the island is a also a top-notch tourist destination. And, as if to validate this theory, the churches chosen for attacks in Colombo and Negombo were full of worshippers, both local and foreign, and the five-star hotels in the capital were again full of wealthy foreign tourists as also of rich Sri Lankans. If this theory holds as it seems to, the surprise attacks on Christians could be explained, as, by no means, a jihadist attack on an alien religion but principally on foreigners, Westerners of course, and rich too by implication. Sri Lanka has never been alien to religious alienation since specific religions were long associated with particular races or communities. Tamils were mainly Hindus though there were also many Christians among them. Sinhalese were always almost exclusively Buddhists though there were Christians too, and of course Muslims were Islamic or Muslims. The animosity between Buddhist Sinhalese and Hindu Tamils was age-old and manifested in its worst form when the three-decade-long civil or ethnic war began. Both the Muslims and Christians kept themselves out of this two-race rivalry and did not suffer losses until 1990 when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) began a virtual genocide of Muslims in the north-east on the suspicion that they were acting as spies for the Sri Lanka Army just as they did for the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF). Overnight, a staggering 90,000 Muslims were forced to leave behind their homes and business to flee to the safe parts of the country. Quite a number of them settled down in Puttalam, where they continue to live. There were reports at one time that Islamic fundamentalism had taken roots among these refugees, particularly among the young ones. In the absence of any confirmed official identification of the people behind the April 21 terror attacks, all these have to remain inconclusive. But, adding an Indian flavour to the latest Sri Lankan drama is a recent development, which began after the BJP-NDA Government came to rule India. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has established close and intimate ties with the Bodu Bala Sena. They have been attending each others conferences and occasional joint meetings. Both the Indian and Sri Lankan fundamentalist groups are also in contact with a Myanmar counterpart which played the principal role in ousting the Muslim Rohingyas from that country. There is little doubt that the rise of anti-Islamic movements in the three South Asian countries has rung alarm bells for the Muslims in the region. Is the suspected rise of the NTJ in Sri Lanka a reaction to this combined campaign of anti-Islamism? The author reported from Sri Lanka during 1990-96 as the correspondent of a leading Indian newspaper. He frequently writes on developments in the South Asian state. rchopra@tribunemail.com Bhopal, April 29 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath was among the early ones to cast his vote on Monday for the Lok Sabha polls on the states Chhindwara seat, where his son Nakul Nath is the Congress candidate. The Chief Minister, along with his wife, son and daughter-in,-law arrived at a polling booth in Shikapur area to exercise their franchise. Power supply tripped briefly when the Chief Minister and his family were inside the polling booth, election micro-observer Narendra Singh Sisodia told PTI. Polling began in the morning on six Lok Sabha seats of the state and by-election to Chhindwara Assembly constituency. The Lok Sabha constituencies of Sidhi, Shahdol, Jabalpur, Mandla, Balaghat and Chhindwara are going to polls in the first phase of general election in the central state. A poll official said Nath would not be able to exercise his democratic right in the Chhindwara Assembly bypoll as he is a registered voter from Saunsar Assembly seat. Barring the Naxal-affected Baiher, Lanjhi and Paraswada Assembly segments under Balaghat parliamentary seat, polling would be held from 7 am to 6 pm, a poll official said. In the Naxal-affected areas, polling would be held from 7 am to 4 pm, he added. A total of 108 candidates are in the fray in the six Lok Sabha seats, including maximum 26 in Sidhi, followed by Balaghat 23, Jabalpur 22, Chhindwara 14, Shahdol 13 and Mandla 10. Nine candidates are trying their luck in the Chhindwara Assembly bypoll. In 2014, riding on the Modi wave, the BJP had won five of these six Lok Sabha seats. Congress veteran Kamal Nath had won from his bastion Chhindwara, where his son Nakul Nath is the party candidate this time for the Lok Sabha polls. After taking over as Chief Minister following the Congresss victory in the last years Assembly polls, Kamal Nath needs to get elected to the state Legislature within six months. Congress MLA Deepak Saxena quit from the Chhindwara Assembly seat to make way for him. PTI monicakchauhan@gmail.com Kolkata, April 29 Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Babul Supriyo's car was vandalised on Monday in West Bengal's Asansol, but the leader was unharmed in the attack. The attack comes as voting for eight West Bengal constituencies in the fourth phase of Lok the Sabha polls was underway. Supriyo, the sitting MP of the Asansol parliamentary constituency, has been re-nominated by the BJP, where he is pitted against the Trinamool Congress' actor-turned-politician Moon Moon Sen. The incident took place in the Barabani area after he went inside a polling booth to ensure that his party agents were allowed inside. The rear glass of the vehicle was shattered. "They are trying to stop me. But they won't be able to stop me like this. I will move to ensure that BJP agents are allowed," Supriyo told the media. "These men have attacked my car but said I was resorting to hooliganism. It is a ploy to confine me at a place but I will move. "Central force can take charge of the booths but the agents are not able to come out from their houses. I will try to go to as many places as possible and help them. This is the modus operandi of the ruling party," he added. Trinamool workers, on the other hand, alleged that Supriyo and his men had manhandled them. According to Election Commission sources, a detailed report has been sought in the matter. IANS monicakchauhan@gmail.com Washington, April 29 President Donald Trump has criticised India's "big tariffs" on American paper products and the iconic Harley-Davidson bikes, saying the US has been losing billions of dollars to countries like India, China and Japan. Addressing a Republican political rally in Wisconsin state's Green Bay city on Sunday, Trump alleged that every country has been ripping off America for years. The President has repeatedly claimed that India is a "tariff king" and imposes "tremendously high" tariffs on American products. "For so many decades we've been losing tens of billions of dollars to China and Japan, and India, and name any country and we lost, but we're not losing anymore," he said to his cheering supporters. He said that the US was being charged high tariffs on foreign paper products. "We charge other countries zero tariffs on foreign paper products, but when Wisconsin paper companies export it abroad... China charged us big tariffs, India charged us big tariffs, Vietnam charge us massive tariffs," Trump said. He claimed that people of the US demanded a government that puts America first. "And we're doing that with China, we're doing that with India, we're doing that with Japan, we're doing it with a great new trade deal, that hopefully will get approved in the house," the President said. Early this year at a White House event to announce his support for reciprocal tax, Trump had said that he was satisfied with the Indian decision to reduce the import tariff on high-end Harley-Davidson motorcycles from 100 per cent to 50 per cent. The President said that he called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of tariffs on Harley-Davidson motorcycles. "Look at Harley-Davidson. I met with them three years ago, they would tell me tough to do business in certain kind. I asked 'How you're doing in India?' and they said, 'Oh, we don't do any business'. They weren't even complaining because so many years. "So India charged a 100 per cent tariff on Harley-Davidson, but when they send their motorcycles and they may come to us, we charge them nothing," Trump said. "So I called up Prime Minister Modi, I said unfair, he cut it 50 per cent... But that's not good enough because look, it's 50 per cent to nothing. And what we're doing is changing all of that stuff, changing all of that rapidly," he added. India is pressing for exemption from the high duty imposed by the US on certain steel and aluminium products, resumption of export benefits to certain domestic products under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) programme, greater market access for its products from agriculture, automobile, automobile components and engineering sectors. On the other hand, the US is demanding greater market access through a cut in import duties for its agriculture goods, dairy products, medical devices, IT and communication items. India has stated that it would be difficult for them to cut duties on IT products. India's exports to the US in 2017-18 stood at USD 47.9 billion, while imports were USD 26.7 billion. The trade balance is in favour of India. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Colombo, April 29 An Indian is among the 13 foreign nationals arrested by police here for violating Sri Lankan immigration laws during their stay in the country, police said on Monday. The 20-year-old Indian national was arrested from Mount Lavinia without a valid visa on Monday, police spokesman S P Ruwan Gunasekara said, adding that he would be produced before the magistrates court on Tuesday. The others arrested for the crime include 10 Nigerians, an Iraqi and a Thai national staying in different parts of the Lankan capital. They will be produced in the courts on Monday, he was quoted as saying by the Sunday Times. The arrests have come after the Sri Lankan government beefed up security measures following the countrys worst terror attacks on Easter Sunday, killing 253 people and injuring 500 others. A total of 106 suspects, including a Tamil medium teacher and a school principal, have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday blasts. According to Sri Lankas Foreign Ministry, the number of foreign nationals who have been identified as killed remained at 40, including 11 from India. Sri Lanka has a population of 21 million which is a patchwork of ethnicities and religions, dominated by the Sinhalese Buddhist majority. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Dholpur, April 29 Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday described the partys proposed NYAY minimum income guarantee scheme as a diesel for the engine of the Indian economy. Addressing an election rally in Rajasthans Dholpur district, Gandhi said the Congress would deposit Rs 3.6 lakh in bank accounts of five crore women in five years unlike Narendra Modi who, he alleged, opened bank accounts of people, but did not deposit a single penny in them. Gandhi promised to give government jobs to 22 lakh youths in a year and recruit 10 lakh youths in panchayats. He said no farmer would be jailed for not repaying the loan, if the Congress was voted to power. I am not here to lie. Our NYAY scheme will jumpstart the economy. It will be a diesel for the Indian economy. We will deposit Rs 3.6 lakh in five years in bank accounts of 5 crore women, he said in the rally held in Sepau town of this district. The Congress has promised to give an annual income support of Rs 72,000 to poor families under the NYAY scheme. He claimed that unemployment is highest in 45 years and 22 lakh government jobs were lying vacant. We will fill the vacancy in one year after coming to power, Gandhi said. Dholpur, along with 11 seats in Rajasthan, will go to polls on May 6. Thirteen seats of the state are voting on Monday. PTI amansharma@tribunemail.com Islamabad, April 29 Pakistans military on Monday once again claimed that there was no damage in the Balakot air strike carried out by India and asserted that it will facilitate the Indian journalists if they wish to visit the area to see the truth. Addressing a press conference at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, Pakistan military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor alleged that India had been lying repeatedly and Pakistan has not responded to those lies. Since the last two months India has been continuing to lie. As a responsible country we have not responded to their lies, he said. The truth is that there was an incident in Pulwama. Attacks on the police in Pulwama have happened before. There was no damage at our end in Balakot. We took local and foreign media there to show them [the truth]. We will facilitate Indian media if they choose to come to Balakot to see the truth, Ghafoor was quoted as saying by Geo News. Tensions flared up between India and Pakistan after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF personnel in Kashmirs Pulwama district on February 14. Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting the biggest JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured an IAF pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1. Ghafoor said Pakistan was waiting for the appropriate time to honour our pilots who downed the Indian planes. India has not said what happened in Pakistans counter-strike, he said. The Army spokesperson also warned India not to test Pakistans resolve. India must not test Pakistans resolve. It is not 1971 anymore, he said. After the aerial confrontation, India said one of its MiG-21 fighter jets downed a Pakistani F-16 before itself being shot down on February 27. Pakistan, however, has consistently denied the Indian Air Forces claim, saying none of its aircraft was shot down during the weeks of tensions between the two nuclear-armed countries. Pakistan also claims to have shot a second Indian Air Force jet during the engagement, a claim India has dismissed. We downed two Indian planes in the process, the whole world saw their debris and you [India] still claimed that one of the two planes was ours and one of our own pilots died, as we had initially said that two Indian pilots had been captured, and then said that there was only one. You [India] said that we have changed our statement because one pilot was our own, Ghafoor said. We got initial information through the proper channel, then on the ground, I personally found out that only one person had been captured and I sent out the correction myself. How is it that you are ready to accept one of our statement, not the other? he was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper. We have not retaliated because we want peace [...] we asked you [India] to ask America about our F-16s strength. In this day and age, hiding the downing of a plane is impossible. In this time, even if a motorcycle crashes the world finds out, he added. Ghafoor also criticised India for using the threat of nuclear weapons, saying they were weapon(s) of deterrence. He said India should to change its attitude towards Pakistan instead of asking us to change attitude. Ghafoor also accused India of funding Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a tribal region based rights group, to destabilise Pakistan. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com New Delhi, April 29 Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday filed a fresh affidavit in the Supreme Court after a notice was issued to him in a contempt case for his remarks on the Rafale case verdict and again expressed regret for attributing the Chowkidar chor hai remarks to the apex court. The Congress President also sought dismissal of the contempt petition filed by BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi, saying it was an abuse of the process of the court. In his counter-affidavit, Gandhi expressed regret for the Chowkidar chor hai remark on Prime Minister Narendra Modi while referring to the Rafale judgment. It is also clear that no court would ever do that and hence the unfortunate references (for which I express regret) to the court order and to the political slogan in juxtaposition the same breath in the heat of political campaigning was ought not to be construed as suggesting that the court had given any finding or conclusion on that issue, he said in his affidavit. The apex court had on April 23 issued notice to Gandhi on a criminal contempt petition filed against him by Lekhi for his remarks. In his affidavit, Gandhi said he did not have the slightest or remotest intention to bring the court into political arena, or bring it into disrepute by attributing something which the court had not said. At the outset, it is clarified that the answering respondent (Gandhi) did not have the slightest or remotest intention, desire or even thought process to bring the court into the political arena, or bring it into disrepute or attribute to it deliberately or wilfully that which the court has not said or meant, he said. Gandhi said, Several limbs of the government and of the ruling party have repeatedly stated that the December 14 last years order of the apex court constitute a clean chit to the government. The answering respondent (Gandhi) would also submit that his statement on April 10, 2019, had also been made in that context, purely politically, to counter the aforesaid misinformation campaign being led by senior functionaries of the BJP as well as the government that the judgment of this court dated December 14, 2018, was a clean chit to the government regarding all the aspect of the Rafale deal, he said. It is also noteworthy that the Rafale issue which had been and continues to be one of the most prominent political and social issues in this country for many months and despite the matter being sub-judice it has been the subject of incessant discussion in civil society and the media, he said. The counsel appearing for Gandhi mentioned the matter before a Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and said they be allowed to file a reply on the contempt notice. The Bench, also comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, allowed advocate Sunil Fernandes, who was appearing for Gandhi, to file the counter-affidavit. The apex court had earlier said it will hear the criminal contempt petition on April 30. PTI laxmi@tribune.com PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 28 The body of three-year-old Tejpal Singh, who was allegedly kidnapped yesterday afternoon, was found at Pandori Waraich village here today. The police have arrested a suspect, a resident of the same village. The police had registered a case of kidnapping after the boy was reported missing from outside his house. His body was found inside a vacant under-construction residential house in the area. Police authorities suspect it to be a case of child sacrifice. Jatinder Kumar, alias Bitta, of the same village was arrested from Katra in Jammu within 24 hours of the childs disappearance. The victims father, Surjit Singh, told the police that Tejpal was playing outside and failed to return home. SP (investigations), Amritsar Rural, Harpal Singh said police teams were formed and CCTV footage was scrutinised. Jatinder was seen taking away the child and a manhunt was launched. The police learnt that Jatinder had taken a bus for Jammu and despatched a team to Katra, where he was arrested. The police found the body bearing facial injury marks inside the vacant house. The victim was apparently killed with bricks. The SP said it seemed to be a case of sacrificial killing. Three earthen lamps were found at the site. editorial@tribune.com Lahore, April 28 A 500-year-old well, believed to have been built during the lifetime of the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Dev, has been discovered at the enclosure of a gurdwara on the Kartarpur corridor, which will facilitate easy passage of Sikh pilgrims to the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. The well was discovered while digging the enclosure of Gurdwara Dera Sahib Kartarpur, 125 km from Lahore, on the Kartarpur corridor, said Gobind Singh, caretaker of the gurdwara. The 20-foot well, made of small red bricks and believed to have been built during the lifetime of Guru Nanak, would be opened to the visitors after its restoration, he said. It will also be a great attraction for the Indian Sikhs due here on the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, he said. During the time of Guru Nanak the water of this well was so sweet that the Sikh pilgrims believed that it was a gift of the founding leader and could rid them of ailments, he said. Kartarpur Sahib is located in Pakistans Narowal district across the river Ravi, about 4 km from Dera Baba Nanak shrine. The corridor will facilitate visa-free travel of Indian Sikh pilgrims to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur. PTI rchopra@tribunemail.com Jaswant Shetra Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 29 Four members of a marriage party, including the bride, were killed when the SUV in which the newlywed couple was travelling collided with a combine here this morning. The Mahindra Bolero was heading towards Tibba Road here from Jagadhri in Haryana after the wedding when it met with the accident near Dhandari Kalan on the New Delhi-Amritsar highway. Two others, including the groom, were injured. The deceased have been identified as 22-year-old bride Heena, Zareena, Jamshed Alam and Husan Bano. The injured are groom Anjum (25) and Rukhsana, his relative. The injured have been admitted to SPS Apollo Hospital, where the grooms condition is stated to be critical. The grooms family said they had left Jagadhri around 5 am and the accident took place around 7.30 am. Sources said Jamshed Alam was driving the SUV, which was badly damaged in the crash. The driver of the combine fled the scene. Area residents pulled the victims out of the mangled SUV and took them to hospital, where the bride and three others were declared brought dead. Sahnewal SHO Iqbal Singh said the police have registered a case under Sections 279 (rash or negligent driving) and 304 (homicide not amounting to murder) of the IPC against the unidentified driver of the combine. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2019 > Beyond Poll Rhetoric EDITORIAL As we go to press, Varanasi is witnessing a mega road-show of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the temple town before the Ganga arati in the evening; the PM will file his nomination for the Lok Sabha polls from the city tomorrow morning. At the same time, as is the norm these days, during the road-show the media, mainly the electronic media, went out of its way to ridicule the Congress on the belated decision of party General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra not to contest from Varanasi despite having initially expressed her desire to do so to give a tough challenge to the current head of the Union Government. If one dispassionately ponders over Priyankas eventual decision, one would find that the move is not a sign of weakness on the part of Priyanka or her party, as is being made out by some sections of the media to curry favour with the ruling party at the Centre, but a highly mature stand conditioned by the necessity to reinforce the Congress election campaign in the entire eastern UP which Priyanka is presently engaged in. If she had stuck to her original decision to contest from Varanasi she would have not been able to carry out that onerous but imperative task. The election process is now in full swing. Polling has already concluded for over half of the total Lok Sabha seats with the end of the third phase last Tuesday (April 23) that recorded an overall 66 per cent turnout over 15 States and Union Territories. Yet what is noteworthy is that the level of the campaign this time has declined to an all-time low. All sections of the contestants and political leaders are responsible for such a development. Yet the PM, the principal campaigner of the ruling party, and his lieutenant, the BJP General Secretary, must bear the prime responsibility for this situation. What is also most significant, this decline in the level of campaign has struck a body blow to our democracy. This is the grim reality which we cannot overlook or ignore. In the midst of such a dismal scenario there is a ray of hope. A young scholar from New Delhis Jawaharlal Nehru University, Kanhaiya Kumar, is contesting the polls from a constituency in Bihar which had at one time been described as the Lenin- grad of India due to its communist base. The point is not the politics Kanhaiya subscribes to but the maturity with which he is able to put forward his viewpoint. It is he who was incarcerated in prison on the specious allegation of having resorted to anti-national utterances; but the charge was later found to be totally baseless. It is Kanhaiya who is calling for not just Left unity but a broad secular-democratic unity to resist the Narendra Modi dispensations attempts to alter the Constitution that the PM and his followers are openly advocating. Beyond the poll rhetoric, it is essential to compre-hend what is at stake today. The defence of our democracy, secularism and Constitution is of utmost importance in the light of whatever is happening now. That indeed is what Kanhaiya Kumar has been highlighting. Regardless of the outcome of these elections Kanhaiyas position on this score is of inestimable value. April 25 S.C. harinder@tribunemail.com Ravi Dhaliwal Tribune News Service Gurdaspur, April 28 Actor and BJP candidate from Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency Sunny Deol will fly back to Mumbai to cast his vote after filing his nomination and addressing a rally at PUDA ground, Tibri road, tomorrow. Deol, who reached Amritsar today, will be casting his vote in Mumbai North West segment. The BJP headquarters in New Delhi is making his travel arrangements. The actor is scheduled to reach the rally venue accompanied by his father and veteran actor Dharmendra, brother Bobby Deol and Punjabi film actor and lawyer Deep Sidhu. Sidhu is considered to be close to the Deol family and is the actors pointsman in the constituency. He arrived a couple of days ago and is coordinating with the local leadership. Since Deols itinerary is being chalked out by the BJP headquarters, local leaders were unaware of his travel plans. Former MP Vinod Khannas widow Kavita, who expressed her disappointment with the party after being denied the ticket, and Mumbai-based businessman Swaran Salaria, who unsuccessfully contested the 2017 bypoll, will be accompanying Deol when he files his papers. Both of them are flying in from New Delhi to Pathankot in a chartered plane along with Union Minister Gen VK Singh. It is believed that some senior leaders impressed upon both Kavita and Salaria to be present during the filing of the nomination so that the party projects a united face and that a positive message is delivered to the party cadres. SSP Swarandeep Singh today personally monitored the security arrangements. Security will be tight keeping in view the fan following of the Deol family, he said. Sources disclosed that Sunny Deol will stay away from the constituency for a couple of days as the party has assigned him campaigning duties. Observers, however, claim that with time running out and with the Congress candidate, Sunil Jakhar, having started his campaign about a fortnight ago, this move could prove to be detrimental to the BJP. Earlier in the day, Deol met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in New Delhi before he flew in to Amritsar. Akali Dal and BJP workers have been told to reach the venue in a big way from all the nine Assembly seats of this parliamentary constituency. The Congress will definitely get unnerved after seeing the strength at tomorrows gathering. We are going all out to ensure the event is a success, said Ravi Karan Kahlon, SAD (youth wing) in-charge of Majha zone. What struck me about Sunny Deol is his humility and deep passion for a better India. Happy to have met him today. We are all rooting for his victory in Gurdaspur. We both agree Hindustan zindabad hai, tha aur rahega (Deols dialogue hailing the country from superhit movie Gadar) Narendra Modi, Prime Minister editorial@tribune.com Aman Sood Tribune News Service Patiala, April 28 Congress candidate from Patiala Preneet Kaur on Sunday said she had no problem in asking for votes from anyone, including Dera followers if they are registered voters of my constituency. Following rumours of her asking and approaching voters from a particular sect, Preneet clarified that she would ask for votes from all voters. Speaking to The Tribune, the former Union Minister of State for External Affairs said For me every person in Patiala, who is eligible to cast his or her vote, should be approached. I do not look at Patiala residents from the point of view of their religious faith, religious inclination, caste or creed. When we go out, we meet those who are Akali or AAP supporters as well. We do ask them for votes. In the same manner, Dera followers are approached without the mention of their faith, she said. Talking particularly about Dera followers, Preneet said they were also residents of the state and there was nothing wrong in asking them for votes because an MP represents everyone. I never said I will visit religious places or meet Dera heads to seek votes from their followers. I am clear that anyone who is eligible to vote in my constituency should be told about Congress achievements and our policies, she stated. Preneet is visiting pockets with significant Dera followers and seeking votes as she is doing in other areas. Preneets statement assumes significance as the Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar had categorically stated that the party would not seek Sirsa sects support. Even the SAD had stated that it would follow Akal Takhts edict of not taking support of the Dera. The BJP the alliance partner of Akali Dal which the Dera had supported in the 2014 Haryana Assembly polls, is the only party from Punjab that has not denied taking its support. Even the AAP is against reaching out to the Sirsa Dera. Till 2017 Punjab Assembly polls, almost all political parties were trying to woo Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda. However, the situation took a turn in the aftermath of Dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singhs conviction in a rape case and suspected role of his followers in a series of sacrilege incidents during the previous SAD-BJP regime. harinder@tribunemail.com Perneet Singh Tribune News Service Bathinda, April 28 Sitting on a cot at the grain market, Jagsir Singh, a farmer owning three acres of land, seems to be staring at an uncertain future. Successive governments at the state and the Centre have left the farming community disillusioned, he says, wondering who to vote for these coming elections, as are thousands of farmers in Punjab. With procurement on full swing, poll contestants are approaching them at mandis. But the farmers show little interest in hearing them out. The Swaminathan Commission report almost discarded, they believe no policy has been rolled out to help them diversify into more remunerative crops. Jagsir Singh, who hails from Jassi Pauwali village in Bathinda, has three children, all of them matriculate and doing odd jobs. I never had enough money to educate them further and send them to good colleges and universities, he says. Rising input costs and vagaries of weather over the last decade has made farming all the more unviable. The Centre has done nothing substantive to address farm distress. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme is a mere eyewash, he adds. Balwinder Singh of Gulabgarh village too calls the central scheme a cruel joke on the farmers, pointing out that even daily wagers earn more than Rs 6,000 a year. The cotton yield was good this year, but cultivators didnt get the desired price even as government agencies refrained from making purchases. Many of us resorted to distress sale, he says. Harpal Singh of Naruana village seems to be inclined towards the Amarinder Singh government. The government could not ensure total debt waiver, but it made a beginning with a debt relief of up to Rs 2 lakh. No government can write off the entire debt in one go, he tells The Tribune. At the same time he is all too aware that a waiver cant be a permanent solution. The government must fix crop prices as per the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission. No farmer would ask for a waiver, if he gets remunerative prices for the produce, he says. Gurdeep Singh of Katarsinghwala village says that promised a waiver, many farmers in Punjab stopped repaying loans, resulting in accrual of interest. They are now under deeper debt, he says, still undecided on the party he will vote for. uttara@tribuneindia.com Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 2 Punjab and Haryana High Court asked Shiromani Akali Dal leaders Sukhbir Singh Badal and Bikram Singh Majithia to appear in court on July 11 in connection with some statements they reportedly made against a commission that was inquiring into sacrilege cases in the state. Former judge of Punjab and Haryana High court Ranjit Singh has accused the two leaders of sullying the commissions reputation. The court is hearing petitions he filed seeking criminal action for the statements. In Mondays hearing Justice Amit Rawal heard counsel for Badal and Majithia ask the court to exempt them from personal appearance, a plea that Justice Ranjit Singhs counsel opposed. Justice Rawal granted the two leaders exemption from appearance on Monday that leaders of such eminence were unlikely to flee the country. Therefore, I deem it appropriate to grant exemption to the respondents from appearance in person today and direct them to appear on the next date of hearing, he said, but made it clear that the exemption from personal appearance was only for Mondays hearing. harinder@tribunemail.com Vishav Bharti Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 28 In the past decade, a number of attempts to replace the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) with a genuine regional party have proved futile, creating but a temporary flutter. Be it Peoples Party of Punjab, Aam Aadmi Party or Lok Insaaf Party, all have miserably failed to dislodge the mighty SAD. In the poll race this time are the Punjab Ekta Party (PEP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali), both of which claim to be the real representatives of Punjabis.The PEP came into being only last year after seven MLAs led by Sukhpal Khaira parted ways with AAP. Likewise, a faction of Majha leaders revolted against the leadership of Sukhbir Badal and Bikram Majithia and formed the SAD (Taksali). The Taksalis are led by Member of Parliament RS Brahampura and former ministers Sewa Singh Sekhwan and Ratan Singh Ajnala. Their influence is limited to the Majha belt. It initially seemed that the seven AAP MLAs from different parts of the state who revolted against the partys Delhi leadership would emerge as an alternative to the SAD. Soon, it was all too clear that this would not happen. One by one, these MLAs began deserting Khaira some returned to the parent party, others turned silent. AAP MLA from Mansa Nazar Singh Manshahia recently switched over to the Congress, dealing another body blow to the party. The 56-year engineering graduate had won in 2017, polling about 40% votes. Nevertheless, Khaira is pretty hopeful these elections will prove a new beginning for them. He cites the example of Pakistam Premier Imran Khan. The PEP is one of the seven constituents of the Punjab Democratic Alliance (PDA). Owing to incidents of sacrilege as well as agrarian crisis, the SAD has lost credibility. Also, there is a strong anti-incumbency sentiment against the Congress, he says. Sewa Singh Sekhwan agrees with him. We will surely build a third alternative, taking all genuine forces along. We are looking at SGPC elections and 2022 Assembly elections, he says. But observers believe neither the PEP nor the Taksalis will leave a mark on Punjabs political landscape. The fundamental problem is that these parties claim they are a better version of the Akali Dal, not an alternative.The only hope came from AAP, but they too fell in the pit when they tried to appropriate the SAD base. So the PEP and SAD (Taksali) may play mega spoilers, they say. editorial@tribune.com Perneet Singh Tribune News Service Bathinda, April 28 Former Akali minister Bikram Singh Majithia aka Majhe da Jarnail is leading the partys charge in the high-profile Bathinda constituency in Malwa region. Camping in Bathinda for the last over one week, Majithia has been in the thick of action, strategising and garnering support for his sister and two-time sitting MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who is pitted against Congress Gidderbaha MLA Amrinder Singh Raja Warring. Majithia has been regularly holding meetings and addressing small public meetings. Incidentally, this is not the first time that he has been playing a crucial role in his sisters election campaign in Bathinda. He was instrumental in ensuring her win in the 2009 and 2014 elections, although in 2014, he was a bit tied to Amritsar, which witnessed a high-stakes battle between Capt Amarinder Singh and Arun Jaitley. It would be different this time, as the brother-sister duo will have to largely carry the partys campaign in Bathinda on their shoulders. The reason being that SAD patriarch Parkash Singh Badal isnt campaigning much due to health issues, while party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal is contesting from Ferozepur. Besides, Sukhbir will also have to address rallies in other constituencies. Replying to a query regarding Warring building a narrative of commoner versus mighty, he said everyone was free to dream and build his own narrative. I wish everybody has been a commoner like Warring who moves around in a Land Cruiser and has assets worth crores, he said. Majithia accused the ruling Congress of raking up the sacrilege issue against the SAD, as it has done nothing that might prompt the people to vote for them. The people can see through their designs and wont fall for it, he claimed. Black flags shown SAD candidate from Bathinda Harsimrat Kaur Badal was shown black flags over sacrilege issue by residents at Harraipur village on the Bathinda-Amritsar highway during a campaign on Sunday. Activists of the Dastar Federation and Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj protested against her by showing her black flags. Pargat Singh Bhodipura, national president, Dastar Federation, said "We have shown black flags to the SAD candidate because the Akalis took no action in sacrilege and police firing incidents. Moreover, they are now trying to influence probe by getting an honest officer transferred out of the SIT. amansharma@tribunemail.com Chandigarh, April 29 Bollywood actor Sunny Deol, known for his thrillers like Gadar, Ghayal and Border and fighting as a BJP candidate for the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat, has declared total assets, including that of his wife, as Rs 87.18 crore. Deol, whose real name is Ajay Singh Deol, declared the assets in his affidavit to the Election Commission, filed on Monday along with his nomination papers. His affidavit on assets and liabilities showed his income to be Rs 63.82 lakh in 2017-18, Rs 96.29 lakh in 2016-17 and Rs 2.25 crore in 2015-16. Deol, who had won national film award for his movies Ghayal and Damini, declared his total assets along with that of his spouse at Rs 87.18 crore. His affidavit put the values of his movable and immovable assets at Rs 60.46 crore and Rs 21 crore, respectively. Deol who described himself professionally as an actor, director, producer in film industry, showed a sum of Rs 26 lakh as cash-in-hand with his wife Lynda Deol having Rs 16 lakh as cash-in-hand. Among movable assets, Deol declared bank deposits and investments at Rs 9.36 lakh and Rs 1.43 crore, respectively. In his affidavit, he declared having vehicles worth Rs 1.69 crore, without disclosing their details. He also disclosed gold jewellery worth Rs 1.56 crore belonging to his wife while affirming that he has no valuable articles in his personal possession. Among immovable assets, the actor declared agriculture land, non-agricultural land and a flat at Oshiwara complex in Mumbai with a total worth of Rs 21 crore. Deol also declared a total liability of Rs 51.79 crore, including dues worth Rs 2.49 crore (with GST dues Rs 1.07 crore) to the government. As for his educational qualification, the actor mentioned having secured a diploma in acting and theatre from The Old Rep theatre, Birmingham (UK) in 1977-78. He has shown his address as Dharmendra House, Ville Parle, Mumbai. As BJP Gurdaspur nominee, Deol will take on sitting Congress MP and party candidate Sunil Jakhar, AAPs Peter Masih and PDAs Lal Chand. Polling on all the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will be held in the seventh and final phase on May 19. PTI harinder@tribunemail.com Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 28 With imports from Pakistan at the Attari ICP reduced from 200 trucks to about five trucks every day, labourers, transporters and businessmen are all seething with anger. Trade has been hit with the NDA government at the Centre raising the Customs duty on imports by 200 per cent following the Pulwama terror attack. Most of the labourers at the ICP have been rendered jobless while small transporters have been forced off the road. Their annoyance with the BJP-led government at the Centre may affect the SAD-BJP prospects in the elections, especially in the Amritsar constituency. It will take a lot for the leaders of these parties to pacify the transporters. Gursahib Singh claims 6,000 porters from nearby villages have been left without work. Amrik Singh of Bachiwind village in Ajnala tehsil of Amritsar puts the number of registered porters and helpers at 1,433 each. They have now taken up odd jobs in the city while unregistered workers have returned to their families in UP and Maharashtra, he says. As of now, less than 200 persons are reportedly employed at the ICP, he adds. Unable to pay loan and quarterly tax returns, truck operator Sukhdev Singh of Gharinda village says he has sold three of his five trucks. It has been more than two-and- a- half months since the imports plummeted to a fraction. Nobody knows how long this will last. We want normalcy to be restored. Conflict will be ruinous, he says pensively. With trade booming before the Pulwama incident, transporters residing in nearby villages were operating 500 trucks, claims Attari Truck Union chief Subeg Singh. This number may have dwindled to 250. Unable to pay insurance installments and meet maintenance cost, most have sold off their trucks, he says. Anurag Tripathi, Central Warehouse Corporation Punjab head, says import merchandise, worth Rs 25lakh-Rs 30 lakh per day earlier, has declined to about Rs 1 lakh. harinder@tribunemail.com PRESIDING at the ninth session of the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan held in Bombay, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya entered an eloquent plea for the recognition of Hindi as the lingua franca of India. In giving his reasons why Hindi should be made the national language of India, he observed that though English was in a way a world-language, it was too difficult for the masses to learn it. He contended that Hindi came naturally to Indian people. If they read, he said, Gujarati, Marathi, and Bengali poems of a few centuries ago they could not but be struck by the similarity of their language to Hindi. Pandit Malaviya suggested that Hindi should be used as a medium of instruction in our educational institutions, that it should be taught to children in provinces other than those where it was spoken, side by side with their vernaculars, and that every effort should be made to develop it. harinder@tribunemail.com IN the course of a letter published in the Abhudaya of Allahabad, Lala Lajpat Rai expressed emphatic condemnation of revolutionary activities as misguided and baneful in consequences. The revolutionaries, he thinks, are absolutely on the wrong track. He says:-Terrorism has never produced any beneficial results. It is a disturbing elementan element of deviation from real work, an element of destruction and demoralisation. I wish, he proceeds, my voice could reach the revolutionaries of India. They may not accept my advice but I would strongly advise them to stop all secret work, to stop all terrorism, to stop dacoities and to put their hands to open constructive work on the lines on which the new world is going to be built up. pardeepdhull@gmail.com Kathmandu, April 29 A total of 3,000 kg of solid waste has been collected from the Mt Everest region since the beginning of the Nepal government-backed Sagarmatha Cleaning Campaign on April 14, the media reported on Monday. Dandu Raj Ghimire, Director General of Department of Tourism, informed that of the total garbage collected so far, 2,000 kg has been sent to Okhaldhunga while 1,000 kg has been brought to Kathmandu using Nepali Army helicopters for disposal, reports The Himalayan Times. Our team has now reached the Everest Base Camp for the cleaning campaign. All the necessary things including food, water and shelter have already been arranged there, Ghimire said. The Department estimates that around 23 million Nepalese rupees will be spent for the campaign. Under this campaign we will be collecting around 5,000 kg of garbage from the Base Camp area, while 2,000 kg of garbage will be collected from the South Col region and around 3,000 kg from Camp II and Camp III areas, Ghimire added. The team also located four bodies while cleaning the Base Camp. This is the first time that the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Environment, Nepali Army, Nepal Mountaineering Association, Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality and Nepal Tourism Board are working jointly to clean up the worlds highest peak. The Department has estimated that at least 500 foreign climbers and over 1,000 climbing support staff will visit higher camps of Mt Everest as well as Mt Lhotse, the fourth tallest mountain. IANS sanjiv@tribunemail.com Seattle (US), April 28 A construction crane fell from a building on Googles new Seattle campus during a storm that brought wind gusts, crashing down onto one of the citys busiest streets and killing four people. One woman and three men had died by the time firefighters arrived on Saturday afternoon, Fire Chief Harold Scoggins said. Two of the dead were ironworkers who had been inside the crane while the other two were people who were inside cars, Fire Department spokesman Lance Garland said. A 25-year-old woman and her 4-month-old daughter were in a car that was smashed by the crane on its passenger side, and both managed to escape with only minor injuries, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said, calling it a miracle. They and a 28-year-old man were taken to Harborview Medical Centre. A fourth person also was injured and treated. AP sanjiv@tribunemail.com Colombo, April 28 A total of 106 suspects, including a Tamil medium teacher and a school principal, have been arrested in Sri Lanka in connection with the Easter Sunday blasts, police said on Sunday, even as the Islamic State claimed the three militants who blew themselves up during a raid in the Eastern province were its members. As the country marked a week since the coordinated blasts hit three churches and three luxury hotels, killing 253 people and injuring over 500 others, police and security forces continued their hunt for members of the National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ), the local terror outfit behind the attack. The CID is carrying out the interrogation of the 106 suspects, Colombo Page reported. The arrested people include a 40-year-old Tamil medium school teacher who was found in possession of 50 SIM cards and other incriminating items, the report said. He was held following a joint operation conducted by the Kalpitiya Police and the Navy. In a special joint operation conducted by the Army and police in Vavuniya town, 10 suspects were arrested. On a tip-off, main roads were blocked and search operations carried out for nearly three hours. Security has also been stepped-up in the area. PTI Nationwide night curfew lifted sanjiv@tribunemail.com Los Angeles, April 28 A gunman opened fire at a synagogue in California, killing one person and injuring three others, including the rabbi as worshippers marked the final day of Passover, officials said on Saturday. The shooting in the town of Poway came exactly six months after a white supremacist shot dead 11 people at Pittsburghs Tree of Life synagogue the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the history of the US. During the shooting, four individuals were wounded and transported to Palimar hospital. One succumbed to their wounds. The other three are in stable condition, San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore told a press conference. Gore told reporters a 19-year-old man from the city of San Diego had been detained over the shooting, and added investigators were reviewing his social media activity and establishing the legitimacy of an open letter published online. He said police were called shortly before 11:30 am after the man entered the synagogue and opened fire with an AR-15 type weapon. AR-15 assault rifles have been used in many mass shootings in the US. AFP uttara@tribuneindia.com Washington, April 29 US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday warned that Russia would seek to interfere in elections for decades ahead and vowed that Washington would try to thwart its efforts. Pompeo was asked if he expected Russia to meddle in next year's US election, after a long-awaited report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller found that Moscow tried to sway the 2016 presidential race to Donald Trump. The top US diplomat said to expect a similar Russian campaign next year but criticized the spotlight inside Washington on the Russian role, which has infuriated President Donald Trump. "It goes without saying, they were a threat to our elections in 1974, too, and they interfered in our elections in the '80s," Pompeo told a forum of The Hill newspaper. "The fact that this town seems shocked by the fact that the Russians don't care for usin that case the Soviet UnionI find stunning," he said. "And we should expect in 2050, the Russians will be at it still." Pompeo, however, said that Trump "has directed us all to be incredibly focused" on countering meddling by Russia as well as other adversaries. The Mueller investigation, which had cast a shadow over Trump since he took office, documented widespread Russian attempts to influence the election but did not find that the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow. Trump has since voiced anger on the rival Democratic Party for challenging him on Russia, insisting that he won on his own merits. Russia denies election interference and accuses the United States of wrongful meddling of its own in the domestic affairs of countries such as Venezuela. AFP monicakchauhan@gmail.com Colombo, April 29 Sri Lankan security officials have warned that Islamist militants behind Easter Sundays suicide bombings are planning imminent attacks and could be dressed in military uniforms. The militants were targeting five locations for attacks on Sunday or Monday, security sources said. There could be another wave of attacks, the head of ministerial security division (MSD), a unit of the police, said in a letter to lawmakers and other officials, seen by Reuters on Monday. The relevant information further notes that persons dressed in military uniforms and using a van could be involved in the attacks. There were no attacks on Sunday, and security across Sri Lanka has been ramped up, with scores of suspected Islamists arrested since the April 21 attacks on hotels and churches that killed more than 250 people, including 40 foreign nationals. Two cabinet ministers and two opposition lawmakers confirmed to Reuters that they were aware of the latest security alert. We have been informed about this by the MSD, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said. Govt bans face veils The government has also banned women from wearing face veils under an emergency law that was put in place after the attacks. There were concerns within the Muslim community that the ban could fuel tensions in the multi-ethnic nation. But government officials said it would help security forces identify people as a hunt for any remaining attackers and their support network continues across the Indian Ocean island, which was gripped by civil war for decades until 2009. Authorities suspect members of two little known groups - National Thawheedh Jamaath (NTJ) and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim - of carrying out the Easter attacks, though Islamic State has claimed responsibility. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said a tight-knit group of people was involved, mostly close friends and families. They spoke face-to-face, possibly to evade electronic surveillance. They (the group) were small enough that they were not using normal communications, instead meeting each other, Wickremesinghe told Reuters. He added the coordinated bombings, the type of explosives used and the tightly guarded plot suggested the bombers had guidance. ISIS (Islamic State) has claimed, we also felt there has to be some international links, he said. Row over police chief Many Sri Lankans believe a deep rift between President Maithripala Sirisena and Wickremesinghe has also undermined national security. Sirisena fired Wickremesinghe last year, after months of tension, only to be forced to reinstate him under pressure from the Supreme Court. Since then their relationship has deteriorated further to the point where their factions actively try to undermine each other, including not sharing security information, defence sources say. Sirisena said on Monday he had appointed Chandana Wickramaratne, the second in command at the police, as acting police chief. Over the weekend, two sources at the presidents office told Reuters that Pujith Jayasundara, the police chief who was appointed by Wickremesinghe, was refusing the presidents request to step down for not sharing information about the attacks. Since there is an investigation into his possible failure in preventing the attacks, Jayasundara has been sent on compulsory leave, a source close to the president told Reuters. It was not immediately possible to contact Jayasundara on Monday. In India, police said they had raided the homes of three people in the southern state of Kerala, close to Sri Lanka, in connection with their links to Islamic State. They did not say if there was any connection to the attacks in Sri Lanka. Reuters monicakchauhan@gmail.com Colombo, April 29 Female bombers posing as devotees may have been planning to attack Sri Lanka's Buddhist temples after authorities seized white clothes from a house that was raided following Easter Sunday blasts, a media report said on Monday. The Sri Lankan intelligence agency has received inputs of possible attacks on Buddhist temples by female bombers of the banned local terror outfit National Thawheeth Jamath (NTJ) after police found white pairs of skirts and blouses from the house which was raided after the explosion in Sainthamuruthu area in the Eastern province, raising suspicion that the attackers might pose as Buddhist devotees, the Daily Mirror reported. On March 29, Muslim women had spent 29,000 Sri Lankan rupees (USD 166) to purchase nine sets of such clothes from a textile shop in Giriulla, the report said. The CCTV footage of the shop shows the visuals of these women who purchased clothes from the shop. So far, five sets of white clothes have been found from this house and intelligence services are trying to find the remaining clothes. Sri Lankan authorities say that there was one women among the nine bombers who carried out the country's worst terror attack, killing 253 people and injuring over 500 others. Six children and three women were among 15 people killed on Saturday when militants linked to the Easter Sunday bombings opened fire and blew themselves up during a fierce gun battle with security forces in the Sri Lanka's Eastern province. The shootout occurred as the security forces continued their hunt for members of the NTJ. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan government has banned Muslim women from wearing any form of face veils in public from Monday. President Maithripala Sirisena, who used emergency powers in the wake of the Easter Sunday bombings, prohibited the use of face coverings of all sorts which is an obstacle to ensure the identity of the people and a threat to national and public security. The order clarifies that the key criterion for establishing the identity of a person is the need to clearly expose the face. A total of 106 suspects, including a Tamil medium teacher and a school principal, have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday blasts. According to Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry, the number of foreign nationals who have been identified as killed remained at 40, including 11 from India. Sri Lanka has a population of 21 million which is a patchwork of ethnicities and religions, dominated by the Sinhalese Buddhist majority. PTI Climate Gains in the West, Exported Pollution in the Rest Recently, President Duterte slammed Canada for sending waste to the Philippines. Yet, the challenge is huge. Exported pollution from advanced economies penalizes the rest of the world and distorts climate gains. President Dutertes statement ensued after environmental groups renewed call for Canada to take back waste sent to the Philippines in the Aquino era, some six years ago. According to the Pacific Center for Environmental Law and Litigation (PCELL), Ontario-based Chronic Inc. shipped 40-foot containers to the country in 2013, which is considered illegal traffic under Article 9 of the Basel Convention. More than 100 shipping containers arrived in Philippine ports around 2013-14. The toxic discovery, made on Mindanao, is the third time in recent years that the Philippines has served as a dumping ground for hazardous foreign trash. South Korea has been the culprit on two occasions. Along with the Philippines, both South Korea and Canada are signatories to the Convention. In the 2017 ASEAN Summit, Canadas PM Justin Trudeau pledged to Duterte that Canada is working hard to resolve the issue. Trudeau portrays himself as a committed proponent of carbon tax at home and of climate-change struggle internationally. Yet, little progress has been achieved. Exporting pollution Effective since 1992, the international Basel Convention was created to reduce the movements of hazardous waste between nations and to prevent transfer of hazardous waste to the Third World. Yet, it failed to contain the fatal practices. As a result, China, in summer 2017, imposed a ban on more than 20 types of waste imports, including recyclable plastic. As it became effective in January 2018, the waste plastic commodity market took a hit and behind-the-facade dumping likely intensified elsewhere as waste shippers sought to escape regulatory penalties at home. In the early 1990s many advanced economies still refused to take responsibility for the waste in the Third World saying they had little or nothing to do with it. The statements relied on research claiming that only 4% of hazardous wastes that came from OECD countries were shipped across international borders. In reality, recent studies of carbon trade indicate that 25% or more of the worlds total emissions have been offshored into less-wealthy economies. Heres the bottom line of the pollution haven hypothesis: When major advanced economies set up factories or offices abroad, they often look for the cheapest option in terms of resources, labor, land, and material access. Consequently, environmentally unsound practices expose vulnerable developing economies, which tend to have less stringent environmental regulations. For instance, when Americans turn spent batteries to be recycled, they often end up in Mexico, where the lead is extracted by crude methods that are illegal in the U.S., due to tougher environmental standards on lead pollution. To avoid costly regulation at home, U.S. battery industry exports the lead to Mexico, which thus serves as Americas pollution heaven. Today, there is increasing awareness of the detrimental impact of CO2 pollution on the world climate, yet countries vary widely in how they design and enforce environmental laws. That allows some multinational firms to look environmentally friendly in their advanced economies, even as they dump waste into less prosperous economies, which are then charged for pollution. According to new research, firms headquartered in countries with strict environmental policies perform their polluting activities abroad; in countries with relatively weaker policies. Typically, these effects are stronger for firms in high-polluting industries and with poor corporate governance characteristics. Although firms export pollution, they nevertheless emit less overall CO2 globally in response to strict environmental policies at home and use it as a resource for new green technologies two birds with one stone, if you will. Pollution gains in the West, by penalizing the rest Heres the dilemma: The U.S. and particularly the EU have made major strides in reducing greenhouse gas emissions at home. But when international trade is taken into account, advanced economies have effectively outsourced a big bulk of their carbon pollution overseas, by importing more steel, cement and other goods from factories in China, emerging Asia and elsewhere. The UK, the first industrializer, cut its domestic emissions within its borders by one-third between 1990 and 2015. However, if these figures are re-assessed in terms of emissions from imported steel, the UKs total carbon footprint has actually slightly increased. In the same period, progressive advanced countries, such as Japan and Germany, cut their own emissions, but doubled or tripled the carbon dioxide they offshored to China. As long as no coordinated, long-term international effort is undertaken to address all contributing factors in climate change, key stakeholders, including multinationals, will find ways to partially circumvent strict environmental regulations in their wealthy home markets, while moving production capacity into relatively poorer emerging and developing economies. When President Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Accord, had vital environmental regulatory practices dismantled and then began the push for made in America coal and steel (his trade hawks have deep ties with steel industry) and started oil exports for the first time in decades, he virtually ensured that environmental progress in the 20th century America will be undermined in the 21st century. Yet, the problem is an old one. In 1992, Jim Puckett of Greenpeace, coined the term toxic colonialism for the dumping of industrial waste from the advanced West onto the territories of emerging and developing countries. Environmental pollution has not disappeared from the advanced West; it has been exported to more vulnerable economies. Dr Steinbock is the founder of the Difference Group and has served as the research director at the India, China, and America Institute (USA) and a visiting fellow at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (China) and the EU Center (Singapore). For more information, see http://www.differencegroup.net/ 2019 Copyright Dan Steinbock - 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. Dan Steinbock Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. It is good to see the delight on faces of the visitors to our beaches. It is also great to s Im with Nancy. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has warned her caucus, repeatedly, against rushing to impeach President Donald J. Trump. Even after the release of the Mueller report, with its damning details of Trumps clear delight with the efforts of Russian rogues to interfere in the 2016 presidential campaign and his obvious attempts to obstruct the investigation into that interference, Pelosi has counseled caution. She prefers that House Democrats continue their multiple investigations into the presidents perfidy. Although Trump has said, Were fighting all the subpoenas or because he insists on defying congressional subpoenas thats a prudent course. It allows Democrats to control the narrative about a corrupt and autocratic president, a man at war with the U.S. Constitution and its clear separation of powers, through the 2020 presidential election. The Constitution instructs Congress to impeach a president for high crimes and misdemeanors, and Trumps behavior constitutes crimes both high and low. Not only did he and his campaign aides welcome the assistance of a foreign adversary trying to subvert an election, not only did he attempt to obstruct the investigation into that election, but he also has cozied up to brutal dictators; he has defied his own intelligence chiefs to award top security clearances to family members and others without regard to national security; he has presided over an administration with countless Cabinet officials who have been credibly accused of corruption; and he has turned the presidency into a kleptocracy, in which he and his family members use the office to enrich themselves. Nor is it true, as some political pundits claim, that impeachment proceedings would pull Democratic presidential and congressional candidates off-message, interfering with their attempts to lure voters with universal health care, free college tuition or stricter gun control laws. Those candidates are capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time. Sens. Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren might easily say, Yes, Im voting to impeach, while expounding on their policy proposals. Indeed, Warren may have given the best political reason for impeachment: It would force Republican senators to vote yea or nay, and most of them would vote against it. They should have to take that vote and live with it for the rest of their lives, she said in a recent town-hall forum. But since most Republicans would likely vote against impeachment, Trump would remain in office. And given their penchant for mimicking Trump, they would continue to lambast Muellers investigation as a partisan witch hunt, all the while endorsing the portions they find useful, such as Muellers finding that Trump did not conspire with Russian agents to interfere in the 2016 election. (He did, however, gladly benefit from their assistance.) That would leave a nation already brutalized by the Trump presidency further polarized, embittered, raw. Surely a singular responsibility of patriots is to attempt to heal the nation, to restore democratic ideals, to mend the ties that bind. A more cautious approach to impeachment might help. This nation will live with the bitter divisions that Trump has exacerbated for generations to come. There will be no easy path to civic renewal. Indeed, a sizable minority of conservative voters believe every lie he tells; they are willing to reject the U.S. Constitution itself to support a grifter who endorses their worldview. There is no bringing them back into the fold. But there are also right-leaning voters who supported Trump in 2016 who have been appalled by his behavior and who are willing to hear further evidence of his misdeeds. They need the weight of hearing after hearing, document after document, misdeed piled upon misdeed to be persuaded of the extensive damage the Trump presidency has wrought. House Democrats should keep after the president with investigation after investigation, subpoena after subpoena. If Trump continues to obstruct their efforts, impeachment may be the only recourse. But its not yet time for that. Email Cynthia Tucker at cynthia@cynthiatucker.com Ugandan queen of comedy Ann Kansiime and her lover have rubbished rumours suggesting the pair drowned during a trip to Canada. Kansiime laughed off the allegations and assured her fans she was healthy and okay. READ ALSO: Mwigizaji wa Nollywood Mr. Ibu adai alifariki dunia na kisha kufufuka baada ya siku 4 Kansiime laughed off the allegations and assured her fans she is healthy and okay. Photo: Ann Kansiime Source: Facebook READ ALSO: Zari Hassan struggles to clear name again after raunchy bedroom video resurfaces In a brief Facebook statement and a hilarious YouTube video, Kansiime said she was even shocked to learn about her supposed death. "Yesterday at around 7 pm I think I died. My boyfriend and I drowned in Canada," she chided her haters. READ ALSO: Nollywood actor Mr Ibu claims he died and resurrected after four days Ugandan queen of comedy Ann Kansiime and her lover have rubbished rumours suggesting the pair drowned during a trip to Canada. Photo: Ann Kansiime Source: Facebook The comedienne then said she had gone to sleep at around 5pm on Sunday, April 28, but woke up to 156 missed calls from people she had not heard from in a long time. The entertainer asked her fake friends to stop pretending like they were sad to learn of her supposed death because they rarely celebrate her success. In a brief Facebook statement and a hilarious YouTube video, Kansiime said she was even shocked to learn about her supposed death. Photo: Ann Kansiime Source: Facebook The beauty's lover, Skylanta, also rubbished the rumours and said the only thing he was drowning in was his love for Kansiime. The pair got together shortly after the comedienne announced her split from her former husband. Over the course of their relationship, Kansiime has been ridiculed for settling with a young chap. Do you have an inspirational story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Kenyans Angry after Uhuru and Raila go to China for new loan. Source: Tuko In Defence of Marxism is committed to safeguarding your privacy. 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Please let us know if you have any queries or concerns whatsoever about the way in which your data is being processed by emailing the Data Protection Manager at webmaster@marxist.com A probable cause affidavit says officers believe Ortiz-Luevano drove the scooter in the direction of oncoming traffic and failed to remain at the outer edge of the roadway on April 23. She and a friend reportedly took scooters to Gathering Place and rode them with their children south down Riverside Drive to the parks 31st Street entrance area. A witness told police she saw two scooters, one of which carried Ortiz-Luevano and her son, moving south under the pedestrian bridge and into oncoming traffic toward the tunnels on Riverside. The affidavit indicates that one car stopped and the driver honked his horn, with others honking as the scooters continued to travel through the tunnels. Ortiz-Luevano, according to the document, was about 40 yards ahead of her friend when police allege she swerved left to avoid an oncoming car. The force threw Caiden from the scooter to the pavement, and while the vehicles driver, Renier Davison, also swerved left to avoid hitting the scooter, Caiden was hit. Davison left the scene of the collision but turned himself in to authorities Wednesday. He is out of custody on bond and faces separate charges of leaving the scene of a fatal collision, driving with a suspended license and causing an accident without a valid drivers license. The Ukrainian troops will take part in the multinational exercises in Estonia, which are to kick off on Monday. The Spring Storm, the largest military exercises in Estonia conducted under the auspices of NATO, will last three weeks. Nine thousand servicepersons from 13 countries, including the military personnel from Ukraine, are expected to take part in the exercise, DT.UA reports. During the exercises, which will last until May 17, hundreds of units will be involved, including armored vehicles, infantry and tanks. The active phase of the exercise will take place on May 2-10 with the participation of warships of the Estonian Navy and allies in the ports of Tallinn and Laane-Viru County. In addition, Eurofighter aircraft of the German and British Air Forces, Su-22 attack aircraft of the Polish Air Force, Wildcat and Apache helicopters of the British Royal Air Force, and Pave Hawk of the United States Air Force will be involved in the exercises. This year, the representatives of the US, Belgium, Georgia, Canada, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, France, Germany, Finland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Estonia are expected to take part in the Spring Storm drills. ol First Vice Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Iryna Gerashchenko assured that Ukraines path towards Euro-Atlantic integration is unalterable. The other day I met with the members of the German Bundestag from the Free Democratic Party Renata Alt and Frank Muller-Rosentritt. It seems to me that was the first visit of a European parliamentary delegation after the elections, so we were talking about the results and the inalterability of Ukraines path towards Euro-Atlantic integration. I once again stressed that the path was wisely enshrined by President Poroshenko and the current parliament convocation in the Constitution, therefore no changes are possible," Gerashchenko posted on Facebook following a recent meeting with members of the German Bundestag from the Free Democratic Party. At the same time, she stressed that the key topic of the meeting was the situation in Donbas and Crimea, the peaceful settlement. According to the First Vice Speaker of Verkhovna Rada, Germany has played an important role in settling the situation in Donbas in recent years. In addition, Gerashchenko and German lawmakers discussed the necessity of the implementation of the initiative of President Poroshenko regarding the deployment of UN peacekeeping mission in the occupied territory, which, in her opinion, will contribute to demilitarization and de-occupation. As reported, the faction of the Free Democratic Party in the Bundestag unanimously adopted a document, which outlines a new strategy regarding the situation in eastern Ukraine in twelve paragraphs. The strategy is expected to be submitted to the Bundestag for consideration soon. ol 04/29/2019 By Ed Brennen Gazing out a brand-new window of the renovated building bearing his name, an old feeling suddenly came back to Barry Perry 68, 15 (H). I remember being so intimidated by those buildings as a freshman, said Perry, pointing toward Kitson and Cumnock halls. As a plastics engineering major at Lowell Tech a half-century ago, Perry ended up getting to know the cluster of buildings along University Avenue very well. This was the entire campus when I was here. This was my life, he said. Wed come to class and walk through the tunnels, living like cave-dwellers. I remember walking through where the textile equipment was set up. You could feel the humidity on your ears. Moments earlier, Perry had helped the university cut the ribbon on the grand reopening of Perry Hall, which had been closed for over 18 months to undergo a $50 million renovation. Perry, a longtime supporter of research, academics and scholarships at UML, helped set the work in motion with a $1.25 million gift in 2012. Photo by Tory Wesnofske Photo by Tory Wesnofske Chancellor Jacquie Moloney, left, and Francis College of Engineering Dean Joseph Hartman, right, thank Massachusetts Life Sciences Center President and CEO Travis McCready for his support. More than 200 guests, including UMass President Marty Meehan and UMass Board of Trustees Chairman Robert Manning, packed the buildings redesigned main entrance for the sun-splashed ribbon-cutting ceremony, which drew a host of industry partners, alumni and state and local officials. Perry Hall has been transformed into a cutting-edge, modern facility that will be used to advance important research by our faculty, enhance the educational experience of our students and strengthen our ties with industry across the state, Chancellor Jacquie Moloney said in thanking the donors and industry partners who made the rejuvenated building possible. Meehan praised Moloney for embracing the renovation and seeing it to its completion in spite of a freeze in state funding that nearly derailed the project. We have a history here, a culture in Lowell, thats critically important, Meehan said. To see this project unfold is just unbelievable. Originally known as the Engineering Building when it opened in 1952, Perry Hall has long been a hub of innovation and industry in Lowell. The building had become dated, however, and a fire in 2012 forced the closure of the fourth floor. Photo by Tory Wesnofske Photo by Tory Wesnofske LEWA COO and UML alum Mark Dyment, right, tours the Massachusetts BioManufacturing Center with Chancellor Jacquie Moloney. The renovation work included a total reconstruction of the interior of the buildings existing 47,825 square feet, plus the addition of 5,600 square feet on the fourth floor, which now connects to Ball Hall. The project was conducted in partnership with the UMass Building Authority and managed by STV. The architect was Perkins + Will, and the contractor was Suffolk Construction. The building features state-of-the-art labs for teaching and research in biomedical, chemical and environmental engineering, biomanufacturing and clean energy, as well as space to support expanding industry partnerships. On the first floor, theres already the Larry Acquarulo 81 and Foster Corporation BioMedical Engineering Teaching Lab and the Rick Pierro 83 and Superior Controls Chemical Engineering Unit OPS Teaching Lab. A $5 million grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) supports work on the third floor, which is home to the Massachusetts BioManufacturing Center and the BioMedical Engineering Research Lab. With this investment, the center and UMass Lowell embrace a critical global role in educating a workforce with the skills, research capabilities and industry experiences to bring the next generation of therapies and medical technologies to market, said MLSC President and CEO Travis McCready, whose organization also supports the Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center (M2D2) and student scholarships and internships. Photo by Ed Brennen Photo by Ed Brennen Ph.D. student Eddie Fratto, left, gives a tour of the Rick Pierro 83 and Superior Controls Chemical Engineering Unit OPS Teaching Lab. The Mass. BioManufacturing Center received a $1 million donation in equipment from LEWA, a metering and process pump supplier whose COO is alum Mark Dyment 87. Joseph Hartman, dean of the Francis College of Engineering, said the modernized facility will greatly enhance the schools recently launched programs in biomedical and environmental engineering. The fourth-floor Alternative Energy Research Lab will allow faculty and students to work on clean-energy initiatives like solar, wind, biofuels and energy storage. The growth of our college over the years has been dramatic, and it has been enabled by projects like this, Hartman said. We look forward to even further growth. Guests, who also included UMass Trustee Mary Burns, Lowell Mayor William Samaras and state Rep. Tom Golden, were able to tour the facility following the ribbon cutting. In the chemical engineering teaching lab, doctoral student Eddie Fratto demonstrated the equipment and software that will enable students to analyze different aspects of material transfer. Whats really exciting about this lab is the software for characterization, which is a lot more advanced now, said Fratto, a teaching assistant in the lab. We get all the data readouts directly from the computer. That means students can run all sorts of experiments much more efficiently. Photo by Tory Wesnofske Photo by Tory Wesnofske More than 200 people pack Perry Hall's new main entrance for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Fratto, a Winchester native who earned his bachelors degree in chemical engineering from the school in 2015, added that the new second-floor research lab is ideal for his work in chemical synthesis and nanomaterial characterization. Its a big change, he said. I have a ton of space to spread out on the bench tops. We have lots of room for all our chemicals. Standing outside the chemical engineering teaching lab with his wife Janice and daughter Kristen, Perry smiled as he watched guests explore the renovated building. This isnt the kind of opportunity that we had, said Perry, a Dartmouth native who began his career at General Electric before becoming chairman and chief executive officer of New Jersey-based Engelhard Corp., a chemical and metals company. In 2005, he established the Barry W. Perry Plastics Engineering Endowment Fund for student scholarships. Its a great honor for our family to give this type of opportunity to students. Safaa from Syria studies four large portraits of herself, displayed on a cube in a public square in Zagreb, and beams with delight. I am surprised at how good my pictures are, she says. I am proud to be in this exhibition. I would not have done it otherwise. Safaa, 53, a widow with three sons, originally from Aleppo, is one of four refugees featured in an outdoor exhibition called Oni (They), running in conjunction with Zagrebs annual film Festival of Tolerance. 4x4x4x4 four Croatian photographers each took portraits of four refugees and the pictures occupy the four sides of cubes in four squares in the city centre. The project is led by the Festival of Tolerance (FOT), with backing from the city of Zagreb, UNHCR and its partner, the Jesuit Refugee Service. The man who came up with the cube concept was Hrvoje Puksec, FOTs Head of Film. Pedestrians pass a cube portraying Tony, a Syrian refugee, in front of Zagreb's Central Railway Station UNHCR/Andrea Kastelan Safaa in front of her cube on Petar Preradovic Square (known locally as "Flower Square") UNHCR/Ante Delac Photographer Stanko Herceg in front of the portrait he took of Tony, a Syrian refugee UNHCR/Andrea Kastelan The exhibition is called They because it is about the way we deal with others. Often, we do not want to let them into our lives, he says. In the first week, the cubes were encircled with fences. When the film festival opened, we took the fences down. Now passersby can get even closer to the cubes and not only see the photos but read short passages of text that hint at the experiences of the people portrayed. Safaa is transfixed by her cube on Petar Preradovic Square. On the cube, she says somewhat enigmatically: I have lost my husband but I managed to save my sons. She tells how she fled war-torn Aleppo after her husband died and came to Croatia because she had a brother already living in Zagreb. A former architect, Safaa is now retraining to care for the elderly. But it is her sons who give her real purpose. Hands show what a person has been through in life My life is my boys, she says, adding that her youngest, Ahmed, 14, has achieved the highest marks in Croatian. The longer you look at the cubes, the more you see. Photographer Mare Milin has taken introductory pictures of the refugees. On two other sides of the cubes, Ivan Posavec and Ana Opalic have illustrated the refugees memories and present-day realities. On the fourth side of each cube, photographer Stanko Herceg has focused on the refugees hands as a way of conveying their emotions. Hands show what a person has been through in life, says Stanko, who was a TV reporter during Croatias own war in the 1990s and now teaches camera work at Zagrebs Academy of Dramatic Arts. On the main Ban Josip Jelacic Square, the youngest refugee in the exhibition, nine-year-old Mehdi from Iran, looks out from Stankos portrait, a red cap on his head, his hand placed rather defensively across his chest, a sad look in his big, brown eyes. I know that kid! exclaims a Croatian mother passing by. He goes to school with my daughter. Its kinda sad cos of their situation, says another passerby, Damjan, 21, a student of criminology. Kafia, an Iraqi refugee, stands beside her cube in front of the National Theatre UNHCR/Ante Delac Tony, a refugee from Syria, stands beside his cube in front of the Central Railway Station UNHCR/Ante Delac Passersby in front of Tony's cube UNHCR/Andrea Kastelan The cubes have been thoughtfully placed in locations that reflect the interests or characters of the refugees. Tony, 31, from Homs in Syria, sees himself on a cube opposite the railway station, the setting intended to suggest he is an active young guy. To be honest, its a bit weird to be looking at myself in a public place but I dont regret taking this step, he says. Kafia, 63, from Iraq, cries when she sees her cube in position outside the National Theatre, reflecting her aspiration to be an actress, with one role already behind her. Was she an actress back in Baghdad? No, she says, I was a housewife but here in Croatia, someone offered me a part in a film about refugees and I played a mother, cooking for her kids. I like adventure. I will try any new role in life. There are two stages of the journey: I will survive and I will not survive. Kafia, a widow, now lives in Zagreb. She has a son in Austria whom fortunately she can visit, as she has refugee status in Croatia and the right to travel. Her daughter and granddaughter are still in the asylum process in Croatia. They are staying in the reception centre for asylum seekers until their refugee claim is assessed, when hopefully they would move in with Kafia. Back in Syria, Tony studied agronomy but war got in the way of a career in his chosen field. He came to Europe in 2015. On his cube, Tony, who is still single, says: There are two stages of the journey: I will survive and I will not survive. When was I sure I would survive? When I set off, I was so confident of everything then, he says. When did I feel I might not survive? When things became complicated in Europe Until he was granted protection in Croatia, he worried about what would happen to him. The experience of searching for a place that would accept him has left him feeling shaky, even now. I lost everything once. I hope it will never happen to me again, he says. But Tony, who works as a cook and interpreter, is starting to have optimism in Croatia. The best things are the people and nature, he says, adding that one day he may pick up the threads of his education and do something connected with his love of farming. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, founder and chairperson of Education Above All (EAA), and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi visit refugee children attending the Dignity School, which is part of EAA's Educate A Child Programme, implemented by UNHCR, in Kuala Lumpur. UNHCR/AISHAALMUSALLAM Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser of Qatar, founder of Education Above All (EAA), and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi today embarked on a joint mission to Kuala Lumpur to visit projects implemented by UNHCR as part of EAAs Educate A Child Programme. During their visit, Sheikha Moza, Chairperson of EAA, and the High Commissioner saw at first-hand the achievements made at Dignity centre, one of the 131 learning centres EAAs Educate A Child (EAC) programme operates with UNHCR. Her Highness also visited the Sahabat Support Centre School as part of their annual carnival. Their mission follows an agreement to pursue a strategic partnership aimed at enrolling more than 450,000 refugee and internally displaced children in schools in 15 countries and builds on existing collaboration. The partnership will make available a shared contribution of almost US$100 million in support for learning among refugee and internally displaced children. Support for this partnership project will include a contribution from EAAs strategic partner, the Qatar Fund for Development. EAA and its partners are already supporting more than 10.4 million out-of-school children in 50 countries, providing them with access to education. Some 2.3 million of these children are refugees or internally displaced. It is clear from what I have seen here in Malaysia that quality primary education can truly change the course of a childs life, said Her Highness Sheikha Moza, UN Sustainable Development Goals Advocate. Equipping refugees with knowledge and skills means they can be assets to their host countries and later support the rebuilding of their home countries. Im proud of the work being done here and thankful to Malaysia and its people for helping these children access a better future. Since 2012, EAA and UNHCR have been working with other partners and advocates to provide access to quality primary education to some of the most marginalized children around the world. In Malaysia, a country that hosts some 167,000 refugees, EAA and its partners have supported more than 9,400 refugee children from over 17 countries to attend school. Yet, more than 6,000 refugee children of primary-school age are still out of school. With over four million refugee children currently out of school worldwide, there is so much more to do, Her Highness Sheikha Moza said. I urge more partners to come forward we all need to be playing our part to get more children into classrooms which is where they belong. I cant emphasize more the importance of proper schooling for refugee and internally displaced children, millions of whom lose out on the education they need, said Filippo Grandi. Not only does it help children heal, it stabilizes families, aids acceptance locally and provides hope for the future. Currently, some 68.5 million are displaced globally, including more than 25 million refugees and 40 million people who are displaced inside their own countries. For more information on this topic please contact: Education Above All (EAA) In London, Terri Bloore, [email protected] , +44 (0)79 757 990 05 UNHCR Mohamed Bade, 43, says he and his family fled the war in Syria only to face a similarly dire situation in Libya. He and his wife, Eied, and their three children from left to right, Abdulrahman, Rania and Cedra were evacuated to Italy. UNHCR/Mohamed Alalem 146 refugees were evacuated today from Libya to Italy in a joint operation between UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and Italian and Libyan authorities. Italy is the first country to have stepped forward to receive evacuees from Libya since the recent violence began. The evacuation was carried out in collaboration with the Libyan Ministry of Interior. The group, including 46 children separated from their families, landed in Rome from Libyas Misrata airport earlier today, and will be hosted in emergency accommodation centres. This evacuation is a vital lifeline for people who faced serious threats and dangers inside Libya, said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Its now crucial that other States match this gesture and offer similar evacuation places for refugees caught up in the conflict. Turning a blind eye will have real and tragic consequences. The security situation inside Tripoli continues to worsen as rival forces engage in battles across the city. In recent days, airstrikes have claimed the lives of civilians and destroyed community infrastructure. Thousands of refugees and migrants continue to be held in detention centres, where even prior to the recent clashes they faced dire and squalid conditions. People report being in fear for their lives and can hear gunshots and airstrikes nearby. They are at risk of being abandoned or caught up in the conflict should the fighting spread to their locations. UNHCR is urging the international community to evacuate all refugees who remain inside detention centres in Tripoli and to bring them to safety. With clashes appearing set to continue, time is of the essence. A humanitarian pause was coordinated and facilitated with all parties to the conflict to allow for the safe passage of the migrants and refugees. More than 3,300 people are particularly at risk inside detention centres close to imminent or ongoing clashes. UNHCR has been evacuating refugees and migrants away from immediate danger, including 500 to our Gathering and Departure Facility in Tripoli and 163 to the Emergency Transit Mechanism in Niger, but with both approaching full capacity, evacuations directly out of Libya will soon be the only available lifeline for vulnerable refugees. The security situation is already hampering UNHCR efforts to access some of the detention centres and this is expected to worsen should the violence spread. For more information on this topic, please contact: Both benchmarks fell around 3 percent in the previous session. Oil prices fell on Monday, extending a slump from Friday that ended weeks of rallying, after President Donald Trump demanded that producer club OPEC raise output to soften the impact of U.S. sanctions against Iran. Brent crude futures were at $71.80 per barrel at 0215 GMT, down 35 cents, or 0.5 percent, from their last close, as reported by Reuters. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $62.91 per barrel, down 39 cents, or 0.6 percent, from their previous settlement. Both benchmarks fell around 3 percent in the previous session. Read alsoUkraine halts transit of Russian crude oil via Druzhba pipeline ANZ bank said on Monday oil prices "took a hit after President Trump indicated he had spoken with Saudi Arabia about reducing the impact of lower Iranian oil exports by increasing flows elsewhere." Trump said on Friday he called the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and told the cartel to lower oil prices. "Gasoline prices are coming down. I called up OPEC, I said you've got to bring them down. You've got to bring them down," Trump told reporters. The statement triggered a selloff, putting at least a temporary ceiling on a 40 percent price rally in oil prices since the start of the year. The rally had gained momentum in April after Trump tightened sanctions against Iran by ending all exemptions that major buyers especially in Asia previously had. Traders said the market was shifting its focus on the voluntary supply cuts led by the Middle East dominated producer club OPEC since the start of the year. The cuts have been supported by some non-OPEC producers, most notably Russia, but analysts said this cooperation may not last beyond a meeting between OPEC and its other allies, a group known as OPEC+, scheduled for June. Russia has said it would be able to meet China's oil demand needs as Beijing tries to replace the imports it usually gets from Iran. "Russia appears to have every reason to resume ramping up production levels and the base case should start to become we will not see OPEC+ agree upon extending production cuts, with tweaks to cover the shortfall from Iran," said Edward Moya, senior analyst at futures brokerage OANDA. Meanwhile, Russia hopes to restore oil pipeline supplies to central and western Europe in two weeks, after they were suspended last week over crude quality problems. The probability of diabetic coma is increasing every day. Ukrainian activist Edem Bekirov, who is being held in a pretrial detention center in Russian-occupied Simferopol, has not received any treatment for more than a week. "The critically ill Ukrainian political prisoner Edem Bekirov hasn't received any treatment for more than a week. He is illegally detained by Russia in a Simferopol prison. According to Edem's relatives, the probability of diabetic coma is increasing every day," Acting Health Minister Ulana Suprun wrote on Twitter on April 28, 2019. Read alsoUkraine Ombudsperson at UN: Ukrainian political prisoners Bekirov and Hryb in critical condition As UNIAN reported earlier, a "court" in Russian-occupied Crimea has remanded 58-year-old Crimean Tatar Edem Bekirov in custody for two months, after he was seized by the FSB on December 12, 2018 when he tried to cross into Crimea to visit his elderly mother. Bekirov has an artificial leg, diabetes and last year suffered a serious heart attack. He is, however, also married to a member of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, which Russia is persecuting. "That would seem to have been enough for the FSB to concoct a story about transporting weapons based solely on the 'testimony' of an anonymous individual," the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group (KHPG) said. It transpired on December 13, after Bekirov had reportedly been held for well over a day without water or food, that the FSB are charging him with circulating and transporting more than 10 kilograms of DNT and 190 bullets (under Article 222, Paragraph 2 of Russia's Criminal Code). On April 10, 2019, the Kremlin-controlled so-called "Kyiv Simferopol district court" extended the preventive measure to Bekirov in the form of detention until June 12. The law would not have been approved without Andriy Parubiy, Poroshenko said. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has thanked Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Andriy Parubiy for the support and protection of the Ukrainian language and said he would sign the relevant draft law. "It is a great pride for me that the law on the Ukrainian language will be signed by Andriy Parubiy, who passes the law, and signed by Petro Poroshenko," the president said during a meeting with representatives of cultural, public and business environment of Lviv region, according to the president's press service. Read alsoFM Klimkin to discuss Ukraine's language law with Hungarian counterpart "Of course, we provided quotas for the Ukrainian language, the Ukrainian song, the Ukrainian book, the Ukrainian culture as a whole. But we definitely lacked the law on language. And, unfortunately, after the adoption of the law on language, the president that has been elected, said he would still think whether to sign it or not. But I emphasize the law would not have been approved without Andriy Parubiy," the president said, while appealing to the speaker with words of gratitude. "The law on the Ukrainian language does not mean that we want to 'put pressure' on any other language. This is definitely not the case. This law means we must protect our language. For it will be protected in no place in the world, except Ukraine," Poroshenko added. As UNIAN reported earlier, the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, on April 25 adopted the draft law on ensuring the functioning of the Ukrainian language as the national language. On April 29, 1918, Ukrainian flags were solemnly raised on ships and the Sevastopol fortress. Today, April 29, Ukraine marks the 101st anniversary since the foundation of Ukraine's Navy. "On April 29, 1918, patriotic pressure of the Ukrainian majority of crews of the ships of the Black Sea Fleet and the Ukrainian community of Sevastopol forced Rear Admiral Mikhail Sablin, who had shortly before agreed to take the post of commander, to officially declare the entire Black Sea Fleet the Fleet of the Ukrainian People's Republic, as well as to order to solemnly raise Ukrainian flags on ships and the Sevastopol fortress at 16:00," the press service of the Ukrainian Navy wrote on Facebook. No casualties were reported among Ukrainian troops. Russia's hybrid military forces on April 28 mounted three attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas. Read alsoMilitants fire at Ukrainian positions in Donbas on Easter "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 29, 2019. During the period under review, Russian occupation forces opened fire from 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types, and small arms to attack the Ukrainian positions near the villages of Shyrokyne, Pisky, and Krymske. "Since Monday midnight, Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions near Shyrokyne, using grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms. There have been no casualties among the Ukrainian military [on Monday]," the report said. The situation in the area of the Joint Forces Operation remains under control of Ukrainian troops. Russia's hybrid military forces mounted six attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas on April 29. Read alsoUkraine marks 101st anniversary of Ukraine's Navy "No Ukrainian soldiers were killed or wounded from 00:00 to 18:00 Kyiv time. Information on the enemy's losses is being clarified," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) said in an update on Facebook. The enemy opened fire from 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms at the Ukrainian positions near the villages of Shyrokyne, Pisky, Zolote-4, and Travneve. The situation in the area of the Joint Forces Operation remains under control of Ukrainian troops. This year's training involved approximately 10,000 soldiers and hundreds of combat vehicles and aircraft. On Monday, April 29, Soldiers of the North Atlantic Alliance countries officially began the annual exercise Spring Storm. During exercises from April 29 to May 17, servicemen at different levels will work on techniques for synchronizing combat plans, cooperation in management, and increased readiness for tactical tasks, according to the Defence Blog, an online military magazine. The Spring Storm is a large-scale live exercise of the Estonian Defence Forces, with participation from NATO's enhanced Forward Presence and other Allied forces. This year's training involved approximately 10,000 soldiers and hundreds of combat vehicles and aircraft. "The Spring Storm exercise this year will be held in northeastern Estonia. Nearly 10,000 troops will take part in them, including the military contingents of Great Britain and Belgium from the NATO international battalion stationed in Estonia and the soldiers of the Estonian Defense Forces," the press service of the Estonian Armed Forces said. Read alsoDozens of warships and aircraft: General Staff elaborates on scale Sea Breeze 2019 exercise Combat aircraft and helicopters of the Estonian Air Force and allies will take part in the exercise in Estonian airspace. Among them are the Eurofighter fighters of the German and British Air Forces, the Polish Su-22 attack aircraft, the British and U.S. Air Force helicopters Wildcat, Apache and Pavehawk. The exercises will be attended by warships of the Estonian Navy and allies. According to preliminary plans, the military personnel of Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, Georgia, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the USA, Ukraine, Finland, France and Estonia will take part in the present exercises "Spring Storm." It is assumed that this technique will be in the Baltic republic for about three months. The helicopters arrived at Emari airbase in the military town of Tapa, located just 150 km from the Russian border. The heavy machinery of the Armed Forces of France, including five tanks and more than ten infantry fighting vehicles, were also transferred there. NATO exercises in the Baltic near the Russian borders negatively affect relations between Russia and the countries of the alliance, experts warn. "Despite the fact that the number of military men involved in these exercises is relatively low, maneuvers create military tension on the borders of Russia. Moscow is forced to take this into account in its plans for the country's defense. When tanks drive and planes fly near the borders of the Russian Federation, various kinds of incidents can occur. Even if they are unintentional, they can still be quite dangerous for the Russian side," said Viktor Murakhovsky, editor-in-chief of Arsenal of the Fatherland, in an interview with RT. In his opinion, the measures of the North Atlantic Alliance to prepare the theater of military operations in the Baltic States pose a potential military threat to Russia. As Viktor Murakhovsky notes, the North Atlantic Alliance exercises in the Baltic are becoming annual, the number of participating countries is constantly growing, and the reflection of the "Russian aggression" is being worked out, as a rule. "A whole series of NATO exercises are being held as part of a plan to 'contain' Russia," the expert stated. Artem Tkachuk, 18, of Piranhas film is believed to have been attacked by a 'baby gang' in city. An actor who appeared in an award-winning film about child criminals in Naples has been stabbed by an alleged member of one of the Italian city's "baby gangs." Artem Tkachuk, 18, originally from Ukraine, played a young mobster in The Piranhas, which told the story of the phenomenon of baby gangs, criminal groups led by youngsters, in Naples, according to The Guardian. Read alsoGeorgia Today: 5th Ukrainian Film Festival "Ukraine in Focus" starting in Tbilisi on May 2 The title refers to a word used by the Camorra, the Neapolitan mafia, for the gangs. The film was based on a 2016 novel by the Italian writer Roberto Saviano. Tkachuk was stabbed in Chiaia, a seafront neighborhood in Naples, while out with a friend. Tkachuk told police the pair were approached by a baby gang at about 3am on Sunday morning. One of the gang members asked him if he lived in a neighborhood called Rione Traiano, Tkachuk said, at which point he was stabbed twice in the stomach and his friend was beaten. The wounds were not serious. Police believe Tkachuk may have been set upon because of his role in the film, directed by Claudio Giovannesi, which won a Silver Bear best screenplay award at this year's Berlin film festival. Tkachuk played the fictional character Tyson. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Ueli Maurer, president of the Swiss Confederation, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 28, 2019. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Ueli Maurer, president of the Swiss Confederation, in Beijing on Sunday. China is willing to enhance political mutual trust, increase high-level contacts and explore the potential for cooperation with Switzerland, and align the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with Switzerland's development strategies, Li said. Noting that the China-Switzerland free trade agreement (FTA) has played an important role in promoting bilateral economic and trade relations, and the Swiss enterprises have benefited from the new round of opening up of China, Li said China is willing to start negotiations with Switzerland for upgrading the FTA as soon as possible. China also hopes that the two sides will enhance communication and coordination under the China-Europe and multilateral frameworks, he said. Maurer said Switzerland attaches great importance to the BRI and would like to expand investment and cooperation with China in sectors such as scientific research and manufacturing under this framework. Stressing that Switzerland, without any investment barriers, welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest, he said the two sides have great potential for cooperation in innovation sector and the country is willing to start negotiations with China as soon as possible for upgrading the FTA. SULTAN, April 25 (Sputnik) - The Russian delegation at the Astana talks on Syria, led by Special Presidential Envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentyev, started a bilateral meeting with the Damascus team, led by Envoy to the United Nations in New York Bashar Jaafari, a Sputnik correspondent reported NUR-SULTAN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th April, 2019) The Russian delegation at the Astana talks on Syria, led by Special Presidential Envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentyev, started a bilateral meeting with the Damascus team, led by Envoy to the United Nations in New York Bashar Jaafari, a Sputnik correspondent reported. The 12th round of Astana talks on Syria began in the Kazakh capital of Nur-Sultan earlier on Thursday, with the participants expected to discuss constitutional committee and military developments on the ground during the two-day consultations. "We really count on a constructive and business-like discussion with you. There are many issues that need to be discussed and solved . .. We will review such issues as the developments in the country, constitutional commission establishment, the return of refugees and the international community's participation in the reconstruction of the country," Lavrentyev said at the start of the meeting. Jaafari, in turn, suggested, ahead of the talks, paying particular attention to discussing fight against terrorism. After this bilateral, Damascus delegation will have a bilateral with the UN team and UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen, while the three guarantor states Russia, Turkey and Iran will have a trilateral. Migrants are seen at the Anti-Illegal Immigration Agency in al-Nasr detnetion center in Zawiya, west of Tripoli During the Regina Coeli prayer in St. Peters Square Pope Francis expressed his concern for the predicament of migrants and refugees held in detention centers in Libya. By Linda Bordoni Pope Francis has asked for prayers for vulnerable refugees trapped detention centers in Libya, where conflict is raging. Addressing the faithful gathered in St. Peters Square for the Regina Coeli prayer, the Pope said the situation of the refugees, which is already very serious, has become even more dangerous due to the ongoing conflict. He appealed for the evacuation, especially of the women, the children and the sick, as soon as possible, through the safety of humanitarian corridors. The conflict in Libya As troops loyal to Libyas internationally recognized government prepare to launch a counteroffensive on the forces of renegade commander Khalifa Haftar, scores of refugees and migrants are reportedly taken from detention centers, and forced to assist militants aligned with the UN-backed Tripoli government. The Interior Minister told journalists on Saturday that within three days or so there will be a full scale attack to repel the renegade forces from the entire western region. The announcement came as the UN expressed concern over reports of indiscriminate shelling in populated areas. It is esteemed that over 220 people have been killed. The International Organization for Migration said 39,000 people were displaced by fighting along the capital's southern districts. Libyan National Army forces, loyal to Khalifa Haftar, and which are allied to a parallel government in the east, started an offensive three week ago to take the capital held by the internationally recognised government. Pope Francis called for an end to the bloodshed in Libya during his Urbi et Orbi address on Easter Day. The United Nations Children's Fund says it needs to raise up to $29 million to aid those fleeing the crisis in Venezuela. By John Waters As the political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela continues, more and more Venezuelans are fleeing their homes and travelling to other neighboring countries in search of a better life. The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) has released a statement which both details the scale of the problems in Venezuela and also praises the response of neighboring countries, particularly Colombia. Venezuelas crisis dates back to a collapse in oil prices in 2010, which severely damaged the countrys economy. Further economic problems have caused shortages of food and medicines. 3.7 million Venezuelans have fled the country According to the statement, 3.7 million Venezuelans have fled to other countries such as Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. About 1.2 million are in Colombia. The border town of Cucuta hosts 10,000 Venezuelan children and is already providing school places for 3,000 of them. But without further help, particularly in the field of healthcare, almost all of the estimated 370,000 child migrants in Colombia could be in grave danger. UNICEF estimates that it needs to raise $29 million to fully support all of those migrants who have arrived in Colombia. So far only $5.7 million has been raised. "The very serious situation in Venezuela has left many parents with no other choice but to pursue educational opportunities for their children across the border. I saw hundreds of students cross Cucuta in the first light of dawn, in the pouring rain, to go to school. This dedication to learning by parents and students is a lesson of commitment, perseverance and determination for all of us" said Paloma Escudero, UNICEF Communications Director, when she returned from a 4-day mission across the border with Colombia. She had much praise for the efforts of Colombia to help with the situation. Colombian generosity "At a time when anti-migrant sentiment is growing around the world, Colombia has generously kept its doors open to its Venezuelan neighbors. As more and more families take the painful decision to leave their homes in Venezuela every day, it is time for the international community to step up its support and help meet their basic needs. We cannot allow generosity to diminish." UNICEF has already provided mobile health clinics, water sanitation facilities and psychological support for traumatized children within the region. More recently, pre-natal facilities and healthcare for newborn babies has become a priority. Paloma Escudero related accounts of expectant mothers crossing the Simon Bolivar Bridge between Colombia and Venezuela to receive help. I met a mother who has epilepsy and is eight months pregnant. She needed to come to Colombia to do prenatal visits and protect her health and her baby's health. For most families, the decision to leave is only a measure of last resort." Finally, we have to submit all these documents with the organisation which controls the products that we are planning to export for registration which is known as Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC). With this certificate, we can begin our export operations. There are 37 boards and councils which issues this RCMC. For agri products, we have to apply with APEDA (Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) and for marine products MPEDA(The Marine Products Export Development Authority). Coffee & Tea Boards for coffee and tea products, Coir Board for coir products, Coconut Board for coconuts (coconuts and related products will not come under agricultural products), Spices Board for spices and FIEO (Federation of Indian Export Organisation) for other products must be contacted for proper registration. The required RCMC certificate should be obtained only from the concerned export authority as stated above, through online. If we give proper inputs as required, it is easy to get the work done immediately. Hence, it is better to have all these documents duly scanned for easy submission. Forms can be downloaded, filled and couriered to the respective office as physical submission also. No doubt, with the above formalities, one can export his commodity and expand his business over a period of time. Torino Fiat-factory building with cars crossing the test track on the roof, 1928. Le Corbusier at Lingotto. Le Corbusier inside a car on top of Lingotto, 1926. The Lingotto building in Turin, Italy, once housed a Fiat factory. Construction started in 1916 and the building opened in 1923. The design (by young architect Matte Trucco) was unusual in that it had five floors, with raw materials going in at the ground floor, and cars built on a line that went up through the building.Finished cars emerged at rooftop level to go onto the test track. It was the largest car factory in the world at that time. For its time, the Lingotto building was avant-garde, influential and impressiveLe Corbusier called it one of the most impressive sights in industry, and a guideline for town planning. 80 different models of car were produced there in its lifetime, including the Fiat Topolino of 1936.The factory became outmoded in the 1970s and the decision was made to finally close it in 1982. The closure of the plant led to much public debate about its future, and how to recover from industrial decline in general. An architectural competition was held, which was eventually awarded to Renzo Piano, who envisioned an exciting public space for the city.The old factory was rebuilt into a modern complex, with concert halls, theatre, a convention centre, shopping arcades and a hotel. The eastern portion of the building is the headquarters of the Automotive Engineering faculty of the Polytechnic University of Turin. The work was completed in 1989. The track was retained, and can still be visited today on the top floor of the shopping mall and hotel. Can Thos industrial zones can take advantage of the citys location and transport links across air, road, and sea in order to thrive and add to the hubs economic prestige Photo: Kieu Duyen In March this year during his visit to Japan, Vo Thanh Thong, Chairman of the Can Tho Peoples Committee, granted an investment registration certificate for a seafood processing plant, a joint venture between The Marine Foods Corporation from Japan and local Nam Hai Food Export Ltd. The plant, based in Tra Noc 1 industrial zone (IZ) in Can Thos Binh Thuy district and valued at $14 million, aims to process seafood for export to Japan. The plant will become operational from May next year. Nguyen Thi Kieu Duyen, deputy head of Can Tho Export Processing and Industrial Zones Management Authority (CEPIZA) said that the authority and local leaders have lent support to the project since inception. The open policies, mechanisms, and one-stop shop format in handling investment procedures helped the project receive the investment certificate in a timely fashion. We expect that after the project, Can Tho as well as city-based IZs will solicit many more projects from Japanese investors, Duyen said. As of now, Can Thos export processing zones and IZs are home to 239 valid projects leasing 394 hectares of industrial land. This involves total committed capital of $1.72 billion, of which disbursed capital was $986 million. Of them, 214 projects come from domestic investors valued at $1.31 billion, of which disbursed capital was $736.7 million; and 24 projects come from foreign investors valued at $391.3 million while disbursed capital sits at $237.7 million, as well as one project funded by official development assistance valued at $21.13 million. Last year, businesses based in Can Tho IZs reported more than $1.52 billion in total revenue, up 8 per cent on-year; and export value amounted to $686 million, a 23 per cent jump on-year, providing jobs to over 33,500 local workers. In the first four months of this year, the total revenue of businesses operating in the citys IZs reached $575 million, up 14 per cent on-year. Enterprises industrial production value stood at $421 million, trade services at $154 million, and export value at $201 million. Vo Thanh Thong, Chairman of the Can Tho Peoples Committee, granted an investment certificate to a Japanese company for a Tra Noc 1 Industrial Zone project Multiple advantages Spreading along 1,440 square kilometres of natural area in the Mekong Delta, Can Tho is located in the heart of the region. It is about 170 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City, and plays an important role in all waterway, road, sea, and air transport to other locations domestically and internationally. Can Tho carries the distinct features of an economic, technological, cultural, educational, and healthcare-based centre, providing a strong impulse for the Mekong Delta regions development. Since 2004, Can Tho has received due attention from the government. The city has worked on developing a comprehensive infrastructure system, with a raft of important transport works being put into use. Among the most significant facilities are the citys international airport, Can Tho bridge, Cai Cui port, and national highway 91B. These projects have helped turn Can Tho into an important commercial exchange centre in the delta region, creating a motivating force for the citys development. Significantly, the expressway connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho, and the Trung Luong-My Thuan and My Thuan-Can Tho sections slated for completion next year will help cut travel times in half between the two cities. Can Tho is also a major human resources training cradle for the delta region. The city is currently home to five universities, one campus of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture and a system of colleges, professional high schools, and more than 60 vocational training facilities which have trained about 350,000 students. With the improved infrastructure network, Can Tho has enormous potential for development in diverse fields as hi-tech agriculture, industrial processing, tourism, supporting industries, IT, and projects in urban infrastructure development and transport infrastructure, besides finance, banking, and insurance. With a view to constantly improving its competitiveness and local investment environment, Can Tho is accelerating the construction of IZ infrastructure and placing focus on attracting investment capital, from there pushing up the citys socio-economic development. Currently, Tra Noc 1 and Tra Noc 2 IZs have almost leased out. The city is seeking businesses to invest in Hung Phu 1 IZ (Bloc A), Hung Phu 1 (Bloc B), BMC-Hung Phu 2A IZ, and Thot Not IZs first phase. The IZs are well-placed in the delta region as each is easily accessible by waterway and roads, and sit on abundant material resources. In addition, the CEPIZA is accelerating the pace and efficiency of administrative procedure reform to increase support to investors. Can Tho is also seeking strategic investors for infrastructure development of its three prioritised IZs (see box). Hans Kersten, head of Sales and Marketing at DEEP C Haiphong has announced plans to develop its logistics and seaport systems by 2030. How will this plan help improve the competitiveness of the citys logistics industry? Haiphong has been pouring in vast investment to step up a mega infrastructure network. So far Lach Huyen Deep Sea Port holds the utmost importance in improving the citys competitiveness, especially when placed in connection with existing terminals to form an essential maritime trade gateway in the north of the country. Direct shipments from Haiphong to the US, Canada, and Europe are now available, allowing for reduced shipping times and logistics costs thanks to the omission of transhipment. A network of three major cargo transportation corridors, including Haiphong-Hanoi, Haiphong-Halong-Mong Cai, and Haiphong-Thai Binh-Nam Dinh-Ninh Binh has been developed to give other northern provinces direct access to Haiphong and Lach Huyen as well. Given the proximity to China, only 200 kilometres and three hours of trucking time to the border, Haiphong is one of the main players in promoting cross border trade with our northern neighbour, which happens to be Vietnams largest trade partner and key export market. In terms of sea trade, Lach Huyen is the closest deep seaport to the south-west of China, meaning the shortest sea route for cargo shipping from Vietnam to southeast China province. This will further boost the volume of goods transported via the city and Lach Huyen Deep Sea Port in the time ahead, and as such establish Haiphong as a core logistics hub with international level competitiveness. Haiphong aims to become a modern, smart, and sustainable industrial city comparable to other cities in Southeast Asia over the next decade. What are the disadvantages and advantages Haiphong has in this regard? Haiphong has made active moves in promoting the construction of smart and green building models in recent years. Through smart ecological design and management, these buildings can achieve energy efficiency and become one of the best solutions for sustainable development. TD Plaza, Big C Supermarket, and the newly opened Vinpearl Hotel Imperia are among construction works recognised as energy-saving models. Shortly, Haiphong will be home to various hotel, shopping mall, and apartment building projects such as Pullman, Hilton, and the 70-storey trade centre to be launched by FLC Group. Unlike Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Haiphong is abundant in supply of affordable housing, meeting the increasing market demand. Besides overly familiar advantages of seaport transportation, Haiphong is widely regarded as a major centre for the inland waterway transportation. This network handles approximately 40 per cent of transported weight of cargo in the north of Vietnam. What are your suggestions for Haiphong to achieve these targets? The city has all the necessary potential to steer the city towards modern, smart, and sustainable industrial growth. With selective foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction with a focus on hi-tech advances, renewable energy, and infrastructure development projects, we believe Haiphongs targets are within reach. Making Haiphong a liveable city is also a good idea. Availability of amenities such as supermarkets, shops, clubs, bars, venues, and abundance of potential employment will surely drive people from surrounding provinces to Haiphong, and as a result, enrich the citys labour market and vibrant lifestyle. How does DEEP C benefit from the citys development plans? A complete makeover in Haiphongs industrial and logistics market in the last few years has transformed it into a hotspot for FDI not only in Vietnam but also in Southeast Asia. Strategically located in the heart of infrastructure development in Haiphong, DEEP C has been enjoying a new wave of FDI from a diversity of industries. Hence, our proximity to the port complex allows a fast and smooth movement of goods manufactured by tenants in DEEP C industrial zones, making us one of the most promising investment locations in Vietnam. As Haiphong is poised to become regional hub for overseas funding, what are DEEP Cs preparations to facilitate investors? Driven by the mission to ease the operations of foreign investors, DEEP C has been offering flexibility to choose between different options: industrial land or ready-built factories, built-to-suit solutions which allow quick market entry with limited initial investment. Over recent years, DEEP C has added several industrial zones into its portfolios, forming an industrial cluster of five zones and 3,000 hectares of industrial land in Haiphong and Quang Ninh. Logistically, all zones within the cluster are perfectly located to benefit from the port system and synchronous expressway network. Could you shed some lights on the upcoming plans of DEEP C in 2019? We have started a new venture to become the first eco-industrial park in Vietnam with the focus on producing its own electricity from solar, wind, and waste-to-energy. Notably, energy will be generated from solar panels installed on tenant rooftops, allowing them a financial compensation. Excessive electricity will be stored and used to power hybrid barges sailing on the Hanoi-Haiphong inland waterway. Further, the group is pursuing a circular economy within the industrial cluster, a relatively new concept in Vietnam which serves the green way by recycling defunct products. To turn ideas into action, DEEP C has teamed up with Dow Chemical to build Vietnams first road using recycled plastic in DEEP C Industrial Zones. The first one kilometre segment will be completed in September, and is subject to be expanded in all zones upon test results carried out by the Vietnam Maritime University. Grab and the VFA signing the co-operation agreement On April 25, Grab, through GrabFood, signed a co-operation agreement with VFA to implement its food safety promotion campaign targeting restaurants, food stalls, driver-partners, as well as customers who show increasing demand for safe food. Tran Viet Nga, deputy director of the VFA, said that in recent years, improving the awareness about food safety is one of VFAs priorities and it hopes to co-operate more with enterprises like Grab. Jerry Lim, director of Grab in Vietnam, said that GrabFood is ready to do its part in spreading the message about food safety to millions of customers as well as its partner restaurants in order to create a heathy life for the Vietnamese community. According to the agreement, in the next three years, the two parties will organise training courses for restaurants to supply knowledge about food safety. Then, Grab, through GrabFood, will co-operate with the VFA to distribute 6,000 documents about food safety in six cities and provinces, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Haiphong. Besides, GrabFood will use its available technology base to continue spreading the food safety message among customers. Grab will advocate food safety across its large partner and consumer networks Just nine months after its official launch, GrabFood has been continuously expanding to 15 cities and provinces by now. The number of merchant-partners has increased ten-fold and the average delivery time reduced to 20 minutes per order. At the moment, almost no player in the market can boast similar successes, which made Vietnam GrabFoods second fastest-growing market in Southeast Asia, outside of Indonesia. While established competitors are developing multiple services from food delivery, GrabFood draws on the advantages from its mother company Grab the biggest on-demand ride-hailing service in Vietnam. This helped GrabFood access a wide driver-partner and customer network. Thanks to these two factors, besides the rapid expansion, GrabFood also received secondary advantages such as fast delivery time as well as a significant increase in incremental revenue from joining the platform. With the strategy of satisfying Vietnamese consumes taste, GrabFood partnered up with popular local restaurants to add delicious dishes to its menu, as well as deliver consumers the best quality at the highest speed. At present, GrabFood offers a whole range of exclusive items on its menu from well-known restaurants under the GrabFood Signatures tag. National Citizen Bank held its annual shareholders' meeting on April 26 On April 26, NCB held its annual shareholders meeting to review its operations in 2018 and approve the development plan for 2019. Notably, NCBs positive business results in 2018 will contribute to its target for effective, stable, and breakthrough development for 2016-2022. Accordingly, it acquired VND224 billion ($9.7 million) in net profit and an on-year increase in pre-tax profit. Besides, the revenue from service fees and other services saw an increase of 40 per cent on-year. By the end of 2018, NCB reported total assets of VND72 trillion ($3.13 billion) and mobilised VND56 trillion ($2.43 billion) from customers and issued loans worth VND35 trillion ($1.52 billion), up VND5 trillion ($217.4 million) and VND3 trillion ($130.4 million), respectively, on-year. Bad debts were controlled at the level permitted by the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV). In last year, NCB focused on implementing strategic products like loans for customers to buy houses and private vehicles and issue advisory programmes for small and medium-sized enterprises. Especially, upgrading the NCB Mobile Banking App (NCB Smart) with new and friendly interface helped to lure in more customers to use the app with the total customer volume of 19,238, up 195 per cent on-year. Besides, adding more utilities for the e-banking service while expanding the VNPayment e-payment system contributed to increasing the e-payment volume to VND10.59 trillion ($460.4 million), up 58 per cent on-year. Aiming to become one of the leading retail banks by applying cutting-edge digital banking solutions and financial consulting services, NCB was honoured to receive the Strong Vietnamese Brands Award for four consecutive years by Vietnam Economic Times. Besides, NCB gained public approval by being voted as one of the Top 50 most famous trademarks in Vietnam by Vietnam Intellectual Property Association, Top 500 Largest Enterprises in Vietnam by Vietnam Report, Top Vietnamese best places to work in 2018 by Global Business Magazine, Top banks for corporate social responsibility in Vietnam by Global Business Magazine, among others. Reports showed that the economic growth in 2019 is on the rebound and the outlook seems brighter than in 2018. However, the global downtrend has impaired banking prosperity in general. In the context of this macroeconomic development, NCB would continue to follow the SBVs monetary and credit policies to maintain sustainable growth in 2019. NCB is expected to contribute to Vietnams socioeconomic growth, meet the need for financial assistance and give valuable support to enterprises. Specifically, NCB would be actively involved in the process of promoting issuing shares and co-operating with strategic investors to raise bank capital according to the approval of SBV. At the meeting, SBVs representative announced, SBV acknowledged and highly appreciated the continuous efforts of NCB on efficient and compliant business activities, strictly following its regulations and the laws, training high-skilled human resources and bolstering the development of digital banking. We firmly believe in NCBs future, adding value to shareholders, partners, and customers by fostering the issuance of shares. The meeting ended with high agreement of shareholders and NCB will concentrate on following through its strategic orientation by achieving sustainable growth and expanding market share through diversifying services and improving customer experience. Furthermore, the expertise and success from the past reinforces NCBs advantages to become one of Vietnams leading retail banks, with exceptional access to emerging markets by providing top-notch customer services with less hassle or paperwork via its mission Your bank. Samsung held a working session with the Hanoi People's Committee to discuss its plans in Vietnam In a working session with the leaders of the Hanoi Peoples Committee, Choi Joo Ho, general director of Samsung Vietnam, expressed interest in developing the 18-storey project on an 116,000 square metre land plot to the west from West Lakeand hoped to receive support from Hanoi. The construction is expected to start in 2020 and be finished in 2022. Choi said it will specialise in mobile phones and network devices, and is expected to take the lead in Samsungs 5G technology development, contributing to the building of smart factories in Vietnam. The centre will also strengthen the position of Vietnam as Samsungs strategic hub in the region, and serve as the headquarters of Samsung in Vietnam. Previously in March 2016, Hanoi granted the investment registration certificate to Samsung Vietnam for the $300 million R&D facility. According to the initial plan, SEV would build a 21-storey (which has been revised to 18 storeys) building on a three-hectare land plot in Hoang Mai district and employ 2,000 labourers in 2016 and eventually 4,000 in the upcoming years. The centre will also strengthen the position of Vietnam as Samsungs strategic hub in the region, and serve as its headquarters in Vietnam. At the time, Samsung asked a wide range of preferential privileges for its R&D centre. Accordingly, SEV asked for a 50-year exemption from land lease fees, site clearance costs, and import tariffs on the R&D centres equipment and devices, and customs procedures to transfer goods between SEV and the R&D centre in Hanoi. Besides, SEV requested that the annual personal income tax of its employees in the centre be cut by half. As a result, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and other relevant ministries, as well as the authorities of Hanoi have basically agreed to Samsung Electronics Vietnams (SEV) request for incentives. Samsung has hired eight storeys of PVI Tower in Hanoi since 2012 for the Samsung Vietnam Mobile Research and Development Centre (SVMC), which has contributed around 10 per cent of the software market share of Samsung's smart phones and tablets globally. Along with this centre, Samsung has an R&D centre in Ho Chi Minh City, which specialises in studying electronic household products instead of mobile phone as Hanoi. Debuting in Vietnam in 1996, the Korean giant currently has three major manufacturing complexes in the country, including Samsung Vina Electronics in Ho Chi Minh City and the $2.5 billion Samsung Vietnam Electronics project in the northern province of Bac Ninh, which became operational in 2009. The remaining one is the $5 billion Samsung Vietnam Electronics Thai Nguyen complex, which went on stream in March 2014. The tie-up is to provide in-depth corporate services to clients in the ASEAN region The collaboration between SBBS and KTZ is expected to bring synergy to both sides by utilising their strengths in retail brokerage and investment banking experience while extending services to clients in regional countries like Malaysia, Myanmar, and Laos in addition to Vietnam and Thailand. These services include primary market/investment banking, secondary markets, and other related services like cross-border securities brokerage and strategic partnership. Josephine Yei Pheck Joo, CEO of SBBS, and chief investment banking officer of KTZ Wirach Morakotkarn, shared their view: We both feel like business should not be contained within existing country borders and that we could capitalise on each others presence to widen business borders with our local presence and knowledge to better serve our existing clients and to build our network and branding." "We are very excited to see the progress and the collaboration marks another great milestone as we are combining both companies strengths in talents and resources to give a more comprehensive experience and services while reducing competition and costs, they said. Nguyen Hoai Nam, chairman of SBBS, and Kraithip Krairiksh, chairman of KTZ, represented the two companies to sign the memorandum of understanding, witnessed by the Consul Generals of both countries, Sofian Akmal Abd Karin from Malaysia and Apirat Sugondhabhirom from Thailand. SBBS is a joint-venture stock brokering company between Malaysia based Inter-Pacific Securities Sdn., Bhd. Of Berjaya Corporation Berhad (BCorp) and local Vietnamese partners Saigon Bank for Industry & Trade and Ky Hoa Tourist Trading Company. The presence of SBBS in Vietnam since January 2009 to the present has given the company sufficient knowledge about the Vietnamese capital market. In addition to local shareholders support, the company also enjoys the continuous sharing of experience from the advanced know-how by the parent company in Malaysia, and support from BCorp on its investment experience in Asia. Meanwhile, KTZ is a member of Krung Thai Bank (KTB) Group with major shareholders of KTB and Seamico Securities Pcl. in Thailand. KTZ has strong foundations in the Indochina region. Their presence not only in Thailand but Vietnam, Myanmar, and Laos provides a comprehensive set of services across the Indochina region. KTZ provides investment banking, securities, wealth and asset management services to corporate and multi-national companies looking to build a presence in Thailand and its neighbouring countries. The leader of AEON making a speech at the conference (SHOULDN'T WE GET A BETTER PIC? DUDE'S HEAD IS A TINY DOT) The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), the Hanoi Promotion Agency (HPA), and Japans leading retailer AEON on April 25 held a conference connecting Vietnams producers and exporters to AEON Groups global supply chain. The conference aims to increase Vietnams goods exports to AEONs retail chains to $500 million in 2020 and $1 billion in 2025. During the event, experts from AEON gave consultancy about technical standards, product quality, and logistics to potential groups looking to join the supply chain of AEON, as well as shared experience about exporting from Vietnam to Japan in general and to AEONs network in particular. Also, a networking session between AEON and Vietnamese firms in textile, consumer goods, food, and cosmetics was also held as part of the conference. The conference is part of AEONs preparations for its upcoming opening of a new mall in Hanoi later this year. In addition, the retailers sixth commercial centre in Vietnam, AEON MALL Haiphong Le Chan, is expected to be put into operation in 2020. To attract more suppliers and manufacturers, AEON Vietnam is co-operating with the MoIT, the HPA, and others. AEON Vietnam is said to have so far partnered with over 2,000 domestic suppliers to sell over 40,000 products in AEONs shopping centres and supermarkets nationwide. The retailer is now seeking more local and foreign suppliers for its retail chain in Vietnam, including four AEON Malls, 53 supermarkets, and 110 convenience stores. AEON MALL brings contest of 20-year history from Japan to Vietnam Striving to improve customer experience, AEON MALL Vietnam has just organised the Role Play Contest 2018, participated by Tamai Mitsugu, director of the ASEAN Division, ... AEON ends tie-up with Fivimart after four years of no success Retail giant AEON has judged that its partnership with Fivimart will yield no fruits and is terminating the tie-up after four years of cooperation. Visa and CCVSA launched the eighth edition of their financial literacy programme Visa and the Central Committee of Vietnam Students' Association (CCVSA) on April 26, 2019, launched the 2019 Practical Money Skills programme, announcing the expansion of the scope of the programme to include new topics that address the economic challenges facing young people. This years programme the eighth annual instalment will focus on addressing frivolous spending under the theme Chay tui (literally wallet on fire, a phrase similar to the money burns a hole in my pocket). In addition to the core areas of responsible budgeting, saving, and spending, this years programme will also address some emerging areas of concern, like ensuring security while online shopping, what to be aware of when signing contracts, and managing credit to avoid unsustainable debt. This years programme will see teams of three students across the country develop plans to help promote financial literacy among their peers. Teams are encouraged to engage the help of advisors, such as lecturers, business people or student leaders in the development and execution of their programmes. In the second round of the programme, the seven best teams with the best proposals will receive funding to put their plans into action. Teams will record the results of their activities, and the top five teams will be chosen to present them at a grand finale in Hanoi, for the chance to win a number of attractive prizes. Nguyen Minh Triet, standing vice president of CCVSA, said, Following the Resolution of the 10th National Congress of the Vietnam Students' Association, this years programme is organised with the aim of cementing student counselling and supporting activities. With a creative organisational format, we believe the students will have opportunities to experience and familiarise themselves with many aspects of personal financial management. Students with excellent plans will receive funding from the Organisational Board to put their plans into action during the 2019 Green Summer Volunteer Campaign. Dang Tuyet Dung, country manager for Visa Vietnam and Laos Dang Tuyet Dung, country manager for Visa Vietnam and Laos, said, While many of the fundamentals of financial management dont change, new challenges are always emerging that can trip up even the most financially-savvy consumers. With so many young people going online to do their shopping, this year we have added some new subjects to the programme, like staying safe when shopping online and navigating contracts. It is important that they have the skills to manage their finances and spending in all of Vietnams increasingly diverse commercial scenarios. The programmes launch coincides with the release of an online Chay tui Prevention Toolkit, which the students can draw on for inspiration for their programmes. The kit includes eight useful tools such as the Impulse Extinguisher to be sprayed in case of reckless spending; the Lie-spotting Flashlight to help you be contract-savvy; and the Privacy Mask to help protect personal information when making online transactions, to name a few. A range of programme resources are available on the programs Facebook page, Instagram, and YouTube to teach students the basic concepts of spending responsibly while learning to save and budget wisely. For more information about Visas financial literacy programme, please visit: http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com.vn/ and http://hoisinhvien.com.vn. Members of the Khmer Krom ethnic minority group and experts will meet in The Hague, Netherlands, in early June to attend the Second World Conference, which focuses on "Khmer Kroms right to self-determination". The continuing international advocacy effort is aimed at promoting freedom and respect for Khmer Krom human rights in southern Vietnam, which was granted to the Vietnamese administration by France on independence, but which is home to a large population of ethnic Khmer people, known as Khmer Krom. During a visit to Washington this week to meet with US State Department officials and the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) to continue their work, Prak Sereivuth, president of the Khmer Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF), who led the delegation, told VOA Khmer in Washington, DC, that non-violent protest action was justified to highlight abuses against the Khmer Krom. "And we do not want to endanger the lives of Khmer Krom people, we do through international diplomatic, international law with peaceful means," he said. Sereivuth called on Vietnam to end alleged persecution of Khmer Krom. "It depends on the Vietnam government. If the Vietnamese government wants to live with the Khmer Krom brothers, like every other nationality who comes to live in the United States and live in harmony, the Vietnamese government must give equal freedoms, he said. Tran Mannarinh, director of planning at the KKF, said that The Hague meeting would include an in-depth debate about the Khmer Kroms status. "From there, we will gather the ideas of all the speakers who are indigenous experts on self-determination," he said. Khmer Krom in Vietnam is allegedly the subject of institutionalized inequality and persecution, including being prohibited from practicing their faith and being barred from speaking their native language and celebrating traditional festivals. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has documented what it calls serious human rights abuses committed against the Khmer Krom by the Vietnamese authorities, including the arrest of political dissidents. It has called on the European Union to suspend trade agreements with Vietnam until the situation improves. Phil Robertson, HRWs deputy Asia director, said Khmer Krom were the subject of intrusive Vietnamese surveillance of their community. They are not able to evade the surveillance and control of the Vietnam government. You know this is very intrusive surveillance. This is efforts to try to control people, to try to harass various leaders, to try to force the Khmer Krom community to conform with Vietnams existing norms, he said. What would be important would be for the Vietnam government to offer some degree of significant autonomy to the Khmer Krom to run their own affairs, he added. Taiwans anticipated rejection from observing a third consecutive World Health Assembly will slow its access to world health information including disease outbreaks. But the government used to those rejections has found a series of backdoors to get the health alerts and other updates that it needs. The 193-country World Health Organizations (WHO) annual assembly May 20-28 in Geneva is likely to exclude Taiwan, political observers on the island say. China, backed by more than 170 diplomatic allies, normally bars Taiwan from international bodies such as this one because it sees the self-ruled island as Chinese territory rather than a state with diplomatic rights to join. Taiwan, known for inexpensive universal health care coverage, gets the information it needs from diplomatic allies in the WHO and from members of private medical associations that are allowed to observe the assemblies. Though late sometimes, that intelligence keeps Taiwan up to speed on major issues, such as infectious disease outbreaks. Taiwan has been pressured by China for an extremely long time, said Brian Chang, deputy secretary general with the 50,000-member Taiwan Medical Association. We have some friends in nongovernmental organizations, and in their capacity as members in those groups, they can get into the assembly as observers, he said. Basically, even though we are missing from the meeting floor, in reality we can continuously get the information we need about ongoing matters. Back channels Members of a private, nongovernmental womens doctor association, a family practice association and the World Medical Association, a French-based federation of groups for doctors, can get into the assemblies and relay information back to Taiwan, Chang said. Some of the 16 countries that both recognize Taiwan diplomatically and belong to the WHO also pass along information from health assemblies. China has more than 170 allies, giving it the clout to block Taiwan. During the WHOs May 20-28 assembly, member countries are scheduled to examine WHO efforts at containing health emergencies as well as what the organization describes as medical and financial challenges to eradicating polio. The WHO has declared Taiwan polio-free since 2000, but the threat of the poliovirus remains, the Taipei Times news website said in 2013. Taiwans government-run, universal National Health Insurance system should not suffer much in the short term from lack of World Health Assembly access, Scott Lai, director-general of the foreign ministrys Department of NGO International Affairs, told a news conference Thursday. Taiwan joined the assembly as an observer every year from 2009 to 2016, when former president Ma Ying-jeous government was getting along with China. Current President Tsai Ing-wen, who took office in 2016, rejects Beijings dialogue condition that both sides belong to one China, fanning distrust in the Communist leadership. Taiwan did not get invitations to the assembly in 2017 and 2018. Taiwan is set back only by delays in getting WHO information, Chang said. We eventually get the information, but we will be a little bit late, a few days or even a few weeks later, said Shane Lee, political scientist at Chang Jung Christian University in Taiwan. About these epidemics in other countries, if we were a full member of the assembly or the organization, we will get it immediately, by e-mail or whatever, Lee said. But if you dont, you get it from the third countries or some kind of channels. When you deal with an epidemic, the earlier the better. No exchanges among officials Over time Taiwans health care practices would benefit from dialogue with the worlds top health officials at the assembly, Lai told the news conference. If theres no way we can study or hear what other people are saying, we wont know why and how other people are debating things, all we know is the answer, said Huang Kwei-bo, vice dean of the international affairs college at National Chengchi University. Other countries would learn as well from Taiwans nearly 100 percent health care coverage under its National Health Insurance system, Lai said. The rate of our citizens satisfaction over the past years with the health care system has surpassed 85 percent, thats not easy and its an example I think we could share, he said. Taiwan spends more than $44 million on technical and medical assistance overseas every year, according to foreign ministry figures. Taiwan health and welfare Minister Chen Shih-chung said Wednesday he would lead a delegation to Geneva from May 17, even if not invited to the assembly. He told reporters Taiwan had not only contributed substantially to the global network of medical care and disease prevention but also is willing to help developing countries in need, as quoted by government-funded Central News Agency. Cambodia and Huawei signed an agreement on Sunday to develop the latest fifth generation 5G mobile network technology in the country, which the United States has urged its allies not to use. Cambodia is the first country in Southeast Asia signing a deal on 5G, which can reach speeds as much as 100 times faster than 4G. The agreement was signed in Beijing as Prime Minister Hun Sen joined the second Belt and Road forum last week. Hun Sen wrote on his Facebook page on Sunday: This is the best if Cambodia has 5G internet technology since it is fast. According to the post, Wu Weitao, Huaweis president for Southeast Asia, said Huawei will also cooperate with Cambodias government ministries and institutions and improve the digital sector in Cambodia. Meas Po, undersecretary of state at Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, said he could not divulge further details about the agreement. 5G will also be central to a vision of the future in which smart cities filled with smart homes and offices replete with devices connected to the internet of things hum along amid torrents of personal, business and official data. David Li, CEO of Cambodian operations for Huawei, which is facing criticism over security from the U.S., in March promised to help Cambodia obtain better digital technology to improve social productivity and national economy. Huawei Technologies Cambodia launched in 1999, he added. We have been operating 2G, 3G, 4G, and now were heading toward 5G, he said. Currently we are the only industry vendor that can provide the intertwined 5G system. I believe this year 2019 will be a milestone year for 5G in Cambodia, Li said. Citing concerns that Huawei is, like many Chinese companies, linked to the Beijing government, the U.S. has been urging allies not to let Huawei build their 5G networks. But in countries like Thailand, Cambodias neighbor and a U.S. ally, Huawei are building and testing a 5G network because authorities said its low cost trumped U.S. pressure. Huawei has criticized US President Donald Trump for being narrow-minded toward Chinas potential in network technology, dismissing US security concerns over the companys hardware as ungrounded. William Carter, deputy director of the Technology Policy Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said in earlier March that any country doing business with Huawei on 5G will have to deal with the risk of Chinese influence. And the question will be to what extent is that concern enough to overcome the price advantage and the service advantages and the integrated financing advantages [of] doing business with Huawei, he said. As more private businesses and government services move towards cashless payment and online data access, Cambodia is emerging as a rich market for 5G telecoms. Approximately 13.6 million people, or 82 percent of Cambodians, use the internet, and about 7 million use Facebook. The number of mobile subscriptions reached about 19.5 million by January 2019, or 120 percent penetration, according to official figures. Sok Puthyvuth, secretary of state at the telecommunications ministry, told VOA Khmer that Cambodia is eager for 5G penetration, urging private companies, including mobile operators and internet companies, to make 5G available across the country. How did a peaceful democratic uprising morph into a civil conflict and regional proxy war? Andrew Tabler, foremost expert on Syria and fellow in the Program on Arab Politics at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, talks with host Carol Castiel and Begum Ersoz, video journalist in VOAs Turkish Service about the state of play in Syria. He says a combination of Syrian dictator Bashar al Assads brutality, US reticence to forcefully back the rebel opposition under the Obama Administration, and Iran and Russias timely interventions on behalf of Assad, contributed to Syrias collapse, which has spawned the largest refugee crisis since World War II. A village with a hotel settlement camp and another where tourists outnumber residents hosted this year's Audi Nines snow-sport competition from April 22 to 27. Participants from all over the world took to the slopes and launched through the air making champions out of some and producing this awesome video from Austria. Arash Arabasadi has more. Louis Kealoha was Honolulu's Rolex-wearing police chief and his wife, Katherine, was the Maserati-driving prosecutor in charge of an elite unit targeting career criminals He was Honolulu's Rolex-wearing police chief, an avid surfer who chatted with beat cops in Pidgin, Hawaii's creole language. She was his deputy city prosecutor wife, who drove a Maserati and led an elite unit targeting career criminals while showering lunches on colleagues, friends and even the workers renovating her home. For years, Louis and Katherine Kealoha were the city's law enforcement power couple, enjoying widespread respect as Native Hawaiian role models who hailed from humble, blue-collar roots and rose to the top thanks to decades of hard work. They lived in a swanky house near an exclusive country club in the city's Kahala neighborhood, sometimes called Honolulu's Beverly Hills. Then the white mailbox perched on a pedestal in front of their house disappeared, triggering a drawn out disintegration of the couple's reputation amid a twisted tale of allegations involving fraud, illegal drugs and an attempt to frame Katherine Kealoha's uncle for stealing the mailbox. Federal authorities started investigating the two in 2015, and both stepped down from their jobs as the probe deepened. Now the Kealohas are heading to trial next month on federal charges of conspiracy, obstruction and false statements to a federal officer involving the mailbox case. The obstruction charge carries the heftiest sentence up to 20 years in prison. Katherine Kealoha, 48, and her physician brother, Rudolph Puana, are also expected to be tried later on separate allegations that the siblings bartered opioids for cocaine. The Kealohas and Puana have denied all of the charges. The case has morphed into a scandal characterized as the largest corruption prosecution in Hawaii history and prosecutors say greed was the couple's motive. They allege the Kealohas were so desperate to fund their lavish lifestyle that they swindled more than a half-million dollars from banks, relatives and children whose trust funds Katherine Kealoha controlled when she was a lawyer in private practice. Prosecutors say Katherine Kealoha's uncle and her now-99-year-old grandmother threatened to expose the fraud, so she devised a scheme to silence them by attempting to have her grandmother declared incapacitated and conspiring with her 58-year-old husband and members of a special police unit hand-picked by him to frame the uncle, Gerard Puana, for stealing the Kealohas' mailbox. Honolulu police arrested the uncle on a felony charge of mailbox theft in 2013. Puana's lawyer, federal public defender Alexander Silvert, was initially skeptical about his client's claim that he was being set up in an attempt to discredit him over a lawsuit he had filed claiming Katherine Kealoha used a reverse mortgage scheme to steal money from him and his mother, Florence Puana. The Kealohas reported the mailbox as a Gaines model valued at $380 but Silvert said he and his investigators learned it was actually made by a different manufacturer and cost only $180. The difference in value allowed Puana to be charged with a felony instead of a misdemeanor. "When I realized they were lying about the make and model of the mailbox, then I was `OK, there's something going on,"' Silvert said. Federal prosecutors said in court documents filed in the upcoming case against the Kealohas that the couple concocted the mailbox scheme to silence her uncle. "Their reputations, careers and livelihood were seriously threatened by what the Puanas' lawsuit could bring to light. So they moved to silence and imprison him," prosecutors said. "Public embarrassment was not something the Kealohas could afford. They needed to maintain their carefully crafted public image." Puana's mailbox theft case ended in a mistrial in 2014. In 2015, a jury sided with Katherine Kealoha in the civil lawsuit her grandmother and uncle lodged against her. Federal investigators stepped in eventually revealing allegations against Katherine Kealoha, including stealing trust funds from children, showering money she bilked on a firefighter lover and the alleged drug-dealing with her brother. They allege she even invented an alias Alison Lee Wong "to dodge scrutiny, forge documents, secure state Senate confirmation, and more." In 2017, she and her husband were indicted on the federal criminal charges. They have since lost their expensive home to foreclosure proceedings and have taxpayer-funded, court-appointed defense attorneys. Still, their public persona belies this fall from grace as they arrive at court hearings holding hands and wearing color-coordinated outfits. After pleading not guilty after they were indicted in October 2017, the Kealohas left court arm-in-arm wearing lei an odd sight because lei are associated with celebratory events like birthdays to graduations, certainly not criminal court matters. Louis Kealoha's lawyer, Rustam Barbee, told The Associated Press this month that "after 30-plus years of protecting and serving the community here in Honolulu, the chief has earned the right of the presumption of innocence." His wife's lawyer, Cynthia Kagiwada, declined comment on the upcoming federal criminal trial. Hawaii has never had a corruption case like this before, said Neal Milner, a retired University of Hawaii at Manoa political science professor. He said the islands have had their share of organized crime and crooked politicians but the charges the Kealohas face are "an unprecedented kind of alleged corruption." In possible wider legal ramifications, questions have also been raised about possible wrongdoing in prosecutions Katherine Kealoha handled, and federal authorities investigating the couple have notified Honolulu's elected prosecuting attorney Katherine Kealoha's former boss and the city's chief lawyer that they are also targets in the probe. Neither Kealoha was born into the luxury that prosecutors say they craved. Katherine Kealoha rode a city bus as a child for more than an hour to get to school from rural Kahaluu on Oahu's verdant and mountainous windward coast where her father was a fisherman. And Louis Kealoha lived in gritty neighborhoods, including Halawa Valley, where his mother supported the family with a small lunch shop. He dropped out of a community college to join the Honolulu Police Department in 1983, saying he liked surfing more than school. She graduated from the University of Hawaii's law school in 1995. He rose through the ranks of the police department, and eventually earned a bachelor's degree. The two met while getting their master's degrees in criminal justice administration at Chaminade University, a small Catholic school in Honolulu, according to a 2010 Mid-Week newspaper article about how the new chief was instilling Native Hawaiian values while leading the police force. Louis Kealoha ended up earning a doctorate in 2006 through a University of Southern California program in which professors traveled to Honolulu on weekends, according to a 2013 USC publication. Describing his decision to seek higher education, he said his grandparents never attended school and his father had a sixth-grade education. "Nobody in my family was a supervisor of anything. We were all rank and file," the USC article quoted him as saying. "I thought it would be so cool to create a different path for my family." Randal Lee, a retired Honolulu judge, recalls running into Katherine Kealoha at the height of the couple's prosperity around 2008 and asking her where she and her husband were living. When she told him the Kahala enclave of multimillion-dollar homes, he said he thought to himself: "How could they afford that, man?" Umar Madis wife told him to stop working, but he wouldnt hear of it. As a 64-year-old election official in a West Jakarta area tasked to monitor and count the votes in the April 17 Indonesian presidential and legislative election, Umar set out to work at 6 a.m., one hour before voting began, and only stopped at 10 a.m. the next day, without any sleep. On April 24, he had just gotten up to pray when he fell unconscious in his wifes hands. He was admitted to a nearby hospital, and had been in intensive care before dying two days later. He is survived by his wife, his two children and his three grandchildren. Umars daughter, Evi Erwiyati, told VOA that after the elections, he was still working. He wanted to make sure that all the votes were guarded. He also complained that he was too tired and had refused to eat." Umar was among more than 300 election officials who have reportedly died of exhaustion-related illnesses. In Umars case, said his daughter, the diagnosis was a stroke, though he also suffered from heart conditions that at the time were under control. My mother would bring him medications, but he didnt stop working. He was happy to do it, Evi said. Arief Priyo Susanto, spokesman of the General Elections Commission (KPU), confirmed the number of deaths to VOA. Generally, [the cause of the illness] is exhaustion, he said. More than 2,000 others also reportedly fell ill. The deaths are a stark note to end Indonesias elections, the first simultaneous elections since the country had its democratic elections two decades ago. The first democratic presidential election took place in 2004. Many deemed this years elections as a "feat of democracy" with 193 million voters going to the more than 810,000 polls. The results, according to early quick count returns, showed that the incumbent President Joko Widodo defeated his opponent, the former military commander Lt. Gen. Prabowo Subianto. Like the others, Umars $35 pay for the labor-intensive work counting the ballots by hand, monitoring them is deemed insufficient, according to Titi Anggraini, the executive director of the monitoring group Association for Elections and Democracy. The elections were conducted with five different ballots for presidential and legislative representatives. And the simultaneous nature contributed to these deaths, said Titi. (Indonesias Constitutional Court declared the simultaneous elections in 2014.) This year, the KPU lowered the minimum age for elections officials from 25 to 17. Along with the reduced number of voters in a single polling station, according to Titi, these regulations were intended to relieve the fatigue for each election official. But it made no difference, since there are also problems with insufficient ballots and the number of political parties and representatives went up as well, she said. The election officials need to be appreciated sufficiently. Even when money cant replace what they did, the government needs to compensate whoever was left behind, she added. Arief of the KPU told VOA the maximum compensation for the relatives of the fallen officials amounts to more than $2,100. On April 23, the health ministry told hospitals and other health facilities in a circular letter to give utmost care to the sick officials. Concerns over the simultaneous nature of the elections have led to talks on reform. We have to evaluate the simultaneous elections, especially with regards to the execution, Ace Hasan Syadzily, spokesman of Jokos campaign team, told reporters Friday. Joko gave his condolences to the fallen election officials last week. I think [these officials] are a warrior of democracy, he said. The KPU will conclude the vote counting process on May 22. In the previous elections five years ago, where the legislative and the presidential elections were conducted separately, more than 150 people died. Then and now, the officials, said Titi, safeguarded not only the elections, but also Indonesias goodwill as a democratic nation. Umars daughter Evi would agree. When my father set out to do something, he would always feel like he had a responsibility to do. He wouldnt come home until everything was settled. He did that so that his work wasnt questioned by the people around, she said. Im proud of the fact that he was known in the end for his discipline. The man charged with murder in connection with Saturday's deadly attack at a synagogue in the U.S. state of California is due in court Tuesday. Nineteen-year-old John Earnest will go before a judge in San Diego County to be informed of the charges against him, which include one count of first-degree murder and three counts of first-degree attempted murder. U.S. law enforcement said Monday it received multiple tips about a threatening social media post five minutes before the attack that killed one person and wounded three others, but said there was not enough time or details to prevent the shooting. The Federal Bureau of Investigation said it learned about the threatening anonymous post through its tip website and phone line just before the attack on Chabad of Poway synagogue near San Diego. The FBI said its employees took immediate action to identify who wrote the social media post and to learn which location was threatened, but said the shooting took place before they could find answers. San Diego County police said Earnest allegedly entered the synagogue Saturday and opened fire with an AR-style assault weapon.Investigators have said Earnest wrote an anti-Semitic manifesto on social media sometime before the shooting, in which he praised those accused of the deadly New Zealand mosque attacks and October's massacre at a Pittsburgh synagogue. One of the tipsters told The Associated Press that he called the FBI after seeing the social media post and shortly before the attack took place. He described the FBI as quick and professional and said he doesn't know what they could have done. "The FBI thanks the alert citizens who saw and reported the post," the bureau said in a statement. Also Monday, the parents of Earnest said they were shocked and saddened that their son is now part of the history of evil that has been perpetrated on Jewish people for centuries. In a statement, the parents said they raised their children to reject hate. Our son's actions were informed by people we do not know, and ideas we do not hold,'' they said. One of those injured in the attack was Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, who lost his right index finger when he held up his hands as the suspect opened fire. Goldstein said Sunday that most of his pain did not come from his own wounds, but from seeing a beloved charter member of his shul, 60-year-old Lori Kaye, lying dead on the floor as her husband, a doctor, frantically tried to resuscitate her. Others wounded were an 8-year-old girl and her uncle an Israeli war veteran who the rabbi said took a bullet trying to protect children. Both have been released from the hospital. Goldstein said President Donald Trump telephoned him Sunday, speaking for about 15 minutes sharing his condolences. "He was so comforting," Goldstein said. On Monday, Trump said on Twitter, "I spoke at length yesterday to Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, Chabad of Poway, where I extended my warmest condolences to him and all affected by the shooting in California. What a great guy. He had at least one finger blown off, and all he wanted to do is help others. Very special!" Goldstein said the suspect's gun "miraculously" jammed, and he was then confronted by off-duty U.S. Border Patrol agent Jonathan Morales, who Goldstein said "recently discovered his Jewish roots." Morales fired at the fleeing suspect, missing him but striking his car. Earnest called 911 emergency services himself to report the shooting and to tell police where he could be found. He surrendered peacefully with the apparent weapon sitting in the car. Police say if the weapon had not misfired, the suspect might have killed many more. They also say he tried to livestream the shooting on social media but his equipment failed. Amid criticism, boycotts, and calls for postponement, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani officially launched a loya jirga, or grand assembly of the people, in Kabul Monday to discuss Afghanistan's peace process. The four-day gathering of 3,200 delegates includes representatives of women, refugees from Iran and Afghanistan, civil society activists, and various minorities. Addressing the opening ceremony, Ghani called them the "unheard voices of the nation." The assembly, however, was controversial even before it started. Twelve presidential candidates, including Afghan CEO Abdullah Abdullah, opted to boycott the event, calling it a waste of money for the benefit of Ghani's election campaign. Abdullah cited the lack of transparency in the election of delegates and lack of consultation with his office during the preparation period. Former President Hamid Karzai called for the jirga to be postponed until significant progress is reached in negotiations with the Taliban. "At that time, the jirga should be conveyed to sign off on the developments," he said in a statement issued by his office.The statement also pointed to the lack of consensus for the jirga as a problem. In his opening address, Ghani, who is a candidate in the presidential elections scheduled for September, slammed his critics. "I cannot sacrifice this jirga, representing the 31 million people of Afghanistan, for the 15 people living within 6 kilometers of the presidential palace," he said, adding that the poor, not the elite, bear the cost of war. In an effort to bridge the gap between Ghani and his critics, the chairman of the jirga, Abdul Rab Rasool Sayyaf, an influential former jihadi leader who fought the Soviets, said he would try to bring those who boycotted to the closing ceremony. Traditionally, a jirga is convened under extraordinary circumstances in Afghanistan. This grand assembly, which only has a consultative status, is expected to decide on the parameters for future negotiations between the government and the Taliban. The Taliban, who have been negotiating with the Americans since last September, have so far refused to allow Ghani's administration to be officially involved in the process. A recent meeting in Doha in which members of Ghani's administration were to attend in an unofficial capacity was canceled at the last minute over disagreements over the size and makeup of the Afghan delegation. Ghani has repeatedly invited the Taliban to negotiate with him "anytime, anywhere," but they have labeled him a puppet of foreign invaders. Their spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, denounced the jirga as an attempt to block the negotiation process just as it was making progress. Still, Umar Daudzai, head of the commission that organized the assembly, thanked the Taliban for not blocking the process for selection of delegates in areas under their control. He also requested that the Taliban not punish anyone returning from the jirga. Concerns of an attack on the large gathering had led to intense security around the streets of Kabul. Most government offices and many private businesses, schools, and universities were closed. Meanwhile, views on the street were mixed. "A jirga is a good step.Americans can negotiate with Taliban as much as they want, but that will not benefit us. We need an intra-Afghan dialogue. Taliban are our brothers. They should talk to Afghans instead of foreigners,"said Haji Toryali of Kabul. Abdul Nabi, a driver in Kabul, disagreed. "This jirga is a waste of time and money," he said. "They are spending millions, but this will not yield any results. We want Taliban to sit with Afghans, and the first thing they should do is announce a cease-fire." In 2007, the U.S. government made a promise to public service workers: Make 10 years of payments on their federal student loans and any remaining debt would be erased. But officials have largely failed to deliver. And that's left lawmakers questioning whether to end the program or try to fix it. The Trump administration and some Republican legislators see it as a lost cause, arguing that the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is misguided and has proved too complicated for borrowers to navigate. But a group of Democrats is pushing to salvage the program, blaming its failure on poor management by the Education Department. The group, which includes six 2020 presidential contenders, proposed a new bill this month that would simplify the rules and expand the offer to a wider swath of borrowers. Millions of teachers, social workers, members of the military, nurses, public defenders and countless others have been denied the support they have earned, said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., one of the bill's sponsors and a Democratic presidential candidate. It's time for Congress to fix this program and create a fairer and simpler process for public servants seeking loan forgiveness. Signed into law under President George W. Bush, the program is meant to help college graduates who pursue jobs that often pay modest salaries but serve a greater good, such as careers in teaching, the military or with nonprofit groups. But turmoil has been mounting around the program since last year, when the Education Department revealed that 99% of borrowers who applied for loan discharges had been rejected. As of December, just 338 public workers had been granted loan forgiveness out of nearly 54,000 applicants, according to recently released department data. Most have been denied because they didn't meet narrow eligibility requirements. Broadly, the program promises to forgive federal loans for public workers who make 120 monthly payments while working for approved employers. But there are caveats: It applies only to certain types of federal loans, for example, and only for borrowers who opted into certain repayment plans. Thousands of borrowers have said those details were never made clear to them, and many have reported that they were misled by loan servicing companies hired by the government. A scathing 2018 report from the Government Accountability Office concluded that the Education Department had failed to issue clear information to borrowers or loan servicers. So far, a relatively small number of borrowers have asked for loan cancellations - the window for applications began in October 2017 - but there's evidence that many more are on the way. Education Department data show that nearly 1 million borrowers have taken the initial steps to have their loan payments counted for the program. John DeGennaro, a 64-year-old English professor, recently applied for loan cancellation for the sixth time; his previous requests were rejected over problems with his paperwork. I checked off all the right boxes, I made the 120 payments and then I sent it in, and it started this circus, said DeGennaro, of Encinitas, California. Every time I sent something, there would be something else that wasn't my error. It started to become absurd. He's still awaiting a decision on his latest application. Meantime he's stuck with $14,000 in federal student loans that he says he can't pay off with his income as an adjunct at two local colleges. Seeking a temporary fix, Congress last year approved $700 million to erase loans for borrowers who were rejected because they entered into the wrong repayment plan. But Democrats say the Education Department has failed to implement even that stopgap measure. An April 15 letter from Senate Democrats says the department has continued to send borrowers misleading information about eligibility and has taken an unnecessarily restrictive approach to the rules. The letter asks that Education Department officials be ordered in the 2020 budget to notify borrowers who might be eligible for loan relief. Other Democrats have used congressional hearings to rebuke Education Secretary Betsy DeVos over her handling of the program. At a March budget hearing, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., asked DeVos if she's really interested in helping borrowers or if she's out to serve the powerful financial companies profiting off of this malfeasance and incompetence. DeVos in turn blames Congress for creating a program with such puzzling rules, but she also opposes the offer in principal. We don't think one type of a job, one type of role, should be incentivized over another, she said at a House hearing this month. President Donald Trump's 2020 budget proposal asks Congress to eliminate the program, starting with borrowers who take out new loans after July 1, 2020. It argues that the benefit is not only complicated for borrowers to navigate, but it also inefficiently targets subsidies only to those borrowers in public service jobs. House Republicans similarly tried to end the program in a bill that failed in the last session of Congress. Some cite the cost, which some federal estimates peg at $22 billion over the next decade, although just $21 million in loans have been discharged so far. A spokesman for Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., the top Republican on the Senate education committee, said the program will be discussed as part of the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, a federal law that governs much of higher education. Spokesman Taylor Haulsee said Alexander believes that Congress should maintain but repair and improve the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program so it is easier to understand and operate, and better targeted at occupations taxpayers actually want to subsidize with their generosity. The bill proposed by Senate Democrats would expand loan forgiveness to all types of federal student loans and all types of federal repayment options. It would also allow borrowers to get half of their loan balance forgiven after five years, and simplify the application process. Along with Gillibrand, the 13 senators backing the proposal include Democratic presidential contenders Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Kamala Harris of California and Cory Booker of New Jersey, along with Bernie Sanders from Vermont, who is independent. Pakistan announced Monday a major reform plan for the "mainstreaming" of more than 30,000 Islamic seminaries, known as madrassas, amid long-running allegations some of these religious schools promote violent extremism and maintain ties to transnational terrorist networks. Islamabad is under international pressure to act against Islamist groups that continue to operate religious seminaries and other facilities in the country despite being designated as global terrorists by the United Nations.Some of these groups are blamed for plotting cross-border attacks against India and Afghanistan. Military spokesman Major-General Asif Ghafoor told a news conference at military headquarters in Rawalpindi the reforms to "mainstream" madrassas are being implemented in three phases.He said more than 2.5 million children are studying in madrassas across Pakistan. "Islamic education will continue to be taught at these madrasas, but there will be no hate speech," Ghafoor said. Ghafoor noted a government screening of religious schools across the country has found "less than 100 of the more than 30,000 are encouraging violent extremism and terrorism."The rest, he added, are not indulging in such activities and students in these madrassas receive only Islamic education, having no access to contemporary subjects. The general said Prime Minister Imran Khan has set up a special committee to work with organizations running madrassas to incorporate modern subjects in their syllabus. Until recently, Ghafoor revealed, the madrassas in Pakistan were under "the purview of the ministry of industries".He did not further explain, but said the religious schools have now been brought under the purview of the education ministry. Introducing reforms in madrassas has been a highly sensitive issue in Pakistan and Islamist groups running them strongly oppose any such attempts, dismissing them as an anti-Islam Western plot.Supporters acknowledge that madrassas are the only education available to millions of poverty-stricken families in Pakistan and shutting them down is not a practical option. Ghafoor stressed that religious scholars and clerics are fully behind the government's reform plans and want their students to be taught modern subjects. This will help children graduating from these institutions to avail the same carrier opportunities that those coming from private and other schools are able to avail," he said. The spokesman said years of sustained security operations have reduced the threat of militancy and improved security in Pakistan, allowing the government to focus on reforming the madrassas. Ghafoor explained that a legislative bill is being drafted and will be placed before the parliament within two months, enabling the government to allocate funds and appoint new teachers to teach contemporary subjects to be introduced in the madrassa syllabus. "The state of Pakistan is determined to do it because we are about to be relatively done with the job of fighting terrorism.Now we have to eliminate this violent extremism from Pakistan and that is possible when all our children have the same education and opportunities," emphasized the army spokesman. Prime Minister Khan has repeatedly vowed in recent months that militant groups will no longer be allowed to operate out of Pakistan. Authorities have recently also seized control of hundreds of seminaries and charitable medical health units run by proscribed organizations, including those accused of orchestrating attacks in India. VOA Mandarin service reporter Lin Feng also contributed to this report. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says Washingtons decision to end Iran oil waivers to China will not have a negative impact on the latest trade talks between the worlds two leading economies. "We have had lots of talks with China about this issue. I'm confident that the trade talks will continue and run their natural course," Pompeo told an audience in Washington on Monday. China is Irans largest oil buyer. Pompeo added the U.S. would ensure the global oil markets are adequately supplied. Last Monday, the United States announced it was ending waivers on sanctions to countries that import Iranian oil, including China, India, Japan, South Korea and Turkey. Since the sanctions were reintroduced, Italy, Greece and Taiwan have halted their Iranian oil imports. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer are meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He in Beijing on Tuesday, for the latest round of negotiations. The two sides will discuss intellectual property, forced technology transfer, non-tariff barriers, agriculture, and other issues. Vice Premier Liu will then lead a Chinese delegation to Washington for additional talks on May 8. Washington and Beijing have held several rounds this year to resolve a trade war that began in 2018 when President Donald Trump imposed punitive tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese imports. He has been trying to compel Beijing to change its trade practices. China retaliated with tariff increases on $110 billion of U.S. exports. Positive tone The U.S. and China have struck a positive tone ahead of this week's talks in Beijing, aimed at ending the trade war, as both countries work toward an agreement. "We're doing well on trade, we're doing well with China," President Trump told reporters last week. In Beijing, Chinese officials said that "tangible progress" has been achieved. "Both sides are also maintaining communication. We believe that both sides' trade delegations can work together, meet each other halfway and work hard to reach a mutually beneficial agreement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said last week. As the United States and China appear close to reaching a negotiated settlement over trade disputes, a group of American business and retailers has called for a full and immediate removal of all added tariffs" on Chinese goods in a deal, saying anything less would be a "loss for the American people. Business groups from Americans for Free Trade have asked the Trump administration to fully eliminate tariffs on Chinese goods, saying tariffs are taxes that American businesses and consumers pay. Americans have paid over $21 billion in taxes due to the imposition of new tariffs, said a letter to President Trump April 22. Some experts say the administration lacks confidence in Chinas enforcement of a trade deal, and predict some punitive tariffs are likely to remain. "I cannot imagine China accepting a deal where all the tariffs stay in place. I dont see how [Chinese President] Xi Jinping can take that to his people. There has to be something for China. On the other hand, I guess I will be surprised if the U.S. removed all of the tariffs because clearly, the USTR team would like to keep at least some of them in place," David Dollar, Brookings Institutions senior fellow, told VOA Mandarin. "The smart thing would be to remove the tariffs on all of the parts and components, and perhaps on some consumer goods. It seems likely to get that compromise," he added. Kate Pound Dawson contributed to this report. Rains continued to pound northern Mozambique Monday, hampering aid deliveries in the aftermath of Cyclone Kenneth, as the death toll from the storm rose to 38. Rescuers said they used a brief break in the rain Monday to send one aid helicopter to the island of Ibo, where hundreds of homes were destroyed by the cyclone. They say conditions were too dangerous to allow a second flight to take off. Cyclone Kenneth hit Mozambique late Thursday with wind gusts up to 220 kilometers per hour (137 mph), the second deadly cyclone to strike the country in six weeks. Mozambique's disaster management institute said Monday the death toll, previously at five, had risen as the country braced for more rain. Claudio Juliaya, an emergency specialist for UNICEF, who is in the northern city of Pemba, told VOA "We have some areas that there is no access by road, it's much too deep. We cannot reach by road, you can only reach either by plane or by boat." A spokeswoman for the U.N. World Food Program, Deborah Nguyen, said "It's been raining hard since Sunday morning." She added, "We are very worried because, according to the forecasts, heavy rain is expected for the next four days." Mozambique's national weather service said Monday afternoon that rain would continue in the area for at least the next 24 hours. The rain is causing floods and landslides, and more rain will add more misery, cutting off roads that aid groups are using to transport urgently needed supplies, including food and medicine. Mozambique's National Institute of Disaster Management said Sunday more than 23,000 people have no shelter and nearly 35,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed. Before reaching Mozambique, Kenneth swept over the island nation of Comoros, killing three people. On Sunday, the U.N. released $13 million to "provide lifesaving food, shelter, health, water and sanitation assistance to people affected by Tropical Cyclone Kenneth." Cyclone Idai smashed into southern Africa in mid-March and killed more than 1,000 people across Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Madagascar. Juliaya said the new storm is making it harder for aid workers to carry out the recovery efforts from Cyclone Idai. "It is because most of the supplies that we're bringing to respond to Kenneth are being moved from Beira, which were already pre-positioned to respond to the Idai situation," said Juliaya. Mohamud Mascade contributed this report from Minneapolis; Katherine Gypson and Carla Babb contributed from Washington. MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota / WASHINGTON The California synagogue shooting that left one dead Saturday has revived a simmering debate over U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omars comments about the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and U.S. lawmakers relationship with lobbyists for Israel. U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and conservative commentator Meghan McCain suggested Sunday that Omars recent comments are part of rising anti-Semitism on the left and that all sides of the U.S. political spectrum have contributed to an extremist dialogue that targets Jews. Omar the first Somali-American member of Congress pushed back against those claims, retweeting a post by journalist Peter Beinart on Sunday saying: Islamophobia and anti-Semitism are two sides of the same coin. Let us stand together as Americans in rejecting hate. In an interview Friday with VOA's Somali service, Omar said criticism of her outspoken comments was the "product of hate and ignorance mainly driven by President Donald Trump and his far right supporters." The controversy is just there only because the U.S. president and his supporters are not happy with that a Muslim, a refugee, and a minority woman of color has her say on his leadership misbehaviors and wrongdoings, the Minnesota Democrat said. We have a president who believes we are not here, who has been attacking us the minority Americans and people of color. Now, when we get an opportunity and platform to speak out, he wants to silence our legitimate voices, added Ilhan, one of two Muslim women in Congress. I believe I am in a legitimate fight and I hope I will win it. Controversy details Omar ignited a controversy earlier this year with a tweet insinuating that U.S. lawmakers' support for Israel was swayed by money from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a powerful lobbying group. Shortly after apologizing for that tweet, Omar suggested in a public statement that some lawmakers held a dual loyalty to the U.S. and Israel. Omar's comments were criticized by both Democrats and Republicans and triggered two congressional resolutions condemning hate speech. Jewish leaders in Omars diverse Minneapolis district have met with the congresswoman to discuss ways of furthering an open dialogue. In a speech in March to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Omar spoke out against discrimination against and suspicions of Muslims. "CAIR was founded after 9/11 because they recognized that some people did something, that all of us were starting to lose access to our civil liberties. For far too long, we have lived with the discomfort of being a second-class citizen, and, frankly, I'm tired of it. And every single Muslim in the country should be tired of it," she said. Trump and other critics lashed out at Omar over the "some people did something" line, accusing her of trivializing the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil. In one tweet, Trump included that one line from Omar's speech, followed by more than 40 seconds of video footage from September 11 and a large graphic repeating the words "somebody did something." Omar said she has received an increase of death threats since that tweet. Earlier this month, a New York man was arrested for allegedly threatening to assault and murder Omar. Will not be 'quiet' On Friday, Omar met in her home state with prominent figures from the Somali-American community. Asked why she has chosen to engage in this heated political controversy while new to Congress, when she could keep a low profile, Omar said she was not elected to be "quiet" or "invisible." I was not elected to remain still like a self-portrait and think I am protecting my seat. I have to use my seat and leverage to represent the voices of those who elected me, those who have been crying and demonstrating in the streets to get an opportunity to have representatives at the U.S. Capitol, who can say no to the presidents wrong policies, she told VOA. Omar told participants in the meeting she has discussed many things of concern with the Somali community. We have discussed about the prevention and the reduction of our Minnesota youth incarceration, how we can address public housing problems facing our community in Minnesota, the future withdrawal of African Union peacekeepers in Somalia and U.S drone attacks in Somalia, she said. We are working on how we can get a bill that would help prevent civilian casualties by the counterterrorism drone strikes in Somalia, ensuring the civilian protection and how the families of the victims would get compensation. The U.S. military has stepped up its campaign of airstrikes in Somalia against al-Shabab and IS militants since Trump took office. U.S military commanders in the region said the strikes have killed more than 800 militants in two years. Earlier this month, the U.S. Africa Command said a woman and a child were killed last year in a U.S. strike in Somalia, the first civilian casualties acknowledged in the U.S. military's war against Islamist militants there. Russian military personnel flying into Venezuela in recent weeks were likely sent to ensure the nation's sophisticated S-300 surface-to-air missiles remain a credible deterrent to any U.S. military action against the government of socialist President Nicolas Maduro, according to defense analysts in Latin America, the U.S. and Russia. Analysts say the Russian military contingent, which reportedly arrived in late March, included air defense specialists with the necessary skills to ensure the decade-old missiles can be kept operational in spite of Venezuela's crumbling infrastructure and frequent power failures. The Venezuelan government has displayed the S-300 missiles at military parades. U.S. Defense Department officials confirm their presence in the country, as do former Venezuelan military personnel. But few details have been revealed about their operational status or deployment. According to defense experts in the region and satellite imagery obtained by the Israeli company Image Sat, at least four mobile batteries of S-300 missiles have been installed in different parts of Venezuela over recent months to protect key military bases and government centers. U.S. President Donald Trump has left open the possibility of using force to oust Maduro and has repeatedly called on Venezuela's military to stage a coup in support of U.S.-backed parliamentary leader Juan Guaido. But prospects for an internal army uprising seemed to fade last week when the most senior general to publicly support Guaido, ex-intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal, was arrested on drug charges in Spain where he had gone into hiding. Russian missile system Venezuela acquired advanced S-300VM systems a decade ago when it was flush with oil money as part of an $11 billion package of Russian arms bought by Maduro's predecessor, Hugo Chavez. That package also included Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets capable of delivering BrahMos cruise missiles, T-72 tanks, Komar torpedo boats and an assembly plant for AK-103 assault rifles. "The S-300 is reckoned to be one of the best air defense missiles around and Russian motivation is probably twofold: to pose a challenge to the U.S. in its own backyard and to raise the costs to the U.S. of any invasion of Venezuela," said Nigel Inkster, an international security expert with London's International Institute for Strategic Studies. The missiles have proliferated in other conflict zones such as the Middle East, where Iran acquired S-300s to protect its nuclear installations from any U.S. or Israeli air attacks. Russia has supplied S-300s to Syria, while Turkey is negotiating to purchase the even more advanced S-400 system. Venezuela originally purchased eight batteries consisting of multiple tube erector launchers on tracked vehicles. The S-300 fully automated radar guidance systems managed from mobile command posts are capable of intercepting cruise missiles, fixed-wing aircraft and unmanned drones, and countering electronic countermeasures by filtering out false targets. At least four S-300 batteries have been delivered to Venezuela, according to Jose Marulanda, a U.S.-trained Colombian intelligence officer and leading defense analyst in Latin America. He says that 100 Russian servicemen who landed in Caracas on board Antonov and Ilyushin military transports at the end of March have the mission of "refurbishing" the system to get it up and running to mount a defensive air screen over the center of the Venezuela. According to Venezuelan exiled admiral Ivan Carruto, a former spy chief who is in close touch with elements in Venezuela's military, S-300VM batteries have been installed near Caracas as well as the main naval base and oil terminal of Puerto La Cruz. They are also deployed on Margarita Island covering Venezuela's northern approaches and Guarico, a key military complex in the country's interior where Su-30 warplanes and T-72 tanks are also based with Russian maintenance crews. Guarico also holds the tracking station for the Simon Bolivar satellite that was launched by China about 10 years ago to provide Venezuela's military with advanced capabilities to control national territory and communications, forming a key element in the Maduro government's ability to counter internal unrest. Countering power failures Much of Venezuela's economy has collapsed, with food, medicine and power shortages affecting large portions of the population. But Russian advisers are "operating under extreme conditions" to keep the military machine going, according to Moscow defense expert Oleg Morozov, who spoke on Russian television about President Vladimir Putin's growing commitment to protect Maduro. One of the main tasks of the recently arrived Russian air defense specialists is "setting up autonomous power generation systems to secure the capacity of S-300 systems to function during power cuts," according to Marulanda. The Russians arrived on March 24, less than three weeks after a nationwide power failure blacked out most of the country on March 7. S-300 missiles have a standard range of 200 kilometers, although recently enhanced versions can reach targets at almost twice that distance, according to Russia arms contractor Rosoborexport, which has managed the sales to Venezuela. "They may present a serious consideration for any planning action against Venezuela, but are not a game changer," said professor Ewan Ellis, a Latin America expert with Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. He added that the U.S. circumvented the same system in conducting surgical airstrikes in Syria, and could probably neutralize the Venezuelan missiles at a very early stage of an invasion. Hundreds of Russian man-portable Igla surface-to-air missiles supplied to special forces and irregular units may present more of a long-term challenge to any intervention force, according to U.S. intelligence analysts who say the Venezuelan military years ago adopted a doctrine of "dispersed defense" under Cuban guidance. U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton has said 20,000 Cuban troops and intelligence agents are embedded in Venezuela, a statement Cuban officials have challenged. When U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo directed the CIA, he expressed concern that shoulder-fired missiles in the hands of pro-regime paramilitary "colectivos," linked with Hezbollah and Colombian guerrilla groups, could be used for terrorist attacks. Spain's ruling Socialist party has won Sunday's general election with around 29% of the vote. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is set to begin coalition talks to try to form a government. "The future has won, and the past has lost," Sanchez told cheering supporters Monday. Following a deeply divisive election campaign, a far-right party will hold seats in the Spanish parliament for the first time since the regime of fascist dictator Francisco Franco ended in the mid-1970s. Meanwhile the center-right People's Party, which held power until June last year, saw its vote share collapse amid a splintering of the right-wing vote. The pro-European Socialists will see a big increase in their number of lawmakers, but still short of a majority, so they will need to form a coalition either with the left-wing Podemos or regional parties. Luis Cornago is Political Risk Analyst at Teneo Intelligence in London. "That's going to take time because we have regional elections, local elections, and European elections coming in late May," he said. "So it seems that parties are going to hide their cards in terms of coalitions and all that and what they are doing next, until after that date." Prime Minister Sanchez had called the snap election after Catalan separatist parties in his ruling coalition refused to support the budget. His new government could once more rely on their support, said Cornago. "They are going [to] claim something in exchange.They are going to say that they want a [independence] referendum," he added. The issue of Catalan independence has echoed far beyond the northern Spanish region. The far-right Vox party gained around 10% of the vote and 24 seats in parliament, campaigning under the borrowed slogan "Make Spain great again." Many observers had expected the party to gain more votes. Vox Leader Santiago Abascal told supporters Sunday his party is here to stay. "This is just the beginning," he said. "We told you we were initiating a reconquest and that is exactly what we have done." The Vox party's rise mirrors right-wing populists elsewhere in Europebut it has different roots, says analyst Luis Cornago. "They go against immigrants and all these things that we see in other places but in different places the flavors of radicalism are different," he said. "So in the case of Spain, without a doubt, the reason why they emerged and when they emerged, it's very much related to the Catalan issue and to some sort of Spanish nationalist response." That issue is yet to be resolved, as many Catalonians continue to fight for independence. Once formed, Spain's new government faces the daunting task of trying to reconcile an increasingly polarized and fractured country. VOA's Ira Mellman contributed to this report. Sri Lanka, still reeling from the impact of the deadly Easter Sunday explosions, has banned women from wearing face veils. President Maithripala Sirisena implemented the ban on Monday under an emergency law, roughly a week after explosions targeting churches and hotels on Easter Sunday left over 250 people dead. Officials said the move will help security forces with the identification process as the country continues to search for people responsible for the explosions. Reuters reports that the top body of Islamic scholars supports the measure on a short-term basis because of security concerns, but opposes legislation against burqas. The U.S. said it has followed the developments in Sri Lanka and has encouraged the government to use the emergency law only in the scope of the specific Easter attack. "Respecting the rights of communities is something that can coexist in a democratic society with efforts to combat global terrorism," Alaina Teplitz, U.S. ambassador to Sri Lanka, told VOA. "Sri Lankans can make very good choices about how to approach that and the presidents indication that these emergency powers would only be used to focus on the perpetrators of this terrible crime I think is an important acknowledgement of that," she added. In another development, Sri Lankan local media report that police have identified the woman and the girl who were pulled Saturday from rubble of a shootout between security forces and militants that killed fifteen people, including six children. Officials say the pair are the wife and daughter of Zahran Hashim, the suspected mastermind behind the deadly Easter Sunday attacks. A day after Colombo declared National Towheed Jamaath (NTJ) a terror group, armed police in the town of Kattankudy in eastern Sri Lanka entered the organization's main mosque. On Saturday, President Sirisena formally outlawed two Islamist extremist groups suspected of carrying out the Easter attacks. Sirisena used his emergency powers to ban NTJ and another group, Jamathei Millathu Ibrahim (JMI). Security officials said the NTJ was believed to have been the main group behind the Easter attacks. Officials said they were prohibited by law from banning the little known groups earlier due to the lack of firm evidence against them. Catholic churches in Sri Lanka were shuttered Sunday in the aftermath of the attack. The faithful, however, were able to watch a televised broadcast of a Mass. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Easter Sunday explosions. An IS statement said that "after exhausting their ammunition," the men "detonated on them their explosive belts." Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said officers found a cache of 150 gelignite sticks, an Islamic State uniform, steel pellets, a drone, a laptop computer, as well as a van thought to be used during the Easter attacks. Sri Lanka's police chief Pujith Jayasundara resigned Friday because of the security failures around the attacks. As the government faces an outpouring of public anger over the failure to heed the warnings, senior officials admit it has been a "major lapse." Reports say Indian intelligence agencies sent out several warnings to Sri Lanka, and that Indian security agencies had gathered details about the Islamic militant group suspected of carrying out the attacks. At least 20 students in India have committed suicide after receiving failing grades in national exams. A 17-year-old girl reportedly immolated herself In the Narayanpet district after failing the zoology exam, according to the Khaleej Times. Another student committed suicide in Telangana on Saturday. The suicides come after the Board of Intermediate Education announced test results last week, showing that more than one-third of almost one million students failed. Parents, students and politicians contested, the newspaper reported, saying the test was marred and the results in error. Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao ordered that tests deemed failures be rexamined and rescored. A government-formed panel looked into the exam system administered by Globarena Technologies, and a reexamination of the examinations is underway, Khaleej Times wrote. "These kinds of errors happen every year, but this year it got politicized," Globarena Technologies CEO VSN Raju told News Minute. "This is just the first year of its operation," he said about his company's test administration software that earned Globarena a three-year contract in 2018. Raju attributed the mistakes to human error in reading the test bubbles filled in by pencil. Raju told News Minute there was "nothing extraordinary about them. The students approach the board for revaluation and get these mistakes rectified," he added. Test results on a website "had the outdated results and the issue was blown out of proportion," said Raju. Fifty-thousand other students who passed, but were not satisfied with their results have applied for re-verification. Families of the suicide victims are asking for financial compensation. In 2016, 230,314 people committed suicide in India. "India accounts for a large proportion of all suicide deaths globally," reported the British medical journal The Lancet, in October 2018. "With 18 percent of the world's population living in India and 42 percent of the population aged 15 to 39 years, addressing suicides in India is imperative to making a global difference." According to Indian government statistics, pressure from parents to do well in school was the number one cause for suicide. India's contribution to global suicide deaths, The Lancet wrote, increased among young women to 36.6 percent in 2016, up from 25.3 percent in 1990. Among young men, the rate increased to 24.3 percent from 18.7 percent during the same time. Nearly two-thirds of India's population is younger than 35. Please share your thoughts in the Comments here, and visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Opposition leaders in Sudan are discussing who will sit on a joint civilian-military council expected to run the country for the next two years. Military leaders who ousted President Omar al-Bashir earlier this month agreed to the joint council on Saturday. Sudan's main protest group, the Sudanese Professional Association, held its third session Monday to decide who will get seats on the joint civilian-military council and what their role will be. The current Transitional Military Council, which has run the country since former President Bashir was toppled on April 11, agreed to share power with civilians after two weeks of protests in the capital of Khartoum and elsewhere. The TMC had originally said it would run the country for two years ahead of planned election. Opposition groups rejected that and demanded a civilian-led council with executive authority. Despite the apparent progress, protesters like Huzifa Hassan said they are still concerned. Hassan is against military leaders having executive power. Hassan said he doesnt see any point in giving military members executive authority. If this ends up with the military playing the role of making decisions, he says, protesters wouldn't have revolted against the government in first place or the first military council led by [defense minister] Ibn Awf and the members of the military council. However, another protester, Sheikh el-din Abdullah, thinks a military role in the council is a good idea. He says the formation of a military-civilian council is satisfying, due to conflicts between parties, armed opposition and many internal issues that resulted from 30 years of inequity and exclusion. That will not end with a completely sovereign civilian council, he says, it needs a military council too. Meanwhile, a sit-in outside army headquarters that began more than three weeks ago continues. The protesters, who originally gathered to demand the removal Bashir's 30-year iron-fisted rule, have said they will not leave until the military hands over power to civilians. TMC head Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Burhan has promised to hand over power to civilians soon. Anguish, pain and heartache poured out of Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein on Sunday as he recounted the terrorist shooting at his Chabad of Poway synagogue near San Diego that killed a woman and left him and two others wounded. "I see a sight that is indescribable," the rabbi said, describing how a gunman pointed a rifle straight at him. "He wore sunglasses. I couldnt see his eyes, I couldn't see his soul," Goldstein said, describing the alleged shooter. Goldstein said he held up his hands as the suspect opened fire, wounding him and blowing off his right index finger. But the rabbi said most of his pain came from seeing a beloved charter member of his shul, 60-year-old Lori Kaye, lying dead on the floor as her husband, a doctor, frantically tried to resuscitate her. He sobbed as he described Kaye as a person of "unconditional love" who was always there for those in need, regardless of their race or religion. Others wounded were an 8-year-old girl and her uncle -- an Israeli war veteran who the rabbi said took a bullet trying to protect children. Both have been released from the hospital. Goldstein said President Donald Trump telephoned him Sunday, speaking for about 15 minutes sharing his condolences. "He was so comforting," Goldstein said. On Monday, Trump said on Twitter, "I spoke at length yesterday to Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, Chabad of Poway, where I extended my warmest condolences to him and all affected by the shooting in California. What a great guy. He had a least one finger blown off, and all he wanted to do is help others. Very special!" No fear stance The rabbi appealed to all Jews to go to their synagogues this Friday night, the start of the Jewish Sabbath, to show solidarity and that "terrorism will never prevail." "We are a Jewish nation that will stand tall. We will not let anyone or anything take us down. We need to battle darkness with light," he said. U.S. national security adviser John Bolton said there is "no doubt" Saturdays synagogue shooting in San Diego is a hate crime, but that the alleged gunman likely acted alone. "It was an atrocious and utterly inexcusable action," Bolton told Fox News Sunday. "Our entire nation mourns the loss of life, prays for the wounded, and stands in solidarity with the Jewish community," Trump said at a political rally in Wisconsin hours after the shooting. "We forcefully condemn the evils of anti-Semitism and hate, which must be defeated." Miracle & serendipity San Diego County police say 19-year-old John Earnest allegedly entered the Chabad of Poway synagogue Saturday and opened fire with an AR-style assault weapon. Rabbi Goldstein said the suspect's gun "miraculously" jammed and he was then confronted by off-duty U.S. Border Patrol agent Jonathan Morales, who Goldstein said "recently discovered his Jewish roots." Morales fired at the suspect as he fled, missing him but striking his car. "Sincerest thank you to our great border patrol agent who stopped the shooter at the Synagogue in Poway, California. He may have been off duty but his talents for law enforcement werent!" Trump tweeted. Earnest called 911 emergency services himself to report the shooting and to tell police where he could be found. He surrendered peacefully with the apparent weapon sitting in the car. Police say if the weapon had not misfired, the suspect might have killed many more. They also say he tried to livestream the shooting on social media, but that his equipment failed. Investigators also say Earnest apparently wrote an anti-Semitic manifesto on social media sometime before the shooting, in which he praised those accused of the deadly New Zealand mosque attacks and Octobers massacre at a Pittsburgh synagogue. Rabbi Goldstein said his missing index finger will always be a reminder of how vulnerable people are to terrorism. Activists in Taipei, inspired by new laws in parts of the United States, kicked off a campaign this month to legalize marijuana, but they are given low odds of a breakthrough against the traditional anti-drug ethic of East Asia. Some 300 people launched their effort April 20 with a demonstration outside the Taiwan parliament compound in Taipei. They asked that marijuana be regulated as a medication instead of as a drug the possession of which carries three years in prison. We believe this thing can be handled according to the rules on medication," said Luo Yi, spokesman for the group Green Sensation, which organized the demonstration. "To break it out and classify it as a drug we think wont be helpful in solving any problems. We hope marijuana can be legalized and hope to promote it first for medical use. The pro-marijuana campaign is unlikely to effect change, a spokesman for the Taiwan justice ministry said last week. A ruling party lawmaker called Taiwan too conservative to accept legalization. If Taiwan legalized marijuana, it would be the second place in East Asia to go in that direction after Thailand. Thai legislators agreed in December to allow the licensed medical use of marijuana. Police across most of the region see marijuana as a drug worthy of fines and prison terms. Colorful rally At the April 20 demonstration, stalls displaying hemp clothing lined a blocked-off Taipei street. A disc jockey spun dance music from the rally stage where people in their 20s and 30s danced in colorful, loose-fitting clothes. Marijuana conveys a culture such as that of hippies in the United States, Luo said. Todays younger Taiwanese are open to the culture, he added. Some of our people have seen research and reports from other countries and realize, hey, (marijuana) is not so bad after all, he said. Activists are taking legal cues from the United States, as well. More than 30 U.S. states allow some form of legal use. Americans in Taiwan are often surprised to face prison time when caught with small amounts of marijuana for personal use. In April last year, the de facto U.S. embassy in Taiwan sent citizens an advisory citing an increase in arrests related to marijuana over the last several months and a reminder that penalties for possession, use, selling or trafficking of illegal drugs in Taiwan are severe. Green Sensation intends to hold a series of events over the next year including another mass demonstration to advance its cause. By early 2020, Luo said, Green Sensation plans to approach legislators as well as local city council members to advocate changes in marijuana-related laws. Slow change No legislator is keen now on introducing a legalized-marijuana bill, ruling party lawmaker Lee Chun-yi said on Saturday. Taiwanese people in general have expressed little demand for changing the laws, he added. I think Taiwan basically is still a bit conservative, so to open that aspect of society now, I think society has no way of accepting it, he said. However, law enforcement academics and health officials have begun to discuss the laws on marijuana as usage becomes more severe over the past few years and authorities hope not to lose control, said Liao You-lu, a criminal investigation professor at Central Police University in Taiwan. Marijuana cases are too numerous now for police to discover all of them, Liao said, as the substance has become an expensive habit for Taiwan's middle class. Health officials still see marijuana as dangerous enough to be regulated, he said. Taiwans situation is still in a state of being controlled, because if you started to permit it, at first it would become extremely serious, Liao said. For people needing food from San Francisco's main food bank, one of the biggest hurdles was actually filling out the online form for food stamps. The application was long, with more than 200 questions. It didn't work on mobile phones. For people without home computers, it was hard to get through the process. But the San Francisco Food Bank, which provides fresh vegetables and dry goods to more than 200,000 people in northern California, partnered with a technology nonprofit that helped bring the application process into the digital era. "We made a really simple online form that's mobile first and only takes seven minutes," said Jennifer Pahlka, founder and executive director of Code for America, which helps government programs work better by using technology. "It uses really clear, simple language, and then we help people get through the process by supporting them by text message because that's what people actually use." A new bill from Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris promises to help local government form tech teams. With support from Code for America and the Center for Democracy & Technology, Harris is calling it the "Digital Service Act," which she says will empower state and local government to invest in digital services to update and rebuild government services using technology. "Americans deserve a government that works for them and that just plain works," Harris said in a press release. "We must do more to empower our state and local governments to tap into the power of technology to provide seamless, cost-effective services for the 21st century." The Digital Service Act would authorize $50 million annually to grow the United States Digital Service, a group of technologists working in government to help improve programs.If approved, the Digital Service Actwould also authorize $15 million for state and local governments to receive two-year seed grants to establish and strengthen digital services and require that at least 50% of each grant be used for talent. Harris is not the only presidential candidate to talk about tech. Others are also looking to tech to solve civic problems and create more local jobs. Still, others have attacked tech. Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders has criticized Amazon's treatment of its warehouse workers. And fellow Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren has proposed breaking up tech giants like Amazon and Facebook. President Donald Trump, who is seeking re-election in 2020, has met with U.S. tech industry leaders to talk about what government can do to help the United States maintain its leadership in key technological areas. Harris' proposal to get tech involved on a local level makes sense to Francesca Costa, outreach manager for CalFresh, the local food stamp program. "I think investing in technology is crucial for government assistance programs," said Costa. "It's a good strategy to eliminate those technological barriers so that we can focus on any other barriers that might exist in the business process." Pahlka said local governments don't need "fancier technology."Instead, what's needed is a new approach, she said, one "that puts all of the compliance and laws and regulations that make government services so complicated and then really, really hard to use. Push those to the background and make things that really work for people." In another project, Code for America helped local California governments clear the criminal records of people convicted of marijuana-related crimes. With a number of states having legalized marijuana, many convictions were overturned, but the process of digitally clearing them had stalled. "It's remarkable to see the number of people in government who never thought that was possible, even though it's actually quite easy," Pahlka said. President Donald Trump fired new taunts Monday at opposition Democrats in the ongoing fight to shape the narrative of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation and report on Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. In a Twitter comment, Trump sarcastically said, "Bob Mueller was a great HERO to the Radical Left Democrats" while his 22-month investigation was underway. But Trump said when Mueller concluded that he and his campaign did not collude with Russia to help him win the White House and that "our highly respected" Attorney General William Barr decided obstruction of justice charges were not warranted, "the Dems are going around saying, Bob who? Sorry, dont know the man. He provided no examples of this. Barr is set to testify before a Senate committee Wednesday about his no-obstruction decision and his oversight of the end of the Mueller probe. But Barr's planned appearance before the House Judiciary Committee Thursday is in doubt in a dispute over who will question him. Committee chairman Jerrold Nadler of New York wants to give the 41 committee members five minutes each to ask Barr questions and then another 30 minutes for both Democratic and Republican lawyers for the committee to make more inquiries of Barr. Barr has agreed to questioning by the House lawmakers, but balked at the further questioning by the lawyers. The Justice Department has told the House committee Barr may not show up. Nadler says Barr has no choice. "We've been very clear. Barr has to come. He has to testify. It's none of the business of a witness to try to dictate to a congressional committee what are procedures for questioning him are," Nadler said Monday. He added that the committee will take "whatever action we have to take" if Barr skips out on the questioning. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said the Trump administration cooperated with Mueller's investigation, but derided the House panel's demand for questioning of Barr by committee lawyers. "You have to look at the outrageous behavior, particularly of the House Democrats, who are asking for things they know they can't have, that they know they have no legal authority to have, and frankly they're just acting really childish," Sanders said. "It's almost embarrassing to the House Democrats the way that they're behaving." Mueller cited 11 instances of possible obstruction of the investigation by Trump, saying that "while this report does not conclude that the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him." With Mueller not reaching a decision on the obstruction question, Barr said he concluded no criminal charges against Trump were warranted. Democrats say they want to question Barr how he reached his no-obstruction decision. WATCH: Trump subpoenas Days after declaring it would accept "all survivors," the Supreme Yazidi Spiritual Council in Iraq said this weekend it will not take in the children of women raped by Islamic State (IS) militants. The recent decision has caused controversy and confusion in the Yazidi community, with some siding with the Yazidi Spiritual Council's reversal, while others blame the clerical leadership for not being flexible in addressing the issue. Yazidis, a Kurdish-speaking religious minority, are viewed as heretics by the IS terror group. At its peak in 2014, IS fighters seized the northern Iraqi town of Sinjar, where tens of thousands of Yazidis lived. IS fighters killed scores of Yazidi men and enslaved several thousand women and girls in atrocities that amounted to genocide, according to the U.N. Yazidi women were taken as slaves, many of whom now have children by the IS men who raped them. 'Media distortion' The Spiritual Council, which is the highest religious authority among Yazidis, said it encourages Yazidi women survivors to return with their children, but added, "We don't mean those born of rape." "What was published by media outlets is a distortion, misrepresentation of facts, and is totally against the principles and tenets of the Yazidi religion and social norms," said a statement signed by Hazim Tahseen Said, head of the Supreme Yazidi Spiritual Council. The Yazidi faith does not recognize marriage between Yazidis and non-Yazidis. It does not allow conversion either. The weekend clarification came after an initial statement issued last week by the Supreme Yazidi Council itself, which was widely interpreted as an official acceptance of children born to IS fathers. Mothers' decisions Nobel laureate and former IS captive Nadia Murad has weighed in on the debate by proposing a more moderate solution. "I know that this is a difficult decision. This is something new and hard for our people," Murad said Sunday in a video posted on Facebook. "I was in contact with many women. They told me they have been rescued, but are living in camps, mountains and other countries. They are afraid to return as they have been told that their children will not be accepted," the Yazidi activist said. Murad added, "I believe this should be determined by the mothers of the children and their families, rather than the fact that some of us say [these women] should not bring their kids, while others say they should." Some activists say it's unjustified to attack the Yazidi religious authorities for reversing their decision about the children. "The Yazidi Spiritual Council reversed its decision because it came without a study and after knowing the consequences that might occur if it was implemented," said Dawood Saleh, a Yazidi survivor who wrote a book on his experience during the IS onslaught on Yazidis in Sinjar. Iraqi law Experts said in addition to religious and social restrictions, another reason behind the official Yazidi refusal to take in these children is a national law in Iraq that requires children born to at least one Muslim parent to be identified as Muslims. According to Article (26) of the Iraqi national identity card law, which was adopted in 2015, a child born to one Muslim parent must be registered as a Muslim. The article, however, does not mention rape as an exemption, and so far Iraqi authorities have made no exemption or amendment to the law. Western pressure Some experts believe world powers could use their leverage over the Iraqi government to make amendments to this law. "Only U.S. and Western pressure on the Iraqi authorities might produce results," said Jonathan Spyer, executive director of the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis. But "there seems little interest from the Western media in this" issue, he told VOA. Activist Saleh told VOA that it is necessary for the Yazidi community "to find a solution for those children who have become victims of the ISIS crimes." ISIS is an acronym for the terror group. Last month, U.S.-backed Kurdish forces declared victory over IS after defeating the group in its last stronghold in eastern Syria. But there are nearly 3,100 Yazidi women and children still missing, according to rights groups. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Kenyan innovators are counting on the country's digital technology to help attract young people to agriculture currently dominated by an aging population. According to the Communication's Authority of Kenya, mobile phone penetration is 98%. Sarah Kimani reports for VOA from Kinoo, Kenya. Photo: HBO If there are any constants in the world of Game of Thrones and its George R.R. Martin source material, its to expect the unexpected, and for things to go very badly. Its with that in mind that we turn our attention to the upcoming Battle of Winterfell, perhaps the most-hyped episode in the history of the series. With whats alleged to be the most epic battle sequence of all time upon us, HBO has been more than happy to let viewers assume this apex battle will include a showdown between the Night King and some of our major heroes, like Bran or Dany or Jon. But, sweet summer children, by now we should know better than to accept that at face(less) value, right? What if a showdown is not at all what the Night King is after? What if the Night King has another agenda one with far more wide-reaching implications? Take a look at the footage weve seen of the impending battle. One major thing missing? Ol blue-eyed Viserion and the Night King. Where are they in this ultimate battle for the future of Westeros? Sure, it could be simply that HBO doesnt want to reveal the battles main event in its promotional materials or, could it be that the Night King isnt even going to show up to Winterfell, to far more devastating measure? Now thats the kind of brilliant, infuriating subversion of expectations we expect from this show! A more traditional version of this story might play out with this being the true final battle for Westeros, the Night King losing, and everyone living happily ever after, the end. But thats not Thrones style! Theres no way bad shit isnt going down at Winterfell when a bunch of unarmed people have been shoved into the crypts, and the soldiers up top seem very not worried about the fact that the Night King can raise the dead oh, and that he has an ice dragon that could just blast the whole place to smithereens. With three superlong episodes left in the series after this weeks battle royal, Game of Thrones still has plenty of story left to tell, so it seems likely that the Night King and the series alike are playing a longer game, one that may not end at Winterfell. Thanks to obsessive reading of the books and over-analyzation of the series itself, we have a few theories on what the Night King could get up to after the long-awaited Battle of Winterfell or maybe even during it. Which leads to the most intriguing hypothesis What if the Battle of Winterfell is a diversion so that the Night King can fly down and take Kings Landing? Admit it: This theory sends a delightful chill down your spine. Its exciting because its so devastating and scary, and ties into hints we saw in Danys vision of a destroyed and snowy throne room in the House of the Undying back in season two, a.k.a. peak Game of Thrones. What if, after the Winterfell army has fought ol Crasters icybois, and possibly maybe even won the battle against the dead, it was revealed that the Night King has already flown down to Kings Landing, turned the million-plus people living there into a super-mega-ultra army of undead people, and is marching back up North? The implications are as horrifying as they are thrilling and connect to a lot of different things that would add an emotional gut punch to the story. What could be more devastating than losing a ton of your favorite characters in a single battle during the war for the living? How about if those who survive realize that any win or loss is pointless because the Night King has already won? This theory feels even more sound when you consider what weve not had, not even once this season: a glimpse of undead Viserion and the Night King literally anywhere. Crasters boys? Oh, sure, weve seem em. But ol Night King and Ice Ice Visy? Not so much. Considering what season seven told us about how fast dragons can travel the length of Westeros to say nothing of the deadly capacity of a Night Dragon why havent we seen more discussion of countering an undead dragon attack on Winterfell? Could it be that the Night King is actually headed to attack Kings Landing, and Bronn already on his way north to kill the Lannister brothers at the behest of Cersei will be the one to show up and burst the Winterfell survivors bubble by telling them everyone in the South is already en route and fighting for the dead? Think about it: How much of last season and this one was spent assuming the Night King and his army would ransack the North first, or casually mentioning how many millions of people are stacked on top of each other in Kings Landing? Cersei repeated the idea several times as she recounted her double cross to Jaime: Why send her men North when theyre all destined to die? The enemy of my enemy is my friend, after all. And speaking of Cersei Could this lead to Cerseis most devious level-up ever? You know what else would ratchet things up to 11? If the Night King shows up fresh from leveling Kings Landing with a Night Queen Cersei, riding by his side on Viserions icy back. One of Game of Thrones women becoming the Night Queen has long been surmised thanks to Old Nans stories and Westerosi prophecy and history (and its been one of my favorite theories for years). Dany would seem like a prime candidate for this role at first, but she seems more apt to become a Nissa Nissa type (click that link if you truly want to rabbit-hole). That leaves Cersei, for whom going full, irredeemable ice villain would be the ultimate level-up after all shes done so far. Everyone has warned Dany to be careful lest she end up ruling over ash and bone, but maybe its Cersei who should have been given that warning. Or maybe the Night King is heading to the Citadel? What do we know the Night King wants, at least if creep-maester Bran is to be believed? An erasure of all memories so a night that never ends can finally begin. Bran is certainly the embodiment of all of those memories, thanks to being the Three-Eyed Raven, hoppin round the realm, creeping on memories via weirtrees but there is also a whole city filled with many of those same memories. As we know thanks to our dear, beloved Sam, the Citadel is home to all the (admittedly skeptically penned) truth and history of Westeros. Its filled with maesters who observe and write about the world, in addition to being the original magic skeptics. Keep in mind, the Citadel is an incredibly old part of Westeros older than any of the Andals and First Men invasions. Theres likely a lot of untapped magic and mystery there. (Dont forget about the astrolabe in the seriess opening credits and hanging from the Citadel librarys ceiling!) Its the nexus connecting Westeross present to its past, thanks to previous civilizations lack of written history. So if youre an apocalyptic agent of chaos looking to take out all of the worlds memories, the Citadels a good place to start on your Devastation World Tour. Plus, this could play nicely into Sams admission that he stole some books from the Citadel when he left, leaving the seriess George R.R. Martin stand-in with the only remaining written record of Westerosi history. Maybe the Night King is just tired and wants to go home? Then again, absolutely none of this could be correct at all, and maybe the Night King is headed to Winterfell so he can crawl into the crypts and finally get some sleep in his rumored ancestral home. This is, of course, contingent on whether you believe the speculation that the Night King is actually a Stark of Winterfell and former Lord Commander of the Nights Watch which, if you think about it, has some pretty interesting parallels to the journey of a certain No-Nothinger. What if, dare we say it, Bran is simply wrong about the Night Kings motivations? If the series has taught us anything about people involved in magic and prophecy looking at you, Melisandre its that sometimes they get it very, very wrong. What if the ultimate twist is that the Night King isnt really a bad guy, just someone who took one for the team (that team being the living) in order to protect the realm by ruling over the dead and keeping them at bay, and now he wants to pass that burden onto someone else, forcibly if necessary? Martin has frequently explained that the point of his story is to upend the tropes and binary ideas so often at play in the good vs. bad battles of fantasy stories. The TV series has been especially good at playing out riveting 180-degree character journeys, not shying away from showing heroes dying too young, or bad guys turning a corner. (Hello, Jaime Lannister!) As we see more of the Night Kings machinations, its hard not to wonder what his endgame actually is, and whether, maybe, he could be the betrayed hero and Weirdo Bran the ultimate villain. You have to admit, theres a cyclical poetry to the idea of Jon Snow someone whos readily given up his crown and stated his only focus is to protect the living being forced to take on the role of new Night King in order to save Winterfell, and by extension the realm, thus becoming the Big Bad to the next generation of Westeros. Waco police this week are seeking a man who shot a North Waco store clerk in the chest Sunday evening. Officers were called to the Alon convenience store in the 2400 block of West Waco Drive around 7:15 p.m. and found the 60-year-old victim, Waco police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton said. Police learned he was a clerk who had been shot inside a nearby establishment, the Mini-Retail Store, 2406 W. Waco Drive, and went to the convenience store to get help. Swanton said the motive for the shooting is unclear, and police don't know if the man robbed the store before he shot the man once and ran east on Waco Drive. At this point, we are still trying to figure out what happened, Swanton said. We were unable to interview the victim last night because of his injury. Our investigation is ongoing. Emergency responders took the victim to Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery Sunday night. 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. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 28, 2019. (Xinhua/Ding Lin) BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen in Beijing on Sunday. As a friendly neighbor of Cambodia, China stands ready to deepen political mutual trust with Cambodia, promote pragmatic cooperation in all fields, work together for a community with a shared future with strategic significance, and elevate bilateral relations to a higher level, Li said. China encourages its businesses to invest in Cambodia, and is willing to increase imports of Cambodia's competitive farm produce, he said. The premier expressed China's firm support for Cambodia in hosting the Asia-Europe Meeting Summit next year. Hun Sen said Cambodia is willing to align its Rectangular Strategy with the Belt and Road Initiative, welcomes more investment by Chinese businesses in Cambodia, and expects to work with China in building a community with a shared future. After the meeting, Li and Hun Sen attended a signing ceremony. Elizabeth Bick returns to the Pantheon each June for her project Every God. For the last five years the New York-based photographer Elizabeth Bick has travelled to Rome's Pantheon on 21 June, the longest day of the year, to photograph the tourists visiting the ancient monument. Bick depicts her subjects in theatrical poses, making dramatic use of chiaroscuro, as the Pantheon's visitors gaze upwards in awe at the oculus. Her photographs are part of a decade-long project titled Every God, which now enters its sixth year and began when Bick was a resident artist at the American Academy in Rome in the summer of 2014. Bick says she chose the summer solstice to take advantage of the light falling on visitors - of diverse ages, cultures, races and genders - as well as allowing her to document "our relationship to technology as it rapidly changes." Bick's photographs for Every God can be seen on her website CVTa Street Fest returns to remote Molise village from 13-16 June. The fourth edition of CVTa Street Fest takes place in Civitacampomara, a depopulated village set deep in the Campobasso countryside in the Molise region, about 180 km east of Rome. MP5 2018. All photos by Ian Cox The festival comprises four days of live mural painting, street art tours, live music, workshops and tasting of local specialties, and once again its artistic director is the celebrated Roman street artist Alice Pasquini. The idea behind the festival is to breathe new life into the largely abandoned village whose 400 mainly elderly residents embrace the thousands of visitors that arrive each June. Mural by Hitnes from 2018. Now well established on the street art calendar, the festival had a serendipitous beginning. In 2014 Ylenia Carelli, president of Civitacampomarano's cultural organisation, wrote to Pasquini inviting her to paint in the village after seeing a television interview with the artist. What Carelli did not know was that Pasquini's grandfather was actually one of the village's 400 residents. Pablo S. Herrero, 2018 Pasquini seized the opportunity and so began a journey that has seen Civitacampomara transformed by a succession of well known Italian and international street artists. This year's special guests include Milu Correch from Argentina; Martin Whatson from Norway; Add Fuel otherwise known as Diogo Machado, from Portugal; Jan Vormann from Germany; and the Italian artist collective from Studio Aira, who under the watchful eye of residents and visiting spectators will create permanent art works over the course of the four-day festival. For full details see website or Facebook page. Free entry. Photos Ian Cox. If youre a young person and you want to change history, it can seem so simple now, Cooper said. If you have the notion that you need to save white Christian America, then the targets are going to be the Muslims and the Jews. If were going to stop that, were going to have to change the nature of social media, and we need clarion voices to insist on the fundamentals of truth and justice. The process of writing the book was lengthy and began in 2010 after Van der Vliet Oloomi received a Fulbright Fellowship to study the work of Catalan writer Josep Pla in Barcelona. In contrast to Van der Vliet Oloomis first novel, the Whiting Award-winning Fra Keeler, which she wrote in a matter of months, Call Me Zebra took seven years and required extensive research. Because the novels exiled protagonist seeks refuge in literature and makes constant references to various texts the author spent years just reading, revisiting the work of Dante Alighieri, Walter Benjamin and Nietzsche, among dozens of others to inform her novel. That was necessary to conjure up a character who might encourage a stranger on an airplane to compare passages from Don Quixote and The Divine Comedy during a harrowing bout of turbulence. Rusty Swindoll, technical adviser for the National Wood Flooring Association (800-422-4556; nwfa.org), also looked at the pictures you sent. Improper installation of wood flooring can result in gaps, but that probably doesnt explain your situation, he said. Based on the age of your home and the look of the floor, you seem to have a traditional wood floor, made of natural wood boards that have interlocking tongue-and-groove edges and are nailed to floor joists. On this type of floor, gaps sometimes open up between the boards in the winter, when indoor, heated air tends to be especially dry. The gaps then close up in the summer, when the air is more humid. In your case, though, the gaps arent between the boards, just at that dividing wall. Bai Yun was born in 1991 at the Wolong Giant Panda Research Center in China and was among the original group of bears loaned to the zoo in 1996. She has since given birth to six cubs and is considered the matriarch of the San Diego panda family. McLaurin says there was no hesitation about partnering with an American company that has provided 62 years of service to the White House, pointing out that Eisenhower was also very responsible for building that complex he warned about. And thats a fair argument, says Will Hitchcock, historian and author of The Age of Eisenhower: America and the World in the 1950s. Hitchcock gave the keynote lecture at the unveiling of the ornament in February, with Daniel Schultz, president of Sikorsky, in attendance. I think we misunderstand the military-industrial complex speech if we only see it as some kind of warning, Hitchcock told me. The speech makes clear that we had to create the military-industrial complex knowingly to defend freedom. Now that we have it, we have to make sure it doesnt take over our democracy. That balance is the great theme of the Eisenhower presidency. Watching Boyz n the Hood through the eyes of the Italian audience reframed the film, not as a culturally specific slice of urban life, but as a quintessentially American pop culture export. And yet, back then, Hollywood studios still held to the truism that black doesnt travel, insisting that foreign audiences wouldnt accept films by or about people of color. Singleton wrote the part of Doughboy specifically for Ice Cube, but when he tried to cast Cubes bandmates from N.W.A, executives refused because they didnt know who they were. All the studio wanted was their own version of Spike Lees Do the Right Thing. (All Singleton wanted was to rectify distortions he saw in such gang dramas as Colors, one of whose producers he took to task at an early screening. You advertise this movie like its about my community, and its really about two white cops, Singleton recalled telling him. Its not about whats really going on there.) On Sunday, as more condemnation rolled in, it issued a fuller apology and partial explanation: We are deeply sorry for the publication of an anti-Semitic political cartoon last Thursday that circulates outside the United States, and we are committed to making sure nothing like this happens again. Such imagery is always dangerous, and at a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise worldwide, its all the more unacceptable. We have investigated how this happened and learned that, because of a faulty process, a single editor working without adequate oversight downloaded the syndicated cartoon and made the decision to include it on the Opinion page. The matter remains under review, and we are evaluating our internal processes and training. We anticipate significant changes. My husband and I went back and forth about whether to take our trip, but we recently decided to book the flights after weighing all the risks. Our destination has no travel notices from the CDC and our son, who was born on his due date, is a robust, chunky baby. Our short time of being stationed overseas is quickly coming to an end, and with it, the opportunity to experience parts of Asia many Americans never will. The initial round of listings on the Amazon jobs website is small five postings, each for multiple hires but it is a first step in what the company has pledged will be 25,000 new jobs over 10 to 12 years. The jobs will pay average annual salaries of $150,000, and about 400 of those positions are to be created by the end of this year. I do think we have to think about how we help middle-income folks, but Im not sure that this is the right program, said D.C. Council member Elissa Silverman (I-At Large). She said some money in the workforce fund could be put to better use on public housing renovations, and that the remaining dollars should be aimed at helping those making between 60 and 80 percent of area median income. Union officials said Canady, 54, is one of hundreds of teachers whose rights were violated during the era of Michelle Rhee the former D.C. schools chancellor who clashed with teachers and their representatives after initiating an evaluation system that determined job security and bonuses. Many fired teachers, union officials said, are still stuck in arbitration. In the Falls Church school system, which has about 2,620 students, schools work with students and parents to come to an agreement on the best way to support the student, which has included the use of gender-neutral bathrooms in the citys middle and high schools, spokesman John Wesley Brett said. McIntosh is generally considered the more liberal of the two candidates, while Davis is more of a centrist. But the contest is also about which lawmaker is seen by their colleagues as the most effective potential leader. Until now, the leaders of both chambers of the Maryland legislature have always been white men. Green was one of the eight department directors who Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D), who took office in December, said he was planning to keep on in his new administration. Three of those heads, including Green, have since announced their departures. Look at those pictures, he said of the images he included. These are men and women who died for the right to vote. I was really so hurt by the decision of the majority of the court. My grandparents lived in Georgia, and they were not allowed to vote because of racism. I thought about them. The ACLU of the District of Columbia is suing the District and a police officer in federal court over what it says was an unlawful backyard search May 11 at a Northeast house owned by Denise Price whose son, Jeffrey Price, 22, was killed May 4 when his dirt bike and a police car collided. The D.C. Office of the Attorney General declined to comment on the lawsuit. A police spokesman also did not comment, saying the departments general counsel had not been served. Gupton could not be reached, but his union issued a statement calling the lawsuit without merit and adding that we look forward to vigorously defending Officer Gupton against the ACLUs baseless claims. Forbess fingerprints were found in Cookers home and in a car rented by McCray; the car also contained Cookers blood and evidence of a bullet striking a door, court filings state. When Forbes was arrested at a hotel in Prince William County a few days later, police say, they found in a toilet tank the revolver that had been used to kill Cooker. According to prosecutors, the Uber driver was standing beside his vehicle at 16th and W streets SE when James and two others drove up. James jumped out of the vehicle with an assault rifle and threatened the Uber driver. As the driver and James struggled over the rifle, prosecutors say, it went off multiple times. The Uber driver was shot in the leg. I will fight to defend the sanctity of every life, to defend religious freedoms and to create jobs and opportunities for hard-working Virginians, she says in the video. I will work to improve a broken education system, find sensible solutions to our health-care crisis and reform a failed system for our veterans. And I support real immigration reform that includes securing our border. Consultants had said that the amount Vermonters and their employers were paying in insurance premiums and patients out-of-pocket costs was more than what would be needed in additional tax revenue. But the prediction that Vermonts overall health spending would decrease, while more people got coverage, was unproven and, in any case, was a hard sell in the face of big new taxes. Man arrested after police open fire on vehicle: A man arrested on a robbery warrant after police opened fire on the truck he was in, injuring three young children, is in custody in an Oklahoma jail. Choctaw County jail records indicate that William D. Smith, 21, was being held Sunday on an aggravated robbery complaint. He had been in custody in Texas after being released from a hospital there. The records don't indicate whether Smith has an attorney who could speak on his behalf. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said four children and their mother were with Smith when two officers approached him and gunfire broke out on Friday in Hugo, near the Texas state line. Smith was treated for injuries at a hospital in Paris, Tex. The bureau said that three children, ages 5, 4 and 1, suffered injuries that are not life-threatening. Israel frees 2 Syrian prisoners: Israel released two Syrian prisoners in what it described as a "goodwill gesture" in the wake of the repatriation of the remains of an Israeli soldier who went missing over 35 years ago. Israel has insisted that the release was not a quid pro quo for the return of Zachary Baumel's remains this month. Syrian state TV said the two prisoners arrived on the Syrian side of the Quneitra crossing after being released. Baumel went missing during the Sultan Yacoub battle between the Israeli army and Syrian forces during Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon. Russian mediators facilitated the return of his remains shortly before this month's Israeli election. My son was not a threat. He was not committing a crime. He was not harming anyone. It should have never been to that, the boys mother told Fox 5 DC. The boy is black and the officer white, raising inevitable questions about the officers mind-set. If the 9-year-old leaning against the car had been white, would police have even thought to shoo him away? If the incident had occurred in a cul-de-sac in Ward 3 instead of a Columbia Heights intersection, would it have been handled differently? And would a white kid mouthing off be seen through the same lens as a black child talking back? In 1991, Mr. Lugar disagreed with those who said the Soviet Union should be left in free fall to cope with its own problems. In the years after the Nunn-Lugar legislation was passed, he doggedly stayed with the program, visiting remote factories and missile sites as weapons were destroyed. Once he took a young Senate colleague to a facility in Ukraine, walking down dark corridors, stepping over puddles and finally coming across women at a worktable with piles of old artillery shells, taking them apart. By hand, recalled Barack Obama, the younger senator. Slowly. Carefully. One by one. It took decades to build up those weapons, and it was not a sure thing that they would be taken apart without grave consequences. Thanks to Mr. Lugars example and commitment, in the twilight of the Cold War, the world was made safer. The Posts Fact Checker reported Monday that Trump has made 10,000 false or misleading claims as president a great many. Just this weekend, he alleged that under Democrats beliefs, a newborn baby is swaddled beautifully and then the doctor and the mother determine whether or not they will execute the baby. He also announced that if Democrats try to impeach him, I would first head to the U.S. Supreme Court, which does not decide impeachment. The law says a dead person cannot be defamed. But the damage to his reputation and to his memory is very real. The American Catholic Church failed miserably in its handling of this scandal, in its secrecy and its blind allegiance to the priest abusers. But it is no less a failure to throw out to the public the names of people who were not proved to have committed these crimes and who have no chance to be heard. In my lifetime, at least, we have never before had a president who deliberately exacerbates racial and religious tensions for political gain. We have had a few who winked at racists to get elected, a few who blew dog whistles about such issues as school desegregation and inner-city crime. But I cant think of one of Trumps predecessors who might have been capable of looking at a crowd of white supremacists, neo-Nazis and Ku Klux Klan members on one side, a diverse crowd of counterprotesters on the other, and saying there were very fine people on both sides. The Sasse bill seems designed to operate in this very narrow space. Would it outlaw abortions after 24 weeks (roughly the current line of viability)? No, the legislation has nothing to do with the conditions in which an abortion can be obtained. It covers only infants born alive after an abortion is tried. Would the legislation force a mother and doctor to give pointless health care to an infant born at 21 weeks? No, it covers cases where abortion is attempted, not tragic cases of loss on the edge of viability. And even in these cases, the bill would not require pointless treatment, only the treatment that would be standard for other infants at the same stage of development. Many of those people were from the University of Virginia; they were from all around the neighborhood and the area they just wanted to protest the fact that they want to take down the statue of Robert E. Lee, Trump told Levin. Now, there were a lot of good people in that group. And they were protesting the taking down of statues. . . . And you had some very bad people in each group, too. Ambassador Grenell was forceful on suspending tariffs and reiterated that the United States is a close friend of Kosovo and wants to help where possible, but that the two parties themselves had to come up with the details, not the United States, said the U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the closed diplomatic meeting. As he begins his third presidential campaign, he faces stiff tests: He must show that he can control his own mouth, the vehicle for his destruction in his first two presidential attempts. He must demonstrate that his campaign is fundamentally improved better financed, more organized from 2008, when he was overrun by two contenders reaching for history, Sens. Barack Obama (Ill.) and Hillary Clinton (N.Y.). And he must hope that his party, which if anything seems to have moved further from him in the intervening years, wants what he offers. After an unsuccessful attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act marred the first year of his presidency, Trump abruptly announced last month that he wanted to revive that push, much to the dismay of many congressional Republicans. He ditched that effort almost as quickly as he floated it, saying he would rather hold a vote after the November 2020 election. For Biden, Trumps willingness to engage has helped divert attention from questions from liberal groups over his more conservative positions on criminal justice and immigration while he was a senator and accusations from women who have said they felt uncomfortable by what they perceived as inappropriate touching from Biden. He has said the interactions were part of his emotive political style but promised to be more mindful of personal boundaries going forward. Democrats are able to do two things at once, said Rep. David N. Cicilline (D-R.I.), chairman of the party communications committee. We are going to aggressively demand that the administration officials we have sought testimony from come before Congress. . . . At the same time, were going to continue to move forward on the agenda we ran on for the people of this country. We have the responsibility to do both things and well do them both vigorously. I explain to sellers that as emotional as selling can be, when the decision is made to sell their home, it is now a product for sale just as any other product, and they have to do their best to emotionally separate themselves and not get their feelings hurt if an offer comes in less than their desired amount, said Dee Dee Miller, an agent with Long and Foster and secretary of the Maryland Realtors Association. Sellers need to remember to focus on the end result. They sometimes get too hung up on the little details and miss the big picture. Carrying costs for additional time on market with regular home maintenance and mortgage, taxes and insurance sometimes is more than accepting the lower offer. Karzai issued a statement saying he feared the jirga could derail peace talks rather than abet them. He suggested that it be delayed until after a deal has been reached with the Taliban. Other critics blamed Ghani for botching the aborted meeting with Taliban officials in Qatar. The delegation list grew to more than 250, and the Taliban, objecting to the large size eventually rejected it. It is not unusual for workmen to enter schools to perform maintenance and construction work, but they are usually required to show identification at the entrance to the compound. Sankei reported that the suspicious man identified himself as being there for construction work, but it was not clear if his name was recorded by guards. The Saudi-owned al-Arabiya news channel on Monday broadcast an interview with a man who said he was Hasans son. Youssef Zaki said the family had been surprised by what he called the false accusations against his father and called for an international investigation into his death. His father, who was Palestinian, had been in Turkey trying to earn a living, like any Palestinian citizen, like any Arab citizen, Zaki said. On this issue, I want the American people to know that when we needed to brief the president or talk to the American people on the topic of election security in the run-up to the 2018 midterms, the intelligence community had the full support of the NSC and the White House, Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats said in a statement. I know, because I specifically asked the president for certain capabilities on behalf of the intelligence community and he quickly agreed and also encouraged several of us to speak to the American people. That support has not changed. Their frustrations are the consequence of the changes being wrought by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is making the kingdom more authoritarian than in the past, critics say, even as he is relaxing some strict social codes. The profiles of these families reflect the breadth of Mohammeds crackdown, which began in earnest in September 2017 and has led to the arrests of people for their dissent, their prominence or for reasons that remain a mystery to their families and the public. President Trump has suggested that migration is best slowed through enforcement such as sending troops to the border and building a wall and changes in Americas asylum system. The dramatic collapse of migration from Mexico has received almost no public attention from the White House. But examining what happened here could serve as a useful window into the future of immigration to the United States. A convicted Australian fraudster and his son were involved in an online trading scam that used "professional con artists", including a fake professor and other alleged ruses, to encourage elderly and infirm clients to deposit millions of dollars that have not been returned, a court has heard. The corporate watchdog has accused Eustace Tony Senese, his son Cameron Senese and their private companies including Allianz Metro and OneTech Media of being involved in an unlicensed online trading scheme known as TitanTrade, which has allegedly withheld $4 million invested by Australians alone. One Tech Media was originally based in the Seychelles. It has since relocated to the Marshall Islands. Mr Senese spent seven years in jail in 2002 over misappropriation of investor funds. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission alleges the men, along with Australian-Israeli businessman Yoav Ida, were involved in the operations of two websites involved in the alleged TitanTrade binary options website. "Steve is a climate change denier," Short chimes in from Los Angeles. "I was just trying to tell him there are facts." "We were discussing the complexities of changing our scripts for different towns because we have different performers," Martin says on the phone from New York. And as two old friends who enjoy having fun at each other's expense, the two comic-actors-with-other-talents can't even agree on what they're arguing about. After meeting while making the Hollywood movie The Three Amigos more than three decades ago, the two Hollywood veterans - Martin is 73, Short is 69 - have become such firm friends that they have been performing comedy and music together for eight years on and off. "The first time we ever did it, we interviewed each other for the Just For Laughs comedy festival in 2011," Short says. "We enjoyed it and started to say, 'what if we did more of these?' Then we evolved it into a show." Their first version was filmed for the Netflix special An Evening You Will Forget For The Rest Of Your Life; the second, Now You See Them, Soon You Won't, is heading for Australia. Martin says the title - with its slightly worrying sense of mortality - was inspired by Carl Reiner, who directed him in such movies as The Jerk, The Man With Two Brains and All Of Me. "We just think of it as 'oh, soon we'll be dead'," Martin says. "Carl Reiner [said] 'always say what's on the audience's mind immediately', meaning 'now you see them, soon you won't'. Just get that out of the way." The high profile campaign of the progressive independent trying to wrest control of Julie Bishop's blue-ribbon seat of Curtin from the Liberals is in disarray with accusations polling had been fabricated to show millionaire candidate Louise Stewart was close to victory. Senator Mathias Cormann called on Ms Stewart to pull out of the race against Liberal candidate Celia Hammond after The West Australian published what purported to be ReachTel polling suggesting Ms Stewart would secure 23.9 per cent of the primary vote. Independent Curtin candidate Louise Stewart is defending claims her campaign doctored polling to show she was close to winning the blue-ribbon seat. Credit:Facebook/Louise Stewart But the co-owner of the company who Ms Stewart's campaign said carried out the polling said it had not conducted polling in the seat of Curtin. In a statement on social media on Sunday, Ms Stewart said the polling had been passed on to her campaign by a third party, despite media reports she had commissioned it. He's on his way to Cairns to visit his mum, who is in a nursing home, and take her to their country in Yarrabah, a larger Indigenous community about 50 kilometres from Cairns, for a weekend of festivities. Home for Les is Woorabinda, an Indigenous community of about 900 people, Les reckons, that lies about 160 kilometres south west of Rockhampton. The lurid colours of the arcade in central Cairns are an abrupt change from the cane fields. Credit:Nick Bonyhady It is a strange experience and the lurid lights are a world away from the place that Les Murgha, 59, calls home. I'd met Les talking to his mates in the dining car of the Spirit of Queensland train we're travelling on. And then you are in the middle of an amusement arcade that stands between the train station and the exit, with Super Mario grinning down at you. You spend most of the journey on the train to Cairns in cane country. Thick stalks metres high. Then a steelworks. Then you're on the main street in Cairns. The change is not gradual. He's also no fan of the alcohol management plan that covers the town. It bans all alcohol, backed up by hefty fines. He says the power goes out when the wind is blowing too strongly and rugby has to stop at nightfall because the lights on the oval are too dim. Les would work on a few things if he were elected: employment and a regular power supply are among his top priorities. "Our people are laid-back, they don't give a shit," Les says. "People coming in and say, 'Jump!' and our mob will say, 'How high, how high?'" He's been involved in politics in Yarrabah, and he says there are lessons that could be applied to Woorabinda. But Les himself is a politician. He's running in local council elections next year. But like any politician, Les needs support to get elected, and the political scene in Woorabinda bears little resemblance to the federal campaign swirling around us. "Domestic violence happens all around the world," he says. "You go to the Gold Coast, I've seen whitefellas kick each other in the head and bash each other." It's clearly a question he has been asked before. I ask Les whether he thinks such a change would exacerbate domestic violence, something he admits is a big problem. He'd like to see restrictions on the amount and type of alcohol, rather than an outright ban. "You can go to the bar and buy a can of beer now," Les says, and he's right. In the dining car, there are XXXX Gold cans aplenty. "Everyone in Australia can so why is it so wrong in my community?" It is an apt discussion to have on the Spirit of Queensland. This train line goes through some of the eastern seaboard's biggest Indigenous centres. Most importantly, Les wants a treaty to give Indigenous people sovereign ownership of land. "I don't want constitutional recognition," Les says. "I want to hold seats in Parliament. I want meaningful outcomes for my people, not words." And while he is no fan of federal politics in general, there are individual politicians he seems to respect. He says Bob Katter visits the community fairly regularly, both during elections and between them. Greg Hunt gave Woorabinda money for an Indigenous rangers program when he was environment minister. Les rates Labor senator Pat Dodson too, as an Indigenous man in Parliament. Dodson is the shadow assistant minister for Indigenous affairs but Bill Shorten has said he would become Indigenous affairs minister under a Labor government. Most of the land the Spirit of Queensland passes through is full of cane, cut cane or pastoral land. There are some banana plantations too. Credit:Nick Bonyhady But Les says people in town are moving past that mentality now so he's quietly confident of getting elected. I ask him how campaigning works in the town. "It's not looking at who is going to do the best job for you it all depends how many drinking mates you got or how big your family is." But some of her other concerns verged into the territory of conspiracy theories. She said laws without the seal of the crown applied to them were invalid and that the government was paying immigrants to come to Australia. Maxine was angry at conditions for Indigenous inmates. She said prison officers were bringing hard drugs into jails. "From the Attorney-General to everybody need to be sacked," she said. Two days earlier, while I was on my way to Townsville, I'd met Maxine Frescoe, who'd been heading to Gladstone. And other Indigenous passengers I meet on the train are perhaps even angrier at our governments than Les. Indigenous people make up about 8 per cent of the population in Townsville, more than twice the national average, and the population is even larger in Cairns, where about one in 10 people are Indigenous. Maxine says she won't vote at the coming election. 4551.9 kilometres down, 0 to go. PS. I've been a journalist with the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age for less than six months. Bringing in a batch of trainees like me was a significant investment in new journalists by the mastheads and, in a smaller way, so was this project. I was a little trepidatious about this trip but it has been an absolute privilege to report my way up the east coast. If you want to support work like this, consider taking out a subscription to The Age or the Herald. Thanks so much for reading. The Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, where my journey ends. Thanks so much for reading my postcards from the road for the last two weeks. You'll hear more about it before the election is out. Credit:Nick Bonyhady Leg 10: There's a long way from parole to the PM There's a new jail coming to the Clarence Valley near Grafton that will house about 1700 inmates. The locals I speak to are pleased with the jobs the facility will bring but worried about the types of characters it might attract. On the evening train from Grafton to Brisbane, I meet three men who I later learn may well have done time in the jail, had it been open. I've been told Grafton already has a transit centre for parolees and I'm guessing these blokes have been through it because of their luggage: two of them have an identical transparent plastic bag and nothing else. One is rasping his way through pretty good renditions of Folsom Prison Blues and Hotel California. I wander over and Dale Kennedy, Marcus Brash and Brownie, who only gives the one name, are happy to talk. Dale Kennedy, left, and Brownie. Credit:Nick Bonyhady Brownie, pictured above, and Marcus have just been released from the transit centre while Dale, the Eagles fan, also pictured above, has got out of hospital. His leg and arm are heavily bandaged. I don't know how he's managing to play the guitar. The trio are disarming and intense conversationalists. At one point, Dale, in a gravelly voice, gives me his dad's phone number. "You get in trouble anywhere in Australia, you ring him, I'll ring you. I'll tell you where to go and what to do. All right, bro?" Dale says. "I'm not to be messed with." I appreciate the offer but it comes with a strange level of familiarity given I've known him for all of 10 minutes. Marcus is more softly spoken. He says his sister is working for a law firm and his family would love to visit New York one day, but sometimes he is on a different wavelength. "There are two peace parks in Lismore," Marcus advises me. "They're really good places to just kip up a swag." Both men, Brownie says, are street blokes. "They've seen some shit," he says. Brownie gives me his story in the greatest detail. He says he did eight years for dealing drugs to support his own addiction in the 2000s (he says he's done all manner of drugs but struggled the most with ice). He's been in and out of jail and rehab, predominantly in Queensland, ever since. But Brownie says he's been clean for 13 months and is heading back to Tweed Heads after his release today. He'll meet his mum there and she'll drive him to rehab again it's a longer-term program that was interrupted by his most recent period of incarceration. Dale and Marcus are heading to Lismore while I'm going on to Brisbane when the train reaches Casino and converts to a bus service. The new bridge being built over the Clarence River at Grafton is a state government project, but for some locals is still a signal that politicians are doing something. Credit:Nick Bonyhady At 40, Brownie has never voted and doesn't plan to. Trying to organise a postal vote must be a low priority when you're trying to stay off ice. But he has plenty to say about what the government could do for people in the system. "I've heard of judges sending people inside [jail] to get better medical assistance. That's bullshit," Brownie says. Loading "I went in there with all my prescriptions, and they just said, No, no, nah, nup,'" Brownie says. "You've been written up by outside doctors and here I am sitting there with some nurse and doctor on the phone who I've never met in my life They don't even call your GP." He says the unavailability of medical care causes fights in prison. "There's a lot of crazy people and they end up bashing people," Brownie says. "Because they haven't got their medications!" Dale interjects. Dale, 47, says he hasn't voted since he was 18. But when I ask Dale what he'd do if he was Prime Minister he doesn't hesitate. "Save the whales!" he says. "Save the dolphins!" He'd free a mate in jail called JP, too. And he gives me some rhymes for the parties. "Labor done me no favour. The Greens don't use Mr Sheen. The Nationals, they're irrational. Pauline Hanson, owes me a ransom. Clive Palmer, well, he's just another drama." But then he grows more serious. He says he would bar poker machines from every pub in the country. "[Gambling] f---ing makes kids starve, brother," Dale says. "Can't pay the rent, can't feed the kids, then the partners are fighting." I don't question him further but it's an answer that smacks of experience. 2866.8 kilometres down, 1685.1 to go. The XPT train pulls into Wauchope station on the way to Casino, via Grafton. Credit:Nick Bonyhady Leg 9: Young and restless up the Hunter Young people are supposed to have come alive this election season. More are enrolled than ever before, apparently spurred by the marriage equality postal survey. But Josh Dunstan isn't overcome by democratic fervour. "My vote's not going to count," he says says as we talk on the northbound train from Maitland, a town near Newcastle in the Hunter. "I don't like the whole electoral system in Australia." Herbert, in Queensland, was decided in the 2016 federal election by 37 votes so every vote does count. But it's hard to convince Josh of that. He's 20, working in his dad's sawmilling business and didn't vote in the postal survey either. How did Josh end up so distant from politics? One clue is his media diet. Josh says he gets his information in snippets from the TV news, often filtered through Facebook. The tone of that coverage, Josh says, is almost always negative. Josh Dunstan has lived in three states since the last election, making registering to vote a pain. Credit:Nick Bonyhady "It's more the media having a snide comment at them or whatever, it's never good," he says. There is some positive media coverage of politics but Josh has a point. I've watched more than enough rural TV since I set off on my journey to Cairns from Hobart almost two weeks ago and I have not seen a single positive political ad. Another explanation is that Josh has lived in three states since the last election, which was around the time his parents split. This means several electoral roll updates. The next day, in Port Macquarie, I drop by the Charles Sturt University campus just outside town (the local independent candidate, Rob Oakeshott, has been studying medicine at the neighbouring University of NSW campus). I"m on my way to the train station in Wauchope, from where I'll head to Grafton. Jarrod Johnstone comes from Manly, one of Sydney's most expensive suburbs. He's eating lunch on a glorious day with Cambridge McCormick, who has moved down from Queensland to study, and a few other friends studying physiotherapy. Jarrod is no more into politics than Josh. He struggles to name something he'd do if he was prime minister but lands on improving access to health services. Cambridge, on the other hand, is switched on. She wants free education for graduates in professions the country needs. We don't discuss how much this will cost because our conversation quickly moves on to which professions are the most worthy of public funding. Free education is something Josh also said he'd like to see, though he has no appetite for tertiary education. Jarrod Johnstone and Cambridge McCormick in the quadrangle at CSU in Port Macquarie. Credit:Nick Bonyhady And, unlike Josh, Cambridge follows local politics. Loading "From the people I've spoken to, it sounds like [Oakeshott] did a lot when he was in last time [when he supported the Gillard government]," Cambridge says. "The Nationals are trying to play on that, saying he's a Labor candidate in disguise. It's really interesting." She is still registered to vote at her family home in Queensland but says she'd think about voting for Oakeshott "the mature student you always see walking around" if she was registered here. Cambridge attributes her political engagement to her childhood when her parents, both Liberal voters, had the ABC news on nightly. That's a very different start to life than the one Josh had but that's not to say Josh has no political concerns. On the train from Maitland, he had told me he reckoned local roads were a death trap that needed fixing and that he wanted free education, although he said he had no intention of going to university either way. I'd told Josh that Labor had announced a policy of uncapping the number of government-subsidised places at Australian universities. It hadn't cut through. "Just so they can make more money on HECS debt," Josh said. (The government does not profit from HECS loans, which are only indexed to keep pace with inflation.) The bucolic view of the hills near Gloucester is reflected in the windows of the XPT train. Credit:Nick Bonyhady This is the sort of conversation that bodes well for Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who Nine political editor Chris Uhlmann said recently was running to be "mayor of Australia". The Prime Minister has kept busy doling out local council-sized funds for community projects and infrastructure. If Morrison can convince people he is working on tangible concerns such as the local roads in Gloucester where Josh lives, he stands a chance at changing minds. But it is no more than a chance. The Liberal Party, Josh says, are only "in there to make money". That's a hard perception to shift especially for some as disengaged as Josh. 2552.8 kilometres down, 1999.1 to go. Leg 8: An unsettling journey to Kiama Bomaderry is the end of the line for trains from Sydney. They prop there before heading back north again. I'm hoping to pick up a seat for my journey to the state capital but there are no trains when I arrive. So instead I catch the bus up to Kiama and start talking to an older bloke. He says his name is Robert Gaul and back in the day he was a part of National Action (a successor to the similarly-named National Alliance), a right-wing extremist group founded by white supremacist and convicted insurance fraudster Jim Saleam, who now runs the Australia First Party. "We were actually labelled neo-Nazis," Robert says semi-incredulously. National Action, of course, got its label because people like Saleam dressed up as Nazis and held xenophobic views. It's the first time I've spoken to someone who's happy to admit to having been part of an extremist group and the conversation, for me at least, is unsettling. Robert describes himself as a nationalist nowadays but he still holds some extreme views. He believes conspiracy theories about immigrants from Asia threatening national security and is worried about Islam too. He wants Australia to return to "European Christian values". But it is the left wing of politics, Robert believes, that is intolerant. "I don't know if you've noticed, but people who view themselves as progressive are the first people who go into name calling," Robert says. "They put labels on people." Robert at the Kiama railway station. Credit:Nick Bonyhady Robert surprises me by saying he believes in climate change. He then adds he doesn't think it is caused by humans. He says the atmosphere is a bit like a metal pipe with red paint on it. Once there are enough coats of paint on the pipe, additional coats of paint will not make the pipe any redder. He thinks we have already reached that point with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. I am confused. "It's a bit hard to explain," Robert says, but assures me there is scientific evidence for his view. He thinks the world may be in for a cold period. It would be easy to dismiss Robert. But of all the people I've met on my journey, he is one of the few that is actively participating in the campaign. He tells me he is on his way to Sydney where he's going to campaign for Clive Palmer's United Australia Party in the Southern Sydney seat of Hughes, currently held by Liberal conservative Craig Kelly. It's where he used to live. "I'm another Sydney divorcee refugee, that's why I've moved down here," Robert says. "Here", for Robert, are the twin towns of Bomaderry and Nowra, separated by the Shoalhaven River. A freight train departs the Manildra mill in Bomaderry, one of the largest employers in the area. Credit:Nick Bonyhady Earlier, in Bomaderry and Nowra, I'd spoken to a good handful of people as I wandered around on a drizzling day, searching for a barber. (I'd felt a bit shaggy after more than a week on the road as I make my way up to Cairns.) The locals I met were hardly a statistically significant slice of the population but if there was a common theme it was sympathy for some form of protectionism. An electrician and a plumber I spoke to while waiting for my McDonald's breakfast hot chocolate both thought Pauline Hanson was a bit racist. They would like to see Australia take a much higher cut in tax from its mineral wealth. The local bike-shop owner in Bomaderry, Mark Tipping, hadn't struck me as an arch-conservative either but told me he wanted tariffs on overseas internet stores to protect local retailers. "Everyone might love him or hate [Trump], but he's doing what he said and making everything back to America. We've got to back ourselves, and I think that's what we've got to do: we've got to start backing ourselves," Mark said. Mark Tipping says he can't afford to employ the staff he used to, and might be forced to reduce the size of his store. Credit:Nick Bonyhady And Anne Beauchamp, a Nowra local for 38 years who moved here because her husband was stationed at the local naval base, said she wanted less immigration. "She's got a lot of good ideas," Anne said of Pauline Hanson. "Really, it's just that people are down on her. For me, what she says is the truth. She says what people think." And it was One Nation's anti-immigration policies that were particularly appealing to Anne. "There's enough people in our country," she said. "I think if people come into our country they should abide by our rules." The protectionist sentiments I heard seemed to be at least partly motivated by economic fears. There was a paper mill in Bomaderry but it closed in 2015. The last big industry now is the Manildra mill, which makes starch, gluten and ethanol (the mill and its owners have been controversial political donors in the past). Mark says there were plans for a Big W in Bomaderry but asbestos in the site stopped it being built. And unemployment in the local government area is about one-and-a-half times the national average. There are a lot of places like Nowra and Bomaderry in Australia. But as I write this, having bussed to Kiama and then picked up the train north, I glance out the window and see that we are already rolling through the southern Sydney suburb of Hurstville, one of the most diverse in the country. People around me are talking happily on their phones in half a dozen languages. I wonder how Robert, somewhere else on the train, feels. 1900.3 kilometres down, 2651.6 to go. Leg 7: Down the mountain with an old-timer At 92, Ray Smith has seen a lot of prime ministers. Gough Whitlam moved too fast, says Ray. He reckons Bob Hawke was all right, but interest rates under Paul Keating were out of control. "It was pretty severe, especially when you're buying machinery," Ray says. The machinery was for a logging business Ray built in Tasmania. "I started off more or less on me own, then I took my boys in and we had it," he remembers. "I retired out of it, left it to my two sons. They were working for Gunns and Gunns closed down, put everyone out of work." Gunns, the Tasmanian timber giant, was an Adani-like political totem in the 2000s. It proposed a massive pulp mill in the Tamar Valley near Launceston which provoked a long-running battle with environmentalists. Then, as now, the mill put Labor into a conflicted position. Ultimately, the mill was never built and Gunns went into liquidation in 2013. Ray now splits his time between Collinsvale, just outside Hobart, and the south coast of NSW, where we are heading now. I'm sitting next to Ray on a minibus as we grind down the Clyde Mountain between Canberra and the coast in first gear most of the way. Ray does a bit of gardening, growing daffodils, and helps look after one of his neighbours on the coast. She's 97. "I'm still pretty right," he says. Ray Smith is 92 and still sharp. Credit:Nick Bonyhady It's Ray's business experience that still frames his political outlook. He's not sure about climate change and he's wary of unions. "In the business we had a fair bit to do with unions," Ray says. "They can make it a bit hard at times." Labor has brought some traditional union policies to this election: a higher minimum wage, more pay for childcare workers and reversing changes to weekend penalty rates. By the same token, while Ray says he thinks Clive Palmer talks a lot of sense, he's wary of the magnate's record in Townsville, where the collapse of his Queensland Nickel refinery cost jobs. "I still don't trust him," Ray says. "He carries on a bit." But Ray is more hurt by scandals such as film footage of Queensland One Nation's Steve Dickson fondling dancers in a Washington strip club. "Very disappointed in some of those jokers," Ray says. "They're out there, they're politicians, and then they turn around and do those things." Ray wants politicians with more experience in the real world, he says, and more willingness to work together. That's something I heard repeatedly from the business owners in Batemans Bay, the tourist town at the bottom of the Clyde. "I come from a different time," one motel owner says. "Pollies didn't used to just attack each other." I don't know if politics has grown more acrimonious or not, but classic voters like Ray are becoming harder to find on either side of politics. 1612.8 kilometres down, 2939.1 to go. Leg 6: Back in the bubble I am back in the Canberra bubble, if only briefly. This morning I left Wagga Wagga and tomorrow I'll arrive in Batemans Bay, on the NSW south coast, before heading up towards Sydney. But in the meantime, I'm in the nation's capital, which opened its first light rail line a little over a week ago to much fanfare. The new tram runs from the centre of town to Gungahlin in the city's north. Having taken three buses, two trains and one ferry so far, who could resist adding another form of public transport? The driver's view of the new light rail in Canberra, which opened on April 20. Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong So, on a trip to the end of the line and back, I ask voters whether they feel like they're living in a bubble. The first man I talk to says he works in Parliament House in a technical role and doesn't give much away for that reason, including his name. He says he sees the politicians up close and has no time for either Scott Morrison or Bill Shorten. Angela Plant, waiting at Gungahlin for the tram, says she hasn't decided who to vote for, but values the environment and hospitals. She doesn't think the city exists in a bubble. "It feels like a normal city. I love it here and I've lived here for eight years," she says. Rhiannon McGlinn is heading back from Gungahlin to the city. She's 22, studying law and working too. She doesn't agree with Angela's view of the city. Rhiannon McGlinn is studying law in Canberra. Her political values were shaped by her mother, a teacher. Credit:Nick Bonyhady "I think it is a bit of a bubble, and that's why I think you get a lot of people who eventually want to leave Canberra," she says, citing the presence of Parliament and the High Court as factors that privilege the city. At the same time, Rhiannon says, that does not mean ordinary Canberrans' concerns should be taken any less seriously. For her, that's action on climate change and drug harm minimisation, including for people in prison. Margaret Langford (centre) with her grandson and daughter Kate Langford, (right). Credit:Nick Bonyhady Margaret Langford, a retired teacher, who has lived in Canberra for about 50 years and is testing out the tram with her family, reckons she is the typical Canberra voter. She cares about climate change, refugees and education. She does not hold back on Scott Morrison: "I think the current PM is a bully. I really don't like the way he speaks to people." And she doesn't think Canberra is a bubble. "No, it's just the place where we live. We have nothing to do with the politicians here," she says. Her adult daughter Kate Langford disagrees. "I do think there's a bubble," she says. "There's a fairly homogenous demographic." Most Canberrans, Kate says, hold progressive values. On current polling, Kate looks correct. At the federal election, Labor is expected to pick up the third lower house seat the ACT has gained as its population grows. After more discussion, the mother and daughter end up agreeing. Canberrans are broadly progressive, they conclude, but the new suburbs outside the city centre are more diverse, and Parliament has little direct impact on their lives. "It really wouldn't matter to us if Parliament House wasn't sitting there, if it was somewhere else," Margaret says. Kate agrees, but then remembers a time last year when her son went to a special sitting of Parliament and sat just metres away from the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader. It's not an experience that most kids in Wagga Wagga, where I had travelled the day before, get to enjoy. 1464.3 kilometres down, 3087.6 to go. Leg 5: Drugs and drought in Wagga Crime, Gemma says, is the first thing she would fix if she was prime minister. "I just had to buy an $80 lock for my meter box," she says. I ask Gemma, who is working at the front desk of my motel in Wagga Wagga, why someone would want to break into a power meter. She says there have been reports of thieves turning off the power to shut down alarms and break into homes, motivated by drugs. But, she says, she is also "a bit paranoid". Maisie, working at the shopping centre in town, shares Gemma's concerns. Her car was stolen recently. "I'm on my second car. I'm like, 'Don't take it again'," she says. For someone like Maisie, who grew up in the countryside outside Wagga, locking doors and taking security seriously is a change. The Riverina region is in the highest band for amphetamine possession and use rates in NSW last year, along with other areas like the Hunter and Murray, according to data from the NSW Government Bureau of Criminal Statistics and Research. Not everyone agrees with Maisie and Gemma. My cab driver Abraham, who has moved to Wagga from Sydney so his wife can work in the local hospital, says drugs were a problem a few years ago but that things have subsided. Jan, who I meet on the train from Wangaratta, sees another side of the issue. She's sitting next to me, travelling home from a visit to see her daughter in Melbourne, and we speak for most of the trip. Jan and the XPT train that brought her home to Wagga. Credit:Nick Bonyhady She's working in aged care, as she has for more than 20 years. Recently, Jan got a promotion from "wiping old people's bottoms" in a nursing role to running activities for the residents at a retirement home in town. It's a job she loves, along with the people she looks after. I ask how old most of her patients are, expecting her to say somewhere between 70 and 90. "It really depends on the condition they've got, darl," Jan says. "There's alcohol and drug-induced dementia." That means some of Jan's charges are much younger. The iconic Murrumbidgee Flour Mill in Wagga is empty for now but the site is being redeveloped, with plans for a pub and commercial precinct. Credit:Nick Bonyhady How does that translate into politics? For Jan, it doesn't. She thinks she'll probably vote for Bill Shorten. "Who is Scott Morrison?" she says. It isn't that she doesn't know who the Prime Minister is, she just doesn't have a sense of what he's like as a person after seeing so many leaders come and go. Substance abuse is far from the only concern in Wagga. Childcare and penalty rates get a mention from voters, and the drought is at the top of people's minds. Maisie names it her biggest concern. Other shopkeepers on the main street do the same. Even in Wagga, where so many depend on the agricultural economy, politics remains a multifaceted game. 1220.7 kilometres down, 3331.2 to go. Leg 4: Disengagement and dissent on the V-Line The 12:05pm V-Line train to Albury-Wodonga is initially a bad place to discuss politics. Noah, an abattoir worker on his way to Seymour, about 100 kilometres north of Melbourne, asks me who the current Prime Minister is. As the train winds its way north from Melbourne through Cathy McGowan's rural seat of Indi, Jacob and his wife tell me they simply don't vote. But as the train rolls on, eating up kilometres in my journey up the east coast, I meet some more engaged passengers. Dylan, 24, gets on the train at Seymour and says he cares about mental health, drug issues and pay. He tells me, with some trepidation, that he voted for One Nation at the last election. Dylan, 24, has a partner, stepdaughter and baby on the way. He supports all of them on a single income. Credit:Nick Bonyhady Dylan isn't sure who he'll vote for this time but he wasn't turned off One Nation by the Al-Jazeera report in March that appeared to show One Nation party operatives seeking money from the American National Rifle Association. "I laughed at it a little bit," Dylan says. In any case, Dylan has nothing against guns. "People say 'guns do this, guns do that', but it's the mental state of the person and what has been around there to help that person with whatever issues they're facing," he says. With the way Dylan sees the world going, he reckons owning a gun might not be a bad thing one day. But what makes One Nation particularly appealing for Dylan is that they seem to be outside regular politics. With a partner, stepdaughter and a baby on the way all dependent on Dylan's income, he values a party that seems to offer something outside the status quo. In the line for a snack at the dining car, I meet Branka. Branka was travelling on a seniors' trip to the country. Credit:Nick Bonyhady She has voted Liberal since arriving in Australia from Croatia during the Cold War. Branka and her husband associated Labor with communism, which they had fled, and voted accordingly. As Branka and I speak, a young woman with green hair walks past. "The Liberals are scum," she says. "How rude," says another woman sitting next to us. Branka seems more confused than upset. The Ovens River in Wangaratta at dusk. Credit:Nick Bonyhady I track down the woman with green hair in another carriage. Her name is Shilani and she's 18, travelling home with her dad. Shilani is articulate and informed. She knows the local council makeup and the Greens vote percentage at the NSW state election. She got her father involved in the party. "The most important policy issues for me are climate change, asylum seekers, basic human rights, queer rights and animal justice," she says. "Overall, I think the Greens have a real vision for Australia and it's the kind of Australia I want to live in." With some time to relax, Shilani says her jab at Branka was not the sort of thing that would change the older woman's mind. "I know it's not constructive, and I normally wouldn't go off at people like that," she says. At the same time, Shilani is at home with her views. "Honestly, I don't have much time or respect for the Liberals or for people who vote for them, even though that's a lot of people," she says. Shilani's interaction with Branka was fleeting and wouldn't have happened if I wasn't there, but it seemed to encapsulate the generational divide underlying this election. 1020.6 kilometres down, 3531.3 to go. Leg 3: Veganism and faith. A day in Melbourne Getting off the Spirit of Tasmania from Devonport at Port Melbourne, I am followed by a continued sense of motion in tune with the swell in Bass Strait. It is a dizzying feeling. And so it is to be a media consumer this election: across Melbourne, with its battleground seats such as Macnamara, Flinders, Chisholm and Kooyong, advertisements blanket the streets. At one junction, the incongruous pairing of Clive Palmer and Adam Bandt smiles down at voters. So how do voters process this flood of information? Four people I speak with have similar answer, referring to singular principles. A strange pair of politicians peer down at voters in central Melbourne. Credit:Nick Bonyhady For two of the people, it is their Christian faith informing their outlook on this campaign, for two others it is their veganism. "Anyone can do whatever they want, but I just don't understand how you can f---ing eat animals. They cry!" says Dan, who works for a clothes label on Collingwood's trendy Smith Street. Dan switched from Labor to the Greens, frustrated at state issues. Credit:Nick Bonyhady For Dan, veganism is intimately linked to environmentalism. "It's about having world left," he says. His answer is the same as that of Mohit, who I had met standing on the top deck of the Spirit of Tasmania watching the sunrise. "For me, one of the prime things is cruelty to animals," Mohit had said. Neither Dan or Mohit are militant vegans. They aren't the sort to join the protests that stalled the Melbourne CBD in early April or berate friends at a barbecue, but each is appalled that Prime Minister Scott Morrison is so dismissive of a choice that is so important to them. The Prime Minister called the Melbourne protesters "green-collar criminals" and said the full force of the law should be used against them. "It needs to be looked at at a deeper level," Mohit had said. Dan says he will vote for the Greens. Mohit, who would have liked to vote for the Coalition, is undecided. He values growth and security and isn't sure the Greens or another minor party could provide it. But for others, the Prime Minister's convictions are a vote winner. Henok, who is driving for Uber full-time and raising a family in Melbourne's outer suburbs, has a simple voting equation: "[Morrison] a strong Christian, that's why I support him." Henok has been voting for the Coalition since John Howard and likes Australia's politicians in contrast with those he saw in Ethiopia and South Africa. Credit:Nick Bonyhady Bill Shorten is also Christian but Henok says he is particularly attracted to the fact the Prime Minister shares his Pentecostal faith. Wai-Man, another Uber driver who also works part-time in a warehouse, says he originally considered himself a Labor voter. But now he doesn't believe the parties will live up to their names so he votes on his faith. "I'm a Christian, so our church usually give us some advice on which party will care more about Christians, and the church So usually we take the advice of the church," Wei-Man says. Uber driving in Melbourne can be tough. Another driver says he drives every day as well as working full-time at Hungry Jacks. But Labor's changes to penalty rates, the minimum wage and casual work did not rate a mention. Faith is what cut through. Leg 2: Launceston to Melbourne via Devonport It looks like winter has arrived, the captain of the Spirit of Tasmania says over the intercom before the ship's engines whir into life on our Friday night voyage from Devonport to Melbourne. "It could be a bit rough." He's speaking about the trip across Bass Strait, but it could just as well be the battle facing Australia's major parties this election (or the new season of Game of Thrones). I'm on board the Spirit of Tasmania as part of my journey from Hobart to Cairns, to take the temperature of Australia's voters. The ship is still on the Mersey River, but I can already feel it beginning to roll. And my fellow travellers already have plenty to say about Canberra. Ned, who I met before boarding with his old friend Nick, says the major parties are "all full of bullshit. They only want to line their own pockets." He doesn't have much of an opinion on Bill Shorten or Scott Morrison, but isn't tempted to vote for Clive Palmer either. "He seems like a shonk," Ned says, recalling reports the resource magnate's company owes workers millions. Ned (right) and his friend Nick. Ned doesn't know what he'd do if he was prime minister, but he'd like a better pension and cheaper fares on the Bass Strait ferry. Credit:Nick Bonyhady Nick is even more disengaged. He prefers to reminisce about when he was young enough to sail his own boat across the Bass Strait, a beloved break from his former day job as a dairy farmer. It's the kind of disengagement that seems to have eroded old party loyalties. Monika, a secondary school teacher I meet waiting for a bus in Launceston, is in many ways a model Labor voter. She is a teacher, she cares about reliable, full-time work, she thinks the government should spend more on mental health and she has progressive views on trans issues. But she is also deeply cynical about the "boys' club" of politics. "It doesn't matter who is in charge, nothing is going to change. You don't see hope or inspiration or aspiration," Monika says. Shorten, Monika says, "seems like a shifty bugger". And she is leery of the Prime Minister too, worried that his faith pushes him to be exclusionary on social issues. Ultimately, Monika reckons she will vote for a minor party. She isn't sure which one, but thinks Clive Palmer is a joke. "He could be entertaining, though," she says. Back on board the Spirit of Tasmania, we head for the open sea. Hopefully, the voyage is not too rough. 749.9 kilometres down, 3802 to go. Leg 1: Hobart to Launceston Helen and Wally, a Hobart couple I met on the plane from Sydney, tell me they are thinking of moving to the mainland to enjoy retirement closer to family. "We worked long and hard enough," says Wally, who was a fitter and turner. But if they list their house on the market, Helen says with a laugh, she is afraid it will sell too quickly for them to get their affairs in order. "Four or five other houses have already sold on our street," says Helen, a retired pathologist. Helen and Wally. Were she prime minister, Helen says, the first thing she would do is keep her promises. Credit:Nick Bonyhady She and Wally keep abreast of politics but have paid more attention to state than federal politics recently "too busy playing with grandkids", Helen says. And though she sees Tasmania as a Labor state, Helen reckons the economy has done better under the current Liberal government. Joseph, who manages a hotel bar in Launceston, is more agnostic. It is private industry which he sees as the real job creator, not the government of the day (he has moved from Adelaide for this job; his family stayed behind). 'The government can't do anything. I wouldn't want to be prime minister," he says. "You just can't please everyone." Helen too is worried about population growth bringing the congestion problems of Sydney or Melbourne to Hobart's tiny CBD. Like Joseph, she's concerned about the dry conditions that sparked bushfires late last year. "It's just barren," Helen says. Things are different for Manish, who is travelling with me on the bus from Hobart to Launceston to interview for jobs in hospitality. Manish says the prime minister should create jobs in regional areas if they send people there. Credit:Nick Bonyhady If he gets a full-time job and keeps it for a year, Manish, who was born in Nepal but has lived in Australia for about a decade, says he will be able to apply for permanent residency. "It's very hard finding a job," Manish says. He has qualifications in IT but is working part-time in hospitality now. "The government is putting a lot of people in Hobart but not more jobs." But he is hopeful about finding work in Launceston. "Launceston is a second city so it's a bit easier and cheaper," Manish says. At least for the people I've spoken to in Tasmania, Scott Morrison's claim that his government has fostered a strong economy looks believable. 200.5 kilometres down, 4351.4 to go. Earlier The first major event I covered as a reporter for this publication was the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. As a thoroughly land-based mammal, I was out of my depth. Now I'm taking the same trip as those yachts to begin an even longer journey thankfully, almost entirely overland from Hobart to Cairns. Here's a mark of my ignorance setting out on this trip: looking at the map to plan my journey I saw the town of Bonnie Doon on the banks of Lake Eildon in Victoria. Until then I had presumed that the town, where the Kerrigan family holidays in the classic Australian film The Castle, was fictional. I'm not going anywhere as rural as Bonnie Doon but I am taking in smaller towns that we tend to cover less than Sydney and Melbourne in order to talk to people about what matters to them in the upcoming election. Say hi if you see me. Victorian RSL branches have owned tens of thousands of shares in poker machine companies since 2005, triggering allegations of conflicts of interest by young veterans seeking reform of the 103-year old league. The Age can reveal that the RSLs Victorian branch and an unknown number of its sub-branches purchased shares in the former pokies operator Tattersalls after the company offered priority share parcels when it floated on the stock exchange in 2005. Anti-pokie reform candidates for the RSL, left to right: Lucas Moon, Dan Cairnes and Dave Petersen in front of the Cenotaph at the St James Park in Hawthorn. Credit:Eddie Jim The Tattersalls shares became Tabcorp shares when the two businesses merged in 2017. On Monday, after inquiries by The Age, the RSL Victorian central branch said it would sell its own Tabcorp shares because they are "non-core assets", and may also recommend its sub-branches sell. Hundreds of AirAsia passengers travelling from Bali on three separate flights have landed in Perth frustrated to learn their checked in luggage wasnt on their plane. AirAsia passengers landed in Perth without their checked in luggage, unbeknown to them. Credit:Fairfax Media The three flights landed at Perth Airport on Friday and Saturday, leaving what's believed to be about 200 passengers without their suitcases on arrival. Flight 544 passenger Tina Dagostino who arrived in Perth on Saturday evening after her 50th birthday celebration in Bali said the most frustrating thing was passengers were left in the dark about the whole situation. They didnt tell us anything at the time of leaving Bali, she said. Two men spent more than six hours damaging equipment, leaving a hose on and stealing a TV on the controlled-access Kwinana bulk jetties earlier this month. The men parked near the Port Road jetty in Kwinana, on April 13 and went on a vandalism spree that lasted from 7.30pm to 12.45am on April 14. The jetties often handle dangerous goods. Credit:Fremantle Ports Authority The Fremantle Ports Authority manages the facility and a spokesman described the men as fishermen. "It looks as though they were fishermen who have got up to no good while they've been on the premises," he said. Loading Boochani said in recent weeks alone, four people had been transferred to Port Morseby due to a reported typhoid outbreak and in his recent visit to the Pacific International Hospital, he witnessed up to 20 sick refugees who were hopeful they would be transferred to an Australian hospital. He also addressed his recent criticism of refugee organisations and their ability to help those on Manus and Nauru, and said their processes were delayed while also turning the systematic torture of refugees into a business. They are supposed to help us and help us to and get out of this country but unfortunately right now theyve become a part of the problem because their process is very slow ... we are frustrated, he said. I dont want to mention the individual organisations, but any organisation, any artist, any writer, anyone who is making business [out of this] ... we can see that some people are looking at this plight as a business. I think we should criticise this. I dont know what will happen but we are tired of this system. We are tired of organisations. I know by writing that about people I created enemies for myself but for me as an independent person ... what is important is that I tell the truth and tell this story independently, and that is what I will continue. A refugee protest on Manus Island, When asked whether he believed his interview with US officials in Port Moresby would likely put an end to his six years in detention, Boochani said he believed the process was just another form of torture. It is one of the main concepts that I always use in my writing and works systematic torture. So what does systematic torture mean? We had a court case in Papua New Guinea where the court ordered that Manus prison cant be legal, and keeping people in prison was illegal, he said. But the government used that order to keep us in Manus. They opened the gates and they relocated us to new camp ... at that time, people were very optimistic. The media talked about this a lot, the government used it as a big achievement. At that time I did a tweet and said it is not even happening. So after about three years, still we are here and still this country America is telling people they are doing this process. They put this through a system and they are torturing us by this. Many people have attempted suicide because they are ejected by America and they dont explain why. Boochani also spoke about modern Australian immigration policy, a point which was echoed by Curtin Elder in Residence Simon Forrest. "They told the local people that these people they are bringing to this island are dangerous people, they are criminals, they are terrorists," he said. "And then on the other side they told us Manusian people were cannibals, they are uncivilised and they are not modern people so its better that you dont communicate with them and make a relationship with them. "They have created this fear of years and they have used it over the past six years. "It is the word Peter Dutton used. He said that Australia is a civilised country, and he used 'uncivilised' word for others." Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton is seen at the Pine River Bowls Club in Bray Park, Brisbane. Credit:Glenn Hunt/AAP Boochani finished by citing the opportunities refugees on Manus and Nauru were missing out on during detention their families, an education and a better life and became emotional when he said if he could go back to six years before attempting to come to Australia, he would not have attempted it. I always say this and I think its good I say it again everyone on Manus and Nauru has a story and each story is a tragedy, he said. Everyone finds a way to survive. Bath, Maine: Former President Lyndon B. Johnson's daughters christened a stealthy warship bearing his name on Saturday, smacking Champagne bottles against a metal star symbolising Texas as a crowd roared in approval. The Lyndon B. Johnson, the third Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyer, is seen during a christening ceremony at Bath Iron Works. Credit:AP Champagne sprayed into the air when Lynda Bird Johnson Robb and Luci Baines Johnson simultaneously smashed their bottles as they stood on the ship's bow. Afterward, red, white and blue streamers shot skyward. Robb said her Texas-born father would be honoured to have his name on the futuristic ship because he always looked to the future. "Daddy would be proud to have a stealthy ship that's looking forward, not backward at past things that have happened, but forward for the great things" to come, Robb told The Associated Press before Saturday's ceremony. Chinese college students are having a class in the Pop-up Classroom with virtual reality goggles and tablets. (Chinanews.com/Lyu Ming) A shipment of container-like smart classrooms developed by a Chinese company will arrive in Egypt soon, bringing smart education to the African country. The smart classrooms referred to as Pop-up Classrooms were invented by NetDragon Websoft. According to Xiong Li, CEO of the company, the classrooms are similar to building blocks, and it only takes a few hours to set one up. He disclosed that the Egyptian government is planning to build 265,000 Pop-up Classrooms across the country in the next three years. A Pop-up Classroom is displayed at Fuzhou in southeast Chinas Fujian province. (Chinanews.com/Lyu Ming) Xiong said that developing countries in Africa are constantly improving their infrastructure, yet at the same time lack quality education resources. This situation has led to cooperation opportunities involving the up and coming Chinese digital education industry, he added. The cost of a Pop-up Classroom stands at around 200,000 yuan ($29,726), while on the other hand it would take millions of yuan to build a traditional smart classroom in a local community, the CEO said. This is an opportunity brought about by the Belt and Road construction, and these cost-effective classrooms will reshape the imbalanced allocation of education resources, Xiong noted. Follow us on Facebook & Twitter Search This Blog WHO ARE THE MIDNIGHT FREEMASONS? RWB Robert H. Johnson RWB Johnson is a Co-Managing Editor of the Midnight Freemasons blog. He is a Freemason out of the 2nd N.E. District of Illinois. He currently serves as the Secretary of Spes Novum Lodge No. 1183. He is a Past Master of Waukegan Lodge 78 and a Past District Deputy Grand Master for the 1st N.E. District of Illinois. He is the current V:. Sovereign Grand Inspector for AMD in IL. Brother Johnson currently produces and hosts weekly Podcasts (internet radio programs) Whence Came You? & Masonic Radio Theatre which focuses on topics relating to Freemasonry. He is also a co-host of The Masonic Roundtable, a Masonic talk show. He is a husband and father of four, works full time in the executive medical industry. He is the co-author of "It's Business Time - Adapting a Corporate Path for Freemasonry", The Masters Word: A Short Treatise on the Word, the Light, and the Self Annotated Edition and author of "How to Charter a Lodge: A No-Nonsense, Unsanctioned Guide. More books are on the way. WB Darin A. Lahners WB Darin A. Lahners is our Co-Managing Editor. He is a host and producer of the "Meet, Act and Part" podcast. He is currently serving the Grand Lodge of Illinois Ancient Free and Accepted Masons as the Area Education Officer for the Eastern Masonic Area. He is a Past Master of St. Joseph Lodge No.970 in St. Joseph. He is also a plural member of Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL), where he is also a Past Master. Hes a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, a charter member of Illinois Royal Arch Chapter, Admiration Chapter No. 282, and a member of the Salt Fork Shrine Club under the Ansar Shrine. You can reach him by email at darin.lahners@gmail.com. Todd E. Creason, 33 Todd E. Creason, 33 is the Founder of the Midnight Freemasons blog, and an award-winning author of several books and novels, including the Famous American Freemasons series. Todd started the Midnight Freemason blog in 2006, and in 2012 he opened it up as a contributor blog The Midnight Freemasons (plural). Todd has written more than 1,000 pieces for the blog since it began. He is a Past Master of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL) where he currently serves as Secretary. He is a Past Sovereign Master of the Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees. He is a Fellow at the Missouri Lodge of Research (FMLR). He is a charter member of Admiration Chapter No. 282 and is a Past EHP. He currently serves the Grand Lodge of Illinois A.F. & A.M. as Chairman of the Masonic Education Committee and State Education Officer. You can contact him at webmaster@toddcreason.org Gregory J. Knott, 33 WB Gregory J. Knott is a founding member and Senior Contributor of the Midnight Freemasons. He is a Past Master of St. Joseph Lodge No. 970 in St. Joseph (IL) and a plural member of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL) and Naval Lodge No. 4 in Washington, DC. Hes a member of the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, Eastern Star and is the Charter Secretary of the Illini High Twelve Club No. 768 in Champaign-Urbana. He is also a member of ANSAR Shrine (IL) and the Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees. Greg serves on the Board of Directors of The Masonic Society and is a member of the Scottish Rite Research Society and The Philathes Society. Greg is very involved in Boy Scoutsan Eagle Scout himself, he is a member of the National Association of Masonic Scouters. Bro. Steve Harrison, 33 Bro. Steve Harrison, 33, is Past Master of Liberty Lodge #31, Liberty, Missouri. He is also a Fellow and Past Master of the Missouri Lodge of Research. Among his other Masonic memberships is the St. Joseph Missouri Valley of the Scottish Rite, Liberty York Rite bodies, and Moila Shrine. He is also a member and Past Dean of the DeMolay Legion of Honor. Brother Harrison is a regular contributor to the Midnight Freemasons blog as well as several other Masonic publications. Brother Steve was Editor of the Missouri Freemason magazine for a decade and is a regular contributor to the Whence Came You podcast. Born in Indiana, he has a Master's Degree from Indiana University and is retired from a 35-year career in information technology. Steve and his wife Carolyn reside in northwest Missouri. He is the author of dozens of magazine articles and three books: Freemasonry Crosses the Mississippi, Freemasons Tales From the Craft and Freemasons at Oak Island. WB Bill Hosler WB Bill Hosler was made a Master Mason in 2002 in Three Rivers Lodge #733 in Indiana. He served as Worshipful Master in 2007 and became a member of the internet committee for Indiana's Grand Lodge. Bill is currently a member of Roff Lodge No. 169 in Roff Oklahoma and Lebanon Lodge No. 837 in Frisco, Texas. Bill is also a member of the Valley of Fort Wayne Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in Indiana. A typical active Freemason, Bill also served as the High Priest of Fort Wayne's Chapter of the York Rite No. 19 and was commander of the Fort Wayne Commandery No. 4 of the Knight Templar. During all this, he also served as the webmaster and magazine editor for the Mizpah Shrine in Fort Wayne Indiana. WB Chris Hathaway WB Christopher J. Hathaway was raised in Catlin Masonic Lodge #285 and is a plural member of Normal Masonic Lodge #673 as well as Bloomington Lodge #43, where he is a Past Master. He belongs to the Valley of Danville, AASR where he is the Most Wise Master of the George E. Burow Chapter of Rose Croix and Membership Chairman. He is the Oriental Guide in the Divan for the Mohammed Shiners, and the 1st Vice President of the Bloomington Shrine Club. Other appendant bodies include the Gao Grotto and the Illinois Lodge of Research. Outside of the lodge, he enjoys spending time with his wife Taylor and cheering on the Fighting Illini and Chicago Cubs. Bro. Randy Sanders Randy and his wife Elyana live near St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Randy earned a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry with an emphasis in Biochemistry, and he works in Telecom IT management. He volunteers as a professional and personal mentor, NRA certified Chief Range Safety Officer and enjoys competitive tactical pistol, rifle, and shotgun. He has 30 plus years teaching Wing Chun Kung Fu, Chi Kung, and healing arts. Randy served as a Logistics Section Chief on two different United States federal Disaster Medical Assistance Teams over a 12 year span. Randy is a 32nd degree KCCH and Knight Templar. His Masonic bio includes past Lodge Education Officer for two symbolic lodges, Founder of the Wentzville Lodge Book Club, member of the Grand Lodge of Missouri Education Committee, Sovereign Master of the E. F. Coonrod AMD Council No. 493, Co-Librarian of the Scottish Rite Valley of St. Louis, Clerk for the Academy of Reflection through the Valley of Guthrie, and a Facilitator for the Masonic Legacy Society. Randy is a founding administrator for Refracted Light, full contributor to Midnight Freemasons, and an international presenter on esoteric topics. Randy hosts an open ongoing weekly Masonic virtual Happy Hour on Friday evenings. Randy is an accomplished home chef, a certified barbecue judge, raises Great Pyrenees dogs, and enjoys travel and philosophy. Ken JP Stuczynski Bro. Ken JP Stuczynski is a member of West Seneca Lodge No.1111 and recently served as Master of Ken-Ton Lodge No.1186. As webmaster for NYMasons.Org he is on the Communications and Technology Committees for the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. He is also a Royal Arch Mason and 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, serving his second term as Sovereign Prince of Palmoni Council in the Valley of Buffalo, NMJ. He also coordinates a Downtown Square Club monthly lunch in Buffalo, NY. He and his wife served as Patron and Matron of Pond Chapter No.853 Order of the Eastern Star and considered himself a Masonic Feminist. Blog Archive This story was written in a book which was hidden in the attic of a relative. His grandchildren were trying to get him some where safe but he was having none of it. The story had them so interested that they forgot about taking him--smart great grandpa!! Donora, Pennsylvania where the hopes and dreams of the European immigrants worked and slaved to find the American Dream for themselves. If not for themselves then for their children-that they might have a better life. This was the town steel was made--and where the mills polluted the air night and day, eventually leading to the killing smog referred to in Book 1 of this series. Life was extremely hard for those like Mary Lancos-the oldest in a family that was forever looking to pay the mortgage and pay taxes. Mary had been forced to work since a very young age but in her head she was going to find and marry someone rich enough to have a home that smelled of lemons and not grime and soot. Her mother and father matched her with a storekeeper who she did not want to marry! Lukasz Musial who lived in Poland wanted so badly to get to America where he could be free--build a house, marry and build a family. He was a very strong man and with luck managed to somehow win a ticket to Donora from his arch enemy. There was a sponsor family waiting for him--well not exactly him--but it all worked out! He was matched with a Polish woman --but that did not work out! Mary and Lukasz kept bumping into each other but never did anything about it. Lukasz had always dreamed of a mermaid and as strong as he was was also able to form many items with his hands using thin wire. He got a job the first try tossing bails of wire up onto a platform. At age 14 Mary got a job at the same factory as a "nail girl". This was almost a Romeo and Juliet tale--but love conquers all--including a disapproving Papa! Fair warning-this book starts out as a slow read--but keep going--it will suddenly catch you unaware as you find yourself unable to stop reading! Available to buy from the following sites... "Kathleen Shoop has bejeweled this book with her magnificent imagination and impeccable writing. The Strongman and the Mermaid by Kathleen Shoop is a romance that goes beyond looks and settles deep into the souls of readers. Every so often, a love story comes that your heart can't let go. One of those love stories, for me, has been Mr. Darcy and Lizzy in Pride and Prejudice. Now Mary and Lukasz in The Strongman and the Mermaid will stay with me for a long time to come." Ankita Shukla for Readers Favorite "The Strongman and the Mermaid by Kathleen Shoop is a gorgeous story, a gripping romance with a strong setting. The plot structure is unusual and it has beautiful twists. I love stories with great characters and a well-developed conflict and I always want to see characters evolve through the conflict. It is something that this author does impeccably well. The narrative is emotionally richThe writing is cinematic, punctuated by exciting dialogue. The Strongman and the Mermaid will keep you awake through the night." Romuald Dzemo for Readers Favorite "I was hooked from the very start...The Strong Man and the Mermaid is skillfully plotted and written in beautiful prose. The reader is pulled into a fairytale-like world with strong and memorable characters. The love adventure between Mary and Lukasz is one of the key elements that add to the entertaining potential of this narrative. Kathleen Shoop keeps it real and human, succeeding in creating an emotional connection between the reader and the characters." Ruffina Oserio for Readers Favorite Ninety-one-year-old Patryk Rusek hides in his attic, hoping the searchers think hes escaped. When Lucy finally bursts in, she discovers her beloved grandfather clutching a fat, hand-illustrated, antique book. In it is the story of Donora, the town that shaped America, its people and Patryk himself. Before long, Lucy and her son Owen lose track of their goal to get Grandpa Patryk somewhere safe as theyre drawn into the book, back in time, into stories that read like real-life fairytales born of purpose, hard-work, and chance.In the early dawn of Donora, Pennsylvania, the mills make and shape the steel that builds America. Mary Lancos lives in a home on the hill overlooking town and its mighty Monongahela River. That tiny house bursts with her siblings and boarders. Wind whipping through the walls and windows makes Mary determined to marry well and create a better life.Shy Pole, Lukasz Musial, arrives in Donora seeking the clear blue skies, green lawns, and better life hed seen pictured on a postcard. Settled in Donoras Polish community, Lukasz secures a coveted job in the wire mill. Life is set on course to achieve the American Dream. All he needs is a wife who believes in him, in his mighty, quiet, strength.After a series of casual, friendly meetings, fate brings Mary and Lukasz to the river under a snowy, pink moonlit sky and everything changes. Their attraction is sudden and consuming, turning the pair onto an unexpected path. With mounting disapproval from Marys parents she and Lukasz must decide if love is enough to risk losing everything else that matters. Some are still skeptical of the benefits of globalization. Some believe that only the very rich benefit from globalization. by Evangelos Andreou This article was originally published on FEE.org. Read the original article. I have to admit that sometimes its fun to watch conspiracy theory shows and documentaries on Netflix. However, the problem arises when those theories become doctrine and affect political life. This is what has happened with globalization and the whole myth behind it. The rejection of globalization is now common to both right- and left-wing politicians for different reasons, from President Trump, who has seemingly suggested we lock up globalists such as George Soros, to Bernie Sanders, who believes we need to fundamentally reject our 'free trade' policies. The Myth of Globalization One the one hand, there are those who focus more on the social aspect of globalization and think of it as an ideology. To them, it is an evil plan pushed by nebulous, powerful people that will lead to the absence of national identity, mass immigration, and some form of one-world government. Thats why they use the term globalism, instead. As President Trump mentioned in his speech at the UN, We reject the ideology of globalism and accept the doctrine of patriotism. This narrative is also popular in Europe, with the prime minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, naming George Soros as an enemy of his country, blaming him for sponsoring the reception of thousands of refugees into Europe. He has even passed anti-immigrant laws called Stop Soros. Both of these approaches, despite their different rationales, miss the point of globalization entirely.The refugees entering the country are not just considered a threat to national identity, but they are also blamed for stealing jobs from natives. The left, however much they may stand for the immigrants targeted by anti-globalists, arent necessarily pro-globalization by any means. In contrast, they oppose economic globalization, calling it a neoliberal policy promoted by the greedy capitalists. For them, globalization is beneficial only for national elites and private corporations; it leads to inequality and, like every capitalist policy, to the exploitation of workers. Both of these approaches, despite their different rationales, miss the point of globalization entirely. Globalization Is an Outcome of Freedom Wikipedia defines globalization as the process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide. In other words, globalization is what happens when you let people be free to interact with each other on a global scale. It is a result of freedom, not political force. This is why its wrong to consider it an ideology rather than a simple process. Conspiracy theories about George Soros or the New World Order are, frankly, not even worth commenting upon. But what about those criticisms of globalization that are more grounded in reality? Some are still skeptical of the benefits of globalization. Some believe that only the very rich benefit from it. Criticism of economic globalization often translates into criticism of the free movement of goods, services, technologies, and capital. Since 1990, thanks to a resurgence of globalization and the dominance of capitalism, more than a billion people have lifted themselves out of extreme poverty and the global poverty rate is now lower than it has ever been in recorded history, according to the World Bank. More specifically, in 2015, 736 million people lived on less than $1.90 a day, down from 1.85 billion in 1990. Of course, there are still many problems to be solved, and this is why the World Bank has set the goal of ending global poverty by 2030. But even after this record-breaking decline in poverty, some are still skeptical of the benefits of globalization because while millions of people may escape poverty, some are of the opinion that only the very rich benefit and that not everyone reaps the fruits of globalization. A paper by Branko Milanovic on global inequality offers a great explanation on the winners and losers of globalization between 1988 and 2008. As the figure shows, it is indeed among the very top of the global income distribution and among the emerging global middle class, which includes more than a third of world population, that we find most significant increases in per capita income. (...) These two groupsthe global top 1% and the middle classes of the emerging market economies are indeed the main winners of globalization. The only exception is the poorest 5% of the population whose real incomes have remained the same. It is this income increase at the bottom of the global pyramid that has allowed the proportion of what the World Bank calls the absolute poor (people whose per capita income is less than 1.25 PPP dollars per day) to go down from 44% to 23% over approximately the same 20 years. But the biggest losers (other than the very poorest 5%), or at least the non-winners, of globalization were those between the 75th and 90th percentiles of the global income distribution whose real income gains were essentially nil. The winners of globalization are the global top one percent and the middle classes of the emerging market economies, which make up more than two billion people. Although the poorest five percent of the population have seen their real incomes stay the same, the biggest loser is the global upper-middle class. You cant ignore the lowest global poverty rate ever recorded just because the rich are getting richer, too. For someone who only perceives robber barons and wealthy oppressors and ignores the most productive people in society, these figures might seem meaningless. But you cant ignore the lowest global poverty rate ever recorded just because the rich are getting richer, too. Humans have lived most of their existence in poverty. The question we have to ask ourselves is not what makes people poor but what makes them rich. Only now, after thousands of years of horrible living conditions and unmovingly slow growth, can we see millions escaping poverty under the globalized economy. Its not a world of angels and saints, but it is by far the best we've ever had. The production of Oklahoma! currently invigorating The Circle in the Square theatre in New York is an astonishing rethinking of an old classic. It takes Rodgers and Hammerstein's bright and breezy songs such as "Oh What a Beautiful Morning", and "The Surrey with a Fringe on Top", and without any lack of reverence transforms a show that has become an easy-listening warhorse into something scary, beautiful and thought-provoking. Daniel Fish, the director, and his talented cast do all this without changing the 1943 original. They just look at it through a different lens. So the setting is a simple community hall, with long deal tables covered in pots of gently cooking chilli, that the audience are invited to share at the interval. Bunting and party lights glimmer overhead, but there are racks of guns on the walls; this is pioneer country where outsiders are treated with suspicion and disdain. Damon Daunno's Curly isn't a strapping, leg-slapping hero, but a slip of a boy who sings with a country twang to the accompaniment of a stripped back band. Sex is in the air in his courtship of Laurie but Rebecca Naomi Jones is having none of it. She isn't a simpering country girl but a conflicted woman, terrified of her feelings, anxious about making the wrong steps in life. Ali Stroker and James Davis Little Fang Photo In her comic echo, when Ado Annie (Ali Stroker, terrific) flings herself onto the knee of womanising charmer Ali Hakim (Will Brill), she virtually squashes him with her desire. This really is a girl who "Cain't Say No" and no wonder her true love Will Parker (James Davis), who launches himself around the tables with the clumsy valour of a true troubadour, is worried about her fidelity. He is likely to be outwitted at every turn. Real feelings are at play, troublesome, complex emotions. Nowhere is this truer than in the production's treatment of Jud Fry, the handyman who is obsessed with Laurie. In traditional productions of Oklahoma!, it's hard not to feel discomfited by the community's treatment of Jud; when Curly sings "Pore Jud" to him, imagining his rival's funeral, it always feels like an act of bullying. Fish has seized on the oddity of this and turned Jud from a brawling, difficult thug into a troubled, weird loner, a man so hungry for love and inclusion that it turns him into a porn-loving stalker. Patrick Vaill plays him as someone who you would like Laurie simultaneously avoid and pity. His haunted face at one moment beamed on the back wall, as he and Curly confront each other in the dark is both a reproach and a warning. His fate makes the musical and the triumph of the 46th state leave a bitter taste in the mouth. I'd always rather be in the company of those directors who dare to be different than those who play safe It's a staggeringly bold and brilliant rethinking, so unusual and daring that I was surprised that more people didn't walk out. This is my favourite kind of production one that loves and reveres the original but manages to see it in a fresh way. I felt similarly about Josie Rourke's Sweet Charity which has just opened at the Donmar and which pulls the same focus, stripping off the razzle-dazzle and the glitter paint to see the raw flesh beneath. Some people are clearly worried by the fact that Anne Marie Duff, as the hopeful dance hostess heroine, doesn't sing like a Broadway star, but I felt that was the point. The honesty in her voice transforms the mood of the show. This rebalancing of a classic is a tricky thing and always likely to divide people. I adored Rebecca Frecknall's rethinking of Chekhov's The Three Sisters, currently at the Almeida, which has also split opinion. I thought she did something truly radical and rather Russian, in fact, since native productions of Chekhov are often very robust in how they treat their great playwright. Damon Daunno and Rebecca Naomi Jones Little Fang Photo Just as Oklahoma! makes Jud the focal point of its reinterpretation, Frecknall views Masha's irritating husband in an entirely new way. Normally he is just a bumbling dolt, a fool in comparison to her lover, the dashing, philosophical Vershinin. In Frecknall's production, and Elliot Levey's performance, I saw for the first time that he is the only character who is living in the moment, prepared to be happy with his lot and make the very best of every second of his life, instead of wishing it away. His love for Masha and his devotion to her, in the face of her boredom and her disdain, suddenly seems heroic rather than laughable. The revelation sent a shiver down my spine. It's not the only version of Kulygin or of the play, just as Fish's revisionist Oklahoma! is only one view. But it is those moments of insight that keep me going to the theatre over and over again. I'd always rather be in the company of those directors who dare to be different than those who play safe; the disappointments are far outbalanced by the opportunity to see an old play in a blinding new light. [April 29, 2019] RichRelevance Transforms B2B Digital Experiences with Hyper-Personalization RichRelevance, the global leader in Experience Personalization, today announced that brands, manufacturers and wholesalers are increasingly embracing RichRelevance's AI-driven Hyper-personalization to complement traditional sales channels and drive digital revenue growth. RichRelevance's comprehensive B2B personalization solution allows B2B leaders to simplify, guide and help their customers navigate complex buying processes as research and purchasing increasingly shifts online. With RichRelevance, B2B leaders can use proven technology to meet and exceed buyer expectations for a self-service, consumerized experience that is both memorable and relevant. "B2B purchasing is rapidly moving online, but B2B digital experiences struggle to match B2C expectations," said Robb Miller, SVP Americas at RichRelevance. "RichRelevance brings powerful AI-driven personalization to help B2B companies differentiate and win on the basis of the digital experience they offer to buyers. Now companies can go beyond traditional sales channels to personalize and orchestrate new digital touchpoints that comprise today's B2B customer journey." At the upcoming B2B Online conference, Mr. Miller will be joined by Jamie Werve, Director of eCommerce Strategy at Insight Enterprises, to lead a session on digital innovation in B2B personalization, as well as share a case study on growing digital revenues by combining eCommerce and account management with AI-driven personalization. The session takes place on Monday, April 29 at 4:40 pm in Chicago, Illinois. RichRelevance's Xen AI platform allows companies to cut through the complexities of B2B commerce - endless catalogs, price transparency, nuanced contractual requirements, multiple buyers, and integrated account managers - to treat each business buyer as an individual. The solution uniquely solves for B2B requirements with personalization that understands implicit as well as explicit preferences, real-time activity, intelligent rules and leverages product compatibility to deliver product guidance and relevant content seamlessly across sales channels. Client success stories include: Insight Enterprises: Insight turned to RichRelevance to create and deliver a better digital experience for their customers. After incorporating AI-driven personalization across the buyer journey, Insight has seen tremendous results, including 69% increase in YoY revenue generated from homepage personalization; 275% increase in Marketing Qualified Leads (MQLs) from personalized partner campaigns based on behavior; and 78% YoY increase in sales generated from product recommendations on product detail page. (Insight case study) CDW: With 100,000+ products, 1,000+ partners and 5,000+customer-facing trusted advisors, RichRelevance's Hyper-personalization allows CDW (News - Alert) to deliver an engaging, immersive and relevant customer experience tailored for industry, company and individual role, as well as unique goals and preferences. Using RichRelevance's B2B personalization suite, CDW is able to bring together pertinent data and systems around every customer to provide the most relevant, memorable experience, increasing sales while enhancing customer satisfaction. Additional results include significant increases in both cross-sell attach rates and average order value; improved operational efficiency and merchandising effectiveness; and improved product awareness and conversion through onsite search by delivering more relevant results. (CDW case study) Atea is the market leader in IT infrastructure in Europe's Nordic and Baltic regions and uses RichRelevance to personalize the buying experience on their eCommerce site. RichRelevance is both a partner and platform that understands how Atea's complex business differs from traditional B2C retail and solves for the complexities and nuances of the B2B challenges they face, including the ability to manage product compatibility challenges and accommodate for diverse and restricted catalogs across customer accounts. After implementing RichRelevance, Atea has seen higher product engagement which has resulted in up to 20% increase in basket size. (Atea case study) Additional RichRelevance resources for B2B brands include: The B2B Personalization Imperative is Here B2B Personalization: Is Now the Time to Start? About RichRelevance RichRelevance is the global leader in Experience Personalization, driving digital growth and brand loyalty for 200 of the world's largest B2C and B2B brands and retailers. The company leverages advanced AI technologies to bridge the experience gap between marketing and commerce to help digital marketing leaders stage memorable experiences that speak to individuals - at scale, in real time, and across the customer lifecycle. Headquartered in San Francisco, RichRelevance serves clients in 44 countries from nine offices around the globe. For more information, visit www.richrelevance.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190429005175/en/ [ Back To www.mobilitytechzone.com/wimax's Homepage ] SAINT JOHN, N.B. - Canada's defence minister says if the impact of climate change disasters ranging from floods to fires worsens, he may have to increase the number of Canadian Forces personnel available to respond. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (968 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A woman wades through the floodwaters of the Saint John River on the only access road to the Dominion Park community in Saint John, N.B., on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Stephen MacGillivray SAINT JOHN, N.B. - Canada's defence minister says if the impact of climate change disasters ranging from floods to fires worsens, he may have to increase the number of Canadian Forces personnel available to respond. "With the impact of climate change, if we see that it's even getting even worse, we'll do a re-evaluation of the numbers that we have," Harjit Sajjan said Monday as he stood next to floodwaters in Saint John, N.B. Sajjan said there's been a growing need for personnel to help with events such as the current flooding hitting the Saint John River in New Brunswick and many regions of Quebec. He also noted the forest fires that swept through parts of Western Canada last year required military help. In fact, he said, more Canadian soldiers are currently deployed to domestic disaster relief than to operations outside the country. The minister spoke while visiting Randolph Island in the Saint John area, where waters from the river rose during heavy rainfall on Saturday. He said the military has already been increasing its reserves to cope with climate change fallout. However, with the combat training centre in Gagetown, N.B., facing other commitments, the response to disasters could require additional personnel, the minister told reporters. "We're growing the military to make sure we have the right numbers for our domestic response and to sustain international response as well," he said. The minister said that climate change has been a security threat for some time, and the Defence Department "looks at climate security challenges around the world." He added: "It is real." The military response has been welcomed by the public. "It's been great," Norma Knight said after walking through the water flowing across the road to the island. Days earlier, when the water was deeper, military vehicles enabled residents to leave or return to their homes. "It's great with the army. They enabled people to go back and forth. Otherwise they're stuck on the island," Knight said, carrying a pair of rubber boots she was taking to her husband. Knight said she has lived in the area her entire life and had never seen water covering the road until last year's record flooding. She hoped the road could be raised to mitigate flood disruption in the future. Officials in New Brunswick are urging patience as floodwaters recede in some regions, saying there's a long way to go before the response can become a recovery effort. 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. "We're still going to see high water for the next couple of days, especially in the southern reaches of the river system," said Greg MacCallum, director of the New Brunswick's Emergency Measures Organization. Heavy rain caused the river level to rise slightly in Fredericton on Saturday night, but MacCallum said there has already been a discernible drop. He said it will take time for the levels to return to normal along the entire river but said crews will be ready for the recovery phase. "We will be certain to approach that phase ... with the same energy and determination and thorough planning and execution that we have done for the response," he said. More than 80 roads across the province remain closed because of flooding, including a major section of the Trans-Canada highway between Oromocto and Riverglade. MacCallum viewed the highway by helicopter Monday. He said the water is no longer on the roadway, but there is still debris to be removed and inspections to be done. He said that could take a few more days. With files from Michael Tutton in Halifax. Kelly Olynyk of the Miami Heat shoots at the end of practice during the Pacific Rim Basketball Classic in Vancouver last year. OTTAWA - Canada is looking for new Asian customers for its canola to answer China's ban on many shipments of the product, says International Trade Minister Jim Carr. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (968 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Conservative leader Andrew Scheer meets volunteers during an event in the Kanata suburb of Ottawa on Thursday, April 25, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang OTTAWA - Canada is looking for new Asian customers for its canola to answer China's ban on many shipments of the product, says International Trade Minister Jim Carr. The Canadian government is also still pushing China to allow a Canadian delegation to visit the People's Republic to verify complaints that Canadian canola is contaminated with pests, Carr said in an interview. So far, China hasn't agreed to requests for a Canadian delegation to test its unproven concerns. China has rejected Canadian canola-seed shipments in recent months and has suspended the licences of two major Canadian exporters. The government requested permission on April 1 for inspectors from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to visit China, but so far there has been no response. The CFIA has twice inspected the shipments in question and found no impurities, Carr told The Canadian Press on Saturday, prior to the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. "We want to have a science conversation with the Chinese to verify any allegations that the very high quality Canadian canola has any impurities at all. We're looking to have that proven to us," the minister said. "We will send a high-level delegation as soon as that invitation is sent to us. Meanwhile, it's important that we look for other markets for our canola and certainly the Asia-Pacific is among them, including Japan." Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau has also written to her Chinese counterparts to press the issue, he added. Asked why he thinks the Chinese have been delaying, Carr replied: "I can't speak for them." On Monday, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to pressure China by pulling hundreds of millions of dollars Ottawa has committed to Beijing's multilateral development bank. The Liberal government has committed $256 million over five years to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, in the hopes that Canada can help guide its decisions and that Canadian companies will get business from the development projects it promotes. Dozens of countries outside Asia are participants in the bank, from Madagascar to Ireland to Norway. Scheer also demanded Trudeau take several more-immediate steps, including appointing a new ambassador to China, launching a complaint about the canola dispute with the World Trade Organization and increasing financial support for farmers caught in the crossfire of what has become a broader diplomatic spat between the two countries. "By doing nothing, this policy of appeasement that Justin Trudeau has pursued with the government in China has clearly not worked," Scheer said. China's decision to cut off Canadian canola-seed shipments is widely viewed as an attempt to apply economic pressure on Canada following the December arrest of senior Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver at the behest of the United States. China is the usual destination for about 40 per cent of Canadian canola, a major source of oil used for cooking and some industrial purposes. In the days following Meng's arrest, China arrested two Canadian citizens on allegations of engaging in activities that have endangered Chinese national security. Michael Kovrig, a Canadian diplomat on leave, and Michael Spavor, an entrepreneur, are still being held by Chinese authorities in what the Trudeau government has called arbitrary detentions. Weeks later, Trudeau fired Canada's former ambassador to China, John McCallum, for going off-script in the government's efforts to win the release of the two men. Before his posting in Beijing, McCallum was a longtime Liberal MP and cabinet minister. Scheer tried to cast the canola fight as just one example of the Liberals' failures on the foreign-policy front. "There's been no reaction, there have been no consequences to the government of China for detaining our citizens and blocking our exports," Scheer said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "I believe that when a country stands up for itself and shows that there are consequences to mistreating our citizens and blocking our exports that that will be when China recognizes that they should not pursue this course of actions." The Liberal government has established a working group to address the canola issue and asked to send a delegation of experts to China to examine the complaints and says it has been exploring options to provide financial support to farmers. Trudeau and Abe discussed Canada's ongoing feud with China over the detainees and canola during the Japanese leader's two-day visit to Ottawa over the weekend. China is "trying to impose its approach on countries around the world. As countries like Japan and Canada continue to engage economically with China we have to deal with some of these challenges," Trudeau said. Canada and Japan are united in their approach to China because of their shared democratic values, and adherence to the rule of law and respect for human rights, Abe said. "We shall have to raise our voices in unity together so that China will go towards a positive, constructive role," said Abe. TORONTO - The Bank of Montreal's Irish subsidiary has been fined 1.25 million euros by Ireland's central bank for breaching a condition of its banking licence. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (968 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A Bank of Montreal sign is pictured in North Vancouver, B.C. Tuesday, April, 2, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward TORONTO - The Bank of Montreal's Irish subsidiary has been fined 1.25 million euros by Ireland's central bank for breaching a condition of its banking licence. 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 central bank says the Bank of Montreal Ireland plc. failed to establish and maintain processes and controls to ensure the submission of certain reports regarding operational risk. It said BMO has admitted the breaches in full. BMO was not immediately available for comment. The central bank says the appropriate fine amounted to 1.78 million euros but this was reduced by 30 per cent, as per its procedures for early settlements. It added that this was the Canadian lender's second reprimand and fine for deficiencies in regulatory reporting. Companies in this story: (TSX:BMO) China's central bank will issue a set of coins on Monday to commemorate the 2019 Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition. The set includes one gold coin, one silver coin and one platinum coin, all legal currency, the People's Bank of China (PBOC) said on its website. A commemorative coin for Beijing horticultural expo. [Photo: cctv.vom] The front side of each coin features a combination of the expo logo and the Great Wall, along with the country name and year of issuance, the PBOC said. The 5-gram gold coin, with a face value of 80 yuan (about 11.88 U.S. dollars), features the design of the Chinese Pavilion and plant decorations, as well as the Chinese name of the forum on the reverse side. The 30-gram silver coin and the 3-gram platinum coin, with face values of 10 yuan and 100 yuan, will also have the expo's Chinese name and plant decorations on the reverse sides, but with patterns of the International Pavilion and the expo mascot, respectively. The expo, open from April 29 to Oct. 7, will exhibit flower, fruit and vegetable farming at the foot of the Great Wall in Beijing. The CEO of Boeing defended the company's safety record and declined to take any more than partial blame for two deadly crashes of its bestselling plane even while saying Monday that the company has nearly finished an update that "will make the airplane even safer." Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (968 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Boeing board of directors including Nikki Haley, right, and Caroline Kennedy, third from right, are announced by Chief Executive Officer Dennis Muilenburg at the Boeing Annual General Meeting in Chicago, Monday, April 29, 2019. (John Gress/Pool Photo via AP) The CEO of Boeing defended the company's safety record and declined to take any more than partial blame for two deadly crashes of its bestselling plane even while saying Monday that the company has nearly finished an update that "will make the airplane even safer." Chairman and CEO Dennis Muilenburg took reporters' questions for the first time since accidents involving the Boeing 737 Max in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed 346 people and plunged Boeing into its deepest crisis in years. Muilenburg said that Boeing followed the same design and certification process it has always used to build safe planes, and he denied that the Max was rushed to market. "As in most accidents, there are a chain of events that occurred," he said, referring to the Lion Air crash on Oct. 29 and the March 10 crash of an Ethiopian Airlines Max. "It's not correct to attribute that to any single item." The CEO said Boeing provided steps that should be taken in response to problems like those encountered by pilots of the planes that crashed. "In some cases those procedures were not completely followed," he said. The news conference, held after Boeing's annual meeting in Chicago, came as new questions have arisen around the Max, which has been grounded worldwide since mid-March. Southwest Airlines said over the weekend that Boeing did not disclose that a feature on the 737 an indicator to warn pilots about the kind of sensor failures that occurred in both accidents was turned off on the Max. Southwest said it found out only after the first crash of the Lion Air Max. Boeing said the feature only worked if airlines bought a related one that's optional, and in any case the plane could fly safely without it. Boeing Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg speaks during a news conference after the company's annual shareholders meeting at the Field Museum in Chicago, on Monday, April 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Jim Young, Pool) Separately, published reports said that federal regulators and congressional investigators are examining safety allegations relating to the Max that were raised by about a dozen purported whistleblowers. The Boeing event occurred on the same day that the Federal Aviation Administration convened a week-long meeting in Seattle of aviation regulators from around the world to review the FAA's certification of MCAS, a key flight-control system on the Max. A spokesman said the FAA will share its technical knowledge with other regulators, but their approval is not needed before the plane resumes flying in the U.S. Boeing has conceded that in both accidents, MCAS was triggered by faulty readings from a single sensor and pushed the planes' noses down. Pilots were unable to control the planes although the Ethiopian Airlines crew followed some of the steps that Boeing recommended to recover. Muilenburg told shareholders that Boeing is close to completing an upgrade to flight software on the Max "that will ensure accidents like these never happen again." In the brief news conference that followed, Muilenburg took six questions from reporters, including whether he will resign he has no intention of doing that and left as reporters persisted, including one who pointed to the deaths of 346 people and urged the CEO to take more questions. Besides the software update, Boeing will present the FAA with a plan for training pilots on changes to MCAS. The company is pushing for training that can be done on tablet computers and, if airlines want to offer it, additional time in flight simulators when pilots are due for periodic retraining. A requirement for training in simulators would further delay the return of the Max because of relatively small number of flight simulators. The union for American Airlines pilots wants mandatory additional training including, at a minimum, video demonstrations showing pilots how to respond to failures of systems on the plane. Dennis Tajer, a 737 pilot and union spokesman, said Boeing and the FAA must require more training rather than leaving the option to airlines. "Not every pilot that goes out there and flies is a Boeing test pilot," Tajer said. "If something happens anywhere in the world, it affects all of us." During the one-hour annual meeting, shareholders elected all 13 company-backed board nominees, including newcomer Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor who lobbied for a Boeing plant there, and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Several shareholder resolutions were defeated, including one to name an independent chairman whenever possible instead of letting the CEO hold both jobs. It got 34% support. 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. A chairman-CEO "is not always a bad thing, but at times of crisis it's hardly ever a good idea," said Matt Brubaker, CEO of business-strategy consultant FMG Leading, who was not involved in the debate. "The place they are in now, they need the scrutiny of an inwardly focused CEO to drive change." Muilenburg opened Monday's meeting with a moment of silence for victims of the two crashes. Later that day, lawyers for two Canadian families who lost relatives in the Ethiopian Airlines crash filed the latest in a growing number of lawsuits against Boeing, claiming the plane maker was negligent about safety. Hiral Vaidya, whose in-laws and four other family members died in the crash, said there were no remains left to cremate. "We have no closure, we have no peace, we have no answer," she said, fighting back tears. ___ David Koenig can be reached at http://twitter.com/airlinewriter CALGARY - A Canadian company has been selected to help rebuild Paradise, the northern California community that was almost entirely destroyed by a raging wildfire in November. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (968 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. This Nov. 15, 2018, aerial file photo shows the remains of residences leveled by the Camp wildfire in Paradise, Calif. A Canadian company has been selected to help rebuild Paradise, the California community that that was almost entirely destroyed by a wildfire last year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Noah Berger, File CALGARY - A Canadian company has been selected to help rebuild Paradise, the northern California community that was almost entirely destroyed by a raging wildfire in November. 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. Calgary-based Black Diamond Group Ltd. says its U.S. business unit has won a $20-million rental contract to supply portable housing units with 1,584 beds to support reconstruction. It says the initial term of the contract is for nine months, with an option to extend, and includes transportation costs. Only about 1,500 of the town's 27,000 residents still live in the few surviving houses after the fire that started in the tinder dry Sierra Nevada foothills destroyed nearly 15,000 homes and killed 85 people. Black Diamond shares were up 12.4 per cent or 27 cents to $2.44 just before noon on Monday. The company rents and sells modular workforce accommodations to business customers in Canada, the United States and Australia. We are pleased to be one of many supporters in the massive undertaking that is to clean up and rebuild the town of Paradise, said CEO Trevor Haynes in a news release. "Our team is expected to rapidly supply a large contingent of dormitories that will be used to help house the workforce in the clean-up effort." Freshii Inc.'s chief financial officer will depart from the company early next month as the eatery chain grapples with recent lacklustre performance. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (968 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A man walks by a Freshii restaurant in Toronto on Tuesday, March 21, 2017. Freshii Inc. says its chief financial officer will leave the company early next month. The eatery says Craig De Pratto informed the company he will resign to pursue another opportunity. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graeme Roy Freshii Inc.'s chief financial officer will depart from the company early next month as the eatery chain grapples with recent lacklustre performance. Craig De Pratto, who joined the company in 2014, informed Freshii he will resign "to pursue another opportunity," the company said in a statement Monday. It did not include details on his new position. De Pratto played a central role in a period of rapid growth for Freshii, the company said, including its initial public offering in 2017. "The board of directors and the entire Freshii team join me in thanking (De Pratto) for his contributions, commitment and leadership," said CEO Matthew Corrin in a statement. De Pratto will stay in his role until May 10 and the company will start a formal search for a new CFO. De Pratto's departure comes as the company prepares to release its first-quarter earnings on May 10. The company, which opened its first store in 2005 and has since grown to nearly 440 locations in 16 countries, has faced repeated challenges in several areas over the past couple years. Try our Dish The latest on food and drink in Winnipeg and beyond from arts writers Ben Sigurdson and Eva Wasney. Dish arrives in your inbox every other Friday. See sample. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. It announced ambitious expansion goals, hoping to number more than 800 stores by the end of its 2019 financial year and then scaled that figure back to more than 700 before scrapping the long-term outlook. In its most recent quarterly earnings report, Freshii reported same-store sales dropped 6.1 per cent and Corrin committed to doing fewer things, but better. He outlined plans to simplify the menu, as well as launch the company's first global media campaign. When Freshii shares first went public in January 2017, they traded at roughly $12. The company's shares were trading at about $2.03 Monday afternoon, down nearly one per cent or 20 cents. Companies in this story: (TSX:FRII) Follow @AleksSagan on Twitter. There are all sorts of ways startups can measure success. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (968 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. There are all sorts of ways startups can measure success. The Silicon Valley community will often point to company valuations or how much money they have raised, regardless of the actual financial realities of their operations. The innovative payment processing company called Rotessa, is not only so far off the Silicon Valley radar in Steinbach, but it can't even use that metric because it is entirely self-financed. But it can point to the fact that its main competitor, a venture capital supported company out of Toronto called Plooto, uses Rotessa on a landing page with the caption "Why choose Plooto over Rotessa?" Greg Lepp, the founder and president of Rotessa, is happy to have that competition as well as the recent entry into North America of a large U.K. firm. "We think it's good to have others because they help educate small business on the value of pre-authorized debits," said Lepp. "It's a really under estimated payment process for small businesses that are doing recurring payments." The fact is that Lepp built the company around solving a solution for customers in a business he had been running since 2003 doing tuition payment plans for colleges and universities who did not want to have to pay the two-to-three per cent fees that the credit card companies traditionally charge for payments. After digging into the banking networks and the different services that were being offered, Lepp built an on-line, self-service, debit payment system designed to collect recurring payments for a flat fee rather than a percentage of the payment so that small business can drastically reduce their banks fees. But after designing the system, he initially only attracted a handful of customers in the first year. "It you build it, they won't necessarily come flocking in," he said. But now they're starting to. Lepp learned to find his way around the finer points of on-line marketing to drive meaningful traffic to his web site. And the referrals started coming in. At the beginning of the year, the company's web site noted that it has processed more than $150 million in payments. It's now up to more than $350 million in more than one million transactions with more than 1,500 customers. Earlier this year. Rotessa doubled its staff to eight people and the company now has its regulatory boxes checked to also start doing business in the U.S. And never mind operating far from Silicon Valley, Rotessa is not even properly connected with the tech startup scene in Winnipeg and instead is doubling down on its Steinbach roots. In partnership with Lepp's (silent) partner in Rotessa, they plan to build new office space in Steinbach that will accommodate up coming growth that would see the company triple in size. Meanwhile, however, Lepp is comfortable with the steady growth Rotessa is achieving. "We have a very loyal customer base with little churn and a very high retention rate," he said. "Our model is slow and steady growth." That may change though when more small companies start realizing that they can save hundreds of dollars per month on their bank charges. He's also started having more conversations with business organizations about partnership relationships where Rotessa might be able to capture larger numbers of customers. 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. Not surprising, Lepp did not want to disclose the secret sauce that has let a small company from Steinbach insert his own information technology into the national banking system allowing Rotessa to collect recurring fees from hundreds of fitness centres, day cares even a large Alberta energy company. He would not even disclose the name of the financial institution whose membership in the direct clearer network provides the relationship with all the banks that allows Rotessa to do its transactions. "We have a third party agreement with them," said Lepp. "We then can facilitate all the payments through them. They have the relationship with the other banks. We are just a third party to that." He said the banking system has been doing this kind of service for large enterprises for a long time but it was never really meant for the the little guys. "What we have essentially done is plugged into an old legacy software system with an easier, friendlier model at the front end that has made it a lot simpler for small businesses to sign up and process payments," he said. martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca A western South Dakota sheriff is seeking to be dismissed from a lawsuit challenging new state laws that target disruptive demonstrations by anti-oil pipeline activists. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (968 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A western South Dakota sheriff is seeking to be dismissed from a lawsuit challenging new state laws that target disruptive demonstrations by anti-oil pipeline activists. Attorney Rebeca L. Mann said Pennington County Sheriff Kevin Thom must enforce state laws but isn't responsible for defending them. "Pennington County is not a proper party to defend the constitutionality of state statues nor should it be burdened with the expense of defending statutes it has no power to change," Mann argued in court documents filed last week. Pennington County is one of eight South Dakota counties along the route of TransCanada Corp.'s planned Keystone XL pipeline to move Canadian crude through Montana and South Dakota to Nebraska, where it would connect with lines to Gulf Coast refineries. The $8 billion project has the backing of President Donald Trump but is being fought in the courts by opponents. Activists and American Indian tribes also plan on-the-ground protests against construction. Such protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline in North Dakota in 2016 and 2017 resulted in 761 arrests and cost the state and Morton County $38 million. Texas-based pipeline developer Energy Transfer Partners also is seeking to recover millions of dollars in protest-related damages from Greenpeace, an effort the environmental group is fighting. In March, South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem and GOP leaders passed legislation allowing officials to pursue criminal or civil penalties from demonstrators who engage in "riot boosting," which is defined in part as encouraging violence during a riot. Noem has said the law is meant to address problems caused by "out-of-state rioters funded by out-of-state interests." The American Civil Liberties Union and tribes contend the law stifles free speech, and the ACLU is suing Noem, Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg and Thom in federal court on behalf of activists. Thom is named as a defendant because he's sheriff in the county in which the activists are working, according to Courtney Bowie, legal director for the ACLU of South Dakota, North Dakota and Wyoming. Plaintiffs include the Rapid City-based NDN Collective non-profit, which advocates for indigenous peoples and climate change awareness. 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. Mann argued "there is no jurisdictional basis for suing Sheriff Thom to challenge the constitutionality of state statues." She also argued more broadly that since activists have pledged peaceful protests against Keystone XL, there is no "realistic fear of prosecution." Attorneys for Noem and Ravnsborg made a similar argument earlier this month. Plaintiffs' attorneys have not yet responded to Thom's argument, but Bowie in a statement to The Associated Press said "our complaint alleges a chilling of free speech, which is itself an injury that our clients have suffered and continue to suffer." "They do not have to wait for prosecution to bring a claim and, with the way the laws are written, they are subject to later civil or criminal liability for their organizing work," Bowie said. The law states that people who solicit or pay someone to break the law or be arrested would be subject to paying three times the amount that would compensate for the detriment caused. The ACLU maintains it fails to adequately describe the speech or conduct that could subject protesters and organizations to penalties. ___ Follow Blake Nicholson on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/NicholsonBlake Five years ago, Masimo Picaku was one of the first Albanians to come to Winnipeg to study at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU). Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (969 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Five years ago, Masimo Picaku was one of the first Albanians to come to Winnipeg to study at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU). On April 27, he was also the first from that country to graduate from the university with a bachelor of arts in business administration and communications and media. Picaku was one of 92 students who received a bachelors and masters degrees in arts, business administration, music and music therapy at the convocation. "It was a very hard decision, leaving everyone I knew behind, Picaku, 23, said about coming to Winnipeg. "I didnt know anyone here." He made friends and felt at home. "Everyone was super welcoming," he said. "The professors were always available to meet and answer my questions." From two Albanians in 2104, this past year CMU had 22 from that country. Next year, it expects to have as many as 30. The students are coming to Winnipeg through a unique partnership between CMU and the Lezha Academic Center in that country. "Its a very good experience working with the Albanian students," CMU president Cheryl Pauls said. "They are great students." At the same time, CMU benefits from having them at the university. "Its giving us exposure to a part of the world wed otherwise know little about," she said, adding its a privilege to help them in their studies so they can "give back to their country." Looking on proudly as Picaku received his diploma was his high school principal, Klementina Shahini, who was also the convocation speaker. Born in Albania under communism, Shahini, 60, fled to the U.S. in 1999 during a time of civil unrest. She went back to start the high school in 2011. Her goal in sending students to CMU is to help them learn about service, peace, justice, ethics and reconciliation so they can help rebuild Albania once one of the most isolated and severe communist countries in the world. "Under communism we were told what to do, where to work, where to study, what to wear," she said of the regime, which lasted from the end of the Second World War until 1991. Soon after returning to Albania to start the school, she learned about CMU and the partnership was created. "Our role is not just to help them get an education, but to prepare them for life, to change the culture in Albania, to be a light for Albania," she said of the students that come to Winnipeg. Its a challenging task, she noted; even though communism in Albania was overthrown 28 years ago, the negative influences still linger. "The people of Albania are beautiful and smart. They want to do better. They just dont know how," she stated, noting that the older generation, whose lives were completely proscribed under communism, arent well-equipped to help the younger generation navigate the new world of democracy and a market economy. "For 50 years, we were brainwashed as a people," she stated. "Its not easy to wipe that away. It will take time." 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. As for the relationship with CMU, she likes its smaller size and friendliness. "Students feel welcome and safe here with the smaller classes and professors who are always ready to help," she said. The Mennonite emphasis on peace and justice is also important, she noted, along with spirituality and ethics. "Its a perfect match for our students," she said, adding she hopes the students at CMU will "get the best of Canada, then come back to change Albania." As for Picaku, one day he might start a business in Albania. For the immediate future, he wants to get more business experience in Canada in marketing and social media. "I am grateful for the opportunity to study at CMU," he said. "It has helped prepare me for life." faith@freepress.mb.ca Manitoba's Progressive Conservative government is spending $8 million to help local hospitals better plan for changes in staff workloads and improve scheduling. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (968 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Manitoba's Progressive Conservative government is spending $8 million to help local hospitals better plan for changes in staff workloads and improve scheduling. The money will be used to install two new information technology systems to cut down on "avoidable" overtime costs and make work schedules more predictable for staff, Health Minister Cameron Friesen said. A new "resource organization" system will track patient data and allow hospitals to plan more efficiently for spikes in demand, such as during flu season or periods in the year when people break more bones or are involved in more motor vehicle collisions. Optimal staffing to meet projected patient levels will enable hospitals to treat patients more effectively and discharge them earlier, improving patient flow and reducing wait times, officials say. "These programs are in use in other jurisdictions, places like Vancouver and Saskatoon," Friesen told a news conference Monday at Health Sciences Centre. "They have proven to be highly successful in building a more efficient and more effective health-care system in those places. We are confident that these investments will do the same here in Manitoba." Winnipeg's HSC will be the first to adopt the new system. On Monday, Friesen toured the hospital's patient flow command centre, established in November, and came away impressed with the institution's efforts in tracking and adjusting to bed availability and the status of patients. The new technological changes the government is funding will make those tasks easier, he said. Meanwhile, a new workforce management system will be instituted to create a consistent scheduling system across all Winnipeg hospitals. It is expected to help the administrative burden on front-line care managers, reduce errors and make it easier to respond to gaps in staffing, such as those caused by sick time. 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. St. Boniface Hospital will be the first to implement the new electronic system. Managers at the major hospital currently use a combination of pen and paper and spreadsheets to manually build staff schedules, Friesen said. The technology will benefit staff as well as hospital administrators, he said. "People want certainty over what they're doing. They want to know in advance how they will be asked to work. They want that sense of work-life balance. And they still want opportunity, in many cases, to pick up additional shifts if they want it," he said. Once the new systems are in place, the one-time investment of $8 million is expected to produce savings of at least that much on an annual basis, Friesen said.. Manitoba Nurses Union president Darlene Jackson said she's pleased to see steps are being taken to reduce excessive levels of overtime for nurses, but said it's important to note changes to the scheduling system will not address the main causes of overtime, which are nursing vacancies and inadequate staffing levels. larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca After Easter Sunday terror attacks in Sri Lanka that left more than 250 dead, the March stabbing of a priest during mass in Montreal, and the latest deadly anti-Semitic attack at a California synagogue, safety at places of worship is in the spotlight. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (969 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. After Easter Sunday terror attacks in Sri Lanka that left more than 250 dead, the March stabbing of a priest during mass in Montreal, and the latest deadly anti-Semitic attack at a California synagogue, safety at places of worship is in the spotlight. "People are trying to be vigilant," Rev. Richard Arsenault, chancellor of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Winnipeg, said prior to Saturdays fatal shooting at Congregation Chabad in Poway, Calif. "Its on everybodys mind." On Saturday night, the Jewish Federations of Canada issued a statement saying the "sanctity of the Sabbath services was destroyed when a hateful anti-Semitic murderer killed one worshipper and injured three others." Its encouraging people to be vigilant and contact police if they see something suspicious. The centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs community security program team has been in "direct contact with Canadian law enforcement and tracking the situation closely," it said. "Theres no threat in Canada, however we are always vigilant," said Elaine Goldstine, chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg. Off-duty police officers were at the Holocaust memorial service at Etz Chayim synagogue Sunday morning but thats nothing new for major events, she said. "Its something we always do," said Goldstine. "Sadly, weve been the target of hate crimes before," Rabbi Kliel Rose said Sunday, referring to Etz Chayims Holocaust memorial service and Saturdays synagogue shooting. "Its a weight that is hard to carry," said Rose. "Its hard to have to constantly be thinking about it and present in the moment of whatever the liturgical situation is. I think, as an institution, were doing the best we can but if someone wants to succeed in wreaking havoc, there are ways they can do that. "Its a real call for all of us as leaders in the Jewish community to question again are these spaces safe enough, and how do we ensure were doing right by our constituents?" Hes not going to let the shooter in California or the one at New Zealand mosques or Pittsburghs Temple of Life Synagogue generate more fear that leaves people feeling paralyzed. "Thats not something I can live with and its not the message Im going to offer my congregation," said Rose. At Shaarey Zedek, executive director Ian Staniloff said Sunday that theyre trying to stay open and welcoming but safe. Strict gun laws help. "Weve been very fortunate that guns are not as prevalent in Canada as they are in the U.S," Staniloff said. Remaining open to people while providing security is a balancing act, Rev. Arsenault said, noting each house of worship decides its security needs. "You want to be welcoming and a place where people are safe, and offer sanctuary." On Sunday night, the Sri Lankan community organized a multifaith service at the Christ The King Church on St. Marys Road to pray for the hundreds hurt and killed in Easter Sunday terror attacks. This week, the Jewish community has organized Holocaust awareness events including Thursdays Yom Hashoah Holocaust Memorial Day inside the protected Manitoba legislature. At churches throughout Winnipeg, the level of security varies, said leaders willing to talk publicly about such measures. At St. Marys Cathedral downtown, security guards were present at Easter Sunday services, and are there for major holy day masses, said Rev. Geoffrey Angeles. The Archdiocese of St. Boniface declined to comment on security because it says it doesnt want to draw unwanted attention. "In order to avoid attracting undue interest in the accessibility and security at St. Boniface Cathedral and the other Catholic churches and schools under its purview, the Archdiocese of St. Boniface wont reveal any details regarding its security measures," communications co-ordinator Daniel Bahuaud said in an email to the Free Press. Mosques, synagogues and the Asper Jewish Community Campus have already stepped up security measures in response to earlier threats. Police were present at the Grand Mosque on Waverley Street following the massacre of 50 worshipers at New Zealand mosques last month. Last week, the Asper Jewish Community Campus installed new gates at its entrance, where members have to swipe their cards and guests have to sign in at the security desk. "This new process will help ensure better security and safety for all visitors to the campus," said a letter to non-members who visit the campus facilities. Goldstine with the Jewish Federation said security upgrades at the campus have been in the works for the last two years. They werent in response to Octobers mass shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh where 11 people were murdered. "Unfortunately, this seems to be a new reality," said Christine Baronins, spokeswoman for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Winnipeg. It has no formal security measures in place for now, she said. There are alarm systems for when the building is unoccupied, and when people are there, they keep watch for anyone unfamiliar, she said. "In general, we always keep our eye out for visitors, but this is in an effort to welcome people to the building, not as a precaution," said Baronins. 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 have occasionally had visitors to our buildings who were disruptive or who tried to be disruptive, but there has not been a situation where there was any danger or physical confrontation." One church pastor said they looked to what Jesus would do when coming up with guidelines for handling "disruption." "Several years ago, there were some incidents in our area of town with someone deliberately disturbing Christian worship services," said Mary Anne Isaak, pastor at the Mennonite River East Church. "To develop a long-term response, we first reviewed New Testament passages on worship disruption and examples of Jesus and worship disruption," said Isaak, who provided a copy of the guidelines. It says, "The goal of these guidelines is to remind us to follow Jesus example of showing compassion to all and ensuring safety of all." with files from John Longhurst carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca When Nimmi Ramgotra came to Canada nearly 50 years ago, she started volunteering almost immediately. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (969 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion When Nimmi Ramgotra came to Canada nearly 50 years ago, she started volunteering almost immediately. Ramgotra, who was born in Nairobi, Kenya, has made countless contributions to the community since arriving in Winnipeg in 1970. Nimmi Ramgotra was celebrated this year when she won the Lieutenant Governors Make a Difference Community Award. (Sasha Sefter / Winnipeg Free Press) The 76-year-old Southdale resident established the first Gurudwara, a place of worship for the Sikh community. She worked as a volunteer for the Winnipeg Police Service, advocating and translating for community members who were suffering from domestic violence. Ramgotra has assisted newcomers with employment, education and housing; helped those diagnosed with cancer navigate the health-care system and access transportation to get treatment; and she is a key co-ordinator for the Punjab Pavilion at Folklorama. She loves volunteering because she loves people. "This is my passion," Ramgotra says. "We all should care for each other and try to help people." Ramgotras work was celebrated earlier this month when she received a Lieutenant Governors Make a Difference Community Award at the 36th Annual Volunteer Awards. Presented by Volunteer Manitoba on April 11 at Club Regent Event Centre, the awards recognized more than 30 outstanding volunteers from across the province. "I was really humbled," Ramgotra says. "I dont have the words. It was really an honour." Brent Rosnoski feels the same way. The 58-year-old Brandon resident received the CTV Champion of Mental Health Volunteer Award in recognition of his volunteer commitment to the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba (MDAM). "I didnt even know Id been nominated for it until they phoned me and told me I won it," Rosnoski says. "Its a great honour, but Im very humbled by it." "I believe theres a responsibility that comes with this award, and I respect that responsibility," he says. "If we are given a little bit of limelight, theres a responsibility to speak out and support the cause." Rosnoski, who lives with bipolar disorder, first got involved with MDAM as a client. Today, he facilitates peer-support groups, assists with educational presentations and participates in community outreach. "Its fantastic to be able to share stories with other people that are going through the same thing you are," Rosnoski says. "When we live with mental illness, we have to build a team of support, and the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba has become an important part of my team. It reminds you to do the things you need to do to live well." Rosnoski is passionate about working for mental wellness and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health illness. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "I have to thank CTV for sponsoring that award because I think its really important to keep (mental health) front and centre," he says. "There are people living with mental disorders, but we can live well in the community." Like Rosnoski, Ramgotra uses her platform to encourage others. Her volunteer efforts are ongoing. Last year, she raised $12,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society and, this year, she has already raised $3,000. "I would like to tell everybody that they should help each other," Ramgotra says. "Love everybody, because God is good." If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com. Last Wednesday, the Taoiseach (prime minister) of the Republic of Ireland, Leo Varadkar, and Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom both showed up in Belfast in Northern Ireland for the funeral of a young woman called Lyra McKee. So did the president of the Republic, Michael Higgins, and U.K. opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn. Its quite possible that none of them had even heard of her a week earlier. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (969 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Last Wednesday, the Taoiseach (prime minister) of the Republic of Ireland, Leo Varadkar, and Prime Minister Theresa May of the United Kingdom both showed up in Belfast in Northern Ireland for the funeral of a young woman called Lyra McKee. So did the president of the Republic, Michael Higgins, and U.K. opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn. Its quite possible that none of them had even heard of her a week earlier. She was a promising young journalist, already well known in the small world of Northern Ireland for her political journalism and her LGBTTQ* activism. She was killed on April 18 by a New IRA terrorist while covering a riot in Derry, the British provinces second city. It was a mistake, of course: the terrorist was probably trying to kill one of the police officers who were standing nearby. The funeral was held in Belfasts main Protestant cathedral, St. Annes, although McKee had grown up Catholic. Both Catholic and Protestant clergy conducted the funeral service, in a joint rejection of the sectarian violence that is creeping out into the open again in Northern Ireland. That is why the prime ministers and other high dignitaries were there, too but it may be too late. McKee described herself as a "ceasefire baby." She was only eight years old when the Good Friday Agreement was signed in 1998, ending 30 years of "The Troubles," a terrorist civil war between Protestant and Catholic extremists that killed more than 3,000 people in a province whose population is less than two million. But the war wasnt actually about religion. The Protestants were loyal to Britain (and resentful about losing the absolute dominance they once enjoyed in Northern Ireland). The Catholics were "nationalists" who looked forward to the day when they would be the majority in Northern Ireland (thanks to a higher birth rate), and then to the great day when all of Ireland will be united and the "Prods" of the North are reduced to a tiny and helpless minority. They fought each other to a standstill, and in 1998 they signed the Good Friday Agreement, which created a power-sharing government in Northern Ireland and put an end to the killing. Most people realized it was a truce, not a final peace settlement, but many hoped that given enough time it could grow into something more. Generational turnover has solved a lot of the worlds problems. Brian Lawless/PA via AP British Prime Minister Theresa May, right, and Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar leave after the funeral service of journalist Lyra McKee at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast on April 24. In the meantime, the deal allowed a generation of young people like McKee to grow up in a relatively peaceful place. It might still be a place with a hopeful future today if the English had not voted to leave the European Union three years ago in the "Brexit" referendum. (I say "English" deliberately, because both the Scots and the Northern Irish voted for the United Kingdom to stay in the EU.) The problem with Brexit is that the Good Friday Deal depends on a completely open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. Everybody in Ireland saw the problem with Brexit: if the U.K. withdraws fully from the EU no customs union, no "single market" then the "hard" border will have to reappear in Ireland. The more extreme nationalists will see that as a betrayal, and the guns will come out again. But the insular idiots promoting Brexit in England werent even aware of the problem. 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. Theyre aware of it now. The Republic of Ireland remains a member of the EU, and it got the other members to insist that protecting the "soft" border must be part of the British withdrawal agreement. This past November, May signed that agreement, which says that all of the United Kingdom must stay in the customs union until some U.K.-EU trade agreement is signed that still allows free movement of goods (and people) across an invisible border. That could be a long time from now, or even never, in which case the UK never really leaves the EU. It just loses any say in the EUs policies. Meanwhile, the first terrorist attacks are getting started again in Northern Ireland. The "dissidents" who formed the Real IRA in 2012 are nationalists who never accepted the truce. They have been waiting for an opportunity to reopen the revolutionary liberation war that they imagine was betrayed by the Good Friday Agreement, and Brexit is giving it to them. There was a car bomb outside the courthouse in Derry in January, and earlier this month the New IRA tried to kill a police officer and shot McKee instead. As Will Francis, her literary agent, said (quoting William Faulkner): "The past isnt dead. Its not even past." Gwynne Dyers latest book is Growing Pains: The Future of Democracy (and Work). So desperate was John Mitchell who served as former U.S. president Richard Nixons attorney general from 1969 to 1972 to cover up his involvement in the Watergate scandal and protect the president that he had his wife, Martha, locked in a hotel room and sedated by a psychiatrist to prevent her from speaking to reporters about what her husband and the Nixon White House had done. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 29/4/2019 (969 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion So desperate was John Mitchell who served as former U.S. president Richard Nixons attorney general from 1969 to 1972 to cover up his involvement in the Watergate scandal and protect the president that he had his wife, Martha, locked in a hotel room and sedated by a psychiatrist to prevent her from speaking to reporters about what her husband and the Nixon White House had done. Nevertheless, the role Mitchell played the dirty tricks, the political "slush fund" used to buy information on the Democrats all eventually came out. Mitchell was nothing but a partisan hack, who did his bosss bidding while he was attorney general and later when he managed Nixons re-election campaign in 1972. He was ultimately convicted of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and perjury and served 19 months in prison. The Democrats, who under Jimmy Carter took control of the White House and Congress following the 1976 election, were intent on restoring faith in the justice system and on making the office of attorney general as non-partisan as possible. To this end, Carter appointed as his first attorney general legal scholar Edward Levi, the highly respected president of the University of Chicago and former dean of the universitys law school. Levi was an inspired choice and served admirably for two years. He also established the neutrality of the Justice Department and its semi-independence from the control of the president. (This is similar to the issue of Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus alleged interference in the SNC-Lavalin affair.) During the next four decades, this hands-off relationship between the president and the attorney generals office worked more or less well. This isnt to say that every attorney general who served under the presidents from Carter to Obama was perfect; the two most controversial were arguably Edwin Meese and Alberto R. Gonzales. At the same time, none of the various presidents attempted to overtly manipulate the justice department. All of that changed in 2016 with the election of Donald Trump as president. Possessing the mindset of Don Corleone, Trumps position has been that attorneys general must be subservient and loyal to the Office of the President first, and fulfil their constitutional duties second. Thats why he became unglued when Jeff Sessions, the veteran senator from Alabama who was confirmed as attorney general in February 2017, recused himself from involvement in the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. By March 2017, it became known that Sessions, who denied during his confirmation hearings that he had any contact with Russians during the 2016 campaign, had, in fact, met with Sergey Kislyak, the Russian ambassador to the U.S. Sessions recusal ultimately led to his forced resignation in November 2018 and the appointment of William Barr, an attorney general who seemingly has no qualms about protecting the presidents interests. His four-page summary of special counsel Robert Muellers report was less than objective, as was his decision to hold a press conference hours before the redacted version of the report was released so that he could again offer his biased take on the investigation and declare that Trump had not obstructed justice. As an editorial in the New York Times noted on April 18 following Barrs meeting with the media, "William Barr behaved more like the presidents defence attorney than the nations top law-enforcement officer." The Mueller report also provides further evidence of Trumps imprudent approach. These interactions are recounted in Volume 2 of the report (on pages 50 and 51 and available online). On March 3, 2017, the day after Sessions recused himself, White House counsel Don McGahn was summoned to the Oval Office. Trump was angry and berated McGahn in front of the other officials present, declaring, "I dont have a lawyer." The president wished, he added, that his lawyer was instead the late Roy Cohn, who had worked with Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s and had been Trumps lawyer in the early 1970s. 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. A controversial figure, Cohn was known for his compulsive lying and was disbarred in 1986. For Trump, however, Cohn was a "fixer," while McGahn was not. Ironically, as the report also notes, McGahn likely saved the Trump presidency when in June 2017 he refused to comply with the presidents order to fire Mueller. Trump then mused about attorneys general of the past, including Robert F. Kennedy, who served under his brother, John F. Kennedy. "Youre telling me," Trump said, "that Bobby and Jack didnt talk about investigations?" On this, Trump was partly right. JFKs decision to appoint his brother, a 35-year-old lawyer with no court experience, as attorney general, was at the time denounced by many politicians and journalists as ill-conceived nepotism. RFK himself balked at the idea until his brother and his father, the influential Joseph P. Kennedy, insisted. However, if it had not been for behind-the-scenes arm-twisting by vice-president Lyndon Johnson and others, Robert Kennedy would not have been confirmed by the Senate. And Trump was correct: JFK did consult with his brother about many investigations, and RFK was tough and even ruthless as attorney general. But he also made defending African-American civil rights a priority. Yet, here is the point Trump has, not surprisingly, ignored: neither JFK nor Robert Kennedy lied each and every day to the American public, nor attempted to obstruct justice. Its not Kennedys legacy that Trump has embraced, but Nixons. Now & Then is a column in which historian Allan Levine puts the events of today in a historical context. Pastors, staff and students who attend St. Martins Lutheran School and Hope Lutheran High School broke ground Sunday at the site where their new building will stand next fall, replacing the 87-year-old facility on the corner of Fifth and Liberty streets. Construction on the project is slated to begin by June 1, said St. Martins senior pastor Richard Moore. The $4.8 million new building, which is set to open in fall 2020, is only phase one of the transformation. In phase two, the current school building will be torn down and replaced with a gym, cafeteria and a fellowship hall that connects to the church. Church education is where the future of our community is, said Moore, who has been at St. Martins for just a sliver of the Missouri Synod institutions 153-year history. Two nearby houses and the churchs parsonage will be torn down to make room for the new facility, which at its completion will house students from early childhood to high school seniors. The current building could not be renovated at a reasonable price to serve the needs of the school community, Moore said. The school at St. Martins currently teaches children from preschool through eighth grade, and Hope Lutheran covers the students high school years. Whats new are the 74 early childhood slots the new facility will add, Moore explained, giving area families another choice in a region burdened by child care shortages. We want to be the Cadillac of early childhood, he said. The entire project cost is estimated at $10.5 million, Moore said. The funds for the new building have been secured and congregation members and supporters will now turn to financing phase two of the project, on which construction is set to start in fall 2021. Students took turns digging shovels into the dirt Monday to kick off the project. It is running slightly behind its initial deadline, which would have placed the groundbreaking ceremony in September 2018, but school and church members have been discussing a new school building for years, Moore said. Its awesome. Its been a long time since we started, said Rocky Sandcork, principal and activities director for Hope Lutheran. Moore said his institution is guided by morals and a basic understanding of community, and is a good fit for families who may not agree with public school teachings. Love 5 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Thank you for supporting the Lions Club Dear Editor: Merry Christmas to everyone from the Winterset Lions! We wanted to take this time to tell you how excited we were to see SO MANY of you folks... Julian B. Garrett State Senator The Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) met Dec. 13 to give us its latest estimate of what state revenues we can expect over the rest of the current fiscal... Cindy Axne Over the past year, Ive been hard at work fighting for the policies and investments that Iowa needs to grow and succeed in the future and Im proud of... LeAnn Westbrook never learned her native Ho-Chunk language, because her mother rarely spoke it after she and her family were traumatized under forced assimilation. They were taken from their homes and put into schools and beaten when they spoke, so they quit speaking, Westbrook said. Westbrook was one of five parents who attended a public hearing Tuesday organized by the Baraboo School District and a group of parent advisers at the Ho-Chunk Nation House of Wellness. They convened to discuss how the district could bolster support and services for Native American and Alaska Native students using federal Title VI grant funds, including by bringing a native language course to elementary or middle schools to expose students to the language while theyre younger. A Ho-Chunk course will be offered next year for the first time at Baraboo High School. Director of Teaching and Learning Nicholas Karls said this is the first time in at least four years the district has applied for the specific Indian Education Formula Grant. He credited the parent advisory groups encouragement as the main catalyst for pursuing the grant, in addition to the districts drive to improve. Still, its hard to deny that old Joe is four years past his elect-by date. His best chance to be president his only real chance was to run in 2016, before everything in national politics was turned upside down by Trumps victory. Going into that election lots of Republican voters hated Trump so much they were looking for an exit ramp. But they wouldnt take the Hillary off-ramp and vote for her because they despised her even more. If Biden had been running in 2016 instead of Hillary, many Republicans might have seen him as the lesser of two evils, and he might have defeated Trump. Thats old history, though. In the last 2 1/2 years President Trump has made most Republicans extremely happy, so very few GOP and independent voters in those key Rust Belt states will be looking for someone else to vote for in 2020. Now that hes in, Biden will be running up a steep hill from now until next fall. Hell be beaten black and blue by his own party and Republicans. Paper or plastic? Theres a growing dispute over that issue. But, no, were not talking about the one at the grocery store and other shops where plastic bags have become a national environmental issue because of plastic pollution and the drive to get shoppers to use reusable cloth bags. This dispute is over whats in your wallet. Its an assault on using the greenback, regular old money issued by the U.S. government. More merchants are rejecting those dollar bills as cashless stores that rely on credit cards or phone apps to pay for a purchase are on the rise. It seems like only yesterday that some merchants rejected credit card payments and demanded cash only or added a surcharge or a minimum purchase amount (and some still do) to cover the cost of processing. How times change. Two people were pronounced dead on scene and one person was injured Monday morning after authorities say a car fleeing police officers at a high rate of speed crashed into the back of a semi-trailer on Interstate 39 in Columbia County. The state Department of Justice said in a press release that authorities believed a person inside the vehicle was suspected of a kidnapping attempt in central Wisconsin. The DOJ is investigating the crash as an officer-involved death. The Sauk County Sheriffs Office is separately handling accident reconstruction from the crash. Columbia County Sheriff Roger Brandner said at 7:29 a.m. Monday, the Wisconsin State Patrol, Marquette County Sheriffs Office and state Division of Criminal Investigation advised other area authorities of a car traveling south on I-39. Numerous Portage police officers, State Patrol troopers and deputies responded to the advisory and scrambled to pursue the Nissan Altima, Portage Police Chief Ken Manthey said. By 7:43 a.m., Brandner said one of his deputies saw the car near mile marker 94 on I-39 just north of Portage. Brandner said the suspect vehicle may have been headed to the Chicago area. PARDEEVILLE A teacher accused of making insensitive remarks to students about police violence is no longer employed by the Pardeeville Area School District. Kathryn David had been out on family medical leave since Jan. 22 and resigned April 1 after eight years of teaching English and social studies to freshmen at Pardeeville High School. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is investigating what happened Nov. 2 in Davids English classroom, when she reportedly read aloud to her students from the book The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, a young adult novel about a teenager whos drawn to activism after witnessing a police shooting. Within the context of the book, the teacher used an analogy concerning police violence against African-Americans to make a point as one of her students was misbehaving, Superintendent Gus Knitt said last year. The teacher said if she were a police officer, she would shoot misbehaving students. She later didnt deny making the comment when she met with administrators. The school district will issue a statement concerning David and its own investigation at the conclusion of the DPIs investigation, Knitt and School Board President Margo Pufahl said Monday. A lot of my students want to work outdoors; they want to work in the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) or as foresters, she said. You can bring tree rings into a classroom, but actually being here gives them a taste of what those careers would be like. Every teacher has students who dont like learning from textbooks, Grassnickle said, but once those students get outside, They might surprise you. Said Schauf: You can see a different side of them. Using the school forest on a more regular basis is a matter of finding the time and building enough interest, said Hoffmann, whos advocating for the school district to create a school forest coordinator position someone who could help facilitate the field trips among teachers in the district. Wisconsin history is among the subjects that might someday be taught in the forest, he said, in addition to the subjects of agriculture, science and environmental studies. The logging and timber industry was the first real industry in Wisconsin besides trapping, Hoffmann said of what students could learn outside. So how did the natives manage these forests? How about the Europeans who settled here? I thought it would be fun for people who made leaves to see their leaf on the tree so everybody can participate in Art on the Trail, said assistant librarian Becky Collyard. Whatever gets people outside more is a great idea. Im all for it. Last years artworks ranged from ceramic leaves hung on tree branches to cedar disks that were cut from trees downed for a prairie restoration and marked with some of the artists favorite quotes about nature. Art on the Trail requires that artworks are designed not to harm wildlife; they have to be removed on the last day of May, except for those made to be biodegradable. Dana Slowiak, a Lodi artist who helped organize Art on the Trail, created the globe-like artwork La Lunita for a spot on the Gibraltar Rock segment of the trail last year. I had just moved to Lodi and I thought it would be a really great way to do artwork that is accessible to more people. I think it gets people out on the trail, seeing unexpected things and getting them to interact with art in a really different way than in a formal setting like a gallery, said Slowiak, who works and lives in a Lodi art studio with her husband, also an artist. Funding for special education would grow considerably if Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers gets his way in the biennial budget, state Sen. Jon Erpenbach said. But that doesnt mean itll happen. What I think will happen and what I hope will happen are two different things, Erpenbach, D-West Point, told the attendees of a listening session concerning the state budget Saturday at the Portage Public Library. Under Evers proposed budget, school districts would be reimbursed 30 percent of their special education costs in the 2019-20 school year and 60 percent the next year, representing a total commitment of about $600 million, Erpenbach said. On the other side of the aisle, theyre saying thats too much money, and thats simply not true. Erpenbach who held subsequent sessions Saturday in Baraboo, Mount Horeb and Middleton said he expects Republicans in the coming weeks to put together exactly what they want because they havent talked to (Evers) very much during the budget process, and that better funding for schools, as well as an expansion of Medicaid, are not among the priorities for them. Many of us have issued hasty invitations we later regret to people we dont know that well but British Prime Minister Theresa May topped the scale with her offer of a state visit to Britain when she saw Donald Trump in the first week of his presidency. Naively, she hoped it would mark the start of a warm alliance between them, leading to an easy trade deal after Brexit. Instead, President Trump pocketed her offer, went on to praise Boris Johnson as someone who would be a great prime minister, made London the target of some of his most boorish tweets and never had any intention of opening up United States markets to our goods without flooding Britain with low-standard food products in return. Now the Democrats have taken control of the House of Representatives and he cant even offer that as a more thoughtful U.S. visitor, the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, reminded us last week. So how should we react to news that the American president is set to turn up for a state visit at the start of June, amid events marking the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings? We could just wish he wasnt coming. But that wont stop him. Brookfield Asset Management, Inc. engages in the management of public and private investment products and services for institutional and retail clients. It operates through the following segments: Asset Management, Real Estate, Renewable Power, Infrastructure, Private Equity, Residential Development, and Corporate Activities. The Asset Management segment includes the management of its listed partnerships, private funds and public securities. The Real Estate segment is comprised of the ownership, operation and development of core office, core retail, LP investments and other properties. The Renewable Power segment encompasses the ownership, operation and development of hydroelectric, wind, solar, storage and other power generating facilities. The Infrastructure segment consists of the ownership, operation and development of utilities, transport, energy, data infrastructure and sustainable resource assets. The Private Equity segment refers to the broad range of industries, and is mostly focused on business services, infrastructure services and industrials. The Residential Development segment represents homebuilding, condominium development and land development. The Corporate Activiti Read More Canadian Utilities Limited and its subsidiaries engage in the electricity, natural gas, and retail energy businesses worldwide. It operates through Utilities, Energy Infrastructure, and Corporate & Other segments. The Utilities segment provides regulated electricity transmission and distribution services in northern and central east Alberta, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories; and integrated natural gas transmission and distribution services in Alberta, the Lloydminster area of Saskatchewan, and Western Australia. It owns and operates approximately 9,000 kilometers of natural gas pipelines, 16 compressor sites, approximately 3,700 receipt and delivery points, and a salt cavern storage peaking facility located near Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta in Canada. The Energy Infrastructure segment provides electricity generation, natural gas storage, industrial water, and related infrastructure development solutions in Alberta, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Australia, Mexico, and Chile. The Corporate & Other segment retails electricity and natural gas business in Alberta. The company was incorporated in 1927 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Canadian Utilities Limited is a subsidiary of ATCO Ltd. Read More Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG provides commercial real estate and public investment finance products. Its commercial real estate financing activities include financing instruments, such as financing investment projects, development finance, cross-border portfolio financing, investment bridge finance facilities, standby/backup facilities, and derivatives. The company primarily finances offices, retail, and logistic real estate companies, as well as residential properties targeting real estate companies, institutional investors, real estate funds, and medium-sized and regionally orientated clients. It is also involved in the public investment financing activities, such as financing for public sector facilities, municipal and residential buildings, utilities, infrastructure, medical and geriatric care facilities, and administration and insurance facilities. In addition, the company operates a digital platform for public sector borrowers and institutional investors under the CAPVERIANT name. Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG has offices in four locations in Eschborn, DAsseldorf, Hamburg, and Berlin in Germany; and five locations in London, Madrid, Paris, Stockholm, and New York City. The company was formerly known as Hypo Real Estate Bank AG and changed its name to Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG in June 2009. Deutsche Pfandbriefbank AG is headquartered in Garching, Germany. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Eli Lilly and: 1096401 B.C. Unlimited Liability Company, ARMO BioSciences Inc, ARMO Bioscience, Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Alnara Pharmaceuticals, Alnara Pharmaceuticals Inc., Andean Technical Operations Center, Applied Molecular Evolution Inc., AurKa Pharma, Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, Avid Radiopharmaceuticals Inc., ChemGen, CoLucid Pharmaceuticals, CoLucid Pharmaceuticals Inc., Dermira, Devices for Vascular Intervention(DVI), Disarm Therapeutics, Dista Ilac Ticaret Ltd. Sti., Dista S.A., Dista-Produtos Quimicos & Farmaceuticos LDA, ELCO Dominicana SRL, ELCO Insurance Company Limited, ELCO Management Inc., ELCO for Trade and Marketing S.A.E., ELGO Insurance Company Limited, Elanco Animal Health Ireland Limited, Elanco Switzerland Holding Sarl, Eli Lilly (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Eli Lilly (Philippines) Incorporated, Eli Lilly (S.A.) (Proprietary) Limited, Eli Lilly (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Eli Lilly (Suisse) S.A., Eli Lilly Asia Inc., Eli Lilly Asia Pacific SSC Sdn Bhd, Eli Lilly Australia Pty. Limited, Eli Lilly B-H d.o.o., Eli Lilly Benelux S.A., Eli Lilly Bienes y Servicios S de RL de CV, Eli Lilly CR s.r.o., Eli Lilly Canada Inc., Eli Lilly Cork Limited, Eli Lilly Danmark A/S, Eli Lilly Egypt for Trading, Eli Lilly European Clinical Trial Services SA, Eli Lilly Export S.A., Eli Lilly Finance S.A., Eli Lilly Ges.m.b.H., Eli Lilly Group Limited, Eli Lilly Holdings Ltd., Eli Lilly Hrvatska d.o.o., Eli Lilly Interamerica Inc., Eli Lilly Interamerica Inc. y Compania Limitada, Eli Lilly International Corporation, Eli Lilly Ireland Holdings Limited, Eli Lilly Israel Ltd., Eli Lilly Italia S.p.A., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Eli Lilly Kinsale Limited, Eli Lilly Nederland B.V., Eli Lilly Nigeria Ltd., Eli Lilly Norge A.S., Eli Lilly Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd., Eli Lilly Polska Sp.z.o.o. (Ltd.), Eli Lilly Regional Operations GmbH, Eli Lilly Romania SRL, Eli Lilly S.A., Eli Lilly Saudi Arabia Limited, Eli Lilly Services Inc, Eli Lilly Services India Private Limited, Eli Lilly Slovakia s.r.o., Eli Lilly Sweden AB, Eli Lilly Vostok S.A. Geneva, Eli Lilly and Company, Eli Lilly and Company (India) Pvt. Ltd., Eli Lilly and Company (Ireland) Limited, Eli Lilly and Company (N.Z.) Limited, Eli Lilly and Company (Taiwan) Inc., Eli Lilly and Company Limited, Eli Lilly de Centro America S.A., Eli Lilly do Brasil Limitada, Eli Lilly farmacevtska druzba d.o.o., Eli Lilly y Compania de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Eli Lilly y Compania de Venezuela S.A., Glycostasis Inc, Greenfield-Produtos Farmaceuticos Lda., Heart Rhythm Technologies Inc, Hybritech, Hypnion, ICOS Corporation, ImClone GmbH, ImClone LLC, ImClone Systems Holdings Inc., ImClone Systems LLC, Imclone Systems, Irisfarma S.A., Ivy Animal Health, Kinsale Financial Services Unlimited Company, Lilly (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd, Lilly Asia Ventures Fund I L.P., Lilly Asia Ventures Fund II L.P., Lilly Asian Ventures Fund III L.P., Lilly Cayman Holdings, Lilly China Research and Development Co. Ltd., Lilly Deutschland GmbH, Lilly France S.A.S., Lilly Global Nederland Holdings B.V., Lilly Global Services Inc., Lilly Holding GmbH, Lilly Holdings B.V., Lilly Hungaria KFT, Lilly Japan Financing G.K., Lilly Korea Ltd., Lilly Nederland Finance B.V., Lilly Nederland Finance B.V. - GCC, Lilly Nederland Holding B.V., Lilly Pharma Ltd., Lilly Portugal - Produtos Farmaceuticos Lda., Lilly S.A., Lilly Suzhou Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Lilly Trading Co. LTD, Lilly USA LLC, Lilly Ventures Fund I LLC, Lilly del Caribe Inc., Lilly ilac ticaret limited sirketi, Lohmann Animal Health, Loxo Oncology, Lylly Centre for Clinical Pharmacology PTE. LTD., Novartis Animal Health, OY Eli Lilly Finland AB, Origin Medsystems, PT. Eli Lilly Indonesia, Pacific Biotech, Pharmaserve-Lilly S.A.C.I., Physio-Control, SGX Pharmaceuticals, SGX Pharmaceuticals Inc, Spaly Bioquimica S.A., UAB Eli Lilly Lietuva, Valquifarma S.A., and Vital Pharma Productos Farmaceuticos. The following companies are subsidiares of Roper Technologies: 3089554 Nova Scotia ULC, AC Analytical Controls B.V., AC Analytical Controls Holding B.V., AC Analytical Controls Services B.V., Acumen PM LLC, Aderant Canada Company, Aderant Company, Aderant Holdings Inc., Aderant International Holdings Inc., Aderant Legal (UK) Limited, Aderant Legal Holdings (AUS) Pty Ltd, Aderant Legal Holdings (NZ) ULC, Aderant Legal Holdings Inc., Aderant North America Inc., Aderant Parent Holdings Inc., Advanced Sensors Limited, Alpha Holdings of Delaware I LLC, Alpha Holdings of Delaware II LLC, Alpha Technologies B.V., Alpha Technologies GmbH, Alpha Technologies Japan LLC, Alpha Technologies Services LLC, Alpha Technologies U.K., Alpha Technologies s.r.o., Alpha Trust Corporation, Alpha UK Holdings LLC, Amot Controls Corporation, Amot Controls GmbH, Amot/Metrix Investment Company Inc., Amphire Solutions Inc., Amtech Systems (Hong Kong) Limited, Amtech Systems LLC, Amtech World Corporation, Aplifi Inc., Ascension Technology Corporation, Assureweb Limited, Atlantic Health Partners Inc., Avitru LLC, Axium Holdco Inc., C/S Solutions Inc., CBORD Holdings Corp., CIVCO Medical Solutions B.V., Centurion Research Solutions LLC, Civco Holding Inc., Civco Medical Instruments Co. Inc., CliniSys Group, CliniSys Group Limited, Clinisys Scotland Limited, Clinisys Solutions Limited, Cointec Ingenieros y Consultores S.L., Compressor Controls (Beijing) Corporation Ltd., Compressor Controls Corporation B.V., Compressor Controls Corporation Middle East, Compressor Controls Corporation S.r.l., Compressor Controls LLC, Compressor Controls Mauritius Ltd., Compressor Controls Pty Ltd., Compressor Controls Saudi Arabia LLC, ConstructConnect, ConstructConnect Canada Inc., ConstructConnect Inc., Cornell Pump Company, DAT Solutions LLC, DATSolutions Private Limited, DCMH Group Holdings Inc., DCMH Group Holdings LLC, DCMH Holdings Inc., DI Acquisition Subsidiary Inc., DI Dutch Holdings LLC, DI Hong Kong Limited, Dash I Inc., Data Innovations, Data Innovations Canada Ltd., Data Innovations Cooperatief U.A., Data Innovations Europe S.A., Data Innovations LLC, Data Innovations Latin America Ltda, Dawning Technologies LLC, Deltek, Deltek Ajera Inc., Deltek Asia Pacific (HK) Limited, Deltek Australia Pty Ltd., Deltek Danmark A/S, Deltek France SAS, Deltek GB Limited, Deltek GmbH, Deltek Inc., Deltek Nederland B.V., Deltek Netherlands B.V., Deltek Norge AS, Deltek Sverige AB, Deltek Systems (Canada) Inc., Deltek Systems (Colorado) Inc., Deltek Systems (Philippines) Ltd., Deltek WST LLC, Dominion I Inc., Dynamic Instruments Inc., Dynisco Enterprises GmbH, Dynisco Enterprises LLC, Dynisco Europe GmbH, Dynisco Holding GmbH, Dynisco Hong Kong Holdings Limited, Dynisco Instruments LLC, Dynisco Instruments S.a.r.l., Dynisco LLC, Dynisco Parent Inc., Dynisco S.r.l., Dynisco Viatran LLC, Dynisco Viatran (M) Sdn Bhd, Dynisco-Viatran Instrument Sdn Bhd, FMS Purchasing & Services Inc., FSI Holdings Inc., FTI Flow Technology Inc., Fluid Metering Inc., Foodlink Holdings Inc., Foodlink IT India Private Limited, Foundry, Foundry Visionmongers (Ireland) Limited, GeneInsight Inc., Getloaded Corporation, HRsmart Canada Inc., HRsmart Czech Republic, HRsmart France SAS, HRsmart Germany GmbH, HRsmart Inc., HRsmart International, HRsmart International Holdings LLC, HRsmart Mexico, HRsmart SA (Pty) Ltd., HRsmart Talent Management Solutions Europe Limited, HRsmart Ventures LLC, Handshake Software Inc., Hansco Automatisering B.V., Hansen Technologies Corporation, Harbour Holding Corp., Hardy Process Solutions, Horizon Software International LLC, INPUT Inc., IPA Acquisition Subsidiary Inc., ISL Finance SAS, ISL Holding SAS, ISL Scientifique de Laboratorie - ISL S.A.S., IT Canada Holdings LLC, Innovative Product Achievements LLC, Inovonics Corporation, Instill Corporation, IntelliTrans Limited, Intellitrans Canada Ltd., Intellitrans LLC, Intellitrans Sweden AB, Job Access LTDA, K/S Roper Holding, K/S Roper Investments, Laser App Inc., Link Logistics Holding LLC, Loadlink Technologies Corporation, Logitech Limited, MED Professional Services LLC, MEDTEC Inc., MHA Long Term Care Network Inc., MHA Long Term Care Services Inc., MIPS Austria GesmbH, MIPS CZ s.r.o, MIPS Deutschland GmbH, MIPS France Sarl, MIPS Nederland B.V., MIPS Schweiz AG, MIPS Software Iberica SL, MPR Readers Inc., Managed Health Care Associates Inc., Marumoto Struers K.K., Medical Information Professional Systems NV, Medina Acquisition LLC, Metrix Instrument Co. L.P., NDI Europe GmbH, Navigator Group Purchasing Inc., Neptune Technology Group (Canada) Co., Neptune Technology Group Inc., Neptune Technology Group Mexico S.de R.L. de C.V., Neptune Technology Group Mexico Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Neptune Technology Group Services Inc., Nippon Roper K.K., Northern Digital Inc., Off-Campus Advantage LLC, Omega Legal Systems Inc., PAC (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PAC Denmark ApS, PAC GmbH, PAC Instruments (Thailand) Company Limited, PAC Instruments Asia PTE. Ltd., PB Bidco Limited, PB Holdco Limited, PB Midco Limited, PB Topco Limited, PGP UK Limited, Petroleum Analyzer Company L.P., Phase Analyzer Company Ltd., PowerPlan, PowerPlan Canada ULC, PowerPlan Holdings Inc., PowerPlan Inc., PowerPlan Intermediate Holdings Inc., PowerPlan Operations ANZ Pty Ltd, PowerPlan Operations Ltd., Project Diamond Intermediate Holdings Corporation, Project Torque Intermediate Holdings Inc., Project Viking Holdings Inc., Project Viking Intermediate LLC, QSC 1208 Limited, QSC 1209 Limited, RF IDeas, RF IDeas Inc., RI Marketing India Private Limited, RIL Holding Limited, RMT Inc., RT Merger Sub Inc., Rebate Tracking Group LLC, Resonant Software Inc., Roda Deaco Valve Inc., Roper Acquisitions Holdings Inc., Roper Brasil Comercio E Promocao De Productos E Servicos LTDA, Roper Canada Holdings LP, Roper Canada UK Limited, Roper Denmark UK Limited, Roper EUR Pte. Ltd., Roper Engineering s.r.o., Roper Europe GmbH, Roper GM Denmark Holdings ApS, Roper Germany GmbH, Roper Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Roper Holdings LLC, Roper Holdings Limited, Roper IH LLC, Roper Industrial Products Investment Company, Roper Industries Denmark ApS, Roper Industries Deutschland GmbH, Roper Industries Inc., Roper Industries Limited, Roper Industries Manufacturing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Roper Industries Mauritius Ltd., Roper Industries UK Limited, Roper International Holding Inc., Roper International Holding Limited, Roper International Holding SCS, Roper LLC, Roper Luxembourg Finance S.a.r.l., Roper Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., Roper Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Roper Middle East Ltd., Roper NL1 UK Limited, Roper NL2 UK Limited, Roper Pte. Ltd., Roper Pump Company, Roper Scientific B.V., Roper Scientific SAS, Roper Scot LP, Roper Southeast Asia LLC, Roper Swiss Finance GmbH, Roper UK Investments Limited, Roper UK Ltd., Roper US Finance I LLC, Roper US Finance II LLC, Roper-Mex L.P., Ropintassco 1 LLC, Ropintassco 2 LLC, Ropintassco 3 LLC, Ropintassco 4 LLC, Ropintassco 5 LLC, Ropintassco 6 LLC, Ropintassco 7 LLC, Ropintassco Holdings L.P., SHP Group Holdings Inc., SIRA LLC, Shanghai Roper Industries Trading Co. Ltd., Sinmed Holding International B.V., Societe de Distribution de Logiciels Medicaux, SoftWriters Inc., Softwriters Holdings, Softwriters Holdings Inc., Sohnar Pty Ltd, Star Purchasing Services LLC, Strata Acquisition Subsidiary Inc., Strata Decision Technology LLC, Strata Parallel II Inc., Strategic Healthcare Programs Blocker 2 Inc., Strategic Healthcare Programs Blocker LLC, Strategic Healthcare Programs Holdings LLC, Strategic Healthcare Programs L.L.C., Struers (Shanghai) International Trading Ltd., Struers A/S, Struers GmbH, Struers Inc., Struers Limited, Struers SAS, Student Advantage LLC, Sunquest Europe Limited, Sunquest Holdings Inc., Sunquest Information Systems (Europe) Limited, Sunquest Information Systems (India) Private Limited, Sunquest Information Systems (International) Limited, Sunquest Information Systems Inc., Sunquest Information Systems Pty Ltd, TLP Holdings LLC, Technolog Group Limited, Technolog Holdings Ltd., Technolog Limited, Technolog SARL, The CBORD Group Inc., The Foundry Bidco Limited, The Foundry Bidco No.2 Limited, The Foundry Holdco Limited, The Foundry Holdings Limited, The Foundry Intermediate Holdings Limited, The Foundry Midco 3 Limited, The Foundry Midco No 1 Limited, The Foundry Midco No 2 Limited, The Foundry Topco Limited, The Foundry Topco No.2 Limited, The Foundry USCo Inc., The Foundry Visionmongers Ltd., The Tidewater Healthcare Shared Services Group Inc., The Washington Management Group Inc., Torque Acquisition Holdco Inc., Transcore Atlantic Inc., Transcore CNUS Inc., Transcore Holdings Inc., Transcore ITS LLC, Transcore LP, Transcore Nova Scotia Corporation, Transcore Partners LLC, Trinity Integrated Systems Limited, UHF Purchasing Services LLC, Union Square Software (International) Limited, Union Square Software Inc., Union Square Software Limited, Union Square Software Pty, Uson L.P., Uson Limited, Utilitec Limited, Utilitec Services Limited, Utility Data Services Limited, Verathon Holdings (Delaware) Inc., Verathon Inc., Verathon Medical (Australia) Pty Limited, Verathon Medical (Canada) ULC, Verathon Medical (Europe) B.V., Verathon Medical (France) SARL, Verathon Medical (Hong Kong) Limited, Verathon Medical (Japan) K.K., Verathon Medical (UK) Ltd., Vertafore, Vertafore Canada Inc., Vertafore Inc., Vertafore India Private Limited, Viastar Services LP, Viatran Corporation, Walter Herzog GmbH, WorkBook APAC Ltd., Workbook Software A/S, Zetec (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zetec France, Zetec Inc., Zetec Korea Inc., Zetec Rental LLC, Zetec Services Inc., iPipeline, iPipeline (TCP) Limited, iPipeline Canada Inc, iPipeline Co. Ltd., iPipeline Holdings Inc, iPipeline Inc, iPipeline Limited, iSqFt Holdings Inc., iSqFt Parent Corporation, iSqFt Sub Inc., iTradeNetwork Inc., and mySBX Corporation. Genworth Financial, Inc. is a financial services company, which engages in the provision of insurance, wealth management, investment and financial solutions. It operates through the following segments: U.S. Mortgage Insurance, Australia Mortgage Insurance, U.S. Life Insurance, and Runoff. The U.S. Mortgage Insurance segment offers mortgage insurance products predominantly insuring prime-based, individually underwritten residential mortgage loans. The Australia Mortgage Insurance segment offers flow mortgage insurance and selectively provides bulk mortgage insurance that aids in the sale of mortgages to the capital markets and helps lenders manage capital and risk. The U.S. Life Insurance segment offers long-term care insurance products as well as service traditional life insurance and fixed annuity products in the United States. The Runoff segment includes the results of non-strategic products which are no longer actively sold but continue to service its existing blocks of business. Its non-strategic products primarily include variable annuity, variable life insurance, institutional, corporate-owned life insurance and other accident and health insurance products. The company was fo Read More Harris Corporation provides technology-based solutions that solve government and commercial customers' mission-critical challenges in the United States and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Communication Systems, Electronic Systems, and Space and Intelligence Systems. It designs, develops, and manufactures radio communications products and systems, including single channel ground and airborne radio systems, multiband manpack and handheld radios, multi-channel manpack and airborne radios, and single-channel airborne radios, as well as wideband rifleman team, ground, and high frequency manpack radios. The company also offers vision-enhancing products; wireless communications systems; and Internet protocol based voice and data communications systems, as well as single-band land mobile radio terminals and multiband radios comprising a handheld radio and a full-spectrum mobile radio for vehicles. In addition, it provides electronic warfare, avionics, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance solutions for defense and classified customers; and mission-critical communication systems for civil and military aviation and other customers. Further, the company offers intelligence, space protection, geospatial, earth observation, exploration, positioning, navigation and timing, and environmental solutions using advanced sensors, antennas, and payloads, as well as ground processing and information analytics for national security, defense, civil and commercial customers. Harris Corporation was founded in 1895 and is headquartered in Melbourne, Florida. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Hewlett Packard Enterprise: 3Com International Inc., 3PAR Inc., Apogee, Aruba Networks Inc., Aruba Networks International Cayman, Aruba Networks International Limited, BlueData Software, Cloud Cruiser, Cloud Technology Partners, Cloud Technology Partners Inc., Compaq Computer (Mauritius), Compaq Trademark B.V., Cray, Cray Inc., EDS World Corporation (Far East) LLC, EYP Mission Critical Facilities Inc., H3C Holdings Limited, HP Enterprise Services Australia Pty Ltd, HP Financial Services (Australia) Pty Limited, HP Financial Services (Chile) Limitada, HP Financial Services (Japan) K.K., HP Financial Services Arrendamento Mercantil S.A., HP Financial Services Company (Korea), HP Financial Services International Holdings Company, HPE Government LLC, HPFS Global Holdings I LLC, HPFS Global Holdings II LLC, HPFS Rental S.R.L., Hangzhou H3C Technologies Co. Ltd, Hewlett Packard Caribe BV LLC, Hewlett Packard Colombia Ltda., Hewlett Packard Enterprise (China) Co. Ltd., Hewlett Packard Enterprise B.V., Hewlett Packard Enterprise B.V. Amstelveen Meyrin Branch, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Canada Co., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Canada Co. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Canada Cie, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Costa Rica Limitada, Hewlett Packard Enterprise GlobalSoft Private Limited, Hewlett Packard Enterprise India Private Limited, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Ireland Limited, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Luxembourg SCA, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Polska sp. z o.o., Hewlett Packard Pathfinder LLC, Hewlett Packard Taiwan Ltd., Hewlett-Packard (Israel) Ltd., Hewlett-Packard (M) Sdn. Bhd., Hewlett-Packard (Nigeria) Limited, Hewlett-Packard (Schweiz) GmbH, Hewlett-Packard (Tanzania) Limited, Hewlett-Packard (Thailand) Limited, Hewlett-Packard ApS, Hewlett-Packard Argentina S.R.L., Hewlett-Packard Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Australia Pty Ltd, Hewlett-Packard Belgium SPRL/BVBA, Hewlett-Packard Bermuda Enterprises LLC, Hewlett-Packard Brasil Ltda., Hewlett-Packard Bulgaria EOOD, Hewlett-Packard Caribe B.V., Hewlett-Packard Caribe Y Andina B.V. LLC, Hewlett-Packard Chile Comercial Limitada, Hewlett-Packard Cyprus Ltd, Hewlett-Packard Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Hewlett-Packard Egypt Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Financial Services (India) Private Limited, Hewlett-Packard Financial Services Canada Company, Hewlett-Packard Financial Services Company, Hewlett-Packard France SAS, Hewlett-Packard G1 SPV (Cayman) Company, Hewlett-Packard Gesellschaft mbH, Hewlett-Packard Ghana Limited, Hewlett-Packard GmbH, Hewlett-Packard Guatemala Limitada, Hewlett-Packard HK SAR Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Hellas EPE, Hewlett-Packard Holdings Ltd., Hewlett-Packard International Bank Designated Activity Company, Hewlett-Packard International Bank Public Limited Company, Hewlett-Packard International Sarl, Hewlett-Packard Italiana S.r.l., Hewlett-Packard Japan Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Korea Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Leasing Limited, Hewlett-Packard Limited, Hewlett-Packard Luxembourg Enterprises LLC, Hewlett-Packard Macau Limited, Hewlett-Packard Manufacturing Ltd, Hewlett-Packard Marigalante Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Hewlett-Packard Middle East FZ-LLC, Hewlett-Packard Mocambique Limitada - Sociedada em Liquidacao, Hewlett-Packard Nederland B.V., Hewlett-Packard New Zealand, Hewlett-Packard Norge AS, Hewlett-Packard OY, Hewlett-Packard Operations Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Hewlett-Packard Peru S.R.L., Hewlett-Packard Philippines Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Portugal Lda., Hewlett-Packard SARL, Hewlett-Packard SIA, Hewlett-Packard Servicios Espana S.L., Hewlett-Packard Singapore (Sales) Pte. Ltd., Hewlett-Packard South Africa (Proprietary) Limited, Hewlett-Packard Sverige AB, Hewlett-Packard Technology Center Inc., Hewlett-Packard Teknoloji Cozumleri Limited Sirketi, Hewlett-Packard The Hague B.V., Hewlett-Packard Venezuela S.R.L., Hewlett-Packard Vision Limited, Hewlett-Packard d.o.o., Hewlett-Packard s.r.o., Limited Liability Company Hewlett Packard Enterprise, MapR Technologies, New H3C Technologies Co. Ltd., Niara Inc., Nimble Storage, Nimble Storage Inc., Nimble Storage Israel Ltd, Nimble Storage Japan GK, Nimble Storage UK Limited, Plexxi, RedPixie, SGI (Silicon Graphics), Sapphire Holding Co, Scytale, Shanghai Hewlett-Packard Co. Ltd., Silver Peak, SimpliVity, Sinope Holding B.V., Trilead, UAB ES Hague Lietuva, and Unis Huashan Technologies Co. Limited. 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.. iShares China Large-Cap ETF's stock was trading at $38.80 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, FXI shares have decreased by 5.8% and is now trading at $36.54. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. 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 shares have increased by 39.3% and is now trading at $78.05. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. iShares MSCI Japan ETF's stock reverse split on the morning of Monday, November 7th 2016. The 1-4 reverse split was announced on Friday, October 14th 2016. The number of shares owned by shareholders was adjusted after the closing bell on Friday, November 4th 2016. An investor that had 100 shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF stock prior to the reverse split would have 25 shares after the split. KCOM Group PLC provides communication and Internet-based services to enterprises, public sector organizations, and residential consumers in the United Kingdom. It operates through Hull & East Yorkshire, Enterprise, and National Network Services segments. The company provides consulting, design, implementation, and managed services related to the collaborative systems and cloud markets; and network connectivity and related services. It also engages in the provision of call center facilities; design and delivery of communication and integration services; and software development activities. The company was formerly known as Kingston Communications (HULL) PLC and changed its name to KCOM Group PLC in 2007. KCOM Group PLC was founded in 1904 and is headquartered in Hull, 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 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 Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft: 87 Leonard Development LLC, ABFS I Incorporated, ABS MB Ltd., Acacia (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Accounting Solutions Holding Company Inc, Alex. Brown Financial Services Incorporated, Alex. Brown Investments Incorporated, Alfred Herrhausen Gesellschaft mbH, Amber Investments S.a r.l., Ambidexter GmbH, Ambidexter GmbH i.L., Argent Incorporated, BHW - Gesellschaft fur Wohnungswirtschaft mbH, BHW Bausparkasse Aktiengesellschaft, BHW Holding GmbH, BHW Kreditservice GmbH, BNA Nominees Pty Limited, BT Globenet Nominees Limited, BTAS Cayman GP, BTD Nominees Pty Limited, Baincor Nominees Pty Limited, Bainpro Nominees Pty Ltd, Baldur Mortgages Limited, Bankers Trust Investments Limited, Barkly Investments Ltd., Bayan Delinquent Loan Recovery 1 (SPV-AMC) Inc, Bayan Delinquent Loan Recovery 1 (SPV-AMC) Inc., Berkshire Mortgage Finance, Betriebs-Center fur Banken AG, Biomass Holdings S.a r.l., Birch (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Blue Cork Inc, Blue Cork Inc., Borfield Sociedad Anonima, Breaking Wave DB Limited, Cape Acquisition Corp., CapeSuccess Inc., CapeSuccess LLC, Cardales UK Limited, Cardea Real Estate S.r.l., Career Blazers LLC, Career Blazers Management Company Inc, Career Blazers Management Company Inc., Career Blazers Personnel Services Inc, Career Blazers Personnel Services Inc., Career Blazers Personnel Services of Washington D.C. Inc. Washington D.C., Caribbean Resort Holdings Inc, Caribbean Resort Holdings Inc., Carpathian Investments Designated Activity Company, Cathay Advisory (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Cathay Advisory (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Cathay Asset Management Company Limited, Cathay Capital Company (No 2) Limited, Cedar (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Centennial River 2 Inc., Centennial River Corporation, Chapel Funding, Charlton (Delaware) Inc, China Recovery Fund LLC, China Recovery Fund LLC, Cinda - DB NPL Securitization Trust 2003-1, City Leasing (Thameside) Limited, City Leasing Limited, Consumo S.p.A., Consumo Srl in Liquidazione, Cyrus J. Lawrence Capital Holdings Inc., Cyrus J. Lawrence Capital Holdings Inc., D B Investments (GB) Limited, D&M Turnaround Partners Godo Kaisha, D.B. International Delaware Inc., D.B. International Delaware Inc., DAHOC (UK) Limited (in members' voluntary liquidation), DAHOC Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, DB (Barbados) SRL, DB (Malaysia) Nominee (Asing) Sdn. Bhd., DB (Malaysia) Nominee (Tempatan) Sendirian Berhad, DB (Pacific) Limited, DB (Pacific) Limited New York, DB (Pacific) Limited New York, DB Abalone LLC, DB Alex. Brown Holdings Incorporated, DB Alps Corporation, DB Aotearoa Investments Limited, DB Asia Pacific Holdings Limited (in voluntary liquidation), DB Asset Finance I S.a r.l., DB Asset Finance II S.a r.l., DB Aster II LLC, DB Aster III LLC, DB Aster Inc., DB Aster LLC, DB Beteiligungs-Holding GmbH, DB Boracay LLC, DB Capital Investments Sarl, DB Capital Markets (Deutschland) GmbH, DB Capital Partners Inc., DB Capital Partners Inc., DB Cartera de Inmuebles 1 S.A.U., DB Cartera de Inmuebles 1 S.A.U., DB Chestnut Holdings Limited, DB Commodity Services LLC, DB Consorzio S. Cons. a r. l., DB Corporate Advisory (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., DB Covered Bond S.r.l., DB Credit Investments S.a r.l., DB Delaware Holdings (Europe) Limited, DB Direkt GmbH, DB Elara LLC, DB Energy Commodities Limited (in members' voluntary liquidation), DB Energy Trading LLC, DB Enfield Infrastructure Holdings Limited, DB Equipment Leasing Inc., DB Equipment Leasing Inc., DB Equity Limited, DB Finance (Delaware) LLC, DB Finance (Delaware) LLC, DB Finance International GmbH, DB Ganymede 2006 L.P., DB Global Markets Multi-Strategy Fund I Ltd., DB Global Technology Inc., DB Global Technology Inc., DB Global Technology SRL, DB Group Services (UK) Limited, DB HR Solutions GmbH, DB Holding Fundo de Investimento Multimercado Investimento no Exterior Credito Privado, DB Holdings (New York) Inc., DB Holdings (New York) Inc., DB Holdings (South America) Limited, DB IROC Leasing Corp., DB Immobilienfonds 1 Wieland KG, DB Immobilienfonds 2 KG i.L., DB Immobilienfonds 4 KG i.L., DB Immobilienfonds 5 Wieland KG, DB Impact Investment (GP) Limited, DB Impact Investment Fund I L.P., DB Impact Investment Fund I L.P., DB Industrial Holdings Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG, DB Industrial Holdings GmbH, DB Intermezzo LLC, DB International (Asia) Limited, DB International Investments Limited, DB International Trust (Singapore) Limited, DB Investment Managers Inc., DB Investment Managers Inc., DB Investment Partners Inc., DB Investment Partners Inc., DB Investment Resources (US) Corporation, DB Investment Resources Holdings Corp., DB Investment Services GmbH, DB Io LP, DB Litigation Fee LLC, DB London (Investor Services) Nominees Limited, DB Management Support GmbH, DB Managers LLC, DB Municipal Holdings LLC, DB Nexus American Investments (UK) Limited (in members'voluntary liquidation), DB Nexus Investments (UK) Limited (in members' voluntary liquidation), DB Nominees (Hong Kong) Limited, DB Nominees (Singapore) Pte Ltd, DB Omega BTV S.C.S., DB Omega Holdings LLC, DB Omega Ltd., DB Omega S.C.S., DB Operaciones y Servicios Interactivos Agrupacion de Interes Economico, DB Overseas Finance Delaware Inc., DB Overseas Finance Delaware Inc., DB Overseas Holdings Limited, DB PWM, DB Portfolio Southwest Inc., DB Print GmbH, DB Privat- und Firmenkundenbank AG, DB Private Clients Corp., DB Private Wealth Mortgage Ltd., DB RC Holdings LLC, DB Re S.A., DB Service Centre Limited, DB Service Uruguay S.A., DB Services Americas Inc., DB Services Americas Inc., DB Servizi Amministrativi S.r.l., DB Strategic Advisors Inc., DB Strategic Advisors Inc., DB Structured Derivative Products LLC, DB Structured Derivative Products LLC, DB Structured Finance 1 Designated Activity Company, DB Structured Finance 2 Designated Activity Company, DB Structured Holdings Luxembourg S.a r.l., DB Structured Products Inc., DB Structured Products Inc., DB Trustee Services Limited, DB Trustees (Hong Kong) Limited, DB U.S. Financial Markets Holding Corporation, DB UK Bank Limited, DB UK Holdings Limited, DB UK PCAM Holdings Limited, DB USA Core Corporation, DB USA Corporation, DB Valoren S.a r.l., DB Value S.a r.l., DB VersicherungsManager GmbH, DB Vita S.A., DBAB Wall Street LLC, DBAH Capital LLC, DBAH Capital LLC, DBCIBZ1, DBCIBZ2, DBFIC Inc., DBFIC Inc., DBNZ Overseas Investments (No.1) Limited, DBOI Global Services (UK) Limited, DBOI Global Services Private Limited, DBR Investments Co. Limited, DBRE Global Real Estate Management IA Ltd., DBRE Global Real Estate Management IB Ltd., DBRE Global Real Estate Management IB Ltd., DBRE Global Real Estate Management US IB L.L.C., DBRMS4, DBRMSGP1, DBUK PCAM Limited, DBUKH No. 2 Limited, DBUSBZ1 LLC, DBUSBZ1 LLC, DBUSBZ2 S.a r.l., DBUSBZ2 S.a r.l., DBX Advisors LLC, DBX ETF Trust, DBX Strategic Advisors LLC, DBO Vermogensverwertung GmbH, DEBEKO Immobilien GmbH & Co Grundbesitz OHG, DEE Deutsche Erneuerbare Energien GmbH, DEUFRAN Beteiligungs GmbH, DEUKONA Versicherungs-Vermittlungs-GmbH, DEUTSCHE BANK A.S., DG China Clean Tech Partners, DI Deutsche Immobilien Treuhandgesellschaft mbH, DIB-Consult Deutsche Immobilien- und BeteiligungsBeratungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., DISCA Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, DNU Nominees Pty Limited, DSL Portfolio GmbH & Co. KG, DSL Portfolio Verwaltungs GmbH, DTS Nominees Pty Limited, DWS Alternatives France, DWS Alternatives Global Limited, DWS Alternatives GmbH, DWS Asset Management (Korea) Company Limited, DWS Beteiligungs GmbH, DWS CH AG, DWS Distributors Inc., DWS Distributors Inc., DWS Far Eastern Investments Limited, DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA, DWS Group Services UK Limited, DWS Grundbesitz GmbH, DWS International GmbH, DWS Investment GmbH, DWS Investment Management Americas Inc., DWS Investment Management Americas Inc., DWS Investment S.A., DWS Investments Australia Limited, DWS Investments Hong Kong Limited, DWS Investments Japan Limited, DWS Investments Shanghai Limited, DWS Investments Singapore Limited, DWS Investments UK Limited, DWS Management GmbH, DWS Real Estate GmbH, DWS Service Company, DWS Trust Company, DWS USA Corporation, De Heng Asset Management Company Limited, De Meng Innovative (Beijing) Consulting Company Limited, DeAM Infrastructure Limited, Deloraine Spain S.L., Delowrezham de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Deposit Solutions, Deutsche (Aotearoa) Capital Holdings New Zealand, Deutsche (Aotearoa) Foreign Investments New Zealand, Deutsche (Mauritius) Limited Port, Deutsche (New Munster) Holdings New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Access Investments Limited, Deutsche Aeolia Power Production Societe Anonyme, Deutsche Alt-A Securities Inc., Deutsche Alt-A Securities Inc., Deutsche Alternative Asset Management (France) SAS, Deutsche Alternative Asset Management (UK) Limited, Deutsche Asia Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd, Deutsche Asset Management (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Asset Management (Japan) Limited, Deutsche Asset Management (Korea) Company Limited, Deutsche Asset Management S.A., Deutsche Asset Management S.G.I.I.C. S.A., Deutsche Australia Limited, Deutsche Bank (Cayman) Limited, Deutsche Bank (Chile), Deutsche Bank (China) Co. Ltd., Deutsche Bank (China) Co. Ltd., Deutsche Bank (Malaysia) Berhad, Deutsche Bank (Suisse) SA, Deutsche Bank (Uruguay) Sociedad Anonima Institucion Financiera Externa, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft, Deutsche Bank Americas Holding Corp., Deutsche Bank Bauspar-Aktiengesellschaft, Deutsche Bank Capital Finance LLC I, Deutsche Bank Capital Finance Trust I, Deutsche Bank Europe GmbH, Deutsche Bank Financial Company, Deutsche Bank Holdings Inc., Deutsche Bank Holdings Inc., Deutsche Bank Insurance Agency Incorporated, Deutsche Bank Insurance Agency of Delaware, Deutsche Bank International Limited, Deutsche Bank Investments (Guernsey) Limited, Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A., Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. - Fiduciary Deposits, Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. - Fiduciary Note Programme, Deutsche Bank Mutui S.p.A., Deutsche Bank Mexico S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple, Deutsche Bank Mexico S.A. Institucion de Banca Multiple, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company Los, Deutsche Bank Nominees (Guernsey) Limited, Deutsche Bank Nominees (Jersey) Limited, Deutsche Bank Polska Spolka Akcyjna, Deutsche Bank Representative Office Nigeria Limited, Deutsche Bank S.A. - Banco Alemao, Deutsche Bank S.A. - Banco Alemao Sao, Deutsche Bank SPEARs/LIFERs Series DBE-8011 Trust, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Limited, Deutsche Bank Services (Jersey) Limited, Deutsche Bank Sociedad Anonima Espanola, Deutsche Bank Sociedad Anonima Espanola, Deutsche Bank Societa per Azioni, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Delaware, Deutsche Bank Trust Company National Association, Deutsche Bank Trust Company National Association, Deutsche Bank Trust Corporation, Deutsche CIB Centre Private Limited, Deutsche Capital Finance (2000) Limited, Deutsche Capital Hong Kong Limited, Deutsche Capital Management Limited, Deutsche Capital Markets Australia Limited, Deutsche Capital Partners China Limited, Deutsche Cayman Ltd., Deutsche Colombia S.A.S., Deutsche Custody N.V., Deutsche Domus New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Equities India Private Limited, Deutsche Finance Co 1 Pty Limited, Deutsche Finance Co 2 Pty Limited, Deutsche Finance Co 3 Pty Limited, Deutsche Finance Co 4 Pty Limited, Deutsche Finance No. 2 Limited, Deutsche Foras New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Immobilien-Leasing mit beschrankter Haftung, Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Immobilien-Leasing mit beschrankterHaftung, Deutsche Global Markets Limited, Deutsche Group Holdings (SA) Proprietary Limited, Deutsche Group Services Pty Limited, Deutsche Grundbesitz Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Deutsche Grundbesitz Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., Deutsche Grundbesitz-Anlagegesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Deutsche Holdings (BTI) Limited, Deutsche Holdings (Grand Duchy), Deutsche Holdings (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., Deutsche Holdings (Malta) Ltd., Deutsche Holdings Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 2 Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 3 Limited, Deutsche Holdings No. 4 Limited, Deutsche Immobilien Leasing GmbH, Deutsche India Holdings Private Limited, Deutsche International Corporate Services (Ireland) Limited, Deutsche International Corporate Services Limited, Deutsche International Custodial Services Limited, Deutsche Inversiones Dos S.A., Deutsche Inversiones Limitada, Deutsche Investments (Netherlands) N.V., Deutsche Investments India Private Limited, Deutsche Investor Services Private Limited, Deutsche Knowledge Services Pte. Ltd., Deutsche Leasing New York Corp., Deutsche Mandatos S.A., Deutsche Master Funding Corporation, Deutsche Mexico Holdings S.a r.l., Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Group Limited, Deutsche Morgan Grenfell Group Public Limited Company, Deutsche Mortgage & Asset Receiving Corporation, Deutsche Mortgage Securities Inc., Deutsche Mortgage Securities Inc., Deutsche Nederland N.V., Deutsche New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Nominees Limited, Deutsche Oppenheim Family Office AG, Deutsche Overseas Issuance New Zealand Limited, Deutsche Postbank, Deutsche Postbank Finance Center Objekt GmbH, Deutsche Postbank Funding LLC I, Deutsche Postbank Funding LLC II, Deutsche Postbank Funding LLC III, Deutsche Private Asset Management Limited, Deutsche Securities (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Securities (Proprietary) Limited, Deutsche Securities (SA) (Proprietary) Limited, Deutsche Securities Asia Limited, Deutsche Securities Australia Limited, Deutsche Securities Inc., Deutsche Securities Israel Ltd., Deutsche Securities Korea Co., Deutsche Securities Mauritius Limited, Deutsche Securities Menkul Degerler A.S., Deutsche Securities S.A., Deutsche Securities S.A. de C.V. Casa de Bolsa, Deutsche Securities S.A. de C.V. Casa de Bolsa, Deutsche Securities Saudi Arabia, Deutsche Securities SpA, Deutsche Securities Venezuela S.A., Deutsche Securitisation Australia Pty Limited, Deutsche Services Polska Sp. z o.o., Deutsche StiftungsTrust GmbH, Deutsche Strategic Investment Holdings Yugen Kaisha, Deutsche Trust Company Limited Japan, Deutsche Trustee Company Limited, Deutsche Trustee Services (India) Private Limited, Deutsche Trustees Malaysia Berhad, Deutsche Wealth Management S.G.I.I.C. S.A., Deutsches Institut fur Altersvorsorge GmbH, Durian (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., EC EUROPA IMMOBILIEN FONDS NR. 3 GmbH & CO. KG i.I., Elba Finance GmbH, Elizabethan Holdings Limited, Elizabethan Management Limited, Emerald Asset Repackaging Designated Activity Company, Erste Frankfurter Hoist GmbH, European Value Added I (Alternate G.P.) LLP, Exinor SA, FARAMIR Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungs GmbH, FRANKFURT CONSULT GmbH, Fiduciaria Sant' Andrea S.r.L., Finanzberatungsgesellschaft mbH der Deutschen Bank, Franz Urbig- und Oscar Schlitter-Stiftung Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-037, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-039, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-040, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-041, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-043, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-044, Freddie Mac Class A Taxable Multifamily M Certificates Series M-047, Funfte SAB Treuhand und Verwaltung GmbH & Co. Suhl "Rimbachzentrum" KG, G Finance Holding Corp., G.O. IB-US Management L.L.C., G918 Corp., GAC-HEL Inc., GWC-GAC Corp., Galene S.a r.l., Gemini Technology Services Inc., German American Capital, German American Capital Corporation, Gladyr Spain S.L., Global Markets Fundo de Investimento Multimercado, Global Markets III Fundo de Investimento Multimercado - Credito, Greenwood Properties Corp., Grundstucksgesellschaft Frankfurt Bockenheimer Landstrae GbR, Grundstucksgesellschaft Kerpen-Sindorf Vogelrutherfeld GbR, Grundstucksgesellschaft Leipzig Petersstrae GbR, Grundstucksgesellschaft Wiesbaden Luisenstrae/Kirchgasse GbR, HTB Spezial GmbH & Co. KG, Hollandsche Bank-Unie, IOS Finance EFC S.A., ISTRON Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungs-GmbH, IVAF I Manager S.a r.l., IVAF I Manager S.a r.l., Immobilienfonds Buro-Center Erfurt am Flughafen Bindersleben I GbR, Immobilienfonds Buro-Center Erfurt am Flughafen Bindersleben II GbR, Immobilienfonds Mietwohnhauser Quadrath-Ichendorf GbR, Immobilienfonds Wohn- und Geschaftshaus Koln-Blumenberg V GbR, J R Nominees (Pty) Ltd, Joint Stock Company Deutsche Bank DBU, Jyogashima Godo Kaisha, KEBA Gesellschaft fur interne Services mbH, Kidson Pte Ltd, Konsul Inkasso GmbH, Kradavimd UK Lease Holdings Limited, LA Water Holdings Limited, LAWL Pte. Ltd., Latitude Australia Secured Personal Loans Trust, Leasing Verwaltungsgesellschaft Waltersdorf mbH, Leonardo III Initial GP Limited, Lindsell Finance Limited, London Industrial Leasing Limited, MEF I Manager S. a r.l., MEF I Manager S. a r.l., MHL Reinsurance Ltd., MIT Holdings Inc., MIT Holdings Inc., MPP Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Maher Terminals Holdings (Toronto) Limited, Morgan Grenfell & Company, MortgageIT, MortgageIT Inc., MortgageIT Inc., MortgageIT Securities Corp., Motion Picture Productions One GmbH & Co. KG, NCW Holding Inc., Navegator - SGFTC S.A., Navegator - SGFTC S.A., New 87 Leonard LLC, Nordwestdeutscher Wohnungsbautrager Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, OOO "Deutsche Bank TechCentre", OOO "Deutsche Bank", OPB Verwaltungs- und Beteiligungs-GmbH, OPB Verwaltungs- und Treuhand GmbH, OPB-Holding GmbH, OPB-Nona GmbH, OPB-Oktava GmbH, OPB-Quarta GmbH, OPB-Quinta GmbH, OPB-Septima GmbH, OPPENHEIM Capital Advisory GmbH, OPPENHEIM Flottenfonds V GmbH & Co. KG, OPPENHEIM PRIVATE EQUITY Manager GmbH, OPPENHEIM PRIVATE EQUITY Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, OPS Nominees Pty Limited, OVT Trust 1 GmbH, OVV Beteiligungs GmbH, Opal Funds (Ireland) Public Limited Company, PADUS Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, PARTS Funding LLC., PB Factoring GmbH, PB Firmenkunden AG, PB International S.A., PB Spezial-Investmentaktiengesellschaft mit Teilgesellschaftsvermogen, PBC Banking Services GmbH, PCC Services GmbH der Deutschen Bank, PT Deutsche Sekuritas Indonesia, PT. Deutsche Verdhana Sekuritas Indonesia, Pan Australian Nominees Pty Ltd, Peruda Leasing Limited, Plantation Bay Inc., Plantation Bay Inc., Postbank Akademie und Service GmbH, Postbank Beteiligungen GmbH, Postbank Direkt GmbH, Postbank Filialvertrieb AG, Postbank Finanzberatung AG, Postbank Immobilien GmbH, Postbank Immobilien und Baumanagement GmbH, Postbank Immobilien und Baumanagement GmbH & Co. Objekt Leipzig KG, Postbank Leasing GmbH, Postbank Service GmbH, Postbank Systems AG, QR Tower 2 LLC, Quantiguous, R.B.M. Nominees Pty Ltd, REO Properties Corporation, RREEF, RREEF America L.L.C., RREEF China REIT Management Limited, RREEF European Value Added I (G.P.) Limited, RREEF Fund Holding Co., RREEF India Advisors Private Limited, RREEF Management L.L.C., RTS Nominees Pty Limited, Reference Capital Investments Limited, RoPro U.S. Holding Inc., RoPro U.S. Holding Inc., Route 28 Receivables LLC, Route 28 Receivables LLC, SAB Real Estate Verwaltungs GmbH, SAGITA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, SAPIO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, SCUDO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., SEDO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., SENA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Objekt Kamenz KG, SIFA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, SOLIDO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, SP Mortgage Trust, SPINO Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., SPV I Sociedad Anonima Cerrada, SPV II Sociedad Anonima Cerrada, STATOR Heizkraftwerk Frankfurt (Oder) Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Sal. Oppenheim, Sal. Oppenheim Alternative Investments GmbH, Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie. AG & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien, Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie. Beteiligungs GmbH, Sal. Oppenheim jr. & Cie. Komplementar AG, Sechste Salomon Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Sechste Salomon Beteiligungs- und Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., Service Company Four Limited, Sharps SP I LLC, Singer Island Tower Suite LLC, Somkid Immobiliare S.r.l., Stelvio Immobiliare S.r.l., Structured Finance Americas LLC, Structured Finance Americas LLC, Swabia 1. Vermogensbesitz-GmbH, Suddeutsche Vermogensverwaltung Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, TAKIR Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, TELO Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, TEMATIS Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., TERRUS Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH i.L., TESATUR Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Objekt Halle I KG i.L., TESATUR Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Objekt Nordhausen I KG i.L., TOSSA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, TRIPLA Grundstucks-Vermietungsgesellschaft mbH, TRS Aria LLC, TRS Leda LLC, TRS Maple II LTD, TRS Oak II LTD, TRS SVCO LLC, TRS Scorpio LLC, TRS Tupelo II LTD, TRS Venor LLC, TRS Walnut II LTD, Tagus - Sociedade de Titularizacao de Creditos S.A., Tasfiye Halinde Deutsche Securities Menkul Degerler A.S., Tempurrite Leasing Limited, Thai Asset Enforcement and Recovery Asset Management Company Limited, Tianjin Deutsche AM Fund Management Co. Ltd., Treuinvest Service GmbH, Triplereason Limited, UKE Beteiligungs-GmbH, UKE Grundstucksgesellschaft mbH, UKE s.r.o., Ullmann - Esch Grundstucksgesellschaft Kirchnerstrae GbR, Ullmann - Esch Grundstucksverwaltungsgesellschaft Disternich GbR, Ullmann Ullmann Krockow Krockow Esch GbR, VCJ Lease S.a r.l., Vesta Real Estate S.r.l., VOB-ZVD Processing GmbH, WEPLA Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, WEPLABeteiligungsgesellschaftmbH, Wealthspur Investment Ltd., Whale Holdings S.a r.l., World Trading (Delaware) Inc., World Trading(Delaware)Inc., Zumirez Drive LLC, db PBC, and norisbank GmbH. Parkland Corporation operates as a marketer, distributor, and refiner of fuel and petroleum products in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through Canada, International, USA, Supply, and Corporate segments. The Canada segment supplies and supports a coast-to-coast network of 1,860 retail gas stations under the Ultramar, Esso, Fas Gas Plus, Chevron, Pioneer, and Race Trac as well as operates convenience stores under the On the Run/MarchA Express brand. Additionally it offers bulk fuel, bulk and cylinder exchange propane, heating oil, lubricants, and other related products and services to commercial, industrial, and residential customers in various industries, such as oil and gas, construction, mining, forestry, fishing, and transportation under the Ultramar, Bluewave Energy, Pipeline Commercial, Chevron, Columbia Fuels, and Sparlings Propane brands. The International segment operates retail service stations under the Esso, Shell, and Sol brands; and delivers and supplies gasoline, diesel, fuel oil, propane, and lubricants to customers in various sectors, including power, oil and gas, and mining. The USA segment operates a network of gas stations; and delivers bulk fuel, lubricants, and other related products and services under the Farstad Oil, Rhinehart Oil, Tropic Oil, Superpumper, Harts, and On the Run brands. The Supply segment manufactures transportation fuels; transports, stores, and markets fuels, crude oil, and liquid petroleum gases; and manufactures and sells aviation fuel to airlines. This segment also engages in the wholesale, supply, and distribution business. The company was formerly known as Parkland Fuel Corporation and changed its name to Parkland Corporation in May 2020. The company was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More Precision Drilling Corporation, an oilfield services company, provides oil and natural gas drilling and related products and services in North America and the Middle East. The company operates in two segments, Contract Drilling Services, and Completion and Production Services. The Contract Drilling Services segment offers onshore well drilling services to exploration and production companies in the oil and natural gas industry. This segment's services include land drilling, directional drilling, and turnkey drilling; and procurement and distribution of oilfield supplies, as well as manufacture, sale, and repair of drilling equipment. As of December 31, 2020, it operated 227 land drilling rigs, including 109 in Canada; 105 in the United States; 6 in Kuwait; 4 in Saudi Arabia; 2 in the Kurdistan region of Iraq; and 1 in the country of Georgia. The Completion and Production Services segment provides service rigs for well completion, workover, abandonment, maintenance, and re-entry preparation services; wellsite accommodations; oilfield surface equipment rentals; and camp and catering services to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies. This segment operated 123 well completion and workover service rigs, including 113 in Canada and 10 in the United States. It also had approximately 1,400 oilfield rental items, including surface storage, small-flow wastewater treatment, power generation, and solids control equipment; 113 wellsite accommodation units; 966 drill camp beds; 822 base camp beds; and three kitchen diners in Canada. Precision Drilling Corporation was incorporated in 1951 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Prudential Financial: 210-220 E. 22nd Street SSGA Owner LLC, AIG Edison, AIG Star, AREF Cayman Co Ltd., AREF GP II Pte. Ltd., AREF GP Ltd., ASPF II - Feeder Fund GmbH, ASPF II - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, ASPF II Management GmbH, ASPF III (Scots) L.P., ASSURANCE, AST Investment Services Inc., Adlerwerke CB Investment LLC, Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Habitat S.A., Administradora de Inversiones Previsionales SpA, Aoba Life Insurance Company, Asia Property Fund III GP S.a.r.l., Assurance IQ LLC, Assurance Intelligence LLC, BSC CP LP, Braeloch Holdings Inc., Braeloch Successor Corporation, Brazilian Capital Fund GP Limited, Broad Street Global Advisors LLC, Broome Street Holdings LLC, CB German Retail LLC, CLIS Co. Ltd., COLICO INC., Campus Drive LLC, Capital Agricultural Property Services Inc., Chadwick Boulevard Investment Holdings Co. LLC, Cibecue LLC, Coconino LLC, Colico II Inc., Columbus Drive Partners L.P., Commerce Street Holdings LLC, Commerce Street Investments LLC, Coolidge LLC, Coral Reef GP, Coral Reef L.P., Coral Reef Unit Trust, Cottage Street Investments LLC, Cottage Street Orbit Acquisition LLC, DHFL PRAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, DICKENS AVENUE HOLDINGS VI LLC, DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI (Ireland) L.P., DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI (US) L.P., Don Cesar Investor LLC, Dryden Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Dryden Finance II LLC, EVP II GP S.a r.l., EVP II Sweden Resi I GP S.a r.l., Edison Place Senior Note LLC, Essex LLC, EuroCore GP S.a r.l., European Value Partners GP S.a.r.l., Everbright PGIM Fund Management Co. Ltd., Flagstaff LLC, GA 1600 Commons LLC, GA 333 Hennepin Investor LLC, GA BV LLC, GA Bay Area GP LLC, GA Bay Area Investor LLC, GA Belden LLC, GA CLARENDON LLC, GA Cal Crossings LLC, GA Collins LLC, GA E. 22nd Street Apartments Holdings LLC, GA East 86 Street LLC, GA JHCII LLC, GA MENLO PARK INVESTOR LLC, GA Manor at Harbour Island LLC, GA Metro LLC, GA Mission LLC, GA TRITON INVESTOR LLC, GA W Paces LLC, GA/MDI 333 Hennepin Associates LLC, GIBRALTAR BSN HOLDINGS SDN BHD, GIBRALTAR INDIA SOLUTIONS LLP, Gateway Holdings II LLC, Gateway Holdings LLC, German Retail Income CP LP, Gibraltar BSN Life Berhad, Gibraltar International Insurance Services Company Inc., Gibraltar International Service LLC, Gibraltar Reinsurance Company Ltd., Gibraltar Universal Life Reinsurance Company, Glenealy International Limited, Global Portfolio Strategies Inc., Gold GP Limited, Gold II L.P., Gold L.P., Graham Resources Inc., Graham Royalty Ltd., Green Tree GP, Green Tree L.P., Greenlee LLC, Halsey Street Investments LLC, Hirakata LLC, IVP Fund GP LLC, Impact Investments Bridges UK S.a.r.l, Inter-Atlantic G Fund L.P., Inversiones Previsionales Chile SpA, Inversiones Previsionales Dos SpA, Ironbound Fund LLC, Jennison Associates LLC, Kyarra S.a r.l., Kyoei Annuity Home Co. Ltd., LINEUP LLC, Lake Street Partners IV L.P., MC GA COLLINS HOLDINGS LLC, MC GA COLLINS REALTY LLC, MC Insurance Agency Services LLC, Manor at Harbour Island LLC, Marble Canyon LLC, Maricopa LLC, Market Street Holdings IV LLC, Morenci LLC, Mulberry Street Holdings LLC, Mulberry Street Investment L.P., Mulberry Street Partners LLC, Mullin TBG Insurance Agency Services LLC, MullinTBG Insurance Agency Services, National Family Assurance Group LLC, New Savanna, Orchard Street Acres Inc., PAI Bay Farm LLC, PAI Bayrock Groves LLC, PAI Belvidere Farms LLC, PAI Big Cypress Farm LLC, PAI Corcoran 640 Ranch LLC, PAI DeKalb Farm LLC, PAI Delano 1500 Ranches LLC, PAI Flicker Orchard LLC, PAI Good Hope Farm LLC, PAI Hawk Creek Ranch LLC, PAI Hills Valley Ranches LLC, PAI Holly Hill Groves LLC, PAI Hunt Farm LLC, PAI Jackson Bayou Farm LLC, PAI Lake Placid Groves LLC, PAI Wallula Gap Vineyard LLC, PCP V Cayman AIV GP L.P., PEREF II Co-Invest 1 GP S.a r.l., PEREF II GP S.a r.l., PEREF II PV S.r.l, PFI EM-Tech Fund I LLC, PG Business Service Co. Ltd, PG Collection Service Co. Ltd., PGA Asian Retail Limited, PGA European Limited, PGI Co. Ltd, PGIM (Australia) Pty Ltd, PGIM (Hong Kong) Ltd., PGIM (Scots) Limited, PGIM (Shanghai) Company Ltd., PGIM (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., PGIM AVP IV GP S.a r.l., PGIM Advisory (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PGIM Agricultural Investments GP LLC, PGIM Agricultural Investors LP, PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Fund L.P., PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Partners LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management (Feeder) VI LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management Fund VI L.P., PGIM European Financing Limited, PGIM European Services Limited, PGIM Financial Limited, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund II L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives GP LLC, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives II GP LLC, PGIM Foreign Investments Inc., PGIM Holding Company LLC, PGIM INDIA ASSET MANAGEMENT PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM INDIA TRUSTEES PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM Inc., PGIM International Financing Inc., PGIM Investments LLC, PGIM Japan Co. Ltd., PGIM Korea Inc., PGIM LTIF Berlin GP S.a r.l., PGIM LTIF Berlin MLP S.ar.l., PGIM LTIF GP S.a.r.l., PGIM Limited, PGIM Loan Originator Manager Limited, PGIM M Campus GP S.a r.l., PGIM Management Partner Limited, PGIM MetaProp Investor LP LLC, PGIM Netherlands B.V., PGIM Overseas Investment Fund Management (Shanghai) Company Ltd, PGIM Private Capital (Ireland) Limited, PGIM Private Capital Limited, PGIM Private Placement Investors Inc., PGIM Private Placement Investors L.P., PGIM REF EUROPE SCSp, PGIM REF Europe GP S.a r.l., PGIM REF Europe Member LLC, PGIM REF Intermediary Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate (Japan) Ltd., PGIM Real Estate (UK) Limited, PGIM Real Estate CD S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Capital VII GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest L.P., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest SCSp, PGIM Real Estate Co-Invest Holdings LLC, PGIM Real Estate Debt GmbH, PGIM Real Estate Finance Holding Company, PGIM Real Estate Finance LLC, PGIM Real Estate France SAS, PGIM Real Estate Germany AG, PGIM Real Estate Global Debt GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Inmuebles S. de R.L. de C.V, PGIM Real Estate Italy S.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Loan Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate Luxembourg S.A., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate Management Luxembourg S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Mexico S.C., PGIM Real Estate S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate U.S. Debt Fund GP LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management (Feeder) I LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management Fund I L.P., PGIM Strategic Financing LLC, PGIM Strategic Investments Inc., PGIM USPF VI Manager LLC, PGIM Warehouse Inc., PGLH of Delaware Inc., PIFM Holdco LLC, PIIC Limited, PIISC Holdings (UK) Limited, PIM KF Blocker Holdings LLC, PIM KF Blocker V Holdings LLC, PIM USPF V Manager LLC, PLA Administradora Industrial SRL, PLA Administradora LLC, PLA Administradora S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional II S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional S.de R.L. de C.V., PLA Co-Investor LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager I LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager II LLC, PLA Mexico Residential Manager I LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Limited Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund III Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund IV Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Residential Fund IV Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Blue LP, PLA Retail Fund I LP, PLA Retail Fund I Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Red LP, PLA Retail Fund II Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LP, PLA Retail Fund II Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II U.S. Carry/Co-Invest LP, PLA Services Manager Mexico LLC, PLAI Limited, PMCF Holdings LLC, PMCF Properties LLC, PPPF General Partner LLP, PR GA SCP Apartments LLC, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP (SCOTS FEEDER) LLP, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP LLP, PRECO ACCOUNT III LLC, PRECO ACCOUNT PARTNERSHIP III LP, PRECO Account IV LLC, PRECO Account Partnership IV LP, PRECO III GP LLP, PREFG Hanwha Manager LLC, PREI Acquisition I Inc., PREI Acquisition II Inc., PREI Acquisition LLC, PREI HYDG LLC, PREI International Inc., PRIAC Property Acquisitions LLC, PRICOA Management Partner Limited, PRISA Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Pooled Manager LLC, PRISA III Fund GP LLC, PRISA III Fund PIM LLC, PRREF II Fund Manager LLC, PRU 3XSquare LLC, PRUCO LLC, PRUDENTIAL CAPITAL ENERGY PARTNERS MANAGEMENT (FEEDER) LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP MEMBER LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP REIT LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE 2 LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE LLC, PT PFI Mega Life Insurance, Passaic Fund LLC, Pine Tree GP, Pine Tree L.P., Platinum GP Limited, Platinum II L.P., Platinum L.P., Pramerica (Hong Kong) Holdings Limited, Pramerica (Luxembourg) CP GP S.a.r.l., Pramerica (Scots) CP GP LLP, Pramerica Business Consulting (Shanghai) Company Limited, Pramerica EVP CP LP, Pramerica Financial Asia Headquarters Pte. Ltd., Pramerica Financial Asia Limited, Pramerica Fixed Income Funds Management Limited, Pramerica Fosun Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Pramerica General Partner LLP, Pramerica Holdings Ltd, Pramerica Insurance Agency (China) Company Ltd., Pramerica PRECAP I GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP II GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP III GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP IV GP LLP, Pramerica Pan European Real Estate (Scots) LP, Pramerica Property Partners Fund (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I GP (Scots Feeder) LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital II (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital III (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP (Scots Feeder) LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP Limited, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V (Netherlands) GP LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital VI (Scots) Limited Partnership, Pramerica SGR S.p.A, Pramerica Systems Ireland Limited, Preco III (Scotland) Limited Partnership, Pru 101 Wood LLC, Pru Alpha Partners I LLC, Pru Fixed Income Emerging Markets Partners I LLC, PruVen Capital Partners Fund I L.P., Pruco Assignment Corporation, Pruco Life Insurance Company, Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, Pruco Securities LLC, Prudential 900 Aviation Boulevard LLC, Prudential Affordable Mortgage Company LLC, Prudential Agricultural Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Annuities Distributors Inc., Prudential Annuities Holding Company Inc., Prudential Annuities Inc., Prudential Annuities Information Services & Technology Corporation, Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Captive Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Universal Company, Prudential Bank & Trust FSB, Prudential Capital Energy Opportunity Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners Management Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Partners Management Fund IV L.P., Prudential Capital and Investment Services LLC, Prudential Chile II SpA, Prudential Chile SpA, Prudential Commercial Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Customer Solutions LLC, Prudential Equity Group LLC, Prudential Financial Securities Investment Trust Enterprise, Prudential Fixed Income Global Liquidity Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Fixed Income U.S. Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Funding LLC, Prudential General Services of Japan Y.K., Prudential Gibraltar Agency Co. Ltd., Prudential Global Funding LLC, Prudential Holdings of Japan Inc., Prudential Huntoon Paige Associates LLC, Prudential IBH Holdco Inc., Prudential Impact Investments Mortgage Loans LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Debt LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Equity LLC, Prudential Industrial Properties LLC, Prudential Insurance Agency LLC, Prudential International Insurance Holdings Ltd., Prudential International Insurance Service Company L.L.C., Prudential International Investments Advisers LLC, Prudential International Investments Company LLC, Prudential International Investments LLC, Prudential Investment Management Services LLC, Prudential Japan Holdings LLC, Prudential Legacy Insurance Company of New Jersey, Prudential Life Insurance Company of Taiwan Inc., Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 1 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 2 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Capital Asset Holding Company LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Funding LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC, Prudential Multifamily Mortgage LLC, Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC, Prudential Newark Realty LLC, Prudential QOZ Investment Fund 1 LLC, Prudential Realty Securities Inc., Prudential Retirement Financial Services Holding LLC, Prudential Retirement Holdings LLC, Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, Prudential Securities Secured Financing Corporation, Prudential Securities Structured Assets Inc., Prudential Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., Prudential Seguros S.A., Prudential Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Prudential Structured Settlement Company, Prudential Systems Japan Limited, Prudential Term Reinsurance Company, Prudential Trust Co. Ltd., Prudential Trust Company, Prudential Universal Reinsurance Company, Prudential Workplace Solutions Group Services LLC, Prudential do Brasil Seguros de Vida S.A., Prudential do Brasil Vida em Grupo S.A., Prudential/TMW Real Estate Group LLC, Pruservicos Participacoes Ltda., QMA JP EM All Cap Equity Partners LLC, QMA LLC, QMA Wadhwani LLP, Quartzsite LLC, Residential Services Corporation of America LLC, Rio CP LP, Rock European Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock Global Real Estate LLC, Rock Kensington Limited, Rock Marty GP S.a r.l., Rock Oxford S.a r.l., Rock UK Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock UK Real Estate II S.a.r.l., Rockstone Co. Ltd., Rosado Grande LLC, Ross Avenue Energy Fund Holdings LLC, Ross Avenue Minerals 2012 LLC, SCP Apartments LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERS VI GP LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERSHIP FUND VI GP LLC, SHP IV Carried Interest LP, SHP V Carried Interest L.P., SMP Holdings Inc., SVIIT Holdings Inc., Sanei Collection Service Co. Ltd. (Kabushiki Kaisha Sanei Shuuno Service), Senior Housing Partners IV L.L.C., Senior Housing Partners V LLC, Senior Housing Partnership Fund IV L.L.C., Senior Housing Partnership Fund V LLC, Sterling Private Placement Management LLP, Stetson Street Partners L.P., Strand Investments Limited, TBG Insurance Services Corporation, TENSATOR HOLDINGS LTD, TF Proveedora S.C., TMW ASPF I Verwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, TMW ASPF Management GmbH, TMW Management LLC, TMW Real Estate Group LLC, TMW Realty Advisors LLC, TMW USPF Verwaltungs GmbH, TRGOAG Company Inc., The Gibraltar Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Keynes Dynamic Beta Strategy (US) Fund GP LLC, The Prudential Assigned Settlement Services Corp., The Prudential Brazilian Capital Fund LP, The Prudential Gibraltar Financial Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Prudential Home Mortgage Company Inc., The Prudential Insurance Company of America, The Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd., The Prudential Real Estate Financial Services of America Inc., The WMF Group, Thurloe Commercial Guernsey Limited, Times Square Center Associates, USPF V - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, USPF V Carry LLC, USPF V Co-Invest LLC, USPF V Investment LP, United States Property Fund VI GP S.a r.l., Vailsburg Fund LLC, Vantage Casualty Insurance Company, Wabash Avenue Holdings V LLC, Wabash Avenue Partners V L.P., Wadhwani Capital Limited, Waveland Avenue Holdings I LLC, Waveland Avenue Partners I (Ireland) L.P., Waveland Avenue Partners I (US) L.P., Wellness Services Ecossistema De Bem Estar Ltda., Wellness Services SRL, Yamato Life, and Yavapai LLC. Kinder Morgan, Inc. operates as an energy infrastructure company. The firm engages in the operation of pipelines and terminals that transport natural gas, gasoline, crude oil, carbon dioxide (CO2) and other products and stores petroleum products chemicals and handles bulk materials like ethanol, coal, petroleum coke and steel. It operates through the following segments: Natural Gas Pipelines, CO2, Terminals, Product Pipelines and Kinder Morgan Canada. The Natural Gas Pipelines segment engages in the ownership and operation of major interstate and intrastate natural gas pipeline and storage systems, natural gas and crude oil gathering systems and natural gas processing and treating facilities. The CO2 segment focuses on the production, transportation and marketing of CO2 to oil fields that use CO2 as a flooding medium for recovering crude oil from mature oil fields to increase production. The Terminals segment consists of the ownership and operation of liquids and bulk terminal facilities located throughout the U.S. and portions of Canada that trans load and store refined petroleum products, crude oil, chemicals, ethanol and bulk products, including coal, petroleum coke, fertilizer, Read More Total Energy Services Inc. provides various products and services to the oil and natural gas industry primarily in Canada, the United States, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Contract Drilling Services, Rentals and Transportation Services, Compression and Process Services and Well Servicing. The Contract Drilling Services segment offers contract drilling services to oil and gas exploration and development companies. As of December 31, 2020, it operated a total fleet of 98 drilling rigs. The Rentals and Transportation Services segment provides drilling, completion and production rental equipment, and oilfield transportation services in western Canada and in the United States. This segment owned and operated a fleet of 87 heavy trucks. The Compression and Process Services segment offers gas compression services; and designs and packages skid style compressors and proprietary trailer-mounted compressors under the NOMAD brand in Canada and the United States, the European Union, Australia, and Mexico. It had 54,800 horsepower of compression in its rental fleet. The Well Servicing segment offers well services. This segment operated a total fleet of 83 well servicing rigs across Western Canada, mid-western United States, and Australia. It has a strategic alliance with Pason Systems Inc. to develop and deploy drilling automation and optimization technologies. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More iShares Russell Mid-Cap Value ETF's stock was trading at $73.54 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, IWS stock has increased by 62.4% and is now trading at $119.44. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. The following companies are subsidiares of Air Products and Chemicals: 7001 Hamilton Properties LLC, ACP Europe SA, ACP Zolder Invest NV, AJWAA Gases LLC, AP Services South America SpA, APCI (U.K.) Inc., Air Products (Anshan) Gases Co. Ltd., Air Products (BR) Limited, Air Products (Cangzhou) Co. Ltd., Air Products (Changsha) Co. Ltd., Air Products (Chongqing) Chem-Materials Co. Ltd., Air Products (Dongguan) Gases Co. Ltd., Air Products (Guangzhou) Electronics Gases Co. Ltd., Air Products (Hangjin Qi) Co. Ltd., Air Products (Hefei) Electronics Gases Co. Ltd., Air Products (Hong Kong) Co. Ltd., Air Products (Huaibei) Gases Co. Ltd., Air Products (Jiangxi) Co. Ltd., Air Products (Jincheng) Co. Ltd., Air Products (Jinjiang) Electronics Gases Co. Ltd., Air Products (Kunshan) Gases Co. Ltd., Air Products (Linfen) Co. Ltd., Air Products (Middle East) FZE, Air Products (Nanjing) Electronics Gases Co. Ltd., Air Products (Ningbo) Hi-Tech Gases Co. Ltd., Air Products (Rozenburg) B.V., Air Products (Shenyang) Gases Co. Ltd., Air Products (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Air Products (Xi'an) Gases Co. Ltd, Air Products (Xiamen) Electronics Gases Co. Ltd., Air Products (Zhongshan) Gases Co. Ltd, Air Products (Zhumadian) Gases Co. Ltd., Air Products A/S, Air Products Advanced Materials LLC, Air Products Asia Inc., Air Products Asia Inc. Taiwan Branch, Air Products Bahrain W.L.L, Air Products Brasil Ltda., Air Products Canada Ltd./Prodair Canada Ltee, Air Products Caribbean Holdings Inc., Air Products Central Asia Group LLC, Air Products China Inc., Air Products Debang (Lianyungang) Co. Ltd., Air Products Ecuador S.A., Air Products Emirates Gases LLC, Air Products Equipment Limited, Air Products Gas O.O.O., Air Products Gases Holdings B.V., Air Products Gases S.A.E., Air Products Gesellschaft mbH, Air Products GmbH, Air Products Group Limited, Air Products Gulf Gas LLC, Air Products Helium Inc., Air Products Helium Inc. Qatar Branch, Air Products Holdings B.V., Air Products Holdings GmbH, Air Products Huadong (Longkou) Co. Ltd., Air Products Hydrogen Company Inc., Air Products Iberica S.L., Air Products Industrial Gas LLC, Air Products International LLC, Air Products Investments B.V., Air Products Investments Holdings LLC, Air Products Investments LLC, Air Products Ireland Limited, Air Products Italia S.r.l., Air Products Japan Inc., Air Products Japan K.K., Air Products Korea Inc., Air Products LLC, Air Products Leasing B.V., Air Products Llanwern Limited, Air Products LuAn (Changzhi) Co. Ltd., Air Products Maghreb S.A.R.L., Air Products Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Air Products Management S.A., Air Products Manufacturing Corporation, Air Products Manufacturing LLC, Air Products Middle East Industrial Gases LLC, Air Products Nederland B.V., Air Products Netherlands Gases B.V., Air Products O.O.O., Air Products PLC, Air Products PLC Branch, Air Products Peru S.A., Air Products Qudra (GICIS), Air Products Renewable Energy Limited, Air Products S.A., Air Products SAS, Air Products San Fu Co. Ltd., Air Products Services Europe S.A., Air Products Shared Services Sdn. Bhd, Air Products Singapore Industrial Gases Pte. Ltd., Air Products SinoHytec (Beijing) Hydrogen Energy Technology Co. Ltd., Air Products Slovakia s.r.o., Air Products Sp. Z o.o., Air Products Specialized Process Equipment SDN, Air Products Switzerland Sarl, Air Products Taiwan Holdings Co. Ltd., Air Products Ukraina LLC, Air Products West Coast Hydrogen LLC, Air Products Yanbu Limited, Air Products and Chemicals (Anhui) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Banan) Gases Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Beijing) Distribution Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Binzhou) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Chengdu) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Chongqing) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Dalian) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Guangzhou) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Guiyang) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Hefei) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Hohhot) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Jiyuan) Onsite Gases Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Lianyungang) Gases Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Nanjing) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Nanjing) Gases Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Pengzhou) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Putian) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Qingdao) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Shaanxi Pucheng) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Shaanxi) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Shanghai) Electronics Gases Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Shanghai) Gases Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Shanghai) Gases Production Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Shanghai) On-Site Gases Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Shanghai) Systems Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Shangluo) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Shenzhen) Gases Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Tangshan) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Tongxiang) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Weifang) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (WuXi) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (WuXi) Gases Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Xingtai) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Xinxiang) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Xian) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Yichun) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Yulin) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Zhangjiagang) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Zhejiang) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Zhuhai) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals (Zibo) Co. Ltd., Air Products and Chemicals Inc., Air Products and Chemicals Inc. of Utah (Utah), Air Products and Chemicals Tech Development (Beijing) Co. Ltd., Air Products spol s.r.o., Asia Industrial Gas Company Ltd., Beijing AP BAIF Gases Industry Co. Ltd., Blue Ocean Industrial Gases Co. Ltd., Carbolim B.V., Carburos Via Augusta Logistics S.L., Centro Tecnico Indura Limitada, Chengdu Air & Gas Products Ltd., Contse S.A.U., CryoService, CryoService Limited, Dixons of Westerhope, DuPont Air Products NanoMaterials, EPCO Carbon Dioxide Products, EPCO Carbon Dioxide Products Inc. (Illinois), East Coast Nitrogen Company LLC, East Coast Oxygen Co., Gardner Cryogenics (Pennsylvania), Gas Direct Limited, Gas Supply Services Ltd., Gas Technologies Ltd., Gases Industriales de Columbia S.A. Cryogas, Gases Integrated Company Limited (GIC), Gasin II Unipessoal LDA, Gastel Limited, Goar Allison & Associates, Green BioFuel s.r.o., Harvest Energy Technologies (California), Harvest Energy Technology, Helap SAS, Indura, Indura Argentina S.A., Indura Holdings Colombia LLC, Indura Inversiones Limitada, Indura Peru S.A., Indura S.A., Indura S.A. (Peru), Indura Sociedad Comercial Limitada, Ingemedicas Santandar Ltda., Ingenieria en Redes de Gases S.A. - Gasproject S.A., Inversiones Air Products Holdings Limitada, Jazan Gas Projects Company, Jazan Integrated Gasification and Power Company (JIGPC), KRIG Holdings B.V., KRYVYI RIH Industrial Gas, Korea Industrial Gases Ltd., Kulim Industrial Gases Sdn Bhd, Lida SAS, Markaziy Osiyo Sanoat Gaz LLC, Matgas 2000 A.I.E., Napro S.A., Olin DNT Limited Partnership, Oxigeno Medicinal Domiciliario Limitada, Oxigeno de Sagunto S.L., Oxigenol S.A., Oxygen & Argon Works, Oxygen & Argon Works Ltd., Oxygen Center Ltd., Oxygen Warehouse Trade (1980) Ltd., PQ Ammonia, PT Air Products East Kalimantan, PT Air Products Indonesia, PT Air Products Indonesia Services, Permea China Ltd., Permea Inc., Procal (California), Prodair Air Products India Private Limited, Prodair Corporation, Prodair Escravos Limited, Prodair S.A.S., Prodair Services Limited, Prodair et Cie S.C.S., Quimica Basica S.A., ROVI Cosmetics International, S.I.Q. Beteiligungs, SAGA SAS, SCWC Corp., STP & DIN Chemicals Sp. Z.o.o., Servicios Indura Limitada, Sociedad Espanola de Carburos Metalicos S.A., Soprogaz SNC, Stravinsky Investments LLC, The Former SR Manufacturers Inc., Tyczka Industrie-Gase GmbH, Union Mobiliere Industrielle S.A.R.L., United Industrial Gases Company LLC, Vitalox Industrial S.L.U., WuXi Hi-Tech Gas Co. Ltd., Yangon Industrial Gas (Thilawa) Company Limited, Zibo Chuangcheng Engineering Design Co. Ltd., and ir Products Israel Ltd.. There is not enough analysis data for Pacific Coast Oil Trust. 3.6 Community Rank Outperform Votes Pacific Coast Oil Trust has received 206 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Pacific Coast Oil Trust has received 181 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Pacific Coast Oil Trust has received 53.23% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Pacific Coast Oil Trust and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe ROYT will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe ROYT will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next Hillary Clinton is featured in a new video reading aloud excerpts of a redacted version of special counsel Robert Mueller's report, including a line in the report that quotes President Donald Trump bemoaning the appointment of Mueller. In a video released Saturday, Clinton, along with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, joins Comedy Central's Jordan Klepper to "advise him on what crowdfunding campaigns he should support." As the three review various GoFundMe campaigns, Klepper reads the description of one having to do with the former Democratic presidential nominee. "It's simple, I'm raising money to hire Hillary Clinton to record an audiobook of the Mueller report," Klepper said, adding that he has a copy of the report with him. "Alright, let me start it. I'll be happy to -- sure," Clinton enthusiastically replies. She proceeds to plainly read an excerpt of the report as music plays over her dictation. Klepper interjects as she reads, urging Clinton to read it "like you mean it" and to "imagine, like, you have a history with this." She continues: "The President slumped back in his chair and said 'Oh my god, this is terrible. This is the end of my presidency. I'm f---ed.'" After Clinton finishes, Klepper turns to Bill Clinton and asks him what he thinks of the reading as the former President approvingly shakes his head. "I'd listen to that audiobook," Klepper said. "Yeah, OK," Clinton replies as she clasps her hands and offers a slight smile. At another point in the video, the trio review a GoFundMe campaign for a person trying to raise money "to take a law class to impeach Donald Trump," an effort the Clintons don't think Klepper should financially back. Instead, the two suggest Attorney General William Barr, whose handling of the report has been criticized by Democrats, "should go to law school." "If somebody wanted to fund his continuing legal education, I would be for that," Bill Clinton said. Now through May 5, it's National Infant Immunization Week, a time when those who work on the front lines to keep our families safe when it comes to communicable disease remind parents of the importance of vaccination guidelines. Click for a link to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's guidelines for parents for a safe vaccination schedule to adhere to. as to the vaccination schedule. Here's the CDC's vaccination schedule for 7-18 year-olds. New York State has its own schedule for vaccination guidelines, which also explains which vaccinations are needed before a child enters school at different ages. This is important especially for parents who have children entering school for the first time. We spoke with Rebecca LaPorte, Oneida County Public Health Nurse, who specializes in communicable diseases. Oneida County is urging parents to offer their children the power of protection by vaccinating their children during National Infant Immunization Week. LaPorte told us on-time vaccination throughout childhood is essential because it helps provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases. The recommended immunization schedule is designed to protect babies early in life, when they are vulnerable and before it is likely that they will be exposed to diseases. It can protect children from 14 serious and potential-deadly diseases before their second birthday. According to the CDC, routine childhood immunization among children born 1994-2018 will prevent an estimated 419 million illnesses, 26.8 million hospitalizations, and 936,000 early deaths over the course of their lifetimes, at a net savings of $406 billion in direct costs and $1.9 trillion in total societal costs. Oneida County operates a public health clinic through the Department of Health, where children and adults can be immunized and parents can receive immunization counseling and education. Immunization Clinics are by appointment only. Call 315-798-5747 for an appointment. UTICA, N.Y. -- The Utica man accused of shooting another man on St. Vincent Street in March has pleaded guilty to one of the charges. Elias Carr, 26, pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a weapon after previously pleading not guilty to tall the charges he faces, which included attempted assault, and criminal use of a firearm. The victim was shot twice in the leg and was treated for his injuries. An order of protection has been issued for the victim. Carr will be sentenced in June. TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) Hundreds of motorcyclists from across the county came together for a bike swap and show on Sunday afternoon. American Bikers Aimed Toward Education of Indiana hosted the event at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds. ABATE was created to promote motorcyclist rights and safety. Apr. 28 was the 28th annual event. The event provided cash prizes, tattoo contests and motorcycle riding sessions for kids. ABATE Executive Director Jay Jackson said it's an event for all ages and backgrounds. We've got a lot of members but we've got a lot of folks who are non-members, said Jackson. You don't have to be a member to come out and play with us. If you have an interest in motorcycles anyway, shape or form, we welcome everybody. May is recognized nationally as Motorcycle Awareness Month. ABATE of Indiana is hosting a motorcycle rally the second week of May in Indianapolis. They'll be promoting motorcycle safety. FRANKFORT, Ind. (WLFI) Deputies have released the identity of the person who was hit and killed in an early morning crash on State Road 28. Officials said Douglas Adams was walking to work and crossing the road when he was hit near the intersection of County Road 200 West around 5:30 a.m. Monday morning. State Road 28 Fatal Crash 4/29 State Road 28 Fatal Crash 4/29 Deputies said the driver of the vehicle that hit Addams was not injured. Police said drugs, speeding and weather are not suspected in the crash. LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) A couple of sentences isn't enough to truly honor a State Trooper killed in the line of duty. That's why David Morrison spent nearly half his life learning about what really happened to Trooper Paul Minneman in 1937. He wrote it all down for Minneman's family but found out others are interested too. David Morrison never set out to be an author. "I'm not a writer or a speller," said Morrison. He's a former Indiana State Trooper. His interest in Trooper Paul Minneman's story started 43 years ago when he was ordered to present the flag at Minneman's reburial in Lafayette. "I didn't really know who he was," said Morrison. When Trooper Minneman was killed in 1937, he and his wife Margaret were expecting a baby girl. Margaret named their daughter Paulene. Morrison met Paulene and her daughter at the reburial ceremony. "And I kind of forgot about it," said Morrison. That is, until he ran into Minneman's granddaughter a second time, years later. "Came up and asked if I knew her grandfather, Paul Minneman," said Morrison. "And it just hit me like a brick for some reason. I said yes, we read his name off every Memorial Day." After talking with her and reuinting with Paulene, Morrison felt called to find answers for Minneman's family. They didn't know much about how he died. "Flat tires everywhere, bullet holes," said Morrison as he showed a photo of the State Trooper car Minneman was driving the day he was killed. Minneman died trying to stop the infamous Brady Gang after they robbed the Goodland State Bank. "Hoover declared them Public Enemy Number One just like Dillinger was," said Morrison. When Minneman had them cornered at Caley Church in White County, he was riddled with bullets. Neighbors said it sounded like thunder. "At the very end, the last word from his mouth was Margaret," said Morrison. That's the part that stuck with Morrison. It reminded him of his own marriage and the way his wife would flicker the lights three times as he left for work each day. It symbolized the three words, "I love you." "You know, I'd wave back and flicker my lights," said Morrison. "But it didn't dawn on me until I retired, just how fortunate I was. And I kind of think Margaret was always blinking the light for the trooper, like he might not come home again." Morrison imagined what that would feel like. What it would do to Minneman's namesake daughter who never got to meet him or know about the sacrifice he made. "My whole purpose was to let Paulene know about the phenomenal father she didn't get to meet," said Morrison. "But he can live on." His story can live on because of the decades Morrison spent digging up and documenting it. Morrison's book was accidentally deleted twice, but he kept on. "What a struggle, but I just had to tell it for the daughter," said Morrison. If you would like to learn more about the book or obtain a copy, email davmar6611@centurylink.net. ABC/Randy HolmesThe Struts have announced a new batch of North American tour dates. The fall outing begins September 10 in Toronto, and will wrap up September 27 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Tickets go on sale this Friday, May 3 via TheStruts.com. Prior to the newly announced dates, the British rockers will be traveling the U.S. throughout the spring and summer on a headlining tour. They'll also be hitting a number of festivals, including Welcome to Rockville and Shaky Knees. The Struts are supporting their sophomore album, YOUNG&DANGEROUS, which features the single "Body Talks." Here are The Struts' fall North American tour dates: 9/10 -- Toronto, ON, Danforth Music Hall 9/13 -- Dubuque, IA, Mississippi Moon Bar at Diamond Jo Casino 9/17 -- South Burlington, VT, Higher Ground Ballroom 9/18 -- Quebec, QC, LImperial Bell 9/19 -- Montreal, QC, Corona Theatre 9/22 -- Hartford, CT, Webster Theater 9/27 -- Harrisburg, PA, TBA Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Facility may be producing cars as early as September The buildings of Tesla's Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai on Sunday. Construction of the plant is in full swing with almost all the roofs having been installed. Photo: Xie Jun/GT Tesla's Gigafactory 3 plant in Shanghai, which is under accelerated construction, may produce cars in September this year, a worker at the site told the Global Times on Sunday. That would be several months earlier than Tesla CEO Elon Musk's original plan. He announced at the plant's ground-breaking ceremony in early January that the factory would start to produce Model 3s at the end of this year. However, the rapid construction speed might lead to some problems such as insufficient testing of equipment, an expert cautioned on Sunday. On Sunday afternoon, normally a non-business day, the construction site of the Gigafactory 3 was bustling with equipment and people busy at work. At the site, the Global Times saw that the first phase of the project will have two structures. One is a building of about three stories with a cement roof, which has already had part of the walls installed. Another structure is a building that will extend over almost half of the overall length of the construction site. That structure will be the US carmaker's general assembly building, according to a construction worker on the site. This second building has almost 90 percent of its roof installed but hasn't started wall installation. The construction worker also told the Global Times that the buildings now going up are just one-third of what Tesla is going to build on the site in total. The southern side of the site is still level ground. He also said that construction work on the first phase can finish in June or July. Another construction worker told the Global Times on Sunday that work is going on 24/7 nowadays on the site. The last time the Global Times visited the Gigafactory 3, which was on April 3, the buildings were just starting to take shape with vertical steel columns and only a few sets of steel roof grids having been installed. According to a report by tech.qq.com on Saturday, Tesla is likely to set a record with its building speed for the Gigafactory 3 in Shanghai. It also reported that a factory like the Gigafactory 3 normally takes about 17 months to build at the fastest speed. "The factory's construction pace is too fast, which is set to leave some problems such as insufficient equipment testing and staff training," Feng Shiming, executive director of Menutor Consulting Shanghai, told the Global Times on Sunday. But Feng said that Tesla won't start formal mass production this year, citing a reliable source at a Tesla supplier. "The target might be realized at the start of next year, and two or three months after that, its Model 3 can be put into the market on a large scale," said Feng. Tesla is still seeking appropriate battery suppliers, and that's a lengthy process because the battery is a core part of an electric vehicle, Feng said. "Tesla is prepared for not realizing mass production within this year," he added. "Trial production in September is likely." The US-based company wants to boost investor confidence and alleviate pressure from the capital market, as well as put itself in an advantageous position when negotiating with suppliers. That's why it made the decision to speed up factory construction, Feng said. Wu Shuocheng, a Shanghai-based independent automobile analyst, told the Global Times on Sunday that Tesla is betting on its China Gigafactory for more output and sales, a key step for the company's development in China, the world's largest auto market, as well as other overseas markets. "It is understandable for the company to be going full speed on factory construction so as to take advantage of the current favorable policy for electric vehicles in China," said Wu. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Rwanda is a country in East and Central Africa, located a few degrees south of the Equator in the African Great Lakes region. With an area of 26,338 km2, Rwanda is one of the smallest countries in Africa. Although one-third of Rwanda was once covered by montane forest, much of its natural vegetation has now been cleared for terraced agriculture. However, three national parks serve as protected areas that help preserve ecosystems and wildlife in Rwanda. Many of the country's wildlife species are highly threatened, especially as a result of poaching and habitat destruction. 3. Akagera National Park Akagera National Park is one of three national parks in Rwanda, and was established in 1934 under the colonial rule of the Belgian government. The park encompasses an area of 1,222 km2 and protects a variety of habitats including swamps, montane forest, and savannah. There are several lakes in Akagera National Park, and the Kagera River, after which the park is named, flows along its eastern border. Wildlife in national park suffered for several decades due to mismanagement, and heavy rates of poaching and human interference caused many animal populations, including lions, wild dogs, and rhinos, to become nearly wiped out. Akagera National Park is currently better managed and its wildlife populations are gradually recovering. Tourism has also increased in recent years, providing the Rwandan government an incentive to protect the national park. 2. Nyungwe Forest National Park Nyungwe Forest National Park is located in southwestern Rwanda, near the countrys border with Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and protects one of the best preserved montane rainforests in the world. The national park was established in 2004 and encompasses an area of 970 km2, which includes rainforest, bamboo, grassland, swamps, and bogs. It is home to 13 species of primates, including chimpanzees, white colobus, and Ruwenzori black colobus. Additionally, 275 species of birds, 85 mammal species, 32 amphibian species, and 38 reptile species inhabit the Nyungwe Forest. Tourists can hike through the park, observing it greenery, wildlife, and waterfalls, as well enjoy birdwatching and canopy walks. 1. Volcanoes National Park Volcanoes National Park is located in northwestern Rwanda, and borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda's Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The park was established in 1925 and encompasses an area of 160 km2 . Volcanoes National Park contains eight volcanoes, dense rainforests, and bamboo forests, and helps protects the endangered mountain gorilla and golden monkey populations from poachers. In fact, renowned American naturalist Dian Fossey conducted research on gorillas in 1967, and established the Karisoke Research Centre. Fossey continued to live in the region and spend time in the park until her death 1985, when she was murdered, possibly by poachers. In 1992, the Rwandan Civil War ravaged the park and many of its protected animal species were poached. Today, tourism in the area is increasing, and visitors to Volcanoes National Park can meet gorillas and golden monkeys, as well as climb volcanoes, and tours caves and lakes. The southernmost national park in the world, Cabo de Hornos National Park, is located in southern Chile. The park occupies an area of approximately 155,906 acres of land and 7,331,706 acres of sea, and includes the Wollaston Islands and the Hermite Islands. Additionally, the Hermite Islands include Cape Horn, which is the southernmost point of South America and marks the northern boundary of the Drake Passage, where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet. The national park has two major peaks, Cerro Piramide and Cerro Hyde, which have elevations of 406 m and 670 m, respectively. History of Cabo de Hornos National Park The Cabo de Hornos region was first discovered by Isaac Le Maire, a merchant from the Netherlands in 1616. The park was established by the government of Chile on April 26, 1945, and is now managed by the Corporacion Nacional Foresta (CONAF). In 2005, UNESCO designated Cabo de Hornos National Park as a Biosphere Reserve, along with Alberto de Agostini National Park, which is also located in Chile. Climate Due to its southern location, Cabo de Hornos usually experiences a cool climate. The average annual rainfall and temperature in the park are approximately 5.2 C and 1,357 mm, respectively. Precipitation is distributed almost equally throughout the year, although March is typically the wettest month. Winds with an average speed of 30 kilometers per hour blow throughout the year. Flora and Fauna Vegetation in Cabo de Hornos National Park is limited due to the region's harsh climate. In fact, very few trees grow within the park. The vast terrain of peatland includes lichen, mosses, and Poaceae (a type of flowering plant) as the primary forms of vegetation. Only a few types of trees, such as the Antarctic beech (the worlds southernmost tree), Winter's bark, and Magellanic coigue grow in the protected area. Additionally, the extreme cold and harsh winds that blow through the national park do not support much animal diversity. The park is home to birds, such as penguins and kelp gull, while most mammals that live within Cabo de Hornos National Park are maritime mammals, including the leopard seal, marine otter, Chilean dolphin, and humpback whale. Visiting Cabo de Hornos National Park Cabo de Hornos is one of the most pristine and scenic areas in Chile. Visitors to the park must first reach Puerto Williams, which is considered to be the worlds southernmost town. There is much to see in the town itself, including its astounding landscape at the confluence of the sea and snow-capped mountains. The Yagan culture of the region is also interesting and unique. Puerto Williams acts as the gateway to Cabo de Hornos. There is no land access to the national park, but it can be reached by a 12-hour boat ride from Puerto Williams. Two authorized ports, Caleta Martial and Puerto Maxwell, allow access to the park. Trips that take tourists from Punta Arenas to Cape Horn also offer visits to Cabo de Hornos National Park. The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) won working-class support at its rally in the western Sydney suburb of Parramatta last Saturday, demanding the immediate release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and US whistleblower Chelsea Manning. The rally was addressed by three of the eight SEP candidates contesting the May 18 federal election, as well as longstanding SEP leader Nick Beams, and James McGlone, a friend of Julian Assanges father. Part of the rally Around 100 people participated. Some travelled several hours to attend, commuting from Newcastle, Shoalhaven and other regional centres. A Facebook livestream of the event has been viewed by over 3,500 people. SEP National Committee member Zac Hambides chaired the rally. He began by demanding that the Australian government use its diplomatic powers to repatriate Assange with a guarantee against extradition to the US. Canberras support for the incarceration of Assange, he said, was part and parcel of the attacks by successive Liberal-National coalition and Labor governments on the working class and refugees. Oscar Grenfell, a World Socialist Web Site journalist, is the partys candidate for the Parramatta electorate. He said Assanges political asylum had been trampled upon and torn up by brute force. If extradited to the US, the journalist and publisher would face new charges that carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment or the death penalty. Oscar Grenfell If Assange is extradited and convicted, journalists all over the world will live in fear that if they publish anything that exposes the crimes of American imperialism, they too will be hauled before a court, sent to the US and held in chains for the rest of their life. This is a very direct attack on the working class. Its aimed at sending a message: If you oppose militarism, war, social inequality and authoritarianism, and if you take any action that challenges the powers-that-be, you will face the full repressive force of the state, he said. Grenfell said that successive Australian governmentsCoalition and Laboralong with all the parliamentary parties had refused to defend Assange because they were pro-war instruments of the corporate elite. They are all committed to the US alliance and to participating in all of American imperialisms predatory wars for oil, for resources and for geo-strategic dominance, and have lined Australia up with a massive US military build-up in this region targeting China. Behind the backs of the population, theyve joined the preparations for a war against a nuclear-armed power, which would be a catastrophe and would threaten the future of humanity. Richard Phillips SEP National Committee member Richard Phillips, the partys Senate candidate in New South Wales, told the rally that the attacks on Assange and Manning were aimed at destroying freedom of speech and serious investigative journalism. They want to replace this with the sort of Ministry of Truth envisaged in George Orwells 1984 where War is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength, he said. Phillips denounced the media union and the GetUp! lobby group, who previously praised Assange, but now refused to take any action to defend him. He also exposed the right-wing attacks on Assange by Peter Greste and other journalists. Greste was jailed for 400 days in 2015 on frame-up charges by the el-Sisi dictatorship in Egypt. He now claims that Assange is not a journalist because he does not publish what is genuinely in the public interest or work with responsibility and respect. In other words, Phillips continued, the only people recognised as journalists are those that slavishly follow the orders of the ruling elites and the military and spy agencies. John Davis SEP Senate candidate John Davis, a member of the International Youth and Students for Socialist Equality at the University of Newcastle, declared: Our generation was told that the war in Afghanistan and the criminal invasion and occupation of Iraq were wars of liberation. Davis said WikiLeaks publication of the Collateral Damage video and exposure of other US war crimes had contributed to the political radicalisation of young people internationally. The defence of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning, and the demand for their freedom, is an essential political fight for the younger generation, he said. Over the coming months we will deepen our campaign, turning to high school, TAFE and university students and young people, in order to build a mass movement to secure the freedom of Manning and Assange. James McGlone James McGlone, a friend of John Shipton, Assanges father, addressed the rally. McGlone thanked the SEP for organising the event. He explained that Shipton had recently been interviewed by a London Times journalist, who kept insisting that WikiLeaks had revealed government secrets to the enemy. But who is the enemy. Is it North Korea, is it China? McGlone asked. This is the history of British, US and Australian politics. Suddenly we have an enemy that we have to attack and defend ourselves against. McGlone was strongly applauded when he declared, Our enemies are within. It is the Labor Party of Australia. Our enemy is the Liberal government. We need Julian Assange, we need thousands of Julian Assanges. Our sons are not ready for a war with China. We dont want a war with anyone. We are sick to death with war. Nick Beams SEP National Committee member and former national secretary Nick Beams was the final speaker. He said Assanges arrest was a turning point in world politics. It further revealed that no section of the ruling class defended democratic rights. Beams reviewed the developing economic and political crisis of the global capitalist system, the re-emergence of mass working class struggles, and the turn to authoritarianism and promotion of extreme-right forces by the ruling elites. The SEP has placed the defence of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning at the very centre of our election campaign because this struggle embodies all the essential issues confronting the working class, he said. The fight for democracy can only be taken forward in the struggle against the source of the attacks against itthe capitalist profit system. It can only be advanced in the struggle for socialism, here in Australia and on an international scale. Beams appealed to those in attendance to support the SEPs election campaign, study its election program and join and build the party. Zac Hambides concluded the event by calling on everyone to register and participate in the 2019 International Online May Day Rally organised by the International Committee of the Fourth International and the World Socialist Web Site. Details of the next SEP election meetings are available here. Authorised by James Cogan for the Socialist Equality Party, Suite 906, 185 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000. On the nationally-televised 60 minutes program last night, John Shipton, Julian Assanges father, issued a powerful call for his sons freedom. The program was aired on Channel Nine some two weeks after Assange was illegally expelled from Ecuadors London embassy, where he was granted asylum in 2012, and arrested by British police. John Shipton on last nights program (Credit: 60 minutes) Shipton responded to footage of the brutal arrest, commenting: Im 74. He looks as old as me. Hes 47. Its terrible. Asked how he thought Assange would have felt at the time, he said: Being dragged out, I imagine I would feel confused, bewildered. He said that as a result of the protracted persecution, Assange had lost most everything, most everything human, including regular contact with his parents, his adult son and primary school age daughter. Shipton, however, pointed to his sons extraordinary determination and defiance, despite years of virtual detention, stating: His eyes look good and firm, and steady. He still has that fighting spirit there. Everything seems okay. The 60 minutes program was screened days before Assange is due in court, on May 2, for a hearing on the Trump administrations application for his extradition to the US on manufactured conspiracy charges. Shipton warned that the US was determined to ruin Assanges life, because of WikiLeaks exposures of war crimes, mass surveillance operations, and illegal diplomatic intrigues. They want to demonstrate that publishers and whistleblowers will be destroyed, he said, adding that he feared Assange would be dragooned to the United States and thrown into a jail cell, never to get out. Also on the program, Greg Barnes, a long-standing legal advisor to Assange, demanded that the Australian government take immediate action to secure the release of the WikiLeaks founder, and arrange for his return to Australia, with a guarantee against extradition to the US. Barnes stated: They want to teach the media a lesson, which is: If you mess with us, you mess with our security state, you reveal our secrets, we will come after you, even if it takes nine or ten years. He warned that Assange could face torture in the US. In line with the hostility of the corporate press to Assange, many of the lies and smears, aimed at poisoning public opinion, were featured on the program. These included the degrading personal attacks levelled against the WikiLeaks founder by the corrupt Ecuadorian regime of President Lenin Moreno. It is seeking to justify its unlawful termination of Assanges status as a political refugee, which had been upheld by the United Nations. Shipton noted that just days after Assanges expulsion, Ecuador had received a $4.2 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, doubtless with the approval of the US. Tara Brown, who hosted the program, asked Shipton if he thought Assange was a Russian asset. This was in line with the hysterical claims of the US Democratic Party and intelligence agencies, that Hilary Clinton lost the 2016 presidential election as a result of a nefarious Russian plot. Assange has been targeted in the McCarthyite campaign because WikiLeaks released true and newsworthy emails, demonstrating that the Democratic National Committee had sought to rig the partys primaries against Bernie Sanders, and in favor of Clinton. Her secret speeches to Wall Street banks, in which she pledged to do their bidding, were also published by WikiLeaks. Shipton was scathing in reply. He noted that the claims fit the need of Clinton to attribute her loss to the Russians and to cover up her own responsibility for Trumps victory. As he explained, Clinton called half the population of the United States deplorables, destroyed Libya in a 2011 regime-change operation, and giggled like a madwoman when that countrys President Muammar Gaddafi was bayonetted to death by a US-backed Islamist. The program underscored the support of the Australian political establishment for the persecution of Assange. Despite the fact that he is an Australian citizen, successive governments, beginning with the Greens-backed Labor government of Julia Gillard, have refused to defend the WikiLeaks founder, instead supporting the US-led vendetta against him. Jim Molan, a prominent senator in the Liberal-National Coalition government, and a former high-ranking general with close ties to the US military-intelligence apparatus, was provided with a platform to denounce Assange. Molan condemned Assange for exposing the crimes and intrigues of the US and its allies, including Australia, declaring: In my opinion, he is a villain. Because he gave away what we call tactics, techniques, procedures. What he revealed is how we operate. And for an enemy that is working against you, that is absolute gold. Molans comments amount to a call for the police-state repression of the media. In this conception, which would not be out of place in a dictatorship, journalists must function as the servile mouthpieces of the government and the military, including covering up their crimes. The senator explicitly supported the Trump administrations attempts to prosecute Assange. He declared that WikiLeaks was not a media organisation, and that Assange was not a journalist. Both, therefore, could not rely on freedom of the press as a principle. Molans statement give the lie to the claims of government ministers, since Assanges arrest, that they would provide him with unspecified consular assistance. They demonstrate that the Australian government is a co-conspirator in the Trump administrations attempts to set a precedent for abolishing freedom of the press and free speech through the prosecution of Assange. The government and the opposition Labor Party are both committed to the US military alliance, participating in its predatory wars and suppressing those who expose them. Barnes issued a strong condemnation of the role of the Australian political and media establishment, stating: If he were, for example, detained in China for this period of time, and ill-treated, there would be a hue and cry, not only on the part of the government but the Australian media. Because its the United States, we seem to think theres some form of exception. The program demonstrated that an Australian government will only fulfil its obligations to Assange if it is compelled to do so by mass pressure. The Socialist Equality Party is standing in the federal elections, and holding rallies and meetings, to build a political movement that will force the Australian government to secure Assanges return to Australia with a guarantee against extradition. The basis for such a movement exists in the mass support for Assange among millions of workers and young people. Hundreds of people have commented on the 60 minutes Facebook page, condemning Molan, rejecting the media slanders, expressing appreciation for Assanges tremendous sacrifices, and calling for his immediate freedom. Authorised by James Cogan for the Socialist Equality Party, Suite 906, 185 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000. Teachers in North and South Carolina are planning walkouts and demonstrations on Wednesday, May 1. Like teachers throughout the country and internationally, they are protesting overcrowded and underfunded classrooms, inadequate pay, poor working conditions, and a lack of support staff. North Carolina teachers are also demanding that the Republican-controlled state legislature expand Medicaid for low-income students. School districts in both states have been forced to close most schools Wednesday because there are not enough substitute teachers to staff classrooms safely. The simultaneous eruption of teachers struggles in the Carolinas occurs against the backdrop of a continuing wave of teacher strikes and protests around the globe. In 2018, 379,000 teachers went on strike in the US, with educators making up the bulk of the record number of striking workers since 1986. Over 70,000 have gone on strike so far this year, including in West Virginia, Denver, Colorado and Los Angeles, Oakland and Sacramento, California. In Poland, more than 300,000 teachers carried out the first nationwide strike in 25 years for more than two weeks. In the Netherlands, primary school educators carried out a nationwide strike in March. Teachers in India, across Mexico, in Brazil, Argentina, and in Morocco have struck against the non-payment of wages, in defense of job security and pension rights, and against corporate-backed educational reforms increasing school privatization. According to press reports at least 31 school districts and four charter schools representing a majority of North Carolinas 1.53 million public school students have canceled classes and thousands of teachers are expected in the state capital of Raleigh on Wednesday. At least two districts in South Carolina--Dorchester 2 and Chester County schools--and Palmetto Scholars Academy charter school in North Charleston have announced they are closing, with more expected today and tomorrow. Like their counterparts around the US, educators in both North and South Carolina are battling a bipartisan attack on public education. The General Assembly (state legislature) in North Carolina is controlled by the Republicans, but the governor, Roy Cooper, is a Democrat and his party has controlled the governors office for 21 of the last 25 years. The state is 39th in the nation in per pupil spending. Last May 16, 20,000 North Carolina teachers rallied to demand better working conditions and pay raises. While the state government claims the raise it granted would bring an average teachers salary to $54,000, this is well below the $60,000 national average, and 30 percent less than a similarly educated professional in the state. In addition to improved wages, teachers are demanding the hiring of staff such as counselors, nurses, and librarians, a $15 wage for all non-teaching staff, a 5 percent cost of living adjustment for retirees, and a reinstatement of retiree health benefits for teachers hired after 2021. They are also seeking an expansion of Medicaid to benefit lower-income children and their families. One teacher, Sherri Jones Laupert, posted on the North Carolina Teachers United Facebook, We have multiple students with life-threatening conditions, such as juvenile diabetes, seizure disorders, etc, at our school. There is a nurse who comes through a couple of times per week, but it is their teachers who are expected to be the full-time nurses for those children (while also educating and caring for 22+ other students!)MAKE NO MISTAKE...theres not enough support staff in every N.C. school! Not by a long shot. While teachers are fighting for improved funding and classroom conditions, the National Education Association and its state affiliates, which have called the demonstrations, are seeking to subordinate the protests to bankrupt appeals to the Democratic Party, which no less than the Republicans is responsible for attacks on teachers and public education. The NEA and its counterpart, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), have done everything possible to block a nationwide strike of teachers. When they were unable to stop strikes, the unions isolated them and signed agreements that abandoned teachers demands and were wholly acceptable to the corporate and financial elite, which has systematically starved public education in order to finance ever-larger corporate tax cuts and accelerate its school privatization plans. Although the unions and their supporters declared these strikes as historic victories, small pay raises have largely been funded through budget cuts or regressive taxes. At the rally last year, North Carolina Association of Educators President Mark Jewell introduced Democratic Governor Cooper as a true friend and champion of public education. Despite the bankruptcy of this perspective, the protests have nevertheless provoked a hysterical response from Republican state legislators. State Senator Ralph Hise denounced the NCAE as a radical left-wing political organization. The education budget proposal released Friday by the state House of Representatives would change state law to bar school districts from granting personal leave to teachers on a school day unless they can confirm that a substitute teacher is available. School districts, facing overwhelming support from teachers and parents for last years mass teacher rally and this weeks protest, have cited the lack of substitutes to cancel classes. A new poll by Raleigh-based Public Policy Polling shows that more than 70 percent of the states votersincluding more than half of Republicanssupport teachers taking the day off to share concerns with lawmakers. Under the senates education bill, passed earlier this month, teachers would be given $400 a year for supplies. As many educators have pointed out, this allocation would average about $2.10 per student for most teachers, many of whom are already paying close to $1,000 a year for classroom suppliesand provides no new money for classrooms. The money would be deposited annually into an electronic account called Class Wallet and teachers would lose bulk buying benefits that schools have. Many teachers have called it a shell game and have suggested that politicians are benefiting financially from promoting Class Wallet. The complaints of South Carolinas educators are similar. Educators have pointed out that they are now making less than they did prior to the recession, and overcrowded classrooms are making it difficult for them to educate their students. The state legislature has not funded schools enough to meet the Base Student Cost formula since 2009. For the 2017-2018 school year, the shortfall came to $497 million. Neither the Senate nor the House budget proposed for next school year meets the Base Student Cost. The state has not enforced its own classroom student-to-teacher ratio since 2010, and it has disregarded a South Carolina law that bases teacher salaries on the Southeast regional average of $51,000. Other states in the region not meeting this average are Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi (the lowest), and West Virginia. Schools where the average classroom size exceeded 28 students per teacher nearly doubled between 2008 and 2018, going from 60 to 110. Most of these overcrowded classrooms were in high schools, but at least 32 elementary schools have gone over that ratio since 2010. High school freshmen see the highest percentage of overcrowding, with many teachers being forced to teach 30 students or more at one time. Educators have pointed out that this is a critical period for high school students; many actually make the decision to drop out when they are still freshmen. They have pointed out that they cannot be expected to reach all of these children when they are, as one teacher pointed out to the Post and Courier, packed like sardines in crumbling classrooms. Faced with working in such untenable conditions for inadequate pay, South Carolina, like many other states, is hemorrhaging qualified teachers. Republican Governor Henry McMaster has vowed to overhaul the states education system, and the Senate budget would give all teachers at least a 4 percent raise, with the youngest teachers receiving as much as 10 percent. In a statement read by a spokesperson Governor McMaster denounced the upcoming protests, saying teachers leaving their classrooms sends the wrong message to students, unnecessarily disrupts schools, and inconveniences their students working parents. The truth is both big business parties are waging a war against students, teachers and public education, while educators in the Carolinas and across the US and the world are fighting to defend the right to high-quality public education for their students. The single-day protest in South Carolina was called on April 21 by the group SC for ED. This organization has direct ties with the South Carolina Education Association (SCEA), which called and isolated the rally last year and told teachers to remember in November and vote for legislators who were friendly to education, i.e., the Democrats. Such a perspective is a dead-end for teachers. That is why the only way for teachers to wage a successful struggle is to build rank-and-file strike committees, independent of the unions and both parties of big business, war, and dictatorship. These committees should fight to unite all teachers and school employeesunion and non-unionand link up their struggles with their fellow teachers and workers in all sectors of industry across state lines and internationally. The full funding of education and secure living standards for teachers is only possible through a frontal assault on the concentrated wealth and power of the financial aristocracy. That is why the struggle to defend and drastically improve public education will require a political fight by the working class to replace capitalism with socialism. As the fundamental similarities shared by the demands put forward by teachers internationally in their struggles against the ruling class reactionary attacks on public education are made clear during every strike, it is significant that the teachers strikes in the Carolinas are occurring on May 1, the international day of workers solidarity, which the World Socialist Web Site will be commemorating in its online rally on Saturday, May 4. An anti-Semitic gunman killed a woman at the Chabad of Poway synagogue Saturday morning. A full-scale massacre was avoided only because the shooters AR-15 semi-automatic weapon apparently jammed before he could carry out his intention of slaughtering dozens of Jewish worshippers attending a service on the final day of Passover. The victim, 60-year-old Lori Gilbert-Kaye, was a shopkeeper married to a doctor. The attacker, 19-year-old John T. Earnest of San Diego, fled the scene but called 911 soon afterwards to report the attack and surrendered to police without resistance. Only hours before the shooting, he posted an anti-Semitic declaration on the internet in which he revealed that he had also carried out an arson attack March 24 on a mosque in San Diego, damaging the building but causing no injuries. While the media and the political establishment will dismiss Earnest with the label lone gunman, he emerges from a definite social and political milieu, responding to political appeals to nationalism and racism of which the current occupant of the White House is the most notorious purveyor. Trump sought to distance himself from the killer in a perfunctory statement condemning anti-Semitism as he boarded his helicopter on the White House lawn, headed for a campaign rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin. But less than 24 hours before the synagogue attack, Trump was defending the political co-thinkers of Earnest, the neo-Nazis who rioted in Charlottesville, Virginia in August 2017. He reiterated his declaration at the time that there were very fine people among those who marched with torches and chanted Jews will not replace us. He had not been mistaken, Trump said, but had answered perfectly. The Poway murderer paid tribute in his internet statement to those he identified as his heroes, particularly Brenton Tarrant, the gunman who slaughtered 50 Muslims at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, last month, and Robert Bowers, who killed 12 elderly Jews at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania exactly six months before Saturdays atrocity. Earnests statement was posted to 8chan, the same message board that carried the 74-page manifesto by Tarrant. Tarrants name is cited 10 times in the seven-page screed, in which Earnest declares it was the New Zealand massacre that triggered his own decision to act. Like Tarrant, Earnest links his hatred of Jews to his abhorrence of socialism, a connection that is the hallmark of fascist ideology and demonstrates its class functionto mobilize deranged and desperate elements against the working class. Earnests online statement specifically condemns Jews for their role in cultural Marxism and communism. He combines this with a diatribe against Arabs, blacks and Hispanics. It is, of course, no coincidence that hatred of immigrants and fear of socialism are the two principal themes of Trumps reelection campaign. Earnest, like Tarrant and Bowers, claims to scorn Trump for his Jewish son-in-law and because he is not sufficiently vicious in his efforts to promote white supremacy and destroy socialism. But he nonetheless is the product of the same social and political process that brought Trump into the White House. Despite the media portrayal of Islamic extremists as the main perpetrators of terrorism, the vast majority of such violence in America in recent years has been carried out by white supremacists, who have targeted immigrants, African-Americans and other minorities, as well as Jews and Muslims. According to the Anti-Defamation League, anti-Semitic incidents have been rising since 2013, with the biggest increase ever recorded during 2018, the first full year of the Trump presidency, when the total number rose 57 percent to 1,986. There were 163 bomb threats, 852 other acts of harassment, 952 cases of vandalism, and 19 physical assaults, including the bloodiest act of anti-Semitic violence in American history, the attack on the Tree of Life synagogue. There have been similar attacks prepared against political opponents of Trump, including the mail bombings against prominent Democrats carried out by Trump supporter Cesar Sayoc, and the plans by Coast Guard officer Christopher Hasson to assassinate selected Democrats, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other members of the Democratic Socialists of America. Hasson was ruled eligible for release on bail last week by a Maryland judge. In carrying out attacks such as the assault on Chabad of Poway, fascists like Earnest demonstrate their political isolation. They are committing crimes that replicate those of Hitler and his storm troopers, but they lack popular support. Their actions are, however, symptoms of a serious danger that working people must not ignore. The deliberate promotion of far-right and fascistic forces by the ruling classes and traditional bourgeois parties the world over is a response to the growth of working-class struggle and the increasing interest in socialism among workers and young people internationally. Trump is not a political aberration, but rather the expression in American political life of an international process. In country after country, from the Philippines to India to Brazil, right-wing presidents and prime ministers are encouraging death squads or glorifying military atrocities against the working class. Openly fascist tendencies are reviving in Europe. The Francoite Vox party won over 10 percent in the Spanish elections over the weekend. The Italian government is under the political control of Matteo Salvini, an open admirer of Mussolini who has been embraced by Trumps former top political strategist, Steve Bannon. Even during a recent trip to Israel, Salvini refused to specifically condemn Mussolini and fascism. In Germany itself, neo-Nazi forces are now playing a major political role, with the elevation of the Alternative for Germany as the official opposition party, setting the tone for the anti-immigrant chauvinism of the entire political establishment. Such forces are growing because there is no outlet within any section of the political establishment for the immense anger and militancy of the working class to find expression. In the US, the Democratic Party plays the key role by working to divert and derail popular opposition to Trumps pro-corporate, anti-immigrant and militarist policies. It agrees with Trumps program of social counterrevolution at home and opposes him on the right-wing basis that he is too soft on Russia and insufficiently aggressive in conducting the US wars in the Middle East. The fight against fascism is inseparable from the fight to mobilize the working class against capitalism and for socialism. This underscores the significance of the meetings the Socialist Equality Party has just held in the United States featuring Christoph Vandreier, a leader of the German section of the ICFI and author of the new book, Why Are They Back?, detailing the role of the state, the media and academia in promoting the growth of the German neo-Nazis. These vital historical lessons will be at the center of the May Day Rally of the International Committee to be held May 4, with participation by speakers and supporters of the ICFI around the world. To attend the rally, register here. Following the release of the redacted report compiled by Robert Mueller into baseless allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 elections, the Democratic Party has subpoenaed a number of Trump administration officials in an escalation of ongoing congressional investigations. Trump has responded by ordering officials to disobey the subpoenas, setting up a constitutional clash between Congress and the president. The administration claims the dictatorial and unconstitutional power to block the legislature from investigating its activities. At the same time, the right-wing aims of the Democrats neo-McCarthyite campaign explode their posturing as the defenders of democratic rights. Last week, the administration instructed former counsel Don McGahn not to comply with a House Judiciary Committee subpoena demanding testimony regarding McGahns claim that he refused to carry out an order from Trump dismissing Mueller while the special counsels investigation was ongoing. Trump also told former White House personnel director Carl Kline not to comply with a House Oversight Committee subpoena regarding the administrations security clearance practices, though the White House and Democrats appear to be working out a deal to allow Klines testimony. In addition, Trump instructed Deputy Assistant Attorney General John Gore not to comply with a House Oversight Committee request regarding the inclusion of a question on citizenship in the 2020 census. Trumps private attorneys have filed suit to block his accounting firm from releasing certain financial records to the House panel. The administration has also failed to respond to a request by the Senate Finance Committee that the Commerce Department turn over a memo on car parts tariffs and national security. Further, current White House counsel Pat Cipollone is refusing a request from the House Oversight Committee that Trump immigration adviser Stephen Miller testify on Trumps decision to remove Kirstjen Nielsen as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Attorney General William Barr also announced yesterday that he may not attend a hearing scheduled for Thursday before the House Judiciary Commitee to review the Mueller report. While threatening not to testify before the Democratic-controlled House committee, Barr explained he will testify before the Republican-led Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. Democrats may decide to subpoena Barr, setting up the possibility that the Attorney General himself may be held in contempt. Bloomberg News reported on April 24 that Jerrold Nadler, the Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, told a meeting of House leaders this month that Congress may instruct its Sergeant-at-Arms to physically arrest and detain those in contempt in a makeshift jail in the Capitol building. Bloomberg cited a source present at the meeting who said the idea surprised many in the room but seemed to have been researched as a serious option by Nadler or his staff. The Washington Post also reported that House Democrats have discussed tying federal funding to requirements that department and agency heads comply with congressional investigations. The fight over subpoenas will now head to the federal courts and will dominate the political landscape in the coming months. Trumps position is that the executive branch is not subject to congressional oversight. This reactionary view is in line with his invocation of a national emergency to unconstitutionally appropriate funds to build a border wall earlier this year. It also comes amidst his continued efforts to violate the advice and consent clause of Article II by keeping a cabinet full of acting secretaries and officials who have not been confirmed by the Senate and who are answerable only to Trump on a personal basis. Trump also continues to hint that he will use extrajudicial, extra-constitutional methods for staying in power. He tweeted on April 24, the partisan Dems ever tried to Impeach, I would first head to the U.S. Supreme Court. The constitution is clear, however, that the Supreme Court does not have jurisdiction over impeachment proceedings, which, according to Article I, Section 2, are initiated in the House and tried in the Senate. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court presides over the trial, taking the place of the Vice President who in his role as president of the Senate would not be impartial on account of the fact that he would become president if the current president were removed from office. Trumps threat to appeal to the Supreme Court is another attack on the constitutionally-mandated powers of the legislature. It is a sign that if successfully impeached, Trump would refuse to leave office. An April 24 article on Lawfare notes that Trumps threat to take an impeachment to the Supreme Court could be fatal in the most extreme situation. If Trump is successfully impeached but appeals to the Supreme Court instead of stepping down, this would create a situation with two presidents. Lawfare continues, What if military commanders are placed in the position of deciding which president is rightfully the chief executive? The Democratic Party and its press organs have raised concerns over Trumps efforts to suppress the legislature. On April 26, the Times published an editorial board statement, Donald Trump Shows a New Level of Contempt for Congress. It warned, Unlike his predecessors, who invoked [executive] privilege in specific cases, Mr. Trump has vowed that he will not cooperate with any congressional inquiry. He is effectively declaring lawmakers powerless over him. This, warn the experts, puts the nation in uncharted territory and threatens to erode its democratic foundations. As a legal matter, Trumps position is indeed authoritarian and without precedent. But the Democrats and the New York Times warnings of eroding democratic foundations are made in bad faith. The Democrats investigations are part of the ongoing palace coup orchestrated by sections of the military and intelligence brass. The political basis for these investigations is fundamentally right-wing and anti-democratic, based on the bogus claim that Russian interference produced Trumps electoral victory when whistleblower Julian Assange released Democratic Party emails, including the text of paid speeches 2016 Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton gave to Wall Street. The claims by Democratic congressional leaders that their investigations are aimed at providing the population with open access to information about the executive branch suffer from an overabundance of hypocrisy. Aside from the anti-democratic character of the Democrats campaign itself, the Democrats and the Times are also demanding the extraordinary rendition of Julian Assange, who exposed the crimes of US imperialism to the population of the world and now faces interrogation and a possible death sentence if returned to the US. The Democrats are not launching investigations about the right-wing character of Trumps policies, including the deployment of troops to the southern border, the tax cuts for the rich or the deregulation of industry and environmental protection. The Democratic Party and its military-intelligence directors are terrified that an investigation along these lines would provoke opposition in the working class. A recent HarrisX/Hill poll found that by a 6040 margin, voters want Democrats to move on from Russia to investigating other issues like healthcare, immigration and infrastructure. But the Democrats are trying to set the tone for the primary race, directing the narrative so the campaign does not focus on social or economic issues and is instead dominated by Russian meddling hysteria and national security concerns under conditions of the increasing popularity of socialism. The right-wing political character of the Democrats opposition to Trumps dictatorial refusals to comply with congressional investigation strengthens Trump and facilitates his efforts to drastically expand the power of the executive branch and reduce the power of the legislature. If he emerges victorious from this subpoena fight, it will mark a fundamental restructuring of the relationship between the branches of government, with the executive emerging as effectively unconstrained. The working class has no allies in the faction fight between political reactionaries embroiling Washington. The answer to the infighting in the ruling class is the development of a revolutionary movement of the working class for social equality and in defense of democratic rights. On Thursday, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) raided nearly a half-dozen locations tied to the public and private activities of Baltimores embattled Democratic mayor, Catherine Pugh. Federal investigators collected electronic devices, hard drives and other documentation connected to Pughs awarding of no-bid city contracts to businesses in an apparent exchange for the latter purchasing bulk orders of a series of childrens books she had authored. In addition, agents took financial documents from the law offices of her attorney, Steven D. Silverman and the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), where Pugh had until recently been a member of the board of directors. Pugh is accused of presiding over a web of conflicting interests stemming from the sale of her Healthy Holly books to private contractors seeking business with the city of Baltimore. Pugh, a career Democratic Party functionary within the citys political machine, has been on an extended medical leave relating to pneumonia since early April, after the corruption scandal first came to light. Prior to announcing the leave of absence, Pugh gave a speech declaring that though her transactions with UMMS were a regrettable mistake, calls for investigation into the sales were a witch hunt. Following her public address, which made mention only of a series of deals with UMMS amounting to $500,000, an additional $200,000 in sales of the book to hospital chain Kaiser Permanente and Associated Black Charities was discovered, as well as the existence of a $100,000 donation to her Healthy Holly limited liability company from Maryland businessman J.P. Grant that occurred during her 2016 mayoral election bid. Kaiser, UMMS, Associated Black Charities and businesses tied to Grant were all rewarded handsomely with city contracts following their payments. With the FBI and IRS raids and the increasing likelihood of federal prosecution looming, the chorus of state and local officials calling for Pugh to resign in the interest of the city has grown deafening. Republican Governor Larry Hogan, who previously had spoken at Pughs inauguration, declared publicly that the mayor has lost the public trust. She is clearly not fit to lead. Hogan, who has floated the possibility of challenging President Donald Trump as a GOP moderate in the 2020 Republican presidential primaries, was joined by Maryland Democratic congressional representatives Elijah Cummings and Dutch Ruppersberger in calling for Pughs resignation. Cummings, whose district includes roughly half of the city of Baltimore, called for Pugh to place the best interests of the city first in order to preserve the trust and confidence of all essential stakeholders. Ruppersberger, representing a congressional district which includes parts of the city, declared, Mayor Pugh can no longer provide the laser-focused leadership the city needs to address its many challenges, including crime, housing and the opioid crisis. Significantly, local politicians and business organizations, including the Greater Baltimore Committee, which Pugh drew on significantly to support her 2016 mayoral bid, have also called for her resignation. This is something we just dont need, Democratic State Senator Jill P. Carter said to the Washington Post. Another Democratic state Senator, Bill Ferguson, told the Post that the FBI raids were an ultimate low. According to her attorney, Pugh is aware of the calls for her to resign but is not completely lucid and thus unable to make decisions regarding her tenure as mayor. Silverman stated Friday that he had plans to meet with Pugh again Tuesday, which was the earliest she could possibly make a public statement, provided that her health has improved. Bernard Jack Young, leader of the Baltimore City Council currently filling in as mayor as Pugh recuperates, took the step last week of removing several of Pughs aides, including Gary Brown, Jr., who had pled guilty to violating campaign finance laws in 2017 after he had funneled $18,000 into Pughs election bid the year before. Brown had been slated to take a vacated seat in the Maryland House of Delegates triggered by Pughs election when the lawsuit occurred. According to WBAL-TV , FBI officials also sought information on Brown in Thursdays raids. Pugh won election in the wake of the mass protests in Baltimore and nationally against the police murder of 25-year-old Freddie Gray in 2015. Her campaign worked to channel the intense social anger of the citys working population caused by years of deindustrialization, budget cutting and police brutality into racialist calls for more black businesses and identity politics. Pugh also sought to distance herself from the corruption of former administrations, including that of her 2016 opponent, former Democratic mayor Sheila Dixon, who was forced to resign in 2010 after being found guilty of embezzling gift cards intended for poor families. Now, with the naked and endemic corruption of the Baltimore political establishment yet again exposed for all to see, the response of the federal government and the mounting calls for resignation reflect fears within the ruling class that the upsurge of working-class anger that erupted in 2015 could reignite. Thousands of flights from Sweden, Denmark, and Norway to destinations across Europe and the world have been grounded since Thursday as over 1,400 pilots at Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) have taken strike action. The pilots are demanding wage increases after a decade of pay cuts and freezes, and greater protections against variable scheduling. The strike was called by trade unions in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark early on Friday morning. The unions, organized in the cross-border SAS Pilot Group, have done everything in their power to avoid taking strike action, and are continuing to fruitlessly beg management for a return to negotiations. With three representatives on SAS board of directors, the unions are thoroughly complicit in the attacks that have been enforced against pilots, cabin crew, and other SAS employees over the past decade, including the imposition of savage wage and benefit cuts in 2012 when the airline stood on the verge of bankruptcy. The job action includes 545 pilots from Norway, 492 in Sweden, and 372 in Denmark. They are demanding a 13 percent pay rise over three years after four successive years in which the company has raked in hundreds of millions of euros in profits, achieved through hundreds of job cuts, pay cuts, and the outsourcing of work, including among pilots, to sub-contractors. While pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff have suffered wage cuts since 2012, SAS chief executive Rickard Gustafsons total compensation has shot up by 38 percent over the past three years. The pilots are also calling for a more predictable schedule. Currently, they can be forced to work up to seven weekends in a row, and they never know in advance if this will be the case. Outsourcing is a further concern, with the pilots represented by the Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish unions only accounting for 70 percent of SAS flights. Over the past six years, the company has outsourced growing portions of its operations to other European countries, such as Ireland and Spain, where labour protections are much laxer. Pilots based in these locations are not involved in the strike. SAS management has already cancelled over 1,200 flights today and tomorrow. This follows the grounding of 640 flights on Friday and 900 over the weekend. Since the breakdown of talks early on Friday morning, no further round of formal bargaining has been announced. The attacks on SAS pilots and the airlines workforce as a whole are intimately bound up with the global restructuring of the airline industry, which has seen tens of thousands of layoffs, outsourcing, and wage cuts at all major carriers. SAS, established in 1946 as a joint venture between the three Scandinavian neighbours, is now engaged in a race to the bottom with budget airlines like Ryanair and Norwegian Airlines in Europes highly competitive airline industry. The goal is to drive down labour costs so as to boost profits and shareholder payouts. The strike by SAS pilots is the latest indication that airline workers are opposed to this ruthless cost-cutting strategy and want to fight back. Strikes by pilots and cabin crew at Ryanair, Europes largest budget airline, occurred in several countries last year, including Germany, Portugal, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Ground crew at German airports and in other countries, subjected to similar vicious cost-cutting demands, have also waged courageous strikes over recent years in the face of management threats and the sabotage of their strikes by the union bureaucracies in every country. Moreover, the SAS pilots strike is part of a global upsurge of the working class, which is being driven by the deepening capitalist crisis and the imposition of austerity by ruling elites in every country. Since the beginning of 2019, mass strikes were launched by tens of thousands of manufacturing workers in Matamoros, Mexico, teachers in Poland, and public sector workers in Germany. Mass movements, such as the Yellow Vests in France and the widespread protests against Algerias authoritarian regime, have also erupted. It is to these struggles that SAS pilots and the airlines entire workforce must turn if they are to secure decent-paying, secure jobs, not the nationalist, pro-corporate unions. Even now the determined struggle by the pilots demonstrates the tremendous power a common working class struggle could have, grounding hundreds of flights every day, costing the company around 10 million on a daily basis. Despite this the unions are offering no strategy for pilots to achieve their entirely justified demands. Instead, they are holding out a begging bowl to management to get back to the negotiating table, where a rotten concessions contract will inevitably be concluded, unless, that is, pilots take control of the strike into their own hands. SAS provides a textbook example of how the unions, in connivance with national governments and corporate management, have gutted workers rights to serve the interests of the financial elite. At the turn of the century, SAS was still majority-owned by Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. But over the past two decades, during a period in which right-wing and even far-right parties have come to dominate politics in all three countries, and in which the social democrats and unions have abandoned any tenuous association with left-wing politics, this has fundamentally changed. Norway, governed by a coalition of the right-wing Conservative Party and far-right Progress Party, sold its 9.8 percent stake in the company in 2017. The Swedish Social Democratic government of Stefan Lofven, which remains in office solely thanks to a deal with two right-wing parties, has also vowed to sell its stake in the company. The unions have only been too happy to oblige in the attacks on SAS workers. Through their three representatives on the companys board, the unions received information months in advance of the public announcement of the companys near bankruptcy in November 2012 that management was planning to exploit the crisis to slash jobs and attack labour protections. Hostile to organising any genuine opposition among the workforce to this onslaught, the unions accepted a large bailout from the Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish governments, which included over 800 job cuts, pay freezes for pilots and other staff, and the development of plans to outsource the companys operations to undermine labour protections. SAS pilots and other workers at the airline can only launch a fight to overturn these concessions if they take control of the strike into their own hands. Pilots should form independent strike committees to break free from the stranglehold of the nationalist, pro-capitalist unions. They should appeal to other sections of workers at SAS, and pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff throughout the airline industry internationally, to join their struggle. Above all, they must recognise that their demands for decent-paying, secure jobs can only be achieved as part of a political struggle on the basis of a socialist and internationalist program to oppose the austerity dictated by the capitalist corporate elite. As votes were being tallied late last night in Spains general elections, the pro-austerity Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) had taken first place with 123 seats. At the same time, however, the fascistic Vox party entered parliamentthe first time a far-right party will sit in the Spanish Congress since 1978 and the end of the fascist regime created by Generalissimo Francisco Franco. A hung parliament has again emerged, after similar results in 2015 and 2016, confirming the end of the post-Francoite two-party system between the PSOE and the right wing Popular Party (PP). No party has the 176-seat majority needed to form a governing majority in Spains 350-seat parliament. After the PSOEs 123 seats, the right-wing PP, Citizens, and Vox won 66, 57 and 24 seats, respectively, while Unidas Podemos won 42. The heavy voter turnout of more than 75 percent was up 9 percentage points over the last elections and was the highest since 1982. The elections saw a collapse of the PP, which lost more than half of the 137 seats it won in the 2016 elections, and for Podemos, which lost more than a third of its 71 seats. PSOE Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez late last night gave a brief victory speech hailing the vote as a triumph over the Spain of the past to a crowd outside PSOE headquarters chanting the anti-fascist slogan from the Spanish Civil War, No pasaran (They shall not pass). The PSOE repeatedly warned during the campaign that the victory of the PP-Citizens-Vox alliance proposed by PP leader Pablo Casado would produce a far-right government in Spain. Sanchezs office frequently repeated the slogan, If they add up, they will govern. It appears that the very heavy turnout reflected, at least in part, a significant number of voters going to the polls to vote for the PSOE so as to prevent the far right from coming to power. In Catalonia, where the PP, with the support of the PSOE, organized a brutal crackdown against the October 2017 Catalan independence referendum, voters stopped PP officials from going to vote at the polls and told them that they were not welcome. The strongest warnings must be made, however. Voting for the PSOE, or some related coalition of pro-capitalist parties, cannot block the rise of the far right or halt the social attacks raining down on the working class in Spain. The PSOE has a decades-long record of imposing European Union austerity and waging imperialist wars in Afghanistan and beyond. The far right has continued to rise unabated under PSOE rule. In France it was the Socialist Party (PS) that invited the neo-fascists to the Elysee presidential palace and normalized their role in French politics after the 2015 Paris terror attacks. In Germany, social-democratic officials sat in a Grand Coalition government whose ministers hailed neo-Nazi rallies during which Jewish businesses were attacked. In Spain, as well, the policies of the social democrats did not block but rather reinforced the growing influence of the far right. While enjoying the support of Podemos, Sanchezs government implemented austerity budgets, spent billions of euros on the army, and overseen the show trial of Catalan nationalist leaders on charges of rebellion for having organized the October 2017 Catalan independence referendum. PSOE officials including Sanchez hailed PP Prime Minister Mariano Rajoys brutal police crackdown on peaceful voters during this referendum. Under the PSOE, with its ceaseless promotion of militarism and nationalism, together with its ongoing persecution of Catalan nationalist political prisoners, the ruling class created a reactionary political atmosphere that has only strengthened Vox and handed it the political initiative. With only 24 seats, Vox nonetheless increasingly sets the tone in official Spanish politics. Vox officials held a brief, hysterical rally after the election results were announced, screaming nationalist slogans and denouncing former Catalan regional premier Carles Puigdemont, who organized the independence referendum, repeatedly shouting: Puigdemont in prison! Whatever the political coloration of forces the PSOE ultimately brings into government, it will step up attacks on the working class and create fertile ground for the further rise of the far right. The only way forward to fight the rise of Vox and similar far-right parties across Europe is to mobilize the working class across Europe in a political struggle against capitalism, including against the incoming Spanish government. With a PP-Citizens-Vox coalition well short of the necessary 176-vote majority to form a government, the remaining possibilities that have been mooted are a PSOE-Citizens or a PSOE-Podemos-Catalan nationalist coalition. The right-wing Citizens party has repeatedly denounced the PSOE as a party of traitors for negotiating with the Catalan nationalists, and last night Citizens party leader Alberto Rivera ruled out a government coalition with the PSOE. The bad news is that Sanchez and (Podemos general secretary Pablo) Iglesias will form a government, Rivera said. To boos from the crowd in front of him, Sanchez said he might still consider a coalition government with Citizens, an openly right wing party: We will not act like them, they put up cordons sanitaires blocking off ties with the PSOE, Sanchez said. Based on our left-wing ideas and our progressive position, we will extend our hands to all the forces working within the constitution. Should Citizens continue to rebuff Sanchezs overtures, it appears that, to form his government, Sanchez will likely again have to rely on the Catalan nationalists for support in Congresseven as he continues to try detained Catalan nationalist officials on trumped-up charges of rebellion. The Catalan-nationalist Republican Left of Catalonia and Together for Catalonia won 15 and 7 seats, respectively; the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) won 6 seats. They have enough strength in the Spanish Congress to give a PSOE-Podemos coalition government a narrow majority. Such an outcome would however cut across one of Sanchezs main stated reasons for calling the elections: stabilizing his government. The elections were called in February by the minority PSOE government, which relied on Podemos and Catalan nationalists to give it a majority in parliament. The Sanchez government fell when the Catalan nationalist parties reacted to the PSOEs reactionary show trial of their leading members by refusing to vote Sanchezs budget. Should Sanchez again rely on the same forces, it appears that his government could again quite likely collapse. As for Podemos, the election has exposed whatever few surviving pretensions it possessed of being a party for radical change. Instead, party general secretary Pablo Iglesias made clear last night after the elections that his energies were turned towards setting up a working parliamentary majority for the PSOEthe Spanish bourgeoisies preferred party of rule in the post-Francoite period. We would have liked to have obtained some better results, but they are sufficient for what we want to do, said Iglesias. The progressive forces add up to more than the right wing bloc, and Spain is unequivocally plurinational, as the election results in Catalonia and the Basque country show. Iglesias added that he was pressuring Sanchez to open talks with Catalan and Basque nationalists: I proposed initiating dialogue, and so far weve just left it at the stage of starting to talk. Sudans Transitional Military Council (TMC) has agreed with leaders of the protest movement that forced the removal of long-time autocrat Omar al-Bashir to form a joint body to lead a two-year transition to civilian rule. The military ousted Bashir on April 11 in an unsuccessful attempt to put an end to months of strikes and protests. Ayman Nimir, an opposition negotiator in the coalition known as the Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces said, Today we have taken positive steps and we expect to reach an agreement satisfactory to all parties. The TMC is seeking a government of technocrats in which it would retain the key interior and defence portfoliosthereby ensuring military rule behind a civilian facade. Any attempt to present such an arrangement, in a country dominated by a small, wealthy clique as a step towards genuine democracy that would resolve the enormous social and economic problems confronting Sudanese workers, is a treacherous lie. It exposes the deep chasm that exists between the Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces, including the Sudanese Professional Association (SPA) of doctors, lawyers and teachers, the National Consensus Forces (NCF), Sudan Call, the Unionist Gathering, the Umma Party and the Sudanese Communist Party (SCP), and the millions of protesting workers and youth. Workers and youth came out onto the streets for a fundamental transformation of the entire social order, not a civilian-fronted military regime, technocratic government or political reshuffle, and have already voiced their anger at the agreement with the TMC. Conscious of what happened to the Egyptian Revolution in 2011-13, protestors continued the mass rallies in the capital Khartoum in the weeks following the armys ouster of al-Bashir on April 11 and demanded an end to military rule. Furious at the appointment of regime insider Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf, the military chief and al-Bashirs close aide, as the interim leader of a Transitional Military Council to run the country for two years and the imposition of military rule, including a state of emergency and curfew, they demanded a swift transition to civilian rule. When Auf claimed that al-Bashir was under arrest, this met with widespread disbelief. No one believed that he was in jail. They demanded his imprisonment, pending prosecution for corruption, abuse of power and crimes against the people. Auf sought to placate the protestors by claiming that the transition period could be as short as a month if it were managed without chaos. This was viewed as a threat that the security forces might instigate chaos in order to justify a crackdown. Protests forced the TMC to announce Aufs resignation and to replace him with Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Burhan within 48 hours of al-Bashirs ouster. The TMC then moved to announce some anti-corruption measures, the resignation of some former officials and the dismissal of others, as well as some arrests. It removed al-Bashirs ruling National Congress Party (NCP), which is affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, from the political scene, in part at least to win support from its Saudi Arabian patron. Military intelligence claims that the chief public prosecutor is to question al-Bashir after his transfer to Kobar prison, after suitcases loaded with cash were found in his home. All of this was met with contempt and suspicion. Last week, protestors encamped in Khartoum were joined by hundreds of workers who had travelled by train from Atbara, with thousands more joining them from cities, towns and villages along the way. There were renewed calls for a general strike. Atbara has long been a centre of the countrys trade unionists and political activists before and after Sudans independence in 1956. It is where the protests started on December 19 over the removal of bread subsidies that tripled its cost, with students setting fire to the local offices of the NCP. Within days, the protests became a generalized political movement across the country, protesting the soaring cost of living and the impact of privatization of the port and railways on jobs and demanding the ouster of al-Bashir. Last weeks decision of the African Union (AU), meeting under the rotating chair of Egypts military dictator General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo, to give the military council three months to implement democratic reforms provoked outrage. This extended the AUs previous 15-day deadline for Sudans TMC to hand over power to civilians, or face suspension from the AU. El-Sisi was one of the first to voice his support to the TMC. Protestors are conscious that it was el-Sisi, an army leader and minister of defence in President Mohammed Morsis Muslim Brotherhood-led government, who overthrew the elected government, drowned the opposition to his coup in blood and has introduced legislation enabling him to stay in power until 2030. El-Sisi regards his southern neighbour as his countrys Achilles heel. Thousands marched on the Egyptian embassy in Khartoum, holding up posters and chanting slogans against el-Sisi, demanding an end to his interference in their countrys affairs. The Egyptian authorities have deported dozens of Sudanese activists who had fled to Egypt to escape al-Bashirs brutal regime and handed them over to Sudan in recent months. Sudans TMC know they can rely on the support of the major imperialist powers and the regions dictators, all of whom hate each other but fear even more their own working class and poor peasants and the threat they pose to their shaky regimes. While the US and the European Union long opposed al-Bashir, backing his indictment at the International Criminal Court for war crimes, including genocide in Darfur, and not openly supporting him during the protests, the last thing they want is instability in Sudan and a new wave of refugees heading for Europe. The country is strategically located in the Horn of Africa, alongside the Red Sea and the entrance to the Suez Canal through which much of the regions oil passes. Washington has issued a statement calling on Sudan to move speedily to democracy. The petro-monarchies of the Gulf, as well as Turkey, Russia and China have all been competing for influence in the Horn of Africa. Their conflicting agendas and local clients will only serve to accentuate the power struggles within the narrow circles that dominant economic and political life in Sudan. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have reportedly offered $3 billion in aid in the form of cash, food, medicine and petroleum products to Sudan, which is all but bankrupt following the secession of the oil-rich South Sudan in 2012, the civil war in South Sudan and the loss of income from the transport of oil through its pipeline from the south to Port Sudan. Russia and Turkey, which is seeking to build a military base in Suakin, near the Red Sea, have pledged fuel, wheat and other aid, with Russian private contractors training Sudans security forces. Protesters rejected Saudi aid, which they saw as support for the counterrevolution, and chanted, We dont want Saudi support. There is enormous opposition to the governments support for Saudi Arabias war in Yemen, as well as its sale of vast swathes of irrigated agricultural land to Gulf companies at the expense of local farmers. The movement of the Sudanese working class is part of a growing wave of strikes and demonstrations by workers across North Africain Algeria, Tunisia and Moroccoand around the world. The only way to establish a democratic regime in Sudan is through a struggle led by the working class, independently of all the rotten bourgeois parties, trade unions and pro-capitalist alliances, to take power and expropriate the regimes ill-gotten wealth in the context of a broad international struggle for socialism. 25 years ago: Japanese minister defends World War II atrocities The rape of Nanking, denied by Nagano On May 4, 1994, newly elected Justice Minister Shigeto Nagano made a series of comments in the newspaper Mainichi defending the atrocities of the Japanese military during World War II. The former chief of staff for the army declared that the 1937 Rape of Nankingin which 200,000 Chinese were butcheredwas a fabrication. He added that the war waged by the Japanese armed forces was not aggression, but was instead aimed at liberating the Greater East Asian Co-prosperity Sphere, the wartime term used by Japan to refer to its Asian conquests. These comments were immediately denounced by China, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and the Philippines, all of which were occupied by Japan in the first half of the century. Three days later, Naganos resignation was reluctantly accepted by Prime Minister Tsutomu Hata. It was the third time since 1986 that a Japanese Cabinet minister had resigned or was fired for making revisionist statements about the role of Japan in the Second World War. Protests emerged in Seoul outside the Japanese embassy. Hata named Hiroshi Nakai, deputy secretary general of the Democratic Socialist Party, as Naganos replacement. In reviving Japans wartime propaganda, Nagano was preparing the way for changes in Japans constitution to allow the dispatch of the military overseas. The week prior to Naganos comments, newly elected members of the foreign and defense ministries called for emergency legislation to ensure Japans collective security, albeit in a more guarded fashion. Naganos mistake was declaring too explicitly the political orientation demanded by the new Hata government among sections of the ruling class. The preparations for the revival of Japanese militarism were made as bitter conflicts were emerging over control of the Asia-Pacific region. Unable and unwilling to accept its postwar status as a defeated power, the Japanese ruling class attempted to create a political regime to defend its interests against other imperialist powers. 50 years ago: Number of US troops in Vietnam reaches peak of 543,482 On April 30, 1969, the Pentagon calculated that the number of US military personnel in South Vietnam had reached 543,482, a figure that turned out to be the high point of the US military presence in the occupied country. President Richard Nixon was just four months into his presidency after an election campaign in which he had promised, in a formulation so vague as to be meaningless, to an honorable end to the war in Vietnam. The plan of the Nixon administration was to end the war by escalating US military violence to force North Vietnam into agreeing on a settlement that was favorable to the US. The goal was to keep the US-backed South Vietnamese government afloat and prevent a military defeat that would do incalculable damage to the world position of American imperialism. Nixon had already begun an escalation of the war earlier in the year by greenlighting Operation Menu, the secret bombings of Cambodia. It was hoped that the additional surge of troops would be able to bolster the US forces to carry out offensives against the North Vietnamese Army and the National Liberation Front. However, after the 1968 Tet Offensive, which exploded the lies of the US government about steady progress in the war, and revealed the strength of the guerrilla forces, support within the United States for the war was falling fast. Just a few weeks earlier in the month students at Harvard and other universities had carried out large demonstrations calling for the immediate end to the war. The mounting death toll powerfully reinforced the growth of anti-war sentiment. In April 1969 alone, some 30,000 American soldiers were either killed or wounded in the Vietnam theater of operations, which included coastal navy warfare and the air strikes on North Vietnam, as well as cross-border operations into Laos and Cambodia, which the administration kept secret from the American people. 75 years ago: Nazis execute 200 Greek communists at Kaisariani Mourners visiting the graves of those executed at Kaisariani On May 1, 1944, Nazi forces in Athens carried out the execution of 200 Greek communist prisoners, long held at the Haidar concentration camp, in reprisal for the killing of a German general by Greek Resistance forces. Partisans of the communist-led ELAS ambushed and killed General Franz Krech and three other German officers at Molaoi in the Peloponessus, on April 27. The German occupation authorities immediately declared they would execute the communists on May Day, to desecrate the day of the international revolutionary working class. Most of the prisoners were members of the Communist Party of Greece, arrested under the right-wing Metaxas dictatorship before World War II, and held in prisons or in internal exile on small islands where they were rounded up after the Nazi invasion and occupation of Greece in April 1941. Those communists held in Italian prisons were transferred to the German-run concentration camp at Haidari after the Italian surrender in September 1943. According to eyewitness accounts by surviving prisoners and guards, the 200 prisoners selected for execution remained defiant to the end, singing the Greek national anthem and prison songs as they were put into trucks to be moved to the site in Kaisariani, outside Athens, where the firing squads would perform their bloody work. The men refused to undress, as ordered to by their killers, and were shot in groups of 20, with their bodies buried in an Athens cemetery. Besides the political prisonerswho had played no direct role in the guerrilla warfare against the Nazi occupiersat least another 125 actual or suspected members of the Resistance were executed. This included 25 in Athens, killed by the Germans, and another 100 prisoners of the Greek collaborationist forces, murdered at the orders of Colonel Dionysios Papadongonas, in an action that prefigured the savage fighting of the Greek Civil War that followed the defeat of the Nazis. The Nazi military command in Athens further expanded the bloodbath by declaring the entire Peloponnese, the portion of Greece south of the isthmus of Corinth, to be a war zone, the equivalent of the free-fire zones declared by American forces in Vietnam, where German troops were authorized to shoot anyone on sight. 100 years ago: Anarchists begin campaign of mail bombings in the US Leopoldo Galleani On April 29, 1919, a mail bomb detonated in the home of Georgia Senator Thomas W. Hardwick. The explosion blew off the hands of Hardwicks housekeeper when she opened the package. It also injured the senators wife. Hardwick had been a sponsor of the 1918 Immigration Act that targeted anarchists, communists and union organizers. In April a total of 36 other mail bombs containing dynamite and shrapnel were sent out to capitalists such as John D. Rockefeller, editors of newspapers, law enforcement figures such as Richard Enright, New York City Police Commissioner, and Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer, as well as to politicians such as Seattle Mayor Ole Hanson who had helped to defeat the general strike in that city in February. Most of the bombs that reached their targets failed to explode and others were intercepted in the mail by postal authorities. The group that sent the bombs were followers of Luigi Galleani, an Italian-born anarchist who had settled in Paterson, New Jersey. He believed in the use of individual terror to further the class struggle. In 1902 he had been shot and wounded by police after speaking at a rally of striking silk workers in Paterson. He was the author of Health Is In You!, a manual for making bombs. The Galleanists conducted a second wave of bombings in June. Attorney General Palmers house was demolished and the anarchist who placed the bomb was killed. Future President Franklin D. Roosevelt, then the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and his wife, Eleanor, avoided injury in the blast when they passed Palmers house only minutes before detonation. The Galleanists also were later believed to be responsible for the Wall Street bomb of September 16, 1920 that killed 38 people. The bombings of 1919 became a pretext for the anti-communist Palmer Raids that began in November 1919 and targeted immigrant workers, striking coal miners, and communists and socialists. The White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington DC on Saturday evening was a travesty. The organizers staged this years event in front of a large banner that read, Celebrating the First Amendment. Toasts were actually offered to that amendment to the US Constitution, which guarantees freedom of the press. Olivier Knox, the outgoing president of the White House Correspondents Association, the organization of journalists who cover the White House, decried attacks on the free press in a global context and listed the names of journalists targeted by governments and other forces. Yet no one on the podium referred to either Julian Assange, the WikiLeaks publisher brutally seized and imprisoned by British authorities and facing rendition to the US and the most savage punishment, or Chelsea Manning, also in prison, locked up for refusing to testify before a secret grand jury drawing up fabricated charges against Assange. The most notorious persecution of a journalist, confronted by the most powerful state, military and intelligence apparatus on the planet, went entirely unrecognized from the platform on Saturday. For that matter, none of the 3,000 or so affluent attendeespaying $300 a ticketwho dutifully applauded every reference to freedom of the press, climbed to his or her feet and denounced this criminal omission. From this quarter, consisting overwhelmingly of flacks for the CIA and the Pentagon, there was no protest, not so much as a squeak. The Correspondents Association is hardly unaware of the Assange and Manning cases. Silence here is thoroughgoing complicity. It was impossible to view this orgy of self-congratulation and self-satisfaction at the Washington Hilton without a certain revulsion. The White House Correspondents Dinner, held annually since 1921 and attended by every president since Calvin Coolidge, was boycotted in 2019 for the third straight year by Donald Trump, who also forbade members of his staff and administration from attending. Last year, comic Michelle Wolf, as the World Socialist Web Site noted, delivered a ferocious, entirely well-deserved and hilarious lampoon of the Trump administration, the Democrats and the press. The Correspondents Association, cowed by criticism of Wolfs remarks by the Trump administration and the media, determined that it would no longer invite a comic, the tradition since 1983, and instead chose historian and biographer Ron Chernow as its keynote speaker. In his opening comments, Knox, SiriusXMs chief Washington correspondent, formerly of Yahoo! News and Agence France-Presse, stressed how vital a free and independent news media is to the health of this great republic. He suggested that for the press, everything had changed with the coming to power of Trump. As noted above, Knox pointed to the plight of various journalists jailed, beaten and even killed by the authorities. Unfortunately, the list is long and getting longer, he said, citing in particular the case of Austin Tice, a freelance journalist who was kidnapped in Syria in August 2012. Knox also referred to Jamal Khashoggi, murdered by the Saudi regime, and Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, Reuters journalists detained in Myanmar. Many attendees wore pins that read #FreeAustinTice. The pins were provided by Reporters Without Borders. The latter organization issued a tepid statement on April 11 criticizing the seizure of Assange and calling on the UK authorities to prioritise the principles of freedom of expression and protection of the role of journalism, including journalistic sources, in their treatment of Assange. The statement did not demand Assanges immediate release. Reporters Without Borders obviously did not see fit to raise the WikiLeaks founders detention with the organizers of the White House Correspondents Dinner. Knox alluded to a crisis of information and the fact that wide layers of the population were skeptical of the media, without indicating where that sentiment might have originated. As the camera panned the Hilton ballroom and the collection of well-fed, self-satisfied faces, one had to wonder: What is the average income of an attendee at this dinner? Does anything disturb their sleep so much as worries about their careers and incomes? Knox also introduced Jonathan Karl of ABC News, the next president of the White House Correspondents Association. A right-wing figure who has moderated events sponsored by the Koch brothers Freedom Partners, Karl is worth a reported $10 million. In his address, Chernow, author of works on the J.P. Morgan financial empire, John D. Rockefeller, Alexander Hamilton, George Washington and Ulysses S. Grant, demonstrated once again that conscientiousness about historical fact is no guarantee of political perspicacity or principle. Speaking no doubt for many of those in the audience, Chernow referred to the Trump presidency as this surreal interlude in American life, suggesting that the current administration was an abnormality that would pass away like a case of the flu. His comments, which included a potted history of the relationship between the US presidency and the press, were dominated by complacency and liberal banality. Chernow referred to Henrik Ibsens An Enemy of the People (a reference to Trumps calling the media enemies of the people), in which a doctor feels impelled to speak an unpalatable truththat the local spa water is contaminatedand brings the full wrath of the local establishment down upon his head. Chernow asserted that Ibsens doctor is persecuted for truth-telling, again, without bringing up the persecution of Assange, one of the few journalists in the world actually engaged in such an activity. The biographer hailed crusading journalists such as Ida B. Wells, Jacob Riis, Lincoln Steffens, Ida Tarbell and Upton Sinclair, and the example of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein in the Watergate scandal and the New York Times and the Washington Post in publishing the Pentagon Papers. This is a glorious tradition we cant have politicians trampling on it with impunity, Chernow declared. About the contemporary equivalents of these social critics and muckrakers, Assange and Manning, nothing but a complicit silence! Commonplaces abounded in Chernows comments: Relations between the presidents and the press are inevitably tough, almost always adversarial, but they dont need to be steeped in venom, When you chip away at the press, you chip away at our democracy, and America has always been a work in progress, etc. Both Knox and Chernow chided Trump for his fractiousness. The speakers clearly longed for a time when there were more civilized dealings, in Chernows phrase, in Washington. By attacks on freedom of the press, the speakers for the most part seemed to be referring to the inconveniences produced by Trumps rudeness and his general refusal to play by the traditional rules of the White House press game. Neither Knox nor Chernow uttered a word about the past and present crimes of the US government, or the buildup of a police state apparatus under previous administrations of both partiesincluding Obamas shielding of CIA torturers and NSA snoops and expansion of drone murderswhich Trump is continuing and expanding. Chernow said nothing about internet censorship and instead denounced the rising tide of misinformation [that] threatens to make a mockery of the First Amendment, thereby implicitly aligning himself with the internet censorship campaign. The White House Correspondents Dinner, all in all, was a miserable and cowardly spectacle, reflecting the deeply right-wing character of the American media, every wing of it. Like the ruling elite as a whole, it does not have the slightest allegiance to democratic rights and principles. Hundreds of protesters have demonstrated on the campus of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut and its suburb of Hamden in the two weeks since two police officers, Hamden Officer Devin Eaton and Yale Officer Terrance Pollack, surrounded a car in New Havens Newhallville neighborhood and fired 16 or more bullets at the unarmed young couple inside. In the early morning of April 16, Eaton, in response to a 911 call from a gas station attendant who gave the cars license plate, alleging the driver had attempted an armed robbery, pursued the car across two town lines. Body camera footage released by the Connecticut State Police shows that Eaton opened fire as the driver, 21-year-old Paul Witherspoon, was exiting the car with his hands up. In CCTV video of the incident Eaton can be seen leaping out of his car, raising his gun toward the vehicle and firing multiple shots at the couple as Witherspoon tried to get out of the vehicle. Eaton then ran away from the car to the end of the street. For his part, Pollack jumped out of his vehicle while it was still in drive, leaving it to roll forward into Witherspoons car. Video shows Pollack firing his gun and then quickly running away, having apparently been injured by a projectile from Eatons gun. Witherspoon was not injured, but his passenger, 22-year-old Stephanie Washington, was struck by a bullet and hospitalized for injuries to her face and torso. In a subsequent search, police found no gun in the car. In the aftermath of the shooting, Witherspoon and Washington were questioned by police and both released without being charged. Eaton and Pollack have been placed on paid leave pending an investigation. Over the past two weeks, protesters have held demonstrations at the site of the shooting and shut down major intersections on Yales campus chanting, no justice, no peace and hands up, dont shoot. Yale students have demanded that the university be held accountable for the shooting and that Pollack be fired. Yale should be held accountable and have transparency for whats happened, said one protester, Ann Delauro. One group, Black Students for Disarmament at Yale, has been formed to demand the complete disarmament of Yale police, as well as the restriction of YPD patrols to a reasonable definition of campus. Our tuition is paying for this department, sophomore Makayla LaRonde-King said at a rally Friday. Its paying for the guns, its paying for the bullets and I do not want to have my name attached to that kind of violence. The group organized a Deliverance March to the YPD headquarters on Saturday, which concluded with the hand-delivery of over 1,000 complaint forms to police officials. Since both victims are African American the media, student organizations and protest groups, including Black Lives Matter, have attempted to frame the shooting primarily as a racial issue, tying it to demands for faculty diversity and more funding for race and gender studies. Racial diversity, however, was no help to Witherspoon or Washington since both Eaton and Pollack are African American. Witherspoons uncle, Rodney Williams, told CBS News, You need to look at whats really going on with the police ... really look at how the police look at residents, period. The police could be black, white, Puerto Rican ... it's just a police issue ... I think we need to be respected as human beings and I feel like they really dont. While African Americans are disproportionately victims of police killings, the largest number of victims in the United States is white. Growing police violence is a threat to the entire working class as the ruling class prepares and implements increasingly authoritarian methods of rule. All political and cultural conditions are in place for further developing economic ties between Hungary and China, the foreign minister said in Beijing, prior to signing bilateral business contracts. An effective economic cooperation with China is key for Hungary as China, the worlds largest economy today, offers Hungarian businesses a major market, Peter Szijjarto said. Applying cutting-edge technology, Chinese businesses help efforts to increase the competitiveness of the Hungarian economy. Szijjarto noted that Hungary had last year established a network of trade offices with headquarters in Shanghai, adding that Hungarys Eximbank had opened credit lines to promote Hungarian businesses in the Chinese market. China has become Hungarys top trading partner outside the European Union with bilateral trade totalling a record 8.7 billion dollars in 2018, the minister said. He identified cooperation possibilities for Hungarian firms in IT and water management, as well as in the pharmaceutical, transport and food production sectors. After his address, Szijjarto signed an agreement on the international airports of Budapest and Xian to allow the expansion of the number of destinations for flights. He said that Hungarian drugmaker Gedeon Richter also signed an agreement which Szijjarto said could boost pharmaceutical exports. The University of Szeged also signed an agreement with Huawei on involving Hungarian researchers in the Chinese telecommunication companys R+D activities, Szijjarto noted. Continuing good cooperation with telecoms giant Huawei is a national economic and strategic interest for Hungary, Szijjarto said after talks with James Li, Huawei Technologies European regional chairman, and William Wu, head of the Hungarian subsidiary. The minister told MTI that he had made it clear to the Huawei officials that no company in Hungary would suffer a disadvantage because of its nationality as long as it respects Hungarys rules of law. Szijjarto said Hungarys economy was undergoing a dimensional shift, which coincides with global trends that see digital solutions and 5G technologies become basic conditions of business success. It is a basic interest for small countries with an open economy, such as Hungary, to be ahead of the competition in 5G infrastructure, he said. From this point of view, the strategic cooperation agreement Hungary signed with Huawei years ago was of great importance. Szijjarto also held talks with company heads of China Ocean and Aviation Group Co Ltd and Hainan Airlines in Beijing. MTI Photo: KKM The first charter flight of the new season landed in Sarmellek Heviz-Balaton Airport on Saturday, carrying more than 80 passengers on a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt. Hotels in the Lake Balaton region expect 50,000 overnight stays from guests arriving at the regional airport, said Laszlo Konnyid, honorary chairman of the Hungarian Hotels and Restaurants Association. Zalakaros, Heviz, Bukfurdo, Sarvar and Kehidakustany, all with thermal baths, are the most popular local towns among foreign visitors. The Sarmellek airport serves flights from Frankfurt and three other cities until mid-October. Click here to visit Heviz-Balaton Airport online MTI Photo: Varga Gyorgy Foreign ministers Peter Szijjarto of Hungary and Wang Yi of China agreed to implement a five-point development plan to further advance Hungarian-Chinese relations. Szijjarto told MTI that they had agreed to set up a Hungarian-Chinese university based on the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Hungarys National University of Public Service. The related agreement will be signed during the Chinese House speakers visit to Hungary scheduled for late May. The two ministers agreed to start preparations for the construction of a Budapest-Bucharest rapid railway via Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvar). The project will be based on cooperation between the Hungarian and Romanian governments and carried out with Chinese financial and technical help. The third point of the plan concerns cooperation in architecture so that Hungarian construction firms and engineers should get a chance to participate in implementing Chinas national urbanisation scheme, Szijjarto said. The two ministers also agreed that Hungarian and Chinese companies would seek to jointly carry out water management projects in Asia and Africa. The fifth point involves boosting tourism by launching new direct flights between the two countries, the minister said. Szijjarto announced that the Chinese foreign minister would pay an official visit to Budapest in the second half of this year to mark the 70th anniversary of Hungarian-Chinese diplomatic relations. After talks with Chinese company leaders, Szijjarto called it important for Hungary that Chinas Belt and Road Initiative should extend to air transport, too. Budapest and Beijing are already connected by direct flights. From June 7 on, a three-times weekly direct Shanghai-Budapest service will be launched and talks are under way about linking further cities, he added. Szijjarto, who held talks with senior executives of ZTE and Henan Civil Aviation Development and Investment Co. Ltd., called it vital for the development of Hungarian-Chinese trade relations that air freight transport capacities should be made available. A regular cargo flight launched between Budapest and Zhengzhou weeks ago was an important step in this direction, he said. Due to the upcoming construction of a Budapest-Belgrade railway link and the air freight transport capacity recently launched, Chinese logistics firms are now planning to set up a logistics and warehouse hub near the airport in Budapest, Szijjarto said. MTI Photo: KKM Ambassador of Ireland to Hungary Pat Kelly (pictured on top) says trade between the two countries has been growing strongly in recent years and now exceeds EUR 1.5 billion annually. The new "Ireland-Hungary Business Directory" launched by the ambassador at his Buda residence on April 9, 2019 is designed to help improve the economic picture even further. The directory was prepared by the embassy and its partner agencies, Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia, which is the Irish Food Board, plus the Irish-Hungarian Business Circle. The main Irish industries in Hungary are listed as information and communications technology, machinery, automotive, tourism, electric machinery and equipment, chemicals, food processing, pharmaceuticals and metallurgy. Statistics show that in 2017, when the figure of EUR 1.5 billion was recorded for total goods and services, Ireland exported EUR 488.7 million of goods to Hungary, a growth of 9.5 per cent. Ireland imported EUR 195.8 million of goods from Hungary. One thousand Irish were living in Hungary that year and 12,000 Hungarians in Ireland. There were 99,000 trips from Ireland to Hungary, with 15 flights a week. The directorys overview of the businesses and entrepreneurs who make up the Irish economic presence in Hungary lists 57 companies. Ambassador Kelly describes Hungary, with its 4% growth in gross domestic product in 2017, as one of the most buoyant and dynamic economies in Central Europe, providing a gateway for Irish companies wishing to benefit from growing economic opportunities in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. Apart from the strong bilateral growth in trade, particularly in the services sector, the ambassador points to increasingly important people-to-people connections, with many young Irish students in Hungary, the large and active Hungarian community in Ireland and the growing tourist traffic. A new Budapest-Cork direct flight began in April 2019, adding to the 14 direct flights a week between Budapest and Dublin, the capital cities of the two European Union partners. The directorys market overview looks at the Hungarian economy, business environment and tax regime. It explains how the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency can assist with setting up a business. Enterprise Ireland has regional offices in Hungary and the Czech Republic for further assistance. Photo courtesy of Irish Embassy May 1st is a national holiday in Hungary, featuring a wide range of Spring time festivals and fun activities, read on to know what's happening around the capital. Great Race of Budapest Race cars, motorbikes and trucks in the heart of Budapest! Yes, this is the 5th Great Race, a spectacular event for spectators, which has the aim of 'bringing the motorsport closer to the people'. This event has become a tradition in the Hungarian capital, allowing fans up close to the race cars, motorbikes, trucks and drivers, held this year around Erzsebet ter, Andrassy ut, and Oktogon. Formula 1 cars and drivers Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing) and Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) will show off their F1 cars. Legendary F1 driver Gerhard Berger will also be here again. DTM stars Timo Glock and Rene Rast will be here too, plus WTCC cars and drivers. You can visit the cars and meet the pilots in the Paddock near the Basilica, on Bajcsy-Zsilinszky road, downtown Budapest. Event is free, VIP tickets available here - The organizers say they reserves the right to make changes to the event program if necessary. Traffic changes during Great Race: The Great Run, the race of cars and motorbikes will be organised also in 2019 in Budapest, due to which during the daytime on 1 May 2019 (Wednesday) and owing to the preparation works on 30 April (Tuesday evening), traffic will be restricted on Andrassy ut, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky ut, Karoly korut and in the surrounding area. Due to the road closure, traffic of the relating transport lines will be modified. BKK requests that passengers travelling to or in the downtown on 1 May approach their destination by fixed-railed public transport, instead of cars: trains will start more frequently than usual during the day on all four metro lines and tram lines 4 and 6. On 1 May, metro line M3 runs between Nagyvarad ter and Ujpest-kozpont. From Nagyvarad ter to Kobanya-Kispest, metro replacement buses will be in operation. Between 6:00 and 18:00 on 1 May, busline 100E runs between Kalvin ter M and Liszt Ferenc International Airport, not serving the Deak Ferenc ter and Astoria stops. During this time period, in possession of the pre-purchased single ticket in the amount of HUF 900, metroline M3 can be used between Deak Ferenc ter and Kalvin ter, without the need to purchase an extra ticket. On 1 May, Sunday and public holiday schedules apply for departures of public transport lines. Taban Festival Taban is popular with Budapesti locals to celebrate the first day of May with live concerts from early afternoon untill late night, in the green 1st district Taban area in Buda. Detailed program: 15:00 - MegEgyKor 16:05 - Torok Adam es a Mini 17:10 - Beatrice 18:25 - Mobilmania Vikidal Gyulaval - ora 20:00 - Piramis years - Revesz Sandor/Zavodi Janos 'Yoga May Day' On Margaret Island Program starts at 10 am.at Nagyter between the Margitsziget Water Tower, Margitsziget Open Ait Stae and the Danubius Health Spa Resort Margitsziget area. Further info available here Varosliget May Day The largest park in Budapest, Varosliget, hosts a festival every year on Labor Day from 11:00 am onwards.. Visitors can find craft fair, food and drinks, concerts featuring local pop stars starting and children programs Students staged a protest in Budapest on Friday afternoon against government plans under which secondary school students would be required to obtain a certificate of proficiency in a foreign language to go on to a university or college from 2020 on. At the demonstration, organiser Viktor Gyetvai called on Prime Minister Viktor Orban to take an intermediate level language test before September 1, and also demanded that the exam should be public. Should the prime minister fail to take the test, the students will initiate a referendum aimed at thwarting the government plans, he said, and argued that entrants should not be required to be proficient in foreign languages as long as the Hungarian education system is insufficient in preparing each student for a language test. The referendum should also ensure that nobody should become prime minister in Hungary unless they meet universities entry criteria, he added. Kriszta Ercse, spokesperson for the Civic Public Education Platform, suggested that foreign language skills should only be included among university entry criteria once 85% of Hungarys MPs have obtained an intermediate level language certificate. MTI Photo: Koszticsak Szilard Its no great surprise that an American classic like Apocalypse Now would receive an updated version, complete with a new hi-res scan and revised sound mix to take advantage of the latest in theater/home sound technology. But that isnt the only thing that Francis Ford Coppola did for the 40th anniversary of celebrated look at the Vietnam War. Francis could have simply just restored it in 4K, and thats what wed release, said Coppolas American Zoetrope archivist James Mockoski. But that was not exciting for him. Related stories 'The Boys' Review: Amazon's Grim Action Series Skewers Superhero Culture -- Tribeca 'Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound' Review: You'll Never Hear Movies the Same Way Again Instead, Mockoski served as restoration supervisor on a year-long archival, technical and creative process that resulted in Apocalypse Now: Final Cut, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival last evening and will be re-released in theaters and on Blu-ray this August. Heres what you need to know. The Actual Final Cut In 1979, Coppola had taken on so much personal debt making Apocalypse Now that he was worried the full version of his film would be too weird for a non-arthouse crowd. Since he needed the film to play as far and wide as possible to save himself from financial ruin, he made major cuts to film for its original two hour and 33 minute theatrical runtime. In 2001, for Apocalypse Now: Redux, Coppola put 49 minutes of previously cut footage back in. The idea was for people to see the whole scope of his original vision, regardless of how weird it may played. However, Coppola has said that he doesnt believe this fully restored version was the best version of the film, as it played too long and uneven at times. For his Final Cut, Coppola said he has found a version he can stand behind. By studying old cuts of the film preserved on betamax, Coppola said he felt he discovered where he went wrong in editing the film (due to financial and distribution pressure) and removed 20 minutes of the new material from Redux in this new final cut. The new running time is three hours and two minutes. Story continues 4K Negative Scan Reveals Depth and Detail This is the first time the original negative has been scanned, since all previous transfers have been made from an IP. Over 11 months, over 2,700 hours was spent cleaning and restoring the films 300,173 frames. The 4K scan, combined with Dolbys HDR processing (Dolby Vision), has led to a level of depth and detail in Vittorio Storaros cinematography that you couldnt see before. This is particularly the case in the nighttime scenes. On a creative level, Coppola had to dial down the level of new detail, for example, he wanted to keep Marlon Brandos Col. Kurtz in silhouette as much a possible. Sound: The Found the Print Master For Redux the best the sound team could do in 2001 was work off a third generation dub. For Final Cut Mockoski and the films original sound designer Walter Murch were able to locate (it had been tossed in a dumpster) one of the 1979 films original six track print masters. This gave the Final Cut team the ability create significantly clearer sound, but it also meant being able to go inside sound designer Walter Murchs revolutionary work and adapt it to the modern tools of post-production and in theaters. Walter Murchs Revolutionary Sound Design Murchs 5.1 sound design for the 1979 release was not only a technical breakthrough, but on an artistic level it remains at the pinnacle of surround sound. Murchs work in enveloping the audience in war and the way sound traveled inside the theater is still a textbook example that virtually all sound designers and mixer study when honing their craft. Murchs protegee, Pete Horner, who first worked with Murch on Redux, oversaw the mix, which adapts the the 5.1 surround mix to Dolby Atmos and the ability pinpoint sound anywhere in theater, including the ceiling. Frequency: You Wont Believe How Low You Can Go In 1979, Murch hit a snag when trying to achieve the vision for the film that he and Coppola had in mind. In 1979, they created a partnership between Coppolas American Zoetrope and Meyer Sound Laboratories called Sensual Sound, which was intended, through deep low frequency sound, to create a new type of visceral viewing experience. John Meyer himself use to install special subwoofers for 70mm screenings of Apocalypse Now in 1979. Meyer helped Apocalypse Now push the boundary of low frequency, but there were technical limits of how far they could go. With access to the print master and new sound technology, John Meyer worked with Horner and Coppola to finally reach those low frequencies they couldnt in 1979. In Final Cut, the low frequencies are detectable in the helicopter battle scene with Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore (Robert Duvall). The sound has a visceral effect during the war scenes. For the Tribeca premiere screening at the Beacon Theater, Meyers Sound went even one step further, installing its own special low frequency speakers to give Final Cut the powerful audio that has eluded Coppola for decades. Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Arnold Schwarzenegger and son Joseph Baena (Credit: Instagram) Arnold Schwarzenegger looked like the proudest dad of all as he attended the graduation of his son Joseph Baena yesterday. The Austrian Oak was there for the ceremony at Pepperdine University in Los Angeles, as 21-year-old Joseph scored his diploma in business administration. Read more: Patrick Schwarzenegger says his dad helped him quit smoking weed Posting a snap of the pair, Arnie beamed: Congratulations Joseph! Four years of hard work studying business at Pepperdine and today is your big day! You have earned all of the celebration and Im so proud of you. I love you! Joseph is the son he had with Mildred Patty Baena, his former housekeeper, an affair which spelled the end of the actors 25-year marriage to Maria Shriver, a member of the Kennedy dynasty. He was born just a few days after Shriver had given birth to her and Schwarzeneggers fourth child, Christopher. Joseph with his mother Mildred (Credit: Instagram) The budding business magnate also posted his own pictures on Instagram, posing with his mother, adding: Some of the best times of my life are because of this school and the people in these pictures. Im am so incredibly grateful to have the privilege to study at and graduate from such a beautiful and high caliber school. Read more: Arnie congratulates strongman as he marries his boyfriend I now have my degree in business administration and with that, I believe this is only the beginning of a new road. Lets see where it takes us! The former Governor of California often hangs out with Joseph, the father and son bonding over lagers during Arnolds regular jaunt to Oktoberfest in Munich. Jim Carrey has a beef with Special Counsel Robert Mueller, and hes not letting it slide without speaking up. You let us down Mr. Mueller. You saw obstruction and washed your hands of it, Carrey wrote in his latest artwork, which he posted Sunday. Not indicting a President is a memo, not a law. You let a tyrant skate with I dont remember. You gave the enemy a leg up. Live with thatPROSECUTOR. The Mueller Report has come under scrutiny since Attorney General William Barr delivered the full report to Congress and posted the complete document (with redactions) online April 18. Dashing many liberal hopes, the report found no evidence of organized collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, and Mueller declined to indict the president on obstruction of justice charges. Also Read: Jim Carrey Goes 'Lord of the Flies' on Trump in Latest Political Artwork 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, Barr told reporters during a press conference in advance of the reports release. Check out Carreys work of art below. Robert Mueller Jim Carrey Twitter Read original story Jim Carrey Scolds Robert Mueller for Letting a Tyrant Skate in Latest Artwork At TheWrap Martin Scorsese, born in Queens, New York, grew up in Manhattans Little Italy. During this years Tribeca Film Festival Talk with actor Robert De Niro, the filmmaker described this particular pocket of the city as the intersection of the Italian-Americans, the Sicilians, the Neapolitans not necessarily in the Bronx or the West Side, but the East Side. Its a pocket that stuck with him, even into his most recent film, The Irishman. One has to take the negative things of what was going on, Scorsese, 76, said of that time in his life. It was a world that has been, I think, romanticized since then. Its become something that, even in our new film, we still deal with how should I put it? The nature of it, the essence of who the people are, not necessarily the trappings around it, but who the people are. With his star by his side, the Oscar winner teased his next film effort, based on Charles Brandts novel I Heard You Paint Houses, which follows Frank the Irishman Sheeran (played by De Niro in the film adaptation). A former World War II U.S. solider, Frank confessed to Brandt his handling of more than 25 hits for the mob. The Irishman, the book was terrific, I thought De Niro, 75, said. I said, Marty, read this. See what you think, and he said, Lets go. We were about to do something else and we went into The Irishman. This pretty much characterized how the pair commented on the film throughout the panel. Per Deadline, a clip from the movie was not ready for public consumption at the time. Profoundly, Scorsese added, you really felt the heart of this character and this situation. Its a universal story that happens to be set in that world. One has to understand, too, [that] yes, my parents were great. I lived on 253 Elizabeth Street, 3rd floor front. I saw everything because of asthma and I couldnt run around and stuff, so I would see everything from an overhead shot from the 3rd floor looking down. In my movies, some critics would say, Hes always doing Gods point of view. No, actually, it looks great from up there. We grew up in a world it was there in 1949, 1955 on Elizabeth Street. We were bound on the East by what they called Devils Mile, the Bowery; on the west by what they called at that time Murder Mile, Mulberry Street. Story continues In discussing their long history together, Scorsese and De Niro kept bringing up The Irishman, which Scorsese has been talking about since at least 2010 and will be finally released by Netflix. Talking about using musical themes from other movies to mix into the background of scenes from Casino, Scorsese said, which we do in Irish, too. And when talking about Silence and the priest in New York when Scorsese was young who gave him books and told the kids to use your brains, get out of here, the director wondered how the priest dealt with human nature without succumbing to pride, any other failures. Its something he channeled into his own 1973s Mean Streets and noted of John Hustons 1950 film The Asphalt Jungle, where a crime or that kind of thinking is described as a left-handed form of human endeavor. For many different reasons, Scorsese continued, thats all they know, and they cant get out. In Casino, he dealt with the tragedy of every man and every womans death. Is it a tragedy or is it dealing with fate? Is it a release? Is it something that transcends? He calls this religious journey a long struggle to find a more mature faith, whatever that is and, he says, the journey is still not done. It bleeds into his work on The Irishman. Director Terrence Malick wrote Scorsese a letter after seeing Silence and wrote, What does Chris want from us? Thats interesting. Not everybody might understand, but it was a demand and I saw it happen in the old neighborhood, Scorsese said in reference to his childhood upbringing. I saw people do terrible things, but they still had something in them. They cared for each other. It wasnt all sociopath and psychopath. It wasnt all that way. And so [Silence] comes out of that, and also our new picture comes out of that, The Irishman. The director then quoted a line from the Brandt book that reads, I heard you paint houses, the first words the real Frank uttered to the author in reference to his bloody line of work. Its right there, Scorsese said, and I think thats the one that ultimately states it. Related content: In this nostalgia-saturated cultural landscape, its inevitable that any beloved series will seem ripe for an update. The question then becomes: How do you do it authentically without becoming the spinoff that fans discuss with a bunch of mumbled caveats along the lines of trust me, the original was better. (Cough, cough, Star Wars Episodes 1-3, looking at you.) Australian actress Geraldine Hakewill found herself in this very place when she won the titular role in Ms. Fishers Modern Murder Mysteries, the follow-up to Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries. Miss Fisher, set in 1920s Melbourne, debuted in 2012 in Australia and starred Essie Davis as a glamorous private detective who balanced her love of the finer things in life with solving crimes. Thanks to airings on Acorn TV, Netflix and PBS, it has gained a cult following enough of one that in 2017 a Kickstarter to make a Miss Fisher movie raised over half a million dollars. (Sure enough, Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears will debut this fall on Acorn TV.) Related stories 'Ms. Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries' Review: Vivacious Crime Series Spinoff Delights on Acorn TV Critics Pick the Best Alternative Streaming Platforms Beyond Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Ms. Fisher, by contrast, is set in 1964, with Hakewill playing the niece of the original Phryne Fisher. The trappings are the same: great house, fast car, handsome will-they-or-wont-they cop thats boyfriend-adjacent, gorgeous clothes. With the bones of the original surrounding her, Hakewill wanted to make Peregrine Fisher her own. Shes such a ballsy, delightful, spontaneous kind of person, she said. Theres always the anxiety that because its a companion piece to such a loved show that people are going to be disappointed, or have very strong opinions about what they wanted it to be. I hope that weve made something thats captured the spirit of the original but isnt trying to replace it in any way. Story continues Hakewill, 31, who can also be seen in Wanted, available on Netflix, says that Davis portrayal of Phryne Fisher was her textbook on how to accomplish the procedural elements required of every television mystery the narrative patter that comes as the case winds up. I learned how effortless Essie made it look, Hakewill said. Her role is deceptively difficult because shes often giving a lot of exposition in her dialogue, and at the end of the piece youre telling the murderer how they did it and why they did it and thats kind of an unnatural thing to do because someone who murders someone knows why they did it. Obviously you have to let the audience into that, so youre monologuing at somebody. Making that look natural can be quite difficult, and she does it so well. Hakewill also nails it with flair, and she manages another trick over the course of the four feature-length episodes: she gives Peregrine significant emotional character development. She starts out in the first episode as pretty much the stereotype beauty-school dropout, heading from a lonely life in a trailer in a small, Australian beach town to Melbourne, wheres shes informed of her inheritance from Phrynes estate. By the fourth episode, shes an established career woman, confident in her ability as a private detective, with a supportive group of friends. The change is revealed in Hakewills attitude and composure as well as her clothes, which become more polished as they evolve from short-shorts to Jackie Onassis-inspired dresses as the episodes proceed. She wasnt having these massive transformations, but she was very much of her age in that era, making fashion choices but also doing her job, says costume designer Maria Pattison. [Peregrine] was practical, and she wasnt just going in Phrynes world and taking advantage of inheriting all this cash. We wanted her to be her rather than take on Phrynes identity too much. All of this makes Peregrines arc very satisfying and it makes Ms. Fisher stand alone and above any comparisons to the original series. I really enjoyed watching it, and usually I dont like watching myself, Hakewill said. Its very difficult. But I got lost in the world of it and thats always a good sign that somethings working when I forget that its me doing it. Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Tisha Campbell Will Smith Duane Martin Will Smith had grave concerns about loaning his friend Duane Martin over a million dollars to save his home from foreclosure, with newly uncovered emails revealing the actor had a feeling something wasnt right at the time. According to newly unsealed court documents, the actor and his team feared if they loaned the $1.4 million to Duane as he requested, it could turn into a PR nightmare for Will, specifically if anyone found out he was associated with such a transaction. The emails are from 2012, when Duane needed the money to save his L.A. home, and asked his good friend Will for a loan. At one point, Will discussed buying Duane a home and letting him live rent free for a bit. Will got his team involved in trying to put a $1.4 million loan together but unsealed court documents reveal it was chaotic. Duane pressured his friend for the loan and even had to be warned by Wills team that while Will wanted to help, he didnt want to put himself in any unnecessary risk. TheBlast.com Wills team began expressing concerns about how Duane wanted the loan structured, with his team worrying about the questionable structure of the transaction. This is both a PR risk and a legal risk for WS, one of Wills advisors wrote in an email. No PR nightmare can and will happen here. The docs note Will eventually did loan Duane $1.4 million to save his home in 2012. Duane tried to sell the home in 2018 and reached out to Will and his team again. Wills team suggested that Duane sell the home and repay Will and then lease a pad for one year. Duane then questioned Wills team about if this idea came directly from Will, to which his team confirmed to Duane it did. As of July 2018, private emails show Will directing his team to wrap up all outstanding issues with Duane. He wrote one of his advisors, The point is to SIMULTANEOUSLY Get the books cleared while Helping Shake transition. Will uses Shake as a nickname for Duane. TheBlast.com Things seemed fine until Duane and Tisha Campbell-Martin filed for bankruptcy and then divorced. The home wasnt listed as an asset in the bankruptcy but court docs reveal Tisha rolled on Duane, telling the trustee he hid the home in question in the bankruptcy. The trustee then sued Duane, demanding he turn over the pad to help pay off his many creditors. Story continues The revelations are a part of the lawsuit filed back in September, where the trustee in Duane and Tisha Campbell-Martins bankruptcy sued Duane because the trustee believed he hid assets of $2.6 million under a company named Roxe LLC. The trustee alleged that Duane set up Roxe LLC to allegedly conceal ownership of a 9,000 sq. ft. mansion in Chatsworth, California. Duane originally bought the home in 2006 for $900,000. He then borrowed $1.9 million for the purpose of constructing the Martin family home. Duane then defaulted on his loan and negotiated a short sale with the bank, and he used Roxe to buy the home back from the bank, using the $1.4 million loan from Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. Roxe LLC became the owner and Duane and Tisha allegedly entered into a lease with their own company to pay rent of $5,000 per month. In early 2018, Duane listed the home for $2,695,000 with the intention of pocketing all of the sales proceeds, after paying back Will and Jada, meaning he would pocket $1.3 million if sold at asking price. The trustee says the lease was a sham and Duane and Tisha did not make all the payments on the house. The suit is demanding Duane be forced to turn over the home to the bankruptcy estate and used to benefit his creditors. To be clear, there are no allegations that Will or Jada did anything wrong or had any knowledge of any alleged wrongdoings. Martin has also denied any wrongdoing. Back in February, court docs filed revealed Will Smith had been subpoenaed by the trustee and was forced to turn over financial records and private emails and texts with Duane Martin regarding the loan and home. The trustee believed the documents were the evidence to prove Duane committed fraud, showing him put pressure on Will Smith to loan him the money quickly. The case is ongoing. Duane Martin's home The post Will Smith Was Worried About a PR Nightmare When He Loaned $1.4 Million to Friend Duane Martin appeared first on The Blast. 24 Hours Before Murders, Probation Officers Planned to Arrest Tenn. Man Who Allegedly Killed 7 People Warrant Was Being Prepared For Tenn. Man Accused of Killing 7 Seven people including a 12-year-old girl are dead after a what Tennessee authorities allege was a mass killing carried out by a 25-year-old man. Suspect Michael Cummins is accused of going on the run after the killings, and he survived being shot by police on Saturday, officials from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said at a press conference. He is currently in the hospital. Cummins has not yet been charged in connection with the deaths, but on Monday, the TBI identified the seven fatal victims. Investigators, one of whom characterized the two crime scenes as gruesome, also said that once hes recovered from his injuries, Cummins will be transferred to police custody to face charges. Michael Cummins | Tennesseee Bureau of Investigation The TBI said Cummins killed his 52-year-old father, David Cummins, his 44-year-old mother, Clara Cummins, and his 45-year-old uncle, Charles Hosale, inside a home in Bethpage, Tennessee. Their bodies were found on Saturday, along with the bodies of Rachel McGlothlin-Pee, 43, her 12-year-old daughter, Sapphire McGlothlin-Pee, and Rachels mother Marsha Nuckols, 65. It wasnt immediately clear if Cummins knew these fatal victims. 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. A short distance away, at a second home, police recovered the body of Shirley Fehrle. Detectives believe the 69-year-old woman was targeted at random. An injured victim of the attack remains in critical condition. Police would not disclose that persons identity, but a GoFundMe page established to cover Cummins parents funeral costs states the hospitalized woman is Cummins elderly grandmother. Authorities on Monday did not discuss the weapon or weapons used in the attacks, saying instead that the results of autopsies on the seven bodies were expected shortly. It was unclear if Cummins has retained an attorney who could comment on his behalf. Story continues The Tennesseean reports Cummins has an extensive criminal record, and that in 2017, he was arrested for attacking a female neighbor whose house hed set on fire. Because Cummins had a court-documented history of mental health issues, he was spared a 10-year sentence after pleading guilty to attempted aggravated arson and aggravated assault. Instead, he was placed on probation for 10 years and released from custody in January, despite vowing to return and finish the job. On Saturday, Cummins was allegedly hiding in a creek bed, and as officers closed in to arrest him, he drew his weapon. The police responded by shooting at Cummins, who was struck by at least one bullet. A motive for the deadly violence is not known at this time. As more and more Belt and Road countries are laying importance on the construction of the digital Silk Road, digital economy has already become a new impetus for the development of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). (Photo/Chinanews.com) Digital Silk Road remained a buzz word at the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) held two years ago. This year, Chinese President Xi Jinping once again stressed the importance of digital, networked and smart development, as well as the construction of a digital Silk Road at the second BRF. So far, China has signed cooperation agreements with over 16 countries involving the construction of a digital Silk Road, and jointly launched the Belt and Road Digital Economy International Cooperation Initiative with seven countries. At present, digitalization of the global economy is an inevitable trend, and every country along the Belt and Road is making efforts to promote the integrated development of digital economy and real economy. For instance, digital TVs were rarely seen in Cuba years ago. However, the BRI has largely improved information technology in the country. Cuban Minister of Communications Jose Luis Perdomo remarked that the rapid development of digital television has brought opportunities to local enterprises. The digital Silk Road promotes in-depth integration between Cubas internet and traditional manufacturing sectors, and improved production for local enterprises. There was a saying in Saudi Arabia 1,400 years ago that people should seek knowledge along the China bound Silk Road, said Abdullah bin Amer Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia. And these words still apply to todays world, he added. Saudi Arabia remains one of the 10 largest e-commerce players of the world, and its artificial intelligence and big data market may reach a value of hundreds of trillions of US dollars. This is an advantage brought by the Belt and Road and a result of the countrys cooperation with China, the minister noted. Thanks to circulating data and information in the cyber world, the digital Silk Road is narrowing the digital gap among Belt and Road countries. Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Egypt Amr Talaat said that the development of a digital economy will bring positive impacts on the countrys production and peoples life. Egypt, with an aim to achieve economic integration by enhancing industrial and economic cooperation, is expecting a 24.3-percent share of its digital economy in the national GDP, Talaat said. Last summer, when artist Catherine Opie called Klaus Biesenbach and asked him if hed consider helping the troubled Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles, he didnt fully grasp what she meant. Opie is a board member at the museum, which had just lost its director in the latest of several controversial shake-ups, and she has long been friendly with Biesenbach, who was then in his 15th year of a plum gig at New Yorks Museum of Modern Art. Of course, he told herhed gladly assist the board in finding a new director. But what Opie was really asking was if he was interested in the job himself. I think I was a bit in denial, Biesenbach recalls. Then at some point Cathy was like, Klaus, wake up! Related stories 1,000 Works of Contemporary Art Are Coming to the Streets of Riyadh in 2023 Artist Erwin Wurm "Fattened Up" a Mini Cooper to Explore Consumerism and Weight Gain The Peninsula Hotel Kicks Off Art Basel Hong Kong With a New Traveling Art Program Today Biesenbach is sitting in the directors office at MOCAs headquarters on Grand Avenue in downtown LA, appearing mostly at ease. But few people would have blamed him for hesitating to make the move. Although MOCA, which was founded by a group of artists in 1979, once reigned as the West Coasts preeminent contemporary art institution, it has spent much of the last decade floundering while a number of other LA museums and foundations have blossomed around it. The problems have been largely of MOCAs own making. In 2008 the museum almost burned through its endowment and was on the verge of closing until a $30 million bailout from megacollector Eli Broad provided a lifeline and a new director, Jeffrey Deitch, came on board. But Deitch, a New York art dealer who had no previous museum experience, lasted only three years, all of them plagued by staff turmoil and dubious curatorial decisions. In 2014, when Philippe Vergne, of New Yorks Dia Art Foundation, took over, many foresaw a return to stabilitybut Vergne resigned last May amid tensions following the abrupt firing of Helen Molesworth, the museums chief curator. Story continues Biesenbach was yet another non-obvious choice to take charge of the Southern California mainstay. The austere 52-year-old German doesnt drive and has no plans to get his license. He dresses every day in the same uniform: a dark suit or blazer (of which he owns about 100, most of the same brand, though he prefers not to identify it) and a dark tie. His career and his sensibility were formed in gritty urban environmentsfirst in Berlin, where at age 23, shortly after the fall of the Wall, he founded the pioneering Kunst-Werke exhibition space and studio in an abandoned margarine factory (Susan Sontag and Hedi Slimane have been among the artists-in-residence), and later in New York, at PS1 and MoMA. But the sun-bleached sprawl of Los Angeles has long attracted big-thinking outsiders, many of whom are wowed by the citys complexities once they start paying attention to them. I thought I knew LA before, but I had come here only for work, says Biesenbach. Now I see how incredibly textured the cultural fabric is, and how much history is a part of this. Ive really fallen in love with it. Since his arrival in town last November, Biesenbach has been in nonstop discovery mode, turning up everywhere from David Hockneys house (he brought over a new trustee for a visit with the artist) and an obscure performance festival in Glendale to a Rodarte fashion show at the Huntington Library. Artist Jared Madere took Biesenbach for a ride in his RVa moving sculpture that doubles as a studioto Topanga Canyon and Eagle Rock. I couldnt believe that you can get an Uber right to Mount Wilson, says Biesenbach, an avid hiker. From downtown its just 25 minutes. One offhand comment he made to the New York Timesthat LA was like the new Berlin thanks to its ever-growing concentration of working artistsannoyed many local insiders, who caught a whiff of patronizing Eurocentrism in the observation. Biesenbach quickly acknowledged the gaffe. It was actually great, because everybody wanted to explain to me what the city is about, he says. So I had carte blanche to ask the most basic questions. At his request, local artists have been sending him lists of the most interesting spots that hed never find on his own. Now I have over 50 places, and Im going to all of them. Of course, what will really matter at MOCA is not Biesenbachs intimacy with LAs hiking trails or underground art spaces, but the bonds he cultivates with the citys wealthy donorsand their checkbooks. This emphasis represents something of a shift for Biesenbach. Back on the East Coast, where New York magazine once dubbed him Herr Zeitgeist, his public profile was defined by his often visionary, and sometimes divisive, curatorial efforts. At MoMA he founded the museums media and performance department and organized splashy shows including the 2010 Marina Abramovic blockbuster, The Artist Is Present. (For art critics there were several hits, including Pipilotti Rists 2012 takeover of the second-floor atrium, and one gigantic flop: the 2015 Bjork retrospective.) Less known outside the art world are his bona fides as an administrator and fund-raiser. At PS1, after becoming director in 2010, he proved himself a deft executive and increased the number of board members from 11 to 30. He also developed a tight and fruitful connection with Agnes Gund, the renowned New York art patron whom he considers a mentor. Something I learned from Aggie is that if you really want to grow, you do it slowly, Biesenbach says. You need sustainable growth, not fireworks. Fireworks are very visible, but theyre just fireworks. And I told this to the board here before I started. So far at MOCA he has recruited five new board membersand none of them is Lady Gaga, as some were half-expecting, given Biesenbachs reputation as an enthusiastic befriender of arty celebs. (Think Tilda Swinton, Patti Smith, James Franco.) The new additions included Hong Kongbased collector Adrian Cheng, tech entrepreneur Sean Parker, and philanthropist Marina Kellen French. MOCA board chairman Maria Seferian credits Biesenbachs triple-threat backgroundas curator, director, and founderalong with his natural bent for community engagement, with convincing the board to vote unanimously to recruit him. Klaus just lives and breathes art, Sefarian says, and he thinks very hard about the role of a public institution. Biesenbach will also need to hire a replacement for Molesworth and rebuild MOCAs curatorial staff. But at a time when the very existence of traditional, donor-driven museums is falling under increasing scrutinywhat does it mean for an institution to collect and display artworks, and who gets to decide how theyre interpreted?many in LA are particularly eager to see how Biesenbach will define MOCAs place in the citys rapidly shifting ecosystem. The museums monolithic and somewhat dated Grand Avenue headquarters sits right across the street from the buzzy, four-year-old Broad, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro at a cost of $140 million; admission to the Broad is free, and every morning groups of eager young Instagrammers line up at the door. Down Wilshire Boulevard is the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), currently enjoying a well-funded revival under the direction of another ambitious exNew Yorker, Michael Govan. And further west lies the Hammer Museum, now in the midst of its own $180 million expansion. Despite all these institutions, and several others, competing for the same set of benefactors and audience members, Biesenbach displays nothing but optimism about MOCAs prospects, maintaining that the citys remarkable cultural vitality at the moment makes his job easier since its a tide thats lifting all the boats. Still early in his tenure, Biesenbach is cautious about revealing all the details of his strategy for rehabilitating MOCAs profile, but he has been offering plenty of hints about it. Hes planning a radical revamp of the museums annual fund-raising gala, which was canceled last year amid another round of controversy. (The event was set to honor painter Mark Grotjahn but the artist backed out, citing the museums record of feting only white male artists, himself included.) When I got here I said, instead of having a gala, why dont we have a benefit? Biesenbach says. A benefit is not just a celebration, it has a mission. This years event, on May 18, will be inclusive in the extreme, honoring not one MOCA artist but virtually all of them: At a single table will sit about 350 of the living artists whose works are in the museums collection, along with 350 paying civilians. Every guest who buys a ticket is required to comp one artist as well. Community engagement and ecological activism are other often-overlooked parts of Biesenbachs track record, and both will become major priorities at MOCA. When Hurricane Sandy blasted New York City in 2012, Biesenbach spearheaded relief efforts in the Rockaways, and PS1 built a geodesic dome to serve as a community center. The wildly popular Rain Room installation at MoMA the following year, though dismissed by some critics as a shallow crowd-pleaser, was actually part of PS1s EXPO 1: New York series, which explored links between technology and ecological collapse. Biesenbach says MOCAs location in downtown LAthe current locus of the citys creative energy as well as its most daunting urban problemsshould be central to everything he does. We were here 40 years ago, and now the city has condensed around us, and so many artists live nearbyso its important to keep growing here, he says. At the museums Geffen Contemporary satellite location, a former police car depot, Biesenbach is planning a new green space and clearing out a huge area to make way for multidisciplinary art programs targeted to the local community. The warehouse, as he calls it, is one of several initiatives that show Biesenbachs natural instincts for combining the institutional and the avant-garde. It will have educational programs, a book space where kids can read, where people can be creative, he says. It will be very open and, I hope, free. Nobody can accuse Biesenbach of faking his own personal commitment to downtown. He spent last Thanksgiving working in a Skid Row soup kitchen and lives in the thick of it all, in a rental above the cacophonous Grand Central Market. Its a 500-square-foot apartment, and its completely empty, and its wonderful, says Biesenbach, whose all-white Manhattan place was famous for its absence of not only art, but also of sofas and chairs. I think I dont need a kitchen here because I can just go downstairs to the market. Biesenbach is one of those people who somehow manages to be both extremely social and puzzlingly elusive; his spartan MOCA office, furnished with chairs that seem plucked from the Office Depot discount section, offers no more clues about him than his apartment does. His biggest personal touch was removing the built-in louvre blinds from one window so that he can look out into the museums courtyard, and beyond. While were talking, Biesenbach locates some copies of the original architectural drawings of the building, designed by Arata Isozaki as a study in geometrical forms, and shows me how the simple act of opening the center-hinged square window transforms the whole feeling of the space. Once I opened this window, I understood the building, he says. At Biesenbachs request, the artist Barbara Kruger recently revived her striking, billboard-size 1990 artwork Untitled (Questions) on one wall of the Geffen. Kruger, a MOCA board member and longtime SoCal resident, says the directors outsider status should not be held against him. Los Angeles is full of people whove come here from elsewhere and who understand this city and believe in its possibilities, she says, adding that MOCA, with its world-class permanent collection and influential curatorial history, has been especially esteemed by New Yorkers and Europeans over the years. Klaus is someone who really respects this institution, and its past. Biesenbach knows that making the transition from MoMA guy to MOCA guy is a gradual process that will require long periods of patience, and frequent moments of humility. For all the valid buzz about the citys growing status as a worldwide art capital, its still LA, where culture exists on its own terms. At the end of our meeting, he pulls out his phone and orders an Uber to take him to a trustee dinner in Santa Monica. When the driver arrives and calls to inform Biesenbach that hes downstairs waiting, theres some confusion about the pickup spot. The driver is parked at the Omni Hotel, next door. Im not at the Omni, Im at MOCA, he tells the driver, whos apparently baffled. Its a museum. Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you were lucky enough to catch the premiere of Hallmark Channels latest original movie, Love Takes Flight, on Saturday night, you might have noticed something familiar about the backdrop. Thats because it was filmed in one of the Souths most iconic cities: Savannah, Georgia. Based on a true story, Love Takes Flight stars Nikki DeLoach as Lizzie Beauman, a single mom and hospital administrator who falls for the new EMS pilot at work. The heartwarming flick wasnt only filmed in Savannah, the story is set there too. Viewers are bound to recognize a number of the iconic landmarks featured in the film, including the citys quaint Historic District and Wormsloe Historic Site, which happens to boast one of the countrys dreamiest oak avenues. WATCH: Hallmark Just Debuted An Amazing New Mystery Series For DeLoach, who was born and raised in the Savannah area, the movie holds an extra special place in her heart. "I was born and raised about an hour and a half from Savannah, in a small town called Blackshear, Georgia. And my family still lives there, they all live on a farm," she told CountryLiving.com, adding that her relatives were even able to visit while she was on set. "I really got in some family time, which was amazing. Absolutely amazing. The daughter of a Democrat from Sweden and a Trump supporter from Mississippi, Jessica Jackson is used to navigating extremes. In her career as a human rights attorney, she's represented people on California's death row in their appeals. And now, as the national director and cofounder of #Cut50, a national initiative to reduce the prison population, she's brought together unlikely allies to fight for criminal justice reform and an end to mass incarceration. How unlikely? Well, along with CNN's Van Jones, Jackson helped organize a meeting between Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, Kim Kardashian West, and a large bipartisan group of advocates to discuss reforming the criminal justice system and changing the U.S. clemency process. This was just three months after Kardashian West participated in an effort that resulted in granting clemency to Alice Marie Johnson, a 63-year-old grandmother from Tennessee who was serving a life sentence for a nonviolent drug offense. #Cut50's work with Kushner also helped usher in the historic passage of the First Step Act, a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill that promises to, among other things: reduce the huge disparity in punishment between crack cocaine and the powdered form of the drug, curb mandatory minimum sentencing, place prisoners in facilities within at least 500 driving miles of their families, prohibit the shackling of pregnant inmates, and ensure that women have ready access to tampons and sanitary napkins. But it's Jackson's relationship with Kardashian West that has received the most attention. In what might seem an unlikely match, the city councilwoman and human rights attorney is mentoring the media mogul as Kardashian West undertakes a course of study to pass the California bar. But Jackson says the reality star's recent interest in the law shouldn't be surprising. "I would say never underestimate Kim Kardashian West," Jackson tells Refinery29. "In all her business ventures, shes been successful. I have no reason to believe her commitment to criminal justice reform will be any different. Ms. Alices story awakened something in her something that resonates with her fathers career as a lawyer." Story continues Photo: Courtesy of Cut50. With the passage of the First Step Act, Jackson and #Cut50 are now focusing specifically on incarcerated women the fastest-growing population in United States prisons. They have spearheaded the Dignity for Incarcerated Women campaign, which is led by women who have lived in prisons and know the conditions firsthand and use that experience to work with state legislators to change laws in 20 states by 2020. In a major achievement, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Corey Booker recently reintroduced the Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act. The bill addresses issues that specifically impact incarcerated women, including sexual assault and motherhood. Jackson recently spoke with Refinery29 about #Cut50's latest initiative, her continuing work to create meaningful criminal justice reform in a sharply divided political climate, and, of course, working with Kim Kardashian West. What has it been like working across the aisle? "Its inspiring. Working across the aisle gives me a lot of hope for whats possible in this country. When it comes to effecting real policy change, we need to be able to set politics aside and put people in the front seat. We come at this work from a point of empathy. To pass the First Step Act, we brought formerly incarcerated people to Washington, D.C., to speak directly with their representatives, senators, and with the Trump administration. The progress weve seen is a testament to the power of their personal stories." What has been the most surprising thing about working on criminal justice reform? "That a persons voice, their experience, can move mountains. Topeka Sam spoke in front of the entire Trump administration about what it was like as an incarcerated woman to have her dignity stripped away. Pamela Winn, who was shackled while pregnant and suffered a tragic miscarriage because of mistreatment from prison staff, shared her experience with Sen. Cory Booker and other lawmakers. We had grown men emailing and calling us saying they cried hearing these stories. "We know the statistics millions of Americans are incarcerated. But to your question, the surprise is seeing the incredible power of those individuals who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system. Its extremely compelling. We always knew these voices would be at the center of #Cut50s work but what I didnt realize is that theyd have such a remarkable effect. If we can continue to get people like Topeka, Pamela, and others in the room to share their stories, we can create lasting change." What is some of the legislation you are supporting now? "I believe we should be making stronger investments in parents and children investments that keep families from being ripped apart. Nearly 80% of incarcerated women are mothers, and their incarceration is not a burden they shoulder alone. We know that sending a parent or caregiver to prison has catastrophic consequences on a child. "[The Primary Caregiver Pretrial Diversion Act in California, for instance], would provide community-based sentencing alternatives for caregivers who have been convicted of non-violent crimes. Its a groundbreaking new proposal that we hope will be mirrored by other states, and by Congress. There is a growing national dialogue around incarceration reform, rooted in collaboration, that were proud to be contributing to. Were going to fight to get this accomplished." What has it been like working with Kim Kardashian West? What would you say to people who doubt her motives for wanting to get a legal education? "Like everyone on the #Cut50 team, Kim cares deeply about people who are negatively impacted by incarceration. She has spent time with us meeting with people living inside prisons, meeting with formerly incarcerated people, crafting policy, and working on individual cases, while also learning more about the law. Im proud of the work shes doing. "So I would say never underestimate Kim Kardashian West. In all her business ventures, shes been successful. I have no reason to believe her commitment to criminal justice reform will be any different. Ms. Alices story awakened something in her something that resonates with her fathers career as a lawyer. To change the system we have now, you have to really understand how that system works. Or, more importantly, how it doesnt work. Thats the approach I took, and I think shes coming at her legal education the same way." Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here? Bus Driver Convicted Of Raping A 14-Year-Old Girl Gets No Jail Time Stacey Abrams Says She's Not Running For The Senate In 2020 A Conversation With The Director Who Saw The Magic Of AOC Before The Media Did A royal proclamation from Queen Elizabeth herself: Kate Middleton has been bestowed with yet another title (to add to her long list, which includes Duchess of Cambridge, Princess of the United Kingdom, Countess of Strathearn, Lady Carrickfergus, etc. etc.). On April 29, Queen Liz added "Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order" to Middleton's name, according to a grand announcement from Buckingham Palace. The title addition was made personally by the queen (that means it's, like, way important, you guys) and was awarded for "services to the Sovereign." Quick refresher ('cus of course you already know all this): The Royal Victorial Order is a knighthood order bestowed by the head of the sovereign family (Gan-Gan) and was founded in 1896 by Queen Victoria. It recognizes distinguished personal service to the monarch of the Commonwealth realms, aka the queen. A Dame Grand Cross is the highest order for a woman of the Royal Victorian Order to receive, and is equivalent to knighthood. (Anyone else getting major Ser Brienne of Tarth vibes?) The timing couldn't be better, either. Today marks Kate and William's eight-year wedding anniversary, so it's basically the Best. Day. Ever. (If you're K.Middy, obvi.) The queen submitted her request for Kate Middleton to be awarded this title just in the knick of time. A service for the RVO, held every four years, is scheduled for Friday, May 3, at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. All the royal family members (minus Meghan Markle, for obvious reasons) are expected to attend. Middleton's new honor will be visibly apparent, since she'll have to wear a blue sash in recognition of the RVO appointment. So, yeah, that's Dame Kate to you. RELATED: Kate Middleton and Prince William Just Visited Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at Frogmore Cottage For the past two months, Josh Trimble has watched his youngest child, six-month-old Opal, fight for her life. Little Opal, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, was just four months old when she was diagnosed acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a rare condition that affects the nervous system and weakens the bodys muscles and reflexes. Shes been in the hospital ever since. Josh, who is also the father of a five-year-old son and three-year-old daughter, unfortunately cant always be by Opals side, so he developed a way to let her know he is always with her in her heart. As Trimble was saying goodbye to Opal at the Children's Center Rehabilitation Hospital in Bethany, Oklahoma, last week, mom Gretchen filmed their touching tradition. Standing over her crib, Josh pounded on his chest. Without missing a beat, little Opal pounded her chest, too. "That moment of me beating on my chest was actually Opal and I sharing a heartbeat," Trimble told Good Morning America. "I was letting her know that even though we may not be there physically together, we share a heartbeat." Gretchen told GMA that she recorded the moment to show doctors. It was a sign of just how far their daughter has come since her diagnosis. Opal had spent seven weeks nearly immobile. "That day in particular we were praying about her not only mobility but her intentionality in deciding to move a certain way, and our focus was on her arms," Josh explained. WATCH: Deployed Tennessee National Guard Dad Surprises Son with His Return Home at Taekwondo "We had just finished some hard days of physical therapy for Opal, and her physical therapist had been trying to get her to reach out for things," added Gretchen. "We were just so encouraged because the fact that she was mimicking him told us she knew what she wanted to do, and she did it." According to the CDC, AFM is so rare that less than two out of a million children in the U.S. will get it every year. Gretchen told GMA that Opal is the youngest documented case of the disease. Dr. Michael Johnson, medical director of the hospital and a member of Opal's care team, told GMA that hes encouraged by the video. And shes continued to do the arm movement with her dadeven initiating it sometimes. "Opal is stronger than us combined, not only mentally but also proving to be very strong physically as well," said Josh. "If you could touch her arms, you could immediately feel her strength. If you could see her smile, youd immediately be impacted by it." This morning, after I saw my wifes pajamas on the bathroom floor, I kicked them just far enough behind the door so that she would have trouble finding them tonight when she got ready for bed. I would like to say that I thought twice before my deceptive act, but I dont think I did. Later in the morning, I noticed that Vicky had left her hat on the ground in our entryway, and instead of picking it up and placing it in the closet, I kicked it farther out into the middle of the floor. I didnt think twice about my decision in this instance, either. Ive developed a pattern of shady behavior, focused on deviously hiding Vickys belongings, since we moved to Switzerland a month ago. When Vicky left a sock on the couch after a night of binge-watching Netflix last week, I didnt put the sock in the laundry bin but actually snuck it behind the blanket on the couch so that she wouldnt be able to find it. And when she left her slippers under the coffee table this past weekend, I found myself trying to push one of them behind the leg of the coffee table and under the ottoman so that she would have trouble finding it the next night. This story was submitted by a Fatherly reader. Opinions expressed in the story do not reflect the opinions of Fatherly as a publication. The fact that were printing the story does, however, reflect a belief that it is an interesting and worthwhile read. While I am trying to irritate Vicky with my scheming, the only one I seem to be hurting is myself. The reality is that Vicky has no memory of where exactly she took off her pajamas or if she left her hat one foot or three feet from the front door. As for the sock that I hid behind the blanket, by the time she realizes its missing I will have hidden its partner, so it doesnt make a difference. I, on the other hand, spend the whole day stressing out every time I see clothes on the floor or socks on the couch and could have alleviated all of my frustration by putting each item where it belongs. How my living space is organized has been a constant issue throughout my 25-year struggle with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, but that doesnt tell the full story of why I keep hiding my wifes clothes. Story continues In December, when Vicky and I decided to move to Basel for her career, I initially thought about staying in New York and teaching until the end of the school year. I had made strong connections with a handful of students and wanted to see them through the end of the year. Unlike many professions, teachers dont get to see a final product. Seeing our students leave our classes on the last day of school is the closest we get. But after having been married for only six months, the thought of living away from my wife until July didnt seem tolerable. So, in mid-December, I gave notice to my school so that Vicky and I could move to Switzerland together. Supporting my wife, her career, and our marriage was the right thing to do. I have always loved the fact that Vicky is a businesswoman, and I look up to her for having the stamina to work 70-hour weeks and travel around the world for work. Im the opposite: I once had to go to a conference on Manhattans Upper West Side and complained about it for a week. And, while I often work at home during the evenings, I whine when I am at school past sundown. Every so often Vicky works until sunrise. I fell in love with Vicky for many reasons, one of which was that she thrives in the pressure packed world that I grew up thinking was only inhabited by men. Her degrees from Oxford, Cambridge, and Wharton were intimidating, but I was also captivated by her ability to think quickly through problems that easily confused me. With this in mind, I knew that her career would be the focus of many of our life decisions. But as our departure date and the last day with my students neared, I became more and more uneasy about my decision to leave school halfway through the year. In addition to feeling sad about leaving my students, I also felt uncomfortable not earning a salary after we moved. Vickys job comfortably supports us, but not providing any economic support has been harder for me than I thought it would be. I have always made less money than Vicky, but we split our bills evenly. It doesnt matter that I am doing important tasks like moving us into our apartment, figuring out the banking system, and learning how to take out the garbage without getting fined. I am still dependent on her for our rent. At times I feel embarrassed. I also get lonely. In Brooklyn, I was surrounded by rowdy teenagers all day and lived in a bustling city. In Switzerland, my only obligations during the week are three hours of German classes. And there is an absence of noise here that can easily frighten a New Yorker. This loneliness, it seems, is being taken out on my wifes wardrobe. When I came home from German lessons this afternoon, I noticed that the cleaning people had picked up my wifes pajamas and placed them on the toilet seat. I stared at them for a moment and felt incredibly ashamed. But that didnt stop me from putting them on the floor again so that I could use the toilet. About an hour later, I walked into the bathroom and saw the pajamas staring up at me from the floor. I shook my head in disgust at my own behavior, picked them up, and brought them into the bedroom. After Vicky left for work this morning, I walked into the bathroom and on the floor, in the same exact spot as yesterday, were her pajamas and slippers. They seemed to be peering up at me, almost goading me into some catty act. However, after showering, I picked up the pajamas, folded them, and placed them on our bed. I am still lonely and out of work, but Vicky is thriving in her new job and right now that is all that matters. Sadly, I dont imagine that my surreptitious hiding of my wifes clothing will immediately stop, but I do hope to have more afternoons like today. Tommy Mulvoy is an American expat living in Basel, Switzerland, with his wife, Vicky, and son, Aksel. When not chasing after Aksel, or keeping the peace between the familys pets, he teaches English and Special Education at the International School of Basel. Related Articles: The post My Wife Supports Our Family and I Love and Hate It appeared first on Fatherly. By Ulf Laessing and Ahmed Elumami TRIPOLI (Reuters) - An armed group attacked Libya's largest oilfield on Monday, but was repelled after clashes with its protection force, while fighting escalated in eastern commander Khalifa Haftar's effort to capture the capital Tripoli. The state oil company National Oil Corporation (NOC) said unknown gunmen fired a rocket propelled grenade at a control station of the El Sharara oilfield. Guards at the site eventually repelled the attackers, an oil engineer there told Reuters. There were no casualties among oil workers and production was unaffected, the NOC said in a statement. OPEC member Libya's oil output has been repeatedly disrupted by factional conflict and blockades since the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Haftar's three-week-old offensive to seize Tripoli, seat of Libya's internationally recognized government, has sharpened a power struggle that has fractured Libya since Gaddafi's fall. The assault by the Haftar-led Libyan National Army (LNA), which is allied to a parallel government based in the eastern city of Benghazi, stalled on Tripoli's stoutly defended southern outskirts last week. But fighting intensified again on Monday, with both sides using artillery. Shelling was heard in the center of Tripoli coming from southern districts from morning until late at night, residents said. The Tripoli forces as well as the LNA claimed to have made progress on different parts of the frontline though the situation remained fluid. A prominent commander from Misrata, a western city allied to Tripoli, has died, the LNA and some websites affiliated with armed groups in Misrata said. No official confirmation was immediately available. The battle for Tripoli has killed at least 345 people, including 22 civilians, a World Health Organization official said on Monday. A hospital in Tripoli was evacuated after shelling shattered some windows, the official tweeted. The United Nations' refugee agency UNHCR said 146 refugees, mainly Africans and a handful of Syrians, were evacuated on Monday from Libya to Italy, where their asylum claims will be processed. Most of them had been transferred earlier this month from detention centers near the fighting, a spokeswoman said. But 3,300 migrants and refugees remain trapped in detention centers near the Tripoli clashes, the UNHCR said. OILFIELD SEEN VULNERABLE It was unclear who the gunmen who targeted El Sharara are affiliated with. The oilfield is in a southwestern region held by forces loyal to Haftar. State guards and local tribesmen shut down El Sharara in December to press financial demands before allowing production to reopen in March. The field, operated by the NOC and foreign partners, has been pumping crude only intermittently due to blockades mostly by armed groups and other incidents. U.N. officials say Haftar is backed militarily by the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, which want to build him up to help fight and neutralize Islamist militants in the region. His opponents see him as a budding autocrat in Gaddafi's mold. Divisions among European and Gulf nations over how to deal with Haftar have scuppered U.N. efforts to broker a ceasefire between the main factions to prepare Libya for elections to help reunify the North African country. France and the United States been accused by Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj's government in Tripoli of playing both sides since Haftar launched his offensive. Paris has backed Haftar's efforts to curb radical Islamists while at the same time formally supporting Serraj's U.N.-recognized government. Serraj is backed emphatically by Italy, the former colonial power that has oil assets in Libya, and Turkey. Qatar, a Gulf rival of the UAE, also supports Serraj. The U.N. envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame, warned nations tempted to continue supporting Haftar that he was no democrat and his political agenda was not favored by most Libyans. "He is no Abraham Lincoln, he is no big democrat, but he has qualities and wants to unify the country," Salame told France Inter radio, referring to the U.S. president who steered his country through its Civil War, preserving the union and abolished slavery. Salame said his peacemaking effort was suffering from deep divisions within the U.N. Security Council that led to a British draft resolution on stopping the fighting over Tripoli being blocked last week by Russia and the United States. (Reporting by Ayman al-Warfalli, Ahmed Elumami, John Irish, Ulf Laessing and Stephanie Nebehay; editing by Mark Heinrich, Frances Kerry and G Crosse) MADRID, April 28 (Reuters) - The head of Spain's centre-right Ciudadanos ('Citizens') said his party would take on the leadership of the country's opposition, after the Socialist Party of Pedro Sanchez claimed victory in Sunday's national election. "We will keep a close eye on the government of (Socialist Pedro) Sanchez and Podemos... We are now heading the opposition," Albert Rivera told supporters in Madrid. With more than 99 percent of votes counted, Ciudadanos was on 57 seats in the 350-seat parliament, against 66 for the mainstream conservative People's Party (PP). The PP had 137 seats in the outgoing parliament. The Socialists won 123 seats and far-right Podemos 42, according to the same Interior Ministry tally, leaving them 11 seats short of a majority. (Reporting by Belen Carreno, writing by John Stonestreet) * Police raid of headquarters of National Thawheedh Jamaath * Group founded by suspected mastermind of suicide bombings * Sunday mass cancelled across island * Archbishop gives televised sermon from private chapel * Service attended by President Sirisena, PM Wickremesinghe * (Recasts with raid, adds new dateline) By Alasdair Pal and A. Ananthalakshmi COLOMBO/KATTANKUDY, April 28 (Reuters) - Sri Lankan police raided the headquarters of a hardline Islamist group founded by the suspected ringleader behind the Easter suicide bombings of churches and hotels, a Reuters witness said, as Sunday mass was cancelled due to fears of further attacks. Armed police in the town of Kattankudy searched the headquarters of the National Thawheedh Jamaath (NTJ) and detained one man at the premises, a Reuters reporter at the scene said. Police did not comment. On Saturday the government banned the NTJ under new emergency laws. The authorities believe Zahran Hashim, the founder of NTJ, masterminded and was one of the nine suicide bombers in the attacks on Easter Sunday which killed 253 people. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks. Police suspect the bombings were carried out by two local Islamist groups, including the one established by Zahran. Around 10,000 soldiers have been deployed around the island as the authorities hunt for more suspects. Police sources told Reuters on Sunday that Zahran's father and two brothers had been killed two days earlier in a gun battle with security forces. A relative identified the three men in a video circulating on social media calling for war against non-Muslims. The Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Ranjith, who had asked churches to suspend Sunday mass due to security fears, delivered a televised special sermon from a chapel at his home. The service was attended by President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former president Mahinda Rajapaksa. The archbishop said earlier this week that he had seen an internal security document warning of further attacks on churches. Story continues "We cannot kill someone in the name of God ... It is a great tragedy that happened," the archbishop said in his sermon. "We extend our hand of friendship and fraternity to all our brothers and sisters of whatever class, society or religion that differentiates us." The archbishop and political leaders then lit candles to commemorate the victims. Most of those killed in the Easter Sunday attacks were Sri Lankans. The dead also included 40 foreigners, including British, U.S., Australian, Turkish, Indian, Chinese, Danish, Dutch and Portuguese nationals. Police believe that radical Muslim preacher Zahran led the NTJ - or a splinter faction - to mount the attacks in Colombo as well as on a church in Batticaloa in the east. The authorities have named the other group suspected of involvement as Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim. Neither group were well known before the attacks but the government has come under heavy criticism for not heeding intelligence warnings of the bombings, including one from India's spy service hours before the attacks. On Friday, Sirisena said the government led by premier Wickremesinghe should take responsibility for the attacks and that prior information warning of attacks was not shared with him. GUN BATTLE More than 100 people, including foreigners from Syria and Egypt, have been detained for questioning for questioning over the Easter attacks. The Sri Lankan military said at least 15 people were killed during a fierce gun battle with Islamist militants on the east coast on Friday, including six children. In an apparent reference to the three men, Islamic State said on Sunday that three of its members had clashed with Sri Lankan police for several hours on Friday before detonating their explosive vests. It did not name them. The group's news agency Amaq said 17 policemen were killed or injured in that battle. It did not give any evidence. Sri Lanka's 22 million population is majority Buddhist and includes minority Christians, Muslims and Hindus. At the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo where one of the bombs went off last Sunday, Buddhist monks, some as young as 10 and senior clergy, performed rituals in a tribute to the victims. (Additional reporting by Shri Navaratnam and Shihar Aneez; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani and Raissa Kasolowsky) Things to know this week include ongoing discussion and action on municipal budgets, the mayors annual cleanup on Saturday, spring musicals at Lyman Hall and Platt high schools, a library book sale in Cheshire and a hotel ribbon-cutting in Southington. Meriden budget Mayor's cleanup day Spring musicals Marriott in Southington Solar panels Business workshop Wallingford budget Wallingford budget Cheshire budget Library book sale 1. Meriden budget The City Councils Finance Committee will vote Tuesday to send a 2019-20 budget recommendation to the full City Council. The committee has listened to budget presentations from department heads over the last two months and will now debate and approve changes to the budget that City Manager Tim Coon recommended last month. Coons $197.1 million budget proposal would raise spending by $1.7 million, or .88 percent, over the current year and would raise taxes by .19 percent, from 41.04 mills to 41.12 mills. The five-member committee will send a budget recommendation to the full 12-member City Council, which will then vote to adopt a budget in early May. The Finance Committee meeting will be held Tuesday at 5:30 in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 142 E. Main St. 2. Mayors cleanup day Mayor Kevin Scarpati will hold his biannual Mayors Community Clean-Up Day from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 4. The cleanup will begin at the Meriden Green, and the first 100 volunteers will be given a cleanup day t-shirt. A light lunch will be served following the cleanup. The cleanup is held in the fall and spring to clean areas around the city. The citys Council of Neighborhoods and Police Department assist in hosting. The last cleanup in October was canceled due to bad weather. 3. Spring musicals Lyman Hall High Schools spring musical is the 1954 Broadway version of Peter Pan, scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 day of performance. Contact ddellavecchia@wallingfordschools.org or call 203-294-5395. Platt High Schools spring musical The Sound of Music is scheduled for Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults and may be ordered online at https://platt.booktix.com/ 4. Marriott in Southington The Courtyard by Marriott, 1081 West St., in Southington. The Courtyard by Marriott, 1081 West St., in Southington. Southington Chamber of Commerce officials and owners of a hotel on West Street in Southington will hold a grand opening on Thursday. The Courtyard by Marriott, 1081 West St., was completed a few months ago and is part of a larger development on West Street near the former Hartford insurance company buildings. Local developer Mark Lovley built a host of stores and offices near the hotel. Theres a LongHorn Steakhouse planned for the area as well. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and was organized by the Chamber of Commerce. 5. Solar panels On Thursday, the Conservation Commission will discuss an application for a solar array at Light Metals Coloring on Spring Street. JD Solar Solutions is applying for the panels which will go in a flooplain. The commission had a special meeting earlier this month where they visited the site of the proposed panels. 6. Business workshop The Making Meriden Business Center and the Connecticut Economic Resource Center will host a two-hour workshop on the Fundamentals of Economic Development from 4 to 6 p.m. today (Monday, April 29) at Luchs Consulting Engineers at 89 Colony St. Admission is free. For more information contact Lisa Biesak at 860-798-2119. 7. Wallingford budget The Wallingford Town Council is scheduled to hold its final budget workshop 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Town Hall council chambers. Town departments slated to attend are the Economic Development Commission, Registrar of Voters, Wallingford Center Inc., Senior Center, Historic Program Match, Center Street Cemetery, Public Celebrations, Columbus House, Wallingford 2020 and the Spanish Community of Wallingford. 8. Cheshire budget The Town Council will vote to adopt a budget Tuesday after weeks of meetings on aspects of the upcoming fiscal years spending plan. Town Manager Sean Kimball proposed a budget for the upcoming year that increases spending by nearly 4 percent, adds four emergency dispatchers and uses less money from town reserves than previous budgets. It totals $115.6 million for general government, education, debt and other spending, an increase of $4.4 million over the current fiscal years spending plan. The proposed tax rate would be 33.85 mills, an increase of 1.23. The council meeting is scheduled for April 30 at Town Hall, 7 p.m. 9. Library book sale The Cheshire Public Library will hold its book sale this week starting with a sale preview event for Friends of the Cheshire Public Library members on Wednesday. Memberships can be bought at the door. The sale runs from Thursday to Sunday, starting at 9 a.m. on every day except Sunday when it starts at noon. Paris (AFP) - The Chinese giant salamander, the largest amphibian in the world, is not cute. Weighing as much as an adult human, it has slimy brown skin, a giant mouth curled to a gormless grin, and puny, mistrustful eyes. It is also one of the world's most endangered species. And yet, unlike its compatriot the giant panda, the giant salamander rarely makes the news. Why do some animals strike a chord with humans, prompting them to donate millions towards their conservation, while others draw little more than disgust? And is a sad-eyed panda really worth saving more than a slimy salamander? Size, intelligence, behaviour, rarity, how closely an animal resembles the human form -- all play a part in our reaction to various endangered creatures. "One of the biggest factors is 'cuteness': physical characteristics such as big eyes and soft features that elicit our parental instincts because they remind us of human infants," Hal Herzog, emeritus professor at West Carolina University's Department of Psychology, told AFP. An expert in human-animal relationships, Herzog said the dark rings around pandas' eyes triggered humans nurturing instincts. "Compare that to the Chinese giant salamander," he said. "Google it. It looks like a six-foot-long, 150-pound bag of brown slime with beady little eyes." The salamanders are a vital part of their ecosystem, just as worms are essential to soil health around the steams and lakes they live in -- which is just about everywhere. Yet, like maggots, rats and snakes, the main instinct they inspire in humans is revulsion. - 'Learned' disgust - According to Graham Davey, a specialist in phobias from the University of Sussex's School of Psychology, we learn to revile certain creatures at a young age. "Disgust is a learned emotion. Babies are not born with it... it's probably transmitted socially, culturally and within families," he said. Story continues Some animals are reviled due to their resemblance to "primary disgusting things" such as mucus or faeces, Davey said, while others are perceived -- rightly or wrongly -- to pose a direct danger to the beholder. "In terms of threat to humankind, disease and illness are bigger than being attacked by an animal," he said. This might explain why most of us don't find lions and bears repellant -- they are covered with the same type of soft fur that coat cuddly toys for children, even if it might be better to avoid one in real life. - An orca by any other name - As with most things, popular culture has a huge effect on how society perceives animals. Whereas the movie "Free Willy" prompted a wave of sympathy for the protection of endangered orcas, "Arachnophobia" hardly helped spiders' cause. See also: "Jaws" for sharks. Even the depiction of fictional creatures can have a knock-on effect on public perception towards certain animals. Take the main being in "Alien", for example. "Seeing the one from the first film that had that mucus-y drawl dripping from the alien's mouth... sensitises people to disgusting things," Davey said. Nor is it just the public at large who are liable to "speciesism", or discrimination against other species in favour of our own. A study in 2017 found a strong correlation between society's preferred animals and those most studied in scientific research. "Maybe that's because it's easier to get money" to study well-known animals, said Frederic Legendre, a researcher at France's National History Museum. And popular species make money in return, according to Christo Fabricius from WWF -- a conservation group indelibly linked to its panda logo. "Reptiles, for example, are not very marketable," he said. - 'Protect species, protect habitat' - Not that favouring certain cute or charismatic species is necessarily a bad thing for conservation. "When we protect an iconic species, we protect their habitat and therefore all the organisms within it also benefit," said Legendre. But such species can become a victim of their own popularity. One recent study suggested that a "virtual" presence of wild animals such as elephants and tigers -- be that on computer screens, T-shirts or in children's books -- can fool people into thinking they are more common in the wild than they really are. The populations of most megafauna -- from hippos to giraffes and gorillas -- remain in peril. Then there's the risk of poaching. The rarer the species "the more value they provide for traditional medicine, for trophy hunting, and therefore they are poached more often," said Franck Courchamp, an ecologist at France's National Centre for Scientific Research. So the next time you see a picture of a Giant Chinese Salamander, remember that there's more to saving Earth's wild species than looks. Tehran (AFP) - Iran's top general warned Sunday Tehran could close the strategic Strait of Hormuz shipping route if it faces more "hostility", news agency ISNA said, as the US tightens up sanctions. "We are not after closing the Strait of Hormuz but if the hostility of enemies increase, we will be able to do so," armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri told semi-official ISNA. "Also if our oil does not go through the strait, other countries' oil will certainly not cross the strait, too," he added. The statement came after Washington said on Monday it would start imposing sanctions on countries such as India, China and Turkey that buy Iranian oil. Eight countries were initially given six-month reprieves after the United States reimposed sanctions on Iran in November, following President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from a 2015 nuclear accord. Iranian officials have repeatedly warned the Islamic republic could shut down the strait, a vital shipping lane for international oil supplies, should it find its national interests or security threatened. "We believe Iran will continue to sell its oil ... (and) use the Strait of Hormuz. But if the United States takes the crazy measure of trying to prevent us from doing that, then it should be prepared for the consequences," foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday. "It is in our vital national security interest to keep the Persian Gulf open, to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. We have done that in the past and we will continue to do that in the future," he added. By Andrew Hay ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Reuters) - The leader of a paramilitary group that has detained undocumented migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border pleaded not guilty to federal weapons charges on Monday and was denied bail. Larry Hopkins, 69, commander of the United Constitutional Patriots, has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm after the FBI said it found guns during a 2017 visit to his home. Moments before Hopkins was first scheduled to stand and face U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Molzen, a U.S. Marshal told the courtroom to evacuate the building for a bomb threat. Nothing was found, and authorities did not elaborate on the threat. When the court reconvened, Assistant U.S. Attorney George Kraehe testified that Hopkins had 11 prior felony convictions and was seen in possession of a holstered firearm as recently as February, when he met with the police chief of Sunland Park, New Mexico, where his group is camped on the border. Kraehe said Hopkins failed to appear at seven court hearings and escaped from a penal institution during a criminal history, dating back to 1968. "I believe the government has met its burden of showing he is a flight risk and a danger to the community," said Molzen, ordering Hopkins to be held in custody until trial. NINE FIREARMS Hopkins was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on April 20, days after the American Civil Liberties Union accused his group of illegally detaining migrants, and New Mexico's Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said its activities had to stop. The charges relate to weapons the FBI found at Hopkins home in 2017, while investigating reports he was running a militia. They do not relate to any of his group's conduct at the border. When agents entered the home they collected nine firearms, ranging from pistols to rifles, which Hopkins, also known as Johnny Horton Jr., illegally possessed as he had at least one prior felony conviction, according to the complaint. Hopkins' lawyer, Kelly O'Connell, said the pistol Hopkins wore in February was a compressed-air pellet gun and the weapons found in 2017 were legally purchased for the group by its vice commander Mark Cheney at flea markets. He acknowledged Hopkins had a criminal record but believed he had only two felony convictions. "He has no history of being a threat to the community," O'Connell said. Hopkins was assaulted in jail last week and O'Connell argued that, as well as being infirm and not a flight risk, his client's safety was at risk if incarcerated due to his high-profile activities at the border. "It's all made up," said Hopkins' common-law wife Fay Murphy, 60, of the government's allegations. (Reporting by Andrew Hay, Editing by James Dalgleish and Tom Brown) Kinshasa (AFP) - Martin Fayulu, who claims he was robbed of victory in the Democratic Republic of Congo's presidential election, on Sunday called for people power to drive President Felix Tshisekedi from power, an AFP journalist reported. Citing popular uprisings in Algeria and Sudan, he told a meeting of several thousand supporters in Kinshasa the Congolese could achieve the same thing. "This time, we have returned to call for and to obtain the resignation of Felix Tshisekedi," he said. "He's a disgrace, he sold out the country.... "You, the people are stronger than any army in the world. In Sudan and in Algeria, the people got the departure of the leaders. Here we have to do the same thing against Kabila and Tshisekedi. Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned in early April after weeks of mass protests, and several regime officials and businessmen close to him have been sacked or detained over alleged graft. People's protests in Sudan led to a military council ousting veteran leader Omar al-Bashir on April, and on Sunday the protesters agreed a joint civilian-military council to pave the way towards civilian rule. In the DR Congo, Fayulu has repeatedly branded last December's presidential election result a stitch-up between Tshisekedi and the outgoing president Joseph Kabila. He was officially credited with 34.8 percent of the vote against 38.5 percent for Tshisekedi, but insists he picked up around 60 percent of the vote. Tshisekedi replaced Kabila who yielded power after 18 turbulent years at the helm of sub-Saharan Africa's biggest country. But Kabila's Common Front for Congo (FCC) coalition won comfortable majorities in both houses of parliament as well as provincial assemblies and his supporters also dominated elections for the governorships across the country. Sri Lanka's churches remained shut Sunday, forcing Christians to say prayers of grief in private over the Easter suicide attacks that the country's Roman Catholic leader called "an insult to humanity". Fearing a repeat of the Easter Sunday bombings of churches and hotels in which 253 people died, the archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, held a private Mass after cancelling all public services. Amid heavy security imposed across the country, a vigil was also held outside St Anthony's Shrine in Colombo at 8:45 am, the moment the bomber struck the church, killing dozens of worshippers. "Today during this Mass we are paying attention to last Sunday's tragedy and we try to understand it," the cardinal said at his official residence, where President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe were among the small congregation. "We pray that in this country there will be peace and co-existence and understanding each other without division," he said. "What happened last Sunday is a great tragedy, an insult to humanity," he added. - Stuck in time - At exactly 8:45 am, the singing of hymns by scores of people outside St Anthony's stopped and bells tolled. The hands on the tower clock remain fixed at the time of the blast. "I come to this church every Sunday. It feels like my second home," said Dharshika Fernando, 19, fighting back tears. "It feels like people blasted my own home." Later in the day, the cardinal made his first public appearance since the attacks to participate in a candlelight vigil for the victims. Speaking to reporters, he expressed fears that the official investigation into the massacre would end up a "flop". "There is a certain amount of suspicion among our people that there will be no more follow-up, only words... If they (the authorities) are sincere, they must have a thorough investigation," he said. Story continues The cardinal has repeatedly assailed the authorities for failing to share intelligence reports that had warned of an impending jihadist attack against Christians. Thousands of Sri Lankan troops remained on the streets, guarding churches and mosques for the symbolic day. Security forces also carried out new arrests, a day after at least 15 people were killed in a raid on a jihadist hideout where suicide bombers blew themselves up. Police said they searched the family home of two of the bombers and arrested one of their brothers. Elsewhere, more suspects were detained, bringing to 150 the number of people arrested since the bombings. The prime minister said security forces had killed or arrested most of the jihadists linked to the attacks, which he said were carried out by a "small, but a well-organised group". "Most of them have been arrested. Some have died," Wickremesinghe said in a statement. "Now we are able to return to normality". Authorities say they are also seeking about 140 followers of the Islamic State group. Two of the latest suspects arrested, Mohamed Saadik Abdul Haq and Mohamed Saahid Abdul Haq, were on a list of six "most wanted" radicals issued on Thursday. They were wanted for the December 26 desecration of Buddha statues in the central town of Mawanella, the act that first brought to prominence the National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) group, which has been blamed for the Easter bombings. - Schools stay closed - On Friday night, three men set off explosives, killing themselves, three women and six children after a showdown with security forces near the eastern town of Kalmunai. Police said three other suspected suicide bombers were shot dead by security forces outside the hideout. A civilian was killed in crossfire. IS, which claimed responsibility for the Easter bombings, said the three men who blew themselves up at Kalmunai were its members. Kalmunai is in the same region as the hometown of the jihadist Zahran Hashim, who founded the NTJ. Police said Hashim's widow and their child were wounded in the Kalmunai raid. "The woman and her four-year-old daughter are now being treated at a government hospital," police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera told AFP. Gunasekera said DNA tests should help establish whether Hashim's father was among those who perished at the safe house. Another raid in the region targeted a house where authorities said Hashim and the other suicide bombers filmed a pledge of allegiance to IS before their attacks. The video was shown by IS when it made its claim of responsibility. The firebrand cleric is said to have died in the attack on the Shangri-La, one of three Colombo hotels hit by suicide bombers. Sirisena on Sunday said he was using emergency powers to ban any form of face covering in public, "to ensure national security". The restriction will take effect from Monday, his office said in a statement. Only a small number of women in Sri Lanka wear the face-covering niqab. On Saturday, Sirisena used emergency powers to ban the NTJ and a splinter group, Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI). In a sign of continuing tensions, the reopening of schools across Sri Lanka, originally scheduled for Monday, has been put back one week. Supporters of Spains Socialist Workers Party, or PSOE, celebrated at the partys Madrid headquarters on April 28 after it won the most seats in the countrys third general election in four years. The PSOE had 123 seats, El Pais said, far more than any other party, but short of a majority in the 350-seat parliament. The left-wing party Unidas Podemos won 35 seats, and the far-right party Vox won 24. The results meant the PSOE would seek to lead a left-wing coalition in parliament, but support from some smaller parties, likely including Basque nationalists, would be needed. Credit: pdelbrio via Storyful By Shri Navaratnam and Ranga Sirilal COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lankan security officials have warned that Islamist militants behind Easter Sunday's suicide bombings are planning attacks and could be dressed in uniform, as the archbishop of Colombo complained about insufficient security around churches. The militants were targeting five locations for attacks on Sunday just passed or on Monday, security sources said. "There could be another wave of attacks," the head of the police ministerial security division (MSD) said in a letter to lawmakers and other officials seen by Reuters on Monday. "The relevant information further notes that persons dressed in military uniforms and using a van could be involved in the attacks." There were no attacks on Sunday and security across Buddhist-majority Sri Lanka has been ramped up, with scores of suspected Islamists arrested since the April 21 attacks on hotels and churches that killed more than 250 people, including 40 foreign nationals. The government has also banned women from wearing face veils under an emergency law that was put in place after the attacks. There were concerns within the Muslim community that the ban could fuel tensions in the multi-ethnic nation. But government officials said it would help security forces identify people as a hunt for any remaining attackers and their support network continues across the Indian Ocean island, which was gripped by civil war for decades until 2009. The Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Ranjith, said that security had not been sufficiently stepped up around churches. We are not satisfied with the security arrangements and urge authorities to ensure our safety," he told reporters. Authorities suspect members of two little known groups - National Thawheedh Jamaath (NTJ) and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim - of carrying out the Easter attacks, though Islamic State has claimed responsibility. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said a tight-knit group of people was involved, mostly close friends and families. They spoke face-to-face, possibly to evade electronic surveillance. "They were small enough that they were not using normal communications, instead meeting each other," Wickremesinghe told Reuters. He added the coordinated bombings, the type of explosives used and the tightly guarded plot suggested the bombers had guidance. "ISIS has claimed, we also felt there has to be some international links," he said, referring to Islamic State. Authorities believe Zahran Hashim, the founder of NTJ, was the mastermind and one of the nine suicide bombers. One military source told Reuters that five sets of white attire commonly worn by Buddhists when visiting temples were recovered from a safe house in the east, the site of a gun battle on Friday that killed Zahrans father and his two brothers. His wife and daughter escaped an explosion with minor injuries, hospital staff and police said. ROW OVER POLICE CHIEF Many Sri Lankans believe a deep rift between President Maithripala Sirisena and Wickremesinghe has undermined national security. Sirisena fired Wickremesinghe last year, after months of tension, only to be forced to reinstate him under pressure from the Supreme Court. Since then their relationship has deteriorated further to the point where their factions actively try to undermine each other, including not sharing security information, defense sources say. Sirisena said on Monday he had appointed Chandana Wickramaratne, the second in command at the police, as acting police chief. Over the weekend, two sources at the president's office told Reuters that Pujith Jayasundara, the police chief who was appointed by Wickremesinghe, was refusing the president's request to step down for not sharing information about the attacks. "Since there is an investigation into his possible failure in preventing the attacks, Jayasundara has been sent on compulsory leave," a source close to the president told Reuters. It was not immediately possible to contact Jayasundara on Monday. The president has also appointed General Shantha Kottegoda as the new defense secretary, replacing Hemasiri Fernando who resigned after the bombings, saying that some institutions under him had failed. Kottegoda, 69, army commander between 2004 and 2005, was instrumental in weakening Tamil Tiger rebels by breaking away an allied group. The archbishop criticized the bickering at the top levels of government. At a time when the whole country has been affected by a major catastrophe, politicians should stop finding fault with each other," he said. "Instead they must have broad discussion on what steps needed to be taken to solve this and take this country out of this crisis. Sri Lanka's Tourism Bureau chairman, Kishu Gomes, said tourist arrivals in Colombo were expected to fall 50 percent over the next two months because of the bombings. Tourist arrivals in areas elsewhere in Sri Lanka would likely go down by about 30 percent, he told reporters at a travel conference in Dubai. In India, police said they had raided the homes of three people in the southern state of Kerala, close to Sri Lanka, in connection with their links to Islamic State. They did not say if there was any connection to the attacks in Sri Lanka. (Reporting by Ranga Srilal and Shri Navaratnam; Additional reporting by Shihar Aneez and Sanjeev Miglani in Colombo, Sudarshan Varadhan in New Delhi and Nafisa Eltahir in Dubai; writing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Nick Macfie; Editing by Robert Birsel) University graduate, 25, has revealed she is set to marry her 71-year-old former professor [Image: Facebook] A university graduate, 25, has revealed she is to marry her former professor, 71, after seven months of dating. Cameron Platt, who recently graduated with a masters degree from Oxford University, announced she is engaged to Lee Clark Mitchell who is a professor in English. The couple who have a 46-year age gap met when Cameron took one of Lees classes as an undergraduate at Princeton University in the United States five years ago. READ MORE: The ideal relationship age gap revealed In a lengthy Facebook post she opened up about her romance with the lecturer who will be 72 in June acknowledging that it might come as a surprise to many of you. Cameron Platt first met Lee Clark Mitchell when he was her English professor [Image: Princeton] READ MORE: Man secretly discovers his wife is exchanging sexy texts with her boss I was taking his lecture course on Henry James and William Faulkner, she wrote. Lee was little more than a stranger to me then, but he captivated me with his brilliance, sensitivity, and passion. His lectures changed forever the way that I think. Cameron said that by the time she had graduated, Lee had become a devoted mentor. The woman revealed their engagement in a Facebook post [Image: Facebook] READ MORE: Dating app launches dick pic detector to protect users from receiving nudes She then spent two years at Oxford, but admitted she often thought of her former professor. I was surprised to find how much I still thought of Lee and soon I understood that I felt something for him that Id not fully acknowledged before, she explained. At the end of my two years in Oxford, after much reflection, and with encouragement from my wonderful friends, I resolved to shoot my shot. READ MORE: Celebrity couples with the biggest age differences Last September, the pair went on their first date to the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Despite Lee not knowing it was a date, they acted like shy teens, eager but tentative and were unsure of how to test new boundaries with each other. Cameron continued: At last, to our amazement, we broke through. Something then sprouted from a seed that neither of us had known that wed planted, and we realised that the force of feeling that wed long had for each other and called by other names (admiration, wonder, devotion, gratitude) held within it the hope and the potential for love. Story continues She said that while they are at different stages of life, they are in love and decided to make their relationship official with an engagement ring. Princeton have confirmed that Lee is currently on academic sabbatical. READ MORE: Woman takes to Twitter after dinner date calls her disrespectful for not texting after he paid Lee and Cameron arent the only smitten couple with a hefty age gap. Back in January, Almeda, 71, shared how she fell in love with 17-year-old Gary at her sons funeral. The couple married just two weeks later. Watch the latest videos from Yahoo A Southern California rabbi who was shot during a deadly attack on his synagogue says he has received a call from President Donald Trump. Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein on Sunday told reporters Trump called him to share his condolences on behalf of the American people. Goldstein says Trump was comforting and spoke about his love of peace, Judaism and Israel. Authorities say a 19-year-old man opened fire on the synagogue in Poway, California, during a service on Saturday, killing a woman and wounding three people, including Goldstein. The Jerusalem District Court on Monday sentenced Daniel Nahmani to life in prison for a murder of Noa Eyal 21 years ago. Nahmani will be eligible to appeal his sentence after serving at least 15 years. The speaker of Lebanons parliament indicated Lebanon was prepared to set a maritime border with Israel under the supervision of the United Nations. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter During an April 23 meeting in Beirut with Maj.-Gen. Stefano del Col, commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Nabih Berri said his country was prepared establish a maritime border and special economic zone with Israel as long as it involved the same mechanism used in adopting the so-called Blue Line demarcation under the auspices of the UN. Lebanese president, Prime minister and speaker of parliament (Photo: Reuters) The UN drew the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel in June 2000 following the Israeli militarys withdrawal from the southern part of the country. It has since become the unofficial border and is monitored by UNIFIL peacekeepers. The border includes a disputed area known as Mount Dov in Israel and Shebaa Farm in Lebanon. Del Col responded favorably to the possibility of such a move, noting that formalizing borders would add to the security and stability of the area. Offshore oil and gas reserves discovered since 2009 in the disputed 860 square kilometers (330 square miles) of Mediterranean waters could generate billions of dollars in revenue in the coming decades. Tensions over the area have grown since last year when Lebanon announced its first offshore oil and gas exploration and production agreement with a European consortium, scheduled to begin in 2019. Off shore drilling (Photo: Associated Press) Hisham Jaber, a retired Lebanese general and head of the Middle East Studies Center in Beirut, told The Media Line that Lebanon had always sought to define its borders with Israel through UN mediation. Its not a new position or out of the ordinary, he said. Jaber stressed the lack of communication between the governments of Lebanon and Israel, saying the UN would be a natural fit for the required talks. Such matters require both sides to share their input, he elaborated. At the end of the day, Israel has an interest in drawing borders with Lebanon although it cant infringe on Lebanese rights. Regarding land borders, Jaber said the Blue Line had been established for military and geographical reasons and crosses much Lebanese land in favor of Israel, meaning that Israel inevitably will have to retreat. Regarding maritime borders, though, he pointed out that it was a matter of oil and gas, and therefore both countries had a mutual interest in establishing a line. Oded Eran, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, told The Media Line that there was no formal agreement between Lebanon and Israel on anything. For now, he said, the Blue Line is the certified border, since both sides agreed on it back in the day. Israel Lebanon border (Photo: IDF Spokesman) Eran stressed that if the Lebanese were not happy with the arrangement, it should reach out with the aim of reaching new understandings. The case now is that the Blue Line is the border with Lebanon, as the UN has certified, he added. Asked about maritime borders, Eran confirmed that they were a completely different story. These borders were not included in any UN maps or understandings, he said, noting that Israel and Lebanon must (come to an agreement) with each other. article written by Dima Abumaria NEW HAVEN Yale-New Haven Hospital Monday unveiled plans to build up its St. Raphael campus with a 505,000-square foot, $838 million neuroscience center for research and treatment of diseases like Parkinsons, Alzheimers, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and strokes. The announcement took place at a press conference held inside a tent on a parking lot at 659 George St., where the hospital system plans to build the new center. The project will develop a neuroscience focus for the St. Raphael campus while Yales cancer hospital takes the lead at its original York Street campus. Yale School of Medicine researchers will play an active research role at the new center. At the announcement, Yale-New Haven Health CEO Marna Borgstrom said the new project tackles three goals: Easing the shortage of beds at the hospital so that patients need not have roommates. Seizing opportunities for investment in research into neuroscientific diseases. Moving closer to the eradication of insidious disease through innovative therapies and new treatments. The project will be built within the existing footprint of the hospital campus, bordered by Sherman Avenue and George Street. It will shift the main entrance of the hospital from Chapel Street to George Street. An existing parking garage on Orchard Street will be extended to George Street to accommodate patients and a new 200-space underground garage will support the facility, a hospital release stated. The new center will provide an important link to our research, Yale School of Medicine Dean Robert Alpern said at the event. Where Yale stands out in the nation is in the neurosciences, capturing the most National Institute of Health research funding. Its current research includes new ways to reduce strokes and Parkinsons and pain-reduction alternatives to opioids. Yake is part of an NIH network for clinical trials and a northeast ALS clinical trial consortium. The number-one priority for the space his school just took over at the Alexion 100 College St. tower will involve neuroscience research, he said. Robert Alpern, dean of the Yale School of Medicine, said that the new Neurosciences Center, which is slated to open in 2024, will build on the universitys nationally recognized work in neuroscience. He noted that Yale is No. 1 in National Institutes of Health funding for neuroscience and houses one of the four Kavli Institutes founded by the Kavli Foundation. It is home to one of eight Alzheimer research centers in the country as well as a leader in multiple sclerosis research and the home for where a new depression drug has been developed in collaboration with Mount Sinai. Alpern said his schools number-one priority in the space it has taken over at the 100 College St. Alexion building will also involve neuroscience. He told the governor that not only will the new center further solidify Yales leading status for neuroscience but it might help you build the economy of Connecticut by spinning out a lot of companies. This will be transformational on this campus, transformational in this city and transformational in health care, he said. Yale New Haven President Rick DAquila said that the new center will allow the hospital to provide a full spectrum of neuroscience care from early diagnose to genetically tailored care. Currently, every brain tumor that the hospital treats is genomically sequenced; DAquila said the new center will ultimately allow it to expand to such sequencing for every neurological disease. This will provide groundbreaking care on a national level, he said. New Haven is a central hub for the life sciences, Gov. Lamont said at the event. He spoke of improving transportation and housing so more scientists can live and work here. The citys counting on $8 million in building fees form the project over three years. Theres no understating the significance of the new center for long-term prosperity, health care, and jobs, Mayor Toni Harp said at the event. She echoed Lamonts call to improve the states transportation infrastructure to support economic initiatives like this one. She and Board of Alders President Tyisha Walker spoke of how three brilliant women who worked on the deal they and Borgstrom got it done. Were going to get some jobs out of this as well, Walker noted. The Palestinian Authority stopped sending West Bank and Gaza patients to Israeli medical facilities, following financial difficulties that arose after Israel decided February to deduct some half a billion shekels from the tax money it collects on behalf of the PA, due to its continued payment of terrorists' salaries. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Some 3,500 Palestinians from the West Bank and several dozens from the Gaza Strip are sent for medical care inside Israel each year. Some of the medical facilities lacking in the West Bank can be found in East Jerusalem institutions, while cancer patients and others with more complicated medical issues have to be sent to Israeli hospitals that have more advanced facilities. For instance, radiation for cancer patients is only available in East Jerusalem for West Bank residents; a PET-CT, a necessary tool for the diagnosis of cancer, is completely lacking in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem, and must be performed in Israel. Child cancer patient in a Gaza Strip hospital (Photo: EPA) Any Palestinian is permitted to apply for medical care in Israel, under the condition he or she can present a summon by the Israeli medical institution, and a document from the PA that guarantees the payment. However, for the last several weeks, the PA stopped issuing both documents, and as a result, Palestinian patients had been unable to receive treatment in Israeli hospitals, including hospitals in East Jerusalem. Patients with no papers summoning them for treatment cannot be granted an entry permit into Israel, and are thus left without suitable necessary treatment. In response to the medical crisis, the Physicians for Human Rights NGO criticized politicians on both sides, and said "patients can't become victims of power struggles between Israel and the Palestinian Authority." "Israel has to stop the tax money deduction, and the PA has to leave patients out of this struggle," said the NGO. According to an unnamed Israeli medical official, Palestinian patients were officially supposed to be sent for treatment in Jordan or Egypt. "However, in actuality, this doesnt happen and they remain without a solution," he said. France has foiled a terrorist act and is holding four suspects in custody, said the French interior minister and a police source on Monday. The police source said the four suspects had been arrested on suspicion of acquiring weapons "with a view to committing a terrorist act". "We had sufficient evidence to lead us to believe that a major attack was being planned," Interior Minister Christophe Castaner also told reporters on Monday. One of two detainees held by Turkey on suspicion of spying for the United Arab Emirates has committed suicide in prison, a justice ministry official said on Monday. The two suspects were arrested on April 19 and confessed to spying on Arab nationals, a senior Turkish official said at the time. Turkey was investigating whether the arrival in the country of one of them was related to the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The justice ministry official said the suspect hanged himself but did not provide further details. 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 at the time of their detention, adding the other had arrived later to help his colleague with the workload. The two men were charged with international, political and military espionage and sent to Silivri prison, west of Istanbul, according to state-owned Anadolu news agency. 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. When a senior Israeli security official was recently asked who will rehabilitate Syria, ravaged by a decade-long civil war, he replied without hesitation - the Chinese. This has been the prevailing assumption among the high-profile Israeli security experts over the past two years, and its no longer just an academic assessment. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter This development requires the Israeli government to prepare for a new Middle East in which China plays a key role. Israel's research and assessment institutes - both governmental and military - should have already made plans for what happens once China establishes its presence on Syrian territory. The Israeli government, however, seems to make decisions after the damage is already done. Back in 2015, Israel allowed a Chinese company to operate parts of the Haifa port for the next 25 years, with an option to extend it for another 25. The decision was made without fully understanding the implications of long-term Chinese involvement in a key strategic infrastructure. The Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Finance were certain they were being sophisticated and everyone would get to enjoy the crumbs of Chinese trillions. But the crumbs come at a price when it comes to not only politics, but security as well. Syrian flag on the Israel-Syria border (Photo: Reuters) The Americans claim the Chinese involvement in the Haifa port activities is a blow to US national security, and the day when Israel will have to decide between US and China is not far away. As a result, the government is now trying to hurriedly amend the arrangement with the Chinese in order to soften the blow as far as the White House is concerned. The Chinese involvement in Syria could be much more dramatic and complicated. The rehabilitation of the war-battered country is a project that would cost trillions and would most likely take decades to complete. Since the start of the civil war in 2011, the Syrian economy had lost some $ 250 billion, half of the countrys inranstrucure was destroyed, six million Syrians fled the state, and an additional four million became refugees in their own homeland. Some estimate that restoring the country to its pre-2011 condition will take up to 30 years. The Russians dont have the ability to invest in Syria beyond military infrastructure, while Iran (another ally of President Bashar Assads regime) needs to rehabilitate itself first following the reintroduction of US sanctions on the Islamic Republic. The Americans have no interest in investing there, the Europeans only seem to invest their optimistic rhetoric and not money, while the Gulf states and Saudi Arabia would never do anything that could potentially strengthen the Assad regime due to its close relationship with Tehran. This leaves the Chinese - who have both money and interest, as part of their $900 billion New Silk Route initiative - as the only ones capable to take on a project of this scale. The plan includes a construction of land and sea routes connecting China with Europe's largest market, while simultaneously creating Chinese dominance of future global communications. China doesnt differentiate between national security and economic initiatives. The New Silk Road is designed to ensure China's global dominance vis-a-vis the US and Russia. China's Vice-President Wang Qishan with Prime Minister Netanyahu and his wife Sara Syria will never be able to pay back the Chinese government, therefore, it will be a repeat of the investment model Beijing officials have established in Africa. China is building infrastructure in many African countries and since they are unable to repay the mounting debts, the Chinese companies are taking over these countries' natural resources and subjugating state policies to accommodate Chinas interests. China is now involved in the economies of more than 60 countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Some of these countries have become completely enslaved by the Chinese interests. Once China has poured hundreds of billions of dollars into Syria, the Russians will sit quietly in the port of Tartus - leased to them by Assad for the next 49 years - trying to protect their assets. The Iranians will also have to behave themselves. Israel, meanwhile, will have to deal with the fact that our border with Syria will be under the Chinese jurisdiction. When will the Israeli government begin preparing for this inevitable scenario? Most likely the day after it happens. U.S. sanctions against Iran's oil industry will damage the stability of global oil markets, a senior Iranian official was quoted as saying on Monday. "These sanctions are an example of America's bullying reaction in trying to change the balance of power in the world," Amir Hossein Zamaninia, a deputy oil minister, said in a report carried by the Iranian oil ministry's news website SHANA. Last week, UN envoy to the Mideast Nikolay Mladenov issued his report on the situation in the Palestinian Authority, waring the financial crisis it is in, endangers West Bank. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Looking at what may lay ahead, requires an understanding of how we've gotten to where we are now. Nicolai Mladenov (: AP) In July 2018 the Knesset passed a law to withhold funds to the PA, from their legitimate tax income, collected by Israel. The amount being the exact sum spent on support to families of terrorists. Mahmoud Abbas (Photo: Associated Press) The law states that the Israeli minister of defense will report the exact amount that the PA payed out to these families, the previous year, and that amount will be deducted from the monthly transfer of funds. But since the beginning of 2019, no one in Israel was in any rush to enforce the law, knowing it would bring about the financial ruin of the PA. West Bank demonstrations (Photo: AP) So, what has happened since? In February of this year, A Palestinian murdered 19-year-old Ori Ansbacher and the right wing began asking why the law was not being applied. The combination of pressure from his right and the upcoming elections pushed Netanyahu to ratifying the law by the cabinet. Israel transfers an average of NIS600,000,000 ($166 million) each month, money collected as taxes for the PA. Since the law has been ratified, the amount withheld, will be approx. $11.5 million a month. In response, Palestinian president Abu Abbas announced he will refuse to accept any of the tax revenue, if part of it is withheld, and meanwhile the PA will continue supporting the families as they have been doing, financial repercussions be what they may. At the same time $ 1 billion in US aid previously given the PA was also stopped. Palestinian cabinet It appears Abbas has decided to burn down the house, in the hopes, Israel will re-think its position. But the elections were taking place, and no one was paying attention. No one but the security forces, who saw clearly where this fire would spread but still stayed silent. Who wouldn't? the entire election campaign was about showing the Palestinians who's boss. After the elections, reality came knocking. Urgent meetings are being held at the highest levels. But is it too late.? For the time being NIS1.2 billion ($330,000,000) are waiting in the finance ministry in Jerusalem. This months' payment will be added next week, The holy month of Ramadan is expected to compound the pressure on the PA. The cost is felt by PA employees among them 30,000 security personnel entrusted with maintaining stability and calm in the West Bank in coordination with their Israeli counterparts. They have been receiving half of their salaries for the past three months. Their frustration is clear, and Hamas is quick to take advantage increasing their efforts to enlist security forces in exchange for a generous payment. The trump peace plan will be rolled out in less than two months. Ramallah has already made clear it will be rejected. This too will contribute to instability in area. Israeli officials, so far, are unwilling to back down. Abbas, while continuing globe trotting in his private jet, has cut all PA salaries in half. The Arab league has pledged support in the sum of $100 million each month. So far only pledges were received. Good luck to all. Eight-year-old Noya Dahan had finished praying and gone to play with other children at her Southern California synagogue when gunshots rang out. Her uncle grabbed her and the other children, leading them outside to safety as her leg bled from a shrapnel wound. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter "I was scared, really, really scared," said Noya, recalling how the group of children cried out of fear after a gunman entered Chabad of Poway on Saturday morning and started shooting. "I didn't see my dad. I thought he was dead." The onslaught on the last day of Passover, a Jewish holiday celebrating freedom, wounded Dahan, her uncle Almog Peretz and the congregation's rabbi. The attack killed beloved congregant Lori Kaye, 60. Eight-year-old Noya Dahan with sister (Photo: Tzipi Shmilovich) Authorities said the 19-year-old gunman opened fire as about 100 people were worshipping exactly six months after a mass shooting in a Pittsburgh synagogue. Police searched Earnest's house and said he was also being investigated in connection with an arson attack on a mosque in nearby Escondido, California, on March 24. He was being held without bail, and it was unclear if he had an attorney. There were indications an AR-type assault weapon might have malfunctioned after the gunman fired numerous rounds inside, San Diego County Sheriff William Gore said. An off-duty Border Patrol agent fired at the shooter as he fled, missing him but striking his getaway vehicle, the sheriff said. Shortly after fleeing, Earnest called 911 to report the shooting, San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit said. When an officer reached him on a roadway, "the suspect pulled over, jumped out of his car with his hands up and was immediately taken into custody," he said. Noya with uncle Almog Peretz (Photo: Tzipi Shmilovich) When the gunfire erupted, another worshipper, Shimon Abitbul, said he immediately placed his 2-year-old grandson on the floor and waited for a break in the shooting to grab the boy and sprint away. Abitbul, who was visiting from Israel and staying with his daughter and her family in Southern California, said he was still coming to grips with the carnage. "All of us are human beings," he said. "It doesn't matter if you are Jews or Christians or Muslims." Peretz, who was wounded in the leg, said he turned around after hearing gunfire and saw the shooter standing by the door. He grabbed his niece by the hand and carried out another child. He then saw a group of children and got them running, "I tell them, 'go this way, go this way," said Peretz, who is visiting from Israel. A person identifying himself as John Earnest posted an anti-Jewish screed online about an hour before the attack. The poster described himself as a nursing school student and praised the suspects accused of carrying out deadly attacks on mosques in New Zealand last month that killed 50 and at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue on October 27, in which 11 people were killed. Lori Kaye "It was a hate crime, no doubt about it," national security adviser John Bolton said on "Fox News Sunday." He said investigators have not seen any connection between the suspect and other extremist groups. California State University, San Marcos, confirmed that Earnest was a student who was on the dean's list and said the school was "dismayed and disheartened" that he was suspected in "this despicable act." On Sunday night, hundreds of people gathered at a park for a vigil to honor the victims. People at the community park near Chabad synagogue in Poway held candles and listened to prayer in Hebrew. Leaders asked community members to do acts of kindness to remember Kaye. One of the Palestinian militants who was involved in an exchange of gunfire with IDF forces in the northern West Bank Monday turned himself in. No Israeli forces were harmed. BEIRUT -- The leader of the Islamic State group has appeared for the first time in 5 years in a video released by the extremist group's propaganda arm. The video released by Al-Furqan on Monday shows Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi appearing with a bushy grey and red beard, wearing a black robe with a beige vest and seated on the floor with what appears to be a machine gun propped up next to him. It is his first video appearance since he delivered a sermon at the al-Nuri mosque in the Iraqi city of Mosul in 2014. The SITE Intelligence group said al-Baghdadi acknowledged in the video the end of the battle in Baghouz, the group's last stronghold in Syria, and discussed the bombings in Sri Lanka that killed more than 250 people. The FBI said Monday that it received tips on a threatening social media post about five minutes before a gunman burst into a Southern California synagogue and opened fire with an assault-style rifle, killing a woman and wounding a rabbi and two others. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The tips to the FBI's website and phone number included a link to the anonymous post but did not offer specific information about its author or location of the threat. The FBI said employees immediately tried to determine who wrote the post, but the shooting occurred before they could establish his identity. FBI (Illustration) "The FBI thanks the alert citizens who saw and reported the post," the agency said. One of the tipsters told The Associated Press that he called the FBI tip line at 11:15 a.m. Saturday because the post linked to a manifesto that said the author was responsible for a mosque arson in the city of Escondido last month. He says he found online that had the mosque attack had happened and feared the new threat was real. People offer support for the victims The tipster, who refused to provide his name because of security concerns, said the call with the FBI lasted four or five minutes and the shooting happened soon after. He described the FBI as quick and professional and said he doesn't know what they could have done. The shooting happened around 11:30 a.m. Moments afterward, police arrested 19-year-old John T. Earnest of San Diego. He is being held on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. The suspect (Photo: Facebook) The online manifesto written by a person identifying himself as John Earnest was an anti-Jewish screed posted about an hour before the attack. The poster described himself as a nursing school student and praised the suspects accused of carrying out attacks on mosques in New Zealand that killed 50 people last month and at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue that killed 11 on Oct. 27. About 100 congregants were worshipping at the Chabad of Poway near San Diego on the last day of the Jewish holiday of Passover, which celebrates freedom, when the gunman killed Lori Kaye, 60. He also wounded the synagogue's rabbi, Yishoel Goldstein; Noya Dahan, 8; and her uncle Almog Peretz. Yisrael Goldstein Goldstein said he was preparing for a service and heard a loud sound, turned around and a saw a young man wearing sunglasses standing in front of him with a rifle. "I couldn't see his eyes. I couldn't see his soul," Goldstein said. He raised his hands and lost one of his fingers in the shooting. And then, Goldstein said, "miraculously the gun jammed." In the moments that followed, Goldstein said he wrapped his bloodied hand in a prayer shawl and addressed congregants gathered outside the building, vowing to stay strong in the face of the deadly attack targeting his community. "We are a Jewish nation that will stand tall. We will not let anyone take us down. Terrorism like this will not take us down," Goldstein recalled telling the community. The woman who was killed in a deadly shooting at a Southern California synagogue will be buried on Monday after being hailed as a hero, as police continue to investigate the motive of the 19-year-old suspect. Congregation mourns woman who 'took the bullet' Lori Gilbert Kaye, 60, attended services at Chabad of Poway in suburban San Diego on Saturday, the last day of the weeklong Jewish holiday of Passover, to honor her recently deceased mother. Lori Kaye Rabbi Goldstein described seeing Kaye's lifeless body on the floor, as her husband tried to resuscitate her before fainting. "It's the most heart-wrenching sight I could have seen," Goldstein told reporters on Sunday. "Lori took the bullet for all of us ... She died to protect all of us." " " Army veteran charged at shooter Kaye was not the only worshipper to earn praise for bravery under fire. When the gunfire began, Oscar Stewart, 51, a veteran of both the U.S. Navy and Army who served a tour in Iraq, recognized the sound immediately. He said in a Monday interview that for a moment he began running toward the exit with other congregants before he turned around and headed toward the gunfire - for reasons he still cannot quite explain. "I was an instrument of God," he said. "I had no conscious effort in what I was doing." He charged the gunman, screaming, "I'm going to kill you!" The shooter, who had stopped firing, looked frightened and fled the synagogue, with Stewart in close pursuit, he said. Another worshipper, an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent named Jonathan Morales, also ran outside after the gunman. Morales, who was armed, fired several shots at the gunman's car as he drove away. Almog Peretz, an Israeli citizen visiting his family, was hit by shrapnel but still managed to help shepherd children to safety, witnesses said. Noya Dahan and Almog Peretz (Photo: Tzipi Shmilovich) His 9-year-old niece, Noya Dahan, also was wounded by shrapnel. Her family moved to the United States from Israel in search of a safer life after their home was repeatedly shelled by Palestinian rockets. At a vigil on Sunday, Dahan rode on her father's shoulders, wrapped in an Israeli flag, as people cheered. Kaye, one of the synagogue's founding members, was a deeply caring member of the community, her friends said. When one congregant developed breast cancer, Kaye drove her to every appointment and helped take care of her children, Goldstein said. "She is a person of unconditional love," Goldstein said. " " In a Facebook post, a friend, Audrey Jacobs, called her a "woman of valor" whose final act was to protect others. "You were always running to do a mitzvah (good deed) and gave tzedaka (charity) to everyone," she wrote. Her funeral will take place at the synagogue on Monday afternoon. Earnest is scheduled to appear in a San Diego court on Wednesday. Authorities believe he acted alone. Asking the surviving members of C-shift to talk about their captain while sitting around a table Sunday morning brought tears at first, but as the conversation continued their leader's personality and attributes began to emerge. "He was very fair," began Bredwell to which Nunnenkamp added, "He never lost his cool" despite the life-and-death trauma and stress inherent in the job they shared. "He always stayed calm and you were able to stay calm yourself" as a result, Nunnenkamp continued. "He was respected by everybody" and "wasn't a stranger to anybody." "We hung out a lot," said Robinson whose tenure matches that of Matzner who came aboard in January 1990. Chuckling, the three tried to describe what they refer to as 'Matzner standard time.' "There's our time and there's Matzner standard time," he said, adding that his friend's habit was to be "fashionably late" while at the same time never failing to be there when he was needed. Bredwell said working the soil was in Matzner's blood, but although he loved to farm "the department always came first." HURLEY An Illinois man wanted in his home state attempted to escape from Iron County Sheriffs Department custody Saturday while being treated for a medical issue. The man was booked into the Iron County Jail early Saturday morning on local charges of disorderly conduct and a warrant out of Illinois, according to Iron County Sheriff Paul Samardich. The attempted escape occurred at roughly 1:06 p.m., as the inmate fled into the nearby woods while being escorted out of the Aspirus Ironwood Hospital, Samardich said in a news release. The man has been transported to the hospital at approx... MANNING THE grill at a Saturday evening steak feed by local Vietnam veterans are, from left, Terry Seibel, Sam Filippo and Paul Henning. The guys expected to prepare up to 400 or more steaks at the fundraiser, for which proceeds will enable local scholarships, toys from Santa and other goodwill programs. By P.J. GLISSON [email protected] HURLEY - The Iron County Memorial Building in Hurley was loaded with people Saturday as folks lined up to enjoy steaks made to order, as well as ongoing camaraderie. For $25, the advance-reservation meal was part of the 29th annual fundraiser for the Vietnam Veterans of America Gogebic-Iron Range Chapter 529. The event allows veterans to fund a popular December event in which local children receive a gift from Santa at the memorial building. According to local VVA treasurer Arvid Sivula, veterans also fund scholarships for students graduating from Hu... Melbournes suburbs are recording higher views per listing from buyers and renters than Sydney, according to realestate.com.au. Housing prices across the nation are 7% below their late 2017 peak, although nearly 30% higher than early 2013, the Reserve Bank of Australia said. Credit ratings agency Moody's also forecasted declines of 11.4% in Melbourne and 9.3% in Sydney, respectively, this year. Melbourne and Sydney might always be linked to the dropping values in the market, but the reality is Melbourne is holding up a lot better, said realestate.com.au Chief Economist Nerida Conisbee. Data showed that Melbournes Middle Park again topped Australia's most in-demand suburbs. Overall, the capitals suburbs are getting more attention from consumers compared to Sydney. This is being supported by rising rents and far more mixed price changes across the city. Overseas-based property seekers are still far more active in Melbourne but have been dropping off in Sydney for almost two years now, Conisbee said. Cooling property prices, meanwhile, led to increased interest in premium suburbs. During the boom, we saw cheaper suburbs taking control of the list areas like Briar Hill, Montmorency, and Montrose where big homes on big blocks at more affordable price points are available, Conisbee said. Now the list features places like Middle Park and Toorak - very expensive suburbs, but cheaper than what they were a couple of years ago. Melbournes lavish inner east posted the largest decline in values over the past twelve months down by 16.1%, according to CoreLogic. Top 10 most in-demand suburbs in Melbourne (Houses) Middle Park Albert Park Hawthorn East Melbourne South Yarra Toorak South Melbourne Malvern Carlton Northcote Source: realestate.com.au Forty-one of the 147 assembly seats in Odisha went to polls in the fourth phase of voting in the state. Along with Odisha, bypoll was being held on the Chhindwara Assembly constituency in Madhya Pradesh where Chief Minister Kamal Nath is in the fray. After taking over as the CM following Congress' victory in the last year's Assembly polls, Kamal Nath needs to get elected to the state Legislature within six months. Full coverage: Lok Sabha election 2019 In Odisha, Assembly election was being held along with voting for six of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Odisha voted for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in four phases. This is the final phase of polling, except for Patkura assembly seat, where voting is scheduled to be held on May 19 following the death of the BJD candidate. On Monday, Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha constituencies also voted along with the 41 assembly segments that come under them. The fourth phase polling will decide the electoral fate of 388 candidates - 52 in six Lok Sabha seats and 336 in 41 assembly constituencies. Live TV Here are the updates from Assembly Elections in Odisha and Madhya Pradesh bypolls: ## Kamal Nath voted in camera lights as power tripped at Chhindwara polling booth. ## An estimated 35 per cent of the 95.06 lakh voters exercised their franchise till 1 pm during fourth and final phase of simultaneous polling on Monday in six Lok Sabha and 41 assembly constituencies of Odisha, a poll official said. ## Long queues of voters were seen outside the polling stations, even before the process commenced at 7 am. However, there were some technical glitches in EVMs reported at some places which delayed the polling in 60 booths. The polling began after the snags were rectified. As per poll officials, an estimated nine per cent of the 95.06 lakh voters exercised their franchise in the first two hours of polling in six Lok Sabha and 41 assembly constituencies of Odisha. ## Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath casts his vote #LokSabhaElections2019 :Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath casts his vote at polling booth number 17 in Shikarpur, Chhindwara. pic.twitter.com/4liBH70BYb ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 ## Key candidates: In Odisha, prominent candidates in the fourth phase are BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda, who is seeking re-election from Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat and BJP's Pratap Sarangi from Balasore Lok Sabha constituency. The ruling BJD, has fielded actor-turned Rajya Sabha MP Anubhav Mohanty against Baijayant Panda. In Balasore Lok Sabha seat, the BJP has pitted its firebrand leader Pratap Sarangi against sitting BJD MP Rabindra Jena. The Congress has fielded OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik's son Nabajyoti Patnaik in Balasore. ## Security in Odisha : The Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) has been deployed in the critical and sensitive booths in Odisha. Steps have also been taken to maintain a close vigil in trouble-prone areas. Arrangements have been made to webcast the polling process at 700 booths and poll vehicles have been provided with GPS tracking system and digital and video cameras will be positioned in the booths. Over 60,000 polling personnel have been engaged to conduct polling on Monday. ## Convenience of voters : The Election Commission has made arrangements in Odisha for providing tents and chairs in the booths to give respite to the voters from the scorching heat. Vehicles have been deployed to transport differently abled voters, while wheel chairs and volunteers will be available for assistance at the polling booths. New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki India's compact models, including premium hatchbacks such as Swift and Baleno and sedan Dzire have become the primary growth driver for the country's largest car maker accounting for almost half of its total domestic sales last fiscal. According to an investor presentation by Maruti Suzuki India (MSI), the compact segment accounted for 49.7 percent of its total domestic sales in 2018-19 as compared to 45.3 percent in 2017-18. The compact segment, including models such as new WagonR, Ignis, Celerio, Swift, Baleno and Dzire, sold 8,71,864 units in 2018-19 as against 7,48,475 units in 2017-18, up 16.5 percent. MSI had sold a total of 17,53,700 units, including light commercial vehicle Super Carry, in the financial year ended March 2019 as against 16,53,500 units a year ago, a growth of 6.1 percent. The mini segment comprising Alto and the old WagonR -- which was once the bread and butter for the company -- accounted for 21 percent of its total domestic sales at 3,68,990 units in 2018-19. In 2017-18, the segment contributed 25.8 percent to the company's total domestic sales with 4,27,183 units. The mini segment sales dipped by 13.6 percent in 2018-19 as compared to the previous year despite the fact that Alto retained the tag as the best-selling model in 2018-19 with 2,59,401 units as compared to 2,58,539 units in the previous year. "The decline in the mini segment sales was also partly due to the new WagonR being classified in the compact segment, while the old WagonR was in the mini segment," a company official said. The introduction of new models like Baleno in 2015 and the new versions of Swift and Dzire have helped in the compact segment becoming the primary growth driver of the company's sales, the official added. In the financial year ended March 31, compact sedan Dzire sold 2,53,859 units as against 2,40,124 units a year ago, up 5.71 percent, while Swift clocked 2,23,924 units as against 1,75,928 units, a growth of 27.28 percent. Premium hatchback Baleno sold 2,12,330 units in 2018-19 as against 1,90,480 units in 2017-18, a growth of 11.47 percent. Utility vehicles (UV) comprising Gypsy, Ertiga, Vitara Brezza, S-Cross were the third-biggest contributor accounting for 15.1 percent of MSI's total domestic sales in 2018-19 with 2,64,197 units. In 2017-18, the UV segment accounted for 15.3 percent of the company's total domestic sales with 2,53,759 units. In one of my blogs few days back I had flagged an important issue. In the present election stakeholders are resorting to most undesirable resort of throwing allegations on their competing political outfits. So much so that the president of one of the most prominent political parties which had been in power in this country has been issued notice for contempt of court by the Supreme Court. This is even after he had expressed his regret for his remarks in the Supreme Court on 22.4.2019 through an affidavit. Ironically, minutes after he had expressed his regret for uttering the phrase in the heat of election campaign, he was found again doing the same in the course of election campaigning, which reinforced the Supreme Court to reinforce its proceedings. It is obviously clear from these actions to the public at large that this submission of regret in the Supreme Court was indeed an effort to obviate any adverse reaction from the apex court and was lacking the right earnest. Denigrating the voters In the same constituency, his sister and the prabhari of Congress for Eastern UP was provoking the women in Amethi against the other candidate, against distribution of goodies and gifts, telling them that by virtue of distributing these gifts, the other candidate has made you beggars and hurt your self-respect. What could be most hypocritical than this? Citizenship challenged In the same vein, some candidate has challenged the citizenship of this very same Congress president. Please draw the line somewhere. Should you believe that this candidate was not an Indian, the returning officer is not the authority to decide that. As long as a person is born in India, by default he is a citizen of India unless specific documentation can be presented to prove otherwise, and until the otherwise is proved, he shall be deemed to be a citizen of India. Further, may I also share that it is the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is the public authority. Ministry of Home Affairs will also not take cognisance of application by every Tom, Dick and Harry. The person challenging the citizenship of another has to establish as a stakeholder, meaning how this alleged illegal claim of citizenship will affect his rights. Were they to take cognisance of every challenge, then there would be utter chaos both in the Union of India as well as state governments, whose institutional machinery is used to verify the antecedents and authenticate the documentation. Further establishment of this allegation cannot be arbitrary and the Ministry of Home Affairs has to do its de rigor on it to establish this conclusion. Hence, this is vice of the system that a decision cannot come forth within the timeframe of the election process. Therefore, we had the case of MK Subba who was elected to the Lok Sabha thrice, before a decision in his case came with attendant consequences. Constitutional framework In this context, I would like to share one more important aspect relating to elections. In Article 324 of the Indian Constitution, the title itself says the Election Commission of India shall be vested with superintendence, direction, and control of elections, which inter alia under clause (1) includes superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for and conduct of all elections to Parliament and legislatures. Now, I take you to clause 4 under Article 324, which lays down that, "Before each election the President may after consultation with the Election Commission appoint such Regional Commissioners as may be considered necessary to assist the election in the performance of its functions conferred on the Commission under clause (1)." Institutional framework As soon as any function as detailed in clause 1 is ripe, process is initiated to appoint the regional commissioner as stipulated in clause 4 (supra) and the respective state government is requested for designation of one its officers as the Regional or State Chief Electoral Officer. His engagement in the election is only till the discharge of the function stipulated in clause (1) above and otherwise he is an officer of the respective state government. His APAR is written by the Chief Secretary unlike Chief Vigilance Officers, wherein a separate assessment of his vigilance duties is assessed by the Vigilance Commissioner. Therefore, to allege any commitment to party in power or such things is putting the before the horse and asking it to be driven. Reform suggested Election Commission can surely reform this to ensure more independent conduct of its function by advising the President that any officer being considered for appointment as Regional Commissioner or Chief Electoral Officer of any state should not be either domicile of the state and should not belong the service cadre of that state in case of an AIS officer, in which the services are sought to be utilised. This should be made an omnibus provision. This will infuse more objective, fair, credible conduct of elections. We will not have names going missing from the electoral rolls. Whining about EVMs Now, the common whining point is the Electronic Voting Machines. I have explained the eco system as to how the human resources are co-opted in conduct of elections, albeit with a possible suggestion for reforms. The same is applicable to the logistics and paraphernalia of the elections process. The setting and location of the polling booths, the engagement of private buildings, wherever required, for the location of the booths, voter amenities, etc, are also the domain of the state government officer designated as Chief Electoral Officer. Election Commission of India does not interfere in these matters of details. Similarly, all the Electronic Voting Machines are in the possession of the Chief Electoral Officer. The Election Commission of India does not have the wherewithal to store the EVMs in times when there are no, and it is again in the custody of the state government machinery. Further, the Returning Officer is the District Collector, who again is under the oversight of the state government. Before the election process, its efficacy is tested and verified on several occasions at the Chief Electoral Officers level, the Returning Officers level, the Sectoral Officers level, who is again a state government officer before issuing it to the Presiding Officer, and the Presiding Officer has to demonstrate and reconfirm before the election agents of the different parties before the commencement of the election. Hence, any argument about defective EVMs are not acceptable. My objective is to explain to the readers this elaborate process and clear any misgivings about the EVMs being defective. If it is defective then it is the incumbency of the state government. Unpleasant challenge to EVMs However, in the last few months we have seen a hackathon in London, which was unsuccessful. We are hearing several allegations of manipulation of the EVMs. Nara Chandrababu Naidu, who is the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, is now whining that EVMs have been manipulated from Russia. That means his own officers who are designated Returning Officers have been involved in this. That is the inference. Denigrating the country Having said that, by virtue of repeatedly challenging the accuracy and efficacy of EVMs, are we not denigrating the country's democratic credentials? Try doing it in any other country. They will be slapped with sedition. Some of the manifestos do propose dilution of the same. Is it with a hidden agenda ? Perils of VVPAT Now, on the insistence of VVPAT, let me give you a perspective. It is a paper record to the voter, of whom he has voted for. No issues in that. But we know that in certain places open threats are issued to voters to vote for a certain party. The goons of the party are issuing this threats under instructions from the party leaders. In case a voter is given a paper trail of his vote, just upon coming out of the polling booth, the said slip will be snatched from the voter. In case he has defied the order of the local goons then he will be victimised and may be his house may be set on fire. His security will be compromised. We all know the ground reality. The very secrecy of ballot of the voter will be compromised. Is this the purpose that some people are asking for 50% VVPAT verification? Highly possible. Because by virtue of ensuring 50% votes being polled in your favour by the above method of intimidation, the said political party would ensure victory. After all 50% of votes by any means in 50% of the constituency is an assured way of getting the majority and forming the government. Slap them with criminal charges It is therefore my suggestion that those who are alleging defective EVMs which ever part of the political spectrum he may be from should be slapped with criminal charges. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.) New Delhi: Unidentified armed men opened fire outside the residence of Congress leader Firoz Gazi in Mehrauli area on late Sunday night, police said. "The Station House Officer is very supportive. He has said that he will solve the matter in a day or two," said Gazi while speaking to ANI. The footage has been caught in the CCTV camera and it shows two men with covered faces roaming outside Gazi's residence. No injuries have been reported so far. A case has been registered and further investigation is underway. New Delhi: Indian Intelligence agencies have warned that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is in touch with terrorists linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad and Islamic State terror group to carry out fresh attacks in India. In a report sent to the Home Ministry, the IB agencies mentioned that ISI organised a secret meeting between the terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammad and Islamic State members in Afghanistan, say sources. The report added that ISI has been planning more Pulwama-like attacks in Kashmir and therefore, has been making all efforts to bring the terror groups - ISIS and JeM, together. A Home Ministry official said, "Jaish-e-Mohammad and Taliban terrorists have been fighting against NATO military forces in Afghanistan since a long time and we are keeping an eye on them. However, efforts have been made to form ties between ISIS and Jaish-e-Mohammad. It appears that Pakistan's ISI is planning another conspiracy against India." Live TV In a similar input, the IB agencies had warned that banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar, who suffered a blow after IAF airstrikes in Pakistan's Balakot, has been active once again. Intelligence report accessed by Zee News reveals that the Jaish-e-Mohammad chief recently resurfaced in Pakistan's Bahawalpur and held a meeting with top commanders of the banned terror group. The report added that Azhar also instructed the top commanders of JeM to choose highly-trained terrorists in order to carry out attacks in India at a short notice. According to the report, Azhar asserted during a meeting that he was hale and hearty and he never had to go to the hospital or visit a doctor in the last 17 years. His claims were in contrast to Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who had stated after the Pulwama attack that 'Azhar is unwell to an extent that he can't leave his house'. The intelligence inputs added during the meeting with top commanders, Azhar discussed plans of fidayeen attacks and asked the terrorists to be prepared for more Pulwama like attacks on the Indian soil. NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested an Islamic State sympathizer and follower of alleged Sri Lanka bombings mastermind Zahran Hasim, the agency said. According to a press release from NIA, Riyas Aboobacker was arrested from Kerala after he disclosed the investigators that he has been following speeches and videos of Hashim, a radical Tamil-speaking cleric who is believed to have masterminded the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka, which left 253 people dead and over 500 injured. The 29-year-old informed the NIA officials that he has been following Hasim for more than a year and has also followed the speeches of Zakir Naik, an absconding Indian Islamic preacher and the founder of the Islamic Research Foundation. Live TV Aboobacker admitted that he wanted to carry out a suicide attack in Kerala. He was being questioned by the NIA since Sunday when the agency unearthed the Kasargod module of the terrorist outfit in Kerala during multiple raids at the house of three suspects. Aboobacker alias Abu Dujana, a resident of Palakkad in Kerala, has been arrested on charges for conspiring to commit a terrorist act, an NIA statement said. The suspect, NIA said, revealed during his interrogation that he had been in online contact with an absconding suspect Abdul Rashid Abdulla for a long time and has been following his audio clips including the clip which he had circulated on social media platform instigating others to carry out terror attacks in India. Aboobacker revealed that he was also having online chat with Abdul Khayoom, a suspect in Valapattanam Islamic State case, who was believed to be in Syria, said the anti-terror agency. The NIA had earlier received inputs that a group of four persons has been in contact with some accused identified as Abdul Rashid, Ashfaq Majeed, Abdul Khayoom who had already migrated to Afghanistan and Syria. After verification, NIA carried out searches at three places (two in Kasaragod and one in Palakkad District) on Sunday. The agency said three group members have been interrogated for their Islamic State links and their plans and that this case was registered in July 2016 following the disappearance of 15 youths from Kasargod and their subsequent migration to Islamic State (14 persons to Afghanistan and one person to Syria). Aboobacker will be produced before a special NIA court in Kochin in Kerala on Tuesday, said the agency. NEW DELHI: Nearly 64 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the fourth phase of 2019 Lok Sabha election after several hours of polling in 72 seats across nine states which was marred by incidents of violence and malfunctioning of EVMs in West Bengal and Odisha respectively. In the Hindi heartland states, where the BJP had won 30 out of 32 seats in 2014, 67.73 per cent turnout was recorded in Rajasthan (13 seats), 58.56 per cent in Uttar Pradesh (13 seats) and 67.09 per cent in Madhya Pradesh (6 seats), according to the Election Commission. About 12.79 crore people were eligible for voting in the fourth phase. With the completion of the fourth phase of the election, polling has been completed in 374 seats out of 543. About 1.33 per cent of the VVPAT malfunctioned and about 0.44 per cent of the ballot units were replaced during the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha election. The poll panel said it replaced 0.44 per cent ballot unit, 0.43 per cent control unit and 1.89 per cent VVPATs as they malfunctioned. Live TV West Bengal recorded a higher turnout at 76.66 per cent in the eight seats though clashes broke out between supporters of TMC and BJP in Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Suri areas of Birbhum seat, leaving several people injured. In Barabani, BJP candidate from Asansol and Union Minister Babul Supriyo's vehicle was vandalised allegedly by TMC workers outside a polling station while in Dubrajpur area central security forces personnel reportedly opened fire in the air to disperse irate people who attacked them when they were barred from entering the booths with mobile phones. READ: Lok Sabha election 4th phase: Estimated 64% turnout; 1.91 cr first-time voters, says EC An FIR was registered against Supriyo for allegedly getting into an argument with polling officials, an election official said. The ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP accused each other of intimidating voters in the state, which has seen violence in all previous three phases despite stepped up central forces deployment. The stakes are high for the BJP which had won 56 of these 72 constituencies in the 2014 polls. According to a senior police officer, violence was reported from several places in six parliamentary seats in Odisha, where the turnout was 64.05 per cent. A Congress worker was stabbed to death in Balikuda-Erasama area of Jagatsinghpur seat while he was returning from a polling booth. The victim, Lachman Behera, had recently quit the BJD to join the Congress, the official said. Clashes between supporters of the ruling BJD and the BJP were reported from Jajpur Kendrapara and Balasore Lok Sabha seats amid allegations poll rigging. Technical glitches in EVMs delayed polling in 60 booths, but it resumed after the snags were rectified. During a mock-poll in Madhya Pradesh, electronic voting machines (EVMs) were replaced at 207 polling booths as some glitches were found. EVMs were also replaced at 106 polling booths after the voting began, according to the Election Commission officials. Polling was peaceful in Rajasthan, with tribal dominated seat of Banswara recording the highest voting percentage at 72.34, followed by Barmer which recorded 72.21 per cent voting, according to state election officials. Nearly 55.86 per cent voting was recorded in Maharashtra (17 seats), 59.02 per cent Bihar (five seats) and 64.38 per cent Jharkhand (3 seats), according to data provided by the Election Commission. In Kulgam district of Anantnag constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, 10.5 per cent polling was recorded, amid isolated incidents of stone pelting. This was the second of the three-phased polling in the sensitive seat. Billionaires and Bollywood stars lined up outside polling stations along with the common folks in Mumbai, where polling was held in six constituencies. Celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan, the Khan troika of Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir, Deepika Padukone, Sachin Tendulkar along with his wife and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray cast their votes in Mumbai. Actors Priyanka Chopra, Rekha, Aamir and his wife Kiran Rao were among the early voters. In Uttar Pradesh, opposition Samajwadi Party's alleged that many EVMs malfunctioned and in Kannauj, from where SP chief Akhilesh Yadav's wife and sitting MP Dimple Yadav is contesting, several party workers were prevented from coming out of their homes to vote. In Kanpur, BJP workers allegedly tried to barge into a polling booth and clashed with the police. A case was registered against BJP leader Suresh Awasthi and six others in this regard, Kanpur District Magistrate Vijay Vishwas Pant said. Reports were received of EVMs malfunctioning in Bidhauna area in Kannauj following which polling remained suspended for over an hour. Complaints were also reported in Etawah under Auriaya district, with voters claiming they had to wait for hours at polling booths in Tilak Mahavidyalaya, Sahupur, Ajitmal and Dalelnagar to cast their votes. According to a report from Hardoi, an elderly woman voter complained that the presiding officer at Jamkara booth forcibly pressed the EVM button. The sector magistrate removed the officer and handed him over to the police. Besides Dimple Yadav, prominent candidates in the fray in this phase are former ministers Salman Khurshid (Farrukhabd) and Sriprakash Jaiswal (Kanpur) of Congress, UP minister Satyadev Pachauri (Kanpur) and Sakshi Maharaj of BJP (Unnao). In Bihar, voting was delayed due to EVM malfunctioning at three polling stations in Munger, two polling stations in Darbhanga and three polling stations in Begusarai, from where CPI's Kanhaiya Kumar and Union Minister Giriraj Singh (BJP) are contesting, official sources said. Voting was also held for 41 Assembly seats in Odisha and Chhindwara Assembly by-poll in Madhya Pradesh, where Chief Minister Kamal Nath is contesting. Election to 542 Lok Sabha seats is being conducted in seven phases between April 11 and May 19. The election in Vellore constituency in Tamil Nadu was cancelled. Results will be declared on May 23. (The polling figure is till 11 PM and the final turnout percentage will differ.) (With Agency inputs) Sreerampur: In a stern warning to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday warned that all TMC lawmakers are in touch with him and they will quit their party once the BJP emerges victorious in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. "Didi, on May 23, the day of results, the lotus will bloom everywhere and your MLAs will leave you and run. Even today, Didi, 40 of your MLAs are in contact with me," PM Modi said while addressing a rally in West Bengal's Sreerampur. PM Modi also attacked the TMC chief for 'not allowing the people of West Bengal to go and cast their vote'. "The TMC goons are preventing people from casting votes," the PM alleged in his speech. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Serampore, West Bengal: Goons of TMC are trying their hardest to stop people from voting and attacking BJP workers, they are not letting BJP leaders campaign. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/BmXt1IHBKO ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 Referring to the accusations made by the Oppositions, PM Modi said, "Earlier only Modi was abused, now even EVMs are. Opposition's campaign revolves around abusing Modi. If you remove these abuses, nothing will be left." Live TV The PM warned TMC supremo and said, ''With a handful of seats, 'Didi' you cannot reach Delhi. Delhi is far away.'' Further accusing the Chief Minister of misusing her powers, the PM alleged that 'Didi' wants to act as her private security agency in the West Bengal. He further warned that in the coming days, it would be difficult for the Chief Minister to survive, "since you have betrayed the people" - in an apparent reference to the several Ponzi cases that hit West Bengal over the last three years. Accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of blatant corruption, he said, "From permission to admission, people have to shell out money. Those who don't agree with their ideology, they are hanged". Remarks from the PM came in the wake of reports of violence in the first few hours of polling in West Bengal, where the fourth phase of elections is currently underway in eight Lok Sabha constituencies. According to a senior election official, clashes broke out between the supporters of rival parties in Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Siuri areas of Birbhum seat, injuring several people on the two sides. According to reports, Union Minister Babul Supriyo had a tiff with polling officials inside a booth, following which TMC supporters attacked his vehicle. A total of 1,34,56,491 electorate is set to decide the fate of 68 candidates Monday in the eight constituencies - Baharampur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat (SC), Burdwan East (SC), Burdwan-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur (SC) and Birbhum. The EC has deployed 580 companies of central forces to man over 98 per cent of the polling booths in these constituencies to ensure free and fair polling. The counting of votes will be done on May 23. KOLKATA: Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress has written a letter to the Election Commission over alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct by the Central Forces in the West Bengal. News agency ANI reported on Monday that in its letter to the poll panel, the TMC has complained about the ''alleged illegal activities of the Central Forces'' and accused them of acting on the behest of the state BJP leaders. ''There were various instances where on instructions of BJP leaders, the Central Forces acted in a manner which is not conducive to free and fair elections in West Bengal,'' the TMC reportedly said in its letter. TMC in a letter to EC over alleged "Illegal action of central forces & violation of MCC by BJP candidates" in West Bengal: There were various instances where on instructions of BJP leaders, Central Forces acted in a manner which is not conducive to free & fair elections in WB. pic.twitter.com/aixme1SjJd ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 Live TV The letter from Mamata Banerjee's party alleged that the "Central forces have created a reign of terror in minds of voters and have also urged the voters to cast their vote for BJP." TMC writes to EC over alleged "firing by Central Forces personnel inside a polling booth in Dubrajpur, Birbhum parliamentary constituency". Letter states, "Central forces have created a reign of terror in minds of voters & have also urged the voters to cast their vote for BJP." pic.twitter.com/s81VTTWq8q ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 The letter from the TMC to the apex poll panel came in the wake of reports of violence in the first few hours of polling in West Bengal, where the fourth phase of elections is underway in eight Lok Sabha constituencies. According to a senior election official, clashes broke out between the supporters of rival parties in Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Siuri areas of Birbhum seat, injuring several people on the two sides. In Dubrajpur area of the constituency, voters allegedly engaged in a scuffle with the central forces when they were barred from entering the booths with mobile phones. Security personnel reportedly opened fire in the air to control the mob, following which polling was stalled in the booths, according to the official. The state election office also received reports of violence from Jemua and Barabani areas of Bardhaman East constituency. It may be recalled that the BJP had approached the Election Commission on Monday complaining that TMC workers have "hijacked democracy in the state" and again demanded deployment of central forces in all polling booths there. A BJP delegation, which includes Union Ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Vijay Goel, and the party's media in-charge Anil Baluni, met the top officials of the poll panel here and submitted a memorandum in this regard. "The ruling Trinamool Congress workers have hijacked democracy in the state and are indulging in violence. They are being supported by the local machinery and we demand deployment of central forces in all polling booths," Naqvi said. The BJP also expressed concern about "no action" been taken against Congress president Rahul Gandhi who has been making "baseless allegations" against BJP chief Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Talking to reporters after meeting the poll panel officials, Naqvi accused Gandhi of continuously making false allegations and derogatory statements against Shah and Modi. A total of 1,34,56,491 electorate is set to decide the fate of 68 candidates on Monday in the eight constituencies - Baharampur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat (SC), Burdwan East (SC), Burdwan-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur (SC) and Birbhum. The EC has deployed 580 companies of central forces to man over 98 per cent of the polling booths in these constituencies to ensure free and fair polling. (With Agency inputs) NEW DELHI: Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday 'expressed regret' for his 'Chowkidar chor hai' remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his reply before the Supreme Court in connection with a contempt case against him. However, he did not apologise for his comment. Full coverage: Lok Sabha election 2019 "The answering Respondent (Rahul) has not done nor remotely intended to do anything to lower the majesty of this Hon'ble Court in any manner whatsoever," he said in his reply. "The answering Respondent's (Rahul Gandhi) brief statement to the mediawalas made in this context of and during hectic political campaigning without having seen, read or analyzed the order at that stage," it added. Rahul also clarified that he "did not have the slightest or remotest intention, desire or even thought process" to disrepute the top court by bringing it into the political battle. Live TV He added that consideration of the review petition on merits gave rise to an impression in his mind that the court found sufficient grounds to re-examine the matter, in view of the fact that the review petition had raised serious issues about the concealment of information by the government. Rahul had given a similar explanation in his reply to the court on April 22. In both the explanations, he has expressed regret but not an apology. Rahul also attacked Bharatiya Janata Party leader Meenakshi Lekhi, who filed the petition, saying that she was trying to drag the court into a political controversy for political mileage. He said that Lekhi should pay for abusing the judicial process by filing this contempt petition. New Delhi: The Election Commission on Monday warned Union Minister Maneka Gandhi over her 'ABCD' formula remark made in Sultanpur earlier this month and said that the poll body "strongly condemns" her statement. "Based on the available evidence and material facts in the matter before EC, hereby, strongly condemns the impugned statements made by her on April 14 at Sultanpur's Sarkoda village and warns her not to repeat such misconduct in future," read the letter. While campaigning in Pilibhit, the Union Minister had said that the 'ABCD' formula will be used to categorise villages where BJP will carry out development work as per the votes they get from those villages. Live TV "We win in Pilibhit every time, so what is the parameter that we work more for one village and less for the other. The parameter is that we segregate all villages as A, B, C, and D. The village where we get 80 per cent votes is A, the village in which we get 60 per cent is B, the village in which we get 50 per cent is C and the village where we get less than 50 per cent is D," she had said. "The development work first happens in all A category villages. After work at A category regions is done, then comes B and only after work in B is done, we start with C. So this is up to you whether you make it to A, B or C and no one should come in D because we all have come here to do good," she had further added. A day before Maneka made the statement, she had courted controversy asking Muslims in Sultanpur to vote for her or else she would not fulfill their requests. Maneka is fighting the Lok Sabha election from Sultanpur, a seat won by her son Varun Gandhi in 2014. Varun, on the other hand, is contesting from his mother's seat Pilibhit. KOLKATA: West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress party lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he asserted that all its lawmakers will switch to BJP once the saffron party wins polls. Leading the TMC charge, senior party leader Derek O'Brien referred to the PM as 'expiry babu' and said that not even a single party councillor will go with the BJP. Brien also threatened to lodge a complaint with the Election Commission against the PM on horse-trading charges. "Expiry Babu PM, lets get this straight. Nobody will go with you. Not even one councillor. Are you election campaigning or horse trading! Your expiry date is near," the TMC MP tweeted. Expiry Babu PM , lets get this straight. Nobody will go with you. Not even one councillor. Are you election campaigning or horse trading! Your expiry date is near. Today, we are complaining to the Election Commission. Charging you with horse trading #LokSabhaElection2019 Derek O'Brien | (@derekobrienmp) April 29, 2019 Live TV The response from Mamata Banerjee's party came shortly after the PM warned that all TMC lawmakers are in touch with him and they will quit their party once the BJP emerges victorious in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. "Didi, on May 23, the day of results, the lotus will bloom everywhere and your MLAs will leave you and run. Even today, Didi, 40 of your MLAs are in contact with me," PM Modi said while addressing a rally in West Bengal's Sreerampur. PM Modi also attacked the TMC chief for 'not allowing the people of West Bengal to go and cast their vote'. "The TMC goons are preventing people from casting votes," the PM alleged in his speech. Referring to the accusations made by the Oppositions, PM Modi said, "Earlier only Modi was abused, now even EVMs are. Opposition's campaign revolves around abusing Modi. If you remove these abuses, nothing will be left." The PM warned TMC supremo and said, ''With a handful of seats, 'Didi' you cannot reach Delhi. Delhi is far away.'' Further accusing the Chief Minister of misusing her powers, the PM alleged that 'Didi' wants to act as her private security agency in the West Bengal. He further warned that in the coming days, it would be difficult for the Chief Minister to survive, "since you have betrayed the people" - in an apparent reference to the several Ponzi cases that hit West Bengal over the last three years. Accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of blatant corruption, he said, "From permission to admission, people have to shell out money. Those who don't agree with their ideology, they are hanged". Remarks from the PM came in the wake of reports of violence in the first few hours of polling in West Bengal, where the fourth phase of elections is currently underway in eight Lok Sabha constituencies. A total of 1,34,56,491 electorate is set to decide the fate of 68 candidates Monday in the eight constituencies - Baharampur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat (SC), Burdwan East (SC), Burdwan-Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur (SC) and Birbhum. The EC has deployed 580 companies of central forces to man over 98 per cent of the polling booths in these constituencies to ensure free and fair polling. The counting of votes will be done on May 23. Chhindwara: Madhya Pradesh's new power centre is witnessing a unique father-son electoral show with Chief Minister Kamal Nath and his son Nakul in the fray, hoping to boost not just the Congress but also strike roots as deep as the tree from where this region takes its name. While the chief minister, a nine-time MP from the area, is contesting an assembly bypoll, Nakul Nath is hoping to get elected to the Lok Sabha from Chhindwara, named after the wild date palm tree known as Chhind. Full coverage: Lok Sabha election 2019 A Doon school product and an MBA from the US, Nakul Nath, 44, is making his debut in electoral politics. His chief minister father is also a debutant, contesting assembly polls for the first time in his 40-year career. Nath senior needs to get elected to the state assembly as he recently took over as chief minister. While 14 candidates are contesting the Lok Sabha seat, nine contestants are in the fray for the assembly polls, said District Electoral Officer and Collector Srinivas Sharma. Sharma told PTI that all arrangements have been made to ensure that voters get to press their choices on two different EVMs in Chhindwara on Monday. Locals and political pundits are of the view that the contest in Chhindwara, which borders Maharashtra and is about 300 km from state capital Bhopal, is lopsided and both father and son will have an easy win as the seat has been Kamal Nath's stronghold for decades. The duo's main contest is with the BJP, which has pitted former MLA Nathan Shah Kavreti against Nakul Nath, and local party leader and businessman Vivek Sahu against the chief minister. "This is a historic election as it is the first time in the country that a son and father are contesting polls on the same day and in the same district. I seek your blessings as not your 'neta' (politician) but 'beta' (son)," Nakul Nath said at a rally in Ambada village near here recently as his father looked on. Nath, 72, is leaving no stone unturned to ensure a handsome win for his son. He has been camping in Chhindwara city and holding six to seven rallies and meetings everyday, often beginning his day early on a blue Bell helicopter stationed right next to his home here in Shikarpur area. It has been a family run campaign right through, said local Congress leaders. Kamal Nath's wife Alka and daughter-in-law Priya have also been travelling from village to village to ensure the transition of the Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat from father to son is accomplished with a mega win. The chief minister kept track of his work, clearing files early in the morning or late evening at his camp office across the road from his residence, an aide said. The MP CM, also the state Congress chief, invoked his 40-year association with locals and his "development model that gave Chhindwara an unique identity" to seek the blessings of voters for his elder son. "Tear Nakul's clothes if he does not deliver," he said at a rally, underscoring his familiarity with the electorate. "He is your son and in any case I am behind him," Kamal Nath assured the gathering. The campaign seems to have hit home. "Chhindwara has traditionally voted for the Nath family. Even if Kamal Nath had placed any of his trusted lieutenants to take his place, he or she would have won. Now that it is his son, people will feel they are voting for the father only," Sanjay Kumar, a hotel manager and resident of the city, told PTI. The BJP's leaders fighting the father and son have, however, not lost hope and are determined to snatch the citadel. Former legislator Kavareti invoked the recent income tax raids against the aides of Nath senior to say his campaign "is a fight between the poor and the mafia who have money". "How did Rs 281 crore worth of unaccounted funds get detected? Whose money is it? It is the money of the poor and the deprived. I am sure of a victory," the tribal leader said, referring to the recent tax department's charges in the case. Kamal Nath has denied the allegations. His BJP colleague Sahu, who is vying for an assembly seat, invoked the "capable" leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He added that he would ensure that the benefits of the Ujjwala scheme and housing for poor reaches the people here. Arvind Uikey, an investment agent, said it would be interesting to see the margin of victory for the father-son combine. "I think it will be a record of sorts either way. If Kamal Nath and Nakul Nath win by a huge margin, which looks to be the case, or even if they get defeated. But that is highly unlikely considering Chhindwara has seen development under the senior Congress leader," Uikey said. In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, Kamal Nath won the seat defeating BJP's Chandrabhan Kuber Singh by a margin of 1,16,537 votes. The LS seat has over 15,12,000 voters. The seat has been a Congress bastion since 1957. The only time the party lost it to BJP was in the 1997 by-election when BJP candidate Sunder Lal Patwa won. Kamal Nath's wife Alka has also represented the seat once. The Chhindwara Lok Sabha constituency has seven assembly segments Junnardeo, Amarwara, Chorai, Saunsar, Chhindwara, Parasia and Pandhurna. All seven were won by Congress in the 2018 assembly polls. Political parties continued with their high-octave electioneering across the country on Monday as eight states voted today in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha election. Congress president Rahul Gandhi addressed a public meeting in Rajasthan's Dholpur. This was Gandhi's second visit to the town after taking charge as the Congress chief in December 2017. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley slammed Opposition leaders for questioning PM Narendra Modi's caste saying the PM has never been indulged in caste politics and has done only politics of development. Thank you for joining us. Do come back again on April 30 (Tuesday) for live updates on Lok Sabha election. Meanwhile, here are the updates from April 29 (Monday): * Sunny Deol, who is BJP's candidate from Gurudaspur, declares assets worth Rs 87.18 crore. * 64% estimated turnout in fourth phase; highest in West Bengal, lowest in J&K. * Didi wishes to send me Rasgullas made of the soil and stones of West Bengal. Didi, It would be my honour to have such Rasgullas, that have the taste of such a great and brave land. pic.twitter.com/XmdmbseJ7m Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 29, 2019 * Rahul Gandhi, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot, Deputy CM Shri Sachin Pilot, Congress candidate and Olympian Krishna Poonia pictured at a public meeting in Kotputli, Jaipur. * EC notice to Giriraj Singh over 'Vande Mataram' and 'burial ground' remarks. (Read full report) * Babul Supriyo, BJP candidate from Asansol, filed a counter complaint against Election Commission's FIR and said that he did not violate any rules at the polling booth. * Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita registered on two electoral rolls, alleges BJP. (Read full report) * EC warns Maneka Gandhi over her 'ABCD' formula remark in Sultanpur. (Read full report) * Congress candidate Ajay Rai files his nomination from Varanasi. * SP changes candidate from Varanasi LS Constituency; gives ticket to Tej Bahadur Yadav (BSF constable who was dismissed from service after he had released video last year on quality of food served to soldiers). Earlier, SP's Shalini Yadav had filed her nomination from Varanasi. pic.twitter.com/OihDeRt6bh ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) April 29, 2019 * Shatrughan Sinha, Congress candidate for Patna Sahib constituency, files nomination. * PM Narendra Modi hits out at Mamata as violence mars polling in West Bengal, says 'Didi's MLAs are in touch with me. They will leave her side after May 23'. * Trinamool Congress write to Election Commission alleging, "Illegal action of central forces and violation of MCC by BJP candidates" in West Bengal. "There were various instances where on instructions of BJP leaders, central forces acted in a manner which is not conducive to free and fair elections in West Bengal," read the letter. TMC in a letter to EC over alleged "Illegal action of central forces & violation of MCC by BJP candidates" in West Bengal: There were various instances where on instructions of BJP leaders, Central Forces acted in a manner which is not conducive to free & fair elections in WB. pic.twitter.com/aixme1SjJd ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 * Amid reports of violence during fourth phase of polling in West Bengal, the BJP approached the Election Commission complaining that TMC workers have "hijacked democracy in the state" and again demanded deployment of central forces in all polling booths there. * BJP President Amit Shah accused the opposition alliance of giving tickets to "bahubalis" (muslcemen) in Uttar Pradesh but said their presence would have no impact now as the Yogi Adityanath government hangs them upside down. * BJP delegation meets Election Commission, lodges a complaint against Rahul Gandhi for allegedly violating poll code of conduct by using derogatory language against PM Narendra Modi and BJP party chief Amit Shah. * NCP chief Sharad Pawar pitched for a stable government at the Centre and urged citizens to come out in large numbers to cast their votes as he exercised his democratic right in Mumbai. "Today is an important day for the country. It is required that a stable government is formed. It is expected that Mumbaikars will not lag behind, and will exercise their voting right by coming out in large numbers and voting decisively," Pawar tweeted in Marathi. * The district polls authorities said a factual report has been submitted to the Election Commission following allegations by the Congress that Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his speech at a rally here had "brazenly" violated the poll code by repeatedly invoking the armed forces. * Unemployment highest in 45 years, 22 lakh government posts vacant. Cong will fill vacancies in one year if voted to power: Rahul Gandhi. * Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday cautioned first-time voters against the 'mission mahamilavat', asserting that the opposition's grand alliance does not want a government with an absolute majority. * The Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (PSP) led by Shivpal Singh Yadav has announced its support to Congress candidate Acharya Pramod Krishnan in Lucknow. * Rahul Gandhi promised to give government jobs to 22 lakh youths in one year, recruit 10 lakh youths in panchayats and said no farmer will be jailed for not repaying loan, if voted to power. * Narendra Modi introduced demonetisation and then brought in 'Gabbar Singh Tax' which impacted the economy and gave rise to unemployment. The 'Nyay' scheme will revive the economy hit by demonetisation: Rahul Gandhi. * Money under the 'Nyay' minimum income guarantee scheme will go into accounts of five crore women, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said at a rally in Rajasthan's Dholpur. Congress candidate Shatrughan Sinha files nomination from Patna Sahib. * Actor-politician Sunny Deol files nomination from Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency as BJP candidate. He was accompanied by father Dharmendra and brother Bobby Deol. Punjab: Actor turned politician Sunny Deol files his nomination as the BJP candidate from the Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency. His brother and actor Bobby Deol also present. pic.twitter.com/aOnGloRjpy ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 * Congress President Rahul Gandhi files an affidavit in connection with the contempt petition filed by BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi over his comment on Supreme Court's Rafale order. * Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath urges people to cast their ballots for a prosperous and powerful India. "For a prosperous and powerful India, for a strong and decision-making government, to fulfil a dream, make sure you go out of your home and vote. Hope you remember, first vote and then refreshment." "The mercury during summer is high, take care of yourself, but do vote. The government is formed by every one vote," CM said in a series of tweets. * I request everyone to vote, please vote for your future sensibly, says Urmila Matondkar, the Congress candidate from Mumbai North * Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad`s son Tej Pratap Yadav, who has floated a new outfit called 'Lalu Rabri Morcha', alleges that the RJD's candidate from Jahanabad is an 'agent of the RSS'. * PM Narendra Modi urges voters to cast their ballots and break polling records of the previous three phases in this fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. * Union Minister and sitting MP from Nawada Giriraj Singh offers prayers at Barahiya's Shaktidham in Bihar. Bihar: Union Minister and sitting MP from Nawada, Giriraj Singh offered prayers at Barahiya's Shaktidham. pic.twitter.com/yS81rW6wVg ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 * Actor-turned-politician and BJP candidate from Gurdaspur Sunny Deol offers prayers at Golden Temple in Amritsar. Punjab: Actor and BJP candidate from Gurdaspur, Sunny Deol, offers prayers at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. He will file his nomination for #LokSabhaElections2019 today. pic.twitter.com/wBddufSMNv ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 Deol will file his nomination from Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency today. * * BJP leader and former Chief Minister of Karnataka J Shettar alleged that the HD Kumaraswamy cabinet, which passed a resolution on Nava Bengaluru scheme, has allocated the project to Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) without a tender, thus violating the poll code. Massive clashes erupted on Monday between Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cadres at Jemua in West Bengal. The clashes took place when the voters were observing a poll boycott in the Bardhaman - Durgapur constituency in the state. The police had to resort to lathicharge to bring the situation under control. Rapid Action Force (RAF) has also been rushed to the spot to avert any untoward incident. Tensions were observed in the second phase of polling in North Dinajpur's Chopra in West Bengal on April 18 too after locals alleged that bike-borne youths prevented them from casting their votes. The women of the village had also claimed that they were attacked by these bike-borne miscreants. Locals had alleged that a lack of security forces led to the situation of unrest near the polling booth. "Since morning, we tried to go to the polling booth to cast our votes. Each time we were prevented from casting our votes. These miscreants attacked the women of the village. They beat us up so that we get afraid and go back home without casting our votes. The booth has been manned by the state police officials but there are no central forces. Had they been deployed there, we could have been able to cast our vote," a local had then said. Bhopal: An Independent candidate in Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat Lok Sabha seat alleged that his vehicle was set afire by Naxals on Monday, officials said. A case was registered by police in this connection and the state election office was also probing the incident, they said. Kishore Samrite, who is contesting as an Independent candidate, claimed while talking to reporters in Balaghat that the incident took place when he stopped his jeep at Posra village in Lanjhi area of the district in the wee hours of Monday to offer prayers at a temple. While he was at the temple, around 20 to 25 "armed Naxals" attacked his four-wheeler and set it ablaze before fleeing, he alleged. State Chief Electoral Officer V L Kantha Rao said, "We have already provided security to Samrite. We are verifying the incident and probing it." Asked about Samrite's claim that the attackers were Naxals, Rao said they were trying to verify it. A case was registered by police against unidentified persons under relevant provisions, Lanjhi's sub-divisional officer of police Nitesh Bhargava said. NEW DELHI: Defending Narendra Modi's "backward" caste credentials, Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Monday lashed out at the Opposition parties for their attacks on the Prime Minister over his caste. "Who is backward from his birth? Does an infant born out a mother's womb has a caste? The caste is a reality, but backward and forward is a constitutional construct. Now Paswan in Bihar is a scheduled caste but not so in Delhi. Or Yadavs, they may be backward...Why are they screaming?" Paswan told reporters on Monday. "These comments are a sign of (opposition's) desperation and clearly shows they have already lost the election," the Dalit leader said. Live TV Earlier this month, Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav had rebuffed PM Modi's assertion of belonging to an "aati pichhada" (most backward) caste and called him a "fake OBC". BSP chief Mayawati has also alleged that PM Modi included his caste in the backward category during his tenure as Gujarat chief minister to derive electoral benefit. For the Congress, its general secretary Priyanka Gandhi had said that while her party did not indulge in caste politics, she didn't know as to which caste the Prime Minister belongs to. Addressing a public meeting in Uttar Pradesh Saturday, the Prime Minister aggressively pitched his backward caste identity, declaring that he was not just an OBC, but was "born" into the "most backward caste". The Lok Janshakti Party chief also said that the election results on May 23 will clear all doubts of the opposition parties and by May 26 Modi will again be sworn in as the PM. Paswan also took a dig at Priyanka Gandhi and said that she had "backed out" from the fight against Modi in Varanasi. "In the face of a defeat, she backed out," he alleged. Paswan also said that an individual candidate is not important in this election as people across the country are voting for PM Modi. "There is one united view in this country that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be brought back. Candidates are not important in this election," he said. The official website of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations (CDAC), a meeting proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping to promote exchanges and mutual learning in Asia, was launched on April 25. The website offers news and information about the conference in both Chinese and English. The information of sub-forums and related activities such as the Asian cultural carnival and Asian food festival is also available on the website. The CDAC, scheduled to be kicked off this May in Beijing, will focus on exchanges and mutual learning among Asian civilizations, as well as the building of a community with a shared future for Asia as well as for humanity. It will promote the splendid culture of each country and establish a platform for mutual learning and common development. Other than this, the logo of the conference was unveiled on the same day. It resembles a peony with six petals standing for the six geographic regions of Asia. The petals are linked together hand-in-hand, symbolizing communication and exchanges between cultures. The seven colors of the petals come from the colors of the national flags of Asian countries, demonstrating the brightness of the Asian civilization. The acronym of the conference - CDAC is displayed in the center of the logo. New Delhi: Former Border Security Force (BSF) jawan Tej Bahadur Yadav has been nominated as the joint candidate of Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal from Varanasi, to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha election. Yadav, who was dismissed from the BSF in 2017 over his viral post of poor food quality for jawans, had earlier expressed to contest from Varanasi as an Independent candidate against PM Modi. He had also asserted that he wants to question the PM about the promises he has fulfilled till date. He had uploaded a video on social media complaining about the poor quality of food being served to the troops posted along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. However, he was immediately dismissed by the BSF on the charge of indiscipline. By nominating Yadav, Samajwadi Party has changed its earlier announced candidature of Shalini Yadav from Varanasi. Varanasi will go to polls on May 19 in the last phase of Lok Sabha and the counting of votes will take place on May 23. Chandigarh: Bollywood's action hero Sunny Deol, who filed his nomination from the Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency as a BJP candidate, has declared total assets, including that of his wife, as Rs 87.18 crore. Deol, whose real name is Ajay Singh Deol, declared the assets in his affidavit to the Election Commission, which was filed on Monday along with his nomination papers. In his affidavit, the actor declared his income to be Rs 63.82 lakh in 2017-18, Rs 96.29 lakh in 2016-17 and Rs 2.25 crore in 2015-16, in the assets and liabilities section. Live TV The actor, who had won national film award for movies like 'Ghayal' and 'Damini', pegged his total assets along with that of his spouse at Rs 87.18 crore. IN his affidavit, Deol declared that his moveable and immovable assets were worth Rs 60.46 crore and Rs 21 crore respectively. Deol, who described himself professionally as an 'actor, director, producer in film industry', declared Rs 26 lakh as cash-in-hand with his wife Lynda Deol having Rs 16 lakh as cash-in-hand. Among moveable assets, Deol declared bank deposits and investments at Rs 9.36 lakh and Rs 1.43 crore respectively. In his affidavit, he declared having vehicles worth Rs 1.69 crore, without disclosing their details. He also disclosed gold jewellery worth Rs 1.56 crore belonging to his wife while affirming that he has no valuable articles in his personal possession. Among immovable assets, the actor declared agriculture land, non-agricultural land and a flat at Oshiwara complex in Mumbai with a total worth of Rs 21 crore. Deol also declared a total liability of Rs 51.79 crore, including dues worth Rs 2.49 crore (with GST dues Rs 1.07 crore) to the government. As for his educational qualification, the actor mentioned having secured a diploma in acting and theatre from The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham (UK) in 1977-78. He mentioned his address as Dharmendra House, Ville Parle, Mumbai. Sporting a navy blue turban and wearing a blue shirt, the 62-year-old filed his nomination from the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat. He was accompanied by his brother and actor Bobby Deol. Before filing his nomination, Deol paid a visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar and offered prayers. He also offered prayers at the Durgiana Temple. Deol is pitted against sitting MP and Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar, Aam Aadmi Party's Peter Masih and Punjab Democratic Alliance's (PDA) Lal Chand in the electoral fight from Gurdaspur seat. He filed the nomination a day after he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. Deol joined the BJP on April 23 and held his first roadshow in Rajasthan's Barmer on Saturday. Gurdaspur parliamentary constituency was earlier represented by actor Vinod Khanna who won from the seat in 1998, 1999, 2004 and 2014 on a BJP ticket. Polling on all the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab will be held in the seventh and final phase on May 19. (With Agency inputs) Mumbai: A SpiceJet aircraft skidded off the runway on landing at the regional Shirdi airport Monday, leading to halting of operations at the facility, source said. All the passengers, however, had a providential escape, the source added. The number of passengers is not known immediately. The aircraft apparently touched down some 30-40 meters away from the landing spot and veered off the runway, the source explained. The source also said the incident lead to a complete halting of operations at the airport that serves mostly the pilgrims visiting the popular Hindu shrine in the city. Later, a SpiceJet spokesperson confirmed the incident. Passengers are being deplaned through the normal procedure, the spokesperson added. Shirdi Lok Sabha Constituency, one of 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in the western state of Maharashtra, cast its vote in the 2019 election on today (April 29). Votings for Lok Sabha election happened in 4 phases in Maharashtra April 11, April 18, April 23 and April 29 and the counting will be held on May 23. Kamble Bhausaheb Malhari of Indian National Congress, Adv. Bansi Bhaurao Satpute of Communist Party of India, Sadashiv Kisan Lokhande of Shivsena and Suresh Eknath Jagdhane of Bahujan Samaj Party are few prominent candidates contesting general election 2019 from Shirdi Lok Sabha Constituency of Maharashtra. Mumbai: Writer-director and Bollywood actor Ayushmann Khurrana's wife Tahira Kashyap has documented her journey battling cancer on social media. From sharing a series of photographs of herself showing how chemotherapy affected her to talking about the change in her attitude towards life due to the disease, Tahira on Saturday took to Instagram to open up about her struggles on being a cancer patient. Dedicating her post "to women of all shapes and sizes and to all those posts I get when they fret losing their hair during or after chemotherapy", she wrote: "I am hoping there is a change in the perception of that one perfect flavour that we have always had. "The last couple of months have been an extreme case of metamorphosis for me. And I am not categorising it whether it was from a caterpillar to a butterfly phase or vice-versa. I could be the larva or the pupa or any other intermediate stage as each phase is unique and special. "But there is a deep sense of acceptance when it comes to the life cycle of this creature. Taking a 'leaf' from this caterpillar's life, I feel I have undergone a tremendous change mentally and physically too. "From my obsession with long hair, associating beauty with rapunzel tresses, and hiding most of the time behind my hair (as I felt secure, lest my crooked nose, or freckles or pimples or simply not so chiseled face isn't exposed) to losing my hair, wearing extensions and a cap, going bald to now a short crop, I am enjoying every phase because somehow with hair I lost my insecurity, my stupid notion of beauty and my complexes." She doesn't know whether she will be keeping long hair or not, "in either case I am not going to hide my face". "I have changed my own mindset and my biggest victory is changing the mindset and perception of my seven-year-old-son, the next generation. From running to get a cap and placing it on my head when I was losing my hair and had a bald patch to proudly introducing me to his friends when I was bald or now with short hair, I feel I am a part of a change," she added. On September 22 last year, Tahira revealed that she was detected with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) in her right breast with high-grade malignant cells. Finally, Indraganti Mohanakrishnas upcoming film has been launched, and as expected the film has Nani, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sudheer Babu and Nivetha Thomas in the lead roles. The film has been launched officially on Monday with a puja and the script has been handed over to the actors. Photographs from the launch have been released by Sri Venkateswara Creations, the production house which is run by Dil Raju. The popular producer is producing the film, which is expected to go on floors in a month or so. At the launch, the first clap was given by director Sriram Venu of MCA fame and camera was switched on by Trinadha Rao Nakkina of Nenu Local fame. The first scene was directed by director Anil Ravipudi of F2 fame. Well, let us reveal the title to you. This film is titled V and it marks the 25th film of Nani in Telugu film industry. This is definitely a big thing for the actor and his fans. Coincidentally, it was Indraganti who introduced Nani to the big screen with Ashta Chamma and it was a blockbuster hit. Later, they have done a couple of films together and once again, they have teamed up for V. Nanis 25th film being directed by Indraganti feels very nice for the audience, as well as the actor too. All the actors who have been roped in to play the lead roles have worked with Indraganti earlier and they are spellbound with his direction skills. While Nani and Nivetha have worked with him for Gentleman, Aditi Rao and Sudheer have paired up for Sammohanam. This film is going to be a neo-noir thriller and is expected to release later this year. Jersey, the film which released last week has turned out to become a blockbuster hit and is running successfully in all the theatres in both the Telugu states as well as overseas. This Gautam Thinnanuri directorial has Nani, Shraddha Srinath and Sathyaraj in lead roles is based on a true story. Many celebrities from the film fraternity have appreciated the film for its unique way of narrative and story. Actor Daggubati Rana attended the event as a chief guest and appreciated the team for the efforts. He said, "Nani is one actor who keeps inspiring me always and again and he has done that with his performance in Jersey. The entire team deserves special applause and Jersey is a film which will remain special forever in the hearts of many. I welcome Shraddha to the Telugu film industry and hope Nani keeps flying high like this forever." In Gautam Tinnanuri's words, "I never imagined such a big response to the film. I thank the critics, media, and audience who made this film so special for me. Also, I want to laud my direction department who worked day and night for the film. Last but not least, I own Nani sir big time for making this film such a big hit". Finally, Nani said "Generally many keep sending congrats messages for about three days after the film's release. But for Jersey, the messages haven't stopped. Every special has been special and emotional. They are like love letters and even after a week, they have been increasing a lot. Jersey will always be a special film and I thank Gautam for bringing this to me. Finally, I thank Rana for coming in as the chief guest and speaking such lovely words about the film". In Shraddha Srinath's words "I am speechless with the way the film is getting good applause from all over. I loved playing Sara and never imagined such a great response to my role. I am loving the way I have been welcomed by the Telugu audience and would love to do more films here". Ayodhya: The Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday busted a gang involved in mobiles theft cases. "Three robbers who used to loot mobile phones were arrested from Ayodhya on Sunday. Several complaints were registered against them in various police stations of the district," police said. Police have also recovered 27 cell phones and three bikes from them. A case of theft has been registered and further investigation is underway. New Delhi: China is expected to remove its hold on the listing of Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist in coming few weeks, multiple sources have told Zee Media. Though a time frame has not been decided, sources on the condition of anonymity said that they are quite positive and hopeful. China had put a hold on the listing of Masood Azhar as an international terrorist on 13 March at the 1267 sanctions committee of the UNSC. Bejing has 9 months left to decide and remove the hold after the 13 March decision. The development comes even as the UK last week was optimistic that Azhar will soon be declared a global terrorist by the United Nations even as it called for "verifiable" and "irreversible" action against terror groups by Pakistan. Speaking to reporters in Delhi, British High Commissioner Sir Dominic Asquith had on Friday said, "We are strong supporters of listing of Masood Azhar for a decade. So that we will get to that conclusion shortly. I do remain optimistic that it will be resolved and very much it will be." Without mentioning China, he had said, "We are waiting to see whether the country that is so far been resisting agreeing to its listing will lift that objection." He added that he hoped, "that we will get to that conclusion" of listing Azhar. The Indian foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale was in China last Monday and gave evidence regarding JeM's involvement in terror attacks in India. During his visit, he met Chinese officials including Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi. After the visit, India's External Affairs Ministry had said, "We have shared with China all evidence of terrorist activities of Jaish-e-Mohammad and its leader Masood Azhar. It is now for the 1267 Sanctions Committee and other authorized bodies of the UN to take a decision on the listing of Masood Azhar. " China has also been making positive comments on the listing of Azhar in last few weeks with China MOFA saying, "things are moving towards a settlement". Jaish E Mohammad was responsible for the 14 February Pulwama attack that killed more than 40 security personnel. The US, along with UK and France had proposed for a listing of Azhar as an international terrorist in the aftermath of Pulwama terror attack. A United Nations Security Council resolution was also proposed by the US at UNSC after China's hold on listing in March. Listing of Azhar at UNSC will put travel, an arms embargo and freeze his assets which will impact his activities. Colombo: Sri Lankan security officials have warned that Islamist militants behind Easter Sunday's suicide bombings are planning imminent attacks and could be dressed in military uniforms. The militants were targeting five locations for attacks on Sunday or Monday, security sources said. "There could be another wave of attacks," the head of ministerial security division (MSD), a unit of the police, said in a letter to lawmakers and other officials, seen by Reuters on Monday. "The relevant information further notes that persons dressed in military uniforms and using a van could be involved in the attacks." There were no attacks on Sunday, and security across Sri Lanka has been ramped up, with scores of suspected Islamists arrested since the April 21 attacks on hotels and churches that killed more than 250 people, including 40 foreign nationals. Two cabinet ministers and two opposition lawmakers confirmed to Reuters that they were aware of the latest security alert. "We have been informed about this by the MSD," Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said. Authorities suspect members of two little known groups - National Thawheedh Jamaath (NTJ) and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim - of carrying out the Easter attacks, though Islamic State has claimed responsibility. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said a tight-knit group of people were involved, mostly close friends and families. They mostly spoke face-to-face, possibly to evade electronic surveillance. "They (the group) were small enough that they were not using normal communications, instead meeting each other," Wickremesinghe told Reuters. He added the coordinated bombings, the type of explosives used and the tightly guarded plot suggested the bombers had guidance. "ISIS (Islamic State) has claimed, we also felt there has to be some international links," he said. President Maithripala Sirisena said on Monday he had appointed Chandana Wickramaratne, the second in command at the police, as acting police chief. Over the weekend, two sources at the president`s office told Reuters that Pujith Jayasundara, the police chief during the attacks, was refusing the president`s request to step down. It was not immediately possible to contact Jayasundara on Monday. In India, police said they had raided the homes of three people in the southern state of Kerala, close to Sri Lanka, in connection with their links to Islamic State. They did not say if there was any connection to the attacks in Sri Lanka. By Express News Service Sunday was no better for stranded Air India passengers, as the five-hour shutdown of the airlines check-in software, which occurred on Saturday, continued its ripple effect. At least 137 flights faced an average delay of three hours. The average duration of delay, on these 137 flights of Sunday, would be of 197 minutes, said a company spokesperson. The delays could continue for another 2 to 3 days due to the ripple effect. About 149 flights of the carrier were affected by the software shutdown on Saturday. The passengers continued to vent their ire on social media as the airline could not issue them boarding passes. We are sorry. This was the message passed to more than 500 Air India passengers on 28th tweeted Naveen Singh, who was travelling from Delhi to London via Rome. In his tweet on Sunday, Naveen claimed that he was later booked on flight AI 123 at 12.50 am, while some 52 passengers did not receive their boarding pass due to overbooking. On Saturday, there was a sudden breakdown in Air Indias server between 3.30 am and 8.45 am, which crippled the airlines PSS software. This software, which handles check-in, baggage and reservation, and failed to function on Saturday, is managed by SITA, an air transport IT and communications specialist firm based in Atlanta. No other Indian airline apart from Air India uses SITAs PSS software. Incidentally, SITA said the snag happened during maintenance of the system. The SITA system was restored at 8.45 am. Due to this, till 10 am, 85 of our flights have been delayed. Because of the delay, a ripple effect will take place throughout the day, Air India chairman-cum-managing director Ashwani Lohani had said in a statement earlier. SITA spokesman Julius Baumann affirmed, SITA experienced a complex system issue during server maintenance early this morning, which resulted in operational disruption to AI flights. We have now fully restored services at all airports where Air India were affected. Baumann also informed that it is undertaking a complete investigation to understand the root cause and prevent a recurrence. The airline operates 470 flights per day, while the Air India Group provides 674 flight services. A similar incident took place on June 23 last year when a technical glitch in the airlines check-in software delayed 25 of its flights across India. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: INDIAS oldest private airline, Jet Airways, has been going through a rather harrowing year. Due to mounting debt, the airline had recently even released a statement that they have now run out of money to continue operations. The troubles dont seem to end there. The airlines, and its partner airlines Etihad, was recently sued by a city-based businesswoman for misplacing her luggage. The district consumer forum slapped a fine of `1.25 lakh on the carrier for failing to deliver the luggage at the destination. Jayanthi Rajvi, the woman, had flown to Zurich in Switzerland for quick getaway. However, once she arrived in the country, she found that her bags werent there. She waited for two hours for luggage that never came. She later complained with Etihad Airways but the response she got was unsatisfactory. Rajvi did not get anything but 35 Swiss Franc for expenses. Since she had none of the clothes she had packed for her six-day stay, she depended on her friends wardrobe, Rajvi told the forum. It was only after the vacation had ended, and when she came back to Hyderabad, that Rajvi was given her luggage back. Meanwhile, the airlines said that the passenger had not performed a valuation of the luggage. Representatives of Etihad argued they gave 35 Franc as mandated by the Montreal Convention since no valuation figure was provided. Jet Airways also said Rajvi could have fraudulently transferred the contents beforehand. However, barring all allegation, Consumer Forum - 3 said there was deficiency in service. It ordered the airlines to pay $1,500 at `69.85 per US Dollar and another `20,000 towards court charges. Preeja Prasad By Express News Service BENGALURU: The number of foreign nationals with expired visas staying in Bengaluru has come down to 842 as compared to over 1,000 last year. A majority of the people in the list hail from Nigeria, Congo, Sudan, Yemen and South Sudan. Over 60 per cent of them are on student visa while most of the others hold entry or medical visa, according to figures from Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). We frequent update the local police stations and they have been taking immediate action, Labhu Ram, Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, said, adding tStudents make up over half of overstaying foreigners in Bengaluruhat the police impose a fine on them and the immigration department gives them an exit visa to deport them. Those who have genuine reasons and want to extend their visa can provide their documents online and an extension is provided within 24 hours if they go through the process correctly, Ram added. The Karnataka High Court on Friday asked the government to deport a Pakistani couple overstaying in the city, saying, otherwise, it would amount to spending taxpayers money on illegal entry. The court ordered FRRO and home ministry to deport Kasiff Shamshuddin and Kiran Gulam Ali, who have completed their sentence for illegally staying in India, by May 5. The Karachi natives had obtained Aadhaar cards by providing forged documents. The total number of foreign nationals in the state comprises about 26,000 persons registered with FRRO, besides those who visit the country on short-term visas, including business and tourist visas, who need not enrol themselves with the registration office. However, there continues to be a grey spot in the issue. A foreigner with a pending case cannot leave until the case is disposed. While the other detained foreign nationals are deported on priority, those facing criminal cases are allowed to stay until the case is closed, which may take months, and sometimes years, depending on the severity of the case. The offender remains in the country while the case is on trial, B S Mohan Kumar, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Women and Narcotics), Central Crime Branch, told City Express. So local police stations need to keep a close watch and prevent further illegal activities, he said. Seven foreigners were under arrest for drug possession as on March 31. Rochana Mohan By Express News Service CHENNAI: Ever since she was a child, Christina was drawn to the name Mary. She was adopted from Faith Home in Porur in 1973, and raised by her adopted parents in Lerum, Sweden. Her fascination was such that Christina decided to incorporate the name into her first business. When she returned to Chennai in 2018, a document from the Madras High Court revealed that her birth name was Mary. The 46-year-old legally changed her name to Mary Christina Rhedin. While the papers gave her some answers, they also raised many questions - about her parents, her extended family and her half-brother, who she didnt know existed. What am I? Seated in Cafe Mori, INKO, Marys laugh fills the air as she recalls the moment when she met her adoptive mother. I was flown to Sweden when I was 14 months old. I dont remember the exact moment, but my mother told me that when I saw her, I screamed in fear. Since I was used to seeing people with dark skin and hair, to see a white woman with silver-blonde hair was unsettling, she says. In a Nordic country with a large white population in the 70s, Mary stood out from the crowd with her sun-kissed skin tone. The nine other children flown to Sweden were the only other Indians she knew and the common question she heard was - Where are you from? When I replied that I am from Sweden, they said, No, no, look at you. Where are you from? So then I had to tell them my story, but they didnt understand the struggle of being adopted abroad. I used to wonder where I belong and I concluded that Im both Swedish and Indian, says Mary. Her mannerisms and language are Swedish, but Mary realised that when she danced, her hands moved in ways similar to Indian classical dance. When she drank water, she used to raise the glass away from her lips. Since I was adopted at 14 months, I had seen these things and they registered somewhere. I realised that memories are strong...they live in the body, she shares. What can I do? Sweden now has the most number of per capita adoptees at 60,000, but the scenario was different when Mary was adopted. There were not many adoptees, and she describes the feeling as being dropped in the middle of an ocean - feeling lost and empty. She was told that her mother passed away at birth, and nothing else. Attachment theory deals with the fact that relations at a young age are important, and if they are cut off, there are problems in future. It was painful, because I thought, Am I not good enough? says the mother of two. Mary also explains the dynamics of being adopted from an economically poor country into a first world country. There was a lot of guilt and the need to have gratitude. People used to tell me I should be grateful because things were bad in my birth country. I didnt know enough about India to counter their argument, so I had nothing to say, she says. The voice of adoptees was not heard and Mary had no resources to help her. Most of the available resources in Sweden cater to the adoptive families, and not to the adoptees themselves, she points out. Ever since I was seven or eight years old, I knew I wanted to work with people. Now, I give counselling for adoptees and conduct awareness seminars to people about adoption from the perspective of adoptees in Sweden, she says. Her four-part seminars for social workers in Sweden, explain concepts of identity, attachment theory, roots and origins, and legislation and policies on adoption with regard to Sweden and the world. She is also writing a book on her life. Where am I from? At 27, Mary decided to quit her job and take a three-month sabbatical to India. She arrived in Pune in 1999, and soon reached Kotagiri. She and began living with nine then-recently-adopted girls in Nilgiri Hills. The girls were adopted by a Danish couple and were under the care of Susheela, a caretaker. During her stay with these girls, Mary was able to finally experience daily life in India. They used to help me drape saris and wear chudidars. I learned how to cook Indian food. We used to have dance classes in the mountains. I taught them how to bake cinnamon buns. We are all very close, says Mary, adding that they have all completed their education and are married. Recently, Mary met them when they came to celebrate Susheelas 70th birthday. Who is my family? When Mary obtained the document on her adoption from the High Court, it revealed the conditions of her adoption. Her mother, Jaya Mary, passed away three months after her birth, not at childbirth. Her father, Madhavan, had passed away too, and her half-brother Ravi, then five years old, was also put up for adoption. Faith Home had lost the adoption papers to a flood. This document was signed by my grandmother, who put me up for adoption. But there are more papers - the address proof, identity proof, and others that will be helpful - that I do not have, she says. Mary knows a few details about her family. Her mother worked in a company in Ambattur Industrial Estate and lived in Mogappair. She has the years of her birth and of her mothers death. She also knows the name of the legal firm that worked on her case. With her friend Angel Fransz, Mary has spent the last two weeks chasing these leads.We visited the Rippon Building with her birth records, spoke to officials in the municipality in which her mother lived, spoke to the Mogappair Industrial Estate Manufacturers Association, and asked the law firm for any records. We are waiting for them to get back to us with more information, says Angel. Mary leaves for Sweden on Monday. Her quest is now in the hands of others, and their memories of her mother. Sipping her tea, Mary says, If I could meet someone from my family, I would just ask them one thing - What was my mother like? If you have any leads, you can e-mail Mary at marymadhavan@gmail.com Madhumitha Viswanath By Express News Service CHENNAI: A month ago, around 30 residents of Sri Kapaleeshwarar Nagar in Neelankarai took to the streets to strongly protest against Metro Waters move of digging another borewell in their locality. Their efforts proved to be successful and installation was stopped. But their relief was short-lived. Subsequently, three more borewells were dug and water was extracted round the clock. Though this has been an ongoing problem for 10 years in this locality, consequences of over extraction of groundwater is starkly felt by 600-odd families now. Residents said that groundwater levels have sunk to almost 25 ft from 12 ft in the last 10 years and salinity of water has also rapidly increased. A few weeks ago, a resident measured the TDS level of groundwater and we were shocked to find that it was almost 1800 mg/l. Before Metro Water started its extraction, TDS levels were only between 100 to 200 mg/l. We can hardly drink this water now, said M Sivakumar, president of Kapaleeshwarar Nagar Welfare Association. In a recent RTI petition reply to a resident, Metro Water admitted that no scientific study was conducted to assess the water content in the aquifer or its salinity rates. Also, the board said that 5,000 litres of water per hour is being pumped for six hours a day only. But residents disputed this and said that water was being pumped for 24 hours without a break. A source privy to the matter said that along ECR, Metro Water is drawing groundwater through 200 borewells installed in Uthandi, Palavakkam, Injambakkam and Kottivakkam. Residents are afraid that if this extraction continues, seawater will enter the groundwater table which has fresh water only upto 30 ft. Also, all the 45-odd borewells in Kapaleeshwarar Nagar have been installed along roads, on pavements and even inside parks. 3rd South Main Road, 9th South Cross Street, and 2nd North Cross Street are a few such spots. We are not against Metro Water drawing water to provide other residents. But this should be a regulated activity with strict limitations on the amount of water pumped each day. Because of over exploitation, some are forced to buy water, said Rohit Menon, a resident. When Express contacted Metro Water, an official said that they had no other choice but to pump groundwater as many congested areas like Kumaraguru Avenue and Bharathiyar Nagar in Neelankarai, have no other water supply. Neelankarai is yet to come under the water connection scheme. This project has been delayed by four years because land is not available to construct the main water distribution system. Because of this, we have to depend on groundwater to cater to residents in other parts of Neelankarai. But the aquifer will be replenished in one rainfall, said the official. Sharmila Chand By Express News Service Community eating has been at the heart of all Asian cultures. And what better place than the Burma Burma chain of restaurants and their ongoing Thingyan Festival to relish this concept? I cant get over the Village Set they first place in before me. Its an assortment of traditional Burmese dishes arranged beautifully on a cane flat basket. The colours, the aroma, the delicacies and ornamentation of the whole platter...so much like the Indian thali. Start by peeling and munching the sunflower seeds, says Ankit Gupta, Founder of the vegetarian Burmese cuisine chain. He explains how guests in Burma are first served sunflower seeds till the main course arrives. Gupta, as a host, is gentle and warm, makes sure I savour my food like the Burmese do. As the cuisine is based on a specific country, it is impertinent on our part to celebrate its customs, traditions and the grand festival of Burma. The Thingyan Festival is a big festival in Burma as it welcomes the New Year. We travelled back to our roots, to explore and bring back new, authentic dishes and flavours to India. By now, Im tasting the Yangon tea shop favourite Quack Quack Palata square pockets filled with a special mix of tangy and sour spices. Next, I dig into the traditional 999 noodles, flavourful, without any sauces. My companion choose the black sticky rice with eyed pea and pickled vegetables, its robust nutty flavour was a welcome change. It went well the sweet, tangy and thick eggplant-long bean-and-potato curry. Shan Khow Suey is my favourite rice noodles in tomato relish, garnished with tofu, pickled mustard leaves, carrot and radish. Another favourite was the Tofu Steamed Buns with fried tofu, a soft-and-crispy combo with lettuce, onion, tomato and mayonnaise stuffing. But the star of my meal was the Lotus Stem Fritters lotus stems sliced, fried and dusted with roasted paprika, rightly flavoured with curry leaves. Our village sets will serve two and four (people), and for the first time Burma Burma will also serve a small plate menu inspired by West Burma, informs Gupta. This includes an authentic Burmese dishes with names Kyan Tribe Rainbow Soup; Spicy Sour Tea Leaf and Avocado Salad, and Rangoon Ruby. Burma Burma Till: May 5 Timings: Lunch (12-4pm) and Dinner (6.30pm-11.30pm) Outlets at Select City Walk, Cyber Hub & DLF Mall of India, Noida Ajay Moses By Express News Service HYDERABAD: This past Sunday, Hyderabads St Georges Church saw a rather unusual guest addressing the 300-odd Christians assembled for the morning worship service. An Imam was speaking of peace, more precisely, condemning the ghastly terror attack in Sri Lanka that killed over 200 -- mostly Christians and international tourists. As many churches in the city wore a gloomy look after the suicide bomb attacks in Sri Lanka, the citys Muslim clergy and scholars came together and spoke of religious harmony at various churches in the city. While the sermons delivered by fathers and pastors were of unity and peace, the Muslim leaders expressed solidarity and condemned all forms of terrorism. During the worship service, Shaikh Mirza Yawer Baig, an Imam of Masjid Mahmood Habib in Banjara Hills along with other Muslim clergy and scholars, visited the church. With flowers ready for distribution, as a symbol of peace, and placards that read of spreading unity, the group thought to meet the members of the church after the service. However, the pastor of the church invited the Imam to address the congregation.God is one, whatever name you call or however way you worship. But as far as this world is concerned, we are brothers and sisters to one and other, said Baig, during his address. We must stand firm and together and if we allow hate messages of the terrorists to reach us, they will succeed. We cannot let them succeed, a determined Baig said, while recounting his school days at St Georges Grammar School, when he learnt The Lords Prayer, a customary prayer of the Christians.Resident presbyter of St Georges Church, M Prashanth Babu, said, They (Muslim scholars) came in the morning and asked if they could meet the members. But we invited them to speak. They were extremely sad with what happened in Sri Lanka and preached the message of peace. Even US Consulate General, Katherine B Hadda, was present during the service as she spoke about, ...evil that is striking people as they worship, and asked people to stand together.The Muslim group was led by Mecca Masjid society vice-president Iqbal Jaweed, architect Khaja Asif Ahmed and members from student Islamic organisation. They are planning to hold a candlelight vigil at St Marys Church on May 5. Meanwhile, members of Christian churches in the city demand of door frame metal detectors to be placed for security checks. Rajesh Abraham By Express News Service KOCHI: As recently as 2006, booking an LPG refill used to be one helluva task: the distributors phones are endlessly busy or no one would attend the call. Even if you are lucky to register for a refill, the gas cylinder is delivered to someone else who is either close to the distributor or to others who pays a higher amount in the black market. Things changed dramatically following the introduction of IVRS-based (Interactive Voice Response System) when one of the major public sector oil marketing companies rolled out the system for the first time in the country in Kerala in 2006. Suddenly, lakhs of customers could book their LPG refill by dialling a centralized number, eliminating black marketing and pilferage in the system. At the epicenter of this transformation is a Kochi-based IT company Prudent Technologies (Prutech), founded by three software engineers from Wipro, who were also batchmates at the College of Engineering, Trivandrum (CET): two from electronics stream while the third from computer science - the colleges first batch in the stream. The next 13 years have seen Prudent Technologies involved in some prestigious works for the banks (customers can enquire his bank account through a toll-free number, for instance), online payment services for BSNL and UIDAI integration services, among other things. We were the pioneer to offer missed call alert globally in the telecom industry when we provided the service for Escotel back in 2001, said Geejo George, executive director and one of the founders of Prudent Technologies. The missed call service used to be an SMS alert received by a subscriber about a called missed while the phone was out of coverage or switched off. Geejo along with his colleagues Sivadasan PK and C Pradeep Kumar founded Prudent Technologies in 1997 with zero investment thanks to the support from Wipro, where the trio was working. Wipro promoted entrepreneurship among its employees, explained Geejo, pointing out that some of the big IT companies were founded by software professionals from Wipro. Prudent Technologies was founded, the company was, in fact, doing a project for the Department of Telecom (DoT) for computerized telephone bills. In less than 22 years, the company now employs over 120 people across the country, winning accolades for many landmark initiatives: The IVR system for the oil marketing company winning the Presidents award for the best e-governance application in 2008. Prutech was also one of the first aggregators to integrate with UIDAI for two oil marketing companies for direct subsidy transfer, impacting the life of 120 million households. One of the earliest projects includes providing election results and the SSLC exam results through SMS on the phone. Sanjay Chacko, executive director - commercial engagements of Prutech explained that their services are indirect, where the telecom companies use its platform exclusively for servicing their enterprises customers. He also informed that Prutech is integrated with all major incumbent operators in India. Womens Helpline (during an emergency), Disaster Intimation Services (location-based service), and other public intimation services for state and central government public intimation services, etc are other major engagements of the company. Geejo said the most satisfying project Prudent Technologies was involved was a service to rescue people during last Augusts floods in Kerala. Under the service, a call to a four-digit toll-free help the rescuers to find the flood-trapped people through the google map. The nearest rescue operator will get the alert through the service, he said, pointing out many lives were saved through the Flood Relief service. We did not charge anything for the project. The company is also helping e-Commerce, taxi-hailing, food aggregating companies to provide virtual-number privacy services for customers while providing privacy to the customers' numbers when contacting drivers or delivery boys rendering services to the end customers. The calls are managed on our communication platform. We handle above 300 million requests (30 crore) on a monthly basis, explained Geejo. At a time when big data analytics and artificial intelligence had not entered the diction of the tech world, this small company has been using these tech tools to make life easy for the common man. Dr K P Poulose By Express News Service KOCHI: March 14 was celebrated as World Kidney Day. This year, the focus was to promote educational awareness programmes on kidney diseases, its disastrous consequences, especially End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), among others. In various hospitals, congregations of living donors and recipients were arranged to prove the safety of organ donation and the need to propagate the same through social, visual and print media. The longest surviving transplant patient is reported to be Johanan Ramphel, 69 years, from Canada. Other longest living recipients are from the USA and South Africa. This raises a very prominent question. In India, why is kidney transplantation rare and not progressing effectively? In the past, high financial burden, kidneys could only be bought by rich people, especially those from the Gulf. Now as per revised rules, foreigners are given least priority for organ transplantation in India. The next alternative is cadaver transplantation, although the survival rate is more in living donor transplantation (14-16 yrs) as compared to cadaver transplantation (10-12 yrs.). However, the rate of cadaver donation has come down, due to negative response from relatives. A living donor also has to face several hurdles. For example, consent from donor relatives (parents, siblings, spouses, children etc.) and providing revenue documents. Chain donations and swapping donations are also encouraged now but with poor results. The donor has to be perfectly healthy and to be examined by almost all medical specialists including psychiatrists for surgical clearance. Patients with cancer, acute infections, HIV, above 70 yrs, other chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus and atherosclerotic heart diseases will not be accepted for organ donation. If no donor is available, another alternative treatment for End Stage Renal Disease is peritoneal dialysis which is cheaper. About 2-3 litres of special fluid is inserted into the abdominal cavity for three to four hours. The fluid is drained gradually at the same time through the other side of the abdomen. Although this procedure can be done repeatedly two-three times a day at home with better patient mobility, it is time consuming and the patient is vulnerable to bowel perforation and abdominal infections. According to the latest reports in India, 2.2 lakhs renal patients in India are waiting for donors for transplantation. In India only 3,500 kidney transplantations are being done every year in about 250 hospitals. Among the live organ transplantation in India between 2011-2017, 50 cases of donors were related and majority of the donors were women (74% for kidney, 70% for liver) and only 19% of the kidney recipients and 20% of the liver recipients were women. In Kerala alone, 3,480 people are dying per year in road accidents. If a small majority of dying patients relatives agree to donate their wards organs, our transplantation project would have been a great success. We promote signing pledges for organ donation in schools, colleges, NGOs and other charity and welfare organisations, but the outcome is pathetically disappointing. Dr K P Poulose is the principal consultant and HOD in Medicine Department SUT Hospital, Pattom. (The views expressed by the author are his own.) By Express News Service KOCHI: The police have stepped up vigil in Kochi in the wake of the bomb blasts which rocked Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday last week. The measures are based on Intelligence reports regarding possibilities of terror attack in India. Since Kochi could be a possible target, the police have issued notices to homestays and hotels in coastal areas, especially Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, to submit details of people who are staying there, to the police stations concerned. Fort Kochi police have requested the details to be sent on a daily basis before 9 am via e-mail sifrtkchekm.pol@kerala.gov.in. Besides, the public is requested to report any suspicious detail to Fort Kochi SI on 9497980406 or 0484 2215055. Raids will be conducted at hotels and homestays which fail to submit information regarding the guests, police said. Apart from maintaining close coordination with coastal security agencies, the police have also advised fishermen to report suspicious activities or presence of strangers. Top officers with Kochi City Police, however, said these measures were part of maintaining vigil in the wake of the Sri Lanka blasts and there was no need for concern. The move is part of a precautionary measure as Kochi is a coastal place and a large number of people visit here daily, said a top officer. Besides, the police have also directed all homestays to install CCTV cameras inside and outside the premises. Surveillance has been intensified in major shopping areas, cinema halls, bus stands and railway stations, according to officers. By Express News Service Colin Farrell, who recently starred in Tim Burtons Dumbo, is set to star in the sci-fi film, Voyagers. To be written and directed by Limitless-fame Neil Burger, the thriller is about 30 children who are sent on a multi-generational mission to populate a new planet. After the captain of the mission is killed in mysterious circumstances, the young crew descends into chaos, aligning themselves into tribes as they surrender to their most feral instincts. Tye Sheridan, Lily-Rose Depp and Fionn Whitehead are among the confirmed cast of this sci-fi thriller. Talks are underway with Game of Thrones-fame Isaac Hempstead Wright, Chante Adams, Kelvin Harrison, and Madison Hu. AGC Studios and Thunder Road are developing the project, which will start filming in Romania in early June. Arunkumar Sekhar By Express News Service With Avengers: Endgame fever gripping everyone, I ask Manjima Mohan how it feels to compete with the biggest film of the year with her comeback project Devarattam after a year-and-a-half. She laughs. Theres no question of competition. Personally, I am not a big Avengers or Marvel fan, but seeing this craze, I have now started to watch all the prior films. Its a significantly bigger film. Manjima is coming back to Tamil cinema after a hiatus. I didnt intend to take a break. Both Sathriyan and Ippadai Vellum released in the same year as Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada(AYM). Then, I signed for a project like Zam Zam, which I think kept me out of releases for a while. Ideally, wouldnt playing the lead role in the Queen remake bring her more roles? I was shooting in France for 50-60 days and did get a lot of offers. But the dates kept clashing with my shoot schedule and I had to refuse them. The problem in our industry is that once you say no to some films, word travels that you are choosy in selecting a script or are concentrating on films of other languages, even if that isnt the case. Did things improve after she finished shooting? I returned after shoot, and no one called me. When they did, the offers I got were female-centric roles akin to Zam Zam. I had to reject them, she says. See, I am not a brand who can sell a film on my own. I dont have that reach here in Tamil. Someone once told me that when I enter a room of ten people, all ten should recognise me. Right now, I think its three or four. It was around April/May last year that I got Devarattam. Manjima remarks that she took the film because of a very simple reason. I received a call from KE Gnanavel Raja saying director Muthiah wanted to cast me in his film, and given my state then, I accepted without a second thought. Revealing another factor for giving the nod, the actor says, Earlier, Muthiah sir approached me with a script similar to the genre that Sathriyan was and I had to say no. He then told me about this other script in hand and how he would definitely come back to get me on board. He stayed true to his word. I just had to say yes. It was destiny. According to Manjima, due to previous experiences, the period between committing to Devarattam and actually going for shoot was hellish. You see, I had committed to a few films between AYM and Sathriyan/Ippadai Vellum. In two of the projects, I got replaced due to reasons, including the hero wanting to cast an established face. Then, two projects, one with Vishnu Vishal and Udhayanidhi Stalin, and the other with just Vishnu, got dropped, she says. I couldnt handle it. So after signing up for Devarattam, I was waiting for the first days shoot to get over to heave a sigh of relief. What if the project got dropped? What if the film didnt release? I still have no answers to these questions, and such insecurities are still there. I dont take anything for granted. Devarattam was narrated to her over a phone call. Muthiah sir was honest. He said that unlike Komban, which was about the relationship between the lead pair, Devarattam is based more on the brother-sister relationship. However, he assured that all my scenes would be intense, and my role would definitely be a turning point for the film. She is happy to have worked with the films team. Whenever you sign a film, you know the team is your second family because you are going to be with them for 30-40 days. Though Gautham took a few days to get into the groove, soon after he did, it was a riot. The director and AD team only spoke Madurai Tamil. I would listen intently, and not understand anything. But I learnt the language quite fast, in about two-three months, and if I am speaking well enough in Tamil now, all credit should go to them. She came through the ranks back home in Kerala from a child actor to debuting as a heroine in the Nivin Pauly-starrer Oru Vadakkan Selfie, and yet, she isnt doing many Malayalam films. Even her recent Malayalam film, Mikhael, had her in a short role. It is funny. After Oru Vadakkan Selfie, there was this opinion doing the rounds that I couldnt act. Yet here, in Tamil, an acclaimed director last month told me he wanted to cast me in his first film after watching that film. There were a lot of memes about my lack of acting ability. When I won the Filmfare, all these memes changed to compliments. Memes are so important in narratives now. No memes means no memory of you. As a daughter of a famous cinematographer, does she ever want to go behind the camera? For cinematography, no. But for directing, yes. My father once told me a story which I want to make a film out of. So when I am on sets and in between breaks, I keep observing everything around me. I also watch a lot of behind the scenes videos like Wonder Woman and 2.0 to understand and learn more. What next after Devarattam? I have a Jiiva-Arulnithi film coming up in Tamil. I have tried my hand in comedy for the first time. In Malayalam, of course, I am awaiting the release of Zam Zam. By Express News Service The hands of time are bound to slow down for this next auction, as Christies is set to put up a collection of rare watches for bids at the Four Seasons des Bergues in Geneva. The over 254 watches spanning early 19th-century onwards fall in the estimated price range of (Swiss Francs) CHF 2,000 to CHF 1,000,000.Expectedly, a selection of Rolex watches will feature strongly at the auction, led by two of the most sought-after models of stainless steel Paul Newman Cosmograph. Rolex The stunning Rolex reference 3525 steel and gold chronograph, once the property of pop art legend Andy Warhol, and sold as part of his jewellery and watch collections in New York, 1988, is on offer at CHF 200,000-300,000. La Montoya is a newcomer among the usual suspects. On auction is a unique prototype of the first skeletonised Rolex Daytona chronograph, result of the collaboration between the Artisans de Geneve and seven-time Formula 1 race winner from Colombia, Juan Pablo Montoya. It was handed to Montoya in 2016 who wore it regularly to the races until its consignment to this auction (estimate: CHF 50,000-100,000). Proceeds from the sale will go to charity.. Stelline & Padellone The top lot of the sale with an estimate of CHF 1,000,000-2,000,000 is an exceptional pink gold Rolex reference 6062 Stelline triple calendar with a moon phase. Its extremely limited production is estimated around 50 cased in pink gold, with only 10 sporting this star dial. It was housed in the iconic Rolex Oyster case, and one of the only two Rolex models from the period to feature a calendar complication with a moon phase. Patek Philippe The top lot of the pocket watch section features the personal watch of Patek Philippes co-founder Jean-Adrien Philippe (1815-94) dated May 1889. It has his famous design for the two-train independent centre seconds movement (estimate: CHF 50,000-100,000). Another piece of Patek Philippe history, is Jean-Adriens son, Joseph Emiles 1889 school timepiece estimated between CHF 10,000-20,000. Theres the Patek Philippe silver pocket watch presented to Pope Pius IX from the Swiss Catholics to celebrate his episcopal golden jubilee in 1877. Engraved with the Popes coat of arms, it is estimated at CHF 20,000-30,000. The list also includes two vintage Patek Philippe perpetual calendar watches the reference 2499 third series from 1977 (estimate: CHF 500,000-00,000) and the reference 2497 from 1954 (estimate: CHF 160,000-260,000). By PTI MUMBAI: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram Saturday accused the Election Commission (EC) of "failing" the people of the country, alleging that it was partisan and reluctant to take action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for poll code violations. Addressing a press conference here, he also said that as much as Rs 10 crore is spent on every rally of the prime minister. "Unprecedented expenses for the PM's rallies. About Rs 10 crore is spent on each rally. The EC is failing the people of the country," Chidambaram alleged. Maharashtra Congress president Ashok Chavan, who was also present at the press conference, demanded that the EC probe Friday's incident in Dhule where a box was brought out of an aircraft ferrying Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu. "The box surely didn't contain mangoes. It was something more. The EC should take cognisance of the matter and should investigate it," Chavan said. Earlier on Friday, while speaking to reporters in Shirdi, Prabhu had dismissed a video clip which claimed that a mysterious box was taken out of a plane carrying him when it landed at Dhule in Maharashtra. Responding to a question about the clip and the accompanying message which alleged that the box contained "Rs 15 crore", Prabhu had said, "I don't have fifteen rupees in my pocket, where is the question of Rs 15 crore!" By PTI NOIDA: As many as 1,125 security force personnel have laid down their lives in anti-Naxal operations since 2009, the Union Home Minister has said in reply to a query under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The maximum incidents were reported in 2009 (287) followed by 2010 (262), said the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Division of the ministry in the reply. The ministry gave the figures in reply to the RTI query by law Noida-based lawyer and social activist Ranjan Tomar, who had sought the year-wise data from the MHA on the deaths of security personnel in anti-Naxal operations. In 2011, 112 security personnel lost their lives, followed by 108 in 2012, 93 in 2013, 81 in 2014, 34 in 2015, 40 in 2016, 56 in 2017, and 52 in 2018, the reply stated. ALSO READ: 100 Naxals suspected to be involved in Dantewada ambush: Chhattisgarh Police No casualty was reported in 2019 till January-end, it added. In a response to an RTI query by Tomar earlier this year, the MHA had stated the 1,190 Left Wing Extremists have been killed by security forces in the country since 2010. There have been 11,567 incidents involving Naxals during the period in which 1,331 security personnel suffered injuries, it had said. Information put by the MHA on its website says that 7,907 people have been killed in LWE incidents between 2004 and 2018 (till 31 July). As many as 90 districts in 11 states of the country are considered as affected by LWE, according to a reply made in Parliament by Minister of State in MHA Hansaj Ahir on February 5, 2019. The affected states include Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, he had said. In another reply in Parliament on December 11, 2018, Ahir stated that 731 civilians and 260 security force personnel have been killed from 2015 till 2018 (November 15). By ANI NEW DELHI: A Special CBI court on Monday deferred till Tuesday hearing in the plea filed by Rajiv Saxena, accused turned approver in AgustaWestland deal case, seeking permission to travel abroad for medical treatment. Special CBI Judge Arvind Kumar posted the matter for tomorrow after Enforcement Directorate's (ED) counsel Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh sought the time of one more day to file reply on Saxena's plea. ALSO READ: Rajeev Saxena moves Delhi court seeking permission to travel abroad Saxena had moved the court seeking permission to travel to Europe, United Kingdom and Dubai in the month of May over the grounds of medical treatment. Saxena turned an approver in the case after the court allowed his plea on March 22. The Dubai-based businessman was extradited to India in the wee hours of January 31 in connection with alleged scam in the Rs 3,600 crore deal for the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland company. ALSO READ: Rahul should answer who were referred to as 'RG', 'AP' and 'FAM' in AgustaWestland documents, says Arun Jaitley He was allegedly operating a number of bank accounts in Switzerland in which huge amounts of money were deposited, according to the government dossier. The banks in which the amounts were allegedly deposited, include Union Bancaire Privee UBP in Zurich, UBS Switzerland, and Credit Suiss AG, states the dossier accessed by ANI. The remittances into these accounts came allegedly from Matrix Group Ltd, UHY Saxena and Associates, Tiramisu Holdings Inc and Tanay Holdings Ltd, claimed the government dossier. Harpreet Bajwa By Express News Service CHANDIGARH: A newlywed couple were among the five killed when the SUV in which they were travelling met with an accident near Ludhiana on Monday. After the wedding on Sunday night, the couple were returning from Jagadhari in Haryana to Ludhiana when the Mahindra Bolero they were travelling in collided with a combine harvester at Dhandari Kalan on the Amritsar-Delhi highway. Two others were injured in the accident. It is learnt that Jamshed Alam was driving the SUV and the family had started at 5 AM from Jagadhari on the way back to Ludhiana. The accident took place around 7.30 am. Three people died on the spot including the bride while the groom was critically injured and died later in hospital. The driver of the combine and another person were also injured. One of them is stated to be critical. Four of the deceased were identified as the bridegroom Sadik, 25, the bride Heena, 22, Jamshed Alam and Zareena. The fifth was yet to be identified. Locals gathered at the accident site and managed to take the injured out of the mangled SUV. Ludhiana Police Commissioner SS Gill said a case has been registered and the cause of the accident is being investigated. By Online Desk The US has refused to share any information with India on the use of F-16 fighter jets by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in its bid to strike Indian military installations and subsequent dogfight with Indian Air Force (IAF) jets on February 27, according to a report. Soon after we were informed by the Indian side about Pakistan using F-16 aircraft on February 27, we informed the Indians that we will not be sharing any information on the subject as it is a bilateral matter between the US and Pakistan, a US official was quoted by The Indian Express on condition of anonymity. If a third country tomorrow wants information about the C130 or C17 or Apaches that the IAF uses, our answer would be the same. It is a bilateral matter between India and the US, the official said, adding, India understands the underlying logic to this position. The US official said while India shared "evidence" suggesting the use of F-16 fighter jets by the PAF, it has neither presented any proof nor asked for any inputs about the shooting down of an F-16 by the IAF. In order to prove that Pakistan had used F-16s on February 27, India had shared evidence such as call signs of PAF F-16s and specific details of the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air To Air Missile (AMRAAM) used by the intruding PAF jets. However, New Delhi declined to share any AWACS pictures or radar images due to operational concerns of the IAF. The US statement came after reports said the US sold F-16 fighters to Pakistan on the condition that they would be used only in a defensive role, and the PAF had used them for an air strike targeting Indian military installations. Following the Balakot operation, IAF and PAF jets indulged in a dogfight over the LoC on February 27. India said one of its MiG-21 fighter jets downed a Pakistani F-16 before itself being shot down. The pilot of that jet Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured by Pakistan and handed over to India on March 1 in an effort to de-escalate the crisis. Pakistan, however, has denied the Indian Air Force's claim, saying none of its aircraft were shot down during the dogfight. Pronab Mondal By Express News Service BIRBHUM: Rabindranath Tagore imagined a land where the mind is without fear and the head is held high. But Birbhum district, where the Nobel laureate founded Visva-Bharati niversity, has witnessed a lot of bloodshed over the last five years, leaving commoners scared. Few dare take the street after sunset. Convivial gatherings are a thing of the past and politics is a dreaded word. Violent clashes between cadres of the Trinamool Congress and the upcoming BJP did not even spare the law enforcers. An officer of sub-assistant rank was hit by a bomb and died, prompting police to bring murder charges against a ruling party leader on the back of huge public protests. The spiral of violence has continued, casting its long shadow on the Lok Sabha polls. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE With the fourth phase of the election on Monday, electors are scared of witnessing violence once again. Political clashes in Bolpur and its adjoining Birbhum Lok Sabha constituency began after the BJP made inroads in the area with the support of hundreds of CPM party activists who shifted their loyalty to the saffron brigade. Our party suffered a sharp dent in its vote bank in the last Lok Sabha polls. More than 11 per cent of voters did not support our candidate in Birbhum Lok Sabha seat. The BJP secured an increase of more than 13 per cent, said a Trinamool leader in Birbhum district. In 2014, Trinamool candidate Anupam Hazra had defeated CPMs Ramchandra Dome in Bolpur with a margin of more than 2.3 lakh votes. Hazra switched camps and defected to the BJP recently, which has further upped the Trinamools ire. Dome had held the seat, reserved for the Scheduled Castes, in 2009. Before that, veteran parliamentarian Somnath Chatterjee had won the seat in a bypoll in 1985 and held it till 2009. The Left Front is on the back foot in its once impregnable fortress as the partys vote share dropped by more than 19 per cent in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. In the 2018 panchayat polls, a large section of party supporters extended their support to the BJP, hastening the Left Fronts demise. We failed to retain our support base. This is because we failed to protect our party workers and supporters from atrocities at the hands of Trinamool activists using state power. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has been able to strongly penetrate among common people in this area and they are ready to give a matching reply to each ruling party attack. Our party supporters are feeling much safer under the BJPs wings, said a CPM leader of Birbhum district committee. Birbhum had hit the headlines in regional newspapers on several occasions after the senior Trinamool leader in the district, Anubrata Mondal, issued threats against opposition leaders, police personnel and common people who supported the BJP. Days before the panchayat polls last year, Mondal was provided Z category security cover on the basis of the recommendations of the directorate of security, a state committee of senior police officers that assesses threat perceptions. The BJP leadership in the district found that the security move was meant to protect Mondal from his own partys cadres. Trinamool is facing factional feuds in every corner of the district, and hence the district chief of the party fears he might be targeted by his own men, said a BJP leader. In Birbhum Lok Sabha seat, the BJP fielded Dudh Kumar Mondal, whom Mondal has always found a tough contender to battle, against Trinamools candidate Shatabdi Roy, a former actress. Trinamool preferred turncoat Asit Kumar Mall, who defected from the Congress, to be fielded against BJP candidate Ram Prashad Dam in Bolpur Lok Sabha constituency. Bolpur and Birbhum are among the Lok Sabha seats where the BJP is all set to give the ruling party a tough fight. In last years panchayat polls, BJP candidates were waylaid when they were going to file nomination papers in the Mohammadbazar area. As the news spread, thousands of tribals armed with bows and arrows and other traditional weapons turned up there and escorted the candidates. We were surprised to see the huge number of tribals who rushed to the area from the neighbouring pockets, hiring buses and other vehicles. Initially, we had no clue what could be the driving force behind the assembly of the huge number of tribals. Later, we came to know that they were RSS workers who have been working among the poor and tribal people, said another Triamool leader. Illegal sand mining is one of the issues that has triggered alleged factional feuds in Trinamool. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while addressing public rallies in the district, threatened to take strict action against those involved in illegal sand mining. Opposition leaders, however, described Mamatas warning as a threat to those who were not paying the party fund. Illegal sand mining is controlled in Birbhum through a nexus between local political leaders and local police personnel. The party leaders in Kolkata are completely unaware of the deals, and this is why Mamata issued the threat, said a BJP leader in the district. Trinamools internal feuds might help the BJP make further inroads in the area as the CPM and the Congress have slowly become irrelevant in the district due to fast dwindling cadres and support. Minister Al-Mashat said that Saudi Arabia tops Arab countries in sending tourists to Egypt and stressed the importance of the Arab market for Egyptian tourism Egypts Tourism Minister Rania Al-Mashat held a meeting on with the head of Saudi Board for Tourism and National Heritage Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khatib on Sunday, to discuss ways to boost cooperation in tourism between the two countries. The meeting came on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) forum, which kicked off in Dubai on Sunday and ends on Wednesday. The 26th edition of the ATM hosts over 2,500 exhibiting companies and an expected 40,000 industry professionals, with over 150 countries represented, as well as 65 national pavilions. The Egyptian minister accompanied the Saudi official on a tour of the Egyptian pavilion, during which he expressed his admiration at the new technological and promotional methods it highlighted. Al-Mashat said that Saudi Arabia tops Arab countries in sending tourists to Egypt and stressed the importance of the Arab market for Egyptian tourism, saying it makes up about 30 percent of tourists coming to the country. She also cited the new adjustments set by the tourism ministry to facilitate the Islamic umrah pilgrimage procedures for Egyptians to Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Al-Khatib expressed to his countrys keenness on benefiting from Egyptian expertise in promoting various forms of tourism such as cultural and adventure tourism, which Saudi Arabia has started to promote recently. The Saudi tourism official also cited the possibility of cooperation to attract more tourists to the Arab region through joint tourism programmes between Egypt and Saudi Arabia in light of the Arab Tourism Strategy, which was commissioned by the Arab Ministerial Council for Tourism during the 45th meeting of the Middle East Committee of the World Tourism Organization held in Cairo in March. Search Keywords: Short link: By Express News Service KOCHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested a Palakkad native who was planning a suicide attack in Kerala, as part of its probe against the Islamic State (IS) module active in the state. The investigation was launched following the Sri Lanka Easter blasts incident. The arrested is Riyaz Aboobacker, alias Abu Dujanan 28, of Kollengode, Palakkad, who was taken into custody from his residence on Sunday. Riyaz is said to be a trader in skull caps used by Muslims, spray perfumes and other foreign goods. In the interrogation, he revealed he was planning a suicide attack in Kerala. Tourist destinations and religious places were his target. According to the NIA, a four-member IS-linked group was actively planning at t a cks in Kerala. The other two members of the group -Ahamed Arafat of Kaliyangad and Aboobacker Siddique of Nainmarmoola in Kasargod - are in NIA custody. READ HERE: Sri Lanka Easter blasts: NIA conducts raids in Kasargod, Palakkad He admitted he wanted to carry out a suicide attack in Kerala. During interrogation, he disclosed he had been in contact with absconding accused Abdul Rashid Abdulla alias Abu Isa for a long time online and had been following his audio clips, including the clip which he had circulated on social media platforms, instigating others to carry out terror attacks in India. ALSO READ | Islamic State sympathisers in Kerala under lens after calls to Sri Lanka: NIA He revealed he was also having online chat with Abdul Khayoom alias Abu Khalid (the accused in the Valapattanam ISIS case) who was believed to be in Syria. He further disclosed he had been following the speeches/ videos of Zahran Hashim of Sri Lanka for more than a year and had also followed the speeches of Zakir Naik, said an official statement by NIA. According to NIA, the group led by Aboobacker was in touch with Abdul Rashid, Ashfaq Majeed and Abdul Khayoom, who had already migrated to Afghanistan and Syria. He will be produced before the NIA Court in Kochi on Tuesday. ALSO READ | Intel agencies on alert as Islamic State modules in Kerala switch to Wickr app NIA IG IN KOCHI Kochi: NIA IG Alok Mittal on Monday reached Kochi to supervise the probe being carried out on the links of Zaharan Hashim, the mastermind behind the Sri Lankan attack, with the people of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Mittal evaluated the probe launched against people from Kasargod and Palakkad. By PTI NEW DELHI: Incidents of violence in West Bengal and Odisha that left a Congress worker dead and EVM glitches were reported in the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls on Monday which saw 64 per cent turnout in 72 seats across nine states. In the heartland states, where the BJP had won 30 out of 32 seats in 2014, 67.73 per cent turnout was recorded in Rajasthan (13 seats), 58.56 per cent in Uttar Pradesh (13 seats) and 67.09 per cent in Madhya Pradesh (6 seats), according to the Election Commission. West Bengal recorded a high turnout at 76.66 in the eight seats though clashes broke out between supporters of TMC and BJP in Nanoor, Rampurhat, Nalhati and Suri areas of Birbhum seat, leaving several people injured. In Barabani, BJP candidate from Asansol and Union minister Babul Supriyo's vehicle was vandalised allegedly by TMC workers outside a polling station while in Dubrajpur area central security forces personnel reportedly opened fire in the air to disperse irate people who attacked them when they were barred from entering the booths with mobile phones. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE An FIR was registered against Supriyo for allegedly getting into an argument with polling officials, an election official said. The ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP accused each other of intimidating voters in the state, which has seen violence in all previous three phases despite stepped up central forces deployment. The stakes are high for the BJP which had won 56 of these 72 constituencies in the 2014 polls. About 12.79 crore people were eligible for voting in the fourth phase. With this round, polling has been completed in 374 seats out of 543. Click here for Phase 4 polling HIGHLIGHTS According to a senior police officer, violence was reported from several places in six parliamentary seats in Odisha, where the turnout was 64.05 per cent. A Congress worker was stabbed to death in Balikuda-Erasama are of Jagatsinghpur seat while he was returning from a polling booth. ALSO READ | Maharashtra police detained dog with pro-BJP stickers on body and its owner for campaigning on polling day The victim, Lachman Behera, had recently quit the BJD to join the Congress, the official said. Clashes between supporters of the ruling BJD and the BJP were reported from Jajpur Kendrapara and Balasore Lok Sabha seats amid allegations poll rigging. Technical glitches in EVMs delayed polling in 60 booths, but it resumed after the snags were rectified. During a mock-poll in Madhya Pradesh, electronic voting machines (EVMs) were replaced at 207 polling booths as some glitches were found. EVMs were also replaced at 106 polling booths after the voting began, according to officials. Polling was peaceful in Rajasthan, with tribal dominated seat of Banswara recording the highest voting percentage at 72.34, followed by Barmer which recorded 72.21 per cent voting, according to state election officials. Nearly 55.86 per cent voting was recorded in Maharashtra (17 seats), 59.02 per cent Bihar (five seats) and 64.38 per cent Jharkhand (3 seats), according to data provided by the Election Commission. In Kulgam district of Anantnag constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, 10.5 per cent polling was recorded, amid isolated incidents of stone pelting. This was the second of the three-phased polling in the sensitive seat. Billionaires and Bollywood stars lined up outside polling stations along with the common folks in Mumbai, where polling was held in six constituencies. READ HERE | I woke up late, don't know anything, says Moon Moon Sen on violence in Asansol Celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan, the Khan troika of Shah Rukh, Salman and Aamir, Deepika Padukone, Sachin Tendulkar along with his wife and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray cast their votes in Mumbai. Actors Priyanka Chopra, Rekha, Aamir and his wife Kiran Rao were among the early voters. In Uttar Pradesh, opposition Samajwadi Party's alleged that many EVMs malfunctioned and in Kannauj, from where SP chief Akhilesh Yadav's wife and sitting MP Dimple Yadav is contesting, several party workers were prevented from coming out of their homes to vote. In Kanpur, BJP workers allegedly tried to barge into a polling booth and clashed with the police. A case was registered against BJP leader Suresh Awasthi and six others in this regard, Kanpur District Magistrate Vijay Vishwas Pant said. Reports were received of EVMs malfunctioning in Bidhauna area in Kannauj following which polling remained suspended for over an hour. Complaints were also reported in Etawah under Auriaya district, with voters claiming they had to wait for hours at polling booths in Tilak Mahavidyalaya, Sahupur, Ajitmal and Dalelnagar to cast their votes. According to a report from Hardoi, an elderly woman voter complained that the presiding officer at Jamkara booth forcibly pressed the EVM button. The sector magistrate removed the officer and handed him over to the police. Besides Dimple Yadav, prominent candidates in the fray in this phase are former ministers Salman Khurshid (Farrukhabd) and Sriprakash Jaiswal (Kanpur) of Congress, UP minister Satyadev Pachauri (Kanpur) and Sakshi Maharaj of BJP (Unnao) In Bihar, voting was delayed due to EVM malfunctioning at three polling stations in Munger, two polling stations in Darbhanga and three polling stations in Begusarai, from where CPI's Kanhaiya Kumar and Union Minister Giriraj Singh (BJP) are contesting, official sources said. Voting was also held for 41 Assembly seats in Odisha and Chhindwara Assembly bypoll in Madhya Pradesh, where Chief Minister Kamal Nath is contesting. Election to 542 Lok Sabha seats is being conducted in seven phases between April 11 and May 19. Election in Vellore constituency in Tamil Nadu was cancelled. Results will be declared on May 23. By Express News Service BHOPAL: A middle-aged polling officer died of brain haemorrhage in Madhya Pradesh's Seoni district where polling is scheduled for Monday, Amit Pancheshwar, an employee at a government school in Seoni, was getting ready to leave for poll duty in Lakhnadaun assembly segment of Mandla Lok Sabha seat along with other members of his team on Sunday morning, after collecting the EVMs and VVPATs from the strong-room at Seoni district collectorate, when he suddenly started vomiting and fell unconscious. Before the doctors could rush to attend to him, Amit breathed his last. Preliminary reports suggest that he died due to brain haemorrhage, Chief Electoral Officer of Madhya Pradesh (CEO-MP) VL Kantha Rao said in Bhopal. While maintaining that all preparations have been made for voting in the state's six parliamentary constituencies, including Chhindwara, Sidhi, Mandla, Balaghat, Jabalpur and Shahdol, besides the simultaneous by-election in Chhindwara assembly seat, the CEO-MP said, We expect a 10% increase in voter turnout, despite the rising heat, on the lines of the 2009 and 2014 turnouts. In 2009, the voter turnout of these six seats was around 54%, which jumped to 64% five years later. Were hopeful of the trend continuing this year also with another significant jump in polling percentage. A total of 108 candidates are in the fray for the six Lok Sabha seats and nine candidates are contesting the assembly by-election to Chhindwara seat, which forms part of Chhindwara Lok Sabha constituency only. FOLLOW OUR ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Out of the six LS seats going to polls on Monday, two seats are situated in Naxal affected Balaghat and Mandla districts, owing to which two Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters have been deployed for aerial monitoring of the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas. In Balaghat district, which houses Balaghat LS seat, in three assembly segments Lanji, Paraswada and Baihar, the voting will take place between 7 am and 4 am, while on remaining segments the voting will take place from 7 am and 6 pm. An Air Ambulance has been stationed at Jabalpur for dealing with any medical emergency. More than 1.05 crore voters will exercise their franchise at 13,941 polling centers in the six LS seats, out of which 2515 centers have been categorized as critical. As many as 332 areas have been identified as vulnerable and over 900 individuals identified as those who can influence the polls. Sector officials vested with magisterial powers have been tasked with keeping a vigil on these vulnerable areas on the polling day. Key facts In Balaghat LS seat, 23 candidates contesting, but prime contest between four candidates, Dhal Singh Bisen (BJP), Madhu Bhagat (Cong), Kankar Munjare (SP-BSP), Bodh Singh Bhagat (IND). In Shahdol, 13 candidates in fray, but the real fight likely between Himadri Singh (BJP) and Pramila Singh (Cong). Maximum 26 candidates in fray in Sidhi seat, but prime fight between Ajay Singh Rahul (Cong) and Riti Pathak (BJP) In Jabalpur, the main contest between Rakesh Singh (BJP) and Vivek Tankha (Cong), though 22 candidates in fray. Mandla seat has minimum 10 candidates, but the main contest likely between Faggan Singh Kulaste (BJP) and Kamal Maravi (Cong) In Chhindwara, MP CMs son Nakul Nath (Cong) taking on Nathan Shah (BJP), even as 14 candidates are in fray. In total 25 crorepati candidates in fray on six LS seats Cash, drugs and other illegal items worth over Rs 10.45 crores seized so far in the six LS constituencies going to polls on Monday. Richest candidates Candidate Seat Assets (in crores) Vivek Tankha (Cong) Jabalpur Rs 66 crores Nakul Nath (Cong) Chhindwara Rs 660 crores Ajay Singh (Cong) Sidhi Rs 37 crore Namita Bajpai By Express News Service UP Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma rejects the Oppositions argument that the NDA has failed to create employment opportunities and that the Nyay scheme of the Congress could dent the BJP. Excerpts from his interview with Namita Bajpai. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has claimed that BJP will be restricted to just one seat in UP. How formidable is the Mahagathandhan challenge? That may be his slip of the tongue and true of his party. His alliance is a gathbandhan (alliance) of compulsion, whose longevity is questionable. Its weave is fragile. Actually, SP and BSP are not fighting for Lok Sabha but engaged in a tussle for 2021 Assembly polls with their cadres resisting each other on the ground. Congress is their B Team to divide BJPs votes. However, their tactics wont work. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE BJP claims it will win more seats than in 2014. Isnt it overconfidence? We will win 74. And this is because of confidence gained from our last performance when we were made fun of for being overconfident. We will achieve the number, which party president Amit Shah has prescribed. How impactful will be the Nyay scheme of Congress? Will it be able to fetch votes for Congress? Those who have always indulged in Anyay (injustice) cant do Nyay (justice). People of India have understood this fact. Congress has fought elections so far on the basis of such fake slogans since Pt Nehru regime till Manmohan Singh. They said Garibi hatao but the graph of poverty soared, while in Modi governments tenure around five crore people have come over the poverty line Has Priyanka Gandhi altered the situation in UP? Every five years she enters the political ring 20 days ahead of elections. And every time that picnic of Congress ends with an even worse performance. Her charisma is such that when the party fails to collect crowd, her meeting is termed a nukkad meeting. Some parties (read Congress) resort to a number of tactics and some people are capable of being in media glare sometime by hugging children and old women who are remembered only during polls. But whether these theatrics convert into votes is debatable. How would you counter oppositions narrative of unemployment and farmers distress in UP? PM Modi has created more indirect jobs than direct. Modiji has gone deep into the root of unemployment. Employment doesnt mean only government jobs. We have approached the issue with a different perspective. In UP alone, 2,700 skill development centres have been opened, over 1,600 start-up projects have been registered and lakhs of people have started business through Mudra loan. We have created means to create jobs. Startup India, Stand-Up India, Mudra loan, one district one product are a few to name. Employment grows with growing infrastructure. Your government in UP claims that it has given more jobs during the last 22 months than what previous governments could give during their entire tenure? Within two years we have captured 65% market of mobile handsets. Work on defence corridor in Bundelkhand has begun. Similarly, the scheme to promote One district one product has also been strengthened. We have promoted skill development to equip people. How will you counter the charge of Armys politicisation vis-a-vis Balakot airstrikes post-Pulwama? Why dual standards? If former PM Indira Gandhi can be credited with Bangladesh, why cant Balakot airstrikes be attributed to the iron will and decisiveness of PM Modi? The opposition contradicts itself. Opposition is resorting to these tactics as they lack issues. Akhilesh Yadav has promised to raise Ahir Armoured and Gujarat Infantry in his vision document. How will you react to it? They have been doing caste politics... They have been dividing the society along castes, poor and rich for political gains. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Refusing to review its decision on a petition seeking an order to reclaim the Kohinoor diamond from the United Kingdom, the Supreme Court said it had found no ground to reconsider its earlier ruling. A five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and including Justices SA Bobde, NV Ramana, DY Chandrachud and SK Kaul dismissed the curative petition, saying there was no merit in it and that the petitioner had failed to make out any substantial reason why the issue needed to be kept alive. We have gone through the curative petition and the connected papers. In our opinion, no case is made. Hence, the curative petition is dismissed, the order stated. In 2017, the court had disposed of a petition filed by NGO All India Human Rights and Social Justice Front, and had then noted that it could not direct the United Kingdom on what to do with the Kohinoor diamond. A bench headed by the then Chief Justice of India, J S Khehar, questioned how petitions seeking the return of properties lying with a foreign government found their way to the Supreme Court, which has no jurisdiction whatsoever over such matters, that are best left to international diplomacy rather than the judiciary. In its affidavit, the government had said it was continuing to explore ways for a satisfactory resolution over the diamond with the UK. The restitution of Kohinoor, the government said, would require a special agreement between both countries. By PTI COLOMBO: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has suspended police chief Pujith Jayasundara, his office announced on Monday after the defiant Inspector General refused to quit taking responsibility for the intelligence failure that led to the massive Easter Sunday bombings. The police chief can only be removed through a parliamentary procedure and Sirisena's action is the first step towards that, officials said. Senior Deputy Inspector General CD Wickremaratne has been appointed as the acting police chief. Jayasundara has steadfastly refused to heed Sirisena's call to resign following April 21 coordinated blasts on three churches and three luxury hotels. The attacks carried out by suicide bombers came in spite of early warnings and the security establishment's failure to take preventive action has come under severe criticism. ALSO READ | Post-Easter blasts, Sri Lankan woman gifts five pet dogs to army for explosive-detection training Sirisena, who also keeps the defence portfolio with him, said he wanted to revamp the security system and his defence ministry secretary Hemasiri Fernando resigned promptly on his request on Thursday. Deputy Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Nalin Bandara said a motion to remove the police chief will be tabled in Parliament within this week, Sri Lanka Mirror reported. Noting that the motion will be tabled on the agreement of all government MPs, he hoped to get the backing of opposition MPs as well, it said. Meanwhile, the police chief has said that he has done nothing wrong and that he would resign if the defence minister resigns as well. Nine suicide bombers carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on the Easter Sunday, killing 253 people and injuring over 500 people. The Islamic State claimed the attacks, but the government has blamed local Islamist extremist group National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) for the attacks. Sri Lanka on Saturday banned the NTJ and a splinter group linked to the ISIS. A total of 106 suspects, including a Tamil medium teacher and a school principal, have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday blasts. According to Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry, the number of foreign nationals who have been identified as killed remained at 40, including 11 from India. By IANS DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand Police on Monday said they had collected all the vital evidence in six-year-old girl's murder. She was first allegedly killed then raped by a security guard in Haridwar. "We have collected all the vital evidence needed to establish the crime of Sonu (a security guard)," said Janmejay Khanduri, Senior Superintendent of Police, Haridwar. "The accused has been sent to 14 days judicial custody," Khanduri said. The police, however, ruled out narco test of the accused. "In his confession, Sonu said he first killed and then raped the girl. We have picked up all the evidences. Some of them have already been sent to the forensic laboratory," said Khanduri. The girl had gone missing on Friday from near her house in the Shyampur area, where she was playing with other children. According to initial investigations, Sonu lured the girl to the forest adjoining Chidiyapur area and strangulated her to death when she tried to scream and later violated her body. The girl's parents work as labourers in a nearby poultry farm where the accused was security guard. The victim's family belongs to the Bijnore district of Uttar Pradesh. Sonu was arrested soon after the girl's body was recovered from the forest on Saturday morning. "During the interrogation, Sonu confessed to his crime," Khanduri said. By PTI BHOPAL: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Monday hit out at the opposition for not appreciating Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the surgical and air strikes on Pakistan and reminded them of the praise showered on Indira Gandhi by Atal Bihari Vajpayee after the victory in the 1971 war. Addressing a rally in Shamshabad, part of Sagar Lok Sabha seat, Singh also lambasted the Congress-led Madhya Pradesh government for "playing with people's emotions by making false promises". "When India defeated Pakistan in the 1971 war, our leader (Vajpayee), despite being in the opposition, praised then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It showed Atalji was large-hearted," he said. "I want to ask Congressmen when (Indira) Gandhi can be praised for the 1971 victory, then why not Modi for giving a befitting reply to Pakistan," he said. ALSO READ | INTERVIEW | We will do well across the country: Rajnath Singh There was a power outage during his speech, leading to Singh ridiculing the Congress, calling it an example of its governance in the state. Early in the day, MP Chief Minister Kamal Nath faced embarrassment when power tripped while he was casting his vote in Chhindwara. He said the NDA government would eradicate poverty if given another five-year term. Singh also addressed rallies in Damoh and Bhind Lok Sabha constituencies. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE By PTI ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's military on Monday once again claimed that there was "no damage" in the Balakot air strike carried out by India and asserted that it will facilitate the Indian journalists if they wish to visit the area to "see the truth". Addressing a press conference at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, Pakistan military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor alleged that India had been "lying repeatedly" and Pakistan has not responded to those lies. "Since the last two months, India has been continuing to lie. As a responsible country we have not responded to their lies," he said. "The truth is that there was an incident in Pulwama. Attacks on the police in Pulwama have happened before. There was no damage at our end in Balakot. We took local and foreign media there to show them. We will facilitate Indian media if they choose to come to Balakot to see the truth," Ghafoor was quoted as saying by Geo News. ALSO READ | Pakistan admits presence of terrorists in its territory Tensions flared up between India and Pakistan after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF personnel in Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14. Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting the biggest JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in aerial combat and captured an IAF pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1. Ghafoor said Pakistan was waiting for the appropriate time to "honour our pilots who downed the Indian planes". "India has not said what happened in Pakistan's counter-strike," he said. The Army spokesperson also warned India not to test Pakistan's resolve. "India must not test Pakistan's resolve. It is not 1971 anymore," he said. ALSO READ | No bilateral meeting between Imran, Putin in Beijing a big diplomatic failure: Pakistan Newspaper After the aerial confrontation, India said one of its MiG-21 fighter jets downed a Pakistani F-16 before itself being shot down on February 27. Pakistan, however, has consistently denied the Indian Air Force's claim, saying none of its aircraft was shot down during the weeks of tensions between the two nuclear-armed countries. Pakistan also claims to have shot a second Indian Air Force jet during the engagement, a claim India has dismissed. "We downed two Indian planes in the process, the whole world saw their debris and you [India] still claimed that one of the two planes was ours and one of our own pilots died, as we had initially said that two Indian pilots had been captured, and then said that there was only one. You [India] said that we have changed our statement because one pilot was our own," Ghafoor said. "We got initial information through the proper channel, then on the ground, I personally found out that only one person had been captured and I sent out the correction myself. How is it that you are ready to accept one of our statement, not the other?" he was quoted as saying by the Dawn newspaper. READ HERE | Did Pak use F-16 post-Balakot? US says can't share info with India "We have not retaliated because we want peace we asked you [India] to ask America about our F-16s' strength. In this day and age, hiding the downing of a plane is impossible. In this time, even if a motorcycle crashes the world finds out," he added. Ghafoor also criticised India for using the threat of nuclear weapons, saying they were "weapon(s) of deterrence". He said India should to change its attitude towards Pakistan instead of asking "us to change attitude". Ghafoor also accused India of funding Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a tribal region based rights group, to destabilise Pakistan. By PTI JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir police Monday said it has arrested six terrorists, including a PhD scholar, for launching the abortive suicide car bomb attack on a CRPF convoy on Jammu-Srinagar highway last month. The failed attack was jointly hatched by militant outfits Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) under the command of a Pakistani terrorist, Munna Bihari, Jammu Inspector General of Police M K Sinha told reporters here. The arrested PhD scholar is an active member of Jamiat-e-Talaba, the student wing of banned Jammat-e-Islami (JeI), said Sinha. His interrogation has revealed that JeI student wing is currently engaged in radicalizing youths for "jehad" in a big way, he added. Sinha identified the five arrested terrorists as PhD scholar Hilal Ahmad Mantoo, Waseem alias "Doctor", Umar Shafi, Aqib Shah, all hailing from Shopian and Shahid Wani alias "Watson" of Pulwama. READ HERE | After attacks on CRPF convoys, study to suggest safest ways of troop movement in J&K The sixth one, Hizbul suicide bomber Owais Amin was arrested on April 1 from Teethar in Banihal when he was trying to escape after unsuccessfully targeting a CRPF convoy with a car bomb near the Jawahar Tunnel - the gateway to the valley on March 31. Sinha said the National Investigation agency is taking over the case tomorrow for further investigation, though, he added, the J&K police has completely worked it out. Sinha said two Hizbul modules were involved in fabricating the car bomb. "Two modules of Hizbul Mujahideen, one led by Dr Saifullah of Pulwama and the other led by Rayees Khan alias Imad Khan of Shopian had jointly worked to fabricate the car bomb and to take other steps for the explosion," he added. Sinha identified a Pakistani terrorist Muna Bihari, operating in south Kashmir in collusion with a local JeM militant Shahjahan, as the mastermind behind the fabrication of the car bomb by planting IED inside it. Hilal Ahmad Mantoo, PhD student from Kashmir studying in Punjab was arrested last week in connection with car bomb blast in Banihal on March 30. IGP Jammu MK Sinha says 'We have almost cracked the case completely and six persons so far have been arrested' pic.twitter.com/sygu2npqSj ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019 The Jammu IGP, however, ruled out any link between the February 14 Pulwama car bomb attack which left 40 CRPF personnel dead and the Banihal attack. He, however, did not rule out the involvement of Pakistan in Banihal attack, saying "the entire module led by Hizbul chief in the valley, Riyaz Naikoo, and Saifullah were involved in the attack along with JeM Pakistani terrorist Muna Bihari". He added that the identity of the exact person who directed them to carry out the attack was not yet known. Sinha said the J&K police was yet to identify the owner of the car used in the failed bid. "The chassis number and the engine number of the vehicle used in the attack were tempered with. We have sent the vehicle to FSL and they are trying to retrieve the original numbers," he said. Sinha said the source of the gelatin sticks too is to be ascertained and the NIA may find it out in subsequent probe. PhD scholar Mantoo, who was doing some research on anxiety among the students, was arrested from Central University Bathinda in Punjab, he said. Security personnel inspect the mangled remains of a car which exploded near a CRPF convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar highway at Banihal in Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir Saturday March 30 2019. | PTI He revealed in his interrogation that Jamiat-e-Talaba is "radicalizing youths in a big way for Jehad", he said. "Youths are taken in Jamait-ul-Talba after careful screening and once inducted, they are given an extremely hard-core religious orientation and made to indulge in various activities including terror operations," the IGP said. Sinha said the radicalisation of youth is a major threat because a radicalised youth can do anything and indulge in any violent act. He said the group that was involved in the fabrication of the IED, procuring gelatin sticks, urea, acids and other material was working under the overall command of the Pakistani terrorist. "Amin along with his friend Omar and Aqib were working as overground workers of Rayees Khan who became active terrorist of Hizbul Mujahideen in 2018. After the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani, all four of them were involved in stone pelting," said Sinha. These terrorists were selected for the explosion because they had a clean slate and were off the police radar with no criminal case registered against them earlier, the IGP said. By PTI WASHINGTON: Citing India as one of the countries where it is increasingly difficult to separate religion and politics, a US federal government-appointed commission on Monday alleged that religious freedom in India continued a "downward trend" in 2018. US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), in its annual report on international religious freedom, said that in several countries where it found deteriorating religious freedom conditions in 2018, it also found increased "securitisation and politicisation" of religion. "For example, in countries like India, it is increasingly difficult to separate religion and politics, a tactic that is sometimes intentional by those who seek to discriminate against and restrict the rights of certain religious communities," the USCIRF said. And the very governments perpetrating or tolerating these abuses often decry -interference in internal affairs- when they are rightfully admonished for their deplorable religious freedom and human rights records, the report said, without mentioning India. India has previously rubbished USCIRF's report on religious freedom, saying the group has no locus standi to pass its judgement and comment on its citizens constitutionally protected rights. USCIRF retained India in Tier Two Category of countries on religious freedom. Other countries being Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cuba, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia and Turkey. Countries are placed in Tier 2 for engaging in or tolerating religious freedom violations that meet at least one of the elements of the -systematic, ongoing, egregious- standard for designation as a- country of particular concern. "Based on its report, USCIRF recommended that the State Department in 2018 redesignate 10 countries as Countries of Particular Concerns on religious freedom. These are Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. USCIRF also found that six other countries meet the CPC standard and should be so designated: Central African Republic, Nigeria, Russia, Syria, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. In the India section of the report, USCIRF said that in 2018, religious freedom conditions continued a downward trend". "Its history of religious freedom has come under attack in recent years with the growth of exclusionary extremist narratives-including, at times, the government's allowance and encouragement of mob violence against religious minorities-that have facilitated an egregious and ongoing campaign of violence, intimidation, and harassment against non-Hindu and lower-caste Hindu minorities," it said. USCIRF alleged that in 2018, approximately one-third of state governments increasingly enforced anti-conversion and/or anti-cow slaughter laws discriminatorily against non-Hindus and Dalits alike. "Further, cow protection mobs engaged in violence predominantly targeting Muslims and Dalits, some of whom have been legally involved in the dairy, leather, or beef trades for generations. Mob violence was also carried out against Christians under accusations of forced or induced religious conversion," it said. In cases involving mobs killing an individual based on false accusations of cow slaughter or forced conversion, police investigations and prosecutions often were not adequately pursued. Rules on the registration of foreign-funded nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) were discriminatorily implemented against religious minority groups. Religious freedom conditions varied dramatically from state to state, with some states continuing to be relatively open, and free for religious minorities, while others, if taken on their own,had -systematic, ongoing, egregious- violations of religious freedom, the report said. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi seldom made statements decrying mob violence, and certain members of his political party have affiliations with Hindu extremist groups and used inflammatory language about religious minorities publicly," the report said. Victims of large-scale attacks in recent years have not been granted justice, and reports of new crimes committed against religious minorities were not adequately accounted for or prosecuted. India's substantial population both complicates and limits the ability of national and state institutions to address these issues, USCIRF said. USCIRF said the Indian government repeatedly has denied USCIRF access to India. S Guru Srikanth By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: At a time when the country is in the grip of election fever, the Modi tomato from Madanapalle is the latest sensation on social media. These tomatoes are in the shape of a heart with Modi embossed on one of its sides and Indias map on its other. This agro product is the result of combined efforts of Janardhan Chowdary Jampala, a US-returned software engineer-turned-agro producer, and Racharla Siva Kumar Reddy, an enterprising farmer from Madanapalle in Chittoor district. It was presented to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during his recent visit to Andhra Pradesh. Modi tomato became popular when Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned in his constituency in Varanasi recently and they were sold out in no time. In March, Kurnool-based JP Agro Producers, owned by Janardhan Chowdary, approached Siva Kumar Reddy, 38, owner of a five-acre land in Ponnetipallem hamlet, seeking help to grow the moulded tomato. It was a novel concept and I was curious. As I firmly believe that success comes with risk, I agreed to grow this type of tomatoes in a half-acre land, Siva Kumar told TNIE. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE JP Agro representatives brought with them 25,000 moulds and invested Rs 50,000 on labour. They encased the tomatoes at its fruiting stage. It then took three weeks to fully ripe. They (the company) paid me 25 per cent more than the market price. At the time of harvesting, its market price was Rs 800 per crate of 25 kg, and I was paid Rs 1,050 per crate, Siva Kumar explained. Speaking to TNIE, Janardhan Chowdary said his firm had planned to do the same for leaders in both the Telugu states. However, it could not do so as the timing was not right. Eight months ago, Chowdary, who worked in the USA for two decades, had said he wanted to do farming, but in a different style. The moulded vegetables with messages embossed on them can be sold as exotic items. The concept is now popular across the world. Now, we are making heart-shaped tomatoes with I marked on one side and U on the other. With Ramadan in the offing, we have focused our attention to crescent-shaped cucumbers with Eid Mubarak embossed in English and Arabic, he explained. By Express News Service MORADA/SUKINDA: THE BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Congress president Rahul Gandhi saying that he is no match for Prime Minister Narendra Modi who works 18 hours a day. Modi has not taken a leave during the last 20 years whereas Gandhi takes a break from work every two months, he said. Addressing election rallies in tribal-dominated Mayurbhanj and mineral-rich Jajpur Lok Sabha constituencies of Odisha which will go to polls in the fourth phase on April 29, the BJP chief criticised Congress leaders for their soft approach towards separatists. He also targeted Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik for sheltering culprits of chit fund and mining scams in the State. Those involved in the scam will be sent to jail within 90 days of BJP coming to power at the Centre and the State, he said. Modi ji is hard working, dedicated and honest. The Prime Minister, who works 18 hours a day, has not taken a single days leave in last 20 years as he has dedicated himself to the nation, Shah said. In sharp contrast, Shah added, Rahul Baba (Gandhi) goes on leave every two months. His people keep looking for him. Even his mother gets worried as she has no clue... bitwa kahan chalagaya, malum nehin padta maako (mother has no clue as to where her son has gone). Shah slammed Shatrughan Sinha, who has joined Congress after quitting BJP, for praising Mohammad Ali Jinnah and clubbing him in the same league as great men like Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Ballavbhai Patel. Congress leaders are praising Jinnah who was instrumental in the division of India. This shows their character, he said. Mounting a scathing attack on the previous Congress-led UPA government, Shah accused it of having failed to deal with Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and said India gave a fitting reply after Pulwama terror attack by undertaking air strike right inside Pakistan. While the entire country rejoiced the success of Balakot air strike, there was mourning in two places - one in Pakistan and another in Congress camp, he said. Asserting that only a BJP government under the leadership of Modi can ensure speedy and balanced development and keep the country safe and secure, Shah claimed people across the country have resolved that Modi will become the Prime Minister again. I have already addressed election meetings in 261 Lok Sabha constituencies across the country. From east to west and north to south, everywhere I could hear people chant Modi, Modi, he said. The BJP chief also targeted the Naveen Patnaik government for keeping the state backward due to corruption and inefficiency and sheltering culprits in chit fund and mining scams. Emphasising that it is not enough for Odisha if Modi becomes Prime Minister again, Shah said the state cannot develop unless the inefficient and corrupt Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government is thrown out. Stating that the Chief Minister failed to learn Odia in last 20 years, Shah said people must choose an Odia-speaking chief minister who can understand their problems and redress them. By Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: As tropical Cyclonic storm 'Fani', located 880 km south east of Chennai, is expected to develop into a very severe cyclone in next 24 hours and head towards eastern coast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keeping a close watch on the situation. India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday noon said, the storm over southeast Bay of Bengal will continue to move in north-west direction before heading northeastwards from May 1. Coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha must brace for strong winds, rough seas and heavy rainfall. The Prime Minister took to the Twitter and said: Spoke to officials regarding the situation arising due to Cyclone Fani. Asked them to take preventive measures and be prepared to provide all possible assistance. Also urged them to work closely with Governments of the affected states. Praying for everyone's safety and wellbeing. READ | Tamil Nadu, AP likely to escape Cyclone Fani: IMD According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), landfall over Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh is ruled out. However, the possibility of landfall in Odisha is under continuous watch. Prime Minister himself is closely monitoring the situation and has directed Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha to convene the Meeting of National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to take stock of the situation with State Governments and Central Ministries and agencies concerned and ensure that all preparations to deal with any situation are in place. The Nation Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Indian Coast Guard have been put on high alert and placed at the disposal of State Government. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also took stock of the situation with Central agencies. Met officials said, possibility of landfall of the cyclonic storm in the coastline of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh has been ruled out. However, the possibility of landfall in Odisha is under continuous watch. Under impact of the storm, coastal areas of Odisha may experience wind-speed of around 50 to 60 kmph and heavy rainfall from May 2. In view of the situation, Chief Secretary Aditya Parasad Padhi reviewed preparedness of the government this morning. He asked Director General of Police RP Sharma, Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi and officials of Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), NDRF and Coast Guard to remain prepared for any exigency. Speaking to mediapersons, the Chief Secretary said, though it is yet to be clear where and when Fani will make landfall, information received from IMD and US Navy suggest that the cyclonic storm may skirt Odisha coast but induce very strong winds and heavy rainfall in the coastal districts. We are monitoring the situation closely and have kept 20 ODRAF teams in readiness. Police and district administrations concerned have also been asked to remain alert and keep a close watch, Padhi said. SRC Bishnupada Sethi said, the cyclone travelling such a long distance is an unusual phenomenon. Though the cyclone, as per IMD prediction, may not make landfall in Odisha, it may cause strong winds and heavy rainfall, he said. In view of the storm, as many as 880 cyclone shelters have been readied. The early warning system is also being used to alert fisherman and people of coastal villages. If necessary, we will send SMS alert to people, he said. By Express News Service SAMBALPUR: He is an inspiration for unemployed rural youths who are struggling for their livelihood. Meet 29-year-old Anand Pradhan of Gambharkata village under Tabla panchayat in Maneswar block of the district, who is a successful dairy farmer. He also grows green fodder for his cows. Having studied up to Class X, Anand started dairy farming in 2009 with an investment of Rs 30,000. He purchased two cows and the daily milk production was 15 litres at that time. Subsequently, the number of cows increased with artificial insemination besides procurement of more cows. He also replaces his cows from time to time keeping an eye on their milk production. At present, Anands farm produces around 100 litres of milk daily from 11 cows and earns profit of Rs 30,000 every month after deducting monthly expenditure of around Rs 70,000 towards cattle feed, cultivation of green fodder, labour charges and other expenses. As cattle feed and fodder are two major heads of expenditure for any dairy farmer. Anand is also cultivating green grass over one acre of land owned by him to feed his cattle. He cultivates Napier and Para variety of green fodder on a patch of land located on the back side of his newly constructed cowshed. Anand had constructed a cowshed over an area of seven decimal land at a cost of around Rs seven lakh in 2017. Earlier, he was using his temporary cowshed located near his house for dairy farming. He said he was earlier concentrating on paddy cultivation but he did not find it profitable and shifted to dairy farming, which is giving him more returns. Since his village is situated on the outskirts of Sambalpur, Anand said he has never faced any problem in selling milk. He has around 100 customers in Budharaja and Ainthapali and he delivers milk at their doorsteps at a rate of Rs 34 per litre, he said. By Online Desk The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday ruled out the possibility of Cyclone Fani making landfall along the shores of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. However, the possibility of landfall in Odisha is under continuous watch, the Met department said in a press release. As of Monday morning, the cyclonic storm is located 880 km south-east of the Chennai coast and will move in the northwest direction until it is expected to change its path to the northeast on May 1. READ | Fani to trigger rain in Odisha Units of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Indian Coast Guard have been put on high alert at the disposal of state government authorities. Courtesy: IMD website The IMD on Sunday issued a warning of heavy rains in Andhra Pradesh on April 30 as the cyclone was changing its direction and moving towards the north-northeast. Due to heavy rain warning in isolated areas of north coastal Andhra, a 24x7 control room has been opened at the collectors office in Visakhapatnam with a toll-free no.1800-425-00002. Also, officials have warned fishermen not to venture into the sea and alerted those who are at sea to return. READ | Mobile App for rescue and relief during Cyclone Fani The Prime Minister is personally monitoring the situation and has directed the Cabinet Secretary to convene a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) with the concerned agencies and state governments to deal with any situation, the release said. By PTI CHENNAI: The probe into stealing and selling of newborns allegedly by a retired government nurse in Namakkal district has been transferred to the CB-CID wing, police said Monday. The nurse had allegedly been stealing and selling newborns for 30 years. The retired nurse, her husband and an ambulance driver besides some others have already been arrested in this case. Director General of Police (DGP) T K Rajendran has issued orders transferring the probe into the case to the Crime Branch-CID, the specialised investigation wing of the state police. Earlier, the issue came to light after an audio clip of a conversation went viral, where Amutha is purportedly admitting that she was involved in this racket for 30 years. The issue had created a furore in the state. After the audio clip went viral, Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Beela Rajesh had instructed the director of the Health and Rural Welfare Department to look into the claim. In the clip, the nurse purportedly said she had sold newborn girls for Rs 2.75 lakh and if the babies were fair and good looking, they were sold for Rs three lakh. Newborn boys were sold for Rs three lakh and if they were handsome, for Rs 3.75 lakh to Rs four lakh, she had said in the clipping, recorded by a "prospective client". The woman had also said in the clip that she even arranged for a birth certificate if an extra Rs 70,000 was paid. She was accused of being involved in "selling" of newborns in connivance with the hospital staff after she took voluntary retirement. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: For the second time this month, a child died at Niloufer Hospital here, allegedly due to medical negligence. The parents of an infant suffering from neo-natal asphyxiation said their child died on Sunday, within hours of being admitted, as staff didnt immediately attend to the baby. A doctor from the hospital, however, refuted these claims, saying the child had only a 1-2 per cent chance of survival.On April 9, a 12-year-old, who sustained an injury to his stomach, died due to alleged negligence of the doctors. The parents of the infant, who hail from Kamareddy, blamed the doctors and nursing staff at Niloufer Hospital, saying their child died due to improper treatment and negligence.The father, Balaiah, claimed that though his child had difficulty in breathing, the doctors didnt do anything. While the mother said: The doctor and the nurse asked me to go out and wait while they attend to my child. I did not go, and saw the doctor and nurse leave her unattended. I fought my way back to my child though the staff tried to prevent me. The nurse then calmly told me that the infant had died. They...allowed her to die. However, Dr Ravi Varma, head of the pediatrics dept, refuted the claims and said, The newborn was suffering from stage-three neo-natal asphyxiation, with 1-2 per cent survival chances. This happens because the flow of oxygen to the brain is cut off. The only action we take in such a situation is to provide oxygen to the child. Stages one or two have a chance of survival He added, The bloody puncture holes on the childs body were due to IV administered at multiple hospitals before she was brought to Niloufer. The parents took the child to a government hospital in Nizamabad, then to private hospitals where IV drips were administered multiple times. Dr Varma further said that the hospital was acutely short-staffed, and had only 150 nurses, when 450 were required. The hospital is currently capable of catering to only 10 per cent of tertiary care services. Yet most of the cases we cater to are tertiary cases. By PTI DUBAI: Indians looking for employment in Qatar must be wary of fake job recruiting agents, the Indian embassy in Doha has warned, advising the job-seekers to ask for a copy of the agent's ID proof to ensure authenticity. Before an Indian worker accepts employment from a Foreign Employer/Company, it would be safer to check their credentials on the e-Migrate portal, POE Offices or by emailing the Indian Embassy in the country concerned. India in Qatar (@IndEmbDoha) April 29, 2019 The embassy advised the job-seekers to "always ask" for a copy of the agent's Qatar ID to be sure of the authenticity of the job being offered. "Always ask for a copy of the agent's Qatar ID and save it carefully, so that the Embassy can help you better, in the event of any fraud," the embassy said. "Before an Indian worker accepts employment from a Foreign Employer/Company, it would be safer to check their credentials on the e-Migrate portal, POE Offices or by emailing the Indian Embassy in the country concerned," it said. Indian nationals comprise the largest expatriate community in Qatar numbering around 691,000. They are engaged in a wide spectrum of professionals, including medicine, engineering, education, finance, banking, business, media and labour. Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC) and an opposition alliance met on Monday to discuss the powers of a joint military-civilian council to steer the country's transition after three decades of rule by Omar al-Bashir, two sources familiar with the proceedings said. The two sides had been due to talk about the make-up of the proposed body, but the military officers who toppled Bashir on April 11 after weeks of mass protests against his rule focussed the discussions instead on the future council's functions and powers, the sources said. A further meeting between the TMC and the Declaration of Freedom and Change Forces, an umbrella group representing opposition groups and activists, will be held to discuss the council's composition, they added. The make-up of the proposed council is key because activists who organised 16 weeks of protests leading to Bashir's ouster have insisted that the body be civilian led. The joint council would be the sovereign body overseeing a technocrat government and a legislative council. Protesters have continued the mass rallies and a sit-in outside the Defence Ministry in Khartoum that began on April 6. Monday's meeting was held at the presidential palace on the banks of the Blue Nile in Khartoum, a short distance from the sit-in. *This story was edited by Ahram Online Search Keywords: Short link: By Associated Press COLOMBO: The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka said Monday that the government should crack down on Islamic extremists with more vigour "as if on war footing" in the aftermath of the Easter bombings. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the archbishop of Colombo, said the church may not be able to stop people from taking the law into their own hands unless the government conducts a more thorough investigation and does more to prevent further attacks. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the Easter attacks, which killed more than 250 people, and investigators are looking into the extent of the extremist group's direct involvement with the local radicalized Muslims who carried out the suicide bombings. The cardinal said he is not satisfied with how the government has conducted its investigations so far. "All the security forces should be involved and function as if on a war footing," Ranjith told reporters. "I want to state that we may not be able to keep people under control in the absence of a stronger security program," he said. "We can't forever give them false promises and keep them calm." He urged the government "to implement a proper program in order that the people don't take the law into their own hands." Ranjith, however, said the church assures Muslims that it will not allow any revenge attacks against them. He also said church services would be held this coming Sunday after necessary precautions are taken. The number of Masses will be reduced at every church, with police and parish committees entrusted with the task of looking out for strangers. Churches were shut across the nation on Sunday, a week after the bombings, for fear of an attack by Islamic State group-linked militants. Sri Lanka's Catholics celebrated Mass in their homes as Ranjith presided over a televised service. The closing of the churches came after local officials and the US Embassy in Colombo warned that more militants remained on the loose with explosives. Even though all of the island nation's schools are to reopen May 6, Ranjith said Catholic schools could be kept closed after that date if the church is not satisfied with security. Meanwhile, the government has banned all kinds of face coverings that may conceal people's identities. The emergency law, which took effect Monday, prevents Muslim women from veiling their faces. The decision came after the Cabinet had proposed laws on face veils at a recent meeting. It had deferred the matter until talks with Islamic clerics could be held, on the advice of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The Easter attacks were carried out by seven suicide bombers who blew themselves up targeting three churches and three luxury hotels. Two other suicide bombers died triggering blasts, one to avoid capture by the police and another at an inn where he was staying. By PTI COLOMBO: Female bombers posing as devotees may have been planning to attack Sri Lanka's Buddhist temples after authorities seized white clothes from a house that was raided following Easter Sunday blasts, a media report said on Monday. ALSO READ | Sri Lanka Easter blasts: NIA conducts raids in Kasargod, Palakkad, one person taken into custody The Sri Lankan intelligence agency has received inputs of possible attacks on Buddhist temples by female bombers of the banned local terror outfit National Thawheeth Jamath (NTJ) after police found white pairs of skirts and blouses from the house which was raided after the explosion in Sainthamuruthu area in the Eastern province, raising suspicion that the attackers might pose as Buddhist devotees, the Daily Mirror reported. On March 29, Muslim women had spent 29,000 Sri Lankan rupees (USD 166) to purchase nine sets of such clothes from a textile shop in Giriulla, the report said. The CCTV footage of the shop shows the visuals of these women who purchased clothes from the shop. ALSO READ| UAE-based Indian couple survive Sri Lanka bombings, man had witnessed 26/11 terror attacks too So far, five sets of white clothes have been found from this house and intelligence services are trying to find the remaining clothes. Sri Lankan authorities say that there was one women among the nine bombers who carried out the country's worst terror attack, killing 253 people and injuring over 500 others. Six children and three women were among 15 people killed on Saturday when militants linked to the Easter Sunday bombings opened fire and blew themselves up during a fierce gun battle with security forces in the Sri Lanka's Eastern province. The shootout occurred as the security forces continued their hunt for members of the NTJ. ALSO READ| Sri Lanka bans face covering after serial blasts Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan government has banned Muslim women from wearing any form of face veils in public from Monday. President Maithripala Sirisena, who used emergency powers in the wake of the Easter Sunday bombings, prohibited the use of face coverings of all sorts which is an obstacle to ensure the identity of the people and a threat to national and public security. The order clarifies that the key criterion for establishing the identity of a person is the need to clearly expose the face. A total of 106 suspects, including a Tamil medium teacher and a school principal, have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday blasts. ALSO READ| Sri Lankan woman gifts five pet dogs to Army for explosive-detection training post Easter blasts According to Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry, the number of foreign nationals who have been identified as killed remained at 40, including 11 from India. Sri Lanka has a population of 21 million which is a patchwork of ethnicities and religions, dominated by the Sinhalese Buddhist majority. By AFP BARCELONA (Spain): A Barcelona court sentenced Monday a former gym teacher at a Catholic school to over 20 years in jail for sexually assaulting students, in the latest abuse scandal rocking the church in Spain. Joaquin Benitez, who taught for nearly three decades at a Barcelona school run by the Marist community, a Roman Catholic order at the centre of a clerical abuse scandal in Chile, got a jail term of 21 years and nine months for assaulting four students. The court also ordered Benitez to pay the victims a total of 120,000 euros ($134,000). This is the first sentence since public accusations of abuse against Benitez in 2016 triggered a cascade of other complaints at two other Marist schools in Barcelona. The ruling comes amid sustained criticism of the Vatican's response to a decades-long sexual abuse crisis. The court said Benitez had an office with a bed "where he took students to give massages and treat injuries." His victims described behind closed doors at the trial in March how Benitez would summon them to his office and sexually abuse them. Benitez apologised to his victims as he left the court after the first day of the proceedings, justifying his behaviour by the fact that he himself had suffered sexual abuse as a student at Catholic boarding school. "Instinctively I saw it as practically normal behaviour," Benitez, who wore a black ski mask to cover his face from the media, told reporters. The alleged abuse took place between the early 1980s and 2010. Thirteen other former students at the school also accused Benitez of sexual abuse but their cases could not go to trial because the alleged crimes happened too long ago. Cover up? Under Spanish law, the statute of limitations for cases of child sexual abuse starts to run from the moment the victim reaches the age of 18. Spain's Socialist government has introduced a draft law to raise that age to 30. It also proposes a statute of limitations of 10-20 years depending on the seriousness of the offence. This would mean that crime reported when a victim is middle-aged could still proceed to court. Questioned in court, a senior Marist official denied trying to cover up the abuses. The Marists were at the centre of a major clerical abuse scandal that erupted in Chile in 2017 and led to the resignation of 34 bishops in the Latin American country. Spain, historically a fervently Catholic country, has been less affected by clerical abuse scandals, but a rising number of accusations against priests in schools and seminaries is starting to erode the wall of silence. Activists say many cases had likely been silenced as they were in other countries and could emerge now as the debate opens up. By AFP PARIS: Three adults and a teenager have been arrested over a planned attack on the security forces in the coming days, prosecutors said Monday, which a minister described as "extremely violent". All four were arrested on Friday as part of an investigation into a terrorist conspiracy, but there were no immediate details on the nature of the planned attack. "Four people are being held over a plan to carry out an extremely violent terror attack," Interior Minister Christophe Castaner told reporters. One of the suspects is a minor serving a probationary sentence at an educational facility after being sentenced to three years, two suspended, for trying to travel to Syria, the Paris prosecutors office said. The other three are known for common law offences, according to a source close to the inquiry which was opened by prosecutors on February 1 and is being handled by the DGSI, France's domestic intelligence agency. France has been on high alert since the start of a wave of jihadist attacks began in 2015, leaving more than 250 people dead, with the Islamic State (IS) group urging followers to target soldiers and police in France. Despite the collapse of IS's self-proclaimed "caliphate" in Iraq and Syria last month, the threat of further attacks inspired by the group remains high. At the end of March, two men, one which psychiatric problems, were indicted in Paris on suspicion of planning an attack on a school or a police officer By PTI WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has criticised India's "big tariffs" on American paper products and the iconic Harley-Davidson bikes, saying the US has been losing billions of dollars to countries like India, China and Japan. Addressing a Republican political rally in Wisconsin state's Green Bay city on Sunday, Trump alleged that every country has been ripping off America for years. The President has repeatedly claimed that India is a "tariff king" and imposes "tremendously high" tariffs on American products. "For so many decades we've been losing tens of billions of dollars to China and Japan, and India, and name any country and we lost, but we're not losing anymore," he said to his cheering supporters. He said that the US was being charged high tariffs on foreign paper products. "We charge other countries zero tariffs on foreign paper products, but when Wisconsin paper companies export it abroad. China charged us big tariffs, India charged us big tariffs, Vietnam charge us massive tariffs," Trump said. He claimed that people of the US demanded a government that puts America first. "And we're doing that with China, we're doing that with India, we're doing that with Japan, we're doing it with a great new trade deal, that hopefully will get approved in the house," the President said. Early this year at a White House event to announce his support for reciprocal tax, Trump had said that he was satisfied with the Indian decision to reduce the import tariff on high-end Harley-Davidson motorcycles from 100 per cent to 50 per cent. The President said that he called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of tariffs on Harley-Davidson motorcycles. "Look at Harley-Davidson. I met with them three years ago, they would tell me tough to do business in certain kind. I asked 'How you're doing in India?' and they said, 'Oh, we don't do any business'. They weren't even complaining because so many years. "So India charged a 100 per cent tariff on Harley-Davidson, but when they send their motorcycles and they may come to us, we charge them nothing," Trump said. "So I called up Prime Minister Modi, I said unfair, he cut it 50 per cent but that's not good enough because look, it's 50 per cent to nothing. And what we're doing is changing all of that stuff, changing all of that rapidly," he added. India is pressing for exemption from the high duty imposed by the US on certain steel and aluminium products, resumption of export benefits to certain domestic products under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) programme, greater market access for its products from agriculture, automobile, automobile components and engineering sectors. On the other hand, the US is demanding greater market access through a cut in import duties for its agriculture goods, dairy products, medical devices, IT and communication items. India has stated that it would be difficult for them to cut duties on IT products. India's exports to the US in 2017-18 stood at USD 47.9 billion, while imports were USD 26.7 billion. nThe trade balance is in favour of India. By PTI COLOMBO: An Indian is among the 13 foreign nationals arrested by police here for violating Sri Lankan immigration laws during their stay in the country, police said on Monday. The 20-year-old Indian national was arrested from Mount Lavinia without a valid visa on Monday, police spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said, adding that he would be produced before the magistrate's court on Tuesday. The others arrested for the crime include ten Nigerians, an Iraqi and a Thai national staying in different parts of the Lankan capital. They will be produced in the courts today, he was quoted as saying by the SundayTimes. The arrests have come after the Sri Lankan government beefed up security measures following the country's worst terror attacks on Easter Sunday, killing 253 people and injuring 500 others. A total of 106 suspects, including a Tamil medium teacher and a school principal, have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday blasts. According to Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry, the number of foreign nationals who have been identified as killed remained at 40, including 11 from India. Sri Lanka has a population of 21 million which is a patchwork of ethnicities and religions, dominated by the Sinhalese Buddhist majority. By Associated Press PARIS: Over 1,100 French and international architects and heritage experts have called on French President Emmanuel Macron to take the necessary time to ensure good reconstruction work on the fire-damaged Notre Dame Cathedral. In a column published by French newspaper Le Figaro Monday, they urge Macron to "let historians and experts have the time for diagnosis before deciding on the future of the monument." They call for a well-considered, thoughtful and ethical approach and warn against a "political agenda" based on speed. France's government last week presented a bill aimed at speeding up the reconstruction of Notre Dame that would allow workers to skip some ordinary renovation procedures. Macron has set a goal of rebuilding the cathedral in just five years, which some experts consider simply impossible to achieve. By PTI COLOMBO: A woman in Sri Lanka has gifted her five German Shepherd dogs to the Army for explosive detection training in the wake of the massive Easter Sunday bombings. Dr Shiru Wijemanne, a lecturer in an international open university, gifted the canines to be used for emergencies, Colombo Page reported. The five German Shepherd dogs of a single family, including parent dogs in the age of two years and others of six months in age, were handed over to Brigadier AN Amarasekara at her residence in Narahenpita area here. She said that she was impressed with the role the Army was playing in detection of explosives and drugs. ALSO READ| Sri Lanka bans face covering after serial blasts The dogs are to be trained in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Squadron of the Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE) within a few weeks before they are tasked with specific roles, the Army said. The Army has trained a number of dogs for mine detection, drug and explosive sniffing among others. Nine suicide bombers carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on the Easter Sunday, killing 253 people. The Islamic State claimed the attacks, but the government has blamed local Islamist extremist group National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) for the attacks. ALSO READ| UAE-based Indian couple survive Sri Lanka bombings, man had witnessed 26/11 terror attacks too Sri Lanka on Saturday banned the NTJ and a splinter group linked to the ISIS.A total of 106 suspects, including a Tamil medium teacher and a school principal, have been arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday blasts. According to Sri Lanka's Foreign Ministry, the number of foreign nationals who have been identified as killed remained at 40, including 11 from India. The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka said Monday that the government should crack down on Islamic extremists with more vigor as if on war footing in the aftermath of the Easter bombings. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the archbishop of Colombo, said the church may not be able to stop people from taking the law into their own hands unless the government conducts a more thorough investigation and does more to prevent further attacks. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the Easter attacks, which killed more than 250 people, and investigators are looking into the extent of the extremist groups direct involvement with the local radicalized Muslims who carried out the suicide bombings. The cardinal said he is not satisfied with how the government has conducted its investigations so far. All the security forces should be involved and function as if on war footing, Ranjith told reporters. I want to state that we may not be able to keep people under control in the absence of a stronger security program, he said. We cant forever give them false promises and keep them calm. He urged the government to implement a proper program in order that the people dont take the law into their own hands. Ranjith, however, said the church assures Muslims that it will not allow any revenge attacks against them. He also said church services would be held this coming Sunday after necessary precautions are taken. The number of Masses will be reduced at every church, with police and parish committees entrusted with the task of looking out for strangers. Churches were shut across the nation on Sunday, a week after the bombings, for fear of an attack by Islamic State group-linked militants. Sri Lankas Catholics celebrated Mass in their homes as Ranjith presided over a televised service. The closing of the churches came after local officials and the U.S. Embassy in Colombo warned that more militants remained on the loose with explosives. Even though all of the island nations schools are to reopen May 6, Ranjith said Catholic schools could be kept closed after that date if the church is not satisfied with security. Meanwhile, the government has banned all kinds of face coverings that may conceal peoples identities. The emergency law, which took effect Monday, prevents Muslim women from veiling their faces. The decision came after the Cabinet had proposed laws on face veils at a recent meeting. It had deferred the matter until talks with Islamic clerics could be held, on the advice of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The Easter attacks were carried out by seven suicide bombers who blew themselves up targeting three churches and three luxury hotels. Two other suicide bombers died triggering blasts, one to avoid capture by the police and another at an inn where he was staying. Search Keywords: Short link: Reporter/Columnist Julie Wurth is a reporter covering the University of Illinois at The News-Gazette. Her email is jwurth@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@jawurth). Champaign, IL (61820) Today Partly cloudy skies in the morning will give way to cloudy skies during the afternoon. High near 50F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Cloudy. Low 42F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung (centre) and Commissioner of Police Stephen Lo (left) tour an exhibition at the Junior Police Call 45th Anniversary Open Day launching ceremony. Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung today officiated at the launching ceremony of the Junior Police Call 45th Anniversary Open Day at [email protected] Heung, which drew more than 4,000 visitors. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Cheung praised the Junior Police Call as a key player in mobilising youth development and its initiatives echoed the Governments youth policy. He added that since its opening in 2017, [email protected] Heung has provided leadership and personal growth training to over 40,000 local and ethnic minority youths. Part of the Hong Kong Police Force 175th Anniversary celebrations, the open day treated visitors to a joint counter terrorism exercise, Police Band and Police Dog Unit performances, a display of special Police vehicles and uniforms from different eras, exhibitions and game booths. Visitors also took part in activities such as ziplining, a rope course, mini-Police uniform photographing, laser gun shooting and horse riding to experience the services and facilities of [email protected] Heung. Additionally, the JPC History Museum officially opened today, presenting the development of JPC with a 13-metre interactive wall. Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury James Lau will travel to Nadi, Fiji on April 30 for the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank. Mr Lau will meet ADB President Takehiko Nakao, the banks senior personnel, other financial officials and business leaders before returning to Hong Kong on May 5. During his absence, Under Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Joseph Chan will be Acting Secretary. Secretary for Innovation & Technology Nicholas Yang (second left) inspects an energy-efficient building product during a visit to Sai Kung District. Secretary for Innovation & Technology Nicholas Yang today toured a company specialising in energy-efficient building products and visited a secondary school in Sai Kung. Mr Yang first toured the manufacturing plant of an energy-efficient building products company in Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate. The company uses plastic extrusion technology in insulating products for doors, windows and facades. He was then briefed on the development progress of the Data Technology Hub (DT Hub) and the Advanced Manufacturing Centre (AMC) by representatives of the Science & Technology Parks Corporation. The DT Hub will provide purpose-designed infrastructure for the data technology and telecommunications services industry, while the AMC will foster smart production and advanced assembly of high value-added manufacturing industries. The two projects are being developed to promote re-industrialisation. Mr Yang then visited QualiEd College and toured its laboratory to get a grasp of students innovation and technology learning experiences. The college is a participating school of the Enriched IT Activities Programme, introduced to secondary schools in 2015-16. The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer has subsidised more than 140 secondary schools to organise information technology-related extra-curricular activities for inspiring students interest and creativity in this field. Mr Yang said: "Hong Kong has been vigorously developing I&T in recent years and thirsting for talent. Given the encouraging responses, we decided to go further and expand the programme. We will launch a $500 million IT Innovation Lab in Secondary Schools initiative so as to nurture more new I&T talent. He also met Sai Kung District Councillors to discuss I&T and district issues. Chief Executive Carrie Lam called on legislators to commence the vetting of proposed amendments for the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance as soon as possible. Mrs Lam made the comments after the suspect in the Taiwan homicide case was jailed today by Hong Kongs High Court over money laundering charges. She said the suspect may be released from prison in October and therefore, there is an urgency to pass laws that allow the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to surrender him to Taiwan. She expressed hope that the bill could be passed before the Legislative Councils summer recess. I realised at the very outset that this is not an easy task. It is going to be controversial and contentious. And thats why we have taken up this task with very serious attention, very comprehensive analysis before we present the legislative amendments to the Legislative Council. On yesterdays public procession, Mrs Lam said Hong Kong is a free society and the HKSAR Government respects the expression of opinions by Hong Kong people in an orderly manner. We are always willing to listen to opinions in Hong Kong and see whether we could do more, explain more to allay those concerns and anxieties. At the end of the day, we have to ask ourselves whether we will continue to tolerate this loophole in our system in the return of fugitive offenders, to the extent that we will be making Hong Kong a haven for all those offenders of serious crimes all over the world. So we remain very convinced and committed to doing this not easy task and I hope that we will have the support of society, and the understanding and co-operation of members of the Legislative Council. However, there are concerns within the Muslim community that a prolonged ban could fuel tensions in the religiously-diverse nation that emerged from a civil war with ethnic minority Tamil separatists a decade ago Authorities in Sri Lanka on Monday banned women from wearing niqab - face veils also known as burqa - under an emergency law put in place after deadly Easter Sunday attacks by Islamist extremists. The measures would help security forces to identify people as a hunt for any remaining attackers and their support network continues across the Indian Ocean island, authorities said. But there are concerns within the Muslim community that a prolonged ban could fuel tensions in the religiously-diverse nation that emerged from a civil war with ethnic minority Tamil separatists a decade ago. Officials have warned that the militants behind the April 21 suicide bombings on hotels and churches that killed over 250 people were planning more attacks, using a van and bombers disguised in military uniforms. It is a presidential order to ban any dress covering faces with immediate effect, Dharmasri Bandara Ekanayake, a spokesman for President Maithripala Sirisena, told Reuters. Separately, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is feuding with Sirisena, issued a statement saying he had asked the justice minister to draft regulations to ban the niqab. The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU), the top body of Islamic scholars in Sri Lanka, said they supported a short-term ban on security grounds, but opposed any attempt to legislate against niqab. We have given guidance to the Muslim women to not to cover their faces in this emergency situation, ACJU assistant manager Farhan Faris said after the scholars asked the government to drop plans for a law against the burqa and niqab. If you make it a law, people will become emotional and this will bring another bad impact ... it is their religious right, he told Reuters. About 9.7 percent of Sri Lankas roughly 22 million people are Muslim. Only a small minority of women, usually in Muslim areas, fully hide their faces. Human Rights Watch condemned the ban. That needless restriction means that Muslim women whose practice leads them to cover up now wont be able to leave home, the groups executive director Kenneth Roth tweeted. In Kattankudy, the Muslim-majority hometown of Mohamed Hashim Mohamed Zahran, the suspected leader of the militant group behind the attacks, there few women in the streets and none had their faces covered. Two women declined to be interviewed by Reuters. Residents said only a small percentage of women in the town wear the niqab. Owais Ibrahim, a Muslim shopkeeper, said he supported a ban on face coverings for security reasons. If it is not allowed it is not a problem, he told Reuters. If we are living in Sri Lanka, we must respect their rules. Muslims fear for their safety On Thursday, hundreds of Muslim refugees in western Sri Lanka have taken refuge in mosques and a police station after facing intimidation following the deadly Easter bombings, activists told AFP. Scores of Ahmadi Muslims who settled in Negombo after fleeing persecution in their home countries have been thrown out of their accommodation by landlords, according to officials. "Today these refugees have become refugees again in Sri Lanka. They have been displaced for a second time," Ruki Fernando of Inform, a Sri Lankan human rights group, told reporters. The refugees are from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen and Iran. Ahmadis have faced repeated attacks in these countries by hardline Islamist groups who do not consider them to be Muslim. Relations between Ahmadis and native Sri Lankans have long been tense with many locals in Negombo accusing the refugees of driving up rent prices. Ahmadis complain of harassment while rights groups accuse Sri Lanka's government of not doing enough to protect the community. Fernando said homeowners had evicted the refugees because they feared their properties would be targeted by groups seeking revenge for the bomb blasts which were carried out by Islamist extremists. Many others have fled of their own accord, fearing for their safety. "Some unknown people broke into their houses in Negombo and beat them," Fernando told reporters. He said numbers had yet to be verified but around 700 refugees were believed to have sought shelter in one Negombo mosque. Around 120 were at a police station while several hundred more were at another mosque in Pasyala, in Gampaha, 25 kilometres (15 miles) from Negombo. *This story was edited and compiled by Ahram Online Search Keywords: Short link: He announced to us that we had just hit several birds and this is known as a bird strike which is something that does indeed happen, but that he had assessed the situation and the plane was safe and that we would continue our journey back to Harare. On Saturday, the MDC national council resolved to have a woman as one of its vice-presidents and this will see the four female politicians battle it out although they can still grab all the three available posts. The remains of a villager from Sipepa, Tsholotsho, in Matabeleland North Province who was killed during the Gukurahundi era that rocked Matabeleland and Midlands provinces in the early 1980s were exhumed on Sunday as part of the peace and reconciliation initiative. Thembi Ngwenya (21) was shot and killed in 1983 and had been buried near the railway line, but her remains were now exposed. The exhumation was done by Ukuthula Trust. National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) commissioners witnessed the exhumation. In an interview after the exhumation, NPRC chairperson Justice (Retired) Sello Nare said they were invited to observe the exhumation by the trust and they went as part of the reconciliation process. He however, said the NPRC had not yet started any exhumations, which are part of a raft of measures to bring finality to the ugly spot in the post-Independence history of Zimbabwe. We were invited by Ukuthula Trust to witness the exhumation exercise in Sipepa, Tsholotsho. Remains of one person were exhumed and theyre set for reburial, said Justice Nare. He said as the NPRC, their role was to inform people that people could talk about Gukurahundi, share their experiences and contribute towards the healing process. President Mnangagwa said people should talk freely about Gukurahundi. This will help us move on as a nation, said Justice Nare. President Mnangagwa met with civic society organisations from Matebeleland last month under the banner of Matabeleland Collective, where he said Government would provide assistance to victim and communities affected during the period. He has encouraged people to openly discuss their experiences during the disturbances while Government has come up with various measures to assist victims. The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage will facilitate the issuance of birth certificates and death certificates for victims affected by Gukurahundi and will also facilitate the exhumation and reburial of victims. The ministries of Health and Child Care and Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare ministries would provide medical assistance to victims of Gukurahundi. Parliament is seized with the alignment of laws to the Constitution to ensure 2023 harmonised elections are free, fair, transparent, credible and reflect the true democratic will of the people of Zimbabwe. This came out during a presentation by Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda at the Zimbabwe National Defence University, reflecting massive civil and political reforms being undertaken under President Mnangagwas Second Republic. He was presenting a paper on Parliaments oversight role and contribution to national security and political systems in Zimbabwe. Adv Mudenda said to strengthen national security, Parliaments oversight role must focus on national food security, health, socio-economic security, environmental security and human security which are all predicated on the respect and religious observance of human rights and freedoms. He said Zimbabwe is a constitutional democracy founded on principles of political pluralism and diversity as opposed to political monism. Party pluralism has been a defining feature of our democracy since independence in 1980. That is why section 3(2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe emphatically states that: The principles of good governance, which bind the State and all institutions and agencies of Government at every level include a multi-party democratic political system, an electoral system based on universal adult suffrage and equality of votes, free, fair and regular elections and adequate representation of the electorate. Flowing from the above constitutional provisions and pursuant to the need to enhance and expand the democratic dispensation in Zimbabwe, Parliament is currently seized with the alignment of laws to the Constitution, the Ease of Doing Business Laws and the Electoral Law reforms. These are meant to ensure the 2023 harmonised elections are free, fair, transparent and credible to the extent that they reflect the true democratic will of the people of Zimbabwe apart from creating a positive environment to attract both domestic and foreign investors, he said. Advocate Mudenda said political party pluralism had seen more than 100 parties and 22 Presidential candidates participating in the previous 2018 harmonised elections which augured well with section 67 of the Constitution which acknowledges the political rights of citizens. Every Zimbabwean citizen has the right to free, fair and regular elections for any elective public office established in terms of this Constitution. Every Zimbabwean has the right to form, join and to participate in activities of a political party or organisation of their choice, to campaign freely and peacefully for a political party or cause, to participate individually or collectively in gatherings or groups or in any other manner, in peaceful activities to influence, change or support the policies of Government or any political or whatever cause, he said. He said the use of violence, overt or covert was not constitutional. This explains why all constitutional State commissions inkling, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, national peace and Reconciliation Commission among others are accountable to Parliament as prescribed in section 235(1) of the Constitution, he said. Advocate Mudenda said Parliament had the role of being the ultimate protector of the constitution and this was evident in November 2017. Political events in Zimbabwe during November 2017 brought to the fore the centrality of Parliament as the penultimate institution in protecting the constitutional order and the democratic dispensation. Without the stewardship of Parliament, there was no way the political conundrum at that time could have been speedily resolved constitutionally and lawfully, he said. He said there was need for the constitution to be taught in schools and as part of the curriculum for the training of members of the security services, the civil service and members and employees of public institutions and encouraged all people and organisations to disseminate knowledge of the Constitution throughout the society. Recently, the European Union acknowledged that there were some positive steps towards the attainment of political and economic reforms by Zimbabwe. SOME foreign elements are plotting violent demonstrations in a bid to overthrow the Government and the police are ready to deal with the perpetrators in terms of the law, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Cain Mathema has said. Addressing a Press conference in Harare yesterday, Minister Mathema said intelligence revealed a workshop to mobilise and capacitate the civic organisations had already been scheduled for an undisclosed date next month in Bulawayo. It is disturbing to note that ZRP and other security services have gathered intelligence to the effect that a group of foreign nationals wants to facilitate a three-day civic organisation workshop in Bulawayo in May 2019. The main agenda of the workshop is to mobilise and capacitate civic organisations and individuals to stage purported effective demonstrations and disturbances to overthrow the Zanu-PF Government, he said. Minister Mathema warned the people of Zimbabwe against joining the planned violent demonstrations. The minister said the police were on high alert and measures have already been put in place to thwart the illegal plans. My ministry has since directed the Commissioner- General of Police to put in place adequate security measures. The police will thwart any civil disobedience or violent machinations by individuals, political parties and civic organisations under the guise of freedom of assembly and other hidden activities, he said. Government has urged people to ignore any demonstration calls. Members of the public are accordingly advised to ignore any incitement to violence or participating in unsanctioned gatherings that may cause instability in the country. Any acts of lawlessness should be reported to the nearest police station so that the law is applied without fear or favour, said Minister Mathema. Zimbabwe, the minister said, does not need any lecture on democracy and freedom of assembly from foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Minister Mathema said intelligence also show that there were plans to intensify the demonstrations after the MDC-Alliances congress. My ministry is also aware that there are plans to intensify violent demonstrations in the country after the forthcoming MDC-Alliance congress under the guise that there is economic collapse in Zimbabwe. Minister Mathema assured Zimbabweans and foreigners visiting the country or those doing business that their security was guaranteed. We have the names of the organisations and the names of the people who want to organise the demonstrations. At an opportune time, we will share their names, he said. Price increases and other economic challenges facing the country, Minister Mathema said, were being caused by the MDC-Alliance. It must be known that those economic challenges facing the country were brought about by the MDC. The sanctions were brought about by the MDC-Alliance, so it is laughable that we should be accused, as Government, of causing the economic challenges. Fairbanks, AK (99707) Today Cloudy with snow. Low near 0F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 80%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected.. Tonight Cloudy with snow. Low near 0F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 80%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected. UAF Steel Bridge Team UAF Steel Bridge Team members Larry Hiles, left, and Juliana Rivera help construct the teams winning entry at the regional competition in Lac University of Alaska Fairbanks students have been recognized once again on their steel bridge engineering skills. A team of UAF students will travel to compete in a national contest May 31 after taking first place in the 2019 Pacific Northwest Regional AISC Student Steel Bridge Competition earlier this month. After finishing first in the regional event at Saint Martins University in Lacey, Washington, nine UAF students will travel next month to the University of Southern Illinois to compete in the national bridge-building competition. The American Institute of Steel Construction sponsors the annual competition to test the skills and knowledge of engineering students across the country. In preparation for the competition, students are responsible for designing and building a steel-framed bridge to be judged on a number of factors including efficiency, stiffness, speed of construction and weight. The UAF team spent more than 1,500 hours building their bridge this semester, according to UAF Team Captain Taylor Tharp. Wilhelm Muench, co-adviser for the team and a professor in UAFs College of Engineering and Mines, said after all the work being put into the bridge, the competition ends up being the easiest part of the process. Basically, they have to spend that time building the entire bridge from scratch, Muench said. This is not the first time UAF students have been recognized for their superior bridge building skills. The university won the national competition in 1993 and has won the regional competition four of the past five years. Contact staff writer Erin McGroarty at 459-7544. Follow her on Twitter: @FDNMPolitics. 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. Masayoshi Son is often called Japan's Warren Buffett. It is a useful comparison as the SoftBank billionaire scours the globe for value investments, and, as with Buffett, some of his choices leave observers perplexed. News that Son lost $130 million of personal money on bitcoin is now Exhibit A of this phenomenon. As The Wall Street Journal reported last week, the Sage of Tokyo bought the digital currency in late 2017 just as it was peaking near $20,000. He then reportedly dumped bitcoin in early 2018 as prices nose-dived (since then it has recovered to about $5,100). The story raised a couple of intriguing questions. Who, for example, leaked this embarrassing loss and why? It comes, after all, as investors question the $100 billion SoftBank Vision Fund's bets on Uber, WeWork and other potentially overvalued Silicon Valley unicorns. The bigger quandary is how a savvy investor who says "I think I'm better than others at sniffing out things that will bear fruit in 10 or 20 years, while they're still at the seed stage" got caught up in cryptocurrency mania? The answer may have more to do with bitcoin than Son. It is an asset that can seem more pyramid scheme than store of value. Son is in risk-on mode. The Buffett-like halo investors bestow on him stems from his $20 million bet on an obscure Chinese startup in 2000. The juggernaut that Son helped finance was Alibaba, and his investment was worth $50 billion when that company went public in 2014. The SoftBank founder is trying to strike gold again. His giant wagers on ride-hailing startups like Southeast Asia's Grab and America's Uber seem part of a strategy of hope. Son needs another big win to keep the Saudi benefactors, who back his funds, happy and writing those multibillion-dollar checks. A 46-year-old man working for Kyodo News was arrested for allegedly damaging a vehicle in Kanagawa Prefecture, police said Sunday. Koji Morofushi, an administrative worker at the news agency, is suspected of breaking the side mirror of the vehicle, which was parked near his home in the city of Yokohama, on Saturday night. Morofushi, who had been drinking at home, told the police that he was drunk at the time and does not remember what happened. A local resident saw a man kicking the vehicle and called the police. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) continues to provide Sudan with technical assistance and policy support, but it cannot offer additional financing because of the countrys arrears, a senior IMF official said. Sudans Transitional Military Council is in talks with opposition groups on the formation of a joint body to lead a transition from 30 years rule by Omar al-Bashir. The council ousted and arrested al-Bashir after months of mass protests against him. The council has not approached the IMF about the countrys debt, Jihad Azour, director of the IMFs Middle East and Central Asia department, told Reuters, but the fund has continued its engagement with Sudan authorities after the political upheaval. We have been engaged with Sudan, we provide them with technical assistance and policy support, Azour said. But he added: We cannot provide them with financing because they are still incurring arrears, and until they address this arrear issue, in our bylaws, we cannot provide them with additional lending. The IMF in late 2017 estimated Sudans arrears to the fund to be $1.3 billion this year, out of a total external debt estimated at $59 billion. The United States imposed a range of sanctions on Sudan, first over Khartoums perceived support of militants, later its suppression of rebels in Darfur. An overhaul of Sudans debt is too premature, said Azour, because this would require the removal of the sanctions. Technically it is not something that you can achieve now. *This story was edited by Ahram Online Search Keywords: Short link: